ScreenCrave.com » Uncategorized

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 12: Sanctuary – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:41:13 +0000

The band’s back together again! After a season of strife between Nikita, Michael and Alex, they’ve reunited and it feels so good. This week, the former agents kick ass on their home turf, and Sean Pierce is on the receiving end. Plus, Oversight’s panicking and Percy reveals the ace up his sleeve.

Check out our review…

The Players

Director: Steven A. Adelson
Writer: Andrew Colville
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley

Episode Title: “Sanctuary”

Nikita, Alex and Michael return to Birkhoff’s hideout. Sean goes on a solo mission to assassinate Nikita but gets caught and captured. Oversight decides to activate a “clean sweep” of Division, which would kill all employees including Amanda. Percy finally shows his hand and is one step closer to freedom.

The Good:

Together Again: Were we the only ones who smiled when the gang reunited? When Michael walked into the room, and Alex, Birkhoff and Nikita were there, it was a beautiful sight. And the sappy music they played in the background was an added bonus.
Sean/Alex: Earlier in the season, Sean made it pretty clear that he was using Alex’s emotions against her. But it looks like he genuinely cares for her. If he’s telling the truth, and actually trying to protect Alex, we can get behind their relationship. P.S. any episode that features Sean half-naked gets automatic bonus points.
Bickering Exes: What?! Amanda and Percy had a thing? The revealing exchange between these two was fire. Amanda clearly cares for him as more than a colleague but he’s not interested. Percy dished out some cold lines. He told her she was never his equal and was incapable of love. It was the first time Amanda ever looked hurt.
The Stakes: This episode was extremely tense. The stakes were too high for everybody. The last five minutes were insane. Amanda was about to inject Percy with a coma-inducing cocktail, the Guardians were holding Oversight hostage and Sean, Nikita and the rest of the gang were listening in horror.

The Bad:

Sean’s Lead: Who gave Sean the intel regarding Nikita’s whereabouts? When his mother asked if he was following Alex’s tracker he said, no. He’d got a solid lead. Who could have spilled the beans?

Overall:

This was a great episode. The second season of “Nikita” is proving to be stronger than the first. The drama continues to mount with each episode and we’re only halfway through the season. “Sanctuary” had all the makings of a finale episode. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Rating: 9.5/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode of Nikita?

Parks And Recreation: Season 4 Episode 10: The Comeback Kid – TV Review

Jeffrey Hyatt — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:27:19 +0000

New year, same great comedy from “Parks and Recreation“. After a sizzling first half of season 4, the ‘Parks and Rec’ story picks up where we left off – Leslie getting back into the race for city council and bringing her friends along for the ride! The first new episode of 2012 doesn’t disappoint, setting the stage for plenty of laughs along the Leslie Knope campaign trail.

Check below for the complete review…

The Players:

Director: Mike Scully
Writers: Tucker Gates
Cast: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Adam Scott, Aziz Ansari, Jim O’Heir, Retta, Aubrey Plaza, Rob Lowe, and Chris Pratt

Episode: “The Comeback Kid”

Leslie enlists everyone in staging an attention-getting event, while Ben explores new hobbies.

The Good:

Ben: Totally loving laid-back Ben. Even if it looks as though his unshaven, just kickin’-it style will last just one episode, it was fun while it lasted. I could totally get down with more Calzone cooking, claymation making and alt.-rock band t-shirt-wearing Ben. Adam Scott was plain awesome in the episode.

“Letters To Cleo“: Ben was wearing a Letters To Cleo shirt. That made my episode right there. No better time to pop on Aurora Gory Alice for some classic, early ’90s alt. rock.

Ann: Sometimes sweet Ann gets lost in an episode, so it was nice to see her log some lead time helping Leslie get her campaign re-boot off the ground.

Ron: Ron Swanson’s back and forth with the cop about various traffic laws was brief, but no less funny.

Chris and the Herb Smoothie: Not a bad name for a band. But seriously, it was a highlight watching Chris trying to help Ben – clearly showing signs of depression – what with the fast-food Calzones and unkempt hair. Still, nothing wrong with Ben’s idea for the Low Cal Calzone – Zone.

Ice Rally: The finale was great, loaded with brilliant physical comedy from the ensemble and many laughs. The red carpet fiasco was a personal highlight. As was the non-dunk.

Tom: Tom was mostly in the background, but his breakdown on the importance of red carpet was a-plus.

The Bad (but not that bad):

Andy and April’s New Three Legged Dog: Whatever. It was kind of funny. I guess Champion should stick around.

Ben, Campaign Manager: We all knew he’d get on the Leslie campaign train sooner or later. I really want more hipster Ben and his stop motion film work and being all jobless, but his return to being well-groomed and sans cool t-shirts was inevitable.

Overall:

Hiatus complete and ‘Parks’ returns with a booming triple to left field. It was a very good, very funny episode. It’s all about Leslie’s campaign now, and “The Comeback Kid” sets the table nicely for the remainder of the season. Paul Rudd will be showing up soon as Leslie’s political opponent, so that should provide a nice jolt to a show that doesn’t even need a jolt of any kind.

I am anxious to see if every episode will be campaign-themed related, but I figure that wouldn’t happen. That might get old real fast. But with all the main characters working on Leslie’s bid for public office, the campaign narrative will always be a major detail.

And again, whoever dropped the Letters To Cleo t-shirt into the mix should get numerous pats on the back today.

Rating: 9/10

“Parks and Recreation” airs on NBC at 8:30 pm (ET/PT) on Thursday nights.

What did you think of last night’s episode?

The Office: Season 8 Episode 11: Trivia – TV Review

Jeffrey Hyatt — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:09:59 +0000

The eighth season of “The Office” – the first without Steve Carell and his Michael Scott character – has been underwhelming thus far. There have been laughs and strong ensemble work, but the whole thing has been ‘off,’ for lack of a better description. With the holidays behind us, the comedy is back with new episodes, the first being “Trivia,” which gets the second half of the season off to a pretty good start.

