Monday, September 01, 2014

HAND OF GOD-TV REVIEW



It was sad seeing Clay Morrow killed off in Sons of Anarchy. Apparently, everyone knew there was a Shakespearean twist to his story line...well, it was not apparent to me and I was devastated to see him written off so viciously!

From then I really couldn't see Ron Perlman in any other role...Hello HAND OF GOD!

Welcome, Judge Harris, a crooked judge who has seen the Lord. Baptised, born again he seeks corrupt justice and vengeance as he strives to find out who led his son to commit suicide. Wow, what can't you get away with when you throw in the Lords name. He believes God is talking to him and leading him to find the truth. So the main question is? Is God really speaking to him because some revelations are coming up that have no explantion except Divine Intervention.

Quick Catch up: Son commits suicide after watching his wife getting raped!!! Mystery someone orchestrated all of  that...who? why? Yeah that's why you need to watch show! 














Cast: Well there is that crack-head from The Wire. Andre Royo. It's nice seeing him all cleaned  up. Dana Delaney...haven't seen her since Desperate Housewives and the first 5 minutes (and my last)  of episode one of Body of Proof.

Recommendation: If you like you some corruption and politics throw in some legal drama which is always intertwined with police drama. Then this is your show. All of a sudden I feel like I am talking about The Divide. Well without the DIVINE INTERVENTION!!! The hand of God might actually be in play!!!!



Wednesday, August 04, 2010

GOLDEN GIRLS




Aired from 1985, this classic sit-com is still as fresh as ever. Sure it is old, but those jokes were spewed left, right and centre. The jokes were different and not like any sit com so far. The lines were clear cut crisp. Full of wit and the humor so on point. Insults were hurled faster than a speeding bullet. The funny thing about their insults was that at first they can shock you before they choke you! Either way the nastiness will kill you. Remember this was 1985 and the topics they brought up must have been a first then. Condoms, sex were not your everyday sit-com stories. Golden Girls went to places that current sit-coms are trying to go to now!






The Set-up was simple. 4 elderly women in their prime living together. 3 were in their 50's and Sofia was in her 80's. 4 well developed characters, each uniquely developed, each a pivotal pillar to this comedy.


1. Dorothy.
No one knows sarcasm like Dorothy knows sarcasm. Wow! She unleashes it by the pound!!! No one was spared as she ridiculed with perfection. She was blunt and did not tolerate nonsense. Told it as it was!
Divorced after 38 years, to her a guy who impregnated her after a 3 second one night stand! Bitter and old is not a good mix!

Her manly voice and her height was also a source of constant humor.








2. Blanche
Sex and/in the city begun with Blanche! The man-hungry southern belle. The sex-starved slut! The floosie! The whore! (As defined by Sofia.) Once accused of being classified by the navy as a ''friendly port.'' She was the arrogant, promiscuous and gorgeous Blanche. Ever particular of her figure, once said her breasts were very perky...only to be corrected that they couldn't be perky even if she was dangling upside down on a trapeze!!!

Blanche had the best lines thrown at her. She once said she was as jumpy as a virgin in a prison rodeo....that's quite jumpy! Blanche was ever conscious about her weight, the excess buggage in her mid-rift, she didn't want to eat cake because 3 bites and her panties might cut off her circulation!!!! Clearly Blanche's character evoked the best lines aimed at her or coming from her!



3. Rose.
Dumber that two nails. Blonde and Naive. Her idiocy at times was outlandish and completely funny. Her St. Olaf stories of her country life made you wanna cry from laughter. Rose the same one who explained how it was difficult milking a cow while sitting on a stool. Not Rose, but the cow had to be seated on a stool!!! Same Rose, who killed her Husband, and a boyfriend after having sex.









4. Sofia
Having suffered a stroke her mind was uncensored. She spoke her mind and hurled insults like a pro! Ruthless,spiteful and very old. Sophia was a force to reckon with.

She adored Dorothy as she sweetly called her ''pussy cat.''

She was feisty. She was crude and raw! She was cut-throat. She hasn't had sex in 15 years and she gets cranky time to time...or so she says!







The four of them were fabulous actresses, each winning an Emmy for their roles, one of the few shows to have the entire cast winning an Emmy.

