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"Fear Itself" Community (2008)
1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
Superior Writing Ruined by Time Constraints, 5 August 2008
Author: Gavin Schmitt (gavin6942@yahoo.com) from Kaukauna, Wisconsin
A young couple decides to move into a community -- called the Commons -- without reading through their contract. Big mistake. Now they're trapped in a world where they are obligated to make babies, have their sex life viewed by others via closed-circuit television, and dissent could lead to death or worse. This is one contract that may not have an escape clause. John Billingsley also appears as a community member who is no longer thrilled.
Directed by Mary Harron ("American Psycho") and written by a dude named Kelly Kennemer, I think this is probably the best-written episode in the series so far. Sure, you can slam the "wooden" acting of the stars, but the story itself is brilliant. (I've heard it compared to "Hot Fuzz" and I think it has qualities of "Wicker Man", but it goes beyond that). To be able to have a commune in modern times in a modern city and have it make sense, that is a feat that deserves credit.
A problem I had was that the episode is too short, though this is by no means the fault of the creators. We are shown the story in spurts and jumps, although we could easily be shown the plot in real-time, developing the characters more. Questions are raised if you think about it -- who controls the police, does the head of community have a boss and what happens if she breaks a rule? This could be played out in a television series, where the trouble is only reveals a bit at a time until the dissent reaches a breaking point. I would watch it.
There's another issue I had, which I cannot really get into here for fear of spoiling the episode. But the basic point is this: one character changed their entire personality without explanation. Maybe this is something that could be explained if it was a series, but it wasn't explained at all on the show and made no sense. Not even a little bit. So, what the heck? (Compare this to the end of "Screwfly Solution" with its abrupt change in plot, pacing and direction.) Regardless of the flaws, still this stands as solid writing and a great addition to the series -- and one of the few episodes that doesn't focus on serial killing or murder, but just good old-fashioned suspense and terror. I want more of this. Thank you Mary Harron, and thank you Kelly. I expect more greatness in the future.
6 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
Fear Itself has officially turned into a comedy., 24 July 2008
Author: Dawn_Of_The_Hippies
Wait a minute. Was I meant to believe that horrible "twist"? Did the writers though it was clever? Did YOU think it was clever? If you say yes, then you probably LOVED last week's episode. Oh, well.
Community has a good premise (that you've probably seen in other movies), and it is intriguing. Not Brandon Routh's acting mind you, but the way the story developed itself was interesting. I thought-- "Gee, today's episode is going to make up for all the really crappy ones!" And it did, actually. Barely, but it succeeded in being somewhat watchable. The director for this episode, Mary Harron, made American Psycho back in 2000. Obviously, this AIN'T no American Psycho. Whatever.
Superman and Liz Parker star in this one, as a couple who want to raise a family. They learn of this community named The Commons that is supposedly, a very nice place in the 'burbs where one can raise the kids efficiently, healthily, and peacefully. Once you see the actual people who inhabit this place, it becomes clear that they are insane in the membrane. What follows are some very efficient scenes, like watching through your TV set a live affair from one of your ACTUAL neighbors, or taking part in some public punishment where the sufferer is wearing a Pig mask, etcetera. Some really, really great stuff much to my surprise. Besides that, the rest of the script is pretty forgettable. The relationship between Supes and Liz is alright, nothing THAT interesting. John Billingsley's character was written well, but his acting in some of the scenes were ridiculous to say the least. The interactions between Supes wife and her newfound friends were a mixed bag for me; the writer didn't know if they would work better being disturbing, or something barely resembling that. And then...there is the last act. The grand Opus.
WHAT THE F*CK WAS THIS? "Wait a minute, I ran out of ideas!" "That's okay, just make it seem as if NOTHING HAPPENED in the last half hour, and you'll be alright. Now, lets go and cash in on that paycheck!"
That was an actual conversation between Kelly Kennemer and his alter ego, mediocrity.
Well kids, this episode ain't no Horror. It ain't even bad Horror. It is merely, a dumb Thriller.
How about it NBC, any more "big" stars next week? Any "good" writing to be found in next week's outing? (if you know what writing means of course) Instead of concentrating on getting one "big named actor", you should concentrate on making GOOD episodes.
At least you made me laugh with this silly installment.
4 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Trouble in Paradise, 24 July 2008
Author: bababear from United States
The series "Fear Itself" continues to improve as it goes along. The "Community" episode is well made and, except for one major flaw, successful.
This is the story of a young couple living in a big city who want to move to the suburbs. They find a development called The Colony: a gated development, it's the kind of Yuppie Hell I couldn't imagine visiting much less living in.
After they move in -the former tenants left the house completely finished- they are happy at first but are frustrated because the wife just can't get pregnant. Everyone around them takes an interest in their efforts to conceive. Too much of an interest.
Too late they find that they've entered a totalitarian paradise.
There are several moments here, especially in a chase scene through pleasant suburban streets on a snowy night, that build real tension. Director Mary Harron, who brought such a sense of style to American PSYCHO, handles things admirably. With the limitations of time and budget that network TV carries she does everything that can be expected. The four act structure with its pattern of rising and falling action is the template for programming: you gotta dance with who brung 'ya. Harron and the story would have been better served on a cable show such as "Masters of Horror" which would have imposed fewer strictures.
The story is built from familiar elements. Many of Bentley Little's novels have worked with similar themes, and there are echoes of THE STEPFORD WIVES, SECONDS, and INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS in the story.
The fatal flaw in the equation is leading man Brandon Routh. Playing the lead in the $270 million dollar production SUPERMAN RETURNS hasn't paid off much for him. He has upcoming roles in some independent productions, but this is his first acting job since 2006. His performance here, to put it bluntly, stinks.
Maybe something was off in Harron's direction. But Routh's line readings are just that. Readings. He sounds like someone who doesn't understand English reading aloud a manuscript that is written phonetically.
This would have worked if the character of Bobby had Asperger's Syndrome. But his flat, monotonous line delivery is disastrous. The script doesn't give him all that, true: all we find out about the character is that he's financially well off and loves his wife deeply.
Still, the program has promise. And it's nice to see a network willing to develop something that's not a talent contest, quiz show, or 'reality' program. Keep trying, folks. You're fighting the good fight.
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