Sleepy Hollow Season 3 Finale

*Spoiler alert* Please do not read any further unless you have "witnessed" (haha!) the latest episode of Sleepy Hollow!!You have been warned....

If you have seen the season 3 finale, I am sure you understand the reason it has taken me almost a week to even comment about it, let alone write a post.

We were promised a third season of "getting back to the core story of the Witnesses" at the end of season 2. What we received was a kick in the gut.

Abbie Mills sacrificed herself to destroy Pandora and save the world. Now half of our beloved team is no more. Ichabod Crane is left with the quest of finding her "soul's replacement" and an odd mix of secondary characters to assist him. The only remaining character from the outstanding first season other than Crane, is Abbie's sister, Jenny. 

Now, I am going to skip over the controversial issues (which may or may not be of merit; since I have no quotes directly from Ms. Beharie regarding her departure, and that is the only word I will accept as truth, I can only speculate.) because this isn't a forum for that sort of discussion. This is a blog about TV. Not the politics or gossip behind it.

Moving on. 

This show started out with a major hook. It's second season started off with interesting material but it soon felt like the writers were literally making it up as they went. This is what I believe may have caused the show to make the decisions they did in season 3. While season 2 started out with the Crane family intrigue, the tempo slowed and shifted too much focus on create a villain out of Katrina Crane. 

With Katrina and Henry out of the mix, I was hoping for a more back-to-basics-witnesses-against-the-evils-of-the-world-that-are-somehow-tied-to-Crane's-lifetime-or-the-Mills'-ancestors kind of season. I got a load of new faces instead.

The new group (I'm going to be completely honest, I barely remember their names. Chances are I had to look them up. That might speak volumes.) consisting of Danny, Joe (who was introduced in season 2 but given series regular status in season 3), and Sophie never really got any back story or character depth. The Hidden One and Pandora made interesting antagonists though very underdeveloped characters. I guess what I am getting at is after the seemingly off-course writing of season two, season three was grasping at straws.

Killing off major characters is nothing new. It's always been there in shows like these. But not one of the two MAIN characters. The story and the writers say that Abbie's story was over. She did what she was supposed to do. The next volume will continue without her. 

I have a hard time with this. I love Tom Mison. I love Nicole Beharie. I love the guest stars. I have hope for a new season with Icabod's sense of humor and odd fashion sense but I don't know if that will play as well on screen without Abbie's sense of humor and ability to keep Crane grounded in the current rather than his past.

I suppose I will have to wait and see if it even gets renewed for a fourth season. I have very mixed feelings about watching if it does get renewed.

RIP Abbie Mills

#AbbieMillsDeservedBetter

The Walking Dead: Season 6 Finale

*SPOILER WARNING*

Please use caution when scrolling. I am not one to post right after an episode. I give you at least a couple of days to catch up. Don't get mad at me if you keep scrolling and haven't watched the most recent episode. 

I, like many TWD fans, have very mixed emotions after the much anticipated season 6 finale. I have been a fan of the comics for some time and knew what Negan represented long before our group even made it to Terminus. So did a load of other people. 

While I can't speak specifically for anyone but myself, I feel it is safe to say that the overall concensus of this finale cliffhanger was much like finally getting to that perfectly planned night of romance, only to have it completely botched right before climax by a screeching infant.

Boom! Not Pee Pants City. More like Flaccid Pants City.

....Ok. Let me stop here and just say I love this show. I really do. If you knew me at all, even via Twitter, you've seen the massive love I have for this series.

I might whine about my favorites getting killed off but I don't really want the writers to actually listen to me. Writing is their livelihood, not mine.

Besides, I have the dolls. I can make my own show where no one but zombies die if I wanted.

I'll keep watching until the writing starts to suck, I mean really really suck, And, even then, I will still watch it until the very end because that is how I am. (Remember Heroes? Yeah, I watched every single minute.)

I can't say everyone will do the same. I can't say that I won't get to the point where I can't watch it anymore. Who knows? I just don't think the writers should take the threats of rioting so seriously.

So this isn't a complete bashing of this wonderful series. Just a partial beating....

Jeffery Dean Morgan, in my opinion, is the perfect Negan. I also believe Chandler Riggs is the perfect Carl and Michael Cudlitz is the perfect Abraham. 

See where I'm going with this?

They perfectly look the part. 

When I heard he had been cast as Negan, I knew two things. One, he would really bring this villian to life and, two, he wouldn't be seen until the season 6 finale.

With that, I also knew that someone was going to die at the hand of Negan via Lucille because of the comics. The who didn't really matter all that much because I knew someone was going. There was no way to bring Negan into the picture WITHOUT his classic comic book entrance.

So I, like many others, prepped for months for the heartbreaking blow. 

My point is WE HAVE BEEN WAITING AND SPECULATING ABOUT WHO DIES FOR MONTHS ALREADY. Why drag it out even further? 

The articles and interviews are all over the internet of Gimple and crew defending the cliffhanger. 

The new story opens here; The end of 6 really is the end of 6; Nothing more could be told; blah blah blah.

While it is typical television drama prose to give the audience a reason to tune in the next season, I believe they could have accomplished a cliffhanger with Carol, Morgan and the Kingdom characters. In a sense, they did.

We have no idea who Helpful Horseman in football padding really is or where he is taking our only surviving season 1 female, who has been shot no less than three times. 

Couldn't they have possibly revealed who died and then cut to the scene with Carol and Morgan being "saved"?

We could have had time to absorb -insert character speculation here-'s death and still feel compeled to tune in next season to see where the hell Carol is going??

I guess I just feel I was ready to let someone go in April, rather than in October.

Let me know what you thought in the comments section!!!

Thanks for reading!! 

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack (sorta)

It has been quite a while since I have updated the blog.

3 years is a lot of time.

Shows have come and gone. Awards have been given and stowed away, likely gathering dust.
Many things have changed in 3 years.

At any rate, I just wanted to make an appearance and, eventually, I will be updating with actual content....not this kind of stuff.

With that, I bid you farewell for now.
Be back soon!

April

1st Annual Emmy Hangover Edition

Welcome to my 1^st Annual Emmy Hangover Edition!

Ok, I have to warn you. This will turn into an overall bitchfest. I was happy with some, indifferent with others, and seriously upset in the remainder. Here, I will explain my reasoning.

Since most of the TV I enjoy is in the Drama category, we shall start there.

What began as a promising evening for Breaking Bad with Aaron Paul taking the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, the series would not take any other awards home. Out of six nominations for Primetime Emmys, it would only rake in the one win. One episode, “Face-Off”, managed to walk away with five nominations in the Creative Arts Emmys, yet took not one award away from it.

I find this all ASTOUNDING. I cannot wrap my head around it. Granted, I am a little prejudice. I adore this show. It is nothing short of breathtaking in every way imaginable. The acting, writing, cinematography, dialogue, tension..all set the bar extremely high for the rest of cable television.

