NBC Brings More Bite with Dracula Long time reader Bedour Al-Sharrah sent me the below tweet: I had not yet seen the trailer for NBC’s new Vamp Drama Dracula, buy my initial reaction was “Do we really need more vampires clogging up our airwaves?”  We have the Twilight movies, Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Vampire Diaries, Being Human, which I am admittedly endeared with, and this isnt even counting the various monster shows and movies out there currently (aka Grimm). At some point we have to reach some pre-prescribed limit of how much blood sucking that can be out there, until the whole genre just sucks right?  So, I checked out the trailer, and based on this quick look at the new show, I see things I like and things that make me nervous. LOOKS GOOD The pedigree.    Written/Directed by Dan Knauf (Carnivale, Supernatural, also comic book writer), but some episodes will also be directed by Andy Goddard (Downton Abbey) and Steve Shill (Dexter).  These are some well traveled, experience folks who have seen success in storytelling in this genre and time period.  I also like the premise, rather than do what so many are doing, Vampires today, this is a re-imagination of the original text, Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  If it is able to keep the intensity and dread, and forboding air of the book, I think it will be a great show.  Also, I love seeing Nonso Anozie In anything (GOT, Conan). DO NOT LIKE All though I put emphasis on the pedigree, I really dont think that means much any more.  Just because a name is put with something, does not mean its defacto going to be awesome (Moffat excluded).  And although the premise looks interesting, I can already see some over done tropes emerging (flashbacks, vampires fighting on roofs, mysterious puzzles) that make me nervous that his is just going to be another love/action/drama, to fill up NBC’s lack luster Friday night line up. This is merely one Geeks humble opinion, check out the trailer below, let me know your thoughts in the comments or tweet at me as Bedour did with your thoughts, @Misguidedgeek.  Look for Dracula this fall on NBC.   Thank you to Bedour Al-Sharrah for brining this to my attention, for your sake I hope its amazing, but from what I have seen so far I am nervous.  Have something you would like me to weigh in on?  Leave me a comment in a post, use the “Ask” feature built into the blog, or hit me up on Twitter or Facebook.  
May 15, 2013 VIEW POST
April 10, 2013 VIEW POST
April 4, 2013 VIEW POST
April 3, 2013 VIEW POST
Misguided Geek:  Cutting the Cable I wanted to update everyone on my quest to break away from the beast that is Time Warner Cable.  We have had the Roku HD now for about 3 weeks, and although we still have cable downstairs, we haven’t really been using it.  My wife, although hesitant, has been using the Roku a ton, especially Hulu Plus.  In her words “its just like having a DVR, but I dont have to worry about it filling up.” I have to say, this transition has been much easier than I thought.  I find myself consuming media much more purposefully, rather than just having the TV on and surfing around, I really am watching what I want when I want, its a much more effective use of my time.  It is really liberating, and pretty fun.   So the next step is the big one, cutting the cable.  The plan is to return our last box next week and officially cut cable ties with Time Warner Cable, although we will still be using them for as our internet provider.  I also just ordered the recently announced Roku 3, and will move the Roku HD down stairs, so that the private viewing option of the Roku 3 remote can be fully utilized in the bed room.  We debated on the Roku vs the Apple TV, but the decision came down to the fact that we dont really buy anything from iTunes, nor do either of us use a Mac.  Once that makes it home Ill do another unboxing… with better pictures I promise. FIGHT THE POWER!
March 28, 2013 VIEW POST
Misguided Geek:  Cutting the Cable     So, after a long talk with my wife, we have decided to bid farewell to our cable service, and join the ranks of the “cable cutters.”  In the coming weeks I want to share with you, my faithful readers, my experience with this transition  and I hope, should you have experience with this, that you would feel comfortable giving me any advice or suggestions you may have.  Today I want to outline my reasons for cutting, and my plan of action. Why get rid of cable in the first place?     This is a valid question, Im not giving up TV, I still hope to keep up with my regular shows, but looking at my bill each month and seeing the rising cost of Cable TV, I feel like there has to be an alternative.  There are only a handful of shows I watch regularly, why should I pay $100 a month when I only watch roughly 10% of the channels? Ok so what is the plan?     I’m glad you asked, I have spend a lot of time reading what other folks have been doing, and I plan to utilize free and paid for streaming services to replace the loss of cable television.  I just bought the Roku HD from Amazon, and use to use it for a trial run.  I have not canceled my cable service yet, I am going to hook the Roku up to one of our TVs just so I, and more importantly my wife, can get a feel for it and see if we like it, we also have an antenna to catch the major local networks.  My hope is between the streaming services on Roku and over the Air channels, we can still catch the majority of what we watch for a fraction of the price. What is the point?     Right?  There are shows we like, cable is convenient, why mess with a good thing?  My reasoning is that cable companies, Time Warner in my area, tend to own local monopolies on cable and internet.  Unless I go dish for TV I have no other option for TV service, and to my knowledge I have NO other option at all for an internet provider.  By cutting ties I am asserting my right as a consumer, to watch what I want, and only what I want, for a price that I find reasonable.  Worst case I am unsatisfied with the streaming offerings available and I switch back to cable, and return my Roku, yes my pride is hurt but little else.  Best case, I still get all the entertainment I am used to, and I have an extra Franklin in my pocket at the end of the month.     Advice?  Suggestions?  Leave them here in the comment box, or shoot me a tweet @JoshArtrip, or @Misguidedgeek, otherwise check back, and I hope to have weekly (or at least bi weekly) updates on my progress.
