The Useless Critic 2.0

I'm impressed by the fact Keira Knightley - gorgeous, gracefully aloof, talented - can sing! Yesterday, while working, I listened to the "Begin Again" soundtrack. As expected, it's catchy and well-done. That's not a huge surprise, though, since the team behind "Begin Again" is the team behind 2007's beloved "Once" (and Glen Hansard is partially responsible for songwriting duties.)   And from what I've read of "Begin Again," it's essentially a repurposed "Once" set across the Atlantic. With Adam Levine (bleh.) So, that aside, the film is getting decent reviews and I'll probably see it at some point. However, Keira Knightley has been getting some glowing feedback for her vocal chops in the movie.   This was the biggest prompt in me seeking the soundtrack out on Spotify. Even Adam Levine - bleh , again - has some shining moments. I die. At first, Keira's voice takes some getting used to...

SURPRISE, BITCH. I know I've been slacking off for a while now, but I decided to dust myself off and write my annual coverage of the broadcast networks' fall schedule announcements. This year's post might not be as elaborate as my previous ones, but I'm still putting my heart (and trademark sass) into it. Enjoy! ABC Renewed: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. • Castle • The Goldbergs • Grey's Anatomy • Last Man Standing • The Middle • Modern Family • Nashville • Once Upon a Time • Resurrection • Revenge • Scandal Cancelled: The Assets • Back in the Game • Betrayal • Killer Women • Lucky 7 • Mind Games • Mixology • The Neighbors • Once Upon a Time in Wonderland • Suburgatory • Super Fun Night • Trophy Wife New series: Agent Carter • American Crime • The Astronaut Wives Club • Black-ish • Cristela • Forever • Fresh Off the Boat • Galavant • How to Get Away with Murder • Manhattan Love Story • Members Only • Secrets & Lies • Selfie • The...

Spoilers: Maybe. Mid-2000s television was full of “Lost” lookalikes—ensemble dramas with sprawling storylines, huge casts, and vague symbolism plastered to every inch of the script. That genre has fallen out of favor in recent years, but HBO's latest summer offering seeks to bring obsession-worthy modern-day mystery back to television. “The Leftovers” has a pretty solid pedigree, being directed by Peter Berg (“Friday Night Lights”) and written by Damon Lindelof (one half of Lost's major creative duo). But on a leftovers rating scale, is the pilot episode a post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich, or the moldy meatloaf in the back of your mom's fridge? The episode begins by jumping right into the show's hook. While sitting in the parking lot with her sobbing baby in the backseat, beleaguered mother Nora (Carrie Coon) is sent into horrified shock when the child's crying suddenly ceases—her son has vanished from his car-seat, along with 2% of th...