Top 10 Canceled Too Soon Shows of the Aughts

Okay, so I want to be upfront and admit I lied. I cunningly crammed 12 shows in the “top 10” and included a bunch of other shows as well. I just couldn’t help myself! And to clarify the criteria I used, there are a ton of canceled shows that I love but I believe had ample opportunity to tell their story. (For instance, shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Wire, Battlestar Galactica, The West Wing, Six Feet Under, The Shield.) Of course, there are many people who feel these shows were canceled too soon, and even I would have watched most of them for years longer. However for this list’s purpose, I wanted to place most of the focus on shows that had very few seasons and/or ended abruptly. Each of their passing left itty-bitty holes in my heart.

10. STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP
1 season, 22 episodes
2006 – 2007 (NBC)
Must See Episode: “The Friday Night Slaughter”
Breakout Stars: Matthew Perry, Sarah Paulson, D.L. Hughley
“Look, I hate Los Angeles just like everybody else, but I have to work here because in any other part of the country I’m unemployable.”
Aaron Sorkin’s smart writing surely helped The West Wing nab a ton of awards during its run, but it put a lot of viewers off in Studio 60. The drama was about an SNL-like sketch comedy show and the behind-the-scenes inner workings. Critics claimed it would be a hit, but a strong following never developed, and it quickly turned into a punch line. Many comedy writers believed it to be unrealistic and “obnoxiously smart.” However, I loved the relationships between the characters and the “show within a show” format. It just so happens that 30 Rock was the better “show within a show” show that year and stole a lot of its thunder.

9. AMERICAN DREAMS
3 seasons, 61 episodes
2002 – 2005 (NBC)
Must See Episode: “City of Fire”
Breakout Star: Brittany Snow, Milo Ventimiglia
“Haven’t you ever wanted something so badly it hurt?”
American Dreams was the perfect family drama. Focusing on the Pryor family in Philadelphia, the series took a snapshot of the pivotal history of the ‘60s and brought it to life. With much of the series taking place on the fictionalized studio set of American Bandstand, it brought something new by allowing modern day artists to play musicians who would have appeared on Bandstand during the show’s time. And supported by fantastic writing, Dreams represented well the turbulent era of racial inequalities and the Vietnam War.

8. POPULAR
2 seasons, 32 episodes
1999 – 2001 (WB)
Must See Episode: “Caged!”
Breakout Stars: Ryan Murphy, Sara Rue, Leslie Bibb, Carly Pope
“You want to be unique, sure. Just like everyone else.”
Ryan Murphy went on to produce other over-the-top shows like Nip/Tuck and Glee after Popular, and those were much better received. However Popular was like Dawson’s Creek mixed with a little bit of Donnie Darko strangeness and some Heathers-style campiness. It addressed important social issues like transsexualism and cancer while also tackling teen issues like divorce and peer pressure. Though not always perfect, Murphy took risks that I vividly remember to this day.

7. JERICHO
2 season, 29 episodes
2006 – 2008 (CBS)
Must See Episode: “Walls of Jericho”
Breakout Stars: Skeet Ulrich, Alicia Coppola, Lennie James, Shoshannah Stern
“This isn’t a fight about land or about this town. It’s a fight for our very existence.”
Jericho is one of those rare shows that got canceled and then resurrected with fan support and swiftly canceled again. Set in fictional Jericho, Kansas, the town must quickly learn how to survive a nuclear attack on 23 major US cities. How can you reconcile your past life with such a different and unexpected future?  It was a bleak look on how quickly neighboring towns can turn on each other and so can next door neighbors. It then morphed into a story about uncovering a government conspiracy and discovering the true villains behind the attacks.

6. DARK ANGEL
2 seasons, 43 episodes
2000 – 2002 (FOX)
Must See Episode: “411 on the DL”
Breakout Stars: Jessica Alba, Jensen Ackles, Michael Weatherly
“Two million years of human evolution and this is what we get. You morons.”
James Cameron is known for a lot of big things (like this month’s Avatar) but creating Dark Angel isn’t usually one of them. This sci-fi tale, set in the future, starred a young Alba as a genetically-modified soldier hell-bent on protecting the ones she loves, saving others like her and unearthing a large government conspiracy.  Cameron is no stranger to strong female characters who channel their anger and resentment about their life’s losses and the state of the world into strength and riveting drama.

5. CHAPPELLE’S SHOW
3 season, 33 episodes
2003 – 2006 (Comedy Central)
Must See Sketch: Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories: Prince
Breakout Stars: Dave Chappelle, Charlie Murphy
“Cocaine’s a hell of a drug!”
Dave Chappelle was unafraid to tackle race with his comedy, and it was this fearlessness that turned Chappelle’s Show from a Comedy Central novelty to a pop culture phenom. No longer did people think SNL when they thought of brilliant sketch comedy routines. His most notable sketches included Charlie Murphy and his Rick James stories, Lil’ Jon’s highly selective vocabulary of “WHAT?” and “O-Kay!” and a psychotic Wayne Brady. Sadly, Chappelle left the show, citing burnout and issues with production, and we didn’t even get a proper goodbye.

4. DEAD LIKE ME / PUSHING DAISIES
2 seasons, 29 episodes / 2 seasons, 22 episodes
2003 – 2004 (SHO) / 2007 – 2009 (ABC)
Must See Episode: “Pilot” / “Bzzzzzzzzz!”
Breakout Stars: Mandy Patinkin, Callum Blue / Lee Pace, Kristin Chenoweth, Chi McBride, Anna Friel
“Experience has taught me that interest begets expectation, and expectation begets disappointment, so the key to avoiding disappointment is to avoid interest.”  / “I just thought my world would be a better place if you were in it.”
Bryan Fuller shows are quirky, sarcastic and unafraid to treat dark things with a light touch. Dead Like Me, about a rag-tag group of grim reapers who look just like me and you, was so deadpan about death it was hysterical. Pushing Daisies, about a pie maker who used his abilities to temporarily reanimate the dead to solve crimes, was artistically gorgeous and heart-warming. Fuller should be proud of two shows that took a chance and stepped WAY outside of the box. Look at Glee. Sometimes it can work out. And at least we have two seasons of each to re-watch.

3. VERONICA MARS
3 seasons, 64 episodes
2004 – 2007 (UPN/CW)
Must See Episode: “A Trip to the Dentist”
Breakout Stars: Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Amanda Seyfried
“I hope we’re still friends after I taser you.”
Despite all the critical praise in the world, Veronica Mars could never garner the audience it deserved. I think it was in large part due to the network it was on. Rob Thomas developed a noir-style detective show with the premise of Nancy Drew meets The O.C.; it was hardly attractive to the average viewer. But it was smart, and Kristen Bell’s portrayal of the tough as nails and emotionally vulnerable Veronica was spot on and charismatic.

2. FIREFLY
1 season, 14 episodes
2002 – 2002 (FOX)
Must See Episode: “Out of Gas”
Breakout Stars: Nathan Fillion, Summer Glau, Alan Tudyk
“We have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty.”
It’s not that big of a surprise that a western set in space didn’t get the big reception FOX had been hoping for. Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse) knows how to make unique, sci-fi stories that can be dark, funny and emotional. It never really had a chance to lift off, but it was temporarily resurrected in 2005 with the movie Serenity and continues to be a cult success in DVD sales.

1. FREAKS AND GEEKS / UNDECLARED
1 season, 18 episodes / 1 season, 17 episodes
1999 – 2000 (NBC) / 2001 – 2002 (FOX)
Must See Episode: “Test and Breasts” / “Parents Weekend”
Breakout Stars: Judd Apatow, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Busy Phillips
“The dance is tomorrow. She’s a cheerleader; you’ve seen Star Wars 47 times. You do the math.” / “Sleep don’t drink no beer.”
Apatow has had all kinds of luck in the latter half of the decade with hits like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad and Pineapple Express, but he didn’t get much love early on. Three of his critically-acclaimed, though not mainstream-accepted, television series were canceled before 2005. Both Freaks, created by Paul Feig and produced by Apatow, and Undeclared managed to capture the reality of life as a young adult with all its angst, awkwardness and self-discovery. He relied heavily on stereotypical adolescent behaviors and situations, but his main characters always had depth and color. He understood perfectly how tough growing up could be but also how funny as well.

Top 10 Honorable (Canceled Too Soon) Mentions of the Decade: Eli Stone, Life, The Middle Man, Privileged, Reaper, The 4400, Roswell, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Gilmore Girls, Journeyman

Top 10 (Cancelled Too Soon) Shows That Probably Would Have Made the List If I’d Gotten to Them In My Netflix Cue: Deadwood, Arrested Development, Wonderfalls, Sports Night, thirtysomething, The Comeback, Greg the Bunny, My Name Is Earl, Rome, Jack & Bobby

Top 10 Guilty (Cancelled Too Soon) Pleasures of the Decade: Temptation Island, Reunion, Harper’s Island, October Road, Women’s Murder Club, Dirty Sexy Money, The Black Donnellys, Traveler, Prison Break, The O.C.

For more television reviews, click here.

Photographs courtesy of ABC, CBS, The CW, NBC, and IMDbPro.

Jersey Shore: Just Go With It

I have a confession to make – I love trashy television. From kiddie beauty pageant specials to pop starlet exposés, I cannot turn away from these reality train wrecks, which is probably why lately my obsession has shifted to MTV’s Jersey Shore, otherwise known as television’s new crack.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I have two more confessions to make. First of all, I am a longtime former employee of the network that everyone loves to hate, MTV. I assure you, however, that my love of this show has nothing to do with loyalty to my old stomping ground – on the contrary, many people who work there will tell you that we would more likely form a survivor’s support group rather than a fan club any day. I speak about Jersey Shore solely as a fan – nay a staunch devotee, rather than an MTV Networks cohort.

