The Doctors Revisted

While media will most likely focus on the historical importance of something that occurred 50 years ago today (Friday, Nov 22, 1963) in Dallas TX, not very far from where I sit, and I don't want to lessen the importance and the impact of what that event meant.

I've no doubt many people can recite exactly where they were when President Kennedy was shot (and sorry for the Passive Voice here, but I'm still not 100% convinced it was Lee Harvey Oswald...),


and probably not as many watched the next day as a Sci-fi phenomenon was born, but it was the very next day that the BBC aired the first episode of Doctor Who.

In honor of that day, and that far happier momentous occasion, I will run down some of my favorite stories for each of the actors that have taken on this monumental role throughout the lesser known classic series.

One last thought on the Kennedy assassination and its connection to Doctor Who, because of the shock that many people felt, even in the UK, the Doctor's debut went almost unwatched, but the BBC reran the show a week later to make up for the lack of notice, and thankfully the Doctor would become a cultural phenomenon that continues to this day, 50 years later.


So, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the best stories from each of the 11 Doctors thus far...


FIRST DOCTOR - WILLIAM HARTNELL

It is amazing, to me at least, that although Hartnell is the oldest actor thus far to have tackled the role (though Peter Capaldi who takes over this Christmas is the same age as Hartnell was when he assumed the role), he is the youngest age that we have ever seen the Doctor, and in many ways, he plays the part of the youngest version of our Doctor.

He has a childlike temperament, believes himself to be smarter than anyone else (and, okay, he usually is), and often throws temper-tantrums that are quite like a child's.

My favorite story from his reign is without a doubt The Daleks, which is the second story ever.

The Doctor, his granddaughter, and the first human companions (who at this point where actually kidnap victims, since interestingly enough, the Doctor wasn't the clear cut hero at the beginning that he is today) landed on the planet Skaro where they would meet the Doctor's longest running enemy (and an enemy that will feature prominently in the 50th Anniversary as they are the main adversary of the Time Lords in the Great Time War).

This is where the bonds of friendship really start to form between the Doctor and his human companions, and he learns a little lesson as well, considering that the trouble they find themselves in on Skaro with the Daleks is due to the Doctor lying in order to satisfy his curiosity.

It is a fun story, the Daleks are as menacing as ever in their debut, and this is really the moment that the show becomes what it now regularly is.  This story is also responsible for skyrocketing Doctor Who towards popularity, when prior to this story, there was no guarantee that the show would last much past it.

It also gave us one of the most iconic images in the history of the show.

This was the first appearance of a Dalek and quite an amazing cliff hanger.  I can't imagine having to wait another week after this moment!  Poor Barbara!


SECOND DOCTOR - PATRICK TROUGHTON

Patrick Troughton is probably my favorite Doctor.  He is also the Doctor that has been hit the hardest by the Missing Episodes.

However, recently a couple of his stories have been brought back to life!  Enemy of the World is one of those, and its a great surprise how good that episode is!

Before its return, there was, of course, some interest in the episode since Troughton plays both the Doctor and the villain of the piece.  But most people didn't consider it to be a great story.

There are audios from all of the missing episodes, and due to the fact that directors had photographers take pictures on set of the episodes they directed for their reels (since actual film reels were too cost prohibitive at the time) there are reconstructions with photos and the audio of the episode.

However, there is nothing like actually watching the episode and seeing the expressions on an actor's face.  When we once again had that opportunity for the first time in over 45 years with this episode, many people's estimation of this episode, mine own included, changed.

Troughton's performances are beyond fantastic.  After watching it became my favorite story from my favorite Doctor.

THIRD DOCTOR - JON PERTWEE

The Third Doctor introduced some of the most iconic characters/villians of Doctor Who: the Master, Sarah Jane, Autons, and the Silurians.  UNIT and the Brigadier became main characters as the Doctor became for a time stuck on earth as punishment for his meddling in time.

This is also when Doctor Who became a colour program!

There are many amazing episodes in the Third Doctor's era (which of course can be said for almost all of the Doctors...), but to choose just one, I think I'll go with the first, Spearhead from Space.

This was the first time that we see the first adventure of a new Doctor and a new Companion.  An Unearthly Child had the Doctor and his granddaughter well in the midst of their travels.  Ben and Polly were still around at the beginning of the 2nd Doctor's reign following from their time with the 1st Doctor.  But the 3rd Doctor and Liz Shaw are both introduced to us right at the beginning of Spearhead from Space.  (incidentally, this wouldn't happen again until Rose, with the introduction of the 9th Doctor and new companion Rose Tyler.  The villain in both episodes would be the Autons.  Fun Fact!)

