action a go go: October 2013

Thursday, 31 October 2013

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN "Fearful Pranks Ensue" Review

Oftentimes when dealing with a show that's consistently a mixed-bag, the stars will align there'll be one stand out episode that will perfectly balance all the elements within it and serve as a shining example of what ought to be the show's regular standard. While I have enjoyed American Horror Story: Coven thus far, entirely because it's numerous fantastic elements overshadow its mediocre ones, I would be lying if said I believed the show had really embraced its potential. That is, until I saw Fearful Pranks Ensue.

For the first time all season, the Coven writers have crafted an episode that works on every level. Every character and every subplot are engaging and work marvelously. The draggy "zombie-Kyle" subplot that was a bore to sit through features very little here, and what is presented works much better than it had previously. Without the mediocrity to muddy the waters and weigh the show down, the truly phenomenal parts of Coven shine twice as bright; Jessica Lange gives her best performance of the season thus far in this episode, as biting and quick-witted as ever but with an added layer of emotional resonance that had been lacking prior. The world of witchcraft is beginning to fill itself out as well, for the first time we really get the sense that other, magically-related things are happening outside of the scope of this particular Coven. The horror elements also work as well (which shouldn't be quite the achievement it actually is given this shows purported subject matter), it's creepy, it's gory and it's moderately intense; everything I wanted this show to be.

The universe Ryan Murphy and Brad Fulchuk built for themselves in Coven is one that will only be properly utilized as long as it doesn't take itself too, too seriously. The first three episodes were weighed down by incessant preaching and heavy-handed "messages", as well as subplots which were too dramatically serious for a show this silly to handle in a satisfying manner. Pranks does away with most of these problems by focusing on the strengths this particular story lends itself to; bitchy, violent, sassy, creepy drama. The themes of marginalization and oppression are relegated to the position they should have been in from the start; subtext. The oppressive straight-faced performing is done away with entirely. In its place we're given Jessica Lange and Frances Conroy going at each other in a battle of wits and deception, we get voodoo zombies tearing people apart, we get a mute Denis O'Hare having a tea party with a corpse in a room full of creepy dolls, we get THIS LINE: "If she's dead she probably got wasted and tried to offer the Grim Reaper a handjob or something.", AND we get voodoo zombies that tear a bunch of racist murderers limb-from-limb! The entire thing is completely insane and every second of it is monstrously entertaining. Coven is slowly but surely learning how to have fun, and is finding the best, most satisfying version of itself in the process.

If this episode is a one-time anomaly, then I'm glad it happened. If it's a sign of the quality of the show to come, then color me excited. Very, very excited.

Grade: A

Other Thoughts

Every other line in this episode was a venomous and sassy insult and it was just the best thing. Also, it has Leslie Jordan as a wonderfully flamboyant member of The Council, I mean, how can you beat that?

The cold open flashback to the sixties was killer in every way possible. And voodoo zombies are even better than regular zombies!

On a less jovial note: kinda unclear on exactly what happened with Queenie there... Did Bastien rape her? Or did he just attack her? Was her proposition to him last episode just a diversion tactic or an act of lonely desperation? Even bigger question: do I actually expect the show to address any of the preceding questions? (The answer being "No, you idiot")

I will never get over that "Grim Reaper Handjob" line.

And I'm actually slightly depressed that Bastien is dead (? Kinda? Just decapitiated?). The literalized Minotaur was just too creepy and zany to feature significantly in only one episode. I'm hoping they find a way to bring him back.

Andrew Allen is a television (and occasionally film) writer for Action A Go Go. He is an aspiring screenwriter and director who is currently studying at the University of Miami. You can check him out on Tumblr @andrewballen and follow him on Twitter @A_B_Allen.

AAGG Halloween Spectacular: FRANKENHOOKER (1990)

Frankenhooker (1990)

Director: Frank Henenlotter

Starring: Bob Martin and Frank Henenlotter

Written by Bob Martin with director Frank Henenlotter, Frankenhooker use to be a late night staple on cable in the early 1990s. Starring Playboy playmate Patty Mullen as the title character, the cult classic re-imagines Mary Shelley's Frankenstein for the "bridge and tunnel" crowd. Oddly enough, Mullen doesn't get top billing for this b-movie black comedy, but make no mistake...she owns this film every ludicrous second she's on screen.

Quick warning: Embedded below is the uncut version, which means more boobies and more blood. This is not safe for work. But...hey, that's why we love it.

Happy Halloween, kids.

