Some Brief Thoughts on the "Shutter Island" and "Minority Report" TV Series.

I remember when a common trope in Hollywood was to adapt classic TV series for the big screen. Now it appears we’re entering a period where more movies will be adapted for TV. Just recently the adaptation of the Coen Brothers’ Fargo (which they executive produced) was met with critical acclaim. Just this past week two new movies inspired- TV series were announced; and both have the respective directors of those films as part of the series.

Steven Spielberg is developing a series based on his 2002 film Minority Report. The film starred Tom Cruise as a police officer in a distant future where people known as precogs can see murders before they happen.  Martin Scorsese is also set to direct a pilot for HBO based on his 2010 film Shutter Island, entitled Ashecliffe.  In the film Leonardo DiCaprio played a US Marshall in 1954 who is sent to investigate the disappearance of an inmate at Ashecliffe mental hospital . He then discovers not everything is what it seems and there may be a sinister conspiracy against him. The series will explore the origins of Ashecliffe in the early 20^th Century. The pilot will be scripted by Dennis Lehane, who authored the book upon which the film was based.

It’s not surprising we’re getting more films adapted in TV series.  We’re living in a second Golden Age of Television. TV is the now the place where talented artists experiment in dense and nuanced long form storytelling. Instead of a sequel or remake for the big screen, it’s now a option to explore of a film world’s mythology through TV.  

Full disclosure: I love Shutter Island and it’s actually a favourite film of mine. I also like Lehane’s original novel. The fact that both he and Scorsese are involved in this project lends it certain amount of legitimacy. I loved how Scorsese visualized that film so seeing him return to that world is a big deal for me. I’m intrigued by the idea of exploring how mental institutions were run in the early parts of the 20^th Century, when mental illness and how to treat it wasn’t completely understood. I think we’re looking at a potentially compelling psychological horror/period piece series.

However, I’m still scratching my head over how they’ll approach making Minority Report in to a series. I don’t think it can be a sequel to the film- since the film ended with the government not using precogs anymore- unless the series wanted to explore how Washington’s police force- the only  city where the “Pre-crime Unit” operated- went about adjusting to investigating murders and other crimes without the use of precogs. Maybe it’ll also go the prequel route- maybe they’ll recast the role of Chief John Anderton. They could also go the Prometheus route, with the series taking place in the same universe but telling a different kind of story. Spielberg’s involvement- similar to Scorsese and Lehane’s with Ashecliffe- does lend the project some legitimacy. And ideally, once we learn more details about the show’s premise, it'll make perfect sense how the film’s mythology will work as a TV series.

Both these projects, based on films I admire, are definitely ones which to look forward. The internal mythologies of both Minority Report and Shutter Island provide potential for intriguing science fiction and horror story telling. Count me in for both series.

The Clock Is Ticking...Again: Some Thoughts on the Premiere of "24: Live Another Day"

I have a nostalgic attachment to the series 24. It premiered when I was just entering Junior High and ended- after 8 seasons- when I was in University. 4 years later 24 returns with a limited series event called Live Another Day. I’m 25 years old now so 24 has been around for about half my life. 24 hit airwaves in November of 2001, only months after the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11. And in that first ground-breaking season- and even more so in later seasons- 24 became the show that defined the post 9/11 years- a series that tapped in to the fear and uncertainty which arose from that day almost 13 years ago.

And Jack Bauer-played by Kiefer Sutherland- became the hero for the post 9/11 world, a guy we all wanted on our sides and knew we could trust. We may not have agreed with Jack’s methods- the show received heavy criticism for being arguably pro-torture- but I think secretly, whatever our moral views, we sided with Jack. Moreover, I don’t think Jack was ever a representation of any one political ideology. In fact, Jack didn’t appear to have much use for politics or bureaucracy. His “by any means necessary” approach always had to do with his psychology- he was a man who was constantly put in situations where there were no easy options.

The problem with the end of Season 8 was it felt more like a season finale than a series finale. I think this was due to Season 8 not being designed as the final Jack Bauer adventure. Rather, it was the final season due to being cancelled.  The creative team also didn’t want to completely end the series. Instead they wanted to leave things open for a possible resurrection. For several years there had been talk of a feature film. But it appears that plans for a film fell through, with compensation to fans being the return of 24 to TV.    

The best thing about 24: Live Another Day is it feels like 24, with all the good and bad that implies. Another important thing about Live Another Day is it’s definitely not for new viewers. If you haven’t watched most of the previous seasons you’re not going to be lost. And even as a long-time fan of the show I’ve also forgotten certain events of Season 8. And to be fair, with such a dense mythology I think it’d be hard to have an accessible entry point for new viewers.  

It’s been 4 years since the events of Day 8 and former CTU agent Jack Bauer has been labelled a terrorist. He shows up in London and is apprehended by CIA agents based in the city. But it appears that Jack has allowed himself to get caught so he can rescue former colleague Chloe O’Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub), now a free information “hackivist” and looking like Lisbeth Salander from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

The only one who suspects Jack allowed the CIA to catch him is field agent Kate Morgan (Yvonne Strahovski). Her husband was another CIA agent who sold secrets to China and then committed suicide when he was found out. Kate’s boss Steve Navarro (Benjamin Bratt) believes that because she didn’t know her husband was a traitor she’s overcompensating by thinking Jack has an ulterior motive.  Her colleague Erik Ritter (Gbenga Akinnagbe) is set to take over Kate’s position at the end of the week and believes Kate knew about her husband’s treachery. Erik is a one note character so far- a “jerk” character that 24 likes to have on board. Ideally Erik will gain a little more depth as the series progresses.  

