The only show still not done yet is Reaper, which won't finish up until next week. Since that's likely the series finale also, I'll do a short report for it then that will also serve as a eulogy for the show.
Survivor: About as decent of an outcome as you could have hoped for this season. Everybody loved JT and he played hard throughout, so I have no problem with him winning. I was hoping for a bit more fireworks during the jury questions, but I'm sure it was tough considering it was virtually all Timbira people asking two Jalapao people the questions and they couldn't really be bitter since it was their own stupidity that eliminated them from the game. Overall the season was a mixed bag, but would have been lousy without Coach. Love him or hate him, he certainly made things entertaining. As for the tease for next season, Samoa seems fine as a location, but I was disappointed there wasn't more said about any sort of twist or novel concept for the season. Grade: B+
CSI: Not much of a finale here. This could have easily been a midseason episode. Every finale doesn't have to big and/or shocking, but it would have been nice had this show done a little bit more, especially considering the drop in ratings the show has seen ever since the departure of Grissom. I really like Laurence Fishburne, but they haven't done much to make the shows interesting since he came on. Hopefully they can rectify that next season and also decide where they want the 'lab rats' to be. One week people like Wendy and Hodges are in the lab, the next their out in the field. Make up your mind already. Also, do yourself a favor and get rid of the dreadfully dull Riley. Grade: C+
My Name is Earl: It's no surprise this show got the ax by NBC. It had been gradually losing its charm with each season. This finale revolved around the paternity of Joy's kids, which isn't anything that the audience really cared to know. I loved seeing Norm Macdonald return as Little Chubby, but even his quasi-Burt Reynolds impression couldn't salvage this mess. Earl and Randy just became too one-dimensional. I hope Jaime Pressley and Eddie Steeples can find other work though as they continued to be the only interesting characters on the show. Grade: C
Parks and Recreation: This show seems to have so much potential that was not being realized in these first six episodes. I like most of the cast members, but aside from Amy Pohler, none of them have gotten to do much comedically yet. I particularly want to see Rashida Jones get to do more next season as she is really talented. I still have a lot of hope for this show though because the six episodes of the Office's first season weren't amazing either. The finale did have its moments like Leslie and Mark's partying at the pit and Chris Pratt rattling off the various names his band has had over the years. Just like the park Leslie hopes to build, let's hope the creators of this show see their plan come to fruition and produce another quality sitcom. Grade: B-
The Office: There weren't as many fireworks as I would have expected in this one. It appears that they're going to try and do a slow burn with Michael and Holly, which is probably smart since they can't guarantee to have Amy Ryan full time. As cute as the pregnancy reveal was, I was slightly disappointed. Being a traditionalist, I would have preferred they got married before having the baby. I liked how they planted the seeds for a Dwight/Angela reunion, but thought it was weird that they introduced that creepy new friend of Dwight's. There wasn't anyone else (Mose?) that could have served the same purpose that we had seen before. Overall, a fairly funny episode but they've certainly had better finales. Grade: B+
30 Rock: This show continues to frustrate me as it often is more funny than the Office but does a terrible job trying to create decent storylines. If it's not careful it's going to turn into Family Guy where each episode is a collection of funny pop culture references strung together by a flimsy plot. I hope they seriously cut back on the celebrity guest appearances next season. Their 'We are the world' spoof to encourage organ donation was funny, but I would rather see more focus on Tracy, Jenna, and the writing staff. Although I'll never complain when Dr. Spaceman (Chris Parnell) stops by. Grade: B
Animation Domination: The post is already getting too long for me to do seperate reviews for each, so let me lump them all here. The Simpsons continues to vary between very funny episodes with no story and well crafted stories that have hardly any humor. Their finale on border patrol did a nice story but wasn't overly funny. Still, the show has been better this season than the past few. Family Guy's founding of Quahog story wasn't particularly engaging. None of the gags felt new, although I still always laugh whenever they somehow depict Joe losing his legs. Finally, I was disappointed American Dad couldn't end on a stronger note. The guy's night out storyline was just disturbing. Also, I'm not sure if Steve was in the episode at all and he's my favorite character. Overall though, this show has probably been the most consistent in terms of quality each week. The Simpsons: B- Family Guy: C American Dad: B
How I Met Your Mother: Well, it wasn't much advancement, but at least we got somewhere with figuring out who the mother is. I'm not sure if most people agree, but I loved the fact that Ted took the professor job. His life continues to mirror mine more and more closely. It's scary. I'm still not sold on Barney and Robin, but it definitely seems like they're heading in that direction. Overall, the season was kind of hampered by both female leads getting pregnant. Once they return next season, hopefully the core dynamic will be back as well. And hopefully they'll revisit some of their best moments like Robin Sparkles and the slap bet. Grade: B
24: Man, what an emotional finish to a season that saw this show return to form. They did a nice job of tying up the immediate threat while also providing us with a number of loose ends to look forward to next season. You know the show is going well when even the presence of Kim Bauer doesn't ruin things. Much of the credit belongs to the fresh faces this season. Jon Voigt was great as one of the show's primary villains. And the addition of the Renee Walker character has been stellar. She works so well with Jack, it feels like she's been around since Season 1. Speaking of Jack, he did an awesome job this season portraying a gamut of emotions. This is already a beloved character and he continued to bring the awesome. I cannot wait for this to return next January. Grade: A-
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
ABC Fall Schedule
What's been cancelled: According to Jim, Boston Legal, Cupid, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Homeland Security USA, In the Motherhood, Life on Mars, Opportunity Knocks, Pushing Daises, Samantha Who, The Unusuals
New shows added: Copper, Cougar Town, The Deep End, Eastwick, Flash Forward, The Forgotten, Hank, Happy Town, The Middle, Modern Family, The Shark Tank, V
Fall lineup:
MONDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" (two-hours)
10:00 p.m. "Castle"
TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Shark Tank"
9:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show"
10:00 p.m. "The Forgotten"
WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Hank"
8:30 p.m. "The Middle"
9:00 p.m. "Modern Family"
9:30 p.m. "Cougar Town"
10:00 p.m. "Eastwick"
THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Flash Forward"
9:00 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy"
10:00 p.m. "Private Practice"
FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Supernanny"
9:00 p.m. "Ugly Betty"
10:00 p.m. "20/20"
SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Saturday Night College Football"
SUNDAY: 7:00 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos"
8:00 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
9:00 p.m. "Desperate Housewives"
10:00 p.m. "Brothers & Sisters"
Some shows like Better Off Ted, Scrubs (you're reading that right, it returns for a 9th season), and Lost won't return until midseason. I don't really care for much on ABC, so I don't have much to say about this lineup. Although a whole new slate on Wednesday is risky. And moving Ugly Betty to Fridays is surprising. I don't watch the show, but if I were a fan I'd be angry/worried about that move.
