OK, I've waited a while to comment on the rumors of a 3rd Ghostbusters film mainly because I wasn't sure how I felt about it. Well now I think I'm ready to discuss is.

First of a little history. A while back it was rumored that the Apatow gang was getting involved with a 3rd GB movie, probably because Harold Ramis was working with them on several projects. But nothing really came from that.

Then a few weeks ago it was revealed that a 3rd movie really was in the works and that The Office's Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsy would be writing the new film. Supposedly the nw film will feature the original cast passing on the torch to a new crew.

I love the original GB and the sequel was so-so, but i loved it as a kid. So a new GB movie could possibly right the wrongs from that 2nd film and bring back a great franchise. After mulling over it for a while I think I could get behind it if done right. Let the old guys be in the movie for at least half of it, and maybe have them mentoring the new guys would make me very happy. But you have to get them all back or it's no good.

Well the problem with getting back the old crew is Bill Murray. He's kind of reclusive now and doesn't make that many films and he's had no problem talking about his dislike of the sequel. Well apparently being involved with the new video game and recording the voices with all the original cast (except Rick Moranis, who is reluctant to work after the death of his wife, since he's now a single parent and Sigorney Weavcer cause she's clearly too busy doing....(crickets)) has brought Murray around to being willing to appear in a 3rd film.


That's right lastnight at the closing of Fantastic Fest Murray was in Austin and when asked about Ghostubusters he mentioned he'd be up for a 3rd film. You can watch the video below, GB info starts at about the 5 min mark.

So what do you think? Are you up for a 3rd round of proton packs and containment units?

Labels: ghostbusters, Rumors

Don't forget the Second episode of Supernatural airs tonight at 9/8cc. Titled "Are You There God, It's Me Dean Winchester?" it deals with faith, ghosts from the past, and of course the Supernatural.

Having already see the episode I can tell you it's a heck of an episode and one you don't want to miss. Below is a special message from The CW:

Labels: Supernatural

Ok let me just get this out of the way: I Love Shia LaBeouf. I've been a fan of his since my college days when the roommates and I would some home every day and watch Even Stevens on the Disny Channel. He was hilarious playing the main character Louis who was always getting into trouble and playing pranks. Since then I've followed his career and I'm glad he's become a pretty big name. I own quite a few of Shia's movies and I plan on adding Eagle Eye to the shelf when it hits DVD.

If you've seen the trailers for Eagle Eye you know the basic premise: LaBeouf's Jerry Shaw comes home to find his apartment is full of weapons, fertilizer, and other items which make him look like a terrorist. Soon Shaw receives a phone call telling him he's been "activated" and that he has 30 seconds before the FBI shows up to arrest him. Soon the voice on the phone is instructing him to escape the FBI's custody with the help of Michelle Monaghan's Rachel Holloman.

What you don't know from those previews is that this initial premise is just the tip of the iceberg. Once the first act comes to an end the movie shifts gears and changes course from where you expect it to go. And then late in the movie there is another twist that sends the movie on yet another course. These twists keep the movie from being the basic run of the mill thriller that the trailer might have you believe it is.

Its hard to say too much about this movie without spoiling it, so I won't say to much more. I will say that several times during the movie I had to consciously force myself to open up my hands as I found myself white-knuckled from squeezing them so tight. The movie is the perfect popcorn film, with lots of great action sequences including an amazing car chase in the beginning. The plot works well and has some pertinence in today's society with Big Brother constantly watching us, but it's not so relevant that it will haunt you, this is just a fun thrill ride of a movie after all.


I will say there were a couple of things that did disappoint me, one being just exactly who was the person one the other end of the phone calls. Not so much their identity but the execution of it. (you can e-mail me for more specificity after you see the movie). And I would have liked a slightly different ending.

But overall it's was a fun movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and maybe give you white knuckles to boot.

Eagle Eye Opens Nationwide Tomorrow!

Labels: Eagle Eye, Review, Shia LaBeouf

Yesterday my good friend Kester and I took part in a Scavenger Hunt but on by Austin's premiere film festival Fantastic Fest. The Scavenger Hunt was part of their Eagle Eye screening which took place last night. The Scavenger Hunt was a blast and a great way to spend an afternoon and ended in a huge water balloon fight on the pedestrian bridge over the river downtown.

