Skip to Content

‘Rattle the Cage’ Movie Review – is a tightly wound thriller that almost falls apart in its final moments

One often wonders what they would be capable of if their life depended on it. Would you take charge, delegate responsibility but do your part, or would you completely break down and cower in the corner? Would you be able to think clearly enough to find a solution to the problem or would your emotions be too overpowering?

Read More about ‘Rattle the Cage’ Movie Review – is a tightly wound thriller that almost falls apart in its final moments

Ten of the Best at FrightFest 2015

The August bank holiday weekend in London is always cause for celebration for horror fans as the FrightFest horror and genre film festival rolls into the city’s Leicester Square for four days of blood-spattered cinematic mayhem. This year saw the arrival of horror icon and star of Re-Animator and You’re Next, Barbara Crampton, as the …

Read More about Ten of the Best at FrightFest 2015

‘Man Up’ Movie Review – Fails to Woman Up

At 34, Nancy (Londoner-accented Lake Bell) is a flakey journalist on the reluctant look for love at the pestering of friends and family. Through a case of mistaken identity hinging on a self-help book, she winds up on a date turned epic day with Jack (Simon Pegg), an online marketing manager. Charming, right? It’s this on-the-nose “charm” which will divide audiences into lovers and haters (with this viewer falling more towards the latter). In spite of a stellar cast, Man Up falls flat on its promising premise of being a rom-com for nonbelievers.

Read More about ‘Man Up’ Movie Review – Fails to Woman Up

The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.13, “Into the Wild”: Solid ep neither restarts nor repairs series’ downward spiral

The Vampire Diaries, Season 4, Episode 13: “Into the Wild” Written by Caroline Dries Directed by Michael Allowitz Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW This week, on The Vampire Diaries: Shane goes ghost hunting, Rebekah pitches herself as hero, and Tyler and Caroline call Klaus’s bluff Last week’s installment, “A View to a …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.13, “Into the Wild”: Solid ep neither restarts nor repairs series’ downward spiral

The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.11, “Catch Me If You Can”: Character beats can’t save predictable, boring ep

The Vampire Diaries, Season 4, Episode 11: “Catch Me If You Can” Written by Brian Young and Michael Narducci Directed by John Dahl Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW This week, on The Vampire Diaries: Kol plays with Damon, Bonnie plays with fire, and Rebekah plays with Stefan After a disappointing installment last …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.11, “Catch Me If You Can”: Character beats can’t save predictable, boring ep

Fringe, Ep. 5.12-13, “Liberty”/”An Enemy of Fate”: Heavy-handed finale delivers with character, if not plot

Fringe, Season 5, Episode 12: “Liberty” Written by Alison Schapker Directed by P. J. Pesce Fringe, Season 5, Episode 13: “An Enemy of Fate” Written by J. H. Wyman Directed by J. H. Wyman Aired Fridays at 9pm (ET) on FOX This week, on Fringe: Olivia goes for a final jaunt Over There, Michael goes …

Read More about Fringe, Ep. 5.12-13, “Liberty”/”An Enemy of Fate”: Heavy-handed finale delivers with character, if not plot

Fringe, Ep. 5.06, “Through the Looking Glass and What Walter Found There”: Second standalone of s5 far more successful

Fringe Review, Season 5, Episode 6: “Through the Looking Glass and What Walter Found There” Written by David Fury Directed by Jon Cassar Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on FOX This week, on Fringe: Walter creates his own Wonderland, Cecil gets Red Shirt duty, and Peter gets his Observer on After last week’s more character-driven …

Read More about Fringe, Ep. 5.06, “Through the Looking Glass and What Walter Found There”: Second standalone of s5 far more successful

The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.05, “The Killer”: Poor dialogue, character decisions hamper episode

The Vampire Diaries, Season 4, Episode 5: “The Killer” Written by Michael Narducci Directed by Chris Grismer Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW Every now and again, The Vampire Diaries does something to remind viewers of its less-than-stellar beginning. Earlier this season, it was the reintroduction and prevalence of the high school. Here, …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.05, “The Killer”: Poor dialogue, character decisions hamper episode

Fringe, Ep. 5.05, “An Origin Story”: As ever, the Bishops don’t handle loss well

Fringe Review, Season 5, Episode 5: “An Origin Story” Written by J. H. Wyman Directed by P. J. Pesce Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on FOX This week, on Fringe: Walter and Olivia grieve, Astrid once again does (almost) nothing, and Peter tries to ‘splode a dimension The surprising death of Etta last week takes …

Read More about Fringe, Ep. 5.05, “An Origin Story”: As ever, the Bishops don’t handle loss well

The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.04, “The Five”: Series continues reveal-happy tradition

The Vampire Diaries, Season 4, Episode 4: “The Five” Written by Brett Matthews and Rebecca Sonnenshine Directed by Joshua Butler Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW Once again, The Vampire Diaries poses questions and teases only to pay them off immediately, rather than string along the audience for weeks waiting for answers. This …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.04, “The Five”: Series continues reveal-happy tradition

Supernatural, Ep 8.05: “Blood Brother” gives an extended look at Dean’s unlikely ally in Purgatory

Supernatural, Season 8, Episode 5: “Blood Brother” Written by Ben Edlund Directed by Guy Norman Bee Airs Wednesdays at 9pm (ET) on CW One of the most intriguing questions to come out of Supernatural’s season 8 premiere was Dean’s friendship with vampire Benny. While the details of their first meeting were revealed in the season …

