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Reviewing Roger Ebert’s ‘Greatest Films’: Written in the Wind (1956)

Jaime Lopez — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:00:03 +0000

Years ago, ScreenCrave contributor Jaime Lopez privately began tackling Roger Ebert’s “Greatest Films” list, an ever-expanding monolith of celluloid currently comprised of 354 films. With 261 under his belt and less than 100 films left to go, Lopez has set himself to put these remaining films’ “Greatness” to the test–reviewing both the movies themselves and Ebert’s response. This week, he takes on Douglas Sirk’s Written in the Wind.

The Players

Director: Douglas Sirk
Writer: George Zuckerman, Robert Wilder
Cast: Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack, Dorothy Malone

Notes:

Prior to watching this film, I had never given much thought to where soap operas came from. Roger Ebert calls Written on the Wind “a perverse and wickedly funny melodrama in which you can find the seeds of Dallas, Dynasty, and all the other prime-time soaps”. I wouldn’t call this film “wickedly funny”, and the comedy struck me as unintentional or so satirical that you have to be aware enough to be in on the joke. Much of the dialogue in the first act didn’t really engage me. I found myself reaching for deeper meaning until I realized “hey, this is a Technicolor soap opera!”. And that’s where I got the film, but mostly by taking it lightly.

I couldn’t help but compare this to the Mexican soap operas I watched as a kid during the 80’s and 90’s. Written on the Wind takes itself more seriously….. or does it? According to Ebert, director Douglas Sirk can be given credit for establishing the tone in soap operas, “in which shocking behavior is treated with passionate solemnity, while parody burbles beneath”. Either I watched too many damn soap operas growing up or I’m too much of a hopeless romantic to have noticed any parody “burbling” beneath. Once I settled into the story and knew a bit about each character, I ate up all the drama and unfolding plot points.

The film follows Kyle Hadley (Robert Stack), who is the son of an oil millionaire and – without a sense of purpose in life – marries Lucy Moore (Lauren Bacall). But she has always been secretly loved by his best friend Mitch Wayne (Rock Hudson), who is also a geologist for his father’s company. Kyle’s sister, Marylee Hadley (Dorothy Malone), has always had a crush on Mitch. The stage is set for a web of sex that – though not intricate enough to be called “tangled” – provides some nice surprises along the way. Conflict is triggered when Kyle learns that he is unable to have children, a discovery that takes him back to the bottle, and that’s exacerbated when Marylee tells Kyle that Lucy is pregnant.

The best performances here are by Dorothy Malone and Robert Stack as the Hadley siblings. They’re both unstable and spoiled individuals. Malone is recognizable as the type of manipulative lust-hungry family member, an archetype that we’ve grown to expect in soap operas. Previously known for playing nice girls, Malone won an Oscar for her against-type work here. Robert Stack has a scary and unsettling intensity, which is probably a major reason why his character is drawn to Lucy’s calming presence. His eyes often seem like they’re deviously thinking about something else. Stack lost the Oscar to Anthony Quinn (whose winning performance in Lust for Life was less than ten minutes long), allegedly for political reasons involving his studio contract. It is Stack and Malone that drive the action.

Lauren Bacall and Rock Hudson are mostly straight-laced here. Bacall was married to Humphrey Bogart at the time of this film and took this role at a time when her career had lost much of its steam. Bacall and Rock Hudson are not bad here, but their characters are given a limited range of emotions and rendered mostly as self-composed individuals.

Brief Words for Mr. Ebert: I like this movie, although I was ready to turn it off during the first act. But about 30 minutes into it, when I stopped taking it seriously, my enjoyment multiplied. And the fun levels went through the roof when Lucy makes the film’s biggest revelation to Kyle, and we can see that all hell is about to break loose by looking at Kyle’s eyes as he says, “You shouldn’t have done that”. Mr. Ebert, as sometimes happens in film history, some films are overlooked and dismissed as simplistic during their time, only to then be re-assessed and declared to have greater value because some critic decides that the joke was on us the whole time. My hesitation in calling this film “great” stems from my own curiosity, mainly wanting to know whether director Douglas Sirk did intend this as satirical humor and as a subversive take on American families. Why didn’t critics know that before they began praising it years later? And, it seems, why wouldn’t a director disclose his intentions from the start if that is in fact what he intended. On the surface, this is similar to a soap opera, but under the surface, it is suggested by critics that much of its power lies in its subversiveness. When recently watching Contagion, I appreciated the last minute of the film when we learn how and where the pandemic began. If only it were possible to know who, and at what precise moment, someone first declared Written in the Wind to be satirical, leading to the now widespread belief of it being so.

Good, Bad or Great Movie: GOOD

Do you like Written in the Wind? Do you consider this film to be Good, Bad or Great?

Next week’s review: Victim

Revenge: Season 1 Episode 22: Reckoning – TV Review

Jordan Thompson — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:10:26 +0000

Last night’s finale of the hit drama Revenge was the culmination of weeks of waiting and wanting. The outcome might not have been what you dreamed, but it was everything you needed. “Reckoning” was filled with heart-stopping moments thanks to big surprises, double-crossing and vengeance!

