Movie: The Sentinel

Michael Douglas gets accused of something, but he’s innocent. Kiefer Sutherland, in an attempt to protect the President, kicks some major ass. I just saw Disclosure and an episode of 24, right? Wrong!

The Sentinel a great movie. That figures, because Sutherland is in his comfort zone as the ultimate good guy and Douglas has already played the role of protecting his own name. Clearly, it was intentional to pair these two up, but the result is great. The story moves quite quickly, and is interesting and provocative. It’s a simple movie, but good action and puts you inside the Presidential side of what happens on a show like 24. Fortunately, we can see Sutherland in this role any time we want.

24: Didn’t that guy used to be the President?

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Now who saw that coming? In tonights episode President Charles Logan (played by Gregory Itzin) returned, answering a call from Jack’s phone, on which he had received an anonymous phone number.

We should remember from last season that Jack’s brother was the puppetmaster for all of Logan’s nonsense, so perhaps he wants to tell Jack that his brother is involved.

Oh wait a minute, Jack’s brother is already dead. What I want to know is: what could President Logan possibly tell Jack? We know Gredenko isn’t the perp we’re after; somebody is clearly pushing his buttons. My money’s on Phillip Bauer, Jack’s father. But why did he leave the phone sitting there? Or did someone else leave it? Maybe they can have Logan come back and be the defacto President, just like David Palmer in Season 4.

Man, 24 sure is confusing.

********** SPOILER ALERT ****************

My new favorite NASCAR driver

I knew I would need to choose a favorite driver to follow NASCAR. I’d need someone to cheer on, someone who would make me as angry as the Phillies make me.

After much deliberation, I have decided on Carl Edwards. This has nothing to do with his appearance on an ESPN The Magazine cover. I have a few reasons for cheering for Carl:

- He was the in-race commentator in yesterday’s Busch race. That’s pretty cool.
- He’s #99 just like the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.
- He appeared on 24, which is probably my favorite TV show.
- He drives a Ford. My most recent car was also a Ford, and my brother-in-law works for Ford.
- His sponsor is Office Depot. I, at least once in my life, have purchased something at Office Depot. It’s better than, say Little Debbie (Ken Schrader) or State Water Heaters (Ward Burton).
- He does backflips off of his car when he wins.

So today, Edwards will be started 14th after his 3rd place finish yesterday. If he wins, here’s to “I told you so.” If he loses, here’s to a great season.

24 season premiere (continued): Wow

SPOILERS BELOW

Three things I never thought I’d see on 24 (or on TV of any kind):

1. Jack Bauer biting someone in the neck to kill them
2. A nuclear bomb going off in Los Angeles
3. Curtis Manning’s death (and from friendly fire, no less!)

Wow.

Bauer Power is back

Last night was the return of the most action-packed show on television… 24. The triumphant return included a two-hour premiere last night and a two-hour show tonight. Four quick hours should bag a lot of viewers – it’s what got me hooked last year.

Jack’s return from China was about what you’d expect; he only had the beard for about 10 minutes and won’t even have a 5 o’ clock shadow by the season finale. Naturally, Jack defies a presidential order in the first episode and turns out to be right. If he’s really that lucky, why doesn’t he just play the lottery?

I was amazed at some of the star power from some secondary stars, including Scott William Winters, who was the Harvard guy from Good Will Hunting (he likes apples), and Eric Bruskotter, who plays Rube in Major League II (the catcher who can’t throw it back to the pitcher). And of course, Kal Penn, who plays Taj in Van Wilder and Kumar in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. So far, the famous faces haven’t taken away from the action (and Sean “Rudy” Astin was actually quite good last season), but it’s interesting to hear a familiar voice in an unfamiliar place.

All told, Season Six is off to a roaring start. Two more hours tonight!

NFL Playoff Time Overlap

The Patriots/Chargers playoff game ended at 8:18 PM ET. The season premiere of 24 started at 8:00 PM ET. How did we ever survive without TiVo?

Jack Bauer nipping at your nose

Here’s a Santa-riffic commercial for the upcoming 24 premiere-a-thon, found by the good folks at The TV Addict.

I’m not sure if this ever aired on actual television, but as a 24 fan, I think it’s great.