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Friday, September 28, 2007
Cool Crowd: Smallville
Smallville, Bizarro (S7,EP1)
Is it me, or has Smallville been wading a bit too much in the deep end lately? By deep end, I mean: too large, too much special effects, too off the hook, too too much that the characters are really losing chemistry? Maybe I was just not that into this Bizarro two-parter.
There were good parts. I'll get to those later.
The bad parts? Well, they're not so much bad, but maybe a bit more wayward. These episodes that have focused more on special effects like the last two episodes and Titan (with Kane) and the episode with Helo (I think it was Prototype?) I feel have been written rather badly. The dialogue's off. The pace.. the drama.. they seem off. This show is a true blue WB-stamped teen soap opera. The comic book part of it is supposed to be icing, not the cake. Right now, I feel like they're creating an ice cream cake that's melting... at least when they do these episodes.
Do I love seeing the DC Universe represented? Hell yeah... but when done in true Smallville fashion. I think the Ollie aka the Green Arrow was done well last year. Flash aka Bart and Cyborg were done well also. I hope Kara aka Supergirl will be more grounded than all of this flying around shit.
Anyway, now that all of my venting is out of the way...
Let's recap the direction for the year:
1. Supergirl's going to Lex's newest and biggest obsession. Lex feels some need for redemption so he'll float closer to his human side again. Of course, until something mid season sets up the series finale to properly send off Lex and his relationship with Clark.
2. Chloe's gonna dig deeper into her meteor-freakishness.
3. Lana's still alive. Duh. Lana will return. Duh. Lana will get in between Lex and Clark. Duh. But from spoilers.. nevermind.
4. Where's moms?
5. Where's Lionel? I think Lionel's going full on evil again this season. We can't end the series with Lionel still being psuedo-dad to Clark. Maybe he'll finally atone to Lex and they'll do some crazy father-son Baddie stuff to send off the show.
6. Martian Manhunter is now offically Clark's superhero mentor. Clark's going to be Superman before the show ends. Oh no. More special effects?
7. No more zoners? A lot more Krypton. Goodbye Smallville.
Let's hope this season properly closes loose ends. Just give me the drama that I love, and I'll be happy.
Phonyferous: explanation and Kid Nation
First, an explanation of my terminology on this Livin' Proof thing:
1) Cool Crowd: my regular 1-hour long tv dramas (hence no sitcoms or reality shows)
2) Rush Week: the new shows I am trying out
3) Flixin': reviewing my netflix rentals
and now
4) Phonyferous: my reality shows (when inclined to reflect)
KID NATION, Episode 2
So we have two new solid main players, at least, for this episode: Emilie and Zack. The Four members of the council, sophia, Michael, and Greg are obviously the main players and Jared, the little dude who keeps quoting/misquoting historical figures, as sort of a jester.
This week, the Gold Star really came into play after more people realized what it was about. Greg really tried hard to be a good member of the community because 1) he wanted to the gold star and 2) because he needed that $20K. I thought everything he did was worthy of the gold star. Mike, his bullee in the first episode, called him out for playing only for the gold star. And, he was right. But, really, little dude, if you ain't got money, OF COURSE you'll work harder for it if it's within your grasp. It's not like he was being shady about it. Michael got the gold star and he deserved it as well. Apparently, we'll see Greg lose it a bit next week because of the disrespect.
I think the most controversial part of this episode had to do with the chicken killing. I was caught up in it at first - I don't like seeing living things die. Then, I'm thinking, dude, why are the kids running around watching it. But then, I CHECKed my suburban ass and realized that these types of regular farm-type things happen all the time with kids Greg's age and younger. You live on a farm - you kill livestock. It's part of living. You live in a community where you raise your own food - you kill that animal to get food. Vegetarianism and all that is fine and worthwhile efforts, but food is food. Humans are carnivores by nature and choice. They made their choice. Making decisions on what is food and what is not is really a privileged attitude.
