Back - by semi-popular demand!

But the blog will change somewhat in that I’m now doing a sort of a mini-version of what I used to do. You’ll see – hope u like the subtle changes and if you don’t – complain to the man.


HOUSE “Joy” (FOX) (SPOILER)
Episode concerned Cuddy adopting a child while the team treated a sleepwalking patient. A solid episode, but the juice was in the last five minutes when House and Cuddy kissed.

ROB ZOMBIE’S “HALLOWEEN” (2 DISC DVD RELEASE)
This is kind of a strange movie. Rob Zombie, who made the brilliant, incomparable “Devil’s Rejects” remakes the 1979 classic with an assured touch and a reverence towards the original material. I’ll tell you what he gets right: the origin of the Michael Myers story. Rob’s wife, Sherry Moon plays mom to William Forthye’s raging, wheelchair bound dad (Forsthye had a serious injury which caused Zombie to rewrite his character as having just been in a major accident.) Zombie digs very deep into what the motivations were for Michael to go off the deep end, and sticks with him through the mental hospital. This is all really good, scary/real stuff – but where Zombie’s film nearly falls apart is the segment of Michael coming back to Haddonfield. (Remember the ads “The night HE came home!”

Since Jamie Lee Curtis was revealed to be Michael’s sister in HALLOWEEN II, it’s become lore that she’s the sister. Nobody seems to remember that they were not revealed as siblings in part 1 – for people who are still reading, the footage was shot for the original. However, John Carpenter ultimately felt that the movie was creepier if we had no idea why he was coming after Jamie Lee Curtis and that very footage was used both in longer TV prints (extended versions) of the original HALLOWEEN and also in the sequel, HALLOWEEN II (the only legit sequel till H20 20 years later.) HALLOWEEN II was not directed by Carpenter but he did write it and there was plenty of his unused footage in the film.

After II came HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH which was supposed to be the beginning of a yearly Halloween film exploring a different storyline. This never came to pass as SEASON OF THE WITCH just seemed to confuse people. Starting out a new series with PART III in your title is also probably not the best way to launch a new anthology.

After SEASON, Carpenter left the HALLOWEEN series, and it was taken over by one of the producers, MUSTAFA AKKAD who made 4 more MIKE MYERS films before the Weinsteins (no relation) brought back Jamie Lee Curtis into the fold with H20 – set 20 years after the 2nd film. Then they did another one that involved Michael running around on a reality show killing people while Busta Rhymes made quips. Seriously.

Anyway – on this film, where Zombie falters is not bringing any real originality nor sense of dread to the final act. Instead, he goes through it in a very workman like approach as if he almost just wants to get it done and get out of there. With the exception of a slightly re-imagined final five minutes (which is pretty cool) he seemed to have lost interest in the last act of the film.

Ironically, this was not really the case. Listening to the excellent director’s commentary (Zombie is an extremely thoughtful and revealing filmmaker) the director reveals that he had to shoot the last part first and that they were plagued by a menagerie of production problems that seriously fucked up the first two weeks of shooting, which was mostly the entire last act. So he had much more time and care with the opening hour of the film. Is this worth it to see? Definitely. A top-rate horror director taking on a classic with new ideas and reverence, sure. Is it better than the original – nope. Does it add anything to the legend? In a way – the first hour is truly horrific and since there is no chance of another decent Halloween sequel, this is probably your best bet if you want to extend the experience. And this is way better than every sequel ever made to the original.
Grade: B +

THE HALLOWEEN MOVIES:
Halloween (Original) – A +
Halloween II – C + (expanded the story but mostly set in a dreary hospital with no dynamic or pacing.)
Halloween III: Season Of The Witch: D (fairly dumb story about evil toys taking over the world.)
ALL THE SEQUELS IN BETWEEN: F – 4,5 and 6 were all pretty bottom of the barrel entrys.

