The 100 - Season 1

The 100 (2014)

Broadcasting Station: The CW

Number of Episodes: 13

Official Synopsis: Ninety-seven years after nuclear Armageddon destroyed our planet, humanity’s sole survivors live on the Ark, an aging space station experiencing overpopulation and inadequate resources. When faced with difficult choices, the Ark leaders [...] decide to send 100 juvenile prisoners back to Earth to test its living conditions.

With the survival of all in their inexperienced hands, The 100 young people must learn to rise above their differences and forge a new path on a wild and dangerous landscape that teems with radioactive waste, turbulent weather and unimaginable predators…or face the ultimate extinction of the human race!

Official Page

Official Trailer

STEPH SAID

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I did not expect that! At all. This is a CW series, so I thought this will be a Hunger Games/ Pretty Little Liars mash-up. And while it still has some of the CW's traits like forced love triangles and such, it isn't a soap opera catering to teenagers. This series is actually really dark, gruesome, and gory. In fact, some scenes were so brutally graphic, they made me feel uncomfortable. However, that didn't dampen my enjoyment of the series.

One of the things that I first liked about this series is the raw humanity of it and in it. Even though the story takes place more than a hundred years into our future, and people are living on space, the thematic of this series cannot be further from our reality. Many philosophical and psychological topics were undertaken: questions of right or wrong, life or death, anarchy or order. When The 100 reach the ground, a state of anarchy, where they thought they did “whatever the hell [they] want”, was instated. But, things started to get complicated when they found themselves under attack from a unknown group. A makeshift government was created and decisions about who lives or dies, or whether to torture a prisoner or not emerged. This series presents human with only the most basic instinct in their mind: survival. They'll do whatever it takes. They don't take time to moralize or think about the repercussions; they only wanted to survive. That, I believe, is why this series is so alluring.

Another interesting fact about this series is the lack of a proper, main antagonist. Most characters are a shade of gray. Some are darker, some are lighter. We see “good guys” doing questionable things, and “bad guys” saving people. Most characters are just moving in this pool of gray throughout the series. Some of them even surprise you with their decisions. In the end, you care about the characters you hated in the first episode and vice versa. But, I'd say only one character is completely good, and one completely bad. One sacrifices himself for the greater good, the other stabs everyone on the back. So, the series has a pretty good balance there.

Unfortunately, not every character is good, or interesting, or even likable. The men are really good, and they get better with every episode. The women, on the other hand, leave much to be desired. Not one of them was consistent. Octavia seems like a badass chick. The “I'll do whatever the hell I want” type. Until her big brother tells her to stay put, and she does. Raven, even though a little too egotistic for my taste, could've taken any guy in a fight or in an intelligence match. Yet, she pines for one guy for most of her onscreen time. And, the main character, Clarke, is insufferable. She is way too uptight. She is the type of person who makes decisions against everyone's counsel, and then complains because it went wrong. In all fairness, she started showing signs of improvement near the end of the season.

But, none of this matters, because two-thirds into the story, each remaining episode greatly conveyed the drama and the thrills concerning the impending war. That was all I cared about in the end.

So, give it a chance. If you let it, this series will surprise you as well.

Marvel's Daredevil (2015) - Season 1

Marvel's Daredevil (2015) - Season 1

*This series is rated TV-MA*

Broadcasting Station: Netflix

Number of Episodes: 13

Official Synopsis: "Marvel's Daredevil" is a live action series that follows the journey of attorney Matt Murdock, who in a tragic accident was blinded as a boy but imbued with extraordinary senses. Murdock sets up practice in his old neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen, New York where he now fights against injustice as a respected lawyer by day and masked vigilante at night.

For more information you can visit the Official Marvel Page. To watch the whole first Season of Marvel's Daredevil head to Netflix.


Official Trailer




STEPH SAID

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Daredevil is definitely good. But, is it the best superhero series out there? Not really. 

First of all, the exposition of the first two episodes is terrible. If I hadn't been able to binge watch the series, I woudn't have watch it until the end. The first two episide have Matt and Foggy forcibly talking, and explaining their situation, to many different people in order set the scene. Also, we get to see scenes from Matt's past that help set the scene: his relationship with his father, how was his life without his mother, and how he adjusted to his knew blind life. However, in the first two episodes, and most of the third one, we don't have any clue about how Matt does what he does. If the audience doesn't know anything about Daredevil the character, they can think Matt can actually see and is just deceiving everybody. That makes it a little harder to relate to him as a person. Likewise, we don't know why he decided to become a vigilante, how he learned martial arts (his father is a boxer), what happened to Matt after his father died, or what happened to his mother. We don't even know who the villain is. So, in the beginning it is really hard to follow and enjoy the story due to all the unanswered questions.

