Well, I'm really not sure that this show can sustain the success that it had last season. It ended pretty poorly, so I'm hoping that the writers can recreate the magic. New mysteries were introduced in the premiere, and it kept my interest (I don't get NBC very good, so I figured I would just wait and watch it later on-line, but I stuck through the bad reception, and I really didn't think I would, even through the annoying car commercials played over and over every commercial break.) I was disapointed that there was no Nikki, Micah, D.L. moment in the episode, however I loved the introduction of Hiro's hero, the samurai of the past played by none other than David Anders who was the deliciously evil Sark on Alias. Anyway, here's hoping that the show can regain the momentum it somehow lost at the very end of last season, it was at the very least a good start.
Until Next Time, stay tuned for some new premiere reviews!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Pilot Reviews Bionic Woman and Chuck
BIONIC WOMAN
First off, let me say how much I love Katee Sackhoff, she plays Kara "Starbuck" Thrace in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica, and what appears to be the villain of this show. And she's a great villain. She adds all kind of life to the show. That isn't to say that Michelle Ryan doesn't add life to the show, it's just that her character is really freaked out and trying to figure things out, Katee's character (I feel like we're close enough to be on a first name basis) on the other hand is used to her, shall we say, accouterments, and actually quite proud of them (and proud of where some of them are). It's safe to say that she steals the pilot, and I really hope that she sticks around for awhile, and considering where she was at the end of last season of BSG (that's the cool way to refer to Battlestar Galactica) she'll probably have the time to give this show, although you never can tell with Galactica. From the looks of the pilot, that'll be the case on this show as well. The car crash scene, which if you've seen a movie in the last two months, or watched any NBC at all in the last few weeks you've seen a bit of, is unbelievable. I actually watched it like ten times in a row trying to tell if it was CGd. I'm sure that it was, but it looks incredibly real. Not to mention horrifying. The action is great, the central mythos of the show is set up well in the pilot episode, but I'm not sure that I buy the relationship between Jaime (our heroine) and Will (her doctor boyfriend). The dialogue between them seemed really forced, which is odd since this show comes from the creators of BSG who make not only the dialogue but the entire strange senario in which the show takes place seem incredibly believable. There are extenuating circumstances to their relationship which are revealed early on in the episode, and since part of their discussion is really a DTR, which are never easy, and probably always seemed forced from the outside, I'm willing to suspend the disbelief and see where it goes. The other thing I found a little lacking in the episode was the feeling that it was extremely rushed. I think that this would have worked much better as a two hour pilot instead of trying to convey the entire idea and introduce all of the side characters and the mystery that is requisite in a show such as this in just one hour. Other than those two minor quibbles, I found Bionic Woman to be an outstanding hour of television, and I can't wait to see more.
Interesting fact: Katee Sackhoff is not the only BSG actor to have a role in the show, Mark Sheppard, who played Baltar's lawyer on a recent storyline (and was Badger on Firefly), and Aaron Douglas, who plays Chief Tyrol, also appear in the pilot, and will likely have at least a little bit of a run on Bionic Woman.
Pilot Grade: 95%
CHUCK
I honestly thought after I finished watching Bionic Woman that it would get the highest grade I would give out. Sure it had a couple of minor issues, but I was pumped after watching it, and knew that it was a strong pilot. Let me start by saying that Chuck might just be the best pilot ever shot. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this show. It is hilarious, the action is at times breathtaking, the acting is superb, the dialogue is spot on, and the premise of the show is a perfect match for the type of show that it is. Yvonne Strzechowski (and I have no idea how to pronounce that) is going to be the breakout star of the season. She's unbelievably hot (and the filmmakers take full advantage of that fact) but she's also got action ability (she could probably teach Sidney Bristow a thing or two) and acts as a great "straight man" to the comedic stylings of Zachary Levi, our unwitting hero. Levi is dead on as a charming, yet nerdy guy, who finds out that he's now a part of something far bigger and more important than anything he's used to, saving the world at $11/hour. Add in Adam Baldwin (no relation) as another fed, and you've got a great comedic threesome to carry this show. Adam Baldwin, of course, was Jayne on the short lived, but much loved, Firefly, and it appears that the spirit of Jayne is alive and well in the character of John Casey. Morgan, Chuck's best friend, played by Joshua Gomez (who had a run on Invasion, a previous Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year award winner) is very funny, especially in his interactions with Chuck's sister, played by Sarah Lancaster (from Saved by the Bell: The New Class, I admit, I looked that up on IMDb, I didn't know it off the top of my head, I recognized her as the gift shop girl from season 2 of Scrubs). But no question, the top secondary character is the boyfriend of Chuck's sister, Captain Awesome. I hope that he becomes a recurring character, because he cracked me up. Anyway, the episode is perfectly plotted, considering that it has to introduce the characters, the concept, and has an action filled "mission" of sorts added in. It pulls all of this off perfectly. Another great thing about this show is that while it's an action/spy show, it is also a comedy, and it recognizes that by not taking itself too seriously, but by relying on the comedic arena for the most part, making the thriller aspects that much more thrilling when they occur.
Interesting Fact: It is produced by and the pilot was directed by McG, who also directed the two Charlie's Angels movies as well as the just released We Are Marshall.
Pilot Grade: 100%
Until Next Time, more pilot reviews to come!
First off, let me say how much I love Katee Sackhoff, she plays Kara "Starbuck" Thrace in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica, and what appears to be the villain of this show. And she's a great villain. She adds all kind of life to the show. That isn't to say that Michelle Ryan doesn't add life to the show, it's just that her character is really freaked out and trying to figure things out, Katee's character (I feel like we're close enough to be on a first name basis) on the other hand is used to her, shall we say, accouterments, and actually quite proud of them (and proud of where some of them are). It's safe to say that she steals the pilot, and I really hope that she sticks around for awhile, and considering where she was at the end of last season of BSG (that's the cool way to refer to Battlestar Galactica) she'll probably have the time to give this show, although you never can tell with Galactica. From the looks of the pilot, that'll be the case on this show as well. The car crash scene, which if you've seen a movie in the last two months, or watched any NBC at all in the last few weeks you've seen a bit of, is unbelievable. I actually watched it like ten times in a row trying to tell if it was CGd. I'm sure that it was, but it looks incredibly real. Not to mention horrifying. The action is great, the central mythos of the show is set up well in the pilot episode, but I'm not sure that I buy the relationship between Jaime (our heroine) and Will (her doctor boyfriend). The dialogue between them seemed really forced, which is odd since this show comes from the creators of BSG who make not only the dialogue but the entire strange senario in which the show takes place seem incredibly believable. There are extenuating circumstances to their relationship which are revealed early on in the episode, and since part of their discussion is really a DTR, which are never easy, and probably always seemed forced from the outside, I'm willing to suspend the disbelief and see where it goes. The other thing I found a little lacking in the episode was the feeling that it was extremely rushed. I think that this would have worked much better as a two hour pilot instead of trying to convey the entire idea and introduce all of the side characters and the mystery that is requisite in a show such as this in just one hour. Other than those two minor quibbles, I found Bionic Woman to be an outstanding hour of television, and I can't wait to see more.
