Finished this script by Ed Whitworth.
Extremely well-written story detailing Colin Powell's attempt at stopping The United States from announcing war upon Iraq. The pages flow. The characters are well-defined and jump off the page. Whitworth details the conflicts thoroughly, bringing the tensions and struggles to life.
Cheney, Bush, Armitage all standout thanks to this quality writing.
The only problem is, who's going to make this movie? The only home would probably be HBO and that's iffy. It's practically impossible getting an audience to go see a film in which the war is the backdrop (STOP-LOSS, LIONS FOR LAMBS, BROTHERS, RENDITION, IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH, etc), how are you going to get them to see a movie about a group of people deciding whether or not they should start this war?
It's an improbable make.
That's no fault of Whitworth though. The man is an intelligent, engaging writer at the top of his craft. Tis script is amazing. Let's see what he does for an encore.
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Thursday, December 29, 2011
CALIFORNICATION - Season 4
Series seems to be running out of new material.
Season's about Hollywood coming to make a movie out of "FUCKING AND PUNCHING." Along the way, Hank goes to trial for statutory rape.
Having Fisher Stevens die by auto-asphyxiation is one of the funniest visuals I've seen this year. He's just hanging on the door and whenever someone enters, Steven's dead corpse hits its head against the wall. That made the season worth while.
Addison Timlin will be a star. She's simply hot!
Rob Lowe was terrible. He couldn't bring his character to life.
Season-ender seems like a cop-out. The series builds up to Hank having to face prison if convicted. He's then found guilty by the jury but then is granted a reprieve when the judge sentences him to probation. Very anti-climatic.
The problem with this season is Hank doesn't really learn anything. His journey of self-discovery goes sideways. He claims to love his wife yet he's out screwing everything that shows him attention. He professes his love for his daughter yet never considers the ramification of his actions and how they'll ultimately affect her.
Still, the series is watchable because David Duchovny delivers. It's not great tv but it has enough enjoyable moments to keep you watching.
Season's about Hollywood coming to make a movie out of "FUCKING AND PUNCHING." Along the way, Hank goes to trial for statutory rape.
Having Fisher Stevens die by auto-asphyxiation is one of the funniest visuals I've seen this year. He's just hanging on the door and whenever someone enters, Steven's dead corpse hits its head against the wall. That made the season worth while.
Addison Timlin will be a star. She's simply hot!
Rob Lowe was terrible. He couldn't bring his character to life.
Season-ender seems like a cop-out. The series builds up to Hank having to face prison if convicted. He's then found guilty by the jury but then is granted a reprieve when the judge sentences him to probation. Very anti-climatic.
The problem with this season is Hank doesn't really learn anything. His journey of self-discovery goes sideways. He claims to love his wife yet he's out screwing everything that shows him attention. He professes his love for his daughter yet never considers the ramification of his actions and how they'll ultimately affect her.
Still, the series is watchable because David Duchovny delivers. It's not great tv but it has enough enjoyable moments to keep you watching.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A LITTLE HELP
Terrible film directed by Michael J. Weithorn. A likeable leading lady living an unlikeable life. Jenna Fischer is game but she needs much better material than what's on display here.
Movie feels amateurish. The story isn't strong enough to sustain our interest. The supporting characters aren't compelling.
Jenna gets into a one-night stand situation that plays badly. You could mine that sequence for laughs or drama. Weithorn does neither. There isn't any insight to be found. The sequence is awkward almost as if Weithorn lost sight of what he was trying to say.
When you create material like this, you've got to look at films like AN AMERICAN BEAUTY or LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE to see how you rise above indie material and become a mainstream hit. A LITTLE HELP doesn't rise at all. It starts off slow and sinks fast.
Movie feels amateurish. The story isn't strong enough to sustain our interest. The supporting characters aren't compelling.
Jenna gets into a one-night stand situation that plays badly. You could mine that sequence for laughs or drama. Weithorn does neither. There isn't any insight to be found. The sequence is awkward almost as if Weithorn lost sight of what he was trying to say.
When you create material like this, you've got to look at films like AN AMERICAN BEAUTY or LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE to see how you rise above indie material and become a mainstream hit. A LITTLE HELP doesn't rise at all. It starts off slow and sinks fast.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
ONLINEMEN
Finished this script by Glen Brackenridge and Curtis Brien.
Story's about Hawthorne college's football team. They've just completed an undefeated season and are going to play in the Rose Bowl. However, they break all kinds of NCAA rules during a night of extreme celebrating and the whole campus is ruled ineligible.
Without the money from the bowl game, Hawthorne college will have to close its doors. That's when they realize only the students on campus are ruled ineligible. Students that take courses online can still participate.
The school hastily fields a team of misfits to go play in the Rose Bowl.
The premise is too preposterous. It wrecks whatever credibility the story might have had. The script feels like a bad remake of THE REPLACEMENTS. Stock characters, incredulous situations, bad jokes. Scenes that should be heartfelt are annoying. Characters that should be loveable are cringe-inducing.
Brackenridge and Brien cannot write. Everything about this script is deriviative without an ounce of real emotion. You know exactly how the script will end once you get thirty pages in. They don't bring anything new to the table nor do they write any big laughs.
Pass on the writers and the terrible script.
Story's about Hawthorne college's football team. They've just completed an undefeated season and are going to play in the Rose Bowl. However, they break all kinds of NCAA rules during a night of extreme celebrating and the whole campus is ruled ineligible.
Without the money from the bowl game, Hawthorne college will have to close its doors. That's when they realize only the students on campus are ruled ineligible. Students that take courses online can still participate.
The school hastily fields a team of misfits to go play in the Rose Bowl.
The premise is too preposterous. It wrecks whatever credibility the story might have had. The script feels like a bad remake of THE REPLACEMENTS. Stock characters, incredulous situations, bad jokes. Scenes that should be heartfelt are annoying. Characters that should be loveable are cringe-inducing.
Brackenridge and Brien cannot write. Everything about this script is deriviative without an ounce of real emotion. You know exactly how the script will end once you get thirty pages in. They don't bring anything new to the table nor do they write any big laughs.
Pass on the writers and the terrible script.
Monday, December 26, 2011
HE'S FUCKIN PERFECT
Finished this script by Lauryn Kahn.
Story's about Charlie, an expert at finding out everything abou anybody through internet searches. She's a cybersleuth, adapt at uncovering all your dirt. She does so to prevent wasting time on prospective dates.
However, when a friend asks her to do some digging on a guy, Charlie uncovers the fact that he's fucking perfect and sabotages this budding romance so she can have the guy all to herself.
Kahn is a great comedy writer and has created an insanely likeable character in Charlie. She then comes up with a terrific comedy-relief bestfriend in Betsy.
The story works on so-many levels.
However, the drawback is, the situation that keeps the lovers apart is minimal at best. Turns out, Charlie falls for the perfect guy's bestfriend. This could be grounds for dramatic conflict except for the fact that Charlie and the perfect guy (Evan) clearly have nothing in common. Right off the jump, we realize they're not going to be together so keeping them together drags things onward.
Also, the dramatic conflict would stem from the fact that Charlie's stealing a guy from her friend. However, Charlie doesn't care for this friend nor does anyone else in the script so this conflict really doesn't exist. That situation could have been exploited for comic gold.
It might play better if the perfect guy was really perfect for Charlie yet she still found herself attracted to the bestfriend. It could be pointing that a match that looks perfect on paper might not be what the heart is after.
If you get a strong comedic lead to play Charlie, the film might have a chance. However, you could hit a homerun if you strengthen the dramatic conflict.
Story's about Charlie, an expert at finding out everything abou anybody through internet searches. She's a cybersleuth, adapt at uncovering all your dirt. She does so to prevent wasting time on prospective dates.
However, when a friend asks her to do some digging on a guy, Charlie uncovers the fact that he's fucking perfect and sabotages this budding romance so she can have the guy all to herself.
Kahn is a great comedy writer and has created an insanely likeable character in Charlie. She then comes up with a terrific comedy-relief bestfriend in Betsy.
The story works on so-many levels.
However, the drawback is, the situation that keeps the lovers apart is minimal at best. Turns out, Charlie falls for the perfect guy's bestfriend. This could be grounds for dramatic conflict except for the fact that Charlie and the perfect guy (Evan) clearly have nothing in common. Right off the jump, we realize they're not going to be together so keeping them together drags things onward.
Also, the dramatic conflict would stem from the fact that Charlie's stealing a guy from her friend. However, Charlie doesn't care for this friend nor does anyone else in the script so this conflict really doesn't exist. That situation could have been exploited for comic gold.
It might play better if the perfect guy was really perfect for Charlie yet she still found herself attracted to the bestfriend. It could be pointing that a match that looks perfect on paper might not be what the heart is after.
If you get a strong comedic lead to play Charlie, the film might have a chance. However, you could hit a homerun if you strengthen the dramatic conflict.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
AMERICAN HORROR STORY - Season 1
Terrible. You need to deliver a big ending. The creators may have felt that killing off their two leads is big but the way it plays, it's anticlimatic.
