Star Trek Into Darkness

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS
The Enterprise docking underwater is just one example of how STID prioritizes spectacle over logic. While the cast shines, JJ Abrams’ second Trek feels like the work of a forced convert, with unsurprising twists and lazy storytelling. It’s a fun popcorn movie, but STAR TREK should be a full meal.

Toy Hunter

TOY HUNTER (Travel Channel)
While I glaze over any time some cheap, crappy 80s toy is featured (I have zero affinity for that garish, plastic era), as a collector myself, it’s fun to watch overly-caffeinated host Jordan Hembrough dig through boxes of old playthings to uncover (no doubt pre-planted) vintage geek gold.

The Office final episodes

THE OFFICE (the last three episodes of) Season 9
I stopped watching THE OFFICE a few seasons back, when the Jim and Pam story went from cute to nauseating, but decided to view the once-great series’ final episodes. I wish I hadn’t. This painfully tired, unforgivably unfunny treacle makes the most saccharine Disney tale look like an Albee play.

Hair Shirt

HAIR SHIRT by Patrick McEown (Self Made Hero)
There’s not much ecstasy, but lotsa agony in this tale of a sensitive young artist’s burgeoning powder keg relationship with an old childhood crush. McEown deftly plumbs the complexity and pitfalls of desire, insecurity, and trauma, his evocative art (simultaneously cartoony and naturalistic) greatly enhanced by Liz Artinian’s gorgeous coloring.

Hannibal

HANNIBAL (NBC)
Disappointed FOLLOWING watchers should check out this whip-smart, stylish and truly terrifying reinterpretation of Thomas Harris’ iconic cat and mouse game. Mads Mikkelsen’ creepy erudition amazingly manages to avoid comparisons with Anthony Hopkins’ Lecter, while Hugh Dancy’s preternaturally empathic Will Graham is more complex than any film version. Mesmerizing.

Iron Man 3

IRON MAN 3
Aside from the risible cliché of the precocious kid sidekick and too many empty armors, Shane Black’s post-AVENGERS adventure is suitably entertaining and refreshingly surprising (altho’ one bait-and-switch will infuriate intractable fanboys). Primary credit, of course, goes to Downey, who continues to inhabit Tony Stark with unmatchable wit and verve.

Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth

GENIUS, ILLUSTRATED: THE LIFE AND ART OF ALEX TOTH by Dean Mullaney & Bruce Canwell (IDW)
IDW’s extensive Toth trilogy continues with this examination of the artist’s work and life from the 1960s thru his death in 2006. The comics, illustration and design on display are breathtaking, while tales of many aborted and unrealized projects are heartbreaking reminders of what we both lost and never had.

The Nerdist

THE NERDIST
What I like about Chris Hardwick’s pop culture gabfest is that he doesn’t play to the masses. There’s a pleasant awkwardness with big stars, and even when the comedy bits miss, the whole affair has a delightfully DIY esthetic that makes you feel like anyone could just walk on set.

Louis C.K.: Oh My God

LOUIS C.K.: OH MY GOD
Look, I like Louis. I do. But his shtick is getting a little tired and predictable. “Stupid Americans take amazing thing for granted. I’m fat and middle aged. My kids suck but I love them. Close with controversial supposition.” Louie’s capable of genius, but this special is not it.