MOON (DVD)
I finished Moon. It's kind of a variation on 2001 except it all takes place in the cockpit of a spaceship. After a slow start, the central story emerges, but frankly, its so specific that I don't really want to go into detail. Any talk of the plot is a spoiler. That said, Sam Rockwell is great and Keven Spacey is perfect as the voice of the ship's computer. I have some quibbles, but this is really good.
Grade: B
I am really starting to like MODERN FAMILY. I don't love it, nor does it induce belly laughs. But there is a very good feeling I get from it. I love the actors and the writing is very good and I like it more and more with each episode.
I LOVE Windows 7. My computer crashed and it's a real disaster that I'll bitch about more in a future entry, but I was forced to buy a new desktop. I got an ASUS which is superfast and I love the new Windows application (even if it does not support my all time favorite music jukebox, MusicMatch. There is a downloadable Yahoo version that you can find online, but its just not the same...To be continued.
2010/02/23
2010/02/20
The New WE ARE THE WORLD and those new Leno promos
WE ARE THE WORLD (25 years later)
In support of Haiti, the new generation of singers spent a few days laying down tracks for this 25 year follow up to the original Michael Jackson classic. What's different? Well, they have some great new singers who belt out this old song like Jennifer Hudson who couldn't sound better, Josh Groban, also excellent...
And that's where the praise stops. Pretty much everything else about this is just horrible. From the awful new lyrics, to the shots of Haiti that are shown over some singer's entire segments so we don't even know who's singing, to the ghastly inclusion of MJ, to the horrifying rap segment, to the overuse of Autotune (a good idea for one line, not 20), to the insipid inclusion of Randy "Dog" Jackson...where does it all end? On top of everything, whenever I go to Youtube to take a look at it, I'm mistreated to a 4 minute discourse by the most overrated self satisfied performer in history - Jaimee Fox, discussing Haiti and looking very serious before we get to hear him belt out his auto-tuned ego. In fact, they should've just called this whole thing EGO. But it's fucking rubbish. Really. Haiti reportedly saw this and said "yeah, no thanks."
Grade: F -
MOON (DVD Screener)
Okay, only half way though - but so far, so great. Will give a fuller review when I finish.
FUNNY GAMES (German version)
I rewatched this over the weekend and thought this was truly a horrifying masterpiece and the woman who plays the wife might be the best actress of all time - yet I don't know her name.
If you're thinking about seeing this, don't even consider watching the American version.
Grade: A
TAXI DRIVER (DVD)
With Shutter Island news all over the dial, I ended up watching this classic with the girlfriend over the weekend. This is really where it all started (I loved Mean Streets) but Taxi Driver is an outright masterpiece. It plays so well its like a great song. The shots, the acting, the dialoge, the action sequences - this is truly the most nimble work DeNiro's ever done and the direction by Marty here is just like..something that would never happen again. Until RAGING BULL. And then KING OF COMEDY. And GOODFELLAS. Even CASINO had it. I know a lot of you liked THE DEPARTED. Not me. I don't think Marty's made a good film since Casino. Starting with CAPE FEAR, it almost seems like the man has forgot his craft. Although I might go see Shutter Island this weekend just to make sure.
But if you want to know where the genius came in, it was with TAXI DRIVER. That scene of DeNiro watching American Bandstand, pointing his gun at the young black couple on TV while Jackson Browne's LATE FOR THE SKY plays...that is where every great movie/music sequence was born.
Grade: A +
Drag Me To Hell (DVD)
Sam Raimi, more in EVIL DEAD mode here than SPIDERMAN, crafts a clever modern horror yarn that works just fine for the 2 hours it plays. But since I watched it last week and cannot remember anything about it nor who was even it it....I'd say that isn't a great sign. But I remember sort of liking it while it was on.
Grade: C +
AMERICAN IDOL is getting exciting again. Next week the top 24 start, and I like the contestants this year. I don't even mind Ellen nearly as much as I thought I would...though she is truly unfunny. Sorry, but it's true. Her "humor" is....I don't know what the fuck it is. It ain't funny.
It apperas that the all the hoopla surrounding Howard Stern stepping in for Simon Cowell on American Idol may not be so accurate. I liked the idea, and thought Stern would've been great, and Howard clearly had a great time having fun with it on the air, calling Ellen a "fake shitheat" and Ryan Seacrest a "total tool" and said he'd bring back Dunkleman! He also said he'd smack Randy Jackson in the mouth if he heard "dog" ever again leave his lips. And this is the least of what he said. What he went on to say about Fantasia would have to be heard to be believed, but I wouldn't repeat it here.
In any case, I do think Idol is exploring the possibility of Stern, though Cowell, in a statement, said Howard would be out of his depth since he has no musical background. But then Cowell went on to say that he thought it could work with Perez Hilton, so...maybe Simon could give a shit less what happens to Idol and a lot more concern of his is reserved for next year's THE X FACTOR which he and Paula Abdul will judge and Mr. Cowell will own. In fact, Simon saying Stern bad...Perez (also with no musical experience) good....sounds like Simon might want his old show to die once X Factor comes on. In fact, I think I like that theory.
I saw the new Leno promos. Everyone is saying that NBC and Leno are dissing Cocan with the "Get back" theme...but, as much as I think Leno is the Antichrist, the actual lyrics are "Get back to where you ONCE belonged" I do not think discredits Conan so much as the whole idea that his show was taken away. But again, the man lost money for the network and that was not going to cut it. And he had a great lead in...wasn't it...Leno? Hmmmm...Conan didn't really have a chance with that setup. I mean, Conan wasn't funny, but then again, neither is Leno. So clearly success in that hour has nothing to do with actual comedy.
Speaking of Coco, did you see those weird pictures of him kissing a dolphin? First of all, dolphins held captive now kind of turns my stomach ever since watching The Cove, secondly, why does he look 80 years old with an afro? What a strange looking picture. It makes me think Conan was under a lot more hair and makeup than we ever thought.
By the way, I don't know if I believe he'll ever get a proper late night show again. Fox is talking about how they don't want to lose money on the show like NBC did, and how the affiliates don't really want it, and how they might put him on F/X four nights a week with a weekend version of the show.
Um...why didn't he take the 12:05 show again?
Lastly, I've recently been watching episodes of the late Judd Apatow show UNDECLARED. This was basically a half hour version of FREAKS AND GEEKS which got cancelled the year before. Judd thought he'd score with a similar setup in a half hour harder comedy version. First of all, FREAKS was one of the best 17 hours of produced television EVER. That was an A + show and if you haven't seen it, rent or buy. Immediately. It's that good.
UNDECLARED is a different beast. It start Jay Baruchnal and Charlie Hunan (who now stars as Jax on one of my favorite shows SONS OF ANARCHY) however here Hunan sports his real English accent and shows a real flair for comedy. Seth Rogan also graduated from GEEKS to this show as both an actor and a writer and lots of familiar Apatow faces flood this thing (which only lasted 18 eps - 1 more than FREAKS but since it was a half hour, it still doesn't beat GEEK's running time.)
Anyway, I'm in the middle of the run and while the first few shows were just okay with signs of good things to come, I just watched an episode that was so hilarious about Jay taking a job in the cafeteria that was as funny a half hour as anything I've seen in forever, so I look forward to unspooling the rest of these.
How bad does the new REAL WORLD: WASHINGTON suck? I ditched it after only 3 episodes and those were nearly impossible to take. Bad, boring casting.
I sort of like the new CELEB FIT CLUB even though I barely recognize anyone on it, and CELEB REHAB is winding down with a spate of eventless episodes. (I really liked SOBER HOUSE - what happened to that show.)
Couch out.
