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Body of Proof starring Dana Delany, Nicholas Bishop & Jeri Ryan

Posted on November 2, 2011 Written by ripitup

body-of-proof-abc-poster — Body of Proof starring Dana Delany, Nicholas Bishop and Jeri Ryan

Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) is a former successful neurosurgeon-turned-brilliant medical examiner due to a car accident and the loss of a patient. Her career as a surgeon cost her marriage and her relationship with her 12-year-old daughter Lacey. Now, she is solving cases with the wit of Patrick Jane (Simon Baker’s character in The Mentalist). While Megan is deemed to be anti-social and difficult to work with, she is the friendliest and most agreeable person compared to House.

Show’s comedic relief comes both from the banter between Megan and her co-workers- especially Peter Dunlop (Nicholas Bishop), and the interactions of young Dr. Ethan (Geoffrey Arend) and Curtis (Windell Middlebrooks), Megan’s superior. After the first couple episodes, Megan’s genius pretty much accepted, and she starts developing friendlier relationships with the two cops, Sam (Sonja Sohn) and Bud (John Carroll Lynch) that are usually assigned to her cases.

Body of Proof is a very fun crime drama. Sure, it has the obligatory emotional moments as leading characters of these shows usually come with baggage, especially the head crime solvers. Megan’s often criticized by caring too much about the dead, and she replies that 1) she has to, because no one else will listen to them now, and 2) she is feeling guilty about her former career when she did hundreds of operations and yet didn’t know any of her patients on a personal level.

While the characters of the show constantly joke that Megan has no friends, I’d say that she has become pretty good friends with Peter. Their relationship borders on flirty, and it wouldn’t exactly shock the viewers if they started dating. Fortunately though, this is a show that works perfectly fine with or without romance. The show is more about the murder case they are trying to solve each episode, as well as Megan’s personal growth.

It might not be the most original thing on the block, but it is sure capable of entertaining you for over 40 minutes. The dynamics between the characters are fun, the murder cases are interesting –even if you pride yourself in being able to guess who’s guilty during these kind of shows. Get over it, folks! After seeing our share of the crime drama/thrillers, it is no longer about finding the killer. It is how the killer is found, which one-liners are provided and who the main character pisses off in the process.

6.9/10 on IMDB. A solid 9/10 from me.

Fun Body of Proof Facts:

– Dana Delany co-starred in Desperate Housewives for many episodes, from season 4 to season 6. She was the neighbor Mike dated when he and Susan were divorced. Interestingly enough, one of her character’s love interests was played by Nathan Fillion, who went on to star in his own crime drama Castle.

– In season 6, one of the Desperate Housewives guest stars was Jeffrey Nordling, who played the husband of Angie Nolan, the new neighbor. In Body of Proof, he plays Megan’s ex-husband.

– Dana Delaney just might be the proof of Hollywood is growing up. At 55, she is the leading actress of a criminal show. She is gorgeous, and from the looks of it, it is natural.

– Dana Delaney co-starred with Timothy Hutton in the movie Multiple Sarcasms. Timothy Hutton is the star of another crime/mystery/thriller TV-show Leverage.

– Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Riley Marc Blucas co-stars in the episode Dead Man Walking (Season 1, Episode 5). He is one of the main suspects. Marc Blucas is no stranger to crime or medical dramas as he also guest-starred in Castle & House.

– Jeri Ryan, who plays Dana Delany’s boss, played the DA in the first season of the crime/law drama Shark. She also guest-starred in the two episodes of Boston Legal.

