Xena: Warrior Princess Season 4

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1990's, Alexandra Tydings, Claire Stansfield, Hudson Leick, Kevin Smith, Lucy Lawless, Renée O'Connor, Ted Raimi, Xena Warrior Princess, Xena Warrior Princess Season 4

Picking up from Season 3( which was a personal favourite of mine), Season 4 of Xena is an excellent follow up that’s pretty eventful and continues to be an action-packed spectacle. Though not as consistent as the past season, you can’t fault Season 4 for what it delivers. Be aware, spoilers will follow in this overview of Season 4.

We pick up where with Gabrielle( Renée O’Connor) sacrificing herself and her diabolical daughter Hope. Presumed dead, Xena(Lucy Lawless) goes in search for her, hunting high and low along with across earthly and spiritual plains. Discovering that Gabrielle is in fact alive, Xena is also shown a potentially dark future for both woman that results in their crucifixion at the hands of the Roman. After finally destroying Hope’s child The Destroyer , things look like they might just get back to some form of normality for both women. Though as the audience, we just know things are never going to be calm for long. In the meantime, all assortment of evil visits Xena’s door and she and Gabrielle will face off against it. Integral is a level of spiritual examination as the two venture to India and begin to reflect as well as open up. At the back of their minds is that vision of the future and figuring out just when it is going to happen along with how they could possibly prevent it. Let’s just say, things get pretty eventful from here on out.

Xena: Season 4 carries on with some of the darkness of Season 3( which was the darkest thus far and all the better for it), but sprinkles in a tad more humour to this series as some of the heavy burdens of last season have been lifted on the characters but others may lay ahead. That’s a big plus of this show; it’s willingness to be both fun and goofy and then crank things up occasionally to make it emotional and shocking. It’s a tool that’s served Xena well. And here, the darkness and serious nature of the things is very much high on the agenda, with levity in outrageous episodes provided to keep fans enjoying it. Sometimes the dichotomy doesn’t work and consistency can be lacking, but the vast majority of this show is exceptionally entertaining that a few flaws along the way. A sense of mystery and suspense does find its way in there, especially with regards to the death prophecy that we are left to ponder. Season 4 isn’t quite at the same high level of Season 3 as the overall main arc in the last season was more focused, but it’s pretty close to it in terms of creativity and fun, especially in the home stretch.

Standout episodes begin with the two parts of ‘Adventures in the Sin Trade’. A distraught Xena searches for Gabrielle, fearing she has died and either gone to the Elysian Fields or Tartarus. Remembering that Gabrielle belonged to the Amazon’s, she enlists her many skills to journey to their Land of the Dead. Along the way, we are gifted with flashbacks to the people Xena encounters and her past misdeeds being brought out in the open. In the past, Xena and Borias were ruthless criminals and came across Alti, a powerful shameness with a cunning evil in her heart. It was her who showed Xena the ability to go into another plain, but she also plotted and poisoned her with malice. A frenetic camera lends itself to contributing a mystical quality to the show as Xena is faced with the past once more and events blend strikingly with dizzying angles, unusual symbolism and hypnotic ambience. Overall, both parts are visually out of this world and it’s wonderful to see more of the world in the show, especially when it comes to the different factions of Amazon’s. We get more backstory, which is always a plus as we get to glimpse the old Xena who was ruthless and also seeing her dressed in unusual Amazon attire. Plus the evil Alti( Who makes for a powerful adversary) provides a glimpse of the future to Xena, that lays the groundwork for darkness ahead. Overall, the two parts show just how dedicated Xena is to both her best friend and to purging herself from the evil of her past. Following is “A Family Affair’ where Xena discovers that Gabrielle is still alive and living in her childhood village. But all isn’t as it seems for Xena and a returning Joxer unearth that Gabrielle survived and is back in her homeland. But although overjoyed to see Gabrielle, something sinister is afoot. For the version of Gabrielle Xena sees is in fact the evil offspring Hope who is eerily identical in appearance to her good mother. Her son, The Destroyer is picking off unsuspecting people at the behest of its mother. Importantly, the real Gabrielle returns for good which is fantastic, though we aren’t sure it is her at first because of Hope impersonating her. I liked this aspect as we are kept on edge watching for little tip offs as to who is the real Gabrielle. Suspense is bolstered as are many scenes with The Destroyer lurking are used and crank up one eerie aura. And with it seems to wrap up the whole story of Gabrielle and her bond to Dahak and Hope. I think it was the right time to wrap that part of the story up and concentrate on future things. We have the pretty intense hour called ‘Locked Up and Tied Down’. The running theme of Xena’s past still haunting her is the main thread throughout the show and is a fine example of it. Xena finds herself imprisoned in a remote jail where cruelty rules as punishment for ‘murdering’ a virtuous woman. The episode has some horror movie style elements like the torture inflicted on Xena in a pit infested with rats in retaliation for similar treatment of another. It asks some very pertinent questions about whether vengeance is a hollow pursuit or justifiable. Once more Xena is forced to relive the pain she inflicted on others and Gabrielle has to contend with her friend’s dark side. It’s a recurring theme but one that is the very essence of the show and when explored this well, brings depth to the overall narrative again.

The season really hits its zenith with the spiritual episodes that coincide with Xena and Gabrielle visiting India. “Devi” starts it off as the two aid a seemingly powerless fake magician named Eli, who is actually more in power than he thinks. As a result of an exorcism, he inadvertently transfers an evil spirit from his partner into someone else. That someone happens to be Gabrielle. As Gabrielle ends up possessed by a malevolent spirit,  it’s quite a thrill seeing a vicious and Gabrielle than we’ve ever seen before. Granted she is possessed, but it’s fun nonetheless and the episode really runs with it as the bewitched Gabrielle flaunts herself, hoodwinks everyone and brawls with an angry Xena. It also boasts important questions on just how trusting people can be when it comes to believing in miracles and the often dubious nature that hides behind the front. Between the Lines’ contains time travel and the involving concept of Karma and reincarnation. After being sent to the future via a powerful young woman and placed in the bodies of their reincarnated selves, Xena and Gabrielle face off against the wicked Alti, who’s been reincarnated once more and is attempting to spread her evil throughout the world. It’s good to see Alti back as she’s a formidable opponent for Xena and Claire Stansfield plays her to the hilt. This episode is the filling in an excellent sandwich of episodes, which includes Gabrielle getting a new short haircut that makes her look more grown up and signifies her stepping up. The main point of interest comes in ‘The Way’ . Some took issue at the time with how the show used the Hindu religion and felt it was disrespectful, but I don’t think it was intentional. It takes things from the religion and adds fiction, but I’m no expert so can’t judge whether it’s blasphemous or not. Regardless of the controversy, is a compelling episode where Xena opens her mind in order to save Gabrielle and a returning Eli is aided by the God Krishna. Fighting against an evil demon named Indrajit, she transforms into Kali; multi-armed goddess of death and it’s a sight to behold. ‘The Way’ also probes the idea of non violence as promoted by Eli and how Gabrielle struggles to discover her right path. Ultimately, her and Xena’s ideals are different but their friendship is the ultimate bridge that joins them. For me it’s one of the most compelling episodes due to both the action and themes, plus the big developments of our central characters. Episodes like these three really hit philosophical heights while also being darn entertaining in the process with a neat helping of character developments and prompting questions.

Great comedy comes in the shape of “Takes One to Know One’ which resembles an Agatha Christie mystery just set in Ancient Greece and its rollicking entertainment. Capping off the end of the season(penultimately but it still feels like a finale) is the epic ‘The Ides of March’. Everything has been building to this as Caesar comes into view and an old enemy in the form of Callisto(Hudson Leick) taunts Xena after striking a bargain to get out of hell. The whole episode of power play is very cinematic in execution and as everything slots in, it really takes hold. Xena and Gabrielle are both crucified before Xena can kill Caesar , but he is savagely murdered by senate members tired of his actions. Although we’ve seen flashes of this fate, the crucifixion still has a huge impact emotionally. With Caesar also biting the dust  it balances out quite well, especially as the spirits of Xena and Gabrielle rise from their bodies giving us hope of a way they can come back. A very powerful episode indeed and make no mistake.

On the visual front, Xena excels with its gorgeous locations, individual uniqueness and music. New Zealand still provides yet more gorgeous terrain for our heroine and sidekick to traverse and is given added exoticism when the story moves to India, which is really still New Zealand but wonderfully crafted to be convincing as another country. Music has always been a key ingredient to Xena and it’s doesn’t slack here as adventure is the watchword for the day. Blending exoticism and emotion with an action packed pulse, it’s gorgeously intoxicating for all. I’m a sucker for interesting visuals, symbolism and music so I naturally will praise it as it really deserves it to.

