I just read a terrible review of Sex and the City 2 on rogerebert.com. I guess I should not have loved it as much as I did. I agree that the film was over the top, but that was the show's premise. As I said yesterday, if you are a fan of the show like I am, you will love this movie.
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: They beat the Royals yesterday 8-1 with a great Jon Lester pitching performance. So they split the series and have today off, before they start a three game home series with the Oakland Athletics.
NCAA: Big 12 is going to talk about conference realignment at their upcoming annual meeting. I guess that Nebraska and Missouri are going to consider a switch to the Big Ten if an offer is made. Big 12 may be trying to get their wayward members back in line.
Eleventh Hour (British version): I watched on DVD the first two episodes of this series which starred Patrick Stewart as Ian Hood (Rufus Sewell played John Hood in the American version). Both episodes were remade in the American version of the show, the British episodes were about 23 minutes longer. Pretty well done and makes me want to watch my DVD set of Sewell's show. A
I mentioned some guilty pleasures yesterday. Charlie Chan movies were regularly broadcast on local Harrisburg TV stations when I was growing up. They even had a Charlie Chan theater every Saturday that my dad and I would watch. Then they kind of faded from being shown on TV, AMC when they used to show old movies without commercial interruption would do Charlie Chan marathons. every couple of months, those made my day. TCM got the rights to the films but decided not to show them because of complaints regarding racial issues with the portrayal of Asians in this film. Actually, African Americans were the ones who had stuff to complain about, those portrayals are really bad, the Chinese were a lot more respectfully treated in these films. At least now these films have been coming out in DVD sets, so I can again watch them at my leisure.
Some debate about the Warner Oland-Sidney Toler-Roland Winters portrayals of Chan. I like both Oland and Toler's work on the series, my favorite Chan is one that Toler did, "Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum". I have never seen any of the Winters' Chans, but a couple are going to be released with the next DVD set which is coming out this week. I cannot wait.
Oh well.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thoughts: 30-May-2010
Movie Review.
Sex and the City 2, directed by Michael Patrick King and starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, and Kirstin Davis. I went to this movie expecting to be disappointed. I figured that while the first film was a hit due to the show being off the air for awhile, that this sequel which was rushed into production would be bad. And the reviews have not been kind. All I have to say is that if you are a fan of this show, you will love this movie. Quite funny, quite fabulous, and was as good as the first film. The opening sequence which featured Stanford and Anthony's wedding in CT was very funny and over the top. The whole story set in the Middle East at this super rich hotel with this unbelievable plush luxury was eye opening. All in all a great time. A
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: Clay Buchholz pitched a solid 7 innings of shut out baseball to help the Red Sox beat the Royals in Game 3 of this four game series. Buchholz looked good and maybe the other pitchers can return to winning form.
Boston Celtics: The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Sun last night to advance to the NBA championship round to take on the Celtics. Lakers-Celtics, what a familiar match up. While I hope Boston can pull it out, I just don't know. Gut is telling me the Lakers win this series, let us hope I am wrong.
NHL: Chicago beat the Flyers 6-5 to take Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. Somewhere my dad is smiling.
Treme (HBO): This post Katrina series set in New Orleans has been quite a delight to watch. Great music, great characters, and one great time. A
Friday Night Lights (NBC): Another great show that I am really enjoying. Best that TV has to offer. A
Guilty Pleasures.
Perry Mason TV show with Raymond Burr.
Godzilla Films.
Charlie Chan Films.
Oh well.
Sex and the City 2, directed by Michael Patrick King and starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, and Kirstin Davis. I went to this movie expecting to be disappointed. I figured that while the first film was a hit due to the show being off the air for awhile, that this sequel which was rushed into production would be bad. And the reviews have not been kind. All I have to say is that if you are a fan of this show, you will love this movie. Quite funny, quite fabulous, and was as good as the first film. The opening sequence which featured Stanford and Anthony's wedding in CT was very funny and over the top. The whole story set in the Middle East at this super rich hotel with this unbelievable plush luxury was eye opening. All in all a great time. A
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: Clay Buchholz pitched a solid 7 innings of shut out baseball to help the Red Sox beat the Royals in Game 3 of this four game series. Buchholz looked good and maybe the other pitchers can return to winning form.
Boston Celtics: The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Sun last night to advance to the NBA championship round to take on the Celtics. Lakers-Celtics, what a familiar match up. While I hope Boston can pull it out, I just don't know. Gut is telling me the Lakers win this series, let us hope I am wrong.
NHL: Chicago beat the Flyers 6-5 to take Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. Somewhere my dad is smiling.
Treme (HBO): This post Katrina series set in New Orleans has been quite a delight to watch. Great music, great characters, and one great time. A
Friday Night Lights (NBC): Another great show that I am really enjoying. Best that TV has to offer. A
Guilty Pleasures.
Perry Mason TV show with Raymond Burr.
Godzilla Films.
Charlie Chan Films.
Oh well.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Thoughts: 29-May-2010
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: They have lost the last two games to the Kansas City Royals after taking the first game in this series. The pitching has disappeared once again. We, Red Sox fans, get some hope and it gets dashed. This will be a long season.
Boston Celitcs: They won game 6 against the Magic and have advanced to the NBA finals. I really was worried that they were going to blow it like the Bruins did against the Flyers. So now we just have to wait and see who wins the Suns-Lakers series. Good job Celtics!
Political Fun in CT.
So Chris Dodd was going to run for re-election as our US Senator and his poll numbers were low. The two Republican contenders were leading him by double digits. So Linda McMahon, the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and wife to Vince McMahon, decides to spend her money and try for the Republican nomination. Then Dodd drops out and Richard Blumenthal, the very popular State Attorney General, goes for the Democratic nomination. So, McMahon promising to spend $50 million bucks in her election bid gets the state Republican convention endorsement for the nomination. Rob Simmons, a great candidate, decides not to challenge her in a primary and that leaves only Peter Schiff, a Tea Party guy, trying to challenge her in a primary. McMahon has also been digging dirt up on Blumenthal, she is the one who made public his statements about serving in Vietnam when he had not.
So will the pro wrestling promoter, one of the most corrupt jobs ever created, get to represent CT? I cannot believe that people are stupid enough to vote for her.
Season Finales.
NCIS (CBS): Another great season comes to an end for this show. The Colonel Bell subplot turns out to be a red herring for the Mexican drug cartel, the head of which was killed by Gibbs years ago in revenge for the death of his wife and daughter, to come over Gibbs. The daughter of the man he killed ended the show by meeting his father, who she told Gibbs she was going to kill. And the Tony-Ziva storyline put on hold for all this to happen! It is amazing that a show like this that has been on for a while can put such a fresh spin to things. A
NCIS: LA (CBS): Okay ending to the season, we find out that G Callen has been watched over by someone his whole life, who appears to be his mother. Overall this has been a fun season, but there is room for improvement for next year.
