TV Review: Westworld, Season 1

This is one of those hard stories to talk about, because if I say too much I could ruin the whole thing, so I will tread carefully. Also, a warning for those interested in the show: there's a lot of nudity. Not sexual nudity, per se, but nudity. Like, you get the chance to see nearly every character nearly full-frontal, and several of them full-frontal. If you're uncomfortable with that don't watch it because it will make you uncomfortable.

First of all, I see why so many people enjoyed it. It's a solid story backed with an amazing cast, shot beautifully, and full of fan theory potential. Plus, with the final episode it answers all the big questions you had all along, and then asks new ones we have to wait TWO YEARS to see answered since it won't be back until at least 2018.

I can't say much about the plot, though I wish I could discuss it in depth here. I don't even know where I would start with that, though. There are several interesting and important threads laid out in the very first episode and while many of them do end up intersecting, they don't all necessarily. I will say if you're not taken in the first episode by the plot, because it seems repetitive and like it's not going anywhere, stick around until at least episode three. Things really pick up there and stuff stops sticking to a formula.

The first thing that I loved when I watched the first episode was the cast. They are amazing! Every single member blew me out of the water, I was in such awe of them. Like, seriously, even if the show was bad they would have made it good. Since it was already a great show it became amazing because of the talent collected here. Everyone was perfectly cast and I loved everyone, even the ones I hated. Each member was able to make you feel something for them- whether that was disgust, horror, love, sympathy, awe, or something in between all of that- and I can easily say that I will never forget a single one of them they're imprinted that strongly, emotionally, on my mind.

As for the beautiful cinematography- all you can do is watch and see for yourself how beautiful everything is. From the harsh metals and dark lights of the industrial half of the park, to the open spaces and historical(ish) details of the "westworld" every single shot was gorgeous. If you get a chance to watch on a big screen I strongly recommend because you won't be disappointed in the least.

TL;DR? If you have the chance to watch this, jump on that opportunity because you won't regret it. The story, cast, and cinematography were all out of this world, and this is certainly not a show to be underestimated.

Mini Media Reviews: The Crown & Assassin's Creed

I know this review is a bit late, but I pushed off due to both work and wanting to include my review for the new movie, Assassin's Creed.

If you know me you know I love the royal family. I'm not the sort of obsessed that some of my mother's friends are, but learning about them is one of my favorite past times. And Queen Elizabeth is one of my favorite people in the whole world! I think she's a fantastic pioneer for women in positions of power and seeing her story drawn out so beautifully in this series was like a dream come true.

It kind of snuck up on me, because I didn't realize this show was happening until a week or so after it dropped. I blame school. And then I forced myself to pace through it so that I didn't binge it all at once and miss it too soon. Like I nice piece of dark chocolate, this show was better in small doses where I could take the time to think about it after each episode, which felt like mini-movies, ended.

My favorite thing about this series, besides the cast, was the tone of the show. It was morally gray in the best ways. No one was a good guy or a bad guy because of the near-omniscient story-telling. And because it is a true story there weren't as many "clean" endings as fiction would have- which made it better and more unpredictable. It was a very human show and it made all of these people, who are now much older and wiser (or, sadly, passed away), seem relatable. In fact, I feel almost as if I had a long conversation with each of them and have come away a better person. If you're a fan of historical fiction, this is a MUST WATCH.

Assassin's Creed is a video game franchise I've always had every intention of playing and getting into but have yet to find the time or the money to pick up a game. I've watched walkthroughs, and for now that's the closest I think I will get. I love the lore of the games and was rather excited to see this come to the big screen. It wasn't my most anticipated in any way, but I had somewhat higher hopes than I should have. Video game movies do, after all, have a very, very bad record.

And this one stayed true to that record. The biggest problem was the script. The dialogue was, pardon my language, actual crap. I don't say this lightly but it was like watching the cut-scenes from a game rather than an actual story. The fight scenes were cool but rather poorly placed and they spent too much time in the present when they should have been capitalizing on the past, which was by far the most interesting. The characters were meant to come off as morally gray, but instead just felt confused about what they were doing and looked rather uncomfortable with the whole affair. Plot-wise I'll take a quote from my Dad, who was the one who really, really wanted to see it: "It was all building up to something that lasted three minutes". He's not wrong. And I'm still not all too sure what the ending was supposed to mean.

