Let's take a moment and reflect on this post for a second: it's the first movie review of the year! I can't believe that it's 2013 already. The last few weeks of December and the beginning weeks of January tend to focus on films that try to get in last minute "buzz" for the awards' season. This film obviously isn't in consideration (the movie title says it all); however, it did score the first #1 box office weekend of 2013. The film that I will be reviewing today is the 3D sequel to another horror franchise: Texas Chainsaw 3D.
The Premise: Fast-forward to the end of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre (not the remake with Jessica Biel), Leatherface's family has been murdered by a few rogue townsfolk and police who seek revenge against the Sawyer family. After the ensuing carnage subsides, an enraged man kills one of the Sawyer women and plans to raise her baby daughter as his own. More than twenty years later, Heather (played by Alexandra Daddario) receives a letter explaining that her "biological" grandmother has died and has left her a wealthy inheritance. Heather discovers that she is adopted and with an impromptu roadtrip with her friends, she hopes to uncover the truth about her real family. However, when they arrive at the Sawyer family home, it seems that Heather's cousin, Leatherface, is alive and ready to find more victims.
The Results: 1/5!
Texas Chainsaw 3D is a horror popcorn-flick with 3D special effects. Did I just blow your mind? Going into the movie and expecting anything otherwise, especially when wanting something different with a scary movie, is a tad strange and a bit foolish. This is a gory slasher to watch with friends or if you're a fan of the Texas Chainsaw movies in general. The overall acting was so-so and Trey Songz did alright for his first acting role. Leatherface as a serial killer figure scares me regardless so I was generally scared. Will there be another sequel? I wouldn't be surprised. Will I actually watch it? That's a question to ask another day.
The holidays are over and the dust has settled for the first batch of cancellations. While the list has been surprisingly few, the greater number of pick-ups and renewals is a positive change to see that most new series are getting a full season. So far my selection from the Fall 2012 list has only lost one show (R.I.P. 666 Park Avenue), but now we can also judge the shows that will come in to replace those that have left.
Since it's the beginning of the new year, the networks will start to premiere a new line-up of TV shows. Midseason replacements are programs that didn't make it for the fall schedule and in most cases, these shows have a short number of first season episodes (pending renewal and script order). I've searched through the main five networks and came up with a shortlist of TV shows that I'd like to watch either the pilot episode or the first few episodes.
Hannibal (NBC)
Has anyone heard about or seen a trailer for this show?! Hannibal is the small screen adaptation of the novel series about cannibalistic psychopath Dr. Hannibal Lecter. NBC has only stated "coming soon" but TV.com is featuring a countdown where the show will premiere in March so I'm including it on the list. First off, Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal scared me as a child... I have yet to ever finish the latter. Though, the buzz surrounding this show is pegging it as a future hit for 2013. I would love to see how a primetime network tackles the issue of Hannibal for a non-Cable viewing audience.
Has anyone heard about or seen a trailer for this show?! Hannibal is the small screen adaptation of the novel series about cannibalistic psychopath Dr. Hannibal Lecter. NBC has only stated "coming soon" but TV.com is featuring a countdown where the show will premiere in March so I'm including it on the list. First off, Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal scared me as a child... I have yet to ever finish the latter. Though, the buzz surrounding this show is pegging it as a future hit for 2013. I would love to see how a primetime network tackles the issue of Hannibal for a non-Cable viewing audience.
Do No Harm (NBC)
Cards on the table: I've had the chance to watch the pilot episode. Do No Harm is a mainstream adaptation of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tale where a doctor deals with an uncontrolled and dangerous split-personality. I had yet to hear what the show was about but after watching the episode, I am quite impressed with the concept. The main lead did a good job and seeing where the season develops could be interesting change with the current shows that I follow. My only hope for the show is that in its first few episodes, it plays well to utilize the evil alter-ego and doesn't brush it off as a gimmick or a spur of the moment episode plotline.
