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Show Title: Stargate Universe (Or SGU for short)
Channel: SyFy
Genre: Sci-fi, Drama, Action
Average Runtime: 45 min
Viewed: Home/Hulu
Synopsis: SGU follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship, which is locked on an unknown course and unable to return to Earth. Faced with meeting the most basic needs of food, water and air, the group must unlock the secrets of the ship's Stargate to survive. The danger, adventure and hope they find on board the Destiny will reveal the heroes and villains among them.
Opinion: If you are familiar with any of the Stargate series at all than you have a basic understanding of the foundation for the show. For those who aren't, the Stargate is a ancient alien device that creates stable wormholes between two Stargates (By dialing one gate from another) that can be traveled through; allowing people to travel light years in mere seconds.
Universe takes the Stargate world into a slightly different style. Where past shows have been largely action based driven story lines, Universe is much more character driven. The show revolves around a rather large ensemble cast of characters, almost none of which are supposed to be on the ship. As the synopsis points out they end up there while fleeing a surprise attack, and are now trapped on a ship in a distant galaxy with no idea how to get back (to keep it simple there isn't enough power to use the gate to travel that great a distance on the ship).
SGU has gotten a lot of bad reviews based on this more drama/character driven element, but it is actually what I found most refreshing about it; it is a very different story than past Stargate series. It isn't about brave soldiers fighting evil aliens, it is a survival story. This twist, combined with the fact that the science fiction elements are definitely toned down a bit, brings a much needed fresh aspect to a franchise that has been largely unchanged for over ten years. This show managed to not only drag me in but encouraged me to watch the older Stargate series all over again; and I think that is a good sign. The show resume's airing (it is currently in a mid-season break) early April, more than enough time to catch up!
In Short: If you are a fan of the previous Stargate series, or just a fan of a good character driven story I recommend checking out Stargate Universe. The science fiction isn't as crucial to the story in this version as it has been in the past so even non sci-fi geeks might enjoy this one.
Official Website for SGU
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There isn't a template so I decided to try and set a standard. 
Artist: Crash Kings
Album: Crash Kings
First Single: Mountain Man
Label: Milk/Motown Records
Release Date: May 26, 2009
Parental Advisory?: No
Genre: Rock/General
Length: 36:22
Listened to on: Headphones, Home Stereo, Car Stereo
Best Heard on: Headphones for optimal quality, Home Stereo because you're going to want to sing along
Artist Bio: Crash Kings is an American rock trio formed in Los Angeles, California in 2006. The members are vocalist-keyboardist Tony Beliveau, his brother and bassist Mike Beliveau, and drummer Jason Morris.
Opinion: The main issue that I have with the Crash Kings' debut self titled album is that it ends so quickly. A relatively young band, I was generally surprised at the all around sophistication and musical talent; there is a reason why there first album is their break-out album. The best way to describe their sound is to imagine that one night the White Stripes and Queen were just hanging out, having some drinks, and nine months later a baby of musical awesomeness was born. That's right, I am actually describing this band as a combination of White Stripes and Queen, something I would not do lightly. Songs like Mountain Man give us that Jack White vibe, and in songs like 1985 and 14 Arms Tony Beliveau may literally be channeling the spirit of Freddie Mercury through some sort of voodoo magic. However he does it, the result is an incredibly catchy, musically satisfying experience that immediately had me anticipating their sophomore album.
In Short: If you like Queen or White Stripes, or just damn good rock music, I suggest at least sampling this album immediately. You'll be singing along with the songs in no time.
Buy the Album on Amazon
Crash Kings on Myspace
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Movie Title: Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009)
Director: Troy Duffy
Rated: USA:R (certificate #45230) | Canada:14A (Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Finland:K-15 | Australia:MA | UK:15
Genre: Action, Crime, Gangster
Runtime: 118 min
Viewed: Home
Synopsis: The MacManus brothers are living a quiet life in Ireland with their father, but when they learn their beloved priest has been killed by mob forces, the duo return to Boston to bring justice to those responsible.
Opinion: When you are making a sequel to what is essentially a cult classic there are always issues. The foremost is that with any film that wasn't a run away success there is typically a large gap in time between the films and often that results in an inability to get the original cast or it creates situations in which the script is written again and again till it is no longer any good.
Surprisingly BS II doesn't fall into the first category, with most of the cast from the first film reprising their roles or at least having a small cameo. This unfortunately doesn't save the second. I expected it to be a bit campy and for it to try too hard to recreate what made the first but this film falls flat, hard. There were scenes that had to of actually been out-takes used for who knows what reason. Edits that made no sense or at best were done badly. Attempts at side story and character development that often fell so flat and were so obscure that they actually took away from the characters. Scenes where they obviously didn't have the budget to do more than one take to get it right or the director simply didn't realize how poor the performance was. Actors who clearly only read the script 15 minutes before filming, or in one case a character clearly reading from a screen (you can see it reflected in his glasses!). A new side kick character that reminded me of Rob Schneider's "You can do it" character. Flashbacks and dream sequences of the dead Rocco character that were obviously only added since the actor was a friend of the director's. And least of which was the use of the word fuck every 3 seconds in the most unnatural ways because the director/writer clearly thought it was "edgy" to say "fuck" all the time..
Boondock Saints II actually seemed more like a Scary Movie style parody/spoof of the first one than a sequel. The film feels amateur is the worst ways, and fails to be anything new or cutting edge. There are a few laughs, but most of the humor falls short of even inducing a chuckle, and is often frat boy-ish in nature (if we say "dick" or "fag" or "fuck" or a racial slur it's funny right?) That being said most of the actors gave it their best, but the writing is so bad there is only so much they can do.
In Short: I wouldn't even waste a Netflix DVD rental on this. Borrow a copy from someone who wasted their money or snag an online copy of this one folks.
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Someone puts $20 on the line and my spot's almost taken. Fuck >_>
