Top 10 Saddest Doctor Who moments

Apologies for my delay in updates, but busy schedules and studies can take their toll on the best of us. But seeing as I haven't done a top ten in a while, why not do one for one of the most endearing elements of the Sci/Fi drama, those heart breaking moments. Everyone has different opinions of what their favourite tear-jerker moments are, but I am sure we will be able to come to a compromise.

10. Angels from Hell
OK, OK...so I have said multiple times, Amy is not my favorite companion. She was clingy sometimes, bit of a two-timer (OK most of them are) and she didn't contribute a whole lot more than heart. But in seeing what she and Rory have gone through, only for it to end like this. I won't deny that even I was left in tears. But what never struck me was how Brian, Rory's dad, felt of this outcome. In a sketch display with voice over from Arthur Darvill, it was even more touching the message Rory had to tell him from the past. And it's all the Doctor's fault.

 9. Rings of Akhaten speech
OK, so we went from the death and reaction of those deaths, to a speech. But my god it is one of the best monologues in all of Doctor Who. Standing before the mass of swirly power that is a God, the Doctor stands unfazed as he delivers his resume of the strange and wonderful to this sentient being of energy. I found a quote recently that suits this scene strangely enough: "An rud is annamh is iontach". What is strange is wonderful! I do believe the power behind the speech is slightly hampered when it falls to Clara to save the day, as it sounded like Matt Smith was pouring his heart and soul into so great a delivery it brings tears to the eye. And let us not forget that fantastic symphony of voices to the song 'Rest now my warrior'.

 8. A...good Dalek?
Really...a Dalek that just want's to be loved! C'mon, this is kind of pushing it. I mean let's see, he was captured, tortured...subjected to humiliating position of answering and living of the DNA of a human and understood human wants and desires better than the man who has everything and want's more. Heck, even the Doctor is totally disregarding of the Dalek, yet shows it only an iota of respect relative to Van Statten. He is so willing to kill this Dalek even if it destroy's him on the inside. It's an interesting dynamic that made the episode one of my favorites, as well as trying a different spin on the deadliest creatures in the universe.

 7. Heart of Steel-broken
Well a Dalek giving up life for what it's become is sad, but what about a Cyberman (or Woman?) who dies but has so much to live for. It catches the viewer off guard as the episode progresses, with the Cybermen being shown to be ruthless, cold and calculated, they do everything in their power to destroy them all. But then it slowly dawns on them that it's the technology attached that makes them what they are and these Cybermen are not the same as they once were. Let us never forget (insert name of cyberman converted human) ever!

 6. Forgotten all.
Some may like her, some...not so much. I myself liked Donna's quick wit and sometimes gentle nature. She came from nothing, did everything, lost everything and gained nothing. A brutal cycle for a temp from Chiswick. It is true, for one shinning moment, she was the most important person in the universe, she was the funniest character in a long time and potential for so much more at the conlusion of "Journey's end". But the fatal blow was suddenly struck, with the audience shocked into a certain numbness, not knowing whats going on. She has lost her memories. What really made this sad was a Tumblr post that I saw some time ago, where the Doctor visits an aged Donna on her death bed, but she doesn't recognize him. He places his hands on her head and as all the memories flood back into her, she smiles as her head lays down.

 5. Susan leaves the Tardis
Surprised? I'm not, because I made this list. But in hindsight, a companion leaving the Tardis will always be sad, but what about the first one to ever drop out. When fans saw this they were no doubt shocked and saddened to see that cheeky, pretty daughter of the Doctor step out those door's into a whole new life. But why stop there with the tears, when after re-watching the entire first series available to me, I suddenly see an end in sight marked with the delivery of one of the most moving speeches given by the Doctor. This is made all the more hard to bare with the reluctance of William Hartnell to see his friend leave the show.

 4. 11th final monologue
Have you seen Blade Runner, if so, then this scene should ring a few bells. As I said before, leaving is always hard, it has the best of memories and the best of times. Dying again after so long a sacrifice and knowing his friends will be left with someone who doesn't understand who he is. Added to that is his legacy of always running, always fun and always wild, instead we get a solemn, stationary and provoking Smith who tugs at our heart strings and drew out his swan song to it's inevitable climax. Thrown in a surprise cameo and the final moral, stir in the spectacular score of Akhaten and Matt Smith leaves with stunning diction and flow.

 3. The Doctor doesn't want to go
I think we all remember this one. The moment that made not only fans and adults cry, but critics too. A moment foreseen coming and yet we were not prepared. Taking his own life to save Wilfred, a choice not so easily made, the Doctor realizes his time runs short and from here begins one of the saddest montages ever. Yeah...It's not the death that gets me, it's the goodbye's being made to each of his companions of days gone past. The final utterance of Tennant is just the rotten cherry on the top. What really breaks down my resolve is Wilfred's final salute to the Doctor, the one thing he always hated, yet what he most deserved.

 2. Vincent at the Gallery
If only, if only. You know, a lot of people ask what would you do if you could time travel. Oh, some might say manipulate the stock market or kill an evil dictator (never mind the paradoxes they would create). But me, just to see the look on their face when I show them, all this is what you become. Not just a man, but a symbol, an icon. When the Doctor started climbing those steps, the tension built and built, until, in a beautiful flurry of emotion, we know what that feeling is like. Hope, joy, denial, acceptance, humour and sadness. If only it weren't so tragic an end. Time may not be able to be re-written, but we can damn well try.