We eventually learn that the reason Jack is breaking Chloe out of the CIA has to do with Jack needing information on a former fellow hacker of Chloe’s, Derek Yates, who is part of a plot to kill American President James Heller (William Devane), whose daughter Audrey (Kim Raver) once had a romantic relationship. Heller is in London to negotiate the lease of a military base in London which deploys drones. He’s set to meet with the British Prime Minister Alastair Davies (Stephen Fry).

One criticism I have so far in regards to the first 2 episodes is that Jack takes a backseat to several of the other characters. Jack actually doesn’t speak for most of the first episode. It’s a risky move but they mostly pull it off.  The 24 universe is also so fully realized that even without a heavy Jack presence I enjoyed being back in this world.

However, I still hope Jack becomes more of a central figure in the story rather than just a supporting player. One thing’s for certain, Sutherland slips back in to the Bauer role effortlessly. Sutherland was a well known actor before 24 but the role of Jack Bauer was a career redefining role for him- and Jack has become Sutherland’s signature role. Sutherland carries the weight of all Jack’s adventures and the tragedies he’s witnessed with conviction. It’s been thrilling to see the transformation of this character over the years. The Jack/Chloe relationship is still the most surprising one that evolved out of this show. The Q to Jack’s James Bond, Chloe had as fascinating a character transformation as any in the show’s history. I do like that Jack and Chloe are now at odds, regarding Chloe’s hacker activities- but since they’re both criminals Jack still has to rely on her. I’m really intrigued to see where Jack and Chloe end up at the end of the series.    

The first two episodes introduce several intriguing plot lines, including the framing of drone pilot Chris Tanner (Attack The Block’s John Boyega), whose drone is taken over by Yates and kills servicemen in Afghanistan. Heller is showing signs of dementia, which adds tension to his visit in London. I’m also interested to see what comes of the marriage between Audrey and Heller’s Chief of Staff Mark Boudreau (Tate Donovan) - Boudreau doesn’t want Audrey to know that Jack’s in London but I think Audrey is definitely going to discover that Jack's back. There’s also the appearance of Michelle Fairley from Game of Thrones as a mysterious villain- and I’m excited for her and Jack to meet face to face.

24 has returned and it continues to be the oddest form of comfort food TV that the medium has ever seen. The show hasn’t changed that much- even with a four year hiatus- but I’m okay with that. There’s a certain comfort we take from familiarity in regards to TV shows, and 24: Live Another Day seems poised to give us that sense of comfort.

Back to School: "21 Jump Street"

Up front, I really liked 21 Jump Street. It's very funny and surprisngly poignant. It's also one of the more focused comedies of recent memory.

It's based on the TV show which ran from 1987 to 1991 and put a young actor named Johnny Depp on the map, which makes it funny how the film's lead character, police officer Schmidt (Jonah Hill), was a former geek in high school. The film opens in 2005, with Schmidt unsuccessfully asking a girl to the prom. The scene also establishes Jenko (Channing Tatum), a school jock who makes fun of Schmidt. We later see Jenko can't go to the prom because his grades are awful. The film flashes ahead seven years, showing Schmidt and Jenko in the police academy, putting their differences aside and becoming friends.

When I saw the film, I thought this all went by a little too quickly. I wanted more of the high school backstory, more of the police academy bonding. Looking back, all this is done very economically,  not wasting time getting us to the main set up of the film, which is Schmidt and Jenko, due to their youthful appearances, are assigned to go undercover at a high school in order to expose a drug ring.

There's a nice reference when Schmidt and Jenko's police captain (Nick Offerman) mentions how the program is being recycled from the 80s and how nothing's original these days. The filmmakers are basically telling us they "we know how unoriginal it seems to be making 21 Jump Street in to a movie but don't worry, we'll have fun with this concept." The film is very unconscious of cop movie cliches and stereotypes like Ice Cube's "angry black police captain." There's also a nice bit during a car chase where we keep expecting vehicle to blow up. The punchline, where a certain vehicle does blow up, is very funny.

Fortunately, the film doesn't become so meta that it becomes like a Scream movie (not a knock against those movies). While the film has the plot device of undercover cops in high school, sssentially the film is about these two guys reliving high school through each other's shoes. Schmidt becomes the cool kid and falls for Molly (Brie Larson) and becomes friends with Eric (Dave Franco), who's dealing drugs, but as a result gets too deep with the people he's supposed to be investigating, and as a a result pushes away Jenko, who becomes smarter after hanging out with the science crowd. These trajectorities may seem "obvious" and "familiar" to some but I found the way in which these characters develop very poignant and relatable. Despite it's goofiness, the film shows us what it'd be like to have a high school do-over- we'd try not to have the same labels.

This is the first film I've seen Channing Tatum and similar to what others are saying, he is quite funny here, mostly because he's not trying to be funny. After he and Schmidt have to take drugs to retain their cover, he has a great moment where he draws an equation on a whiteboard and then says "Fuck you science." Jonah Hill is the kind of actor who I find grows on you and becomes more endearing the years progress. He's good here as the outcast who finally gets to be popular- and get the girl. Brie Larson is lovely here. Like Hill's co-star in Superbad, Emma Stone, she has a down to earth/girl next down relatability which makes her appealing, and their blossoming romance is sweet.

The film, as expected, ends with a set-up for a sequel. Due to the film's positive reception, both financially and critically, I think we will be seeing a sequel. I hope it's not a rehash of the first film but takes these characters and concept in interesting directions. As this film stands, it's funny, smart and has a pretty big heart...and dick jokes.