Movie | Rango | PASS

100% not for kids, 100% great fun for adults - especially ones like me who LOVE crazy Westerns! Fantastic!

Movie | Inkheart | PASS

Great fantasy ride about a "silver tongue" - a guy that can read books to life. Super cast that is underutilized, including Andy Serkis, Helen Mirren and Matt King. If you loved Stardust, you must see this.

Movie | Takers | PASs

 

Only loses a point or two for lack of originality. A huge knockout cast lays out this action/thriller/heist movie in Rat Pack style. If you liked The Italian Job and Ocean's Eleven, this is a must see.

TV | Come Fly With Me | Pass

Funny enough mock reality show about the inner workings of an English airport. London? Can't remember. From the creative comedy guys that made Little Britain. Works pretty well and has quite a few chuckles, but not outright hilarious.

Movie | Waxwork | Pass-ish

I've always wanted to see this because of the cast. So I did, with mixed results. I enjoyed the idea and a lot of the 80s style, but really didn't love all of the torture porn. Coulda lived with out that. Otherwise, other than the cheesy dialogue, I actually kind of liked it. Ish.

TV | Love My Way | Fail

Because of our interest in the great show, Spirited, we thought we'd give this Aussie show about 30 somethings a try. Problem is, we don't find these 30 somethings appealing whatsoever. They are ridiculously narcissistic and make the worst decisions left and right. Too bad.

TV | Wilfred | Fail

Unfunny remake of an Aussie show about a guy who interacts with another guy who is dressed up as a dog. Is the guy hallucinating or not?

It's an original idea, but it doesn't equal funny here. Even as an dog owner I didn't enjoy this show. I'll watch the second episode and see if I change my mind. No update equals NO, I didn't.

RIP | Peter Falk

Another great gone.

Movie | Cube Zero | Pass

 

A bit weaker third installment to the creative horror franchise. But what did you expect from a direct to video three-quel? This time, it seems like the tech is a step behind the previous movie with all of the traps being mechanical, but controlled by machines. It might be because this one takes place earlier in time. It's hard to believe that they would have super high tech, but then go back to low tech. To me, this made the suspense and believability even more. The CGI in number two was just to clean. Supposedly, there are answers to some of the questions raised by the previous films. But, this isn't about logic - it's about fantasy and thrills. Will there be a fourth Cube?

TV | John Benjamin Has a Van | Pass

Some super comedy actors are allowed to play with a mock interview show to pretty good results. Lots of (adult) fun. Nice to see some faces from Upright Citizens Brigade, Important Things with Demetri Martin and The Mighty Boosh. Looking forward to more.

Movie | That Evening Sun | Pass

Despite some animal cruelty (and it makes me mad just to write that), this is a really good movie about a retired Tennessee farmer who leaves his retirement facility to return to his home. When he arrives, he finds that his son has rented it out to a loser and his family, which irks him to no end. Not all that super happy-happy, but there are some really funny moments interwoven with some downright scary ones. Holbrook is spectacular and the scenes with his (real life) wife are heartbreaking. Drama at its' finest. A keeper and a Pass.

TV | Falling Skies | Pass-ish

 

All too familiar story, coupled with aliens that lack any mystery or scariness. Let's not talk about the less than stellar acting, either. Shoulda, coulda, woulda been better...somehow...

There are just too many GOOD versions of this show. This not being a particularly interesting or engaging example.

TV | Outcasts | Fail

Doesn't work. Seems like a really poor Battlestar Galactica (and even includes some of the same actors). Too bad...

Movie | Trail of the Screaming Foreheads | Pass

Super fun, dialogue heavy homage to 50s monster movies. Intentionally bad acting just leads to more hilarity. A pass!

Movie | Cube 2: Hypercube | Pass

The original concept was so strong that it supports this cheapo sequel, this time by a newbie director (who does a passable job). Once again, the sets are superb and become practically another actor. But, instead of relying on physical effects (for the gory scenes), this one is laden with CGI which just doesn't work very well. Fortunately, the cast, dialogue and script are still pretty good and make up for the cheesy FX. Kari Matchett seems to pop up in every other movie I've seen lately and I'm beginning to think she's quite an actor. This movie will drive folks crazy if they like things neat and tidy. There's a lot of, "What the...huh?" Which I quite liked. Makes for a different viewing experience in comparison to the usual Hollywood drek.

TV | The Protector | Fail

Bland and a waste of these actors' talents. Especially Walker, who was spectacular in Sons of Anarchy.

Movie | Micmacs | PASS

Another film by one of my favorite directors, Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen, City of Lost Children, Amelie, Alien: Resurrection) and featuring the always interesting actor Dominique Pinon (not enough, in this case). A great one that isn't for everyone (plenty of folks will be alienated by, well....just about everything in this oh-so French film), like his other works and definitely worth watching. Like the other movies, don't expect family fare or hilarity. But, do be prepared to be visually stunned, intrigued and every so slightly disturbed...

Movie | The Day The Earth Stood Still | Pass

Mediocre remake of the 1951 scifi classic. It's hard to tell if the acting is just bad, they just phoned it in or they are just under-utilized. Probably not their fault, just a rather poor script.

Movie | Cypher | PASS

Same director as Cube. Twilight Zone-esque story of a bored guy who wants to be a corporate spy, but gets in way over his head. Super low budget, but the acting and plot twists really make this one a keeper, with Matrix elements. A PASS!

Movie | 30 Days of Night: Dark Days | Pass

Decent enough direct to video sequel based on the graphic novel series. Twist = the hunted are now the (albeit pretty ineffective) hunters. Bloody and plenty of gore. No contest to the original.

TV | Spirited | PASS

Spirited(!), fun sitcom from Australia about a recently divorced woman who has to contend with the ghost of a dead punk rocker. Well done and well worth watching - a PASS!

Movie | Tsui Hark's Vampire Hunters | Fail

Dreadful all the way 'round...

Movie | Night of the Living Dead (1990) | PASS

Super 1990 remake of the 1968 horror classic by the same name. Some bad acting and poor dialogue can't remove the fact that this one is a great one. Interesting twists and another cool appearance of a heroine who kicks boo-tay. A PASS!