Thursday part one

Sorry I've been gone for a week or two. I went on vacation. Which also means I saw a few movies. So hopefully I can get to those soon. I think you can expect more post come July after I've finished the screenplay I've been talking about.


So, Thursday. I'll start with my CW shows. "Smallville" just finished what I believe was its eighth season. I think this show is probably past its prime. But I'm sticking this one out to the end. But so help me if he doesn't turn into Superman before the end. This season started out really strong. I enjoyed the new angle now that Lex Luthor and Lana Lane are no longer on the show. My favorite episodes were the ones that revolved around Lois and Clark. They should just change the show to center around those two. That's what it's all going to be about in the end anyways. The finale was okay. I thought the fight between Clark and Doomsday was a real letdown. I realize it's a TV budget but come on give me something a little more. So here's hoping next season will be "Lois and Clark: The Next Generation"
Season: B-
Finale: C+

Next up is "Supernatural." This show has really evolved over the years. This season got pretty dark towards the end which is fine. Dark is good. But actually my favorite episodes are the funny ones. They're usually written by Ben Edlund of "The Tick" fame. He really was a warped sense of humor. The finale ended with a big battle between the two brothers and it looks like Satan is on his way out of hell. So I'm excited for what's expected to be its last season. If you like scary, goofy fun, I recommend giving this show a try. It's a largely undiscovered gem.
Season: B+
Season Finale A-

In the next post I will be tackling NBC's Thursday comedy night. So you can look forward to that... and hopefull soon I will review "The Brothers Bloom," "Angels and Demons," and "The Proposal."

One more thing I just want to thank those people who choose to make comments. Just when I'm not sure this thing is worth keeping up, I see a comment. So thanks. See ya next time.

Wednesday

Okay. Back to the TV schedule. I'm pretty sure "Lost" was the only show I watched on Wednesdays... but if you think I missed something let me know. Just a warning there may be spoilers for the fifth season.


"Lost" as far as I'm concerned is the best show on TV right now. Season five was as good as any season so far. People may moan and complain about the time travel but I say to you: "tough beans." Time travel is awesome. I've read a number of things over the years about how time travel is an overused sci-fi trope. It's overused because it's beyond cool. Sure sometimes it sucks if people think about it too hard.. the paradoxes and all... but this season hasn't created a paradox yet. It will be interesting to see what happens next season.

I thought the finale was perfect. Not as mind blowing as the season three finale but... perfect for what it was. The actual introduction of Jacob and the "man in black" was my favorite part. I'm assuming one is good and one is evil.. but I'm always surprised on this show. I feel like I'm always talking about "Lost" or "Star Trek" on this blog so I'll finish up. If you are one of those people who has given up on "Lost" or has never given it a try.. Now is your chance. The last season starts in January. The season with all the answers. The DVDs are probably at your local library or you can watch them online. Do it. You won't regret it... Unless you're one of those people who thrives on reality TV and doesn't like complex rich storytelling.. Then I'm sorry there's nothing here for you. Good Day Sir.

Season Grade A+
Season Finale A+

Midweek Movie Reviews

I'm going to take a break from my TV reviews today to address to the new movies I saw in the theater this weekend.


The first movie I saw was "Up." It's the latest movie from the Studio called Pixar. You may have heard of them... Probably because they are incapable of making bad movies. Sure some are better than others but none of them are bad. "Up" is the story of Carl Fredrickson... He's an octogenarian who decides to fly his home to South America. I won't give away the circumstances behind his decision but it makes sense in context. The thing is.. he's got a stowaway on board. A young Boy Scout. The dynamic between the two is the heart of the film. The cool thing about Pixar is they get to make movies that no regular studio would greenlight. Just think about it... when's the last time you saw a movie where the main character was over sixty years old... and it's an adventure/comedy. The movie is touching, funny, adventurous, and just a lot of fun. A definite must see.
Grade: A



The second movie I saw this weekend was "Drag Me To Hell" -- which for the record couldn't be more different than "Up." But it was great all the same. The movie comes to us from the same crazy mind that brought us the "Evil Dead" trilogy and the "Spiderman" trilogy... (yes I know the third one was crap... but the first two were great). This new movie is a horror film... but the cool thing is that it's not like the horror films we get now days. It's not "The Grudge" or "Saw IV"... It's actually good. Sam Raimi scares us with what's not on screen. Which in my opinion is the sign of a talented director. There's not a lot of gore or blood.. In fact the movie is PG-13. It does have some definite gross out parts... but that's part of the fun.. Trust me you don't want me to give it away. You may not want to eat during the movie... or for a couple hours afterwards. The movie follows Alison Lohman's character.. She plays a bank loan officer who feels pressured into denying a loan extension to an old lady who it turns out is an evil gypsy. The gypsy curses her and hijinks ensue. I couldn't find one girl I know who had any desire to see this.. They're missing out. So as a great horror/comedy

I give this film an A-... As my friend Dave said, "It could've used some Bruce Campbell.