Blogcritics Author: Josh Lasser

DVD Review: Doomsday

Josh Lasser — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:32:56 EDT

Sadly, Doomsday gives the post-apocalyptic world a bad name.
What is it about the post-apocalyptic world that filmmakers like so much? Is it the fact that the side of law and order is allowed to inflict far more punishment on the villains without fear of crossing the line? Is it the sheer quantities of viscera that the post-apocalyptic world apparently just begs to be shed? As is only natural, some...

Even on Television Actions Have Consequences

Josh Lasser — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:47:40 EDT

What is it with reality show contestants and their lies?
I don't quite know why, but I'm constantly amazed at the insanity of reality show contestants. I particularly enjoy moments on reality shows where a contestant speaks one-on-one to the camera about something that happened previously, and the show instantly cuts to the person doing the exact opposite of what they claim to have done or the...

DVD Review: Saving Grace - Season One

Josh Lasser — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:51:22 EDT

A detective with a "last chance angel" comes to DVD.
Crime procedurals on television seem to have reached a point where nothing can be done routinely anymore. One cannot just have a show where someone solves crimes; the detective has to be obsessive-compulsive, pretend to be a psychic, be a modern day Sherlock Holmes, or be a savant at solving crimes and incapable of relating to others. Enter into...

DVD Review: American Zombie

Josh Lasser — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:13:48 EDT

An interesting idea that goes horribly awry in the third act.
Zombies are people too. Such is the message, sort of, given by director Grace Lee's American Zombie. Though it is wholly fictional, the movie is made in documentary style and purports to explore the lives of some average, living dead types in Los Angeles. At times funny and momentarily thoughtful, the film attempts to draw parallels between...

PBS Primetime Programming for the Week of July 20

Josh Lasser — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:05:38 EDT

The creation of the Sword in the Stone ride continues (Imagineer Quest Part 2, as I like to call it).
The Sword in the Stone ride (the ride I would create were I an Imagineer and given the chance), it's going to be a winner... well, if it's ever built it's going to be a winner. It's got animals and jousting, is based on a classic Disney film, and deals with the legend of King Arthur. It's got magic and a wizard who goes by the...

Dragons' Den More Smoke Than Fire

Josh Lasser — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:06:32 EDT

This week I'm a little down on Dragons' Den. I'm hoping it's just a short term thing though.
Last week, as you may or may not recall, I wrote that I was all excited about the BBC America show Dragons' Den. Last night, I was less excited. I'm not going to say "far less excited," just less excited. "Why?" Good question, let's talk. There were two main problems with last night's show. The first was...

Baby Borrowers Leaves Me Wanting More

Josh Lasser — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:15:49 EDT

I expected more from the show. Maybe it's them... maybe it's me.
Did you watch Baby Borrowers last night? Well, I did. I have to say, I'm completely underwhelmed. I wish I wasn't, but I am. I expected more. I expected… I don't know what, but certainly more than what we're getting.The teenage couples just finished with their pre-teens, so next week they're on teenagers, and then...

Top Gear Drives Me Around the Bend

Josh Lasser — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:23:54 EDT

Are Top Gear and I having our first lovers' spat?
I don’t know how to tell you this. It actually physically pains me to write what I have to now write. Seriously, my fingers are cramping, my stomach is in knots, and my vision is going a little blurry. There I was watching Top Gear last night, and I totally and completely disagreed with what they had to say about the Honda Element. Now, I...

Psych, Monk, and a Giveaway

Josh Lasser — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:22:31 EDT

Psych is coming back. Monk is coming back. We have a giveaway to prove it.
Happy days are here again! Come this Friday (July 18), Monk and Psych will be back on! That's right, Monk and Psych are coming back. I'm excited. I'm very excited. The two shows are funny, they're insightful, they're humorous, they have good mysteries, and many humorous quips. Did I tell you yet that I find them funny? ...

Burrowing Into The Mole and American Gladiators

Josh Lasser — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:40:12 EDT

I watch The Mole and I wonder; I watch American Gladiators and I cringe.
As I sit here and ruminate on last night's television offerings, one thing becomes abundantly clear -- The Mole is just plain old fun. It requires a modicum of thought and encourages the viewer to engage with the game. Even though there is backstabbing, deceit, and trickery going on, it still is one of the nicer reality competition shows...