The Doctors Companions

Continuing our discussion of Doctor Who, in build up to the 50th Anniversary, lets look at what makes the show relatable to human eyes, its companions. Over the years we have gotten a lot of companions to the Doctor. Again due to my lack of experience with the Original series, I will only be concentrating on the revamp series. But of course, the original series has had its companions that we all love for me it was Ace and(I'm sure its the same with almost everyone else) Sarah Jane Smith, played by the late Elisabeth Sladen. But for another date we must leave that, for now we must examine the human element of Doctor Who.

1. The Character 
Each companion brings something to the table, something new each season. Let me just say right off the bat that my favorite companions of the new series are Clara, Jack Harkness and Donna Noble(in fact in that numerical order, going from good to bad) and my least favorite are Rose Tyler and Amy Pond-Williams. Now I know what your thinking, what did you not like how nice and charismatic each of the two were...no I do not. For one thing, Rose and Amy left their boyfriends initially just for a chance to travel through time and space(OK, I would leap at the chance of time travel, only I would ask my friend to come as well if he was standing RIGHT NEXT TO ME). Another thing, they are very clingy to the Doctor, well Rose is acting Bitchy and like a spoiled brat when someone else "has to come". Amy is completely ill-regarding of her relationship to Rory for the first series they are together, that its no wonder they kill him off so often. And yes she does eventually mature the relationship to actually caring singularly about Rory, but she takes her time.

The other each have something interesting. Like Donna and the Doctor have a more Brother-Sister relationship, always bickering and poking fun at a situation, she is funny, really funny and she has the right role of life. Her whole life is just unfair, she is not too clever, but she has street smarts, she does have that feeling I know we all have, that the world just has it in for us and that it will hardly get better and it is so much more tragic seeing how all the other companions benefit or at least learn from their experience as a companion, for her experience and this whole new lease on life to be taken from her for her own safety.

Jack has the man from the future lost in time factor as well as the fact he can't die, not to mention he is homosexual, that makes him much more of a cult icon and a lot cooler. He also got his own TV show, how much cooler is that. He is like Ace, and I admit I wish we got more of the past shock, with him dealing with new customs and ways of living.

And Clara is just Clara, she talks fast, thinks fast and a certain chemistry with the doctor that you can't pin-point. Is she in love or does she see him as the bestest friend in all the world. She is smart, but under-achieving(or maybe she's in University/college and she pays her tuition by being a sitter or a housekeeper.) and she has that energy that lets her fly about and take charge of a situation.

    2. Their Relationship with the Doctor
A lot of fans were very much against the Doctor having any romantic relations with his companions or at all. But that changed with a scene controversial for the fans in Doctor Who the movie, when Grace and the Doctor kissed. Since then he's has kissed each one of his companions in every series. But the romance with the Doctor isn't just kisses, there is also the crush that they can have. Martha Jones for example is notable for openly expressing her love for the Doctor (although if that's more 
friend orientated or romantic, we can only speculate). But the most prominent one is Rose and her devotion to him. To tell the truth I actually don't mind the Doctors love life and I believed Rose really loved him, leading her to become very attached to him. For this reason I don't really hate Rose.

So all the companions have in common are their attachment/devotion to the Doctor, they are willing to give their lives and they trust him unconditionally. In the cases of the others like Donna, Clara or Amy, they start out unsure of him, find him annoying yet feel slightly attracted to him like he owns a brand new sports car (except in this case time machine), then eventually come to respect him. I will give credit to Amy because she waited years to travel with him and hell hath no fury like a woman's wrath. And I am glad they decided to not make every woman he meets fall in love and rather develop the friendship. For this reason I would like to see more male companions just for a bit of variety. Jack was entertaining and so was Rory. I think Rory is even more of a bad-ass considering he died ten times and that he came back to life after each. I even found a page for Rory William facts, like Chuck Norris Facts.

I think the relationship with each Doctor and his respective companion(s) are good. Some episodes can be flawed in it's presentation of the relationship and I can get annoyed when the companion feels jealous they aren't getting enough attention ( jeez, get over it you have all the time in the universe to chat with him) and of course there is the one off companions that appear for literally one episode or two just to be a comedic foil or an asshole. But my favorite one off companion is of course...Wilfred. He is just too funny and enjoyable to dislike. He's like the grandparent you really like or look forward to his/her visits. He helps the Doctor many times, he's supportive of his actions and really has and shows only the greatest respect for Him. Then River song came into my life as another living enigma to be solved. She's snarky, irritating and a bit of a show-off,
"I can fly the Tardis, I was trained by the greatest in the universe, I am constantly saved because i'm his favorite", get lost and annoy someone else's timeline.