Interesting fact: Katee Sackhoff is not the only BSG actor to have a role in the show, Mark Sheppard, who played Baltar's lawyer on a recent storyline (and was Badger on Firefly), and Aaron Douglas, who plays Chief Tyrol, also appear in the pilot, and will likely have at least a little bit of a run on Bionic Woman.
Pilot Grade: 95%
CHUCK
I honestly thought after I finished watching Bionic Woman that it would get the highest grade I would give out. Sure it had a couple of minor issues, but I was pumped after watching it, and knew that it was a strong pilot. Let me start by saying that Chuck might just be the best pilot ever shot. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this show. It is hilarious, the action is at times breathtaking, the acting is superb, the dialogue is spot on, and the premise of the show is a perfect match for the type of show that it is. Yvonne Strzechowski (and I have no idea how to pronounce that) is going to be the breakout star of the season. She's unbelievably hot (and the filmmakers take full advantage of that fact) but she's also got action ability (she could probably teach Sidney Bristow a thing or two) and acts as a great "straight man" to the comedic stylings of Zachary Levi, our unwitting hero. Levi is dead on as a charming, yet nerdy guy, who finds out that he's now a part of something far bigger and more important than anything he's used to, saving the world at $11/hour. Add in Adam Baldwin (no relation) as another fed, and you've got a great comedic threesome to carry this show. Adam Baldwin, of course, was Jayne on the short lived, but much loved, Firefly, and it appears that the spirit of Jayne is alive and well in the character of John Casey. Morgan, Chuck's best friend, played by Joshua Gomez (who had a run on Invasion, a previous Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year award winner) is very funny, especially in his interactions with Chuck's sister, played by Sarah Lancaster (from Saved by the Bell: The New Class, I admit, I looked that up on IMDb, I didn't know it off the top of my head, I recognized her as the gift shop girl from season 2 of Scrubs). But no question, the top secondary character is the boyfriend of Chuck's sister, Captain Awesome. I hope that he becomes a recurring character, because he cracked me up. Anyway, the episode is perfectly plotted, considering that it has to introduce the characters, the concept, and has an action filled "mission" of sorts added in. It pulls all of this off perfectly. Another great thing about this show is that while it's an action/spy show, it is also a comedy, and it recognizes that by not taking itself too seriously, but by relying on the comedic arena for the most part, making the thriller aspects that much more thrilling when they occur.
Interesting Fact: It is produced by and the pilot was directed by McG, who also directed the two Charlie's Angels movies as well as the just released We Are Marshall.
Pilot Grade: 100%
Until Next Time, more pilot reviews to come!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Pilot Reviews K-Ville and Back to You
So, I've decided to try and see every one of the pilots for the new fall season on the network channels, excluding of course reality tv as I am opposed to it. So far, K-Ville and Back to You have premiered, so here are my comments and grades.
K-VILLE
Overall, I was very disappointed with the pilot for K-Ville. It's seems like it is just going to be a stereotypical cop show, kind of like Miami Vice only set in New Orleans. That would be fine, except for the fact that they promoted it (and titled it) as though it would be something with a little more substance. There are moments when the city and it's situation plays a role in the show, but mostly it doesn't seem that important. Despite the fact that the hurricane ravaged city and the rebuilding project play a role in the plot of the first episode it still has the feel of a predictable, cheesy cop show plot. They need to focus on the moments that seemed real, and try to be more original instead of a car chase, shoot em up, oriented cop show. I haven't given up completely on this show, but truth be told, I probably wouldn't be too worried if I didn't catch another episode.
Interesting fact, one of the supporting characters is played by the actress who played Simone last season in Heroes.
Pilot Grade 66%
BACK TO YOU
For some reason, the traditional sitcom just doesn't seem to appeal to me as much anymore. I much more prefer the one camera, studio eschewing, no laugh track sitcom that has recently taken over (Arrested Development, Scrubs, The Office, My Name is Earl). Overall they don't seem as real, and as everyone knows, comedy comes from real situations. However if the traditional sitcom is going to make a comeback, it might as well be powered by Kelsey Grammer (from Cheers and Fraiser fame) and Patricia Heaton (the wife on Everyone Loves Raymond). The two sitcom stars have obvious chemistry, and are both extremely talented in this arena. The pilot had its funny moments, but was very predictable. I wanted to see more of the supporting cast who seem to have a lot of promise, but the pilot mainly focuses on introducing us to the two leads. Overall, I'd say that the show has a chance to find it's groove and become a pretty funny half hour of television.
Interesting fact, this show is from the same people who created Fraiser, arguably the last good traditional sitcom on network television.
Pilot Grade 78%
Until Next Time, I'm downloading Bionic Woman, Chuck, and Journeyman from Amazon Unbox, and will be giving my thoughts and grades on each of those soon.
K-VILLE
Overall, I was very disappointed with the pilot for K-Ville. It's seems like it is just going to be a stereotypical cop show, kind of like Miami Vice only set in New Orleans. That would be fine, except for the fact that they promoted it (and titled it) as though it would be something with a little more substance. There are moments when the city and it's situation plays a role in the show, but mostly it doesn't seem that important. Despite the fact that the hurricane ravaged city and the rebuilding project play a role in the plot of the first episode it still has the feel of a predictable, cheesy cop show plot. They need to focus on the moments that seemed real, and try to be more original instead of a car chase, shoot em up, oriented cop show. I haven't given up completely on this show, but truth be told, I probably wouldn't be too worried if I didn't catch another episode.
Interesting fact, one of the supporting characters is played by the actress who played Simone last season in Heroes.