This was a great story to start a new era of Doctor Who.

FOURTH DOCTOR - TOM BAKER

The longest running, and arguably still most popular Doctor, obviously has many great stories to choose from.  Since I'm partial to Sarah Jane, I'm going to pick a story from her time in the TARDIS.  Genesis of the Daleks, a story from Baker's first season as the titular Time Lord, has the Doctor's people send him back to the beginning of the Dalek race in order to destroy them before they become the menace they become to the universe.

Along with Sarah Jane and Harry Sullivan, the Doctor faces his mortal enemies and meets their creator Davros (who would be in every Dalek story the rest of the way in the classic series), and ultimately has to make a decision on rather or not it would be morally right to destroy the Daleks before they begin.  Considering the Time War storyline of NuWho, this is a must watch story for fans of the show.

FIFTH DOCTOR - PETER DAVISON

Fun fact about the Fifth Doctor.  His real life daughter is none other than Georgia Moffett, who plays Jenny, the Doctor's genetically created daughter in the 4th season of New Who episode, The Doctor's Daughter.  She really is the daughter of the Doctor!  Georgia Moffett also would go on in real life to marry David Tennant, the 10th Doctor, so she's simultaneously the daughter of the Doctor and the wife of the Doctor!  Time travel plays strange tricks on the mind.

My favorite 5th Doctor story is probably the Arc of Infinity, which brings back my favorite Doctor Who villain, Omega.  The Time Lord that helped invent Time Travel, Omega got trapped in an anti-matter dimension and occasionally attempts to escape.  The last time that happened, the Time Lords sent three incarnations of the Doctor (the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the 10 year anniversary story The Three Doctors) to try and stop him.

This time, there is only number 5!  Will that be enough to keep Omega from escaping and possibly destroying the universe!?  Well, you can probably guess that yes, the Doctor will win, but it is a fun episode nonetheless!

SIXTH DOCTOR - COLIN BAKER

Without question, my least favorite Doctor, but it isn't really his fault.  The BBC was having some concerns with the program, and Colin Baker's time in the TARDIS shows it.

Interestingly enough, in Arc of Infinity from the 5th Doctor's reign, Colin Baker plays a different Time Lord!  (The recent announcement of Peter Capaldi as the next Doctor, despite playing a different character in a fourth season episode of New Who has some precedence!)

One of the interesting stories from Colin Baker's time is the entire 23rd season, made up of four stories all under the umbrella of The Trial of a Time Lord, wherein the Time Lords put the Doctor on trial for his past and future crimes.  Worth a watch, because even subpar Doctor Who is still better than most television shows!

SEVENTH DOCTOR - SYLVESTER MCCOY

Now known as Radagast the Brown in The Hobbit trilogy, first, he was the Doctor.  And a much darker Doctor than we had previously seen.

In honor of the 50th anniversary, I will highlight the story that kicked off his second season, Remembrance of the Daleks.

This story returned the Doctor to Trotter's Lane, where the whole show kicked off, and even to that fateful day, November 23, 1963.

It references much of the beginning of Doctor Who as well as an artifact that is named after that awesome villain, Omega.

Unfortunately, Doctor Who would end after his 3rd season as the madman with a blue box.

But before it did, McCoy made quite an impression on the fans, and would continue to feature in stories told during the dark years without any Who, making sure that the Time Lord was never far from the consciousness of the people.  This fact would mean that one day, The Doctor would return.


EIGHTH DOCTOR - PAUL MCGANN

The Doctor Who Television Movie marked that return, although it would be another nine years before the Doctor would make his complete return to our television sets.

The movie isn't great, but it is still extremely watchable, and there are clear moments in the movie that set up what has become the basis of the new show.

In the movie, the Doctor kisses a companion for the first time.  The Doctor has kissed every companion since.

Paul McGann doesn't get much time on screen with the role, but he absolutely nails the character in the time he does get.

It is worth watching for McGann's outstanding portrayal of the Doctor if for nothing else.

And if you absolutely fall in love with his portrayal, check out his audio stories as the Doctor on Big Finish.  (And, side note, his companion from the first many of those audios, Charley Pollard, might be one of my all time favorite companions.)



So, as we get ready for the 50th Anniversary special, do your self a favor and check out some of the Doctor's rich and exciting past.

Until Next Time, Reverse the Polarity of the Neutron Flow!

