“Stay”

December 9th, 2009

“What else do you want?”

Last season, when Friday Night Lights said goodbye to Jason Street and Smash Williams, they were leaving to be able to follow their dreams. Jason left Dillon so that he could be with his baby mama, while Smash left so that he could fulfill his dream of playing college football despite his recent injury. In both cases, what kept them in Dillon was out of their control: Street’s injury kept him from taking the path he had always imagined for himself, while Smash’s injury delayed what was supposed to be his triumphant moment. They did not so much stay in Dillon as they were forced to remain in Dillon, and as such we were able to view their eventual departures as an overcoming of unique circumstances.

However, if we root for Tim Riggins or Matt Saracen to leave Dillon, Texas, we are effectively arguing against staying rather than arguing for their departure. Dillon is holding these two characters back more than it is helping them move onto the next stage of their journey, and while both Jason and Smash found support and opportunity in Dillon that could give them the boost they needed it has become inherently clear that living in a trailer and delivering pizzas is not going to be a stepping stone to a prosperous future for either 7 or 33.

Accordingly, “Stay” is about those characters (and quite a few others) dealing with the separation anxiety that people have with the town of Dillon, the people who live in it, and the connections they made that cannot be overwritten so easily by things like common sense or opportunity. You may want to stay, but if you ask yourself what else you might want out of life you might find that staying isn’t going to achieve those goals. While not quite the emotional powerhouse of last week, it’s an almost too consistently themed hour that connects well with the last we’ll see of Matt Saracen for at least a little while.

The biggest challenge facing Friday Night Lights this season with the exit of Matt Saracen is managing to make the inevitable both dramatic and interesting. You see, those of us “in the know” have been aware of his departure for quite some time, and the end of last season (with Matt choosing to ignore his Chicago scholarship in favour of staying with Julie and his Grandmother) set up a circumstance where we wanted Matt to both leave (to escape Dillon) and stay (to be with Julie, and to be with his grandmother). The show needed to convince us why the former was the right move, and to keep his departure from feeling like an abandonment.

And ultimately, his father’s death was the ideal catalyst: his grandmother is pocketing a $100,000 gratuity for her son’s untimely death, and Julie begins to feel Matt’s unhappiness enough that the weight of being the reason he stayed (or one of the reasons) gets to her. And thus it makes sense that Matt, after their trip to Austin makes them both question why he stayed, Matt decides to leave his mother to take care of his grandmother while he drives off to parts unknown. Gilford got his big emotional moment last week, and here he relied on his usual brand of quiet contemplation: Matt was reflecting back on the past few months and realizing that it’s now or never, and watching Julie realize the same thing and eventually collapse onto the floor once back home was as heartbreaking as Matt’s escape was uplifting (albeit with a healthy dose of uncertainty). We’re still going to be checking in with Matt later in the season, which I am definitely looking forward to, but that final shot would have been a fine way to leave the character (who, with far less of a “purpose” than Smash/Street is inevitably going to have a less finite end on the show).

The story was surrounded by a number of characters who are at that point where they’re resisting moving on from their current positions, or regretting moving on, or just about anything else you can connect to the theme. You have Tami’s concern about Julie being in Austin, which is really anxiety over her eventual departure to College, which was basically an excuse for Connie Britton to bring the house down for 40 minutes. Then you have the return of Lyla, rekindling her romance with Tim just long enough for her to realize that as much as she misses Dillon she needs to leave before she ends up managing Riggins’ Rigs (and so that Tim can finding something else to want other than her). And Becky, still hung up on Tim Riggins, refuses to move onto a relationship with Luke (with whom she shared a quasi-date last week, and who is a pillar of chivalry with his gummi bears and earnest desire to see her again) despite Riggins’ insistence that nothing is going to happen. You could even throw the brief scene of Jess refusing to accept Landry’s suggesting of investigating their relationship further in there if you wanted to.

Some of the stories worked better than others (Minka Kelly did some of her best non-melodramatic work on the show in her brief reappearance, and Taylor Kitsch was great overall, but I find Becky and Jess to be sort of all over the place right now), and there was never really enough time to tell the football story they appeared to want to tell. That Eric’s voiceover played over the team leaving the field, robbing us of seeing his big speech, made it seem like a definite footnote, one that should have been a bigger deal all things considered. The game was far too quick and romanticized to really mean anything: the team had supposedly only punted three times, but we never got to see the Lions defence make their presence known, nor did we ever see when the old Lions quarterback (who never got a name) gave way to Vince as the new leader. As someone who knows a bit about football, I was still confused about how all of that came together. I like that Vince and Luke are friends now (the Sears scene was fun), and I liked seeing Billy and Tim back on the field to help get the team in shape, but when they rush the football stories like that they feel too marginalized.

All in all, it was never going to be an episode like last week, but I thought there was some good stuff here that does drive home the thematic relevance of Saracen’s departure. It will be interesting to see how the aftermath works out, and to what degree his absence will see the show move further with the Lions (who are clearly being built up as a spoiler for the Panthers, considering that the episode bothered to indicate that this week’s opponents are expected to be the Panthers’ biggest rivals).

Cultural Observations

• If this is the last we see of Saracen in Dillon, it was good to give him one last scene with Landry and a couple of nice scenes with Julie (especially their picnic on the hood of the car). I have to presume, though, that he’ll be back, as there is no way we won’t be getting one last hurrah for Grandma Saracen.
• Nice to get to see a bit more of Vince’s mother, although it seemed like a subplot that deserved more time. Vince also got that odd scene of his efforts to hit up Jess at her place of employment, leading to her father all but throwing the kid out the door. I didn’t entirely “get” the scene, as while I know he’s interested the show has always sort of pulled him back from the brink of being a dick.
• Very fun montage of the Lions doing media for the big game, although I think Landry has done a very similar interview in the past (which was perhaps the joke?).

Worst of the Week: The Office (Episode: “Scott’s Tots”) – Now this was a perfectly good episode in the vein of many of the comically tragic episodes in the series’ run but this was just a painful viewing experience. I would rather watch someone get a fingernail pulled out, then see how this played out. It made me think about this blog piece I read.

The Power Rankings: (may contain mild spoilers)

10. Gossip Girl (Episode: “Treasure Of Serena Madre”) – This is the closest Gossip Girl has been to greatness that was season one.

9. Dollhouse (Episode: “The Public Eye”) – I did NOT see the twist with Senator Perrin coming.  I should have known that his wife being a doll was too simple.

8. Jersey Shore (Episode: “The Tanned Triangle”) – The first reality series to ever make it on the Power Rankings.  Snooki? The Situation? This show is tragically amazing.

