tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:27:46 +0000Films, television, videos, or other visual media that's currently caught my eye ...http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/seeing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)Blogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-3868576575036144631Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:16:00 +00002008-11-24T22:27:46.792-05:00televisionIt's saying something that I look forward to Chuck every week, when I no longer look forward to Heroes. Which makes me sad (but I'm behind on the show, so there's hope). If you're missing Chuck's more polished throwback to light-hearted adventure fare, do yourself a favor and pick up season one, and give yourself some time to be entertained. There is some very good acting going on in this flickhttp://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2008/11/chuck.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-6537520746704818101Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:01:00 +00002008-08-10T22:36:57.227-04:00reviewscomic booksfilmIt's been too long since I've posted a micro review of anything on the visual front, but Christopher Nolan's revisited take on Batman has been rattling around my head since opening night, and I need to jot down a few thoughts. My opinion? Not to overstate it, but The Dark Knight is arguably not only the best comic book movie to date, but one of the best movie movies to date. Nolan takes -- and http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2008/08/dark-knight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-7133704946832904387Tue, 20 May 2008 01:51:00 +00002008-05-19T22:15:17.097-04:00televisionI so dig Scrubs. There should be more stuff like this with heart and guts brilliant writing and as-brilliant ensemble acting. The beauty of syndication is I watch between one to four episodes a night. Zach Braff? Brilliant and gutsy (my agent used to rep him). John C. McGinley? Something to which to aspire. Favorite episodes? Probably "My Cake", "My Fallen Idol", and all of the Brendan http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2008/05/scrubs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-5983519909942426120Mon, 03 Dec 2007 05:43:00 +00002007-12-03T00:44:04.756-05:00I watched the first installment of SciFi's Tin Man (http://www.scifi.com/tinman), and while there's a gap between vision and execution, the vision is grande. It's a mish-mash of Depression-era(ish) steampunk(esque) vibe.Richard Dreyfus rocks. The guy who plays the Tin Man / Kane is pretty solid. Some of the other acting is a bit stilted and feels disconnected (and faking shows), but I'm hoping ithttp://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/12/tin-man.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-1850995227251918735Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:57:00 +00002007-11-18T20:47:26.630-05:00filmOn one hand, I'm at a loss as to what to write about Beowulf, the recent all-CGI film from Robert Zemeckis. But that's not going to stop me from figuring out what to say on the fly. But before I over think it (and take you with me), I genuinely enjoyed it. Overall. And I think it's important for the film to do well. The film is based on the Old English epic poem (author unknown) created http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/11/beowulf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-5971470378534532361Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:22:00 +00002007-10-22T16:01:23.438-04:00comic booksfilmI caught the first showing of 30 Days of Night last week, the vampire flick based on the Steve Niles comic books from IDW Publishing. Like the comic, this is solidly mature fare -- and really well-executed. Great tone, scenes, and characters make the translation from the source material. Writers Niles, Stuart Beattie (Collateral), and Brian Nelson ("Earth: Final Conflict") turned out a solid http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/10/30-days-of-night.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-4216403155562788463Thu, 04 Oct 2007 06:30:00 +00002007-10-04T02:38:51.534-04:00televisionNBC's Heroes is back for its sophomore season, and I'm pretty stoked. The threads are pretty thick, and they're handling them pretty well, though newcomers may struggle a bit with Peter and Ando's identities in the mix. Hang on for the ride, though -- Heroes tends to mash people's lives together -- super-hero Crash style. Oh, and it's darker. I don't mean in tone. I mean the thing looks like http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/10/heroes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-3090109646002542174Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:34:00 +00002007-09-08T16:03:08.518-04:00reviewsfilmI caught the local matinee premiere of Shoot 'Em Up yesterday, New Line's latest vehicle for Clive Owen. The good is it's actually a great vehicle for Paul Giamatti, who does a phenomenal job as the hitman linchpin who's the foil (and provides the manpower fodder), for Owen's constant bang bang shenanigans. Giamatti is one of my character actor heroes, and I put him up there with John C. Reilly,http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/09/shoot-em-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-7446700327010206090Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:56:00 +00002007-08-24T22:30:37.215-04:00reviewsfilmI watched War at its local premier today, and to be honest, I liked it. It's more Hard-Boiled than The Transporter, and kudos for them trying a bunch of things in the film. It's a plot-heavy film, and any time you try to mix Chinese Triads and Japanese Yakuza -- and genuinely try to get it right -- you're taking on a lot. There's also a bunch of interpersonal stuff the film works pretty hard tohttp://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/08/war.