I agree with the review above by eamon-hennedy. Millennium was always well acted, directed and the graphics unsurpassed by television programs up to that point, and maybe beyond. Millennium is obviously the basis or model for several subsequent programs such as "The Profiler", "CSI" etc. There are two reasons for the demise of this fantastic program: First, faults lies with the creator, Chris Carter. He had a great idea, a vision and the resources to create this groundbreaking series. He was heavily involved in the first season which was remarkable in the character formation and the definition of the series, the goals so to speak. Where Carter failed us was with his preoccupation with returning to "X Files" and not keeping tabs on the second season episodes. He made the heinous mistake of hiring two new writers. This brings us to the second reason for the program's demise: The writers changed the course and content of the program. They interspersed humorous episodes, perhaps some would call them parodies, but they didn't fit the series and were in fact an insult to a very loyal though limited audience. A lot of season two was valuable in showing the truth of the conspiracy of the Masons ( or Free Masons), and that there are true conspiracies in today's world even though talking about a conspiracy often labels one a lunatic. The value to season two is often overlooked due to its otherwise poor writing. That quality is that during season 2, several Biblical truths were broadcast to an audience who may not be aware of the true teaching of the Bible. Specifically, the anti-Christ will appear before the true Messiah, the third temple will have to be built before the Messiah will actually return (5 months after the anti-Christ), there were no apple trees in the Garden of Eden, and that although the year 2000 is only the beginning of the new millennium, the actual end of the physical world will happen sometime in or before 2033. When Carter eventually decided to re-take control of season 3, sensing the series' demise, it was too late. This is even admitted by him in one of the season 3 commentaries. In season 2 the fools (the new writers) had created the death of Frank's wife (Megan Gallagher). She was actually integral to the character of Frank Black and was one of the strongest talents in the series. Aside from your basic eye candy, Gallagher was often Frank's inspiration and the anchor for his home life. Also in season two we saw the Millennium Group vilified as part of the world problem. An evil conspiracy that was at total odds with season one and the model for the Millennium Group, the Academy. The rest of the problem that was at this point impossible to fix was that the characters had lost the persona. Even Lance admits that in his interview. The focus of his character became chaotic and unpredictable in a bad way. Although Klea Scott was an excellent choice as his partner, she could have been brought into the series without having to destroy Frank's wife's character or the relationship between Frank and Peter Watts. I still hope that Chris Carter will make an attempt to bring Millennium back to the screen. Perhaps with Frank re-marrying to someone with the charisma and appeal of Gallagher. The director was fantastic, although I have to admit, he should restrain himself from doing commentaries. He is way too boring. In each of his commentaries I stopped at midway and restarted the episode with the commentary "off". As badly as I would like to see the series resurrected, I hope those two season 2 writers never have another chance to mess up another series.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Millennium
(I) (1996–1999)
Why Millennium Failed to Make Season 4
27 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The Sex Monster
(1999)
Funny but NOT Erotic
15 September 2005
Sex Monster 1999
A movie with some very funny moments. There were a few scenes that caused me to laugh hysterically and that is unusual for me. Although Mariel Hemmingway has never been a favorite of mine, she definitely brings strong acting talent to this movie. Her wardrobe is interesting yet appropriate for the scenes in the movie. Mike Binder does a great job of carrying the movie with a combination of almost dramatic acting skills but definite ability as a straight man and the occasional goof ball. Missy Crider is always a good actress, in this movie I don't think she was given a strong enough role and the role she had did not give her adequate room to demonstrate her true skills or to allow her usual sensual self to come through. I believe the movie would have been much better had Mariel and Missy had each other's roles. But obviously the director thought otherwise. Directors always have the right to be wrong I guess. Warning; do not let the title or the movie synopsis fool you. There is almost nothing erotic about this movie. It is funny, but not erotic. The jacket suggests a lot of lesbian activity. Most of that activity is not seen however but alluded to or happens with the camera elsewhere. On the eroticism scale this movie is a 2 out of 10. There is also very little nudity. For the most part (with the exception of what I noted above) the movie was well cast. The plot is plausible but the sequence of events is not, hence we have a clever comedy. I recommend this movie for a good laugh only. It is not a movie to watch for the whole family due to the adult theme of lesbianism and sexual threesomes. As a non-erotic comedy I would rate this 6 out of 10.
A movie with some very funny moments. There were a few scenes that caused me to laugh hysterically and that is unusual for me. Although Mariel Hemmingway has never been a favorite of mine, she definitely brings strong acting talent to this movie. Her wardrobe is interesting yet appropriate for the scenes in the movie. Mike Binder does a great job of carrying the movie with a combination of almost dramatic acting skills but definite ability as a straight man and the occasional goof ball. Missy Crider is always a good actress, in this movie I don't think she was given a strong enough role and the role she had did not give her adequate room to demonstrate her true skills or to allow her usual sensual self to come through. I believe the movie would have been much better had Mariel and Missy had each other's roles. But obviously the director thought otherwise. Directors always have the right to be wrong I guess. Warning; do not let the title or the movie synopsis fool you. There is almost nothing erotic about this movie. It is funny, but not erotic. The jacket suggests a lot of lesbian activity. Most of that activity is not seen however but alluded to or happens with the camera elsewhere. On the eroticism scale this movie is a 2 out of 10. There is also very little nudity. For the most part (with the exception of what I noted above) the movie was well cast. The plot is plausible but the sequence of events is not, hence we have a clever comedy. I recommend this movie for a good laugh only. It is not a movie to watch for the whole family due to the adult theme of lesbianism and sexual threesomes. As a non-erotic comedy I would rate this 6 out of 10.
