Latest Movie News From Moviefone |
- Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow Performance Almost Got Him Fired
- Treat Yo Self to Aziz Ansari & Retta's 'Parks and Rec' Reenactment
- New 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' TV Spot Teases Rey's Family
- Here's the First 'Finding Dory' Poster
- Michael Fassbender Recalls His Embarrassingly Aroused Horse in 'Jane Eyre'
- 10 Supporting Characters Who Completely Stole the Show
- 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Fans Call BS on Finn 'Spoiler'
- Quiz: Is This a Real Medical Drama or Not?
- 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Just Saved Another Kid's Life
- 'The Little Mermaid' Casts Chloe Grace Moretz, Script By 'Love Actually' Writer
- 15 Times Tracy Jordan From '30 Rock' Got Us Pregnant With Laughter
- Vin Diesel Gushes Over New Scripts for 'XXX' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2'
- What's New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: November 9-15
- 'The Walking Dead' Season 6, Episode 5 Recap: Much Ado About Nothing
| Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow Performance Almost Got Him Fired Posted: Depp made that revelation during an appearance at AFI Fest, where he discussed his wide-ranging filmography. Playing Sparrow jumpstarted Depp's career and introduced him to a new generation of fans, and the flashy performance netted Depp critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination to boot. But things didn't start out so sunny. "Yeah, they wanted to fire me," Depp told the AFI crowd of Disney's initial reaction to early footage of the actor in character. Then-Disney head honcho Michael Eisner was apparently not pleased, and according to Depp, said, "Goddamnit Johnny Depp's ruining the film!" Depp continued: Perhaps at the behest of filmmakers, Disney relented and allowed Depp's portrayal to remain, and the rest is cinematic history. And while some may say that the "Pirates" franchise (and Depp's role in it) has worn out its welcome, there's no denying that what he did was groundbreaking at that time. Here's hoping he can still make movie magic with the next installment of the series, due out sometime in 2017. [via: The Playlist] Photo credit: Getty Images for Disney This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Treat Yo Self to Aziz Ansari & Retta's 'Parks and Rec' Reenactment Posted:
[via: Retta] Photo credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBC This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| New 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' TV Spot Teases Rey's Family Posted:  Another day, another batch of new footage from "The Force Awakens," this time thanks to a new TV spot for the newest chapter of the "Star Wars" saga. And while fans may already have some theories about how the new characters are connected to the old, this promo seems to be pointing viewers to a specific familial bond.The clip, which debuted this weekend, begins with a voiceover form Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o), who says in a dreamy voice, "I have lived long enough to see the same eyes in different people. I see your eyes. I know your eyes." Those words are spoken over images of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), which seem like more than a gentle suggestion that they are in fact father and daughter. Of course, nothing has been confirmed so far, and this could all be some clever misdirection to throw fans off the scent of the real person Rey is related to. (Perhaps she's the daughter of the MIA Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who hasn't appeared in any of the "Force Awakens" promos so far? Or maybe it's Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron who's Han's son, since he's featured in the promo, too.)Based on the last trailer, it seems Rey's been abandoned by her family at the beginning of the film; would Han and Leia (Carrie Fisher) really do that? We can't imagine the roguish Han is the greatest parent in the galaxy, but surely Leia would put her foot down when it came to raising their daughter. We still have more than a month to stew over it all before we'll know for sure. "The Force Awakens" hits theaters on December 18. [via: Twitter] Photo credit: Disney This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Here's the First 'Finding Dory' Poster Posted:  Pixar fans will have to wait a while longer for the release of "Finding Nemo" sequel "Finding Dory," but they can whet their appetites with the flick's very first poster.Titular star Ellen DeGeneres revealed the one-sheet on her Twitter page on Monday, where she also teased the release of the film's first trailer, which is set to drop sometime on Tuesday. But the main attraction for now is the poster, and while it's a simple image, it speaks volumes. The poster prominently features the tagline, "She just kept swimming...," a nod to Dory's famous favorite tune from "Nemo." It's both a clever callback, and also indicative of the action to come in "Dory," which finds our heroine searching for her own family, keeping swimming in the face of uncertainty. The