Anyway, I thought it was cool how knowledgeable Greg was with the butchering and how he taught the other kids about how to do it. Obviously, all the kids were brought on for their specific skills/assets and we found his. I thought he got hosed. He was really trying.
The other part about this show that is interesting is how they're simulating class: Upper, Merchant, Cooks, Laborers. Unfortunately, in real life, we can't just play a game and immediately change our stock in society. It's like DL Hughley said in his Unapologetic HBO Special (paraphrased): Black comedians can say whatever we want to say. That's the only real advantage of being a black comedian. But, if you want to say bitch, n__, or ho, we'd be willing to trade that for your power.
I wish I could do process groups with them. Hmm. I hope parents who are watching this with their kids have the insight to discuss these things.... instead of saying that all the "lazy people should be laborers" because we all know that is far from the truth.
GREG GOT HOSED!!!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Cool Crowding: Bones
Bones: The Widow's Son in the Windshield
I've been catching up to Season 2 of Bones since Saturday or Sunday. I'm starting Ep. 9 tonight or tomorrow or Friday, depending on my Tivo time. Anyway, you'd think there would be overkill, but there is most definitely NOT!
Watching the core group: Bones, Booth, Zack, Hodgins, Angela, and Cam at the peak of their snarkiness, sciency-ness, and creativeness is what each episode has to live up to, especially a Season Premiere.
For this Season 3 premiere, we had to look at various things in the eye: Zack leaving, broken chemistry between Bones and Booth, and Hodgins's new look. They all were troublesome in the beginning. I thought they were replacing Zack with an anti-Zack which is all they could really do if the actor really wanted to leave. I didn't know. When I read Bones spoilers on Ask Ausiello (tvguide.com), he mentioned Zack but I wasn't sure if he was just EFFing with us. Then, seeing another new addition to the cast in the face of.. well.. I'm actually not sure what role she plays.. always takes some time.
But anyway, everything that makes this show was all there, plus more. Booth and Bones' relationship is the key to this show - just like they mentioned at the end. They are the center. The center needs to hold or else the whole team (show) falls apart. I'm glad they don't play to heavily on their sexual chemistry TOO much. I think one in-team romance is good enough for now. After all, this show still has to hold up a lot to maintain its "science". I also raised my hands up, while 3/4 lying down, when Zack returned. I love Zack's character. I don't know how long it would've taken to replace him. They sure played us on that. Anyway, I also felt bad for the new dude. Maybe there's space for a newbie?
What I'm also equally excited about is the overarching serial killer/ secret society/ conspiracy theory plotline that obviously will have puzzle pieces throughout the season. I wondered why these forensic, procedurals didn't implement it more and now we have it in a wonderful show.
Woohoo!
Cool Crowding: Heroes
Heroes: Four Months Later
This episode did what the first third of Season 1 did not: made me care. Maybe it's a biased stance since I'm obviously invested in the characters already, but I thought this Season Premiere did a wonderful job of introducing new characters and also introducing the paths and new conflicts our already-favorite Heroes for this upcoming season.
I love the Virus and Plague storyline, though now I'm wondering how true it is. Was it just the bait that Mohinder was concocting to get the attention of The Company? Or, is there really a virus worth looking towards as an overarching problem that the Heroes have to cure (or avoid).
Having Mohinder, Noah, and Matt acting us sort of a brain trust was great as well. I'm glad that Weis aka Matt has something worthwhile to do off the bat - taking care of Molly, being a cop, being part of the new trinity - instead of lollygagging in an irrelevant domestic drama.
Noah pka HRG sizing up and subsequently putting twerp-boss into his place was our clear message that whatever they believe about being "normal", our Heroes will step up to their nature.
I like how The Company drama was built last year, but the season premiere held its own as a reasonable access point for this obvious overarching plot. Actually, all of the continuing arcs work - and immediately they all relate to each other. That was another issue with last year's very segregated and slowly paced piecing together of the story. Are we ready for Mrs. Petrelli to take her own plunge? I think we are. It also looks like Nathan's going to have to save Peter again. On a side note, the reflection that Nathan saw is what I believe to be his last sighting of Peter before the explosion.