Lucy Lawless is superb as the fighting Xena whose is a figure you wouldn’t want to tangle with. Lawless projects strength, lethal charisma and underlying emotional core as she goes on in her atoning journey. Lawless is simply the only actress who can do the character of Xena justice with her combo of tough steel and inner turmoil, harnessed into a sexy package that’s as fun as it is convincing. Renée O’Connor  again impressive as Gabrielle. Too often the character is written off as being a do-gooder and too much of a damsel and while some areas of her are, most of the time she is shown to grow in terms of personality( which some overlook). A lot of that is down to O’Connor , who plays Gabrielle as being fierce when she needs to be and compassionate in various ways . Gabrielle can be infuriating with her at intervals but it makes her human as she is the representation of trying to do the right thing. She’s definitely changed since the first time we saw her, her naivety has softened, her confident sex appeal increased and her backbone has formed gradually. Ted Raimi expands on Joxer, still retaining the core of the comedy but also getting the opportunity to flesh him out more and unearth more to him. Hudson Leick and Alexandra Tydings make the most of their guest appearances as respectively, the wicked Callisto and the immature, Valley Girl goddess Aphrodite.  The only niggle I had with the cast is that Kevin Smith barely featured this time around as Ares.

Episode rankings:

1. Adventures in the Sin Trade – A
2. Adventures in the Sin Trade – A
3. A Family Affair -A+
4. In Sickness and in Hell – C-
5. A Good Day – B+
6. A Tale of Two Muses – B
7. Locked Up and Tied Down – A
8. Crusader – C
9. Past Imperfect – B+
10. The Key to the Kingdom – D-
11. Daughter of Pomira – D
12. If the Shoe Fits – B
13. Paradise Found – B+
14. Devi – A
15. Between the Lines – A
16. The Way – A+
17. The Play’s the Thing – B-
18. The Convert – B+
19. Takes One to Know One – A
20. Endgame – B
21. The Ides of March – A+
22. Deja Vu All Over Again – C

Occasionally not as focused as before, the darkness, humour and characters that Xena is well known help to make it another fine season of fantasy.

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Fire in the Sky

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1990's, Based on a true story, Bradley Gregg, Craig Sheffer, D. B. Sweeney, Drama, Fire in the Sky, Henry Thomas, James Garner, Mystery, Peter Berg, Robert Lieberman, Robert Patrick, Science Fiction

Inspired by the alleged alien abduction of Travis Walton, Fire in the Sky paints a mysterious yet very deep story of the impact of truth and whether people believe what is deemed extraordinary. Whether you believe the story or not, this film is bound to have an effect on you.

It is 1975 in Snowflake, Arizona and happy go lucky logger Travis Walton( D.B. Sweeney) has just started working on a job in the White Mountains. He is on the team headed by his more serious friend and future brother in law Mike Rogers, who is the kind of man who tries to keep everything running smoothly in life. Then there is the rest of the group; hot-headed troublemaker Allan Dallis( Craig Sheffer) , trustworthy and religious David Whitlock( Peter Berg) and jokers, Greg Hayes(Henry Thomas) and Bobby Cogdill( Bradley Gregg) . On the night of November 5th, they are travelling in their truck back home when they see a brilliant red light in the distance. Curious, they go to look at it and here is where events get sinister. They come across what looks like an alien spaceship, though they can’t be sure. Travis gets out to examine it and is struck by a light. Fearing him dead as he doesn’t move, the team in terror leaves. Later on, Mike returns to look for Travis but there is no sign of him. Returning to their town, they relay what they saw to the local police officer. The arrival of seasoned detective Lt. Frank Watters( James Garner) coincides with the investigation as he digs into the story. At first he doesn’t believe their tale and believes there has been foul play involved. The townsfolk get wind of events and most people are highly skeptical of what transpired. Yet when after five days, Travis turns up, disorientated and traumatised, it leaves things wide open for interpretation. Especially when he ‘remembers’ what happened to him, much to the shock of others.

Robert Lieberman is at the helm of this film and he effortlessly infuses it with a sense of time and place. He contributes a very human touch to what many will say is fiction by not going overboard with the alien aspects, keeping a certain sense of realism to things that many may sniff at. Fire in the Sky lets you make your mind up on whether the extraterrestrial encounter took place or not. It edges towards believing Walton’s claims, yet leaves a welcome ambiguity and mystery to it. What’s most impressive about Fire in the Sky is how it doesn’t go for an over sensationalised angle and instead concentrates on the pain of losing a friend and how it sends shockwaves through an uneventful small town. The film is pretty character driven, particularly by and is all the more human for it. Naturally, it has filmic elements to add to the story( which I’ll speak about later that are effectively used), and that’s what makes Fire in the Sky a strange beast. It’s a film about s science fiction subject that’s played entirely straight. Now it’s not flawless by any means( I find some parts of it don’t add up and the denouement could have been stronger), but for my money, Fire in the Sky is a very underrated movie that’s worth your time.

And when it gets to the scenes of what what happened to Travis, horrifying is taken up several notches as we witness the torture and dehumanisation of this man. Shot like a chilling horror movie, it’s a scene that genuinely makes you uncomfortable and disturbed. Many will claim that these sequences embrace science fiction too much, but I think it’s just following the story as Walton told it with an obvious bit of elaboration for the movie to chill you. And that’s not a criticism, I mean don’t all movies based on real life take some different avenues in the name of entertainment? If anything, it’s one of the best scenes in the film in terms of what it presents and just how scary it makes it. Up until that point, there has been definitely strange but these sequences that come later on in Fire in the Sky really go for the jugular. The music by Mark Isham, strikes the right chords of emotion, fear and when needed terror, to create something that plays along to the movie’s strength.

The cast assembled here is a very good one that add a lot to the film. D. B. Sweeney, with his likeable face and jovial manner is ideal for the part of the dreamer whose suddenly taken. It’s impressive because his appearance in the film is mainly in the first quarter and then the last parts, the rest of the time focuses on the other characters related to him. Sweeney manages to make Walton a full character in the time he’s on screen with just the right amount of sympathy and belief, especially after his traumatic experience which is where Sweeney really shines. Robert Patrick is given the most material and boy does he act his socks off. Embodying determination, a head full of guilt and being the boss in life, Patrick explores excellently by giving him layers and making him very relatable. It’s stellar acting from Patrick as the heart of the story. Craig Sheffer, Peter Berg, Henry Thomas and Bradley Gregg flesh out the other members of the team, with particularly good skill from Sheffer as the belligerent member and Berg as the one who tries to smooth everything into a positive. James Garner is a huge plus to the cast and he’s obviously relishing the role of old school lieutenant. Still bearing that twinkle in his eye and wit that balances with notes of grim seriousness, Garner is superb.

Involving, emotional and by turns very creepy, Fire in the Sky is an intriguing film that I think deserves a bigger audience, especially for its acting and aforementioned revelations. I think many will enjoy the mystery and very human drama within Fire in the Sky.

Jurassic Park

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1990's, Adventure, Ariana Richards, Bob Peck, Jeff Goldblum, Joseph Mazzello, Jurassic Park, Laura Dern, Richard Attenborough, Sam Neill, Samuel L. Jackson, Steven Spielberg, Wayne Knight

The delightful duo of Gill and Emma invited me to take part in a tribute to the excellent Jeff Goldblum. I’ve always been a fan of his and enjoy whenever he graces the screen. I decided to review the adventure blockbuster that is Jurassic Park.

A full on thrill ride with eye popping effects and Steven Spielberg at some of his best, Jurassic Park is an ageless spectacle with the power to shock, scare and entrance from start to finish.