Check below for the complete review…

The Players:

Director: B.J Novak
Writers: Steve Heley
Cast: Rainn Wilson, James Spader, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Creed Bratton, Mindy Kaling, Ellie Kemper, Angela Kinsey, Paul Lieberstein, Oscar Nuñez, Craig Robinson, Phyllis Smith

Episode: “Trivia”

Andy needs to improve sales, so it’s off to a Philadelphia trivia contest to win the prize money. Meanwhile, Dwight is off to a job interview in Florida.

The Good:

“Dwight”: I felt the ‘Dwight to Sabre headquarters in Florida for job interview’ story line was first-rate, with Rainn Wilson showing why he is so talented and a joy to watch – on the “The Office” and elsewhere. Dwight’s scenes with Gabe were funny, plenty of quality back and forth between the two. Gabe describing his value to the company due to his toilet-like skill was hilarious. And whoever the secretary is – I like her. She is funny.

“Trivia”: This is part one, the positive take. Part two below is how I did not like this story line. But it did provide laughs via Kevin and the Einsteins team. I like to think everyone on the planet watching knew what would happen, with the kooky team of Kevin, Meredith, Kelly and Erin winning it all in the end. So yeah, there were laughs, but it dragged on. And I felt Jim was under-utilized!

Oreo Cookie: Even if everything else about the episode were to suck, Robert California’s line that they haven’t ‘improved on the Oreo’ while serving a plate of Oreos to Dwight would be quite enough. It was just that funny. And who knew Robert liked to wrestle? We have so much to learn about this man.

The Bad (but not that bad):

Trivia: As I mentioned above, it wasn’t hard to see where the story line was headed. That everything played out in a gay bar because the office crew followed Oscar to his trivia game in Philadelphia didn’t really add much where comedy is concerned.

Cold Open: It didn’t work for me. They have had some good cold opens this season, but this one was more annoying than anything else.

Overall:

Like many of the previous 10 episodes in season eight, it was up and down. Yes, there were some laughs and the cast is going to give you quality work even when the writing is so-so. But no sparks, in my opinion. I did enjoy Dwight’s trip to Florida and his interaction with Gabe and Robert. That worked. I could have had more of that and less of almost the whole office staff locked in a trivia battle in a gay bar in Philadelphia.

So I did laugh. And that’s always a good thing if you are committed to watching a TV comedy. But fans of “The Office” have expectations, and this season has been a struggle across the board to meet those expectations – from the realistic to the ‘hey, why can’t it just be like season two?! Please… we need to go back!’

It’s nice to have “The Office” back, and I remain optimistic the remainder of season 8 is going to provide many laughs and many good episodes.

Rating: 7/10

“The Office” airs on NBC at 9pm (ET/PT) on Thursday nights.

What did you think of last night’s episode?

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 11: Pale Fire – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:46:21 +0000

They’re baaack! Nikita and company have returned from their holiday hiatus. The last time we saw the group, Nikita was going after Ari, while Michael and Owen were tackling the Guardians. Meanwhile, Alex went rogue in Russia and discovered a long lost relative — her mother!

There’s so much drama in the air, so let’s get to it…

The Players

Director: Deran Sarafian
Writer: Kristen Reidel
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Devon Sawa

Episode Title: “Pale Fire”

Nikita travels to Russia to get Ari’s black box but ends up running into Alex. The former partners join forces in an attempt to rescue Alex’s mom Katya. Michael and Owen are busy tracking the Guardians and eager to uncover Percy’s plan. Speaking of Percy, Amanda throws Ryan into his cell hoping he’ll obtain information she can use to topple Oversight.

The Good:

Team Players: This week’s episode was all about team work. Nikita and Alex were together again, Michael and Owen were hitting the streets, and even Percy and Ryan had some couple time.
Katya’s Out of It: Alex’s mom isn’t as innocent as she looks. Semak isn’t her captor, he’s her lover and they’ve been together for years. If that wasn’t gross enough, she’s been brainwashed to believe that Alex is “sick” and has been turned by the Americans. She’s also hopped up on prescription drugs, which Semak encourages her to take.
Shoot’em Up: Once Nikita realized that Katya was a lost cause, she still tried to break her to out. Unfortunately, Katya called for help and Nikita was surrounded by soldiers. Luckily, Alex showed up and they managed to escaped in a blaze of glory.
Ryan’s Alive: Ryan didn’t do much this week, but we were happy to see his face. Him and Owen are valuable assets to Nikita’s team. Even though he spent most of the episode holed up with Percy, his still in the loop.

The Bad:

Group Behind the Group: How many rogue agencies are there? First Division, then Oversight, and now there’s someone else? Percy told Ryan that Oversight was irrelevant and there’s always a group behind the group. It’s getting hard to keep up.

Overall:

“Pale Fire” was an episode filled with revelations and reunions. And judging from next week’s promo, the old band’s getting back together. Nikita, Michael, Birkhoff, and Alex are about to kick ass and take names. We can’t wait!

Rating: 9/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW.

What did you think of Nikita’s big return episode?

Parks And Recreation: Season 4 Episode 9: Citizen Knope – TV Review

Jeffrey Hyatt — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:34:18 +0000

There was bound to be a minor – very minor – letdown on “Parks and Recreation” after last week’s A+ episode. But “Citizen Cope” still scores high marks across the board, allowing the world to get an up-close look at Leslie Knope, Private Citizen. There is also a pretty good twist at the end.

