Supernatural is Back!

SPOILERS

How happy am I that Supernatural is one of the first shows to come back?! Ahhhhh! The Dean. The Sam. The happy Rachael. I quite enjoyed the scene at Chuck's house where Dean proceded to call Zachariah an ass-hat, told him to "stuff it with walnuts" then called him a "two-faced douche." Soon thereafter he asked Sam "you jonesin' for a bit of bitch blood or what?" LOL.

I hated hearing Bobby tell Sam it was all his fault and that if they pulled it off he basically never wanted to see/talk to him again. You know what I hated even more? Flipping DEMON BOBBY. No. Just... no. But how freaking awesome was it that he overcame the demon? And I'm so glad he didn't die. Later, hearing Dean talk about how much Sam let him down. Worse. Like, tearworthy worse.

And Oh my God, that scene with the man and the crib and the blood? How fucking horrible was that? I don't know if it's my pregnant hormones or what, but I swear I almost cried like five times during this episode. Then... Dean IS the sword of Michael the Archangel? I absolutely love the mythology of this show.

Final thought: Why is Jacob from LOST Lucifer? And does that sort of blow anyone else's mind?

Knowing

Sometimes when I see a preview for an upcoming movie, I know right away that I am going to like it. If it has something to do with numbers, being psychic, seeing the future, natural disasters, aliens... those are all pretty good signs. So, when I saw previews for Knowing, the new Nicolas Cage movie, I pretty much knew I was going to like it, and was excited to see it.

We got to have date night on Monday night, and we went to see it. It was good! I was actually surprised by some stuff. There were some very creepy aspects of the movie, and I didn't expect that! It was nice because it was creepy without being terrifying, and only at certain points within the rest of the story. I liked it because the previews didn't give away the entire plot, and certainly didn't give away the ending. I didn't really figure it all out before it was over, and that is sometimes an annoying issue for me since I go to so many movies!

There were a couple of pretty good disaster scenes. Nicolas Cage... well, he's Nicolas Cage. To me, he kind of falls into the category of actors who only play one character, and might be playing themselves (accompanied by Jeff Goldblum). But, I sort of like that character, and he often fits in to movies I quite enjoy, so that's okay! The kids in it were very good, and I liked that it was different, it wasn't quite as predictable as so many movies are.

If you're a fan of Cage, if you like disaster-y movies about future predictions, or slightly creepy action drama movies, see it! In my mind, it was worth the price of admission just for one scene, which I will not describe because I don't want to spoil the movie, but it takes place near the end and is a spectacularly awesome display of CGI disaster destruction.

Frakking Incredible!

*This contains spoilers. If you thought I was going to be able to write a post about the series finale of one of my favorite shows of all time, you were out of your frakkin' mind. So don't read it unless you have alredy watched it or don't care.*

Holy frak. How incredibly amazing was that? Seriously. This post might be a little hoppy because I was writing things down as I was watching it, but I tried to clean it up afterwards and make it a little less disjointed.

The last battle. Human extremists and cylon extremists eliminated to leave the future in the hands of a new breed of cylons and humans, working together to provide a future for both species. That was sort of the vision. But, there were still the cylon extremists to deal with in the beginning of this ending. That was a beginning.

The imagery of Anders in the tub in the CIC was amazing. Then the raid on the colony ship, the Centaurians and humans side by side going in, the image of a Centurian peering around the corner and waving soldiers in. The whole episode really was just great imagery, from inside the ship to the battle to Adama flying off the Galactica for the final time to the beautiful images of the new Earth as Adama and Roslin spent their last moments together.

Loved Boomer snapping the doctor's neck to stop the tests. Awesome. Centaurians agains centaurians, the whole battle kept me on the edge of my seat.

Random Quote: "Please continue stating the perfectly obvious. It fills me with confidence." - Cavil

Gaius having spine for once, staying behind when he could have left. Coming full circle, finally redeeming himself somewhat in the end.

Random Quote: Six: "I don't think I've ever said it before, but I always wanted to be proud of you. I guess I felt tht was the only thing missing."

Six and Baltar seeing each others halucinations/angels whatever they are? Awesome. In the end, they helped save the human race. Who knows where it would have gone if the planets hadn't been destroyed?

It was funny, during the flashbacks, it was so weird seeing Tigh without the eye patch.

Did anyone else notice that Jamie Bamber's hair was extra fluffy looking? I kept noticing it.

FRAK! When Leonidas was behind them and the shooting and Helo getting shot and Hera running. ARGH! I absolutely loved the juxtaposition of the Opera house scenes and the president and Hera running and Cavil walking by. The imagery of the Opera House they continue all the way up to the final five in the CIC was so well done.

Random Quote: "Hera's not a thing, she's a child. And she holds the key to humanity's survival as well." Baltar. "I see Angels, Angels in this very room. I may be mad, but that doesn't mean I'm not right."

Way to go for ending the series on a note of me not hating Baltar.