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-5226901242430534238Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:07:00 +00002007-08-14T13:48:48.157-04:00comic booksvideo gameKudos to a video like this which reminds me their are good comic book video games out there, feeding two of my passions. Especially since I've had a snarky couple of days. And the games that are left out (Spider-Man 1, X-Men Legends, Rogue Trooper, and others) remind me that there are even more things about which to be grateful. http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/08/comic-book-video-game-videos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-6111994562006544954Sun, 12 Aug 2007 03:49:00 +00002007-08-14T13:06:31.408-04:00comic bookstelevisionI'm a big Stan Lee fan. I think he's is responsible for most of the success and positive direction of tights-wearing comic books today. I respect the guy, and look for any opportunity to hear from him and get his insights. And I'm a comic book fan. Wednesday's are special days of the week for me. So I'm watching the second season of Who Wants to Be a Superhero. Sweet mother, I must be a fan. http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/08/who-wants-to-be-superhero.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-4100473026584832651Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:12:00 +00002007-07-25T11:23:13.795-04:00independentfilmI saw Sunshine Monday, and I can't recommend it enough. It's a Danny Boyle film, and it's almost two films -- or two genres (maybe sub-genres) in one. Can't clarify that without giving stuff away, because it's one of those great films to go into not knowing anything about. Acting is solid and not overdone, with good stuff in particular from Cillian Murphy (Capa), Hiroyuki Sanada (Kaneda), way http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/07/sunshine.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-8872349324523481620Mon, 23 Jul 2007 05:20:00 +00002007-07-23T01:24:02.686-04:00comic booksfilmJust saw Spider-Man 3. I have lot to say on the pro and con side, but they're pretty specific spoilers, so I'll hold off. I enjoyed it, though I like it least out of the trilogy. But I liked it better than Superman Returns. And I understand now why no has tried to do a musical dance number in the middle of a comic book summer blockbuster film. Everyone else please take note.http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/07/spider-man-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-966981813097369685Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:29:00 +00002007-07-10T13:48:57.991-04:00filmIt's no secret I'm a Transformers fan. Mainly old school Generation 1 (especially Season 1, and the first half of Season 2), but Beast Wars was a bit o' the shizzle, too, from a quality perspective. So, what about the new Transformers movie? I went to see it. On July 3rd. I'm that much of a fan. Actually, it's pretty amazing. I'm such a fan, and grateful to have a quality live-action movie, http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/07/transformers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-7951233041285483679Sat, 16 Jun 2007 15:54:00 +00002007-06-16T13:01:39.671-04:00video gamefilmI'm disappointed. I went to out of my way to catch opening night of the limited release DOA: Dead or Alive last night, planning to see the worst video game movie ever made. My buddy and I actually rushed to the theater because we were running late -- and ended up being 2 of 5 people to see the film. I had appropriately low expectations, because while I watched Jaime Pressly talk up the action http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/06/doa-dead-or-alive.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-7354754567017776626Thu, 03 May 2007 15:25:00 +00002007-05-03T11:58:38.107-04:00reviewsfilmHeh. It's been almost a week, and I'm still laughing about Hot Fuzz, the spiritual successor from the guys behind Shaun of the Dead. I had low expectations for a funny, but throw-away film, based on the U.S. trailers for the film, which make look almost like a live-action Team America: World Police. Not to take anything away from that film, but Hot Fuzz is way different, and (for me) way http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/05/hot-fuzz.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-8884478821033672956Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:59:00 +00002007-04-24T01:05:43.709-04:00televisionI'm doing a marathon of sorts, watching the "100th Episode Anniversary", James Woods, David Duchovney, and Alan Alda (from my neck of the woods). I am encouraged by how much I get to learn. I'm also encouraged that James Woods sounds like me in an interview, but turns in such amazing performances on screen. There's hope ...http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/04/inside-actors-studio.