Find out more in our review below…

The Players:

Director: Sanford Bookstaver
Writers: Mike Kelley & Mark B. Perry
Cast: Madeleine Stowe, Emily VanCamp, Gabriel Mann, Henry Cxerny, Ashley Madekwe, Nick Wechsler, Josh Bowman, Christa B. Allen, James Morrison, Amber Valletta, Emily Alyn Lind, James Tupper, Michael Reilly Burke, Rachel DiPillo

Episode Title “Reckoning”

Emily prepares to execute the final stages of her plan. As the Graysons continue to fall to pieces, an unexpected disaster occurs. It threatens everything she’s worked for, and it’s not the only shock of the night.

(Spoilers ahead)

The Good:

Handcuffs are Nothing: Lately, the writers have been a little light-handed with Emily. Having her unprepared for simple plot points have left holes in her all-powerful mystique. Handcuffs can’t stop her!
Empty Box: The forethought it took for Victoria to give the betrothed an empty box for a wedding gift was truly inspired. But to take time to rub salt in Emily’s wounds by revealing it? That’s the kind of move that keeps viewers salivating for more of Victoria’s vindictiveness.
The Plane: Early on, the White Haired Man revealed that he was headed to the airport. Still, Victoria and Lydia’s impending doom didn’t dawn on us until they actually boarded the plane. Destroying the evidence and presumably the key witnesses to David Clarke’s innocence ensures the longevity of Emily’s plan for at least another season. But don’t be surprised if Victoria manages to rise from the ashes. She’s a force that can’t be quelled by a little fall and fire.
American Initiative: Last week, it was hypothesized that “the initiative” could be a primary focus for vengeance next season. Nolan’s discovery pretty much ensured that while Emily doesn’t care for them now, she will sooner than later.
Emily’s Mom: It’s quite easy for a drama to earn the title “primetime soap opera.” They have all the twists and turns of daytime soaps with a soupcon more believability. Emily’s mother being alive is just one of the many reasons Revenge has earned that moniker. Rest assured the writers will develop a storyline that makes her disappearance as legitimate as her sudden reappearance.

The Bad:

Amanda: How the usurper of Emily’s one true love got away from Takeda is beyond the realm of imagination. Amanda returned just in time to ruin Emily and Jack’s chance at real happiness. Who’s to say whose baby that is? For all we know that thing could have three heads. Of course Jack has to fall on his sword and care for the child he assumes is his blood. The surprise pregnancy will keep the love triangle alive, as well as the will-they-won’t-they of Jack and Emily’s relationship.
Leaving Charlotte: With the plane laid in wreckage, it makes sense that Charlotte wasn’t on it. But it seems completely misguided and self-involved for even Victoria to leave her child alone at a time like this. Especially after Daniel warned her of Charlotte’s needs. From the start of the season Charlotte, like Jack, has been the show’s punching bag. And it doesn’t seem like that will be changing anytime soon.

The Quotable:

“I’m not here because of how my father was framed. I’m here because of how he died.”
“Champagne is always appropriate.”

Overall:

The most frustrating thing about a quality program like Revenge is having to wait three months for more. This season’s finale was everything fans expected and hoped it to be. There wasn’t a moment where a character wasn’t embroiled in some treachery or deceit. There was even a new alliance of sorts; something is brewing between Daniel and Ashley. Figure out your DVR schedules now, because when Revenge switches to Sundays, you won’t want to miss a single moment.

Rating: 10/10

Revenge will return this fall, and air Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. on ABC.

What did you think of last night’s finale?

Glee: Season 3 Episode 22: Goodbye – TV Review

Laura Aguirre — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:48:40 +0000

Last night’s season finale of Glee was exactly what we expected it to be, emotional and borderline tearful. It was time to say farewell to the seniors of the New Directions. Some of the kids are headed West to Hollywood, others to NYC, and a few might just stay in Lima.

Find out their fates in our review of “Goodbye”…

The Players:

Director: Brad Falchuk
Writer: Brad Falchuk
Cast: Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Heather Morris, Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling, Matthew Morrison, Ashley Fink, Chord Overstreet, Harry Shum, Jr., Cheyenne, Darren Criss, Jayma Mays, Jane Lynch, and Mike O’Malley

Episode Title: “Goodbye”

The William McKinley High School class of 2012 graduates, and the glee club bids adieu to its graduating seniors.

The Good:

Burt Hummel’s Graduation Gift: Mike O’Malley returned as Burt Hummel. Hooray! He’s such a delightful character, and last night, he gave us another reason to smile. His gift to Kurt was a performance of Beyonce‘s “Single Ladies.” Seeing him dance to the number, inter-cut with flashbacks of Kurt doing the same was funny and sweet.
Quinn’s Reflection: Though it doesn’t make sense that Quinn’s spine healed so quickly, we’re glad she can walk again. Especially since she continues to do selfless gestures like help Puckerman study for his History final. He needed a boost of confidence and Quinn made sure to give him that. She knew that a kiss would lift his spirits and possibly help him pass that test. And it did. There was also that conversation with Sue Sylvester. Both put their guards down and approached each other like real human beings. Quinn’s come a long way and deserves every bit of her success.
Future in the Choir Room: That moment in the choir room was surreal and heartbreaking. Only Rachel got what she wanted, while Finn and Kurt got rejected. It was a bitter dose of reality.
Goodbye Rachel Berry: Rachel’s send off to New York was downright cheesy, but also powerful. Yes, the “I have to set you free” speech from Finn was cliché, as was the moment when he ran alongside the train, but it all worked. Finchel needed to breakup. To quote Finn, both of them needed to surrender each other. Rachel is a star. If Finn kept her from her dreams, he would’ve hated himself for it later on. This is the best possible ending for them — for now.