March 4, 2013 VIEW POST
One Geek’s Opinion:  The Big Bang Theory     Randomly television come up in a conversation recently, and a friend of mine, who knows my interest, said “Well I dont even have to ask you, your favorite show must be the Big Bang Theory right?”  I wasnt really offended or anything, its a logical connection, I like Star Trek and Battle Star Galactica, so do the characters on the Big Bang Theory, therefore myself, as well as all nerdy people, must love that show… right?      For those of who have never seen the series, the Big Bang Theory is centered around a group of stereotypical nerdy guys, who all work together at a local university, all the classic geek troupes are well represented.  One is hyper intelligent yet for all his smarts he struggles to understand the everyday social interactions with other humans seeming to have more in common with the computer he plays games on rather than the people he plays those games with.  Then there is the badly dressed, super sexed engineer, who always has a barrage of pickup lines at the ready, all of which are promptly rebuffed, oh and he still lives with his mom (classic archetype).  On the opposite side of the spectrum there is his best friend who is so intimidated by women he cant even speak around them unless he is intoxicated.  The male protagonist of the show is presented as slightly more normal than the rest, although his, lack of physical prowess and lactose intolerance often off sets his high IQ.  Then there is the female protagonist, a very attractive, normal, blonde who is thrust into this eccentric crew and forced to adapt to their ways.     Thats pretty much it, that is the show, and really its a fine show.  Its humor has its moments, the female neighbor isnt bad to look at, and really who doesn’t love a Settlers of Catan reference in prime time TV.  My issue with the show is that it wasn’t written for me (like the guys) it was written for people like the hot lady neighbor.  The show is from her point of view, and the laughs most often come at the expense of the four male co-stars ineptitude or social failings.     This is a show that presents its self as intelligent comedy, but really makes its living on dumb jokes about smart people (with a terrible laugh track I might add), not that there is anything wrong with that, it works for the masses (like the lady neighbor), but its not ALL that I look for in a comedy.  I would much rather take a really smart show about dumb people (Arrested Development, Community) or if as a geek I am only limited to shows about my people, then I would prefer something from their point of view (IT Crowd, Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared).  But hey, that’s just One Geeks Opinion. ****One Geeks Opinion is an ongoing series wherein I offer up one point of view on an issue or topic which affect our community at large.  Should you disagree or wish to offer a rebuttal please leave a comment.****
January 25, 2013 VIEW POST
Being Human is Back! My favorite American import of a British science fiction drama is back on Syfy! I finally had a chance to see how our heroes, and heroines made out after last season’s cliff hanging finale.  Check out my quick thoughts below - *Spoilers* Everyone is alive… literally everyone Mother is Dead (is she?) Vampire blood pusher, I didnt realize you could milk a Vampire I get it, its been 15 months Good to see Bishop back, even if he is only a hallucination Vampire super flu!?!? Josh is a human now, but Nora is still a wolf (TWIST!) Limbo looks rough, but Stevie and Nick are back…. … maybe? Hey look, its a witch BLOOD MAGIC Stupid Dutch vampire In conclusion, Sally is literally back from the dead, Aiden looks like he is going to die, Josh/Human Nora/Not, and there is a witch that not only brought Sally back, but looks to be bringing back Ray as well?  Looks like a good start to the new season.
January 17, 2013 VIEW POST
NBC’s Revolution:  Revolutionary New Premise or Stagnant Rehash? Im that guy who relies way way too much on outside reviews to make deicisons on anything, be it buying an HDMI cable on Amazon or figuring out which new shows to watch this fall.  I was pretty excited for Revolution after hearing about it early on, but as I heard some negative reviews (NPR specifically blasted it) my interest began to wane.  After a co-worker mentioned it was pretty good, (What up Andre!)  I decided to give the pilot a go. Whenever one deals with JJ Abrams, you never know if you are going to get Lost or Alcatraz, and Revolution early on, as aspects of both, good and bad.  There is the large complex cast of characters, that as diverse as they are fall into some age old tropes (the scientist, the nerd, the badass, the strong female, etc.), the environmental challenges, and then the overarching mystery that you are just dying to unfold. Dystopian media has become in vogue as of late, with the mulitude of TV shows, movies, books, and movies based on books and TV shows based on older TV shows.  My love for this genre is well documented, I love seeing humanity torn down and watching it struggle to rebuild itself in the face of overwhelming odds, its fascinating, and when done right offers us a glance into our own deepest hopes and fears.  When its done poorly, you get a bunch of people camping (Aka Falling Skies).   Where is Revolution lie in this spectrum?  Will it be a new BSG?  Will this cast tell a detailed and heartfelt story on the human condition while struggling to survive in a new world, putting together a new framework on society?  Or will it be Terranova, and tell a story that gets so bogged down in its own perceived grandiose that it becomes more about the location and less about the people trying to live there.  After one episode, I’m optimistic, I like some characters, I dont like others, and some I like the fact that I dislike them.  For the moment Im intrigued, I want to know what happens next, lets keep it that way.
September 19, 2012 VIEW POST