TV Series: Dexter 08x05 - This Little Piggy

Last week's episode Scar Tissue ended with a scene where Debra saves Dexter after car accident she wanted to kill brother in. New episode This Little Piggy opens with them sitting in Dr. Vogel's room trying to speak about what happened the other day. This talk takes only couple of minutes but explored many levels of serial killer's character. It seems like Dex is trying to prove that Vogel was wrong about him, that his feelings are real and especially those about sister.

This Little Piggy more concentrates on killer Morgan and doctor are chasing. Things get complicated there after A.J. learns that Evelyn is sending someone after him. He makes a final visit to woman who has been torturing him for many years. 

Debra has changed. She is not freaking anymore when Dexter or Vogel are around her, she is calm and understanding. At first it does not look like a natural thing at all, it's actually weird. But this episode really convinces any viewer that Deb is now OK with brother's "dark passenger". But I'd not be that sure. It is too easy and too cheesy. I really believe that Debra is preparing for plan B and by being helpful to brother she hides it perfectly.

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Movie Review: The Mist [2007]

Stephen King's adaptations always look great on the screen. It's hard to say is it because of his outstanding talent of writing or anything else. What I can say is that I fell in love with this works after reading Under the Dome. However, I always considered The Green Mile to be best movie of his books. It's still like that. But The Mist is something very extraordinary that is cooler then any other movie in genre.

Movie follows inhabitants of small Maine town after a violent storm, which destroys pretty much alongside the coast. Later that day, when most of its citizens gather in the biggest mall of town, SOS signal alarms, asking them to stay inside. And then a very heavy mist lays down the whole city followed by deadly silence without any humanity sign. The only survivor they see is an old man, who claims that a mystic giant monster kills everybody in the mist. 

This is start of most interesting, intrigue and terrifying tyranny I've ever seen on the screen. People panic and do crazy things, some leave the mall and die, others stay and still die. 

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10 Best Title Sequences of All Time

Making a good show is hard job, but it is not (probably) easy to make a proper opening Title Sequence. According to IMDB list I have watched 82 TV Shows during my whole life. Some are good, some - bad, some are my favorites, the rest not. But I've never seen most of their opening credits from the beginning to the end. However, there are few of them, I enjoy not less then the show itself.

I present my top 10 favorite and best Title Sequences of all time. I pick each because of three reasons: good music, good production and relevance to show. Here we go:

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FEC: Comedy Guest Actress

FEC aka For Emmy Consideration is a post series that unites discussion of every Emmy nominee according to submitted episodes. I've been predicting the winners/nominees of every major award since I don't remember when. But it is actually first time when I am going to watch all nominated episodes. I am sure that will make better judgement to make my final list.

So, today I start with Comedy Guest Actress nomination. And the nominees are:

Dot-Marie Jones ("Glee") - "Shooting Star"

Melissa Leo ("Louie") - "Telling Jokes/Set Up"

Melissa McCarthy ("Saturday Night Live") - "Host: Melissa McCarthy"

Molly Shannon ("Enlightened") - "The Ghost Is Seen"

Elaine Stritch ("30 Rock") - "My Whole Life Is Thunder"

Kristen Wiig ("Saturday Night Live") - "Host: Kristen Wiig"

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TV Series: Under the Dome, Suits, Orphan Black, Will&Grace

If you are done with TV-Series for Emmy consideration, there are some fresh ones, that might seem interesting. I chose two most extraordinary to talk about

Under the Dome

Adaptation of Stephen King's classic sci-fi, horror novel of the same name tells a story of the residents of the small town of Chester's Mill, who find themselves cut off from the rest world by mysterious, impenetrable barrier surrounding the whole town.

I can guarantee that this is a story we've never seen on screen before. I've read the book and Under the Dome has become one of my favorite sci-fi novels of all time. However, if you've read the book you can be a little disappointed since the plot develops very slowly and actually loses most of its temper and charm of unsolved secrets. There is another issue - everything is this show is little different compared to what I imagined when reading a book. Characters, town, events and etc - they are different. (However, I've to admit that the barrier looks the same)

Why should you watch this?! A) Because you love this genre, it's still a great work to spend some time B) You've read the book and want to give a try. Why should not you watch this?! If you want something smart, extremely entertaining Under the Dome is a wrong choice.