If I have to say something nice about this movie it's the cinematography and aesthetic. It really is a gorgeous film, and Fassbender sure does help make it easy on the eyes. But seriously, the lighting and the set up and the imagery of both the present and the past are beautiful. If it were an art book I would happily buy it and just flip through pages whilst stroking the images of the skylines and framing.

Basically, stay away from this one, even if you are a fan. It doesn't make sense to those who aren't into the series and even for those who know what's going on you'll feel cheated and offended by the awful script that somehow made it so far as to become a movie.

TV Review: Stranger Things, Season One

Like many others this year I was sucked into this show. How do I even begin to talk about one of my favorite things of 2016? I can start with the plot- which is straight forward but not boring- or I could start with the characters- all of which I adored- or maybe I could start with the visuals themselves- which were not only spot-on 80's but really well done in general.

I think I'll start with how I pushed this off forever. Back when it originally was released I told my mom about it because it sounded right up her alley. I wasn't wrong- she praises the show all the time because it brings her back to the 80s and because she's a sucker for classic science fiction. I kept intending to watch it after she assured me it wasn't scary (she's right, it really isn't scary it's just got a touch of horror influencing the plot) but pushed it off, and then school came and I didn't have any time whatsoever. But then. Finals. I needed a way to blow off steam between studying that wouldn't give me the headache that reading sometimes does. Netflix was my answer and Stranger Things just stared at me until I was forced to watch. After the first episode I knew it was too late to turn back and that I was thoroughly sucked into the show. I forced myself to only watch an episode a day so that it wouldn't run through too quickly, and even though it's a very binge-worthy show I think it's better viewed slowly.

The story itself is pretty straightforward, at least for someone who's well versed in the conventions of science fiction and fantasy. But that didn't take away from the enjoyment- sometimes classic conventions are the best. Particularly when they're done well with an interesting cast. The kids made the show for me. From the very first scene where they're playing D&D and getting so into it I was in love. And then Eleven, who's just one awesome BAMF. I don't think there are enough words to cover her. Besides the kids, my favorites were Hopper, who I adored for being a complete subversion of the stereotype, and Nancy. Her arc was my favorite to watch and I really liked how her relationships with Steve and Jonathon turned out.

And the cinematography! The editing! There's so much love to give there. It was so well done I didn't dare look away in case I missed something. There were so many ways this could have fallen into a pit but it didn't- it always remained interesting and fun to watch.

If you haven't seen this yet, my only question is why not? It took me long enough and I didn't regret it at all.

TV Review: Shadowhunters Season 1

You may or may not be aware that I am a huge fan of Shadowhunters (not the show, the books).  I started reading Mortal Instruments when I was in middle school, right around the time book three had come out.  I picked City of Bones up on a whim and quickly discovered that it was one of the best books I had ever read.  Since that point I have avidly kept up with the books (recently reading, reviewing, and loving Lady Midnight) and this year even plan to reread them all.  A few years ago when the movie came out I was super excited for it, but my dreams were crushed by the film itself.  While it wasn't the worst adaption I've ever seen (Vampire Academy steals that award) it is up there.  Which led to me starting this show with a mix of fear and excitement.

As a show:  It's not a good show.  The acting was pretty bad when it started off (though all the actors did grow throughout and I'm rather fond of them each as people thanks to social media) and the special effects are absolutely atrocious (I'm sorry, but the seraph blade noise comes from the toy section of Target).  The sets are all really nice, the story lines are interesting, and the world building is on point, but if I hadn't been a fan of this story ahead of time I wouldn't have even given it a shot.

As an adaptation:  Better than the movie, if you ask me.  They stuck to the plot more or less, but where they deviated I think they made smart decisions.  Things were introduced early, but they weren't half-assed when they were introduced.  The world that Cassandra Clare created in her books is this same world.  I liked that while the core of the story was there I was able to be surprised by certain plot lines and my friend and I have been guessing at what next season might bring (and yes, I am rather excited for next season).

As a fan:  I'm thrilled.  Okay, mostly thrilled.  Beyond it being a poor quality show (but it is on Freeform so it's not like they have an HBO budget) I love being able to see the characters come to life onscreen.  These are characters I've been reading about since I was 13 and 14 years old!  I think the casting for characters was pretty spot on and easter eggs (pretty much that whole alternate reality episode if I'm being honest) are a blast.  Seeing the fandom on tumblr just explode over these books again has been really great, too.

