TV Shows Round Up- Aug 2011

For those of you who think that think that just cause it ain't Fall there ain't nothing to watch on TV, you're so fucking wrong. In fact, there is some really good stuff on TV, right now. Here's a round up for some of the stuff, I'm watching currently.

WARNING: SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!

All reviews out of 4 stars (and are based on how the show has been up and until this point in time).

Torchwood: Miracle Day- The fourth series from the BBC show (but the first to be in collaboration with the US), this amazing sci-fi drama on Starz is jaw droppingly good. In it, Miracle Day has come and no one dies. Ever. NO matter what happens to them or is done to them. It brings up some great philosophical questions, that coupled with the great writing and acting make for excellent genre television. Last night's ending, involving what is done to those who should be dead, has a real "HOLY SHIT!! THAT'S fucked up!!!" feel to it. Highly recommended. ****

Thundercats- This update on the classic 80s toon, is like the 2001 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe toon, a HUGE improvement over the original. It's darker, smarter, and more mature. The animation is stunning and action scenes are exciting. Plus, Snarf don't talk, characters die, and Lion-O is cool as fuck. And, Mumm-Ra fucking rules! It's only been three episodes (including the premiere which was two episodes in one), but it's already got my fullest attention. Also highly recommended. ****


G4/ Marvel Anime: Iron Man & Wolverine- Like the two aforementioned show, this airs on Friday night, making Friday nights extra awesome and geeky. They are the first of four Animes based on the Marvel Universe (the next two are The X-Men and Blade). Both feature gorgeous animation. Iron Man is decent enough, Wolverine is the better of the two with some exciting and violent action. Neither are great, yet, but are worth seeing, nonetheless. I like the more mature take on Marvel heroes, as opposed to the usual kid-friendly crap toons. Iron Man- **1/2, Wolverine- ***



True Blood, Season 4- After the highly uneven last season, this one has turned out great, so far. The first episode comes off as all over the place, but it needed to be to set up what would follow. Tara is a lesbian (her girlfriend is HOT!!), Bill is the vampire king of Louisiana, Jason is sheriff, and lot of other plot points. Including the fact that now we got witches!!! And, thanks to them Eric is as sweet and nice as a puppy dog. Sookie and him have hooked up, and it seems to only be getting better and better!! It's good to see one of my fav shows back in form. ***1/2



Celebrity Rehab- In the past I have said I hate most reality TV, but there are always exceptions. I watched some of last season thanks to them having Jennifer "Penny Flame" Ketcham on. This season has Sean Young, Bai Ling, and Amy Fisher, so I had to watch. I have to say I really feel for Ling, her story of what happened to her is heart-wrenching. Steven Adler proves that Axl Rose was not the only asshole in GN'R. In all it's good TV, and I'm glad to be watching it more often, than I had been. ***

Voltron Force- By far the weakest of the shows, that I am reviewing this one ain't bad. But, it's not really great either. It's a sequel to the original TV show. And, it makes up for the errors of that show, IE no corny mice or repetitive episodes, but I still want more Ro-Beasts! Also, I do not like the animation. But, my biggest problem are the kids added to the show. They are suppose to take over for our heroes, when they are done. But, they are mostly annoying, and I wish a Ro-Beast would step on them. I haven't watched it as religiously as I should. But, it just hasn't caught my interest as much. Which means, I forget it is on, sometimes. Oh, well. **

The Top 10 Horror TV Shows of All Time

Last night the fourth season of True Blood started. Now, I will be the first to say that last season while, having it's moments was the weakest, yet. Last night's episode was interesting. I hope the series gets back into shape. There is a reason why I have professed my love for it countless of times, afterall.

Now, then, I had suggested to my Twitter friend and fellow horror blogger, Ruby Violence, to do a blog on horror TV shows. Now, it's my turn, particularly with the return of TB. Due to censorship issues doing horror on TV is difficult. Though, the amount of violence now allowed on TV is much greater. And, in general, genre shows have gotten much better and smarter, moreso with the aforementioned liberty now allowed on channels like HBO and Showtime. So, sit back and enjoy my picks. If you feel there is some show that should be on this list, definitely let me know!

