Spring TV Roundup, Week 7

 


We’re coming to the end of April, with the tide of new shows slowing some. But we still have options to consider. The question is what’s worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Spring. Don’t see a show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Streaming Series:
Dead Boy Detectives, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered April 25)
About: The latest for Netflix is a series adapted from a D.C. Comic by Neil Gaiman. It becomes part of an extended Sandman universe for Netflix, even featuring Kirby as Death early in the pilot to bridge the connection to the previous series. This one centers on a pair of dead teens—Edwin Paine (George Rexstraw) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri). Both died while at boarding school—albeit years apart—and instead of continuing to the afterlife, they stayed put to ply their investigative skills to solving crimes. Soon, they connect with a living medium, Crystal Palace (Kassius Nelson), and head to America to tackle a case. Can they solve cases and stay ahead of those looking to bring them to the afterlife? That’s the challenge for Edwin and Charles, and the basis of this series. The first season is eight episodes, each about 50 minutes. It’s a quick enough binge. The pacing and style are similar to other D.C. adaptations, and it has a certain sense of style that rings true to stories adapted from Gaiman’s work. For fans of this type of show, this will be a hit and a quick addition to the television landscape. I wasn’t taken with the story and characters in Sandman, though I appreciated the craft. The same is true of this new series. The performances are solid, and the production is sound, but it just didn’t hook me.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Them: The Scare, now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered April 25)
About: A few years ago, anthology series were all the rage. We’ve seen their popularity wane a bit in recent years, partially owing to a flooded market. But the series Them, which debuted 2021, is back for a second installment. The series comes from Marvin Little and is a horror anthology from an African American perspective. The uneven first season was set in 1951 in a neighborhood. This new set of episodes, “The Scare,” takes place in Los Angeles in 1991. Deborah Ayorinde returns as the lead, this time as an LAPD detective on the hunt for a mysterious and brutal killer. There’s plenty of themes to explore and the early episodes are dark and convey a certain unsettling mood. The episodes are brisk, with most falling under 40 minutes and some close to 30 minutes. All eight episodes are now available to stream, making for a quick binge. The problem here—much as was the case in the first installment—is that the mood and potential in the setting works better than the actual story and characters. I liked the idea, but I wasn’t at all taken with the world that was built. With so many options, there isn’t a compelling reason to stick with this.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-

Knuckles, Now Streaming on Paramount+ (Premiered April 26)
About: We were introduced to Knuckles (Idris Elba) during the second Sonic film in 2022. This new limited series bridges the time between that film and the upcoming third film in the Sonic franchise. While Sonic (Ben Schwartz) himself appears in the pilot, this series is about Knuckles and Wade (Adam Pally), setting up to be something of a buddy adventure. Knuckles is trying to adjust to life on Earth and decides to make Wade his protégé. They head out on an adventure and things go off the rails quickly. The series is six episodes, each running between 25 and 32 minutes. It’s a quick binge and a short commitment. This is a piece of family-friendly entertainment that will work for those who love the Sonic films. Personally, I thought the films were just OK and a couple episodes were enough for me with this limited series. If you’re looking for something to watch with your kids, this will hit the spot. But it’s not incredible.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more