Cool News
Oscar-Winning BATMAN & ROBIN Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman Makes His Directorial Debut On Tonight’s FRINGE!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
I am – Hercules!!
Last week Walter braved a sewer-dwelling monstrocity.
Tonight’s episode of “Fringe,” titled “Bad Dreams,” marks the directorial debut of screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, who won the 2002 adapted screenplay Oscar for “A Beautiful Mind,” but also unleashed into this world “Batman Forever,” “Batman & Robin,” “Lost In Space,” “Cinderella Man,” “I, Robot,” “The Da Vinci Code,” and “I Am Legend.”
Fox says:
As a suicide incident occurs at New York’s iconic Grand Central station, Agent Dunham simultaneously witnesses the event while asleep and dreaming in Boston. Rattled by the extraordinary and coincidental circumstances, Olivia, Peter and Walter investigate further, but keep coming up empty-handed. As these violent occurrences continue and worsen, Olivia is sent into an unthinkable direction and shocking details emerge about the ZFT manuscript, the highly experimental drug Cortexiphan and Olivia’s childhood.
Fox says of next week’s episode, titled “Midnight”:
Fringe Division is on the case when severely mutilated bodies drained of spinal cord fluid begin to pile up. After their investigation leads them to a scientist (guest star Jefferson Mays) with possible ties to the Z.F.T. bioterrorist cell, they are shocked to discover the identity and motive of the killer. When the kills occur with increasing frequency, Olivia (Anna Torv), Peter (Joshua Jackson) and Walter (John Noble) go to desperate lengths to stop them.
Fox says of the May 5 episode, titled “The Road Not Taken”:
First her bad dreams became reality, and now Olivia is “dreaming” while awake, seeing elaborate bleak visions of things not really there. While investigating the disturbing case of a woman who apparently spontaneously combusted, Olivia throws caution to the wind and mines her unexplained visions for clues. Meanwhile, Walter comes clean about his prior knowledge of the Z.F.T. manifesto, and Peter’s secret project is revealed and yields surprising help in unraveling the mystery.
Fox says of the May 12 season finale, “There’s More Than One of Everything,” which introduces Leonard Nimoy as William Bell:
The sudden and unexpected attack on someone with close ties to Fringe Division, the return of bioterrorist David Robert Jones (guest star Jared Harris) and the inexplicable disappearance of Walter set the stage for a non-stop, nail-biting season finale of FRINGE. Questions will be answered, observations made, loyalties tested and truths and identities revealed.
9 p.m. Tuesday. Fox.
Season One On DVD & Blu-ray!!
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The New Prequel About The People
Who Thought Cylons Were A Good Idea!!
Season One On DVD & Blu-ray!!
SHIPPING NOW!!
The New Prequel About The People
Who Thought Cylons Were A Good Idea!!
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Not bad. There's some 'LOST' OMGWTF moments that make it cool, and occasional witty writing. However, I can't help but feel like something's missing from the show. Like someone making your favorite meal made by your mom, but a critical ingredient is missing. There seems to be a 'warmth' missing that was in the X-files to help change the story dynamic from the almost constant brooding, dark tone.
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Fringe has had a couple good eps written by him. Loved last week's Dr Bishop response to "What would you need to make a transgenetic creature?" (or something like that)
Walter responds dead-pan along the lines of "A cabin in the woods, some Mahler, and lots of time."
He's the best character. Use him. -
KILL DAH HEROES AGHH
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And he's directing the finale. He also directed "In which we meet Mr Jones", which was another great one. He's the director of Transsiberian, The Machinist(!) and Session 9. The man knows how to bring the mood.
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I cannot wait to see everyone's reaction to that news. Oh yeah... Idol... FUCK YOU if you go long again this week.
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Though it could have been made extra worse, by referencing his Lost in Space "effort" as well.
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Apr 21, 2009 3:46:00 AM CDT
So Fringe is going the "Special Guest Director" route?
by derlanghaarige
I'm okay with that (Maybe Goldsman is a better director than writer). I remember that it was once annoucned that Darren Aaronofsky would direct an episode of Lost. Obviously that never happened, but I would like to see him doing some Fringe.
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Someone take away the guy's keyboard :/
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judging by the previews this episode looks borrrring!...hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised
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Great days.
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Apr 21, 2009 6:04:59 AM CDT
Akiva Goldsman wrote that piece of shit "Batman & Robin"?
by leafar the lost
I know Goldsman can't write worth a shit, so why should I expect him to be able to direct? He wrote the screenplay for one of the worse movies of all time. That alone should disqualify you from ever working in Hollywood again. I guess it doesn't mean you can't work in Canada. Isn't that where Fringe is being filmed? I am counting the days until Nimoy makes his entrance.
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told ya.
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Fringe is fairly OK entertainment, it's roughly at the same level as the new Knightrider in terms of scientific realism and accuracy and Torv is so dull I can't understand why they cast her instead of someone more dynamic. Still, with all the good shows likely getting the chop (Terminator, Chuck, Reaper, Life, etc) there will still be one thing vaguely worth watching.
