Star Trek Into Darkness is a Rousing Adventure

I’m not sentimental about movies that are based on old TV shows. For example, I’m not salivating at the prospect of seeing the revamped Lone Ranger, with Johnny Depp as Tonto. I mean, is it a comedy or what?

But the new Star Trek Into Darkness, which follows on the heels of the re-imagined Star Trek movie of 2009, rocks.

I loved it. It is pure rock candy. A rousing adventure with a great villain (played by Benedict…whatshislastname) and lots of action.

Sure there are sappy moments — I won’t reveal what for those who plan on seeing the movie — and several nods to the old William Shatner as Kirk shows.

But as pure entertainment, director J.J. Abrahms knows what he is doing.

Which gives me great hopes for his next directing assignment: Star Wars, chapter 7.

 

Newest American Idol Crowned Tonight

A colleague of mine was shocked when I said I still watch American Idol.

Well. I do. Without apologies.

And why not…OK…Seacrest is a bore. And the contest is tired and in need of revision, but nevertheless STARS are born here. Kelly Clarkson. Jennifer Hudson. Doughtry. Carrie Underwood.

Heck, you don’t even have to win to become a star.

I know, I know…there are too many shows like this already on the air. But I have a notalgic feel for American Idol, so even if I don’t watch every episode. And I don’t. I’ll watch tonight.

Kree Harrison (left) and Candice Glover sang their hearts — and guts — out during Wednesday’s hour-long performance finale (full recap!) in three rounds: Simon Fuller’s Pick, Coronation Single, and Repeat of a Favorite Performance.

I didn’t think there was a dud in the lineup (Kree’s “Angel” was sleepy, but come on, so is that song) but after Candice’s incredible cover of “I (Who Have Nothing)” I’d say the more deserving winner is clear.

Kree is a finely tuned, consistent performer who can go far in the real world, but Candice can put on one hell of a SHOW in reality TV land. Her vocal gymnastics are amazing.

Find out what happens. And then let me (and everyone else) know what you think about it.

Michael J. Fox Returns in a New Comedy Series Next Fall

I was very happy to learn that Michael J. Fox is returning to network series TV.

The guy is a great actor…I should say a great comic actor.

Seems like it’s called “The Michael J. Fox Show,” which makes a lot of sense.

It premieres this fall. But as of now I can’t give you the date.

Fox plays Mike Henry, a former news anchor suffering from Parkinson’s disease, who returns to a local New York news anchor desk.

New Comedies on Fox Announced

 

 

 

So, what’s on tap for next year? News is already being leaked on which shows have been picked up by the networks.

This year was pretty much a disaster, but hope springs eternal, I suppose.

I can confirm that the following shows have been picked up by the Fox network. Watch them at your own risk: The descriptions are all courtesy of the Fox publicity team.

 

 

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE
From Dan Goor and Michael Schur, the Emmy Award-winning writers/producers of “Parks and Recreation,” and starring Emmy Award winners Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE is comedy about what happens when a detective who doesn’t take anything seriously gets a new “by-the-book” boss who wants him to grow up and respect the badge.

DADS
DADS – A comedy from Emmy Award winner Seth MacFarlane, one of creators of “Ted” and FOX’s FAMILY GUY. This one stars  Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi as two successful guys – and childhood best friends – whose lives get turned upside down when their pain-in-the-neck patriarchs (Martin Mull and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Peter Riegert) move in.

 

ENLISTED
ENLISTED is an irreverent and heartfelt military-set single-camera family comedy starring Geoff Stults that follows three brothers getting to know each other again on a small Florida Army base and the group of misfits who surround them.

 

US & THEM
Based on the hugely popular and multiple-award-winning BBC 3 series “Gavin and Stacey” and starring EJason Ritter and Alexis Bledel, US & THEM is comedy about a young couple, whose path to happily-ever-after is complicated by the screwed-up circus of people closest to them.

 

SURVIVING JACK (working title)
SURVIVING JACK (working title) is a  comedy based on best-selling author Justin Halpern’s semi-autobiographical book, “I Suck at Girls.” Set in 1990s Southern California, Christopher Meloni stars as a man becoming a dad, as his son is becoming a man, in a time before “coming of age” was something you could Google

A Night “Out of the Past”

The other night, after my shift at the newspaper, I relaxed by watching TV until about 2 in the morning. The occasion was the showing , on Turner Classic Movies, of OUT OF THE PAST, starring Robert Mitchum, an epic noire.

If you saw Against All Odds (starring Jeff Bridges) you’d like this movie because it’s the original. “Odds” is a remake of Out of the Past.

The story is basically the same. But what I like best is the atmosphere…and the black and white film. Mitchum is a former detective who is dragged back into an assignment by a hood, Kirk Douglas (before he was a big star).

Mitchum is sent out to find a woman who has run away from Douglas. But when he finds her, he falls in love with her. And it gets a whole lot better after that.

If you can find the movie on DVD, check it out.

It you hear about it playing on TCM again, mark it on your schedule.

 

 

Mitchum, here is at his best.

 

Golf, Basketball and the Big Bang Theory

This is the week when golf fanatics can kick back and watch the so-called 5th Major, the Tournament Players Championship in Sawgrass, Fla.

The course is truly a thing of beauty, and a nightmare for golfers.

It begins Thursday, about 1 p.m. on the golf channel.

Later Thursday is the Big Bang Theory, a new episode. Nerd comedy rocks.

And one of my favorite shows, Person of Interest, on CBS.

 

Get Ready for May Sweeps… When Networks Roll Out Some of Their Top Shows…and Don’t Forget Those Cliffhangers

I love May.

On TV, it’s the last of the ratings periods until next September, which means we get to see cliffhangers, movies, specials — anything to get big ratings, which translates to advertising dollars.

There is no secret that this year was sort of a bomb, when it comes to new shows.

I liked Arrow, on the WB. Pretty cool show.

But I can’t think of many other NEW shows that I liked.

Cable TV had some great stuff… mostly old, like Game of Thrones, Vikings, Justified.

What was your favorite? Was there anything new this year that you liked?

Tell me what you think.

But in the meantime, sit back. Enjoy May.

I’m off until Friday. So tune in then for some previews of shows this coming weekend.