Josh Man

Missing, Believed Wiped, or How I Still Have Some Hope

Perhaps you heard the news.  Perhaps you follow this sort of thing with a close eye.  Perhaps you have no idea what I'm talking about.

Whichever of those fits you, let me assure you that the recent release of episodes of Doctor Who for these two stories (The Enemy of the World and Web of Fear) was big news.

MISSING BELIEVED WIPED

Film is expensive.  In the 1960s and 70s, the BBC had no idea how cherished past episodes of Doctor Who would become.

In fact, episodes were rarely repeated.  The reason for this was in part because actors feared that once studios had enough material, they would simply cycle through it, thereby taking out the hassle of having to pay actors.  Therefore, actors stipulated that use of reruns were limited, meaning studios had to consistently produce new material.  And remember, at the time, home video wasn't even a remote possibility.

Since shows weren't really ever re-aired, there was no thought of selling these episodes to viewers at home to watch at their leisure, and the BBC needed film for new shows they were shooting, many of the original episodes of Doctor Who were wiped in order for the film to be used for a new show.

EPISODE RECOVERY

Originally, 147 episodes were missing/believed wiped.  Thanks to a variety of sources (private collectors, foreign studios, etc.), 50 have been returned

The most recent returns, five episodes of The Enemy of the World (completing that serial) and four episodes of The Web of Fear (leaving only one missing episode from that serial), constitute the largest single recovery to this point, and that's a big deal.

The BBC upon announcing the find then released the episodes on iTunes, allowing people to watch these episodes for the first time in 45 years!

These episodes (and quite a few others) were recovered thanks to the fact that the BBC had sent copies of episodes overseas to other studios.  Tomb of the Cybermen was found in Hong Kong.  These episodes were found in Nigeria.  Other episodes have been found in Australia, Cyprus, New Zealand, and even Canada!

The Rumours

It is certainly very exciting that the largest single haul of all time of missing Doctor Who episodes was found and released in time for the 50th Anniversary of the show.

Some might also say it is a little convenient.

Just before the announcement that the rest of the episodes in Enemy of the World were found and all but one episode of Web of Fear had been recovered, there were many rumors that many (some reports said all, but sadly, that is impossible as the 7th episode from The Dalek's Master Plan, The Feast of Steven, was never copied and distributed, and more than likely neither were many of the other episodes from this serial, although three episodes have turned up, so with the exception of Feast of Steven, there is slight hope where these stories are concerned) episodes were recovered.

With the obviously erroneous reports that 106 (at the time, that was all the missing episodes) episodes had been recovered, there were also persistent rumors that 90+ episodes had been recovered.

The BBC denied the rumors wholeheartedly, claiming that no episodes had been recovered.

We now know, of course, that at least nine were recovered, so there is no doubt that the BBC's denies were to some extent lies.

The most believable rumor (because, let's face it, even the 90+ number is almost certainly false) claimed that three stories had been found, and even named the stories: Marco Polo, Enemy of the World, and Web of Fear, often referred to as the MEW rumor, taking the first letter from each story.  Considering that it turned out that Enemy of the World and Web of Fear actually were recovered, there is some hope that Marco Polo has been recovered as well, but that it is either still being restored, or that the BBC is holding off on announcing it until after the 50th Anniversary in order to extend the celebration.  What would make the finding of the episodes of Marco Polo significant is that it would mean the entire first season of Doctor Who would be available for the first time since 1963-64 when it aired (although two episodes from the final story, Reign of Terror, are missing, but have been animated for a DVD release).  A complete Season 1 Box Set would be sure to follow.  (I guarantee that I, for one, would purchase it, even though I've already seen and own many of the first season episodes, with, of course, the exception of Marco Polo).

Another possibility in regards to found episodes that people have floated is that Phillip Morris, who found and returned the 9 episodes of Enemy of the World and Web of Fear, actually found many more episodes (the episodes of Marco Polo among them perhaps), but is still negotiating their return.

In order to gauge consumer interest in previously missing episodes, two of the stories were released on iTunes.  Looking at the sales of these stories then would allow the BBC to more properly estimate what they should pay Morris in order to recover further missing episodes.

I actually hope that this is the case, because the response of the public to the two stories on iTunes was massive.  They immediately upon release became the top two seasons (as they were released as "seasons") sold on iTunes.  I bought both first thing in the morning after they were released, and I was not alone.

Myself, I think that at least Marco Polo has also been recovered, and perhaps some more episodes (and hopefully complete stories) as well.

