The Godfather Part III- 1990
The worst of the Godfather trilogy...but that is not too damning. Because the worst of the Godfather is still a great movie. Some people complained about Sofia Coppola, but seeing it again, I thought she was fine. Some people complained about the pope subplot. Again, it worked for me. 4.5 of 5.
I Love You, Man- 2009
This is a funny movie about a guy who is getting married, but realizes he has no close male friends to be in his wedding party. So he goes searching for a best friend. Paul Rudd is very funny here. 4 out of 5.
Burma VJ- 2008
Nominated for best documentary, this film focuses on the people who report, illegally, on the activities of repression inside of Burma. They are not objective, but they are telling the truth. The repression of the dictatorial state is horrible. And that these brave people still try to tell it is a testament to the need for a free press.
Waiting...- 2005
A tepid comedy about the food service industry, particularly the chain restaurant business. Though you can see that Ryan Reynolds is a budding star, the movie is so-so. 3 of 5 stars.
Incendiary- 2008
An unexpected film for me...I thought it would be more mainstream, but it feels VERY indie. MIchelle Williams is very good as a woman who lost her husband and son in a terrorist attack while she was having an affair. The emotional toll is strong. 4 of 5 stars.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Movies- More Minis
Two Lovers- 2008
A good but somewhat quirky drama about a man who is trying to decide between two women who are opposites...one offers a safe and secure alternative, the other a wild ride. Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow star in the film. 4 of 5 stars.
Invictus- 2009
Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela...you cannot lose with that casting, now can you? Invictus is a really good movie about South Africa trying to heal the huge wounds caused by apartheid, and how their rugby team was part of that healing process. Freeman and Matt Damon both received Oscar noms for their roles here. 4.5 star out of 5.
The Godfather, Part II- 1974
The best of the trilogy and easily one of the top 20 films ever made. With De Niro playing a young Victor Corleone juxtaposed against the current story of Al Pacino's Michael Corleone taking over the family business, the movie is so good, it seems perfect!
It won best picture, best director and best actor for De Niro. All of which are richly deserved. Perhaps Pacino's best, most nuanced role. 5 of 5 stars. Dammit...6 of 5 stars!!!!
Easy Virtue-2008
I thought I would like this light-hearted romp through stuffy British nobles. But what starts as farce becomes drama, with no buffer. The film just devolves as a result. 2.5 stars out of 5.
The Last Station- 2009
The film is about Tolstoy's last year of life, and the strife that his belief system causes with his wife. Acting greats Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren star as the Tolstoys, and James McAvoy is Tolstoy's assistant who sees nobility in both of them. 4 of 5 stars.
A good but somewhat quirky drama about a man who is trying to decide between two women who are opposites...one offers a safe and secure alternative, the other a wild ride. Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow star in the film. 4 of 5 stars.
Invictus- 2009
Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela...you cannot lose with that casting, now can you? Invictus is a really good movie about South Africa trying to heal the huge wounds caused by apartheid, and how their rugby team was part of that healing process. Freeman and Matt Damon both received Oscar noms for their roles here. 4.5 star out of 5.
The Godfather, Part II- 1974
The best of the trilogy and easily one of the top 20 films ever made. With De Niro playing a young Victor Corleone juxtaposed against the current story of Al Pacino's Michael Corleone taking over the family business, the movie is so good, it seems perfect!
It won best picture, best director and best actor for De Niro. All of which are richly deserved. Perhaps Pacino's best, most nuanced role. 5 of 5 stars. Dammit...6 of 5 stars!!!!
Easy Virtue-2008
I thought I would like this light-hearted romp through stuffy British nobles. But what starts as farce becomes drama, with no buffer. The film just devolves as a result. 2.5 stars out of 5.
The Last Station- 2009
The film is about Tolstoy's last year of life, and the strife that his belief system causes with his wife. Acting greats Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren star as the Tolstoys, and James McAvoy is Tolstoy's assistant who sees nobility in both of them. 4 of 5 stars.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Movies- Even More Mini Reviews
I told you all I was behind on these!
