American Psycho Possibly Getting the TV Treatment with FX

Serial killers seem to be fast becoming the new zombie for entertainment fans. As well as having Dexter, Bates Motel, and Hannibal we now have the return of a character that was thoughtful enough to give musical advice while murdering his victims. Yes Patrick Bateman may be making a return in a televised series of American Psycho. Planned for FX, it has Allison Shearmur (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) producing and Stefan Jaworski (Those Who Kill) behind it as writer.

For people unaware of Mr. Bateman (and who have been living under a rock since 1991) he is a yuppie executive who in his spare time murders his colleagues and any one he becomes annoyed with. The book American Psycho, where Patrick is first unleashed into the world (he does appear in a very brief scene in The Rules of Attraction novel), came from the brilliant mind of Bret Easton Ellis, and was turned into a movie starring former Batman, Christina Bale, who gives a stunningly mental performance.

It seems in this updated version (which follows on from the movies and novel), Bateman is now in his 50s and has taken on a protegé to help him in a sick social experiment which will hopefully create a new generation of psychos just like him. Sounds promising and if this is crafted as well as the Hannibal series, it should be superb. A big part of what makes Hannibal great is knowing who the killer is and watching him twist the cast around his fingers. We would guess that American Psycho is probably going to take this route as well. It would be difficult to mold him as the likable psycho like we’ve seen in Dexter, because he really is a bit of an unlikable chap. In the movie, though everyone he meets loves him until the moment he snaps in front of them. If it involves a protégé then his manipulation of people Patrick has will definitely come into play.

No casting news as of yet but the serial killer role is going to be a tough one to fill. TV psychos tend to be more charming and sophisticated with just a hint of menace behind their eyes. It is unlikely that Christian Bale is going to reprise his role as Patrick so the casting of this role is going to be crucial in the audience accepting this new series and character.

The only downside is that first impressions of the book and the movie were you did not actually know if Patrick was a killer or not. The scenes of murder that we see him witness are all discredited by the end and certainly make you wonder if it is all in his head. The ambiguous nature of this ending really appealed to me. However, the existence of a series with a protégé seems to confirm it will not be in his head, unless it is later revealed to all be imagined. That is the great thing about entertainment though, how differently each person interprets the material in front of them. TV interpretations of popular characters from books and film have been incredible as of late and very well scripted pieces. Here is hoping American Psycho can do the same as the many shows before it. If it can it should make for some fantastic television.

Dexter: 8.06 – “A Little Reflection”

A Little Reflection was yet another disappointing episode in this final season of Dexter. On paper, this sounds like it could be an interesting episode. For instance, Dexter takes on an “intern”; the boy he was going to kill, Zach Hamilton. Last episode we got to meet Zach for the first time and you could tell right away that he was bad news. In this episode, we found out that he is in fact a killer and a psychopath, so much so that he is being seen by Dr. Vogel. This obviously was not a surprise.

Vogel suggested that she and Dexter teach Zach “the code”. What the hell is Vogel’s deal?! Let’s take this guy who’s already killed an innocent woman, who is drawn to the blood like Dexter, and who was going to kill his father, and give him a set of rules to live by. If Dexter has this much trouble following his own code, what do you think will happen when this kid is told it’s okay to kill?! Zach pulled on Dexter’s heartstrings when he said he was killing to protect his mother… something Dexter has always wished he could have done. This seems like another situation like Miguel Prado or Lila; where Dexter lets them know who he is, they kill someone innocent, and then Dexter kills them. Only this time, we know little to nothing about the killer in question. Yawn.

There is something unsettling about Deb being fine suddenly. She was psychotic and tried to kill Dexter and herself, and now she is like regular old Deb. She keeps saying she has PTSD, but you can’t just shut off PTSD merely because you want everything to be like it used to be. She has just decided to let Dexter be Dexter.

I don’t even care that Hannah McKay is back. Like… at all. I cared so little about her when the whole season (7) revolved around her, it is obvious why I cannot muster up an ounce of give-a-shit now that she is back. We’ll see what happens, but I suspect I will continue to feel disinterested. I feel no connection to most of the characters. I feel little connection to Dexter anymore, as he just comes off as tired and aging.