Dr Alan Grant( Sam Neill), who specialises in Paleontology and Dr Ellie Sattler(Laura Dern), whose field is Paleobotany are romantically linked and currently working on another dig of dinosaur fossils .One day to their Montana dog comes eccentric billionaire John Hammond( Richard Attenborough) who has a proposition for them. He has created a theme park off the coast of Costa Rica which is inhabited by cloned dinosaurs, which his team of scientists managed to create after extensive DNA testing and sampling. Hammond is worried because there have been doubts about the safety of the park and he wants Alan and Ellie to view it and give their opinions. Naturally, they accept the offer and are joined by mathematician and chaos theory nut Ian Malcolm( Jeff Goldblum). Also visiting are Hammond’s grandchildren, Lex( Ariana Richards) and Tim( Joseph Mazzello), who are more than curious about the park. Upon arrival, Alan, Ellie, Ian and the kids are bowled over by the cloned dinosaurs that have been brought to life and in the flesh. And though some of the group have their doubts about how ethical it all is, Hammond’s enthusiasm remains undimmed. Yet all of this will change as danger lurks right around the corner. A disgruntled worker by the name of Dennis(Wayne Knight) has accepted a shady offer to smuggle out dinosaur embryos to a competitor. To do this, he sneakily shuts down the security of the park in order to disguise his theft and leave undetected . The shutdown causes all power to go out but more dangerously, the electric fences that guard the dinosaurs open, setting the scene for chaos as the many carnivorous creatures go on the hunt with humans as their prized dinner. Alan ends up sheltering the terrified kids, while Ellie, Ian, Hammond, plus game warden Robert Muldoon( Bob Peck) and chief engineer Ray Arnold( Samuel L. Jackson) , attempt to restart the power and avert more horror. It’s up to the survivors to make it through the park and to safety before they end up on the menu.

Jurassic Park finds Steven Spielberg at some of his most fun and skilled. He displays sense of wonder at seeing these prehistoric beasts and then cranks the tension up when all hell breaks loose. He knows how to entertain and keep you on the edge of your seat throughout this adventure with sequences of immense excitement and haunting terror existing right after the other. Simply put, it’s one of his best movies which is saying something considering the excellence in his filmography over the years. Memorable scenes abound like the first glimpse of the towering , the terrifying encounter with a Tyrannosaurus Rex and the nasty Velociraptors menacing Ellie in the maintenance shed as she switches the circuit breakers on and the children in the kitchen narrowly escaping being attacked. Many of these moments hold that balance between scary and exhilarating. I like the look at how playing God never ends up well, but it sure can be extremely entertaining to watch. There’s the greedy Dennis getting his comeuppance when attacked by an initially friendly dinosaur reveals itself to be bloodthirsty, Hammond’s growing realisation of what he has created and the chaos that ensues once the prehistoric creatures are let loose. One can’t speak about this movie without mentioning the influential special effects in it. They make the dinosaurs feel so real as if you could reach out and touch them. I mean, we all remember the first time we, like an awe-struck Ellie, witnessed the Brachiosaurus in all its glory, right? Or the first attack of the enormous Tyrannosaurus Rex on the visitors at nighttime? The blend of the then new CGI and animatronics is seamless in execution and so thoroughly convincing at bringing these ancient creatures to jaw-dropping. John Williams is on hand with one of his most suspenseful and alive scores; charting the wonder of the park then plunging us into the terror of fighting for survival against hungry dinosaurs.

Sam Neill has the laconic attitude right for his role, while shading it with a winning curiosity and eventual mellowing of his character’s occasional dour and solemn nature. In fact, he’s  one of the main heroes of the piece as he’s entrusted with two young children to protect against creatures he knows a lot about. Laura Dern backs him up with intelligence and when it’s called for action; her run to the shed and ordeal inside leave you on the edge of your seat as you watch an ordinary woman fighting against a terrifying situation. And of course the man of the hour and resident scene stealer is here by the name of Jeff Goldblum. Portraying the know it all mathematician who drops sarcastic yet ethical  questions, Goldblum is a hoot. And considering for a big chunk of the film he’s incapacitated, he’s still dispensing entertaining one liners among the terror and excitement. It’s the definition of a star supporting turn. In a fine showcase, Richard Attenborough subtly shows the dreams of an eccentric man of money and his realisation that it isn’t the most ideal or safe thing to do. Although his actions are questionable, he just boasts a certain geniality that is hard to fault. Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello are thankfully talented child actors who you feel for on this journey. Fine work also comes from Samuel L. Jackson, Bob Peck and Wayne Knight in this adventure, particularly from Jackson as the gruff chief engineer who is never seen without a cigarette.

A simply phenomenal adventure with stellar effects, fine cast, wonderful music and the masterful Spielberg at the helm, Jurassic Park is a film you can never grow tired of.

Xena: Warrior Princess Season 3

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1990's, Alexandra Tydings, Bruce Campbell, Hudson Leick, Kevin Smith, Lucy Lawless, Renée O'Connor, Ted Raimi, Xena Warrior Princess, Xena Warrior Princess Season 3

We are now up to the third season of Xena, which follows both a succesful Season 1 and a fine sophomore entry. Season 3 is where Xena: Warrior Princess goes in a more daring and adult direction, and I for one am thrilled. Real emotion and gruelling darkness follow, making it more mature than some may think the show is capable of. It’s standing as my favourite season so far for its impact and way it progresses the show. Be warned, spoilers may follow in my overview.

The legendary Xena( Lucy Lawless) is once more travelling around Ancient Greece and beyond with her trusted best friend Gabrielle(Renée O’Connor). Fighting for the side of good against the evils that stand in the way, the duo are a force to be reckoned with. Only this time, things will turn very personal and threaten to tear apart the bonds of friendship between them. It begins when they arrive in Britannia where Xena wants to have it out with her old nemesis Caesar. Gabrielle is entranced by someone claiming to be a holy man, but it turns out to be something darker. After a fiery encounter with the followers of the dark lord Dahak and the fact that she loses her blood innocence, Gabrielle is impregnated with the child of darkness. Soon after giving birth, all hell breaks loose and the strong bond that Xena and Gabrielle possess reaches breaking point. You genuinely worry about the outcome of all this darkness for the two of them. Though events bring them back together and approaching some reconciliation, just how much longer can their friendship really stand on solid ground after all they’ve been through? With characters returning and more emotional and disturbing stories, Season 3 is a journey into thrills and drama.

As I stated earlier, Season 3 is my favourite season of Xena: Warrior Princess so far. I think everything comes together very neatly and it’s why there is such a high percentage of episodes rated A or A+ below. You can tell that the creators where going for something different but still with that zing that made the show so popular. They weren’t afraid to do different things with the show and incorporate genuine feeling into the mix either. On the visual side, the scenery and camerawork continue to impress with their scope. And once more, the music has a certain epic charm ripe for this kind of adventure. It’s a mightily impressive season of a show that just keeps growing.

Anyway, onto my appraisals of standout episodes. ‘The Furies’ mixes humour and darkness well. A conniving Ares( Kevin Smith of the smooth voice and deadly charm offensive) has The Furies put a curse on Xena for not avenging the murder of her father, which opens up a massive can of worms. In the beginning, the madness Xena suffers is mainly unusual but with a funny twist( like Xena repeatedly referring to Gabrielle as Mavis). But as it continues, harshness and shock set in as she spins further towards losing control, while strangely being not altogether incoherent. It’s an interesting opener that’s for sure and displays two of the show’s finest assets; it’s off the wall goofiness and underlying seriousness. ‘Been There, Done That’ is another exemplary chapter which features the day repeating itself and Xena attempting to figure out how to break the cycle. Once more, humour and eventfulness go hand in hand as two feuding families seem to hold the key to unlocking how to stop Groundhog Day. Speaking of which, this episode is clearly another version of that story of a day on a loop and it has a lot of fun with it. Watching Xena get more frustrated with the repeating events is hilarious as are the various ways she attempts to stop the loop continuing. Really a very funny episode and hugely entertaining. Despite being the darkest season thus far, Season 3 of Xena: Warrior Princess has its share of good comedy too, exemplified by the early entries. And of mention is ‘The Quill is Mightier’. The spiteful and impudent Aphrodite( who has grown on me since her last appearance as Alexandra Tydings is stepping it up) enchants Gabrielle’s scrolls as payback for making Xena more popular than her. In turn, things that Gabrielle writes become true, but chaos ensues as it gets overly literal. Ares makes another appearance, entertainingly squabbling with Aphrodite as they are both accidentally made mortal. And for an episode that doesn’t have Xena in it a lot, “The Quill is Mightier “shows that Gabrielle can be just as interesting as the hero she rides with.

