CW's "Vortexx" Premiers!

The CW's new kids programming black, "Vortexx," premiered this morning. I didn't get to watch all of it, but I wasn't that impressed by the network presentation and bumpers themselves. Hopefully they'll get some stuff in there to help liven up the line-up, as well as some fresh new shows.

Of course, Power Ranger Lost Galaxy was among the line-up (since Saban Brands, who reacquired the Power Rangers franchise from Disney a few years back, had bought the CW's Saturday morning programming slot), and, having not watched it in many years, I was a little surprised how long it took to get going, with no Ranger powers at all in the first episode! But they do have some cool powers, and it will be fun to relive this FOX Kids season.

—Charles M Warren

John Carter: Man Of Mars (2012 movie)

Months ago, when I watched the TV trailers for the Disney movie "John Carter," I was only mildly amused. Until I heard that it came from a story written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the distinguished creator of Tarzan. And the more I looked into the background of the story, the more intrigued I became, realizing how much I had come across other stories and art that were directly inspired by this series (such as a story line in the Marvel X-MEN comic "Excalibur," and tons of popular fantasy art).

So I just had to see this movie before it left theaters! But things kept getting in the way, until one week ago from today, when I finally got to see it with some family and friends, turning out to be the very last day it was in theaters! (at least in my area)

And I really enjoyed! Unsure of why it wasn't more successful. (During its 7 week run, it made about 75 million domestically, and 200 million internationally, totaling 275 million in ticket sales for a movie that I've heard cost closer to 300 million to make). The story, CG characters, and alien society weirdness were especially fantastic to me!

But it wasn't without its flaws. I thought, after a brief glimpse of what was going on among the martian people, they took too long to get John Carter there (I would have cut out much of his antics with those military officers). And once he did get there, his adjustment to the red planet's lighter gravity was... a bit awkward. Yet, perhaps the most damaging shortcoming, was how some of the sets – only early on in the movie, really – had a very cheap, B-movie look to them.

But overall, I really enjoyed the movie, and highly recommend it for Sci-Fi fans! The Video comes out June 5th.

–Charles M Warren