DVDizzy Forum

My review of "JONAS" - Volume 1: Rockin' the House has just been posted here: http://www.ultimatedisney.com/jonas-rockin.html

Surprisingly, there's no discussion thread for the show yet... so voila!

Discuss.

-Aaron

I think I had been posting updates about the show and whatnot in the Jonas Brothers Discussion Thread, but this thread is good.

I absolutely LOVE the show. Yes, I'm a huge fan of theirs. Yes, I love pretty much anything shown on Disney Channel. But regardless of those, the show is really, really funny.

Aaron's Review wrote:Singers they sort of are, actors they are not.

I'd like to hear you sing and act, then!

I actually have to get going, and I will finish <strike>criticizing</strike> reading your review when I return!

Even though I haven't read the review I would have to agree with Aaron's statement that you quoted. They're average (at best) singers and I don't even want to watch their "acting." Too bad Disney has found money in their current scheme of things. I puke every time I see some sort of product that is made for some current Disney channel show. You know it's bad when I haven't watched the channel in, oh, about 3 or 4 years. Disney should just cut everything that's on the air and come up with something better. I wish it was more like 90s and early 2000s; man that was some good tv.

blackcauldron85 wrote:

Aaron's Review wrote:Singers they sort of are, actors they are not.

I'd like to hear you sing and act, then!

Admittedly, that's not fair. I can criticize someone as being a terrible politician, but that in no way means that I should or want to run for politics. It's like saying "Roger Ebert, you think that movie is bad? Why don't you go make a better movie!" It's comparing two different intentions. Without that, no one would ever be able to criticize anything ever.

And then Roger Ebert would go make "A Bit Further Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" just to shut everyone up.

TheSequelOfDisney wrote: I puke every time I see some sort of product that is made for some current Disney channel show.

Remind me to stay away from you at all times...

SpringHeelJack wrote:

blackcauldron85 wrote: I'd like to hear you sing and act, then!

Admittedly, that's not fair. I can criticize someone as being a terrible politician, but that in no way means that I should or want to run for politics.

Yeah, I understand that. But they are singers. I guess I'd be more okay with it if he said something about how he doesn't like their singing or acting or whatever. I mean, they're not doing Shakespeare, and they're competant as comedy actors. I'm just defending them, and I have nothing against Aaron!

Continuing my reading, and thoughts on the review...and Aaron did say to discuss.

the latest Disney Channel Original Series to put the spotlight on undertalented youth.

I guess the point of a review is for the reviewer to give their biased opinion? Because talent is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I don't see how that statement is fair to all the Disney talent. But, again, if the point of a review is for a reviewer to give their opinion, then I have to accept that that's how Aaron feels, I guess. But there has been a lot of talent coming out of Disney.

the Lucas/Jonases (henceforth referred to as the Lonases)

Really?!? They don't play the Lonases...I mean, that's just weird and bothersome to me. Again, fan here, so maybe that's why. (Nothing against you, Aaron- I do like you- but I'm just ultra-sensitive to this review!)

via a mediocre duet on his next album

Ooh, it's so not mediocre- "Before the Storm" is a really good song, IMO.

Then again, the Brothers also thought it was a good idea for Joe Jonas to strap on a black leotard and do the "Single Ladies" dance, so I think it's safe to say their judgment is questionable.

That was AMAZING. So funny.

(how many of this show's viewers will even recognize a VHS?)

Seriously? Do kids not know what a VHS tape is?

FYI, the 2nd episode title has a space between it and the plot summary, while the other 4 do not have a space. Just a continuity problem I noticed.

Doesn't she know he has diabetes? That's just cold.

Um, a) what does that have to do with anything? b) Nick Jonas has diabetes, but I don't know if Nick Lucas has diabetes.

If only it were possible to sell a lot of records despite subpar singing voices...

Wow. Just wow.

Does the DVD even have a DisneyFile Digital Copy? Why bother having that "bonus feature" on the DVD if it doesn't?

If you're a diehard Jonas fan (and kudos to you for making it through this review if you are)

a) Because Jonas Brothers fans are illiterate? b) I would think if anyone would make it through the review, it would be Jonas Brothers fans...because we'd be the ones interested in the DVD.
(Okay, I just read that to Bobby, and he said that you meant kudos for gettiing through the review because you were so negative...)

Obviously, I wasn't a fan of the review. Sorry, Aaron. Again, nothing against you. I mean, I was surprised when you later said in the review that the show isn't so bad after all, or however you worded it, because it didn't seem that way reading most of the rest of the review.

The show really is funny. I think that all the Disney Channel shows are funny, but Jonas really makes me laugh. I like how it's kind of tongue-in-cheek, what with their fans and Macy and all (like the taking out the trash episode, and anything with Macy, really). But, to each his or her own!




