Matt Zimmer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
matt_zimmer) wrote2012-11-18 11:56 pm
matt_zimmer) wrote2012-11-18 11:56 pm
The Amazing Spider-Man Review (Spoilers)
Also reviews for the latest episodes of Arrow, The Looney Tunes Show, MAD, Once Upon A Time, Revolution, Fringe, Grimm, The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Haven, The Office, Parks And Recreation, 30 Rock, American Horror Story: Asylum, and 666 Park Avenue.
Upcoming reviews include Brave (Blu-Ray), The Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 2, Prep & Landing: Totally Tinsel Collection, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season 1 - Volume 2, Power Rangers Super Samurai: The Complete Season, Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation: Volume 2, Transformers Prime: Season 2, The Adventures Of Young Indiana Jones Volume 2: The War Years, The Adventures Of Young Indiana Jones Volume 3: The Years Of Change, and Heathcliff: Season 1 - Volume 1.
Arrow "Legacies"
Painted hockey masks for The Royal Flush Gang? Way to raise the bar, Arrow.
Unless the Flushes are going to be recurring baddies and evolving with each appearance those "costumes" were total cr*p. The Royal Flush Gang is interesting because they flaunt their criminality and have showy costumes designed to thumb their noses at authority. I think the guys wearing President masks in Point Break made a bigger statement than they RFG did here.
I also find it hard to believe that this is the first time Oliver fighting street crime has ever come up. Did he REALLY not plan for this? Because the second he put on that hood he had a responsibility to the city that was bigger than his father. He really hadn't considered this?
This episode, like last week's annoyed me. I'm far from giving up on this show (there is usually more good than bad) but fans saying this blows Smallville out of the water are blowing smoke. **1/2.
The Looney Tunes Show "Customer Service"
This episode really misused Cecil Turtle. In the old cartoons, Cecil always got the best of Bugs because of Bugs' hubris and because he outsmarted him. Here he is just a nasty jerk who plays games with people's heads for no reason. It WAS cathardic to see Bugs finally outwit him after 75 years. But they had to completely rewrite the character to do it.
Lola and Tina were a bit more successful (as was Speedy watching Mexican soap operas) but considering it was Lola, it should have been better. I liked Bugs simply letting Speedy watch his soap opera at the end because it was a nice return to the casual Bugs after seeing him so upset during the episode.
One more thing I liked: the fact that the people at the customer service place called Daffy overqualified because of his work history. It's totally true when you think about it. Sure Daffy has failed at a LOT. But he's done an awful lot of noteworthy stuff and even some stuff that he was actually competent at (I'm specifically thinking of when he got his cosmetology license and when he joined the Marines). If Daffy really wanted to, he could probably get any job he wanted just on resume alone.
So-so episode. **1/2.
MAD "Bourne Leg-a-turkey / Pilgrimm"
The Grimm parody was surprisingly off the mark (Hank can't see the Wesen spammit!) and the Jokahontas running gag was vaguely racist. Weak outing. A turkey (groan). *.
Once Upon A Time "Child Of The Moon"
King George's plan was literally the stupidest ever. I can't believe he thought he was going to get away with it. And I can think of at least a half-dozen other ways for Emma and Snow to get home. So he won't win there either.
We got confirmation that it was Henry Aurora saw in her Black Lodge / Red Room vision and vice versa. Good call, fanboys.
Gold not wanting anything in return is very interesting. I wonder why he has such a soft spot for Henry as it's never been hinted at before.
The flashbacks were all right if a bit predictable. I like Red so I knew she would do the right thing in the end no matter the cost.
Belle is the biggest sap of all time. For such a feminist show, her and Aurora's stupidity bring down it's grrl power cred quite a bit.
Interesting episode. ***1/2.
Fringe "Five-Twenty-Ten"
Well, we finally learned why the Observers are bald.
I have to say, I'm relieved that Peter finally told Olivia the truth. This is the longest he's ever kept something from her and considering how huge it was I'm having a hard time believing she won't be REALLY upset with him if she ever stops worrying for a second. It was a really crummy thing to do.
Speaking of really crummy things, the theory that William Bell was trying to remake the universe in season four to stop Observageddon was shot all to Hell. I am struggling to think of reasons WHY he would join the Observers. They better be planning to bring back Leonard Nimoy in the series finale. I want some answers on this.
Walter's cruelty to Nina was alarming especially because right after he said it, you know he realized exactly who was speaking. To his credit he tried to make amends at the end by telling her that William DID love her and confess that the fact that it wasn't enough worried him. Will Nina take those parts out of Walter's brain? Does she even have the skills to do it (or know someone who does)?
Very intruiging episode. I'm looking forward to getting some concrete answers in the final weeks. ****1/2.
Revolution "Ties That Bind"
Well, Monroe has the Magic Pendant. However, if I remember correctly it won't work properly without the other 11. True, the gang doesn't know that but that is one heck of a silver lining. Let the hunt for the Horcruxes begin!
I finally see WHY Miles left Monroe. Dude is a totally paranoid freak. Talk about overreacting to two mild situations. The one with his general having a son in the resistance was a BIT of a moderate deal but he totally went insanely overboard about it. And his punishment for Jason asking a simple question was frankly, crazy. I almost DO want to see Neville overthrow him. Neville is actually the less crazy / more stable option. And that's terrifying.
I wonder what that place Randall and Grace are in is. Weapons hanger, perhaps?
Nora's sister's betrayal was something I should have seen coming but didn't. What a crummy thing to do. To add salt to the wound she lied about finding their father. And she has the nerve to compare it to Nora trying to protect her sister when they were little? Jebus.
I don't blame Aaron for losing the pendant like Miles does. But I DO blame him for Monroe knowing the group has it in the first place. Sloppy playing with the thing in front of Nate / Jason.
Interesting episode but I was annoyed by many of the characters by the end. ***1/2.
Grimm "Season Of The Hexenbeist"
"To Be Continued...Sorry" is the funniest cliffhanger card I have ever seen. Joss Whedon could have come up with it. It's that great.
I am depressed that they seem to be moving ahead with Juliet and Renard according to the previews. On the plus side it looks like the days of Nick and Hank being fooled by Renard are going to be coming to an end. I wonder what that means for his future on the show. Will he still be police Captain?
