The dearth of strong, capable roles for women, especially in the action genre, is an open secret in Hollywood. One of the potential roles that has endured over time, however, is that of the trio of female characters who make up the core of Charlie’s Angels. The 70s tv series has seen revivals on both …
24 is a wonderfully enjoyable show at its best. At its worst, it offers the same rehashed ideas over and over. While old tropes can work when they’re given a fresh twist, as we’ve seen over the last few weeks, a mole working in the CIA is narratively constraining. There are usually only two ways for it to play out: the mole is successful (as Nina Myers so very nearly was) or fails miserably. There is a third option, that of the double agent, but we saw that wayyy back in Day 3 with Gael.
One of the reasons 24’s original run came to an end is that it was no longer original. It was running out of ideas and ways to tells stories without introducing moles, double-agents, and inorganic obstacles for Jack Bauer. What 24: Live Another Day has managed to do, so far, is to use familiar elements from the show but present them in a fresh way. While it doesn’t completely revitalize the franchise, it’s brought a solidly entertaining action-thriller back to the schedule.
Jack Bauer is further outside the system that made his name than he’s ever been, both literally and figuratively.
On the run for years after supposed terrorist acts that actually protected American citizens, he resurfaces in London, far away from the U.S. metropolises he saved so many times. It’s the first time 24 has left the confines of the States for an entire season, though previously took a several-episode detour to Mexico and placed Jack in Africa for the 24: Redemption TV movie.
Louie is utterly unique to the television landscape. There are very, very few shows of which this can be said. It’s part standup, part experimental film, part character study, part whatever else Louis C.K. wants it to be, and in its first three seasons, the series that started out well grew increasingly confident, playing with form and stretching C.K. as a filmmaker and storyteller. After C.K. decided to take 2013 off, some viewers may have been concerned he wouldn’t be able to recapture the magic of the first three seasons. Fortunately, with “Back” and “Model”, C.K. picks up right where he left off, as sure and relaxed as ever.
Despite having his origins in classic literature, Frankenstein’s monster has become a truly cinematic beast, having shown up in countless screen iterations since first being brought to life by Boris Karloff in 1931. No surprise then that I, Frankenstein, originally a comic series by Underworld scribe Kevin Grevioux would get the big screen treatment, and even less of a surprise to results aren’t particularly pretty.
What’s the best way to wrap up a big long story? Do you concentrate on the characters, ensuring that their journeys come to an end in a satisfying manner? Is it a matter of destroying the world you have set up to justify the use of such a clinical term as ‘the end’? Or is it a case of doing both, throwing every last inspired thought and radical idea into the pot for one final thrill ride both visceral and emotional
Dexter, Season 7, Episode 5: “Swim Deep” Written by Scott Reynolds Directed by Ernest Dickerson Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on Showtime While tactical thinking may have ensured Dex briefly escapes an inevitable checkmate, three other characters unwittingly either move further into a likely ambush or are about to become more than simple pawns to …
Dexter, Season 7, Episode 3: “Buck the System” Written by Jace Richdale Directed by Stefan Schwartz Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on Showtime At the tail end of this week’s episode of Dexter, something wonderfully familiar occurred: a change in direction of plot dictated by well penned conversational exchange, followed by a distinctive musical accompaniment, …
Chuck Review, Season 5, Episode 13, “Chuck Versus the Goodbye” Written by Chris Fedak Directed by Robert Duncan McNeill Airs Fridays at 8pm (ET) on NBC After five seasons and 90 episodes, Chuck has finally reached its closing act, and the show’s primary relationship is still up in the air. Chuck Bartowski and Sarah Walker …
Chuck Review, Season 5, Episode 12, “Chuck Versus Sarah” Written by Rafe Jenkins and Lauren LeFranc Directed by Jay Chandrasekhar Airs Fridays at 8pm (ET) on NBC As Chuck’s final season nears its conclusion, it’s been difficult not to compare the latest episodes with the wonderful highlights from earlier seasons. So much of the show’s …
Chuck Review, Season 5, Episode 11, “Chuck Versus the Bullet Train” Written by Nicholas Wooton Directed by Buzz Feitshans IV Airs Fridays at 8pm (ET) on NBC Ever since they left the CIA, Chuck and Sarah have been struggling to figure out the next steps for their future. They enjoy the spy life, but the …
Chuck Review, Season 5, Episode 9, “Chuck Versus the Kept Man” Written by Craig DiGregorio and Phil Klemmer Directed by Fred Toye Airs Fridays at 8pm (ET) on NBC Nearing the end of its final season, Chuck has focused more on solidifying its relationships than delivering a knockout conclusion. The missions and action scenes remain …
Chuck Review, Season 5, Episode 8, “Chuck Versus the Baby” Written by Rafe Judkins and Lauren LeFrac Directed by Matt Barber Airs Fridays at 8pm (ET) on NBC From the beginning, the relationship between Chuck Bartowski and Sarah Walker has been the driving force behind Chuck. She began as his CIA handler, they started dating, …
Chuck Ep. 5.02, “Chuck Versus the Bearded Bandit” Written by Lauren LeFranc and Rafe Judkins Directed by Patrick Norris Airs Fridays at 8pm (ET) on NBC Over the past few seasons of Chuck, key revelations have clarified that Chuck Bartowski was more than just the guy who accidentally received the Intersect. His brain has the …