Boomtown - Season One
by Alex Zakrzewski, Bobby Roth, Frederick King Keller, Jack Bender, Jeremy Kagan
List Price:
Our Price: $8.16
You Save: $11.82 (59%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.90 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Donnie Wahlberg, Gary Basaraba, Mykelti Williamson, Neal McDonough, Nina GarbirasDirector: Alex Zakrzewski, Bobby Roth, Frederick King Keller, Jack Bender, Jeremy Kagan
Brand: Lions Gate
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 810 minutes
Published: 2004-07-01
DVD Release Date: 2004-07-20
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Artisan Entertainment
Product features:
- Condition: New
- Format: DVD
- Anamorphic; Closed-captioned; Color; Dolby; DVD; Widescreen; NTSC
DVD Reviews of Boomtown - Season One
DVD Review: Incredible show; great DVD extras
Summary: 5 Stars
Many of the other reviews posted here sum up Boomtown the TV show, and I add my voice to those who say what a fine program it was. In fact, in my opinion it was one of the best TV shows ever made. In this review I would like to also sing the praises of Boomtown the DVD set.
Although there isn't commentary for every single episode, it is there for what I would consider the best, most crucial episodes, provided by a variety of folks, both actors (Donnie Wahlberg, Mykelti Williamson, Neal McDonough) and behind-the-scenes people such as creator/producer Graham Yost. I have heard some commentaries that made me wonder what the point was of adding commentary, and others that were clearly scripted in advance--Boomtown's commentaries do not disappoint. They are all informative and entertaining. Especially not to be missed is Mykelti Williamson's commentary on the episode "Fearless", where he discusses the personal story that inspired the episode--you won't view it the same way again. Throughout the commentaries as well as the two very enjoyable featurettes, you learn about the multiple-viewpoints style of the show, and how it went from a rigid story-telling format (e.g., no character's viewpoint is seen more than once) to something much more flexible that could more easily accomodate the story-telling (e.g., "Fearless," in which pretty much the whole episode is from Fearless's point of view). You also learn some of the behind-the-scenes wrangling that led to more linear stores (under pressure from NBC), and by the second season resulted in taking away from Boomtown what made it unique (and quickly got it cancelled). =(
I have shown some of these DVD episodes to several friends who never watched Boomtown on NBC; all of them really enjoyed it. Many of the episodes get better with subsequent viewing (really!), a rarity with TV episodes--you know how it goes, you buy the DVD set, watch them once, they gather dust. Not so with Boomtown. Because of the complexity of story-telling, genuine surprises, commentaries, and of course superb acting, you will watch these DVDs more than once.
Scenes/episodes to especially watch for:
* Episode 1 ("Pilot"): Classic Boomtown. The opening scene makes no sense whatsoever...until the end of the episode when a longer version of it is played. I can't help crying a little every time I see the scene when the suspect's life is shown in reverse, going back to him as a child jumping on his bed. It reminds me that even those whom society writes off started off as kids jumping on beds. (Includes commentary.)
* Episode 11 ("Monster's Brawl"): The former Doogie Howser, currently on "How I Met Your Mother", Neil Patrick Harris plays a character quite different from either. Unexpected twists, and a personal reaction to the case from Det. Stevens (Wahlberg) that kicks you in the gut.
* Episodes 14-15 ("Execution" & "Storm Watch"): Essentially a two-parter. I don't remember a lot of especially "Boomtown"-specific story-telling, but these are exciting "cop" show episodes, with lots of payoff of personal stuff we've seen earlier constantly simmering. Especially not to be missed are McNorris's conversation with the death row inmate, and Stevens being forced to question his fellow officers. (Both with commentary.)
* Episode 16 ("Fearless"): As mentioned above, this is an intensely personal story, made even more personal once listening with the commentary. Mykelti Williamson shines. (Includes commentary.)
* Episode 17 ("Blackout"): Perhaps the finest episode of the season (in my opinion, a tie with the very emotional Episode 18). One of the best things about Boomtown was Neal McDonough as DA McNorris. I have seen him in other programs, but as McNorris I can't take my eyes off him. In this episode he has an alcohol-induced blackout and realizes he may be responsible for a hit-and-run that the police are investigating. The scene in his garage is incredible. Watch, rewind, watch again. Repeat. Even the scene with the--ahem, dancer--is riveting, as we gain greater insight into McNorris, and even feel as though we know the dancer at least a little. Few Boomtown conversations are mere information exchanges. (Includes commentary.)
* Episode 18 ("Lost Child"): Wow. All right, the crime is wedded to the personal story a little bit too obviously in this one, and the discovery of certain documents near the end of the episode seems a bit contrived to me, but this episode is so incredible I can let those things go. This is primarily a Stevens (Wahlberg) episode, although other characters are drawn in nicely. This episode is the climax to a story that progresses throughout the season, the death of Stevens's baby and subsequent suicide attempt of his wife, who felt responsible. Just try to get through this one without shedding a tear or two.
Most of the episodes I named as favorites fall at the end of the season. I don't think this is necessarily because the show's quality improved at the end--it was always great. It's just that underlying each episode are personal threads--sometimes prominent in the epidode, sometimes just a look between two characters. By the end of the season, you've really gotten to know and care about the characters, so you get that extra payoff in episodes like "Fearless", "Blackout", and "Lost Child".
I have a hard time stopping when I start talking about Boomtown, but enough said. This DVD set is well worth purchasing.
Description of Boomtown - Season One
Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 02/05/2008 Run time: 810 minutesBestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
What Doesn't Kill YouHAWKE,ETHAN; Release date: 2009-04-28; DVD
Best price: $3.03
Price in other shops:
TriggermenWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-08-17; DVD
Best price: $7.02
Price in other shops:
SouthieLions Gate; Release date: 2000-05-09; DVD
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops:
Blue Bloods: The First SeasonParamount; Release date: 2011-09-13; DVD
Best price: $21.95
Price in other shops:
Diamond MenLions Gate; Release date: 2003-02-11; DVD
Best price: $4.32
Price in other shops:
New Kids On The Block: Coming HomeRelease date: 2010-02-02; DVD
Best price: $4.36
Price in other shops:
Kings of South BeachSONY PICTURES HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-10-16; DVD
Best price: $4.50
Price in other shops:
Kidnapped - The Complete SeriesSony; Release date: 2007-04-24; DVD
Best price: $6.93
Price in other shops:
The Kill Point (2 Disc)Lions Gate; Release date: 2008-03-04; Published: 2008-03-01; DVD
Best price: $1.68
Price in other shops:
Runaway: Complete SeriesHOPE,LESLIE; Release date: 2009-03-24; DVD
Best price: $7.97
Price in other shops: