1. I turned 28 years old yesterday.
2. I've never been a fan of birthdays.
3. I cried yesterday. For a lot of reasons. Most of them are stupid.
4. I still cry at the last episode of Boy Meets World
5. I have actually cried listening to rap music. (I blame Donald Glover)
6. Country music makes me cry for an entirely different reason.
7. Seeing other people cry makes me cry.
8. Inspirational Disney sports movies make me cry.
9. I'm an emotional person. Clearly.
9. I can easily eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's in one sitting
10. I always wanted to be married by the time I was 25.
11. However, I am actually not jealous of my married friends.
12. This doesn't mean that I don't still WANT that. And think about it a lot.
13. If one more person says it'll "happen when I least expect it" I swear...
14. Sometimes I'm not sure if I even want kids anymore.
15. I'm hate being yelled at. I avoid it whenever possible.
16. Sometimes I think I'm more in love with the idea of being in love.
17. I'd be happy never having to wear shoes again.
18. I spend entirely too much time online.
19. My favorite teacher was my 12th grade English teacher Mrs. Dobrowski
20. I think cilantro is evil.
21. I used to think my sisters didn't like me very much
22. I've seen Gavin DeGraw in concert 6 times. It's been awhile. I miss him.
23. I talk to my cat.
24. Sometimes I lie to my journal.
25. I do my best thinking in the shower.
26. My water bill is atrocious.
27. I have the tendency to eat my feelings.
28. It's strangely hard to think of 100 random things about myself.
29. I fear being an incredibly boring person that no one wants to talk to.
30. I did not attend my senior prom
31. The first book I remember reading is "Heckedy Peg"
32. I hate movie gore.
33. My favorite movie is Princess Bride.
34. My second favorite movie is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
35. My third favorite movie is Say Anything.
36. If Lloyd Dobler was real I would be in love with him.
37. I've suffered from insomnia since I was 10
38. I've lost 40 lbs over the past five years.
39. Getting older terrifies me.
49. I don't believe in not having regrets.
50. I do believe in God.
51. My faith and my religion are often at odds with each other.
52. I wish I was braver.
53. My grandparents are two of the best people I've ever known
54. I believe everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.
55. This doesn't mean I won't judge you for yours.
56. I only agree with you because I'm just not in the mood to debate.
57. I voted for Barack Obama.
58. I would do it again.
59. I grew up thinking that "liberal" was a dirty word.
60. I went through a childhood phase terrified my parents would abandon me.
61. My parents never abandoned me.
62. I'm conditioned to think that all drivers of Escalades are douchebags.
63. I saw Leonardo DiCaprio at In-N-Out one time but didn't recognize him.
64. I worked at Jamba Juice for three years.
65. I worked at a chiropractic office for three years.
66. In October I will have been at my current job for three years. Hmm.
67. I was in the room when my best friend gave birth to her daughter.
68. It's cliche to say but the miracle of life really is just that.
69. Sometimes I think I made a mistake in my choice of colleges.
70. I believe that most fears in life stem from the fear of failure.
71. I think I'm just now going through the rebellious teenage phase of life.
72. I can procrastinate like no one's business.
73. I'm supposed to be working right now.
74. I'm my own worst critic.
75. I saw Titanic in the theater 5 times.
76. The above was one of the first great obsessions of my life.
77. I love reading young adult novels.
78. I have a tattoo of three hearts on my shoulder in honor of my sisters.
79. The idea of there being NO afterlife scares me more than the idea of hell.
80. My favorite food is lasagna.
81. But I could probably survive solely on Mexican food if I needed to.
82. Current complaint: horrible sore throat
83. Current celebrity crush: Joel McHale
84. Current favorite TV show: Community
85. Current addiction: Tiny Wings
86. Currently reading: I Know I Am But What Are You by Samantha Bee.
87. Currently wearing: sweatshirt and pajama pants
88. Currently eating: ice cream cake
90. Currently listening to: Adele's Someone Like You
91. I love baking. Especially cupcakes.
92. I wish life came with a soundtrack.
93. I enjoy making lists.
94. I have no idea why you're still reading this.
95. My favorite colors are blue and yellow
96. Being winked at makes me weak at the knees
97. Harry Potter > Twilight.
98. I was told once that shyness is a form of self-centeredness.
99. This made me re-evaluate myself in a huge way.
100. Right here, right now, life isn't perfect. But I'm happy.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
New Layout
This is what happens when I can't sleep and I'm up in the middle of the night. But I was bored with the old layout anyway. And I'm quite pleased with what I came up with.
In weather related news: this is what I found myself looking at all day as torrential wind and rain and hail battered around the house, and the subsequent flooding that occurred in my backyard. Good times.
I enjoy this weather but there's a chance it could ruin all my birthday plans, which would make me a sad Shannon. So, praying for sunshine!
Currently listening to: Adele's Set Fire to the Rain
In weather related news: this is what I found myself looking at all day as torrential wind and rain and hail battered around the house, and the subsequent flooding that occurred in my backyard. Good times.
I enjoy this weather but there's a chance it could ruin all my birthday plans, which would make me a sad Shannon. So, praying for sunshine!
Currently listening to: Adele's Set Fire to the Rain
Sunday, March 20, 2011
PaleyFest 2011
FIRST AND FOREMOST. THIS:
“I am so pleased to renew these three outstanding comedies which are all at the top of their game creatively,” said NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt. “Along with [the already-renewed] 30 Rock, they represent the best of what the NBC comedy brand stands for in terms of originality, wit, and sophistication. The Office continues to fire on all cylinders on the most competitive night of television; Parks and Recreation has come into its own this season as the rightful companion to The Office; and Community is one of the freshest comedies on any network and a solid foundation for Thursday night.” Source
YES. THANK YOU NBC. I've been worried especially about Community being renewed because it doesn't get stellar ratings and this just thrills me to pieces. I understand that it's the kind of show that's never going to appeal to a mass audience and there are advertisers and financial concerns and demographics and blah de blah but it would have broken my heart to see it canceled. I'm almost equally excited about Parks and Rec because that show is firing on all cylinders right now (this past week's episode was maybe one of the best ever).
This good news comes perfectly timed on the heels of this past Tuesday night when I got to listen to the cast and producers of Community answer questions and just be generally delightful together at PaleyFest in Beverly Hills.
Ever since I first learned about PaleyFest I've wanted to attend, I could just never find someone to go with me. Twenty bucks to see the casts of some of my favorite shows TALK about those shows and screen episodes in a roomful of other fans? Totally worth it to me.
So this year I finally got to go and my friend and I headed down to L.A. on Tuesday, waited in line for about two hours and ended up in some decent seats. (The only downside to these seats was that we were sitting in front of a guy who talked and talked and talked about himself for about an hour before the show. Constant talking. Saying things like, "she saw me as an escape pod from her life" and "that's how I got the job on House" and "I fell into the trap of myself" and "did I mention really really loudly yet that I worked on HOUSE? THE TV show?" Basically, he was a douche and Mary and I could hardly contain our laughter at listing to him. But on the flip side, we have now decided to write a screenplay for a movie/television pilot ABOUT him. And it's going to be huge. One day he'll see it and won't even know it's about him. HA! Suck it dude).
Then Dan Harmon came out and introduced the episode we were screening. Actually, he introduced his introduction and then rambled a lot and we love him so it was endearing. The episode we saw was the one that aired Thursday and it's kind of awesome to watch a show with hundreds of people. For the same reason that a movie comedy will seem funnier in the theater rather than at home on the couch. We laughed through the entire 22-minute episode and it was kind of a delightful experience. I think I understand now, to a much higher degree, why sitcoms so often have laugh tracks or in-studio audience laughter. (NOT that I am in any way saying that Community should have a laugh track. It just made it a difference experience that I can appreciate.)
After the screening the cast came out, including Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jim Rash, Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs and Ken Jeong (Alison Brie and Donald Glover weren't there due to being busy working on other projects) and pretty much entertained us for the next hour with andectodes about working on set and upcoming episodes.
A few tidbits:
- There is an episode coming up that sounds INSANE. AND AMAZING. Ken Jeong told us that after the table read for the episode the cast got to their feet and applauded the writers - something he's never seen before. I CAN'T WAIT.
- Josh Holloway is in the finale. SAWYER. AT GREENDALE. And there's more paintball. YES.
- Joel McHale can wear the hell out of a button-down shirt and a skinny tie. Also? FOREARMS.
- Yvette Nicole Brown seems like one of the sweetest, kindest ladies ever. Ever.
- Chevy Chase gets a lot of flack for being a jerk. And maybe he is. But here he said some of the nicest things about his co-workers, including calling attention to the fact that Alison and Donald weren't there and that they are two of the best actors on the show.
- It's always a little strange to see Danny Pudi out of character because he is so much more expressive than Abed.
- Gillian Jacobs is incredibly endearing for the fact that you can see a lot of Britta's awkwardness in her. Also, she's flipping gorgeous.
- After the moderator was through with his questions he opened it up to the audience. The first person got up and said, "I only have one thing to say: "POP-POP!" Everyone, including the cast, died laughing at this. If you don't understand why you are clearly streets behind ;)
- Chevy Chase can't email you. His email is in New York.
- Ken Jeong, as I believe I noted when I attended the filming of the marathon wrap-arounds, has the GREATEST laugh ever. Completely infectious. Apparently he cracks himself up a lot on set and according to Joel McHale, starts saying "Cancer, dead babies, cancer, dead babies..." over and over to try and stop.
- Dan Harmon pitched an idea for an entirely Dean-centric episode where it starts in the study room with Troy saying something like he wants to grow a mustache and Shirley saying she wants to eat better. Then the Dean comes in to make an announcement and when he leaves again the camera follows him. At the end of the episode we return to the study room where Troy has grown a mustache and Shirley is eating broccoli but we have no idea how these things came to be because the episode has revolved entirely around the Dean and his weirdo life. The audience seemed to LOVE this idea.
