Bryan Alaspa
I am a freelance writer living in the Chicago area. Please visit website www.bryanalaspa.com and check out my other writing. I have been writing reviews and entertainment content for Associated Content for several years now.
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The Top 10 Movies of 20112011 is a year that, in my opinion, cannot vanish into my personal rear view mirror fast enough. Of course, that has more to do with my own personal problems and issues than it does the crop of movies that came out. In fact, 2011 was a pretty good years
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Scientists Make Tentative Announcement About Higgs Boson DiscoveryThe Higgs boson is a theoretical particle that many physicists believe was a major catalyst for the Big Bang and has been the missing link in physics. Today scientists announced that they may have found it.
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Becoming an Indie Publisher and Author: An Interview with Author Bryan R. DennisBryan R. Dennis is one of those authors to watch. With his first novel, the great "An Epitaph for Coyote," under his belt, he discusses his reasons for going the indie route and what his plans for the future are. -
A View of the EndFlash science fiction from author Bryan W. Alaspa.
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A Review of "Drive" and Why You Should See This MovieThe movie "Drive" starring Ryan Gosling is an intense, well-paced, personal thriller with intense and shocking violence. It is also an excellent noir thriller with an outstanding performance by Gosling. It deserves to be seen.
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Finding a Hidden Treasure in "An Epitaph for Coyote" by Bryan R. DennisSometimes you find a book that moves you. Sometimes it just entertains. An Epitaph for Coyote is a novel that does both.
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The X-Men Origin Story is Told Right in "X-Men: First Class"Of all of the comic books in the Marvel Universe, there has always been something special about the X-Men. These characters were born with their powers and, thus, outcasts, which strikes a chord.
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An Unrequited Bromance with Actor Nathan FillionIf there is one man in acting that has now managed to straddle both the cult hit world and the genuine hit world, it would be actor Nathan Fillion.
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Jake Gyllenhaal Shines Through the Explosions in "Source Code"Last year the movie Inception blew the minds of movie goers and fans of Chris Nolan. This spring brings Source Code which manages to bend minds while still telling a compelling story.
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Johnny Depp: From Teen Hearthrob to LizardIt wasn't long ago that Johnny Depp was starring on a television show about cops that looked like teenagers. Just before that he was terrorized by Freddy Kreuger. Now, he's the voice of a lizard in over his head in an animated Western.
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Matt Damon Turns in a Stunning Performance in 'The Adjustment Bureau'He has gone from being a wunderkind in Hollywood to becoming one of the biggest and most bankable stars in movies. Now, he turns in what could be one of his best performances in the sci-fi thriller The Adjustment Bureau
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British Actor Colin Firth Proves He is More Than a Pretty Face in "The King's Speech"Colin Firth has been a British acting heart throb for a number of years, now. He got his start as the dreamy Mr. Darcy, but his most recent role as King George VI shows he is truly an actor with talent.
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"True Grit" Reveals a New Star to Watch in Hailee SteinfeldEvery so often Hollywood shows you someone that impresses you with their abilities despite their age. When you watch them, you think, maybe this is someone who will turn into someone who will impress as an adult.
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Understanding the Windy City in "The Chicago Code"Sometimes shows that set themselves in Chicago just don't feel right or they try too hard. The new copy show "The Chicago Code," however, manages to combine good writing and acting with a true Chicago vibe that works.
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Author Richard Thomas Shows He Will Be a Major Force in Fiction with "Transubstantiate"Richard Thomas may not be a name you know, currently, when it comes to your fiction reading, but you should.
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Actor Jeff Bridges Showed He Had True Grit Well Before the MovieOne of the most reliable actors in the strange land known as Hollywood is Jeff Bridges. He was nominated several times for the Academy Award. He finally did for "Crazy Heart" and now he hits another home run with "True Grit." -
The Best Six Movies from 2010Yes, I know that most people do lists of 10 when it comes to their "Best of" lists but I wasn't able to see enough movies this past year to put together a full Top Ten. So, here are six, instead.
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NBC's "The Cape" Tries Hard, Too HardNBC is trying to bring a new super hero into popular culture, perhaps to make up for the loss of Heroes, but The Cape needs a lot of work in order to be successful.
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It's Not Christmas in Chicago Without Stop-Motion Animation ClassicsDo you think you've seen every animated Christmas classic? You may not unless you've spent time with Suzy Snowflake, Hardrock, Coco and Joe.
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Creating "Monsters" on a Shoe-stringGareth Edwards has created a remarkable creature science fiction film for under a million dollars. He has ended up creating a great work of art.