For whatever reason, the thing that got me teared up was the original/final five putting their hands in the tank and passing over the informtion. Tyrel seeing that Tori killed Callie was horrible. Then killing her before the transfer was done. Oh God! I was just shocked by that whole scene and then the Cavil offing and the music and the coordinates and the awesomeness.

When they found the planet at the end, and Gaius was talking about Divine Intervention, I admit I got teared up again. I loved the speech Apollo gave to Adama by the river, when he talked about our science being ahead of our souls.

I don't like endings. I would prefer that my favorite shows stay around. But as far as ending go, this was definitely the most satisfying of any of my top shows. I love the idea that they sent the fleet into the sun. I loved the imagery of Adama taking off from Galactica and flying through the fleet in the raptor one last time.

I wasn't completely happy with the ending for Apollo and Starbuck. But, I guess it's better than if she had died when her Raptor exploded before. I guess it would have been to neat and clean and... well, not BSG if they'd gotten together and lived happily ever after in the end.

Don't be afraid Kara Thrace. You will NEVER be forgotten.

I know, I said awesome a lot in this post. Sorry, but it was. Also, if you missed the special they showed the other night - BSG: The Last Frakkin' Special, you should find it on SyFy website or something and check it out.

PS That part at the end with all the robots totally freaked me out and made me laugh.

PPS I sort of felt like I could have done without the 150,000 years later part at the end. I sort of felt like it was a downer, saying things would just evolve the same way. Or not. Or whatever. I feel like I need a transcript of that scene to read and ponder.

Push

When I first saw the previews for Push, the first words out of my mouth were "I saw that the first time, when it was called Heroes". Of course, that didn't mean I didn't want to see it. I am a pretty big fan of Dakota Fanning, so I'm automatically more likely to see something if she's in it. I've always been really impressed by her, and I'm eager to see what she'll do as she grows up.

I liked this movie. I liked it a lot actually! I am always looking out for a movie that actually has original ideas, something new. The plot was original, and Dakota Fanning and Chris Evans had a good chemistry - sort of a big brother/little sister thing going on. It wasn't a rip off of Heroes, it's a different world. In this world, there are several different powers but all are based on psychic ability (seeing the future, or pushing thoughts on people) or telekenisis (repairing injuries or controlling objects).

There was some interesting camerawork and I really liked the way they did some of the effects related to the psychic powers, particularly to the people able to move objects and repel objects.

It was a good story, the plot had twists, and I didn't know exactly what was going to happen in the end. The ending had enough closure, but definitely left things open for a possible sequel if the movie does well enough. If they make one, I'll definitely be there.

Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans

Of COURSE I went to see Underworld 3! If a new movie comes out involving vampires or werewolves, you can pretty much assume I'll be there. If you've got both? Count me in bigtime. I really liked the other Underworld movies, and was really impressed by Scott Speedman's performance in the second one.

I really like Michael Sheen. He has such an interesting face, and he fits so well in so many roles. He's great in the Underworld movies, and he was great as Tony Blair in The Queen. He is currently also starring in Frost/Nixon, which I am looking forward to seeing. He had a larger role in this movie, which was great. I didn't realize that I thought he was a little hot until I watched this movie though!

He was paired with Rhona Mitra in a Romeo and Juliet-esque forbidden relationship. The thing is, I don't really like Rhona Mitra. There's just something about her that bugs me. I REALLY didn't like her character on Nip/Tuck and didn't care for her on Boston Legal either. It wasn't enough for it to ruin this movie for me, but I was definitely aware of it the entire time I was watching.

They did a great job connecting this back to the other movies, this is a story that was alluded to and explained in the other Underworld movies fleshed out to a full story of it's own. If you were a fan of the other movies, you'll certainly enjoy this one. There are parts that are hokey. But it's to be expected. I like the way they do the morphing for the werewolves when they turn.

I don't know what werewolves are supposed to look like in my head, but no movie has gotten it right. I guess it's a difficult fact, I do wonder what year it will be before I see one that looks like the real thing to me. At least with these movies, they've chosen their look and they're sticking to it. It's not perfect, but it works.

As for Bill Nighy, I am half convinced that he actually looks like this in real life. And is a vampire.

Still lovin' Fringe, even with the giant slimy spiky slugs

I just watched episode 11 of Fringe, and I am still really loving this show. The night before I watched it my best friend told me that it had reminded her of "one of the grosser episodes of The
X-Files", so I knew I would like it, and I totally did!

On a random note though, that professor who was on that got sick in front of the lecture hall and died? Does anyone else in the world think of him as Cass from Another World? Because I totally think about that EVERY TIME I see him.

"They supersized the common cold, which, as it turns out, is disgusting.". My favorite quote this episode. I like a show that can gross me out AND make me laugh.

You once were lost, but now you're found... well, you're still LOST.

Oh my God, Lost, how I have freaking MISSED you! I FINALLY got to watch the first two hours of the season after getting home from vacation on Friday.

I love the blatant supernatural-ness of "think of time as a record, and that record is skipping". That either the island is moving or they are. RIGHT back into it with the awesomeness of that which is Lost...

