Christmas Movies

          It's Christmas time, so I have decided to write this blog about Christmas movies. I am not including TV specials here. Strictly movies. For many years Christmas movies were always put out at this time of year. However over the past couple of years they have been decreasing in number of movies as well as quality of the movies themselves. Over the passed couple of years Hollywood has decided to release all of their Oscar movies this time of year. I'm OK with that because I love movies, so its fine as long as they keep releasing movies, but is it so hard to to have a good Christmas movie in there too. Maybe one so good that it too could possible be an Oscar contender. Especially with the fact that now there are 10 possible Best Picture spots. 
          Now I am a HUGE Christmas fan. I love this time of year. Everything about it. The lights, the family, the presents, the music, and especially the movies. So why is it that recently the movies have been decreasing in quality. I mean it should be easy, but people are having a hard time creating something original and entertaining.
         Christmas with the Kranks, Four Christmases, The Family Stone, Surviving Christmas, This Christmas, Fred Claus, Deck the Halls, A Christmas Carol, Bad Santa, and possibly some others that I haven't mentioned, have all been released within the past 6 years. I haven't had the pleasure to see them all, but the ones that I have seen have been at best good (Bad Santa is the best and better then good, however not a family one so going to have to keep it out), and at worst, why did they bother. (I haven't seen A Christmas Carol, so that movie is not included in my discussion.) This year there is The Nutcracker, which is getting bad reviews and nobody is really going to the theater to see it. Have we lost touch with how to make a good Christmas movie so quickly?
           In 2003 we had one of the best Christmas movies that I have seen and one that has become a staple of the Christmas season to me in Elf. It had everything that you need in a good Christmas movie, somebody who truly believes, a "bad guy", lots of laughs, and a fun and original way to tell the story. The others that I named have been so-so in doing these things. Don't get me wrong I have enjoyed some of them, even own a couple, but some of the others, I wonder why they just plain stunk.
          I own many of the classics, but not all. I make a point to watch a new one or more every year as well, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to enjoy the new ones like I do the classics. Heartwarming story, nothing beats It's A Wonderful Life. Hilarious, nothing beats Christmas Vacation. Adult version, nothing beats Bad Santa. Family, nothing beats Elf. Story, nothing beats A Christmas Carol. Re-watchabilty, pretty much all of these and add in things like The Family Man, Eight Crazy Nights, Scrooged, A Christmas Story, A Miracle on 34th Street, and White Christmas (I'm sure I missed some good ones here but hard to remember all of them).  I'm not going to say that all of these are great but they are all good, and some are great and beyond. Some of the stories have been recycled, and redone so many times, you forget what the original story is. In some cases the story has been improved, some just reworked to be made more relatable for today's audience. I don't mind this as long as they do a good job. It just seems that it is becoming hard to be original with a Christmas movie.
           It really isn't the most difficult genre to tackle. People are constantly making new movies in every other genre, I mean how many horror movies are there? I don't want there to be dozens a year, but one good one a year isn't a lot to ask. I guess if Hollywood can't do it, I could always ask Santa.
    