‘The Deliverer’ is when the show starts what is known to fans as the beginning of The Rift. Xena has been a show that has dabbled in darkness before, but here in Season 3, it’s the darkest it’s ever been and all the more fascinating for it. Starting with’ The Deliverer’, where Xena and Gabrielle head to Britannia to help Boadicea battle Xena’s old nemesis, Julius Caesar. Conflict becomes a big theme and not just the physical kind. We have Xena having to reconnect with who she betrayed in the past and Gabrielle becoming closer to a priest she helped save. It’s more what happens to Gabrielle that’s most important here. The priest speaks of the One God and how he will change the world, to which Gabrielle becomes fascinated. But it’s all a ruse that causes her to unintentionally lose her blood innocence after killing another, which in turn frees a dark God known as Dahak. Gabrielle has always been the person against killing so for this to come along and shatter it, it’s pretty momentous and tragic. You can feel the pain of her suffering, which is further cemented by her being levitated above flames( this will have a big impact later). Let’s say it packs an emotional wallop and further kicks off this dark story arc. The follow up in ‘Gabrielle’s Hope’ is just as effective. In it, we discover Gabrielle is pregnant by Dahak and gives birth in a matter of days to a baby girl, prophesied to be the bringer of darkness. Gabrielle believes that the baby( which she names Hope) will be good due to her own , but Xena is severely sceptical . Xena is proved right when the baby kills within hours of birth and attempts to kill the baby. Gabrielle won’t let this happen and runs, hiding the baby in a basket she sends down the river. She then lies to Xena by telling her that she had to kill Hope because she turned on her. It once more functions as something to divide the close friends and put a strain on their relationship. Again, the darkness is at the forefront in a way that is unlike most of Xena, but a very welcome one for me. Plus, The Rift is coming out in major full force, building slowly to something dark. A two parter entitled ‘The Debt’ is Xena at its most lavish and ambitious, once more weaving together timelines. We discover more about a woman who shaped Xena and The Debt she has to pay to the now deceased mentor. We travel to ancient Chin where Xena is saved from betrayal by Lao Ma, a wise woman who sees the good in her despite her sins. instructs Xena in the ways of love and forgiveness, while caring for the warrior woman and helping her to fight when needed. Back in the present, Xena is charged with killing the evil son of Lao Ma, but Gabrielle tries to stop her thinking she is doing  good and not letting Xena go back to her murderous wats. Ultimately, Gabrielle betrays Xena by informing those closest to the man she is about to kill what Xena is planning. The sting of betrayal further exemplifies the growing rift between them that is briefly healed, but you just know will return to bite soon in some way. I’m a sucker for episodes that go into Xena’s past and shows us how she was shaped into what she is in the present.  Overall it’s a gorgeously shot and exciting double header that digs into the past and has some of the most gorgeous imagery so far in the show.

Now it comes to two of the best episodes. In ‘Maternal Instincts’, Hope returns now with the appearance of an innocent girl. She brings back the terrifying and psychopathic Callisto( a memorable Hudson Leick), who persuades her to hurt Xena. Meanwhile, Xena and Gabrielle head to the Centaurs for a peace treaty and to see Xena’s son, Solan( who still isn’t aware of who his mother is). But this reunion is cut short, when Solan is killed by Hope and when Gabrielle realises this, she poisons her offspring which devastates her. Xena’s scream while cradling her son’s dead body is gut-wrenching as is the later funeral for both children which is the major part of the rift as the wedge is driven to near irrevocable between the two. Watching as they walk off in separate directions after this is tragic as their friendship is being nearly obliterated. It’s a highly emotional hour of television. Then of course we have the fantastic musical episode entitled ‘The Bitter Suite’ . After a vengeful Xena attempts to kill Gabrielle and the two take a tumble into the sea, they are transported to a strange world called Illusia. Here, musical numbers reveal their grievances and what feelings of hatred they aren’t dealing with. The musical sequences are excellently astute at bringing humour and dark atmosphere to the events playing out, plus it looks like the producers really went for it on the visual and sound front. From the off kilter feeling of Illusia, through a tango with Ares and ultimately a reconciliation between the girls, it’s an unforgettable episode. And the biggest message of the importance of friendship helps save the day as our heroines find some way to resolve the friendship that they once had. Thankfully, it looks as if the wounds are healing but it’ll be interesting to see if they ever truly get past this dark chapter( my bet and hope is that it does as I love their relationship and think it’s enduring). These two are some of the finest episodes so far in Xena and rightfully hold a high place in the hearts of fans and me. They challenge us as viewers as we watch a friendship nearly go up in smoke, but gradually get back on track for us all to rejoice in. And as if by magic, the following episode ‘One Against An Army’ cements just how much they care for each other by putting them in a major life or death situation as an army invades as Gabrielle lies injured. I think it’s here to reassure us of the close bond that was shattered but was never truly severed. It’s another poignant episode that grows in dramatic quality thanks to the acting. Also of note is the dark but rewarding ‘Forget Me Not’ where Gabrielle finally reconciled with feelings of guilt by going on a sinister trip down memory lane, guided by a prowling Ares. She can decide whether to live with her memories or erase them. Ultimately she decides to reconcile and this is the end to The Rift. And the two part finale is excellent and very surprising, but I’ll leave it to you to see what I mean.

In terms of acting, Season 3 is a high point, especially when it comes to Lucy Lawless and. Lawless excellently conveys both a fighter and someone who is all too human in Xena. The blend of toughness and vulnerability, coupled with undeniable sexual appeal and athletic swagger, is a match made in television heaven that keeps getting better. Gabrielle is put through the mill of emotions and trauma this seas. Renée O’Connor depicts how Gabrielle really starts to wise up more and develop a more harder edge to her personality. Her compassion is still there it’s just counteracted with a sense of weariness from all that has happened to her. Lawless and O’Connor still share a fine chemistry that charts the resentment and resolution of their clash excellently and believably as nothing can tear them apart. Once more, Kevin Smith is superb as the shifting Ares; who like a fox switches sides when he feels like it but does it with style. In the villain stakes as well is Hudson Leick as the oddly tragic but seriously twisted Callisto, who finally gets the release she’s craved since she began her path of vengeance. There’s a real presence whenever these two take to the screen. And with added comic relief coming from Joxer( played by one Ted Raimi, things only get better as throughout the season. Plus, the welcome appearance of Bruce Campbell is a bonus in many ways and I very much enjoy when he returns to Xena as the King of Thieves, Autolycus.

And now on to my episode ratings:

1. The Furies – A
2. Been There, Done That – A+
3. The Dirty Half Dozen – B-
4. The Deliverer – A+
5. Gabrielle’s Hope – A
6. The Debt Part 1 – A
7. The Debt Part 2 – A
8. The King of Assassins – C
9. Warrior … Priestess … Tramp – B
10. The Quill is Mightier – A
11. Maternal Instincts – A+
12. The Bitter Suite – A+
13. One Against an Army – A
14. Forgiven – C
15. King Con – B
16. When in Rome – C+
17. Forget Me Not – A
18. Fins, Femmes and Gems – B+
19. Tsunami – C+
20. Vanishing Act – A
21. Sacrifice Part 1 – A+
22. Sacrifice Part 2 – A+

My favourite Season so far, Season 3 of Xena has all you’d want from the show and more. Trust me, this is the show at its apex with everything operating at a high level.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

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1990's, Andie MacDowell, Charlotte Coleman, David Bower, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Hugh Grant, James Fleet, John Hannah, Kristin Scott Thomas, Mike Newell, Richard Curtis, Romantic Comedy, Rowan Atkinson, Simon Callow

Director

Mike Newell

Starring

• Hugh Grant
• Andie MacDowell
• Kristin Scott Thomas
• Simon Callow
• John Hannah
• James Fleet
• Charlotte Coleman
• David Bower
• Rowan Atkinson

A most beguiling and funny romance that helped launch the career of Hugh Grant, Four Weddings and a Funeral has lost none of its witty edge, eccentric characters and unexpected pathos.

Charles(Hugh Grant) is someone who can’t seem to keep a relationship. He’s a perennial bachelor, never the groom. With a rag-tag group of friends- cynical Fiona(Kristin Scott Thomas), her not too bright brother Tom(James Fleet), partners Gareth and Matthew(Simon Callow and John Hannah), sassy flat mate Scarlett(Charlotte Coleman) and his deaf brother David(David Bower)- he’s always attending weddings. In most cases, he is late due to clumsiness. Although he’s never seemingly considered marriage or a serious relationship, he finds his world changed when he meets Carrie(Andie MacDowell). She’s an American wedding guest who he meets at the first nuptials. They hit it off and  spend the night together. But timing isn’t on their side and Carrie leaves for the States. The next time they meet(at another wedding) Carrie is engaged to someone else. For the first time in his life, Charles actually falls in love with someone deeply. But even though it’s clear that Carrie has some feeling for Charles, can anything come of the attraction seeing as though their timing is nearly always off?