Even though I want to see Juliette with Nick as much as anyone I have to confess she was working my last nerve this episode. Technically, since she lost her memory of Nick she's excused but how many times was Nick supposed to warn her about Adelind before she finally gets a clue? And she has the nerve to say that Nick used her? He's a cop! He's trying to protect her. Ever since she lost her memory the writers seem to have knocked off a bunch of IQ points too. Nick had the best response to being cheated on I have ever heard: "It's none of my business anymore." Snap!
I love that Juliet wasn't mad at Monroe. C'Mon who could stay mad at him anyways?
It's implied that Nick already told Hank that Adelind was a Hexenbeist off-screen. THAT was a conversation I would have liked to have seen. What a disappointment.
Renard finding the trailer? Bad news. I'm guessing he WILL get the key in the next episode and that we are soon going to find out HOW bad that will be. Great episode that had me pulling out all of my hair by the end. *****.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "The Guantlet / Enter Shredder"
I was amazed that the weakest part of the episode was the fight with Shredder at the end. It should have been MUCH worse than that. This Shredder is nowhere NEAR the fighter Utrom Shredder was on the 2004 show.
I was super annoyed that they didn't rescue April's father. Especially because it was all Michealangelo's fault. There has never been a stupider, more reckless interpretation of the character. I know he's a goof. He's also a ninja and should be portrayed as competent in high risk situations.
I didn't like the way the characters were portrayed. The bread-crazy mutant pigeon was amusing though. **1/2.
The Simpsons "Gone Abie Gone"
I enjoyed the episode a lot. It wasn't perfect but I had fun watching it which is pretty much all you can ask for. We also learned some stuff about Grandpa which was nice especially because none of it contradicted earlier canon. Take note "That 90's Show". This is how it's done.
I especially liked that we learned that Grandpa really DOES love Homer. It's been a running gag how little he cares for him and even in the episodes where he and Homer have bonded in the past we've seen little evidence that he actually loves him. I believe this is the first time we've learned that Abe actually did something selfless for him.
Chalkboard gag: A+. Mmmmm, Karl Rove. Your tears are so salty and yummy!
I hope they bring Abe's wife back. I think if they can make a trainwreck like Nedna permanent they could at least give Grandpa a little happiness.
Good episode. ****.
The Simpsons "Penny-Wiseguys"
Steve Carell is the best Simpsons guest star in literally years. You'd probably have to go back at least a decade to find a new character I've enjoyed more than Dan. So great.
The episode doesn't quite live up to how awesome Dan is but he's in so much of it that I can forgive it. He also got the best line: "There is NO part of a dead horse that won't scare someone". It's funny because it's true.
Lisa's bug plot was nasty and stupid. They are REALLY skirting around their promise to Paul and the late Linda McCartney and I don't like it one bit. Bart not caring about smashing the grasshopper cage was classic Bart though as was Homer smashing him through a window to stop Dan.
Second delicious chalkboard gag in a row. The producers are REALLY rubbing the wingnuts faces in it, aren't they? I approve. That election DID feel great, didn't it? Keep 'em coming.
Other than the Lisa stuff a near perfect episode. ****1/2.
Family Guy "Yug Ylimaf"
This reminded me of Red Dwarf's "Backwards" episode, right down to the reverse poop. I know it didn't happen, but if the writers were REALLY ballsy they would have used this episode to reboot the whole show. Nah, that's more trouble than it's worth but it's fun to think about.
Leave it to Brian to use Stewie's time machine to pick up chicks. It got pretty creepy by the end with the underage (but clever) woman but I was rooting for Brian to pick up that first woman instead of that slimy guy. And I have no idea why. I HATE Brian.
I liked this. ****.
Family Guy "200 Episodes Later"
I've seen the abortion episode. There is literally NOTHING objectionable in it. Even though Fox is too gutless to actually air it, it's galling that Adult Swim feels the same way especially because of all of the sacreligious stuff they've done on Morel Orel. I don't see why they can air the most "controversial" clips from the episode but not the episode itself.
And the show is a thousand times better since it came back. It being canceled was the best thing that ever happened to it. ****.
Family Guy "Joe's Revenge"
All right. I like that they addressed the Grinch crippling Joe in the flashbacks. If they were gonna retcon it, it's nice that they acknowedged the original canon.
That cat subplot was the most boring B story ever.
So-so. **1/2.
American Dad "American Stepdad"
I guessed the ending before it happened but not much before so it was all right with me. Steve's Fast and Furious subplot totally "echoed" Mr. Eko's brother's plane crash on the island in Lost. I think that may have been the point.
Pretty good. ***1/2.
The Cleveland Show "A General Thanksgiving Episode"
Loved Gus (his llama gag was hilarious), love Rallo, not crazy about the rest of the episode. Part of that is because I've never liked Holt and am never actually rooting for him. But at least we learned here that he isn't actually a virgin. ***.
Bob's Burgers "Mutiny On The Windbreaker"
Absolutely terrible. I'm shocked at how bad this was. Teh Ubersuck. That Captain annoyed me and Gene's subplot with the female puppet was super-disturbing. Awful. Only funny part was the captain whispering something in Bob's ear, Louise asking what he said, and Bob saying "Nothing. He just burped." So that gag gives the episode 1 star. *.
Bob's Burgers "An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal"
Funny. Louise got the best line: "You can teach me how to shoot and I can teach you to regret teaching me how to shoot." Ha!
Bob was SO funny this episode. I love it when he goes nuts and this episode gave him the perfect excuse. Hilarious episode. ****1/2.
Haven "Sarah"
Better than I thought it would be. Since this episode proved the past CAN be changed (even if it was changed back) I'm guessing Duke took the wrong lesson from what happened. Interesting stuff though.
Did Nathan and Sarah actually do the deed? Is he The Colorado Kid's father?
Great to see Garland again. Nicholas Campbell rocks!
Good episode. ****.
The Office "The Whale"
MUCH better than the last few weeks. Great to see Jan again and to see that she is still making people's lives miserable. Pam's reactions to her were great.
Nellie got the best line (to Dwight paraphrased): "How many women have you killed, and when did you kill them, and could you not kill me?" Nellie is turning into a show MVP.
Sick of the Oscar and Angela stuff. Worst part of the episode.
Well, maybe the mustache stuff was worse. Toby is SO creepy.
Not bad. ***1/2.