In support of Haiti, the new generation of singers spent a few days laying down tracks for this 25 year follow up to the original Michael Jackson classic. What's different? Well, they have some great new singers who belt out this old song like Jennifer Hudson who couldn't sound better, Josh Groban, also excellent...
And that's where the praise stops. Pretty much everything else about this is just horrible. From the awful new lyrics, to the shots of Haiti that are shown over some singer's entire segments so we don't even know who's singing, to the ghastly inclusion of MJ, to the horrifying rap segment, to the overuse of Autotune (a good idea for one line, not 20), to the insipid inclusion of Randy "Dog" Jackson...where does it all end? On top of everything, whenever I go to Youtube to take a look at it, I'm mistreated to a 4 minute discourse by the most overrated self satisfied performer in history - Jaimee Fox, discussing Haiti and looking very serious before we get to hear him belt out his auto-tuned ego. In fact, they should've just called this whole thing EGO. But it's fucking rubbish. Really. Haiti reportedly saw this and said "yeah, no thanks."
Grade: F -
MOON (DVD Screener)
Okay, only half way though - but so far, so great. Will give a fuller review when I finish.
FUNNY GAMES (German version)
I rewatched this over the weekend and thought this was truly a horrifying masterpiece and the woman who plays the wife might be the best actress of all time - yet I don't know her name.
If you're thinking about seeing this, don't even consider watching the American version.
Grade: A
TAXI DRIVER (DVD)
With Shutter Island news all over the dial, I ended up watching this classic with the girlfriend over the weekend. This is really where it all started (I loved Mean Streets) but Taxi Driver is an outright masterpiece. It plays so well its like a great song. The shots, the acting, the dialoge, the action sequences - this is truly the most nimble work DeNiro's ever done and the direction by Marty here is just like..something that would never happen again. Until RAGING BULL. And then KING OF COMEDY. And GOODFELLAS. Even CASINO had it. I know a lot of you liked THE DEPARTED. Not me. I don't think Marty's made a good film since Casino. Starting with CAPE FEAR, it almost seems like the man has forgot his craft. Although I might go see Shutter Island this weekend just to make sure.
But if you want to know where the genius came in, it was with TAXI DRIVER. That scene of DeNiro watching American Bandstand, pointing his gun at the young black couple on TV while Jackson Browne's LATE FOR THE SKY plays...that is where every great movie/music sequence was born.
Grade: A +
Drag Me To Hell (DVD)
Sam Raimi, more in EVIL DEAD mode here than SPIDERMAN, crafts a clever modern horror yarn that works just fine for the 2 hours it plays. But since I watched it last week and cannot remember anything about it nor who was even it it....I'd say that isn't a great sign. But I remember sort of liking it while it was on.
Grade: C +
AMERICAN IDOL is getting exciting again. Next week the top 24 start, and I like the contestants this year. I don't even mind Ellen nearly as much as I thought I would...though she is truly unfunny. Sorry, but it's true. Her "humor" is....I don't know what the fuck it is. It ain't funny.
It apperas that the all the hoopla surrounding Howard Stern stepping in for Simon Cowell on American Idol may not be so accurate. I liked the idea, and thought Stern would've been great, and Howard clearly had a great time having fun with it on the air, calling Ellen a "fake shitheat" and Ryan Seacrest a "total tool" and said he'd bring back Dunkleman! He also said he'd smack Randy Jackson in the mouth if he heard "dog" ever again leave his lips. And this is the least of what he said. What he went on to say about Fantasia would have to be heard to be believed, but I wouldn't repeat it here.
In any case, I do think Idol is exploring the possibility of Stern, though Cowell, in a statement, said Howard would be out of his depth since he has no musical background. But then Cowell went on to say that he thought it could work with Perez Hilton, so...maybe Simon could give a shit less what happens to Idol and a lot more concern of his is reserved for next year's THE X FACTOR which he and Paula Abdul will judge and Mr. Cowell will own. In fact, Simon saying Stern bad...Perez (also with no musical experience) good....sounds like Simon might want his old show to die once X Factor comes on. In fact, I think I like that theory.
I saw the new Leno promos. Everyone is saying that NBC and Leno are dissing Cocan with the "Get back" theme...but, as much as I think Leno is the Antichrist, the actual lyrics are "Get back to where you ONCE belonged" I do not think discredits Conan so much as the whole idea that his show was taken away. But again, the man lost money for the network and that was not going to cut it. And he had a great lead in...wasn't it...Leno? Hmmmm...Conan didn't really have a chance with that setup. I mean, Conan wasn't funny, but then again, neither is Leno. So clearly success in that hour has nothing to do with actual comedy.
Speaking of Coco, did you see those weird pictures of him kissing a dolphin? First of all, dolphins held captive now kind of turns my stomach ever since watching The Cove, secondly, why does he look 80 years old with an afro? What a strange looking picture. It makes me think Conan was under a lot more hair and makeup than we ever thought.
By the way, I don't know if I believe he'll ever get a proper late night show again. Fox is talking about how they don't want to lose money on the show like NBC did, and how the affiliates don't really want it, and how they might put him on F/X four nights a week with a weekend version of the show.
Um...why didn't he take the 12:05 show again?
Lastly, I've recently been watching episodes of the late Judd Apatow show UNDECLARED. This was basically a half hour version of FREAKS AND GEEKS which got cancelled the year before. Judd thought he'd score with a similar setup in a half hour harder comedy version. First of all, FREAKS was one of the best 17 hours of produced television EVER. That was an A + show and if you haven't seen it, rent or buy. Immediately. It's that good.
UNDECLARED is a different beast. It start Jay Baruchnal and Charlie Hunan (who now stars as Jax on one of my favorite shows SONS OF ANARCHY) however here Hunan sports his real English accent and shows a real flair for comedy. Seth Rogan also graduated from GEEKS to this show as both an actor and a writer and lots of familiar Apatow faces flood this thing (which only lasted 18 eps - 1 more than FREAKS but since it was a half hour, it still doesn't beat GEEK's running time.)
Anyway, I'm in the middle of the run and while the first few shows were just okay with signs of good things to come, I just watched an episode that was so hilarious about Jay taking a job in the cafeteria that was as funny a half hour as anything I've seen in forever, so I look forward to unspooling the rest of these.
How bad does the new REAL WORLD: WASHINGTON suck? I ditched it after only 3 episodes and those were nearly impossible to take. Bad, boring casting.
I sort of like the new CELEB FIT CLUB even though I barely recognize anyone on it, and CELEB REHAB is winding down with a spate of eventless episodes. (I really liked SOBER HOUSE - what happened to that show.)
Couch out.
2010/02/15
The Strangers, Meatloaf 1979, Art Of Being Straight, Lesbian Vampire Killers
My apologies. My main computer is still down so I'm doing this still from my netbook. Please excuse what are bound to be many typos, misuses of words and general shoddiness. But my belief is that you'd rather have the reviews with errors rather than nothing at all. I should get my computer back this week.
THE STRANGERS (DVD)
I know this was based on a true story about some home invaders and a young couple. I don't know just how fact-based this is, so I'll just review this as a suspense yarn on its own terms. Liv Tyler and (I think) Scott Speedman (I might be dead wrong - it could be an actor I've never heard of) play a young couple who are staying in his dad's beautiful but remote cabin when the door is knocked upon by a young woman seemingly lost and asking if "Tamara" is home. Pretty creepy setup and the film spends a good bit of time making you invest in the two lead characters. The problem is that the director takes far too much time in the cat & mouse between the hunters and the hunted, and everything is pointed at by an eerie, completely over the top score that indicates everything that's about to happen. Other than that, this is a decent rental, Liv Tyler is pretty believable as is the other lead who I can't quite place, but this is no FUNNY GAMES, the German film that was remade a few years ago into a slightly less successful American made version directed by the same guy. Funny Games got it right. This one has its moments with the same material, but ultimately is both a drag and anti-climactic. The most interesting parts of this are thrown away in the last 8 minutes or so. But not bad if you're looking for a decent thrill.
