Hey guys, yours truly again,
So anyway I just felt like riffing about a couple of things that happened recently with television. First was the epic letdown of a finale with "the Following" starring Kevin Bacon. If any of you guys have been keeping up with me its become apparent that all I can talk about is this show and the "walking dead". Yet this show is on my radar now because it has just wrapped up its first season with a monumental (spoilers) cliffhanger, resulting in Ryan, (Bacon) and Claire being stabbed by one of Joe's leftover fanatics, one whose husband and fellow follower was killed by Ryan in an earlier episode of the series. To clarify when I say that I hated this cliffhanger its only because we are going to have to wait for the fate of the two most important characters to be decided, while eagerly waiting to see if the show will be picked up for a second season. On a larger scope this discussion is brought up in part because of the fact that many cult favorite shows which resonate with some viewers years beyond their runtime are taken off the air before hitting their true stride. Now a days its extremely difficult to keep one's position in primetime or in any timeslot in general, so needless to say and especially with Fox's track record of shows that have been cancelled I'm a little worried about the future status of this suspenseful thriller. Hope things work out and we get to see what happens after the events of Joe Carol's supposed death.
Moving on another show which has been receiving lots of buzz is without a doubt Hannibal. Now despite being named after the nefarious cannibal doctors who is played this rendition by Mads Mikkelson, Le Chiffre from Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig, the show focuses on the criminal profiler who in the film Red Dragon, (Originally Manhunter) discovers Hannibals exploits which results in his incarceration. While the show is gritty and violent, I'm very curious at this stage of viewing, its only three episodes that I have seen for the show so far and they have been shockingly good in my opinion. The disturbing images and instances of the show itself show through very well, and it all ties into the duality of a killers instinct with the attempt of controlling it or giving into it like the killers which the two characters are busting, or Hannibal himself. Being a huge fan of the Silence of the Lambs franchise this shows seems like a nice touch, and its not the only show whose taking a stab at the earlier experiences of a serial killer, especially with the addition of the Bates Motel, about the dysfunctional Norman Bates and his mother before the events of "Psycho". That show however I have not seen any of and from the previews I don't feel that it would interest me, and the fact that they are trying to make the show even more modernized seems kind of a step in the wrong direction, aside from the numerous sequels, and shot-for-shot remake that had been made some time ago.
Some shows which I have not been keeping up with that I would like to jump back into though, are definetly some older favorites: Two and A Half Men, Burn Notice, Hawaii Five-O, and NCIS. So what are you guys watching right now? Any animation, primetime or late night television that I should give a look at?
Friday, May 3, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Small Blog update....
So having been slacking off in being consistent with keeping up on anything television related I did manage to watch the first rounds of the NBA Eastern conference finals, and I'm rooting for Lebron James, yes one player, which translates to I want the Miami Heat to do a repeat of their championship from last year....
In between that I did get to watch the past episode of the Following and wow have I been behind on what's been happening, and this coming Monday is going to be an epic finale.
Is anyone else having withdrawals from not having any Walking Dead Besides me?
Lately I've been really caught up in a Nostalgic Television piece though, that is the Mighty Morphing Power Rangers. Makes me think about how great television shows used to be for us when we were kids, and how silly we think shows and cartoons are today. Yet is that because the quality of the shows was higher back then, or because we were young and believed more stuff was amazing and that the cultural context that we grew up had influenced us to believe so? Something to think about maybe....
In between that I did get to watch the past episode of the Following and wow have I been behind on what's been happening, and this coming Monday is going to be an epic finale.
Is anyone else having withdrawals from not having any Walking Dead Besides me?
Lately I've been really caught up in a Nostalgic Television piece though, that is the Mighty Morphing Power Rangers. Makes me think about how great television shows used to be for us when we were kids, and how silly we think shows and cartoons are today. Yet is that because the quality of the shows was higher back then, or because we were young and believed more stuff was amazing and that the cultural context that we grew up had influenced us to believe so? Something to think about maybe....