Cinema Paradiso- 1988
I had always heard of this classic, but never had seen it....Now I know why it is spoken of with such reverence. Beautiful, touching, funny, heart warming, heart breaking, and simply wonderful. It is one of the best films I have seen. It is about a young boy who befriends a cinema projectionist, but really, it is about life. 5 of 5.
Everything is Illuminated- 2005
A bit strange, and strangely touching. A movie about how the past forms the present. Starring Elijah Wood in a very un-hobbit like role. 4 of 5 stars.
Sherlock Holmes- 2009
I am one who actually really liked this re-imagining of the Sherlock Holmes legend...and the bringing in of the darker parts of the Holmes stories...such as he was a drug addict. And hell, anything with Robert Downey Jr. in it automatically gets another star...he is that good! 4 of 5.
Paradise Now- 2005
While it does not try to justify suicide bombers, it does try to explain the process by which young men become these weapons of fundimentalism. Following two young men who are going to become bombers, the movie treads a fine line...but it works and gives thoughtful people pause. 4 of 5 stars.
The Godfather- 1972
Damn...I had forgotten how good this movie was! Brando was perfect. Pacino? Forget about it! Wow. No wonder it won the Oscar for best film. One of the best pieces of film making ever! 5 of 5. Wish I could give it more! Re-watch if you haven't seen it for a long time! GREAT movie!
Cinema Paradiso- 1988
I had always heard of this classic, but never had seen it....Now I know why it is spoken of with such reverence. Beautiful, touching, funny, heart warming, heart breaking, and simply wonderful. It is one of the best films I have seen. It is about a young boy who befriends a cinema projectionist, but really, it is about life. 5 of 5.
Everything is Illuminated- 2005
A bit strange, and strangely touching. A movie about how the past forms the present. Starring Elijah Wood in a very un-hobbit like role. 4 of 5 stars.
Sherlock Holmes- 2009
I am one who actually really liked this re-imagining of the Sherlock Holmes legend...and the bringing in of the darker parts of the Holmes stories...such as he was a drug addict. And hell, anything with Robert Downey Jr. in it automatically gets another star...he is that good! 4 of 5.
Paradise Now- 2005
While it does not try to justify suicide bombers, it does try to explain the process by which young men become these weapons of fundimentalism. Following two young men who are going to become bombers, the movie treads a fine line...but it works and gives thoughtful people pause. 4 of 5 stars.
The Godfather- 1972
Damn...I had forgotten how good this movie was! Brando was perfect. Pacino? Forget about it! Wow. No wonder it won the Oscar for best film. One of the best pieces of film making ever! 5 of 5. Wish I could give it more! Re-watch if you haven't seen it for a long time! GREAT movie!
Movies- More Mini Reviews
Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story- 2005
I'm not easily a sucker for these types of movies, kids and horses don't usually do it for me. But this one is really damn good, partially because of Dakota Fanning, who delivers just a terrific performance. Backing her up are Kurt Russell. Elizabeth Shue and Kris Kristoffersson, who act their hearts out in this flick. This is a terrific movie. 5 of 5 stars.
The Color Purple- 1985
I had not seen this since it first came out in theaters in 1985, and I wanted to see how it had aged. It is has aged pretty damn well. One of the first big films by then little knows Steven Spielberg, you can see him not quite as adept as he later became. But this one hits you right in the solar plexus emotionally, and it remains a film icon. Great performances by Whoopi and Oprah. 5 of 5 stars.
In the Mix- 2005
A vehicle to show start power to the singer Usher, this movie is pretty ordinary. Though he has appeal, the plot is poor, and the rest of the actors don't do a great job. Usher should stick to singing I think. 3 of 5.
Buffalo Boy- 2004
I usually really like this type of foreign film, about a young man in Vietnam trying to save his buffalo from the floods and ends up on a journey that is formative. But this one seemed to lack emotional resonance and dragged. 3 of 5 stars.
Weeds: Season 5- 2009
The show has gotten pretty bizarre, and though still entertaining, it is getting darker and darker. The season finale, though, blew my mind! Not sure where they go from here, but I hope it may lighten up just a bit. 4 of 5 stars.
