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Battleship: Movie Review

Krystal Clark — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:30:50 +0000

There she blows! This weekend, Universal will dock Peter Berg‘s Battleship at a theater near you. The film is a live-action adaptation of the popular Hasbro strategy game. It stars Taylor Kitsch as a reluctant hero, who gets caught in the middle of an alien invasion. He’s supported by a cast of familiar faces including True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgard, and Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson.

Check out our review below…

The Players:

Director: Peter Berg
Writers: Erich and Jon Hoeber
Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Tadanobu Asano, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, Jesse Plemons, Gregory D. Gadson, Peter MacNicol and Liam Neeson
Director of Photography: Tobias A. Schliessler
Music: Steve Jablonsky

The Plot:

Battleship centers on Alex Hopper (Kitsch), a Naval lieutenant known for his immaturity and lack of discipline. While participating in a training exercise, an alien force lands at sea and sets up shop off the coast of Oahu. After suffering several tragedies at the hands of these creatures, Hopper’s forced to become the new leader of a broken crew.

The Good:

Nods to the game: Director Peter Berg did the impossible. He managed to integrate elements of the Battleship board game into the film’s narrative. You actually see a version of the playing grid, and hear commands like “R-5! E-7!” There’s even a nod to the game’s famous tagline. They just couldn’t resist.
Honors the military: Everything about Battleship shows great respect and love for the Armed Forces. It honors veterans of the past, while praising soldiers actively on duty. The cast is littered with real-life military personnel, who come out of retirement for some much-deserved screen-time.
Taylor Kitsch: Kitsch is a decent actor, who needs material that plays to his strengths. To date, his best work remains on the defunct series, Friday Night Lights. Therefore, we’re not surprised he was chosen to play Alex Hopper. The character’s nothing more than Tim Riggins with a haircut. Either way, the similarities worked in his favor and produced a solid performance.

The So-So:

Admiral Shane: We love Liam Neeson, but his character brought nothing to the table. He’s written as a one-note military dad, whose main job is to scold Hopper. He doesn’t have much to do, and that falls on the shoulders of the writers and director. They had a great actor, but did absolutely nothing with him.

The Bad:

Alien threat: How big does an alien threat need to be? For the majority of the film, we’re watching a large, mysterious mass outsmart and out-maneuver the heroes at every turn. And that’s just their ship! The creatures themselves are a whole other story. They destroy major cities, but seem more concerned with technology than people. Any casualties are merely accidental or brought on by provocation. Their motivation is unclear, and identities are never explored.
The government: When it comes to the invasion, the White House really takes a backseat. It’s understandable that the writers want the focus on Hopper and his heroics, but where’s the government’s presence? There are a few scenes with the Secretary of Defense (played by the underrated Peter MacNicol), but he had no grasp of the situation or how to handle it.

Overall:

Battleship is everything you expect it to be. It’s loud, it’s colorful and filled with Michael Bay-grade explosions. The story isn’t well defined, but there are some good character interactions, and humorous moments. It’s mindless fun and definitely a popcorn movie for the masses.

The Rating: 6/10

Battleship opens in theaters nationwide May 18

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Trailer:

Will you be seeing Battleship this weekend?

New ‘Battleship’ Clip Features Jokes, Booze, And Unnatural Tans

Travis Woods — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:23:34 +0000

Oh, Battleship. The “hey-this-is-just-how-Michael-Bay-makes-‘em-right?” potential blockbuster has the unfortunate duty of opening in the wake of The Avengers’ May release, and features a Transformers-like premise without any actual Transformers, just keeps dropping new clips and ads, and yet still looks like a bland rehash of everything from Pearl Harbor to Battle: Los Angeles. Today, we’ve got a new clip featuring a bar-hopping Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker and Alexander Skarsgard. Let the unnaturally orange skin tones begin!

The film, directed by Peter Berg, is the story of how the U.S. Navy must do battle with invading aliens from an Earth-like planet, and is an adaptation of the Hasbro naval combat game that featured neither invading aliens nor any other Earth-like planets. So go figure that out.

In the film, it’s up to a group of bizarrely young and attractive naval officers to defend planet Earth against the conquest of the extraterrestrials, armed only with naval ships and catch phrases such “B-9!” and “A-17!” and “YOU SUNK MY BATTLESHIP!” (ok, I can’t guarantee that last part about the catch phrases is true). But yeah: big naval battleships and some alien space ships, lots of orange skin, copious CGI, and a bunch of things going boom-boom. For those of you needing a Michael Bay fix this summer, this is as good as it’s gonna get for you.

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

What do you think of the clip?

Source: Coming Soon

New Battleship Trailer offers a Plot

Damon Houx — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:45:50 +0000

2012′s summer is going to be interesting as many of the big films look like they might not work. Men in Black III is going for another round of re-shoots, and there are a lot of other question marks, as well. Now we have the full trailer for Peter Berg‘s Battleship - which on paper looks dicey – but it’s got scale and a story now. Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Rhiana, Brooklyn Decker and Alexander Skarsgard star. The film is set to open May 18. Check it out…

The best thing to say about the new trailer is that now we’ve got a story. Kitsch’s character is put in charge, and you don’t have to think of Star Trek to recognize this as a fun but dusty old trope. Model-turned-actress Brooklyn Decker (her name sounds like a slang term for something incredibly filthy) does not appear to have much chops, but from the gadgets of the villains to their full-body Halo suits, this looks about 20% less dumb than it did before.