Suits

Suits about NY's best lawyer Harvey Specter and his associate, brilliant minded  Mike Ross - a law genius without any degree who pretends to be a Harvard graduate.

First of all, if you are future lawyer, don't hesitate, go ahead and watch it. If you are a  future lawyer, who's going to practice in NYC, do it even faster. You will learn a lot very interesting and useful information how to be the best.

Suits is a beautifully written, smart TV Series. It's not easy to bring a lot fictional cases and describe the reality so well. I'd admit that show has problems with character development, since they don't change from time to time and most of them open in the very first episodes, but it's still great experience to watch.

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TV Series: Dexter 08x04 - Scar Tissue

When the end begun, I was sure that the final season was about more Dexter's emotional and moral choices then his victims on the killing table. And I was wrong and I was right the same time. This season is not only about him, it's about everything we did not know from the beginning.

Dr. Vogel seems to be a person who wants to help Dexter, she's come out of nowhere to assist serial killer in survival. But is that all? Is she an angel saving bad people, or there is something she hides beyond surface? Scar Tissue asks this questions quite clearly but provides no answers. However, she definitely helps Debra to forgive herself and brother what she did to La Guerta. But there is a thought that screwed my mind while watching this episode - if Vogel wants Debra away from Dex, why is she helping her in recovery? Because if she recovers, brother-sister relationship will become the way it was before. Yup, she is weird, and adroit.

The same time, Vogel starts to convince Dexter that he does not need a sister, since he is perfect, he is serial killer and he can't have any feelings toward any person, including her.  Doctor definitely makes his choice harder: with Debra, or without Debra?!

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Bad, Worse and the Worst of EMMYs (and some good)

Emmy nominees were announced on July 18 bringing lots of suprises in acting categories, that actually makes whole award season pretty unpredictable. This is what happened there and why

BAD

Arrested Development got almost total snub. Jason Bateman is the only actor making the final list of nominees. Despite me not being a huge fan of show, I kind of hoped to see Jessica Walter & Jeffrey Tamblol in comedy supporting race. It's understandable why it did not get comedy series nomination - people find hard to remember previous seasons and new one does not refresh much memory. They had expectations which are not met that easily.  

New Girl gets no recognition from Academy Members. Zooey Deschanel and Jake Johnson get no mercy for the third season of this amazing show. 

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau missing out for his ace season on “Game of Thrones” was also a shame. Some even considered him to be more deserving then Peter Dinklage who got nomination for each season of GOT.

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65th Emmy Award Nominees

And here are the nominees of 65th Annual Emmy Awards:
(List is updated automatically)

COMEDY SERIES

• The Big Bang Theory
• Girls
• Louis
• Modern Family
• 30 Rock
• Veep

COMEDY ACTOR

• Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
• Jason Bateman, "Arrested Development"
• Don Cheadle, "House of Lies"
• Louis C.K., "Louie"
• Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes"
• Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"

COMEDY ACTRESS

• Laura Dern, "Enlightened"
• Lena Dunham, "Girls"
• Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"
• Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"
• Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"

COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTOR

• Adam Driver, "Girls"
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family"
• Ed O'Neil, "Modern Family"
• Ty Burell, "Modern Family"
• Bill Hader, "Saturday Night Live"
• Tony Hale, "Veep"

COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Jane Krakowski, "30 Rock"
• Jane Lynch, "Glee"
• Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"
• Julie Bowen, "Modern Family"
• Merritt Wever, "Nurse Jackie"
• Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"
• Anna Chlumsky, "Veep"

COMEDY GUEST ACTOR

• Will Forte, "30 Rock"
• Nathan Lane, "Modern Family"
• Bobby Cannavale, "Nurse Jackie"
• Louis C.K., "Saturday Night Live"
• Justin Timberlake, "Saturday Night Live"
• Bob Newhart, "The Big Bang Theory"

COMEDY GUEST ACTRESS

• Elaine Stritch, "30 Rock"
• Molly Shannon, "Enlightened"
• Dot-Marie Jones, "Glee"
• Melissa Leo, "Louie"
• Melissa McCarthy, "Saturday Night Live"
• Kristen Wiig, "Saturday Night Live"

