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alienprincess
Reviews
Supernatural: All Hell Breaks Loose: Part 1 (2007)
Works better the second time around
This is one episode that is definitely better on a re-watch. I found the commercial breaks to be distracting during the original airing, causing the entire episode to feel disjointed and off kilter.
When I was able to sit down and watch the episode without interruption, I found that it worked much better for me. The plot is heavy on the "Special" kids storyline, as the summary implies, and light on much of anything else. We do find out some new information, though it remains to be seen exactly what will come of it. As a whole the episode is flawed and far from perfect, but still good.
Jensen Ackles hits us again with his powerful acting skills, and Jared Padelecki shines as well, despite a few false moments from him in the course of the episode. Katharine Isabelle and Gabriel Tigerman are wonderful in their respective roles.
And despite the fact that the promo for this episode gave away one of the most emotional moments, that moment is still moving and wonderfully portrayed. All in all a job well done, but one that desperately needs its second half to feel entirely correct.
Supernatural: What Is and What Should Never Be (2007)
Outstanding
At first glance, this episode is wonderful. Funny, achingly sad, and adorable all at once. But look a little deeper and you'll find that What Is and What Should Never Be shows a level of sophistication, acting, series and character continuity, and polish, that will blow you away.
Jensen Ackles knocked this one out of the park. Though he always does an exceptional job, he really took it up a notch this time. Never an off moment in the whole show. I have heard him referred to as a subtle actor before, and I think that comes through in this episode. The facial expressions, the gestures and movements are all spot on. You don't have to wonder how his character is feeling; it's written right there on his face, and in his eyes, for all to see. He's heartbreakingly sincere. Spectacular. Jared Padalecki also did an excellent job in this one.
A definite must see for newcomers and regulars alike.
American Dreamz (2006)
Awful, just awful!
If you are looking for a good way to waste $10 and a couple of hours, then this is your movie. But, if like most sensible people, you don't enjoy squandering your time and money, then stay away from American Dreamz! Unlike most bad movies, American Dreamz does have a plot, actually it has multiple plots. But when it comes to other key ingredients for a terrible film, Dreamz has it in spades. Poor dialog, slow progress, characters that you don't connect with, etc. It's all there, including attempted satire that is so dull, that you aren't sure if it's really supposed to be satirical at all. I looked at my watch after suffering through what I knew had to be at least an hour and a half, to find that, including previews, not even an hour had passed. I am a self-confessed movie addict, but had I not shelled out $10 for that seat, I would have left out of boredom.
The goal here is obvious, to lampoon the President and government, and to mock the American public and its obsession with reality shows that make celebrities out of talentless individuals. I think that Dreamz commits suicide by taking itself too seriously. Paul Weitz is capable of more, and he has proved that in the past, which makes this flop even more unforgivable.
The only bright spot in this time-waster is the characters of Omer and Iqbal. Sam Golzari is wonderful as Omer, and by the end of the film he is the only character that you really care about. Tony Yalda (Iqbal) is hilarious, and the funniest one in the whole movie. Bravo to both of them for creating fun and memorable characters in a boring and forgettable movie.