Grade: C
MEATLOAF Original UK Tour 1979 (DVD)
http://www.amazon.com/Bat-Out-Hell-Original-Tour/dp/B002N7W3O4/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1266221091&sr=8-16
A real treat for Meatloaf fans, this is the real deal. A mostly full concert from the original BAT era. (Well, the set list here includes most of BAT I including Bat Out Of Hell, All Reved Up, 2 out of 3, Paradise by the Dashboard Light; but leaves out Heaven Can Wait and For Crying Out Loud.) Were they included in the original show? I doubt it, since he didn't often do CRYING back in the day and HEAVEN was also a no-show in a lot of those early concerts. That said, this is a heavenly document of a German show taped for Rockaplast that, all things considered, looks and sounds fantastic. The video is crisp and clean and the audio is surprisingly layerer for its time. To see Meat on the vocals and Jim Steinman on the piano - that is really a treat for Meat fans. Mostly the only shows available are STORYTELLERS, MELBOURNE and 3 BATS LIVE; all post 1990 shows. There is a VHS around called BAT PICTURE SHOW which has some live stuff and of course, you can scour the internet and find plenty of stuff, but for a high end DVD edition of the early stuff, this is probably about as good as its going to get.
Grade: A
THE ART OF BEING STRAIGHT (DVD)
This felt like amateur hour. Bad acting and directing doubled up with pretentious music and out of date concepts like "can I tell my friends that I might be gay?" And this film doesn't even bother to wrestle with anything real - it's all superficial and badly done and really...the film is too fucking hokey to really review properly. Avoid at all costs.
Grade: F
I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell (DVD)
I know there are a lot of Tucker Max fans out there. I used to be one of them though I quickly grew weary of the guy. For the uninitiated, Tucker Max is a 20something who grew to fame in the mid 90s based on his seemingly never ending sex stories. The stories were always outragous and always went for it in terms of every bodily function you can imagine. You can still read the stories online as I know Tucker still has a website up full of the old classic stories. But frankly, I hated this fucking film. The guys were truly an unlikable bunch of women haters and the filmaker seems to think that Tucker is some kind of genius because he talks a lot. They mistake being verbose with being smart. This movie is the opposite of anything remotely smart. Some of the dialog is okay but frankly, I'm a guy who loves these down and dirty sex comedies...and I hated this. Badly directed and poorly written, this has nothing going for it except for some very badly staged outragous sex scenarios. And frankly, the best ones didn't even make it into the movie. This film needed nimble direction, and all it got was a sledgehammer.
Grade: F
LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS (DVD)
Unwatchable after 10 minutes. I turned it off. That bad.
I thought the Octamom made a great contestant on JIMMY KIMMEL's recent DATING GAME segment that saw Ms. Suleman question 3 lucky men who were trying for a date with the recently svelte Octomom. Jimmy made a fantastic host and made me think there is a spin off potential here.
THE COVE (DVD)
Fantastic documentary about the practice of killing dolphins in Japan. Just how Japan goes about its quest to kill one of natures most intelligent beings is as gross as this movie is inspiring. It's a must see and after seeing this, I actually texted and became web-involved in trying to save the dolphins. Either way, this is a breathtaking documentary. And terribly upsetting.
Grade: A
THE STRANGERS (DVD)
I know this was based on a true story about some home invaders and a young couple. I don't know just how fact-based this is, so I'll just review this as a suspense yarn on its own terms. Liv Tyler and (I think) Scott Speedman (I might be dead wrong - it could be an actor I've never heard of) play a young couple who are staying in his dad's beautiful but remote cabin when the door is knocked upon by a young woman seemingly lost and asking if "Tamara" is home. Pretty creepy setup and the film spends a good bit of time making you invest in the two lead characters. The problem is that the director takes far too much time in the cat & mouse between the hunters and the hunted, and everything is pointed at by an eerie, completely over the top score that indicates everything that's about to happen. Other than that, this is a decent rental, Liv Tyler is pretty believable as is the other lead who I can't quite place, but this is no FUNNY GAMES, the German film that was remade a few years ago into a slightly less successful American made version directed by the same guy. Funny Games got it right. This one has its moments with the same material, but ultimately is both a drag and anti-climactic. The most interesting parts of this are thrown away in the last 8 minutes or so. But not bad if you're looking for a decent thrill.
Grade: C
MEATLOAF Original UK Tour 1979 (DVD)
http://www.amazon.com/Bat-Out-Hell-Original-Tour/dp/B002N7W3O4/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1266221091&sr=8-16
A real treat for Meatloaf fans, this is the real deal. A mostly full concert from the original BAT era. (Well, the set list here includes most of BAT I including Bat Out Of Hell, All Reved Up, 2 out of 3, Paradise by the Dashboard Light; but leaves out Heaven Can Wait and For Crying Out Loud.) Were they included in the original show? I doubt it, since he didn't often do CRYING back in the day and HEAVEN was also a no-show in a lot of those early concerts. That said, this is a heavenly document of a German show taped for Rockaplast that, all things considered, looks and sounds fantastic. The video is crisp and clean and the audio is surprisingly layerer for its time. To see Meat on the vocals and Jim Steinman on the piano - that is really a treat for Meat fans. Mostly the only shows available are STORYTELLERS, MELBOURNE and 3 BATS LIVE; all post 1990 shows. There is a VHS around called BAT PICTURE SHOW which has some live stuff and of course, you can scour the internet and find plenty of stuff, but for a high end DVD edition of the early stuff, this is probably about as good as its going to get.
Grade: A
THE ART OF BEING STRAIGHT (DVD)
This felt like amateur hour. Bad acting and directing doubled up with pretentious music and out of date concepts like "can I tell my friends that I might be gay?" And this film doesn't even bother to wrestle with anything real - it's all superficial and badly done and really...the film is too fucking hokey to really review properly. Avoid at all costs.
Grade: F
I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell (DVD)
I know there are a lot of Tucker Max fans out there. I used to be one of them though I quickly grew weary of the guy. For the uninitiated, Tucker Max is a 20something who grew to fame in the mid 90s based on his seemingly never ending sex stories. The stories were always outragous and always went for it in terms of every bodily function you can imagine. You can still read the stories online as I know Tucker still has a website up full of the old classic stories. But frankly, I hated this fucking film. The guys were truly an unlikable bunch of women haters and the filmaker seems to think that Tucker is some kind of genius because he talks a lot. They mistake being verbose with being smart. This movie is the opposite of anything remotely smart. Some of the dialog is okay but frankly, I'm a guy who loves these down and dirty sex comedies...and I hated this. Badly directed and poorly written, this has nothing going for it except for some very badly staged outragous sex scenarios. And frankly, the best ones didn't even make it into the movie. This film needed nimble direction, and all it got was a sledgehammer.
Grade: F
LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS (DVD)
Unwatchable after 10 minutes. I turned it off. That bad.
I thought the Octamom made a great contestant on JIMMY KIMMEL's recent DATING GAME segment that saw Ms. Suleman question 3 lucky men who were trying for a date with the recently svelte Octomom. Jimmy made a fantastic host and made me think there is a spin off potential here.
THE COVE (DVD)
Fantastic documentary about the practice of killing dolphins in Japan. Just how Japan goes about its quest to kill one of natures most intelligent beings is as gross as this movie is inspiring. It's a must see and after seeing this, I actually texted and became web-involved in trying to save the dolphins. Either way, this is a breathtaking documentary. And terribly upsetting.
