Watching: Netflix's Grace and Frankie

I had been waiting for the premiere of this show on Netflix full of anticipation, as I am a big fan of both Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. And you can't beat 9 to 5.

I knew the storyline would revolve around the two husbands divorcing the leading ladies and marrying because they were gay, but I didn't realize how lovely it would be to see strong women finding themselves after a major life change, and being true to their sense of self. It's very empowering to see them build up after being torn down. In no small way, does this reflect the realities of Hollywood where older actresses are relegated to the mothers or grandmothers anymore.

I was curious to see what the storyline would be like. Humorous, very a propos to our times and I'm sure a great conversation starter.

The first couple of episodes were a little painful because the actors' timing wasn't that great. I think they were testing each other out and trying to find their chemistry. It was all a lot smoother from there.

All around it's a fun, entertaining and lovingly curated serial. Easy to watch, humorous at times and each of the characters are relatable - though I find Sheen's and Waterston's chemistry not as good as I would like.

It's a real treat to see Ernie Hudson and Craig T. Nelson. And that hilarious ex-convict, who became a sort of running gag, well, kind of.

I can't wait to see what season 2 holds. Good job to the producers, writers and actors.

TV Watching Update

I've been hitting Netflix quite a bit lately for some TV Show entertainment.

Warehouse 13 Agents

I completed 3/5 seasons of Warehouse 13 (love Myka!) and switched right away to Eureka (love

Eurekans at Cafe Diem

Henry!) where I'm now at season 3/5.

These shows focus on imaginative plots, good supporting actors, and fun writing. A little sci-fi doesn't hurt either ;o)

I really, really love Canadian-produced TV shows like these.

TV Watching

It's not really a TV watching update, since we stopped our cable service back in October 2013. But I've nonetheless been watching TV series on Netflix.

I completed Alphas, which was a really great show until the ending. When it kind of crapped out.

I also started and completed Hemlock Grove, which is a mixture between True Blood, Vampire Diaries, and old B horror movies. Maybe even a little bit of Rosemary's Baby towards the end.

Hemlock Grove features Famke Janssen and one of the Skargards, Bill (brother to Alexander who plays Eric Northman on True Blood, and son of Stellan who's known as Dr. Erik Selvig on the Marvel Thor series of movies). Bill S. reminds me of a very young James Spader and his character in Grove reminds me a little bit of American Psycho.

It's been nice breaking up my usual YouTube gamer LP video watching marathon, and instead getting involved with new characters and storylines.

Even the significant other unit became enthralled with Alphas, and his favorite character was Gary because he reminded him a little of my disconnected conversations hahaha Gary is a likeable character, and the most consistent throughout the series. All the other characters go through many changes and challenges.

I'm not sure what I think of Hemlock Grove. It feels a lot like an old story, or a combination of a lot of old stories, that's being revisited for younger generations. A little soap opera-ish and a little horror movie ish, without too much visible gore, which is both a plus and a little unusual for today's genre modus operandi.

I like getting swept up in TV series, though it doesn't happen very often. I many times end up watching series to their conclusion only out of a sense of obligation since I used to like them before they turned crappy or really stopped make sense...kind of like The Walking Dead.

I am very much looking forward to the next series that captures my attention :)

Don't Let Labels Hold You Back

TV Watching Update

I've been digging in to my Netflix subscription and really going to town on it. I am watching several episodes of Chuck every workday evening and adding in some movies here and there where I need something different.

I'm halfway through season four of Chuck, but they manage to keep things fresh without being obnoxious. The missions, gear, and suspense/cliffhangers show that this show doesn't take itself too seriously.

I really like some of the moral/ethical decision-making and complexities that the characters continually have to make. It shows character development opportunities and makes the characters always interesting, since you get to "know" them a little better each time. I also really like how the show highlights tightly knit family relationships and friendships, although they go through a lot of challenges and dysfunctional situations.

I'm not sure what I'll watch next after I complete the Netflix run of Chuck, but I may probably pick up Psych and Burn Notice since I have liked the couple of episodes I've watched of each but haven't really had time to delve into either. I may also pick up Mrs. Bradley Mysteries with Emma Peel Diana Rigg.

