"Liz, we forgot the pistols."

Watched this last night. I'd forgotten about it premiering this month. I liked it. It is visually stunning. I was really impressed.

I liked Jeff Daniel Phillips as Herman from the get-go. I have no complaints with his portrayal. At times he even made me forget it wasn't Fred Gwynne. Well, maybe that's going too far but I can say that he made the role his own. I absolutely loved his pre-family history as written and presented.
 
It took a short minute to warm up to Daniel Roebuck as Grandpa. And a New York minute to accept Sheri Moon Zombie as Lily. Roebuck quickly won me over. Sheri was absolutely beautiful as Lily. My only disappointment was that she played Lily as slightly quirky in that she overused quick-jerk movements throughout. I'm guessing she was paying homage to Elsa Lanchester's bride. It was somewhat distracting. This Zombie version of Lily has special powers and it was slightly off-putting but that's on me. I don't think it was a bad thing. As an old-time fan I just wasn't ready for it.

Jorge Garcia was visually superb as Floop. His lines fell a little flat because they weren't funny (anymore). They were routine. We've heard them and that style of delivery a million times. A new generation of fans may find it as funny as we did when we were kids watching the original.

Richard Break was absolutely fantastic as Dr. Henry Augustus Wolfgang AND Orlock. I'd dare to say that he stole the picture. He's the only character that made me marvel and laugh. He played both parts to perfection.

Sylvester McCoy as Igor - Job well done, no complaints. Even Igor as a bat was excellent.

Brother Lester as played by Tomas Boykin (I think it's awesome that he is a somewhat substantial character) was pretty funny but in these times of hyper-sensitivity, I found some choices that were made regarding the character a little insensitive. So that was a distraction for me.

As I stated in a previous post, I think the prequel approach was a brilliant idea and a great way to shake off all the preconceived negativity that comes with remakes. I'm sorry to say that I didn't find the film funny. I'm blaming my age. Zombie's homage approach fell somewhat flat for me though I can understand and respect that he took that approach.

The film was more fun than funny and I can appreciate that also. There are many references (is this what is called Easter eggs these days?) to the original and picking them up (hmmm, like Easter eggs!) made me smile. Though at a certain point it seemed like Zombie had a list of quotes from the original (perhaps his favorites?) which seemed to be thrown in there for the sake of getting them in there at any cost. They fit in just fine but just seemed forced I guess. Again, it's probably just me.

One of the biggest stars of the original series, the house on 1313 Mockingbird Lane was fit into the story nicely but didn't get much screen time. And we weren't treated to as much of the interior as an old-time fan such as I would have liked or expected. He had the house built from the ground up, so I expected a lot more house.

I know I used a lot of 'buts', BUT, I did like it and I was impressed enough to want a sequel. I know it's impossible but it even left me wanting this cast to do a new television series. I haven't read any reviews of it so I don't know how the rest of the world is reacting to it or if it's getting good numbers. I'm curious but I don't really care.

Has anyone seen it yet?

watching The Secret Storm together

watching gladiator movies together

sharing cookie recipes together

fantasizing about Gina Lollobrigida

Roger takes a knee to the groin.

pocket squares!!"

Good opening voiceover and episode in general. Burke's assertiveness can get on my nerves. I like the character as a whole but he isn't always likeable. As a matter of fact, Burke can go from likeable to unlikeable in the same sentence.

Burke and Maggie - Burke's philosophical musing and mourning fall flat in my opinion. I'd have preferred them to be a bit more gentle than direct but that's not who Burke is. Still, I think Ryan could have done better.

Burke and the sheriff - Good scenes. Patterson holds his own against Burke's impatience and incisiveness. I think the coroner would be able to distinguish whether the blow to Malloy's head would be pre or post mortem. Maybe the amount of time in the water would negate that distinction. I do think that Matthew should have been arrested though so maybe the writers are taking liberties (or being lazy).

Vicki and Maggie - More good stuff. I like both actresses and both characters. Vicki and Maggie decide to cement their new friendship with sincerity and honesty. And Vicki gains an ally in her search for the truth. I think it is a bit naive for Maggie to think that her father will want company for dinner or dinner at all that particular night. And I get the feeling that there is gonna be a fourth for dinner and a good time will not be had by all.

I always enjoy Burke and Vicki together. I like Burke's sincerity towards her. I think Vicki is acting a bit naive in relation to Burke's undertones regarding Malloy being murdered by Roger but perhaps it is in character.

Typical flubs and camera shadows.

Has any woman ever woken up after sleeping in and looked more beautiful than Carolyn Stoddard? I kept thinking of Faye Dunaway in Bonnie And Clyde.

Good opening voiceover.

Decent enough episode but it didn't suck me in. Perhaps I prefer the Collins women strong and determined as opposed to weak and broken. I didn't get much out of Liz & Carolyn's conversation nor Carolyn & Vicki's.

It seemed like Bob Rooney was listening in on Sam and Roger. I was picturing him blabbing to the cops. They certainly weren't whispering though Roger kept checking on his whereabouts. Good scene and necessary conversation - getting their stories straight. Though if I were Roger I would have no faith in Sam being able not to f**k it up. At this precise moment in time neither of them is acting guilty of murder.

Carolyn and Vicki - Same dynamics as usual. Carolyn pretends to be okay, Vicki doesn't catch on, Carolyn lashes out, Vicki coddles her, Carolyn comes clean. If nothing else, the conversation inspires Vicki to double down on her effort to search for her origins. She attempts to goad Liz into a reaction by mentioning she is going to visit Sam Evans but fails when Liz doesn't take the bait. Vicki really should have known better then to be that tacky at that time.

The final scene payed out nicely. I bought the family comforting each other.

Roger is one slick mofo.
Vicki - "Oh, which legend? You've got so many." (lol)
Ford's introductory lines seemed more worthy of a Mark Allen delivery.

Interesting episode. Not that impressed with the opening voiceover.

I recall thinking Roger killed Burke so I imagine that's what the writers wanted us to believe. Roger does seem eager to advance all of the sheriff's non-murderous theories. And squirms as Liz unsurprisingly blabs everything Roger doesn't want the sheriff to know.

More of the same Sam/Maggie bullshit. Sam is more annoying than Maggie in my opinion. I love KLS as Maggie.

The best part of the episode is the conversation between Roger and Liz, in and out of context. A lot of delicious lines. I wish Bennett hadn't flubbed the line, "At the moment, we're the only ones here, unless of course you intend to include the ghost of your past." To which Roger replies, "Very well, I and my ghost want a drink. My nerves are shot!" Liz grills him and as usual Roger lies and evades while insisting he isn't lying or evading, lol. In any other soap Liz and Roger would be unhappily married.

Sam refers to Bill Malloy in the past tense. Perhaps we are to suspect Sam as well as Roger in Bill's death. I think I remember thinking that too. Sam concedes to Maggie that Bill Malloy is the only man who can possibly help him. Within five minutes of saying so, he finds out that Bill Malloy is dead.

Liz calls her lifetime home by the wrong name. She refers to it as Collinswood. Sight and sound betray the cameraman as he bumps into something.