New Girl: Halloween

     I've pretty much done nothing but praise this show since I started writing about it.  I jumped in at the right time with two hilarious episodes.  This one, while still having funnier moments then say How I Met Your Mother, wasn't quite as good so I figure I'd focus on the negative this week (You're welcome, Ken).  I don't mean to beat a dead horse but the biggest handicap of this show continues to be Winston, a character that the writers have no idea what to do with and continue to shoe horn into episodes.  This week we were supposed to be interested in him breaking up with a girl who I had forgotten he was even dating.  It's been three weeks since we've seen or heard anything from her, yet we are supposed to somehow be invested in the relationship.  The breakup does bring potential good news, maybe this is freeing up Winston to play a bigger part in the show, but I felt the same thing when he got his own radio show and that was two weeks ago and we haven't heard anything since.  I get that from a writing stand point the show is about Nick and Jess, most great sitcoms are propelled by a will they or won't they story line and Nick and Jess play that role in this one, but this show excels as a ensemble comedy, not a Jess show or a Schmidt show, and keeping Winston on the fringe is wasting a ton of comedy.
     On the bright side... I can't get enough of Jess's bad impressions, keep'm coming New Girl writers!  And the Nick quote of the week is "Little kids are scared.  I just don't like them (haunted houses)."
     Even though it was funnier then any How I Met Your Mother this year, it felt sub-par for what New Girl has been putting out this season so it's going down as a loss... 2-1

Walking Dead: Walk With Me

     THE GOVERNOR HAS ARRIVED!  Most of us who have read the comics have waited two long years for the moment when we would be introduced to The Governor and Woodbury.  I have to admit it wasn't what I expected, but it also far from unsatisfactory.  Some speculated that Merle would become The Governor, so when he showed up in the first 10 minutes of the episode I was sure he was the guy.  What an entrance!  It was everything you would want from The Governor, obvious crazy and bad ass violent.  But the writers decided to go another way with the character of the Governor, a more subtle route with Merle just a lap dog.  They did away with the crazy biker running a city of psychos and gave us a straight laced politician type running a stepford wives community.  I have to admit, I'm excited about this new Governor, there's something way creeper and potentially more volatile about a crazy man who seems to have his shit together.  You can feel the crazy bubbling under the surface and get apprehensive about when it's going to blow.  I do think the fish tank at the end was over doing it.  It really didn't serve any purpose other then to let us know the guy isn't right, and I felt that was established enough during the episode.  I've always been a bigger fan of subtle and the fish tank was anything but.
     I was going to write something about how creepy I found Michonne's pet zombies, the way they just stand there without jaws or arms, rocking back and forth moaning.  But then she did away with them and removed that problem.  The show hasn't gotten into who those zombies were yet and I'm not sure that they will, but in the comics they were her boyfriend and best friend, so the suddenness of her actions was a little startling, yet was a great study into the character.  She carried around these zombies who she was emotionally attached to, yet was will to sacrifice them in a second if she thought they effected her chances of survival.
     So far this season the show seems to be heading in a great direction.  It has picked up some of the most compelling stories from the comics and appears to be doing them justice.  While not lifting them word for word, they have put their own twists on them, twists that change things slightly but keep the heart of the stories in tact.

Book Review: Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said by Philip K. Dick (48 in 2012? #36)

     I seem to have found a theme running through the books I read, or at least the ones I have read and wrote about this year.  I feel I have written quite a bit about the idea of identity.  It seems to be something lots of authors feel the need to explore.  Wither they are dealing with their own issues with the subject or it's just a topic that is easy to mine great stories from, it has popped up time and time again in the books I have read for this 48 in 2012 challenge.  Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said is yet another example of an author exploring the loss of identity and the bigger issues this may lead to.  This story uses the idea of celebrity and it's fleeting nature to question how me define ourselves.
     Philip K. Dick is widely considered one of the greatest science fiction writers ever.  This novel is certainly proof of his genius.  Although it never reads as well as Vonnegut, the ideas conveyed are truly impressive and the world created is amazing.  Some of the dialogue may feel forced and stiff but it does little to undermine the true genius of the story Dick has created.  The characters are well drawn and compelling leaving the reader to care for them even if the world they live in and the actions they take seem a little odd.
     Flow My Tears is set in what would have been the future when the novel was written in 1974.  The feeling of being outdated can be the downfall of many a science fiction novel, but Dick was able to create a world that still feels fresh and possible today.  With the small exception that LPs were still the predominate form of playing music, he made a world that could still happen.  When thought in the context of when it was written, he may have even been ahead of its time with the way it deals with the idea of celebrity.  I wonder what Dick would have thought of today's insane obsession with celebrity, an obsession that seems to add to the points made in Flow My Tears.
     This book isn't for everybody.  As much as it may be a strong satire, it is still very much a science fiction story.  If you're not a fan of science fiction you will probably find it dense and confusing or just plane boring.  But, lucky for me, I love the genre and this book.

New Girl: Models

     I'm struggling a little with how to tackle these New Girl posts.  It's a different beast then the other shows that I write about since it focuses more on the jokes then the plot.  The shows style falls somewhere between How I Met Your Mother's high concept devotion to story and 30 Rock's laugh packed devotion to stacking jokes.  Since the show deals less with where things are going it's hard to write about how the plot has been developed.  I could list all the jokes that made me laugh, but that would be way to long and not at all interesting.  So I'm left somewhere in between.
     Sometimes I think this issue becomes a dilemma for the writers of the show as well.  How much attention should they pay to plot and how much to jokes?  This episode felt like a mini exercise in that argument.  While the premise of the episode, if we met now would we be friends, was really interesting and well set up, by the time we got to the end of the episode it felt a little under served.  I felt like the conclusion to the question was, who cares, but that wasn't very satisfying.  And once again, the Winston character is left as an also ran, third wheel who has little to no involvement.  There could have been more conflict involved and, if the writers were more apt to focus on plot, it felt like a big enough issue to carry into other episodes.  Instead, we get a funny episode that serves its jokes well but falls short of what it could have been.
     Now that I got that small criticism out of the way, Holy Cow, that was a funny episode.  New Girl is quickly becoming the most quote filled episode on TV.  "You want to momma bird me the cookie?" is as totally absurd and totally hilarious a line as I could imagine hearing.  Other favorite lines of mine included, "You should take that off.  It's crazy," and "Did you guys watch porn together again?"  I could also use more Russian cracker ads, that whole bit was silly and would make a great joke to carry through the season.  But the genius of this show isn't just in its writing.  The physical humor is amazing as well.  Zooey's work in the scene where she is trying to model the car is probably the funniest thing broadcast all year.  It was something I could see Lucile Ball or Carol Burnett doing and I couldn't imagine those two legends making it any funnier.  I was on the floor laughing.
     It may not always know how to deal with the story lines, but New Girl certainly knows how to handle the funny and for that I give it another win, 2-0.

