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• PRISON BREAK -- "Under & Out"

Posted on 2/5/2008 in

TV Rants

It’s been two weeks, and Fox spent a lot of money during the Superbowl to advertise the escape that was supposed to happen tonight on PRISON BREAK.... [Read More]

• ELI STONE -- "Pilot"

Posted on 2/2/2008 in

TV Rants

Here’s Eli (Johnny Lee Miller).  He’s an attorney in San Francisco and a complete yuppie asshole.  We meet him as he’s climbing... [Read More]

• Critical Look: ARMORED

Posted on 1/31/2008 in

News Rants

ARMORED is the new upcoming heist film about a young armored car guard caught up in a scam by his older colleagues to empty a truck of $10 million. The... [Read More]

• SMALLVILLE -- "Persona"

Posted on 1/31/2008 in

TV Rants

It’s been more than a month since our last new episode of SMALLVILLE, so let’s recap. The whiny-ass chief editor of the Daily Planet (Michael... [Read More]

• THE AIR I BREATHE: It's Worth Taking A Breath And Jumping In

Posted on 1/31/2008 in

Movie Rants

THE AIR I BREATHE received scathing reviews following its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last year.  It seemed almost as though the critical... [Read More]

• IN TREATMENT -- "Sophie, Week One"

Posted on 1/30/2008 in

TV Rants

Sophie (Mia Wasikowska) Dr. Paul Weston’s (Gabriel Byrne) Wednesday patient is IN TREATMENT because her mother thinks she attempted suicide. ... [Read More]

• Will Smith's Costume in HANCOCK Revealed

Posted on 1/30/2008 in

News Rants

Will Smith’s latest summer blockbuster, director Peter Berg’s (THE KINGDOM) superhero comedy HANCOCK, recently got its hype-machine in motion,... [Read More]

• THE KING OF KONG: An Epic Battle For Your Heart

Posted on 1/29/2008 in

DVD Rants

THE KING OF KONG falls into the category of films I like to the call "Little Engines That You Never Thought Would, But They Could Anyhow." On... [Read More]

• SUNSHINE: Fun, But Not Boyle's Best

Posted on 1/28/2008 in

DVD Rants

SUNSHINE is a lot of 2001 with a little EVENT HORIZON, too much SOLARIS (both versions), and to top things off, there’s a small shout out to director... [Read More]

• THE WIRE -- "Not For Attribution"

Posted on 1/28/2008 in

TV Rants

Editor's note: due to a technical glitch that we like to call "A mischievous badger broke into our server and had its way with our inner workings,"... [Read More]

• THE L WORD -- "Lady of the Lake"

Posted on 1/28/2008 in

TV Rants

Editor's note: due to a technical glitch that we like to call "A monkey broke into our server and had its way with our inner workings," this... [Read More]

• TEETH: A Film With A Serious Bite

Posted on 1/27/2008 in

Movie Rants

Films that are pure camp flounder when they take themselves too seriously. Films that try to delve into dark and sordid territory with a wink and a smile,... [Read More]

• UGLY BETTY -- "A Thousand Words By Friday"

Posted on 1/25/2008 in

TV Rants

Since the writer’s strike hasn’t ended this is the last episode of UGLY BETTY that we’ll see for a while.  I am not sure where they... [Read More]

• CASHMERE MAFIA -- "The Deciders"

Posted on 1/24/2008 in

TV Rants

Tonight we get treated to more of the same from the crazy New York girls of CASHMERE MAFIA; lucky us! Those wacky kids are up to even more kooky stuff... [Read More]

• PROJECT RUNWAY -- "Even Designers Get The Blues"

Posted on 1/24/2008 in

TV Rants

Another week's gone by and we lost another designer.  Last week Kit got the boot and everyone is acting like Ricky should have gotten the cut and... [Read More]

• MICHAEL CLAYTON Heading Back To Theaters

Posted on 1/24/2008 in

News Rants

Hoping to capitalize on positive reviews and strong Oscar buzz, Warner Bros. will be slipping the George Clooney legal thriller MICHAEL CLAYTON back into... [Read More]

