64: stimuli for January 28, 2009

What says "leadership" more than a beleaguered, pill-popping space admiral? Well, actually...

TV: "Battlestar Galactica": I knew going into this last batch of episodes that things would get bad for the remnants of humanity, but good Lord, this is pretty bleak. The big reveals in the first half of the first new episode would be shocking enough, but there's a boatload more after that really sends things into a tailspin. Plus, it seems a rebellion is a-coming. Not the happiest show on TV, but boy its good.

"Lost": Everyone's favorite time-shifting island is back! And early word tells me this Wednesday's episode will be incredible! Exclamation points galore!!!!!!

DVD: "Chris Rock: Kill The Messenger": A solid comedy special with some still timely stuff. "We invade a country with lots of oil and gas prices still go up? If I raided KFC, chicken wings will be cheap at my house!"

MUSIC: U2, "Get on Your Boots": The first single from their new album and, I'm really digging this one. A lo-fi tune that sounds like a distant cousin from their pre-Joshua Tree days.

63: stimuli for January 14, 2009

TV: “24”: Yea, the Jack Bauer Power Hour is back, and so far it doesn’t suck. But seeing as how the show tends to drift off in latter episodes in the season, we’ll see if the extra time to film the show pays off well.

“Damages”: One of my favorite new shows of last year is back. And with Glenn Close AND William Hurt together here, it’s like a mini-“Big Chill” reunion. Criminally underwatched last season, but hopefully a few Emmy wins will get more attention to this great legal pulp potboiler.

MOVIES: “Pineapple Express”: One of the best stoner comedy/buddy action films ever made by man, if such a genre exists. At this point, I’ve seen it multiple times and STILL find it funny. “You just got killed by a Daewoo Lanos, mother****er!”

WEB: “The Guild” (entertheguild.com): One of the stars of “Dr. Horrible” stars in this rather funny webseries about the dangers and benefits of having friends that you only know from online roleplaying games (e.g,, World of WarCraft). Just got into this series, and definitely enjoying it.

62: stimuli for January 7, 2009

DVD: “Traitor”: A decent little thriller about an Islamic man who may (or may not) be a willing participant in jihadist terrorist bombings. The advertising gives away a bit, but still has solid performances from Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce. And co-written by Steve Martin, in probably the most worthwhile thing he’s done recently (and don’t even think of defending the remake of the Pink Panther, all right?).

“Eagle Eye”: A flashier, louder retread of WarGames that only worked for me after I had a few beers (it was after New Year’s, so I got an excuse). Upon seeing it sober, some of the film works, but utterly preposterous all the same.

“Battlestar Galactica Season 4.0”: The first half of the last season (once again: January 16!), with many a shocking twists and turns. Hard to jump in for newbies (pick up the first season to do that; and if you haven’t, why haven’t you?), but some solid sci-fi stuff.

BOOKS: Why We Suck by Denis Leary: A warm fuzzy book that helps you see the inner a-hole in all of us. Hey, waitaminute… I’m not a a-hole. At least, not regularly…