Plus Ashes to Ashes is back on, Keeley Hawes knows how to light up the screen even when she has to share a scene with Glenister. -
"It's roughly at the same level as the new knightrider in terms of scientific realism and accuracy..."
so what exactly are you on? because i want some. Especially if a CGI transforming car-bot is as real to you as fringe science, string theory might be a bit for your mind to handle but its just a *tad* more scientifically valid than your beloved robo-car.
go eat some cheetos, watch nascars' take left turns all day, and stay the fuck away from the magic computer box. -
I'm tired of it getting cut off when I record it. It makes me hate American Idol even more.
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I fucking hate Akiva Goldsman. Dude, just don't fuck up a good show like you fuck up almost all of the movies you've written. I foresee about two-thirds of a good episode that crumbles to shit in the last fifteen minutes (ala I Am Legend, Hancock, etc.)
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Ok, maybe not.
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This could be a trainwreck of epic proportions. If only MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 was still on Comedy Central...SIGH...
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I mean, aside from 2-3 myth arc episodes where things got completely amazing, everything else has been very subpar. Kind of reminds me of Supernatural S1, where it had a great mythology and cast of characters. . .but was just mediocre from week-to-week, sans the last 4 episodes of the season.
For some reason though, I still watch (and enjoy) Fringe. I guess I'm hoping it blossoms into awesomeness, the way that Supernatural (or, to a lesser extent, T:SCC) did. -
Batman Forever, I Am Legend, and the rest, sure, crappy crap. But Cindarella Man was pretty solid IMO, and was only ignored cause that was the same time Crowe was going nuts and hitting people with phones. I'm not sure why it was included in that garbage list. Either way, Fringe is sweet, can't wait for tonights ep.
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Don't be a dickhead. For starters there's Walter Bishop, who just happens to have invented devices for time travel, mind reading, converting thoughts into words, transmitting thoughts into people's heads and could have created a genetic hybrid decades before the technology existed to do so. And he's usually able to whip scientifically impossible things together within hours. Then we've got all the bullshit monster of the week science, which I won't even bother going into.
Which episode tried to cover string theory? Was it the one where they were walking through walls by using vibrations and taking "special" drugs?
How can you seriously claim any of that is any less improbably than KITT's nanomachine transforming skin and AI computer I don't know. Sounds like you're more likely to be the NASCAR watching type if you think Fringe's "science" is any more believable than mass-audience tripe like Knightrider. -
Its about time!! NOW I'll watch. Actually, I understand this is a very good episode, so Goldsman haters..hate away.
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If he hadn't have written that shitty script, I'd have never gotten a chance to oogle little Lacey Chabert's nubile teenage body in a skin tight rubber space suit. Then again, F Goldsmith. Dude could at least have written some subplot where an alien fungus is inhaled by Heather Graham and Lacey and they had to start making out to get rid of it.
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AGHGHG
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THE ICE AGEEE AAAGHGHGAAH
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AAAGHGGAAHH
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And I'm here to make your life a living hell. Prepare for a bitter harvest. Winter has come at last.
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for they are the harbingers of your doom. Can you feel it coming? The icy cold of space! Ahh! At 30,000 feet, your heart will *freeze* and be no more!
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ok, I'm done. Carry on. Hope tonight's Fringe is good... I've been kind of lukewarm on the episodes lately. Last one I truly loved was with the Teleporting dude and the book that Walter apparently wrote, and the war with the other dimension.
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You are quoting some crazy stuff!
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It was what made me ultimately stop caring and watching the Oscars. I realized that its just old people on Zanic voting for what their told my the sheep in line for gruel. Terrible movie, so poorly executed and really, who has watched it since? Any of you? Anyone? Bueller? No. No one has revisited that craptastic film in 6 years. Utter forgettable crap.
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Such a great movie. Came outta left field, went and saw it twice with friends. The Machinist was great too. Brad Anderson, you are the man.
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NBC horror series that featured Doug Jones in a creepy fucking role.
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Ashes to Ashes was good last night, and looks like they are going to give us another twist to the "coma" theory.
It shouldn't get a third series though. I was disappointed when the actors started gushing over an ending that hadn't been filmed. -
Apr 21, 2009 12:22:29 PM CDT
Would've expected Goldsman to direct an ep of "Reaper" instead
by themikejonas
Because you know he's already got a contract with Satan in place to have the career he's had.
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"Keeley Hawes knows how to light up the screen even when she has to share a scene with Glenister."Your opinions on anything, let alone Fringe, have just been made void by this single statement.Try reading some reviews of Ashes To Ashes, in particular the paragraphs related to Ms Hawes, and then come back to us.We haven't given up for you! You can still be saved!
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How many times does the English language have to die on this site, for AICN to give us a fucking edit button?
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"One more giant diamond of this size, then my freeze engine will be complete. Aah. First, I will freeze the city, then I will hold Gotham ransom. Unless the city bows for my demands, it's winter forever in Gotham. The city fathers will have no choice but to give me the billions I need to complete my research, then I can find the cure."
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than Chuck, Reaper, Sarah Connor. The reason those shows are getting canceled is... are ya ready for it. Here ya go, BECAUSE THEY SUCK. Especially Chuck. Terrible writing, I can't believe people find that show to be funny.
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Beside the obvious, last week was the second week in a row that it went over into Fringe's time slot and the second time my DVR cut off the ending of the show. I don't get why the show is so popular in the first place, but I hate it even more now.
