Summary : Exciting format, boring dialogs, questionable acting, John Bernthal on fire, disturbing Shane, dumb behavior, unbalanced production, Glenn bless you
Score : 5/10
The ending at the beginning. It's a formula that often makes a story more exciting. This time it was mostly about Shane and I liked how his dangerous and action-driven quest in the night was mirrored by the more psychological and emotional arc featuring Rick and the others. However I thought his dialogs with Lori would never end as they seemed rehashed. Moreover I'm not really convinced by Andrew Lincoln and Sarah Wayne Callies as leads. Their couple lacks the chemistry required to make us really care for them. It's not the first time I point out the issue but this time it was magnified by Jon Bernthal impressive skills. Shane just had a new layer to his wicked persona and after almost shooting his best friend in the woods I was really wondering what the writers would come up with. They didn't disappoint and his arc was almost shocking. As for his sidekick I wonder how it's possible to be fat in a world infested by walkers.
For once Deryl and his gang disappointed me. Their dumb behavior didn't make sense and was reminiscent of scream or bad horror movies. Moreover it wasn't scary and overall felt like an awkward way to feature them when the episode should have only focused on Carl. As for the production I didn't like the night scenes visual because it wasn't as polished as the sequences shot in the house. They could have used a better or creative lighting and probably some post processing. The image was just too cold and lacked the immersion factor the show is known for. Applying a film grain overlay and twisting the editing would have made things way more entertaining. Hopefully more Glenn couldn't be more welcome because to tell the truth I have missed him since Guts. He's such an under exploited character ! His obvious connection with the girl could also lead to some empathic romance and intense moments.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Dexter season 6 episode 4 : A Horse of a Different Color
Summary : Graphic violence versus imagination, thoughtful Brother Sam, no god complex, surprising investigation and captivating evolution
Score : 8/10
Spoilers
Poor girl. Her violent death was specially enduring to watch considering she looked so pretty and seemed so nice. It reminded me of The Trinity Killer first cut in the bathtub. What was the point of showing it when they decided not to reveal how they dismantled the runner ? I'm not sure what their intention was but in my opinion the episode would have been better without it. Graphic violence is such a lazy way to shock the audience when they could have used the characters to decrypt the crime scene. It would have left what really happened to our imagination, making Gellar and Travis plan even more evil. However the mistake Deb and her team made was what triggered the mecanism and the first thing I wanted to do was to rewrite the scene and save the girl. As for Travis I wonder why he was there. To easily get caught ? He probably had remorse so let's hope he'll find a way to free himself from Gellar's control because for the moment he's only a puppet. In fact I'm surprised they have already a lead on them so it seems this season should be quite different from the others…
Brother Sam confirmed the high impact it should have on Dex. The character is well designed because he made mistakes and found salvation when he saw the light, a sign he interpreted as divine. In fact his story really surprised me because it's quite similar to Dex's one. They both had father issues and it's only recently that he questioned Harry's code. As for a sign I think it was Lumen but apparently he forgot all about her, damn writers. That's why I was so surprised they actually mentioned Cody and Astor. It's disappointing the second isn't featured yet considering her role in season 5 was interesting. As for the surgery arc I didn't like how it was handled. What about covering doctors god complex ? I wasn't asking them to both summon John Locke and Jack Shephard for a new Science versus Faith epic battle but things should have been more psychological. At Dex calling Sam a friend was reminiscent of Miguel, implying that he could actually be not what he seems. Last but not least what surprised me the most was that he cracked the two numbers code in front of everyone when he used to keep all discoveries for himself to catch the killers first. I suppose it's related to Deb's new career but in all cases it's definitely a good thing because he's slowly learning team work, even he didn't tell anyone about the two potential killers. He cried, he saved Lumen, he almost prayed… His evolution is definitely captivating to follow ! From monster to mere mortal ?
Score : 8/10
Spoilers
Poor girl. Her violent death was specially enduring to watch considering she looked so pretty and seemed so nice. It reminded me of The Trinity Killer first cut in the bathtub. What was the point of showing it when they decided not to reveal how they dismantled the runner ? I'm not sure what their intention was but in my opinion the episode would have been better without it. Graphic violence is such a lazy way to shock the audience when they could have used the characters to decrypt the crime scene. It would have left what really happened to our imagination, making Gellar and Travis plan even more evil. However the mistake Deb and her team made was what triggered the mecanism and the first thing I wanted to do was to rewrite the scene and save the girl. As for Travis I wonder why he was there. To easily get caught ? He probably had remorse so let's hope he'll find a way to free himself from Gellar's control because for the moment he's only a puppet. In fact I'm surprised they have already a lead on them so it seems this season should be quite different from the others…
Brother Sam confirmed the high impact it should have on Dex. The character is well designed because he made mistakes and found salvation when he saw the light, a sign he interpreted as divine. In fact his story really surprised me because it's quite similar to Dex's one. They both had father issues and it's only recently that he questioned Harry's code. As for a sign I think it was Lumen but apparently he forgot all about her, damn writers. That's why I was so surprised they actually mentioned Cody and Astor. It's disappointing the second isn't featured yet considering her role in season 5 was interesting. As for the surgery arc I didn't like how it was handled. What about covering doctors god complex ? I wasn't asking them to both summon John Locke and Jack Shephard for a new Science versus Faith epic battle but things should have been more psychological. At Dex calling Sam a friend was reminiscent of Miguel, implying that he could actually be not what he seems. Last but not least what surprised me the most was that he cracked the two numbers code in front of everyone when he used to keep all discoveries for himself to catch the killers first. I suppose it's related to Deb's new career but in all cases it's definitely a good thing because he's slowly learning team work, even he didn't tell anyone about the two potential killers. He cried, he saved Lumen, he almost prayed… His evolution is definitely captivating to follow ! From monster to mere mortal ?
Saturday, October 22, 2011
American Horror Story season 1 episode 3 : Murder House
Summary : Ben 3rd Strike, smart writing, feminist spirit, promising Frankenstein, enchainting Moiras, sane format, pretty faces but mediocre make-up, When Hayden Met Larry…
Score : 9/10
To pinch ! Panch ? Punch !? As long as I can conjugate this review should write itself just fine. The moment Ben's therapy session began I had two options. The first was that I was losing my mind and needed to take an ice cold shower. The other was that Murder House could actually reveal that the pilot and Home Invasion were just the tip of an iceberg actually melting boiling lava. This third installment should convince any drug addict that the best trip is 100% clean and artistic ! After watching the second episode I still had a slight doubt about the show potential and its format but not anymore. The season is going to wow our highest expectations !
Ben's journey in Gardenland was really confusing and sadly I'm not literate enough to associate it with the many references that populate the series apparently. What I enjoyed the most was the writing. They definitely don't underestimate our intelligence and the characters couldn't be more realistic, if life was an asylum. This is not Scream, there's no doubt about it ! The decisions they make are the right ones and if they change their mind it's really for a good reason, like material or health constraints for instance. The contrast between the way Vivien and Violet dealt with the invasion was specially thoughtful because the second proved she's no screaming brunette. As for the mother I'm not sure if she's ready to share a cup of tea with the basement's devil but this time she proved her strength by handling situations like a true modern housewife warrior ! From the realtor to her husband she won't let anyone strand in her way. You go, mummy !
But now it's hard to separate the Harmons from their house because it seems the last has found the perfect odd inhabitants. That's why learning more about its past was enlightening but also quite exciting because visiting a spooky house is a child's dream. Moreover the scene where Vivien cuts yellow roses was cleverly staged as she wasn't the only left speechless by what she saw in the street, the whole audience was. Don't you have a Murder House in your neighbourhood ? As for the Frankenstein arc it's promising but I think its development in the present was far too anecdotic. At least it allowed us to take a closer look at the house's wonderful decoration, from the stained glasses to the vintage chandeliers. Like Violet said, the house has a unique identity.
Otherwise even if all these parts were fantastic my favorite was by far the one involving the Moiras. Alex Breckenridge incarnated the ultimate French maid fantasy in the pilot but it was only her first lesson. The second one ? How to welcome your employee while cleaning a wooden floor with a moisty sponge. More seriously it makes things even more ambivalent when other people see her, beside Vivien and Ben. As for Frances Conroy waiting two episodes for her to finally unleash her tremendous talent really paid off because her scenes with Constance and the couple were shattering. In fact the episode was heavy on character development in general and pivotal for Moira. It also revealed a whole new side of her personality and I wonder how her employees will handle her from now on. Things are relatively complex considering her young self drives Ben crazy when Vivien needs her as no one else would probably want to take care of their home. In the end she's a dual persona hard to resist as the emotions she makes us feel couldn't be more extreme. From attraction to disturbing empathy my opinion about them couldn't be more conflicted.
To sum things up this third session with American Horror Story was as excellent as the pilot but traded its scary bestiary for a nutsy circus. It's specially true considering pretty crazy Hayden made an unexpected comeback. As Kate Mara's performance is both frightening and moving I can't wait for her next appearance ! Again it proves that the show has found the right balance between developing its main story, the Harmons lived happily ever after, and warming things up with some episodic wicked stuff. My only complain would be Larry Harvey because the actor's make-up has a terrible plastic aspect. It's specially disappointing considering Denis O'Hare's acting has been convincing so far. An explanation would be that The Walking Dead airs on Sunday, so three days before the show, and as it features the best horrific visual effects on TV it's nearly impossible not to compare his burns to the rotten walkers. In my opnion his character designer should have just gone wild and injected him some of Freddy Krueger's DNA !
Score : 9/10
To pinch ! Panch ? Punch !? As long as I can conjugate this review should write itself just fine. The moment Ben's therapy session began I had two options. The first was that I was losing my mind and needed to take an ice cold shower. The other was that Murder House could actually reveal that the pilot and Home Invasion were just the tip of an iceberg actually melting boiling lava. This third installment should convince any drug addict that the best trip is 100% clean and artistic ! After watching the second episode I still had a slight doubt about the show potential and its format but not anymore. The season is going to wow our highest expectations !
Ben's journey in Gardenland was really confusing and sadly I'm not literate enough to associate it with the many references that populate the series apparently. What I enjoyed the most was the writing. They definitely don't underestimate our intelligence and the characters couldn't be more realistic, if life was an asylum. This is not Scream, there's no doubt about it ! The decisions they make are the right ones and if they change their mind it's really for a good reason, like material or health constraints for instance. The contrast between the way Vivien and Violet dealt with the invasion was specially thoughtful because the second proved she's no screaming brunette. As for the mother I'm not sure if she's ready to share a cup of tea with the basement's devil but this time she proved her strength by handling situations like a true modern housewife warrior ! From the realtor to her husband she won't let anyone strand in her way. You go, mummy !
But now it's hard to separate the Harmons from their house because it seems the last has found the perfect odd inhabitants. That's why learning more about its past was enlightening but also quite exciting because visiting a spooky house is a child's dream. Moreover the scene where Vivien cuts yellow roses was cleverly staged as she wasn't the only left speechless by what she saw in the street, the whole audience was. Don't you have a Murder House in your neighbourhood ? As for the Frankenstein arc it's promising but I think its development in the present was far too anecdotic. At least it allowed us to take a closer look at the house's wonderful decoration, from the stained glasses to the vintage chandeliers. Like Violet said, the house has a unique identity.
Otherwise even if all these parts were fantastic my favorite was by far the one involving the Moiras. Alex Breckenridge incarnated the ultimate French maid fantasy in the pilot but it was only her first lesson. The second one ? How to welcome your employee while cleaning a wooden floor with a moisty sponge. More seriously it makes things even more ambivalent when other people see her, beside Vivien and Ben. As for Frances Conroy waiting two episodes for her to finally unleash her tremendous talent really paid off because her scenes with Constance and the couple were shattering. In fact the episode was heavy on character development in general and pivotal for Moira. It also revealed a whole new side of her personality and I wonder how her employees will handle her from now on. Things are relatively complex considering her young self drives Ben crazy when Vivien needs her as no one else would probably want to take care of their home. In the end she's a dual persona hard to resist as the emotions she makes us feel couldn't be more extreme. From attraction to disturbing empathy my opinion about them couldn't be more conflicted.
To sum things up this third session with American Horror Story was as excellent as the pilot but traded its scary bestiary for a nutsy circus. It's specially true considering pretty crazy Hayden made an unexpected comeback. As Kate Mara's performance is both frightening and moving I can't wait for her next appearance ! Again it proves that the show has found the right balance between developing its main story, the Harmons lived happily ever after, and warming things up with some episodic wicked stuff. My only complain would be Larry Harvey because the actor's make-up has a terrible plastic aspect. It's specially disappointing considering Denis O'Hare's acting has been convincing so far. An explanation would be that The Walking Dead airs on Sunday, so three days before the show, and as it features the best horrific visual effects on TV it's nearly impossible not to compare his burns to the rotten walkers. In my opnion his character designer should have just gone wild and injected him some of Freddy Krueger's DNA !
Friday, October 21, 2011
Revenge season 1 episode 5 : Guilt
Summary : egneveЯ vs. Return to Eden, thrilling story, good-hearted and devilish personas, Agent Nolan XXX, Æmily as Picasso's muse
Score : 9/10
Emily Thorne and Amanda Clarke, the two sides of an angelic beauty and vengeful daughter. But she's no Two-Face as the first hasn't killed her former self yet, even if I wouldn't mind the show to be darker and disturbing. They just share the same body and soul. In fact Revenge reminds me of a mini-series that marked my younger days, Return to Eden. It first aired in 1983 and its story had a high impact on me. It told the tragic life of Stephanie Harper and her rebirth as Tara Welles. From dangerous crocodiles to a nice plastic surgeon it had all the ingredients to viciously charm its audience. The mini-series was actually so successful that it became a TV series. No one tried to kill Amanda but her father was framed for a murder he didn't commit. However like Stephanie she decided to change her name and use her talents, beauty and intelligence, to ruin the life of the monsters behind her traumatic experience. To sum things up Emily Throne is to Revenge who Tara Welles is to Return to Eden. We'll see if the first knows when it's time to back off before it's too late !