Sad to say, 3 out of the 4 of them have recently passed away. Only Betty White (Rose) is still alive,and so is her career. She is smoking hot right now on TV with a revived career starring in Hot in Cleveland, a show that is almost reminiscent of Golden Girls.



The show will always be a classic! A gem! When watching it you can't even tell the time difference cause you are too busy laughing.

They were hilarious, they were special, they were friends,the chemistry was perfect...indeed they were GOLDEN GIRLS!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Modern Family

















The 'Tato has watched plenty of comedy. It's quite difficult to have a tv series that has the 'tato in stitches. Either it's the same old joke or the 'tato sees the joke a mile away! Ideally the tato, prefers jokes within a joke. The kind that are hidden in spoofs. You need to know the first joke to get the second so as to laugh at the third joke. Or a joke that sneaks up on you-like a deer caught at the headlights! Wham-instant laughter! Take 30 Rock or Family Guy-you have to be in the know to appreciate nor do you see the joke coming!

Tato has discovered a new gem. Modern Family. Simple ,white, family humor brought home! It's clean too! Your regular common sit-com affords you a simple smile or occasional show of teeth. Most sit-coms just have one joke the entire 20 minutes e.g. Everybody Hates Chris. With Modern Family you are guaranteed to burst out in laughter. It's cheap. It's in your face. It's damn funny!

Comprising of 3 'modern' families that are all related. They push all the regular TV stereotypes (actually all) to the limit and it works perfectly. Regular life situations (hence the sit in sit-com) are well portrayed and nothing is outlandish or unrealistic.





Family 1: Mom and Dad married for 15 years. A totally hot but blonde daughter, who is dating an even blonder boyfriend. Another geeky/nerdy brainy daughter. The last born- a weird, 'special,' and gullible son. The dad thinks he is uber cool trying to relate to his kids in what he calls ''peer-enting.''

The mum is an overprotective nutjob as well.














Family 2. An old, rich guy who has re-married your stereotypical 'trophy' wife way way younger than he is. She is spanish and has a spanish chubby kid who has his own funny issues.


















Family 3: Two gay guys who have adopted a vietnamese child. Cameron is a hoot!

Cameron has the best one liners!
''casablanca!''








All the characters get enough airtime. Everyone is a star on this show. You don't feel like there are main actors and supporting actors. The kids in the show get so much air-time. It's a family show after all and it's delightful that the kids are not relegated to the background. In fact it's the kids you will love, almost the same way we did in Malcolm in the middle.

Same team that brought you Just Shoot Me. One of my favorite comedies of last decade.

Catch it! Watch it and before soon you will be re-watching it!!! The chemistry between all the characters is believable and hilarious!



This scene was the funniest ever... called the moon landing!!
LOL.











Manny (on the left) and Cameron (above) are my favorite characters! Both chubby with issues!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Avatar













A review is a hard thing to do when you want to do a movie justice. This movie is a superb and grandiose display of outstanding audio and visual effects. It’s almost like a bragging rights exclusive to James Cameron daring other directors to bring it! The story line is not too complex with a few loopholes here and there, however, the concept itself is out of this world. Think of the mystery and the awesomeness that we obtained as we flew into Jurassic Park. Think of the raw graphic effects that King Kong had. Think of the primitive tribes, culture and world we adored in Apocalypto. Think of the imaginary prowess that George Lucas created in Star Wars. The cinematography is exquisitely real and one could dare to compare this epic enjoyable journey to that of Lord of the Rings and Troy. The creatures outdo themselves at no point do you feel ‘’blue-screen’’ like I did in 2012. Clearly James Cameron has written and directed a classic of Titanic proportions. But that has been his style-pushing the envelope and doing things GRAND! Clearly it’s the same person who tackled Aliens and Terminator, he has mastered the sci-fi genre with finesse and machismo.

Big Budget! Big C-G-I’s. Low-key cast except for Sigourney Weaver and Giovanni Ribisi.

Watch it. Look out for the message of man destroying mother-earth for a quick buck. (Cue Michael Jackson’s Earth Song!)




It’s larger than life and is a must see! The sound and visuals are the most compelling thing about the movie.