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Chuck doesn't suck and the writing is pretty good. I am guessing you haven't watched it since the first month or two of the first season. After a great pilot episode, the show was average for about 6 episodes and then it found it's voice. This year has done anything but suck. BTW, it isn't getting canceled yet.
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in some sort of biopic. i'm going to keep suggesting it until it happens.
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And remember everyone, American Idiot has been running longer than advertised, so don't rely on the program guide alone to set your recordings.
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Sadly I cannot take credit for those quotes, the more intricate ones are straight from imdb!
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"Wan moar giant di-a-mond of dees sizuh, den ma freeze engine will be kahmplete. Aah. Fuhrst, Ah will freeze de citay, den Ah will holt Gottam wansom. Undess da city bows for mah demants, it's wintuh forevuh in Gottam. Da city fadders will haff no choice but to give me duh billions Ah need to complete mah resurch, DEN Ah can find da keyooure."
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...In the Bizarro Universe! And why am I not surprised the Uber-Hack Abrams draws similarly challenged people into his circle.
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...from his 2 second origin featured on a Gotham City newscast in the movie (yes, for some reason there was a news cameraman in the laboratory as it happened). Newswoman's V.O>: "...Fries was a brilliant scientist until a lab accident in which he fell into a vat of freezing solution..." Ahrnuldt Freeze (falling over backward into a pool of dry ice): "Whoa-aahhhh!"
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I really love LOST... but FRINGE is my new number 1. I rally like the ongoing stuff which has a goal and isn't such a brainfart like the X-Files were. I love the characters and the acting is awesome! Each episode of Fringe is better than all movies I have seen the last two years. For a TV show THIS IS PURE MAGIC. I don't get it why people can't see the quality behind the show. If you want to criticize something watch HEROES. There are really silly things over there. And everybody else who isn't watching Fringe should do it asap because there is some really great stuff going on there. J.J. Abrams is my new hero. He is doing everything right.
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Apr 21, 2009 4:45:10 PM CDT
Joss "Alien Ressurection" Whedon
by guy who got a headache and accidentally
I like the part at the end where a fourth of the earth explodes
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that is all.
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Anybody can find themselves in stink.
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is the fact last week they cut down the comments so only 2 of the 4 judges commented on each performance ... and the ass nuggets STILL went over. What the fuck ? I've now got Fringe on a 10 minute pad on my DVR, and I think I'm moving it to 15 for tonights. Can't they just fire that incomprehensible slut Paula already and get Seacrest to eliminate his 15 second pause during the intro ? THIS ......................................................................................................................is AMERICAN idol.
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Hope there is no ban forthcoming. Hah.
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Walter really needs to say that
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Glad you like the show1 So do I. However I feel just the opposite. I feel like with the humor from John Nobel and his son that this show is very warm. I always liked the Xfiles as well but didn't connect as well as I am with this show ( and yes i watched Xfiles to the bitter end ).
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I fucking hate idol
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cold
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This is totally nit-picking, but speaking as a native New Yorker. . .how the heck did that mother fit herself and that carriage through the turnstile at the same time?
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fucking cold
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don't live within nuke distance of mass transit
Like it that way -
it's a keeper
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Someone please bring David Duchovny back to FOX from SHO.
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DAH ICE AGE!
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a woman kisses a woman
I was as if a billion geeks sighed an touched themselves as one -
Always wanted a two headed goat
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indeed
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I have liked Fringe and seen every episode. Some obvious flaws but still enjoy it. Tonight was absolutely fantastic. Just wow.
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That was just...kind of disappointing. I know all the information they put forward this episode was valid, and important. The whole epi was just lacking...URGENCY! In the characters, in the performances, and in the goddamn cinematography! I kept saying, 'Yeah, we know this! Dealt with it three episodes ago! What, why are you all standing around listening to Liv get off?! Got save that fucking stripper lady!! DO SOMETHING!!!!' And why were there no fucking nets below all those fucking people on the roof?! 'Welp, just let 'em fall' DAMMIT!!!
I guess it makes sense with re-introducing the main tennets of the show after the break, along with the last two epis: Obeservers, Walter's crazy experiments, now the ZFT and Invasion of the Dimension Snatchers. I really wanted to enjoy this episode, and I really want to look forward to next week. But the 'Biggest Secret'? I feel like it's going to be...'These people come...from another dimension!!'
And Nimoy sounded ROUGH, man...maybe not the best casting choice in the world? -
This was a damn good episode, and fit surprisingly well into the whole mythology of the series without any showy special effects.
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i have to say it again.
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Time to scream...!
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"...it's about time I made it official!"
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this will only hurt for a second
in actual time
in perceived time, several universes will come into existence and expire
each one thanking god that they aren't you -
Are you sure about that thing about Brad Anderson? Because I just watched an episode of that NBC show with Doug Jones that was directed by Larry Fessenden (who is also an awesome director; if you're a horror fan do yourself a favor and check out the movie 'Wendigo')
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Normally I avoid defending Akiva Goldsman and Ron Howard out of principle, but this is a movie that I think is actually criminally *underrated* by the geek community (its meaningless awards notwithstanding). Yeah, it robbed 'Fellowship' at the Oscars, but it's still pretty solid. The problem is that everybody knew going in that it was "that movie about the schizophrenic guy," so you were sitting there waiting for the reveal that he was wacked out of his mind the whole time. I saw it again about two months ago on TV and it plays a lot better without all the publicity.