Grade: A
2010/02/12
Celeb Rehab & 24 plus: my pick for site of the year!
I love this site:
http://www.facebook.com/MunchieTalentAgency?ref=ts#!/MunchieTalentAgency?ref=ts
In other news...
My computer is down. Writing this from Stir Crazy on Melrose (the best damn sandwiches on the block) in fact.
STIR CRAZY
6917 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
Best coffee, best sandwiches & desserts and free wi-fi.
I'm in a bit of a crisis with my computer down. Seems I might new a new
mother board - whatever that means.
In the meantime, I'm using my Asus Eee Pc Netbook (if you go for a netbook, I highly reccomend this one - which I believe is the only 12" display on the market. I had one in December but it was the 10" and I found it impossible to type on. I'm a huge fan of this model You plug it in for 2 hours and get like, 7 hours of usage, it instantly looks for a wi-fi signal as soon as you turn it on and has a built in cam and mike.
I started watching DR. DREW'S CELEB REHAB (VH1) and Kari Ann from the sex edition episodes is on this one as well. And she's twice the bitch. I've never seen a character like her before, so please - let VH1 develop a whole hour around this hateful character. I would love it. Dennis Rodman appears to be out of his mind and so far in denial that when Dr. Drew informed him that he might end up with Alheimer's in a few years from the drinking, Rodman's response was "It'll sort itself out." McKenzie Phillips is quite the dramatic actress and of course very vocal, but you would have to have a heart of stone not to feel something for all these people. Amber Smith, who I think is literally addicted to everything and has been on every single edition of this show, arrived this week to talk about her many addictions. Not only do you have all that, you also get Heidi Fleiss, who looks like she has had some seriuosly unfortunate plastic surgery on her lips that is mind-bending you have to see it to believe it, and her former lover Tom Sizemore, who is truly bizarre and weird and comes complete with his own crazy girlfriend, Monroe, who snuck drugs into the rehab clinic on Tom's first night. She came back to visit him and brought oxycontin. How about a reality show on that crazy couple?
And of course, there is depth here and real viewpoints on addiction and much of this is quite sobering, and tey have truly lined up an all star cast - except for the girl from Americas Top Model that I can barely remember. But this might be the best edition yet.
Grade: A
24 (Fox)
With the exception of some subplots we could care less about, (the President's ground-breaking talks, a woman at CTU and her ex-lover) the central storyline with Jack and Renee Walker is fantastic, if completlely far fetched. Still, this show still does the trick and the last few eps have been pretty great. When Jack made that deal and spoke perfect german...it was kind of great.
Grade: B+
Don't forget to visit:
http://www.facebook.com/MunchieTalentAgency?ref=ts#!/MunchieTalentAgency?ref=ts
Hilarious A+ site.
Dig Couch out.
http://www.facebook.com/MunchieTalentAgency?ref=ts#!/MunchieTalentAgency?ref=ts
In other news...
My computer is down. Writing this from Stir Crazy on Melrose (the best damn sandwiches on the block) in fact.
STIR CRAZY
6917 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
Best coffee, best sandwiches & desserts and free wi-fi.
I'm in a bit of a crisis with my computer down. Seems I might new a new
mother board - whatever that means.
In the meantime, I'm using my Asus Eee Pc Netbook (if you go for a netbook, I highly reccomend this one - which I believe is the only 12" display on the market. I had one in December but it was the 10" and I found it impossible to type on. I'm a huge fan of this model You plug it in for 2 hours and get like, 7 hours of usage, it instantly looks for a wi-fi signal as soon as you turn it on and has a built in cam and mike.
I started watching DR. DREW'S CELEB REHAB (VH1) and Kari Ann from the sex edition episodes is on this one as well. And she's twice the bitch. I've never seen a character like her before, so please - let VH1 develop a whole hour around this hateful character. I would love it. Dennis Rodman appears to be out of his mind and so far in denial that when Dr. Drew informed him that he might end up with Alheimer's in a few years from the drinking, Rodman's response was "It'll sort itself out." McKenzie Phillips is quite the dramatic actress and of course very vocal, but you would have to have a heart of stone not to feel something for all these people. Amber Smith, who I think is literally addicted to everything and has been on every single edition of this show, arrived this week to talk about her many addictions. Not only do you have all that, you also get Heidi Fleiss, who looks like she has had some seriuosly unfortunate plastic surgery on her lips that is mind-bending you have to see it to believe it, and her former lover Tom Sizemore, who is truly bizarre and weird and comes complete with his own crazy girlfriend, Monroe, who snuck drugs into the rehab clinic on Tom's first night. She came back to visit him and brought oxycontin. How about a reality show on that crazy couple?
And of course, there is depth here and real viewpoints on addiction and much of this is quite sobering, and tey have truly lined up an all star cast - except for the girl from Americas Top Model that I can barely remember. But this might be the best edition yet.
Grade: A
24 (Fox)
With the exception of some subplots we could care less about, (the President's ground-breaking talks, a woman at CTU and her ex-lover) the central storyline with Jack and Renee Walker is fantastic, if completlely far fetched. Still, this show still does the trick and the last few eps have been pretty great. When Jack made that deal and spoke perfect german...it was kind of great.
Grade: B+
Don't forget to visit:
http://www.facebook.com/MunchieTalentAgency?ref=ts#!/MunchieTalentAgency?ref=ts
Hilarious A+ site.
Dig Couch out.
2010/02/09
Howard TV rules.
Just thought I'd say that. I recently started watching a bunch of shows and they are, as always, top notch. And hilariously profane. The idea that he might take over IDOL is pretty fantastic, even if I think somehow it just can't happen. Especially after Howard's tirade yesterday about former Idol stars. I can't even repeat what he said about them here.
Jay Leno is on my TV right now from last night. He's crowing about that Superbowl commercial. He's so happy he connected with Dave. He's always come off as a dog that wants his belly rubbed, but last night he was just downright pathetic. It's the first time in a year he hasn't been seen as a villain, so I guess he'll feed off this for a decade. Don't worry, he's now doing a mind-numbing interview with an actress I don't recognize and cracking up at whatever she's saying.
Jay Leno is on my TV right now from last night. He's crowing about that Superbowl commercial. He's so happy he connected with Dave. He's always come off as a dog that wants his belly rubbed, but last night he was just downright pathetic. It's the first time in a year he hasn't been seen as a villain, so I guess he'll feed off this for a decade. Don't worry, he's now doing a mind-numbing interview with an actress I don't recognize and cracking up at whatever she's saying.
2010/02/08
The Late Shift, part 2.
The Late Night Discussion.
There is so much to discuss, and yet I think it's all been discussed to death. The late night situation has been analyzed, gone over and talked about so much I'm not sure what's left to say.
Let's get beyond who's funnier: Jay or Conan. They both induce comas. Conan seems like a better guy to know. Jay appears to be a weasel. In fact, Jay befriended Howard Stern about 10 years ago and then stole Stuttering John Melendez from the Stern show. For what, you ask? So Stuttering John could hold up a coffee cup when Jay tried to banter with him. The truth is, John was fine as the announcer. He didn't stutter and he was rather generic. Big deal. John, who worked at the Stern show for peanuts, got a huge raise by working for Jay. But the reason he worked for peanuts is because John started there as an intern and eventually made himself a fixture. He wasn't making any less than anyone there in his possession by any means. This is not my guess but pretty much the facts as I know them.
Jay, who had befriended Howard, decided that he needed Stuttering John to be the Tonight Show announcer. Instead of talking to Howard about it, he negotiated for John behind his supposed friend's back, taking a vital cast member away from the Stern show so that he could live in obscurity on Jay's show.
