Connie Allen

I'm a writer, cinephile, avid reader, and pop culture enthusiast. I love historical dramas, and fantasy/sci-fi series. Currently living in SoCal.

Most commented posts

  1. The Bitter End. Retrospective: The White Queen “Long Live the King” — 4 comments
  2. Black Sails – “XII” Retrospective. War Games — 2 comments
  3. EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Screenwriter Kayla Alpert About Flowers in the Attic and Petals on the Wind — 2 comments
  4. Season Of The Witch. Retrospective: Witches of East End “Today I Am A Witch” — 1 comment
  5. Are We There Yet? Retrospective: Black Sails – “IV.” — 1 comment

Author's posts

Feb 16 2016

Bitten – Season 3 Premiere “Family, of Sorts” Review. Collateral Damage.

<i>Bitten</i> – Season 3 Premiere “Family, of Sorts” Review. Collateral Damage. 1

The aftermath of preventing the apocalypse, while losing some loved ones along the way, takes a physical and mental toll on everyone in “Family, of Sorts.” The premiere focuses on the way the North American Werewolf Pack, led by Jeremy Davers (Greg Bryk) and his family, rallies to secure their futures while some unseen enemies work on destroying them.

Feb 14 2016

Black Sails — “XXII” Review. World on Fire.

<i>Black Sails</i> — “XXII” Review. World on Fire. 2

In a game-changing episode for many of its characters, “XXII” is a critical point in Black Sails for various reasons.

Feb 06 2016

Black Sails — “XXI” Review. Past is Prologue.

<i>Black Sails</i> — “XXI” Review. Past is Prologue. 3

Just when I think Black Sails couldn’t get any better, “XXI” comes along to prove me wrong. Once again, I can’t decide what I love most—the dramatic story lines or the performances by the cast—which, in certain moments, took me by complete surprise.

Jan 30 2016

Black Sails — “XX” Recap. Amor Fati.

<i>Black Sails</i> — “XX” Recap. Amor Fati. 4

It’s a matter of life and death for many characters in this latest episode of Black Sails. From Captain Flint’s (Toby Stephens) suicide mission to Eleanor Guthrie’s (Hannah New) triumphant return to reclaim what she deems her legacy—Nassau, “XX” is every bit as suspenseful and dramatic as the third season premiere, “XIX.”

Jan 29 2016

Casting News: Starz and FreemantleMedia’s AMERICAN GODS Cast Ricky Whittle as Shadow Moon

Casting News: Starz and FreemantleMedia's <i>AMERICAN GODS</i> Cast Ricky Whittle as Shadow Moon 5

Starz and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) announced that Ricky Whittle (“The 100,” “Austenland”) has been cast as Shadow Moon in the upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed contemporary fantasy novel, American Gods. The series will begin shooting in April.
Neil Gaiman said, “I’m thrilled that Ricky has been cast as Shadow. His auditions were remarkable. The process of taking a world out of the pages of a book, and putting it onto the screen has begun. American Gods is, at its heart, a book about immigrants, and it seems perfectly appropriate that Shadow will, like so much else, be Coming to America. I’m delighted Ricky will get to embody Shadow. Now the fun starts.”

Jan 23 2016

Black Sails Season Three Premiere – “XIX” Review. Belly of the Beast.

<i>Black Sails</i> Season Three Premiere – “XIX” Review. Belly of the Beast. 6

It’s time to raise the black again and grab something stiff to drink because season three of Black Sails is back. This time around, the stakes are higher and the body count much larger! After months of anticipation, “XIX” leaves no plot point dangling or character unacknowledged.

Jan 15 2016

American Horror Story: Hotel – “Be Our Guest” Review. Life After the Cortez.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i> – "Be Our Guest" Review. Life After the Cortez. 7

Well, that’s a wrap; American Horror Story: Hotel (AHS: Hotel) concludes its fifth season with as much drama as its debut with “Checking In,” although with a bit less gore.

