“The Arrivial” is yet another example of both the strengths and weaknesses of the series, as well as the potential for greatness for the series. As the episode unfolds, there are a couple of nice homages to the X-Files (lighting) and David Lynch (offbeat and humorously bizarre characters). But what sets this episode apart from the other episodes of Fringe thus far is that this one, more than the others, keeps the mystery alive long enough to generate some legitimate suspense, mystery and drama. And yet, this episode doesn’t yet represent a bona fide success.

But it’s getting closer.

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“As part of the NYPD, Anna has seen the effects the street drug Rosa has on people, but now she’ll experience it for herself.”

Location: Mexico City

Like trippy, man.  “Sub Rosa” details the effects of the drug called Rosa on Anna.  The result is an installment which is almost completely “out of this world.”  There’s even a strange, intriguing reference to the film, 2010.

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Topics: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Web Reviews
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Overview

When Star Wars was released in 1977, it literally reinvented moviemaking and how audiences chose to view movies. True, the stage had been earlier set by Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, but nothing could have prepared the world for the phenomenon that would become Star Wars. Over thirty years later, movies are still being made, television shows have been spawned – and that doesn’t include countless books, video games, toys and all manner of commercial tie-ins. As the movie Spaceballs would one day spoof, it became all about “merchandising, merchandising, merchandising.”

But there first had to be a film popular and complex enough to spawn its own universe of marketing campaigns. And what tends to get lost in the blitz of Star Wars commercialism is a movie that, for all intents and purposes, is nearly perfect. There are memorable characters, plenty of action, philosophy, spirituality, and an epic hero quest right out of Joseph Campbell’s archetype for such stories. Only a relative lack of depth to the characters (this is the introduction, afterall), some cringeworthy moments from Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, and a relatively plodding pace to open the film keep it from perfection.

But damn if it doesn’t get close.

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Topics: Fantasy, Film Review, Sci-Fi
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“Anna’s journey for the truth about Nick takes her deep inside the local drug trade in Mexico City as she searches for the one called:

‘Conejo Blanco’ – The White Rabbit.”

Location: Mexico City

Once again, Gemini Division radically alters the narrative landscape with “Conejo Blanco.” In addition to moving the location from Shanghai to Mexico City, they open up a rather large-scale mystery involving drugs, money laundering, and yet another connection to Anna’s beloved, Nick.

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“The Man From Tallahassee” is an episode filled with irony and plot twists. It moves at a relatively slow and deliberate pace and considering the level of quality of Lost since the mid-point of Season 2, this episode is certainly a “typical” episode in terms of narrative. But the questions of character and theme are hindered by a contradictory story line. Instead of generating sympathy, the episode generates rather negative feelings toward its main character. Ultimately, “The Man From Tallahassee” is a worthy episode – even if it falls short of the standard set by the earlier episodes of the series.

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“Obsession” is, essentially, Moby Dick in space. But instead of a great white whale, we’ve got a great white puff of smoke – that sucks blood like some vampire. Because it’s meant to be symbolic, the object of vengeance isn’t as important as the actions of the characters – in this case Kirk – who seek to fulfill their rage. But here, the white-cloud monster thingy becomes a distraction – and indicative of the sloppy approach to an episode which had the potential to be an insightful look into the captain of the starship Enterprise.

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Subject to change, the following is DauntlessMedia.net’s release schedule, which contains completed reviews and articles, as well as their anticipated release dates for the week of September 29 – October 5, 2008:

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a significant step backward for the Harry Potter franchise. In truth, the movie isn’t a failure, but it’s all style, with very little substance. And, too, the creative liberties taken with this particular film severely undermine the story’s main thematic elements – of people having to work together in spite of any differences they may have. Instead, we’re treated to nothing more than a simple Hollywood blockbuster formula, playing up empty action and VFX sequences at the expense of the heart and depth of the characters and their interrelationships.

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Topics: Fantasy, Film Review
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“Par Avion” is a step down from the previous episode. It certainly contains its share of plot twists and revelations and, on that level the episode is certainly enjoyable to watch. But there are issues with the characters which prevent the episode from achieving any measure of real success. It’s enjoyable, but it isn’t exactly very good, either.

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“The Deadly Years” is an episode about geriatrics – about the ravages of growing old and losing one’s mental and physical abilities. It’s a topic that isn’t often raised within entertainment, and is certainly a worthy topic of exploration. But the episode’s central mystery, pacing and structure do not allow the topic to be presented in a way that makes the story compelling. I’ve said before that there is a difference between having a good story to tell and telling a good story. This episode has a good story to tell, but doesn’t tell it very well at all.

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“Anna gets her hands on Gemini Division’s primary firearm – the “Genflxer” – and just in time too, as SIMs swarm around her.”

Location: Shanghai

No need to worry about Gemini Division perhaps providing too much backstory and not enough narrative.  “Salvation” kicks things into high gear, moving the plot forward as well as Anna’s character.  In the end, this episode almost reinvents the series by redrawing alliances and loyalties.

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Topics: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Web Reviews
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Right from the start you can see the difference between Azkaban and the first two Potter films. Whereas The Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets focused on the wonder and majesty of the magical world, The Prisoner of Azkaban engulfs itself in the grit and potential darkness of that same world. Even composer John Williams gets into the spirit, creating a musical score that sounds as though it were lifted from the Dark Ages.

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“A Knight In Shining Armor” is the premier episode of the newly minted Knight Rider series – a continuation of the campy 1980s hit television show which featured a super-cool talking car and the sorta-suave David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight. This new version had its backdoor pilot last winter in an offering which was far more style than substance – and the style was quite questionable. The season premiere features a few upgrades on the style, including a “transforming” KITT. But the bottom line is this: we’re still dealing with pointless, mindless, exploitative entertainment. If you’re a fan of this kind of show, chances are you’ll love it. But if you’re looking for a modicum of brains, intelligence, purpose, or craft, you’ll do well to look elsewhere.

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Topics: Action, TV Reviews
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“Enter 77” is a riveting episode, ratcheting up the tension from the previous episode. Both the real-time and flashback sequences are heavy on tension and suspense – on finding out the truth, and gaining a measure of redemption. There is certainly quite a bit happening in terms of the overall narrative of the series, further deepening the mysteries of the Island and its prior inhabitants. As such, it’s a fairly decent episode, but it only provides anything truly exceptional as far as the flashbacks go.

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“Friday’s Child” is an unfortunately embarrassing episode. Almost nothing here works – from non sequitor fisticuffs, to silly Klingon ploys that an Ensign could see through but Scotty can’t, to a ridiculously convoluted and ultimately pointless plot about negotiations gone bad. Even the guest characters are worthless and pointless. All in all, it’s a failure of an episode.

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