When your number's up

TV SERIES

Person Of Interest (SEASON 1)

THE BEST

Here's a realistic and fresh entertainment. Shown on CBS, Person of Interested (POI) is a well succeeded creation of Jonathan Nolan (brother of director Christopher Nola) who wrote the screenplays for Christopher's movies "Memento", "Batman Begins", "The Prestige", "The Dark Knight", as well as the upcoming "The Dark Knight Rises", and "Man of Steel.

A significant portfolio doesn't certificate the quality of this TV Series. It happens this monitored world where each one of us can be screened at any real time is not science fiction for a long time. The only unrealistic aspect is the benevolent approach on the vigilance. I'm sure nobody would really mind being watched by the funny computer genius named Finch.

He developed a machine they say it's used to detect information leading to acts of terrorism before they happen. But he also developed a back door into the system which only spits out the social security number of a central person involved in the crime.

Supposedly dead in the authority's eyes, Finch hires John Reese, an ex-CIA special operations agent, who, too, dropped out of life after his girlfriend was killed as the result of a professional incident, and he was dissatisfied with the government's handling of the situation. Go figure...




Seinfeld, get back

Veep (SEASON 1)

THE WORST

From POI to VIP, pardon, VEEP it's a long way down. The long empathy of Julia Louis-Dreyfuss from her unforgettable participation in classic humour series Seinfeld vanishes after two episodes of miscarried comic sense in VEEP.

A single travelling camera that never stops intended to give rhythm and action to the vice-minister office is even more tiring than the senseless dialogues produced in what should be a satire to the political agenda of top government persons.

One gets the feeling this could be a fairly good TV series if it had a background of good and imaginative scripts, which is not definitely the case. If you have by any chance an urge to get bored, take a look at this VEEP.

TV SERIES

GAME OF THRONES (SEASON 2)

THE BEST

Based on the novel book A Song of Ice and Fire, from George R.R. Martin, the story has a huge club of fans all over the world. But you don't have to particularly be a fan of this type of narrative to enjoy this powerful TV adaptation. In short, it's about a medieval dispute. Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros.

If you haven't read the book nor have watched the first season, it will take some time do understand which sides are which, but you'll surely be surprise by the pervasive political and sexual intrigue. Even if it seems to have lost some of the initial magical and mystical strengh and intensity, Game of Thrones remains as one of the best on the air.

NYC 22 (SEASON 1)

THE WORST

The structure of the first episode of NYC 22 takes us back to the old Hill Street Blues, a famous TV series of the 80ies, but after 30 years of cops running and driving like crazy in pursuit of the bad guys, we are now presented with six rookie cops fresh out of the academy.

Brand new cops in action on NYC 22

The don't run nor drive. In fact they walk as they talk with each other. Not in the pace of New York, it's more Malibu rhythm without the music.
After all, they are dropped on a street corner to patrol a foot beat and they don't really know what they are doing there. Neither do we (waiting for the next job, i suppose).

Unconvincing acting in a surrealistic presentation from CBS.
It's also not the line of work director's James Mangold is used to.

TV SERIES

CSI -CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION LAS VEGAS (SEASON 12)

THE BEST

A cosmetic change in the casting of this long-running series resulted in a significant  boost in the dramatisation quality. First with Ted Danson, as D.B. Russell, heading the CSI team, and more recently, with Elizabeth Shue as blood and ballistic expert Julie Finlay. Both manage to give depth and some mystery to their characters, Danson playing a caring father and husband – often on the phone explaining his wife he’s caught up with his work – Shue unwilling to commit in any kind of relationship, choosing to avoid meaningful bonding in her life. The murder stories keep up with the traditional surprising outcome. The best of the three CSI series still running.

LAW AND ORDER - SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (SEASON 13 )

THE WORST

According to the rumours, this series was a victim (send out CSI crew to unveil it) of budget cuts, Christopher Meloni (Elliot Stabler) went home sooner, after 12 years on the job.

The show must go on? Well, not the same thing. Mariska Hargitay (Olivia Benson) is wasted and clearly tired of this job, the new characters are low profiles unable to enhance the stories. After all these years, Law and Order SVU has definitely run out of interest.

TV SERIES

THE FIRM (2012)

THE BEST

Here's a decent sequel from John Grisham's novel. It's been 18 years since the release of Sidney Pollack's movie, starring Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman and Jeanne Triplehorn.
Specialised in legal drama series, executive producer Lukas Reiter (creator of The Practice) manages to present a very entertaining show with a surprisingly powerful performance from Josh Lucas (recently seen in J. Edgar as Charles Lindberg) playing the talented attorney Mitch McDeer.
A clever and thrilling plot resisting superbly after 12 episodes.

GRIMM (2012)

THE WORST

More stories about demons, werewolves and witches.

Perfect to keep children awake and put grown ups to sleep.

I'm sure it was not intended to have this effect.