Recommended TV Shows: Other Crime or Medical Dramas You Can Enjoy

Castle starring Nathan Fillion & Stana Katic

House starring Hugh Laurie

The Mentalist starring Simon Baker

The Closer starring Kyra Sedgwick (esp. the first seasons)

Leverage starring Timothy Hutton

Bones starring David Boreanaz & Emily Deschanel

Crossing Jordan starring Jill Hennessey

The Practice starring Dylan McDermott, Lara Flynn Boyle, Kelli Williams & Steve Harris

Posted on May 10, 2011 Written by ripitup

The Practice starring Dylan McDermott, Lara Flynn Boyle, Kelli Williams & Steve Harris — The Practice Cast from left: Camryn Manheim, Steve Harris, Kelli Williams, Michael Williams, Lisa Gay Hamilton & Michael Badalucco. Image via kritikongkiko.files.wordpress.com

Bobby Donnell (Dylan McDermott) is a very sharp and passionate criminal defense lawyer who runs a small firm with other dedicated lawyers, and his old friend/assistant Rebecca (Lisa Gay Hamilton). The lawyers are Ellenor (Camryn Manheim), Eugene (Steve Harris) and Lindsay (Kelli Williams), with Lindsay being the youngest and newest member.
The firm struggles to survive as the gang takes on more and more criminal clients who can hardly pay the fees. But as Bobby puts out, they occasionally get to defend the innocent, or people who don’t deserve to be in jail. Bobby doesn’t always play by the rules, and his tactics aren’t always welcomed by his colleagues, but Bobby almost always wins his cases.
A couple of episodes later, Bobby’s friend Jimmy (Michael Badalucco) gets fired for loaning money he wasn’t supposed to, and he comes to work with the gang, although at first Bobby makes sure he stays in the trenches and help out with the research.
**

The Practice was created by David E. Kelly, the creator of Ally McBeal and Boston Legal. But unlike these two lighter and funnier lawyer shows, The Practice is darker, more intense and intentionally, not very funny. It’s not to say The Practice doesn’t have its highly entertaining moments or one-liners, but the main goal is never to make the audience laugh. It is meant to drive you in, care for the characters and their cases, wonder about how each trial will result and go over the mental dilemmas the characters currently face.

After all The Practice lawyers aren’t that happy about defending murderers, drug-dealers, hookers or other criminals, but it is how they pay the bills. But after a while, more high-profiled cases start coming in, and things get even more complicated.

The Practice is not perfect, but it is pretty solid. But of course you should know that I am big on courtroom dramas/thrillers. I love John Grisham books, and not only I watched the Practice, I also watched almost all the episodes of Ally McBeal and Boston Legal.

If you are big on the romantic aspects, don’t worry- even though Bobby Donnell isn’t a player who sleeps with a different girl every night, he gets his share of his complicated relationships. Especially since both the beautiful D.A. Helen (played by Lara Flynn Boyle, who joins the cast in the second season), and Bobby’s associate Lindsay have a thing for Bobby. To make matters worse, Helen and Lindsey are friends from law school and Lindsay isn’t that open about her feelings.

The Practice went on for 8 (1997-2004) seasons and is currently rated at 7.7 on IMDB.com. The show won 3 Golden Globes in 1999: Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Drama for Dylan McDermott, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture for Camryn Manheim & for Best TV Series (Drama).

Fun notes:

– Ally McBeal’s Ally McBeal (Calista Flockhart) makes a guest appearance in this sister show of David E. Kelley’s, and Dylan McDermott’s Bobby makes a guest appearance on Ally McBeal.
– Boston Legal’s main character Alan Shore (James Spader) appears on this show Alan Shore, and his character leads to having a show called Boston Legal.

– Dylan McDermott’s then wife Shiva Rose guest-stars in an episode as the plaintiff on one of Jimmy’s cases.

Also on Dylan McDermott

Dark Blue TV Series

Dylan McDermott Trivia

London Boulevard starring Colin Farrell & Keira Knightley

Posted on May 1, 2011 Written by ripitup

London Boulevard starring Colin Farrell & Keira Knightley. Image via spinetinglermag.com

Plot Summary – No Spoilers

Mitchel (Colin Farrell) has just been released prison and would rather not have any more violence in his life. Unfortunately, he is stupid enough to hang around his friend Billy (Ben Chaplin), who gets Mitchel more into trouble than any favor he might to for him. It is also because of Billy that Mitchel gets involved with the ruthless psycho gangster Gant (Ray Winstone). Gant tries to grant Mitchel’s loyalty, but Mitchel isn’t exactly tamable.