Check below for the complete review…

The Players:

Director: Dean Holland
Writers: Dave King
Cast: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Adam Scott, Aziz Ansari, Jim O’Heir, Retta, Aubrey Plaza, Rob Lowe, and Chris Pratt

Episode: “Citizen Knope”

Unable to get work done from inside the Parks Department, Leslie forms a citizen action group and fights from the outside…

The Good:

Jean-Ralphio: His end of the episode, hired-and-quickly-fired routine at the accounting office was superb. 5-stars!

“Call me Dennis Feinstein“: Always great to see Jason Mantzoukas in action. His scene with Ben was short, but no less awesome. I love his work on “The League” as Rafi.

Swagger Coach: If you are running for office you need to look good. You need to show style. And who better than Tom to handle all of Leslie’s swagger?

Ron: Ron Swanson can accomplish just about anything, but the list does not include gluing graham crackers together.

Spaghetti: Andy and April waiting in the closet to jump on Leslie’s uneaten pasta that Ben had prepared was great. It’s those types of little moments that makes the show so likable. I still think it’s hilarious that Ben lives with Andy and April.

Ben: I really liked his sub-plot in the episode. The accounting job interview was funny, as was his bumping into Jean-Ralphio and the dinner scene with Leslie – and later April and Andy devouring the uneaten spaghetti. I’m interested to see what happens with Ben, especially now that Leslie is moving ahead with her campaign for City Council. Does he have a spot on the team, or is he the supportive boyfriend who is ready to search for career happiness? I reckon one can be both, but I have a feeling changes are forthcoming for Ben.

The Bad (but not that bad):

PCP: I found Leslie’s ‘charge of the light brigade’ style intensity to her private citizen’s revolt a touch annoying – even though the story line was not lacking for humor. It’s nice to see how quickly a citizens group can pull together cool, team t-shirts. But no detail is left unchecked with Leslie Knope leading the way. Her brief scene with Chris was very funny, so all was not lost.

Overall:

The show is definitely taking an interesting turn heading into the second half of season 4 – yet one that should continue to deliver plenty of laughs. Dumped by her campaign advisers, Leslie’s dreams of the City Council are no more. Until! Until her office co-workers/friends tell her they will help run her campaign for City Council. I must admit – I was genuinely surprised by the ‘twist’ at the end of “Citizen Knope.” I thought the campaign storyline had been shelved once Leslie’s polling numbers bottomed out at one percent.

It’s not that the show necessarily needed something to keep the engines burning, but this certainly will shake things up. And yeah, April in charge of Youth Outreach sounds about right.

I’m not sure if the writers should have Leslie win in the end, or come up with a way where after milking all the campaign hi-jinks they can, Leslie fails in her quest for City Council and is back at the parks and rec dept. Either way, the campaign taking over a large portion of the weekly story lines should be fun to watch. It also hopefully opens up more opportunity for the top-shelf supporting cast.

“Citizen Knope” had all the usual funny dialogue and memorable moments you’d expect, but most importantly it set the table for what’s to come the rest of the season.

Rating: 9/10

“Parks and Recreation” airs on NBC at 8:30 pm (ET/PT) on Thursday nights.

What did you think of last night’s episode?

The Office: Season 8 Episode 10: Christmas Wishes – TV Review

Jeffrey Hyatt — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:31:39 +0000

It’s that time again for another installment of the big holiday party at “The Office“, a time-honored theme that has produced lots of laughs for the series over the years. The first post-Michael Scott holiday party was just as goofy and funny as previous holiday-themed episodes. Perhaps not as legendary as “A Benihana Christmas” from season three, but still darn entertaining.

Check below for the complete review…

The Players:

Director: Ed Helms
Writers: Mindy Kaling
Cast: Rainn Wilson, James Spader, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Creed Bratton, Mindy Kaling, Ellie Kemper, Angela Kinsey, Paul Lieberstein, Oscar Nuñez, Craig Robinson, Phyllis Smith

Episode: “Christmas Wishes”

Andy tries to make this year’s Christmas the best ever by granting each person’s holiday wishes – and we finally get to meet the girlfriend. Meanwhile, Robert California tries to drown his sorrows at the office party, as does Erin, who is bummed out by Andy and his girlfriend.

The Good:

“Jessica”: We finally get to meet Andy’s super-serious girlfriend, Jessica, who is attractive and smart and dresses nice. Not sure if we’ll ever see her again, but I do not get the impression she and Andy are having passionately love-making. I know Andy was preoccupied with drunk Erin, but sparks between he and Jessica? I say not so much.

“Speaking of Drunk Erin….”: Ellie Kemper was on her A-game as the drunk and jealous Erin. Her dancing was funny, her doing shots was funny, her interaction with Jessica and Andy was funny, and overall she was the star of the episode. I also thought Andy had a good showing. I have been tough on him lately, but I thought it might have been Andy’s best episode thus far in season eight.

‘My ex is meeting my sex’: Andy’s succinct description of Jessica meeting Erin for the first time is so damn funny. And I must admit I had never heard such a line before.

R. California: Bummed out and on no sex for 10 days Robert California is just as funny as ever! And toss in large amounts of booze to dull the pain and it’s a really good time. We find out Robert is thrice married and now almost thrice divorced, so cocktails are indeed in order. I found his moments with Erin at the end were played rather nicely. It felt real.

Mean Kelly: Wow – that was fast and brutal. She destroys Jessica with only a question.

Xmas Jams: Dwight brings the noise and rocks out to some powerful, Christmas music. That was great, plus the gifts montage around the office was well-done.

‘Shut Your Drunk Hole’: Andy said this to Meredith, and it was awesome!

The Bad (but not that bad):

Jim-Dwight: Both characters I love, but I wasn’t jazzed with their storyline at all. However, Jim wearing a Santa hat and sipping a glass of whiskey at the end was fantastic.