7. Parks and Recreation (Episode: “The Fourth Floor”) – It’s nice that they finally gave Tom (Aziz Ansari) some actual feelings instead of being the prankster although I feel like the Andy accosting Ann and Mark should stop because it gets less and less funny every time we return to it

6. Fringe (Episode: “Snakehead”) – The last scene between Walter and Astrid got me a little misty-eyed.

5. Glee (Episode: “Mattress”) – Finally! My biggest complaint about Glee – Will not knowing Terri wasn’t pregnant – is finally over! The scene between Terri and Will upon his discovery was so intense and well-acted, the ridiculousness of the story was almost worth it…almost. After we take care of Finn thinking he’s the father of Quinn’s baby and the Emma/Ken engagement, I’ll have nothing left to complain about.

4. House (Episode: “Wilson”) – It’s kind of sad that the best episode of House post-asylum limited the appearances of House’s crew and kept House as a peripheral character in Wilson’s story.

3. Dollhouse (Episode: “The Left Hand”) – Two things made this episode awesome to me: 1) The nerdy respect and flirting between Bennett Halverson (Summer Glau) and Topher (Fran Kranz) and 2) the acting genius of Enver Gjokaj playing Victor-imprinted-as-Topher. He needs to be cast in something immediately now the Dollhouse is done.  He is amazing.

2. Friday Night Lights (Episode: “The Son”) – Zach Gilford is going to be robbed of a well-deserved Emmy nomination for his performance in this episode.  That may seem presumptuous on my part but if Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler haven’t gotten nominated by now, no way anyone on this show is.  Regardless, it’s definitely one of the best single-episode performances I’ve seen this year.

1. Sons of Anarchy (Episode: “Na Triobloidi”) – Two questions: 1)  I wish someone would just shoot Agent Stahl in the face and 2) can’t SAMCRO catch a break? Just one?

Proving that the motto “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” is not just for the West Dillon Panthers, the East Dillon Lions are capturing our hearts and laying claim to a legacy

Entering its fourth season, “Friday Night Lights” is proving yet again why it holds the critics’ claim of being the best show on television.  It is not just a show about football.  It’s about the people that make up this extraordinary town.  It could be any town in America.  It just happens to be Dillon, Texas where football can make or break any young athlete’s chances at a life outside of Dillon.  Football may not be the end all, be all of dreams come true, but it  can provide a way to make a career beyond high school.  It also provides the life lessons most kids need in order to succeed in adult life.  They may not all go on to be football stars, but it does give them good habits for life — to work hard, strive hard and push hard for your dreams.  It teaches kids to not only dream, but it also instills the drive to achieve those dreams.  Life is hard.  So it is crucial to gain the skills to survive.  High school only lasts four years.  Then what?  If you live in Dillon, Texas, then you are lucky enough that Coach Eric Taylor and Tami Taylor are going to do everything within their power to make sure you get a chance to attend college and make your dreams a reality.

Having successfully shepherded Jason Street, Smash Williams, Lila Garrity and Tyra Collette on to college and forward in their lives, the fourth season follows the continuing journey of Tim Riggins (who ditched college), Matt Saracen (who is pursuing his art dream), Landry Clarke (who is now playing football at East Dillon), Julie Taylor (also attending East Dillon High) and J.D. McCoy (now star of the West Dillon Panthers).  Joining them on this journey are newcomers Vince Howard (rebellious running back at East Dillon), Jurnee Smollette (Landry’s new friend), and Becky Sproles (Tim’s landlady’s daughter).  Last, but not least, are Coach Eric Taylor (new football coach at East Dillon High), Tami Taylor (West Dillon High’s principal), Buddy Garrity (staunch football supporter), and Joe McCoy (arch nemesis of Eric and Tami Taylor). 

Continue reading article at:

http://nicegirlstv.com/2009/11/18/friday-night-lights-east-of-dillon-after-the-fall-and-in-the-skin-of-a-lion/

You know that feeling when you’re doing something you shouldn’t and are on edge about someone catching you in the act? Okay, enough dancing in circles. Have you ever watched porn in the privacy of your own room and are terrified that your mom will walk in and catch you? Of course you have! That’s kind of what Women in Trouble is like. While it’s certainly not pornography, it evokes that same uneasy feeling that you’re watching something that’s so wrong but so right at the same time.

Click here to read more.

Un film del 2009, regia di Sebastian Gutierrez, con Carla Gugino / Adrianne Palicki / Connie Britton / Marley Shelton. Prodotto da (92min)

Commedia

In un giorno qualsiaisi le vite di un gruppo di donne si incrociano. Tra di esse vi sono una porno star, una hostess, una psichiatra, una massagiatrice e un paio di telefoniste. Tutte loro hanno qualcosa in comune: si trovano in grossi guai.

  Ok so this isn’t really an Ode to buddy Garraty, but that would only be because I am not sure how to write an Ode.  However after last night’s episode featuring our favorite booster I felt he deserved some FNL love.   When I first began watching FNL I didn’t much like the loud, brash man who felt he had every right to bug Coach about anything and everything surrounding the Panthers.  I mean hell it was his fault Coach had that trouble back in Season 1 regarding whether or not the Panthers were going to have to forfeit a game because of illegally recruiting Ray “Voodoo” Tatum.  Between Buddy and Voodoo it was looking like Coach Taylor and the Panthers might not even get the chance to go to state.  Plus if it weren’t for his meddling Matt would never have had to go back to being second string.  Oh yeah to say I didn’t like him would be an understatement.  Loathed would be a much better word.  And let’s not forget that he cheated on his wife, tried to bribe the women he was sleeping with, and basically told his one time golden boy, Jason Street, that because he could no longer walk he wasn’t good enough for his precious little girl, Lyla.  Does any of this not scream dirtbag?  I didn’t think so.

Before the show even began to air I was predestined not to like Buddy and oh I could repeat the excuses I used in the beginning, but the truth of the matter is that I just didn’t understand guys like him.  Or hell anyone like him.  To me they were just trying to relive a time that was no longer relevant.  I thought that their life must have really sucked to be tied so closely to their past glory days.  I couldn’t even bring myself to be interested in my own high school football team so someone whose entire self worth is wrapped up in a game he longer plays was alien to me.   But then something strange began to happen, I began to like Buddy, no scratch that I began to love Buddy.  Perhaps it started when during the last couple of episodes of Season 1 we really got to see how much he had come to respect and like the coach.  Some where over the first season Buddy became more than just a cheating, lying dirtbag.  He became a friend. 