Immerse yourself into this world! Lose yourself for the entire movie duration!

Monday, December 07, 2009

Dexter


I think what appeals to me about this show, is the fact that there is a little evil in everyone of us. Scratch that-I am Dexter. Never has there been a more loveable serial killer than Dexter. Not your average Casper the friendly ghost but an average joe with a secret! A very deep dark secret! He kills for fun. Again scratch that...he has a code. A code handed down to him by his father, who at an early age recognised that Dexter had so much evil in him it needed to be controlled, tamed...and channelled out in a proper manner. He rocks! Not to mention he is rolling with a Nokia N-96 like I am. He is unique, clearly deeply traumatised and tormented...but aren't we all? Two-faced and evil is the recipe that is DEXTER! A wolf in sheep's white, cute, cuddly,woolly clothing-trotting merrily as everyone around him is oblivious to what lies beneath!









Quick Summary: Dexter rights wrongs by killing guilty people who have crossed the line and escaped the long of the law. Collects their blood as trophies and stores them up in slides. He then chops up his victims and disposses them off in the ocean in smaller chunks wrapped up in plastic. Season 2 his victims were accientally discovered, and almost had him hunted down as the Bay Harbour Butcher. But he got away! He has his select instruments of carving/slashing to rid off his bodies. Not to forget his most important tool of trade-his hypodermic needle!












A blood-spatter analysts by day, a serial killer at night. Season 4 brings him his most challenging adversary-The Trinity Killer. Played deliciously by John Lithgow who executes his role brilliantly. Season 3 had Jimmy Smits who also guest starred with perfection. However, Season 4 is what TV addicts kill for. (pun intended.) Season 4 is the best in the series!





Michael C. Hall is absoultely fabulous! Emmy! Emmy! Emmy! His facial expressions are to die for! He mixes the right amount of cheek and sardonic grin and when he makes a kill it is obvious it is orgasmic to him as it is to the viewer. He was great in Six feet under and he is now. Note Oz alumni Sgt. Batista and Lt. Laguerta..yes Oz alumni are everywhere if you ask me!














Dexter is one of the greatest shows of our time. The show mixes gore and humor in a blend thais utterly edible and palatable. The choice curse words always appropriate and spot on! Wait till you see Grandfatherly Lithgow utter the words 'shut up, cunt!' In addition, foul-mouthed Dexters sister(and wife in real life), Debbie, is as filthy as a gutter! Her cursing is music to my ears!

At first, I felt the producers shouldn't have let Dexter get married. That wife of his bores the hell out of me, I'd put her out of her misery with a token of her blood as a reminder. But it has worked out well. Dexter needs his cover! His family is his shield. The more normal he acts the better he can get out out and kill somebody darn bad.

Season 4 has as much suspense as 24. Clearly, Dexter has met his much. The trinity killer is a trick old fella...who been around for 30 years-killing! Don't want to unleash spoilers here, get yourself season 4 and enjoy the ride.

Dexter Vs Trinity:
Was Dexter really learning from Trinity? Is Trinity better than Dexter? Will he track down dexter and kill him? So far at the end of episode 10, Trinity i shunting Dexter. Everyone has everything to lose and this time Dexter has met his match!



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

THIS IS IT


















Oh, That was it. It's so sad to see what the fans who bought tickets actually missed out on. It's also sad to see those back-up dancers what the lost on out on.

Having watched it twice. I'm mesmerised that those were just mere rehearsals. Not even in dress rehearsal...your wake up in the morning practise routine. The interesting thing to note was that whilst the dancers were giving 100%, M.J was at 40% and he was that good! At 40% he was outdoing the best of the dancers. His moves were crisp. Voice had changed over the years but he sung live and danced in addition. He was dancing effortlessly, it was just a rehearsal and his game was at its best. Divinity in motion like his lyrics say. Clearly the shows were going to be out of this world/earth/galaxy! He was older, he'd weathered plenty of scandals...but the quality was still the same!

With his passing, a lot of reflecting has been done and many fans want to come out and clearly say which was their favorite song?album? dance? The movie challenges the fans to think which was their favorite. And most of his best hits were on This is it!

