Darlene-3

I've not only watched the first to episodes of Moonlight as they were broadcast but I have purchased them from Unbox as well so I could savor them at my leisure.

Alex O'Loughlin's portrayal of vampire/pi Mick St. John is exquisite. Rather than sleepwalking through the role with fixed air of angst, he gives it a subtle humanity that draws you in. His eyes speak volumes: Note the hungry look (and the lick of the lips) when faced with fresh blood -- like an alcoholic staring at a bottle of gin; See the longing in his eyes when looks at Beth" -- You don't need the voice-over or the not-to-subtle hints in the series descriptions to tell he's falling in love; And the tortured look every time he faces the prospect of her learning what he is -- you can tell part of him wants to share it and yet his greatest fear is that she will turn from him in horror. You can see all that in his look and his body language even when there is no dialog. And it all comes off as very natural and human. That is superb acting and that just adds to his delicious good looks. (Mick can nibble on me!)

Sophia Myles' performance is a little less consistent. Sometimes she is right on the money but other times she seems a bit stiff. Perhaps she will relax a little as she becomes comfortable with her character.

Jason Dohring's sardonic comic relief is an interesting feature and he is given some juicy lines, but it shouldn't be overdone or it will spoil the mood of the show.

I like the way the conflict between Mick and Beth's boyfriend has been handled. There is tension, yes, but we are also given to believe that they are both good guys who really care about her. It would so easy to have the boyfriend exploding in jealous rage. But that would be too childish and simplistic.

As a fan of detective stories from the cerebral to the hard-boiled, I really like the modern take on the film noir style. The producers and directors have managed to capture the noir mood and look in both the current and flashback scenes, while still producing lovely color images. Now we know what Sam Spade would have been like in the 21st century if he had been a vampire.

As a movie producer and sales agent myself (no connection to the show or anyone in it), I appreciate good visuals, and the cinematography and lighting are beautiful, better than you see in most television dramas. The sets are well-detailed and the editing is smooth.

There were a couple of continuity issues towards the end episode two but no worse than you see in any television episode. (Hints: Watch Mick leave the car and go up the building and the first time he gets shot.) They also should have pulled both VO references to capturing his image. That would have avoided that inconsistency altogether.

Are the episodes a tad light on plot? A little, but that seems to be a common ailment on television these days. I'd suggest that they ask a few well-know mystery authors to toss together some plot outlines to run with. I think it would help that factor. But I still thoroughly enjoyed the first two episodes. What they lacked in mystery plot they made up for with pure human drama between the main characters.

A number of critics, both professional and not, seem to be suffering from some type of Angel-withdrawal, which is causing them to cast a jaundiced eye at Moonlight without giving it proper consideration. Are we to create a spreadsheet cataloging all the similarities and difference between this show and Angel, or Forever Knight or Ann Rice's vampires or Dark Shadows or Dracula or any of the other countless treatments of vampires? What an incredible waste of time! I don't pretend to be familiar with every book or motion picture portrayal of vampires through the centuries but I do know that they cover a wide territory and that the mythology varies quite a bit. Certainly no one has a patent on the "monster who wants to be loved" idea. That isn't a recent invention. Take a look at Christopher Lee's and Lon Chaney Jr's monster movies, or read Mary Shelley's original Frankenstein novel. I'm sure that the archetype goes back centuries before that.

So stop comparing, relax, and enjoy!

This was shot as a student film at the Colorado Film and Video Institute but it far surpasses the quality of a lot of what comes out of Hollywood these days. If you get a chance to see this film, do not pass it up!

Young Park's (Julian Jung Lee) fights are certainly the highlights of this film, especially the two fights with Crest (Mark Steven Grove).

Park fights in alleys, up and down staircases, while handcuffed, in a hospital gown, and on snow-cover mountains while wounded. Action fans will find the fights and the car chases they love. While My Samurai is not Academy Award material and the script has a few holes (and whomever picked some of the music should be shot), there is some good solid acting in between.

Young Park's (Julian Jung Lee) fights are certainly the highlights of this film, especially the two fights with Crest (Mark Steven Grove).

Park fights in alleys, up and down staircases, while handcuffed, in a hospital gown, and on snow-cover mountains while wounded. Action fans will find the fights and the car chases they love. While My Samurai is not Academy Award material and the script has a few holes (and whomever picked some of the music should be shot), there is some good solid acting in between.

Julian Lee plays "Tiger Sun" who tries to teach kids martial arts and self-confidence -- the self-confidence needed to defy the local drug lord who is turning the kids into dealers and junkies. Tiger Street is a fast-paced action movie that contains a message about fighting for what you believe is right and finding your own path in the world despite pressure.

Beyond the message, Julian Lee and a team of stunt people deliver some high action fight scenes.