Early November Double Features

On back-2-back nights this week I caught 2 movies in theaters. Tuesday, in order to avoid the election, I saw a couple of movies in Uptown. The following evening I ended up catching 2 more in Edina.



What Just Happened? imdb

For the 2nd straight year, De Niro has been in something I might describe as a redefining or at least a different kind of a role for him. 2007's "Stardust" playing a gay flying-pirate captain. And in this, a Hollywood producer; who while has a strong personality, he ends up having to do a lot more psychological examination of his clients and his own personal life. The portrayal of a high-stakes, high-stress lifestyle. And I think overall it was pulled off well.

This will remind many of the Tim Robbins movie "The Player." I suppose the comparison is quite valid in that it's a look inside one part of Hollywood. At the same time, possibly due to the tone or time it was made, "The Player" seemed a lot more subtle and dramatic, while "What Just Happened?" had a lot more constant humor. De Niro reminds me of among others, of the late Sidney Pollack, who had those meltdowns that were always worth seeing. One of those guys that either he made you laugh just on how he spoke, his interaction with others, or his sense of priorities were funny due to how he would communicate with people. Also, generally just someone I would enjoy being around I guess.

While the ultimate fates of the different clients and people he invests so much into dealing with is not entirely a "happy-ending" ("Indie" I suppose in that way), seeing the portrayal of different experiences a producer like him goes through is rewarding enough. Bruce Willis and the whole "beard" predicament. To hear De Niro mouth-off about that alone was priceless. The ending of the Sean Penn picture with the dog and how the director manages to con the Studio head (Catherine Keener); which is evidenced when it gets into Cannes. Everything with his ex-wives and daughter and the side-plot with the producer who dies, and Stanley Tucci.

While I doubt it'll be a classic many years from now, I pretty thoroughly enjoyed this. Quite funny, and without much if any filler.

7.5/10



Happy Go Lucky imdb

This was uneven. The 1st 1/3 I'd say or maybe about 1/2 of this was a lot of silly antics from the characters, mainly the lead Sally Hawkins who plays "Poppy." Perhaps her accent at times made it slightly difficult to follow, the personality she presented as a free-spirited, jolly young woman who found it easy to smile or laugh at most of her daily life experiences. Maybe my favorite scenes being when she ends up going to Flamenco dancing class with a co-worker. Poppy, and I think actually even more, the instructor were quite funny. "Myyyy spay-sss...My-spaysss!" I kind of wished I had been in the class myself!

But the Poppy character (and Hawkins I imagine) reminded me a lot of the british female musician Imogen Heap. Partially in her colorful style of fashion (she always wore multicolored knee-high boots among other things), and maybe more-so in her cheery persona that Imogen Heap could be described as having when she does interviews, or especially in her Youtube video blogs. In fact, I think it wouldn't be too big a stretch if it came about, for Sally Hawkins to portray Heap on the screen, which begs my curiosity if Imogen Heap is aware of Hawkins or this movie (and vice-versa).

The 2nd portion of the movie ends up getting a bit more serious. Mainly with Poppy's relationship with her driving instructor played by Eddie Marsan. I imagine this was an influence in his character from real-life, but Scott, Poppy's driving instructor, almost every scene is very on-edge and stressed-out. Poppy contributes to that while he's trying to teach her, but he definitely comes across as someone who has anger-issues. I guess the whole "backseat driver" symptoms come up with anyone who rides in a car with a new driver; but it's his job after-all, so you'd think he'd had enough experience to avoid stressing out over it. Perhaps it also was some strange way of displaying his love or at least social interest in Poppy. But that's kind of the challenge. He's so strong-willed and short-fused, that even SHE can't lighten him up.

But I also credit the actor for that. While that may not be everyone's cup of tea in terms of dramatic performances, he does a very good job of adding a in-your-face, serious character to what mostly is a less-than-serious story overall. At the same time, I guess the previews and entirety of this film didn't end up being as moving as I hoped; but it was certainly one of the more memorable pictures I've seen this year. And it introduces Hawkins, which added reason to see it as well.

6.5/10



Slumdog Millionaire imdb

Caught an advanced screening of this picture which on the surface sounded like a modern-day Bollywood work or some common foreign-language movie that I often see nominated during awards season. Well, it very well may get nominated during awards season, but I wouldn't call it exactly run-of-the-mill. Very cleverly edited and flashback + present day storytelling of an 18 year-old phone-center assistant who ends up appearing and having great success in East India's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." He gets taken-in by the show's security in suspicion of cheating to continually getting question-after-question correct, with having very limited education and only being 18 years old. He's even tortured, as the police don't believe his story. But HIS STORY is where it gets quite interesting.

His mother is killed when his village is raided when he is very young. Him and his brother flee, and they end up meeting a girl named Latika who he immediately befriends. Through turmoil and his older brother's influence, Jamal ends up losing Latika, who is of course his first and he believes true-love. Eventually when they get older, Jamal and his brother Salim end up seeking out and rescuing Latika from what would be considered a child-slave trader, whose primary interest in the kids is to find the one's who can sing well and then blind them. Blind singers apparently command(ed) more money to perform or trade there at that time it's set in. After they escape, it is shown how much all 3 of them have changed. Salim unfortunately falls prey to what I'd describe as a mob-businessman; and he's forced-in to taking Latika to him. Jamal loses both of them at that point.

A few years later, he starts working at the cellphone customer service office and stumbles upon their database and both Latika and Salim's whereabouts. He visits both of them, and learns that not a lot has changed. Latika is still more or less a slave to the same wealthy mobster; but he manages to see her and also learn that she watched the Millionaire show. Jamal gets the idea that if he went on the show, she would see him.

What transpires at that point I won't spoil. But it definitely worked on many levels. Logistically I suppose some things didn't necessarily seem entirely realistic, like how would Latika be listed in the cell provider's listing if she more or less was a slave? But the story, flashbacks, and the way it ended up being told was very moving. I particularly liked the youngest portrayals of the three main character most.

It may not be my film of the year, but I would say it's certainly one of the best I've seen in many months. "Transsiberian" and of course "Snow Angels" might be it's biggest competition. I hope more people get to see this. It won some festival awards recently in fact, as the girl from Miramax, who appeared at the theater mentioned.

8/10



Religulous Religulous

Bill Maher somewhat channeling Michael Moore with an agenda that religion is all fiction and fairy tales more or less. This definitely was worth seeing for the amount of comedic value and one-liners. I also liked a lot of the different unusual people from many sects and angles into different religions. The black fella who was a minister I believe, who had been involved as a singer on a pop hit that it escaping me now was a laugh-a-minute. Claiming he was in the Jesus-bloodline, lol. The satanic priest who was a born-again; Maher had a field-day with him. I imagine like Michael Moore and a lot of these cleverly edited documentaries, a lot of footage was shot and edited out, that Maher had no comeback or debate with. But like Michael Moore, it's for entertainment value 1st and foremost, so it didn't matter.

I suppose one thing I wished he'd been able to do is cover more religions, more obscure perhaps like Buddhism, and many of the ethnic religions. Time and resources (money) being factors I suppose. Maybe a 2nd picture will consider doing that. Id' also have liked to have seen Deepak Chopra or at least 1 modern theologist interviewed. I wonder if Chopra declined.

Unlikely the funniest movie of the year, but still one I'm glad I got to see. Maybe since Maher made it, Michael Moore now won't have to.

6.5/10

The Wicker Man

These are a couple of a handful of reviews I mean to add here in the next few days/weeks as I'm starting to consume a fair amount of new films now.

My background with "The Wickerman" is this. I know a fella on some message boards who goes by that screen-name for one, but if I'm not mistaken, he takes it from the song that Iron Maiden wrote. Perhaps the song itself was inspired/named-after the movie or story.


The band Agalloch released an EP earlier this year titled "The White" which takes samples from it. Very folky, dreamy, acoustic. It's really a moving album in fact, and it certainly always made me curious of the source of the samples until I found out they were taken from that 1974 picture, which honestly, reminded of something taken from The Twilight Zone or perhaps The Outer Limits. Even Mysterious Island..when the sample referred to an island, pagans, and a heathen.

Well I happen to be a pretty big fan of Christopher Lee. Mainly a nostalgia and lover of the british "Hammer Series" Dracula pictures. Many others, along with Peter Cushing. He always commands a presence on screen.

Cutting to the chase. I finally saw the 1974 supposed *Horror Classic* which I rented for Halloween. The best things I can say about it is, I liked it more than the remake (not surprisingly), the performances were good from Lee, Edward Woodward (who may be best known for playing the lead role in the 80's crime-drama "The Equalizer"), Ingrid Pitt, and Britt Ekland who among many of the female cast, is hardly shy for the camera (hehe).

The biggest criticism I have are about it is

a) What was up with ALL THE MUSIC? I felt like I was watching a Ken Russell film at times, lol. I mean I guess part of the intent of the director was to make it creepy, in a subtle, lack-of-a-sense-of-reality sort-of-way. I guess. But I'm sure I'm not the only one who kind of got lost watching girls sing while naked over bonfires. And at the same time, I think Woodward's meltdown at them also added to it's lack of suspense.

b) I wished they'd shown more background on how Sgt Howie or whoever on the mainland got word of the girl's disappearance in the 1st place. I suppose it's not something they care about, but logically, it doesn't make a ton of sense for them to call the cops to search for a girl in an entirely different portion of land. I mean, part of it is the society there, but my 1st reaction if I were receiving the notice would be to ask if they have any authorities on the island 1st and foremost for that sort of thing. But that would defeat the purpose of the whole story of course.