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Darren Aronofsky Does it Again in "Black Swan"A review of a movie that is sure to garner lots and lots of awards buzz after the first of the year. It is a career-defining performance for Natalie Portman.
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Joe Hills' "Heart Shaped Box" is a Strong Debut in the Horror GenreJoe Hill proves to be a welcome addition to the world of horror writing. He also happens to be the son of the master of the genre. What's great is that he has his own voice.
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Stephen King Brings Four Novellas in "Full Dark, No Stars"Stephen King is back with a collection of novellas. He shows, again, how he is still the master of horror and the dark side of human nature.
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Masterpiece Mystery Brings a Sherlock Holmes for a New CenturyPBS has updated the story of Sherlock Holmes. It sounds like a recipe for disaster. It isn't and that may be the most surprising thing.
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Due Date Just MissesThe movie Due Date had a lot of potential. Too bad it never quite reached it.
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AMC Brings Out the Zombies in "The Walking Dead"Zombie movies and shows are about as worn out as the miserable and boring vampire genre. However, this new original series from AMC manages to do something amazing. They make the zombie show interesting.
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Do You Know the Pumpkin Man?There are lots of ways to entertain. Here's the story of one man trying to bring smiles by carving pumpkins. -
In Defense of "The Final Cut"For Pink Floyd fans there is seldom debate over which album is the worst the band ever released. For many that album is The Final Cut. This article, however, says, maybe that is a hasty decision.
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The Social Network Movies: The Social Network and CatfishTwo movies are out that feature social networks prominently. They both are excellent movies and deserve to be ranked among the best of 2010.
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The Unapologetic Awfulness of Roger Corman's "Sharktopus"Roger Corman has been making B-movies for a long time. His latest, for the Syfy Channel, is probably one destined to be one of his most-remembered.
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Ben Affleck Helms "The Town" and Proves He is a Promising DirectorBen Affleck has gotten a lot of crap from a lot of people now. Most of it is unfair and undeserved. Now he comes roaring back with his second directorial effort The Town.
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Roger Waters Rebuilds the WallRoger Waters has returned, 30 years later, with an updated and touring show of The Wall. It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest live shows you will ever see.
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A Review of Shutter Island and a Look at Martin ScorseseMartin Scorsese has made some of the most memorable and amazing movies of the last century and this one. Shutter Island is his latest. How does it stack up?
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A Look at the Phenomenon of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"One of the most popular books on the planet right now is The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It has sold millions of copies and created one of the most popular movie series in the history of Sweden. Hollywood is now making a version. What's the big deal?Also published on:
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A Review of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and Why the Movie Deserves a ChanceScott Pilgrim vs. the World is not exactly a perfect movie. In fact, far from it. However, it is creative and fun and should be rewarded for trying to do something different.
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Watching Kick Ass Get His Ass KickedThis movie is supposed to be a comedy. However, very little of it is actually very funny. Most of it is just disturbing. Some of it is VERY disturbing.
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Coming Late to the Mad Men PartyWe live in an amazing time where, if you miss a show when it first comes on, you can catch up with it. There are a variety of ways. This is how I came to appreciate the wonder that is Mad Men.
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An Analysis of Inception Complete with SpoilersHopefully most people are appreciating the brilliance that is the movie Inception. However, too many people are also being confused. That is a shame because the movie explains itself if you give it a chance.
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The "New" Doctor's First Season Ends with Mixed ResultsThe first season with the new Doctor was a bit of a mixed bag. Now that the season is over the mixture of humor and seriousness worked. However, the finale left a little bit to be desired.
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Exploring the World of Dreams in Christopher Nolan's InceptionChristopher Nolan has filmed some of the best movies in recent memory. Now, however, he has created what could be his masterpiece.
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Chillin' like a Villain in Despicable MeAnimated movies can be a lot of fun. Sometimes they can even be small miracles. Despicable Me isn't quite a miracle, but it's a tremendous amount of fun. -
Adventures in Online Dating and Advice from a Dating DivaThe story of a lonely man (me) who had given up on dating. And how a Dating Diva stepped in to save me.
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My First Twilight ExperiencePeople have been telling me for some time now that I should not criticize the Twilight movies if I haven't read the books or seen the movies. Well, now I have seen one of the movies. I can say without a doubt: it's crap. -
A Look at Oliver Stone's Talk RadioA lot of people are very critical of director Oliver Stone. He may have earned that criticism. However, this overlooked gem of a movie deserves to be seen and respected.