No longer could I imagine a team that didn’t have Buddy standing on the sidelines cheering the boys on.  And when I saw the new coach in Season 2 (according to Imdb he didn’t have an actual name) push Buddy off the field and regulated him to spectator my heart broke for the guy.  He had lost everything; his family, his friend, and now his team.  But our Buddy isn’t one to take things lying down and spent the next couple of weeks do anything he could to bring his friend and the rightful Panther coach back to the field.  In the 3rd season Buddy faced what was probably his biggest challenge and that was saying goodbye to Lyla.  But once again Buddy proved what a stand up guy he truly is.  He is a man that makes mistakes and rather than run from them he meets them head on. 

But it wasn’t until Wednesday’s episode that I actually found myself cheering for him.  Here was a man that could no longer stand by and watch Joe McCoy and Wade Aikmen destroy the team that he had loved all those years.  He could no longer stand by and watch as people he had always called friends turn into people he just couldn’t understand.  And when he stood in front of his fellow Boosters and declared “I’m not a Panther any more!” my heart leapt for the courage and strength that must have taken.  Well Mr. Garraty I too am not a Panther any more.  Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose.

“In the Skin of a Lion”

November 11th, 2009

It isn’t precisely a dud, but “In the Skin of a Lion” is certainly the weakest episode of the fourth season thus far. It’s really an issue of premise more than it is of execution: every scene and storyline that they ask these actors to portray is effective and hitting the right notes, but there are some underlying imbalances to be found within them.

It’s a problem that the show had, to some degree in its third season, but which felt overcome by an intense emotional centre that kept the show balanced. Part of what the episode is about is how that emotional core is absent in East Dillon, and while the episode works to bring it back the vacuum at the centre of the East Dillon Lions makes this episode distinctly less enjoyable or empowering than the episodes which came before it.

Now, there’s no question that this in many ways makes sense: we’re supposed to feel as if Eric Taylor has no idea what he’s doing, and we’re supposed to sense that Buddy Garrity feels out of place with the Panthers boosters, and we’re supposed to know that Matt Saracen is aimless working at Panther Pizza and staying in Dillon. But while I applaud the episode for thematic consistency of sorts, it seemed as if the point was made while moving away form the thematic consistency of the season thus far. The episode was predicated on people believing that the Lions aren’t going to make it, and that everything is going to fall apart, which is in direct opposition to how we as an audience feel about the team and about Eric Taylor’s ability to lead it. And while there’s a value to the show’s narrative in making this distinction, it seemed like it wanted to do so many things at once that it never quite clicked for me.

There were some great scenes in this one that surrounded this issue, like the drive through the East Dillon community to collect donations. The scene says a lot about how dire the team’s position is, as the only money they’re getting is that which Coach Taylor gives to Tim Riggins to give to the crowd (some of whom aren’t even willing to give away someone else’s money for the cause). This storyline ultimately led to the big game, where a single touchdown (off of a fumbled field goal attempt) is enough to bring the school’s principal around to the cause, and to keep the team motivated going forward. I think, if this had been the only instance where it felt like the team was effectively losing the plot, unable to pull in the local community, it might have felt more effective.

But the episode was quite insistent on taking this theme and applying it to everyone. When it comes to applying it to Eric himself, as he writes a personal cheque for new jerseys and hides it from Tami, the storyline works because of how great Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton are. The show has often been successful taking somewhat clichéd relationship stories and turning them around, and this one felt emotional and visceral because of how great the actors were. And similarly, we know that Matt Saracen is going to be leaving Dillon in time, so taking this as an opportunity for his new mentor to drop hints to Julie (and Matt) that he’s wasting his potential in Dillon for reasons outside of himself (Julie, his grandmother) makes a fair bit of sense.

However, it felt like it was spread out too thin. While it makes sense for Saracen to fall under this theme, to have an episode about him leaving for an entire day and not even bringing up his grandmother felt strange, and feels like we’re not seeing all of the parts of his story. I’d have gladly sacrificed the “Julie vs. Religion” runner that went through the episode for a bit more time with the Saracens, although again there was nothing wrong with it: Britton and Teegarden nail the mother/daughter interactions, but I’m simply questioning if they were really necessary to the pacing and effectiveness of this particular episode.

And while I really liked the idea of Vince and Luke dueling for the spot of running back, the storyline felt underdeveloped as well. While I thought Luke’s half of the storyline made a lot of sense, as Taylor’s distracted state means he starts to neglect Luke (who Riggins discovers just wants to be part of a team, and who feels that Eric hates him because of the situation with the Panthers) and Luke in turn tries harder to impress him. We learned more about his background, discovering that his parents are not supportive of his football aspirations and that their farm ties him geographically to their area (which helps answer why the borders weren’t drawn around him, if not exactly why we’ve never heard of him before), and the episode set Luke up for that final moment.

But for Vince, the show simply brought back the former Lion who Landry fought with to plant seeds of racism, thus giving him his motivation. I thought adding racism into the equation was entirely unnecessary, as was the idea of placing Vince in direct opposition to Luke. I think it would have made more sense if they had stuck with the idea that Vince rejects Eric because he’s acting like a father figure: daddy issues might not be any more original than racism, but I think the episode could have been more powerful if it had centered the team’s problems around Eric himself (and thus his struggle playing both coach/booster role) and less about the other dynamics between team members. The football scenes could have also used a few more shots on the field itself to really personalize the conclusion: shooting at a wide angle and never quite giving us enough of Luke’s frustration seemed false, as if his part of the storyline disappeared once Vince’s took over. It just felt unbalanced, and that’s not entirely normal for the show.

The episode’s finest moment was also its more predictable, as Buddy Garrity finally realizes that for all of his concerns over his car dealership he is ultimately not a Panther anymore, so long as the Panthers represent the kind of culture which goes after Tami Taylor’s job for simply following the rules. Brad Leland absolutely nailed that sequence as, having already been told by Eric that the Panther organization is starting to fall away from him, he simply gives up everything he’s built and realizes that the football legacy lies elsewhere. It’s a great scene that emphasizes how he has felt lost within one organization and will now look to another.

It just feels like this story could have been told more effectively, whether by streamlining it (getting rid of the Riggins/Becky flirtations, as fun as they were on occasion, for one) or finding a better way to bring it all together in the end. The fact that things come together really by chance, as a fumbled play turns into a touchdown, seems to send the message that these things just work themselves out, or that the characters have been given a reprieve to think things through next time around. I know it might be too soon for people to actually start working out their issues, but I feel as if the muddled nature of the characters’ journeys kept the episode from coming together as much as it could have.