Cards on the table: I've had the chance to watch the pilot episode. Do No Harm is a mainstream adaptation of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tale where a doctor deals with an uncontrolled and dangerous split-personality. I had yet to hear what the show was about but after watching the episode, I am quite impressed with the concept. The main lead did a good job and seeing where the season develops could be interesting change with the current shows that I follow. My only hope for the show is that in its first few episodes, it plays well to utilize the evil alter-ego and doesn't brush it off as a gimmick or a spur of the moment episode plotline.
The Goodwin Games (FOX)
Sad news to start off: the first season order was cut from 13 episodes to just 7. Apparently it's due to the overabundance of the FOX comedy line-up but... you never really know. The Goodwin Games is a family comedy between three siblings who must complete a series of games where only one will win their father's inheritance. The main reason I want to see the pilot episode is because of Becki Newton. I loved her on Ugly Betty and How I Met Your Mother so I want to give her new show a chance.
Sad news to start off: the first season order was cut from 13 episodes to just 7. Apparently it's due to the overabundance of the FOX comedy line-up but... you never really know. The Goodwin Games is a family comedy between three siblings who must complete a series of games where only one will win their father's inheritance. The main reason I want to see the pilot episode is because of Becki Newton. I loved her on Ugly Betty and How I Met Your Mother so I want to give her new show a chance.
Deception (NBC)
Same with Do No Harm, I've already watched the pilot episode before the premiere. Deception is a drama that follows an undercover cop looking into the death of her childhood friend at her late friend's wealthy family estate. The pilot episode was alright, though it didn't do enough justice for the first episode. However, I absolutely love Revenge on ABC and Deception seems to have a not-so-but-somewhat-similar concept. I will give the series a shot and see how far I follow.
Same with Do No Harm, I've already watched the pilot episode before the premiere. Deception is a drama that follows an undercover cop looking into the death of her childhood friend at her late friend's wealthy family estate. The pilot episode was alright, though it didn't do enough justice for the first episode. However, I absolutely love Revenge on ABC and Deception seems to have a not-so-but-somewhat-similar concept. I will give the series a shot and see how far I follow.
Cult has been skewered by the critics. I've read the reviews, I've heard the podcasts and even had my own disposition after The Secret Circle (R.I.P) was cancelled. However, I really like The CW and I want to give the show a shot. Cult is a show-within-a-show where the police are investigating the strange mysteries and disappearances relating to a popular hit show, also called Cult. The show features many familiar faces and the concept is intriguing enough to check out the first few episodes.
The Following (FOX)
Has anyone noticed that there are a lot of horror and serial killer-type shows coming out between 2012-2013? The Following is an investigative drama where Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) and his FBI team try to track down an escaped serial killer who plots to resume his work with the help from other killers and associates. It's the most buzzed about show for midseason and many are most likely checking it out to see how the pilot turns out. The trailer looks amazing and I'm crossing my fingers that the dynamic between the main leads keep me going for the rest of the season.
Has anyone noticed that there are a lot of horror and serial killer-type shows coming out between 2012-2013? The Following is an investigative drama where Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) and his FBI team try to track down an escaped serial killer who plots to resume his work with the help from other killers and associates. It's the most buzzed about show for midseason and many are most likely checking it out to see how the pilot turns out. The trailer looks amazing and I'm crossing my fingers that the dynamic between the main leads keep me going for the rest of the season.
The Carrie Diaries (The CW)
I never watched Sex and the City when it aired. I was eight years old when the show came out and I was definitely too young to even know what it was about. The Carrie Diaries is the 80s prequel that follows Carrie Bradshaw starting off in New York City. Unbeknownst to most people, the show is an adaptation of the Young Adult novel series that is written by Candace Bushnell. I want to check it out the pilot episode because since Gossip Girl ended its run, I would like to have another New York/living life/guilty pleasure type show on television. There is an opening for another teen and 20-something program about gossip, growing up and frenemy tension.