While I congratulate Aaron Paul, I really think Giancarlo Esposito should have taken the award home. His portrayal of Gus Fring was phenomenal. Esposito is a master in his craft and made the character one that struck fear in people while also making them admire and adore him. We only got to enjoy him for a short time but Gus will forever be one of the most talked about death scenes in TV history. Esposito displayed the essence of his character in that scene. Aside from the outstanding makeup, Esposito owned that segment.

He is the problem, in my humble I-have-no-professional-reasons opinion. The nominations are based on specific episodes submitted to the committee. The one submitted for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama by Esposito was “Hermanos”; Paul’s episode was “End Times”. Knowing these two specific episodes, I can see clearly why Paul took the trophy. I am going to assume you know these episodes as well but for fun, Paul’s episode is the one where he confronts Walt for poisoning Brock at gunpoint then decides it was Gus.

Esposito’s episode was the flashback to Gus’ previous interactions with Don Eladio and showed the murder of Max. While this episode was Gus-centric and was a fantastic presentation of this characters background, I don’t think it was his best episode as an actor. This particular episode was midway through the season, where “End Times” came directly before the epic finale. The tension, while ever present on this show, was not as thick at this point. Frankly, “Salud” is the episode that I would have submitted for Esposito. It’s a mere two episodes after “Hermanos” yet it carries an entirely different tone. (This is the episode where Gus, Jesse, and Mike go to Don Eladio’s and manage to wipe out the Mexican Cartel.) Esposito was magnificent.

Moving on…..

Homeland was the big winner in the Drama categories. I can’t lie to you guys and tell you I watched it. I have not watched it. Actually, I never watched Homeland or Downton Abbey. I don’t know why really other than the fact that I was busy watching the other five nominated shows. This means I cannot honestly say Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, or Boardwalk Empire should have won, though I would have preferred any one of them, particularly Breaking Bad.

With that being said, the competition was really fierce this year in the Drama category. With the spectacular dramas that have been airing in recent years, it is hard to cheer for just one show. I was torn the minute I saw the nominees listed.

 I’ll be honest here. I don’t really watch much that isn’t drama related. I hate reality TV (don’t our lives suck enough without having to watch other people purposely make theirs suck too??), I don’t watch much in the way of sitcoms (there are a couple), and the Variety category is sketchy for me (only because I don’t catch them on a regular basis unless I’m really interested in a guest or something). The Mini-series category is something I must address.

Most of the nominations in the Mini-series category are unknown to me. I have heard of them but didn’t watch most. The only two that fit this area that I actually saw were Sherlock and American Horror Story. Again, this means I can’t say Game Change sucks or any of that kind of stuff.

Jessica Lange took home the Supporting Actress award for her performance in AHS as Constance. She was every bit of excellent in her role. The series itself was nominated for a whopping 17 Emmys total (12 nominations in the Creative Arts) and only took away two. The other award was Hairstyling.

What I think happened here seems to be a popular thought among others. Horror related themes are regularly avoided by the Emmys, even in the Creative Arts area, out of a general misgiving about the horror genre. The general feeling I get from this is “we don’t want it to win and get a bunch of uptight people upset so we will just nominate the hell out of it and vote for something else as the winner”.  People are still uptight about certain words and pictures so horror is going to get the blame for anything weird. Also, AHS had a school shooting scene and we all know how people get about that kind of thing.

The Comedy category is now going to be called the Modern Family awards. The entire cast was up against themselves for the acting awards. I have not seen it. Sorry guys, I am sure it is totally hilarious. I tend not to pay attention to sitcoms until they are in syndication. Judge me if you want. I will watch the reruns when there is nothing else on or I’m in between shows. It’s background fun. What can I say?

I digress. My point is when everyone on one show is nominated for the same awards, is there anything else on worth watching in the Emmy voters eyes? Six out of twelve of the nominated Best Supporting Actors and Actresses were from Modern Family. Let me put that another way; they had enough nominations to make their own category. It seems as though they are the jocks of this high school. They win all the awards without giving any shots to the nerdy kids. Sure “it’s an honor just to be nominated” but let’s be real. As well deserved as the award may be, it seems a little bit on the unfair side.

I don’t have anything to say about the rest of the awards themselves but I would like to say the best skit of the night was the Breaking Bad homage to The Andy Griffith Show. If you didn’t catch it, you really should.

Until next year!!

*Movie Review* Beginners –Tough subjects treated with beauty & elegance

So you are wondering what this sci-fi loving, zombie fascinated nerd chic is doing watching a romantic, comedy-drama. I know. Not normally something that I would sit down and watch.

I can honestly say, I am not one that likes stereotypical things. This is not a stereotypical film. It's too artistic for that.

Starring Ewan McGregor (without his super sexy Scottish accent..*sigh*) as Oliver, the film shows a deeply saddened man in his late thirties trying to deal with the loss of his father Hal, played by Christopher Plummer. So that’s what you think at first.

Basically, the film is mainly set in 2003. It introduces us to a son who has very recently lost his father to cancer. Then, through a series of stills and Oliver’s narration, we find out Hal was gay.

It is very difficult to put this review down in writing as it is hard to describe the artistry put into this picture. It’s not like there is a coming out scene per se. It’s more along the line of viewing the world through Oliver’s memories of these pivotal moments. Please bear with me while I try to sum this up enough for you to watch it.

As a child, nothing is as it seems. The marriage his parents had was one of friendship and love but not a loving and happy one. Georgia knew Hal was gay and proposed to him anyway in 1955. I think she hoped things would change. Of course, she was Jewish and didn’t even know it until she was 13. Her father, Oliver’s grandfather, tried to hide the fact they were Jewish and it was something in which they were ashamed. She dropped being Jewish and he dropped being homosexual. They got married and had Oliver.

Oliver sees his parents’ relationship differently. The loving goodbye kisses he saw Hal give Georgia when he would leave for work were once perceived as marital bliss. After Hal came out to his son, Oliver looks back to these kisses with a new perspective.

Oliver is down in the dumps after Hal’s death. His friends drag him to a party and here he meets a girl, Anna (Melanie Laurent). He then is able to draw parallels with what he learned about love from his parents and how he treats romantic relationships.

Since this film goes back and forth from Oliver’s youth and adulthood, it is easy to see “why” he acts the way he does. The only time he ever saw his father truly “in love” was after Hal found a boyfriend (Andy, played by the wonderful Goran Visjnic) through the use of a somewhat awkward personal ad.

To make his even more melancholy, Oliver is a commercial artist that has been assigned in coming up with an album cover for a band called The Sads. Talk about having a bummer kind of year.

Between the art, the fine acting, the compelling web of mistruths between a family, the camera singling out the lonely character in a frame and the dialogue…well there is nothing bad about this movie. It is not a happy go lucky piece but it is comedic in parts. Of course, it’s somewhat dry humor told in a very somber atmosphere.

Ok so I am probably writing the lamest possible review in history regarding this marvelous film. All I can really put into words is how beautifully done this is and art is not lost in film.

