Teen Wolf? Really MTV?

So, MTV announced today that they have commissioned a television drama based on the 80's Teen Wolf movies. From what I extracted from the article, it will follow a loner werewolf as he courts the popular loner girl. She has a best friend and he has an older brother who likes to cause trouble. Interesting. What a novel idea? MTV is on to something...wait, haven't I seen this before? Oh, yeah, The CW's Vampire Diaries. It is the exact same show. Just switch out the words vampire for werewolf and you have a carbon copy.

As someone who works in the biz, I know that there are no original ideas. But if you are going to steal someone's idea, you have to make it better. I don't want this post to turn into a rant on how everything in Hollywood is formulated and if you switch one or two elements you can pitch a brand new show (The City, anyone?) because that is not what this is meant for. I just am fed up with this unrequited love affair between some mortal girl and a supernatural monster with a soul. Let's be honest. It was cutting edge when Joss Whedon did it in the 90's with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. At least then, when Buffy fell in love with Angel (a vampire, who happens to have a soul) she had an obligation to kill him and chose not to. But the love stories in recent pop culture, modern girl falls for bruiting vampire are just so sickening. If we learned anything from Romeo and Juliet, its that if two kids from two worlds fall in love, the chances of them ending up unhappy and dead are very likely. (Both Angel and Buffy during the series.)

On a different note, I am extremely excited about MTV adapting the UK's Skins for our domestic viewers. If you have been following this blog for some time, you know that I am a huge fan of this show. Originally created by a father and son team in the UK, this show centers around the lives of teenagers in Bristol. But the real great thing about it is that the actors are all the actual ages they are portraying and the show is written with the help of teenagers. So it actually reflects life, to a certain extent. This is tv we are talking about.

The Deep End

Originally sold as Grey's Anatomy meets LA Law. And I must say, it is a great throwback to what Grey's used to be before the actors got all demanding and started getting killed off, in slow stupid ways. (Nobody gets hit by a car anymore? Or shot when an angry widower who brings a grudge and a gun into Seattle Grace? That's good tv.) But I digress, back to the point.

ABC's new drama has heart, comedy, drama, and of course sex. The sex scenes could be more steamy, but I kind of like how the show is starting off slow. Teasing us a little.

From the first episode, you begin to care about the characters and are interested in their stories. That kind of attention capture is important for the audience. We feel like we are sitting in a car, that just hits the gas and keeps going. There is no time to slow down. Explanations come in 30 second intervals and in hush whispers. This catches the audience up so we know what the hell is going on, but it also keeps the backstory quite, which is where backstory belongs. And it doesn't give away too much, too early.

My recommendation: tune in and be prepared to enjoy yourself.

White Collar

This is my pick of the week

Neal Caffery is a convicted felon serving time in jail for forgery. Until, he decides to break out. He is later captured by FBI agent Peter Burke, the man who captured him the first time. Neal gives Peter a hint that helps solve a case he has been working for months. A week later, Neal is released into Peter’s custody to help the FBI catch criminals. It takes the phrase “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” to a whole new level.

The show’s main focus is on felon Neal and his FBI partner Peter Burke. They have this very odd couple feel. One likes rules, the other loves to break them. The pilot episode sets up the whole working situation that I am sure later episodes will find great use of in different schemes.

We have added mystery, when we learn that Neal broke out of prison to find his wife, who has mysteriously vanished. Through Neal’s old crime friends, we find out that his wife in San Francisco, but is she with another man? It appears so? Is she with him willingly? That has yet to be determined. But something tells me Neal won’t give up looking for her, until she is back in his arms.

The first and biggest is the writing is great. They dialog is quick. The scenarios are slightly more believable in this show, then say, Fringe or Gray’s Anatomy. The whole dynamic of a criminal who turns to the good side, while still retaining his bad side true self, is compelling to watch and extremely entertaining.