But after the hunt was over and we were in the theater waiting for Eagle Eye to start (it was fantastic by the way and my review ill be up soon) the nightmare began. As many of you know the Drafthouse plays old videos before the movie begins, but normally they pertain to the movie you're going to see. But last night it was a collection of some of the wierdest videos ever.

When we walked in there was an old video playing with a girl doing some amazing and scary contortions. We only saw a few minutes of this video but it was clearly strange. Next up was a video I actually enjoyed with William Shatner reenacting the final scene from 'Seven' playing all of the characters, it was quite great actually.

Third was the wierdest video I've seen in my entire life (yes Grubbs it might be even weirder than that German video they played before Bickford Smeckler). It had no real dialogue and was clearly focusing on all the sounds, but the images that went with them were strange and mad little sense. After Kester joked about it being someone's thesis the couple next to us commented that it was in fact someone's Graduate Thesis Program. I'll tell you whose at the bottom of the page, but watch the video and tell me if you can figure out who the bearded man is, because before they said it I'd never have guessed it was this beloved figure.

Finally we got to listen to an awful "comedy" song presumatively from the 60s called "My Teenage Fallout Queen". It was pretty awful. Then they started playing the videos over again and we got to see the entirety of the contorsionist video. There are 3 sisters who first sing a song about "Potato Salad" (which I think is a euphamism of some kind) and then do fancy contorsionist things.

But then the other videos began to play again and once the super strange video played again I had to get up and leave, but I didn't stay gone long enough to miss it all. And then once Teenage Fallout Queen finished, the videos started all over, and then once they finished it all started again! I didn't think it would ever end, and then AICN's HArry Knowles arrived to save us all from the hell we were trapped in.

Just so you can experience that same joy I've included the videos below. The third one down "Time Piece" is the awful one from a well known and loved man. And at the bottom of the page I'll tell you who it is, just in case you can't make it through the entire thing.









And the Man behind 'Time Piece' is the one and only Jim Henson, yes the man behind the wonderful Muppets gave us this 'Piece' of something.

So did you watch Supernatural last night? I told you it was good didn't I. And those new juicy development can only be summed up in one word: WOW!!!

ANGELS!!! Supernatural has brought us Angels. For years the show has talked about hell and demons but we've never seen an angel (that we know of) and now we're not only told there are Angels, we meet one, and he tells Dean that he pulled him out of hell because "God commanded it. Because we have work for you." WOW!

This is the development I was referring to when I said it would change the show again, and its something I can't wait to see played out. It seems to me like all this time Dean and Sam were working on God's side without even knowing it, and now God's saying he's noticed and he's not done with Dean. And I can't wait to find out what God's plan for Dean is, whether or not Dean will even accept this plan, and what Sam and Bobby think of all this.

Besides Angels we found out Sam is using his powers in a huge way, and lying about it to Dean, and that Ruby is in fact still very much alive, albeit in a new (and improved?!?) body. So what will Dean think when he finds out Sam's been lying to him? I can't wait to find out.

Next week on Supernatural someone's killing off hunters and it's all part of a Really, Big Plan. If you thought the boys have had it tough so far wait and see what they'll be trying to stop this season. Also next week features the return of some past characters like Season One's Meg. Why are they coming back (from the dead) and what does it have to do with the dead hunters, and who's behind these killings, tune in next week to find out.

Labels: Supernatural, TV Reviews

So I was surfing the net and came across these pictures of Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight:


Now I want you to take another look at these pictures, study them closely and see if you notice anything strange about them.

Did you notice? Take a look at the hair, does it seem a bit, I don't know plastic looking? IT should because those are not pictures from the movie, no these are pictures of an ACTION FIGURE. That's right that's a TOY, not Heath Ledger but a plastic representation of him. Now I don't know about you but that's an amazing looking toy. It's the new item on my want list, as in I Want It NOW!

Unfortunately I can't afford it as I don't have a job, but if you're looking at the following pictures and feel like you want to help me get it, feel free to click on the new Donate button on the right and make a donation into my paypal account. I don't expect anyone to give me anything it's just there if you really want me to have this amazing figure.