Just go watch it already. It’s not even 2 hours long. If you don’t like it, I would love to hear about it.

ABC Fall Update & Aw man, they cancelled The Killing

They finally went and did it. ABC released their fall premiere dates yesterday.
I only mentioned 2 shows worth checking out on my previous ABC post but that means two things. One, I need to update you on the dates these shows premiere. Two, I forgot to mention a show that looks promising called Last Resort.
So here I will give you those dates and some info on the upcoming Last Resort.

666 Park Avenue - Sundays, 9pm CST
Premieres September 30th

Once Upon A Time - Sundays, 7pm CST
Premieres September 30th

(For heaven's sake, Sunday night DVR'ing should be some kind of Championship sport...)

Last Resort - Thursdays, 7pm CST
Premieres September 27th

If you have seen the ads on TV, you may have an idea about the show's premise. Basically, a crew from the US Navy decides not to follow orders to launch nuclear missiles against Pakistan. This officially makes the ballistic missile submarine crew enemies of their own country.
With this being an election year, it may serve as a commentary on the way the country works. Could be very interesting.
For you Falling Skies & Once Upon A Time fans, our fair Jessy Schram (Karen, Cinderella) is also going to be in this show that is currently filming in Hawaii.

Now for the sad news...
AMC has officially decided to cancel The Killing. For anyone who has read my blog, you know I am a huge fan of this show. Oddly, the news of the cancellation comes the day after Michelle Forbes (Mitch) won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in their television awards.
I am sad but have hope. Fox Studios issued a statement that they will "proceed to try and find another home" for the series.
In the meantime, I will continue to be an avid supporter of this series as it contained some of the best writing and acting on television.

Breaking Bad - Thoughts from last week (premiere)

Last week was the epic return of the beloved Breaking Bad. I am thrilled it is finally back. As we get ready for episode two, it’s time to review where we stand.

Intro (or Did I miss something?!) – 

We see Walt celebrating his 52^nd birthday at a Denny’s. He has hair, a New Hampshire D.L. and some need to get hardcore firearms.

My first thought was, WTF? How is he STILL alive? Ok, second thought since the first one was, DUDE! HAIR!

So the cancer hasn’t killed him yet. That’s good news. He has spare Benjamins (tip to the waitress), also good news. It doesn’t look like he has been busted by the “man” yet. Again, more good news. That is, if you are a fan of Walter White’s crazy ass.

This intro seems to be one of those that Vince Gilligan likes to use to tease us. Floating eyeball ring a bell? This is a tactic in which Mr. Gilligan excels. He also always comes through with an answer to these teases as well.

Main plot (or MAGNETS BITCH!) –

So they got Gus. Mike is none too pleased about his boss’ death but has the brains to know that if he doesn’t help, he will go down with the rest of them.

Glad to see Jesse as the one to get some credit for coming up with a pretty damn good idea. The actual act of using the magnet turned into yet another close one for our favorite criminals.

Now our guys think they are good because Walt says so. Hate to tell ya Walter but you got another thing coming.

Based on the little address in Gus’ picture, Walt is going to have more trouble.

Hank & the DEA - 

I’m pleased that Hank is up and doing what he does best again. I was a little unhappy that he didn’t get much time last week but I am sure that will be changing.

They don’t know how close they really are to the maker of the blue.

Walt & Skyler - 

He forgives her? As much as she has done, I’m not 100% sure what he is forgiving. The money? Sleeping with Ted? Going behind Walt’s back to Saul for help with Ted? All of this?

She is freaked. Who knows how she is going to react as the season goes on. Skyler is not a stupid woman but now she is in a very awkward position. She has assisted Walt in all of this. She has as much to lose as he does. The difference between them is he is no longer afraid of anything, she is afraid of him.

All that being said, I can’t wait for tonight’s episode. I would really like to see more of Hank & Marie. Hank had so much figured out and now is starting to get confirmation he was correct about Gus. When the meth starts to show up again, he will know that Gus wasn’t the only man in this game. Marie is just plain funny. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Marie and Hank (and let’s face it, Saul), sometimes this show would be too heavy. 

Fall DVR Guide - Cable & Network all in one place!!!

Here is your chance to get those DVR settings you need!

Most Fall TV listings online are for the major networks and do not include other cable channels.

Now, only available here, is a more "complete" guide to what to watch and when. Enjoy!! 

(Jeez, Sundays are pretty full huh?)

**Note: This stuff changes as we all know. If there are changes in the next few months, I will update this guide. If you notice something is incorrect, please comment & I will adjust accordingly.

Sunday to Saturday, top to bottom

Fall TV - PART SIX - AMC, HBO, Showtime

Since the remainder of my television interest lands in the lap of cable offerings, I am choosing to lump together HBO, Showtime and AMC. Just a warning since this one may be a little longer than the others.


HBO - Boardwalk Empire, Sundays *Premiere Sept 16, 8pm CST

Winner of multiple awards, this show hails as one of HBO’s finest series’ to grace television. The 1920s Atlantic City mobster series follows Nucky Thompson, Atlantic County Treasurer, as he effectively rules the area mob-style. The beauty of this series isn’t just casting or the spectacular movie-like cinematography. It’s the way they weave in the historical with the fictional. Most of the characters are based on their real-life counterpart who makes for an intriguing mix of a history lesson and mobster mythology.

Season three is to take place more than a year after Nucky “took care of” Jimmy, with the season starting on New Year’s Eve 1922. Jumping ahead will allow the series to show all the pressure from the Prohibition even more intensely. Things really started to get more violent as the Prohibition wore on and this will drive this series further. The world will change, so will Nucky’s life.


Showtime - Dexter, Sundays, Premiere set for September 30th

While I believe that this show will never live up to its fourth season, we got a crazy ride in its sixth season. That being said, it certainly wasn’t the best ride we have had. The plot overall was mildly interesting with all the biblical apocalypse references. The kills were somewhat spectacular from a visual perspective (think of the angel spreading her wings). Overall though, the series doesn’t seem to be as great as it was. I think we have the feeling now that Dexter will never get into trouble for his actions. Then, in the season finale, he gets seen by Deb. For the show itself, this is a game-changer.

In the book series, we are so far off from the TV series that there are very few similarities. That can be a good thing since there are surprises with each season of the show. It also demonstrates the differences in creative minds. For example, Debra has known about Dexter’s hobby since the Ice Truck Killer case, which is in the first book and is part of the first season. The differences here are MASSIVE. Brian lives, Deb knows everything, LaGuerta is dead, Doakes is alive but a crippled pain in Dexter’s proverbial butt, and only one seems to suspect Dexter of anything. There was no Lila or Lumen in the books. There is no Harrison, instead Rita and Dex have a daughter and Uncle Brian is a huge part of the “family”.

