Class isn’t afraid to dive into its strangeness, but not always successfully. It’s kind of like a high school dance--fraught with crazy drama but not always as memorable as it’s supposed to be.

If you liked the series--you had eight years to find out--you’ll like the movie.

Its uneven but intriguing first four episodes.... It hints at a compelling future, with various factions vying for control. But it isn’t out to wow you early on, taking its time to develop its characters and the relationships. If your expectations aren’t too high--and it’s not “Battlestar Galactica” yet--The Expanse could just be what you’re looking in.

While the two-hour movie was a wild ride, slow the pace down for television and the boys aren’t as much fun to hang with. Barkin is the best reason to watch. Always a restlessly interesting actress, Smurf gives her lots to play with, and she makes the role her own.

The thriller created by Martin Gero can seem overly intricate at times, but the conspiracy doesn’t get in the way of the show’s early momentum. Where it goes from here is definitely worth checking out.

Salem's Lot is hardly bad. It's just that certain unpersuasive special effects, unruly performances and subplots undermine the best of intentions, a fate with which fans of King's oeuvre are no doubt familiar. [19 June 2004]

Meloni is terrific as usual--a long way from the solid Elliot Stabler on “SVU,” but it’s a stretch to appreciate a “hero” who describes his life as “an ever-swirling toilet that just won’t flush” and follow his cracked personality. With only two episodes to judge from, the jury is out on Happy! My guess, though is that it’s an acquired taste and only for certain people.

While some of the episodes--I have not seen all 12--show flashes of creativity, there is something synthetic about the series, like a hotel room’s pretend hominess.

Some of the jokes here will jolt you from the typical sitcom complacency - no slack-jawed viewing allowed here - and if each episode doesn't quite find a moment of redemption after mining these hearts of darkness, they leave you amused enough that you can continue soldiering on in your own imperfect life. [20 March 2000]

Ferrell Takes the Field may not be overly funny, but it’s amusing, especially for baseball fans.

Making History may get a D in real history but is passably funny in a hit-or-miss cartoonish way.

Shaw is likable and undoubtedly a selling point for the series, but unless the show finds its focus, it’s not going to be enough.

It’s difficult to get much of a clear sense of the characters. Still, it’s an excellent cast who bring their own strengths to the roles.

It’s a fine superhero adventure even if you don’t know all the characters. Just go with it. It may not be super, but it gets in its hits.

Watching the series is a bit like skipping through the magazine--a little of this, a little of that, always interesting.

The show suffers when it’s away from Johnson, lacking any real focus. Individual moments can be fine, but they seem strung together rather than part of a cohesive vision.

Viewers have seen this all before so many times before that The Gifted feels just ordinary.

I would suspect that those more familiar with Shakespeare’s plays and the times may appreciate Will a bit more than others. Still, the series is hardly a stuffy costume drama. The mostly young cast is quite good, and there is plenty of sex, violence, comedy and intrigue to keep it amusing for non-Shakespeare fans.

Season 2 definitely has more action and digs deeper into the mystery, at least in the five episodes made available.

Incorporated is just one of another grim dystopian futures we have become so fond of. Hey, it could be dead-on, but it really doesn’t have a lot to offer. There will be a few parallels to today, and it is mildly diverting as a thriller, but we have seen it before, even if it is the future.

Judging by the first episode, The Exorcist works as both a tribute to the original as well as on its own terms. There is something of a family drama inside the scares, which gives the idea of making a series out of it more staying power.

Graham has updated the story pretty well, while overstuffing it a bit. Nevertheless, the miniseries keeps the novelist’s questions about mankind’s destiny percolating throughout and never really lets you lose interest.

The students of Brakebills have never fit in and aren’t part of a hierarchy, and, like a lot of young people, can be their own worst enemy. So far The Magicians played off those reverse expectations fairly well, and has a more hip Gothic atmosphere to it. It will be interesting to see if it can keep all the balls flying in the air.

The series has something of a “True Lies” feel, with its plot winking at itself. There is plenty of action and suspense and even a “Timecop” twist. J-C, though, is a different sort of action-figure, filled with more self-doubt and regret then you usually see in the movies. But even with that, the series smartly never takes itself too seriously.

After watching that first episode, we can tell you that it’s a solid return, and definitely stronger than its last few seasons. A good part of that is the chemistry of the new judges--pop star Katy Perry, country singer Luke Bryan and Mr. “All Night Long” himself, Lionel Richie--with the contestants who walk into the room to audition and with each other.

Once called “The Second Fattest Housewife in Westport,” the series hits the usual notes but doesn’t sing.

If crazed killings and macabre laughs aren’t your thing, you may want to avoid the show. So far, though, Scream Queens is outlandishly fun.

There are a few things The Catch will need to establish before taking off. For instance, it’s a bit hard to buy Alice’s and Ben’s instant attraction. But as light entertainment, the show flies by pretty quickly, a good fit for the #TGIT playground.