Jan 08 2016

American Horror Story: Hotel – “Battle Royale” Review. Into the Sunset.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i> – "Battle Royale" Review. Into the Sunset. 8

American Horror Story: Hotel (AHS: Hotel) returns with a vengeance in the penultimate episode aptly titled “Battle Royale.” After the intense winter finale, “She Gets Revenge,” the fate of both The Countess (Lady Gaga) and Donovan (Matt Bomer) hangs in the balance with Iris (Kathy Bates) and Liz (Denis O’Hare) setting the Hotel Cortez ablaze in a hailstorm of bullets. I

Dec 18 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel – “She Gets Revenge” Review. Blaze of Glory.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i> – "She Gets Revenge" Review. Blaze of Glory. 9

The midseason finale of American Horror Story: Hotel (AHS: Hotel) ties up loose ends, leaving a lot to ponder before the series’ return on January 6, 2016. Despite many flaws from its erratic pacing and plot holes, AHS: Hotel leaves plenty of unforgettable moments to distract viewers. “She Gets Revenge” is no exception with some surprising choices in music, a brief dance scene, and witty dialogue.

Dec 04 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel – “The Ten Commandments Killer” Review. The Devil Made Me Do It.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i> – "The Ten Commandments Killer" Review. The Devil Made Me Do It. 10

American Horror Story: Hotel (AHS: Hotel) doesn’t skip a beat when getting to the heart of “The Ten Commandments Killer.” After a brief hiatus, series creator and episode writer, Ryan Murphy finally pieces together the context of Detective John Lowe’s (Wes Bentley) connection to the Hotel Cortez, as well as revealing the identity of The Ten Commandments Killer. Make no mistake about it, events in “The Ten Commandments Killer” will have major repercussions for all the core characters.

Nov 20 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel – “Flicker” Review. A Tale of Two Countesses.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i> – "Flicker” Review. A Tale of Two Countesses. 11

American Horror Story: Hotel (AHS: Hotel) is by far the most glamorous season out of the entire franchise. Pulling out all the stops since its premiere, AHS: Hotel delivers a visually compelling production from its cinematography to extravagant wardrobe designs. Yet beyond the enthralling aesthetics in AHS: Hotel, the season lacks fluidity in connecting its various story lines.

Nov 13 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel – “Room 33” Review. Here Be Monsters.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i> – "Room 33” Review. Here Be Monsters. 12

American Horror Story: Hotel (AHS: Hotel) picks up the pace this week in “Room 33” with several intriguing flashback sequences and critical plot points revolving around the power of the Hotel Cortez. Unfortunately, it’s too little, too late at this point of the season; the attention to sensationalized gore and violence take away from the character development within the story lines.

Nov 06 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel – “Room Service” Review. Mother’s Little Maker.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i> – "Room Service” Review. Mother’s Little Maker. 13

One step forward, two steps back is the pattern American Horror Story: Hotel (AHS: Hotel) has been following as it reaches the fifth episode, “Room Service.”

Oct 23 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel  – “Mommy” Review. Whoa, Mama.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i>  – "Mommy” Review. Whoa, Mama. 14

American Horror Story: Hotel (AHS: Hotel) is one of the most visually haunting and gripping series on television right now. So, why does it take until the third episode, “Mommy,” for me to fully connect with the series this season?

Oct 16 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel  – “Chutes and Ladders” Review. If These Walls Could Talk.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i>  – "Chutes and Ladders” Review. If These Walls Could Talk. 15

After a somewhat desensitizing premiere, American Horror Story: Hotel (AHS: Hotel) adds more context to the mysterious origins of the infamous Hotel Cortez, and Elizabeth—better known as The Countess, (Lady Gaga)—in “Chutes and Ladders.” Beyond the sensationalized feast of sex and bloodshed running rampant in every episode thus far, “Chutes and Ladders” provides more key insight to the motivations behind the core story lines.

Oct 09 2015

American Horror Story: Hotel – “Checking In” Review. Horror Noir.