10. Tales from the Darkside- This anthology series was highly uneven, as the comedic episodes many times did not work. But, when it was played seriously, it provided us with some classic genre moments. The FX work and acting were at their best in these episodes. Besides, it has the best intro to a TV show, this side of the Twilight Zone.





9. Friday the 13th: The Series- Controversial when it aired, for it's TV pushing gore, it could also be pretty corny, sometimes. And, the episodes followed a definite pattern, but likable characters and actors (and the hotness of Robey) made this one the best horror show on regular TV, at it's time. It far outshines stuff like Monsters and Freddy's Nightmares and holds a very special place in my heart. Watch the episodes surrounding the cursed coin, that feature zombies and Satanic cults, for those in doubt of whether this show belongs on this list.

8. Harper's Island- It only lasted for one season, but this mystery/ slasher series really rocks hard. One by one people invited to a wedding (that of beautiful Katie Cassidy, pictured at left) die at the hands of what could be a killer thought to be dead. The deaths are pretty gruesome for TV, the cast is good, and the babes are hot (but Cassidy is the best!). I only started watching this show now on Chiller TV, but I'm really into it. I highly recommend it!


7. Tales from the Crypt- The first HBO original series. Without there would be no Sopranos, True Blood, etc. Filled with amazing casts and directors, the great mix of horror and humor makes this THE best pure horror anthology TV show of all time. Being on premium cable meant the show could get away with the kind of graphic gore, sex, and nudity that regular TV could not ever show. The show lasted for a long time, and it meant that as a horror fan you had to subscribe to HBO. It also earns points for the fact that each episode was based on an issue of the 50s classic horror comic (along with it's sister mags The Haunt of Fear and The Vault of Horror), meaning that Crypt's influence was undeniable on practically all forms of horror entertainment.

6. The X-Files- While, the core of the series was sci-fi, IE alien investigations, make no bones about it, this show worked best when it went all out horror. Well, expect for vampires, it really, er, sucked at that. But, it held it's own when it came to: werewolves, ghosts, demonic possession, witches, Satan worshipers, mutants, monsters, serial killers, psychics, etc. Episodes dealing with inbred hillbilly killers (which shocked Fox execs and earned itself the rare, on regular TV, rating of TV-MA) and the death fetishist (let's call a spade a spade, he was a necrophiliac) rank among horror's finest on TV, as well as some of the most boundary pushing (again for free TV). All that said, the last two seasons or so, suck and swallow alien cock.

5. True Blood- Man, I can honestly say that I can be pretty obsessive when it comes to this show. The first season was good, but it's the magnificent second season that truly blew me away. I already talked about the last season and my hopes for this one. But, at it's best TB is smart, sexy, and gory. It's got a great cast of characters and actors. But, it's romance at it's core works. And, that is really important here that it does. The amount of sex, nudity, and babes makes it a feast for eyes. And, the gore splattering reminds you that this ain't not Twilight shit. I remain a Trubbie and proud of it!!!



4. Angel- THE greatest spin-off in the history of TV. Darker than Buffy, Angel started off good, but like it's sister show it didn't hit it's stride until the second season. It ended with a far superior season (when compared, again, to it's sister show). With a very likable and intense lead and his great supporting cast, the show's mix of horror, humor, fantasy, and detective story worked exceptionally well. The fact there were some real hot babes was, to me, an added bonus. Oh yeah, the episode were Angel gets turned into a puppet is one of the finest on any TV show, of any genre!

3. Dexter- One of the best acted and smartest TV shows ever made is the best way to describe Dexter. The show hit it's pinnacle two seasons ago with the Trinity killer. Lithgow remains the show's best villain. Sadly one problem that has marred the other seasons (well, other that the first one and the Trinity one), and that's having a fitting ending. Last season was a great example of a great season, with a terribly weak ending. Still, when it's on track this is as captivating as TV gets. And, it also features what is easily one of the most interesting lead characters on any TV show.



