Movies, TV, etc.
Since getting rid of cable and becoming a shut in, I've been watching fewer and fewer New Releases of any kind. Here's a few things I've watched that are, ahem, new to me. Be Kind Rewind - I'm not sure what's wrong with everybody. The movie is fantastic. It's not as good as Eternal Sunshine, obviously, but, it's still a work of near genius. The big complaint seems to be how the movie is awkwardly put together. That's on purpose. The movie feels like a story that's been Sweded. It's fucking genius. It's got heart, soul, and is funny as fuck. I'm glad that Gondry is back from the self-indulgent nightmare of Science of Sleep.
Newhart - Season 1 - Ah Bob. No better sitcom comedian has ever graced tv. While not as organic as the 70's Bob Newhart Show, the 'new' Newhart is still fucking amazing. Of course, it'll be a season or two before the cast we all remember shows up, but, considering how long it took us to get the first four of TBNS, and this first season, it might be a while.
No Direction Home - I somehow managed to miss this doc when it aired on PBS. One of those "I'll watch it eventually" things. It's Scorsese Documentary excellence mixed with the longest interview Dylan's ever given. It's masterfully put together, and the archival stuff they found is simply amazing. Footage of Woody Guthrie playing, Dylan getting booed, and recordings of the early pre-star Dylan tapes... wow. If you have any interest in folk culture, Dylan, or the 60's, definitely worth watching.
Torchwood - What a difference a year makes. Last season (which is linked here) was... okay. The second half really managed to off set the mediocre first half. But, it still wasn't there. This season... they get it. The show is purposefully juvenille, filled with ridiculous and unrealistic sexuality that really manages to make the whole thing feel like everybody is being guided by the oversexed aura of Captain Jack. So, sure, they do weird illogical shit, but, dammit, Captain Jack is there. I'm REALLY looking forward to the new Season of Doctor Who, simply to see it all tie together.
Lost - What a difference a year makes. Last season was... okay. (Hey look at me. I'm reusing the above review!) Anyways, this season has been exactly what it needed to be. We're making huge progress in story and character, and the twists and revelations feel substantial. I'm glad I stuck around, and this season has made it fairly certain I'm not going anywhere.
The X-Files - So, this is going to be a bit ridiculous. I never made it through the X-Files before. I watched Season One when it aired, and my punk rocky teenage self had no use for it. Consequently, aside from the assorted episodes here and there, I just never got through the whole show. While working on The Cleaners, and a few other procedural horror type things, I decided it was time. So, I started from the beginning. I'm about halfway through the second season, and holy shit... really fantastic. It's a little campy, and the stand alone episodes feel like they get in the way of the continuing plot (which unlike most people, I'm actually really into, thus far.) So, yeah. Go pick up that giant box set.
So hopefully, I'll get to see the Oscar movies shortly. Until then, that's all I got.