If the writers from the show follow the book series at all, this rift between the staunch cop and loving sister will likely diminish with a little time. Obviously, I see the series taking a longer run with her trying to accept Dexter’s ways because she simply can’t send Dexter to prison. (Hello end of series.) The biggest hurdle for Deb is facing this new information about the man she now realizes she is in love with.

On that note, this whole I’m-in-love-with-my-adopted-brother thing is kind of freaking me out. I don’t like the path they seem to be taking with Debra and Dexter’s relationship. Hopefully, we can just tune in to Game of Thrones for all the sister humping instead of seeing these two characters go down that road.

With all of this, I am excited to see Dexter again. With any luck, we will get Dexter doing what he does best.



AMC – The Walking Dead, Sundays **Premiere October 14, 8pm CST**

The Walking Dead was going to be one of my favorites from the moment I heard they were actually finally casting for the series a few years ago. As a fan of the comic series, I was over the moon when I heard about this. Needless to say, I was in no way disappointed.

I have read complaints by people that there aren’t enough zombies or that there are too many. I have heard people complain about the characters not being “real” enough. Naysayers, be gone! This show is TV at its finest.

The second season’s finale left us watching Andrea run for her life while her companions think she is dead. The other survivors from Hershel’s farm are huddling in the dark scared. Rick has declared “Rick-tatorship” is the way of the new world. At least Lori knows where Carl is for the time being.

Then, for the epic cliffhanger, we catch a glimpse of the infamous prison and the most popular heroine in comic book history, Michonne. TV viewers have no idea what they are in for with these two little things being introduced. This show will be taking a turn with the situations our beloved survivors have found themselves in. Things are about to get really messy. I can’t wait.

AMC - The Killing - Sundays

At this point, there is no word if the series will be picked up for a third season. I, for one, hope it is. The show received so much flogging about not solving the Larsen case in the first season it took a major drop in ratings during its second year. It may be what kills The Killing. I find this to be unfortunate. I will post as soon as any news is announced. I hope it is good news, as in a renewal for a third season.

Fall TV - PART FIVE - fX

fX has become a network that is starting to bring out more substantial shows as of late. In its early years, they brought us FOX repeats such as Married...with Children and other FOX staples. In the mid-2000s, the network changed its m.o. and has become a force almost as strong with original programming as AMC bringing us Nip/Tuck, The Shield, and Rescue Me.

With the release of American Horror Story and Wilfred last year, as well as a string of solid current hits like Sons of Anarchy, the network is becoming a powerhouse in the drama department but in the twisted comedy department as well.

At the time of this writing, fX has not released its upcoming Fall premiere dates.

Sons of Anarchy – Tuesdays, 9pm CST

Coming into its fifth season this year, this show is now the biggest thing in the FX lineup. How can you go wrong with a show that follows a hardcore motorcycle gang? It was picked up for a sixth season before they even started production on the fifth. There is a sign for you.

Last season ended with Jax declaring his presidency and introducing some new players into the field. The upcoming season has cast Harold Perrineau (LOST, Oz) as Damon Pope, the most powerful gangster in Oakland and Jimmy Smits (LA Law, Dexter) as a Latino gang leader that will mentor Jax.

With the additions to the cast, I can’t see how this show can’t go on for another few seasons.

American Horror Story – Wednesdays, 9pm CST

Where do I begin with this show?! I can’t get enough of it and actually found myself squealing at the appearance of some of the guest stars. Yeah, I’m a dork. I have accepted and embraced this fact.

For AHS’s pilot episode, we were introduced to the series by way of a wife catching her husband screwing a student of his, the wife having a stillborn prior to the cheating incident, and a weirdo in a gimp suit. All this happens during the episode after the opening sequence that includes a pre-pubescent boy getting his throat slit. Wait…what??? Yes, welcome to the edge. What a freaking ride.

If you didn’t catch the series last year, you missed Jessica Lange in one of her best performances of her life. That is saying a lot. It also was the biggest new cable series of the year. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

For the second season, the show is going to do something that I believe has never been done before on a TV series. They will be changing the characters and the setting completely, which makes it more of an anthology of sorts rather than a series. While Jessica Lange will be back for season two, she will not be playing Constance. This time around she will be the head of an asylum for the criminally insane, where the show will be set.

While there has been no word on specifics, I can’t imagine this show going limp on us. It shocked the hell out of a lot of viewers and critics with its debut season. It can only get stranger from here. That, my friends, is good television. I can only hope Denis O’Hare will be making an appearance again.

Fall TV - PART FOUR - FOX

FOX has been killing as lot of good shows for a suspect list of “quality” programming. I suppose it is in the numbers as with any other network. House is no more, Alcatraz was cancelled after its first season, and Fringe is up for its final season this year. While many seem to enjoy Animation Domination on Sundays (come on, you know you love The Simpsons still), the network appears to be depending on American Idol and Gordon Ramsay interventions for its steady viewers. I personally think this is a mistake. Fox became a groundbreaker for the sci-fi genre with The X-Files. I believe this may be their real talent but they choose to go with fodder that gets numbers. While FOX is still churning out hits with Raising Hope and New Girl, it is no longer that shocking channel which brought us the super-nerd hit Firefly. With Fringe closing shop, there isn’t much left on FOX that makes one say “wow.”

On that note, here’s what I will be watching

Glee – Thursdays 8pm CST, September 13^th premiere

Yeah, I know. Go ahead and get it out of your system, then take a moment to just read.

Glee isn’t what it may seem to some of my readers. Might not be your cup of tea, so to speak. Cast away your preconceptions of this show and give it a fair chance.

I will be honest. I didn’t care to watch it even with the rave reviews that it was getting until I heard they were going to be doing “Thriller” and in full zombie glory. I’m a sucker for zombies and who doesn’t love “Thriller”? Anyway, I watched it and cannot say I was hooked from that moment on. It did bait me to tune in again just to see what all the fuss was about.

I personally enjoy the music because these kids have some serious pipes on them. Others out there just like the quick wit of Sue Sylvester, played by the incomparable Jane Lynch. I am sure there are many who watch just strictly for the teenage drama.

I can totally understand the hesitance to watch the show by some. All I ask is for you to actually watch one and if you can’t tolerate it, that is fine. I find it funny, and I have a twisted sense of humor. Therefore, you might find it funny too.

Fringe – Fridays, 8pm CST, September 28^th premiere

Welcome to the end.

This will mark Fringe’s fifth and final season. I am very sad to see it go but sometimes you have to know when to say when.

Fringe has re-defined the realm of sci-fi television. It has yet to disappoint with writing or character development. Since it will be the last season, we will see if the ending contains the answers to the questions we have been bombarded with for years.

With subject matter very much on the fringe of science, it takes a bit of attention to follow the stories sometimes. I am very interested to find out more about the Observers and the promos have promised serious Observer action. They have been with us since the beginning but there hasn’t been much in the way of definition to these beings until recently.

Peter and Olivia’s love story aside, the series has a lot of heart. Walter makes you adore and almost despise him at times in the same breath. It speaks volumes about the cast to have characters delve so deep into such chaos and still keep some humanity.