Pilot Grade 66%
BACK TO YOU
For some reason, the traditional sitcom just doesn't seem to appeal to me as much anymore. I much more prefer the one camera, studio eschewing, no laugh track sitcom that has recently taken over (Arrested Development, Scrubs, The Office, My Name is Earl). Overall they don't seem as real, and as everyone knows, comedy comes from real situations. However if the traditional sitcom is going to make a comeback, it might as well be powered by Kelsey Grammer (from Cheers and Fraiser fame) and Patricia Heaton (the wife on Everyone Loves Raymond). The two sitcom stars have obvious chemistry, and are both extremely talented in this arena. The pilot had its funny moments, but was very predictable. I wanted to see more of the supporting cast who seem to have a lot of promise, but the pilot mainly focuses on introducing us to the two leads. Overall, I'd say that the show has a chance to find it's groove and become a pretty funny half hour of television.
Interesting fact, this show is from the same people who created Fraiser, arguably the last good traditional sitcom on network television.
Pilot Grade 78%
Until Next Time, I'm downloading Bionic Woman, Chuck, and Journeyman from Amazon Unbox, and will be giving my thoughts and grades on each of those soon.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
3rd Annual Josh's Choice For the Best New Show of the Season Award
It's that time again. Remember, only network shows count (FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC, and the revamped WB/UPN combo the CW).
5. Heroes - NBC
I know, I know, I was all about this show for awhile, but there turned out to be way too many plot holes as the season went on, and the season finale was one of (if not the) worst season finales that I have ever seen. Plenty of time for it to get back to the greatness it showed early on.
4. 30 Rock - NBC
Holy Crap, Tina Fey is hilarious. And kind of hot. Tracy Morgan is brilliant, and there is no way to say enough about Alec Baldwin. With the brilliance of The Office and My Name is Earl, Thursday nights on NBC are once again Must See!
3. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - NBC
Aaron Sorkin is amazing. A lot of people didn't like this show, but I, for one, loved it. I'm very sad to see it go. In my mind there is always a place for Sorkin's smart (and, yes, sometimes political) fast talk.
2. Jericho - CBS
For a little bit it looked like NBC might run away with this years top five, but this fantastic show (that I'm frankly a little surprised was ever picked up by CBS in the first place, doesn't really seem like a great fit) kept the NBC sweep from happening. It looked for a little bit like this show wasn't going to make it back either, but it has gotten a seven episode pickup for the new season, so good job to the fans that helped make that happen!
and finally, the number one show...
1. Friday Night Lights - NBC
It is about so much more than Football, it is about life, and it is the most realistic portrayal of a family that I have ever seen on TV. If you didn't catch this show last season, get on it and join the Dillon Panther bandwagon. There's room.
Until Next Time, lot's of television to be excited about this season. The incoming shows that I'm most excited about, and are on the watch list for the next season's coveted Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year Award, are Bionic Woman (from the creators of the new Battlestar Gallactica, easily the best thing on TV, well, ever), Journey Man (A: because I love time travel, B: because it stars Lucius Vorenus from HBO's Rome and he's awesome), Chuck (who doesn't like the idea of a computer nerd becoming a super spy, it's Alias for the nerd crowd), Reaper (the main character, who was the main character on former JCFBNSOTS Award honorable mention The Loop, finds out when he turns 21 that his parents sold his soul to the devil and now he has to work for him, happy birthday. Oh, and the pilot is directed by Kevin Smith, sweet.), Pushing Daisies (the set up to this show is perfect, if the main character touches someone who has died, they come back to life, but if he touches them again, they're dead for good. Well, he touches his old flame and brings her back to life and then they fall in love, the only problem, if they ever touch, she's dead again, this time forever, sexual tension much? Plus it looks like it was filmed by Tim Burton. Perfect. It's between this and Bionic Woman to start.), Dirty Sexy Money (just because it has Peter Krause, I love me some Peter Krause. Not only is he one of the worlds best actors, not only is he from great shows such as Sports Night and Six Feet Under, but his last name is really fun to say, it's pronounced KROW-zuh. That's awesome.), and lastly, yes I am really excited about this show, Cavemen (I can't help it, my hopes are raised. I love the commercials, so I'm ready for the show.) Lots of new shows looking for the Josh love this season. There are also some more that didn't have the pre season hype to make the list, but that doesn't mean that they won't be in the running if the pilot is really good and I get caught despite myself. Wow, that was a really long Until Next Time.
5. Heroes - NBC
I know, I know, I was all about this show for awhile, but there turned out to be way too many plot holes as the season went on, and the season finale was one of (if not the) worst season finales that I have ever seen. Plenty of time for it to get back to the greatness it showed early on.
4. 30 Rock - NBC
Holy Crap, Tina Fey is hilarious. And kind of hot. Tracy Morgan is brilliant, and there is no way to say enough about Alec Baldwin. With the brilliance of The Office and My Name is Earl, Thursday nights on NBC are once again Must See!
3. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - NBC
Aaron Sorkin is amazing. A lot of people didn't like this show, but I, for one, loved it. I'm very sad to see it go. In my mind there is always a place for Sorkin's smart (and, yes, sometimes political) fast talk.
2. Jericho - CBS
For a little bit it looked like NBC might run away with this years top five, but this fantastic show (that I'm frankly a little surprised was ever picked up by CBS in the first place, doesn't really seem like a great fit) kept the NBC sweep from happening. It looked for a little bit like this show wasn't going to make it back either, but it has gotten a seven episode pickup for the new season, so good job to the fans that helped make that happen!
and finally, the number one show...
1. Friday Night Lights - NBC
It is about so much more than Football, it is about life, and it is the most realistic portrayal of a family that I have ever seen on TV. If you didn't catch this show last season, get on it and join the Dillon Panther bandwagon. There's room.
Until Next Time, lot's of television to be excited about this season. The incoming shows that I'm most excited about, and are on the watch list for the next season's coveted Josh's Choice for Best New Show of the Year Award, are Bionic Woman (from the creators of the new Battlestar Gallactica, easily the best thing on TV, well, ever), Journey Man (A: because I love time travel, B: because it stars Lucius Vorenus from HBO's Rome and he's awesome), Chuck (who doesn't like the idea of a computer nerd becoming a super spy, it's Alias for the nerd crowd), Reaper (the main character, who was the main character on former JCFBNSOTS Award honorable mention The Loop, finds out when he turns 21 that his parents sold his soul to the devil and now he has to work for him, happy birthday. Oh, and the pilot is directed by Kevin Smith, sweet.), Pushing Daisies (the set up to this show is perfect, if the main character touches someone who has died, they come back to life, but if he touches them again, they're dead for good. Well, he touches his old flame and brings her back to life and then they fall in love, the only problem, if they ever touch, she's dead again, this time forever, sexual tension much? Plus it looks like it was filmed by Tim Burton. Perfect. It's between this and Bionic Woman to start.), Dirty Sexy Money (just because it has Peter Krause, I love me some Peter Krause. Not only is he one of the worlds best actors, not only is he from great shows such as Sports Night and Six Feet Under, but his last name is really fun to say, it's pronounced KROW-zuh. That's awesome.), and lastly, yes I am really excited about this show, Cavemen (I can't help it, my hopes are raised. I love the commercials, so I'm ready for the show.) Lots of new shows looking for the Josh love this season. There are also some more that didn't have the pre season hype to make the list, but that doesn't mean that they won't be in the running if the pilot is really good and I get caught despite myself. Wow, that was a really long Until Next Time.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
The Day in History and Some Reviews
30 years ago today, (well, now I guess yesterday) Star Wars was released.
