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Oct. 10th, 2011 09:19 pmDistracted myself with Fringe S2 this evening - which doesn't scare me for some reason, any more than Contagion did. I think because it's just basically the monster disease of the week. Vamp Diaries, True Blood, and Secret Circle don't bother me either, nor does Supernatural (most of the time, it does on occasion). While American Horror Story, oddly and somewhat ironically did bug me and left me with images I couldn't get out of my head late at night. Writing the review did not help. So does Criminal Minds, and most Serial Killer series. I think it is because I live alone and go to and from work on my own. Psychological horror and "serial killer" style horror bothers me. Gothic or teen angst style, not so much. Doctor Who doesn't scare me at all. Nor did Torchwood. But, I'm avoiding Bedlam. It really doesn't matter how well the story is written, The Ring (American version) was a pretty bad movie, as was the Grudge - but both bugged me and I couldn't get them out of my head. As did Nightmare on Elm Street.
While I like horror, I am watching far too much of it, and the stuff that plays with my head late at night? Best to avoid. It's odd that X-Files always bugged me more than Fringe. It was scarier. Fringe isn't as scarey.
While I like horror, I am watching far too much of it, and the stuff that plays with my head late at night? Best to avoid. It's odd that X-Files always bugged me more than Fringe. It was scarier. Fringe isn't as scarey.
(no subject)
Sep. 26th, 2011 10:13 pmWatching Fringe S2 again, it is markedly better than S1, but still far too many derivative Monster Scientists of the Week. My favorite so far is the cosmonaut who picks up the weird organism which leaves his body like a shadow, and disintegrates people by feeding off the radiation inside them. Creepy episode. That one could give you nightmares. As Astrid comments, "That thing followed him home from the hospital? Now, I'm not going to sleep for a week."
Just watched, one episode that basically combined the O'Henry short story the Ransom of Red Chief with the Twilight Zone episode about the psychotic kid with something out of either Fire Starter or Ender's Game.
( Read more... )
Just watched, one episode that basically combined the O'Henry short story the Ransom of Red Chief with the Twilight Zone episode about the psychotic kid with something out of either Fire Starter or Ender's Game.
( Read more... )
Fringe S1 Review - non-spoilery
Sep. 18th, 2011 07:30 pmJust finished watching Fringe S1 on DVD. Will state the last two episodes were fascinating and the back story/plot I found somewhat innovative far more innovative than the two series people have compared it to - X-Files and Alias.
( The X-Files ain't all that - you might want to skip if you are a fan of the X-files or Alias )
While Fringe does borrow heavily from other shows - I've never seen a tv series play with parallel universes in quite that way. Usually they play with the concept, a la Voyager or the Star Trek tv series, then back off. We don't go that deeply into the science of it, the consequences, and what it means. The parallel universe idea is something that has always fascinated me. Far more so than time-travel. In fact my problem with time-travel - is there is no way you can do it without creating a pocket reality or alternate verse. The quantum physics won't allow it. I'm no physcist, but even I know that. Say you go back and kill Hitler or save President Kennedy? Then you change all the choices made from the point forward. It's like unraveling a knitted scarf and fixing a pattern you did then trying to recreate the patterns you completed and liked after you fix it - impossible. You have a new scarf. Or a story that you've written - you go back in your revisions and delete a few sentences - you have changed your story. I know I do it all the time. In most time travel stories - they deal with this contradiction by either making it impossible to change events, or demonstrating that the change was pre-ordained, ie - so and so was always meant to travel backwards and change this. Back to the Future is amongst the few time travel stories that defied logic and actually did rewrite the future in subtle ways. While hardly realistic, which is why Back to the Future felt more like fantasy than sci-fi to me, it was a fun take, and had the philosophical message that we can change our fate and the fate of others - nothing is written.
Fringe however goes a whole new route - it's not a time travel story, it's a parallel universe tale, much like Buckaroo Banzai - which along with Angel the Series, Torchwood and Doctor Who, is the only thing I've seen that's played with the idea of travel across dimensions. All three, though, haven't gone into as much detail or into as much depth as Fringe.
I can't say Fringe's science is on target, feels a bit off at times, like all tv shows - these are written by people with BA's/MFA's in English Lit, History, and/or Film Studies not physics, after all, assuming they have a degree at all. But they clearly did do some research.
