Overview: In this FX drama; a twisted drifter, an unassuming salesman, and an upstanding police officer converge on a path for survival and justice. Storyline Direction Pros: For 10 episodes Noah Hawley’s complex character study and straightforward plot progression, took viewers through t
“You can’t please everyone” is an old adage that rings with unquestionable truth. In the entertainment arena, it is an edict that seemingly absolves creative powers from the responsibility of pleasing fans. There will always be unpopular decisions that send out reactionary shockwaves, and there is
Donning a white crop top and matching skirt, Taylor Swift announced her new album ‘1989’ complete with a retro Polaroid picture serving as the cover art. It will be released October 27 th and fans can anticipate a deluxe edition. The deluxe will incorporate original audio recordings of select s
Pretty Little Liars: Emily finally came to her senses about Ali in “A Dark Ali”. After ranting about Emily’s undeterred faith in Ali for weeks, she deserves some kudos for finally seeing the light and acknowledging her mistake. As the Liars join forces to fight the foe within, things are
Best New Bet: "The Giver" Lois Lowry’s 1993 children novel gets the film treatment in this adaptation directed by Philip Noyce (who helmed the exceptional 1989 thriller “Dead Calm” among others). “The Giver” centers on a radical society in which there are no emotional variances (peaks
Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton shine in their first joint venture as co-stars. Directed with a deft hand by Rob Reiner, he keeps the heartfelt moments tenderly genuine, while maintaining a comedic bite. “And So It Goes” tells the tale of the curmudgeonly Oren (Douglas) who is emotionally isolat
As long as I can remember Robin Williams was a part of the cinematic universe. He was a consistent presence who entertained audiences by bringing laughter to one of his countless comedies or surprising in a dramatic turn. Whether he was a car salesman trying to make a deadline (“Cadillac Man”),
Tyrant: Barry made his boldest grab for power yet, as it becomes increasingly clear that he might be the titular “tyrant” to which the title refers. At first unassuming, Barry continues to descend into a moral void with every passing episode. He has known the depths of Jamal’s madness since the
Best New Bet: "The Maid’s Room" In 2002 Paula Garces made a memorable impression in the sci-fi adventure movie “Clockstoppers” playing Jesse Bradford’s love interest. Now, 12 years later she takes the lead in this dramatic thriller about a maid who starts working for a wealthy famil
A visceral depiction of backwoods life that is authentically searing and hauntingly exasperating. Director David Gordon Green picks up where he left off with his last film “Prince Avalanche”, a slow, character driven drama that drops actors amidst the fray of ordinary people. “Joe” is somber an
A magnificent ensemble leads this dramatic comedy about a flawed group of friends who head out on a lavish vacation, despite their beloved buddy suffering a severe motorcycle accident shortly before their planned excursion.
When it comes to Luc Besson’s illustrious filmography you will find a plethora of cinematic treats. From “La Femme Nikita” to what is arguably his best film, “Leon: The Professional” to last year’s “The Family,” he has supplied a bevy of entertainment throughout his career. “Lucy” joins the annal
Teen Wolf: Scott saved a well-bound Liam and then proclaimed at the end of the episode that he would save everyone on the dead pool (aka the kill list of supernatural persons). Someone has become mighty confident in their abilities. Elsewhere, Malia and Derick worked to sniff out a mystery and
Best New Bet: “Guardians of the Galaxy” Chris Pratt finaly gets a chance to take on a leading film role in Marvel’s latest superhero movie. The story follows Peter Quill (Pratt), a pilot, who steals an orb desired by the villainous Ronan (Lee Pace). To protect the orb and save the universe, he
A rambling Rorschach, “Enemy” is a surprisingly involving ride that takes viewers down the winding road of a puzzle that does its best to keep its pieces hidden. Tinged in dark yellow lighting, the movie provides viewers with an array of options. As it infuses as much overwrought emotion and coun
Best New Bet: "Lucy" Luc Besson’s latest is not exactly the movie one would expect given the advertising campaign which seemed to indicate a female powered action flick with sci-fi elements. In actuality it is more of a meditative analysis of evolutionary theory and Darwinism. Lucy (Sc
This week the internet was shaken with the hotly anticipated trailer and first glimpse of “Fifty Shades of Grey”, the film adaptation of the first book in E.L. James’ best-selling series. So many questions continue to surround the film. Whether it will stay true to the nature of the book and how
The Emmy nominations were recently announced and reaction to the snubs was on track with outrage in years past. The drama ballot included the usual suspects, veteran nominees “Breaking Bad”, "Downton Abbey" and “Mad Men” along with the star studded freshman series “True Detective”
Overview: Norma attempted to hold together the fragile life-force of her family and business, Norman continued his descent into madness, Dylan became more engrossed in the local drug cartel, as Emma felt on the periphery of all of the excitement. Meanwhile, Sheriff Romero tried to keep the peace
Witches of East End: After the premiere’s “oh my” moment where Ingrid hooked up with a blue entity that bared a striking resemblance to Dr. Manhattan, the series went for another sight shocker. This time it concerned recently returned prodigal son, Frederick, as he charmed his Aunt Wendy’s earr