DRAMA SERIES

• Breaking Bad
• Downton Abbey
• Game of Thrones
• Homeland
• House of Cards
• Mad Men

DRAMA ACTOR

• Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey"
• Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
• Jeff Daniels, "The Newsroom"
• Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
• Damian Lewis, "Homeland"
• Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards"

DRAMA ACTRESS

• Connie Britton, "Nashville"
• Claire Danes, "Homeland"
• Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey"
• Vera Farmiga, "Bates Motel"
• Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"
• Kerry Washington, "Scandal"
• Robin Wright, "House of Cards"

DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTOR

• Bobby Cannavale, "Boardwalk Empire"
• Jonathan Banks, "Breaking Bad"
• Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"
• Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey"
• Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"
• Mandy Patinkin, "Homeland"

DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad"
• Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey"
• Emilia Clarke, "Game of Thrones"
• Morena Baccarin, "Homeland"
• Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men"
• Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"

DRAMA GUEST ACTOR

• Rupert Friend, "Homeland"
• Robert Morse, "Mad Men"
• Harry Hamlin, "Mad Men"
• Dan Bucatinsky, "Scandal"
• Nathan Lane, "The Good Wife"
• Michael J. Fox, "The Good Wife" 

DRAMA GUEST ACTRESS

• Diana Rigg, "Game of Thrones"
• Linda Cardellini, "Mad Men"
• Joan Cusack, "Shameless"
• Margo Martindale, "The Americans"
• Carrie Preston, "The Good Wife"
• Jane Fonda, "The Newsroom"

MOVIE/MINI SERIES

• "American Horror Story: Asylum"
• "Behind the Candelabra"
• "The Bible"
• "Phil Spector"
• "Political Animals"
• "Top of the Lake"

MOVIE/MINI ACTOR

• Benedict Cumberbatch, "Parade's End" 
• Matt Damon, "Behind the Candelabra" 
• Michael Douglas, "Behind the Candelabra" 
• Toby Jones, "The Girl" 
• Al Pacino, "Phil Spector"

MOVIE/MINI ACTRESS

• Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story: Asylum" 
• Laura Linney, "The Big C: Hereafter" 
• Helen Mirren, "Phil Spector"
• Elisabeth Moss, "Top of the Lake" 
• Sigourney Weaver, "Political Animals"

MOVIE/MINI SUPPORTING ACTOR

• James Cromwell, "American Horror Story: Asylum"
• Zachary Quinto, "American Horror Story: Asylum"
• Scott Bakula, "Behind the Candelabra"
• John Benjamin Hickey, "The Big C: Hereafter"
• Peter Mullan, "Top of the Lake"

MOVIE/MINI SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Sarah Paulson, "American Horror Story: Asylum"
• Ellen Burstyn, "Political Animals"
• Charlotte Rampling, "Restless"
• Alfre Woodard, "Steel Magnolias"
• Imelda Staunton, "The Girl"

Trailer: The Fifth Estate [2013]

Plot Summary:

Through the eyes of Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl), an early supporter and eventual colleague of Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch), the film follows the heady, early days of Wikileaks to its abrupt end after a series of controversial and history changing info leaks. The website's overnight success brought instant fame to its principal architects, but as their power expanded across the globe, Daniel grew increasingly disillusioned with Julian's questionable tactics and ethics. The rift between the two friends became irreparable and their ideological differences tore them apart, but not before they revolutionized, for better and worse, the flow of information to news media and the world at large. - Dreamworks Studios

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TV Series: Dexter 08x03 - What's Eating Dexter Morgan?

I know it seems weird to rate all three episodes with 10. But I can't do it in other way, the show is definitely getting better and better. Each series bring us closer to a very logic, not happily ever after ending.

Dex and Dr. Vogel continue chasing the mysterious killer from Vogel's past, who know sends "gifts" to both of them.

But there is something more important happening in What's Eating Dexter Morgan? It continues to explore each character in different ways. Quinn who always looked like lady-lover hunk, seems to be rational and trustful friend to Debra. He actually saves the whole plot. To spoil furthermore, he will be involved in Debra-Dexter-Vogel secret relationship for the whole season and he can be future La Guerta.