• THE WIRE -- "Transitions"

Posted on 1/23/2008 in

TV Rants

If there is anything positive about the writers’ strike, it’s that viewers in search of something fresh will sample THE WIRE.  Once they... [Read More]

• THE L WORD -- "Let's Get This Party Started"

Posted on 1/23/2008 in

TV Rants

The most thought-provoking story arc this season involves Tasha (Rose Rollins), a woman whose dreams of a military career become a nightmare when she is... [Read More]

• PRISON BREAK -- "Dirt Nap"

Posted on 1/22/2008 in

TV Rants

Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) buys a bomb. Exactly where he keeps coming up with the money to do things, I have no idea. Sucre (Amaury Nolasco) gets himself... [Read More]

• OPEN RANGE: A Great Western Worth Revisiting

Posted on 1/22/2008 in

Retro Rants

I know, you hear Costner and epic in the same sentence, you probably reach for the barf bag, perhaps plagued by flashbacks to THE POSTMAN. Well, get over... [Read More]

• CLOVERFIELD: The Best Monster Movie We've Had In A Long Time

Posted on 1/20/2008 in

Movie Rants

If you’re going to see CLOVERFIELD because you’re looking for an in-depth character study or some sort of psychological thriller about an unknown... [Read More]

• FIRST SUNDAY: It's No FRIDAY, But It Has Heart

Posted on 1/20/2008 in

Movie Rants

Let me start by saying that FIRST SUNDAY is but another victim of bad advertising — though in this case I wouldn’t necessarily blame the marketing... [Read More]

• Critical Look: Michael Mann's PUBLIC ENEMIES

Posted on 1/20/2008 in

News Rants

Christian Bale, star of this summer’s sure-fire blockbuster, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT, is currently in talks to star as another celebrated lawman,... [Read More]

• CASHMERE MAFIA -- "Dangerous Liasons"

Posted on 1/17/2008 in

TV Rants

As I sat down and prepared to enjoy an evening of entertaining TV, I remembered I had to review this piece of trash. Nobody said life was fair, so I hunkered... [Read More]

• Critical Look: The Rolling Stones' SHINE A LIGHT

Posted on 1/17/2008 in

News Rants

SHINE A LIGHT is the latest “rockumentary” by legendary director Martin Scorsese. Having previously covered The Band (LAST WALTZ), and Bob... [Read More]

• ALPHA DOG: Packs More Bite Than You Think

Posted on 1/15/2008 in

DVD Rants

When ALPHA DOG hit theaters this time last year, I was one of the many who brushed it aside as being another, tired, Justin Timberfake vehicle. When the... [Read More]

• 3:10 TO YUMA: It Has Both Brains And Bullets

Posted on 1/15/2008 in

DVD Rants

I knew there was very little chance of 3:10 TO YUMA not being a good movie. With a solid cast and a great director, there’s very little room for... [Read More]

• TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES -- "Pilot, Part Two"

Posted on 1/15/2008 in

TV Rants

After time-traveling eight years into the future, Sarah and John are having a hard time adjusting to the change. The most immediate problem is establishing... [Read More]

• TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES -- "Pilot, Part One"

Posted on 1/15/2008 in

TV Rants

TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES is the new Fox action/drama that builds upon the lore of the TERMINATOR franchise. The show is set between the... [Read More]

• PRISON BREAK -- "Boxed In"

Posted on 1/15/2008 in

TV Rants

Before the hiatus, Michael (Wentworth Miller) and Whistler (Chris Vance) attempted an escape from Sona just to be thwarted by some cloud cover. Then Whistler... [Read More]

• THE L WORD -- "Look Out, Here They Come"

Posted on 1/14/2008 in

TV Rants

Shane McCutcheon has very quickly become my idol.  She is clearly the chick magnet I always wanted to be.  In fact, I’m convinced Shane... [Read More]

