James Remar

TV Review: Showtime’s ‘Dexter’ Opens Fourth Season With Amazing Episode

BrianTT — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:25:52 -0600

CHICAGO – Everyone’s favorite serial killer and family man, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) is back in tonight’s excellent fourth season premiere of the award-winning “Dexter”. Last season was good-not-great when compared to the first two installments but the opening arc of the fourth season hints at a creatively reinvigorated program that’s clicking on all levels. “Dexter” looks like one of the best shows of the fall.

Television Rating: 4.5/5.0

“I kill people - not exactly the perfect husband.” “Dexter” has always been about how a man with a monstrously dark and deadly habit conforms to normal society and deals with domesticity. In the opening episode of season four, Dexter is constantly being pulled in opposite directions by his life as a new father. Blood pools have been replaced by car pools and swimming pools.

Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan (Season 4, episode 2)
Photo credit: Randy Tepper/Showtime

And exhaustion. As any new father will tell you, sleep becomes an uncommon commodity and Dexter was a busy man before he became a daddy. It takes effort to be that good a serial killer. And an exhausted serial killer is not a good thing. Dexter has always been the one-man army that stops evil people from falling through the cracks due to poor police work. The premiere plays with the clever idea of making the crack-falling due to Dexter’s error. And it’s far from the worst exhaustion-based mistake that Mr. Morgan makes in episode one.

Julie Benz as Rita Morgan and Michael C. Hall as Dexter (Season 4)
Photo credit: Jim Fiscus/Showtime

Of course, no season of “Dexter” is complete without a guest star and this one has two. The great Keith Carradine returns as Detective Lundy and might rekindle what he had with Deborah Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter). Lundy is tracking The Trinity Killer (guest star #2 John Lithgow), a sick individual who may be the most successful serial killer of all time, having evaded capture or identification for thirty years. Lithgow has limited screen time in the first two episodes but will almost certainly make a riveting guest star this season.

No, the first two episodes of “Dexter” belong to Michael C. Hall, one of the best actors on television who continues to add depth and believability to one of the best characters of the ’00s. Hall is very good, as usual, but he’s reinvigorated by some of the best writing in the history of the show.

What’s so great about the premiere is the return to a hilarious blend of jarring tones that was a bit lost in season three. “Dexter” can be a very funny, very dark show. When Dexter sings “America the Beautiful” to his newborn son to get him to sleep while he looks at crime scene photos of the guy he’s going to kill that night, you’re supposed to laugh. This is jet black comedy that has always been part of the foundation of “Dexter” but seems to return to the forefront more at the start of season four.

It’s not all laughs. The premiere of “Dexter” features two brutal murders and the show continues to push the boundaries of how comfortable you’re supposed to feel watching a mass murderer with a happy family. Are we supposed to root for Dexter to get his sh*t together or does he deserve to have it all fall apart?

The premiere of this season of “Dexter” also features roughly a dozen plot threads starting to spin. Lundy returns, the Trinity Killer debuts, Dexter tries to be a father and a killer, and even Laguerta, Angel, and Quinn have subplots. This is dense, confident writing that stands with the best on television. Deb’s relationship with Anton and her search for her dad’s mysterious C.I. lover return from season three and even those recurring threads feel more confidently written. Everything from the writing to the acting to the pacing to the mystery feels more confident.

Once again, I’m not saying that the third season of “Dexter” was “bad,” it just didn’t live up to the stellar first two and I was naturally concerned that the show probably never would again. After watching the first two episodes of season four, I’m very happy to report that the concern is gone, replaced by that same adoration for the show from the first two years. There’s a chance this could be the best season of “Dexter” to date.

‘Dexter,’ which airs on Showtime, stars Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Lauren Velez, David Zayas, C.S. Lee, James Remar, Desmond Harrington, Keith Carradine, and John Lithgow. The season four premiere airs on Sunday, September 27th, 2009 at 9PM CST.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: Third Season of ‘Dexter’ With Michael C. Hall, Jimmy Smits

BrianTT — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:20:22 -0600

CHICAGO – The buzz around “Dexter” seems to grow louder with each passing season. With the fourth chapter of this dark, demented, delightful drama about to debut on Showtime, catch up with the third season, now available on Blu-Ray and DVD, starring Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Jimmy Smits, Julie Benz, David Zayas, and Lauren Velez.

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

Being a hardcore fan of “Dexter” since the series premiere and someone who has already written extensively about how amazing I think Michael C. Hall is on the program, I can feel comfortable being a little tough on season three only in that I don’t believe this dozen episodes stands next to the first two seasons in terms of quality. The first two seasons of “Dexter” are so good that a let-down was inevitable.

Dexter: Season Three was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on August 18th, 2009.
Photo credit: Showtime/Paramount

The entire series arc of “Dexter” has been about the title character moving closer and closer to “normal”. Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) is still pretty far from normal. He’s a serial killer with a moral code, someone who murders the people who fall through the cracks of the legal system. The first season saw him come to terms with the questions of his past and the second with the addiction that keeps him from his own version of happiness.

