TV Review: Sanctuary

Sanctuary is pretty much a freak show.

The SciFi Channel's latest offering is loaded with weird creatures and at times tries too hard to create an eerie feel. The premiere wasn't spectacular but it did enough to keep me intrigued to see what happens next week. The story started off slow, too slow. But once we got pass all the lackluster cop stuff and onto an introduction of the actual sanctuary things got interesting.

As far as the production value goes there were a bunch of clique bits of dialogue and the writing isn't nearly as smart and subtle as Battlestar Galactica but the special effects were nicely done (aside from the cheesy mermaid). However some of the costumed creatures looked fake, like the monster butler and the creepy plant killer. But it wasn't that distracting from the storyline.

One nice surprise was seeing Kandyse McClure from BSG playing Robin's ex-girlfriend.

Bottom line: I'm not completely sold on this series but I'm going to give it a few more episodes to really impress me.

Did Sanctuary make a fan out of you?

***

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TV Review: Fringe

The series premiere for Fringe was layered full of intrigue, making it a prime example of a pilot episode done right. On every facade Fringe delivers from superb acting to impressive special effects all the way down to a solid plot that leaves the audience wanting more.

Most of the story takes place in Boston and its surrounding suburbs. The snowy setting establishes the show's vibe quite nicely. We're introduced to FBI special agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) who's latest call to duty is about to change her life forever. As she follows the case and becomes engaged in a race to save her partner/lover's life she encounters a crazed scientist (John Noble), a rogue genius (Joshua Jackson) and a homeland security agent (Lance Reddick) who help her make sense of all the strange science that's happening around her.


Bottom line: Fringe has all the right ingredients to make a wonderful season. Let's hope they keep things fresh and captivating every Tuesday night.

What were your impressions of the show?

***

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TV Review: The Sarah Conner Chronicles

David Nutter has seen better days.

He's my favorite director and although you might not know him by name, I'm sure you know him by his work. He directed the pilots for Roswell, Dark Angel, Smallville and Supernatural. His latest venture iss the two-part premiere for The Sarah Conner Chronicles that aired Sunday and tonight. I missed the beginning 15 minutes of the first installment but what I watched lacked Nutter's usual cinematic feel. The premiere wasn't bad but it wasn't exceptionally good either. And I don't believe that Nutter should get all the blame.

Lena Headey (Sarah Conner) is no Linda Hamilton, and I'm sure I'm not the first or the last person to say that, but I think that will work to her advantage in the long run. Headey has a toughness to her, but yet we sense the vulnerability in her eyes with subtle expressions that offer us a window into her struggles and make us care for her character. And in TV, we really need to care about the characters. That's what keeps us coming back every week. Sarah's voice overs are a nice touch, reminiscent of Dark Angel, but without the same spunk. I hope the show keeps that component and builds upon it.

Thomas Dekker (John Conner) is a nice replacement for the role of the soon-to-be leader of the future. He carries over his misfit role from Heroes but he has yet to do anything that has wowed me with his acting ability. Even so, I'm not counting him out, as his character develops he could end up really impressing me so we'll see what comes our way.


Summer Glau (Cameron a.k.a. The Female Terminator) is the one part of the show that really worries me. I'm just not buying her role as their protector. Sometimes her face is so blank, but not in a good way. Arnold Schwarzenegger's blank emotionless stare is classic, Robert Partick's metallic glance was deadly, and even Kristanna Loken's stare was wicked cool in T3, but Glau doesn't have that flare. And some of her action sequences are unbelievable. I keep wishing that somehow she would magically get the same kick-butt vibrancy that Jessica Alba had in Dark Angel or Kate Beckinsale had in Underworld. But it never happens. On the other hand, I do look forward to a romantic storyline that might emerge from her and John's relationship. That could be very interesting.

All in all, this show is not stellar but it's promising.

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