AMC

             A channel that used to be known for just playing movies, has suddenly become the channel that constantly puts out the best programming. For me it started with The Walking Dead. For others it started with Mad Men, or maybe Breaking Bad. All I can say is that I am new to this channel, but am extremely happy with what I have seen to this point.
             The Walking Dead has proven to be my favorite new show on TV with only 6 episodes under it's belt. With no new episodes to debut until next October, they were able to reel me in. I am not the only one either. Mad Men has won numerous Emmys and so has Breaking Bad, yet the highest watched show is The Walking Dead. What? That's crazy! It has also just received a Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Series Drama. Let me state again that this is only after SIX (6) episodes. Wow pretty impressive. I certainly hope that all the time off that this show will take doesn't hurt it in any way. My hope is that it makes it stronger. Hopefully AMC will re air the episodes later on to hook people after the awards seasons have come and gone. So that when the new season airs in October there will be that many more people waiting in anticipation of what will happen next.
            But this is not just about The Walking Dead. This is about AMC. I can say that now I cannot wait to start watching Mad Men. That's correct I have such high praise for AMC and haven't even started Mad Men! The thing is, it gets all sorts of praise from the real critics that I know its a great show. I will watch it ASAP. I can say that I don't need the critics to tell me, but in this case it's not just the critics that say this. It's anybody that has seen the show. Anybody that I have talked with tells me how much I would love the show and how much they love it already. To them I say, I'm sorry I haven't seen it yet but I will. And I will.
             The final show that AMC is known for now is Breaking Bad. I literally just started to watch this show and already cannot wait to finish watching it. Quite a boundary pushing show. I am only an episode into it, but I can already say that so far I "like it a lot" (Forrest Gump quote). Bryan Cranston's character is a very relatable character. Whether you agree with what he is doing or not, you can understand the importance and the need that his character is experiencing. I can't say much about this show as I am just a newcomer to it, but I can say that it will have me coming back for more.
            AMC has put out three great shows, which is not much when compared to the major networks, but these three shows may be just enough to propel this channel into a major competitor. The shows that I have seen on AMC are risky, and edgy, but never, so far, do they seem over the top. Besides the whole zombie thing. It's the characters that make it real. The situations in which the characters must work are not everyday situations, but these are everyday people. That's what I love about what I have seen. The boundaries are being pushed, and the ideas are new and fresh. I certainly hope that AMC can continue on in this way.  I will continue to tune in, as long as they continue to put out quality. If they can, then they can consider me an avid watcher of their channel.

Cop Shows

            I can't say that I've ever really been a fan of cop shows. I'm not against them, (which you'll find out) but I just have not been a avid watcher of them. I might have something to do with me being a big fan of the story that has a continuous plot. The carry over from week to week is what makes me want to watch more. It's not the only show type that I enjoy, but typically one that I am more prone to watch. I would describe it as I like a show that stands alone each episode, but nothing peaks my interest like a show that will leave me wanting more each week. Most cop shows use the case by case basis. I can tolerate it, but I would feel better if there were more of a roll-over effect.
           Now having said all of that I have been enjoying some of the new cop shows that have been on. Over the summer there was Rookie Blue, now there are Law and Order LA, as well as Blue Bloods and Detroit 187. I watched Rookie Blue, and I currently watch Blue Bloods, and Detroit 187. Never have I been into the Law and Orders, even though with the new one I really am a fan of some of the cast members. I just haven't given it a chance. Not that I wouldn't I just haven't. Consequently, I have given a chance to the others that I have named and not because of the star power. I really don't have a good reason as to why I suddenly jumped on board, but I am now on board and so far I have been pretty happy.
            Rookie Blue was enjoyable. I would say it was my least favorite of the cop shows that I have been watching, but it was not bad. Some interesting characters, as well as cases. There were a couple cases that were excellent, and my have been the thing to put me onto future cop shows. I also was a fan of growing with the rookie cops. It gave me that sense of importance for next weeks episode, because you really wanted to see if these rookies could actually handle what they had started. There were minor plot points that made it intense for me, but I would by no means ever say that they were so mind bending that I had to let out an audible exclamation. Nevertheless I stayed true to the show and watched it through to the conclusion of the season. Will I watch again if it appears next summer? Sure why not, I think it could warrant the DVRing of episodes to watch at my leisure.
            There is really one thing that made me watch Blue Bloods. I can't say it was Tom Selleck. It was none other then the former NKOTB member, Donnie Wahlberg. What? That's probably what is going through your mind at the moment, but let me remind you of some other work of his. He was extraordinary in The Sixth Sense, he did and exceptional job in Saw 2, and he was amazing in a show, which I think was unfortunately overlooked, The Kill Point. In the latter two he played a cop so, I knew he would be able to do that again. So it was intriguing for me because I wanted to see how he would do in a much more mainstream role. And he hasn't disappointed. Most of the viewers probably don't tune in for that reason, and it's not the only reason I come back, but it was the reason I showed up in the first place. Then it happened to be a good show. It has good story lines for the most part, not a big fan of the whole "Blue Templar" angle, but we'll see how that plays out. I have found interest in the generational aspects of the show, as well as just the whole family dynamics that they portray. Having no knowledge of this in the real world, I couldn't tell you if it is accurate or not, but that doesn't distract me. In fact, in brings me back. I want to see how the family relationships will grow and change. As for the actual cases, there have been one or two that really made an impression, but not as many as I would have hoped for.
             The number of reasons for watching Detroit 187 in the first place are not overwhelming, but they still reeled me in. Michael Imperioli being one, and the gritty, realistic style in which it is filmed being another. OK so only two reasons in the start, but there have been many reasons for me to continually tune in. The characters in this show all seem like real people. All people that you could know in your everyday life. I feel that the are all relatable, with relatable problems. Except for Michael Imperioli's Detective Fitch. BUT that is part of the point. Which really pulls on the right strings for me. We don't know much about him, just like his partner. We want the information and are only spoon fed a little at a time so as to not get full. I really admire that. Instead of a cop wearing everything out on their sleeve, we really can't figure out why we either like or hate him. I myself love that. Don't slap me in the face with his life, let it unfold in front of me. It makes for more involved viewing.
watch, but I would say that they are hard to tell. It's not that there are so many twists to them, it's just that they seem to tackle things that are more on the edge. Maybe that's not so. Maybe it's just that they do it in a more in your face way.
              I stated that I haven't really been into cop shows, but these new ones have had me possibly changing my mind. The ones that came before could be way better and that's fine. I'm just stating that I my self haven't given them the chance. Now that I am with the new cop shows, I have not been disappointed, and will continue to tune in. Maybe these have paved the way for me to watch the ones that I have been missing thus far. Time will tell.

