Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I just watched the last episode of this great show and I just needed to know something. Am I the only person who liked it? Luckily... It would seem that I'm not.Jack and Bobby... The story of two brothers... One who becomes President of the United States of America... And one who should have.Now, it's great to see that there are those out there who dislike it, debate is always good, but I am so glad it wasn't just me that truly believes this show to be a classic.Jack and Bobby struck me as though it was going to try to be allegorical to the Kennedey's, hell, they're in the titles, but it simply used that one feature to help viewers connect, and then we were treated to a show that truly lets you know that American TV isn't as dead as Big Brother and Idol would make you think.Two seasons passed by in the time it would take a normal show to have one, and this is great. Long have I decried the 24-26 episode length seasons that the US seems to prefer. Most shows end up with 10 good episodes and 15 or so of just filler. But Jack and Bobby only had a few portions where it felt as though it was just tacked in. And when they passed you were back to great acting, great surprise actors including J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man, Oz and now Jack and Bobby... Is this man perfect or what?) and many more familiar faces.This should be required viewing for everyone. Americans, Australians, French people and Chinese folk as well. Truly original stuff is hard to come by these days, but Jack and Bobby is the closest thing to it I've seen in many a year.I can't give halves on the "vote" but if I could, it would get 9.5 out of 10. Seriously. Don't pass up the chance if you get it. You won't be disappointed.

I finally understand why US goes around bombing and slaughtering people or even standing for the massacres of others (as it will happen in the coming days)and nobody says a word. The whole world is burnt, HIV is killing Africa, US forces are occupying countries (eg Iraq) or destroying others (Serbia) and all Americans are interested in is the American president. Do you really believe that show helps people be interested in politics or go for voting? It just hides the real problems. That thing is pure propaganda, equal to those in Germany 65 years ago. Honestly I thought Everwood was dangerous for promoting a conventional life and its watchers could die out of boredom - obviously there is always worse coming...

The ads they've been showing for this keep repeating one critic's quote - "The WB has perfected the family drama." And that's really all this is - a pretty good family drama. The political aspects end up serving very little more than Lorelai Gilmore's pop-culture references on "Gilmore Girls" - i.e. they define a particular character quite nicely, but don't really define the show at all. More important -- surprise, surprise -- are Jack's relationships with girls and Bobby's trouble with bullies. I'm not political, myself, but the image that was used to promote the series -- the two brothers lying head to head on the American flag -- as well as the title and the presence of Thomas Schlamme ("Sports Night"), suggested to me something very new and different. Beyond the "future documentary" conceit, though (which, to be fair, represents a greater innovation than most shows), there's just nothing new here at all. That's not to say it isn't worth watching. Just know what you're in for.

On the Sunday it premiered on the WB I think I heard the ad for it about 4 times on the radio in my half hour of total driving and decided that the plot sounded unique and was worth wasting an hour of time not doing homework. After watching the first episode, I found myself amazed at the unique style in which the pilot was done with no truly telling the truth of which brother becomes president and in how the idea switches back and forth throughout the show. But what makes the show so good is it's big underlying question, What is the next great president/world leader like today, as a kid growing up? (Is it that geek that played D&D or the cool jock who still did all that community service?) This ever present idea that one of these two very unique and powerful brothers will soon be this mythical leader "The Great Believer" is inspiring and truthful.Now after having watched the fifth episode, I find myself wanting to see the next right away. Each episode deals with a sort of theme or tying events between the two brothers. But the true power of the show is the chemistry of all the main characters and how they are portrayed. Matt Long is brilliant as Jack, the strong cool brother who still learns from Bobby (like when he helps his friend out by taking his job). Logan Lerman is superb as Bobby, the doesn't give a hoot what everyone else thinks kid who looks up to his brother and shows the ever amazing ideas that inspire to be more (like trying to start the space club with no support until Courtney becomes his ally). Christine Lahti is out of this world as Grace the mom, nothing needs to be said about how good a job she does. The rest of the cast is amazing in the support of this family. Their on screen chemistry takes the show by storm as every scene is good and the already well written plot is only amplified by the well done acting. Already given a second season, I hope to see this show go for a while. Please WB don't give up on this, it's just too good...