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Apr 21, 2009 10:40:32 PM CDT
"I WANT A CAR! CHICKS DIG THE CAR!"
by supercowbell4therequestformorecowbell
"batman looks directly into camera" "THIS IS WHY SUPERMAN WORKS ALONE" amazing
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anyone who isn't me?
I think that would be for the best
tia -
try taking it from me
grrrrrrrrrrrr -
This show just took it to the next level.
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I wasn't anywhere to be found
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which means at least one person moved
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Apr 22, 2009 1:25:11 AM CDT
All bs aside, how to save this show (welcome ideas)
by cant_stop_yawning
First Torv - I live up the street from one of the show's former villains and he thought she was a prop after the first few days working with her.
She cannot act. She is Rupert Murdoch's niece. A female Mulder is a fine idea, but along with that comes character, or at least some charm, and she just doesn't have any.
The worst thing about her acting is that her facial expressions telegraph how they want the audience to feel about the plot - junior league garbage.
And if they want her to lead the show (and I don't even want to put this out there again for fear they will cling to her) give her a funny line occasionally - everyone else on this show get's a funny line (or maybe I missed it because she is so dull).
Give Astrid more to do. Imagine how shocking (and pleasing) it would be if Torv was suddenly killed off and Astrid and Jackson and Charlie had to step? Is there a Torv fan club that would get offended?
If you have to keep her, drop Torv's home life arc (we know where you are going with the vaccination and we don't care).
Bring in more Charlie - he is the show's only muscle and he does a good job of it when they give him the airtime - ideally; drop torv, put Astrid in her spot and rely more heavily on Charlie.
devote more time noble and jackson - particularly jackson's back story. Really getting tired of them reminding me that he snuck his way through grad school - show me, don't tell me.
Oh, did I mention, dump Torv? Well, dump Torv. She won't be missed.
And get back to massive dynamic.
And, finally, did what lost did and establish a timeframe for resolving this thing and stay off the dumbass monster stories. Stick with the mythology and let everyone know there is a 6 year arc. Everyone pays more attention when they know you're going to die. -
Not elation.
And speaking of elation, Herc continues to suck like his life depended on it.
Herc, are they paying you by the exclamation point?
“Batman Forever,” “Batman & Robin,” “Lost In Space,” “Cinderella Man,” “I, Robot,” “The Da Vinci Code,” and “I Am Legend.” ?
Really? No - seriously - really.
Please stop being such complete and utter tool. Or, better yet, resign. -
I think she's fine; I just think she's playing a cold, controlled, smart woman. The _character_ isn't a typical made-for-tv detective babe, like you would see on CSI or whatever crap show other detective babes show up on.
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I certainly didn't notice anything bad about it, and that's the most important thing for the director to do. Thinking back on it, I think it was directed pretty well. Good first attempt, Akiva.
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Apr 22, 2009 2:19:59 AM CDT
Any way Herc can get off his ass and enable voting?
by cant_stop_yawning
Seriously - the networks read this stuff and I'd just like to get a sense of how many people wouldn't rather see a real shake up on Fringe - including dumping Torv. She is a bore and they spend around 70-80% of an otherwise fun show on her.
Toonal - you really enjoy her on this show? You really enjoy watching her scowl, purse her lips and ask the obvious questions? C'mon - really? If that is your thing, more power to you, but, seriously dude... -
why the fuck are they giving screentime to anna torv's sister, and her daughter. who cares. anna's character is troublesome enough without adding more boring characters. Josh jackson is a talented actor, and noble's work on this show is award worthy. The father/son relationship should be developed more.
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How many fucking shows on FOX can say that ? Torv doesn't light the screen up but she CAN act. Hers just isn't the most charismatic character but she has definitely improved since Ep 1.
This Ep was far too obvious though and unlike many other Eps the plot was playing catchup with the viewer for most of the time.
As for Olivia's home life, I presume it's already been mentioned that the hair touching when she was kidnapped was the same thing her her sister did. So her sister is either "indoctrinated" in ZFT or one of the dopplegangers from the other Dimension. (like Peter MIGHT be. But that's a just wild theory.)
Liked how they worked in Bell with the Photo and the voice priming us for Nimoy's entrance.
But the fact is it's good stuff and far more interesting than most of the crap on the Networks. It shits all over Heroes for example, but then again, what doesn't ?
And X-Files definitely had it's moments but I rewatched most of it not so long ago and it hasn't aged THAT well, believe me. Will they or won't they fuck can only keep you interested so long between the monsters of the week and the UFO Aliens arc. (an arc which as we all know became a convoluted pointless mess.) -
much more complex individual. than the movie would have you believe. They concentrated on the schizophrenic angle and avoided how his marriage was a sham. He didnt have a very solid marriage. His wife hated the movie.
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Apr 22, 2009 6:08:51 AM CDT
Olicia isn't supposed to be emotional.... and neither was scully
by champvinyl
You guys complain about how boring she is, ever think that not *every* female character on Tv has to be over-emotional basket-case? hell shes the only character other than Doyle to *not* be reactionary and otherwise... normal, i guess.