I don’t know what to say, really, other than hopefully this show gets better. Unless I see some wicked action in the next few episodes, I will be horribly disappointed with the final season of a show that should have ended after season 4. It can never get any better than Trinity! Speaking of which… did Astor & Cody die or something? Where the hell have they been?

I give this episode a 1/5.

[Ed. Note – Just want to say, despite the show spiraling into mediocrity, I really enjoy that Dora Madison Burge is here.]

Dexter Review: 8.05 – “This Little Piggy”

Even though the supposed “Brain Surgeon” was killed by the Dexter/Deb duo, ‘This Little Piggy’ was one of the more boring episodes of season 8 so far. Certainly not as entertaining as last week’s ‘Scar Tissue’.

Dexter and Deb have a therapy session with Vogel and suddenly, after a brief angsty bitch session by Dexter, everything is okay again between the brother and sister. Deb wants to help Dexter kill Yates after the “Brain Surgeon” kidnaps Vogel because, as she said, “…the family that kills together…”. They are successful in ridding the world of Yates, but something tells me that the world is not rid of the “Brain Surgeon”. Why would it be Yates? If he is this easily manipulated and this precise thus far, how did he let himself get caught and why would he suddenly kidnap Vogel? I guess he could be the Brain Surgeon, but I wouldn’t like how little sense that makes. Also, usually there is much more of a chase than this has been with Yates. I would want it to be someone stronger; someone like Dexter.

Quinn goes to get a DNA sample from a man who is very wealthy and contributes a lot to the community, so when he gets a bad feeling about the man’s son, Matthews shoots him down. Here’s the thing….. the “feeling” Quinn got? Yeah, we all got that as well. What f-ckery is this, where they make the supposed psychopath look like an outright… well… psychopath! He is obviously up to something when you first see him. If that wasn’t telling enough, the kid asks Quinn a bunch of questions about the murder. So even dumb as rocks Joey Quinn can tell that there is something obviously wrong with this Hamilton kid. They should just play ominous cheesy 80s horror film music as he appears on camera.

There were other things that happened in this episode, none of which I particularly care about. Jamie brought over a cute friend for a double date with Dexter, but he had to leave (Vogel/Yates/Deb situation) and she was very cool about it. Blah. It is too far into the season to be adding new characters and expecting me to care about them.

The reason that Dexter is such a great show is because you get attached to these characters (Rita, Miguel, Lila, Maria, etc…) and you get to watch Dexter destroy their lives, leaving the audience feeling some sort of emotion about it. In the season 4 finale when Trinity killed Rita, the second I saw Harrison in the blood pool I began sobbing. When I saw Rita’s face, I cried my eyes out. John Lithgow still haunts my nightmares! But this adding new characters for a few episodes and then expecting me to give a shit? I dislike that. Like that woman detective who is trying for sergeant…. I cannot remember her name off the top of my head. If she wasn’t in the next episode, I probably wouldn’t even notice. I understand that the series is ending, I just thought it would go out with a bang!

Overall I give this episode a 2 out of 5, and mainly only because Deb and Dex are back together again.

 

Dexter: 8.04 – “Scar Tissue”

“Scar Tissue” began very strangely because suddenly with no explanation, Deb and Vogel have a relationship. I don’t really like that we didn’t get to see that part, but I understand that time is of the essence in this final season. Vogel is trying to get through to Deb, seemingly using tough love but she also could just be trying to push Deb over the edge by making her feel guilty. She seems very manipulative. Vogel also accidentally shows Dexter the notes she has been keeping on her activities with him, leading him to kick her out of his life!

In this episode, we also got to see the actual brain surgeon whose name is A.J. Yates. Apparently he was a patient of Vogel. She recommended that he get brain surgery to affect his behavior. Why the hell was he not the first person she thought of? Or, like I said last week, maybe she is controlling the brain surgeon too!

Deb is struggling with what Vogel described as making “the best of a difficult situation”. She said that she should have shot Dexter instead of LaGuerta. Vogel explains to her that Dexter doesn’t know any better but that Deb shot someone in cold blood even though she knew it was wrong.