For more information on ABC's new shows, please visit The Futon Critic
New shows added: Copper, Cougar Town, The Deep End, Eastwick, Flash Forward, The Forgotten, Hank, Happy Town, The Middle, Modern Family, The Shark Tank, V
Fall lineup:
MONDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" (two-hours)
10:00 p.m. "Castle"
TUESDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Shark Tank"
9:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show"
10:00 p.m. "The Forgotten"
WEDNESDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Hank"
8:30 p.m. "The Middle"
9:00 p.m. "Modern Family"
9:30 p.m. "Cougar Town"
10:00 p.m. "Eastwick"
THURSDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Flash Forward"
9:00 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy"
10:00 p.m. "Private Practice"
FRIDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Supernanny"
9:00 p.m. "Ugly Betty"
10:00 p.m. "20/20"
SATURDAY: 8:00 p.m. "Saturday Night College Football"
SUNDAY: 7:00 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos"
8:00 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
9:00 p.m. "Desperate Housewives"
10:00 p.m. "Brothers & Sisters"
Some shows like Better Off Ted, Scrubs (you're reading that right, it returns for a 9th season), and Lost won't return until midseason. I don't really care for much on ABC, so I don't have much to say about this lineup. Although a whole new slate on Wednesday is risky. And moving Ugly Betty to Fridays is surprising. I don't watch the show, but if I were a fan I'd be angry/worried about that move.
For more information on ABC's new shows, please visit The Futon Critic
NMR: What a croc!
I've got two more Netflix reviews that I'm combining with the weakest of connections; even though these films are wildly different, they both have scenes with killer alligators.
Eraser: One of Ah-nuld's attempts to keep himself relevant as the 90s were coming to an end. This one is just riddled with action movie cliches. I was spouting lines before the actors had a chance to save them. There are a few cool action sequences though, especially for the time, and the rail gun was neat. Perhaps the most preposterous thing in the movie is one of the final climatic scenes which involves 20+ guys shooting at Arnold, yet no one is able to hit him. Give me a break. I wish this movie was erased from my mind. The movie is 13 years old now, I'm allowed to make that pun again. Rating: **
Adapatation: The best way to describe this bizarre film is to say that if you saw and liked Being John Malkovich, you'll enjoy this film as well. This is a very meta-film about the process of screenwriting that used real people in a fictional story. This film can be equally engaging and frustrating. It produces a lot of interesting ideas, but you really have to stay focused to keep up with the story. I need to give special praise to Chris Cooper, who is just tremendous in this film and totally deserved the Oscar he won for this role. If you make the effort to watch this film, you'll be rewarded with a completely unique film experience. Rating: ****
Eraser: One of Ah-nuld's attempts to keep himself relevant as the 90s were coming to an end. This one is just riddled with action movie cliches. I was spouting lines before the actors had a chance to save them. There are a few cool action sequences though, especially for the time, and the rail gun was neat. Perhaps the most preposterous thing in the movie is one of the final climatic scenes which involves 20+ guys shooting at Arnold, yet no one is able to hit him. Give me a break. I wish this movie was erased from my mind. The movie is 13 years old now, I'm allowed to make that pun again. Rating: **
Adapatation: The best way to describe this bizarre film is to say that if you saw and liked Being John Malkovich, you'll enjoy this film as well. This is a very meta-film about the process of screenwriting that used real people in a fictional story. This film can be equally engaging and frustrating. It produces a lot of interesting ideas, but you really have to stay focused to keep up with the story. I need to give special praise to Chris Cooper, who is just tremendous in this film and totally deserved the Oscar he won for this role. If you make the effort to watch this film, you'll be rewarded with a completely unique film experience. Rating: ****
Ya dig Holmes
It's not out until Christmas, but here's the first trailer for Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams.
Monday, May 18, 2009
FOX fall schedule
What's Been Cancelled: Do Not Disturb, Hole in the Wall, Osbournes Reloaded, Prison Break, Secret Millionaire, Sit Down Shut Up, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
New shows added: Brothers, The Cleveland Show, Human Target, Past Life, Someone's Gotta Go, Sons of Tuscon
Fall lineup:
MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM LIE TO ME
TUESDAY
8:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Performance Show
WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Results Show
9:00-10:00 PM GLEE
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE
FRIDAY
8:00-8:30 PM BROTHERS
8:30-9:00 PM 'TIL DEATH
9:00-10:00 PM DOLLHOUSE
SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA'S MOST WANTED
11:00 PM-Midnight THE WANDA SYKES SHOW (working title)
Midnight-12:30 AM ANIMATION DOMINATION ENCORES
SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM THE OT (NFL post-game)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
Some FOX shows won't return until mid-season like 24 and American Idol, so if you don't see it on the lineup, don't worry. The biggest move here is Fringe to Thursdays at 9. Great, like I needed another show on during that time. I think FOX sees CSI as vulnerable now without Grissom and hopes Fringe can pull away some of their viewers. That strategy might work, because that's probably what I will do.
For more info on the new shows debuting, visit The Futon Critic
New shows added: Brothers, The Cleveland Show, Human Target, Past Life, Someone's Gotta Go, Sons of Tuscon
Fall lineup:
MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE
9:00-10:00 PM LIE TO ME
TUESDAY
8:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Performance Show
WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Results Show
9:00-10:00 PM GLEE
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE
FRIDAY
8:00-8:30 PM BROTHERS
8:30-9:00 PM 'TIL DEATH
9:00-10:00 PM DOLLHOUSE
SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA'S MOST WANTED
11:00 PM-Midnight THE WANDA SYKES SHOW (working title)
Midnight-12:30 AM ANIMATION DOMINATION ENCORES
SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM THE OT (NFL post-game)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
Some FOX shows won't return until mid-season like 24 and American Idol, so if you don't see it on the lineup, don't worry. The biggest move here is Fringe to Thursdays at 9. Great, like I needed another show on during that time. I think FOX sees CSI as vulnerable now without Grissom and hopes Fringe can pull away some of their viewers. That strategy might work, because that's probably what I will do.