The Bad:

The Flashbacks: There were flashbacks to old episodes throughout the finale. They were a nice touch at first. But they were so few and far between that it would have been best to leave them out. It felt inconsistent.
No Backup Plan: One of the things that’s been most bothersome this season is the lack of backup plans. Seriously, who doesn’t have a Plan B? None of them considered other options besides the first one that popped into their head. It’s unrealistic. Hello! When one door closes, another one opens. That’s the saying.

The Music:

“Forever Young,” Rod Stewart – Mr. Schue gives his tribute to the New Directions. His performance is simple and subtle, but in an affective way.
“I’ll Remember,” Madonna – Kurt says goodbye to everyone, but puts emphasis on the guys of the club.
“You Get What Your Give,” New Radicals – The seniors perform for the underclassmen in the choir room. There are no outfit changes or fancy dance numbers, just a fun and friendly performance.
“In My Life,” The Beatles – This might actually be the first time Glee covers The Beatles. Thankfully, their performance didn’t ruin the song. The juniors’ performance was full of emotion.
“Glory Days,” Bruce Springsteen – One by one, the seniors take a bow in their caps and gowns.
“Roots Before Branches,” Room For Two – The final number of the season is also Rachel Berry’s last solo. Figures.

Overall:

The best decision the writers have made all season is to end Rachel and Finn’s road to marriage. Their breakup was sudden, but properly done. That alone opens up new possibilities for next season. Overall, “Goodbye” was a touching ending to a rather emotional season.

Rating: 7.5/10

Glee will return this fall, and air Thursday nights at 9 p.m. on Fox.

Photo Gallery:

What did you think of last night’s finale?

Men In Black 3: Movie Review

Laura Aguirre — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:37:31 +0000

Men In Black 3 has become a blockbuster underdog, mainly because it’s the movie no one was asking for, and has to overcome a lot of bad buzz about re-shoots. It’s been 10 years since we last saw Will Smith‘s Agent J and Tommy Lee Jones‘ Agent K monitor alien activity on Earth, and the new film offers a time travel twist which introduces Josh Brolin as the new K, placing Jones in the back seat. Does MIB3 have what it takes to overcome being a little outdated and a “troubled production?”

Find out in our review of MIB3…

The Players:

Directors: Barry Sonnenfeld
Writers: Etan Cohen, David Koepp, Jeff Nathanson, Michael Soccio
Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin
Cinematography: Bill Pope

The Plot:

When Agent K’s (Jones) life and the fate of the planet are put at risk, Agent J (Smith) takes it upon himself to travel back in time to right the wrongs of the future. J seeks help in an unfamiliar era, teaming up with young K (Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind.

The Good:

Josh Brolin As Young K: MIB3 took a risk by breaking up an iconic duo and replacing Jones with Brolin – though everything suggested that Jones’ was one of the stars of the film, his performance is basically reduced to a cameo. But the movie doesn’t suffer because of it as Brolin gives a pitch-perfect performance as young Agent K. His impersonation of Jones is uncanny but entirely his own. He displays a softer side of the character, playing K as a charming and optimistic fellow instead of the world-weary cynic of the last two films. His chemistry with Smith comes easy, and both actors play off each other well.
Time Travel: Smith’s Agent J travels back in time to the Mad Men era (or at least that’s the film’s most obvious touchstone), and it’s where the movie really takes off. The 60′s section of the film offers the film’s best moments, including a trip to Andy Warhol’s The Factory where Bill Hader gives us his best Warhol, and a surprisingly lighthearted moment of period racism when Smith’s K gets pulled over for being a black man in a fancy car. In the past we also meet a sweet and likable alien named Griffin, played by Boardwalk Empire‘s Michael Stuhlbarg. He’s a pivotal part of K and J’s mission to save the world, and gives the movie a needed spoonful of quirk.
Visuals: Visually, the film is amazing. It’s a bright, colorful and full of spectacle. And the 3D actually serves a narrative purpose – including visual jokes. In one particular funny scene, we see Nicole Scherzinger carrying a wobbling two-layer cake, intercut with closeups of her vibrating buttocks that kills. But like a lot of 3-D, these scenes are at the beginning of the movie and by the third act the 3-D isn’t as noticable.

The Bad:

Weak Bad Guy: The main troublemaker, Boris the Animal, is played by Flight of the Conchords actor/musician Jemaine Clement and he’s transformed into an unrecognizable, disgusting creature (courtesy of the amazing make-up artist Rick Baker). And though he looks great, he doesn’t really make for a memorable villain. There’s nothing beyond the make-up. He’s a plot point, and little more.
Not Memorable Enough To Make A Stink: MIB3 is better than expected, but not only is it coming 10 years late, but it’s not a movie anyone was asking to see. And once you see it, it’s hard to find the motivation for it other than “Seemingly Viable Franchise.” At this point getting the band back together isn’t enough to justify buying a ticket.

Overall:

MIB3 is better than you’d think, all things. The performances, visuals and a few of the jokes make it painless. But one does not expect to call a franchise tentpole blockbuster “diverting” (at best). And in the competitive summer marketplace, it’s just not good enough.

Rating: 6.5/10

Men In Black 3 opens in theaters Friday, May 25, 2012.

Photo Gallery:

Trailer:

Are you excited for Men In Black 3?

Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 10: Christmas Waltz—TV Review

Jordan Thompson — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:06:40 +0000

Praise be to Krishna! Last night’s episode of Mad Men shone a light on the movement of the late 1960s, Hare Krishna. “Christmas Waltz” features the return of Michael Gladis as Paul Kinsley, the man for whom all fads become fashion. As the season creeps to a close, will fans finally get what they really want?

Check out our full review below…

The Players:

Director: Michael Uppendahl
Writers: Victor Levin and Matthew Weiner
Cast: Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Harris, Robert Morse, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Kiernan Shipka, Christopher Stanley, Jessica Parè, Michael Gladis, Anna Wood, Jay R. Ferguson, Ben Feldman

Episode Title: “Christmas Waltz”

Don and Megan continue to deal with her leaving the agency. Meanwhile, Lane runs into more financial trouble. When the situation looks bleak, he uses every trick in the book to keep his head above water. Elsewhere, Harry is called upon to help an old colleague and friend, while Sterling Cooper Draper Price enters a dogfight for a new account.

The Good:

The Movement: Ever on the cusp of the events, Mad Men tackled Hare Krishna. Using Paul as the believer was an inspired choice. He may not be an essential part of the show, but his scenes are always enjoyable. Even more entertaining than catching up with Paul was Harry’s lack of awareness. The fact that he wouldn’t pause to ponder Mother Lakshmi’s desire to offer herself up on a platter is as laughable as it is unlikely. Oh Harry, a woman always wants something for her trouble.
Ali Khan: For any successful show, chemistry is everything. Don and Joan have always had a mutual respect for each other. Hard workers who let nothing stand in the way of their goals often find a sort of kinship. Though, their chemistry was never on display quite like it was last night. At a time when fans are clamoring for more of the old Mad Men rhythm, planting a seed like this is as dangerous as it is exciting. Don and Joan? Probably not, but the thought is titillating enough to feel real.

The Bad:

Not Enough: Lane’s dishonesty, while slightly interesting, simply won’t do. To be clear, nor will Pete and Harry’s indiscretions or Joan and Roger’s divorces. Megan’s little show of plate throwing won’t amount to much either. The happiness from the start of the season didn’t go over well with fans. Alluding to impending doom over the past few weeks was amusing, but now the novelty has worn off. Mad Men devotees feed off of discord. Serious unhappiness, huge secrets, big fights, and real cheating seem to be the only recipe for success. Give the people what they want, or watch enthusiasts disappear quicker than they attached themselves to this dark horse.

The Quotable:

“What’s the hurry Harry?”
“You’re going to need to define some of these pronouns if you want me to keep listening.”
“My mother raised me to be admired.”

Overall:

There were far more shards of peril planted throughout last night’s episode. But until these mini-melodramas grow into real problems, it feels like more of the same. “Christmas Waltz” wasn’t without its merits. Harry was given his first major plot all season. It was good seeing Paul again, as was getting a glimpse of Lane after weeks of absence. The hope for the future lay with the sparks between Joan and Don. An expected hook-up may be what Mad Men needs to return to its former glory.

Rating: 6/10

Mad Men airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. on AMC.

What did you think of last night’s episode?

Girls: Season 1 Episode 6: The Return – TV Review

Laura Aguirre — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:47:12 +0000

Last night’s episode of Girls felt like a shorter version of Tiny Furniture. “The Return” focused all its attention on Lena Dunham‘s Hannah, omitting the rest of the cast. Hannah traveled back to her hometown where she encountered lots of people from her past, much like the aforementioned film. We also saw the reappearance of her parents, played by Becky Ann Baker and Peter Scolari.

Check out our review below…

The Players:

Director: Lena Dunham
Writer: Lena Dunham, Judd Apatow
Cast: Lena Dunham, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, Allison Williams

Episode Title: “The Return“

Hannah visits her parents in Michigan for their 30th anniversary. But she winds up going on a date to a fundraiser for a local family who suffered a tragic loss.

The Good:

The Return: The best part of “The Return” was seeing more of the relationship between Hannah and her parents. It’s a shame they can’t be around more often. They bring out the best and worst in their daughter. At first, she behaves like a brat, yelling at them for not understanding her life. But later, she shows signs of growth when her mother asks if she needs financial help. Hannah’s out of a job and rent is due, but she turns down the offer. That showed that she’s actually trying to take matters into her own hands.
Pep Talk: Hannah’s little pep talk before going on her date was hilarious. She tells herself, “You are from New York, therefore you are naturally interesting.” This feeling of superiority over everyone else follows Hannah throughout her date and entire visit home. It’s interesting to hear what she thinks of her high school friend’s intent to move to Hollywood and become a professional dancer. She doubts that she’ll be able to succeed in a place where she knows no one, yet she forgets that she’s struggling to be a writer in a city that doesn’t want her.
The Tolerable Adam: Adam is becoming more and more tolerable. It doesn’t bother us that he calls Hannah “kid” or that he thinks Ohio is her hometown (it’s actually Michigan). He shows honest signs of affection towards her this time around. It’s not that he’s a jerk, it’s that he’s also a young 20-something trying to figure it out.
Side Note: Peter Scolari’s impression of Woody Allen was very amusing.

The Bad:

No Marnie, Jessa, or Shoshanna: Mmmm, we don’t know how to feel about this. Dunham is a strong actress and her character is the driving force behind Girls, but this show is supposed to be about a group of friends. Without Marnie, Jessa or Shoshanna, “The Return” felt more like a short film and less like an episode of the HBO series.