Remind me: Why did they need Niki's kid last year? It was his machine manipulation, but what was he manipulating? Please remind me.
Oh. Hiro's Shogun experience is pointless to the story, but I'm sure it'll reconnect somehow. I'm not mad though because: 1) Sark aka David Anders who plays Kensei is a great TV Series character actor. He plays cool, cold, sly, and irreverent within the same breath. I hope he's a regular to the point that they find a way to have Kensei become a citizen of Modern Day Earth. 2) Swordmaker's Daughter is pretty. And fiesty. I like the theory, by a heroesreviewer (yahoo! group: hereosreviews) that the hero-Kensei may in fact be her instead of drunky british boy.
Off to a great start. I can't wait for Kristen Bell.
No scores this for early season episodes. Unraveling sometimes takes away from normal storytelling. It'll give a chance for the dust to settle on the Rushers.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Rush week: Journeyman
(These are the same comments I posted on Tim Goodman's The Bastard Machine blog on sfgate.com):
Well, aside from counting all the post 1996 cars on the road during the first encounter between Dan and Neil (supposedly in 1987), I thought the show was okay. The rules, so far, haven't been set. I hope they are. The show leans more towards the drama end so if their timetravelling rules aren't clearly defined soon I think it'll turn off a lot viewers. When Harvey Livia appeared, I had an immediate "oh no" gut reaction. Those types of things don't go over well. Admittedly, I usually hate time-travel gimmicks since they are rarely done well; usually any rules that are set are broken, but setting any rules is rare enough that most of those stories get convoluted and irritating. (That was the only reason I couldn't fully cheer on Hiro in Heroes. I mean, if he could go back in time, why not just go back 2 seconds before a place Sylar would be and be ready with a gun or a lighter and some lysol. Seriously?!) I don't mind stories that are contrived as long as the execution is high and overall is fun. I don't think Journeyman's that fun yet. My initial reaction was sort of a B to B+.
On a side, Moon Bloodgood is so hot.. wait, that's not what my original comment was supposed to be. After seeing what happened with Day Break last year, you'd think any script that involved two forms of her character on the same space-time plane would go immediately to the burn pile. I guess not.
I'll stick around for a few more weeks. At the moment, I only care about Dan and Livia. I hope it improves.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Problems with the Justice League
From SciFi.com's Sci Fi Wire:
Justice League Goes With Miller
Warner Brothers has announced that George Miller (Happy Feet, Mad Max) will direct the live-action feature film based on DC Comics' Justice League of America, Variety reported. The studio is eager to have the film, due in the summer of 2009, locked down in advance of an anticipated writer's strike in Hollywood.
The group includes all of DC's major superhero characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman and Green Lantern. Some of those characters currently have their own films in the works, complicating the development of Justice League, but the studio is so keen on the script, by Kieran and Michele Mulroney, it has put other projects—such as the next Superman film—on the back burner.
Sources close to the project have told Variety that Christian Bale and Brandon Routh, who played Batman and Superman in recent solo films, will not appear in Justice League. Christopher Nolan, who directed Batman Begins and the upcoming Dark Knight, would prefer that Warners delay Justice League until after he finishes Batman projects in development; Bale has also let his uneasiness about Justice League be known.
The studio considered making Justice League as an animated film, but is determined that it will be an effects-driven, live-action film despite the potential difficulties in casting. "They're working very hard to get it to happen," a source close to the project told Variety. "But there are so many characters, it's complicated."
*****
Question: Would you feel comfortable watching a concurrent project like the Justice League done without the main players (Brandon Routh and Christian Bale) in their iconic roles (Superman and Batman, respectively)?
I think it's really problematic.
Discuss and write me an essay. Grammar and spelling count in your grade.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Weaksauce and other media tidbits from the summer
Superbad: Totally not supervag! Haha. It was good and will definitely hold up on DVD repeats, thought it's not a Tuesday Premiere piece. Maybe it might be. Nah. It'll be $9.99 within 6 months.