Labels: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight, toys

Hey gang don't miss out on the season finale of the fantastic USA show Burn Notice. Tonight at 10/9c on USA all of Michael's work this season seems to have finally panned out, but when a client is forced into a kidnapping scheme Michael has to pose as a security consultant - a guy who will stop at nothing to foil the gang's plan. Will this interfere with his plan to finally find out who burned him? I don't know but I'll be tuning in tonight to find out, just like you should.

Below you'll find a clip from tonight's episode and for more on the show head over to the official fan page on Facebook or visit the official site.

Labels: Burn Notice, TV

I love movies, I don't think there's any question about that. I've got a huge DVD collection, I see more movies in theaters than is healthy and I spend too much time in front of the TV. And I enjoy good movies, there's nothing like a good drama to draw me in, a great comedy to make me laugh, or a good thriller to get my mind racing and my butt on the edge of the seat.

But for some reason there are some really dumb movie I keep coming back to. Movies that are entertaining to me for no good reason, movies that I know are not good, yet I keep watching them over and over. Now I'm not talking about dumb comedies that lots of people enjoy like Dumb and Dumber or Billy Madison, or B horror movies which are a completely different obsession of mine. I'm talking movies the most people don't want to see or regret having seen once, yet I keep watching them. Here's a few of them:

Probably the dumbest movie on this list. Possibly one of the dumbest movies ever made, yet I own it and I love it. Sean William Scott and Ashton Kutcher play two morons who in the course of one drunken night lose their car and spend the next day trying to go back through their night to find the car. The movie features aliens, cults, a giant super model, and someone confusing ostriches for llamas. It's dumb.

And yet I've watched that movie more times than I've seen many of my favorite movies of all time like Rear Window. I can't explain what makes a guy arguing with a Chinese woman through a drive through box who only says "And Then" funny, but something about it makes me laugh every single time. Trust me when I say it's a stupid, stupid movie. I honestly can't recommend you go see it.

Hands down the worst of the Vacation movies, yet for some reason it's my favorite. Maybe I like this one simply because it gave us the name Nick Papageorgio as an alias for underage son Rusty, but for some reason I love this movie. I actually just finished watching it on TV. And I'm pretty sure I rented it in the last 6 months. It's so bad they even took the "National Lampoon's" out of the title, and that says a lot!


This is a new one. I just watched it for the first time the other day, but I'm sure I'll be seeing it a few more times in the next few months. This one is even dumber than most as it's about the FBI hunting a big time drug dealer through ping pong. But it had me laughing over and over again.

I hesitate to even include this one on the list because it's a cult classic these days. But maybe it's only a cult classic because there's just a small number of people like me who keep watching it even though we know it's dumb. Or maybe James Wong has a strange hold on me since he's in Balls of Fury as well.

I know there's many more, like in high school when I used to watch Predator 2, any Critters movie, and the other dredge they used to show over and over on TBS, but I can't think of any more off the top of my head. And I really can't explain why I've never seen movies like Raising Arizona (I plan to remedy that soon), There Will Be Blood, The Godfather II, Schindler's List, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, or A Clockwork Orange, yet I've seen Dude, Where's My Car at least 9 times.

So what are the stupid movies you can't escape from? Why do you think we keep watching the movies we know aren't worth our time? I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Labels: stupid movies

Smallville and I have an on again, off again relationship. Our relationship began a couple of years after the show started when the DVD of Season 1 was released. I purchased it and devoured it over a few short days. To say I loved Smallville's first season would be an understatement, I was (and still am) a huge comic geek and here was a show that brought Superman to life without ever giving us Superman. It was a fun show with lots of wonderful in-jokes for the comic fans.

Soon after the Season 1 DVD came out I started watching the show, which was then on Season 3 (I've only seen a couple of episodes from Season 2). Season 3 had some great moments and a good overarcing story. Then came Season 4, which had some great stand alone episodes and introduced Lois Lane, but also took a misstep with the season long story arc which involved "magic stones" as I call them. Season 4 started an off-again phase with me caring less and less about the show as the season went on.