Arnold Meter: 4/5

Troy-Jeffrey Allen writes about action/adventure for Action A Go Go. He is a comic book writer whose works include Bamn, The Magic Bullet, and the Harvey Award nominated District Comics. His work has been featured in the City Paper, The Baltimore Sun, Bethesda Magazine, The Examiner, and The Washington Post.

Tabitha's Cosplay Spectacular : This is Halloween!!!!

You may be expecting convention photos when you think “cosplay”, but not all cosplay is saved for conventions. After all, cosplay is short for “costume play”, which is a performance art in which participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea, (thanks Wikipedia). And even though most cosplayers are into the role-playing aspect that comes along with it, there is only one thing every cosplayer does do: COSTUMES! Bet you didn’t see that coming! So with that in mind, know that there are plenty of opportunities to cosplay outside of the obvious. I myself can testify to the many-a-time I have dawned a costume outside of conventions for different reasons. So I ask what bigger cosplay event is there than the global celebration of Halloween? Where anyone who so wishes, can become whatever they want for one night in a costume. After all, don’t you feel like Superman when you put on that cape? And let’s not pretend you never got in character, even if it was just by accident ; )

So since that time is upon us, for my first cosplay post, I bring you, the best and worst of Halloween! *Queue evil laughter*

Let us begin with the nod worthy.

Picture dafaure via flikriver

Halloween in Vegas. These costumes are bad-ass. Great real-life production of the classic green toy soldiers.

Picture via Pinterest

Tell me you know who these two are supposed to be. Nailed it!

Photo source Global Graphica.

Banksy’s famous street art piece “Flower-Thrower” brought to life. Excellent job by George Schnakenberg.

Picture via Photobucket

Pretty good job on this Doctor Octopus if I say so myself. I’m sure the construction of those “tentacles” were no easy task.

Picture via Pinterest

A nicely executed, old-school comic strip costume. That’s a LOT of dots.

Picture via Pinterest

My guess on this one is some sort of Oni group. Though I am not sure, I dig it. It’s unique, and a bit frightening.

Picture via flikr

A zombie and his zombie dog…. Eating each other. That’s pretty sick, in an awesome way. Unique to the huge zombie fan culture, and definitely well done.

Photo, Sherri Osborn on family crafts via about.com

On the zombie note, here’s one zombie you don’t want to run into. Frankenstein’s zombie monster! The creator Craig, combined a store bought mask and hands with football pads and painter’s drop cloths to bring his costume to life.

Photos Krysty Lynn, instructables.com

This costume was originally designed for LACMA Tim Burton/Dead Man’s Ball in LA. The creator Krysty Lynn, made this for her husband to wear while she dressed as Shock, but they never made it to the ball. Understandably, this resulted in tears (I have been there myself). So they were tipped off by a friend to visit downtown Disney Halloween night, and that they did. The hard work was not in vain as people crowded them for pictures all night.

Photo via Pinterest

Speaking of The Nightmare Before Christmas, I have two more for you. Here we have an incredibly cute Jack and Sally…

Photo via Pinterest.

…And here we have some of the other members of the animated film, including Oogie Boogie’s evil doers, Lock, Shock and Barrel. Mickey’s Halloween party in Disneyland.

Picture via coolesthomemade costumes.com

Do you guys remember Oblina from the cartoon Real Monsters? Christina from Pittsburgh brought this one to life with the help of her boyfriend. She even won a costume contest with this piece. Very cool.

Photo via flikr

And we can’t forget those who opt for Body paint. This one’s for the guys. And in all actuality, this is a pretty cool idea. Clever idea for the garters and thigh highs. Even those stringy pieces across her chest look realistic.

Now you know we have to highlight the kids too.

Photo via costumeworks.com

Cruella DeVille, Cruella DeVille, if she doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will. This youngster has it down. Her parents may have put together her ensemble (which is fabulous), but she’s got all the ‘tude. Carrie made this for her daughter who loves 101 Dalmatians.

Photo via apartystyle.com

Everyone knows the Coppertone baby! Well here’s the real deal!

Photo via Pinterest

Okay, so this helpless little lobster has no clue what’s going on, but he sure does look cute in that costume. I always appreciate an original idea too.

Photo via Pinterest

Speaking of original, has anyone ever seen this one done before? I don’t think so. Nice job.

Photo via Pinterest

Not sure how this little mouse is getting out of this trap for any candy, but at least the trap is cozy.

Photo via Pinterest

Another kid in a contraption, only it looks like this one has a bit more wiggle room. Lots of detail and work went into this “costume”. This is one lucky kid!