Last time I complained about the repetitiveness of the some patterns applied by the writers. Their work is so brilliant that I knew they wouldn't disappoint us and keep the audience under pressure. Guilt delivered in all departments and was fueled by what makes the show so addictive and interesting. First it was less predictable and blurred the lines that define the characters shape even more. From Nolan's suspicious good intentions to the shocking death of Lydia (Amber Valetta) it had all the elements of a great thriller. Don't worry revealing Conrad's mistress fate is no spoiler as it's actually the very first scene of the episode, like Daniel's death in the pilot. So it almost felt like peeping at the finale, making the story even more captivating and unpredictable. It got even better when Emily continued to lose control over the puppets she's supposed to master. Indeed because she's only an apprentice and could use the experience of someone like Victoria Grayson.
My favorite part about this installment was that it focused more on the Graysons, the wife and the husband. The players on the chessboard kept moving to secure their respective Kings and the return of Lydia was refreshing compared to the recurrent payoffs. However they always managed to serve the main story so they weren't fillers, only signs of the upcoming storm. Moreover should I even mention that Valetta looked ravishing in her elegant black and white evening gown ? Objectively her acting was good and she really made me care for her character because no one deserves to die like that. Of course she was guilty but killing someone isn't the solution, it's just wrong. Beside Lydia the story was also a lot about Daniel's friend. Do you hate him ? I do ! From his devilish smile to how he manipulated them I was curious how he would prevent his plan to backfire. Its outcome made me hate him even more ! The Graysons and Emily have definitely found a new player to at least snatch a few of their pawns.
The sweetest and cutest couple in The Hamptons was also back. Indeed even if Declan and Charlotte's roles have been anecdotic so far their short scenes are always welcome. Moreover I already anticipate how much their probable involvement will influence Emily and others. It's specially true for Nolan because his acts demonstrate that his skills have limits. It's one thing to hack someone's computer, it's really something else to jump in a pool full of tiger sharks. Don't expect him to go all James Bond on you but the upcoming episode should be pivotal for him. It also applies to Emily because she could also regret of trusting Nolan for example and of course hurting innocents. Indeed her controversial goal is a motivation for the moment but her project could quickly become a nightmare if she isn't careful enough. Picasso said something about destruction being a form of creation but once her painting is done Emily could left a broken Amanda behind her, if it's not already the case. It's probably my wild imagination that drives my words but the metaphora was inspired by the creative split screen featuring little Amanda and the vengeful young woman she has become. During this short sequence it seemed the last was trying to reach for the first, defying the rules of time and space in the process, in order to reassure her. Planes crash and people die but you can fall sleep now because I will eternally be by your side.
Score : 9/10
Emily Thorne and Amanda Clarke, the two sides of an angelic beauty and vengeful daughter. But she's no Two-Face as the first hasn't killed her former self yet, even if I wouldn't mind the show to be darker and disturbing. They just share the same body and soul. In fact Revenge reminds me of a mini-series that marked my younger days, Return to Eden. It first aired in 1983 and its story had a high impact on me. It told the tragic life of Stephanie Harper and her rebirth as Tara Welles. From dangerous crocodiles to a nice plastic surgeon it had all the ingredients to viciously charm its audience. The mini-series was actually so successful that it became a TV series. No one tried to kill Amanda but her father was framed for a murder he didn't commit. However like Stephanie she decided to change her name and use her talents, beauty and intelligence, to ruin the life of the monsters behind her traumatic experience. To sum things up Emily Throne is to Revenge who Tara Welles is to Return to Eden. We'll see if the first knows when it's time to back off before it's too late !
Last time I complained about the repetitiveness of the some patterns applied by the writers. Their work is so brilliant that I knew they wouldn't disappoint us and keep the audience under pressure. Guilt delivered in all departments and was fueled by what makes the show so addictive and interesting. First it was less predictable and blurred the lines that define the characters shape even more. From Nolan's suspicious good intentions to the shocking death of Lydia (Amber Valetta) it had all the elements of a great thriller. Don't worry revealing Conrad's mistress fate is no spoiler as it's actually the very first scene of the episode, like Daniel's death in the pilot. So it almost felt like peeping at the finale, making the story even more captivating and unpredictable. It got even better when Emily continued to lose control over the puppets she's supposed to master. Indeed because she's only an apprentice and could use the experience of someone like Victoria Grayson.
My favorite part about this installment was that it focused more on the Graysons, the wife and the husband. The players on the chessboard kept moving to secure their respective Kings and the return of Lydia was refreshing compared to the recurrent payoffs. However they always managed to serve the main story so they weren't fillers, only signs of the upcoming storm. Moreover should I even mention that Valetta looked ravishing in her elegant black and white evening gown ? Objectively her acting was good and she really made me care for her character because no one deserves to die like that. Of course she was guilty but killing someone isn't the solution, it's just wrong. Beside Lydia the story was also a lot about Daniel's friend. Do you hate him ? I do ! From his devilish smile to how he manipulated them I was curious how he would prevent his plan to backfire. Its outcome made me hate him even more ! The Graysons and Emily have definitely found a new player to at least snatch a few of their pawns.
The sweetest and cutest couple in The Hamptons was also back. Indeed even if Declan and Charlotte's roles have been anecdotic so far their short scenes are always welcome. Moreover I already anticipate how much their probable involvement will influence Emily and others. It's specially true for Nolan because his acts demonstrate that his skills have limits. It's one thing to hack someone's computer, it's really something else to jump in a pool full of tiger sharks. Don't expect him to go all James Bond on you but the upcoming episode should be pivotal for him. It also applies to Emily because she could also regret of trusting Nolan for example and of course hurting innocents. Indeed her controversial goal is a motivation for the moment but her project could quickly become a nightmare if she isn't careful enough. Picasso said something about destruction being a form of creation but once her painting is done Emily could left a broken Amanda behind her, if it's not already the case. It's probably my wild imagination that drives my words but the metaphora was inspired by the creative split screen featuring little Amanda and the vengeful young woman she has become. During this short sequence it seemed the last was trying to reach for the first, defying the rules of time and space in the process, in order to reassure her. Planes crash and people die but you can fall sleep now because I will eternally be by your side.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Terra Nova season 1 episode 5 : The Runaway
Summary : Brainless characters, pathetic soapy drama, no Skye, mediocre Sixers material, enigmatic project Terra Nova but cockroach fast development
Score : 3/10
Spoilers
And I naively thought Terra Nova could make a good B movie-like series. Damn I was wrong ! I enjoyed What Remains because it was filled with scenes you can only laugh at. Moreover for once the drama was convincing and the action was back in decent shape. Before watching The Runaway I was even planning to draw new comic strips but it was so painful that I just think the show doesn't deserve our attention. The Sixers arc has potential and the story of a runaway little girl sounded promising but all the elements that flawed Genesis and Instinct were back to spoil the fun.
Pointing out the show flaws is as easy as for a raptor to hunt down a drunken dodo. Of course it's easy to criticize but airing such a thing on TV is just wrong. My dumb, pathetic and dead boring detectors exploded under the pressure. Let's start with one of its leads, Jim. The man couldn't be more predictable ! Believing the little girl's lies the first time wasn't enough, he also had to believe her brother was in danger. The worst part is that he actually left the base alone, on a noisy motorbike and once in the middle of the jungle at night I just rolled my eyes because I couldn't believe someone had written such a silly story. He had no idea where the Sixers were but he left anyway. The perfect prey, the worst character. And to top all this Mira said she understood why the Commander had hired him ! Of course, because he's the black hole in the defense.
While watching the episode I never believed for a second that the little girl wasn't a spy. But once it was over I quickly realized how stupid the characters were to believe her. How could she have survived the jungle on her own ? Not even the Commander blinked when he's supposed to be the first colonist and know a few things about survival. That's why I suppose they decided to only feature a dinosaur because otherwise the audience would have instantly hammered their TV with a giant hairbrush ! It leads us to the little girl because she never looked like a wild child. I instantly saw she was just an other fairy princess behind her messy and ridiculous haircut. So what should have moved us turned into soapy drama again, making this Sixers-driven story a complete disaster. I also couldn't care less about Maddy and her soldier. Why don't they focus on Skye and Josh instead ? One teenager love story would be enough and at least it could be properly covered. Apparently it will develop next time but for the moment I can't imagine enduring an other installment.
Still among this disgusting pile of brainless family-friendly prehistoric poo I have to admit that the Sixers arc still has potential. It was already the case in Genesis and it's still one of the only reasons that could convince me to stick around. Of course it's reminiscent of Lost and its Others but these shows definitely don't play in the same league. As for the box what could have been an intriguing element became an other argument to doze off. Why didn't we see them trying to open it ? So in the end it was a non event. Otherwise Terra Nova itself, the project, remains a mystery for the moment because its goal isn't just to save humanity apparently. Is it some sort of failed experiment ? I also enjoyed the fact that the Commander wasn't kidding when he warned Mira and her men about coming back a third time and menacing them. But picturing a war between them already makes me laugh because Instinct proved how weak the show is when it comes to action.
All in all giving birth to such a televisual abomination would make me really ashamed. With Falling Skies it's an other demonstration that having Steven Spielberg as an executive producer doesn't prove anything. In fact next time I spot his name I'll definitely think twice about it before wasting my time.
Score : 3/10
Spoilers
And I naively thought Terra Nova could make a good B movie-like series. Damn I was wrong ! I enjoyed What Remains because it was filled with scenes you can only laugh at. Moreover for once the drama was convincing and the action was back in decent shape. Before watching The Runaway I was even planning to draw new comic strips but it was so painful that I just think the show doesn't deserve our attention. The Sixers arc has potential and the story of a runaway little girl sounded promising but all the elements that flawed Genesis and Instinct were back to spoil the fun.
Pointing out the show flaws is as easy as for a raptor to hunt down a drunken dodo. Of course it's easy to criticize but airing such a thing on TV is just wrong. My dumb, pathetic and dead boring detectors exploded under the pressure. Let's start with one of its leads, Jim. The man couldn't be more predictable ! Believing the little girl's lies the first time wasn't enough, he also had to believe her brother was in danger. The worst part is that he actually left the base alone, on a noisy motorbike and once in the middle of the jungle at night I just rolled my eyes because I couldn't believe someone had written such a silly story. He had no idea where the Sixers were but he left anyway. The perfect prey, the worst character. And to top all this Mira said she understood why the Commander had hired him ! Of course, because he's the black hole in the defense.
While watching the episode I never believed for a second that the little girl wasn't a spy. But once it was over I quickly realized how stupid the characters were to believe her. How could she have survived the jungle on her own ? Not even the Commander blinked when he's supposed to be the first colonist and know a few things about survival. That's why I suppose they decided to only feature a dinosaur because otherwise the audience would have instantly hammered their TV with a giant hairbrush ! It leads us to the little girl because she never looked like a wild child. I instantly saw she was just an other fairy princess behind her messy and ridiculous haircut. So what should have moved us turned into soapy drama again, making this Sixers-driven story a complete disaster. I also couldn't care less about Maddy and her soldier. Why don't they focus on Skye and Josh instead ? One teenager love story would be enough and at least it could be properly covered. Apparently it will develop next time but for the moment I can't imagine enduring an other installment.
Still among this disgusting pile of brainless family-friendly prehistoric poo I have to admit that the Sixers arc still has potential. It was already the case in Genesis and it's still one of the only reasons that could convince me to stick around. Of course it's reminiscent of Lost and its Others but these shows definitely don't play in the same league. As for the box what could have been an intriguing element became an other argument to doze off. Why didn't we see them trying to open it ? So in the end it was a non event. Otherwise Terra Nova itself, the project, remains a mystery for the moment because its goal isn't just to save humanity apparently. Is it some sort of failed experiment ? I also enjoyed the fact that the Commander wasn't kidding when he warned Mira and her men about coming back a third time and menacing them. But picturing a war between them already makes me laugh because Instinct proved how weak the show is when it comes to action.
All in all giving birth to such a televisual abomination would make me really ashamed. With Falling Skies it's an other demonstration that having Steven Spielberg as an executive producer doesn't prove anything. In fact next time I spot his name I'll definitely think twice about it before wasting my time.
Dexter season 6 episode 3 : Smokey and the Bandit
Summary : Philosophical but predictable subplot, déjà vu impression but welcomed changes, messy editing, intriguing Travis but anecdotic religious arc
Score : 7/10
How do you want to be remembered ? What heritage will you leave to future generations ? These deep and philosophical questions were asked in this third episode when I thought the season would mostly focus on religious and spiritual topics. Such a systemic approach was definitely welcome because now most people should be able to relate to Dexter's quest to get ride of his Dark Passenger. Yes because even if Lumen hasn't been mentioned yet, how disrespectful, she showed him the way toward the light. Let's also not forget the benefic impact his love story with Rita had, even if it ended tragically. But her Lemon Tree keeps growing and last summer it gave us the juiciest fruits ever !