The Walking Dead: Sick

     Stuff went down between the time last season ended and this one began.  We saw hints of it's effects in last episodes opening scene, the desperation and cold hearted calculation.  But the point was driven even further home this week with the downward spiral of one of the characters the group has come to rely on.  A change has occurred in Rick and it is equal parts chilling and depressing.  The total bleakness of the world has seemed to final break Rick and brought him to a point that seems impossible to come back from.  His cold hearted killing of the inmates when pushed to far, the canyon wide distance between him and Lori in the final scene, this isn't the same Rick that we have come to love over the last two seasons.  This is a man who has been pushed to the limits of humanity to keep himself and his family alive and the depiction of the toll that has taken is impressive to see.
     Even with this wonderfully depressing painting of a hero spiraling out of control the writers were able to give something that they have kept from us for two seasons, hope.  For the first time in the shows history we were given a small gleam of hope as Hershel awoke after getting bit.  If you can separate the bite from the body, maybe you prevent the zombie virus from spreading.  I not sure the Hershel is in the clear, but just the fact that he has beaten it thus far is more hope then we have been given.  If the virus can be beat the question can become have these people descended to far to come back instead of what's the point of even trying to go on.  I've said before, for this show to be effective we have to feel that there is something for these people to be living for, and this is the first time we have been giving the feeling that it may all be worth it.
     Aside from the major story lines, my favorite scene was the inmates first attempts at attacking the zombies.  Yes, it was gallows humor, but all the prisoners trying to shiv the zombies in the gut made me laugh.  Add the other looking on in disbelief and disapproval and you have a great bit of story telling and an entertaining moment in a morbid setting.

Book Review: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (48 in 2012? #35)

          There are only two responses one has when reading a “classic” for the first time.  You either see the genius that warranted the title or you don’t get it at all.  Once dubbed a great novel the book loses any right to a middle ground.  I’ve never heard anyone read Hamlet or Great Expectations or To The Lighthouse and say, “It was alright.”  In Cold Blood, widely considered the novel that launched the true crime genre, is easily considered a “classic” in most book circles and I would find it hard to believe that anyone would read it and not see why.  Truman Capote may have created a genre, but this novel transcends any label.  It’s a great novel period.  Capote’s ability to give us the known facts and then weave in what we can only assume occurred turns his book into a complete story that is truly impressive.  Capote goes beyond a mere story about a horrible crime and gives us a deep character study that delves into the mind of a killer.
            What makes In Cold Blood such an amazing novel is the way it depicts such a horrendous crime then goes back and makes the reader feel sympathy for the killers, or at least one of the men involved in the crime.  We will never know for sure what exactly happened in that house, who was responsible for exactly what action.  Even Capote’s wonderfully retelling couldn’t fill in those blanks.  But we do know that these two men are responsible, yet the picture Capote paints leaves us feeling for men who didn’t seem to feel for anyone else.  In Cold Blood is as much about what circumstances create criminals then it is about a specific crime.  It tells us why about a crime that seemed to have no apparent why even if the answer is hard for most of us to digest.
            Of course, at the same time Capote is building the back story of the killers, he also gives us a wonderful depiction of the victims and the quiet town they lived in.  He is never unsympathetic towards the horror of the murders.  We may understand better why they were committed but he also makes sure we never lose sight of how tragic they were, what kind of horrendous effect it had on a whole community.  We may grow to feel bad for the killers and the circumstances that led to their actions, but we never feel the punishment is undeserved.
            In Cold Blood may have launched a whole genre, but it still remains the perfect true crime novel.  It is as complete a depiction of a crime as one could imagine.  It shows the horror of the crime, the effect it left behind, and the psychology of the killers.  And it does it all with wonderful prose and compelling structure.  Capote created a classic that still stands up even though it deals with a crime that occurred 53 years ago.  If you haven’t read In Cold Blood, you really should.  I promise you won’t “not get it” or think it was “all right.”  This is a classic that deserves the title.

Fall TV 2012-13: Part 3

I watch way to much TV, because here's part three of me breaking down the fall shows I watch and there's going to be at least one more...

Arrow
     This was the show I was most excited for and, so far, is also the new show I have enjoyed the most.  I should preface those comments with, I am a huge Green Arrow fan.  He's right there with Batman and the Flash as my top three all time favorite superheros.  I find it kind of amazing that others thought him worth of his own television show, but I'm not going to argue.  Is this the best show ever produced?  Not by a long shot.  Was it filled with cheesy moments and forced drama?  Not as much as it could have.  This show isn't going to solve any world problems, even if Oliver Queen is the biggest liberal in the DC Universe, but it does look like it is going to entertain.
     VERDICT: It's on my season pass and isn't going anywhere

Nashville
     If you know anything about me, you are probably dumbfounded at seeing this shows name pop up in this post.  There is almost nothing about this show that is for me.  I have less then zero interest in country music and these types of dramas hold very little that is compelling to me.  But the show has one huge thing going for it... Mrs. Coach!  I'm pretty sure I would watch anything Connie Britton shows up on.  I did, after all, sit through every episode of American Horror Story last year.  The weird thing is, I kind of liked this pilot.  There was some interesting drama set up, some interesting characters established, and Connie Britton is in it.  Against all odds, I may be watching this show for a while.
     VERDICT: It's going on my season pass

