- A suspenseful opening scene, it seems cornfields are mandatory in thrillers.
- "I love your work" intones Hannibal from the top of the silo. We all laughed.
- An elegant departure from Dr Du Maurier (Gillian Anderson). Or is it?
- Now I know how to cook Osso buco.
- The photography and design in this show is top shelf. If you see the eye/death/mural in the Tate Modern I wouldn't be surprised.
- The beehive man, the flight into the hive scene. Stunning/macabre.
- I'd forgotten how great Amanda Plummer is at doing deranged characters on screen. See "Pulp Fiction".
- The body cross-sections under glass (a real "Oh my God! moment) in Episode 5.
- Michael Pitt ("Seven Psychopaths" and Jimmy Carmody from "Boardwalk Empire") as Mason Verger giving the creepiest performance of the season, a psycho-Willy Wonka. Making the little boy cry in the stable in order to take a tear sample, then tossing him a chocolate. An inspired turn. He seems to be channelling Christopher Walken/Robert Downey Jr, with a touch of Jerry Lewis's Nutty Professor. Love the Dr Strangelove hair. Mason Verger is definitely standout psycho of both seasons. The face-feeding scene was almost too hard to watch in Episode 12.
- Freddie Lounds' resurrection, didn't see that one coming.
- The huge Shiva statue rearing up at Will and Hannibal in Episode 11.
- The return of Gillian Anderson. She now specialises in playing the ice-queen character (see BBC's creepy and compelling "The Fall").
- Spectacular (and gory) season finale. Don't turn off when the credits roll!
Showing posts with label episode 11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label episode 11. Show all posts
Saturday, 8 March 2014
"Hannibal", NBC, 13 interesting things about Season 2
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
"Masters of Sex" Showtime, Episode 10, Episode 11, Episode 12 season final
This show goes from strength to strength. The intelligent script explores gender inequality, relationships and 50's society. No sex to speak of in these episode, not even a double entendre or lame sexual pun.
Masters and Johnson begin Episode 10 like a bickering married couple. Bill continues to be an aloof, selfish prick while Virginia once again is wise, fair and enlightened in her dealings with the world. No wonder she has taken up with team Du Paul. Even Ethan comes across as a good guy.
The scene in the hotel bar with the hooker where Margaret realises that hubby Barton is gay is beautifully handled. Plucky, all-rounder Jane pashing geeky, but nice Lester was a cute moment.
Setting the action around a nationwide nuclear attack drill was inspired.
The acting and casting in this series raise this show well above titillation fodder.
With Episode 11 Ethan has morphed into a new age guy, minding the kids and offering to be a house husband so Virginia can advance her career. Scenes when Bill turns to (ghost) Virginia for guidance were inspired. Michael Sheen's portrayal is subtle and multi-layered. He is icy and prickly one moment, tortured and about to explode the next. What does the lovely Libby see in Bill?
I am glad the Dr De Paul part has been expanded. Lillian and Virginia make a great couple. Virginia sums up the male/female careers dilemma with: "Having a dick doesn't hurt".
Jane ("You yelled, sir.") is a treasure. Still impressed by the exacting recreation of the era: references to Norman Vincent Peale, the streets filled with 50's cars and the brief fairground scene with Virginia singing in the recording booth.
Still think the new opening titles cheapen the proceedings - smoking pre-teens, cheesy visuals, closing office door.
Episode 11's title, "Phallic Victories" must be up there as one of the most intriguing titles in TV history. It's hardly "The Waltons" territory.
Episode 12, season final was wholly satisfying. Parallelling man in space with exploring sexual frontiers sort of worked. This series has always taken risks, though. Bill finally explodes (the fire extinguisher through the office window) as well as showing he can be loyal and caring (e.g. sharing writing credit with Virginia and saving the provost's neck).
Lots of truths are told - the Scully's sham (or is it) marriage, Ethan's Californian proposal and Bill's confession to Virginia. Who will she choose? Well, we know the outcome, Masters and Johnson finally married in 1971. But what happened in those 14 years? Hence Series 2 should be equally fascinating.
I know this show has taken some liberties with facts but so what, it's damn entertaining as well as a fascinating recreation of the era.
Coincidence: The wonderful Julianne Nicholson (Dr Julian DePaul) plays Ivy in "August: Osage County" who has cervical cancer.
Masters and Johnson begin Episode 10 like a bickering married couple. Bill continues to be an aloof, selfish prick while Virginia once again is wise, fair and enlightened in her dealings with the world. No wonder she has taken up with team Du Paul. Even Ethan comes across as a good guy.
The scene in the hotel bar with the hooker where Margaret realises that hubby Barton is gay is beautifully handled. Plucky, all-rounder Jane pashing geeky, but nice Lester was a cute moment.
Setting the action around a nationwide nuclear attack drill was inspired.
The acting and casting in this series raise this show well above titillation fodder.
With Episode 11 Ethan has morphed into a new age guy, minding the kids and offering to be a house husband so Virginia can advance her career. Scenes when Bill turns to (ghost) Virginia for guidance were inspired. Michael Sheen's portrayal is subtle and multi-layered. He is icy and prickly one moment, tortured and about to explode the next. What does the lovely Libby see in Bill?
