The New Normal (NBC) - Television Review

Ryan Murphy of Glee, Nip/Tuck and American Horror Story fame does it again with this new comedy on NBC, pushing boundaries and breaking new grounds in this series about a gay couple who wants to have a kid.

The New Normal is easily one of the best comedy pilots I've seen from the batch of new shows this Fall. The show is heartwarming, laugh-out-loud funny, and the ending instantly leaves you wanting more. The cast that has been assembled here is also top-notch. Andrew Rannells and Justin Bartha play Bryan Buckley and David Murray, the gay couple trying to have a baby. Georgia King portrays Goldie Clemmons, a single mother who agrees to help carry the baby for the two men. Rounding out the cast is Goldie's daughter Shania, a hilarious role portrayed by the young Bebe Wood and Ellen Barkin as Jane Forrest, Goldie's conservative and outspoken mother.

The New Normal is not to be missed, and is a step in the right direction for NBC, a network that is known for quality comedy programming.

The New Normal premieres Tuesday September 11 @ 9:30/8:30c on NBC. **Please note that this is only a review of the early version of the pilot** 

Nashville (ABC) - Television Review

ABC joins the scripted singing game with its country music drama series Nashville which hails from the writers of Thelma & Louise.

Connie Britton stars as Rayna James, a country music sensation who finds her career quickly fading away. In hopes to not have her completely lose the profit from her upcoming concert tour, Rayna's producers offer her a deal to co-headline a tour with up-and-coming music artist, Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), who is Taylor Swift if she were a bitch with teeth. Unimpressed with the sloppy songwriting and autotune-heavy vocals of the young singer, Rayna is forced to find ways to keep her career in tact while also dealing with threats from her father, powerful politician Lamar Hampton (Powers Boothe) and the possibility of losing her music partner Deacon (Charles Esten).

I will start off by saying that Nashville isn't nearly as perfect as the reviews have been making it out to be. Due to its rather large ensemble, scene transitions and the pilot episode in general felt a bit bumpy and did not flow as smoothly as I'd hoped it to. That being said, the show has a lot of potential. With strong writing and an even stronger cast, this series could really take off once it finds its foot.

Connie Britton continues to prove that she can do no wrong, and while Hayden Panettiere's character could have easily come off as a one-dimensional mean girl, she is given a storyline in the first episode to redeem her behavior and also open up future storylines along the way. The show creators have created a rich group of characters in the world of country music, and its original songs fit seamlessly into the story. The show does not nearly rely as heavily on musical numbers as Glee or Smash does, which is a good thing.

The only other part that dragged the pilot episode along was the political sub-plot with Rayna's husband Teddy (Eric Close) being lured away by her father Lamar. With the music aspect of the show already filled with a plethora of characters and an abundant amount of potential plots, the sub-plot of having Rayna's husband run for office not only slowed the episode down but also felt a bit unnecessary.

The alphabet network has another compelling new drama series on its hands, and while not nearly as good as Revenge was last season, Nashville most definitely has the potential and will certainly find an audience. And even if you are not a fan of country music, there is still much to like about the show.





 Nashville premieres Wednesday October 10 at 10/9c on ABC. **Please note that this is only a review of the early version of the pilot** 

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - Film Review

In the epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises lives up to all its anticipation and finishes off the final installment in a near-perfect way.

After the 2008 movie starring Heath Ledger as the Joker, the expectations were set very high for the follow-up to the mega-blockbuster. While not completely without flaws, Nolan's final movie in his Batman series ends on a very, very high note.

It has been eight years since The Joker terrorized the citizens of Gotham in The Dark Knight, and the city is now in a state of peace. Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has since retired and left his alter-ego behind, and James Gordon has since put an end to the once crime-filled city. After a long, dragged-out first 50 minutes of set-up, the film's villain, Bane (Tom Hardy) begins to terrorize the city, leading Wayne to bring back Batman to put an end to the evil that is slowly creeping its way back into Gotham. What follows is 2 hours of apocalyptic-sized storytelling leading to a grand finale too good to spoil. With twists and turns thrown unexpectedly throughout the film, audiences are kept at the edge of their seat as they watch both the people in Gotham, and the city's heroic symbol Batman fighting for their lives.