Christmas Dreams

Hello Readers,

So, I know I have taken a rather extended hiatus from reviewing and I want to apologize for that. I have been extremely busy at work work, and since this blog isn't nearly big enough for me to make any money from it, I can not quit my only paying job.

So, Christmas has come and gone, and damn, was it busy. I got lots of cash money which I plan on spending on TV dvds in order review for you lot. On my list to purchase is the complete series of Battlestar Galatica. (With that said, I want to confess something. When I first started this blog the first post was dedicated to the ending of BSG. But, I was a newly convert of the show. I started watching it on the last season's mid season finale. This is that episode that is that the cliff hanger, mid season, that forces viewers to come back for the rest of the season so that they can see how it all ends. Basically, this means that I have five or six seasons before the one that I watched to view and see how the whole thing started. ) I also want to buy Dirty Sexy Money Season Two (and sadly last season). I am currently downloading Skins Series 1 and 2, and plan to purchase Series 3 when I get some more itunes gift cards.

Kings and Defying Gravity will also be purchased this January. I will also keep my eyes open for Mad Men, Season Two.

Leave a comment and let me know what shows you want to buy with your Christmas money.

Misfits

I have said it before and I will continue to say it, The UK has the best television. I am not sure why they keep beating us to the punch. Maybe because we have more money invested in film and they invest more in television. I am not sure.

With this latest dramodey from across the pond, we follow a group of teens who must perform community service for crimes they have committed. The characters interact with each other and we begin to see who they are. What they did to get them there, and what they want from life.

Oh, did I forget to mention a mysterious storm that gives them super powers? All the kids get a super power (some know right away, some have net to reveal themselves, but I think it is only a matter of time.) Kelly can head people's thoughts. Curtis can turn back time while Simon can make himself invisible and Alisha can turn people on sexually when they touch her skin. This power is by far the scariest, because men keep trying to rape her, when they accidentally touch her.

The show is good. I have posted the first part of the pilot episode. check it out and if you want to see more, go to youtube and finish watching. Leave a comment for me.

Movie Edition: Prom Night

This was the worst piece of shit I have watched since that shitty remake of "Children of the Corn"

Brittney Snow plays Donna, a high school girl, who's teacher falls crazy in love with her. She comes one night after the movies to find her dad and brother murdered. She hides under the bed and is forced to watch her mother die at the hands of this killer teacher. Fast forward to 3 years later and she is going to her prom. Silver from 90210 plays her annoying friend, who I think dies first. None of the kids have died by this point (31 minutes in to the show.) The most aggravating factor is that we know who the killer is, we have known from the beginning. There is no mystery to who the killer is. Also, they don't even try to keep it hidden from us. The killer is kept in plan sight. Also, his attacks are unprovoked. I am not sure I want to watch anymore of this. I am hoping that there is a major flip, like, Donna is really fueling the fire by sharing letters and her plans with the killer. He was crazy in love with her and she played it up that she didn't love him, but secretly she met with him and kept him on a string.

That would be a good twist. Right now, this isn't a WTF in a good way. It is a WTF in a bad way.

Also, the best part. After a guy and Silver get into a fight and Silver goes upstairs, she totally gets killed. The guy is looking for her and Brit says to him. "You are going to lose her." And he replies, "yeah, right." Well, you did, loser. She is totally dead, and its all your fault.

This movie sucks. I am not watching it anymore....


So I watched it on mute while I watched another show. It pretty much ended like I thought it would. Except not as exciting as I had hoped. He tries one more time to take her, the office shoots the man. The End.

Criminal Minds

This is a damn good show. It follows a group of FBI profilers who travel around the states solving crimes. Its like CSI, but better. The reason I like this show, is because the profilers are suppose to be smart. They solve crimes by trial and error. Its not like other crime shows where the detectives and forensic teams solve the crimes in a very linear pattern. Its just annoying and unrealistic. Check it out at 7:00 pm on A&E. You won't be disappointed. You will be scared and excited. Thanks Jules, for the recommendation.