Wednesday, February 04, 2009

What a Tease...

Just caught this new trailer for both Dollhouse and Terminator.

I gotta say, love seeing some women kicking ass, who's excited for next Friday??

32 comments:

Page48 said...

I saw that trailer, SRG. I don't know why Terminator gets so little respect. There don't seem to be many people anticipating that Sarah Connor and Co. will be back next year but I can think of a hundred shows I would cancel ahead of it.

As for DH, bring it on already. It's been a year of hype and lowered expectations, now let's see whatcha got.

Page48 said...

Well, I have to admit that I haven't seen or heard tell of Melissa George since a heartbroken Sark had Lauren's body bag unzipped for "closure" purposes, but apparently, girl was nominated for a Golden Globe this year.

Who knew?

SRM said...

Yeah I guess MG had a stint on Grey's Anatomy? I don't watch it so I had no idea...

Page48 said...

Some more DH teasing, while we wait.

Anonymous said...

Here's a link to a new book about TV spy shows. I was a consultant for the part about Alias. The author did a very good job of giving an overview of the series. I made a couple of corrections for him. I'm supposed to get a mnetion, but won't know till I see the book if I actually did. The book is coming out in March.

http://www.bearmanormedia.bizland.com/id347.html

uncle111

uncle111 said...

email

Page48 said...

Dude done you wrong, Uncle! If I was 10 years younger, I'd round up a few of the boyz and pay him a visit.

Gotta wonder how a guy that has no vision can develop such an appreciation for spy-shows. Maybe I should try listening to "Alias" sometime and see if I can follow what's going on.

Saw my first DH trailer on the tube tonite.

Anybody catch that audio of Christian Bale endearing himself to his lighting director on the Terminator set? Sure, we'd all like to go off on our co-workers like that, but how many of us have a lighting director at our disposal?

Page48 said...

Will Tippen hosting SNL tonite.

Check the last couple of paragraphs here. Am I missing something here or is BC dissing the "Alias" experience? His other roles have been, and likely will continue to be, irrelevant to me. IMO, Will Tippen will likely be the pinnacle of his career, so a little more respect is due, Mr. BC.

SRM said...

How was SNL w/ BC? It does sound like he didn't like the storyline for Alias w/ his quote after the line "Cooper hasn’t always enjoyed the television experience and is reluctant to venture there again as a leading man." Oh well.

So I was thinking about DH the other day and am wondering where the storyline could go. We know Echo is the lead and she can be "anyone you want her to be" and then have her memory erased at the end of the day. I'm guessing one of the major plotlines will be her realizing what's going on and starting to gain some self awareness and wanting to stop being a puppet. It reminds me of Syd learning about SD-6 and eventually taking them and the Alliance down. But then what? Do you think they'll go as far as Echo escaping from her slave-life in the first or even second season? Wonder where it could go from there...

Page48 said...

SRG, I'm not a SNL watcher, but I checked out one skit just to see BC. Let's just say that, whether he felt fulfilled or not in the part, people will remember Will Tippen, but they've already forgotten SNL or any other role he's been blessed (or unblessed) with. And what did he mean, "I was in this show, Alias", as if people might not have heard of it. I think what he meant to say was "I had a part in the best freaking show ever, and I was too stupid to realize it".

According to the trailers, Echo signed a contract be an active in the DH, so, prior to being erased, she was aware that she was entering a shady operation. One assumes that she had her reasons for joining. Presumably on the run from something in her real life.

I then assume that when her contract expires, her real memories and personality will be reinstalled and she'll be on her way, remembering nothing of the DH. Somehow, I don't think that's how the show will play out, though.

Page48 said...

Televisionaryblog.com dishes on DH's first few eppies.

One thing he tells us that we already know is that shows like this beg to be serialized, but serial is soooooooo 2006, so we can't have that now, can we?.

And, there's even mention of MacGuffins in there for Uncle.

ILA4E said...

Sorry, but that whole Bradley Cooper thing has me so pissed off.

I'm sure it's been taken out of context, but still -- to even imagine he felt/ feels that way...

Page48 said...

Explosive device planted on the 47th floor in last night's "Fringe". "Alias" reverberations felt 'round the world, I'm sure.

SKlaft said...

I don't know if you all still watch Heroes or not, but I really must say this new "Chapter" has been rockin'! I think it has only been back for a few episodes, but they have really stepped up the story telling, and have pleasantly cut out the comic book parody. There is a decisive dark twist, and (finally) a coordinated ensemble of those representing "good guys" (or, at least, those motivated to do the right things, perhaps).

Peter is no longer "all powerful," and Sylar is back to being the monster he is most comfortable being. It's like the whole show has been reset, and it is taking the tact it should have taken in the beginning, but now we know the character's background well enough to not need any more character-building episodes. They can jump right into the points of conflict and intensity. I'm telling you... its worth a return.

Go watch the last two episodes on line at NBC.com. You'll be glad you did.

SKlaft said...

Oh man!

Tonight's Burn Notice was about as good as I have seen it.

