"American Gothic" Wednesday night July, 20, 2016

AMERICAN GOTHIC on CBS. (S01E05). The new episode is called, "The Artist in his Museum" and will air at 10/9 p.m. The Hawthorne family is coming apart at the seams. Especially Cam who is a drug addict who just fell off the wagon. Garrett is tortured too who lives in the past. Their mother Madeline also has her deep secrets. Go below for TV Preview for Wednesday night's episode.

"Rush Hour" returns Saturday night on July 23, 2016

RUSH HOUR on CBS. (S01E09). The remaining episodes of season one will run out on Saturday nights at 9/8 p.m. The network cancelled the buddy crime show after one TV season. It was a reboot of the popular films with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. 13 episodes were ordered by CBS and it was taken off the schedule after episode 8. So, there are 5 episodes left. Check out TV preview of episode 9 below which is called, "Prisoner of Love." 

(The TV promo says coming this Thursday. It has been moved to Saturday evening).

"Dateline" reschedules "The Murder of Martha Moxley" Friday July 22, 2016

DATELINE on NBC. The pre-empted episode from last week will air this Friday on July 22, 2016 at 10/9 p.m. That episode is called, "The Murder of Martha Moxley." 

NBC says, "In a one-hour special, Matt Lauer sits down with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for an in-depth interview about Martha Moxley's murder. Kennedy will address who he thinks committed the crime and his relationship with his cousin Michael Skakel. The special also features interviews with key players and family members in the case that made headlines across the country."

Click photo for DATELINE TV Preview.

Click Photo for 48 HOURS 2013 Full TV episode on Martha Moxley.

 

(Michael Skakel's conviction was overturned in Martha's murder)

"Shooter" will not premiere after second scheduled debut

SHOOTER on USA. The TV reboot of the movie that starred Mark Walhberg has been dropped from its' summer premiere 2016. The Ryan Phillippe (Bob Lee Swagger) starrer was removed from its' second launch date after another gunman killed police in the U.S. The cable network and producers have not announced when it will finally premiere. The latest might be after the November Presidential Election. Who knows? Several critics had given the TV show bad reviews, but some viewers would like to give it a chance. Check out the second TV trailer below.

An all new "The Night Of" Coming Sunday July 24, 2016

THE NIGHT OF on HBO. (S01E03). People are flocking over to HBO for the newest and critically acclaimed murder mystery. Critics and public fans are reviewing and recapping each episode. That includes me. And we're only two episodes in. Remember, to check you HBO listings for repeats of each episode after original airing. 

The third episode is already previewing on the cable network and it is called, "A Dark Crate." It airs this Sunday July 24, 2016 at 9 p.m. (I'm telling you, it is a murder mystery not to be missed).

"AXS.com" launches as "Examiner.com" disappears from internet

Ladies and Gentleman, all my news articles on "Examiner.com" have disappeared from the Internet. "AXS.com" who had owned "Examiner" has launched its' new website. What it gives us is "Live" news events by writers on-the-street reporting on-the-spot. A lot of the online writing websites have lost ground to "Live" news which everyone fights to get on the Internet first. "AXS" has now entered the field of getting the news faster. 

I was asked to write for "AXS" after they sent out a letter dropping the "Examiner" website on July 10, 2016. I have to think about it because where is the "Live" events here in New Mexico?. I'd have to say the Indian Casino's around Albuquerque, "Santa Ana (Pueblo) Star", "Sandia (Pueblo)", "San Felipe (Pueblo)" and "Isleta (Pueblo)." They book Live Shows on Music, Bands and Variety Performances (Elvis and/or Michael Jackson).

Click logo for "AXS.com" and its' new website.

(AXS.com Logo)

"Dateline" took "On Assignment" off the air Sunday night July 17

DATELINE on NBC. The network aired a repeat episode Sunday evening at 7/6 p.m. It was called, "Tangled." The episode of "On Assignment" was not shown and the network has not announced when they will run it. 

You can watch recent episodes of "Dateline" streaming online over at NBC. Click Photo.

(NBC Logo)

"The Night Of" has "Naz" charged with murder who will sit in prison until trial

THE NIGHT OF on HBO. (S01E02) Did you watch last night's episode called, "Subtle Beast?." It aired on Sunday evening at 9 p.m. The two main characters are, Jack Stone (John Tuturro) and Naz (Riz Ahmed).

