Heroes – 1×05 – “Angels and Monsters”
October 14th, 2008
The following review contains spoilers for Heroes through the current episode, “Angels and Monsters,” originally broadcast October 13th, 2008.
Another week, another doozy of an episode of Heroes. At once shocking, confounding and intriguing, from beginning to end “Angels and Monsters” was Heroes at its best. Does that mean it was not without its faults? Of course not. Mohinder’s storyline continues to drag down the series. But for the most part, it was pure Heroes.
Smallville – 8×04 – “Instinct”
October 14th, 2008
The following review contains spoilers for Smallville through the current episode, “Instinct,” originally broadcast October 9th, 2008.
Digging into DC Comics’ bag of Superman’s rouges gallery, Smallville brings Maxima to town. Actually, it’s Tess that inadvertently brings Maxima to Earth. In the process, a rift is created between Jimmy and Chloe, more hints at Clark and Lois’s growing feelings are exposed, and Tess gets her eyes opened about a couple of things. Read the rest of this entry »
The DVD Dungeon 10.13.08
October 13th, 2008
TV pickings are rather slim this week for genre fans. Aside from the 8th season of C.S.I. and a box set that collects the entire original Ultraman series in one package, the only noteworthy release is the complete series set for Quark, the short lived 70’s science fiction comedy about the crew of an interstellar garbage ship. Yeah, it’s about as funny and as interesting as it sounds, which is to say, not a whole lot. When it comes to movies, October continues to see numerous horror flicks in hopes of cashing in on the Halloween season. Included in that is a 30th anniversary box set for the John Carpenter film of the same name (Halloween, duh). Of special note to cult film fans is the Icons of Horror: Hammer Films set, which offers up four classic horror flicks from Hammer studios. The films are The Two Faces of Doctor Jekyll (1960), Scream of Fear (1961), The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1964) and The Gorgon (1964), which features horror legends Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. All four films are presented in pristine anamorphic widescreen prints and look stunningly gorgeous. This is a must have for fans if classic horrors. Of course, the big release this week is Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the first film in that franchise nearly twenty years. The film arrives on both DVD and Blu-ray in both single and double disc sets.
Supernatural – 4×04 – “Metamorphosis”
October 12th, 2008
The following review contains spoilers for Supernatural through the current episode, “Metamorphosis,” originally broadcast October 9th, 2008.
Apologies for the lateness of the review. There is so much on television every Thursday and so little time to watch it all, let alone review it.
Following the customary recap (which told the story of “In the Beginning” within the space of two minutes), the episode begins. Having been warned by Castiel that his brother is walking down a dark path, Dean comes across Sam and Ruby exorcising a demon. Sam can do it just by pointing his finger at the demon-possessed man. And, luckily for the man involved, it survives. When Dean learns that Ruby is the woman Sam has been spending time, he pulls a knife (Bela’s demon killing knife, perhaps) and lunges at her. Eventually, Sam has Ruby take the man to the E.R. with the man and Dean stalks off.
Ghost Whisperer – 4×02 – “Big Chills”
October 11th, 2008
The following review contains spoilers for Ghost Whisperer through the current episode, “Big Chills,” originally broadcast October 10th, 2008.
Like the season premiere, “Big Chills” was an episode on a mission. It had to develop the character of Eli James, introduced in “Firestarter,” while following up on the ominous warning Melinda was given, the one about death brushing off on something (or someone) she touches. Plus, there had to be the requisite ghost-of-the-week. In all three categories “Big Chills” succeeded.
How I Got These Scars No. 6
October 10th, 2008
As far as genre film franchises go (and because horror has never really been my bag, it should be understood that when I say “genre” I mean sci-fi and fantasy), it used to be Star Wars and Star Trek. They were the only ones that mattered to me. These days, I know how in those times, it was possible for many mores film series to attract me: Planet of the Apes, Superman, Alien, Mad Max, Terminator, Robocop. These days, I know the list has grown exponentially: Batman, Spider-Man, X-Men, The Matrix, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean. Each with their own little universes to explore, cottage industries waiting to be exploited.
Heroes – 3×04 – “I Am Become Death”
October 7th, 2008
The following review contains spoilers for Heroes through the current episode, “I Am Become Death,” originally broadcast October 6th, 2008.
Finally, Heroes is back (and then some). This was a superb episode, action-packed and confusing and filled with all the things that made Heroes “must see TV” during its first season. After a slow start, I can say with some certainty that Volume Three: Villains has truly begun. Still, there were some problems with the episode and I will get to them soon enough. But first I want to touch upon what I did like about the episode.
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