The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio
The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio |
| Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:03 AM PDT Miracle Detectives searches for answers to happenings that defy logic. LAST month, hundreds of Catholics flocked to the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur, when claims surfaced that the image of Jesus had appeared at the chapel's lectern. Regardless if this modern day miracle is fact or fiction, there is no denying issues concerning spiritual gifts have always been a debatable topic. While Catholics view Christ's image on the cloth as miraculous, some sceptics claim it is fake, sparking controversy and debate. Questions concerning such miracles or if there is any logical explanation to the seemingly inexplicable are featured in Discovery Channel's (Astro Channel 551) newest TV series Miracle Detectives (MD). In the show, which premiered last week, hosts Randal Sullivan and Dr Indre Viskontas gather critical information and try to determine if various incidents investigated are bona fide miracles or if there is a logical reason for what has happened. Sullivan is an author and journalist who, while travelling as a war correspondent in Bosnia, saw an inexplicable vision during a violent thunderstorm. It changed his life, and he is convinced it was a miracle. In this programme, he travels and investigates other miracles with Viskontas, a gifted scientist with a PhD in neuroscience, who approaches the supernatural with a sceptical point of view. "The goal of the show is to present two different sides of the story and allow viewers to come to their own conclusions. Many amazing and unsolved mysteries in each episode give room for viewers to form their own opinion," said Viskontas in a telephone interview from San Francisco, California. In the six-part series, these investigators visit the sites of each incident to hear first-hand accounts of these incredible stories. Speaking to witnesses, authorities and experts, they attempt to explain what may be a miracle. Bizarre cases include apparitions of the Virgin Mary in a small town in Ohio, soil with healing powers at an ancient holy site in Chimayó, New Mexico, and families that claim to communicate with loved ones lost during the terrorist attacks on 9/11 in New York. While issues concerning God and miracles are undoubtedly sensitive, Viskontas explained there is nothing inherent that should evoke anger if one believes in God. "If you believe that God is behind all things, then it follows that God is also behind the work that I do. Part of my job is separating false prophecies from God and otherwise. It is hard when people take offence at some of my explanations. But I am confident what I am doing is right because my goal is to help people or separate fact from fiction. "For example, if we found that earth obtained from Roman Catholic church in Chimayó was somehow imbibed with the ability to cure cancer, we can use that knowledge to cure cancer. The only way that you can gain knowledge is by investigating and trying to learn new things," said the Canadian beauty, who has published ground-breaking work on the neural basis of memory and creativity. The hosts face a challenge having to tell these extraordinary complex stories within 60 minutes. Viskontas said the main point is to meet people who have experienced strange occurences and conduct research to determine if these cases are fact or fiction. "Following that, Randall and I do our own investigations. Randall talks to other theologians or people more in tune with mysticism and the paranormal. I conduct scientific experiments or talk to experts. "For example, if the person was in an accident, I might talk to doctors familiar with a similar case or an engineer who can help recreate the accident. We then exchange information and decide if it is a miracle," said the talented Viskontas, who is also a contemporary and classical opera singer with a Masters in music. And since both hosts have different takes on this subject, it is not surprising they often have their fair share of arguments concerning their beliefs. "Randall and I used to get emotional but we have learnt to have a conversation where we respect each other's opinions and beliefs. I am thankful because this experience has opened my mind to many things. "One of the difficult aspects is we are polarised. Beliefs about religion tend to be extremely polarising, leading to wars and suffering. If we can learn to communicate despite having opposite views, we will be on the road towards world peace." > Miracle Detectives is aired on Wednesdays (10pm) on Discovery Channel (Astro Ch 551). Repeats every Thursday (9am and 3pm), Saturday (9pm) and Sunday (midnight). |
| Posted: 14 Sep 2011 12:54 AM PDT The Kennedys is one entertaining soap opera which flirts with historical facts. THE Kennedys can be summed up as the story of how one father forced his ambitions on his sons and how that affected their family down the generations. However, just how accurate this miniseries is in depicting the history of one of America's greatest political families is a big question mark. The miniseries, which was created by 24 co-creator Joel Surnow, stirred controversy before it was even aired. It was criticised for historical distortions by Kennedy associates and admirers, and was even dropped by the History channel in the United States before it was picked up by another cable channel. However, taken as a family drama, this eight-part miniseries is actually quite gripping. The story begins on the eve of John F. Kennedy's election as the 35th president of the United States of America. As John (fondly called "Jack" by his loved ones) contemplates how his life will change once he gets elected, we flashback to the past before World War II to a more subdued John, who stands in the shadow of his charismatic brother Joe. His father Joseph, an ambassador, tried to be president but failed, so Joseph Sr has all his ambitions pinned on