Would I recommend this show?  If you're a fan and you're willing to wade through some shit (maybe a lot of shit, depending on how much you want the show to adhere to the books) I think you'll enjoy it.  I haven't met anyone who's watching the show without reading the books first, so I don't know if it's a good fit for people who aren't aware of the world.  Maybe give it a shot, though?

TV Review: Jessica Jones (Season 1)

Watch| Netflix  Rating| 4 Stars

Starring| Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones), Rachel Taylor (Trish Walker), Eka Darville (Malcolm), David Tennant (Kilgrave), Carrie-Anne Moss (Jeri Hogarth), Wil Traval (Will Simpson), Susies Abromeit (Pam), Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Erin Moriarty (Hope Shlottman)

Related Reviews| Daredevil Season One

Is anyone actually surprised that I devoured this with two days of it being released?

TV Review: Over the Garden Wall

Watch| Youtube  Rating| 4 Stars

Starring| Elijah Wood (Wirt), Colin Dean (Gregory), Melanie Lynskey (Beatrice)

Buy Links| Amazon

This is, according to most of the internet and all my friends who have seen it, one of the best shows ever.  I didn't watch it for any of them, though.  I didn't find out that so many had seen it until after I had already devoured all 2 hours of the show.  And my reaction: it was very good, but it wasn't the best.

Sunday TV

Welcome to my first edition of Sunday TV!  If you've been following my blog you've probably noticed something I do every other week called Sunday Comics.  I read a lot of comics so I choose one day to review them all rather than doing an individual post for each.  I watch a lot of TV as well, so I've decided to do a similar thing with individual episodes.  The shows I watch and review will be a mix of older stuff and newer stuff.  This week I have ten episodes to share with you.  There won't be spoilers for anything that's airing a current season, but anything that has since ended, there will be at least some minor spoilers.

TV Review: Supernatural (Season 10)

I'm a pretty big Supernatural fan, but even I admit that the show has degraded into something pretty bad.  The characters have all flattened out, and any new ones introduced don't last long enough to be liked.  The plot line has become rote and I don't actually worry about people dying.  When it's not demons it's witches and when it's not witches... it's not anything.  What happened to hunting ghosts and wendigo's?  (This may end up being more of a rant than an actual review...)

A+ TV Review: Star Wars Rebels (Season 1 & Season 2 Premier)

If you aren't watching this show, you're making a mistake.  It's really, really good.  You don't even have to be a fan of Star Wars to like this show.  It's perfect for people who crave a great animation that's not afraid to tackle serious events.  In that vein, it actually reminds me a lot of Avatar: The Last Airbender.  It's a family friendly, carries on the Star Wars legacy, and will also appeal to adults and an older audience.

TV Review: Person of Interest (Season 4)

Watch| NBC when it's live (I don't know where you can catch up right now)
Starring| Jim Caviezel (John Reese), Kevin Chapman (Lionel Fusco), Michael Emerson (Harold Finch), Amy Acker (Root), Sarah Shahi (Sameen Shaw)
Rating| B-

There are certainly SPOILERS for seasons 1 through 3, and possibly major SPOILERS for season 4.  If you aren't caught up on the show, you may not want to read ahead.

This show finished its run awhile ago, and I've been sitting on this review for no small amount of time because I was still formulating my thoughts.  The beginning of the season got me very excited!  Everything was different.  Not only was Carter gone, but the Machine, and her cohorts, were in hiding.  I loved that the main cast were given practical jobs, particularly Reese.  While the others all had their new secret identities explored somewhat, his was the most intriguing, and, overall, most important.

The high lasted for a few episodes before it petered off into same-old, same-old.  I wasn't bored- the show manages to always keep me on the edge of my seat- but I also can't recall any episodes immediately.  There were a couple here and there, particularly the ones that dive into Elias' back story.  That was a rich well that could have been used more than it was.  In the smack dab middle of the season when they had their big trilogy of episodes that changed everything, particularly If-Then-Else, I got excited again.  This was one of my favorite episodes this season, and was incredibly innovative.

It dragged again after that, but not for nearly as long as the first time.  From episode 18, Skip, onward I was thoroughly hooked.  This episode rejuvenated the show, introducing a new character and exploring another recent one.  Both new girls were bad-ass and incredibly fun to see on screen.  I want more of both Harper (who I'm fairly certain we'll see again, in a great capacity) and Frankie.

