Sherman Hemsley Still Not At Peace

Thanks to a rather paltry dispute between a woman named in Hemsleys will and a fellow porporting to be his brother, Sherman gets to spend the beginning of his afterlife emballmed and on ice, as would we all if we were surrounded by jackwagons like these.

The irony here, the big flap if you will, is that we're talking about $50,000. By the time they decide on a course of action, the proceeds will have been spent on his internment. If the love him, let him go! It's too sad to think about.

Sherman Hemsley Still on Ice Thanks to $50k Will Despute

Vera Farmiga to Run the Bates Motel on A&E - TV Fanatic

Vera Farmiga to Run the Bates Motel on A&E - TV Fanatic

What worries me the most about this piece of news is the fact it's coming to A&E. I was initially a supporter of A&E series. I really enjoyed The Glades, for instance, in it's first season. But the network apparently found it too rough around the edges, Jim too callous and came back the next year with a softer, tamer version of the show I had fallen in love with.

While the idea of Bates Motel brings up all kinds of interesting, spooky and fun story ideas, the whitewashing it may receive merely by being on A&E tosses that excitement right out the window. Longmire was another show that had great potential with the promise of grit and dirty drama but fell short of promises. A&E produces the cable version of CBS procedurals. They're not as popular and just a tiniest bit more daring, but what's left untapped almost makes you more angry knowing fully well they're falling short of greatness.

What a waste it would be to bring back the Bates family and their infamous motel only to have them suffer the same fate.

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Copper: Double Murder, Double Cross

Photo Credit: Screenshot from Copper "Double Murder" BBC America

I admit I was pretty well taken with the premier of Copper last week. I thought it gave a great introduction to the characters, where they fall upon the moral compass of the show and a good amount of insight into their motivations. That's not something I'm normally impressed with in a series premiere, so to do it right out of the box was quite pleasing.

"Double Murder" took us deeper into the lives of our main characters and their struggles by solving some of the more troubling stories introduced last week, and giving them even more reason to interact as the season progresses.

We also had the satisfaction of watching ten year old Annie enact vengeance for all she has suffered in her young life and for that of her lost sister. Seeing a child so what she did should have been disturbing, and yet I knew that her life would be the better for having done it. Justice was done without the burden of a trial or messy mind trips that would have scarred her even further.

But I'm jumping ahead of myself. Copper makes me passionate, so please forgive me if I scoot around.

I was pretty surprised that Haverford was still looking for Annie. Unless I missed it, outside of him being a freak, they didn't make it clear his interest in ten year old girls. She obviously witnessed him killing her sister and wanted her out of the way, but he was clearly going to shag her prior to taking her out once he did find her. One can only hope that Elizabeth fell into an arranged marriage with him, because those two had no business being together.

I rather enjoyed the machinations of Robert behind Haverford's back and giving Elizabeth an opportunity to stick it to her husband. I can't read the exact relationship between Robert and his father, however. Does he truly wish to gain favor with him or was he just trying to ensure Haverford looked like an idiot? Either way, it worked out in the end.

I'm wondering how far out of town Dr. Freeman moved to try to provide Sarah with some sense of security. It would certainly be more convenient if he were closer to what is sure to become his "gang" of sorts, as Corcoran relies upon him and his expertise more than anyone who might be nearby. It was heartbreaking to see Sarah afraid to be in her own home, carrying a pistol, ready to raise it any time she saw a white man riding by. I look forward to seeing her grow and gain some faith in humanity through her husband's dealings with those he served with in the war. She needs to discover what he already knows, you can trust people despite their skin color.

And so we're back to Annie. Her inclusion in the series is brilliant. She brings out the best and the worst in everyone, and it's fairly cut and dry. Those that want to harm her are the bad guys, those that don't are the good guys.

When Corcoran finally gave in to Molly's advances, it never occurred to me his need for her services. Using my hypothesis above, I shouldn't have even questioned why Molly was dropping off Annie at the Contessa's, but for a brief second, I hesitated. Would she really do that to Corcoran? It was only brief, and assuaged by Annie's behavior. She wasn't showing the fear she would have if she hadn't been in on the plan all along.

What a plan it was. Haverford gone, Annie given the chance to wipe herself of any guilt associated with the death of her sister, the erasure of the Contessa and a proper home for Annie in the end. I was wondering how she would remain with the series, and Elizabeth adopting her was the perfect answer.

Finally, we left Kevin Corcoran having visions of his dead daughter. What originated as a morphine hallucination seemed to linger. Will his burdened conscience keep her around? Will he ever discover the fate of his wife? If he finds she, too, has been murdered, just how far down the rabbit hole will he go to ensure justice for Five Points?

I hope you're enjoying Copper. If this is the sign of things to come for BBC America in the realm of original programming, I'm ready to start pumping funds their way. I couldn't have asked for a better first.