image is finished off by Dory's tail fin disappearing out of frame, proving that this forgetful fish hasn't lost her fuzzy memory (she's clearly forgotten that she's supposed to pose for her own poster). Classic Dory."Finding Dory" also features the voices of Albert Brooks (reprising his role as Marlin), Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Ty Burrell, Idris Elba, and Dominic West. It's due to swim into theaters on June 17, 2016. [via: Ellen DeGeneres] Photo credit: Ellen DeGeneres This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Michael Fassbender Recalls His Embarrassingly Aroused Horse in 'Jane Eyre' Posted:  Talk about hot to trot. Michael Fassbender has a strong effect on people and animals, including a "badly-behaved" horse named Prince on the set of the 2011 movie "Jane Eyre."Graham Norton brought up the subject on his Friday show, asking about this particular horse. Fassbender looked a bit embarrassed, but said Prince "used to get quite aroused whenever I got on his back." Fellow guest Julie Walters quipped, "I can understand that." (Mrs. Weasley, you naughty thing!) Fassy said Dan, the horse handler, had to get on Prince and give him a little trot so he could retract his little, you know, and then he was good to go. Here's Fassy, telling the story: Considering it was a classy Charlotte Brontë period adaptation, it was hardly a good time for the audience to be distracted by ... that. Not that there's a good time, unless you're making an Adam Sandler movie or something. Either way, gross. But now whenever we watch Mia Wasikowska's "Jane Eyre" we'll be thinking of Prince's special love for Michael Fassbender. At least the horse has good taste! Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 10 Supporting Characters Who Completely Stole the Show Posted:  Every once and a while, a television show gives us a great gift. That gift is a supporting character who was only supposed to be around to play off of the leads, but then the character turns out to be so good that s/he ends up being our favorite. These are the top 10 supporting actors who stole the show. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Fans Call BS on Finn 'Spoiler' Posted:  Who is the son/daughter/cousin/nephew/former-roommate of whom in "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens"? Fans have their theories but, the truth is, we don't know yet. One "spoiler" has been making the rounds that new character Finn (John Boyega) is the son of Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but fans are calling BS on the source of the spoiler, which appears to be an Amazon listing for a puzzle.The item is called "Star Wars RARE COLLECTIBLE! New Episode 7 'Finn' (Lando Calrissian's Son) 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle in Collectible Storage Tin." The seller is posted as "Disney Lucas Films Ltd.," to try and give it credibility, and part of the description reads, "Hours of Fun and Entertainment will be had with this Star Wars VII Force Awakens 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle featuring Lando Calrissian's son Finn."  However, the item has a bargain-basement low rating because, as the "Customer Reviews" note, you can buy this anywhere and it says nothing about Lando or Finn. "[A]ll this has done has created a rumor and jacked up the price on a small inexpensive puzzle..." One non-fan mocked, "I received it as a gift and completed this puzzles in 47 minutes and thus did not achieve the hours of fun advertised. I am incredibly disappointed as I expected at least another 73 minutes of fun and I'm not sure what I am supposed to do now to fill the void it has left in my life. Maybe they have a puzzle of Mace Windu's grandson instead as apparently Mace and Lando are the only two black people in the entire Star Wars universe and any new black character must be related somehow. /FACEPALM." Yes. Plus, as ScreenRant noted, "Disney Lucas Films Ltd." isn't even a real company with that spelling, and the link doesn't take you to the multiple listings you get from the official Star Wars merchandise page. This puzzle was listed by P & E Enterprises, and Amazon product descriptions are written by the seller. So it sounds like someone may have been trying to troll fans for a buck. That doesn't meant Finn couldn't be Lando's son, but it does seem a bit too pat. Then again, fans think Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Poe (Oscar Isaac) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) could potentially be the children of Han, Leia, or Luke, so anything is possible. "The Force Awakens" opens December 18th, 2015. Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Quiz: Is This a Real Medical Drama or Not? Posted:  Medical dramas (and even comedies) are a staple of television. You would think we've seen it all by this point, but new ones get picked up every season, proving that, for better or for worse, we haven't. With so many new hospital-set shows coming and going, naming them without copying an existing title has led to some pretty creative (and unfortunate) choices have been made.Put your television knowledge to the test and see if you can tell the difference between these real and fake medical television show titles. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Just Saved Another Kid's Life Posted:  And they say TV rots your brain. Please. Watching "SpongeBob Square Pants" saves lives, and that was just proven once again at a school in Staten Island, New York.According to SILive, when 13-year-old Brandon Williams saw his fellow classmate Jessica Pellegrino choking on an apple during lunch, he knew just what to do, having seen a version of the Heimlich maneuver on "SpongeBob." The story noted that Brandon is autistic, and his father told the news site, "He picks up on things that most of us would miss, and files it all away in his head, and he can recall it all in an instant. That's how he knew instantly what to do. And we're glad he did. We're proud of him." Apparently the episode in question was when SpongeBob saved Squidward from choking on a clarinet. Zap2it said that particular demonstration has helped kids before, referencing a 2010 ABC News story about a teen saving her friend after watching the same episode. "SpongeBob" probably isn't intended to be used as official medical training, but since it's working, maybe schools should make that episode required viewing. Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'The Little Mermaid' Casts Chloe Grace Moretz, Script By 'Love Actually' Writer Posted:  To us, she is perfect! Chloe Grace Moretz is going under the sea in the live-action "The Little Mermaid" movie, Variety reports. They said Richard Curtis -- the smart/funny writer of "Love Actually," "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Notting Hill," and pretty much everything that Hugh Grant ever did right -- is in talks to write the script.No one is on board to direct yet, at least officially, which is kind of a problem. Sofia Coppola dropped out back in late May/early June. At the time, Kelly Marcel, Abi Morgan, and Caroline Thompson had been taking passes on the script. It's not clear yet how much this movie will follow the Hans Christian Andersen story of a mermaid who wants to be human after saving a man from drowning. Disney's 1989 animated movie was hugely popular, but you have to imagine the live-action version will want to put its own stamp on things.  Emma Watson has her live-action "Beauty and the Beast" coming out in early 2017, but this "Little Mermaid" movie may be a while. If they do stick with a Richard Curtis script, expect wit, warmth, and poignant romance, as opposed to anything dark and mysterious. Variety said Chloe had been the frontrunner for the lead role even while Sofia Coppola was attached, but some insiders said Coppola's unwillingness to go with a star like CGM pushed her to leave. (The seaweed is always greener in somebody else's lake!) Working Title and Universal reportedly still wanted Chloe for the role, but waited until a writer was attached for a final draft before making the news official. So now that the team includes Chloe Grace Moretz and Richard Curtis, but who will direct? May we suggest ... Richard Curtis? After all, he wrote and directed "Love Actually" and it was pretty much perfect. Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 15 Times Tracy Jordan From '30 Rock' Got Us Pregnant With Laughter Posted: Tracy Morgan brought us joy in human form as Tracy Jordan on all seven season of "30 Rock," so, for his birthday, we thought there'd be no better way to honor him than with a compendium of his best quotes from the show. Here are 15 Tracy Jordan quotes that took us behind the middle school and got us pregnant with laughter.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Vin Diesel Gushes Over New Scripts for 'XXX' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' Posted:  Vin Diesel just received and read through the scripts for his upcoming movies "XXX: The Return of Xander Cage" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." If audiences enjoy watching the films as much as he enjoyed raving about them, we're in for some fun rides.Vin took some time on Sunday to post a Facebook video, hyping the scripts in a way that came across as genuine, like a kid up early on Christmas morning who wants to show off his new toys: He said he's #blessed that he got that great script and #blessed that the producers assembled a great team. Then he segued into the next script, the sequel to "Guardians of the Galaxy," in which he plays Groot: He wanted people to guess the script first, based on the sounds -- since this is the first time he got a script that came with a CD called "Awesome Mix Vol 2." Someone guessed right that James Gunn gave him that CD for "Guardians of the Galaxy 2." He was reading the script live, on page 93. "I can see why my son is so excited about this. James Gunn is such a great writer. I read the script and I go, you're a great director and you're this good a writer too? No wonder Marvel is so excited about what you do. ... It's one of those page-turners, you cannot put the script down." He said the third script he got is for "Kojak" but he hasn't read it yet since he's not going to do that one for a year or more. You can get a flash of the "Guardians 2" script around 6:05, in case you want to scan it for clues. You can also see part of his gorgeous house, if you just want to be jealous. Here's the video: Posted by Vin Diesel on Sunday, November 8, 2015 "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" is scheduled for release on May 5, 2017; "XXX" reportedly starts filming in December. Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| What's New on TV, Netflix Streaming, Digital, and DVD/Blu-ray This Week: November 9-15 Posted:  At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's streaming on Netflix, we've got you covered.New Video on Demand, Rental Streaming, and Digital Only "Shaun the Sheep" It's time to join the flock! The geniuses behind "Wallace & Gromit" and "Chicken Run" are back with the warm, funny "Shaun the Sheep" movie, which is out on Digital HD November 10 and Blu-ray/DVD on November 24. Shaun's adventure in the big city was adored by critics, who gave it a 99 percent "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Digital, Blu-ray and DVD releases all come with multiple special features, including a "Making the Shaun Movie" featurette, "Meet the Characters," "Join Shaun Behind the Scenes," "Meet the Crew," and a parody poster gallery. Here's an exclusive clip behind-the-scenes, showing how they made the models: "American Ultra" This fast-paced stoner spy comedy -- starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, reuniting from "Adventureland" -- is out on Digital November 10, with the on disc/on demand release November 24. Jesse plays Mike, a hapless stoner, whose life with his live-in girlfriend, Phoebe (KStew), is suddenly turned upside down when his secret past as a lethal sleeper agent comes back to haunt him. "No Escape" Owen Wilson, Lake Bell, and Pierce Brosnan star in this action thriller, out November 13 on digital, with the on disc/demand release following on November 24. American businessman Jack Dwyer, his wife Annie, and their two young daughters arrive in Southeast Asia to begin a new life, but the timing is pretty bad since they find themselves in the middle of a political uprising, with armed rebels ordered to kill any foreigners that they encounter. So Jack has to try and save himself and his family from the violence that surrounds them. New on DVD and Blu-ray  "Trainwreck"This Amy Schumer comedy is awesome enough on its own, but the bonus materials sound amazing. The Blu-ray and DVD both include the unrated version, deleted scenes, a gag reel, "The Secrets of the Wu," and feature commentary with director Judd Apatow, writer/star Amy Schumer, and associate producer Kim Caramele. The Blu-ray alone also has extended and alternate scenes; a behind-the-scenes "making of" feature following Apatow, Schumer, Bill Hader, Norman Lloyd, Tilda Swinton, Daniel Radcliffe, and the rest of the cast; "Directing Athletes: A Blood Sport," with the athletes talking about their experiences, "The Dogwalker," with Daniel Radcliffe playing the dogwalker in the film that Amy and Steven go see at the theater; and a "Trainwreck Comedy Tour" featurette. "Terminator: Genisys" OK, so it wasn't the best "Terminator" in the series. It's still worth seeing for Ahhhnold, the Khaleesi, and Jai Courtney, aka Not Tom Hardy But Close. The Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray Combo Packs with Digital HD feature nearly an hour of bonus content, with behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and filmmakers, including James Cameron, director of the first two "Terminator" movies. There's also a visual effects featurette and a bonus about casting the movie, with the actors talking about filling iconic roles. "Stars Wars" Blu-ray Steelbook Editions  There have been multiple releases of the first six "Star Wars" movies, including the repackaged "Star Wars: The Complete Saga" on October 13. But in case you want ALL OF THEM, you can pick up the six new Blu-ray steelbook editions on November 10. Episode 1 has Darth Maul on the cover; Episode 2 has Yoda; Episode III's got your boy General Grievous; Episode IV has the Force of Darth Vader; Episode V rocks a Stormtrooper, and Episode VI is fronted by Darth Sidious, aka Emperor Palpatine. And you already know this, but Episode VII opens in theaters on December 18.New on Netflix "With Bob and David" Bob Odenkirk and David Cross are back with a new Netflix Original series premiering November 13. The sketch comedy show includes a lot of the same team as the '90s series "Mr. Show with Bob and David," but this is meant to be "lighter" and "faster" with a different structure. Check out the trailer: "Anna Karenina" You should really read the Tolstoy novel, but if you want some supporting visuals starring modern celebs, the 2012 Keira Knightley movie hits Netflix November 12. Joe Wright's adaptation of the Russian novel has an all-star cast, including Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, and Oskar McNamara. "John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid" Netflix starts streaming another original stand-up gig this week, starring "Saturday Night Live" and "Mulaney" alum John Mulaney. As Netflix teases, "Armed with boyish charm and a sharp wit, the former 'SNL' writer offers sly takes on marriage, his beef with babies and the time he met Bill Clinton." TV Worth Watching "Into the Badlands" (Sunday on AMC at 10 p.m.)  