"Naz" is charged with the murder of Andrea after detective Box couldn't get a confession. Box is called the "subtle beast" because of his tactics as a nice detective who turns your words against you. He has no clear evidence to charge "Naz" even when the district attorney doesn't believe Box is absolutely sure. "Naz" goes to prison until his murder trial and it looks like he goes down to the darkness of "Hell."

Did you see the small clues? Andrea's step-father wasn't sure she was his daughter at first and then claimed it was. He also claimed that Andrea's mom, his wife, died of cancer. He acted kind-of guilty. The forensic team also swabbed the "eye" of the stuffed dear head where there is blood. Why is blood way up there? In the first episode, the camera lingered on a black male who watched Andrea guide "Naz" into her home. It was like he knew her because she had a lot of boyfriends before "Naz." 

Lawyer, Jack Stone certainly was "in the right place, at the right time." Everyone see's him as an ambulance chaser who instantly grabs the possible homicide case of "Naz." He doesn't want to know the truth, but only cares about his defense of "Naz." It is like this is his last chance to be a top lawyer on a huge murder case. The scene between him and detective Box crackles with intensity and struggle because of the homicide. It is life and death with both of their already long careers. 

(The cinematography is very good while capturing darkness, death and prison in New York City. Riz Ahmed is perfectly cast as "Naz" who is a wide-eyed, innocent, college kid whose life takes a turn for the worst. Maybe he shouldn't have let Andrea get into his father's taxi-cab. She lead him straight into a horrendous nightmare.)

Click photo for "The Night Of" over at HBO.

(Naz talking to Jack in jail. HBO photo)

An all new "American Gothic" Wednesday July 20, 2016

AMERICAN GOTHIC on CBS. (S01E05). The new episode is called, "The Artist in his Museum" which will air at 10/9 p.m. 

Things are getting more revealing as the Hawthorne family try hard to keep their past hidden. Garrett who is the oldest brother, pulled out an old belt. It matches the belt police found in the old picture Cam wears as a teen. It is an expensive belt and one was found on the last victim of the "silver bells killer" (SBK) from 2002. Why does Garrett take off that belt as he approaches the nurse in her home. Her dad was a victim of the SBK.

Click photo for "American Gothic" TV Preview.

 

(Sophie, center and Cam, right talk to detective about Killer)

"The Infiltrator" is taut, suspenseful 1986 thriller

THE INFILTRATOR from BROAD GREEN PICTURES. The film opened on Wednesday July 13, 2016. I saw it at the Downtown Albuquerque 14 cinemas Friday July 15, 2016. The theater had a 3/4 audience full of those who grew up in the 1980's. That included me. 

Robert Mazur (Bryan Cranston) goes under cover with Kathy Ertz (Diane Kruger) and Emir Abreu (John Leguizamo). Robert just finished his last job as a narcotics agent who could retire with his wife and two kids. He has a decorated career by putting drug criminals in prison. He takes a last job by infiltrating a drug cartel as a fake money laundering banker. His bosses want the top dealer, Pablo Esocbar, but Bob nabs his second-hand man and those beneath him. 

I must say, I was on the edge of my seat and loved the return to 1986 and the President era of Ronald Reagan. Bob was almost killed several times as he went deeper and deeper into the drug world. His family is also threatened. This is 1986 and the wave of drugs entering the U.S., from Florida. Nancy Reagan said, "Just Say No." The audience was so into the film that they all "gasped" when Bob's briefcase unhooked and his recorder was exposed in the middle of a banker meeting. (Hah!) Check it out because Bryan Cranston disappears into his role which is based on a true story.

 

"Dateline" airs a special report on "Bastille Day, Attack"

DATELINE on NBC. The airing of "The Murder of Martha Moxley" was pre-empted last night by a report on the truck that killed 80 plus people at Nice, France. The network hasn't announced when they will air the "Moxley" episode. Stay tuned...,

Click photo for "The Bastille Day: Attack" episode.

(Episode pre-empted by special report)

An all new "The Night Of" Sunday July 17, 2016

THE NIGHT OF on HBO. ( S01E02). The new episode airs Sunday at 9 p.m. It is called, "Subtle Beast." HBO will show repeat viewings following the original broadcast. Check your listings. I was looking at the TV reviews from critics and YouTube critics. This is the new murder mystery TV show to watch this summer. I was glued to the TV set on the first episode. What shocked me was the brutality of the black police officers toward a Pakistan-American. You can see the racism underneath the surface toward people who look like they're from the middle east. Also, New York never looked so gritty, real and mysterious. Go below for TV Preview of the second episode.