Instinct to Kill
(2001)
A Good Basic Action Movie
14 September 2005
Instinct to Kill 2001
If you are just looking for an action flick with a few good fight scenes, some pretty ladies and a basic plot this movie is for you. The fight scenes are realistic for the most part. The action keeps the movie going more than the semi-plausible plot. The weakest part of the movie is how foolish and inept the cops are portrayed. Most notably, the detective in charge of the task force, Lance. The bad guy is out to kill his wife and her mother and her best friend, but for some reason revenge on his ex-partner that busted him isn't part of the plan. That seems kind of inconsistent to me. Secondly, there is one scene where Missy's character and the good guy go after the serial killer husband on their own, without the police or any back up. I got the impression that scene was just to fill in time for the movie and have another action sequence. There is another scene that is totally implausible but I don't want to include any spoilers in this. You will see it if you watch the movie. Missy Crider is her normal good actress self but she doesn't show any skin in this one. The only nude scene is a brief sexual encounter with Missy's husband (the character in the movie that is) and her best friend. As a movie for simple escapism and fun I would recommend this movie to those who enjoy the genre. My rating, given the generally low caliber of cast: 7 out of 10.
If you are just looking for an action flick with a few good fight scenes, some pretty ladies and a basic plot this movie is for you. The fight scenes are realistic for the most part. The action keeps the movie going more than the semi-plausible plot. The weakest part of the movie is how foolish and inept the cops are portrayed. Most notably, the detective in charge of the task force, Lance. The bad guy is out to kill his wife and her mother and her best friend, but for some reason revenge on his ex-partner that busted him isn't part of the plan. That seems kind of inconsistent to me. Secondly, there is one scene where Missy's character and the good guy go after the serial killer husband on their own, without the police or any back up. I got the impression that scene was just to fill in time for the movie and have another action sequence. There is another scene that is totally implausible but I don't want to include any spoilers in this. You will see it if you watch the movie. Missy Crider is her normal good actress self but she doesn't show any skin in this one. The only nude scene is a brief sexual encounter with Missy's husband (the character in the movie that is) and her best friend. As a movie for simple escapism and fun I would recommend this movie to those who enjoy the genre. My rating, given the generally low caliber of cast: 7 out of 10.
1st to Die
(2003 TV Movie)
A Very Long "Chick Flick"
13 September 2005
First To Die 2003
I'll admit my mistake first: I didn't realize this was a made for TV movie. I was "thrown off" by the "R" certification. The plot is strong, but the movie is about 40 minutes too long. The direction and continuity were excellent. For the most part the cast was exceptional and did a good job with their characters. The down side of the movie is that it definitely falls into the "chick flick" genre. Although there are some violent scenes, none of the violence should call for an "R" rating. There is no nudity or gratuitous sex scenes. Actually, there are no sex scenes. Ona Grauer (who is absolutely beautiful), Kristina Copeland, Sonya Salomaa, and Glynis Davies were all guests on the SG-1 series, but this movie did nothing to advance their careers since they were all used as low level supporting actresses. Robert Patrick was fantastic, as he usually is and Mitch Pileggi made me think of a modern day Lee Marvin. The very talented Megan Gallagher who I came to respect as an actor during the Millennium series, was given nothing challenging to show her range of abilities. The greatest disappointment with regard to the cast was Tracy Pollan. Aside from being a below average actress and not particularly attractive, her voice is absolutely annoying. I found myself muting the TV during her dialogue. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys the Lifetime TV type of programs. I would not recommend paying any money to see this movie however. Considering I found nothing that would cause censorship, this is a movie that is worthy for only watching on TV, since nothing will be cut out. As a TV movie I would rate this as a 5 out 10. As a feature film with an "R" certification and such as strong cast, I rate it as a 2 out of ten.
I'll admit my mistake first: I didn't realize this was a made for TV movie. I was "thrown off" by the "R" certification. The plot is strong, but the movie is about 40 minutes too long. The direction and continuity were excellent. For the most part the cast was exceptional and did a good job with their characters. The down side of the movie is that it definitely falls into the "chick flick" genre. Although there are some violent scenes, none of the violence should call for an "R" rating. There is no nudity or gratuitous sex scenes. Actually, there are no sex scenes. Ona Grauer (who is absolutely beautiful), Kristina Copeland, Sonya Salomaa, and Glynis Davies were all guests on the SG-1 series, but this movie did nothing to advance their careers since they were all used as low level supporting actresses. Robert Patrick was fantastic, as he usually is and Mitch Pileggi made me think of a modern day Lee Marvin. The very talented Megan Gallagher who I came to respect as an actor during the Millennium series, was given nothing challenging to show her range of abilities. The greatest disappointment with regard to the cast was Tracy Pollan. Aside from being a below average actress and not particularly attractive, her voice is absolutely annoying. I found myself muting the TV during her dialogue. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys the Lifetime TV type of programs. I would not recommend paying any money to see this movie however. Considering I found nothing that would cause censorship, this is a movie that is worthy for only watching on TV, since nothing will be cut out. As a TV movie I would rate this as a 5 out 10. As a feature film with an "R" certification and such as strong cast, I rate it as a 2 out of ten.
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