RagsWay

When I first saw the previews for "You Got Served," warning bells went off in my head as soon as the word "B2K" was mentioned. In this day and age, the acting vehicles used by music entertainers to break into the acting business are less than satisfactory i.e. Britney Spears in "Crossroads" or Lance Bass in "On the Line."

Already I knew the plot, as well as the acting, would be shoddy. I waited until my friends went to see "You Got Served" before seeing the flick myself. According to them, the dancing was amazing and "Wade," the evil white rich kid, was hot and that his hotness was enforced by his cocky attitude and lack of screen time. By dancing more than he spoke Wade endeared himself to them, unlike Omarion, whose hot dance moves were overshadowed by his awful acting and atrocious kissing skills. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film but I'm sure my enjoyment was thanks in part to my low expectations. If you watch this movie only expecting to see amazing dance routines, you'll probably enjoy it too. My friends and I just watched it again on DVD and fast forwarded through the entire thing, only stopping when Wade spoke and for the dance routines. As a movie "You Got Served" is subpar, but if you were in the mood to see some amazing dance movies then you should give this movie a shot.

Just fast forward through the acting and you'll be fine.

I'm extremely glad to see this here. I remember watching "Long Ago and Far Away" as a child and being absolutely mesmerized by the stories. James Earl Jones hosted the series, which televised one-shot cartoons from all over the world. I remember watching a claymation version of "The Adventures of Frog and Toad" over and over again as well as a beautifully animated story about Pegasus and his friend, the muse Minerva. I wish that PBS would play repeats of this show as I believe it to be one of the best children's shows ever to air. If you ever get your hands on a copy of any one of these episodes treasure it because I am sure it is a rare find.

Admittedly, I started watching "CSI: Miami" because I found out that Rory Cochrane ("Dazed and Confused", "Empire Records") was part of the ensemble cast. What kept me watching was the fast pace action and wittiness of the show, along with some of the most phenomenal TV editing I have ever seen. The plots, though a bit too "Hollywood" at some points, are interesting and fun. The guest stars are usually very good actors, not just someone whose face happened to fit the role. It gives the show a much more convincing air than some of the other shows on TV now.

The regular cast is not half bad either. Emily Procter, while annoyingly cute sometimes, is not half bad as Calleigh and one honestly believes that she knows what she's talking about when it comes to ballistics. Adam Rodriguez is memorable as goofy and funny Delko while Khandi Alexander is simply wonderful as Alexx, the Chief Medical Examiner who talks to dead people (it's really a lot more heartwarming than it sounds.) Alexx is a fascinating, wonderful character that gives a much needed warmth to the show. Along with Rory Chochrane's character, the neurotic, often bored and rugged Speed, Khandi Alexander's Alexx holds a special place in my heart.

Now comes David Caruso's character, Horatio, or "H." First off, any parent (or writer) even thinking about naming their child (or character) "Horatio" should not wonder where they went wrong when the kid (or character) turns into an overly dramatic, dark glasses wearing arrogant little man who somehow solves the world's most pondered questions by a "hunch." Now, "H" is really starting to grow on me, he is. But it does bug me how the other characters, more often Speed or Alexx, suffers a lackage (no, that's not a real word) of screen time just so we can see "H" put on his sunglasses for maybe the eighth time that episode. Also, has anyone else noticed that the majority of Caruso's shots are side shots with his head turned to the side? I have. And it's bugging the h*ll out of me too. But, like I said, give him time. The way the show has been going lately, all of the other cast members have been slowly but surely gaining more screen time.

All in all, this show is well worth staying home for (especially cause it's on Mondays, so it's not like you were going to be doing anything remotely interesting anyways.)

**** out of *****