Blades of Glory: It is NOT Anchorman on ice. Still good. Not THAT good though. Please, no more lead roles for the Heder kid. He can't act or deliver punchlines. AND Napolean Dynamite's overrated. Yeah, I said it.
The Ex: Zach... what the hell were you thinking!?!?! This movie was sucked. Yes, was sucked. Nothing outstanding... nothing memorable.. completely cookie cutter which is totally not Zach's forte (very unlike Garden State or the Last Kiss). Lots of wasted talent here: Amanda Peet, Amy Poehler, Fred Armisan, and Jason Bateman... and of course Zach. Tsk tsk.
The 4400 Season 1: It's a good, intimate show. I just erased all of S4 on my DVR though and erased it from the schedule. Gotta catch up. Might as well DVD parade it. I'm just holding up needed space on the DVR.
Flash Gordon: It's been hit and miss. Mostly miss. I only really liked one episode. The acting's pretty bad all around. The writing's pretty bad: tacky, corny, unimaginative... and EVERY alien has that irritating, I can not talk in contractions for I am an alien we do not know how to contract words to make our sentence delivery more fluid type dialogue.
The Pick-up Artist: Dude, it's like Zoolander but for real.
Burn Notice: Written well. Acted well. Left on my DVR. I'll get to it though.
Entourage: It is what we thought it is. I'm going to crown its ass. The Season Finale SUCKED though.
Flight of the Conchords: The life of my summer. Ahh. Steve (shaking head and wagging hand).
Hoe-Lee Shplit! It's FALL TV SEASON already!!!!
I'm excited. So excited. That makes me... pathetic. But still, EXCITED!
I got my regulars coming back next week:
How I met Your Mother
Heroes
Bones
Beauty and the Geek
The Office
30 Rock
Smallville
Ghost Hunters
I had to say goodbye to Veronica Mars...
but I get to keep my crush Kristen Bell in my life in two ways:
Gossip Girl: she does the narration just like she did in Vmars.
Heroes: She's joining the Eclipsed crew! Yay! And she might be a BADDIE!!
Other TIVO'd shows:
Big Bang Theory: just to try it out
Journeyman: just to try it out
Reaper: unless it's really bad, it's definitely taking VMars' place (not only in the weekly timeslot).
Pushing Daisies: it's got buzz. Gotta check out the buzz.
Big Shots: I shat on these SHOTS when i read the upfonts, but it has Vartan aka Vaughn and Christopher Titus aka Titus. Might be able to carry some swingers zest to its yuptightiness of its character archetypes.
Bionic Woman: I was gonna trash the DVRing of this until I was reminded that it's Exec Produced by David Eick of BSG fame.
and the surprise...
Kid Nation: it's not as manipulative and explotative as I worried it to be (at least so far..) Because, at least so far.. it's actually really heartwarming. Aww Jimmy.. why'd you gotta leave so soon?!?! JIMMY!! I love how one of the kids told Jimmy, the youngest of the 40, that when he said he was too young to be there that Jimmy was in fact more mature than some of the other kids aka Greg the 15yo potential bully.
Sadly, a guilty pleasure of the show is trying to connect the kids to their harbingers in the Real Worl Road Rules Challenges. At the moment, I'm thinking Mike, leader of Red, is Derek. Michael, the guy who saved the community from a mutiny, is Timmy but I might be just saying that since Timmy left with an equally inspirational farewell speech in last season's Inferno.
I'm thinking Taylor's auditioning to be Tonya or Beth or Susie or.. hmm.
Sophia is Coral: hard working, bossy, successful, and controversial. Gotta rethink that one, but it might stick.
So far, those are our main characters:
Anjay
Taylor
Mike
Taylor
Michael
Greg
Sophia
and JIMMY! Aww Jimmy!
YAY! FALL's HERE!!!!