On top of that, Karen is unbearable throughout all the series. She has this savior/spy complex. She believes she can take down an ubber rich/drug dealing/ trigger happy/ police controlling unknown mafia overlord all by herself. He controls the media, the police, the justice system, but she still believes she can write a pice of news and his whole kingdom will come crumbling down. In the end, I was even happy when one of the characters died because of her contant pestering. I thought she will finally understand who she is up against.

The series took off after the third episode, and the story began to unravel. We met all the villains, and find out about their collective plan. We, too, learned enough about Matt to relate to him. That's when the series draws the audience in, when it becomes very interesting. I appreciated how the main villain seem to be one step ahead of Matt all the time, yet he is the one damaging himself. He is the one that narrows the circle of villains and the circle of people who trust him. Though, that means that Daredevil didn't do as much to take down Kingpin as Kingpin did to himself. I also enjoyed the character Kingpin, his background story, and how he belives he is doing the right thing. In fact, in the beginning of the series Kingpin and Daredevil both stood on the same ground, for the same goal: to make Hell's Ktchen better. It wasn't until more than halfway through the series that Kingpin actually become the villain. That made it a little harder to see Daredevil as the “hero” and Kingpin as the “villain”.

If that weren't enough, the ending was anticlimatic; I didn't like it at all. It wastes two-thirds of its time in a legal battle, trying to teach the message that in the end legal justice is the best course of action, which contradicts Daredevil's core beliefs. Then, the series does yet another 180 degrees flip when Matt decides that the enforcement of the law is not enough, just as he already believed up to episode nine. On top of that, some personal relationships get a rushed make-up, so we could have a small scene of everyone happily drinking on the same table. And that is not all, because, in addition, the scene is not set for the next season. I don't know what to expect for season two of Daredevil.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the overall story quite a lot, mostly because of Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock and Toby Leonard Moore's Wesley. Both actors carry the weight of the series and move it forward, specially during the first half of the season. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have continued watching the series. Additionally, the fights! We definitelly need more three-minute-one-shot fights! The only thing that dampened my enjoyement of the series as a whole is Karen. Everything else on this review I can overlook. If I were to rationally and mathematically rate this season, the outcome would have been definitelly lower. But, I love Matt Murdock/Daredevil, and this darker take, along with Cox's performance (not the production of the series) makes him justice. Thus, the four stars.

Tomorrowland (2015)

Tomorrowland 2015

Director: Brad Bird

MPAA Rating: PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and peril, thematic elements, and language

Official Page

Official Synopsis: Bound by a shared destiny, a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor jaded by disillusionment embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory as "Tomorrowland."

Official Trailer

ELL SAID

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When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I thought it'd be riding the whole touch-the-pin gimmick into the ground. In fact, when I walked into the theater, I wasn't even excited for it. I was skeptical, even though it's a Disney movie, and believe me when I tell you that, without a doubt, this movie raised the bar to never-before-seen heights. 

Each actor played their role impecably. Each scene and moment was impactful in it's own way, from the very funny ones to the shocking plot twists halfway through. I found myself laughing, which isn't that hard to believe. But I also found myself amazed, awestruck, even shocked, as if I were part of the movie, not just watching. I felt what Casey, the main character, was feeling. I understood Frank's negativity. I loved Athena. No movie made me link with the characters as much as this one did, and that's saying something. 

Beyond that, and without going into spoilers, the actual message is something that is meaningful to this day and age. It inspired me to never give up, which, in and of itself, is my favorite part of the movie. In the past several years, I've seen hundreds of movies, but none of them has inspired me, or made me feel like this message was meant for me. Specially because, in this movie's case, the message applies to every single one of us, from adults to little children. 

In the end, Disney has done it again, breaking the limits and creating another masterpiece to add to their, already incredible, galery. This movie is definitely worth watching with the family, as every member of it will find something great in this movie. It has become my all-time favorite movie, so go watch it. You definitely will not regret it.

how i met your mother - Season 1

how i met your mother 

Number of Episodes: 22

Broadcasting Station: CBS

Original release: September 19, 2005 – May 15, 2006

Official Synopsis: How I Met Your Mother Season 1 tells a love story in reverse. Egged on by his best friend's upcoming nuptials, Ted believes he finds the woman of his dreams in Robin - though destiny might have something different in mind.

STEPH SAID

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I'm not a sit-com savvy, but the first season of how i met your mother has some of the best comedy I've seen. It had me laughing out loud from beginning to end. What I loved most about it, and what I think is the reason for its success, is its unconventional characters. The characters of himym are practically the opposite of the usual, stereotypical characters found in comedy. We have Ted, a guy who is in search of his true love; Robin, a woman who doesn't want to get married or have kids; and Marshall and Lily, a couple that has been together for nine years.