Who are we supposed to care for? The problem is the two leads - Vivien and Ben - are weak. What are their goals? Fix their marriage? That might've worked but it's a point that's not stressed. We never get a sense that it's going to work out for them. So, if we're not rooting for that to happen, what's going to hold our interest. Frights without a strong foundation fall flat.
This is a haunted house that quickly collapses under its own weight. The vengeful ghosts aren't compelling. Jessica Lange's character grows tiresome after awhile. Kate Mara repeatedly plays the same note. Dennis O'Hare isn't given much to do except stand around and look creepy in his makeup.
The series is all show and no go.
Who are we supposed to care for? The problem is the two leads - Vivien and Ben - are weak. What are their goals? Fix their marriage? That might've worked but it's a point that's not stressed. We never get a sense that it's going to work out for them. So, if we're not rooting for that to happen, what's going to hold our interest. Frights without a strong foundation fall flat.
This is a haunted house that quickly collapses under its own weight. The vengeful ghosts aren't compelling. Jessica Lange's character grows tiresome after awhile. Kate Mara repeatedly plays the same note. Dennis O'Hare isn't given much to do except stand around and look creepy in his makeup.
The series is all show and no go.
WARRIOR
Tom Hardy is amazing. What an actor. You can't take your eyes off him during his scenes. He's going to become a major player soon.
Film's good but it should've been great. The problem is the ending is terrible. You need a huge emotional payoff here. We're waiting for it but the punch is never delivered. What's going to happen with Tommy? Is he going to prison? What happens now to his best friend's family?
And then the whole issue about the sons' relationship with their father is never resolved. Hell, their own relationship with each other is never resolved. It's almost as if we're missing the next twenty minutes of the movie.
We didn't need all that screen time devoted to Brendan's students. They didn't add much to the story. The heart of the film - the brother's relationship - needed to be hit much harder. Such a wasted opportunity. Film feels like it could've been a contender but another draft of the script is needed.
Film's good but it should've been great. The problem is the ending is terrible. You need a huge emotional payoff here. We're waiting for it but the punch is never delivered. What's going to happen with Tommy? Is he going to prison? What happens now to his best friend's family?
And then the whole issue about the sons' relationship with their father is never resolved. Hell, their own relationship with each other is never resolved. It's almost as if we're missing the next twenty minutes of the movie.
We didn't need all that screen time devoted to Brendan's students. They didn't add much to the story. The heart of the film - the brother's relationship - needed to be hit much harder. Such a wasted opportunity. Film feels like it could've been a contender but another draft of the script is needed.
MARGIN CALL
Zachary Quinto must be a helluva producer to assemble such a top-notch cast with such a lightweight script. MARGIN CALL is a terrible movie because it's all dialogue. Every single scene involves seated people talking.
HBO's TOO BIG TO FAIL is a far superior production. MARGIN CALL tries to seem important but the material is botched. They are about to set off a chain reaction that will devastate the financial markets yet we never see the pressure, the fears, the sweat, the panic. Oh sure, the characters talk about these things but we never get a sense that it's truly happening.
Poor direction, poor writing.
Zach's company won't be around much longer if he continues to make films like this.
HBO's TOO BIG TO FAIL is a far superior production. MARGIN CALL tries to seem important but the material is botched. They are about to set off a chain reaction that will devastate the financial markets yet we never see the pressure, the fears, the sweat, the panic. Oh sure, the characters talk about these things but we never get a sense that it's truly happening.
Poor direction, poor writing.
Zach's company won't be around much longer if he continues to make films like this.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
AMERICAN HORROR STORY - Season 1.11 - BIRTH
Series is winding down and so is interest in it.
Vivien gives birth to a baby that everyone in the house seems to want. It's motivation that doesn't ring true, especially for the gay couple. They're condemned to roam the house for all eternity and getting a child is on their to-do list???
The details are inconsistent which hurts the series greatly. For instance, if you die in the house, you stay in the house. Yet, Tate murdered a bunch of students at school yet they're still up and about haunting him. Violet is unable to banish Zachary Quinto yet she can get rid of Tate.
In this episode, Connie Britton refuses to step foot inside the house yet, in a horrifing moment, has no choice but to deliver her twins inside its walls. That was a good moment - one of few in this episode.
Vivien gives birth to a baby that everyone in the house seems to want. It's motivation that doesn't ring true, especially for the gay couple. They're condemned to roam the house for all eternity and getting a child is on their to-do list???
The details are inconsistent which hurts the series greatly. For instance, if you die in the house, you stay in the house. Yet, Tate murdered a bunch of students at school yet they're still up and about haunting him. Violet is unable to banish Zachary Quinto yet she can get rid of Tate.
In this episode, Connie Britton refuses to step foot inside the house yet, in a horrifing moment, has no choice but to deliver her twins inside its walls. That was a good moment - one of few in this episode.
Friday, December 23, 2011
AMERICAN HORROR STORY - Season 1.10 - SMOULDERING CHILDREN
The series is dying painfully. This episode feels like filler. Nothing's happening between Ben and Viv at all. The only progression they've shown in the entire episode is that Ben now realizes Viv has been telling the truth about being raped.
We learn that Violet is dead but at this point, do we really care? It's not a shocker when the story is boring. For the shock to work, we'd have to be invested in the character.
We also learn that it was Tate that set Larry on fire. Again, the revelation isn't shocking since we don't care for either of these characters.
Who are we supposed to root for here? Without that central character to emphathize with, the show feels empty and hollow.
We learn that Violet is dead but at this point, do we really care? It's not a shocker when the story is boring. For the shock to work, we'd have to be invested in the character.
We also learn that it was Tate that set Larry on fire. Again, the revelation isn't shocking since we don't care for either of these characters.
Who are we supposed to root for here? Without that central character to emphathize with, the show feels empty and hollow.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
AMERICAN HORROR STORY - Season 1.9 - SPOOKY LITTLE GIRL
And the series storms back with this episode. We get the Black Dahlia as a character. Turns out, she too was a victim of the murder house. It's great that they tied in this famous murder to the house but the Dahlia really doesn't add much to the overall plot. She's just another victim roaming the halls. The house is getting crowded now.
The episode is interesting though because it reveals the heart of the matter. If a spirit and a living being have a baby, that child will be the Anti-christ. That was a great revelation. We start to understand the spirits motivations now.
Connie Britton doesn't have much to do in this episode other than lay in her hospital bed however, we can now tell that she's carrying an abomination which is truly horrifying.
Series looks like it's ramping up for a terrifying ending. Let's hope it can deliver.
The episode is interesting though because it reveals the heart of the matter. If a spirit and a living being have a baby, that child will be the Anti-christ. That was a great revelation. We start to understand the spirits motivations now.
Connie Britton doesn't have much to do in this episode other than lay in her hospital bed however, we can now tell that she's carrying an abomination which is truly horrifying.
Series looks like it's ramping up for a terrifying ending. Let's hope it can deliver.
AMERICAN HORROR STORY - Season 1.8 - RUBBER MAN
Episode was slow. Series is starting to drag.
The identity of the rubber man is revealed. It's Jessica Lange's son. This revelation isn't earth-shattering.
Poor Connie Britton. She's taken away to a psych ward in the episode. Her relationship with McDermott doesn't progress much. He thinks she's suffered a psychotic break. Being taken out of the haunted house though might be the best thing for her.
Plot was short on scares. Show feels like it's run out of gas.
The identity of the rubber man is revealed. It's Jessica Lange's son. This revelation isn't earth-shattering.
Poor Connie Britton. She's taken away to a psych ward in the episode. Her relationship with McDermott doesn't progress much. He thinks she's suffered a psychotic break. Being taken out of the haunted house though might be the best thing for her.
Plot was short on scares. Show feels like it's run out of gas.
WALK THE LINE
Film should have been so much better than this. The dramatic material was there, James Mangold just couldn't deliver it.
Robert Patrick was a standout. He was amazing in the scene where he chastizes his son about the tractor. Mangold robs him though by cutting away for reaction shots. Mangold undercuts the emotions of the scene. The scene could've been powerful.
And then why would Mangold choose to use, in two pivotal scenes, songs by Elvis and Dylan??? That is mind-boggling.
Then there's the freeze frame to end the film at such a "nothing" moment. Mangold couldn't find anything stronger than that to freeze upon?
Reese Witherspoon was the heart of the film. Her performance was pitch perfect.
Joaquin Phoenix was amazing. Strong acting performances all around.
Robert Patrick was a standout. He was amazing in the scene where he chastizes his son about the tractor. Mangold robs him though by cutting away for reaction shots. Mangold undercuts the emotions of the scene. The scene could've been powerful.
And then why would Mangold choose to use, in two pivotal scenes, songs by Elvis and Dylan??? That is mind-boggling.