Once Upon A Time
     I think I kept watching this show last year because it was clever and different, but I'm starting to feel like the luster is disappearing.  I've found myself really struggling to get back into the show so far this season.  It still has all the elements that made it a solid watch last year, but it's starting to feel like old hat; everything that was fresh and original last season feels stale in year two.  They need to find a way to keep the show original, shake up things without losing the good storytelling that made last year a fun watch.  It's still safely on the watch list, but it's quickly heading into the realm of background noise.
     VERDICT: Ended last season at #21, might drop a bit

666 Park Avenue
     This was marketed as Rosemary's Baby the TV show.  That's quite a description to live up to and probably not a fair one at all.  This isn't Rosemary's Baby.  It isn't even a weak rehash.  There have been very few creepy moments and nothing scary.  And the drama isn't compelling at all.  Nashville had more suspense in it's pilot then three episodes of this show combined.  I'm holding out hope that it's building towards something more interesting then what we are seeing now, but I'm sure I will be holding on much longer.  This show has another episode or two to show me something and then it's gone. 
     VERDICT: On final notice

The Walking Dead
     Even though I was a little critical how graphic the violence got in the season opener, this is still one of my favorite shows.  I love the way it deals with both the violence and psychology of such a traumatic event.  If the opening scene of the first episode is any hint at what's in store this season, we are in for a great ride.
     VERDICT: Ended last season at #3, and is strongly entrenched there

Book Review: The Humbling by Philip Roth (48 in 2012? #34)

One thing writers are taught to pay attention to is the first sentence of any piece of work.  It’s the first impression the reader will get of the story and will usually set the tone for what is in store on the pages to follow.  You want a sentence that will grab the reader and make them want to read more.  You want to set the scene, set the characters, set the place of time and do so if the most efficient way possible.  It’s a lot to ask of one sentence.  A well crafted first sentence is the sign of a true artist.  Philip Roth lends credence those who feel he is one of the best writers alive with the first sentence of his novel “The Humbling.”  “He’d lost his magic.”  With four small words Roth tells us the theme of the whole novel, a great deal about his main character and an idea of how the story will be set.  At the same time, it leaves so many questions that the reader is compelled read further.  Who is this guy?  What has he lost magic in?  What effect will this loss have on him or lead him to?

            Much like the works of Kurt Vonnegut, The Humbling is a rich piece of work that is a quick read.  Roth tells the grave story of a man who has lost the talent he used to define himself.  His economy of words tells a brisk tale without sacrificing depth or gravity.  The novel deals with many heavy ideas like the effect of aging on your psyche, the loss of identity, and what depths will one go through to make up for both and does so in a manner that is easy to read and process.
            The Humbling is not a novel for the faint of heart.  While Roth never reaches Chuck Palahniuk levels of graphic detail or perverseness, he is totally willing to follow his characters to depths that may make some uncomfortable.  He is not shy with his sexual depictions and takes his characters to places that show the depths of their pain.  At the same time, none of his writing ever feels gratuitous.  The scenes work to further the story he is trying to tell, help set the characters in the mind frame that is essential to the journey they are taking.  This is an adult tale written for adults.
            While not Roth’s most famous or lauded piece of work, The Humbling is a wonderful piece of literature.  It is an efficient yet compelling story that never sacrifices character for art.  It’s a quick read, so it’s hard not to recommend, since even if you don’t like it, you’ll only lose a few hours of your life.  If you’re easily shocked or offended, then this probably isn’t the novel for you, but if you enjoy a well crafted character study that sometimes delves into dark places, give this one a try.

How I Met Your Mother: Who Wants To Be A Godparent?

     Welcome to this weeks installment of inconsistent character development.  I find it endlessly annoying that a show that is based around it's own history so carelessly ignores the history it's built.  Why, after everything we've come to know about Robin and Barney, would either one go out of their way to fight for custody of Lily and Marshal's child?  It makes absolutely no sense.  The whole episode is a contrived situation that blatantly ignores the characters that have been developed over the last 7 years.  To make matters worse, there wasn't even a funny joke mined from said situation.  Granted, the idea of a game show to name one's godparent is awesome, and Marshal's game show host jacket was amazing and Professor Infosaurus was the best use of Ted's kids in years, but nothing in this episode was really all that funny.
     To add to the unbelievable characterizations, I didn't buy the conflict at the end of the show either.  What does Lily and Marshal listening to their friends problems have to do with drinking at MacLaren's?  Ted asks does having a kid mean the end of an era just like that.  Yes, Ted it does.  So, if you need to unload with your friends you show up at their place and unload.  I thought we established last year that the era of MacLaren's was coming to an end.  I don't think it's horrible at all for Marshal and Lily to stop going to the pub, yet that's the point the show seemed to be making.  The premise just didn't work at all.
     Of course not everything was horrible about the episode.  I enjoyed the line, "Questionable denim choices aside, he's a good dad."  Some might say that describes someone I know...
     1-3!

Walking Dead: Seed

     Don't get me wrong, obviously I enjoy this show or I wouldn't be writing about it, it has moments of pure brilliance like the first scene of this season, which was the perfect scene, but when have we reached a point when the violence is just to much for standard cable TV?  The last scene of the episode, with Rick needing multiple whacks to chop off Hershel's leg, would have almost zero chance of making it into a PG-13 movie, yet there it was on my television.  I was in awe of how graphic and grotesque it was and then thought, wait... this is basic cable.  It rivaled 127 Hours for having the most graphically clunky severing of a limb scene I've watched.  As much as I enjoy the gore, it just isn't appropriate for basic cable and leaves the question, where does the show go from here gore wise?  How much higher can they raise the bar on what is allowed?  I'm sorry to sound like the old cantankerous nay sayer, but that scene was too much.
     On the positive side, holy crap that was a fantastic opening segment.  The amount of info they were able to convey without ever uttering a second of dialogue was amazing.  The desperation, the hardening, the skill, the pain, the suffering, the frustration, it was all there.  We were told that time has passed since we last saw these characters, that they have become cold efficient killers, that they are in desperate need of solace and food, that they are on the verge of breaking.  We were given all that info and never heard any of them make a sound other then a brief tisk.  It was a perfectly crafted and imagined piece of film that was a pure joy to watch.  What a great way to kick off a season!
     The other brilliant thing to take away from this episode is... Riot Gear Zombies!!  What an amazing idea.  What's more dangerous then a blood thirsty, brain hungering zombie?  One clothed in gear that makes it near impossible to pierce it's heart or puncture it's brain.  What could be scarier or more dangerous then zombies in riot gear?  The writer's abilities to up the ante is one of the things that has made this show so interesting, but where do you go from riot gear zombies?  I can't wait to find out.