Overall:

Hannah’s trip back home showed us that she’s maturing. It proves that all of her terrible experiences in New York aren’t in vain. Still, “The Return” could have used some additional spice from the show’s other three leads.

Rating: 7.5/10

Girls airs at 10:30 p.m. on HBO.

What did you think of last night’s episode?

Game of Thrones: Season 2 Episode 8: The Prince of Winterfell – TV Review

Christa Youngpeter — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:04:16 +0000

And so the drama continues. This week on Game of Thrones, some key players had to eat a slice of humble pie. After ceasing the Stark’s home, Theon is reprimanded like a child, Robb loses a bargaining chip and Jon Snow goes from captor to captive. If anything, “The Prince of Winterfell” showed the importance of strategy in the art of war.

Find out more in our review…

The Players:

Creators: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Writers: David Benioff, George R.R. Martin, D.B. Weiss
Cast: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Michelle Fairley, Richard Madden, Kit Harington, Alfie Allen, Maisie Williams, Charles Dance, Iain Glen, Sophie Turner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Gwendoline Christie, Sibel Kekilli, Oona Chaplin, Rose Leslie

Episode Title: “The Prince of Winterfell”

Robb Stark continues his march to the throne and with it comes unsavory responsibilities, including imprisoning his own mother for releasing Jaime Lannister. He also struggles with his impending arranged marriage, while falling in love with battle nurse, Talisa. Tywin begins his journey to Robb’s camp, while the Stark family becomes more fragmented. Will their power be spread or diffused as a result?

The Good:

Dirty Work: This week, there was lots of treachery, but surprisingly little of it involved the head chopping or torture that’s become de rigueur. The dialogue was masterfully witty, with each character revealing his or her particular brand of plotting. Arya with her favor bending, Cersei’s revenge against Tyrion, and Varys’ worldwide network of spies added to the webs of deceit.
The Women of Westeros: Be they a lowly whore or the Queen Regent, the ladies of the Seven Kingdoms wield some serious power. Starting with Cat’s gamble of releasing Jaime to free her children to Cersei capturing the wrong woman from Tyrion. And who can forget Arya orchestrating a bold escape from Tywin’s camp? But the luckiest woman of all is Talisa. She finally wooed Robb with her upfront feminism rather than high-born harp playing.

The Bad:

Where’s Daenerys?: True, she can’t be a main character in every episode, but the lovely Targaryen/Mother of Dragons/rightful queen was mostly absent. With Qarth being rife with nefarious characters, the duplicitous Xaro Xhoan Daxos and the absence of the baby dragons, this episode was heavy on double-crossing and light on its best sub-plot.
Minor plot holes: How did Jaime talk his way into his release? How did another Night’s Watchman wind up captive with Jon Snow? Not every twist can be equally sussed out, but these developments required some irksome rewinding.

Overall:

With just two episodes left, Game of Thones has quite a few loose ends to tie up. At this point, nearly all of the main characters face the possibility of death. “The Prince of Winterfell” set up a lot of what will happen in the major battle. And judging by the errors that have already been made, we expect some serious casualties.

Rating: 8/10

Game of Thrones airs Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. on HBO

What did you think of this week’s episode?

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 23: Homecoming – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 19 May 2012 03:18:10 +0000

What’s going on? That’s what you’ll ask yourself by the end of Nikita’s second season finale. The episode, aptly titled “Homecoming,” has the vigilante trapped inside Division with no escape in sight. Desperate times call for desperate measures and Nikita will do the unthinkable to save herself and hundreds of others.

Check out our review below…

The Players:

Director: Eagle Egillson
Writer: Carlos Coto
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Dillon Casey

Episode Title: “Homecoming”

Following the explosion, Nikita and Michael are stuck inside Division. Percy continues to manipulate President Grayson (guest star Cameron Daddo), and reveals plans for a second bomb attack. Nikita’s forced to escort him safely out of Division, or Washington D.C. goes boom. Meanwhile, Alex and Sean hunt down Roan (guest star Rob Stewart) to stop him from carrying out Percy’s orders.

The Good:

Ding Dong Percy’s Gone: After two seasons of watching Percy get away with murder (literally), he’s finally dead. Nikita dropped him down that shaft like a ball at the beach. We loved seeing his arrogance turn to disbelief once he realized she wouldn’t save him.
Sean can’t get answers: Sean and Alex are dangerous, hilarious and sweet together. The whole episode was filled with flirty banter between the two. One minute their shooting automatic weapons, the next he’s struggling to ask her out. And when he finally gets the courage to do so, Nikita interrupts! Next season, Sean. Next season.
Roan has a soul: As far as we’re concerned, Roan’s a cyborg. But when he received the signal from Percy’s kill-chip he actually showed emotion. We were shocked! They finally gave Rob Stewart something else to do with this one-note character.
Sonya makes a decision: Sonya’s (guest star Lyndie Greenwood) computer smart, but lacks common sense. It took her a whole season to realize Division wasn’t up to snuff. Thankfully, she finally stepped up for Birkhoff, Michael and Nikita when they needed it most. Better late than never.
Birkhoff’s kissing crusade: Last week, Nikita got face-time with Birkhoff and this time Sonya was his target. He’s been pretty vocal about his attraction to her, so when they finally met — fireworks! He laid one on her Gone with the Wind style.