2. Buffy the vampire Slayer- For a long time, to me, this was the pinnacle of TV, and not just horror. That it was based on a terrible movie, only makes that much more impressive. The first season was fun, but once season two came it trampled all the horror that came before it. Smart, funny, scary, and even moving. I cared so much for these characters, that I cried when Buffy's mom died! And, Spike was (is?) my hero! I even dyed my hair to look like him. And, then there was the babe factor, and the writing! Really. For a show with a rather silly name the scripts were really intelligent. Season five, with the awesome and beautiful villainess Glory, remains one of my fav seasons on any TV show. Sadly, the last season was it's weakest, by far, but the final episode rules!

1. Supernatural- When I first heard of this show, I was like, "Oh, no, Buffy with dicks". But, little did I imagine how great it would be. Each season is better than the last. The two leads are great, likable, and interesting characters. The violence pushes what can be done regular TV, the babes rank among some of the yummiest on any show. And, just when you think that can't top themselves, they do. This show NEVER fails to amaze me. I thought they could not top Lucifer, from two seasons ago, I was wrong. Last season was incredible. I don't know how they do it, and do it so fucking well. I pretty much worship this show. Nothing before it can touch the level of quality it has set for itself. Oh yeah, the car is fucking cool, too! Oh, and so is the use of rock music!!! Honestly, I could gush on and on about this show, but I will end before I come off as a fanboy... Hmm, I think it might just be too late for that!

TRUE BLOOD: The Complete First Season

My latest review is for the first season of hit HBO horror/ vampire drama TRUE BLOOD. Go check it out here: http://www.gorezone.net/dvdcrypt/reviewstxt/stu/TrueBloodS1.html

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Now playing: Venom - In League With Satan
via FoxyTunes

Dexter- Third Season Premiere

Last night one of the best TV shows, ever returned to TV. Here are my thoughts:

WARNING SPOILERS THROUGHOUT!!!!!!

So, this new season starts off with Dexter trying to get a scumbag drug dealer with a habit of killing young women (he has already offed two). Dex goes to permanently snuff the guy, but alas, he finds someone fighting him. The scumbag gets away, and Dex ends up killing the other dude instead. Who is he? Well he is the brother of a Miami DA, played by one of my fav actors Jimmy Smits. Smits' chaarcter is well loved in the community. Doh!

Dex has never done something like this. He needs to know if the guys is guilty or innocent. We soon learn that he is a junkie, thanx to Dex's sis. So, there must be more than meets the eye to this guy...

An interesting and bold beginning, I must say, having your anti-hero kill, a possibly innocent man. The episode was good and an interesting set-up to the rest of the season. My only complaint? It's a weak one, really. Dex's sis, Debra, has a new possible love interest. Does she really need a new one every season? The first one ended fucked up and the second one actually came off as rather sweet. Give the girl a season off of romancing, please!

Speaking of sweet, I love the relationship of Dex and Rita and her kids. It is very heartwarming and tender. And, getting back to Debra, what is up with that cute Asian chick from internal affairs, who keeps going up to her, to help her out on a case. Deb rejects cause she ain't a rat, but where will that lead to?

Call me intrigued, once again, by one of the best genre shows, ever!

Season Premieres: Supernatural and Heroes

With the new fall season upon us, TV shows have come back with new episodes. I will go into two of them: Supernatural and Heroes.

WARNING: SPOILERS THROUGHOUT!!!!!!!

Last season, Supernatural left on a high note. The death and ultimate sending to hell of Dean was a shocker.

This fourth season opened with a shocker of it's own. Dean is free from hell! But, who set him free? He thought it was bro, Sam, but alas it was not.

By the end of the awesome episode we learn it was an angel sent by God! Dean don't believe in God, but looks like he may have to now.

