It’s a very rare thing to witness any sort of television character to go through a major arc throughout the life of a series. Many shows simply “reset” characters after each episode for the sake of preserving the franchise. One show in recent memory managed to build a character arc that was emotional and in some ways spiritual.  The last six years have been marked by a little series you may have heard of called LOST, wherein survivors of a plane crash realize that the island they now inhabit may not be what it seems. It’s also true that the series finale of the show entitled, “The End”, had a very polarizing effect on loyal fans in that some people loved it, and many (who in my mind missed the point of the show) were let down by it. What cannot be denied is the arc of the character in question, Jack Shepherd, played perfectly by the underrated Matthew Fox.

I have never identified with a character’s struggles in a show more than I have with Jack. This is a guy who starts out feeling like he doesn’t have what it takes to be a leader. A man who has too many issues with his now deceased father and a man who cannot accept other people’s choices. He needs to fix things. He needs to be in control. He needs people to listen to him. Throughout the series Jack went from being a “Man of Science” to a “Man of Faith”, which is no easy task for an actor to pull off.

I’m writing this now because tomorrow night The Emmy Awards airs, and one actor will take home the Emmy for best actor. Every year I have lobbied for Bryan Cranston to win for his outstanding performance as Walter White on Breaking Bad. This is the first year that Fox has been nominated for his performance as Jack Shepherd and this year, HE is deserving of the award and then some. I’m currently re-watching season six of the show and Fox’s performance is nothing short of brilliant. As an audience member I can see all the emotion that Jack is going through just by his facial expression and through his actions. Again, acting is no easy profession, and a lesser actor would not be able to convey the struggle that Jack goes through in the final episodes of the show like Matthew Fox can.

Jack is a character who could never let go of anything. He had to save everyone and had to be the one leading everyone to safety because if he controlled everything, in his mind he could never fail. Jack’s faith in science has been tested numerous times in the last six years and finally, in these last two seasons, he’s learned to let go. He’s learned he can’t fix everything or protect everyone. He can’t stop people from dying and he can’t be the one to make all of the decisions. How does someone emotionally connect to a story like that? How can that person make it believable? Two words: Matthew Fox.

Have I mentioned that I think his performance was phenomenal? After the finale aired Jimmy Kimmel did a special broadcast paying tribute to the show. His first guest was Fox, who had gotten quite teary eyed backstage. When asked about his character Fox said, “It’s been an amazing journey”. He was weepy because he had connected with his character on that level. He recognized the hell Jack had been through. The pain, the agony and the acceptance of his own fate. I’ve always been more of a sappy guy, but I’ll be damned if that is not a beautiful sentiment. This could be the one and only time Matthew Fox gets to walk away with an Emmy. He’s stated many times that he is now done with television and pursuing other interests. Lets not deny the man what he most surely deserves: a reward for believing in the character. For taking a chance. For putting his heart and soul into every day of work and, most importantly, for taking us along for the ride.

We have a great podcast for you. We invent/discover a new social media network though Nick is somewhat uncomfortable with it.  We talk about The Other Guys and the Expendables, but our main review is Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. Casey and Nick both enjoyed this film though they did have some issues with it. Also, we have the last half to Matt and Nick’s ten shows that were canceled too soon. Feel free to leave us a comment or e-mail us at contact@thefilmassassins.com and we hope you enjoy the show.

Links to News Items:

Cheer Up Keanu

Guillermo del Toro in Talks to Revive Van Helsing

Geoffrey Rush to Reprise Roll In Pirates 4

Red Dawn Shelved for Now

Vincenzo Natalio to Direct Neuromancer

Today we have reviews of Iron Man 2 as well as our thoughts on the series finale of Lost.  Let us know what you think.

Show notes:

Orlando Bloom Joins Three Musketeers

Megan Fox Leaves Transformers 3

Jack Bender to Produce Alphas

Over the past year I decided to check out a few episodes from Law & Order: Criminal Intent mostly because Jeff Goldblum had joined the show. My aunt was the one who would always talked about how it was the best of the franchise, due in no small part to the performance by Vincent D’Onofrio as Det. Robert Goren. Upon watching the few episodes from last season that I did, I found out that my aunt was right on the money. Golblum is great as Det. Zach Nichols and offers a quirkiness to his character that has brought new life into the show. However, I must emphasize that D’Onofrio is by far one of the best actors working in television. I have not yet had the privilege to check out the episodes from season six and seven; one’s which focus on Goren’s more personal struggles but eagerly look forward to their DVD release.