Secondly, I am 100% Italian. Being a full-blooded Italian who still loves the show that my own countrymen are boycotting for making us look like buffoons with bad accents is sort of a dilemma, to say the least. For those unfamiliar with the backlash, suffice it to say that everything that makes the show amazing is exactly what is being criticized by the Italian-American community (and New Jersey residents alike). Jersey Shore is like The Hills meets The Sopranos, if the Sopranos cast beat the daylights out of the Hills kids while wearing tight T-shirts and dancing to house music. It features eight seven self-described “guidos” and “guidettes” (one girl couldn’t hack it) who share a house in Seaside Heights, NJ - otherwise known as the Disney Land of the Garden State – and expose the world to their teased hair/tanning bed lifestyles. The show is an homage to the Real World-esque format MTV has employed for over a decade only with a decidedly bridge-and-tunnel feel. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic. It’s straight up amazing.

With names like “Snooki,” “JWoww” (no that’s not a typo) and “Pauly D,” they look and sound exactly like one would expect. Snooki, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, stands 4’9” with a 6” hairdo (the “poof” adds at least a foot). JWoww, otherwise known as Jenny Farley, comes dangerously close to having her boobs escape from her club tops and halter dresses every week – and rarely appears on screen without her lady parts being pixilated. Hey, I never said the show was wholesome. The guys like Pauly D and Vinny (and yes, sadly I have relatives with both of those names) buy hair gel by the truckload, exercise so that they can stay “fresh to death,” and don’t own a single shirt made from natural fibers between the group (polyester and spandex don’t count).

And then there’s “The Situation.”

Mike Sorrentino, (*shaking head in amusement*) who nicknamed himself “The Situation” because of his jaw-dropping abdominal muscles, summed himself up best in the show’s promo by saying “If hating is your occupation I probably got a full time job for you.” Zing! Look who’s clever.  Even though my personal opinion is that the real “situation” is that he should check out his reflection in the mirror from the shoulders UP (yeah, not so hot), the guy still pulls females by the boat load – he and his trusty wing man Pauly D. The show exposes how gratuitous and easy it is for guys like these to find hot tub (and bedroom) companions on a nightly basis, it’s like shooting fish in a barrel. Frankly, if there’s anyone I’m embarrassed to be associated with from this show, it’s not the Italians, it’s the female population in general. Come on, ladies, raise the bar and make it a challenge. Virtue is clearly not their strong point. Not all of the guys are busy juggling multiple nighttime companions, Ronnie (who looks like the Incredible Hulk if the Hulk was fake-tan orange instead of green) appears to have found love in the form of a cast mate, Sammi (aka Sweetheart). They’re like Jersey’s answer to Romeo and Juliet, and we all know how that turned out.

The housemates spend their days working at a souvenir shop on the boardwalk, and their nights dancing to trance music and slamming shots at the Shore’s classiest drinking establishments. Recently the show drew more criticism for airing promo footage of Snooki being punched in the face by a male bar patron in one particularly Jager-fueled outing. The clip of her being essentially cold-clocked by a man twice her size became viral and MTV ultimately pulled it from the show, opting to show an Anti-violence PSA instead.  I don’t condone raising a hand to a female in any way, shape or form, but I think people’s fascination with the scene had little to do with MTV glorifying violence and more to do with our truly genuine shock that something like this occurred, it is that over the top. What’s more, the guy who knocked Snooki out (she practically levitated he hit her so hard) must’ve signed a release for them to have shown the footage in the first place – that fact alone is equally as ridiculous and shameful as the rest of his actions, in my opinion.

Either way, one sad fact remains at the center of all of the hoopla and controversy surrounding Jersey Shore, and that is that no matter what anyone says, no other ethnic or religious group would be allowed to be shown in such a stereotypical manner and have it be even remotely acceptable to the public. It’s as if our cultural views of Italians haven’t evolved as much as those of other portions of society. That said, I think that what keeps me from being offended by the show is that not only is it just insanely entertaining, it represents only a very small sliver of our population – these particular guidos and guidettes are the exception, not the rule. We’re not all like Goomba Johnny, people need to not take themselves so seriously. Also, if you look closely there are positive attributes highlighted too, like loyalty and family importance which Italians place a high value on, only nobody seems to dwell on those characteristics in their commentary of the show.

Speaking of loyalty, I will remain a loyal viewer of Jersey Shore as long as it airs. Yet, I hope they don’t continue it after this season, it seems like what makes it great is this particular cast in this one instance. You can’t replicate a dynamic like this, it’s like catching lightning in a bottle. Also, any show that makes the Gotti boys look like Carlton Banks is worth a look, in my opinion. Armani Exchange and Ed Hardy couldn’t have bought advertising like this if they tried. Plus there’s the excitement that viewers get to experience each week when asking questions like, “Will Snooki ever figure out the duck phone?” “Just how does Vinny get his eyebrows to be that sculpted?” and “Will there ever be enough Clorox on planet earth to disinfect the inside of that hot tub?” I shudder just thinking about it. Only time and ratings will tell what will become Jersey Shore’s legacy, but if you ask this girl, the show is undeniably a fist-pumping good time.

Thursdays at 10 ET/PT on MTV

For more television reviews, click here.