It gives some balance. -
stupid damn typos
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Do you write shit like Batman & Robin only to come back and win an Oscar?
After the B&R fiasco Goldsman should have been taken out to the WB back lot and shot. -
good story, good cast, nobody fucked it up
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Back to the story arc, great Walter lines, etc. Need more Massive Dynamic and traveller, but other than that top notch.
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I neither loved it or hated it. I was glad to see them bringing back the ZFT manuscript and the dimensional doppelganger newsclipping was cool. I know at some point down the line the guy the put in a chemically induced coma is going to get broken out by another baddie and be on the loose causing more problems...
Loved the random girl-girl kiss, but kept wondering why the didn't care about saving the stripper... then I remembered - strippers aren't people. I loved the last scene with Walter all alone watching the film of them experimenting on Olivia. -
She does come off as a little emotionally flat, but I think that's all part of the plan with her character arc, what with the drug she was tested with as a child, the whole merged-with-her-dead-boyfriend's mind", et al. Plus, she's a weirdly likeable actress, even if she is Rupert Murdoch's niece... it's not her fault Satan is her uncle.
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It was his voice (as Bell) on the tape with Walter?
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Apr 22, 2009 8:18:01 AM CDT
Dump Olivia & her sister, give Astrid something to do or kill he
by spyguy
Focus more on Walter and his son, dump the blatant X-FILES resets and ramp up the dimensional storyline a bit more.
This show should be better by now, dammit.
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seemed like the nimoy/bell voice to me, He won't be an empathetic character... I was actually surprised he didn't have a German accent.
Spyguy..., you can't seriously expect them to change a story arc involving the main character *after* its already been shot can you?
Too bad, you don't like the Olivia character... get over it. Shes not going anywhere. -
But I LIKE Anna Torv. True, she's not as amanzing an actress as Cate Blanchett, but she does an adequate job of portraying a driven, career obsessed woman thrown into extraordinary circumstances.
What really irritates me though is Joshua Jackson. It seems he serves no point than to comment on his father's wackiness, and his increasingly suggestive intimacy with Olivia is grating/disturbing. I'd be a lot more forgiving if the guy actually contributed something substantial to the show, the way Walter does. -
And amazingly, the best stuff he'll probably do/has done in his life is on this show. The guy just falls into the character, and his work can run from over-the-top as needed, to beautifully understated. Would love to meet him.
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She's great. Subtle, controlled, never over-acting. She's playing a character she's given which is - wait for it - usually in control. You want a rubber-face Jim Carrey that can't play straight no matter how he tries? It's just like Ali Larter from Heroes - she's a really good actor, but some people can't see it. Oh well.
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It is so easy to implement and helps to settle matters like this quickly.
The primary problem with the show, as I have mentioned repeatedly, is the Torv. She is way too bland. Think how much more fun the show could be if we could spend the time we use focusing on one of her 4 facial expressions on someone...anyone...else.
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"It's getting another season on FOX remember" what? Is that your argument? You know what else is getting another season on Fox? American Idol.
Clown -
Which is how I felt about Lost in Season 1. It took Season 2 of that show to really ramp up the mythology and turn me into a slathering fanboy. I suspect Fringe may be the same. But I agree they REALLY need to spend a little less time on Olivia's sister and more on Peter or even Broyles. Fringe is really wasting their talent at this point. And I have no problem with Torv. If she wasn't Murdoch's niece you guys bashing her wouldn't give a shit.
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She's unable to act ENOUGH to elevate her character beyond "I'm in control...Oh, there I am struggling with strange things that seem to be happening to me."
Look at Gillian Anderson's Dana Scully. Basically the same character personality-wise, but because Anderson has more range than Torv, her stoic character comes off with far more depth.
Honestly, Missi Pyle's unemotive, monotone character on BOSTON LEGAL had more presence on screen.
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And Rupert Murdoch's niece can't act. Like the above poster said... Gillian Anderson actually had range and had depth. I can't say the same for Torv.
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???
Sure, there were some clunker episodes like Space, 3, Fight Club, etc. But dang.... Squeeze, Ice, Beyond the Sea, Duane Berry, Tooms, One Breath, Clyde Bruckmans Final Repose (One of the best hourlongs EVER along with LOST's The Constant), Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space', Home (!!!), Redux 2, Triangle, any episode with Nick Lea or Laurie Holden, I could go on forever.... with the exception of the last season or 2 the show holds up very well imo. -
why is it the best anyone can muster in her defense is "adequate"? y'know why jackson doesn't have anything to do? same reason astrid and charlie and the rest don't have anything to do - BECAUSE THE WRITERS HAVE MADE THE LEAST INTERESTING CHARACTER THE FOCAL POINT OF THE SHOW.
FOX - IF YOU ARE READING THIS, DUMP HER OR REPLACE HER OR SOMETHING. JUST GET HER OUT OF THERE. TAKE A FEW EPISODES TO FOCUS ON EACH OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS - LIKE THEY DO ON LOST - AND WATCH THE REACTION YOU GET. -
Be nice to Torv? What, are we at day camp?
