Film: Exodus - Gods and Kings

GENRE: Action/Drama

RATING: PG-13 for violence
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 30 minutes

STARRING: Christian Bale (Batman Begins, American Hustle)

Joel Edgerton (Great Gatsby), Ben Mendelsohn (Dark Knight Rises)

DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien, Black Hawk Down)

WRITERS: Adam Cooper & Bill Collage (Tower Heist, Accepted)

Jeffrey Caine (Goldeneye) & Steven Zaillian (Moneyball, Schindler’s List)

PLOT: An epic re-telling of Exodus. Need more? Read the Bible.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 Biblically, this movie is not too bad. I know many were disappointed with the creative differences with Noah, but this one bothered me less. I do recall reading that Moses was not the great orator he is in this film, that’s why he needed Aaron.

2 Scott is amazing at making an epic accessible. There is plenty of character development mixed with awesome shots of Egypt and crowds of thousands.

3 Scott does a great job of showing the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. I like how Scott mixes science with divine intervention when it comes to these supernatural events.

4 I was not a fan of God being represented as a bratty child.    

5 3D is not needed for this film. In fact, the opening looked a little weird. I'm so tired of 3D now.  

RECOMMENDATION: Big screen worthy
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Foxcatcher; Hobbit 3; Imitation Game

Film: Horrible Bosses 2

GENRE: Comedy

RATING: R for strong crude sexual content & language
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 48 minutes

STARRING: Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Identity Theft)

Jason Sudeikis  (We’re the Millers), Charlie Day (The Lego Movie)

DIRECTOR: Sean Anders (That’s My Boy)

WRITERS: Anders & John Morris (Dumb & Dumber To)

PLOT: The guys start their own business but are screwed over so they resort to kidnapping to get their money back

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 While not as funny as the first film, the chemistry between the three leads sure add a lot of laughs to this sequel. They play off each other so well. I’ve heard that it’s pretty much all scripted but it sure seems ad-libbed to me, especially when they are all speaking at the same time. Funny stuff.

2 Chris Pine (Star Trek) tries his hand at comedy and fails miserably. While he is great in action roles, he is boring here. He does not have what it takes to keep up with the three stars. What a shame,

3 Unfortunately, the sexual content involving Jennifer Aniston (Friends) is so over the top, it makes the entire film impossible to recommend. I get the humour of Aniston playing against type, but enough already.

4 While there are plenty of awesome bits throughout the film, the middle portion involving Pine and the new kidnapping plot seemed to drag.   

5 The silent red licorice scene is hysterical.   

RECOMMENDATION: Just as funny at home
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Foxcatcher; Hobbit 3; Imitation Game

Film: Mockingjay - Part 1

GENRE: Adventure

RATING: PG-13 for violence and thematic material
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 3 minutes

STARRING: Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook)

Liam Hemsworth (Expendables 2), Julianne Moore (Children of Men)

DIRECTOR: Francis Lawrence (There’s Something About Mary)

WRITERS: Peter Craig (The Town) & Danny Strong (The Butler, Recount)

PLOT: Katniss is underground as she helps prepare propaganda films to unite the districts against the Capitol.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 I’m pleased to say that the film is better than the book. I was surprised that they were able to fill two hours with the first half of the final novel. It did allow for a lot more dramatic acting on Jennifer Lawrence’s part. She was awesome again.

2 I appreciated the set design, especially District 13. It looked a lot cooler than I pictured in my head while reading it.

3 They chose a free Effie instead of tortured stylists to help Katniss. A smart choice. The comic relief of Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson’s Haymitch are wonderfully inserted into this intense film.

4 I miss Philip Seymour Hoffman. He was wonderful.

5 They ended on a great looking scene. It sucks that I have to wait another year for part two, but oh well.  

RECOMMENDATION: See it in the theatres
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Horrible Bosses 2; Foxcatcher

Film: Dumb and Dumber To

GENRE: Comedy

RATING: PG-13 for crude & sexual humour
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 50 minutes

STARRING: Jim Carrey (Ace Ventura; Liar, Liar, Yes Man)

Jeff Daniels (Newsroom, Speed), Rob Riggle (21 Jump Street)

DIRECTOR: Bobby & Peter Farrelly (There’s Something About Mary)

WRITERS: Sean Anders & John Morris (We’re the Millers)

Mike Cerrone (Me, Myself & Irene), Farrellys (Shallow Hal)

Bennett Yellin (Dumb & Dumber)

PLOT: Lloyd and Harry go on a road trip to find Harry’s daughter that was given up for adoption.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 While there are some definite laugh-out-loud moments throughout, this film is not as funny as the original. But it gets kind of close at time.

