TV: The Last Ship SE1 EP4

The Last Ship
Action, Drama, Sci Fi

'Murica! This is a Michael Bay (Transformers) show, so we already know that it's America leading the charge to save the world (somehow), complete with awesome explosions and big guns! I've been watching lots of Robot Chicken lately and this skit they did made me laugh so hard!

It's yet another dystopian... This ship has been out in the Arctic for three months with no radio contact with anyone. When they finally try to contact the mainland, there is no response. While they've been away a disease has spread throughout the world killing almost everyone. Lucky for humankind, a scientist was on the ship and she has a way to engineer a cure... eventually.

It's not all that fabulous. Lots of America is the world power and will win the battle kind of stuff. The only couple of actors I recognise are Adam Baldwin (Firefly) and Eric Dane (Grey's Anatomy)... although it took me a while to realise that Rhona Mitra was not Kate Beckinsale though she did star in one of the Underworld films.

It's been a month, they've replenished their food and arms but now the ship is falling apart and they're running out of water... Other than that, not a lot seems to happen and I'm not sure where they will go with this show or if I will actually keep watching it. Also, not as many explosions as I would expect of Michael Bay...

2 out of 5 explosions...

Movie: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

X-Men: Days of Future Past
Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

I love X-Men... need I say more? I don't think so but of course I will...

So many awesome characters, so many awesome actors. We got to see everyone we wanted to see, even if the main X-Men we're used to didn't get that much screen time. I'm a little peeved Anna Paquin got cut to a bare 3 seconds at the end of the film but I'm sure we will see more Rogue in the extras when the DVD is released. Shawn Ashmore as Bobby/Iceman, Daniel Cudmore as Collossus, Booboo Stewart as Warpath, Lucas Till as Havok... and I haven't even brought out the big guns yet!

So the story revolves around Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) of course. I have no idea where Kitty (Ellen Page) got the send-someone-back-in-time power from. Did she have that in the comics? I can't remember... But anyway, she sends Logan back because apparently he's the only one who can handle it. Young Xavier, played by the amazing James McAvoy, is in a bit of a slump after Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) left him for Erik/Magnito (Michael Fassbender/Ian McKellen).. oh, yeah, and Erik crippled him... So this film is (mostly) set after the events of First Class. Logan has to pull Xavier out of it with the help of Beast (Nicholas Hoult) in order to save both the mutant and human populations from destroying themselves with giant killer robots called Sentinels (seriously, The Matrix again anyone?) designed by antagonist Dr. Trask (Peter Dinklage). Like giant sentient robots are ever a good idea!

Quicksilver was one of the best things about this film. I remember when the trailer came out some people thought he would be lame.. but no, he is awesome! The small part he plays in the film really stuck in my mind and when I watched it recently for the second time, he was just as good. He's played by Evan Peters from American Horror Story who does a fabulous job. Hope we see more of him in the next films. I also thought the meeting of the two Xavier's was excellent, how cool to meet your future self... and who else would be able to kick young Xavier's ass back into gear but older, wiser Xavier (Patrick Stewart)? Stand out performance was definitely James McAvoy.

I'm a little disappointed that Taylor Kitsch's role of Gambit hasn't reappeared. Gambit was always one of my favourite X-Men and the little teaser we got of him in Origins: Wolverine just wasn't enough for me. I would have thought the timeline would be perfect for him too... Bring back Gambit! Also, the reappearance of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) and Cyclops (James Marsden)! I did a little swoon there but we all knew they were both coming back didn't we? Yes, I watched the cartoons as a kid... And you can't have an X-Men film without Storm (Halle Berry).

I love X-Men. Keep 'em coming. Which X-Men is your favourite? Who do you want to see in the next film? Let me know in the comments!

4 out of 5 Marvels...

TV: The Strain SE1 EP1

The Strain
Drama, Horror, Sci Fi

I spoke a little about this in my mass post of upcoming new shows and it's finally here! A friend recommended me the book by director Guillermo del Toro who's dark, spooky style is well known from Pan's Labyrinth. I'm glad I read it before the show came out...at least I was semi prepared for the creepy factor.