Darryl-Val: There’s a chance I am being too harsh, but I just didn’t care about Darryl’s play for Val. I do like how she shows up over-dressed, and I like even more Darryl throwing on a tux to make her feel better, but I just am not feeling the storyline.

Overall:

It might have been slow in spots, but overall “Christmas Wishes” produced a jolly good time, courtesy a strong script – Mindy Kaling nabbed the ‘written by’ credit – and a fine showing by the ensemble. Oh, and Ed Helms directed. Kevin and Oscar has me laughing out loud, and the Stanley-does-Lewis-Black cold open was terrific.

If you think of the best holiday party episodes in ‘Office’ history – “Christmas Party” from season two, and the above-mentioned “A Benihana Christmas” from season three are my personal favorites – the season eight offering was not that far behind in terms of laughs. It lacked here and there, but the tension between Erin and Andy, plus the funny dialogue coming from Kevin and Oscar and Dwight really propelled the episode.

“Christmas Wishes” is a fine addition to list of holiday episodes of “The Office.”

Rating: 8/10

“The Office” airs on NBC at 9pm (ET/PT) on Thursday nights.

What did you think of last night’s episode?

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 10: Guardians – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:55:28 +0000

He’s back! This week, Devon Sawa returns to “Nikita” as Owen, the Guardian gone rogue. Whenever he and Nikita work together sparks fly, and this episode was no exception. There’s plenty of drama, action, and lots of sexual tension pulsating through the screen. Be warned, it’s about to get hot in here!

Check out our review…

The Players

Director: Dwight H. Little
Writer: Albert Kim
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Devon Sawa

Episode Title: “Guardians”

Nikita heads to Europe to find Owen and recover a black box. But she discovers he’s been working with Gogol and decides to use their connection to her advantage. The duo closes in on the box’s assigned Guardian but run into trouble. Nikita’s arrested by local police and Owen’s betrayed by Gogol (no surprise there). Meanwhile, Alex sneaks into Semak’s home ready to kill, but comes across a ghost from her past.

The Good:

Owen’s Back!: Owen has returned after a long hiatus and his feelings for Nikita were on full display. In earlier reviews, we’ve wondered if a love triangle was on the horizon and all signs point to YES! Owen’s a lot more open with his flirtation (the breakfast scene: “I’d forgotten how bossy you can be. And well, I kind of missed that.”), but he stills respects Nikita and Michael’s relationship. You can tell that he cares for her, because he’s willing to put his feelings aside for her happiness.
Michael’s Entrance: Speaking of Michael, he really knows how to make an entrance doesn’t he? He was M.I.A. most of the episode and shows up in the final 12 minutes in the most baddass way. Nikita and Owen were on the verge of death, when Michael pulled up and started unloading rounds like Neo in The Matrix. He even had the long, black coat to match!
Mama?: Who didn’t see that soap opera ending coming? Thanks to Percy’s prophetic voice over, Alex (and the audience) learned that her parents weren’t really dead. Well, at least her mother isn’t. Alex stumbled upon her in a bedroom, and the poor girl was completely shocked. Interesting side note: Sarah Clarke, who plays Alex’s mom, is the real-life wife of Xander Berkeley (Percy). He really is involved in everything!

The Bad:

No Birkhoff: We know Birkhoff is at home licking is wounds but he was missed this week. The covert missions just aren’t the same without his witty lines and quips. We miss our “nerd.”

Overall:

This week’s episode of “Nikita” was all about chemistry. Nikita, Owen, and even the brief moments with Michael were amazing. The actors gel well and there was enough sexual tension to set Alex’s old house ablaze!

Rating: 8/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode of “Nikita?”

Parks And Recreation: Season 4 Episode 8: The Trial of Leslie Knope – TV Review

Jeffrey Hyatt — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:59:16 +0000

A strong blend of humor and tenderness propels the latest episode of “Parks and Recreation”, which puts Leslie and Ben’s relationship in the spotlight – of an ethics trial! Even in small doses the cast shines in “The Trial of Leslie Knope,” an episode that maintains one central story line, but succeeds mightily throughout.

Check below for the complete review…

The Players:

Director: Dean Holland
Writers: Dan Goor, Michael Schur
Cast: Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Adam Scott, Aziz Ansari, Jim O’Heir, Retta, Aubrey Plaza, Rob Lowe, and Chris Pratt

Episode: “The Trial of Leslie Knope”

Leslie’s ethics trial pits her against Chris, and forces Ben to make a major admission.

The Good:

Chris/Leslie: It was definitely a Leslie/Chris kind of episode, even though the entire cast was utilized in the only story of the episode – the ethics trial. Whether it was Ron or Andy or Tom or Jerry, everyone was top shelf, even if their air time was minor. Even Tammy 2 dropped by the courtroom to take part in the show’s homage to “Law & Order.”

Cold Open: One of the better openers of the season – maybe ever! You get Ron Swanson using phrases like, “Don’t sass me,” and responding swiftly to the horrors of Google Earth – that is going to be good any old time.

Chris: I’m a big Chris Traeger fan, so the episode delighted me because I thought Rob Lowe did strong work. The herbal remedies in the courtroom were awesome! Just his overall reaction to what is an uncomfortable situation was funny – the man taps into so much joy to cover his misery. And jumping jacks also help.

Gary/Jerry: This was at the end, but it was hilarious. We have learned so much about Jerry (sexy daughter!), but the name – the real name – is classic.

Leslie: Poehler had a great episode and delivered some fine dialogue. Also, I want to know what Leslie listens to on her iPod to get pumped up for an ethics trial.

Tom: The Tom Ford/House of Gucci line was great. It was nice to dial down Tom and his kooky antics for an episode, but I am already eager for more hi-jinks in his post-Entertainment 720 life and times.

