Archive for the 'TV Shows' Category
April 30th, 2013 by David Freedman
Brenna, Salim and guest reviewer Scott Mantz look back at the Star Trek movies and TV shows and discuss the upcoming next installment in the new re-boot of the movie franchise.
Space – the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Star Trek universe. As its on-going mission approaches its 50th anniversary, we do a special retrospective and a preview of Star Trek – Into Darkness.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Star Trek Retrospective and Into Darkness Preview – Just Seen It’
April 9th, 2013 by David Freedman
We review the newsmagazine from HBO – VICE
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Vice TV Show Review – Just Seen It’
March 27th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and J.P. Morgan rose from obscurity and in the process built modern America. Their names hang on street signs, are etched into buildings and are a part of the fabric of history. These men created the American Dream and were the engine of capitalism as they transformed everything they touched in building the oil, rail, steel, shipping, automobile and finance industries. Their paths crossed repeatedly as they elected presidents, set economic policies and influenced major events of the 50 most formative years this country has ever known. From the Civil War to the Great Depression and World War I, they led the way. Using state of the art computer generated imagery that incorporates 12 million historical negatives, many made available for the first time by the Library of Congress, this series will bring back to life the world they knew and the one they created. The event series will show how these men took a failed experiment in democracy and created the greatest superpower the world has ever seen. We see how their historic achievements came to create the America of today.
Continue reading ‘The Men Who Built America (Blu-ray Review)’
March 27th, 2013 by David Freedman
We review the new Netflix series – “House of Cards”
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘House of Cards TV Show Review – Just Seen It’
March 13th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Featuring 17 complete and unedited episodes handpicked by Burnett herself, the newly-packaged set includes over two hours of exclusive bonus features such as the “This Time Together: a cast reunion” featuring Carol, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner, guest appearances from A-listers like Dick Van Dyke, Sammy Davis Jr., Lily Tomlin, Hal Linden, Steve Lawrence, Peggy Lee, Bernadette Peters, The Pointer Sisters, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara and much more! Showcasing some of the most memorable and hilarious moments from CBS-TV’s star-studded series,
This Time Together contains many of the classic sketches and characters that will forever be a part of “The Golden Age of Television.”
March 8th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
After fleeing his North Carolina hometown, washed-up major-league pitcher Kenny Powers spent a soul-searching season in Mexico as “La Flama Blanca” – and ended up returning to the States a changed man. Powers, whose boorish behavior and fading fastball led to a spectacular career flame-out now finds himself back on the mound in the USA. Picking up a year after season two, the third season finds Kenny in action on the “Redneck Riviera” (aka Myrtle Beach, SC), somehow resurrecting his baseball career by becoming the closer for the minor-league Myrtle Beach Mermen. Even as he tries to pass himself off as the “King of Myrtle Beach,” Kenny struggles to come to terms with growing older and accepting the responsibilities of being a new father. Continue reading ‘Eastbound and Down: The Complete Third Season (Blu-ray Review)’
March 8th, 2013 by David Freedman
Leah, Liz, and Sean offer up a retrospective on the first three seasons and a look-ahead at season four.
In this British mini-series, we join the Crawley family and their staff. In the years surrounding World War One, they witness the great changes to their family and the world.
Join us for a retrospective and a look ahead to season four.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Downton Abbey Retrospective and Look Ahead to Season Four – Just Seen It’
February 20th, 2013 by David Freedman
Just Seen It is now on National PBS! Check your local listings or PBS website for day and time and if they don’t carry us, ask them nicely if they can!
On this episode, we review the black and white drama from Portugal – Tabu; give you our top entertainment picks of 2012; and review the french language – Amour – nominated for best foreign language film.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Public Television National Episode FOUR – Just Seen It’
February 5th, 2013 by Jami Ferguson
From the creative team behind “Pillars of the Earth,” “The Mentalist” and “Heroes”, ”Being Human” is Syfy’s re-imagining of the acclaimed UK series created by Toby Whithouse (now in its fifth season overseas). Starring Sam Witwer (“Smallville”, “Battlestar Galactica”), Meaghan Rath (“The Assistants”) and Sam Huntington (Superman Returns), “Being Human” follows three paranormal, 20-something roommates living in a Boston brownstone – vampire “Aidan” (Witwer), werewolf “Josh” (Huntington) and ghost “Sally” (Rath) – as they struggle to resist the temptations of their true natures. Watching the characters hide their dark secrets from the world, while helping each other navigate the complexities of living double lives and trying to be human has made the series a supernatural smash. Continue reading ‘Being Human: The Complete Season Two (Blu-ray Review)’
January 31st, 2013 by David Freedman
Sean, Brenna and guest reviewer Mark Ellis discuss two new mid-season dramas. Starring Brenna Smith, Sean Wright and Mark Ellis. Directed by Liz Manashil.
