Directed by David Lynch and written by Harley Peyton, the second episode of the second season of Twin Peaks entitled Coma revolves around the continuing investigation of Laura Palmer’s murder as Ronette Pulaski has finally woken up from her coma. Special Agent Cooper and Sheriff Truman question Pulaski who would reveal the visual identity of a mysterious third person as Leland Palmer would later claim to know who this man is. Meanwhile, Donna Hayward and Audrey Horne would each embark into their own investigations as the latter would find herself in great danger. It’s an episode where it raises more questions than answers as well as some dark motives involving the people at Twin Peaks.
With Donna Hayward taking on the Meals on Wheels job as she meets a strange customer in Mrs. Tremond (Frances Bay) who would tell Donna about a neighbor of hers who knew Laura as Laura would later receive a call from that man. At One Eyed Jack’s, Audrey would make a discovery about how Laura got to work at the place and who owns it as she would eventually blow her cover while her father and Agent Cooper realize she’s missing. It’s an episode where not much happens but there are things that do get stranger when Cooper receives a message from Major Briggs about what happened on the night Cooper got shot. What is revealed only adds more discomfort from Cooper who also learns that his former partner has just been released from an insane asylum.
Harley Peyton’s script explores a lot of the underworld that is in and out of Twin Peaks as it relates to how much power Benjamin Horne has and what he is trying to do. Most notably as his plans over a business deal with Icelandic businessmen are nearly ruined by Leland Palmer who told the Icelanders about the saw mill fire. There’s also little subplots that relate to Shelly Johnson and Bobby Briggs’ affair as they realize that Leo will be in a coma as Briggs conspires to cash in on Leo’s disability money. Another which involved Donna has her becoming jealous of James’ attraction towards Maddy Ferguson during a song they were recording.
David Lynch’s direction does feature some unique close-ups as it relate to this growing love triangle between Donna-James-Maddy as well as moments of surrealism and terror as it relates to what Ronette had seen as well as a dream Cooper would have near the end of the episode. The episode also plays into some of the humor as it relates to Deputy Andy trying to tape pictures in various places in the town where he would have tape stuck on his head. There is also some very strange and weird moments such as Donna’s meeting with Mrs. Tremond and her grandson (Austin Jack Lynch) as it showcases the world of the weird as it is among one of the highlights of the episode.
Coma is a superb episode of Twin Peaks from David Lynch and writer Harley Peyton as it maintains that sense of off-beat humor and intrigue. Especially as the cast is once again solid as well as the story as there’s more element of suspense and terror that goes on. In the end, Coma is an excellent episode of Twin Peaks from David Lynch.
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Pilot - Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 3 - Episode 4 - Episode 5 - Episode 6 - Episode 7
Season 2: Episode 8 - Episode 10 - Episode 11 - Episode 12 - Episode 13 - Episode 14 - Episode 15 - (Episode 16) - (Episode 17) - (Episode 18) - (Episode 19) - (Episode 20) - (Episode 21) - (Episode 22) - (Episode 23) - (Episode 24) - (Episode 25) - (Episode 26) - (Episode 27) - (Episode 28) - (Episode 29)
Season 3: (Coming Soon)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me - (The Missing Pieces)
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Tina Rathbone and written by Harley Peyton, the fourth episode of Twin Peaks entitled Rest in Pain revolves around the day of Laura Palmer’s funeral services as emotions run high while Special Agent Cooper believes that he has a hunch on who killed her. While Cooper believes that there’s a lot more to the case, he also deals with the tension between Sheriff Truman and Agent Rosenfield as the latter found some clues during Laura’s autopsy that opens the door to an underworld in the town. All of which plays into things that is happening where Cooper and Truman confront Leo Johnson who denies anything despite Cooper’s reciting all of Johnson’s past criminal activities.
It’s an episode that does close a moment where everyone says goodbye including Laura’s look-a-like cousin Maddy (Sheryl Lee) who visits to attend the funeral to Leland Palmer’s comfort. Yet, it’s a moment where the town would unravel as Bobby Briggs would claim that Laura’s real killer is the whole town in saying that they didn’t do enough to help her. It’s an episode where it features some very intense and intentionally cheesy dramatic elements along with comical moments that prove to be very funny in the most unintentional ways. Thanks in part to Harley Peyton’s script which not only manages to balance the disparate tones of the story but also find ways to keep the focus about the mystery surrounding Palmer’s death.