It was released on an absurdly small number of screens due to the fact that the studio releasing it assumed that it was going to bomb.
They weren't the only ones.
Before it was scheduled to be released, George Lucas showed the film to some of his closest friends. (Now to be fair, it wasn't yet completed when he showed it to them, some of the special effects still had to be added. Instead of the space battle scenes, for instance, there were scenes of World War II fighter planes in battle, which I'm sure looked kinda cheesy.)
Resoundingly, those friends hated the film. His own wife said it would be a failure, comparing it to a well known bomb at the time. In modern language she would have said something to the effect of "it's the sci-fi Gigli."
Only Lucas's friend Stephen Spielberg had anything pleasant to say when he correctly predicted it would be unbelievably huge.
Lucas himself wasn't convinced however, and went so far as to be on vacation and unreachable thirty years ago today. He didn't want to have to hear about what a flop his extremely personal film had turned out to be.
Of course, in the theaters lucky enough to be showing it, the exact opposite was in fact true as lines were leading out blocks away as people waited to see it. Ultimately it would become the highest grossing film of all time.
It also had a lot to do with making me who I am today. I became a writer because of Star Wars, or more precisely, Empire Strikes Back. I was three when Empire was released in theaters, which means I had to wait an additional three years (or the entirety of the life I had lived to that point) in order find out what the hell happened to Han Solo.
Since waiting three years (and again, I'd only been alive for three years at that point, so this seemed like an eternity) was clearly unacceptable I began writing in my head various versions of Return of the Jedi, even going so far as to put myself in the exact position that Solo had been frozen into whenever I was in the bathtub. (My own version of method acting, I suppose.)
At any rate, that event (along with many other factors, granted) went a long way towards my realization that I wanted to write and make movies myself some day. So, today, I thank George Lucas for introducing us to that Galaxy far, far away.
Speaking of movies, two were released today, Pirates 3 and Bug. I saw them both.
Bug was brilliant. However, it is very different from the movie that has been advertised. If you go in expecting to see something in the vain of Saw or Hostel, you will be disappointed, as evidenced by the huge exodus of people about halfway through the movie. (Can't say I'm sorry that a lot of them left, however, since all that they were doing was disrupting the viewing for everyone else.)
If instead you go in with an open mind, I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised. The movie was based on a play, and the adaptation doesn't stray far from its source material as much of the film takes place in a rundown motel room. Due in part to the story and in part to the wonderful camera work, the single set doesn't get a bit tiring. While one could classify this film as a horror movie, it is much more then that. It is a psychological character study that takes you into the disturbing world of the two main characters played superbly by Ashley Judd and the relatively unknown (in film anyway, he also played the same character on stage in New York and London) Michael Shannon. The acting in this film (by both of the main characters and by Harry Connick Jr. in a supporting role) are worth the price of admission by itself. I highly recommend it.
Honestly, I wasn't going to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3. If I hadn't gone to the movies with a girl who wanted to see it, I probably wouldn't have. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Personally, I loved the first one and detested the second. The third was likable. It wasn't anywhere near as good as the first, but seemed to recapture some of the magic that the first one had. Sure there were parts of it that were tedious (like the majority of the second film) and it was unnecessarily complicated, but there was a lot of it that was just plain fun (like the majority of the first film.)
In the interest of telling the whole truth, I was tempted to walk out early on in the film, but once Johnny Depp
Until Next Time, May the Force Be With You... Always
It was released on an absurdly small number of screens due to the fact that the studio releasing it assumed that it was going to bomb.
They weren't the only ones.
Before it was scheduled to be released, George Lucas showed the film to some of his closest friends. (Now to be fair, it wasn't yet completed when he showed it to them, some of the special effects still had to be added. Instead of the space battle scenes, for instance, there were scenes of World War II fighter planes in battle, which I'm sure looked kinda cheesy.)
Resoundingly, those friends hated the film. His own wife said it would be a failure, comparing it to a well known bomb at the time. In modern language she would have said something to the effect of "it's the sci-fi Gigli."
Only Lucas's friend Stephen Spielberg had anything pleasant to say when he correctly predicted it would be unbelievably huge.
Lucas himself wasn't convinced however, and went so far as to be on vacation and unreachable thirty years ago today. He didn't want to have to hear about what a flop his extremely personal film had turned out to be.
Of course, in the theaters lucky enough to be showing it, the exact opposite was in fact true as lines were leading out blocks away as people waited to see it. Ultimately it would become the highest grossing film of all time.
It also had a lot to do with making me who I am today. I became a writer because of Star Wars, or more precisely, Empire Strikes Back. I was three when Empire was released in theaters, which means I had to wait an additional three years (or the entirety of the life I had lived to that point) in order find out what the hell happened to Han Solo.
Since waiting three years (and again, I'd only been alive for three years at that point, so this seemed like an eternity) was clearly unacceptable I began writing in my head various versions of Return of the Jedi, even going so far as to put myself in the exact position that Solo had been frozen into whenever I was in the bathtub. (My own version of method acting, I suppose.)
At any rate, that event (along with many other factors, granted) went a long way towards my realization that I wanted to write and make movies myself some day. So, today, I thank George Lucas for introducing us to that Galaxy far, far away.
Speaking of movies, two were released today, Pirates 3 and Bug. I saw them both.
Bug was brilliant. However, it is very different from the movie that has been advertised. If you go in expecting to see something in the vain of Saw or Hostel, you will be disappointed, as evidenced by the huge exodus of people about halfway through the movie. (Can't say I'm sorry that a lot of them left, however, since all that they were doing was disrupting the viewing for everyone else.)
