The Killing – Season One (Recaps and Reviews)

The Killing has been one of my favorite shows from the first half of 2011 (along with Game of Thrones). I’ve been covering the entire season and reviewing every episode throughout the twelve weeks leading up to the very controversial season finale. For those who haven’t watched yet, I recommend this to you. The Killing is a very smart series with intriguing characters and honesty that is unlike the rest of the detective/murder-mystery shows you’ve seen. The way the Seattle detectives handle the investigation of Rosie Larsen’s murder is just one of the major story-lines that unfold week-after-week.

For those who have watched the show, here are the reviews of each episode:

• Season Premiere – Pilot and The Cage
• Episode 3 – El Diablo
• Episode 4 – A Soundless Echo
• Episode 5 – Super 8
• Episode 6 – What You Have Left
• Episode 7 – Vengeance
• Episode 8 – Stonewalled
• Episode 9 – Undertow
• Episode 10 – I’ll Let You Know When I Get There
• Episode 11 – Missing
• Episode 12 – Beau Soleil
• Episode 13 – Orpheus Descending

Movie Review: Super 8

Super 8 (2011)
112 minutes
Rated PG-13
Directed by JJ Abrams
Starring: Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning

Grade:  B+

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There was much mystery surrounding Super 8 prior to its release, but after you watch it, the only question you’ll ask is why there aren’t more movies made like this one.

Directed by JJ Abrams, the film plays out like a tribute to the early Spielberg (who produced the film) days of E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, but with Abrams’ own subtle stamp of style. It’s a bit edgier, there is more foul language, and there are ellaborate action sequences that wowed me and reminded me of Abrams’ Cloverfield. But its strongest points are the story and the characters that develop throughout, which is a scarce thing during the summer movie season (packed with explosions and slow-motion fighting scenes).

The film takes place in 1979 when 12-year-old Joe Lamb (Courtney) and a bunch of friends are making a zombie film with their 8mm camera. While shooting a scene, they witness a horrible train crash that they find out wasn’t an accident after all. While Joe and his crush Alice (Fanning) become consumed with the strange events that occur around town after the crash, they remain dedicated to completing their friend’s movie.

It wouldn’t be right for me to spoil this film and to take away the experience from actually seeing it, but I can say that the mystery that is embedded in the trailer results in a suspenseful and well-paced film. On top of your initial question of “What is happening?” is always the additional one, “Why is this happening?”

There was a joy that I felt while watching this film that I haven’t felt in a long time during a live-action movie. The kids in Super 8 were authentic and I was sharing in their own imagination while watching this science fiction thriller. On top of that, there was great sensitivity with the relationship of Jack (Chandler) and Joe Lamb and how they were dealing with the death of Joe’s mom. Oh, and did I mention how insane the special effects were for the train crash. Just wow.

Overall, I laughed, I cried, and I was at the edge of my seat for a good portion of the movie. Here is a film that concentrates on the basics of movie-making and runs with it while having fun. I applaud the casting of the film and being one of the only original films in a season of sequels and comic book adaptations. Super 8 was strong from start to finish and easily one of best films of the year so far.