The X-Files: The Complete Eighth Season (1993) Review

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(More customer reviews)Season 8 (21 episodes airing 2000-2001) was the most atypical of all nine years of THE X FILES for several reasons:
1. Much of the season makes due without the services of David Duchovny.
2. New characters, assuming key roles, are introduced.
3. An unprecedented percentage (nearly half) of the episodes are devoted to the mythology arc.
There is a noticeable, almost "symphonic", symmetry to the season (composer Mark Snow's haunting "Scully theme" functioning as "idee fixe") with the mythology arc divided into several well-defined sections: an opening 2-part prelude, massive 5-part mid season "adagio" and grand 2-part finale.
The loss of David Duchovny's full participation actually had the effect of re-focusing THE X FILES. Chris Carter and company were put to the test in coming up with an interesting and (somewhat) cohesive storyline that would work around the practical ( business related ) realities they faced behind the scenes. Though not without missteps, Season 8 succeeded both in revitalizing the dramatic intensity of the myth arc and maintaining the shows inexorable momentum toward a conclusion revealing much of Chris Carter's longstanding underground project.
In Season 8 Gillian Anderson became the lynchpin of THE X FILES, continuing to summon up her considerable skills in service to the show. The casting of Robert Patrick as Agent John Doggett was a stroke of genius; Doggett was written and acted in complete distinction to Mulder. This well-planned strategy allowed the imaginative landscape of THE X FILES to be viewed through the fresh eyes of a new character; in the process, some of the excitement of the show's early years was regained for longtime aficionados. Additionally, a measure of stability and strength is found in the season-long emphasis of producing truly serious scripts. The result is a consistently "dark" mood, similar to the melancholia found throughout Season 4. In fact, only in a short midseason slump did the show exhibit signs of true weakness.
The "stand alone" scripts, while certainly not the main emphasis of Season 8, were noticeable improvements over the previous season:
Vince Gilligan's ultra-violent "Roadrunners" (his only contribution in Season 8) is the single finest "stand alone" of the year, a savage parody of a religious sect ( barely disguised ) combined with an homage to the sci-fi classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". This is the first episode (aired early in the season) in which it is apparent that Gillian Anderson and Robert Patrick really "click" as a team; a most fortunate happenstance as the fate of the remaining two years depend in large part on their convincing onscreen chemistry. THE X FILES would never have maintained its integrity had the (platonic) Scully/Doggett partnership failed onscreen.
David Amann's moving "Invocation" is the first of several episodes over the course of the final 2 seasons that deal with the past event that most shaped Agent Doggett: the kidnapping and murder of his son ("Empedocles" was the other script so featured in Season 8).
Longtime staff writer Frank Spotnitz has a very prominent role in shaping Season 8; in addition to co-writing several episodes with Chris Carter, Spotnitz penned several solo scripts:
The excellent "Via Negativa", in addition to being superior on its own terms, has the additional virtue (shared with "Invocation") of allowing Robert Patrick to flesh out his character (David Lynch style cinematography adds a visually disturbing element to the storyline).
"The Gift" is one of the strangest X FILES episodes ever produced, a hallucinatory combination of "stand alone" and "mythology", all the more bizarre for the flashbacks which (purportedly) explain Mulder's pre-abduction illness.
"Alone" (aired late in the season) is essentially written for the elegiac touches of its final minutes, with Scully and Mulder humorously yet touchingly "passing the torch" on to a young and admiring FBI agent, the latter character symbolic of the legions of loyal (and often demanding) "X-Philes".
Regarding the failures in Season 8:
"Salvage", "Sure kill" and especially the execrable "Baddlea" should never have been aired. One of the most valuable aspects of this complete DVD set will be to allow the viewer to bypass inferior episodes and concentrate on the otherwise laudable unity demonstrated throughout Season 8.
Regarding the mythology arc:
The aforementioned symphonic structure of the season begins with Chris Carter's two-parter ("Within"/"Without"), which has the pregnant Scully searching for an abducted Mulder.
Carter and Spotnitz collaborate on the pivotal mid season block of mythology episodes dealing with the death and resurrection of Fox Mulder. One cannot help but notice the debt owed to the 2nd/3rd season trilogy ("Anasazi" / "The Blessing Way" / "Paper Clip" ).
Chris Carter wrote the season finale ("Essence"/"Existence"), which is the mirror image (in terms of title and plot) of the season opener. The series' philosophical (indeed, theological) underpinnings, while by no means hidden in previous seasons, are laid bare with allusions and typological references to the New Testament (as well as the metaphysics of Aquinas reflected in the episode titles).
While "Essence"/"Existence" was fashioned in such a way as to provide a satisfactory conclusion to both the 8th season and the series as a whole (should it have ended in 2001), it turned out that many of its themes would be carried over into what would in actuality become the final year. THE X FILES would eventually complete its long (9 year) run in artistic and spiritual unity; a testimony to the integrity of cast, writers, crew and (above all) creative vision of Chris Carter.