I'm not used to something I hold so close to my heart get trashed here! I mean, with DACs, the reviews are never too negative about the films themselves, I guess, and I guess that I've accepted the HSM reviews for what they are, and I don't recall the Jump In! review being too negative.

And shouldn't this go in the Disney Discussion forum, since it's a Disney Channel show?

Ames wrote:I don't recall the Jump In! review being too negative.

It wasn't negative at all! I thoroughly enjoyed the movie! It was the soundtrack that I tore apart.

Anyway, regarding the Lonas review, I read it just out of curiosity from Ames' comments rather than a genuine interest in the show (sorry, Ames!). I've only see a few episodes here and there, and none really by choice, and all the times, they were...well, painful viewing experiences. Their comedic timing is horrible, their acting is stilted, the plotlines are insipid, and the whole thing just feels like "Let's exploit ourselves even more!" rather than a genuine attempt at producing a half-hour sitcom worth watching. But the review was much nicer in saying that than I was. Kudos to Aaron for actually doing the review, kudos to Ames for standing up for the Jonases.



albert

I think the Jonas Brothers show is pretty funny actually. Kevin's probably my favorite

rexcrk wrote:I think the Jonas Brothers show is pretty funny actually. Kevin's probably my favorite

Brownie points and pink elephants for you! He's my favorite, too!

:pink::pink:

Yeah, Aaron could've been a lot more negative- I mean, he did say:

All that said, "Jonas" is still one of the better shows in production for Disney Channel.

and

Like most of the Jonas Brothers' work, "Jonas" isn't all that bad

and

Certainly, the more sophisticated, single-camera style lends the show a certain gravitas, and there are some solid nuggets of comedy to be found.

But, I feel contradictions:
With the 2nd quote above: But he said bad things about their voices and all, but then he says that they're not all bad.

Albert wrote:kudos to Ames for standing up for the Jonases.

Thanks, and always. Last year when I was in line for the Disney Channel Games concert tickets, there was a dad in front of me who was dissing JB's clothes, and I defended them, and he was impressed and high-fived me.

Anyhoo, I just woke up and don't have the energy to go on with this.

blackcauldron85 wrote:

Aaron's Review wrote:Singers they sort of are, actors they are not.

I'd like to hear you sing and act, then!

As others have pointed out, a review is an assessment of the work itself, not a comparison to the critic's own singing and acting abilities, so I'm not sure how that's relevant at all. I also don't know why you would assume that I can't sing or act (not saying I can... )

blackcauldron85 wrote:Yeah, I understand that. But they are singers. I guess I'd be more okay with it if he said something about how he doesn't like their singing or acting or whatever. I mean, they're not doing Shakespeare, and they're competant as comedy actors. I'm just defending them, and I have nothing against Aaron!

They are employed as singers, yes. Singing is just not something they do very well. That's not to say they don't have good voices. They've impressed me with their song-writing and instrumentation in several instances. Vocally, their technique is awful and clearly aimed at a younger crowd, with all that angsty voice-pinching and yelping. Their technique stunts whatever actual vocal potential they may have.

My review doesn't evaluate their performances on a Shakesperian standard. I evaluate them on a standard that is fair for a Disney Channel Original Series. They still come up short.

But I know you don't have anything against me personally (or at least I hope not! )

blackcauldron85 wrote:and Aaron did say to discuss.

Indeed! And I appreciate it.

blackcauldron85 wrote:

the latest Disney Channel Original Series to put the spotlight on undertalented youth.

I guess the point of a review is for the reviewer to give their biased opinion? Because talent is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I don't see how that statement is fair to all the Disney talent. But, again, if the point of a review is for a reviewer to give their opinion, then I have to accept that that's how Aaron feels, I guess. But there has been a lot of talent coming out of Disney.

Well aren't all opinions biased in some sense of the word? I think that goes without saying. But art can, to some extent, be measured against objective criteria and I think most critics strive to accomplish that.

I don't think my "the latest Disney Channel Original Series to put the spotlight on undertalented youth" observation implies that everyone in The Walt Disney Company or even at The Disney Channel is undertalented. My point is simply that several DCOS have put selected undertalented individuals in the spotlight. Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, etc.

blackcauldron85 wrote:

the Lucas/Jonases (henceforth referred to as the Lonases)

Really?!? They don't play the Lonases...I mean, that's just weird and bothersome to me. Again, fan here, so maybe that's why. (Nothing against you, Aaron- I do like you- but I'm just ultra-sensitive to this review!)

It's a joke, one that plays on the show's ridiculous attempt at distinguishing the Jonas Brothers from the Lucas Brothers.

blackcauldron85 wrote:

via a mediocre duet on his next album

Ooh, it's so not mediocre- "Before the Storm" is a really good song, IMO.

