Flatiron Hot! Critic
Film Review: “Room 237” Offers Few Insights Into Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”
April 11, 2013 | Jonas PaslauskasRoom 237 is almost exactly what I thought it would be. I had huge reservations about seeing it, as The Shining is one of my favorite films and Stanley Kubrick is one of my all-time favorite directors. Read More
Game of Thrones Episode Recap & Review – “Dark Wings Dark Words”
April 9, 2013 | Eric ShapiroWarning: This recap contains full spoilers for Game of Thrones Season 3 Episode 2, “Dark Wings Dark Words”
The following is a summary of “Dark Wings Dark Words” focusing on the major events of the episode. It is divided into sections featuring the show’s various protagonists: Jaime Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, Bran Stark, Margaery Tyrell, Robb Stark, Catelyn Stark, Roose Bolton, Theon Greyjoy and several new characters including Lady Olenna Redwyne, Thoros of Myr and Jojen and Meera Reed.
Justified Season 4 Finale – “Ghosts” – Review/Recap
April 2, 2013 | Eric ShapiroWarning: Full spoilers for Season 4 of FX TV series Justified, including season finale, “Ghosts.”
Showrunner Graham Yost and Justified‘s writers attempted a daring gambit with Season 4 of their critically acclaimed, criminally underrated series, starring Timothy Olyphant as southern … Read More
Slim Charles – Versus Fatso Jr EP – “Triangulate” Review
April 2, 2013 | Eric ShapiroOriginally published on indieshuffle
Representing a synthesis of disparate musical forms, Slim Charles wears their influences proudly, even as they carve out a sound that is distinctively their own. Traces of math rock, indie, space rock and funk are all … Read More
Walking Dead Season Finale – “Welcome to the Tombs” – Review & Recap
March 31, 2013 | Eric ShapiroThe Walking Dead has come a long way since its first season. Hell, it’s come a long way in the second half of Season 3. Back in October 2010, the show, based on the well-loved comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, got off to a promising start. Directed by Frank Darabont, the first episode was a masterpiece of tension, a legitimately horrific portrayal of a post-apocalyptic America infested with zombies, as seen through the eyes of small-town cop and series star Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). Read More
Game of Thrones Season 3 Premiere – “Valar Dohaeris” – Review & Recap
March 31, 2013 | Eric ShapiroWarning: This review contains spoilers from “Valar Dohaeris” as well as Game of Thrones Seasons 1 & 2
Fans of Game of Thrones’ first two seasons should not be surprised that the premiere of Season 3 is a bit slow. With so many characters … Read More
Game of Thrones Season 3 Primer: New Characters
March 27, 2013 | Eric ShapiroThis article contains major spoilers from Seasons 1 of 2 of HBO’s acclaimed fantasy TV series Game of Thrones and minor ones from Season 3 (only what’s necessary to provide a basic background for the new characters).
What Game of Thrones Season 3 MUST Get Right (Spoilers) Read More
“Drink Another Bottle” with Indie Rock Duo Pretty in Blue
March 21, 2013 | Eric Shapiro
A music critic walks by an Irish pub called Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar on Second Avenue and 29th Street when something catches his ear. It’s jarring, immediate, clearly live. Bare bones, just guitar and vocals. A sign on a chalkboard next to the entrance reads “Pretty in Blue.”
Indie Rock Review: Above The Fold Band – Deep End of Down – “Press On” Review
March 11, 2013 | Eric ShapiroOriginally published on indieshuffle
In an album loaded with angst and heartache, “Press On” provides a much-needed dose of unrestrained optimism.
From its opening drum roll to its final chorus, this standout track exudes positive energy, suggesting that for all the sorrows chronicled throughout Above the Fold’s debut album, Deep End of Down, guitarist/vocalist Sean Gibson sees a light at the end of the tunnel.
What Game of Thrones Season 3 MUST Get Right (Spoilers)
March 7, 2013 | Eric ShapiroWarning: This article contains massive spoilers from A Storm of Swords and, by extension, season 3 of Game of Thrones. Read no further if you haven’t read the book and want to be surprised.
In only two seasons, Game of Thrones has established itself as not only a worthy adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s beloved fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, but one of the best drams on TV in its own right.