Tag Archives: Sarah Paulson

Covering Coven Episode 3: Analysis of American Horror Story’s ‘The Replacements’

american_horror_story_1_20130918_1198415536The Covering Coven gang is back for another look at American Horror Story: Coven and this time they’re tackling episode three (which aired last night), “The Replacements.”

In last night’s installment, Fiona took on an unlikely protégé. A guilt-ridden Zoe tried to give Kyle his old life back. Madison had a fiery exchange with Joan Ramsey, a new neighbor.

Leading the conversation is Shock contributor Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) and she’s joined by Sasha Capelli (@ActuallySasha) of 92.3 out of New York, Alexis Saarela (@AlexisSaarela), Allison Ullrich (@allisonannetx) and Megg Hochbaum (@djshesay).  Needless to say, this is a spoiler-filled discussion, so you have been warned!

Click here to watch episode three of Covering Coven.

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Review: 12 Years a Slave

12_Years_a_Slave_Poster1It’s impossible to call “12 Years a Slave” an enjoyable film, but it is exceptional in every respect, making it a warranted 133-minute nightmare.

Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a free man living happily and comfortably in upstate New York with his wife and two young children – until he’s abducted, shipped off to the south and sold into slavery.

“12 Years a Slave” is a beautifully brutal experience. Solomon is a loving father and husband who’s earned his good fortune, so watching him lose everything he holds dear in the most vicious manner possible is crushing. Hope and pray all you want; this movie is called “12 Years a Slave,” so no one’s coming to save the day. Solomon is heading straight towards years and years of slavery and that awareness infuses each and every step of his journey with an astronomical amount of dread.

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Covering Coven Episode 2: Analysis of American Horror Story’s ‘Boy Parts’

american_horror_story_8_20131011_1257907750Our “Covering Coven” weekly video series continues.  Today, our panelists looks at American Horror Story: Coven episode 2, “Boy Parts.”

The group digs in deep, looking at this entry’s themes of life, lineage, family, they’re favorite lines of the night and more.

Leading the conversation is Shock contributor Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) and she’s joined by Sasha Capelli (@ActuallySasha) of 92.3 out of New York, Alexis Saarela (@AlexisSaarela), Allison Ullrich (@allisonannetx) and Megg Hochbaum (@djshesay).  Needless to say,this is a spoiler-filled discussion, so you have been warned!

Click here to watch episode 2 of Covering Coven.

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Covering Coven: American Horror Story Season 3, Episode 1

american_horror_story_2_20130918_1421496127Today, we’d like to introduce you to the first episode of Covering Coven, a video series in which five panelists - fans of American Horror Story - dissect and lend insightful criticism to each episode of the FX series.

As most of you know, American Horror Story returned to television last night with its third season (or “story arc”) entitled “Coven.”  The premiere was huge for FX, pulling in a 5.54 million viewers. Jessica Lange returns to star along with some newcomers like Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett.

Leading the conversarion is Shock contributor Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) and she’s joined by Sasha Capelli (@ActuallySasha) of 92.3 out of New York, Alexis Saarela (@AlexisSaarela), Allison Ullrich (@allisonannetx) and Megg Hochbaum (@djshesay).  Needless to say, this is a spoiler-filled discussion, so you have been warned!

Click here to watch episode 1 of Covering Coven.

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Review: Martha Marcy May Marlene (NYFF 2011)

Sure it’s fun to see fugitives make daring escapes, characters have overemotional breakdowns and others dodge a barrage of bullets, but if you’re looking for something along those lines that’s far more realistic, writer-director Sean Durkin does a notable job taking the standard elements of your average psychological thriller, compressing them and letting Elizabeth Olsen bring the remainder to life. The result is Martha Marcy May Marlene and it’s a feature film that packs far more tension and emotion than any shoot ‘em up, mind game action flick out there.

Olsen is Martha. Well, she’s Martha to her sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson). To Patrick (John Hawkes) and the others living on his seemingly quaint farm, she’s Marcy May. With her parents long gone, Martha takes to Patrick like a fatherly figure and he takes her to his home, a house packed to the brim with young adults who share clothing, maintain their land and are on the brink of being able to function as a self-sufficient community. While this does sounds like a noble venture, the farmhouse most certainly has a dark side, which includes, but is not limited to, sexual abuse, theft and violence.

We first meet Martha on her way out. After her grand escape, with no other option, she calls Lucy who drives to upstate New York to pick her up and bring Martha back to the vacation home she shares with her husband, Ted (Hugh Dancy). Sounds like a dream come true after being trapped in such a dismal situation, but the memories of Patrick’s place continue to haunt Martha, so much so that it’s impossible to adapt to her sister’s warm and loving lifestyle.

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