It isn't mean - we are doing her a favor - she can't act. She is in the wrong profession. Someday, when she is up there on wheel of fortune turning those big letters, smiling that big blank smile of hers, she will thank us because she will have found her true calling; like Jessica Simpson after she started doing those Pro-active commercials... -
It's Destruction Through Technology...are they anti-technology or pro-technology?
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I took it that 'they' (whoever it is exactly 'they' might be) are the ones trying to advance technology beyond the constraints of what we can understand ('Fringe' science, the re-doubling of information and insane advancement of tech over the last several decades) to destroy our society...and maybe take over our dimension because theirs is dying perhaps?
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I think I'll understand it even better once I have the DVDs and can rewatch it all together.
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Can't wait to see Nimoy return to a great tv show. Sure, its not Lost but its way better than HEROES and other genre crap. Last night was an excellent mythology episode. Loved it. Creepy VHS video and all.
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http://fringepedia.net/index.php?title=Main_Page
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this was actually pretty interesting http://fringepedia.net/index.php?title=Glyphs_code
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I have no problem with her acting and she seems closer to an actual FBI agent than most other actresses on TV.
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The nit-picky stuff is fine, might even be valid, but you all have to admit this is some pretty entertaining shit right here.
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and picked it up again last night. And damn, if Mr. Goldsman didn't write and direct an excellent hour of television. The first minutes in the subway were lit and photographed with an impending sense of dread, but didn't overdo it. I thought the litle song the mother was singing was very similar to the tune the children sang in the schoolhouse sequence in The Birds, which was a nice touch. Or maybe I was hearing things. And I think Torv is fine. Of course any of the women from Mad Men would wipe the screen with her, but I think, given the role, she does fine.
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I don't expect much from a first time director, but the show was at times, painful. As an example, compare this episode's opening sequence to the (much better) one from the previous week (with the animal rights activists and the multi-DNA creature). Note also that in addition to the poor technical skills, he doesn't have the ability to direct actors and pull out the performances he needs to get for the scene. I wouldn't want Akiva behind the camera on any major project anytime soon. He needs to build up is credtials elsewhere first. I should mention that last week's writing was much better as well.
As far as Torv goes, she's improved a lot compared to earlier episodes. Still a ways to go but the effort and improvement are comendable and are hopefully a sign that she'll do well in the long run. Of all the actors now, Jackson needs to step it up the most. -
When Pacey has more charismatic appeal you know something's wrong. Heck even the emotionless FBI Director is more appealing. Hell, even the Observer... Really, the only reason I continue to watch this show is because of John Noble. Period.
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I'm female so I'm always looking for strong female leads (Freckles Bauer anyone? I LOVE her) and from a female POV, Anna Torv/Olivia just isn't it. I appreciate that she's strong and strong and not silly or overly girly or sexy, but she's BORING. For whatever reason, I really don't care about her, or her background or that she was used in some evil drug experiement (although the last scene ofher as a child in the video with Walter's voiceover was kinda creepy cool). If they can't get rid of her, then they need to relegate her to a lesser role and amp up both Peter (who's way WAY more interesting) and Walter (ditto). I almost ready to stop watching this show because I just don't like Olivia/Torv enough to keep watching although the premise is exactly the kind of stuff I enjoy watching. I think Torv is seriously hurting this show. Sadly, in the long wrong, our opinions don't matter but maybe it's not obvious that Torv doesn't have the charisma and acting chops to carry this show. This week she was more convincing as a lesbian G-man then she's ever been as Olivia.
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Oh, I'm totally in for this show. And I did like some of the info we got this episode, it just felt...I dunno...like the characters were all sleepwalking at times. Plus, there was a lot of wasted time on pointless lines; how many times did someone say to Liv, "Are you alright?" "Are you ok?" THAT, my friends, is lazy writing, or an attempt to pad an episode (which I don't get, 'cause there was all kinds of awesome stuff going on otherwise!) And if Peter, after all the crazy shit he's seen so far, says "That's impossible" one more time, I swear...Pacey's getting a boot to the head.
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my freaking arm is in a cast and I can't type worth shit. Does anyone frequent Fringe message boards? In general do fans like Torv? Just wonder if the anti-Torvs are a minority.
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I'm talking about shows like Fringe by way of Firefly, which in case you didn't know DID get cancelled along with many other FOX shows. FOX is ruthless about cancelling shows. Only a complete fool would think this has anything to do with cancelling a banker (albiet a shit one) like Idol.
And YOU are the one who seems to think Fringe needs "saving". It doesn't. It's good stuff and unlike in the early Eps the Torv hate is much less than it was because she IS improving. Frankly I don't give a fuck how much you hate her she isn't killing the show and they aren't about to parachute in Scully either. Douche.
Olivia's character is more akin to Jodie Foster's Silence of the Lambs stoicism than Scully's flirtacious FBI skeptic.
And BTW I said X-Files had it's moments and it most certainly did but when you rewatch em it's Mulder/Duchovny who seems to sleepwalk through many of the Eps (particularly the early ones) and HE was the focal point of X-Files. He improved immeasurably as I expect Torv to keep doing. But the arc of X-Files imploded and good as the X-Files was it never quite lived up to it's potential except in those Eps mentioned and some other specific bits.
