Day Break

I started watching a really interesting series that Netflix just got (in fact, it seems like they jut got a lot of new TV, so expect a lot of new TV reviews over the next few weeks.  It's called Day Break.  It stars Taye Diggs (so, so tasty) as a police officer who's been set up for murdering a DA.  He is arrested for the crime soon after he wakes up.  Thing is, he keeps living that same bad day over and over (Groundhogs Day style).  I'm only on the 4th episode, but it's really good so far.  Very complicated plot, with lots of twists and turns, and mystery.  Every "day" you learn a few new clues.  Good cast, interesting idea, strong mystery, lots of action.  I'll keep you posted as I watch more.  B+ so far.

The Oxford Murders

The Oxford Murders was a little disappointing, but only because I got my hopes up.  John Hurt stars as a Wittgenstein-esque logician named Seldom.  Elijah Wood is an up and coming mathematics post-doc trying to convince Seldom to mentor him.  When Frodo's landlady (who is an old friend of Seldom's) is killed, they are dragged into an ongoing investigation of a logico-philosophical serial killer.  This movie has got to be good, right?  Sadly, it's a little slow, with too much talking and too little mystery, especially in the first half.  It's worth putting up with it, the second half is much better.  A solid B+ movie if you're into math, but probably only B- if you're not (but shouldn't you be?)

Agora

Here are some things I like: the Library at Alexandria, pretty costumes, Rachel Weisz, ancient Rome, conic sections (a math thing), philosophy, hot guys in togas, Christians portrayed as illiterate brutes. Turns out, if you put all of those things into a movie, you get Agora.  Rachael Weisz stars as Hypatia, a geometer and philosopher.  This movie is lusciously beautiful, costumes, settings, cinematography, all of it is detailed and lovely.  It is a little slow in the middle, and it seems pretty preachy on the whole "religion breeds violence" theme, even for me, but it's a great movie about an interesting time period.  Also, the directing is sometimes a little try-hard.  Well worth watching.  B+, but A- if you're into math or ancient Greece.

A short catch-up list

So, I haven't added anything in a while.  Here's some quick suggestions.  Full reviews coming soon:

Practical Magic is one of my favorite movies.  Romance, quirky fun, family, necromancy... what more could you ask for?

When Do We Eat? is a hilarious movie about hallucinogens and Passover.

The Iceman Murder is a cool documentary about Otzi, an early neolithic man.

Veronica Mars is just an awesome TV show.  It reminds me of Buffy.