Maskerpiece Theatre: Gillian Anderson

Showing posts with label Gillian Anderson. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

The X-Files: The Struggle II

The X-Files: My Struggle II

Writer and Director: Chris Carter

Starrin: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, Joel McHale, Lauren Ambrose, Robbie Amell, William B Davis

Synopsis: Mulder and Scully uncover a shocking truth with global ramifications.

Review: I’m going to step away from The Good and The Bad this time, mainly because I just want to talk about the overall episode rather than the highs and lows… mainly cause there really wasn’t any minus the cliffhanger we were all left with. Over all, the entire episode just lacked and eventually felt a little redundant. With a worldwide epidemic happening it is left to Scully and Einstein must find a way to create a cure based on the alien DNA inside of Scully. I’m no scientist, but I feel like that takes longer than a couple of hours, also from a health stand point I’m pretty sure you one bag of blood isn’t going to be enough to create enough of a vaccine for the hole hospital/world. Hey its Hollywood though, I’ll go with it. I really do enjoy Miller and Einstein, so the two of them being back in this episode is more than welcome. Sadly, though I had started to hope for a spin off with the two, I’m starting to thing they are a little too cloneish to be a spin off and more of secondary backups to give more possibilities to the writers for dialog/story purposes.

Mulder is on his on journey through this though. While he dodges calls from Scully and Skinner (YAY! Mitch Pileggi!!! I’m sure you all have noticed I’m a fan), Mulder makes his way towards the Cigarette Smoking Man to get answers. Probably the best part of this episode was the fight scene that Mulder has with man that was trying to obtain him. That fight scene was choreographed very well, even though Mulder no-sold that gutwrench suplex. That suplex though, it looked damn good. Mulder ends up at the Cigarette Smoking Mans home, but refuses the cure that the man can provide. Miller shows up to “save the day” and to try to bring him back to Scully in time to get the vaccine.

Now what we are left with after that mother of a cliffhanger, Mulder appears to be to sick for the vaccine and needs their son to help him get better. Unfortunately, neither Mulder nor Scully know where their son is. Also the episode ends with a Unidentified Flying Object (dare I say UFO), that was seen earlier in the season blowing up a car, is now hovering over Mulder, Scully and Miller. And that is where the episode ends. In all of this we have no idea what happens. Ugh the anger!!! Chris Carter do not leave us hanging like that, I don’t know what executives you need to talk to at Fox, but please! Do not just leave this like that!

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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

The X-Files Review: Babylon

The X-Files: Babylon

Director & Writer: Chris Carter

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, Lauren Ambrose, Robbie Amell

Synopsis: When an art gallery that’s showing potentially offensive artwork is bombed, Mulder and Scully seek some way to communicate with the comatose bomber in order to prevent a future attack. Meanwhile, a pair of younger FBI agents on the case push, Mulder and Scully to examine their own beliefs as Scully seeks answers from neuroscience and Mulder from mysticism.

The Good: This episode is as serious as it is weird. Chris Carter did a great job at leading everyone through this story with out giving away what was actually happening. I constantly found myself wondering. Is there more to this than it appears? Where these Terrorists or were these two framed? Is it possible there is something supernatural going on here? So many questions running through my head as the episodes went on. While this episode was closer in humor to Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster episode from two weeks ago, Babylon told a better story from an emotional perspective. Babylon also provided something that a few of the episodes from this short season has not had, there was closer. That is something that has been lacking this season, it was nice to finally get an episode that had an ending, thank you Chris Carter! Also thank you for bringing back Walter Skinner. Mitch Pileggi always makes me smile!

The Bad: Maybe I’m being selfish… no I know I’m being selfish, I just don’t want to say anything bad. Every week I find myself excited for a new episode of The X-Files. I keep waiting for the joy of new episodes to fade and end up disappointed by an episode, but it just hasn’t happened. The bad for me this week is that there is only one more episode. As it stands, we X-Files fans only get one more new episode. I have found myself enjoying these episodes just as much as I enjoyed the original series and frankly I’m just not ready to say goodbye again.

Final Thoughts: First of all David Duchovny tripping on “magic mushrooms” was priceless! Kudos to Duchovny for going out and having a good time! Also, possible spin off? Agents Miller and Einstein, or as I’m going to call them Mini-Mulder and Scully, were a breath of fresh air in this episode. Their characters felt like a trip down memory lane, a pleasant reminder of what Scully and Mulder use to be like. I would watch a show based on Miller and Einstein, but it would need its on legs to stand on, something different than the X-Files. If something comes out of this with Lauren Ambrose and Robbie Amell, I’m there ready to watch.

On a real world note, kudos to you Chris Carter for writing an honest script about a real issue going on in the world. The different perspectives between Mulder and Scully’s journey show how crazy this world really is. Mulder’s side showing the path of love and kindness and Scully’s the path of hate shows just how flawed this world really can be at times.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

The X-Files Review: Home Again

X-Files: Home Again

Director & Writer: Glen Morgan

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Sheila Larken, Tim Armstrong, Daryl Shuttleworth, Peggy Jo Jacobs, Alessandro Juliani

Synopsis: Mulder and Scully are sent to investigate the murder of a city official, which it seems no human could have committed. Meanwhile, Scully deals with a personal tragedy, which brings up many old feelings about the child she gave away for adoption.