For more info on the new shows debuting, visit The Futon Critic
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Suck it Trebek!
Last night's SNL season finale with Will Ferrell was great, especially the return of Celebrity Jeopardy. I was in tears watching this skit. I haven't laughed this hard at a SNL skit since, well, probably since Will was a regular cast member.
NMR: War is hellarious
Got a couple of films from the bizarre genre of war comedies...
Hot Shots: Part Deux: I saw the original on Netflix a few weeks ago, so I figured I'd catch the sequel as well. Some of the humor holds up very well in this one. It was also nice to see the two main leads return and also mock this idea. A lot of the Gulf War humor though feels extremely dated. Still, for a parody sequel this is one of the better efforts out there. Rating: ***
Dr. Strangelove: I know, I know. I should have seen this classic a long time ago, so sue me. This is one of those teflon films that is immune to criticism. Some people don't get why this is funny and I can understand that. I'll admit that there were some things that I didn't get. I also think that some of the material in this film is dated. However, there are moments of sheer brillance in this film, particularly any of the war room scenes. I'm also a fan of any film that makes use of 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home' in its score. Peter Sellers gets the most adulation for his three character performance in this film, but personally, I thought George C. Scott was fantastic in his role. If you're the one person amongst your friends who hasn't seen this film, watch it because it's a great film for prompting discussion and analysis. Rating: ****
Hot Shots: Part Deux: I saw the original on Netflix a few weeks ago, so I figured I'd catch the sequel as well. Some of the humor holds up very well in this one. It was also nice to see the two main leads return and also mock this idea. A lot of the Gulf War humor though feels extremely dated. Still, for a parody sequel this is one of the better efforts out there. Rating: ***
Dr. Strangelove: I know, I know. I should have seen this classic a long time ago, so sue me. This is one of those teflon films that is immune to criticism. Some people don't get why this is funny and I can understand that. I'll admit that there were some things that I didn't get. I also think that some of the material in this film is dated. However, there are moments of sheer brillance in this film, particularly any of the war room scenes. I'm also a fan of any film that makes use of 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home' in its score. Peter Sellers gets the most adulation for his three character performance in this film, but personally, I thought George C. Scott was fantastic in his role. If you're the one person amongst your friends who hasn't seen this film, watch it because it's a great film for prompting discussion and analysis. Rating: ****
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Season finale report card Pt. 1
I haven't done a whole lot of discussion on my thoughts on TV shows lately, so to make up for that, I'll give my thoughts on how each of my favorite shows have ended...
Chuck: The show really came into it's own this season and delivered a great finale. Bringing in Chevy Chase and Scott Bakula into the mix was a nice touch. As for the end moment where we learn that Chuck has a more powerful Intersect in his head, I'm mixed. If they play it right, it could be really cool. If they don't, all they'll be doing is adding unnecessary drama to the show. I really hope this show returns, because they had a wonderful option to tie up everything and end it leaving the fans satisfied. But they opted for a cliffhanger ending, which means it better return or else there will be a lot of angry Nerd Herders. Grade: A-
Heroes: Wow, what to say about this show. How the mighty have fallen. This show just can't seem to regain the momentum they had from season 1. While the show improved in the second half of this season, it's still terribly flawed. And despite their efforts to address fans' complaints, the finale seemed so much like a retread. Once again, Nathan is apparently dead, but they found a way to keep the character around. I'm so ready to be rid of so many characters from this show. Let's hope some new blood (and not Claire's deus ex machina blood) can be infused into this show and help it become watchable again. Grade: C+
The Big Bang Theory: The finale played like a greatest hits album in a way as we got to see a lot of great gags return: Shelon's knocking, Howard's mother, etc. This show has quickly moved up to one of my must see comedies and I look forward to seeing some more antics from these guys at the North Pole next season before they return. I also love Penny, but din't have any real urgency to see her together with Leonard, so that aspect of the storyline didn't do much for me. Aside from that, this was great. Grade: A-
House: The bait and switch that they pulled certainly didn't endear me to this show anymore. Yes, I felt sorry for House now that he's been sent to the loony bin, but I never thought the point of the show was to make me empathize with him. This is a show that has tried to do too much, when it wasn't necessary. We didn't need a new team for House, we didn't need forced relationships, we didn't need psychoanalysis of House. Just give us strange medical mysteries and witty one-liners and I'm content. Yes, the formula may get tiring for some, but the formula works for a reason. For the most part, this finale did not. Grade: B-
Better Off Ted: Not much of a season finale since the season only consisted of about 6 episodes, but I still wanted to mention it. Currently the show is on the bubble, but I felt this show continued to grow with each episode and deserves a second season. If they keep expanding the cast like they started to in the final episode, it has a chance to be quirky and fun. Grade: B
Fringe: Man, this episode blew me away! If you're not watching this show, you should. They did everything right here. They wrapped up some storylines with the gruesome death of David Jones. And they also opened up a whole new can of worms with this alternate universe storyline. Not only did we find out Peter is really dead, but then we get that awesome shot of Olivia standing inside the World Trade Center building. Very cool stuff! This has been the most satisfying finale thus far. Grade: A
Lost: Last night's finale left me equally enticed and frustrated. You mean to tell me they couldn't give us one small scene to let us know what happened to the castaways once the bomb went off? Come on. The Jacob stuff was really interesting, but it once again opens up a whole new set of questions. I just keep worrying with only one season left of this show how they can possibly answer everything we want to know. There were a lot of cool small moments last night like Rose and Bernard, Ben at his most vulnerable to date, and our first look at the whole statue. Still it's going to be tough to truly evaluate this episode until we see it in the context of next season for now. One way or another I think we've said goodbye to time travel, which I'm happy about. Even I was starting to get nose bleeds from it. Grade: B+
The Amazing Race: In reality, the better episode was the one before the finale where a team's pee break cost them a chance to be in the final three and compete for the million dollars. That was truly stunning. This final episode did have a come from behind finish, which is always impressive; it's just a shame I didn't like the winning team more. Tammy seemed nice enough, but I couldn't stand Victory. He showed no growth whatsoever throughout the race and maintained a superiority complex over his sister. On top of that, both of them are Harvard law grads, so they probably weren't hurting for money. A lackluster finish to what had been one of the better races in recent years. Grade: B-
More to come in part 2 including NBC's Must-See TV comedies, Animation Domination, How I Met Your Mother, 24, CSI, and Survivor.