New additions to the cast include Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, Tom Hardy as Bane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake, and Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate. Hardy is not nearly as delightful of a villain as Ledger was, and while he proves to be a real threat to Batman, the mask covering his mouth made his audio not only annoying to listen to, but also comical at parts. The real standout in the ensemble however, is Anne Hathaway. Hathaway continues to prove that she can do no wrong and I'd be surprised if she doesn't win an Oscar sometime in her career. As the role of Catwoman, Hathaway brings a level of complexity and flare to the character. In one of the earlier scenes in the film, Hathaway impeccably switches from being an innocent maid to the infamous burglar, further showcasing her acting chops.

While some superhero movies simply aim for flashy moments to grab viewers' attention, others manage to capture the audience's heart with its storytelling. In the case of The Dark Knight Rises, Nolan has written a screenplay filled with political undertones that not only gives its fans "superhero" moments of explosions and action sequences, but also a narrative that is endearing. The final act to this Batman trilogy is not to be missed.

Emily Owens M.D. (The CW) - Television Review

Mamie Gummer stars as Emily Owens, a doctor who so desperately wishes to leave her high school past behind to move on to bigger and better things in life....if only it were that easy however.

The new CW medical dramedy explores life in a hospital, and on Emily's first day, she soon realizes that a hospital is actually not very different than high school. In one of the opening scenes, she is told by another fellow intern, Tyra Granger (Kelly McCreary) about the social cliques in a hospital—the mean girls go into plastics, the stoners anesthetics, etc. And low and behold, Emily is also confronted by her high school nemesis, Queen Bee Cassandra Kopelson (Aja Naomi King) who just so happens to be a new intern at the hospital as well.

Mamie Gummer is a wonderful actress, but her attempt to pull off the ditzy cuteness that Rachel Bilson produced in the network's other medical show, Hart of Dixie falls short. Annoying voiceovers plague the episode, with Emily's inner-voice constantly speaking to her and telling her what to do. The pilot was also clogged with three different medical cases, making it not only hard to follow, but also also lacking an emotional pull.

Some fantastic actors, including CW veterans Michael Rady and Justin Hartley also star, but both are underused, with Hartley playing your typical pretty boy, and Rady left with little to nothing to do.

Emily Owens M.D. tries too hard to be the soapy goodness of Grey's Anatomy and the adorable feel-good TV that is Hart of Dixie, and when every character mentions that "the hospital is just like high school" a few too many times, things start to not only feel repetitive, but also unbearable to watch.

Emily Owens M.D. premieres Tuesday October 16th at 9/8c on The CW. **Please note that this is only a preview of the early version of the pilot** 

Beauty & The Beast (The CW) - Television Review

Smallville's Kristin Kreuk is back on the small screen in this modern take on the classic fairytale Beauty and the Beast.


Quite possibly the only CW series that is not heavily serialized, Beauty and the Beast is a loose adaptation of the 1980's television series of the same name that aired on CBS. Kristin Kreuk stars as Catharine Chandler, a no-nonsense homicide detective in New York City, and Jay Ryan stars as the not-so-ugly beast Vincent Keller.

The Pilot Episode opens in a bar in a small town. A young Catharine (Kreuk) is closing up the bar, but as she leaves is unable to start the engine of her car. She calls her mother for help, and as her mom is trying to help her start the car, two men pull up and kill Catharine's mom. Catharine flees into the woods, and just as the two men are about to kill her as well, she is rescued by a beast. Ten years later, Catharine is working as a detective in New York City. She's had a string of bad relationships and she breaks up with her latest boyfriend just as she heads in to a homicide case. The case ultimately leads her to Vincent Keller, which reopens the door to Catharine trying to uncover who killed her mother that night. What follows in the remainder of the episode is a paranormal romance amidst a case-of-the-week that is being solved.

The familiarity of seeing Clark Kent's love interest and the sweet girl-next-door back on TV is what makes the Pilot Episode remotely enjoyable. Like Rachel Bilson's return to television last year in Hart of Dixie, fans of Kreuk will be glad to have her back on a weekly basis. However, unlike Dixie, Kreuk is the only redeeming quality about this show. Clogged with poor writing and cliche dialogue, there is nothing here that hasn't been seen before in previous shows. Further, Australian actor Jay Ryan is no male lead material. His acting is subpar at best, with a scene near the end of the episode exposing his acting flaws as he transforms into the "beast" when angered.

What this series also needs to figure out is what they want the "beast" to look like. When Vincent is the beast in the episode, he is either shaded by dark lighting or impaired vision from another character's point-of-view. And when the appearance of the creature is revealed, it is a little underwhelming. Opting to use CG to create the beast rather than to go the route of Buffy and Angel and use make-up, Vincent's beastly appearance is more laughable than frightening.