• THE WIRE -- "Unconfirmed Reports"

Posted on 1/14/2008 in

TV Rants

Last week I spoke a little about the lack of broad recognition for THE WIRE, though it is widely considered one of the two or three top dramatic series... [Read More]

• UGLY BETTY -- "Zero Worship"

Posted on 1/13/2008 in

TV Rants

After a super long break UGLY BETTY returns and tackles BODY DISMORPHIC DISORDER and how fashion magazine everywhere add to this problem worldwide. ... [Read More]

• MY NAME IS EARL -- "Bad Earl"

Posted on 1/13/2008 in

TV Rants

I guess this episode is self-explanatory.  Earl (Jason Lee) gets out of prison and has adjusted to life behind bars in such a way that he’s... [Read More]

• THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING: A Veggie Tales Movie: You Know, For Kids

Posted on 1/11/2008 in

Movie Rants

I have to be honest.  I never heard of the Vegetables or the Veggie Tales, apparently a significant empire of movies aimed at young children. ... [Read More]

• 30 ROCK -- "The Last Episode Before The Strike"

Posted on 1/10/2008 in

TV Rants

At this point, who knows if the writer’s strike will end in time to salvage remnants of the 2007-08 television season?  But in a worst case... [Read More]

• CASHMERE MAFIA -- "Conference Call"

Posted on 1/10/2008 in

TV Rants

As if having to watch this piece of useless drivel once a week weren’t bad enough, ABC decided to give us a bonus episode. Honestly I can think of... [Read More]

• ONE MISSED CALL: Should Be One Missed Movie

Posted on 1/7/2008 in

Movie Rants

ONE MISSED CALL was supposedly adapted from the novel “Chakushin ari” by Japanese novelist Yasushi Akimoto. That book was then adapted into... [Read More]

• CASHMERE MAFIA -- Premiere Episode

Posted on 1/7/2008 in

TV Rants

Well the holiday season is officially over, and with the New Year comes a bumper crop of new TV shows. Personally, I’m always a little weary of the... [Read More]

• THE WIRE -- "More With Less"

Posted on 1/6/2008 in

TV Rants

THE WIRE is the most critically acclaimed TV series never to win an Emmy or a Golden Globe or a People’s Choice Award.  (It did win a prestigious... [Read More]

• THE L WORD -- "LGB Tease"

Posted on 1/6/2008 in

TV Rants

This begins the fifth season of THE L WORD.  While there are new elements to the show, most things remain unchanged.   Once again we discover... [Read More]

• WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW?: Inspiring and Entertaining

Posted on 1/3/2008 in

Retro Rants

This movie is essentially about questioning reality and then positing a spiritual possibility based on quantum physics. Largely successful on the first... [Read More]

• Luke Skywalker Shows Some Joker-On-Joker Love

Posted on 1/3/2008 in

News Rants

MTV news recently caught up with legendary sci-fi icon Mark Hamill (a.k.a. “Luke Skywalker,”) to solicit the actor’s opinion on Heath... [Read More]

• PROJECT RUNWAY -- "Eye Candy"

Posted on 1/3/2008 in

TV Rants

Oh man, I can actually admit I was pretty sure that this was Jillian’s last week with the good contestants of PROJECT RUNWAY.  Here is this... [Read More]

• THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP: Cute, You Know... For Kids

Posted on 1/3/2008 in

Movie Rants

Someone answer me this, why in the hell is it that stupid children’s movies always have stupidly long titles that do nothing but make the movie sound... [Read More]

• THE HOTTEST STATE: Gets A Cold Shoulder

Posted on 1/1/2008 in

DVD Rants

THE HOTTEST STATE is supposedly about the angst of young love.  But the angst most viewers will feel has more to do with the quality of the story. ... [Read More]

• HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX:

Posted on 12/29/2007 in

DVD Rants

The producers of HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF PHOENIX are to be congratulated on a number of significant accomplishments.  PHOENIX is the fifth film... [Read More]