H20: 20 YEARS LATER – pretended that the series ended with 2 and picked up right after that. Boasting a script by the hot guy of the moment (I actually forgot who wrote it but I think it was the guy who wrote…no, that was story by – I don’t remember – I just know Steve Miner, who directed the first and second FRIDAY THE 13th directed with a sledgehammer and Jamie Lee Curtis was no longer playing Lori Strode but just a version of a STONG Jamie Lee (She’s not gonna take it, anymore!) Anyway – it mostly sucked, but was fun for the pop culture moment.
Grade: C +


HALLOWEEN: RESSURECTION – Oh, boy. So, as it turns out, Jamie Lee did not off Michael in the previous film. They restage it to make it look like she killed an ambulance driver (not so – in H20 it was clear she killed Michael.) Anyway – the first 10 minutes are of interest in that Jamie Lee once again reprises Lori Strode and she and Michael have the ending that they probably should have had in the previous film. But – what ultimately happens is that Busta Rhymes and his girlfriend, played by Tyra Banks, the most self important woman in history, do a reality show where 10 kids have to spend the night in the Myers home. Unwatchable. Michael is running around killing reality show contestants, Trya Banks is acting like Tyra Banks, Busta Rymes is busting out Kung-Fu on Michael (you read right) and people are watching it over the internet. God help us all.
Grade: F


I should also say – I watched FRIDAY THE 13th PART 4: The Final Chapter on Halloween night with some friends. (We watch a new installment every year.) Part 4 was probably the best of all the sequels, boasting an almost famous cast (Corey Feldman and Crispin Glover!) and even the star of LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN, Larry Monosoon! However, the film was not quite as good as I’d remembered it when I watched it first-run at the Canarsie Theater in Brooklyn. The effects, on the other hand – handled by the masterful Tom Savini, were even better than I had remembered. At the time, I recall Tom Savini saying he would do this film (he had done the effects in the very first Jason film) but only because they were killing Jason off in this final chapter. If only he knew.

By the way, FRIDAY is getting a HALLOWEEN style re-boot as well.

I really liked “W.”

I also really liked “IRON MAN”

LIFE & TIMES OF TIM (HBO)
Continues to find new and twisted ways to humiliate it’s game animated star.

KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (FOX)
Probably the best prime-time reality show on the air at the moment.

TRUE BLOOD (HBO) has remained consistently surprising and spooky.


THE SHIELD (FX)
Is better than ever. The cat and mouse between Vic, Shane and Ronnie is awesome, although I thought Vic turning in his badge was handled more as an afterthought than a huge component of what made the series tick in the first place. Still, this is a first rate show shaking off the first few miserable eps of the season and settling down for a final 4 episode run of one of the most memorable cop shows ever. Even if it is still hanging on to its corruption theme by a thread.
Grade: A

I have about 9 episodes of SONS OF ANARCHY on my DVR. Should I banish them or watch?


I got rid of all the GENERATION KILLs on my DVR after not really following the opener – did I make a big mistake – I can get them next time around.


I sort of like the new ads for NIP/TUCK and kind of miss that show, even though they’ve been off the rail now for YEARS.

30 ROCK (NBC)
Had a funny opener, though I hated the fact that Alec Baldwin had to fight to get his job back. The show works best with everybody in place and I’m also not so sure how I feel about the Tina Fey adopting a baby thing – but – even at it’s most mediocre this show is always funny.
Grade: B +

THE OFFICE (NBC)
Clocked in with an episode that saw the end of the relationship between Michael and Amy Ryan. That stuff was good – the stuff with Dwight and the Cornell thing – not so much.

Ashley Olsen on LETTERMAN seemed kind of brain dead the other night.

Sarah Silverman was on KIMMEL LIVE the other night. She and Jimmy were hilarious trying to pretend that this was a straight interview – they then pulled a tape of a 15 year old Sarah belting out a number for a local cable audition show – the clip of the young Sarah was nothing short of astonishing.