This is the famous (or perhaps infamous) season opener that changes the entire show forever. Both D’Onofrio and the equally fun Katherine Erbe as Det. Eames (Goren’s partner) are departing from the show after eight years worth of cases. In addition, Eric Bogosian who plays, Capt. Daniel Ross is ***SPOILER ALERT*** killed off in the first half hour of the premiere, which as indicated by the ending scene, will send Goren into a downward spiral that will most likely cost him his job. In other words the show is transitioning (as shows often do) a new group of actors (with only Goldblum staying on) who will hopefully appeal to a larger audience. While I have had only a limited amount of time with the show I still do not yet know how I feel about these characters leaving. There are certain shows (CSI for example) that start off as procedural and then become more character driven. Much like Grissom on CSI, Goren IS Criminal Intent. Goren is such a powerful force in every scene that he’s in that it will be very tough to see him go and I hope the show continues to be as interesting as it has been.

The story of this first episode revolves around Capt. Ross and his apparent betrayal of The Major Case Squad by agreeing to help an arms dealer for a substantial amount of money. We find out, after his death of course, that he was working under cover with the FBI to bring this group down. Goren and Eames set out to find his killer and finish the case for him, but continued to be hindered by FBI interference. Nichols joins their cause, largely because he and Capt. Ross were partners for a number of years. This story sets up the model of acting that all actors should strive for. Golblum and Erbe give spot on performances that convey the anger and sorrow they feel for the death of their friend. It is (as if it were surprising) D’Onofrio that steals the show, at least in the first hour however. One scene in particular really shows what this guy can do: Just after Ross’s death the FBI has sealed the area off and are not letting Goren or Eames through to see their fallen friend. Goren basically rips the FBI a new one, while also fighting to keep back his tears. To drive the point home he says, “We take orders from our boss and our boss is over there!”.

This episode was an hour of high adrenaline, conflicting emotions and some farewells to a lot of great character moments. This premiere sets up what could be a very interesting year; one which I am very much looking forward to. Goldblum is a reason to keep watching, despite the departure of D’Onofrio because his character is a lot of fun. Goren is fun to watch because he really is a genius, and the implications of what being a genius does to his mind sends the audience into some very dark territory. But again, FUN dark territory. Golblum as Nichols on the other hand is the light to all of the darkness. He approaches crime scenes with an upbeat sense of humor, mostly to diffuse the idea that he is probably equally as smart as Goren.

The two new leads, whom we have not been introduced to yet are Saffron Burrows as Det. Serena Stevens and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Capt. Zoe Callas. I have a lot of hope for both actresses, largely because of their body of work. This could indeed be one show that succeeds in reinventing itself despite the loss of great actors and great characters. I for one am looking forward to what will come…

Enjoy!

Back To The Future has been my favorite movie of all time for as long as I can remember. I would describe myself as being optimistic and hopeful, which is really what this film says. Its message is clear: the future is not written; it’s what we make it. There’s so much hope to that idea that the best way I can describe my feelings on this film is that every time I see it I walk away with a smile on my face. The true joy in filmmaking or even in television is the ability to resonate with an audience and, upon continued viewing, appreciate the film even more. This film continues to inspire me because it reminds me that great films are what got me interested in this profession in the first place.

There’s nothing shown in this film that doesn’t need to be in the mise en scene. Everything within the frame is necessary and is either part of some exposition, an in-joke or a means for providing backstory. Upon this latest viewing, it occurred to me that there’s a beautiful relationship in the father son dynamic of this film. Marty teaches his father to stick up for himself, which in the future leads George to tell Marty that anything is possible. One could not exist without the other and for me it’s one of the more inspiring aspects that the film offers.

The other core emotional element to this film is the relationship between Doc and Marty. I’ll always go on record to say that there has never and will never be better chemistry on screen between two people than there was between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as Mulder and Scully on The X-Files. However, Doc and Marty come in at a close second and maybe in some respects tie up with the Mulder and Scully dynamic. Obviously there’s no sexual tension like there was for Mulder and Scully, but that’s not the point. The point is a friendship that exists only on screen that conveys a sense of mutual respect and love for one another. The major defining moment for their relationship is when Marty and Doc are about to part ways and Marty hugs Doc. Brown. He’s torn up about his fate in the future and will do anything to stop Doc’s death, which for me being the sap that I am is quite moving.

If I had to make one complaint about this film it would be the only scene that feels contrived for the sake of plot: when George, who has just saved Lorraine and defined who he is allows another guy to push him away and start dancing with Lorraine, only to knock him down and finally kiss her. It exists only to add more suspense to Marty’s predicament and contradicts the character growth we have just witnessed in George for the entire movie. Thankfully this scene is so small that it doesn’t quite hinder the movie in the way that it could have. In a movie that is so great and so heartfelt, it’s a minor complaint at best.

Back To The Future is a film about filmmaking. The script is the exact blueprint for how great scripts work. Everything fits so perfectly in this film that I’m amazed every time I watch it. The film gave me back the courage to write great things of my own and will continue to be an inspiration in my life for years to come…