Dollhouse: Season 1-2 (NR/TV: 2009)


Dollhouse: Season 1 and Season 2

* NR/Fit for TV: 2009 * http://www.fox.com/dollhouse/ * Starring/Cast/Staff: Dichen Lachman, Joss Whedon, Eliza Dushku, Fran Kranz, Anya Colloff, Amy McIntyre Britt, and many more.

Another amazing series by director/writer Joss Whedon utilizing his company “Mutant Enemy Productions” who is famous for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and Angel series. Its a science fiction series made for television premiering on February 13, 2009 for Fox. As of this date, 27 episodes were produced. There is rumor that the series will continue, but no one knows officially as Fox cancelled it in November of 2009 even though Whedon had plans for 5 years duration for the show. The plot of the story is follow a “doll” or “active” named Echo (played by Eliza Dushku of Buffy and Angel), who is a slave to a high-tech operation in Los Angeles known as “the Dollhouse” that hires out humans to the rich to be used for a variety of fantasy needs from sex, relationships, fantasies, and espionage. Each of these humans are under the pretense of being volunteers to become erased and implanted with memories, feelings, and emotions based on the client’s request for a contract of 5 years. Once implanted with the memories, they become “actives”. There is suspicion whether or not they really volunteered for the job. Their original memories and personalities are saved on a hard drive. Echo shows memory lapses where her real memories start to come back and mixes with memories of each doll she played per job slowly developing self-awareness and personality leading back to her original life as a college student named Caroline Farrell. The management becomes aware of this and starts to consider sending her to the “attic” where they store broken dolls and “bad” employees. There becomes an escaped doll named “Alpha” who is fixated on “Echo”. Alpha is embedded with malfunctioned programming that bred him into a genius serial killer driven mad from the overload of scenarios, memories, and implants. He strives to get Echo to become his mate. An FBI agent discovers the dollhouse which leads to his release further rocketing him deeper into investigation on the dollhouse only to find out his lover is actually a doll. After breaking into the Dollhouse, he becomes Echo’s bodyguard or “handler”. The entire staff start having moral dilemmas about the basis of what goes on at the Dollhouse and each episode shows how that fogs their minds in their daily routines. The Second season focuses on how dangerous the abuse of mind-wiping can be on individuals with demonstrations on the moral issues around the concepts. The Dollhouse becomes more deeply embedded into espionage, corporate sabotage, and criminal activities. Season 2 ends with a glimpse to the future of battling humans seeking refuge in the so-believed abandoned remains of the Dollhouse only to find they are not alone. Apparently there are three final episodes to come out in January 2010 that will be part of a telethon for the devastating earthquake in Haiti as a fundraiser for the tragedy. This is planned to air on January 22, 2010. The series finale will be shown on January 29, 2010. I found the series to be pretty captivating and hard to walk away from. Rating : 4.25 stars out of 5.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDcEKo4V7fA

Dexter: Seasons 1-3 (NR: Showtime, 2006-2010)


Dexter: Seasons 1-3

* NR/Showtime: 2006-2010 * http://www.sho.com/site/dexter/ * Starring/Cast/Staff: Michael C. Hall … Dexter Morgan (48 episodes, 2006-2009); Julie Benz … Rita Bennett / … (48 episodes, 2006-2009); Jennifer Carpenter … Debra Morgan (48 episodes, 2006-2009); Lauren Vélez … Lt. Maria Laguerta (48 episodes, 2006-2009); David Zayas … Angel Batista / … (48 episodes, 2006-2009); James Remar … Harry Morgan / … (48 episodes, 2006-2009); C.S. Lee … Vince Masuka (47 episodes, 2006-2009); Christina Robinson … Astor Bennett / … (43 episodes, 2006-2009); Preston Bailey … Cody Bennett / … (32 episodes, 2007-2009); Erik King … Sergeant James Doakes (24 episodes, 2006-2007); Desmond Harrington … Joey Quinn / … (24 episodes, 2008-2009); Geoff Pierson … Captain Tom Matthews (20 episodes, 2006-2009); and many more.

