Anna Torv

Blu-ray Review: Final Season of FOX Hit ‘Fringe’

BrianTT — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:52:52 -0400

CHICAGO – I find it fascinating that “Fringe,” the show that always seemed to be on the bubble for renewal and was always included in articles about low-rated programming, appears to be one of the most influential on the Fall 2013 season. FOX has two new dramas in the Fall and they’re both from “Fringe” alum — J.J. Abrams’ “Almost Human” and Robert Orci & Alex Kurtzman’s “Sleepy Hollow”. They’re clearly looking for, believe it or not, the next “Fringe.” For while the smart sci-fi drama never found a huge audience on TV, it found an incredibly loyal one on Blu-ray, On Demand, iTunes, etc. and those fans can now complete their collection with a bittersweet but complete fifth and final season release.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Fans will likely have seen and loved the final season of “Fringe” and so Warner Bros. wisely includes a few nice bells and whistles to please those who stayed loyal to their Blu-ray hit series. Not only will you find a digital script of the final episode, “An Enemy of Fate,” and a commentary track on 5.9, “Black Blotter,” but the real draw will be “A Farewell to Fringe,” an exclusive special that features reflections from the cast, J.J. Abrams, Executive Producer J.H. Wyman, and more.

I am absolutely certain that “Fringe” will be considered one of the most influential shows of the current era. It has been the best example of the changing diversity of the market. In the early ’90s, it wouldn’t have gotten a second-season renewal. But FOX and Warner Bros. saw the downloadable potential and the raging DVD and BD sales and kept it going. It made it five seasons largely because of people who will buy this release. And the only disappointment will be that there isn’t a sixth season next Summer.

Fringe: The Fifth and Final Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 7, 2013
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
The year is 2036. The Observers have become ruthless rulers, limiting free will and speech, and are slowly poisoning Earth’s atmosphere so that their own kind can survive. All is not lost, however. A series of videotapes, preserved in amber, hold detailed plans for overthrowing the Observers and restoring the planet and its people. The Fringe team will undertake the most important mission of all time: retrieve the tapes, follow their clues, decipher the code, and prepare for the battle to save humanity. Join Fringe scientist Walter Bishop, FBI agent Olivia Dunham, Peter Bishop, and Olivia and Peter’s now grown daughter, Henrietta, for 13 episodes filled with struggles, surprises and sacrifices in this explosive and emotional final season.

Special Features:
o A Farewell To Fringe
o Fringe: Season 5 2012 Comic Con Panel
o Digital Script Of Final Episode
o Episode Commentary
o Gag Reel
o Unaired Scenes

“Fringe: The Fifth and Final Season” stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, and John Noble. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on May 7, 2013.

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

Blu-ray Review: Stunning Transfers, Wealth of Bonus Material For ‘Fringe’

BrianTT — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 22:10:45 -0400

CHICAGO – Warner Bros. transfers for their current television shows are the best in the Blu-ray market. Take for example the fourth season of “Fringe,” a visually striking show that’s even more so on Blu-ray than on its original broadcast. With 1080p and 5.1 audio tracks, the show looks more like film than television. And the wealth of bonus material on what will be the penultimate season of this cult hit is impressive.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

“Fringe” could be looked at as a chapter in the eventual book about the changing ways of how people watch television. While the show never had the kind of ratings that should have gotten it to a second season much less the soon-to-start fifth, it survived because people watch “Fringe” in atypical ways. They watch it online, On Demand, iTunes, and, most of all, Blu-ray and DVD. These are always strong sellers and Warner Bros. understands that, treating the show like it is the biggest hit on television. How people watch TV is changing and with a show as complex as “Fringe” that appeals to a demographic that’s often out on Friday nights, Blu-ray has become the way to watch it.

Creatively, “Fringe” has had its ups and downs over the years but I think the constant threat of cancellation due to the show’s weak traditional numbers actually gave the writers of the show more freedom. They realized early that they were never going to be “The X-Files” and stopped trying to appeal to a wide audience, getting darker, weirder, and more original.

Some of the voices behind the show and even just some who admire it take part in the special features on the fourth season of “Fringe” and their interesting angles on the show make one regret that this program won’t be on the air much longer. Let’s hope there’s something as original to replace it.

Fringe: The Complete Fourth Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 4, 2012
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
Who are you? After sacrificing himself to save both worlds, Peter mysteriously returns to ours. But he has been forgotten - by Olivia, by Walter, by everyone. It’s as if he never existed. At the same time, shapeshifters controlled by an unknown master begin an onslaught of destruction, and now the two former enemy universes must cooperate to defy a common foe. Fringe’s thrilling 22-episode fourth season continues the inspired series’ synthesis of astounding phenomena, baffling secrets and dramatic, character-driven stories. And in this season, events may prove that the most powerful force in our universe - or theirs - is not a doomsday device, not a paranormal force, but human love.

