To understand the full-flavor of Middleman, you have to understand comic book conventions, especially comics of the Golden and Silver Ages (from the 1940s to the 1960s). There are conventions that defy real world logic, such as, a scientist might be an astronomer, but he still knows everything about anything, including biology and chemistry. There are other conventions, too, and the third episode has at least two, no three… actually, I can think of five. Read the rest of this entry »

Show Viewing Date: 7-3-2008
Show Title: 30 Days
Network: FXHD
Reviewed By: Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking.Com

Intro:

Timing is not just an important ingredient in business, it’s also incredibly fortuitous in the realm of television.  Earlier this week, the Supreme Court upheld a citizen’s right to bear arms and struck down a continue interest in banning firearms, which was the perfect hotplate for what is this episode of “30 Days” on FX, focusing in on “Gun Nation”.  I have always had guns in my life.  Whether it was my father’s handgun in our home for home protection, friends that hunted during my college years, the guns I currently own (a handgun and a shotgun), or the array of movies that feature firearms I wish I had a need/could afford to own but don’t, guns have never been something strange for me.  This week, Morgan Spurlock showcases a woman that has deathly emotion-initiating fear of firearms that goes to not only life with a firearms-bound family, but also goes to work in a local gunshop and learning to shoot firearms 850 long miles from her home outside of Boston in the friendly, firearm-friendly confines of Ohio.

Read the rest of this entry »

Show Viewing Date: 7-3-2008
Show Title: IFL MMA - Encore Showing from February
Network: HDNet
Reviewed By: Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking.Com

Intro:

I had always heard the hellish stories of boredom people experienced in high school that were their study hall sessions. Sessions? How many study halls were people ALLOWED in a single day? I don’t think I quite understand their discussions. One of the many things I remember from high school were the characters and fun that were included in the circus that was my ONE study hall during my entire high school experience. While others were ranting about their most recent smoking escapade, or upcoming lunch beatdown, I took the time to finish up my homework and then prepare for greatness - you guessed it: CARICATURES. Those goofy pictures of people that often amuse, sometimes frustrate, but always entertain.

Whether it was the guy with a mohawk, the rockers from our big in-school band, “Trish the Dish” that while it would have been great, but was never my girlfriend, or even the “coaches” from every sport imaginable that monitored the room, my game, my pastime, my passion, was caricatures.

“What does this have to do with Mixed Martial Arts, Mike?” you may be asking.

The answer is easy - this evenings encore presentation is FULL of people that could have easily been the source for any one of the many caricatures I made in high school in this encore presentation of the IFL bout, featuring the fight between Ryan McGivern and Matt “Suave” Horwich. Read the rest of this entry »

Intro:

Ghost Hunters follows TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society based in Rhode Island) as they investigate claims of supernatural occurances.  Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson founded TAPS because they each had their own paranormal experience and they had nobody to turn to for answers.  Because of widespread popularity of GH now in 4th or 5th season and newly formed 2nd season of Ghost Hunters International set to premiere next week, Sci-Fi Channel now airs episodes on Wednesdays at 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm (occasionally 9 pm if necessary) to help people catch up.  The new episode airs either at 7 or 8 pm so be sure to keep track.

Commercials Captioned: Partially

Opinion Review: TAPS dismiss 80% of the claims that were called in and then investigate the remaining 20% of the claims.  Occasionally, TAPS hit a gold mine when they investigate a claim and you’re in for a real treat.  Other times, it’s ho-hum or mildly entertaining because they didn’t find anything or found very little.  In the cases of USS Lexington (missed the state) and Warwick City Hall (in Rhode Island), they didn’t encounter much.  In the case of Leap Castle in Ireland, it was wild to see a member get knocked down by an unseen force and another member freak out of concern for another’s safety when they investigated the knockdown site.  In the case of Myrtles Plantation in New Orleans, it was really cool to see a lamp move slowly across a night stand while TAPS members were near it, totally oblivious to the movement.