It starts with something we've seen in these kind of shows before: a dead airplane. There is a mixture of traditional vampire mythology: the coffin of dirt, being transported over water, what I think is a Master, etc. But it's just a tad different. I might be giving some of it away here but I'm assuming most of you will figure all this out in the first couple of episodes. There are vampires... but they're not the sexy, fang sporting vampires we are used to. These vampires are infected with a parasite and they feed via these really ugly looking stingers. Very cool, very spooky.

I recognised Corey Stoll right away even though with the hair he looks a little different from his House of Cards role. Mia Maestro (Alias, Twilight: Breaking Dawn) was also hard to miss, she's showing up everywhere lately. They play the two leading CDC investigators who got more than they planned for with the dead airplane. David Bradley (Filch from Harry Potter) plays a kooky old dude who's apparently dealt with these monsters before.

The first episode has not disappointed so far: it's sufficiently spooky and mysterious. Even having read the book I'm still interested in watching the show, which is a good sign. It's set to get even creepier so give it a go and let me know what you think.

4 out of 5 parasites...

Movie: Anna (2013)

Anna
Drama, Thriller

Also known as "Mindscape", this film has such an interesting concept but the preview doesn't show you very much about it. John, played by Mark Strong (Kick Ass, Sherlock Holmes), is a detective of the mind: he takes people back into their memories and goes in himself as a witness. I immediately thought it might be a bit like Inception and began picking up hints from very early on. John said something about being able to see him as a distant figure in memories and just before that he saw a guy in the distance. From the preview I gathered he's being charged with something and that they are using a mindscaper on him to find out what happened.

John stopped mindscaping because he his memories of his wife's murder kept sneaking into other peoples memories while he was working... but of course he runs out of money and needs to go back to it. His friend gives him Anna's - Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) - case. Anna is very smart, very troubled and very complex. I spent most of the movie trying to figure her out and the rest trying to figure out if any of it was real...

Good movie, well shot. I really enjoy the psychological thrillers that keep you guessing. Farmiga's performance is perfect. I'd really like to see her in a different role though, she always plays the freaky girl... The twist at the end was totally predictable but I liked picking out all the bits throughout the film. Not terrible, not fantastic...

3 out of 5 dreidels...

TV: Game of Thrones SE4

Game of Thrones
Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

It's been another big season in the Seven Kingdoms! Lots to talk about...

The Wall is under attack from Wildlings... but they're not attacking because they want The Wall, they're attacking because they want to hide behind The Wall from the coming winter and you know... crazy white walking frozen zombies. Mance (Ciaran Hinds) should have said so to Jon Snow (Kit Harington) from the beginning though... not that Jon would have been able to convince Slynt (Dominic Carter) to let them in. Now that Stannis (Stephen Dillane) is there Jon might actually get heard. So, The Wall is won and everyone is like la-di-da... little do they know what's coming for them.

Ygritte (Rose Leslie)... "You know nothin' Jon Snow". *sobs*

Arya (Maisie Williams) is finally leaving the Seven Kingdoms! She just spent the entire season walking across the country with The Hound (Rory McCann)... literally. Remember the Red Wedding season three finale (duh)? Well she was there remember? Just outside when it happened... and so The Hound took her to the Eyrie instead but they were three days too late for Aunt Lysa (Kate Dickie) and no one actually knew that Sansa (Sophie Turner) was there. So they left there too... Then Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) comes along but by that time Arya was like 'screw that' and went her own way, leaving The Hound to die miserably. Now she's off to Bravos finally! Her plot line next season will make up for this one...

Also, we've been having Skinfam Game Of Thrones nights (fun for the whole family!) and we've been arguing all season because none of us can remember what happened to Sandor Clegane in the books... does anyone know? Does he actually die? Comments!

Poor terrorized Sansa Stark finally escaped the Red Keep with the help of the slimy Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) but was it him who killed Joffrey (Jack Gleeson - who will never work again!) or was it the Lady of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg)? It was very vague in the books too but I always thought it was Olenna, who is one of my favourite characters. She hints at it in the show too when she talks to Margaery (Natalie Dormer), telling her that she would never have let her wed the little shit that was Joffrey. I think Littlefinger may have helped but only to get what it is he wants... Sansa. In the meantime, crazy Lysa sees Littlefinger kiss Sansa and gets batshit crazy jealous, Littlefinger tries to sooth her then promptly pushes her out the moondoor. Then the two of them, in an amazing performance, manage to convince the Eyrie council that she jumped. Freaking fantastic!

