Orphan Black - Season 1

Title: Orphan Black

Year: 2013

Broadcasting Station: BBC America

Official Page

Official Synopsis: Sarah [is] an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looks just like her. Sarah assumes her identity, her boyfriend and her bank account. But instead of solving her problems, the street smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. She makes the dizzying discovery that she and the dead woman are clones… but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy and must race to find answers about who she is and how many others there are just like her.

*This TV series has been rated TV-MA, for mature audiences.*

STEPH SAID

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This new series caught me by surprise and hooked me from the get go. Orphan Black is a marvelous and intense roller coaster ride from beginning to end. Every episode will have you on the edge of your seat; you won't know who to trust or what to believe. Your whole world and reality will be turned upside down.

The first half of the season is more intense and thrilling. The main characters are focused on covering their tracks and running away. However, halfway through the season the intensity starts to decline, which was good, because I thought I was going to get a heart attack watching the first episodes. During the second part of the series the main characters focus on getting some answers and understanding their life. 

That second part is what I didn't enjoy as much. Don't get me wrong. It was good, interesting and intriguing. But, at this point many characters and subplots were introduced really fast and the episodes felt packed and unnecessarily complicated.

Every actor of this TV series was fantastic. My biggest surprise was 7-years-old Skyler Wexler. Her enactment of Sarah's daughter, Kira, was perfect. Her performing caliber was equal to the adults' in the series. Nevertheless, the actress that shines the brightest is Tatiana Maslany, who plays the clones. She excelled at her various performances; managing to create a completely different character for each of her roles. Her performance of each  clone is unique. Maslany didn't conform with using various costumes to differentiate each clone. She used different language, attitudes, personalities, traits and mannerisms, and the result was extraordinary. I still have trouble wrapping my head around the brilliance of her performance, how one actress managed to make so many women that look alike behave so different.

*SPOILERS below*

I wasn't too happy with the ending. I loved the progress made and the new questions that were posed in it, but I didn't like Cosima and Sarah's reaction to the patent. I mean, this is a sketchy company that got away with something as huge as human cloning, they can get away with anything. The only way to break them is from the inside. No matter if Sarah and Cosima signed or if they didn't, Neolution (or however the actual organization is called) would still own them. However, if they had signed the contracts maybe they would've had more liberty to find some answers. Neolution gave them an opportunity and they didn't get it, now things will be done Neolution way. Which means things will be a lot harder and painful for Cosima and Sarah. Being on the run and trying to break an organization that is tracking your every move and that won't think twice before killing someone that is in the way is not an easy feat. They should have signed and tried to gain the organization's trust. 

Fortunately, this didn't put a damper on the series. I still love and recommend it. Hopefully, it will make something good out of this situation on season two.

Adventure Time - Season 1

Title: Adventure Time

Year: 2010

Broadcasting Station: Cartoon Network

Official Page

Official Synopsis: A boy named Finn and his best friend Jake, the dog, encounter multiple adventures in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo.

ELL SAID

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Ever since Adventure Time first aired, I've been hearing about how epic and awesome it is. I'm not very into cartoons (especially non-sequential ones) so I never bothered to watch it. One day, though, I began watching it, and I must say, I couldn't understand what the fuss was about. That very first episode was, by default, disgusting. I mean, candy people is alright, I guess, but them eating each other? Well, it just wasn't very fun. As usual, though, I wasn't going to abandon it so soon, so I watched the next episode. Then the next and, suddenly, I had watched the first whole season in one night. Finn and Jake are a dynamic duo who are really likeable, but, the moment I officially loved the series was when I first met Marceline. She was so cool, and definitely better than most, if not all, vampires these days. Overall, it definitely is worth a watch, even if it's just one run-through. So, if you want a quick laugh, mixed in with a hint of dark humor, this series is definitely for you.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth (Book 5)

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

Author: Jeff Kinney

Year: 2010

Official Synopsis: Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all it’s cracked up to be?

Greg suddenly finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older—all without his best friend, Rowley, at his side. Can Greg make it through on his own? Or will he have to face the “ugly truth”?