So the legacy subplot was inspiring and should get your attention. However it was predictable from the very beginning so its outcome didn't surprise me. Viewers who have followed Dex since its first encounter with the Ice Truck Killer know better. Don't under estimate us writers ! To sum things up the twist I was expecting all along never happened. Otherwise it pointed out the complex relationship we have with old people. I still remember a short story from Night Shift, a Stephen King's collection. It's about a society where grandparents are killed by the new generation, their own children, to control demography. Sadly our reality isn't far from the fiction at times and this installment tried to express how aging can be tough for some individuals. And it became even more controversial when Dex had to look himself in the mirror !
But in the end these few interesting elements weren't enough to hide the fact that the show is getting old. If you think about it things haven't drastically changed since the earlier seasons. Hopefully Deb got promoted and her new career as a lieutenant is double-edged. It was entertaining to see her slightly struggle and it should be moving in the upcoming episodes because yes Deb f***ing rocks and Jennifer Carpenter is Talent, even if she isn't voluptuous enough (Guest comment by Vince M.). A new recruit also has potential and its first encounter with our favorite lieutenant, damn I already miss her as detective, could have been over the top if such sexist situations were history. In the end it was chuckling and the scene was well acted on both sides, specially our tiny bratty – almost super deformed – Deborah Morgan.
As for the religious arc its development was anecdotic compared to Dex's usual serial killing session. The editing has also never really been one of the series strongest quality but I found it more messy than usual. It just didn't fit properly with the other arcs and the cliffhanger was thrown into the mix in the worst fashion. In fact even Dex's side was awkward. Still I'm starting to find Travis Marshall interesting. His sister was introduced in the previous episode and here we learned why he was chosen by Professor Gellar. I also think Colin Hanks is probably not such a bad choice after all because he seems to be the actor for the job. What the writers have planned for him also intrigues me. Does he have a Dark Passenger of his own ? Will he ever realize that what they're doing is wrong ? Wait… we still don't really know what they're up to. I just hope they won't harm his lovely sister. No Gellar said she can't be saved so let's slice her life ! Please God protect her I have done very bad things so I should be the one to get punished. Sorry, I just missed the One Masuka Show this time even if he was featured for some seconds. However what his precious student did and revealed definitely came from nowhere and I can't thank her enough for that because references to past seasons can only appeal long time fans.
Score : 7/10
How do you want to be remembered ? What heritage will you leave to future generations ? These deep and philosophical questions were asked in this third episode when I thought the season would mostly focus on religious and spiritual topics. Such a systemic approach was definitely welcome because now most people should be able to relate to Dexter's quest to get ride of his Dark Passenger. Yes because even if Lumen hasn't been mentioned yet, how disrespectful, she showed him the way toward the light. Let's also not forget the benefic impact his love story with Rita had, even if it ended tragically. But her Lemon Tree keeps growing and last summer it gave us the juiciest fruits ever !
So the legacy subplot was inspiring and should get your attention. However it was predictable from the very beginning so its outcome didn't surprise me. Viewers who have followed Dex since its first encounter with the Ice Truck Killer know better. Don't under estimate us writers ! To sum things up the twist I was expecting all along never happened. Otherwise it pointed out the complex relationship we have with old people. I still remember a short story from Night Shift, a Stephen King's collection. It's about a society where grandparents are killed by the new generation, their own children, to control demography. Sadly our reality isn't far from the fiction at times and this installment tried to express how aging can be tough for some individuals. And it became even more controversial when Dex had to look himself in the mirror !
But in the end these few interesting elements weren't enough to hide the fact that the show is getting old. If you think about it things haven't drastically changed since the earlier seasons. Hopefully Deb got promoted and her new career as a lieutenant is double-edged. It was entertaining to see her slightly struggle and it should be moving in the upcoming episodes because yes Deb f***ing rocks and Jennifer Carpenter is Talent, even if she isn't voluptuous enough (Guest comment by Vince M.). A new recruit also has potential and its first encounter with our favorite lieutenant, damn I already miss her as detective, could have been over the top if such sexist situations were history. In the end it was chuckling and the scene was well acted on both sides, specially our tiny bratty – almost super deformed – Deborah Morgan.
As for the religious arc its development was anecdotic compared to Dex's usual serial killing session. The editing has also never really been one of the series strongest quality but I found it more messy than usual. It just didn't fit properly with the other arcs and the cliffhanger was thrown into the mix in the worst fashion. In fact even Dex's side was awkward. Still I'm starting to find Travis Marshall interesting. His sister was introduced in the previous episode and here we learned why he was chosen by Professor Gellar. I also think Colin Hanks is probably not such a bad choice after all because he seems to be the actor for the job. What the writers have planned for him also intrigues me. Does he have a Dark Passenger of his own ? Will he ever realize that what they're doing is wrong ? Wait… we still don't really know what they're up to. I just hope they won't harm his lovely sister. No Gellar said she can't be saved so let's slice her life ! Please God protect her I have done very bad things so I should be the one to get punished. Sorry, I just missed the One Masuka Show this time even if he was featured for some seconds. However what his precious student did and revealed definitely came from nowhere and I can't thank her enough for that because references to past seasons can only appeal long time fans.
Monday, October 17, 2011
The Walking Dead season 2 episode 1 : What Lies Ahead
Summary : Exemplar production, vicious and frightening poetry, realistic and edgy character development, Daryl the cool and silent predator, intriguing and lethal arcs
Score : 9/10
I can't say the finale, TS-19, made me a The Walking Dead worshiper. Until a few months ago I wasn't even interested by season 2 but when the first news about it began to infect the Web my mind recalled the first had more ups than downs. Remembering how excellent Days Gone Bye and Guts were convinced me to plan a new session. The pilot second impact wasn't as dazzling as the first but I found the second episode as much as entertaining. In fact giving an other shot to season 1 changed my mind about episodes like Tell It to the Frogs because its six episodes worked really well as a whole. So What Lies Ahead slowly but surely became one of the first premieres in my line of sight.
Let's not procrastinate any longer, it was one hell of a first strike ! I read a news about some budget cuts but didn't really worry about the impact it could have on the show because less is more. From the frightening make-up to the different sets the production was just as great as before. It still lacked the creativity that made the pilot so mind blowing but there was something refreshing about the woods despite the fact that they could be infested by walkers. But the dead traffic jam sequence was by far my favorite. Its pace was almost frozen like in the worst nightmare, when seconds last minutes. Moreover I was surprised by what the characters did in general to survive because in the end it just made sense. Their behavior was just realistic, oscillating between pure reason and the wildest irrationality. Rick acts as a leader and tries to hide how confused and desperate he is in reality. Things couldn't be more tensed between Shane and Lori. In fact I slightly questioned Sarah Wayne Callis acting in season 1 but her speech to the group about Rick was convincing and was almost reminiscent of all these female warriors, like Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor, who have changed the way women are portrayed on TV or in movies. She still has a lot to do in order to at least play beneath their league but both the character and actress grew on me. It leads us to Andrea because Laurie Holden has already proved herself as a valuable survival asset, even if ironically she tried to suicide in the finale. Her little chat with Dale about gratitude, as he saved her life, raised the realism barrier even higher. Humans are complex creatures and The Walking Dead isn't shy when it comes to psychology !
Even Rick's decision to keep his son Carl with him for a rescue mission with Shane made sense. Of course the kid could quickly become a burden but if I was his father I would definitely want to keep my family close to me. It's specially true considering what we learned thanks to the young girl arc developed in this installment. It was almost like a fairytale. Overall their adventure was so immersive that there're moments I imagined myself as Rick. His mission with Daryl was intense and at some point I thought I would definitely trade a bag of shotguns for his stealthy crossbow. His headshot skill seems perfect and I can't remember him missing once ! Of course it's only fiction but Norman Reedus has so much charisma that you can't question his character ability. If the show was a video game, he would definitely be my first pick. Who would be yours ? Shane is also one of a kind because in the one hand he saved Rick's life but in the other, a sliced and decomposing one, he had a controversial affair with his wife and has acted like a man about to lose his mind since Wildfire. He's still not as dangerous as the zombies but his actions have become unpredictable and I seriously worry about the safety of Rick and his gang. I'm not sure he will put his plan in motion but his decision could have a dramatic impact on the group.
Last but not least I would like to take a few minutes to pray, yes because religion was also covered, and point out that so many innocent and pacific walkers were harmed during the filming. By the way is it me or are there recurring zombies ? I doubt it's a question of budget, more a fun decision to appeal the careful viewers. But to go back to my people, specially the poor souls in the church, so much hate is just unacceptable ! Seriously. Remember the butchery in Guts and how they had to dismantle a body ? Well What Lies Ahead featured a scene as disgusting and gory. And again I can't thank enough the dream team behind the show for not showing what was going on. It's left to our endless imagination, with the help of Andrew Lincoln's talent, and confirms that graphic violence isn't the most subtle and efficient way to scare an audience. Yes because from beginning to end the horror factor was marvelously balanced. Moreover it magnified the ending and its appearance was just divine.
Score : 9/10
I can't say the finale, TS-19, made me a The Walking Dead worshiper. Until a few months ago I wasn't even interested by season 2 but when the first news about it began to infect the Web my mind recalled the first had more ups than downs. Remembering how excellent Days Gone Bye and Guts were convinced me to plan a new session. The pilot second impact wasn't as dazzling as the first but I found the second episode as much as entertaining. In fact giving an other shot to season 1 changed my mind about episodes like Tell It to the Frogs because its six episodes worked really well as a whole. So What Lies Ahead slowly but surely became one of the first premieres in my line of sight.
Let's not procrastinate any longer, it was one hell of a first strike ! I read a news about some budget cuts but didn't really worry about the impact it could have on the show because less is more. From the frightening make-up to the different sets the production was just as great as before. It still lacked the creativity that made the pilot so mind blowing but there was something refreshing about the woods despite the fact that they could be infested by walkers. But the dead traffic jam sequence was by far my favorite. Its pace was almost frozen like in the worst nightmare, when seconds last minutes. Moreover I was surprised by what the characters did in general to survive because in the end it just made sense. Their behavior was just realistic, oscillating between pure reason and the wildest irrationality. Rick acts as a leader and tries to hide how confused and desperate he is in reality. Things couldn't be more tensed between Shane and Lori. In fact I slightly questioned Sarah Wayne Callis acting in season 1 but her speech to the group about Rick was convincing and was almost reminiscent of all these female warriors, like Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor, who have changed the way women are portrayed on TV or in movies. She still has a lot to do in order to at least play beneath their league but both the character and actress grew on me. It leads us to Andrea because Laurie Holden has already proved herself as a valuable survival asset, even if ironically she tried to suicide in the finale. Her little chat with Dale about gratitude, as he saved her life, raised the realism barrier even higher. Humans are complex creatures and The Walking Dead isn't shy when it comes to psychology !
Even Rick's decision to keep his son Carl with him for a rescue mission with Shane made sense. Of course the kid could quickly become a burden but if I was his father I would definitely want to keep my family close to me. It's specially true considering what we learned thanks to the young girl arc developed in this installment. It was almost like a fairytale. Overall their adventure was so immersive that there're moments I imagined myself as Rick. His mission with Daryl was intense and at some point I thought I would definitely trade a bag of shotguns for his stealthy crossbow. His headshot skill seems perfect and I can't remember him missing once ! Of course it's only fiction but Norman Reedus has so much charisma that you can't question his character ability. If the show was a video game, he would definitely be my first pick. Who would be yours ? Shane is also one of a kind because in the one hand he saved Rick's life but in the other, a sliced and decomposing one, he had a controversial affair with his wife and has acted like a man about to lose his mind since Wildfire. He's still not as dangerous as the zombies but his actions have become unpredictable and I seriously worry about the safety of Rick and his gang. I'm not sure he will put his plan in motion but his decision could have a dramatic impact on the group.
Last but not least I would like to take a few minutes to pray, yes because religion was also covered, and point out that so many innocent and pacific walkers were harmed during the filming. By the way is it me or are there recurring zombies ? I doubt it's a question of budget, more a fun decision to appeal the careful viewers. But to go back to my people, specially the poor souls in the church, so much hate is just unacceptable ! Seriously. Remember the butchery in Guts and how they had to dismantle a body ? Well What Lies Ahead featured a scene as disgusting and gory. And again I can't thank enough the dream team behind the show for not showing what was going on. It's left to our endless imagination, with the help of Andrew Lincoln's talent, and confirms that graphic violence isn't the most subtle and efficient way to scare an audience. Yes because from beginning to end the horror factor was marvelously balanced. Moreover it magnified the ending and its appearance was just divine.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Fringe season 4 episode 4 : Subject 9
Summary : The countdown to an other mind blowing season has finally begun !
Score : 9/10
Nine, no Lincoln felt good. I have nothing against Seth Gabel but agent Lee is such an unoriginal character ! Considering Peter's disappearance has affected all of them why didn't they turn him into someone as charismatic as Alexander Mahone or Fox Mulder ?
Eight, time related materials are always welcome. It worked for Lost so it could work for Fringe. Don't get me wrong Walter and Olivia didn't go back in time to save Peter but the first scene featuring her was jaw dropping and proved that season 4 could be in the same vein as the third. Eight, time related materials are always welcome.
Seven, the visual effects were thrilling. In the department Fringe has never disappointed us but the glowing blue plasma was so different than last week's fungus that it seems the show will never stop to amaze us. As for the morphing sequence it was reminiscent of cult films like The Abyss. Magnetic fields are just wonderful !
Six, Walter kicks Neo's ass anytime. His The Matrix inspired technique to catch Peter's image on camera was both funny and inspiring. We should all have such an installation at home to make sure we're not surrounded by optical illusions or ghosts ! As for his relationship with Olivia it was quite moving because even if they aren't family there're moments when we could mistake them for father and daughter.