The show catapulted into an incredible final three episodes.  If I remember nothing else, I will remember the bittersweet heartbreak of Terra Incognita (episode 20), the nail biting Asylum (episode 21), and the heart pounding, breath stealing YHWH (episode 22).  These are the true shining stars of the whole series- TV doesn't really get any better than this.  They made the rough patches incredibly worth it.  Even for someone who's become numb to many surprises, this one had me several times.  And it also left my eyes watering.

I know the show may not last much longer, but I'm so glad to have been able to see these episodes.  If you've considered giving it up, or don't watch it anymore, I ask that you maybe give it a chance.  It always manages to deliver.  And as a quick side note, can we take a moment to just admire the poster this season?  It's one of my absolute things on the planet.

TV Review: Arrow (Season 3), The Flash (Season 1), and Legends of Tomorrow (trailer)

Watch| The CW has been airing reruns of Arrow and Flash all summer, plus the first two season's of Arrow are on Netflix
Starring| Arrow- Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen), Katie Cassidy (Laurel Lance), David Ramsey (John Diggle), Willa Holland (Thea Queen), Paul Blackthorne (Quentin Lance), Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak), Colton Haynes (Roy Harper), Brandon Routh (Ray Palmer), and John Barrowman (Malcolm Merlyn); Flash- Grant Gustin (Barry Allen), Candice Patton (Iris West), Danielle Panabaker (Caitlin Snow), Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon), Tom Cavanagh (Harrison Wells), Jesse L Martin (Joe West), and Rick Cosnett (Eddie Thawne); Legends of Tomorrow- Arthur Darvill (Rip Hunter), Ciara Renee (Hawkgirl), Franz Drameh (Jay Jackson), Victor Garber (Martin Stein), Caity Lotz (Sara Lance), Wentworth Miller (Captain Cold), Dominic Purcell (Heat Wave), and Brandon Routh (Ray Palmer).
Rating| Arrow Season 3 B-, Flash Season 1 A, Legends of Tomorrow Trailer A

These shows finished airing a bit ago, but I wanted everyone who watches to be caught up.  There will be SPOILERS down below, so read at your own risk.

I'll be making the reviews rather short, because, while I will talk about some details, I really just want to give my overall impressions.  I'm a major fan of both shows- I watched the series premier of Arrow with my family; same with Flash.  They're great shows, and I'd recommend them heartily if you haven't started them yet.

This was not my favorite season of Arrow.  Season two is easily the best, having the best villain so far.  But this season relied to heavily upon making the fans happy and trying to entertain new and old audiences.  I know they had some trouble with getting characters they wanted thanks to the new roster of DC movies.  Before the season started they wanted to use Blue Beetle and were stuck with the Atom, which is why that character feels more like Iron Man.  They also wanted to rely more heavily on Suicide Squad, but with that movie just on the horizon, they had to back off.  Not super happy about that.  I'll see the new suicide squad movie when it hits theaters, but I much prefer the cast from this show.  The fact that they killed of Deadshot makes sense, but it was still pretty upsetting.  Of all the characters who left, though, I'm most angry with Colton Haynes.  I can't STAND that he left.  And they gave him the most ridiculous exit.  (I could rant about him all day, to be honest.)   I also didn't like all the sex scenes; they'd have been much better if they were just fade to black.  The ending was cute, but that means things can only go down hill from here.  I also dislike how Merlin is now in charge of League of Assassins, and not Nyssa.

So what did I like?  After all that complaining, you may think there isn't much left.  But, I really think Stephen shown this season.  I've gained a bunch of respect for him as a person and as an actor recently.  They also did an incredible job with Black Canary.  I went into the season hating Laurel.  Now I'll defend her with my dying breath.  I was hoping that the villain would be a bit more... villainous... but I thought he pulled it off.  The flashbacks kept me interested, and I liked that they took place in Hong Kong rather than the island.  The shakeup helped keep me awake.  The story was pretty straight forward, and it did have some twists.  They didn't really catch me off guard, but I enjoyed them all the same.  Plus, Nyssa was in a ton of episodes and I adore her.

As for The Flash, I went into the season only thinking of it as a lighter version of Arrow.  Which,it pretty much was for the majority of the season.  This sort of whimsical feel took away from some of the draw, though the actors seriously knocked my socks off.  Later, when it started to get darker, it really held me attention.  The final few episodes were so emotional, and the show tied up nicely.