The third season of “Dexter” is about friendship and secrets. Dexter meets Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits), a District Attorney who is known for cutting a few corners in the courtroom, and the two form an unusual friendship. The best scenes of season three beautifully balance the fiery passion of Smits with the cool, calm demeanor of Hall. They’re a remarkable pair.

Dexter: Season Three was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on August 18th, 2009.
Photo credit: Showtime/Paramount

While Miguel and Dexter form a crimefighting, dynamic duo, Deborah (Jennifer Carpenter) deals with falling for her C.I., Angel (David Zayas) falls in love with a cop, La Guerta (Lauren Velez) unravels the truth about her old friend, and Rita (Julie Benz) comes to terms with being a mother and a wife again.

“Dexter” is still one of the best shows on television but there’s a tension missing from season three for at least the first half of the twelve episodes. Dexter needs an adversary at all times. Season one delivered The Ice Truck Killer and season two featured Dexter against the world as his crimes came back to haunt him. Season three eventually delivers the action, but there’s a driving tension to the first two seasons missing from this one. Even the supporting character arcs aren’t quite as rich as the first two seasons.

Having said that, if you enjoyed seasons one and two, you have to take a look at season three. Hall has arguably never been better (and was nominated for an Emmy yet again, along with the show’s nomination for Best Drama). He is consistently mesmerizing, making one of the most interesting anti-heroes in TV history fully three-dimensional. As much as I love Gabriel Byrne and Jon Hamm, I’ll smile if Hall walks home with his first Emmy next month. After what he brought to “Six Feet Under” and how he’s topping it with “Dexter,” Hall should have at least one by now.

The Blu-Ray release of the third season of “Dexter” is nearly perfect from a technical standpoint but disappointing when it comes to special features. Showtime/Paramount has taken to using Blu-Ray and DVD special features on their series mostly to advertise for other properties. So, on “Dexter,” you’ll find the first two episodes of “United States of Tara” and the first two episodes of the third season of “The Tudors,” but no commentaries, deleted scenes, or detailed looks at the show itself. Other BD-Live features include book excerpts and interviews with some of the cast, but it feels like a scant collection for such a beloved show.

Luckily, the show itself looks remarkable. This is one of the best video transfers for TV on Blu-Ray to date, presented in crystal clear 1080p High Definition and accompanied by an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track.

Nominated for major Emmys, including Best Drama and Best Actor, for the second straight year, the cult of “Dexter” continues to grow. Jump on the bandwagon before the fourth season starts.

‘Dexter: Season Three’ is released by Showtime/Paramount and stars Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, C.S. Lee, Lauren Velez, David Zayas, James Remar, and Jimmy Smits. It was created by James Manos, Jr.. The Blu-Ray and DVD were released on August 18th, 2009. It is not rated.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Dexter: The Second Season’ is Killer in HD

BrianTT — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:01:10 -0600

CHICAGO – When “Dexter: The Second Season” was originally released on standard DVD, I lamented the fact that it wasn’t released on HD Blu-Ray and barely had any special features. I hoped that CBS/Paramount would come around to the Blu-Ray craze by season three and they’ve done just that by catching up with the first two seasons of “Dexter,” now in HD.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

I have bad news for those of you with standard-definition versions of the excellent second season of “Dexter” - this is a pretty mandatory upgrade. If you thought the sophomore slump-defying season of this Showtime series was worth buying, the new video/audio and new special features are worth the trade-up.

This season of “Dexter” was nominated for several major Emmys including Best Dramatic Series, Best Actor, and more. And it arguably deserved more. Jennifer Carpenter and Keith Carradine certainly deserved consideration for supporting nominations in a season that arguably surpassed the first.

Dexter: The Second Season was released on Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount/Showtime

If you’re completely unfamiliar, start with the first season and if you worried about how that season could be topped, just trust me and dive into season two. The second season of “Dexter” asks even more daring questions than the first, as Dexter’s serial killer past becomes the focus of the show and the creators paint a riveting portrait of a monster dealing with domesticity.

The DVD for season two of “Dexter” disappointingly included no special features and a purely average technical treatment. It was enough to send Mr. Morgan out himself for some vengeance. Apparently, CBS/Paramount heard the complaints because they correct the era with a very solid Blu-Ray release.

The video and audio on “Dexter” are notable enough with 1080p video and English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD tracks that probably match the way most people watched the show on Showtime. That’s the problem with non-HD TV sets. Most of us are watching the programs in HD the first time. And now we have to watch them in standard on DVD? It doesn’t make sense. The Showtime picture for “Dexter” in its original broadcast is one of the best and now the home release finally matches.

Even more remarkably, CBS/Paramount took the chance to add special features to a season that had none the first time around. There is still no commentary track, which is disappoint, but now there’s a featurette called “Blood Fountains,” podcasts about the show and the “Dark Defender Series”. Fans can also catch up with the first two episodes of “United States of Tara”.