Director Mike Newell brings polish and pace to proceedings with direction that allows the events to have amusing and fun atmosphere throughout, coupled with moments of sadness and reflection. As the events centre around the what the title says, we know to expect eventfulness, but it’s surprising how well crafted this romantic comedy is. Although it seems we may know where events are going, a few little twists and unexpected moments raise it from just another comedy romance. The Oscar-nominated screenplay from Richard Curtis is a big success at fleshing out the characters as they navigate the sea of love. The script makes us enjoy the company of these people and we grow to love them. They all have wit, charm and purpose in the story and you enjoy feeling like you know them as they encounter all manner of awkwardness at functions. From being seated at a table of exes to improvising when forgetting wedding rings, they all occur in hilarious fashion. Between the skill of Newell and the fun of Curtis, Four Weddings and a Funeral is a good-hearted success. Laughs flow like great wine and the entertainment factor is high.

But Four Weddings and a Funeral also has a bittersweet undercurrent to offset any worries of overly sentimental treacle. I mean if you aren’t crying at the funeral scene where ‘Funeral Blues’ is delivered, you’ve clearly not got much of a heart. This movie can deliver on the serious stuff and isn’t afraid to either. This balances with the buoyant feeling of the overall film that has a laugh at love’s complexities and bad sense of timing. Four Weddings and a Funeral is heartwarming stuff with that added something extra, that lands it in the pantheon of excellent romantic comedies. A lovely and tentative score backs up blossoming romance and all the feelings love brings out in people. And one can’t forget the use of ‘ Love Is All Around ‘by Wet, Wet, Wet to close out the film.

Heading the cast is the irrepressibly charismatic Hugh Grant. Though he’s visited the persona of bumbling and foppish leading man many times in his career, this was where it started and is one of his best. Grant just boasts this lovable rogue and awkward vibe to him that really makes a mark in the film as he finally discovers love may in fact be on the cards for him. Endearing is the perfect word for Hugh Grant’s star making presence here. People occasionally rag on Andie MacDowell by saying she’s not the most expressive actress and sometimes it’s true ,but I think she is quite well cast as the potential love interest. She’s got radiance, vitality and a certain mystery that I love and displays they under good direction MacDowell is really something.  Plus her burgeoning chemistry with Grant is delightful. Kristin Scott Thomas is reliable as ever, turning the role of the sarcastic Fiona into something more by revealing that her behaviour stems from unrequited love. Simon Callow and John Hannah are wonderful scene stealers playing the only happy couple among their group of friends. Callow is brash and full of life, Hannah is more subdued but wise. Both compliment the other in an inspired way that is convincing and involving. James Fleet is a hoot as is Charlotte Coleman as the most off the wall member of the gang and David Bower as Charles’ brother, who comes in handy in a crisis. An amusing small part is filled with great humour by Rowan Atkinson as a completely inept vicar.

A winning romantic comedy with heart and laughs, Four Weddings and a Funeral is hard to resist.

Xena: Warrior Princess Season 2

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1990's, Bruce Campbell, Hudson Leick, Karl Urban, Kevin Smith, Lucy Lawless, Melinda Clarke, Renée O'Connor, Ted Raimi, Xena Warrior Princess, Xena Warrior Princess Season 2

‘Following on from the successful first season, Season 2 of Xena: Warrior Princess expands on the building blocks created and crafts more mythology and eventfulness for us all to enjoy. It’s safe to say that Season 2 is full of quality and more opening up of narrative

Xena(Lucy Lawless) continues journeying through Ancient Greece with loyal best friend Gabrielle(Renée O’Connor). She is still on her quest for redemption for the bloody actions she caused and the suffering she inflicted on others. On her journey this time, the past is opened up once more as we learn about Xena’s past and why she did what she did. We see that she gave birth to a son named Solan, who she gave to the centaurs to raise and the difficulty she has to live with in letting her child go. Joxer(Ted Raimi), the wannabe warrior is back and journeys with the duo with his own mix of bumbling misfortune and complete lack of understanding that he isn’t skilled at all in combat. Callisto( Hudson Leick) returns to wreck vengeance on Xena and undergoes a number of transformations while destroying all she can around her. Many more enemies and familiar faces return, along with some newer ones. Let’s just say it’s eventful for Xena and company in their testing travels.

One of the biggest things to discuss with Season 2 is how everything seems a little more crisp and you can see that the budget has been upped and that every bit of money is on screen to relish. Some effects have lost a bit of edge, but the vast majority handsomely hold up. But most importantly is something that happened behind the scenes that had the greatest impact on Xena. Lucy Lawless, while filming a skit for the Jay Leno Show, fell from a horse and fractured her pelvis. With the second season in production, the producers and writers had to think of a way to accommodate the main star. They settled on a body swap between Xena and Callisto, which worked surprisingly well. Also there are episodes where Xena is incapacitated. It all could have been a jumble, but thankfully it is quite seamlessly done and the improvisation and quick thinking on the producer’s part is ace. Watching Lucy Lawless and Hudson Leick play versions of the other as is the return of Kevin Smith as the smooth Ares.

My further discussions of main standout  episodes is next and there are a good few to discuss. The opener entitled ‘Orphan of War’ delves into Xena’s internal scars as we witness her protecting the son she gave up years before, but doesn’t tell him that she is his mother for fear of something bad befalling him. It is an episode that really shows the woman underneath the warrior and how she is human after all, when not being the fierce fighter we all know her as. A fun episode and one of the best that blends both a creepiness and campiness are ‘Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun’. In it, Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer search for missing girls who have been kidnapped by Bacchae; bloodthirsty followers of the God Bacchus. They bite the necks of victims and seductively lure them to the catacombs of their master, where the victim must drink his blood to become an irreversible Bacchae. Gabrielle is pulled into this and is turned into a temporary Bacchae, which results in her biting Xena( pushing the subtext of them being romantically linked in a very suggestive way). It’s a very intriguing and atmospheric episode with a slinky techno score and a highly kinetic visual style. This involves frantic point of view shots, fast motion followed by slow motion and multitudes of overlapping images. It all culminates in a darkly sexy and tongue in cheek episode to really sink your teeth into.

‘Return of Callisto’ is another highlight as it brings back a fine nemesis. She kills the man who Gabrielle marries, who she could have been happy with. If anything, Callisto does us a favour as  it allows us to see that Gabrielle when pushed could have a darker side to her than expected. Although she comes to her senses, it sets up that maybe Gabrielle could be swayed to evil just as Xena is tempted often. Added to this is a brutal chariot race and Callisto seemingly dying by being pulled under by quicksand. Obviously, she isn’t dead and comes back even more vengeful later, setting the stage for much drama. A very meta episode appears in ‘The Xena Scrolls’, which has 1940’s descendants of the main characters searching for the fabled title artefact.  It’s hugely entertaining as it has fun the mythology of the show and has the actors portraying varying personas. It’s like an Indiana Jones adventure twinned with cheeky humour for extra, knowing measure.

Of special mention is ‘Destiny’, which stands as one of my favourite episodes so far. In it, Xena’s life hangs in the balance after being injured in battle. As she hovers precariously between life and death, she is reminded of her past and we finally get some answers on what made her who she was. We’ve heard parts about what lead her to be the destroyer of nations, but now we get the full picture. After her home village was butchered by a ruthless warlord, Xena took to fighting. But even though it started good, she grew evil from all the power she had. After becoming a feared warrior, she entered into a relationship with the brash Julius Caesar(a sneering Karl Urban). He accommodated Xena and their collective desires for power grew. But crafty Caesar betrayed and had her crucified, her legs broken and left to die of malnutrition. Luckily Xena was saved and learned her trademark sleeper hold from a woman who sacrificed her life to save the warrior. She continued to be evil until her renouncing into the pillar of good she attempts to be in the present. It’s one excellent episode that has everything you want in Xena; fun, darkness and revealing adventure. Plus it’s fantastic to finally grasp more about Xena herself and what lead her to this moment. 