Season 5 started getting better introducing Aquaman, Cyborg, and Braniac and had a much better story-arc. Our relationship was back and I was excited. Then Season 6 came along, it introduced Green Arrow, brought us an early version of The Justice League and had a lot of great stuff. Unfortunately it also brought with it Lana & Lex getting married, a fake pregnancy, Lana's clearly fake death, and a little bit too much of a conspiracy theory for me. It didn't help that I missed a few episodes for various reasons. And like that our relationship seemed to be coming to an end. In fact I didn't watch a single episode of Season 7, assuming our relationship had ended and that's the way it was going to be.

Then Monday I recieved another package in the mail, the Season 8 Premiere of Smallville (See it Thursday 8/7c on The CW) and in an instant our relationship was back in full swing. The previously on filled me in on what had happened last season, Lex found out Clark's secret, they fought at the Fortress of Solitude and it ended with both men missing and the Fortress destroyed. Meanwhile in Metropolis Lana and Ms. Kent both left Smallville (and the show) and Jimmy Olsen proposed to Chloe (the loan remaning Season 1 character besides Clark) just before she was arrested for cyber-crimes, or course because of Lex. Oh and some online research told me that Lex killed Lionel, which saddens me because I loved Lionel.

The season picks up where the last left off, Clark and Lex are missing and lots of people are searching for each of them. Lex's cronies are in the artic searching for Lex while the Justice League (in the form of Black Canary, Green Arrow, and Aquaman) are searching for Clark, although its mentioned that Flash and Cyborg are searching for him as well, just on the other side of the planet.

Meanwhile Chloe's being held by the gov't doing tests on her and her abilities. But no one seems to be able to figure out where Chloe is being held and of course Lois is determined to find out, even if it means she winds up dead trying. And Clark is quite possibly in the last place you'd ever expect him to be unless maybe your name is Mark Millar.

This season seems to have some good stuff in store: Clark finally joins the Daily Planet, and it's been said he and Lios' relationship will finally start moving from the Brother/Sister relationship they have to one more like the one seen in the comics. And from the credits it appears that Justin Hartley's Green Arrow will be sticking around for some time to come.

And this season has a new villian, with Lex gone the top spot goes to his replacement at Luthor Corp, Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman). She seems just evil enough to do anything to get what she wants, and yet looks just innocent enough for you to doubt what she's capable of.

All I know is that the Season 8 premiere convinced me that it's time to take Smallville back into my arms and begin are relationship again. I'm ready for this 8th season, and I never even saw it walking back into my life.

Labels: Smallville, TV Reviews

If you're just tuning in to GG this season here's what you've missed:
Dan & Serena are back together, although they haven't discussed the issues they originally had about dating.
Nate is seeing an older woman who turned out to be the mother of Blair's new "Lord" boyfriend (he's a Lord from England as in a title, not a God) and since Nate and his Mom have no money Nate is pimping himself out to "The Dutchess" in order to make money.
Chuck is in love with Blair, but can't bring himself to say it, so she goes off with The Lord, to get over her he's been seen with a multitude of other girls.
Jenny has been interning for Blair's mom, although she's been out of the country for the entire summer.
Vanessa and Nate are kind of dating, but see above for his other relationship which keeps getting in the way.
There were lots of parties. And Blair knows about Nate and The Dutchess, who happens to married to The Duke.

Tonight's GG has yet another party, thrown yet again by Blair. But everyone's plans get thrown down the tube when there is a city wide blackout. Dan & Serena get stuck in an elevator together where they must confront their fears and problems with their relationship. Chuck uses the darkness to try and sleep with Blair, but does she know it's really Chuck and not The Lord?

One plot I'm really finding myself enjoying is Jenny's. Tonight she finally sees Blair's mom, while she happens to be questioning her work. Of course she's quickly fired, but when she's stuck in the building with her boss will it lead to another chance?

And there's a change in store for most of the relationships on the show. I don't want to ruin anything but by the end of the episode several relationships will be in jeopardy, with at least one over for the foreseeable time. And at least one character will reveal a new relationship!

I have to say I'm very pleased with the new season of Gossip Girl and can't wait to see where it goes next!

