Weighing in on the casting of the new MFU movie...

I've seen lots of back-and-forth on various sites regarding the casting of the new MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. movie. So, instead of replying to a hundred comments that are here, there and everywhere, [chuckle], I thought I would just post my thoughts on all this in one place.

NAPOLEON SOLO
I am very pro Henry Cavill in the role. For those of you that never caught his performance as Charles Brandon in the HBO series THE TUDORS, I do suggest checking out a few eps from the first couple of seasons. Henry just oozed charm in this role. He has everything it takes as an actor to play Solo to the hlit and I am rooting for him all the way. As to that "too muscular" complaint I've seen here and there -- he isn't anywhere near up to the musculature he had in MAN OF STEEL. What he looks like for Solo works imo. This is an action-adventure movie and he does have to look like he is capable of doing some very physical things. And finally, Finally, FINALLY the producers got it right and cast someone of the right age in the role.

ILLYA KURYAKIN
I have to admit I know absolutely nothing about Armie Hammer as an actor having never seen any of his previous acting vehicles. But he wasn't cast on name. He tried out for the part. So I have to believe Guy Ritchie saw something in his performance in that screen test that embodied whatever Ritchie was looking for in this new take on Illya Kuryakin. Hair? Come on. That's not an issue. This isn't about the hair; it's about the performance. So I'm more than willing to wait and see what Hammer brings to the table in a character that should play as much more Soviet than could be broached in the original series..

ALEXANDER WAVERLY
There is nothing anywhere inherent in the character of Alexander Waverly that makes it imperative he be well past retirement age as the head of U.N.C.L.E. In fact the original actor cast in the role in the series, Will Kulova, certainly wasn't. I think Hugh Grant can do a very good job as Waverly. I will admit Grant is not my favorite personality-wise, but this isn't about that. It's about whether he can successfully pull off the character in performance, and I definitely think he has the acting chops for that.

AS-YET-UNKNOWN FEMALE U.N.C.L.E. AGENT
It doesn't appear that Alicia Vikander's role is April Dancer and I thank God for that! Associating any character from the unfortunate GIRL FROM U.N.C.L.E. series with the new movie would be a big mistake in my opinion. Let's get a female agent who can do more than just look good in a mini-skirt!

IN CONCLUSION
I think it wise to remember this is now, not then. This movie will never replace the original MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. series. Nor will it remove from our hearts our attachments to the original actors (Robert Vaughn and David McCallum) who first brought the roles of Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin to life. But it's a new take, a fresh take, and it has definite possibilities that intrigue me.

Pondering some stuff on the new TV season

Okay, so a new TV season is upon us and that means new episodes of our favorite running shows and entirely new ones on which to possibly become hooked. Yay! But after watching the season premieres and the second eps of a couple of my favs, and considering some new series, I'm in a pondering mood.

HOMELAND
Okay, the first two episodes of the season have been interesting, and I love Saul as the Director of the CIA. But I have to wonder where the hell this series is going. As far as I know this isn't a planned final season of the show, so what the heck are they going to do to somehow "redeem" Carrie? She's nuts as a fruitcake and constantly going off her meds. No way the CIA would ever take her back... again. Heck, in reality they wouldn't have taken her back the first time after learning she was secretly bi-polar. She's a powerkeg constantly exploding in their faces. They just can't retain her as a case operative.

And what exactly did Saul say in that Senate hearing regarding her that wasn't true? Heck, he's covered for her numerous times in the past. He was backed in a corner this time. Especially since she is off her meds... again. It really would be best for her to be out of the CIA entirely as she is obsessed with the job and it is in no way wise for a person with bi-polar disorder to get to focus on an individual obsession.

I am one of the people who think they should have killed off Brody last year. So now what with that character? He goes back to being a terrorist as he is back in his old haunts again?

What would be a great twist is if it turns out that Brody ACTUALLY DID plant that car bomb that blew up the CIA hq at Langley. I was never a fan of the Carrie/Brody romance and time for that to be put to bed permanently. But, like I said at the top, where the hell does this series go with the looneytunes Carrie even in that scenario?

I do like the character of Quinn. Maybe he can become the new focus of the series. [chuckle]

ONCE UPON A TIME
Neverland is intriguing to be sure, but I'm still not sold on a Peter Pan who is a more diabolical villain than even "The Dark One". An evil adolescent just doesn't say fear factor to me.

I usually have no problems with the unusual curves OUAT throws regarding our general perception of various fairytales. But the Peter Pan transformation to me is too large a stretch.

SLEEPY HOLLOW
I've already abandoned watching this show after the first 2 eps. All these critics calling it the "surprise sleeper" that will take the TV season by storm have me scratching my head. The concept is neat, but in translation to actual story, it suffers greatly.

We have a supposedly Revolutionary-era hero who in really short shrift is able to understand a cash register receipt, is comfortable riding in cars, and seems very accepting of modern amendities.

In one show we have him open back up a supposedly hidden series of tunnels between two buildings that existed during his era. Lo and behold, not much deterioration in these tunnels. No signs of cave-ins or previous excavations. And as well the exit point to the adjoining building is through a simple grate that opens with little protest after approximately 240 years! Plus no one ever thought to remove that grate or cement over it as a possible unwanted access-point?

Sorry, my suspension of belief just won't stretch that far!

ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND
It hasn't premiered yet (this Thursday, 10/10, is the premiere), but I am looking forward to this one. The trailers are intriguing.

Once again the OUAT creative team is reworking a fantasy classic, but this reworking really looks to have possibilities.

DRACULA
Again, a new series that hasn't yet premiered. (I think 10/24 is the premiere date.) And I know critics are already panning it. But it's Dracula, so I'll give it a try. [grin]

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So what old favs have left you with questions this season? And what new shows have piqued your interest?