An ex-con trying to stay an ex-con is always difficult, if not impossible, but Mitchel’s bad choices, as well as his thirst to avenge his mate Joe get him deeper and deeper. He could have been free to run away or waste anyone he wanted, but unfortunately he has two weaknesses: his wacky sister (Anna Friel), and the movie star Charlotte (Keira Knightley) he is trying to protect and is falling in love with. What has a guy got to do?

The Movie

Now, London Boulevard is an interesting film. It’s deeply flawed in many areas, but it is weirdly fun to watch. Let’s break it down:

Keira Knightley:

Did you notice how I let Keira Knightley just be in the sidelines (of the plot summary)? It is because she really is just another tool for us to see where Mitchel’s choices are going to take him. It is probably intentionally ironic (intended by the writer/director) William Monahan –since Keira Knightley plays an actress who is just sick of being simply the bed buddy to the male star, only to help the audience find out more about him.

The flaws: (Spoilers!)

– Why does everyone think it is much more authentic if gangsters are saying the c-word, all the time? I mean really- do novelists (London Boulevard was based on the novel by Ken Bruen) and screenwriters (adapted by director William Monahan)?

Do they hang out with gangsters, count how many times they say the c-word in a minute and reflect it in the screenplay? I don’t think so. There is some f-word thrown in for good measure too. OK, so if there is going to be this much swearing, can we get some more variety? The dialogue gets very boring, very often.

– Why make Keira Knightley an ornament? Yes, she is the leading actress, but there is not much for her to do except to hang around, smoke and get depressed. There are barely a couple of conversations before they are in love. Yes, Colin Farrell is pretty charismatic and good-looking here. And Keira Knightley is the perfect damsel in distress. But we need more than just two of them chatting twice to see the connection/attraction/whatever.

– Why the hell is he not taking the job as her protector/bodyguard? He liked the girl. He liked the wacky friend Jordan (David Thewlis). Why not freaking take the job and never ever see Billy?

– He says he is never getting back in, but he is out for blood for his homeless friend. And he is out for blood, yet he grows a conscience at the last minute which will obviously bite him in the last minute. If a teenager is cold-blooded enough to kill an old homeless guy, he doesn’t deserve your mercy. Period. And if you are going to hunt him down, don’t let him know. And if you will let the whole town know you are after someone, finish the job when you have the chance.

– Could Ben Chaplin’s character be more of a loser? Yes, I get it we are not supposed to like him and he is supposed to be a scumbag, an excuse for a lowlife criminal but even so…it seems like a miracle his dumb character survived to see his 30s/40s.

– Are all paparazzi that disgusting, disturbing and idiotic? And it is a wonder how Mithcel kept his temper and cool for so long. I was expecting a beating at his first encounter.

The fun:

– The soundtrack is just awesome. It suits the mood perfectly and I want to own every single song used in the film.

– Colin Farrell is really good. A truly grey character couldn’t have been more likable. He seems pretty mild at first (for a criminal), but he gets more aggressive as his buttons are pushed and we get to see his dark side. And his dark side is truly cool.

– David Thewlis is a riot. His hippie/weed-smoking and apparently ready-for-anything-exciting character makes for a refreshing buddy/partner-in-crime for Mitchel.

And actually, this trio does win over all the flaws I listed.

The verdict:

A crime/drama of an ex-con – with some cool moments and a touch of romance thrown in. Fun and watchable, but could have been so much better. And it does need work on the dialogue and the IQ on its major character. But no, I don’t regret the 90+ minutes I spent watching it.