 1. The Doctor and Rose part ways
Voted the number one greatest moment in Science fiction, the number one way to leave your lover and No. 1 goodbyes in TV. And hey, who am I to disagree with a certain degree of tradition (usually first in line!). But all I can remember about this scene was the blurriness of the characters and how I could make them out...probably the tears or the adrenaline crash of seeing Daleks and Cybermen duke it out. The scene has everything, from comfort, closure of how they will carry on, heartbreak of a separating celebrity couple and all fused with clever science of trans-dimensional messaging. I have made it no secret how much I dislike Rose with hindsight, but at the time, this was downright heartbreaking as I loved Rose and her chemistry with the 10th Doctor. Maybe this was the best way for the two to part without pesky continuity, while keeping the character alive. BUT IT'S SO SAD!

Trick r' Treat

Ahh...Halloween, AKA Hallows eve and here in Ireland Oiche Samhain. The famous Celtic holiday that eventually got the American treatment, much like St Patrick's day. But when getting American treatment, there can be some advantages. Some of which are the traditions of Trick or Treat. We all remember our childhood pastime around this time of year, but never anything like this!

Much like movies such as Creepshow, this anthology of ghoulish holiday tales presents a different side of horror/comedy we don't see very often. From the opening to closing scenes, we are throw into a world of humour, scares and guts. Even the opening credits have that horror anthology vibe, almost like the film is an adaption of a comic book series. Although given that it was produced by Bryan Singer, that's almost to easy to make a joke about. And yet I bet you haven't even heard of this cult classic. Yes, it's only several years old and I already think it's got dedicated niche market.

To go into detail about what make's the film so intrinsic and entertaining would be reveal great twist after good twist after mediocre twist (mediocre being the school bus massacre tale). Well here's what I can tell you, as it can get kind of confusing sometimes and not everything's well explained. Following four members of a small town community and the people they hang around with, we are treated to the four classic Halloween traditions turned right on their heads.

One deals with a group of kids collecting pumpkins for a memorial sight. This is where the sight of a mass murder took place, when a bus of mentally disabled children are trapped in a bus and plummet into a lake. Years later, pumpkins are set up around the perimeter, one for each lost soul, to keep them from returning. This story is creative and certainly relatable to those of us caught on the wrong side of a Halloween prank. But, as I said, te twist is kind of predictable and the kids are kind of a token troupe. But it's got some great build up and a very creepy story to help back it.

Another deals with that annoying parents rule "Always check each piece of candy". Yeah right, like each piece of candy corn hides a razor blade beneath the sugar. But after seeing this I never want to eat another piece of candy ever again...starting tommorow. What really chills me to the bone, however, is Dylan Baker who balances being a total dweeb and being a really sick bastard. I mean, he just sounds like Satan when he whispers "Happy Halloween". This twist will break your neck from the amount of double takes you need. 

My personal favorite is Surprise party, in which Laurie, a sweet girl who just wants to find that special someone for her magic moment, is on the prowl for tonight's "prey". Little does she know, someone has marked her as his prey. This segment is my favorite for one reason, well OK two. One is Anna Paquin of True Blood/X-Men fame. Se fits the role real well, especially near the end, but not for reasons you would think. The other reason is the best twist since I saw dead people the other day. I would give you a hint what it might be, but I don't think even the movie was subtle enough. Plus I gotta say this, that number Anna is wearing...dayum! Not to mention the final scene which will have every male audience member thinking..."I have got the weirdest boner right now".

The last story is probably my least favorite, but, again, not bad! Old man Whithers (he probably has a proper name, but I'm just gonna call him that), is holed up at home, essentially the Scrooge for Halloween. He hates the decorations, the treats and the tricksters. But tonight he might just get more than a ghostly visitor. Brian Cox (Dr Lecter, not the physics professor) is HILARIOUS as the grouchy old man. And to think, this guy did Shakespeare. Also we find out who the mysterious Sam is! Oh, you don't know what I'm talking about, then perhaps I should elaborate.

The entire film plays out like Pulp Fiction does, out of order and interjecting into each story. We will see characters interrupt other characters stories and later we see that interruption in their own. The unifying factor for all stories is Sam, burlap sack/pajama wearing spook who will appear at the climax or build up to the climax of each story.

Now remember, when watching this movie, take notes for what to do on Halloween night. Check each piece of candy, be wary of those in costume, keep that pumpkin lit until the candle burns out and always give a treat, unless you want Sam to play a trick. A perfect film for those who wish to get into the holiday spirit, start off their movie marathon or not want anything to disturbing for the night.

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Paranorman

I am so sorr...no, you know what, I’m not! So far I have received no comments, not response and no critiques of my writing. If I wish to take a break, then so be it. Well, that’s my rant over, let’s review Paranorman.

When I first saw the trailer, I’m sure I thought the same thing as everyone else: What the heck! While the idea of stop-motion is not new to us, this style seemed almost like Flushed Away, which had characters and settings in a stop-motion design but crafted by CGI. It also seemed to try to recreate Coraline, a creepy adventure for all the family to enjoy. While I hold that Coraline is definitely a more creative and imaginative film, after watching this, I don’t see why it was so swept under the carpet.

For example, when watching the trailer, one would assume the story to be that a boy can see the dead walking and talking (AHEM! The Shinning, Sixth Sense ‘Cough’ ) and he is the only one to save his town from a horde of zombies. Well that is there, but that makes up about 20% of the story. The rest is centered on Norman and his ability to see things others can’t and how it humiliates him and alienates others. Meanwhile, a curse on the town is in danger of coming true, allowing a Witch of the Salem Witch trials to enact her vengeance.

While the scares that exist here are primarily for the kids, not many of them scare me even if I was 10-13. But the best aspect of this film I have gotta say is the freaking humour. I mean, my god, every joke delivered is right on the mark, be it verbal, visual, implied or subtle. And not just puns (in fact there are barely any of those), but double-ettendre’s, childish acts in adults, mature acts in the kids, one joke in particular is when Norman is told to swear an oath and he asks “Do you mean the F-word”. And every character gets a laugh, all due to the stellar cast behind the scenes. Some awesome actors here, including Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air, Pitch Perfect), Leslie Mann (The 40 year old Virgin, Knocked up), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad, Kick-Ass) and John Goodman (Oh Brother where art thou, Monsters Inc).

