Author: Diana Vaccarelli

Diana Vacc Sees Outlander Season 2 Premier

by Diana Vaccarelli

hbt1Everyone that knows me knows that I’m obsessed with Outlander. And right now my obsessed self is so glad that what Outlander fans call “Droughtlander” is over.

While reading the second book of Diana Gabaldon’s series I had reservations about whether its complexities could be adapted to television.

If you are not familiar with the story, know that it follows WWII Combat Nurse Claire Randall, who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1700’s Scotland where she is immediately in danger. She is forced to wed Scottish Warrior Jamie Fraser and a passionate relationship ignites. read article

Diana Vacc Sees CRIMINAL MINDS: BEYOND BORDERS

cmbb posterby Diana Vaccarelli

Criminal Minds is following in the footsteps of Law and Order and CSI by spinning off its own clone, called Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.  This child/nephew/niece is about an elite group of FBI Agents charged with coming to the aid of and solving crimes that involve American citizens abroad.

THE GOOD

  • The fast paced writing of the series.  The numerous twists and turns keep you on your toes and in suspense. (The music helps too.)
  • The writers really bring to life the different cultures where the Agents are sent to do their thing.  For example, the pilot episode took them to Thailand, giving viewers an interesting glimpse into how women are treated in the Thai Police Force.
  • The performances by all the actors, led by Gary Sinise.  Each character on the team has a distinct personality and set of skills. Much of this is in the writing, as in Criminal Minds, but the actors’ performances seem so genuine that it wasn’t till I sat down to write this review that I even thought about possible copycatting.

THE BAD: read article

Diana Vacc Sees AMERICAN CRIME STORY: THE PEOPLE vs. OJ SIMPSON

 by Diana Vaccarelli

the-people-v-oj-simpson-american-crime-storyTwenty years later and the OJ Simpson trial still fascinates so many.   Executive Producer Ryan Murphy, creator of Glee, Nip/Tuck, and American Horror Story, decided to produce a series based on Jeffrey Toobins book The Run of His Life. The show starts at the murder scene and continues through the trial.

THE GOOD:

  •  The best part of this series is the acting. Everyone fits their roles perfectly. John Travolta as Robert Shapiro, Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran, Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark, David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian, and Cuba Gooding Jr. as OJ Simpson. Each actor gives the viewer the most poignant performance. It is almost like watching the trial all over again.
  • The cinematography by Nelson Cragg is nothing short of brilliant. The colors and the scenery bring you into the scene.
  • The writing makes the characters come alive. We experience the emotional toll that the case has on them all…and, man, is there ever a toll.

THE BAD: read article

Diana Vacc Sees THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES

Shannara-official1

by Diana Vaccarelli

MTV original programming adapts the SHANNARA CHRONICLES, a series of novels written by the late Terry Brooks from 1977 through 2015.
The TV version begins with the world in great danger because the Ellcyrs tree, which is the only piece of magic that is protecting the world from Demons, is dying. Will our little band of warriors succeed in saving the day?

THE GOOD:

• The best parts of SHANNARA are the special effects and the set designs. You really feel like you’re a part of a fascinating new world. The series is visually stunning. And let’s not forget the Demons. Their appearance is simply brilliant.
• The acting is topnotch. Especially that of Manu Bennett, who plays Allanon, a Human Druid with magical powers. read article

Diana Vacc Sees ASH VS. EVIL DEAD

ash-vs-evil-dead-bloodby Diana Vaccarelli

Starz Network does it again with their great original programming. First came SPARTACUS, then OUTLANDER, and now ASH VS. EVIL DEAD. The series follows Bruce Campbell as the chainsaw-armed character of Ash 30 years after he was last seen in the film ARMY OF DARKNESS. Ash has been living a quiet life in a small town, but now the evil dead are back and it’s up to him to save the world…again.

THE GOOD:

• This is funny and scary at the same time. I both laughed out loud and jumped in shock at various moments. Sometimes at the same time. read article