I also didn't love how un-poetic the ending was. Had I written it, I'd have had Woodward escape out of the Wicker Man and somehow caused Christopher Lee's "Lord Summerisle" to die either at the hands of the Wicker Man or just from shear shock. It definitely is a film that didn't include the most complete resolution. At the same time, Lee has claimed it's his best or favorite performance of his career (or it was the best film he was ever in, I forget exactly what the bio info said on the DVD)

7/10

Now the remake from '06 at least did give more background on the girl and the fact Nicholas Cage as the cop, comes over to see an old flame and learn it's his own daughter who became missing.

They did try to make it more suspenseful or horror-movie-like. Maybe the best or most creepy thing they had were these two twin ladies who really could have been the much older versions of the two creepy girls that are flashed so freakishly in Kubrick's "The Shining." I genuinely felt creeped out watching them; although the fact it was in daylight didn't help.

The other real head-scratcher that the filmmaker Neil LaBute put in this adaptation was this scene at the beginning with Cage on the highway stopping this lady and her daughter; which eventually leads to a Semi hitting them and Cage attempting but failing to save both the girl or the mother. They kept flashing back to it, which I thought could have worked well, but their never really was any explanation about the significance of it. Was that supposed to be his daughter, Rowan Woodward? (last name I imagine used a cameo sort-of to Edward from the original) Was the fire supposed to be a foreshadow for things to come? It really ended up just being a random event that gives you only your imagination as to what the point of that scene was.

The love story I guess added something, but I would agree with a lot of the comments and reviews online about it. Cage did a good enough job, it's just the material was so predictable and trying to be creepy just for the sake of it, that it didn't add much or have the out-of-left-field approach that the original at least did. At the same time, I probably wouldn't go as far as to think it's the worst movie this decade or anything. Some reviews totally panned it, and I guess for me, it was watchable at least, especially for someone who hadn't seen the original (although of course I would recommend seeing that one as well).

4/10

Mid-season TV Shows to Look Forward To

No time to elaborate, but this is why perhaps the loss of Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone might not be so bad if mainly these new ABC shows actually are 1/2 as good as they sound. Rob Thomas is involved with 2 of them afterall.

Cupid

Good Behaviour

Reaper

Trust Me

Castle

Dollhouse

The Unusuals

Better Off Ted

My Boys

Psych

Monk

Burn Notice

Kyle XY

Lost

Battlestar Galactica

More to come soon..

Writing blogs: while it can be satisfying and maybe not as much of a chore as I think of it to be at times, it always seems to come down to thinking to do it, motivation, and of course the all important time.

I'm in a tough spot now, especially after learning about the potential of my apartment perhaps being required to get shown as early as sometime next month. I am moving out of this, to put it mildly, less-than-satisfactory (esp. in terms of noise, paper-thin-walls) flat on December 31st, 2008 presumably. And of course from now til then, I need to find a better, more acceptable place to live. I have done some research this whole year for places, especially within the last month. However, I still may not have done half of what I need to do still. And of course, all the physical work/time I will require to get my current place in suitable condition.

Plus, sleep, and my regular weekly activities of lots of tv, some films off and on, and concerts, which 1 biggie is tomorrow night in Ours @ the Varsity Theater in Mpls.

here's what happened at the last Ours headlining show in Mpls for me.



However, to summarize, my life has been somewhat hijacked by many things (family events included) in order to even put up in here a fraction of what I could and really should.

2009 = if all goes well, a larger volume of blogging in the AllMediaReviews library should have a chance to be added to.

But I suppose just to add a few things.

wire/news/opinions (music and other media/pop culture notes)

-I love this Japanese modern-Classical/Post Rock/Jazz/Opera/Ambient group
Mutyumu..pretty much blown away and addicted..perhaps to the level of Burst recently and even Apes and Androids. With more time, some longer text should be added about both of those bands/albums. Along with some others which are overdue of course.

-I saw "Choke"..also overdue..and a decent number of films out, coming out, or I hope to see..deserve some space in here as well.

-"My Name Is Bruce" is finally happening in December..and late November supposedly "Fanboys" as well..if not the DVD around X-Mas.

-"Life on Mars" I am digging and may be my favorite new show so far.

-Annuals upstaged Minus the Bear last week at the Varsity Theater..and former local-MN band Themes I enjoyed a lot too.

-New albums from Marillion and Bend Sinister released either tomorrow (10/21)..next Tuesday (10/28) or in November like the 11th i have seen...

-I'm a bit more intrigued by the upcoming album from progressive tech/death band The Faceless now after hearing samples from "Planetary Duality" on their myspace.

-Steve Wilson's "Insurgentes" seems to be getting a lot of hype..I passed on the $40 or whatever the pre-order was for the 2-disc version. I like the guy, but sorry, I passed on the Marillion pre-order after-all. I will be checking the album out when it's available soon still of course.

-Pain of Salvation's new DVD I guess is released on November 25th and to be called "Second Death of"

-Anathallo's "Canopy Glow" is probably not that far away from surfacing I imagine. The thing that did a few weeks ago I liked a decent amount of. Scary, but I may actually prefer it over the new Margot albums actually. It drops next month no matter.

-and of course maybe the biggest remaining record's uncertainty this year is my beloved Soundscape's "Grave New World"..I played the myspace songs again the other day..it may have an outside shot at knocking on the AOY door..the nostalgia is so powerful for me.

-I read about Karnivool in the studio tonight..their new album it doesn't sound like is too far away.

-the 10th dredg "Leaflet" was posted on myspace/youtube..such an f-ing TEASE. 1 of the parts sounded like an Apes and Androids thing..with the "lie lie lie lie lie lie lie"..it sounded like. dredg plays the Varsity Theater on Monday November 17th, 2008.

-I want the Rays to win the World Series. Like Brandon Roy, it's just so like a Minnesota team to get rid of a star-in-the-making in Matt Garza. It was no secret, the guy was a stud. And no Mark Redman or even Mark Prior perhaps. Minnesota = the training ground for players to get traded away eventually and become stars for other teams. Maybe we need different coaching/managerial staff if Garza wouldn't listen to the current coaches here. David Ortiz?..there's no denying there's history and a pattern. It might be a miracle if Liriano remains with the club for the next 5 years. Too bad: a staff of Santana, Liriano, and Garza could have been a potentially historic group. But coulda, shoulda, woulda..as a fan of sports in Minnesota, I should know better. 2-good-2-be-true.

blech..okay..so that's my music/media wire..maybe something like that could be a regular thing here..pics perhaps added over time..

Expectations for veteran artists: MUSIC

I posted this on a journal on another site back in August..and it's been bugging me to expand upon it for quite awhile now.

I'm not sure if I should be sad...or moved. I put on TREOS's BETWEEN THE HEART AND THE SYNAPSE today and it occurred to me how I should really write-up some kind of extensive appreciation for that album. How it may have been lightning-in-a-bottle..their peak and a debut as well.

So then it donned on me how a lot of my favorite albums, bands, even tv shows and directors have a *Peak* or a short window of their top stuff and the rest of their careers they fail to recapture that level. In some rare cases they do or top it..or even come close, but in a good majority they never do. It may not just be 1, but 2 or 3 works. Rush maybe being a big exception.

But many of them had short stints..short catalogs of work.

and to MY TASTE of course.

So it occurred to me what makes a lot of sense is always consider if not assume this to be the case with ANYTHING..any kind of art or entertainment. And then the whole depression that happens about a band splitting up, or a tv show ending/getting canceled that was great is more acceptable, almost better in a way. Even when a celeb dies..they gave us their best..their peak..enjoy the peak.

more to add about this..

MUSIC:

So, okay, that is the deal I guess. Mindset, etc. When I discover a band from now on, get into their back catalog too, the biggest thing to try and remember is to not expect them to move me with their future work as they did with the work that I fell in love with initially. Could this be due to it being *new* to me? Perhaps. Could it also have to do with the common situation of a band/artist trying (or needing) to prove themselves? Maybe as well. Or is it partly due to wanting nostalgia?

I just notice over the last few years especially, my most addictive new albums are from bands that I am new to.

Some examples:

2008: Apes and Androids. Totally out-of-nowhere. Their style is like nothing I really had heard before. So in a way it's like discovering liking a new food.
2006-07: Pure Reason Revolution, Mew, Oceansize, Kaddisfly, The Dear Hunter, Fair to Midland, Kiss Kiss, House of Fools, The Receiving End of Sirens, Between the Buried and Me. All of them were new to me. Styles, and the albums they put out seemed to be cases of them trying to make their mark.

On the flipside, it seems there a lot of cases of bands who put out new records the last couple of years that were disappointing and don't seem to have what I loved about some of their previous work.