Then there's the freeze frame to end the film at such a "nothing" moment. Mangold couldn't find anything stronger than that to freeze upon?
Reese Witherspoon was the heart of the film. Her performance was pitch perfect.
Joaquin Phoenix was amazing. Strong acting performances all around.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
GRIMM - Season 1.6 - THE THREE BAD WOLVES
I don't know which series I hate more: GRIMM of ONCE UPON A TIME. GRIMM doesn't have anything going for it. The concept should be about Grimm hunting down these creatures. Instead, he defends some of them. We're six episodes in and we still don't know what the villains' goals are. Without that clearly defined, the plot wanders along without roping us in.
This episode is about a war between wolves and pigs in which the two main antagonists kill off the brothers of their nemesis. That is just plain dumb. What do we even care? How will this involve the viewer?
Close the book on this fairy tale.
This episode is about a war between wolves and pigs in which the two main antagonists kill off the brothers of their nemesis. That is just plain dumb. What do we even care? How will this involve the viewer?
Close the book on this fairy tale.
Monday, December 19, 2011
TRUST
Caught this David Schwimmer film. Just goes to show the market for films is getting smaller. A movie like this just can't find a place today on the big screen. Its demographic is too narrow, its subject matter isn't broad enough, its story doesn't have enough appeal.
Film's about a 14-year-old girl who gets duped by an online chatfriend. The guy poses as a 20-year old college student but when they finally meet up at the mall, he's closer to 40 than 20. Why the girl doesn't run right then and there is mind-boggling. The guy smooth-talks her to a motel room and has sex with her.
The movie then deals with the aftermath of the incident, particularly focusing on Clive Owen's inability to come to grips with the attack. His life is turned upside-down and becomes obsessed with finding this attacker even though they don't have a single piece of information about him.
Most troubling is the fact that the daughter wants to protect this online stalker, convinced that they are in love with one another.
Film, like THIRTEEN and HARD CANDY is hard to watch due to its subject matter.
I would not have greenlit this project at all. There's simply no payoff. The material is too raw and is simply not entertaining.
Film's about a 14-year-old girl who gets duped by an online chatfriend. The guy poses as a 20-year old college student but when they finally meet up at the mall, he's closer to 40 than 20. Why the girl doesn't run right then and there is mind-boggling. The guy smooth-talks her to a motel room and has sex with her.
The movie then deals with the aftermath of the incident, particularly focusing on Clive Owen's inability to come to grips with the attack. His life is turned upside-down and becomes obsessed with finding this attacker even though they don't have a single piece of information about him.
Most troubling is the fact that the daughter wants to protect this online stalker, convinced that they are in love with one another.
Film, like THIRTEEN and HARD CANDY is hard to watch due to its subject matter.
I would not have greenlit this project at all. There's simply no payoff. The material is too raw and is simply not entertaining.
HART OF DIXIE - Season 1.10 - HAIRDOS & HOLIDAYS
Series is hitting a lull. The conflicts can be easily resolved so there's not enough dramatic tension to sustain interest. Lemon can easily tell George she's in love with the Mayor. George can easily tell Zoe that he has feelings for her.
There's really nothing that earth-shattering that's keeping these people apart. You can only get by so long with such flimsy conflict.
Rachel Bilson doesn't have enough material in this episode to shine. This episode deals primarily with Lemon learning the truth about her mother. It's a way to make Lemon more three-dimensional but since her character isn't interesting to begin with, this plotline falls flat.
Seems as if the series is running out of gas and even if there's a service station around the corner, the car doesn't have anywhere to go.
There's really nothing that earth-shattering that's keeping these people apart. You can only get by so long with such flimsy conflict.
Rachel Bilson doesn't have enough material in this episode to shine. This episode deals primarily with Lemon learning the truth about her mother. It's a way to make Lemon more three-dimensional but since her character isn't interesting to begin with, this plotline falls flat.
Seems as if the series is running out of gas and even if there's a service station around the corner, the car doesn't have anywhere to go.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
THE SMELL OF SUCCESS
A film about manure. Can there be another subject that's more unappealing?
What do the Polish Brothers have on Billy Bob Thornton? I liked THE ASTRONAUT FARMER but Thornton should've stayed far away from this script.
Story's about manure salesmen trying to save their company which has gone heavily in debt. To further complicate matters, a rival manure company has invaded their turf.
The scene where Ed Helms grows tits just by tasting the rival company's manure ended it for me. Who thought this would be funny? Who thought this script just had to be made? Did they think they would turn a profit?
With a subject matter like this, the script needed to be zanier. They needed to visit THE HANGOVER territory. It had to be a hard R rating just to have a shot at success.
Film's crappy and not worth watching.
What do the Polish Brothers have on Billy Bob Thornton? I liked THE ASTRONAUT FARMER but Thornton should've stayed far away from this script.
Story's about manure salesmen trying to save their company which has gone heavily in debt. To further complicate matters, a rival manure company has invaded their turf.
The scene where Ed Helms grows tits just by tasting the rival company's manure ended it for me. Who thought this would be funny? Who thought this script just had to be made? Did they think they would turn a profit?
With a subject matter like this, the script needed to be zanier. They needed to visit THE HANGOVER territory. It had to be a hard R rating just to have a shot at success.
Film's crappy and not worth watching.
THE HELP
Tate Taylor delivers. The acting performances were solid all around and should get its share of Academy Award nominations.
I actually think the real story is what happens after the book comes out. The maids are all in deep trouble. They will face immense hardships. Their relationship with Skeeter would definitely sour. That would be interesting to explore. Skeeter goes on to have a hugely succesful career while the maids' lives are ruined. What would she do to help?
Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer were simply amazing. The kind of movie you wish wouldn't end. The laughs as well as the tears are earned.
This is what movies are all about.
I actually think the real story is what happens after the book comes out. The maids are all in deep trouble. They will face immense hardships. Their relationship with Skeeter would definitely sour. That would be interesting to explore. Skeeter goes on to have a hugely succesful career while the maids' lives are ruined. What would she do to help?
Bryce Dallas Howard, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer were simply amazing. The kind of movie you wish wouldn't end. The laughs as well as the tears are earned.
This is what movies are all about.
FLARSKY
Finished this script by Dan Sterling.
It's THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT with the gender roles reversed. Instead of bring President though, Charlotte Field is the Secretary of State, respected for her knowledge on foreign policy and fawned over because of her looks while Fred Flarsky is a smart, extremely talented journalist for an independent newspaper that has just gone under.
Charlotte used to babysit Fred and one night, Fred got up the courage to kiss her. Since then, their paths have gone in opposite directions.
Unemployed with no job prospects, Fred is convinced to go after Charlotte even though she's currently married to a Senator.
What follows is a light-hearted romp as romance is rekindled. However, like THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, the romance gets the incumbent in hot water, putting her political career in turmoil.
Script is fast, funny, smart and extremely entertaining. Get Julia Roberts to play Charlotte and you've got a movie here.
Sterling creates characters you immediately root for. Their dialogue jumps off the page.
A second pass may be needed to ramp up the mayhem but Sterling is definitely a pro. Looking forward to whatever he writes next.
It's THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT with the gender roles reversed. Instead of bring President though, Charlotte Field is the Secretary of State, respected for her knowledge on foreign policy and fawned over because of her looks while Fred Flarsky is a smart, extremely talented journalist for an independent newspaper that has just gone under.
Charlotte used to babysit Fred and one night, Fred got up the courage to kiss her. Since then, their paths have gone in opposite directions.
Unemployed with no job prospects, Fred is convinced to go after Charlotte even though she's currently married to a Senator.
What follows is a light-hearted romp as romance is rekindled. However, like THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, the romance gets the incumbent in hot water, putting her political career in turmoil.
Script is fast, funny, smart and extremely entertaining. Get Julia Roberts to play Charlotte and you've got a movie here.
Sterling creates characters you immediately root for. Their dialogue jumps off the page.
A second pass may be needed to ramp up the mayhem but Sterling is definitely a pro. Looking forward to whatever he writes next.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
THE TREE OF LIFE
It's hard to like a film with such a fractured narrative. There's nothing that dramatic going on. The film isn't comprised of scenes but rather is made up of small moments. Yet, everything is held together and the movie is mesmerizing. The emotions are powerful as we watch a family start to crack.
Terrence Malick is as gifted as they come. I'd like to see any other filmmaker today produce a film with such miminal dialogue and still be able to say so much. Can anyone else make a movie that doesn't have much going on visually and yet is so visually captivating?
Brad Pitt is amazing in the film. He's got to express everything through a look or his posture or his hands. He's bottled up yet he's able to make us feel everything he's feeling. A masterful job.
Jessica Chastain is right there with him, scene for scene. This marriage has gone south yet she never has any dialogue to convey this to us yet we can hear her screaming out. Amazing.
