Of all movie genres, horror and comedy are the hardest to do right and the easiest for which to judge effectiveness. The barometer of a successful horror movie is this question: “Was it scary?” The barometer of a successful comedy is this one: “Was it funny?” Of course, once you can answer those questions … Continue reading
I have a long running debate with a friend of mine about which is the better medical detective show, Diagnosis Murder or Quincy. Now I am sure that I don’t need to tell you my good readers that the correct answer is Diagnosis Murder but in case I do lets look at the facts: Qunicy … Continue reading
One magical night in the mid-nineties some friends and I stumbled into Chicago’s Smart Bar (under the world famous Metro) for some Monday night drinking. The crowd was thin that night and we were early. To our surprise upon taking a booth against the wall we found that (the now defunct) Tower Records down the … Continue reading
As the news came in from Comic-Con this past weekend, I pored over every article. Every juicy bit of news, from project announcements to press conferences. And there is quite a bit. Since the place has slowly turned into the Nerd Mecca over the years, all the major studios have been using it as their … Continue reading
One of the strangest things I remember from childhood is my Dad whistling as he did the dishes. He’d stand before the sink, belly pressing into the counter’s edge, and let his own exaggerated vibrato carry him away. He was not much of an artist or a musician. That went to the ladies in the … Continue reading
Wow. I had waited almost a year to see the sequel to Rob Zombie’s Halloween because I was fairly certain I would not like it. And believe it or not that idea bothered me. I’ve staunchly defended the man’s films for years: In my book House of 1000 Corpses and Devil’s Rejects are (pretty much) … Continue reading
Table for Three is the sort of movie made for premium cable. It’s a quirky comedy that sells itself on the cast, and the actors and actresses are extremely recognizable. Brandon Routh of CHUCK, Jennifer Morrison of HOUSE, Jesse Bradford of my favorite movie Hackers and the not-so-favorite SWIMFAN, Sophia Bush of One Tree Hill, … Continue reading
I saw this trailer earlier today and it would’ve made me laugh my ass off if I wasn’t in a movie theater at the time. An inspirational “underdog” drama? Check. Based on a true story? Check. Cast entirely with Academy Award winners and nominees? Check. The actors spend a lot of time in heavy makeup? … Continue reading
I have come to the conclusion that Top Gear is one of the best shows ever made, hell I’d go so far as to say the show is better than some of the more well known geek staples like Lost and Star Trek TNG, it’s that good. Now some of you (those that haven’t seen … Continue reading
The problem with living under a right wing government is that it’s like being governed by your dad. Your ageing, past his prime, dad. Who scoffs at the noise young people listen to, grumbles at even the hint of expense, and watches NCIS religiously.* I was born in the midst of Margaret Thatcher’s stint as … Continue reading