Chuck: The show really came into it's own this season and delivered a great finale. Bringing in Chevy Chase and Scott Bakula into the mix was a nice touch. As for the end moment where we learn that Chuck has a more powerful Intersect in his head, I'm mixed. If they play it right, it could be really cool. If they don't, all they'll be doing is adding unnecessary drama to the show. I really hope this show returns, because they had a wonderful option to tie up everything and end it leaving the fans satisfied. But they opted for a cliffhanger ending, which means it better return or else there will be a lot of angry Nerd Herders. Grade: A-
Heroes: Wow, what to say about this show. How the mighty have fallen. This show just can't seem to regain the momentum they had from season 1. While the show improved in the second half of this season, it's still terribly flawed. And despite their efforts to address fans' complaints, the finale seemed so much like a retread. Once again, Nathan is apparently dead, but they found a way to keep the character around. I'm so ready to be rid of so many characters from this show. Let's hope some new blood (and not Claire's deus ex machina blood) can be infused into this show and help it become watchable again. Grade: C+
The Big Bang Theory: The finale played like a greatest hits album in a way as we got to see a lot of great gags return: Shelon's knocking, Howard's mother, etc. This show has quickly moved up to one of my must see comedies and I look forward to seeing some more antics from these guys at the North Pole next season before they return. I also love Penny, but din't have any real urgency to see her together with Leonard, so that aspect of the storyline didn't do much for me. Aside from that, this was great. Grade: A-
House: The bait and switch that they pulled certainly didn't endear me to this show anymore. Yes, I felt sorry for House now that he's been sent to the loony bin, but I never thought the point of the show was to make me empathize with him. This is a show that has tried to do too much, when it wasn't necessary. We didn't need a new team for House, we didn't need forced relationships, we didn't need psychoanalysis of House. Just give us strange medical mysteries and witty one-liners and I'm content. Yes, the formula may get tiring for some, but the formula works for a reason. For the most part, this finale did not. Grade: B-
Better Off Ted: Not much of a season finale since the season only consisted of about 6 episodes, but I still wanted to mention it. Currently the show is on the bubble, but I felt this show continued to grow with each episode and deserves a second season. If they keep expanding the cast like they started to in the final episode, it has a chance to be quirky and fun. Grade: B
Fringe: Man, this episode blew me away! If you're not watching this show, you should. They did everything right here. They wrapped up some storylines with the gruesome death of David Jones. And they also opened up a whole new can of worms with this alternate universe storyline. Not only did we find out Peter is really dead, but then we get that awesome shot of Olivia standing inside the World Trade Center building. Very cool stuff! This has been the most satisfying finale thus far. Grade: A
Lost: Last night's finale left me equally enticed and frustrated. You mean to tell me they couldn't give us one small scene to let us know what happened to the castaways once the bomb went off? Come on. The Jacob stuff was really interesting, but it once again opens up a whole new set of questions. I just keep worrying with only one season left of this show how they can possibly answer everything we want to know. There were a lot of cool small moments last night like Rose and Bernard, Ben at his most vulnerable to date, and our first look at the whole statue. Still it's going to be tough to truly evaluate this episode until we see it in the context of next season for now. One way or another I think we've said goodbye to time travel, which I'm happy about. Even I was starting to get nose bleeds from it. Grade: B+
The Amazing Race: In reality, the better episode was the one before the finale where a team's pee break cost them a chance to be in the final three and compete for the million dollars. That was truly stunning. This final episode did have a come from behind finish, which is always impressive; it's just a shame I didn't like the winning team more. Tammy seemed nice enough, but I couldn't stand Victory. He showed no growth whatsoever throughout the race and maintained a superiority complex over his sister. On top of that, both of them are Harvard law grads, so they probably weren't hurting for money. A lackluster finish to what had been one of the better races in recent years. Grade: B-
More to come in part 2 including NBC's Must-See TV comedies, Animation Domination, How I Met Your Mother, 24, CSI, and Survivor.
One for The Road
Here's the first trailer for one of the films I put on my top 30 list. The Road is based on a Cormac McCarthy novel (same guy who wrote No Country for Old Men). The Road is set to come out Oct. 16.
Is Sin-dication the answer?
Some news today about the possibility of Reaper seeing a third season from the Hollywood Reporter:
Given all that's been said, I still think the show is dead in the water. That's a real shame too because there has been no signs of urgency throughout this season to tie up everything and give us a satisfactory conclusion to a show that started out with a clever idea unlike most other shows on TV. What will happen to this show? Only God, or perhaps the Devil, knows for sure.
Thought "Reaper" was dead?
Well, think again. Like some of the undead creatures on it, the quirky CW dramedy with a rabid fan base is refusing to die.
Sources said show producer ABC Studios is in talks with CW affiliate stations about continuing "Reaper" as a syndicated series for Sunday night.
The law-rated "Reaper" has been pretty much canceled at the CW. But most stations are said to love the series starring Brett Harrison as the Devil's bounty hunter.
So when the network recently decided to give Sunday night back to its affiliates, they started preliminary conversations with ABC Studios about possibly continuing the show with original episodes.
Sources said that ABC Studios also is exploring a possible afterlife for the cult series on cable.
Both scenarios are considered a longshot.
First, there is the economics issue as a syndicated series is generally produced on a lower budget than a network series.
Secondly, "Reaper" creators/executive producers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters have moved on, recently inking an overall deal with 20th TV.
And then there's Tyler Labine, the actor who plays Herrison's sidekick. He is set to star in the newly picked up Fox comedy series "Sons of Tucson." There are conflicting takes on whether Labine would be contractually obligated to "Reaper" if it changes formats from a network to a syndicated show.
But even if he is still tied to "Reaper," Labine headlines a new series, and if he is brought back to his old show against his will, that would be unfortunate for him and a big blow to "Tucson."
Since its midseason return for a second season, "Reaper" has averaged about a 1.0 rating in 18-49, ranking as the network's lowest-rated drama.
But with the network's current programming on Sundays consisting of "Jericho" returns and MGM library movies, averaging below a 0.5 in recent weeks, "Reaper" could potentially improve the slot.