It took me a while to like any of the villains.  There were a couple that shown out, but I wasn't a fan of many of the actors.  It took until the second half of the season before I even started to see many of them as threats.  Besides that, though, there isn't much to complain about.  Oh!  Except that one tiny little thing at the end of the season when that small character named Eddie Thawne dies.  Yeah, I can complain about that.  Eddie was my favorite character.  I'm not kidding.  People laughed at me for it, sure.  But he was my favorite.  And they killed him off.  Some of my friends actually offered their condolences.  It made sense, but I'm very unhappy with it.  (Same goes for what happened to Tommy in the Arrow season 1 finally.  He was my favorite character, too!)

Like I said, though, the show was pretty amazing.  The special effects took some time to improve, but they were generally done very well.  The Easter eggs in this series just made me so happy.  There were so many of them!  I live for Easter Eggs.

And, then there's Legends of Tomorrow.  Not gonna lie, I think the title is so very stupid.  But I like the cast, and I like the characters, so I'm more than willing to follow this one.

The trailer looks pretty decent, and I love that it's airing in the off season when Flash and Arrow are on their breaks.  I'm curious to see how it fits in, and whether some of the characters will be introduced via the other shows.

Overall, I'm getting a good vibe from it, but only time will tell, I suppose.

Sorry this review seems like it goes on forever.  it kind of does.  But if you took the time to read it, thanks!  And even if you didn't, thanks just for stopping by.

TV Review: Bravest Warriors

This isn't a proper TV review since this is a Youtube show.  It's on Cartoon Hangover and is created by the same guy behind Adventure Time (which I don't watch).  I stumbled on Bravest Warriors on accident, but it's one of the happiest accidents in my life.  It takes a few episodes, probably three, but once you get into the swing of it you won't be able to turn it off.  I raced through the show in only a few days, and that was because I was busy.

The show follows four teenagers who serve as hero's for hire.  It's a science fiction-fantasy show that's part comedy, part drama, and part a commentary on the typical tropes found in this genre.  The mythology of the series evolves well over time, and as the story progresses you see how it weaves together so well.  It may seem disconnected at the beginning but the season two finale really hints at something much greater.

The side characters, like Catbug or Wankershim, will steal your heart.  You'll find yourself quoting the show and screaming "Rebekah!" while those around you stare at you strangely.  I promise.  The evolution of characters is natural and not what you'd expect.  The voices are pretty great, too.

If you're anything like me, you'll be dying for season three the moment you finish all the episodes.  The third season is on it's way, but not quickly enough in my opinion.  I didn't assign a rating to this show because it's a bit of an unconventional review for me, but it's certainly worth five stars or an A+.

To help get you hooked, here's the first episode:

Enjoy!

TV Review: Agent Carter (Season 1)

Watch| OnDemand until August
Starring| Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter); James D'Arcy (Edwin Jarvis); Chad Michael Murray (Jack Thompson; Enver Gjokaj (Daniel Sousa); Shea Whigham (Roger Dooley); Lyndsy Fonseca (Angie Martinelli); Bridget Regan (Dottie Underwood); Dominic Cooper (Howard Stark)
Rating| A

What a show.  I have no idea why it took me so long to watch, seeing as I was watching it live for the longest time.  Somehow, the last two episodes slipped me by and I couldn't finish it until recently.

I love, love, love this show.  It's not my favorite Marvel show (Daredevil has claim to that spot) but it's a close second.  The noir, mystery themes.  The stunning and alluring characters.  The way it hinted at the "future" of the marvel universe and founding of SHIELD.  And, most of all, the actors.

There is so much one could say about this cast.  Top notch casting.  Each character was uniquely portrayed and given the right amount of development.  I think, had I to pick one actor to give all the accolades, I would give them to James D'Arcy.  His turn as Jarvis was equal parts comic relief and superhero of the show.  Of course, Hayley Atwell is the most remarkable.  Peggy Carter may very well be the best female character on television right now (certainly my favorite marvel lady to grace the screen) and only because of the bombshell behind her.

The fact that there was only a limited number of episodes also helped.  The plot wasn't staunched in any way and was able to freely tell the story.  It took twists and turns I didn't see, played risky with some of the characters, but really made its way into my heart.

When does the box set come out because I need to buy that now!

A+ TV Review: Daredevil (Season 1)

Watch| Netflix Streaming
Starring| Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil); Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page); Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson); Vincent D'Onofrio (Wilson Fisk); Toby Leonard Moore (James Wesley); Vondie Curtis-Hall (Ben Urich); Ayelet Zurer (Vanessa Marianna); Rosario Dawson (Claire Temple)
Rating| A+

This was my most anticipated show of the year.  I love Charlie Cox (from his role in Stardust) and I love Daredevil (from the few graphic novels I've read him in, particularly Marvel 1602) and I love Marvel, so nothing could go wrong.

