Tag Archives: Adaptation

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014)

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It must either be really wise decision making, or a really weird coincidence that Eva Green stars in two Frank Miller based projects in 2014, both of which are pretty much just god awful cash grabs of their former films, and she ends up being about the best aspect of both films. Green really stole “Rise of an Empire” from everyone, and here she seems to embrace the absurdity in the incredibly rancid “A Dame to Kill For.” I’m not going to say I’m disappointed that “A Dame to Kill For” is awful, mainly because I didn’t ask for a sequel and I didn’t want one. I likened “Sin City” to Robert Rodriguez’s own wonky version of “Pulp Fiction.”

Do we need a sequel to “Pulp Fiction”? Hell no.

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The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 7: Crossed

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If anything, Rick and Carol have shown that grief in the zombie apocalypse is for suckers. Two characters in this episode are suffering grief and commit really stupid mistakes that end up becoming liabilities to everyone around them. While Sasha’s big mistake in the final scene was the definition of gullibility, you have to laugh at Father Gabriel escaping the church only to be stuck by a nail on his foot.

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The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 6: Consumed

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As is typical with “The Walking Dead,” much of the fans’ petty bitching and nitpicking about past episodes are addressed in what is one of the more haunting episodes of the season yet. “Consumed” is much more low-key and disquieting than the last five episodes and I appreciate how the focus is now pitted on Daryl and Carol, while also expanding on Carol Peletier’s back story. It’s a great thing too that Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride have excellent chemistry, as this episode could have immediately jumped in to filler territory. McBride has been fantastic on the series since day one, and Reedus can work off of anyone, so their dynamic is priceless.

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The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014)

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You could pretty much rebrand the 2014 “The Town That Dreaded Sundown” as “Scream 5” and not many people would know the difference. Except that no film in the “Scream” series has ever been this bold or subversive before. “The Town…” 2014 is a film about the influence of films that disturbs, polarizes, and effects greatly. There’s rarely any satire and zero tongue in cheek, just a mad man viciously murdering people to the tune of a very effective crime thriller/slasher film from 1976. I’d be hard pressed to call this a remake or a reboot, as it’s more a sequel than anything.

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Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

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Seeing as I never liked the original animated shorts the movie is based on, I was very skeptical toward “Mr. Peabody and Sherman.” There hasn’t been much interesting entertainment mined from the Rocky and Bullwinkle short series. Surprising enough, “Mr. Peabody and Sherman” doesn’t just adapt the shorts, but expands on them, injecting heart, characterization, and isn’t reliant on pop culture nods and winks to keep the audience entertained. It’s that refreshing element that makes this adaptation such a stellar piece of animation.

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The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 4: Slabtown

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I’m not sure I entirely enjoyed “Slabtown” if only for the fact that while Beth has always been an interesting character, she’s not really going to go anywhere. I don’t really see this arc with Beth ending on a light note. In fact I foresee this being the final episodes with Beth in this zombie apocalypse. While it will suck not seeing the utterly gorgeous and talented Emily Kinney anymore, I think it might just be the sacrifice that’s worth it. While I don’t particularly agree with the methods that are practiced in this dictatorial and exploitative safe haven, the leader of the pack Dawn makes some interesting points about Beth’s survival. Ever since we met Beth, everyone’s priority has been about saving her and placing her in a higher priority. Beth has always been rescued, but she’s barely done anything to really pay people back.

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The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 5: Self Help

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“Self Help” belongs to Abraham Ford, and it’s a good thing too. Michael Cudlitz is a ridiculously underrated character actor, and his performance as Ford has been stellar. We didn’t just need someone who looked the role, but portrayed the immense charge of the militant character, and Cudlitz brings his A game for this episode in particular. Another great episode in a (so far) fantastic season, we meet Abraham’s group, now on the road only hours after the confrontation at the church. Everyone is still rattled from the vicious slaughter. Eugene in particular is grief stricken about Gabriel and how his cowardice really wasn’t that much of a sin, all things considered.

For fans of the comics, this episode was a long time coming.

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