Okay, it’s a stupid premise, and it’s great that they’re selling the Hasboro connection to Transformers (really?), but it’s got Jesse Plemons, who played Landry on Friday Night Lights, and who remains one of the great TV geek characters. As long as there is escalation and some actual chess-type strategy involved, this Battleship could be good stupid fun. Fingers crossed.

What Board Game should they adapt next?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 12 – ‘And When I Die’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:07:12 +0000

The season four finale of “True Blood” is an event eleven episodes in the making. And by “event,” I really mean the last ten minutes of the episode. The first fifty minutes are extremely emotional and darkly brooding, only to give way to moments that live up to the episode’s title. As soon as the credits roll, you’ll be wondering if you had just watched the same show that has been airing every week at 9 p.m.; I know I felt that way. Does this episode mean to herald a completely new tone for the series? For reasons you’ll see below, I hope not.

The Players:

Director: Scott Winant
Writer: Raelle Tucker
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “And When I Die”

With the aid of some familiar faces, Sookie defeats Marnie once and for all, leaving Lafayette to deal with the consequences of his actions; Jessica and Jason struggle to define their relationship; Sookie decides between Eric and Bill; the political structure of the vampire community breaks down; Debbie confronts Sookie.

The Good:

Lafayette: Nelsan Ellis comes out on top in this episode with his performance as a man possessed by another person. He and Marnie must have compared notes, because both performances were extremely engaging and entertaining. It was interesting to see such an affected character alter his mannerisms.
Jason and Jessica: Every episode needs its romantic arc, and this one’s involved my new favorite pair. Although these two have yet to figure out that they are madly in love with each other (in my humble opinion – writers, please take note), I enjoyed seeing them sizzle while on screen together.
Sookie’s decision: It’s about damn time that Sookie had a love interest other than the two vampires who have been vying for her attention, so I was pleased as punch to see her kick both Bill and Eric to the curb tonight. Since Sookie will inevitably get with someone at some point due to the nature of the show, I’ll put in my two cents and say that she needs a fresh start with someone new, preferably a man of the werewolf persuasion (read: please, please, PLEASE, pair her with Alcide. I’ve been dying for this to happen for ages now).
The last ten minutes: As much as I disliked this episode, I have to admit that the last ten minutes had my eyes glued to the screen. This is what I watch “True Blood” for: one bloody, action-packed scene after another and cliffhangers that leave you begging for more.
Line of the night: Although the beginning of the episode was very heavy in content and therefore lacking in gems, I found a couple of great ones towards the end. Since this was the finale, I’ll spoil you all with my two favorites. “You can’t trade magic like fucking Pokemon cards.” “I’m so over Sookie and her precious fairy vagina and her stupid name.”

The Bad:

It’s too heavy: Did anyone feel very depressed after watching this episode? I can’t remember the last time “True Blood” has been this emotionally heavy. Between Tara and Sookie, Sam, Lafayette, and, frankly, just about everyone else in Bon Temps, there is a lot to be upset about. There was far too much crying and sadness in this episode for my tastes. While emotion has its place, this episode had an over saturation of it. What about the campy action and humor that makes “True Blood” so much fun to watch?
Marnie’s revenge: Parts of this arc, especially Bill and Eric’s involvement, felt extremely disjointed. Just how did Lafayette manage to get a hold of Bill and Eric? What was Lafayette’s initial reaction to what he had done to Jesus? The episode skipped some scenes that would have been gold mines of entertainment. Plus, it all seemed to wrap up far too quickly, leaving the rest of the episode vulnerable to the high levels of emotional that I discussed above.
Randomness: Rene? Reverend Newlin? The chains that Alcide found? As it has done in previous episodes, “True Blood” once again introduces some arcs using only one scene. Although the show will ostensibly pick up these threads in season five, in the context of the already established arc of season four, these newly-introduced plotlines seem to come out of nowhere.
Tara and Jesus: There was too much death in one episode, I say. Perhaps the show was going for the shock factor this time around, but to take away two beloved characters in one go? It seems a bit unnecessarily cruel to the audience, not to mention to Lafayette, Sookie, and the rest of the victims’ loved ones.

Overall:

While the resolution of the main arc of the season was satisfying, I was disappointed with the majority of this episode. It was too emotionally heavy for my tastes, taking on a tone that is far too serious for the show. Nevertheless, the last ten minutes of the episode do justify watching the whole thing, if not a need to see things through to the end. So much happens in such a short span of time that I’m still scratching my head, wondering just what, exactly, I watched. What I do know is that it’s going to be one long year until season five.

Rating: 5/10

“True Blood” returns next summer on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 11 – ‘Soul Of Fire’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:23:36 +0000

With two episodes left in the season, it’s down to the wire. But about halfway through “Soul Of Fire,” it looks as though HBO didn’t get the memo that there’s still one episode to go, as the main arc of the season appears to be wrapping up quite nicely. Then, in traditional “True Blood” style, we get a cliffhanger that, I’ll admit, almost had me leaping out of my chair and screaming at the screen. I can’t think of a better reaction to have to one of this show’s trademark cliffhangers.

The Players:

Director: Michael Lehmann
Writer: Mark Hudis
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Soul Of Fire”

When negotiations between Marnie and the vampires break down, Jesus uses his ancestors’ magic to intervene; Andy experiences a strange encounter with a fairy; Sam and Alcide exact their revenge on Marcus; in the aftermath of the events at Moongoddess Emporium, Marnie proves not to be finished with her plan quite yet.

