This weather! It's so exciting! We had a thunderstorm last night! Whee!
Look! The beautiful cover of Sarah Rees Brennan's Unspoken!
Jeremy Irons is playing Uncle Macon in Beautiful Creatures. The casting of this movie has been incredible so far.
This article about fake chicken is surprisingly interesting, but I have to admit that realistic fake chicken freaks me out.
Some of these spin-off ideas are quite fun, especially Some Like It Hot.
Dear Smash, no means no.
Why have Oreos stayed so popular for 100 years? Because they're awesome. Or, you know, all this.
Drew Goddard's SXSW diary is fun, especially the bit about Bradley Whitford kissing Goddard's mom.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
What is The Mentalist DOING this season?
The Mentalist has never been one of my favorite shows, but it's always been a dependably enjoyable procedural - until recently. Is it just me, or does the show seem to have lost its way this season? It has made a lot of decisions - even besides inexplicably showing an episode on a Friday - that just don't seem to make sense. (Spoilers through current episodes! Nothing about future episodes.)
1. If I ever cared about Red John, I certainly don't anymore. It was a fine catalyst for Jane's involvement with the CBI, but I really didn't expect the mystery to last four seasons, and at this point it's so scattered and convoluted that I barely bother to try following it. (I mean, they brought in Bradley Whitford and I still barely cared. That's saying something.) I was just trying to determine whether I care about Red John more or less than I care about How He Met Their Mother, but I got too bored thinking about it to actually decide.
2. From the beginning, I really thought the point of the show was not about Red John, but rather about Jane learning to care about people and be part of a family again. The first few seasons did a lot with that, but now that progress has stalled to the point that I'm wondering if Jane IS just a sociopath, and/or Red John himself. Except that's probably just wishful thinking because it would make the show more interesting.
3. Also stalled: Any sort of will they/won't they between Jane and Lisbon. On the one hand, I'd actually respect a procedural that consciously decided not to do that with its leads. On the other, it seems like they were doing that and just dropped it. (Remember that time Jane saved Lisbon even though it meant losing the chance for Red John info? That was a Big Moment. I thought.)
4. I cared about the relationship between Rigsby and Van Pelt more than Jane/Lisbon, and that has gotten ridiculous too. I respected Van Pelt's decision to break things off and thought her whole secret killer fiance storyline was well done, but this Rigsby/girlfriend/baby thing is a bridge too far. I read that they wrote in the pregnancy because the actress was actually pregnant, but I feel like they've written themselves into a corner now by making it obvious that Rigsby still loves Van Pelt, but ensuring that the only way they could be together would be if he left the mother of his child. (Or she left him, of course.) Rigsby has always seemed like a really decent guy. Is he going to be stuck with "decent but miserable" forever now? (Note: I may forgive all if we get lots of shots of Rigsby holding the baby. I'm not proud of this. Just self-aware.)
5. And I love Cho, and get why they want to give him a personal life, but his current storyline just seems clumsy and somewhat out of character. I think it's supposed to be referencing his past, but we don't know enough about that - and haven't heard about it recently enough - to make it really convincing. And any character who pulls the "I turned off your alarm even though I knew you'd be really upset and get in trouble for being late to your important job" trick instantly earns my hatred forever. (Fine, go ahead and point out a character I loved on some other show who did that. It probably happened.)
So . . . I don't know. The cases of the week are fine. The Mentalist will remain firmly in my "relatively mindless procedural to watch while exhausted or multitasking" rotation. But I just don't care anymore, and I miss that.
1. If I ever cared about Red John, I certainly don't anymore. It was a fine catalyst for Jane's involvement with the CBI, but I really didn't expect the mystery to last four seasons, and at this point it's so scattered and convoluted that I barely bother to try following it. (I mean, they brought in Bradley Whitford and I still barely cared. That's saying something.) I was just trying to determine whether I care about Red John more or less than I care about How He Met Their Mother, but I got too bored thinking about it to actually decide.
2. From the beginning, I really thought the point of the show was not about Red John, but rather about Jane learning to care about people and be part of a family again. The first few seasons did a lot with that, but now that progress has stalled to the point that I'm wondering if Jane IS just a sociopath, and/or Red John himself. Except that's probably just wishful thinking because it would make the show more interesting.