We'll just...have to see :D

Ed Norton Verizon Droid 48 Hours TV Commercial

TV Watching Update

I ran out of episodes of Doc Martin, so I went over to Walking Dead. I got turned off of WD after a horse killing incident back when the series just started (2010). I can't figure what other TV shows I'd like to watch so I thought I'd give this a try. If it gets too much soap-opera-ish I'll drop it, with only having invested in season 1 on Amazon Instant.

I'll keep an eye out for Doc Martin season six when it becomes available, though it might be a while since the finale just aired a few weeks ago in the UK.

TV Watching Update

I won't lie, I was a little relieved that Breaking Bad finally ended. I did a total rush job on watching all the episodes ahead of the finale, and managed to finish two episodes prior--so I got to watch the last two episodes as they were released on the last two Sundays. Good times. Not sure whether I agree with that finale, I kept feeling like they dragged the last three episodes out a bit. But it was a fun and different ride.

Next up, wondering what could I occupy myself with (besides YouTube LP videos), I discovered a stash of DVR episodes of The Newsroom. I immediately made a good dent in this last night, but I still have a couple of episodes left. I find each episode very chock full of events and very engrossing. I enjoy the super fast dialogue exchanges--that's one of my favorite things. I feel bad for Maggie and what she had to go through when she went to Africa. It was an interesting way to approach the crisis journalists who report live from conflict areas and live fire areas can go through.

My mom suggested I give Doc Martin a try. I hadn't heard about this show at all, so I immediately thought of the shoe brand (spelled Doc Martens however) ;o) Apparently, Doc Martin is a British television series based on the misadventures of a doctor who leaves London and goes into practice in a sleepy town. It sounds like a potentially very good comedy, so I shall give it a try as soon as I'm done with my DVR. I want to clean up the space on my DVR so it's ready for new material.

I also miss Wallander, so I am going to check Amazon Instant Video for both the UK version and the original. Let's see if I find anything.

I'm a little peeved that Amazon doesn't carry new episodes of Midsomer Murders past season 13 (that's 2011!), so I may need to look elsewhere...perhaps YouTube rental? Redbox? I'll check around.

Watching: Breaking Bad

After hearing/reading much and more about how great this show is during my perusings on the Interwebs, I finally gave the first episode of Breaking Bad a try. And I really liked it. Liked it enough to purchase the season in Lo-Fi from Amazon Instant Video.

Good times. It's a comedy of horrors so far, I'm sure it'll get more twisty-windy as the season moves along. No kidding everyone's been going gaga over this show, eh?

Funniest Quote This Week

Am catching up to Dexter's last season and the most hilarious line was just dropped:

Hannah: then why don't you just save us both the trouble and just spit it out
Dexter: I want to take you out
Hannah: on a date?
Dexter: ...that'll work

Review: Star Trek 2 Movie

A couple of weekends ago we went to see the second Star Trek prequel (Into Darkness)

borrowed from Wiki

at one of our favorite movie theaters, Hollywood Palms in Naperville Il. I really enjoyed it.

The second prequel was engrossing, fast-paced, and a very interesting remix of famous Star Trek movie story lines. The time travel from the first prequel rewrites Star Trek canon, so it's a leeeetle testy, but they make it work. Good character interaction and chemistry, a more likeable Jim Kirk. Some funny and emotional bits by Spock--a little unusual but...fascinating (pun intended).

One of the very first things I saw on TV as a toddler was the orignal Star Trek series being rerun in Italy. I was entranced by the exotic creatures and characters. I loved Spock! He seemed to be the only rational/smart character to me. Bones was like a grumpy uncle we all rolled out eyes at.

I started watching Star Trek: The Next Generation a chilly weekday afternoon in the spring of 1990. I was reading On the Beach at the time for English class, and I needed an emotional/mental health break because it was so bloody depressing. One of the great books, mind you, but so depressing. I went downstairs to the kitchen and my mom had that running in the background while she prepared dinner. I started watching TNG from that day on, and it and its characters started growing on me and becoming a little more familiar with each episode.

