HEMLOCK GROVE
Netflix, Check local listings
SERIES PREMIERE: This is more advisory than recommendation. When House of Cards premiered all at once on Netflix two months ago, it was with an instant burst of impressive creativity – a demand, because of the new show’s cast, writing, direction and overall quality, that “attention must be paid.” The opening hour of Hemlock Grove – which, like all other hours in the first season, became available today – is less impressive, less original, and certainly a lot less addictive. It’s based on the book by Brian McGreevy, who’s a screenwriter on the series, and the pilot is directed by Eli Roth of Hostel. My reaction, too, was somewhat Hostel – even with Famke Janssen in the cast. I’ll keep watching the episodes and make a final decision, but first impressions count in this type of rollout – and in this case, they don’t count for a lot.