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Scott Turow Brings Back Familiar Characters in InnocentScott Turow made it to the top of the bestseller list decades ago with Presumed Innocent. Now he is back with the same characters in a book that may put the first one to shame.
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Why I Actually Love the Game of HockeyBack in 2006 I wrote an article making fun of hockey. It was meant as a joke. In this article I explain how I really have always loved hockey and that it was my first sports love.
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NBC Battles for Former Lost Fans with Persons UnknownNBC has presented a mini-series that seems right up the alley of despairing fans of LOST. However, is it any good? Well, it's intriguing. -
The Ten Hitchcock Films that Every Movie Fan Should SeeThe name Hitchcock is probably known to even casual movie fans. However, these ten movies are the ones anyone interested in "Hitch" should really check out or add to their collection
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Cthulhu is so Close to a Hidden Direct-to-Video GemH.P. Lovecraft movies have never been truly adapted successfully to film. This one comes so close that I really wanted to give it a good review. Unfortunately, it falls just short of being excellent and moody horror.
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Spoiler Alert: A Look at the Lost Series FinaleYou have been warned. If you are one of those people who recorded the series finale of Lost and you don't want to know what happened, then stop reading here. For the rest of you, read on.
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Preparing for the End of LostThe end of the series we have loved and hated is finally here. Expectations are high. What should a fan expect? Here are some ideas.
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An Iron Man RetrospectiveBack in 1963 Stan Lee and Jack Kirby decided they wanted to create a new hero. What could they do that hadn't been done before? Well, the result was Iron Man.
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The Case that Never EndsI stumbled upon this case by simply picking up something to read in a Laundromat and inside was a story of a murder so ghastly and horrible, it was burned into my brain. All of these years later, the memory of this case still lingers. -
Robert Downey, Jr. Suits Up Again in Iron Man 2Iron Man is back and most of the same actors and characters are back again. However, there's something missing from this one. -
ABC's Happy Town Debut is InfuriatingABC has introduced a new series about murder in a small town. The debut, however, is strange and puzzling. But is it any good? That's the puzzling part.
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An Analysis of Pink Floyd's The WallA detailed look at a musical classic and a classic movie. One of the greatest rock and roll albums ever.
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Robert Downey, Jr, Does it Again with Sherlock HolmesNot long ago the movie world celebrated the return of Robert Downey, Jr., with Iron Man. Now they have more reason to celebrate with his performance in Sherlock Holmes.
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Matt Smith is the New Doctor Who And, He's OKFans of the sci-fi series Doctor Who have been nervous about the new Doctor, Matt Smith. It turns out the series seems to be in good hands.
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The Strange, Sad Story of Charlie "Bird" ParkerWhen it comes to the music known as jazz it could rightfully be said that there have been few musicians who influenced it more than Charlie Parker. However, his life was filled with tragedy, despite his genius.
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For Fans of the Movies a New Boxed Set of DVDs is a MustFans of movies and fans of detective stories need to run out and get this new DVD boxed set from MGM. It's the entire Thin Man series of movies from the 30s and 40s and it's worth every dime.
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The History of Jazz: It Starts with Jelly Roll MortonFans of jazz know the names of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. They may not know Jelly Roll Morton. While he may not have invented jazz, jazz would not exist today without him.
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The Joy of Reading ReturnsFot those of you who love to read but just haven't the time, maybe an eReader might return you to reading. It certainly has done so for me.
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After Lost Then What?The seminal TV show Lost is coming to an end. It is exciting, but also sad for fans. What do they do when the show ends? -
The Top 10 Greatest Epic Movies EverThese movies were bigger than life and, yet, managed to tell personal stories. They are huge, bloated, long and grandiose. They are also great movies.
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Ricky Gervais Learns How to Lie in The Invention of LyingRicky Gervais is a funny man and, I feel, should be encouraged. His movie about a world where no one can lie is a very worthy effort and worth seeing.
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A Review of Tim Burton's Alice in WonderlandTim Burton has been making visually dazzling movies for decades now. However, maybe it's time he focused on story instead of flash.
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Peter Straub Explores a Dark Matter in His New NovelI really want to like Peter Straub. I like horror and he is a key in modern horror fiction. However, his latest work A Dark Matter just doesn't quite work.
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Law Abiding Citizen Conflicting And, Ultimately, UnsatisfyingThe movie Law Abiding Citizen creates an interesting scenario, but it doesn't have the guts to take it to the limit. It cheats and cuts corners where it should have gone for the throat.