Movie Review: Pitch Perfect

          There’s no real reason for me to like this movie.  On the surface it appears to be a cappella’s Bring It On or Drum Line, and nether of those movies are worth the film they were recorded on.  What more could be said about the a cappella world that wasn’t said in Glee.  Even they ran out of interesting stories half way through the first season.  Yet, I saw the trailer and I fell in love.  I had to see this movie.  I should have felt a great deal of shame harboring those feelings, they should have been something I kept under the vest, but I didn’t, I tweeted to the world that it was a movie I wasn’t going to miss.  The cast certainly made it easier, Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, and most of all, Brittany Snow.  The writer’s resume also helped.  Kay Cannon got her start writing for 30 Rock and has sense moved on to New Girl, two shows that are at the top of the comedy field.  So, I joined a bunch of teenage girls and headed to the theater to watch.

            The best word I can use to describe Pitch Perfect is cute, because at its heart that’s what it is, cute.  That’s not to say it isn’t funny, the movie’s one liners come at a rapid pace keeping you chuckling through out its 112 minutes, but ultimately what shines through is its heart.  It isn’t able to totally stay clear of cliché, but it handles the material in such a way that you’re never bothered by the tropes.  Pitch Perfect is a movie that is aware of what it is and is able to both make fun of it and deliver the goods.  With an obvious reverence to The Breakfast Club and jokes like two girls from the a cappella group who have no lines suddenly declaring that they have been there the whole time, Cannon showcased that she could write a movie that fit into a specific genre while making fun of that genre at the same time.

            It might just be that I have a huge crush on Kendrick and Snow, I’m not above admitting it, but I really enjoyed Pitch Perfect.  It’s not a piece of profound art.  It doesn’t have some grand message it’s trying to convey.  It doesn’t contain any Oscar winning performances.  What it is, aside from two not needed puke jokes, is good clean fun and entertainment.  It’s cute.  And, every once and a while, that’s exactly what you could use in your life, a little bit of cute.

Fall TV 2012-13: Part Two

Here's the next batch of shows off my TIVO...

Vegas
     I really don't like CBS shows.  I have no rational reason other then they all have a similar feel that just doesn't entertain me.  I feel like you could have me watch a show and I would be able to tell you just from viewing it if it was on CBS or not.  So, I wasn't even going to give Vegas a look, because, after all, it is a CBS show.  The thing is, the premise is really interesting and could be very entertaining and the cast is amazing, so I decided to put aside my bias and give it a try.  What's my review after three shows?  It's a strong premised show with a great cast on CBS.  I think ultimately the CBS thing is going to trump the other two.
     VERDICT: Going on season pass for now but it could be the first show to go

The Mindy Project
     In a season that had very little promising new shows going on in the sitcom category, this was the one comedy I was looking forward to.  Mindy Kaling was one The Office's best writers and the thought of her getting her own show was very exciting.  The good news is, so far she has delivered.  It may not be the funniest show on TV, but it has had some great moments and you can see the potential for even more great comedy.  The rest of the cast is mostly unknown, but then again, so was the New Girl cast and we all know how that one turned out.
     VERDICT: Going on season pass

South Park
     This has to be the most consistent show in the history of television.  It's be around 15 years and this season's second episode, "Raising The Bar," was probably one of the funniest ever.  It is truly amazing how fresh this show continues to be, how it is able to be so funny and so spot on and so scathing all at the same time.  It may be blasphemy but I feel that South Park has been able to keep a more consistent quality then even The Simpsons, who have had many sub-par seasons.  I said before that South Park is the best commentary on society out there and I stand by that, as this season, so far, has just been further proof.
     VERDICT: Started as #15 on season pass, will probably be moving up

Modern Family
     I really don't have much to say about Modern Family.  It's just kind of there.  I certainly don't find it as funny as most people and Emmy voters, but it does make me laugh on occasion and it does have Julie Bowen in it's cast.  I enjoy watching it every week, but if someone put a gun to my head and said I had to stop watching it, I wouldn't miss beat and wouldn't feel bad about never seeing it again.
     VERDICT: Started as #14, will probably have a slight fall

Animal Practice
     The only reason I started watching this was because NBC started it early when there wasn't much else worth watching and the strategy worked on me.  I don't want to like this show, but it has probably had me laughing harder then any new show so far this season.  A lot of people were saying that all the humor resided in the monkey and that that one trick pony would get old, but I think it's a great ensemble cast that is really quirky and has solid comedy chops.  I think it's smarter then most people want to give it credit for.  I thought for sure this would be the first show I stopped watching, but I think I got hooked instead.
     VERDICT: Going on season pass

Last Resort
     This was one of the most positively reviewed new shows this season.  It's from the creator of The Shield and came with very high hopes for ABC.  The thing is, it's about as high concept as a television show can get.  A nuclear sub is given orders to attack Pakistan and they refuse and go rouge... really, how long can this stay interesting?  I'm not sold on it being a great show anyway.  It has had some entertaining suspenseful moments, but it's also had some pretty cheesy ones.  As good as Andre Braugher can be, he spends a lot of time chewing scenery and Scott Speedmen is about as average an actor as you can get on TV.  This show is certainly on probation for the moment.
     VERDICT:  Going on season pass for the moment

30 Rock
     This is the last season for a show that has been, at times, as funny as can be.  It's never been my favorite comedy on TV, but there is no denying how fantastic a run it has had.  It's a shame that it will be leaving us and there will be a giant hole in the sitcom world next season without it.  I can only assume that it is going to go out with a bang, so this should be one of the best seasons of the shows history.
     VERDICT:  Started at #11 on season pass, could go up but won't go down

