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Killing Lincoln [TV Review]
It’s amazing how pop culture has been very inviting of the 16th President of the United States lately. A number of movies were released this past year, from one telling of a secret (fictional) life of the Great Emancipator to a film directed by Stephen Spielberg, which is a contender for being the big winner at this year’s Academy Awards. An interesting thing about all these mediums is that it showcases different viewpoints of Abraham Lincoln. Killing Lincoln, based off the book by Bill O’Reilly, places the man in a supporting role to that of his killer, John Wilkes Booth.
The Following - The Siege [TV Review]
The story intensified in this past episode of The Following, causing major changes. Slowly, as we reach the climax of this drama, events are set in motion. The psychological chess game between the FBI and Joe Carroll's followers takes an extra step, making the stakes that much higher.
Community - Paranormal Parentage [TV Review]
So in this special Halloween episode of Community, airing on Valentine’s Day (which is so fitting given the nature of the show), the gang finally sees the mansion of one Pierce Hawthorne and all of its tacky, slightly off-putting glory. This is the second episode of the fourth season of Community and the second without show creator Dan Harmon as the show-runner. Community has always done holiday-themed episodes well, and “Paranormal Parentage” is no exception. “Paranormal Parentage” is directed by Tristram Shapeero, who also directed the premiere episode, and is written by Megan Ganz.
The Americans - Gregory [TV Review]
There is plenty thrown into the mix on this episode of The Americans as drama unfolds and secrets are revealed. Even with all of that though, there just feels as if there is something missing that's keeping it from being on the same level of intensity as previous episodes.
Final Impressions: Netflix's 'House of Cards'
After two weeks, I have finally finished my journey through House of Cards. My short review of the season is that it was a pretty enjoyable thirteen hours of entertainment. I have slightly longer thoughts on the final six episodes of the season and the show’s prospects for season two after the jump. Click through only if you have finished the season or are a hardcore spoilerphile.
'Arrow' Recap: The Odyssey
There are certain episode types that every television show, if it runs long enough, has to indulge in. The bottle episode. The musical. The Wizard of Oz-themed dream sequence. Tonight’s episode of Arrow introduced a new archetype that I believe will come to be just as ubiquitous: the episode where the protagonist is repeatedly beaten up and harangued by a gruff Australian man. Trust me, it’ll be big.
The Following - Mad Love [TV Review]
The fourth episode of The Following was very low key, but that's in no way a bad thing. With all of the intensity building throughout the past several episodes, it's nice to have a calming breather before jumping right back into the action. Don't get me wrong, this episode had its suspenseful moments, but it was far more tame than what we've come to expect.
Comic Review: The Strain #2
What if vampirism was a plague? And what if that plague was unleashed upon New York City? Dark Horse’s adaptation of The Strain, the first novel of a trilogy by filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro and writer Chuck Hogan, seeks to answer those questions, and to hopefully entertain the reader while doing so. Writer David Lapham and artist Mike Huddleston continue their work on the dark vampire comic, and they continue to lay the groundwork for future horrific happenings in the title. You can read my review of the first issue here.
Straight to Beta: Celeste and Jesse Forever
My strained relationship with indie films has not improved with age. We’ve tried counseling, seeing other film genres, Kabbalah - nothing works. I just can’t forgive it for its pretentiousness, its eye roll inducing ennui (my spell check says I spelled that right, but I’m still not sure) and the fact that it banged my girlfriend in college. But, every once in a while, an indie comes along that makes me forget what a dick the genre can be. Celeste and Jesse Forever is a pleasant reminder that there are other indie fish in the sea and not all of them are douche nozzles.
'The Walking Dead' Recap, Episode 9: The Suicide King
In watching the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead, I was reminded of a key moment from last season between Darryl and Carol. While Darryl had been out searching for Carol’s missing daughter, he found only a flower known as the Cherokee Rose, a Native American symbol for the tears of mothers on the Trail of Tears.