2008: Mt.Helium (The Apex Theory), Klimt 1918, and perhaps now Janus whose album leaked last week and I had been anticipating for a couple of years.
2007: Coheed and Cambria, Porcupine Tree, Pain of Salvation, Marillion, Dream Theater, and even Rush.

Then there are the bands whose follow-ups of late are good, but not quite the classic hoped for, or of the past.

2008: Ours, King's X, Woven, Demians..some others..Marillion, Margot and the Nuclear So and So's?
2007: Blackfield, Oceansize, Three

So the latest that I'm unclear where it'll go is the new Margot releases. HYPE HYPE HYPE..really since the middle, or late last year. And now having heard both albums, I'm still a little worried it won't be as big a deal as I hoped/thought. I've heard it enough times to know I like a lot of it; and it's a step up from RETREAT overall. But as just a comparison: the new Burst album I love right now and it's jumped all the way up to #3 on my list..but it was right from the 1st time hearing it, impressive. I was wondering if finally with all of the work on both NOT ANIMAL and ANIMAL!, a band could put some pressure on BLOOD MOON, but I'm becoming skeptical now. It really reminds me more of the situation with the new Marillion album. A LOT of material there, and none of it really bad, but as a moving, coherent, cohesive, body of work on 1 release, both of them don't seem to have the desire for repeated play and repeated discovery.

SET SAIL THE PRAIRIE demanded that (repeated play, and repeated discovery) because it had so many styles and flowed so well from beginning to end. And BLOOD MOON does too. It's also just 1 of those things, an album that you put on and your energy instantly is raised. It brings a smile to your face. It goes beyond hearing sounds through headphones. When something moves you, or is effective therapy enough where when you need a boost or something to help you forget something bad, you turn to it and it bails you out. That, to me, is what separates a classic or just addictive album, from just a really good collection of songs. And as much as I'm someone who finds still has boundaries with the avant-garde, Rock Operas, or just some highly conceptual work; for some reason most of my favorite albums of all-time seem to be the ones that have a great cohesiveness to them. Their story, mystery, etc is what drives me to enjoy them over and over. Maybe it's my love for imagination, I'm not sure.

So that all being said, what I thought I also could do is sort of give a list of upcoming veteran bands who have albums expected in the near future and how I'm going to try to keep the *peak* theory in mind.

2009 Anticipation List

Kevin Gilbert: In this situation, it's pretty much gravy due to the fact the stuff that's going to come out soon is material he made many years ago. But instead of expecting another SHAMING or even THUD, I want to hope these will be good enough to demand some repeated play. At least to the amount of THUD which I probably only play maybe a couple of times a year.

Mew: In their case, I still don't think they've made a classic record yet. But given some other bands like Klimt 1918 for example, I want to avoid hoping they'll top FRENGERS or KITES even. If they do, cool, but if not, at least those 2 records will seem all the more better.

The Dear Hunter: This one is a bit tough since both ACTS are great and seemingly Casey Crescenzo can do no wrong right now. But given that in 2007 this groups sort of came out of nowhere and them/Casey have fastly become my favorite current songwriter today, I am gonna have to really work to avoid expecting another 4.5 star record here. He's just so good and has an awesome knack for songwriting and telling a story, this one may be one of if not the most difficult ones to avoid being disappointed if I don't love it. But then again, Rush, The Beatles, etc..they did it for many records in a row. However, if another Apes and Androids comes along next year, it still may hurt the amount of time it gets. Hopefully not.

Imogen Heap Her last record has a lot of goosebump-worthy songs on it and no songs I ever skip. Something magical about "Speak For Yourself." She's great, but I guess I don't want to expect her to have that same impact again on me; because if I do, I will be sad and perhaps even not regard her as my favorite female artist today, which she is. So I suppose expecting the new album to have a handful of songs that good might be best..if there's more, well then it's just cherries on the sundae.

dredg: Considering the level of expectations for CWA I guess after EL CIELO put them on the map, their new album I want to just consider mild expectations with. Look at Coheed last year. I still really love those middle 2 albums, but they were coming off my favorite record of theirs. The next dredg album I don't want to expect EL CIELO part 2, but I somehow question how much like CATCH WITHOUT ARMS it'll be. Actually, in a way, CWA was more addictive due to the energy and pop-like element to it. I suppose this next album's fate will be partly due to how good the energy is. If the quality is of CWA's I don't think it'll fall into the disappointment category. But, the fact is, this is the 1st album by them I do expect something since back in 2005 I had not heard much dredg at all.

Mute Math: Based on the samples on the videos, this new album from them sounds like it could be really good. And to add to that, I don't consider their debut LP to be that amazing over time. They became a superior band live. So if we get much of the same, well their status as a studio band goes nowhere. I like their chances of not disappointing me.

OSI: FREE was a good example of this problem. The S/T debut was a very good record, and FREE just lacked so much of what I loved about the debut. I suppose I could see this a bit like Mars Volta; the bar has been lowered to the point where it's very likely the only place they go is up. Besides, Jim Matheos hasn't done much since FREE as from what I've read. Hopefully he's come up with some new guitar riffs and tones, as well as Kevin Moore. Maybe having Gavin Harrison won't hurt either, but also expectations won't be too high since this is the 1st time he'll have worked with either of them I guess.

The Appleseed Cast: I liked PEREGRINE a lot, but not to the point of addiction. So I guess I'm not likely to expect anything better than that. I read something about their being a very small percentage of vocals on their upcoming record titled "Sagarmantha."

Kaddisfly: Similar to The Dear Hunter. Their last work was just so damn good, and addictive, I may struggle with not wanting another 5-star work. I have felt for a long time now, there's no way they'll be able to shock me like they did again; but at least I can't get past wanting a lot of the inspiration that PRAIRIE gave me. This one will be hard, but maybe the best thing is just to believe their peak was so high it won't matter.

Pure Reason Revolution:Actually I have some optimism here just based on the samples and new work, and how much less demand THE DARK THIRD has had over time. Topping TDT I'm not wanting to expect, but at least going back to their new record as much I don't think is outlandish. The trip-hop and electro style I've only grown to like MORE, so there new album may be pretty safe not to worry.

Pain of Salvation: SCARSICK lowered their bar. If they make another album like that though, they probably will be into Dream Theater's expectation area then. The issues could be the new bass player and drummer, and what Daniel Gildenlow really hopes to accomplish with their next work. I guess unless they go off the deep-end entirely into avant-garde styles, I don't really foresee why their next album may disappoint me. At the same time, I don't expect another record of the level of REMEDY LANE or THE PERFECT ELEMENT PART 1. Or even their 1st 2 records. I'd love a solid 4-star record honestly. If they go higher, well maybe it'll be considered a comeback.

Karnivool: THEMATA became an addictive album the last 12 months for me. Although, a bit like Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, it's not a perfect record or anything. But an impressive debut for sure. I suppose like Margot, if there's a lot of hype, the danger of high expectations might happen. But outside of Australia, this band is not well-known enough for that amount of hype. At least from what I've seen. So I guess at this point, an album that is at least of THEMATA's quality is all I will regard as an expectation. If it does not go that high, I suppose my feeling on them may be more of like Apex Theory or Brazil. One nice record, but that may be it. Hopefully not as they seem to standout among all those other alt-prog bands from down under. Dead Letter Circus might be the only one that could be in their league at some point.

tbc...

Film: Transsiberian and Burn After Reading. Music:Small Update

Transsiberian imdb link

Forget how much I saw on this prior to reading the summary and seeing it. But the premise sounded like my kind of Indie flick anyway. A couple choose to trek across much of the Russian territories via train instead of flying home to presumably their native USA. They meet another couple through their bunk who seem inviting enough to keep them company along the way; except quite early-on in that time amongst that couple their seems to be way too much more than meets the eye.

Emily Mortimer is very convincing as a woman in more than enough unstable situations involving death, deceit, and a few types of investigations on foreign soil. Ben Kingsley eventually shows up as a Russian detective whose ultimate motivations are not known until the climax of the film.

Woody Harrelson provides reasonable, but not spectacular comic-relief and naivete throughout. And Eduardo Noriega who plays Carlos is both creepy and charming. I guess the things that stand out about this film most are:

a) how dark the plot and story is.

b) Partial spoiler: but why the Jessie character was so paranoid, and time after time with the detectives, to not explain what exactly happened with Carlos. Self-defense among other things you'd think a normal person would consider, especially after all the questions. The guilt and lying seemed like it was eating her up. I suppose the writers did that intentionally; and perhaps the uncertainity of what could happen to her by explaining that in of all countries, Russia, was a big risk itself. But when they are torturing someone, you have no shoes and socks on and gun to your head..um, most people would break under that pressure I imagine.

c) Carlos and Roy ..when Roy disappeared, my 1st suspicion when Carlos picked up the crowbar or whatever it was, was, he was going-to and then did take out Roy then and there. Why he tried to act like he did not care at all when Roy disappeared.

d) the Carlos character, while he was clever in ways, he definitely came across as having alterior motives for many things he did. I suppose that is part of his character, but if the writer/directors of this picture wanted him to be more devious and masked, I guess he didn't really pull that off. Just his relationship with his girlfriend seemed half-assed to a point. But if that was the intention, it worked well since he seemed pretty untrustworthy throughout. But Jessie of course seemed to trust him more than I expected. Also what led to his demise, really, was one of those unrealistic events, that liberties I suppose a film fan can let slide. The effect still worked really well though.