Parks And Recreation "Leslie Vs April"
So glad Obama won the election. I don't think I could stand four years of Leslie slobbering over Paul Ryan.
Good episode. Best part was the Andy stuff although everyone offering Ben a job was funny too. I loved Chris being so positive and encouraging to Andy. He was so cheerful when he told him he would NOT be getting a gun and shooting people.
Good. ***1/2.
30 Rock "Aunt Phatso Vs. Jack Donaghy"
I don't understand the fan criticism of Hazel. She's SUPPOSED to be annoying. She's crazy. I find it interesting that her same critics don't seem to have the same problem with Jenna who is even worse.
Loved Tracy getting the best of Jack like that. That was a VERY clever plan.
Prettt good ep. ***1/2.
American Horror Story: Asylum "I Am Anne Frank, Part 2"
I pegged Thredson as Bloodyface last week after that sick aversion therapy session. I don't care if that kind of thing was common in mental hospitals in the 60's only a truly sick person would do it.
I am REALLY worried for Kit. I don't see a way out for him. Thredson framed him good.
For the record, I think Lana will escape. I don't see them killing her off or at least not by Bloodyface.
I was SO disappointed that Anne Frank was a fraud. They could have REALLY made things interesting if they had chosen to.
Not as great as it could have been but the last five minutes were riveting. ****.
666 Park Avenue "Downward Spiral"
MUCH better than the past few weeks. This show may be doomed but this episode showed potential. I think it was REALLY smart to have Jane and Nona compare notes. But they should have had them doing it in a MUCH earlier episode!
An improvement. ***1/2.
The Amazing Spider-Man
This is perhaps the least necessary reboot ever. To be fair, it really isn't any worse that Sam Raimi's Spider-Man. But it really isn't any better either which is supposedly the reason franchises get rebooted in the first place.
Look at Batman Begins. Yes, it saved the Batman franchise. But say what you will about Joel Schumacher's Batman And Robin. Spider-Man 3 was not in that horrible film's league. Not even close. Heck, I wouldn't even call it a bad movie. Just the worst of the three Spider-Man films which were all pretty good. They didn't NEED to reboot the franchise. Especially with the cast still young and healthy.
How is this film? All right, but I made the right decision in not seeing it in the theater. It did some stuff right and some stuff wrong. Unlike rumors that it was going to take place while Peter had already been Spider-Man for awhile it is actually an origin story. SO not needed at this point especially since the first film's origin was so good. This one strays SO far from the established mythos that it doesn't seem much like the Spider-Man origin. To be fair, that's probably because the film didn't want to compete with Raimi's again. But if you change EVERYTHING Raimi did just to set it apart, it's no longer Spider-Man. However, Andrew Garfield's Peter here is FAR more culpable in Uncle Ben's death than Tobey Maguire's was. Him actually accepting the stolen milk from the killer just made it that much more worse when he killed Ben. So, even if it strayed from the mythos a LOT in telling Ben's death (Peter was NOT in costume here) in some respects it was better.
The good:
- Wisecracks. It was only a couple of scenes but they were welcome. One thing I noticed about them: in realistic, dangerous situations like live-action movies, saying them makes the hero come off as almost unhinged. I have a sneaking suspicion that's why Raimi didn't use them. Wisecracks in desperate situations seem more realistic if they are coming from crazy people, like Heath Ledger's Joker.
- Peter revealing his identity to Gwen in the middle of the picture. No soul-searching, no artificial soap opera drama, he just felt like doing it and did it. That is QUITE refreshing for a Spider-Man project which is usually ALL about the manufactured drama.
- Flash Thompson was a real person. That NEVER happens.
- The cast. Sally Field is a MUCH better Aunt May than Rosemary Harris was and ditto for Martin Sheen vs. Cliff Robertson's Uncle Ben. And even though he didn't appear in the original films, Denis Leary makes a surprisingly great George Stacy. And Andrew Garfield doesn't seem like he's in his early thirties like Tobey Maguire did in the first film. Only person I'm not sure about is Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. She was a bit TOO hot and seemed WAAAYYY out of Peter's league. The film did a noble job of explaining this by making Peter not a nerd at all and a bit of a cutie. But again, that isn't what Spider-Man is about.
- Two words: web shooters. The costume was also a little bit more believable too. I could buy that a smart kid could come up with it. They could explain it coming from a genius rather than a movie costume designer.
- This is easily the best Stan Lee cameo in a Marvel movie EVER.
The bad:
- Killing off Captain Stacy. They tried to pull the same boring trick the first film did (It's not safe for you so I can't be with you) and killing off George was the only believable way for that to happen so it seemed a bit cheap to me. To the film's credit it practically went out of it's way to hint that the "ending" of the relationship was temporary at best, (see Gwen's big smile at Peter saying broken promises are the best ones), and they actually showed that Gwen DID figure out that the only reason Peter was staying away was because he promised her father.
- Dr. Curt Connors. Little too evil, in my book. They pulled it back a little in his last couple of scenes but Connors works best when he's ONLY horrible when he's the Lizard. That makes him a much more tragic and sympathetic figure.
- The movie teases some big secret about Peter's parents and then doesn't bother revealing it. Who was that guy in the last scene anyways? Norman Osbourne? Because if it was, he looks pretty lively for a dying guy (and also seems to be channeling the Joker a bit).
- The camera that says "Property of Peter Parker" on it. Is Peter this big a dope in the comics?
- The climax was VERY by-the-numbers. Didn't really grab me the way Spider-Man 2's did or even the first film's.
All in all, a good movie. But I went in thinking it didn't really need to be made and my opinion remains unchanged after seeing it. ****.
Deleted Scenes:
Some good ones. Overall: ****.
A Different Fate: Alternate take of the robbery and Uncle Ben's murder. I'm glad this was changed. Ben's death is more heroic in the movie and the clerk is SO jerkish that you almost think seeing him suffer is worth Uncle Ben getting killed . **1/2.
Connor's Condolences: This should have been in the movie. ****1/2.
Tracking Connors: My Stalky sense is tingling. ***1/2.
Hacking Connors: Spidey isn't the only one snooping on the Lizard. ***.
Going Away: Another Connors scene that should have been in the movie, especially considering how well it parallels the first scene of Richard Parker saying goodbye to Peter. *****.
Top To Bottom, Part 1: Sweet romantic scene between Gwen and Peter. ***1/2.
