Review: Epic 3D, or Just What Is So Epic About This Movie, Anyway?

Christoph Waltz Fans

If it's so epic, why's it in lower case?

Upon hearing the word "epic", the first thing that comes to mind (at least to English majors) is Beowulf. Or the Iliad and Odyssey. "Epic" suggests some grand narrative encompassing decades, or even millennia. So what makes this movie "epic"? Because it's definitely not the scope.

EPIC COSTUMES
Costume design was excellent, at least for the Leaf Men, whose wardrobe looked like a Westerosi tailor married a Middle-Earth seamstress and they set up shop in Fern Gully. For the villainous Boggans, not so much, although to be fair, they had animal skins on. You can also expect Queen Tara's white petal gown in next year's Oscars.

BNL Mag

"Don't even think about it, Gaga." -Beyoncé

Doctor Who. Series 7, Episode 12: "Nightmare in Silver"

BBC via DCT

This episode has three selling points.

1. NEIL GAIMAN
This episode is the second one penned by the famous writer. I think he set the precedent for high-brow authors writing for low-brow television.

Litstack

"I'm simply following in Neil's footsteps."

Star Trek: Into Darkness Review, And How to Properly Watch an IMAX Film

YouTube

Even the title has lens flares.

QUESTION: What genre does Star Trek: Into Darkness fall under?

Is it sci-fi? Of course it is. To not call it science fiction would be an insult to Gene Rodenberry.

G4TV

Nothing says "science fiction" like a facial display console.

Game of Thrones. Season 3, Episode 6: "The Climb"

HBO via DCT

I mentioned in a previous review about season arcs, where I said that the climax would either be in episode 6 (this one) or episode 7. Let's assume it's this one, because this was written by the showrunners Benioff and Weiss.

HBO

These two seen here wanting to "climax" inside Melisandre.

Doctor Who. Series 7, Episode 11: "The Crimson Horror"

BBC via DCT

This episode can actually be summed up in just four words:

Awesome writing. Awesome directing.

BBC

And great acting.

The Vampire Diaries. Season 4. Episode 21: "She's Come Undone"

To prove to you she's scorching hot 

Alas, the episode where Elena turns her humanity back on, thanks to Matt's sacrifice and the Salvatore brothers' not giving up on her. If there's something I'd miss about no-humanity vampire Elena, it would be her matter-of-fact, direct, honest, and no-nonsense speeches that never fail to hit the bulls-eye and strike a nerve. That's a different kind of bitch. I am assuming they are keeping the curls and highlights here.

Nina Dobrev is earning my best actress nod.

The Vampire Diaries. Season 4. Episode 20: "The Originals"

"Finally, brother, we get our own show."

At last, we get to see the backdoor pilot of the spin-off entitled, well, The Originals. I can't say I hate it, nor do I love it. But I'm quite optimistic. I remember the The Vampire Diaries's first four to six episodes were slow and boring before the story picked up tempo and the dead bodies have been falling left and right almost every episode since.

"Let's take a rest first before we slaughter everyone."

The Vampire Diaries. Season 4. Episode 19: "Pictures of You"

Miss Bitch-Elena won't linger on any photograph.

The title is basically referring to the pictures of our gang at prom, where the theme is sort of a trip down memory lane because they're hoping to "kill" Bitch-Elena with  kindness and nostalgia. Others have other reasons, of course, like Rebecca's attempt as a human for a day, which she fails because of kindness.

Agree or Disagree: Matt is too naive to think humans are kind.
Agree or Disagree: Rebecca is a desperate brat.

Elementary. Episode 21: "A Landmark Story"

CBS via DCT

As the season draws to a close, one character must inevitably make an appearance, considering this is a show about Sherlock Holmes. That character is none other than Professor James Moriarty.

CBS

"I'm not him."

Re: Sa Wakas

Putting up a rock musical is always challenging. How do you weave a story with a set of pre-existing songs, some related and some perhaps not?

The Sugarfree rock musical Sa Wakas offered feats of good plot-writing, but could've done more to improve on its characters.

SPOILER ALERT:

Trance

YouTube

I've been told to watch Trance, because "It's a great mindfuck film, like Inception." Then I found out it's directed by Danny Boyle, so I said, "I'm watching this because it's Danny Boyle. Also, 'mindfuck' is not a film genre."

Film School Rejects

"How about 'brainfuck'?"

Gangster Squad, or Why Grey is the New Black and White

Warner Bros.

Love the font.

I'm not an expert in the genre of "film noir", but I'm guessing Gangster Squad falls under it, for three reasons: 1) it's a crime drama of the organized crime variety; 2) it's set in 1930s Los Angeles; and 3) it reminds me of Rockstar Games's L.A. Noire.

HD WPapers

Still haven't played this game.