Friday Night Lights Review: "On the Outside Looking In" (Episode 5.02)
There are many incredible things about Friday Night Lights. You’ll no doubt read all about them throughout my recaps this season. But what struck me while watching this episode is that the writers have pulled off the unthinkable: unlike nearly any other TV series set during high school, the show has seamlessly transitioned the cast (no sixth-year seniors in sight) while making me care just as much about this second string as I did the first. In fact, with my tear count ratcheting up even higher than last episode, I’d say that I’m almost as invested in the lives of... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsModern Family Review: "Someone to Watch Over Lily" (Episode 2.20)
In this week’s episode, “Someone to Watch Over Lily,” the kids of Modern Family were given a little more scenery to chew on, and Rico Rodriguez, who plays the child-man Manny Delgado, ate up every line given to him and spit ’em out like a seasoned pro. The show’s opening scene has Manny advising Mitchell and Cameron to accept Jay’s coffee: “It’s French press,” Manny says. “I was doubtful, too, but I can’t see myself going back to drip.” Spoken like a true, pint-sized hipster.... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsBob Schneider: A Perfect Day
Once upon a Bob Schneider incarnation, you could buy a t-shirt with a growling lion and the word “FRUNK” in all caps just above it. Frunk, if I recall correctly, was Schneider’s invented name for his sound, at the time loosely definable as rock songs with silly (and sometimes oddly insightful) lyrics, funky bass lines, and a generous splash of horns when the mood struck. Frunk fell out of fashion when he parsed down his weird humor to play with a more serious folk-rock sound, but even then there was an adventurous audacity to the arrangements he spackled together. In that way, it’s easy to hear A Perfect Day as just the latest in a long line of records of Bob Schneider trying to find.... read more
Found in: Music, ReviewsI'm From Barcelona: Forever Today
I’m From Barcelona is known both for being the biggest band in Sweden (currently 27 members) and for the convivial, bacchanalian, whatever other words mean “clusterfuck-of-awesome” atmosphere of their live shows. Which is why it makes sense that the band made the conscious decision to record the entirety of their third album, Forever Today, live in studio, all 27 bushy-tailed members playing and singing happily in Scandinavian harmony.... read more
Found in: Music, ReviewsFriday Night Lights Review: "Expectations" (Episode 5.01)
Friday Night Lights is advertising the return of its season as “The Fifth and Final Season,” and so, I was both heart-warmed and heartbroken to fire up the first episode. Heart-warmed because I am an ardent, crazy fan of the show, and because if there is one fictional universe that I’d like to inhabit, it’s Dillon, Texas (the fine dining of Applebee’s be damned). Also, because I wouldn’t balk at the idea of marrying Tim Riggins (or Coach Taylor). I am thus heartbroken for all of the same reasons. The silver lining, though, is that the cast and writers are... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsThe Office Review: "Training Day" (Episode 7.20)
The last time we saw the Dunder Mifflin gang, they were leaving us all misty-eyed after Michael’s adorable proposal to Holly. How quickly things shift: this week, The Office traded sentimentality for belly-laughs as Will Ferrell began his run as regional manager.... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsThe Pale King by David Foster Wallace
The graying prince... read more
Found in: Books, ReviewsPotiche review
A French farce gets serious... read more
Found in: Movies, ReviewsModern Family Review: "The Musical Man" (Episode 2.19)
Network comedies generally have 22 minutes to hit the plot points and get to the resolution. While many sitcoms struggle to fill those minutes, this week’s Modern Family episode, “The Musical Man,” tried to cram in way too much for its three storylines.... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsThursday: No Devolucion
Through a megaphone of enveloping reverb, Thursday frontman Geoff Rickly kick-starts his veteran band’s excellent new album with a strangely spacey chorus: “Ice crystals on the windscreen / You’re in the pilot’s chair.” Wicked stuff, man. Especially for Thursday, who have been, prior to 2011, the world’s finest (and least annoying) hardcore band.... read more
Found in: Music, Reviews
The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Instant
The 25 Best Movies of 2012 (So…
The 50 Best Movies of 2011
The 30 Best TV Shows on Netflix…
The 50 Best Movies of the Decade…