Debra is going bad. She is alcohol addicted, suffering from what she has done and decides to confess. It's a great dramatic episode for her because she fights against herself - remembering what she used to be before killing Maria and what she has become. That's why Deb decides to bring everything to the end, despite a great love to her brother.

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Trailer: How To Train Your Dragon 2 [2014]

Here is a look at the sequel to Oscar nominated animated feature How To Train You Dragon which is planned to premiere in  June of 2014.

Five years past since Hiccup and Toothless successfully united dragons and vikings on the island of Berk. They accidentally discover an ice cave - a home of many different types of dragons who threaten everything Hiccup believes in. For this reason, he starts a battle against new enemies defending his own people.

Trailer looks amazing, very beautiful and dynamic. If sequel is as amazing, original and inspiring as first part, we can see HTTYD 2 among major animated Oscar contenders. 

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Trailer: 12 Years a Slave [2013]

Director Steve McQueen tells more award-oriented story with Michael Fassbender and Sarah Paulson about a free black man Solomon Northup, who was sold as a slave in late XIX century. The cast includes Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, and new star Chiwetel Ejiofor (Solomon). 

Here is a firs look:

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Movie Review: Before Midnight [2013]

The third "before" of Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke happens before midnight, just nine years after Before Sunset. Jesse and Celine are now living together parenting twin girls. They live in Paris, having vacations in Greece. Jesse tries to stay in touch with his only sun from previous marriage who actually lives with mom in the US. 

Before Midnight is bit different movie from two previous installments. Both of them were as young and frivolous giddy films alike to their main characters, passionate and impulsive, carrying all characteristic of romantic comedy. But this one is more wise movie showing a middle age relationship between a loving couple, the ups and downs of their love and it gives a brilliant look where a desperate love can come to. Before Midnight brings questions that any couple may come up with. On the one hand they are living a great life. Jesse is a successful writer happily living with Celine. But there is something he is missing. Celine feels like she loses connection with him and destroying a decade relationship for no reason. 

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Trailer: Saving Mr. Banks [2013]

Saving Mr. Banks in a real story based movie about making Marry Poppins. Starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers - the author of book Marry Poppins it explores the story behind the one of most extraordinary films of all time. 

Trailer looks pretty good. Giving a huge buzz to both actors, especially to Emma who stays involved in Oscar Best Actress race by giving one of the finest performances so far. Tom Hanks is already in top candidates of Best Actor nominees and I am sure he makes his places more shoo-in for portraying a legend.

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TV Series: Dexter 08x02 - Every Silver Lining

First episode, aka beginning of the end, was surprisingly full of twists and new characters, who refreshed the spirit of whole show. It started a complex story of Dexter-Debra relationship, investigation of new murders and Dex's contention with mysterious psychologist. But second episode actually runs in totally unpredictable direction and shows Dexter - a cold blood serial killer -  in another perspective.

We all know how "dark passenger" was born - Dex witnessed murder of mother and at the age of three he was "christened" in her blood. But we never knew how Dexter Morgan was formed, was it all Harry?

Every Silver Lining is great achievement in dramatic writing, for making brilliant plot twist, adding some very interesting and pensive dialogues, which enhance the problem of moral dilemma in this show. I've been always saying that Dexter bring a issue that never been brought before the screen. It really tries to show whether serial killers can be good people or not. But it does not bring an episode that will give a definite YES or NO answer.

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TV Series: Dexter 08x01 - A Beautiful Day

Tonight's the night, night of all nights

Finally, the end has begun. Today first episode of Dexter's final 8th season has premiered. And I should say, I did not expect such an amazing start.

A Beautiful Day takes us 6 months ahead, after LaGuerta's death. Dexter seems to live the same life, he used to. Actually better. He's become better father, spending a lot time with Harrison, playing football with him and taking son to a beach. But Debra is gone. She is no longer part of his, or anybody's life. She's moved to another police department and leads a case on drug sales. However, she desperately runs from her brother, thinking that she shot wrong person that night.

Dexter deals with everyday quite successfully. He investigates a very interesting case of serial killer, which amuses him a lot. But then there comes a destruction, someone who might know his secret?

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