Thursday, January 30, 2014

Crime Fiction

“Crime Fiction” challenges viewers to consider whether the protagonist is in fact a villain. One sees the failures of a fiction writer who finds success from writing about an accidental death. His guilt drives him to write about what he did. Yet others begin wondering where “fiction” meets “fact”, including a well known writer who seeks to manipulate him. Overall, this is a well written script about deception. Viewers seeking a good hero will be disappointed. Viewers seeking intrigue and manipulation with no real heroes may be satisfied. It is well acted and holds one’s interest.Fans of crime movies should enjoy this movie. 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Sharknado

If ever people decided to make a movie so bad it would be good, it would have to be “Sharknado”. It has great special effects showing the devastating end of many Los Angeles area sites. While bloody scenes detract from the whimsy, much of the destruction is more laughable than frightening. The movie requires a remarkable suspension of belief, although that probably is intentional, including the basic fact that sharks don’t like to eat people. Following a process that does not exist but in theory, tornados are destroyed by bombs. The downside, of course, is that sharks trapped in said tornadoes will then fall, mostly without harm to themselves, onto Los Angeles where they will feed among Angelenos. It is good many L.A. people keep in shape for a healthy shark diet. The improbably stories and ending are just that. This is a movie to sit back and enjoy watching such things as fighting sharks with bar stools. There is an attempt at a storyline yet the focus on the sharks means the story arcs are diminished. This is not a movie to be taken seriously.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Justified: Season Four

The fourth season of “Justified” continues this show’s greatness with continued coming  great scripts and stories that offer good twists. This season focused more on the local characters and their  interesting eccentricities and traditions, which is more interesting than past times when the emphasis shifted to almost traditional out of town mob villains. The interwoven lives of the characters continues drawing interest. The continuing drama between the good of Raylan and the bad of Boyd continues making both most intriguing characters. For viewers who like a modern day battle between U.S. Marshals and a number of villainous characters who are also trying to put something over each other, this season will be a delight.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Mad Men: Season Six

The sixth season of “Mad Men” moved the storylines along nicely. It was interspersed with enjoyable subtle humors where audiences of today laugh at some of the values and lifestyles of the 1960s. The season began with an emphasis on romantic affairs before settling more towards advancing plots. As the season progressed, the intrigues of the advertising business and its interesting characters emerge along with the affairs that interfere, often badly, with their lives. The lead character, Don Draper surprisingly emerges as a bit of a brute at times, yet he pays for that. Viewers learn more insights into Don’s childhood and how that now affects his behavior. This is an excellent show. The acting is great. The characters are flawed, yet in captivating ways so viewers love following them. This series is well written. This is a good adult series.