Five TV Highs to Ease 'Game of Thrones' Withdrawal
By James Mandell Ever since cable execs figured out that summer re-run season was the perfect time to launch original programming, the corporate game o’ thrones has breathed new fire into June TV. And with AMC, Netflix and Amazon following HBO and Showtime’s lead, the bar’s been raised with entertaining, high-quality choices. Here are five titles, all available for streaming, one way or another.
Lady Gaga's French Bulldog is the New Face of Coach
I don’t know how Coach could have been smarter, savvier or hit more At Home In Hollywood than to feature canine stars as the new faces of their brand. The leading New York design house of modern luxury accessories and lifestyle collections appears to have gone to the dogs with an ad campaign titled “Coach Pups,” and French Bulldog Miss Asia…
For Fathers Day — Make Your Dad Look Like a Star
Even though the dad in your life may not be seen by millions on the big screen, he’s probably still a star to you, right? So why not help him look like one? This year, instead of buying him some random shirt, socks or tie, why not put a little thought into something that will look…
Neil Gaiman's American Gods Gets Green Light
Many of you know that I don’t spend all my time in movie theaters and celebrity homes. I pass a good deal of my “off-hours” with my nose buried in my Kindle. Ever since I learned how to read, I’ve been absolutely devouring the written word, and I’ve been plowing through about a book a week…
INSIDE OUT Review: Pixar Plays Mind Games
Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a child? Pixar claims to know, depicting it in 3D and very vivid color, in the studio’s latest animated feature Inside Out. The film focuses on, or rather in, Riley, an elementary school girl, who moves with her family to San Francisco and has a hard time adjusting. We see five…
Is the Transgender Movement Sexist?
Transgender seems to be the new black–at least transgender women. Caitlyn Jenner graces the cover of Vanity Fair, Jeffrey Tambor picks up award after award for his portrayal of a dad who makes the switch on Transparent and Lana Wachowski is finally gaining respect for her bright-haired transition. And now ABC Family, Disney’s more “progressive” family oriented channel, is…
The ENTOURAGE Movie Review: Longer Yet Limper
Just as promised, Vince and his bros are back and they haven’t changed much. From my perspective, The Entourage movie has been the most anticipated film of the summer, because everyone I know and their brother’s mother’s dog walker contacted me, pleading to be my plus-one at the critics’ screening. That honor went to my…
Nice Guys Finish First at the 2015 Critics Choice TV Awards
“It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy,” said I, after the very first of the 2015 Critics Choice Awards was given out. I was referring to Jonathan Banks, who picked up the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series award for Better Call Saul. I’d chatted with him earlier, and he told me he…
SPY Review — Big, Beautiful Laughs
Move over, 007, there’s a new international super agent on the scene, and her gadgets are just as cool as yours, even if they are disguised as feminine products and rape whistles. Such are the good natured and raucous gags in Spy, starring the infinitely talented Melissa McCarthy at her absolute best. My only complaint…
SAN ANDREAS Movie Review — the Fault is Not in the Stars
The one feel good takeaway I got from seeing my hometown reduced to rubble is that at least I don’t live in downtown Los Angeles, where skyscrapers can tumble and fires can burn whatever’s left. I live on the other side of Mulholland, in a nice, bucolic neighborhood where neighbors lend a hand, rather than trip…