The Good:

Location, location, location: I think that the show took a fairly big risk by having the bulk of the episode – or at least the bulk of the episode’s main plotline – take place in one location. The writing, directing and acting, fortunately, worked extremely well within the spatial constraints of the Moongoddess Emporium. I was never bored by what was happening there.
Marnie: Forgive me for sounding like a broken record, but for episode after episode, Marnie has just been killing it, acting circles around the rest of the fine cast of “True Blood. Her nuanced performances as good Marnie and an evil, possessed Marnie keep my eyes glued to the television every week, even more so than what is happening to the main stars of the show. I loved that this episode included some backstory that added some motivation to why Marnie practices such dangerous magic. Her desire for respect and attention is something to which we can all relate, even though we as the audience are meant to despise her character.
Jason takes a stand: It was a brief moment, but Jason standing up to the vampires was a great scene for his character. He’d spent so much of this season being tortured and abused, at mercy of others and forces beyond his control; it was about time we saw him take control of his feelings and let them be known. It’s good to see the old, headstrong Jason again.
Honorable Alcide: As a big fan of Alcide, I enjoyed seeing his role get a little more meat this time around. Even though his and Sam’s relationship is tied together by a very thin string, he does what is noble and right by helping seek justice for Sam’s loss.
The deal: As I’ve written before, “True Blood” will never kill off two of its flagship – and most popular – characters. Thus, Eric and Bill’s pledge to die in exchange for Sookie is not as exciting in itself as is how the writers choose to resolve the plot. Indeed, using Pam to do so, and in the process driving a wedge between her and her maker, was an interesting way to go about it. Will Eric really choose love over his duty as a maker?
Sam’s revenge: I did not find Sam’s vengeance against Marcus to be particularly exciting on its own, but it was certainly satisfying to see that horrible excuse for a human being (werewolf?) lying cold on the floor.
Jesus’s magic: I have two words to describe that scene: intense and freaky. In a good way, of course. The mask added a healthy dose of the “freak factor” that the show has been lacking since the early days of season one.
Marnie’s “farewell:” Of course, it’s not over! There’s still another episode left! In typical “True Blood” style, the happy ending is interrupted just before things settle down. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Line of the night: As usual, Pam delivers the best lines. I couldn’t decide which one to use, so I went with the first one that made me laugh out loud: “We blow up these Wiccan dipshits already? I got a mani-pedi at four.”

The So-So:

Andy: It seems as though Andy is just plopped into plotlines in which he really doesn’t belong. Between Hotshot and his V addiction, and now Fort Bellefleur and the encounter with the fairy, the guy just wanders in and out of scenes with no apparent direction. Unless this lack of a path is by design, when will the writers give him something to do? Otherwise, I will continue to fight the urge to change the channel whenever he comes on screen.
Marnie’s spell: The spell Marnie cast bewitching the vampires to walk into her protective wall seemed extremely hokey. Not from the point of view from the mythos so much as from that of the acting, which was shoddy if you rewatch the scene, as well as from that of the whole show’s continuity. Why didn’t Marnie just use that spell in the first place, when the vampires showed up to Moongoddess Emporium? It looked like it was simply thrown in there for spectacle, and it turned out to be a poor-looking one at that.

Overall:

As season four draws to a close, we are graced with yet another near-perfect episode in “Soul Of Fire.” Its strengths lie in its wit, performances and its edge-of-your-seat thrills that sustain throughout the entire hour. It really feels much like a season finale for nearly half of the hour, but don’t let that fool you; once the cliffhanger hits, you’ll become like me and start counting down the hours until next Sunday.

Rating: 8/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 10 – ‘Burning Down The House’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 02:54:27 +0000

While last week’s “True Blood” was lacking in the areas in which it is ordinarily strong, it did set the stage for exciting things to come – events that begin to play out in “Burning Down The House.” This hour kicks off with a brilliant scene and keeps the intrigue coming at the non-stop pace for which “True Blood” is known. And let us not forget what the memorable last shot of the episode promises to show us come 9 p.m. next Sunday.

The Players:

Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Writer: Nancy Oliver
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Burning Down The House”

Sookie uses her powers to save Bill from Marnie, in the process reversing the spell on Eric; Jason asks Jessica to glamour him to save his and Hoyt’s relationship; Bill makes plans to blow up Moongoddess Emporium; Terry stages an intervention for Andy’s sake; Alcide’s allegiance to the pack is tested by Marcus’s fight with Tommy; Jesus, Sookie, Lafayette and Jason attempt a rescue mission at Moongooddess Emporium before it is blown to smithereens.