The ZFT Document seems to be similar to the unabomber manifesto in it's viewpoint and links to terrorism. However the actual inception of the ZFT is still murky and will no doubt be further explored along with the early days of Bell and Bishop.
Lance Reddick is also a very powerful actor for Fringe to have and though he is still a bit too "background" I have no doubt that he will be more central eventually. Remember how good he was in the Wire. Like when he tells McNulty about the cop shooters "those fuckers need to get got!" He has a range that we haven't yet saw and can be a real badass when he needs to be.
It wasn't just Nimoys voice we heard we also SAW him under the clippings with the glasses on so he was most likely the one who "activated" Olives "buddy".
If Fringe has a problem it will be how it tackles the "alternate" Dimension as that could prove VERY tricky. But I will definitely keep watching to see how it does so and I'm assuming most here will too. -
Freckles Bauer. Love it. From her first ep I said she was a Lady Jack and instantly liked her. I need to jump on the 24 TBs one a' these days...
I'm on here most weeks, and Torv-haters are in the vast majority. I agree she's a quite a bit bland but plays the strong, silent type well...that's just not all that entertaining as a lead for a crazy, sci-fi tv show. -
Let me preface by saying THE best show on TV, possibly the best show EVER broadcast is Mad Men. Nothing Happens, but the character work is so good it's astounding, and the amount of period research is remarkable. That being said, to say January Jones is a better actor than Torv is debatable. It's not that she isn't a good actor - just that neither has been given the material. No?
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I feel you brotha.
And Mulder has always been a terribly boring character. -
I agree she gets too much screentime. (And axe the family.)
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Can't stand her stupid freckled face. I'd take Liv over her any day.
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Strawberry hair and skin like milk.
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See topic.
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Man I love Walter. John Noble nails it every week. The look on his face when Liv was under and having sex through the "UNSUB" was LOL funny. When he finally understood what was happening. I like Anna Torv don't understand the hate here. Joshua Jackson is great too. Reddick does need more screen time though. I like the way the show is progressing towards this coming war of dimensions. Will Nimoy have a goatee to show he's from the evil dimension? Also I really want know what happened to David Jones. What did he turn into that has Walter so worried. And did you notice Liv's morning routine? Same as the UNSUB's, the programming slowly breaking through possibly?
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For all you Torv haters out there...pthtppppppppp! She is hotter than Thermite. Walter is the coolest but a week without Torv just ain't worth staying up for. Besides being awesomely beautiful, there's just something about Agent Dunham that melts my heart. I'm no acting expert but neither are any of you Talkbackers. Otherwise you wouldn't be wasting time writting comment on AICN.
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looks perpetually constipated. And has big bags under her eyes. And she spent the last ten minutes of the pilot wiping her disgusting, God-forsaken snot-covered nose on her hand. I don't know anything else about her because I couldn't get past the first episode.
PS- I'm pretty sure "Torv" is a common Klingon name. -
Well sir, we are talking apples and oranges. January Jones character is a product of the era and of the stifling life of suburbia. When the cracks appear in her facade is when we see the real person shine through. And maybe using Mad Men as an example of Torv's ability was a bit off. It was the only series I could think of where the female characters are so well drawn and acted across the board.
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I recall her floating in snot from the pilot but I don't recall her wiping snot from her nose. Maybe I've got a fetish or something but I thought that the scenes of her in the tank stripped down to her undies floating in backlit snot were nice. I'm a little pissed that Dunham wears such coservative undies.
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not even close ... but stripping her down to bra and panties and having her make out with hot strippers certainly does take the attention off her wooden delivery and emotion-sapping prescence. If they just have her and Astrid chowing each other in the broom closet every episode, Fox might have a runaway blockbuster on their hands.
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Beautiful Mind was about a fascist, so I wanted his brain to explode anyway...and last night's Fringe was a who cares....but then, so is the whole show...I don't care...it's so vague and uninteresting. yawn...
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In my humble opinion the best scene in the entire series was this episode, when Olivia backed slowly away from Walter, trying to contain her anger.
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First, I wish I had written this "maybe it's not obvious that Torv doesn't have the charisma and acting chops to carry this show" That is right on target and my friend (because we all want this show to succeed) G100, didn't seem to catch that in my appraisal. That is my fault - we have a cool show here (better than X-Files, imho) and I want to get on board, but she is, as allykatD observed (nice to have a woman's perspective, btw) is boring. Not her fault, nor is it the fault of the show, she just doesn't make the grade and I would rather the show make it than we cling to a lousy lead. That is my only point. Everything else should and can be salvaged.
On a broader point, let's all agree to this - when we like a show of this sort (because there are so few at this point and the stakes are high - the cost of these diversions are going to kill them all if we don't get specific about what we like/dislike) say so. Dump the ballast. I'd like to see a strong woman take the lead - seriously. Just not Torv.
Right? Right. -
Do not take Cortexiphan if you are already taking Ephemerol.
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Can we (for once) not resort to physical deconstruction? I mean, honestly, fine - she is hot and she fills out a pantsuit, but, again, does she have the chops? I watch this thing with my wife and she agrees - eye candy. But can she act? Or, a better question, are the writers writing for eye candy or something more/better? The show has some cool characters, and she isn't one of them. So write for her - as I've also said before, write for her. Give her some jokes, give her some interplay, give her some quirks we can look forward to.