3. The Twist
What companion is complete without a twist (just about the entire cast of the original series). When I first saw the Bad wolf my mind was blown. It made perfect sense and I never saw it coming. In the Second series I was not to amazed as I was the previous, but still impressive. By the last one we just got, I am just bored to death of them. Why can't we have a series finale that makes sense, but without the conspiracy. In truth Rose had the best twist endings in both series. Each were impressive and heart-breaking. The weakest was probably Jack's. I mean him being the face of Boe makes not a lot of sense. He is supposed to live forever. That aside I wish it was more like Martha, the twist belonged to the finale and not for the companion.

Well that's my review of the Companions. I won't lie, I really am looking forward to seeing Rose interact with Clara, the possibilities are just endless. Feel free to agree or disagree how you please. And apologies for the length.

Video byMrLazarus01

Doctor who the movie

Let's role in the 50th anniversary by reviewing one of the most disappointing transatlantic release of a British TV show since Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

To tell the truth, seeing this the first time I liked it and I considered it very underrated compared to other feature-length specials. These day's however I find that it is an acquired taste, made especially for the fans. Upon release in America it was smashed by competition and got very few views. Partly due to the audience not knowing what they were watching, but mostly due to poor advertisement (rule one of television, never give British TV to Americans, no offence, but come on!)

As the story goes, after the execution of his nemesis The Master,The Doctor must make an emergency landing on Earth when the TARDIS circuitry is driven haywire and lands in San Francisco, America 1999. Upon landing, he accidentally intervenes in a gang war and get's shot. After complications with surgery, he suffers a stroke and dies. This leads to a regeneration and seeking out the escaped Master who also seeks the Doctor for his remaining lives. While on Earth he meets Dr. Grace who helps him find the means to prevent the TARDIS from ripping apart the universe and stopping the Master's return to power.

Now from the premise this sounds like any other episode of Doctor Who, but...you'd be right. It's not bad really but it all seems rather simplistic. From one point it makes sense as they are showing it to an uninitiated audience who would barely understand the series. But as for the loyal whovians who waited to see what the US of A could bring to a show that was cancelled seven years earlier. They were sadly disappointed. The choice to regenerate Sylvester McCoy (whom you may have seen in the Hobbit as Radagast the Jar Jar Binks of this movie, But I think is OK) into Paul McGann, it was a bit of a leap of trust for the whovians. Using the Master instead of a new enemy was probably the smartest move as it would just confuse the audience more and it as fun to say the old Arch-Nemesis back. And then there is the use of new companions from America, which I will go into later, was probably a wise choice. The reason I see this as a cult film or even an underrated film is because it is loyal to the show and tells a decent story with some good acting and decent science babble.

For what I dislike, well: The effects are sci-fi channel quality/90's vibe. They are pretty bad even for Doctor Who, which became famous for it's practical effects, using models and puppets. But here I think this is where the revival series got it's idea's to use CGI to cut corners. Then there is the plot inconsistencies, like how does the master escape the box if he's dead or how come the Doctor can pass through a window if the molecular structure of the world is changing and yet it doesn't happen anywhere else? These are just some plot holes that can be a little distracting to the nitpickers. Then their is the change to the TARDIS design. I'm kind of 50/50 about this as it does show more to the TARDIS and it definitely looks bigger. But it looks like a temple or a converted church with some weird decor just thrown in there. Also I never wanted to know what some of the other rooms look like. I have my own designs and theories for the TARDIS physiology. Also the humor is not really as good as the original series, often trying too hard or missing an opportunity. There's only a few jokes I enjoy, like chickens causing a traffic jam, the Doctor overreacting to new memories and the jelly baby switches. 

But don't let that turn you away. The good thing's are very good. I really respect that they keep the lore and science of the original show and how faithful they can be. Usually most medium transfers will forget what made them special in the first place (The Last Airbender I am looking at you!). I actually like the companion and I am a little disappointed that she is never really mentioned in the revived series. She helps, she is involved and she has the most appropriate reaction to the Doctor, Confusion and fear mixed with intrigue and whimsy. In fact it's really because of her that the universe is saved. But the crowning achievement is Paul McGann as the new Doctor and Eric Roberts as the Master (Sal Maroni from the Dark Knight and Buck from Runaway Train). Roberts is fiendishly evil in this version, actually killing many people including Doctors friend Chang Lee and Grace (umm, spoilers). He treats it with enough respect and is still considered to be one of the best versions of the Master. But Paul steals the show as the delightfully eccentric, yet enigmatic Doctor. I really liked McCoy and they gave him as good as send off as any. Showing just how delightful he was originally and giving a really good regeneration scene set to Frankenstein's animation. My one regret is that they used up one regeneration for one movie when we are now on the Twelfth Doctor with Peter Capaldi. And of course who can forget the awesome new opening theme, it is officially my favorite theme for Doctor Who.