The song is bland pre-fabricated cookie cutter pop with insipid lyrics, vocals that alternate between lifeless and whiny, and an uncomfortable infusion of country ballideering in the arrangement. "Mediocre" is being kind, but I'll concede that there's a mild, radio-friendly catchiness to the song.

But we can agree to disagree.

blackcauldron85 wrote:

(how many of this show's viewers will even recognize a VHS?)

Seriously? Do kids not know what a VHS tape is?

This wasn't a criticism of the show, just a humorous observation. But it is fair to say that a good chunk of the show's audience has grown up in a time when VHS, while still in existence, was fading into obscurity.

blackcauldron85 wrote:FYI, the 2nd episode title has a space between it and the plot summary, while the other 4 do not have a space. Just a continuity problem I noticed.

Thanks. That's been fixed.

blackcauldron85 wrote:

Doesn't she know he has diabetes? That's just cold.

Um, a) what does that have to do with anything? b) Nick Jonas has diabetes, but I don't know if Nick Lucas has diabetes.

How could you know? That's my whole point. The blurred lined between the Jonases and the Lucases is laughable.

blackcauldron85 wrote:

If only it were possible to sell a lot of records despite subpar singing voices...

Wow. Just wow.

Sorry!

blackcauldron85 wrote:Does the DVD even have a DisneyFile Digital Copy? Why bother having that "bonus feature" on the DVD if it doesn't?

No it doesn't. You make a very good point!

blackcauldron85 wrote:

If you're a diehard Jonas fan (and kudos to you for making it through this review if you are)

a) Because Jonas Brothers fans are illiterate? b) I would think if anyone would make it through the review, it would be Jonas Brothers fans...because we'd be the ones interested in the DVD.
(Okay, I just read that to Bobby, and he said that you meant kudos for gettiing through the review because you were so negative...)

Bobby is correct!

blackcauldron85 wrote:Obviously, I wasn't a fan of the review. Sorry, Aaron. Again, nothing against you. I mean, I was surprised when you later said in the review that the show isn't so bad after all, or however you worded it, because it didn't seem that way reading most of the rest of the review.

The show's premise is absurd and its execution is frequently flawed -- it leaves itself ripe for critical prodding. That's sadly true of much of what is on The Disney Channel, however, so I readily concede that the show is ultimately harmless and actually less offensive than much of what is on The Disney Channel.

blackcauldron85 wrote:The show really is funny. I think that all the Disney Channel shows are funny, but Jonas really makes me laugh.

I do concede (in the review, even) that the show is funny (on occasion). And this is coming from someone who does not find all Disney Channel shows funny!

blackcauldron85 wrote:I'm not used to something I hold so close to my heart get trashed here! I mean, with DACs, the reviews are never too negative about the films themselves, I guess, and I guess that I've accepted the HSM reviews for what they are, and I don't recall the Jump In! review being too negative.

I wouldn't say I trashed "Jonas". I'll also just point out that I have written many warm reviews for Disney Channel properties, including DCOS, DCOMs, and even High School Musical (my HSM reviews here have been fairly positive).

blackcauldron85 wrote:And shouldn't this go in the Disney Discussion forum, since it's a Disney Channel show?

Probably. Good call.

Escapay wrote: But the review was much nicer in saying that than I was. Kudos to Aaron for actually doing the review

Thanks, Scaps!

blackcauldron85 wrote:But, I feel contradictions:
With the 2nd quote above: But he said bad things about their voices and all, but then he says that they're not all bad.

As I tried to lay out in the review (and again in this post), I think the Jonas Brothers have real potential -- not potential to stand among the greatest gifts to music we've ever seen -- but potential to produce some solid rock. It's just that they rarely realize that potential because they are stuck spinning their wheels in the DCOM/Radio Disney tween scene.

-Aaron

I like your attitude Aaron...not about the Jonas Brothers (:p), but in general. We'll agree to disagree.

I feel bad for the Jonas Brothers..young stars in general. They're not given a chance by the older crowd, just because they're the new heartthrobs. People will tear Zac Effron's acting just because he's the guy that was everywhere not realizing his acting isn't terrible, isn't bad, but in fact quite an improvement over older more famous stars. Same with any Jonas product nowadays. Their music is good. Sure, I get angry when people compare them to The Beatles too, and I think that has a lot to do with the older demographic completely shunning their stuff. but bad? No! Not even mediocre, it's pretty good stuff. Don't judge them by the Camp Rock soundtrack. go on YouTube and have a listen. Forget their fans. Jonas Brothers fans are typically girls under the age of twelve, loud, and extremely forgiving. We have the same problem with movies like High School Musical and Twilight (which in my opinion cold have been A LOT better, but I don't snub it because of the fans), they're alright movies. Also, just because they're young doesn't mean they're little immature, fabricated pop stars that have nothing to offer;just because you like older stuff better, doesn't mean newer stuff is bad. It becomes annoying when older generations kill whatever younger generations have and influence younger generations to kill it as well. Honestly? A lot of movies that are considered the greatest are just that because they were here first. Same with music. Forgiving completely their major flaws, which are errors that you if were done today, musicians and cinematographers would simply not get away with. I don't mean anything on Tiger Beat magazine must be good, it has a lot to do with taste as well. Even great minds like Thoreau said every generation needed their own books..translated to today, would also include media. Then I remember that they are making millions and have millions of adoring fans and I don't feel as bad, but if I was in their shoes I'd like to be taken serious.