- Joel McHale will apparantly be shirtless again this season. NO COMPLAINTS.
- They talked a lot about hoping they would get picked up for Season 3. AND LOOK! IT HAPPENED. JOYFULLNESS.
- A bunch of the writers were in the audience and got a huge ovation when they were pointed out and told to stand.
- The cast is just so much fun to listen to as they interact. You can tell that they genuinely enjoy each other and the show (they quote lines at each other, can recall the exact names of episodes, etc) and it's awesome to be a fan of a show where the people involved are just so kind. And fun. I want to give them all a big group hug.
- When it was over the cast stayed and signed autographs and took pictures. We didn't join the crowd because it was a little bit of a mad house so we hung back and watched the craziness. One of the writers walked by us at one point and I wanted so badly to turn around and say something to her but I got all nervous and tongue tied. Damn.
After we left my friend and I got temporarily lost in L.A. and wound up at IHOP eating pancakes and talking (plotting our screenplay) until about midnight. All in all it was another successful Community-filled adventure. Thanks to The Paley Center, this cast and the creators for a fun night. And once again, YAY FOR SEASON 3.
“I am so pleased to renew these three outstanding comedies which are all at the top of their game creatively,” said NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt. “Along with [the already-renewed] 30 Rock, they represent the best of what the NBC comedy brand stands for in terms of originality, wit, and sophistication. The Office continues to fire on all cylinders on the most competitive night of television; Parks and Recreation has come into its own this season as the rightful companion to The Office; and Community is one of the freshest comedies on any network and a solid foundation for Thursday night.” Source
YES. THANK YOU NBC. I've been worried especially about Community being renewed because it doesn't get stellar ratings and this just thrills me to pieces. I understand that it's the kind of show that's never going to appeal to a mass audience and there are advertisers and financial concerns and demographics and blah de blah but it would have broken my heart to see it canceled. I'm almost equally excited about Parks and Rec because that show is firing on all cylinders right now (this past week's episode was maybe one of the best ever).
This good news comes perfectly timed on the heels of this past Tuesday night when I got to listen to the cast and producers of Community answer questions and just be generally delightful together at PaleyFest in Beverly Hills.
Ever since I first learned about PaleyFest I've wanted to attend, I could just never find someone to go with me. Twenty bucks to see the casts of some of my favorite shows TALK about those shows and screen episodes in a roomful of other fans? Totally worth it to me.
So this year I finally got to go and my friend and I headed down to L.A. on Tuesday, waited in line for about two hours and ended up in some decent seats. (The only downside to these seats was that we were sitting in front of a guy who talked and talked and talked about himself for about an hour before the show. Constant talking. Saying things like, "she saw me as an escape pod from her life" and "that's how I got the job on House" and "I fell into the trap of myself" and "did I mention really really loudly yet that I worked on HOUSE? THE TV show?" Basically, he was a douche and Mary and I could hardly contain our laughter at listing to him. But on the flip side, we have now decided to write a screenplay for a movie/television pilot ABOUT him. And it's going to be huge. One day he'll see it and won't even know it's about him. HA! Suck it dude).
 |
| The panel. |
After the screening the cast came out, including Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jim Rash, Chevy Chase, Gillian Jacobs and Ken Jeong (Alison Brie and Donald Glover weren't there due to being busy working on other projects) and pretty much entertained us for the next hour with andectodes about working on set and upcoming episodes.
A few tidbits:
- There is an episode coming up that sounds INSANE. AND AMAZING. Ken Jeong told us that after the table read for the episode the cast got to their feet and applauded the writers - something he's never seen before. I CAN'T WAIT.
- Josh Holloway is in the finale. SAWYER. AT GREENDALE. And there's more paintball. YES.
- Joel McHale can wear the hell out of a button-down shirt and a skinny tie. Also? FOREARMS.
 |
| Joel McHale being pretty. And hilarious. Deadly combo. |
- Chevy Chase gets a lot of flack for being a jerk. And maybe he is. But here he said some of the nicest things about his co-workers, including calling attention to the fact that Alison and Donald weren't there and that they are two of the best actors on the show.
- It's always a little strange to see Danny Pudi out of character because he is so much more expressive than Abed.
- Gillian Jacobs is incredibly endearing for the fact that you can see a lot of Britta's awkwardness in her. Also, she's flipping gorgeous.
- After the moderator was through with his questions he opened it up to the audience. The first person got up and said, "I only have one thing to say: "POP-POP!" Everyone, including the cast, died laughing at this. If you don't understand why you are clearly streets behind ;)
- Chevy Chase can't email you. His email is in New York.
- Ken Jeong, as I believe I noted when I attended the filming of the marathon wrap-arounds, has the GREATEST laugh ever. Completely infectious. Apparently he cracks himself up a lot on set and according to Joel McHale, starts saying "Cancer, dead babies, cancer, dead babies..." over and over to try and stop.
