Dude...You're Blowing my Cover!

"True Lies" TV Adaptation in the Works

TV's about to do the Tango

Since I've been spending the better part of my day playing the lovely Halo: Reach, (which I plan to write a review as soon as I'm done with it) I was scouring the internet for something to talk about today and I came across an intersting story churning in tinseltown. Apparently, the 3-D Avatar mastermind James Cameron will be producing a TV adaptation of his insanely huge budget hit "True Lies." Right now the series is being shopped around to various studios, and frankly I kind of hope it doesn't get picked up.

I love James Cameron as much as any other film enthusiast, but I don't think True Lies will be a good fit in the small screen. For starters, TV is already saturated with dozens of spy shows like "Chuck," "La Femme Nikita," "Covert Affairs," and the upcoming Mr. and Mrs. Smith wannabe "Undercovers." I will be the first to admit, I don't really follow many TV series, but the ones I DO follow bring something different to the generic TV formula other than the cliche family sitcom, and police/medical drama. I follow, or will follow, shows like Lost, Dexter, Boardwalk Empire, and The Walking Dead, because each of these shows brings something new to television. You can only re-hash a certain genre so much before it gets boring, and I feel that's what's happening with spy series. It's becoming its own genre in Television, and there is just no more room for it. 

Another problem I have with the True Lies series is going to be with the casting. No cast has been announced yet, but because it's one of Arnold Schwarzennegger's more memorable roles, then the series will hold no clout unless he's in it. And let's face it, I love Arnie but he's going to be busy tearing down California's state budget. Movies being turned into TV series is nothing new, but when you have a film that has such a strong and classic lead character like Arnold's take on Harry Tasker, then it's going to be very difficult to capture that same magic which made the movie such a success.

I'm not saying the True Lies series will be a disaster. James Cameron rarely does anything involving Television and when he does, it's fantastic. He helped produce the 2000 series "Dark Angel," which launched the career of Jessica Alba, and we should all be crawling and worshiping Cameron for THAT marvelous discovery. Cameron has a creative eye for these kinds of things, and I'm sure he'll do fine, but all I ask out of Television shows is to bring something new. If Hollywood wants to keep turning old 80's movies starring Arnold into TV shows, then give me a solid adaptation of Conan the Barbarian (The new re-make of  the film looks atrocious by the way) or the Running Man...hell, I think even Kindergarten Cop could work as an action-comedy TV series. The key in selecting films to turn into TV series is to select films that weren't very successful. Mediocre movies like "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer" and "Friday Night Lights" have been translated to Television with much success, but shows like "My Big Fat Greek Life" or "Terminator" have met audiences with demise. 

There are always exceptions to success in TV, like the "Stargate" series, and honestly, I want True Lies to work. As much fun as it is to rip on awful programming, nobody wants to see a bad show. But if True Lies adheres to the cliche moments found in countless other programs, then I'll tango my way to the remote control and defect to another lame show.

 

Pinch Me...I Must Be Dead

The Zombie Genre Invades Your Living Room

The Walking Dead -- Appearing on AMC this fall

This could turn out to be one of my shorter posts, but I am so excited to finally have seen the trailer for the upcoming AMC series "The Walking Dead." In case you haven't heard, The Walking Dead is a new Television series coming out this fall on AMC based on a comic series created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore. I will admit I was not familiar with the series at all, but after watching the newest trailer for the TV adaption, I have the ultimate jitters.

Black and White zombies, a clear homage to George Romero

The Walking Dead follows the life of a small town sheriff who is injured on duty and goes into a coma. After waking up, he somehow avoided being eaten alive and comes to terms with the zombie apocalypse that has spawned around him. It seems almost like a cliche premise, but I'm hooked nonetheless.

First and foremost, add zombies to anything, and I'm sold. Zombies have evolved into a mainstream genre that there are even acclaimed works of literature such as "Pride and Prejudice" being re-written to include zombies. I am not kidding, this book actually exists. But this isn't just about my affection for zombies. Instead, this is about a TV series that looks to appease both zombie fanatics such as myself, and Television devouts alike. The Walking Dead is being written and directed by Frank Darabont, who is responsible for some cinema classics like "The Shawshank Redemption," "The Green Mile," and "The Mist." Sure any mediocre talented director could've tackled this adaptation with ease and cashed in quite easily, but the fact that Darabont is heading the production adds major credibility points for me.

The cast of the Walking Dead, just waiting to shine in the spotlight

Besides a good amount of action and gore, The Walking Dead looks to be like a series that is mainly devoted to character development. It is vital for any TV program to have that sense of character progression to connect with audiences. Good or bad, audiences need to be able to follow along with what a character is thinking and doing if they're going to commit to the series, or even next week's show. And Darabont is no slacker when it comes to this. Fans of Darabont know that he can bring it when it comes to creating thought provoking characters. Andy Dufresne (Shawshank Redemption) has to be on an all time greatest character list. Not only that, he's also got the experience in creating creature-filled action. If you've watched Darabon't last film "The Mist," you'll understand why it's a very highly underrated creature film. If The Walking Dead avoids being pigeonholed to previous zombie films, and is anything like "The Mist," then we're in for a deadly fun time.

The game changer of Zombies. Go watch it now!

Until then I leave you all with a link to the trailer for The Walking Dead. The series is set to premiere on AMC on Halloween Night around 10 pm, which hopefully allows for some more brutal action sequences than usual. Not only that, the casting on the series looks to be solid. Actors like Andrew Lincoln and Michael Rooker are bringing the much needed acting chops required for a production like this, but The Walking Dead looks to include the perfect mixture of up and coming Hollywood talent, allowing for it's supporting cast the chance to shine. Until then, I'll be shuffling through my daily routine in anticipation of this series. Heck, it's even inspired me to check out the comic series when I get a chance. It's too bad it's about 70-something issues and still going strong. Damn you zombie love. Enjoy.


http://www.amctv.com/originals/The-Walking-Dead/?bcpid=111717822001&bclid=88963904001&bctid=593569611001