Monday Night Suspense-Fest

In what could otherwise easily be referred to as

one of the most atrocious nights of the week in

terms of broadcast television, Monday

nights have been rocking lately thanks to

two new entries in the suspense/drama category.

"The Following" (FOX, 9 p.m. EST)

followed by "Deception" (NBC, 10 p.m. EST)

are great addictive TV, replete with sprawling

quality casts, intricate pot-burner mysteries,

and fast-paced story lines that keep you hooked tight.

If you've taken up knitting on Monday nights,

check out these hot new series today!

***

30 Rock finale

The '30 rock' cast and crew

Well, after last season's Desperate Housewives finale, I learned to

bag expectations for final episodes. Fortunately that's how I went into

the final '30 rock' the other week.



The entire cast was superb as always, but it was a very lackluster effort

overall (the script) as it just seemed to meander. There were cute bits,

and it wasn't horrible, but let me just say this; Jane Krakowski saved it

from being a greater loss with her "Rrrr-Jrr" ("Rural Juror") performance

which had me splitting my seams.



The significance? Well, maybe you had to be there. Be there for the last

several years, to be in on the joke. But stunning, still--and it was a fun ride.

"Law & Order: SVU" is Red-Hot

SPOILER ALERT:
Discusses plot elements from the

February 6th show.

***

Another great episode of Law &Order SVU this last week! (Man this

season is shaping up into one of their best!)

Mike Tyson was great as an adult survivor, and it's always nice to

see (you know what I mean) the end run of childhood abuse, all

those many years later played out. The story was well-crafted and

reliably intricate. Ed Asner had a tremendous role as well, definitely

a turn for him.

But back to Tyson; I was really shocked that he would take such a role,

and it's so important. Not just because male survivors have it so tough

but also because black men in particular have such a burden with

bearing things silently.

And anytime the Injustice System gets put on trial, it's a good day.

Another job well done, all the way around.

***

2013 Oscar Noms: Silver Linings, Life of Pi, Zero Dark...Oh MY!

Still a ways off until the 85th annual Academy Awards ceremony,

and I'm mixed about the rather strange choice of host (Seth MacFarlane,)

but the one thing you can't go wrong with?

Checking out all the awesome movies ahead of time so you can

enjoy them and be better informed come Oscar night!

And, throw down with a mad Oscar-party if you can! Debating and

cheering and jeering is the best part!

For a complete list of the nominations, check out the official site:

Oscar Nominations 2013

and then watch the Oscars Live on

Sunday, February 26th.

******

Totally Addictive TV Shows

Just a few of my favorite addictive

'fast-forward-through-the-credits-to-see-the-next-ep'

shows on disc!

Smart, complex, witty, and well-acted,

these babies are the shit!

Are they some of your faves, too?
Which ones did I miss?

Nothing like a marathon of mayhem and melodrama

to get you through a night!

'Big Brother' Thrillers:Too Close To Home

With all the undue paranoia going on

post-November elections, I thought it would be fun to

 revisit some of my favorite on-the-money

flicks about actual Big Brother, big government,

encroachment of civil liberties and personal freedoms,

and all the matter-of-fact erosion of our

society that were brilliantly forecast in these films.

My first offering, "Eagle Eye" was a stupendously great movie...

almost all the way through. The ending was bogus and

sucked ass, but probably most people won't be on the

same page there, so... If you can work it out that the

'pretty, sappy, Hollywood ending' was just a dream and

the movie actually ended four minutes earlier like it

should have...it's perfect!

Although horribly misrepresented and mismarketed,

'Man of the Year' remains a great, solid film

that superbly mixes drama, humor, intrigue,

and politics. Frightening and engaging, Robin

Williams and Laura Linney made a great combo,

and a perfect supporting cast (Christopher Walken,

Lewis Black, Jeff Goldblum) add to the quirky nature

of the film.

The fourth movie in the "Die Hard" franchise supports a

bevy of new-breed Hollywood kids, much like

"Enemy of the State" had done years earlier, but it's

a fine match if even Kevin Smith can be tolerable.

Fast-paced, action-packed, and heavy on surprises,

it's a fine addition to the movie's heritage.

That some great political commentary gets worked

in is bonus!

"Enemy of the State" is a fun and exciting

dissection of a man and his life as Will Smith's character

gets unknowingly embroiled in--what else?-- a government

scandal. (Well, it's not trite if there really are a mountain

of corrupt assholes running things, is it?)

Great cast, especially Regina King, and plenty of

eye candy like Scott Caan and Barry Pepper.

A great find if you missed it, and a great second of third

watch if it's been a while.

A frighteningly accurate depiction of 'things to come'

is the superb thriller with Samuel L. Jackson and Geena Davis

which turns spy movies on their ears; "The Long Kiss Goodnight."

Action, adventure, suspense, intrigue, sex, politics, and

buddy film. What else can you ask for?

An oldie (modern) but a goodie; "The Net." Even with the outdated

electronics references, the concept and content of

this one are ever on-the-money. A great chase thriller,

plus we get to see lots and lots of hunky Jeremy

Northam...which can never be bad!

(Plus, Dennis Miller meets a fitting end!)

***

***

"Wanda's One Night Stand"

Funny, funny stuff..and just the care needed for the winding down of the
holiday season and the year!

Have a chuckle, chill out, don't get wound up, and just remember
to try not to take it all so seriously; It's all kind of a joke, but as long
as you're in on it, it can't be all bad!

Just own your business and your circumstance, Wanda-style!

********************************************