Howard was happy for John and nobody involved begrudged John getting a high profile job nor making some decent money. What was amazing was that Leno did this all behind Howard's back. For what? They were friends and they should've talked about it. But that is Jay in a nutshell.
Anyway, this subject has been picked over so much I don't know what I can really add to it except to say what I think is true. The 10 PM thing didn't work at all for a number of reasons. A, I don't think that's the time for the Jay Leno show. Could a great, innovative network variety show exist and do well? I think so. But it ain't gonna be from Leno. Leno's success exists in some part due to the fact that he'd been with the Tonight show forever and at 11:30 at night, that's an audience he might know something about. Or he was the lucky guy at the right time. Stephen King recently did an article about Leno, saying that he's not edgy and does his middle of the road political jokes with a "take my wife, please" Vegas lowbrow vibe. I think that sums up Leno's shtick pretty well.
That said, I never thought Conan was going to work in that time slot. Frankly, I think Conan should've taken the 12:05 slot and been happy to continue working. I like Conan's show better, and while I don't think Conan ever developed much as an interviewer or even a funny man (he works way too hard to sell those mediocre jokes) he seems like the better human being somehow. But this is network TV and if you don't bring the ratings, that's that. Conan was never going to win any new fans. He basically did his 12:30 show at 11:30. He didn't need to worry about the edge, but for once, he needed to worry about being funny. At 11:30, he was neither. Not to say the show did not have its moments, and I do love Andy Richter, but Conan just seems too....I don't know. Everybody seems to forget the horrible late night Fox show with John Stewart hosting. Stewart found his niche on Comedy Central. I wish Coco the same.
Back to Leno, he's all set to go back to 11:35 and re-take the reigns of the Tonight Show. Okay. Whatever. The main thing is that 10 PM dramas will be back and writers and directors can go back to work and there can be a bit more development around town. Leno said on Oprah that he didn't realize he was taking jobs away from prime time "until I hit the air." Dude, shut the fuck up. Really I could do 25 pages on what a shithead I think Leno is, but watch that Oprah and Leno actually does it all by himself.
As expected, these late night wars have brought out the best in everyone. Conan finally had some teeth (and even some ratings.) Leno become momentarily interesting to watch as his "nice guy" image (one I never bought into) revealed him to be a vane, contemptuous man. And Jay, stop fucking talking about how you don't spend your Tonight Show money but you only spend the money you make on the road. We get it, you're richer than all of us. I know that might not have been your point, but that's the one we take. Shut the fuck up about all your money and your cars. I promise you nobody is interested.
Letterman has never been better than when he's sniping away at Jay, and Jimmy Kimmel has been masterful. First doing an hour AS Jay, (Jimmy was brilliant, Chevy Chase - that night's guest, seemed out to lunch), then the next night, on Leno's own show, Kimmel did the 10@10 segment and literally shredded Mr. Leno on his own show. Leno, who as Kimmel recently pointed out "used to be a comedian" did nothing but act like a hurt ex lover who walked away with crabs. Then he whined on Oprah that he was sucker-punched, but frankly, Jimmy was right there. All Jay had to do was fire back and that, my friends, is called comedy. Something Jay still doesn't get after 30 years. One Superbowl commercial (way more surprising than actually, you know: funny) does not a rehabilitated reputation make.
So, even though Jay and Dave get to have it out all over again in March when Jay resumes, frankly, I think Jay is over. I hope the public rejects him and the late night race boils down to the two funniest men in the race: Dave and Jimmy.
And yeah, I still have no idea what the fuck Craig Ferguson is talking about.
BIG FAN (DVD Screener)
An interesting variation on The King Of Comedy, Patton Oswalt does his best big screen work ever as a football fanatic who has an unfortunate encounter with a Giants player he worships. Halfway through this you think you know where its going, but the screenplay is snakier than that and its third act is wholly original and deserved.
Grade: B +
DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004 remake)
Watched this over the weekend again. Had been a few years and since I recently saw the original DAWN (one of my all time favorites) I thought it'd be interesting to see how this holds up. This is probably one of the very few times something like this has worked so well. Go with the unrated director's cut. More gore and character stuff, and a slightly better film than the R rated cut that plays on cable. This film has quite a bit of NIGHT, DAWN and even a little DAY in it, but it works like gangbusters and is actually a bit more scary than the orginal (which felt documentary like) and poses a lot more moral questions than the original did as well. (If you're into zombie politics.) The DVD comes loaded with great extras like missing scenes, and interesting commentary...everything but almost any acknowledement towards George Romero, which I found kind of curious.
Grade: A -
(still not so sure about that final credit roll, but no spoilers)
I liked the Doritos ad "Keep your hands off the Doritos, and mama" the best of all the Superbowl ads.
I'm glad KITCHEN NIGHTMARES is back. I kind of love that show. (Reportedly this is the last season.)
I finally started unspooling MODERN FAMILY (ABC) off my DVR...good show. Not belly laugh inducing but smart and rather warm.
I need to watch a few more LOSTs before I can really say what I think of the new season. But...in the season premiere, Locke turned into the Smoke Monster and bullets bounced off him. And he's not really Locke. Then he turned to Ben and said "I hate for you to see me this way."
Maybe some things are better left unsaid.
THE HURT LOCKER (DVD)
This is a crafty, extremely well made film. Most I know loved it, but I must say, after seeing it twice, I have no problem admitting that this is a really good film, but it's not as good as I had hoped. I found it a bit slow, and for all of the human element, a bit unmoving. But well done. Just not the masterpiece I'd been led to believe it to be.
Grade: B
TESTAMENT (1983 - DVD)
I watched this old chestnut recently. About a family who survives a nuclear war in a small town. This was slower than I had remembered, but still effective and expertly done. And no special effects except for maybe some make up and a bright light, yet it tells a chilling story of war that all the CGI in the world couldn't improve. The DVD has a nice 20 years later docu on it reuniting all the cast members.
Grade: B +
Finally, if you want a great look at the late night mess and where it actually started, look no further than the great HBO movie THE LATE SHIFT (on DVD.) Actors I've never heard of do an uncanny Jay and Dave, and Betty Thomas, who would go on to direct some of my favorite films (including PRIVATE PARTS) does a superb job here.
THE LATE SHIFT (DVD)
Grade: A +
Have a great week. Since I've been posting pretty regularly, I wil include all the posts since my last bigger blog so that the readers who only check from the mailing list don't miss one morsel of my juicy words.
Sorry there have been no new posts as of late. Unusually busy week.
But, thinking NIP/TUCK is sliding off a bit for its final season. This last episode with them having to bury a body again...not so much. Though I still think they're doing a better than expected final season.
Rewatched SALVADOR. What a great film. Maybe the best Oliver Stone movie ever?
Loving BORED TO DEATH. (I have one more to go.)
The GRAMMYS were weak.
DISTRICT 9 got a bunch of best pictures noms. Don't forget, you read it here first when I believe that recieved a big fat A PLUS from me. Great film.
More to tell.
Planning a really full post on Wed./Thu.
Stay tuned.
Sorry for the delay.
LOST (ABC)
I wanted to watch it. I watched the recap hour. Here's what I love about the show: almost everything. Except; if I'm to nitpick with the setup, here's what I still don't get:
1.) Why they ever returned to the Island. Besides Sun, who wants to see her husband alive, Jack seemed to return over a drinking problem. Hurely I still can't figure out. Kate returns because she thinks she may not be a good mother...folks, these are not reasons to return to an Island that is literally trying to kill you.