If instead you go in with an open mind, I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised. The movie was based on a play, and the adaptation doesn't stray far from its source material as much of the film takes place in a rundown motel room. Due in part to the story and in part to the wonderful camera work, the single set doesn't get a bit tiring. While one could classify this film as a horror movie, it is much more then that. It is a psychological character study that takes you into the disturbing world of the two main characters played superbly by Ashley Judd and the relatively unknown (in film anyway, he also played the same character on stage in New York and London) Michael Shannon. The acting in this film (by both of the main characters and by Harry Connick Jr. in a supporting role) are worth the price of admission by itself. I highly recommend it.
Honestly, I wasn't going to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3. If I hadn't gone to the movies with a girl who wanted to see it, I probably wouldn't have. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Personally, I loved the first one and detested the second. The third was likable. It wasn't anywhere near as good as the first, but seemed to recapture some of the magic that the first one had. Sure there were parts of it that were tedious (like the majority of the second film) and it was unnecessarily complicated, but there was a lot of it that was just plain fun (like the majority of the first film.)
In the interest of telling the whole truth, I was tempted to walk out early on in the film, but once Johnny Depp
Until Next Time, May the Force Be With You... Always
Thursday, May 24, 2007
LOST Through the Looking Glass, first thoughts
Wow. Okay, here's what we know for sure. It is possible to get off of the island. At least Jack and Kate do.
What we don't know...
What is the Island, Where is the Island, When is the Island? (I think this last question is extremely important.)
Let me first say, at the very first "flashback", I believed it was actually a flash-forward. And stuck with that until the moment Jack told the new chief doctor to get his dad down there, but, after all we'd seen him walking around on the island, right, he could still be alive. The Island cured Rose, cured Locke, and allowed Jin to have a baby, couldn't it conceivably have brought Jack's dad back to life as well? So I wasn't too surprised to see Kate meet Jack.
Now, of course, everything has changed.
What does the show become? Do we go to the future? Does it become about Jack trying to get back to the Island? Does it pick up on the island with the rescue and we see how Jack gets to this point?
Either are possible.
Important things to keep in mind: one, they supposedly found the plane and there were no survivors. Okay, this info came from Naomi, and I'm not sure how much she can be trusted since Penny claimed to have never heard of her. But somehow she knew about Desmond and Penny, and somehow she knew a little bit about Charlie, at least. Is it possible that Benry Gale isn't the most evil person our Losties can meet up with? That perhaps there is a more sinister force (that Benry Gale really feels are the "bad guys") out there with far more information about the island and the plane? I think that it's likely. Two, not only is Jack's dad still alive in the Flash Forward, but Kate is not (apparently) a fugitive. Three, Jack says to Kate, I'm tired of lying or something to that effect (as Locke says, I'm going to have to watch that again), what did he mean by that? And, finally four, at the viewing, when asked if he is a friend or a relative, Jack says neither. If, assuming as I am, the viewing was for someone else on that plane, why does Jack not say friend?
Okay, now, it has only been about 25 minutes since the episode ended, and I'm still theorizing as I'm writing, so a lot of this isn't as developed as it will be once I think a little more on it, and talk to a few more people. But here are my new theories...
1. The show picks back up on the island, but instead of flash backs, we start to get flash forwards to a possible (maybe even certain) future. For instance, we start on the island right where we left off, but there are still some things to be done in order to get everyone off. There are still all of the other Others, who might have something to say about it, and we know Locke doesn't want to go. Was that really Walt or the Island/Jacob manifesting itself/himself as Walt. If the Island/Jacob doesn't want them to go, isn't there more it can do to at least stall them? I believe so, and it won't be super simple to get off of the Island, so we'll get episodes on the Island interspersed with flash forwards to what happens after the Island.
2. I believe that the Island is in another Dimension. I believe that in the dimension that our Losties are from, Oceanic Flight 815 really did crash and they really did find all of the survivors dead. I believe that it's possible, in the right circumstances, for you to die in our reality, but simultaneously appear on the Island. So that brings up the question (if I'm right in Theory 2) of how is the found plane and dead bodies explained away with the reappearance to his former life of one Dr. Jack Shepard?
3. I believe that in order to get off of the Island some sort of dimensional travel is involved, which only makes sense since I believe that the Island itself is in a separate dimension. Now, with dimensional travel (according to some theories in physics) there is also time travel. In order to get everyone off of the Island, Dr. Jack is going to be offered, I think, some sort of deal. It will involve going back in time before the flight happened. It will involve going back to their lives as they left them before the circumstances that caused them all to get on the flight.
4. Okay, we have been shown in the flashbacks these last three seasons the fact that everyone on that flight was somehow connected far more then your usual "6 degrees". In the recap episode "The_Answers" we were told that the connections are part of what caused everyone to be on that flight. In other words, it wasn't an accident that got those exact people on that exact flight. The creators used the example of Anthony Cooper, Locke's father. If not for his actions, Locke would not have become the man that he did, and Sawyer certainly wouldn't have become the man that he did. By conning Sawyer's parents (and causing their death) and by throwing Locke out of an 8 story window (and paralyzing him) he led directly to the events that put each of them on that plane. Locke was trying to prove he could still be someone productive despite his paralysis, and Sawyer following a lead that he thought would take him to the man that killed his parents. It isn't too big a step to think that if the events don't lead to the right people getting on that plane, then that plane won't crash.
5. So, this is explained to, at least, Dr. Jack and Kate, and most likely one other whose funeral it is that Dr. Jack goes to. They go back to the past and have to make decisions that change whatever the reason is that they would have gotten on that plane. And in doing that, the plane never crashes. That means, that they save EVERYONE. Not just the other Losties that are still alive, but everyone who perished in the crash as well. And everyone who has died since they survived the crash. Eko, Ana-Lucia, Libby, Boone, Shannon, and Charlie would be alive. How could Jack not agree to this. Of course it would mean that only they (at least Jack and Kate) would remember. In addition to their lives back, they get passes allowing them to fly free wherever they desire.
I know, that's the big one, theory number five. Let me give you some of the reasons I came to this conclusion. Jack says that he's tired of lying. This would explain that. What might happen if everyone were returned to before the crash? Well, Charlie would still be addicted to drugs, and nowhere near the fame he thinks he desires. Of course we know what he really desires, but we also know without the crash he doesn't really have any hope of achieving it. And I think he was resigned to his death, he definitely didn't go into it blindly. Which do you think he'd prefer, having died a hero and having known and loved Claire and Aaron, or continuing in his drug addled unfulfilled life as a former rock star? Eko would still be a fake priest living with that guilt as well as the guilt of having killed his brother. He came to terms with his past actions due to the Island, but I'm not sure he could have gotten there without it. Rose would still have cancer. Sun and Jin would still be in a horrible and unhealthy marriage. Boone would still be helplessly in love with his step-sister, and she would still be using it to torment him. I could go on and on, the point is that the experience of the crash has actually improved these peoples lives. If they were placed back in those lives with no memories of the crash and their experiences there, they are right back into those awful situations.
