The Return of Fall Television: Week 3 Picks

Two of the most anticipated new series of the fall season (at least in my household) were Fringe and True Blood. Here are a few initial observations about the first episodes of both…

It would be easy to ~~dismiss~~ describe Fringe as the new X-Files, but I don’t think that is a fair assessment. Watch me get defensive…

I watched all 202 episodes of The X-Files as they unfolded, which I believe justifies my assertions and opinions comparing these two shows.

The lead female character on Fringe (Olivia Dunham) works for the FBI, but that’s where the similarities end. She does not work with an assigned partner, and she kicks far more bad guy ass than Scully ever did in 9 seasons. Dunham spends quality time in a lab and real science is discussed. The paranormal activities that she investigates are not as far-fetched; modern and future technologies are featured and applied, which she explores in depth personally rather than in theory.

Felicity. Alias. Lost.

Some may accuse me of being a J.J. Abrams apologist, but the man simply does not create crap television. I appreciate the meticulous details on Fringe that beautifully convey his original vision, from the unflinching cinematography to the graphical glyph titles. The script was probably my favorite aspect of the episode; the dialogue was paced rather brilliantly and the humor interjected appropriately. And once again, Abrams has selected the right woman to command the small screen and our immediate attention; without a doubt, Anna Torv has joined the talented ranks of Keri Russell, Jennifer Garner and Evangeline Lilly.

The unedited pilot episode of that I watched at Comic-Con in July was almost identical to the one that aired this week, and the second viewing has confirmed my initial declaration that Fringe is must-see TV for me.

For the lingering skeptics, I would encourage you to stick around for a few more episodes and allow the series to both develop its own pace and earn your Season Pass.

I love Alan Ball. American Beauty is one of my top 5 films and Six Feet Under is among my favorite shows of all time. So I’ve been impatiently awaiting the arrival of True Blood.

To be honest, I am in like…not love. Yet. I believe that the series has great potential; that the first episode crammed too many side characters into the hour, not giving us enough time to digest the vampires-as-minority theme and develop a vested interest in the two leads (Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer).

I’m far from a prude, but I have to say that the explicit sex scenes were a bit of a surprise. On more than one occasion during the episode, I found myself saying “wow, dir-ty.” Am I complaining? No. It’s HBO after all, and after enjoying all seasons of Deadwood and The Sopranos, I’m not quite sure why any of the carnal relations on True Blood would shock me.

But have faith, vampire fiends and dedicated fans of the Charlaine Harris novels…after I attended the True Blood panel at Comic-Con, I got the sense that we are in for quite a ride during this first season.

I will be tuning for the duration, as I believe in Alan Ball and am pleasantly surprised by how much I like Paquin in this role. Oh, and I am also very amused by Paquin’s BFF on the show (Rutina Wesley, as Tara); she reminds me of a younger, sassier version of Wanda Sykes.

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* What did you think about either Fringe or True Blood?

From True Blood to Twilight; My Vampire Weekend

Posted by JOpinionated

Books, Film, Television

September 9, 2008

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I’m standing in a windy tunnel
Shouting through the roar
And I’d like to give the information
You’re asking for

But blood makes noise
It’s a ringing in my ear
And I can’t really hear you
In the thickening of fear

[Blood Makes Noise, Suzanne Vega]

Ok, so I am a passenger on the current vampire bandwagon. My journey is inadvertent and coincidental.

After listening to a group of very passionate women at Comic-Con earlier this summer imploring me to read Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight (imagine Beatles/Backstreet Boys level fanaticism during their heyday…but for a book), I finally gave in and bought it. The aim is to finish it by Sunday.

The expectations for the film adaptation appear to be astronomical, and I’m sure that the dedicated masses will both dissect it to pieces and contribute to its monster success at the box office.

And even though I’ve been anxiously awaiting the debut of Alan Ball’s True Blood on HBO, my TiVO is apparently not a fan of bloodsuckers; it has failed to record the premiere episode every single time thus far. Crossing fingers for a successful effort tonight…stay tuned for a review this weekend.

Fall Film Preview 2008

Posted by JOpinionated

Film

September 9, 2008

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Besides Iron Man and Dark Knight, I can’t name two films I’ve really enjoyed this year so far. It’s September; that’s a sad statement.

As the leaves begin to think about changing colors and the air becomes delightfully crisp from now until the holidays (memo to God re: CA…please grace us with that weather sooner than later), I start looking forward to the release of higher quality and Oscar-caliber films.

Here are a few on my must-see list:

AUSTRALIA
Release date: November 26, 2008
Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman. Directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge).

BLINDNESS
Release date: October 3, 2008
Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Gael Garcia Bernal, Danny Glover, Sandra Oh. Directed by Fernando Meirelles (The Constant Gardner).

CHANGELING
Release date: October 31, 2008
Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Amy Ryan. Directed by Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby).

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Release date: December 25, 2008
Cate Blanchett, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton. Directed by David Fincher (Zodiac, Fight Club).

DOUBT
Release date: December 25, 2008
Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Directed by John Patrick Shanley.

THE DUCHESS
Release date: September 2008 tbd
Kiera Knightly, Ralph Fiennes. Directed by Saul Dibb.

MILK
Release date: November 26, 2008
Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna. Directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting).

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Release date: October 2008 tbd
Anne Hathaway, Debra Winger. Directed by Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia).

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Release date: December 26, 2008
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet. Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty).

SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK
Release date: November 2008 tbd
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hope Davis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Michelle Williams. Directed by Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

THE SPIRIT
Release date: December 25, 2008
Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Jaime King, Gabriel Macht, Eva Mendes, Sarah Paulson. Directed by Frank Miller (300, Sin City).

W
Release date: October 17, 2008
Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, Ellen Burstyn, Richard Dreyfuss, Scott Glenn, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright. Directed by Oliver Stone.

Of course there are many other new releases in the coming months which I’d like to see, but not necessarily in the theater.

Which fall & winter movies top your list?

The Hype, The Buzz, The New Series: FRINGE

Posted by JOpinionated

Television

September 8, 2008

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I’m sure you’ve heard of it by now, the new television show created by some guy named J. J. Abrams (Alias, Felicity, Lost).

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to watch an unedited 90 minute version of the Fringe pilot at Comic-Con earlier this summer, and I was captivated instantly.

But don’t just take my word for it (nor the thousands of other opinions everywhere) – watch it when it debuts tomorrow night (September 9) at 8pm on FOX. And then let me know what YOU think.

I highly recommend the following Fringe related sites for your perusing pleasure as well:

Fringe Bloggers

Fringe HQ

Fringe Television

I will probably be writing about this series weekly/frequently, but haven’t decided where yet…

The Great Grow-Out 08: Month 3 Update

Posted by JOpinionated

Jackie, Personal

September 7, 2008

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There are times when I stray from pop culture and touch upon the more personal side. This will be one of those entries.

It’s been some time since I posted an update documenting the growth of my hair for my friend Jackie, and for Locks of Love. As requested, here is the current look:

From faux hawk to Wolverine to floppy awkward to…pre-Beatles/Dorothy Hamill in just under three months? Awesome. But I’m not complaining; I’m honored to grow my hair out for Jackie after she donated her own.

Tomorrow she embarks upon another very challenging journey as she begins treatment for what remains of Turk the Jerk (the tumor). Thoughts, prayers, virtual hugs and every other form of well wishes are directed Jackie’s way.

If any of you are interested in making a donation toward the cure for brain cancer (and all other types), please consider Stand Up To Cancer, an organization which she supports.