TV Shows

Spartacus: Blood and sand - season 1

Tozinho — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:40:00 GMT

Just finished watching the final episode of “Spartacus: Blood and sand” and to me it’s one of the best season endings I’ve ever experienced! This show has been one big journey and unfortunately it has come to an end. Season 2 has been confirmed, but postponed indefinitely, due to Andy Whitfield's (the main actor) ongoing treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma (a group of blood cancer).

But let me break it down. This show started on the Dutch television with a double treatment with episodes 1 and 2. At the end of that night I was satisfied I had sat down to see it, only to see my wife linger away due to the amount of blood and weak story. At this point I knew that I had a gem in my hand, because I was able to see the show without having to wait for her presence. And thus I gathered all episodes available to me at that time and the man-night started in my living-room.
Sure she had a point, the first episodes were on the weak side and dwelled on the tales already existing. Get “Gladiator”, “300” and the other wonderful TV-show “Rome” together, put them in a mixer, shake them well and there you have it: Spartacus: Blood and sand! I remember telling a colleague of mine to start seeing this show too and once he did, he told me what I’d felt after seeing the first two episodes, that it was weak, bloody and not appealing enough to continue seeing it.

I was happy that I did continue, as it turned out that this is a show that you need to get yourself through. Because somewhere during episodes 3 and 4, it kicks off! Suddenly the macho behavior and shallow story is exchanged for political intrigues and snake-like twists. This show takes the explicit graphical gore from “300” and puts it in a higher gear. With that said, “Gladiator” is put in a shadow, as Spartacus truly outdoes the one-man journey for revenge. Only to be met with such turn in events and twists in plot, that “Rome” looks like a program for primary schools. I remember the first season of “Prison Break” to be appealing and the excellent way the characters on screen bonded with me. But Spartacus has given me a new meaning of emotion. Never did I strike with my fists on the couch out of anger and sadness after seeing one of the episodes. Never did I keep my mouth open for a long time in shock after another striking moment in this story. It is gripping, emotional and kept me longing for the next episode after each one ended. I’d not felt like this with any TV-show for a long time… You really feel with the character of Spartacus.
What they tell you is true: there has never been a show on TV that shows more nudity, sex and blood than Spartacus. Coupled with some supreme actors, beautiful choreography in the fighting scenes, über use of blood, gore and special effects and masterful storyline and conflicts, this is a show not to miss.

If there is any piece inside of you that makes you feel like a man, this show is for you! If in doubt, get yourself a copy of “American pie” and leave my sight. Believe me, give this show a chance!

My rating: 9 out of 10

Fringe - season 1

Tozinho — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:05:00 GMT

This week I finally managed to finish the first season of "Fringe". And in my opinion it's a great and entertaining show! The characters are good, the stories gripping and the episodes keep you guessing until the end what it all leads up to.
Fringe follows the exploits of FBI agent Olivia Dunham, mad scientist Walter Bishop, and his son, jack-of-all-trades Peter Bishop, as they investigate aspects of fringe science (rare diseases, chimeras, transhumans with psychic abilities, teleportation and so forth). It's not that kind of show that if you miss an episode will leave you guessing what happened during that part. No, every episode is a story on itself, thus I found this refreshing as there are no cliffhangers and so on.
There's a lot of humor, partly due to the excellent Walter Bishop, who with his senile way puts an big smile on your face during the most gruesome scenes. It may be compared by many with the X-files, but this show is a complete new thing in its genre. Excellent stuff!

My rating: 8 out 10

The kill point

Tozinho — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:16:00 GMT

Tonight we finished watching the eight-episode long show "The kill point". I came by it occasionally and when I read more about it, it attracted me even though the story seemed to be the standard "cops and robbers"-story.
In a big way it was, but because it is stretched into a mini-series, a lot of tension, action, twists and humour is added. In the end we (my wife and I) felt attached to all the characters and were hoping for a good ending for any of the sides.

The story?! A group of five men assault a bank and while they're retreating outside to the escape-vehicle, they get in the middle of a shoot-out, which forces them back inside the bank. There, they're confronted with the need to take all civilians present hostage to get out alive from this situation. Soon a negotiator is present to deal with the felons and thus ensues a game of cat and mouse between the negotiator and the leader of the pack. But little do the cops know, as they soon will find out that they're dealing with a group of military veterans, who recently returned home from serving in Iraq...

The show is fast-paced and filled with action. But I want to express my respect to the actors, as their performance was excellent. Donnie Wahlberg (yes, him!) and John Leguizamo delivered an great job as the main characters. Recommended!

My rating: 8 out of 10

Heroes - season 3

Tozinho — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:45:00 GMT

Heroes' third season... Villains! Muuuuuh! Even on TV there are disappointments unfortunately. This season was divided in two chapters, the third (Villains) and the fourth (Fugitives). Looking back to season 2 it wasn't a great one, but still an entertaining one in comparisson to this one.