The Good Wife (CBS): The show that beat the CBS Tuesday 10 pm dead zone ended its season with, will Alicia go to Will or Peter? I don't see her leaving Peter hanging at his press conference and given that she has not left him by now, I don't see that happening. What will be Chris Noth's involvement for Season 2? Will the wonderful Alan Cumming be back? I think that this show was a surprising hit and will be curious to see how season 2 bears out. B
CSI: NY (CBS): So serial killers reign supreme on the CSI shows. All three ended their seasons with the CSIs confronting serial killers who inflicted potentially mortal wounds on our heroes. The Ed Furlong character manages to survive a fall off a lighthouse unto a rocky beach by the sea unscathed like a Jason Vorhees to go after Danny and his kid to end the show. Come on now, I thought these shows had some pretence at realism. Very disappointing ending to a good season of this show. D
I am off to see Sex and the City 2 today, I am not expecting as good a movie as the first one. I think that they rushed this sequel to soon to the theaters. But the show and Sarah Jessica Parker are just some of my guilty pleasures.
Oh well.
Boston Red Sox: They have lost the last two games to the Kansas City Royals after taking the first game in this series. The pitching has disappeared once again. We, Red Sox fans, get some hope and it gets dashed. This will be a long season.
Boston Celitcs: They won game 6 against the Magic and have advanced to the NBA finals. I really was worried that they were going to blow it like the Bruins did against the Flyers. So now we just have to wait and see who wins the Suns-Lakers series. Good job Celtics!
Political Fun in CT.
So Chris Dodd was going to run for re-election as our US Senator and his poll numbers were low. The two Republican contenders were leading him by double digits. So Linda McMahon, the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and wife to Vince McMahon, decides to spend her money and try for the Republican nomination. Then Dodd drops out and Richard Blumenthal, the very popular State Attorney General, goes for the Democratic nomination. So, McMahon promising to spend $50 million bucks in her election bid gets the state Republican convention endorsement for the nomination. Rob Simmons, a great candidate, decides not to challenge her in a primary and that leaves only Peter Schiff, a Tea Party guy, trying to challenge her in a primary. McMahon has also been digging dirt up on Blumenthal, she is the one who made public his statements about serving in Vietnam when he had not.
So will the pro wrestling promoter, one of the most corrupt jobs ever created, get to represent CT? I cannot believe that people are stupid enough to vote for her.
Season Finales.
NCIS (CBS): Another great season comes to an end for this show. The Colonel Bell subplot turns out to be a red herring for the Mexican drug cartel, the head of which was killed by Gibbs years ago in revenge for the death of his wife and daughter, to come over Gibbs. The daughter of the man he killed ended the show by meeting his father, who she told Gibbs she was going to kill. And the Tony-Ziva storyline put on hold for all this to happen! It is amazing that a show like this that has been on for a while can put such a fresh spin to things. A
NCIS: LA (CBS): Okay ending to the season, we find out that G Callen has been watched over by someone his whole life, who appears to be his mother. Overall this has been a fun season, but there is room for improvement for next year.
The Good Wife (CBS): The show that beat the CBS Tuesday 10 pm dead zone ended its season with, will Alicia go to Will or Peter? I don't see her leaving Peter hanging at his press conference and given that she has not left him by now, I don't see that happening. What will be Chris Noth's involvement for Season 2? Will the wonderful Alan Cumming be back? I think that this show was a surprising hit and will be curious to see how season 2 bears out. B
CSI: NY (CBS): So serial killers reign supreme on the CSI shows. All three ended their seasons with the CSIs confronting serial killers who inflicted potentially mortal wounds on our heroes. The Ed Furlong character manages to survive a fall off a lighthouse unto a rocky beach by the sea unscathed like a Jason Vorhees to go after Danny and his kid to end the show. Come on now, I thought these shows had some pretence at realism. Very disappointing ending to a good season of this show. D
I am off to see Sex and the City 2 today, I am not expecting as good a movie as the first one. I think that they rushed this sequel to soon to the theaters. But the show and Sarah Jessica Parker are just some of my guilty pleasures.
Oh well.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thoughts: 28-May-2010
Memorial Day Weekend, the official start to the summer.
I woke up early today and could not get back to sleep. So I decided to surf the Internet until it was time to get ready to go to work. Most of my lab is taking the day off so it will be very quiet today. Too bad I have a long experiment to do.
My landlord informed me yesterday that the owner complained about my Boston Red Sox beach towel that I have hanging in my front window. I guess the new lease prohibits any "curtains" that portray images that someone could complain about. My guess is that he is a Yankee fan and got psychological problems. I have had it hanging there for the last five years and never had a complaint. They are going to install blinds on Tuesday so that I conform. Maybe they should worry more about who the rent these apartments to as opposed to my Boston Red Sox beach towel curtain.
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: After taking two out of three against the Phillies, the Red Sox swepted the Tampa Bay Rays three straight. Pitching is looking good. Last night Dice K dropped one to the Royals, so a little set back, but I am starting to feel good about the team.
Boston Celtics: After winning the first three against the Magic, the Celtics dropped the next two to lead the series 3-2. Shades of the Boston Bruins, let us hope that Game 6 in Boston will be a win and not a loss. It would be ironic for both Boston teams to lose the series after being 3-0.
New England Patriots: Arlen Spector, the PA senator who hassled the Patriots during the "Spygate Scandal", lost his bid to win the Democratic nomination for US Senator. This jerk who is in the pocket of Comcast, made a big stink about the NFL not coming down harder on the Patriots, why, because the NFL and Comcast were in a big fight on what cable tier the NFL network was going to be offered by Comcast. The NFL wanted to be on the basic tier to get more subscribers, Comcast wanted to put it on a a higher tier that required subscribers to pay extra to get it. Honestly, I never watch the NFL network unless the Patriots are playing, it seems kind of boring to me the rest of the time. Spector showed his true colors when he refused to help out basketball fans who were upset about an NBA policy, Comcast was not in a fight then. So old Arlen is out and I say frak you buddy.
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks meet the Philadelphia Flyers in the finals, first ever match up for the Stanley Cup with these teams. My father loved the Blackhawks and hated the Flyers so he would have loved watching this series.
Season Finales.
Lost (ABC): The series is over, I thought the finale was okay with all of the important stuff answered. Lots of people did not like the alternative world being a purgatory where the folks were waiting to move on. It did not bother me at all. A for both the finale and the series.
24 (Fox): The series ended with Jack bloody and battered but having once again saved the day as he goes off to star in a movie version of the show. I thought that this season was just a C, too much repetition from seasons past. The CTU mole, Jack being hunted, someone takes over for the director of CTU, yadda yadda yadda. Series overall deserves an A for making this concept work for eight seasons.
CSI: Miami (CBS): What is it with the serial killers showing up in the season finales of all the CSI shows? And is everybody dead over at the lab? I thought it was a bit much bringing in a serial killer in the last show. And I get a major Jigsaw vibe with the way it preceded, CSI: SAW anybody? C for the finale, B for the season.
Oh well.
I woke up early today and could not get back to sleep. So I decided to surf the Internet until it was time to get ready to go to work. Most of my lab is taking the day off so it will be very quiet today. Too bad I have a long experiment to do.
My landlord informed me yesterday that the owner complained about my Boston Red Sox beach towel that I have hanging in my front window. I guess the new lease prohibits any "curtains" that portray images that someone could complain about. My guess is that he is a Yankee fan and got psychological problems. I have had it hanging there for the last five years and never had a complaint. They are going to install blinds on Tuesday so that I conform. Maybe they should worry more about who the rent these apartments to as opposed to my Boston Red Sox beach towel curtain.
