Legion Season 1 Review

     Over the past few years, many super hero and comic book inspired series have made their way to the small screen: "Arrow," "The Flash," "Daredevil," "Jessica Jones," "Luke Cage," and "Iron Fist" just to name a few. From network TV to Netflix, comic book fans have access to a lot of entertainment on the small screen. But with so many of these shows on the air, it feels this niche has become over saturated. So when it announced that another comic book show was in the works, revolving around the X-Men character Legion of all people, many rolled their eyes. Personally, I immediately became interested. FX is a network that, over the past few years, have produced several exceptional program. And the series's show runner would be the same as the one from FX's "Fargo," Noah Hawley. So with a talented mind and a great channel behind it, I thought "Legion" might stand a fighting chance. Leading up to its premier, early reviews were glowing, which only increased my interest more. Finally sitting down to watch it, half way through the first episode, I knew "Legion" was something special.

     David Haller is a young man with a somewhat troubled past; he made some bad friends, got addicted to drugs, couldn't keep a relationship together, and always felt just a little bit different. It sure didn't help when one day he tried to kill himself, was given a psych evaluation, and learned that he was a schizophrenic. So for quite a while Haller is convicted to a psychiatric facility, getting by day to day; but after a beautiful young woman named Sydney arrives at the facility he falls in love at first site and begins a relationship with her. Everything seems to be going great. Until one day he kisses Sydney, they switch bodies, he escapes the facility, and is hunted down by a government agency who believes he might be the most powerful mutant alive. And things only get crazier from there, with the occasional musical number.
     Considering that, over the past few years, several exceptional comic book series have made their way to the small screen, "Legion" had a lot to live up to just to compete. Fortunately, it may be the best of the genre we've seen yet. From start to finish, Legion is a riddle wrapped in an enigma. It tells a fascinating and entertaining story that never makes it easy on the viewer. Some of the show's biggest secrets aren't even explained, leading directly into the upcoming second season. What helps is the colorful cast of characters played by some very talented actors. There is no useless character like we see in some shows; everyone has a purpose, and you root for them. The show's writing is top notch; from the dialog to the storytelling, it's clear "Legion" has some of the television's best writers working on it. What I think I loved most it just the way this series is shot. It's reminiscent of some of FX's other shows but taken to another level. Every scene is a painting and it is beautiful. It helps the production and costume design is on point, doing a great job encapsulating the 1980s. I also appreciate their use of color, the show is vibrant and colorful which is something many shows on TV often seem to forget. And lastly I have to give props to the writers and the show runner for how they approached the tone of "Legion." When it comes to comic book shows there are two schools of thought when it comes to their tone. Either very serious, with the occasional joke thrown in, such as all of the Marvel Netflix shows. Or the over the top, almost cartoony, light hardheartedness we get with the CW shows. "Legion" has found a good middle ground between the two. Keeping things light hearted and fun while being a serious and occasionally a dark drama. The first season of "Legion" was impressive to say the least. It's another hit series for FX that will hopefully have a long run. My only major complaint was that it was a short season at only eight episodes, when the credits were rolling for the last time I felt that the series would have worked better with 10 episodes. But while annoying, it is forgivable. "Legion" was brilliant and my new favorite comic book series out there right now. And I can't wait to see what's to come.

5 Smaller Movies to Look for in 2017

Note: This list consists of smaller movies being released in 2017 that appear to be worth your time.

Runner-Up: Kedi
This is one of the stranger movies coming out this year, but also the most adorable. "Kedi" is a Turkish documentary about the lives of cats. The filmmakers literally just followed a bunch of cats around the streets of Istanbul to see what they do and how they interact. I don't know much beyond that, and this doesn't exactly seem like the most compelling and awe inspiring movie ever made, but I still really want to see it. I love cats and everything they do. Their personalities, how they interact with people, how they're assholes; they're just great. And this does seem like an interesting documentary done in a specific style like we haven't seen before. From what I've heard from various festivals and screenings, this movie is actually supposed to be very so good. So when it finally comes to my area, I'm definitely going to check it out.

5. The Lost City of Z
I'm a sucker for a good treasure hunting movie, but stories about ancient lost cities? Be still my beating heart. "The Lost City of Z" is an Amazon Studios film based off the novel of the same name. It tells the true story Percy Fawcett, a British explorer from the early 20th century who was convinced that deep within the Amazon jungle was a lost civilization, known simply as Z; and chronicles his ventures into the jungle to find it. Since its debut at the New York Film Festival late last year, "The Lost City of Z" has been shown at multiple festivals; and every time it comes away with more positive reviews. Backed by a talented cast of actors, strong source material, and an experienced director, "The Lost City of Z" is shaping up to one of the year's most exciting adventure films.

4. Uncertain
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for documentaries. I feel the entire genre has been given a bad name, people associating it with discovery channel shows and those boring PBS programs you watched in elementary school; but a true documentary, telling a story like no one else can, is something special. This particular documentary flew under my radar until a friend of mine sent me the trailer on Facebook. "Uncertain" tells the story of Uncertain, Texas. A little backwoods town where, many of the inhabitants, seem to be running away from the past or just want to drop off the map. This movie just seems different, telling the stories of people who have removed themselves from "civilized" society to live a simpler life away from the hustle and bustle of the busy world. Screenings at various festivals have yielded positive reviews, leading many to call this one of the year's "must watch" documentaries.

3. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
While "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" may have one of the oddest names I've ever seen for a film, the movie itself sure does sound interesting. "Three Billboards" tells the story of a mother whose daughter was murdered by an unknown assailant, and the police have no leads. Blaming their negligence and general disinterest, she goes on a crusade against them; going so far as to pay for three billboards just outside of town condemning the police and their actions. What has me most interested in this movie would have to be director Martin McDonagh, who's most well known for directing the exceptional "In Bruges" and "Seven Psychopaths." Coupled with a great cast and an interesting premise, and you have a recipe for success. And if the final product is half as good as the recently released red band trailer, then this movie is shaping up to be something great.

2. Baby Driver
Edgar Wright is the type of director whose movies you've seen, but you don't know his name. Hailing from England, Wright is the man behind cult classics "Shaun of the Dead" (one of the best comedy-horrors ever made), and "Hot Fuzz" (one of the best comedy-action movies released during the 2000s). He's also known for writing the screenplay for "Ant-Man," but due to creative differences with Disney he opted out of directing it. Finally after a four year break from directing, he's back with a movie that looks much more exciting than its name suggests. "Baby Driver" is an action-comedy-crime film about a young getaway driver named Baby who works for some shady characters, but after finding that special someone he tries to get out of the game to the dismay of his employers. Edgar Wright is an insanely talented director, and I will always be excited for his movies. And after the early reviews from SXSW a few weeks ago, it seems he has another hit on his hands.

1. Raw
There are many movies coming out this year that I'm interested in, and looking forward to; but few grabbed my attention more than "Raw." I first heard of this movie in the fall of last year, it was screened at a small film festival where people in the audience were reportedly vomiting and fainting. This immediately grabbed my attention. The story follows a young vegetarian in veterinarian school who, after a hazing ritual that has her eat a piece of raw meat, begins to develop a lust for human flesh and turns to cannibalism. While the plot may go from zero to sixty very quick, it is one that seems very original. The film's limited release was a week or two ago, and reviews from critics were glowing; many have called it one of the best horror movies in years, and even a new horror classic. Since the first time I heard about this movie I was excited, and after seeing it only recently I can say it was even better than I hoped it would be.