The Good:

The battle: What a way to start off an episode! And I’m not just talking about Eric and Bill going one-on-one. While combat is always fun to watch, it is almost predictable at this point in the series, since none of the trinity of main characters will die – permanently, that is. The most exciting thing to happen here, in truth, is the sudden reversal of Marnie’s spell, giving Eric back his memory after these many long episodes. The abruptness with which the spell is broken is somewhat comical, but I am mostly thankful to have the real Eric back, however whipped he still remains. I just hope that he gets more of his bark back in addition to his bite in the remaining to episodes of the season.
Conflicted Marnie: Marnie/Antonia delivers a fantastic performance in this episode as a woman facing conflict within her own corporeal form. It is a very physical, very affected dual performance that stands out, once again elevating Marnie/Antonia above all other characters in the series.
Tommy: Sam has some very touching scenes with his brother, very sad ones that at last bring closure to their long and difficult relationship. Although I was never particularly fond of Tommy as a character, I feel sorry for both of them, particularly for Sam. For this plotline to have elicited that response, the writing staff must have done something right.
Sam’s revenge: I’m excited by how Tommy’s fate lights a fire under Sam to seek revenge against the werewolves. His intensity and drive strengthens this subplot and invests the viewer in it a whole lot more.
Jesus transforms: Prior to this episode, Jesus had been taking more of a backseat to Lafayette and other principle characters in the series. After walking through Marnie/Antonia’s magical barrier and personifying the magic he practices, he suddenly went into useful – and bada** – mode. It’s safe to say that he will be given a lot more challenges to overcome in the next two episodes.
Vampire covert ops: Slow-motion shots set to hard-driving rock songs are utterly clichéd, but for a show with as much camp as “True Blood”, the very last shot of the episode is the perfect touch. Of course, it would have been even better to see more of the scene play out before the usual cut to black, but the set up for all-out war that this shot implies is nevertheless a great image to leave with the viewer.
Line of the night: Lafayette is, as always, right on the money: “Find Tara. She’ll be the loudest.”

The So-So:

Fort Bellefleur: It is difficult to care about Andy’s plight when so much else is at stake for the supernatural beings (and some select humans) of Bon Temps. It seems like yet another weak, unnecessary garden path that distracts us from the more important events of the episode. The subtext – which eventually becomes the text of Andy and Terry’s scenes – apparently comes out of nowhere. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at Andy half the time he was on screen.
Not enough depth: One thing I noticed about this episode was that it picked up on a number of ideas – Jessica’s refusal to glamour Jason, Sam’s revenge – and only showed one or two scenes pushing the respective subplots forward. In that way, this episode seemed to be spread out a little too thin. It may have benefited from greater depth in some areas of particular interest to viewers (I vote for more scenes with Jason and Jessica, but that’s just me).

Overall:

While not a flawless episode, “Burning Down The House” is a great improvement over last week. The events that come to pass in this episode, especially those relating to minor characters, tie together in a way that strengthens the main plotline of this arc. At the very least, I’m incredibly interested in seeing just how the vampires’ plan to finally get rid of Marnie/Antonia plays out.

Rating: 8/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 9 – ‘Let’s Get Out Of Here’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 03:15:59 +0000

When last we left Bon Temps, a full-blown war had broken out between Marnie’s coven and the vampires, the latter side buffeted by Sookie’s powers. But in the final minutes of the episode, the tide had been turning in favor of the witches, leaving our major players in great peril. This week sees the conclusion to the battle and its aftermath, and it is safe to say that grim mortality and the possibility of destruction hang over every plotline in the episode. Since neither side wins this first round, things only escalate from here on out.

The Players:

Director: Romeo Tirone
Writer: Brian Buckner
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Let’s Get Out Of Here”

Sookie imagines a world in which Bill and Eric can coexist; Bill and Nan Flanagan butt heads; Jesus attempts to rid Lafayette of the spirit within him; Marcus calls on Alcide to help him deal with Sam; Hoyt asks Jason to deliver Jessica’s things back to her; Marnie continues to plot against the vampires.

The Good:

Marnie: Marnie – or, should I say, Antonia – has been a powerhouse these last few episodes. She continues to steal the spotlight in this episode, this time showing off in a display of power that is the most compelling and frightening for our main characters since Maryann Forrester threatened the livelihood of Bon Temps back in season two. By the time the dust clears, Marnie/Antonia might go down as one of my top “True Blood” villains.
Bill vs. Nan: I always love when politics drive a wedge between characters, especially when Nan Flanagan and her tart tongue come around. Bill and Nan going head-to-head on the burning issues of the day is a well-written and revealing exchange that elevates the political dimension of the show to a whole new level. That, and the quick cut from the shot in Bill’s office to that of Bill, Nan and Jessica chained up in the jail cell adds the perfect touch of humor to counterbalance the necessary seriousness of the situation.
Role reversal: In this episode, we see just how much Jason has come into his own as an officer of the law – and how far Andy has fallen from grace due to his addiction to V. It’s fascinating to see the new partner dynamic unfold, as Jason takes on the role of the sagacious, honorable officer and Andy continues to tumble into oblivion and continuously needs to be held back.
Sam and Luna: The more I see Sam and Luna together, the more I like them. It’s too bad that Marcus and his drama will inevitably tear them apart. Nonetheless, for the duration of this episode, the two of them, along with Luna’s daughter, had the most genuinely touching moments of the whole hour.
Jessica and Jason: Besides the fact that I’m quickly falling in love with these two, I just want to point out how hilarious it is that Jessica and Jason consummate their relationship to the oh-so-innocent Taylor Swift’s CD. Bravo to the HBO executive who made that choice.
Debbie’s betrayal: Debbie’s role has finally been given a little more meat (no pun intended). Things are obviously being set up so that Alcide and Debbie will be fighting on opposite sides when the time comes. That will be a sight to see.
Line of the night: The line itself is fairly tame, but Jessica’s tearful delivery is pitch-perfect: “I wish I was dead. Except I am, and it doesn’t even matter.”

