"I gotta pay for this bridge?!"

“Torchwood”
Channel: Starz
Day/Time: Friday 10pm

Let me preface this review by saying I have never seen any of the previous seasons of “Torchwood.” I was so lucky as to have been shown an advanced screening of the first episode. Now I know the first episode aired on 7/8, and the second episode is set to air tonight, but I still feel like I can weigh in on this. For those of you who know nothing about this show I can tell you that it started on the BBC and this is technically the 4th season. One of the main characters, Capt. Jack Harkness, came from the BBC series, “Doctor Who.” Something you should know about him, he’s immortal. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know and from what I understand the show hasn’t explained it either.

The end of last season pretty much killed off all of the characters except for a few. They are back in season four with a whole host of amazing actors joining the fun that is Torchwood. What is Torchwood you ask? It’s a group that goes around fighting alien related mysteries and whatnot. It is “X-Files”-esque. But this season Torchwood has disbanded considering just about everyone is dead. The word Torchwood starts showing up all over the internet though and then all of a sudden it disappears from every database in the world. Something else happens, but I can’t say what it is. That would just ruin it for everyone who still hasn’t seen the first episode. And it’s kind of a big deal that I’m sure will carry on throughout the season so I won’t give it away.

I feel sorry for another of the returning characters, Gwen Cooper. She has been trying to lay low and live out in the country in Wales with her husband and baby. Any knock at the door or ring of the phone sends her into a tizzy. Gwen is one tough cookie though. The new characters work very well with each other and they seem to fit with the old characters. You have Mekhi Phifer and Alexa Havins as CIA agents. There is one hilarious scene between the two where Phifer really shines. I was cracking up the entire time. You also have Bill Pullman as a convicted child killer who survives his own execution and is let out of jail on a technicality. You have to see it to believe it.

There is a lot going on in the first episode and from the looks of the preview for the season there is a lot going to happen. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give something away. I know on other sites they already gave away the big thing that happens in the first episode, but I’m not that type of girl. One thing I can leave you with is that I don’t think you will be disappointed. If you are a die-hard “Torchwood” fan I think you can still find this enjoyable and not be let down. There is a good amount of action and mystery and humor to keep everyone entertained. So check it out tonight. Get caught up with the first episode over on www.starz.com and look for the show.

I give this episode four out of five frames. I'm optimistic about the season.


Here is a piece put together by Starz discussing this season. Enjoy.


Until next time kids, this has been Hava.

District 9

District 9 (2009)
Rated R
Action/Drama/Sci-Fi

Wow, wow, wow. The under the cut film, District 9 came upon us stealthily and had many soon squirming in anticipation. In first hearing about District 9 via facebook.com, (the site that can bring together friends and family, can be the initiator to a new relationship or an end to one:http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=114523173025&ref=share), intrigued I was!

The idea alone; a sci-fi film with creatures unlike I’d ever seen captured me. I then learned that the film was based off of a short 6-minute film called “Alive in Joburg”, written and directed (just as District 9) by Neill Blomkamp, a South African native.

Blomkamp was initially directing Halo (also produced by Peter Jackson) but according to internet sources, either disagreements between productions studios and/or budget issues caused filming to screech to a halt and Blomkamp was informed that filming was to cease. This led the way for the Peter Jackson/Neill Blomkamp partnership to fully develop into an original movie-making experience.

What I had thought would be an entertaining, “that’s so cool”, nerd fueled sci-fi experience turned out to be so much more than I expected and RARELY do movies impress me /deem my initial judgment void. **SPOILER ALERT **

The opening alone was unexpected – unaware was I that it was a documentary-style film and thus was thrown into the film featuring commentary on the happenings of twenty years past, when an alien ship had arrived and had stopped directly over Johannesburg, South Africa. It hovered above for three months until the humans decided to investigate and make their way into the ship. They discovered a large group of aliens who were malnourished and sick. The aliens are later assessed as apparently being all "workers", with their leadership gone (they state the possibility of the leaders having fallen ill and died). I can’t speak much more on the story as I’ve given more than most knew when first going to see the film!

Make a note to self (and this is you guys posting a mental note to your temperamental and forgetful brains) that you must see this politically poignant, emotionally compelling, and still graphically amazing story, a reflection of what a group of people can do to one another, ignorance too many ethnic groups have been guilty of. The aliens are looked down upon, treated like dirt because of being misunderstood – no matter how silly (and when you see this movie you will not think it silly) the idea is, the craziness is how it portrays that which many of those who came before us (and into current day) have either been guilty of, directly experienced or been a victim of. It is a powerful film - it made my heart ache on a different level.

To its detriment, the strange and sometimes ridiculous reaction in specific scenes by our main character, Wikus van der Merwe (played by Sharlto Copley) annoyed me. While I have never been in a tense situation with aliens (well…), a purposeful and fairly smart response is expected and was not usually provided here. In addition, I love violence in films (violence, not necessarily victimization) and the graphics were amazing but to some it may be a bit much.

I give this a four and a half out of five frames. Not quite perfect but a powerful film indeed!!



Teaser Trailer below!!!!



Danae signing off!

I beg of you, come to the J1studios.com forum to chat if you’ve seen this film or suggest a film that pleasantly surprised you!