I must also give praise to the dialog and mannerisms of the different age range all being natural. You listen to them and say ‘yeah, even my kids talk like that’. They also suit the characters voice actor, like Mintz-Plasse being a looser/wannabe tough guy, Anna being a snarky/ eye-rolling teen and Goodman being insane (that’s it, he’s pretty much insane in almost every role). And the plot and character development of the main, support and antagonistic characters are sure to catch everyone off, especially for Mitch.

That being said however, it comes as no surprise one of the main reasons the film may have been forgotten among animation/film buff’s is due to some of the harsher, sometimes darker elements in this film and some of the adult humour I will admit might either confuse the youth or disgust the parents who watch this movie with them. Also I have a major criticism for some of the dialog being awkward, stilted or unnecessary padding. And then there is Tucker Albrizzi who plays Neil. The character himself isn't bad, but the voice acting to me is forced, not much effort is put in and sounds unprofessional. I’m sure he’s a nice kid, I don’t I never met him, but I don’t think acting through his voice is his niche.

But why end on a sour note, for the animation is actually some of the best I have seen and its stop-motion (Have I mentioned that yet?). Each character has their own design with exaggerated anatomy and all the monsters are equally as well designed.

Speaking of the monsters, the third act is by far the best, with an epic battle against the witch, a tearful resolution and an intense moral lesson. To tell the truth, this is destined to be one of the best Halloween cult classics, up there with Halloween, Evil Dead and Nightmare before Christmas. Watching this, all I can think of is Halloween...and Thanksgiving for some reason. 

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Manhunter

No it's not some type of homosexual propaganda, it's a genuine horror movie. Well, I say horror...more a suspense/thriller with elements of psychological horror. But if it evokes a sense of fear and panic within the viewer, then it's perfect for Halloween month.

Directed by Micheal Mann in 1986, Manhunter is what Red Dragon would be a remake of two decades later. The only difference is that this one had better style, acting and tension. The other one had Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. But let's not be quick to judge, for who am I to criticize a film like...wait, I am a critic. Well in that case, It's a descent film, some flaws, but also some very good elements.

As for the plot: A killer, known as the Tooth-Fairy, is on a monthly killing spree, murdering a family every full moon. To catch a killer (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) they bring in retired FBI agent Will Graham, whom has a method whereby he assumes the psyche of a killer to get into their heads and predict their moves. All the while, two criminal minds are at work. The other is Dr Lecter, a patron of beautiful deaths as he attempts his own revenge plot against Graham.

I suppose we should address the elephant in the room, Manhunter vs Silence of the Lambs. Silence all the way of course. But there are some impressive differences in this compared to the other. For example the main man...Lecter. Yeah I know he's supposed to be a minor character, but he has become such a cult phenomenon, that despite two films dedicated entirely to his character being total bombs, he's still an intriguing character. Here, he is fast talking, arrogant, smug bastard who can get into your mind with minimum of ease. Just watch the video down below to see for yourself! In fact I kind of like this version slightly more than Hopkins. Yes, i know he won an Oscar, but I still think Mark Hamill is a better Joker than Award winning Heath Ledger. (Fun Fact: Brian Cox and Anthony Hopkins share the same agent, so when Cox was offered Lecter, Hopkins got King Lear. Then, when Hopkins got Lecter, Cox got Lear. Just thought would like to know).

Another impressive feat of this movie is the main actor William Peterson playing Will Graham. This guy is just insane, well almost anyway. Here William is really convincing as a tortured, nervous and tired cop who just wants a normal life with his family. The moments he shares with his family are actually not as cliched as you'd imagine, in fact they actually benefit the characters as a whole. OK, he's not as compelling as Clarice, but you still feel sympathy for his plight as another one of Lecters victims. He is so engrossed in his performance, it actually convinces the audience he might not be well in the head. 

AS for the atmosphere and cinematography, both are very well in portraying the contrasting elements of darkness/insanity and being safe and hopeful. The POV shots are especially unnerving as we follow each step of the killer as he navigates the house and Graham as he tries to keep calm. Te same can be said for the score, with a strange synthesizer/orchestral tone. The choice of music provides an excellent contrast for an intense final battle.

But then there are some elements that I didn't like, such as the bland backgrounds, some of the mundane side characters who get very little development and the ending. Without giving too much away, it's kinda too serene and happy-go-lucky for a film focused on murder and dark psychology. When compared to other similar films, I feel as though what would have made it really stand out is a shocking ending, one that leaves the viewer so shocked at such an abrupt dark ending. Like as though
non of what Graham did factor in at all at the end of it.
Also I felt as though the CSI work was a bit too rushed and most of it went way over my head. For a Sherlock fan and an avid reader of Conan Doyle's novels, that's saying something! While I got the motivation and the plans being put into action, I find some of the techno-science babble a bit overwhelming. That being said it's still an interesting case and a good mystery.

So overall...I'd say give it a watch. Some parts might be slow and others a bit fast-paced, but if you enjoyed Silence of the Lambs, then you'll certainly get a ride out of this. 

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Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

You know, there are upsides to reviewing cult movies (like finding out about sub-cultures, joining fan clubs and getting a good taste of unappreciated film)....but then there are the down-sides, such as poor acting, half assed scripts and unbearably bizarre premises. This is the latter half of the two! Well in honor  of the month of Halloween, I will be reviewing a cult classic horror film each week. It feels good to get back to your roots and leave TV behind.

So yeah...Attack of the killer Tomatoes. Pretty much known worldwide for it's campy performances, unusual (to say the least) concept and, essentially, it's title. Produced in 1978, the film led to three sequels, each losing its charm more so than the last, and an animated TV series. Obviously a tribute to B-movies, the film will most definitely strike a chord with some devotee's of cheese (Hey that rhymes). But as for the rest of us, oi vey!