Concluding that this was definitely in the vein of my top film of '08 "Snow Angels" and maybe moreso, the other Woody Harrelson film I saw this year in "Sleepwalking." Dark, character study; and one that has the characters changing/growing and enduring a lot to get past a current predicament. Also it does explore a bit of a theme I thought was interesting in Drug Mules. It reminded me of how they used that work as a plot element in the film "Maria Full of Grace." Dark, dangerous, business, that those who get involved don't always know how risky it is.

7.5/10



Burn After Reading
imdb link

I've never been a HUGE Coen Brothers fan, but I still have enjoyed stuff like "The Big Lebowski" and "Fargo," for example. I guess my impressions of this based on the trailers were it looked a bit contrived and OVERCAST especially. You'd find yourself looking at the ACTORS and many of them left and right in a matter of seconds; instead of the characters they are playing. I suppose this movie didn't entirely avoid that, but it had enough mystery and love trapezoids (not a triangle..not a square even) to allow it to pull me in. The plot(s) were silly, but I didn't find myself taking each situation too seriously to care enough for it to hurt the overall impact.

George Clooney, John Malkovich, and Richard Jenkins I guess are worth watching in most work they do anyway. The loose ends were for the most part tied up save for Tilda Swinton and Clooney's wife. I also found it kind of ironic how Clooney and Swinton end up in so many scenes together, just after they were at huge odds in last year's Oscar nominated "Michael Clayton." Not intentional, but ironic, and ironic how the film up against that one at the Oscars was also a Coen Brothers in "No Country For Old Men."

The best Coen Bros movie? no. Film of the Year? no. Oscar Worthy? I wouldn't think so. Entertaining? Yes, if you don't expect huge comedic or dramatic genius. Coen Brothers I have never found to be nearly as brilliant as they are made out to be, but they are relatively consistent, so I don't imagine even the stack full of casting and the goofy twist the plot takes kills this one for me. Really, it's about on par with many of the recent Apatow films. Decent, but not brilliant.

6.5/10

Upcoming: Choke..more tba as I've caught some previews and reviews of late that I cannot recall at the moment (9/25/08).

Also coming soon/long overdue: a whole boatload of album and some concert reviews. Between the Buried and Me live may or may not happen next week for myself. I am absent from seeing Sigur Ros and Opeth this week, being out of town. 3, Minus the Bear, Brian Wilson, dredg, and Amanda Palmer are all on my concert calendar. Perhaps even seeing Terry Bozzio in St.Paul on 10/19.

in the meantime:
2008 Top Albums

2008 Anticipated

2009 Anticipated

some copying/pasting and more drivel probably could be absorbed here in the near future.

My most played record of the last week:
Burst - Lazarus Bird

Also addicted to:
Jared Micah & Hats - TCMOH

New to:
Friendly Fires
The Alps and The Alps (seriously, 2 different bands..different styles, both good)
Adebisi Shank
Exotic Animal Petting Zoo

Also some tv commentary shouldn't be too far off. FRINGE is the best new show I've seen thus far.

Fall TV Season 2008-09: Friday/Weekend/Cable

7PM

NBC has this show called "Crusoe" which really doesn't look like anything special, but the previews didn't look horrible at the same time. Sam Neil in like his 50th NBC show/miniseries. Based on the character from the Robinson Crusoe book of course.

8PM

The Ex-List: tv.com link



Premieres: October 3rd (CBS)

Creator Diane Ruggiero and 20th Century Fox Television brings The Ex List to CBS. When a woman visits a psychic and discovers that she's already dated the man she is destined to marry, she sets out to find out who it is by looking up past loves.

This looks good, and hopefully a somewhat suitable replacement for a show I really enjoyed last season in "Moonlight." Elizabeth Reaser I have liked from seeing her in Grey's Anatomy and the independent film "Sweetland" among other things. The premise sounds like it may have some legs as well. And as far as network tv, really this is the only thing I'm planning to watch/dvr for now regularly on Fridays.


9PM

Life: tv.com link

I never watched it last year. Some episodes were on my DVR. Donal Logue, who I liked in a few things I saw the past years, notably the film "The Dao of Steve" and "Knights of Prosperity," is joining the cast. I guess I may have to ask a friend of mine what he thinks before tuning in, but I wouldn't eliminate ever watching this.

Scifi Channel has a new show called "Sanctuary" which looks dark, but potentially interesting. It may depend. In looking up a bit of info about it the other day however, it seems like it's cast and writers come mostly out of the Stargate-franchise which for most part fails in my interest. Amanda Tapping: She joins the ATLANTIS show once SG-1 is over, and now she's in this?..mmkay. But, I again don't mean to entirely judge a book by it's cover, so I may check it out before writing it off.

Sunday:

8PM

Valentine: tv.com link



Premieres: October 5th (CW)

Greek deities Aphrodite and her son Eros have settled here on Earth and are in the matchmaking business in this romantic dramedy from The CW.

Valentine is produced by Media Rights Capital. 13 episodes have been ordered for the first season.

This sounds potentially good. And while the names in this case don't totally ring any bells, they look familiar for some reason. "Aliens In America" sadly is gone, but this could be the potential sleeper show like that one, they come up with this season (it seems they come up with 1 or 2, but still cancel them like AiA among others).

Also of course many show's info hasn't come out yet, but will be on the air this season. Battlestar Galactica has 10 episodes left and a movie I guess now. Reaper will be back and it may replace 90210 or Privileged (probably this) sooner than later depending on ratings, lol. Rob Thomas from VERONICA MARS has 1 or perhaps 2 shows coming out. One being the reprise/return of "Cupid."

And, of course the cable shows which are winding down their Summer seasons. Psych, Monk, Burn Notice, and Kyle XY. Dr.Who, Torchwood, and the Sarah Jane Adventures I haven't seen much on. There is to be a Christmas Invasion episode at least with the Cybermen returning, and a movie I guess with Tennant, there's talks about.

Also HBO's "True Blood" I'm in the process of seeking out. But I don't get HBO so that really has no set schedule for myself. But vampires and Anna Paquin plus some reviews have caused me want to check it out.

Fall TV Season 2008-09: Thursdays

7PM

Smallville: tv.com link



Premiere: September 18th (CW)

The one veteran show the CW has maintained and kept my attention in recent years (Gilmore, Veronica are gone now), and actually gets decent ratings by their standards, lol. Although, the show is near shark-jumping terriroty if it wasn't already. It should end soon, and I have read this is to be the last season (hopefully they won't pull a 7th Heaven on us). But, even that being the case, much of the cast keeps dropping off the credits; which actually that's happened each of the last couple of seasons. Really since Pete left if I recall. Yeah, they've added some new cast since, most notably Erica Durance as Lois, but that was inevitable for the Superman Universe. But apparently Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum are off the opening credits, along with the girl who played Kara last season. What we're left with I guess would be: Clark, Chloe, Lois, and perhaps Jimmy. And some new faces I recall reading.

I just hope we get some resolution with Lex finally becoming the evil foe we know him to be, and of course Clark has got to fly, lol. They could and should bring back Oliver Queen and the Justice League, which I heard they are, but the previews didn't include all the guys we knew from it (just Queen and Aquaman a friend told me). And the other kind of unresolved plot I have remembered is with the Martian who has popped up couple of times the last 2 seasons.

Yeah there are some continuity errors, and it is partially for Superman-fans and those into eye-candy. But given what else there is to watch, there's a lot of other things I'd get bored by.


Ugly Betty: tv.com link



Premieres: September 25th (ABC)

I'm not gonna say a lot here because frankly, I haven't watched this show in over a year. But I suppose I would not discount the idea of getting back into it due to the fact Thursdays have now become very light with TV (as opposed to a few years ago when it was the busiest night of the week). Like Battlestar Galactica, it might be worth a 2nd assessment/investment as I always enjoyed it, but not immensely or anything. I like America Ferrara and Rebecca Romijn should add reason themselves (even tho her plot has always seemed absurd..maybe more than the Patrick character on Men In Trees having a black biological father).

7-7:30

My Name Is Earl: tv.com link



Premieres: September 25th (NBC)

Somewhat like Betty and even Smallville. This show has very a very low amount of interest for me now. Frankly, it has jumped the shark as well. The writing isn't what it once was. Crabman: they don't even use or his lines aren't as funny as they had been. I have resounded to the fact I don't plan to watch this regularly. Maybe with a good guest, which at times they have had. But it was one of the best sitcoms on TV, just a couple of years ago sadly.


8PM

Grey's Anatomy

I stopped watching this show as well, even if Katherine Heigl is hard to ignore. Writing, and Hospital/Medical Dramas as a whole get too serious, too disgusting, and have very little appeal to me normally. This one did for a while with some of it's subtle humor and cast, but even that overall is gone. Heigl frankly is probably the only reason I'd want to watch it, and she even said publically how she thought the writing sucked last season.

