On the Verge: Sanctuary

Synopsis: Sanctuary follows the adventures of the beautiful, enigmatic and always surprising Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping), her new recruit, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne) and her fearless daughter Ashley (Emilie Ullerup). Together they track down, study and protect the strange and often terrifying creatures that secretly populate our world and live among us.

The show, which stars Stargate SG-1/Atlantis' Amanda Tapping and is written by two fellow Stargate alums, Damian Kindler (creator) and Martin Wood (director), debuted as a web series in 2007. From its inception, the show pledged to stay closely connected with fans through an interactive website, SanctuaryForAll.com, and thus created a large following that lead to Sci Fi's decision to pick up the series for a 13 episode season that premiered October 3rd.

But this show's jump from the web is just the beginning, the most intriguing part of this series is that it is the first show ever, as far as I know, that is filmed almost entirely, roughly 90% of the shots, in front of a green screen (using the new RED Camera). I had the privilege
of attending the NYC premiere at the Paley Center a few weeks back, and while my unrealistically high expectations were not met, the visual effects were still surprisingly stunning. No, it's not a perfect mirror of reality, and there are definitely times (several wide shots in particular) where the CGI is very obvious, but then there were all the other moments where I was constantly debating what was real and what wasn't. Overall I'd say most of the work is subtle and convincing, and noting that this analysis is from someone who was intently looking, it makes you wonder how much the casual viewer would even notice?

At the panel after the premier, the cast and creators discussed the creative freedom they now have because of the green screen. Essentially they can film anywhere, the catacombs under Rome? No problem. (Keep an eye out for that location in one of the upcoming episodes.)

So is Sanctuary a pioneer of things to come? Sounds like it, NBC has recently acquired a script based on the Greek myth "Jason and the Argonauts" and the rumor is, if this goes to series, NBC is considering shooting entirely on green screen. Read about it from the Hollywood Reporter

For more on Sanctuary, check out this preview, it's for the October 3rd premiere, but it gives you a nice sense of the series:



On the story side, the show has a lot of potential but definitely needs time to mature. The pace could be quickened a bit and the writing sharpened, but it's very close and after two weeks I continue to want more. Does the lack of sets affect cast performance? I've been impressed thus far, but you'll have to decide for yourself.

If you are a sci fi fan, or just intrigued by a new wave in television production, check out Sanctuary tonight at 9pm on Sci Fi.

For a special look at the Sanctuary's use of green screen check out this video:

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

Grey's Anatomy Wrap Up - "Brave New World"

Grey's Anatomy is back!!

I don't care what's been said, this show is still going strong and last night was just one fine example of why I'm a loyal "Grey's Addict."

I absolutely loved the episode, tons of laughs, medium on the melodrama while still advancing overarching plot lines (Don't get me wrong I love me some melodrama, and I'm always a fan of more, but the occasional fluff ep without mer-der collapsing or the world ending is always appreciated, and this episode had a nice balance/pace of dramatic moments.)

I also enjoyed the Hospital not flooding or exploding (why did I totally not care at all about that little debacle last week?) and the lack of surgeries (in a good way) allowing us to finally delve into some of the new realtionships more like Callie and Hahn, who are soooo awkward but also adorable and fun. I like them but I worry, Grey's and awkward relationships seem to always ended badly (George and Izzie anyone?) I really hope the writers successfully get these two un-awkward quickly before it kills the whole thing.

I did want more George (who btw was so cute with the scared little kid, awwww) and Lexi. George needs to get his head out of his ass, ugh, the end killed me. And where is Sloan? He needs a plot line. It's times like these when I miss Addison, but am then reminded of my love for Private Practice, although more crossovers would be nice...

And though it took me a couple minutes to get, I loved the end when Derek gave Meredith and Christina the trailer, he's so McDreamy...*sighs* If you couldn't tell already, overall I was very pleased.

My favorite moment was a tough call because I really loved all of the dermatology scenes. Though I should note one flaw from last night's ep: Christina's patient story line made very little sense and got lost in the shuffle, but I think all is forgiven by this fantastic scene: Callie is talking to Bailey about her date with Hahn...Bailey's expression is absolutely priceless, I could not stop laughing!




If you missed it, you can watch last nights episode at Abc.com or check out a Recap on EW.com

Grey's Anatomy airs Thursday's at 9pm on ABC.

Reality TV Confessions: Project Runway

I'm a bit of a fictional TV snob, but I have to admit there are some reality shows that I find quite entertaining. While I am not an avid viewer of any particular show, occasionally I will catch a marathon or some reruns and become quite invested in a season of show.

So what did I turn on instead of the debate Wednesday night, because let's face it, nothing on this earth is going to make me vote for John McCain: the Season 5 Finale of Project Runway!

