• Archive of "TV and Film" Category

    FilmWatch, Fave Movies and Free Posters

    04/17/2011 // No Comments »

    Over on FilmWatch I’m excited to see a little nugget of a thought I had get turned into something way better – yeah, that’s all JL! We’re creating and discovering the FilmWatch favorite films, and everyone gets to chime in with their own top ten movies. At the very minimum, just commenting with your favorites gets you a 30% coupon to MoviePosterShop, and two lucky winners drawn from the comments get:

    Grand Prize:
    Deluxe Matted Framer Poster of your choice (27″x40″ – over a $100 value)

    Runner-up:
    A rolled 27″x40″ poster of your choice

    But who needs a prize when we all love to make top ten lists and tout our favorites, right? In no particular order, the personal faves Top Ten I put up:

    Shawshank Redemption
    The Usual Suspects
    Snatch
    The Maltese Falcon
    Princess Bride
    Sabrina (1954)
    The Hunger
    Harold and Maude
    To Kill a Mockingbird (best adaptation ever)
    Reservoir Dogs

    Posted in TV and Film

    Chinese Censors Crack Down on Time Travel

    04/13/2011 // No Comments »

    Well, it’s about time someone took a stand against – wait, what?

    In a statement (available here in Chinese) dated March 31, the State Administration for Radio, Film & Television said that TV dramas that involve characters traveling back in time “lack positive thoughts and meaning.” The guidelines discouraging this type of show said that some “casually make up myths, have monstrous and weird plots, use absurd tactics, and even promote feudalism, superstition, fatalism and reincarnation.”

    Posted in TV and Film

    I Watch TV #6

    01/19/2010 // No Comments »

    If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, you might want to start here.

    Community
    Community is a little goofy and occasionally derivative. Thing is I’m a bit of a Joel McHale fangirl and I like this show (though now I’m an Abed fangirl). You know, I think it’s time for Arrested Development to come back. From The Office to Parks and Recreation to Community, it’s clear the audience is finally ready.

    Posted in TV and Film

    I Watch TV #5

    01/17/2010 // No Comments »

    If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, you might want to start here.

    Gavin and Stacey (BBC)
    This is a quirky BBC gem that I recommend all Stateside folks check out. Especially if you want to make fun of the Welsh and people from Essex.

    The Soup
    There’s no reason not to watch this half hour. It takes reality television, all things entertainment, and makes it safe for the rest of us.

    Posted in TV and Film

    I Watch TV #4

    01/16/2010 // 3 Comments »

    If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, you might want to start here.

    The Big Bang Theory
    It’s a traditional sitcom (with multiple cameras and a live audience) centered around two physicists, experimental and theoretical, and the girl across the hall (or, “The Big Bang” :P ). Oh, and the latest episode featured Green Lantern’s green lantern (and ring, of course), Hulk’s fists, backing up an OS and Rock Band. Why aren’t you watching?

    I <3 Sheldon Cooper. Bazinga!

    Posted in TV and Film

    I Watch TV #3

    01/15/2010 // No Comments »

    If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, you might want to start here.


    This one is a twofer, mostly because before tuning in I lumped them both into categories that I just don’t watch: Medical Drama & Crime Drama.

    House

    I’m not big on medical shows – I’m afraid just watching them will give me a rash – so when I started watching House a little over a year ago it was purely for the Hugh Laurie factor. Don’t let the promos trick you, this is more than just a doctor with a terrible bedside manner. Ok, there’s plenty of that, but the best thing that the latest season has proven is that it’s okay with dynamic characters, which is practically primetime blasphemy. I support that.

    Bones

    I joined Bones two seasons in, a tardiness I mostly blame on my Post-Buffy mourning period. Suffice it to say, Boreanaz fares better outside a Whedon script, and I support anything Deschanel. The show is fun, Booth and Bones have a very Mulder and Scully thing going on, and yes, I like forensic anthropology. Unlike House, the icky stuff in Bones just isn’t so barfy to me. That said, the most recent season of Bones has been a real dud so far. Fingers crossed, I’m keeping it on the DVR for now.

    Posted in TV and Film

    I Watch TV #2

    01/14/2010 // No Comments »

    If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, you might want to start here.

    Top Gear (BBC)
    I’m no car aficionado. I’m not even very good at retaining much of the vehicle-specific information dispensed on the show. Regardless, Top Gear is one of my favorite programs of all time. The show is hilarious, the series always end early when they inevitably go over budget and there’s The Stig.

    Top Gears tame racing driver.

    Top Gear's tame racing driver.

    While it does air on BBC America, they’re a season or two behind so I’ve got to plug my favorite people: FinalGear.

    Posted in TV and Film

    I Watch TV

    01/13/2010 // 6 Comments »

    Recently a lot of people have been asking me what shows I watch, recommend or even loathe. I even did a write-up for some friends in town for their new publication Fermentations on the very topic (which I’d plug, but they have a distinctly offline thing going on). Having lots of opinions about games I play, it probably isn’t surprising that I also have opinions about TV, but I’m no critic. Instead of reviews, I thought I’d make some posts in the coming weeks about what I’m watching and why [you should, too ;)].

    On a not completely unrelated note, I’ve noticed how my TV watching patterns have changed. I’ve become equal parts early-adopter and LTTP, championing some shows from the beginning and being recklessly delayed in appreciating others. Contrary to how the medium tends to work (one episode at a time, once a week, 20 some weeks a year), I much prefer the gluttonous free-for-all enabled by catching a show in its middle age. There’s a wonderful continuity in renting (*torrenting*) three seasons of a series and watching in one go. One show, however, that I was right on time for:

    Chuck
    Without a doubt, my Show of the Year, which is now a thing. With a trophy. See?

    Show of the Year 2009: Chuck

    Show of the Year 2009: Chuck

    With action, comedy, drama and spies Chuck features fantastic writing, an engaging cast and just enough geekery to give you that “can I add you on PSN/XBL?” feeling. Oh, and the music in Chuck is awesome. I am not messing around when I say it’s the best thing on television right now, and I’m so grateful that Subway saved this one from the Leno-in-primetime axe.

    The Season 2 finale is a tough act to follow, and Season 3 is off to a phenomenal start. Lock it out.

    Posted in TV and Film