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 comments
  5. Are We There Yet? Retrospective: Black Sails – “IV.” — 1 comments

Author's posts

Feb 23 2014

Holy Ship! Retrospective: Black Sails – “V.”

Holy Ship! Retrospective: Black Sails – “V.” 1

In the latest episode of the STARZ series Black Sails, pirate problems and sea battles abound in “V.” Recent episodes have been slow, and it appeared the show was losing some of its steam as the characters spent more time on land than on sea. Thank goodness that’s not the case anymore as “V.” quickly makes up for lost time this week, giving viewers all the bloodshed and battles promised since the very beginning!

Feb 17 2014

Are We There Yet? Retrospective: Black Sails – “IV.”

Are We There Yet? Retrospective: Black Sails – “IV.” 2

We still haven’t made it off shore yet in episode “IV.” of Black Sails but that doesn’t mean the aftermath of “III.” hasn’t had its consequences for everyone. There are nice subtle touches in “IV.” that show the shifting relationships between several main characters, and there’s plenty of humor to keep the tone pretty even-keeled.

Feb 08 2014

Oh Captain, My Captain. Retrospective: Black Sails – “III.”

Oh Captain, My Captain. Retrospective: Black Sails – “III.” 3

This week’s episode of Black Sails, “III.,” is a rollercoaster of highs and lows. For those who haven’t followed STARZ’s pirate series Black Sails from the beginning, you may have been under the impression it was going to be all about swashbuckling and mindless sex scenes; okay, the last part is partially true, but we’ll get to that later.

Feb 02 2014

No Looting, More Brooding. Retrospective: Black Sails – “II.”

No Looting, More Brooding. Retrospective: Black Sails - “II.” 4

Admittedly, the latest episode of Starz’s Black Sails, “II.,” starts a bit slow, but when it comes time to hit the hardline plot points, it definitely leaves an impression. Understandably, the series is establishing the fundamentals of its world so yes, there will be a bit of lag. The question, however, is if the ending pays off. Well, my friends, it sure as hell does. The last 20 minutes gets back to the heart of the matter: treasure, aka, Urca del Lima.;

Feb 01 2014

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Screenwriter Kayla Alpert About Flowers in the Attic and Petals on the Wind

  Since the moment V.C. Andrews’ novel Flowers in the Attic made its literary debut in 1979, shocking readers everywhere with its gothic story of a group of children locked away in a mansion, it has not only become a classic but the subject of much debate with its disturbing content revolving around abuse, murder, and …

Continue reading

Jan 27 2014

Of Monsters And Men. Retrospective: Black Sails – “I.”

Of Monsters And Men. Retrospective: Black Sails – “I.” 5

Don’t let the impressive set design, beautiful cast, and talented crew of STARZ’s new high seas drama series Black Sails fool you; this isn’t anything like a certain popular theme park ride turned blockbuster movie starring Johnny Depp. No, Black Sails is a gritty and unapologetic story of greed and ambition inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale, Treasure Island.

Jan 15 2014

A Dark & Twisted Journey. Advance Review – “Flowers In the Attic”

A Dark & Twisted Journey. Advance Review – “Flowers In the Attic” 6

Before Bella got it on with Edward in Twilight or we learned who Christian “Kinky” Grey is, tweens of the 80s had Flowers in the Attic. The salacious and controversial material written by V.C. Andrews is a story of incest, torture, and religious fanaticism set in the 1950s. It became an immediate bestseller when it debuted in 1979, much to everyone’s surprise, and is now reemerging for a new generation as a Lifetime Original Movie. So, better hold on tight because there’s nothing cut and dry about this interpretation of the book.

Dec 17 2013

Holy Asgard! Retrospective: Witches of East End “Oh, What a World!”

Holy Asgard! Retrospective: Witches of East End “Oh, What a World!” 7

It’s the season one finale of Witches of East End and all the trials and tribulations within the Beauchamp camp reach a breaking point in “Oh, What a World!” There are so many twists and turns; you’ll be left in awe. Make no mistake, when the Witches of East End throw a finale, they throw down hard.