And nothing did go wrong.  This, ladies and gentleman, is how you make a television series.  Being able to binge watch it didn't hurt, either.  I can't say anything bad about this show.  I think it hit all the marks it promised to, and I loved everything about those targets.  However, it is VIOLENT.  Graphically violent.  It's not a family show like Agent Carter or SHIELD or even the rest of the Marvel movies right now.  It's dark, and scary, and breathtaking, and bloody.  You've been warned.

Personally, I like a lot of violence in shows and movies.  I don't like it on network TV where any small child could view it, but the more heads rolling the better.  I don't like needless violence like in slasher pics, because it's just happening for the gross out.  Daredevil hit it in the middle.  There were some parts where you could see the blood or the guts or the exposed rib cage on a decaying corpse, but the violence wasn't just made up of moments like that.  It required reading between the lines and listening for bones cracking and people screaming.  And I enjoyed the rawness behind the fighting choreography.  The idea that Matt is just a street level hero was completely sound and well kept.  He takes as many punches as he gives and it's a nice change of pace.

The villains were a high light.  D'Onofrio shines like a star in this show.  His villain has made it into my all time favorites.  A good villain makes for a great hero and an even greater story.  And he's not the only good villain.  His "grunts" and "underlings" are just as good.  I felt threatened by them all like they were real people.  And they were each given a past and thoroughly three-dimensional.  Not just the villains, though, but all the characters.  Besides Matt (who was AWESOME in every sense of the word), Foggy, Karen, and Ben, were individuals with their own goals.  Not just good; but human.  One of my favorite things about the show is that everyone is humanized.  Even the bad guys were just people and not something more (perhaps we should talk about Madame Gao somewhere else...), which was a major theme of the show.

I loved the fact that this show didn't play around with love to much.  There were moments of tenderness between certain characters, but it wasn't a major story line.  And in a situation such as was happening on this series, it would make sense that romance takes a back seat.  It kept the show real and the characters interesting.  Another thing that I loved was that there were no plot holes.  There are moments left open (for later seasons) but they have little bearing on the plot.  Even when there were questions, or things that didn't make sense, they happened for a reason.  Everything came full circle in some really cool and unexpected ways.

The only disappointment... no Easter egg for Age of Ultron or Jessica Jones.  AoU comes out in less than a month so I suppose if I have to I can wait ;)

Basically, this show is worth getting Netflix for if you don't have it already.

TV Review: Smallville (Season 3, Episodes 1-4)

Watch| Netflix DVDs
Starring| Tom Welling (Clark Kent); Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan); Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang); Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor); John Glover (Lionel Luthor); Annette O'Toole (Martha Kent); John Schneider (Jonathan Kent); Sam Jones III (Pete Ross)
Rating| A

I love this show.  I'm not really sure what it is in particular, but I absolutely love it.  Unfortunately, I can't watch it very often because it's only available to me via the Netflix DVD service.  It is the main reason I still pay for that part of the subscription honestly.

So, in a few words, because I don't want to spoil you or bore you, let me convince you to watch it.  It's perfect for fans of Arrow or Flash and I would consider it the forefather of both those shows.  It proved how successful a comic book show could be, especially aimed at this audience.  It is the longest running Superman show, I'm fairly certain, and I believe this is the case because it sticks to Clark Kent.  It revolves around him discovering who he is before he becomes Superman.  The experiences and people that shape him, particularly his family and closest friends, Lex and Lana.

Upon reading the description of episode 3X01 I thought I had reached the point where the show jumped the shark.  I've heard that there comes a point where it gets a little crazy, but I'm glad to say this isn't that point.  I expect that to come after Clark's high school years, honestly.  The show has certainly gotten deeper into the mythology of where Superman comes from and what he was sent to do.  These episodes also reignited the story for Chloe (finally!), gave Lana the girl-next-door role again (yes!), and has worked to shift Lex's role completely, and, I think, steer him towards his destiny.

I am getting tired of the repetitive stories of people with strange powers.  I want the show to break away from that because sooner or later they will wear it out completely.  Also, Lionel is really getting on my nerves.  Of all the characters, he's the one I can stand the least.  This is purposeful, I'm fairly certain, but still grates on my nerves.  Overall, I'm very glad to be returning to Smallville.