AMC's new round of martial arts badassery follows a warrior and a young boy who journey through a dangerous feudal land together seeking enlightenment. Morgan kinda went on this journey last week on "The Walking Dead," but see how this turns out. FYI, because "Into the Badlands" is premiering right behind TWD on November 15, it's pushing "Talking Dead" back an hour."Uncorked" (Tuesday on Esquire at 10 p.m.) Esquire Network's brand spankin' new series follows the 9 p.m. season premiere of "Knife Fight," and -- as the title suggests -- it's for wine-lovers. "Uncorked" follows six aspiring master sommeliers from New York as they prepare for the Court of Masters Sommelier exam. "South Park" (Wednesday on Comedy Central at 10 p.m.) Not sure if you noticed, but "South Park" is having a moment. Again. Every Wednesday night brings another offering of the smartest, funniest, most timely and thought-provoking satire on TV right now. Both sides are getting skewered, as usual, but the PC angle is painfully brilliant. (See what happens when you get a Whole Foods?) Entertainment Weekly just called Season 19 "the best season in a decade," but don't take it from them or us, take it from your own eyes and ears. That boogers and ... you know ... song alone is worthy of some kind of Emmy. Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 'The Walking Dead' Season 6, Episode 5 Recap: Much Ado About Nothing Posted:  This week on "The Walking Dead," we learned something revolutionary about the people of Alexandria: They have no idea how to survive in the zombie apocalypse! LOL, just kidding -- we've known that literally the entire time. But for some reason, the show decided to drive that point home once again during tonight's episode, "Now," as if this was a brand new revelation. Get a load of this: These people have lived a coddled, sheltered life, have no idea how to fight zombies, and are suspicious of Rick and his gang! I mean, color me shocked. Excuse the sarcasm, but, c'mon, "TWD." This episode was bursting with a-ha! moments that turned out to be anything but, framing big character developments (Spencer, who started out as an a-hole, is still an a-hole! Jessie, who started out as a wuss, is still kinda a wuss! Carl, who started out as the worst, is still pretty much the worst!) as revelatory, game-changing plot points, when they were anything but. Even Maggie's dramatic revelation that she's pregnant, a moment that showrunners surely hoped would surprise, fell a little flat, especially since it made lots of sense and plenty of people saw it coming. (That knowing look she shared with Glenn in the season premiere, when he refused to let her join the Zombie Parade Party, clued me in.) The anguish that she's no doubt feeling now that Glenn's fate is so up-in-the-air is perhaps meant to mirror the audience's own anxiety over finding out what exactly happened to our potentially-disemboweled survivor, but let's be real: It's pretty much a guarantee that he'll be back, in one form or another, and that certainty drains all the drama out of this storyline. For proof, just take a look at the episode's title, "Now." That's a specific, telling choice. The season premiere used a "Now" and "Then" gimmick, and the device popped up last week, too. Showrunners have promised that there will be plenty of playing with timelines in this batch of episodes, and I'm betting that an installment called "Then" is coming down the pipeline soon. Perhaps producers are saving it for the midseason finale. Either way, we're going to see the flip side to this current action, and that can only mean one thing: Glenn's alive, and we're going to find out not only how he survived, but how he finds his way back to Maggie. We'll also probably get an explanation of how Rick escaped from the camper as the zombie horde approached, as well as find out what's up with our current parade leaders Daryl, Sasha, and Abraham. Knowing that all that is down the road made me enjoy this episode a lot less, especially since the stakes of everything that happened were just so incredibly low. Oh no, the Alexandrians are trying to raid the pantry! Oh no, Jessie actually stabbed a zombie in the head! Oh no, Dr. Denise is tired of being a doctor and just wants to make out with Tara instead! (Actually, I really am upset about the latter option -- Denise could do a lot better than dull-as-drying-paint Tara.) The Jessie development I actually found pretty funny, especially since "TWD" already made a big show of her stabbing that Wolf in her kitchen back in episode two, a moment that for many people would have been a turning point. But not for Jessie, apparently. No, she then has to take out a walker -- one trapped in a house, that she gently jabs with her knife through a cracked door -- to really know What Things Are Like. She actually tells her horrified neighbors -- who