Top To Bottom, Part 2: Crazy Connors. I have never seen someone expel so much spittle on camera. Gross. **1/2.
Bad Lizard: So glad they cut this. I would have lost every once of sympathy I had for Connors had this been in the movie. It makes him look like a borderline pedophile / rapist. Frankly, I'm a bit dismayed it got as far as it did into the FX shots. *.
Help Me: This (and the next scene) stretch the movie length a bit too much. ***1/2.
All The Power You Feel: Lizard was originally going to kill the Indian scientist. This scene teases more of Peter's parents and their secrets but since it doesn't actually reveal them, it isn't needed. ***1/2.
Lost Something: Cute scene between a surprisingly intuitive Aunt May and Peter. I say "surprisingly intuitive" because in every other comic and cartoon I've seen, Aunt May is a total idiot. ***1/2.
Rite Of Passage: The Amazing Spider-Man Reborn:
Huge amount of production featurettes. Overall: ****.
The Drawing Board: Development And Direction: Spider-Man 4 sounds like it would have been AWESOME (it was supposed to close out the frachise the way The Dark Knight Rises did for Batman). They really should have made that movie, THEN this one. ***1/2.
Friends And Enemies: Casting: Best story was Denis Leary's. He says he originally thought he was up for the role of Captain Stacy because he was an award winning actor from Rescue Me. Then his friend shows him a comic book panel depicting Stacy's face and he is literally a dead-ringer for Leary. And as Leary noted about the other guy it resembled, Willem Dafoe had already been cast in the first two pictures. Hilarious. ****1/2.
Second Skins: Spidey Suit And The Lizard: The suit really DOES look like something an artistic kid could have come up with and as Stan Lee noted, the best part of the mechanical web shooters is that they can run out of web fluid at inopportune moments. ****.
Spider Goes West: Production - Los Angeles: Loved C. Thomas Howell busting that disappointed sounding kid's chops. It shows that Howell KNOWS he'll never be a Tom Hanks (too bad) or a Tom Cruise (thank goodness)! ****.
Safe Haven: Production - Sony Studios: Denis Leary REALLY wants to be back for the sequels. ***1/2.
Bright Tights, Big City: Production - New York: Not as much stuff was filmed in New York as in the first three movies. ***1/2.
The Greatest Responsibility: Post-Production And Release: I'm writing my letter on Denis "With One N" Leary's behalf now. ****.
Previsualization:
Animated Storyboards and CGI Animatics of all of the film's action and visual effects scenes. Overall: ****.
Revised Opening Sequence: Storyboards of the first scene. ***1/2.
Spider Room: CGI animatic of the creepy Spider Room. ****.
The Subway: Brief comical storyboard of the misunderstanding leading to the fight in the subway. ***1/2.
Birth Of Spider-Man: Storyboards of the montage of Peter designing his costume and practicing using his powers. ***1/2.
Handstand: CGI animatic of the hand-er, FINGERstand. ***1/2.
Rooftop POV: Awesomeness. This is the animatic for the sequence that became the teaser trailer. *****.
Overpass: This just reminds me of how much I'd like to see another CGI Spider-Man cartoon. *****.
Bridge: CGI animatic of the bridge sequence. ****.
Love Swing: A funny deleted CGI animatic that never made it to the film stage. ****1/2.
Lizard Sewer: Peter setting up a web for the Lizard. Still has his name on the stupid camera. ***.
High School: This contained some scenes that never made it to actual filming. And "I'm going to throw you out the window now" is STILL the best line in the movie. WHAT?! ****1/2.
Lizard Ambush: Cool. ***1/2.
Standoff: Where Captain Stacy learns Peter is Spider-Man. ****.
Crane: CGI animatic intercut with live-action motion capture stuntmen. Jameson was originally going to be mentioned in the movie. ****.
Oscorp Lab: Bit of extra dialogue that wasn't in the scene here. ****.
Oscorp Finale: Even more extra dialogue missing from the actual movie. Fascinating. ****1/2.
The Oscorp Archives Production Art Gallery:
Massive still gallery considering there are only three subjects. The Spider-Man one is the most interesting because it had the most off-the-wall designs (Lizard was pretty much the same from the start). That striped zebra Spidey suit is fugly. Overall: ****1/2.
Spider-Man: *****.
The Lizard: ****.
Environments: ****1/2.
Image Progression Reels:
Four progression reels with commentary. Overall: ****
High School Fight Sequence: It's amazing how much of this movie was animated purely CG with no real live-action at all. ****.
Iconic Poses And Digital Environments: Spidey swinging through the city. ****.
The Lizard Emerges: As I listened to the guy on the commentary talking about all of the amazing visual details they put into both the Lizard himself and the high school environment, I realized that they really didn't need to go that far, and they did anyways. That's a good thing to completely nail something the audience probably isn't going to consciously notice. ****1/2.
Sewer Battle: I think the webs in this movie were nicer than the first three. Those looked kind of gunky and sticky. These look firmer and as if they can support some weight. ****.
Stunt Rehearsals:
This is an odd special feature showing different rehearsals for various stunts. Aside from the fact that Spidey and Lizard look absolutely ridiculous in their blue and green pajamas but I can't help wonder WHY this was included on the Blu-Ray. It's interesting enough, don't get me wrong, and the Blu-Ray IS overloaded with bonus features already, but as I watched this I couldn't help but wonder why this was included but say, a blooper reel, cast auditions, or a music video of some sort weren't. Overall: ***1/2.
Subway: Fun. ****.
Testing Powers: Those gymnastics are impressive, even the ones done with wires. ****1/2.
Alley Fight: The best fight scene in the movie didn't even use any visual effects. ****1/2.
Escape Under Bridge: Even if I was an athelete you NEVER catch me even attempting something like this. Crazy dangerous. Stuntmen must be out of their minds. Or super-rich. ****1/2.
Sewer Fight: This looked goofy. ***.
Spidey Vs. Lizard: Even goofier but at least it poked FUN of the goofiness by having two uninterested people reading in the foreground in one shot and a "sleeping" dummy in the next. ***1/2.
Lizard Attacks Swat: Cool. ***.
Swat Attacks Spidey: It was sort of weird seeing the stunt guy stand in for Captain Stacy when Stacy did no stunts during the scene. ***1/2.