How The States Got There Shapes
     This is the biggest surprise of the fall season so far.  I had no idea it was coming back for a second season.  I can't even tell you what it is ranked on my season pass because I had left it for dead.  They've changed the format and don't really deal with the shape of the states anymore, but it still has all the elements that made the first season that aired two years ago so great.  I can't tell you how entertaining I find this show.  If you've never seen it, you have to give it a try.  It's informative, funny, entertaining, everything one could ever want from a television show.  And the best part is you learn something new every episode.  I can't speak higher of a show that isn't ranked in my top 5.
     VERDICT: I have no idea where it started on my season pass, will be going way up

Top 5: Time Travel Movies

I have no time to go to the movies right now and it’s really pissing me off because there is a bunch of movies I REALLY want to see.  One of those movies is Looper, about a guy who is hired to kill people the mob sends back through time which looks totally amazing.  Even though I haven’t seen it yet, it got my juices flowing and has led me to list one of my favorite genre of film, the time travel movie.  I only considered movies in which moving back and forth in time is a central plot point.  So, Donnie Darko, which does have time travel in it, is not on the list because most of the movie goes on without us knowing it’s about time travel.  Also, like with my Top 5 Vampire Novel list, I’m not as read as I should be, so Primer and Time After Time, two movies that sound like they would show up on my list, won’t because I haven’t seen them yet.  Without further ado, here is my Top 5 Time Travel Movies…

5) The Time Machine

            I’m listing the original Time Machine, not that crappy 2002 re-make with Guy Pearce.  It’s the first time travel movie that I remember seeing, based on what I’m pretty sure was the first time travel story ever written (or at least the most famous).  I still remember watching Rod Taylor jump into his machine, pull the lever, and sit there as time changed around him.  It blew my mind.  It may not be the most complex story about time travel, it may not be the best acted, it certainly doesn’t have the special effects of the more modern fare, but there is something to be said about the original story, the movie that launched our obsession with time travel.

4) Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure

            This is a totally underrated movie that seems to have been forgotten over time.  Bill and Ted were the original Beavis and Butthead, complete morons who somehow stumble upon victory.  The genius of this movie was its ability to be both clever and moronic with its humor.  The depiction of historical figures was both funny and informative and played beautifully off the stereotypes survey history courses have given them.  This also has the privilege of being one of three movies that I can actually stand Keanu Reeves in (Matrix and Parenthood being the others).

3) Back to the Future

            For my generation, this is an untouchable classic.  I’ve never met anyone who had anything bad to say about it.  If The Time Machine kick started my love of time travel movies, Back to the Future stoked the fire.  Michael J. Fox was brilliant and Christopher Lloyd’s Doc Brown has gone down as one of films greatest characters.  There is something to be said about time travel comedies being generally better then dramas, I have three on this list, and this movie is a great example of a film that was able to be both funny and dramatic, the best of both worlds and family entertainment at its absolute best.

2) 12 Monkeys

            This isn’t really a movie for the masses, I’ve heard plenty of people say it was confusing or that they didn’t get it, but I find it a beautiful piece of art.  It’s Terry Gilliam at his best, creating a wonderfully fantastic world filled with amazing characters.  Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt put in amazing performances that helped flesh out those characters.  I’ll admit, it does get a little confusing at points, but it’s still a great movie about time travel and its potential benefits and consequences.

1) Time Bandits

            I guess there is something about Terry Gilliam and the fantastic worlds he creates that just lend themselves to great time travel movies.  On the surface this is a much lighter, family friendly time travel story then 12 Monkeys.  It’s a wonderful comedy and a totally original premise as far as time travel is concerned.  Yet, like most Gilliam films, it does have a dark side that gives the story great depth.  This is one of my all time favorites, time travel or not, and is a must see movie for anyone.  The visuals are amazing, the comedy is clever, and the story is poignant.  Just an amazing movie.

Honorable Mentions: The Butterfly Effect, Star Trek IV, Hot Tub Time Machine

New Girl: Neighbors

          After popular demand (and again, popular demand at this point is one person suggesting something) I’ve decided to add New Girl to my stable of television show reviews.  And I chose quite a week to start reviewing.  The first five minutes of Neighbors was probably the funniest thing I’ve seen so far this season.  The amount of quotable lines in those five minutes was off the charts.  My favorites both came from Nick.  “I’m finally aging into my personality” and “The Spice is coming back!”  I’m also pretty sure I could watch a full half hour of Zooey doing impersonations of 80’s sitcom personalities.  And of course that is not even mentioning the fact that I’m 90% certain that I worked with the four hipster neighbors at some point in my five years at Amoeba.

            Nick is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters on TV.  Jess is adorable, Schmidt is obviously the crowd favorite, but for my money Nick is the character that brings the show home.  He ties all the crazy together and does so with a bitterness that is right up my alley.  I may have turned the show on because of Zooey Deschanel but Jake Johnson’s Nick has kept me watching.

            The most glaring fault of this young show is the character I left out.  This episode was just further proof that the writers just aren’t sure what to do with Winston.  It always feels like he’s struggling to fit in and find his voice and that is leaving a gapping hole in the show.  I’ll admit him getting ready to hit Schmidt in the neck with a ski at the end of the episode had me laughing, but his story line in the episode just didn’t seem to make much sense.  People blame his underdevelopment on the fact that they had to replace Damon Wayans jr. when Happy Endings got surprisingly picked-up, but at this point that just doesn’t work for me.  They need to find a way to make Winston fit or just get rid of him.

            I didn’t review the first two episodes this season, so New Girl’s record will have to be two episodes short.  After this week its 1-0.

