Dream_seeker

Let's face it, in a world where very seldom a few Afro-American actors get the limelight (or fan gratitude) as main characters and 9 times out of 10 either the character is a total prick or a complete stereotypical crippling of itself; it seems that BBC did something very unique when they made a 6 part TV series staring the very underestimated actor Idris Elba what you have is one very smart, sexy, and hard hitting detective story that only needs one name, 'Luther'.

Series Creator Neil Cross hit the mark right with this series by fleshing out each actor and showing the reality in the mist of corrupt, dark, and gritty UK that the series portrays and each actor plays their character to the best of their abilities; And while the first episode was pretty slow to start it did give you a peek in the life of the World-weary anti-hero DCI John Luther (Idris Elba); John Luther as a Detective Inspector is one of the best in his career when it comes to solving crimes and sometimes he tends to brake the rules along the way which in turn gets him in some (if most times big) trouble. But John Luther in personal life is a bad husband to his (ex) wife Zoe Luther (Indria Varma)who's somewhat conflicted between her questionable love towards him and the new love in her life, Torn in love/hate emotional conflict with a suspected, beautiful, and pretty crazy killer Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson) who seems to have a thing for the hardened cop, A difference in opinion with his supervisor DSU Rose Teller (Saskia Reeves)who despite of that has complete trust in him, and his partners DCI Ian Reed (Steven Mackintosh) and DS Justin Ripley (Warren Brown) who seems to question him depending on the nature of the crime each episode puts out; all of this along with some of the most interesting and depraved killers this show conjures its no wonder Luther's life is never easy...nor fun and that's great in our book.

Now, Some people feel that Idris Elba is trying to hard for this character and the answer to that is...what do you know? Its very rare to see any Black actor put much world-weary feel..and the feel that the character's life is nothing short of pleasant despite of the job he does and the life he leads I feel that people ignore that and focus on who's white and cute and who's not. I say it again Idris Elba is a very underestimated actor and with pretty decent movies under his belt its about time that someone gives this talented actor a chance to shine even if its not to everyone expectations; Luther's relationship with Morgan is a very hot if volatile one both of them tend to put that, "your the bad girl but yet i'm attracted to you in a weird way" aspect even though there are moments where Alice Morgan does something that will defy their questionable friendship but its good to see that thru Ruth Wilson who portrays that side with such intensity that seems almost plausible with every scene.

Sometimes I feel there's a strange uncomfortably between Varma's and Elba's character sometimes especially in one somewhat romantic moment between them in later episodes; But either way she does stand out on her own two feet and she makes Zoe's persona a very interesting one...something for Luther to think about what he missed because of a constant focused life as a cop. Reeves, Mackintosh, and Brown's characters as partners and supervisor are very strong and it works for all of them...it shows the differences and yet it also envelopes a bond as offices doing the same job even though when it comes to Luther one has to question his motives for the things he do. All in all, this is one show that I would like to say can become a hit if they stick to what they are doing now; But for a 6-part series I think they want to keep the premise just the way it is without mocking up the very thing that can make it a continuing success (Ahem Season 5 Doctor who much? LOL).

'Luther' will go down as being one of the fast paced, smart, dark, and intense crime story that I've seen from the UK; and while it doesn't hold originality to the context in some areas it does keep a person fixed on what will happen next and it becomes immediately a guilty pleasure show one I hope with more interesting stories will continue to second season....if possible.

In 1983, a two part television Mini-series hit the airwaves this mini-series which was in the vision of Kenneth Johnson sparked one of the most influential Cult classics in TV which goes by just one syllable, "V" (Which back then stood for "Victory") for a while V and V: The final battle were the best sci-fi that television had to offer (Next to the Battlestar Galactica's and Buck rogers's of the day) then came the God awful very syndicated and very repetitive TV series that hit the NBC airwaves called, "V: The Series" which came out in 1984 which only sparked at least 10 episodes leaving a sucky cliffhanger that got the series canceled...but even though The television series wasn't part of Kenneth's idea the books including V: The second generation which was suppose to be the breakout book to revitalize the Movie Mini-series Sci-Fi opera didn't help the cause...but it seems Warner brothers had a different plan in mind.

