Of food, technology, movies, music, and travel—or whatever else strikes my fancy
*** Easy A (September 2009) – Rental
Emma Stone. High school girl decides that a path to popularity is in encouraging the rumours that she’s an easy lay. Then it gets complicated.
She says: A very likable movie, primarily due to the charismatic performance of lead Emma Stone, and the writers who gave her bright and funny dialog to work with.
He says: That was a good one, eh?
A couple months in, thought it was time to report back on Fall TV prospects.
Best new show remains CBC’s Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Although I was also right that nobody is watching it; the ratings are dire. Even though they actually have moved it to Tuesdays, right after the very popular Rick Mercer and 22 Minutes. So I’m not counting on any more seasons, which is unfortunate. But at least CBC has indeed pledged to run all of this season’s episodes.
(By the way, this is no Lost; I don’t think it would be difficult to pick this series up even if you haven’t been watching from the start.)
Cast-drive new shows: Secret Circle and New Girl are in (for now); Ringers is out
One thing I can say about Secret Circle is, they aren’t afraid of casting women. The witches’ circle has four girls and two guys—one of whom (spoiler alert!) died. The adult characters feature quite a few women as well.
The show continues to be nothing more than a teenage witch show; most definitely not developing into Buffy. And sadly, the delicious Gale Harold is playing a “Dad” whose character is unable to get any (so far, only the teenagers get any). But still, it’s engaging enough, for what it is.
… Whereas the second episode of Ringers was so ridiculously awful, we had to drop it. Like, immediately.
But New Girl, we’re sticking with for now. It’s not Big Bang Theory funny yet, but amusing enough.
And I’m pleased that most sexist of the fall outings—Playboy Club and Charlie’s Angels—are already history.
Returning shows: One disappointment; two wins
The Mentalist followed up their completely awesome season finale with the lamest possible season opener: (Spoiler alert) Jayne was purely acquitted of the murder he clearly committed, then concluded that it wasn’t Red John he killed after.
So the finale that seemed to change everything, actually changed nothing. Bah.
But Big Bang Theory picked up nicely where it left off (good that they showed two episodes to start, though, as the first wasn’t quite as strong) and I continue to be really impressed by the mad figure skating skills of the hockey players on Battle of the Blades. Having a woman hockey player in the mix has been a great addition.
Returning shows on the bubble
My recorded episodes of Glee sat unwatched for so long the PVR decided to deleting some itself, along with my request to tape any future ones. (Seriously; it did.) But I did catch a few before they were permanently snatched.
And they actually weren’t terrible. I still don’t think the character of Sue is working, but others seem to have had some reparation, and the dropped characters… Haven’t really been missed. So I may try a few more episodes, PVR willing.
As for Bones, that starts tonight, and is set to record, but I’m still basically dreading it.
***½ Religulous (September 2008) – Rental
Documentary featuring Bill Maher, exploring religious belief.
She says: Better than I expected. Maher travels the world, visiting some well-known religious sites (the Vatican, Jerusalem) and some less well-known (Holy Land Experience in Floria, a fledgling Creation museum), speaking to all manner of religious people. Yes, he is rude sometimes; he’s Bill Maher. But the only thing that I made me uncomfortable was his associating between Muslims and terrorism. And he does seem to approach the subject with a sincere desire to understand why people believe. I learned some things, the most surprising being the many similarities between the stories of ancient Egyptian god Horus and that of Jesus. And it was hard not to agree with his final conclusions.
He says: Nice to see a documentary that I can agree with.
Last year at this time, I was complaining that so many summer shows were still on, I had no time to check out any new programs. This year, that’s not the case. Both dancing shows are done (one permanently—sniff!), Mad Men is not on until March or something, Flashpoint took a hiatus… My PVR’s been near empty for weeks.
But I need a distraction from the news, which I’ve been particularly depressing of late. So I’ve decided to audition a number of new shows, to see if any are worth sticking with.