<i>American Horror Story: Hotel</i> – "Checking In” Review. Horror Noir. 16

American Horror Story (AHS) debuted its fifth season, AHS: Hotel, and I still can’t believe what I watched—I don’t think that’s entirely good. “Checking In” sets the pace for the season, taking viewers on a dark journey littered with sex, drugs, and murder. Although the AHS franchise contains plenty of gore and violent content, AHS: Hotel is different. As the title denotes, the season centers on a fictional Los Angeles hotel, the Hotel Cortez, and its guests.

Oct 03 2015

Dominion Season Finale – “Sine Deo Nihil” Review. Fare Thee Well.

<i>Dominion</i> Season Finale – "Sine Deo Nihil" Review. Fare Thee Well. 17

It’s the end of the season, and Dominion pulls out all the stops to blow viewers mind with major twists and shocking revelations. “Sine Deo Nihil” is the culmination of a long journey for many characters, but none as significant as Claire (Roxanne McKee), David Whele (Anthony Head), and Archangel Gabriel (Carl Beukes).

Oct 02 2015

TV News: Black Sails Delivers Mayhem and Madness in Season 3 Trailer

TV News: <i>Black Sails</i> Delivers Mayhem and Madness in Season 3 Trailer 18

Get ready to set sail, and raise the black once again in Janaury 2016 with the return of Starz’s acclaimed series, Black Sails!

Sep 26 2015

Dominion – “Day of Wrath” Review. Ashes! Ashes! We All Fall Down.

<i>Dominion</i> – "Day of Wrath" Review. Ashes! Ashes! We All Fall Down. 19

Dominion’s second season ends next week and after watching “Day of Wrath,” I know I will have to stock up on more popcorn, soda, and tissues. That said, I couldn’t help reflecting on the incredible moments leading up to this penultimate episode.

Sep 19 2015

Dominion – “Bewilderment of Heart” Review. A Ride to the Dark Side.

<i>Dominion</i> – "Bewilderment of Heart" Review. A Ride to the Dark Side. 20

In the aftermath of “Bewilderment of Heart,” I cannot stop thinking about all the events that transpired—which is always a good thing for a television show.

Sep 12 2015

Dominion – “House of Sacrifice” Retrospective. A Time for Goodbyes.

<i>Dominion</i> – “House of Sacrifice” Retrospective. A Time for Goodbyes. 21

As we inch closer toward the season finale of Dominion, the level of suspense and tragedy are two-fold in “House of Sacrifice.” Despite the multitudes of death and shocking revelations thus far this season, I still have yet to become desensitized by them. Although the death toll is small in number, each of those deaths—figuratively and literally—has a major impact.

Sep 05 2015

Dominion – “The Seed of Evil” Retrospective. Where Angels Tread.

Dominion – “The Seed of Evil” Retrospective. Where Angels Tread. 22

In one form or another, it appears all roads lead to Vega in “The Seed of Evil,” where lives are once again in peril, and the mother of all showdowns between humans and angels is on the horizon.

Aug 29 2015

Dominion – “The Longest Mile Home” Retrospective. Lost and Found.

<i>Dominion</i> – “The Longest Mile Home” Retrospective. Lost and Found. 23

It’s the beginning of a new path, or the end of a very long journey for some characters in Dominion.

Aug 22 2015

Dominion – “Lay Thee Before Kings” Retrospective. The Chosen Few.

<i>Dominion</i> – “Lay Thee Before Kings” Retrospective. The Chosen Few. 24

Hold on tight, it’s another memorable episode of Dominion. At this point, I don’t feel any character is safe, especially after the nail-biting events in “Reap the Whirlwind.”

Aug 15 2015

Dominion – “Reap the Whirlwind” Retrospective. War is Hell.

<i>Dominion</i> – “Reap the Whirlwind” Retrospective. War is Hell. 25

After watching the latest episode of Dominion, I needed a stiff drink. “Reap the Whirlwind” is one of the series’ most intense episodes so far. David Whele’s (Anthony Head) anarchistic vision for Vega comes at a grave cost that even David himself will live to regret. Meanwhile, in New Delphi, Alex’s (Christopher Egan) fate as “The Chosen One” is put to the test when his plans go awry.

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