How to Spend $20
By David Mumpower
June 5, 2007
For Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen's characters in Knocked Up: Fail-Safe
I did a DVD review of this last week if you want further details. The short version is that this disc is highly recommended.
For Buffy fans still trying to fill the void in a way comic books never could: Hex The Complete First Season
As has been referenced on BOP's favorite British show, Spaced, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is wildly popular in the UK. This program is a bit of eccentric scion of Joss Whedon's creation with the key difference being that Hex ramps up the drama rather than the comedy. It also ramps up the girl/girl quotient right at the start rather than making viewers wait until season five. God bless them.
Hex tells the story of Cassie Hughes, a bi-curious high school student whose best friend and roommate, Thelma, has made it perfectly clear that Cassie could have her for a song. Or a meal. Or a wink. She's not that picky, and the depth of her devotion to Cassie is displayed by the end of the pilot episode. The relationship between the two women is strained by the appearance of Azazeal, a powerful supernatural being who is leader of the Biblical fallen angels. It is revealed that in order for the leader of the Nephilim to survive, he must receive the occasional willing sacrifice. It's always something with these supernatural types, isn't it?
Azazeal claims to be drawn to Cassie, because she has started to demonstrate special abilities of her own, including telekinesis. While she is wildly attracted to the man, she is conflicted because taking up with him would make her quite the tease to Thelma, whom she has effectively promised eventual intimacy. The matter is further complicated by the fact that her mother is in a mental institution and there is reason to believe that it was Azazeal's seduction that drove the woman mad in the first place. Why do good girls like bad boys?
Where Hex excels is in its daring nature and willingness to surprise. During the ten episodes included in the Complete First Season boxed set, a couple of shocking twists unfold that I guarantee will make the viewer think, "Wow, why doesn't American television do more of this?" Hex as a compilation doesn't divide well in that season one is only six episodes whereas season two, the final batch of new content, has 13 episodes. In order to introduce North American audiences to the premise and some of the better surprises in the show, a decision was made by BBC America to show half the episodes last summer then air the rest of them this year. This disc compilation follows the same pattern. Ten episodes are included, meaning that all of season one plus roughly a third of season two comprises this package.
Hex is probably not for everyone, but Buffy fans and fans of BBC television in particular should give this a try. Hex: The Complete First Season is a title I consider to be a must-buy day one release, making it the clear cut choice for DVD of the week.
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