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The 2010 Oscars: What to Bet OnRarely has it been such a seemingly predictable Oscar year. While the show always manages to surprise, these seem to be like very safe bets to make.
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Why the Olympics Are Great Television EntertainmentPeople seem to want to complain about the Olympics these days. I could not disagree with them more. The Games are great entertainment and better than whatever Hollywood could produce
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Metropolis SavedFritz Lang's silent classic Metropolis has leaved almost a century as a flawed masterpiece. Now, an amazing discovery in South America has brought something any fan of films will find thrilling.
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Take a Ride Through ZombielandOne of the most popular sub-genres of horror is the zombie movie. Like vampire movies, just about every story featuring the lumbering undead has been told. At least Zombieland keeps things humorous and fun.
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A Review of Paranormal ActivityThis is a very good horror film, provided those who watch it go into it just taking it as thus. If they are looking for more, they will be disappointed.
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With Much Trepidation Lost Returns for Its Final RunLost has been a remarkable show requiring much dedication from its audience. It is entering its final season, however, it can only end up being disappointing to many.
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The Statues Have Eyes in Cast a Cold EyeThe novella Cast a Cold Eye tells a classic creepy, chilling ghost story. Give it a try.
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Spartacus: Blood and Sand on Starz is a DisappointmentIf you like movies and shows about ancient Rome and about the slave turned gladiator, you've seen this story and seen it done much better.
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Spending Some Time on the Dark Side of the MoonThis is a remarkable, quiet, gem of a movie that many missed in the theaters in 2009. The performance of Sam Rockwell deserves notice and a nomination.
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Tarantino Rewrites the History of World War II in Inglourious BasterdsTarantino takes a rather fanciful look at World War II. It's a heck of a ride to take and a lot of fun.
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Spend Some Time on the Edge of Your Seat in The Hurt LockerThe Hurt Locker has gotten a lot of praise, and awards, from critics. Does it deserve it? The answer is yes, but that shouldn't discourage you from seeing a great thriller.
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A Renaissance Woman Named Candace RaeDon't know the name Candace Rae at the moment? Well, you will. She may be poised to take over the entire world. -
A Look at the Animated Movie 9 by Tim BurtonAnimation can do wondrous things that we still cannot do with just human actors. However, the films do need to give us an anchor to hold on to and someone to root for. Here is my review of the Tim Burton produced "9."
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What You Should Be Watching on TV Right NowLike college students returning from the long Christmas break, the TV shows are returning from their winter break. Here are the shows you need to watch.
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A Review of James Cameron's AvatarJames Cameron's movie Avatar should appeal to those of you who still go to movies to be transported and entertained.
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Family Guy Takes Another Shot at Lucas and Star Wars with New DVDThe same people who brought you the, now classic, Blue Harvest to tackle Empire Strikes Back. This time, however, the results are lukewarm at best.
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The Top Five Pixar MoviesPixar is cranking out hit after hit these days. In my opinion, here are the top five movies they have created so far.
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Stephen King Under GlassStephen King has a new book out and it's a mammoth one. Here's my review for fellow King fans.
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Spending the Night at the House of the DevilThere was a time when horror movies were fun. These days they are filled with graphic torture and gallons of fake blood. That isn't fun. This movie, though, remembers.
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The Scariest Movie Ever?There are many who have opinions about the scariest movie ever made. I have an unconventional choice that I know will leave me open to ridicule among horror fans. Still, here is my vote.
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ABC's FlashForwardThere may just be a new show on ABC worthy of being the next Lost.
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The Strangeness of Airplane MoviesSomehow being trapped in a metal tube thousands of feet in the air will make the most unbearable movie on the ground seem watchable.
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The Best Places in Chicago for RibsChicago is the best city for food. To prove that, here are four places you can visit for ribs.
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Chicago Deserves the 2016 OlympicsChicago is one of the greatest cities in the world. We know that because we live here. Now we need the chance to show the world.
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District 9In a summer filled with big loud movies that dazzle with explosions for no reason, here is a science fiction movie that will leave you breathless.
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The Top 5 Strangest Baseball MascotsThere may be sports teams from around the world and a few of them may have some strange mascots. However, baseball in the United States seems to have quite a few. Here are my top 5.
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Funny Being In the LoopA very funny British comedy that is worth seeking out amid the chaos of the summer blockbuster season.
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The Hit ManYou just never know who you might meet when you head down to the ice machine in a hotel.