Given all that's been said, I still think the show is dead in the water. That's a real shame too because there has been no signs of urgency throughout this season to tie up everything and give us a satisfactory conclusion to a show that started out with a clever idea unlike most other shows on TV. What will happen to this show? Only God, or perhaps the Devil, knows for sure.
NMR: Hackman double feature
For some reason, I've been on a Gene Hackman kick lately. He is just a tremendous actor and brings a great amount of energy to the screen whenever he's on it. It's a shame he's retired now. It's an even greater shame that his last film will be Welcome to Mooseport.
Enemy of the State: This is one of those films where I've seen bits and pieces of it numerous times, but never actually sat down and watched all the way through until now. This is a tense thriller that seems outdated because of the technology, but still remains relevant in terms of its themes. You really began to see Will Smith morph into a legitimate leading man in this film. Hackman comes in a little too late for my liking into the story, but the few scenes he does have are great. The film also features a lot of well known people who were nobodys when this movie was made. A good popcorn movie that makes you think too. Rating: ****
Heist: The film really doesn't bring anything new to the Heist genre with the exception of writer/director David Mamet's unique dialogue, which I can take or leave. However, despite the lack of freshness to the story, the actors do such a good job with their roles, that you can't help but get into the story. Aside from Hackman who is once again great, there are fine performances from Delroy Lindo, Ricky Jay, Danny Devito, and Sam Rockwell. This is probably one heist film that most people haven't seen yet, so if you enjoy the genre, give it a look. Rating: ****
Enemy of the State: This is one of those films where I've seen bits and pieces of it numerous times, but never actually sat down and watched all the way through until now. This is a tense thriller that seems outdated because of the technology, but still remains relevant in terms of its themes. You really began to see Will Smith morph into a legitimate leading man in this film. Hackman comes in a little too late for my liking into the story, but the few scenes he does have are great. The film also features a lot of well known people who were nobodys when this movie was made. A good popcorn movie that makes you think too. Rating: ****
Heist: The film really doesn't bring anything new to the Heist genre with the exception of writer/director David Mamet's unique dialogue, which I can take or leave. However, despite the lack of freshness to the story, the actors do such a good job with their roles, that you can't help but get into the story. Aside from Hackman who is once again great, there are fine performances from Delroy Lindo, Ricky Jay, Danny Devito, and Sam Rockwell. This is probably one heist film that most people haven't seen yet, so if you enjoy the genre, give it a look. Rating: ****
Friday, May 8, 2009
NMR: Virtuosity
I'm out of newer movies for the moment, so it's back to older ones that slipped through the cracks. This time it's the 1995 computer thriller, Virtuosity, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in one of his first roles in an American film. I remember when the film came out that I thought the trailer made this film look really cool. However, because it was rated R, I never got a chance to see it. Now, nearly 15 years later the film definitely has an outdated feel to it. While nanotechnology is still being developed, the idea of a virtual reality serial killer becoming a real person seems ludicrous now. Crowe has a lot of fun as the maniacal Sid 6.7, but Denzel actually turns in an understated performance. The movie actually has a pretty familiar story that's shined up with the technological spin. A fun diversion but nothing really special here. Might have recommended this back in '95, but no need now. Rating: ***
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Wrath of Trekkies
Looks like not everyone is enamored with the new Star Trek film. ;)
Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'
Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The sweet political science
After months of waiting, I finally got to see the one Oscar film I had the most interest in; Frost/Nixon. And after weeks of watching underwhelming Oscar films, I've now seen one that was worthy of the praise and acclaim it received.
Based on the play by the same name, Frost/Nixon examines the multi-part interview British TV personality David Frost had with Richard Nixon after his resignation. Unlike Doubt, which felt like a slightly more elaborate version of the stage performance, this film takes a play and gives it a true cinematic film. While the story may be narrow in scope, director Ron Howard does a great job of fully fleshing out the characters and everything around them as they prepare for this interview.
Helping the cause is having the original stage actors, Michael Sheen and Frank Langella reprise their roles as Frost and Nixon respectively in the film version. Both men are just tremendous at capturing who these men were. Langella doesn't necessarily look exactly like Nixon, but is able to still embody this complex man in his performance. While not as flashy, Sheen's take on Frost is equally worthy of praise. He provides us with a look into the nuances of Frost, which reveal a more complex person than you may assume. By now, both of these actors are very familiar with these people they portray and it shows.
Not surprisingly, I liked this film more for what it revealed to us about the media rather than its political statement. Both staunch republicans and democrats will be interested to see how the most controversial president of recent time is portrayed, but that wasn't of great importance to me. I wasn't alive during that time, so I don't have a real vested interest in that. However, seeing the way both men prepared for this interview was extremely fascinating to me. These men don't just prep for this interview in order to get their agenda across; they specifically examine each other in an attempt to stay one step ahead of the other.
There's one specific mention by a character in the film where he likened the interview to a boxing match. This is apropos because there are several other allusions to this throughout the film, which I just thought were excellent. It truly becomes a fight between these two and in order to win they can't just go out there firing punches. It becomes a cat and mouse game to see who can corner the other in order to make that knockout blow. Even though you may know the outcome, the film does a tremendous job of making you become invested in seeing how it all plays out.
One recommendation I would make however is that you should see this movie before watching the actual interview. While the script does an amazing job of boiling down everything that they covered into this two hour movie, this is not a true reenactment. The film naturally makes certain parts more dramatic than they appear to be in the actual interview. If you watch the interview first, you may have a more difficult time appreciating the film. Do watch the interview afterwards though if you can because it is rather remarkable how this interview went down.
As much as I love this film, I can understand why it didn't win best picture. The film is very much a snapshot of one particular point in American history. This story is not grand in nature, which is something that the Academy tends to reward. I'm ok with that though because I wouldn't have wanted this film to attempt to be any broader than what it was. Sure, I would have loved for there to be an additional hour of material, there's certainly enough there to do it. But that may have been overkill. So as it is, this is just a tremendous film that has great acting and an interesting subject matter. It's tough to write reviews for good films because you feel like you're just repeating yourself over and over again. So simply put, go check out this movie, you won't be disappointed. Grade: A
Based on the play by the same name, Frost/Nixon examines the multi-part interview British TV personality David Frost had with Richard Nixon after his resignation. Unlike Doubt, which felt like a slightly more elaborate version of the stage performance, this film takes a play and gives it a true cinematic film. While the story may be narrow in scope, director Ron Howard does a great job of fully fleshing out the characters and everything around them as they prepare for this interview.
