Connect with us

News

The Strain-ger Talk: Sn 2, Ep. 3 “Fort Defiance” Recap

Published

on

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-21-44

Welcome to The Strain-ger Talk, where each week we breakdown and discuss this week’s new episode of FX’s The Strain. We will be going over major plot points, the game plan from both sides of the upcoming war, best action moments, new types of vampires, and of course the Tongue-Punch of the Week! If you missed last week’s talk then Click here! Now a lot of drama happened this week that we need to cover, so without further ado, lets talk some Strainge!

*MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! IF YOU DO NOT WANT THIS EPISODE SPOILED THEN STOP READING*

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-24-52

Breakdown:

If you have been keeping up with The Strain with me over the past few weeks then you know I have some grievances. This week a few of the smaller ones were addressed and a few of my questions answered. The first and foremost is what was up Boulevard? Well this weeks episode answers that question at the very beginning. Apparently Boulevard has become a major foot solider, something that is much clearer looking back even if they hadn’t highlighted it before. We see him transporting The Master’s “hollowed ground” and being stopped by the police in the process. During the encounter we see him call upon some other Strigori, proving he has become a major player in the upcoming war. Where he was transporting the dirt and why is never explained, but what is explained is his fucking wig, sort of. One theory was that his wig melded with his head during his transformation and another was that he doesn’t like being bald (though losing his genitals apparently wasn’t much of an issue). As we saw with the encounter with the police, his wig does come off and he goes back to retrieve it. Probably because Boulevard is holding on to a major part of his previous life much like how Eichorst wears make up and prosthetics to cover up his Strigori self. Or maybe they think he looks more intimidating with the long hair.

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-29-01

These are my mates, Larry and Barry.

This week we see Eph and Nora’s quest for a cure finally hit a high note as they test their new virus. As said before, they are trying to find a way to infect the infected with a virus that would “cure” the Strigori. At first their new virus kills the host, but the second test subject survives  and becomes infected with their “cure.” The episode ends with the promise of field testing in the next episode, which is a major tease. This development is great as we will hopefully see more from Eph and Nora on the ground participating in the upcoming episodes. So far this season they have been separate from the other in their scientific pursuits. This episode seemed a bit distracted by its drama, even if it was revealing for some of the characters. Overall, everyone seems pretty happy about finding a possible cure for Strigori, everyone that is, except for overly emotional Zach.

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-37-35

Seriously, what the fuck is the matter with this kid?

THAT IS IT! I AM CALLING IT! After three episode of dealing with this kid I am calling it. Zach is officially more annoying than Carl from the early seasons of The Walking Dead! Thats right, Zach is more annoying than “Stay in the House” Carl. This psychotic little ball of hormones is fucking everything up too much. First he tries to take a bus to Queens by himself because he thinks his mother misses him. I swear the amount of time both the characters and the audience has to waste on this child is too much. After trying to run off to see his Strigori mother, who is looking for him anyways, Eph decides to bring him to the lab to hopefully help Zach realize what is happening around him. After explaining what Eph and Nora are trying to do, Eph tries to connect with his son by telling him a story about his own father. Eh has to excuse himself because he is realizing he can’t relate to his own son. I honestly can’t blame the man for being overwhelmed by this task. So how does Zach process all this information? He throws a huge fit and begins smashing everything he can get his little hands on in the lab. Eph reacts furiously shoving Zach’s face into the plastic barrier between them and the tied down Strigori test subject.

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-02-37

LEARN TO STOP BEING SO ANNOYING AND PUTTING OTHER”S LIVES AT RISK!

Now, this might seem like an extreme measure, but it is totally necessary as Zach still can’t differentiate between Strigori and humans ever since his mother became one. I want to highlight the “ever since his mother” part of that last sentence. Clearly this development at the end of the first season is a lot for a young person to process, but the show, up to this point, is handling it very poorly. I think Eph putting Zach that close to the danger will hoping knock some smarts into his head. Nora quickly stops Eph mid lesson and later states that “when it comes to his mother” Eph can’t win. This is a huge weakness for the group, as we know The Master is already putting his plan to target this weakness into play with Strigori Kelly. Towards the end of the episode, Eph makes a threat to The Master through the test subject saying that he would kill Zach and himself before letting either of them to become monsters. I would be lying is I said I wasn’t hoping for Zach to be killed off right now.

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-30-39

And the Strigori’s only musical number is brutally interrupted by the jealous old man.

This week we also learn something big about Abraham. After we see him take out a Strigori by himself, collect some worms, then make an eye drop solution, Abraham momentarily dies. Nora quickly saves his life, but much like the rest of us, is super curious as to what in the living fuck Abraham was doing. Apparently, Abraham has been consuming the worms through an eye drop solution in order to prolong his life. This explains many things such as how he is 94 and can still hold his own in a fight, but also explains why he held onto his wife’s heart for all this time. He was probably using the worms from her heart to make his solution. This development is fantastic, as it shows Abraham as a man whose ego is so big that he would rather damn his soul to hell than fade away into old age. He even says himself that he will “kill The Master or die trying” rather than to give in to old age. Once again, Nora is taking on the emotional baggage of everyone else and promises keep this a secret between the two of them.