- Dan Harmon pitched an idea for an entirely Dean-centric episode where it starts in the study room with Troy saying something like he wants to grow a mustache and Shirley saying she wants to eat better. Then the Dean comes in to make an announcement and when he leaves again the camera follows him. At the end of the episode we return to the study room where Troy has grown a mustache and Shirley is eating broccoli but we have no idea how these things came to be because the episode has revolved entirely around the Dean and his weirdo life. The audience seemed to LOVE this idea.
- Joel McHale will apparantly be shirtless again this season. NO COMPLAINTS.
 |
| So much laughter. |
- A bunch of the writers were in the audience and got a huge ovation when they were pointed out and told to stand.
- The cast is just so much fun to listen to as they interact. You can tell that they genuinely enjoy each other and the show (they quote lines at each other, can recall the exact names of episodes, etc) and it's awesome to be a fan of a show where the people involved are just so kind. And fun. I want to give them all a big group hug.
- When it was over the cast stayed and signed autographs and took pictures. We didn't join the crowd because it was a little bit of a mad house so we hung back and watched the craziness. One of the writers walked by us at one point and I wanted so badly to turn around and say something to her but I got all nervous and tongue tied. Damn.
After we left my friend and I got temporarily lost in L.A. and wound up at IHOP eating pancakes and talking (plotting our screenplay) until about midnight. All in all it was another successful Community-filled adventure. Thanks to The Paley Center, this cast and the creators for a fun night. And once again, YAY FOR SEASON 3.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Books of February
Shannon's Highly Mathematical Ranking System For Judging Literary Quality
1. HOLY CRAP. WHAT WAS THAT.
2. Meh.
3. Good book, I'll add it to my collection
4. LOVED IT.
5. OMG. FLAIL. I WANT TO MARRY THIS BOOK.
1. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot - Craig Ferguson
I've had a lot of respect for Craig Ferguson ever since back in whatever year it was that Britney Spears had her melt down and shaved her head and beat up a car with an umbrella and she was on the cover of every gossip rag and everyone was speculating and making jokes and you couldn't turn sideways without hearing about the fall of America's pop princess. But Craig Ferguson went on his show and said that this is a young girl who has a problem, a problem that he understands, and that he wouldn't be making fun of her anymore because she was obviously troubled. And man, did I respect that. Interestingly enough, he has recently made similar comments regarding Charlie Sheen and whatever the hell he's been doing. Again, respect. In the advent of reality television we have become way too amused with watching the humiliations of others for sport. Although I suppose that's been going on forever too.
Anyways, this book. Is good. I very much appreciated it's honesty and humor and darkness (and even in the darkest places of the book, the humor remains). He is very open about his pre-sober years and experiences with alcohol and drugs and it's just this little glimpse into who he was and how he came to the place he is today. And as you may be able to tell from the title it's also a little bit of a love story between him and America and the amount to which he loves this country (but his homeland as well) just oozes off the page. In a time when patriotism seems to be equated with bible-thumping and guns and Sarah Palin, it's refreshing.
And for fun, a recent interview Craig did with my favorite Joel McHale.
2. Heat Wave - Richard Castle
I don't know if I've ever really talked about Castle on this blog but it's one of the shows that I look forward to every week. One of my friends recommended it to me after an episode in which they find a body that has the phrase, "your out of time" written across the torso. Castle notes that instead of "your" it should be "you're" and then says, "I'm just saying, whoever killed her also murdered the English language." My friend felt that this is the kind of humor I would enjoy. And she was correct. The show is a lot of fun (interesting cases, snappy dialogue, etc), the relationship between Beckett and Castle is adorable and Nathan Fillion is always amazing.
The character of Richard Castle is a novelist using his time at the precinct to research his book about fictional detective Nikki Heat. And this is meant to be that book, ghostwritten under the name Richard Castle. I very much enjoyed it and I would actually be interested to give it to someone who hasn't seen the show to see if they enjoy it as much because so much of it felt like an episode of the show with characters that I could already picture in my head.
So, in summary: Good book. Good show. Fun, smart characters either way.
3. Stardust - Neil Gaiman
Movie adaptations of books. Tricky things. Ninety-five percent of the time when asked "book or movie?" I will probably pick "book." Especially if I've read the book first. However, I'm not a total purist. For instance: there are some people who loathe and detest the Harry Potter movies for how much they've changed or haven't stayed true to the books. My thoughts? Meh, whatever. I DO like the books better than the movies just because there is so much there and the writing is so captivating and characters such as the Weasley twins get more time for personality and humor. But I also LOVE the movies. For what they are. I try to disassociate the two in my head. Besides, there's no way that anyone could make a movie that stays completely true to the books. That series of movies would be fifty hours long. And while yes, I might watch it, NO ONE'S going to make that movie.