Later on, I even got into Deep Space Nine, from the first show premiere to a few seasons in. I loved Odo and Dax. But I wasn't as bought into it as I was to the original series or TNG.

I tried watching one or two episodes of Star Trek Voyager, but I dropped off for various reasons. I really liked the flustered doctor (hologram!) :)

I never did buy into Star Trek: Enterprise with Scott Bakula, but I think we Trekkies were undergoing a bit of ST spinoff fatigue at the time that series came out. I know I suffered a little fatigue towards the end of Quantuum Leap, also w Bakula, and I guess that threw me off from watching Enterprise. It wasn't until recently that I learned he had a Beagle! How fun.

Star Trek has been a most excellent series of films and television shows. The story lines and imagination exhibited by the creators take your aspirations and hopes to new heights.

Watching: TV Series

I have kicked my DVR in uber fast gear and am recording and watching all my favorite shows this season:

• Supernatural -- I'm worried about Castiel
• Vampire Diaries -- it's always Elena, Elena, Elena!
• Nikita -- occasional butt kicking
• Downton Abbey -- lots of changes!
• Castle -- incredibly corny romance but watchable
• Elementary -- not sure where it's going, but it's a fun ride
• NCIS -- I'm addicted to old episodes, the new ones are a really special treat.
• Justified -- not sure where this is going and not sure I want to watch anymore :(
• Archer -- I can't stop laughing when I watch this, it's my mental health shot of joy each week

There's also a new show that I started watching, The Following on Fox, which I feel has a grittiness similar to the Silence of the Lambs, so I like it a lot thus far. It's the story of a semi-retired/fired FBI agent and his connection/relationship to an intellectual criminally insane mastermind who runs his own cult of serial killers. The personal dynamics and mind games are fun so far. It's interesting seeing Kevin Bacon after a really long time. I think the last time I saw him in anything was Hollow Man (2000)! I can only begin to imagine how much fun Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon fans are having right now with this new show.

Another new show that I started watching and really like is Ripper Street. It's one of those shows you think are predictable, and then they throw you on a really intelligent loop. It's a great historical police drama set in the late 1800s. So far they've covered snuff porn at the advent of cinematography (!) with a Jack the Ripper copycat, as well as the dangers within a pickpocket operation. Great acting, interesting historical spins and wardrobes, and interesting storylines. For Game of Thrones fans, it's a treat seeing Jerome Flynn, who's better known as Bronn in GoT. A bonus is that Detective Inspector Edmund Reid reminds me of a possible ancestor of of Chief Inspector John Barnaby, from Midsomer Murders ;o)

I've also finally (finally!) been able to record the fifth and most recent run of The Good Witch TV film series on the Hallmark Channel, The Good Witch's Charm. I missed its original broadcast back in late October because that night I had a kitchen accident and had to rush to the emergency care center. I'm so glad I got to watch it this week. It's a cute series.

I definitely love my DVR. I can set up recordings of episodes or entire shows either form the sofa at home, or from the Internet anywhere. Thank you Xfinity! :o)

Country Lanes

One of the things that I love best about watching Midsomer Murders, one of my favorite crime TV shows, is the landscape and country lanes in small, British villages.

I think the first time I first noticed how charming country lanes are was when I still lived in Italy as a small child, and we had to weave our way up a meandering lane to get to our summer home or to the local sanctuary (+800 meters) up a mountain. I also recall watching The Avengers reruns during my teens, and I believe I spotted Mr. Steed and Mrs. Peel in a small sports car traveling somewhere. I also remember fondly country lanes featured in films such as The Legacy and Three Men and a Little Lady.

These little country lanes and villages inspired in me fantasies of traveling village to village enjoying a bed and breakfast, the local history, the pub, and afternoon or high tea. What about the occasional resale, vintage, or antique shop, too!

Of course, the little villages and lanes that undergo filming for movies and television series are narrowed down and selected just because of their natural charms and photogeneity. When traveling, one might become a little jaded with a few of the realities of traveling between small villages...

