TV | You, Me and the Apocalypse | REALLY Liked It

Neat-o! A comedy about the end of days starring a cast that mixes Brits who actually play Brits with Americans, some of whom are actually Brits. Oops. Ha ha! Oh well, it all works wonderfully, especially due to a great script and that fantastic cast, led by the always outstanding Mathew Baynton (The Wrong Mans, Yonderland and Spy to name just a few marvelous shows he's been in). It will be interesting to see what American audiences think of this when it's released on network television. Will they dismiss it as a Last Man on Earth ripoff? We absolutely loved it. And yes, that's Jenna Fischer, Megan Mullally and Rob Lowe in the picture above. They're great and this is a superb movie career-wise for Fischer, I think.

Movie | Extinction | Liked It

This is the last time I'm going to write this; Jeffrey Donovan can act. There, now I'm done and I can just look forward to what he does next.

Fast forwarded through the parts that depict violence towards animals.

I liked this movie a lot and wanted to love it. It has all the elements that make up a movie that's just my cup o' tea; tiny cast, action, post-apocalypse, excellent FX, great production, etc. So what could have made this movie better? To tell you the truth, I'm not quite sure. I think if the script was a bit more, uh, something, it would have vaulted it up in my estimation. Still, I was glad I saw it and if it catches your fancy, I recommend it. Just not highly. Sadly. But I want to, that's the thing...

TV | Tripped | Really Liked It

Extremely enjoyable mini-series about two stoners traveling through time. A terrible premise but like so many British shows, they make it work and the result is imminently watchable. Plus, Blake Harrison is in this and this is a great role for him.

Movie | Cowboys vs Dinosaurs | Didn't Like It

Wanted to like it but just couldn't. A cheesy snore and another one of those bad made-for-Syfy-channel movies. Twistern or not, this stinker sucked. Better to watch The Valley of the Gwangi again.

TV | Mad Men | Didn't Like It

My admiration for Hamm just keeps growing, so I thought I'd give this a whirl for a third time. Nope, this show is an extremely slick, highly produced nighttime soap opera that isn't functionally all that different than daytime soaps. If you love that sort of thing, then I can understand how this show is the bomb-diggity for you. But it's definitely not mine, so...no.

The cast is fantastic but the premise and writing is unlikable to the point of being alien. It literally made me squirm in my chair wanted to do anything but suffer through this. I have no doubt that with time and character development, the story gets interesting. But it also seems that it will be so very painfully predictable, with characters back-stabbing and scenario manipulation assured. Personal note to the writers; rampant, illogical sexism and endless scenes of people smoking are not the makings of a great show.

I don't get peoples' tastes. The "greatest television drama ever"? That could be, but I think the folks claiming that haven't seen much of what's out there and we'll just agree to disagree.

Ah, well. There will be no fourth attempt. I tried, it failed and we all move on. Sorry Mr. Hamm, I'll just have to be awed by your other work, of which when I try talking to Mad Men fans about (and I know several), they want to hear nothing about; that's their loss because he really is that good.

If you're a fan of this show, I can see why you'd like it. I just didn't.

Movie | Timebomb | Liked It-ish

Okay, pretty much everything about this was bad. Especially the acting. But it was fun to see cameos by Julie Brown, Billy Blanks and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini.

TV | The Talking Dead (Season 6, First Half) | Really Liked It

Continues to be an excellent addendum and analysis of the show for fans who are interested in exploring the show to a deeper level.

TV | The Walking Dead (Season 6, First Half) | REALLY Liked It

The question going forward for this show will be when will it jump the shark? Not this season, that's for sure. The creativity, production and plot lines continue to be outstanding.

Movie | The Mummy's Hand | Didn't Like It

Just too slow and boring.

Movie | God Told Me To | Liked It-ish

Also known as Demon. There were some interestingly weird elements in this one, which is the only reason I stuck it out. There's a brief cameo featuring Andy Kaufman in his very first film role (it wasn't much) and a minor role for Richard Lynch, who is always interesting.

Movie | Isle of the Dead | Liked It

Another Val Lewton film. Karloff was awesome in this; it was so much fun to see him without makeup FX.

TV | Into The Badlands | Liked It

There were enough interesting elements here to keep me interested but some of the script was extremely poorly written. For example, the writers want us to know more backstory to some of the characters so they get another character to explain their history to them as if they'd never heard it. That's really dumb and insulting to us, the viewers.

The acting was pretty good, especially Marton Csokas. The rest of the cast isn't bad, they just don't stand out.

The production is excellent, as expected and the world they created is fascinating. Unfortunately, it also feels like a bit of a Shakespeare and Game of Thrones ripoff in that this character is scheming against that character and that's the main plot motivator. Fortunately, there's good subplot or I would have gotten really bored.

I liked the mix of wuxia and a baroque steampunk South. That worked really well, except...only Csokas seems to go whole hog on it and that's a shame.

Hopefully, AMC will have another hit on its hands. This definitely feels, while still worth watching, not fresh. It mixes in lots of Walking Dead in the process, which is no surprise.