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Steven Spielberg Presents Taken (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)Steven Spielberg, best known for movies like E.T. and Jaws, delivers a tour-de-force epic on a scale few "made-for-T.V." movies have ever reached. Taken, a mini-series originally developed for Sci-Fi, is a multi-generation story of three families, and their experiences with other-worldly beings. The story begins during World War II and continues up to present day, elaborately exploring the lives of people who have been abducted and others who would cover up such knowledge.
The story is broken up into 10 episodes:
1.) "Beyond the Sky", set in 1947, the first episode introduces the audience to three families whose lives will be forever changed by alien abduction, goverment cover-ups, and a series of events is put into motion that will effect future generations of these families for years to come.
2.) "Jacob and Jesse", set in the early 50's, these two boys are introduced to the series. Jacob, a boy who is half alien/half human, is sought out by the military for his unique abilities. Jesse, the son of an abductee is taken for the first time.
3.) "High Hopes", set in the late 50's, the story continues with Owen Crawford, top officer behind the military's investigation into the U.F.O phenomenon, attempts to capture Jacob, and fails. Later, he is approached by Jesse Keys and discovers that both Jesse and his father have an alien implant in their brain.
4.) "Acid Test" Owen's sons learn of their father's involvement with the military cover up of extra-terrestrial contact when they discover the remains of the crashed ship in a safe within the father's office.
5.) "Maintenance" Eric Crawford takes over his father's work when Owen dies suddenly of a heart attack. He continues his father's search for Jacob Clarke and Jesse Keys, the latter of whom disappeared from inside a military bunker during one of his abduction incidents.
6.) "Charlie and Lisa" Charlie, the son of Jesse, and Lisa, daughter of Jacob, are brought together by their alien abductors, and Lisa conceives a child, a little girl with extraordinary powers.
7.) "God's Equation" Charlie and Lisa learn about their daughter Allie's powers while trapped in a dangerous situation. Mary Crawford, grand-daughter of Owen Crawford, learns of the little girl and begins to make plans to take her.
8.) "Dropping the Dishes" General Bears kidnaps Allie in an attempt to lure the aliens to him. Realizing that Allie is an alien/human hybrid, and knowing that the aliens protect their own, he beleives they will come for her.
9.) "John" Charlie and Lisa conspire to save Allie from the military, and in so-doing, they learn of their daughter's immense and amazing powers.
10.) "Taken" Allie learns who she really is-an alien/human hybrid, and she is forced to make the most difficult decision of her life, a choice that will forever change her life and that of her family.
The series combines state-of-the-art special effects with a story that is both compelling, entertaining, and high spirited. Such a major undertaking might not have worked even 10 years ago, but with the use of computer animation, the fantastic world of "Taken" is brought beautifully to life.
The story plays a little like an elaborate X-Files Episode, and not without good cause....the material is certainly similar. However, it is treated with a level of intelligence that really captures the imagination of the audience. Taken won the 2003 Emmy for best mini-series, an accomplishment well earned by the cast and crew of this enjoyable and massive film.

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Studio: Paramount Home VideoRelease Date: 05/01/2007Rating: Nr

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Dan Aykroyd Unplugged on UFOs (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)While it's true that I found the production value lacking, I hate to see this video maligned by people with short attention spans and fragile egos. You must consider Akroyd's motivation in doing this. It's not for fame or fortune; he already has that. He risks credibility and marketability with this project; yet proceeds, albeit calmly, to express sincere belief in these " vehicles" moving in our atmosphere ( and just outside of it, too. ) I particularly found the infra-red footage very compelling. Strangely, no reviewer has mentioned it. Perhaps they turned it off too soon. ( There are, after all, no explosions or MTV-like editing tricks to hold your interest. ) There are many who found "March of the Penguins" boring and failed to consider the implications of that film as well. But for those seriously trying to understand our world and the times we live in, this video is an excellent wake-up call and jumping-off point for further study of higher technologies, alternative histories and our future. Decide for yourself. Don't let somebody else decide what is or isn't significant for you. ( That seems to be a common motif in our world now. ) Those with an open and inquisitive mind will be highly entertained to say the least, and maybe even profoundly affected.

