ARCLIGHT REVIEWS - Visual Media Reviews

ARCLIGHT REVIEWS is my new YouTube Channel where you join me, writer/director Michael Adam Warren, on a fun and fascinating exploration of visual media. Visual media includes modern cinema, television, streaming content, video games, and comic books. In a world of countless viewing options, make an informed decision to help you figure out what to watch next.

David Lynch's Hand Drawn Map of Twin Peaks

Kyle MacLachlan, the real world counterpart to Twin Peaks' very own Agent Cooper, Mr. C, Dougie Jones, and Richard, posted this David Lynch hand drawn charcoal map artifact showing our beloved fictional town of Twin Peaks in nearly all of its glory. David Lynch and Mark Frost once commented that one of the first steps they took when writing the show was drawing out a map to keep straight in their heads all the characters and locations of the town.

Peggy Lipton (Norma Jennings from Twin Peaks) Rest in Peace

I am sad to write that one of the sweetest women in the world, Peggy Lipton, passed away yesterday on May 11, 2019. Although she was 72 years old, you could hardly tell by looking at her. By all accounts, she was a remarkable mother, a talented actress, and a pop culture icon that helped inspire a generation of girls and young women. I want to take a moment away from my revisions and editing of my 40 Years of David Lynch series of books to join in mourning with the rest of the world over the loss of this incredible woman and truly memorable performer.

Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments (2016-19) Cancelled?!

I am baffled to relay the news that a surprisingly great TV series Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments (2016-2019) has just been cancelled by its parent FreeForm. It is baffling to me, because this relatively small show, almost completely off the public's radar, has slowly grown over the past three years into my favorite show on television.

Happy Twin Peaks Day!

February 24th has long been celebrated by Twin Peaks fans globally as a special day, since it is the first day of the Laura Palmer investigation that begins the TV series. The towns of Snoqualmie and North Bend, where much of the original pilot, film, and revival of the series was shot, voted to upgrade today to an official day of celebration, "Twin Peaks Day!" Celebrate the first moment Agent Cooper and the rest of us first entered the town of Twin Peaks in the clip below.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-94) 30th Anniversary

Wishing the best for the cast and crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-94), who celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the premiere of their two-part pilot episode "Encounter at Farpoint." First airing on September 26, 1987 in the UK and perhaps a few other markets (September 28, 1987 in most parts of the US), Next Gen helped pave the way for a whole new epoch of science fiction and fantasy programming.

A Dream Given Form: The Unofficial Guide to the Universe of Babylon 5

A book opening/signing with the authors of A Dream Given Form: The Unofficial Guide to the Universe of Babylon 5 is taking place this Saturday on September 09, 2017 at Shelby, North Carolina in the United States of America. Their comprehensive critical guide opens worldwide for purchase on September 19, 2017. Until then, it can be preordered or if you happen to live near Shelby, NC, you can pick up an early copy and get it signed by the authors.

40 Years of David Lynch: Volume II Release Day!

Today 40 Years of David Lynch - Volume II: Twin Peaks is released and is available to order on Amazon. David Lynch's professional career and mainstream popularity hit its zenith with the broadcast of the seminal TV series Twin Peaks (1990-91). Along with his co-creator Mark Frost, David Lynch helped make a new paradigm for television that had a remarkable impact and influence on a generation of TV thereafter.

William the Bloody

William the Bloody is my parallel Fan Edit to ANGELUS, which follows the origin story of one of the best characters in all the Buffyverse: Spike. Although there is some crossover footage between the two cuts, William the Bloody is distinctly told from Spike's perspective and you will notice a number of additions, deletions, and major changes in the presentation of this edit that reflects his unique point of view. Between this cut and ANGELUS, all of the vampire flashbacks from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) and Angel (1999-2004) are revealed in their entirety.

The Master Rises

The Master Rises fan edit is my exploration of Angel and Buffy as they wrestle with some complications to their relationship and are forced to confront Buffy's mortality and her sense of despair as she accepts her own death as part of her duty as the Slayer and loses control of herself in the aftermath once she is brought back to life.

Buffy and Angel

When my Buffy and Angel fan edit is viewed in context after the first two fan edits, we see a very clear picture of how Angel has gone from secretly longing for Buffy, to becoming a helpful mysterious stranger who helps point her in the right direction, to becoming one of her most important allies. Buffy and Angel's relationship begins in earnest now as Buffy learns more about Angel and his motivations for helping her, slowly realizing Angel is completely besotted with her.

Angelus

 I long suspected that if all the Vampire flashbacks were assembled together into one or two fan edits then they would add up to an exceptionally interesting viewing experience. And the result does not disappoint, the final result feeling more like an epic length feature film rather than just bits of a TV show. I transformed these flashbacks into two parallel fan edits: "ANGELUS" and "William the Bloody."