So, I went into this book with an open mind. I had already seen the movie with Claire Danes and Michelle Pfeiffer and adored it and had heard good things about the book. But honestly? I wasn't too impressed. Maybe, maybe if I had read the book first. But in my mind's eye I can see the characters from the movie - Tristan Thorne as he transforms from awkward suitor to dashing hero, Robert DeNiro's drag queen ship captain, the final climactic battle complete with vodoo and explosions and the magical abilities of a star - and the book lacked all of that. The humor wasn't there, the character development wasn't there, the relationship between Yvaine and Tristan just kind of happens and you don't get to SEE them fall in love, and my biggest issue - in the end there's no real villain. I'm okay with bad guys who aren't so cut and dry evil (HELLO, Benjamin Linus from LOST was totally the bad guy but he also had sympathetic qualities that made me want to hug him) but in this case, all the "bad guys" just kind of walk off screen. There's no battle or climax at the end with the witch, Tristan doesn't get to dump Victoria on her ass - there's no payoff to anything.
I did like that we got a little bit more into some of the origin stories and I do have to admit that even though Victoria didn't get a comupance, her arc is satisfying. It's just that in the end the book kind of ends and that's it. The magic that I loved from the movie wasn't there. So. I might try reading another Neil Gaiman book to see if I'm less prejudiced when I don't have any expectations. But other than that...
1. HOLY CRAP. WHAT WAS THAT.
2. Meh.
3. Good book, I'll add it to my collection
4. LOVED IT.
5. OMG. FLAIL. I WANT TO MARRY THIS BOOK.
1. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot - Craig Ferguson
I've had a lot of respect for Craig Ferguson ever since back in whatever year it was that Britney Spears had her melt down and shaved her head and beat up a car with an umbrella and she was on the cover of every gossip rag and everyone was speculating and making jokes and you couldn't turn sideways without hearing about the fall of America's pop princess. But Craig Ferguson went on his show and said that this is a young girl who has a problem, a problem that he understands, and that he wouldn't be making fun of her anymore because she was obviously troubled. And man, did I respect that. Interestingly enough, he has recently made similar comments regarding Charlie Sheen and whatever the hell he's been doing. Again, respect. In the advent of reality television we have become way too amused with watching the humiliations of others for sport. Although I suppose that's been going on forever too.
Anyways, this book. Is good. I very much appreciated it's honesty and humor and darkness (and even in the darkest places of the book, the humor remains). He is very open about his pre-sober years and experiences with alcohol and drugs and it's just this little glimpse into who he was and how he came to the place he is today. And as you may be able to tell from the title it's also a little bit of a love story between him and America and the amount to which he loves this country (but his homeland as well) just oozes off the page. In a time when patriotism seems to be equated with bible-thumping and guns and Sarah Palin, it's refreshing.
RATING: LOVED IT
And for fun, a recent interview Craig did with my favorite Joel McHale.
2. Heat Wave - Richard Castle
I don't know if I've ever really talked about Castle on this blog but it's one of the shows that I look forward to every week. One of my friends recommended it to me after an episode in which they find a body that has the phrase, "your out of time" written across the torso. Castle notes that instead of "your" it should be "you're" and then says, "I'm just saying, whoever killed her also murdered the English language." My friend felt that this is the kind of humor I would enjoy. And she was correct. The show is a lot of fun (interesting cases, snappy dialogue, etc), the relationship between Beckett and Castle is adorable and Nathan Fillion is always amazing.
The character of Richard Castle is a novelist using his time at the precinct to research his book about fictional detective Nikki Heat. And this is meant to be that book, ghostwritten under the name Richard Castle. I very much enjoyed it and I would actually be interested to give it to someone who hasn't seen the show to see if they enjoy it as much because so much of it felt like an episode of the show with characters that I could already picture in my head.
So, in summary: Good book. Good show. Fun, smart characters either way.
RATING: Good book, I'll add it to my collection.
3. Stardust - Neil Gaiman
Movie adaptations of books. Tricky things. Ninety-five percent of the time when asked "book or movie?" I will probably pick "book." Especially if I've read the book first. However, I'm not a total purist. For instance: there are some people who loathe and detest the Harry Potter movies for how much they've changed or haven't stayed true to the books. My thoughts? Meh, whatever. I DO like the books better than the movies just because there is so much there and the writing is so captivating and characters such as the Weasley twins get more time for personality and humor. But I also LOVE the movies. For what they are. I try to disassociate the two in my head. Besides, there's no way that anyone could make a movie that stays completely true to the books. That series of movies would be fifty hours long. And while yes, I might watch it, NO ONE'S going to make that movie.
