cpthollywood Reviews

Babylon (2014)

Would Like to See More

[8/10 · 29 March 2014]

Was on the fence for the first 15-20 minutes. But the story gets better as it goes on. Good perspective from Communications, as well as many other angles.

It may be categorized as a satire, but I don't think this should be considered a 'comedy'. It is a little stretched from reality, but is more serious than comedic...in a good way. Kept it entertaining all the same.

By the time it ended, I found myself wishing there was more. I thought this was a series, but was disappointed to see it was a Movie. I do hope they choose to put out further episodes. I would certainly continue to watch.

Arrow (2012–2020)

Over the top

[3/10 · 18 October 2012]

I enjoy comic book/super hero type shows when done correctly. The most recent few Batman's were done well. As was Watchmen, Kickass, and some of the newer X-Men series.

This show has potential to be good, but I was turned off by the pilot episode. The idea is good. The storyline, though a bit close in the footsteps of Batman is decent. However, the casting and some of the afterFX take away from a better story.

The music in each scene is too much and creates a cheesy flavor. The dramatic presentation is almost too polished and expected. The cast lack believability. I realize it is based on a comic book, but it feels dumbed down a bit. It should leave the adolescent audience behind and aim for the mature comic book buying masses of the 80's. This generation may prefer maturity to the genre they loved growing up.

In order for this show to work it needs to be darkened up a bit. Allow the cast to get dirty instead of trying to be runway ready in every scene. The lines are very scripted and predictable. Develop some character from the individuals instead of stereotypes.

I've only seen one episode, and still think potential is there, but if it continued on in the same beat as the pilot, I won't make it past the 3rd episode.

Happy Endings (2011–2020)

Brilliant

[6/10 · 15 October 2012]

Wasn't a huge fan the first season. It was good but I think you really have to get into the characters personalities and their quirks to appreciate how good this show really is. Of course I went back and watched it later and realize I'm an idiot for not liking it more the first time around. It is now one of my favorites.

Season 2 is especially brilliant. The way the characters play off each other in a quick witted, fast pace back and forth banter, is very entertaining. Eliza Coupe (my personal favorite...for a number of obvious reasons) can make you laugh just with a facial expression...and if you know her character, it is all the more entertaining. That said, they all do this very well and their chemistry is "top drawer". Seriously. Top Drawer. I'm presuming that's a good thing.

I've seen it compared to many shows, but I think it does have the dynamic most similar to Arrested Development. The takes they choose are perfect as is the editing. There is no laugh track (thank god) as that instantly signifies a show is catering to the broken masses, an audience who needs to be prompted and told that something is funny...when in most cases it is not.

I will continue to watch as long as the show stays on the air, and hope its run time lasts well into the future.

If you were like me and didn't really take a shine to it the first time around, do yourself the favor and keep watching...it grows on you and you will eventually appreciate it's genius...unless you require the assistance of laugh tracks.

Das' all.

Perfect Couples (2010–2011)

Was Poised for a great 2nd season

[8/10 · 20 June 2011]

This show had potential to be quite good.

This and a similar program (Happy Endings) were both new this season. Thought this one was much funnier and entertaining. It is quirky and requires a few episodes to 'get' the characters and humour, but once you do, it really takes off.

I found the last few episodes to be great, and though I was on the fence for the first few, I was sold toward the end and would have stuck with it. Versus a flat, boring story line (like most new "couples" comedies) this one was slightly over-the-top and fun to watch. A show like that stands out from others that blend in with normality. This would have picked up a larger audience with every season it ran, whereas the others would have lost many to boredom.

VERY upset to see this was dropped. Bad move.

The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2009)

Grows on you

[6/10 · 16 October 2008]

Though I'll admit and agree with some of the negative comments that some of the skits are a little repetitive and not as funny as others (like the grandmother skit who curses on everyone after they leave the room), there are many funny or at least classic characters.

The excitable couple who tell boring stories but get excited about them is good...not so much in the content of what they say, but in there execution of it. The same with "Gingers" and a few others.

Though the show might not have the funniest dialogue, it is presented with such confidence and brilliance that that in itself makes many of the skits funnier than they should be.

It is definitely an acquired taste. I do enjoy the show, though I'll admit its not drop dead funny or anything, but does have an endearing quality that makes it fun to watch. It grows on you if you give a few episodes a chance...but don't expect to be rolling on the floor trying to keep your gut intact.

The Loop (2006–2007)

They actually let them shoot a second season???

[1/10 · 15 October 2008]

I am very open minded. I watch all kinds of programs to the end...good or bad...just to give them a chance and learn from the good aspects and bad ones. This show had potential to be good. But my god, what were the writers, casting director, and director thinking? The cast of actors are terrible...with the slightest exception of Meryl (Mimi Rogers), and Darcy (Joy Osmanski) being given occasional good lines with the best execution of the lot.

The rest of the cast kill the show. It is the same story line in every episode. Sam has plans to do something. His boss disrupts these plans by assigning him ridiculous work projects. Then the foolish ways Sam tries to accommodate both in a manner that is primarily stupid and lacks any real intelligent humor. This is EVERY episode. It gets very tiring.

Season 2, they ditch the eye candy. The 2 "hot" girls in the show get written out (yet the brother stays? explain that casting cut to me please). I can see why they wrote them out...they had no substantial role...but they didn't add anyone better to replace them.

The cocky Derek Tricolli character is given a continuous appearance in season 2. His acting (along with everyone else's) resembles many poor sitcoms from the 80's...might have been funny then...but painful now.

the show could have been so much better with a few good writers and some people who had any talent to execute them. This show lacks everything. Production quality is the only good aspect of the show. It is great in that regard...unfortunately the content is painfully sad.

My god. FOX, was there really nothing better to choose from? I'm sticking with shows like "It's always Sunny in Philadelphia" or "30 Rock" for now. The bar should be set by programs like these that actually assume the audience are intelligent and aren't continually drooling on themselves using all their brain power on continuing to breathe.