Blogcritics Author: Josh Lasser

PBS Primetime Programming for the Week of October 12

Josh Lasser — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:41:59 EDT

The creation of the Sword in the Stone ride continues (Imagineer Quest Part 2, as I like to call it).
Ah, the good old Sword in the Stone ride. I dream of it at night. I think about it during the day, I see it before me at all times. I can hear the music in the background all the time, I can hear the sound effects all around me. Every so often, out of the corner of my eye, I would swear that I see part of the ride itself. Do I imagine that it...

Playstation 3 Review: Soulcalibur IV

Josh Lasser — Sat, 4 Oct 2008 20:16:52 EDT

The venerable fighting franchise comes to the PS3.
It should be noted upfront that I am both a big fan of 3D fighting games and an unrepentant, inveterate button-masher. When I come at an opponent in a fighting game I will hit the same button over and over and over again until the opponent shows me that they can block it, at which point I become a little flummoxed and need some time to regroup. ...

Our Second Heroes Giveaway

Josh Lasser — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 13:20:14 EDT

Another month, another Heroes giveaway.
I don't know about you, but I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero. He's gotta be strong. He's gotta be fast. And, frankly, he's got to be fresh from the fight. Of course, I wouldn't mind it if he was a she. I'd absolutely take a superwoman who'd sweep me off my feet. I'm not picky.It's precisely...

The Debate and My Name is Earl: Laughing and Crying

Josh Lasser — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 09:52:23 EDT

There was laughter, tears, and heartache. Was it the debate or the sitcom?
So, I TiVoed the debate last night on CNN HD, and started watching about 30 minutes after the whole thing began. You know, life got in the way, necessitating the slightly delayed start. Well, after watching the first five minutes I cursed myself for not starting on time. If I had started on time I would have realized how horrific CNN HD's...

PBS Primetime Programming for the Week of October 5

Josh Lasser — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 05:02:29 EDT

The creation of the Sword in the Stone ride continues (Imagineer Quest Part 2, as I like to call it).
Do you recall The Sword in the Stone ride? The ride we've been talking about for weeks on end? The ride I've described in a moderate amount of detail (enough to pique your interest, but not enough to give away the store)? The ride that I honestly believe could be a wondrous, wonderful, huge success were it built? Listen, I can't...

The Starter Wife Super Duper Giveaway

Josh Lasser — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 22:23:36 EDT

Well, we're not giving away her, but we're giving away prizes that have to do with her.
Oh, those crazy folks in Hollywood. They have such new-fangled ideas about the world. They like their money, their lifestyles, sometimes going green, liberal guilt, and apparently they do this thing called "starter wives," too. I gather that it's kind of like a "starter home," you know, you buy one when you're young and...

Blu-ray Review: Iron Man - Ultimate 2-Disc Edition

Josh Lasser — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 18:08:01 EDT

A fun, action-filled comic book movie held together by Robert Downey Jr.'s fantastic performance.
The massive success of The Dark Knight during the latter half of this past summer caused some earlier releases to be quickly forgotten. Though it is possible that no other film in theaters equaled the brilliance of The Dark Knight, several were still very good, and one of those, Iron Man, has just made its way into a two-disc Blu-ray release. The...

Pushing Daisies' Triumphant Return

Josh Lasser — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 07:20:27 EDT

Pushing Daisies - two thumbs up. Knight Rider - I don't even know what to tell you.
Last season I really enjoyed Pushing Daisies. At first, I had worries about whether the show could maintain its cutesy tone and not lose me, but after a few episodes I was totally and completely hooked. I didn't realize until tonight, though, just how hooked I was.Tonight was Pushing Daisies' first episode of its second season, and while...

Cleaning Fringe's House

Josh Lasser — Wed, 1 Oct 2008 07:01:50 EDT

I really liked Fringe last night. I also figured out my biggest problem with the show -- the characters.
I've said enough bad things about the show in the first few weeks that I really need to tell you when I like it, and last night I liked it. Last night, I thought Fringe delivered a really solid episode. Plus, as an added bonus, I think I've identified the biggest weak points – Peter and Walter Bishop. Last night, so many things...

HIMYM Goes Back to Being Funny

Josh Lasser — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:33:37 EDT

How I Met Your Mother last night was really and truly funny. It made me so happy.
After such a disappointing latter-half of the season last year, I have been pretty happy with How I Met Your Mother's two episodes thus far this season. Last night in particular was hugely funny. I spent a good long time thinking about exactly what it was so funny, and I think that the answer is that it was a small plot. There wasn't...