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The End of an Era....
Today's short blog post is in the memory of a titan in the film industry, most infamously for his
critique of films, patenting the thumbs up, and thumbs down rating.
Today Roger Ebert, the famous Chicago Sun-Time columnist passed away today at the age of 70. Many of us remember Ebert for his numerous movie reviews, for someone like myself I did not so much remember him with his first partner in crime Gene Siskel, with whom was a colleague yet
competitor working for the Chicago Tribune, which I didn't know until reading an article on Ebert's death. In the past decade though it was less about bashing those corny blockbusters or praising the tour-de-force films that Ebert came to appreciate more so, rather what was consuming him was his battles with cancer. After having surgery to remove his jaw, and losing the ability to consume food, drink, or speak it was a hardship many, of which I include myself would have probably felt useless, but Ebert to his ever ending bravery decided to keep writing full time, and still to enjoy critiquing films.
Personally I feel that Ebert's taste and mine were never on eye--level, for those corny action movies, those grade B guilty pleasures that he might not have liked that I loved, there were plenty of times where I would look on Netflix and he would be one of the professional critics listed in whatever theatrically released films I was curious about. I found myself looking at his reviews and thinking that an older man like himself could not possibly understand how great some movies that I loved were, as he bashed about 90% of them when I read his reviews about them. Yet after everything there is that sense that the film industry has lost a key part of its audience, if not just a passionate "fan" as he called himself.
In closing I will look to this day as an end of an era, because there is one less passionate person in the world to look, to observe, to review, and critique an art form which so many love, yet few get to speak and talk about to the masses.
Roger, you will be sadly missed. God Bless, and thanks for the memories, and we know that you'll still be doing what you love, giving your two thumbs up or down, wherever you have gone.
Roger Ebert 1942-2013
critique of films, patenting the thumbs up, and thumbs down rating.
Today Roger Ebert, the famous Chicago Sun-Time columnist passed away today at the age of 70. Many of us remember Ebert for his numerous movie reviews, for someone like myself I did not so much remember him with his first partner in crime Gene Siskel, with whom was a colleague yet
competitor working for the Chicago Tribune, which I didn't know until reading an article on Ebert's death. In the past decade though it was less about bashing those corny blockbusters or praising the tour-de-force films that Ebert came to appreciate more so, rather what was consuming him was his battles with cancer. After having surgery to remove his jaw, and losing the ability to consume food, drink, or speak it was a hardship many, of which I include myself would have probably felt useless, but Ebert to his ever ending bravery decided to keep writing full time, and still to enjoy critiquing films.
Personally I feel that Ebert's taste and mine were never on eye--level, for those corny action movies, those grade B guilty pleasures that he might not have liked that I loved, there were plenty of times where I would look on Netflix and he would be one of the professional critics listed in whatever theatrically released films I was curious about. I found myself looking at his reviews and thinking that an older man like himself could not possibly understand how great some movies that I loved were, as he bashed about 90% of them when I read his reviews about them. Yet after everything there is that sense that the film industry has lost a key part of its audience, if not just a passionate "fan" as he called himself.
In closing I will look to this day as an end of an era, because there is one less passionate person in the world to look, to observe, to review, and critique an art form which so many love, yet few get to speak and talk about to the masses.
Roger, you will be sadly missed. God Bless, and thanks for the memories, and we know that you'll still be doing what you love, giving your two thumbs up or down, wherever you have gone.
Roger Ebert 1942-2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Following the Dead!
okay everybody let's face it the only two shows that I really follow religiously, are the walking dead and The following. Beside myself I can't help but feel that Kevin Bacon is churning out one of his most promising roles ever and on tv no less!! And the walking dead is getting crazier with only a couple more episodes left for the season oh boy!!!