The premise (oh geez!) a giant tomato is hunting for human flesh to feed on and it's to a group of unlikely heroes to stop it. Huh, cliche much? 

Most likely based on the Blob, hey I just got that joke in Monsters vs Aliens (where BOB was created by genetically altering a tomato but turned into the blob). But the madness of the story, as well as the actors for that matter, actually creates a quirky kind of slapstick satire of the most famous B-movies of all time; Attack of the 50 ft Woman, The Blob, etc, as well as classic horrors such as Jaws released 3 years prior. The comedy, although effective at times, comes off as extremely forced and not very creative. Any creativity is bogged down by the most uncreative and yet also most creative idea ever. Who would have thought to make the tomato a killer. NO ONE THAT'S WHO!

As a satire, the film deals with many...NO! You know what, this film sucked. The only  humorous part was the opening titles, but even those seemed to be a rip off of the opening titles for Monty Python Holy Grail. So here's what you do; get Monty Python Holy Grail, The Blob and some feckin' tomatoes, put them in a blender ad you know what you get? Pieces of metal floating in a tomato pulp. But metaphorically, it's this movie. Expect no promise from this film my readers, this is one really rotten tomato that I would like to ironically throw at the screen (but not really as it would destroy my lovely television).

Seriously though, if you can't sit through this trailer, just skip the movie entirely, I know I wanted to!

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Doctor Who-Time Heist

I am really falling behind on these reviews, aren't I? Well that is to be expected in the coming months. I said I will try my best, but I think I can do better.

So Time Heist, an episode that really I didn't think much about when I saw the trailer. It looked kind of...well, average. Little did I realize that it's actually one of the more enjoyable episodes of the series. A type of Ocean's 11 meets Firefly plot, with good supporting cast and interesting antagonist (I call them that now, as no antagonist is really a villain, well, not all of them). I had actually missed it the previous Saturday, so I managed to get a marathon this morning, so I..Am...Pumped! 

PLOT! Taking place in an intergalactic bank, the Doctor, Clara and two others, an augmented human  named Psi and a Shape-shifting mutant named Saibra, are recruited, their minds wiped and told to break into the most secure bank in the galaxy. Hired by a mysterious Architect, they each want something more than anything in the Universe and in return they must steal something that bit more personal.

Again, the way Clara and the Doctor are written and portrayed meet the same high standard as every other episode. But what really makes the episode stand out is the supporting cast. They serve a purpose and we actually care since Moffat cared enough to give them a personality and motivation. I mean true they are only there for a short while, but they are neither expendable nor confined to one episode. I have a good feeling we will see them in a coming episode. But is it it me or do they feel like they have been based off of comic book characters. One is an augmented cybernetic human (geez, Cyborg, DC, much) and he wants his memories back(Um...Wolverine?), the other is a mutant with the ability to shape shift after coming into contact with human touch, but see's this as a curse and wants to be able to touch again (OH COME ON...ROGUE AND MYSTIQUE!). But yeah I hope they come back for the finale.

As for the twists and turns I dare not give them away, the plot allows for some tense and sneaky moments, all packed into 45 minutes. To tell the truth, I wish I saw some more parts where they were breaking in and cracking puzzles, those were the best parts of the episode. I also kind of feel the main antagonist wasn't as well developed, that they could have shown her as a deranged Dolores Umbridge (or at least, more deranged). Instead she was just, kinda quirky and not that interesting. But the Teller, now that was a good idea. Someone who amplifies the guilt someone has and leaves their brain like soup pouring out of their ears. The design is a much better idea for a monster, not like some of the others I have seen the past few episodes, a cross between the Judoon and the Beast from The God Complex. And at the end, everything is justified and everything makes sense.

A fine stand-alone episode of the series, with good side characters, good twists and tense action, it was lots of fun to watch, even if it had little to do with the story-arch. So far this series is doing very well. 

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Doctor Who-Listen

Yes, I know I should get on to the 100th update special, but I promise, after the series is done I will get right to it. Also I'm extremely sorry for the delay, I am getting even more busy these days. Next review out soon.

So 'Listen', the forth episode of the series and introducing a new monster for us to hide behind the couch, kind of! You know after watching this, it got me thinking of a famous quote from the cult horror film 'Peeping Tom'.

"Do you know what the most frightening thing in the world is. It's fear."

It was less about a monster and more about character development and the psychology of fear. It really is becoming apparent that this series is maturing. Rather than just remain the serial from the 60's and feature a mad adventure with a creepy alien, it is delving into the characters, focusing on plot rather than plot conveniences and feeling emotion rather than being told an emotion.

The story (as far as I know) concerns the Doctor delving into a deep rooted fear felt universally of whether or not we know we are alone. Assisting him after a poor date, Clara assists in the investigation. But after some close calls and confusing temporal displacement, the Doctor might finally find the answer at the end of the Universe. All the while, Clara is learning more about Danny than he know's himself, from meeting his younger self to meeting his descendant. It all get's quite confusing. (And I thought understanding Donnie Darko and Pulp Fiction was a walk in the park)

As far as the episode goes it's not the worst one I have ever seen. I mean episodes like 'Hide' or 'Love and Monsters', now those sucked. But I find this episode suffers from a lack of focus, is it trying to tell a scary story, is it trying to be psycho-analytically evaluation of the characters or is it trying to be quirky with it's overlapping time-lines and loopy romance. Don't get me wrong, the individual aspects are good, but melded together they just don't mix. Moffat, for this episode at least, may have bitten off more than he can chew. Then there is the attempts at being scary that are eerily reminiscent of 'Blink', as though this series is trying to recreate classic episodes that I love and approach them from a new angle. That instead of looking at the Angels, you cannot look at these creatures or else who knows what happens. But the episodes lack of a proper monster/antagonist is it''s downfall and only serves to confuse the viewer as to what it is and infuriate them as to what they can't see. It's like what John Carpenter (horror/sci-fi director) said when seeing the haunting. I pay my money, I want to see what the f*** it is!