The first episode was so well done, I feel like the mystery is back. How can this show be so good??

Hugo telling his Mom what REALLY happened during the 2nd hour? He DOES sound crazy. Actually, he sounded exactly like what I sounded like when I tried to explain to my Dad what this show was about once.

And of course, then come the questions... Why is the island stuck in a loop? When did the loop start? Do they ever jump back to before the hatch, or is it contained? Like, would they ever go back to dinosaur times?

I can't wait to see what happens next. For more awesome thoughts and questions, here are some great posts/websites:

The Chronicles of a SAHM
Sussing Out Lost
Long Live Locke

True Blood Season 1: Love at First Bite

*Spoilers*

So, last week I finally watched the rest of the first season of True Blood, which basically involved watching 9 episodes over a couple of nights. I've been a fan of the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris for a long time, and have read the first five or six, so when I heard this was in development I was WAY interested. Then I heard that Anna Paquin had been brought on to play Sookie, and I was... well, disappointed. I didn't think the casting was right for the character. But I decided I wanted to give it a chance anyhow, because I liked the books and because in general if there's a new vampire or supernatural series out I want to support that.

After the first two episodes, I still wasn't sure. I still wasn't feeling Anna Paquin. Also, I REALLY don't like the title sequence and have to fast forward through it. It totally creeps me out.

But then I got four or five episodes in. Paquin started to grow on me. I thought the casting for Bill Compton was really good. Stephen Moyer comes across wonderfully - he's got that longing, that sadness that comes from losing the people you loved in life and experiencing multitudes more life than one person is meant to.

I loved watching the scenes with Tara, and think that Rutina Wesley was a perfect choice to fill that role. I loved the casting of Pam from Fangtasia. Perfect. The only casting complaint I have is Alexander Skarsgard as Eric. I just don't think he's right for the role. He's not big enough or tough looking enough.

I knew for sure that I was ABSOLUTELY hooked after watching episode 6, the one where Sookie & Jason's Grandmother is murdered. The last 10 minutes of that episode just blew me away. The parallel storylines, the music, the filming, it drew me in and made my heart race and break all at once.

It made me cry. It made me laugh. I mean, holy crap, that scene with Bill and the girl he was forced to turn was hilarious. That girl was so funny, how she went from emotion to emotion. Hilarious. Then it comes to Tara's mother and I'm just knocked down by the complexity of Tara's emotions and the longing she has for her mother to be right.

If you're a fan of the books, give it a chance. You may just end up loving it, like I did. If you're a fan of vampires in general, what's not to like? I can't wait for Season 2!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

*Spoilers* When I first saw previews for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, I wasn't sure if I wanted to see it or not. I hadn't read the book, and the movie just looked really sad. Then my Mom saw it and said it was the best movie that she'd seen in years. And my husband said he wanted to see it. So we did.

And, it was incredible. It's long, at almost three hours, but so worth it.

One of the things that I found really funny was that I am not commonly a Brad Pit fan. But after watching him in "old man" mode for the whole beginning of the movie, when he finally got to be 'regular' Brad Pitt I couldn't help noticing how young and attractive he was. It made me giggle.

This is a great story. I wish I could say more about WHY I liked it, but it's such a fantastical story, I don't WANT to dissect it. I thought it was great, and I think you should see it because of that. I don't want to talk about the cinematography or the directing. I just want to remember it as an amazing movie that I really enjoyed.

I am also a HUGE Cate Blanchett fan. She is hands down one of my five favorite actresses, and gorgeous to boot. She is just incredibly versatile and I loved her in this movie. She was gorgeous and she manages to morph perfectly to fit the time period of whatever piece she's performing in.

There was ONE plot point I didn't understand/like. At one point as Benjamin is aging backwards, he leaves his family. Later, about 10 years later maybe, he shows up again. First off, it didn't make sense why he left to me. He was still a fully functioning adult who could have been helping raise his daughter and spending time with her. I find the idea of leaving your child to spare them an emotional attachment to their real parent who loves them slightly repugnant. Secondly, if he WAS going to leave, why the hell did he go back? No good could have come of it, only pain.

So, now that that's out of the way... you should go see this. It's unusual. It's a great story. It's got some great actors. The ending is heartbreaking and wonderful. It makes you think about things that you never would have considered. And I think that it's going to win some awards.

Let the Right One In

Well, it is a vampire movies, so of course I was going to see it.

It was an artsy, foreign vampire movie.

With kids.

I went and saw this Swedish import the other day with a couple of friends. It was one of those movies that I had thoughts while I was watching about how it was INTERESTING. It sort of turns out to be one of those movies where afterward I'm glad I saw it just for the sake of seeing it. It kind of goes back to that whole award thing - I had heard that it was getting good reviews.

The kids in the movie were very good in their roles. The girl who played the 12 year old vampire in the movie was dark and quiet, but only creepy at the right times. I find looking back on it and thinking of it as 'heavy', while I was watching it and afterwards, it sort of hung around me like a cloak, the story at many times neither happy or sad, just... there.