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Explores past and present UFO sightings from around the world using testimonials of personal experiences and never-before-seen footage.Genre: Science FictionRating: UNRelease Date: 30-JAN-2007Media Type: DVD

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The 4400 - The Complete First Season (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)4,400 people who disappeared over the last 60 years are returned to earth all at once, and they are the same age as when they were abducted. The returnees have no memory of what happened while they were gone, and some demonstrate supernatural powers that they didn't have before they left.
Two federal agents, Tom and Diana, are assigned to investigate. Tom's nephew is one of the returnees who has been missing for three years. Diana develops a relationship with a now parentless child who was abducted several decades ago. The writers do a nice job of combining threads that continue from episode to episode with the new situations that arise. This show has been described as "X-Files meet X-Men". Recommended for sci-fi or fantasy fans.
I hunted around the internet for some information about the DVD. I found www.the4400.com, which says that the Pilot and four episodes is included on the DVD set. The artwork doesn't mention any extras, which is disappointing if that is the case.
1. Pilot (2 hour movie): What scientists believe is a comet is actually a ball of light that leaves behind 4400 missing persons. The 4400 are quarantined and finally released.
2. The New & Improved Carl Morrissey: One of the 4400 becomes a vigilante trying to clean up the crime in his neighborhood.
3. Becoming: An M.O. used in a homicide is the same as the M.O. of a serial killer from 25 years ago. As the public turns hostile toward the 4400, one returnee, Jordan, decides to organize.
4. Trial By Fire: When a reporter makes the names of the 4400 public, the returnees are targeted by fire-bombers. Jordan tries to provide shelter for his fellow returnees.
5. White Light: The federal agents make a discovery about what had really happened to the 4400.
It's been a while since an episode aired, and I had some question about its future status. I've read that Season 2 has been ordered and will have 13 episodes starting in June 2005.


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During the past century, thousands of people have gone missing.When 4400 of them return all at once unharmed and looking the same as when they disappeared, the government investigates, unsure of how this can be possible.What the government does not know is that the presence of these 4400 will change the human race in many unexpected ways.

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The 4400: The Complete Series Review

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(More customer reviews)A/N: I will not critique "Heroes", nor try to compare that show with this one!
That said, "The 4400." is one of those rare sci-fi shows that not only grabs you with it's cool mythology, but also keeps you interested by investing in the charaters and how they are adapting to the near impossible experience of 4400 people being abducted over the eriod of 60 years and all of the sudden reappearing on a beach one fateful night.
In a brief overvew, the shows focuses on two government agents (Tom and Diana) and how they must handle the above mentioned event, from "freak of the week" events to harboring 4400's themselves. The show, like many other reviewers have noted, flew too low under the radar and never got the audience it deserved.
With that sid, here's an oveview of the seasons:
Season 1: a little short b/c the show was supposed to be a mini-series. It sets up the basic mythology of the show, and gets the audience ready for the task of living with these 4400 abductees/returnees. 4/5 (becuase its short)
Season 2: The show really takes off with this season. The storyline is et up nicely, with some significant plot development (ripple effects, government conspiracies, and future predictions, too wet your curiosity). The cast is amazing, and you really get to see each main character's lives fleshed out. 5/5
Season 3: This season falls a little short from the awesome dynamics of S2. The main stroyline is drawn on, and the progression of the overall story is slowed. The big issue: promicin! But, still the season is worth a watch. 3/5
Season 4: This season goes back to the characterization and plot development of S2, and really begins to discuss the effects of promicin and how it will affect the lives of 4400's and on-4400s. The cast is exceptional this season, and all the development we've seen from some characters for the last 3 seasons really reaches it peak. 5/5
The show was unfortunately cancelled, and for those who watch the show i couldn't have come at a worse time, as the S4 cliffhanger will leave you wondering "what next?"
The show is definately worth your while if you ahve not seen the show previously, or wrote it off as another "sci-fi show"
p.s.--no comment on the extras, as they are the same from the individual dvd seasons, except for the "ghost" season disc, which is a nice present to loyal fans!

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When 4400 alien abductees return to earth just as mysteriously as they vanished, the Department of Homeland Security demands answers. But even more pressing than the concerns of the government are the experiences of the victims as they readjust to life on earth. Upon their return, these formerly missing persons lose all memory of what happened to them. Though they can't remember where they've been, they are haunted by the knowledge that their experiences have changed them. Operating in a cloud of unknowns, the victims start to go through mysterious changes, gaining powers that they can't always control. This collection presents all four seasons of the sci-fi series.

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