2.) They kind of LOST me with the whole idea of Jacob. It's a bit too out-there for me...but I will definitely put my quibbles away, enjoy the final season and allow the show to answer these questions in time. I do love LOST very much and I'm glad this is the final season so that they can go out in style and dignity, unlike say....(take your pick.)
24 (Fox)
I just watched the 4 hour two night premiere. Here are my quick thoughts. I think Freddie Prinze Jr. reminds me of when they brought The Rick Schroeder into NYPD Blue. Only Freddie seems to be humble about it and can actually act. "The Rick" was as fucking horrible as his bad NY accent. The idea that every major character would relocate to NYC on their own independant of each other just in time to join in on an adventure that starts the day they're all their...is kind of fucking ridiculous. That said - don't ask me why but it sorta works. Turning last year's Renee Walker's meek Federal Agent into a lunatic who's now somehow inexplicably had years and years of undercover training and serious ties into the Russian mob....I don't know. The whole thing really had a predictable vibe. How many shows start off with the Prez and some foreign national leader having "Historic talks" that can bring world peace? I also liked when Jack heard Renee Walker was going to be in the building (Because everyone is coming to NY by accident to go on an adventure together!!!) he tells Chloe "Don't let her know I'm in the building." She was in that building no more than 5 seconds before Jack came out and said "Hello." What a hiding job!
But again, this is 24, and just when you count it out, hour 4 suddenly got real interesting. Even though it had sort of a week beginning, I'm liking where this is going (I think) and looks like I'm jumping back in again. And Jack's daughter still can't act. Not even a little. But Jack Baeur, this is one of those times where the actor has so inhabited the role, he can make a lot of this work. I'm hoping for good things for what might be 24's last season run. (Although, if I'm going to predict here at all....I think next season will be its last and designed as such, as this series has frankly earned a wham bang final season.)
Grade: B + (there is lots of good will here)
Okay, there is a lot more here but cutting and pasting is taking too much time...if you want to see what you missed, just keep clicking on OLDER POSTS.
Digital Couch out.
and follow the Digital Couch on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/TheDigitalCouch
There is so much to discuss, and yet I think it's all been discussed to death. The late night situation has been analyzed, gone over and talked about so much I'm not sure what's left to say.
Let's get beyond who's funnier: Jay or Conan. They both induce comas. Conan seems like a better guy to know. Jay appears to be a weasel. In fact, Jay befriended Howard Stern about 10 years ago and then stole Stuttering John Melendez from the Stern show. For what, you ask? So Stuttering John could hold up a coffee cup when Jay tried to banter with him. The truth is, John was fine as the announcer. He didn't stutter and he was rather generic. Big deal. John, who worked at the Stern show for peanuts, got a huge raise by working for Jay. But the reason he worked for peanuts is because John started there as an intern and eventually made himself a fixture. He wasn't making any less than anyone there in his possession by any means. This is not my guess but pretty much the facts as I know them.
Jay, who had befriended Howard, decided that he needed Stuttering John to be the Tonight Show announcer. Instead of talking to Howard about it, he negotiated for John behind his supposed friend's back, taking a vital cast member away from the Stern show so that he could live in obscurity on Jay's show.
Howard was happy for John and nobody involved begrudged John getting a high profile job nor making some decent money. What was amazing was that Leno did this all behind Howard's back. For what? They were friends and they should've talked about it. But that is Jay in a nutshell.
Anyway, this subject has been picked over so much I don't know what I can really add to it except to say what I think is true. The 10 PM thing didn't work at all for a number of reasons. A, I don't think that's the time for the Jay Leno show. Could a great, innovative network variety show exist and do well? I think so. But it ain't gonna be from Leno. Leno's success exists in some part due to the fact that he'd been with the Tonight show forever and at 11:30 at night, that's an audience he might know something about. Or he was the lucky guy at the right time. Stephen King recently did an article about Leno, saying that he's not edgy and does his middle of the road political jokes with a "take my wife, please" Vegas lowbrow vibe. I think that sums up Leno's shtick pretty well.
That said, I never thought Conan was going to work in that time slot. Frankly, I think Conan should've taken the 12:05 slot and been happy to continue working. I like Conan's show better, and while I don't think Conan ever developed much as an interviewer or even a funny man (he works way too hard to sell those mediocre jokes) he seems like the better human being somehow. But this is network TV and if you don't bring the ratings, that's that. Conan was never going to win any new fans. He basically did his 12:30 show at 11:30. He didn't need to worry about the edge, but for once, he needed to worry about being funny. At 11:30, he was neither. Not to say the show did not have its moments, and I do love Andy Richter, but Conan just seems too....I don't know. Everybody seems to forget the horrible late night Fox show with John Stewart hosting. Stewart found his niche on Comedy Central. I wish Coco the same.
Back to Leno, he's all set to go back to 11:35 and re-take the reigns of the Tonight Show. Okay. Whatever. The main thing is that 10 PM dramas will be back and writers and directors can go back to work and there can be a bit more development around town. Leno said on Oprah that he didn't realize he was taking jobs away from prime time "until I hit the air." Dude, shut the fuck up. Really I could do 25 pages on what a shithead I think Leno is, but watch that Oprah and Leno actually does it all by himself.
As expected, these late night wars have brought out the best in everyone. Conan finally had some teeth (and even some ratings.) Leno become momentarily interesting to watch as his "nice guy" image (one I never bought into) revealed him to be a vane, contemptuous man. And Jay, stop fucking talking about how you don't spend your Tonight Show money but you only spend the money you make on the road. We get it, you're richer than all of us. I know that might not have been your point, but that's the one we take. Shut the fuck up about all your money and your cars. I promise you nobody is interested.
Letterman has never been better than when he's sniping away at Jay, and Jimmy Kimmel has been masterful. First doing an hour AS Jay, (Jimmy was brilliant, Chevy Chase - that night's guest, seemed out to lunch), then the next night, on Leno's own show, Kimmel did the 10@10 segment and literally shredded Mr. Leno on his own show. Leno, who as Kimmel recently pointed out "used to be a comedian" did nothing but act like a hurt ex lover who walked away with crabs. Then he whined on Oprah that he was sucker-punched, but frankly, Jimmy was right there. All Jay had to do was fire back and that, my friends, is called comedy. Something Jay still doesn't get after 30 years. One Superbowl commercial (way more surprising than actually, you know: funny) does not a rehabilitated reputation make.
So, even though Jay and Dave get to have it out all over again in March when Jay resumes, frankly, I think Jay is over. I hope the public rejects him and the late night race boils down to the two funniest men in the race: Dave and Jimmy.
And yeah, I still have no idea what the fuck Craig Ferguson is talking about.
BIG FAN (DVD Screener)
An interesting variation on The King Of Comedy, Patton Oswalt does his best big screen work ever as a football fanatic who has an unfortunate encounter with a Giants player he worships. Halfway through this you think you know where its going, but the screenplay is snakier than that and its third act is wholly original and deserved.
Grade: B +
DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004 remake)
Watched this over the weekend again. Had been a few years and since I recently saw the original DAWN (one of my all time favorites) I thought it'd be interesting to see how this holds up. This is probably one of the very few times something like this has worked so well. Go with the unrated director's cut. More gore and character stuff, and a slightly better film than the R rated cut that plays on cable. This film has quite a bit of NIGHT, DAWN and even a little DAY in it, but it works like gangbusters and is actually a bit more scary than the orginal (which felt documentary like) and poses a lot more moral questions than the original did as well. (If you're into zombie politics.) The DVD comes loaded with great extras like missing scenes, and interesting commentary...everything but almost any acknowledement towards George Romero, which I found kind of curious.
Grade: A -
(still not so sure about that final credit roll, but no spoilers)
I liked the Doritos ad "Keep your hands off the Doritos, and mama" the best of all the Superbowl ads.