Following the 50th Anniversary, we might finally hear of more episodes that we can finally see again (for many of us for the first time).

A particular date to watch for this info is December 21st.  On that date, the British Film Institute is holding it's Missing Believed Wipe event, where they have announced that they are showing an episode of Doctor Who that was long believed missing.  However, they haven't announced which one.  It could easily be one of the nine recovered episodes, but due to those episodes having (by that point) long been available to viewers for purchase, many believe that this episode will be something that no one in the public will have had an opportunity to view as of yet, like perhaps an episode from Marco Polo?

We'll have to wait and see.

Considering that it wasn't that long ago that there were 106 episodes missing, believed wiped, and today there are only 97, we need to celebrate the recent large find, even if no other episodes were actually recovered.

And if further episodes were recovered and are subsequently announced, that will merit a large celebration as well.

And we might as well be patient.  After all, these episodes have been missing for more than 40 years. If they are somehow returned to us, what is waiting a few extra months to find out about it?

Until Next Time, although, with that being said, I really do want to know if there are more episodes about to be announced and when I might be able to see them.  In case you were wondering, I fall into the "follow this sort of thing with a close eye" camp.  If and when there is any news on new episodes recovered, I will let you know!

Is This Thing On?

Hello?


Is this thing on?

Insert feedback noise here

Yeah, it has been awhile, hasn't it.

No, no.  No need to look over at the archives.

I'm aware that it has been over a year.

Sometimes, you just need to get back on the horse.






So, what have you been up to since we last talked?



Since last I was on, I awarded another couple of Josh's Choice For Best New Show of the Season.

Those were awarded to

Once Upon a Time for the 2011-2012 year (narrowly beating out New Girl)

and Arrow for the 2012-2013 year (narrowly beating out Elementary)

This year, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has the early lead, although I'm enjoying Hostages as well, and look forward to marathoning some Blacklist and Sleepy Hollow soon.


Other big news includes the movement of television off of television.

We had the long awaited fourth season of Arrested Development on Netflix (which, in my opinion, was epic), and a couple of shows that have been getting rave reviews.  House of Cards, staring Kevin Spacey damn near won the Emmy this year (haven't seen it yet. I know, I know, it is in my queue).  And I will be shocked if Orange is the New Black doesn't win the Emmy next year.

Orange is the New Black is one of the best first seasons of television I have ever seen.  It is at times laugh out loud funny, unbelievably heartbreaking, and always amazing.  Incredible acting (the star of Orange is the New Black is the same actress who I liked so much in Mercy, which was the subject of a Before Its Time blog post, a show no one but I watched, although more people should have.)



And of course, we are closing in on the 50th Anniversary Special of Doctor Who.  I really needed to get back to Blogging just so I could give that the coverage it deserves!


Other huge Doctor Who news occurred recently with the recovery of nine episodes that were previously missing.

In honor of the 50th Anniversary, I will be doing a few Doctor Who posts over the next few weeks, including a look at a favorite story (or in a few cases seasons/groups of stories) from each Doctor, a post on missing episodes and the hope of more episodes returning to the BBC in the near future, and of course a review of the 50th Anniversary and Adventures in Space and Time after they air.

So, a lot to look forward to in the near future.

Assuming, of course, that school along with my three jobs don't keep from giving this blog the attention it deserves.

The goal, of course, and the point of this post, was to get myself to get back to blogging.

So, if you're interested in keeping me active again here at Fat Train, a comment or two would probably go a long way in keeping me honest!

Until Next Time, I hope this reaches somebody out in the old Interwebs!

TOP TEN OF 2012

Due to matters beyond my control, these are busy, busy times, so this will be shorter than my normal Top Ten posts, but being a completionist, (which spell check informs me isn't a word, but I'm pretty sure it is or at least should be) here is my Top Ten of 2012 in descending order.

10.  WRECK IT RALPH

9.  RISE OF THE GUARDIANS

8. FLIGHT

7. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

6. CLOUD ATLAS

5. LIFE OF PI

4. PROMETHEUS

3. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

2. THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

And my number one movie of 2012...


1. MOONRISE KINGDOM

Until Next Time, see you after the Oscars!

Spoiler Free Review of :"Awake"

I'm feeling a little under the weather, but fear not, the 7th Annual My Thoughts As I Had Them During the Oscars post will be up before the end of the week.

Tonight, however, is the premiere of a new show, Awake, which has a fantastic premise.

Awake airs on NBC at 10/9c and stars Jason Isaacs (in a decidedly different role than that of Lucias Malfoy) as Detective Michael Britten.