I'm not easily a sucker for these types of movies, kids and horses don't usually do it for me. But this one is really damn good, partially because of Dakota Fanning, who delivers just a terrific performance. Backing her up are Kurt Russell. Elizabeth Shue and Kris Kristoffersson, who act their hearts out in this flick. This is a terrific movie. 5 of 5 stars.
The Color Purple- 1985
I had not seen this since it first came out in theaters in 1985, and I wanted to see how it had aged. It is has aged pretty damn well. One of the first big films by then little knows Steven Spielberg, you can see him not quite as adept as he later became. But this one hits you right in the solar plexus emotionally, and it remains a film icon. Great performances by Whoopi and Oprah. 5 of 5 stars.
In the Mix- 2005
A vehicle to show start power to the singer Usher, this movie is pretty ordinary. Though he has appeal, the plot is poor, and the rest of the actors don't do a great job. Usher should stick to singing I think. 3 of 5.
Buffalo Boy- 2004
I usually really like this type of foreign film, about a young man in Vietnam trying to save his buffalo from the floods and ends up on a journey that is formative. But this one seemed to lack emotional resonance and dragged. 3 of 5 stars.
Weeds: Season 5- 2009
The show has gotten pretty bizarre, and though still entertaining, it is getting darker and darker. The season finale, though, blew my mind! Not sure where they go from here, but I hope it may lighten up just a bit. 4 of 5 stars.
Movies- Mini Reviews
A few more minis:
Nine-2009
This may have been a great play, but it just did not translate well to the screen. They tried, especially with the all star cast, or which Penelope Cruz (sigh) was nominated for best supporting actress, but no emotion came through, no empathy. It felt empty.
3 of 5 stars.
The Messenger-2009
A moving story of two service men who have the job of telling families that their loved one died while in service to their country. The bond that grows between the two is touching as is the job they must do. Woody Harrelson was nominated for best supporting actor for his role, and though he did not win, he really was fantastic. 4 of 5 stars.
Network-1976
I had not seen this film since I took a film class at Mesa in the early 80s! Still entertaining, and still prophetic of what was to come, especially of how corporations take over coercive elements and make them part of the corporate structure. Also prophetic about how media would become entertainment. Still love the "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" scenes. 4 of 5 stars.
Extract-2009
Starring Ben Affleck and Jason Bateman, this little comedy was funny and fairly well done. It did not get much play in the media, but Bateman always seems to deliver. 4 of 5 stars.
Game 6- 2005
It tries...it really does...it tries to be meaningful and insightful, and to use baseball as a metaphor for life...but it just is depressing. You want to shake some of these people, especially star Michael Keaton and wake them up...or at least score some anti-depressants for them! 3 of 5.
Nine-2009
This may have been a great play, but it just did not translate well to the screen. They tried, especially with the all star cast, or which Penelope Cruz (sigh) was nominated for best supporting actress, but no emotion came through, no empathy. It felt empty.
3 of 5 stars.
The Messenger-2009
A moving story of two service men who have the job of telling families that their loved one died while in service to their country. The bond that grows between the two is touching as is the job they must do. Woody Harrelson was nominated for best supporting actor for his role, and though he did not win, he really was fantastic. 4 of 5 stars.
Network-1976
I had not seen this film since I took a film class at Mesa in the early 80s! Still entertaining, and still prophetic of what was to come, especially of how corporations take over coercive elements and make them part of the corporate structure. Also prophetic about how media would become entertainment. Still love the "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" scenes. 4 of 5 stars.
Extract-2009
Starring Ben Affleck and Jason Bateman, this little comedy was funny and fairly well done. It did not get much play in the media, but Bateman always seems to deliver. 4 of 5 stars.
Game 6- 2005
It tries...it really does...it tries to be meaningful and insightful, and to use baseball as a metaphor for life...but it just is depressing. You want to shake some of these people, especially star Michael Keaton and wake them up...or at least score some anti-depressants for them! 3 of 5.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Movie- Mini Reviews
More minis:
A Serious Man- 2009
A very different movie for the Coen brothers, this movie was really odd, about a man who longed to be good, serious and a decent person, but keeps being stymied. Very odd, but in a strange way, satisfying. Nominated for best picture and did not win. 4 of 5 stars.