Season three of “Dexter” will probably be released on Blu-Ray this fall and the show will return to Showtime. With the two Blu-Ray releases of the first two seasons (the first dropped in January), 2009 really is the year of “Dexter”. Just submit. Don’t make him come after you.

‘Dexter: The Second Season’ is released by Paramount Home Video and stars Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Erik King, Lauren Velez, David Zayas, James Remar, and David Carradine. It was developed by James Manos, Jr. based on the novel by Jeff Lindsay. The Blu-Ray was released on May 5th, 2009. It is not rated.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

David S. Goyer’s ‘The Unborn’ is Unoriginal, Uninspiring Mess

BrianTT — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:21:09 -0700

CHICAGO – Odette Yustman stars in David S. Goyer’s “The Unborn,” a poorly conceived and produced horror movie that could have just as easily been called “The Un-scary,” “The Uninspiring,” “The Unoriginal,” or “The Unexciting”. Whatever you do, just un-plan to see it this weekend.

Rating: 1.0/5.0

After his similarly superstitious and sloppy “The Invisible.” it’s surprising that David S. Goyer would go back to a storytelling well that failed him the first time. That film was an ineffective trip to the other side and “The Unborn” is an ineffective film about a trip back.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “The Unborn” in our reviews section.

The poor girl haunted by a visitor from the other side in “The Unborn” is the gorgeous Casey Beldon (Yustman). This Megan Fox doppelganger is haunted by dreams of a young boy, a creepy dog, and a buried fetus. One night, she’s attacked by a neighbor child she’s babysitting and warned that “Jumby is waiting to be born.” “Jumby” was the nickname for the twin that died while Casey was still in utero. And he’s angry about more than just being given a stupid nickname before he was even born.

After the babysitting night from Hell, Casey is haunted by an increasing series of nightmarish events, including ghostly children, waves of potato bugs, and terrifying dreams. And that damn neighbor kid likes to hang out in her yard and look creepy.

‘The Unborn’ stars Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, James Remar, Carla Gugino, Cam Gigandet, Meagan Good, Rhys Coiro, and Idris Elba. ‘The Unborn,’ which was written and directed by David S. Goyer, opened in Chicago on January 9, 2009.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “The Unborn” review.

Rabbi Sendak (Gary Oldman) and Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) attempt an exorcism.
Photo credit: Rogue Pictures

Slideshow: 20-Image Gallery For ‘The Unborn’ With Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman

BrianTT — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:48:02 -0700

CHICAGO – This 20-image slideshow contains official press images for Universal’s “The Unborn,” which stars Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Cam Gigandet, Meagan Good, Jane Alexander, Idris Elba, Rhys Coiro, Carla Gugino, and James Remar from writer/director David S. Goyer. The film opens on Jan. 9, 2009.

“The Unborn” is a horror film from the writer of “Batman Begins” and “Blade” about a young woman slowly being possessed by a spirit and her attempt to fight it. The R-rated film opens on Friday, January 9th, 2009.

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Rogue Pictures Copyright: © 2008 Rogue Pictures. All rights reserved.

Unborn01: (L to R) Rabbi Sendak (Gary Oldman), Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) and her boyfriend, Mark Hardigan (Cam Gigandet), investigate an abandoned mental hospital in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn02:Rabbi Sendak (Gary Oldman) and Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) attempt an exorcism in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn03: Odette Yustman as Casey Beldon in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn04: Cam Gigandet as the boyfriend of Casey, Mark Hardigan, in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn05: Gary Oldman as Rabbi Sendak in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn06: Meagan Good as the best friend of Casey, Romy Marshall, in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn07: Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) is rescued from her exorcism by boyfriend Mark Hardigan (Cam Gigandet) in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn08: Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) questions Matty Newton (Atticus Shaffer) about his odd behavior toward his baby sister in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn09: An unspeakable evil has possessed Eli Walker (Michael Sassone) in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn10: Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) studies the ancient Book of Mirrors in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn11: Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) tells her boyfriend, Mark Hardigan (Cam Gigandet), there is something behind the mirror in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn12: Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) swears she is not alone in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn13: (L to R) Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) tells best friend Romy Marshall (Meagan Good) about her nightmares in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn14: (L to R) Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) is rescued by boyfriend Mark Hardigan (Cam Gigandet) and best friend Romy Marshall (Meagan Good) in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn15: Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) sees unspeakable evil in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn16: Rabbi Sendak (Gary Oldman) reads from the Book of Mirrors while Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) hangs on for dear life in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn17: Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) convinces boyfriend Mark Hardigan (Cam Gigandet) evil is near in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn18: (L to R) Gary Oldman as Rabbi Sendak and writer/director David Goyer on the set of a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn19: Barto (Ethan Cutkosky) unleashes his evil rage in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.
Unborn20: Barto (Ethan Cutkosky) possesses Father Arthur Wyndham (Idris Elba) in a supernatural thriller that tells the story of a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves: The Unborn.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com