So, I went into this book with an open mind. I had already seen the movie with Claire Danes and Michelle Pfeiffer and adored it and had heard good things about the book. But honestly? I wasn't too impressed. Maybe, maybe if I had read the book first. But in my mind's eye I can see the characters from the movie - Tristan Thorne as he transforms from awkward suitor to dashing hero, Robert DeNiro's drag queen ship captain, the final climactic battle complete with vodoo and explosions and the magical abilities of a star - and the book lacked all of that. The humor wasn't there, the character development wasn't there, the relationship between Yvaine and Tristan just kind of happens and you don't get to SEE them fall in love, and my biggest issue - in the end there's no real villain. I'm okay with bad guys who aren't so cut and dry evil (HELLO, Benjamin Linus from LOST was totally the bad guy but he also had sympathetic qualities that made me want to hug him) but in this case, all the "bad guys" just kind of walk off screen. There's no battle or climax at the end with the witch, Tristan doesn't get to dump Victoria on her ass - there's no payoff to anything.
I did like that we got a little bit more into some of the origin stories and I do have to admit that even though Victoria didn't get a comupance, her arc is satisfying. It's just that in the end the book kind of ends and that's it. The magic that I loved from the movie wasn't there. So. I might try reading another Neil Gaiman book to see if I'm less prejudiced when I don't have any expectations. But other than that...
RATING: Meh.
Monday, February 28, 2011
KITTY KABOOM!
Let's talk about TV. Shall we?
Greek
I am really SO sad this is almost over. There are only two more episodes left and this season has been terrific. My favorite episode would probably have to be the Beaver-centric one and hugely because it contained the delightfulness of Katherine (I would absolutely watch a spin-off centered around her). I'm pleased that Cappie is finally growing up and that he and Casey have figured out their crap, I'm relieved that Dale's days with Omega Chi are over because the influence of Tripp was turning him into an ass and I LOVED seeing Rusty and Calvin come to his rescue. The newly-found will they/won't they of Rusty and Ashleigh is less appealing BUT the idea of it is growing on me - they've been sort of cute as roommates with sexual tension.
I don't know what will happen in the final two episodes but I can honestly say that the only thing that would hugely bum me out is if Evan and Cappie aren't friends again in the end. That's been my favorite dynamic through the entire series (which I think I may need to get on DVD and re-watch again once it's all over). I'll probably have more to say about this one next week after the finale.
Community
WHAT? I'm talking about THIS show? Shocking I know.
In the past six episodes we've had Joel McHale running in the rain, a Dungeons and Dragons parody, a love interest for Abed, drunken Duncan, Magnitude (POP POP), Jeff's Real Wold Seattle tryout, Britta's lesbian make-out, the return of Rich, feelings between Jeff and Annie, Troy and Abed dressed as bees, Dean Pelton dressed as a bee and...Uncle Sam, Theo Huxtable, a documentary parody, Levar Burton, Troy crying and singing the Reading Rainbow theme song, Pierce being evil, a glimpse into Jeff's apartment and Annie's apartment (she lives above a sex shop called Dildopolis - gross), a Lord of the Rings style credits parody, a Troy and Abed in the Morning segment, and a room full of teenagers screaming "WE LOVE DRUGS!" And so much more!
I don't know what else to say except this show just continues to be something delightful and I look forward to it every week.
Also, SPOILER ALERT: The finale is supposed to be a one hour Modern Warfare redux with a Western spin. AND. AND. AND. Mr. Josh Holloway (AKA: SAWYER FROM LOST) is rumored to be guesting. Which elicits this response from me: FLAIL.
Parks and Rec
Adam Scott. I'm not completely sure if he's now officially a part of the main cast but he absolutely cannot leave Pawnee. Ever. His presence on my television screen makes Thursday nights even more joyful than they already were. His character of Ben is a completely awkward nerd but he's adorable and perfect and that he sees how clearly awesome Leslie is earns him an automatic WIN in my book.
And anyone else remember this?
Yeah, that's right. Boy Meets World. Griff. The guy who look over as reigning bad boy once Harvey got shipped off to reform school or what-not. I actually always preferred Harvey but now I see it all in a different light. Cause Adam Scott! Look at his little baby face. And the hair! Oh the hair.
IMDB reminds me he also played the cool but "Ooops he's also a pedophile" teacher on Veronica Mars. He was also originally cast as Aaron on Wonderfalls. Which is weird to think about because Lee Pace IS Aaron. Oh man, I want to re-watch that show now too.
Oh wait. I was talking about Parks and Rec wasn't I? Okay, I'm glad April and Andy are finally togther because April was starting to irk me a little bit in her torture of Andy. This week's episode where they competed to get the most free stuff at the bar was vomit-inducingly cute, especially when you saw the way they both practically glowed to be together. And to think, at one point I hated the character of Andy. Unthinkable.
But no really, watch this show. Every single character, down to the city of Pawnee itself, is unique and quirky and hilarious. Sometimes Community goes a little to the dark side and hurts my heart a bit (in a good way though!) but this show always, always leaves me with a huge ass smile. Watch it.
Fringe
This past week's episode didn't include two of the leads and yet it was maybe my favorite episode of the season. We got a little peak into the Walter Bishop (and the Walternate Bishop) of the past and to the events that drove both of these men to the lives that they lead in the present. And dammit, Walternate's supposed to be evil, the bad guy, the guy who wants to destroy the universe of our characters - and yet, I cannot help but feel sorry for him and understand where his anger and need for revenge comes from. Also, the little girl playing young Olivia was amazing. She had Anna Torv's mannerisms down.