They could've cut Sean Penn out completely though. His scenes don't really add anything. Okay, he's lost in his world. I get that. It could be a result of his upbringing. Fine. But if you're not going to tie in the death of his brother (we never learn how he died), his scenes feel tacked on.
The film isn't for everyone but for me, the art of cinema is in good hands with Malick at the helm.
Terrence Malick is as gifted as they come. I'd like to see any other filmmaker today produce a film with such miminal dialogue and still be able to say so much. Can anyone else make a movie that doesn't have much going on visually and yet is so visually captivating?
Brad Pitt is amazing in the film. He's got to express everything through a look or his posture or his hands. He's bottled up yet he's able to make us feel everything he's feeling. A masterful job.
Jessica Chastain is right there with him, scene for scene. This marriage has gone south yet she never has any dialogue to convey this to us yet we can hear her screaming out. Amazing.
They could've cut Sean Penn out completely though. His scenes don't really add anything. Okay, he's lost in his world. I get that. It could be a result of his upbringing. Fine. But if you're not going to tie in the death of his brother (we never learn how he died), his scenes feel tacked on.
The film isn't for everyone but for me, the art of cinema is in good hands with Malick at the helm.
Friday, December 16, 2011
30 MINUTES OR LESS
Second viewing of the film. A bulk of the dialogue feels ad-libbed and it works. It gives the scenes a freshness. Some of the lines are so idiotic, they can't help but get laughs.
Michael Pena stole all his scenes. He's going up against a bunch of comedians and he delivered the laughs. That's impressive.
I normally don't like Nick Swardson (he's too over-the-top) but here, he tempers his performance, bringing an innocent quality right below the surface. It plays well.
Fred Ward was great.
Jesse Eisenberg has got to be the most unlikely leading man on screen but because of his acting ability, you willingly follow him. He's able to play his fear for laughs.
The script isn't tight. It feels slapped together. They could've built more tension by showing us time ticking down on the bomb's clock. We never got the feel that time was running out. That's the problem with the plot - the situation doesn't feel precarious. They're on the edge of death but we don't get that feeling. If they could've played up this angle, the laughs would've gotten bigger.
Still, film's definitely worth watching.
Michael Pena stole all his scenes. He's going up against a bunch of comedians and he delivered the laughs. That's impressive.
I normally don't like Nick Swardson (he's too over-the-top) but here, he tempers his performance, bringing an innocent quality right below the surface. It plays well.
Fred Ward was great.
Jesse Eisenberg has got to be the most unlikely leading man on screen but because of his acting ability, you willingly follow him. He's able to play his fear for laughs.
The script isn't tight. It feels slapped together. They could've built more tension by showing us time ticking down on the bomb's clock. We never got the feel that time was running out. That's the problem with the plot - the situation doesn't feel precarious. They're on the edge of death but we don't get that feeling. If they could've played up this angle, the laughs would've gotten bigger.
Still, film's definitely worth watching.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
THE GOOD WIFE - Season 3.11 - WHAT WENT WRONG
A let-down from the last episode. At least in this one, Alicia takes on more of a lead role although she's still not the key to winning cases as she was in the first season. Kalinda seems to be doing all the heavy lifting.
Kalinda and Alicia's relationship starts to heal somewhat although there should've been more drama. This might be a realistic portrayal of how it would've happened in real life but we're looking for entertainment. The rekindling should've been more heartfelt. Stony is good. Icy is fine. But this scene needed so much more than a few lines uttered while sitting in a car.
The main plot about Alicia's firm needed to find grounds for a mistrial starts well but tails off quickly. Arresting Kalinda was a bold move. But the resolution was too easy. So was the way they got the mistrial. This is poor writing. If you start off with a bang, you'd better not end with a whimper.
Kalinda and Alicia's relationship starts to heal somewhat although there should've been more drama. This might be a realistic portrayal of how it would've happened in real life but we're looking for entertainment. The rekindling should've been more heartfelt. Stony is good. Icy is fine. But this scene needed so much more than a few lines uttered while sitting in a car.
The main plot about Alicia's firm needed to find grounds for a mistrial starts well but tails off quickly. Arresting Kalinda was a bold move. But the resolution was too easy. So was the way they got the mistrial. This is poor writing. If you start off with a bang, you'd better not end with a whimper.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
HOUSE - Season 8.8 - PERILS OF PARANOIA
The show is dying. It feels tired now. On its last legs. The episodes are starting to feel similar.
This one involves a prosecutor who collapses during trial of an apparent heart attack. However, this is quickly ruled out once he arrives at the hospital. Case turns strange when they find a hidden arsenal in the prosecutor's home.
The subplot revolves around House trying to turn Park and Jessica upon one another. The subplot is boring and adds nothing to the characters nor the episode.
Then there's a minor subplot with Wilson trying to prove that House owns a gun. It's meant for comic relief but they forgot to bring the comedy.
The show doesn't contain an ounce of dramatic conflict. It's lifeless. The patient's in critical condition here.
This one involves a prosecutor who collapses during trial of an apparent heart attack. However, this is quickly ruled out once he arrives at the hospital. Case turns strange when they find a hidden arsenal in the prosecutor's home.
The subplot revolves around House trying to turn Park and Jessica upon one another. The subplot is boring and adds nothing to the characters nor the episode.
Then there's a minor subplot with Wilson trying to prove that House owns a gun. It's meant for comic relief but they forgot to bring the comedy.
The show doesn't contain an ounce of dramatic conflict. It's lifeless. The patient's in critical condition here.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
ELITE SQUAD
I don't see why this film gained so much notoriety. It was boring. Jose Padilha sure made a name for himself off the movie. However, if he makes his U.S. studio films like ELITE SQUAD, he'll be bounced out quickly.
The whole training sequence could've been cut out. The villain was weak. In an action film, when would you have the villain run away and hide? How does he drive the plot this way?
The point of the story though is how police battling corruption will turn corrupt themselves. That's a great theme. There's a good movie in here somewhere. It just has to become edgier and more violent. You're exploring the slums and you've set them up to be a warzone. Yet, Padilha backs off on showing us that. We need to see danger on the streets. We need that danger to be in our face. It's got to be constantly lurking to give the film an edge.
Instead, it's set up and then dropped as the majority of the film examines the police corruption inside the department. This departmental corruption is a subplot. The meat of the story is this elite squad and how it'll become corrupt. Yet, our hero doesn't become a member of the squad until the last third of the film.
Film could've been a classic.
The whole training sequence could've been cut out. The villain was weak. In an action film, when would you have the villain run away and hide? How does he drive the plot this way?
The point of the story though is how police battling corruption will turn corrupt themselves. That's a great theme. There's a good movie in here somewhere. It just has to become edgier and more violent. You're exploring the slums and you've set them up to be a warzone. Yet, Padilha backs off on showing us that. We need to see danger on the streets. We need that danger to be in our face. It's got to be constantly lurking to give the film an edge.
Instead, it's set up and then dropped as the majority of the film examines the police corruption inside the department. This departmental corruption is a subplot. The meat of the story is this elite squad and how it'll become corrupt. Yet, our hero doesn't become a member of the squad until the last third of the film.
Film could've been a classic.
GRIMM - Season 1.5 - DANSE MACABRE
The problem with the series is its concept. Grimm should be hunting down these creatures. Instead, the creatures are misunderstood and it's the humans that are monstrous. But, if you're going to use the monstrous visuals, go all out and make them monsters. Why even use these fairy tale characters if you want to point out humans are bad? You could simply do that without the fairy tale angle.
In this episode, we get the pied piper story. Only here, the piper is an amazingly talented teenage violinist who's shunned because his father is a poor rat-catcher.
If you just twist the angle and make this violent teenager the killer, you've got a compelling story. He's using his powers to murder and now the Grimm has to track him down.
The series is flawed at its most basic level. I doubt this gets picked up.
In this episode, we get the pied piper story. Only here, the piper is an amazingly talented teenage violinist who's shunned because his father is a poor rat-catcher.
If you just twist the angle and make this violent teenager the killer, you've got a compelling story. He's using his powers to murder and now the Grimm has to track him down.
The series is flawed at its most basic level. I doubt this gets picked up.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
THE GOOD WIFE - Season 3.10 - PARENTING MADE EASY
And it's back!
Easily the best episode of the season. Full on drama with powerful emotions.
Episode starts out comically. Michael J. Fox's character is back and it only takes a moment before he and Alicia are battling it out, going toe-to-toe on a case.
But the episode turns dark when Alicia's daughter goes missing. Juliana Marguiles is absolutely riveting in this episode. The growing terror is written all over her face as she frantically searches for her daughter, coming up empty. You can see how she tries to remain calm and strong but simply cannot. The trembling beneath the surface is masterful.
And the writers seek to repair Kalinda and Alicia's friendship by having Kalinda come to the rescue. As soon as she gets wind of what's going on, Kalinda does what she does best. It's also a masterstroke to have Kalinda not tell Alicia she found her daughter. It makes her that much more noble.