The End: The final scenes with Ben, Leslie and the flashbacks with Chris to close the episode are as good as it gets for tenderness and sweetness and whatever other ‘ness’ type words you want to toss in. Who the hell knows what happens next, but the episode closed on a pure high note.

The Bad (but not that bad):

Leslie/Ben: I have made it known my annoyance at times with the Ben and Leslie narrative. And here we have an entire episode dedicated to such things! So, I am faced with an episode that hit all the right notes, and yet the subject matter irritates me. But the end scene – too good not to love even if the relationship was making me ill! Ill!

Overall:

First rate episode wraps up the Leslie-Ben story just about perfectly – although a new path for the cute twosome has begun. The entire cast pitches in on the only story line of the night, and there were definitely some lines of dialogue that are keepers.

The episode ramped up the sweetness but made sure the courtroom antics supplied plenty of laughs.

When the cold open and the tag scene are also both kick-ass funny, along with an entire episode of hilarity, you know you have a TV show that is doing something special.

Rating: 9/10

“Parks and Recreation” airs on NBC at 8:30 pm (ET/PT) on Thursday nights.

What did you think of last night’s episode?

Sundance Film Festival 2012 Announces Spotlight, Midnight, Next and New Frontier Films

Mali Elfman — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:21:30 +0000

And now the more cutting edge side of 2012 Sundance Film Festival with it’s line-up for their Spotlight Films, Park City at Midnight, <=Next=>, and New Frontier films! All of the films sans a couple of the New Frontier films will be world premieres of some of the best, most inventive and (likely) insane films from around the globe. If you’re looking for the best of avant-garde filmmaking, horror films, foreign films, and overall, things you don’t see everyday in theaters, then look to further and check out the impressive line-up below…

Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said about the following films, “In many ways, the extremes of the Festival’s program are most readily apparent in our out-of-competition sections, which showcase the wildest comedies, the most terrifying horror films and uncompromised visions from singular voices springing up from around the country and the world. We hope audiences experiment with their film selections to an equal degree as these filmmakers have experimented with their storytelling.”

SPOTLIGHT

Regardless of where these films have played throughout the world, the Spotlight program is a tribute to the cinema we love.

Corpo Celeste / Italy (Director and screenwriter: Alice Rohrwacher) — After moving back to southern Italy with her mother and older sister, 13-year-old Marta struggles to find her place, restlessly testing the boundaries of an unfamiliar city and the catechism of the Catholic church. Cast: Yle Vianello, Salvatore Cantalupo, Anita Caprioli, Renato Carpentiere.
Declaration Of War / Belgium (Director: Valérie Donzelli, Screenwriters: Jérémie Elkaïm, Valérie Donzelli) — A young couple embark upon a painful, enlightening journey when they discover that their newborn child is very ill. Cast: Valérie Donzelli, Jérémie Elkaïm, César Desseix. North American Premiere
Elena / Russia (Director: Andrei Zvyagintsev, Screenwriter: Oleg Negin) — A meditative, modern-noir tale about an older woman, Elena, who marries the wealthy business man for whom she worked and, when his health fails, is forced to deal with his estranged daughter who threatens her inheritance. Cast: Andrey Smirnov, Nadezhda Markina, Elena Lyadova, Alexey Rozin.
Monsieur Lazhar / Canada (Director and screenwriter: Philippe Falardeau) — An elegant reflection on loss and death focused on an Algerian immigrant teacher who brings emotional stability to a Montreal middle school class shaken by the suicide of their well-liked teacher. Cast: Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron, Danielle Proulx, Brigitte Poupart.
The Orator (O le Tulafale) / New Zealand (Director and screenwriter: Tusi Tamasese) — A Samoan villager must defend his land and family when they are threatened by powerful adversaries. Cast: Fa’afiaula Sagote, Tausili Pushparaj, Salamasina Mataia, Ioata Tanielu.
The Raid / Indonesia (Director and screenwriter: Gareth Evans) — All hell breaks loose when an elite SWAT team, given orders to raid a run-down Jakarta apartment building that houses the city’s most notorious crime boss, is forced to fight their way to freedom or die trying. Cast: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Joe Taslim, Doni Alamsyah. U.S. Premiere
Where Do We Go Now? / France, Lebanon, Italy, Egypt (Director: Nadine Labaki, Screenwriters: Nadine Labaki, Jihad Hojeily, Rodney Al Haddad, with the collaboration of Thomas Bidegain) — A group of Lebanese women try to ease religious tensions between Christians and Muslims in their village. Cast: Claude Baz Moussawbaa, Layla Hakim, Nadine Labaki, Yvonne Maalouf, Antoinette Noufaily. U.S. Premiere
Wuthering Heights / United Kingdom (Director: Andrea Arnold, Screenwriters: Andrea Arnold, Olivia Hetreed) — A freshly conceived retelling of Emily Bronte’s classic novel about Heathcliff and Cathy, two teenagers whose passionate love for each other creates a storm of vengeance. Cast: Kaya Scodelario, James Howson, Solomon Glave, Shannon Beer, Steve Evets. U.S. Premiere
Your Sister’s Sister / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Lynn Shelton) — While still mourning the recent death of his brother, a bereft and confused man finds love and direction in a most unexpected place. Cast: Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mark Duplass. U.S. Premiere

PARK CITY AT MIDNIGHT

From horror flicks to comedies to works that defy any genre, these unruly films will keep you edge-seated and wide awake. Each is a world premiere.