My Review: I have to say I was happy Leanne won, from everything I've seen of hers, throughout the show, I think she deserved it. Plus that blue dress was my absolute favorite piece out of all of the collections. Though I'll admit, at the end I was rooting for Korto, I think her line was my favorite at Bryant Park, although perhaps not as well polished as Leanne's. And while I was impressed by Kenley's clothes, even though half the time I personally don't understand them, I think she squanders her talent when she's so stubborn and arrogant. But overall the show was quite entertaining and definitely succeeded in making my feel very lame lounging around my apartment in an old t-shirt and jeans.

To see the winning clothes, check out this 40 second recap of Leanne's runway show at Bryant Park:



For more on this, read Entertainment Weekly's Recap and Interviews with Leanne Marshall, Korto Momolu, and Kenley Collins.

Grey's Anatomy Wrap Up - "Dream a Little Dream of Me"

It wasn't mind blowing but it still filled me with the "gooey" Grey's Anatomy feelings that make me so happy to watch their world for an hour every week that I am not complaining. Though, as much as I love two-hours with my favorite doctors, there were soooo many story lines (and patients sleeping with different people's tragically injured husbands) that my friends and I were having trouble trying to explain the connections to each other. That's on top of all the various stories focusing on the large ensemble cast, I mean Callie and Erica? Two hours to go nowhere? Rose being psychotic felt a little buried, and didn't George and Lexi kiss in the season finale!! I wanted more!! At the same time I have to give Shonda Rhimes credit, she's made this show and all of it's extensive drama last five years without getting too ridiculous, I can't expect her to give me everything I want in one episode. But I could have lived without being deceived by the previews, dream sequences really? I didn't believe Rose was pregnant but that joke would have been so much better if the preview hadn't ruined it. How many shows are going to do this fake out thing to get hype!? (Refer to yesterday's 90210 anger) It's a little much, especially because your episode ends up being a bit of a let down. On a positive note, how much do I love Christina's and Meredith's relationship, although Mer--you really are going to run away when your bff gets stabbed by an icicle? You're a freaking surgeon, do something! However it gave ample time for Dr. Hunt to be Christina's knight in shining armor (allowing me to swoon over him even more) In regards to their fight, Christina was right, the Meredith freaking out plot has totally been done ten million times before on this show, I don't think Meredith is as whiny as half the people I talk to and I understand being consistent with her commitment issues, but come on! At least they contained it to only one episode...hopefully. Absolute favorite moment: Christina referring to telling Meredith off "Yeah, and then I got karmically impaled!!" The amount of love I have for that line knows no bounds, haha. In closing, I was a tad disappointed that I didn't cry at all and I wasn't big on the ending. The Chief's speech didn't do much for me and in some ways Denny didn't either--I hate to say this but I'm kind of over that story line and I don't think the writer's have been consistent with it recently, so this felt a little bit out of the blue to me.

My new Izzie love prediction: Mark Sloan!! Can you see the possibility?

If you missed it, you can watch last nights episode at Abc.com or check out a Recap on EW.com

Grey's Anatomy airs Thursday's at 9pm on ABC.

Thursday, September 25: Season Premieres

8:00 Ugly Betty (ABC)

• Catch up by watching the ABC Starter Kit
• Or via Wikipedia and Television Without Pity
  
• Season 4 Trailer:

9:00 Grey's Anatomy (ABC) (Two-Hour Premiere)

Words can not describe how excited I am for this premiere!! So much so that my friends and I are commemorating the occasion with a viewing party celebration!

• Catch up by watching the ABC Starter Kit
• Season 4 Trailer (it was my fav despite it being taped off the tv)

As some of you may know, every season ABC puts together a clip music video, this year featuring "The Quest" by Bryn Christopher and combines clips from the show and him singing. I have to say watching this got me even more excited if that is possible...is it Thursday yet?



10:00 ER (NBC)

If you're like me you've seen so many ER episodes over the past 14 years (Does TNT still play two episodes a day like they did during most of my youth?) that you feel intimately involved with the show but you have absolutely no idea what is happening right now but you really want to watch the final season...

• Catch up on Season 14: Wikipedia or Television Without Pity
  
• Preview for Season 15:
  
  
• Let's not forget that Anthony Edwards aka Dr. Mark Greene (who's death episode still brings me to tears every time) will be returning for a episode this season in flashbacks as part of Angela Basset's character's backstory. Read about it at TV Guide.com
  

Also premiering: My Name is Early 8pm (NBC), The Office 9pm (NBC)

Monday, September 22: Season Premieres

8:30 How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

• Need to Catch Up: The How I Met Your Mother Primer or Wikipedia
• Season 3 Recap:

9:00 Heroes (NBC) (Two Hour Premiere)

• Need to Catch Up: Wikipedia or a Fellow Blogger's Recap
  
• NBC will also be airing an hour long clip show at 8pm
  
• Season 3 Trailer:

Also premiering: Dancing with the Stars 8pm (ABC), The Big Bang Theory 8:30pm (CBS), Two and a Half Men 9pm (CBS), Worst Week 9:30pm (CBS), CSI: Miami 10pm (CBS), Boston Legal 10pm (ABC)