Show strikes a high note here. Now, they need to sustain it.
Easily the best episode of the season. Full on drama with powerful emotions.
Episode starts out comically. Michael J. Fox's character is back and it only takes a moment before he and Alicia are battling it out, going toe-to-toe on a case.
But the episode turns dark when Alicia's daughter goes missing. Juliana Marguiles is absolutely riveting in this episode. The growing terror is written all over her face as she frantically searches for her daughter, coming up empty. You can see how she tries to remain calm and strong but simply cannot. The trembling beneath the surface is masterful.
And the writers seek to repair Kalinda and Alicia's friendship by having Kalinda come to the rescue. As soon as she gets wind of what's going on, Kalinda does what she does best. It's also a masterstroke to have Kalinda not tell Alicia she found her daughter. It makes her that much more noble.
Show strikes a high note here. Now, they need to sustain it.
HART OF DIXIE - Season 1.9 - THE PIRATE AND THE PRACTICE
This episode makes you understand what the town of Bluebell is all about. It's not just a town. It's a tight-knit community that genuinely cares for one another. They will circle the wagons at a drop of a hat to protect each other. That's a great message. Sure it might sound hokey but somehow this show with the small-town charm makes it play.
Sure, the conflict between Brick and Zoe should be dramatic instead of comic relief but that's what the series is all about. Instead of building walls, it's mending fences. Instead of pointing out differences, it makes you realize we're all one.
Tim Matheson does a good job. He could easily be a one-dimensional character but Matheson is a pro and can shade the performance with a single glance.
Rachel Bilson continues to shine, carrying the show with comedic confidence.
It's not out to win awards, it's after our hearts instead.
Sure, the conflict between Brick and Zoe should be dramatic instead of comic relief but that's what the series is all about. Instead of building walls, it's mending fences. Instead of pointing out differences, it makes you realize we're all one.
Tim Matheson does a good job. He could easily be a one-dimensional character but Matheson is a pro and can shade the performance with a single glance.
Rachel Bilson continues to shine, carrying the show with comedic confidence.
It's not out to win awards, it's after our hearts instead.
COSMOPOLIS
Finished this script by David Cronenberg. I don't know what to make of it. It seems to be about a young multi-billionaire who, because of his vast wealth, is unable to feel anything. He makes a dangerous move against the yen which sets him on the precipice of devastation. Along the way, he sleeps with everyone, shoots his bodyguard and gets abducted by a crazed individual looking to kill him.
It's commentary on our society, pointing out that we have become so far removed from one another, content to interact through technology, that we no longer feel.
I wouldn't go so far. I would've tossed this script. Who's going to see this? It's not entertaining in the slightest. This is the kind of film you go to that makes you feel trapped in the theater.
Cronenberg has made some sensational films. This won't fall in that category. I predict a complete flop.
It's commentary on our society, pointing out that we have become so far removed from one another, content to interact through technology, that we no longer feel.
I wouldn't go so far. I would've tossed this script. Who's going to see this? It's not entertaining in the slightest. This is the kind of film you go to that makes you feel trapped in the theater.
Cronenberg has made some sensational films. This won't fall in that category. I predict a complete flop.
SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD
Jeremy Piven should've used the heat he gained from ENTOURAGE as a springboard to a much bigger film career. Bad choices like THE GOODS were fatal. Now, he's playing the bad guy in a kiddie film. And it's not a great kiddie film either.
Film tries to get across the message of taking time for your loved ones because they're what life's all about. We spend too much wasted time on insignificant things. However, the message is lost because the film and the effects are too preposterous to accept. The film would play better if it was grounded in reality.
Jessica Alba gamely tries to carry the film but once again, her acting deficiencies are exposed and the film crumbles. Look at THE FANTASTIC FOUR. She never develops any chemistry with any of her castmates.
The only good thing about this film is its short runtime.
Film tries to get across the message of taking time for your loved ones because they're what life's all about. We spend too much wasted time on insignificant things. However, the message is lost because the film and the effects are too preposterous to accept. The film would play better if it was grounded in reality.
Jessica Alba gamely tries to carry the film but once again, her acting deficiencies are exposed and the film crumbles. Look at THE FANTASTIC FOUR. She never develops any chemistry with any of her castmates.
The only good thing about this film is its short runtime.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
ONCE UPON A TIME - Season 1.6 - THE SHEPHERD
This episode gives us the Prince's backstory. It's a nice touch bringing Midas in. Turns out, the Prince was a twin born to farmers. Rumplestilskin came along and, making a bargain for one of them. He gave the newborn to the King who raised him as his son. However, when that Prince is killed, Rumplestilskin comes back to the farm to get the other twin who will now live in the Prince's place.
The backstory is nice but who really cares. Does it add anything to the present conflict? Nothing whatsoever.
I still want to know what happens when the characters remember the past. What happens when they realize they're all just fairy tale characters?
Series is actually getting slower. Let's close the book on this show once and for all.
The backstory is nice but who really cares. Does it add anything to the present conflict? Nothing whatsoever.
I still want to know what happens when the characters remember the past. What happens when they realize they're all just fairy tale characters?
Series is actually getting slower. Let's close the book on this show once and for all.
THE GOOD WIFE - Season 3.9 - WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT
By bringing Carr back into the series to specially prosecute Will Gardner, THE GOOD WIFE moves back into political intrigue which made the show so successful. However, to bring up judicial bribery as a charge against Will comes completely out of left field and undermines the subplot. This has been the problem this entire season, subplots without any weight to them.
Episode's about an military officer charged with murder. Again, every main plot this season has been weak. We don't get to know the accused so we don't feel anything for her plight.
Subplot involving the grandmother spying on Alicia doesn't hold enough emotional conflict. It should've been Peter. If we're going to get into a custody battle, let's get into a BATTLE. Let's get as mean and nasty as possible. It makes for better tv and it's much more entertaining.
Instead of going for the homerun, the creators feel content to settle for singles this season.
Episode's about an military officer charged with murder. Again, every main plot this season has been weak. We don't get to know the accused so we don't feel anything for her plight.
Subplot involving the grandmother spying on Alicia doesn't hold enough emotional conflict. It should've been Peter. If we're going to get into a custody battle, let's get into a BATTLE. Let's get as mean and nasty as possible. It makes for better tv and it's much more entertaining.
Instead of going for the homerun, the creators feel content to settle for singles this season.
Friday, December 9, 2011
I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER - PILOT
Has some funny moments but is there enough here to sustain a series? Won't this play the same note repeatedly?
The roles of both daughters could've been better cast. Jaime Pressly and Katie Finneran can bring the laughs. But again, how long before the weakling mother-roles grow weary and tiresome?
Here, the mothers ground their daughters, barring them from the school dance. Ultimately, they give in only to discover how conniving their daughters truly are.
We'll see if the characters can grow. But if there is understanding and bonding, will the episodes fit the title of the show?
The roles of both daughters could've been better cast. Jaime Pressly and Katie Finneran can bring the laughs. But again, how long before the weakling mother-roles grow weary and tiresome?
Here, the mothers ground their daughters, barring them from the school dance. Ultimately, they give in only to discover how conniving their daughters truly are.
We'll see if the characters can grow. But if there is understanding and bonding, will the episodes fit the title of the show?
THE WALKING - DEAD - Season 2.7 - PRETTY MUCH DEAD ALREADY
Episode is a standout of the season! And I'm talking about the television season as a whole not just this series!
Stunning. Full of conflict. You can easily understand both sides of the argument. Shane and Rick - who's right and who's wrong? The writing is unbelieveable.
The ending is amazing. A bloodbath. Killing every single walker in the barn only to discover that Sophia's in there as well. This is entertainment at its best. Horrific. Makes us rethink everything we thought about the zombies. Humanizes them in a way that's never been done before.
This is easily the best show on television now. Can't wait for the next episode!
Stunning. Full of conflict. You can easily understand both sides of the argument. Shane and Rick - who's right and who's wrong? The writing is unbelieveable.
The ending is amazing. A bloodbath. Killing every single walker in the barn only to discover that Sophia's in there as well. This is entertainment at its best. Horrific. Makes us rethink everything we thought about the zombies. Humanizes them in a way that's never been done before.
This is easily the best show on television now. Can't wait for the next episode!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
EPISODES - PILOT
Is it just me or does it seem too....Britishy?
Matt LeBlanc is great. He plays the part perfectly. He's an overbearing Hollywood star who's full of himself yet he can turn indignant when the writers have a hard time believing he's seen "THE HISTORY BOYS," showing he's much more knowledgeable than he's given credit for.
The problem is, the series is focusing on the wrong characters. The writers from England aren't funny, they're annoying. They should be supporting characters. The running joke about them not being able to get past the security guard to their estate is assinine. It's unrealistic which brings the show's quality down. Same with having Pankow be such an ass regarding his wife's blindness. Extremely unrealistic. The show would be funnier if they played everything straight. Hard to believe, but this plays like a dumbed-down version of ENTOURAGE with unlikeable characters.