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A Review of Scott Sigler's "Infected"There have been a lot of people claiming to be the "Next Stephen King" in the world of horror. Is Scott Sigler, author of "Infected" one of them? Here's my review.
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Peter Himmelman Invites You into His Furious World: Internet TV ShowIf you are looking for a great TV show this summer, you need to go online and check out Peter Himmelman's Furious World.
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The Saddest Movies of All Time for GuysThere are some movies that women will weep at and some movies that are guaranteed to make a man weep. Note them for your next date.
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Dealing with an Avatar AddictThe story of how I spent two months of my life caught up in a web of lies mixed with pain and anger.
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The Taking of Pelham 123 Vs. The Taking of Pelham 123In 1974 the movie "The Taking of Pelham 123" came out. In 2009 Hollywood has decided to do a remake. Here's a comparison of the two.
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Up with PixarPixar returns to the theaters this summer with the dazzling movie "Up." Here's a review of one of the year's best films.
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A Review of the DVD The WrestlerA review of a remarkable film filled with amazing performances and created by a remarkable director. This is a must-see. -
The Incomprehensible Russian Vodka WebsiteI'd love to tell you how greatly this person defends the tradition of Russian vodka. The problem is the website is so incomprehensibly funny, it's hard to tell what the author wants.
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Why I Still Love "Lost"There are a lot of people who have given up on the show "Lost." Not me. I am still there every week and watch it without fail. Here's why.
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Peter Himmelman's Latest AlbumPeter Himmelman has a new album out and it's a good one you can only get online. Don't know the name? Well, read on and find out what you're missing.
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A Look at the Movie WatchmenOne of the most beloved comic books ever has come to the big screen. Is it worth seeing? Does it stand on its own? I think so.
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My Life with Shelby the DogForget Marley, now it's time to really meet the world's worst dog: Shelby.
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Understanding ChicagoA recent article in Forbes magazine listed Chicago as the third most miserable city in the country in which to live. Oh yeah? Well, we LIKE it that way!
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Some Valentine's Day Haiku for the Worst Holiday Ever CreatedValentine's Day is the most idiotic holiday created. Why has society claimed that this particular day should be the one you devote to someone? Why put so much stock in it? -
What to Get HIM for Valentine's DayToo many women think that guys think like they do about the dumbest holiday of the year. So, they get the wrong gifts. Here are some suggestions that will REALLY make that guy putty in your hands.
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A Look at Conservativeness and a Very Controversial SubjectThis is a controversial look at a controversial subject: abortion and being conservative. It is meant to spark debate and intelligent conversation. I can only hope that it manages to do that.
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Some Ideas on Christmas Eve DinnerThe holidays bring out a lot of traditions. You probably appreciated then as a kid, but now that you are an adult and expected to carry them out you see how much work they really are. So, here's some advice for how to handle your Christmas Eve dinner. -
The Top 10 New Year's Songs for 2008Oh, lighten up. While everyone is seriously pouring over their music collections looking for deep, meaningful and serious songs to play as this year ends, here's a goofy look at music, death and the end of the year. -
The Best Films of 2008 (so Far)The year isn't over and there are more movies still to come, but here are the four movies that have come out so far that you really HAVE to see. These are, I believe, the best films of 2008. -
The Problem with Talking PoliticsIt's never a good idea to talk politics in a family setting. At the same time, the entire country seems to be tearing itself apart further and further and further all the time. -
Thanksgiving Poems in Haiku FormRemember haikus? Strange poems with five syllables, then seven, then five and apparently invented in Japan. I thought it was time to have a few for Thanksgiving.
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A DVD Review of "Hellboy II: The Golden Army"With all of the super hero movies that came out this year one of the movies that might have escaped your notice is "Hellboy II." It turns out, it is a worthy addition to the super hero genre and a lot of fun. Here's my review.
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The Top Ten Shows on TV You Should Be WatchingThe season is just about at the midway point and there are a lot of shows to choose from. In my opinion, these are the ten you should really be watching right now.
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A Review of "My Own Worst Enemy"An exciting, thrilling and fun show that is finally a worthy companion to NBC's "Heroes" on Monday nights. Here's a review of "My Own Worst Enemy." -
A Review of "Life on Mars"What would it be like to wake up and find yourself in 1973? How could you survive without your cell phone, computer and HDTV? This excellent show on ABC answers that question brilliantly. -
Trying to Regulate LoveIt amazes me how many people get so worked up over the idea of gay marriage. Why on earth would anyone think a government should have any say in who loves whom? Here are some thoughts. -
A Review of "The Happening"M. Knight Shyamalan's movie "The Happening" is a disaster from the beginning, right through to the poorly-written end.