If you want to try Fringe? The first season is spotty. ( lengthy non-spoilery review of Fringe )
( The X-Files ain't all that - you might want to skip if you are a fan of the X-files or Alias )
While Fringe does borrow heavily from other shows - I've never seen a tv series play with parallel universes in quite that way. Usually they play with the concept, a la Voyager or the Star Trek tv series, then back off. We don't go that deeply into the science of it, the consequences, and what it means. The parallel universe idea is something that has always fascinated me. Far more so than time-travel. In fact my problem with time-travel - is there is no way you can do it without creating a pocket reality or alternate verse. The quantum physics won't allow it. I'm no physcist, but even I know that. Say you go back and kill Hitler or save President Kennedy? Then you change all the choices made from the point forward. It's like unraveling a knitted scarf and fixing a pattern you did then trying to recreate the patterns you completed and liked after you fix it - impossible. You have a new scarf. Or a story that you've written - you go back in your revisions and delete a few sentences - you have changed your story. I know I do it all the time. In most time travel stories - they deal with this contradiction by either making it impossible to change events, or demonstrating that the change was pre-ordained, ie - so and so was always meant to travel backwards and change this. Back to the Future is amongst the few time travel stories that defied logic and actually did rewrite the future in subtle ways. While hardly realistic, which is why Back to the Future felt more like fantasy than sci-fi to me, it was a fun take, and had the philosophical message that we can change our fate and the fate of others - nothing is written.
Fringe however goes a whole new route - it's not a time travel story, it's a parallel universe tale, much like Buckaroo Banzai - which along with Angel the Series, Torchwood and Doctor Who, is the only thing I've seen that's played with the idea of travel across dimensions. All three, though, haven't gone into as much detail or into as much depth as Fringe.
I can't say Fringe's science is on target, feels a bit off at times, like all tv shows - these are written by people with BA's/MFA's in English Lit, History, and/or Film Studies not physics, after all, assuming they have a degree at all. But they clearly did do some research.
If you want to try Fringe? The first season is spotty. ( lengthy non-spoilery review of Fringe )
Fringe Review - half-way mark on S1
Sep. 10th, 2011 12:03 amHaving now made it through the first 11 episodes of Fringe - I can safely state that it is not an X-Files clone or anything like it. No aliens. No skeptic/believer dynamic. And the science isn't paranormal and more well innovative and creative.
Also, the puzzle gets more interesting and twisty. With various clues placed throughout. Yet unlike Lost - the writers appear to know the answers and where they are going. It's much tighter written. Also the case of the week fits into the puzzle or is part of the serialized story, which provides a depth to the series lacking in most procedurals.
It's not The Wire, but few shows are. And this series is written faster and has a lot more episodes and is written for a broadcast network whose main goal in life is to sell ad space. So there is a formulaic pressure on the writers of Fringe that the Wire and television series on HBO and Showtime simply do not have. Nor do I suspect do many series on the BBC, which appears to be publically funded? This may explain why series on premium cable (subscriber services) are shorter in length and often tighter in structure.
That said - these characters are complex. John Noble's Walter is one of the most complicated characters I've seen in quite some time. He's a character who I'm guessing has done some horrific things in his past, and cannot remember them. In some respects he reminds me a little of the character Angel spliced with Topher on Dollhouse, except a lot more complicated and far better acted. We, after all, have a character actor with a wealth of experience behind him in this role. He's not pretty, but the lines in his face and his eyes convey multitudes.
( Read more... )
Also, the puzzle gets more interesting and twisty. With various clues placed throughout. Yet unlike Lost - the writers appear to know the answers and where they are going. It's much tighter written. Also the case of the week fits into the puzzle or is part of the serialized story, which provides a depth to the series lacking in most procedurals.
It's not The Wire, but few shows are. And this series is written faster and has a lot more episodes and is written for a broadcast network whose main goal in life is to sell ad space. So there is a formulaic pressure on the writers of Fringe that the Wire and television series on HBO and Showtime simply do not have. Nor do I suspect do many series on the BBC, which appears to be publically funded? This may explain why series on premium cable (subscriber services) are shorter in length and often tighter in structure.
That said - these characters are complex. John Noble's Walter is one of the most complicated characters I've seen in quite some time. He's a character who I'm guessing has done some horrific things in his past, and cannot remember them. In some respects he reminds me a little of the character Angel spliced with Topher on Dollhouse, except a lot more complicated and far better acted. We, after all, have a character actor with a wealth of experience behind him in this role. He's not pretty, but the lines in his face and his eyes convey multitudes.
( Read more... )
(no subject)
Sep. 8th, 2011 08:16 pmThe only problem with Fringe? Is that it can be incredibly gross and hit at things that, well were why I did not watch the X-Files. Although, they do a good job with the gross - unlike Ryan Murphy, they don't feel compelled to show me everything...just suggest it really strongly. In short, they trust the audience to fill in the blanks (which is also like the X-Files). But unlike the X-Files it is also incredibly funny in places. Horror must be funny, otherwise there is no point!
