Deutsche Version | CW 43-44 | CW 37-46 The Big Bang Theory 3×06 The Cornhusker Vortex While funny, not as funny as it could have…
Month: November 2009
Technological Overdose?
Let me start this post with a constraint. This post is not about science-fiction shows or shows that portray obvious über-equipment (like K.I.T.T.). This is about shows that at least try to pretend to display “reality”. I am of course aware that there’s a thin line but I hope than I can show my point during this excursus.
But first this College Humor video:
[youtube JMLH_QyPTYM]
Technical equipment has always been part of TV shows that play in the “here and now”. And why shouldn’t it? It’s part of our every day life, so it should play a part in the TV shows we are watching. The questions are, what part, how big a part and how realistically the equipment is used. And – to give my conclusion at the beginning – I think the more modern a show is and the more real-world technologies there are the more unrealistic becomes its portrayal.
TV Season 2009/2010 Diary, CW 43-44
Deutsche Version | CW 42-43 | CW 45
White Collar 1×01 Pilot
Someone mentioned that Chuck‘s Bryce Larkin would play a con man in the style of the epilogue of Catch Me If You Can. And I thought that I’d give it a try. So far I have to say it’s OK. As of yet I am undecided whether it’s a show for long-term watching, I will have to watch a few more episodes to decide that.
Castle 2×05 When the Bough Breaks
Richard Castle as possible author of James Bond books. That’d be the day 😀 I loved it how Kate’s and Rick’s relationship was developing forward without them actually doing anything in this regard.
Castle 2×06 Vampire Weekend
Despite all the references to the Whedonverse and Vampires, Lycans and co. in general, it was only an average episode. As I said before, Crime isn’t really my genre and this show has the disadvantage that there isn’t any additional drama outside the current case. I had hoped there would come something out of Castle’s discovery regarding Beckett’s mom’s murder, but they put that back in the box and forgot about it.
Two and a Half Men 7×05 For the Sake of the Child
This was a great episode, the two brothers worked very well as this old couple. I haven’t laughed that much for a while on TaaHM. “Things you would change about me? – Your address!”
Dollhouse 2×04 Belonging
A really great episode, written by Jed Whedon and directed by Jonathan Frakes. Again Echo is not in the spotlight, but Sierra and – especially – Topher. And it was one of the episodes where they seriously question the ethics and morality of the Dollhouse itself. They should do this way more often because therein lies the conflict potential of the show.
Movie Watchings 2009 – October
Deutsche Version | September | November
October, 4th
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Sean Astin … Samwise ‘Sam’ Gamgee
Sean Bean … Boromir
Cate Blanchett … Galadriel
Orlando Bloom … Legolas Greenleaf
Billy Boyd … Peregrin ‘Pippin’ Took
Ian Holm … Bilbo Baggins
Christopher Lee … Saruman
Andy Serkis … Gollum / Voice of The Witchking
Ian McKellen … Gandalf the Grey
Dominic Monaghan … Meriadoc ‘Merry’ Brandybuck
Viggo Mortensen … Aragorn
Craig Parker … Haldir
John Rhys-Davies … Gimli
Liv Tyler … Arwen
Hugo Weaving … Elrond
Elijah Wood … Frodo Baggins
Synopsis: 3000 years ago an army of Men and Elves defeated the dark lord Sauron. But his power was embedded in the One Ring, and that was not destroyed. The Ring found its way into the hands of Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit. And now the task of destroying it became his. But the Ring can only be destroyed where it was made: In Mount Doom in the heart of Mordor and there Sauron and his armies are rising again. His journey begins in the Shire, the homeland of the Hobbits and leads from there over Bree, Rivendell (the home of Elrond), Moria (a dwarf mine deep in the mountains) and Lothlórien. But Frodo is not alone on this journey; he’s accompanied by friends and allies of all races who stand against the dark forces: Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, Wizards and Men.
My Opinion: I love this trilogy, maybe even a bit more than Star Wars but I am still undecided on that. I’ve read the books both in German and English but I have to say I like the films better. Most of the actors are really great, especially when they deliver speeches. The only somewhat problematic actor is Elijah Wood, especially in the later movies when Frodo becomes more and more influenced by the Ring. One gets the feeling he has only one facial expression left.
But still: Great story, awesome New Zealand Middle-Earth nature shots and superb special effects (even when they sometimes forgot to put a CGI arrow in Legolas’s bow 😉 ).
I also don’t mind the deviation from the books, e.g. no Tom Bombadil. It doesn’t really have an effect on the story at all; the only thing I really noticed was that they didn’t explain the origin of Merry’s sword which is important in the Battle on the Pelennor Fields. (In the books they find the weapons in old grave hills, they were forged to be used against the Witch-King of Angmar (leader of the Nazgûl) when he was still a man. That’s why Merry could stab and wound him and then he could be killed by Éowyn in Return of the King.)