Overall Caption Rating: 5

Overall Show Rating: 4 for Leap Castle, 3 for Manson murders/Charlie Chaplin’s studio, 2 for Lexington/Warwick, and 4 for Myrtle Plantation

Total Rating: 3

Do You Recommend This Show to Others Who Depend on Captioning?  Yes

After a job, hit men (Colin Farrell of “Alexander”, “The Recruit” and Brendan Gleeson as Alastor ‘Mad Eye’ Moody of Harry Potter movies) have been ordered to take a vacation in Bruges, Belgium.  Colin takes an immediate disliking to Bruges while Brendan embraces the history and culture of Bruges.

Previews/Commercials Captioned: No 

Opinion Review:

The movie is not closed-captioned and you would need to turn on the subtitles.  The movie plodded along with few comic reliefs.  The actors don’t get to showcase their talents.  Not really worth laying out the money to rent it.  Bonus fact - Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson, and Clemence Poesy have been together in another film called Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  You would know Poesy better as Fleur Delacour, one of the 4 contestants vying for the Goblet of Fire.

Special/Supplemental Features Captioned: Yes

Overall Caption Rating: 5

Overall Show Rating: 2

Total Rating: 2

Do You Recommend This Show to Others Who Depend on Captioning?  Yes

Intro:

This is a Survivor-style show where Americans must participate in “Majide”, one of the most popular Japanese game shows (see last week’s post for more details).

Previews/Commercials Captioned: Partially

Opinion Review:

My 6 year old daughter was flashing and saying “Majide!” by the time the show was over.  The show is amusing to watch because the Americans have no way of knowing what’s next and they must learn to embrace the culture of Japanese people.  The show still uses the elimination round of 2 members from the losing team, voted by the members of the losing team.  The loser of the elimination round goes home and I like that better than Surivor’s style with the members of a losing tribe voting for one to leave.

Overall Caption Rating: 4

Overall Show Rating: 4

Total Rating: 4

Do You Recommend This Show to Others Who Depend on Captioning?  Yes

Intro:

Wipeout is America’s answer to MXC (see last week’s post for more details).

Previews/Commercials Captioned: Partially

Opinion Review:

In MXC, they often change the obstacles to keep the participants off-balance.  In 2nd episode of Wipeout, they either tweaked, changed, or left unaltered the obstacles.  I’m guessing that they’re fine-tuning the obstacles to maximize the entertainment factor for the viewers without creating a high number of “I Quit” among the participants.  One thing I didn’t like about the tweaks is the “jumping around”, showing multiple participants failing to navigate the obstacles without showing their start or finish.  I understand that this is intentional for humor/entertainment factor, but it’s just too fast and confusing - seemed like those were the participants from earlier shows when that wasn’t the case.

Overall Caption Rating: 3

Overall Show Rating: 4

Total Rating: 4

Do You Recommend This Show to Others Who Depend on Captioning?  Yes

The 2GuysTalking Podcast Chronicles the Complete Adventures of Indiana Jones
Hiatus = Grand Options for Terminator Fans!  Raiders Review is READY!
The 2-Part Review of Raiders of the Lost Ark Tides Over Terminator Fans
While we’re all waiting for brand-new TERMINATOR: Sarah Connor Chronicles goodies, you can tide over your hiatus-laden summer with a complete review of ALL of the classic Indiana Jones films!  2GuysTalking have released their first review of “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK” in 2 parts and the mission is clear:  Listen and tell us what you think of our review of what can easily be called the greatest action film of all time!  Only from The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network!

Intro: The Bucket List stars Jack Nicholson as the cranky billionaire and Morgan Freeman as book-smart auto mechanic who share a room in a cancer ward at a hospital.  They decide to create a list of things to do before they die.

Previews/Commercials Captioned: No

Opinion Review: The movie does start off slowly, but picks up the pace later on, filled with laughs and wonder.  I enjoyed the chemistry between Jack and Morgan, their first film together.  Because of that chemistry, the movie is able to move along and you’ll experience highs and lows emotionally.  Worth renting. 

Special/Supplemental Features Captioned: Yes

Overall Caption Rating: 4

Overall Show Rating: 4

Total Rating: 4

Do You Recommend This Show to Others Who Depend on Captioning?  Yes