Not a bad hour by any means, considering how great the performances were throughout, but just not quite up to the strength of the last couple of weeks.

Cultural Observations

• I’ve got serious issues about Coach Taylor deciding that Landry should suddenly become a kicker, and that he would rely on him in such a high pressure situation. The scene with Landry and Jess was fun and all, and Landry makes far more sense as a kicker than anything other position on a football team, but it seemed more than a bit random and could have been better handled if we understood more of the logic behind it.
• I also think that having Vince and Luke both playing defence needed to be contextualized: if the argument is that the team has so few good players that it was necessary, the show needs to tell us that. As it was, it felt like a contrived reason to create the tension-filled interception return.
• We learn this week that Jess’ father was once a football player himself, and considering he owns a local business and is played by a recognizable actor one has to presume he’s the kind of person who could be a useful booster (in terms of support if not finances) if he wasn’t so down on football since his younger days.
• As far as product placement goes, Under Armor is probably pretty happy with this one, as it makes their sales rep seem like the nicest guys ever. In fact, he might have seemed TOO nice, giving people a false impression of what these reps can do in this economic climate. “Hey, can’t you be like that guy on Friday Night Lights?”

I don’t know whether to be happy that FNL hast 11 more episodes to go before season 4 is over or be miserable.  If this were any other show I would be worried that it won’t be able to convery everything it wants in 13 episodes, but it’s not any other show.  It’s Friday Night Lights so bring it on I say.  

Those poor Lions just can’t catch a break.  First they get trounced in their first game, then the coach in their words “quits” on them, and finally their school turns against them.  Which is ironic considering how unlike the Dillon Panthers, the East Dillon Lions appear to be one rung above the marching band.  I have to admit after coming from a town where even the PeeWee Football coaches are psychotic about the sport it is refreshing to see that football players have it just as hard as the rest of us.  And if you live in East Dillon even harder.

The thing I admire the most about this show from strictly technical viewpoint is the fact that other than that small misshap in Season 2 when they pratically shoved Santiago Herrera down our throats the producers have slowly introduced new characters into the fold.  Maybe they thought we would accept them easier that way, maybe not.  And even though Season 4 has been all about change they are still holding true to the way they introduce the new characters.  As with our old favorites, the new characters are not what we first perceived them to be.  Vince a troubled young man from what I can only assume to be the poorer section of Dillon first appears as a petty criminal who uses his running skills to get away from the police instead of the opposing team.  However in this episode we learn that not only does he see a life beyond East Dillon, but we also learn that he takes care of his drug addled mother.  These aren’t stand out moments in the show, just meer glimpses into the other side of life in Dillon, Texas. 

On the other side of the spectrum we have All American good ole boy Luke Cafferty whose entire life is the Panthers.  In the first episode we saw him for all of 30 seconds which was just long enough for him to defend Julie and make excuses for JD.  If you chalked Luke up to a throw-a-way character well in After The Fall you and I were proven wrong once again by FNL and it’s abilty to tap into the talent of previous lesser known actors and actresses.  Because the scene where Luke broke down in front of our favorite principal and for all intent and purpose begged for his life or more importantly the life that he knew showed all of us that this was a character to expect alot from.  So by the time he showed up at the end and in support of his new team burned his Panthers T-Shirt we knew a new favorite had been born. 

Now you would think with new characters coming in and beloved ones growing up and on that we would be forced to watch a show that no longer resembled our favorite little show that could.  But come on people this is FNL!  You know they wouldn’t do that to us and sure enough so far they are not failing to disappoint.  Ok sure Tyra and Lila aren’t back yet but I have it on good authority they won’t be missing for long.  As we watch Tim learn to live in the ordinary we get to watch as Matt discovers his potential to be more than second string.  Along the way they will both struggle with the job of living and unfortunately we won’t be able to see Matt the whole time but I have faith that when we finally are faced with goodbye the writers will serve him with just as much justice as they did Smash and Street when they went on to their lives.   I have a feeling true loves and new teenage nymphets aside our boys will be just fine.

Ok so on to some of my favorite moments of After The Fall:

Tami letting Joe McCoy know exactly who ran things in Dillon and it wasn’t the two of them.  Go Boosters!

Our favorite booster of all showing us that loyality to the Panthers and to his friend don’t always go hand in hand.  I want more Buddy!

Landry letting Coach know exactly how disappointed he and the rest of the team were of him.

Coach Taylor having to deal with the fact that he may not having a winning team, but they were his team and he wasn’t going to abandon them.

Virgil “Big Mary” Merriweather enough said.

Anything with the Riggins boys.  I for one am grateful we didn’t have to say goodbye to Billy.

A pregnant porn star, a couple of call girls, a scorned psychiatrist, a teenage goth, a flight attendant with a crush on a famous passenger… the troubles of this cluster of LA women couldn’t be more different, but on one crazy day feminine compassion will alter all of their lives. Devilish humor, razor-sharp scripting, and a knockout ensemble of talented actresses (including Carla Gugino, Connie Britton, and Marley Shelton) turn ‘Trouble’ into pure pleasure.

Douglas Adams davno je izjavio onu predivnu istinu o rokovima, i kako lijep whoosh zvuk proizvode kad prelete pored vas. Ova recenzija piše se već minimalno osam mjeseci: prvi povod bio je kad sam napokon pogledao čitavu seriju u komadu; drugi kad je objavljeno da je obnovljena za još dvije sezone; treći sada kad počinje prva od te dvije (a ukupno četvrta) sezona. Najveći problem je u tome što sam htio postići nivo pretencioznosti kakav su imali tekstovi o Jossu, Sopranosima i Wireu. Jer Friday Night Lightsi to zaslužuju.

Moji izljevi emocija zabilježeni su i na twitteru, samo klikćite more dok ne dođete do kraja tweetova – ima ih jako puno (većinom sadržaja poput Lyla Garrity je kurva) i vjerojatno van konteksta nemaju puno smisla. No, krenimo od početka.

Clear Eyes

Priča u biti počinje 1990. s H.G. Bissingerom, koji piše knjigu Friday Night Lights: a Town, a Team and a Dream, opisujući stvarne događaje u Odessi, nogometnom timu Permian Panthers i njihovom putu do srednjoškolskog državnog prvenstva Texasa 1988. Njegov rođak Peter Berg (nama najpoznatiji kao dr. Billy Kronk iz Chicago Hopea) 2004. piše scenarij i režira film prema knjizi, sa Billy Bob Thorntonom u glavnoj ulozi trenera Panthersa.