Read More about Supernatural, Ep 8.05: “Blood Brother” gives an extended look at Dean’s unlikely ally in Purgatory

The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.03, “The Rager”: Strong season continues focus on character

The Vampire Diaries, Season 4, Episode 3: “The Rager” Written by Brian Young Directed by Lance Anderson Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW After last week’s intense and character-driven episode, it was nearly inevitable that this week’s installment would feel like a downtick. While this turns out to be the case, “The Rager” …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.03, “The Rager”: Strong season continues focus on character

The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.01, “Growing Pains”: Solid opener delivers on finale’s promises

The Vampire Diaries, Season 4, Episode 1: “Growing Pains” Written by Caroline Dries Directed by Chris Grismer Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW This week, on The Vampire Diaries: Bonnie gets in too deep, Elena transitions, and there’s a new Pastor in town Last season ended with one hell of a cliffhanger. In …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 4.01, “Growing Pains”: Solid opener delivers on finale’s promises

MIFF 2012: According to “100 Bloody Acres”, country roads really are the most dangerous

100 Bloody Acres Directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes Written by Cameron and Colin Cairnes 2012, Australia Tucker and Dale vs Evil subverted the Evil Hick subgenre of slasher films where others – led by Rob Zombie – were satisfied with mining ever deeper the mythology of the murderous, cretinous backwoods of middle America, the …

Read More about MIFF 2012: According to “100 Bloody Acres”, country roads really are the most dangerous

The Vampire Diaries Ep. 3.22, “The Departed”: Strong finale delivers twists, character

The Vampire Diaries Review, Season 3, Episode 22: “The Departed” Written by Julie Plec (Teleplay), Brett Matthews and Elizabeth R. Finch (Story) Directed by John Behring Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW This week, on The Vampire Diaries: Bonnie makes her play, Elena makes her choice, and the writers make a bold season-ending …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries Ep. 3.22, “The Departed”: Strong finale delivers twists, character

The Vampire Diaries Ep. 3.21, ‘Before Sunset’: Penultimate ep full of action, character

The Vampire Diaries Review, Season 3, Episode 21: “Before Sunset” Written by Caroline Dries (Teleplay) and Charlie Charbonneau and Daphne Miles (Story) Directed by Chris Grismer Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW This week, on The Vampire Diaries: Malaric means business, Bonnie channels the dark stuff, and Klaus chooses followers over family Despite …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries Ep. 3.21, ‘Before Sunset’: Penultimate ep full of action, character

Fringe, Ep. 4.20, “Worlds Apart”: Bittersweet ep bids fond farewell to groundbreaking chapter

Fringe Review, Season 4, Episode 20: “Worlds Apart” Written by Matt Pitts and Nicole Phillips (Teleplay) and Graham Roland (Story) Directed by Charles Beeson Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on FOX This week, on Fringe: Walter and Walternate finally talk, Lincoln didn’t like coffee that much anyways, and Fauxlivia misses rainbows When Fringe introduced the …

Read More about Fringe, Ep. 4.20, “Worlds Apart”: Bittersweet ep bids fond farewell to groundbreaking chapter

The Vampire Diaries Ep. 3.20, ‘Do Not Go Gentle’: 20s flair adds sparkle to build towards finale

The Vampire Diaries Review, Season 3, Episode 20: “Do Not Go Gentle” Written by Michael Narducci Directed by Joshua Butler Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW This week, on The Vampire Diaries: Mystic Falls High continues its tradition of terrible Decade Dances, Ric pulls a Bill Forbes, and Bonnie can not catch a …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries Ep. 3.20, ‘Do Not Go Gentle’: 20s flair adds sparkle to build towards finale

In Defense of Friday TV, or Please Stop Saying There’s a Friday Night Death Slot

As far back as the ‘60s, TV fans have complained about the Friday Night Death Slot, when it was blamed, in part, by many for the cancellation of Star Trek. Friday evening timeslots have notoriously high turnover rates and most TV people can name a few shows off the top of their head that have …

Read More about In Defense of Friday TV, or Please Stop Saying There’s a Friday Night Death Slot

Supernatural, Ep. 7.19, “Of Grave Importance”: Moody ep focuses on character and world-building

Supernatural Review, Season 7, Episode 19: “Of Grave Importance” Written by Eugenie Ross-Leming and Brad Buckner Directed by Tim Andrew Airs Fridays at 9pm (ET) on the CW This week, on Supernatural: Bobby’s back, ghosts can die, and the guys have more in common than they’d like Since the inconclusive end of “Death’s Door”, fans …

Read More about Supernatural, Ep. 7.19, “Of Grave Importance”: Moody ep focuses on character and world-building

The Vampire Diaries Ep. 3.19, “Heart of Darkness”: Character returns marred by musical missteps

The Vampire Diaries Review, Season 3, Episode 19: “Heart of Darkness” Written by Brian Young and Evan Bleiweiss Directed by Chris Grismer Airs Thursdays at 8pm (ET) on the CW This week, on The Vampire Diaries: Jeremy’s back, Rose’s back, Tyler’s back, Esther’s back. It’s a big ol’ Vampire Diaries reunion. For many, the highlight …

Read More about The Vampire Diaries Ep. 3.19, “Heart of Darkness”: Character returns marred by musical missteps