Bring LeBlanc front and center and build around him as he searches for a new hit. That's the show.
Matt LeBlanc is great. He plays the part perfectly. He's an overbearing Hollywood star who's full of himself yet he can turn indignant when the writers have a hard time believing he's seen "THE HISTORY BOYS," showing he's much more knowledgeable than he's given credit for.
The problem is, the series is focusing on the wrong characters. The writers from England aren't funny, they're annoying. They should be supporting characters. The running joke about them not being able to get past the security guard to their estate is assinine. It's unrealistic which brings the show's quality down. Same with having Pankow be such an ass regarding his wife's blindness. Extremely unrealistic. The show would be funnier if they played everything straight. Hard to believe, but this plays like a dumbed-down version of ENTOURAGE with unlikeable characters.
Bring LeBlanc front and center and build around him as he searches for a new hit. That's the show.
THE BORGIAS - PILOT
Boring.
Yes, the costumes look great. Yes, the sets make it appear we're in Rome. Yes, the actors deliver. It's the script and its pacing that fails.
Picking a new Pope isn't entertaining. Conniving and lying and stealing the title is. However, the pilot accomplishes this with mere dialogue. Words. We need to see action. We need to see the plan laid out and then have complications ensue.
Jeremy Irons is anointed Pope in the pilot. This seems more like the end goal than the beginning. We'll see if the series can pick up from here but it's not off to an auspicious start.
Yes, the costumes look great. Yes, the sets make it appear we're in Rome. Yes, the actors deliver. It's the script and its pacing that fails.
Picking a new Pope isn't entertaining. Conniving and lying and stealing the title is. However, the pilot accomplishes this with mere dialogue. Words. We need to see action. We need to see the plan laid out and then have complications ensue.
Jeremy Irons is anointed Pope in the pilot. This seems more like the end goal than the beginning. We'll see if the series can pick up from here but it's not off to an auspicious start.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
BONES - Season 7.3 - THE PRINCE IN THE PLASTIC
Turns out, Episode 2 of this season was an aberration. The show returns to its ho-hum writing in this episode.
Sweets getting his gun license is comic relief without...any comedy! Totally boring. Angela struggling to build a child's toy was more comic relief without any comedy. If the scenes that are meant to be funny aren't, you annoy your audience.
Here, we find a gifted toy creator's body shrinkwrapped in a dump. Opening scene is directed terribly. Instead of provided shock value, it's shot in a visually boring way that sets the tone for the rest of the episode.
As soon as you see Morgan Fairchild, you know she has to be the killer. Why else would she take the role? She's not going to do a couple of scenes as a throwaway suspect.
Terrible episode.
Sweets getting his gun license is comic relief without...any comedy! Totally boring. Angela struggling to build a child's toy was more comic relief without any comedy. If the scenes that are meant to be funny aren't, you annoy your audience.
Here, we find a gifted toy creator's body shrinkwrapped in a dump. Opening scene is directed terribly. Instead of provided shock value, it's shot in a visually boring way that sets the tone for the rest of the episode.
As soon as you see Morgan Fairchild, you know she has to be the killer. Why else would she take the role? She's not going to do a couple of scenes as a throwaway suspect.
Terrible episode.
DEXTER - Season 5
Are you kidding me? Are you telling me that you're going to have a scene where Debra catches Dexter in the act of murder with nothing but a sheet of plastic between them and...she doesn't unmask him? What kind of writing is that? She's not more than ten feet from him. C'mon, you can't set up such an explosive scene like that and have such a cornball resolution. It would have been much more interesting to see what the writers would do if Debra had learned the truth about Dexter. Talk about dramatic conflict.
And don't get me started on how Dexter could've grabbed that knife after Jonny Lee Miller had him cold. Poor writing.
That ending practically ruins everything that came before. The series is clearly running out of gas. The group of rapists was caught too easily. They should've put up more of a fight.
Julia Stiles did a good job but it's out of character for Dexter to fall in love. He had to fake his feelings for Rita. He was a true sociopath. Now, he's warmer which doesn't stay true to his character.
Series has good moments but hasn't matched its explosiveness from Season 2.
And don't get me started on how Dexter could've grabbed that knife after Jonny Lee Miller had him cold. Poor writing.
That ending practically ruins everything that came before. The series is clearly running out of gas. The group of rapists was caught too easily. They should've put up more of a fight.
Julia Stiles did a good job but it's out of character for Dexter to fall in love. He had to fake his feelings for Rita. He was a true sociopath. Now, he's warmer which doesn't stay true to his character.
Series has good moments but hasn't matched its explosiveness from Season 2.
Monday, December 5, 2011
TERRA NOVA - Season 1.8 - VS.
The writing is terrible. What purpose does the subplot involving the youngest daughter playing Commander Taylor in the school play serve? None whatsoever. This is the problem with the show. It's boring.
The real story would be the first pilgrimage. How Taylor tamed the area. That's the excitement. That's where the drama is.
In this episode, we find a corpse. Taylor has killed his mentor. This guy came to Terra Nova to takeover command. Again, this is a prime source for drama. What the writers give us though is Taylor draws his gun and shoots the guy dead. That's it. Done. End of conflict.
That's how they've resolved the majority of problems that have cropped up in the show. A quick ending that doesn't contain any imagination nor creativity.
The show is actually getting worse each week.
The real story would be the first pilgrimage. How Taylor tamed the area. That's the excitement. That's where the drama is.
In this episode, we find a corpse. Taylor has killed his mentor. This guy came to Terra Nova to takeover command. Again, this is a prime source for drama. What the writers give us though is Taylor draws his gun and shoots the guy dead. That's it. Done. End of conflict.
That's how they've resolved the majority of problems that have cropped up in the show. A quick ending that doesn't contain any imagination nor creativity.
The show is actually getting worse each week.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN
What a mess. What happened to Wayne Wang? THE JOY LUCK CLUB was a great movie, carefully weaving different stories into a whole, never losing sight of the narrative thread that tied everything together.
SNOW FLOWER has come undone. The binding has loosened spilling everything onto the floor.
It's hard to keep track of what's going on. It takes extra concentration and after forty minutes pass, you realize it's not going to be worth it. Film flip-flops between time periods weakening the tales the periods are telling. We don't get inside the characters to care about them.
And what the heck is Hugh Jackman doing in the movie? Again, his character is paper-thin so instead of adding to the drama he instead becomes a distraction.
Film is terrible. Lisa See must've felt sick to her stomach after watching this.
SNOW FLOWER has come undone. The binding has loosened spilling everything onto the floor.
It's hard to keep track of what's going on. It takes extra concentration and after forty minutes pass, you realize it's not going to be worth it. Film flip-flops between time periods weakening the tales the periods are telling. We don't get inside the characters to care about them.
And what the heck is Hugh Jackman doing in the movie? Again, his character is paper-thin so instead of adding to the drama he instead becomes a distraction.
Film is terrible. Lisa See must've felt sick to her stomach after watching this.
HART OF DIXIE - Season 1.8 - HOMECOMING & COMING HOME
They're trying to show more dimensions to Lemon with this episode. We learn that she was once a hellraiser. Of course, we had learned earlier that she had to grow up fast when her mother left them. Still, there's not enough here. Who would really like Lemon the way she is now? Yet, the show has both George and Lavon hopelessly smitten. Why? What's there to like let alone love?
Zoe's friend comes from New York to help her plan the homecoming party. Of course, a New York party differs greatly from what Bluebell expects and the party is a disaster. It's here that Zoe learns how much she has changed. Again, this is lazy writing. It's so cliche.
However, the show isn't out to redefine a protagonist ala BREAKING BAD. It's embraced the familiar and the cliched. It's just trying to have a good time.
Zoe's friend comes from New York to help her plan the homecoming party. Of course, a New York party differs greatly from what Bluebell expects and the party is a disaster. It's here that Zoe learns how much she has changed. Again, this is lazy writing. It's so cliche.
However, the show isn't out to redefine a protagonist ala BREAKING BAD. It's embraced the familiar and the cliched. It's just trying to have a good time.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
HOUSE - Season 8.7 - DEAD AND BURIED
Series has gone to sleep. What happened? The season started off so promising. Do we really think House will be sent back to prison? No. So the drama they think they're building with this conflict doesn't exist because we know it won't happen.
Episode involves a dead child and House's determination to solve the mystery of how he died. This case was extremely boring.
Then we have a young girl who's pregnant although she swears she's never had sex. This is intriguing. Turns out, the girl has multiple personalities and one of them had sex.
The supporting cast doesn't do anything in this episode besides giving false theories. The season is quickly heading for life support.
Episode involves a dead child and House's determination to solve the mystery of how he died. This case was extremely boring.
Then we have a young girl who's pregnant although she swears she's never had sex. This is intriguing. Turns out, the girl has multiple personalities and one of them had sex.
