TNT's Animal Kingdom
In a year filled with remakes and adaptations, from the upcoming Training Day to the cancelled Minority Report, a very special and original tale gets retold.
Animal Kingdom, premiering on TNT on June 14th 2016 at 9pm (Bravo in Canada), brings an amazing remake of the 2010 Australian film of the same name staring Guy Pierce and Jacki Weaver (who was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes and Academy Awards that same year).
The story has the same premise in the pilot as the movie. Joshua "J" Cody, recently orphaned by his mother who suffered a heroine overdose, is reunited with his estranged family led by his grandmother, Janine "Smurf" Cody (played by Ellen Barkin). What he soon learns is that Smurf and his uncles have a darker side and is soon sucked into a deep dark criminal world.
If the pilot is any indication of how the tone and grit of this series is going to evolve, then I believe we are about to experience something very special.
While watching the first episode I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Each character brings something very special to the table. Its a pleasure to see Scott Speedman returning to tv, playing the level headed Barry "Baz" Blackwell who tries to bring a bit of calm to the chaos. As a counter balance to the story we are introduced to the recently released from prison, Andrew "Pope" Cody. Pope brings everything wrong but right as the antagonist uncle who is trouble from the very first moment he appears on the screen.
Without spoiling anything, if you like dark twisted gangster movies then you're in for a treat.
Check out the trailer and make sure to set you PVR's to record series!
HBO's The Leftovers Season 2
Premiering this Sunday October 4th on HBO at 9PM EST is the return of Damon Lindeloff and Tom Perrotta's The Leftovers, Season 2 and I have seen the first three episodes. The question is can it and will it deliver now that the Garvey crew has left their hometown and is supported by a whole new cast. The answer is YES!
What I do have to tell you is that the first three episodes fill in almost all the blanks from 3 different perspectives of the storyline, while all at the same time keeping the same tone we all love from Season 1. It still deals with how the world can move on without closure.
The premise (without spoilers) is The Garvey Family (Kevin and daughter Jill along with new girlfriend Carrie and baby X) want a fresh start so they move to a town called Jarden Texas (AKA Miracle, Texas) where there was actually no departures. So you would think this would give everyone a sense of peace and security. The town has a new church minister, Matt (from season 1) and a town that seems to be led by the fire department who's leader and family is the focal point of episode 1. They are all very protective and certainly not very welcoming of newbies.
This season is beautiful, engaging and still delvers everything that season 1 does!
To make it easy for you here is the map of the first three episodes which i believe makes for a great start:
Episode 1: Axis Mundi - Air Date: October 4th at 9pm
You are introduced to the town of Jarden Texas. A place where there were zero "incidence". Story centres around the Murphy Family and what a town looks like in the aftermath of a world with mystery disappearances and its role as a miracle town. Also, no mention of Season 1 and very limited appearances by any known characters. But, this is not a bad thing!
Episode 2: A Matter of Geography - Air Date: October 11th at 9pm
Story starts off where Season 1 ended. You get some answers. And it segues perfectly into the first episode, closing the loop. It might have been in the interest of HBO to air these episodes back to back. But a true fan can just wait. After all its only a week!
Episode 3: Off Ramp - Air Date: October 18th at 9pm
It all centres around Laurie Garvey and Tommy Garvey and closes the loop on their timeline from the moment they are seen driving off together in the season 1 finale. Hold tight because there is a big reveal here which only leaves me wanting more.
Now that you have seen all three, you are up to speed on all your favourite characters. Even Liv Tyler makes a surprising return along of Patti as seen by Kevin and only Kevin.
USA Networks COMPLICATIONS
Departing a little from May Screenings I wanted to focus on an amazing new show from USA Network called Complications airing June 18th.
The story is about an ER doctor names John Ellison. John has personal demons and is struggling to move past the death of his young daughter, when he intervenes in a drive by shooting saving a boy and shooting the assassins to protect the life of the young victim.
John feels a sense of renewed life as he feels he must protect those that can not protect themselves. This is a story about a hero turned vigilante. Sometimes in order to the right thing, you must do the wrong thing.
The pacing is perfect and John, played by Jason O'Mara is a believable doctor and hero. The pilot left me wanting more!
The Official Trailer for 'Complications' on USA. Premieres Thursday, June 18th at 9/8c. " Subscribe to Complications: http://po.st/9qmb6g " Visit Complications on USA: http://po.st/GrReVe About: From the brilliant mind of Matt Nix, creator and executive producer of the iconic hit series "Burn Notice," comes USA's new and unpredictable thriller, "Complications."