Developing The Amazing Spider-Man Video Game: Someday videogame footage will be indistinguishable from live-action movies but we're not there yet. I recognize Rhino and Scorpion from the game. ****.
Blu-Ray / DVD Menus: By the book. Like the movie. ****.
Upcoming reviews include Brave (Blu-Ray), The Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 2, Prep & Landing: Totally Tinsel Collection, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season 1 - Volume 2, Power Rangers Super Samurai: The Complete Season, Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation: Volume 2, Transformers Prime: Season 2, The Adventures Of Young Indiana Jones Volume 2: The War Years, The Adventures Of Young Indiana Jones Volume 3: The Years Of Change, and Heathcliff: Season 1 - Volume 1.
Arrow "Legacies"
Painted hockey masks for The Royal Flush Gang? Way to raise the bar, Arrow.
Unless the Flushes are going to be recurring baddies and evolving with each appearance those "costumes" were total cr*p. The Royal Flush Gang is interesting because they flaunt their criminality and have showy costumes designed to thumb their noses at authority. I think the guys wearing President masks in Point Break made a bigger statement than they RFG did here.
I also find it hard to believe that this is the first time Oliver fighting street crime has ever come up. Did he REALLY not plan for this? Because the second he put on that hood he had a responsibility to the city that was bigger than his father. He really hadn't considered this?
This episode, like last week's annoyed me. I'm far from giving up on this show (there is usually more good than bad) but fans saying this blows Smallville out of the water are blowing smoke. **1/2.
The Looney Tunes Show "Customer Service"
This episode really misused Cecil Turtle. In the old cartoons, Cecil always got the best of Bugs because of Bugs' hubris and because he outsmarted him. Here he is just a nasty jerk who plays games with people's heads for no reason. It WAS cathardic to see Bugs finally outwit him after 75 years. But they had to completely rewrite the character to do it.
Lola and Tina were a bit more successful (as was Speedy watching Mexican soap operas) but considering it was Lola, it should have been better. I liked Bugs simply letting Speedy watch his soap opera at the end because it was a nice return to the casual Bugs after seeing him so upset during the episode.
One more thing I liked: the fact that the people at the customer service place called Daffy overqualified because of his work history. It's totally true when you think about it. Sure Daffy has failed at a LOT. But he's done an awful lot of noteworthy stuff and even some stuff that he was actually competent at (I'm specifically thinking of when he got his cosmetology license and when he joined the Marines). If Daffy really wanted to, he could probably get any job he wanted just on resume alone.
So-so episode. **1/2.
MAD "Bourne Leg-a-turkey / Pilgrimm"
The Grimm parody was surprisingly off the mark (Hank can't see the Wesen spammit!) and the Jokahontas running gag was vaguely racist. Weak outing. A turkey (groan). *.
Once Upon A Time "Child Of The Moon"
King George's plan was literally the stupidest ever. I can't believe he thought he was going to get away with it. And I can think of at least a half-dozen other ways for Emma and Snow to get home. So he won't win there either.
We got confirmation that it was Henry Aurora saw in her Black Lodge / Red Room vision and vice versa. Good call, fanboys.
Gold not wanting anything in return is very interesting. I wonder why he has such a soft spot for Henry as it's never been hinted at before.
The flashbacks were all right if a bit predictable. I like Red so I knew she would do the right thing in the end no matter the cost.
Belle is the biggest sap of all time. For such a feminist show, her and Aurora's stupidity bring down it's grrl power cred quite a bit.
Interesting episode. ***1/2.
Fringe "Five-Twenty-Ten"
Well, we finally learned why the Observers are bald.
I have to say, I'm relieved that Peter finally told Olivia the truth. This is the longest he's ever kept something from her and considering how huge it was I'm having a hard time believing she won't be REALLY upset with him if she ever stops worrying for a second. It was a really crummy thing to do.
Speaking of really crummy things, the theory that William Bell was trying to remake the universe in season four to stop Observageddon was shot all to Hell. I am struggling to think of reasons WHY he would join the Observers. They better be planning to bring back Leonard Nimoy in the series finale. I want some answers on this.
Walter's cruelty to Nina was alarming especially because right after he said it, you know he realized exactly who was speaking. To his credit he tried to make amends at the end by telling her that William DID love her and confess that the fact that it wasn't enough worried him. Will Nina take those parts out of Walter's brain? Does she even have the skills to do it (or know someone who does)?
Very intruiging episode. I'm looking forward to getting some concrete answers in the final weeks. ****1/2.
Revolution "Ties That Bind"
Well, Monroe has the Magic Pendant. However, if I remember correctly it won't work properly without the other 11. True, the gang doesn't know that but that is one heck of a silver lining. Let the hunt for the Horcruxes begin!
I finally see WHY Miles left Monroe. Dude is a totally paranoid freak. Talk about overreacting to two mild situations. The one with his general having a son in the resistance was a BIT of a moderate deal but he totally went insanely overboard about it. And his punishment for Jason asking a simple question was frankly, crazy. I almost DO want to see Neville overthrow him. Neville is actually the less crazy / more stable option. And that's terrifying.
I wonder what that place Randall and Grace are in is. Weapons hanger, perhaps?
Nora's sister's betrayal was something I should have seen coming but didn't. What a crummy thing to do. To add salt to the wound she lied about finding their father. And she has the nerve to compare it to Nora trying to protect her sister when they were little? Jebus.
I don't blame Aaron for losing the pendant like Miles does. But I DO blame him for Monroe knowing the group has it in the first place. Sloppy playing with the thing in front of Nate / Jason.
Interesting episode but I was annoyed by many of the characters by the end. ***1/2.
Grimm "Season Of The Hexenbeist"
"To Be Continued...Sorry" is the funniest cliffhanger card I have ever seen. Joss Whedon could have come up with it. It's that great.
I am depressed that they seem to be moving ahead with Juliet and Renard according to the previews. On the plus side it looks like the days of Nick and Hank being fooled by Renard are going to be coming to an end. I wonder what that means for his future on the show. Will he still be police Captain?
Even though I want to see Juliette with Nick as much as anyone I have to confess she was working my last nerve this episode. Technically, since she lost her memory of Nick she's excused but how many times was Nick supposed to warn her about Adelind before she finally gets a clue? And she has the nerve to say that Nick used her? He's a cop! He's trying to protect her. Ever since she lost her memory the writers seem to have knocked off a bunch of IQ points too. Nick had the best response to being cheated on I have ever heard: "It's none of my business anymore." Snap!
