Archive | August, 2014

Wilfred “Resistance”/ “Happiness” Review (4×09/4×10)

14 Aug

Wilfred_1_1600“Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.”

These are the words that open the series, and these end up being the words that resonate the most with regards to the ending. There’s a full circle aspect to the events of this finale, and it feels like we’ve been on quite a journey to reach where we leave off with Ryan Newman; essentially, he remains in the same place, but at the same time, he’s learned to cope with his problems, to find something in his life upon which he can build off of…even if he’ll never be fully healed.

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The Bridge “Harvest of Souls” Review (2×06)

13 Aug

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“In public, power is best wielded with a gloved hand…not a clenched fist.”

“Whoever says that hasn’t been to my neighborhood.”

The following exchange takes place between Fausto Galvan and Sebastian Cerisola, and it’s a prime example of the way The Bridge handles duality and morality and the way power struggles come about in this environment. Especially with the cartel, death is expediency, and death is a way to assert its influence over both its victims and those involved in its business. And, when you get involved with the cartel and with Fausto Galvan, you dive into treacherous waters.

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Friday Night Lights Season 4, Episodes 6-9 Review

13 Aug

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EPISODE 6– “STAY”

This one’s all about people leaving, but while there’s a sense of melancholy–as is the case whenever you’re separated from someone who’s close to you–there’s also a sense of hope and freedom. Both Lyla and Tim know their relationship is over, but that doesn’t prevent them from enjoying the time they have together in this episode, nor does it take away from the times they shared prior to this. Lyla’s finally taking control of her own life, something we certainly didn’t see when she was still tied to Jason Street.

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Nathan For You “Taxi Service/Hot Dog Stand” Review (2×07)

13 Aug

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“I’m not weird. I’m normal.”

There’s a common thread that constantly pops up in episodes of Nathan For You: the fact that while it’s all ostensibly about the business plan, the character Fielder’s crafted may perhaps be the driving force behind his actions. For, a lot of time is spent attempting to make not only the business better, but also the person in charge of that business better; Fielder the character is out to impart both his business and moral expertise to the people he comes across in his field of work, and in doing so, we see that he has to constantly defend his own normalcy and his own character.

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R.I.P., Robin Williams.

11 Aug

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Robin Williams died today at 63 years old. He was a comedic force, a charismatic individual who brought a smile to your face every time he appeared on screen. His career wasn’t perfect, but the one constant was his love and appreciation for the world of comedy, for the joy he could bring to people even as he was struggling. He had an infectious energy he brought to every comedic role, and his dramatic abilities shone through when needed. Whether you remember him for his Oscar-winning role in Good Will Hunting or for his role as a genie in Aladdin or for his underrated performance in The Fisher King or for his classic John Keating in Dead Poets Society or for the character of Mrs. Doubtfire or for his recent turn on Louie–an episode even more devastating in hindsight–there is no doubt that with the passing of Robin Williams, a light has flickered out forever. He seemed like he’d be around for another 100 years.

He will undoubtedly live on in our memories, though, and in countless films that many have yet to enjoy. Please enjoy them, and please talk to someone if you’re battling depression like he was.

Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys, and make your lives extraordinary.

Photo credit: mirror.co.uk

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The Leftovers “Solace for Tired Feet” Review (1×07)

10 Aug

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“I think I might be going crazy.”

This is a show that oftentimes favors style as a form of substance, that seems to insist on recycling similar images and ideas and character beats in order to convey the themes it wants to convey. For the most part, it’s been a compelling journey, but slight missteps like “Solace for Tired Feet” take us on a plunge into a well-developed show without the narrative cohesion that makes wonderful episodes like “Guest” resonate. However, as always, there are interesting ideas to pick apart.

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Rectify “The Great Destroyer” Review (2×08)

7 Aug

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Whether Daniel Holden is innocent or guilty is a question that’s been lingering at the backs of our minds, and while it’s a question that we don’t necessarily want the answer to or haven’t had a reason to figure out, it’s clear that the pressure is mounting on all sides for the truth to show itself. The show’s always been about the deeply personal relationships within the town of Paulie and with regards to Daniel, but now, some of those relationships are splintering as the past continues to haunt them, demanding an answer.

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Wilfred “Courage” Review (4×08)

7 Aug

960-5Resolutions are difficult, but rewarding. Last week, we saw one of sorts with Kristen and her mother, and this week, we shift focus to Wilfred, Ryan, Jenna, and, most importantly, Bear. It’s not so much a resolution to the questions that were posed in full force this season–that’s next week–rather, it’s more about recognizing what needs to be done in order to move on. It’s about taking a good, hard look at your life and having the courage to do what’s always been at the back of your mind.

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The Bridge “Eye of the Deep” Review (2×05)

7 Aug

The Bridge - Episode 2.05 - Eye of the Deep - Promotional Photo

Although the David Tate storyline essentially ended back in the eleventh episode of the first season, it was inevitable that as long as he was still breathing, his presence would continue to linger over the show, over Marco Ruiz. In “Eye of the Deep”, it’s exactly what we see; Marco has to grapple with his inner self, with a side of him that wants to embrace his darker nature and end the life of his son’s killer once and for all. As we’ve seen thus far in season 2, this is a conflicted man, one who’s perpetually strung between various inner and outer forces, and the questions of morality that have been swirling around his head ramp up here.

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