One last note; I recently read an article by creators Gough and Millar, who do have previous experience with martial arts-focused television shows and movies like this one, but they spent a majority of the interview badmouthing David Carradine and Kung Fu. It left a really bad taste in my mouth, the level of disrespect was terrible. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt though and assume it was the interviewer's bad writing that caused that to happen.

It cracks me up how many folks I've spoken to who don't understand why this fictional world doesn't have guns. It's literally explained in the first line of the opening scene; they're banned. Don't think that's realistic or possible? They did it in Japan, so there's factual proof that such a thing could occur.

They left the plot open for the second season by only allowing us to really get to know two of the seven barons. That's a good thing.

The soundtrack is a perfect analogy of this show; it isn't bad but it's extremely familiar, almost as if they're using stock music, with the exception of the notable theme music by Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda which is very cool.

I'll watch the next season but I'm not dying to see it.

TV | Cockroaches | Really Liked It

Fun brit-com about the end of the world.

Movie | Curse of the Demon | Liked It

Also known as Night of the Demon. Val Lewton's fave director, Jacques Tourneur, strikes out on his own with quite good results. Except...he once again did what he did with Lewton and left much of the film up to the imagination of the viewer (yay!) but the producer decided to go in afterward and insert some shots that blatantly showed more of the horror (boo), which is a shame as it didn't need it. Still, a movie worth watching. Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell (which isn't particularly all that good) is an homage to this film.

TV | Uncle (Series 2) | Really Liked It

Picks up one year after the first series leaves off, to very successful results. Excellent sitcom like they just can't seem to make or get in the States.

Movie | The Leopard Man | Liked It

Another Val Lewton flick, this one was extremely slow paced. Still, the craftsmanship was superb.

Movie | Turbo Kid | REALLY Liked It

I was nervous about this film, a mash-up of Rad, BMX Bandits, A Boy and His Dog, The Omega Man, Night of the Comet and Mad Max (including the myriad ripoffs). Based on the trailer, things could get real stupid, real fast, so it took me a while to get around this even though one of my friends sent me a copy (thanks, G!). But it turned out to be a really clever homage to all those bloody 80s sci-fi explotation flicks. Emphasis on the blood...we're talking chambara-style buckets spraying everywhere, mostly to hilarious results. I hate to connect it to the current fairly awful "grindhouse" shlock, but it definitely has that element too. Intentionally over the top and lots of fun! Absolutely fantastic soundtrack by Le Matos and a must buy soundtrack.

Movie | Air | Liked It

Reminded me of one of my favorites, Cube. For The Walking Dead fanatics like me, Kirkman just produced this so don't get too excited. But it is by the same folks behind the video game Red Dead Redemption so maybe you should.

Movie | The Devil's Bride | Liked It

Also known as The Devil Rides Out. This was fun mainly because of the performances and the baroque vibe.

TV | The Expanse | Didn't Like It

The SyFy channel continues their near perfect record of failure. This time, they got a coupe of the elements right; the effects are good and they got some pretty decent actors. But they forgot to have an interesting plot, which just couldn't be more boring and uninteresting. The title of this show is as much a snoozefest as the show is. Maybe it gets better over the long haul but who cares, there's nothing creative or clever going on here.

Movie | The House of Yes | Didn't Like It

Terrible; bad acting plus a wretched script. If the dialogue alone doesn't drive you over the edge of madness, I don't know what will.

Movie | The People Who Owned the Dark | Liked It-ish

Coulda/woulda/shoulda been better. A mix of a couple of horror elements, this Spanish flick is for 70s genre fans only. I was hoping it was more of a zombie-apocalypse movie, which it wasn't really; more of a bad gore snore. Still, I like the holed-up-in-a-house-against-the-baddies theme enough to have enjoyed parts.

Movie | The Monster and the Girl | Liked It-ish

Frankenstein in a monkey suit.

TV | Fargo (Season One) | REALLY Liked It

I watched this season again after season two was such a huge surprise hit with the SO. Still and amazing show and again another significant part of television history. On reflection, if you haven't seen either season, definitely start with season two! While this may seem odd, if you watch the second season first you'll have more investment and things will have more meaning to you. Hands down, one of the greatest shows ever.

TV | Inside No. 9 (Series Two) | REALLY Liked It

This is the sweet spot for Shearsmith and Pemberton. When they're really on, they're absolutely on fire and this show is proof positive. An amazing show and deserves a place in television history as one of the best.

TV | 15 Storeys High | Liked It-ish

I guess you have to be British and live in the projects to really get this show.

Movie | He Never Died | Really Liked It

Is this the perfect role for Rollins? It very well could be. I really enjoyed this; it was worth the wait. Bloody and the script fairly simplistic but those elements worked well here. Nicely done production and an interesting soundtrack added to his powerhouse performance.

TV | Human Remains | Liked It-ish

TV | If You See God Tell Him | Liked It-ish

TV | A Gifted Man | Liked It

After his incredible performance in the amazing second season of Fargo, we are now huge Patrick Wilson fans. This shows was quite well done and it's yet another crime that it was so short-lived. Stupid *&%$ networks.