The follow-up in ‘The Quest’ is further goodness featuring Xena’s spirit attempting to get back to the mortal world as it isn’t her time to go. Comedy and drama ensue as she takes control of both Gabrielle and returning Autolycus(returning favourite Bruce Campbell) in order to reclaim her body and stop the power crazed sadism of new Amazon Queen Velasca(a nasty and sexy Melinda Clarke). Subtext here is stronger and the kiss between the girls in ‘The Quest’ is a leading example, along with the aforementioned Bacchae episode. The kiss is in a sort of dreamscape so whether it counts is up for debate, but it’s certainly memorable in how it continues to tease the audience. On the goofy side of things we have ‘A Day in the Life’ which takes the form of an amusing reconstruction of what a day for Xena and Gabrielle consists of. The humour wisely makes fun of some of the show’s staples, like men always falling for Xena upon first meeting her and the banter between both girls. It’s very jaunty and effortlessly engaging in laughing at itself and I loved what it did. Darkness abounds in ‘The Price’ which is unusually stark and ferocious as Xena comes to the aid of a depleted army fighting The Horde. The trouble is Xena gets back in touch with her more disturbing impulses that she has repressed and it spills over into the present. Whenever Xena gets tempted back to the side of evil, it’s always fascinating to watch as she could easily sway back into it or return to good. The main crux of the show is Xena attempting to right her wrongs but also the fact that some darkness may still lie in her soul. All it takes is something to stir it, even though it’s been dormant for a long time. 

One can witness things going up for Xena and it becoming the cult show we all know. The producers really went for it on the action and expanding on story, which paid off handsomely. This accounts for the long run of high quality episodes in here, as you’ll see in my rankings. There’s a bit more cohesion here and you generally feel that the Xena hit its stride here. Not that the first season wasn’t a success( it was a resounding one), but Season 2 is the show at its best in terms of what it gets from the past and its elaboration on the building blocks. You can sense that this was the high water mark of the show and while not every episode was a hit( some new additions like Aphrodite don’t work), it was still mightily fun.The general score is a further impressive one that gets to the heart of action and atmosphere, while being a fine way to compliment beautiful scenery. And the action set pieces are upped with fierce style, adding another sheen to a high quality season.

Lucy Lawless once more makes a steely and formidable impression as Xena. Lawless navigates the physicality of the role and the general understanding of wanting to change. She’s tough and spiky, but possesses a genuine heart and growing selflessness. Plus, she’s one hell of a kick ass heroine who continues to evolve with fun, seriousness and attitude. It’s hard to picture someone else playing the role quite as well as Lucy Lawless, who is ace as our Warrior Princess. Renée O’Connor is excellent as an ever-growing Gabrielle. She has ideas of decency that are frequently challenged in a world of war, but sticks to her guns as well as learning s lot along the way. Plus, she’s toughened up a lot but doesn’t scrimp on emotion as it’s one of her defining trademarks. Lawless and O’Connor continue to display the closeness of their friendship in excellent ways, while suggesting that there is more to their bond than meets the eye. Ted Raimi is on goofy form as the returning Joxer, whose completely deluded but strangely lovable. Joxer is a character that divides many, but I like his addition to the show. Hudson Leick rocks it again as Callisto, relishing the despicable, damaged and disturbed nature of the vengeful woman. Her scenes with Xena sizzle with anger and resentment, culminating in some exciting scenes. Kevin Smith is on charismatic, burning form as the returning Ares. He has this wicked grin and appeal to him that are hard to resist and despite the fact we know he’s mainly bad news, Kevin Smith does it in style.

And now to my episode rankings, which are as follows:

1. Orphan of War – A
2. Remember Nothing – B+
3. The Giant Killer – C
4. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – A+
5. Return of Callisto – A
6. Warrior … Princess … Tramp – B+
7. Intimate Stranger – A
8. Ten Little Warlords – B+
9. A Solstice Carol – D
10. The Xena Scrolls – A+
11. Here She Comes … Miss Amphipolis – B-
12. Destiny – A+
13. The Quest – A
14. A Necessary Evil – B
15. A Day in the Life – A
16. For Him The Bell Tolls – C-
17. The Execution – C+
18. Blind Faith – B+
19. Ulysses – B
20. The Price – A
21. Lost Mariner – C-
22. A Comedy of Eros – C

A fine sophomore season with darkness, humour and always supplying action, Season 2 of Xena provides many thrills and fun as it uses the template set up and moulds it into its own creative and divergent thing.

Xena: Warrior Princess Season 1

Tags

1990's, Bruce Campbell, Hudson Leick, Kevin Smith, Lucy Lawless, Renée O'Connor, Ted Raimi, Xena Warrior Princess, Xena Warrior Princess Season 1

A spin-off from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys that went on to eclipse its predecessor, Xena: Warrior Princess became a pop culture phenomenon thanks to its tone and iconic title character. So here I am ready to review the first season of this show. Let’s get on with it and be warned, spoilers may be in this review.

In Ancient Greece, former warlord and Warrior Princess Xena( Lucy Lawless) is travelling and attempting to rectify her brutal past and atone for the suffering she caused so many. She’s beginning to renounce her title of Warrior Princess, but she’s spurred into action when she encounters villagers being attacked by rampaging men. Taking back her sword and power, she vows to do good with her skills as a fighter. One of the girls she saved, an aspiring bard named Gabrielle( Renée O’Connor ), is bored with her life and wants some adventure. She sees Xena as her ticket to the wide open world some form of fun. Xena, who is used to being alone allows Gabrielle to come along with her. although skeptical at first, the two become very close friends in the long run . On their travels they encounter all manner of action and adventure as they come up against warlords, God’s and many things from Xena’s past coming back to menace the warrior and tempt her back to the dark side.

What immediately strikes you about Xena is the tonal diversity of the episodes. They go from serious dramas to tongue in cheek comedy and almost everything in between. There’s something for everyone to enjoy here. It’s best not to take most of it seriously because of the often goofy sensibility that colours a few areas, though there are deep moments of emotion to behold on the other end of the spectrum. Especially in the case of Xena and her search for redemption after her former darkness. I will say that Xena: Warrior Princess is a show that can be a bit like Marmite for some because of how oddball it gets. But it hits the spot for me with its multitude of tones and well-executed ideas. One of the main things that I’m aware of with this show is the endless debate over the nature of the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle. They are very close and almost always together as friends would be. But many see something deeper to it and I can understand why some think of Xena and Gabrielle as a couple. The writers are canny enough to sly and ambiguously reference this in many instances with innuendo appearing a handful of times between the two and situations that put them closer together. There are only snippets of something more than friendship in this season, so it will be interesting to see how their relationship grows and how it will turn out.

On the visual side, the use of New Zealand as a filming location is inspired in how it stands in for Ancient Greece in all its beautiful splendour. And it’s pretty great how anachronistic the show is. It doesn’t purport to be the gospel truth about the mythology it references, instead running with it and having a blast. It plays by its own rules and is in my view, all the better for it. A rousing score that fits the shifting ups and downs of Xena’s life and can be so many things given the episode at play.

Great episodes abound in this introductory season. The opener cleverly sets up the title character as she begins her journey to some form of redemption while hinting at what will come. ‘Dreamworker’ has Xena entering a dreamscape to save Gabrielle from being sacrificed to the God Morpheus, which will happen if age spills innocent blood. Xena must contend sit her past here as it quite literally comes back to haunt her. It’s a very striking episode. In ‘Reckoning, we are introduced to the darkly charismatic Ares. He will, from what I’ve read, become a more prominent character in the series. I’m glad to hear that as he is very smooth and dark and the story of him trying to coax Xena back to the dark side is extremely watchable and Kevin Smith is ideally cast as the silver-tongued God. The episode in question does a great job of showing how Xena may be trying to right her wrongs but could easily go back to the dark side if swayed. In ‘Hooves and Harlots’ Xena and Gabrielle come into the middle of what could be a war between the resourceful Amazons and traitorous Centaurs. It is in this episode Gabrielle comes into her own a bit more and displays skills as a fighter that will come in handy. She may be the sidekick of the series, but we see that she’s no slouch either as evidenced by her willingness to learn.

‘Warrior … Princess’ is a fine comedy episode where Xena impersonates a damsel in distress that is far removed from her tough girl persona, leaving the other princess to attempt to emulate the fierceness of Xena. All of this has hilarious results for both and shows off the comedic chops of Lucy Lawless. Another standout ‘The Royal Couple of Thieves’ features Bruce Campbell as a thief with a big ego that teams up with Xena to retrieve a powerful object. The banter and chemistry between Xena and Autolycus is something to behold and makes the episode a particularly strong venture. On a more serious note, ‘Callisto’ introduces a vengeful nemesis for Xena who has dedicated her life to destroying her as it was Xena’s army that slaughtered her family. This episode makes an interesting case for Callisto being the dark side of Xena, like the other side of a coin. She embodies, thanks to the frightening and unnerving work of Hudson Leick, a psychotic evil that is taunting and won’t rest. The dynamic between them is fascinating as Callisto attempts to get Xena to kill her, putting the Warrior Princess in a dilemma over whether to kill what she has created  The episode also serves to introduce the comic character of Joxer( a very funny Ted Raimi), an incompetent wannabe warrior who is lovable nonetheless. And the season is closed out in emotional fashion when Gabrielle seemingly slips to the other side after being injured in the middle of a civil war. Watching as Xena screams and pounds her chest is heartbreaking, but thankfully Gabrielle is soon back with the land of the living and the two are soon on their way to new adventures. It’s a high point of the show that displays the close relationship of its protagonists.