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-8086464770052659722Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:52:00 +00002007-03-16T08:12:17.920-04:00reviewscomic booksfilmIn the interest of full disclosure, I'm a Frank Miller fan. So, I was going to see 300 the day it opened. I didn't know I was going to see it twice. Visually, the film is impressive. It's a pseudo period adventure / war piece, and there's a commitment on the visual feel (borne from the original graphic novel) that's cohesive and compelling. Scenes are almost frame-perfect from the original http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/03/300.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-8221939196805895126Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:13:00 +00002007-03-09T11:47:11.685-05:00reviewsindependentfilmI know I said I'd do this, but I got behind. A couple of weeks ago, I watched a film I won't name and was so bad I almost wanted to take a Brillo pad to the eyes and pipe cleaners to the ears (and not the pansy-ass craft kind; the real, metal ones that work). It was worse because I'm a fan of the franchise. I shall not name the flick, hoping it goes back to whatever circle of hell spawned it. http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/02/pineapple.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-3798895773848461352Fri, 23 Feb 2007 13:10:00 +00002007-02-23T08:27:24.878-05:00reviewstelevisionI'm still watching this show. And, for the most part, it keeps getting better and better. The initial roughness is tightening up, some of the uneven acting is getting less so, and it's a new way to scratch the comic book itch. The second half of season 1 started out steeply, so folks not familiar with the first arc were probably left in the dark. Weird, since this is a known thing to avoid http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2007/02/heroes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-1694381296319532997Tue, 26 Dec 2006 23:59:00 +00002006-12-26T21:30:16.756-05:00cartoonsreviewscomic bookstelevisionLast year, I made recordings and an all-in-one DVD of three different holiday-themed comic book cartoons. I'd forgotten I had this, stumbled upon it, and popped it in during Christmas Eve festivities. Glad I did. (And, yes, there's a theme here.) Powerpuff Girls: Twas the Fight Before Christmas I miss this show. Tom Kenny is an amazing voice talent. The special has Princess Morebucks, who is http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2006/12/christmas-comic-book-cartoons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-116287830559755698Tue, 07 Nov 2006 05:40:00 +00002007-02-23T08:18:49.652-05:00reviewsfilmI just watched Borat!: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. I have probably never laughed so hard at so many inappropriate things in one sitting. And then sitting out in the parking lot reliving the highlights for 20 minutes. My cheeks hurt. Don't see this film if you're easily offended. Don't see this film if you're moderately offended. Oh, but I'm http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2006/11/borat-cultural-learnings-of-america.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-115993682042910342Wed, 04 Oct 2006 04:27:00 +00002006-10-04T00:40:20.430-04:00reviewstelevisionFriday Night Lights is important to the Central Texas acting scene. The thing is shot and produced here, and a big lift for this part of the acting world. I've got a lot of friends in it. Watch it. It's genuinely good. It's about competition and relationships and that passion and importance that is spotlighted in high school, but exists as part of the human condition, and we probably shouldn'thttp://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2006/10/friday-night-lights.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-115953849334568780Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:49:00 +00002006-09-29T10:01:33.590-04:00reviewstelevisionI am such a comic book geek, so I so want Heroes to succeed. The pilot was pretty good. Good rough, and setting stuff up to hit the fan. I'm hoping the tightness improves following episodes -- there were some particularly bad editing moments in first episode, and at least two scenes that seemed so contrived (dropping the ring in the garbage disposal, etc.), that I got jarred out of the moment. http://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2006/09/heroes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17088315.post-115660998490592575Sat, 26 Aug 2006 16:19:00 +00002006-08-26T17:29:03.863-04:00reviewsfilmI caught a matinee of Snakes on a Plane yesterday, and it's a rollercoster ride. That is to say, it's got its ups and downs, highs and lows, and some of them are pretty low. I mean, the premise is whack. And while I knew that going in, just how whack surprised me. Like how they justify the whole premise really stretched my willing suspension of disbelief. Could have been done a little better, Ihttp://www.adamcreighton.com/blogs/seeing/2006/08/snakes-on-plane_26.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Adam)