Does anybody remember how back when there used to be Saturday morning cartoons they would have a primetime preview of the upcoming cartoons. I loved that. Often they would use a current primetime show to pimp their cartoons. For example:
Ah. "Perfect Strangers." I miss the Dance of Joy. I wish that clip hadn't edited out the cartoons.. oh well. I also wish Saturday morning cartoons were still around. This current generation doesn't know what it's like to get up before six in the morning to watch cool cartoons. Sigh.
Anyways, my point. Primetime shows don't often have a preview show. So what I would like to do with this column is look ahead to the upcoming primetime sci-fi shows.
See, here's the thing.... "Lost" will be on it's last season in January... so I need to find a new show to possibly replace it. There seem to be big three sci-fi shows coming up this season. I want to know what you think I should give a try.
First up is the one I think looks the most promising: "V"... Really one of the reasons I think it looks cool is because it has two "Firefly" alums in the cast as well as a "Lost" cast member. It's a remake of the 80's miniseries.. that was apparently pretty popular. I have never seen the original but I hear one of the aliens eats a live rodent.. so that's cool. Also the executive producer is Jeffrey Bell who exec-produced the last few seasons of "Angel" and "Alias." Take a look. Tell me what you think.
Next up is "Flash Forward." It's based on a novel.. and comes to us from David Goyer (Batman Begins) and Brannon Braga (Star Trek: The Next Generation). The premise seems really cool. And I like the cast here as well... another "Lost" star is in this one. As far as previews go I think this one is my favorite of the three. What think ye?
And finally we have "Day One" which actually doesn't premiere until midseason on NBC. It's about apartment residents that survive an unknown world-wide cataclysm that destroys modern infrastructure.... or something like that. This one come's to us from Jesse Alexander who did some good work on "Alias" and "Lost" but from what I understand is one of the people who got fired from "Heroes" after it started sucking. I don't know that much about the show except I know the TV critic at Aint It Cool News says it's his favorite of the three.
So there you have it... a sneak peak at what's ahead on primetime... at least what's ahead that's not a medical show, a cop show, or dumb sitcom. In the end I may just wait to see what sticks. There's nothing worse than starting a great show only to have it canceled. Besides, right now I'm really looking forward to the second season of "Dollhouse" after having seen the lost DVD episode (it rocked).
One more thing of note.. AMC is making a TV show based on the graphic novel "The Walking Dead"... the show will be written and directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, Green Mile).. So maybe I should just hold out for it.
Till next time.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Playing Catch Up
So a number of posts back I said I'd review a few movies that I never actually reviewed. So now I'm finally getting around to reviewing the movies.
The first one I saw at the Broadway theaters in downtown Salt Lake. It's called "The Brothers Bloom." The movie stars Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody, and Rachel Weisz. It's a con-artist movie. I really enjoyed this one. It didn't open in a ton of theaters, but I think it's the type of movie a lot of people could get behind. Brody and Ruffalo play brothers who try to pull one over on Weisz's character... and of course there's more to it than that... but to say more would be wrong. My favorite part of the movie had to do with the brother's assistant Bang Bang. She has the best lines, or actually non-lines in the movie. So for anyone that likes a good con artist movie, this one's for you. Definitely worth your time.
A-
The second movie you may have heard of, it's the latest film from Ron Howard and Tom Hanks. "Angels and Demons" is the "sequel" to "The DaVinci Code." It's based on the book which actually was written before "The DaVinci Code." I really enjoyed the book and thought it was actually a better thriller than "The DaVinci Code." For the record I thought "The DaVinci Code" movie was actually pretty boring... though I really liked the book. So I wasn't sure what to expect from the new movie. I actually enjoyed it. It did have a couple moments that dragged but overall it was a big improvement over the last movie. It's not really even worth mentioning the plot.. but it all takes place after the Pope dies.. Robert Langdon is called in to solve some "symbology" mysteries. And of course he succeeds. The movie's a little long... but if you read the book and liked it... the movie is worth a rental.
B
And finally, I saw "The Proposal." Yeah, it was your typical romantic comedy. But I like Sandra Bullock and I prefer her to many typical rom-com stars. I also like Ryan Reynolds, soon to be Green Lantern. Anyways I don't have a lot to say. You already know if you're going to like this movie or not. It does have the wonderful Betty White.. so that could be a convincing reason to see it. I don't know. I obviously prefer "500 Days of Summer"... but you could do a lot worse than "The Proposal."
B-
So I think you now know my opinion of every movie I saw in theaters this summer. I saw more movies on DVD but who know if I'll ever get to those. What were your favorite movies this summer? Worst movies? Please comment. The more people comment the more likely I am to update this blog more frequently.