This is just a short one - if you're a fan of Vampire movies, and like to see something different once in a while, you should see it. If you're a fan of foreign films who isn't sqeamish about horror, you should see it too. If you don't like reading at the movies, don't see it because it's subtitled.

Catch the Frak Up!

If you are looking forward to Battlestar Galactica's January 16 premiere of the final episodes as much as I am, you might want to watch this. Once. Or Twice... or however many times, it just never stops being good.





SO FRAKKING GOOD!

Heroes, Villians, Charisma!

*Contains Spoilers* Guess what I did last night? If you guessed 'watched 6 episodes of Heroes in a row', you win! Sorry though, there's no prize. I got WAY behind on Heroes this season. I think that as of two weeks ago I had 10 episodes saved up in my DVR. For some reason, I just didn't watch - partly because it's one of the shows I watch that I actually have to WATCh and pay attention to, so it doesn't work that well for me to be reading blogs or blogging or whatever while I'm watching.

In a way though, I'm glad that I got behind! I've heard a lot about this season and what people thought of it, and watching the six episodes in a row like I did last night made me get really into it and not want to stop watching! Regardless of however the season began, I have to say that by the end, Heroes was BACK in a major way. The last four episodes just got better and better! I love how they do the little teaser previews at the end of each volume. So, here are my questions...

Is Sylar really dead?

I actually hope he is. He was a great character, but how much more villainy can we really stomach from him? I mean, he's tortured, killed, seemed good but then been obviously bad, and then turned into that guy from Saw trying to pit them all against each other. He was an interesting addition, while he lasted, but I am READY for something new, so I hope that was really the end.

What happened to the light when Arthur Petrelli died?

Just wondering. Was the light only a catalyst for the formula, or is/was there more to it? Did it die with Arthur, or did it go somewhere else? Maybe this isn't important, but who knows?

When people were injected with the formula that had and lost powers (ie Peter Petrelli) would they automatically regain all the powers they had before?

Just something I was wondering after Peter injected himself. I don't know the answer.

Will Hiro get his powers back?

Now, Ando has powers and Hiro doesn't. What will happen? Will Hiro get any powers back? Which leads into...

Was the formula really destroyed?

I have a feeling that it wasn't, and that even if it was that Suresh and Tracy are off somewhere trying to recreate it.

Is it awesome that Worf is the new president?

YES!

Can't wait for the next volume... Fugitives.

Mid-season Premieres & Schedule Changes

Today I just have some very important information for you! Here's some things you need to know about what's premiering in January, and some schedule changes coming up for shows that we've been watching.

Premieres*

Dollhouse - FOX Feb 13 @ 9 PM
Joss Whedon's new show, which I am VERY excited for...

They can be anyone you want.

The Dollhouse is a very secret, and very illegal, place where wishes come true. Clients with the right connections and enough money can hire "Actives", people who have been programmed to perfectly fulfill the needs, and desires of their clients. The Actives are people who have chosen, for their own reasons, to surrender their bodies and minds for a five-year stay in the Dollhouse. Now they can be imprinted with any personality, skill, or even muscle memory. They can be the perfect companion, lover, spy, assassin; and when the job is done they forget everything.

But something is wrong with the Active called "Echo". No longer just a blank slate waiting for her next assignment, Echo is remembering flashes of the lives that she has lived and the games she has played, and she is starting to wonder just who she really is...

Castle - ABC Mar 9 @ 10pm
I LOVES me some Nathan Fillion. He plays the title role.

Meet Richard Castle: he's a successful murder-mystery writer who has just killed off his main character. However, it seems one of his fans liked his books just a bit too much when a copycat murderer starts running around killing people as described in Castle's books.

The weary writer is called in by the NYPD homicide department to help them catch the killer.

The Unusuals - ABC April 8 @ 10 PM
Sounds cute!

The Unusuals is described as a comedic procedural. Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn, as in the morning Casey Schrager is a vice detective working undercover as a hooker by the Lincoln Tunnel and later finds herself a part of the homicide squad because she is considered one of the few honest cops and the Lt. Little wants to clean up the precinct. As Casey gets to know her new co-workers she discovers that each one has their own sense of humor and their own secrets. Sgt. Brown has the hots for Det. Beaumont. Det. Delahoy has a brain tumor but wants to die in the line of duty. Det. Banks just celebrated his 52nd birthday and is afraid he won't make it to 53 because that's how old his father was when he died. Det. Cole is very religious but seems to have had a shady past. Casey herself has her own secrets, she grew up as a member of New York's high society and didn't like that money can buy justice.

Cupid - ABC Mar 24 @ 10 PM
Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas is back.

ABC Studios and Sony Television team up with Rob Thomas to bring back his 1998 series about a man who believes he is Cupid, who has been sent to earth by Zeus to help 100 couples get together as punishment for his arrogance-without any magic. Bobby Cannavale takes over the lead role created by Jeremy Piven in the 1998 series.