This third season starts with the third chapter, which basically goes even faster than the second season. Along with the speed comes a bunch of messy time-warps, story-lines and none of these things make the story more clearer or exciting to grasp. I mean, come on, Sylar going from bad to good to bad again to an angel again and bad once more and choosing good again, only to stay bad-ass in the end. Hiro Nakamura is wimpy throughout the whole season and has lost the mystique he once had in season 1. Peter Petrelli loses all his powers and lives without them almost the whole season and what remains is a totally uninteresting character. Someone who died in the second season now seems to have a "third" sister! Come on! Where are the originality, wit and creativity we all saw in the first season and made the show so special?! If you look at all of the characters in this season, none developed new intriguing story-lines for their characters and I just didn't care for any of them. Not like I did in season 1. Characters are killed off as if they're nothing and their past hasn't meant anything to the story. If the story goes into that direction, why should I then care anymore with the characters or the story for that matter?!

Right at the moment when you think that it just can't go any further without really screwing up the story, chapter 3 comes to an end. The first chapter is closed up and we're treated with chapter 4. And if something could go worse, it did. I was looking at Heroes, a show which first season to me was one of the best productions ever on TV! And suddenly I'm treated to a very (and I mean VERY) bad rip-off of "Prison Break" or "24" for that matter. Suddenly all the heroes are hunted down to be put in camps to be terminated. Come on! If you want to copycat another show, do it well. But the writers just made a mess of it. All we are treated with, is running and absolutely NO character development, no cliffhangers (none throughout the season for that matter!), no excitement, no surprises, no innovations, no fun, no humour, no new interesting characters. It is absolutely not engaging. "Oh, we have a situation and need someone that has the ability to do this or that... Oh well, let's just invent a character that has that power, so we can get on with filling the show with film, because we absolutely have no clue where we are heading our show!". I think the writers and production crew must have been thinking this... Come on, even seasons 2 and 3 of Prison Break were better that the crap I just witnessed these past 10 days. Or better, just watch re-runs of the Jerry Springer-show.

And in September season 4 will start. "Redemption" it's called. I hope they will make it a short season of about 9 episodes so they can call it a redemption indeed. Will I watch it? Yes. Will I look forward to it? No. Do I recommend you to see this season? That depends. If you saw season 2, you could. If you only saw season 1 so far, then keep it at that. You'll have far better memories of this show, which once was one of my highest praises. Now, I just don't feel that much pride in recommending this to others...

Did you see season 3? If so, what's your opinion on it? Am I crazy to rate this season with a 4 out of 10 or did you even hate it more? I'm very interested to read your opinion.

My rating: 4 out of 10

Prison Break - The final break

Tozinho — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:39:00 GMT

Don't stare yourself blind on the tagline "Prepare yourself for the truth!", because that's how they're marketing the final two episodes of Prison Break to the Direct-to-DVD-market. There is indeed one truth revealed in these two episodes; one which wasn't answered before. For the rest these two episodes don't add anything extra or new to the four seasons. Is it exciting and enveloping nonetheless? Yes. Are the characters we all know back? Yes. Does it have the same quality as the 22 episodes before it? No, actually it's all feels very rushed and things are done to easy. And above all else, we know how it ends because the season ended with a fast-forward to 4 years later. Knowing the end, you can only guess what you'll see in the final break.
If you ask me, this is just a way to cash in some extra money...

If you feel that the end of season 4 was satisfying, then you don't necessarily need to see "The final break". For all those that can't stand the curiosity to know with what they filled two episodes, see it.

I'm happy to have seen four seasons of Prison Break. It's finally over and the story has been completely told. Now let's start with "Fringe season 1" and "Heroes season 3"!

My rating: 6 out of 10

Prison Break - season 4

Tozinho — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:32:00 GMT

Past week we were finally able to end up season 4 of Prison Break. At the "winter break" I wrote my review of the show so far. And due to this break I've drawn one big conclusion: always wait for the show to complete before seeing it. I mean, we saw all the available episodes, the break came and we started watching season 7 of "24" and some movies. Due to all this mixing, when we restarted to follow Prison Break, I was continuously wondering what had happened. All I remembered was that it had been so exciting, but I wasn't fully aware of the full storyline.

I hate to say it, but the final six episodes aren't comparable in excitement to the previous episodes. I almost comes to a halt and the tension doesn't came back until episodes 21 and 22. Sure, a lot of things happen and all four seasons and their characters come together to close it up, but it just wasn't the same as the first 18-ish episodes of the season. Due to this lack in perfection I'm forced to give the whole season a lower rating than I'd given to season 4 in the previous review.

The show comes to a conclusion and I loved to see this season. Comparing it to season 2 and 3 this last one is really good. And all the story-lines are closed to satisfaction and questions are answered. And the end is satisfying; I dug it and if the show really ended like that (which it doesn't because "Prison Break - The final break" is coming afterwards) I would have had peace with the show. And seeing it end, it left me wondering what "The final break" was going to bring us...

