Sixty Second Review

Short reviews on everything pop culture.

What we`re about

We`re here to offer you our honest opinion of the popular and not so popular medium that is television. Maybe you agree maybe you don't. Let us know via the comments.

Farewell Skins

Monday saw the final episode of Skins, read my review. What did you think about Season Two? Want to know if Skins has been renewed for a third season? What do we currently know about season three? Skins returns in early 2009!

Review: Californication: The Lady of Babylon

Season 1 / Episode 3 / "The Lady of Babylon"
"Hank talks like we all want to, as if you'd had a day to plan it."
Click to read review - may contain spoilers

I think the appeal of this show is that Hank is close to hitting bottom and doesn't care. The only reason he wants to fight his way back to the top is because of his daughter and his pure want of his family to live happily ever after.

Look sure, things are a little crude sometimes, but that adds to the appeal of the show. Life is crude. Television is about escaping the normalcy of everyday life.

I'm really enjoying this show and look forward to watching the rest of Hank's adventures. (I had to modify the name of this episode so it didn't set off blogger alarm bells).




Review: Burn Notice: Hard Bargain

Season 1 / Episode 9 / "Hard Bargain"
"Arg."
Click to read review - may contain spoilers

Sometimes I make the mistake of watching a great show and then straight after I watch a not so great. This normally makes me think the not so great show is even worse. That was the case when I watched Hard Bargain.

Just as I had written off this episode the last two minutes they have a half ditched attempt at a twist. Sure I didn't see it coming but it was poorly executed. Finally something that I've been hoping for - Michael in danger. He couldn't even act out this with some passion and again his way too cocky for someone who has just been fooled at his own game. A healthy ego is important for a spy sure. Bond pulls it off, but its just the voice overs that just don't mesh with me.

Maybe next week I'll be surprised, maybe...




Review: Californication: Hell-A Woman

Season 1 / Episode 2 / "Hell-A Woman"
"Further down the rabbit hole that is Hank Moody's life."
Click to read review - may contain spoilers

Slowing down a little from last episode and we got a better idea of who Hank Moody is. Clearly a hit with the ladies, but has to 'lower' himself to blogging. Hank's world is far from stable.

Hank's world is engaging, he clearly has no control over any part of his life. The overall style of the episode with its cut scenes are modern, raw and retro at the same time. With a great use of music throughout. I'm enjoying the journey and its only beginning.




Review: Burn Notice: Wanted Man

Season 1 / Episode 8 / "Wanted Man"
"Heading in the right direction, but still a formula episode."
Click to read review - may contain spoilers

Normal time frame for viewers to become fans of your show: 3 episodes.
Time for me to start enjoying Burn Notice: 8 episodes.

Making good progress, although this is another formula (Michael finds problem, Michael solves problem, Michael gets paid) episode with a touch of dealing with the continued issue of Michael being burnt. That aside I did enjoy the episode, perhaps everyone involved in Burn Notice have found their place and things are working as they should. Things just seemed a little off for the better half of this season.

The ending is near, I look forward to see if Michael becomes un-burnt so to speak.




Review: Californication: Californication

Season 1 / Episode 1 / "Californication"
"A male version of Sex in the City on viagra... without all the boring talking bits."
Click to read review - may contain spoilers

Another juicy titbit from Showtime. If the opening ten minutes of this show doesn't get your attention nothing will. Hank Mooney, a womanising, slugging writer who is desperate to get his family back into his life but is clueless how to.

No time is wasted in introducing us to the characters we're thrown in head first, we hit the ground running but everything falls into place. We instantly have a picture of Hank's life as it stands. His work, his active sex life, his friends, his daughter and ex-girlfriend.

It's in your face, it doesn't pull any punches. Its got a lot of attitude but at the core, beneath the exposed flesh is a story about a man wanting his family to be whole again. It's not mainstream television and that's why it works. Keep watching, I will be.






There has been a lot of controversy about this series. I'd like to add: Don't like the content? Don't watch the show!

Review: Burn Notice: Broken Rules

Season 1 / Episode 7 / "Broken Rules"
"Things get cranked up a notch!"
Click to read review - may contain spoilers

There's almost nothing better than starting a show with a car chase! Great to see Agent Bly keeping his own and getting a little nasty. I think I just really enjoyed seeing things not go Michael's way for once. Also points for the retro styling of the car chase scene!

I have to say that this episode has raised the bar, which has been long over due. Michael and Fi got physical in more way than one which was predictable. These two have zero on screen chemistry.

I think I'm almost looking forward to next week's episode so I can find out what is so horrible about Michael's folder.




News: Burn Notice: Renewed for Second Season

It has been confirmed today that Burn Notice Season Two will see the the light of day. The season will contain thirteen new episodes.

It is expected to air mid year in 2008.

Review: Burn Notice: Unpaid Debts

Season 1 / Episode 6 / "Unpaid Debts"
"Gun fights, action scenes and fast boats, yet I'm still not feeling it."
Click to read review - may contain spoilers

This episode marks the half way point of the first season and it went off with a bang. By far the most action we've seen so far. Guns, piles of money on fire and expensive boats, yet I'm still not feeling it. What this show is lacking is character.

I want to see Michael make a mistake. I want to see his human side. This picture perfect robot is as fake as his smile. His side kicks Fi & Sam aren't much better. Zero chemistry nor any on screen presence.

Look the show isn't bad, just poorly executed. They have aimed for a Bond main character and gotten boring, when they should have aimed for a Bruce Willis from Die Hard, or even a Jason Bourne - Slick, hard as nails but still human.