Film, naravno, uz neke izmjene, slijedi radnju knjige, režiran Bergovim prepoznatljivim (makar ne i jedinstvenim) kvazirealističnim stilom kamera iz ruku, zoomova, kadrova van fokusa ili s fokusom na nekom sporednom detalju dok bitan dio scene ispada iz kadra… uglavnom, znate o čemu pričam. Film je solidan, lijepe atmosfere kojoj puno doprinosi i soundtrack čiji su najveći dio odradili Explosions in the Sky. Osim što bez njega ne bi bilo ni serije, meni je najveći utjecaj filma u tome što me upoznao s tim bendom. Odlična, odlična muzika, pogotovo ako hodate, vozite ili trčite kroz prirodu. I za svakakve druge opuštajuće prilike.

Berg nije bio zadovoljan što je morao (zbog ograničenja filmskog formata) izbaciti detalje iz knjige te nije mogao posvetiti dovoljno vremena likovima i njihovim odnosima. 2006. je na NBC-u krenula i serija Friday Night Lights, no ovaj put s fiktivnim likovima, timom (koji je zadržao ime Panthers) i gradom Dillonom. Također, radnja više nije u 1988., već u sadašnjosti, ali dosta motiva iz filma i knjige, a i atmosfera, preneseni su i u seriju.

FNL nikad nije imao dobru gledanost, ali kritičari obožavaju seriju. 2007., nakon završetka druge sezone svi su mislili da će ju NBC ukinuti, no umjesto toga, sklopili su prilično čudan (i jedinstven, koliko je meni poznato) ugovor s kabelskim DirecTV-em, prema kojem na jesen prvo DirecTV emitira epizode, a kad oni odvrte sezonu, emitira je NBC. Produckijske troškove dijele obje kuće.

Obim stranama takav dogovor očito odgovara, jer nakon treće sezone, FNL je obnovljen za ne jednu, nego dvije sezone po istom principu.

Full Hearts

Waldorf je više puta rekao da je to serija o footballu i da to ženama (bez impliciranog šovinizma) koje football ne zanima serija neće biti dobra – jer nije to tipična tinejdžerska drama.

Ne bih rekao da je to točno. Ne potpuno. U biti, ja je volim promatrati kao seriju koncentričnih krugova: najveći je taj teksaški, rednečki, football-nam-je-više-od-života mentalitet, ta njihova polja kukuruza i kućice uz ulicu na kojima su natpisi ili imena i brojevi igrača ako oni tu stanuju; zatim i sami stanovnici Dillona koji zajedno s ambijentom čine odličnu (i fantastično dočaranu) scenografiju.

Slijedi football. Nije on poanta serije. I da je umjesto footballa bila košarka, nogomet, hokej, curling, sve bi bilo isto. Naravno, ne isto, ali poanta bi bila identična.

No, u FNL-u nije niti jedan od tih sportova, već je football. I ne morate mu znati pravila (pohvatat ćete) niti ga voljeti (zavoljet ćete) i iako nije u footballu poanta, u svakoj je pori serije. Nigdje drugdje nećete vidjeti epizodu kojoj je cliffhanger kick-off utakmice ili pustiti suzu na utakmici za prvenstvo (OK, to mi se možda desilo u Bijegu u pobjedu kad je Stallone obranio penal… kakav Rocky) ili pratiti akcije i navijati kao da gledate Dinamo u finalu Lige prvaka.

Naravno, mnogo je predvidljivih situacija u igri; kao što je (u sljedećem “krugu”) među igračima i ostalim srednjoškolcima iskorišten apsolutno svaki stereotip – bahata zvijezda, nepopularni geek, zabušant koji ima problema sa ženama i pićem, underdog koji se proslavi, glavna cheerleadersica itd – ali, FNL, producenti i glumci uspjeli su ih učiniti realnim, stvarnim i kompletnim osobama (što bi i svaka drama koja teži odličnosti trebala moći i znati učiniti).

No, u centru serije, i ono što je sama bit serije, su coach Taylor i njegova žena, odlično odglumljeni (Kyle Chandler i Connie Britton, tisuću Emmya im dajte) i jednostavno predivni za gledati – da ukradem komentar s AV Cluba: kada bi se FNL sastojao samo od četrdesetpetminutnog bantera coacha i Tami, serija bi bila savršena. Sve ovo ostalo samo su kulise za njih dvoje. Nevjerojatni su.

Can’t lose

Prva sezona postavila je stvarno visoke standarde, svime ovime gore nabrojanim, slijedeći ugrubo zaplet filma i knjige – put do državnog prvenstva, preko dva glavna arca – coach, njegov odnos s igračima i pritisci ostatka grada i sponozra te ozljeda quarterbacka i njegova pomirba s njom i vezano uz to, QB2 i njegov uspon do zvijezde momčadi. Tinejdžerske drame rijetko su bile bolje.

Druga sezona čudna je i lošija (nekima i potpuno loša), najviše zbog storylineova koji su djelovali isforsirano, nevjerojatno ili samo bezvezno; ali pred kraj se stvari poslože kroz par vrlo jakih epizoda i posebno savršenih scena (coach brani Rigginsa pred trenerom koji im gostuje u svlačionici; coach i Saracen pod tušem – definicija riječi gutwrenching).

Trećom sezonom vraća se forma i kvaliteta prve, uz upečatljiv i prilično neobičan, ali i dobro izveden početak koji preskoči više mjeseci u radnji (druga sezona skraćena je zbog štrajka, ovo posljedica), neke odlične arcove (Streetov pogotovo, tko na kraju – i na jednu određenu scenu koju ne bih ni približno opisao – ne pusti suzu, nema dušu) i prekrasne zadnje dvije epizode: predzadnju s tekmom svih tekmi i zadnju koja završi tako da ostavi otvorenog mjesta za nastavke, ali i predivno zaokruži jednu cjelinu.

Četvrta sezona počela je prekjučer, reakcije su vrlo pozitivne, makar me jako brine što je najavljeno da Zach Gilford napušta seriju (kako, zašto, nemoguće) a što mislim o svemu tome, epizodu po epizodu, čitajte tjedno na Serijali.

 Once again Peter Berg and Jason Katims prove why Friday Night Lights is perhaps the best show on television right now.  Season four brings us back to Dillon, Texas or better yet East Dillon and folks lets just say the Lions have a long way to go before they reach greatness.  Which can we all agree that there is nothing better than watching the underdog prevail?  For a minute there, just a minute mind you, I was worried that I might feel torn between my beloved Panthers and my newly beloved Lions.  But then I realized that it wasn’t the Panthers that I loved, it was the players, the people, and of course the coach.  They weren’t my Panthers any more.  They belonged to someone else and you know what?  They can have them.  Because if there is one thing tonight’s episode showed me and that was no matter what the Panthers were nothing without Coach Taylor. 