"Making a Murderer" on Netflix grabs 6 Emmy Award nominations 2016

MAKING A MURDERER on NETFLIX. The outstanding 10-part documentary captivated millions and made everyone question the justice system. Steven Avery may not be guilty in the murder of a female photographer who visited the car junkyard where he worked. The documentary will make you angry at law enforcement who were hell-bent on nabbing Steven. The interviews by filmmakers of those involved with the murder case are astounding. Completely astounding. And then there was the murder trial and key witnesses who were unbelievable. How the jury came to their guilty verdict is beyond belief, but Steven sits behind bars.

"Making a Murderer" has earned each of the 6 Emmy Nominations with an incredible documentary. Each episode from beginning to end is riveting television. 

Click photo for "Deadline Hollywood" Emmy Award News for 2016.

"The Night Of" is a murderous nightmare for college student "Naz"

THE NIGHT OF on HBO. (S01E01) The July 10, 2016 Sunday night premiere nabbed 2.8 million TV viewers overall. The internet online preview grabbed 1.5 Million TV viewers. The 3 broadcasts on Sunday night garnered 1.3 million TV viewers. The two main characters are Riz Ahmed (Naz) and John Tuturro (Jack Stone). 

Naz is invited to a party and ends up stealing his dad's taxi-cab. He picks up a pretty girl and she takes him for a ride "literally." He doesn't do drugs and has never been arrested. She offers him pills, cocaine, whiskey and a knife to play with. Sex is promised in her house and as the drugs take affect. Naz accidentally stabs her hand during a knife game. They both head to her bedroom.

He wakes up downstairs in the middle of the night. He gets dressed to leave and discovers that she was stabbed to death multiple times. He's scared and runs away, but grabs the knife he stabbed her hand with, that lays on the table. One witness saw him with her earlier and a neighbor saw his "description" leave the girl's house in a taxi-cab. The police stop him because he turned the wrong way on the street. Naz's life takes a turn for the worst when the police perform a body search.

Click photos for "The Night Of" over at HBO.

 

(Naz is searched and what will they find?)

A "48 Hours" Double Feature Saturday July 17, 2016

48 HOURS on CBS. The back-to-back episodes this Saturday are repeats. "Death at Soho House" begins at 9/8 p.m. "Dear Savanna" begins at 10/ 9p.m. If you missed them. Check it out.

Click photos for "48 Hours" TV Previews.

"Death at Soho House"

 

"Dear Savanna" 

"American Gothic" Gunther couldn't be the "Silver Bells Killer"

“American Gothic” (CBS) can be seen each Wednesday evening at 10/9 p.m. It aired at 9 p.m. (central time) in Albuquerque, NM on KRQE 13. Last night's episode on July 13, 2016 was called, “Christina's World.” In the overnight TV ratings it garnered 2.77 million TV viewers overall. It reached 0.5 million TV viewers in the all important 18 to 49 adult demographic. "2016 ESPY Awards" (ABC) grabbed 5.60 overall & 1.7 with adults. "The Night Shift" (NBC) nabbed 6.28 overall & 1.2 with adults.

“American Gothic” stars, Juliet Rylance (Alison Hawthorne-Price), Antony Starr (Garrett Hawthorne), Justin Chatwin (Cam Hawthorne), Stephanie Leonidas (Sophie Hawthorne) & Virginia Madsen (Madeline Hawthorne).

“Christina's World” opened with police finding the hung body of handy-man Gunther. He left a note saying he was “sorry.” Police believe he was the “silver bells killer” (SBK). Madeline asked Gunther to get rid of the “silver bells” they found. She could be charged with destroying of evidence. Cam is no longer suspected as the SBK. Sophie's husband is a detective who discovers that Gunther had cancer who was going to die soon. He was also in a full body cast for 6 weeks when the SBK began that killing spree back in 1999.

You can watch recent episodes of “American Gothic” streaming online over at CBS.

(Madeline Hawthorne destroyed evidence)

"Marco Polo" A recap of main characters in Season 2

MARCO POLO on NETFLIX. Season 2 is now streaming online and I recapped all 10 episodes right here. This is what I saw with several of the main cast members. 

I will begin with Ahmad. He was adopted by Kublai Khan and Empress Chabi who grew up to be Khan's Vice Regent. Ahmad's back story began when he visited a brothel. He slept with a whore who was his mother and didn't know it. She sang a lullaby created for him and he realized what he had done. He strangled her to death with a red scarf. When he laid down with Mei Lin who is a known concubine. He taught her his mom's lullaby and she sang it while tying him up with a red scarf. Ahmad's bitterness grew from his mom who was forced into prostitution because Kublai invaded her village and killed everyone. Ahmad planned to take over Khan's throne through strategic manipulation. He was later killed by Mei Lin.