Now we know that Dr. Jack and Kate at least still remember what happened to them, right? So, one could assume that their lives are better because of what they've learned. Obviously not, in Dr. Jack's case at least. He's bottomed out. A huge low, even for him. What could have brought this on? If I'm right, he had to change the decision that led to him getting on that plane. That means he had to keep from getting his dad fired. If his dad doesn't get fired from the Hospital, then he doesn't drink himself to death in Sidney, Jack doesn't have to go get his body, and they don't crash. Plus this would explain how Jack's dad is still alive.
Okay, Kate. If she isn't a fugitive, she can't get caught and brought on board the flight. Therefore, she can't kill her stepfather. Now, remember, not only was he hurting Kate's mom, but it appeared he had the hots for Kate as well. If he's not dead, couldn't he have some hold on her. Enough that when she goes to meet Jack, she has to say to him, I've got to get back before he notices? I'm betting that she was referring to her Stepfather.
That brings us to the mystery person, the one with the funeral. I think they know as well. So, who are they? Well, Jack goes and answers the man's question of friend or family with neither. There's really only one person that would elicit that response from Jack. Sawyer.
Not only that, but he was hoping that Kate would be there. (No doubt they've had a falling out, however. It was pretty well foreshadowed in the episode that a Kate/Sawyer falling out was in the cards.) If Sawyer's back in his previous life, all he has to do is not go kill the person that wasn't the real Sawyer anyway. Easy enough. But that doesn't change the fact that he's not in a good position, and there are no shortage of people that want him dead, even with a memory of everything that happened, and the knowledge of who the real Sawyer actually is.
Now, Jack has gotten everyone safely home, but what if while using the pass to fly all over the place, he starts reconnecting with the other people who were supposed to be on that plane. They would have no idea who he is, of course, but he would know them. He would begin to see what horrible shape they were all in, especially the people who died on the Island. He would begin to understand that they would be better off having died there then living the lives that they had left behind. Perhaps he would come to understand that they had died as better people on the Island, and because of the Island, then they ever could hope for if they hadn't had that experience.
With me so far? Okay, the obvious question becomes why don't Kate and Jack end up getting together? They both know what really happened, and they clearly feel for each other. This, one would think, would especially happen if there was a big falling out in the Kate/Sawyer relationship. My theory is that the trip back in time also gives Jack the chance to fix the relationship with his ex-wife. He goes back to before they get divorced. Benry Gale asks him what he has to go back for, his wife had left him for another man, but what if the trip back took him to before that happened. We know how much Dr. Jack likes to fix things, don't you think that this would be something he couldn't resist? Now, we know that it doesn't work, we see that in the Flash-Forwards. Failing at his marriage again, when he knows that the trouble is coming this time, combined with the state of affairs that all of the other former Losties' lives are in, and finally the death of one of the only other two people who knows what really happened cause his to finally hit rock bottom.
These are my thoughts. Can't wait to talk to more people, see what they think. Once again, however, this show has changed everything. The fact that this theory is so completely different than anything I had previously posted or even thought about, shows you how amazing this show has the capability of being. Whether my theories prove to be completely, partially, or not at all correct doesn't change the fact that I'm glad I've been along for the ride so far and can't wait to take the rest of the way. 48 more episodes until everything is made clear.
Until Next Time, I'll see you in February LOST.
What we don't know...
What is the Island, Where is the Island, When is the Island? (I think this last question is extremely important.)
Let me first say, at the very first "flashback", I believed it was actually a flash-forward. And stuck with that until the moment Jack told the new chief doctor to get his dad down there, but, after all we'd seen him walking around on the island, right, he could still be alive. The Island cured Rose, cured Locke, and allowed Jin to have a baby, couldn't it conceivably have brought Jack's dad back to life as well? So I wasn't too surprised to see Kate meet Jack.
Now, of course, everything has changed.
What does the show become? Do we go to the future? Does it become about Jack trying to get back to the Island? Does it pick up on the island with the rescue and we see how Jack gets to this point?
Either are possible.
Important things to keep in mind: one, they supposedly found the plane and there were no survivors. Okay, this info came from Naomi, and I'm not sure how much she can be trusted since Penny claimed to have never heard of her. But somehow she knew about Desmond and Penny, and somehow she knew a little bit about Charlie, at least. Is it possible that Benry Gale isn't the most evil person our Losties can meet up with? That perhaps there is a more sinister force (that Benry Gale really feels are the "bad guys") out there with far more information about the island and the plane? I think that it's likely. Two, not only is Jack's dad still alive in the Flash Forward, but Kate is not (apparently) a fugitive. Three, Jack says to Kate, I'm tired of lying or something to that effect (as Locke says, I'm going to have to watch that again), what did he mean by that? And, finally four, at the viewing, when asked if he is a friend or a relative, Jack says neither. If, assuming as I am, the viewing was for someone else on that plane, why does Jack not say friend?
Okay, now, it has only been about 25 minutes since the episode ended, and I'm still theorizing as I'm writing, so a lot of this isn't as developed as it will be once I think a little more on it, and talk to a few more people. But here are my new theories...
1. The show picks back up on the island, but instead of flash backs, we start to get flash forwards to a possible (maybe even certain) future. For instance, we start on the island right where we left off, but there are still some things to be done in order to get everyone off. There are still all of the other Others, who might have something to say about it, and we know Locke doesn't want to go. Was that really Walt or the Island/Jacob manifesting itself/himself as Walt. If the Island/Jacob doesn't want them to go, isn't there more it can do to at least stall them? I believe so, and it won't be super simple to get off of the Island, so we'll get episodes on the Island interspersed with flash forwards to what happens after the Island.
2. I believe that the Island is in another Dimension. I believe that in the dimension that our Losties are from, Oceanic Flight 815 really did crash and they really did find all of the survivors dead. I believe that it's possible, in the right circumstances, for you to die in our reality, but simultaneously appear on the Island. So that brings up the question (if I'm right in Theory 2) of how is the found plane and dead bodies explained away with the reappearance to his former life of one Dr. Jack Shepard?
3. I believe that in order to get off of the Island some sort of dimensional travel is involved, which only makes sense since I believe that the Island itself is in a separate dimension. Now, with dimensional travel (according to some theories in physics) there is also time travel. In order to get everyone off of the Island, Dr. Jack is going to be offered, I think, some sort of deal. It will involve going back in time before the flight happened. It will involve going back to their lives as they left them before the circumstances that caused them all to get on the flight.