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: After taking two out of three against the Phillies, the Red Sox swepted the Tampa Bay Rays three straight. Pitching is looking good. Last night Dice K dropped one to the Royals, so a little set back, but I am starting to feel good about the team.
Boston Celtics: After winning the first three against the Magic, the Celtics dropped the next two to lead the series 3-2. Shades of the Boston Bruins, let us hope that Game 6 in Boston will be a win and not a loss. It would be ironic for both Boston teams to lose the series after being 3-0.
New England Patriots: Arlen Spector, the PA senator who hassled the Patriots during the "Spygate Scandal", lost his bid to win the Democratic nomination for US Senator. This jerk who is in the pocket of Comcast, made a big stink about the NFL not coming down harder on the Patriots, why, because the NFL and Comcast were in a big fight on what cable tier the NFL network was going to be offered by Comcast. The NFL wanted to be on the basic tier to get more subscribers, Comcast wanted to put it on a a higher tier that required subscribers to pay extra to get it. Honestly, I never watch the NFL network unless the Patriots are playing, it seems kind of boring to me the rest of the time. Spector showed his true colors when he refused to help out basketball fans who were upset about an NBA policy, Comcast was not in a fight then. So old Arlen is out and I say frak you buddy.
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks meet the Philadelphia Flyers in the finals, first ever match up for the Stanley Cup with these teams. My father loved the Blackhawks and hated the Flyers so he would have loved watching this series.
Season Finales.
Lost (ABC): The series is over, I thought the finale was okay with all of the important stuff answered. Lots of people did not like the alternative world being a purgatory where the folks were waiting to move on. It did not bother me at all. A for both the finale and the series.
24 (Fox): The series ended with Jack bloody and battered but having once again saved the day as he goes off to star in a movie version of the show. I thought that this season was just a C, too much repetition from seasons past. The CTU mole, Jack being hunted, someone takes over for the director of CTU, yadda yadda yadda. Series overall deserves an A for making this concept work for eight seasons.
CSI: Miami (CBS): What is it with the serial killers showing up in the season finales of all the CSI shows? And is everybody dead over at the lab? I thought it was a bit much bringing in a serial killer in the last show. And I get a major Jigsaw vibe with the way it preceded, CSI: SAW anybody? C for the finale, B for the season.
Oh well.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thoughts: 23-May-2010
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: A near no hitter by Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Red Sox win over the Phillies. Game 3 is today. Pitching is starting to look good, maybe just maybe, we have a turn around for Boston.
Boston Celtics: A win over the Magic in Game 3 gives Boston a 3 games to none lead in this series. One game away from the championship series. Let us hope that this series does not end up like the Bruins-Flyers series.
College Football: SEC is now talking expansion plans. Looks like the Big 12 is in serious trouble, lots of rumors about teams leaving there to join other conferences.
Movie Review.
Shrek Forever After: What promises to be the last Shrek film was a notable improvement over number 3. Still not as good as the first two films, it was watchable. Worth a rental. C
Season Finales.
CSI (CBS): Dr. Jekyll is caught and Ray gets stabbed by the serial killer who helped him catch Jekyll. I did like the fact that he pointed out the Jekyll was the good guy in the story. Okay ending to the season, I do think that they need to step the game up for next year. B
Ghost Whisperer (CBS): What cold be the series finale, we find out who the Shinnies are (ghosts of children who crossed over), see that Aidan needed to lead them to defeat the Shadows, and get a little mythology established. Big problem with this series, unlike Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Supernatural, was an incomplete development of mythology. In Season 1 we were introduced to a being who brought the ghosts of dead infants into the light, then never saw them again. The Watchers were never developed completely. And replacing Aisha Tyler with Camryn Manheim never worked. ABC may pick up this series, I kind of doubt it. B for the season finale, C for the whole series.
The Mentalist (CBS): Red John makes an appearance in the finale, kidnapping the psychic who Jane has a crush on and killing some imitators of his work. So-so ending, overall this is a very solid bit of TV entertainment. B
I forgot to mention on the Grey's Anatomy (ABC) season finale, Kallie and Arizona got back together. That was nice.
Next Season TV schedule.
So next season we are going to have a big jam up on Thursday night as we did this past season.
Once again, I have six shows to watch and maybe a new one (Nikita) on the CW. Supernatural got moved to Friday which frees up my schedule some what.
I do find it interesting that CSI: Miami (CBS) got moved to Sunday Night. Let's see, Shark, Three Rivers, and Cold Case all got cancelled at that time slots, does CBS think they can improve ratings by putting CSI: Miami on at that time. How about not screwing up the schedule with sports overruns. When that happens, have your sports pregame show run to 8 pm and start then. You can put 60 Minutes on at 8, and one of those crappy reality shows on at 9 on those days.
For some reason, I don't think that will happen.
Oh well.
Boston Red Sox: A near no hitter by Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Red Sox win over the Phillies. Game 3 is today. Pitching is starting to look good, maybe just maybe, we have a turn around for Boston.
Boston Celtics: A win over the Magic in Game 3 gives Boston a 3 games to none lead in this series. One game away from the championship series. Let us hope that this series does not end up like the Bruins-Flyers series.
College Football: SEC is now talking expansion plans. Looks like the Big 12 is in serious trouble, lots of rumors about teams leaving there to join other conferences.
Movie Review.
Shrek Forever After: What promises to be the last Shrek film was a notable improvement over number 3. Still not as good as the first two films, it was watchable. Worth a rental. C
Season Finales.
CSI (CBS): Dr. Jekyll is caught and Ray gets stabbed by the serial killer who helped him catch Jekyll. I did like the fact that he pointed out the Jekyll was the good guy in the story. Okay ending to the season, I do think that they need to step the game up for next year. B
Ghost Whisperer (CBS): What cold be the series finale, we find out who the Shinnies are (ghosts of children who crossed over), see that Aidan needed to lead them to defeat the Shadows, and get a little mythology established. Big problem with this series, unlike Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Supernatural, was an incomplete development of mythology. In Season 1 we were introduced to a being who brought the ghosts of dead infants into the light, then never saw them again. The Watchers were never developed completely. And replacing Aisha Tyler with Camryn Manheim never worked. ABC may pick up this series, I kind of doubt it. B for the season finale, C for the whole series.
The Mentalist (CBS): Red John makes an appearance in the finale, kidnapping the psychic who Jane has a crush on and killing some imitators of his work. So-so ending, overall this is a very solid bit of TV entertainment. B
I forgot to mention on the Grey's Anatomy (ABC) season finale, Kallie and Arizona got back together. That was nice.
Next Season TV schedule.
So next season we are going to have a big jam up on Thursday night as we did this past season.
Once again, I have six shows to watch and maybe a new one (Nikita) on the CW. Supernatural got moved to Friday which frees up my schedule some what.
I do find it interesting that CSI: Miami (CBS) got moved to Sunday Night. Let's see, Shark, Three Rivers, and Cold Case all got cancelled at that time slots, does CBS think they can improve ratings by putting CSI: Miami on at that time. How about not screwing up the schedule with sports overruns. When that happens, have your sports pregame show run to 8 pm and start then. You can put 60 Minutes on at 8, and one of those crappy reality shows on at 9 on those days.
For some reason, I don't think that will happen.
Oh well.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Thoughts: 22-May-2010
Lots of stuff to comment on today.