Michael was an improvising genius in that Bank. No wonder someone burned him. He was way too good at what he does, and someone wanted him for their own agenda. Enter, #6...oh, um... Rachel?...no, uh... Nancy?... no, that's not it either... what was that woman's name who is manipulating Michael? Anyway...

Someone wanted him dead because he is helping #6, like a rival spy organization or something. If we hope really hard, Burn Notice may take on a grander scope than the ultra-skilled spies (like the A-Team) helping the victim of the week. Maybe there are global spy networks in conflict over recruiting Michael Westin of dominance over the world of espionage.

I don't know, but man tonight's show was great.

Page48 said...

Robetron, BN was all that AND guest starred FF's Badger, (aka BSG's Romo). Unfortunately, no sign of Carla this week. Fee and Sam are sooooo cool under pressure. In fact, I don't think they even feel pressure. Nice to be that confident in your spy-bilities.

DH debut's 9:00 tonite on FOX. I read 3 more scathing reviews of the pilot today. Expectations may be so low that the pilot actually looks good. Will know in about 4 hours.

I tried watching "Heroes" the other night because I heard that earlier management was back in charge, but I'm so far behind that I didn't have a clue what was going on. I'll have to decide whether to download eppies from early December onward to attempt catching up, or to just let this puppy go.

SRM said...

So...I'm pretty sure I'll watch DH again this coming week, but I don't really know if I liked the pilot that much. I thought Eliza played her part well, but it seemed like kind of a boring "alias" for the first episode...a kidnap negotiator in a suit? Really? Seems like they could have done something way cooler than that to draw people in. Also, I don't know how we'll feel any connection to a character who's had her real personality deleted...just my 2 cents. Thoughts?

Page48 said...

This is a part of a post I just entered at watchingdollhouse.com, which is, to some degree, a response to a previous (rude) post made by a zealot named alby on that blog:

@alby, it’s great to be passionate about favourite shows and actors(although good manners never go amiss), but unless we were watching different pilots, DH 1.1 just wasn’t all that. If you’re looking for standard-setting pilots, check out the brilliant “Alias” pilot, “Truth Be Told”, any one scene of which easily eclipses anything seen in last night’s debut of DH.

Whether it featured Dushku or Katherine Hepburn, that rich-boy birthday party scene was boring, and wasting the show’s only real action scene (motorbikes) on a frivolous, but no doubt lucrative, prostitution assignment is the sort of thing that will get old really fast. I understand that Actives are available for a wide variety of customer ‘needs’, but in the interests of the show’s longevity, I suggest they spend a lot more time on assignments that are meaningful to the bigger story.

Whether Eliza was convincing as a hostage negotiator is less important to me than Echo’s eventual ‘awakening’ and Ballard’s investigation of the DH and the escalation of tension that hopefully comes from that. I’m all about double-dealing, backstabbing, conspiratorial twists and turns. I’m less about Echo’s weekly costume-changes and the CSI procedural that her hostage negotiator-type gig makes me live in mortal fear of. If her clients mean nothing to the plot, they mean nothing to me. Unless her assignments advance the plot, they’re just filler, IMO (and BTW, no show does client of the week better than “Burn Notice”).

This doesn’t come down to a contest between JJ and Joss. There are enough prime time hours being wasted on all networks to accommodate both of these guys. And let’s face it, viewers knew exactly what to do with JJ’s “Six Degrees” and “What About Brian”, neither of which should have made it to air. I think the real challenge for both is to find a way to present thoughtful shows that literally beg for serialization in a way that allows them to survive without it. The fight against weekly procedurals must be won. I’d kill for DH (or “Fringe”) to be great serialized shows, but in 2008/2009, serial is apparently a fate worse than leprosy, so I need to cool my desire until the next cycle comes around, which will happen.

SRM said...

yeah, I'm w/ ya page, I also found the first birthday scene boring, even after 15 seconds of the bike chase I got a little ancy (then again, I'm not a big car/bike/boat chase fan). From the previews I've seen it looks like there's a lot more action in coming episodes, which is why I'm surprised we saw so little in the pilot. I'll give it another shot, maybe even 2 more, afterall I remember not feeling that enthused about the pilot of Lost and 5 years later I'm still watching and loving it. :)

SKlaft said...

Wow Page48, I couldn't agree more than I already do with that guy, whoever he was. It seems like he should be posting here, since he nailed it spot-on like we ALWAYS seem to do.
:D

Anyone catch Friday's BSG?

It just keeps getting more exhilarating. The hour passes, and I think, "oh common... it can't over yet. I WANT MORE!"

Page48 said...

I mentioned some time ago that I suspected that Jason Bateman was living in Jen's attic.

They've just finished their 3rd movie (Ricky Gervais's "Invention of Lying")together since "Alias" ended. Not only has he done 3 flicks with Jen since "All the Time in the World", but he's finished 2 more in that time with Ben Affleck.

I think that makes Jason an honorary Affleck.

Revelations spewing forth in BSG. You'd never guess we're in the home stretch.

uncle111 said...