New Look!

Hiya!

Since I'm going to be spending a lot more time here as the fall season begins, I'm hoping you will, too. To make it more enticing, the site has a new look, courtesy of someone with endless talent. Hint - it's not me!

My hopes are that, in addition to what I already cover at TV Fanatic (Click that cute little link over to the right to visit), I'll add my take on shows I've loved (hello Supernatural and American Horror Story!) and ones I hope to love (Revolution, Nashville, The Following in the spring).

You'll either choose to join me or not, but at least if you drop by, you'll be greeted with the lovely new look. Feel free to tell me how much you love it! ;-)

Copper Cops Record Ratings for BBC America - TV Fanatic

Copper Cops Record Ratings for BBC America - TV Fanatic:

This is great news! I hope you are reading my reviews of the new series. Of course, there has been only one so far, but they will continue! Drop a vote at TV Fanatic to let everyone know what you think about Copper.

Two thumbs up from this television lover.

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Copper: Surviving Death Review

I was really looking forward to the premiere of Copper, and I wasn't disappointed. It's not often that one episode can provide such insight into so many characters, but that's what we got with "Surviving Death."

Because the case hit so close to home for Detective Kevin Corcoran, there was very little time wasted in discovering to what lengths he would got to solve a case, what his friends and colleagues thought of him and what  his determined and moral investigative techniques inspired in those he met along the way.

Corcoran is a man, above everything. Needing the comfort of a woman, he isn't above seeking it at the local brothel. He chooses a brothel run by a smart business woman who doesn't exploit the situation for her own gain and remains true to that one woman, Eva. His partner and friend, Francis Macguire also frequents the establishment but Molly doesn't have the same soft spot for him that Eva has for Corcoran. She's always leaning in for a kiss in the hopes of engaging Corcoran and speaking of him and his missing wife while laying with Francis. It would do her good to be happy with what she has, as Macguire doesn't take well to people talking about Corcoran and his misfortunes. More of that loyalty Corcoran inspires.

I really liked the idea that Corcoran would take the murdered child to Matthew Freeman, a black man with whom he served in the Civil War and a private physician, instead of the morgue. You can trust in the system, but more in those with a proven track record. If the murdered child had been his own daughter, Corcoran would have trusted Freeman.

Also interesting was the glimpse into the birth of modern forensics. The clay molded around the post to simulate a head and Freeman using numerous objects to simulate the bruising on the girls head. If it keeps on,  there will really be a little bit of everything in Copper to amuse the broadest possible audience.

The best part was that the system failed. The wealthy man got away with the crime, and tried to discover where the dead girl's twin sister was to, one was left to assume, ensure her silence. Why was that the best part? Because it didn't spin Corcoran off into some vengeful escapade. He knows eventually it will come around and that dude will pay. It certainly helped that one Elizabeth Haverford, the killer's wife knew in her heart her husband did it and gave Corcoran permission to do whatever it takes to make sure he pays. If he had reacted differently to the news that another man was to pay for his crime, would she have been as willing? I don't think so.

It would appear they will be walking a very fine line between right and wrong on Copper, but it won't necessarily be the good guys that have to carry the balance. Life will do it for them while they fight for justice, using alternative methods to get at the truth and juggle morality, integrity and the laws of the time.

I'm in!

The Observers Are Coming! Fringe Season 5 Teaser Video!

I remember when it was first discussed that the Observers were coming back from the future. The first thing people thought was that we had done something to our planet thereby forcing The Observers to come back and put us straight.

Tell me if I'm wrong. Listen to Walter. It sure sounds like The high and mighty Observers made a mess of our planet and decided to come back to our time to try to change their own future. What say you? And who can wait for Fringe to come back?? NOT ME! Enjoy...

 

Be sure to catch my reviews of the final season every Friday soon after the episodes air on TV Fanatic.

Copper | BBC America Will Bring Civil War NYC Alive in New Series

Copper | BBC America:

I'm currently watching the behind the scenes look at Copper, a series brought to us by the BBC about Civil War era New York City. I don't know why it struck me as so interesting for this series to be a BBC production. The US produces historical programming based on the history of the United Kingdom all the time, but I somehow feel it's all of our history and the Brits wouldn't have a care for NYC during the Civil War. Shows how much I know.

Some of the characters include Kevin Corcoran (Tom Weston-Jones), an Irish-American detective just back from the war, looking for his missing wife and the murderer of his daughter. Eva Heissen (Franke Potente), a German immigrant who runs a brothel and is in love with Corcoran. Robert Morehouse (Kyle Schmid, whom you might recognize as Aidan's progeny from last season's Being Human) as NY aristocracy who was changed by the war after serving with Corcoran and Matthew Freeman (Ato Essandoh), an African-American physician, and sees them as equals and friends. Rounding out the main characters is Elizabeth Haverford (Anastasia Griffith, most recently of Once Upon A Time) a well-to-do socialite who wants to use her wealth to help others.