So I commend the writers for trying something new, for developing the characters, trying to create a tense atmosphere and delivering a comforting morale that even the Doctor is afraid of the dark.
But none the less, I would have expected a new monster going into this episode and a focus on the actual thrills, plus it's a bit to romantic comedy cliche. Glad the two are attempting to date, but it could have been pushed aside. I fully believe they are trying to recreate a lot of the most popular episodes of previous episodes.

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Doctor Who-Robots of Sherwood

Apologies for any delays in my post, I have been quite busy and I am bound to get even more work in the coming months, so I might ask that you be patient. So let us get to my review.

Ah, the Robots of Sherwood. A strange story that (FINALLY) gives us time-travel to a past that’s not Victorian England. It’s about time the series tries to take a more light-hearted, comedic tone for the viewers. I mean, there’s only so much angst one can take before it becomes repetitive and loses its charm, like slow-motion. And everyone gets one laugh in to help lighten up the audience, but thankfully takes itself seriously enough before it becomes to cheesy or campy. And the camp factor is borderline 1960’s Batman with Robin Hood.

So what’s the story? In 1150, Robin Hood roams the forest with his merry men, much to the Doctors discomfort as Clara forces his hand and visits the bunch in Sherwood Forest. This pleases Clara to no end, as she witnesses the famous archery challenge, engages in swashbuckling duels and helps bring down the Sheriff of Nottingham, who has been stealing all the gold in the land for his nefarious plot. But much to the Doctors chagrin, he can’t seem to believe in the idea of a hero as romanticized as Robin Hood actually existing and his exploits true.

As I said, the comedy is what makes the episode good. To tell the truth, the twist is slightly confusing, the villain is not very interesting and we are still getting the overarching plot of the Promised Land. Why is it we can never get a series without any contrivances’ or connect the dots sub plot, just give us a series with fun adventures, imaginative monsters and have the series finale just be Daleks, Cybermen, The Master or a rogue Time Lord.

Each character is plays there part well, as said for Capaldi and Coleman in previous weeks, with the Doctor suddenly facing a hero complex and Clara taking a much tougher act to get the bantering men to behave. This is actually the episode that made me realize how lost the Doctor has become and that this is a new stage in his life to regain the hero he once was. But the scene stealer by far is Robin Hood, who is just having a ball with the character, with brash daring-do, quick wit and cunning. He so perfectly encapsulates the character as we laugh along with him, much to the Doctors hilariously cynical annoyance. It’s also good for the Capaldi to get some proper Doctor moments, like sword fighting with a spoon or engaging in an archery battle with Hood, all the while using some proper Malcolm Tucker humour.

I suppose I should touch on the twist, considering it can be confusing. I mean, is Hood a legend, is he merely a pawn in a larger game or is he the real thing whose mind, along with everyone else’s, is warped by a radiation leak into believing he is the real thing? I guess we can only speculate, because that’s what I believe anyway, but it doesn't make his parting words to the Doctor any less true.

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Quite possibly my favourite episode in the series so far! Yeah, I know it’s a little early, but we’ll see how next week’s episodes attempts to be the scarier episode of the series. By the way I realize this is my one hundredth post and I should do something to celebrate, I will, in due course. 

Doctor Who-Into the Dalek

I am soooo sorry for my delayed update, I have just been so busy to get any work done! So I will make it up to you by giving another update this week, my 100th entry. But as for now, let us examine the 12th Doctors first appearance alongside the Daleks. 

Taking place on a spaceship in an asteroid belt in the future, a crew of soldiers are defending themselves against an onslaught of Daleks. One of them is saved by the Doctor, who is promptly taken to examine a captured Dalek. Picking up Clara from school, while there she meet's Danny Pink, a new teacher, and they are asked to cure the fault in the Dalek so as to determine a weakness to help the soldiers in this battle. In order to do this, they must venture into the most dangerous place in the universe, the interior of the Dalek. 

Watching this episode, I noticed something a bit too familiar in terms of the writing and atmosphere. I couldn't place it until the Dalek started going on a rampage throughout the base and then it hit me...THIS IS ALMOST AN EXACT CARBON COPY OF THE EPISODE DALEK FROM SERIES ONE! I mean its a Dalek that's sick from being morally compromised, is trapped by a military group against it's will and it brings to light some moral quandaries concerning the Doctors emotional well-being. As well as the claustrophobia evoked by the close spaces and being on the run from an insane Dalek. But at the same time, while a carbon copy, it does convey that atmosphere as well, not to mention the interaction between the Doctor and the Dalek. Part of me feels as though this could have been a very suspenseful and tense episode if, for example, the Doctor and Clara infiltrated the Dalek while it was on the run and thus it would become a race against time to stop the Dalek from wiping out the crew and contacting it's allies. But seeing the complicated science that goes into a Dalek is very cool, what with the anti-bodies and the feeding off organic matter in the form of gunk (best word for it).  

What I really want to compliment however is the characters in this episode. He seems much more cynical and critical to everyone, even Clara. We see a very dark, almost insane quality to Capaldi as he tries to reason between science fact and optimistic hope. Can a good Dalek exist or is it just wishful thinking? Not to mention the fact that darkness is the forefront of the Doctor's mind, inspiring the dalek to enact brutal carnage on the Dalek oppressors. And how can we forget the final parting message. This seriously left my mouth on the floor, that the only thing considered a good Dalek is one that performs amicably in the ways of a dalek. Again I have to compliment the excellent development and portrayal of Clara, taking a distinctive edge, using tactical brilliance and proving to be strict or playful where necessary. Man, I wish she was my teacher. Another whom I must compliment is Danny Pink (played by Samuel Anderson). In one episode I can already tell that I like him. He's like a less accident prone Mickey, with a hint of goofiness and tragedy to give his character some mystery. Just seeing him try to hold everything in, whilst in front 
of a class, and almost break down, it's just heartbreaking.