I'm glad KITCHEN NIGHTMARES is back. I kind of love that show. (Reportedly this is the last season.)
I finally started unspooling MODERN FAMILY (ABC) off my DVR...good show. Not belly laugh inducing but smart and rather warm.
I need to watch a few more LOSTs before I can really say what I think of the new season. But...in the season premiere, Locke turned into the Smoke Monster and bullets bounced off him. And he's not really Locke. Then he turned to Ben and said "I hate for you to see me this way."
Maybe some things are better left unsaid.
THE HURT LOCKER (DVD)
This is a crafty, extremely well made film. Most I know loved it, but I must say, after seeing it twice, I have no problem admitting that this is a really good film, but it's not as good as I had hoped. I found it a bit slow, and for all of the human element, a bit unmoving. But well done. Just not the masterpiece I'd been led to believe it to be.
Grade: B
TESTAMENT (1983 - DVD)
I watched this old chestnut recently. About a family who survives a nuclear war in a small town. This was slower than I had remembered, but still effective and expertly done. And no special effects except for maybe some make up and a bright light, yet it tells a chilling story of war that all the CGI in the world couldn't improve. The DVD has a nice 20 years later docu on it reuniting all the cast members.
Grade: B +
Finally, if you want a great look at the late night mess and where it actually started, look no further than the great HBO movie THE LATE SHIFT (on DVD.) Actors I've never heard of do an uncanny Jay and Dave, and Betty Thomas, who would go on to direct some of my favorite films (including PRIVATE PARTS) does a superb job here.
THE LATE SHIFT (DVD)
Grade: A +
Have a great week. Since I've been posting pretty regularly, I wil include all the posts since my last bigger blog so that the readers who only check from the mailing list don't miss one morsel of my juicy words.
Sorry there have been no new posts as of late. Unusually busy week.
But, thinking NIP/TUCK is sliding off a bit for its final season. This last episode with them having to bury a body again...not so much. Though I still think they're doing a better than expected final season.
Rewatched SALVADOR. What a great film. Maybe the best Oliver Stone movie ever?
Loving BORED TO DEATH. (I have one more to go.)
The GRAMMYS were weak.
DISTRICT 9 got a bunch of best pictures noms. Don't forget, you read it here first when I believe that recieved a big fat A PLUS from me. Great film.
More to tell.
Planning a really full post on Wed./Thu.
Stay tuned.
Sorry for the delay.
LOST (ABC)
I wanted to watch it. I watched the recap hour. Here's what I love about the show: almost everything. Except; if I'm to nitpick with the setup, here's what I still don't get:
1.) Why they ever returned to the Island. Besides Sun, who wants to see her husband alive, Jack seemed to return over a drinking problem. Hurely I still can't figure out. Kate returns because she thinks she may not be a good mother...folks, these are not reasons to return to an Island that is literally trying to kill you.
2.) They kind of LOST me with the whole idea of Jacob. It's a bit too out-there for me...but I will definitely put my quibbles away, enjoy the final season and allow the show to answer these questions in time. I do love LOST very much and I'm glad this is the final season so that they can go out in style and dignity, unlike say....(take your pick.)
24 (Fox)
I just watched the 4 hour two night premiere. Here are my quick thoughts. I think Freddie Prinze Jr. reminds me of when they brought The Rick Schroeder into NYPD Blue. Only Freddie seems to be humble about it and can actually act. "The Rick" was as fucking horrible as his bad NY accent. The idea that every major character would relocate to NYC on their own independant of each other just in time to join in on an adventure that starts the day they're all their...is kind of fucking ridiculous. That said - don't ask me why but it sorta works. Turning last year's Renee Walker's meek Federal Agent into a lunatic who's now somehow inexplicably had years and years of undercover training and serious ties into the Russian mob....I don't know. The whole thing really had a predictable vibe. How many shows start off with the Prez and some foreign national leader having "Historic talks" that can bring world peace? I also liked when Jack heard Renee Walker was going to be in the building (Because everyone is coming to NY by accident to go on an adventure together!!!) he tells Chloe "Don't let her know I'm in the building." She was in that building no more than 5 seconds before Jack came out and said "Hello." What a hiding job!
But again, this is 24, and just when you count it out, hour 4 suddenly got real interesting. Even though it had sort of a week beginning, I'm liking where this is going (I think) and looks like I'm jumping back in again. And Jack's daughter still can't act. Not even a little. But Jack Baeur, this is one of those times where the actor has so inhabited the role, he can make a lot of this work. I'm hoping for good things for what might be 24's last season run. (Although, if I'm going to predict here at all....I think next season will be its last and designed as such, as this series has frankly earned a wham bang final season.)
Grade: B + (there is lots of good will here)
Okay, there is a lot more here but cutting and pasting is taking too much time...if you want to see what you missed, just keep clicking on OLDER POSTS.
Digital Couch out.
and follow the Digital Couch on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/TheDigitalCouch
2010/02/06
I LOVE THIS SITE!
Sorry there have been no new posts as of late. Unusually busy week.
But, thinking NIP/TUCK is sliding off a bit for its final season. This last episode with them having to bury a body again...not so much.
Rewatched SALVADOR. What a great film. Maybe the best Oliver Stone movie ever?
Loving BORED TO DEATH. (I have one more to go.)
The GRAMMYS were weak.
DISTRICT 9 got a bunch of best pictures noms. Don't forget, you read it here first when I believe that recieved a big fat A PLUS from me. Great film.
More to tell.
Planning a really full post on Wed./Thu.
Stay tuned.
Sorry for the delay.
But, thinking NIP/TUCK is sliding off a bit for its final season. This last episode with them having to bury a body again...not so much.
Rewatched SALVADOR. What a great film. Maybe the best Oliver Stone movie ever?
Loving BORED TO DEATH. (I have one more to go.)
The GRAMMYS were weak.
DISTRICT 9 got a bunch of best pictures noms. Don't forget, you read it here first when I believe that recieved a big fat A PLUS from me. Great film.
More to tell.
Planning a really full post on Wed./Thu.
Stay tuned.
Sorry for the delay.
2010/02/03
Sorry, Haven't watched LOST yet.
LOST (ABC)
I wanted to watch it. I watched the recap hour. Here's what I love about the show: almost everything. Except; if I'm to nitpick with the setup, here's what I still don't get:
1.) Why they ever returned to the Island. Besides Sun, who wants to see her husband alive, Jack seemed to return over a drinking problem. Hurely I still can't figure out. Kate returns because she thinks she may not be a good mother...folks, these are not reasons to return to an Island that is literally trying to kill you.
2.) They kind of LOST me with the whole idea of Jacob. It's a bit too out-there for me...but I will definitely put my quibbles away, enjoy the final season and allow the show to answer these questions in time. I do love LOST very much and I'm glad this is the final season so that they can go out in style and dignity, unlike say....(take your pick.)
24 (Fox)
I just watched the 4 hour two night premiere. Here are my quick thoughts. I think Freddie Prinze Jr. reminds me of when they brought The Rick Schroeder into NYPD Blue. Only Freddie seems to be humble about it and can actually act. "The Rick" was as fucking horrible as his bad NY accent. The idea that every major character would relocate to NYC on their own independant of each other just in time to join in on an adventure that starts the day they're all their...is kind of fucking ridiculous. That said - don't ask me why but it sorta works. Turning last year's Renee Walker's meek Federal Agent into a lunatic who's now somehow inexplicably had years and years of undercover training and serious ties into the Russian mob....I don't know. The whole thing really had a predictable vibe. How many shows start off with the Prez and some foreign national leader having "Historic talks" that can bring world peace? I also liked when Jack heard Renee Walker was going to be in the building (Because everyone is coming to NY by accident to go on an adventure together!!!) he tells Chloe "Don't let her know I'm in the building." She was in that building no more than 5 seconds before Jack came out and said "Hello." What a hiding job!