    What happened to sweet little JD?  Last season he was this delicate little boy who needed protecting from the big bad world.  he was shy and quiet and even a little submissive.  But boy how a year can change things, he seems to be channelling DW Moffett’s  arrogant smirk (whom I love to hate by the way).  Now he is arrogant, self assured, and apparently a dog considering he was hitting on Julie even though he knew she was dating Matt.  Speaking of Matt, it is looking like the decision to stay behind and not go to college isn’t working out so well (which as we all know will eventually pave the way for Zach Gilford’s eventual exit).  The poor guy just can’t seem to catch a break.  First he gives up art school to take care of his grandma, who sadly seems to be slipping even more, played to perfection by the lovely Louanne Stephens.  Then he is stuck going to Dillon Tech who apparently doesn’t like his, I wish I could draw as well, and delivering pizzas to ex-teammates.  I for one will be sad to see Zach Gilford leave but as with FNL by the time he does leave we will be ready and excited for the character to move on with life. 

  Ah the guy who used to be Tim Riggins is wandering just as aimlessly now as he was when he was in high school.  To be quite honest it never rang true for the character to go off to college for me at least.  He always seemed more of a home town guy.  Which is ok and not in the least bit tragic.  Because here is the thing about FNL, it’s an honest show and it takes the characters and leaves them in a place that rings true.  FNL doesn’t cater to flashy gimmicks to get people to watch it or big grandoise stories to keep them watching.  It simply goes on with life as it knows it.  When a special guest star comes on (like last nights Alicia Witt) they know that they are playing a character that is a real as any one you would meet in a small town.  After the inital “Hey isn’t that…?” you forget they are a big name and get down to the business that is life in Dillon.

  Poor Coach and Tami, if it isn’t one thing it is another.  Tami is stuck as the prinicpal of West Dillon while her husband is across town coaching at the horribly under funded East Dillon and although she knows that the redistricting is a wildly unpopular desicion she has to grit her teeth and do the responsible thing.  Which apparently seems to be sticking it to Joe McCoy and the new coach (forgot his name, sorry) in a small but definite act of revenge.  Ok it may just be me but I believe only Connie Britton can make the phrase “Flip the coin” sound unbelievably sexy.  Eric sure as hell agreed.  Didn’t you just want to take Eric in a hug and tell him everything was going to be all right?  He sure has an uphill battle to fight this season and if it were any one else I may have been worried, but since it is him I’m not.  I know the East Dillon Lions may not reach the glory that the Panthers know this season, but I have a feeling that one day Lions football will be just as big as it’s more loved brother school.

Moments that deserve special mention:

Landry asking his teammate if he needs a toy to keep his attention.  Classic Landry.

Matt & Landry throwing the football and reminding us so subtly that even though they have come so far at the heart of it all they are still the same friends they were back in Season 4.

Julie calling JD a jerk.

Tim & Billy Riggins fighting as real brothers do.  All Billy wanted was a better life for his brother and instead he has to sit by and watch all his hard work get thrown away.

Any scene with Kyle, Connie, & Aimee.  Yes real families to act that way.

Buddy Garraty, Buddy Garraty, Buddy Garraty.  Need I say more?

So there you have it.  Friday Night Lights is back and I for one couldn’t be happier.  Now I just have to find an East Dillon Lions T-shirt.

Casi diez meses después de disfrutar del ultimo episodio oficial, finalmente esta noche se producirá el esperado estreno de la cuarta temporada de Friday Night Lights, que como los fanáticos saben presentará grandes cambios en la historia.

Como hemos dicho en los últimos meses, esta nueva temporada se destaca por presentar un nuevo equipo protagonista, perteneciente a la Secundaria East Dillon, que fue creado durante la temporada pasada cuando el pueblo se dividió en dos distritos distintos.

Este inesperado cambio generará una gran división dentro del Dillon, y al mismo tiempo permitirá el ingreso a un nuevo grupo de estudiantes, interpretados por los jóvenes actores Michael B. Jordan, Matt Lauria, Jurnee Smollett y Madison Burge.

A pesar de estos cambios, el centro de Friday Night Lights continua siendo la familia Taylor, con el Entrenador (Kyle Chandler) debiendo hacer frente a su nuevo trabajo en East Dillon, luego de ser traicionado por sus “amigos” y Tami (Connie Britton) trabajando como directora de la secundaria rival.

Para terminar tenemos que recordar que Zach Gilford y Minka Kelly tendrán participaciones limitadas durante esta temporada, lo que significa que Jesse Plemons, Taylor Kitsch, Aimee Teegarden y Jeremy Sumpter tomaran el centro de la escena.

La cuarta temporada de Friday Night Lights comienza esta noche por DirecTV.

  On Wednesday October 28th Direct TV will begin airing Season 4 of Friday Night Lights.  Those of you who have to wait for NBC to get off their respective asses and wait til next year to watch.  I am so sorry for you guys because I for one will be spending every Wednesday night with East Dillon.  OMG did I just say East Dillon?  Whoa that was weird.  For all of you who have not watched this gem of a show your are missing one of the best acted, directed, produced, and written shows, ever.  And no I am not jsut saying that because I am a fan of the show.  I am saying it because it’s true.  Don’t believe me?  Watch it, go ahead I’ll wait for you to see I am right. 

Ok so I won’t wait, but I’m still right.  The usual reaction I get when people find out that I wath FNL is one of shock because it seems the general public has the impression that it is just another high school football show.  To that I say has there ever been another high school football show?  Yes I know that back in the 90s Ben Affleck starred in a little known show on NBC called Against The Grain but even that wasn’t a high school football show.  So I really would like to know what show these people are referring too and where was I when it was on.  In fact the only football show I remember was on HBO called 1st & 10 and that was definitly not a high school show. 

Now some of you may remember a movie by the same name that was directed by Peter Berg and this show would be a continuation of that movie without actually being that movie.  Instead of Billy Bob Thornton (who did a wonderful job in that role by the way) as the lead character we have the horribly underrated Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor.  And reprising her role as the coaches wife (albeit with a different name) Connie Britton brings a realism that is just not seen on television or hell even movies any more.  Now most shows that feature a high school delegate the adults to background cameo roles that show up only when a lesson needs to be learned, but FNL wouldn’t be the same without Eric and Tammy Taylor.  They are in essence the heart and soul of the show.  When they hurt, we hurt.  When they are frustrated, we are just as frustrated.  Their joys are ours and well you get the point.  Here is a couple that the audience can relate to on more than just a will they or won’t they scenario.  They argue, they fight, and they love better than any couple I have seen. 