Five, subplots 99% intertwined with the main story make the best episodes. Subject 9 was no exception and its writing was brilliant enough to shadow what was really going on all along.
Four, the storyline also had an undeniable rewarding factor because elaborating my own theory during the fourty something minutes made the ending even more exciting. Do you remember Arnold Schwarzenegger surreal first appearance as Terminator ? What happened wasn't as cult but at least it reminded me of it, something that doesn't happen a lot in a lifetime.
Three, the guest's story was heartbreaking and obviously connected to Subject 13 considering the episode title. It was also the occasion to point out again how scientists can harm people even if their first intentions can be good. This new Walter is really starting to grow on me and the return of some character is promising.
Two, the last second was more than just a cliffhanger. It was one of these moments that leaves you speechless, like a project you worked on for years and never thought you would be able to complete. Fringe ? A oneiric series.
One, only the tip of the iceberg. Existence, quantum entanglement, philosopher's stone, psychometry, viral therapy, ethereal plane, gravitons, time paradox and psychogenesis. These are the topics flying around during the orange title sequence. Does it mean they will all be covered in season 4 ? I don't really know if it was the case for past seasons. But the one thing I'm sure of is that mixing a few of them to the current elements could lead to some stellar scenes involving Twin Olivias, Peter and of course Walternate.
Zero, gravity. My fantasy is to make love with Fauxlivia at the International Space Station and have a British breakfast with her and Walter as a majestic Sun rises behind the Earth. What's yours Subject Ø ?
Score : 9/10
Nine, no Lincoln felt good. I have nothing against Seth Gabel but agent Lee is such an unoriginal character ! Considering Peter's disappearance has affected all of them why didn't they turn him into someone as charismatic as Alexander Mahone or Fox Mulder ?
Eight, time related materials are always welcome. It worked for Lost so it could work for Fringe. Don't get me wrong Walter and Olivia didn't go back in time to save Peter but the first scene featuring her was jaw dropping and proved that season 4 could be in the same vein as the third. Eight, time related materials are always welcome.
Seven, the visual effects were thrilling. In the department Fringe has never disappointed us but the glowing blue plasma was so different than last week's fungus that it seems the show will never stop to amaze us. As for the morphing sequence it was reminiscent of cult films like The Abyss. Magnetic fields are just wonderful !
Six, Walter kicks Neo's ass anytime. His The Matrix inspired technique to catch Peter's image on camera was both funny and inspiring. We should all have such an installation at home to make sure we're not surrounded by optical illusions or ghosts ! As for his relationship with Olivia it was quite moving because even if they aren't family there're moments when we could mistake them for father and daughter.
Five, subplots 99% intertwined with the main story make the best episodes. Subject 9 was no exception and its writing was brilliant enough to shadow what was really going on all along.
Four, the storyline also had an undeniable rewarding factor because elaborating my own theory during the fourty something minutes made the ending even more exciting. Do you remember Arnold Schwarzenegger surreal first appearance as Terminator ? What happened wasn't as cult but at least it reminded me of it, something that doesn't happen a lot in a lifetime.
Three, the guest's story was heartbreaking and obviously connected to Subject 13 considering the episode title. It was also the occasion to point out again how scientists can harm people even if their first intentions can be good. This new Walter is really starting to grow on me and the return of some character is promising.
Two, the last second was more than just a cliffhanger. It was one of these moments that leaves you speechless, like a project you worked on for years and never thought you would be able to complete. Fringe ? A oneiric series.
One, only the tip of the iceberg. Existence, quantum entanglement, philosopher's stone, psychometry, viral therapy, ethereal plane, gravitons, time paradox and psychogenesis. These are the topics flying around during the orange title sequence. Does it mean they will all be covered in season 4 ? I don't really know if it was the case for past seasons. But the one thing I'm sure of is that mixing a few of them to the current elements could lead to some stellar scenes involving Twin Olivias, Peter and of course Walternate.
Zero, gravity. My fantasy is to make love with Fauxlivia at the International Space Station and have a British breakfast with her and Walter as a majestic Sun rises behind the Earth. What's yours Subject Ø ?
Saturday, October 15, 2011
American Horror Story season 1 episode 2 : Home Invasion
Summary : Only decent episodic story and creativity, promising Tate and Violet, shocking Constance and Abby, intriguing enough
Score : 7/10
The pilot had such an odd impact on me that I highly awaited the show's return and wrote one of my strangest reviews. With productions like Masters of Horror we know what to expect as all episodes are standalone but with American Horror Story I was wondering what would be its format. Home Invasion revealed that its main story has potential because all the Harmon family members have what it takes considering what they have been through but I'm more skeptical about the weekly dose of horror or crime. My first complain was that the subplot wasn't frightening or disturbing enough. In fact it was even predictable at times. However it was shaken by the enigmatic Tate Langdon. Evan Peters role is surprising because so far I only knew him as the nice boy from Invasion. The therapy session was almost shocking, specially if you try to take Ben's place. His controversial relationship with his daughter Violet made things even more interesting because you don't know what he's capable of. As for Taissa Farmiga her role was reminiscent of feminism because it takes a lot of courage to survive, specially when your house is haunted or taken over by psychokillers.
Beside Tate and Violet I also really enjoyed Constance and Abby's side. The gorgeous aging mother and the trisomic daughter. A modern and twisted version of The Beauty of the Beast ? Probably but Jessica Lange definitely makes a charming monster and Jamie Brewer's performance was also quite convincing. Indeed until the vertiginous room of broken mirrors sequence the episode had been less surprising than the pilot. It just lacked the amount of creativity that made it so excellent. I also missed Moira, at least my libido did, and found Ben's arc far too anecdotic even if his absence served the main story in the end. However the show has plenty of intriguing plotlines to build up a crowd of hungry horror fans. From properly dealing with what happened to the girl who got her face hurt last time and of course the pregnancy I have definitely signed up for the upcoming episode. Otherwise I think the series desperately needs a goal the audience can rely on or else it will lose interest. Ending the episode with a cliffhanger was a first step in the right direction so considering its numerous qualities I can't see how it could miserably fail to satisfy our vicious appetite.
Score : 7/10
The pilot had such an odd impact on me that I highly awaited the show's return and wrote one of my strangest reviews. With productions like Masters of Horror we know what to expect as all episodes are standalone but with American Horror Story I was wondering what would be its format. Home Invasion revealed that its main story has potential because all the Harmon family members have what it takes considering what they have been through but I'm more skeptical about the weekly dose of horror or crime. My first complain was that the subplot wasn't frightening or disturbing enough. In fact it was even predictable at times. However it was shaken by the enigmatic Tate Langdon. Evan Peters role is surprising because so far I only knew him as the nice boy from Invasion. The therapy session was almost shocking, specially if you try to take Ben's place. His controversial relationship with his daughter Violet made things even more interesting because you don't know what he's capable of. As for Taissa Farmiga her role was reminiscent of feminism because it takes a lot of courage to survive, specially when your house is haunted or taken over by psychokillers.
Beside Tate and Violet I also really enjoyed Constance and Abby's side. The gorgeous aging mother and the trisomic daughter. A modern and twisted version of The Beauty of the Beast ? Probably but Jessica Lange definitely makes a charming monster and Jamie Brewer's performance was also quite convincing. Indeed until the vertiginous room of broken mirrors sequence the episode had been less surprising than the pilot. It just lacked the amount of creativity that made it so excellent. I also missed Moira, at least my libido did, and found Ben's arc far too anecdotic even if his absence served the main story in the end. However the show has plenty of intriguing plotlines to build up a crowd of hungry horror fans. From properly dealing with what happened to the girl who got her face hurt last time and of course the pregnancy I have definitely signed up for the upcoming episode. Otherwise I think the series desperately needs a goal the audience can rely on or else it will lose interest. Ending the episode with a cliffhanger was a first step in the right direction so considering its numerous qualities I can't see how it could miserably fail to satisfy our vicious appetite.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Revenge season 1 episode 4 : Duplicity
Summary : Entertaining payback, exciting new player, twisted writing, Emily vs. Dexter, inspiring romance but predictable patterns
Score : 8/10
Hamptons Exposed, the website featured in this episode, actually exists ! Viral marketing isn't new but it was a nice surprise to check it out once Duplicity was over. However its contents is limited and not realistic enough to make us believe that Revenge could be happening right now. This time Daniel's freshly arrived friend became a new player on the chessboard and it seems Emily and Victoria have found a new challenger. As for the weekly payback I liked how the lines were blurred because in the end, like last week, we don't really know if Amanda did it all by herself or with the help of a mysterious accomplice. But her planning was almost flawless and the evil psychologist allowed to unveil a new slice of her memories. It's also still unclear why Victoria betrayed her father when she apparently loved him. In fact there're moments I believe the finale will reveal that everything we thought was true is actually a well planned lie. Is she really the master or only a puppet of someone we don't know yet ? Still I can't help pointing out how some patterns have become predictable. From Nolan waiting her at the beach house to the new character getting its life ruined I hope they won't apply the same recipe over and over or else the meal will soon taste cold. Don't get me wrong this episode was still captivating but I hope they'll keep surprising us and not just throw a new character from time to time. Otherwise the child playing a young Amanda is doing a fine job and I find it interesting that her older version can be compared to Dexter Morgan. Indeed he hunts serial killers, people who have escaped justice, and she wants revenge, because even a fair trial couldn't bring her father back. So we'll see if she manages to prevent her Dark Passenger from taking over. For the moment it's apparently the case but even the tragic events of the pilot hadn't convinced me that her heart isn't stronger than her vicious appetite for vengeance. Last but not least the arc involving Declan, Jack's brother, and Charlotte is starting to grow on me. Her mother Victoria hates him so it makes him even more friendly. He isn't rich, a good point considering Connor Paolo previously starred in Gossip Girl, has a skateboard and know how to send a SMS. What's not to like ? Seriously the swing scene was both moving and romantic. It reminds you how much other shows like Terra Nova do it wrong, specially considering it's supposed to be a sci-fi production and not a soapy drama.
Score : 8/10
Hamptons Exposed, the website featured in this episode, actually exists ! Viral marketing isn't new but it was a nice surprise to check it out once Duplicity was over. However its contents is limited and not realistic enough to make us believe that Revenge could be happening right now. This time Daniel's freshly arrived friend became a new player on the chessboard and it seems Emily and Victoria have found a new challenger. As for the weekly payback I liked how the lines were blurred because in the end, like last week, we don't really know if Amanda did it all by herself or with the help of a mysterious accomplice. But her planning was almost flawless and the evil psychologist allowed to unveil a new slice of her memories. It's also still unclear why Victoria betrayed her father when she apparently loved him. In fact there're moments I believe the finale will reveal that everything we thought was true is actually a well planned lie. Is she really the master or only a puppet of someone we don't know yet ? Still I can't help pointing out how some patterns have become predictable. From Nolan waiting her at the beach house to the new character getting its life ruined I hope they won't apply the same recipe over and over or else the meal will soon taste cold. Don't get me wrong this episode was still captivating but I hope they'll keep surprising us and not just throw a new character from time to time. Otherwise the child playing a young Amanda is doing a fine job and I find it interesting that her older version can be compared to Dexter Morgan. Indeed he hunts serial killers, people who have escaped justice, and she wants revenge, because even a fair trial couldn't bring her father back. So we'll see if she manages to prevent her Dark Passenger from taking over. For the moment it's apparently the case but even the tragic events of the pilot hadn't convinced me that her heart isn't stronger than her vicious appetite for vengeance. Last but not least the arc involving Declan, Jack's brother, and Charlotte is starting to grow on me. Her mother Victoria hates him so it makes him even more friendly. He isn't rich, a good point considering Connor Paolo previously starred in Gossip Girl, has a skateboard and know how to send a SMS. What's not to like ? Seriously the swing scene was both moving and romantic. It reminds you how much other shows like Terra Nova do it wrong, specially considering it's supposed to be a sci-fi production and not a soapy drama.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Terra Nova season 1 episode 4 : What Remains
Summary : Entertaining B production, silly cheesy candy, Active Aha! Action™, supreme Commander, useful and intense episodic story, moving romance, intriguing new arc
Score : 7/10
Instinct was supposed to be my last session with Terra Nova but an extraordinary encounter changed my mind and probably the destiny of our kind forever. Indeed Steven Spielberg himself visited me in my dreams but strangely his skin was all blue. He also had a very big nose and glowing yellow eyes. His message was crystal clear. I should review the show again or I would be sentenced to watch Avatar for the rest of my life. The choice wasn't easy but as you have probably guessed, I decided to endure an other episode of Fox's soapy science-fiction series.
But when I had prepared a dozen of rotten tomatoes to throw at my TV screen the experience proved to be surprisingly entertaining and even exciting ! I knew the silly behaviors and dead boring dialogs would be back but as I had no other choice I just decided to enjoy Terra Nova for what it should have been branded as, a not so serious episodic B movie. The B doesn't stand for Blockbuster but for "Bellow the average intelligence and quality of other productions". It takes itself way too seriously and considering how it's flawed I think it's better to re-evaluated the way it was sold to us. Would you open a gate at night to check out what has just made the awful sound you heard ? Jim doesn't hesitate. Would you use simple protective masks before entering a quarantined zone ? Jim does it again, followed by Doctor Malcolm because well… he's a very smart doctor. Some top secret scientific station hasn't responded for days ? We just send the supreme Commander, supercop Jim and some black guy because there're only vegetarian raptors and new age Sixers out there.