But again, this is 24, and just when you count it out, hour 4 suddenly got real interesting. Even though it had sort of a week beginning, I'm liking where this is going (I think) and looks like I'm jumping back in again. And Jack's daughter still can't act. Not even a little. But Jack Baeur, this is one of those times where the actor has so inhabited the role, he can make a lot of this work. I'm hoping for good things for what might be 24's last season run. (Although, if I'm going to predict here at all....I think next season will be its last and designed as such, as this series has frankly earned a wham bang final season.)
Grade: B + (there is lots of good will here)
I wanted to watch it. I watched the recap hour. Here's what I love about the show: almost everything. Except; if I'm to nitpick with the setup, here's what I still don't get:
1.) Why they ever returned to the Island. Besides Sun, who wants to see her husband alive, Jack seemed to return over a drinking problem. Hurely I still can't figure out. Kate returns because she thinks she may not be a good mother...folks, these are not reasons to return to an Island that is literally trying to kill you.
2.) They kind of LOST me with the whole idea of Jacob. It's a bit too out-there for me...but I will definitely put my quibbles away, enjoy the final season and allow the show to answer these questions in time. I do love LOST very much and I'm glad this is the final season so that they can go out in style and dignity, unlike say....(take your pick.)
24 (Fox)
I just watched the 4 hour two night premiere. Here are my quick thoughts. I think Freddie Prinze Jr. reminds me of when they brought The Rick Schroeder into NYPD Blue. Only Freddie seems to be humble about it and can actually act. "The Rick" was as fucking horrible as his bad NY accent. The idea that every major character would relocate to NYC on their own independant of each other just in time to join in on an adventure that starts the day they're all their...is kind of fucking ridiculous. That said - don't ask me why but it sorta works. Turning last year's Renee Walker's meek Federal Agent into a lunatic who's now somehow inexplicably had years and years of undercover training and serious ties into the Russian mob....I don't know. The whole thing really had a predictable vibe. How many shows start off with the Prez and some foreign national leader having "Historic talks" that can bring world peace? I also liked when Jack heard Renee Walker was going to be in the building (Because everyone is coming to NY by accident to go on an adventure together!!!) he tells Chloe "Don't let her know I'm in the building." She was in that building no more than 5 seconds before Jack came out and said "Hello." What a hiding job!
But again, this is 24, and just when you count it out, hour 4 suddenly got real interesting. Even though it had sort of a week beginning, I'm liking where this is going (I think) and looks like I'm jumping back in again. And Jack's daughter still can't act. Not even a little. But Jack Baeur, this is one of those times where the actor has so inhabited the role, he can make a lot of this work. I'm hoping for good things for what might be 24's last season run. (Although, if I'm going to predict here at all....I think next season will be its last and designed as such, as this series has frankly earned a wham bang final season.)
Grade: B + (there is lots of good will here)
2010/02/02
McDonald's Iced Coffee Revealed!
So, I went into Mickey D's to get myself my favorite new drink: the large sugar-free vanilla coffee.
I always thought it was too good to be true. Full of vanilla and coffee and cream....so instead of going to the drive-thru I went into the store. They have a pump with the syrup in it. I counted 7 pumps into my coffee. By the time they brought the coffee to me, it was a third full of this syrup.
Anyway, here are the official numbers, but I'd bet they're double.
Nutrition Facts
McDonald's Sugar-Free Vanilla Coffee
Serving Size: 1 large drink (32 ounces)
Amount per Serving
Calories 120 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Protein 0g 0%
Est. Percent of Calories from:
Fat 82.5% Carbs 70.0%
Protein 0.0%
And frankly, that's probably a lie. That's probably like - 2 pumps
and not the actual 7 they give it.
This thing is almost ALL FAT.
And by God, it is the best coffee drink
I've ever had.
But no more.
I wish I didn't know.
Yesterday I was happy.
I always thought it was too good to be true. Full of vanilla and coffee and cream....so instead of going to the drive-thru I went into the store. They have a pump with the syrup in it. I counted 7 pumps into my coffee. By the time they brought the coffee to me, it was a third full of this syrup.
Anyway, here are the official numbers, but I'd bet they're double.
Nutrition Facts
McDonald's Sugar-Free Vanilla Coffee
Serving Size: 1 large drink (32 ounces)
Amount per Serving
Calories 120 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Protein 0g 0%
Est. Percent of Calories from:
Fat 82.5% Carbs 70.0%
Protein 0.0%
And frankly, that's probably a lie. That's probably like - 2 pumps
and not the actual 7 they give it.
This thing is almost ALL FAT.
And by God, it is the best coffee drink
I've ever had.
But no more.
I wish I didn't know.
Yesterday I was happy.
2010/02/01
The Grammys and SNL
Saturday Night Live /w Jon Hamm
A tad funnier than usual, which is not saying that much, but Jon Hamm is definitely the real thing. And a rare thing. A guest host who can not only hold his own with the cast but who can shine as brighty as they. By the way, Seth Myers is terrible. He always has been, and I suspect he always will. But I've at least grown used to him. The pain that comes every time I see that fucking Bobby Moynihan doing some lame bit (this week he did a piss poor parody of Snookie from Jersey Shore. It was as generic and hackeneyed as he is unfunny - which is saying a LOT.) Why is SNL trying so fucking hard to make Moynihan appear funny? This has been goign on for 4 years. He fucking sucks. He's the very worst. Do they need a fat guy that bad? Look, I don't know the man. Perhaps he's a very nice guy. Maybe in person he's hilarious. But on the show, every time he walks on screen any semblence of comedy comes to a screeching halt. What the fuck is going on over there? Enough already.
Grade: C -(Jon Hamm gets an A for coming out unscathed.)
THE GRAMMYS (CBS)
Stephen Colbert, usually hilarious, was a really lame host. The whole thing was pretty lame, actually. I mean, does Taylor Swift really deserve album of the year? I turned the whole thing off after 1 hour. Truly a fucking joke. I really like Lady Gaga, I like Beyonce', but, I don't know. The whole telecast just seems like its getting more and more irrelevant.
Grade: D
A tad funnier than usual, which is not saying that much, but Jon Hamm is definitely the real thing. And a rare thing. A guest host who can not only hold his own with the cast but who can shine as brighty as they. By the way, Seth Myers is terrible. He always has been, and I suspect he always will. But I've at least grown used to him. The pain that comes every time I see that fucking Bobby Moynihan doing some lame bit (this week he did a piss poor parody of Snookie from Jersey Shore. It was as generic and hackeneyed as he is unfunny - which is saying a LOT.) Why is SNL trying so fucking hard to make Moynihan appear funny? This has been goign on for 4 years. He fucking sucks. He's the very worst. Do they need a fat guy that bad? Look, I don't know the man. Perhaps he's a very nice guy. Maybe in person he's hilarious. But on the show, every time he walks on screen any semblence of comedy comes to a screeching halt. What the fuck is going on over there? Enough already.
Grade: C -(Jon Hamm gets an A for coming out unscathed.)
THE GRAMMYS (CBS)
Stephen Colbert, usually hilarious, was a really lame host. The whole thing was pretty lame, actually. I mean, does Taylor Swift really deserve album of the year? I turned the whole thing off after 1 hour. Truly a fucking joke. I really like Lady Gaga, I like Beyonce', but, I don't know. The whole telecast just seems like its getting more and more irrelevant.
Grade: D
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