Excited for answers, bummed that I have to say goodbye.

Animation Domination – Sundays, 7pm CST, premieres September 30^th

I’m not going to bother to drone on about how witty Seth McFarlane is or how The Simpsons have been on forever now. Just wanting to let you know if you want to just zone out with some cartoons, Sunday night on FOX is the place to do it.  The lineup will be as follows:

6:30pm CST The Cleveland Show (premieres October 7^th)

7pm CST The Simpsons

7:30pm CST Bob’s Burgers

8pm CST Family Guy

8:30pm CST American Dad

Next up – FX Network

Fall TV - PART THREE - CBS

As far as I am concerned, there is only one night to tune into CBS. Saves a lot of that DVR space though. That’s a positive.

CBS has changed as a network from being the channel continually on at the nursing home to the channel you might want to check out every couple of years. Of course, that is my opinion of the network as a whole over the last couple of decades. You have CSI (waiting for CSI: Garden of Eden), Hawaii Five-O, 60 Minutes, How I Met Your Mother and The Good Wife. All outstanding shows in their own rights, most of the popular shows on CBS fail to keep me intrigued. Here is a list of the ones that do, all of which air on Thursdays. No word on the actual premiere dates for CBS at the time of this writing.



The Big Bang Theory – 7pm CST

I tend not to be a fan of sitcoms. There are a few examples of decent ones but overall they tend to be the same old thing over and over. This series has been touted as the smartest sitcom on television. Sure they are poking fun at the occupation of the main characters but they are right. This is smart and funny. This fall will bring the sixth season of the smartest situation comedy since Fraiser.


Person of Interest – 8pm CST

Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson, aka Jesus and Benry in my world, star in this paranoia inducing action packed drama. Of course, Caviezel brings the big screen action hero to the small screen as a former CIA operative. While some of the action sequences may be over the top (bazooka in Brooklyn), it makes the show fun for the viewer.

The show centers around Caviezel‘s character, John Reese, and an eccentric billionaire named Finch, played by Emerson. Finch has constructed a computer program that predicts crimes for the government. It is initially built after 9/11 to assist in preventing terrorism but because it can even find the small crimes that happen to ordinary people, it doesn’t interest the CIA or Feds. Finch sees use in this and recruits a somewhat reluctant Reese.

The cliffhanger for season one wasn’t the most suspenseful one in the realm of season finale cliffhangers. However, the vague beauty of it should make for a very interesting start to the series’ second season.


Elementary – 9pm CST

Since you’re already tuned in, you may as well stay for this new offer (and the only one worth checking out in my opinion).

CBS is stepping in with this debut just after the US got Sherlock (BBC) season 2. With the BBC version, there have been ravings about how beautifully shot, written and directed it is. The actors, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, are above comparison. So who can blame CBS for taking on something similar but in the US? Elementary is a contemporary telling of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic Sherlock Holmes’ stories. That’s pretty much where the similarities end with the BBC offering.

Starring Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock, this modern version is the third time CBS has tried a Sherlock Holmes series. In this version, Sherlock is a former consultant for Scotland Yard who moves to New York to check into a rehab facility for his addiction. Here, he meets a sober Joan Watson, played by Lucy Liu, and he decides to stay in the States.

While there is absolutely no way CBS could possibly pull off something as striking as the BBC’s Sherlock, this might just do well. The main cast, including Aidan Quinn, has their own fans that will at least take a look at the episodes to see how the stars fare. I will admit I plan on watching just because I will at least give Miller a shot due to my love for his character in Trainspotting. Others will tune in just to see how much it “will suck” compared to the BBC version. With a little luck, this show might do well.

Fall TV - PART TWO - ABC

There isn't a whole lot coming from this network to be excited about. I know it was the home to many hits such as LOST, Desperate Housewives and countless others but the 2012-2013 Fall season doesn't bring much in the way of excitement other than one new show and one returning for its second season.

Once Upon A Time – Sundays, 7pm CST (No word on premiere date at this time, expect September)

If you haven’t given this series a chance, you should. The cast is made up of many actors that you may love from other series like Breaking Bad, True Blood, Big Love, House, Mad Men and LOST, just to name a few. Robert Carlyle, as Rumplestiltskin, gives performances that one rarely sees on network television. Of course, he is one of the reasons I started to watch this show in the first place. (Yeah, you know that my second reason was the tagline “from the writers of LOST”…)

By far one of the most original shows on the air, it not only gives fairy tale beings like Snow White and Jiminy Cricket depth but it ties what we already know about one fairy tale in with another. For example, in season one, The Evil Queen’s relationship with the Genie/Magic Mirror is shown in “flashback” sequences while showing a similar relationship between Regina (Queen) and Sydney (Mirror).  We know she is evil and we know the magic mirror serves her. This little scenario gives us the why and how he became the mirror and her faithful servant.

Returning for its sophomore season, Once Upon A Time has figured out a way to give us fairy tale magic while making us feel like the stories are brand new.

666 Park Avenue – Sundays, 9pm CST (Again, ABC hasn’t released premiere dates yet, expect September or possibly early October)

I must start this one with a disclaimer. Based on the promos that have been aired, I suspect this will be somewhat like a soap opera versus a prime time drama. If Terry O’Quinn wasn’t one of the stars, I truly don’t know if I would even give this show the slightest bit of attention. That is not to say that the plot doesn’t sound intriguing to a horror/supernatural fan.

The series is based on a book written by Gabriella Pierce and revolves around a couple moving into an upscale Manhattan apartment building. The building is owned by Gavin Doran (O’Quinn) and his wife, Olivia (Vanessa Williams). These two are way more than what meets the eye. Strange goings on in the building lead one to believe it may be possessed and it is being listed as a horror genre show. This makes me think it will be worth checking out at the least.

It’s hard to tell from commercials but from what I can see, O’Quinn is playing what he plays best, the antagonist. That’s really all I needed to hear. When it airs, I will be sure to let the world know what I thought about it.

Fall TV - PART ONE - NBC

In today’s post, we will break down some of the shows that are being introduced for the first time this fall as well as some returning for their sophomore effort. Also in this list will be a few shows that have been around for a while, some of which will be gone after this season. I will be breaking the posts down by network to keep your attention.

This is by no means a complete list of shows coming on in the fall. I don’t find it necessary to tell you about NJ Housewives or CSI: SVU or other stuff that is well below my age group (think CW or MTV productions). I will be mostly looking at shows that have some promise based on either its writing team or casting choices.

Read on and see if you agree with what is presented. Don’t forget to comment, particularly if you don’t agree. I love debate.

Revolution (Mondays, 9pm CST)

This new sci-fi series is a JJ Abrams and Bryan Burk production. That sentence alone may be just enough to lure in all of the LOST fans out there. Throw in the fact that it stars Giancarlo Esposito of Breaking Bad fame and Billy Burke from the Twilight saga (I really want to type mess not saga, but that’s just me), you have an even bigger audience before the show even hits the airwaves.