Hell's Kitchen - FOX Jan 29 @ 9 PM

Reaper - CW Mar 17
Scheduled for at least 13 episodes.

Medium - NBC Feb 2
Joins Chuck & Heroes on Mon nights.

24 - Jan 12
2 Hour Season Premiere

Battlestar Galactica - Jan 16 @ 10 pm
Final season!

Schedule Changes & Return Dates

Chuck returns Feb 2
Flashpoint returns Jan 9
Heroes returns Feb 2
Supernatural returns Jan 15

Bones - Jan 15 moves to Thurs @ 8 PM
House - Jan 19 moves to Mon @ 8 PM
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Feb 13 moves to Fri @ 8 PM

The Office - Feb 1 Special 1 hour episode after the Super Bowl
ER - Mar 12 two hours series finale

* Show descriptions for new shows are from TV.com.

Mid-season Reviews: New Shows

For the second day of my mid-season reviews, I thought I'd write about some of the new shows that came out this season. These are the ones I've watched regularly.

Fringe - This is my favorite new show this season. As a former avid watcher of The X-Files, I was interested in this show as soon as I heard about it. I am a HUGE J.J. Abrams fan, so as soon as I heard a new show was coming that he'd helped develop, I was on the bandwagon. Much like I'm REALLY looking forward to Dollhouse, which premiers early next year and is spearheaded by Joss Whedon, one of my other favorites. The show focuses on FBI Agent Olivia Dunham. After things go awry with her current partner (and lover), she is moved to a special FBI unit that focuses on what they call "The Pattern", a series of unexplained and crazy events happening around the country (and world). She teams up with Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) because of his relationship with his brilliant (and crazy) scientist father, Walter Bishop (portrayed absolutely brilliantly by John Noble), who uses his memory of scientific tests and experiments he did years ago before he was institutionalized for a long period. If it sounds crazy, it is, but it WORKS. There's a great chemistry between Jackson and Noble, and that familiar partner-friend-more tension is there between Dunham and the younger Bishop. It's only fault is that the back story is a bit involved, because there's an ongoing mythology having to do with a company Prometheus Corp., a cutting-edge research facility that seems to have been carrying on questionable scientific research. I think if they can cut back a little on that involvement, or make it more accessible to the viewers who haven't watched the entire season, it will be practically perfect. The episodes do stand on their own, the 'mystery of the week' works without that back story. Everyone should start watching now, because this is exactly the kind of show I fall in love with only to have it cancelled after the first season.

Apparitions - We've been watching a few more British shows this year (watch sometime in the future for a post on those), but this is my favorite. Apparitions centers around a priest living in London who has a relationship with the head Exorcist from the Vatican. I was wary when my husband first brought this show up, I'm really freaked out by exorcism in general. However, because it's a British show it's a little different. A little bit calmer, not as much SCARE factor and more thinking about what it means, and what the series of events happening means. It's a really interesting show, and the story brought me in right away with a series of demons and events that couldn't be explained. If you enjoy a little variety in the type of show you watch, it would definitely be one worth checking out.

Kath & Kim - Since I'm into the other shows on NBC on Thursday nights (30 Rock, My Name is Earl, The Office), I decided to give Kath & Kim a try. It stars Selma Blair and Molly Shannon as a mother and daughter. Selma Blair looks young, but in actuality is only eight years younger than Shannon. It seems to work okay as long as you don't think about it too much. The show is an adaptation from a popular Australian show of the same name (I'd love to hear a comparison if anyone has seen the original). The show is... well, it's just okay. I don't hate it. I don't love it. I'll watch it if I don't feel like watching one of my hour long shows, or if I want to watch something that I don't have to pay as much attention to. I don't think it will last much more than a season here unless they do something to step it up.

Worst Week- I watched a couple of episodes of this show, centering around a young couple with an unexpected pregnancy. Another one that was based on a British show being turned into a US adaptation. Somehow, I found the first episode hilariously funny. I can see how some people would have been uncomfortable - horrible things kept happening to the main character, much in the vein of the things that kept happening to Ben Stiller in Meet the Parents. Unfortunately by the time the second episode roller around I just wasn't as entertained. With all the other shows I have on my plate, it just wasn't good enough to grab my attention and make me want to watch, and I didn't.

Eleventh Hour - I was unsure about Eleventh Hour at first, but I decided to give it a chance because I quite enjoy Jerry Bruckheimer's brain seeds. This show focuses on Dr. Jacob Hood (Rufus Sewell), who plays a special science advisor to the U.S. Government, and his bodyguard/investigative partner, Rachel Young. They travel around the country to places where illnesses and crime scenes involve some sort of scientific background. It's a little bit similar to Numbers - an intellectual works with a major security agency to solve crimes. As I watched more and more episodes, I got drawn in more and more. Sewell is great as the main character, and despite my fears after the first episode, the scientific explanations are not tedious or boring. For fans of other Bruckheimer shows (CSI etc.) or of Numbers, I'd definitely recommend this one! It has just been greenlighted for 5 more episodes too, so I'm happy about that!