Currently 6.4 on IMDB. I was about to rate it a 6.5- too intriguing to be a 6, and missing too much to be a 7.

Favorite Mitchell Line/Scene:

Mitchel (to Gant): See what you have to understand, Rob, if I was a gangster you’d be the first to fucking die. I’d not work for you. I’d kill you and take everything you’ve got.

Gant: Oh.

Mitchel: If I were a gangster. That’s why you don’t want me to be a gangster. That’s why nobody wants me to be a gangster. ‘Cause I could not stop if I started. Do you get it? Don’t ask again.

Fun note: Ophelia Lovibond-from No Strings Attached (the girl who slept with Ashton Kutcher, and later his dad Kevin Kline) has a small part. As it turns out, she is British and her NSA accent is real. Oh, and she is playing a bitch again.

MORE ON THE STARS OF THE MOVIE:

Colin Farrell:

Colin Farrell Trivia

Pride and Glory starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell

The Recruit starring Colin Farrell, Al Pacino and Bridget Moynahan

5 Movies to Watch on Fast Forward feat. The New World starring Colin Farrell

Ricky Gervais on Farrell- 2010 Golden Globes

Keira Knightley:

Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen

Ray Winstone:

Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence: Fun romcom with Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell and Joseph Fiennes feat. Ray Winstone

Edge of Darkness starring Mel Gibson feat. Ray Winstone

Veronica Mars starring Kristen Bell, Teddy Dunn, Jason Dohring & Enrico Colantoni

Posted on January 18, 2011 Written by ripitup

Veronica Mars starring Kristen Bell, Teddy Dunn, Jason Dohring & Enrico Colantoni. Image via dizim.org

Californian high school student Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) is an outcast. She is pretty and smart, yet the popular circle despises her since her best friend Lily (Amanda Seyfried) got murdered at her own house and Veronica’s sheriff father Keith (Enrico Colantoni) blamed Lily’s dad for it. But Lily’s dad being a rich and powerful man, Keith got fired and ridiculed. Lily’s friends asked her to choose, and she stuck with her dad. So her boyfriend Duncan (Teddy Dunn) dumped her, and so did his circle of friends. Moreover she was raped at a party. Oh, and Veronica’s mom couldn’t handle the pressure, loss of income/reputation and left the family “for a while”.

But being an outcast made Veronica the strong, sassy and the independent girl she is today. Her father was replaced by the jerk of a sheriff. Keith Mars now runs a private investigation business and Veronica helps him .

The episodes include that week’s case for Keith, sometimes a separate case for Veronica while father and daughter try to solve the mystery of Lily’s death and Veronica’s mom’s whereabouts, usually keeping their efforts from each other.

Of course being the high school student, Veronica needs to deal with Logan (Jason Dohring) – Duncan’s best friend and constant trouble-maker, the local motorcycle gang and possible romantic involvements.

Veronica Mars is a really fun crime/mystery/drama that is not quite like your other high school series. Veronica has really original and entertaining ways of dealing with trouble and cracking her cases. She is more than able to take care of herself. But of course things with Duncan are really complicated. It seems like Duncan isn’t over Veronica and doesn’t quite know how to handle it. Who can Veronica really trust apart from her new friend Wallace (Percy Daggs III)?

Rated at 8.7 on IMDB (voted by nearly 14,000 people) Veronica Mars is a must-see for mystery lovers. The cast and writers do a good job, although I strictly prefer season 1 and 2 over season 3.

Fun notes:

You might remember Enrico Colantoni as the fashion photographer from the comedy series Just Shoot Me.

One of the guest actors is Sydney Tamaiia Poitier. As the name suggests, she is the daughter of Oscar-Winning actor Sydney Poitier.

If the name and face of Jason Dohring seemed familiar, it is because you might have watched him as a fun-loving, 400 year-old, rich vampire in Moonlight. He played Josef, Mick St. John’s best friend.