Best of Television 2015

Here are my Top 10 shows of 2015. There were a lot to choose from (maybe even too many). My Top 10 mostly consists of shows that I was always eagerly looking forward to. Some are the ones that I binge-watched over the past year. Here we go:

1. FARGO (FX)

Why: A beautifully shot full of tension, awesome dialogue & quirkiness

MVP: Mike Milligan (Bokeem Woodbine) – this guy has a way with words

Best Episode of 2015: Rhinoceros (S02E06)

The Gerhardts try to take down Peggy & Ed at home and the police station.

2. BETTER CALL SAUL (AMC)

Why: Has the same quality as Breaking Bad but a bit funnier

MVP: Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) – so many fun yet cringe-worthy scenes

Best Episode of 2015: Hero (S01E04)

Jimmy ‘rescues’ someone to get clients and manages to piss off a rival firm

3. THE GRINDER (FOX)

Why: Love the mix of meta-humour, family comedy and sheer craziness

MVP: Stewart (Fred Savage) – love his eye-rolling as the ignored brother

Best Episode of 2015: Dedicating This One to the Crew (S01E07)

Ethan tries out for the school play but Steward wants him backstage instead

4. GAME OF THRONES (HBO)

Why: Still full of epic battles and high drama that relishes new combinations

MVP: Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) – can talk his way our of anything

Best Episode of 2015: Hardhome (S05E08)

Culminates in an epic battle with the Night’s King mic drop as Jon looks on

5. BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (FOX)

Why: A great workplace comedy much like The Office but with police stuff

MVP: Captain Holt (Andre Braugher) – managed to get a bit kookier

Best Episode of 2015: Halloween III (S03E05)

Jake and Holt compete in a tie-breaking battle of wits

6. MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC)

Why: Only getting better and better with captivating stories and characters

MVP: Fitz (Iain DeCasestecker) – he is the lovable nerd you have to root for

Best Episode of 2015: Maveth (S03E10)

Coulson hunts down Grant as SHIELD tries to rescue everyone from Hydra

7. MARVEL’S JESSICA JONES (NETFLIX)

Why: An awesome noir with edgy characters and gritty storyline

MVP: Kilgrave (David Tennant) – hands down best Marvel villain (even Loki)

Best Episode of 2015: AKA WWJD? (S01E08)

Kilgrave disturbingly tries to court Jessica who's trying to make him a hero

8. iZOMBIE (CW)

Why: Very Veronica Mars-ish with some great zombie mythology mixed in

MVP: Ravi (Rahul Kohli) – this guy gets all the fun lines

Best Episode of 2015: Blaine’s World (S01E13)

Ravi finds a cure while Liv decides who to save after a climactic explosion

9. MR. ROBOT (USA)

Why: An interesting look at computer hacking and anti-establishment issues

MVP: Elliot (Rami Malek) – the main character is wonderfully complex

Best Episode of 2015: eps1.8_m1rr0r1ng.qt (S01E09)

Elliot struggles when he finally learns the identity of Mr. Robot

10. LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER (HBO)

Why: His humorous in depth look at meaningful topics continues to impress

MVP: John Oliver (John Oliver) – he is just so funny, clever and British

Best Episode of 2015: 2015/04/05 (S02E08)

Amazingly, John Oliver is able to interview Edward Snowden in Russia.

IF THIS WAS A TOP 20 LIST:

11.The Last Man on Earth  12.Suits  13.Master of None  14.Parks & Recreation  15.Marvel’s Agent Carter  16.Mad Men  17.Marvel’s Daredevil  18.Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt  19.The Walking Dead  20.Scandal

IF THIS WAS A TOP 30 LIST:

21.Nathan For You  22.The Big Bang Theory  23.Limitless  24.Silicon Valley  25.The Muppets  26.The Flash  27.Gotham  28.Modern Family  29.The Mindy Project  30.Archer

Ten More Awesome Episodes This Year:

The Last Man on Earth | Alive in Tucson (S01E01)

The opening thirty minutes is pure genius as Phil survives and has fun.

Parks & Recreation | Leslie and Ron (S07E04)

Ron & Leslie locked in a room together to solve differences is a laugh riot

Marvel’s Daredevil | Cut Man (S01E02)

The one-shot epic hallway fight is beautifully choreographed and brutal

The Walking Dead | Thank You (S07E03)

No matter what you might have read, the last few minutes are still shocking

Scandal | Run (S04E10)

Olivia’s struggle to free herself is good but the first 10 minutes rock

Nathan For You | Electronics Store (S03E01)

Nathan taking on Best Buy using a loophole is cringe-worthy fun

The Big Bang Theory | The Opening Night Excitation (S09E11)

Brilliant pairing of Sheldon & Amy’s first time & the opening of Star Wars

Limitless | Brian Finch’s Black Op (S01E07)

A fun episode chock-full of references to Ferris Beuller’s Day Off.

The Muppets | Pig Out (S01E04)

The Muppets do karaoke; Swedish Chef is amazing

Bloodline | Part 13 (S01E13)

Like  Damages, the piecing together the truth about Danny is engrossing

UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Hateful 8, Top Movies of 2015

Film: The Big Short

GENRE: Drama

RATING: R for language and sexuality/nudity
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 10 minutes

STARRING: Christian Bale (Dark Knight, The Fighter, American Hustle )

Steve Carell (Foxcatcher); Ryan Gosling (Crazy Stupid Love)

DIRECTOR: Adam McKay (Anchorman, Step Brothers, The Other Guys)

WRITERS: McKay (Ant-Man) & Charles Randolph (Love & Other Drugs)

PLOT: Four outsiders bet against the banks when they predict the credit and housing bubble collapse.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Mostly watching for nominated performances over the subject matter.

STORY STUFF: An interesting true story. It’s hard to believe that some people could be so corrupt when it comes to money. I’ll admit that I didn’t know what they were talking about at times.  

ACTING STUFF: Some very fun performances. I think Carell shines most as the perpetually angry Mark Baum. Although Brad Pitt gets some great lines when discussing consequences of their actions, I found that he didn’t get much to do.  

ARTISTIC STUFF: Loved that McKay got celebrities to explain mortgage and investments terms so we can all understand. I did like some of the fourth wall breaking as well. I did not like the overall editing of the picture. It’s use of photos and bizarre freezes and close-ups did not work for me. It’s like it was trying to be Wolf of Wall Street when it wasn’t.  

VERDICT: Three stars

SEE IT IF: if you like movies about numbers and corruption like Margin Call or if you want to see more likely Oscar contenders
UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Hateful 8, Joy

Film: Spotlight

GENRE: Drama

RATING: R for sexual language about abuse
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 8 minutes

STARRING: Michael Keaton (Birdman, Batman, Jackie Brown )

Mark Ruffalo (Avengers, Foxcatcher); Rachel McAdams (True Detective)

DIRECTOR: Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent, The Visitor)

WRITERS: McCarthy (Win Win) & Josh Singer (West Wing, Fifth Estate)

PLOT: The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the child molestation scandal and cover-up within the local Catholic church.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I knew about the scandal existing but not much about how it all went down.  

STORY STUFF: I was fascinated with the amount of research put into one big article about the Catholic molestation scandal. It was some tough stuff to learn about. I love that they made the journalist fallible as well. I will say that I was confused for the first part of the movie confusing the character Cardinal Bernard Law (Len Carious from Damages) for an institution called ‘Cardinal Law’.

ACTING STUFF: Great acting all around. What a stellar cast. Ruffalo is an amazing actor but I was annoyed with his character’s mannerisms of putting hands in his pockets, chewing gum and the way he sat down. I realize that he is most likely basing these things off the real Mike Rezendes but it distracted me at times. Ruffalo’s emotions were bang on though.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Not much to note. There were a couple good walk-and-talks. Some powerful visuals of the church overshadowing homes. The music sometimes reminded me of John Grisham movies but for the most part was unobtrusive.  

VERDICT: Four stars

SEE IT IF: you enjoy investigative films like All the President’s Men or Zodiac or want to see some great Oscar-caliber acting. 

UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Big Short, The Hateful 8

Film: Room

GENRE: Drama

RATING: R for language?
RUNTIME: 1 hours and 58 minutes

STARRING: Brie Larson (Trainwreck, United States of Tara )

Jacob Tremblay (The Smurfs 2); Joan Allen (Pleasantville)

DIRECTOR: Lenny Abrahamson (Frank)

WRITER: Emma Donoghue (Room the novel)

PLOT: A five-year-old boy (and his mother) escapes from an enclosed room and experiences the outside world for the first time.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I haven’t read the book but my wife really liked it. I’m expecting Oscar buzz for this film, so I wanted to see it for myself.  

STORY STUFF: What a compelling story. You can’t help but feel for the protagonists and what they go through. I am happy that Donoghue adapted her own novel. My wife said the film was a great representation of the book. She does note that it is even more interesting because it is written from the boy’s point of view. The film gives the boy some narration but book explores things even further.

ACTING STUFF: Wow! Tremblay is amazing as the five-year-old Jack. More than just a great range of emotions, his sense of wonder when he experiences the world for the first time is both heartbreaking and inspirational. Larson is also compelling as the struggling mom who just wants her son to have a normal life. I hope both actors get Oscar nominations. They are richly deserved.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Some great cinematography from the boy’s perspective. The room itself is claustrophobic but also strangely cozy in a very disturbing way. I did not like the house layout. I understood the feeling of being trapped with the bars and low bedroom ceiling but I just thought it looked ugly. Not that it took away from the film that much.

VERDICT: SSSS (these are motion picture cameras, in Firefox they appear as ‘S’s. I may need to rethink the graphic.)

SEE IT IF: you are unafraid to shed a tear in a theatre or if you want to see potential Oscar contenders.
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Spotlight, The Big Short

Film: Star Wars-The Force Awakens

GENRE: Action Adventure

RATING: PG-13 for usual sci-fi violence
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 15 minutes

STARRING: Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, Star Wars)

Daisy Ridley (newcomer); John Boyega (Attack the Block)

DIRECTOR: JJ Abrams (Star Trek, Mission Impossible III)

WRITERS: Abrams (Lost, Alias, Armageddon, Regarding Henry)

Lawrence Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark)

PLOT: A droid has valuable info and a large object needs to be destroyed. Sound familiar?

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a gigantic Star Wars fan. I don’t dress up for the movies, but I have lots of action figures and ships, including the Millennium Falcon. I also camped overnight for Phantom Menace tickets. Surprisingly, I don’t regret doing it.

STORY STUFF: I felt like a kid again watching this film. The story just brings you in from the very start. I know that history repeats itself, so some of the storyline callbacks make sense to me. The dialogue is fantastic, full of humourous lines and grave explanations. Probably the best Star Wars writing since Empire. There is hardly a dull moment in this film. I hope all of you can avoid spoilers, so you can enjoy this film to the fullest.

ACTING STUFF: Ford still rocks it as Han Solo. He may be older but he is still chock full of grumpy charm. I found I liked Chewbacca a lot more in this installment; he got more stuff to do. Ridley & Boyega are amazing as the new heroes, they quickly get you rooting for them. BB8 is adorable as predicted. And Adam Driver does a pretty bang-up job as Kylo Ren. There is something he does a couple times that usually ticks me off, but I felt was well-earned in this film.

ARTISTIC STUFF: What a beautifully shot film. The cinematography is mesmerizing. Abrams does a great job of using wide shots to show contrast and perfectly framed close-ups for intensity. I don’t know why this was done in 3D. Only two or three scenes seemed to benefit from it. The music is fantastic as always. As for art direction, I loved seeing the Falcon again (it got its own applause in the theatre). I will say for Empire (now First Order) architectural design, invest in some railings! Being somewhat afraid of heights, some hand railings would definitely put my mind at ease.

VERDICT: SSSSS (yeah, you heard me)

SEE IT IF: You want to relive your child-like excitement for adventure.

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Spotlight, The Big Short

Film Review Tweaks

With Star Wars just days away, I thought I would change my film review format a bit. I’ve decided to alter my five observations by dividing them into the three categories I talk about most anyway. I’ve added a ‘full disclosure’ so that you can see where I’m coming from before reading the rest of my review. I might say how much I like an actor/director/writer or how I was dragged to a film I had no desire to see. I also changed my recommendation slightly. Some films are awesome but are better suited for a small screen, that’s why I’ll also be adding my verdict in movie camera graphic form. Hope you enjoy the changes.

GENRE: The type of film

RATING: May give my interpretation of why
RUNTIME: Always important to know

STARRING: Three actors and films that may be similar

DIRECTOR: Also films that may be similar

WRITERS: If more than two, will probably group them

PLOT: One sentence description

FULL DISCLOSURE: What you may want to know about me before reading my completely subjective review

STORY STUFF: A look at structure, twists, pacing and length.

ACTING STUFF: Who rocks it and who is phoning it in.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Cinematography, art direction, music, costume, etc.

VERDICT: S - SSSSS cameras instead of stars

SEE IT IF: Why you should or shouldn’t see the film
UPCOMING REVIEWS: My predicted next movie may change

Film: Mockingjay, Part II

GENRE: Adventure

RATING: PG-13 for violence
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 17 minutes

STARRING: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook, Joy)

Josh Hutcherson (Kids Are All Right), Liam Hemsworth (Expendables 2)

DIRECTOR: Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, Water for Elephants)

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

PLOT: Katniss goes out of her way to take down President Snow in this final installment of the Hunger Games series.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 Just like the third book, this movie does not have the same punch as the first two books/films. Hunger Games and Catching Fire get the action contained and taut, these Mockingjay films kind of go all over the place which gets too messy at times. Even so, it’s still a pretty good film, just not as good as the first couple.

2 I don’t know why it is but I didn’t find many of the deaths very affecting. Maybe I’m too desensitized.   

3 I found the sewer attack sequence very suspenseful and action packed. Great job on the patience and ensuing chaos of that scene.

4 Just like the giving of the mockingjay pin in the first film, I found it humourous that they used Prim to talk to Peeta instead of the random schoolmate mentioned in the book. Why introduce new characters when you can give Prim more work to do?

5 Novels are allowed to take their time wrapping up a story. They can take pages and even chapters dealing with emotional aftermath and a summary of what happened to the major players after the conflict is resolved. Films don’t have that luxury, these scenes tend to drag. Kind of reminded me of Return of the King with its multiple ending sequences.

RECOMMENDATION: Might as well see it on the big screen
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Spotlight

Film: Spectre

GENRE: Action

RATING: PG-13 for violence, sensuality & language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 28 minutes

STARRING: Daniel Craig (Skyfall, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)

Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds), Lea Seydoux (MI:3)

DIRECTOR: Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty)

WRITERS: Robert Wade & Neal Purvis (Casino Royale, Skyfall)

John Logan (Skyfall, Galdiator), Jez Butterworth (Edge of Tomorrow)

PLOT: Bond tries to uncover a secret organization and typical Bond stuff happens.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 In typical fashion, Bond starts off with a bang: a fun, minimal dialogue action sequence in Mexico. The Day of the Dead celebrations look interesting and crowded.

2 I agree with the critics, Craig looks a little bored with James Bond. It seems like he used to have more fun with his job.  

3 I love seeing Q and Moneypenny more. In earlier films, they maybe had a line or two, now they get to do some stuff. Fun times.

4 Andrew Scott, who plays Moriarty on BBC’s Sherlock, gets to be slimy again. He does it so well.

5 Waltz plays a fun Bond villain but I wish we had more scenes with him. Loved how everything got revealed though. Well played producers.  

RECOMMENDATION: Not as good as Skyfall, wait for DVD

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part II

Film: Steve Jobs

This is my 500^th blog (and 323^rd movie review)

GENRE: Drama

RATING: R for language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 2 minutes

STARRING: Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave, new X-Mens)

Kate Winslet (The Reader, Titanic), Seth Rogen (Knocked Up)

DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours)

WRITER: Aaron Sorkin (Few Good Men, Social Network, West Wing)

PLOT: A behind-the-scenes look at Steve Jobs thirty minutes before three iconic computer product launches. Clever dialogue ensues.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 While the film is not for everyone, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I love the idea of making this story into a three act play only focusing on three half-hours. Aaron Sorkin is a genius. I could listen to his words all day.

2 I love seeing Jeff Daniels relish Sorkin dialogue. He just delivers it so well. The rest of the cast holds their own, but Daniels is in another league.

3 I appreciated the film stock used for each act. The first thirty minutes is grainy, the last thirty is hi-def digital. Nice touch.

4 While Sorkin’s television shows are often centered on idealists, lately his movies have focused on jerks. First Zuckerberg and now Jobs, not that you can’t help rooting for them anyway.

5 Weird preview choices this time around. Concussion and Spotlight seemed fitting with Steve Jobs. Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse was completely out of place and confusing to the older audience.

RECOMMENDATION: You can wait for DVD

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Bond - Spectre

Film: Bridge of Spies

GENRE: Drama

RATING: PG-13 for some violence & brief language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 21 minutes

STARRING: Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips, Road to Perdition)

Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall), Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone)

DIRECTOR: Steven Spielberg (Schindler’s List, Munich, Lincoln)

WRITERS: Matt Charman (newcomer), Joel & Ethan Coen (Fargo)

PLOT: An insurance lawyer is asked to defend a Soviet spy and then help negotiate an exchange.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 Of course the reason to see this film is to watch Tom Hanks in action. He is the classic noble everyman. Maybe it’s because I’m reading To Kill a Mockingbird with my English class, but for the first half the movie Hanks is just like Atticus Finch. I love what Hanks brings to his characters.

2 This is based on a true story. I had no idea how it was going to end, so it kept me pretty engaged the entire time. It’s amazing what people went through back then.

3 Rylance is fantastic as the captured spy. I loved his calm, unruffled tone. His “would it help” made me smile every time.

4 As always Janusz Kaminski creates some beautiful images with his cinematography and Michael Kahn has some very fun transitions in this film, very clever at times. These two have been working with Spielberg for a long time. They know how to put a film together.

5 I was surprised that John Williams was not doing the music for this film; he always backs up Spielberg’s work. This time it was Thomas Newman (Skyfall, The Iron Lady), and it showed. There were some really cheezy swelling music that begged the audience to find speeches more meaningful than they actually were. Bring back Williams!

RECOMMENDATION: You can wait for DVD

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Steve Jobs (my 500^th Blog)

Film: The Martian

GENRE: Drama, Adventure

RATING: PG-13 for language & brief nudity
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 21 minutes

STARRING: Matt Damon (Bourne series, Good Will Hunting)

Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty)

DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott(Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator)

WRITER: Drew Goddard (Cloverfield, Cabin in the Woods)

PLOT: An astronaut is left behind on Mars and must survive for a long time until any sort of rescue or supplies can arrive.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 Matt Damon rocks this film. He has the perfect mix of humour and intensity in this role. Is there another Oscar nomination in his future.

2 What an engaging story. I was riveted the entire time. Apparently it is a great adaptation of the book and the science makes sense. What I liked is that I didn’t only have to see Damon survive but also the crews trying to get him back.

3 The rest of the cast is also pretty awesome. Everyone gives stellar performances. Also, some pretty interesting casting: Kristen Wiig (SNL) plays the drama well as does Donald Glover (Community).

4 Jeff Daniels (Newsroom, Steve Jobs) is getting lots of work as the man in charge. Goodbye Harry Dunne.

5 This film reaffirmed my belief that duct tape can be used to solve all problems, even space ones.

RECOMMENDATION: See it in theatre (3D not necessary)

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Steve Jobs