So how does the Movie hold up. Good for some, not so much for others. The uninitiated will be left confused and the whovians see it as an important point in the Doctor who Universe. I won't say should definitely watch it, but if you have time to kill and you like Doctor who, then you might like it. Overall, underrated and still a cult classic.

• Video by Maximilian Francisco Pakradoonian on youtube

Doctor Who month!

Well it's November and you know what that means. I just made up another themed month. This is Doctor Who month, I will be reviewing my favorite and least favorite of the universe that is Doctor Who. Since I have started today that means I only have twenty days to write up all my reviews for the show, it's spin-offs, it's adaptions and "The Day of the Doctor" movie. It will be released on the 23rd of November, fifty years after the first episode. As you can tell this is a big deal for me due to my love of the show and it's characters. Hearing about this movie has got me pumped for this month, I even don't mind sitting through three weeks of school for it. But apart from my reviews let me know what you want to see on this blog for Doctor Who month. Contact me on Facebook, the comment section or Twitter. Well, let me give you a brief summary of what I will be doing for this month so far.

• Doctor Who the movie
• Daleks invasion of earth
• Doctor who and the Daleks
• Top ten best monsters and aliens
• Directors chair writers edition Steve Moffat vs Russell T. Davies
• Top ten Doctor Who episodes/ Review of the current series
• Thoughts on Peter Capaldi
• Doctors Companions

Evil Dead

Well this day has finally arrived, Oiche Samhain, Halloween, the night of the harvest. So lets celebrate the ancient Celtic holiday by...reviewing a movie about demons and abandoned cabins. We have seen have met many gruesome beasts over the month, from mad barbers to zombies to killer klowns from outer space (That never gets old). Now come face to face with...the deadites (Dun Dun Dum).

Directed by Sam Rami, director of Drag me to hell and Spiderman, early in his career he collaborated  with his brother Ted to write and direct a new horror movie, staring their friend Bruce Campbell. What we got is one of the scariest, goriest and most hilarious horror films ever put to silver screen. It's acting is hoaky, it's cinematography is revolutionary and its story, despite cliche's, breathed new life into the supernatural/slasher genre.

The story, of coarse, is of five teens who travel into the woods to stay at a recently bought house that previously belonged to an archaeologist that went missing. After finding a mysterious book and tape recorder, they are subject to immense torture, possession and murder. As they struggle to survive the night, an unseen force comes to claim their bodies and souls. As you can tell, this is like my third film I have reviewed with the same plot. But to include certain elements like an unseen supernatural force, the methods of death and the obscene amount of gore and you suddenly got a cult hit with the horror fanatics, gore lovers and avid film followers. 

My main gripe with this movie is the sequel (each is good in their own right). But one after the other, if you compared them, the second is obviously superior. This is especially in the area of character. Here the characters are good, but Ash is a bit of a dork, instead of the one-liner spewing, chainsaw wielding, boomstick firing hero we all love. Also some areas seem a tad dated. But this was a low budget film that got a very decent box-office gross. For example the make up never really made them look like they were possessed (in fact I dare say that it s only slightly better than Dawn of the Dead). Also you can see stage hands here and there and some of the puppeteers pulling the strings. But that is what gives it that feeling of realism as well as it's hoaky feel.

But of coarse everything else is just spectacular. The pacing is well done, the suspension of disbelief is never pushed to far, the gore, as I have said, is spectacular, the acting while hoaky, holds well and entertains and frightens us. The effects for the most part hold up very well (you will believe a tree can rape a young woman). If there is one thing I hate is people not being open minded towards a movie like this. I saw Cabin in the Woods with my friends recently and you know what they thought of it. They thought it was weird and messed up. It just shows how diverse an audience can be.

But in all honesty, you should watch this movie for Halloween, along with The Exorcist and Halloween. These are the must see films for Halloween. But I do hope you enjoyed this review and the movie. But keep in mind that there are no such thing as these monsters, only ax murderers and Serial killers. So enjoy Halloween and remember

DON'T HAVE NIGHTMARES MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Killer Klowns from outer space

Well what do you expect to say about a movie with a title like this, I mean "Killer Klowns from outer space" has got to be one of the most hilarious titles I have ever seen reviewing cult movies. It's like "Snakes on a Plane", what you see is what you will get. Oh boy this is going to be difficult. Let's just get this one over with.