Best New Bet: "I Origins" A trippy mindbender that attempts to unravel the scientific reasoning behind the old adage “the eyes are the windows to the soul”. Written and directed by “Another Earth” helmer Mike Cahill, this film appears to be similarly tackling sci-fi drama in a modern
Overview: Glee Club was disbanded as viewers bid farewell to Lima. Recent graduates Blaine, Artie and Sam joined Rachel, Kurt and Santana in New York and Mercedes made a much needed return to the series. Storyline Direction Pros: The goodbye to Lima, while painful, was done with remarkable
Director Shana Feste’s remake of Franco Zeffirelli’s 1981 film adaptation of “Endless Love” shares little in common with its predecessor, which is both a good and bad thing. On the positive side, Feste works hard to make sense of the first film's outlandish characterizations by incorporating e
In the universe of “Neighbors” you will find the familiar faces of recent adult comedies, that of grown adults who wish to be children and young people who are just children. Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne star as the parents of an adorable baby daughter, who are forced to fight their new next door ne
Pretty Little Liars: Liar’s hit the 100 episode mark and it delivered, mainly with two fierce confrontations between Ali and the survivors of her bullying. For the first time since she returned from the “dead”; Ali stood face to face with Paige offering an olive branch. Lindsey Shaw’s magnificent
Best New Bet: "Affluenza" It’s the buzzword and portmanteau (affluence + influenza) which the Oxford Dictionary defines as “a psychological malaise supposedly affecting wealthy young people, symptoms of which include a lack of motivation, feelings of guilt, and a sense of isolation.”
Justin Stephens / NBC Another season of television has flown by and with that, the reflection process can begin. Eclectic Pop has deconstructed and graded a multitude of television series that aired in the 2013-2014 season. The grading process was broken into five categories. Those five categorie
Dirty Cakes Band | Out of Los Angeles, California comes the Dirty Cakes Band, a group that’s self-described “psychedelic desert grunge” composes the nostalgic sounds of their EP ‘Never Alone’. A throaty vocalization breathes life into the titular single, a tune that starts timidly before indul
Nina Baker From the charming album ‘Quite Frankly’ comes Baker’s latest single, “Bruising”. Its inventive music video showcases the day in the life of an ordinary person whose life takes an unexpected turn. Shot in black and white, it follows its subject with intimate proximity. Accompanying
Sucking: True Blood: Hopefully that was the last bad episode of the series. Sunday’s installment was filler; complete with a gratuitous diary reading by Sookie that brought about zero plot development whatsoever. One of the series struggles has been writing the characters (especially the townsfol
A tale about pressing the resume button on life, "Begin Again" is about taking those first steps back into a shattered existence and trying to put the pieces of it back together. After getting hit with one setback after another, it is about making the choice to continue instead of starti
Best New Bet: "Tammy" The critics may be ravaging Melissa McCarthy’s but one should never count out Hollywood’s leading funny lady. Her latest film centers on the eponymous Tammy, having suffered several personal setbacks, heading on a road trip with her grandmother (Susan Sarand
Overview: An adaptation of the second half of George R.R. Martin’s “A Storm of Swords”; the season found the Lannister’s pitted against each other more than ever, the surviving Stark girls coming into their own, Daenarys continuing her rule as a queen and the lone surviving Baratheon continuing
Storyline Pros: Seldom can a series sustain a core mystery that provides few payoffs and never appear to be dragging out its storyline. "The Blacklist" is breaking the mold. It's all about enjoying the ride. While a question bigger than the “who” and “what” looms. It’s the “why”
Overview: In the second half of the series’ first and only season, The Tomorrow People’s leader returned. There was a revolt and eventually peacemaking. Storyline Pros: Action and story resolutions plowed through the remaining episodes of the series. The character development found most
Overview: Emily won a battle but not the war, against the Graysons. Conrad schemed and sparred with Victoria, who finally learned Emily’s big secret. Daniel lost more IQ points and Charlotte, well, she was Charlotte. Storyline Direction Pros: The infighting and bickering in the Grayson
One Last Suck: True Blood : The return to Bon Temps was an exciting one and the episode that launched the series into its final season, indicated it was firing on all cylinders. The entertaining opener produced a shocking death, a raunchy hook-up and a heartfelt plea from Sookie. The stakes are h
NATAS / Eclectic Pop Last Sunday, the Daytime community was supposed to be honored at this year’s Daytime Emmy Awards. Even before the event, there was drama leading up to it. Instead of airing on TV, the annual event got streamed online. The first awards show to have the dubious honor. Unlike othe
Based on Kate Snell's 2001 book “Diana: Her Last Love,” this film adaptation alleges to depict the late Princess Diana’s clandestine romance with heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Kahn. Offering a supposed glimpse behind the palace walls, “Diana” interestingly delves into royal isolation and its penetrat
Best New Bet: "Begin Again" John Carney, the director of 2006’s highly acclaimed music film “Once” is returning 7 years later with this similarly themed venture. Keira Knightley stars as a singer-songwriter going through some relationship troubles when she meets a struggling record-l