Let's do a quickie recap, Andrea tried getting back to Rick and the gang, but at the last minute after escaping narrowly from a hoard of zombies, which I thought was going to eat the good Governor for dinner, she was silenced before Rick could see her, but of course by the only pain in the neck Governor himself, the show itself ended with a cliffhanger in which we see the pact between the Governor and his right hand man unraveling, as well as some doubts being planted within the Governor's group as well as the most shocking image of all where Andrea was strapped to a chair duck tape across her mouth!!! Personally I don't think shes gonna make it.
In the following things are only getting worse for Ryan, due to the simple fact that Joe's "following" of psychos has practically doubled if not tripled in size, not to mention the fact that Joe's son is still kidnapped to the best of my knowledge... Sorry I missed an episode two weeks ago that I haven't gotten around to watching, listen folks not everybody has DVR!!!
All-in-all that's pretty much it, other than that I've been catching up with Comic book men's new season due to the simple fact that I have to keep up with anything Kevin Smith related but you all knew that.
Catch you on the flipside!! by folks
Let's do a quickie recap, Andrea tried getting back to Rick and the gang, but at the last minute after escaping narrowly from a hoard of zombies, which I thought was going to eat the good Governor for dinner, she was silenced before Rick could see her, but of course by the only pain in the neck Governor himself, the show itself ended with a cliffhanger in which we see the pact between the Governor and his right hand man unraveling, as well as some doubts being planted within the Governor's group as well as the most shocking image of all where Andrea was strapped to a chair duck tape across her mouth!!! Personally I don't think shes gonna make it.
In the following things are only getting worse for Ryan, due to the simple fact that Joe's "following" of psychos has practically doubled if not tripled in size, not to mention the fact that Joe's son is still kidnapped to the best of my knowledge... Sorry I missed an episode two weeks ago that I haven't gotten around to watching, listen folks not everybody has DVR!!!
All-in-all that's pretty much it, other than that I've been catching up with Comic book men's new season due to the simple fact that I have to keep up with anything Kevin Smith related but you all knew that.
Catch you on the flipside!! by folks
Thursday, February 28, 2013
What's up everyone sorry about the short hiatus but we're back on track. Okay so what's going on? well I don't really know except for the shows that I usually watch. So let me jump right into what I've come across.
Sadly, to those animation lovers out there, Cartoon Network, and other sources have confirmed that the Green Lanter, and Young Justice shows have been cancelled. Green Lantern I didn't care for because it was 3D animation which I'm not too fond of, there doesn't seem to be fluidity in 3D graphics for the most part when they are done at a cartoon level, or inserted in a primarily 2D show. On the other hand I was just starting to really get into the Young Justice animation which in my opinion had the best animation art, and storylines. It was fresh takes on new and old characters within the DC comics universe, alas sadly it has been given the big ugly axe.
In totally unrelated news, things are getting intense as always on Kevin Bacons new hit show, the Following. Honestly there has not been any crazier stuff on national television aside from this show, definetly a genre defining and envelope pushing show in my opinion, usually you'd expect some of this stuff in a grade D- Saw spin-off, but yet the Following just does it so much better! I don't want to spoil anything but if you have been keeping up, Bacons character Ryan , a failed CIA agent is brought back into the field to stop the follower of a serial killer he helped put behind bars. The killer was apprehended shortly after escaping, but that was only the begining . Since the begining the evil masterind has been pulling strings from his cell, using his followers to commit other murderous acts in his name, all while putting Ryan through his paces.
In this weeks walking dead tensions ran high at the prison when Andrea finally returned to the group sneaking out of the Governor's town. They revealed how the governor had slain a member of their group and wrecked half of the prison leading zombies to tread the yards and cornering the group even more. They told her of an impending war between the Governor and the Rick. At the end of the episode, Andrea slept with the Governor who she had been romantically involved with for a few episodes now, but as she stood over his sleeping body, she debated whether or not to take heed to the words told to her, that she could end this all if she took it upon herself to kill the governor, before anyore harm came to everyone.