Under Tina Rathbone’s direction, the element of humor, drama, and suspense is engaging as well as being offbeat as it also features little moments that do play into the story. Notably a scene involving Ed Hurley and his wife Nadine (Wendy Robie) as the latter thanks him for giving her the accidental solution for her silent drapes as it is among some of the weird moments of the episode. Yet, it’s the funeral where Rathbone’s direction has nearly all of the principle characters in the frame while building up something where things will explode. It’s a very comical moment while it is followed by Shelley Johnson working at the diner telling the customers exactly what happened.
Its final moments would play more into the underworld where Truman and Deputy Hawk (Michael Horse) would invite Cooper into a secret society that involves Ed Hurley as it relates to a secret drug smuggling ring that Truman and Hawk are trying to end. It’s the episode that would give a proper introduction to Jacques Renault (Walter Olkewicz) and his family who are in connection with Leo Johnson into transporting drugs. What would happen would unveil more about the dark elements of the town as well as more about Laura Palmer and her connection with the Renault family. With Miguel Ferrer being great as the asshole FBI Agent Rosenfield and Sheryl Lee providing a brief yet wonderful performance as Maddy Ferguson. It’s an episode that plays more into the tension between Josie Packard and Catherine Martell where the former tells Truman about what she wants to do as it is clear that Martell is trying to ruin Packard.
Rest in Pain is a fantastic episode from Tina Rathbone and Harley Peyton as they manage to find a balance between elements of humor and drama. It’s also an episode that isn’t afraid to find the line of unintentional humor as it plays into David Lynch’s idea of playing against the rules of conventional television mysteries. In the end, Rest in Pain is a thrilling and witty episode of Twin Peaks from Tina Rathbone.
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Pilot - Episode 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 4 - Episode 5 - Episode 6 - Episode 7
Season 2: Episode 8 - Episode 9 - Episode 10 - Episode 11 - Episode 12 - Episode 13 - Episode 14 - Episode 15 - (Episode 16) - (Episode 17) - (Episode 18) - (Episode 19) - (Episode 20) - (Episode 21) - (Episode 22) - (Episode 23) - (Episode 24) - (Episode 25) - (Episode 26) - (Episode 27) - (Episode 28) - (Episode 29)
Season 3: (Coming Soon)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me - (The Missing Pieces)
© thevoid99 2015
Based on the Marvel Comics by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby and from the Extremis story arc by Warren Ellis, Iron Man 3 is the third installment of the Iron Man story in which Tony Stark faces with a new, mysterious enemy who is eager to wreak havoc into Stark’s life. Directed by Shane Black and screenplay by Black and Drew Pearce, the film picks up where The Avengers left off as Stark must deal with his role as Iron Man as he’s once again played by Robert Downey Jr. Also starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, James Badge Dale, Ty Simpkins, Jon Favreau, and Ben Kingsley as the Mandarin. Iron Man 3 is a thrilling and adventurous film from Shane Black.
The film revolves around Tony Stark battling an unknown enemy known as the Mandarin who is wreaking havoc on the world as he’s targeting the U.S. President (William Sadler). Yet, things become more complicated as Stark is dealing with anxiety issues relating to the events in The Avengers as he starts to alienate people close to him. Meanwhile, Stark is also dealing with the presence of Adrian Killich (Guy Pearce), who has been known for creating a virus that can help regenerate body parts, as he wants to go after Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) to get Starks to help fund his work. It’s all part of a world in which Stark becomes overwhelmed as he has no idea what to do while eventually realizing that he’ll need to do things to help those he care for.
The screenplay by Shane Black and Drew Pearce explores not just Stark’s anxieties as well as his obsession to perfect the Iron Man suits he wears but also to use it so he can protect Pepper. Yet, he’s also dealing with the sins of the past as it relates to Killich who made an offer to Stark back in New Year’s Eve 1999 only to reject the offer while on that same night, he had a one-night stand with a botanist named Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall) who would be one of the people that would create the Extremis virus. These sins would come back to haunt him as Stark tried to target the Mandarin in which one of his bombs put his former bodyguard Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) into a coma. All of these incidents and the presence of the mysterious Mandarin would cause a lot of issues for Stark as he finds refuge in a small Tennessee town where he befriends a boy named Harley (Ty Simpkins) who would help Stark get back on his feet.
The script allows the Tony Stark character to not just face his demons and flaws but also face more brushes with death as he finally comes to the conclusion that he’s not just invisible. It’s not just Stark that is given a great character arc as the script also pays attention to Pepper Potts who grows into a much stronger woman who can put on an Iron Man suit and be helpful. There’s also a bit of buddy-comedy elements when it comes to Stark and his friend Colonel James Rhodes aka the Iron Patriot (Don Cheadle) who would later help Stark out in battling the Mandarin. Upon Starks’ eventual confrontation with the Mandarin, it becomes much more complex than it actually seems as it relates more to Killich’s work with the Extremis virus.