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On Governments and MoralityIn a civilized society, some rules make sense but others do not. A government should never, ever, force its people to believe in its morals.
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Taking a Ride on the MegabusRiding a bus has taken a bad rap. Thanks to Megabus, it turns out there's an alternative that is rather pleasant and the cost is just right. -
Heroes Season Three Debuts!Fans of "Heroes" can safely rejoice. The show is back and in first-season form again.
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A Look at the Health Care QuestionThe politicians are talking about healthcare for citizens again. Those opposed are trying to use scary words to oppose it. A careful look shows that their boogeymen are already there.
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Joss Whedon's FireflyJoss Whedon is one of the best writers in television. He has created some of the best shows in recent history. His show "Firefly" never got the chance it deserved. Here's a way to fix that.
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The Endless Comedy that is PoliticsOne thing the political party conventions have proved is that both sides are laughable in many ways. In fact, most politicians are laughable.
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A Review of Tropic ThunderA lot of people have been complaining about Ben Stiller's new movie "Tropic Thunder." It turns out if you pay attention, you can understand the movie and appreciate just how funny it is. -
Two Places in Chicago to Eat when You Have Food AllergiesWhen you have food allergies, it can look like your life is over when it comes to eating at restaurants. I suffer from two allergies, and have found two places that can help.
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Michael Harvey's Novel The Chicago WayMichael Harvey is a noted television writer and producer and he's from Chicago. His novel "The Chicago Way" arrived with a lot of hype. Does it live up to it? -
A Review of the Comic Thread's New ShowThe Comic Thread is Highland Park's only sketch comedy troupe. They are very funny no matter what you might hear at a certain local Chicago newspaper. -
Travelling with Cormac McCarthy on The RoadCormac McCarthy is suddenly in the news a lot these days. The movie based on his book "No Country for Old Men" is an award winner. Soon a movie adaptation of his novel "The Road" will be in theaters. Here's a review of the book.
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Visiting the "Garden of Last Days"Andres Dubus III, the author of "House of Sand and Fog" has written another powerful work of fiction.
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'W' Trailer Makes 'W' Movie Look IntriguingOliver Stone has released the trailer for his new movie "W." This will be the first time a movie has portrayed the life of a sitting president.
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Another Look at the Game of HockeyWhen I first decided to take a step into the world of writing for a living, I wrote an article teasing the sport of hockey. The response to that article still continues to amaze me.
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A Review of "The Dark Knight"One of the best movies of the years is at your local theater right now. This movie surpasses the comic book genre into something far more special.
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The Basics of Retirement PlansWhen you start a business, there is a lot that takes up your time and effort, you may not think about benefits for your employees. But, if you want to grow, you need to consider offering a comprehensive benefits program. One of the keys to that is a retirement plan. -
Tickling God's Funny BoneHighland Park, Illinois, has a local sketch comedy troupe and they are very funny. This year, their new show could be the funniest one yet and it tackles a controversial issue to boot.
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A Review of the movie "Cloverfield"Most of the giant monster movies that involve a creature from the deep destroying a city are not that scary. The JJ Abrams movie "Cloverfield" manages to turn that around.
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Pixar Hits Another Home Run: A Review of Wall*EPixar has been revolutionizing animated movies for a while. Now the same team that brought you "Finding Nemo" brings you the story of a lonely robot.
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The Hulk Rampages Back onto the ScreenI didn't want to like this movie, but I have to admit, it won me over. Fans of the green-skinned super hero will not be disappointed this time around.
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Indy is Back and His Movie is GoodIndy has really not lost much of his steps along the way. The movie delivers on the thrills, but I think it's time to retire the fanchise now.
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Lost: The Season that WasMany viewers left this strange tale of survivors on a mysterious island. This past season, the writers came back strong and the viewers should too.
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When the Vampires Come to Alaska: A Review of 30 Days of NightBack in 2002 the comic book "30 Day of Night" came out and started a franchise. Is the movie any good? Turns out, it's worth watching.
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Are the "Smiley-Face" Killers Roaming the Country?40 young men have drowned or gone missing after a night of drinking. Is there are gang of serial killers at work? -
Iron Man Has the Mettle to Be a Great Comic Book Movie FranchiseRobert Downey, Jr. is excellent, in fact, all of the performances of "Iron Man" are excellent. Joh Favreau proves himself and excellent director and a new comic book movie franchise is born.