4. Okay, we have been shown in the flashbacks these last three seasons the fact that everyone on that flight was somehow connected far more then your usual "6 degrees". In the recap episode "The_Answers" we were told that the connections are part of what caused everyone to be on that flight. In other words, it wasn't an accident that got those exact people on that exact flight. The creators used the example of Anthony Cooper, Locke's father. If not for his actions, Locke would not have become the man that he did, and Sawyer certainly wouldn't have become the man that he did. By conning Sawyer's parents (and causing their death) and by throwing Locke out of an 8 story window (and paralyzing him) he led directly to the events that put each of them on that plane. Locke was trying to prove he could still be someone productive despite his paralysis, and Sawyer following a lead that he thought would take him to the man that killed his parents. It isn't too big a step to think that if the events don't lead to the right people getting on that plane, then that plane won't crash.
5. So, this is explained to, at least, Dr. Jack and Kate, and most likely one other whose funeral it is that Dr. Jack goes to. They go back to the past and have to make decisions that change whatever the reason is that they would have gotten on that plane. And in doing that, the plane never crashes. That means, that they save EVERYONE. Not just the other Losties that are still alive, but everyone who perished in the crash as well. And everyone who has died since they survived the crash. Eko, Ana-Lucia, Libby, Boone, Shannon, and Charlie would be alive. How could Jack not agree to this. Of course it would mean that only they (at least Jack and Kate) would remember. In addition to their lives back, they get passes allowing them to fly free wherever they desire.
I know, that's the big one, theory number five. Let me give you some of the reasons I came to this conclusion. Jack says that he's tired of lying. This would explain that. What might happen if everyone were returned to before the crash? Well, Charlie would still be addicted to drugs, and nowhere near the fame he thinks he desires. Of course we know what he really desires, but we also know without the crash he doesn't really have any hope of achieving it. And I think he was resigned to his death, he definitely didn't go into it blindly. Which do you think he'd prefer, having died a hero and having known and loved Claire and Aaron, or continuing in his drug addled unfulfilled life as a former rock star? Eko would still be a fake priest living with that guilt as well as the guilt of having killed his brother. He came to terms with his past actions due to the Island, but I'm not sure he could have gotten there without it. Rose would still have cancer. Sun and Jin would still be in a horrible and unhealthy marriage. Boone would still be helplessly in love with his step-sister, and she would still be using it to torment him. I could go on and on, the point is that the experience of the crash has actually improved these peoples lives. If they were placed back in those lives with no memories of the crash and their experiences there, they are right back into those awful situations.
Now we know that Dr. Jack and Kate at least still remember what happened to them, right? So, one could assume that their lives are better because of what they've learned. Obviously not, in Dr. Jack's case at least. He's bottomed out. A huge low, even for him. What could have brought this on? If I'm right, he had to change the decision that led to him getting on that plane. That means he had to keep from getting his dad fired. If his dad doesn't get fired from the Hospital, then he doesn't drink himself to death in Sidney, Jack doesn't have to go get his body, and they don't crash. Plus this would explain how Jack's dad is still alive.
Okay, Kate. If she isn't a fugitive, she can't get caught and brought on board the flight. Therefore, she can't kill her stepfather. Now, remember, not only was he hurting Kate's mom, but it appeared he had the hots for Kate as well. If he's not dead, couldn't he have some hold on her. Enough that when she goes to meet Jack, she has to say to him, I've got to get back before he notices? I'm betting that she was referring to her Stepfather.
That brings us to the mystery person, the one with the funeral. I think they know as well. So, who are they? Well, Jack goes and answers the man's question of friend or family with neither. There's really only one person that would elicit that response from Jack. Sawyer.
Not only that, but he was hoping that Kate would be there. (No doubt they've had a falling out, however. It was pretty well foreshadowed in the episode that a Kate/Sawyer falling out was in the cards.) If Sawyer's back in his previous life, all he has to do is not go kill the person that wasn't the real Sawyer anyway. Easy enough. But that doesn't change the fact that he's not in a good position, and there are no shortage of people that want him dead, even with a memory of everything that happened, and the knowledge of who the real Sawyer actually is.
Now, Jack has gotten everyone safely home, but what if while using the pass to fly all over the place, he starts reconnecting with the other people who were supposed to be on that plane. They would have no idea who he is, of course, but he would know them. He would begin to see what horrible shape they were all in, especially the people who died on the Island. He would begin to understand that they would be better off having died there then living the lives that they had left behind. Perhaps he would come to understand that they had died as better people on the Island, and because of the Island, then they ever could hope for if they hadn't had that experience.
With me so far? Okay, the obvious question becomes why don't Kate and Jack end up getting together? They both know what really happened, and they clearly feel for each other. This, one would think, would especially happen if there was a big falling out in the Kate/Sawyer relationship. My theory is that the trip back in time also gives Jack the chance to fix the relationship with his ex-wife. He goes back to before they get divorced. Benry Gale asks him what he has to go back for, his wife had left him for another man, but what if the trip back took him to before that happened. We know how much Dr. Jack likes to fix things, don't you think that this would be something he couldn't resist? Now, we know that it doesn't work, we see that in the Flash-Forwards. Failing at his marriage again, when he knows that the trouble is coming this time, combined with the state of affairs that all of the other former Losties' lives are in, and finally the death of one of the only other two people who knows what really happened cause his to finally hit rock bottom.
These are my thoughts. Can't wait to talk to more people, see what they think. Once again, however, this show has changed everything. The fact that this theory is so completely different than anything I had previously posted or even thought about, shows you how amazing this show has the capability of being. Whether my theories prove to be completely, partially, or not at all correct doesn't change the fact that I'm glad I've been along for the ride so far and can't wait to take the rest of the way. 48 more episodes until everything is made clear.
Until Next Time, I'll see you in February LOST.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
LOST One of Us, first thoughts
We found out last week that no babies could be born on the island, but Benry Gale has said before that he has been on the island his whole life; how is that possible if no one can be born on the island?
Entertainment Weekly has an article on LOST in the current issue, and it talks about the Nikki/Paulo debacle. Apparently, there was going to be a longer arc concerning the characters, but due to fan backlash against them, they decided to pull the plug on them.
That's just annoying. If you had something good set up with them, use it and make us change our minds. Don't just give in because everyone is complaining about them online.
Until Next Time, This has been an uneven season so far. A majority of the episodes have been better then anything last season, some have been better then even season one, but a couple have been just plan awful. It looks headed to a strong finish though.