Those could be issues but once you have comprehended that characters are dumber than dumber then the pleasure to anticipate their every moves is priceless. The episode was also filled with cheesy and over the top sequences. Nathaniel going all Terminator under a giant brontosaurus with his tiny motorbike ? Checked. Raptor-like creatures eating electric cables to put the show off air ? Foxy ! A scientist serving as a meal to an hungry T-Rex ? A delightful homage to the famous toilet scene from Jurassic Park and the demonstration that CG visual effects work nice in bright daylight. The Lord of the Wedding Rings ? Jim and Elisabeth are hobbits.
More seriously when the second episode was cheap on action this one was fueled by it. Don't expect these scenes to blow your mind like a Michael Bay film but they definitely prove that Terra Nova has what it takes. But the best part was probably the Commander's arc because Stephen Lang's performance was convincing and his role darkly interesting. There were numerous references to some cult franchise and one split second should even shock you. Family-friendly ? Definitely not ! Moreover in general the story wasn't your usual cheap episodic dose but one that actually well developed the characters and made them grow on us. In fact I'm not even ashamed to admit that one scene almost made me cry because some performers are good enough to make some sequences relatively emotional. I still think Jason O'Mara (Jim) acts way too roboticly but he's balanced by the sweet, expressive and charming Shelley Conn (Elisabeth).
The episode also had its lot of romance. "I know everything" Maddy was back but her awkward moments with Mark Reynolds were digestible. The inevitable love story between Skye and Josh developed further but the waterfall marks were also quickly mentioned so it was probably the writers way to invite us to stick around. Moreover a new subplot was introduced and it has some undeniable potential. Even better was the cliffhanger that just made the upcoming installment, The Runaway, quite intriguing so let's hope they won't disappoint us with an other Instinct. Develop the existing arcs. Surprise us again with some twists and edgy moments. Keep on the drama but make it less soapy by glueing it with some real sci-fi elements. That's all I want but please Steven, leave me alone !
Score : 7/10
Instinct was supposed to be my last session with Terra Nova but an extraordinary encounter changed my mind and probably the destiny of our kind forever. Indeed Steven Spielberg himself visited me in my dreams but strangely his skin was all blue. He also had a very big nose and glowing yellow eyes. His message was crystal clear. I should review the show again or I would be sentenced to watch Avatar for the rest of my life. The choice wasn't easy but as you have probably guessed, I decided to endure an other episode of Fox's soapy science-fiction series.
But when I had prepared a dozen of rotten tomatoes to throw at my TV screen the experience proved to be surprisingly entertaining and even exciting ! I knew the silly behaviors and dead boring dialogs would be back but as I had no other choice I just decided to enjoy Terra Nova for what it should have been branded as, a not so serious episodic B movie. The B doesn't stand for Blockbuster but for "Bellow the average intelligence and quality of other productions". It takes itself way too seriously and considering how it's flawed I think it's better to re-evaluated the way it was sold to us. Would you open a gate at night to check out what has just made the awful sound you heard ? Jim doesn't hesitate. Would you use simple protective masks before entering a quarantined zone ? Jim does it again, followed by Doctor Malcolm because well… he's a very smart doctor. Some top secret scientific station hasn't responded for days ? We just send the supreme Commander, supercop Jim and some black guy because there're only vegetarian raptors and new age Sixers out there.
Those could be issues but once you have comprehended that characters are dumber than dumber then the pleasure to anticipate their every moves is priceless. The episode was also filled with cheesy and over the top sequences. Nathaniel going all Terminator under a giant brontosaurus with his tiny motorbike ? Checked. Raptor-like creatures eating electric cables to put the show off air ? Foxy ! A scientist serving as a meal to an hungry T-Rex ? A delightful homage to the famous toilet scene from Jurassic Park and the demonstration that CG visual effects work nice in bright daylight. The Lord of the Wedding Rings ? Jim and Elisabeth are hobbits.More seriously when the second episode was cheap on action this one was fueled by it. Don't expect these scenes to blow your mind like a Michael Bay film but they definitely prove that Terra Nova has what it takes. But the best part was probably the Commander's arc because Stephen Lang's performance was convincing and his role darkly interesting. There were numerous references to some cult franchise and one split second should even shock you. Family-friendly ? Definitely not ! Moreover in general the story wasn't your usual cheap episodic dose but one that actually well developed the characters and made them grow on us. In fact I'm not even ashamed to admit that one scene almost made me cry because some performers are good enough to make some sequences relatively emotional. I still think Jason O'Mara (Jim) acts way too roboticly but he's balanced by the sweet, expressive and charming Shelley Conn (Elisabeth).
The episode also had its lot of romance. "I know everything" Maddy was back but her awkward moments with Mark Reynolds were digestible. The inevitable love story between Skye and Josh developed further but the waterfall marks were also quickly mentioned so it was probably the writers way to invite us to stick around. Moreover a new subplot was introduced and it has some undeniable potential. Even better was the cliffhanger that just made the upcoming installment, The Runaway, quite intriguing so let's hope they won't disappoint us with an other Instinct. Develop the existing arcs. Surprise us again with some twists and edgy moments. Keep on the drama but make it less soapy by glueing it with some real sci-fi elements. That's all I want but please Steven, leave me alone !
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Dexter season 6 episode 2 : Once Upon a Time
Summary : Missing Lumen, awkward restart, naughty Masuka, pivotal Deb arc, under exploited fairytale, some questionable acting, promising sister and Brother Sam
Score : 6/10
This episode had a similar impact on me than Remains to be Seen, season 4 episode 2. An impression of déjà vu and the relative lack of desire to watch the upcoming episode. However despite its flaws it wasn't so bad and even convinced me to give "Smokey and the Bandit" a chance, next week's installment. The problem is that thanks to Lumen (Julia Stiles) season 5 felt so incredibly refreshing, heartbreaking, intelligent and inspiring that I can't believe Dex hasn't mentioned her. One year later and he has already moved on apparently. Come on writers you should know better ! It's like if they were desperately trying to reinvent the wheel when I'm convinced a better approach would be to interconnect the seasons to make the character development stronger, more authentic and empathic. Take Deb and Quinn for instance. Why should we care about these two love birds ? Things are different with Batista because his relationship with LaGuerta provoked collateral damages. Moreover there's something friendly about him so I really cared for him this episode.
It leads us to Masuka because as usual our favorite funny monk was back with his barrel of kinky monkeys. The butt dance sequence was hilarious and beside the annoying LaGuerta I don't understand the comments or reviews critizing the show's secondary characters. Still individually they have potential and all performers do a good job but I think it's their connections that can be weak. As for Deb in the premiere I missed her Shakespearean verbiage but this time I couldn't help giggling everytime she swore or that Jennifer Carpenter's gummy face did a cute grimace. Moreover the opportunity she ceased could dramatically affect her relationships with most characters, Dex included. It reminded me of how closed she was to catch him and Lumen in the finale ! Let's hope season 6 will exploit this element again because their scene couldn't have been edgier. Maybe it's time to whip the whole writing department !
But to go back to the impression of déjà vu I mentioned earlier I won't say the show is jumping the shark but at some rare times it nearly feels like it. The soapy conflicts, the recurrent jokes, Dex's rehashed lines and thoughts… It's specially the last that I worry about because season 5's spirit was reminiscent of season 1. Once an episode was over I spent a whole week thinking and dreaming about it. Thanks to Lumen our favorite serial killer became a monster with a heart and this propelled the show in a new direction. It's not that religion is dated or less interesting but for the moment I don't see how such a conventional topic, that has already been covered by many other productions, will allow this season to top the previous ones. With such a title, Once Upon a Time, I was expecting a heavy fairytale-driven story but the theme was under exploited and most scenes featuring the baby boy didn't work. The running gag fell flat compared to season 5's "Die! Die!".
As for casting Colin Hanks as Travis Marshall I question it because his acting wasn't convincing enough. I mean wasn't there a better young match for Edward James Olmos ? We also have to consider that he'll probably face Michael C. Hall in a few weeks ! The anecdotic way their arc is covered also doesn't help for the moment but things should improve once they're really part of the story. Moreover Travis relationship with his sister has potential because I couldn't help imagining all the possible outcomes. Will she become this season Christine Hill (Courtney Ford) ? Last but not least Brother Sam was probably this episode moment of grace. His arc was reminiscent of Lumen's introduction because it took a while to determine if she could be saved or was definitely broken. As an atheist it's harder to relate to him and comprehend all the religious substance in general but at least the writers proved their point by dedicating a whole episode to a new character. They were serious about it and it showed from beginning to end despite the flaws I pointed out. Therefore his profile, so different than an Arthur Mitchell or Jordan Chase, could contribute to make this season a success. I'm still skeptical about it but we have to consider that season 5 really took off with its fourth installment, Beauty and the Beast, so we'll see if patience is really a virtue because on Dexter a split second of inattention can quickly turn into a deadly vicious mistake !
Score : 6/10
This episode had a similar impact on me than Remains to be Seen, season 4 episode 2. An impression of déjà vu and the relative lack of desire to watch the upcoming episode. However despite its flaws it wasn't so bad and even convinced me to give "Smokey and the Bandit" a chance, next week's installment. The problem is that thanks to Lumen (Julia Stiles) season 5 felt so incredibly refreshing, heartbreaking, intelligent and inspiring that I can't believe Dex hasn't mentioned her. One year later and he has already moved on apparently. Come on writers you should know better ! It's like if they were desperately trying to reinvent the wheel when I'm convinced a better approach would be to interconnect the seasons to make the character development stronger, more authentic and empathic. Take Deb and Quinn for instance. Why should we care about these two love birds ? Things are different with Batista because his relationship with LaGuerta provoked collateral damages. Moreover there's something friendly about him so I really cared for him this episode.
It leads us to Masuka because as usual our favorite funny monk was back with his barrel of kinky monkeys. The butt dance sequence was hilarious and beside the annoying LaGuerta I don't understand the comments or reviews critizing the show's secondary characters. Still individually they have potential and all performers do a good job but I think it's their connections that can be weak. As for Deb in the premiere I missed her Shakespearean verbiage but this time I couldn't help giggling everytime she swore or that Jennifer Carpenter's gummy face did a cute grimace. Moreover the opportunity she ceased could dramatically affect her relationships with most characters, Dex included. It reminded me of how closed she was to catch him and Lumen in the finale ! Let's hope season 6 will exploit this element again because their scene couldn't have been edgier. Maybe it's time to whip the whole writing department !
But to go back to the impression of déjà vu I mentioned earlier I won't say the show is jumping the shark but at some rare times it nearly feels like it. The soapy conflicts, the recurrent jokes, Dex's rehashed lines and thoughts… It's specially the last that I worry about because season 5's spirit was reminiscent of season 1. Once an episode was over I spent a whole week thinking and dreaming about it. Thanks to Lumen our favorite serial killer became a monster with a heart and this propelled the show in a new direction. It's not that religion is dated or less interesting but for the moment I don't see how such a conventional topic, that has already been covered by many other productions, will allow this season to top the previous ones. With such a title, Once Upon a Time, I was expecting a heavy fairytale-driven story but the theme was under exploited and most scenes featuring the baby boy didn't work. The running gag fell flat compared to season 5's "Die! Die!".
As for casting Colin Hanks as Travis Marshall I question it because his acting wasn't convincing enough. I mean wasn't there a better young match for Edward James Olmos ? We also have to consider that he'll probably face Michael C. Hall in a few weeks ! The anecdotic way their arc is covered also doesn't help for the moment but things should improve once they're really part of the story. Moreover Travis relationship with his sister has potential because I couldn't help imagining all the possible outcomes. Will she become this season Christine Hill (Courtney Ford) ? Last but not least Brother Sam was probably this episode moment of grace. His arc was reminiscent of Lumen's introduction because it took a while to determine if she could be saved or was definitely broken. As an atheist it's harder to relate to him and comprehend all the religious substance in general but at least the writers proved their point by dedicating a whole episode to a new character. They were serious about it and it showed from beginning to end despite the flaws I pointed out. Therefore his profile, so different than an Arthur Mitchell or Jordan Chase, could contribute to make this season a success. I'm still skeptical about it but we have to consider that season 5 really took off with its fourth installment, Beauty and the Beast, so we'll see if patience is really a virtue because on Dexter a split second of inattention can quickly turn into a deadly vicious mistake !
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Fringe season 4 episode 3 : Alone in the World
Summary : Unbalanced writing, horrific immersive production, humanist but predictable story, decent young guest acting, John Noble wowing performance, intriguing Walter development, psychological ending
Score : 7/10
One step forward, one step backward. When One Night in October had redeemed the mediocre premiere this third installment reminded me why I had given up on Fringe only after watching some episodes of its first season. The third one was stellar because its episodic format was brilliantly mixed to the main plotline involving shapeshifters and of course the other side. Alone in the World had many flaws and my first impression was to consider it as a filler of the worst kind. That's why I wasn't surprised to find out that it was only written by one individual instead of the usual duo or trio. Peter ? One minute at the beginning, one at the end. I know that intertwining its arc to the story of the week would require a lot of work and a complex puzzle to design but they successfully did it for almost all season 3 episodes. Even the cliffhanger wasn't surprising because it was awkwardly thrown into the mix at the last minute. It's obvious the episode was first written and then the few Peter elements were added to make it less conventional. Objectively I have to admit that a few scenes prove me wrong, like Walter calling a boy Peter by mistake or revealing what happened to his son, but overall I was quite disappointed and almost felt betrayed because the second episode had convinced me that season 4 would blow our mind again. Now I'm very skeptical and worry that the next installment will be as deceptive, if not worst.
