All posts by Jenn

Fandom, TV

Being Inhuman

1,393 Comments

Take a look at these faces. They did NOT need to be recast in a US version. Syfy’s version of the BBC hit Being Human does not impress me. At all. I won’t even bother to use the Syfy version’s character’s names, so I’ll just make the comparisons based on the far superior original’s characters. You know, the ones that actually show us what being human is all about.

Mitchell is hot. Mitchell is a bit out of time. Mitchell is the heart of the group. New-Mitchell is just a vampire with no personality. Annie is adorable. Annie makes us long for the same things she’s hoping for. Annie introduces us to each of the group and makes us sympathize with them from the moment she starts speaking. New-Annie is not cute, and we don’t care anything about her after the entire first episode. George is a dorky, but well-meaning spaz. In both versions. I give this character a PUSH.

In the original version, the trio has been together for a short time, thus forming their relationships prior to our first look into their lives (or deaths, as the case may be). In this new version, I don’t think these characters are ever going to exhibit the same level of care and respect for each other; the markers just aren’t there. I attribute the failure of the Syfy version primarily to the cast. They just aren’t that good. Their interactions are forced and cold. I get nothing emotional from any of them, and that’s the key to what makes the original so perfect. Within moments, I think Mitchell, Annie, and George had all the viewers cheering them on. I don’t care what happens to these new kids. Fortunately, the BBC Being Human resumes this week, so I can stop even thinking about this unnecessary venture.

Oh, and don’t get me started on the fact that there were NO Arctic Monkeys songs in the Syfy version. WHAT?!?!?

Fandom, TV

Capetastic or Craptastic?

608 Comments

NBC wants me to like The Cape. Although the show airs on NBC, they are also piping it out to many of their affiliate stations including Syfy, USA, and Sleuth. I’ve seen it on the program guide more times than I can remember. That said, I want to like The Cape. I’m really liking David Lyons in the role of Vince Faraday (a.k.a. The Cape). My first problem is that the name Faraday reminds me of the crazy, nasty character from Lost. You know, the only one on a deserted island who actually looked like he smelled bad and pretty much hijacked the main cast to make way for stupid things that lead to the show being ridiculous…. Anyway, yeah, I do like the main character.

Toward the end of its run, Heroes took to the carnival to infuse some oddness into its storyline. It was only moderately successful. The use of the Carnival of Crime (hahaha) in The Cape, however, is awesome. The small band of talented oddities didn’t feel too contrived and I really liked watching Vince’s progression with them. This couldn’t have been made any better; excellent job!

Every hero needs a villain to fight, and who better than James Frain?!? If you’re not familiar with his work on True Blood, you just need to take a moment to get caught up. He is amazing. Fact. I still don’t know what’s going on with him, but I like it. A lot. I like nearly everyone on the show a lot. Vinnie Jones as Scales is just perfect.

Now comes my biggest problem with The Cape. Summer Glau. In what could have been a mysterious, important role–possibly the most important role– of Orwell, Summer Glau looks chromosomally challenged as always. The casting of Summer Glau tips the balance from serious drama to Sweet Valley High and will be the reason I don’t add The Cape to my list of fandoms.

It’s a shame really, because with the exception of one poorly cast character, I could have loved this show.

Fandom, TV

Music Is All Around

7,492 Comments

Finally! This year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special, “A Christmas Carol”, aimed to be more Christmas than special and become the most special Christmas special of them all.

Fortunately, there was no world domination plot, no ridiculous villain to fight, no messianic Doctor, and it WORKED. At its core, this was a story of love, loss, and redemption….all the things that a Christmas special need. I don’t know where they found young Kazran, but that boy absolutely killed it. Actually, everyone was fantastic. I loved seeing Rory and Amy honeymooning, and the juxtaposition of their ultra modern ship crashing into the Old World-esque planet was a great way to tie them in.

The Eleventh Doctor has the benefit of a tremendous production team, and though I love Nine’s entire being, I would have to say that Eleven has become my second favorite Doctor, well on his way to becoming my favorite.

Halfway out of the dark has never been so grand.