My rating: 8 out of 10

24 - season 7

Tozinho — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:35:00 GMT

The reason I haven't been reviewing a lot of movies here lately, is because we were (once again) hooked to "24". And therefore we've seen less movies than usual.
But tonight we saw the two final episodes of season 7; it was a great show and personally I rate it at the same level as season 1. Sure, it has its flaws and typical 24-happenings, but in comparison to the debacle which season 6 was, this is such an improvement.

The writers sure had to come up with something strong and better than season 6. If you saw "24 - Redemption" a while ago, you sure must have felt that season 7 was going to be different. They took a different approach to the show and dropped everything which is so familiar to 24. The first episodes take a spin immediately from the start, by introducing some (new) key characters and story-lines to the season. I felt as if I was watching anything else but 24; the only thing that was linking me to the old season's was Kiefer Sutherland's character "Jack Bauer". And Jack's name should be inserted into Hollywood's List of Heroes, next to the Rambo's, Luke Skywalker's, etc.
Jack is just one big mean fighting machine, all in the name of the nation and the president. All those who have followed Jack's story throughout the six previous seasons, will feel a much stronger connection with the character in this season. Everything he does and happens to him will pull you in deeper.

Sure, there are some little flaws and there is also one very boring episode. But who cares if all the other 23 episodes rank higher than a 9? Who cares if this show doesn't want you go to bed, because you just want more and more of it? Who cares if you've got no nails left on your fingers and that your nerves are wrecked with all the cliffhangers and plot-twists? Who cares if this show provides you with excellent entertainment, excitement, humor and action that you haven't experienced yet this year on the big white screen in the theaters?

And with this said, I would like to close this up. This season is not to be seen in the train or plane on a laptop or PSP. This season should be experienced on a comfortable couch, with some equally interested company, a drink and maybe some food, in front of a nice TV with some good sound equipment. This kind of show is the reason that cinemas experience lower box-offices. Ladies and gentlemen, Jack Bauer is back in style. And I want to thank the writers, who obviously reckoned what they did with season 6, for providing us with such quality stuff. This is entertainment! Jack rules; let season 8 come!

My rating: 9 out of 10

Generation kill - season 1

Tozinho — Sun, 17 May 2009 12:02:00 GMT

This week I finished watching the miniseries "Generation kill", which is based on true events. It is a seven part show which follows the US marines from the start of Iraq's invasion until the arrival in Baghdad. If you liked the movie "Jarhead" and the miniseries "Band of brothers" from a few years back, you will also like Generation kill.
I didn't expect it, but it contains a lot of humor and the guys sing a lot of songs to pass their time. As we saw in Jarhead, the "war" was pretty boring and the lack of action irritates the guys to the point that they start to have indifferent behavior. You feel the boredom and you also get angry when the US for the hundredth time hasn't sent (enough) supplies to the squads. Imaginable that a country sent thousands of man into a war without enough gear and supplies.
This show is totally different from the others I've been seeing lately and therefore it was a good change. Recommended to all those who are curious to know more about the "Iraquian freedom".

My rating: 7 out of 10

Terminator - The Sarah Connor chronicles - season 2

Tozinho — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:50:00 GMT

Oh my God, could any TV-show end in a better way than this?! Last Friday night the season finale was aired in the U.S. and boy did it rock! At this point it still is unclear if a third season is coming, but if it doesn't there wouldn't be a better end to the show. Sure, there are some questions unanswered and some new ones added, so any way it goes, it's OK. But it leaves the doors all open for the upcoming movies and I'm very curious to see those!

The season as a whole was excellent. There was maybe a little distraction with Sarah and her search for the "three dots", but altogether the show remained true to the storyline, adding some new insights and great characters. You really feel attached with all of them and it will shock you if anything goes wrong with them. It contains action, science fiction, humor, great acting, some hidden sexual tension and it truly makes you want the 21st of May to come even faster. I can't wait for "Terminator Salvation" to hit the big white screen and I really believe it will be the winner between the metal-battle with Michael Bay's tin cans.

I highly recommend this show to anyone who likes action, science fiction, a good storyline and humor. Believe me, it is really something different than you've ever experienced. And if you're able to get your hands on the two seasons to see them before the movies arrive, even better!

Oh, I almost forgot: Summer Glau for president!!!

My rating: 9 out of 10

Jericho - Season 2

Tozinho — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:01:00 GMT

Yep, I just finished season 2. And it's even better than season 1. It's rushed though, but that's logic, as the makers wanted to end the story with pride and respect for all the viewers. I also watched the alternative ending and even though I won't go into details, I liked to official ending more.

It was a good show and it´s a shame that it ended. Rumors are there is a movie coming up and maybe even a third season. As always with rumors, you should´t believe them until officially confirmed. But there are still some story lines to be closed and to be told. Nonetheless, it was an excellent ending for a good TV-show.

My rating: 8 out of 10