The show opens with a horrific automobile accident Britten, his wife, and his son. 

Only two of the three survive the crash.

However, it isn't clear if it was Britten and his wife that survive, losing their son, or Britten and his son who survive, with Britten losing his wife and Rex losing his mother.

You see, every time that Britten goes to sleep, he wakes up in a reality where the other survived.

Those aren't the only differences in the realities either.

Shrinks in both realities maintain that the reality they are in is the true reality and that the other is simply a dream.  Britten acknowledges that most likely they are correct, although he cannot for the life of him tell which is real and which is a dream.

Much like the episode of Doctor Who, Amy's Choice, I'm not sure that there really is a right answer to the question as asked.

That isn't to say that I think that neither reality is real, and both are a dream (although I acknowledge that as a possibility), I think it would be far more interesting if he somehow is living out both possibilities, the possibility where his wife died but his son lived and the possibility where his son died but his wife lived.

It certainly seems as though there is some connection between the two realities that goes deeper than one being a dream and the other being real because the cases that he works (as a detective) in each reality although different have similarities.

Whatever the ultimate truth underlying the show's interesting premise, this promises to be an interesting take on the tired cop drama, much like the recent Life On Mars.

I, for one, thought the premiere was very interesting and well done.

Interesting Fact: As his partner in the reality where his son still lives is Steve Harris from The Practice, as his partner in the reality where his wife still lives is Wilmar Valderrama, better known as Fes on That 70's Show.

Pilot Grade - 93%

Until Next Time, if this show can continue to impress, my rankings in the 8th Annual Josh's Choice For Best New Show of the Season might get a little shaken up!

Top 10 of 2011 and Oscar Preview and Prediction Post

The Oscar Nominations have been announced, we are already many films into 2012, therefore, it is time for my annual look at the top ten films from the previous year!



A list that I've been doing for six years now, so let's start with some links to the past.


In 2005, shortly after starting my blog, I listed my Top 5 films
In 2006, I did my first top ten (also the only time I wussed out and had a tie at the top, although this year I thought about doing it again)
In 2007
In 2008 (I also did a look back at the Top Ten films of 1999)
In 2009 I actually did a Top 20 since the Oscars went to 10 Best Picture Nominees
And last year, 2010

If you are looking for a film you might have missed or just wanting some thoughts on something new to Netflix, maybe these links will give you some ideas.

Now, onto the main attraction.

First, however, some honorable mentions...

Super 8

Abrams has a little too much love of the lens flare for my taste, yet I have to talk about this film, in part, because while it didn't make my Top Ten it does highlight the trend in this year's movies.  (This is something I sometimes notice, for instance, I saw 2007 as a year for Horror)  2011 was the year for Film Nostalgia, and Super 8 kicked it off.

Abrams returns to the film that Spielberg perfected in the 80's, a movie more about the kids than the crazy stuff happening around them.  This captured the feel of a film like ET perfectly, and also happened to be about a bunch of kids who wanted to make movies.  And a movie that was somewhat about movies is something that will show up a few more times in this list.

Green Lantern

There were quite a few comic book movies this past year, and they were all pretty good (Thor, Captain America, and X-Men First class being the others).  While others might disagree, and I recognize that my love of the characters and stories available in the GL Corp might bias me a bit, I thought that Green Lantern was the best of the bunch.

It spent quite a percentage of the year in my Top Ten, although ultimately no Super Hero film made it this year, and while I certainly think that it could have been better (and the extended cut BluRay goes a long way towards fixing any mistakes the film might have made, primarily in pacing) I found myself enthralled throughout.  Ryan Reynolds wasn't my first choice for Hal (I still maintain Nathon Fillion would have been PERFECT), he captured Hal quite well.

I really hope that there is a sequel (partially because Sinestro is such a great villian) because I think this franchise has tons of potential.

Moneyball

I love baseball.  Like religiously.  And so I really liked this movie, but I think that my love (and therefore ridiculous knowledge) of baseball hurt my appreciation for this film a little bit.

I get why people loved it.  The dialogue (as is to be expected from Aaron Sorkin) is perfect.  The acting is fabulous.  The drama is top-notch.

However, some of the behind the scene stuff stuck out to me as being impossible, primarily the way that trades were handled in the film.

There were just too many times where I wasn't able to suspend disbelief, and that ultimately kept it out of my top ten.

JUST MISSING THE TOP TEN

Contagion

What a great film.  Very different from most movies, it moves very slowly and through a lot of stories from a lot of different perspectives, but it never loses momentum or the audiences attention.