Meanwhile, Sam has been learning how to use his powers, which include exorcising demons. Too bad, he still don't how to do it without killing the host. Doh! But, he has help from Ruby! But, he told Dean that she is dead. And, she has a new host body, played by the pretty Genevieve Cortse . Hey, I think she is attractive, but she ain't no Katie Cassidey. Still, lets give her a chance, OK?

Anyways, this season has AWESOME written all over it. I am so pumped for it!!

The same cannot be said for Heroes....

Last season was really fucking bad. The writer's strike definitely hurt this show and hurt it bad. Right up to the TERRIBLE season finale, which was easily the worst season finale, that i saw this year. A lot of places love to kiss this show's ass, but not I. I will, on the other hand, gladly, kiss Hayden Panettiere's ass .

Anyways, I saw it last night, as on G4 as I went out on Monday night. I was underwhelmed to say the least.

At two hours, it was hard for it to catch and hold my interest. Here are some, very, random thoughts on it:

- Sylar having his powers back is great and all, and his attack on Claire (Hayden Panettiere) was really good and suspenseful. but, I have a problem with it. He says she cannot die, but in the alternate future shown in the first season, he did kill her, this same manner. I have a theory as to why she was able to live in this case (he gave her the top of her head back, and hence she was able to heal herself), but I ain't sure that this really makes all that much sense. But hey Hayden is hot!

- I consider Ali Larter to be one of the hottest babes ever . In fact, I am a long time fan. Yep, I have liked her since her appearance in Final Destination. Anywho, I don't really like the corporate look for her this season. And, I usually LOVE the sectary look, but just not for her. Still, she looked great in the first shot that she is in. But, her having yet another personality, this time as a lady in government is lame. How many different personality will she have? Is she gonna have one every fucking season, for chrissake?! Anyways, here is one more pic for my fellow Ali fans:

- The villains, for which this season is named after, suck. All of them rip-off some supervillain, whether it be Pyro, Magneto, or, just about master of fear villain (Mr. Fear, Scarecrow [both the DC and Marvel versions]), etc. To say nothing of the fact that the villain Hiro meets is a Flash wannabe. Very lame, very unoriginal, and, in all, not very interesting.

So it goes like this: Heroes has two more episodes to regain my interest, otherwise it gets flushed down the toilet.

Dexter- The Third Season Is Coming!

Quite simply put Dexter is one of the best shows on TV. It is certainly one of my favs. Smartly written and excellently acted, it deserves all the hype it gets.

WARNING SPOILERS THROUGH OUT!!!!!!!!

The first season of Dexter , introduced us to the character. Dexter is a blood splatter expert. But, at night he is a vigilante serial killer of serial killers, scumbags, and sickos. In this season, we learn that his adopted dad installed him a code of killing the bad guys only. But, we soon learn that he has brother. He is revealed as the season's serial killer, and it all leads to a very intense finale.

In the second season, the cops seem to be closing in on Dexter, but he soon gets out of it and even escapes a crazy chick he was dating. Played by the gorgeous Jamie Murray (yes, she is the daughter of Bill Murray), she is sexy, crazy, and scary! We have all met some pretty fucked up chicks, I know, but trust me this hottie was insane!

The cast in Dexter is so good! I love Micheal C. Hall in the lead role! As a horror fan, I love the female leads. First off, to me, Julie Benz was always the hottest chick on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. She is great as his long suffer main squeeze . The Exorcism of Emily Rose was a great film, and much in part to the acting of pretty Jennifer Carpenter , who plays his adopted sister and cop. Everyone else is amazing. In all, this great show, inspired by a Jeff Lindsey novel called Darkly Dreaming Dexter is an amazing mix of cop drama, suspense, and horror.

The third season looks so fucking good. I cannot wait for it! If you have not seen this show, you need to! Go watch the DVDs! Trust me, once you start watching this show, you won't wanna stop! Here is the trailer to the upcoming season:

Supernatural: Season Finale

Last night was the season finale to one of the best shows on TV: Supernatural. Since i have already told you guys about my love for the show; I will just jump into my thoughts on the season finale.