Black Rock / U.S.A. (Director: Katie Aselton, Screenwriter: Mark Duplass) — Three childhood friends set aside their personal issues and reunite for a girls’ weekend on a remote island off the coast of Maine. One wrong move turns their weekend getaway into a deadly fight for survival. Cast: Katie Aselton, Lake Bell, Kate Bosworth.
Excision / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Richard Bates, Jr.) — A disturbed and delusional high school student with aspirations of a career in medicine goes to extremes to earn the approval of her controlling mother. Cast: AnnaLynne McCord, Traci Lords, Ariel Winter, Roger Bart, John Waters.
Grabbers / Ireland, United Kingdom (Director: Jon Wright, Screenwriter: Kevin Lehane) — When the residents of an idyllic Irish fishing village are attacked by mysterious, blood-sucking sea creatures, a high blood alcohol content could be the only thing that gets them through the night. Cast: Richard Coyle, Ruth Bradley, Russell Tovey, Bronagh Gallagher.
The Pact / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Nicholas McCarthy) — As a woman struggles to come to grips with her past in the wake of her mother’s death, an unsettling presence emerges in her childhood home. Cast: Caity Lotz, Casper Van Dien.
SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS / United Kingdom (Directors: Dylan Southern, Will Lovelace) — A documentary that follows LCD Soundsystem front man James Murphy over a crucial 48-hour period, from the day of their final gig at Madison Square Garden to the morning after, the official end of one of the best live bands in the world.
Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie / U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim) — After two guys are given a billion dollars to make a movie, their Hollywood dreams run off course and they decide to rehabilitate a run-down shopping mall in an attempt to make the money back. Cast: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim.
V/H/S / U.S.A. (Directors: Adam Wingard, David Bruckner, Ti West, Glenn McQuaid, Joe Swanberg, Radio Silence, Screenwriters: Simon Barrett, David Bruckner, Ti West, Glenn McQuaid, Radio Silence) — When a group of misfits is hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house and acquire a rare VHS tape, they discover more found footage than they bargained for. Cast: Joe Swanberg, Calvin Reeder, Adam Wingard, Sophia Takal, Kate Lyn Sheil.

NEXTencompasses a selection of pure, bold works by promising filmmakers distinguished by an innovative, forward-thinking approach to storytelling. Presented by Adobe Systems Incorporated. Each is a world premiere.

COMPLIANCE / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Craig Zobel) — When a prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee, no one is left unscathed. Based on true events. Cast: Ann Dowd, Pat Healy, Dreama Walker, Bill Camp, Philip Ettinger.
I AM NOT A HIPSTER / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Destin Daniel Cretton) — Set in the indie music and art scene, this is a character-driven story exploring themes of love, loss and what it means to be creative in the face of tragedy. Cast: Dominic Bogart, Alvaro Orlando, Brad William Henke, Tammy Minoff, Kandis Erickson, Lauren Coleman.
KID-THING / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Zellner) — A rebellious girl whose existence is devoid of parental guidance, spends her time roaming the land, shoplifting, and vandalizing. Her routine is broken one day while playing in the woods when she hears a woman calling from a mysterious hole in the ground, asking for help. Cast: Sydney Aguirre, Susan Tyrrell, Nathan Zellner, David Zellner.
Mosquita y Mari / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Aurora Guerrero) — A friendship between two 15-year-old Latinas becomes complex as they struggle to recognize the sexual undercurrent in their relationship. Cast: Fenessa Pineda, Venecia Troncoso, Joaquín Garrido, Laura Patalano, Dulce Maria Solis.
My Best Day / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Erin Greenwell) — Karen’s life as a small-town receptionist is turned upside down when the father she never knew calls for a refrigerator repair. That day she encounters a sister addicted to off track betting, a brother struggling with grade school heartache and bullies, and a load of fireworks. Cast: Rachel Style, Ashlie Atkinson, Raúl Castillo, Jo Armeniox, Robert Salerno, Harris Doran.
Pursuit of Loneliness / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Laurence Thrush) — An elderly patient dies in a county hospital leaving no known next of kin. Over the next 24 hours, four central characters try to find a family member to contact regarding the death of this anonymous individual. Cast: Joy Hille, Sandra Escalante, Sharon Munfus, Kirsi Toivanen, Natalie Fouron.
Sleepwalk With Me / U.S.A. (Co-directors: Mike Birbiglia and Seth Barrish, Screenwriters: Mike Birbiglia, Ira Glass, Joe Birbiglia, Seth Barrish) — Reluctant to confront his fears of love, honesty, and growing up, a budding standup comedian has both a hilarious and intense struggle with sleepwalking. Cast: Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, Carol Kane, James Rebhorn, Cristin Milioti.
That’s What She Said / U.S.A. (Director: Carrie Preston, Screenwriter: Kellie Overbey) — Armed with nothing but their addictions and lots of personal baggage, two best friends and a mysterious young interloper battle a series of misadventures on their quest for love in New York City. Cast: Anne Heche, Marcia DeBonis, Alia Shawkat.
TWENTY-EIGHT HOTEL ROOMS / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Matt Ross) — Seen only as fragments in the secret world of hotel rooms, a long-term affair becomes perhaps the most significant relationship of a couple’s lives. Cast: Chris Messina, Marin Ireland.

NEW FRONTIER

With media installations, multimedia performances, transmedia experiences, panels, film screenings, and more, New Frontier highlights work that celebrates experimentation and the expansion of cinema culture through the convergence of film, art, and new media technology. These films complement the previously announced installations and performances in the New Frontier venue at the Festival.

Bestiaire / Canada, France (Director: Denis Côté) — The boundaries we place around animals are provocatively and formally explored in this meditation on the relationship between nature and humanity. World Premiere
An Oversimplification of Her Beauty / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Terence Nance) — A quixotic young man humorously courses live action and various animated landscapes as he tries to understand himself after a mystery girl stands him up. Cast: Terence Nance, Namik Minter, Chanelle Pearson. World Premiere
THE PERCEPTION OF MOVING TARGETS / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Weston Currie) — A segmenting journey into the dreams of four neighbors. Cast: Brighid Thomas, Cherie Blackfeather, Gerald Casey, Tom Wood, Jin Camou.
Room 237 / U.S.A. (Director: Rodney Ascher) — This experimental documentary explores the numerous theories about the real meaning of Stanley Kubrick’s film The Shining. World Premiere
whiteonwhite:algorithmicnoir / U.S.A., Kazakhstan (Directors: Eve Sussman | Rufus Corporation, Screenwriters: Eve Sussman, Kevin Messman, Jeff Wood) — A computer program assembles raw elements of music, dialogue, sound and footage shot in Kazakhstan into a generative noir mystery film in this live algorithmic performance. Cast: Jeff Wood, Marina Fedorenko.