Other than the ongoing mystery sub-plot regarding the death of Catherine's mom, there isn't much to Beauty and the Beast that makes it worth returning for a second viewing. What the series tried to do was two things: Tell a paranormal romance a la Vampire Diaries, and create a crime procedural like CSI. But poor writing made for both elements to be rather lackluster. My suggestion to the creative team of the show is this—Pick one or the other and perfect it rather than trying to do both.


Beauty and the Beast premieres Thursday, October 11 at 9/8c on The CW. **Please note that this is only a preview of the early version of the pilot** 

The Goodwin Games (FOX) - Television Review

FOX's midseason comedy The Goodwin Games revolves around three siblings—Henry (Scott Foley), Chloe (Becki Newton) and Jimmy (played by Jake Lacy in the Pilot but will now be played by T.J. Miller). After their father passes away, he has left them a $23 million inheritance. Through several VCR tapes left behind for his three children, they are to follow their father's instructions to compete for the money.

The Pilot Episode was more enjoyable than I expected it to be. Becki Newton and Scott Foley both had great comedic timing, and the chemistry between the two was delightful to watch as well. The one weak spot was the youngest brother, Jimmy. An ex-con guitarist who is released from prison in the first episode, Jimmy was the weakest character in the cast. He was neither funny nor was his story with his daughter compelling.

While predictable at certain parts, this was one of the better comedy entries this season. FOX also managed to slip in a American Idol alum's song, Phillip Phillips' debut single "Home" at the end as well. All in all, The Goodwin Games is a fun and funny look at the lives of three adult siblings that falls somewhere in between a family comedy and the older skewing sitcoms like New Girl and Happy Endings.

Coming to FOX in 2013. **Please note that this is only a preview of the early version of the pilot** 

Political Animals (USA) - Television Review

USA Network takes a dive into the world of dirty sexy American politics in the hotly anticipated limited series event, Political Animals.

Starring Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Sigourney Weaver, the series follows Elaine Barrish(Weaver) whose marriage to the philandering former U.S. President Bud Hammond (Ciarán Hinds) comes to an end after 32 years. Two years later, Elaine is working for current President Paul Garcetti (Adrian Pasdar) as the Secretary of State after losing against him in the previous election. With her ex-husband still an impending force in her life, Elaine's family, which also includes poster child Douglas (James Wolk) and reckless screw-up TJ (Sebastian Stan) is further complicated by the ravenous D.C. journalist Susan Berg (Carla Gugino) who is hell-bent on destroying Elaine's reputation and career. 


The pilot episode quickly develops a cast of intriguing characters and provocatively complex storylines set in the backdrop of D.C. politics. Sigourney Weaver is brilliant in the leading role, with her verbal sparring against Gugino's journalist character immensely entertaining to watch on screen. Sebastian Stan is also a major highlight as the openly gay train-wreck younger son of the family. The series is certainly more scandalous and gritty than the lighter more comedic fare USA Network generally offers, but this is a welcome change to their slate of programming, and proof that the network is ready to develop more sophisticated programs to compete with other cable networks like HBO and Showtime. 


A stellar cast, a tangled web of characters, compelling storylines and a cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more, this six-episode Summer series is not to be missed.

Don't miss the series premiere of Political Animals Sunday July 15 at 10/9c on USA Network.

666 Park Avenue (ABC) - Television Review

Evil has a wickedly delicious new home Sundays this Fall on ABC.

Starring Dave Annable ("Brothers and Sisters") and Rachael Taylor ("Charlie's Angels") as a couple who moves into  a apartment complex on Park Avenue and becomes the co-managers of the building, 666 Park Avenue is haunting, alluring, and addictive. The series also stars Terry O'Quinn as Gavin Doran, the building's owner, Vanessa Williams as Olivia, his wife, and Robert Buckley and Mercedes Masohn as a couple who also reside in the place.

The episode opens at a classical music concert in New York City, as O'Quinn's character is sitting with his wife watching a first chair violinist play in the orchestra. As the violinist continues to play, his hands begin to bleed as he presses his fingers against the violin strings. After the concert, the violinist rushes back to his apartment as he rushes to escape. He receives a phone call from Gavin (O'Quinn), in which viewers are let in on the deal that they made—a talentless violinist who asks to become first chair. After trying to escape the building, the violinist is somehow sucked into the wall, disappearing forever...and that is only one of the many victims claimed in the first episode.