The Bad:

Lafayette’s possession: Although this episode’s performance is indicative of Nelsan Ellis’s amazing talent as an actor, the whole medium/possession plotline just isn’t all that compelling. It feels like it is tacked on to the main plotline of the show simply because of the common thread between them: magic. The only consolation that I have for having been forced to sit through these scenes is that they wrapped up relatively quickly, in the span of a couple of episodes. Nevertheless, the episodic nature of the plotline makes it seem that much more unnecessary. It easily could have been left on the cutting room floor, or at least have been better integrated into the main arc of the season.
Sookie’s fantasy: Some may hate me for this, but I have no problem saying it: the Eric/Sookie lovefest has long outstayed its welcome by this point. It’s getting close to giving me a cavity! While the inclusion of Bill into the mix certainly adds some much needed conflict and drama to the situation, there must be much more interesting ways to settle this love triangle than with yet another retreat into a V-fueled, hazy dream world. Keeping things within the confines of Sookie’s imagination, without any consequences occurring in the “real world,” is also a sign of the cop-out to end all cop-outs. Evidently, the writing staff just isn’t ready for Sookie to make a decision about the loves in her life, and so they are toying with the audience through this dream of hers.

Overall:

Although the main plotline that courses through this arc of the season continues to take us for a thrill ride, the show’s supporting cast – and even some of the main players – have fairly weak plotlines to contend with. Peppered with the usual humor and some exciting moments, the subplots of this episode mostly flounder, leaving me to hope that things will get better come next week. With the witch/vampire war on the horizon, I imagine that everyone will eventually converge on the strongest plotline of the season.

Rating: 6/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 7 – ‘Cold Grey Light of Dawn’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:30:05 +0000

This season of “True Blood” has been on a roll for six straight episodes, but like all good things, it had to come to an end at some point. “Cold Grey Light of Dawn” is by no means a bad episode, but it does not pack the same punch of quality that is characteristic of the show. Nevertheless, fans of the series – and of a certain pairing of characters – will love aspects of this hour. It is, as always, an entertaining episode that manages to do many things right despite its shortcomings.

The Players:

Director: Michael Ruscio
Writer: Alexander Woo
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Cold Grey Light of Dawn”

Bill issues a controversial decree to save vampires from the power of Marnie; Alcide and Debbie join the pack; Pam gets a spa treatment; Eric chooses amnesia over his memory; Sam confronts Tommy for his transgression; Lafayette becomes a medium; Andy’s date with Holly is a disaster.

The Good:

My Antonia: Just by herself, Marnie added a new twist to Bon Temps’ cast of characters, but now, possessed by the spirit of Antonia, she provides even more intrigue. I even like her better as Antonia; she has an aura of confidence that seems to be even more threatening than her incredible power.
Pam: The rotting of Pam’s body, while not necessarily integral to any of the main plot lines occurring this season, it is a clever play on her vanity and brings out a great deal of humor in the form of her foul, yet ever-so-entertaining, language. Pam is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters solely because of how hilarious every last one of her scenes is, whether it intentionally goes for laughs or is extra dramatic.
Jason’s dilemma: Jason seems to have become the series’ latest emotional punching bag. What is most entertaining, though, is how he handles his growing attraction to Jessica. His scatterbrained, deer-caught-in-the-headlights type of behavior is always fun to watch unfold on screen.
Bill and Jessica: I always enjoy the (few) scenes we get between maker and vampire. Bill and Jessica have a tender, mentor/mentee relationship that I wish would be explored in more depth. It is fun to trace the trajectory of it, considering how defiant and naïve Jessica once was.
Ending on a bright note: I think it’s safe to say that this week’s cliffhanger is one of the best in recent memory. Putting a beloved main character in peril? I’ll admit, I actually yelled at the television when the screen went to black. Next Sunday could not come any sooner!
Line of the night: A little bit of self-reflexive humor poking fun at the ever-growing collection of supernatural beings: “Holy crap! Now there’re zombies?!”

The So-So:

Tara: I was so happy for Tara up until the very end of last week’s episode. Predictably, her past caught up with her in the worst way imaginable. The endless cycle of terrible, traumatic things happening to Tara is starting to get tired. It seems that all Tara does these days is complain about Bon Temps and cry. Although the writing staff has given her a way to join in the assault on the vampires, she could use a much meatier part.
Sookie and Eric: While I’ve enjoyed the sugary sweetness of Sookie and Eric’s storyline so far, it is quickly reaching its saturation point. Last week’s reunion was happy and satisfying, indeed, but carrying it over into this episode with gratuitous sex strained what was just about a perfect moment. Almost as soon as their scene began, I couldn’t wait for Eric to regain his memory so that I could avoid getting a cavity from the sweetness. There is only so much love that can be exchanged before both of them sound like broken records.
The Mexican journey: The subplot concerning Lafayette and Jesus’s trip to Mexico would be far more interesting if the show would relate it better to the immediate happenings in Bon Temps. If I recall correctly, the two went to Mexico to seek assistance from Jesus’s grandfather against the vampires. Not only have they apparently gone off the beaten path, but Marnie seems to be doing just fine without them. This episode could have been tightened up had the scenes in Mexico been left out all together.

Overall:

“Cold Grey Light of Dawn” is as close as “True Blood” can get to producing a bad episode. It is very much enjoyable on its merits, but it has some surprising faults that one would not expect to come from the well-run production that is this series. There is plenty that occurs in this hour that is pertinent to the overall arc of the season, so it is still absolutely worth watching, if only for that reason.