The So-So:

Under new management: Division has a new boss, or should we saw bosses? After Percy dropped to his deserving death, Ryan (guest star Noah Bean) was offered control over the agency. But he’d only take the job if Nikita was at his side. The pair, along with the rest of the gang will try to clean up Division’s reputation. It will be weird watching them work within the confines of the place they despise.

The Bad:

Amanda’s return: What was that? They could have left Amanda’s scene on the cutting room floor. In an interview with ScreenCrave, Maggie Q said she didn’t want Amanda to return until next season. She thought it would be more dramatic for viewers, because the last time we saw her she was so broken. It would have been great to see her months later, stronger than ever. Unfortunately, they didn’t go that route. We were left with her, a gun and a decoded black box. It was really underwhelming.

Overall:

“Homecoming” gave us both closure and questions. It’s great that Percy’s no longer a threat, but psycho Amanda’s still on the loose. Plus, Nikita and Ryan are spearheading a Division makeover. And we’re not sure how that’s going to work. Either way, the finale definitely upped the stakes and we can’t wait to see what happens next.

Rating: 8.5/10

This fall, Nikita moves to Fridays at 9 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of Nikita’s second season finale? Were you shocked by the death?

Reviewing Ebert’s ‘Greatest Films’: ‘House of Games’ (1987)

Jaime Lopez — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:46:44 +0000

Years ago, ScreenCrave contributor Jaime Lopez privately began tackling Roger Ebert’s “Greatest Films” list, an ever-expanding monolith of celluloid currently comprised of 354 films. With 260 under his belt and less than 100 films left to go, Lopez has set himself to put these remaining films’ “Greatness” to the test–reviewing both the movies themselves and Ebert’s response. This week, he takes on David Mamet’s House of Games.

In House of Games every word matters. There is a literary quality; the dialogue is almost purely employed to serve the story. If listening to the dialogue in a Tarantino is like surfing through the internet, David Mamet’s style is like reading a book with a sustained train of thought. You leave feeling smarter.

The Players

Director: David Mamet
Writer: David Mamet
Cast: Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, Ricky Jay

The Plot

Margaret Ford (Crouse) is a psychiatrist, and her life changes the day she decides enter the House of Games, the name of a crooked establishment where a group of professional gamblers and con-artists plan their schemes. The ringleader of this underworld operation is Mike (Mantegna), and Margaret is there to negotiate the debt of one of her clients. Always making deals, Mike promises to forgive the debt if Margaret plays along as Mike’s companion in a poker game as a way of to help reveal the tell of a gambler having good luck. Before long, Margaret proposes to follow Mike into his world for the purpose of writing a book. When feelings begin to emerge, we wonder whether a true romance can occur when so much of a relationship is based on learning how to be deceptive.

The Good

The Screenplay: Not surprising from a famous playwright, David Mamet’s stories are furiously focused on its characters, but also showcase intelligent dialogue that feels like it deserves credit as a character in the film. The efficiency of this script is mind-boggling. Mamet has a writing style that seems mathematical in its precision. There’s a beautiful focus to the dialogue; it offers no frivolous talk. Margaret’s way of communicating is calculative, which fits nicely with her character – she’s extremely orderly with an unreal composure. When Margaret sheds a tear, when she finally shows emotion, it drops like an atomic bomb.

Plotting: Any movie dealing with high-minded con-artists can’t have any holes or the audience could spot the con. And with that motivation, you’re forced to pay attention to everything. The film is not just smart, it’s riveting.

Directing: Mamet made an effort to achieve objectivity in his films, “shaping them by logical ways of creating order from disorder, in search of the super-objective”. Unlike a Michael Bay film, there are hardly any shots of eye candy. His directing style is focused on ensuring that each shot and each word advances the story. Similar to an Ingmar Bergman film, what we have here is a minimalist style with little to no distractions.

The Bad:

For the second week in a row, I really don’t have anything to say about this film. It’s quite a gem of a thriller!

Brief Words for Mr. Ebert: I am in complete agreement that “the plotting is diabolical and impeccable”, and I think you make a good point not to “spoil the delight of its unfolding by mentioning the crucial details”. The dialogue is delivered so openly and so matter-of-factly that I agree when you say that “they speak with a sort of aggressive, almost insulting directness”. I was delighted at the following comparison you make, “There is a hint in Mamet’s stagings of the influence of Fassbinder, who liked his actors to behave as if they were posing in tableaux, and knew they were”. This is an excellent comparison because there is a recognizably deliberate yet unpredictable quality to the staging and a speech pattern that seems unrehearsed and fresh, just as it appears in Fassbinder film such as Ali: Fear Eats the Soul. Mamet takes a premise and follows it to its logical conclusions, without really seeming to address whether an act is good or bad. The ending left me wondering whether the protagonist changes in a way that I would hope she would or whether I should just sit back and observe her behavior, much as she had intended to merely observe Mike’s behavior.

Good, Bad or Great Movie: GREAT

Do you like House of Games? Do you consider this film to be Good, Bad or Great?

Next week’s review: Written in the Wind

Community: Season 3 Episode 22: Introduction to Finality – TV Review

Laura Aguirre — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:56:56 +0000

Had Community not been renewed for next season, “Introduction to Finality” would have been its series’ finale. It tied up loose ends and showed us the future of the Greendale Seven. But thankfully, the comedy is returning and we have more hilarious antics to look forward to. In the last episode of the season, the gang is back at school, cramming for their Biology final. Things appear to be back to normal, but are they?