The show takes place 15 years after the world’s technology is disabled by some unknown force. Operational electronics ranging from computers and cell phones to car engines and good old AA batteries, no longer are operational. This shakes the government’s ability to govern and now many areas are led by militias and warlords. At the heart of the series, a family may have possession of an item that can not only help them find out what happened when the world went black but may possibly be able to reverse the damage done.

The only problem I can foresee with this series is NBC has a long track record of bringing in a sci-fi genre show, getting people hooked in the first season, and then sending it to the gallows shortly thereafter (think Awake, V). Hopefully, NBC gets the viewers they need to keep it going without sentencing it to death before it gets a real chance.

Go On (Tuesdays, 8pm CST)

A new sitcom from NBC starring Friends alum Matthew Perry as a sportscaster that joins a support group to deal with a loss. Though the actual premiere is slated for September 11^th, the network has scheduled a preview on August 8^th, after the Olympics.

Perry hasn’t had a whole lot of luck on network television since Friends went off the air. His quirky, fast-talking cynicism worked on that show as well as his best known feature, The Whole Nine Yards, but it hasn’t had a great track record otherwise.

In Go On, Perry’s quick wit may prove to be the magic he has been looking for. While the overall premise of the show is group counseling with a bit of fun thrown in, one can’t picture a grief-stricken widow getting a chuckle from some dude joining their little group.

This show may be fun but it may end up in the trash pile along with some of Perry’s other efforts.

Grimm (Mondays August 13^th, 20^th and 27^th, 9pm CST; Fridays 8pm CST starting September 14th )

Ah, police procedurals. They are everywhere and have been for years. They’re all just about the same, until Grimm came along in late October 2011.

Grimm is a police show with a supernatural twist. The show focuses on Det. Nick Burkhardt, who works for the Portland Police Bureau and finds out he comes from a long line of ancestors known as Grimms. It is the duty of a Grimm to keep the peace between humans and the mythical creatures that walk among us.

Keeping the peace doesn’t come easy and Nick trying to keep his Grimm ancestry from his loved ones for their own protection is just as difficult. He receives a lot of his help from a reformed monster named Monroe, who is a Blutbad, a wolf-like creature that is provoked into violence by the color red.  

You may have noticed the oddity of the timeslots mentioned. A large portion of season one aired at 8pm CST Fridays. This put it in direct competition for two other extremely popular genre series’, FOX’s Fringe and CW’s Supernatural. Obviously, it didn’t hurt the show too much to have that kind of solid competition as it was picked up for the sophomore season. Since there is some wiggle room this summer to air repeats, this Monday night thing may just be a way for the show to grab a few more viewers they couldn’t snag on a Friday night. NBC plans on airing season one repeats prior to the season two premiere on Mondays, then returns to its normal timeslot on Fridays. Mark those calendars.

Sunday Night Football (Sundays of course, 7pm CST)

Yeah, I know. This isn’t what you were expecting. The fact of the matter is NFL programming is a huge deal in this country. Whether you like the game or not, it is here to stay. I felt I needed to at least put this on my list since it is a Fall TV standard. Other than that, I really don’t have much to contribute to this portion. You either watch football or you don’t. Nothing I say will make a difference. 

Up next, ABC .... 

Summer programming 2012 – What will you be watching while avoiding the heat?

Since you can get a basic listing of any shows that are coming up just about anywhere these days, I won’t bore you with a listing. Instead, I’m discussing the shows that do not include things like Gordon Ramsey, reality TV, game shows (including those inspirational ones for overweight people), and any soap-opera-type drama (Dallas…really?).

Frankly, I think shows like those mentioned above are insulting to people with half a brain. Yeah, my kids love Wipeout. Of course they do. What is funnier to someone under 15 than people hurting themselves for money? Probably watching their siblings getting hurt for free but I digress. What I am getting at here is I believe those shows are beneath YOU, not just me.

True Blood – (HBO, Sundays, 8pm CST)

True Blood had its fifth season premiere on June 10^th & proved while waiting sucks, being patient does have its rewards. This season has surpassed the previous one with the vampire history alone, not to mention the new additions to the cast. Getting Pam’s back-story is possibly the biggest reward for Truebies since we have learned very little about her & Eric’s relationship in the first four seasons. So far, it’s been totally worth the lengthy wait.

Falling Skies – (TNT, Sundays, 8pm CST)

June 17^th saw the premiere of the second season of this alien invasion apocalyptic series. This season we get a closer look at the aliens and their devious ways. We also see how the survivors are doing and find new people in the group to focus on. Not that anyone is safe on this show….

Anger Management – (FX, Thursdays, 8pm CST)

Charlie Sheen is back with his new series premiering June 28th. Not surprised about this? Me either. Mr. Sheen is a character and way more entertaining than Big Brother. The plot is hilarious if you think about it. Here, I will quote the FX Network website’s About the Show section and save you the trouble of looking it up. “Charlie Sheen stars as “Charlie,” a non-traditional therapist specializing in anger management.” That pretty much sums it up, folks. I will most likely tune in to see if it is a train wreck or if the funny guy is funny once again. Can he play anyone named anything else?

Wilfred – (FX, Thursdays, 9pm CST)

June 28^th on FX is a busy night with the premiere of Charlie Sheen’s as well as Russell Brand’s new shows. (Louie is also coming back on the same night. I’m not that into it but I think he understands.) This Thursday also welcomes back Wilfred for its second season. Elijah Wood plays a character that is out of the actor’s norm but he shines in this role as he has in others. Never thought I would see him as a TV series regular but here he is. As with many of FX’s shows, it pushes the envelope and this one succeeds. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but if you like perverted one liners and a pot smoking dog, this is the series for you. Give it a shot.

Weeds – (Showtime, Sundays, 9pm CST)

July 1^st marks the beginning of the eighth and final season of the mega-hit (pardon the pun). Last year’s cliffhanger has some fans reeling over what happens next. Though total numbers were down last season while Nancy & company are adjusting to her being out of prison, the almost cult-like following this show has makes me believe this premiere will be the highest rated of the series. I can’t imagine this story ending well which makes for compelling television.

2012 Summer Olympics London – (NBC, July 27^th-August 12^th, various air times)

Friday July 27^th is the Opening Ceremony, which will air as the First Primetime Show of the Olympiad. I only mention this because I find actual athletic competition so much better than most of the current summer television line up offered on network TV. Considering NBC is airing the trials for some Olympic sports every Friday night (other than the fluke of what seems to look like four straight hours of Dateline) until the actual opening ceremony, we should be prepared enough to not miss anything that would normally air on NBC during this timeslot. (Please note the sarcasm.)