Super Heroes

              As I write I would like to say first that you remember I am not a critic. I don't write because somebody pays me to (although that would be nice). I write because I think that sometimes I might actually have something interesting that I would like to share. I don't write to feel empowered, by putting things, or people down. That is not my idea of what people need to read about. There is enough problems with people in their everyday lives that they don't need to read me putting things down. I write because, like all people, I have an opinion on a particular subject. My views and reviews are mine to share and just like me you will have an opinion on what I write. You will agree, disagree, or be indifferent. Perhaps, though, my views and reviews will put you onto something that wasn't there before. Enough preaching on to the blog.

              I have been watching the show "No Ordinary Family, and I must say that I thoroughly enjoy it. It has fun characters, interesting plot points, and of course super powers. I am a huge fan of superhero movies, TV, shows, and if I read more of them I'm sure I would love comic books. OK back to the show. I watch the show without expectations of it having to live up to a show like Heroes, or a movie like The Dark Knight. Instead I watch it like I am watching a live action Incredibles. A family based show that happens to have a superhero twist.
              The show has not "wowed" me, it has not made me say "This is the best show on TV", but what it has done is given me a chance to see a superhero every week. I wouldn't say that it has me saying that I don't need anymore superhero movies, but it does have me saying that every time I watch, I really enjoy. It's just plain good old fashioned fun, to see a show that is geared toward real family problems, with a super spin. The show could use some work, but what show couldn't?
               There is nothing quite like it on TV right now. It's fun to watch in a world of Law and Order's, The Whole Truth's, The Defender's, Blue Bloods, Detroit 187's. Some of these shows I actually watch. But sometimes I don't want to see a cops and robbers, I want to see a good versus evil. That's all it is. Every superhero story is that same battle. But in a world of superheroes without real family life ie. Iron Man, The Dark Knight, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, it is fun too see how all this would be different if it was a family that had to deal with the same types of super villains.
               As an enormous fan of Unbreakable (quite possibly my favorite superhero movie of all time) I have enjoyed watching the personal struggles of people that are trying to deal with the sudden burden of super powers. Now all movies have a touch of such things, but they don't really have the chance, or ability too. You can only cram so much into a two and a half hour movie. Luckily for No Ordinary Family, they have the chance to develop the family on a weekly basis. If it were just a family show my interest would be minimal, but you throw in superpowers and I'm willing to give it a chance.
             I would say that despite it not being a show that has floored me every week, it has had the decency to at least make me interested enough to watch the following week. I don't know how long it will last, and I really don't care. Because right now, I look forward to watching No Ordinary Family, as they struggle to be an ordinary family every week.