Dec 10 2013

Love, Guns, and Infamy. Review: Bonnie & Clyde

Love, Guns, and Infamy. Review: Bonnie & Clyde 8

There’s a special sort of romanticism with the notorious criminals Bonnie and Clyde. Over the years, their glorified deaths, under a hail of bullets in 1934, have captivated the public’s attention…All the sex, drama, and violence surrounding their rampage in the South have the makings of a Lifetime movie; so it’s no surprise the network revitalized the couple’s harrowing tale in the unprecedented two night event, Bonnie & Clyde, starring Emile Hirsch as Clyde Barrow and Holliday Grainger as Bonnie Parker.

Dec 03 2013

Daddy Issues and Anagrams. Retrospective: Witches of East End – “A Parching Imbued”

Daddy Issues and Anagrams. Retrospective: Witches of East End - “A Parching Imbued” 9

After the emotional maelstrom that was “Snake Eyes,” this week, “A Parching Imbued” raises the bar on Witches of East End as the Beauchamp ladies get closer than ever to unveiling the shape-shifter’s identity, and Freya (Jenna Dewan-Tatum) struggles with a life sans magic.

Nov 26 2013

Witch Fights and Bad Magic. Retrospective: Witches of East End – “Snake Eyes”

Witch Fights and Bad Magic. Retrospective: Witches of East End - “Snake Eyes” 10

If you haven’t caught the epic episode of Witches of East End, “Snake Eyes,” I have to warn you; you’re about to enter spoiler country. There have been many pivotal moments this season in Witches of East End, from the identity of the shape-shifter to some unsettling character deaths. “Snake Eyes,” however, takes the cake by elaborating on the series’ mythology; incorporating more plot points from the original source material (Melissa de la Cruz’s novels); and shedding light on Joanna’s vague past.

Nov 19 2013

Can’t Keep A Dead Witch Down.Retrospective: Witches of East End “-Unburied”

Can't Keep A Dead Witch Down.Retrospective: Witches of East End "-Unburied" 11

If Witches of East End could provide any particular life lesson, it would be this: do not mess with witches. “Unburied,” written by Josh Reims, does a little more than air out everyone’s dirty laundry. It offers the return of some familiar faces, and a few some big defining moments.

Nov 12 2013

Past Lives and Blood Magic. Retrospective: Witches of East End – “Potentia Noctis”

Past Lives and Blood Magic. Retrospective: Witches of East End - "Potentia Noctis" 12

Witches of East End outdoes itself again with “Potentia Noctis,” an episode so chock full of sex, intrigue, and magic, it leaves some lives fair game for ultimate disaster. “Potentia Noctis” is not only a game changer, putting all the pieces of the puzzle together about the elusive shape-shifter, but it sheds light on the cause for Joanna (Julia Ormond) and Wendy’s (Mädchen Amick) 100-year estrangement.

Nov 05 2013

A Kiss Goodnight. Retrospective: Witches of East End – “Electric Avenue”

A Kiss Goodnight. Retrospective: Witches of East End - "Electric Avenue" 13

Witches of East End hits a high mark with its latest episode “Electric Avenue.” A well-balanced blend of humor and heartbreak, the Lifetime series continues to build its mythology without losing the continuity of its storylines. Whereas most fledgling sci-fi/fantasy series lean on its supernatural elements—failing to develop its characters—Witches of East End has not lost sight at the key ingredient which makes this series so great: family.

Oct 29 2013

Do No Harm. Retrospective: Witches of East End – “A Few Good Talisman”

Do No Harm. Retrospective: Witches of East End - “A Few Good Talisman” 14

This week’s Witches of East End episode, “A Few Good Talisman,” is a doozy, full of surprising revelations and life-altering moments as Joanna’s (Julia Ormond) murder trial takes center stage, and Ingrid’s (Rachel Boston) curse rears its head.

Oct 22 2013

Season Of The Witch. Retrospective: Witches of East End “Today I Am A Witch”

Season Of The Witch. Retrospective: Witches of East End "Today I Am A Witch" 15

“Things are not going back to the way they were.” Wendy. The drama heats up in this week’s Witches of East End episode, “Today I Am A Witch.” The Beauchamp ladies continue to battle against evil forces determined to destroy their family!

Oct 21 2013

Swan Song. Retrospective: The White Queen “The Final Battle”

Swan Song. Retrospective: The White Queen “The Final Battle” 16

The time has come to say goodbye to The White Queen, and boy has it been a rollercoaster ride! These past ten weeks we’ve seen the fight for England’s throne play out in a battle royal, leaving in its wake death, tragedy, and incest.