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The Power of "M": A Look at a Classic FilmDirector Fritz Lang explored the tortured psyche of a serial killer long before Hannibal Lecter was even a thought in Thomas Harris' head.
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The Affleck Boys Make a Movie: A Review of "Gone Baby Gone"Last year a movie came out directed by Ben Affleck and starring his younger brother Casey. The critics liked it and it got one nomination. Is it any good? Oh, you had better believe it. -
Stephen King Takes a Trip to "Duma Key:" A Review of His Latest NovelKing's latest book is just a little bit different from much of his other books. The scares are there, but they are almost secondary.
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The Constant Rewinding: A Review of "Vantage Point"What happens when you take a potentially interesting concept and then preach and over-use the idea? You get the movie "Vantage Point."
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The 80th Academy AwardsThe Academy managed to get everyone together to congratulate each other in Hollywood after all.
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A Killer of a Show: A Review of "Dexter"With the writers strike, it seems that CBS turned to a strange place for a show. The took Showtimes disturbing drama "Dexter" and brought it to the network.
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"Blade Runner: The Final Cut" OK, Ridley, You Can Stop NowThe movie "Blade Runner" has become a major influential movie since its first release. Since that time, debates over which version of the movie was better has raged amongst fans.
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"4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days:" A Review of a Very Difficult MovieThis is a movie that the critics seem to be going crazy for and it has an astonishing 95% at Rotten Tomatoes. It's the kind of movie critics love. Will the average movie-goer actually want to see this movie?
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A Journey Toward Madness: A Review of "Hearts of Darkness"The movie Apocalypse now nearly killed its lead actor and amost drove the director insane. This documentary is the story of how one of the greatest of modern movies got made.
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The Spirit Haunting American History: A Review of "Oswald's Ghost" DVDPBS is a great place to see some great documentaries. In this day and age of DVDs, the great thing is you can buy the ones you like and watch them. "Oswald's Ghost" is one worth watching, and an interesting look into the life of a strange man.
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"BlacKout:" A DVD ReviewI have no idea what the movie "Blackout" was made for. Was it made for TV? Was it made for going direct to DVD? It's strange.
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"The Sarah Connor Chronicles:" The Cyborgs Come to Television"The Terminator" was a seminal movie not only in Arnold Schwarzenegger's career, but also James Cameron's. The sequel was also huge because it brought morphing and movie technology to the next level. Now, the machines are on TV and here's a review.
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Christian or Not, the Movie "Facing the Giants" SucksIt seems as if the Christian-themed movie "Facing the Giants" can generate controversy just by being criticized. However, the fact that it is Christian does not change the fact that the movie is cliched, badly acted, poorly written and terrible.
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Days of the "Zodiac": a DVD ReviewThe movie "Zodiac" came and went from the theaters rather quickly earlier this year. Thankfully, it is now on DVD and very worth seeing.
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A Review of "Juno" and Why I Love Ellen PageIt's nice to find an intelligent, well-directed, beautifully acted movie that also lives up to the critical hype.
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When a Movie Surprises You: A DVD Review of "Stardust"Sometimes a movie catches you by surprise with how well it's done. That's what happened to me with the fantasy delight called "Stardust."
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Now that it May Be Over: A Look at the TV SeasonThe writer's strike is threatening to end the television season a bit prematurely. Of course, this season has already been hit-or-miss.
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"Heroes" Finally Gets Good!It's been a rough season so far for those of us who are fans of this show. However, last night's episode finally showed some of last season's spark.
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Reason to Fear an Air Gun: a Review of the Movie No Country for Old MenThe Coen brothers could easily have retired, having already created their masterpiece with "Fargo." They haven't though, and we are much better because of it.
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You Could Do Worse Than Get "Life": A TV Show ReviewDamian Lewis is the latest English actor to come over and portray and American...flawlessly...
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"Next" is a Movie that Cheats: a DVD ReviewThis is a movie that starts out with an interesting premise and it is presented in an interesting way. Then it blows it all at the end.
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Like Ghosts? Here's a Book for YouYeah, OK, so this is a book I wrote. I don't see any of YOU writing a review of it!
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Ken Burns Takes Us to "War"Just when you thought you had learned everything about World War Two, Ken Burns comes along with a new 15-hour PBS documentary called "The War." It turns out, you don't know everything.
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Back Behind Bars: A Review of "Prison Break"This show has routinely been the most ridiculous and compulsively watchable show on TV. With it's return this fall, though, "Prison Break" may just have gone too far.