9PM

Life On Mars: tv.com link



Premieres: October 9th (ABC)

ABC Studios, 20th Century Fox Television, and Kudos Productions are co-producing the remake of BBC drama Life on Mars . Sam Tyler (Jason O'Mara) is a detective from the 21st century who travels back in time to the 1970s after a car accident. Tyler clashes with new boss Gene Hunt who doesn't take his coming from the future seriously. Tyler ends up working on a case involving a serial killer...


Ok, I had the British show on my DVR and only was able to watch a couple of episodes of both seasons for various reasons. They disappeared sadly. But I liked it. It had the dude who played the Master in the new Dr.Who among others. Very 70's, very British, and very much an action/mysterious cop show involving the leads future life, etc.

So this comes out and it does look very similar. The new tradition it seems of Hollywood adopting a popular show from England.
It has Rachel LeFevre who seemingly has shown up on more than half the tv shows I watched the last few years as a guest (What About Brian, Boston Legal, Two and a Half Men..some others I'm not remembering now).

edit: apparently she's not on the show anymore. Gretchen Mol got recast I guess just from looking at the credits. Ok, fair is fair, but I was looking forward to seeing her. Gretchen Mol I like too, but that kind of sucks. On the other hand, Harvey Keitel and Lisa Bonet are also going to be on this. Cool. I recall Colm Meaney aka Chief O'Brien from the Star Trek franchises among others (Men In Trees most recently) was also going to be on this but alas, nothing is listed as far as I can tell.

David E Kelley is involved, for some controversial reasons involving blackmail with ABC 86'ing Boston Legal if he didn't I remember reading. No matter, I like his work too. Why I am optimistic this could be one of the best new shows this fall, and at this point it's not gonna have a lot of competition. "The Eleventh Hour" on CBS doesn't have much interest from me at 9PM or actually the entire evening. No, this very easily could be along with Smallville the only show I'm gonna watch/dvr on Thursday which in a way is a relief. Although, Lost's timeslot may determine what happens to this come Winter, but hopefully it won't impact it's fate entirely.

Fall TV Season 2008-09: Wednesdays

7PM



Pushing Daisies: tv.com link

Premieres: October 1st (ABC).

Bryan Fuller seems to have struck gold over and over with TV. Work on Deep Space 9, Dead Like Me, Wonderfalls, Heroes, and now this show. Very Tim Burton-like, but also certainly has elements of 2 of those babies in DLM and Wonderfalls. The odd, inventive elements of nature, god, and science that we don't exactly know as well as we thought. Lee Pace stars, and I always liked him on Wonderfalls. The premise itself with Ned's ability to revive the dead for 1 minute, seems a bit short, but I guess that's part of it's appeal. And of course the whole having to touch them again within that minute or someone else dies is funny. Question being, is that always how the show will work? For now, yes, but maybe not as the show explores more ideas and plots. Everything with his non-touching love and lust for Chuck his childhood unfulfilled love interest. The Emerson character is probably as funny as anything on the show. I also really like hearing the narration from Jim Dale whom I will admit, really enjoyed his voice work in the Harry Potter audio-books.

Strike-impacted of course as it didn't return and only being it's 1st season last season like some others. We may be in for a treat as to what transpires for Ned, Chuck, Emerson, and talented Kristin Chenowith's character Olive. It should be interesting and also I'm still hoping to spot more DLM and Wonderfalls alumni at some point.

7:30PM




Gary Unmarried: tv.com link

Premieres: September 24th (CBS).


A newly divorced father of two balances life with his new girlfriend and his ex-wife to whom he was married for fifteen years. Jay Mohr ( Saturday Night Live )stars in this CBS multi-camera comedy. 13 episodes have been ordered for season 1. The show is being produced by ABC Studios and CBS Paramount Network Television .

Not that I'm a huge Jay Mohr fan, but he's not been horrible in some of the movies and guest-appearances I recall seeing him in. But I guess the biggest thing about this one is the previews looked pretty good. Not a totally unfamiliar plotline for a sitcom, but CBS has been batting a decent percentage with sitcoms this decade especially. I'm gonna give this a go. I like Paula Marshall too who I last recall seeing somehow replacing Jeri Ryan in-a-way on "Shark" the end of last season.

8:30



Do Not Disturb: tv.com link

Premieres: September 10th (Fox).

A glamorous New York hotel has a not-so-glamorous staff in this multi-camera comedy project from FOX.

I am guilty right now having not seen any trailers or anything for this (I'm sure they're online, I just need to find them). However, a sitcom set at a hotel with en eclectic cast of characters sounds like it could have something. Jerry O'Connell stars, and while not everything he has done I love, he has done some work I really enjoy. Sliders for example. He definitely has been and can be one of those actors I just like watching (and no, it's not due to his looks, no thank you. He is an attractive guy, but I don't swing that way ya know :P). He even was on an episode of "Samantha Who?" last season which he wasn't bad in. The rest of the cast, while I am not remembering their names, they look familiar anyway. Perhaps some of this could have a similar spontaneity and interesting adventure-style comedy that I enjoyed about a newer film with Wonderfalls's Caroline Dhavernas and Craig Ferguson called "Niagra Motel" (probably one that deserves a review itself). A story about a bunch of characters connected in some ways at a motel. Guess we'll see. But with Gary Unmarried and this on Wednesdays, there could be 2 of the best new sitcoms on 1 night. An odd combo if Lost returns as well to Wednesdays in the Winter.

9PM

Lost: (ABC):

edit: considering this is a mid-season start and

a) nothing I've found indicates if it'll be airing here again or Thursday like it did at the end of last season. And perhaps 8PM instead of 9PM.

b) It probably warrants it's own individual blog in fact. BSG and some others in fact may too.

the Lost review/preview/conflicts will have to hold-off for now.

Jeremiah (TV Show)

tv.com link

So after approximately 6 weeks of airing 4 episodes every Thursday, The Scifi Channel finished airing every episode of this show this past week. Albeit edited given the fact it originally aired on Showtime with nudity and profanity among some other non-censored elements.

My history with this show. I was/am a J Michael Straczynski fan of course with Babylon 5, one of the best Scifi or any kind of dramas on television over the last 2 decades. After that, he went on to start, but then get screwed over by TNT with the Gary Cole B5 spin-off show "Crusade." Which did air 13 episodes in the summer of 1999. I liked "Crusade" and have always felt it was a shame it was not picked-up by SCIFI or another network; but actually that Summer of 1999 I knew off the bat it was done sadly. So in a way it was like watching a Mini-series.

Fast-Fwd. Towards the end of Star Trek Voyager's run, the next ST franchise was talked about. And what ended up being the largely disappointing Rick Berman created "Enterprise," could have, and frankly SHOULD HAVE been JMS's next project. Maybe the failure of "Crusade" impacted that, but more likely, Paramount was still in bed with Berman, and JMS's pitch, much like it was turned down nearly a decade earlier, wasn't given much chance as I have read. Of course the whole Babylon 5/Deep Space 9 story many know about. The paralells, etc. I will just say that was certainly 1 case of when I'm glad they didn't give JMS the greenlight, since as a result, instead of having 1 classic Scifi show, we got 2. And DS9 also I will always trace back to my 1st real love of Scifi and Star Trek.

So, what I presume went down, JMS had this show "Jeremiah" which is somewhat loosely based on a comic-book series by a Belgian writer named Herman Huppen. A deadly plague known as "The Big Death" has wiped most adult humans, and the kids have had to grow up in the post-apocalyptic world. 90210's Luke Perry and The Cosby Show's Malcolm Jamal-Warner star.

I rented the 1st disc from Netflix a few years ago, but never got around to renting the rest of the 1st season, nor the 2nd season of course. The premise sounded interesting. Reasonable cast. And maybe best, it was from JMS.

Now finally having finished watching both seasons, I will say it was certainly one of the better Scifi shows to come out this decade. I really liked the adventures and uncertainities they explored about how the world was, rebuilding it, and starting-over. The 2nd season wasn't as good as the 1st, but they did add Sean Astin, which interestingly was maybe at his peak of stardom just following the huge exposure he got with the LOTR movies. His character towards the end of the show references humans re-setting of some kind. It's 16 years since the "Big Death" and now that the kids from then are old enough, they are going in a similar struggle as a race.

They also added another character the 2nd season in Libby, who has a connection to Jeremiah working with his dad at "Valhalla Sector." Not to spoil it entirely, but her character of course has more than one side, and she ends up connecting with Jeremiah when they meet through her dad at the beginning of Season 2. What transpires later with her and her work and life with Jeremiah isn't fully explained unfortunately. Bad enough her character does not stay throughout the whole season, but I really wished they'd told more about her background with coming to Valhalla Sector and everything else that led her to do what she did.

Overall, this show definitely stands out among stories I have read/seen about post-apocalyptic worlds. That idea, when done well, is an appealing story idea in Scifi and all fiction really. Although "Children of Men" sadly could have been done well in a similar way, but unfortunately I didn't feel it succeeded. The dark tone, and in-your-face war and violence kind of killed that movie among some other reasons. However, getting to experience this show and it's story, I have renewed faith that it can be created in a beneficial and entertaining way in Hollywood.

Put it up along side the likes of great short-lived shows like Dead Like Me, Wonderfalls, Freaks and Geeks, Brimstone, etc.

