Change Your Image
Nylind
Criminal Justice major with a minor in forensic psychology. My passion is in Forensic Psychology. I was a film/tv production kid in High School. I took two tv production classes, two film classes, and a creative writing class that focused on screenwriting. I intended on going to film school. However the events of September 11th were a turning point in my life. I vowed to never feel that helpless again. So I decided to study criminal justice and Forensic Psychology my long term goal is to one day "be in the know.." An insider's view of the war on terror may be shocking but at least I would be able to aid in relief, recovery, or prevention while working somewhere in the law enforcement or intelligence communities.
Reviews
Commander in Chief (2005)
Geena Davis Third choice for role, but she may give performance of career
I trust Rod Lurie's writing abilities just like I respected Aaron Sorkin for his work on the first four years of the West Wing.
Entertainment Weekly stated that Lurie approached Joan Allen to play the lead in this series. My question is had Allen left a promising, scene stealing film career to pursue this series would they have retained not only the theme of 2000's The Contender but would the character of Lane Hanson been in the oval office? At any rate Geena Davis may not be the greatest American actress but in adds she seems to bring the attitude needed to prove that a woman can serve in the highest levels of government with leaving behind what really matters humanity. the question "Can a position be successful, and still remain a family oriented loving parent?" will hopefully be answered by this series.
Lurie has a tall order to fill: Showing America that it's possible for a woman to lead, while keeping the show any from being preachy and keep it grounded and entertaining week to week.
ABC also has to make up of Rod Lurie and Lurie's loyal fans for canceling the against type crime drama "Line of Fire".
Speaking of "Line of Fire", Leslie Hope is playing the US AG here couldn't Lurie have carried over Lisa Cohen and have Hope play US AG/Former FBI SAC Lisa Cohen? that would have been interesting just a fan's pipe dream i guess.
Good Luck to ABC, Rod Lurie, and Geena Davis all could use another success under their belts.
Captives (1994)
A Thriller with a hint of Romance and unmistakable intrigue
This film showcases the sole reason why it is a shame that Julia Ormond has slowly faded in and out of the international film scene.
Tim Roth plays against his "Mr. Orange" persona very well. Ormond shines as the dentist just trying to do her job, and keep her head over water in a large and dangerous prison population.
Roth and Ormond are great, the setting giving the characters an interesting backdrop to play out a twisted tale of love and trust.
For the characters the love is unexpected, for the film fan the enjoyment is indescribable.
To Julia Ormond your fans want you to take more chances do more films. Roth keep doing what you do best, stealing the show...
24 (2001)
Pulse-Pounding... The Clock is Ticking.. Silence Please.
24 is a ritual for me and my friends at College. I require complete silence for that single hour every week.
When 24 premiered in November of 2001, it arrived on the airwaves along with two other CIA dramas the Agency and Alias. Alias still lives and has been amazing in previous seasons, haven't watched season 4 yet. The Agency which I watched religiously in my senior year of high school was written and created by the screenwriter of SpyGame. The Agency was the only series ever officially endorsed by the real CIA, an amazing feet in terms of the fact that 9/11 was fresh in people's minds when it premiered.
Back to the case at hand. 24 is jaw-dropping, Pulse-Pounding Action. Every closing minute of every hour manages to hit the viewer with a gift of surprise whether it is the dramatic return of an old favorite like in recent years Nina Myers or more recently in 2005 the return of 24's former "hot" couple Tony Almieda and Michelle Dessler-Almieda.
24 has amazing, sometimes far-fetched, but certain bread from current fears like nacelle bombs on US soil or nacelle Plant Melt-downs.. But most surprising is the guest casting. Many guest stars like Harris Yulin (NSA Director Roger Stanton), Michelle Forbes(Palmer Senior Aide Lynn Kresge),and Tim Cathcart(NSA Agent Eric Rayburn), are all alumni of Star Trek: TNG and ST:DS9. Some major cast members in seasons past like Reiko Anysworth(Michelle Dessler) was on critically acclaimed shows like Law and Order: SVU and playing the Power Hungry Wife from Hell is Penny Johnson-Jerald(Not fit to be First Lady Sherry Palmer) acted many years as Kassidy Yates-Sisko on Star Trek:DS9. My point is casting large or small is not taken lightly because these people will be with you for at least an hour of the day (or one may survive longer, you just don't know in the world of 24) so casting must be good because bad acting is very noticeable on a time-oriented series like 24. BOTTOM LINE Casting A- Plots B- (Because there can be weak parts to anyone's day lets face it, not all is going to be jaw dropping, sometimes it's just wake-up go to work root out a mole at work or get caught in a cougar trap) Overall A+ Five Stars. Excellent drama great action-adventure maybe not textbook realistic Counterterrorism but I sure want to live a day in the shoes of a CIA CTU Agent... Gotta run the clock is ticking...
