The New TV Season So Far...
Once upon a time in the not-too-distant future (in distant days longing to sense it all so clear):
Pretty Inspiring:
The protests led by the monks in the country of Burma. I am captivated and anticipate the actions of this peaceful group against that country’s junta. Hopefully, their non-violent actions will reach the attentions of the rest of the world and be an example for the rest of us.
Cool Stuff I saw this past week:
Lion and Dragon Dancers at the Austin Chinatown Center*
I forget how fun it was to see lion and dragon dancers up close. The last time I saw something like this was at the turn of this century during Chinese New Year in downtown Los Angeles. It was fun, but we only caught the tail end of it. This time, though, we caught it beginning to end complete with that bad ass percussion and the lions/dragons weaving through the crowd demanding your money [in a good way- the performers were mostly kids from Walnut Elementary and the money went back to them].
A fun time, and just reminds me that that we need more dragons and lions in everyday life.
The Fall TV Season: Seen this week:
CHUCK: Saw bits and pieces- it was okay. The funny-lovable-loser bit of the title character can get old very quick (and was already old by the predictable end of the show). Nothing but popcorn, which can be fun (and there were some good action beats in the show) but the pilot was ultimately forgettable. Hopefully the other episodes will be better than the pilot, but I am not expecting more than campy, cheesy stuff from this show.
HEROES: The Hiro Nakamura bits are still the best part of the show (and here I am contradicting myself on the funny-lovable-loser types on genre shows. Well- over here he is not the title character, and Maki Oka plays his role with more genuine charm). David Anders is unexpectedly funny as the baka gaijin masquerading as a Robin Hood type character. The other aspects of the show are just exposition for the rest of the season and were a little underwhelming (but hopefully the pay off will be worth it). And did they just kill off Captain Sulu? YOU SUCK!
BONES: This became one of my favourite shows last season. But everything seemed off for the most part during this season opener. The relationships, the chemistry between the actors, even the usually very interesting science that goes into explaining how the evil deeds were done- it all seemed like they took too long a summer vacation and are having a tough time getting back into the swing of things. Inexplicably, it all came back when the character of Zack came back in the last ten minutes or so- it’s not that the character is the glue of the show, it was like, hey- everyone is back, so let’s get back to work.
Like Heroes, this episode of Bones seems more like a set up for the rest of the season- the ongoing saga of Bones’ father, plus the search for the Fiji Husband and the Secret Society are all this show’s attempts at having a season long story arc that is popular nowadays. The only problem- this is one show that does not really need a season long story arc- the quirkiness of their relationships is fun enough to watch. Plus the introduction of a Secret Society Mystery that they have to solve almost feels like shark jumping.
REAPER: I was not planning on watching this and was not expecting much (despite being a Kevin Smith fan). The results? Very fun and a very Kevin Smith experience complete with a dead beat job where they just hang around wanting more in life and a smart mouth side kick. It proves that Kevin Smith can do humour without having the folks spout profanities and more importantly- without Jay or Silent Bob or overt references to his past works. Now, the real trick is to see if the show can carry on without Fat Bob (who is the original funny-lovable-loser).
BIONIC WOMAN: Did not see it, not sure if I want to watch a show that has an actor who is an admitted homophobe.
SMALLVILLE: Did the chick who does not want to admit she is Asian have to move to Shanghai wearing blonde wig?
________________________________________________________________________
Pretty Inspiring:
The protests led by the monks in the country of Burma. I am captivated and anticipate the actions of this peaceful group against that country’s junta. Hopefully, their non-violent actions will reach the attentions of the rest of the world and be an example for the rest of us.
Cool Stuff I saw this past week:
Lion and Dragon Dancers at the Austin Chinatown Center*
I forget how fun it was to see lion and dragon dancers up close. The last time I saw something like this was at the turn of this century during Chinese New Year in downtown Los Angeles. It was fun, but we only caught the tail end of it. This time, though, we caught it beginning to end complete with that bad ass percussion and the lions/dragons weaving through the crowd demanding your money [in a good way- the performers were mostly kids from Walnut Elementary and the money went back to them].
A fun time, and just reminds me that that we need more dragons and lions in everyday life.
The Fall TV Season: Seen this week:
CHUCK: Saw bits and pieces- it was okay. The funny-lovable-loser bit of the title character can get old very quick (and was already old by the predictable end of the show). Nothing but popcorn, which can be fun (and there were some good action beats in the show) but the pilot was ultimately forgettable. Hopefully the other episodes will be better than the pilot, but I am not expecting more than campy, cheesy stuff from this show.
HEROES: The Hiro Nakamura bits are still the best part of the show (and here I am contradicting myself on the funny-lovable-loser types on genre shows. Well- over here he is not the title character, and Maki Oka plays his role with more genuine charm). David Anders is unexpectedly funny as the baka gaijin masquerading as a Robin Hood type character. The other aspects of the show are just exposition for the rest of the season and were a little underwhelming (but hopefully the pay off will be worth it). And did they just kill off Captain Sulu? YOU SUCK!
BONES: This became one of my favourite shows last season. But everything seemed off for the most part during this season opener. The relationships, the chemistry between the actors, even the usually very interesting science that goes into explaining how the evil deeds were done- it all seemed like they took too long a summer vacation and are having a tough time getting back into the swing of things. Inexplicably, it all came back when the character of Zack came back in the last ten minutes or so- it’s not that the character is the glue of the show, it was like, hey- everyone is back, so let’s get back to work.
Like Heroes, this episode of Bones seems more like a set up for the rest of the season- the ongoing saga of Bones’ father, plus the search for the Fiji Husband and the Secret Society are all this show’s attempts at having a season long story arc that is popular nowadays. The only problem- this is one show that does not really need a season long story arc- the quirkiness of their relationships is fun enough to watch. Plus the introduction of a Secret Society Mystery that they have to solve almost feels like shark jumping.
REAPER: I was not planning on watching this and was not expecting much (despite being a Kevin Smith fan). The results? Very fun and a very Kevin Smith experience complete with a dead beat job where they just hang around wanting more in life and a smart mouth side kick. It proves that Kevin Smith can do humour without having the folks spout profanities and more importantly- without Jay or Silent Bob or overt references to his past works. Now, the real trick is to see if the show can carry on without Fat Bob (who is the original funny-lovable-loser).
BIONIC WOMAN: Did not see it, not sure if I want to watch a show that has an actor who is an admitted homophobe.
SMALLVILLE: Did the chick who does not want to admit she is Asian have to move to Shanghai wearing blonde wig?
________________________________________________________________________
posted by Catterpillarboy at 4:45 AM
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