The cast is a big selling point of Xena and one that makes you truly buy into it. At the centre is the sexy Lucy Lawless as the eponymous Warrior Princess. She projects a strong, intimidating but also sardonic and seductive image of a woman you wouldn’t want to mess with. Lawless has the athleticism and when the occasion calls for it emotion when discovering Xena’s pain and regrets that she has harnessed into a tough visage. Renée O’Connor has the innocence and pluckiness to counterbalance the seriousness and worldliness of Xena. And though she is often the main sidekick, O’Connor makes Gabrielle just as important as a character. Plus the chemistry between the two of them is exemplary. While best friends, Xena is the more hard-edged of the two. Gabrielle on the other hand has a thirst for knowledge and a desire to discover the world and all that it has to offer.

And now for my episode rankings:

1. Sins of the Past – A
2. Chariots of War – B
3. Dreamworker – A
4. Cradle of Hope – B-
5. The Path Not Taken – C
6. The Reckoning – A+
7. The Titans – C-
8. Prometheus – B
9. Death in Chains – C+
10. Hooves and Harlots – A
11. The Black Wolf – B+
12. Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts – C
13. Athens City Academy of The Performing Bards – D-
14. A Fistful of Dinars – B
15. Warrior .. Princess – A+
16. Mortal Beloved – B
17. The Royal Couple of Thieves – A
18. The Prodigal – C-
19. Altared States – C
20. Ties That Bind – B
21. The Greater Good – B
22. Callisto – A
23. Death Mask – C
24. Is There a Doctor in the House? – A

So so all I have left to say is that Xena Season 1 is a blast that has me gearing up for what follows. With a feisty and fierce leading character and entertainment galore, you can’t ask for more.

Party of Five Season 6

Tags

1990's, 2000's, Jacob Smith, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jeremy London, Lacey Chabert, Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, Party of Five, Party of Five Season 6, Paula Devicq, Scott Grimes, Scott Wolf, Wilson Cruz

And here it is, my review of the final season of Party of Five. I must say its been quite an experience watching this family drama and observing the ups and downs of the Salinger Family. Here I am at the final stage, bidding farewell to the moving drama and characters I’ve come to feel for and enjoy the company of. Be warned, spoilers will follow in this take on the last season of Party of Five.

We rejoin the Salinger’s as Charlie(Matthew Fox) and Kirsten( Paula Devicq)are about to tie the knot. After numerous slip ups and hiccups, they finally marry, overcoming much adversity and obstacles that have stood in their way. Though Kirsten never thought she could have kids, with advances in research she decides it is time to start looking into IVF. It will be a trying time for them especially with young Owen(Jacob Smith) and baby Diana to look after, but they are willing to ride it out in the hopes of a positive outcome. Daphne is still around and has employed the help of nanny Victor(Wilson Cruz)to help with Diana when needed, he soon becomes a close family friend to the Salinger’s. Griffin(Jeremy London) is also very much a presence in their lives, particularly when he is involved in a motorbike accident and they cover his insurance to help him out. Bailey(Scott Wolf) is busying himself with things and not communicating with Sarah(Jennifer Love Hewitt). The strain on their relationship since she turned down his marriage proposal in Season 5 grows bigger and ultimately Sarah breaks off their romance. She decides that she wants to find herself and promptly leaves behind their relationship once and for all. As he feels he’s got no one to rely on or something to fix( plus an intense and ill advised rebound relationship), Bailey’s desire for alcohol comes back. Thankfully he is aware of it and decides to sort himself out rather than spiralling out of control like the last time. 
Julia(Neve Campbell) is offered a book deal that puts pressure on her to dig into her life and examine the painful times. She’s determined to do it, though it will prove difficult to assess all she has been through in such a short space of time. Claudia(Lacey Chabert) continues to grow into a mature young woman faced with the beckoning responsibilities and confusion of adulthood. She is nearly forced upon by a drunken classmate and it forces her to retreat into herself. It’s only with Julia’s help that she opens up again and tries to get back to her usual searching self again. In the end, the Salinger’s must decide how to move on with their lives and in what direction it is best to go in.

The main theme running through everything in this last season is moving on. Each of the Salinger’s has to contend with the possibilities of the future and what may lie ahead. More issues and moving moments ensue in this final season, rounding out the impressive arcs of the characters. There’s the peer pressure for Claudia, Bailey’s lapse into alcohol again and Julia’s journey of writing a memoir. Some story lines don’t quite add up or work(anything to really do with Daphne and Bailey’s relationship with a girl name Holly drags), but the vast majority of things compensate for that. Certain ones are hard to ignore, though we can still watch and be entertained by the various events the characters find themselves going through and their choices. What’s made the show one that I have enjoyed is the relatability. Every character is flawed and yet likeable in their own way and that’s been a consistent strength in Party of Fve during its run.

Major episodes that stand out are Griffin’s accident bringing everyone together, showing Party of Five at what it does best; emotional drama. The following episode gamely explores how the Salinger’s banding together to help Griffin in a way we are accustomed to seeing. One of the finest is titled What if and is a look at what life may have been like for the Salinger’s if their parents hadn’t died. It occurs following Bailey crashing his car and it examines the way in which lives can play out not according to plan or sometimes go another way. It’s a very strong episode that really reflects on how much they’ve all grown up in the years since their parent’s death and it’s neat seeing various ways that characters may have interacted if not for that one critical event. Season 6 may not be the best season of Party of Five( that honour goes to Season 3), but it signs off very credibly and emotionally in a way befitting of what’s come before it. What’s best about it is how it ties everything together and concludes the journeys of the Salinger’s in heartfelt fashion. The best episode is the last one that shows all of the characters letting go of the past, keeping their memories of good times and finally moving on with their lives. It’s a pleasing, emotional episode as Bailey, Julia and Claudia all accept scholarships, internships and a chance at college while Charlie, after reluctance, gives his blessing. What’s most moving is the selling of the Salinger home, which has experienced just about every event known to man. The episode finishes with the characters saying goodbye to the house and finally letting their wings fly. And if you don’t have tears in your eyes, there is seriously something wrong with you.

By this point, the main cast is completely in tune with the characters they’ve played for years and still doing a hell of a good job at. Matthew Fox is ace as the oldest Charlie, whose life has been eventful and a complete roller coaster just like his siblings. Fox has grown into the part and has shown the progression from slacker and selfish to mature and authoritative. He’s finally become someone selfless, hard-working, dependable and happy about it. Scott Wolf is fine once more, alternating between cheeky and fun loving and desperate to stay afloat. Bailey has beaten his demons before and with Wolf understanding it, that makes his recovery all the more well played and realistic. Neve Campbell’s mix of assurance and vulnerability is wisely kept intact with Julia as she matures and has to dig deep for some inspiration of what to do next in her life. In a similar vein, Lacey Chabert, with her combination of innocence and attitude, gets to the emotionally confused centre of Claudia in a time where she is confronting things she doesn’t want to, yet planning her future at the same time. Paula Devicq is supportive and caring as Charlie’s wife Kirsten, who more than anything would love a child of her own. It’s very nice seeing her and Charlie finally together for good. It’s been an extremely rough road for the pair along the way, but thankfully they have come through as they belong to each other and always have. Jeremy London appears as Griffin who is also looking to the future and grateful to the Salinger’s for everything they’ve done for him. Jennifer Love Hewitt, who appears only briefly before leaving is still effective as the conflicted Sarah, who needs some answers and assurance in her life. Scott Grimes returns again, playing Bailey’s best bud Will with a real enthusiasm and supportive nature in times of need for Bailey. Wilson Cruz is fine as the new addition of Victor, someone who is both fair and loyal to the family and little Jacob Smith is growing fast as the youngest sibling Owen.

A fine send off to a quality show that brought emotion and honesty to the issues faced by young people, Season 6 of Party of Five rounds things off in respectable and excellent fashion. I hope everyone has enjoyed my reviews of this show, as it’s been a ride of emotions for me and I’m happy I discovered Party of Five. I will definitely miss this show now that I’ve finished it, but I can bid farewell happily too.