So for our final verdict and opinion, who is Missy and why is she recruiting all those whom the Doctor has "killed". I hope she doesn't become some second rate River Swan, because that's what I am getting from her. Overall, intriguing, if a bit familliar, could have been more tense. For what we got, an interesting dive into the psyche of a Dalek, not one of the stand outs among Dalek episodes, but definitely among the series. 

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Doctor Who-Deep Breath

First off, can I just say how sorry I am that I have not updated in over three weeks. Due to a busy schedule, I am afraid my trip to Spain was a bit distracting. I would also like to note that I may be a bit busy this year and next, but I will try to update as best I can. But after last nights episode of Doctor Who, I feel the overwhelming urge to review (hey that rhymes!). So what a better way to get back to reviewing than critique each episode of Doctor Who until the finale.

Now for those new to the site, I think it's fair to say that my favorite TV series is by far Doctor Who and with a new Doctor, a new cast and new season, fans all over the world were pumped to see such an extravagant and exciting event. So how does this new series start out and how well can the Doctor fare against his previous incarnations. Oh by the way, SPOILERS!

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So, now for the plot. In Victorian era London, a dinosaur has appeared in the river Thames and has attracted the attention of Madame Vastra and her associates (yeah, expect to see these guy's appear a lot in the series). But after the T-Rex coughs up the TARDIS, a dazed and confused Doctor steps out to the shock of everyone, especially Clara. Taking him back to HQ to recuperate, we get our main character arc for Clara...prejudice. Unable to cope with a new man taking the spot of someone she knew, her apprehension is our's as we take time in this episode to determine whether or not this man is the Doctor, much like the gladiator matches of Rome. Amongst all this, a mysterious case of spontaneous combustion is spreading throughout London and people are being robbed of Body-parts. Will this new Doctor be able to identify the culprit? But more importantly, will he find out who, or even what, he is?

Now my major criticism is the unnecessary, sometimes lacking plot details. One in particular is why was the dinosaur even there? In the advertisements it looked like one big story to be dealt with on a later date, but no, it's in this episode as a joke and more of an accident on the Doctors part. On the other hand however, this does provide a interesting contrast to the Doctor. They both feel lonely and confused by this new world which surrounds them and it's destruction due to his involvement leads him on the hint to search for the crux of the matter. Another is the lack of focus on the Robots of the episode. If we cut out the first 10 minutes involving it, we would have gotten more time to focus on the scavenging cyborg. Also I feel as though the mystery and drama was what it should have been, but by all means, it's still thrilling and entertaining. Two scenes in particular are equally suspenseful, when the Doctor and Clara sit down to a meal, it slowly dawns on them that it is all a trap. Another is Clara trying to hold her breath and avoiding an interrogation from the Cyborg. So suspense and action is definitely there, along with some descent comedy from all those involved. 

But by far the most impressive aspect of the episode is Capaldi's portrayal of the Doctor. He is the same aloof, intelligent and eccentric Time Lord whom we have all come to love, but two scenes stand out to me. One is him trying to comprehend his reflection and what does it mean that this is the man he has become. It's one part dramatic and one part comedic, but leans more towards dramatic for me. Unless he's swearing up a storm, Capaldi to me is not naturally funny. Also did anyone notice it was kind of like that scene in Doctor Who the Movie after McCoy regenerates. The other scene is him trying to reason with the Cyborg and the cause of his faith left ambiguous. Just by looking at the camera, it's like he's saying, "So, what do you think?", as if challenging us. Did he kill the Cyborg, is he that dark now that he will kill even if another option is open to him? More questions left to be answered. Also, his banter with Coleman was stellar. I am glad we can now move past the whole will they or won't they and instead move to friends helping their friends in need. I hope to see a more confident and competent Clara like we saw here in the rest of the series. So praise be to these two for exceptional performances. 

And must I address the elephant in the room?! Okay, Matt Smith's cameo was sweet, shocking, but invasive. Part of say's it's kind of like a father handing down the reins of power to his son, in that Matt is giving his blessing to Capaldi and is reassuring Jenna that the show will remain the same. But another part say's, Matt's time is over and it's time we move on! He left his mark on the series, but he has had his time, now we have Peter. I won't lie, I felt no emotional attachment to his appearance or even that sad that he has left, but it was a nice image to leave on, with Clara willing to give this new strnger a shot and the Doctor on a quest to save his soul. I just can't wait for the next episode!
So overall, a good introduction to the new dark style of DW and to Capaldi, some minor nitpick's, some major, but I enjoyed almost every minute of it.

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Top 10 Favorite Female Characters

Spoiler Alert. Videos might contain spoilers!

10: Gwen Cooper from Torchwood. As I am writing this I am waiting in hope for another series to be green lit and she is yet to return to the small screen. But from what we got so far, we have a tough, diligent and compassionate member of special ops team Torchwood . I find that any character who can overcome being hunted by aliens, extra-dimensional entities and the Government deserves my respect. Starting out as vulnerable, she steadily became a badass fighter for Earth, no matter the cause, but always saves for those she loves most and those in pain. Plus, you gotta love that Welsh accent. 

9: Michonne from The Walking Dead. Might seem a bit strange to see a character whom I placed so highly on my Top 10 Favorite TV characters not one year ago, but, well ... I guess evolution (or I changed my opinion, either way). Yet I can not deny my intrigue in her character. I'll tell you right now, in case of any misunderstandings, I have missed the entire last series so I have a lot to catch up! But her distant, cold nature, holds an underlying sadness and mystery. True she may look like some badass with a katana, but if we watch a little closer, we will learn so much more. Right now I am content with just the mysterious stranger persona.