I'm behind. I need to see the latest Burn, BSG and the DH pilot. Trolls broke into my store for the second time in less than a year. That makes for extra work, distractions, and less sleep. But, if the insurance pays my claim it will be worth it.

SRM said...

Uncle - sorry to hear about the trolls, hope the insurance comes through for you. :( DH is on Hulu, which I'm currently frequenting often to watch Firefly. I think I only have 3 or 4 more eppies left...sigh.

Page48 said...

Uncle, time to break out the troll repellent.

New gig for Vartan apparently. Sounds like a medical drama (can you say snooooozefest?) "Time Heals" on TNT.

"Chuck" and his stunning CIA sidekick visited "Liberty Village" last night. Well, technically it wasn't called LV, but I think we all know it was LV.

SRM said...

This is kind of an interesting read re: Dollhouse:
http://tinyurl.com/bb7l5l

uncle111 said...

OK, I just finished last week's BSG. I feel like I missed a couple of intervening episodes. Anyone care to give me a timeline of human/Cylon history based on the most current reveals?????

SKlaft said...

Sorry Uncle. As attentive as I am, I don't think I could do that very well. All I can do is advise you to go back and watch all of season 4, or at least the last four episodes and try to piece it together. When you have it down-pat, let us know how it goes. I'm sure eventually I'll do the same thing.

The show is so stinkin' good, but the time line is a little less than clear.

I think I'll go watch Monday's "Heroes" now. They have truly stepped up the quality.

Page48 said...

Cylon time line is out of my league, Uncle. I'm surprised the writers can sort it out. The revelations were coming fast and furious the other night, though.

Caught the vocal stylings of Arvin Sloane narrating some artsy fartsy claptrap on "American Masters" on PBS tonight. It's work, I suppose.

uncle111 said...

I haven't missed any BSG episodes, but the way they were weaving in reveals as parts of conversations it seemed like they were referring to things we already were supposed to know. But since I didn't know them I felt like there was a gap in my knowledge base, as if I had missed some episodes. I will watch a couple of more times and take notes to see if I can un ravel it.

Here is what it looks like to me at this point:
The 13th colony were humans and traveling to earth at or near light speed time slowed for them so that while the time it took to reach earth was 2000 years back on the colonies,it didn't seem that long to the travelers.

They also developed Cylons and were the creators of the skin jobs. They created the skin jobs as a way of keeping peace with the toasters. Tigh's wife was a skin job who created the others(?)and wanted them to be more like humans, which one of them doesn't like at all.

The 13th colony had been warned they were going to be nuked. The skin jobs were able to have children so they didn't keep the resurrection technology, but recreated it when they found out they were gong to be nuked. The skin jobs we know were downloaded to the resurrection technology prior to the nuking.

The one true God was an invention of the toasters.

That what it seemed to me they said, at least what I could catch rewinding it 2-3 times. How it all fits together and what it means for what is yet to be revealed, I don't know.

There were other things also that I can't remember and will watch for when I watch taking notes.

SKlaft said...

Uncle,
From the way it sounded in last night's episode, there were only 5 surviving humans from earth; they invented the cylons, and the resurrection technology, and when their bodies died, they downloaded themselves into skin-job versions of themselves.

Maybe, when they arrived at the 12 Colonies and began to integrate, they brought the automated cylons into that society, hoping that better technology would improve living conditions. When the automated version began to be sentient, it created the first cylon war (hence the 70's BSG).

According to the episode last night, one thought they invented the one true God to control the invented-skin-jobs, while another of them insisted that they invented nothing (implying that He exists). Based on the fact that there still seems to be an invisible influence working on Gaius Baltar, I'd have to side with the second opinion.

uncle111 said...

Robetron,
They don't have last night's episode online yet. I'm listening to last week's with the director's commentary. Once I see last night's episode I'll try to create a timeline and questions.

On the commentary of last weeks episode they indicated that the 5 went from Kobal to Earth, then back to the colonies. I don't remember anything in the episodes about them coming from Kobal, but then I have also noticed that the director and writers, unlike Alias, know more about the details and backtories we haven't heard yet, and that they think we are up with them on everything. The problem for us is that somethings they know to be important details were only briefly dealt with, and key pieces of the puzzle may have been undramatically introduced and spread out throughout several seasons. The result is that we didn't notice them, or have forgotten them because of time, or because we don't have their vantage point of knowing what's ahead, so those details don't mean anything to us. This is far different from how haphazardly Alias was put together and how the fans knew more about the storyline than the writers, etc.

uncle111 said...

Robetron,
I don't think I ever knew the name of the ship that event happened on, but I remembered the event, though not all the details.

Page- I think last week's focus on Starbuck was a set up for some big reveal about her. So far she has been the one who found the way to earth and had the song that just drew most of the 5 to her for some reason. Both of these events are because of things from her childhood- her drawing of the supernova, and the song her father taught her. Add to that her charred body on a planet that was charred 2000 years ago...Something has been going on with her since she was little. What is it??
And yet, I agree- too slow for this close to the end. Think how fast the last 5+ hours of Alias moved.