And finally, oh yes, the oscars. I did manage to see a good amount of the oscars and I personally enjoyed Seth MacFarlane as a host. Now I know that most critics hated his hosting and what not but come on this guy was not afraid to go at the jokes he was telling, and frankly thats what hollywood needs is a swift kick right in the kisser at time, because lets face it how much of those jokes were untrue? I liked the bit at the begining where they had William Shatner as Kirk in the future telling MacFarlane that he basically sucked and showed him clips why. His sing and dancing numbers are always entertaining for me, and of course being partial to Family Guy probably led me to prefer him than say most other hosts of recent years. Well done to Mr. Daniel Day Lewis, for his third oscar in the category for best Male, Yay for Ben Affleck making his film-greatness-comeback receiving his oscar for Argo as best picture, and Boo, why? Because Skyfall should have gotten more oscars and the Bond tribute should have been more exciting, and with more clips and music, I was literally salivating at the idea that they were doing a Bond tribute but I was let down because there was no spectacle, and all they could do was have Shirley Bassey sing goldfinger. Let me tell you this, If I was running that OSCARS SHOW and was in charge of the Bond section, oh boy, Glady Knight doing a verse from License to Kill, The World is Not Enough would have been played, then Skyfall, and Goldfinger of course, but then , then the crowning moment would be a live band and Chris cornell playing you know my name to more bond clips!! Honestly the one thing that the oscars lacked and have been for better or worse is the spectacle, there was nothing special in the shows except when there were dance numbers and skits, and they were underutilized in my opinion... ~~~Sigh~~~ maybe someday I'll be behind the camera at the oscars, actually you know which oscars was great, the One Hugh Jackman hosted, he was really into that show and there were alot of cool moments in that one, especially his intro song, definetely worth a check.... What, I'm totally serious right now, go and youtube it, or google it now!!!
Sadly, to those animation lovers out there, Cartoon Network, and other sources have confirmed that the Green Lanter, and Young Justice shows have been cancelled. Green Lantern I didn't care for because it was 3D animation which I'm not too fond of, there doesn't seem to be fluidity in 3D graphics for the most part when they are done at a cartoon level, or inserted in a primarily 2D show. On the other hand I was just starting to really get into the Young Justice animation which in my opinion had the best animation art, and storylines. It was fresh takes on new and old characters within the DC comics universe, alas sadly it has been given the big ugly axe.
In totally unrelated news, things are getting intense as always on Kevin Bacons new hit show, the Following. Honestly there has not been any crazier stuff on national television aside from this show, definetly a genre defining and envelope pushing show in my opinion, usually you'd expect some of this stuff in a grade D- Saw spin-off, but yet the Following just does it so much better! I don't want to spoil anything but if you have been keeping up, Bacons character Ryan , a failed CIA agent is brought back into the field to stop the follower of a serial killer he helped put behind bars. The killer was apprehended shortly after escaping, but that was only the begining . Since the begining the evil masterind has been pulling strings from his cell, using his followers to commit other murderous acts in his name, all while putting Ryan through his paces.
In this weeks walking dead tensions ran high at the prison when Andrea finally returned to the group sneaking out of the Governor's town. They revealed how the governor had slain a member of their group and wrecked half of the prison leading zombies to tread the yards and cornering the group even more. They told her of an impending war between the Governor and the Rick. At the end of the episode, Andrea slept with the Governor who she had been romantically involved with for a few episodes now, but as she stood over his sleeping body, she debated whether or not to take heed to the words told to her, that she could end this all if she took it upon herself to kill the governor, before anyore harm came to everyone.