2 Speaking of the original, there are plenty of callbacks with lines, actions and characters. Petey is all grown up and even SeaBass makes an appearance after the credits. Even the basic storyline is pretty similar. But all are welcome.

3 I found it interesting that one of the villains, Adele, is played by Laurie Holden (The Walking Dead) who also played Jim Carrey’s love interest in a sweet film called The Majestic, and was also names Adele.

4 I liked the soundtrack. A few tracks from the first film and great use of Franz Ferdinand’s “Right Action”. 

5 What’s up with the Canadian stereotypes?  

RECOMMENDATION: Wait for DVD
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part I

Film: Interstellar

GENRE: Adventure/Sci-Fi

RATING: PG-13 for language and action
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 49 minutes

STARRING: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club, True Detective)

Anne Hathaway (Dark Knight Rises), Jessica Chastain (Tree of Life)

DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins, Inception, Insomnia)

WRITERS: Jonathan & Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight)

PLOT: A father leaves his children behind to go on an interstellar voyage through a wormhole in order to help save humanity.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 This movie seems like an amalgamation of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Gravity and Sunshine. Some pretty good company to be in. This film is long, interesting, unpredictable and well-made. It does drag a little, but it was still pretty cool.

2 At first, the robots look pretty useless but they grow on you, especially when you hear some of their dialogue and see them in action during the mission.

3 I tried to avoid spoilers for this film, so I was honestly surprised at some of the actors involved with this production. I didn’t know Topher Grace (That 70’s Show), Casey Affleck (Ocean’s 11) and John Lithgow (Third Rock from the Sun) were in this film. Also an A-list actor I won’t spoil for you here.  

4 The music was pretty hypnotic and Inception-ish at times. But there were also moments when the music drowned out key dialogue. Of course, that was probably done on purpose. 

5 There are many beautiful shots throughout the film. Probably looks awesome on Imax.  

RECOMMENDATION: Visually great in theatres
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Dumb & Dumber To; Mockingjay, Part I

Film: Birdman

GENRE: Comedy/Drama

RATING: R for language, sexual content and violence
RUNTIME: 2 hours

STARRING: Michael Keaton (Batman, Beetlejuice, The Other Guys)

Zach Galifianakis (The Hangovers), Edward Norton (Fight Club)

DIRECTOR: Alejando Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel, 21 Grams)

WRITERS: Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone & Armando Bo (Biutiful)

Alexander Dinelaris (newcomer)

PLOT: A washed up actor must overcome his ego as he tries to troubleshoot problems surrounding the his Broadway play to reclaim his former glory.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 One of the coolest things about this film (among many other cool things) is that it seems like the entire movie was done in one shot. The camera brilliantly follows and pans through the winding backstage corridors of the theatre.  No surprise that this is the work of cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, the man behind Gravity, Children of Men and Tree of Life. I am in awe of this guy. Give this man another Oscar.

2 Like the camerawork, the music is relentless in this film. The score is almost constant percussion from Antonio Sanchez. This film is not recommended for those suffering from a hangover.

3 I loved that the story exposed the inner workings of backstage during previews of a Broadway play. I’m sure there were plenty of inside jokes I didn’t get but it sure was a fun ride. I really enjoyed Keaton’s interchange with a critic at a bar.

4 The acting is incredible. Keaton will get a nomination for his tour-de-force performance but so should Norton and Galifiankis. In fact, I believe Zach steals the show. He is awesome in every scene he is in.    

5 The film will make you think. There are some weird moments throughout but that’s the joy of cinema. It’s not for everyone but there are many who will love what they see, and I’m not talking about all the tighty-whitey underwear scenes.

RECOMMENDATION: See in theatre for its Oscar potential
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Interstellar

Film: The Judge

GENRE: Drama

RATING: R for language and sexual references
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 21 minutes

STARRING: Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes)

Robert Duvall (Get Low, A Civil Action), Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)

DIRECTOR: David Dobkin(Wedding Crashers, Shanghai Knights)

WRITERS: Nick Schenk (Gran Torino) & Bill Dubuque (newcomer)

PLOT: A lawyer returns home for his mother’s funeral but ends up having to stay to defend his father, a judge, who is accused of murder.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 The film was a fine piece of work but nothing to write home about. I think they tried to stuff too much content into the story. The estranged father/son relationship and the court case was enough; there was no need for the lost love angle.

2 Robert Downey Jr. is always fun to watch. I really enjoyed his parenting skills with his young daughter. Funny yet touching.

3 I was impressed with Jeremy Strong (Zero Dark Thirty) who plays one of the brothers with special needs. It wasn’t overboard but pretty effective.

4 I was annoyed by Duvall’s hair in this film. It kind of winged out in the back. Gel that thing down!  

5 David Krumholtz (Numbers) has put on some weight. He used to be a really skinny dude. Just sayin’.

RECOMMENDATION: Wait for it on TV
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Birdman

Film: Gone Girl

GENRE: Drama/Mystery

RATING: R for violence, strong sexual content & language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 29 minutes

STARRING: Ben Affleck (Argo, The Town, Good Will Hunting)

Rosamund Pike (Jack Reacher), Neil Patrick Harris (HIMYM, Smurfs)

DIRECTOR: David Fincher (Social Network, Fight Club, Panic Room)

WRITER: Gillian Flynn (newcomer, based on her novel)

PLOT: A husband becomes the main suspect when his wife goes missing, but many twists ensue.  

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 What an engrossing film! I was riveted the entire time. Fincher is meticulous in his direction and it shows. This is a perfectly crafted film. Fincher also often deals with some pretty messed up storylines. There is some of that too.

2 One of the reasons this film works so well is the music from Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails, Social Network). I never felt manipulated by the music. It only added fullness to the film. Beautifully done. 

3 While there is great acting all around especially from Affleck and Pike, my favourite character is the twin sister Margo, played by Carrie Coon (The Leftovers). She was a treat to watch.

4 Loved the risks that Fincher took with his cast, putting comedic actors in serious role like Harris, Tyler Perry (Madea) and Casey Wilson (Happy Endings). Also enjoyed seeing Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous) again.  

5 While the film runs a bit long and I would usually complain, this one kept me intrigued the whole time.

RECOMMENDATION: See it in the theatre
UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Judge

Fall Television Preview 2014

It’s September, so the fall television season is almost upon us. This weekend, Boardwalk Empire’s final season kicks it all off. From last year, five of my new series lasted and are returning (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Sleepy Hollow, Blacklist, Agents of SHIELD, About a Boy). This year’s crop does not look that great, so I’ll only be giving a chance to five new shows. Here’s my schedule (starting with Sunday):

THE SIMPSONS [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 26

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Sept 28 @ 8pm

Genre: Animated Comedy

Starring: Dan Castellaneta (Hey Arnold!)

Hank Azaria (Smurfs, Huff, Godzilla)

Creator: Matt Groening (Futurama)

Showrunner: Al Jean (The Critic)

Why I watch: I’ve seen every episode, why stop now?

Coming up: A character dies in the premiere

ONCE UPON A TIME [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 4

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Sept 28 @ 8pm

Genre: Fantasy Drama

Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love, Ed)

Jennifer Morrison (House, Star Trek)

Creators: Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis (Lost, Tron: Legacy)

Showrunners: Horowitz & Kitsis

Why I watch: Love the twists and turns of fairy tales

Coming up: Their take on Frozen

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Sept 28 @ 8:30pm

Genre: Workplace Comedy

Starring: Andy Samberg (SNL, Hot Rod, Celeste & Jesse Forever)

Andre Braugher (Last Resort, Homicide:Life on the Street)

Creator: Michael Shur (SNL, The Office, Parks & Recreation)

Showrunners: Shur & Dan Goor (Daily Show, Parks & Recreation)

Why I watch: Love the chemistry between Samberg & Braugher

Coming up: Eva Longoria as a lawyer and love interest for Peralta

[NEW!] MULANEY [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Oct 5 @ 9:30pm

Genre: Comedy

Starring: John Mulaney (SNL, Kroll Show)

Martin Short (SNL, Primetime Glick, Three Amigos)

Creator: Mulaney

Showrunners: Jon Pollack (Spin City, 30 Rock, Go On)

Premise: Comedian works for has-been who’s now a game show host

Why I’ll give it a chance: The cast looks really funny.

What could hurt it: Terrible timeslot and unknown star

BOARDWALK EMPIRE [HBO]

Upcoming Season: 5

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Sept 7 @ 9pm

Genre: Crime Drama

Starring: Steve Buscemi (Fargo, Reservoir Dogs, Monsters Inc.)

Stephen Graham (Snatch, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stanger Tides)

Creator: Terence Winter (The Sopranos)

Showrunner: Winter

Why I watch: Beautifully shot and acted. Buscemi is great.

Coming up: The final ten episodes of the series. Lots of death.

HOMELAND [SHOWTIME]

Upcoming Season: 4

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Oct 5 @ 9pm

Genre: Drama / Thriller

Starring: Claire Danes (Romeo+Juilet, My So-Called Life)

Mandy Patinkin (Princess Bride, Dead Like Me)

Creator: based on Israeli series Prisoner of War by Gideon Raff

Showrunners: Howard Gordon & Alex Gansa (24, X-Files)

Why I watch: Great drama despite its slow burn. Great cast.

Coming up: Carrie on a new mission in South Asia

THE WALKING DEAD [AMC]

Upcoming Season: 5

Premiere Date/Time: Sun, Oct 12 @ 9pm

Genre: Drama / Horror

Starring: Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, Strike Back)

Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints)

Creator: based on Robert Kirkman’s graphic novel

Showrunner: Scott Gimple (Chase, Flash Forward, Life)

Why I watch: It’s an intense hour of drama and zombies

Coming up: The cliff-hanger conclusion in the Terminus train car

THE BIG BANG THEORY [CBS]

Upcoming Season: 8

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 22 @ 8pm

Genre: Friends Comedy

Starring: Jim Parsons (Garden State, The Muppets, Normal Heart)

Johnny Galecki (Roseanne, In Time, Christmas Vacation)

Creators: Chuck Lorre (2½ Men) & Bill Prady (Dharma & Greg)

Showrunners: Prady & Steven Molaro (The Class, All That)

Why I watch: One of the most consistent comedies on TV right now

Coming up: Wedding planning with Leonard and Penny

[NEW!] GOTHAM [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 22 @ 8pm

Genre: Crime/Thriller

Starring: Ben McKenzie (Southland, The OC)

Donal Logue (Vikings, Terriers, Zodiac)

Creator/Showrunner: Bruno Heller (Rome, The Mentalist)

Premise: The origin stories of Commissioner Gordon and Gotham villains

Why I’ll give it a chance: Looks stylistically cool; Penguin looks awesome

What could hurt it: Trying to cover too many Batman villains

SLEEPY HOLLOW [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 16 @ 9pm

Genre: Sci-Fi  / Thriller

Starring: Tom Mison (Parade’s End, One Day)

Nicole Beharie (42, Shame)

Creators: Phillip Iscove (new) Alex Kurtzman & Robert Orci (Alias, Fringe)

Showrunner: Mark Goffman (West Wing, White Collar, Studio 60)

Why I watch: One of the most consistent comedies on TV right now

Coming up: Wedding planning with Leonard and Penny

[NEW!] SCORPION [CBS]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 22 @ 9pm

Genre: Action/Drama

Starring: Elyes Gabel (World War Z, Body of Proof)

Eddie Kaye Thomas (American Pie, How to Make it in America)

Creator/Shworunner: Nick Santora (Prison Break, Lie to Me)

Premise: Super-geniuses are the last line of defense against terrorism

Why I’ll give it a chance: The premise looks exciting enough

What could hurt it: The busy Monday timeslot

THE BLACKLIST [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Mon, Sept 23 @ 10pm

Genre: Crime Drama

Starring: James Spader (Boston Legal, Stargate, The Office)

Megan Boone (Law &Order: LA, Step Up Revolution)

Creators: Jon Bokenkamp (The Call, Taking Lives)

Brandon Margolis (new) & Brandon Sonnier (new)

Showrunner: John Eisendrath (Alias, My Own Worst Enemy)

Why I watch: Spader is electrifying. He’s reason enough.

Coming up: Paul Reubens (PeeWee Herman) in a two-ep arc

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF SHIELD [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Sept 23 @ 8pm

Genre: Action Drama Sci-Fi

Starring: Clark Gregg (Avengers, New Adventures of Old Christine)

Ming-Na Wen (ER, Mulan,The Single Guy)

Creators: Joss Whedon (Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, Avengers)

Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog)

Showrunner: Jed Whedon & Tancharoen (Dollhouse)

Why I watch: Every episode is full of action, humour & great stories

Coming up: More Marvel tie-ins and mysterious characters

[NEW!] MARRY ME [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Oct 14 @ 9pm

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Casey Wilson (Happy Endings, SNL)

Ken Marino (Burning Love, Veronica Mars, Party Down)

Creator/Showrunner: David Caspe (Happy Endings)

Premise: A couple work through a number of botched marriage proposals

Why I’ll give it a chance: Wilson and Marino will do well in Caspe’s hands

What could hurt it: The premise doesn’t seem like it can last

NEW GIRL [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 4

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Sept 16 @ 9pm

Genre: Friend Comedy

Starring: Zooey Deschanel (Elf, 500 Days of Summer, Yes Man)

Jake Johnson (Safety Not Guaranteed, Let’s Be Cops)

Creator: Elizabeth Merriwether (new)

Showrunners: Brett Baer & David Finkel (Just Shoot Me, 30 Rock)

Why I watch: Love the camaraderie among the roommates

Coming up: Jessica Biel playing the hottest scientist in the world

THE MINDY PROJECT [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 3

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Sept 16 @ 9:30pm

Genre: Workplace Comedy

Starring: Mindy Kaling (The Office, Wreck-It Ralph)

Chris Messina (Newsroom, Damages, Argo, Ruby Sparks)

Creator: Mindy Kaling (The Office)

Showrunner: Matt Watburton (Simpsons, Community)

Why I watch: Kaling and Messina are great together (but not dating)

Coming up: Danny’s mom causes a bunch of problems

ABOUT A BOY [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Tue, Oct 14 @ 9:30pm

Genre: Family/Friend Comedy

Starring: David Walton (New Girl, Perfect Couples)

Benjamin Stockham (1600 Penn, Sons of Tucson)

Creator/Showrunner: Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood)

Why I watch: The chemistry between Walton and Stockham rocks

Coming up: Hopefully a non-romantic relationship between Will & Fiona

MODERN FAMILY [ABC]

Upcoming Season: 6

Premiere Date/Time: Wed, Sept 24 @ 9pm

Genre: Family Comedy

Starring: Ty Burrell (Back to You, Out of Practice)

Julie Bowen (Boston Legal, Weeds, Lost, Ed)

Creators/Showrunners: Steve Levitan (Just Shoot Me, Frasier, Wings)

Christopher Lloyd (Wings, Frasier, Out of Practice, Back to You)

Why I watch: Best family sitcom on television

Coming up: Andy returns to possibly date Hayley

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAKSHOW [FX]

Upcoming Season: 4

Premiere Date/Time: Wed, Oct 8 @ 10pm

Genre: Horror

Starring: Jessica Lange (The Office, Wreck-It Ralph)

Sarah Paulson (Newsroom, Damages, Argo, Ruby Sparks)

Creators/Showrunners: Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk (Glee, Nip/Tuck)

Why I watch: It’s disturbingly campy and dark but very stylistic

Coming up: Two headed characters and other freaks

[NEW!] GRACEPOINT [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 1

Premiere Date/Time: Thu, Oct 2 @ 9pm

Genre: Mystery

Starring: David Tennant (Broadchurch, Dr. Who)

Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad, Deadwood)

Creator: Based on British series Broadchurch by Chris Chibnall (Torchwood)

Showrunner: Dan Futterman (The Birdcage, Judging Amy)

Premise: A young boy is found dead in a small idyllic town

Why I’ll give it a chance: Curious to see comparison to awesome original

What could hurt it: Could fail to be as awesome as Broadchurch

PARENTHOOD [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 6

Premiere Date/Time: Thu, Sept 25 @ 10pm

Genre: Family Drama

Starring: Peter Krause (Sports Night, Six Feet Under, Lost Room)

Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls, Bad Santa, Evan Almighty)

Creator/Showrunner: Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights)

Why I watch: Great writing and character work

Coming up: A death in their final season (probably Zeek)

AMAZING RACE [CBS]

Upcoming Season: 25

Premiere Date/Time: Fri, Sept 26 @ 8pm

Genre: Reality Competition

Starring:Phil Keoghan (No Opportunity Wasted)

Creator: Elise Doganieri (Amazing Race Philippines, Asia, etc.)

Showrunners: Bertram VanMunster & Evan Weinstein

Why I watch: Best reality competition on television.

Coming up: New places I suppose.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR [FOX]

Upcoming Season: 2

Premiere Date/Time: Fri, Nov 7 @ 8pm

Genre: Reality Competition

Starring: Gordon Ramsay (Hell’s Kitchen, Hotel Hell)

Joe Bastianich (Iron Chef America)

Creator: Based on the British version of the show by Franc Roddam

Showrunner: Robin Ashbrook (As Seen on TV)

Why I watch: Great dishes and the judges are a bit nicer

Coming up: More kids that make me feel bad about my lack of skills

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE [NBC]

Upcoming Season: 40

Premiere Date/Time: Sat, Sept 27 @ 11:30pm

Genre: Sketch Comedy

Starring: Taran Killam (The Awesomes, 12 Years a Slave, Scrubs)

Cecily Strong (The Awesomes)

Creator/Showrunner: Lorne Michaels (30 Rock, Portlandia)

Why I watch: It’s an institution. Always something to talk about.

Coming up: 40^th Anniversary celebrations

Of the new shows, it’s Gotham that looks most interesting.. What new shows are you going try this year?

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Fall Film Preview