Best Scifi Movies Of 2012

Sorry, but January is a dead zone for movies and television. Everyone knows that January is the month Hollywood's for toxic waste dumping ground. Check out the NY Time's article on it. So unless it has Liam Neeson in it, I won't go see it.

Television isn't much better. I've been so deprived that I've started watching 'Downton Abbey,' which admittedly is a decent show, but it's not scifi. There are very few quality shows on right now. 'Last Resort' lost steam. 'American Horror Story: Asylum' has gone off the rails. AHS has become far too dark and too depressing. What's the point of watching if I feel bad after?

I had been watching 'Scandal' because I love Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, but I had to take it off the DVR after last night's episode. Last night's episode featured Oliva Pope's boyfriend (who happens to be the President of the United States) telling his pregnant wife that he wants a divorce so he can be with his mistress, Olivia. I know it's fiction, but there's something about a man leaving his pregnant wife that really bothers me.

Something to look forward to

So alas, my DVR is down to painfully low levels. 'The Walking Dead' returns in February so that's something to look forward to. 'Game of Thrones' returns in March. Thankfully,  'Supernatural' is the gift that keeps on giving after eight seasons. So things are looking up for the next few months, but as for January, I give up. Uncle.

AMC fires yet another showrunner

In other news all you 'Walking Dead' fans should enjoy the show while it's at its peak. AMC has again fired yet another showrunner. First AMC ousted the brilliant Frank Darabont in 2011 for having the audacity to want big storylines featuring actual zombies. If you recall the dullness of the first half of Season 2 you can only imagine what kind of show AMC would prefer. Less zombies, more interior scenes, zombies are heard, but not seen.

In late 2012, AMC fired Glen Mazzara for likely the same thing. Despite the fact that 'The Walking Dead' is AMC's biggest money maker and their highest rated show, AMC has been accused of wanting to tighten its belt. Apparently Season 3 had far too many zombies and all around "good stuff." And good stuff costs mucho dinero.

Also, there was allegedly a conflict between Mazzara and comic book creator, Robert Kirkman. Shawn Ryan ('Last Resort' creator) and Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy) tweeted their continual disgust with how AMC treats their showrunners.

Best scifi/fantasy movies of 2012

I never completed my list of what I felt were the best scifi/fantasy films of 2012. Sorry, I was sick with bronchitis for three weeks.  

• 'The Grey' - I list this as scifi because there's no wolfpack in the world like this one. The film is an emotional nature piece for Liam Neeson. It really shows off his acting chops. Wonderful film. Liam Neeson is the only reason to watch a movie in January.
• 'Woman in Black' - Old fashioned spooky thriller. Loved it.
• 'The Hunger Games' - Great adaptation of the beloved novel. I really enjoyed the film.
• 'The Cabin in the Woods' - Campy, scary good fun. Some of it makes no sense, but just go with it.
• 'Prometheus' - Yes, yes, there were problems...serious problems. See my spoilers page. I couldn't understand half of it, but it was beautifully filmed by Ridley Scott.
• 'Dredd' - Much better than I thought it would be. Karl Urban made the film.
• 'Looper' - Really well constructed. Finally a fresh scifi film. I haven't seen anything like it before.
• 'Cloud Atlas' - There were problems, but overall this film was 'Love Actually' meets 'Blade Runner.'
• 'Life of Pi' - Beautiful film by Ang Lee.