A great series on Showtime about a serial killer named “Dexter Morgan” played by Michael C. hall who works for the Miami Metro Police Department as a blood splatter analyst, utilizing his job to hid his uncontrollable addiction to gruesomely kill his victims he believes need to die. The series is based on Jeff Lindsay’s novel series “Darkly Dreaming Dexter”. The Fourth and Fifth season are in the works. The show follows the life of Dexter, day to day, as he goes from work, struggles with his internal demons, carries on relationships, and seeks to lash out his addiction to find the heartbeat of life in killing his victims. Dexter was a young boy who was adopted by a Miami cop named Harry Morgan from a blood bath murder scene of his mom. Harry, knowing Dexter would be changed from the incident for life, nurtured the murderous thirst in his son harnessing it to kill only those who deserve it – other killers who have escaped the legal system or were never suspects in the first place. He was taught by his father how to hide the evidence and to get away with the crimes while holding up a facade of normalcy. Slowly Dexter unravels the mystery of his family, his mother’s murder, and his psychotic father. Dexter learns to fake normal emotions which leads him into a torrid love affair with Rita. Fine to Dexter, his relationship with Rita goes slow, as she is slowly healing from past rape and abuse damages from her former husband, who is later released, and becomes ravelled up in Dexter’s madness. Through Dexter’s crazy life, working as a police scientist, he helps unravel the case of notorious murderers, the first of which is the “Ice Truck Killer” who turns out to be of his blood relations that his adoptive sister Debra gets involved with. Dexter continues to play normal, but police Sargeant James Doakes suspects something is wrong with Dexter which spirals him down to become a victim of Dexter’s insanity. As Dexter unravels his past he has to come to terms with his future. He kills his brother and pursues a deeper relationship with Rita. The Madness continues in Season 2 when Rita gives Dexter the ultimatum of joining Narcotics Anomynous thinking Dexter’s addictions is drugs rather than killing. Through the sessions, Dexter finds confidence in another addict, a con artist named Lila who becomes Dexter’s sponsor and mistress. Dexter’s murderous remains become found and he strives to frame someone else for his murders as Dexter becomes known as the “Bay Harbour Butcher” a name Dexter abhorrs. Now that Dexter has Rita’s ex-husband permanently out of his way, his love affair with Lila is discovered, and Rita dumps Dexter. As Dexter and Rita patch things up, Lila is outcasted, which drives her madly insane – out to get Rita and her children until she starts to discover Dexter’s real addiction is not recovery from drugs. Lila saves the day from getting Dexter discovered as the murderer, and joins Dexter’s list of people to “off”. In Season 3, Rita discovers she is pregnant with Dexter’s child. They decide to get married and have the baby. Dexter becomes allied with a district attorney who also has a thirst for blood, murder, and vengeance. Teaching Miguel Prado how to kill, Dexter quickly resents having told his darkly secret and struggles to erase his mistake. While struggling to hide his urges from Rita, trying desperately to be normal, Dexter is whirlwinded into a world a cloak and dagger as him and Miguel go on a killing spree until Miguel doesn’t listen to Dexter and runs astray risking everything. Dexter cleans up his “mistake”. This leads Dexter to become a victim of the infamous “Skinner” killer who he barely escapes from before walking down the aisle with Rita. Interesting enough, this series has become quite controversial through the conservative world because it has become blamed for making murder attractive, killing people o.k. and for influencing the youth. There has been a few missing person cases that have been linked to the series as having influenced murders in real life. In December of 2008, filmmaker Mark Twitchell in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada was charged with murder of 38 year old John Altinger whose body is still missing. He filmed footage of the “House of Cards” a horror-romance that is similar to Dexter’s clandestine murders, where he allegedly snuffed Altinger. The Detective on the case was quoted to have said “We have alot of information to suggest he definitely idolizes Dexter”. Twitchell also had apparently created a series of facebook statuses where he suggest that he had alot in common with Dexter Morgan. He has been released even though still suspect for the murder. In November of 2009, Seventeen year old Andrew Conley was arrested in Rising Sun, Indiana after killing his 10 year old brother Conner. Andrew told investigators that he identified with the character “Dexter”. The series is addicting and compelling, hard to walk away from, and quite captivating. Very enjoyable and thought provoking. Rating : 4.5 stars out of 5.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UJz0O2NjOo

