Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker – Movie Review

Is Alex Rider the “spy” version of Harry Potter? Let’s see how Rider stacks up. Both are based on a successful series of novels? Check. Both are British? Check. Both are orphaned boys living with uncle’s families? Check. Both have a special destiny beyond that of normal boys? Check. Both have cute teenage lead actors…

Fall TV 2006 – week three

It’s a fitting “finale” to the month or so of premieres which we’ve been enjoying that my three favourite shows should make their returns within the same week. It’s been a busy few weeks, so I haven’t really given myself the breathing space to get all excited with anticipation. Lost, Veronica Mars and Battlestar Galactica…

Fall TV 2006 – week two

My DVR runneth over. Between the returning shows, new shows that started last week, and new shows that started this week, I have had a huge backlog of episodes to watch. Week one I watched no less than 11 premieres. Let’s start with the two that came on after I posted my last update: Brothers…

Fall TV 2006 – week one

Jam-packed week! Let’s get right to the shows: Last year, a bunch of new lawyer shows debuted that just didn’t survive. This year, we try again. I already mentioned Justice in my last post. Shark stars James Woods as a top-notch defense attorney switching to head up a team of prosecutors specializing in high-profile cases….

Fall TV 2006 – week zero

The fall TV season doesn’t “officially” start until this coming week, but a few shows have already gotten started. Surprisingly early (some years it doesn’t begin until November), The Simpsons returned last Sunday with a Sopranos/Godfather-inspired episode featuring the new character of Michael, Lisa’s classmate and son of Springfield mob boss Fat Tony. Other returning…

Picking the Pix at the Toronto International Film Festival 2006

Each year it becomes more of a challenge to pick movies to see at the Toronto International Film Festival. It’s not that there aren’t really good movies at the fest, it’s just that I don’t really see very many, so I have to use a set of criteria to choose what to see. I don’t…

Idlewild – Movie Review

I had such high hopes for Idlewild, the movie musical from Outkast (hip-hop group responsible for 2004 overplayed-catchy-song-of-the-year, “Hey Ya!”). I expected a fresh, innovative film full of the energy and enthusiasm that you might associate with the group’s style (and videos). I was all set for a cooler version of Chicago (both movies being…

Are you watching these shows?

This year I thought I’d combine my “what I watched on my summer vacation” post with some talk about shows that you might not be familiar with that I think are great. I might have a bit of trouble describing what really makes them good, but all the following shows are worth checking out. The…