The biggest thing now I think is, it still leaves me wondering if/when JMS will get a chance to do another show like this. Just scanning his credits on imdb, it looks like he's doing a bunch of work in films now, which makes me curious. Judd Apatow's path became that in fact, maybe he noticed and is following suit. I still could go for him directing an episode of Lost, perhaps Battlestar Galactica (the show that reminds me most of B5 since B5 ended), and course someday still Star Trek. Hopefully Jeremiah can be another piece to add to why he should have those opportunities if he so desires them at some point.

Fall TV Season 2008-09: Tuesday...

These are a couple of links I like:

tviv: Somewhat updated Grid
wiki's helpful grid

7PM

90210 (The Next Generation..hehe): tv.com link



Premieres: September 2nd (CW)

I'm only vaguely curious about this maybe mostly due to the fact my recent discovery of "Jeremiah" and Luke Perry in that show. Very likely I'm gonna watch it once and maybe again only for certain guest appearances. Rob Thomas may not be involved much beyond the pilot. Kinda scary to think this is occupying Gilmore Girls longtime timeslot.

8PM

Fringe: tv.com link



Premieres: September 9th (Fox)

FBI agents Olivia Dunham and Peter Bishop are faced with a rapidly spreading unexplained phenomenon of the threatening kind. In an attempt to stop the spread, they enlist the assistance of Bishop's estranged father, the institutionalized scientist Dr. Walter Bishop. Dawson's Creek 's Joshua Jackson will play the lead role of Peter Bishop, a smart guy with many gambling debts. The Secret...

The premise of this show sounds a bit like a very short-lived show from the 90's I used to catch reruns on Sunday Nights on the Scifi channel called "The Burning Zone." A secret government task force fight some dangerous diseases to save mankind. Josh Jackson I have liked beyond his Dawson's Creek work. And it is JJ Abrams for what that's worth. He actually has a bit of a similar history with tv as Whedon. Cult-fans, some great stuff that critics loved, and a few gambles that didn't pay off (see Six Degrees, The Nine..sadly even What About Brian). Between this and the Trek film, Hollywood has not denied him any creative chances. I'm cautiously optimistic. Depends on if it gets to be too detailed and serious. I don't need a 24 here.

Privileged: tv.com link



Premieres: September 9th (CW)

Originally called Surviving the Filthy Rich, this CW drama is an adaptation of the popular Zoey Dean novel How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls. In the series, Yale graduate Megan Smith recently moves to Manhattan with hopes of finding success in the field of journalism. However, when her plans go wrong, she accepts a job as the live-in tutor helping two wealthy high school students in Palm Springs get accepted at a top university. Privileged, from Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Network Television., has reveived a 13 episode contract from The CW Television Network. The executive producers are Gilmore Girls' Rina Mimoun and Gossip Girl's Bob Levy and Leslie Morgenstein. 30 Rock's Michael Engler directed the pilot.

I'm not huge into Teen Dramas. Dra-medy's however can work (Gilmore Girls, Men In Trees). I like Joanna Garcia (Freaks and Geeks, Welcome to the Captain), and the girl from the failed Bionic Woman show last year might add a bit. But let's just say, this only will get me to watch if there's nothing else, or it surprises me a lot. But, judging books by their covers I try to avoid. I wonder if Reaper will eventually return at this timeslot in the Winter. Very likely not.

The Mentalist: tv.com link



Premieres: September 23rd (CBS)

The Mentalist tells the tale of Patrick Jane who is employed as an independent detective working with the California Bureau of Investigation to solve crimes. He has refined his observations skills to a near perfect level and lends these skills to the CBI to help them solve cases. The team that he works with consists of the senior agent, Teresa Gibson, agents Kimball Cho & Wayne Rigsby and the rookie, Grace Van Pelt.

It has reminded some people of "Psych," a show I love and my favorite current program on all of television. But actually it sounds more like "Monk." It's just this guy doesn't have a partner or assistant. And likely not the same kind of humor nor much mystery on his ability to solve cases. Simon Baker's name is familiar, but his work isn't to me. "Devils Wears Prada" and a short-lived (rarely-if-ever-aired show) "Smith" are his only work I have heard about. Not a lot of optimism, but the other stuff it's up against I'm not either so it has as good a shot as any of finding my viewing or never crossing my consumer-palette.

8:30PM

The Goode Family: tv.com link



Premieres: Midseason (ABC)

"It's so difficult being good."

Mike Judge, creator of Beavis & Butt-Head and King of the Hill, brings us this new animated series about an obsessively "green" family whose politically correct liferesults in constant laughs.

ABC has so far ordered 13 episodes of this series. The show is scheduled to air midseason.

The show is being produced by 3 Arts Entertainment and Media Rights Capital.

I love Beavis and Butthead, and "Office Space" is very *Classic*. But "King of the Hill" I never got into. Mike Judge sadly may need the comforts of a lesser-censored format (Cable and movies) to excel the most. But, the premise to this sounds like it could have some potential. I do think he writes well when he's set in modern-day (as opposed to King of the Hill). Given it's a mid-season replacement show, and on ABC, this may not be on the air long enough to find it's audience. But by January the other stuff on at it's time may not be worth the time of day, so it could get some ratings by default.

9PM

Eli Stone: tv.com link



Premieres: October 14th (ABC).

Good show! Johnny Lee Miller I'll probably never forget for his work in the Angelina Jolie mid-90's film "Hackers." His role here isn't exactly like that one, but he still is quite good here as a protagonist lawyer; with visions of the future from a brain Aneurysm that seems to dictate much of his life's path whether he likes it or not. This show had good writing, a good albeit familiar cast (Victor Garber from Alias, Natasha Henstridge, Julia Gonzalo from Veronica Mars, Tom Cavanagh from Ed and Love Monkey). But it kind of came out of nowhere last year and lived up to the ads ABC force-fed the public during Lost, even with the George Michael obsession. The fact his condition got exposed to everyone may be the hardest thing to get past. Many good shows at 1st have a character with a secret, and once the secret comes out, the show needs something more. However in this case, it's a legal drama that with Boston Legal going away, it may benefit from filling those shoes regardless. It's even taken over BL's familiar 9pm timeslot on Tuesdays. We'll see how well it does and if some of the BL audience comes on over by the Winter when presumably it'll be the only law drama ABC will have on the air.

Fall TV Season 2008: Mondays

Mondays:
This is a cluster-fuck, like it was last year of course. And to complicate things more this season, the Terminator show is now on regularly and it's replacement in the Winter is to be the new Joss Whedon "Dollhouse" show which I'm at least curious about as well. I may either do some watching online (on the network's sites perhaps) or actually be forced to use my vcr in the case of 3 shows on at the same time. If a 4th comes up, like perhaps when KYLE XY comes back, well then the web or hopefully in that case, the common Encore at 10PM happens.

7PM:
Chuck: tv.com link



Premiere: September 29th. (NBC)

Good freshman show last year. Comedic spy dramedy. It never really got dull, and was a great lead-in to HEROES at 8. The only challenge may be to reproduce the charm and mystery it had. Perhaps it will help with the fact it only aired for 1/2 a season i.e. some of the good story ideas were casualties of the Strike. I wonder how long the writers will be able to keep Chuck's secret from his sister (and best friend). The hot blond, Sarah Lancaster and Adam Baldwin were all good along with Zack Levi of course. Tony Todd was a bit underused. A friend of mine thinks a good idea would be to bring in Rick Gomez who I last saw on "What About Brian" since his brother Josh plays the best friend of Chuck. Also it could be a bit of reunion since Sarah Lancaster also was a star on "What About Brian."

edit: apparently John Laroquette is joining the cast replacing Tony Todd. He was decent but not amazing on Boston Legal last season. I guess it'll depend on what kind of character he plays here. If he's the uptight CIA boss ready to meltdown, it could be good for some laughs.


7-7:30PM

Big Bang Theory: tv.com link


Premiere: September 22nd (CBS)

This was perhaps the best new show of the season. Well-written sitcom about 2 science geeks and their 2 other friends, who are living across the hall from a cute blond girl who is a kind of genius in her own way socially by being able to interact with them. The writers of "Two and a Half Men" may have struck even more shiny gold with this one. While it replaced a show I really grew to like in "The Class" I'd say it was more than worthy of the 7pm time-slot. The nerd/scifi humor, when done well (and not taken too seriously), is some of the best comedic material in entertainment today (see Freaks and Geeks, Fanboys, and a lot of the stuff Judd Apatow has done).

No, this show is a big winner, the only hurdle it may face is trying to repeat it's brilliance again. The ole "sophomore slump" that may not be too much of an issue given the writers have gone through it before with Two-and-a-Half-Men already.

