I Want To Believe

When the X-Files ran its final episode in May 2002, it seemed as though everything had been explained.  Most devoted viewers would likely agree that their beliefs had pretty much dwindled as both David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson disappeared from the show, leaving Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish at the reigns.  So what happens when a cult classic gets resurrected after 6 years of Sci-fi channel reruns?

Something pretty special.

I went in to this film as one of those fans who felt that Chris Carter produced the final 3 seasons primarily to make profit, and not so much to tell an engrossing story of American Urban Legends and Government cover-ups.  I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.

X-Files: I Want To Believe revolves around the disappearance of a young FBI agent in the snowy rural landscape of West Virginia.  Mulder and Scully have moved on since the end of the series, but are reluctantly reunited with the FBI to validate the psychic visions of a fallen priest.  We’re joined by 2 co-stars, played by the somewhat compelling Amanda Peet and the un-surprisingly flat Xzibit.

This movie has had low Box Office numbers and relatively negative reviews since its opening this past Friday, but I would attribute this to the bad publicity for the film, as well as its departure from the traditional Monster of the Week/mythology fare that fans are used to and first timers expect.  Instead of a supernatural premise with a hint of science, law, and reality, we are instead treated to a serial killer film with a supernatural twist.  I Want To Believe focused less on scares, but more on drama, showing us where our favorite characters have gone in six years, what has developed, and a glimpse of where they are going.

If you love the X-files, I definitely recommend checking this film out.  Despite a slightly thin primary storyline, you’ll truly appreciate the changing relationship of Mulder and Scully.  If you’re new to the franchise, you might still really enjoy this movie, but check out the first film, Fight The Future (for all intents and purposes a much better movie) first to get a feel for the characters.

Rating: 7.5/10

The Unexplained #88

Last night, after a long day of Roberts Fellows, being sunburnt, going to the Mixx, and sitting at Denny’s until 4a.m., I crashed for the night at Danny’s.

I dreamt, as I often do ( see this post).

I don’t really remember much about this particular dream, besides the fact that I was at a club with Alli Sheppard.  I love Alli, but it’s funny that I had a dream about her, as we haven’t talked in months (a crime, to be sure.)  Alli lives in Ypsilanti and I don’t make it down there often.

Anyway, today, as i’m driving home from Danny’s, I get a phone call from Alli!  I answer to find out that she was in her aunt’s car and that she just drove past me on the expressway.

I dreamt about Alli and then we had an encounter the next day on the expressway 2 hours north of where she lives.

Bizarre.

R.I.P. Estelle Getty

Thank you for being a friend.

July 25, 1923 – July 22, 2008

The Unexplained #75

What’s the deal with Diane Keaton?

The Dark Knight…Returns?

So, in case you missed it, The Dark Knight is hugely popular right now.  If you haven’t seen it yet, go now. I’ve seen it twice already, and it’s just as great the second time.  While it seems difficult to think that they could ever top this film, box office numbers mean there will probably be a 3rd film to this series. With using the Joker in the second movie, they’ve kind of already blown the load, so where could they possibly go from here?

IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF SPOILERS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO WAIT TO READ THE FOLLOWING UNTIL AFTER YOU’VE SEEN DARK KNIGHT!

Feasible Supporting Characters:

1. The Question: One of my favorite, lesser known heroes in DC comics.  The Faceless (masked) detective works with the Gotham PD and the Justice League to solve crimes.  His specialty is in conspiracy theories.  In a similar fashion to the comic books, the Question could take the reigns as Gotham’s new masked vigilante while Batman is on the run.  The Question would likely get involved in the Falcone Crime business, as well as finding the truth about Batman and Two Face.  His dry wit and conventional detective methods would create an unlikely, yet interesting team-up.

2. Zatanna Zatarra: Magician and friend from Bruce Wayne’s past.  Based in Gotham, she is a prominent member of the Justice League and the Seven Soldiers.  Zatanna has varying degrees of magic power and could easily serve as a vigilante, partner, and love interest for Bruce.  In the comics, Batman and Zatanna’s relationship has soured, as it was discovered that Zatanna had removed pieces of Bruce’s memory.

3. Huntress: Another Gotham resident, Huntress finds her origins as the daughter of a Gotham Mafia boss.  When her family is murdered, she vows revenge.  An on and off member of the Bat Family and the Justice League, Huntess’ excessive use of violence has left many questioning her status a vigilante.