Then there is the fact that the movie just gets to you.  If you didn't have at least a little apprehension about germs after seeing this film I think you might actually be a cylon.

My mother refused to touch the sides of the escalator on the way out of the theater and then paused at the door to the street finally decided to use her elbow to open it.  I'm sure that she wasn't the only one with that reaction, and if a film can get you to react that strongly after seeing it, it is doing its job.

Source Code

In my review, I called Source Code "one of the best time travel movies of all time," and it really is.  Unlike a lot of time travel movies, it sets up the rules and follows them, rather than breaking them in order to provide a satisfactory ending (looking at you Deja Vu).

Duncan Jones (who also wrote and directed the incredible Moon) proves himself to be a director to keep a close eye on.  If the end of the year hadn't been filled with some truly fantastic films, this would have unquestionably made the top ten.

AND NOW, THE TOP TEN FILMS OF 2011

10. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Ostensibly a film about the attack on 9/11, this is really a film about a young boy with Asperger's who struggles to find meaning after his father (Tom Hanks) dies in the World Trade Center.  His father sent him on elaborate quests in order to get him to interact with others and overcome the social awkwardness that went with his disease.  A chance discovery seems that there might be one more mystery that will allow him to continue to feel the presence of his now absent father.

It walks the fine line of sappy sentimentality that can bring a film down, avoiding the possibility of becoming too preachy or "Hallmark movie of the week" and instead provides a powerful look into one family's struggle with the events of a tragic morning.

9. Ides of March

A friend of mine actually works on political campaigns for a living, so immediately upon seeing this, I thought of him.  He said it was a pretty accurate take on what can take place on the campaign trail.  It is also a very good and dramatic film.  It keeps you intrigued throughout, and the acting is top notch.  While the attention is going to The Descendents and Drive, I thought that George Clooney's and Ryan Gosling's performances were far better in this film.

8. Tree of Life

A movie about love, life, tragedy, and above all else the relationship of a father and a son.  It isn't a typical film told in a typical style, but it works and it is beyond beautiful.  It switches between a cosmic look at life and an extremely personal take on a boy who is entirely too much like his father, both of them struggling to find their place amidst everything else.  If you go in with an open mind, I find it hard to think that you won't walk away touched.  At the very least, the film will make you think.  And that in itself is entirely too rare these days.

7. The Artist

This is another of the films this year that evokes films of the past.  It is almost entirely silent, and yet even without spoken dialogue there is a fantastic story that will make you laugh and cry.  Carried almost solely by the performances of the actors (and one cute dog) you forget that you are watching a silent, black and white film.  It is at once a chronicle of the changing of the guard in film history, a love story, and a tale of despair with the hope of redemption.  Powerful movie making and certainly not easy to pull off successfully in a time where Michael Bay explosions are the norm rather than strong character and storytelling (although arguably, the dialogue in this film where there hardly is any rivals the dialogue in any Michael Bay film).

6. The Muppets

While not exactly evoking the past in film, it certainly qualifies as nostalgia.  Anyone who grew up watching either The Muppet Show or the subsequent films will find themselves falling in love with the Muppets all over again.  The fact that this isn't sweeping all kinds of awards is criminal.  Thankfully, "Man or Muppet" got nominated for Best Song, but there is a rumor that the Muppets won't be able to perform the song at the Oscars!  I really hope cooler heads prevail and the Muppets get at least that recognition since they deserve so much more.  Immediately after seeing this at the midnight showing, I bought the soundtrack, and I have been listening to it nearly non-stop since (four months later!).  I will be buying this film the second I can and will watch it over and over again, because the world is a better place (and life is a happy song) when the Muppets are around.

5. The Help

While I understand the trouble some people have with this film, noting the fact that the black women had to be saved by a white woman.  But it also does a good job of capturing the reality of this time.  Plus the acting was fantastic and very likely will end up with wins in the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories.


4. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

I loved the book series, and while there are some minor changes, this is a very faithful adaptation.  Of course, if you are familiar with the books, that means that there are some difficult moments in this film.  However, David Fincher handles the difficult material expertly and delivers a very powerful film that is as exciting and mysterious as the source material on which he based the film.  Honestly, my main problem with the Oscars this year is that this movie wasn't nominated for Best Picture.  And while Rooney Mara did get a very deserved nomination, she isn't going to win.  In my opinion, she definitely should as her portrayal of the title character was beyond perfect, and it certainly was not an easy role to play.