3. Also stalled: Any sort of will they/won't they between Jane and Lisbon. On the one hand, I'd actually respect a procedural that consciously decided not to do that with its leads. On the other, it seems like they were doing that and just dropped it. (Remember that time Jane saved Lisbon even though it meant losing the chance for Red John info? That was a Big Moment. I thought.)
4. I cared about the relationship between Rigsby and Van Pelt more than Jane/Lisbon, and that has gotten ridiculous too. I respected Van Pelt's decision to break things off and thought her whole secret killer fiance storyline was well done, but this Rigsby/girlfriend/baby thing is a bridge too far. I read that they wrote in the pregnancy because the actress was actually pregnant, but I feel like they've written themselves into a corner now by making it obvious that Rigsby still loves Van Pelt, but ensuring that the only way they could be together would be if he left the mother of his child. (Or she left him, of course.) Rigsby has always seemed like a really decent guy. Is he going to be stuck with "decent but miserable" forever now? (Note: I may forgive all if we get lots of shots of Rigsby holding the baby. I'm not proud of this. Just self-aware.)
5. And I love Cho, and get why they want to give him a personal life, but his current storyline just seems clumsy and somewhat out of character. I think it's supposed to be referencing his past, but we don't know enough about that - and haven't heard about it recently enough - to make it really convincing. And any character who pulls the "I turned off your alarm even though I knew you'd be really upset and get in trouble for being late to your important job" trick instantly earns my hatred forever. (Fine, go ahead and point out a character I loved on some other show who did that. It probably happened.)
So . . . I don't know. The cases of the week are fine. The Mentalist will remain firmly in my "relatively mindless procedural to watch while exhausted or multitasking" rotation. But I just don't care anymore, and I miss that.
Morning Coffee (3/13/12)
I really don't like how dark it is in the mornings now. Sigh.
Oh, look, my TV news column from Sunday. I forgot to link it before. Sorry. Summary: Everyone in the universe has booked pilots.
Good news! Sarah Rees Brennan's forthcoming Gothic, Unspoken, has had its publication date moved up to September 11. Go preorder it right now. I'm in the middle of reading it and it's amazing. Trust me. You want this book.
TV Showrunner Madness is obviously trying to kill me by making me pick between Matt Nix and Jeff Eastin. (Yes, that's the only one I really had to think about, though Aaron Sorkin vs. Michelle and Robert King made me sigh a little.) Although: Dear world, haven't we seen what happens when Ryan Murphy gets carte blanche? Why is he winning this poll?
Fascinating photo essay: Women's Work (WWII Style)
Oh, look, my TV news column from Sunday. I forgot to link it before. Sorry. Summary: Everyone in the universe has booked pilots.
Good news! Sarah Rees Brennan's forthcoming Gothic, Unspoken, has had its publication date moved up to September 11. Go preorder it right now. I'm in the middle of reading it and it's amazing. Trust me. You want this book.
TV Showrunner Madness is obviously trying to kill me by making me pick between Matt Nix and Jeff Eastin. (Yes, that's the only one I really had to think about, though Aaron Sorkin vs. Michelle and Robert King made me sigh a little.) Although: Dear world, haven't we seen what happens when Ryan Murphy gets carte blanche? Why is he winning this poll?
Fascinating photo essay: Women's Work (WWII Style)
Monday, March 12, 2012
Morning Coffee (3/12/12)
Ah, Monday. I couldn't fall asleep, and then I overslept. Because of the springing forward? Maybe. Hm. But it's supposed to be warm all week and I have my windows open already, so that's exciting.
New music from Beach House. It . . . sounds like Beach House.
Amazing: Downton Abbey-themed Magic cards.
Mark Wahlberg is making a reality show about a union? Awesome.
Best use of Pinterest ever: The official CW account has a board called The Shirtless Guys of the CW.
I am all in favor of more cable-sized short series on the networks.
New music from Beach House. It . . . sounds like Beach House.
Amazing: Downton Abbey-themed Magic cards.
Mark Wahlberg is making a reality show about a union? Awesome.
Best use of Pinterest ever: The official CW account has a board called The Shirtless Guys of the CW.