The Festival takes place from January 19 through 29 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

Bored To Death: Season 3 Episode 8: Nothing I Can’t Handle By Running Away – TV Review

Angel Baker — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:59:00 +0000

The season finale of Bored To Death kept Jonathan, George, and Ray busy with the absurd antics that make this show so unique. As a finale should, the story lines of the main characters were tidied up but left some loose ends to look forward to in season four. The episode crescendos after the revelation that Bergeron is Jonathan’s biological father and he selfishly causes great danger to Jonathan. Playing with the super hero theme, the episode reaches a high point in a grandiose rescue replete with spandex, capes, and guns.

The Players:

Director: Adam Bernstein
Writer: Jonathan Ames
Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis, Ted Danson

Episode Title: “Nothing I Can’t Handle By Running Away”

George’s serenade as Don Quixote wins back his daughter’s approval and he offers to host her wedding to Bernard. Jonathan debates whether to carry on his relationship with Rose, also known as his sister. Ray finds solace in baby, Spencer. Jonathan’s new dad gets him into a pickle.

The Good:

Harris Bergeron: At the close of the last episode, the sour con-man played by Stacy Keach tells Jonathan that he sired Jonathan. Bergeron exudes paternal pride while Jonathon could not be more disappointed after having spent so much time searching for his father. At the same time, it’s clear that Bergeron won’t be joining the Rotary Club any time soon. After he reveals that he’s Jonathan’s father, he quickly packs up his hat shop in Coney Island heading for Jacksonville, Florida, to escape from typical New York baddies after a deal went south. Jonathan witnesses his new dad getting kidnapped and because of his loyalty to his donor or his addiction to danger, Jonathan attempts to rescue Bergeron, getting them both locked up in a baseball stadium. This set ups a dramatic rescue by George, Ray, and his fans (dressed in Super Ray costumes), with Jonathon literally sliding into home plate to nab a gun and save the day.

Ray’s Family Unit: Ray is broken-hearted over Leah’s rejection. He heads over to see his son. Renee (Samantha Bee) answers the door and asks, “Is Spencer home?” Renee responds, “He’s 14 months old. Of course he’s home.” Her deadpan delivery is a perfect counter for Galifianakis’ oblivious nature. Seeking solace, Ray plants himself on the couch with little Spencer splayed across his belly for an adorable father-son moment that gives hope Ray will soon grow up.

George and Josephine: Who couldn’t change his wily ways for the lovely Mary Steenburgen’s Josephine? Ted Danson’s George sure can’t, though he tries. In a sweet, but silly, moment, George tells Josephine that he wants to be monogamous. Josephine replies: “I thought we were.” While George knows the gem he’s got in his grasp, he’s still an unaware, overgrown lothario. It’s fun to watch the real-life couple on screen fall in love, navigating a brand new relationship in their sixties.

The Anniversary of Super Ray: Ray’s got a book signing on the anniversary of Super Ray. His guests are loyal, steadfast, fans that provide Ray an undying support. Dressed in their own fashion of Super Ray costumes, they offer to help Ray when the Jonathan crisis comes to light. The trip to the baseball stadium is hilarious in its frenzy of yellow spandex. They argue what their name should be, debating “The Ray Team,” “The Super Rays,” and “The League of Rays.” Without coming to a resolution of the crew’s title, it’s clear that this group is lucky to have found each other and they come together for a common goal, just like real super heroes should.

The Wedding: George has promised his daughter a wedding without alcohol but when she shows up at the wedding the champagne is flowing. She calls him out about the alcohol and he tells her that he meant that she wouldn’t have alcohol and points her to the Martinelli’s. Over a full glass of bub, George offers a toast that is a classic portrayal of his self-absorption. He turns the speech into a dance into the macabre until he catches a glimpse of Jonathan who reminds him that this speech should be about the nuptials. The moment is funny but also serves as a reminder of the friends’ dependence on each other.

The Bad:

Brother Loves Sister: Jonathan has now found out that Rose (Isla Fisher) is his sister (as Bergeron was the sole sperm donor at the clinic from where she and Jonathan come), yet he dismisses the bizarre information because she’s hot. Watching these two make-out is unsettling. The extent of their conjugal relations has to be a set up for a revelation next season that this whole sister-brother thing was a giant mix-up, right?

Overall:

The finale of Bored To Death wrapped up the season nicely. While Ray has lost Leah, he was able to use his “super hero” powers to make a fearless attempt at rescuing Jonathan. George appears to have settled down to be with Josephine and has accepted his daughter’s relationship with the older, creepy Bernard. Jonathan has completed his quest to find his father, finding a beautiful girl in the process (but it’s his sister, ewwww). The potential for next season is inspiring especially if Bergeron comes back and starts a relationship with Jonathan. The two could not be more opposite which will bring future comedy gold.

Rating: 9.5/10

This was the season finale of Bored To Death.