I can imagine that tight space make the lanes hard to navigate with today's larger vehicles, campers, or whenever encountering farming equipment. During special, seasonal events traffic must be terrific. Parking must also be terrible, as most folks tend to probably walk or bicycle around town. What about no street lighting on roadways with meandering curves just ahead of your headlights? What about poorly maintained,  muddy, or pot-holey winter months? All these potential situations can lead to a perilous visit. For example, I offer you the film The Holiday, where Kate Winslet lives in a little hamlet that's completely snow bound during the holiday season--and she has quite away to walk after the local bus drops her off. And yet...

Be it a reality check, or pessimism,  I can't stop daydreaming of country lanes. In breezy greens in the spring or summer, of lovely autumnal shades, of stark contrasts with snow piled on in wintertime. Thinking about visiting or even living on a quiet, nature-landscaped, country lane is a lot of fun for me. A way to live vicariously. I've often searched for "English countryside" and "country lane" images on both Flickr and Pinterest, and am developing a Pinterest board around this theme. Without crossing the pond, I imagine that the Northeastern United States could satiate this longing as they have some truly wonderful foliage-lined country lanes.

Here's to happy daydreaming on chilly autumn days ^_^

Watching: X-Files

I finally finished watching the X-Files. I watched from season 4-5 up until the end. I had stopped watching the TV show around those seasons when the show was still running. So wanted to pick up the show again and see it to the end, this time.

I have mixed feelings about the series. It had so much potential when it first began, and carried me on watching it for quite a bit of seasons. The objectives of the writers changed very visibly around seasons 4 or 5 when instead of focusing on the major characters and their plight we moved into crazier and crazier "monster of the week" type storylines that didn't arc and basically removed you from the original -- read: very interesting -- story arc. It's a shame.

It's also a shame that they tried to spin off The Lone gunmen when it's so visibly obvious that the writers just didn't have it in them anymore. It's difficult see something that was once your favorite get every drop of lemon squeezed out until it's a dried-up mummy.

I think that Gillian Anderson grew quite professionally a bit from the beginning of the series to the conclusion. On the o ther hand, I felt the exact opposite happened to David Duchovny, where I found his earnestness at the  very beginning to add dimension to his aloof character, gradually worsening into a wily irritating character after the time the first movie came out and well into the very end of the show.

One thing that seriously pissed me off about the series is that they took it away from Vancouver. There was something in the scenery and lighting that naturally occurred in that area of the world that was never again imitated when the show was moved to LA. It's a little bit like the first three Indiana Jones movies versus that last crappy one--it was just so wrong in so many different ways, lighting and photography included.

What on earth happened with the finale? They tried to wipe clean the last season or two? She gave away the baby? What? What? Why was he hiding with Gibson in the desert? What the hell already. I almost wanted him to get the death penalty. Sheesh.

I guess I owed it to my teenage geeky self to finish watching the show, even if after so many years, but I definitely won't be able to regain those wasted hours ever again. And for the life of me, I can't recall a thing of the second movie. I may waste a couple more hours and pick that one up again as well. Or not, and instead, watch something on HBO.

Watching: Snow White (1997)

I was browsing Amazon Prime Instant videos last night, and spotted the old Snow White movie from 1997. It's the movie with Sam Neill and Sigourney Weaver.

I'm a big fan of Sigourney's work. Not that I've followed her closely, but I appreciate her range in the Aliens movies, and my old childhood favorite, Ghostbusters.

The 1997 version of Snow White was a "tale of terror" but I found it more to be a soapy tale of supernatural tragedy. Very Shakespearean in a way. I enjoyed the screenplay as it unfolded.

Some serious themes included survival, childbirth, growing up, single parenting, class differences, duty, and interpersonal relationships. And sure, throw in a gratuitous true love riff just for spice.

You actually feel bad for everyone in the story, not just the "innocent princess." Also, the complexity of the plight of the miners (not dwarves) adds some dimension to the tale--mercenaries? treasurehunters?--even though their roles aren't 1) explanined that well as part of the storyline, 2) aren't all that well developed, 3) nor are the actors in those roles that great.

It definitely had great photography and scenery, even though it was a lower budget 1990s film--for example, the faux autumnal trees in neon colors--but it was an all around enjoyable trip.