I'm not so thrilled about the pregnancy story line and the fact that Peter is going to have to choose between the two Olivias and in essence the two universes. BUT. The fact that it's not just some kind of "Pick me. Choose me. Wah, Wah, Wah" storyline and that there are actual stakes involved makes it interesting to me. I'm really excited for the rest of the season and I hope, hope, HOPE that it gets renewed for a fourth season.
P.S. I also realize that entire review is going to sound absolutely ridiculous to someone who doesn't watch the show. Sorry about that. But it's GOOD. Watch it.
P.P.S. I spend a lot of time encouraging people to watch these shows because sadly all of them are on the bubble as far as renewal and it makes me sad. No offense to people who like reality shows but scripted television will always be my preference and sometime I want to smack the American people in the face for their television habits. THE JERSEY SHORE WILL HAVE MORE SEASONS THAN ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, FIREFLY OR PUSHING DAISIES. HOW.
P.P.P.S. Other shows I'm currently still loving: How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, Pretty Little Liars, Castle, The Big Bang Theory (even though I am woefully behind), Glee (when it's on it's game like this week), Modern Family, Raising Hope, and The Office (again, when it's actually on it's game).
P.P.P.P.S. Friday Night Lights returns to NBC on April 15th!!! I've heard good things about this season so color me EXCITED.
Greek
I am really SO sad this is almost over. There are only two more episodes left and this season has been terrific. My favorite episode would probably have to be the Beaver-centric one and hugely because it contained the delightfulness of Katherine (I would absolutely watch a spin-off centered around her). I'm pleased that Cappie is finally growing up and that he and Casey have figured out their crap, I'm relieved that Dale's days with Omega Chi are over because the influence of Tripp was turning him into an ass and I LOVED seeing Rusty and Calvin come to his rescue. The newly-found will they/won't they of Rusty and Ashleigh is less appealing BUT the idea of it is growing on me - they've been sort of cute as roommates with sexual tension.
I don't know what will happen in the final two episodes but I can honestly say that the only thing that would hugely bum me out is if Evan and Cappie aren't friends again in the end. That's been my favorite dynamic through the entire series (which I think I may need to get on DVD and re-watch again once it's all over). I'll probably have more to say about this one next week after the finale.
Community
WHAT? I'm talking about THIS show? Shocking I know.
In the past six episodes we've had Joel McHale running in the rain, a Dungeons and Dragons parody, a love interest for Abed, drunken Duncan, Magnitude (POP POP), Jeff's Real Wold Seattle tryout, Britta's lesbian make-out, the return of Rich, feelings between Jeff and Annie, Troy and Abed dressed as bees, Dean Pelton dressed as a bee and...Uncle Sam, Theo Huxtable, a documentary parody, Levar Burton, Troy crying and singing the Reading Rainbow theme song, Pierce being evil, a glimpse into Jeff's apartment and Annie's apartment (she lives above a sex shop called Dildopolis - gross), a Lord of the Rings style credits parody, a Troy and Abed in the Morning segment, and a room full of teenagers screaming "WE LOVE DRUGS!" And so much more!
I don't know what else to say except this show just continues to be something delightful and I look forward to it every week.
Also, SPOILER ALERT: The finale is supposed to be a one hour Modern Warfare redux with a Western spin. AND. AND. AND. Mr. Josh Holloway (AKA: SAWYER FROM LOST) is rumored to be guesting. Which elicits this response from me: FLAIL.
Parks and Rec
Adam Scott. I'm not completely sure if he's now officially a part of the main cast but he absolutely cannot leave Pawnee. Ever. His presence on my television screen makes Thursday nights even more joyful than they already were. His character of Ben is a completely awkward nerd but he's adorable and perfect and that he sees how clearly awesome Leslie is earns him an automatic WIN in my book.
And anyone else remember this?
IMDB reminds me he also played the cool but "Ooops he's also a pedophile" teacher on Veronica Mars. He was also originally cast as Aaron on Wonderfalls. Which is weird to think about because Lee Pace IS Aaron. Oh man, I want to re-watch that show now too.
Oh wait. I was talking about Parks and Rec wasn't I? Okay, I'm glad April and Andy are finally togther because April was starting to irk me a little bit in her torture of Andy. This week's episode where they competed to get the most free stuff at the bar was vomit-inducingly cute, especially when you saw the way they both practically glowed to be together. And to think, at one point I hated the character of Andy. Unthinkable.
But no really, watch this show. Every single character, down to the city of Pawnee itself, is unique and quirky and hilarious. Sometimes Community goes a little to the dark side and hurts my heart a bit (in a good way though!) but this show always, always leaves me with a huge ass smile. Watch it.