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: Last weekend, they lost two out of three to the Detroit Tigers, one of those losses can when they had a 6-1 8th inning lead. Then they split two in New York against the hated Yankees, swept the Minnesota Twins, and lost the first game in a series with the Philadelphia Phillies. Up and down this team goes, one bright spot is the brilliant pitching of Jon Lester, so hope remains.
Boston Celtics: They defeated the Orlando Magic in the first two games and may make it to the championship round. Very unexpected three round performance by the Celtics. Good job guys!
Big Ten: Rumors still fly about expansion. Missouri keeps coming up as a possible team. Maybe they will join at the 12th team and that may force Notre Dame to make a decision.
Movie Review.
Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, and William Hurt (three Oscar winners). This film tells the story of how Robin Hood comes to be the legendary outlaw. Several critics have complained that it is not the Robin Hood story or it is not swashbuckling enough. I guess they forgot about the Sean Connery-Audrey Hepburn film, Robin and Marion which also did a revisionist take on the story. I liked this film very much and would recommend this to anyone. A good time at the movies. A
I will be seeing the fourth Shrek film today, I did not care that much for the third one, and reviews have not been good for this entry. We shall see.
TV show Cancellations.
CBS cancelled Cold Case and Ghost Whisperer. Cold Case was expected and Medium was thought to be the show in trouble. I will comment more about Ghost Whisperer when I watch the series finale and comment on that. Cold Case was a good show, but with 7 seasons under its belt, and a big time syndication deal that has the show on constantly on TNT, maybe its time was over.
Season Finales.
Desperate Housewives (ABC): I did not care that much for this season, I think that this show has run its course. At least they did not kill off Angie, they allowed Drea de Matteo to leave the show with a nice send off where she was clever and got her revenge on her ex husband. Looks like Kyle McLaughlin is leaving the show, he is such a good actor and was wasted the last couple of seasons. The cliffhangers for next season look to be a baby switch at the hospital, my guess is that MJ is not Susan and Mike's, they will lose the kid for a while, then his biological parents will die and they will get MJ back by the end of the season. Also Mary Alice's husband returns to cause more havoc. Yawn. C
The Pacific (HBO): This ten part miniseries ended and I thought it was very good. Really shows how brutal the war with Japan was. Excellent. A
House (Fox): Okay ending to a very good season of House. He almost goes back on drugs when Cuddy shows up to tell him that she loves him. 13 also goes off on a leave of absence that may play a part next season. I wished that they did not do the Cuddy thing to save House at the end, I think that it may have been more powerful to end the season with House holding the pills in this hand and trying to decide what to do. B
Bones (Fox): Nice end to the season as all the characters take a year off to reevaluate their lives. Looking forward to seeing how this all plays out next season. A
Fringe (Fox): Nice two part season finale, Peter is back in our world while Olivia is trapped in the alternate universe with her double pretending to be her. And how evil is that Walter-net? I do have to say that having your child get stolen from you is pretty bad, but to want to destroy a whole universe for revenge? Great series. A
Grey's Anatomy (ABC): Shonda Rhimes must have a thirst for blood. She kills off Del on Private Practice and then has Mr. Clarke who lost his wife earlier in the season, coming gunning for doctors, two unknowns were killed, two Mercy West transfers were killed, and Derick, Hunt, and Alex all get shot. Oh, and Meredeth has a miscarriage. While this episode had me on the edge of my seat, and wondering why the SWAT guy did not do a head shot, I have to say in the light of the next day, a bit over the top, don't you think? C
New shows that interest me for next season.
CBS
The Defenders: Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell play two Las Vegas lawyers who go to bat for their clients. Could be interesting.
Blue Bloods: Tom Selleck plays the head of a family of Irish cops who also is the NY Chief of Police. I like Selleck and will check it out.
Hawaii Five-O: Alex O'Loughlin plays Steve McGarrett in this remake. Daniel Dae Kim, from Crusade, Angel, and Lost also stars. I always liked this show and am curious on how they plan on updating it
ABC
No Ordinary Family: Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz in this show about a family that gets super powers. I like both of these stars and will check it out.
Off the Map: Shonda Rhimes is producing this three medical show about doctors with past issues trying to find themselves in a clinic for the poor in Costa Rica. I thought that this was going to be set on a tropical island with lots of eye candy to go along with the junior high drama. Could be a tad depressing for fans of her other shows.
Fox
Terra Nova: Steven Spielberg is producing this show about a family of scientists sent to prehistoric times to study dinosaurs. Kyle Chandler is being considered for a role. A mid season replacement show.
NBC
Law & Order LA: Only show I want to watch on NBC.
Oh well.
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: Last weekend, they lost two out of three to the Detroit Tigers, one of those losses can when they had a 6-1 8th inning lead. Then they split two in New York against the hated Yankees, swept the Minnesota Twins, and lost the first game in a series with the Philadelphia Phillies. Up and down this team goes, one bright spot is the brilliant pitching of Jon Lester, so hope remains.
Boston Celtics: They defeated the Orlando Magic in the first two games and may make it to the championship round. Very unexpected three round performance by the Celtics. Good job guys!
Big Ten: Rumors still fly about expansion. Missouri keeps coming up as a possible team. Maybe they will join at the 12th team and that may force Notre Dame to make a decision.
Movie Review.
Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, and William Hurt (three Oscar winners). This film tells the story of how Robin Hood comes to be the legendary outlaw. Several critics have complained that it is not the Robin Hood story or it is not swashbuckling enough. I guess they forgot about the Sean Connery-Audrey Hepburn film, Robin and Marion which also did a revisionist take on the story. I liked this film very much and would recommend this to anyone. A good time at the movies. A
I will be seeing the fourth Shrek film today, I did not care that much for the third one, and reviews have not been good for this entry. We shall see.
TV show Cancellations.
CBS cancelled Cold Case and Ghost Whisperer. Cold Case was expected and Medium was thought to be the show in trouble. I will comment more about Ghost Whisperer when I watch the series finale and comment on that. Cold Case was a good show, but with 7 seasons under its belt, and a big time syndication deal that has the show on constantly on TNT, maybe its time was over.
Season Finales.
Desperate Housewives (ABC): I did not care that much for this season, I think that this show has run its course. At least they did not kill off Angie, they allowed Drea de Matteo to leave the show with a nice send off where she was clever and got her revenge on her ex husband. Looks like Kyle McLaughlin is leaving the show, he is such a good actor and was wasted the last couple of seasons. The cliffhangers for next season look to be a baby switch at the hospital, my guess is that MJ is not Susan and Mike's, they will lose the kid for a while, then his biological parents will die and they will get MJ back by the end of the season. Also Mary Alice's husband returns to cause more havoc. Yawn. C
The Pacific (HBO): This ten part miniseries ended and I thought it was very good. Really shows how brutal the war with Japan was. Excellent. A
House (Fox): Okay ending to a very good season of House. He almost goes back on drugs when Cuddy shows up to tell him that she loves him. 13 also goes off on a leave of absence that may play a part next season. I wished that they did not do the Cuddy thing to save House at the end, I think that it may have been more powerful to end the season with House holding the pills in this hand and trying to decide what to do. B
Bones (Fox): Nice end to the season as all the characters take a year off to reevaluate their lives. Looking forward to seeing how this all plays out next season. A
Fringe (Fox): Nice two part season finale, Peter is back in our world while Olivia is trapped in the alternate universe with her double pretending to be her. And how evil is that Walter-net? I do have to say that having your child get stolen from you is pretty bad, but to want to destroy a whole universe for revenge? Great series. A
Grey's Anatomy (ABC): Shonda Rhimes must have a thirst for blood. She kills off Del on Private Practice and then has Mr. Clarke who lost his wife earlier in the season, coming gunning for doctors, two unknowns were killed, two Mercy West transfers were killed, and Derick, Hunt, and Alex all get shot. Oh, and Meredeth has a miscarriage. While this episode had me on the edge of my seat, and wondering why the SWAT guy did not do a head shot, I have to say in the light of the next day, a bit over the top, don't you think? C
New shows that interest me for next season.