It made me reflect on a time when movies featured considerably unknown actors rather than these days where most of today's remakes or fable type movies which tend to feature young actors from some sort tween television serial. Carrying with them some sort of expectations. The most recent example I can think of is Red Riding Hood, which was a rather disappointing romp.

It's good to go back to my long list of must-watch movies and television series to revisit various eras in more ways than one. For example, I finally finished watching the X-Files. That's for another post.

Watching: X-Files

I decided to watch the X-Files from the season I left it off back in 1996. It's been a hilariously fun ride.

I can't imagine ever thinking that those shoulder pads were ever stylish. Or that so many loose ends would make for a watchable TV show. What ever happened to the black sludge? Why do hybrids turn into green mush when stabbed with a retractable ice pick?

Stil, it's fun seeing how self-centered Mulder is, and how on-task and tiny Scully is. The role of partnership, loyalty, careers, personal danger, and making the unbelievable more approachable were always fun little concepts to glance over during each episode.

Gotta see this show to the end ;o) and close the back cover on a fun chapter of my scifi show watching.

Watching: Battlestar Galactica

Battlestar Galactica was on my must-watch list since the final season lighted up SyFy like a Christmas tree back in 2008-2009. For some reason, I kept putting off watching it. I should have known it was a sign.

Seventy five episodes. I'm sad to say that I'll never get the time I spent watching the show this past week, back. Ever.

Initially I enjoyed the crescendo, the interesting dynamics between leadership and civilians, and the jacked up way they were portraying the military. Lots of dualism, religious fanaticism, and skill vs. luck. Many characters weren't being explored sufficiently to get buy in, meanwhile others had a big spotlight for teacher's pet. Then I started noticing mentions to current culture and turns of phrase, which took my suspension of disbelief and threw it out the window even further.

What really riled me up was the illogical way the cylons behaved. You'd think they would have wiped each other out well before that Six blew up the space station at the beginning of the first episode. Why do they argue so much? They had WAY enough time to figure out a plan and stick to it. Too much cylon libbing on the plan all the way into the last season.

Here's a short list of my rants:
How is it possible that a world of machines led by the "pretty ones?" Machines should know better. And how is it that one cylon (Cavil) gets to make all the decisions for everyone? Including the model that carries the creator's memories? How can dead people rematerialize with their ship then vanish into thin air? And how on earth does the admiral gain so much weight over the three years when they're on tight rations! Look at that beer belly my gods. Why do we care how Starbuck and Adamo Jr met until the last season? Tell us sooner!

I began to really like the Sharon model, then realized I liked that character because it was the only one that had multidimensionality: Boomer and Tyrol, Boomer shooting Adamo, Athena the captive, Athena the wife, Boomer the antihero, et al. Most lead characters were only being explored more in-depth -- or gave you the impression they were -- in an episode or two if doing so helped progress the plot device du jour in some way. Basically it was a game of pawns. Not terribly interesting when it's so obvious.

It was terribly ironic to have Gaius Balthar become the comedic relief after being the lead antihero, and a sadistic narcisist one at that. I seriously wanted something terrible to happen to him, and he gets off scot-free in the end. Not very satisfying. I would have loved to have seen more about the cylon human experiments than what they showed in that quick episode with Adamo Sr. at the end of the first war. That could have really gone somewhere. Anywhere.

There were some entertaining bits, but I somehow feel like it was a too long series that could have benefited from tighter storylines and plot devices. You either have the civilians be useful collateral or you get rid of them without a a second thought -- you shouldn't really dillydally and go from one and the other interchangeably. Either we, the audience, care about them or we don't.

The acting was fine on pretty much all accounts, kudos to a varied cast, particularly some people I'd never seen before. It was fun seeing Dean Stockwell be naughty but he also got cynic and old in the end. Then the entire place turned into a natives documentary in tall grass...and then Times Square. *rolls eyes* I think I was so excited the show was finally over that I liked the last two episodes too much.

TV Show and Movie Catch-Up

I had the opportunity to watch some different TV shows and movies while on my last trip. Good times.

I didn't realize Midsummer Murders (Inspector Barnaby) was so much fun. I caught an episode on the plane, and was hooked. Now I see what my mother sees in the show! :o) I immediately caught it onto my Netflix queue and began watching last night. Love it.