Click here to buy “Fringe: The Complete Fourth Season”

Special Features:
o A World Without Peter: Insight Into How The Absence Of Peter Bishop Impacts The Fringe World
o The Observers: Explore How Season 4 Goes Deeper Into the Mythology Of The Mysterious Observers
o Beyond The Comic Book: With An Introduction by Series Star Joshua Jackson and Executive Producers J.H. Wyman and Jeff Pinker About The Inception of the Comic Book Beyond The Fringe: Peter And The Machine
o DigiComic Excerpt From The Comic Book Beyond The Fringe: Peter And The Machine
o Gag Reel
o The Culture Of Fringe: A Discussion of the Science and Moral Implications of the Series
o Have You Seen Walter Lately? Favorite Walter Moments

“Fringe: The Complete Fourth Season” stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Jasika Nicole, and Blair Brown. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 4, 2012.

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

TV News: FOX Renews ‘Fringe’ For Fifth Season

BrianTT — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:19:42 -0400

CHICAGO – FOX just announced that they have renewed the low-rated but fan-loved “Fringe” for a fifth and final season to air in the 2012-13 season. That’s the good news. The bad news is that there will be only 13 episodes left in your favorite show, although writers will surely make them count, knowing that they can wrap up all of their plotlines with a series-ending arc.

Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, made the announcement today, saying, “Fringe is a remarkably creative series that has set the bar as one of television’s most imaginative dramas. Bringing it back for a final 13 allows us to provide the climactic conclusion that its passionate and loyal fans deserve. The amazing work the producers, writers and the incredibly talented cast and crew have delivered the last four seasons has literally been out of this world. Although the end is bittersweet, it’s going to be a very exciting final chapter.”

Executive producer and co-creator J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” “Star Trek”) threw in his two cents, “We are thrilled and beyond grateful that FOX – and our fans – have made the impossible possible: FRINGE will continue into a fifth season that will allow the series to conclude in a wild and thrilling way. All of us at Bad Robot are forever indebted to our viewers and the amazingly supportive FOX network for allowing the adventures of Fringe Division to not only continue, but to resolve in a way that perfectly fits the show.”

There are three episodes left in the fourth season of “Fringe,” which airs Friday nights at 8pm CST. There’s no word if that will be the time slot for the show in the Fall or if the episodes will air starting in September or mid-season. That will be announced when the full schedule comes out in May.

“Fringe” stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, and John Noble.

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

Blu-Ray Review: Ambitious, Remarkable Third Season of ‘Fringe’

BrianTT — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:58:05 -0400

CHICAGO – There are very few programs as ambitious or refined as “Fringe.” Low ratings have proven that it’s not a show for everyone and I’ll admit to dipping in and out of it myself over the first two seasons, but I was struck by the confidence on display in season three, recently released on Blu-ray and DVD. In many ways, this program is redefining what it takes to stay on network television with low ratings but impressive numbers in other arenas. Check it out and see why.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

“Real is just a matter of perception.” The third season of “Fringe” was a daring experiment in storytelling as the writers crafted two intersecting arcs with their own sets of rules, history, and characters, and alternated them with each episode. One episode in our universe. One episode in an alternate universe. Trying to explain exactly how we ended up with these universes, which characters belonged to each, and how they were related to one another would take a thesis and it still wouldn’t do the story justice. One of the reasons I like “Fringe” is that the writers use the structure of television in unique ways, recognizing its strengths instead of just trying to make mini-movies. The third season of “Fringe” plays with both the episodic nature of a series like “The X-Files” and has an incredibly-complex mythology not unlike “LOST.”

Fringe was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 6th, 2011
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Sometimes too complex. While I adore the ambition of “Fringe,” some of the episodes are a bit heavy on the exposition and a bit light on the subtlety. I wish the show was allowed to breathe every once in awhile and not always be so focused on explaining/advancing the mythology. The actors are certainly up to the challenge of deeper characterizations, especially John Noble, who was absolutely deserving of an Emmy nomination. Maybe next year.