8: Alice from The Critic. She may look, sound and act like small town southern gal, trying to make her way in the Big Apple. But don't let that fool you, that's honestly who she is. And that's the best compliment I can give her, she's a honest, all American woman. To tell the truth, she is more real than most of the women of this list and she's animated! And she's not just a comic foil for the main character Jay, she is his moral compass, a sense of real love in his life and has a great sense of humor. But it really annoyed me when she was dropped from the web series as another woman Whom Jay has lost. She really boosted Jays liability and made ​​the show worth watching.

7: Mary Morstan-Watson from Sherlock. I was planning on choosing a character from Sherlock who was endearing and likable, as well as interesting, like Irene Adler. But this goes solely to Mary. The fact she is played by the real life wife of Martin Freeman (Watson) their chemistry is just ... elementary (sorry, I could not resist). Actually it is just adorable, like Peter and Gwen adorable. She was much more developed than her role in the novels or other adaptions, having a story arch, a mystery and actually assists Sherlock. I think she is the only woman, other than Molly or Mrs Hudson, whom he actually likes. And the audience and fans loved her too and were heartbroken to find out her secret in the finale. Not to mention finally ending will they or won't hey theories on a homosexual relationship among the fans. Not bad for a women who came between Sherlock and John.

6: Skye from Agents of Shield. While the series may be considered Generally lackluster among the audience, to me it's saving grace was Skye. My first thoughts were quite ... negative to say the least. But as the series went on, she became more and more interesting and important by the second. Her relationship with Coulson is very much father/daughter, her relationship with Fitzsimmons is almost sibling like and her relationship with May is ... kinda strained, but now fully professional. Usually, Whedon writes his female protagonists as tough feminine figures or innocent and quirky. Thankfully we got the better of the two combined. She is smart, witty and out to prove herself, just how I like my leads.

5: Echo from Dollhouse. Not just pretty face, even though it is her primary purpose to be so. Starting out as a somewhat quirky doll (more so than the others), she gradually aroused more and more suspicion as she amassed more and more uploaded personas until her own subconscious broke through. Working from within the dollhouse to bring down the Rossum corp. she is a woman on a mission to free those who are trapped in the system. What really makes her stand out from all the others is her portrayal by Eliza Dushku, as well as the the original persona breaking through, Eliza also plays the role of the many personalities uploaded, whether it is a teacher, a master thief, an assassin or a girlfriend, each person is as compelling as it is memorable.

4: Catwoman from Batman the animated series. I just love the way she is presented Within the series, as a conflicted, seductive and enjoyable villain. True she may be a thief and her cat fetish may be OTT sometimes, but her Chemistry with Batman is just sublime. To me she is the true love of Bruce and Batman, and I look foreward to her appearance on the upcoming Gotham. She was one of the first femme fatales of the comics and thankfully she has earned the respect of many in the comic book community. What really sold me was the voice courtesy of scream queen Adrienne Barbeau. There is something so classy and romantic about the way she phrases certain words and I am glad they allowed her to contribute to the action and story, With many episodes concentrated on her relationship with Batman. It was a nice touch also to have her be an advocate for animal protection and become a socialite, schmoozing her way onto our screens.

3: Clara from Doctor Who. You see, I already like this character, but she is painfully underdeveloped. So what happens when we get at least one more series alongside what is assumed to be the darkest incarnation of the Doctor since 2005, only time will tell. But her unyielding loyalty, enduring charm and quick wit is a promising character in the making ! ... She is just lovely. There are two types of woman in the world for me; cute and hot, she is cute. Someone who has the looks, but prefers to flaunt her charm and wit instead, the type you want date in the long term. She has brains and friendly personality and has the potential to be as endearing as Elizabeth Sladen. I like to see her being helpful, I like to see her being clever and most of all I just love her sense of humor.

                           

2:. Katara from Avatar the last Airbender. Why does everybody overlook her? To answer this question I decided to compare her against Toph, a fan favorite. If we were to take their power away and leave them as ordinary girls, we would have one character who is crabby, moody and literally left wandering blind. The other would be a strong willed, supportive and fierce character. Her motherly instincts aside, she possesses a need to help others, whether she has the resources to or not. She is powerful with her ​water bending and has her limits, she is often concerned for those she cares about, especially Aang. While it may have started out as unrequited puppy love, it transformed into a tender and romantic relationship, something only Katara could have provided, no matter what the fan fictions say.

1: Rogue from X-Men / X-Men Evolution. Oh yes, in my opinion, Rogue is not only on of the best female characters, X-men and superheroes of all time, I think she is one of the best characters of all time. What she has, the rest of the characters on this list have tried duplicate. Like Skye, she Struggles to prove herself, like Echo, she is fighting to maintain control over her destiny, like Katara, she is tough, yet caring and like Alice, she is just a woman who is southern home perfection. Her conflicting feelings on romance and safety, her tortured upbringing and such a heartbreaking ability that will never allow her the experience the joys of a single kiss. And all this has formed one of the toughest X Men just south of wolverine (literally!). I find there are two forms this character can take, but many more can still apply, and that is being the feisty, humorous optimist in spite of her tortured life or the relatable reclusive, who feels the need to take care of herself and fight her own battles. Each one is a brilliant role model to look up to and not only that, but she is as hot as hell, with her emerald eyes, curvy body, tousled auburn hair with the white bangs / streaks, she is the ultimate femme fatale. I also love her strength in Both mind and, more impressively, body. She Could kick my ass any day, with a quick quip and a truck to the face, I believe Rogue has the potential to become one of the most powerful superheroes of all time. Just please, please Bryan, give the girl her own movie. She is one badass Southern gal who I want to take out to dinner.