Anyway, I guess that was a bit of a rant.. But yeah:
New (or young) does not always equal bad and old doesn't always equal better.

rs_milo_whatever wrote:New (or young) does not always equal bad and old doesn't always equal better.

I very much agree. There's a great deal of material coming from younger artists (or at least involving them/produced for them) that I like. I actually own both of the Jonas Brothers' last two studio albums. If I were writing reviews of those, they'd be much kinder than what I wrote for "Jonas" (though still pointing out much of what I've said above about the things they do to hold their music back). Same band, different products.

I completely agree with you that many in the press are too eager to dismiss younger artists just because of their "heart throb" status or young following. That's not why I'm criticizing "Jonas", though. I think I've laid out a number of legitimate criticisms that are grounded in the material itself.

-Aaron

And I'm sad I agree with you. Jonas is not a very good show, regardless of having young talent or not. It has potential though, it actually makes me laugh out loud, something the other Disney shows (excluding Wizards) never do. Still, those moments are scarce and the Jonai have acting skills to brush up. It's still very much more watchable than Sonny With a Chance or Hannah Montana..Some of these kids should stick to their music.

I like JONAS a lot, but I'm surprised Aaron thinks it's the best of the Disney channel shows (though that doesn't seem to mean a lot to him ) - Wizards of Waverly Place is actually very good - good acting, fun characters, not-too-bad stories. I like JONAS because I'm a fan of the Jonas Brothers and I like how much it references their real life - I think some of the jokes are possibly missed by people who aren't fans (I remember something about Nick never smiling on the show, which is true in real life too). But Wizards wins any day.

Some of the jokes are definitely in-jokes, and I think you're right about some of those jokes being missed by non-fans. So, I guess the show is funnier to fans than non-fans...

myr_heille wrote:I like JONAS a lot, but I'm surprised Aaron thinks it's the best of the Disney channel shows (though that doesn't seem to mean a lot to him ) - Wizards of Waverly Place is actually very good - good acting, fun characters, not-too-bad stories. I like JONAS because I'm a fan of the Jonas Brothers and I like how much it references their real life - I think some of the jokes are possibly missed by people who aren't fans (I remember something about Nick never smiling on the show, which is true in real life too). But Wizards wins any day.

I think "Jonas" is one of the better things on The Disney Channel, but I agree that "Wizards of Waverly Place" is a better show on the whole, even if it retains the subpar production values of most other Disney Channel shows. I gave "Waverly Place" a much kinder review: http://www.ultimatedisney.com/wizardsof ... chool.html

-Aaron

I can't stand the Disney Channel tween sitcoms. They're all over-the-top with annoying characters, terrible performances, completely un-funny jokes and ridiculous situations. However, I admit that Wizards of Waverly Place isn't all that bad. The jokes are hit-or-miss, but when they hit, they are genuinely funny. The actors are also good (besides the best friend, who would feel more in place on Zack and Cody or Hannah Montana) as they make their characters likable and they don't feel the need to go all bug-eyed just to sell a joke.

However, every other Disney Channel show is just garbage.

I'm debating over whether to pick up the "JONAS" - Volume 1: Rockin' the House or not. I definitely want to own the series but I'd hate to buy it and then a season set comes out. Then again that may never come out (How many Season sets do we really see?)

I agree that the Disney Channel sitcoms are not very good. This is not to say that I haven't given them a chance. After watching them... no, they aren't very good. I was so sick and tired of all of the preppy-teeny-bopper nonsense, I was wondering when a real show would come along....
I was so excited when I heard about "Wizards of Waverly Place!" Finally! A show for sci-fi/fantasy junkies! A good show about magic, and wizards, and witches, and.... Yup. The protagonist is a teeny-bopper girl with 'tude. She uses her magic to fix her wardrobe.
The only one who makes any sense at all as a fantasy-genre hero is the elder brother, who is often shunned and the butt of all of the other characters' jokes. (In doing this, they alienate the general target audience for magic-based television shows.)
Needless to say, I was sorely disappointed.
Yup. I gave up after that. So I've never seen the "JONAS."

Wow. That was a rant!