all inexplicably came running at the slightest hint of a zombie growl (from indoors, no less) and were hilariously over-the-top in their weeping and pearl-clutching reactions to this walker kill -- "This is what life looks life now." Just in case they didn't get the memo. Then again, these simpletons need all the point-driving they can get, it seems. Take the attempted pantry raid, led by blowhard Bruce (another blue-shirted buffoon who's likely not long for this world) and the aforementioned pearl-clutching redhead lady. They gang up on poor Olivia (who bonded with Carol over her casserole skills) and demand more food -- because apparently, they're all going to starve, despite the fact that mere weeks earlier they were throwing lavish dinner parties for Rick's crew, discussing the finer points of pasta makers, and cranking out casseroles for the community's elderly. What a difference a few days makes, though. Suddenly, the Alexandrians are convinced they're all going to waste away because they can't score an extra jar of tomato sauce and a few cans of corn. They fail to realize that after the Wolf attack, there are considerably fewer community members to go around, and rationing food shouldn't be an issue. But again, these people are as dumb as the reinforced posts protecting Alexandria's walls -- perhaps dumber, since the posts held against the Wolves' truck battering ram, but these people are crumbling left and right. Spencer steps in to scold his hungry neighbors, bragging that he helped stop said battering ram thanks to putting a bullet in its driver's head (carefully omitting the fact that he wussed out on actually putting down the driver-turned-zombie). Allowing Alexandria's residents to revolt now -- even in this small way -- will "start us down a road where nothing matters. Where no one else matters," Spencer tells them. "And then we'll all look back at this moment, right now, as when we destroyed this place." It's a noble speech and one that made me momentarily admire Spencer, until we later learn that after he plays the morality card, he raids the pantry himself, snatching booze, crackers, kosher pickles, and other goodies to scarf down alone in his kitchen. "I stopped that little run at the bank, I deserve a reward," a drunk Spencer slurs to Deanna, acting every bit like Uncle Billy in George Bailey's clothing. He then verbally attacks his mother, blaming her for all of Alexandria's current problems, and landing some low blows about their fallen family members. "We were never safe here," he spits. "But you didn't see that. You didn't want us to see that. You just wanted to dream. What happened -- to Dad, to Aiden -- that's all you." Those are some harsh accusations, though they're not without some merit. But it's hard to stand on a soapbox when it's filled with stolen merchandise, and Spencer fails to understand that. Deanna doesn't pose much of a challenge, though -- she's a catatonic mess throughout this hour -- and it's clear she's no longer fit to lead Alexandria. She's lost her spark, and she later tells Rick that she thinks the community needs him more than it needs her. The fact that this declaration comes after she tries and fails to kill a zombie -- slashing it everywhere except the head, soaking herself in blood, until the constable comes to save her -- says it all. Rick makes quick work of the walker, and it's clear that he's more well-equipped to lead this new world order. And now Deanna truly knows it. But it's going to take some convincing for the rest of the community, and it seems obvious that the show is now positioning Spencer as Rick's main competition for head honcho. Deanna still believes in Alexandria's promise, as her Latin-infused fever dream drawing indicates. As she sketches a detailed plan for the community -- barley and alfalfa crops, a mill, an education and training center, and plans for elections, expansion, and exploration -- she punctuates it all with the phrase, "dolor hic tibi proderit olim." Those words from Ovid (which she's conveniently memorized) translate as "someday this pain will be useful to you," and it's clear Deanna is determined to use horrifying recent events as fuel to further drive her dream forward. Unfortunately, it seems like we're heading toward certain doom for this way of life. "What I wanted for this place -- was that really just pie in the sky?" she lamely asks Rick shortly after her zombie encounter. "No," he replies, barely able to keep a straight face. Other thoughts: - Another week, another conspiracy theory to throw on the pile (and no, I'm not confined to "Walking Dead" theories, either). This time, I think Ron, Jessie's eldest son, could be joining Enid as a member of the Wolves, thanks to some strange interactions with Rick and Carl, and a disappearing act later in the hour. First, Ron has a shoving match with the younger Grimes (nothing like a good teenage angst-fueled dust-up, said no one ever), after Carl pledges to go after Enid, who he thinks is trapped by the zombies surrounding the wall. Ron says Enid -- his girlfriend, in case you didn't know, Carl -- can take care of herself, and forbids Carl