Rating: 7/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 6 – ‘I Wish I Was The Moon’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:09:26 +0000

I don’t mean to sound biased off the bat, but let’s be honest here. “True Blood” has been hitting the right notes ever since the season premiere, nearing perfection – and sometimes embodying it – with each passing week. Thrilling drama, unexpected twists, steamy scenes, and a whole lot more have characterized season four thus far, and “I Wish I Was The Moon” is no exception. While it isn’t the best episode of “True Blood,” it remains an outstanding example of what this show has to offer.

The Players:

Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: Raelle Tucker
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “I Wish I Was The Moon”

Eric surrenders to the King; a suspicious fire burns Arlene and Terry’s house; Tommy and Sam fall victim to a literal change-up; Tara deals with the consequences of her deceit; the full moon spells trouble for Jason; Alcide is under pressure to join the new werewolf community; Marnie connects with an ancient spirit; Lafayette and Jesus encounter black magic in Mexico.

The Good:

Starting off and ending with (a) bang: After dragging out the sexual tension for five long episodes – on top of three seasons – HBO finally gives a vocal segment of the show’s fan base what it has wanted for years now. Sure, it’s a bit delayed due to various goings-on in the episode, but it’s here isn’t it? And the scenes in question are, without a doubt, two of the most epic of this season; even fans with nothing but hatred for Sookie and Eric have to admit that.
Pam: Within the first ten minutes of the episode, Pam steals the spotlight from her maker with her rapid-fire, foul-mouthed wit. She has progressed from serving as Eric’s trusty lieutenant to being in the forefront of the show’s action. It’s a shame to see her literally wasting away, her newfound role suits her so well.
The inferno: The “demon baby” subplot culminates in something finally worth our attention, although not much comes of it in this hour. The melodrama seems to have given way to something slightly less absurd. The fallout from the fire, which affects the lives of multiple characters, should be fascinating to watch as it unfolds.
The werepanther: After Jason escaped from Hotshot, I told myself that it would be too soon if I ever saw Jason tied to a bed again. Well, it didn’t take long for the guy to find himself in that situation again, although this time, it was a self-imposed safety measure. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the banter between Jason and Sookie that came of this ridiculous moment; their bond is one of the few relationships on which we can count in this show.
Tara: As a character who has gone to hell and back over the past season and a half, Tara is one person in particular who deserves happiness. As uncharacteristic as it is of “True Blood” for anyone to get what they want without strings attached, it was wholly satisfying to see Tara find peace and love in spite of her past – although it clearly is going to catch up to her yet again.
Marnie: Things are yet again taking a turn for the exciting as Marnie channels the spirit with whom she has been connecting over the past two episodes. While previous scenes involving Marnie have been mostly self-contained, last week’s episode combined with this hour have moved the plot forward in a considerable way. After only minutes of exposure to the spirit as embodied by Marnie, I already want to see more of this Antonia in action, exacting her revenge on the vampires of Bon Temps.
Jason and Jessica: While this implied blossoming love affair is artificially fueled by V, there appear to be some genuine sparks flying between these two. I hate to think of anything coming between Hoyt and Jessica’s love, but in this episode, Jessica and Jason bond in an unexpected way that is peculiarly appealing in its innocence.
Line of the night: “I’m a police officer and a werepanther. Back off!”

The So-So:

Alcide: As much as I love Alcide, it seemed odd to place his involvement in the Mississippi werewolf community – or lack thereof – in the middle of the happenings occurring in Bon Temps and to those who inhabit the town. What connection does his association with the werewolves have to the main arc of the season other than his relationship with Sookie and his brief appearance in Bon Temps in this week’s episode? Future episodes should make the correlation clearer, or drop this line altogether.
Once upon a time in Mexico: Last week’s episode made the reason for Jesus and Lafayette’s pilgrimage to Mexico clear, but this week’s hour seemed to drop the line almost entirely in favor of some peculiar, inexplicable black magic. Without the goal for the trip spelled out, the venture seemed to dissolve into chaos that is difficult to watch with vested interest.

The Bad:

The change-up: Tommy and Sam’s “Freaky Friday” subplot plays out like a bad R-rated comedy. While it certainly doesn’t come out of nowhere and has been plotted out for the duration of the season, it seems out of place in this episode. Without a doubt, “Sam’s” actions are clichéd and ludicrous, as though they were written in by wannabe comedy writers.

Overall:

This week’s episode has its flaws, but it is nonetheless an enjoyable hour of “True Blood” with a payoff in the last five minutes that is sure to please. The consequences of the events from “I Wish I Was The Moon” will undoubtedly be felt several episodes from now, making this an hour of television that builds an excitement fans will feel all week long.

Rating: 8/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

Battleship Trailer goes Boom

Damon Houx — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:57:26 +0000

It’s hard to know what to make of Battleship – the movie – even after the trailer. And that’s because it’s hard to call the board game (from which the film is derived) plot driven. It involves calling out numbers, which leads to hits and misses. Here there’s an intergalactic threat, and battleships. No on ei is currently calling out anything resembling numbers, but you know someone’s going to say it, someone’s got to say “you’ve sunk my battleship.” Peter Berg directs Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgard, Taylor Kitsch and Brooklyn Decker, and the teaser’s here now. Check it out…

This looks part Independence Day, but maybe a little Pearl Harborish. Post World War II saw a boom in films about war boats, but partly because location shooting is so temperamental, there haven’t been that many over the last twenty years. You also have submarine movies, but so many of those revolve around claustrophobia.