Black’s direction is quite typical of what is expected in an action blockbuster but Black does things to make it so much more. Notably as he creates scenes that are fun and full of humor while keeping the action thrilling as well as have some meaning. Black does create some unique shots that are simple including the scenes involving Starks and Potts while opening the film with this very humorous New Year’s Eve party in Switzerland that would set the tone for the entire film as it’s narrated by Stark. Many of the compositions are simple while the humor has the right note of just being unexpected but also natural where there is that sense of improvisation. Overall, Black creates a very solid and enjoyable action-blockbuster that manages to do a lot more than what is expected in its genre.
Cinematographer John Toll does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography as it‘s mostly naturalistic in some of its exteriors while using some more stylish lights for the scenes at night. Editors Jeffrey Ford and Peter S. Elliot do terrific work with the editing to create some rhythmic cut for the action scenes as well as a few montages for the flashback scenes. Production designer Bill Brzeski, along with set decorator Danielle Berman and supervising art director Desma Murphy, does amazing work with some of the set pieces such as the Stark mansion and the places set in Tennessee and Miami. Costume designer Louise Frogley does nice work with the costumes as it’s mostly casual with the exception of the Iron Man suits.
Visual effects supervisors Mark Bakowski, Erik Nash, Saravanan Stalin, and Christopher Townshend do brilliant work with the visual effects from the scenes of Iron Man flying in the air to some of the intense action scenes. Sound designer Ann Scibelli and sound editor Mark P. Stoeckinger do wonderful work with the sound from the layer of sound effects is used to some of the intimate moments in the mixing such as a bar scene where Stark gets information about the Extremis virus. The film’s music by Brian Tyler is very good as it‘s filled with bombastic orchestral music to play out its actions while music supervisor Dave Jordan brings in a few late 90s pop songs for the 1999 opening sequence as well as some funk music.
The casting by Sarah Finn is amazing as it features a massive collection of actors as it includes appearances from Miguel Ferrer as the vice president, Ashley Hamilton as an Extremis soldier, Shaun Toub reprising his role as Yinsen from the first film in the 1999 party scene, Paul Bettany as the voice of J.A.R.V.I.S., and Stan Lee as a beauty pageant judge. Other notable small roles include James Badge Dale and Stephanie Szostak as a couple of vicious Extremis soldiers, Jon Favreau as Stark Industries security officer Happy Hogan, and Ty Simpkins as the boy Harley who helps out Stark in repairing the Iron Man Mk 42 suit. William Sadler is terrific as the American President as someone who is threatened by the Mandarin as he tries to maintain some sense of order. Rebecca Hall is wonderful as Extremis co-creator Maya Hansen as a botanist who had good intentions for the virus only to go into conflict of her own about working for Killian.
Ben Kingsley is great as the Mandarin as a mastermind terrorist who creates mysterious videos with great intimidation as Kingsley brings a lot of chew-scenery to his performance as the Mandarin. Guy Pearce is excellent as Aldrich Killian as a businessman who has a grudge towards Tony Stark as he uses the Extremis virus to become something that is very menacing. Don Cheadle is superb as Col. James Rhodes as a man who is concerned for Tony Stark while dealing with his new role as Iron Patriot as he would deal with the Extremis forces.
Gwyneth Paltrow is brilliant as Pepper Potts as she goes from someone who is dealing with Stark’s anxieties to being a woman that got tired of being pushed around as Potts finally gets to kick some major ass. Finally, there’s Robert Downey Jr. in a marvelous performance as Tony Stark/Iron Man as someone struggling with his role as well as with his own demons as Downey just adds more layers to the characters as someone who is flawed and vulnerable as well as finding a way to get back up.
Iron Man 3 is a remarkable film from Shane Black that features another winning performance from Robert Downey Jr. Thanks to a fantastic script and a brilliant supporting cast, the film is definitely a major improvement over its predecessor while being something more than just a typical blockbuster film. It’s also a film that has something for everyone while not wanting to take itself too seriously. In the end, Iron Man 3 is an excellent film from Shane Black.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One Films: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers (2012 film)
Marvel Phase Two Films: Thor: The Dark World - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant Man
Marvel Phase Three Films: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home
Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)
Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)
Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World
Shane Black Films: (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) - The Nice Guys - (The Predator (2018 film))
© thevoid99 2013