How I Met Your Mother: Nannies

     Another episode of HIMYM that didn't offend me, but really did nothing for me either.  I don't remember laughing at anything other then Chris Elliot's antics and, as funny a man as he may be, he shouldn't be the only one getting a laugh in an ensemble sit-com.  I couldn't help but feel, after the first two or three minutes of the episode, that I had already seen this one before.  Barney jumping to quick and hard back into the singles scene and Lilly's dad making an unannounced appearance.  The writers are obviously out of ideas because we keep seeing the same plot points and jokes over and over again.  When I pause for a second wondering if this episode is a repeat or not, you know it's time to either bring in fresh writers or end the show.
     My biggest problem with this episode, other then the rehash of ideas, is the way the writers have handled Barney over the last season or two.  They can't seem to make up their minds if we are supposed to be seeing growth in his personality or not.  I understand the dilemma, I've spent plenty of time criticizing and calling for good old single womanizing Barney, it's obviously the most entertaining version, but you can't just jump back and forth without really hurting the narrative.  If you want Barney to grow, then have him grow.  After all he's been through the last couple of years I find it hard to believe that he would react the exact same way coming out of a serious relationship that he did when things ended with Robin.  And if he is, then how can you expect us to except any story lines that show him with a heart?  Pick a Barney and stick with it.
     On the other side of the coin, one thing that the writers have done consistently well over the years is handle the relationship between the members of the group and their parents.  Each character has their own complex and original relationship with their parents and the writers have done a great job highlighting those relationships and the changes they have made over the years.  The best emotional moments over the shows 8 years have all been centered around relationships with parents.  This episode's finally between Lilly and her dad was another one of those excellent moments.  I wonder how much Chris Elliot brings of his own material to the show because he has been genius every time he shows up.  If only they could bring the humor and heart of these relationships into the rest of the show.  Then we might have a TV show that resembles the show we feel in love with.
     Because of the lack of consistency with Barney and the lack of laughs, I'm counting this as a loss. 1-2

Book Review: The Passage by Justin Cronin (48 in 2012? #33)

     The vampire novel has become a huge cliche in today's society.  Thanks to Anne Rice and Stephine Myers, there seems to be a billion books about love affairs with the undead and all the complications that come along with such an unholy union.  99% of these books are pure trash on the level of a Harlequin romance.  The thing is there is a valid reason for there being so many Vampire stories.  It's a rich topic that, when done right, can blossom into a tale that is scary, thrilling and thought provoking.  That 1% of vampire books that are interesting and well written almost make the other 99% that comes along with them tolerable.  While not the best vampire story I've ever read, Justin Cronin's The Passage certainly falls into the 1% .  It's not a vampire story in any conventional way, the vampires aren't creatures that live hidden amongst humans, they are a plague brought on by human experiments, and it is that originality that makes the novel stand out.  Yet, it still falls short of a great novel.  It reads like two separate stories and that break in narrative causes a disruption that hurts the readers investment in the characters.
     Cronin has certainly created a wonderful world filled with interesting characters and  an original mythology.  And that by itself makes this novel worthy of a read.  Cronin tells us the origin of his vampire creatures and it is as original of an origin as I have seen.  He blends both zombie and vampire mythology together to create a plausible reason for the monsters to be released into the world.  This origin story could have been a novel of it's own.  It is rich and compelling enough to be its own story and very much has a beginning, middle and end.  But Cronin then shifts hundreds of years into the future and picks up his narrative in an apocalyptic America where everyone is forced to live in a small village surrounded by lamps that keep the vampires away at night.  Many people have described the story as a blend of Stephen King's The Stand and Cormac McCarthy's The Road, and I see where this may come from, but I see it more as a mix Dawn of the Dead and The Road Warrior.
     The biggest problem I have with the novel is the split narratives.  Just when I had grown to love the characters I had spent hundreds of pages with, Cronin changes things up and gives me a whole new cast to deal with.  Both narratives are exciting, compelling and well written, but by jamming them together the story losses some of it's punch.  I spent many of the early stages of the second narrative upset that I was no longer spending time with the old characters.  It also took time for me to get over the drastic change setting, going from a world I was very familiar with to one I had no clue about.  I think I would have published them as two separate novels, much like Interview with The Vampire and The Vampire Lestat, and the shift would have been easier to deal with.
     The Passage is the first in a series of novels from Cronin that deal with this world terrorized by vampires.  It is certainly a series I plan on continuing to read.  While not a perfect novel, it is a highly entertaining story filled with original ideas and dilemmas.  If you are a fan of vampire novels this is a must read.  If you are a fan of quality horror this is probably a must read as well.  As long as you aren't expecting an American classic, this is a fun ride of a book that doesn't leave the reader disappointed.

Fall TV 2012-13: Part One

It’s October which means the beginning of yet another TV season.  Last year I went through my TIVO and gave a brief review of the first new episodes or two of all the shows I watched last year and all the new shows that piqued my interest.  It was a fun exercise so I thought I would take the next three weeks or so and preview the new season yet again.  Here the first installment of my 2012-2013 television early season review…

Go On

            Alright, I know this is Community light, but I really like Community so why wouldn’t I enjoy a slightly dumbed down version?  I also have a weak spot for Matthew Perry, who is one of my all time favorite TV actors.  How weak?  So weak that I may be the only person on the planet who will defend Studio 60.  This show isn’t great, but it has enough funny moments to make it enjoyable and it certainly has the potential to be a lot better.  Not to mention that one of the episodes was shot at the bowling alley I used to go to when I was living in L.A.

            VERDICT:  It’s going on my season pass

Parenthood

            This show took a good size fall in my Season Pass rankings last year.  I wasn’t super happy with the end of the season and a bunch of the characters felt underserved.  While nothing is going to fix the undeserving problem other then getting rid of characters, the season is off to a much better start.  The adoption angle with Erika Chirstensen, a character I have found annoying over the last couple of seasons, looks really good.  I love the addition of Ray Romano, even though the last thing the show needs is another character.  He’s been nothing short of brilliant so far.  I will admit that the breast cancer bit seems a little over dramatic and cliché for this show, but I’ll go with it since everything else has been so solid.

            VERDICT: Started at 13 on season pass, will probably stay put

Sons of Anarchy

            At this point it appears that this show is what it is.  The beginning of this season didn’t quite build off the crazy ending of last, but holy cow did it get crazy again fast.  If there is one thing you can rely on from Sons it is at least one unbelievable plot twist or event.  We’re only three episodes in and we already have one this season.  As long as actors keep pounding out quality compelling performances, I’m willing to give the show a pass on its silliness.

