Series Review: Falling Skies

***SPOILER ALERT*** The series begins 6 months after an alien invasion. We follow the fortunes of a group of resistance fighters called 2nd Massachusetts as they fight back against the alien occupiers. Tom Mason is the main character. He was a Boston History professor now the 2nd in command of the 2nd Mass. Not much is known about the aliens at the start of the series just that they are called Skitters and Mechs. The Skitters are spider like reptilian creatures while the Mechs are robotic war machines. Further on in the series we get glimpses of another type of alien. These are humanoid and resemble the traditional imaginings of what Aliens may look like. It becomes obvious that they are the main aliens behind the invasion. One of the running storylines in the series is that the alien invaders kidnap children between the ages of 6 and 16. These children are then fitted with a spinal slave device called a harness. The series progresses along at a steady pace as it builds up to a shocking finale. I liken it to a Lost finale as it wasn’t explosive as such. It just left me with a desperate yearning to find out what happens next. Steven Spielberg is an executive producer and it kinda shows. It’s a vast series almost movie like in scope. A lot of thought has gone into the development and storyline. It would have been far too easy to make this a cheesy series but it is most certainly not cheesy. It’s often bleak in places and sometimes shocking. It has real OMG moments such as the part where an autopsy is carried out on one of the Skitters. It’s revealed that the Skitter was once another species (maybe even human) that was harnessed. The fact that a couple of the children in the 2nd Mass (Toms son is one of them) were once harnessed makes this an even scarier revelation. One of the true masterstrokes of the series is that it’s set after the invasion. The very first episode opens up with a child's description of the invasion accompanied by children's pictures. It really sets the tone for the series. We are then thrust into this post apocalyptic world. It’s also set in todays timeline. There’s not a laser gun in sight which can only be a good thing. The 2nd season isn’t due until next summer and I for one will be tuning in. After the finale though, I’m not sure I can wait that long. I’m not going to say too much about it but it put me in mind of the season 2 finale of Lost. That is all I will say…..

8/10

Big Bother

So, Big Brother has begun again. Despite getting cancelled by Channel 4 last year, it is back. Channel 5 brought the rights and now we are subject to yet another Celebrity addition of the show lacking in …….celebrity! It is possibly one of the worst celebrity line-ups in the shows history and I’m not exaggerating. It is as though the shows relegation to channel 5 has resulted in it’s pulling power suffering a dramatic decrease. The fact that Jedward are the biggest stars in the house says it all really.



I think that the reason I’m a little scathing over this new series is that I was expecting a bit more. It was meant to be Big Brothers new launch, the start of a glorious new era. Gone is Davina and in is Brian Dowling! Gone is George Lamb and in is Emma Willis (granted she co-presented BBLB on C4 but it was all about George)! If anything, tonights events have confirmed that the show has run it’s course, or at least the celebrity version has. The public version of the show still has mileage. In a country with a population of 60 million there must be hundreds of thousands of idiots all desperate to make fools of themselves on television. I work with a few!



What Endemol need to do is to get me involved, give me a call. I’d put them right on how to do Celeb Big Bro. Sure, it’d cost them a few bob, but I’m positive that it’s be a ratings winner!

Presenting the main show I’d have Jim Bowen. He’d conduct the interviews with the evicted housemates in the speedboat that they could’ve won. Hosting ‘Big Brothers Little Brothers Half Cousin Twice Removed On His Mothers Aunties Side’ would be David Threlfall in his Frank Gallagher guise. He’d be supported by Alice Barry as Lillian in a Shameless/BB crossover doubleact.



I’d pull out all the stops to get the perfect housemates.

1) THE STAR – Big Brother needs a truly amazing star, somebody to wow the public. It would have to be somebody that needs people to see the real them while not necersarrily needing the show to boost there ego. Therfore I give you Karl Pilkington.

2)THE MODEL – Big Brother has a history of putting in attractive women and I do think that it is a necessity to appeal to the young men out there. Therfore I think that Cheryl Cole would fit right in.

3) THE NEXT JOHN McCRIRICK – People still talk about John and that’s because he was watchable. People were desperate to see what he did next, who he upset next. That’s why Prince Phillip would be my 3rd housemate.

4) THE POPSTAR – Dane Bowers, Mark Owen, Preston, Big Brother is littered with popstars desperate to make the big time again, desperate to prove that they still have what it takes. I think that Mr Blobby is ripe for a comeback in music and Big Brother could just be his platform.

5) THE FUNNY GUY – Comedians have done well in previous years. Jack Dee won it and Barrymore came 2nd. It is perhaps strange that comedians go into the house rarely. You do need a funny guy in the house though, someone to entertain us when Prince Phillip is asleep. Ken Dodd has been known to carry his performances on for hours. He could also help Phill out in his role as the new John McCririck.