Quick Review: Parks and Recreation (Seasons 1-3)

Watch| Netflix
Starring| Amy Poehler (Leslie Knope); Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson); Aubrey Plaza (April Ludgate); Chris Pratt (Andy Dwyer); Aziz Ansari (Tom Haverford); Rashida Jones (Ann Perkins); Adam Scott (Ben Wyatt); Rob Lowe (Chris Traeger); Paul Schneider (Mark Brandanawicz)
Rating| B-

I have been binge-watching this show for about two weeks and flying through it.  I had to force myself to stop after season three in order to catch up on my other responsibilities.  Honestly, I like the show.  It's not my all time favorite or anything, but it's like a bag of skittles.  Short, sweet, and sugary.

Because the show is so character driven, rather than do a proper review, I'll review each character individually.  On one overall note, though, I like how there's a consistent story line.  I think it's one that may be missed were I not binge-watching it, and had I watched the show live, I would have given it up in season three.

Leslie Knope: At first I didn't really like her extreme optimism and air-headed nature, but over time, getting to know all facets of her character, I think she's sweet and would love to be friends with her.

Ron Swanson: Easily my favorite character.  He's funny, gruff, and scary looking.  The best thing about him- he's a nice guy.  It seems almost a paradox for this type of character, but I love it.  I love how he sticks up for Leslie and really cares about his staff.

April Ludgate: Another favorite.  I feel like everybody is a little bit of April inside, they just choose to bottle it up.  She may not be funny all on her own, but put in situations with others she brings out the best in them.

Andy Dwyer: I may have started watching this show for him... but I really have come to enjoy Andy.  Mostly, I love his and April's relationship.  It's adorable and something I want someday- unconditional.

Tom Haverford: I hated, hated, hated Tom when he was first introduced.  He was a bully.  But then, I came to love him.  I can't pinpoint where that shift was, but over time, he quickly grew on me.  I respect both the character and the actor a lot more now.

Ann Perkins: Whereas many of the characters I couldn't stand at first and then came to love, Ann was the opposite.  Seasons one and two she's fine, but in season three she's a drag.  I don't like where her character went and I don't like the role she plays.

Ben Wyatt: He's absolutely adorable and perfect for Leslie.  Must I say anything else?

Chris Traeger: I expected to hate him, but as soon as he was in an episode I loved him.  He brightens up the show and helps stir things up.

Mark Brandanawicz: I really don't like Mark.  I think he's a jerk and I think when they tried to make him a nice guy in season two it made him a wet blanket.  Basically, I'm sooo glad he's off the show.

So yeah, those are my thoughts.  I want to know what you guys think about the show, too, so leave a comment below!

TV Review: Constantine (Season 1)

Watch| NBC
Starring| Matt Ryan (John Constantine); Harold Perrineau (Manny); Angélica Celaya (Zed Martin); Charles Hatford (Chas Chandler)
Rating| B
Related Posts| Episodes 1-8, The Devil You Know

This is just going to be a quick review, but I wanted to get my thoughts out.  I really am a fan of the show and of the comics it's adapted from, and I think the show deserves a better chance than just one season cut off prematurely.

It's not unlike many shows on TV right now, though, which is a liability.  Were it unique it would stand a better chance.  Or, were it on a different channel.  I don't think NBC has given it the appropriate opportunity to thrive.  Not to be harsh on NBC, because I do like them as a channel, but this show doesn't really fit there.  Maybe AMC would have been better?  But I digress.

As I've said before, I think the casting is spot on.  With every word Ryan is able to imbue himself with the character of John Constantine.  They really couldn't have found a better guy to play this part.  As for Celaya, I think she's a great Zed.  I'm not a big Zed fan in regards to the comics, but I think that her portrayal is the much needed update to the character and I absolutely love her.  I also think she's one of the prettiest people on TV right now.  Hopefully, if this show does tank, she'll be scooped up for something great soon.

The general plot of the season felt wrong, but only because it was cut off too soon.  With their limited run, you could tell that the producers and writers were just putting a taste of everything into the season in hope of enticing a second one.  But that being said, it detracted from the overall enjoyment of the show.

As a fan of Hellblazer I could tell what stories they were adapting in particular for episodes.... and I loved how they did it!  They managed to keep the integrity of the story and still make it exciting and fresh.  So many characters are dead by the time Hellblazer starts and this show manages to make them live and gives me hope for many of them.