The first one I saw at the Broadway theaters in downtown Salt Lake. It's called "The Brothers Bloom." The movie stars Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody, and Rachel Weisz. It's a con-artist movie. I really enjoyed this one. It didn't open in a ton of theaters, but I think it's the type of movie a lot of people could get behind. Brody and Ruffalo play brothers who try to pull one over on Weisz's character... and of course there's more to it than that... but to say more would be wrong. My favorite part of the movie had to do with the brother's assistant Bang Bang. She has the best lines, or actually non-lines in the movie. So for anyone that likes a good con artist movie, this one's for you. Definitely worth your time.
A-
The second movie you may have heard of, it's the latest film from Ron Howard and Tom Hanks. "Angels and Demons" is the "sequel" to "The DaVinci Code." It's based on the book which actually was written before "The DaVinci Code." I really enjoyed the book and thought it was actually a better thriller than "The DaVinci Code." For the record I thought "The DaVinci Code" movie was actually pretty boring... though I really liked the book. So I wasn't sure what to expect from the new movie. I actually enjoyed it. It did have a couple moments that dragged but overall it was a big improvement over the last movie. It's not really even worth mentioning the plot.. but it all takes place after the Pope dies.. Robert Langdon is called in to solve some "symbology" mysteries. And of course he succeeds. The movie's a little long... but if you read the book and liked it... the movie is worth a rental.
B
And finally, I saw "The Proposal." Yeah, it was your typical romantic comedy. But I like Sandra Bullock and I prefer her to many typical rom-com stars. I also like Ryan Reynolds, soon to be Green Lantern. Anyways I don't have a lot to say. You already know if you're going to like this movie or not. It does have the wonderful Betty White.. so that could be a convincing reason to see it. I don't know. I obviously prefer "500 Days of Summer"... but you could do a lot worse than "The Proposal."
B-
So I think you now know my opinion of every movie I saw in theaters this summer. I saw more movies on DVD but who know if I'll ever get to those. What were your favorite movies this summer? Worst movies? Please comment. The more people comment the more likely I am to update this blog more frequently.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Four stars
Sometimes I think the way critics review movies is kinda dumb. I mean just because somebody likes a movie doesn't mean that somebody else is going to like it. For some people "Transformers 2" was the best movie out this summer. For others, it was some artsy Russian movie that no one's ever heard of. I wish when people reviewed movies they wouldn't say, "this movie sucked" or "this movie is the best thing since sliced bread." I think they should say "I thought this movie sucked" or "I loved this movie so much I want to take it behind a middle school and get it pregnant." That's why I like Rotten Tomatoes and Meta Critic. What's my point... I'm not sure but, let me say this. I loved "500 Days of Summer."
My lovely wife and I almost caught this movie at Sundance this year... but the stars didn't align and we didn't get to see this movie, "Paper Heart," or"Afghan Star." It's a long story. But now I know we should have tried harder to see "500 Days of Summer." And probably those other movies too, because they look good. Anywhoo. For those of you who aren't familiar with this movie, it tells the story of the relationship between the two people in the picture above. I don't want to give much more away than that... but it's one of the most realistic portrayals of dating and looking for love I've seen on the big screen. There are some TV shows that have portrayed it very well... cough "Freaks and Geeks" cough. But that's for another post that I'll probably never get to. While watching this movie I found myself reliving many joyful and painful experiences from earlier in my life.. This movie is hilarious, heart breaking, sincere, thought provoking, and just all around well worth your eight hard earned dollars. Just don't expect your typical romantic comedy. This movie is anything but cookie cutter. So if you get the chance check it out. You won't regret it... Unless you don't like this type of movie.... because, remember I liked this movie.
PS. I didn't love this movie just because it starred the beautiful Zooey Deschanel (although that didn't hurt). I think it's funny that people always seem to think that I love shows like "Buffy" or "Dollhouse" or "Veronica Mars" because they have attractive women... I love them because they are very well written, acted, and directed. So there. :-P
My lovely wife and I almost caught this movie at Sundance this year... but the stars didn't align and we didn't get to see this movie, "Paper Heart," or"Afghan Star." It's a long story. But now I know we should have tried harder to see "500 Days of Summer." And probably those other movies too, because they look good. Anywhoo. For those of you who aren't familiar with this movie, it tells the story of the relationship between the two people in the picture above. I don't want to give much more away than that... but it's one of the most realistic portrayals of dating and looking for love I've seen on the big screen. There are some TV shows that have portrayed it very well... cough "Freaks and Geeks" cough. But that's for another post that I'll probably never get to. While watching this movie I found myself reliving many joyful and painful experiences from earlier in my life.. This movie is hilarious, heart breaking, sincere, thought provoking, and just all around well worth your eight hard earned dollars. Just don't expect your typical romantic comedy. This movie is anything but cookie cutter. So if you get the chance check it out. You won't regret it... Unless you don't like this type of movie.... because, remember I liked this movie.
PS. I didn't love this movie just because it starred the beautiful Zooey Deschanel (although that didn't hurt). I think it's funny that people always seem to think that I love shows like "Buffy" or "Dollhouse" or "Veronica Mars" because they have attractive women... I love them because they are very well written, acted, and directed. So there. :-P
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