Fringe was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 6th, 2011
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

And that’s perhaps the most amazing thing about “Fringe” — that there is a NEXT year. “Fringe” was renewed by FOX right after it hit series-low ratings, but the show is redefining what can be called a hit. Kudos to FOX for looking at the big picture, including DVR, iTunes, Blu-ray, and other delivery options for television. It’s a brave new world for TV in which traditional ratings don’t mean nearly as much as they used to. “Fringe” could be the example for the future — a Friday night series that hardly anyone watches in its initial airings but can still be called a hit. I hope it’s on for years to come.

One of the reasons for that hope is the very-impressive Blu-ray releases from Warner Bros. Not only is this easily one of the best HD transfers for a TV Blu-ray this year but the release is packed with special features. “Fringe” has loyal, devoted fans — the kind of people who buy Blu-rays. A show like “Two and a Half Men” may have significantly higher traditional ratings but “Fringe” fans are the type more likely to dive deep into their favorite series on Blu-ray. It’s fantastic to see that kind of devotion rewarded with a release like “Fringe: The Complete Third Season,” one of the best TV on Blu-ray releases of 2011.

Synopsis:
Immerse yourself into the dual universes in mind-blowing hi-def! The mystery of the universes deepens in the critically acclaimed 22-episode third season of television’s most exciting sci-fi. The Fringe team escapes from the parallel universe - except for Olivia, trapped in the other world and replaced in ours by her double, who turns Peter and Olivia’s tentative relationship into a love affair. Then Olivia returns, bonds of trust fray, ever more bizarre and terrifying phenomena occur and secrets that stretch back to 1985 threaten to destroy our universe. Or theirs. “Fringe continues its hot streak known as Season 3. It’s been firing on all cylinders all season.” (Andrew Hanson, LATimes.com).

Special Features:
o Glimmer To The Other Side - Experience Os Episode in Maximum Episode Mode with Pop-Up Commentaries and Featurettes
o Duality Of Worlds: Four Featurettes Exploring The Other You, A Machine Of Destiny, The Psychology Of Duality and Visualizing An Alternate World
o Animating the Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Episode
o Constructing An Extra-Sensory Soundscape
o Commentary on 2 Episodes
o Secrets Of Fringe: The First People
o Network Promos

“Fringe: The Complete Third Season” stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, and John Noble. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 6th, 2011.

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

Blu-Ray Review: Stellar Release For Second Season of FOX’s ‘Fringe’

BrianTT — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 11:25:25 -0400

CHICAGO – When the second season of “Fringe” premiered, I wrote, “If any show is going to go from mildly popular to breakout hit in its second season, I expect it will be “Fringe”.” While that certainly didn’t happen in terms of ratings (the show actually dropped 2.5 million viewers from its weekly average), the critical and cultural buzz around the series has grown. It feels more and more like “Fringe” is the current show that’s beloved by those who watch it even if it’s looking less likely to break through to a wider demographic.

Blu-ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

Those who once though that “Fringe” would be the new “Lost” or “24,” now seem resigned to the fact that it could be the new “Firefly,” another FOX program underappreciated when it aired but now unabashedly adored. It took some time for “Fringe” to settle into a groove after some stumbling in the first season but the storytelling confidence on display in the second season feels almost like a different show.

Fringe: The Complete Second Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 14th, 2010
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

After serving little purpose in the first season, Joshua Jackson developed into a charismatic lead in the second, Anna Torv broke out of her sometimes-wooden style, and John Noble, well, he’s stolen nearly every scene since episode one. Great supporting actors like Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, and Kirk Acevedo were finally given more to do on a consistent basis and the buzz around “Fringe” grew even as ratings fell.

Fringe: The Complete Second Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 14th, 2010
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

Despite its continued growth, there’s still room to build on “Fringe” and I expect the third season to be its best yet. There’s still something a bit lackluster about the one-off episodes like a scientist who experiments with scorpion DNA or an episode about human bombs. They’re not “bad,” but they’re a bit generic, not unlike the final season of “The X-Files.” It’s still entertaining, but not quite memorable enough with all the competition out there for your TV time.

However, when “Fringe” dives deep into its alternate universe mythology, as in the remarkable season premiere “A New Day in the Old Town,” it can be riveting television. And it’s made all the more so by a spectacular HD transfer, one of the best of the season of TV on Blu-ray. “Fringe” in HD looks amazing with just the right level of contrast and vivid color. It’s a great mix.

And it’s accompanied by a notable amount of special features, including deleted scenes, commentaries, and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

“Fringe” may never develop into the blockbuster hit that FOX hoped it would be but they’re clearly creatively pleased with the show or they wouldn’t have renewed it for a third season after its ratings drop in the second. See what gave them hope with one of the most complete and well-made Blu-ray releases of the month with “Fringe: The Complete Second Season.”