John Carter Gets a New Poster and Trailer

Damon Houx — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:00:39 +0000

With John Carter‘s release date fast approaching, Disney is gearing up for the March 9 release of one of their most expensive films of 2012. And so far… they haven’t gotten much traction with their teasers and posters. The film is based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, and stars Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins. Yeah, they need to sell something to get people hooked. Here’s a teaser from the latest trailer, which finally starts selling the spectacle.

video platform video management video solutions video player

Of course this is from Good Morning America, which is showing the highlights of the highlights. This is Andrew Stanton‘s first non-animated film. Stanton started out with Pixar, and directed films like Finding Nemo and Wall*E – he’s definitely talented.

With three months to go, they need to get audiences excited about this event picture if they hope to find an audience. There are very few second weekends for pictures that are as good if not better than their first, and this is a very expensive question mark right now. With a couple of good trailers and TV spots, they could get audiences hooked in, and this is Disney. But it’s still a big question mark.

Here’s the newest poster in full:

Are you excited for John Carter?

Gossip Girl: Season 5 Episode 9: Rhodes to Perdition – TV Review

Laura Aguirre — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:15:05 +0000

It’s was a Rhodes family affair on “Gossip Girl” last night. Whenever these women come together, you never know what’s going to happen, especially when Grandma Cece is in town. Serena continues to occupy her bed, blogging about how fabulous her life, and Charlie’s fate is brought to the forefront. Sadly, the Upper East Siders didn’t come together during ‘Rhodes to Perdition’, but there was a lot of drama and a few Chair moments that made the episode worthwhile.

Let’s go over Monday’s ‘Rhodes to Perdition.’

The Players:

Director: Andrew McCarthy
Writer: Natalie Krinsky
Cast: Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Ed Westwick

Episode Title: “All The Pretty Sources“

Lily, Charlie and Serena eagerly anticipate the Studio 54 party being thrown in grandma CeCe’s honor. Nate takes on a new role at the Spectator, but his first big story turns out to be about someone he knows too well. Blair turns to an unlikely person for help.

The Good:

Dan Fights Off the Haters: Dan hasn’t recovered from his brief but painful moment as a successful, young writer. Now he’s traded in fiction for online squabbles – Dan is anonymously fighting off all of his online haters though an avatar he named ‘Danfan’. Where his career is going is hard to tell, but it’s bound to be something exciting. The suspense is slowly building.
Nate Takes Over: Last week we said good-bye to cougar lady Diana Payne. She resigned as editor-in-chief of The Spectator, and last night, Nate took over. As soon as he was done giving his “I’m in charge now” speech, one of his reporters jumps at him with a juicy scoop. The problem is that the story is one that involves someone from the Vanderbilt family tree. Nate’s ethics are tested, again. In the end, everything played out in a way that was honest to his character. Nate has always been a fair guy and that showed in what he ended up doing.
“Charlie Sheen to Charlie Brown”: Blair desperately tries to figure out the key ingredients to Chuck’s transformation, which leads her to realize that maybe she’s the one who brings out the worst in people. She and Chuck spend some time together, since Louis is once again M.I.A. Chair scenes are always great – there’s no denying that they still love each other.
Charlie Rhodes (SPOILERS!): Somehow Charlie was able to convince the gullible Rhodes (Serena included) family that she is Charlie, not Ivy. Although Charlie’s story hasn’t been as intriguing as others, there’s no denying that she’s different from the other guest characters the show gets. She’s not your usual villain (maybe she’s no a villain at all). The big question now is, once her identity is revealed, will the Upper East Siders shun her like they do those other villains? Or will they show her some sympathy?
Best Line: Rufus to Dan: “It’s time to leave Inside behind and go outside.”

The So-So:

Sister Quarrels: Yawn! That’s what happens when Lily and her sister Carol fight, and make-up. It’s a waste of time to see these two sisters go at it every time they see each other. We get it, they hate each other. And what’s with Lily being so mad at Carol for being a ‘horrible mother’? She’s the one who’s put her own daughter in prison.

Overall:

Even though “Gossip Girl” works best when all of the Upper East Siders come together, last night’s episode had enough good drama and witty lines to keep us entertained.

Rating: 7.5/10

Watch “Gossip Girl” Monday nights at 8 p.m. on The CW.

ScreenCrave.com » Uncategorized

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 12: Sanctuary – TV Review

The Players

Episode Title: “Sanctuary”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 9.5/10

Related Posts

Parks And Recreation: Season 4 Episode 10: The Comeback Kid – TV Review

The Players:

Episode: “The Comeback Kid”

The Good:

The Bad (but not that bad):

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

Related Posts

The Office: Season 8 Episode 11: Trivia – TV Review

The Players:

Episode: “Trivia”

The Good:

The Bad (but not that bad):

Overall:

Rating: 7/10

Related Posts

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 11: Pale Fire – TV Review

The Players

Episode Title: “Pale Fire”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

Related Posts

Parks And Recreation: Season 4 Episode 9: Citizen Knope – TV Review

The Players:

Episode: “Citizen Knope”

The Good:

The Bad (but not that bad):

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

Related Posts

The Office: Season 8 Episode 10: Christmas Wishes – TV Review

The Players:

Episode: “Christmas Wishes”

The Good:

The Bad (but not that bad):

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

Related Posts

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 10: Guardians – TV Review

The Players

Episode Title: “Guardians”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

Related Posts

Parks And Recreation: Season 4 Episode 8: The Trial of Leslie Knope – TV Review

The Players:

Episode: “The Trial of Leslie Knope”

The Good:

The Bad (but not that bad):

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

Related Posts

Sundance Film Festival 2012 Announces Spotlight, Midnight, Next and New Frontier Films

SPOTLIGHT

PARK CITY AT MIDNIGHT

NEXT

NEW FRONTIER

Related Posts

Bored To Death: Season 3 Episode 8: Nothing I Can’t Handle By Running Away – TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “Nothing I Can’t Handle By Running Away”

The Good:

The Bad:

Rating: 9.5/10

Related Posts

John Carter Gets a New Poster and Trailer

Related Posts