I also didn't realize Discovery Channel made very nice documentaries again, and not just phony historical drama re-enactments. I discovered their World's Most Expensive Rides documentary series, watching the first episode: Bugatti Veyron. I drooled and ogled to my heart's content.

I watched Thor, but wasn't impressed. I couldn't help but see the lead actor as a biker in Viking's clothing. And what's the idea about bringing one race's family issues into another realm just for grins and giggles? My only real interest was seeing the connection to the Iron Man and other comic book franchises. The connecting story line's like a little easter egg series. As a side note, I have a sense they're squeezing out these superhero movies against a tight timeline, and the quality of the story line and the acting can be a little testy at times.

I also discovered Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections. I didn't realize the other Top Gear guys also did documentaries, and not just Captain Slow (a.k.a., James May). My inaugural episode of the Hamster's series was the Millau Sky Bridge. Lovely! You can see video here.

In Italy I found a lovely, competition cooking show called Cuochi e Fiamme (Cooks and Flames) which was a lot of fun because the food they make is original and tasty enough to try at home. Thank ye gods for the judges, because the actual "host" is kind of a douche. He takes up too much of one of the cooks' time and basically distracts them too much.

I've also completed watching the Jekyll TV series from the BBC on my Netflix queue. I absolutely love how James Nesbitt takes Hyde to the very edge and brings him right back on a dime. That's talent. I loved his accent, besides. ^^ However, having said all that...it did feel a little long to get where it was going, and then rushed right up to the finale.

I also accidentally ran into Weird Science as a recommendation on Netflix, so I had to watch it. It's such a cute movie. Gotta love 80s geeks :)

I know I have a ton of things I should be reading, but I can't take my eyes off my Netflix lately. Even, so much so, that I completely forgot about Castle's new episode last night! Shame on me. :o(

I will have to look up the missed episodes since I was away last week, for my top favorite shows right now: Castle, Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, and American Horror Story. Not to mention I've completely forgotten about Sanctuary and need to catch up. I think I'll have tons of things to keep me distracted this winter.

Halloween!

I'm actually getting a little lighthearted at the thought of Halloween popping up our way soon. Alas, this year, it falls on a Monday, but that still makes it fun in my book.

One of my all-time favorite things to do near or on Halloween is watch horror specials and movies. One of my old time favorites was A Disney Halloween--a compilation of old time shows and specials related to scary stuff a la Disney.

While watching this special, year-to-year, I always looked forward to the Night on Bald Mountain segment, borrowed from Fantasia. The story closely correlated to a fable from an area where my grandmother is from, in Italy, and it was just a lot of juicy scary fun.

This year, I haven't really watched much TV, so I've probably missed a good part of the scary stuff they've broadcast. I know that some years they're better than others, sometimes, it feels like the censors take over the airwaves to assure propriety of all citizens (a la 1984). For example, seeing the censored version of Carrie, or many other ultraviolent movies is not really much fun, nor satisfying.

I did spot a couple of fun ones on ABC Family, but have been lazy about following up to my old favorites. Like AMC, that's always a safe bet for seriously scary stuff. Check out AMC's Best Horror Movies and Horror Movie Rankings Guide for a kick--it even includes soundtracks!

I am going to start looking for Halloween specials, shows, and movies. Here's a brief rundown of resources, in case you're interested too:

• Disney Channel's Monstober
• ABC Family 13 Nights of Halloween
• TV Tango's list of all things Halloween on TV for October 2011
• FearNet's Halloween 2011 TV Watching Guide
• AMC's Horror lineup for the month
• Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror XXII

Watching: Twin Peaks

I'm 2/3 done watching the old Twin Peaks TV Show. It's been a fun ride so far.

One of the things I most appreciate about this show is that it didn't take itself too seriously, and that Special Agent Cooper completely accepted the quirks of Twin Peaks and its residents from the very get go.

I, being a foodie nut, was immediately ingratiated with Agent Cooper's fanaticism about good, old fashioned grub.

I even looked around online to see if any of the recipes are available. I love Norma and her RR Diner.

Good times.