Oct 15 2013

Adventures in East End. Retrospective: Witches of East End — “Marilyn Fenwick, R.I.P.”

Adventures in East End. Retrospective: Witches of East End — "Marilyn Fenwick, R.I.P." 17

“The first rule of witch club: don’t talk about witch club.” – Wendy. Hold on tight, this week’s episode of Witches of East End “Marilyn Fenwick, R.I.P” ups the ante with more action, and intrigue surrounding the Beauchamp women.

Oct 13 2013

Lost Boys. Retrospective: The White Queen — “The Princess In the Tower”

Lost Boys. Retrospective: The White Queen — “The Princess In the Tower” 18

“You want a throne, but do you even have a boy to put on it?”—Princess Elizabeth
As The White Queen nears its final episode, political intrigue takes center stage. Episodic writer Emma Frost and director Colin Teague keep a firm hold on the suspense surrounding the unfortunate fate of Elizabeth’s (Rebecca Ferguson) sons and daughters in “The Princess in the Tower.”

Oct 07 2013

The Bitter End. Retrospective: The White Queen “Long Live the King”

The Bitter End. Retrospective: The White Queen "Long Live the King" 19

“Only fools wait to see if their enemies might be friends.” – Elizabeth
As the The White Queen nears its end, I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the characters we have grown to love and love to hate over the past few months. This week’s episode serves as a game changer and darker time, chronicling one of England’s most notorious royal figures: Richard III (Aneurin Barnard).

Oct 06 2013

Wicked and Enchanting. Retrospective: Witches of East End – “Pilot”

Wicked and Enchanting. Retrospective: Witches of East End - "Pilot" 20

October marks a spooky season full of monsters and all things that go bump in the night. So, what better way to begin the month than with Lifetime’s brand new fall series, Witches of East End. Based on Melissa de la Cruz‘s popular book series of the same name, the story centers on the Beauchamps—a family of witches whose magical legacy is ripe with curses, murder, and mystery.

Sep 30 2013

Careful What You Wish For. Retrospective: The White Queen – “Poison and Malmsey Wine”

Careful What You Wish For. Retrospective: The White Queen - "Poison and Malmsey Wine" 21

It appears the happiness and mixed blessings in last week’s “Love and Death” are short lived as The White Queen’s, “Poison and Malmsey Wine” snuff out more major characters.

Sep 23 2013

What’s Love Got to Do With It? Retrospective: The White Queen – “Love and Death”

What's Love Got to Do With It? Retrospective: The White Queen - "Love and Death" 22

“I saved you from yourself.” – Dowager Lady Welles
After another series of violent clashes between the Houses of York and Lancaster leads to Warwick’s (James Frain) death on the battlefield, and Margaret of Anjou’s (Veerle Baetens) defeat, we find ourselves back in King Edward’s (Max Irons) court. In what feels like a short reprieve from the violence, “Love and Death” focuses squarely on the interpersonal relationships among Edward’s court and the political alliances among his peers.

Sep 15 2013

Blood Will Be Thy End. Retrospective: The White Queen – “War At First Hand”

Blood Will Be Thy End. Retrospective: The White Queen - "War At First Hand" 23

The medieval battle for England’s throne reaches a major turning point in this week’s “War at First Hand,” an intense rollercoaster ride marking the end, and rise to power, of several major characters in the series, The White Queen. Unlike some previous episodes, “War at First Hand” does a better job of balancing the continuity of its characters’ storylines, as well as the dramatic tone of its heavier, atmospheric, battle sequences. This all adds up to a thrilling and compelling episode that suggests more bloodshed in the future.

Sep 09 2013

Bad Queens and Old Kings, A Retrospective: The White Queen – “The Bad Queen”

Bad Queens and Old Kings, A Retrospective: The White Queen – “The Bad Queen” 24

Throughout The White Queen, Margaret of Anjou (Veerle Baetens), the infamous wife of King Henry VI (David Shelley) has remained unseen, playing behind the scenes as a symbol of tyranny depending on whose side you favor: York or Lancaster. In this week’s “The Bad Queen,” Margaret of Anjou makes her debut as Warwick (James Frain) and George’s (David Oakes) ambition takes on a whole new level of betrayal.

Copy Protected by Chetan's WP-Copyprotect.