Entertainment Weekly has an article on LOST in the current issue, and it talks about the Nikki/Paulo debacle. Apparently, there was going to be a longer arc concerning the characters, but due to fan backlash against them, they decided to pull the plug on them.
That's just annoying. If you had something good set up with them, use it and make us change our minds. Don't just give in because everyone is complaining about them online.
Until Next Time, This has been an uneven season so far. A majority of the episodes have been better then anything last season, some have been better then even season one, but a couple have been just plan awful. It looks headed to a strong finish though.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Zodiac
Just saw Zodiac and it is amazing. It's very rare for a film that came out in March to be this good. Unfortunately, I don't think many people went and saw this film, I had to go to Angelika to see it, but I'm so glad that I did. For a movie about a serial killer case that has officially never been closed, there is still closure for the film and the film remains truthful to the material on which it is based. But this film is about so much more than a serial killer, it is about obsession and what that obsession can do to a life. The effect this case had on so many people is what makes this film so fascinating to watch.
Apparently, Fincher had a tough time finishing the film (otherwise it might have been released late last year putting it in award contention and in what would have been number 3 on my top ten although it's currently number 1 for 2007 so far) and ultimately cut thirty minutes off of the film to get it to the 2:35 mark. I wish he had just made it a 3 hour movie, because as it was it didn't feel long at all. I personally can't wait for the DVD, to see the deleted scenes.
Hopefully the March release date won't hurt this film when it comes back to awards season, because this is a film incredibly worthy of winning some.
Fincher's previous films include Seven, Fight Club, and Panic Room.
Until Next Time, Do yourself a favor go out and see this one while you still can.
Apparently, Fincher had a tough time finishing the film (otherwise it might have been released late last year putting it in award contention and in what would have been number 3 on my top ten although it's currently number 1 for 2007 so far) and ultimately cut thirty minutes off of the film to get it to the 2:35 mark. I wish he had just made it a 3 hour movie, because as it was it didn't feel long at all. I personally can't wait for the DVD, to see the deleted scenes.
Hopefully the March release date won't hurt this film when it comes back to awards season, because this is a film incredibly worthy of winning some.
Fincher's previous films include Seven, Fight Club, and Panic Room.
Until Next Time, Do yourself a favor go out and see this one while you still can.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
LOST Left Behind, first thoughts
Kate flashbacks are always good, and it was neat to see Fugitive Kate before she was any good at being a fugitive. Plus, an interesting connection made between Kate and Sawyer as she meets someone he has conned.
More importantly, the smoke monster made an appearance, and we learned that the Others'security system, which seemed so easy to get past a few episodes ago, actually serves to protect them from the smoke monster. Interesting.
So John Locke has apparently joined the Others now, that'll be fun to keep an eye on, but they will keep us in suspense a little while longer on that, until, I'm guessing, we find out the Sawyer from our Sawyer's past is none other than Locke's dad.
Speaking of Sawyer, that was some great stuff with him this week. My guess is he settles into his leader role nicely, probably just as Dr. Jack saunters back into camp. Amazingly, that's going to happen next week; no waiting for that. Maybe this means that the pointless episodes are over now.
The last little thing I'm liking is what's going on with Sun. After Charlie told her the truth, she has become completely angry with Sawyer. Remember earlier this season she killed one of the Others, but it was probably justified in her mind in part because of what she thought they had done to her. She has now found out they did nothing to her, and is therefore blaming Sawyer for turning her into a killer.
Until Next Time, hopefully the see-saw, Jekyll and Hyde, good one week bad the next, time is over and LOST can return to the strong show it once was and clearly is still capable of being.
More importantly, the smoke monster made an appearance, and we learned that the Others'
So John Locke has apparently joined the Others now, that'll be fun to keep an eye on, but they will keep us in suspense a little while longer on that, until, I'm guessing, we find out the Sawyer from our Sawyer's past is none other than Locke's dad.
Speaking of Sawyer, that was some great stuff with him this week. My guess is he settles into his leader role nicely, probably just as Dr. Jack saunters back into camp. Amazingly, that's going to happen next week; no waiting for that. Maybe this means that the pointless episodes are over now.
The last little thing I'm liking is what's going on with Sun. After Charlie told her the truth, she has become completely angry with Sawyer. Remember earlier this season she killed one of the Others, but it was probably justified in her mind in part because of what she thought they had done to her. She has now found out they did nothing to her, and is therefore blaming Sawyer for turning her into a killer.
Until Next Time, hopefully the see-saw, Jekyll and Hyde, good one week bad the next, time is over and LOST can return to the strong show it once was and clearly is still capable of being.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
LOST Expose, first thoughts
What a huge letdown.
When these characters were half-ass introduced in the mini-season, fans were upset. Mainly, I think, because the introduction was botched. It isn't as if we as fans are completely unwilling to allow any new characters. In fact many of the fan's favorite characters were added after season one. Benry Gale and Eko to name two. The intros of those characters, as well as many others, were handled extremely well; this was not the case with Nikki and Paulo.
But like it or not, the characters were here, and we were promised by the powers that be that we would come to like them once we knew their story.
Lies.
It turns out, their story was just a ploy to have a joke ending. Not a damn thing important occurred in that episode. Except perhaps for the fact that Sun's anger against the Others caused Charlie to come clean about his role in Sawyer's earlier power play. This could come into play in my theory about the island killing you in order to release you after your slate is clean. One more thing Charlie has atoned for, his death could actually be immanent. Other then that though, (which easily could have been accomplished elsewhere) this was a throwaway episode.
Until Next Time, I did at least like seeing Lando Calrissian.
When these characters were half-ass introduced in the mini-season, fans were upset. Mainly, I think, because the introduction was botched. It isn't as if we as fans are completely unwilling to allow any new characters. In fact many of the fan's favorite characters were added after season one. Benry Gale and Eko to name two. The intros of those characters, as well as many others, were handled extremely well; this was not the case with Nikki and Paulo.
But like it or not, the characters were here, and we were promised by the powers that be that we would come to like them once we knew their story.
Lies.
It turns out, their story was just a ploy to have a joke ending. Not a damn thing important occurred in that episode. Except perhaps for the fact that Sun's anger against the Others caused Charlie to come clean about his role in Sawyer's earlier power play. This could come into play in my theory about the island killing you in order to release you after your slate is clean. One more thing Charlie has atoned for, his death could actually be immanent. Other then that though, (which easily could have been accomplished elsewhere) this was a throwaway episode.
Until Next Time, I did at least like seeing Lando Calrissian.
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