Bruno Vs. Borat

            OK so not really a battle, but none the less an entertaining comparison to be made. Personally I feel that Borat was the more entertaining of the two, as well as just overall a better movie. Now that could be due to Borat coming out first, but it still stands to be the way I feel. Having not ever really watched Da Ali G show, I cannot claim that I had a connection with these characters prior to their respective movies. So my like is on first time shock and awe value, as well as pure laugh ratio, and all around enjoyment.
            They both did an excellent job of making you feel uncomfortable both as the viewer, and for the unfortunate souls that ended up being the butt of the joke. Both did a wonderful job of tackling the issues of pointing out the things that make us, as a country, not always look like the most intelligent country that we claim we are. Now I'm not saying that we are stupid, but I am saying there are some things we, as Americans, feel that we know are the right things to do, and that we know what should be done. That is clearly pointed out to be not true in both movies. And finally, they both do an incredible job of putting the title character into the worst possible situation, where at times you feel that they may not make it out alive.
            Now where I feel the differ is simply Borat was funnier, and since it was the first to use the uncomfortable situation, it to is the better of the two. Scenes for both had a similar feel, and I find myself comparing them whether it is what one should do or not. I feel that the comparisons are there and are ours for the making. Not that they should be compared, but when you have such similarities one cannot help themselves in making said comparison.
           What does all of this mean? All it means is that I enjoyed both of the movies, but that Borat wins the battle by a slight margin.

Fall TV

            Is it just me or are some TV shows just head and shoulders above the rest? I mean don't get me wrong there are many shows that are supposed to be great that I haven't seen, yet, but I will eventually catch up on them. However, there are other shows that I continue to watch that carry on excellence. I love to watch Dexter, Rescue Me, Family Guy, South Park, Lie to Me, The Office and others, but this fall I have had the chance to really take time to view the new shows that have appearead on my TV.          
           There are some that have been cancelled already ie. Lonestar, My Generation, and Undercovers. I can say that one of those was a great choice to cancel, (My Generation) one of those never reached the potential that I saw at first, (Undercovers), and one that had a great start but just not a great following (Lonestar).  I have also been able to follow newcomers No Ordinary Family, Detroit 187, Blue Bloods, The Event, Raising Hope, and The Walking Dead. I have truley been following these shows and must say that they have been fun to watch and constantly entertaining. I think that a show like Lonestar had just as much potential as some of these but never got the chance to shine. OK the point is that I have been satisfied by these new shows, and find myself wanting to come back the next week to watch more. BUT there is one that, I must say, has outshined all of the others, and that is The Walking Dead.
               It has been the most satisfying, the most intense, the most enthralling, and overall the one that has me constantly on edge (literally the edge of the couch) waiting to see what will happen. Not just week to week, or commercial to commercial, but scene to scene. The acting has been stellar, with every character bringing something bold and daring to the story. As well as feeling like real people fighting to cope in a time that is almost hopeless. The writing is extraordinary, with twists at the right time, as well as the story unfolding at the right time but not letting you get the chance to get comfortable with where they may be headed, because just when you think you know, think again. The directing and filming work is just plain amazing. The filming style is so gritty and raw, a feeling of intense danger waiting around every turn, in the style of 28 Days Later. The pacing of the show is what really gets you though. You are lulled into a false sense of security, and then BAM! You are reminded once again that you are involved in a Zombie Apocolypse.
         So, as you can see my pick for the best new show of the season is The Walking Dead's to lose. I have a feeling that no time soon will we see it being dethroned. Can't wait for the new episode!