Photographs courtesy of MTV and Scott Gries.

Free Advanced Screening: The Book of Eli

Its the end of the world and who wouldn’t want to spend it with Denzel Washington.  Well Poptimal is given you the chance to make your fantasy come true, you can be among the first to see Denzel Washington star in the upcoming movie The Book Of Eli.

THE BOOK OF ELI
Thursday, January 14
7:30 PM
AMC Mazza Gallerie
Washington, DC

Here’s how to enter to win (No Purchase Necessary).

1. Post your comments about at least one (1) of our apocalyptic articles (each new post increases your chances of winning):

• The Road: A Bleak Road Well-made and Well-traveled by Cameron Cubbison
• 2012: It’s The End of The World as We Know It by Tanya Lane
• Zombieland: A Feast of Funny by Inisia Lewis
• 9: The Cutest Apocalypse Ever by Jaimie Campos
• Terminator Salvation by Inisia Lewis
• Knowing by Cameron Cubbison
• Knowing: I Know What You Did Last Judgment Day by J.B. Perlow
• The Day the Earth Stood Still by Inisia Lewis
• The Day the Earth Got Bored by Robin Reed

2. Email your name, email address,  and name of the post you commented on to contests@poptimal.com.  Put “The Book of Eli Contest” in the subject line.

***Make sure that you supply a valid email address. This is the email where the passes will be sent, if you are chosen.

Synopsis:

In the not-too-distant future, some 30 years after the final war, a solitary man walks across the wasteland that was once America.  Empty cities, broken highways, seared earth—all around him, the marks of catastrophic destruction.  There is no civilization here, no law.  The roads belong to gangs that would murder a man for his shoes, an ounce of water…or for nothing at all. But they’re no match for this traveler.

A warrior not by choice but necessity, Eli (Denzel Washington) seeks only peace but, if challenged, will cut his attackers down before they realize their fatal mistake.  It’s not his life he guards so fiercely but his hope for the future; a hope he has carried and protected for 30 years and is determined to realize.  Driven by this commitment and guided by his belief in something greater than himself, Eli does what he must to survive—and continue.

Only one other man in this ruined world understands the power Eli holds, and is determined to make it his own: Carnegie (Gary Oldman), the self-appointed despot of a makeshift town of thieves and gunmen.  Meanwhile, Carnegie’s adopted daughter Solara (Mila Kunis) is fascinated by Eli for another reason: the glimpse he offers of what may exist beyond her stepfather’s domain.

But neither will find it easy to deter him.  Nothing—and no one—can stand in his way.  Eli must keep moving to fulfill his destiny and bring help to a ravaged humanity.

Alcon Entertainment presents a Silver Pictures production, a Hughes Brothers Film: “The Book of Eli.”  The film stars two-time Academy Award winner® Denzel Washington (“Training Day,” “Glory”), Gary Oldman (“The Dark Knight,” the “Harry Potter” films), Mila Kunis (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”), Ray Stevenson (“Punisher: War Zone”), Jennifer Beals (Showtime’s “The L Word”), Frances de la Tour and Michael Gambon (both of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”). “The Book of Eli” is directed by the Hughes Brothers (“Menace II Society,” “Dead Presidents”) from a screenplay by Gary Whitta. It is produced by Joel Silver, Denzel Washington, Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove and David Valdes.  Steve Richards, Susan Downey and Erik Olsen serve as executive producers, with co-producers Steven P. Wegner, Yolanda T. Cochran and John David Washington.

Opens nationwide on Friday, January 15, 2010 the film will be distributed nationwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Passes provided by Warner Bros www.bookofelimovie.com

This Film Is Rated R For Violence and Language

Californication: The Seasons Aren’t A-Changin’

Californication is a half-hour, twelve-episode season Showtime series. It features X-Files star David Duchovny as a brilliant but unprolific novelist with a mighty self-destructive streak and a penchant for drinking too much and sleeping with just about any woman with a heartbeat. The first season was a knockout, full of irreverence, hilarity and pathos. But though Duchovny remains effortlessly appealing and charismatic and the show still entertains, the last two seasons have felt like a letdown to me. The main reason? The characters all seem to be getting into the same situations over and over again, making the same mistakes, repeating the same destructive cycles. Sure the details change a little, but mostly the show seems content with delivering the same thing again and again.

The first season introduced Hank Moody (Duchovny) as being stranded in L.A., trying to hold on to his soul, connect with his preteen daughter and revive his once-promising but lately-dry career. He was also madly in love with his longtime girlfriend Karen (the lovely Natasha McElhone), who was engaged to some ugly jackass with a chin problem and a dry voice named Bill. Hank was, to quote Roy McAvoy, chock full of inner demons. He dealt with all this by drinking hard, acting like a child and refusing to take any responsibility for his actions. And damn if I didn’t love him for that.

Hank is a sad character, but not a pathetic one. He never whines and he has such life and vitality, an irreverence and a contempt for convention and authority. You can beat him down but you can’t run him down. Plus, compared to Bill, he was a much fuller and appealing person, and though he made all kinds of mistakes and definitely deserved the brunt of the blame for his breakup, you could tell that he loved her  fully and deeply. He may have been wrong for her, but in a way that’s what made him right. Yes, he was the irresponsible choice, but love isn’t always responsible. Jesus christ what the hell am I talking about?