WARNING SPOILERS THROUGH OUT!

So, Dean's time was up last night. His deal with the demon meant it was time to pay up. The hellhounds were coming to collect. Our heroes went to find the demon Lilith. She is the one who was gonna get his soul. Lilith has been in the body of a little girl and has been an ubber-bitch since she first appeared this season.

In any event, there was so much in this episode!

The action and suspense were great. I loved seeing Ruby back, but alas she now joins Bella in the dead SN babe land.

The attack by the hellhound on Dean was bloody and shocking, more so for TV! The fact that Lilith could not hurt Sam ruled! As, did the end, with Dean in a Hellraiser like hell! Awesome stuff! Cannot wait for the next season!

Katie Cassidy

Last time, I talked a little about the girl who plays Ruby, Katie Cassidy, on the CW’s amazing SUPERNATURAL. Now, I’ll talk about her a little more.

She is actually the daughter of 1970’s pop idol David Cassidy and at 21 is legal to drink. Yay! Anyways, while she was in stuff like CLICK, I am first and foremost, a horror fan, and I will talk about her horror work.

Her first genre flick came in the form of the remake WHEN A STRANGER CALLS. Said film is far from good, (the original, by the way, is not great to begin with, but certainly is entertaining), but, yet somehow, is rather watchable. The lead villain is cool because we never learn shit about him (the opposite of the original). Anyways, Ms. Cassidy is one of the early victims of the killer, as she plays the friend of lead actress Camilla Belle, whom I think is even more beautiful and is one of my fav babes, ever.

Interestingly enough Cassidy’s next foray into horror would be another remake, this one of a film the original WHEN A STRANGER CALLS borrowed heavily from- BLACK CHRISTMAS. In this film, she plays one of a plethora of hot babes being terrorized by serial killer Billy. The original came out before HALLOWEEN or FRIDAY THE 13^TH and is masterpiece, the remake… not so much. That said, it is enjoyable in a purely brain-dead sort of way and works as a slasher with gory violence (especially in the unrated cut) and a shitload of hot babes.

Cassidy is at her best in SUPERNATURAL.

As Ruby, a demon who helps the brothers battle the forces of evil, she kicks some serious ass and looks great doing it. The origin of her character and her revelations she gave about hell and demons are further proof of how good this show is.

With her all-American good looks: pretty face, blue eyes, blond hair, and hot bod; she manages to shine on a show that almost always features smolderingly hot chicks. While, she has not yet disrobed, here is to hoping that she will soon and will keep doing work with my beloved genre.

SUPERNATURAL

I don't know if any of you are fans of SUPERNATURAL, but I can tell you this... you should be!

I have been with the show since the beginning, and it keeps getting better. Unlike shows like LOST (which i stopped watching long ago) and HEROES (which i more than likely will stop watching), the quailty on SUPERNATURAL is always high. It is my fav show, followed way closely by Showtime's phenomenal DEXTER, currently on TV.

Both of the lead characters are so well played by the actors and the supporting cast is amazing. There are cool monsters and creatures, graphic violence (espeacilly for TV!), and hot babes galore.

This season has out-done itself. And, last night's episode, the last new one in a while, was truly amazing. Not only was it the best episode of the season, but it was one of the best episodes ever. It perfectly merged John Carpenter's ASSUALT ON PRECIENT 13 with George Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD with a hint of THE EXCORCIST. In it, the two brothers were in jail and had to fend off, along with those in the preceint, a slew of citizens poessessed by demons trying to kill the brothers. The dark ending was jaw dropping and truly fucking amazing. Plus, this epsiode had both recurring babes Ruby (played by blonde beauty Katie Cassidy who was also in both remakes of WHEN A STRANGER CALLS and BLACK CHRISTMAS) AND Bela (Lauren Cohan)!

This TV horror at it's fucking best. Get with the program and watch it already!