So, not too long ago I saw the movie "Dark City".
It's a beautiful (if somewhat flawed) movie, best known for being the Matrix before The Matrix, and one of it's several patches of light is this sultry dark haired dame, played by Jennifer Connelly.

Her character moonlights as a jazz singer in a smoke filled dimly lit bar. The two songs we see her character perform on film are "Sway" and "The Night Has A Thousand eyes", both as performed by Anita Kelsey.

The original theatrical version of the movie has vocals of Anita Kelsey, with Jennifer Connelly lip syncing.

Now, here's the thing... it turns out that during (or near) filming they captured Jennifer Connelly's vocals, and the director's cut of the movie now features those same scenes with Connelly's actual voice.


I have to say, I strongly prefer the Connelly versions.

Here are the two songs from the director's cut:

"Sway": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7H_1KuJ5SU

"The Night Has A Thousand Eyes": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFTz5KqUQvc

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For the sake of comparison, here are the songs with the Anita Kelsey vocals:

Sway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFZaiuySd5M&feature=related

"The Night Has A Thousand Eyes": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25e9ni85d_w

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To be sure the Kelsey vocals are far "prettier", but for this particular context Connelly's voice is, to me, far more evocative, seductive, and meaningful.

Thank goodness for directors cuts... It just makes me sad that the full version of her singing "Sway" don't exist, so far as I know.

Darkest. Episode. Yet.

Even visually, there are scenes that are so gloomy, they are very nearly mono-chromatic- overcast with inky blue (of course)

Plot wise... well, if you watched it you understand. I'll not offer any spoilers.

Why do I do this to myself? Why do I enjoy shows like this?

There have been a few TV moments that are more heart-wrenching than BSG, most notably many from episodes of "The Wire", including one scene that quite unexpectedly made me feel crappier than anything on film ever has. (And it's probably not the one you are thinking it is)

Battlestar Galactica hasn't quite archived that level of realistic pointed despair, but it sure comes damn close sometimes.

And I keep coming back for more...