7:30-8PM

How I Met Your Mother: tv.com link


Premiere: September 22nd (CBS)

Probably the best veteran sitcom around. A few years ago, this was by far the best thing going on network tv in the sitcom game (Gilmore Girls being more of a Dramedy). Neil Patrick-Harris has finally received the Emmy/Globe recognition on after a few years of utter brilliance for his work on this show. Barney still steals every scene. The backwards storytelling formula, while it hasn't changed drastically, has a lot staying-power. Even if they haven't added a 3rd female character (maybe to avoid the Friends paralells). Not sure what romantic twists the writers will do this season, being the 4th already. Maybe addressing who the woman was at that party Ted claims to have met the kids future mother at. Sarah Chalke played the love interest last year, but given the fact Scrubs is back (and on a new network in ABC) she may be written out of the show pretty fast. No matter, this is still a can't miss show, with an occasional dull episode. But the best ones I find are great therapy on a Monday evening after a less-than-upbeat day at work.

The Sarah Connor Chronicles: tv.com link



Premiere: September 8th. (Fox)

A show that didn't seem to be that intriguing from the previews. But actually, amidst the Strike-period of last Winter, it was great at filling the void along with Lost then. The story got interesting with them hiding out in the future; perhaps trying to reshape the future. And the characters you grew to like. Sure, it wasn't exactly like the movies, but it had enough of the darker, epic saga built-in the tone and style that it won me and I think a lot more people over than expected. Lena Heady was pretty good along with Summer Glau as the John Connor protective Terminator. We don't still know about her programming or AI perhaps changing her agenda at some point. And of course along with the black FBI Agent's motivations. Even the possibility of him being a Terminator which I recall in the 1st or 2nd episode we sort of see a glance of his eye with one of those red lights. However, he would be so evolved that there's no way he would be able to mask it all those years. I'm doubting it, but it wouldn't shock me if eventually it turns out he is. And while I'm curious about the Christian Bale film coming next Spring, I can't say my interest is as high right now as this show. By next Spring I may know more.

Dollhouse: tv.com link



Premieres: January 2009 (Fox)

The Dollhouse is a very secret, and very illegal, place where wishes come true. Clients with the right connections and enough money can hire "Actives", people who have been programmed to perfectly fulfill the needs, and desires of their clients. The Actives are people who have chosen, for their own reasons, to surrender their bodies and minds for a five-year stay in the Dollhouse. Now they can...

The premise sounds interesting. It includes Eliza Dushku and of course is a project of Joss Whedon, which may doom it for longterm airings (Firefly, Tru Calling). But that doesn't mean this will not be worth checking out. It also stars Battlestar Galactica's Tahmoh Penikett and Harry J Lennix whose familiar from the 2 Matrix Sequels and the Anthony Hopkins/Gary Sinise film "Human Stain." Maybe the biggest issue will be if Terminator is as good as it was last year, will this be able to fill it's shoes (and bring in the same audience). The viewership isn't exactly the same (Terminator and Whedon) but pretty close it may be a good enough fit. Let's just hope it doesn't get 86'ed, just based on ratings. I know the Whedon contingency will be all over Fox if it does, lol (another Firefly?).

8-9PM

Heroes: tv.com link


Premieres: September 22nd (NBC)

The 2nd 1/2-season due to the Strike was honestly not as epic or creative as nearly all of the 1st season. Granted, there's your sophomore slump for you. Kristen Bell and some others didn't quite bring enough in, after the loss of likely a big part of the 1st season in writer Bryan Fuller. But, given Lost and BSG not on til '09, this perhaps is the best epic Scifi/Fantasy franchise on the air still. And given the abbreviated length of Season 2, like Chuck and some other shows, some of the best stories may have been shelved due to the Strike. "Heroes: Villains" is what they are advertising. Claire is evil now, Peter maybe has to choose sides. I guess given the way the trailers are done-up, I take them with a grain of salt. Peter and his situation with Adam Monroe is probably going to be early-on a big plotpoint. That and that whole group from the past with Mrs. Petrelli and Greg Grunberg's character's dad. That whole thing about a new character created by the viewers and "Heroes: Generations" hopefully will be addressed as well, although that still may come up during the break in the Winter. No matter, I am hoping some of the writing gets back to the quality of Season 1. I guess it may go in one of two directions. Either more of the Season 2 filler (the Mexican Brother and Sister's plot for example), or given the time off, the writers "Villains" plot gives the show a new intrigue. We'll know in a few weeks at least.

8-8:30PM

Two and A Half Men:: tv.com link



Premieres: September 22nd (CBS)

This show has been on for awhile, and especially compared to most other sitcoms on the air, it scores a lot lower in the dullness factor. Sort of a guilty-pleasure. Admittedly, the amount of guest-starring alluring women is enough reason to watch. But, how many more seasons are they going to be able to have Charlie get all the girls and Alan get pushed around? I do think they should bring back the Rose character as her abscence was felt last season. Maybe the writers felt they overused her, but the female characters that bug Charlie are some of the best humor the show has had. Additionally, Maya as well as Candy (Alan's gf and then wife) it may not hurt to bring back again. However, let's just hope it doesn't hang around too much longer ala garbage like Raymond and King Of Queens, which even though were far inferior shows, part of it had to do with the network milking them to death. This show may already be falling into that spot. Once the Jake character is in HS though, maybe it'll be enough for them to pull the plug, if not sooner. He was cute and funny as a little kid, but now he's just an annoying adolescent fat kid. The food and farting jokes have become pretty tiresome and old. Maybe the writers will finally realize that soon.


8:30-9PM

Worst Week: tv.com link



Premieres: September 22nd (CBS)

Worst Week , from the mind of Matt Tarses ( Scrubs ), is an American take on the British series The Worst Week of My Life . This CBS single camera offering centers on a young couple dealing with the groom's soon-to-be-in-laws during a family vacation. 13 episodes have been ordered for the first season. CBS ordered the show to series on 12 May 2008. The show is being produced by Hat Trick...

the premise and cast honestly don't do a ton for me, but I have found once in awhile with sitcoms that doesn't matter.

edit: Kurtwood Smith I do know as being the father on That 70's Show among other things, and Erinn Hayes looks familiar, but other than guest appearance or two, nothing in her credits rings any bells. I guess I figure this can't be much worse than the garbage they've trouted out in it's timeslot the last few years in the CHRISTINE show and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. However, the one new show CBS put there last Spring "Welcome to the Captain" was pretty good, but of course not given a chance in hell. Suppose given the HEROES/SAMANTHA WHO? logjam already, if this thing bores me it'll at least save a portion of the evening's marathon.


Samantha Who?: tv.com link



Premieres: October 6th.

This was a case of a sitcom ABC actually stuck-with for once (unlike the likes of Knights of Prosperity, Help Me Help You, In Case of an Emergency just the year before) and it payed off apparently as it received a couple of Emmy nominations. Perhaps being a freshman show and maybe of late Christina Applegate's unfortunate battle with Breast-cancer (let's hope it wasn't a sympathy nomination). But it had a lot of familiar faces in slightly different roles and worked, even though the premise seemed more tv-movie/mini-series-like. Tim Russ, Melissa McCarthy, and Barry Watson were among the reasons to watch. It kind of struck a happy medium of comedic absurdity, but was light-hearted enough not to seem ridiculous. While I don't think it was the best sitcom on the air, I definitely looked forward to it every week. What's going on with her memory? What will she remember next? (the flashbacks are good) Her mysterious relationship with her parents, and what happens with her ex-bf (and her condo that he occupies), even just her 2 friends relationship (or lack-their-of). No, there was enough plots and subplots going on here that I hope this show stays on the air for awhile. Let's just hope Applegate's health doesn't affect that regardless of what control ABC has over it.

9PM

Boston Legal: tv.com link



Premieres: September 22nd (ABC).

I love William Shatner and James Spader has found a 2nd career in television with this show. Unfortunately the constant turnover has hurt it consistency for viewers. And as I read last Spring, I guess this will be the last season of the show and not without the regular turnover of cast. The only people back apparently are Shatner, Spader, Candice Bergen (whose the 3rd highest in the veteran quotient of the show), and the Christian Clemenson who plays Jerry. Much of the circumstances has to do with the creator David E Kelly and his new show "Life on Mars" which from another Spring gossip account, was forced-into working for to save BL even for 1 more season. Of course despite a bunch of Emmy nominations again, for what that's worth (obviously not much to the networks). And as I also recall, it's only to air 13 episodes and perhaps be gone in the Spring. ABC will be shuffling their programming around again as they always seem to do. But hopefully the show will go out with a bang. Better to quit while your on-top (or doing well) I suppose instead of hanging around for season-after-season (Law and Order, ER, The Simpsons, even the X-Files). But it will be sad to see it go along with some other shows this season (Smallville, BSG). Eli Stone I suppose may fill a bit of legal dramedy void after Shark and now BL's departure.


My Own Worst Enemy: tv.com link

Premieres: October 13th (NBC).



Edward Albright is a super spy. Henry Spivey is living the normal American dream in the suburbs with his wife, two kids and dog. The two men have one thing in common - they share the same body because Edward took part in an experiment several years earlier to create a split personality. Henry has never met his alter-ego Edward, and one day he receives an email from Edward saying that people...

