goNOW Party

Add comment March 3rd, 2008 05:09pm Jonathan Bradley

Were you there? I’ve got to tell you that the goNOW Party that was held at the N. Alpine Meg’s Daily Grind on February 29 was amazing. If I understand correctly the holding capacity for Meg’s was something like 46 but I’d say about 100 people came through those doors between 7 and 11. For a while there it was standing room only. The point here is that it was a packed house and I know Mike Honson,  Mark Maffioli, and I appreciated the turnout and sincerely hope that all of those in attendance enjoyed themselves. Having been involved in it personally I need to (want to) thank the goNOW and the Rockford Register Star for allowing something like this to happen and I hope that the success of this event will breed similar events. I learned something that Friday as well - Mark Maffioli is really good. I’ve already known that Mike Honson was great and he affirmed that fact once again with his sets…poor guy had a sore throat but really, you couldn’t tell. It was good to see all of you there and I hope to see you in the future. Please be sure to check out Mike and Mark on their myspace pages. myspace.com/mikehonsonmusic & myspace.com/markmaffioliandfriends

Lipstick Jungle Quirky and Quick-Witted

1 comment March 3rd, 2008 09:44am Richard Pulfer

A couple months ago, it would have been hard to imagined NBC’s much-hyped Lipstick Jungle triumphing when ABC’s painfully-similar series Cashmere Mafia already had a head-start. Fortunately, Lipstick is a superior series is almost every way. Focusing on three of New York’s most powerful women (Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsay Price), Lipstick Jungle matches its heart with humor found in fast-paced and refreshing dialogue as well as dynamic and unpredictable characters. Lipstick Jungle also carries a supporting cast every bit as accomplished as the leads, including Paul Blackthorne (The Dresden Files), Julian Sands (Rose Red) and Andrew McCarthy (Pretty in Pink), lending a sense of balance ABC’s Cashmere Mafia otherwise lacked. Lipstick is one of the few shows of television that lives up to its hype. Catch Lipstick Jungle on NBC Thursdays at 9:00 P.M.

Webcomic Pick - Questionable Content

Add comment February 28th, 2008 02:14pm Andrew Wright

Have you ever been told about a really great TV show that’s been running for years by a friend with excellent taste, rented the DVD of the first season and found yourself sitting on the couch in the grips of one great episode after another?  Discovering a long-standing story-based webcomic can be just as satisfying and every bit as entertaining.

This past week, I’ve become introduced to and subsequently addicted to a romantic sitcom style webcomic named Questionable Content written by Jeph Jacques.  QC is a serial comic strip about a group of 20-somethings dealing with romance, jobs, anxiety and little talking robots.  The cast features Marten, a wry indie-rock guitarist who works in a library, his cynical roomate Faye and his girlfriend Dora who both work in a coffee shop.  If the setup sounds a little too familiar, the writing far exceeds what could be a heavily cliched and bland comic in the wrong writer’s hands.  J. Jacques adeptly handles the complex neuroses of the various characters in an honest way - while Marten’s personality always seems to be wishy washy, we watch Dora’s insecurities emerge, and Faye deal with an underlying depression behind her snarky remarks.  Secondary characters are well fleshed out too, whether it’s neighbor Hannelore’s OCD, Raven’s search for her own identity, or any of a number of other character’s subtle flaws. 

Bringing comic relief to this bunch is the tiny robot Pintsize, an “AnthroPC” whose duty it is to annoy the guests and tenants of Marten and Faye’s apartment through wacky hijinks and goofy costumes.  A Pintsize strip is always a nice interlude between storylines.

What makes QC an addictive read is that the strips are written to occur over a short period of time.  Many times 50 or more comics are committed to one day in the lives of these characters.  It’s a bit like reading an amusing but moving comic strip verson of 24 only with the terror bits replaced with general coffee shop sharp-tongued wit.

Questionable Content is updated 5 times a week. 

Carpooler Comedy Not Without Speed Bumps

Add comment February 25th, 2008 09:45am Richard Pulfer

The premise of a comedy set within a carpool may have raised a lot of eyes during its first debut, but lately the results are nowhere near as eye-raising. Though it might be unrealistic to expect entire episodes to sustain themselves within a single carpool, the plot of Carpoolers interferes so much the eponymous carpool is reduced to a glorified book-end. Everything from the cast to the comedy itself is a well-oiled machine, but plot keeps moving so much, none of these elements are able to effectively burn rubber. Carpoolers air on ABC Tuesdays at 8:30 PM.

The Perfect Song

Add comment February 20th, 2008 09:07pm Jonathan Bradley

Getting married and planning a wedding involves a lot of frustration, sad to say. Yes, it’s one of the most joyous events in any persons life but to get to that day one needs to walk a path filled with countless headaches. Not to say that these headaches are totally negative but it can sometimes be too intense at times when planning every aspect of a very complex day. If you think it sounds bad then consider the fact that most of the planning is being done by my fiance, April. I’ll tell you though, sometimes all of this watching can be tough. I know I’m going to get in so much trouble for writing this but I have vowed to be more involved. This is a promise so important to me that I want any one who picks up a Go NOW to serve as witnesses.  We’ve been trying to find, “our song”, the one we’ll have our first dance to. There are a few options out there to choose from but nothing seems to really click. Last week I was at work and heard a song playing on the radio and I got chills because of how perfect it was for April and I. It’s called, “Come Rain or Come Shine”, by Don Henley. I believe it’s a remake of a Billie Holliday song and what Henley does with it is awesome. It hasn’t been confirmed as our song yet but it certainly fits. Check it out, let me know what you think. 