Here’s what I meant. In the first season, Hank was appealing because his behavior had a context: he was about to lose the love of his life forever to an asshole. He had the much-coveted underdog status. Karen had clearly moved on, had been damaged by Hank, and seemed committed to Bill, the safe choice. So when Hank did things like sleep with a girl who turned out to be underage and Bill’s daughter, you could still feel sorry for him. And believe me, that girl—Mia—is a real piece of work. She intentionally seduced Hank and then later on in the show, stole the manuscript of the novel that was going to put him back on top (and, coincidentally, was inspired in part by their ill-conceived liaison) and claimed it as her own.

But in spite of all that, the season ended on a high note, with Karen surprisingly ditching Bill at the altar and speeding away with Hank and their weird-creepy daughter Becca in Hank’s beaten up vintage Porsche. Hank got his miraculous second chance…then in seasons two and three, continued to find awe-inspiring ways to mess that up. He just rarely gets anything right. The problem is that Hank is no longer an underdog. He won Karen back and she took an amazing chance on him. So when he goes around acting like a self-destructive fool and sleeping with an impossible amount of women, he’s frankly not as likable. And the more the show features him repeating these destructive patterns over and over again, the more monotonous it becomes.

This monotony extends to the other main characters on the show, Hank’s agent and longtime best friend Charlie Runkle (Evan Handler) and his sexually-adventurous wife Marcy. To say their relationship has its ups and downs would be the understatement of the year. As a bonus, this season had some pretty high-profile guest stars, including Peter Gallagher, Embeth Davidtz, Peter Fonda, and Kathleen Turner. But Turner wasn’t a welcome presence on the show. She was, in fact, horrifying. She played Charlie’s new boss, a depraved sex fiend who refers to herself in the third person. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m as far from a prude as Bavarian crème pie is from spaghetti, but the stuff that continually came out of Turner’s mouth was just foul. And I’m sorry, but although Kathleen Turner was beautiful in the Romancing The Stone and Body Heat days, today she looks and sounds like a freak of nature. Imagining her in any sexual situation of any kind is enough to make you go celibate for the rest of your life.

I have to say, this season ended on a dark note and made Hank take responsibility for one of his biggest mistakes, which is an improvement. Also, the show does paint a pretty fair portrait of the bright but often whorish wasteland that is Los Angeles.

Maybe the show, by having Hank and Charlie make the same mistakes over and over again, is trying to make a point about how hard it is (especially with middle-aged, high-maintenance men) to break the cycle of self-destructive behavior. The problem is that showing variations of the same thing over and over again doesn’t make for really compelling tv, especially when your lead character keeps growing steadily less sympathetic. I’m still on board with the show and think it’s better than most of what’s on. But I’d have to call it a poor man’s Rescue Me at this point. That show is also all about self-destructiveness, but the protagonist Tommy Gavin (written and wonderfully played by Denis Leary) manages to be more appealing and more complex. It also has an infinitely better ensemble. Maybe the Californication people should bone up on Rescue Me before they start putting together the fourth season.

For more television reviews, click here.

Photographs courtesy of Showtime and Jordin Althaus.

Jone Dome (New Episode): Best Movies of 2009

Best Movies of 2009 - Ference & Double Edge give you their top movies of 2009.

Excerpt Credits:

Written by: Ference and Double Edge

Produced & Edited by: Zuberi B. Williams

Venue: Austin Grill (Silver Spring, MD)

Music: Jay-Z Feat/ Rhianna (Run this town)

Leopold Bros. Distillery

Subscribe to Itunes Podcast

(If the show does not play using the link at the bottom of the page, you can download it: Download|Podcast Alley)

T. Dubb is a lover of the arts and enjoys drawing, listening to music, and watching movies in her spare time. Originally from Los Angeles, she currently resides in Davis, CA.

ABC Strikes Gold With Flash Forward

Each fall we’re bombarded with previews of the networks’ new lineup.  Some shows look promising; others make me question some TV execs’ sanity.  I grew up on television, and although I watch significantly less TV than I used to, I still watch quite a bit.  In my humble opinion, CBS has the best procedural dramas (CSI, Criminal Minds, Cold Case), NBC has a good comedic lineup (30 Rock, The Office), and ABC pushes the envelope with high concept dramas (FlashForward, V) while maintaining an otherwise popular prime time schedule with mainstays like Grey’s Anatomy and Dancing With the Stars.  ABC has demonstrated a willingness to take risks with high concept shows in the past, like Life on Mars (which I loved), but those shows have ended up being canceled.  However, I think the network has a new hit on its hands with FlashForward, the best new show I’ve seen in a long time.