I am all in favor of more cable-sized short series on the networks.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Music Break: "Call Me Maybe"
It is Friday afternoon (finally!), and if there were ever a song more perfect for Friday afternoon, I don't know what it was. And this video is so utterly charming with its "Millionaire pop stars! They're just like normal kids, dancing around with fake mustaches!" thing that is totally taking me in even as I'm writing about it.
Morning Coffee (3/9/12)
HAPPY FRIDAY. This week actually went pretty quickly, except then yesterday was awful for basically everyone I know. So I think we're all ready for a weekend.
First, a word on "freedom of speech," since I've seen this come up in several places recently: It's about the government not restricting speech. The Constitution ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT CARE about your supposed right to say nasty things with immunity on someone else's privately-owned Web site. "Freedom of speech" ALSO doesn't mean that you can say whatever you want but no one else is allowed to say that what you said was dumb or mean or wrong. Thank you. Carry on.
The Muppets + The Hunger Games = AWESOME
You must read David Plotz on Mo Willems.
I love when shows make it easy to figure out what music they've used. Cougar Town fans, here you go.
I don't usually post about fanvids, but it's Friday and I've got nothing, so I'm going to suggest you watch this nicely-done Downton Abbey video set to Taylor Swift's "Safe and Sound."
First, a word on "freedom of speech," since I've seen this come up in several places recently: It's about the government not restricting speech. The Constitution ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT CARE about your supposed right to say nasty things with immunity on someone else's privately-owned Web site. "Freedom of speech" ALSO doesn't mean that you can say whatever you want but no one else is allowed to say that what you said was dumb or mean or wrong. Thank you. Carry on.
The Muppets + The Hunger Games = AWESOME
You must read David Plotz on Mo Willems.
I love when shows make it easy to figure out what music they've used. Cougar Town fans, here you go.
I don't usually post about fanvids, but it's Friday and I've got nothing, so I'm going to suggest you watch this nicely-done Downton Abbey video set to Taylor Swift's "Safe and Sound."
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Must Watch: The Daly Superheroes
Nathan Fillion and Tim Daly. Playing superheroes. (With Tim Daly's son and Michael Rosenbaum.) The Internet has reached its apex. We might as well all go home.
(Via The Mary Sue.)
(Via The Mary Sue.)
Keep Calm & Carry On: A History
Here's a delightful little history of the Keep Calm & Carry On poster, originally found at Barter Books.
(Via The Atlantic.)
(Via The Atlantic.)
New Trailer: The Cabin in the Woods
We have a new trailer, and we still don't see Bradley Whitford's face, but we definitely hear his voice, and maybe see his hand and/or some of his back. Progress?
I have to go see this movie - Joss Whedon and Bradley Whitford! - but it's going to scare me so much.
I have to go see this movie - Joss Whedon and Bradley Whitford! - but it's going to scare me so much.
Morning Coffee (3/8/12)
Happy Thursday! The weather is ridiculously nice today. I'm going out in a 3/4 sleeve sweater! And no jacket!
This Pinterest board is the best thing I've ever seen. (Rodgers & Hammerstein fans, you'll want to click.)
For a balanced look at the "Kony 2012" thing, read this.
I always want to like Fiona Apple's music, but then she does this sort of thing and I just can't get past the self-important nonsense.
10 Non-Costumed, Non-Powered Female Heroines
Here's a nice article about how The West Wing inspired a generation to go into politics.
The cast of Get a Job looks amazing - Alison Brie! Bryan Cranston! Anna Kendrick! Miles Teller! - and while the first three times I read the story I thought it was about someone casting a pilot, it's actually a movie, which makes much more sense.
This Pinterest board is the best thing I've ever seen. (Rodgers & Hammerstein fans, you'll want to click.)
For a balanced look at the "Kony 2012" thing, read this.
I always want to like Fiona Apple's music, but then she does this sort of thing and I just can't get past the self-important nonsense.
10 Non-Costumed, Non-Powered Female Heroines
Here's a nice article about how The West Wing inspired a generation to go into politics.
The cast of Get a Job looks amazing - Alison Brie! Bryan Cranston! Anna Kendrick! Miles Teller! - and while the first three times I read the story I thought it was about someone casting a pilot, it's actually a movie, which makes much more sense.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)