3. War Horse

My top three films this year were so close that I almost wussed out and had a three way tie for number one, but I fought through that desire and ultimately put an order to them.  While some of the films this year were obviously homages to film (including a film still to go on my list), I think that this movie fits in, in a way, with those.  It isn't about film, but it certainly hearkens back to films from the past.  It reminds me of a John Ford epic (as an aside, it is interesting that Spielberg made a film meant to evoke the work of another filmmaker the same year that JJ Abrams made a film meant to evoke the work of Spielberg).  It was a positive and powerful film that had more than its share of sentimentality, but as much as forced sentimentality generally annoys me, under the watchful hand of Spielberg it doesn't bother me at all.


2. Hugo

The final film on the list that is an homage to film, Scorsese made a movie about the very beginning of the film industry that is also a mysterious and adventurous tale about a young boy and the search  for a final message from his father.  This, along with Avatar, shows the true potential of digital film and the power of 3D done right.  Scorsese is a master of the medium of film and in this movie he celebrates its past while showing off the possibilities of its future.


and my choice for the Number One Movie of 2011 is....

1. Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen has been making movies for a long time, but it has been quite some time since he has made a film quite this good.  There are quite a few films on this list that can be called nostalgic, and this is yet another one.  Although the history that this film invokes predates movies.  Instead it is nostalgic about the art of storytelling in a more general sense, but it is wholly nostalgic and wholly original just the same.  To close out my top ten, I'll quote from my review after I saw the film this summer...

"If you categorize it as romantic comedy (and I'm not really sure that is the classification I would use, I would rather refuse to try to box it in to any one genre) then it is unquestionably the best romantic comedy I have ever seen."

As for tonight's Oscars, they won't really be that filled with mystery.

The Artist will take home Best Picture

Viola Davis will win Best Actress (although I believe Rooney Mara should)

 Jean Dujardin will probably win Best Actor for his role in the Artist, although George Clooney has an outside shot.

Octavia Spencer will win Best Supporting Actress

Christopher Plummer will most likely win Best Supporting Actor

Michel Hazanavicius will win Best Director for The Artist, although it should go to Woody Allen or Martin Scorsese in my mind

And finally, most importantly,

Man or Muppet will win Best Song and deservedly so.



Until Next Time, check back in the next couple of days for my 7th Annual My Thoughts As I Had Them During the Oscars Post

The Oldest Question in the Universe

My post on the Christmas Special of Doctor Who is still forth coming, but first, something else Doctor Who related that you might find interesting.

Today is my birthday.  Another person who has this birthday is the Madame de Pompadour.

She, in the real world was of course the famous mistress of the king of France in the eighteenth century, but more importantly, she is also the main character in the fantastic episode from Series Two, "The Girl in the Fireplace."

Since we share the same birthday, I commonly spend part of my birthday watching the episode.

This year, however, I noticed something new.

Steven Moffat wrote the episode and now is the head writer of Doctor Who.  We are all aware of how he introduced River Song in the last David Tennant season, a storyline which would play out over the next few Steven Moffat run seasons.

However, far more impressive is the fact that way back in Series 2, David Tennant's first season, Moffat set up the main storyline of Series 7!

SPOILERS IF YOU AREN'T CAUGHT UP

We learned at the end of Series 6 about the Oldest Question in the Universe, a question whose answer could end everything, a question that has been hidden in plain sight from the beginning.

"Doctor Who?"

The identity of the Doctor.

In "The Girl in the Fireplace," written by Moffat way back in Series 2, over five years ago, the Doctor and Madame de Pompadour speak.  The Doctor uses his limited telepathy skills to try and discover what the clockwork robots want with her.  However, while he is in her mind, she looks into his.

"Doctor," she says.  "Doctor who?  It's more than just a secret, isn't it?"

Wow.  Total set up for a story that wouldn't take place for six more years.

That is impressive.

Well done, Mr. Moffat.  I tip my fez to you.  (Fezzes are cool).

Until Next Time, I will spend the rest of my day enjoying my birthday, but soon I will return with my thoughts on this year's fantastic Christmas Special.

Happy Birthday, Doctor

48 Years ago today, BBC introduced the world to an amazing and enduring character, The Doctor.

A man from another planet with the ability to travel both time and space.

The Doctor has shared knowledge with us, protected us, and joined with us as we ran from danger and pain.  (The Doctor could probably be considered a version of a Process Theology God, come to think of it, but that's a post for a different time).