I love that Juliet wasn't mad at Monroe. C'Mon who could stay mad at him anyways?
It's implied that Nick already told Hank that Adelind was a Hexenbeist off-screen. THAT was a conversation I would have liked to have seen. What a disappointment.
Renard finding the trailer? Bad news. I'm guessing he WILL get the key in the next episode and that we are soon going to find out HOW bad that will be. Great episode that had me pulling out all of my hair by the end. *****.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "The Guantlet / Enter Shredder"
I was amazed that the weakest part of the episode was the fight with Shredder at the end. It should have been MUCH worse than that. This Shredder is nowhere NEAR the fighter Utrom Shredder was on the 2004 show.
I was super annoyed that they didn't rescue April's father. Especially because it was all Michealangelo's fault. There has never been a stupider, more reckless interpretation of the character. I know he's a goof. He's also a ninja and should be portrayed as competent in high risk situations.
I didn't like the way the characters were portrayed. The bread-crazy mutant pigeon was amusing though. **1/2.
The Simpsons "Gone Abie Gone"
I enjoyed the episode a lot. It wasn't perfect but I had fun watching it which is pretty much all you can ask for. We also learned some stuff about Grandpa which was nice especially because none of it contradicted earlier canon. Take note "That 90's Show". This is how it's done.
I especially liked that we learned that Grandpa really DOES love Homer. It's been a running gag how little he cares for him and even in the episodes where he and Homer have bonded in the past we've seen little evidence that he actually loves him. I believe this is the first time we've learned that Abe actually did something selfless for him.
Chalkboard gag: A+. Mmmmm, Karl Rove. Your tears are so salty and yummy!
I hope they bring Abe's wife back. I think if they can make a trainwreck like Nedna permanent they could at least give Grandpa a little happiness.
Good episode. ****.
The Simpsons "Penny-Wiseguys"
Steve Carell is the best Simpsons guest star in literally years. You'd probably have to go back at least a decade to find a new character I've enjoyed more than Dan. So great.
The episode doesn't quite live up to how awesome Dan is but he's in so much of it that I can forgive it. He also got the best line: "There is NO part of a dead horse that won't scare someone". It's funny because it's true.
Lisa's bug plot was nasty and stupid. They are REALLY skirting around their promise to Paul and the late Linda McCartney and I don't like it one bit. Bart not caring about smashing the grasshopper cage was classic Bart though as was Homer smashing him through a window to stop Dan.
Second delicious chalkboard gag in a row. The producers are REALLY rubbing the wingnuts faces in it, aren't they? I approve. That election DID feel great, didn't it? Keep 'em coming.
Other than the Lisa stuff a near perfect episode. ****1/2.
Family Guy "Yug Ylimaf"
This reminded me of Red Dwarf's "Backwards" episode, right down to the reverse poop. I know it didn't happen, but if the writers were REALLY ballsy they would have used this episode to reboot the whole show. Nah, that's more trouble than it's worth but it's fun to think about.
Leave it to Brian to use Stewie's time machine to pick up chicks. It got pretty creepy by the end with the underage (but clever) woman but I was rooting for Brian to pick up that first woman instead of that slimy guy. And I have no idea why. I HATE Brian.
I liked this. ****.
Family Guy "200 Episodes Later"
I've seen the abortion episode. There is literally NOTHING objectionable in it. Even though Fox is too gutless to actually air it, it's galling that Adult Swim feels the same way especially because of all of the sacreligious stuff they've done on Morel Orel. I don't see why they can air the most "controversial" clips from the episode but not the episode itself.
And the show is a thousand times better since it came back. It being canceled was the best thing that ever happened to it. ****.
Family Guy "Joe's Revenge"
All right. I like that they addressed the Grinch crippling Joe in the flashbacks. If they were gonna retcon it, it's nice that they acknowedged the original canon.
That cat subplot was the most boring B story ever.
So-so. **1/2.
American Dad "American Stepdad"
I guessed the ending before it happened but not much before so it was all right with me. Steve's Fast and Furious subplot totally "echoed" Mr. Eko's brother's plane crash on the island in Lost. I think that may have been the point.
Pretty good. ***1/2.
The Cleveland Show "A General Thanksgiving Episode"
Loved Gus (his llama gag was hilarious), love Rallo, not crazy about the rest of the episode. Part of that is because I've never liked Holt and am never actually rooting for him. But at least we learned here that he isn't actually a virgin. ***.
Bob's Burgers "Mutiny On The Windbreaker"
Absolutely terrible. I'm shocked at how bad this was. Teh Ubersuck. That Captain annoyed me and Gene's subplot with the female puppet was super-disturbing. Awful. Only funny part was the captain whispering something in Bob's ear, Louise asking what he said, and Bob saying "Nothing. He just burped." So that gag gives the episode 1 star. *.
Bob's Burgers "An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal"
Funny. Louise got the best line: "You can teach me how to shoot and I can teach you to regret teaching me how to shoot." Ha!
Bob was SO funny this episode. I love it when he goes nuts and this episode gave him the perfect excuse. Hilarious episode. ****1/2.
Haven "Sarah"
Better than I thought it would be. Since this episode proved the past CAN be changed (even if it was changed back) I'm guessing Duke took the wrong lesson from what happened. Interesting stuff though.
Did Nathan and Sarah actually do the deed? Is he The Colorado Kid's father?
Great to see Garland again. Nicholas Campbell rocks!
Good episode. ****.
The Office "The Whale"
MUCH better than the last few weeks. Great to see Jan again and to see that she is still making people's lives miserable. Pam's reactions to her were great.
Nellie got the best line (to Dwight paraphrased): "How many women have you killed, and when did you kill them, and could you not kill me?" Nellie is turning into a show MVP.
Sick of the Oscar and Angela stuff. Worst part of the episode.
Well, maybe the mustache stuff was worse. Toby is SO creepy.
Not bad. ***1/2.
Parks And Recreation "Leslie Vs April"
So glad Obama won the election. I don't think I could stand four years of Leslie slobbering over Paul Ryan.
Good episode. Best part was the Andy stuff although everyone offering Ben a job was funny too. I loved Chris being so positive and encouraging to Andy. He was so cheerful when he told him he would NOT be getting a gun and shooting people.
