Thursday, April 28, 2005
Revelations: Omnium Finis Imminet
Rarely have I ever watched a television mini-series or continuing serial drama. I was a latecomer fan (the seventh season) of "The X-Files". And the best of "The X-Files" were the continuing episodes dealing with the Shadow Government-Alien Conspiracy, and - of course - any episode with William B. Davis playing The Cigarette Smoking Man, or more simply, the CSM - one of the finest villainous roles ever written for television, and played magnificently played by Mr. Davis.
William B. Davis as The CSM
I'm also a latecomer to "24",(this season), and I wish I'd have been with it from the beginning.
Which brings me to NBC's "Revelations". When the promos ran for "Revelations", it looked unique and, considering the promos were running while world coverage was on both Terri Schiavo and Pope John Paul II, and considering the subject matter of "Revelations", the end of days, I thought it was worth a look.
Bill Pullman
Natascha McElhone
First, Bill Pullman. This guy is one of the finest actors around. Physically, he looks the same, pretty much, from role to role. But he always, always becomes the character he plays. I can't say the same for "bigger name" actors like Kevin Costner, Harrison Ford, Michael Douglas, Tom Hanks, or Tom Cruise, whom I think never transcend to the believability of the character. When I see Costner, Ford, Douglas and the others, all I think of is "I'm watching big-marquee-actor recite lines they've memorized."
Bill Pullman is real, and, in my opinion, far more talented an actor than the bigger names I mentioned. And the casting of Natascha McElhone as Sister Josepha Montefiore is fantastic.
Last night was the third part of a six part series. So far, the episodes have had different directors. And what's amazing is that the visual look, texture, and integrity of the series as a whole has not been compromised by different directors.
I'm not going to write a synopsis of the show, or try to bring anyone up to date on it. I am amazed that a commercial network took the risk in giving "Revelations" the green light.
"Revelations" is undoubtedly theatrical release quality in every way: production, special effects, location shooting, set, design - there was no penny pinching in producing this series. But the story (six one hour episodes) simply could not be edited down into a length suitable for theatrical release. So when television does something this good, it gets noticed.
Television hasn't done anything this good mini-series-wise since director Franco Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth".
Other than that, the only thing this good I can recall is the first season of David Lynch's "Twin Peaks".
And for another fine performance by Bill Pullman check out David Lynch's "Lost Highway".
David Lynch
And please, after you've viewed "Lost Highway" three or four times like me, feel free to e-mail and tell me what the movie is about because I still don't know.
© 2005
William B. Davis as The CSM
I'm also a latecomer to "24",(this season), and I wish I'd have been with it from the beginning.
Which brings me to NBC's "Revelations". When the promos ran for "Revelations", it looked unique and, considering the promos were running while world coverage was on both Terri Schiavo and Pope John Paul II, and considering the subject matter of "Revelations", the end of days, I thought it was worth a look.
Bill Pullman
Natascha McElhone
First, Bill Pullman. This guy is one of the finest actors around. Physically, he looks the same, pretty much, from role to role. But he always, always becomes the character he plays. I can't say the same for "bigger name" actors like Kevin Costner, Harrison Ford, Michael Douglas, Tom Hanks, or Tom Cruise, whom I think never transcend to the believability of the character. When I see Costner, Ford, Douglas and the others, all I think of is "I'm watching big-marquee-actor recite lines they've memorized."
Bill Pullman is real, and, in my opinion, far more talented an actor than the bigger names I mentioned. And the casting of Natascha McElhone as Sister Josepha Montefiore is fantastic.
Last night was the third part of a six part series. So far, the episodes have had different directors. And what's amazing is that the visual look, texture, and integrity of the series as a whole has not been compromised by different directors.
I'm not going to write a synopsis of the show, or try to bring anyone up to date on it. I am amazed that a commercial network took the risk in giving "Revelations" the green light.
"Revelations" is undoubtedly theatrical release quality in every way: production, special effects, location shooting, set, design - there was no penny pinching in producing this series. But the story (six one hour episodes) simply could not be edited down into a length suitable for theatrical release. So when television does something this good, it gets noticed.
Television hasn't done anything this good mini-series-wise since director Franco Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth".
Other than that, the only thing this good I can recall is the first season of David Lynch's "Twin Peaks".
And for another fine performance by Bill Pullman check out David Lynch's "Lost Highway".
David Lynch
And please, after you've viewed "Lost Highway" three or four times like me, feel free to e-mail and tell me what the movie is about because I still don't know.
© 2005
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