Posts from — May 2008

Adrian Grenier has created a non-fiction television series for Planet Green called “Alter Eco”. The show will follow his green squad as they tackle fun and exciting green projects around LA. I guess by playing spoiled film star Vincent Chase on “Entourage”, Grenier garnered enough fame to create his own tv show and at the same time help the environment.

The thirteen series run of “Alter Eco” premieres on June 9th after “Living with Ed” with Ed Begley Jr.(another actor turned television host).

Thanks to Green-Vaccine for the tip!

David Cook and David Archuleta go head to head tonight on “American Idol”. I barely watch this show, since reality tv is not my bag, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have an opinion.

I think David Cook has been set to win this contest from the beginning. And as he should seeing how he was in a moderately successful band before auditioning for AI. As for Archuleta, he reminds of a chipmunk who doesn’t have the charisma to really be a true music “idol” (even if his voice is as good as they claim).

Don’t believe me? Check out his rendition of Chris Brown’s “With You” that really should have been sung with clearly more stage presence.

But what do I know? Most of the music I enjoy is based more on the guitars and synthesizers rather than singing talent.

Since the Wachowski’s Speed Racer has been giving the franchise a bad wrap, I decided to scour the internet for fond memories of the “Speed Racer” cartoon. Maybe by doing so, people could forget about the bad reviews.

Let’s start off with a little historical background from SpeedRacer.com:
“Speed Racer began as a Japanese “Manga” entitled Mach Go Go Go created by Tatsunoko Productions in 1966.

In 1967, the 52 episodes of the series were dubbed into English and syndicated nationally on television. For nearly 20 years, Speed Racer ran in the afternoons five days a week. During this time the world of Speed Racer was deeply etched into the memories of millions of youngsters who would rush home from school to see the show.

Speed later enjoyed a comeback on TV in the 90’s on MTV, and then ran for almost 5 years on the Cartoon Network.”

I’m pretty sure I watched it on Cartoon Network in the wee hours of the morning. I don’t remember much about the plot but I do love the characters.

In both the film and the show, I’m most drawn to Racer X.

Maybe “Speed Racer” was too simplistic and thus wasn’t the best candidate to become a movie. I know it’s supposed to be a kids movie, but that’s no excuse for mediocre screenwriting. Even “Dora the Explorer” has a plot that makes sense and is entertaining.

My advice is to skip the IMAX version and just watch it on a lcd television, so at least you can still enjoy the special f/x without having to stress about the meandering plot.

Nostalgic for the early 90s? Then, check out the New Kids on the Block reunion on “The Today Show”.

Ah, the mega mix almost made me misty right until they did that remixed version of “Right Stuff”. Now, it just makes me feel old. Their performance reminded me of a tired wedding act. I cannot believe grown women camped out since Wednesday in the RAIN to see that. That is way worse than me liking their terrible NKOTB cartoon show.

Source: People

JJ Abrams new show, “Fringe”, officially got picked up by Fox this week.

It stars Joshua Jackson (”Dawson’s Creek”), Anna Torv, and Lance Reddick (”The Wire” and “Lost”) as they investigate an unusual Boston plane crash. It’s supposed to “thrill, terrify and explore the blurring line between science fiction and reality”.

I dunno, that sounds supspiciously too good to be true since I’ll watch just about anything with a “Wire” cast member or involves science fiction. Still, I wholeheartedly agree with /Film who says it totally looks like an “X-Files” rip-off.

I wonder if Chris Carter agrees? I bet he doesn’t really care and he’d probably just tell Abrams to watch his back since Fox cancels everything (i.e. “Harsh Realm”).

Find more photos at /Film

More sad new today, The Weinstein Company are making a live-action “Fraggle Rock” movie.

Is nothing sacred? Are the 80s just pure fodder for film remakes? And why can’t they stay true to the original format? Not so long ago, if the original tv show had puppets, then the movie would obviously have puppets (i.e. The Muppet Movie). Or if it was a cartoon, then the movie would be a cartoon like with The Jetsons: The Movie. Honest and true to the source.

I don’t see the absolute need for a “live-action” interpretation. I really think movie audiences can handle the puppets. Plus, I’d much rather have it stick close to the original instead of turning into some bloated cgi-character mess like Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Source: I Watch Stuff

My new favorite show (post-strike) was “New Amsterdam”.

But sadly, it was given it’s death sentence this week. Why Fox? Why, oh why can you not let things last? I shoulda realized it was doomed when they pushed back the premiere to March.

Fox isn’t the only one throwing around the axe this week. Also cancelled are “Moonlight”, “Shark”, “Canterbury’s Law”, “October Road”, “Back to You”, and obviously “Bionic Woman” and “Journeyman”.

(Source: The TV Whore’s column)

My first episode of “Wire in the Blood” left me a bit confused since it started off in Luther, Texas. Definitely an unexpected locale, since it’s a UK crime drama. Most episodes follow psychologist Tony Hill and his work with the UK Bradfield CID.

From BBCAmerica.com:
“This season [season 5], the first time Wire in the Blood has ever been shot in America, a case takes Tony all the way to Austin, Texas. Robson Green says of the special season premiere, “Wire in the Blood has a loyal and growing audience in the States and we were delighted to have the opportunity to film this special episode in Texas. I was personally thrilled to be working in America for the first time - it was an opportunity for me to develop the character of Tony Hill in unfamiliar territory as he gets caught up with a prisoner on death row.”

Despite the experimental locale, I was immediately drawn into the show. The episode blended comedy with mystery-suspense quite easily. They had Tony complaining about the Texas heat one second and the next a rattlesnake mysteriously attacks him in his car! I didn’t know much about the show, so I literally just went with the flow. And by the end, I was captivated by the stylish cinematography and deft acting by all the players.

The rest of the season takes place in Bradfield, England where Tony helps DI Alex Fielding solve murders involving voodoo witchcraft, child abduction, and serial killers.

“Wire in the Blood” airs Sundays at 8pm EST on BBC America.

This sunday is Mother’s Day, so I feel I should spotlight some of my mom’s favorite tv shows.

Mystery/Suspense:
“In the Heat of the Night”
“Murder, She Wrote”
“Remington Steele” - got her seasons one and two for her birthday…
“Matlock” - no one can hate on the Griffith

Cop Shows:
“Walker, Texas Ranger” - Mom loved it before Conan made it “cool”
“Nash Bridges”
“JAG”
“Silk Stalkings”

The Soaps (every mom has “her show”):
“Knots Landing” - with Alec Baldwin! and William Devane!!

“Young and the Restless” - doesn’t everyone love this show, though?
“Days of Our Lives” - My mom finally learned how to dvr new episodes
“Another World”
“Falcon Crest”

Comedy:
“Martin”

“Living Single”
“The Cosby Show”
“Monk”
“A Different World”
“Empty Nest”
“Golden Girls”

But really, she’ll watch whatevers on USA and just leave it there. This sunday, I hope she gets the remote all to herself.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Before seeing Iron Man, the theater commercials were hyping the heck out of “The Andromeda Strain” tv mini-series, which premieres on A&E this Memorial Day.

My first thought was - is this remake really necessary?

Guess producers Ridley and Tony Scott thought that it was. The uber-special effects remake stars Benjamin Bratt, Andre Braugher, Eric McCormack, and Ricky (does he still go by Ricky?) Schroder.

The apocalyptic themes from Michael Crichton’s novel are certainly loud and clear on that trailer. It sounds like it’s next to impossible to find a cure with the melodramatic dialogue and music. I guess I’m intrigued enough to dvr it just to see what the so-called cure turns out to be.