The Mentalist - Patrick Jane is a recovering psychic. Okay, so he's a guy who used to make a living as a psychic on TV, sort of John Edward style, while assisting the police on cases. His life changed forever when his wife and young child were killed by Red John, one of the serial killers he was helping the police track. Simon Baker plays Jane perfectly. He's a quirky, funny man. He uses his amazing skills of observation to help solve cases for the California Bureau of Invesitgation, and his unconventional methods can sometimes get him in trouble, but always end up solving the cases. There's a simple backstory of his desire to find the man who killed his family. It's not made the focal point of the show, but is just there enough to give some depth to his character. It's got a little of the humor and trickiness of Psych and some of the profiling of Criminal Minds and some goodness of it's own, and we thoroughly enjoy it in this house!

True Blood - Well, True Blood has been a big hit this season. Based on the Sookie Stackhouse Vampire novels by Charlaine Harris, the show premiered on Showtime several months ago. I have read three of the books in the series, so I was excited to see what they'd do with it. From the moment I heard about the casting though, I was NOT convinced about Anna Paquin. And I'm still not. I do have a confession to make - I've only watched a couple of episodes. I have a whole bunch of them recorded on my computer, and just haven't gotten around to watching them (that's what Christmas break is for!), so I'll post another update when I've actually gotten caught up on it. I'm still unsure about the show, but I am interested enough in the genre and the adaptation that I'll watch the rest of the season before deciding for sure what I really think!

Come back tomorrow for my thoughts on some old favorites.

What I'll Be Watching aka I LOVE previews!

I new that there would be AWESOME previews on the new James Bond movie, and I got some good ones at City of Ember & Twilight as well.  Here are the ones that I was most excited about...

Seven Pounds starring Will Smith.  I have seen several previews for this one, and it is intriguing to me.  It looks like it's going to be somewhat heartwrenching, but the best part for me is the mystery - what did he do?  What is his purpose?

Star Trek!  At Quantum of Solace I saw my first full length preview for the new Star Trek coming out next summer directed by JJ Abrams.  I am so excited about this one!  Also, how come I didn't know that John Cho was in this?  I really like him!  It looks great, and I absolutely love JJ Abrams, so I'm really looking forward to seeing this one.

Valkyrie So I'm not a huge Tom Cruise fan at this point.  I kind 

of think he's crazy.  But, when it comes to movies there are few 

actors who I am so turned against that I won't see something if it looks good.  This movie looks amazing to me.  I've always been very interested in WW2 (although I've seen previews for 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' and hell to the no, I am NOT seeing that), perhaps it is messed up, but Nazi shit intrigues me.  In any case, this movie looks really good, and I can't wait to see it.

Watchmen I'm a huge fan of the comic book movie genre.  The only one I've seen that I really haven't liked was Sin City, but Frank Miller made up for it with 300.  I see the movies because I usually enjoy them, but also because it's one of the genres (like vampire/werewolf movies) that I want to support so it can continue.  This is also touted as the most popular comic ever, and though I haven't read it yet, I plan to borrow from my friend before the movie comes out so I can compare.  

Coraline I read this book by Neil Gaiman when it came out, and it's a great story.  It's an intermediate level book, and the story is about a girl who finds a way into a reality similar to her own, but 

where things are sort of... off.  I saw this preview on City of Ember, and was really excited.  I think it'll make a great movie, plus I love Dakota Fanning and Ian McShane is pretty great too.  The style of the movie caught my eye as well - it looks Tim Burton-esque.

2012  I saw a teaser trailer for this one at Quantum of Solace. 

 HOLY CRAP!  I may not have discussed this before, but I have a... THING with disaster movies.  As in I LOVE them.  As in I will watch one no matter how bad (Nuclear Twister on cable starring Mark Paul Gosselar?  Seen it.).  As in The Day After Tomorrow is one of my favorite movies, and I've seen it multiple times.  As in, I watched 10.5 and Category 7: The End of the World when they were on TV.  It's like a sickness.  So, WHY did I not know that this movie was coming out?  Not only that it exists, but stars some of my favorite actors ever, like John Cusack and Chiwetel Ejiofor?  It doesn't come out until next July, but I am going to be waiting and can't wait to see a full preview for it when they come out!

I'm also looking forward to The Day the Earth Stood Still, Yes Man and Bedtime Stories, which are all coming out next month.

TWILIGHT!!!!!!!

** This review contains spoilers for anyone who has not read Twilight **

What did I do this weekend?  Among other things, I went to see TWILIGHT on Saturday afternoon.  Holy vampire hotness.  Here are my thoughts...

First off, I will point out that I DEVOURED the books.  I absolutely loved them, and thought the last one was great.  I know some people didn't like the last one as much, but I thought it was amazing.  So, I was really anticipating the movie, but also slightly nervous.  