4. Jason Todd: While the creative team on this series tend to feel negatively about using Robin in a story, Jason Todd’s story is much different.  Taking on the mantle of Robin after Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing, Jason became extremely unpopular with fans, and in a special DC event, A Death in the Family, readers decided Jason’s fate by a phone poll.  In the end of Death in the Family, Jason Todd was murdered by the Joker. Obviously Joker will not be used in the next film, but if Two Face returns, he could easily be responsible for Jason’s death, much in the way he planned to kill Gordon’s son.  In fact, given Jason Todd’s recklessness and impulsiveness, he could go after Two Face for killing his parents, leading to his eventual death.  The death of Jason Todd has weighed heavily on Batman, as Jason was his responsibility, and created a big character change in Bruce Wayne.  This could also set things up for a future movie, as Jason Todd reemerged in 2004, found to be alive and taking on the guise of the Red Hood, and eventually the Red Robin.

Feasible Villains:

1. The return of Ras Al Ghul/Scarecrow: Ras is known for his apparent resurrections, so he’s not completely out of the park.  Scarecrow was also only seen for a few moments in The Dark Knight.

2. Two Face: He’s probably not dead and is hidden away in Arkham.  A few storylines in the comics have had Two Face receive plastic surgery to suppress his psychotic tendencies, which ultimately gets debunked.  It would be interesting to see him on the streets committing crime and targetting the Falcones, while Batman deals with the fact that he was directly responsible for the creation of this villain.  Harvey’s reappearance in Gotham would not only destroy the good his Martyrdom has done, but would create a lot of public distrust of the Gotham PD.

3. Black Mask: Crime boss and a sort of “anti-Bruce Wayne.” Black Mask could easily become the new crime threat in town, as the Falcone Family falls from power.  Black Mask is particularly well known for his hatred and constant vendetta against Bruce Wayne, and not Batman.

4. Hugo Strange: Mad scientist sort, known for his medical experimentation. Probably best known for creating his “monster men”, chemically induced hulking zombies.

My Best Friend Miley Say, She Just Being Vanessa Williams

Batdance

In honor of my pending adventure to see The Dark Knight tomorrow night in IMAX (tickets are auctioning for hundreds of dollars…glad I got mine early), I present you with:

Vicky Vale, Vicky Vale, Vicky Vale..

Project Runway: Season 5 Premiere

It’s time again for my annual review of the Project Runway premiere.  Some of you may know that this, along with Arrested Development, is my favorite tv show.  So in the style of Timm Gunn, I’m going to give you my “take” on last night’s premiere.

The season 5 cast is probably one of the most diverse that there has ever been.  Despite that, we can already see the uprising of some drama, and we’re never short on our “quirky” personalities.  How far that will go is yet to be seen.

This week’s guest judge was our favorite hermaphroditic Real Doll, Austin Scarlett. Anyone who claims to know his/her gender is lying.

The designer’s first challenge was to design an outfit using items found at a grocery store.  The object was to use found materials and be innovative in their design.  That said, almost everyone used tablecloth.  This made neither Tim, nor the judges very happy.

In the end, Jerry Tam ended up being sent home for his hideous attempt at a raincoat made from…shower curtain. Yes. How creative, Jerry.

Winner of this challenge was Kelli for her marble dyed vacuum bag and coffee filter dress.  The idea is kind of cute, but i’m not sure the top of the dress was executed well.  I was also a little confused as to why the judges, who blasted everyone for using a fabric substitute (curtains and tableclothes) would reward someone who used vacuum bags.

So who do I think should have won? Daniel.  He made a party dress out of blue Solo party cups.  He used an iron to melt the cups and make them pliable.  He used a non-conventional material and made something chic.  He was robbed.

I say this every season, but I think this could be the best season of Project Runway, yet!

Make It Work!

In case you missed the boat, the new season of Project Runway premieres tonight on Bravo.  Little change, it actually premieres at 9pm eastern instead of the old 10pm time.  Next season, the show will switch over to Lifetime and a spinoff show focusing on the models will also be aired.

To celebrate, here’s a Time Magazine interview with Tim Gun!

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1821665,00.html

Yum

It’s a meatloaf of horrors!