Labels: Gossip Girl, TV Reviews

Yesterday I was very excited to hear the doorbell ring. It could only be one thing DHL bringing me my Screener of Supernatural! To my excitement there was not only the 4th Season Premiere but the second episode as well. Also included was a piece of paper listing a few spoilers I'm not allowed to mention. I so wish I hadn't read that slip of paper as there's some good stuff on it that you truly don't want to know until you see the Season Premiere this Thursday night (as 9/8c on The CW) There's so much good stuff in these two episodes, but it's hard to discuss much without getting into those issues, but I'll do my best.

Not many shows manage to reinvent themselves over their run, yet somehow Supernatural has managed to do so every season thus far, it's first season the show focused mainly on stand-alone adventures with an over-arcing plot of them searching for the Demon who murdered their mother, in season two the show became more mythology laden and focused on a potential war between Demons and humans, and season three became about the quest to save Dean's soul. Sure they all have stand alone stories, but for the most part each season is very distinct in feel and plot.

This season's seems to be no different as the first two episodes change the course of the show once again. I've watch this show from the beginning and I've loved following the Winchester boys every step of the way. But I'm REALLY excited about this season and it's new plot twist have a lot to do with that excitement. Again I can't give to much away, but trust me Be Excited!

After a great review of whats happened over the last 3 seasons the episode opens with Dean's (Jensen Ackles) eyes as we hear screaming coming from all around him in what we can only assume is Hell. The episode is really about Dean and his return from Hell. Does he remember what he experienced for the 4 months while he was away? Why is he back? And maybe most important, can Sam and Bobby trust Dean?

The first moments as Dean claws his way out of the coffin and wanders around in an almost Western setting are astonishing. The look and feel of these first few minutes really stand out as completely different from the rest of the series thus far. And seeing Dean wake up in a coffin is quite chilling.

The reunions with Bobby and Sam are both touching and humorous as it's clear that while both are excited to see him, neither know what to make of a Dean suddenly back from hell. While the boys try to find out who or what brought Dean back it's clear that something has either come back with him or is following him, and it appears to be something very powerful. (So powerful that you might want to keep your hand on the remote as there's a couple of moments where I had to turn down the volume, you'll know which moments I'm referring to.)

The episode escalates in tension as Bobby and Dean separate from Sam and each heads out on their own mission, unbeknownst to the other. The show has always been a great combination of laughs and scares and this episode holds up the tradition of that perfect balance.

Will everyone escape intact? Who or What brought Dean back from Hell and Why? And just what are these spoilers that I've been sworn to secrecy about? To find out you'll have to tune in this Thursday!

Labels: Supernatural, TV Reviews

What is it about chick flicks? They keep coming out, they keep making money, and people keep enjoying them, but they're all the same. Boy meets Girl (usually thanks to some entirely expected "unexpected" plot twist,) Boy falls for Girl (usually after he's agreed to date her for some other reason, like money), Boy gets Girl, Boy makes a boneheaded mistake and loses Girl, Boy makes a 'Big Romantic Gesture' and wins Girl back. Ok sure some times they throw you for a loop and reverse the roles so the Girl is the one who screws it up and has to get Boy back, or maybe both Boy and Girl are hooking up for a bet of some kind. But for the most part we all know exactly how the movie is going to go and usually can tell from the beginning exactly what mistake the guy will make to lose the girl. Yet for some reason most of us keep going back for more, and for some reason we keep enjoying them.

I'll admit I'm one of the many that keep going back to Chick Flicks, maybe I'm a hopeless romantic, but for some reason I just njoy the thought of love overcoming all, even if it's in a sappy rom-com. And so I'll start this review by saying that I enjoyed 'What Happens in Vegas' and that I think if you like the traditional chick flick rom-com you'll like it too.

'What Happens in Vegas' tells the formulaic story of Joy (Cameron Diaz), the recently dumped, Girl and Jack (Ashton Kutcher), the recently fired (by his dad no less) Boy, who meet in Vegas and "unexpectedly" get married after a drunk night. The couple agree to end the marriage and then they throw in the reason they have to stay together. Rather than the been done to death bet, Jack wins $3 Million on a slot machine and they are forced to be married for 6 months by the court before it will decide who gets the money. (See once again it's all about money)

During the 6 months the couple have some funny antics, most of which come from plans springing from the minds of their formulaic best friends, played by Rob Corddry and Lake Bell. Of course the two fall for each other, but not before Jack sets into motion a boneheaded plan which ends up working, but only after he's realized his feelings. And it's not ruining anything to say Jack makes a grand romantic gesture and wins back Joy for the happy ending.