However, what takes this series from really good to wonderful is, most definitely, Barney Stinson. Neil Patrick Harris' portrayal of the suit-loving gigolo was hysterical and somehow touching. When I saw the reason he was a suit, I was moved. At the same time, I could almost hear him sing “Evil inside of me, is on the riiise”.

Something else that make this series quite different from others is its seamless weaving of good drama with comedy. There were scenes in this series that literally brought tears to my eyes. The final scene was particularly sad. During those moments I would make a double take, and suddenly realize I was watching a comedy. And then, loved the series even more.

The only thing that worries me is the fact that from the beginning of the series we already know the ending: Ted founds the woman of his dreams and has two kids with her. Robin ends up as the kids' aunt. Knowing that the series is nine seasons long, I fear that the writers are just going to beat around the bush for most of the series.

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Director: Louis Leterrier

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some frightening sci-fi images, and brief suggestive content

Official Page

Official Synopsis: In this new beginning, scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) desperately hunts for a cure to the gamma radiation that poisoned his cells and unleashes the unbridled force of rage within him: The Hulk. Living in the shadows--cut off from a life he knew and the woman he loves, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler)--Banner struggles to avoid the obsessive pursuit of his nemesis, General Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt) and the military machinery that seeks to capture him and brutally exploit his power. 

Official Trailer




STEPH SAID

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I don't know why people complain about this movie. To me it was quite enjoyable. Granted, I don't know anything about comic books, or about the Hulk. So maybe that is why I enjoyed it.

I had always seen Hulk (and I mean Hulk because I didn't even know the man's name) as a man that grew big and green whenever he became angry. But, I enjoyed that this movie presents the human side and the internal struggle of both Bruce Banner and The Hulk. 

The downside of this movie is the lack of future it has. Once you see this movie, there is nothing else to see about The Hulk. More movies could be made, but they would probably turn out as The Incredible Hulk: a bad guy becomes a gigantic monster that wants to destroy earth and Bruce Banner needs to turn into the Hulk to stop it. Also, I keep thinking that, if the army would have done their job correctly, we could have taken about 20 minutes from the length of the movie. On the plus side, the ending, including Tony Stark’s cameo, was unexpected and very convenient for what lies ahead.

The Flash (2014) - Season 1

The Flash

Number of episodes: 23

Broadcasting Station: The CW

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Trailer


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I don't know what I expected coming to this series. Everything I thought I knew about The Flash came from Smallville – I found out later that Smallville's Impulse is not Barry Allen, but Bart Allen. However, I was excited due to Barry's appearances in Arrow.

As opposed to Arrow, The Flash is an upbeat, heroic show; it has cheerful characters that only care about saving people. In each episode Team Flash confronts a human with super powers – a  Metahuman – that has gone rogue and is endangering life in Central City. Flash's team give each “Rogue” a funny nickname and do their best to incarcerate them in a special prison. Tension builds up as the season progresses, though. The rogue of the week takes a more secondary place in storytelling, and Barry starts dealing with the man who killed his mother: an enigmatic antagonist, known as Reverse-Flash, who always seems to be one step ahead of Barry. The “rogue of the week” storylines are fun, but they feel like fillers, unimportant. The Reverse-Flash storyline, on the other hand, is more compelling, interesting, and full of unexpected plot twists.

Many other things improve Flash’s, already good, standing. I personally love their ongoing jokes about the Metahumans’ prison. I mean, how do they eat? How do they go to the bathroom? Also, having Wentworth Miller playing Captain Cold is a plus, no matter how you look at it. The introduction of time traveling so early in the series could lead to a catastrophe, but I have decided to give it the benefit of the doubt. Nevertheless, the Arrow/Flash Crossovers are the best part. The Flash vs. The Arrow fight, and Cisco betting on it, was everything I could’ve hoped for.

Barry, Joe, and Harrison Wells are amazing characters. The latter was especially intriguing, mysterious, and alluring. Most of the other characters were difficult to like at first, especially Cisco. When I met Cisco in Arrow, he felt cheesy and purposely nerdy. Like, nerdy viewers will like him just because of his shirts. But, let me tell you, he grows on you. I have come to like him quite a lot. Eddie went through the same trial, and also came out victorious. I didn’t even know how much I had come to like him until I saw the choice he made in the finale. 

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing about Caitlin, Ronnie or Iris. Ronnie and Caitlin suffer from the same lack of development. You can expect that lack of depth when it comes to Ronnie because he is only in the series for a couple of episode. But, Caitlin was in the series since the story started in Arrow. Yet, Caitlin doesn’t evolve through the season. She is a blank, I-lost-the-love-of-my-life, genius, pretty scientist; that is all there is to know about her. And, Iris… well, she is an entirely different case. Her constant whining and nagging is just annoying, and it distances her from the audience and from the Flash’s mood. Not one of her actions in this season moved me or compelled me to like her. She was in a completely different universe from every other Flash character. However, that is the only negative thing I can say about the Flash as a series. Is not a small part, but everything else in the series makes up for it.

