24 (FOX)
I don’t know what it is – but this show has really gotten its mojo back. Jack Baeur is better than ever, I love his relationship with the new President and I like the woman he’s running around with. I’m even starting to like Janine Garafalo in the role (I love Janine – but didn’t think this would work – it’s starting to.) Great stuff. I have no idea what they’re all fighting about – but it almost doesn’t matter. They did a car wreck last night that was as good as any low budget action movie. Best moment of the night – when Cherry Jones, the new President says to Jack “How can I be sure where your loyalty lies?” and Jack answers “Ask around.”
Grade: A
I LOVE MONEY 2 (VH1)
What a collection of freaks and hos. I’ll be watching every episode.
Grade: B -
THE GRAMMYS (CBS)
Where do I begin? That opener, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson doing his stand-up bit – that is really one for the record books. I loved how he had a joke for every celebrity and every single joke landed like a lead balloon. That aside – there was a lot to love about the proceedings. Whitney Houston seemed like she was about to tip over. I got very excited when she came out – then as soon as she started to talk I realized she was high. I didn’t really get the Jonas Brothers (who remind me a lot of the Goth kids from SOUTH PARK) and Stevie Wonder together. The Bo Diddly thing was cool. J.T. and Al Green were fantastic together. I guess I have to check out this Alison Krauss and Robert Plant record. But I thought the best singer of the night was Adele, whose CHASING PAVEMENTS is the song of the year, even if she didn’t win. It was also great to see Jenifer Hudson singing and winning after her tragic year – yet a little jarring to see “Punk” from I LOVE NY sitting with her in the audience.
Have you seen the ads for DIDDY who’s going to be on CSI: MIAMI? His line readings as a lawyer reminds one of the very worst junior high school production that ever lived. Diddy can do a lot – but boy are his line readings for shit.
HIS NAME WAS JASON (FRIDAY THE 13th) DVD DOCUMENTARY
This was really good. It’s a 90 minute documentary hosted by gore expert Tom Savini (who did effects for FRIDAY 1 and 4.) If you are a FRIDAY fan, like myself, you’ll find this fascinating, although there is no real discussion of the series decline, just sort of a celebration of all things Jason with as many original actors as they could muster. This is just the beginning of the FRIDAY rennasaince. This Friday, the new movie re-boot comes out, along with an extended dvd cut of the original FRIDAY with more of Tom Savini’s gore, and FRIDAY the 13th 3D is coming out with remastered 3D and the glasses. In fact - every film is coming out with tons of extras. Let’s hope the reboot is actually scary.
Grade: B
SPRINGSTEEN AT THE SUPERBOWL
I think Bruce did a pretty great job, though I would’ve never had him open with 10th AVE FREEZE OUT – which is one of those fan songs but – not really the crowd pleaser I would’ve preffered. I thought he did a great BORN TO RUN, I liked WORKING ON A DREAM and I thought he could’ve picked a different song than GLORY DAYS to finish out the set – however – it was still pretty great to have a real rock star doing the half time show.
Grade: B +
ROCK OF LOVE BUS (VH1)
Brett Michaels is bald and 60. The girls are insanely hot and completely insane. And Brett doesn't appear to be looking for love at all. He seems to like having the girls around and being the center of attention. And I'm completely addicted. But of all the installments, this one has the least going for it.
Grade: C
CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE IDOL (VH1)
I like the fact that this show is upbeat and seems to be about helping these guys rather than mocking them. Not that there isn't some of that - but this is a sweet natured show from Scott Baio and Jason Hervey - Jason is building quite a little cadre of reality shows - and I really liked this one and felt bad that Eric (REAL WORLD) Nies felt the need to leave because they all come off really well - even the odd looking Billy Huffsy.
Grade: B
GONE COUNTRY (CMT)
Richard Grieco is a lot angrier than I would've guessed. And I think he has a crush on Tara Conner.
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS (DVD) and STEP BROTHERS (DVD)
Pineapple Express is really funny in the beginning, then turns into a so-so action movie…it’s a film that is kind of hard to review because it’s so ambitious but yet – while Rogan brings some heft to his role as…Seth Rogan, basically – Franco does a variation on his FREAKS & GEEKS character but without the depth and goes too often for cheap laughs. Danny McBride is a real standout here and I’ve heard the buzz for his new HBO series coming in a few weeks is off the charts. STEP BROTHERS had a really bad beginning, then it got really funny for about a half hour, then it sucked again. Being that STEPBROTHERS was an Apatow comedy, there were some nice moments in it – but definitely one you could skip.
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS: B +
STEPBROTHERS: C -
SECRET DIARY OF A CALL GIRL (SHOWTIME)
Better than last year, still not a great show.
THE UNITED STATES OF TARA (SHOWTIME)
Way better than the ads suggested. The premise is completely goofy but if you can get over that, this becomes very enjoyable.
THE PUSHER TRILOGY (DVD)
I recently saw this on IFC and ordered the DVDs. This is an astonishing journey into the world of dealers, low lifes, prostitutes, all done with an unflinching camera and a great sense of humor. Made in Copenhagan, these films are both harrowing and exciting, funny and sad. The very first film is kind of brilliant, the second one great, the third one might top them all.
Grade: A +
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