Lets face it, we don't see these movies for their originality, we see these movies to have a relaxing 90 minutes away from our real world, and possibly spend a little time with your significant other or perhaps some girlfriends (for the ladies, guys if your seeing a rom-com with girlfriends, plural, your likely in way over your head) The real fun in these movies is how the get from point A to point B and whether that trip contains some laughter. Luckily Vegas has a healthy supply of laughter, much of which comes from the two leads who work well together.

Likely if your reading this you made up your mind to see the movie before reading a word of my review, but if you want my opinion it's worth the rent, or if you're a real rom-com junky, the buy.

The DVD has the standard special features: An Audio Commentary with Director and Editor, a gag real, trailers, and of course the big new thing a "Digital Copy." And don't bother with the so-called Inside Look at Marley & Me as it's nothing more than the 30 sec teaser that's been online and in theaters for months.

The real specials to check out are "DVD Extra Time with Zach Galifianakis," in which co-star Galifianakis interviews cast and crew, and my favorite "From the Law Firm of Stephen J. Hader, Esq." which is a hilarious promo for the fictional law firm of Corddry's character.

The DVD is in stores now, so run out and get it now, unless of course you hate Rom-Com's and thus have no soul.

Labels: DVD review, What Happens in Vegas

Way back in December I wrote about My Name is Bruce a new movie starring Bruce Campbell. The movie stars Campbell as a over the top version of himself who's called upon to help when a town is overrun by monsters. You can read more about it in that old post, but today I'm bringing you the new poster and news of it's release.

First off the movie is being released in theaters "This October" which is kind of vague, but it's more than we've got in the past, so it's a plus. And the DVD looks to be coming out in January of 2009. So hopefully this will end up being true and we'll finally get to see this movie, which we've been hearing about for almost 2 years now.

Next up, the poster, which features Campbell looking very much like his character from USA's Burn Notice. Sam would be proud of that Hawaiian shirt. So what do you think, are you looking forward to this movie? Does the poster work for you? Let me know.

Labels: Bruce Campbell, movie posters, My Name is Bruce

Dear Readers,
I need to apologize to you. I've done you, and my pal Javier Grillo-Marxuach, a great disservice. You see this summer through a series of events (studying for the bar, and mainly my Tivo and ABC Family hating each other) I missed out on a few episodes of a wonderful show, which I am only now getting caught up on. Because I'm only just now getting caught up on the show I've not been able to tell you all about it. What makes this a bigger shame is that it's simply The Best New Show of the Summer!

The show I'm talking about is ABC Family's The Middleman. The Middleman, based on three excellent comic mini-series by Javier and artist Les McClaine, follows the misadventures of Wendy Watson (Natalie Morales), an artist and temp worker, who gets hired to be the sidekick of The Middleman (Matt Keesler), a nice, well mannered, hero with no name who works for a mysterious organization to "Fight Evil, So You Don't Have To." Wendy is a slacker artist who longs to find out what happened to her dad, who disappeared when she was 14. She lives in an illegal sublet with her best friend, and fellow artist, Lacey (who also happens to protest anything she possibly can).

The Middleman himself is a 50s throwback, a nice genial man, who despises foul language (instead he uses phrases like 'Sweet Molly Brown!'), won't use violence unless he has too, and treats women with respect, imagine if Leave It To Beaver had a spy, then you've got The Middleman. Add in the Middleman's helper Ida, a robot who could watch shapeshift but is now stuck in the form of a middle age crotchety woman played with hutspa by Mary Pat Gleason, and you've got one crazy, and fun organization that anyone would want to work for. (Ida is clearly an homage to The Doctor's Tardis, stuck in the form of a 1950s police box, from Doctor Who)

Each week The Middleman and Wendy must face off against the most crazy villains you've ever seen, from Dracula the Ventriloquist dummy to a haunted tuba from the titanic to an evil boy band (aren't they all) made up of intergalactic dictators. But underlying this battle against evil are several other story arcs, one main one being the aforementioned disappearance of Wendy's father.