Doctor Who (2005) Special - The Waters of Mars

Doctor Who (2005)

Episode Title: The Waters of Mars

Broadcasting Station: BBC One

Official Page

Official Synopsis: Mars, 2059. Bowie Base One. Last recorded message: 'Don't drink the water. Not one drop.'.

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This episode is great, in some ways. Oddly sad, in others. And, slightly terrifying in others. Lets just say this episode increased my fears of water to all new heights. Anyway, though it is terrifing, I have some interesting issues with this. For starters, the fact that it's a fixed point in time, it effectively means that, no matter what happens in the episode, these people will die. And the Doctor's actions shouldn't have been able to do anything to change that. 

Furthermore, the deadly virus, or germ, was able to transmit, or implant, itself into the humans on Mars. But, these people got that virus from using the Martian water. Why didn't they bring their own water, if they were becoming a colony? They're the first colony out on Mars, and they know nothing of it. Wouldn't they bring as much as they could from Earth, in order to avoid just this type of catastrophy?

Another point, probably the main reason why I dislike this episode, is the 'villains.' They are, basically, visually, water-possessed humans. The first impression of these baddies is impressive, definitely scary. But, after that first impression passes, they just feel kinda silly. Even though, sure, the power of water is great, these bad guys get really old, really fast. 

Finally, I find it impossible to believe that the Doctor can barely pilot the Tardis on his own, but could somehow make the 'funny robot' control it perfectly enough for it to matterialize around them. However, even though this episode is not great, it is basically the best of the specials between Series 5 and Series 6, mostly because the ending of the episode is flawless.

Arrow - Season 3

Title: Arrow

Season: 3

Number of Episodes: 23

Broadcasting Station: The CW

Official Page











Official Trailer

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With the excitement of the first season of The Flash, and the epicness of the previous season, our expectations were sky high when this season started. Alas, from the get-go, it was a disappointment. From Sarah's death in the second episode, the series was filled to the brim with terrible writing. First, Malcom's plan in the beginning. From what I can tell, Malcom's plan was to kill Sarah by means of Thea, to draw Nyssa out, which in turn would eventually lead to a confrontation between Rah's and Oliver. So, basically, he brainwashed his daughter, killed a pottential ally, and drew his biggest enemy to Starling City. Thing is, it worked. But, somehow, Thea managed to give Malcom to the League of Assassins in her stead, clearing herself of the 'charges' placed on her head by Sarah's murder. This would have been a great conclusion, but no, this wasn't even the mid-season episode. Because, for some reason, Oliver thought it was a bad idea, and decided to save Malcom from the League, and put himself in the path of it by protecting Malcom. You know, the enemy of a distant, non-enemy league is definitely your ally, or something. This brought about one of the worse group of episodes since Smallville season 10. The episodes after Oliver 'dies' at the hand of Rah's are the most boring episodes I've ever seen, but the worst thing is, it gets worse. Because, when Oliver comes back, Rah's wants to make Oliver the next Rah's Al Ghul, and won't take no for an answer. As the righteous vigilante that he's not supposed to be, Oliver declines, slowly forcing Rah's to use worse and worse tactics to force Oliver to obey. But, here's the thing: If Oliver had just said yes in the beginning, he'd have been able to do everything earlier, and no one, at all, would have had to die. The end itself was, without a doubt, anticlimatic, with it ending on a inconvincing high note of Oliver and Felicity driving into the sunset. Which, you know, would totally bum Ray Parker out. This, with the inclusion of Deathshot's death and the mere existance of Cupid, this season is the worst one of the three we've seen so far. (And don't get me started on the Felicity and Oliver scene in Rah's temple.)

On the other hand, this season also has some of the best moments in the series, and yes, they belong to the one and only Barry Allen. In his first official appearance as the Flash in Arrow, the two duke it out in an amazing fight. The interactions between Oliver and Barry were cool and fresh. Deadshot's few moments were pure gold. And, in all honesty, even Ray seemed more likable to me than other characters, like Felicity or Laurel, that have become something the writers want to ram down your throat. That one episode, were Thea and Oliver go back to the infamous Island to train, during which Deathstroke gets loose, is quite fantastic. But, I wish it would've had a bigger impact on the story and not been a one-time thing. Katana was a happy surprise (no, I didn't know it was her until I saw the ridiculous mask), and that's about it. So, in conclusion, literally everything good about this season comes from somewhere else: The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, or better Arrow seasons.