All in all, it sounds like an impossible band of superheroes for the times. People who should have never come together, and yet they find their own ways to become influential in changing the course of history. Without individuals like these, New York could have fallen into depravity and debauchery without the opportunity to crawl out of the muck.

The craftsmanship that went into the building of the sets and costumes was outstanding. Production values of BBC programming are known to be top-notch, and Copper doesn't seem like it's going to do anything to dispel that expectation.

The worst news I can give to you is the schedule. Already piled high with quality programming, Copper premieres Sunday, August 19th at 10/9C. Will you be tuning in?

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SHAILENE WOODLEY, Joel Kinnaman, Asa Butterfield and More: THR Picks Actors on Stardom's Cusp

Joel Kinnaman, Asa Butterfield and More: THR Picks Actors on Stardom's Cusp - The Hollywood Reporter:

Shailene Woodley has to distance herself as far as possible from The Secret Life of the American Teenager. The only good thing she has going on the show at the moment is working opposite Daren Kagasoff, who appeared out of nowhere and also shows signs of talent.

Every week Secret Life drops to new lows under the guise of entertainment and if she doesn't jump off the bus, she will be forever linked with a sinking ship. Anyone who saw her work in The Descendants knows her capabilities. Let's all say a little prayer to whatever entity you like that her agent has the good graces to remove her from certain doom.

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TRIBECA FILM ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO GENRE DEFYING RESOLUTION

***

“A tale of secrets and narrative revelations … strong storytelling with suspense and emotion.”

- Steve Zeitchik, Los Angeles Times

***

"Resolution is an intelligent indie flick that explores new areas of horror with stunning execution. These are two guys to watch out for." – Bloody Disgusting

New York, NY – August 15, 2012 – Mysterious forces, personal demons, dark humor and gripping performances combine in the genre-defying tour-de-forceResolution. Tribeca Film today announced it has acquired all North American rights from XYZ Films to rising directing duo Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson’s naturalistic-yet-otherworldly thriller. The film’s enigmatic narrative and fresh take on genre filmmaking captivated audiences and critics at its Tribeca Film Festival and Fantasia International Film Festival premieres earlier this year.

Moorhead and Benson brilliantly straddle the line between raw thrills and honest emotion as complex characters and powerful performances drive this ambitious, unconventional narrative about two friends, one a junkie forced to go cold turkey in an isolated cabin. But what begins as an attempt to save his friend’s life quickly takes an unexpected turn “sure to please even the most seasoned horror fans” (Sound on Sight). “Much of Resolution’s fear factor happens in your head,” the Montreal Gazette raved, due to its “constantly shifting tone, from male-bonding buddy movie to occult thriller, psychodrama, horror and more.”

Tribeca Film plans an early 2013 theatrical release day and date with on-demand platforms, where it will be available in 40+ million homes through a variety of video-on-demand offerings, as well as iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, VUDU and Xbox. A strong festival run is set ahead of the commercial release.

Horror buffs and film industry insiders have kept a keen eye on breakout co-directors Moorhead and Benson, who Twitch placed “in the class of bright young voices in American horror to watch including Ti West, Jim Mickle and Adam Wingard.” The enterprising pair has an uncanny ability to capture true humanity within the context of an intricate narrative. While genre elements surface in Resolution, otherworldly tones create an exhilarating layer of unpredictability.

“Anchored by two extraordinary lead performances, Resolution is a truly singular work that avoids easy classification,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “Aaron and Justin are some of the industry’s brightest new talent.”

“Tribeca Film’s acquisition via XYZ Films is proof that when outsiders band together to make something that scares people while breaking their hearts and making them laugh, that movie will find equally daring industry leaders to passionately support it,” said co-directors Moorhead and Benson. “We’re grateful that audiences share that same excitement for a movie in which we chose to constantly do something different. It validates all the risks we took, so we'll definitely be pushing it that much further on our next projects.”

The deal was negotiated for Tribeca Film by Nick Savva, Director of Acquisitions, and on behalf of the filmmakers by Nate Bolotin and Aram Tertzakian from XYZ Films.

For additional information please visit facebook.com/resolutionmovie

About Tribeca Film

Tribeca Film is a comprehensive distribution label dedicated to acquiring and marketing independent films across multiple platforms, including video-on-demand, theatrical, digital, home video and television. It is an initiative from Tribeca Enterprises designed to provide new platforms for how film can be experienced, while supporting filmmakers and introducing audiences to films they might not otherwise see. American Express continues its support of Tribeca and the independent film community by serving as the Founding Partner of Tribeca Film.