Review Day

There are no major spoilers in these reviews.

The Witcher 2:
I picked up this well-reviewed, meaty role-playing game in a Steam Sale, but never made it through the endless tutorial at the beginning. Endless is both literal and figurative here, as a bug in the first combat tutorial had me practicing a killing move on an invincible enemy that wasn't actually supposed to be invincible. I stopped playing right there.

Final Grade: Not Graded

My Name Is Earl, Season Four:
Better than the third season by half a football field, but still not as inspired as the first two seasons. Stop after season two, and you'll enjoy the series much more.

Final Grade: C-

House of Lies, Season Two:
The only similarity between this and House of Cards is that Don Cheadle occasionally talks to the camera. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this show and there's minimal character development, but it's got some funny lines mixed into all of the nudity and swearing. I was constantly distracted by the guy who looks and acts just like Chandler from Friends -- if Matthew Perry had been twenty years younger, they probably would have cast him instead. Matt Damon guest starring as a really awful version of himself was a highlight in the season.

Final Grade: C+

Mozart in the Jungle:
This is a free Amazon pilot about classical musicians in various New York ensembles. It shows promise, and gains a few points simply by being about subject matter that would never pass muster on any network show. Though fairly unbelievable, it hits a few right notes with the musical asides, and I would watch a few more should the show ever be made.

Final Grade: B

The Rebels:
This is another free Amazon pilot about a widow who inherits a football team and hijinks ensure. There was not a single scene of actual football in the pilot, but it still managed to be funny enough to hold my attention and moved right along.

Final Grade: B