This must be the set up, but it doesn’t feel like there’s much meat here. There’s a love interest, and some back story (Berg is good with characters, so the first act shouldn’t be too painful, though Brooklyn Decker is still a model first), and then an alien attack. If it follows the board game, it could be a cat and mouse game, but nothing in the trailer suggests as much. So it’s still a weird film. But the footage looks good and the actors are likeable. Maybe once we get a sense that there is a story here, it could be more appealing. Word is that there were groans when the trailer showed at preview screenings of Cowboys and Aliens.

Did this sink your interest in Battleship?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 5 – ‘Me And The Devil’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:06:32 +0000

“True Blood” is a show that always seems to know exactly what it’s doing. Every plot twist and turn, no matter how unexpected or farfetched, is executed and later assimilated into the canon with an expert ease that only makes the viewer’s total shock more pronounced. Like junkies in search of a V fix, fans who thrive on that thrill tune in every Sunday night at 9 p.m. with confidence that the next hour of “True Blood” will be just as incredible as the last, if not more so. And this week, just like every other, HBO delivers everything it promises and a whole lot more.

The Players:

Director: Daniel Minahan
Writer: Mark Hudis
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Me And The Devil”

Sookie comforts a vulnerable Eric; Tommy escapes his parents and enlists Sam’s help; Pam’s vanity breeds anger; Tara’s past haunts her present; Arlene and Terry seek religious intervention to solve their son’s problem; Jesus and Lafayette head to Mexico to request help from Jesus’s grandfather; Jason’s recovery begins; Bill gets involved with the necromancers; Marnie discovers more about her possessor; Alcide receives an unexpected visitor.

The Good:

The Mickens family reunion: The episode kicks off with a scene that is bound to get your heart pumping. No matter how you feel about Tommy, his “reunion” with his parents is pure intensity offset by a heart-wrenching moment at the very end that will leave you thinking, “What the hell just happened?” When that is your response to a sequence of events, that right there is “True Blood” at its best.
Eric’s old friend: When Eric received a visit from – how should I put this? – an old friend, I almost jumped out of my seat and thanked the gods of “True Blood.” Although the scene is not of much consequence initially, it is a fantastic sequence for those of us who have missed seeing this particular person grace the screen. I like to think of it as a bittersweet reunion for and a nod to the vocal set of fans.
Jessica and Hoyt: Their presence on screen was all too short this episode, but whenever they are together, it is obvious that their relationship will only go south from here on out. The knowledge of their self-destructive ways makes their scenes all the more devastating to watch.
Sensitive Eric: I never would have said this a couple of seasons ago, but if you take away the leather and pithy remarks, there is something very sweet and gentle in Eric. Nevertheless, this is not an organic change in the man…er, vampire. A lot of Eric’s softer side must be attributed to not only his memory loss but also Sookie’s maternal instinct, which brings out a great deal of his vulnerability. The change will most certainly not last, but for now, it is fun to watch this dynamic unfold.
Tara’s past: It’s about time that Tara’s issues have caught up with her. The situation is ratcheting up in a way that is undoubtedly setting the stage for an explosion in future episodes. It’s all just a matter of time for poor Tara, who clearly can’t catch a break no matter how hard she tries.
Marnie’s reading: Two beings with great gifts finally come together as their plots begin to intertwine. Not only that, but we learn something new about Marnie from a very reliable source that makes us question this new character. This scene is a very well-executed moment of revelation using Sookie’s normally suppressed power.
Jason’s dream: If the hour is almost up and you’re wondering where all the sex is, just wait until you get to a sequence starring Jason and two friends whose presence is a steamy surprise. All I have to say is this: wowza!
Line of the night: The credit goes to Bill for this witticism: “Oh, good. The world needs more beekeepers.”

The So-So:

Baby exorcism: Five episodes in, and I still couldn’t care less about Arlene and Terry’s baby. Bringing in Tara’s mother to reinforce the small town feel of Bon Temps was a nice touch, but otherwise, there is nothing particularly intriguing about this supposed demon baby. Rene has been dead too long and too much has happened for his involvement in the show to be considered consequential.

Overall:

Exhilarating, hilarious, and oh-so-sexy, this episode has it all and then some. Between Sookie and Eric’s will-they-or-won’t-they interactions and Pam’s one-liners, “Me And The Devil” exemplifies the best that “True Blood” has to offer. Perhaps it is too much of a stretch to assume that this show can do no wrong, but it is pretty close to being a perfect slice of television heaven.

Rating: 10/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 4 – ‘I’m Alive And On Fire’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:07:02 +0000

Did you enjoy the oh-so-palpable tension of last week’s episode of “True Blood?” Then you’re in luck: “I’m Alive And On Fire” only builds on all the drama and intrigue introduced in the first three episodes of the season. Once again, HBO serves up a tremendous episode chock full of everything that makes “True Blood” the sexy, funny, grip-the-edge-of-your-seat wild ride that it is. As long as the fourth season continues at this pace, you won’t hear too many complaints from me.