6)THE HANGER ON – Every Series has a hanger on. An ex of a film star or even a mother as in Jackie Stallone. They want to be famous in their own right and not to be seen as the partner of someone more famous than they are. She’d cost a bit but I think that Victoria Beckham would be a perfect addition to Celeb BB 2012.

7)THE FAMILIAR FACE – You know who I mean. You recognise them, yet you have no idea who they are. The name just means nothing to you but you are sure you’ve seen and heard them before. Give it up for Marcus Bentley.

8) THE CONFUSED ONE – Tara Reid is this years version, Dirk Benedict was another years version. Basically they are often from distant shores, never seen the show, haven’t a clue what it’s all about but accept the invite purely for the money. Barack Obama needs the money for the American coffers.



So there you have it, my Big Brother line-up for next year. Evictions would be via a swim across a lake of custard with the last two being put to a public vote. The loser would then be extracted from the house by a complicated cable and pulley system involving various dangerous obstacles and angry toads. They would then be locked in a box with Jedward for half an hour before being interviewed by Jim Bowen in the speed boat they could’ve won.

The Borgias

The Borgias kicked off on Sky Atlantic last night and from first viewing I can reccomend it. It is in a similar vein to The Tudors with Jeremy Irons portrayal of Rodrigo Borgia similar to Jonathan Rhys Meyers of  Henry VIII. Steven Berkoff and David Jacobi are in the supporting cast.

     The story revolves around Rodrigo Borgia’s election to the papacy through bribery. Back in the 1400’s the papacy was one of the most powerful positions on the world political stage. He is not the best liked pope and so pretty soon the cardinals begin to plot against him with the first episode ending after Borgias narrowly escaped a poisoning plot.

     I have high hopes for this series, but then again I do enjoy a good historical epic. It may play fast and loose with the facts but so what? Showtime make these kind of shows so well as they proved with The Tudors .

Tit-Bits From Comic Con 2011

 

 

 

 

     Doctor Who also had a panel at Comic Con and the new trailer was premiered. The trailer is for episodes 8 to 13 of the present series that has been on a mid season break for the past few months. The first part of the season ended with the big reveal that River Song was actually Melody Pond, daughter of Amy and Rory and judging by the trailer, the second part of the series looks set to carry on where it left of.

 

Beavis and Butt-head are set to return as was announced at Comic Con. The show creator Mike Judge confirmed it with a five minute teaser video which is below. The series was last seen on MTV way back in ‘97 and so fans should be delighted to see the return of the pair.

 

Another familiar face set to return to television screens after a while away is Sarah Michelle Geller in upcoming show Ringer. It looks to be a very different show from Buffy, the series in which she made her name.

I’ll post more trailers and news from Comic Con 2011 in the coming days.

Spartacus: Vengeance at Comic Con

 

 

Spartacus: Blood and Sand was a huge success for american network Starz and so it’s little wonder that another season is on the way. The series had a panel at the recent Comic Con event in San Diego and a few juicy tit bits about the new series were revealed.

     The series will pick up where Blood and Sand left off as the slaves escaped with Spartacus and Crixus leading the ragtag army. Spartacus will apparently grow into a leader although he will still be seeking some kind of vengeance. Indeed, the title of the new season has been announced as Spartacus: Vengeance. Unfortunately due to ill health, Andy Whitfield will not be reprising his role of Spartacus with Liam Mcintyre taking over the role. Whitfield’s fight with cancer is the reason why starz gave him a break with the prequel series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

     Many of the characters from Blood and Sand are set to return in Vengeance. Oenomaus, Ashur and Lucretia are all set for roles. Lucretia will surely be after vengeance after her husband Batiatus was killed at the end of Blood and Sand. The fact that Crixus also killed her unborn baby means that she could well be a lady on a mission. Ashur  was last seen escaping the clutches of Oenomaus and there is still clearly unfinished business between the two men.

     I actually looked at Wikipedia after watching the show in a genuine interest at knowing about the real Spartacus. He was essentially a roman era Braveheart and if the series sticks to an historical timeline we are in for a treat. The wikipedia article is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartacus and it’s well worth a look.

     Along with the Q and A and Comic Con, the Spartacus panel also showed a teaser trailer for the new series, expected to air in the states early next year and it’s already made it’s way onto youtube.

The British Way

I spoke yesterday about how great American Television seems to be these days. Lets not forget that we in dear old blighty are still capable of producing some great shows.