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What is the "Reeker?": a DVD ReviewHorror can be a tricky thing. Filmmakers in this genre also try to trick you. This time, the director may have gone too far.
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Catch the "3:10 To Yuma": a Movie ReviewWesterns can be very hit or miss. When they hit, they can be some of the most memorable movies you will see. Thankfully, "3:10 to Yuma" falls into that second category.
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Tears and Laughter in the "Year of the Dog": a DVD ReviewMolly Shannon shows she can really act, but I can't figure out where the comedy is supposed to be in this supposed comedy.
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"The Proposition", Please See This Movie: a ReviewThe movie "The Proposition" is brutal, violent, strange, and has no heroes. Yet, it is one of my new favorites. I think you should see it too.
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Chicago's Haunted SuburbsChicago is an old city with a lot of supposedly haunted places. However, you don't have to go downtown to find some interesting haunts.
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Goin' Hog Wild with "Wild Hogs": a DVD ReviewThe movie "Wild Hogs" was a surprising hit a few months back. It is a safe movie to watch, but hardly a great movie.
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The Tick Vs. Season 2: DVD ReviewGood parody can be hard to do. The Tick manages to do it very well.
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Harry's Final Chapter: A Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsLiterary snobs need to go jump in the nearest large body of water. The Harry Potter books are great entertainment.
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A Great Crime Thriller: a Review of "The Lookout" DVDA great thriller is so hard to find these days. So, I found this one for you. SEE IT!!!
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DVD Review of The Muppet Show: Season 2: The Greatest Television Variety ShowIn the 1970s the things they did on television just could not be done today. The Muppet Show is one of those shows.
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All Hail the Simpsons: a Review of "The Simpsons Movie"Some Simpsons purists seem to have been expecting more of this movie. Not me. I got just what I wanted and I loved it.
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A Suburban Nightmare: a Review of "Disturbia"This is a movie that owes a lot to Alfred Hitchcock. However, if you are going to imitate Hitchcock, do it well. This one, does it VERY well.
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A Look into the Life of a Graffiti ArtistYou probably see graffiti all the time. You probably just assume it's a bunch of kids just being delinquents. In reality, it's more interesting and brutal than you probably realize.
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Great Fancy Food: A Review of Chicago's Smith & WollenskyThere are a lot of fancy restaurants in downtown Chicago. This is one really worth checking out.
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A Night Getting Mellow with Dave: A Review of the DMB ConcertThe DMB have passionate fans. Is the band any good? The answer is a resounding YES
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There's No Place like OZ: A Theater Review of Chicago's WickedWicked is touring and has been setting up shop several places. However, the Chicago version is worth looking for and planning a trip for.
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An Animation "Renaissance": a DVD ReviewThe movie "Renaissance" offers an interesting look at the future. It is also a major landmark in the world of animated movies.
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Those Dreams of Celebrity: A DVD Review of "Our Very Own"While it is not the best coming of age story you can find, it's still good enough to recommend
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The Movie that Almost "Neverwas": A DVD ReviewThe movie "Neverwas" seems to have never been released in theaters here in the States. I can sort of see why. Is it worth it on DVD?
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More Than Meets the Eye: A Review of "Transformers"The Transformers are here and they do manage to look VERY cool. It's short on plot and character development, but who goes to this kind of flick looking for that?
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Crossing the Bridge: A DVD Review of "Bridge to Terabithia"Family movies can he really hit or miss. Some may be good for kids and bore adults. Some may be the opposite. This movie manages to find the right balance.
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"Live Free or Die Hard" Manages to EntertainThe character of John McClane is made of rubber or something. He cannot be stopped. Suspend your disbelief, and enjoy this one.
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A Hidden Movie Gem: a Review of "Wonderland"The Wonderland murders are still unsolved. It involved drugs, porn and a man famous for his penis. They made a movie about it and few saw it, that's too bad, because it's a damn good movie.
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What Shows Are Worth Watching in the Summer?Summer TV is tough. It can be just horrible. However, there are a few diamonds worth looking for.
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A Look at the Controversy and Theories in The Sopranos Series EndingThe ending of this popular show has generated more theories than the Kennedy assassination. Here's a look at some of the theories.
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A Croc With No Teeth: A DVD Review of "Primeval"Catch this one late at night on cable. Beyond that, save your money.
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"House" Ends Its Season - Leaves Fans PonderingHouse is a show that has the same formula for every show. Despite this, the performances are so good, you have to tune in to this show.
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"24" Wraps Up Messy Season"24" had an off season. Still, it's better than most of what's on TV these days.
