Alvin's Adventures in Pop Culture

Springtime for Genre TV 2013

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted, but I blame that on the fact that I’ve been watching a lot of new shows on TV. While mid-season (i.e. a couple of months ago) was kind of a letdown in terms of getting cool new shows (though I have been watching The Following. More on…

Skyfall – Capsule Review

After Quantum of Solace, I was a bit concerned for Daniel Craig’s 007. I was worried that the franchise was too preoccupied with what is supposed to make up a Bond movie to make it a good movie, period. Thank goodness that Skyfall proved the previous film to be an aberration. This movie is not…

Argo – Capsule Review

With its other awards this year, I knew Argo was likely to win the Best Picture Oscar. The distribution company probably felt the same way so they released it on disc (and iTunes) with enough time for us all to see it before the Oscars ceremony. I think I skipped seeing this movie in the…

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2 – Capsule Review

Though I no longer consider myself a Twilight fan, I was anticipating this final chapter in the “saga” (at least enough to make an iTunes rental of it). I was not crazy about Part 1 mostly because of how unpleasant it was to watch Kristen Stewart waste away as Bella, the human girl who fell…

A Storm of Swords – Book Review

If you’re reading this review, I presume that you have an interest in the George R.R. Martin “A Song of Ice and Fire” series of novels and preferably you’ve read at least the first two (or at least watched the HBO television series up to season 2). I have become a big fan myself, and…

Midseason TV 2013

For a couple of years, I thought that the networks were taking a genius new direction in developing a year-long TV schedule, where ultimately there would be great new shows premiering throughout the year. Instead, midseason seems to have reverted to its old ways of being a dumping ground for shows that were not good…

Oscar Schmoscar 2013

Each year I write this post for two reasons: 1) to show how much I don’t really care about the nominees (not really true) and 2) do quickie reviews of the nominated movies that I haven’t already reviewed separately. Back when there were fewer Best Picture noms, I tried to watch all of them by…

40 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films for 2013 (part 2)

Despite the fact that Hollywood seems more interested in sequels and franchise films (especially in the sci-fi/fantasy market), there are a few 2013 movies which bring a new story to the big screen. However, I can’t promise that they won’t be the first in a franchise (in fact, some of the book adaptations already have…

40 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films for 2013 (part 1)

As I mentioned previously, 2013 is chock full of sci-fi and fantasy movies. Many of last year’s trends are continuing, including fairy tale retelling or reinventions, vampires and supernatural romance, those ubiquitous super-hero movies, and even a new category in the mix: the scorched Earth movie. There are many many 2013 movie lists that you…