Synopsis: In Do No Harm, after five years of peace, a brilliant surgeon must deal with his troublesome alter-ego that has re-emerged and only comes out at night. Golden Boy, follows the successful, meteoric rise of a cop from his days as an officer to detective to the youngest police commissioner ever. Continue reading ‘NBC’s Do No Harm and CBS’s Golden Boy TV Reviews – Just Seen It’
January 25th, 2013 by Sean Ferguson
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the comedy team behind the Golden Globe-winning BBC series ”The Office” and acclaimed HBO series “Extras” and ”The Ricky Gervais Show”, bring another series to television with ”Life’s Too Short”. Starring actor Warwick Davis (Willow) as a fictionalized version of himself, the series takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the travails of a little person who’s big on ego and a little short on everything else. Shot faux-documentary style, ”Life’s Too Short” gleefully charts Davis’s every move as he tries to jump-start his waning career by opening his doors to a reality TV film crew while trying to maintain his pride and self-respect in a series of uncomfortable, often-humiliating situations. Along the way, he seeks advice from his old pals Gervais and Merchant (playing versions of themselves) in hopes that their A-list celebrity connections including Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson, Sting, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Carell, Cat Deely (who all cameo) will aid his career. Continue reading ‘Life’s Too Short: The Complete First Season (DVD Review)’
January 22nd, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
[Note: This is an essay that potentially spoils everything that has so far happened on Season 3 of AMC’s The Walking Dead.]
With just a few weeks left until The Walking Dead returns to TV screens with all new episodes, I decided to write a little something to help express my thoughts on the show thus far and what I hope can come from the rest of this season. Yes, there are concerns regarding the series’ budget, the number of remaining episodes, and possible behind-the-scenes drama, but while this may be more of a ‘wish list’ overall, I still think I have a reasonable number of ideas concerning how the show can be even better, considering that this current season has done so much to improve upon itself, as a whole, already. So now, here are five items that I believe can contribute to the show being better overall.
Continue reading ’5 Things I Want From The Rest Of This Season Of The Walking Dead’
January 22nd, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
On April 9th, Season 2 of Boss debuts on Blu-ray and I am curious to see more of this strongly acted Starz series, starring Golden Globe winner Kelsey Grammer. I previously reviewed the first season (review HERE) and was left thinking that the second season could most likely be even better and more confident in presenting the type of show that it is. Now I will have a chance to see it, as the Blu-ray does arrive in April, as well as on DVD and in Digital Download form. As some may know already, Boss is a political drama series starring Kelsey Grammer as the mayor of Chicago. The previous season introduced me to the intriguing world of this series and had a very good looking and sounding Blu-ray presentation. Getting the chance to see what’s next has me looking forward to this release. Continue on to learn more about this upcoming Season 2 set.
Continue reading ‘‘BOSS: Season Two’ Arriving And Taking Power On Blu-ray In April’
January 22nd, 2013 by David Freedman
Brenna, Salim and Guest Reviewer Kevin Taft review the mid-season TV Pilots of FOX’s new crime drama – The Following and the ‘prequel’ to Sex in the City – The CW’s The Carrie Diaries. Starring Brenna Smith, Salim Lemelle and Kevin Taft. Directed by Jude Perrin.
Synopsis: In The Following, a brilliant and charismatic, yet psychotic serial killer communicates with other active serial killers and activates a cult of believers following his every command. In The Carrie Diaries, Carrie Bradshaw is in her junior year of high school in the early 1980s. She asks her first questions about love, sex, friendship and family while navigating the worlds of high school and Manhattan.