STEPH SAID

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I actually enjoyed this book a lot more than the previews ones. Although The Ugly Truth is not as funny as its predecessors, it is much more relatable.  In this installment I felt a connection with Greg; I felt sympathetic. He wasn't as annoying or selfish as before and the stories he told, though exaggerated, felt natural. Also, I actually agreed with his point of view in many instances. I think all of this change is due to Greg's new perspective and view on life.  He has changed, and it is definitely for the better. 

This is a Wimpy Kid version of a coming of age story. It's all about growing up, change and responsibility. Still, Kinney managed to give a funny twist to it. I loved that he also managed to make allusions to all the new information tweens receive at that age while, at the same time, not spoiling anything for younger readers. Greg had to endure “The Talk” from his grandma, had to survive health classes about hormones and parenting, and he read (or looked at) a book about body changes. Yet, there is enough vagueness in the subject to easily entertain young kids that haven't hit puberty yet. Still, teenagers can find it funny because they will understand what he's talking about.

The ending, unfortunately, was rushed and, on top of that, fell short. Otherwise, this has been the best Wimpy Kid story yet.

Batman Begins (2005)

Title: Batman Begins

Year: 2005

Director: Christopher Nolan

Rating by the MPAA: PG-13 for intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements

Official Synopsis: Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force of good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city.

IMDb Page and Official Page

STEPH SAID

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This movie has to be seen as an introduction of, and a new reboot to, Batman. The story started with Bruce as a young boy and followed him through all the important moments in his life that helped him become the Caped Crusader. That took about half the movie and, while it was important and intriguing, it was slow-paced and wasn't engaging. The second part of the movie was, however, thrilling and suspenseful. 

The casting of the movie was incredible. My jaw dropped when I saw Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman. I couldn't believe such big names were involved in a superhero movie.

I also liked that the actual plot of the movie tied perfectly with Bruce's decision to become something more than a man. The movie's realistic feel and somber tone.  And the nod, in the end, to the upcoming villain; it was unexpected and something to look forward to.

What I didn't like about the movie, besides the slow-paced beginning, was the forced romantic scene at the end. Nothing suggested that Bruce and Rachel's relationship was more than friendship. From what I gathered, Bruce saw Rachel as a good friend and Rachel saw Bruce in the same way. Yet, in the end she kissed him. Then, she said that she's not interested in this new Bruce. I didn't really get it.

Nevertheless, these few aspects I don't like didn't spoil my overall enjoyment of the movie. When seen as an introduction – as literally Batman's beginnings, not a stand-alone movie – it is easier to enjoy because you have something to hope for.

The Walking Dead - Season 2

Title: The Walking Dead

Year: 2010

Season: 2

Broadcasting Station: AMC

Official Page

Official Synopsis: After the CDC explosion, the survivors are still on the move when they encounter a herd of walkers that separates one of their own, leading them to a possible safe haven.

ELL SAID

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Wow. Just wow. Season 2 of The Walking Dead is about ten times better than the previous season. The story is amazing; the battles are incredible; the plot-twists are shocking; and the finale was just perfect. The first episode, by itself, kept my heart beating a thousand times per second, while the fifth or sixth episode made me realize that Daryl Dixon is, without a doubt, epic, to say the least. I've also fallen in love with Carol, who is just amazing. The actors definitely deserve their roles, since few people could possibly act the characters better, specially Shane. So, season 2 is basically a better, greater, perfect version of Season 1. A definite must see.

Doctor Who (2005) - Series 4

Title: Doctor Who (2005)

Season: Series 4

Broadcasting Station: BBC One

Synopsis: The tenth Doctor reunites with Donna Noble and, togehter, they embark on a series of adventures across time and space.

Official Site

ELL SAID

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Doctor Who has it's high and lows, it's great episodes and it's bad episodes. But this season is definitely one of the best. Katherine Tate was amazing as the season's companion, Donna Noble, and David Tennant was as impressive and endearing as ever. The Doctor's friendship with Donna Noble is my personal favorite. This season definitely has some of the best episodes of late, making me cry and laugh, many times at the same time. Halfway through the series Martha Jones returned, for two episodes that proved how she really was annoying. But, that's my own personal opinion. My own personal highlight of the series is Steven Moffat's two part story, Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead, where a character from the Doctor's future, but I won't give you any more spoilers. The finale of the series did cause me some trouble, or rather, it had too many characters that didn't actually do anything besides getting captured by the main villain (hint: Daleks.) The actual final moments involving Donna and The Doctor were heartbreaking and definitely tear-inducing, definitely a magnificent ending. If you've liked the series up until now, you'll love this season.