The Good: This week’s episode is more emotional than the previous episodes so far. With the tragic call about Scully’s mother, the only bit of comedy in the episode is Mulders comments about the city of brotherly love. The episode kicks off with a pretty gruesome death of a city official that is ripped apart… literally. This weeks monster, known as the Trashman, rips its victims arms and head from their bodies. Some pretty cool effects were used to make this look real, it was gross, I loved it! While Mulder is trying to solve this case, Scully is going through one of the hardest things a person can go through, dealing with her mother passing away. My favorite quote of the episode, “I don’t care about the big questions right now Mulder, I just want one more chance to ask my mom a few little ones.” Gillian Anderson’s delivery of that line was priceless, anyone watching felt it.

The Bad: This episode slowed things down for sure and I kind of feel like it may be to early in the season to slow the pace after such a good build up with the first few episodes. The story delivered its purpose to bring up more doubts about their son William, which is clearly going to be a season long theme, but through the episode I was starting think they were laying it on just a little too thick. The ending for this episode also seemed to be missing, is the Trashman gone? We don’t really know, like if it appears does it have a happy face now as it kills you? The ending just wasn’t there for the monster of the week. The final words by Scully’s mom was a little awkward as well, honestly it just felt forced. I understand the purpose of them, even before Scully talked about it at the end. With how much of each episode is focused on their son, those final words from her mother really weren’t needed.

Final Thoughts: While I felt more could have been done with the Trashman, the importance of what Scully went through in this episode will be more important than the monster of the week. I’m really curious with where things are going with William. Eventually there will have to be an appearance from the son of Fox and Dana, the question is when and what will be the circumstances? The little dab at that old flame between Mulder and Scully was nice to see as well. It was a subtle reminder of old times and how their relationship has evolved over the years.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

The X-Files Review: Mulder & Scully Meet the Were-Monster

The X-Files: Mulder & Scully Meet the Were-Monster

Director & Writer: Darin Morgan

Staring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Kumail Nanjiani, Rhys Darby

Synopsis: When a dead body is found in the woods, Mulder and Scully are called in to investigate whether it was an animal attack, a serial killer or just maybe a strange creature as described by eyewitnesses. Meanwhile, Mulder is able to confront some of his own demons about feeling disillusioned with his life’s work.

The Good: This is probably my favorite episode of this season so far. There was everything you need for a good time, there was death, a monster, some comedy and a twist for good measure. Darin Morgan’s spin on humanity is the real monster was fantastic. His story in this episode of a creature that was bitten by a person and then turns into one during the day was nice surprise from the typical were-animal story. The graveyard scene between Mulder and Guy Mann, the creature that shifts into a person, confesses what is happening to him was so well written. Rhys Darby who played Guy Mann was absolutely my favorite part of this episode! His delivery on how ridiculous the human life was and how natural it was becoming for him just because he shifted into a human. It was also nice to see the show expressing how things have changed from when the original show was on tv. At the start of the episode, Mulder is going over old cases and expressing to Scully how a lot of the unexplained from before has now be debunked. Mulder continues his with his doubt as him and Scully get to the scene of the killings. My favorite question he asks being, why did no one take a picture of the creature considering everyone has cameras with them now? This of course led to Mulder chasing the creature around with his phone constantly taking photos while looking for this lizard creature. All in all, the episode did a great job of telling a story of Mulder going from rational skeptic to a believer and getting to see the truth when Guy Mann turns back into his true form before running off. Side note, kudos to Darin Morgan for the name Guy Mann, though redundant, it’s a very funny name for the creature in his human form.

The Bad- I don’t have much bad to say about this episode, but less is better when it comes to seeing the creature. Without a crazy budget, though, there isn’t much you can do, but the show pulled it off.

Final Thoughts: Like I said I didn’t have much bad to say about this episode. It was a good time all around. If anyone is looking for a easy episode to introduce friends too, this is the episode to do it. Also it is clear to see Duchovny and Anderson are getting more comfortable with each other on camera, their chemistry is flowing much better with each episode, making it feel more like old times.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

The X-Files Review Founder's Mutation

The X-Files: Founder’s Mutation Season 1 Episode 2

Director and Writer: James Wong

Staring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, Joel McHale

Synopsis: A scientist working for the DOD commits suicide. Mulder and Scully start an investigation only to discover a secret mutation experiment.

The Good: Just as I hoped this episode felt much closer to the investigational freak of the week format that was a little closer to the original X-Files that long time fans are use too. Even though this was promoted as the second night of a two night premier, Founder’s Mutation had very little to do with the first episode The Struggle. Mulder and Scully worked much better together in this episode. They are back in the thick of things solving the case of a scientist that appeared to have committed suicide. Walter Skinner was more involved this week as well, which I am always grateful for. Skinner was doing his part to give Mulder and Scully more time to get to the bottom of things. Just because I need to say it, the “evil scientist” biting it in the end warmed my heart.

The Bad: This is closer to what old school fans want, but isn’t there just yet. It is starting to feel more like home, but its like there is this unknown thing missing. I’m hoping whatever little thing that feels off fixes it self in the next few episodes, though it could just be nostalgia playing with my head. I will say this, even though I am usually a fan of flash backs and dream type things, the spots with Scully and William just felt off at times, like they don’t belong. Scully’s little snippets where much more heart warming than Mulders though, his just made my heart hurt. Oh the feels.

Final Thoughts: Mulder and Scully worked much more smoothly in this episode, which made a world of difference in the episode flowing much better. I’m sure they are just getting use to working off of each other again, but still it is a relief to see them flowing together. I loved the dynamic of the twins and I hope that is not the last we see of them, you know considering one of them melted the villains brains and then I assume they escaped. Also could we please have more Mitch Pileggi ?... Just more.

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