Aladdin

Tags

1990's, Aladdin, Animated, Disney, Fantasy, Gilbert Gottfried, Jonathan Freeman, Linda Larkin, Musical, Robin Williams, Scott Weinger

The quite fabulous and ever so lovely Gill and splendid Crystal asked me to partake in a blogathon to honour the talents of Robin Williams. I simply couldn’t refuse this offer as I’m such a huge fan of Williams. For my choice, I decided to review the wonderful Disney flick Aladdin.

Film Title

Aladdin

Directors

Ron Clements and John Musker

Voice actors

• Scott Weinger as Aladdin
• Robin Williams as Genie
• Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine
• Jonathan Freeman as Jafar
• Gilbert Gottfried as Iago

A joyous and energetic take on Arabian Nights from Disney, Aladdin is chock full of stuff to enjoy and be a part of.

In the streets of Agrabah, Aladdin is a young urchin who along with his monkey sidekick Abu, must steal to survive. Although he must rob, he is an inherently decent person just attempting to make it from one day to the next. His life is about to get a whole lot more eventful very soon. He meets Jasmine; a spirited girl who is actually the daughter of the Sultan and therefore a Princess. She has run away from home because according to a law, she must be married to a prince very soon. So far, she doesn’t like any of the suitors that have been selected for her. She feels stifled by royal protocol and wishes to marry for love. On their brief meeting, Aladdin falls in love with her, but fate has other plans.  Also involved is the villainous adviser Jafar, who wants to have power and never-ending domination over everything. He has identified that Aladdin is the person who can get him what he wants. That would be a magic lamp hidden within a magical cave. After imprisoning Aladdin, Jafar disguises himself as someone else to lure him to the place in the sands that is known as the Cave of Wonders. Inside, Aladdin and Abu accidentally upset the order of things and end up trapped. Upon rubbing the lamp, an energetic and fast-talking Genie emerges, ensuring Aladdin that he has three wishes that he can grant. There are limitations to what he can wish for, though Genie and Aladdin develop a friendship and Aladdin promises Genie that he will set him free as a final wish. Helping them out the cave and with Genie’s help, Aladdin masquerades as a famous prince in order to woo Jasmine and ultimately stop Jafar in his evil tracks.

From the opening of swirling sands, Aladdin looks gorgeous and magical. The vivid colours used in the animations are something to marvel at as Aladdin finds himself in an adventure and fantasy. The visuals are all in place for us to admire as well as many other key ingredients that make Aladdin a great movie. The briskness of pace bring out the fun right from the start, never letting any flab or dull moments sink in because of its fastness. The humour and adventure appeal to both grown-ups and children because it covers a wide range of styles. This is especially prominent once Genie enters the picture and all the great pop culture references and nods are in full abundance. The music is another ace high point of Aladdin with many numbers standing out. The sublime and romantic ‘A Whole New World’ is a great match for the visuals of Aladdin and Jasmine taking a magic carpet ride, while the bombastic ‘Prince Ali’ and ‘Friend Like Me’ are a perfect summation of Genie and his antics.

The assembled voice actors do extremely well with the characters they have and are all well-suited. Scott Weinger has the right amount of fun and charisma for the title character, which goes a long way with how much we like Aladdin and his journey. But its Robin Williams and his voicing of Genie that truly makes Aladdin that something to treasure. His endless impressions, vocal acrobatics and wildfire delivery are scene-stealing in a completely amazing way that is very much to Williams’ style of comedy. Genie is a character who brings an already great movie into the levels of excellence it achieves. With Williams the man behind it, it is quite impossible to not laugh along with Genie as he helps shape Aladdin with his wisdom and zany antics. It simply wouldn’t be the same movie if Williams wasn’t a part of it. Linda Larkin has a sweet but strong voice that is just perfect for Jasmine, while Jonathan Freeman is appropriately slimy and nasty as the main villain of Jafar. His voice is very snake-like, which comes in handy with such a foul and evil character. Just as Aladdin has a sidekick in Abu, Jafar has the loud-mouthed parrot of Iago, voiced with relish by Gilbert Gottfried.

A bundle of hip fun for all ages, Aladdin is dazzling movie making from the animation, music and voice acting. But best of all, it’s a showcase for the talents of Robin Williams and a special one at that.

A Month by the Lake

Tags

1990's, A Month by the Lake, Alessandro Gassman, Drama, Edward Fox, John Irvin, Period Drama, Romance, Uma Thurman, Vanessa Redgrave

Film Title

A Month by the Lake

Director

John Irvin

Starring

• Vanessa Redgrave as Miss Bentley
• Edward Fox as Major Wilshaw
• Uma Thurman as Miss Beaumont
• Alessandro Gassman as Vittorio Balsari

A lush, beautifully charming romantic drama set in 1930’s Italy, A Month by the Lake is a perfectly agreeable movie that allows you to spend time with a starry cast in gorgeous locations.

Miss Bentley is a lively spinster who has visited Lake Como every year for sixteen years. It is 1937 and talk of war is in the air, plus she is there without her father who has passed away. The place has changed, she observes and her loneliness is felt. Thankfully a distraction comes in the shape of the proud and stuffy bachelor Major Wilshaw, who at first is distant because of how assertive and spirited she is. But he is won over by her enthusiasm for life and lightening up, begins to enjoy his stay. This looks like the makings of romance for two people who haven’t has the best of luck when it comes to relationships of the heart. Yet the bratty and unsettled young nanny for a nearby family Miss Beaumont begins to stir things through a cavalier gesture that has the Major believing she genuinely cares for him. Miss Bentley notices this and is perturbed at Miss Beaumont’s conduct, as she deeply feels for the Major. But while Miss Beaumont enjoys her little games and teasing, Miss Bentley proves just as good at playing games of her own. At the same time, a younger Italian man takes a romantic interest in Miss Bentley, which plays right into her hands. All of this ultimately leads to more seriousness for all involved in the romantic entanglement.

John Irvin is behind the camera here and his observant direction is simple and flowing. He doesn’t bring any tricks to the table, but then again A Month by the Lake is not a tale that requires extensive stylistic choices to tell its story. This is a film with a light and airy charm, yet still revealing a slyness and somewhat more serious side to the tale. Humour has a place here, with dry and wry occurrences arising from misunderstanding and the great way that the characters are in a spinning roundabout of actions centred on desires of the heart. In the second half of the picture, the romantic tug of war becomes a lot more serious and dramatic, as the true extent of feelings finally become known. This change is handled admirably by the script and direction, exuding a little bit more emotion than was to be expected from such a film. Although breezy is a word that comes to mind, A Month by the Lake contains some genuine gravitas and melancholy that are pretty hard to miss within the framework of everything. The gorgeousness of Lake Como is visible in almost every frame; creating a heavenly setting for loves to blossom and for life to flourish in the days leading up to the Second World War. It’s like an elegant chocolate box of visual pleasures for the eyes as the setting is perfectly brought to life. Things can get muddled within the story and more than a few times a little bit of laziness creeps in, but the main buoyancy of A Month by the Lake is enough of a distraction from those particular flaws. The score is gentle and earnest; complimenting the feeling of having fun while there is still time for those lazy days in the sun to treasure in the memory.

Heading proceedings is the willowy and immensely radiant Vanessa Redgrave. Full of vitality, spirit and heart, her Miss Bentley is a character who sweeps you up in her outgoing and vivacious lust for life. Redgrave fully captures everything about this woman with her gift for suggestion and expressive face both tools in conveying the need for love this woman yearns for after the loss of her father. As usual, Redgrave provides a beautiful air of energy and charisma to her role that truly makes it something beautiful. Edward Fox has the right amount of dignity, cockiness and sadness for the part of Major. There is a real elegance and contrasting humour and pathos in Fox’s work that simply put is something special. Uma Thurman provides a counterbalance to Redgrave’s elegance and subtlety with a strong performance as petulant and callous Miss Beaumont. Knowing how pretty she is, she thinks nothing of toying with affection, largely stemming from boredom and a stifled upbringing. Thurman brings out the vixen in the part and how immature Miss Beaumont is, a brave thing to do as she isn’t afraid to be unlikable in the role. Alessandro Gassman is the handsome man whose romantic longings for Miss Bentley allow her to level the playing field.

A breezy gem of a movie that can also conjure up pathos, A Month by the Lake is a pleasant enough way to spend an hour or two of your time. With humour, romance and sublime scenery(plus an elegant cast), its easy-going but engaging which is often just what the doctor ordered.