Typical conversation:
( Read more... )
I'm on episode six - we're still in episodic nasty terrorist practice of the week territory. Which is annoying. This episode is The Cure. Has a nice twist, I'll give it that. But still too much like X-Files meets 24 or Alias. That said? More entertaining than anything else at the moment. Also quite funny in places. Plus the characters are slowly growing on me. It really is a bit like watching the Angel, Connor, and Faith show...except Angel is played by John Nobel and is a bit crazy and a genius, Connor is a con-man and in his 30s and a lot better looking than well Connor was, and Faith is blond and an FBI agent. Although I swear Lance Reddick sounds like Lt. Daniels from The Wire but in a really really bad mood all of the time. He might even break a blood vessel. I miss Blair Brown.
This episode does have back story...though. So you have to watch it. Or rather I do. ( Olivia back story )
Remember what I said about back story? Guess what...Blair Brown pops up and we get back-story on Peter, plus future story. ( Peter backstory ) The B plot line is sort of cool.
Typical conversation:
( Read more... )
I'm on episode six - we're still in episodic nasty terrorist practice of the week territory. Which is annoying. This episode is The Cure. Has a nice twist, I'll give it that. But still too much like X-Files meets 24 or Alias. That said? More entertaining than anything else at the moment. Also quite funny in places. Plus the characters are slowly growing on me. It really is a bit like watching the Angel, Connor, and Faith show...except Angel is played by John Nobel and is a bit crazy and a genius, Connor is a con-man and in his 30s and a lot better looking than well Connor was, and Faith is blond and an FBI agent. Although I swear Lance Reddick sounds like Lt. Daniels from The Wire but in a really really bad mood all of the time. He might even break a blood vessel. I miss Blair Brown.
This episode does have back story...though. So you have to watch it. Or rather I do. ( Olivia back story )
Remember what I said about back story? Guess what...Blair Brown pops up and we get back-story on Peter, plus future story. ( Peter backstory ) The B plot line is sort of cool.
True Blood actually rocked tonight.
( spoilers...I tried to talk about it without spoilers, but, nah. )
In other tv news? I finished watching the Pilot and episode two of Fringe - after watching them, decided to add S1 - discs 3 and 4 back to netflix list. Sort of need them. There's a lot of character bits and back story in these episodes, more than there was in The X-Files, actually.
Reminds me a little of Alias - which had a lot of back-story hidden in early episodes. Also, I'm finding that I'm enjoying it more this round than I did when I tried it four years ago, or was that three years ago? So definitely a mood thing. It is, however, very gory in places (gross) and has things that bother me. Such as parasites, metamorphosis, amongst other things. So, I keep putting my hands over my eyes. That said - it suggests, doesn't really show the gore in most cases.
OR I'm getting used to seeing it on other shows and have become woefully desensitized.
( Vague Spoilers for First Two Episodes of S1 Fringe )
Hmmm...if I can change my mind about Fringe, maybe some day I can try Breaking Bad again...when I'm in the right mood. Some tv shows like books and movies, are all about your mood. And as you all know? I'm an incredibly moody watcher and reader.
( spoilers...I tried to talk about it without spoilers, but, nah. )
In other tv news? I finished watching the Pilot and episode two of Fringe - after watching them, decided to add S1 - discs 3 and 4 back to netflix list. Sort of need them. There's a lot of character bits and back story in these episodes, more than there was in The X-Files, actually.
Reminds me a little of Alias - which had a lot of back-story hidden in early episodes. Also, I'm finding that I'm enjoying it more this round than I did when I tried it four years ago, or was that three years ago? So definitely a mood thing. It is, however, very gory in places (gross) and has things that bother me. Such as parasites, metamorphosis, amongst other things. So, I keep putting my hands over my eyes. That said - it suggests, doesn't really show the gore in most cases.
OR I'm getting used to seeing it on other shows and have become woefully desensitized.
( Vague Spoilers for First Two Episodes of S1 Fringe )
Hmmm...if I can change my mind about Fringe, maybe some day I can try Breaking Bad again...when I'm in the right mood. Some tv shows like books and movies, are all about your mood. And as you all know? I'm an incredibly moody watcher and reader.
tv and comics, what else is there?