   Now like any show that features high school kids FNL has its own cast of diamonds in the making.  Seriously did anyone see Taylor Kitsch coming?  Or could have possibly guessed that Adrianne Palicki would turn, along with the awe-inspiring Jesse Plemmons, a story that had all the possibilty of going horribly wrong into one of the most touching storylines ever.  And who’s heart didn’t break when the perpetual underdog Matt Saracan (played with such heart by Zach Gilford) finally brokedown and yelled at his coach for all the disappointment he had had to endure from the people who were supposed to love him.  Now I will be honest that Aimee Teegarden’s character Julie Taylor irritated the hell out of me, but that was more because I remember being just as selfish and juvenile as she was at fifteen.  FNL also has a way of introducing new characters in such a way that you don’t feel as if they are replacing our old favorites, but instead they are folded into the show so quietly that after a while you feel as though they have been there all along.  That isn’t to say that when a character leaves you feel as though they were never there in the first place, but instead you feel as though that character has just moved on with life as if it were the normalist thing in the world.  And in truth that is exactly the way it is in real life.  People come and go from our lives but for the time that they are there they were important and they meant something. 

  When the lights finally do go out on FNL (and trust me that will be a sad day) Peter Berg,Jason Katims, and yes even NBC can sit back and be proud that even though it was a show that was loved by few it was loved and deserved more than it received.  And although we fans of the show will be sad to see it end atleast we will be able to believe that in some part of the world life in Dillon, Texas goes on and our beloved coach is telling a new crop of football players “Clear Eyes Full Hearts Cant Lose.”

Did that get your attention? Yep? Good. Things are amping up for the film Women In Trouble. There is already work on a sequel following Carla Gugino’s porn star character Elektra Luxx.

For the moment though the focus is on Women In Trouble. There have been posters and now there are a number of other ways to follow the film.

A serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly disparate Los Angeles women: a porn star, a psychiatrist, a flight attendant, a masseuse, a bartender, a mother, a a daughter, a pair of call girls, etc. All of them with one thing in common: Trouble

Elektra Luxx is tweeting away on Twitter plus she is on Facebook and there are lots of cool photos over on her Flickr account.

More importantly you can use the excellent Demand It site to get the film showing near you – this has worked wonders for the low budget Paranormal Activity film.

Written and directed by Sebastian Guiterrez, Women in Trouble features Carla Gugino as porn star Elektra Luxx, Connie Britton, Adrianne Palicki, Marley Shelton, Cameron Richardson, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Josh Brolin and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Estampillé production Michael Bay – Michael Bay est un fils de pute pour ceux qui ne me liraient pas quotidiennement – comme Friday The 13th et autre Texas Chainsaw Massacre, A Nightmare on Elm Street est le dernier reboot en date. Réalisé par le réalisateur de clip Samuel Bayer, celui-ci, à première vue, n’impressionne que très peu dans sa mise en scène des cauchemars meurtriers, vu le budget plutôt conséquent… la main qui sort de la baignoire, waw, super original !

Mais honnêtement, il s’agit peut-être du reboot le plus intéressant, après ceux de Jason Vorhees et Michael Myers, dont on se serait franchement passé, la bande-annonce laisse entendre que l’histoire s’intéressera davantage à Freddy Krueger, et que le film semble plongée dans une atmosphère moins marrante et plus flippante, proche de l’original – que la tendance des scénaristes aux one-liners et au grand guignol avait emmené dans une saga dont les derniers épisodes auraient tout aussi bien pu être des putains de dessins-animés.

Pour la petite histoire, Jackie Earle Haley est un pote de Johnny Depp. Au temps où ce dernier nourrissait une carrière de rockeur raté, son pote Jackie lui demanda de le transporter à une audition pour le rôle de Freddy Krueger – rôle qui échouera, comme chacun sait, à Robert Englund – où il se fit repérer et engager pour jouer une des victimes du méchoui humain. Pendant que naissait la carrière de la star, Jackie Earle Haley a ramé avant de devenir, presque coup sur coup, un pédophile taré (dans Little Children), un justicier taré (dans Watchmen) et enfin le croque-mitaine… forcément taré… dans A Nightmare On Elm Street. On peut lui faire confiance, ainsi qu’à la prévisible tripotée de jeunes acteurs issus des séries télés – talentueux pour la plupart – comme Katie Cassidy (Harper’s Island, Melrose Place -2009-), Kyle Gallner (Veronica Mars, The Shield) ou Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Heroes), mais aussi de vieilles têtes… de la télé, tels Clancy Brown (Carnivàle, Lost) et Connie Britton (Spin City, 24) qui vont finir en kebab entre les griffes de la nuit.

Wednesday

The 9/8c time slot is the busiest on my grid this year. In fact, I’m glad I upgraded to a third HDDVR at the beginning of this month since it’s the one time of the week when I’m recording six shows simultaneously. I’m sure the full slate won’t survive through October, but at least I’m prepared.

ABC – It appears ABC is making an attempt at assembling a sort of “Super New Wednesday” with a full slate of new shows. I certainly hope it doesn’t meet the same fate as the schedule from a couple years ago when we got hooked on Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money, only to have the writer’s strike kill their freshman seasons, a fate they never recovered from.

Kelsey Grammer makes another attempt at his triumphant return to network television in a sitcom with a premise that sounds almost exactly like his FOX failure from two years ago, Back to You. Successful guy loses success and has to learn to live with a family he has ignored. My love of Frasier means I’ll check out at least a couple episodes, but I doubt this one will last. In an odd coincidence, Grammer’s Back to You co-star Patricia Heaton stars in The Middle, another traditional sitcom that also marks an attempt to show us that network television understands what it’s like to be affected by our current recession. Both shows premiere September 30th.

A less traditional hour of programming follows, starting with Modern Family, a show that follows three families in a documentary style (think The Office) and features an exceptional cast including Ed O’Neill (Married with Children) and Julie Bowen (Boston Legal). As many of you know, I’m a big fan of comedies sans laughtrack, so I have high hopes for this one. Following Modern Family, Courtney Cox returns to network television with Cougar Town. I haven’t learned much about the show, but it was created by Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) so I think it has a much better shot at success than say….Joey. These two shows premiere September 23rd.