Another great part about this show is Wendy's relationship with her friends. These friends include Lacey, Noser (the wonderfully strange guy who hangs out in the hall and speaks in song lyrics), and Tyler, an amazing guy who was himself up for Wendy's job as Middleman in Training. While the strange adventures Wendy goes on with the Middleman are a blast, her daily life with her friends is almost just as fun. We see the gang through an Art Crawl (ART CRAWL!) through their apartment, which includes paintings, sculptures, performance art, and of course Noser's version of Stump the Band, which doesn't actually include Noser playing the song, but simple saying if he knows it or not.

But possible the best part of the show is how cram packed it is with pop culture references, the only show I can think of that could possible keep up is Gilmore Girls. And I know you're thinking "what kind of pop culture references?" Well the 2nd episode was jam packed with references to Back to the Future, from a bomb being at "the twin pines mall" to using the fake names "Bufford Tannen" and "Clara Clayton." Other episodes have been packed with references more fitting for the episode, such as a recent episodes about Ghost which included a slew of Ghostbusters references. In fact to keep up with all the references Javier has gladly posted a reference to all the gags from several episodes over at The Middleblog.

So again I'm sorry for not letting you know of this wonderful show sooner, but don't fret, you can still see the show. For starters you can watch the Season Finale tonight at 10/9c on ABC Family, and don't worry most episodes are stand alone so you can probably get by with what you've read here. You can also catch some episodes over at the Official Site. And if that's not enough you can download the entire season on iTunes. (You should at least check out episode 10, "the vampiric puppet lamentation," which is by far the best episode of the series thus far)

It's well worth your time to at least check out the episode tomorrow night, plus it could use all the ratings as it can get, while it's loved by the critics it's ratings aren't the greatest. Also if you really want to experience The Middleman you can swing over to Amazon or any other number of online stores and pick up The Collected Series Indispensability which contains all three volumes of the comic.

Also to Javi I'm very sorry it's taken this long to write about your amazing show, hopefully my 3 readers can help make the difference in ratings!

Labels: Javi, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, The Middleman, TV

I know that The CW is bringing back 90210 (this Tuesday in fact) but I have to confess, although I'll be tuning in to it, I think it already has this generations BH90210 and it's name is Gossip Girl. Last season I was lucky enough to see the first episode a few weeks early and I wasn't sure about it. But I gave it a chance and I'm glad I did because it truly is a fun show.

I just finished watch the first 3 episodes of the new season and it's just as good as last season, no sophomore slump in site. The new season picks up as summer is coming to an end, which most of the gang has spent in The Hamptons. But my how times have changed, Former 'Lonely Boy' Dan is now a complete player, Serena and Nate are supposedly together but Serena is always alone and Nate can be found with an older woman. But some things, like say Chuck, never change...or do they?

When Blair returns from her summer abroad (a summer which was supposed to have been spent with Chuck as you may recall) Chuck is dressed up and there with flowers only to see her arrive with a new man. Blair's new man is clearly only a rouse to make Chuck jealous as she's clearly in love with him. But Blair's man is not who he seems and Chuck makes it his goal to find out who he really is, because he is clearly in love with Blair as well. Why these two can't just get over it all and get together I may never know?

Meanwhile back in New York Dan and Jenny are both spending time together and at their internships. Dan is working for an author, played by "Bright Lights, Big City" author Jay McInerney, but he can't seem to write anything for his assignment, which leads to him losing the internship. Meanwhile Jenny is interning for Blair's fashion maven mother, an internship which sees her sorting out button's rather than actually getting to design clothes, not that that stops her. Jenny has some great moments over the first three episodes and I for one am glad to see the old Jenny back, I was getting tired of the social climbing, backstabbing Jenny.

And Rufus is back from being on tour, on which he clearly missed his kids. And as some other reviewers have pointed out the first 2 episodes hint at a very unsettling relationship developing between him and a much younger girl. But I don't think that relationship will actually happen, I think it's just him being a good friend to kids friend.

So will Serena and Dan get back together, and if so will it last? Will Jenny's wonderful designs finally be recognized? Will Chuck ever let Blair know he loves her? And speaking of Blair who is her new paramour, and what twists could be coming from him?

Well to find out you'll just have to tune in tonight at 8/7 central to find out!

Labels: Gossip Girl, The CW, TV Reviews