Helping the cause is having the original stage actors, Michael Sheen and Frank Langella reprise their roles as Frost and Nixon respectively in the film version. Both men are just tremendous at capturing who these men were. Langella doesn't necessarily look exactly like Nixon, but is able to still embody this complex man in his performance. While not as flashy, Sheen's take on Frost is equally worthy of praise. He provides us with a look into the nuances of Frost, which reveal a more complex person than you may assume. By now, both of these actors are very familiar with these people they portray and it shows.
Not surprisingly, I liked this film more for what it revealed to us about the media rather than its political statement. Both staunch republicans and democrats will be interested to see how the most controversial president of recent time is portrayed, but that wasn't of great importance to me. I wasn't alive during that time, so I don't have a real vested interest in that. However, seeing the way both men prepared for this interview was extremely fascinating to me. These men don't just prep for this interview in order to get their agenda across; they specifically examine each other in an attempt to stay one step ahead of the other.
There's one specific mention by a character in the film where he likened the interview to a boxing match. This is apropos because there are several other allusions to this throughout the film, which I just thought were excellent. It truly becomes a fight between these two and in order to win they can't just go out there firing punches. It becomes a cat and mouse game to see who can corner the other in order to make that knockout blow. Even though you may know the outcome, the film does a tremendous job of making you become invested in seeing how it all plays out.
One recommendation I would make however is that you should see this movie before watching the actual interview. While the script does an amazing job of boiling down everything that they covered into this two hour movie, this is not a true reenactment. The film naturally makes certain parts more dramatic than they appear to be in the actual interview. If you watch the interview first, you may have a more difficult time appreciating the film. Do watch the interview afterwards though if you can because it is rather remarkable how this interview went down.
As much as I love this film, I can understand why it didn't win best picture. The film is very much a snapshot of one particular point in American history. This story is not grand in nature, which is something that the Academy tends to reward. I'm ok with that though because I wouldn't have wanted this film to attempt to be any broader than what it was. Sure, I would have loved for there to be an additional hour of material, there's certainly enough there to do it. But that may have been overkill. So as it is, this is just a tremendous film that has great acting and an interesting subject matter. It's tough to write reviews for good films because you feel like you're just repeating yourself over and over again. So simply put, go check out this movie, you won't be disappointed. Grade: A
Monday, May 4, 2009
NBC newbies
Network fall lineups will be unveiled this week and NBC was first up today. While most of were interested in hearing whether or not Chuck would be back, it appears we're going to have to wait longer. NBC execs said they wouldn't make an announcement on the fate of Chuck, Medium, My Name is Earl, Law & Order, or Life until May 19th. Aarrgh! Why must they continue to torture us.
Anyways, here's the descriptions for the 6 new shows that NBC has picked up for the fall. See if any of them look like a show that will help NBC's struggling ratings.
PARENTHOOD
From the executive producers of the box-office hit "Parenthood" -- Ron Howard and Brian Grazer (Oscar winners for "A Beautiful Mind"), and writer/executive producer Jason Katims ("Friday Night Lights") -- this contemporary re-imagining of the blockbuster film depicts the colorful and imperfect Braverman family -- four grown siblings sharing the headaches, heartaches and joy of being parents. The star-studded cast includes Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Bonnie Bedelia, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Sarah Ramos. When Sarah Braverman (Tierney, "ER"), a financially strapped single mother, returns home to her parents and siblings in Berkeley, Calif. after packing up her Fresno apartment and uprooting her two inconvenienced kids, Amber (Mae Whitman, "In Treatment") and Drew (Miles Heizer, "ER"), she is greeted by her opinionated father, Zeek (Nelson, "Family Stone," "Coach"), and strong mother, Camille (Bedelia, "Heart Like a Wheel"), who are privately dealing with their own marital issues. As Sarah is reunited with her siblings -- sister, Julia (Christensen, "Traffic"), and brothers Crosby (Shepard, "Baby Mama") and Adam (Krause, "Six Feet Under") -- all struggling with issues of their own, it's clear that the Braverman reunion is just what they need to face the everyday challenges of modern family life.
TRAUMA
Executive producer Peter Berg (NBC's "Friday Night Lights") delivers "Trauma," the first high-octane medical drama series to live exclusively in the field where the real action is. Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, "Trauma" is an intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first responder paramedics. When emergencies occur, the trauma team from San Francisco General is first on the scene, traveling by land, by sea or by air to reach their victims in time. From the heights of the city's Transamerica Pyramid to the depths of the San Francisco Bay, these heroes must face the most extreme conditions to save lives -- and give meaning to their own existence in the process. Starring in "Trauma" are Derek Luke ("Notorious"), Cliff Curtis ("10,000 B.C"), Anastasia Griffith ("Damages"), Aimee Garcia ("George Lopez"), Kevin Rankin ("Friday Night Lights") and Jamey Sheridan ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent").
MERCY
"Mercy," a new medical drama with a unique point of view, portrays the lives of the staff at Mercy Hospital as seen through the eyes of those who know it best -- its nurses. Nurse Veronica Callahan (Taylor Schilling, "Dark Matter") returns to Mercy from a military tour in Iraq -- and she knows more about medicine than all of the residents combined. Together with fellow nurses Sonia Jimenez (Jamie Lee Kirchner, "Rescue Me") and Chloe Payne (Michelle Trachtenberg, "Gossip Girl"), Callahan navigates through the daily traumas and social landmines of life and love both inside the hospital and out in the real world. The cast also includes: James Tupper ("Men in Trees") as Dr. Chris Sands, a new doctor at the hospital who complicates Veronica's life; Diego Klattenhoff ("Supernatural") as Mike Callahan, Veronica's husband; and Guillermo Diaz ("Weeds") as Nurse Angel Lopez.
