In the run up to Christmas, a load of “film” screeners were received in the post. With the awards season rapidly approaching studios wanted their children to be seen and voted upon. Now with the Yuletide actually come and gone, television is taking its own hiatus from regular programming.
Despite having access to a number of advance screeners via ABC, one of the few networks who allow easy access to screeners, unlike others who want the coverage but do not allow early screening, this is the time of year where entertainment takes a “backseat” in terms of programming.
Seasonal films and specials dominate the airways and even reality TV, something that is not watched nor written about on this site, takes a break. Ergo regular programming is left by the wayside replaced with festive folderol aimed at the great unwashed and uneducated masses.
Granted not all the seasonal shows on offer are pap and rubbish, there are the specials aimed at the youngster in all of us. For example anything Charlie Brown, or those splendid stop motions Christmas specials; re: Rudolph and so on… It goes without saying that all country music or other musical Christmas shows were ignored.
Over the next few days, it will be necessary to review the last of the films from the studios and to have a look at more ABC offerings, such as the splendid looking American Crime; second season, and the odd new program. Other new shows would have been looked at in depth if only the networks wanted to allow early viewing…
As pointed out in an earlier article, nothing from CBS or CW will be reviewed except in the most minimal way possible. Both these networks turned up their noses at the “small” size of my site and refused access to photos and other press materials. Hence no regular reviews of Supergirl, Arrow or The Flash apart from the amalgamated reviews of the latter two shows. (Not any series from these two snobs will be covered…)
New shows coming up in 2016 on ABC are: The Family; a drama and Uncle Buck (which has already been reviewed) and another comedic offering, The Real O’Neals. Other programs returning for another season are Secrets and Lies, Galavant (reviewed already…twice) and the earlier mentioned American Crime, which MikesFilmTalk will be looking at further, since several episodes have been posted for viewing.
On ABC Freeform, ‘nee Family, The Fosters are returning for their fourth season and also have a screener on offer.
Television aside, there are a few more films to be discussed, Listen to Me Marlon, Song of Lahore, Meru, What Happened Miss Simone?, Winter on Fire, Shaun the Sheep and The Armor of Light (Abigail Disney’s directorial debut). All but one are documentaries and some are more interesting than others. All have something to offer, even the films which can only be described as a “hard slog.”
Tis also the time of year to look over the odd Netflix series or two. Jessica Jones, the Marvel “noir-ish” heroine, who could also be seen as a sort of superhero escapee from Frank Miller’s Sin City, is on offer right now. Apart from offering a splendid villain in the guise of David Tennant, who seems to be channeling his inner “grumpy” from Broadchurch (Gracepoint) to good effect, this dark Marvel offering is entertaining and addictive.
Other projects, such as short films, will be addressed in this “slow” period as well. Stay tuned for more reviews and previews of upcoming attractions and returning favorites, in the meantime, “tis the season for screeners.”
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