            VERDICT:  Started at 4 on season pass, will stay or move up

Revolution

            I really like the concept of this show.  I’ve had a “no more electricity” story floating around in my head for years.  I’m just not sure that this show, like almost any show, movie, book, etc that has tackled the subject,       is hitting the points I find interesting.  After watching three episodes, I found some entertaining moments, but as a whole the show isn’t doing much for me.  The production value isn’t great and the acting leaves a lot to be desired.  I’m probably going to stick with it a little longer just to see if they take it somewhere more interesting but I don’t think I still be watching by the end of the season.

            VERDICT: on season pass for now, but on final notice

Survivor

            I’ve gone on record as not being a fan of Survivor gimmicks, but so far this season is looking pretty damn interesting.  I like the idea of bringing back contestants that were forced off the show by injury, even if one of them had a chance at a full season and lost before he got injured on his second try.  They did a good job of bringing together a bunch of interesting people, both past contestants, famous people and newbies.  I was going to make a joke about Jeff Kent being safe because he wouldn’t be washing his truck on the island but then he went and hurt his knee anyway.  Also, I find it hard to believe that only two people have any idea who Jeff Kent or Blair from Fact of Life are, but I guess that is just making the season that much more interesting.  I have high hopes that this is going to be another quality season of Survivor.

            VERDICT: Started at 16 on season pass, will probably move up slightly

How I Met Your Mother

            If you read this blog you know I write about this show on a weekly basis, so there isn’t much point in going on about it here.  I’m watching out of loyalty and a desire to conclude the journey I started 8 years ago, but I’m not crazy about what is put on my television screen every week.  Let’s all make a collective prayer that this is the last season and we don’t have to endure another horrible season just to find out who mom is.

            VERDICT:  Started at 8 on season pass, will drop significantly

New Girl

            It was suggested that I start a weekly review of this show and I just might do that.  It was easily one of the best comedies on TV last season and has come back strong early in this one.  I must admit, I am a little bias when it comes to opinions on this show though because I’ve had a huge crush on Zooey Deschanel since the first time I saw Elf.  I’m not sure I can be rational when praising or criticize, but I will try.

            VERDICT:  Started at 5 on season pass, will stay put or move up slightly

Reviewing The Previews 9/4

Popular demand has gotten me to bring back reviewing the previews, and by popular demand I mean one of the two people I get some feedback from.  The problem is I haven’t been to the movies in a month or so and don’t see any time in my schedule to start up regular visits again.  So, what I’ve done is go to IMDB.com and watched 5 random previews.  It doesn’t have the same effect as seeing them in the theater, but it’s the same previews, so it should work.

            It’s been a really long time so I’m sure you’ve forgotten…

F- I will never see this movie under any circumstances
D- I will never pay theater price to see this movie but may watch it on Netflix
C- I might pay to see this if nothing else is playing, if not I'll catch it on DVD
B- I am not excited, but I'll probably try to catch it in the theater
A- I'm all in

Nature Calls – D  11/9/12

            On paper this is an A+ movie.  Patton Oswald, Johnny Knoxville, Robb Riggle.  With the cast this movie sports, it would be hard not to be a hilarious film, but the trailer makes it look God awful.  It just looks super stupid.  I’m sure I’ll catch it on Netflix, with that cast I can’t not see it, but there’s no way I’m paying theater prices after watching that preview.

Stand Up Guys – C  1/11/13

            Another solid cast, Alan Arkin, Christopher Walken, Al Pacino, but the thing is Pacino hasn’t made a good movie in a while, Walken never turns down a script so his stuff is hit or miss, and Arkin is never bad but some of the material he has to work with is less the stellar.  The preview made the movie look pretty interesting, but not astounding.

42 – C  4/12/13

            You would think this movie was right up my alley.  Not only is it a baseball movie, but also a true story of one of the most interesting people to ever play the game.  Problem is this preview doesn’t make it look like the movie is going to delve into some of the more interesting aspects of Jackie Robinson.  It looks like a movie about a black man breaking the baseball color barrier, but history has proven it to be a more complex event.  There is an incredibly interesting story here, I just have little faith that this movie is going to tell that story.

Cloud Atlas - A 9/26/12

          This is either going to be an amazing movie or a complete piece of crap.  I'm a sucker for a comnplex sci-fi movie, so it looks like it's right up my alley.  Even with that, their is enough doubt over how good it will be that I could possible skip it, but the trailer makes it look like a theater must see.  Even if the plot ends up being dumb the visuals look amazing and probably won't work as well at home on a TV.

Promised Land – A+ 1/11/13

            A movie written by Matt Damon, starring Matt Damon, directed by Gus Van Sant… say no more, I’m in!  When collaborators get together years after an amazing project, it very rarely pays off with another but Good Will Hunting built up enough credit for me to check this movie out, no questions asked.  Add in John Krasinski as both a co-star and co-writer and you have me more then sold.  Add in Dave Eggers, one of the most interesting writers out there, as a third co-writer and there is very little chance I won’t see this movie the week it comes out.  And I haven’t even talked about the premise, which is exactly clear but interesting none the less. 

Top 5: Movies About Fictional Bands

I was listening to my IPod on shuffle in my car when a song came on that I really love, a song performed by a fictional band.  It got me thinking about movies about fictional bands and how good some of the music can be and before long I had an idea for a top 5 list.  There could be a ton of off shoots on this idea, Top 5 Fictional Music Groups, Top 5 Songs Sung By Fictional Groups, Top 5 Videos By Fictional Groups, but I decided to go with Top 5 Movies About Fictional Bands.  The key to my list is that the movie needs to be about the band, it can’t just have a band in it.  Citizen Dick may be the one of the greatest bands ever on the big screen, but as important as music is to Singles I’m pretty sure it’s about mass transportation, so it doesn’t qualify.  It also needs to be about a fictional band so Backbeat doesn’t count either.   My list is also limited to movies I’ve seen, so don’t get all mad that I left off Purple Rain, get mad that I’m a child of the eighties who hasn’t seen it yet.