Breaking Bad – (AMC, Sundays, 8pm CST)

July 15^th, a Sunday night, has been highly anticipated for quite some time, since the late evening of October 9, 2011 to be more precise. Critics can’t get enough of this show and neither can its rabid fans. What on earth are these guys going to do now? Cook more blue meth, I imagine. And find themselves in a whole crap ton of trouble, again. The premiere picks up right where we last saw Mr. White, shortly after Gus’ face-off (damn with my puns). Since they are dividing the fifth and final season up, we will have to wait until summer 2013 before we find out exactly how our beloved meth kings meet their ends. Will it be worth the wait? The answer is…Have you been watching this show AT ALL?? Of freaking course it will be! That’s church, yo.

Let's talk True Blood - The Authority and Pam stole the show

Sunday was the premiere of "Authority Always Wins," the second episode of the fifth season of True Blood.
If you haven't seen this episode, stop reading, go watch the show, then come back. This will still be here because of the magic that is the internet.
My point is, I will not censor my posts because I don't post them for at least a day after the episode has aired. In the case of a film related post, I will never post on a new release. I don't have that kind of funding.


Now on to my babble.....


Tara came back and was none too pleased about her newborn self. The exact line we thought she would utter was her only line. Rightfully so. Tara is now what she hates the most. I would be a little upset at my cousin & BFF, wouldn't you? Now where the hell did she run off to? Hopefully, she will find Pam.
Sam & Luna get into a fight that I honestly thought was pretty funny. Luna's little surprise with her kiddo was wonderful though. (BTW, for you Breaking Bad fans, Marcus' mother is played by the actress that played the "skank"..you remember....ATM...yeah...lol.) How is Luna going to deal with a puppy? How is Sam going to get the crap beat out of him because of his involvement with Luna and the pup? Sam is constantly getting beat up these days.
What on earth is going on with Terry? Arlene is a little too prying for my taste but I suppose that is what makes her a prime example of a lady from Louisiana. Terry's story is getting to look like he has more demons than we thought. It's a good thing.
Best part of the episode was finally getting to see some pre-vampire Pam. She has always been a fan favorite and we have wanted her backstory basically since we saw Eric's way back when.
Second best part, a short glimpse of Russell at the end. Always leaving me waiting for the next episode.
The Authority is finally fully revealed and I have to say I will never look at what I think is an abandoned, non-functioning elevator the same again. Roman was breathtaking when he was giving "communion." I can't wait to see more of the Vampire Bible stuff. I'm not sure what to think about the rest of the Authority just yet.
Jessica is starting to find herself while Bill is away. Some of the funniest lines were between Jessica and Steve. I really thought for a moment she was going to sell Jason to Steve, maybe to keep Jason out of her hair so she can party it up. We see here that she really is his friend.
Jason and Hoyt have taken a bad turn. I enjoyed seeing Hoyt pissed off and standing up for himself. Hoyt has been pretty much a squishy little ball of emotion until recently. It's nice to see him not be a doormat. Jason would be so much more boring if he kept it in his pants as a character. Then again, he would have more friends than enemies. Where's the fun in that?
Andy, Andy, Andy. Close call there buddy. Glad you took the high road.


Needless to say, great episode. Thumbs up for Meloni bringing life to Roman. He is going to astonish some people. Even bigger thumbs up for the Pam backstory.
Can't wait til Sunday.

The Killing S2 Finale - Thoughts about the episode & hoping for a 3rd season

Last night was our chance to finally find out who killed Rosie Larsen on AMC's The Killing. If you haven't seen the episode, don't read any further! I don't want to be the one that spoiled it for you.


The episode, titled "What I Know", was part two of the season 2 finale. While I would have preferred a two hour, one night airing, this seemed to work very well for this show.

As you might have read in my previous post, this show likes to point fingers at the likely suspects and then clear their names. I didn't think Jamie did it. Actually, I thought that the writers were trying to trick us again (I wasn't too far off the mark with that particular suspicion). I never imagined Jamie becoming so, for lack of a better phrase, out of control of himself. Jamie appeared to always have it together, other than his little throw down with the Mayor's aide earlier this season. Jamie was able to talk anyone into anything, Again, this is what made me question his part in the murder.
The Jamie I thought I knew would have tried a little harder to calm Rosie down. He hits her in the casino and thinks she is dead. I will never understand why he didn't feel or hear her breathing when he was carrying her out. I guess being in the middle of a freak out will make you not notice the little things.

Jamie reveals to Darren that Rosie managed to get out of the car and run off into the woods. Was he just driving around trying to figure out what to do with her? We know he at least filled the gas tank before Ames met him near the water. We never find out for certain what happened after Jamie chases Rosie and before he gets her into the trunk. Also, wouldn't the panic subsided just a little by this point? I mean, why chase her? Why not yell "Hey! I didn't mean to hurt you! I just need to explain something! I won't hurt you again!"? He had a chance to do exactly that when he was chasing her. Of course, had that happened we wouldn't have a murder to solve in the first place. So, yes, Jamie was partially to blame. He was the one the brutally beat Rosie. He was the one who tied her up and put her in the trunk. But I was right, Jamie wasn't the one who actually killed Rosie Larsen.
Oddly enough, the true murderer was the one person I suspected the least. Aunt Terry had her fair share of skeletons in the closet but I kept looking for a killer with no remorse, no morals and no real ties to the Larsen family. You sneaky writers (along with the spectacular performance by Jamie Anne Allman) had this viewer convinced that Terry's sole part in the case, the one little thing she should feel guilty about, was not informing anyone of her affair with Ames sooner than she did.
Again, The Killing doesn't fail in bringing excellent writing together with superb acting. Terry's confession of not knowing who was in the car when she put it in drive and shoved it into the water was compelling and despairing. Imagine the guilt she had to carry while taking care of Rosie's family after realizing it was Rosie in that car that night. The writers make you feel it in this scene.
There were a few things that need to be clarified for me. I will be re-watching the series from the beginning to look for clues I might have missed because I don't think the writing staff would leave holes in this fantastic story. However, there are a couple of things I would like to revisit. As I do, I will probably do a series recap/review and post it here.
At the end of it all, this viewer was very pleased with this series finale and am thankful the case wasn't solved at the end of last season. I honestly hope we get a third.



What did you think of the finale? Comments are always welcome.

Liam Neeson still delivers in The Grey

The Grey, released Jan. 2012, was something I had looked forward to checking out. I am a fan of Liam Neeson and based on his last few movies, I figured this one wouldn't disappoint. 

I was right. 

It begins, and ends, with the protagonist facing the decision to live or die. It is the choices he makes that draws you in. 

We follow Ottway (Neeson) and a crew of rough-and-tough oil men in a remote part of Alaska. Ottway is a sharp-shooter who's job on the outpost is to keep wild wolves that hunt in the area away from the workers. You get a very brief idea of who the workers are as the film tries to get the audience to understand how rough these guys can be. Then, Ottway tries to off himself before changing his mind. 

For one reason or another (we never get told the why), the crew boards a plane headed to Anchorage. The plane crashes (never explained why either) in the middle of "s"nowhere. Seriously, Alaska is not the place to crash a plane.