• HONEYDRIPPER: Not A Bad Musical Note

Posted on 12/28/2007 in

Movie Rants

Ask the average person who John Sayles is and you’ll likely draw a blank stare.  But his first feature, THE RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN, filmed... [Read More]

• OCEAN'S THIRTEEN: Deals A Pretty Good Hand

Posted on 12/27/2007 in

DVD Rants

First came OCEAN'S ELEVEN, which wasn't bad, but it was followed up by the horrid OCEAN'S TWELVE. Last, but certainly not least, came OCEAN’S THIRTEEN.... [Read More]

• THE UNIT -- "Side Angle Side"

Posted on 12/26/2007 in

TV Rants

THE UNIT made a so-so return from the limbo of the WGA strike this week, offering up a forgettable episode, (which I in fact forgot to watch for the better... [Read More]

• LETHAL WEAPON: Christmas With A Bullet

Posted on 12/25/2007 in

Retro Rants

A lot of people might argue that LETHAL WEAPON is not actually a Christmas movie, but we know what I think about these people and if you’re wasting... [Read More]

• NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS: It's No Secret, The First Movie Was Better

Posted on 12/24/2007 in

Movie Rants

I have never begun to understand how critics can pan a movie like NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS. I mean, doesn’t everyone understand what kind... [Read More]

• SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET: Sabrina's Rant

Posted on 12/23/2007 in

Movie Rants

While I’ve been thinking about what to say about this movie I’ve actually spent more time wondering what Faith has to say about it more so... [Read More]

• BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR: Cuts Like A Knife

Posted on 12/22/2007 in

DVD Rants

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR is an extended, tie-in episode that weaves new narrative threads into the established plotlines of GALACTICA’s first... [Read More]

• SCROOGED: Have Yourself A Cynical Little Christmas

Posted on 12/22/2007 in

Retro Rants

Since I’m pretty sure the entire English-speaking community--and some others as well--knows the story of Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL,... [Read More]

• CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR: Smart and Entertaining

Posted on 12/22/2007 in

Movie Rants

The Charlie Wilson of CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR is a real life character in every sense of the word “character.”  He represented a Texas... [Read More]

• THE SIMPSONS MOVIE: Just What You'd Expect, Not That That's A Bad Thing

Posted on 12/20/2007 in

DVD Rants

Quite frankly why I (and I presume at least some of you) approached THE SIMPSONS MOVIE with a touch of trepidation.  After more than 400 episodes,... [Read More]

• BRICK: A Teenaged Detective Story

Posted on 12/20/2007 in

DVD Rants

This is a movie I actually enjoy, but the people I watched it with absolutely disagree with me and think I am an idiot.  For the record I do not disagree... [Read More]

• WAITRESS: A Slice Of Charm

Posted on 12/19/2007 in

DVD Rants

An overwhelming sense of sadness envelops the DVD of WAITRESS, the remarkable and ironically optimistic film written, directed and starring Adrienne Shelly. ... [Read More]

• THE BIGGEST LOSER -- Season Finale

Posted on 12/19/2007 in

TV Rants

It started with 18 obese people. 18 people crippled by their physical selves, emotionally wracked by failures and desperate to change their lives or lose... [Read More]

• SAVING GRACE -- "Tacos, Tulips, Ducks and Spices"

Posted on 12/18/2007 in

TV Rants

If you are not already a fan of SAVING GRACE this episode will convert you.  It is elegantly written and constructed, wonderfully acted and is the... [Read More]

• PROJECT RUNWAY -- "What's The Skinny"

Posted on 12/18/2007 in

TV Rants

As the remaining designers watch as out prance 11 women in clothes way too big for their bodies.  Heidi proceeds to explain to the designers that... [Read More]

• SAVING GRACE -- "Is There a Scarlet Letter On My Breast?"