The most salient and impressive aspect of FlashForward is its premise.  The show follows a group of FBI agents as they investigate the cause of a global blackout that occurs in the series’ first episode.  I, like many other viewers, was immediately sucked in by the first episode.  Set in Los Angeles, the series opens with an otherwise ordinary day.  Then, at the exact same mid-morning time, everyone on the planet loses consciousness for exactly 2 minutes and 17 seconds.  During this period of unconsciousness, most people see a vision of their future, a memory of an event that will not happen for another 6 months.  When the world regains consciousness it looks as if there’s been a global terror attack.  Everyone is befuddled and frightened.  We’re talking about a global event, so there are millions of lives that were lost as people drove or flew or did anything that would otherwise require consciousness at the exact time of the blackout.  The Feds assemble a task force, which in turn sets up a website called Mosaic, where people can share stories of their visions and try to figure things out.  Some poor souls didn’t experience a “flash forward” or vision, which basically means that they don’t have a memory of a something that will happen in six months because they will be dead within that time period.  These folks deduce that fact, and are left walking around in limbo like zombies awaiting certain doom.

The best thing about FlashForward is the writing.  I was glued to my TV every Wednesday.  I think it’s easy for high concept shows that are premised on a singular event (like Lost) to become stale or outlandish, but FlashForward shows no sign of wearing thin.  As a matter of fact it has gotten even better.  As the characters deal with the aftermath of the blackout, they begin to create self-fulfilling prophecies as they behave in ways they normally wouldn’t in order to ensure that their future does or does not play out according to their vision.  One character saw the demise of her marriage in her flash forward.  Another one sees himself madly in love with a woman he’s never met.  Another character is gay but sees herself having a sonogram.  Perhaps most intriguing, one of the characters did not have a vision and is therefore a Dead Man Walking.  He discovers through Mosaic that he will be murdered, and he and his partner are consumed with finding his killer before it’s too late.  This show is simply fascinating.  I’m intrigued by shows and movies that explore concepts of fate and destiny, and I enjoy the thoughtful examination of human nature, the portrayal of hopeful faith and optimism for those who had joyful visions, and the ill-fated despair and resignation of those who had frightening flash forwards.  Some people will do anything to make their flash forward come to fruition; others are hell-bent on changing their future.

At the conclusion of the first half of the season, there are some questions that have been answered and many that remain.  One character has taken responsibility for the blackout, but other evidence points to different potential culprits.  My friends and I text each other endlessly throughout each episode, and I can’t stop raving about the show.  I’m not sure what the Nielsen ratings are like, but anecdotally I know that FlashForward has been a trending topic on Twitter and the masses seem to really love it.  I’ve converted my cousin to the show, and it’s not too late for you to bone up on it before it returns.  You can watch full episodes at abc.com and catch up on one of the best network series I’ve ever seen.

For more on FlashForward, click here.

FlashForward returns to ABC in March 2010

Photographs courtesy of ABC, Craig Sjodin

Nine: A Musical of a Different Color

Rob Marshall’s second attempt at translating a Broadway show to the big screen isn’t your grandmother’s old-fashioned type of song and dance musical. Hell, it isn’t even Marshall’s first musical adaptation (Chicago). Instead, he has given us something else entirely. It is both an homage to Italian cinema of the 1960s and the story of an artist plagued by selfishness, excess, and writer’s block. It just happens to have music in it as well.

Based on a Broadway musical version of Federico Fellini’s 8 ½, Nine takes us back to Rome at the height of it’s glamor in 1965 when it was the playground for beautiful and decadent artists, models, and bon vivants of all shapes and sizes. Anyone familiar with films of the era like La Dolce Vita or Juliet of the Spirits will notice the touches in every frame from the sporty little cars to the sunglasses at all hours of the day and existential crises for the main characters. The crisis in this tale falls on Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis), a world-renowned director being pushed into production on his next film despite the lack of a script or even an idea of what the film should be about. Guido searches for inspiration through the women who have touched his life both past and present including his wife, his muse, his mistress, his mother, and a whore among others. Some of them are wisely blunt and some of them just attempt to feed his ego, but all of them add to his insanity in some form or another.

Now what makes this different from most musicals isn’t the exceptionally star-studded cast or gorgeous Italian locations but the way that the music is used throughout the story. Most modern musicals, if they want to have any hope of succeeding with the public, include only catchy songs that viewers will want to download after they’ve gone home to sing along with, hence the current trend of writing musicals composed only of pre-tested pop songs like Mamma Mia and Rock of Ages. That strategy is all well and good and lord knows I’ve belted out “Voulez-Vous” more than a couple of times in the shower but it doesn’t always have be like that. Nine certainly isn’t built that way and despite some critics complaining that you won’t be humming the songs while you leave the theatre, I don’t think you should dismiss the film entirely because of that. The songs and performances of them are more about expressing character and depth. None of them will or would ever be Top 40 hits but the way Marshall shot them and weaved them into the wonderfully written dialogue scenes is almost masterful and a joy to watch if you’re a lover of movies and movies about making movies.