            This list could have easily been a top 10 because there are so many good music movies, it was tough narrowing it down, but here’s my top 5…

5) The Five Heartbeats

            An extremely underrated Robert Townsend film about the rise and fall of a Motown band called the Five Heartbeats.  Co-written by frequent collaborator Keenen Ivory Wayans, this movie has a little bit of everything, clever comedy, heavy drama, and great music.  The biggest hit from the movie was “Heart Is a House for Love” which was actually sung by The Dells.  Some of the twists and turns may feel cliché at this point, but it is still a well told and well acted story.

4)  Almost Famous

            Cameron Crowe has always showcased his love affair with music in his movies, but this is the only one that tells the story of a band.  Arguably his best movie (he did make Say Anything), this semi-autobiographical tome is a wonderful depiction of road life as a band in the 70’s.  It’s filled with career performances by the likes of Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup and Jason Lee.  Stillwater was the movie’s band, which consisted behind the scenes of Peter Frampton, Mike McCready, Gordon Kennedy and others, and their big hit was “Fever Dog” written by Heart’s Nancy Wilson.  I’m sure there are plenty that would argue this should be number one, but it only makes it to four on my list.

3)  Blues Brothers

            A comedy classic about two brothers trying to get the band back together one last time to raise money for a failing orphanage.  Although there aren’t any Blues Brother originals, the movie is filled with blues, soul and R&B greats and all the great music that goes along with it.  As much as we can all blame this movie for all the horrible SNL movies that would follow, it can’t be denied that this is not only one of the greatest fictional band movies ever, but one of the greatest comedies ever.

2)  This Is Spinal Tap

            This is a movie that not only rivals Blues Brothers in comedy, but spawned a whole genre of movie and television as well.  The original mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap is certainly the definitive fictional band movie in most people’s eyes.   Directed by Rod Reiner and written by Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shear, this send up of metal music and it’s ridiculous scene as well as non-fiction movie making set the standard that all ad libbed fake documentaries have come to follow.  The three band members are responsible for all the music as well, including songs “Tonight I’m Going to Rock You Tonight,” “Sex Farm,” and “Stonehenge.”  The movie spawned three actual Spinal Tap albums and is one of the funniest movies ever made.

1) That Thing You Do

            Okay, okay, there is no way I can come up with an argument that this movie is better then either This Is Spinal Tap or Blues Brothers, but it’s one of my all time favorite movies.  It follows the comet like rise and fall of a one hit wonder band in the 60’s.  It’s really funny and heart felt in a totally earnest way that helps paint wonderful depiction of the era.  It’s also the movie that introduced me to Steve Zahn and ever since every movie Steve Zahn is in has been a Steve Zahn movie in my eyes.  The movie’s big song, “That Thing You Do,” written and performed by Fountains of Wayne, is easily one of the catchiest songs ever written, which only helps the movie’s plausibility.  I know I’ll take some flack for this being number one, but I love the movie.

Honorable Mentions: Eddie and the Cruisers, Fear of a Black Hat, A Mighty Wind, The Rutles

What are your top 5?

How I Met Your Mother: Pre-Nup

     I guess if you total ignore what a prenuptial actually is and bring your HIMYM standards down to season seven expectations, this was an entertaining episode.  I want to expect more but this episode may be the bar for a normal episode.  There may be an episode or two that jumps way over that bar and there is certainly going to be a number of episodes that fall way under it, but this is going to be all we can ask now from the writers.  It had it's funny moments, again as long as you pretend that a prenuptial is a contract about behavior and not assets, but nothing that really makes you fall off the couch laughing.  I liked Bob Odenkirk's ring tone, but I feel like it's a joke that has been used on this show before.  The shock collar fantasy was really funny, but then went to far when they explained where it was.  It would have been fine leaving it to our imagination.
     If there is one thing that HIMYM has been doing well so far this season, it's incorporating the new cast members.  Over the years the writers seemed to struggle working new characters successfully into the group, but all three of the new players are wonderful additions.   They fit right in and are almost more compelling at this point then the main characters.  Even Bob Odenkrik and Thomas Lennon make great work of the few scene they get, stealing every one of them.  Which of course makes it more painful to realize that they will all be gone in short order.  I think I would much rather have Barney stay with Quinn just so she will continue to inhabit the show's universe then have Barney get back with Robin and lose her.  That's not even mentioning that I always wished Victoria could be the mom because she was hands down the best girlfriend Ted has had on the show.
     I guess I'm giving this show a win, only because of the new standards, making the season 1-1, and praying this is the last season because I hate watching such a formally great show suffer.

Book Review: Mothernight by Kurt Vonnegut (48 in 2012? #32)

          Any novel by Kurt Vonnegut, as far as great American writers goes, is the exact opposite of the William Faulkner story I reviewed a week ago.  As thought provoking and clever as Vonnegut can get, there is nothing difficult about reading his work.  Where 200 pages of Faulkner took me more then a week to get through, I read Mother Night in two days.  That’s not to say that Vonnegut is any less of an author or that his work is not as weighty, it’s just that Vonnegut’s style doesn’t make my head hurt.  Mother Night is a novel written in a simple, breezy style yet filled with commentary about how we choose to define ourselves, who we choose to tell others we are, and the consequences of both.  Mother Night is the perfect example of that rare novel that, for me, is enjoyable as both a reader and a writer.

            The genius of Mother Night, and really any work of Vonnegut’s, is the way it is able to be so scathing while still using such simple language and structure.  Mother Night is the story of a Nazi propagandist ready to go on trial for war crimes after World War II told in the first person.  As the story progresses, the reader is forced to question what is truth and what is false reality created to ease the mind of a man implicated for heinous crimes.  Vonnegut tells the story in first person from the perspective of the Nazi, which only adds the questions and doubts. 

            A wonderful example of an unreliable narrator story, Mother Night is easy to read, enjoyable, and filled with tough commentary.  The novel is further proof that Vonnegut is an American satire master, who is able to educate and entertain in one fell swoop.  Vonnegut’s best works seem to all deal with World War II and it’s fall out, something that he had first hand experience with, and Mother Night is no exception.