JnB987 Reviews

Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1975)

A poorly constructed piece that marred the great poem.

[9 January 2002]

After seeing this piece, I couldn't feel anything but pity for Coleridge. His poem, a true classic, is truly mishandled in this bumbling attempt to glorify an epic that doesn't need the favor. The rhythm is off, the drawings are rather ugly and confusing, and the live-action shots are stupid (and often misplaced). The feel of the poem is lost and muddled.

The Agency (2001–2003)

A show made much more real after Sept 11th that everyone should watch.

[23 November 2001]

After seeing episodes on Al Qaeda and Anthrax, I am convinced that The Agency is true "must-see" TV. After Sept 11th, The Agency's plots became more real than they had expected, and the topics more surreal. Viewers may get the same enjoyment out of the CIA's intelligence-gathering techniques that they do from "CSI"'s evidence-gathering techniques. The Agency is very similar to it's lead-in, and it has better acting (something CSI isn't known for.)

Will Patton is the real star, I love everything he's done and he doesn't disappoint here. Gil Bellows has been equally fantastic as the new agent following in his brother's footsteps. Paige Turco and David Clennon are fun to watch together, and I like the stuff they do (photograph and passport editing) more than the field agent's stuff. Glorea Roth and Rocky Carroll are good but not great, and Ronny Cox is variable. Overall, it's a very enjoyable show that, when it works (about 80% of the time), is some of the best TV out there.