CBS
The Defenders: Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell play two Las Vegas lawyers who go to bat for their clients. Could be interesting.
Blue Bloods: Tom Selleck plays the head of a family of Irish cops who also is the NY Chief of Police. I like Selleck and will check it out.
Hawaii Five-O: Alex O'Loughlin plays Steve McGarrett in this remake. Daniel Dae Kim, from Crusade, Angel, and Lost also stars. I always liked this show and am curious on how they plan on updating it
ABC
No Ordinary Family: Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz in this show about a family that gets super powers. I like both of these stars and will check it out.
Off the Map: Shonda Rhimes is producing this three medical show about doctors with past issues trying to find themselves in a clinic for the poor in Costa Rica. I thought that this was going to be set on a tropical island with lots of eye candy to go along with the junior high drama. Could be a tad depressing for fans of her other shows.
Fox
Terra Nova: Steven Spielberg is producing this show about a family of scientists sent to prehistoric times to study dinosaurs. Kyle Chandler is being considered for a role. A mid season replacement show.
NBC
Law & Order LA: Only show I want to watch on NBC.
Oh well.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Thoughts: 15-May-2010
Sports Update.
Boston Red Sox: They took 2 out of 3 games over the Blue Jays and defeated the Tigers last night in that series opener. Let us hope the Red Sox are finally on a constant winning track.
Boston Bruins: They take a 3 game to 0 lead over the Flyers, their goalie goes out for the season due to injuries, and they lose the next four games. The Flyers advance to round 3 to take on the Montreal Canadians who have already defeated the Washington Capitals (President's Trophy winner for having the best regular season record) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (defending Stanley Cup champions). I expect the Flyers to lose that series. Too bad, I really thought Boston would go to round 3.
Boston Celtics: They defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4 games to 2, LeBron James is now looking at free agency and may go the New York Knicks. I think if he makes that move, he will be missing Cleveland big time. The Celtics go on to meet the Orlando Magic. One of my co-workers who knows more about basketball, told me that nobody is going to beat the Magic. Of course the Celtics were not supposed to beat Cleveland either.
Big Ten college football: Lots of rumors about expansion. Supposedly Nebraska and Missouri from the Big 12 along with Notre Dame got invitations to join. The Big 10 and 12 commissioners are both denying it. I was surprised to learn that Notre Dame would make more money by joining the Big 10 than they are making from the NBC contract to televise their home football games. I think that unless Notre Dame joins the Big 10, no deal will be made this year for expansion.
Season Finales.
Supernatural (CW): What a great and satisfying season finale. Sam says yes to being Lucifer's vessel, hoping to take control and jump back into the pit. Lucifer stays in control. Dean, Cass, and Bobby find out from the prophet (hack writer who uses his visions from God about Sam and Dean to write a Supernatural book series, which is to be the Gospel of the Winchesters) where the big showdown between Michael (who is using Sam and Dean's half brother as a vessel) and Lucifer is taking place. Dean shows up to try and reach Sam. Cass throws a holy fire bomb to get rid of Michael for a few minutes so Dean can try and do this. He and Bobby get killed, Lucifer beats up on Dean until Sam using his memories of his time with Dean (sparked by the car they grew up with) gets control, opens the pit, and jumps in taking Michael (who ended up acting like a big old jerk) with him. God restores Cass making me he archangel in charge of heaven. He heals Dean and brings Bobby back. Dean goes to Lisa (old love of Dean's) to try and have a normal life. And we find out the prophet is God in disguise who has been manipulating all this stuff from behind the seasons, Oh and God does bring Sam back, just in time for Season 6 next year. I do not know how next year will go, but this was the best season finale I have ever seen. A
Private Practice (ABC): I dislike this show for the junior high antics that these doctors engage in. Yet the season finale was not to bad at all. Here is a wrap up.
Del: He dies bring Maya and her unborn baby girl to the hospital. Maya's life is saved as is the baby's. Del really was put through the ringer this season, too bad, he was not too bad a character.
Cooper: He proposes to Charlotte and she accepts. He is not worth it, but just my opinion.
Pete and Violet: Addison tells Pete to go back to his true love and he does. Addison hosed again.
Addison: She decides to be with Sam, seems kind of contrived to me.
Sheldon: He gets hosed again by Charlotte and I think that Brian Benben is off the series. Too bad, he is a good actor and I hope he can get on a better TV show.
C
Smallville (CW): Another cliffhanger ending that we have to wait until the next season for resolution. The Kandorians are off to another world, Clark with Blue Kryptonite (takes away his powers) he falling from a tall building, and Green Arrow has been captured by some unknown new group. I was glad to see the Kandorians gone, now let's bring Supergirl back. Oh and Lois finally figures out Clark is the Blur. C
TV Renewals and Cancellations.
Human Target and Lie to Me (Fox): Both are coming back for a 13 episode run. Good for Human Target as the cliffhanger will not get resolved. And really if Fox can give Dollhouse two seasons why not these shows?
Law & Order and Heroes (NBC): NBC pulled the plug on both these shows. Heroes never lived up to its first season and deserved the cancellation. Law & Order was still a good show but I guess 20 seasons is all it gets. I think that TNT or USA should pick this up, who knows maybe they will.
Oh well.
Boston Red Sox: They took 2 out of 3 games over the Blue Jays and defeated the Tigers last night in that series opener. Let us hope the Red Sox are finally on a constant winning track.
Boston Bruins: They take a 3 game to 0 lead over the Flyers, their goalie goes out for the season due to injuries, and they lose the next four games. The Flyers advance to round 3 to take on the Montreal Canadians who have already defeated the Washington Capitals (President's Trophy winner for having the best regular season record) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (defending Stanley Cup champions). I expect the Flyers to lose that series. Too bad, I really thought Boston would go to round 3.
Boston Celtics: They defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4 games to 2, LeBron James is now looking at free agency and may go the New York Knicks. I think if he makes that move, he will be missing Cleveland big time. The Celtics go on to meet the Orlando Magic. One of my co-workers who knows more about basketball, told me that nobody is going to beat the Magic. Of course the Celtics were not supposed to beat Cleveland either.
Big Ten college football: Lots of rumors about expansion. Supposedly Nebraska and Missouri from the Big 12 along with Notre Dame got invitations to join. The Big 10 and 12 commissioners are both denying it. I was surprised to learn that Notre Dame would make more money by joining the Big 10 than they are making from the NBC contract to televise their home football games. I think that unless Notre Dame joins the Big 10, no deal will be made this year for expansion.
Season Finales.