Well..compared to some of the new shows and of course so much of the other crap on network tv, this probably fares ok. Given the evening it's on (for now) and not being that impressed by previews, I'm probably not even luke warm on this. I did like "Journeyman" last year, but that could be a coincidence since I didn't really get into "Studio 60" the year before. Maybe this will be the show that works following Heroes finally. And the cast isn't half bad with Slater doing what it appears many other film stars are (James Woods, James Spader, even Jeff Goldblum) taking-on a starring role on tv. Saffron Burrows was eye-candy on Boston Legal (ironically now at the same time as her former show), Madchen Amick as well. And James Cromwell I guess is cast too. I just hope the dark-tone of the previews is not entirely what this show has to offer. But I may give it a chance if I have the time.

10PM

Kyle XY: tv.com link



Premieres: Monday January 12th, 2009 (ABC Family).

Given the amount of time this will be pushed back, it's probably not worth going too in-depth about this. But the fact this show got pushed back this summer for a new show on ABC Family "Middleman" might make it's return in the Winter all the more satisfying. With so much programming on Monday evenings, at least this typically having an Encore being cable, at 10PM, will help lessen the congestion. Also the fact in January many of the network shows are in reruns also should help it's cause. But as for the show itself, it'll be interesting to see where they take the plot with Kyle and Latnok. Amanda and what happens with Jessi and her mom (Ally Sheedy). It's funny though, it seems like ages ago I probably need some refreshing. Also not to be discounted, the more they do with the Josh and Andy characters, the better. Josh is funny (Jean-Luc..they need Patrick Stewart to guest star and make a Picard joke!) and Andy is funny and cute. Honeymoons don't need to last that long (once the boy finds the girl, it can get boring) but in this case, and Kyle healing her cancer, I think their being a couple may have more legs than your avg teenage romance.

Fall Tv Schedule/Opinions...coming soon

1 thing to do this weekend having now looked over the tviv.org grid again and schedule for premieres and conflict nights. I have a little better idea of what to anticipate. However, I may have jumped the gun a bit on how many new shows look good. Truth be, there maybe are 4 or 5 shows that sound or seem potentially good. Some others I may check out but don't expect much.

Probably is more the fact there's a lot of stuff coming in the Middle of the year..KYLE XY, LOST, BSG..REAPER..the new Joss Whedon show DOLLHOUSE.

so to conclude, fall tv season I probably don't need to get up for as much as the stuff happening in early '09.

THE FLOYD

Well, suppose anyone on said site that comes over here will now know what I was chosen to write about. But this has been a lengthly, but fulfilling and quite enjoyable in many ways, task to rediscover one of my favorite, earliest, and widely regarded important groups/artists in the history of rock and frankly all modern music/art.

Wow..run-on sentence. I suppose it's not hard to do that when you can't help but wanting to say and complement something you greatly appreciate.

But on a side note: my absence has been partly due to a few things..but I still mean to and have a huge mass of topics of arts and entertainment to share with this site, myself, and anyone who seems to find reason to stumble upon here.

But without anymore further ado (I hope!)..here is my 2-weeks worth of intake and thoughts on the one and only, PINK FLOYD.




"Oh by the way, which one's Pink?"

Their name coined by their original front-man, the late Syd Barrett; it combines two blues musicians 1st names.

The group I and many other fans of so-called progressive rock have been able to reference to describe some of our taste in music to a wider demographic. They are the progressive rock band that everybody knows.

They took chemical influenced music to new places, forming, and what might be a founding of and leading to other genres. Including the use of the studio and audio-samples as an instrument.

They are so much about THEMES. Mood, layers, dreams/dreaminess, textures, and being perceived or described as *epic* (and not necessarily having to do with length). Their sound, tone, themes, moods, rich, dreamy atmospheres are as distinct as any artist in the history of Rock music.

It's not to be overlooked how much of their work is bluesy, yet their psychedelic element often disguises that.

Their music is often described as "Trippy" and explored new ground sonically at the time. The idea of creating sound that might be reached from experience with the sun, moon, and outer space and often referred as "Space Rock." Before them, it wasn't really known if music could explore that.

David Gilmour is a virtuoso in many ways, without being thought of as a highly technical musician. His guitar work is *epic* without being excessive or drawn-out. So much rich emotion in his playing, especially in his guitar solos.

Syd Barrett's impact cannot be ignored, even though his destiny never seemed to be meant for where they would go. His original input and influence had as much importance to them, what they would later create, and influence others as anything. Their early work, with and soon after Syd left (PIPER through OBSCURED BY CLOUDS), but before they found large success (DARK SIDE on) is greatly appreciated by much of their fan base. It is this material that many of the Floyd-connoisseurs hold in high regard, along with much of the live material from that period. Maybe best captured on the "Live at Pompeii" film.

They were down the hall at Abbey Road studios recording "Piper" at the same time The Beatles were recording "Sgt Peppers."

Often known for being surreal live, they are one of the most recorded and widely bootlegged groups in rock history. They also were one of the earliest groups to experiment with VISUAL ART live. Their concerts were often as much about a surreal visual experience, as they were an auditory event.

However dark their words were, they often were therapeutic at the same time. As the old adage goes, misery loves company. And often what comes out of that is beauty.

Questions:
Why the Gilmour-Floyd lacked ANIMALS material live. A Roger-thing?
Why was HEY YOU was not included in THE WALL the movie? 1 answer discovered is apparently it did not work well chronologically with the story. Which begs the question, how was that the case and not the case on the actual record.
Why no live album from their classic or peak period in the 70's? (save for the somewhat rare Dark Side Live record from '77)..Due to how much they were bootlegged?

A band not without their share of *deeper*, less-discussed,, commonly thought-of, or recognized songs and albums. Some examples I feel deserve appreciation I included on these mixes that include a selection from each primary studio recording and 1 early collection:

Mixes:

1:

Flaming
Remember A Day
Point Me at the Sky
Cymbaline
The Narrow Way Part 3
Summer'68
The Gold that's in The

2
Echoes
Time
Welcome to the Machine
Sheep
Goodbye Blue Sky
Your Possible Pasts
On the Turning Away
Lost For Words

2 of my favorite Pink Floyd tribute pieces. The 1st one especially I think if they have not, every fan of THE FLOYD should hear, if for no other reason, but the amount of thought that was put into it.

Shadow Gallery - Floydian Memories (25min)

"" Anyone who calls himself a Floyd fan and who hasn't heard it must listen to it ASAP!" (a user on another forum I'm on)

song quotes listing (it may be more enjoyable to listen to the medley 1st before reading that)

OSI - Set the Controls For the Heart of the Sun

On a largely personal note, while I have always been a fan of THE FLOYD, I must say taking-in this much of their work over the past couple of weeks has made me appreciate them even more. Growing up I was into them, but they never really won me over quite of the likes of groups like Led Zeppelin and Rush. I think now, especially the Pre-MEDDLE material, I have found a deeper connection to them, than ever before, some 17 years after I 1st heard them for the 1st time.

TRAVELING PANT 2 = good DARK KNIGHT = overated

not a long review (maybe more later), but I feel somewhat similar about DARK KNIGHT as I did about CHILDREN OF MEN..it's like the equivalent of technical death metal on film. Over-the-top..non-stop masturbation of brutality and depressing tone. I respect some of the performances, but sorry, I don't foresee wanting to watch it or even considering it the classic so many others do. I'm not sure if it's even as good as the 1st NOLAN picture.

Nicholson > Ledger

Nicholson = Freddy Krueger or Al Capone
Ledger = Hannibal Lecter or Charles Manson perhaps

Ledger's Joker would fit in well with Ed Gein or Leather Face's family. Nicholson at least was funny, entertaining, clever. Ledger, while I'm sure it was a lot to pull-off, other than a bit of subtle sarcasm, was not funny or entertaining. He was just disgusting to watch frankly. He seemed diseased.

Eckhart, Oldman, Gyllenhaal, Freeman, Caine were all good, but it ultimately doesn't matter when a film gives you a headache and a sick feeling struggling to get through it. This is a classic-case of the mass of effects, violence, beating-you-over-the-head with negative tone, gets in the way of what could be a well-written screenplay. The cast and premise is there, but the end result just comes across as self-indulgent and heartless (and charmless).

6/10

A film from 2008 I'd suggest instead, that pulls off the dark tone, but is heartfelt and HUMAN enough would be maybe my favorite film of 2008 thus far in SNOW ANGELS



previous review:
SNOW ANGELS

A lot I could say, but to make it brief, I guess I can say the biggest thing about this was how a climax to a film..even as dark as it can be, stays with you and you understand more and more why it was done as it was. It's a film about a half-dozen or more people in a small Northern town in the Winter (it was filmed in Canada) that infidelity results in some tragic events. There are about 4 plots, but what happens during I'd guess the 3rd Act really brings one of them as the main focus of the film. The romantic plot involving a hs kid and this new girl at his school played by Olivia Thirlby from JUNO is charming but ultimately only a bit important to provide a break/comic relief.

People who enjoy films like IN THE BEDROOM and LITTLE CHILDREN may be worth checking this 1 out. A dark, moving film, that overall, to some, is pretty rewarding.

Cast: Kate Beckinsale (great performance), Sam Rockwell (HITCHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY) and Connor Paolo (Gossip Girl).



TRAVELING PANTS 2 was well done..similar to the 1st but without as much involvement of the pants themselves, and maybe not as many good secondary characters. Still, hardly suffering from sequel-itis.

7/10