Nayan was Kublai Khan's uncle who converted to Christianity after being visited by the mythical Prestor John. Nayan gave up his sexual urges for young girls to spread the word of Christ to his Mongol people. Ahmad sold Mei Lin's daughter to Nayan so that in return he would join forces with Kaidu who wanted to be the next Khan. Nayan was ready to vote for Kaidu in the next election, but Kublai found out about Ahmad's schemes. War broke out and Nayan chose to die like Jesus "nailed to a cross."

Kokachin was really a peasant girl who served the last remaining tribal "Blue Princess." Khan's Mongol warriors invaded the village of that princess and she asked the peasant girl to pose as Kokachin. Empress Chabi hand picked Kokachin as the fourth wife of Prince Jingim. She couldn't get pregnant and Chabi arranged for a stable boy to rape Kokachin while Jingim was away. She was already emotionally fragile when she began to see and hear the dead "Blue Princess." Marco Polo fell in love with Kokachin who only called him a friend. She told him that her twin babies were not Prince Jingim's. Ahmad found out about this secret and held it over Kublai's head during the election. He gave that secret to Kaidu who asked Kublai to relinquish the throne to him or be humiliated by the Mongol people. Empress Chabi's secret was out and Kokachin committed suicide after becoming unhinged from reality. Kublai stood behind Chabi and decided to fight Kaidu to the death.

Kublai Khan remained steadfast in protecting his throne. He was chastised by his Mongol people for smothering the boy emperor to death. That choice of murder cost him a lot, but he didn't want the boy to grow up and kill him. Empress Chabi also tried to protect the next generation of Khan's. Prince Jingim had four wives and who knows how many concubines. He still did not give Kublai a male heir to the throne. Kublai realized that Chabi's mistake with the stable boy was to support their family down the road. Ahmad would use the Khan's secrets against him. Kublai's enemies were those closest to him. Even though Marco Polo was considered an outsider. He still served the Kublai by killing Kaidu who was strangling him. Marco respected Khan more than his own father who became obsessed with Christianity.

Let's hope for Season 3.

Robert Kennedy Jr. talks about Martha Moxley murder case for "Dateline"

DATELINE on NBC. Friday's new episode is July 15, 2016 at 10/9 p.m. It is called "The Murder of Martha Moxley." 

NBC says, "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tells NBC News' Matt Lauer, 'Michael Skakel would not be in jail if people had not been able to call him, Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel' in an in-depth interview about Martha Moxley's murder."

Kennedy has written a new book about the case called, "Framed: Why Michael Skakel Spent Over a Decade in Prison For a Murder He Didn't Commit." It went on sale July 12, 2016. Michael is a first cousin who was convicted of killing Martha in 2002 and his conviction was overturned. He will get a new trial.

Click photo for "Dateline" TV Preview.

(Matt Lauer interviews Robert Kennedy Jr.)

An all new "Dateline" on Sunday July 17, 2016

DATELINE on NBC. The Sunday night episode is called , "Do No Harm" which will air at 7/6p.m. 

NBC says, "NBC Nightly News and Dateline anchor Lester Holt reports on one of the most egregious Medicare fraud cases in U.S. history. In a joint interview, victims of Michigan oncologist Farid Fata's horrific crimes and the family members of patients who died while under his care share their unfathomable stories of misdiagnosis and over-treatment, together."

Click photo for "Dateline" TV Preview.

An all new "Dateline" this Friday July 15, 2016

DATELINE on NBC. The new episode is called, "The Murder of Martha Moxley" which will air at 10/9 p.m.

NBC says, "In a one-hour special, Matt Lauer sits down with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for an in-depth interview about Martha Moxley's murder. Kennedy will address who he thinks committed the crime and his relationship with his cousin Michael Skakel. The special also features interviews with key players and family members in the case that made headlines across the country."

Click photo for "Dateline" TV Preview.

"Marco Polo" Epic season finale has the battle over Kublai Khan's throne

“Marco Polo” can be seen streaming online over at “Netflix.” The tenth episode of season 2 is called, “The Fellowship.” It stars, Lorenzo Richelmy (Marco Polo), Benedict Wong (Kublai Khan), Joan Chen (Empress Chabi), Remy Hii (Prince Jingim) & Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes). 