Posted on 12/17/2007 in

TV Rants

The good news is that Holly Hunter was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Grace Hanadarko in SAVING GRACE.  Hunter has done a lot of... [Read More]

• DEXTER -- "The British Invasion"

Posted on 12/16/2007 in

TV Rants

The best show on television wrapped its second season and it was all fans would want. Without giving away the spoilers at the top, DEXTER will be back... [Read More]

• SURVIVOR: CHINA -- Season Finale

Posted on 12/16/2007 in

TV Rants

16 castaways, 2 tribes, 39 days…ONE SURVIVOR! It all comes down to this. The grand dame of reality shows has taken some lumps. Ratings have lagged,... [Read More]

• I AM LEGEND: Brandon's Take

Posted on 12/16/2007 in

Movie Rants

The year is 2012. Three years after a modest doctor (Emma Thompson in an uncredited cameo) develops a genetically engineered cure for cancer, the world... [Read More]

• SMALLVILLE -- "Gemini"

Posted on 12/16/2007 in

TV Rants

Holy crap, between the season hiatus and the WGA strike, I forgot this show was even still on. Good thing I’ve got the power of the Internet at my... [Read More]

• 30 Rock -- "Ludachristmas"

Posted on 12/15/2007 in

TV Rants

It’s that time of year again: spirited joy, joyous spirits and family.  What could be better?  Or funnier?  In this the last episode... [Read More]

• SURVIVOR: CHINA -- "Peih-Gee Packs Up"

Posted on 12/15/2007 in

TV Rants

“Erik may be the nicest guy in the world,” Courtney said of the most recently ousted player in the game. “The whole world, I agree,”... [Read More]

• I AM LEGEND: Curt's Take

Posted on 12/14/2007 in

Movie Rants

This has been a terrible fall (in both senses of that word) for the movie business.  After a great summer, grosses are down dramatically from last... [Read More]

• AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL -- "The Girl Who Becomes America's Next Top Model"

Posted on 12/13/2007 in

TV Rants

Well, the final episode of this season of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL has come and gone. And as it started, so it goes out, with more of a whimper then... [Read More]

• THE BIGGEST LOSER -- "1,000 Pounds And Dropping"

Posted on 12/12/2007 in

TV Rants

As much as producers and network executives try and muck around with reality TV shows, they can’t truly eliminate all suspense from the penultimate... [Read More]

• AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL -- "The Girls Go To The Great Wall"

Posted on 12/11/2007 in

TV Rants

All I can say about the most recent episode of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL is: ding dong the witch is dead. It seemed all episode as if they were setting... [Read More]

• SAVING GRACE -- "This Way Is Too Normal For You"

Posted on 12/10/2007 in

TV Rants

Grace’s friend Rhetta Rodriguez (Laura San Giacomo) thinks she may have walked into the wrong house. It looks like Grace’s living room, but... [Read More]

• DEXTER -- "Turn Left Ahead"

Posted on 12/10/2007 in

TV Rants

The down side to magnificent television writing such as DEXTER, a show that has taken the path carved by THE SOPRANOS and THE WIRE- the path of pushing... [Read More]

• PROJECT RUNWAY -- "Trendsetters"

Posted on 12/10/2007 in

TV Rants

This week my suspicion about the sad PROJECT RUNWAY typecasts is finally confirmed.  Too bad it isn’t killing all parts of this show because... [Read More]

• MY NAME IS EARL -- "Early Release"

Posted on 12/10/2007 in

TV Rants

Oh man, I thought I actually loved this show, but it kills me to say that the whole shedding of the prison skin could have been both funnier and more clever. ... [Read More]

• 30 ROCK -- "Secrets And Lies"

Posted on 12/8/2007 in

TV Rants

In what I perceive is the height of irony, about 250 fans of 30 ROCK did not gather in front of their TV sets on the evening of Thursday, December 6, where... [Read More]

• SEX AND THE CITY Trailer Released

Posted on 12/7/2007 in

News Rants

Well that was fast now, wasn't it?  The teaser trailer for the SEX AND THE CITY feature film debuted today, barely two weeks since production wrapped. ... [Read More]