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-51-27

Clearly I am not the only one losing their head over how annoying Zach is.

Last week’s episode introduced Justine Feraldo as a “takes no shit” Congresswoman who is the only high official calling for the execution of all Strigori. I didn’t highlight it last week because the scene felt forced and there was no follow-up to her scene. It felt insignificant which tends to happen with new arrivals this season (the same happens with the reintroduction of  Reggie). Well, this week we see her plan come through as she announces that Staten Island is vampire free and proves this point with a bunch of beheaded Strigori strung up like it is Halloween. Shortly after her rousing speech, the Governor asks her to do the same thing for the rest of New York only asking that it sounds like the both of them came up with the plan. Honestly, I love her character when she isn’t surrounded by bureaucrats trying to silence or manipulate her. I feel that she can be a great addition to the human side of the war as we needed someone with political power on our side. Even if she doesn’t know she is a part of the team, she is a great addition. I hope they do more with her and her mission in the upcoming episodes.

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-32-37

Best game of Tug-of-War ever!

This week, we also see how Gus is being used in the war as we watch his training with the “good” Strigori. During his training he takes out a vampire using two bullets. He quickly realizes those were all he was given as a second one comes out. He is forced to use hand-to-hand combat, bobbing and weaving under its tongue. He quickly gets in close and grabs the Strigori’s tongue and proceeds to rip it out of its body killing it instantly. This is harkens back to the first season’s original autopsy scene where Eph tests how long the tongue is on the turned pilot. I am glad they are showing more ways of killing the Strigori and this has to be one of the more badass ways of killing them. I am also glad Gus and the secret “good” Strigori are being featured more, as they have always been the more interesting aspects of the show. More on Gus in this episode in the Action Sequence of the Week segment.

Tongue-Punch of the Week:

 

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-26-33

TAG!

As the humans become smarter and the war continues to move on we are seeing less and less tongue-punches. Man I miss the days when it was a struggle to pick the best tongue-punche of the week. Luckily, we are still getting at least one good punch each week. This week’s comes to us from the only cops in New York who still have no clue with what is happening. After Boulevard calls in the other Strigori to back him up, one of the cops is quickly tongue-punched as he is struggling with the worms crawling into his hand. This scene is great as it shows how organized and quick the Strigori are to swarm when called upon. It is also a classic Strigori horror moment and a welcomed inclusion in this weeks episode.

Best Action Sequence of the Week:

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-17-16

Worst. Night Club. Ever.

The best action sequence of this weeks episode clearly goes to the Palmer Heist. After we see Gus in training, he executes a plan with the “good” Strigori to kidnap Palmer. After successfully making it up the elevator to the penthouse, they find the room empty. The sequence plays out in a classic heist fashion giving us a nice break from the drama. Palmer quickly turns on his Strigori home defense, which fills the room with UV lasers that push the group into the middle of the room. Once they are trapped in the middle, the floor gives away to an under room the bombards the five Strigori soldiers with UV light until the eventually burn to death. Gus is able to escape, but this is another example of badass ways to combat the Strigori. The scene is very intense as the soldiers struggle to escape the light. This scene also shows Gus’s usefulness to their cause as well as Palmer’s paranoia with his Strigori allies.

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-17-37

Beam us up Scotty.

Final Thoughts:

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-35-33

 

This week’s episode was filled with a lot of drama and little action or horror. From Dutch’s search for her old lover to Eph dealing with his annoying son to Abraham’s rejuvenating eye drops, there was a lot of development with the characters. Usually this is needed in a show that is filled with violence and killer monsters, but this still proves to be the show’s weakest point. The drama aspects are uneven with their quality from great moments of character development (Abraham’s struggling with his ego), relationships (Dutch and Fet), and moments of empowerment (Feraldo’s speech), to the bad moments that feel forced (Zach), to sheer moments of unintentional creepiness (Feraldo and the Governor) to filler scenes that aren’t expanded on in the episode (Reggie visiting his brother). At times it feels like there are too many stories being told in the show and the scope is too big for them to handle, which is hindering what makes the show great. They are spending too much time on characters and relationships that ultimately aren’t interesting, leaving what does work and is interesting out of the episode (Strigori Kelly and her Feelers). There is still a lot that I like about this show, but after three weeks of complaining about the same things over and over, I feel as though these might be issues that are never truly addressed.

What did you think of this episode? Do you think Max Charles will be able to bring Zach back from the annoying zone? Do you agree with me or think I am wrong? Let us know in the comments and we will see you next week with “The Silver Angel”!

More Screen Shots:

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-26-15

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-30-47

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-32-19

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-32-26

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-32-43

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-33-42

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-42-45

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-46-18

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-49-24

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-56-51

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-09-16

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-10-49

Screenshot_2015-07-28-07-50-34

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-12-46

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-13-54

 

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-17-10

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-16-40

Screenshot_2015-07-28-08-17-24

hhhhhmmmm, spegett

hhhhhmmmm, spegett

 

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

Published

on

Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

Published

on

Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

Published

on

the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title