The cinematography in the Pilot Episode was spectacular, with eerie lighting and camera movement to create a glossy but dark tone for the show. The episode was also very well-written, with several jaw-dropping moments and a cliffhanger at the end that will certainly leave viewers wanting more. While not much is given away about why the incidents that occur in the Pilot are happening, viewers do get an insight into the lives of the residents who live there, who all seem to have made a deal with the devil for a better, more comfortable life.

666 Park Avenue is dark, scary and seductive and is easily one of the best new shows of the fall season.


Tune in Sundays at 10/9c this Fall on ABC. **Please note that this is only a preview of the early version of the pilot** 

Savages (2012) - Film Review

Oliver Stone brings the gritty, violent and sexual novel by Don Winslow to the big screen with a star studded cast.

In a film that feels more Oliver Stone than any of his latest entries, Savages is an intense thrill-ride that is a pleasing alternative summer flick to the superheroes and family-friendly movies during this season. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Salma Hayek, John Travolta and Benicio Del Toro, the movie centers around three beautiful young people, Ben (Aaron Johnson), Chon (Taylor Kitsch), and O (Blake Lively). Ben and Chon are pot growers who are contacted by a Mexican drug cartel hoping to do business with them, but when they decline their offer, they've angered, Elena (Salma Hayek), the ring leader who then appoints her henchman Lado (Benicio Del Toro) to kidnap the boys' shared girlfriend, O (short for "Ophelia") leading the boys to go to great lengths to save her.


Though the pacing of the film was rather uneven, with some parts a bit slow and other parts leaving you at the edge of your seat, Stone, who also wrote the script, managed to give each of the characters a well-fleshed out story arc. From O's relationship with Elena, to Elena's with her daughter, to Ben and Chon's, etc. 

Salma Hayek absolutely slays as the drug cartel leader Elena, owning every scene she is in and proving to be a major force to be reckoned with. Every line she delivers is done so with such power that it actually makes you believe that so many men can fear a women with such a small physique. Narrating the movie and playing the role of the spoiled drug-addicted California girl, Blake Lively further proves that she is capable of taking on meatier roles than that of her shallow fashion forward socialite character on Gossip Girl. She may be flaunting her curves and golden locks, but the actress also brings a certain depth to her character giving O a backstory that explains why she is the way she is. Aaron Johnson continues to glow as a rising talent in Hollywood, playing the sensitive Buddhist Ben, whose chemistry with Taylor Kitsch's Chon makes for a highly believable friendship. Taylor Kitsch, after two major flops this year, continues to show that he is indeed a versatile actor as well. Another highlight in the cast was Benicio Del Toro, who gives a frightening but spectacular performance as Elena's henchman Lado. 

If you were looking for something other than superheroes, vulgar teddy bears, animation and male strippers, than Savages is the movie for you.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) - Film Review

Andrew Garfield swings and soars as the web-slinging Marvel superhero in this Spider-Man reboot.

Directed by Marc Webb, this re-imagination of the iconic superhero is earnest, fun and full of great performances. The film takes a slightly darker turn than the Tobey Maguire-led franchise, but also manages to insert wit and humor in it along the way. With plenty of stunning 3-D action sequences and a heart-felt love story, this Spider-Man certainly lives up to its title of being "amazing."


Andrew Garfield stars as the nerdy Peter Parker, who after being bitten by a spider develops spidey-senses of his own. He designs his own costume and web-shooters in this version, and also develops feelings for beautiful girl-next-door Gwen Stacy, played by the ever wonderful Emma Stone. The chemistry between the two leads were absolutely perfect, as the two managed to capture every bit of the experience of one's first love, making it both authentic and heart-felt. Further, Stone's Gwen Stacy proves to be a much stronger and less annoying female lead than that of Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane. Gwen Stacy is no damsel in distress, but rather a young woman with a strong moral conscience that compliments her love interest's. 


The one fault in this film however, is its villain. Rhys Ifans portrays Dr. Curt Connors, the lab partner of Parker's father who is in pursuit of a DNA-based cross-species genetic serum. While the Lizard facing off against Spider-Man made for some intense fight sequences, the CGI creature made the action scenes feel more like a video game than a live-action movie. In a film that focused so much on presenting realistic human emotions and characteristics, a more realistic villain would have been a better choice to suit the film's narrative. 


There is no doubt that Garfield was born to play the role of Peter Parker, and he flawlessly captures the very essence of what the young boy and his superhero alter-ego should be. The Amazing Spider-Man is a fun summer superhero flick that is not to be missed, if not for its two leads then for the familiarity of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, who has just proven himself to be worthy of a new franchise.