John’s top 10 TV shows of 2009
Although two shows on this list are much missed and a third (“Dollhouse”) is on its way out, 2009 was generally a year when TV networks got smarter about marketing.
How crucial is continuity in franchise storytelling? (Commentary)
I’m curious to hear from my readers on this one: How important is it to you that a franchise has continuity between each of its installments? I ask this because two of my favorite sagas are “Star Wars,” in which every story fits on a coherent timeline, and “Terminator,” which has launched three distinct timelines since 2001
What’s up with all the TV Chucks? (Commentary)
Charles isn’t currently in the top 10 of most popular baby names, but that will change in the coming years. If television is a trend-setter, then Charles, Chuck, Charlie and Charlotte are about to experience a comeback.
State of Television Address, Part 1: Departed shows I’ll miss – ‘Privileged’ and ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ (TV review)
Here’s an honor that no one wants to get and that I hate to bestow: The best show that was canceled too soon. This year’s winner is “Privileged.”
‘Terminator Salvation’: Cool chases and explosions, but a muddied mythology (Movie review)
“Terminator” creator James Cameron felt the story was done after two movies, but of course, where there’s money to be made, there are stories to tell. So then we had comics, novels, another movie, a TV series, and now the first post-Judgment Day movie … and plot holes you could pilot a Hunter-Killer through.
Have Excedrin handy: This post is about ‘Terminator’ continuity (Movie and TV commentary)
What happened to Derek Reese and Cameron? And why does Kate Connor look so young? The “Terminator” timeline(s) is (are) complex enough without these unanswered questions from “Terminator Salvation,” which opens today.
5 big, obnoxious movies I want to see this summer (Commentary)
You’re going to hear lots of hype in the months ahead, but it’s sometimes hard to know which summer movies you should ignore and which you should embrace. Give your brains a rest, because I have the answers: See these five movies. “Terminator Salvation” (May 21) — In the first post-Judgment Day movie, I see no sign