The thing is, sometimes things go REALLY bad for me when I try to watch movie adaptations.  Like Chocolat.  I did not like that.  Sometimes, they really screw things up.  I know that they can't put in every detail, because then movies would be six hours long (which actually I would think was awesome, but not everyone would).  So, I accept that they're going to have to change things a little bit when it comes to the main story as well as side plots.  So, I always worry a little bit when I go into an adaptation that I've read.  This becomes doubly true when it's something I read and LOVED.  

I wasn't convinced about Robert Pattinson before I watched the movie.  He just wasn't Edward to me.  Guess what?  HE IS NOW!  He was hot.  Yes, sometimes he was a little wooden, but I think that's part of the character.  He was put totally out of his comfort zone by meeting Bella, and that affected his behavior.  I thought he was amazing.

Kristen Stewart was great as Bella.  She was pretty, but not amazing.  She was... normal.  Which is exactly what she should be.  She is that clumsy, slightly awkward but coming into her own teenage girl.  One of the things that makes Bella such a wonderful character for teenage girls is that they can relate to her, and Stewart did pull that off.

They pulled it off.  Their chemistry was amazing.  Both in the book and the movie, one of the things that makes them so amazingly hot is how long they have to hold off before they even kiss, and I'll tell you what - that first kiss in the movie was INCREDIBLY hot.  Also, did you know that baseball is hot?  'Cause it is.  I loved that scene.  I loved the way Alice held herself when she pitched.  I just love the whole idea of it.  It was really good.  I did find it funny that they were all wearing uniform clothes, because I didn't get that from the book.

I liked the Cullen family.  I have a little trouble with Elisabeth Reaser because she was Ava on Grey's Anatomy and I sort of hated her a little bit.  But, she was good as Esme.  My friend Violet didn't like Alice because she pictured her a little smaller and a little odder, but I thought that she was great.  I also liked Rosalee, she wasn't as thin or traditionally beautiful as I would have pictured, but her facial expressions were great.  The scene where Edward brought Bella to his house to meet his family was hilarious and perfect.  

I was also unsure about the actor who they cast as Jacob, because in all the shots I'd seen he was pictured with a wide grin and rosy cheeks.  I just couldn't picture him getting angry or beastly or anything.  But then at the end of the movie when he showed up at prom and was mad... I got a glimpse of what he could be, and now I think maybe he'll actually be great in the sequel.  Which I absolutely CANNOT wait for.

Now, there were a couple of things that I was less excited about.  The scenes with Edward running/climbing trees etc. were not that realistic, but it didn't really matter, because it fit.  I do wish they had tried a little harder to explain the Bella/Edward relationship.  I know it's probably a time issue, but if you had not read the books, I don't think it would come across why they were so in love because it was sudden.  I also don't think it was emphasized enough why it was hard for Edward - that he REALLY wanted to eat her and that's why he was rude.  

Here is my biggest caveat... if you have not read the books yet, but want to read them BEFORE seeing the movie.  It will enhance your viewing experience.  I loved this movie, but I also think that people who have not read the books and fallen in love with the story are not going to be as impressed by it.  I can't look at it from that point of view because I DID read the books - so if you have not, and you saw the movie, let me know what you thought!

All in all, I recommend the books and the movie.  And I think I might go see it again, which is something I haven't done in the theater in a long time.

If this isn't enough, and you need MORE, check out these Twilight posts by some of my favorite bloggers:

How Twilight Changed My Life by Miss Britt

Non-Spoiler Thoughts on Twilight by Miss Zoot

Twilight, M'eh by Nap Warden

Auds and Megawatt go to the Twilight Premiere,  Portland Maine by Auds

Feel free to link to your Twilight post in the comments!

Grey's Anatomy: Where my missed shows come back alive

What's up with Grey's Anatomy?  First, they bring in Kevin McKidd from Journeyman, who is henceforth referred to as McJourneyman.  I like him on that show, and was sad it was cancelled, but bearded, hardcore McJourneyman... well, he's hot.  Then this week, first Melissa George (Alias) then Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Gallactica) come up both in one episode!  It's like my favorite shows that aren't on right now are coming alive before me.  Ha.  So far though, I sort of hate Melissa George's character.  But I thought Mary McDonnell did a wonderful job, although I find it hard to believe that they would all meet her and just think she was weird, and not consider that she might have Asperger's or something.

Here's the thing.  I love Grey's, it's one of my favorite shows.  But I don't think I like this weird Izzy seeing Denny's ghost storyline.  I LOVED Denny, don't get me wrong.  I swoon a little for Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  But I just am not sure that it fits in that well with the show, and I just don't like it.  It's one thing to dream about people, it's another to actually have a ghost.  Is he real?  Is he a hallucination?  Is Izzy having a NERVOUS BREAKDOWN?  Sigh...  I don't know if it's because of me or the show, but I haven't been as moved this season.  I used to cry during every episode, now it's more like every other episode.  

Good ending this week, loved Christina yelling at the interns, loved the scene in the bar with the Sloane/Lexi thing and the Christina/McJourneyman thing - HAWT!  But then, Izzy and Denny - WTF?  Like, seriously, is she mental?  I so wanted Alex to walk in to see what he would see when she was kissing him.  