And finally, oh yes, the oscars. I did manage to see a good amount of the oscars and I personally enjoyed Seth MacFarlane as a host. Now I know that most critics hated his hosting and what not but come on this guy was not afraid to go at the jokes he was telling, and frankly thats what hollywood needs is a swift kick right in the kisser at time, because lets face it how much of those jokes were untrue? I liked the bit at the begining where they had William Shatner as Kirk in the future telling MacFarlane that he basically sucked and showed him clips why. His sing and dancing numbers are always entertaining for me, and of course being partial to Family Guy probably led me to prefer him than say most other hosts of recent years. Well done to Mr. Daniel Day Lewis, for his third oscar in the category for best Male, Yay for Ben Affleck making his film-greatness-comeback receiving his oscar for Argo as best picture, and Boo, why? Because Skyfall should have gotten more oscars and the Bond tribute should have been more exciting, and with more clips and music, I was literally salivating at the idea that they were doing a Bond tribute but I was let down because there was no spectacle, and all they could do was have Shirley Bassey sing goldfinger. Let me tell you this, If I was running that OSCARS SHOW and was in charge of the Bond section, oh boy, Glady Knight doing a verse from License to Kill, The World is Not Enough would have been played, then Skyfall, and Goldfinger of course, but then , then the crowning moment would be a live band and Chris cornell playing you know my name to more bond clips!! Honestly the one thing that the oscars lacked and have been for better or worse is the spectacle, there was nothing special in the shows except when there were dance numbers and skits, and they were underutilized in my opinion... ~~~Sigh~~~ maybe someday I'll be behind the camera at the oscars, actually you know which oscars was great, the One Hugh Jackman hosted, he was really into that show and there were alot of cool moments in that one, especially his intro song, definetely worth a check.... What, I'm totally serious right now, go and youtube it, or google it now!!!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Premiere Week!!
Hello Media Consumers, yes it is that time of the season for the Premiere week, I was supposed to
comment about this at the begining of the week but I had other affairs to take care of but anywhooo....
What shows are we excited for, yes all the plethora of show from CBS, those witty sitcoms, Two and A Half Men, Two Broke Girls, Big Bang, and even Mike and Molly are back, but what other shows are we looking forward to? Well there is the new series with Kevin Bacon, --Cough,Cough--- the Following---Cough,Cough--- and lately that old crappy singing show has been roaring back "American Idol" unfortunately I'm not being a very good observer of television though because the shows I'm most looking forward to have got to be The Walking Dead, and a guilty pleasure of mine "Comic Book Men"!!! which I am super excited about because they are not being shoved to a later night and time, rather they are being moved to Thursdays from the Sunday time slot, and bumped back to 9 o'clock, instead of 11:00pm, all I can say is YES!!! I'm just thankful that I can watch the show and still be able to get some good sleep as well. So what other shows are out there? I can barely stretch my brain to remember the other shows, other than ones that I see ads for all the time, such as Bones, The Mindy Project, The New Girl, Raising Hope which I have never seen... Come to think of it there are a whole slew of shows on ABC and NBC that I haven't gotten around to watching.
From what I heard Once Upon A time was a good show, melding old folklore with a modern society spin that deals with the characters having dual lives as their former fairytale selves, while also living in the real world because of an enchanted spell, at least thats the impression that I get from the previews. Also Modern Family has looked funny, I mean when you have a hot lady such as Sofia Vergara pairing up with Al Bundy himself, it seems like you cannot go wrong. I want to hear all your thoughts though, are there shows that I have mentioned here that I should really pick up and catch up in watching? Or are there other shows which I haven't even listed that are worth a check? You tell me, and hopefully I can educate myself in the ways of watching decent television!!
Until Next Time folks!
comment about this at the begining of the week but I had other affairs to take care of but anywhooo....
What shows are we excited for, yes all the plethora of show from CBS, those witty sitcoms, Two and A Half Men, Two Broke Girls, Big Bang, and even Mike and Molly are back, but what other shows are we looking forward to? Well there is the new series with Kevin Bacon, --Cough,Cough--- the Following---Cough,Cough--- and lately that old crappy singing show has been roaring back "American Idol" unfortunately I'm not being a very good observer of television though because the shows I'm most looking forward to have got to be The Walking Dead, and a guilty pleasure of mine "Comic Book Men"!!! which I am super excited about because they are not being shoved to a later night and time, rather they are being moved to Thursdays from the Sunday time slot, and bumped back to 9 o'clock, instead of 11:00pm, all I can say is YES!!! I'm just thankful that I can watch the show and still be able to get some good sleep as well. So what other shows are out there? I can barely stretch my brain to remember the other shows, other than ones that I see ads for all the time, such as Bones, The Mindy Project, The New Girl, Raising Hope which I have never seen... Come to think of it there are a whole slew of shows on ABC and NBC that I haven't gotten around to watching.