DAY ONE
From executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander ("Heroes," "Lost," "Alias") and director Alex Graves ("Fringe," "Journeyman"), "Day One" tells the story of life on earth following a global catastrophe that has devastated the world's infrastructures. Beginning with the immediate aftermath of the cataclysmic event, an eclectic band of survivors -- played by Adam Campbell ("Date Movie"), Catherine Dent ("The Shield"), Julie Gonzalo ("Eli Stone"), David Lyons ("ER"), Derek Mio ("Greek"), Carly Pope ("24"), Thekla Reuten ("Sleeper Cell") and Addison Timlin ("Cashmere Mafia") -- strives to rebuild society as they unravel the mysteries of what happened and face their uncertain future. The group, all residents of one apartment building in suburban Van Nuys, Calif., embarks on a quest for survival and discovers that hope is found in small victories -- and heroes are born every day.
100 QUESTIONS (fka "100 Questions for Charlotte Payne")
Emmy winner James Burrows ("Will & Grace," "Friends") directs "100 Questions," a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan ("For Your Consideration") that provides hilarious answers to 100 questions about love. Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, "Peep Show") is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals -- but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, "The Ex List") – who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren't easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, "Women's Murder Club"), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC's "Law & Order"), Mike (Christopher Moynihan "For Your Consideration") and Wayne (David Walton "Quarterlife"). The test becomes a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte who begins to realize what she truly wants in a relationship.
COMMUNITY
From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") comes "Community," a smart comedy series about higher education -- and lower expectations. The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, "Community" focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin' lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, "The Soup"), who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work. In addition to McHale, the series also stars: Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel"); Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement"); Danny Pudi ("Greek"); Alison Brie ("Mad Men"); and comedy legend Chevy Chase ("Saturday Night Live").
Anyways, here's the descriptions for the 6 new shows that NBC has picked up for the fall. See if any of them look like a show that will help NBC's struggling ratings.
PARENTHOOD
From the executive producers of the box-office hit "Parenthood" -- Ron Howard and Brian Grazer (Oscar winners for "A Beautiful Mind"), and writer/executive producer Jason Katims ("Friday Night Lights") -- this contemporary re-imagining of the blockbuster film depicts the colorful and imperfect Braverman family -- four grown siblings sharing the headaches, heartaches and joy of being parents. The star-studded cast includes Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Bonnie Bedelia, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Sarah Ramos. When Sarah Braverman (Tierney, "ER"), a financially strapped single mother, returns home to her parents and siblings in Berkeley, Calif. after packing up her Fresno apartment and uprooting her two inconvenienced kids, Amber (Mae Whitman, "In Treatment") and Drew (Miles Heizer, "ER"), she is greeted by her opinionated father, Zeek (Nelson, "Family Stone," "Coach"), and strong mother, Camille (Bedelia, "Heart Like a Wheel"), who are privately dealing with their own marital issues. As Sarah is reunited with her siblings -- sister, Julia (Christensen, "Traffic"), and brothers Crosby (Shepard, "Baby Mama") and Adam (Krause, "Six Feet Under") -- all struggling with issues of their own, it's clear that the Braverman reunion is just what they need to face the everyday challenges of modern family life.
TRAUMA
Executive producer Peter Berg (NBC's "Friday Night Lights") delivers "Trauma," the first high-octane medical drama series to live exclusively in the field where the real action is. Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, "Trauma" is an intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first responder paramedics. When emergencies occur, the trauma team from San Francisco General is first on the scene, traveling by land, by sea or by air to reach their victims in time. From the heights of the city's Transamerica Pyramid to the depths of the San Francisco Bay, these heroes must face the most extreme conditions to save lives -- and give meaning to their own existence in the process. Starring in "Trauma" are Derek Luke ("Notorious"), Cliff Curtis ("10,000 B.C"), Anastasia Griffith ("Damages"), Aimee Garcia ("George Lopez"), Kevin Rankin ("Friday Night Lights") and Jamey Sheridan ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent").
MERCY
"Mercy," a new medical drama with a unique point of view, portrays the lives of the staff at Mercy Hospital as seen through the eyes of those who know it best -- its nurses. Nurse Veronica Callahan (Taylor Schilling, "Dark Matter") returns to Mercy from a military tour in Iraq -- and she knows more about medicine than all of the residents combined. Together with fellow nurses Sonia Jimenez (Jamie Lee Kirchner, "Rescue Me") and Chloe Payne (Michelle Trachtenberg, "Gossip Girl"), Callahan navigates through the daily traumas and social landmines of life and love both inside the hospital and out in the real world. The cast also includes: James Tupper ("Men in Trees") as Dr. Chris Sands, a new doctor at the hospital who complicates Veronica's life; Diego Klattenhoff ("Supernatural") as Mike Callahan, Veronica's husband; and Guillermo Diaz ("Weeds") as Nurse Angel Lopez.
DAY ONE
From executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander ("Heroes," "Lost," "Alias") and director Alex Graves ("Fringe," "Journeyman"), "Day One" tells the story of life on earth following a global catastrophe that has devastated the world's infrastructures. Beginning with the immediate aftermath of the cataclysmic event, an eclectic band of survivors -- played by Adam Campbell ("Date Movie"), Catherine Dent ("The Shield"), Julie Gonzalo ("Eli Stone"), David Lyons ("ER"), Derek Mio ("Greek"), Carly Pope ("24"), Thekla Reuten ("Sleeper Cell") and Addison Timlin ("Cashmere Mafia") -- strives to rebuild society as they unravel the mysteries of what happened and face their uncertain future. The group, all residents of one apartment building in suburban Van Nuys, Calif., embarks on a quest for survival and discovers that hope is found in small victories -- and heroes are born every day.
100 QUESTIONS (fka "100 Questions for Charlotte Payne")
Emmy winner James Burrows ("Will & Grace," "Friends") directs "100 Questions," a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan ("For Your Consideration") that provides hilarious answers to 100 questions about love. Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, "Peep Show") is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals -- but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, "The Ex List") – who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren't easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, "Women's Murder Club"), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC's "Law & Order"), Mike (Christopher Moynihan "For Your Consideration") and Wayne (David Walton "Quarterlife"). The test becomes a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte who begins to realize what she truly wants in a relationship.
COMMUNITY
From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") comes "Community," a smart comedy series about higher education -- and lower expectations. The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, "Community" focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin' lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, "The Soup"), who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work. In addition to McHale, the series also stars: Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel"); Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement"); Danny Pudi ("Greek"); Alison Brie ("Mad Men"); and comedy legend Chevy Chase ("Saturday Night Live").