And the final Stark, Brandon (Isaac Hempstead Wright). I've read all the books so everything that has happened is not too surprising to me... this was. I did not think that they would have reached the Weirwood already. You know how long Arya has been wondering around? Well Brandon got carried around by Hodor (Kristian Nairn) a billion times further and they still made it to the tree before she even gets to Bravos... This has put a spanner in the workings of my mental timelines... How cool was the Heart Tree guy though? Almost how I pictured him. Keep an eye on Brandon now, I do believe he is the main character of the entire thing!

I don't want to talk too much about the Lannister's except for the final scene of course. Nothing much happened with them... Joffrey finally died to the joy of absolutely everyone except Cersei (Lena Headey) and Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) was as awesome as ever despite spending most of the season locked in a dungeon... and that final scene with Tywin (Charles Dance) and Shae (Sibel Kekilli): perfect! Just how I pictured it!

Not much happened with Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) either. She liberated a few more cities and then spent the rest of her time in hearings for the people. Exciting right? No... There was that moment with Daario (Michiel Huisman - not nearly as pretty as last seasons Daario: Ed Skrein) and the eventual discovery of Jorah's (Iain Glen) betrayal that happened seasons ago. Be prepared for Dany to sit around moping about her dragons and the ongoing liberated slave problems for another season or two...

I have to mention one of my favourite characters, Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal). I loved this character in the books and I love the way he was portrayed in the show as well. It's a shame he doesn't get to hang around for longer but what a scene to go out on! So, so, so good! If someone made a top ten death scenes from GoT, this would be the top one. But do not despair, we shall hear from the Martell's next season, I do believe. That is where Marcella is too, if you missed that part.

So, predictions for next season. Lots of Bran hiding in a hole under a tree listening to the old man lecture. Lots of Tyrian and sailing and shenanigans. Lots of Arya! Her story is one of the most exciting from now on I think, she has some adventures let me tell you! More battles at The Wall and a little bit of intrigue as well. Stannis will hang around there for a while too I think. There will be a surprise appearance by an old friend and quite a few new characters will be introduced from Dorne.

That's enough Game of Thrones for this season. It was renewed for season five and six right at the beginning of this season. They are catching up and in some places overtaking the books! Speaking of which... what was with Craster's babies? That wasn't in the books!

'Til next season!

5 out of 5 splattered heads...

Bonus Post: Guardians of the Galaxy - Trailer 2!

Oh Marvel, we do love you so! 

TV: Fargo SE1 EP10 - Finale

Fargo

Crime, Drama

This show....just wow. I first heard about it from some of the bookclub girls who had been watching it, then I looked up the promo above and started it purely on the basis that it had Billy Bob Thornton (the guy who was married to Angelina Jolie years ago. You remember the blood in the vial around the neck debacle? Oh, and he starred in Bad Santa, Pushing Tin and a heap of others) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, Sherlock).

The show is based off the 1994 movie of the same name, which is apparently based off real life. There are those disclaimers at the beginning of each episode but I had a hard time trying to find anything factual...  and that's because it's not real... The writers/directors of the film insisted it was based on a true story when doing promotional tours and the myth persisted... But it's entirely fictional, just in case you were wondering. I haven't actually watched the film (yet) so I can't tell you how close it is. I do know it was a hit and lots of people I know love it...

Well, now we can all love the show too because it is bloody brilliant. There is not a single episode that was dull, I was biting my nails in the finale. I recognised Colin Hanks from his short time on Dexter and Bob Odenkirk who plays Saul in Breaking Bad but the stand out performance (other than Billy Bob) was definitely Allison Tolman who I have never seen in anything before. Billy Bob is such a bad ass! Freaking fantastic performance!

Brilliant show! It's not been confirmed for second season yet but I've heard that there is a plan for season two already and I will be very surprised if it's not picked up... I've also heard that second season will be very different from what we've seen so far but the guy who wrote season one is also writing season two so what's the bet it will be just as awesome?

5 out of 5 maple leaves...