As for the episodic story it involved a fungus and I enjoyed how it was both frightening and disgusting. It actually reminded me of Fringe's series 3 episode 5, entertaining but lacking the emotional spirit of this one. The production was also immersive thanks to some really good special effects. My favorite sequence featured Olivia and her team entering an infested room. Their red protective suit were well designed and I liked how their heads were glowing in a blue light behind the glass of their helmets. Better the cunning use of flashlights and dark areas was reminiscent of The X-Files. A night vision sequence brought also its lot of spookiness even if it won't dramatically raise your heartbeat like a Doom 3 or Descent session. Otherwise these few sparkles couldn't hide the relative lack of substance. In fact they magnified it. I just didn't like how the boy was used nor how the story ended. Are they afraid to shock us ? We have seen so many scary and disturbing stuff on Fringe that I wouldn't mind crying or feel depressed at the end of an episode for instance.
At least the young actor did a decent job and it's quite an achievement considering he faced John Noble most of the time. Indeed he impressed us again with his tremendous skills and Walter's conversation with Phillip Broyles was quite moving and shocking. However to go back to the ending I think they made a major mistake. If you think about it what Walter decided to do didn't really make sense because it wasn't the logical continuation of what happened. It reminded me of The Walking Dead's finale, TS-19. Otherwise such a rational analysis doesn't really apply to Fringe because the human brain is also irrational and until now we didn't really know this Walter. Intuition ? Senses ? Imagination ? We can't always control our emotions so for the moment I'm ready to give Fringe the benefit of the doubt. Still I can't see how fans couldn't possibly be disappointed now when an episode doesn't feature Fauxlivia, shapeshifters or the parallel world. Still learning more about this Walter backstory was enlightening but that intriguing breadcrumb got almost lost between two scenes. I understand that it has to last for one season but so far season 4 hasn't met my expectations. They could serve us Twin Olivias every single episode and I wouldn't get tired of them ! Well maybe a little so at least they're reasonable enough not to overuse their aces. As for Walternate I already anticipate how much his return will be memorable because John Noble never disappoint.
Score : 7/10
One step forward, one step backward. When One Night in October had redeemed the mediocre premiere this third installment reminded me why I had given up on Fringe only after watching some episodes of its first season. The third one was stellar because its episodic format was brilliantly mixed to the main plotline involving shapeshifters and of course the other side. Alone in the World had many flaws and my first impression was to consider it as a filler of the worst kind. That's why I wasn't surprised to find out that it was only written by one individual instead of the usual duo or trio. Peter ? One minute at the beginning, one at the end. I know that intertwining its arc to the story of the week would require a lot of work and a complex puzzle to design but they successfully did it for almost all season 3 episodes. Even the cliffhanger wasn't surprising because it was awkwardly thrown into the mix at the last minute. It's obvious the episode was first written and then the few Peter elements were added to make it less conventional. Objectively I have to admit that a few scenes prove me wrong, like Walter calling a boy Peter by mistake or revealing what happened to his son, but overall I was quite disappointed and almost felt betrayed because the second episode had convinced me that season 4 would blow our mind again. Now I'm very skeptical and worry that the next installment will be as deceptive, if not worst.
As for the episodic story it involved a fungus and I enjoyed how it was both frightening and disgusting. It actually reminded me of Fringe's series 3 episode 5, entertaining but lacking the emotional spirit of this one. The production was also immersive thanks to some really good special effects. My favorite sequence featured Olivia and her team entering an infested room. Their red protective suit were well designed and I liked how their heads were glowing in a blue light behind the glass of their helmets. Better the cunning use of flashlights and dark areas was reminiscent of The X-Files. A night vision sequence brought also its lot of spookiness even if it won't dramatically raise your heartbeat like a Doom 3 or Descent session. Otherwise these few sparkles couldn't hide the relative lack of substance. In fact they magnified it. I just didn't like how the boy was used nor how the story ended. Are they afraid to shock us ? We have seen so many scary and disturbing stuff on Fringe that I wouldn't mind crying or feel depressed at the end of an episode for instance.
At least the young actor did a decent job and it's quite an achievement considering he faced John Noble most of the time. Indeed he impressed us again with his tremendous skills and Walter's conversation with Phillip Broyles was quite moving and shocking. However to go back to the ending I think they made a major mistake. If you think about it what Walter decided to do didn't really make sense because it wasn't the logical continuation of what happened. It reminded me of The Walking Dead's finale, TS-19. Otherwise such a rational analysis doesn't really apply to Fringe because the human brain is also irrational and until now we didn't really know this Walter. Intuition ? Senses ? Imagination ? We can't always control our emotions so for the moment I'm ready to give Fringe the benefit of the doubt. Still I can't see how fans couldn't possibly be disappointed now when an episode doesn't feature Fauxlivia, shapeshifters or the parallel world. Still learning more about this Walter backstory was enlightening but that intriguing breadcrumb got almost lost between two scenes. I understand that it has to last for one season but so far season 4 hasn't met my expectations. They could serve us Twin Olivias every single episode and I wouldn't get tired of them ! Well maybe a little so at least they're reasonable enough not to overuse their aces. As for Walternate I already anticipate how much his return will be memorable because John Noble never disappoint.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Revenge season 1 episode 3 : Betrayal
Summary : Addictive, masterful and smart guilty pleasure plus this review is as uptight as Victoria Grayson
Score : 10/10
For an animal there's nothing worst than being domesticated by these stupid creatures called humans. But since Amanda came back, after she had tragically vanished for years, my life has dramatically changed. So I can't help it. Now I have decided to go back to her everytime my master Jack, a very nice guy but he's still a clumsy biped, doesn't pay attention. However I have no idea why these people keep calling her Emily Thorne. Emily there, Emily here. Her name is Amanda ! The lovely Amanda ! My little princess has grown up and has become a beautiful woman but I suspect she's up to something. Where is her father by the way ? He smelled so great, for a human.
O Amanda, Amanda ! Wherefore art thou Amanda ? Indeed these days I'm reading Shakespeare, the complete works. Jack, Emily and Amanda. That's a triangle this third episode made me fall in love with. Their last scene was magnified by a romantic sunset and his sorrow. I wonder when he will find out the truth about her because they would definitely make a charming couple, even if one day witnessing a French kiss between two humans has been the most traumatic experience of my short life. But as long as I'm on this Earth I'll carefully keep an eye on Victoria Grayson. And if she ever tries to hurt my Roxane I'll shapeshift into Cyrano de Bergerac and sting her butt with a cluster of black roses ! That's why I kept barking while that Betrayal thing was airing last night. Of course it drove my pet crazy, even if I let Jack thinks he's the master, but I can't help it. It's my nature !
Last week I read a very good critic who described Emily (Amandy ?) and Victoria as challenging characters. I can only agree but the best part is that the second doesn't trust the first and this third installment unveiled a moment of her past. It made me skeptical because so far I naively thought the world was either all black or all white, Michael Jackson being the only exception known to Earthlings (Sorry French joke, no disrespect I love MJ). While watching Reven8e, that should have been a one dog show, I also enjoyed the scenes they filmed with Daniel Grayson. So far we didn't know if that rich kid had a heart so it was quite intense to see Amanda (Eminda ?) testing him. Guilty or innocent ? I don't know the difference because I only follow my instincts but I was still quite impressed by the thrilling way things were staged. The director and writers did an entertaining (Golf clubs are evil !) and exciting job even if they stink like hell.
It leads us to Nolan Ross. He wears a wig but please don't tell anyone. Seriously his authentic friendship with Jack couldn't be more inspiring. Really ? Really, really (Donkey, our idol). In an other series like Gossip Girl their arc would be anecdotic but on our show it's entirely different because they're all connected to each other. Jack to Nolan. Nolan to Emily (Amily ? That one is scary !). Emily to Amanda. Amanda to Jack. What a circle ! Vicious or vertuous ? We'll see ! In fact he's quite enigmatic because I don't really know if he's on her side. What's in it for him ? Moreover Jack's little brother could regret what he did even if the video he sent was irresistible. Next time I sniff sexiness I'll definitely follow his lead ! Humans are not so clueless after all, at least males know how to seduce their females.
Emindalice's Adventures in Paybackland. We should have sold our show under this title ! NBC ? BBC ? AC/DC ? All networks would have drooled like starving cats ! But it doesn't matter because Reven∞e is as captivating as looking a house of cards falling in slow motion. So far it's only three levels high and ten remain to build. Will she succeed ? Betrayal's storyline was so twisted and unpredictable that I'm confident the writers will keep puzzling our rock solid certitudes. It's a televisual novel you read with the eyes and can't help praising (and sniffing). Bark under the Moon and be proud of who you are ! Even handclapping is authorized, but only if you're an affiliated member of Les Aristochiens d'Alexandre Dumas (Free bone from the Grayson family crypt if you haven't searched for us on the Web before reading this message).
Score : 10/10
For an animal there's nothing worst than being domesticated by these stupid creatures called humans. But since Amanda came back, after she had tragically vanished for years, my life has dramatically changed. So I can't help it. Now I have decided to go back to her everytime my master Jack, a very nice guy but he's still a clumsy biped, doesn't pay attention. However I have no idea why these people keep calling her Emily Thorne. Emily there, Emily here. Her name is Amanda ! The lovely Amanda ! My little princess has grown up and has become a beautiful woman but I suspect she's up to something. Where is her father by the way ? He smelled so great, for a human.
O Amanda, Amanda ! Wherefore art thou Amanda ? Indeed these days I'm reading Shakespeare, the complete works. Jack, Emily and Amanda. That's a triangle this third episode made me fall in love with. Their last scene was magnified by a romantic sunset and his sorrow. I wonder when he will find out the truth about her because they would definitely make a charming couple, even if one day witnessing a French kiss between two humans has been the most traumatic experience of my short life. But as long as I'm on this Earth I'll carefully keep an eye on Victoria Grayson. And if she ever tries to hurt my Roxane I'll shapeshift into Cyrano de Bergerac and sting her butt with a cluster of black roses ! That's why I kept barking while that Betrayal thing was airing last night. Of course it drove my pet crazy, even if I let Jack thinks he's the master, but I can't help it. It's my nature !
Last week I read a very good critic who described Emily (Amandy ?) and Victoria as challenging characters. I can only agree but the best part is that the second doesn't trust the first and this third installment unveiled a moment of her past. It made me skeptical because so far I naively thought the world was either all black or all white, Michael Jackson being the only exception known to Earthlings (Sorry French joke, no disrespect I love MJ). While watching Reven8e, that should have been a one dog show, I also enjoyed the scenes they filmed with Daniel Grayson. So far we didn't know if that rich kid had a heart so it was quite intense to see Amanda (Eminda ?) testing him. Guilty or innocent ? I don't know the difference because I only follow my instincts but I was still quite impressed by the thrilling way things were staged. The director and writers did an entertaining (Golf clubs are evil !) and exciting job even if they stink like hell.
It leads us to Nolan Ross. He wears a wig but please don't tell anyone. Seriously his authentic friendship with Jack couldn't be more inspiring. Really ? Really, really (Donkey, our idol). In an other series like Gossip Girl their arc would be anecdotic but on our show it's entirely different because they're all connected to each other. Jack to Nolan. Nolan to Emily (Amily ? That one is scary !). Emily to Amanda. Amanda to Jack. What a circle ! Vicious or vertuous ? We'll see ! In fact he's quite enigmatic because I don't really know if he's on her side. What's in it for him ? Moreover Jack's little brother could regret what he did even if the video he sent was irresistible. Next time I sniff sexiness I'll definitely follow his lead ! Humans are not so clueless after all, at least males know how to seduce their females.
Emindalice's Adventures in Paybackland. We should have sold our show under this title ! NBC ? BBC ? AC/DC ? All networks would have drooled like starving cats ! But it doesn't matter because Reven∞e is as captivating as looking a house of cards falling in slow motion. So far it's only three levels high and ten remain to build. Will she succeed ? Betrayal's storyline was so twisted and unpredictable that I'm confident the writers will keep puzzling our rock solid certitudes. It's a televisual novel you read with the eyes and can't help praising (and sniffing). Bark under the Moon and be proud of who you are ! Even handclapping is authorized, but only if you're an affiliated member of Les Aristochiens d'Alexandre Dumas (Free bone from the Grayson family crypt if you haven't searched for us on the Web before reading this message).
Friday, October 7, 2011
Person of Interest season 1 episode 3 : Mission Creep
Summary : Well crafted story but Person of Interest is rusted by its episodic format and grounded by its chicken wings
Score : 6/10
Ghosts was a decent second episode but it lacked what made the pilot so promising. Sadly this third installment was in the same vein but the elements that had convinced me to stick around so far were absent. The Machine ? It was missing in action when it's the one thing that differentiates Person of Interest from all the other cop shows. The episode begins, John Reese meets Mr. Finch, a new number is received and it's time for the new mission of the week. Such a by the book and endless format doesn't work for me. However the writers talent to serve us with well crafted stories is undeniable even if the way they end has become predictable. This one was moving and even intriguing at times even it wasn't original not really surprising. But some characters were inspiring and played by performers who should make you care for them. It's specially true for Jim Caviezel who carries the show on his strong shoulders. Moreover we learned more about his past and one the persons he left behind before going to war. Still the arc was far too anecdotic and I hate the fact that writers control the pace by leaving breadcrumbs behind them and hoping for some viewers to follow their trail passively. Worst I can't remember a single humoristic scene so I worry that the show could actually be taking itself way too seriously. I'm not asking to turn it into a one man show but the pilot proved that Reese can be hilarious, like Bruce Willis as John McClane for instance. Therefore it makes the series less entertaining. Even the good infographics linking the scenes and involving Mr. Finch from time to time can't push the barrier that prevents the individuals behind the show from taking things to a whole new level. And the déjà vu on-going investigation regarding Reese doesn't help ! To sum things up I understand how the formula can be appealing to some people but in the end Person of Interest is just an other cop show. It could have been more but its creator didn't take the risk and it's specially disappointing considering J. J. Abrams is one of its executive producers.