Smooth Criminal


My favorite choreography of MJ is Smooth Criminal. And in This is it they had a new video for it and some of the old dancing and I swurr smooth criminal is his best choregraphy ever! Well, albeit that MTV performance of 1995 where he did 'Dangerous' is damn near the best thing I've ever did see as well. M.J was a genius when he came to performing, entertaining and dancing! Annie are you ok? For real are you ok? There was a sign in the window that he struck you a crescendo...seriously who gets away with such a storyline and lyrics?










This lean!!!! The dance sequence is perfection as perfection gets!

















Billie Jean.
Who can forget the attitude the day he performed for Motown's 25th Anniversary. White glove , white socks, short trousers and the introduction to the moonwalk. In 'This Is It 'he downplayed the rehearsal but I have a feeling the actual show would have have had an outstanding dance routine. In 1995 he outshone himself near outdid his original iconic performance.

Thriller.
His best video of all time in totality. Sure 'Smooth criminal' had moves that made you wanna do that forward lean...but as a whole Thriller is his best video. And I'd say R'emember the Time' is his second best video. In the documentary there was a 3-D remake of the video...nothing like grizzly ghouls from every tomb dancing in sync.

Jam.
Well performed. Oh how I loved the new jack swing from the Album 'Dangerous.' Even in this documentary it made me wanna get up since it aint too hard for me to jam. I wish there was more from that album performed.

Clearly the documentary is for the fans. It's not for the avid movie goer who appreciates documentaries. I'd have loved to see more behind the scenes with M.J outside his performances and rehearsals. Then again what I saw,I was satisfied with. I sung along and even wiggled in my seat to the moves and songs. I hee-hee'd and oooooo'd. A big an M.J fan as I am...This is it was exactly that-IT!

His back up dancers were so on point. Selectively hand-picked. Young, energetic and full of life...with the promise of a great career. Orianthi, the guitarist was kicking major electric ass on that guitar.

You have got to watch this masterpiece to see his playfulness in 'The way you make me feel.' or his emotion in 'Earth Song' or his vocal prowess in 'Human Nature' Beat it as well had some funk like the original. This movie is for the fans...and there were many fans. It's for the old fans, the die hard fans, and the new fans! M.J rocked and still does and forever will! The embodiement of greatness-a singer/song writer/producer/dancer. Not many stars right now can perform and entertain. Not many musicians are performers and entertainers. Some sing. Some dance. But they don't do both with perfection. He span decades with his songs and moves , and they will forever be timeless.




A celebration of everything that was Michael Jackson. Re-live your favourite songs.

''I'm gonna make a change for once in my life...I'm starting with the man in the mirror''

''Everyone's taking control of me, seems like the world's got a role for me...will you be there''

''There's something about you baby, that makes me want to give it to you...keep it in the closet''


Monday, November 09, 2009

Brothers and Sisters Review



This show is as wholesome as christmas pudding. It's about the chemistry behind family. The humor, the gossip, the secrets and everything dysfunctional that comprise of normalcy in any family.

Simple and straight to the point. Family dynamics as honest and accurate as it gets. Sometimes a little too monotonous with their family values...but this is tv after all!















One would argue that maybe these are stories that we have seen before. That it is a recycled version of great shows like ''Picket Fences,'' ''Sisters,'' ''Life Goes On,'' ''Six Feet Under'' and even ''7th Heaven.'' Well those were all shows that centered solely around family and hence the reason for any comparison. But the chemistry within this show in terms of characters and writing is wholesome. This is a feel good show. It tackles all aspects of life with an interesting twist. Yes you have seen infidelity over and over. There is now a cancer angle like we saw on Sisters. But if you have ever loved or liked the above shows then this you will automatically love.




The cast is powerful.
Oscar award winning (and now Emmy winning) Sally Field is the matriach of the family. Enter Calista Flockhart (Ally McBeal), Rachel Griffiths (a superb actress from the superb Six Feet Under), Rob Lowe (West Wing), Ron Rifkin (Alias...boy he was a superb villain), Patricia Wettig (Prison Break V.P)... and numerous guest appearances














Coupled with good writing. This is your modern day family drama. Where you need to watch family drama and humor...this is your show! There is something warm about this show. It's a feel good show!