I am glad the Dr De Paul part has been expanded. Lillian and Virginia make a great couple. Virginia sums up the male/female careers dilemma with: "Having a dick doesn't hurt".
Jane ("You yelled, sir.") is a treasure. Still impressed by the exacting recreation of the era: references to Norman Vincent Peale, the streets filled with 50's cars and the brief fairground scene with Virginia singing in the recording booth.
Still think the new opening titles cheapen the proceedings - smoking pre-teens, cheesy visuals, closing office door.
Episode 11's title, "Phallic Victories" must be up there as one of the most intriguing titles in TV history. It's hardly "The Waltons" territory.
Episode 12, season final was wholly satisfying. Parallelling man in space with exploring sexual frontiers sort of worked. This series has always taken risks, though. Bill finally explodes (the fire extinguisher through the office window) as well as showing he can be loyal and caring (e.g. sharing writing credit with Virginia and saving the provost's neck).
Lots of truths are told - the Scully's sham (or is it) marriage, Ethan's Californian proposal and Bill's confession to Virginia. Who will she choose? Well, we know the outcome, Masters and Johnson finally married in 1971. But what happened in those 14 years? Hence Series 2 should be equally fascinating.
I know this show has taken some liberties with facts but so what, it's damn entertaining as well as a fascinating recreation of the era.
Coincidence: The wonderful Julianne Nicholson (Dr Julian DePaul) plays Ivy in "August: Osage County" who has cervical cancer.
Saturday, 8 June 2013
"Hannibal" NBC Series 1, Episode 11 "Roti" review
It is novel to find a lead character in a prime time show who is truly disturbed. Will is the real deal. As usual, the show serves up some stunning images - glaciers, tidal waves and the corpse totem. Let's not forget Will's 'wet dream'. Use of colour is powerful - wintry greys and white contrasted with deep greens and blood red.
The scene on the operating table ("Ms Lounds will be assisting") combined the gruesome with the comic - shades of the 1985 cult movie "Re-Animator". Nice to see Dr Gideon (Eddie Izzard) back (Bryan Fuller worked with Izzard in the "Mockingbird Lane" pilot). "Hannibal" raises the issue of the power of psychiatrists can wield with their patients.
Check out the thriller cliche - the killer waiting in the car's rear seat - nice switcheroo - this time the killer is in the front seat.
The final scene with Gillian Anderson as Hannibal's savvy shrink was good value.
The scene on the operating table ("Ms Lounds will be assisting") combined the gruesome with the comic - shades of the 1985 cult movie "Re-Animator". Nice to see Dr Gideon (Eddie Izzard) back (Bryan Fuller worked with Izzard in the "Mockingbird Lane" pilot). "Hannibal" raises the issue of the power of psychiatrists can wield with their patients.
Check out the thriller cliche - the killer waiting in the car's rear seat - nice switcheroo - this time the killer is in the front seat.
The final scene with Gillian Anderson as Hannibal's savvy shrink was good value.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
"The Following" TV series Episode 11 "Whips and Regret" review
The cult gets even creepier...
Lots to enjoy in this week's episode. Lots of scenes filmed in dark rooms, tunnels, or at night. The S+M club/Internet hub linked to Vince, the militia mental case; more division in the ranks at Joe's Chateau Psycho; right hand man Roderick getting very tetchy; Molly (Ryan's ex-) bringing Joe old sex tapes and then installing herself back with Ryan.
Debra (Annie Parisse), looking a dead ringer for Angie Harmon from "Rizzoli and Isles", is becoming one of my favourite characters. I liked how she tried to bond with Ryan, admitting she was a bit of a cold fish (probably after her cult family experiences). Nothing much for Emma (Valorie Curry) to in this episode, except look caring, which we know she is not.
The unleashed zombie/cult members in the dark was a particularly creepy scene. Most interesting was the bit about Joe's followers being "anxious to get started" on the big project. I was getting a bit restless after ep 8, but I can see now how Kevin Williamson is able to stretch this out to 15 episodes.
Lots to enjoy in this week's episode. Lots of scenes filmed in dark rooms, tunnels, or at night. The S+M club/Internet hub linked to Vince, the militia mental case; more division in the ranks at Joe's Chateau Psycho; right hand man Roderick getting very tetchy; Molly (Ryan's ex-) bringing Joe old sex tapes and then installing herself back with Ryan.
Debra (Annie Parisse), looking a dead ringer for Angie Harmon from "Rizzoli and Isles", is becoming one of my favourite characters. I liked how she tried to bond with Ryan, admitting she was a bit of a cold fish (probably after her cult family experiences). Nothing much for Emma (Valorie Curry) to in this episode, except look caring, which we know she is not.
The unleashed zombie/cult members in the dark was a particularly creepy scene. Most interesting was the bit about Joe's followers being "anxious to get started" on the big project. I was getting a bit restless after ep 8, but I can see now how Kevin Williamson is able to stretch this out to 15 episodes.
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