King Kong- 2005
This was the movie that made my friend Sharon think I should be Jack Black for Halloween! LOL! Big, boisterous, this Peter Jackson remake of the classic story was not as bad as critics said. Should have been a bit shorter though...longer is not always better Mr. Jackson! (That's what she said!) 4 out of 5 stars.
House of Wax- 2005
Seriously, I don't know why I put this in my queue. Maybe to see just how bad Paris Hilton is---this schlock horror movie lives down to its reputation. Short on scares and even shorter on acting. Not even good for Halloween. 2 out of 5 stars.
Avatar- 2009
Holy crap what an amazing movie! I don't understand that people said it did not have a storyline. Must have seen a different movie than me! And the visuals...WOW WOW and WOW!!! Nominated for best picture among other, it did not win. Maybe he should have won best director though. 5 out of 5 stars!
9- 2009
This animated feature, co-produced by Tim Burton is a dystopian nightmare of a future, with humans eliminated from Earth, but our own doing. Really good animation and story. 4 of 5 stars.
Crazy Heart- 2009
Jeff Bridges totally deserved to win best actor here, and I am glad he did. That the song writers made these new songs seem like tried and true classics is a tribute to them and the creators of the film. Excellent movie. Excellent performance by Bridges. 5 of 5 stars!
A Serious Man- 2009
A very different movie for the Coen brothers, this movie was really odd, about a man who longed to be good, serious and a decent person, but keeps being stymied. Very odd, but in a strange way, satisfying. Nominated for best picture and did not win. 4 of 5 stars.
King Kong- 2005
This was the movie that made my friend Sharon think I should be Jack Black for Halloween! LOL! Big, boisterous, this Peter Jackson remake of the classic story was not as bad as critics said. Should have been a bit shorter though...longer is not always better Mr. Jackson! (That's what she said!) 4 out of 5 stars.
House of Wax- 2005
Seriously, I don't know why I put this in my queue. Maybe to see just how bad Paris Hilton is---this schlock horror movie lives down to its reputation. Short on scares and even shorter on acting. Not even good for Halloween. 2 out of 5 stars.
Avatar- 2009
Holy crap what an amazing movie! I don't understand that people said it did not have a storyline. Must have seen a different movie than me! And the visuals...WOW WOW and WOW!!! Nominated for best picture among other, it did not win. Maybe he should have won best director though. 5 out of 5 stars!
9- 2009
This animated feature, co-produced by Tim Burton is a dystopian nightmare of a future, with humans eliminated from Earth, but our own doing. Really good animation and story. 4 of 5 stars.
Crazy Heart- 2009
Jeff Bridges totally deserved to win best actor here, and I am glad he did. That the song writers made these new songs seem like tried and true classics is a tribute to them and the creators of the film. Excellent movie. Excellent performance by Bridges. 5 of 5 stars!
Movies- Several Mini Reviews
I am WAY behind on my movie reviews, so I will do several ultra mini reviews and see how far I get:
The Lovely Bones-2009
Hard book to make into a movie-but they did a credible job. Stanley Tucci was nominated for best supporting actor, and though creepy, did not deserve a win, and he did not get it. 4 stars out of 5.
Public Enemies- 2009
Johnny Depp did a excellent John Dillinger, and the movie did a nice job showing the changing culture in America, that at first idolized the outlaws, but then demonized them. 4 stars out of 5.
Get Rich or Die Tryin'- 2005
A showcase for 50 Cent, the movie is mediocre at best. Take a pass. 2.5 stars out of 5.
Sugar- 2008
Very good baseball movie, and also good in broader sense of showing how immigrants can get too caught up in the American dream, and without a good balance, don't always see the down side of it. 4 out of 5 stars.
Serenity-2005
The follow up to the fantastic Firefly series, this movie delivered for fans of the show. Don't know if general viewers would enjoy it as much, but I did! 5 stars!
The Lovely Bones-2009
Hard book to make into a movie-but they did a credible job. Stanley Tucci was nominated for best supporting actor, and though creepy, did not deserve a win, and he did not get it. 4 stars out of 5.
Public Enemies- 2009
Johnny Depp did a excellent John Dillinger, and the movie did a nice job showing the changing culture in America, that at first idolized the outlaws, but then demonized them. 4 stars out of 5.