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Grand Theft Daughter
The summer movie season is underway, but I'm still slumming it at the budget theater for the time being. This time, I caught this past January's surprise hit, Taken.
The film centers around Bryan (Liam Neeson), who has recently retired from being a government agent in order to spend more time with his 17 year old daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace). While talking to her father from Paris, Kim is abducted. Hearing everything, Brian suddenly goes back into agent mode in his quest to recover his daughter.
The setup to this film is its weakest element. None of the family moments really work, primarily due to the film's casting. Neeson doesn't come off particularly fatherly and Grace is too old to be playing an immature teenager. Even though it's not meant to be a surprise, the film beats you over the head that something terrible is going to happen to Kim as a result of the naivety of so many of the main characters.
However, once Kim is grabbed the film kicks into high gear. Neeson transforms into a badass using all of his skills to find out who is behind the abduction and where they have taken her. The plausibility of how he obtains some of his information is somewhat suspect, but the film doesn't dwell on it, so you just go along with it and enjoy the ride. Even if it isn't realistic, you enjoy the ingenuity shown in order to track Kim down.
As Neeson tracks down the abductors, the film suddenly becomes a real life video game. You get a little bit of story set-up followed by Neeson kicking ass and killing anyone in sight. This is first movie I've seen that has blended that point and shoot mentality into a sophisticated adult thriller. This direction has me torn, however. It's makes for an exciting film, but also seems a bit cold and callous. Neeson kills anyone and everyone in his sight with reckless abandon, making it difficult to sympathize with the character. Yet, there is something primal about the way he goes about hunting these guys down that you can't help but enjoy. While you're not sure how to feel about Neeson's character, the film makes sure that all of the people involved in this abduction are depicted as European scum. It may not be right, but you can't help seeing these slimy characters get some comeuppance.
There is a lot of action in this film and all of it is well done. The fight scenes look good without dragging on for too long. However, there's no real meaning behind them because of the film's failure to do a better job of establishing that connection between father and daughter. The violence just becomes senseless after a while, which can be entertaining but doesn't have a lot of merit.
In an odd way, the film felt very similar to 24, which like this movie also happens to be produced by FOX. On that show, Jack Bauer senselessly kills a lot of terrorists for the sake of his country. He also has a daughter that he has a strained relationship with, yet would do anything to protect her. Just like on that show, it seems that Taken tries to use fatherly love as a mask for that desire to hurt bad guys. No matter how much they claim they want to be away from that lifestyle neither Jack Bauer nor Neeson's character can help themselves from getting involved whenever evil threatens us.
While it makes the effort, this is not a moving film. You don't really get any joy or appreciation out of seeing Neeson rescue his daughter. By the time it happens, it's practically an afterthought. When the film ends, you'll likely have one of two responses. Either you'll have really enjoyed it for it's non-stop barrage of action or you'll feel ambivalent because there was nothing satisfying to you about seeing one fight scene after the other. This is not a great film, but it's surprisingly entertaining given that it was released in the dregs of January. As it comes onto DVD in a couple of weeks, it may be worth a look if you're seeking for some mindless action. Neeson is a capable actor that gets to show off his badass nature on the side of good for once. Enjoy this action thriller for all its mindlessness and don't go hunting for any deeper messages. Grade: C+
The film centers around Bryan (Liam Neeson), who has recently retired from being a government agent in order to spend more time with his 17 year old daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace). While talking to her father from Paris, Kim is abducted. Hearing everything, Brian suddenly goes back into agent mode in his quest to recover his daughter.
The setup to this film is its weakest element. None of the family moments really work, primarily due to the film's casting. Neeson doesn't come off particularly fatherly and Grace is too old to be playing an immature teenager. Even though it's not meant to be a surprise, the film beats you over the head that something terrible is going to happen to Kim as a result of the naivety of so many of the main characters.
However, once Kim is grabbed the film kicks into high gear. Neeson transforms into a badass using all of his skills to find out who is behind the abduction and where they have taken her. The plausibility of how he obtains some of his information is somewhat suspect, but the film doesn't dwell on it, so you just go along with it and enjoy the ride. Even if it isn't realistic, you enjoy the ingenuity shown in order to track Kim down.
As Neeson tracks down the abductors, the film suddenly becomes a real life video game. You get a little bit of story set-up followed by Neeson kicking ass and killing anyone in sight. This is first movie I've seen that has blended that point and shoot mentality into a sophisticated adult thriller. This direction has me torn, however. It's makes for an exciting film, but also seems a bit cold and callous. Neeson kills anyone and everyone in his sight with reckless abandon, making it difficult to sympathize with the character. Yet, there is something primal about the way he goes about hunting these guys down that you can't help but enjoy. While you're not sure how to feel about Neeson's character, the film makes sure that all of the people involved in this abduction are depicted as European scum. It may not be right, but you can't help seeing these slimy characters get some comeuppance.
There is a lot of action in this film and all of it is well done. The fight scenes look good without dragging on for too long. However, there's no real meaning behind them because of the film's failure to do a better job of establishing that connection between father and daughter. The violence just becomes senseless after a while, which can be entertaining but doesn't have a lot of merit.
In an odd way, the film felt very similar to 24, which like this movie also happens to be produced by FOX. On that show, Jack Bauer senselessly kills a lot of terrorists for the sake of his country. He also has a daughter that he has a strained relationship with, yet would do anything to protect her. Just like on that show, it seems that Taken tries to use fatherly love as a mask for that desire to hurt bad guys. No matter how much they claim they want to be away from that lifestyle neither Jack Bauer nor Neeson's character can help themselves from getting involved whenever evil threatens us.
While it makes the effort, this is not a moving film. You don't really get any joy or appreciation out of seeing Neeson rescue his daughter. By the time it happens, it's practically an afterthought. When the film ends, you'll likely have one of two responses. Either you'll have really enjoyed it for it's non-stop barrage of action or you'll feel ambivalent because there was nothing satisfying to you about seeing one fight scene after the other. This is not a great film, but it's surprisingly entertaining given that it was released in the dregs of January. As it comes onto DVD in a couple of weeks, it may be worth a look if you're seeking for some mindless action. Neeson is a capable actor that gets to show off his badass nature on the side of good for once. Enjoy this action thriller for all its mindlessness and don't go hunting for any deeper messages. Grade: C+
Friday, May 1, 2009
Toy stories
Here are the new trailers for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, respectively:
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