Rounding out the night, we have Eastwick, a re-imagining of the 1987 movie The Witches of Eastwick and the John Updike novel of the same name. Be careful when setting this one on the DVR, I would hate for you to end up with a late night showing of 2005’s The Witches of Breastwick.

CBS – Criminal Minds returns in its normal slot for a fifth season on September 23rd. Minds has quietly become a very consistent performer for CBS, which surprises me considering how little support it got when it started. If you haven’t watched this at all before, I would recommend checking out an episode–each week is pretty self-contained so it isn’t hard to jump on.

Comedy Central – The boys are back October 7th for the second half of South Park Season 13, and plenty of ultra-topical shenanigans will be there. Following South Park is a new live-action show called Secret Girlfriend. The show is basically about a group of guys partying and attempting to get laid. I have no idea if it will be good, but the network only ordered six episodes so I’ll check it out.

DirecTV 101 – Continuing their partnership with NBC from last season, DirecTV gets the exclusive premiere of Friday Night Lights season four, starting October 28th. Dillon is in for some big changes with Coach Taylor headed to the newly re-opened East Dillon High School to lead the Lions. Taylor “Gambit” Kitsch and Zach Gilford return, although Gilford will likely make a mid-season exit a la Smash and Street before him. For those who haven’t figured it out yet, Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton as Eric and Tami Taylor are the best couple on television. Also, have no fear FNL fans, DirecTV and NBC have already inked a deal that ensures 13 episodes for this season and another 13 next year. Game on.

Discovery – Mythbusters picks up for the second half of season seven on October 7th. From the look of this story, they busted a few windows making the episode in March of this year.

FOX – Are you watching Glee yet? If you aren’t, I’m not sure you’ll need me to tell you to. FOX has declared a media war on anyone who thinks this is just another lame attempt at a tv musical. If creator Ryan Murphy’s name isn’t enough to get you on board, I don’t know what will work. Murphy’s nip/tuck helped start the cable drama revolution a few years ago and now that he’s done with it, he’s decided to do something kids can watch too. In addition to normal promotion, The songs will be taking over iTunes each week, and two albums are already scheduled, with the first one dropping in November. Glee premiered September 9th.

FX – As I posted last week, nip/tuck returns October 14th for its second-to-last season. I would have said penultimate season, but I’m tired of people saying penultimate.

MTV – Real World Road Rules Challenge is back again to meet our need for some sweet guilty pleasure tv. My advice is to DVR it, fast forward through the manufactured drama bullshit, and just watch the challenges. The show premieres September 30th.

NBC – Mercy is yet another new medical show, and normally I wouldn’t give it the time of day. However, it has James Tupper from the ill-fated Men in Trees, so I can’t help but tune in. Apparently, nurse shows are the new surgeon shows–what a super original idea!

“There is no way Home. Hope dies.” Larry Fessendeni katse luua öko-õudust on tervitatav. Kogu filmi kandvat teadmatust, millega peategelased silmitsi seisavad, ei suuda Larry aga kahjuks lõpuni välja kanda. Olen natuke hämmastunud isegi, miks tal lõpp nii lamedaks kätte kiskus või kus projekt kabelimatsu välja tiris. Filmi vaatamiseks sain idee sõber Opsilt, kui tundsin huvi, kas tal minu filmijanu kustutamiseks häid soovitusi jagada oleks. No ilmselt ta aimas, et minu huvi ökoloogia ja maailma vastu, saab filmi vaatamisel kuhjaga tasutud, eriti kui formaadiks on õudusfilm. 2/3 filmist olingi väga rahul. Idee, kuidas Alaska sulab ja naftakompanii (kellest küll kohapeal vaid pilootgrupp oli) ei saa oma masinaid kohale tuua ning tagatipuks on lootust, et loodus ise vastu hakkab kogu planeedivägistajate kambale on ju tore utoopia, aga kogu filmikunst on utoopia nagunii, see mind ei saanud häirida seega. Õõvakohtadega filmis kitsid ei oldud ja isoleeritud Alaska uurimiskeskuses toimuvat laibakuhjamist oli täiesti mõnus vaadata. Ilusad lumeväljad, kus vaid üksikud külmunud laibad maastikuvaadet aegajalt rikkusid. Hitchcocki “Lindude” stiilis endaga rahulolevad mustad linnulised oli samuti väga kodune vaatepilt. Kõik oli väga tore, aga no see ei saanud kõik nii hea olla lõpuni, ilmselgelt. Kuidas sa nimetu Loodusega õudusfilmi veenvaks teed tavalisele vaatajale. See oleks ju originaalne, isegi indie filmi kohta. Vaja on ikka nähtavaid “koletisi”, hiiglaslikke ja fantastilisi tundrakolle. Ma arvan, et seal kukkus film konkreetselt kokku, kui neid tegelasi näitama hakati ja selgus, et nad suudavad ka füüsiliselt inimest liigutada ning viitsivad sellega üldse vaeva näha. Samuti ei viitsinud filmiloojad pingutada, et oma lugu ja tegelaste koolemist mingil korralikul viisil põhjendada. Mingit põdrasarvedega draakonit pole küll mõtet ekraanile tuua ja loota, et see täidab tühimiku käsikirjas ning seletab inimestele ära, miks lavastaja üldse ökoloogia oma filmi sisse tõi. Kokkuvõttes, mulle meeldis vaadata ja ma ei kahetse seda, kuid filosoofiliselt jäi film ikka täiesti seisma lõpus. Film transformeerus zombiks ja kukkus ketrama nagu katkiläinud grammofon: “Kas sa nägid seda, kas sa nägid seda?” Pathetic.

IMDB

Source: IGN / Myspace

IGN and Myspace have respectively debuted a poster and our first image of Jackie Earle Haley as burned child murderer, Freddy Krueger. Personally, I think Haley looks great but that was never the issue. My issue is with Platinum Dunes and their lack of any kind of intelligent plot. Their movies are MTV videos with gore, nothing more. Tits and blood at the basest level.  But anyway, check it out. It’s still pretty cool stuff.

A Nightmare On Elm Street, based on the Wes Craven original, is being directed by music video director Samuel Bayer from a script by Wesley Strick (Cape Fear). Rooney Mara (Dare, Youth In Revolt) will take on the role of Nancy Thompson, previously inhabited by Heather Langenkamp. The cast also includes Thomas Dekker (Heroes, Terminator: SCC), Kellan Lutz (Accepted, Twilight), Katie Cassidy (Supernatural, Harper’s Island), Connie Britton (24, Friday Night Lights) and Clancy Brown (Carnivale, LOST) .