Get Rich or Die Tryin'- 2005
A showcase for 50 Cent, the movie is mediocre at best. Take a pass. 2.5 stars out of 5.
Sugar- 2008
Very good baseball movie, and also good in broader sense of showing how immigrants can get too caught up in the American dream, and without a good balance, don't always see the down side of it. 4 out of 5 stars.
Serenity-2005
The follow up to the fantastic Firefly series, this movie delivered for fans of the show. Don't know if general viewers would enjoy it as much, but I did! 5 stars!
Monday, October 4, 2010
New TV Season- Update, Undercovers
Another week and another BORING episode of Undercovers! And after two episode I am dropping the new series. Despite a very attractive cast, great settings and really good production values...it still is a yawn-fest, so it is gone.
So far I have only picked up two shows, Hawaii Five-0 and Nikita, with the jury still being out on No Ordinary Family (though I am leaning no). That is not very many shows, way under my norm.
A returning show having terrible ratings is Parenthood, and I feel like it may be dropped if it continues to flounder.
So far I have only picked up two shows, Hawaii Five-0 and Nikita, with the jury still being out on No Ordinary Family (though I am leaning no). That is not very many shows, way under my norm.
A returning show having terrible ratings is Parenthood, and I feel like it may be dropped if it continues to flounder.
Friday, October 1, 2010
New TV Season- No Ordinary Family
No Ordinary Family debuted this week on ABC, and it could be a pretty good show. It has a Heroes touch to it, but much lighter and not as sinister. The premise is that this ordinary family, husband, wife and two kids go on a vacation and their small plane goes down in a storm. They crash into this lake, that is eerily green. When they get back home they each discover they have enhanced abilities...strength, speed, telepathy and computer like brain.
What keeps this from being just like Heroes is the family aspect of it. The show tries to keep the family relationships and turmoils on par with the super hero stuff. It is a really fine balance, and I don't know if they can keep it up. But I am willing to go along for a few episodes and find out before I make a decision.
BTW- Running Wilde is now off my viewing list. Second episode did not make me laugh at all, just a few smiles. There is too much other stuff on to keep it.
What keeps this from being just like Heroes is the family aspect of it. The show tries to keep the family relationships and turmoils on par with the super hero stuff. It is a really fine balance, and I don't know if they can keep it up. But I am willing to go along for a few episodes and find out before I make a decision.
BTW- Running Wilde is now off my viewing list. Second episode did not make me laugh at all, just a few smiles. There is too much other stuff on to keep it.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
New Tv Season- Fringe
The first episode continued the fantastic second half from last year...this series has REALLY hit its stride with a great over-arching story line that meshes well with also episodic shows. All the actors really hit full stride also last year, and started this year very well, with Anna Torv playing herself and her doppleganger from "over there."
Mythic story-telling, tender moments (especially when Torv shows vulnerability) and excellent scripts, I hope Fringe will have a great season!
Mythic story-telling, tender moments (especially when Torv shows vulnerability) and excellent scripts, I hope Fringe will have a great season!
New TV Season- NBC Thursday Comedies
Well, Parks and REc is not back till mid-season, I have no interest in Outsourced, and have decided to cut The Office from my viewing schedule, so the only Thursday night comedies from NBC right now are Community and 30 Rock.
Community, in its first season had ups and downs, it started strong, sputtered and then was terrific in its second half. And the premiere continued that trend of the second half. A funny and smart first episode, with a guest shot by Betty White (jeez, is she in frickin' everything now? C'mon Betty, even old people can be over-exposed---on the other hand, she does not have that long to earn anymore---More power to her!!!!) Community is the NBC sitcom I look most forward to nowadays.
As for 30 Rock. It still makes me laugh, and I feel it is trying to bit a bit less smarmy and self-satisified as it premiered. It is trying to get back to funny, not just tongue in cheek funny, and I think it is a good idea. It was a good first episode, and it was funny to see the relaxed Jack, with the scruffy beard and long hair! I think and hope 30 Rock will make a big comeback from what I thought was a mediocre season last year.