I'm giving this star a B for all the kinks it has had.  However, with all its problems, it has done a pretty good job of cleaning up and coming out as best as possible.  Kudos to them.

TV Review: Reaper (Season 1, Episodes #9-12)

Watch| Netflix DVDs
Starring| Bret Harrison (Sam Oliver); Tyler Labine (Sock); Rick Gonzalez (Ben Gonzalez); Missy Peregrym (Andi Pendergast); Ray Wise (The Devil)
Rating| A

So, yeah, this show has been cancelled for quite a while, but back when it was on my parents watched it.  And, knowing the shows I like, they told me to check it out.  Of course, the only way for me to get it is through the DVD service of Netflix, so I can't really binge watch like I would love to do.

For those of you who don't know what this show is, it's about Sam, who on his 21st birthday finds out his parents sold his soul to the Devil when he was just a baby.  Now the Devil has come to collect his due and Sam ends up being a Reaper- hunting down escaped souls from hell.  Sam, a slacker himself, enlists the help of his friends Sock and Ben (also slackers; they work together at the Work Bench, basically a mix of Home Depot and Costco) and together they capture these dangerous souls.

It's actually a pretty perfect show, and fans of Supernatural, Constantine, and the likes will really enjoy this.  It's a shame it only got two seasons; I think it hit the CW a few years shy of the total geek-fest going on there now.  Had it begun two years ago, or even last year, it would have done much better.

I love this show for many reasons, but I'll keep it short and sweet: Ray Wise.  He plays the best devil I've ever seen (and that's not something to take lightly)!  He may seem all smiley one second, but the next, he's killing people with a snap of his fingers and giggling about it.  He absolutely steals the show and deserves all the credit he can get.

The rest of the cast is great, too.  I can't really complain about any of the characters.  They're funny-I'm always laughing when  I watch- and they're smart (at least for their situation) and don't make silly mistakes that get viewers frustrated.

In fact, overall I give the show an A+ grade.  But for these episodes I'll have to lower it to just an A for repetitiveness.

Specifically what I loved about disc three was the plot line, which is finally coming together to arc over the whole season.  I can't say anything because I don't want to spoil anyone who may want to start the show now.  Also, the boys getting their own apartment, and their neighbors (again, no spoilers) are pretty awesome.

Go watch this show now!  You won't regret it, I promise.

TV Review: Constantine (Season 1, Episodes #1-8)

Watch| 7pm (Central Time), Fridays on NBC
Starring| Matt Ryan (John Constantine); Harold Perrineau (Manny); Angélica Celaya (Zed Martin); Charles Hatford (Chas Chandler)

The premise is taken directly from the first volume of reissued Hellblazer comics, which I seriously recommend. John Constantine is a professional exorcist and has a string of bodies behind him, including a young girl whom he doomed to hell. Teaming up with Chas, an old friend who can't exactly die, and the mysterious Zed, who's also a psychic of sorts, he travels the country stopping the Rising Darkness.

It had a slow start thanks to the hiccup with the main female lead and then hit another bump when it got a shortened season (although season two is still a possibility, and one I'm rooting for).  It finally hit its stride around episode six, and peaked in episode seven with an episode that distinctly reminded me of a classic Supernatural episode.  Now that the plot is finally moving it should attract a regular viewership.

The characters are likable in that roguish way anti-heroes are supposed to be.  The sympathetic one is Zed, the quiet one Chas, and the snarky one, of course, is John himself.  The actors fit into their roles, and I actually can't complain about any of them (which is a nice surprise).  Annoyingly, Zed and Chas never seem to share the same air space, switching episodes back and forth as if the directors can't bear to take some of the spotlight away from John.  Having a balance of the three could strengthen the show and lead to quicker character growth.  As for the supporting characters, they seem a little gullible.  This show has a bit of leeway, getting to play in the sandbox that is the magic side of DC comics, and should take a fuller advantage of that.

The cinematic quality is pretty good.  Camera work nice, although every once in a while a strange angle is thrown in that makes me scratch my head.  It is gory, and I would recommend it for mature viewers due to this.  If you can handle Hannibal you're probably fine.  Personally, I revel in the gore, very few shows tackle it these days.  In all honestly, I would have preferred to see this kind of show on a movie channel where the characters can go wild in their dark, gritty world.  For an NBC production, it's very good.

I'd give it an overall rating of a B+, but I'm a bit biased since I'm a fan of the source material.  It's not too late to catch up on it before the season picks up again on January 16th.