Tag: Review

Sep 27 2011

Review: The Playboy Club, S1, E2 – “The Scarlet Bunny” (Secrets, secrets and more secrets!)

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  • September 27, 2011

  • 8 mins to read

While The Playboy Club isn’t trying to emulate Mad Men (as I noted in last week’s review), it is similar to the various nighttime soaps of eras past. But that’s ok as far as I’m concerned. I loved Peyton Place, a 1960s soap, Dynasty in the 1980s and more recently, Melrose Place (the original) in the 1990s. “Soap opera stories run concurrently, intersect and lead into further developments. An individual episode of a soap opera will generally switch between several different concurrent story threads that may at times interconnect and affect one another or may run entirely independent of each other.” (www.wikipedia.org) I’d say The Playboy Club fits the criteria perfectly.

Sep 27 2011

Review: Castle, S4, E2 – “Heroes & Villains”

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  • September 27, 2011

  • 6 mins to read

In “Heroes and Villains,” a sword-wielding vigilante kills an ex-con and triggers one mad-cap caper of an investigation. Now, this is the Castle I know and love. Most notable for its central character’s light-hearted approach to law enforcement, Castle brings back the comic relief (in more ways than one) after last week’s rather serious season opener.

Sep 27 2011

Review: Terra Nova, S1, E1 – “Genesis, Pt. 2”

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  • September 27, 2011

  • 6 mins to read

The second half of “Genesis” answers a few questions I have but leaves me with quite a few more: the Sixers have an agenda (though we’re not sure what it is yet); Terra Nova isn’t exactly what it seems; and the alien scratchings aren’t alien at all.

Sep 26 2011

Advance Review: Bravo’s Mad Fashion, S1, E1 – “Shoegasm” (Please Don’t Hurt the Shoes!)

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  • September 26, 2011

  • 5 mins to read

For a season premiere, the pilot is good. I was looking for more drama but then I realized this isn’t your typical reality show. If you want to know the ins and outs of what happens in a designer’s shop, this is the show for you.

Sep 24 2011

Review: #Haven , Season 2, Ep. 211 “Business As Usual” (Forget the mummified “troubles” – What’s in the box, Duke?)

Are the Crockers some kind of “trouble” slayers? The larger box Duke finds hidden on his boat contains a variety of items used to possibly stop certain types of “trouble” almost like a supernatural kit for warding off and defending oneself against a “troubled” person. But what strikes me as extremely odd is a passage in Simon’s journal telling Duke he has to “kill her.” When the page is turned, there is a photo of Audrey circa 27 years ago.

Sep 22 2011

Review: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, S7, E2 – “The Gang Goes to the Jersey Shore”

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  • September 22, 2011

  • 5 mins to read

There are three storylines in this episode: Mac and Frank being plucked out of the ocean by a yacht filled with guidos and guidettes; Dennis and Dee’s wild adventures with a bunch of crazy wacked-out petty thieves; and Charlie spending a romantic evening on the beach with Rose (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), the waitress he’s been obsessed with over the seasons. What happens and how these stories come together at the end of the episode is what makes me laugh so hard, I almost pee my pants!

Sep 20 2011

Review: #SOAFX Sons of Anarchy, S4, Ep 403 “Dorylus” (Flesh-eating ants & a game of hoops gone wrong)

Before I jump into the main characters, I must comment on the “tiny” guest stars this episode is aptly named for. If you’re squeamish or hate bugs, I recommend you skip the next paragraph of my review. If you haven’t seen the episode, you may want to have a vomit bag handy when watching. Meanwhile, Kozik gets his ass handed to him while Clay is spreading is “word” thinner and thinner.

Sep 20 2011

Review: Castle, S4, E1 – “Rise”

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  • September 20, 2011

  • 7 mins to read

After a heart-stopping Season 3 finale, we were left wondering not only if Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) would survive the gunshot wound (really, was there any doubt?) but if she’d heard Rick Castle’s (Nathan Fillion) confession of love. The tightly-wrought Season 4 opener, “Rise,” picks up right where we left off and sets a bit of a darker, more serious tone for the start of this season.

