Thursday, July 18, 2013

Hemlock Grove's atmosphere is great and its writing interesting but it needs more nudity.

So I started watching Hemlock Grove (the quintessential werewolf series) on Netflix (I'm presently three episodes in) and am enjoying it. The eye-candy is great, however, there are a few things that are bugging me about it (just to be clear, these nitpicks are NOT enough to make me stop watching by any means):
This is your werewolf ladies! Landon Liboiron plays Peter in "Hemlock Grove"
only he has more facial hair. He's a wolf after all. You previously saw him in
the failed science fiction show "Terra Nova." I'm glad he's made a comeback.
1) Not enough nudity. Come on. This cast is gorgeous with exception of the "freaks" like Roman's sister. All the guys have 6% body fat and the girls are all thin with perky smiles and firm everything (it's like they all have their own anti-gravity machines levitating their boobs). They've had plenty of opportunities for some serious nudity (trust me on this if you haven't seen it), but the only naked parts I've seen by the third episode is Landon's butt  (I'm not complaining just we coulda seen more) and a dead chick's torso.

2) It channels LOST way too much. Remember sitting down and watching Lost and then seeing a mystery and then another mystery and then another question? You hoped that in the end, everything would be explained but the mysteries kept compounding until all you had was a show full of questions. Well...that's a little of how Hemlock Grove seems to be going. I hope they explain some of the things I'm seeing, like 1) why is Roman Godfrey's sister so big? Why is one of her eyes all strange? How can Roman hypnotize people and make them do what he wants them to do? How did everyone know Peter was a werewolf as soon as he rolled into town? What's with the glowing trail of fire that lit up Roman's sister's face when he touched her? And on and on and on.

3) Blatant iPhone marketing is obvious to the point of it being annoying. Everyone has one. It's almost like Apple paid for this entire series.

Now there are also things I LOVE about this series (aside from the eye-candy):

1) The production values are great. The sets look awesome, and the dialogue is interesting. The atmosphere and feel of the Netflix series pulls me right in. I realize it takes place in modern times, but I'm constantly reminded of the gothic through visceral details that splash in full color on my high definition screen.

2) The special effects blow me away. Take a look at this video of the werewolf transformation that Landon has to go through (character name is Peter, and for the record, he's a nice werewolf and not a mean one). It's frickin' incredible. THIS is none other than the creative genius of Eli Roth (the man behind Goretorium in Las Vegas). I especially love how the wolf walks up and eats the discarded human skin. It's horrific, yet I can't pull my eyes away.

3) They have Famke Janssen (from X-Men) and Kandyse McClure (from Jeremiah and Battlestar Galactica). These two ladies can pack in some powerful performances.

I'd say more, but I have another episode of Hemlock Grove I need to watch. Have a great Thursday. :)

20 comments:

  1. From one Walking Dead fan to another, I thank you for the tip - and will check out this series now :)

    Cheers and WATCH OUT, there's a WALKER behind youuuu !!!

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  2. I watched all of them when the series came out. Won't spoil it for you but I got to the end and thought 'eh.' Held promise but didn't deliver.

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  3. Everything needs more nudity. They need product placement to help pay for these Netflix series since they don't have commercials.

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  4. all shows need more nudity if you ask my professional opinion :)

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  5. I haven't decided whether to watch this show or not. It looks interesting, but it hasn't been getting the best reviews.

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  6. I'm with Dezmond!
    But then i remembered Discovery Channel has a show called naked and afraid where they drop two ass naked people in a jungle somewhere and they have to survive. So much ass in that (the other naked bits are blurred)
    I've heard mixed things about HG as a whole, but i haven't found the time to watch it yet.

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  7. I'd forgotten about "Terra Nova." I was disappointed when they pulled it.

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  8. AS long as the story is well done, nudity can arrive or leave. I'm fine either way. Hemlock Grove sounds great and that transformation was just nasty. I had to pause it. Now that's a curse.

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  9. I think you totally sold me with the picture of Landon Liboiron. I mean, anyone with the name Landon has to be a fabulous actor, right? ;)

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  10. I didn't even know Netflix was making their own shows. It sounds interesting.

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  11. I have it in my Q to watch but I haven't started. Good to know it's worthwhile.

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  12. I was interested till I read Alex's comment. Shame...

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  13. I haven't heard of this one. I'm a fan of Teen Wolf, and they sound about the same. I think Teen Wolf manages to answer its questions by the end of each season though. It's also very funny.

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  14. I tried to watch this show, but I couldn’t get past the female teacher preying on the student. I was a teacher once, and those examples of unprofessionalism unsettle me. So I assume since you like it, the plot must be great, huh? I suppose it’s something to consider.

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  15. I haven't seen this, but I may end up checking it out. I like a good werewolf story.

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  16. Eating the leftovers after the transformation was a nice touch. :P
    I may have to start watching this over Supernatural. I know I can't even believe I typed that. But things just aren't the same without Cas and the Leviathan plot line is annoying. Does Bobby come back as a ghost? Anyway, I think Dezzy has a point. Bring out Dean, naked, doing a Magic Mike act and maybe I'll get excited over the show again. (;

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  17. I'm about the same stage as you, maybe one episode further. Loved the transformation. Love the Lost references. Did not like the reference of the "only River that runs North...." Ahem, look at the map of Oregon and count the rivers that run North (lots) and it hasn't messed up any birds......Thanks,
    mj, Oregon

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  18. I'm trying hard not to get addicted to another show. The only show I want to see that I haven't seen yet is The Walking Dead.

    Jai

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  19. I've watched all the first season of HG, intense, graphic an awesome all in one, righton the edge if my seat the whole time, Greg Nicotero does amazing here!! love love love him doing his stuff for the walking dead..I'm s anxious for season 2 of HG

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