Fringe
This past week's episode didn't include two of the leads and yet it was maybe my favorite episode of the season. We got a little peak into the Walter Bishop (and the Walternate Bishop) of the past and to the events that drove both of these men to the lives that they lead in the present. And dammit, Walternate's supposed to be evil, the bad guy, the guy who wants to destroy the universe of our characters - and yet, I cannot help but feel sorry for him and understand where his anger and need for revenge comes from. Also, the little girl playing young Olivia was amazing. She had Anna Torv's mannerisms down.
I'm not so thrilled about the pregnancy story line and the fact that Peter is going to have to choose between the two Olivias and in essence the two universes. BUT. The fact that it's not just some kind of "Pick me. Choose me. Wah, Wah, Wah" storyline and that there are actual stakes involved makes it interesting to me. I'm really excited for the rest of the season and I hope, hope, HOPE that it gets renewed for a fourth season.
P.S. I also realize that entire review is going to sound absolutely ridiculous to someone who doesn't watch the show. Sorry about that. But it's GOOD. Watch it.
P.P.S. I spend a lot of time encouraging people to watch these shows because sadly all of them are on the bubble as far as renewal and it makes me sad. No offense to people who like reality shows but scripted television will always be my preference and sometime I want to smack the American people in the face for their television habits. THE JERSEY SHORE WILL HAVE MORE SEASONS THAN ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, FIREFLY OR PUSHING DAISIES. HOW.
P.P.P.S. Other shows I'm currently still loving: How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, Pretty Little Liars, Castle, The Big Bang Theory (even though I am woefully behind), Glee (when it's on it's game like this week), Modern Family, Raising Hope, and The Office (again, when it's actually on it's game).
P.P.P.P.S. Friday Night Lights returns to NBC on April 15th!!! I've heard good things about this season so color me EXCITED.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Oh I Like You Internet
Why does this make me laugh so hard? I don't even know. But there you go...
And then there's this tumblr, which I have to admit earned my undying love for the name alone: Cats That Look Like Ron Swanson
AND, AND, THIS: Who is Arcade Fire?
LOL for freaking ever. Keep on doing what you do Arcade Fire. I love ya. (And if in the midst of this "doing what you do" you happen to continue to piss off a few million Beiber Fever crazies, then well, good on you).
And then there's this tumblr, which I have to admit earned my undying love for the name alone: Cats That Look Like Ron Swanson
AND, AND, THIS: Who is Arcade Fire?
LOL for freaking ever. Keep on doing what you do Arcade Fire. I love ya. (And if in the midst of this "doing what you do" you happen to continue to piss off a few million Beiber Fever crazies, then well, good on you).
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Where's your jetpack Zuckerberg?
I watched The Social Network for the first time the other day (NEWSFLASH: I'm a teensy bit behind the times) and absolutely loved it from beginning to end. It was completely riveting which, if you think about it, is slightly absurd considering that the first half hour of the movie is about hacking and breaking codes and computer jargon nonsense that is basically the same as speaking a foreign language to me. I'm not totally sure how they did it - some combination of interesting music and likable actors - but well done creators of The Social Network. Hats off.
This is not to say though that the movie didn't wrinkle my brain a little bit. Why? Because Mark Zuckerberg is only one year younger than me AND I so distinctly remember being a senior in college and sitting with my roommates on our computers and signing up for Facebook (it was boring compared to the colors and zing of MySpace but everyone was doing it so.) And now everyone and their mother is on Facebook (literally) and MySpace is lame and people are twittering and social networking is this thing, this part of life like going to work and eating dinner.
Remember when chat rooms were evil?
It's been almost six years since I graduated from college. I got up this morning and considered whether or not I could afford a frappaccunio. The power went out at my house before I could finish drying my hair. And then I updated my Facebook status. Mark Zuckerberg's probably taking his morning swim through his vault of gold coins while his butler irons his underwear. Ugh. Not that I want to be him. Not that I ever expected to be him with an English degree from a small liberal arts college on the west coast. It's just... how much of it is life choices and how much of it is pure flippin' good luck and being at the right place at the right time?
Shannon is "suffering from white girl problems."
This is not to say though that the movie didn't wrinkle my brain a little bit. Why? Because Mark Zuckerberg is only one year younger than me AND I so distinctly remember being a senior in college and sitting with my roommates on our computers and signing up for Facebook (it was boring compared to the colors and zing of MySpace but everyone was doing it so.) And now everyone and their mother is on Facebook (literally) and MySpace is lame and people are twittering and social networking is this thing, this part of life like going to work and eating dinner.
Remember when chat rooms were evil?
It's been almost six years since I graduated from college. I got up this morning and considered whether or not I could afford a frappaccunio. The power went out at my house before I could finish drying my hair. And then I updated my Facebook status. Mark Zuckerberg's probably taking his morning swim through his vault of gold coins while his butler irons his underwear. Ugh. Not that I want to be him. Not that I ever expected to be him with an English degree from a small liberal arts college on the west coast. It's just... how much of it is life choices and how much of it is pure flippin' good luck and being at the right place at the right time?
Shannon is "suffering from white girl problems."
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