What do you think of the ghost/hallucination?

New Shows - My Take So Far

So, we're not far into the TV Season, but I've started watching a few new shows.  Here is my take on them so far...

Eleventh Hour:  New crime show by Jerry Bruckheimer about a guy who travels around saving people from "the worst abuses of science", whatever that means.  It's based on a British show, so I guess we'll see what Jerry Bruckheimer does with a convert.  Aside from The Office I am not recalling any recent shows that have been based on British shows that have been very good.  I find Rufus Sewell a little bit creepy.  Especially when he explains cloning by using grapes, then he eats one of them.  I don't like either of the main characters that much at this point, but maybe I'll get used to them.  I'm afraid that after the first episode, I'm a little bit worried about the scientific parts simply seeming ridiculous and unfeasable.  I'm afraid that Rufus Sewell's character might take on a Matlock-esque quality of explaining things to people and somehow making them see some kind of light, like Matlock getting everyone to confess on the stand.  I'll give it a couple more episodes, but I'm definitely undecided on this one.  

Fringe:  I love it.  I am a huge fan of JJ Abrams, so I expected to really like this show.  It's quite X-Files-ish, which of course is a plus to me.  I also admit here and now that I love Joshua Jackson.  Despite the fact that I know it's not his name, I always call him Pacey.  I am not sure why I like him so much, but I definitely like him in this show.  In any case, I'm definitely going to keep watching.  I was surprised that after only a few episodes I was drawn in to the whole conspiracy - the events, the corporation, all of it.  How does Abrams do it?  With Alias, and Lost, and now this.  I just hope that FOX doesn't fuck up and cancel it before it has a chance like so many other shows I've liked.  This one is my favorite new show!  

The Mentalist:  The Mentalist is a little bit like Psych.  Only without the hilarity.  And with more smarm.  And the guy doesn't pretend to be psychic, he used to pretend to be psychic and now he just uses tricks and hypnotizes people into giving the police information.  I like the story so far, but I'm not a HUGE fan of the main actor - Simon Baker.  I'm not sure if it's him, or if it's the character but I find his brand of 'charm' a little annoying.  It could go either way at this point, I'm not convinced it will last.  Psych has it's crack-you-up funniness, Medium has the down-homeness of Alison and her family, Ghost Whisperer has... uh, Ghosts.  I'm not sure that this show has enough of a unique angle to last.

True Blood:  I've only watched a couple of episodes so far.  One of the problems is that I went into it already thinking that I did NOT think that Anna Paquin was right for the Sookie character.  I still don't think so, and I am not sure I ever will.  Other than that it's okay so far.  I will have more to say about it when I watch a few more episodes (I'm behind...), I'm wondering if it has the staying power to last more than one season.  

Worst Week:  I've only watched one episode so far, and I laughed out loud several times.  I hope that it continues to be funny, and that it isn't just going to get really OLD after a couple of episodes.  

What is your favorite new show this year?

Blindness

I had seen previews for this movie starring Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo several months ago, and it had gone out of my mind.  When deciding to go to a movie last week, my friend and I came across it again and decided to try it out.  It seemed like an interesting concept.  The basic plot of the movie centers around a plague of blindness that is rapidly spreading, and the government response.

Mark Ruffalo plays an eye doctor - the first to see a case of the strange illness, and Julianne Moore is his wife.  Once the blindness starts to spread, there is a panic, and the blind are shipped away to a seemingly abandoned hospital type facility.  When the po-po come for Ruffalo, Moore tells them she has also gone blind so she can go with him.  She ends up as the only seeing person in what increasingly becomes a horrifying prison for the blind.

The movie follows the main couple and several central characters through their time in the facility and eventual abandonment of it, as well as what happens after that.  The blind are surely subject to the stench and outright filth of the makeshift prison, but as the only seeing person, Moore is subjected to watching the horrors unfold.

When it was over, I didn't feel much of anything about it.  I didn't like it.  I didn't hate it.  It just... WAS.  I'm not annoyed that I saw it, but I don't necessarily think it was worth the $10 I paid for the ticket.  There were some things I liked about it - it's certainly an interesting concept, and some of the filming, especially the shots of what it looked like as the people were losing their sight, were really cool.  I liked that the story took place in an unknown city/country - there were people of all races, and no signs as to where the story took place.  

But I felt unsettled by the squalor portrayed in the prison.  I suppose that I felt that much of the movie was gratuitous.  I would have rather watched the story from a different side - scientists trying to figure out what happened, or repair of the society - what happened afterwards?  Instead we watched the people fall apart and criminals take over the food supply, ultimately leading to a pretty graphic, very disturbing rape orgy.  

This is one that I wouldn't recommend to the faint of heart.  It was disturbing and unpleasant to think about.  If you do want to see it, there's no reason to see it in the theater - you might as well save a few bucks and rent it when it comes out on DVD.