TV,
MOVIE AND DVD RECOMMENDATIONS
If you know me at all, you already know I don't watch a lot
of broadcast TV. I read and listen to music more than veg
at the boob tube. I do buy a lot of movies for evenings
with Jenni or friends, and I go to a fair amount of Movies
at the cinema. Here is a capsule look at what I enjoy and
have recently viewed.
The Small Screen (at least at my house).
Smallville:
One of the best written and acted shows on television. With
special effects worthy of the big screen and witty well
conceived links to the comics, movies and previous TV
series, while progressing an original plot and
metamorphosis of characters. I watch this show every week
(or I record it for later viewing.)
Stars: Tom Welling, Kristin
Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum, Allison Mack, Sam Jones III
(First 3 seasons), Erica Durance (season 4-current), Jensen
Ackles (season 4-current) with Annette O'Toole and John
Schneider. Special guests on the show include Superman
Movie(s) alumni, Terence Stamp as Jor-El's voice (
Gen.
Zod,
Superman I- II, 1978,
1980), Margot Kidder (
Lois Lane,
Superman I-IV, 1978,80,83,87),
Christopher Reeve as Dr. Virgil Swann (
Clark
Kent/Superman, Superman
I-IV, 1978-1987) and series
regular Annette O'Toole (
Lana Lang,
Superman III,
1983).
Lost:
Like
Smallville, a weekly must watch. A well
conceived and acted series. The mysterious Island scenario
lets the story stay fresh, the interactions between the
primary characters keeps several plot "plates" spinning at
all times, the vignettes into the lives prior to the plane
crash builds viewer shared secrecy and future plot
conflicts. Many of Season one's mysteries remain
unanswered, and season two is "piling on" even more
intrique. Jenni and I bought the 1st season DVD set, so we
could watch season two with out being "Lost", we only
missed a few episodes last year, but this is one show that
could leave you far behind if you miss to many
installments.
My Name is
Earl: Tuesday Nights on NBC. Original and
extremely funny. I love this show, it is irreverence with a
moral. That right there should get you to watch. Jason Lee
is perfect for this role. More laugh out loud per episode
than some comedy shows have given in entire seasons. I have
to tape them because of Bowling league on Tuesday evenings,
but i never miss an episode.
Recently viewed or purchased DVD's
Bubba-Ho-Tep:
Stupid escapist pleasure, complete with foul language and
imagery. A very funny concept. Another Bruce Campbell
Masterpiece. The worst thing about this movie is that
Meredith and David took it to Florida along with 41 of my
other DVD's and I had to wait almost a year to get it back.
I know it's not overly cerebral, it is however overly funny
in my opinion (but what do I know man, I got a growth on
my...). Ossie Davis as the dyed black Jack Kennedy is worth
the price of purchase alone, and Bruce
IS Elvis, man. Thank you very
much.
The
Machinist: This one should keep you guessing
right to the ending. Just the fact that Christian Bale
wastes away to almost nothing on screen for this part is a
true testament to the craft. The imagery, editing and scene
transitions are amazing. A journey into the mind of an
insomniac, and an exploration of how much sub-conscience
suffering one can endure. Like nothing I've ever seen
before.
Night
Shift: More mirth. Michael Keaton and Henry
Winkler, Love Brokers. I know it's on T. V. a lot but I had
to buy it when Amazon had it on sell. Even though a bit
dated (1982) it still has some true comic genius moments.
Early Ron Howard directing. Before
Splash or
Cocoon. Like early Mel Brooks
movies (
Blazing Saddles and
Young Frankenstein,
not
Silent Movie), the
Airplane movies and
Beetlejuice. A timeless comedy
classic and very quotable.
Now, go and watch some good television and DVD's I'll
get back to you with more suggestions soon enough.
Chuck