Sep 20 2011

Review: The Big C, Season 2, Ep 12. “The Darkest Day” (You’ll laugh, cry, & get slapped)

From being aroused by cannoli last week to needing a box of tissue this week, The Big C sure knows how to spin your emotions in every direction. If you haven’t seen the episode, get some tissues, it’s a tear jerker…and a face slapper, although I think that is an involuntary reflex. This is the stuff dark comedies are made of. I wish premium networks weren’t so afraid to step into the gray areas of what is truly a dark comedy which is finding humor in the depths of despair.

Sep 20 2011

Review: The Playboy Club, S1, E1 – “Pilot” (Bunnies, Murder and the Mob)

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  • September 20, 2011

  • 7 mins to read

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But despite what people have been saying, the only thing I found similar to AMC’s hit series Mad Men is the era of the 1960s. And that’s only because Hugh Hefner founded The Playboy Club in early 1960—if the writers/creators of The Playboy Club wanted to mimic Mad Men, we would be watching an entirely different show. I’ll admit, I had a good time watching The Playboy Club. It was fun, entertaining, intriguing and took me back to my early 20s, especially the underwear the Bunnies are sporting.

Sep 17 2011

Review: #Haven , Season 2, Ep. 210 “Who, What, Where, Wendigo?” (Cannibals? Who’s for dinner?)

There’s a serial killer on the loose and a teenage boy, Rory (Scott Beaudin), has gone missing. Is Rory the next victim or is he part of something more menacing? Are there cannibals in Haven? “Wendigo…it’s a human spirit, but stronger, faster; tracks prey like a lion; survives on human flesh.”

Sep 16 2011

Review: The Vampire Diaries, S3, E1 – “The Birthday” (What Happened to the Cake?)

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  • September 16, 2011

  • 6 mins to read

“The Birthday” is a great way to kick off season three. It kept me interested, wanting to learn more and happy to see the cast back for a new season.

Sep 14 2011

Advance Review: Showtime’s Homeland, S1, E1 – “Pilot”

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  • September 14, 2011

  • 7 mins to read

Homeland is so well written, directed and acted I felt like I was watching a full-length movie rather than the premiere of an exciting new highly addictive television series.

Sep 13 2011

Review: The Big C, Season 2, Ep. 11 “Fight or Flight” (Grab your floaties!)

Cannoli never sounded so…erotic. Meow! Temperatures may be dropping in Minneapolis but libidos are heating up! From the homeless guy using the expensive gloves Cathy donates to warm up more than his hands to Dr. Atticus Sherman (guest star Alan Alda) hungrily munching on his wife Gia’s (guest star Laura Benanti) cannoli, “Fight or Flight” definitely channels some strong sexual overtones…I wonder if the writer was going through a dry spell? (LOL!)

Sep 13 2011

Review: The Closer, S7, E10 – “Fresh Pursuit” (Mazaratis, Murder and Mayhem)

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  • September 13, 2011

  • 6 mins to read

While not a heavy duty cliffhanger, the ending of “Fresh Pursuit” leaves me thinking Brenda is in more trouble than she’s ever been. I don’t know what tricks Gavin will have up his sleeve to get her out of this one.

Sep 12 2011

Review: True Blood Season Finale, S4, E12 – “And When I Die” (I Ain’t Scared of No Ghost!)

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  • September 12, 2011

  • 7 mins to read

I expected more from True Blood because that’s what I got before—great entertainment, funny one-liners and top of the line plots that actually led somewhere. So, this is me shaking my head at season four asking, “Now why couldn’t the entire season have been like the finale?”

Sep 10 2011

Review: #Haven , Season 2, Ep. 209 “Lockdown” (An outbreak or just another case of the ‘troubles?’)

Could Haven be plagued with an outbreak or is this just another case of the “troubles?” My money is on the latter and with the heavy stench of betrayal in the air, the “troubled” are going to be in big…trouble. “Your kind won’t win.” An ominous threat spewing from Merrill’s blood-drenched lips; it’s moments like these that make Haven such a darkly decadent treat.