Supernatural (CW): What a great and satisfying season finale. Sam says yes to being Lucifer's vessel, hoping to take control and jump back into the pit. Lucifer stays in control. Dean, Cass, and Bobby find out from the prophet (hack writer who uses his visions from God about Sam and Dean to write a Supernatural book series, which is to be the Gospel of the Winchesters) where the big showdown between Michael (who is using Sam and Dean's half brother as a vessel) and Lucifer is taking place. Dean shows up to try and reach Sam. Cass throws a holy fire bomb to get rid of Michael for a few minutes so Dean can try and do this. He and Bobby get killed, Lucifer beats up on Dean until Sam using his memories of his time with Dean (sparked by the car they grew up with) gets control, opens the pit, and jumps in taking Michael (who ended up acting like a big old jerk) with him. God restores Cass making me he archangel in charge of heaven. He heals Dean and brings Bobby back. Dean goes to Lisa (old love of Dean's) to try and have a normal life. And we find out the prophet is God in disguise who has been manipulating all this stuff from behind the seasons, Oh and God does bring Sam back, just in time for Season 6 next year. I do not know how next year will go, but this was the best season finale I have ever seen. A
Private Practice (ABC): I dislike this show for the junior high antics that these doctors engage in. Yet the season finale was not to bad at all. Here is a wrap up.
Del: He dies bring Maya and her unborn baby girl to the hospital. Maya's life is saved as is the baby's. Del really was put through the ringer this season, too bad, he was not too bad a character.
Cooper: He proposes to Charlotte and she accepts. He is not worth it, but just my opinion.
Pete and Violet: Addison tells Pete to go back to his true love and he does. Addison hosed again.
Addison: She decides to be with Sam, seems kind of contrived to me.
Sheldon: He gets hosed again by Charlotte and I think that Brian Benben is off the series. Too bad, he is a good actor and I hope he can get on a better TV show.
C
Smallville (CW): Another cliffhanger ending that we have to wait until the next season for resolution. The Kandorians are off to another world, Clark with Blue Kryptonite (takes away his powers) he falling from a tall building, and Green Arrow has been captured by some unknown new group. I was glad to see the Kandorians gone, now let's bring Supergirl back. Oh and Lois finally figures out Clark is the Blur. C
TV Renewals and Cancellations.
Human Target and Lie to Me (Fox): Both are coming back for a 13 episode run. Good for Human Target as the cliffhanger will not get resolved. And really if Fox can give Dollhouse two seasons why not these shows?
Law & Order and Heroes (NBC): NBC pulled the plug on both these shows. Heroes never lived up to its first season and deserved the cancellation. Law & Order was still a good show but I guess 20 seasons is all it gets. I think that TNT or USA should pick this up, who knows maybe they will.
Oh well.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Thoughts: 11-May-2010
The Boston Red Sox beat the hated enemy, the New York Yankees, last night 9-3 to avoid a three game sweep. Jon Lester has been dead on his last couple of outings. Maybe there is hope for the Red Sox after all.
The Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers last night to tie the series up 2-2. Outstanding performance by Rajon Rondo. Can the Celtics win two more games? I still have my doubts, but hope never dies in New England.
Bones (Fox): I wanted to comment on an injustice finally getting corrected on Bones. Hodges and Angelia were married this past episode, and I say hurrah. I never liked the fact that they split them up, for what I thought were dumb reasons. Now, Temperance and Booth need to get together. A
Jesse Stone: Last Remorse (CBS): Another great performance by Tom Selleck in the always excellent Jesse Stone films. Nice story line, but come on did you really have to leave the outcome of the hearing unresolved. The saving grace is that another Jesse Stone film is in the works. B
With the Jesse Stone films, I wonder why CBS does not revive the mystery movie concept where we have some rotating series characters, plus some adaptations of original novels that are not popular enough for the big screen. Could be a good Sunday night attraction for CBS.
Oh well.
The Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers last night to tie the series up 2-2. Outstanding performance by Rajon Rondo. Can the Celtics win two more games? I still have my doubts, but hope never dies in New England.
Bones (Fox): I wanted to comment on an injustice finally getting corrected on Bones. Hodges and Angelia were married this past episode, and I say hurrah. I never liked the fact that they split them up, for what I thought were dumb reasons. Now, Temperance and Booth need to get together. A
Jesse Stone: Last Remorse (CBS): Another great performance by Tom Selleck in the always excellent Jesse Stone films. Nice story line, but come on did you really have to leave the outcome of the hearing unresolved. The saving grace is that another Jesse Stone film is in the works. B
With the Jesse Stone films, I wonder why CBS does not revive the mystery movie concept where we have some rotating series characters, plus some adaptations of original novels that are not popular enough for the big screen. Could be a good Sunday night attraction for CBS.
Oh well.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Thoughts: 09-May-2010
Happy Mother's Day.
Film Review.
Iron Man 2: Director Jon Favreau. Very good sequel, as good as the original. Great story and lots of great action. Scarlett Johansson was very good in the role of the Black Widow and Jon Favreau did a great comedy bit with her during her big fight scene. I thought that Don Cheadle was wasted in his role, was not given that much screen time or character development. For that matter, Terence Howard who played James Rhodes in the first film, did not get that much screen time ether. Mickey Rouke did a great job playing the villain Ivan Danko aka Whiplash. And after the final credits, we get a setup for the upcoming Thor film with the reveal of Mjolnir crashing into the New Mexican desert. Great movie and a must see. A
News item: The Washington Post company puts Newsweek up for sale.
According to an article in the Atlantic a few months back, newsweeklies have not been doing well as the Internet and cable news channels are getting information to people a lot fast than a weekly magazine can. Only The Economist and the Weekly seem to be doing well. US News and World Report is now a monthly, Time has cut back on news reporting to focus on longer essays, and Newsweek went through a revamp to make it more like the Economist and be more of a thought publication as opposed to a news reporting magazine.
Well, the revamp is not successful. I picked up a copy of Newsweek a while back and it was a great issue on true crime. This got me to subscribe. I was unimpressed with the run of magazines I received, the content never lived up to the promise of that first issue that I read. Now the magazine is for sale.
I say that a weekly news magazine, should have a summary of the top stories of the week, some lengthy investigative journalism articles, and then a review section for movies, TV, theater, books, music, and other fine arts. Maybe some commentary on the sports world too. That to me could be a successful combination.
Also, who ever buys Newsweek, please fire Eleanor Clift.
Boston Red Sox were again smoked by the evil empire. Lord, do I hate it when the Yankees win and to smoke us like that. Good night nurse.
Cold Case (CBS): The season finale was on this past week and the show ended with some nice tie ups to previous story lines. That evil assistant chief got his comeuppance, Lily saved her sister and newborn baby, and the rapist who raped the mother of Scotty got killed in prison after getting set up as a rat by Scotty. The show may have seen its end with this season as CBS may not renew it. Good show over all, with 7 seasons under its belt has plenty of episodes for syndication. B
Oh well.
Film Review.
