Apollyon_Crash

As a regular viewer of the original UK version of Top Gear, I must say that I'm two episodes into the American version, and I'm already reasonably impressed. Top Gear is a car review program, and car markets differ the world over. In other words, this isn't "mindless American remake" territory, but rather a program that NEEDS to be localized to reflect differing automotive landscapes.

Top Gear's trademark direction and editing are spot-on (I loved the Murcielago bull fight in episode 1, and the gorgeous shots of the Aston Martins racing at El Mirage in episode 2), the upcoming challenges look entertaining, and unlike the original version of the program, the test track appears to be set up as an actual TRACK, rather than just two stacks of tires on an old runway somewhere.

One of the foremost criticisms so far of Top Gear USA is that the hosts are "flat," although honestly I don't see them as significantly more characterless than the current UK hosts. The UK version is hosted by "Creepy-Looking Tall Guy," "Short Guy With Really White Teeth," and "Mild-Mannered Oddball With Crazy Hair," whereas the US version is hosted by "Scrawny Japanophile," "Full-Faced Neckbeard," and "Jersey Shore Reject." Pah-tah-toe, pah-tay-toe. Fanboys will never be pleased.

One area of legitimate criticism is that the interplay between the hosts is still a bit awkward and forced (although not nearly as bad as it was between Clarkson, May, and Hammond in their first series together in the UK), and the "Big Star, Small Car" interviews are almost painful to watch. It's obvious that none of the three hosts know even the basics about conducting an interview; this mars an otherwise excellent localization of the program.

All in all, after two episodes, I've got to give it 10 out of 10. If the show is this strong only two episodes in, I can foresee it being practically flawless by the end of the season. My original expectations for an American version of Top Gear were fairly low, but they've gone above and beyond. Good stuff.

Circumsized cinema is a frequently hilarious half hour show in which bad Mexican (usually action) films are re-edited and re-dubbed into comedies with some sort of hispanic relevance (i.e., Luke Borderwalker, the Dos Equis Files, etc.). The films themselves look to be wonderfully cheesy, but with the new and (quite intentionally, I'm sure) terribly dubbed dialogue they're only made all the more amusing.

If there is one complaint about Circumsized Cinema, it's that it's a little too hip, and many of the references will probably rapidly date the the show. References to low-carb diets, Pilates, Crawford Ranch, Trading Spaces, and the last Star Wars film will insure that this show is remembered as being an early 2000s show, if it's remembered at all, thanks to the largely unwatched digital satellite channel it is shown on (SiTV, which as far as I know is only available on Dish Network).

For anyone who is into re-dubbed films or anything of that nature (somehow I think Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans will like it), Circumsized Cinema is definitely worth a look.

Currently over 58% of this films votes are "1", probably because it appeared on Mystery Science Theater 3000. While it was great material for the show, this movie isn't completely without merit. The core idea of the movie was interesting (although amateurishly handled), and Micheal Berry gives a decent performance as the protagonist (or maybe the worse actors in the film just made him seem better). Some of the scoring and directing here is effective, as well.

Overall, this film is a 4/10. But if you see it, see it on MST3K. Not only did it make for one of the best episodes (proof that the worst movies don't make the best episodes), but it makes some of the duller parts of the film seem lively.