Monthly Archives: December 2014

What I Watched This Week: 21 Dec 2014

CURRENT SHOWS Hello Ladies: The Movie (B+) A sweet-natured wrap-up movie for a show that already ended on a perfect note. Still, I enjoyed all these characters so much that I was grateful to see them all again, even if … Continue reading

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2014 in Review: The Best Shows – Honorable Mentions

As I mentioned previously, there was even more great TV than usual. So, as in years past, I’ve taken time to mention some shows that weren’t quite good enough on the whole to make my Top 10, but still turned … Continue reading

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2014 in Review: The Best Shows

Television hit a critical mass this year. Even as I entered my 15th month without a DVR, I still found it nearly impossible to keep up with all the good shows I kept hearing about, including shows I’ve been meaning … Continue reading

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The Weekender: ‘American’ Way

Movie of the Week American Sniper* Clint Eastwood turns in his best movie in years, directing Bradley Cooper to another outstanding performance as the conflicted soldier Chris Kyle. Read my review at Central Track. WIDE RELEASE • Big Eyes • … Continue reading

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What I Watched This Week: 14 Dec 2014

NEW SHOWS Brooklyn Nine-Nine – “Stakeout” (A-) One of the problems of shows with gifted ensembles (this one, Parks and Rec, Modern Family, Community) is they’re too afraid to limit them by focusing on just one story. They must add … Continue reading

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Mixtape Memories – Volume 5

After more than two years of searching, I finally found a box of mixtapes in my parents’ garage. These are mixtapes my dad made me as a kid, and they were my gateway into music. So I’ve been listening to … Continue reading

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The List: Top 10 ‘Colbert Report’ Moments

The Colbert Report had a slow start, but Stephen Colbert’s “Stephen Colbert” became one of the greatest performances in TV history, and the show could regularly one-up its parent The Daily Show. With the last episode airing this week, I … Continue reading

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The Weekender: ‘Battle’ Royale

Movie of the Week The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Heaven help me, the final chapter of Peter Jackson’s ridiculous stretching of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel is your best option this week. Hopefully it’s more like the exciting Desolation … Continue reading

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Oscar Picks: 15 Dec 2014

BEST PICTURE American Sniper Birdman Boyhood Foxcatcher Gone Girl The Grand Budapest Hotel The Imitation Game Into the Woods A Most Violent Year Selma Falling off: Inherent Vice, Interstellar, Unbroken Rising star: Whiplash The skinny: Well, that was an interesting … Continue reading

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What I Watched This Week: 7 Dec 2014

NEW SHOWS Brooklyn Nine-Nine – “The Pontiac Bandit Returns” (A) Two stunners in a row. Craig Robinson absolutely kills it in his return as the Pontiac Bandit, but it’s the sight of Rosa smiling for real that warms my heart. … Continue reading

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