Ondine (PG-13: 2010)

Ondine (PG-13: 2010)

* Rated: 5 stars out of 5 * Starring: Colin Farrell … Syracuse; Alicja Bachleda … Ondine; Dervla Kirwan … Maura; Alison Barry … Annie; Marion O’Dwyer … Nurse – Dialysis; Tony Curran … Alex; and many more. * Director: Neil Jordan * http://www.ondinefilm.com/ *

A modern Irish lyrical faerie tale about a fisherman named Syracuse who pulls up a stunning woman in his net called “Ondine”. Her name means “She who came from the sea” and begins to believe his daughter’s theory that Ondine is a selkie or mermaid, a seal woman who in Celtic myth is believed to be able to become human by taking off her seal coat in order to pursue love with a human. They begin to treat Ondine like she is a selkie as many oddities in the situation, the events, and the tale is mystical and tragic. Whenever Ondine is aboard the fishing vessel and sings her siren song, his nets are filled with bounty. It becomes a torrid love affair that turns out to have an even crazier origin of truth. Beautifully woven tale embedded in myth. Brought tears to my eyes and edge of your seat excitement. Why can’t I pull up a beautiful selkie like that in my fishing nets? Amazing plot, storyline, and cinematography.

More Siren films:

Bounty Hunter (PG-13: 2010)


Bounty Hunter (PG-13: 2010)

* Rated: 3 stars out of 5 * Starring: Gerard Butler … Milo Boyd; Jennifer Aniston … Nicole Hurley; Gio Perez … Uncle Sam; Joel Garland … Dwight (as Joel Marsh Garland); Jason Kolotouros … Gelman; and many more. * Director: Andy Tennant * http://www.thepursuitbegins.com/ *

Its an action drama tale of a run-down cop turned bounty hunter who is set to catch his renegade ex-wife who now has a bounty on her head. He is excited to go arrest her but realizes she’s alot harder to tackle. Turns out his ex-wife is being targeted by the mob as well as the police and Milo becomes chased after by his bookies. It becomes a dangerous and hillarious game of cat chasing mouse, cat trying to keep the mouse, the mouse wriggling out and biting the cat with tons of other cats and dogs getting in the way. Turns out Milo and Nicole still have feelings for one another which confuses the chase and race to stay alive. It is a cute movie. [rating=3]

She’s Out of My League (R: 2010)


She’s Out of My League (R: 2010)

* Rated: 4 stars out of 5 * Starring: Jay Baruchel … Kirk; Alice Eve … Molly; T.J. Miller … Stainer; Mike Vogel … Jack; Nate Torrence … Devon; Lindsay Sloane … Marnie; and many more. * Director: Jim Field Smith * http://www.getyourrating.com/ *

A hillarious comedy in the style of “40 year old virgin” about a TSA agent named Kirk who is wrapped around the finger of his ex who recently dumped him leaving him in a slump. His friends egg him on that he’ll find someone else. His life changes when the gorgeous blonde Molly comes through his line who accidentally leaves her cell phone which he knightly returns to her. To the shock of his friends, he captivates the attention of this beauty who should be “out of his league” and this causes his ex to become insanely jealous. His heart is torn and confused. Battling with his insecurities and confusion. Its a funny film about insecurities. [rating=4]

Dorian Gray (R: 2010)

Dorian Gray (R: 2010)

