Pilot Thoughts: Agents of SHIELD

Agents of SHIELD Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by: 

ABC(USA), CTV(Canada)

Hour long drama

Agents of SHIELD has a fine pilot. It doesn't have the most memorable characters, but you like them in the moment. It doesn't have the best dialogue, but it's fine once you're watching it. The action isn't noteworthy a few days after you watch it, but it's fun in the moment. I guess what I'm trying to say is that while it may not be the greatest pilot in the world, it is a great deal of fun while it lasts.

3.5/5

B- 

Pilot Thoughts: The Goldbergs

The Goldbergs Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by:

ABC(USA), CTV(Canada)

Half-hour comedy

Well, seeing this in full right after Lucky 7 certainly helped it. That's not to say it's good, because it isn't. It's filled with 80's references, which do not make a comedy. The cast is meh, sometimes they do a fine job, but mostly they're just mediocre. I also just don't get a comedy centered around a family yelling at each other. It's not exactly smart writing, either. And, to top it all off, the dramatic moments are completely out of place, with no emotional resonance left behind. It's just not very good.

2/5

D+

Pilot Thoughts: Lucky 7

Lucky 7 Pilot thoughts

Broadcast by:

ABC(USA), CityTV(Canada)

Half-hour "drama"

There's only one thing you absolutely have to know about this show.

It's horrible.

It's filled to the tee with stereotypes, the title completely negates what goes on (only 5 are truly lucky), it's terribly written, most of the acting is terrible, and it looks so cheap.

Please don't watch it.

.5/5

F

Pilot Thoughts: The Blacklist

The Blacklist Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by:

NBC(USA), Global TV (Canada)

Hour-long drama

The Blacklist is a mixed bag. On one hand, there are an incredible amount of conveniences in this pilot, making it almost unbelievable at points. But on the other hand, it is so entertaining. It moves quickly with a fast pace, Spader is fantastic as Redd Reddington (ridiculous name much?), it is sometimes shot very beautifully, and it has a good premise for a TV show. Overall, even with the inconsistencies that are in it, it is a quick, fun way to knock off an hour of your time.

3.5/5

B-

Pilot Thoughts: Hostages

Hostages Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by:

CBS (USA), CTV (Canada)

Hour-long drama

Hostages is a poorly thought out drama for a TV show. It feels better suited for a movie, and it even has a cast that I would expect to see in that movie. It has a good cast, but it doesn't do anything with them. It establishes little to no motivation for why the family is being kept hostage, it doesn't provide a sufficient enough background for any of the characters, and it has no real long-term goals to keep it interesting to watch week after week. The strong cast certainly helps it, but it most definitely does not save it.

2/5

D+ 

Pilot thoughts: Mom

Mom Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by:

CBS (USA), CityTV (Canada)

Half-hour comedy

Mom is a comedy with cliche dialogue, a rote story that's been done over and over, a premise that doesn't stand out, and a cameo that doesn't really work with the show. But, there are saving graces to it, and their names are Anna Farris and Allison Janney. They have great chemistry together, and really try to elevate the show from the depths it sinks into. Still, with that in mind, Mom is everything you've seen before, with little to no laughs to be found anywhere.

2/5

C-

Pilot Thoughts: Trophy Wife

Trophy Wife Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by: 

ABC (USA), CTV (Canada)

Half-hour comedy

Trophy Wife is a comedy that while having no really wacky or otherworldly spin to a typical comedy like this, it manages to be funny. The cast is mostly well-rounded, with no real weak link other than maybe the main character's best friend. It's an average premise comedy incredibly lifted up with some humorous writing enveloped, delivered very well by a wide range of capable actors who never feel too good for the roles.

3.5/5

B

Pilot Thoughts: Dads

Dads Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by:

FOX(USA), CityTV(Canada)

Half-hour comedy

Dads is an interesting case for me. On one hand, I can tell that it's racist, misogynistic, crude, and just plain unfunny to some people. But, on the other, when it's not being those things, it's actually pretty funny. I laughed more than I normally do with comparable TV shows, and I actually did enjoy some of it. There is obviously some room for improvement, but I was able to somewhat enjoy it at some point. I don't know whether or not to recommend it. I'm just going to leave it at this: There is room for it to be a great TV show, but it just needs to stop relying on "controversial"humor so heavily. 

3/5

C+

Pilot Thoughts: Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by: 

FOX (USA), Global TV (Canada)

1-hour drama

Sleepy Hollow isn't memorable in any way. It doesn't have really entertaining characters, fantastic actors, an intriguing story, or anything like that. It wants to be ridiculously entertaining, but it is sometimes very serious. It just doesn't stand out, which is a shame, because I had a baseline interest in the concept. 

2/5

C-

Pilot Thoughts: Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by:

FOX(USA), CityTV(Canada)

Half-hour comedy

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is probably one of the funniest new comedy pilots of the fall. It has very consistent laughs throughout, the cast is very good, even ethnically diverse without giving much attention to it, and it has a very quick place. There are quite a few very memorable scenes, such as the hazelnut gelato scene, and the opening scene, where two of the main detectives are in a video store. It does have some problems, such as the whole romantic subplot featuring two of the secondary characters, but even that's not glaring enough for it to start to work. All in all, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is very funny and I can't wait to watch more.

4 out of 5

B+

Pilot Thoughts: Back in the Game

Back in the Game Pilot Thoughts

Broadcast by:

ABC (USA)

Half-hour comedy

Premieres September 25

Back in the Game is pretty cliche, with no real distinguishing qualities. The acting is pretty mediocre, the script is fine, but it can be sexist, like when the men don't believe that a woman can be a good baseball player. And the look of it is very cheap. All in all, while it can be somewhat funny, it is mostly just mediocre.

2.5/5

C

Pilot Thoughts: Ironside (2013)

Ironside (2013) Pilot Thoughts 

Broadcast by: NBC (USA), Global TV(Canada)

1 hour Drama

Premires October 2nd

(Note: I will not be providing full reviews for pilots, just thoughts)

Ironside is a cop drama that doesn't bring anything new to the table. It has very cliche characters who don't have any distinguishing traits whatsoever. It has some of the worst flashback scenes I have ever seen put to existence. It has a pretty poor script that doesn't add any intrigue or suspense to anything. It has a nice diverse cast, most of which can't act to save their lives. It does offer a decent performance from Blair Underwood, but mostly it is just mediocre and forgettable. I would've much preferred "Swanson," with the character from Family Guy who is also wheelchair-bound.

1.5/5 

D+

Blue Jasmine (2013) Movie Review

Blue Jasmine (2013) Movie Review

Rated PG-13
98 minutes
Directed by Woody Allen

Blue Jasmine is the story of Jasmine (Cate Blanchett), and her downfall from riches to rags. Her husband, Hal (Alec Baldwin) is defrauding all of his clients that give him money. He eventually gets caught, gets arrested, and hangs himself. In the middle of a mental breakdown, Jasmine flies to San Fransisco, and starts living with her sister Ginger (Sally Hawkins) and her 2 sons. As she starts to try to get her life back, she is faced with the fact that she might not be able to let go.