Ravenous Written by Ted Griffin Directed by Antonia Bird USA, 1999 Ravenous is a film that is deceitful above all things. Almost from the outset, and certainly from the trailers, it portrays itself as a horror comedy in the vein of perhaps Evil Dead II or Cabin Fever. However, as the film comes together, the viewer quickly begins to see …
Just when we think that Once Upon a Time has forgotten about our beloved Belle, the writers hit us with an episode like “Quiet Minds”. While Belle does not have much of a role in the present day storyline, it is nice to see her and Neal popping up in the past.
Emilie de Ravin has always been a nice addition to the cast and she knows how to hold her own against the big gun characters. She proved that when she first debuted back in the first season of Once Upon a Time. It’s clear that she is glad to be given something to do here and that something just happens to be teaming up with Neal- the two of them are convinced that Rumplestiltskin can be resurrected and they are determined to do just that. Pairing de Ravin with Michael Raymond-James is brilliant on the writers’ part. Like Josh Dallas’ storyline last week, it’s a chance to spend time with characters we never get to see up front and center.
Every now and then, Once Upon a Time treats us to a delightfully fear-filled episode. Usually these episodes happen around Halloween, when we are all in the mood for a good scare. However with “The Tower”, the writers decided that Halloween was coming in March this year.
Once Upon a Time wastes no time as it starts out this week; the writers are clearly ready to get the winter finale up and going and an uneasy feeling sets in our stomach as the episode gets out of the gate.
There is no time for any slow pacing this week as Once Upon a Time quickly straps us in and shoots out of the gate. Right from the start, “Save Henry” shows potential to be the best episode of season three.
Aside from a quick visit into the past Enchanted Forest, the episode mostly deals with the group saving Henry and Pan’s doings on Neverland. The backstory is a nice little treat; it shows us how Regina came to adopt Henry and the early years of their life together. This is exciting for two reasons. One, we get to see Storybrooke once again. After visiting it briefly a few episodes ago, it’s great to be back with everyone there. The second reason is that Lana Parrilla gets to be front and center once again. Parrilla has always been a main staple on the show and to see her stuck on the backburner for most of season three has been a disappointment. This week we finally get to see her shine. She plays Regina with absolute ease, showing occasional vulnerability as well as her more wicked side.
Once Upon a Time continues to pick up steam with this week’s “Think Lovely Thoughts”. It has suspense, drama, and a little comedy, all things that caused us to fall in love with Once back in the very beginning. “Think Lovely Thoughts” definitely maneuvers its way into the Once Hall of Fame and the writers prove to us, once again, that they still have some dandy little tricks up their sleeves.
From the title, it is evident that this week’s Once Upon a Time episode focuses on a certain mermaid. Unsurprisingly, the past Enchanted Forest storyline focuses on Ariel, a mermaid whose story has become quite well known over the years.
Once Upon A Time, Season 3, Episode 4: “Nasty Habits” Written by David H. Goodman & Robert Hull Directed by David Boyd Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC This week Once Upon a Time pulls us in with a punch, literally. Neal breaks away from the lost boy that kidnapped him and the storyline …
Director Antonia Bird’s Ravenous is a bizarre amalgamation of humor and horror that explores cannibalism with warped nuance. The strangely cacophonous score builds up tension as craven outcasts face a glutinous and depraved attacker whose strength seems fortified by his consumption of human flesh. Set during America’s westward expansion, the metaphor of humanity’s insatiable appetite for power is plain to see but its execution indulges in such eccentricities that it is still a gruesome pleasure to behold.
Once Upon a Time has been steadily gaining an audience as its second season rapidly approaches its finale. While the first season focused on the dichotomy between Storybrooke and the fairytale world, the return of magic in the season finale, as well as the characters’ true memories, was a massive gamechanger whose effects have reverberated …
Once Upon A Time, Season 2, Episode 4: “The Crocodile” Written by David H. Goodman & Robert Hull Directed by David Solomon Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC A sentimental interaction between Belle and Rumplestiltskin is how the fourth episode of Once Upon a Time kicks off. We quickly find out that the scene …
Once Upon A Time, Season 2, Episode 2: “We Are Both” Written by Jane Espenson Directed by Dean White Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC Usually, the opening scenes on Once Upon a Time pull us in, making us ask, “What is going on?” within the first few seconds. This episode’s beginning is no …
Once Upon A Time, Season 1, Episode 22: “A Land Without Magic” Written by Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis Directed by Dean White Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC This is how to do a finale. “A Land Without Magic” does exactly what it’s supposed to for the kind of show that Once Upon A …
Once Upon A Time, Season 1, Episode 21: “An Apple Red As Blood” Written by Jane Espenson & David H. Goodman Directed by Milan Cheylov Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC This penultimate entry builds for a jam-packed finale by gathering all the characters together in both worlds. In Storybrooke, Emma tries to kidnap Henry, …
EDIT 2/24/2012: I previously commented on how the term “savior” applied to the character Emma and mistakenly wrote that it had not been used before. It had indeed been used in past episodes to describe her. This was an oversight, and I apologize. Once Upon A Time, Season 1, Episode 19: “The Return” Written by Jane Espenson …
Once Upon A Time, Season 1, Episode 12: “Skin Deep” Written by Jane Espensen Directed by Milan Cheylov Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC Storybrooke and the fairy-tale world blur together more concretely in “Skin Deep,” a Gold/Rumpelstiltskin-centric episode that bases itself in the “Beauty and The Beast” story. In the Enchanted Forest, Rumpelstiltskin takes …
Once Upon A Time, Season 1, Episode 10: “7:15 A.M.” Story by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz Written by Daniel T. Thomsen Directed by Ralph Hemecker Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC Another week devotes itself to the story of Snow White and Prince Charming. In the real world, we see Mary Margaret pine after …
Once Upon A Time, Season 1, Episode 8, “Desperate Souls” Written by Jane Espenson Directed by Michael Waxman Airs Sundays at 8pm (ET) on ABC Writer’s Note – Starting with this episode, the rest of the season will be reviewed by Ryan Clagg. Let’s get started. Once Upon A Time returns from the winter break with …
Once Upon A Time S1E04, “Price Of Gold” Directed by Dean White Written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz Airs at 8pm ET on ABC Last week’s episode gave a us a familiar take on Snow White and Prince Charming’s courtship, even though we didn’t have appearances from The Evil Queen, Huntsman nor the seven …
Once Upon a Time, S1E02, “The Thing You Love Most”Written by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz Directed by Greg Beeman Airs Sundays at 8pm ET on ABC Though the majority of reviews for the pilot of Once Upon A Time were pretty harsh, perhaps the show deserves a second chance. The creators have plenty to …