Check out our review below …

The Players:

Director: Adam Davidson
Writer: Adam Countee
Cast: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Donald Glover, Alison Brie, Chevy Chase, Ken Jeong

Episode Title: “Introduction to Finality”

Jeff represents Shirley in a dispute with Pierce, who in turn, retains the services of Jeff’s former colleague. Elsewhere, Vice Dean Laybourne makes one last attempt to lure Troy to the Air Conditioning Repair Annex.

The Good:

Evil Abed: Troy’s absence always makes Abed extra vulnerable. And whenever that happens, Evil Abed makes an appearance. We love Evil Abed. He’s a bad ass who chain smokes and makes children cry. His reverse psychology on Britta was hilarious. He insulted her in every way, shape, and form. He even went as far as to call her Jim Belushi. Why does Community hate him so much by the way?
Montage: Montages are the king of clichés, but somehow Community makes them work. The episode’s final moments wrapped up a bunch of storylines, showing us the future of the group. We see Shirley’s sandwich shop open, Jeff passing biology and Britta moving in to Troy, Abed and Annie’s apartment. The montage also sets up future storylines, with a pleasant surprise at the end. We see the return of Dino Stamatopoulos as a very-alive Star-Burns!
#sixseasonsandamovie: Tweet it. Facebook it. Instagram it. Make Community famous people. Let’s not allow another Arrested Development incident to happen. Thank you.

The So-So:

Jeff’s Speech: We love that Shirley is finally getting her sandwich shop. Unfortunately, she had to deal with Pierce first. Therefore, Shirley and Pierce headed to Greendale court. While the “Trial of the Sandwich Shop” had its moments, Jeff’s speech wasn’t one of them. The thing is, Jeff is an amazing speaker, it’s part of who he is. The problem is that he continues to make the same mistakes over and over again. He’s so quick to forget that his friends do mean everything to him. He forgets that he’s not the same jerk from three years ago. His speeches need new meaning.
Another Death: Vice Dean Laybourne is dead? What?! Why are so many characters dying?

The Quotable:

“Did someone say sexy construction worker?”
“Shut up Leonard. I know about your cricked wang.”
“The true repair man will repair man.”
“Crazy? Paranoid? Impotent?”
“Where I come from his name is Lame Abed.”
“You’re VH1, RoboCop 2, and Back To The Future 3. You’re the center slice of a square cheese pizza. Actually that sounds delicious. I’m the center slice of a square cheese pizza. You’re Jim Belushi.”
“I am the truest repair man!”
“This place has made you so gay.”
“No! No. Take him to the police. He murdered someone.”

Overall:

“Introduction to Finality” did a good job of wrapping up the season. It wasn’t high concept or a tribute to some legendary show, but it didn’t need to be. We got that with “Digital Estate Planning.” Plus, high concept episodes are best in small doses. This one got the job done.

Rating: 8.5/10

Community will return next season at a new day and time. Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on NBC

Photo Gallery:

What did you think of last night’s finale?

Community: Season 3 Episode 20/21: Digital Estate Planning/The First Chang Dynasty – TV Review

Laura Aguirre — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:27:55 +0000

Thursday night, NBC blessed us with three episodes of Community. And it was glorious! First up was “Digital Estate Planning,” which took us back to the good old days of 8-bit video games. The Greendale Seven worked together to help Pierce claim his inheritance, defeating evil hippies and a Harry Belafonte look-a-like along the way. Next, it was on to “The First Chang Dynasty,” which dealt with the ongoing feud between the study group and Chang.

Check out our review of both episodes below…

The Players:

Director: Adam Davidson
Writer: Matt Warburton
Cast: Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Donald Glover, Alison Brie, Chevy Chase, Ken Jeong

Episode Title: “Digital Estate Planning”/”The First Chang Dynasty”

“Digital Estate Planning” – Pierce fights for his inheritance after being summoned to Hawthorne Enterprises by his deceased father’s right-hand man. The study group tags along for support, and gets pulled into a video game battle.

“The First Chang Dynasty” – The group plans a sneak attack to loosen Chang’s grip on Greendale. With Chang’s birthday serving as a distraction, Jeff and the gang make their move. Meanwhile, Troy turns to the Air Conditioning Repair Annex for help with their escape.

The Good:

“Digital Estate Planning”: “Digital Estate Planning” was a magnificent episode, bursting with creativity. Watching the 8-bit representations of each character was hilarious, from Jeff’s perfect hair to Shirley’s plump body type. There were great video game details, like figuring out which button was used for jumping or how to stock up on weapons. It was absolutely incredible. We’re hoping NBC makes Journey To The Center of Hawkthorne an actual game.
Annie and Shirley’s Murder: One of the best moments in the game world featured Annie and Shirley’s avatars trying to buy weapons from a blacksmith. Not only do they end up killing him and his wife, but they also burn down their home.
Abed’s Babies: Abed would fall in love with a milk maiden in a video game. That’s just who he is! In the end, he raises a whole army of children, all of whom chant, “Cool, cool, cool.”
Jeff’s Speech: Even as a video game avatar Jeff knows how to give an inspiring speech. It was completely adorable to see his 8-bit self stand on a table and lead the group to victory. It was small details like that that made “Digital Estate Planning” worth watching.
Elaborate Heist: In “The First Chang Dynasty,” Community returned to the ongoing plotline as the Greendale Seven tried to take down Chang with an elaborate heist. The episode wasn’t a full-on homage to Ocean’s Eleven (which would have also been fun), but did make reference to heist movies. It was exciting and funny throughout. Abed and Troy’s plumber disguises were spot on, but the best moment was the Dean’s rescue. We missed him so much!