ABOUT A SON (Sundance)
Great, great docu using actual recordings of Kurt Cobain as he sort of narrates his life and rise in music stardom accompanied by vintage pictures of Seattle, Kurt and co. I would say for Nirvana fans only, but Kurt’s insights are for anybody who has a mind. And it only gets better as it goes on - highly recommended.
Grade: B +


CELEBRITY CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING (CMT)
Hulk Hogan and a few other favorites from WWF wrestling (though this show seems to have no affiliation with the WWF) takes an impressive roster of celebs – Danny Bonaduce, seemingly possessed, Erin Murphy, who played Tabitha on BEWITCHED and now just seems like a bitter, nasty woman, former NBA oddity Dennis Rodman, who is still painfully shy (he really is – getting him to talk is like pulling teeth) Todd Bridges, Frank Stallone (who is the best looking 58 year old man I’ve ever seen – not that…never mind), teen singing sensation Tiffany; looking a complete mess, the gorgeous but unusually bubble headed Nikki Ziering, Dustin Diamond, way more normal than usual, and Butterbean. Who is as disgusting as he is fat. (Watch the show – you’ll see why.) Anyway – this is yet another production from mr. Jason Hervey – brother Wayne in THE WONDER YEARS. His first was Scott Baio is 40 and Single. Ok, this show is a LOT better than that show. In fact – I love this show – despite the fact that I think it could be produced a whole lot better. The show is simple enough – 12 celebs compete for the CMT belt (oh, brother) and every week a different celeb gets ousted. Bonaduce already reduced Erin to tears by saying “You should bet me fifty grand that I outlast you – but you won’t bet because you don’t have one dime in the bank and everyone hear knows it.” Danny than goes on to tell the camera that he’s been making this girl cry for 35 years. But – she did have it coming.

Anyway – it’s a really fun show – but don’t forget – wrestling in a ring – and I actually know from experience – fake or not fake – is HARD. The pain is REAL and to be honest – it’s just a chore getting through those ropes. It may not look it, but these celebs are not only killing themselves but learning a really hard sport/art. And it is an art. So far, I think Bonaduce, Willis and Screech have the best chance – but what do I know. I thought Stallone would’ve stuck around a little longer. But I watched 3 in a row of these and was never once bored.
Grade: B +


BABY MAMA (DVD) & MAID OF HONOR (DVD)
I got my mom both of these while she was sick – her review:
“Neither were Acadamy Award winners but they were very entertaining!”


SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE w/ Jon Hamm and Coldplay (NBC)
This might’ve been the funniest installment in years. Maybe it was the precense of Jon Hamm, who not only did a funny MAD MEN sketch, but scored even further and deeper with the brilliant “Don Draper’s Guide To Picking Up Women.” Coldplay was superb, doing three songs instead of the usual 2, and the song to Amy Poehler leaving was sweet and warranted. We also got to see the great “Solid as Barack” sketch which I think was one of their best. SNL funny? This can’t possibly last.
Grade: B +


SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE w/Ben Affleck, John McCain and musical guest (NBC)
With John McCain and Tina Fey in an absolutely terrific sketch as QVC salesman. I even though McCain was really funny with the otherwise useless Seth Myers. The rest of the show – not so much. Ben Affleck – not so much. The musical guest – I can’t remember who it was.


I really have been liking LIFE ON MARS (ABC.) It’s great to have Harvey Keitel and Michael Imporiolli (and his great, great mustache) back on TV. I haven’t seen the original so I’m not sure how it compares, but I love the soundtrack and the 70s stuff and appreciate that they went into 1973 instead of the late 70s that seems to permeate most period shows.


The Lakers have won 3 games in a row – could this be their season?


MAD MEN (AMC)
The last batch of these were amazing, literate and truly ambitiously written, directed and acted television. I will miss the show during its hiatus and can’t wait for season 3. Kudos to the entire cast, especially the writers, the set designers, the amazing actors, especially Jon Hamm and January Jones. There are so many other things to marvel at in this show, I’ll just say – if you have not seen this from episode 1, do so at once.
Grade: A + (Highest recommendation)

SNL: PRESIDENTIAL BASH (NBC)
I liked this rehash of the old and new – but really – it’s time to make this a new show all together – maybe show SOME of the great recent sketches but this was mostly a quickly thrown together “best of” which worked – to some degree.
Grade: B


If you do nothing else today get out and VOTE!