Category: Review

Scoobynatural!

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 (Image courtesy of Entertainment Weekly and The CW)

 

Tonight on the CW at 8 pm/ 7pm central is the crossover episode I’ve been waiting for since I first there was the possibility it could happen. ‘Scoobynatural’! Yep, that’s right folks. The venerated cartoon classic from the 70’s will be coupled together with the series ‘Supernatural’ in some freakish impossible way that can only happen to the Winchester brothers. Dean (Jenssen Ackles @JensenAckles), Sam (Jared Padalecki @jarpad) and Castiel (Misha Collins @mishacollins) all star in the show along with Scooby, Shaggy, Freddy, Daphne, and Velma. I’m as giddy and excited as a little school girl waiting for her parents to bring home the puppy she saw at the pet store and wanted it so bad. Yeah, like that.

Briefly, because that’s all we have, after Dean purchases a tv for his “Man Cave” at the Men of Letters bunker he, Sam and Castiel are transported into the animated world of ‘Scooby-Doo’. The Winchesters figure that this is a scheme by the Trickster to torment them (if you don’t follow the show just trust me when I say that, yeah, this something he would do) and believe that the only way out is to finish the storyline of the cartoon episode. Dean, the ‘Scooby-Doo’ aficionado takes lead thinking he recognizes the mystery to be solved. So, the three of them meet up with the Scooby Gang (Dean writing off the bucket list by finally meeting his lifelong dream girl, Daphne) and they help along trying to solve the mystery. Except, as if things can’t get any weirder, this is not that Dean, or anyone, remembers and now they are as clueless as the local law enforcer. 

The others starring in the show as voices are Grey (DeLisle) Griffin as Daphne, Kate Micucci as Velma, Frank Welker as Scooby and Freddy, and (drum roll please) Mathew Lillard doing what he has been done very well for years, Shaggy. It is written by ‘Supernatural’ seasoned writers Eric Kripke (creator/producer of the show), James Krieg and Jeremy Adams. It is directed by another ‘Supernatural’ veteran, writer, producer, director Robert Singer.

As of this posting, the show premieres in a little less than two hours. I’m already silencing my phone, getting dinner ready, and making sure, for the fifth time today, that the DVR is set to record so I can see it again. And again, and again. I also warned my friends, children, and ex-wife I’m running in ‘silent mode’ so “no one visits, calls, messaging unless someone is bleeding profusely and at the ER and even then, be near death”.  A little over the top? Well, at least I’m not locking my wife out -she’s a fan.

-A. M. Holmes

Streaming Review: ‘Babylon Berlin’

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The wonderful thing about Netflix is that every once in a while they present a gem of a series you would not have known about if they hadn’t carried it. ‘Babylon Berlin’ is one such jewel. It will draw you in and keep you interested with its engaging characters, intricate plot, and cinematographic style that captures the realism, and surrealism, of the period.

Set in 1929 Weimar Republic Germany it follows Cologne police Inspector Gereon Rath (played by Volker Bruch) as he and his Berlin counterpart, Detective Chief Inspector Bruno Wolter (Peter Kurth) investigate the Berlin vice underbelly of pornography, prostitution, and narcotics looking for a particular piece of politically damaging film. On the way, we run into Charlotte Fries (Liv Lisa Fries) a flapper and “It” girl from the impoverished slums of Wedding who will do most anything to support herself and her family including working as a part-time prostitute at the Moka Efti cabaret. But mostly, she works as a part-time office worker at the Berlin Police office where she dreams of someday becoming a detective herself. As Rath continues with his investigation of Berlin organized crime he eventually comes across Charlotte’s own amateur inquiries into the death of a railroad worker with ties to Russian Communist insurgents. Together they work to solve the mystery of a railroad car full of gold that seems to involve Stalinist secret police agents, organized criminals, corrupt politicians, and fascist thugs. The end will surprise you.

‘Babylon Berlin’ is based on Volker Kutscher’s novels adapted to television by Tom Tykwer (‘Sense8’), Achim von Borries, and Hendrik Handloegton and produced by Stefan Arndt (‘Cloud Atlas’), Uwe Schott, and Michael Polle of X Filme Creative Pool. There are 16 episodes, 45 minutes each and in German with English subtitles.  If you feel intimidated by the fact that it is in German with subtitles get over it -after following the plot and action you’ll be speaking Deutsch in no time.

I gave it a 5 out of 5 after binging it on Netflix and highly recommend it.

-A. M. Holmes     

‘The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat’ X-Files Season 11, Episode 4 Review

The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat - YouTube (1)

I love the X-Files. I have been a fan of Chris Carter’s show since it first introduced us to Fox Mulder and Dana Scully back in the 90’s. So, when Carter decided to do a limited run I was more than enthusiastic about it. Now we’re into the second season of this limited run and I’ve yet to be disappointed. To me, some of best episodes are when the show doesn’t take itself seriously. ‘Jose Chung’s ‘From Outer Space’’, ‘The Post-Modern Prometheus’ and ‘Dreamland’ are my favorites because here is where you see Carter’s scriptwriting and direction of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson at their best. ‘The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat’ X-Files Season 11, Episode 4 Review I think will join the ranks of Classic X-File Episode.

I won’t give up too much because it’s best when you don’t expect it. It starts with Mulder returning from a relaxing session of “Sasquatching” to find someone signaling him for a meeting a la Deepthroat. Mulder intrigued as to who would have signaled him this way meets Reggie Something in the FBI’s underground parking lot. Reggie then begins to explain that there is a conspiracy being perpetrated by the sinister “They” to erase objects and him from history. As proof, he asks Mulder about The Twilight Zone “Martian” episode. Reggie then approaches Scully with the same concern and citing a gelatin confection from her childhood as proof. What follows is an exposition involving the Mandela Effect (or is that the “Mengele Effect”?). On the way, we discover the origins of the X-Files, the possible existence of alternate universes (or not), who They are (actually more like ‘is’) and are given the definitive proof of extraterrestrial life (including the answers to everything) done in a way that comments on our society today.

There, I gave very little away. You can see it on Xfinity, YouTube or Hulu. Now, go watch before it disappears and all that remains is this review of what was actually a ‘Fringe’ episode.

-A. M. Holmes