Good. ***1/2.
30 Rock "Aunt Phatso Vs. Jack Donaghy"
I don't understand the fan criticism of Hazel. She's SUPPOSED to be annoying. She's crazy. I find it interesting that her same critics don't seem to have the same problem with Jenna who is even worse.
Loved Tracy getting the best of Jack like that. That was a VERY clever plan.
Prettt good ep. ***1/2.
American Horror Story: Asylum "I Am Anne Frank, Part 2"
I pegged Thredson as Bloodyface last week after that sick aversion therapy session. I don't care if that kind of thing was common in mental hospitals in the 60's only a truly sick person would do it.
I am REALLY worried for Kit. I don't see a way out for him. Thredson framed him good.
For the record, I think Lana will escape. I don't see them killing her off or at least not by Bloodyface.
I was SO disappointed that Anne Frank was a fraud. They could have REALLY made things interesting if they had chosen to.
Not as great as it could have been but the last five minutes were riveting. ****.
666 Park Avenue "Downward Spiral"
MUCH better than the past few weeks. This show may be doomed but this episode showed potential. I think it was REALLY smart to have Jane and Nona compare notes. But they should have had them doing it in a MUCH earlier episode!
An improvement. ***1/2.
The Amazing Spider-Man
This is perhaps the least necessary reboot ever. To be fair, it really isn't any worse that Sam Raimi's Spider-Man. But it really isn't any better either which is supposedly the reason franchises get rebooted in the first place.
Look at Batman Begins. Yes, it saved the Batman franchise. But say what you will about Joel Schumacher's Batman And Robin. Spider-Man 3 was not in that horrible film's league. Not even close. Heck, I wouldn't even call it a bad movie. Just the worst of the three Spider-Man films which were all pretty good. They didn't NEED to reboot the franchise. Especially with the cast still young and healthy.
How is this film? All right, but I made the right decision in not seeing it in the theater. It did some stuff right and some stuff wrong. Unlike rumors that it was going to take place while Peter had already been Spider-Man for awhile it is actually an origin story. SO not needed at this point especially since the first film's origin was so good. This one strays SO far from the established mythos that it doesn't seem much like the Spider-Man origin. To be fair, that's probably because the film didn't want to compete with Raimi's again. But if you change EVERYTHING Raimi did just to set it apart, it's no longer Spider-Man. However, Andrew Garfield's Peter here is FAR more culpable in Uncle Ben's death than Tobey Maguire's was. Him actually accepting the stolen milk from the killer just made it that much more worse when he killed Ben. So, even if it strayed from the mythos a LOT in telling Ben's death (Peter was NOT in costume here) in some respects it was better.
The good:
- Wisecracks. It was only a couple of scenes but they were welcome. One thing I noticed about them: in realistic, dangerous situations like live-action movies, saying them makes the hero come off as almost unhinged. I have a sneaking suspicion that's why Raimi didn't use them. Wisecracks in desperate situations seem more realistic if they are coming from crazy people, like Heath Ledger's Joker.
- Peter revealing his identity to Gwen in the middle of the picture. No soul-searching, no artificial soap opera drama, he just felt like doing it and did it. That is QUITE refreshing for a Spider-Man project which is usually ALL about the manufactured drama.
- Flash Thompson was a real person. That NEVER happens.
- The cast. Sally Field is a MUCH better Aunt May than Rosemary Harris was and ditto for Martin Sheen vs. Cliff Robertson's Uncle Ben. And even though he didn't appear in the original films, Denis Leary makes a surprisingly great George Stacy. And Andrew Garfield doesn't seem like he's in his early thirties like Tobey Maguire did in the first film. Only person I'm not sure about is Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. She was a bit TOO hot and seemed WAAAYYY out of Peter's league. The film did a noble job of explaining this by making Peter not a nerd at all and a bit of a cutie. But again, that isn't what Spider-Man is about.
- Two words: web shooters. The costume was also a little bit more believable too. I could buy that a smart kid could come up with it. They could explain it coming from a genius rather than a movie costume designer.
- This is easily the best Stan Lee cameo in a Marvel movie EVER.
The bad:
- Killing off Captain Stacy. They tried to pull the same boring trick the first film did (It's not safe for you so I can't be with you) and killing off George was the only believable way for that to happen so it seemed a bit cheap to me. To the film's credit it practically went out of it's way to hint that the "ending" of the relationship was temporary at best, (see Gwen's big smile at Peter saying broken promises are the best ones), and they actually showed that Gwen DID figure out that the only reason Peter was staying away was because he promised her father.
- Dr. Curt Connors. Little too evil, in my book. They pulled it back a little in his last couple of scenes but Connors works best when he's ONLY horrible when he's the Lizard. That makes him a much more tragic and sympathetic figure.
- The movie teases some big secret about Peter's parents and then doesn't bother revealing it. Who was that guy in the last scene anyways? Norman Osbourne? Because if it was, he looks pretty lively for a dying guy (and also seems to be channeling the Joker a bit).
- The camera that says "Property of Peter Parker" on it. Is Peter this big a dope in the comics?
- The climax was VERY by-the-numbers. Didn't really grab me the way Spider-Man 2's did or even the first film's.
All in all, a good movie. But I went in thinking it didn't really need to be made and my opinion remains unchanged after seeing it. ****.
Deleted Scenes:
Some good ones. Overall: ****.
A Different Fate: Alternate take of the robbery and Uncle Ben's murder. I'm glad this was changed. Ben's death is more heroic in the movie and the clerk is SO jerkish that you almost think seeing him suffer is worth Uncle Ben getting killed . **1/2.
Connor's Condolences: This should have been in the movie. ****1/2.
Tracking Connors: My Stalky sense is tingling. ***1/2.
Hacking Connors: Spidey isn't the only one snooping on the Lizard. ***.
Going Away: Another Connors scene that should have been in the movie, especially considering how well it parallels the first scene of Richard Parker saying goodbye to Peter. *****.
Top To Bottom, Part 1: Sweet romantic scene between Gwen and Peter. ***1/2.
Top To Bottom, Part 2: Crazy Connors. I have never seen someone expel so much spittle on camera. Gross. **1/2.