Dec. 17th, 2008 09:36 pmWell, I've given up on Fringe and deleted all the saved episodes from the old DVR tonight to free up space for stuff that will be taped while I'm away. Taking off from Dec 19th to Dec 27th, weather and airlines permitting. There's a storm coming in on Friday, yes, another one, but I'm thinking I'll be okay.
It's funny - they've cancelled five shows I find interesting enough to watch live, and kept three shows that I merely saved to the DVR and have yet to get to. Granted how long these three will last is up in the air, but still.
(The three are Life, Sancturary and the recently deleted Fringe. This does not include the numerous tv shows I don't even bother with or consider unwatchable - I'm looking at you Private Practice and Knight Rider. Or the one's I found mildly entertaining last year and gave up on this year - Samatha Who, 30 Rock, and The Office - this happens alot with sitcoms, I find them mildly amusing even hilarious for about five or six episodes, and then incredibly repetitive and mildly offensive or just plain dull.)
Don't get me wrong, I'm not that upset about these cancelled shows - nor do I expect I'll miss them that much. Well, maybe Lipstick. Pushing Daisies - I knew wouldn't make it more than a season - let alone two. You can thank the writer's strike for it's extended life or blame it for it's protracted one. Up to you. Personally, knowing what I know about tv and most tv watchers - I'm thinking it's the former.
( Read more... )
In any case - Majority rules, even if the majority's taste leans to really stupid things like Wide World of Wrestling, the Superbowl, American Idol, and Twilight (the book series not the Buffy villain). People suck sometimes, don't they?
Speaking of sucking and Twilight - picked up the new Buffy comic and Angel comic, which I devoured in a matter of two hours, maybe less. The Buffy comic was better than expected, I admittedly went in with low expectations. But, how many times do they have to tell us that Buffy is alone and miserable and hates her current life? And in how many ways? I know. Let's move on now. But it was fun and quirky. Art - horrid. Made me miss Jeanty. Cartoon art - really only looks good in motion. Next issue - looks like it could be interesting or really annoying - good news is that it's being written by Jane Espenson, bad news is...I don't like the character that is making a guest appearance. There's about five characters in the Buffyverse - I'm not that crazy about, which just keep popping up over and over again like cockroaches. The next issue features one of them.
Angel - After the Fall Issue 15.
( spoilers, of course )
At any rate - enjoyable read. Getting late and I'm starting to drift and babble, which I do when I get tired. So signing off for now. Don't know when I'll post again. Tomorrow night if time permits.
Happy Holidays.
It's funny - they've cancelled five shows I find interesting enough to watch live, and kept three shows that I merely saved to the DVR and have yet to get to. Granted how long these three will last is up in the air, but still.
(The three are Life, Sancturary and the recently deleted Fringe. This does not include the numerous tv shows I don't even bother with or consider unwatchable - I'm looking at you Private Practice and Knight Rider. Or the one's I found mildly entertaining last year and gave up on this year - Samatha Who, 30 Rock, and The Office - this happens alot with sitcoms, I find them mildly amusing even hilarious for about five or six episodes, and then incredibly repetitive and mildly offensive or just plain dull.)
Don't get me wrong, I'm not that upset about these cancelled shows - nor do I expect I'll miss them that much. Well, maybe Lipstick. Pushing Daisies - I knew wouldn't make it more than a season - let alone two. You can thank the writer's strike for it's extended life or blame it for it's protracted one. Up to you. Personally, knowing what I know about tv and most tv watchers - I'm thinking it's the former.
( Read more... )
In any case - Majority rules, even if the majority's taste leans to really stupid things like Wide World of Wrestling, the Superbowl, American Idol, and Twilight (the book series not the Buffy villain). People suck sometimes, don't they?
Speaking of sucking and Twilight - picked up the new Buffy comic and Angel comic, which I devoured in a matter of two hours, maybe less. The Buffy comic was better than expected, I admittedly went in with low expectations. But, how many times do they have to tell us that Buffy is alone and miserable and hates her current life? And in how many ways? I know. Let's move on now. But it was fun and quirky. Art - horrid. Made me miss Jeanty. Cartoon art - really only looks good in motion. Next issue - looks like it could be interesting or really annoying - good news is that it's being written by Jane Espenson, bad news is...I don't like the character that is making a guest appearance. There's about five characters in the Buffyverse - I'm not that crazy about, which just keep popping up over and over again like cockroaches. The next issue features one of them.
Angel - After the Fall Issue 15.
( spoilers, of course )
At any rate - enjoyable read. Getting late and I'm starting to drift and babble, which I do when I get tired. So signing off for now. Don't know when I'll post again. Tomorrow night if time permits.
Happy Holidays.
