Invasion – The Complete Series
Invasion – The Complete Series
- From Outer Space” [VHS]” href=”http://www.televisionwonderland.com/the-x-files-pusherjose-chungs-from-outer-space-vhs/”>From famed writer/producer Shaun Cassidy comes a suspenseful tale of a blended family trying to recover from a devastating hurricane and its mysterious aftermath For park ranger Russell Varon (Eddie Cibrian), a divorced father of two who is expecting a third child with his new wife, the hurricane proves to be merely the beginning of a long journey into the unknown. As the tiny town of Homestead, F
From famed writer/producer Shaun Cassidy comes a suspenseful tale of a blended family trying to recover from a devastating hurricane and its mysterious aftermath For park ranger Russell Varon (Eddie Cibrian), a divorced father of two who is expecting a third child with his new wife, the hurricane proves to be merely the beginning of a long journey into the unknown. As the tiny town of Homestead, Florida struggles to rebuild itself, Sheriff Tom Underlay (William Fichtner) – who is married to Russell’s ex-wife – suspiciously orders the entire area quarantined. Russell starts to investigate the strange goings on and unknowingly begins a fight for the survival of his family, his community, and what might ultimately be the whole human race.Following the success of Lost, Invasion was one of numerous sci-fi-themed shows that debuted in the fall of 2005. But unlike Threshold and Surface, Invasion had the distinct advantage of airing in ABC’s slot right after Lost, at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays. Created and produced by Shaun Cassidy (yes, the former teen idol who also produced American Gothic), the series starts in a flurry with a devastating hurricane threatening a Florida city and a 21st-century family happens to be in the middle of it. There’s park ranger Russell Groves (Eddie Cibrian) and his wife, Larkin (Lisa Sheridan), who’s an inquisitive television reporter. Living with them is Larkin’s no-account brother, Dave (Tyler Labine), who blogs about conspiracy theories and aliens while between jobs. Also living with them some of the time are Russell’s kids, Rose (Ariel Gade) and Jesse (Evan Peters), who also spend time with their mother, doctor Mariel Underlay (Kari Matchett), who has also remarried, to the town’s sinister sheriff, Tom (William Fichtner). Tom also has a child from a previous marriage, sexy teen Kira (Alexis Dziena). Amid the chaos of the hurricane, little Rose is the only one to notice a group of strange lights dropping from the sky into the water, then Mariel disappears only to turn up in a swamp the next morning, seemingly unharmed but now with a strange affinity for water. Not so lucky is Dave, whose investigation of Rose’s colored lights leads to the discovery that those lights have a pretty fierce set of teeth. And what does the sheriff have to hide? Parts of Invasion feel like The X-Files or 24, and obviously the central concept isn’t new, but it has enough revelations and spooky chills to keep the viewer coming back for more. Unfortunately, even the plum slot following Lost wasn’t enough to keep Invasion from being canceled after its first season. The problem is that the Complete Season 3 – 3-DVD Set ( Heartbeat – Complete Season Three ) ( Classic Heartbeat (Heart beat) ) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - United Kingdom ]” href=”http://www.televisionwonderland.com/heartbeat-complete-season-3-3-dvd-set-heartbeat-complete-season-three-classic-heartbeat-heart-beat-non-usa-format-pal-reg-2-import-united-kingdom/”>season–and the series–ends in a whopping cliffhanger, which may never be resolved. So before you invest yourself into a full season of Invasion, be warned. –David Horiuchi
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First Snow
Guy Pearce (Memento, L.A. Confidential), Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly) and JK Simmons (Thank You For Smoking, Spiderman 1-3) Original Series, Episode 26: The Devil In the Dark [VHS]” href=”http://www.televisionwonderland.com/star-trek-the-original-series-episode-26-the-devil-in-the-dark-vhs/”>star in this intriguing thriller about a man whose life spins out of control after psychic tells him his days are numbered. After his car breaks down in a desolate town, a slick salesman, Jimmy Starks (Pearce), visits a fortune teller (Simmons) to kill some time. But the psychic’s ominous reading sends Jimmy’s life into a tailspin when he learns that his life will soon end, but he is safe at least, until the first snow of the season. Now, with his ultimate fate looming nearer, Jimmy becomes obsessed with revisiting his past in hopes of changing his destiny before it’s too late. With a thriller as low-key as First Snow, dynamic acting is a must. Fortunately, Guy Pearce (Memento) owns the screen as slick salesman Jimmy Starks. In his first film, Oscar-nominated writer Mark Fergus (Children of Men) forgoes visual effects in favor of an increasingly complex narrative. As in many Stephen King novels, the story centers on the collision between a man of reason and a man of faith–in the supernatural, that is. The foreshadowing begins when Starks visits fortune teller Vacaro (J.K. Simmons, Spider-Man). Starks assumes he’s a fellow hustler. Then his every prediction comes true. On a return trip, Vacaro tells him he’ll be dead by first snow, but can’t say how or when. Should Starks put his affairs in order, enjoy his time with girlfriend Deirdre (Piper Perabo), or just do nothing? Then again, snow seems unlikely for Albuquerque. Over the next few days, several possible culprits come to light, like Andy (Rick Gonzalez), an assistant Starks fired, and Vince (Shea Wigham), a partner he sold down the river. Convinced one of them is going to seek revenge, Starks becomes so paranoid he opens the door to disaster. Fergus excels in keeping the tension at a low boil, but he undersells the climax. Still, it’s a nice change from all the mysteries that build in intensity before collapsing in a heap of improbabilities. First Snow is rooted in the real world from the first frame to the last. –Kathleen C. Fennessy
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