STEPH SAID

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When I saw that Donna was going to be the next companion I was less than happy. She had been very annoying on the Christmas Special she first appeared in. So, I thought she was going to make the whole series annoying. By the second episode, “The Fires of Pompeii”, she stole my heart. Catherine Tate, who plays Donna, was extraordinary in that episode, and every bad thought and feeling I had about her disappeared. From then on, I saw her as magnificent. I began to love how she is tough, decided and doesn't let anyone go over her. She asks the right questions and doesn't hold anything back. She brought a naturalness to the series and made it more emotionally engaging. By the end of the series I didn't want to see her go. Her demise was so powerful, heartbreaking and well-acted that it brought tears to my eyes. 

Overall the series wasn't great. The episodes were not that good. They weren't interesting or intriguing. Most of them were just OK. But the ending was not even “just OK”. It felt forced, like Russel T. Davies wanted an excuse to have all “The children of Time” together in an episode. But it wasn't a good excuse. Besides, there were so many sidekicks in one episode that most of them ended up doing nothing. The one that actually did something, and saved everyone, was Donna. Another reason to love her.

The only episodes that were really good were “The Fires of Pompeii”, "Midnight" and, once again, Steven Moffat's. His two-part story about The Library was amazing, intriguing, scary and set the tone for the upcoming series, where Moffat is going to be the new show-runner. Furthermore, in this story Moffat introduced an enigmatic new character that is loved by many and, sadly, hated by others: River Song. I'm in the group that loves her. She is wonderful, smart, passionate and a natural flirt. Yet, her whole story is a mystery; we know nothing about her, except she knows The Doctor very well. Which is were the whole mystery comes from. 

Arrow (The CW) - Season 1

Title: Arrow

Year: 2012

Season: 1

Broadcasting Station: The CW

Official Synopsis: After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his devoted mother Moira, much-beloved sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. [...] As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow - a vigilante – to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory. [...]

For more information you may visit its Official Page or its TV.com Page.



STEPH SAID

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I didn’t know what to expect from this series. I’m a fan of Smallville and its Green Arrow, but I had heard that Arrow was not going to follow into Smallville’s footsteps. I’m not entirely sure that it doesn’t.

Arrow was an amazing introductory season, most of the time. This season is full of intrigue, drama, intensity and thrills. It focused on giving a more mature, dark and realistic feel to the superhero and his troubles. Most episodes of this season follow the same pattern: Oliver tries to stop a bad guy while the background story is developed in accordance to what’s happening in the present. The background story –what happened to, and while, Oliver was stranded on an island for five years and what got him there and out– is as interesting as what’s happening in Oliver’s present, sometimes even more. 

The characters were another plus for this series, most of them. They were interesting, intriguing and with something to hide. The actors portraying them were even better. Susanna Thompson, Paul Blackthorne, Emily Bett Rickards and David Ramsey are amongst the bests, but it was John Barrowman, as Mr. Merlyn, who impressed me the most. Also, Seth Gable's small appearances were scene stealers. 

However, not everything was good in Arrow land; and, what was its stronghold proved to be its downfall at one time. About halfway through the season, the episodes began to get really boring, monotonous and dull. Nothing interesting happened. I mean, they were OK, but, when you watch a TV series that has thrills to the max, where every episode is more intriguing that the previous one and where every episode ends in a mind-boggling cliff-hanger, having a relaxed episode where not much happens is not a good thing. Nevertheless, the dullness lasted for only a couple of episodes. Afterwards, Arrow came back hard, better than it was before.

This TV series is so thrilling that you can't just watch one episode per week. Fortunately, the first season already ended and you can watch the episodes back to back. Unfortunately, you won't be able to do that with the seasons to come. So, get ready for days full of tension and torture while you wait for the next episode to air.