The supporting cast doesn't do anything in this episode besides giving false theories. The season is quickly heading for life support.
THE GOOD WIFE - Season 3.8 - DEATH ROW TIP
Series has lost its way. The situations are no longer compelling and the cases aren't involving. This episode focuses on a death row inmate who knows the identity of a murderer. Lockhart Gardner desperately need the identity in order to free their client. The inmate is scheduled to be executed in so many hours so it's a race against time to get him to divulge the name of the killer.
There was a similar idea last season about a rape victim who's thinking about taking her case to another law firm. The team at Lockhart Gardner has to race against time in order to uncover what went down. That episode was expertly written. The tension grew and the situation become more complicated the further they investigated.
Here, the tension doesn't build and the complications aren't thrilling. The writers have stopped drawing compelling characters involved in the cases so we don't really care what happens. What a waste. The show used to be a highlight now, the lights have dimmed considerably.
There was a similar idea last season about a rape victim who's thinking about taking her case to another law firm. The team at Lockhart Gardner has to race against time in order to uncover what went down. That episode was expertly written. The tension grew and the situation become more complicated the further they investigated.
Here, the tension doesn't build and the complications aren't thrilling. The writers have stopped drawing compelling characters involved in the cases so we don't really care what happens. What a waste. The show used to be a highlight now, the lights have dimmed considerably.
HART OF DIXIE - Season 1.7 - THE CRUSH AND THE CROSSBOW
Series is starting to slow down badly now. Nothing really happens in this episode. The Mayor tells Lemon he's still in love. This opens the door nicely for George to get with Zoe. If they do end up together, this is the laziest writing ever.
Zoe does meet a veterinarian though which could open up another love triangle. Let's hope something happens because the drama has been played out already in the series.
What happened to Zoe trying to round up patients? That subplot if completely forgotten in this episode which really is the heart of the series.
Looks like the writers are running out of ideas, muddling the direction of the show.
Zoe does meet a veterinarian though which could open up another love triangle. Let's hope something happens because the drama has been played out already in the series.
What happened to Zoe trying to round up patients? That subplot if completely forgotten in this episode which really is the heart of the series.
Looks like the writers are running out of ideas, muddling the direction of the show.
Friday, December 2, 2011
THE GOOD WIFE - Season 3.7 - EXECUTIVE ORDER
Carrie Preston is a standout in this episode. She steals her scenes. It's an even more remarkable performance when you compare it to the character she plays in TRUE BLOOD. Outstanding acting going on here.
Again though, the writing is subpar for this series. The big case is resolved so simplistically. Plus, we never for a moment believe that Alicia will go to prison for eight years so there isn't any tension building as the plot unfolds.
The series has lost a great deal with the reduction of Archie Punjabi's role. She always made her scenes interesting. And Peter now has simply become Glen Childs. There used to be layers to his character. Now, he's cardboard.
Alicia doesn't have much to do here. She's the lead and yet she's no longer the one solving matters. This is a mistake. It slows down the episodes.
The series has lost its way.
Again though, the writing is subpar for this series. The big case is resolved so simplistically. Plus, we never for a moment believe that Alicia will go to prison for eight years so there isn't any tension building as the plot unfolds.
The series has lost a great deal with the reduction of Archie Punjabi's role. She always made her scenes interesting. And Peter now has simply become Glen Childs. There used to be layers to his character. Now, he's cardboard.
Alicia doesn't have much to do here. She's the lead and yet she's no longer the one solving matters. This is a mistake. It slows down the episodes.
The series has lost its way.
THE GOOD WIFE - Season 3.6 - AFFAIRS OF STATE
Even though this season has fallen off dramatically from the previous two, the show is still entertaining to watch and better written than most of the shows on television.
The reason is, every single character on the series is smart. They are the best at what they do. It's intelligent writing. They treat the issues seriously. They treat the television medium and its audience with high respect and proceed accordingly. There's something to be said for that.
However, this episode is weak. The case involving two foreign children of diplomats involved with a rape on a booze cruise should be compelling but it's not. Since we don't get to know the accused, the plot is dramatically weakened. It's almost as if the writers are treating the case as fluff. This would not have happened in the first two seasons.
The new hire is boring. Looks like she might make a play for Will. If so, that's a love triangle that doesn't ring true. Seems like she's just being brought in for that purpose. Again, that wouldn't have been done during the first two seasons.
They need to get back to compelling cases and the political infighting that goes on in the various offices. Things have settled down at Lockhart Gardner and that makes for boring tv.
The reason is, every single character on the series is smart. They are the best at what they do. It's intelligent writing. They treat the issues seriously. They treat the television medium and its audience with high respect and proceed accordingly. There's something to be said for that.
However, this episode is weak. The case involving two foreign children of diplomats involved with a rape on a booze cruise should be compelling but it's not. Since we don't get to know the accused, the plot is dramatically weakened. It's almost as if the writers are treating the case as fluff. This would not have happened in the first two seasons.
The new hire is boring. Looks like she might make a play for Will. If so, that's a love triangle that doesn't ring true. Seems like she's just being brought in for that purpose. Again, that wouldn't have been done during the first two seasons.
They need to get back to compelling cases and the political infighting that goes on in the various offices. Things have settled down at Lockhart Gardner and that makes for boring tv.
THE SMURFS
Fillm doesn't reach the level of ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS. The problem is the emotional moments aren't emotional enough. The scenes are there, they just aren't hit hard enough. Clumsy is the perfect lead character. This is a smurf with a heart of gold, going through life with nothing but pure intentions and yet manages to screw everything up.
He accidentally leads Gargamel to the smurf village. A group of smurfs are then whisked away to New York. The dire circumstances should've been made much more dire. The other smurfs should've been so annoyed at Clumsy. He should've felt like an outcast, losing their trust.
This way, when he saves the day, it becomes an uplifting moment. The writers were lazy, content to let the visuals carry the film.
It's a shame. I doubt this will launch a successful franchise like the Chipmunks. I'm sure there will be a franchise. It just won't reach the heights that it could have.
He accidentally leads Gargamel to the smurf village. A group of smurfs are then whisked away to New York. The dire circumstances should've been made much more dire. The other smurfs should've been so annoyed at Clumsy. He should've felt like an outcast, losing their trust.
This way, when he saves the day, it becomes an uplifting moment. The writers were lazy, content to let the visuals carry the film.
It's a shame. I doubt this will launch a successful franchise like the Chipmunks. I'm sure there will be a franchise. It just won't reach the heights that it could have.
HOUSE - Season 8.6 - PARENTS
Show's starting to drag. Episode deals with what makes a parent a parent. The fact that it's directly to Taub's character (the least interesting character on the show) makes it a boring plot point. House is convinced that every child is screwed up because of their parents. This leads to him trying to find out why Jessica is screwed up even though she's not. Again, boring.
The subplot of House trying to attend a boxing match even though he's got a home detention ankle bracelet on is funny. The writers have always been able to deliver comedic moments. They just have to get the dramatic moments up to this level.
The series is starting to feel tired.
The subplot of House trying to attend a boxing match even though he's got a home detention ankle bracelet on is funny. The writers have always been able to deliver comedic moments. They just have to get the dramatic moments up to this level.
The series is starting to feel tired.
HART OF DIXIE - Season 1.6 - THE UNDEAD & THE UNSAID
Zoe sees hits a ghost with her car one night. She goes on a fact-finding mission and the ghost turns out to be a Bluebell resident alive and well and living in the woods. He faked his own death to stop being an embarrassment to his family. This plot ties in with the subplot between Zoe and her mother who are not on speaking terms.
Episode is the worst one so far of the season. The past relationship of Lemon and Lavon is distracting. It doesn't plausible that Lemon would be Levon's type.
Zoe and Wade's relationship doesn't advance any in this plot. Actually, the overall plot doesn't advance at all in this episode except for the part of Lavon being jealous of George which comes out of left field since he's never exhibited jealousy towards George in any of the previous episodes.
Show has fallen. Hopefully it can regain its stride quickly.
Episode is the worst one so far of the season. The past relationship of Lemon and Lavon is distracting. It doesn't plausible that Lemon would be Levon's type.
Zoe and Wade's relationship doesn't advance any in this plot. Actually, the overall plot doesn't advance at all in this episode except for the part of Lavon being jealous of George which comes out of left field since he's never exhibited jealousy towards George in any of the previous episodes.
Show has fallen. Hopefully it can regain its stride quickly.
TERRA NOVA - Season 1.7 - PROOF
We don't see Taylor's son in this episode but we do learn that he's created a way to talk to the future which the sixers employ. Why has it taken so long to bring this subplot to the forefront? They set it up so well in the pilot by showing the son's writings/calculations on the walls. This is actually the meat of the plot. The genuis son rebelling against his authoritative father with the mystery of who's the hero and who's the villain.
Instead, the episode focuses on Josh stealing medicine for the sixers in exchange for bringing his girlfriend over. Why he simply doesn't confide in his mother is beyond me.