Sep 09 2011

Advance Review: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, S7, E1 – “Frank’s Pretty Woman” (Whores, Chimichangas and a Blind Date) #SunnyFX

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  • September 9, 2011

  • 5 mins to read

The gang is back and is as irreverent as ever. The season seven premiere starts off with Dee (Kaitlin Olson) and Charlie (Charlie Day) explaining to Dennis (Glenn Howerton) why they need a dog-fighting pitbull to guard the bar. Then there’s a mention of Tiger Woods (in relation to his extracurricular activities), and a gay slur which Dee immediately apologizes for. They may be a bit behind the times, but it’s this controversial yet comedic writing that makes Sunny as beloved as it is.

Sep 09 2011

Advance Review: New Girl, S1, E1 – “Pilot” (Three Men and a Hilarious Little Lady)

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  • September 9, 2011

  • 4 mins to read

If you’ve seen the previews for the pilot episode of New Girl, you know what to expect. But I should stress the show is funnier than the few scenes glimpsed over the past month building up the hype for the series premiere. It’s worth your time and you will laugh out loud.

Sep 08 2011

Review: #WilfredFX , Season 1 Finale – Ep. 13 “Identity” (The Archeologist and the Dog…WTF!)

Damn you, Wilfred. I love you but I want to kick you in nuts right now. But, you know I’ll bring you an ice pack and a blunt to make up for it later. “Identity” has a purpose – but what we get is more questions and lingering doubts about Ryan’s sanity and Wilfred’s ambiguous existence. And why is Wilfred typing out his will?

Sep 07 2011

Advance Review: @Syfy #ParanormalWitness , Season 1 Premiere “Emily the Imaginary Friend” and “Lost Girl”

I’m not easily spooked but I’ll be damned if I didn’t leave the light on and stay seated in bed rather than remain in my usual lounging position for watching TV. Was I freaked out? Um, yeah! I usually leave the TV on with any paranormal show and fall asleep without any issues but after watching “Emily the Imaginary Friend” and “Lost Girl,” it’s safe to say I was more than a bit hesitant to turn off the lights. I actually contemplated putting in an animated movie to settle my nerves.

Sep 06 2011

Review: The Glades, S2, E13 (Season Finale) – “Breakout”

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  • September 6, 2011

  • 6 mins to read

There are some finales that just get it right: enough of an open end to keep you wanting more, but not so much of a cliffhanger that you’re cursing the hiatus for weeks on end. “Breakout” is just that. And it blows the formulaic approach of The Glades out of the swamp. The sophomore season started shaky but picked up speed and found its stride mid-way through, ending strong.

Sep 06 2011

Review: The Closer, S7, E9 – “Star Turn”

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  • September 6, 2011

  • 5 mins to read

I can’t believe the summer is over and yet another finale is coming our way. I’m sure it will be fantastic, as only The Closer can be.

Sep 06 2011

Advance Review: Sons of Anarchy, Season 4 Premiere, Ep. 401 “Out” (Sex, Lies, and Retaliation)

After waiting nine months for the highly anticipated fourth season of this testosterone fueled series, I’ll be honest – I feel a little jipped. There are some great moments in “Out,” but overall the slow-paced episode feels very subdued and full of details to the point of overkill. What I love about Sons of Anarchy is the allure of mystery and dark secrets – something to riddle out, but “Out” is a bit too informative; and actually, it’s kind of boring in places. But, I’m a true fan of SOA and will not jump ship.

Sep 04 2011

Review: True Blood, S7, E47 – “Soul of Fire”

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  • September 4, 2011

  • 6 mins to read

The ending of “Soul of Fire” is unexpected and I like that. I must say I was caught off guard and didn’t think things would go the way they did. I do see quite a few side stories making themselves known: the shifter/Were alliance, the appearance of more Fae, and the dreaded love triangle (the who-loves-Sookie-more-showdown continues).