I could spend pages discussing each of the female roles and their relationship to Guido but I’ll try to be brief since there are so many of them. By far the highlight of the lot is the ever-enchanting Marion Cotillard who is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses working today. Her role as Guido’s suffering wife is both heart breaking and strong and her two musical numbers are among the film’s best. Penelope Cruz is also great as the almost-crazy woman on the side – a role she essentially perfected in last year’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Judi Dench, as Guido’s saucy costume designer, is amazing as always. Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, and Sophia Loren all turn in enjoyable but brief performances and last but not least is Fergie who performs the film’s most rousing number, “Be Italian” with enough gusto to make you want to petition her to abandon her current music style with the Black Eyed Peas and take on showtunes full time.

Nine is by no means the year’s best film and it will likely be considered a flop by the general movie going public. Nevertheless, there is definitely an audience out there for this movie and even though it may be small right now, I feel somewhat certain that appreciation of it will grow over time. Audiences and critics flocked to Marshall’s Chicago and the stage of Roxy Hart’s mind with all of its razzle dazzle with ease, but the soundstage of Guido’s mind (where the music of Nine plays out) is just a little more cryptic, complicated, and less-instantly catchy, but in the end I think its richer and has more to say. I personally hope to visit the Italy of Nine again and if you’re a lover of cinema I think you’ll find something there to cherish as well.

Grade: A-

For an opposing Poptimal point of view check out Nine: Hits A Sour Note by Inisia Lewis and Nine is Fine by Liz Cooper’s

Sherlock Holmes: Chemistry, My Dear Watson

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most beloved literary figures in history. He’s smart, savvy, and he does whatever it takes to win the day. Robert Downey Jr‘s Holmes is real, gritty, and more raw than any other I can remember. It’s fabulous. This movie will be a crowd pleaser in more ways than one, but one of my favorite parts is the way the script stays true to the heart and soul of the classic character of Sherlock Holmes. At the outset, as well as several times throughout, the audience glimpses his thought processes and the way he analyzes every situation before taking action. He takes the time to explain how he comes to certain conclusions after he apprehends the bad guys, and just as with the books, it boggles the mind how every little piece fits together. Some might suggest that the film’s creators have gone a bit too far, nearly turning Holmes into some sort of super hero instead of the introspective sleuth of old, but the update resonates with me.

If the character of Holmes is the first positive of my experience, then the chemistry between the characters is next on my list of great things about this film. Jude Law is perhaps the last person I would have suggested to play Dr. Watson. Well, maybe not the last. That might have been Will Ferrell or Josh Hartnett. At any rate, I would have missed the boat because Jude Law’s portrayal is not only spot on but he brings more to the table than Dr. Watson has any right to. In addition, the chemistry between he and Robert Downey Jr. (Holmes) is fantastic. They strike a perfect balance of humor and affection that is endearing and true to the relationship as it was written. Rachel McAdams plays Irene Adler, and to be honest, she’s never let me down yet (conveniently forgetting Red Eye). Her relationship with Holmes is full of romantic tension and professional competition, both of which are done to perfection.

There are several scenes that get a bit too Spiderman-ish for me. There’s an awful lot of slow motion fighting, face-offs that take place high above the ground, and other such outlandish feats for a believable Holmes storyline. I don’t mind the character of Sherlock Holmes being seen as a kind of superhero, but the setting is another thing all together. Holmes lives and breathes in 19th century England and for his character to work properly he needs to remain there. The actual plot is my least favorite part of the film, but for me, it’s also the least important. I wouldn’t spoil it for you anyway, but to be honest the story’s not what makes you want to keep watching. I never understood what went on in any depth, never cared for the random potential victims or feared the bad guy. All that matters is that Holmes figures it out and then explains it to us. Beyond that, the movie is really about the relationship between Watson and Holmes, with a little romance tossed into the mix by McAdams. There’s enough humor to keep you laughing, enough mystery to keep you guessing, and enough chemistry for additional films. Which, based on the thinly veiled reference at the end, are all ready being planned.

The film is a must see at the theatre, as far as I’m concerned. As far as kids go, I would take the PG-13 rating literally because of some graphic and violent death scenarios.

For Additional Poptimal reviews of Sherlock Holmes check out Sherlock Holmes: Jolly Good Show, Chaps by Paul Secrest.

It’s Complicated: Old People Love…Yikes

Nothing says “ring in the holiday season” like watching the movie equivalent of your teenage worst nightmare – realizing that your parents have a sex life *shudders*.  Granted, in the case of It’s Complicated it would be watching your divorced-for-ten-years parents’ sex lives, who also happen to be seriously old, but trauma is trauma – you get the picture.

Meryl Streep plays Jane, an impossibly perfect domestic goddess, divorcee and mother of three with phenomenal taste and a successful bakery business to boot. Jane may have amassed beautiful things in her cozy Santa Barbara surroundings (at times you feel like you’re watching a Crate & Barrel catalog come to life), but she is still lonely and melancholy as she enters the twilight of her life. That’s probably because Jake, her ex-husband (played by Alec Baldwin) decided to trade her in for a younger, hotter model (literally) in the form of his second wife Agness (played by Lake Bell). The moment Agness and her flawless abs come waltzing onto the screen we realize that we have met the enemy, and she’s not only hot she’s young. Figures.

