TV:

Star Trek S1x05 -> 07: After the disaster that was episodes 3 and 4 of this season I’m glad to see it getting back now to how I remembered it as a kid. These last 3 episodes have been fairly good, albeit showing their age now considering they are 22 years old.

Ep05 – The Last Outpost: First introduction to the Ferengi. Their species undergoes a lot of change over the coming seasons. They retain their sly deviousness but lose the simian like movements they have in this episode. In this episode the Enterprise encounters a planet that acts as an ancient power plant, which holds onto their ship as it drains their power. They escape, by convincing the guardian “portal” program on the planet to do so.

Ep06 – Where No One Has Gone Before: From memory, this was one of my first favourite episodes. A being which calls itself “The Traveller” throws the Enterprise to the far corner of the Universe where time, space and thought exist as one. This has the effect of causing the thoughts of the Enterprise crew to become reality. Before there transient imaginations destroy the ship they get the traveller to take them back to the Alpha Quadrant. This episode also starts the ongoing Wesley Crusher story arch.

Ep07 – Lonely among us: An okay episode. The special effects in this one are really showing their age. Some entity is supposedly shocking people and taking over their bodies when they touch other people or computer panels, but the lightning effects look like someone just drew on the recording. Still, it is from the 80′s and looks about as good as the effects in the first “Ghostbusters”

Tengan Toppen Gurren Lagann: After a brief hiatus, I’m finally getting back into this anime. The first 4 or 5 episodes didn’t blow me away so I went back to some other shows I had been watching. I got back into it however and wow, is it getting good now. If you are considering watching it, do not quit until you’ve watched up until the 8th episode. The episodes preceding this are merely an introduction. If you like your animes to have glossy mech units, flashing fight scenes and OTT dialogue then this is definitely for you.

Film:

Revolutionary Road: I liked it I guess. I felt the insane mathematician was an insult to the audience though, like “in case you aren’t getting the point of all this, here’s a crazy person to explain it for you”. In places I got the awkward feeling of “we’re overacting this scene because we want on oscar for it”. Haven’t felt that since watching “Atonement”

Ghost Town: I really liked this movie if I’m honest. Gervais fits more into his “Extras” persona for this rather than “The Office”. The humour was consistent and the story was affable. Overall if you liked Extras you’d love this, and I did.

Gran Torino: Finally got around to watching this. I liked it. I got the same feeling from Clints character in this that I got from Tommy in No Country, a sense of disconnection from reality. My only gripe was that kid “Thao”, what a horrible actor, he literally pulled me out of being immersed in the movie on more than a couple of occasions.

Outlander: Meh, was looking for some Sci-Fi b-movie fluff. It’s actually very well made, although mirrors, in a lot of ways, the Beowulf concept. Could of been a lot better, but if you watch it with low expectations you won’t be disappointed. It’s no cult success like “Pitch Black” but it’s definitely worth a watch.

TV:

Breaking Bad 2×13: Wow, what a season finale. That last scene was truly gripping. The change of emotions in Walters face was so realistic, the actor that plays him, Bryan Cranston, must get some form of award for it. Breaking Bad has skyrocketed in my books over the last few weeks. Previously it was playing second fiddle to LOST, but now it’s my #1 show.

This episode really solidified that opinion. Walters character has truly evolved this season, changing from the worried husband, trying to leave his family secure if he died from cancer to a man selfishly and pridefully only concerned with amassing money for himself, at all costs, regardless of who will get hurt or dies in the process. This episode starts with confirmation of this, as Walter chooses to sell his drugs over going to see his daughter born. The money and success are his priority. The episode also ends with another indicator of Walts transformation, he let’s Jesse’s new, blackmailing girlfriend die when he could of helped her, how this will all pan out hopefully will be revealed in the seasons finale next week.

Star Trek: The Next Generation S1x03, 04: My better half has never watched this show. Being somewhat of a Trekkie I set out to fix this. Now, I have to admit, I watched this show growing up, but as it was aired on numerous channels I’ve never been completely sure if I’ve seen every episode. Well it turns out I have no memory of either of these 2 episodes (if I did I’m sure I made my brain forget them)

The Naked Now (Ep 03) was a joke… what was that, it was cringe worthy. I actually have no memory of watching that episode on TV as a kid and rightly so, it would of killed ratings. I’ve seen clips from it on YouTube and always thought it was some joke filmed for Roddenberry’s birthday or something and Code of Honor (Ep 04), talk about your stereotypes. It was like someone watched a “Safari in Africa” video from the 1930′s then turned it into a planet of people for an episode of Star Trek.

Film:

Ôdishon: On recommendations online, I decided to watch this film. Its pegged as a thriller/horror/romance, and I guess it is. Overall it was good, if a little slow for the first 60% of it. The last scenes of it, while pegged as disturbing when this movie was released, I fear have lost their impact from gore-fanatics raising the bar in the last 10 years. However I do think the way Asami said “deeper, deeper” in Japanese will ring in my ears for years to come. Definitely an Iconic movie.

Falling Down: I have to say I’ve never watched this movie fully before. I’ve seen bits and pieces of it here and there but never from start to finish. It is a very good movie, following one mans complete mental breakdown and disconnection with society. This is offset by the rise again of a washed up cop about to retire with a muddied name. Overall definitely a film you should watch, if you have already, well it’s now been released in HD so a second viewing should be in order.

TV:

Chuck S1x1: Started watching this show after getting some online recommendations. The pilot is good although it hasn’t drawn me in. I might keep the rest of the season for a dry patch in viewing options, I don’t think I’ll be getting back into it right away.

Family Guy S7x15: Didn’t really like this episode, it did some retelling of a few of Stephen Kings previous films. But it wasn’t as funny as some of the more recent Family Guy episodes.

Sit Down, Shut Up S1x04: Like “Arrested Development” this one seems like a bit of a slow burner. It might take me another few episodes to get into it. Ennis is already my favourite character though.

Just read on a feed there, FOX has pulled this show from its schedule. Looks like it won’t even live for even 1 season.

The Mentalist S1x22: A good episode, although season 1 isn’t even over yet and I already feel this show is losing it’s edge. The main plot, centering around this “Red John” serial killer, is hardly touched on. Plus Janes mentalist skills seem to be getting weaker and more gimmicky as the show progresses. The whole camp-fire set up at the end felt, no pun intended, overly camp.

Fringe S1x22: I’m really getting into this show, it’s like a reboot of the format that made the X-Files so popular. This episode, which dealt with alternate realities, seems reminiscent of LOST and also the new Star Trek movie. I guess JJ likes his get-out-of-jail-free card that is time and reality manipulation. I just hope they haven’t blown too much of their budget on this 1 episode alone.

Also going to try to get into Leverage, Lie to Me and Testees

Film:

Princess Mononoke: Really outstanding anime. Ghibli Studios at its best. The animation is excellent, and the story, while initially appearing rather simple, is multi-layered. If you want to know why so many people can love anime that so many others think of as “just cartoons!” then watch this movie.

Dark City: Watched this really only because a few guys in work where talking about it and recommended the HD directors cut. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s like a grittier and more dystopian version of “The Matrix”. Reminds me of a cross between that movie and “Naked Lunch”. It’s very odd, but worth watching it purely for the crescendo.

Star Trek: I might write a more detailed review of this movie. Overall though I liked it. It’s not really a true Star Trek movie in my books, but it is a needed reboot of a dying series, so that can’t be bad. Plus there are enough virals and easter eggs around and in it that it will keep even the most rabid trekkie interested for a good while.