Community, in its first season had ups and downs, it started strong, sputtered and then was terrific in its second half. And the premiere continued that trend of the second half. A funny and smart first episode, with a guest shot by Betty White (jeez, is she in frickin' everything now? C'mon Betty, even old people can be over-exposed---on the other hand, she does not have that long to earn anymore---More power to her!!!!) Community is the NBC sitcom I look most forward to nowadays.
As for 30 Rock. It still makes me laugh, and I feel it is trying to bit a bit less smarmy and self-satisified as it premiered. It is trying to get back to funny, not just tongue in cheek funny, and I think it is a good idea. It was a good first episode, and it was funny to see the relaxed Jack, with the scruffy beard and long hair! I think and hope 30 Rock will make a big comeback from what I thought was a mediocre season last year.
New TV Season-Undercovers
Well, I was underwhelmed by Undercovers. I know NBC put in a lot of hype on this one, and it looks great. Obviously they spent a lot on the pilot filming in Spain and Paris, but while sleek and fun, it was not that great.
The cast too looks great, I mean the two leads are both HOT! And they have pretty good chemistry as husband and wife, but there is still a little something lacking there.
I will give it a couple of more episodes, but if it does not improve, it is gone from my watching list.
The cast too looks great, I mean the two leads are both HOT! And they have pretty good chemistry as husband and wife, but there is still a little something lacking there.
I will give it a couple of more episodes, but if it does not improve, it is gone from my watching list.
New TV Season- Modern Family/Cougar Town
Well, the premiere was not as funny as some episodes have been, but it was still pretty darn good. Manny busts me up, and Gloria not liking the girls he is seeing was funny!
I hope the second season of my favorite comedy continues its success.
Cougar Town made a nice transformation in its first season, starting off a bit week and really getting into its groove halfway through the season. This group of friends that is really family, that love to drink ("Hey there alkies", the son often says) and that are all still nervous about what life has to bring became better and better, with silliness and sweetness.
The first episode started the season off strong, and it is still one of the most enjoyable shows.
I hope the second season of my favorite comedy continues its success.
Cougar Town made a nice transformation in its first season, starting off a bit week and really getting into its groove halfway through the season. This group of friends that is really family, that love to drink ("Hey there alkies", the son often says) and that are all still nervous about what life has to bring became better and better, with silliness and sweetness.
The first episode started the season off strong, and it is still one of the most enjoyable shows.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
New TV Season-Running Wilde
Running Wilde is a show that I will probably need at least three episodes to decide on. I liked the first episode, it made me laugh.
But I can also see where it could be a show that does not allow for much growth at all.
Starring Will Arnett and the lovely Keri Russell, the show was created by the people who made Arrested Development. But it may not have the ooomph the latter show had.
I will keep you appraised as to its final disposition, but all I can say truthfully right now is that the first episode made us both laugh. It could go very downhill from there.
But I can also see where it could be a show that does not allow for much growth at all.
Starring Will Arnett and the lovely Keri Russell, the show was created by the people who made Arrested Development. But it may not have the ooomph the latter show had.
I will keep you appraised as to its final disposition, but all I can say truthfully right now is that the first episode made us both laugh. It could go very downhill from there.
New TV Season- Chase
Chase is bad! When I can't even watch the premier episode all the way through, you know it is not good at all.
Bad bad bad bad bad bad bad!!!
I can't even give this my usual 3 episodes to make a decision. Don't need to. It is BAD!
BAD!
Bad bad bad bad bad bad bad!!!
I can't even give this my usual 3 episodes to make a decision. Don't need to. It is BAD!
BAD!
New TV Season
Hawaii Five-O!
My comments about remakes! Another show is playing me for a fool this season. The new, re-imganied Hawaii Five-O is pretty good! OK, maybe even better than that.
They give a good reason for this squad to be around, above and beyond the regular PD----they have great characters, and very good actors paling the roles. They have an over-arching story line, but not one that will get in the way of each single episode being enjoyed. And hell, how can you have a better set than Oahu?
The squad has four people in it right now, and I think they may need to add a couple of more at least to make it more interesting, but they started out great.
And I am glad they kept the theme music!! That is classic!