While in New York for their youngest son Luke’s (played by Hunter Parrish) college graduation, Jane and Jake get involved in an unexpected (and alcohol-fueled) romantic tryst after a chance run in at a bar. While Jake is amused by their encounter, Jane is horrified to find herself in the “other woman” role. Add to that scenario the fact that Jane has begun dating the sweet and unassuming architect of her dream kitchen, Adam (played by Steve Martin) and Agness wants to have a baby with Baldwin’s character, and the “complicated” part becomes fairly obvious. Still, Jake and Jane continue their affair after they return home, though no one seems the wiser – no one except Streep’s astute (and visibly uncomfortable) soon to be son-in-law Harley, played by the lovable John Krasinski.

Soon Jane is faced with a choice between two very different male suitors, her immature yet disarming ex-husband or her solid and somewhat nerdy architect beau. Helping her navigate through the mess are Jane’s upscale, post-menopausal friends, (picture a book club of chortling women) led by Rita Wilson. Despite the complicated and arguably immoral nature of Jane and Jake’s rekindled romance, the audience can’t help but root for them anyway. Their characters are faced with the question “Can love exist after divorce?”  Maybe, but most likely the messy aftermath would lend itself to a “maybe not” answer. Either way, it brings the color back into their cheeks and makes for some sneaky on-screen moments.

It is every scorned or discarded woman’s fantasy, albeit an implausible one, to be in Jane’s shoes, but Streep manages to be more charming than vengeful. She would have stolen the screen from her fellow actors if it hadn’t been for Alec Baldwin’s stellar comic timing – if you like him on 30 Rock you’ll appreciate him in this film. Of course, John Krasinski never disappoints either, and I was happy to see Steve Martin play less of a bumbling cliché than he usually does in most of his stock family film roles. The film’s writer and director Nancy Meyers, known for her previous and similarly themed work like “Something’s Gotta Give” and “What Women Want” caters to a certain obvious demographic (which I am most certainly not a part of), however even those not in her target audience can probably appreciate the movie’s sharp dialogue and humor. I’d love to say that the borderline-geriatric physiques of Streep and Baldwin are not only still attractive but also kept under wraps the entire time, but there are a few unavoidable cringe-worthy moments. Even still, in a holiday movie season filled with sweeping digital masterpieces, sometimes a little reality and unapologetic imperfection are a welcome change.

Grade: B

For Additional Poptimal reviews of It’s Complicated check out It’s Complicated: Just Misses the Mark by Trisha Huntsman

Alvin and The Chipmunks 2: Squeaky Clean Fun

The sequel or “squeakquel” to the live action/CGI version of Alvin and the Chipmunks is a fun movie to take the kids too during the holiday season. I never saw the original movie, but as a kid, I was a huge fan of the cartoon series that ran from 1983 to 1990  .

The film focuses on chipmunk brothers Alvin, Simon, and Theodore as they try to survive high school and all that it entails: girls, bullies, sports, popularity, parties, principals and of course former managers bent on revenge. Dave wants his boys to have regular lives again after becoming international rock stars. I think this especially applies to Alvin whose ego seems to have quadrupled with fans worldwide. Audiences are also introduced to Brittany, Jeannette, and Eleanor, a trio of sister chipmunks who also sing and dance. They are being used by Ian Hawke to gain his former power and prestige as the manager of a hit act. The two groups end up battling each other for a chance to represent the high school in a musical competition. Other characters include Toby Seville (cousin of Dave Seville), who becomes an unexpected guardian to the chipmunks after both Dave and their Aunt Jackie are injured.

There are some notable actors who lend their voices such as Justin Long (Alvin), Jesse McCartney (Theodore), Christina Applegate (Brittany), Anna Faris (Jeannette), and Amy Poehler (Eleanor). Jason Lee and David Cross reprise their roles as Dave Seville and Ian Hawke with Zachary Levi (from NBC’s Chuck) playing video game loving Toby.

The message of the movie is the importance of family and being there for each other. The chipmunks’ bonds are tested as they go through the trials and tribulations of high school. The Chipettes’ also experience this as they deal with Hawke, who intends to focus the group around Brittany. Kids can relate to the bullies, peer pressure, popularity and acceptance since they are issues all experienced in school.

Good points of the film include the CGI work on the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. Each character was distinct looking and their facial expressions were realistic enough. The film included a number of current pop hits performed by the furry speaking animals that definitely made it cuter to watch. The physically comedy is also funny, especially Theodore’s fear of eagles. There was a little voice in my head wondering why no one thought that talking animals were bizarre.

Neutral points: this is a very pop culture heavy film with references to YouTube and cameos by young Filipino singer Charise and America’s Best Dance Crew season three winners Quest Crew. Also Jason Lee was barely in the film, though that could be a good thing since his lines felt forced especially his rendition of “Alvvvvin!”.

I think kids under the age of thirteen will especially enjoy the movie, but anyone older than that may want to wait till it comes out on video. I liked the cartoon version more than the film, but then again my memories of that are of a seven year old.

Next Page »