Joe. Every drama needs a villain, and in this one it is family patriarch Joseph, a deeply ambitious man who is willing to use his sons to achieve his goal. He bullies them into doing things his way, and his sons feebly try to fight back but often end up conceding to his demands. Over and over again we are shown how Joseph focuses all his energies on one son, favouring the chosen one and putting the other sons in service of the favoured one. The family dynamics created by such toxic parenting is fascinating to watch. The women of the clan are forced to ignore their unhappiness and their men's philandering ways to accommodate the family's political ambitions. The sons give up personal dreams and live their father's. While the cast doesn't exactly shine, they are quite capable in their roles. Greg Kinnear, in particular, exudes John F. Kennedy's genteel charisma and is able to convey the man's pain and uncertainty in quieter moments. He depicts the president as a man reluctantly living a role forced on him by his domineering father. He is a man who is uncomfortable in the limelight as the president, but who finally measures up in the Cuban missile crisis. Quite a departure from the JFK of the movies, particularly in Thirteen Days (2000), where he is a charismatic, collected and a very sure president at the wheel. I'm not sure if I like the wishy washy version here, nor am I sure if this is the real JFK. Will the real JFK please stand up? Tom Wilkinson is a fierce presence as the Kennedy patriarch, and despite the limitations of the script that paints him as a puppeteer of human lives, is able to inject some humanity to his otherwise caricature-like character. Katie Holmes, however, is unable to capture Jacqueline Kennedy's iconic, and royal presence, but she is adequate when it comes to her scenes with John, which often has an undercurrent of tension. After all, the two come to an unspoken and unhappy arrangement with John's womanising ways. Jacqueline is a woman who has quietly accepted her role as the consummate politician's wife. In one riveting scene, Jackie and Kennedy matriach Rose (Diana Hardcastle) talk about the realities of being married to the Kennedy men and how their lives should be given to their ambitions despite the pain they feel. Holmes and Hardcastle are excellent in conveying the pain, resignation and quiet acceptance of their characters' fate. It is when the show veers away from the family dynamics to focus on the political highlights of John F. Kennedy's presidential reign that it gets into a bit of trouble. There is a marked carelessness in portraying historical figures; they lack the three dimensionality of real people, being relegated to the roles of saviour or villain. Singer Frank Sinatra (who is rumoured to have mafia connections) is a toad-like syncophant, while Federal Bureau of Investigation director J. Edgar Hoover is a man obsessed with power and control, and thus dislikes the Kennedys for trying to take that from him. The Kennedys is an uneven drama. It definitely lacks the polish and painstaking authenticity of John Adams or the gritty realism of Band Of Brothers. It is actually a soap opera which flirts with historical facts, and not very well at that. So, take The Kennedys for what it is: an entertaining, unofficial and tabloid-like glimpse into one of America's most powerful families. Just don't use it as a reference to pass a history exam. > The Kennedys premieres on Sept 19 and airs from Sept 19 till 22 on History (Astro Ch 555) at 9pm. |
| Posted: 13 Sep 2011 11:47 PM PDT Going after Red FM's Runaway DJs can be highly rewarding. IT'S been anything but a wild goose chase as Red FM's Runaway DJs were successfully tracked down in various locations. Since the month-long contest started on Sept 5, the Red FM's Runaway DJs have been going out and about to secret locations every Monday to Friday. Driving a Proton Inspira, clues to their whereabouts are given out on air as well as through the station's website, Facebook page and Twitter account. The first listener to turn up at the correct location and identify the Red FM's Runaway DJ of the day receives a key to go into the running to win a brand new Proton Inspira. Listeners also have the opportunity to win cash, iPad 2s and iPod Nanos with this contest. Soo Ravivarman was one lucky guy. He took home cash as well as the key that would see him enter the finale to win the car. The helpdesk analyst followed the clues and tracked down Fiqrie, Red FM's weekender DJ. It was a day made even more special as it was his one-year-old son's birthday and Fiqrie and the Red FM crew were treated to some delicious birthday cake by the beaming father. Hew Foo Wah received a double surprise when he "caught" Mynn, the host of Red FM's Late Night Love Songs (Sundays to Fridays, 10pm-1am) in addition to Fiqrie. With the help of his friends, they diligently followed the clues on-air and through the photos posted on Red FM's Facebook page. He tracked down Mynn and Fiqrie to Mount Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. An elated Hew is looking forward to attending the finale as he hopes to win the car for his wife and their unborn child. If you didn't "catch" the deejays on the loose, be on the lookout for the Red Ryders. This on-ground street team is distributing Red FM's Runaway DJs car stickers and you get a key that will take you to the finale if your car is spotted with the sticker on it. Check out red.fm for the terms and conditions of the contest. Join the Red FM Malaysia Facebook fan page (facebook.com/redfm.my) and follow us on Twitter (@iloveredfm) for the latest updates of the contest. Red FM is owned and operated by The Star. > Red FM's station frequencies: Taiping, Kedah, Perlis and Pulau Langkawi: 98.1 FM; George Town and Seberang Prai: 107.6 FM; Ipoh, Perak: 106.4 FM; Klang Valley, Negri Sembilan and Tapah: 104.9 FM; Kuantan, Pahang: 91.6 FM; Batu Pahat and Malacca: 98.9 FM; Johor Baru and Singapore: 92.8 FM. |
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