* Director: Oliver Parker * Starring: Colin Firth … Lord Henry Wotton; John Hollingworth … Patrol Policeman; Caroline Goodall … Lady Radley; Nathan Rosen … Young Dorian; and many more. *
Dorian Gray is a naive young Lord, a lovelorn artist of a man who lives to paint dark pictures of Victorian London and how the experience of life will take its toll on one’s mind, body, and soul. Hauntingly magical, he weaves deceipt, greed, power, and sin. He never ages. Its in the painting. The painting takes its own victims. He falls under the harmful idolotry of Lord Henry Wotton who leads him into an even darker life until he chases after the Wotton’s daughter. Only his portrait shows his aging process as he truly is falling apart. Darksome and gruesome with sinister fantasy. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

Lost Girl: Season 1

Lost Girl: Season 1
(Television NR: Showcase, 2010)
Creator: M.A. Lovretta. Starring: Anna Silk, Kris Holden-Ried and Ksenia Solo; and many others.


Its an expose of the Faerie world hidden within the human world where the season follows on the sensual charismatic Bo who never really felt at home with the humans tortured by not being able to experience love with them as she drains them to death during sex. She soon discovers she is a Succubus and is not alone, but in a world of the Genus Fae and without a tribe. She’s pushed to choose a tribe with the Dark Fae or the Light Fae, and decides to stay neutral. She becomes a renegade and teams up with a gothy girl human sidekick who becomes an investigator for the abnormal while figuring out who Bo’s mom is and her faerie origins. Falling in love with a Lycanthrope, at ends with the Morrigan, fighting off various species of Fae while keeping things secret from the human world. Full of mythology and faerie lore blended into the modern human world … this is a treasure and an action packed series. A must see for any faerie enthusiast. Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Season 1:

  • Episode 1: It’s a Fae, Fae, Fae, Fae World (September 2010)
  • Episode 2: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Fae (19 September 2010)
  • Episode 3: Oh Kappa, My Kappa (26 September 2010)
  • Episode 4: Faetal Attraction (3 October 2010)
  • Episode 5: Dead Lucky (17 October 2010)
  • Episode 6: Food for Thought (24 October 2010)
  • Episode 7: ArachnoFaebia (31 October 2010)
  • Episode 8: Vexed (7 November 2010)
  • Episode 9: Fae Day (14 November 2010)
  • Episode 10: The Mourning After (21 November 2010)
  • Episode 11: Faetal Justice (28 November 2010)
  • Episode 12: (Dis)Members Only (5 December 2010)
  • Episode 14: Blood Lines (12 December 2010)

The Runaways (R: 2010)

The Runaways (R: 2010)

Director: Floria Sigismondi. Starring: Kristen Stewart … Joan Jett; Dakota Fanning … Cherie Currie; Michael Shannon … Kim Fowley; Stella Maeve … Sandy West;
Scout Taylor-Compton … Lita Ford; Alia Shawkat … Robin; and many others.


Its the story about Joan Jett as a San Fernando Valley teen named Joan Larkin who wants to put together an all-girl punk band. In 1975 she gets her start after thowing the idea to a sleazy manager who acquaints her with a drummer and a image of Cherie Currie – a 15 year old jailbait lure to use as the band’s image. They begin the band “The Runaways” which leads to Joan Jett’s start. Typical band drama, tomfoolery, and mischief. Drug abuse, emotions, and despair. Not a bad flick but it didn’t fully captivate me even though I’m a big Joan Jett fan. Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (PG: 2010)

Sorcerer’s Apprentice (PG: 2010)

Directed by: Director: Jon Turteltaub. Starring: Nicolas Cage … Balthazar Blake; Jay Baruchel … Dave; Alfred Molina … Maxim Horvath; Teresa Palmer … Becky Barnes; Toby Kebbell … Drake Stone; and many more.

Great classic tale of a coming-to-age young sorcerer learning his abilities and having to save the world from the forces of darkness. Nicolas Cage plays Balthazar Blake who is released from a magical canister with his arch-nemesis Maxim Horvath. He winds up finding the young sorcerer to pass on his skills to and make a protege. As the young Dave stutler played by Jay Baruchel begins his magical apprenticeship, and begins to fight off evil, he falls for a girl who gets in the way. Pretty action packed and great special effects. Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5.