The Players:

Director: Michael Lehmann
Writer: Nancy Oliver
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “I’m Alive And On Fire”

Alcide helps Sookie search for Eric; Jason liberates himself from Hotshot; Bill becomes entrenched in the politics of dealing with the necromancer problem; Marnie delves deeper into her practice to break the spell on Eric; Tommy returns home to an unwelcome surprise; Sam gets to know Luna better; Bill discovers a disturbing connection between himself and the Bellefleurs; Arlene and Terry’s new boy exhibits bizarre behavior.

The Good:

Drunk Eric: This episode opens with the perfect one-two punch of humor and plot. Eric drains Sookie’s fairy godmother, and, in his stupor, runs off. You’ll have to see it for yourself in the episode, but I’ll say this much: Eric drunk on fairy blood might be one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen on this show.
The Eric/Sookie dynamic: It’s fascinating to see Eric as the helpless victim and Sookie take on the role of the caretaker. The shake-up of Eric and Sookie’s relationship is certainly jarring, as Alcide astutely notes, but it works in a bizarro-world sort of way. A remorseful, sensitive Eric is a refreshing change from the always-smirking, bad-boy persona we’ve grown used to. Perhaps it’s because I’m a softie at heart, but I like the new Eric. I’m not naïve enough to think that he will last, but a girl can dream, can’t she?
Vampire politics: As an avid politics junkie, I enjoy when a show parallels the political climate within its own world. The dynamic between Nan Flanagan and Bill, between the anti-vampire fanatics and the vamps, and among all of the other groups involved – both supernatural and otherwise – is as exciting to watch as a competitive election out here in reality. The nuance adds a great deal of flavor to the relationships among all of the beings in the “True Blood” universe.
Sam and Luna: Luna won me over in this episode. The chemistry between her and Sam – and between Sam and her daughter – crackles on screen, especially while Luna is baring her soul to Sam. I may be jumping the gun here, but all three make a gorgeous-looking family already.
The Bellefleur bombshell: I won’t spoil it here, but I will say that the Bill-Bellefleur connection is a good – and somewhat unexpected – one. It ought to make fans desperate for Bill and Sookie to get back together quite happy, as Bill is no longer attached once the information is revealed.
Bill and Sookie: I’ve missed seeing these two in scenes together, as whenever they’re on the same screen, my TV nearly explodes from the fireworks between them. Even in the one tense, dramatic scene they did have in this episode, the sparks are not hard to spot.
Marnie: Up until the very last minute of this episode, I haven’t found Marnie all too compelling. Then, with seconds left in this week’s hour, she went from zero to bada**, using her magic to make Pam look less like a porcelain doll and more like Jonah Hex. I’m excited to see Marnie unlock more of her power as this arc continues.
Shirtless Alcide: All I’m going to say is that this scene is definitely pause-worthy. I think I ought to invest in a DVR solely due to all the man candy this show provides me with.
Line of the night: It’s a tie between these two: “There isn’t any more. You drank the whole fairy.” “Stop saying ‘fuck.’ I can’t concentrate.” I’ll leave it up to you to decide which one takes the title.

The So-So:

The rape of Jason Stackhouse: This absurd subplot is just reaching uncomfortable levels. When that little girl walked into the room with Jason tied to bed, telling her about what her first time should be like, I cringed. I can understand that “True Blood” often goes for shock value, but using rape and sex with an underage girl for that shock factor seems to be cutting it too close.
The writing on the wall: Fortunately, Arlene and Terry’s baby is only in one scene, but even those couple of minutes are overkill in the drama department. Between the musical cues and Arlene’s screaming, there is far too much melodrama surrounding this subplot.
Little-to-no Jessica and Hoyt: What gives, HBO? Nancy Oliver, this episode’s writer, left one gaping hole in an otherwise nearly perfect episode. Let’s hope that next week’s episode has a double dose of the lovers in order to make up for this transgression.

Overall:

“I’m Alive And On Fire” is a solid episode that packs tons of intrigue into an hour that seems to fly by. While there’s a lot less sex and violence in this episode, it’s hard to miss all of that spectacle when there is so much gripping drama to feast your eyes on. This is “True Blood” in its element: a well-written, character- and plot-driven script that is interpreted beautifully by the actors and the episode’s director. And, as usual, there is plenty of humor to keep the laughter coming.

Rating: 9/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

ScreenCrave.com » Alexander Skarsgard

Battleship: Movie Review

The Players:

The Plot:

The Good:

The So-So:

The Bad:

Overall:

The Rating: 6/10

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 12 – ‘And When I Die’ – TV Review

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Episode Title: “And When I Die”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 5/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 11 – ‘Soul Of Fire’ – TV Review

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Episode Title: “Soul Of Fire”

The Good:

The So-So:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 10 – ‘Burning Down The House’ – TV Review

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Episode Title: “Burning Down The House”

The Good:

The So-So:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 9 – ‘Let’s Get Out Of Here’ – TV Review

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Episode Title: “Let’s Get Out Of Here”

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 6/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 7 – ‘Cold Grey Light of Dawn’ – TV Review

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Episode Title: “Cold Grey Light of Dawn”

The Good:

The So-So:

Overall:

Rating: 7/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 6 – ‘I Wish I Was The Moon’ – TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “I Wish I Was The Moon”

The Good:

The So-So:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 5 – ‘Me And The Devil’ – TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “Me And The Devil”

The Good:

The So-So:

Overall:

Rating: 10/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 4 – ‘I’m Alive And On Fire’ – TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “I’m Alive And On Fire”

The Good:

The So-So:

Overall: