Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC)

“We’ll be the very model of the modern network TV show”. Repeat this quickly 3 times, and you’ll get the idea. A show with musical numbers is always worth watching. Studio 60 is a new brainchild of Aaron Sorkin – of course being shown on NBC network. It’s a delicious, well-written, and amazingly cast dramedy. …

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

People keep saying that Abigail Breslin (she was also in Signs) steals this film. That’s not exactly accurate. Yes, she’s the main character of Little Miss Sunshine, and the film begins and ends with her. Her wide-eyed fascination with beauty pageants – so cleverly shown in the opening scene, and her off-the-wall talent performance at …

TIFF 2006 – First few days

Wow, what a lineup this year. We thought Toronto Film Fest was outstanding in 2005 (Everything’s Illuminated, Mrs. Henderson Presents, A History of Violence, and dozens of other films), but so far this year we haven’t seen (or heard of) anything bad. Every screening we go to, every review we hear is just great. Stay …

Al Franken: God Spoke (2006)

We rarely get political on this site, hence the absence of Michael Moore’s and Al Gore’s controversial documentaries, or any documentaries for that matter. However, when a well-known comedian jumps into book publishing, then talk radio, and even politics – all with great success, it must be noted. Al Franken, one of few truly creative …

Fall TV (06-07) premiere dates

Wow, look at the list of all the shows this season. You’d think there would be a few less, since WB and UPN have merged, and FOX with NBC has seen a lot of cancellations last year. Nope, they’re all back – your favourites, as well as newbies, waiting for your approval. A few notes: …

A Prairie Home Companion (2006)

Robert Altman finally got his Oscar in 2006 – but it wasn’t for a specific movie. It was a lifetime achievement, a handout, something you give to the best kid in class just to shut him up. Looks like the Oscar was wasted, because his “lifetime” is far from over – judging by Prairie Home …

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

The Da Vinci Code is apparently a phenomenal book. Not necessarily a good book, but it sold about seven gazillion copies, in forty three thousand languages, made Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon) the richest man alive, and now we’re taking book orders from Mars and Jupiter. Everyone wants to read the book, everyone has read …

CBS premiere dates 06-07

It was only a matter of time before Survivor tackled Cook islands – a few truly untouched places on earth. Let’s bring in American faux-celebs, and camera crews. And, to no one’s surprise, Two and a Half Men is still on schedule, despite being the most overrated sitcoms of the last decade (besides Yes, Dear). …

Inside Man (2006)

Jodie Foster doesn’t do bad movies. That’s a fact, and if you take a look at her resume, you will agree. She picks her projects methodically, doesn’t overkill us with 2-3 films a year, and always, always leaves behind a great, appealing, real character. Even her little cameo in “A Very Long Engagement” was precious. …

Rescue Me (Tuesdays on FX)

After two breathtaking seasons, Rescue Me is back on FX. If you missed it, or dismissed it as a one-note firefighter drama, you missed out. You have no excuse – tune in every Tuesday and you won’t regret it. Rescue me is about a team of firefighters, dealing with all kinds of crap in their …