"V" (2009) is a re-imagine or perhaps a story from New York's point of view of the vistor's arrival (All of this depends on the viewer who watches it); we are automatically thrust into the world of how the idea of peace can be meant in many different ways one of which can be called dictatorship but from the Character Anna's (Firefly's Morrena Baccarin) Perspective its pretty much a change for the better which as we all know Peace sometimes come with a pretty hefty price. Anna comes off as a nurturing mother, I basically see her as a woman drawn between good and evil; in her mindset she feels that by humans following her example their will be a faster peace in no time but there are some that don't think her ideas are lack of a better word, "Kosher". The minister, Jack Landry (Joel Gretsch) who feels that the Vistors appearance isn't by the act of God but yet is on the bordering questioning the idea when the truth comes to him in a very startling way (which Joel did a pretty decent performance on). The FBI Agent, Erica Evans (Lost's Elizabeth Mitchell) a very hot tough chick, who feels that the activities of the visitor's coming are sparking terrorist acts in the city but finds out the real truth behind it...Sleeper cell Vistor's who have been there for a long time setting up the world and economy to fail so that the Vistor's can make their final move for a much bigger and darker plan, finding that out and juggling with a very confused son, Tyler (Logan Huffman)who thinks the visitors are here for that peace but really wants to get into the pants of the VERY attractive Lisa (Laura Vandervoort). The Reporter, Chad Decker, (Scott Wolf)who one-time defended the visitor send him on a spiral upwards, or downwards depending on his next action and in the end having him question himself of whether or not he's doing this for the news, publicity, or is he selling himself against humanity.

Ryan Nichols (Morris Chestnut), a person I feel will be the most pivotal character in the series. Is a man with a happy life, good job, beautiful fiancé, and a secret that he wants to keep very much Concealed but has no choice but to reveal when the very threat that comes to earth is the same threat that will effect his life that he created. Even though the story feels rush i think the big misconception is the fact that everyone wanted a two part four-hour Mini series but what we are getting is a four part "Pod" episodes (which is a smart bold move or a stupid series ending move depending on how you view it) either way the story is being told in a different way from a very different perspective and even though the pilot episode itself pushed the action forward into revealing the threat the story holds the same feel as the original but from the New York's perspective and not that of Los Angeles. The writing is still on point thanks to 4400's Scott Peter and "V" creator Kenneth Johnson and the special effects are very much pretty.

Even the producers said, "If the series goes as well as we planned we will get to see the veteran "V" cast show up as the season's progress" even the original series own Queen B. "Diana" (Jane Badler) rumored to call the producers of this new series to want to be part of it so you know anything is possible if it gets good down the line which leads to this there are NO comparisons between Anna and Diana (Its like comparing apples and grapes) for as far as we see it Anna takes the more dangerously sincere but, "Don't get on my bad side" attitude while Diana is a no holds barred aggressive warrior. Who thinks fear is the best motivator against pretending peace all in the name of gaining ranks. All in all, I thought this was a pretty good show, despite its very fast plot and its get to the point climax i think this show has promise and I hope that this surpass something that, "Flash forward" isn't really doing at this point. So with that, lets hope for the best with, "V" because as much as i enjoyed the original V and the final battle as a kid and even now, I looked into this new remake series with an open mind and not that of a comparative mind and I was surprised at how much I liked it. Wished others can do the same.

8/10

I have to admit...there are certain remakes that i can't say i don't approve but it seems most of them this year are pretty good and, "Get smart" is of no exception. Director Peter Segal made this movie with one intention.....to make you laugh hysterically. Steve Carell is definitely Maxwell smart and if Don Adams was alive today i'm sure he would be VERY pleased that someone is taking care of his mantle pretty well. Anne Hathaway is a very Sexy agent 99 and she did her part....seductively! The story is pretty much straight laced and you will follow along very fast but you will be mostly laughing more than getting into the story...Masi Oka (Hiro from, "Heroes") as Bruce and Nate Torrance as Lloyd did their part pretty good as the comic relief but then again; the movie is one big comic relief from the summertime blues.

All in all, you have to really like this movie. The jokes are fast paced and very witty; I doubt it would stand against the other big name movies but in the comedy department this stands already on its own two feet. And I would recommend it.