“The Fellowship” opened with Niccolo Polo crawling in the desert near death. A mysterious man carrying a cross approaches him. The Chieftains have arrived to vote for the new Khan. Empress Chabi lets Marco free to keep the secret that Prince Jingim is not the father of Kokachin's twins. Jingim, Byamba and Hundred Eyes reach Ahmad who sits on Kublai's throne. The Chieftains vote for Kublai in the election, but Ahmad sends a message to Kaidu. Empress Chabi's secret is out about the stable boy impregnating Kokachin. Kaidu forces Kublai to choose the throne and be humiliated by his people. Or step down as the Khan.

Kokachin decides to commit suicide because she can't live with the guilt over the twins. She also cannot escape the dead voice of the real "blue princess." Marco returns to the West. He runs into the mysterious man with the cross who has an army behind him. Kublai chooses to kill Kaidu and stand behind Chabi's terrible choices. They fight to the death. Ahmad puts a knife to Jingim's back who in return stabs him. Byamba and Hundred Eyes fight the soldiers.

Marco rides back to the chieftain encampment. He comes upon Kaidu strangling Kublai to death and pulls his sword. Ahmad tries to run for his life, but Mei Lin kills him. Prince Jingim and Byamba return to the chieftain encampment to find it deserted. There is only a bloody cross sticking in the dirt. It belonged to the man they call, “Prestor John.”

You can watch “Marco Polo” streaming online over at “Netflix.” Click photos.

TV's "Shooter" is pushed back to a July 26, 2016 premiere date

SHOOTER on USA. The TV reboot of the Mark Wahlberg 2007 movie has been pushed back a week after the Dallas, Texas shooting of 5 police officers. "Shooter" stars Ryan Phillippe taking over the film role of Bob Lee Swagger who is a top notch sniper. He is brought out of retirement and seclusion to protect the U.S. President. The movie and TV series is based on the 1993 novel "Point of Impact" written by Stephen Hunter.

"The Night of...," on HBO premieres to rave reviews

THE NIGHT OF on HBO. The 8-part mini-series will air each Sunday night at 10/9 p.m. It is a murder mystery involving a Pakistan-American named "Naz." He spent the night with a woman who woke up killed in her bed. The production was supposed to star James Gandolfini who suddenly died. John Turturro took over the part as the lawyer and TV critics are giving the murder mystery rave reviews. It premiered Sunday night on July 10, 2016 to solid TV ratings. 1.3 million TV viewers overall.

"Marco Polo" Kublai Khan secretly attacks Kaidu to save his throne

“Marco Polo” can be seen streaming online over at “Netflix.” The nineth episode of season 2 is called, “Heirs.” It stars, Lorenzo Richelmy (Marco Polo), Benedict Wong (Kublai Khan), Joan Chen (Empress Chabi), Remy Hii (Prince Jingim) & Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes).

“Heirs” opened with white horses set on fire and running toward Kaidu's encampment. 100 horses were given to Kublai Khan who uses them to set a blaze to explode the powder kegs. Kaidu, Nayan and Niccolo were going to attack Khan from the south. Prince Jingim kills his cousin Orus. Marco lets his father go to die in the desert. Kaidu runs away as Khan wins the battle. Nayan tells Kublai that everything was planned by Ahmad. Kokachin gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl. She tells Marco that Jingim isn't the father. She also cannot shake the voice of the dead “Blue Princess” no one can see.

You can watch “Marco Polo” streaming online over at “Netflix.” Click photo.

"Marco Polo" Kublai Khan discovers he has been betrayed by son Ahmad

“Marco Polo” can be seen streaming online over at “Netflix.” The eighth episode of season 2 is called, “Whitehorse.” It stars, Lorenzo Richelmy (Marco Polo), Benedict Wong (Kublai Khan), Joan Chen (Empress Chabi), Remy Hii (Prince Jingim) & Tom Wu (Hundred Eyes). 

“Whitehorse” opened with Byamba kidnapping Niccolo Polo who is Marco's dad. Him and Nayan joined Kaidu in the failed Prince Jingim ambush. Niccolo tries to turn Marco against the Khan. Ahmad searches for Mei Lin who has fled with her daughter. Lotus helps protect the daughter after she confronted “Hundred Eyes” about his loyalty to the Khan. Jingim tells the Khan that Ahmad has betrayed him. The “Blue Princess” is just a figment of Kokachin's imagination who nearly goes insane. Mei Lin leaves her daughter with Lotus as she goes back to set things right. She told Marco to warn Jingim about Ahmad's ambush.

You can watch "Marco Polo" over at "Netflix." Click photo.

 (Ahmad takes over Kublai Khan's city)