Special Features:
o “Unearthed” - an extra episode that was produced in but never aired in season one
o “The Mythology of Fringe”
o “Fringe: Analyzing the Scene” on 6 episodes
o “In the Lab with John Noble and Prop Master Rob Smith”
o Commentary on 4 Episodes by Series Stars and Creative Team — Episodes 2.4, 2.15, 2.19, and 2.22
o “Unusual Side Effects” — Gag Reel
o “Dissected Files” — Unaired Scenes

‘Fringe: The Complete Second Season’ stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, and Kirk Acevedo. The show was created by J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, & Alex Kurtzman. The Blu-ray and DVD were released on September 14th, 2010. It is not rated and runs 968 minutes.

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

TV Review: ‘Fringe’ Deserves Attention on Crowded Thursday Nights

BrianTT — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:52:34 -0500

CHICAGO – “Fringe” is one of the best shows that people aren’t watching. The writing is strong, dare I say better than “Lost,” and the cast is even stronger. Like every show, “Fringe” has had some really great and not so great episodes, but overall the series is great, as proven by tonight’s strong installment entitled “August”.

Television Rating: 4.0/5.0

After producing solid ratings since its commercial-free premiere last year on Fox, the network made the choice, not a smart one, to move the series to Thursday night. Everyone knows that Thursday is the toughest night in television. All of the biggest shows are on that night: “CSI”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “The Mentalist” and “FlashForward”. Ever since the series moved to its new night, it’s been hard to establish an audience, which isn’t too surprising. I can barely make up my mind since all my favorite shows are on Thursday night.

The Fringe team (L-R: Joshua Jackson, Jasika Nicole, John Noble and Anna Torv) uncovers details about the mysterious man known as The Observer in the FRINGE episode “August” airing Thursday, Nov. 19 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Photo credit: Michael Courtney/FOX

On tonight’s “Fringe,” titled “August,” the Fringe crew learns that the mysterious observer (guest star Michael Cerveris) is back in Boston and has taken an innocent woman named Christine (Jennifer Missoni) hostage. Peter and Olivia are quick to jump to the conclusion that he’s out to hurt her, but in the end, it’s the exact opposite. In fact, this particular observer in question saved the girl from dying in a plane crash. So why did he save her? Well, you’ll have to tune in to find out.

The Fringe team uncovers details about the mysterious man known as The Observer (guest star Michael Cerveris) in the FRINGE episode “August” airing Thursday, Nov. 19 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Photo credit: Michael Courtney/FOX

During tonight’s episode, viewers will get a more inside look at who the observers are and what they’re doing here. Notice how they like to eat Tabasco sauce in their food? This was also used in the WB series “Roswell” when Michael, Isabel and Max wanted to eat, they’d add Tabasco sauce to their food. Does this mean that the observers are aliens? Peter (Joshua Jackson) and Olivia (Anna Torv) learn that there’s more than one observer out there and they’re not here to hurt people.

An overall strength of the season has been the father-and-son banter between Peter and his somewhat crazy-yet-brilliant father Walter and the chemistry between Olivia and Peter is strong. While the events taking place in each episode are rather serious, you can always count on Walter (John Noble) to say or do something crazy to make the mood much lighter. Even though Walter and Peter have their issues from what happened with Peter was a child, they have a strong bond and it’s great seeing them reconnect as father and son.

The observer seeks the help of Walter when he stops an important event that was meant to take place. She was meant to die and the observer knows Walter can help. Bad news for the observer, Walter can’t help and he must not suffer the consequences of his actions; he has to die.

If dealing with the Observer isn’t enough, Walter has a weird craving for milkshakes and the Fringe lab must deal with his need to make so many different flavors of the shakes.

Will “Fringe” live to see another season? Man, I hope so. The writing is at it’s best and I really can’t wait to see where the series is going. Note to Fox, please take the series off the hardest night on television and put it back to Tuesday night. There’s no competition on Tuesday and I don’t have to choose between yet another favorite show of mine to watch.

‘Fringe’ airs on FOX on Thursday nights at 8pm CST. It stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, and Kirk Acevedo. The show was created by J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, & Alex Kurtzman.

By ANGIE RENTMEESTER
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com

Blu-Ray, TV Review: ‘Fringe’ Returns With Riveting Episode, Great Season Set

BrianTT — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:45:57 -0400

CHICAGO – If any show is going to go from mildly popular to breakout hit in its second season, I expect it will be “Fringe”. Why? Well, every element of the series has improved over the course of the first season and the finale of that initial chapter was such a stunner that it created a buzz that should carry into the second season premiere and beyond. If there’s a new “Lost” or “24” in 2010, don’t be surprised if it’s “Fringe”.