The series is boring. The themes of the episodes are poorly executed. The writing is juvenile. The characters are as bland as can be.
I'm rooting for the dinosaurs to eat them and end this show.
Instead, the episode focuses on Josh stealing medicine for the sixers in exchange for bringing his girlfriend over. Why he simply doesn't confide in his mother is beyond me.
The series is boring. The themes of the episodes are poorly executed. The writing is juvenile. The characters are as bland as can be.
I'm rooting for the dinosaurs to eat them and end this show.
GLEE - Season 3.5 - THE FIRST TIME
This episode deals with Blaine and Rachel losing their virginity. It's a big disappointment especially considering how the show has dealt with Kurt's relationship with his father and Coach Beiste's self-esteem. Those issues were portrayed in such a poignant and sensitive matter that made for great entertainment and for highlights of the series.
This virginity issue though lacks in every way. The writing lets us down which is a huge disappointment yet par for the course this season. The show has lost its magic.
Another disappointment is how they handled Finn finding out he's not good enough to be a college quarterback. This should be a big moment. This character's world has just ended. How does the show handle this? With a flashback. C'mon, this is a plot point that you build an episode around. You don't gloss over it in a three-minute scene.
School's clearly out and the show has received a failing grade.
This virginity issue though lacks in every way. The writing lets us down which is a huge disappointment yet par for the course this season. The show has lost its magic.
Another disappointment is how they handled Finn finding out he's not good enough to be a college quarterback. This should be a big moment. This character's world has just ended. How does the show handle this? With a flashback. C'mon, this is a plot point that you build an episode around. You don't gloss over it in a three-minute scene.
School's clearly out and the show has received a failing grade.
BONES - Season 7.2 - THE HOT DOG IN THE COMPETITION
Everything works in this episode from the striking visual in the opening of the woman's skeletal remains to the introduction of the new member to the team. Loved Booth's exasperation with Bones excluding him from developments involving their child. Loved the solution of getting the evidence out of the python.
The episode is extremely entertaining and visually captivating. I don't normally give this show high marks but this episode is a standout.
Finn is a good addition. His conflict with Hodgins might have been resolved a tad too easily but let's not quibble because the episode as a whole delivered. Makes me want to watch the next episode to see if the high quality of writing exists of if this episode was an aberration.
The episode is extremely entertaining and visually captivating. I don't normally give this show high marks but this episode is a standout.
Finn is a good addition. His conflict with Hodgins might have been resolved a tad too easily but let's not quibble because the episode as a whole delivered. Makes me want to watch the next episode to see if the high quality of writing exists of if this episode was an aberration.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
ONCE UPON A TIME - Season 1.5 - THAT STILL SMALL VOICE
The series is dying. What's the point of the show? What will happen if Emma is able to make all the people remember who they are? And how long can you sustain the fact that they don't know? It's not like they're slowly remembering. Thus, the heroes are getting closer to their goal each week. We stay in the exact same place plotwise. The show simply focuses on another character and gives us their backstory.
In this episode we learn about Jiminy Crickett. The problem is, his backstory is boring. Who cares? How does his past impact what's going on now? It doesn't.
Close the book on this fairy tale.
In this episode we learn about Jiminy Crickett. The problem is, his backstory is boring. Who cares? How does his past impact what's going on now? It doesn't.
Close the book on this fairy tale.
REVENGE - Season 1.3 - BETRAYAL
In this episode, Amanda takes down the prosecutor that put her father away.
The show is boring. One of the big problems is, Amanda's not in any danger. To make this suspenseful, she should be on the verge of being exposed. And each person she brings down should make her path much more treacherous. Instead, she easily brings down these powerful people without a fuss. Doesn't make for good drama.
Saw Emily VanCamp yesterday in CARRIERS. She barely registered in that film either. You need a better lead to carry this series.
The show is boring. One of the big problems is, Amanda's not in any danger. To make this suspenseful, she should be on the verge of being exposed. And each person she brings down should make her path much more treacherous. Instead, she easily brings down these powerful people without a fuss. Doesn't make for good drama.
Saw Emily VanCamp yesterday in CARRIERS. She barely registered in that film either. You need a better lead to carry this series.
TERRA NOVA - Season 1.6 - NIGHTFALL
The series is flat-out boring! The action is mundane at best. The characters have nothing to do. We don't see the colony working towards any goal. They're just living there.
Finally, Taylor's son appears. But at this point, do we care?
The whole thing about the power going out could've been great. Now they'll have to live off the land. However, as with everything else in the series, the problem's solved easily without any buildup of tension or suspense.
The sixers herding the dinosaur towards Terra Nova was laughable. Why not throw a saddle on the beast and ride him? Totally ridiculous.
Show should not have gotten past the pilot stage.
Finally, Taylor's son appears. But at this point, do we care?
The whole thing about the power going out could've been great. Now they'll have to live off the land. However, as with everything else in the series, the problem's solved easily without any buildup of tension or suspense.
The sixers herding the dinosaur towards Terra Nova was laughable. Why not throw a saddle on the beast and ride him? Totally ridiculous.
Show should not have gotten past the pilot stage.
HART OF DIXIE - Season 1.5 - FAITH AND INFIDELITY
Episode revolves around Zoe learning that the Preacher and his wife have syphilis. Zoe naturally assumes that one has had an affair even though the Mayor refuses to believe this allegation. Turns out, the preacher's wife had a piercing done by a woman with a syphilitic outbreak on her hand. Zoe learns that her New York cynicism can get here in trouble as she slowly starts to adjust to life in Bluebell.
There's another touching moment when we learn that Wade's father is the town drunk, Crazy Earl. Again, Wade's character is revealed to be much more complex than what he presents on the surface. Zoe's attitude towards him softens even more and there's hints that a romance is in the works.
Show's definitely not hard-hitting or out to right all of the world's wrongs. It's simply an entertaining show about values and what's really important in life.
There's another touching moment when we learn that Wade's father is the town drunk, Crazy Earl. Again, Wade's character is revealed to be much more complex than what he presents on the surface. Zoe's attitude towards him softens even more and there's hints that a romance is in the works.
Show's definitely not hard-hitting or out to right all of the world's wrongs. It's simply an entertaining show about values and what's really important in life.
HOUSE - Season 8.5 - THE CONFESSION
Captain Adama has a heart attack while having an affair. Once he's brought to the hospital he starts confessing to everything under the sun - cheating all his customers, murder, etc.
Very similar to the episode where Wentworth Miller starts giving away all his possessions including his body organs.
House's staff returns in this episode.
Writing noticeably slips a notch here, making this episode easily the weakest of the season so far. His old staff returning doesn't bring any conflict which just clutters the show instead of adding to it.
Very similar to the episode where Wentworth Miller starts giving away all his possessions including his body organs.
House's staff returns in this episode.
Writing noticeably slips a notch here, making this episode easily the weakest of the season so far. His old staff returning doesn't bring any conflict which just clutters the show instead of adding to it.
GLEE - Season 3.4 - POT OF GOLD
The show is limping along now. Fox needs to put it out of its misery. Sue running for Congress? That's just ridiculous.
A new glee club forming on campus? They've clearly run out of ideas.
This episode deals with Brittany thinking the new foreign exchange student is a leprechaun. That's good for laughs but the resolution is so sudden and out of character for her that it ruins the subplot.
Having Blaine sing Last Friday Night seems forced. The songs used to support that episode's theme. Now, the songs become the focal point and aren't supporting anything.
Close the curtains. This show is over.
A new glee club forming on campus? They've clearly run out of ideas.
This episode deals with Brittany thinking the new foreign exchange student is a leprechaun. That's good for laughs but the resolution is so sudden and out of character for her that it ruins the subplot.
Having Blaine sing Last Friday Night seems forced. The songs used to support that episode's theme. Now, the songs become the focal point and aren't supporting anything.
Close the curtains. This show is over.
ONE DAY
I thought Lone Scherfig's AN EDUCATION was boring. I didn't find ONE DAY to be much better. ONE DAY needs more romance to be a hit. There certainly wasn't any magic on screen. You're talking about this romance that went on for years before it was consummated. Thus, in order to work, we need to see epic longing and yearning and heartbreak and frustration.
The big emotions are missing. When they get together, we need fireworks. We need to see passion unleashed. Scherfig's scene are too far under the surface to register. The grand romance is played too subtly. The pain and anguish are hidden away.
This type of material belongs solely in the literary field. Films need to be bigger than life. This affair was not.
Anne Hathaway is certainly capable but her talents are wasted here. She's so much better in LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS.
The big emotions are missing. When they get together, we need fireworks. We need to see passion unleashed. Scherfig's scene are too far under the surface to register. The grand romance is played too subtly. The pain and anguish are hidden away.
This type of material belongs solely in the literary field. Films need to be bigger than life. This affair was not.
Anne Hathaway is certainly capable but her talents are wasted here. She's so much better in LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS.
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