Wow, a Shippiden review! Cool.  I may have to keep an eye out for this.

*spoilers for those squeamish about spoiling*

I noticed you mentioned a "good jumping off point" for the series.  In my humble opinion, I believe episode 144 would be an excelent place for someone just getting into the series to start for the current plot arc.  It is the beginning of a filler arc, but it gives a good feel for the main characters (Naruto and Team 7) to get a viewer interested.  It also ends by filling in some of what the Akatsuki are doing swith the Jinchuriki.
 

 Has it changed since the original statements about what they're doing from the opening segment with Sasori and all? I've seen the first 30-odd episodes and all of the original series (and have reviewed lots of both) so I've got the basics, it's just catching up on where it is a little. At the same time, I don't want to spoil too much of the next 120 episodes I have to watch :D 

 Changed, no.  The reasoning they are doing it was explained a lot better.  There have also been a lot of .. changes in the Akatsuki rouster. 

The Naruto wikipedia site is great for catching up, but I'm sure you're aware of it :D

 Yup; I'm just in that awkward position of trying to deal with the current episodes without spoiling too much of what I still have to see on DVD.