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Please don't sully the surname of a great film composer by confusing him with the screenwriter of Batman & Robin.
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Did Gillian Anderson have that much "range" at the beginnng of The X-Files? No, but she grew into an exceptionally fine actress as the series and her career progressed. Torv is beautiful and engaging enough, given the restraints of her role so far. Lay off.
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she is an amazing actress who is slowly revealing facets of the character... we've never seen anyone on TV like her, too bad if she doesn't conform to what you think she should be. she's blowing us away and last night's ep was a great example of why this show is going somewhere.
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Regardless on where you stand with jackson or torv or noble or any of the rest of the crew, i really enjoy reading everyone's opinions. i hope fox is following along.
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I'm looking forward to seeing more stuff unravel
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I'm sure someone has already pointed this out, but these words should never be together in the same sentence. Batman & Robin is the only DVD I've ever seen where the director outright apologizes to the viewers in the extras.
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I'm looking forward to seeing her go all Dark Phoenix on the Inter-Dimensional Invaders Of Technological Superiority.
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It did sounds really weird. I like Torv's Olivia as long as I am watching but if I'm only listening, her tone with the lines bothers me, have no idea why.
Perhaps the Olivia´s extra screen time is to take Peter of the focus, so when the twist abaout Peter comes it rally will be a twist. -
Yeah... if nothing else, they should have a really awesome final episode, shouldn't they? Like, dimension-shattering epic.
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I think they're doing good, solid, interesting work with their characters and they've got a great mythology on the rise. I just don't get the hate for Torv -- I think she's excellent. The point about Olivia's character is that she's had to compartmentalise for so long and she's had so much done to her that she's gradually fragmenting and coming apart at the seams. It's a miracle that she's holding it together at all, and Torv's work showing this is subtle and strong. This show has been consistently entertaining all season and I for one say well done to all involved -- those who initially dismissed this as an X-Files ripoff were way wrong.
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That's fucked up.
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I hope we get an Astrid-centric episode next season. I think she's very underrated, and seems to get hotter every week.
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That's why Anna Torv in the lead bothers me so much. Otherwise, I wouldn't care.
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Rennee is overrated. Rennee Zellwegger I am talking about and she is ugly. good as bridget jones not much else.
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Burtons Batman was dark and gothic if a little camp. Nolans batman movies were crime dramas. people kick schumachers batman movies around the place. and possibly for good reason. it was gairish, gaudy and neon filled. it was miscast. after two dark batman movies, i can see that WB possibly wanted to freshen things up a bit and make movies that werent too dark. people hated that. Nolan made batman as crime drama. it was unprecedented succcess and as we know the dark knight is the biggest grossing sequel of all time. So in conclusion people dont want batman as escapist entertainment and that is why schumachers movies failed in the publics eyes . people like dark and gothic. but the batman movies has grossed closed to 500 million or well over a billion. so people will se batman but just as long as he is dark and moody and not wear the bat nipples. you can forget about a fun batman movie from now on.....
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Kring catered to internet whining and hating, and Heroes changed direction with the wind, and wound up shit. Olivia is a "straight man" character in a show with a bona fide mad scientist and a genius/rogue. If she was wacky or overly emotive, this show would suck. Soldier on, Torv!
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might be the issue. She's trying so hard to hide it, she fails at her delivery
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I have to disagree that Nolan's Batman is the preferred model. Batman Begins was only moderately successful financially and artistically. What it comes down to is that Burton recognised that frankly, Batman is a pretty absurd character. He's a grown man who thinks the best way to fight crime is to dress up as a giant rodent (let's not forget, he's one of the rarer superheroes who has no special powers - he just up and dons the cape). Isn't there something a little whacky about that? Schumacher and Nolan would say no. Burton would say yes. Heath Ledger caught that tension between darkness and absurdity perfectly, and completely shoed up Christian Bale, who plays Batman as if he's deadly serious about dressing up as a rodent, and frankly ends up looking like a bit of a dick.
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I don't think you can say that 'people don't want Batman as escapist entertainment." The issue is clouded by the fact that Schumacher's movies were terrible REGARDLESS of their intended style. Who knows how Batman 3 & 4 would have been if, say, Sam Raimi did them with as a fun, lighthearted (with a touch of dark) romp?
I'm sure they wouldn't have broken records like Dark Knight did, but there were many factors involved in that, beyond the decision to make it a 'crime drama'. -
It's official Leonard Nimoy will be portraying William Bell.
Here's the link-
http://tinyurl.com/ddsamt
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Because Olivia is the main character. And please, feature more Charlie! Dammit!
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FRINGE is admirably balls-out about laying down nerdy weirdness every week (lionsnakes, werecupines, etc.), but I find the reason I keep watching is the comedy team of Jackson and Noble. They could make a non-paranormal episode of just the two of them bickering at each other and it would be entertaining.
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in Ireland. what an utter cringefest. saw it on tv again recently. its so bad its funny. JIm cameron dissed arnie. Arnie was humming and hawwing over T3. and cameron told him to quit be so damn loyal. charge them extra money and make the movie. that is what arnie did.
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