Television Rating: 4.0/5.0

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

I’ll admit to not being a big fan of the premiere of “Fringe”. I thought it was a little cluttered, unfocused, and unsure of whether or not it was “The X-Files,” “Lost,” or something else. Joshua Jackson didn’t feel right, Anna Torv was miscast, and I worried that John Noble would become tiring quickly.

Unexplained phenomena and terrifying occurrences continue in the second thrilling season of FRINGE premiering Thursday, Sept. 17 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Pictured L-R: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson and John Noble.
Photo credit: Justin Stephens/FOX

Those concerns quickly dissipated as I worked through the excellent first season Blu-Ray release of “Fringe”. Jackson almost immediately became a truly charismatic lead, Torv matched him scene for scene, Noble gave one of the best supporting performances of last season on any show, and Lance Reddick and Blair Brown stole many episodes in great supporting roles.

Walter (John Noble, L) examines Olivia (Anna Torv, R) in the FRINGE Season Two premiere episode “A New Day in the Old Town” airing Thursday, September 17 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Photo credit: Liane Hentscher/FOX

And then there’s the finale. If you’re going to rent or buy the first season of “Fringe” (and you should for reasons I’ll get to more later), somehow haven’t heard about the final shot back in May, and want to stay unspoiled, then bookmark this page and come back later.

Most of you probably saw or heard about the shot that hinted that the action in “Fringe” is now taking place in an alternate universe. Why? Maybe the standing World Trade Center towers gave it away.

For the last three months, that excellent final episode and its jaw-dropper of a closing scene created more buzz than any returning freshman show. So, how have the creators of “Fringe” rewarded that buzz? With a spectacular season two premiere that opens with a scene nearly as jaw-dropping as the one that ended last season.

Naturally, a show like “Fringe” lives and dies on shattering audience expectations. It’s the kind of show that works when it stays one step ahead of its audience. The season premiere does exactly that, playing with what people usually expect to see in the first episode of a season.

Of course, a show like “Fringe” that thrives on unpredictability is one that only a heartless critic would spoil but let me say that “A New Day in an Old Town” contains perhaps the best opening scene in the history of the show, features the death of more than one character, details the disbanding of the Fringe Division, and, I believe, reaffirms that the “alternate universe” plot arc that ended last season will be a major part of this one.

Fringe: Season One was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on September 8th, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Bros. Home Video

If it sounds like a lot for a premiere, it is and “New Day” can get a little cluttered. The amazing opening and shocking ending make it must-see TV on their own, but the material in the middle is a bit messy, as if the writers and cast are so excited to be back and on the verge of breakthrough popularity that they can’t contain themselves, but the opening and closing acts make up for a lot of flaws in the middle.

The press release for the season premiere of “Fringe” promises “more action, more mystery, romance, comedy, and, of course, science”. Based on the premiere, I believe all of that will happen but they forgot one - “more viewers”.

As for the Blu-Ray release of “Fringe,” it’s a beauty. All shows should have HD transfers of the flawless variety provided by Warner Brothers. The show looks absolutely amazing in 1080p and the audio is particularly perfect with an expertly mixed Dolby 5.1 track that really enhances the show. The fact is that “Fringe” has feature film quality production values, making it a perfect fit for Blu-Ray.

The Blu-Ray release includes exclusive special features - “Fringe Pattern Analysis: Take a Closer Look at 6 Select Scenes with Experts Who Evaluate with Notes, Photos, and Diagrams,” and BD-Live Enhanced features including exclusive writer/producer commentary.

Features on both the Blu-Ray and DVD include featurettes on the show’s genesis and casting, the real science behind it and the remarkable visual effects. Other featurettes include “Deciphering the Scene” on every episode, “Dissected Files/Unaired Scenes” and “The Massive Undertacking Docupods” on select episodes, “Unusual Side Effects: Gag Reel,” “Roberto Orci’s Production Diary,” and “Gene the Cow”. The episode-related featurettes are interesting but very, very brief and it can be kind of annoying bouncing between menu and talking-head footage over and over again. But it’s a minor complaint for a thorough, excellent Blu-Ray release for what could be the hottest show of the year.

The second season premiere of ‘Fringe,’ which airs on FOX, stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, and Kirk Acevedo. The show was created by J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, & Alex Kurtzman. The series returns on Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at 8PM CST.

‘Fringe: Season One’ is released by Warner Brothers Home Video. It was released on September 8th, 2009. It is not rated.

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