Best new show (so far)
Completely unfair to judge this yet, as I haven’t even watched all the new shows I intend. And just one episode isn’t much to go on. Nevertheless, I feel I should mention CBC’s Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays (which, confusingly, actually plays on Wednesdays) as I suspect most haven’t heard of it. It’s a half hour comedy, pretty simple premise: Michael has been in therapy for 15 years for various social phobias. His doctor is writing a book about it.
Doesn’t sound like much, but it’s funny. And feels true. And it has women characters as well, and they even get to talk to each other (not about men). And it’s fun spotting the various Ottawa locations in use. And being Canadian, it’s both unlikely to overstay its welcome, or get cancelled prematurely—at least this season. CBC has no doubt ordered a certain number of episodes, all of which it will broadcast.
New shows I’m checking out only because of the cast
Because it features the delicious Gale Harold, whom I loved in Queer as Folk, here playing a very nasty warlock. It’s a show about teenage witches in a small town. And based on one episode, it’s… exactly what you’d expect a show about teenage witches in a small town to be. So far, not promising to be more, à la Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But still, enough entertainment factor there for me to return for more episodes and see how it goes.
2. Ringer
Speaking of Buffy, Sarah Michelle Gellar is back in this new series, playing identical twin sisters. Boy, has this one received mixed reviews, some really dire. And sure, the premise is fairly ridiculous, but again based on only one episode, I’m willing to give it a few more views to see how it develops.
3. New Girl
This one stars Zooey Deschanel, and its main selling is most definitely that it stars Zooey Deschanel. It is totally running on her personal charisma. I found the first episode OK. It had some funny moments. I know feminist me is supposed to be offended by her manic pixie dream girl persona, but in a season also giving us a redone Charlie’s Angels and The Playboy Club, (and I’m not so sure about Pan Am, either) it’s hard to work up the outrage.
Returning shows I’m looking forward to
This is one I never would have picked before. Not that I dislike The Mentalist, but it’s more Jean’s show, just one I also don’t mind watching, because the characters are fun and have good interaction.
But I have to say that last season’s finale really blew me away. It was completely gripping in and of itself, in a way that show isn’t usually, it apparently resolved the Red John storyline that had underlined the series since its start (but had become increasingly and a somewhat absurdly convoluted), and in way that I really didn’t expect but still didn’t seem unrealistic at all.
Now, I just can’t wait to see how they get Jayne out of this, and back to helping the CBI solve crimes. (They promise it won’t all have been a dream.)
Here’s another show that went out last season with an ending both surprising and realistic, and it should be great fun watching all this unravel. I love this show for its consistent ability to make me laugh out loud. For real.
Because the only hockey players I want to see are those wearing figure skates.
Returning shows I’m not sure I’ll keep returning to
I’ve already decided to drop the too-uneven How I Met Your Mother, and I’m not sure about these two:
1. Glee
Because in the past, no matter how bad this show sometimes got mid-season (and it could get pretty bad), it always seemed to pull together a finale that made me love it again. But last season? Holy geez, that was crappy. Replaying the Quinn-Finn-Jessie-Rachel love triangle again? Seriously? It’s the night before Nationals, and they haven’t even written the songs they’re going to perform yet? What?
And having made Coach Sylvester a total cartoon then decided we all needed to cry over her sister, what the heck will they do with her next? And apparently they had some reality show this summer to pick new cast members.
I don’t know, Glee. You’re sitting on the PVR there, but I’m not feeling in a big hurry to press Play.
2. Bones
Brennan and Booth and baby. Boring!
And for a bit of dancing
I have been checking out Nico Archambault’s Ils Dansent, focusing on the training of 10 male dancers. With no dropping of one dancer each week! Just learning new and increasingly complex choreography. Nice-looking show. And I can certainly use the weekly exposure to the French language.
***½ Toy Story 3 (June 2010) – Rental
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen. A transitional period in the toys’ “lives” as Andy prepares to go to college.
She says: Nothing to complain about in this “kid’s” movie which, to my amusement, was happily watched by four adults, no kids. It was by turns funny, touching, and exciting, all edited into a story that held together beautifully. Proof that sequels don’t have to suck, even when they get to number 3.
He says: What part was supposed to make me cry?
*** Friends with Benefits (July 2010) – Theatre
Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake. Tired of failed romantic relationships, two friends decide to add sex to the mix without the complications. Then it gets complicated.