We are now, in year 48, on our 11th incarnation of the Doctor, and while Doctor Who is still very popular in Britain, where the show began, the Doctor's popularity around the world has skyrocketed to new and incredible heights.

For all those that have never seen the show before, Netflix Instant Viewing has Season's (Series) 1-5 of the new series that began in 2005 (after a hiatus that makes the waits we endure through for Fringe, Community, Psych, and others seem like a pittance).

But today, in honor of the birth of the show, I will try to embed the episode that aired that night, 48 years ago.

Happy Birthday, Doctor.  Here's to 48 more...

AN UNEARTHLY CHILD Part One



AN UNEARTHLY CHILD Part Two



AN UNEARTHLY CHILD Part Three

Until Next Time, speaking of Doctor Who, come back soon for a new Simul Blog on the best shows currently on television.

Pilot Reviews and First Look at JCFBNSOTS 8

The pilot reviews are up, if you haven't checked them out yet...

For my review of Up All Night and Free Agents go here...

For my review of Whitney and New Girl go here...

For my review of 2 Broke Girls and How To Be A Gentleman go here...

For my review of Pan Am and Prime Suspect go here...

For my review of Unforgettable and Person of Interest go here...

(My thoughts after Terra Nova, although not a proper Pilot Review, is here...)

The competition actually looks pretty fierce this year after last year was a bit of a disappointment (although the ultimate JCFBNSOTS 7 award winner was unquestionably deserving regardless of the lack of competition.)

First off, all four of the major networks are in the running (some a little more strongly than others)

NBC has a contender in Up All Night, although it is probably towards the rear of the chase right now.

ABC only has one contender with Pan Am, but it is certainly towards the front of the pack.

FOX and CBS each have two strong contenders (New Girl and Terra Nova from FOX and 2 Broke Girls and Person of Interest from CBS).

Right now, I would have to say that Terra Nova, New Girl, Pan Am, and 2 Broke Girls are pulling away from the competition, but it is still early.

Until Next Time, stay tuned as the season progresses for more info on this highly contested race!

Pilot Reviews: Unforgettable and Person of Interest

More Pilot Reviews...

Unforgettable

Ignoring my love of red-heads, this show is actually pretty good.  The main character's perfect memory is a nice twist on the procedural (and a little more original than, for instance, The Mentalist which just copied the concept of the far superior Psych).  The connection to the head detective on a case in the main character's apartment building was a little too coincidental, and the way that the first episode ended was predictable and annoying.  The overall mystery and the set up seem to be capable of turning this into a strong television show, however, and the second episode was much better, in my opinion.

However, this is about pilot reviews, so to that end...

Pilot Grade: 79%

Interesting Fact: While many fans will recognize Poppy Montgomery, the lead female character, from her work on Without a Trace and Dylan Walsh from his work on Nip/Tuck, I'm most excited about the presence of Kevin Rankin, who was Herc on Friday Night Lights.

Person of Interest

Created by Jonathon Nolan, brother of Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Memento, Insomnia, Inception, Prestige), and screen-writer of the films his brother has directed, this is the first foray of the film writer into television, and sadly, I felt like that showed on the screen.

Nolan is a fantastic writer with an unbelievable imagination (after all, Memento, the most intriguing of Christopher Nolan's films at least until Inception came along was all Jonathon), but television is a different animal than the feature film.  Therefore, it might take some time for Jonathon to get the hang of writing effectively for television.

Overall, it just felt a little off to me.  I haven't had a chance to see the 2nd episode yet, but I expect that the show will get better from where it started.  The pacing wasn't great, and the introductions of the characters and the exposition took me out of the episode more than once.  But these are definitely things that well get better with experience.

As for story, I really like the concept, and you can't ask for a better cast: Jim Caviezel who has primarily been a film actor, but did recently star as 6 in the AMC remake of The Prisoner, Taraji Henson, who was Oscar nominated for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and, of course, Michael Emerson, who was one of the best actors (and characters) in LOST.

I have hope for the show, but it did disappoint me a little with the first episode.

Pilot Grade: 81%

Interesting Fact: The show is being executive produced by J.J. Abrams who created some fantastic television shows in his time: Felicity, Alias, LOST, and Fringe among them.

Until Next Time,

For my review of Up All Night and Free Agents go here...

For my review of Whitney and New Girl go here...

For my review of 2 Broke Girls and How To Be A Gentleman go here...

For my review of Pan Am and Prime Suspect go here...

(My thoughts after Terra Nova, although not a proper Pilot Review, is here...)