Because of this struggle, we saw one of the most dramatic endings to a Dexter episode to date! Deb asks Dexter if Harry killed himself after she saw the tape from her father’s last session with Dr. Vogel. Dexter said yes and explained that Harry couldn’t handle what he created, meaning Deter. Deb told her brother that she knows how Harry felt but he only had it half right. SHE GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL AND STEERED THE CAR WITH DEXTER AND HERSELF IN IT AND DROVE IT INTO THE LAKE! Holy sh*t! I was actually legitimately surprised. But in usual Deb fashion, after she was saved by a local man, she swam out and saved her brother.

There is so much going on right now in this show! Masuka just found out that he has a 20 year old daughter who has the same awesomely ridiculous laugh as him. He did get all disgustingly pervy with her before he knew who she was though… which was uncomfortable. But that’s just Masuka being Masuka.

Quinn and Jamie are fighting, but at least Jamie is naked for it this time!

And I know I said this last week but I feel compelled to say it again…. I will RIOT if Quinn is the one who finds Dexter out! I have been re-watching season 4 and that is when Quinn began to develop suspicions about Dexter as a person. He has always had a feeling about Dexter and in season 5, he even has Dexter followed by a private investigator named Liddy! Imagine what he may put together now that he may become sergeant and with Deb as messed up as she is! Yikes! So many questions…. I do not want to wait a week! However, since I must, join me back here next week to read my rants and raves!

Overall I would say this episode was about a 4. To be very clear, the 4 is mostly because of how amazing the ending was. The back story is great, but I am glad we are finally getting back to the action!

SDCC 2013: Blu-ray Exclusives – The Adamantium Collection, Predator and Dexter

Comic Con is always a place for exclusives, and 20^th Century Fox have outdone themselves this year. They have released photos of a new boxset  only available to pre-order at Comic Con. This Blu-ray set features not only every X-Men movies, but also The Wolverine. This is great timing as the film comes out on the weekend and fans will be clambering for X-related goodies. It looks simply stunning and actually quite life-like. Hopefully this will be on general release soon as something this amazing should not be kept as an exclusive.

Remember this image from our article on Comic Con film poster releases?

 

Well it appears it is not a sequel that is in the works, but actually a new Blu-ray release of the original Predator movie. You can also win prizes by hunting the Predator. Here is the web site if you want to have a go yourself, make sure you don’t look threatening and you should be safe from his wraith! The Predator Blu-ray “head box” is shown below.

What could be more exciting than that? Well, how about becoming a Predator victim! Read the official press release below to find out how.

[box_dark]In a first-of-its-kind activation at Comic-Con, fans can enter booth #3528 and have their photo taken with state of the art cameras courtesy of 3D Systems.  Their image will then be used to make them the victim as a customized figurine is created using 3D Systems 3D printing technology that features the Predator alien holding the fans’ severed head![/box_dark]

You can only get this if you pre order the Blu-ray from Comic Con. The Head box is $129.99 and the standard Blu Ray is $49.99. And who does not want the chance to be a victim of the Predator? The Blu-ray will be released in December.

Finally take a look at this box set for Dexter which has the entire series all on shiny Blu-ray.

Keep checking Grizzly Bomb Comic Con Coverage as it arrives.

SDCC 2013: Dexter’s Final Comic-Con Panel

On Thursday night at the San Diego Comic-Con, all of the main cast members from Showtime’s Dexter gathered in Hall H for their final panel. First, there was a video shown with cast members saying goodbye to the show that they’ve spent about 8 years making.

Certainly there were a lot of emotions in that room, but seeing Dexter say goodbye at the very end was probably the saddest:

Here is another segment of the panel:

Jennifer Carpenter also revealed that she wants her character to die!

“As an actor, it’s because I love her. It’s like Dexter treats his victims. I want her to go to the bottom of abyss to be where all her victims lie.”

You know what Jennifer? I am thinking the same thing. If Dexter is really a psychopath wouldn’t he kill his sister for being a killer herself? Or do we find out that he was human all along? The series finale airs September 22nd.

The panel included Erik King (Sgt. Doakes), Julie Benz (Rita Bennett), Lauren Velez (Captain LaGuerta), Michael C. Hall (Dexter Morgan), Jennifer Carpenter (Debra Morgan), David Zayas (Angel Batista), Desmond Harrington (Joey Quinn), Yvonne Strahovski (Hannah McKay) and Aimee Garcia (Jamie Batista).

Erik King also wore a “Surprise Motherf**ker” shirt!

For more from SDCC 2013, click here!