From what I heard Once Upon A time was a good show, melding old folklore with a modern society spin that deals with the characters having dual lives as their former fairytale selves, while also living in the real world because of an enchanted spell, at least thats the impression that I get from the previews. Also Modern Family has looked funny, I mean when you have a hot lady such as Sofia Vergara pairing up with Al Bundy himself, it seems like you cannot go wrong. I want to hear all your thoughts though, are there shows that I have mentioned here that I should really pick up and catch up in watching? Or are there other shows which I haven't even listed that are worth a check? You tell me, and hopefully I can educate myself in the ways of watching decent television!!
Until Next Time folks!
Friday, January 25, 2013
The Following
So I just got finished watching the encore presentation of Fox's new tv show "The Following".
The show centers around a washed up ex-FBI agent played by Kevin Bacon, who in the pilot episode
has to track down a serial killer who claimed the lives of fourteen university students in 2004 in brutal ways that were reminiscent of the works of Edgar Allen Poe. I don't want to spoil the show or the ending other than to say that it was intense and extremely suspensful. It was very cinematic which I think not enough shows are doing today, which in my opinion really does go a long way in terms of story telling and hooking in viewers like myself. The twists were excellent, and it sets up for a very interesting new series sure to be a favorite of any avid watcher of television.
Highlights of the show included the suspense as I mentioned before, and there were alot of twists and story elements which were unexpected but which added to the wow factor of the show, there were alot of moments where I was overjoyed, like "Oh they so went there" in terms of pushing the envelope for a television series especially one on a popular cable network. All the actors of the show were excellent, Kevin Bacon is at his best, and it seems with age his acting abilities are only strengthened, he play the tortured, redemption seeking ex-Fed very well, and the other supporting cast does an excellent job as well, and its worth noting in my opinion that the actor who played Ice-Man in the three first X-men films has a small role as part of the team that Bacon works with too.
Overall the following hooks you in with its dark overtones, and plays like an intense game of Cat and Mouse, while making lots of interesting backstory provdided with well placed flashbacks, and an interesting introduction to the main protagonist. Highly recommended, and if you didn't get to see it on its premiere or encore just hit on demand, or if you have it on your dvr just go and watch it A.S.A.P.
The show centers around a washed up ex-FBI agent played by Kevin Bacon, who in the pilot episode
has to track down a serial killer who claimed the lives of fourteen university students in 2004 in brutal ways that were reminiscent of the works of Edgar Allen Poe. I don't want to spoil the show or the ending other than to say that it was intense and extremely suspensful. It was very cinematic which I think not enough shows are doing today, which in my opinion really does go a long way in terms of story telling and hooking in viewers like myself. The twists were excellent, and it sets up for a very interesting new series sure to be a favorite of any avid watcher of television.
Highlights of the show included the suspense as I mentioned before, and there were alot of twists and story elements which were unexpected but which added to the wow factor of the show, there were alot of moments where I was overjoyed, like "Oh they so went there" in terms of pushing the envelope for a television series especially one on a popular cable network. All the actors of the show were excellent, Kevin Bacon is at his best, and it seems with age his acting abilities are only strengthened, he play the tortured, redemption seeking ex-Fed very well, and the other supporting cast does an excellent job as well, and its worth noting in my opinion that the actor who played Ice-Man in the three first X-men films has a small role as part of the team that Bacon works with too.
Overall the following hooks you in with its dark overtones, and plays like an intense game of Cat and Mouse, while making lots of interesting backstory provdided with well placed flashbacks, and an interesting introduction to the main protagonist. Highly recommended, and if you didn't get to see it on its premiere or encore just hit on demand, or if you have it on your dvr just go and watch it A.S.A.P.
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