Fair enough.

If a "movie version" inserts themes and plots not present in the source material, is it still a version? And if it does just that, how exactly does it capture the spirit of the source?

OhNo - you are exactly right about Slate. To quote Stephen Metcalf, "ill-begotten pile of crap". Although, I do admit to agreeing with one point they made, which was to ask why was it necessary to flesh out a 20 page book into a two hour movie? They certainly did not make a film version of the book, but rather a…

Fortress of Solitude was so drenched in obvious, heartfelt autobiography that I was able to forgive it any number of weaknesses. I have read it twice now and will probably read it again this year. Motherless Brooklyn was also good and As She Climbed Across the Table and Girl In Landscape are marvellous. But he…

He makes my arm-hairs tingle, as when I'm in the presence of a sociopath.

I would have expected John Ashcroft to be the world's biggest Jack Ryan fan.

All shows involve some suspension of disbelief and I watch plenty of shows with silly premises that I manage to ignore. With this one though, I feel I can see the writers struggling under the weight of their own creation. I don't find the explanation "it's magic" to be satisfying.

Well, it's been a while so I'm not sure I can remember all that annoyed me, but I guess it's more the changing nature of the mysteries. First, the monster. The initial incarnation seemed to be sort of like a dinosaur (although they didn't show it so …). Later when it was dragging someone (I think Locke) across the…

Lost suffers greatly. I perservered through season 2 and into season 3 and the inconsistencies finally chased me away. When the writers can't even remain consistent to their own created myth, I have no reason to keep watching.

Tom, I've pretty much seen all of that, with the exception of the Angel material. I own Serenity and have often fondled Firefly, considering a purchase. That being said, I find him a frustrating creator. Buffy was occasionally wonderful but often problematic and inconsistent. Firefly was great and I have few…

I'm currently undecided on Whedon. Is he talented but occasionally mis-guided? Is he average but periodically lucky?

I completely agree re: the death of the American mini-series. There are so many shows that begin with a compelling concept and then get tied up in confusing knots of plot. I call it the Lost syndrome.

I guess Mormons are attracted to apple-shaped heads.

Last time I saw Tucker Carlson was on 30 Rock.

I did not find Southland gripping, with the fake documentary-style camera shake and the bleeped cursing really taking me out of the story. It wasn't even full-fake-documentary a la The Office. It kind of offended me that they tried to cram elements of better shows (The Sheild, The Wire, Life) into a mashup of sorts.…

Heche - I agree.

Of the sugar variety? 'cause I don't cotton to no honeytits, I'm tellin' ya right now!

But who is Watching the Detectives?

Whups, my bad. Carlos Mencilla is that dude who stole all of Carlos Mecia's jokes. Ha!

Seattle Intelligencer intelligencering?