Bad Lizard: So glad they cut this. I would have lost every once of sympathy I had for Connors had this been in the movie. It makes him look like a borderline pedophile / rapist. Frankly, I'm a bit dismayed it got as far as it did into the FX shots. *.
Help Me: This (and the next scene) stretch the movie length a bit too much. ***1/2.
All The Power You Feel: Lizard was originally going to kill the Indian scientist. This scene teases more of Peter's parents and their secrets but since it doesn't actually reveal them, it isn't needed. ***1/2.
Lost Something: Cute scene between a surprisingly intuitive Aunt May and Peter. I say "surprisingly intuitive" because in every other comic and cartoon I've seen, Aunt May is a total idiot. ***1/2.
Rite Of Passage: The Amazing Spider-Man Reborn:
Huge amount of production featurettes. Overall: ****.
The Drawing Board: Development And Direction: Spider-Man 4 sounds like it would have been AWESOME (it was supposed to close out the frachise the way The Dark Knight Rises did for Batman). They really should have made that movie, THEN this one. ***1/2.
Friends And Enemies: Casting: Best story was Denis Leary's. He says he originally thought he was up for the role of Captain Stacy because he was an award winning actor from Rescue Me. Then his friend shows him a comic book panel depicting Stacy's face and he is literally a dead-ringer for Leary. And as Leary noted about the other guy it resembled, Willem Dafoe had already been cast in the first two pictures. Hilarious. ****1/2.
Second Skins: Spidey Suit And The Lizard: The suit really DOES look like something an artistic kid could have come up with and as Stan Lee noted, the best part of the mechanical web shooters is that they can run out of web fluid at inopportune moments. ****.
Spider Goes West: Production - Los Angeles: Loved C. Thomas Howell busting that disappointed sounding kid's chops. It shows that Howell KNOWS he'll never be a Tom Hanks (too bad) or a Tom Cruise (thank goodness)! ****.
Safe Haven: Production - Sony Studios: Denis Leary REALLY wants to be back for the sequels. ***1/2.
Bright Tights, Big City: Production - New York: Not as much stuff was filmed in New York as in the first three movies. ***1/2.
The Greatest Responsibility: Post-Production And Release: I'm writing my letter on Denis "With One N" Leary's behalf now. ****.
Previsualization:
Animated Storyboards and CGI Animatics of all of the film's action and visual effects scenes. Overall: ****.
Revised Opening Sequence: Storyboards of the first scene. ***1/2.
Spider Room: CGI animatic of the creepy Spider Room. ****.
The Subway: Brief comical storyboard of the misunderstanding leading to the fight in the subway. ***1/2.
Birth Of Spider-Man: Storyboards of the montage of Peter designing his costume and practicing using his powers. ***1/2.
Handstand: CGI animatic of the hand-er, FINGERstand. ***1/2.
Rooftop POV: Awesomeness. This is the animatic for the sequence that became the teaser trailer. *****.
Overpass: This just reminds me of how much I'd like to see another CGI Spider-Man cartoon. *****.
Bridge: CGI animatic of the bridge sequence. ****.
Love Swing: A funny deleted CGI animatic that never made it to the film stage. ****1/2.
Lizard Sewer: Peter setting up a web for the Lizard. Still has his name on the stupid camera. ***.
High School: This contained some scenes that never made it to actual filming. And "I'm going to throw you out the window now" is STILL the best line in the movie. WHAT?! ****1/2.
Lizard Ambush: Cool. ***1/2.
Standoff: Where Captain Stacy learns Peter is Spider-Man. ****.
Crane: CGI animatic intercut with live-action motion capture stuntmen. Jameson was originally going to be mentioned in the movie. ****.
Oscorp Lab: Bit of extra dialogue that wasn't in the scene here. ****.
Oscorp Finale: Even more extra dialogue missing from the actual movie. Fascinating. ****1/2.
The Oscorp Archives Production Art Gallery:
Massive still gallery considering there are only three subjects. The Spider-Man one is the most interesting because it had the most off-the-wall designs (Lizard was pretty much the same from the start). That striped zebra Spidey suit is fugly. Overall: ****1/2.
Spider-Man: *****.
The Lizard: ****.
Environments: ****1/2.
Image Progression Reels:
Four progression reels with commentary. Overall: ****
High School Fight Sequence: It's amazing how much of this movie was animated purely CG with no real live-action at all. ****.
Iconic Poses And Digital Environments: Spidey swinging through the city. ****.
The Lizard Emerges: As I listened to the guy on the commentary talking about all of the amazing visual details they put into both the Lizard himself and the high school environment, I realized that they really didn't need to go that far, and they did anyways. That's a good thing to completely nail something the audience probably isn't going to consciously notice. ****1/2.
Sewer Battle: I think the webs in this movie were nicer than the first three. Those looked kind of gunky and sticky. These look firmer and as if they can support some weight. ****.
Stunt Rehearsals:
This is an odd special feature showing different rehearsals for various stunts. Aside from the fact that Spidey and Lizard look absolutely ridiculous in their blue and green pajamas but I can't help wonder WHY this was included on the Blu-Ray. It's interesting enough, don't get me wrong, and the Blu-Ray IS overloaded with bonus features already, but as I watched this I couldn't help but wonder why this was included but say, a blooper reel, cast auditions, or a music video of some sort weren't. Overall: ***1/2.
Subway: Fun. ****.
Testing Powers: Those gymnastics are impressive, even the ones done with wires. ****1/2.
Alley Fight: The best fight scene in the movie didn't even use any visual effects. ****1/2.
Escape Under Bridge: Even if I was an athelete you NEVER catch me even attempting something like this. Crazy dangerous. Stuntmen must be out of their minds. Or super-rich. ****1/2.
Sewer Fight: This looked goofy. ***.
Spidey Vs. Lizard: Even goofier but at least it poked FUN of the goofiness by having two uninterested people reading in the foreground in one shot and a "sleeping" dummy in the next. ***1/2.
Lizard Attacks Swat: Cool. ***.
Swat Attacks Spidey: It was sort of weird seeing the stunt guy stand in for Captain Stacy when Stacy did no stunts during the scene. ***1/2.
Developing The Amazing Spider-Man Video Game: Someday videogame footage will be indistinguishable from live-action movies but we're not there yet. I recognize Rhino and Scorpion from the game. ****.
Blu-Ray / DVD Menus: By the book. Like the movie. ****.