My comments about remakes! Another show is playing me for a fool this season. The new, re-imganied Hawaii Five-O is pretty good! OK, maybe even better than that.
They give a good reason for this squad to be around, above and beyond the regular PD----they have great characters, and very good actors paling the roles. They have an over-arching story line, but not one that will get in the way of each single episode being enjoyed. And hell, how can you have a better set than Oahu?
The squad has four people in it right now, and I think they may need to add a couple of more at least to make it more interesting, but they started out great.
And I am glad they kept the theme music!! That is classic!
New TV Season-Chuck
Chuck returns!
It has been one of my favorite series, so I was a bit underwhelmed by the first half of the season premier...it seemed to have lost a bit of juice. But, I tried to stay patient, and was rewarded with a much better second half of the show.
We will see how the new season plays out...I have a feeling that this may be the last for Chuck Bartowski and crew....but I hope at least if it is, the network will let it go out with style.
I hope the season is more like the second half of the first episode, and not the first half.
It has been one of my favorite series, so I was a bit underwhelmed by the first half of the season premier...it seemed to have lost a bit of juice. But, I tried to stay patient, and was rewarded with a much better second half of the show.
We will see how the new season plays out...I have a feeling that this may be the last for Chuck Bartowski and crew....but I hope at least if it is, the network will let it go out with style.
I hope the season is more like the second half of the first episode, and not the first half.
New TV Season-Nikita
I am not a huge fan of remakes, and Nikita is a remake of a TV show, which was a remake of an American movie, which was a remake of an European movie.
Buuuuuttt. It is pretty damn good!
It follows the usual story line of all the Nikitas, but the actors and set up are really well done. Maggie Q stars as Nikita, and does a great job being deadly and sexy all at once, and she really holds this thing together.
But a couple of twists on the usual story make Nikita even better than its predecessors....namely, she is actively going after Division, the agency that made her what she is, trying to disrupt every important assignment they have. And she has a mole inside division that is helping her out. Both these add to the tension and make the show fun to watch.
I have seen two episodes, and really liked both of them...I mean it is not Mad Men, but it is fun. I will give it another, but I think this is going on my list.
Buuuuuttt. It is pretty damn good!
It follows the usual story line of all the Nikitas, but the actors and set up are really well done. Maggie Q stars as Nikita, and does a great job being deadly and sexy all at once, and she really holds this thing together.
But a couple of twists on the usual story make Nikita even better than its predecessors....namely, she is actively going after Division, the agency that made her what she is, trying to disrupt every important assignment they have. And she has a mole inside division that is helping her out. Both these add to the tension and make the show fun to watch.
I have seen two episodes, and really liked both of them...I mean it is not Mad Men, but it is fun. I will give it another, but I think this is going on my list.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
New TV Season
The new TV season is rapidly approaching...and I will not list all the new shows I am going to try out yet. But I have made the decision to drop some of my old shows for a variety of reasons. The three shows I am dropping are: Two and a Half Men, The Office and Medium.
Two and a Half Men is going to have a hard time with Charlie Sheen's problems, and really, he is the reason I watch the show. The character of Alan just cannot be the whole show. It is still amusing, but so many set-ups on the show have already been done, that it is is much less funny than it used to be, relying even more on sexual innuendo for laughs.
The Office is one of those shows that even at its best, could be hit or miss. When it kept Michael and Dwight on a leash, it was funniest, but too often it just lets those two be stupid, beyond any reason. Too often the last two seasons it is just painful to watch.
And you know you aren't enjoying the show when you feel like fast forwarding through much of it...Medium makes me feel like that nowadays. Again, so long in the tooth, so many plots are being re-hashed. Still like the characters, but tired of the set-up.
So three veteran show are being dropped. As we get closer to the season I will talk about my new shows, and those returning that I am still watching.
Two and a Half Men is going to have a hard time with Charlie Sheen's problems, and really, he is the reason I watch the show. The character of Alan just cannot be the whole show. It is still amusing, but so many set-ups on the show have already been done, that it is is much less funny than it used to be, relying even more on sexual innuendo for laughs.
The Office is one of those shows that even at its best, could be hit or miss. When it kept Michael and Dwight on a leash, it was funniest, but too often it just lets those two be stupid, beyond any reason. Too often the last two seasons it is just painful to watch.