Top 11 Nostalgia Critic Episodes

Ah yes, the Nostalgia Critic. What can you say about him. Comedian, critic, actor, director and writer, he does it all (with his brother Rob Walker, of course). Since discovering his videos, I have become a huge fan of his work. Inspiring a lot of what has been written here, as well as my writing style and influencing my opinion on film. To honor his contribution to the art of film criticism, I am counting down my Top 11 favorite NC episodes. Why top 11, like him, I like to go one step beyond.

11. Old vs New: Spider-Man vs The Amazing Spider Man

This is when it finally dawned on me how devoid of conflict these episodes are. In each review, he criticizes a film we either haven't heard of or a majority hate. In the ones which have strong feelings on both sides, he is the best at compromise. Even though for his review of Man of Steel, which his initial verdict I totally disagree on, is negative, he has managed to avoid any attacks by changing point of view and analyzing both sides of the argument. And I agree with every point made here in this review (one of the few times actually).

10. Moulin Rouge

It's almost mandatory to put this review on any list isn't it. I mean the amount of effort, preparation and time it took to assemble. The multiple cameos and many catchy musical numbers. This my favorite part of the review, a parody for each song filled with plenty of jabs of one of the most over-hyped, piece of pretentious crap I have ever seen. Oh sure the music was good and the acting delightfully over the top, but the story was cliche, the main characters bland and the cinematography all over the place. But I can enjoy the fact that at the end of it all, guilty pleasures exist in all of us.

9. Is Parody dead?

That's a question I have asked myself for many years. Oh sure, in the last paragraph I pointed out that guilty pleasures are good, but how something like...this become anywhere near as popular as Airplane or the Naked Gun. It is a strange editorial that examines what most people think when watching these "parody's", it can be both spiteful and insightful at the same time. I am glad he can acknowledge it's popularity on the internet (can anyone say Hishe), I am also glad he surprise his audience by being so in tune with the public conscience and how the film industry really has sunk to a new low.

8. Stephen king's IT

Why are people so afraid of this? Because thanks to the Critics drunken stupor during this review I can't watch any part of this film without laughing to myself, thinking "oh yeah, he made a joke about that". If nothing else, I really want to read the original novel thanks to this review (from what I hear, it's kind of intense). Tim Curry is incredibly funny, his pokes at the poor production, acting and writing are easily welcomed by those who do not find this piece of cornball the least bit frightening.

7. Raiders of the Story arc: X-Men

Thanks to the Critic, I was able to really get into this series again. It had been a long time since I grew up alongside it, teaching me about discrimination without even knowing. One of the best way's to look back and compliment a nostalgic piece of awesome is by satirizing it. And it's fun to see something old and nostalgic reviewed positively by the Critic. I really hope He does more of these in the near future. One's I would especially like to see is Justice league or X Men Evolutions. 

6. Refer Madness

This is probably the episode I laughed the most at. I never knew a movie like this existed, and thanks to the Critic I now feel I have an obligation to review it as a Cult Classic. I just love the imitations he makes throughout the review and how he mock's the fools who made this so harshly (I mean really stepping into nit-picking territory). My favorite jokes of this review are the window scene, time-traveling piano and the 12 angry idiots.

5. Farewell Roger Ebert

Of all the new editorials that he has put out, I would say this is probably my favorite. This is the Nostalgia Critic at his most modest. The fact that the late Roger Ebert passed away is sad enough, add on that this poignant eulogy to the work and influence of Ebert and his effect on all of us, it just bring's tears to the eyes. And the point he makes throughout is correct, that passion can go along way. I ask you to watch to the end as his final thoughts on the matter are the most touching of all.

4. Top 11 Simpsons Episodes

While everyone will have their own opinions on their favorite episode, I haven't watched the series in over a year now so I guess I have fallen behind. But from my experience of the show, I not only remembered all these great episodes, but I wanted to watch each of them all over again, just to get that feeling of nostalgia. And his number one pick really gives us, as the viewer, some perspective on Doug Walker. As for my personal favorite episode, probably Cape Fear.

3. The Wiz review

Strangely enough, I can't decide whether I saw 3 or 2 first. I was browsing YouTube for some material for a presentation I was doing on music in film, while at the same time my school was doing an adaption of The Wiz for that years show. I stumbled across one of these and I couldn't stop laughing. This crossover with Todd in the Shadows ( I am dead serious!), is actually both enlightening to me and enjoyable. From this review I was finally introduced to the concept of Cult films and by watching it made me want to make them my critique of interest.

2. Top 11 most F**K YEAH movie themes!

Geez...watch your language Critic. But all jokes aside, this was probably the first episode I saw. And while I might disagree with his number 1, all the rest are well chosen. On my first viewing I couldn't stop my laughing all the way through and as I re-watch it over and over I am still treated to the most awesome playlist ever. Not much to say about it really, just...watch it.

1. The Last Airbender review

Probably a bit curious to see this one at the top spot, but I have my reasons. For one, everything that Doug does well in his reviews,he does expertly; song's, sketch's, comedy, relevancy, etc. Nothing is wrong with this review, it is a movie that deserves to be torn apart and spat upon. But what really made this review important is that it introduced me to Avatar: the Last Airbender. I doubt I would have loved the show as much as I do know, had I not prepared before watching it. Oh yeah! For two weeks I was on a Avatar binge watch. And by the time I got to the episode, every joke cracked me up, every reference made me shout in disgust at it's mistreatment and the message at the end is perfect. Of all the reviews I have encountered, this was the most...humorous.

Well I hope you enjoyed my Top 11 and hope you will all give Doug and his alter ego a view in the future. I'm That Indie Reviewer and I plagiarized Doug's catchphrase so you don't have to (notify court! I beg you don't!)