It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

How do you recreate something that only happens once when it was like a dream that captured the imagination of a whole country? I have been watching season 1 on DVD and it appears that is what is the goal of this program. It pretty much does the job too. It tries to recreate the history on American Bandstand and the feelings of the era. Here is how it started- It premiered locally in late September 1952 as Bandstand on Philadelphia television station WFIL-TV Channel 6 (now WPVI-TV), as a replacement for a weekday movie that had shown predominantly British movies. The original host was Bob Horn, but no one remembers that start. In late spring of 1957, the ABC television network asked their O&O's and affiliates for programming suggestions to fill their 3:30 p.m. (ET) time slot (WFIL had been pre-empting the ABC programming with Bandstand). Clark decided to pitch the show to ABC president Thomas W. Moore, and after some badgering the show was picked up nationally, becoming American Bandstand on August 5, 1957. Clark had been hosting since 1956 and would continue to host until 1989 when the run ended.While the recreation of this era is not entirely accurate, the setting and the spirit are all captured here. The recent death of Dick Clark who took the only local show that premiered in Philadelphia and made it a nationwide success is a spirit that still lives on. What is important to remember is what this show did for the music industry in America. This show put American music on the map. The National exposure from Bandstand began the modern music era.Nearly every artist and every top 10 song for over 3 decades would appear on the program. This show tries to recreate Philadelphia in the era of televisions start. The drama of getting on the show, the back stage politics, and other events of the era are something that has now passed into history. Even the show would eventually move to California before it's run ended.Still, the series recaptures some of the magic. I doubt it could be done much better. The dvds have extra music and some real footage of Dick Clark interviewing singers of the era. The only wish is that there could be more of that stuff.This history is now the stuff of museum's as we are in a totally different age. This show is the best blast to that past available.In Memory - Dick Clark 2012 & Bob Horn 1966 plus others who pioneered a great era of music and television.

This show was my favorite I can not believe that NBC canceled it! American Dreams has been canceled for two years now and I am still incredibly upset about it. This show was so amazing :( the music, the storyline, the characters...ugh it was SO good. Best show I ever watched. I know there will never be anything like it again. If you haven't seen it, buy the season one DVD any way. It is a little pricey but it is worth it! Me and my sister watch the DVD a few times each year... it never gets old. It is a show for all ages, you can be 3 or 93, it does not matter. support the show! BUY THE SEASON ONE DVD it is worth it!

This is a nice show with a good wholesome message.I get some of my laughs from the guest stars. e.g. Paris Hilton as Barbara Eden- hilarious piece of comedy.The characters are mostly paired in duos and relationships are tested in challenging times. Meg Prior and her friend Roxanne are faced with the challenges of adolescence and yet their friendship survives. Mr and Mrs Prior: can secrets destroy the "perfect" marriage? Meg and her socially unacceptable love interest- will the race barrier win again? AJ and his "career"; AJ and his (annoying) wife. It's an interesting dynamic of characters, through the age groups, through race groups. It's a nice insight into another time which seems in reality to be exactly how the world is now. Divided, fearful, determined.

I absolutely love this DVD box set, it is amazing. All of the episodes from the first song, Uptight, are full of energy with excellent acing, and strong dialogue. One of the best things about the series is the key issues that are dealt with in this decade of change. 1963 is when this series starts and the Pryors and walkers are propelled into the turbulent sixties with the death of the beloved president JFK.here is part of the review found on my fan website..."I was ecstatic when I heard that first season was coming out on DVD!. The box set is a set of 7 CD's each having 4 episodes on them, except for disk 7 which only includes the season finale, "city on fire." Looking back at the first season is amazing, you would not believe how young Patty and Will looked, they were so adorable. The extras were okay and I especially enjoyed the two commentary's. There are three commentary's for episode number 100 (the pilot) and the season finale (episode 125). The first one is by the producers Dick Clark and Jonathan Prince, the second the entire cast and third Meg and Roxanne. I recommend listening to all three. They all provide insightful information on the production of the show and each member offers their take on character development and the show. The commentary on the season finale also is enlightening as they show the connectivity between the first and last episode and how JJ and Meg matured and existed the innocence of the 1950's. The 30 minute time capsule hosted by NBC's new anchor Brian Willson is very insightful and connects the show to the turbulent years. Moreover, there are back to bandstand clips with actual footage of American Bandstand. However, that is peaty well it, except a music video staring Meg and Roxanne. I hope that when second season comes out some outtakes/deleted scenes will be added as well as more commentaries as they were great! None the less, I highly recommend buying the box set, it is a great addition to any fans collection!" The DVD is a great way to relive the memories of the sixties and this Emmy award wining show.