from searching for her, quickly spitting out, "I'mnothelpingyouCarl" in a hilariously dismissive way. Later, Ron snitches to Rick about Carl's plans, and Rick asks where his son is now; Ron replies that Carl's back at the house with Judith. A couple problems with this: One, Ron would have no way of knowing where Carl is, since Carl shoved him to the ground and stormed off before Ron went running to Rick. And two, as I mentioned a couple weeks ago, there's a good chance that the Wolves kidnapped Judith, and therefore, Carl couldn't possibly be with her. If Ron's telling the truth, then that obviously pokes some holes in my kidnapping theory. But if he is indeed a Wolf, he'd have every reason to lie in order to throw Rick off Judith's scent. Which brings me to my next point. - If Rick saw that baby food on the dead Wolf's body, how did he not make the connection that the Wolves could possibly have Judith? And furthermore, when he came running through the Alexandria gates, why didn't he immediately go check on Judith (and okay, sure, Carl, too)? Maybe we missed out on a tearful reunion scene because Judith is indeed missing. But if that's not true, then Rick is just a crappy parent. Not that he's been Father of the Year or anything, but seriously - a brush with death is bound to make you want to hug your loved ones closer, right? - Then again, Rick had other emotional (a.k.a. sexual) needs to fulfill, as he finally made a move on Jessie, making out with her in her garage at the end of the episode. These two have basically zero chemistry, but okay, sure, the show is trying to make this happen. What was also head-scratching about this moment, though, was the glaring absence of Ron, who seemed poised to bust in on his mom and make a petulant scene. But he was nowhere to be seen during the latter half of the episode, not answering Jessie's knock at his bedroom door. And the last we saw of him, Rick had handed him a gun and was teaching him how to shoot. What if he took that gun and ran off to join Enid? - Jessie's poor parenting (something aside from her spit that she shares with Rick) certainly set the stage for Ron's disappearing act. She seriously has no idea where her eldest son is, after her community has been viciously attacked and most of her neighbors have been slain? And then, she tries to force her younger son - who's probably, what, 11? - to get over his fear of being held prisoner in his own home (after his father abused him and his family for years, mind you) to come down and enjoy some cookies. Sam is clearly reluctant and uncomfortable, and instead of heading upstairs and hugging him, Jessie simply shrugs and leaves. Way to be there for your kid, lady. And your cookies probably aren't anywhere near as good as Carol's, either. - Speaking of Carol, she was absent from this episode save a passing mention from Rosita (who's had almost nothing to do this season). "The Walking Dead" is always better when there's more Carol (and not completely ignoring its supporting female characters). - Supporting females really have been misused lately. Maggie has survival skills mansplained to her by Aaron, then can't even fend off a couple sewage-covered zombies on her own? That's so wildly out of character for her, it's ridiculous. She also refuses to go outside the sewer grate, wearily telling Aaron that she doesn't get to know what happened to Glenn. But you can! You had a chance to make it and you inexplicably freaked out instead! Gah! This show is so frustrating sometimes! (And don't worry Maggie -- we probably only have to wait a handful of weeks before Glenn's improbable survival is simplistically explained away.) - I did find her eventual return to optimism believable, though, especially the nice moment she shares with Aaron when they wipe Glenn's name off of the impeccably-inscribed "In Our Memory" wall. The constant back-and-forth discussion about Glenn's fate is pretty much just trolling fans at this point, but it makes sense for her character. (But seriously, Aaron -- you can leave Nicholas's name up on that wall. We don't ever need to see him again, thanks.) - "I just want him to live, and the roamers to go away, and a doctor to show up at the gates, so I can go back to my apartment and keep reading 'War and Peace.'" -- Denise's version of Netflix and Chill in the apocalypse. - Aside from the aforementioned s-t-soaked zombies, Denise's syringe full of pus wins in the gross-out category this week. - Denise settles down to brush up on her "Gray's Anatomy" textbook, and I couldn't help but compare a certain ABC series with our zombie drama. Both have ever-evolving, sprawling casts of characters, led by frustrating, flawed individuals who excel in some areas and are woefully inept in others. One's been limping along for 12 seasons, zombie-like; the other has had so many stops and starts in momentum that it's hard to tell if I just want the zombies to end it all already. I'm hoping the next few weeks will make me root for the humans again. Photo credit: Gene Page/AMCThis posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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