She says: I find both Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake very appealing as actors, so was willing to go along and root for them as they went through the romantic comedy plotline, even as their characters openly mocked the romantic comedy. No must-see, but doesn’t insult your intelligence, and not bad characters to spend time with.
He says: That was a chick flick. [She says: So, you didn’t like it?] I didn’t say that.
*** Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (July 2011) – Theatre
Daniel Radcliffe, Ruper Grint, Emma Watson. It’s the final showdown between Harry and Voldemort.
She says: I think this one was oversold to me. It certainly wasn’t bad. It looked great (this would be the 2D version), it had the fine cast of British actors, as always, and I definitely wasn’t bored by it. But the claim that it was so much better than any other in the series? I didn’t find that.
He says: It was just OK, right? It lacked suspense and narrative drive. I’ve liked some of the other ones better.
*** Midnight in Paris (June 2011) – Theatre
Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams. Young American man visiting Paris with his fiancee finds himself whisked away to 1920s Paris, the era of his romantic dreams.
She says: A very fun movie—quite the love letter to Paris. When the time travel begins, the movie really takes off, as lead character encounters a dizzying array of historical figures: Hemingway, F. Scott and Zelda Fitgerald, Picasso, Man Ray, Gertrude Stein, and more!
He says: This, along with Ratatouille, would be the perfect movie to watch before visiting Paris. I didn’t think the lead performances were that great, I didn’t know that much about all the historical figures, and it spelled things out too much—but I still enjoyed the movie. (Even though it was directed by Woody Allen.)
***½ Bridesmaids (May 2011) – Theatre
Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph. Annie’s life is not going well, and having to serve as her best friend’s maid of honor only causes her to spiral deeper.
He says: That was good!
She says: Yeah, a lot better than I was expecting.
He says: Much! It was so funny.
She says: It was. But still not totally ridiculous.
He says: The cast was great. And I think it will hold up. That could become a classic!
She says: Could be. A comedy classic.
A bit behind, as we saw this a while ago…
**½ Made in Dagenham (November 2010) – Theatre
Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins. Set in Britain in 1968, shows how women workers at a Ford plant achieved pay equity with men though labour action.
She says: Really positive view of history that you realize must have been streamlined somewhat for dramatic purposes, but still makes for a pretty engaging movie.
He says: It was mostly good, but it was slow in parts.
The movie ends with the point that having achieved this milestone, the concept of “equal pay for equal work” for women spread throughout Britain, then through other industrialized countries. Of course, that’s for unionized jobs with clear pay scales. The picture is a bit more murky in other cases, as per this recent chart comparing men’s and women’s wages in US.
So this is an inaugural attempt at doing current He Said / She Said movie reviews here, instead of on the website where they’ve been for ages. For the efficiency. (Though I may still archive copies on the web.)
I have a bit of catch-up to do.
**½ December Boys (October 2007) – Rental
Synopsis: Daniel Radcliffe, Christian Byers. Four Australian orphan boys get an opportunity to spend a month away in a seaside town, where they compete to be adopted.
She says: The religious overtones of this movie really didn’t sit well with me. And without spoiling what it is, I didn’t think the ending especially worked. I don’t think the choice was a good one.
He says: The religious stuff didn’t really bother me. But I agree with you about the ending.
*** Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe (August 2010) – Theatre
Synopsis: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Scott Pilgrim meets the girl of his dreams but finds he must defeat her seven evil ex’s to win her heart.
She says: Well, that certainly moved along. Very witty. And Cera’s great. But it’s not a movie for everyone, and it wasn’t 100% for me.
He says: OK, I wasn’t bored. But the pink-haired girl wasn’t really my type, and the Japanese girl was cute but way too young.
***½ (500) Days of Summer (July 2009) – Rental
Synopsis: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. A look back at a failed relationship, and its aftermath.
She says: Funny and true and tightly edited, with good performances by both leads. Definitely a good rental.
He says: Well, her I liked. I could see why he become so obsessed with her. Fun movie.
