It is very difficult to describe the three-person play that is Neil Jordan's latest film, Ondine. Oh, there are other people in it, but apart from Stephen Rea's excellent ability to support, they don't matter. It's difficult to describe, because every additional word I might use to relay the story will undoubtedly lead you astray. The problem is that we have this desire, and one that is nearly … [Read more...]
I should probably recuse myself from judging Lie to Me, because I'm too solidly in the show's theoretical demographic, and I've long been a huge fan of Tim Roth, but such is probably not an option. Lie to Me returns tonight for the continuation of its second season, and Tim Roth was recently available for a conference call interview. Before I share that with you, I want to give you a peek at … [Read more...]
I have a great fondness for movies that let me know right where I am just by naming their director. Robert Luketic may have been hard to nail down when he hit the scene with Legally Blonde, but after Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, and Monster-in-Law we knew where we were. Then came last year's The Ugly Truth, and though it was met with critical disdain, I came to believe I was getting a sense for … [Read more...]
At some point you are probably pushing the boundaries of niche television, even in the reality competition genre, and History's Top Shot might be edging right up to the line. Premiering tonight at 10:00pm, this reality series, with customary $100,000 top prize, challenges contestants to prove they are the best marksman. Through a variety of challenges, which at least have sense enough to … [Read more...]
Now here's something that looks interesting. If you're anything like me at all, this is something you want to take note of. Not only does it sound like a ludicrous plot, but we have the people behind American Splendor, Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman. And, if anyone can pull off this wild adventure, it's Kevin Kline. Also, don't miss the fact that this one is coming to you with … [Read more...]
When it comes to Peanuts television specials, I find myself drawn especially to the ones that are a little more on the lesser-known side. This is even more true when it comes to owning them on DVD, and that makes the Peanuts 1970s Collection Volume 2 a great purchase. I love the big specials, of course, but those are going to be on every Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and while owning … [Read more...]
The Next Food Network Star has a post-Guy Fieri history of disappointing me with its winner selection, but the show is still oddly fun to watch. Odd, because I'm not particularly interested in watching food on television. You might think that explains away the fact that they never pick the winners I want them to pick... I'm not their audience, but I'm sticking with my theory that the next show … [Read more...]
There's a pretty clear quasi-joke that comes through in Alain de Botton's first novel On Love, but it's delivered better in the film loosely based on that work (and Essays in Love), My Last Five Girlfriends. This is perhaps because it is actually delivered in the film, but that's to split hairs really. de Botton's novel, which was dealt with rather harshly by a good many critics upon its … [Read more...]
The fourth season of Burn Notice has already hit, and I have a special prize pack giveaway to celebrate. BURN NOTICE returns for its fourth season, Thursdays at 9/8c on USA Network. The #1 scripted series on cable stars Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar, Bruce Campbell, and Sharon Gless. The action-packed season four commences with a new counterintelligence expert, Jesse Garcia, played by … [Read more...]
In the promotional material for their book, The Real Alice in Wonderland: A Role Model for the Ages, authors C.M. Rubin and Gabriela Rubin have put together a list of the Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Real Alice. This list kicks off with the list-defying entry - Alice was inspired by a real girl called Alice Liddell. I find myself forced to deny the existence of a legitimate … [Read more...]
Four years in the making, filmed over 3000 days, across every continent and in every habitat, Life is the latest wildlife blockbuster from the BBC’s award-winning Natural History Unit, the producers of Planet Earth and The Blue Planet. Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, the series presents 130 incredible stories from the frontiers of the natural world, and details the extraordinary tactics that … [Read more...]
USA's hit from last summer, Royal Pains, is back this Thursday, June 3rd for a second season. As you probably know, last season wound down by throwing a lot at us, and the fate of HankMed was up in the air from several fronts. The second season kicks off by introducing a patient with his own father issues, and by starting on the road to piecing back together the "practice." Unfortunately, on … [Read more...]
We're giving our lives over to technology more and more each day, but what if a new level in our ability to give up responsibility for our own future hit the market? Would we take it? What might it mean if we did? These are the questions behind TiMER, a film that brings you a world in which finding your soulmate has all the guesswork taken out of it. Just head over to a TiMER shop, and get an … [Read more...]