TV | Psychoville | Liked It

Years ago, when I heard this was made by Shearsmith and Pemberton, who were the guys behind The League of Gentlemen, I gave it a pass. Not that I hate that show but the whole actors playing multiple roles and we're just supposed to accept that is irritating to me. But I've so enjoyed Shearsmith in Catterick and the amazing Inside No. 9 that I thought I'd give this a whirl. Surprise, surprise; as much as League felt stale to me every time I watched it, this just felt fresh. Both Pemberton and Shearsmith are in good form but it's really the outstanding cast they've surrounded themselves with, the excellent production and the intriguing (if not terribly original) script made it all worth watching.

TV | Fargo (Season Two) | REALLY Liked It

Of course. There's so much meat on the script bones for the fantastic cast to sink their teeth into and the slow creep of the tension building up to what you know is going to be a knockout conclusion...marvelous.

Movie | Badlanders | Didn't Like It...with caveat

Not to be confused with the 1958 film starring Alan Ladd and Ernest Borgnine. Also known as Prison Planet. So very, very, very, very bad...oh my. Humorously so. Another Mad Max and Escape from New York-ish rippoff, mixed with a couple other 80s sci-fi flicks. If you're looking for pure, painfully unadulterated schlock, this is a perfect film. Watching this with a couple of friends and cracking jokes throughout would be a great way to pass the time.

Movie | The Mole People | Liked It

Bad movie fun, beginning with the worst diatribe beginning I've possibly ever witnessed. Hilarious.

TV | Catterick | Liked It

Continuing my trek through British dark comedy television shows, I wanted to like this even more than I did. Sometimes the quirky stuff felt forced, the script a bit all over the place, the whole thing was rather dated  and not in a good way, but I still enjoyed it enough to keep watching. Reminded me a bit of the far superior Ideal.

TV | Brass Eye | Liked It-ish

Same comments as Snuff Box except I hadn't seen it before. Regardless, these are still well done shows that rightly deserve their places in cult television history.

TV | Snuff Box | Liked It-ish

I've seen this before but thought I'd try it again. Just like last time, I like the cast but the show just didn't really capture my interest.

Movie | Last Rites | Didn't Like It

Also known as City of the Dead; it was terrible.

Movie | Haxan | Liked It-ish

It's been at least three decades or more since I last saw this and when it came up in conversation the other day, I thought I'd see it again. It's not exactly the most exciting film in the world and I suppose it might appeal to others because of the funky vibe but it was alright; not as interesting as I remember it being. Ultimately, it's a documentary featuring recreations detailing the creative perverseness of the mind of humankind, which is not a pretty thing no matter how you look at it and our inability to deal with things that are different, especially mental illness. There is no Hell worse than the one here on Earth...

Movie | Residue | Liked It

It's extremely odd that a television mini-series is edited into a movie after it fails but that's what happened here and I'm glad they did because I rather enjoyed it.

TV | One Foot In The Grave | Didn't Like It

Movie | House of Frankenstein | Liked It

Movie | 13 | Liked It

Yet another very good take on The Most Dangerous Game, this time with a monster cast (the names on the poster are just the beginning) and a rather weak soundtrack. Weirdly, this is an adaption of a French film titled 13 Tzameti by the same writer/director. That's strange but it worked and I'd like to see the original now.

TV | Catastrophe (Series 2) | Liked It-ish

They made the characters mostly unlikable and added even more foul language. It was a train wreck but we ended up watching the entire series. Still, it wasn't particularly an enjoyable experience.

TV | Monkey Dust | Really Liked It

Coal black, often perverse, dark animated British comedy? Sign me up! I found the animation, much of it CGI I think, to be a bit irritating (it grew on me) but the writing and in particular the fantastic music made up for it. Maybe it was just my mood but the more I watched it, the more I liked it and the character development just got stronger and stronger. It really was a bit of genius, even though it's most definitely not for everyone. It's heartbreaking that the creator tragically passed away and there'll be no more from him.

TV | Detectorists | Didn't Like It

Really liked this cast but the plot and script were just too slow for me.

Movie | Mark of the Vampire | Liked It-ish

Famed director Tod Browning and Bela Lugosi team up once again. This time, the straight-up horror film turns into a slow-paced thriller in the last 20 minutes. It didn't really work but it was fun enough if you can sit through the tedium of the first part of the movie (which is short anyway). There were plot twists that the studio forced the creative team to get rid of, including an unexplained bullet hole in Bela's character's head, much to the detriment of the final edit. That just gave away the ending but you're not going to see it anyway, so who cares.

Movie | Results | Didn't Like It

Just poorly written. Maybe it got better after the 40 minute mark but we gave up.

TV | Catastrophe | Liked It

Cute series for adults that is filled with likable characters. The foul language was a bit excessive, though; so much that it didn't seem realistic.

TV | Transparent | Didn't Like It

Well done show that's unfortunately populated with mostly unlikable characters. With out the ability to cheer for or even be interested in them, there's not much of a story to be drawn to.