***½ Despicable Me (July 2010) – Theatre
Synopsis: Steve Carell, Jason Segal. 3D animated movie about a villain who uses three orphan girls in his diabolical plan to steal the moon.
She says: A lot of fun, with plenty of jokes specially for the adults in the crowd. And must say this one is worth seeing in 3D; they do a nice job of playing with the extra dimension.
He says: I would have enjoyed it more without the raging headache, but given that, yeah, it was good. [She adds: He didn’t get the headache from the 3D. He had it going in.]
Usually, after coming back from vacation, there is a daunting pile of TV programming stored in the PVR.
This year, not so much, because our time away corresponded with many shows winding down their season. This means that I haven’t spent all my time back watching television, and can therefore write about it.
You know what sitcom I’ve actually enjoyed most this season? This one:
This program has evolved a great deal from its original premise of 40-year-old woman chasing hot young guys (a premise I never found quite as offensive as I was apparently supposed to) to an ensemble show about said woman, yes, but now focusing on other relationships in her life: her son, her ex-husband, her friend, her neighbor (and now age-appropriate boyfriend). It’s evolved so much, in fact, they’re considering changing the title.
But the main thing about it is, it’s funny! The occasional episode doesn’t quite work, but it’s when popping, it’s really popping. The cast play off each other wonderfully well.
Unfortunately, two sitcoms I used to really enjoy haven’t had such great seasons. How I Met Your Mother started the season with Robin and Barney together, broke them up in record time—which really disappointed me, as they’d built this up over quite some time—then seemed at a loss for storylines for the rest of the season. Earlier seasons of this show were very enjoyable, but I don’t know if I’ll be tuning in next season.
Similarly, 30 Rock. Unlike Mother, I wasn’t that invested in any particular character or what happened to them. Just found the show often wickedly funny. But it’s often been bordering on dull this season, with Jack’s love triangle and Liz’s lack of love situation and Kenneth not really having much to do.
I don’t know. Maybe I should check out Parks and Recreation. I hear that’s good.
I never watched Lost, and I dropped 24, so I can’t comment on either of those high-profile programs. But I have mostly been sticking with Flashforward.
At least, mostly. I don’t know what it is about this show, but I can’t seem to watch it until I have a bunch of episodes stacked for viewing. And the program has really been criticized, but I’ve mostly enjoyed it. Maybe because I watch several in a row? It’s an interesting premise, and it seems to me they’ve been moving it along well and reasonably keeping all their threads in order.
However. It has been cancelled, but that news did not reach the producers until after they shot the final episode. Which, I’ve read, has resulted in a season finale that ties up many loose ends, yes, but also introduces mountains of confusing new complications to set up the then-expected season 2.
So what do I do now, me with my remaining pile of episodes as yet unwatched? Do I see it through even knowing I’ll just be disappointed in the end? Or do I cut my losses now? Oh, such dilemmas.
How can I write about TV and not mention Glee, right? Although the amount of hype around its return has been just absurd. And the show has taken some time to find its footing again. The first half-season, though I mostly loved it, was nevertheless marred by some really stupid plotlines, dragged out far too long. The second half had almost an opposite problem: plotlines going by quickly, you could barely see them as they whooshed by. It’s like the show was in a frenzy, trying to cram in as many hit songs and Sue zingers as possible, forgetting that the show really needs to have some heart.
But recent outings have been better. The Joss Whedon-directed episode was almost as great as hoped, the Lady Gaga episode has some really stunning, subtle (of all things) scenes. And it still makes me laugh, and I still like the songs, and Britanny may be the best dumb blonde character ever. Glee!
I somehow miraculously managed to notice that:
In time to actually watch both shows from episode 1 (or nearly). And so far (I’m near the start of season 1 of both), while I like True Blood, I was kind of expecting to love it. And to be totally into the Sookie and Bill thing—which I’m not. It’s fine that they’re together, but I don’t feel too invested in it. (Plus, I read the first novel, so now I think I know who the killer is.) But I’ll keep watching. Perhaps the love will develop later.
As for Californication—that’s fun! Who knew David Duchovny could be so lively. And damn if he doesn’t still look really sexy.
Cultureguru's Weblog 