Iron Man 2: Director Jon Favreau. Very good sequel, as good as the original. Great story and lots of great action. Scarlett Johansson was very good in the role of the Black Widow and Jon Favreau did a great comedy bit with her during her big fight scene. I thought that Don Cheadle was wasted in his role, was not given that much screen time or character development. For that matter, Terence Howard who played James Rhodes in the first film, did not get that much screen time ether. Mickey Rouke did a great job playing the villain Ivan Danko aka Whiplash. And after the final credits, we get a setup for the upcoming Thor film with the reveal of Mjolnir crashing into the New Mexican desert. Great movie and a must see. A
News item: The Washington Post company puts Newsweek up for sale.
According to an article in the Atlantic a few months back, newsweeklies have not been doing well as the Internet and cable news channels are getting information to people a lot fast than a weekly magazine can. Only The Economist and the Weekly seem to be doing well. US News and World Report is now a monthly, Time has cut back on news reporting to focus on longer essays, and Newsweek went through a revamp to make it more like the Economist and be more of a thought publication as opposed to a news reporting magazine.
Well, the revamp is not successful. I picked up a copy of Newsweek a while back and it was a great issue on true crime. This got me to subscribe. I was unimpressed with the run of magazines I received, the content never lived up to the promise of that first issue that I read. Now the magazine is for sale.
I say that a weekly news magazine, should have a summary of the top stories of the week, some lengthy investigative journalism articles, and then a review section for movies, TV, theater, books, music, and other fine arts. Maybe some commentary on the sports world too. That to me could be a successful combination.
Also, who ever buys Newsweek, please fire Eleanor Clift.
Boston Red Sox were again smoked by the evil empire. Lord, do I hate it when the Yankees win and to smoke us like that. Good night nurse.
Cold Case (CBS): The season finale was on this past week and the show ended with some nice tie ups to previous story lines. That evil assistant chief got his comeuppance, Lily saved her sister and newborn baby, and the rapist who raped the mother of Scotty got killed in prison after getting set up as a rat by Scotty. The show may have seen its end with this season as CBS may not renew it. Good show over all, with 7 seasons under its belt has plenty of episodes for syndication. B
Oh well.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Thoughts: 08-May-2010
I am planning on seeing Iron Man 2 today, looking forward to seeing the sequel. I loved the first film and have seen lots of good reviews for this movie. Tomorrow, I will give my review.
Sports Update:
Boston Red Sox: They were swept in their series with the Baltimore Orioles, then swept the series with the Angels, and got blown out by the Yankees last night in the first game of their weekend series with the hated enemy. I wish the real Red Sox would show up.
Boston Bruins: They beat the Flyers to get a 3 to 0 lead in their playoff series, and lost last night to them in overtime. 3-1 is the current count, hopefully they can put them away in game 5.
Boston Celtics: The Cavillers beat them last night to take a 2-1 lead in their playoff series. I hope the Celtics still have a few wins left in them, but I think that the Cavs have this series.
Two shows that I cannot stand to watch anymore.
McLaughlin Group (PBS): Eleanor Clift's constant interrupting and screeching has finally gotten to me. She has gotten so bad, that even when her fellow comrade on the left tries to get a word in, she needs to screech over her, and all she wanted to do was say she agreed with Eleanor. Clift has not spoken an intelligent word since I started to watch this show again. Not going to waste anymore time on it as long as she is on the show. F
Ancient Aliens (History Channel): The last episode did me in, what a bunch of nonsense they are spouting to fill the two hours. First we are told that these ancient aliens came to Earth to mine gold and genetically manipulated the DNA of cavemen to create a slave labor force to mine the gold. But if they wanted gold, why did they leave with so much gold left on Earth, it was the genetic manipulations that was the real goal. So they periodically return to Earth to check on the progress of this work by doing cattle mutilations. Huh? We also heard nonsense about crop circles being an attempt by these ancient aliens to communicate with us. Never mind that folks have come forward saying they created the circles, their attempts were crude, the real alien crop circles are too perfect, they could never be created by us dumb humans. The same prejudice exhibited against our ancestors, they could never build pyramids or come up with anything intelligent on their own. Enough of this crap already. F
Now for some good TV.
Friday Night Lights (NBC): I watched the first episode of the season that Direct TV had shown earlier last night. What a great show, what a amazing turn around where Coach Taylor goes from the most to the least. Kyle Chandler is a great actor and I hope he can find another vehicle that will get better ratings, he deserves it. This promises to be an awesome season. A
Supernatural (CW): We are getting set up for the big season finale next week. This show gets better season after season. My guess is that poor Bobby is going to bite the bullet so that Sam and Dean survive for next season's run. I hope not, I like him. A
Comic Book News
DC is cancelling the Warlord with issue 16. Mike Grell returned to his series this year, but I guess the sales were not good enough. Though why this book gets cancelled and Magog is still being published is beyond my understanding. I am hoping the DC cleans up all those multiple Batman books and gets the number down to a reasonable amount.
Marvel is cancelling X-Force and replacing it with the New X-Force. Do we still need all these X-Men related books, and for that matter all these Avengers books that will be coming out. Talk about killing the goose with the golden egg. One bright sign is that one of the Deadpool books is going to end, man am I sick of that character already. He is starting to remind me of Ambush Bug, who I see is showing up in the next issue of Doom Patrol. Really? Do we need to keep using these lame characters and who the hell is buying these comics to make the publishers think we want to see more of them?
Oh well.
Sports Update:
Boston Red Sox: They were swept in their series with the Baltimore Orioles, then swept the series with the Angels, and got blown out by the Yankees last night in the first game of their weekend series with the hated enemy. I wish the real Red Sox would show up.
Boston Bruins: They beat the Flyers to get a 3 to 0 lead in their playoff series, and lost last night to them in overtime. 3-1 is the current count, hopefully they can put them away in game 5.
Boston Celtics: The Cavillers beat them last night to take a 2-1 lead in their playoff series. I hope the Celtics still have a few wins left in them, but I think that the Cavs have this series.
Two shows that I cannot stand to watch anymore.
McLaughlin Group (PBS): Eleanor Clift's constant interrupting and screeching has finally gotten to me. She has gotten so bad, that even when her fellow comrade on the left tries to get a word in, she needs to screech over her, and all she wanted to do was say she agreed with Eleanor. Clift has not spoken an intelligent word since I started to watch this show again. Not going to waste anymore time on it as long as she is on the show. F
Ancient Aliens (History Channel): The last episode did me in, what a bunch of nonsense they are spouting to fill the two hours. First we are told that these ancient aliens came to Earth to mine gold and genetically manipulated the DNA of cavemen to create a slave labor force to mine the gold. But if they wanted gold, why did they leave with so much gold left on Earth, it was the genetic manipulations that was the real goal. So they periodically return to Earth to check on the progress of this work by doing cattle mutilations. Huh? We also heard nonsense about crop circles being an attempt by these ancient aliens to communicate with us. Never mind that folks have come forward saying they created the circles, their attempts were crude, the real alien crop circles are too perfect, they could never be created by us dumb humans. The same prejudice exhibited against our ancestors, they could never build pyramids or come up with anything intelligent on their own. Enough of this crap already. F
Now for some good TV.