DOCTOR WHO

Ok so I know that Doctor Who isn’t technically a ‘New Show’. The first episode aired way back in 1963. It does seem to be enjoying a bit of a golden age though. The departure of David Tennant from the title role could’ve easily spelled the end for the show but Matt Smith has undoubtedly made the role his own. Despite a patchy start, the latest season went off on it’s summer break with a huge mystery reveal to set us up nicely for the 2nd part of the season. It’s due to air in Autumn with September looking likely and will be made up of 6 episodes. David Walliams is set to guest star in episode 4 and James Corden will reprise his role from The Lodger in episode 5. The finale is set to be huge and will be set on an alternate earth. A line from the episode is ‘Crowds lined the mall today as Holy Roman Emperor, Winston Churchill, returned to the Buckingham Senate on his personal mammoth
Source: Doctor Who TV http://doctorwhotv.co.uk/doctor-who-series-6-autumn-preview-20767.htm#ixzz1Ssh1eDOZ

SUGAR TOWN

This is a show that I will be watching. Set in a Northern seaside town, it follows the fortunes of a struggling sweet factory and stars Sue Johnston, Shaun Dooley and Tom Ellis. It begins a 3 episode run on Sunday on BBC1.

BEAVER FALLS

Another show that I’ll be watching. It centres around 3 university pals who having graduated decide that they need one last carefree summer. They bag themselves summer jobs working at a Summer Camp in the US and so head off for 2 months. It’s a comedy drama and begins a 6 episode run on Wednesday at 9:00pm on E4. .

TORCHWOOD

 

This series is only 2 episodes in and I’m already hooked. It’s good to have Captain Jack and Gwen back it has to be said. The story is amazing too. The fact that no one can die yet still grow old and get ill is a fantastic concept and I can’t wait to see where they take this.

The American Way

     American telly is going through a bit of a golden age it seems. Despite many of the top shows in America ending such as Lost, 24, Scrubs, etc, they are still churning out some truly great shows.

THE WALKING DEAD          

The first series centred around a policeman called Rick Grimes who, after getting shot, wakes up from a coma to find he’s in a post apocalyptic world overrun with Zombies. The scenes where Rick wakes up reminded me of 2002 horror movie 28 Days Later. The 2nd series is due to air in the autumn.

HAWAII FIVE O

This reboot was a resounding success and has already been picked up for a 2nd season. The casting of Alex O'Loughlin as Steve McGarrett proved to be a master stroke as he slotted into the role previosly made famous by Jack Lord. Alex O’Loughlin actually screen tested for the role of James Bond back in 2005 and although I’m a firm believer in having a british Bond, O’loughlin would’ve made a great 007 if his performance in this show is anything to go by. Of course it isn’t just Mcgarrett that makes this a great show though with the whole five-o team bringing something different to the table. The great thing about this reboot though is the way the writters set up each episode with a pre-titles sequence that ends with that iconic theme tune. Having SKY + means that I rarely sit through the titles of a show but Hawaii Five-O was definately an exception to that rule.

 

FALLING SKIES

When Steven Spielberg’s on the credits as an executive producer you pretty much know that you’re in for a treat and Falling Skies does not disappoint. As of writting, we are only 3 episodes in in the UK and already I’m hooked, desperate for the next installment. It has been described as Band of Brothers with aliens but I think that that’s slightly unfair. It’s a great show in it’s own right and it’s already been commissioned for a 2nd season. The brilliance in the show lies in it’s opening sequence. You never actually see the alien invasion, instead getting a childs description of it and some childrens pictures of alien ships. It humanises the survivors somehow. Another masterstoke is that the program could be set today in todays world. With a show like this it would’ve been too easy to arm the survivors with laser guns and set it in the 23rd century, which in my opinion would’ve been a mistake.

 

TERRA NOVA

Another show with Steven Spielberg on it’s credits. The basic premise of the show is that in 2149 the human race is dying out. To prevent extinction scientists have invented a time portal which transports teams back 85 million years to the time of the dinosaurs. It isn’t even on air yet but it’s already creating a massive buzz. With a rumoured budget of $4 million an episode it is set to be huge. It is due to air in the autumn and I for one can not wait.

 

GAME OF THRONES

It was described by many as being a The Sopranos in Middle Earth and you can see why. It is a sweeping Saga that has already been picked up for a 2nd season. Sean Bean slots seamlessly into his role as Ned Stark one of the main characters in the show. Although I personally couldn’t keep track of it, it looks like it has the legs to become as big as The Sopranos.

     Of course American television boasts some great long running television shows such as House M.D., C.S.I., South Park, Family Guy and The Simpsons. It does make you wonder whether these new additions to the American Television Network have the legs to last as long.

     Below is the trailor for the upcoming Terra Nova, a show I for one can’t wait for. See what you think.