So the story follows two teens (Or actors trying to look like teens, seriously why can't we ever get amateur actors from film schools who are still in their teens to play teenagers), as they come across a circus tent in the middle of the woods while looking for a shooting star. After entering, they discover bodies wrapped in cotton candy and an army of clowns with weapons like a strangling party blower, live blow-up animals, popcorn guns and a cotton candy laser (How can I be taken seriously if I have to say stuff like that). Anyway, the teens make their way to the authorities to explain their story, but as per the usual horror/sci-fi movie town, they don't believe them (Gee, I wonder why?). All while this happens, the clowns cause havoc and murder many of the residents in, I have to admit it, a very comedic fashion filled with acid pies, puppet shows, mallets and ding-dong-ditch methods. It's a race to get the public to listen to them and defeat the evil klowns.

There are many reasons I can hate this movie. One is the acting and the characters. Everyone's an idiot or ass-hole, they never thought to use their guns until the very end (and only bring one!) and the two twins that help the heroes are so annoying (they're like the Rob Schneider's of this movie, not much use or fun). And to tell the truth the Klowns are not scary. I never had coulrophobia or any other irrational fears (in fact my fear is non-exploitative, Vertical Heights). Also I didn't laugh as much due to my watching of a new TV show, Gravity Falls, which is so funny that I will not talk about until December. I had it on my mind throughout the entire movie and in comparison the film wasn't even funny in comparison.

But to tell the truth, if you stick through it you will find some generally creepy and funny moments. One such moment is when a Klown is luring a little girl to him in a very pedaphilic matter only for him to hit her over the head with a mallet. Another genuinely funny moment is when a klown is doing shadow puppets and eventually makes a dinosaur that eats people. Also the spaceship, tech and effects are very 50's sci-fi inspired,  with references thrown here and there for good measure.  And the Klowns can be genuinely creepy from time to time. But my main reason I am in favor of the movie is because of the soundtrack. The songs are hilarious and catchy and rocking. 

So in my opinion, if you have time to waste or you have nothing else to do, then I suggest giving it a watch. It's campy, hoaky and a lot of fun.

Dawn of the Dead

From the godfather of zombie movies, comes the sequel to whats considered the greatest zombie movie of all time. Here is Dawn of the Dead. 

Of course being a horror movie from the seventies, it has it's filled with camp feel, cheap gore effects, cheesy acting and a retro, synthesizer filled sound-track. 

The story follows four survivors of the zombie apocalypse of the previous film. By this point the world has now been overrun by the living dead. Society is in chaos and there is little that the public can do to repel this onslaught. Politicians are arguing the right course of action and scientists are baffled. As the heroes escape, they stumble across a shopping mall overrun with the ghouls. Have you ever had a dream of being trapped in a shopping mall, I have and it's a dream like no other. here they take advantage of all the store has to offer, while at the same time constantly barricading it and reinforcing it. As the day's grow longer, we see the survivors grow less and less humane, all the while society crumbles. 

To tell the truth, even though I have seen this film reported in many must see film lists, it's an all right film to say the least. It wasn't bad by any means, but my problem is that going in I expected to be scared from scene to scene. At the start it was promising, whole crowds clambering to survive a police raid while a TV station tries to stay on the air. But the pace slow's gradually, allowing us to breath and take in what we just saw. And of course when we get to the famous mall, we get the famous message of consumerism turning us into zombies. You know what, it's right and it still is accurate to this day. So in some terms the film is less a horror film today, as much as it is a cautionary tale/social satire. Little did Romero know that the message would still hold up today. At it's peak I suppose, it was probably a very scary movie. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize that horror is one of the best combinations of drama and comedy. The drama is represented by the sadness and fear caused by the horror and comedy comes from the satire of society and their reactions to certain events. In this form, Romero uses these factors to hammer home the message that he includes in each of his films (Like Aesop's fables each have a moral), eg. racism and consumerism.

But all is not lost. The acting is enjoyable and the characters are memorable, especially Peter Washington, played by Ken Foree (he was on Kenan & Kel), this guy is menacing, intimidating and friendly all at the same time and you know what he is one of those black men that doesn't die first, so you don't know if he will survive to the end! Also you can't beat the effects of the great Tom Savini, still in his hay-day, he crafted some amazing practical effects and make-up, making each shot feel and each splatter heart poundingly real. Yes of course there is the music...I hate it. It's distracting, loud and not very catchy (In fact I wouldn't mind if it was cut from the movie entirely). But man is that finale something. I won't give away much but man it is gut wrenching and gruesome.

So in my opinion, not a bad movie but not one of the best I have ever seen. Might be good for one viewing, but real horror buffs will love it. But you might not want to watch it with your friends, unless they love horror, because it can be a very boring film at times.

I voted for Epic Rap Battles of History

I hope the guys win best artist over those other fakers.