• SURVIVOR: CHINA -- "Erik Exits"

Posted on 12/7/2007 in

TV Rants

The kids, and Denise, returned to camp after voting out the powerful James and breathed a huge sigh of relief. They all expressed a mutual sentiment that... [Read More]

• LIFE -- "Dig A Hole, Fill It Up Part 2"

Posted on 12/7/2007 in

TV Rants

So it’s a two parter, now I get it.  First you dig the hole.  Then you fill that hole up.  It’s a metaphor that stands for a... [Read More]

• LIFE -- "Dig A Hole, Fill It Up"

Posted on 12/6/2007 in

TV Rants

Our buddy Charlie Crews (Damian Lewis) and his partner Dani Reese (Sarah Shahi) are sent to a construction site where a body has been unearthed. ... [Read More]

• REAPER -- "Cash Out"

Posted on 12/5/2007 in

TV Rants

So, Sam (Bret Harrison) is dating the lovely daughter of Mimi, the hottie who the Devil (Ray Wise) had been stringing along for years, and Sock (Tyler... [Read More]

• THE BIGGEST LOSER -- "Like A Big Pizza Pie"

Posted on 12/5/2007 in

TV Rants

Now that Team Red has been sent packing with the elimination of Bryan, the show’s dirty little out-in-the-open secret can be spoken: Kim, the Red... [Read More]

• HEROES -- "Chapter Eleven: Powerless"

Posted on 12/4/2007 in

TV Rants

Finally, HEROES is back on track! Just in time to be yanked of the air for an indefinite hiatus! Boo. However, before departing, the hit show gave us one... [Read More]

• BROTHERHOOD -- "Things Have Changed 1:7-8"

Posted on 12/4/2007 in

TV Rants

One of the major reasons I love BROTHERHOOD is the fact that there’s rarely a lack of drama.  Last week Collin (Bryan F. O’Bryne) screws... [Read More]

• BIONIC WOMAN -- "Do Not Disturb"

Posted on 12/4/2007 in

TV Rants

Jaime Sommers (Michelle Ryan) has a lot to process. Beyond the stress of having most of her limbs replaced with bionic parts, dating a CIA agent and working... [Read More]

• AWAKE: Don't Sleep Through This Thriller

Posted on 12/3/2007 in

Movie Rants

There are several surprises in store for viewers of AWAKE, the latest thriller to hit the multiplexes of America. Chief among those surprises is that it... [Read More]

• SAVING GRACE -- "It' Better When I Can See You"

Posted on 12/3/2007 in

TV Rants

SAVING GRACE returns to the air for a brief run of original episodes and to remind us how good television can be.  For those who may have missed this... [Read More]

• DEXTER -- "There's Something About Harry"

Posted on 12/3/2007 in

TV Rants

Dexter (Michael C. Hall) has Sergeant Doakes (Erik King) caged in a drug dealer’s cabin in the Everglades, psycho ex, Lila (Jaime Murray), is stalking... [Read More]

• THE CLOSER -- "Next of Kin"

Posted on 12/3/2007 in

TV Rants

You can only pull a cow’s teats so often before it goes udderly dry.  It’s the same with television series. Sadly, that seems to be... [Read More]

• 30 ROCK -- "Cougars"

Posted on 11/30/2007 in

TV Rants

I bring good news for some of you, but sadly bad news for many. On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, 6.5 million of you gave 30 ROCK its best ratings... [Read More]

• MY NAME IS EARL -- "Burn Victim"

Posted on 11/30/2007 in

TV Rants

Silly Earl (Jason Lee), tricks are for kids.  Seriously, this week Earl talks about how all the things he’s done to help the warden (Craig T.... [Read More]

• PROJECT RUNWAY -- "Fashion Giant"

Posted on 11/29/2007 in

TV Rants

So in last week’s teaser everyone is in a tizzy because they’re doing a PROJECT RUNWAY first, which I bet you anything is not going to be dressing... [Read More]