I never watched Sex and the City when it aired. I was eight years old when the show came out and I was definitely too young to even know what it was about. The Carrie Diaries is the 80s prequel that follows Carrie Bradshaw starting off in New York City. Unbeknownst to most people, the show is an adaptation of the Young Adult novel series that is written by Candace Bushnell. I want to check it out the pilot episode because since Gossip Girl ended its run, I would like to have another New York/living life/guilty pleasure type show on television. There is an opening for another teen and 20-something program about gossip, growing up and frenemy tension.
There were a lot of good shows to add to the list and it was a difficult choice. My expectations are open for all the shows I didn't highlight and I'm always open to watching a new program. Would love your suggestions! Though, now that midseason is starting, it means that more cancellations will begin in the next few weeks. Cross your fingers your show makes the renewal cut!
Already have
your schedule set for the new year? Share your comments below and let me know what new TV shows you’ll be tuning into... and tuning out!
It's the zombie apocalypse and the dead are coming back to life... well, almost. I'm pretty new to the whole Walking Dead series: I'm up-to-date with the television show (started during the break) and I've recently completed the first season of the episodic video games. Apparently, a new episode for the game was released each month (for five months) that added to the story and changed based on the choices made by the user. Even though the video games were released in 2012, I received the game on disc for Christmas. The game that I will be reviewing today is the post-apocalyptic zombie adventure series: The Walking Dead.
The Story: Set in the once-serene state of Georgia, the world is plunged in a state of horror as the dead start to attack the living. The player takes on the role of Lee Everett, a former respected professor of history at the University of Georgia, who was arrested and sentenced to spend life behind bars for murdering a senator (who just happened to be having an affair with Lee's wife). A car crash saves Lee from heading to prison but as luck would have it, the crash was just the beginning in a long and harrowing battle for survival.
The Walking Dead features five episodic entries where the story changes based on the decisions made by the player. Certain characters could die, dialogue can change and every quick-time action matters. Throughout the five episodes, Lee interacts with a unique cast of characters like: family man Kenny, headstrong Lilly, news reporter Carley, curious kid Duck, his caring mother Katjaa and naive farmer Hershel Greene. Also, part of the dynamic of the game focuses on the father-figure relationship between Lee and a little girl Clementine.
Where To Play: The Walking Dead is available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Mac, and as an iOS mobile app.
The Good: The Walking Dead proved that episodic gameplay can be a great idea when done right. Choices made from one episode could impact the decisions and characters in the next one (if they're alive that is). Downloadable content (DLC) in most causes is an add-on that includes a new chapter, levels or even multiplayer extras. While a new episode was available for purchase each month, the individual episodes continued the game going without becoming disjointed or pointless to the overall story. The experience and storyline had a clear ending for the season.
Characters and dialogue play an important part to the series. While the game doesn't focus primarily on action, the story propels the character forward. The best I could describe it would be a point-and-click adventure where talking to characters and finding items is the basis. Don't get me wrong, fighting zombies and the quick-time actions were amazing. And yes, there are plenty of those moments to love! However, making the choices for what Lee said, how he interacted with other characters or what he did helped to round out the game.
The Bad: While I could have enjoyed more zombie-fighting moments, there was really only two negatives that I had. The Walking Dead had long loading times and noticeable glitches. Between setting up to play an episode or loading a scene, the game would stop for several seconds until it would finally begin again. Usually this isn't a problem but when it happens mid-conversation, I would wonder if there was a problem with my console.
The Results: 8.5/10!
The Walking Dead was a refreshing change to my game collection. I usually don't play point-and-click games but I gave this try and I ended up loving the story. Characters were more than one-liners and the choices I made actually made a difference from episode to episode. The long loading times ruined some of the suspense and I did notice some glitches that the developers forgot to edit it out in the final version. Though, I'd still recommend to play the game, especially if you love The Walking Dead television show or graphic novels. Change things up and try a game primarily for the story, you might end up loving it.
Agree or Disagree with the review? Share your thoughts below and let us know what you've thought of the game.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A brand new year of jobs, possibilities, romances, parties and so much more. I want to wish everyone a great and memorable year! Also, remember to set your 2013 resolutions. Chances are that you'll be breaking them by the end of this month but here's hoping everything turns out great for 2013.