Score : 6/10
Ghosts was a decent second episode but it lacked what made the pilot so promising. Sadly this third installment was in the same vein but the elements that had convinced me to stick around so far were absent. The Machine ? It was missing in action when it's the one thing that differentiates Person of Interest from all the other cop shows. The episode begins, John Reese meets Mr. Finch, a new number is received and it's time for the new mission of the week. Such a by the book and endless format doesn't work for me. However the writers talent to serve us with well crafted stories is undeniable even if the way they end has become predictable. This one was moving and even intriguing at times even it wasn't original not really surprising. But some characters were inspiring and played by performers who should make you care for them. It's specially true for Jim Caviezel who carries the show on his strong shoulders. Moreover we learned more about his past and one the persons he left behind before going to war. Still the arc was far too anecdotic and I hate the fact that writers control the pace by leaving breadcrumbs behind them and hoping for some viewers to follow their trail passively. Worst I can't remember a single humoristic scene so I worry that the show could actually be taking itself way too seriously. I'm not asking to turn it into a one man show but the pilot proved that Reese can be hilarious, like Bruce Willis as John McClane for instance. Therefore it makes the series less entertaining. Even the good infographics linking the scenes and involving Mr. Finch from time to time can't push the barrier that prevents the individuals behind the show from taking things to a whole new level. And the déjà vu on-going investigation regarding Reese doesn't help ! To sum things up I understand how the formula can be appealing to some people but in the end Person of Interest is just an other cop show. It could have been more but its creator didn't take the risk and it's specially disappointing considering J. J. Abrams is one of its executive producers.
American Horror Story season 1 episode 1 : Pilot
Summary : And the best and strangest new series on TV is… drum roll… reviewed by an even stranger entity
Score : 9/10
Warning : This is one of my critic experiment so deciphering it should be relatively challenging. Still I hope you'll enjoy reading it.
Dear diary,
I know everything. Well nearly but my mind has survived for centuries so my imagination is nearly unlimited and I have developed my senses in ways that can't even be described by words. This is my first attempt at explaining what has been happening for the last past months and the extraordinary events I have witnessed. I apologize in advance if my writing doesn't make sense to you reader, my worst enemy and sibling. I worry that the years have affected my judgement and even question the very health of my sanity.
It all began when two strange visitors came to me. They said they were looking for someone to help them create their next project. I never trusted Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk but I have to admit that it was hard to resist two of the talented people behind Nip/Tuck, one of the most disturbing and fascinating series ever aired. They quickly began to sketch ideas everywhere and the only thing I could do was watching, like I always do. I remember reading cryptic references to Twin Peaks, Tim Burton's Big Fish and even Carnivàle. But the truth is that their culture was so substantial and horrific that most of the time I kept my eyes closed.
The weeks passed and soon the place became an anthill infested by creativity. A living organism ? Probably but as a simple creature of evolution I only refered it as a bestiary. Among its odd inhabitants one of my favorites were the Kreuger Twins. I named them after my best childhood friend Freddy. That boy had a thing for blades and actually had a twin brother named Edward but that's an other story to tell… An other group of people I enjoyed watching were the designers. Fashion ? Interior ? They just kept working like bees and made things so beautiful and from the outfits to the sets an environment had never been so creepy.
One day they all left without even saying goodbye. They acted like I had never existed and I felt completely misunderstood. But a few weeks later a few of them came back but more important, new and specially very important people were among them. The first one I recognized was Jessica Lange because I had already met her thirty five years ago on a tropical island. Back then I remember she was dating some big hairy sniffy guy. Now for some reason they keep calling her Constance but I know that's Jessica. She's still gorgeous and looked fresh in her colorful outfits but what a weird lady she has become ! And she has a young daughter ! How come she doesn't look anything like her father ? Beside Madame Lange there was also an actor named Dylan McDermott. I had never seen him before, well maybe once or twice but only in minor roles. For some reason he kept waking up in the middle of the night and walking naked. I read John Noble is his mentor so I suspect they were actually filming a spin-off of Fringe starring him as a younger Peter Bishop. It's only a theory but I'm rarely wrong.
In fact they were many other performers working with us, yes peeping is a full time job, but I can't just list them all. Actually it's one of my complain because I worry that the next weeks won't be as surprising. Still I was very impressed by some of their performances and one scene featuring a couple having a row, Doctor Ben (McDermott) and Vivien Harmon (Connie Britton actually), proved the cast really has what it takes to wow their audience. But who could possibly be watching them beside me ? Probably nobody ! Things happened so fast, too fast in my opinion, that I also forgot to mention my good old friend Frances Conroy. We met ten years ago Six Feet Under the Sea and that woman is like wine, she ages well. More than a natural redhead, a sorceress. There're moments it really seemed she was in her late twenties. A beekeeper has never been so ravishing ! No wait that was on True Blood. This time she was dressed as a housekeeper, at least it's the image my eyes transmitted to my brain. But somehow I mostly saw her as a drop dead sexy French maid so I suspect my libido is torturing my soul again. The events I had to endure were frightening and confusing enough, I really didn't need things to become so realistic and psychological. As long as my red candles burn, I should be safe. But I really hope the sun will soon rise or else I might go all The Shining on them.
To go back to my bestiary in general I was fascinated by the intelligence, weirdness but also vicious nature of its animals. They call themselves humans but that's an awful name for a species if you think about it. Still I have found their paranormal and horrific destiny quite intriguing so far. That's why I have decided to keep watching them just in case they need my assistance. So until my next entry I'll just listen to the dusty records they left me and recall the industrial noise they made in the silent night. The hypnotic opening title of the best new Horror Story in America has just ended so it's time for me to vanish before someone notice my presence.
Wicked night,
Score : 9/10
Warning : This is one of my critic experiment so deciphering it should be relatively challenging. Still I hope you'll enjoy reading it.
Dear diary,
I know everything. Well nearly but my mind has survived for centuries so my imagination is nearly unlimited and I have developed my senses in ways that can't even be described by words. This is my first attempt at explaining what has been happening for the last past months and the extraordinary events I have witnessed. I apologize in advance if my writing doesn't make sense to you reader, my worst enemy and sibling. I worry that the years have affected my judgement and even question the very health of my sanity.
It all began when two strange visitors came to me. They said they were looking for someone to help them create their next project. I never trusted Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk but I have to admit that it was hard to resist two of the talented people behind Nip/Tuck, one of the most disturbing and fascinating series ever aired. They quickly began to sketch ideas everywhere and the only thing I could do was watching, like I always do. I remember reading cryptic references to Twin Peaks, Tim Burton's Big Fish and even Carnivàle. But the truth is that their culture was so substantial and horrific that most of the time I kept my eyes closed.
The weeks passed and soon the place became an anthill infested by creativity. A living organism ? Probably but as a simple creature of evolution I only refered it as a bestiary. Among its odd inhabitants one of my favorites were the Kreuger Twins. I named them after my best childhood friend Freddy. That boy had a thing for blades and actually had a twin brother named Edward but that's an other story to tell… An other group of people I enjoyed watching were the designers. Fashion ? Interior ? They just kept working like bees and made things so beautiful and from the outfits to the sets an environment had never been so creepy.
One day they all left without even saying goodbye. They acted like I had never existed and I felt completely misunderstood. But a few weeks later a few of them came back but more important, new and specially very important people were among them. The first one I recognized was Jessica Lange because I had already met her thirty five years ago on a tropical island. Back then I remember she was dating some big hairy sniffy guy. Now for some reason they keep calling her Constance but I know that's Jessica. She's still gorgeous and looked fresh in her colorful outfits but what a weird lady she has become ! And she has a young daughter ! How come she doesn't look anything like her father ? Beside Madame Lange there was also an actor named Dylan McDermott. I had never seen him before, well maybe once or twice but only in minor roles. For some reason he kept waking up in the middle of the night and walking naked. I read John Noble is his mentor so I suspect they were actually filming a spin-off of Fringe starring him as a younger Peter Bishop. It's only a theory but I'm rarely wrong.
In fact they were many other performers working with us, yes peeping is a full time job, but I can't just list them all. Actually it's one of my complain because I worry that the next weeks won't be as surprising. Still I was very impressed by some of their performances and one scene featuring a couple having a row, Doctor Ben (McDermott) and Vivien Harmon (Connie Britton actually), proved the cast really has what it takes to wow their audience. But who could possibly be watching them beside me ? Probably nobody ! Things happened so fast, too fast in my opinion, that I also forgot to mention my good old friend Frances Conroy. We met ten years ago Six Feet Under the Sea and that woman is like wine, she ages well. More than a natural redhead, a sorceress. There're moments it really seemed she was in her late twenties. A beekeeper has never been so ravishing ! No wait that was on True Blood. This time she was dressed as a housekeeper, at least it's the image my eyes transmitted to my brain. But somehow I mostly saw her as a drop dead sexy French maid so I suspect my libido is torturing my soul again. The events I had to endure were frightening and confusing enough, I really didn't need things to become so realistic and psychological. As long as my red candles burn, I should be safe. But I really hope the sun will soon rise or else I might go all The Shining on them.
To go back to my bestiary in general I was fascinated by the intelligence, weirdness but also vicious nature of its animals. They call themselves humans but that's an awful name for a species if you think about it. Still I have found their paranormal and horrific destiny quite intriguing so far. That's why I have decided to keep watching them just in case they need my assistance. So until my next entry I'll just listen to the dusty records they left me and recall the industrial noise they made in the silent night. The hypnotic opening title of the best new Horror Story in America has just ended so it's time for me to vanish before someone notice my presence.
Wicked night,
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Playboy Club episode 3 : A Matter of Simple Duplicity
Summary : Cassidy Freeman ♥, entertaining story but awkward writing, slow mobtion arc, intriguing cliffhanger, Laura Benanti ♪♫ versus Playboy Bunnie$, decent musical acts, ruined potential
Score : 6/10
Bad news fans, The Playboy Club has been canceled. I learned it before writing this review so I hope my opinion won't be too biased. It's going to be really hard considering this third installment featured none other than Cassidy Freeman, Tess Mercer on Smallville for the people who just fell from the Moon. She really charmed me and transformed the show from season 8. I actually found her so gorgeous that I compared her to Scarlett Johansson in my Kandor episode review. When she first appeared as Frances Dunhill I thought I was hallucinating and couldn't even remember her name. It took me almost ten minutes ● Bullet time ● to cool off.
The episodic story was entertaining but could have been more surprising if the writers hadn't decided to quickly reveal what was going on. Still I enjoyed the new bunny role because it brought some tension. It was specially welcome considering the mob arc pace is as fast as a rabbid snail. The boss got killed two weeks ago and his associate keeps asking the same question over and over. Act man, stop talking ! Soon he'll do the moonwalk in slippers ! However I have to admit that the cliffhanger intrigued so I really hope they'll air the remaining episodes even if the cancelation occured during the 6th one production.
As for my favorite character, Bunny Mother Carol-Lynne, I'm surprised how much her role is good compared to the others. From the way she handled Nick to her speech to a reporter Laura Benanti deserved better than playing in some sort of subliminal advertisement. Her words would have been inspiring, like in the pilot, if they weren't viciously sponsored by Playboy™. Even Freeman's role couldn't hide the fact that what Frances said about bunnies was sexist. Dressing waitresses would be brilliant ? What about these so-called gentlemen ? I'm curious about what really happened behind the doors of these nightclubs ! Things would be completely different if the story was authentic, based on facts for instance or featuring people trying to close the club.
It leads us to the two musical acts. Objectively the first was a masterpiece as Frances joyfully danced but it's the second that is more important. Indeed Benanti did her magic again but this time I was slightly disappointed. She sang The Lady is a Tramp, a pertinent choice considering the plotline, but the lipsync was approximate. Still she really looked ravishing in her red dress and her sweet voice is delightful to hear. In an other sequence the girls were partying crazy and singing. I instantly imagined The Playboy Club as a musical series featuring creative, witty and sensual acts reminiscent of cabaret or burlesque. Playboy Bunnies dominating male hunters ? The Mother enchainting a half naked Odysseus like a mythological siren ? There was room for so much more but as often the passion to create a beautiful and inspiring work of art became a capitalist quest of greed and lies.
Score : 6/10
Bad news fans, The Playboy Club has been canceled. I learned it before writing this review so I hope my opinion won't be too biased. It's going to be really hard considering this third installment featured none other than Cassidy Freeman, Tess Mercer on Smallville for the people who just fell from the Moon. She really charmed me and transformed the show from season 8. I actually found her so gorgeous that I compared her to Scarlett Johansson in my Kandor episode review. When she first appeared as Frances Dunhill I thought I was hallucinating and couldn't even remember her name. It took me almost ten minutes ● Bullet time ● to cool off.
The episodic story was entertaining but could have been more surprising if the writers hadn't decided to quickly reveal what was going on. Still I enjoyed the new bunny role because it brought some tension. It was specially welcome considering the mob arc pace is as fast as a rabbid snail. The boss got killed two weeks ago and his associate keeps asking the same question over and over. Act man, stop talking ! Soon he'll do the moonwalk in slippers ! However I have to admit that the cliffhanger intrigued so I really hope they'll air the remaining episodes even if the cancelation occured during the 6th one production.