The So-So:

Out of Place: “Digital Estate Planning” was absolutely delightful (for reasons stated above), but only as a standalone episode. It completely ignored everything that’s been going on in Community lately. The end tag was also a bit odd. We see Troy and Abed returning to Greendale when in fact they’re still expelled. Still an excellent episode, but did feel sort of out of place.

The Quotable:

“Oh that diabolical old fossil face.”
“So a 100-year-old man designed a 30-year-old video game? This I gotta see.”
“I assume nothing because I’m not racist.”
“This place is 20 cat turds and a Pixies poster from being your apartment.”
“Here’s the thing about women Jeff, we don’t hack and slash our way through life because we’re one with life.”
“Unbelievable. Jeff bet all our lives on Britta and won. And I lost my pants to a pair of nines. “
“Look I hate cops!”
“Love is not admissible evidence! I’m working on a cop opera.”
“Not a lot of people get a second chance, just you and probably Obama.”
“Do you know how long someone as sarcastic as I am would last in prison? Suuuch a long time.”
“Don’t be so dramatic Troy. The answer is simple. We just have to plan an elaborate heist!”
“I just want to reiterate that this should be the only time you seduce a child over the Internet.”
“Negative. The pixie has left the toadstool.”
“Shirley, never change. Or do if you want, I’m not the boss of you.”

Overall:

“Digital Estate Planning” and “The First Chang Dynasty” were two very different episodes. But they were both charming and funny. The former took risks by going 8-bit, and its attention to detail made it a true work of art. While the latter returned to the series’ current arc and wrapped it up quite nicely.

Rating: 9.5/10

Community will return next season at a new day and time. Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on NBC

Photo Gallery:

What did you think of last night’s first two episodes?

Revenge: Season 1 Episode 21: Grief—TV Recap

Jordan Thompson — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:14:16 +0000

The end is near for Revenge. Last night’s episode, “Grief,” was the final entry before next week’s season finale. The hour focused on unveiling Emily’s new enemy as she creeps closer to vanquishing her old adversaries. This was an episode no fan should have missed.

Check out our full review below…

The Players:

Director: Randy Zisk
Writers: Mark Fish and Joe Fazzio
Cast: Madeleine Stowe, Emily VanCamp, Gabriel Mann, Henry Czerny, Ashley Madekwe, Nick Wechsler, Josh Bowman, Christa B. Allen, Connor Paolo, James Tupper, Emily Alyn Lind, Nicholas Stargel, Amber Valletta, Roger Bart, Michael Reilly Burke, Marcus Giamatti, James Morrison, Ed Corbin, Rachel DiPillo, Tess Harper, Thomas Daniel

Episode Title: “Grief”

The loss of a loved one pushes Jack and Emily closer than ever since her arrival at the Hamptons. Meanwhile, the unexpected return of one of Victoria’s foes creates an opportunity for an alliance. With her new partner, she could wreak even more havoc on Conrad’s already twisted life. Elsewhere, Charlotte decides to make a move on Declan.

The Good:

The White-Haired Men: The key to a show like Revenge is ensuring longevity. Viewers know it will take time to dissimulate the Graysons. But trying stretch that across five seasons can get boring. Therefore, the writers must introduce new villains that will not only preserve the show’s initial concept, but create other avenues for vengeance. The White-Haired Man, and more importantly his partners at “The Initiative” are a looming threat that could push the show onward.
Aunt Carol to the Rescue: It’s doubtful that anyone familiar with Emily’s thirst for justice would try to stand in her way. To physically block her from making a dangerous mistake is something no other character would have done. Emily has had a confidant and co conspirator in Nolan—as well as a couple of mentors and lackeys—but she’s yet to have a voice of reason. An individual who could exercise some manner of control over her could go a long way. And Aunt Carol fits the bill.
The Real Daniel: When a central character does a complete 180 the change ripples throughout the show. He might have claimed to be nothing like his family, but Daniel was born to be a malevolent Grayson. His further descent into the world of deception makes it easier for Emily to destroy him along with the others. His new conniving nature has not only made him a formidable opponent, but also an interesting character.
The Return of the Sneak: Trying to figure out where Ashley was going to fit in the storyline was becoming exhausting. Bouncing from Emily’s friend, to Tyler’s partner, to Victoria’s henchman, and then to legitimate PR rep made her place in the show a little unclear. At her root, Ashley is nothing more than an opportunistic eavesdropper. She uses the information she hears to further her own position. Having her return to that foundation was the best decision the writers could have made.

The Quotable:

“You may be a lot of things: black belt in karate, impeccable dresser, and a certified sociopath. But you’re not a killer.”

Overall:

This penultimate episode was every bit as thrilling as it should have been. New opponents for Emily mean more excitement for the audience. As the season draws to a close, each character has slipped into a critical stage of whatever drama they’re struggling with. Like you, we just can’t wait until next week.

Rating: 9/10

Revenge airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. on ABC.

What did you think of the episode?

ScreenCrave.com » Reviews

Reviewing Roger Ebert’s ‘Greatest Films’: Written in the Wind (1956)

The Players

Notes:

Good, Bad or Great Movie: GOOD

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Reviewing Ebert’s ‘Greatest Films’: ‘House of Games’ (1987)

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Good, Bad or Great Movie: GREAT

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