Friday Night Lights (NBC): I watched the first episode of the season that Direct TV had shown earlier last night. What a great show, what a amazing turn around where Coach Taylor goes from the most to the least. Kyle Chandler is a great actor and I hope he can find another vehicle that will get better ratings, he deserves it. This promises to be an awesome season. A
Supernatural (CW): We are getting set up for the big season finale next week. This show gets better season after season. My guess is that poor Bobby is going to bite the bullet so that Sam and Dean survive for next season's run. I hope not, I like him. A
Comic Book News
DC is cancelling the Warlord with issue 16. Mike Grell returned to his series this year, but I guess the sales were not good enough. Though why this book gets cancelled and Magog is still being published is beyond my understanding. I am hoping the DC cleans up all those multiple Batman books and gets the number down to a reasonable amount.
Marvel is cancelling X-Force and replacing it with the New X-Force. Do we still need all these X-Men related books, and for that matter all these Avengers books that will be coming out. Talk about killing the goose with the golden egg. One bright sign is that one of the Deadpool books is going to end, man am I sick of that character already. He is starting to remind me of Ambush Bug, who I see is showing up in the next issue of Doom Patrol. Really? Do we need to keep using these lame characters and who the hell is buying these comics to make the publishers think we want to see more of them?
Oh well.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Thoughts: 01-May-2010
Lots of stuff to post about today.
Sports Update.
Boston Bruins: Boston won its first playoff series by eliminating the Buffalo Sabres. Next up, the Philadelphia Flyers. Last year the Bruins were heavy favorites in the second round over the Carolina Hurricanes and were eliminated by them. Boston has not had too much luck advancing beyond the second round in the NHL playoffs, so I am thinking the Flyers take this series.'
Boston Celtics: Boston eliminated the Miami Heat in the first round and now face the Cleveland Cavaliers in round 2. James and O'Neill may be too much for the Celtics to handle, I am thinking that Cleveland takes this series.
Boston Red Sox: They started out slow with the pitching not coming through for them. Then Buchholz and Lester pitched two great games. Right now they are hovering around 500, I hope their pitching can settle down, at least they are scoring runs.
Ancient Aliens (History Channel): Episode 2 was on this week and they are really doing quite a stretch in filling two hours of this dribble. Two guys who are so talking out of their asses, Giorgio Tsoukalos (publisher of Legendary Times, a magazine devoted to ancient astronaut theory) and David Childress (wrote a book called Technology of the Gods and has no credentials as an archaeologist according to Wikipedia), spent most of the two hours repeating themselves over and over again without presenting any evidence at all. The first part of the show dealt with the practice of primitive people artificially elongating their skulls. This we are told, started because they wanted to look like the space gods. Then in the second hour, the same people argue they the ancient astronauts look like us, so why would they elongate their skulls? Why can't the History Channel bring some real archaeologists on board to dispute this nonsense? F
Doctor Who (BBC America): Matt Smith has taken over the role of the Doctor in his 11th regeneration. So far so good, I like what he is doing and I think his new companion, Amy Pond, is just great. A
Private Practice (ABC): This show just gets worse and worse, my god do all these doctors have to act like they are still in junior high? An original cast member is going to get killed off, please let it be Cooper or Violet though I think it is going to be Charlotte. D
Shows that I like that may not be getting renewed.
Cold Case (CBS): Last year, CBS picked this show over Without a Trace in the renewal sweepstakes. This year, while the ratings have been good, it looks like no renewal. Too bad, but I think that 7 seasons provide plenty of episodes for syndication money for the producers. And this crap with sport events running over and screwing up my DVR recording is really getting kind of tiresome.
Law & Order (NBC): Depending on whether TNT is going to commit to buying syndication rights for beyond a 20th season, this show may be on its way out. NBC really does not have anything better to show, which may save it, gut feeling tells me, it will get saved.
Human Target (FOX): High production costs and lackluster ratings may kill this show, too bad one of the better things on TV. NBC, how about saving this for us?
Lie To Me (FOX): The possible cancellation of Human Target could save this show, but Fox is not showing much love for this show. Why delay new episodes until June? 50-50 chance this gets renewed.
Ghost Whisperer (CBS): Show has not really grown in its concept since season 1, more like a stagnant Touched by an Angel then the ever changing dynamic of Supernatural. Also, syndication has this show on all the time over on other channels. Still it is a rating winner on Friday night, so it may get renewed.
Heroes (NBC): The rumor is that there will be a 13 episode pick up by NBC. I say, kill it dead and get the rights to Human Target.
Oh well.
Sports Update.
Boston Bruins: Boston won its first playoff series by eliminating the Buffalo Sabres. Next up, the Philadelphia Flyers. Last year the Bruins were heavy favorites in the second round over the Carolina Hurricanes and were eliminated by them. Boston has not had too much luck advancing beyond the second round in the NHL playoffs, so I am thinking the Flyers take this series.'
Boston Celtics: Boston eliminated the Miami Heat in the first round and now face the Cleveland Cavaliers in round 2. James and O'Neill may be too much for the Celtics to handle, I am thinking that Cleveland takes this series.
Boston Red Sox: They started out slow with the pitching not coming through for them. Then Buchholz and Lester pitched two great games. Right now they are hovering around 500, I hope their pitching can settle down, at least they are scoring runs.
Ancient Aliens (History Channel): Episode 2 was on this week and they are really doing quite a stretch in filling two hours of this dribble. Two guys who are so talking out of their asses, Giorgio Tsoukalos (publisher of Legendary Times, a magazine devoted to ancient astronaut theory) and David Childress (wrote a book called Technology of the Gods and has no credentials as an archaeologist according to Wikipedia), spent most of the two hours repeating themselves over and over again without presenting any evidence at all. The first part of the show dealt with the practice of primitive people artificially elongating their skulls. This we are told, started because they wanted to look like the space gods. Then in the second hour, the same people argue they the ancient astronauts look like us, so why would they elongate their skulls? Why can't the History Channel bring some real archaeologists on board to dispute this nonsense? F
Doctor Who (BBC America): Matt Smith has taken over the role of the Doctor in his 11th regeneration. So far so good, I like what he is doing and I think his new companion, Amy Pond, is just great. A
Private Practice (ABC): This show just gets worse and worse, my god do all these doctors have to act like they are still in junior high? An original cast member is going to get killed off, please let it be Cooper or Violet though I think it is going to be Charlotte. D
Shows that I like that may not be getting renewed.
Cold Case (CBS): Last year, CBS picked this show over Without a Trace in the renewal sweepstakes. This year, while the ratings have been good, it looks like no renewal. Too bad, but I think that 7 seasons provide plenty of episodes for syndication money for the producers. And this crap with sport events running over and screwing up my DVR recording is really getting kind of tiresome.
Law & Order (NBC): Depending on whether TNT is going to commit to buying syndication rights for beyond a 20th season, this show may be on its way out. NBC really does not have anything better to show, which may save it, gut feeling tells me, it will get saved.
Human Target (FOX): High production costs and lackluster ratings may kill this show, too bad one of the better things on TV. NBC, how about saving this for us?
Lie To Me (FOX): The possible cancellation of Human Target could save this show, but Fox is not showing much love for this show. Why delay new episodes until June? 50-50 chance this gets renewed.
Ghost Whisperer (CBS): Show has not really grown in its concept since season 1, more like a stagnant Touched by an Angel then the ever changing dynamic of Supernatural. Also, syndication has this show on all the time over on other channels. Still it is a rating winner on Friday night, so it may get renewed.
Heroes (NBC): The rumor is that there will be a 13 episode pick up by NBC. I say, kill it dead and get the rights to Human Target.
Oh well.
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