As for my favorite character, Bunny Mother Carol-Lynne, I'm surprised how much her role is good compared to the others. From the way she handled Nick to her speech to a reporter Laura Benanti deserved better than playing in some sort of subliminal advertisement. Her words would have been inspiring, like in the pilot, if they weren't viciously sponsored by Playboy™. Even Freeman's role couldn't hide the fact that what Frances said about bunnies was sexist. Dressing waitresses would be brilliant ? What about these so-called gentlemen ? I'm curious about what really happened behind the doors of these nightclubs ! Things would be completely different if the story was authentic, based on facts for instance or featuring people trying to close the club.
It leads us to the two musical acts. Objectively the first was a masterpiece as Frances joyfully danced but it's the second that is more important. Indeed Benanti did her magic again but this time I was slightly disappointed. She sang The Lady is a Tramp, a pertinent choice considering the plotline, but the lipsync was approximate. Still she really looked ravishing in her red dress and her sweet voice is delightful to hear. In an other sequence the girls were partying crazy and singing. I instantly imagined The Playboy Club as a musical series featuring creative, witty and sensual acts reminiscent of cabaret or burlesque. Playboy Bunnies dominating male hunters ? The Mother enchainting a half naked Odysseus like a mythological siren ? There was room for so much more but as often the passion to create a beautiful and inspiring work of art became a capitalist quest of greed and lies.
Terra Nova season 1 episode 3 : Instinct
Summary : Predictable and boring story, soapy character development, ellipsed action plus all the pilot flaws without its qualities
Score : 2/10
With such an exciting title I was expecting the show to finally take off and reveal the Commander as a John Rambo sent back in time to save humanity. Sadly the writers decided to trade my revolutionary concept for an episodic story that couldn't have been more disappointing.
First it was predictable and even Walt Disney Animation Studios served us with more twisted productions. Second there were at least two dead boring and neverending discussions that almost made me doze off. It's not character development, it's soapy drama polluting the sacred science-fiction realm. The only person I care about is Skye, played by pretty Allison Miller, because she makes a charming Jane in my - very subjective - opinion. Third and not least the action scenes were… missing ! It's pathetic considering Terra Nova is supposed to be a TV blockbuster but Instinct convinced me that it should quickly become a box office bomb. For example the security team was asked to hunt two dinosaurs. One second later they were back with them like nothing happened. An other one for the road ? Near the end they left the base in an armored vehicle. A few seconds later the Commander explained everyone what happened to him as his body was wounded. Do they take the audience for brainless worms ? Even my five years old daugther would be able to point out these annoying ellipses.
The only problem is that I don't have a daughter yet but it's not my point or is it ? The truth is that watching this third episode was enduring, already, and probably fried many of my precious geeky neurons. Add the return of the dumb behaviors, like throwing a rock at noisy pesky tiny dinosaurs, anecdotic subplots, non-immersive visual effects and an unexploited survivalism lesson. In fact I don't get who is supposed to enjoy such a show considering how it doesn't even make you laugh or cry like a little girl about to end up in the stomach of a scary sneaky monster ten times smaller than her. Make it twenty the CG was just too cheap ! Moreover it's not even family-friendly as it features graphic violence and silly parents allowing their innocent little daugther to keep a carnivorous plant in her bedroom. I think it was a Nepenthes-like animatronic. Drinking its acid liquor could be your last cocktail as it's used to digest preys !
Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time watching Instinct. If the damage is already done well I'm curious about what you guys thought of it. In both cases I can only recommend you to check out Primeval because the 5th episode of its first series had a similar story but it was well produced, intense, slightly twisted, frightening and even moving. In fact its climactic sequence featuring Claudia Brown and Nick Cutter is one of my all time favorite. And to help me forget about this farce I already plan to read Jurassic Park and watch the third film of the trilogy.
Score : 2/10
With such an exciting title I was expecting the show to finally take off and reveal the Commander as a John Rambo sent back in time to save humanity. Sadly the writers decided to trade my revolutionary concept for an episodic story that couldn't have been more disappointing.
First it was predictable and even Walt Disney Animation Studios served us with more twisted productions. Second there were at least two dead boring and neverending discussions that almost made me doze off. It's not character development, it's soapy drama polluting the sacred science-fiction realm. The only person I care about is Skye, played by pretty Allison Miller, because she makes a charming Jane in my - very subjective - opinion. Third and not least the action scenes were… missing ! It's pathetic considering Terra Nova is supposed to be a TV blockbuster but Instinct convinced me that it should quickly become a box office bomb. For example the security team was asked to hunt two dinosaurs. One second later they were back with them like nothing happened. An other one for the road ? Near the end they left the base in an armored vehicle. A few seconds later the Commander explained everyone what happened to him as his body was wounded. Do they take the audience for brainless worms ? Even my five years old daugther would be able to point out these annoying ellipses.
The only problem is that I don't have a daughter yet but it's not my point or is it ? The truth is that watching this third episode was enduring, already, and probably fried many of my precious geeky neurons. Add the return of the dumb behaviors, like throwing a rock at noisy pesky tiny dinosaurs, anecdotic subplots, non-immersive visual effects and an unexploited survivalism lesson. In fact I don't get who is supposed to enjoy such a show considering how it doesn't even make you laugh or cry like a little girl about to end up in the stomach of a scary sneaky monster ten times smaller than her. Make it twenty the CG was just too cheap ! Moreover it's not even family-friendly as it features graphic violence and silly parents allowing their innocent little daugther to keep a carnivorous plant in her bedroom. I think it was a Nepenthes-like animatronic. Drinking its acid liquor could be your last cocktail as it's used to digest preys !
Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time watching Instinct. If the damage is already done well I'm curious about what you guys thought of it. In both cases I can only recommend you to check out Primeval because the 5th episode of its first series had a similar story but it was well produced, intense, slightly twisted, frightening and even moving. In fact its climactic sequence featuring Claudia Brown and Nick Cutter is one of my all time favorite. And to help me forget about this farce I already plan to read Jurassic Park and watch the third film of the trilogy.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Dexter season 6 episode 1 : Those Kinds of Things
Summary : Promising religion-driven season and guest stars, hilarious and macabre scenes, fresh and exciting premiere, entertaining highschool reunion but shameful unsafe sex
Score : 8/10
Tonight is the night. I have been feeling the excitement for weeks now. Since the fifth season ended I have regularly dreamed of Lumen and how much Julia Stiles performance moved and inspired me. But it's only now that I remember that back in December, 2010 I wasn't able to review the last three episodes. But for the moment it's wiser to focus on the present because season 6 just premiered.
To tell the truth its trailer made me skeptical because it featured far too many characters and I wasn't sure its religious theme would well mix with the show spirit. Don't get me wrong Dexter isn't just a physical body it also has a soul considering how heartbreaking and shocking it can be. However until now it had been relatively rational and quite earthbound. What do you believe ? I wonder what your answer is because as far as the show is concerned I strongly believe Dex can be saved. Just watch Fringe's premiere or read my review of the Easy as Pie episode to better understand what I mean. But to go back to the question two characters asked it to Dex and one of them was his sister but we all know he's no fox when it comes to such matters. It was definitely enlightening because it unveiled a new side of his multifacet persona. For the moment his reflection in the religious mirror is inexistent so I can't wait that it reveals its true colors. Vampire or mere mortal ?
It leads us to the characters because my only worry was to endure a new mumbo jumbo relationship like the one between Angel Batista and Maria LaGuerta. Things slightly got better but it's still first in my rotten elements list. That's why I was so glad to finally have our friendly Batista back and the addition of his lovely sister should definitely spice things up. Their scene at the restaurant was hilarious and instantly made them grow on me. In fact contrary to My Bad, season 5 first episode, Those Kinds of Things really felt like a premiere because of the numerous changes that happened since the finale. As for Vince it seems we can still count on him to deliver the comic relief and his professor arc is promising. However it's really Dex who acted like a clown this time and delivered most of the fun thanks to an entertaining highschool reunion. Moreover it was supported by Harry's ghost. Toilet buddy ? Bloody coach ? A refreshing role that changed of his usual seriousness. As for the story it allowed us to learn more about Dex's student life. It would actually be quite interesting to continue in this direction and feature some flashbacks like the ones in early seasons where Harry taught his son how to control his dark emotions. Otherwise I have a major complain about what happened because I hate when unsafe sex is shown on TV. I don't mind gratuitous nudity, specially when the woman is so sexy, but doing a fellatio poses a risk of infection. Ever heard of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases ? Use condoms or better, do it with someone you really trust and have feelings for !
Parallel to the little escape in highschool land the mandatory villains of the season were introduced. Indeed for once there're two monsters apparently and I already anticipate how much Edward James Olmos will disturb us considering how his performance on Caprica was convincing. Will he surpass John Lithgow from season 4 ? At least teaming him up with Colin Hanks is a bright idea, even if I only know him as Alex Whitman (Roswell), because so far Dex only had to deal with one villain at a time. Last season he was the one tagging along Lumen so I'm curious to see how these two new characters will interact and evolve. Master and apprentice ? I suspect the writers will surprise us again with their usual vicious twists. Moreover as expected Deb, who didn't swear (Oh my #$& !) but pulled out her gun, and her gang have to investigate and the first crime scene will surely test your guts and sense of humor. The absence of graphic violence was also quite stimulating because it allowed our mind to imagine how things happened. Dex's admirative reaction was also reminiscent of the first season and confirmed that this season should illuminate the atheists and be challenging for the deists.
Score : 8/10
Tonight is the night. I have been feeling the excitement for weeks now. Since the fifth season ended I have regularly dreamed of Lumen and how much Julia Stiles performance moved and inspired me. But it's only now that I remember that back in December, 2010 I wasn't able to review the last three episodes. But for the moment it's wiser to focus on the present because season 6 just premiered.
To tell the truth its trailer made me skeptical because it featured far too many characters and I wasn't sure its religious theme would well mix with the show spirit. Don't get me wrong Dexter isn't just a physical body it also has a soul considering how heartbreaking and shocking it can be. However until now it had been relatively rational and quite earthbound. What do you believe ? I wonder what your answer is because as far as the show is concerned I strongly believe Dex can be saved. Just watch Fringe's premiere or read my review of the Easy as Pie episode to better understand what I mean. But to go back to the question two characters asked it to Dex and one of them was his sister but we all know he's no fox when it comes to such matters. It was definitely enlightening because it unveiled a new side of his multifacet persona. For the moment his reflection in the religious mirror is inexistent so I can't wait that it reveals its true colors. Vampire or mere mortal ?
It leads us to the characters because my only worry was to endure a new mumbo jumbo relationship like the one between Angel Batista and Maria LaGuerta. Things slightly got better but it's still first in my rotten elements list. That's why I was so glad to finally have our friendly Batista back and the addition of his lovely sister should definitely spice things up. Their scene at the restaurant was hilarious and instantly made them grow on me. In fact contrary to My Bad, season 5 first episode, Those Kinds of Things really felt like a premiere because of the numerous changes that happened since the finale. As for Vince it seems we can still count on him to deliver the comic relief and his professor arc is promising. However it's really Dex who acted like a clown this time and delivered most of the fun thanks to an entertaining highschool reunion. Moreover it was supported by Harry's ghost. Toilet buddy ? Bloody coach ? A refreshing role that changed of his usual seriousness. As for the story it allowed us to learn more about Dex's student life. It would actually be quite interesting to continue in this direction and feature some flashbacks like the ones in early seasons where Harry taught his son how to control his dark emotions. Otherwise I have a major complain about what happened because I hate when unsafe sex is shown on TV. I don't mind gratuitous nudity, specially when the woman is so sexy, but doing a fellatio poses a risk of infection. Ever heard of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases ? Use condoms or better, do it with someone you really trust and have feelings for !
Parallel to the little escape in highschool land the mandatory villains of the season were introduced. Indeed for once there're two monsters apparently and I already anticipate how much Edward James Olmos will disturb us considering how his performance on Caprica was convincing. Will he surpass John Lithgow from season 4 ? At least teaming him up with Colin Hanks is a bright idea, even if I only know him as Alex Whitman (Roswell), because so far Dex only had to deal with one villain at a time. Last season he was the one tagging along Lumen so I'm curious to see how these two new characters will interact and evolve. Master and apprentice ? I suspect the writers will surprise us again with their usual vicious twists. Moreover as expected Deb, who didn't swear (Oh my #$& !) but pulled out her gun, and her gang have to investigate and the first crime scene will surely test your guts and sense of humor. The absence of graphic violence was also quite stimulating because it allowed our mind to imagine how things happened. Dex's admirative reaction was also reminiscent of the first season and confirmed that this season should illuminate the atheists and be challenging for the deists.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Welcome
I have been reviewing TV shows for years now on websites like TV.com and IMDb. In fact I decided to boycott the first after our precious private data was leaked as reported in the Names being displayed topic. As for the second I publish my reviews there as igoatabase. It has some cool features like sorting and voting but lacks others like a syndication feed and the ability for my dear readers to post comments. Indeed it's your encouraging feedback and kind words that have convinced me to launch this weblog. Until I feed it with my older stuff don't hesitate to check out my most useful reviews on IMDb for instance. As for this place I strongly encourage you to comment, even quick and dirty posts are welcome, or even contact me. You have just read one of my reviews and loved it ? An idea to suggest or problem to report ? My email box is your friend.
I hope you'll find my reviews useful. Most of them are spoiler-free. Some are creative, pure fun or a little strange.
I hope you'll find my reviews useful. Most of them are spoiler-free. Some are creative, pure fun or a little strange.
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