Continue reading ‘FOX’s The Following and The CW’s The Carrie Diaries TV Reviews – Just Seen It’
January 21st, 2013 by David Freedman
Brenna, Aaron, and David review the mid-season TV Pilots of NBC’s new crime drama – Deception and ABC’s new drama, Red Widow. Starring Brenna Smith, Aaron Fink, David Freedman. Directed by Cooper Griggs.
Synopsis: In Red Widow, after her husband is murdered by the Russian Mafia, a housewife seeking revenge and a desire to protect her family, becomes involved in organized crime.
Continue reading ‘NBC’s Deception and ABC’s Red Widow TV Reviews – Just Seen It’
January 21st, 2013 by David Freedman
Aaron, Salim and Guest Reviewer Kevin Taft review the mid-season TV Pilots of ABC’s new drama – Zero Hour and the show-within-a-show – The CW’s CULT. Starring Aaron Fink, Salim Lemelle and Kevin Taft. Directed by David Freedman and Matt Breault.
Synopsis: Zero Hour revolves around a bizarre twist of fate that pulls a man who’s spent 20 years as the editor of a skeptics magazine into one of the most compelling conspiracies in human history. Cult tracks the investigation of a string of mysterious deaths and disappearances surrounding the show-within-a-show.
Continue reading ‘ABC’s Zero Hour and The CW’s Cult TV Reviews – Just Seen It’
January 17th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
Portlandia is a Peabody award-winning sketch comedy series that stars SNL’s Fred Armisen and musician Carrie Brownstein. The show is centered in and around the city of Portland, Oregon, with much of its humor acting as a sort of satirical take on alternative and hipster lifestyles. It features a variety of guest stars in every episode and has recently started its third season. I certainly believe that the show can be an acquired taste, given how dry some of the comedy can be and, to counterbalance this, how absurd or surreal some of the comedy is. Having watched only a couple episodes from the first season and finding them fairly humorous, I was happy to see what the acclaimed second season was bringing to the table. Continue on to learn more about my thoughts on Season 2 of Portlandia, as well as the quality of this Blu-ray package for the series. Continue reading ‘Portlandia: Season 2 (Blu-ray Review)’
January 10th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
Season 3 of Archer has hit shelves just as season 4 is about to begin, so anyone who is looking to catch up can do so now! As stated before, “Prepare to have all the fun you can with the animated series that is not afraid to cross any borders when it comes to the adventures of the super spy that is Sterling Archer, one of the most horrible, yet hilarious of men in the world. I have been a big fan of this series from the beginning and am happy to go over the third season in detail, as the style of the show is certainly in its prime right now. The best part is being able to watch the first three episodes of the season, the three-parter, “Heart of Archness,” as it is basically like Archer: The Movie. With the rest of this incredibly fun season and slightly more extras than the Season 2 set, continue on to learn more about this DVD package. Continue reading ‘Archer: The Complete Season 3 (DVD Review)’
January 6th, 2013 by Aaron Neuwirth
House of Lies is a Showtime series based on the book by Martin Kihn, which presents a dark comedy focused on a management consultant and his team. Despite not receiving universal acclaim, the series was popular enough during its first season run, with the second season of the series debuting this January. I missed this show during its initial run, but have now had the chance to catch up on its first season. What I took away from watching this series is that Showtime essentially wanted to create their own version of HBO’s Entourage, by way of Glengarry Glen Ross. The solid cast and satirical style certainly helps in all of this, but the show is not without its flaws as well. Continue on to find out more regarding my thoughts on the series, as well as the quality of this DVD package of the complete first season.
Continue reading ‘House Of Lies: The First Season (DVD Review)’
December 30th, 2012 by David Freedman
Aaron, David and Brenna review this new comedy about a dysfunctional first family. Starring Aaron Fink, David Freedman and Brenna Smith. Directed by Liz Manashil.
Synopsis: Skip is the president’s eldest son and a troublemaker. After an incident at college, he moves back into the white house. But the president and firstlady find family matters as tough as world affairs.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ’1600 Penn TV Pilot Review – Just Seen It’
Brenna, Salim and guest reviewer Scott Mantz look back at the Star Trek movies and TV shows and discuss the upcoming next installment in the new re-boot of the movie franchise.