And you know you aren't enjoying the show when you feel like fast forwarding through much of it...Medium makes me feel like that nowadays. Again, so long in the tooth, so many plots are being re-hashed. Still like the characters, but tired of the set-up.
So three veteran show are being dropped. As we get closer to the season I will talk about my new shows, and those returning that I am still watching.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
TV on Netflix-Firefly
I will admit that I did not watch Firefly when it came to TV in 2002. Not only did it air in opposition to another show already on my schedule, but I watched the 2nd or 3rd episode and did not think it was that great!
But oh crap, was I wrong or what? Firefly was a tremendous show, good in almost every way TV can be good...which is probably why it did not survive. Good story lines that had complex ideas beneath, great characters, good overarching plot, great production values, great cast...it was a damn good show.
Firefly is set about 500 years in the future...there is not even an Earth anymore, and humans have moved far out into space, populating other planets and systems, all ruled by the Alliance. There was a war that the Alliance won, and the captain of the small cargo ship, Serenity (a firefly class ship), fought against the Alliance, and lost.
Now he and his crew fly in the outer worlds, worlds not quite fully dominated by the Alliance, and ship cargo....some might say, smuggle cargo, for various employers.
In addition to Nathan Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds, the crew is his first officer (and fellow rebel), Zoe, played by the luscious Gina Torres, her husband the pilot, a mercenary to supply the muscle, played with wild abandon by Adam Baldwin, and a childlike engineer, Kaylee. They also act as the the delivery ship for a contractor going from world to world...a high class call girl named Morena. At one stop they are joined by a preacher, who becomes the cook, and a doctor and his strange sister. This sister, played by Summer Glau, is the key to the story, as it seems the Alliance is looking for her.
Most episodes are self-contained, but the show is better watching it in continuity as the themes and stories build nicely.
There are not good comparisons to Firefly. Some say it is like Star Wars. Only if Star Wars were gritty and its characters were all less noble than Han Solo, though there are some similarities between the Alliance and the Empire. Some say it is like Star Trek, but only if James Kirk felt like the Federation was an unholy bureaucratic system, that was run by corporations to the detriment of human freedom, and decided to drop out of it.
While those comparison don't hold, the series is as good as any sci-fi out there, and as good as any TV out there. Firely was a winner all the way around.
At least that is my opinion.
But oh crap, was I wrong or what? Firefly was a tremendous show, good in almost every way TV can be good...which is probably why it did not survive. Good story lines that had complex ideas beneath, great characters, good overarching plot, great production values, great cast...it was a damn good show.
Firefly is set about 500 years in the future...there is not even an Earth anymore, and humans have moved far out into space, populating other planets and systems, all ruled by the Alliance. There was a war that the Alliance won, and the captain of the small cargo ship, Serenity (a firefly class ship), fought against the Alliance, and lost.
Now he and his crew fly in the outer worlds, worlds not quite fully dominated by the Alliance, and ship cargo....some might say, smuggle cargo, for various employers.
In addition to Nathan Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds, the crew is his first officer (and fellow rebel), Zoe, played by the luscious Gina Torres, her husband the pilot, a mercenary to supply the muscle, played with wild abandon by Adam Baldwin, and a childlike engineer, Kaylee. They also act as the the delivery ship for a contractor going from world to world...a high class call girl named Morena. At one stop they are joined by a preacher, who becomes the cook, and a doctor and his strange sister. This sister, played by Summer Glau, is the key to the story, as it seems the Alliance is looking for her.
Most episodes are self-contained, but the show is better watching it in continuity as the themes and stories build nicely.
There are not good comparisons to Firefly. Some say it is like Star Wars. Only if Star Wars were gritty and its characters were all less noble than Han Solo, though there are some similarities between the Alliance and the Empire. Some say it is like Star Trek, but only if James Kirk felt like the Federation was an unholy bureaucratic system, that was run by corporations to the detriment of human freedom, and decided to drop out of it.
While those comparison don't hold, the series is as good as any sci-fi out there, and as good as any TV out there. Firely was a winner all the way around.
At least that is my opinion.
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