Knight Rider Kicks into High Gear on NBC

Add comment February 18th, 2008 08:31am Richard Pulfer

The latest in a long line of vintage remakes, Knight Rider is actually unique in that it is a continuation of the 1980’s David Hasselhoff series as opposed to a re-imagining like Bionic Woman. This time, Mike Tracer (Justin Bruening) is behind the wheel of the artificially-intelligent supercar KITT (Val Kilmer), out to protect KITT’s creator and his daughter from danger. The new Knight Rider might be incessantly predictable, but it’s also slick and insanely enjoyable. The biggest let-down is this is only a “back-door pilot”: a movie-of-the-week which could lead to a full series. This means the show isn’t even green lit at a time when prime-time television needs KITT the most. You can still watch the pilot again on Saturday on NBC at 8:00 P.M.

Kyle XY Exciting Hit for ABC Family

Add comment February 18th, 2008 08:25am Richard Pulfer

Kyle XY kicks off with an enigmatic premise, as a mysterious youth named Kyle (Matt Dallas) is adopted by a psychiatrist and her family, and discover to have no memories, no language and no belly button. Kyle assimilates to normal life with superhuman ease while attempting to discover clues to his strange existence. Despite lacking the intensity of Lost or specials effects of Smallville, Kyle XY is simply a good show. Though super-intelligent, Kyle is out of his depth with regards to relationships, and Dallas’ innocent and beleaguered expression reinforces the character’s almost child-like persona. Good writing keeps the premise fresh while effectively balancing character over plot. Overall, Kyle XY is a good, teen-friendly win for ABC Family’s lineup. Kyle XY airs on ABC Family at 7:00 PM on Monday.

What a Year.

Add comment February 11th, 2008 05:10pm Jonathan Bradley

It has been awhile since I last contributed to the Go NOW. I’ve been getting adjusted to a new work schedule, planning a wedding and catching up with a friend who is going BACK to China for a 3rd time. Despite the fact that, in my opinion, China has proved him wrong thusly, he persists. I wish him all the luck in world, as always, and will miss him greatly.Has anyone been paying attention to politics lately? How could you not, I suppose, as it is everywhere. How exciting! Regardless if you’re for or against either party it’s hard to ignore how engaged the world is becoming with this nation’s politics. I’ll let political columnists take care of writing about it but it’s a historic time. Lastly, it’s Valentine’s Day!! As of the time that this Go NOW is released it is official the day of love for so many. Or, it could be a day of loneliness for some. Or, it’s just another day that no one should care about. Technically, I agree with the latter but I find myself in an extremely passionate relationship so I am participating in this event.This month is also featuring a Leap Year and to celebrate the occasion the Go NOW is throwing a party. I’m fortunate enough to be a part of it along with Mike Maffioli and Mike Honson. So please, refer to any current edition of the Go NOW for more details on the event. 

Smallville Not in Kansas Anymore

2 comments February 11th, 2008 08:22am Richard Pulfer

It’s hard to believe Smallville has been on for seven seasons. It seemed like only yesterday the once-teenaged Clark Kent (Tom Welling) was taking baby steps towards cape, cowl and spit curl. Unfortunately, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The doomed romance between Clark and first love Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) has grown tired and tedious six years later. More and more, it seems time for Clark to pack up, move to Metropolis (half the action takes place there anyway) and start seeing Lois Lane who, played by Erica Durance, is tons more spunky, vibrant and interesting than Lana. Clark doesn’t have it much better than Lana though. One of the founding problems of Smallville was that young Lex Luthor (played perfectly by Michael Rosenbaum) is more compelling than Clark Kent. Over seven seasons, Lex has all but finished his path to the dark side and remains tons more likeable than Clark Kent, who has become plainclothes paragon. Where once Clark was an angst-ridden teen facing alienation with burgeoning superpowers, he has now become self-righteous and stagnant – and even visiting superheroes like Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) and the Flash (Kyle Gallner) know it. This is the brick wall Smallville has hit. With dazzling special effects and an ensemble cast, supporting characters like sidekick Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) and Lionel Luthor (John Glover) have come to shine while the show’s leads have started to dim. With the young Superman ever soar to the heights of its first season? Tune in on Thursday at 7:00 on the CW to find out.

Prison Break Defies Expectations

Add comment February 11th, 2008 07:52am Richard Pulfer

Like Lost, Prison Break is a show of a limited premise, and like Lost, Prison Break has shattered its limitations. The problem with Prison Break is the question of what happens after inevitable jailhouse rock. Season Two answered sending the framed Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) and ingenious escape master brother Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) on a cross-country chase. The current seasons lands Michael in a far worst foreign prison, along with ex-prison guard Brad Bellick (Wade Williams), former Fed Alexander Mahone (William Fichtner) and creepy killer T-Bag (Robert Knepper). One of the most addicting shows on television, Prison Break is a must for prison film fans as well as anyone looking for a suspenseful series to tune into week after week. Prison Break airs Monday on Fox at 7:00 P.M.