Red Dragon (2002)
Ted Tally proves that he is a brilliant screenwriter
The reason why Silence and Red Dragon are so close to the novels in their adaptions is because of the brilliance of screenwriter ted tally. In high school I was a film junkie and wanted to go to film school. I worshiped Jonathan Demme's form as a director and Tally's skilled work as a screenwriter. I was sketched out to hear that Dino Deluneraties wanted to remake Red Dragon into a film again after giving away the rights to Demme and Orion Pictures so freely in 1991. But then it occurred to me Dino doesn't care about the art of film all he cares about is making money. Hence the reason why Dino and Tom Harris are bringing "Beyond the Mask" the story of young hannibal to the screen because all they care about is money! On the commentary to Criteron Collection Silence of the Lambs Demme said Harris didn't want to see Silence because he didn't want the actors to own his characters... Cut to 2000 when Harris allows producer Dino and Director Ridley Scott cut out the characters of BSU Chief Crawford and Ardelia Mapp from the plot of Hannibal the novel.
My votes: Manhunter B+ for William Peterson's knockout performance as Graham Silence of the lambs 100points A+ For Demme and Tally Hannibal C- For Ridley Scotts butcher job of Harris' beautiful depiction of Unrespected Feild Agent Clarice Starling and the above mention disaster that left too many novel fans missing the Ardelia/Starling friendship bond and the watchful, kind mentor of Crawford However Scott scores points for excellent cinematic depictions of the parts of the novel that survived and choosing wonderful actress Moore to play the season-Wiserthanherthebosses Starling. Finally Red Dragon A- for cast except for Keitel as Crawford I want Scott Glenn back! 90 points alone just for excellent Ed Norton. Mary-louise Parker a knockout performance as Molly Graham 10 times the actress Kim Giest was in Manhunter and of course hotter! Director choice: Brett Ratner - The Rush Hour Guy! What the hell? I have to hand it to Ratner he pulled it off pretty damn good for a first time director of a psychological thriller versus his previous work as a pop-corn actionmovie-making Machine FOR THE MAN (meaning the 75% crap producing Industry) Note for Tally You added Hannibal scenes not from the book just for Hopkins to earn more $! Why? Leave well enough alone you had enough to work with without adding to Harris Masterpiece.
Eye of the Beholder (1999)
What is so awful? Judd shines again!
Look this movie gets a lot of crap...
Here in America, for those in other countries, Enertainment Weekly said only fans of Judd and McGregor would like this movie. This is probably true because on the surface it is a bad film.
However the director's commentary shed light on the production of this essentially independent film. I have much respect for this film based solely on the fact that it was made on a shoe string budget. It is a real triumpth for independent filmmakers like myself that films like this, monster, and garden state can make great films on small budgets or after a hard time finding funding like this film.
Ashley Judd is very sexy to start with, but in this film there is something hot about her changing her appearance to avoid detection from Mcgregor's British intelligence agent. Ashley as a blond, Ashley as a red head, Ashley with her naturally brown hair, and hot in any disguise. Judd has the ability to shine in the smallest film roles, this film is an overlooked great indie film.
The Grid (2004)
The DVD
This was a powerful series. Well-acted, Well-written. I disagree with people who say Julianna Margulies was out of her element, her character Merrin was just the type of woman you want in the government tough, smart, and strong-willed. Dylan McDermot was good as the Special Agent in-charge of New York's Joint terrorism taskforce. My favorite character was Jemma Redgrave's Emily Tuthill. Jemma was an actress I had never seen before she gave a very powerful performance especially toward the end in her scenes with the actor who played Reza, the CIA analyst turned field agent. Anyone that feels that Emily and Reza's scenes were out of place in a serious drama, I say well love, intimacy, and the beginnings of a strong relationship can be born under stranger circumstances.
In terms of Screen writing the strongest character relationship were the scenes between Maren and under mentor Former Secretary of State Jay Aldrich played by Robert Forester. When Aldrich describes Maren as being cool under pressure and well suited for chaos, the audience gets the feeling that Maren was both highly trained and well suited for her position but, written as well as it was, it also communicates that Maren's skills are both battle worn and still highly effective.
The DVD is reasonably priced at 14.00 dollars or so on two discs, with great extras about film and actor's discussing the mindset needed to work in Counterterrorism, buy this powerful miniseries. I would call this a must for anyone interested in Counterterrorism work for the government. I realize that television dramas like "The Agency" and "The Grid" are fictional and not really how working in Counterterrorism is, but "The Grid" made the journey both mildly realistic and entertaining.
At least it gets one interested in learning about the subject matter from non-fiction sources. To begin I suggest reading "Against All Enemies" by former NSC Manager Richard A. Clarke.
Garden State (2004)
Gets you thinking
First, this film is the second film that really reminds me of my girlfriend Annie. Annie can you guess the other movie? Inside jokes aside.. Very few films really surprise me anymore. This film was the second film in the last few years that really got me thinking about all I have to be thankful for and all that I have to lose, if I don't recognize these people's importantance in my life and tell them what they mean to me then I could see a chance to create a lasting and meaningful relationship.
I know what you guys are thinking, "Dude its just a movie.." but great films have the power to open your eyes to what you have, what have to lose, and these great films tell you to value everyday and your lovedones. In case anyone is wondering the other film to blow my mind in the last couple of years was the critically mixed viewed Cameron Crowe masterpiece "Vanilla Sky". Braff has definite talent. This film should the Oscar attention that monster got. I am calling for another rise of the independent film at the Oscars; the likes of which the film-going public hasn't seen since "Boys Don't Cry"! Again Braff has talent that should not be over looked.