The crash sequences were stunning. It starts out with a little rumble and just as the guys on the plane realize something is not right, here comes the BAM! I will admit it. This plane crash sequence is better than the one from LOST, which coming from me is quite the compliment. 

Eight of our guys live through the crash. In a very touching scene, Ottway comforts one of the survivors who is on his way to death. Neeson's performance here was stirring and poetic. 

Now comes the time to start trying to live. The viewer is never given any specific reason for our hero wanting to keep on living. The number of survivors is now seven.

It is at this point in the film were we get to meet our wolves. Sort of. At one point, Ottway is ambushed by a wolf at another part of the debris site. Dead bodies = Easy Mac for wolves. In another scene, we get to see a couple of these big buggers but the rest of the pack is shown as only glowing eyes in the dark. If that plane crash didn't get ya, these bad boys just might.

Let me explain something. These wolves are huge for wolves. You won't see these babies at Yellowstone. One would think by the size they are well fed, so it would be reasonable to think there is food nearby.

There is an attack at the campsite and we lose another. Our team of merry-men have to move in order to find food and a safe place to hide. They collect wallets and head for the trees.

Throughout the trek, they are being stalked by the hunters. Honestly, it was brutal enough to have to walk through snow up to their knees. Did they really need to be chased? It's the little things like that which might bother you about this movie. I would think a wolf would be smart enough to know if we leave these guys alone, they'll freeze and then we can have man jerky for the rest of the winter. Apparently, these wolves are proactive.

Once they get to the trees, we are down to six but they're still not safe. The wolves don't mind the woods. 

Here is where things get hairy for folks who like wolves. Obviously, there are man v. wolf moments. Our guys get their punches in. If you are expecting no wolves to die, sorry. This isn't the movie for you. There is a particular scene regarding a wolf that some might find hard to stomach. One of the characters puts it the best but I won't ruin the actor's line here. 

As the guys keep moving, it's like watching a survivalist video that went all wrong. They are picked off one by one, making the band of roughneck's numbers dwindle. They still keep on trucking.

By the last half hour, we are down to the last few and the drive to go on dies in at least one of the characters. Just when you think these last two guys might make it, the wolves go after them again. They don't get our fellas but something else does. 

By the end of the movie, we get a glimmer of understanding of why Ottway made some of the decisions he made. Neeson is brilliant in a scene where he is screaming at God to help him and show him some proof that God exists. The fact that he doesn't get an answer but stands up to keep walking is a demonstration of the character thinking he is utterly alone while hoping he will find help. Then the damn wolves show up again. It is in these last few scenes where Neeson's acting skills are shown in their full glory.

The ending is somewhat ambiguous as you don't know what his fate will be. Although some might argue that one needs closure after becoming attached to the character and his will to live, others will enjoy these subtle nuances. 

While some of the survival tactics seem to make you stretch your imagination, overall the film stayed relatively realistic. The CGI effects were a bit obvious in some scenes but not so much to distract the viewer from the story.

It was a fun, suspenseful, thrilling, emotional movie. A few slow moments here and there but some great action sequences make up for it. If you enjoy Neeson's other films, you will enjoy this one too.

  

What to watch Sunday? The Killing S2 Finale? True Blood? Falling Skies S2 premiere? NBA finals?

I am just overwhelmed by the upcoming Sunday TV line up. Chances are I will be watching the game with the rest of Oklahoma City but you better believe that come Monday I will be in front of the tube (can we even call televisions that anymore???) catching up with everything that I missed.

Falling Skies - (TNT, 2 hour premiere, check local listings)

If you haven't seen season 1 of this sci-fi series, you really missed out. With that, stop reading. You won't get it and I'm about to talk about the finale last year. Just go to Amazon and spend your hard earned cash. You can buy the 1st episode for $1.99 and make your judgement without committing to an entire DVD set. 

*Deep breath*

Got that out of the way....

Last time we saw Tom, he was getting on that aliens little ship. What on earth could have happened? I heard/read somewhere that the premiere will not pick up right where we left off. All I know is these aliens seem to be changing the humans they bother to capture. I am looking forward to another season of the 2nd Mass kicking some Mech and Skitter ass! Particularly those Skitters...yuck.

Speaking of Skitters...The part I'm most looking forward to is more info on who these "things" are. We have been shown they too were harnessed. Were they like us? Waiting on the definitive answer to that one.

True Blood - (HBO, 8pm CST Sundays)

Last week's premiere finally put an end to the "what's to become of poor Tara" questions. Now I have other questions about that arc. We know Tara's gonna be pissed but how pissed and at who exactly? Will she be able to come to terms with her fate or will she find a way to meet the True Death? Is she "fucktarded" now? Is she gonna have to live with Pam? Have we seen where Pam lives? (The problem here is reading the books and watching the series. Makes it hard to keep straight. Sorry.)

Other things I am looking forward to seeing on S5E2..

RUSSELL!! One of the BEST villains on television. O'Hare is amazing in this part. Steals the show without fail. Ready to see him.

Eric, Bill and The Authority. All the hype leading up to this better pay off. On this show, I have yet to be disappointed. My jaw literally dropped when Bill and Eric took out Nan and her posse. How will they manage this one?

Alcide, Sookie and Debbie...well, dead Debbie. Will Alcide find out? Probably. Will he be pissed? Maybe. I mean he tried to make things work and be the better person. Debbie just couldn't do it. And boy, she effed up and paid for it. I think he will find out, be angry for a few episodes, go all wolf on some people and then go back to pining over Sookie. (Pam has a point...stupid name.)

Best thing about this show is the part serious and part camp aspects. While one character is having a serious moment (Newlin coming out, Tara losing Eggs, Andy facing addiction), the others are busy doing crazy stuff and giving hilarious one liners about someone else's taste in clothes. 

The Killing - (AMC, 9pm CST)

I already said my piece about this show. With that, I can't tell you how excited I am to finally get to find out what really happened. I hope this isn't the last season but chances are it will be. It's a shame. I guess Americans are too busy watching reality TV to take time to watch something with some thought put into it. Whether it comes back or not, the actors from this show should look forward to a very stunning career. They are all sublime.

NBA Finals, Game 3 - (ABC, 7pm CST)

I'm not even gonna recap Game 1 of the NBA Finals. You can find a much more qualified opinion at ESPN. I will be watching and rooting for my home team. (And making sure I have everything prepared to make my TV look like Sunday night on a Monday afternoon.)

The Killing - Anticipation of the S2 Finale

At this point, we are being shoved into believing that Jamie Wright is the one who killed Rosie Larsen. 
Of course, that is what this show does.
I have faithfully watched The Killing since the start and am probably one of the few who was glad to not have the case solved at the end of Season 1. With that being said, I don't think Jamie killed her. 
Every week, or almost, we have been led to believe it was one person or another. All the evidence points to "so-and-so" and next episode or two..BAM! Alibi. 
Now, I know that we are at the end and will find out for sure on Sunday.

I also know there would be so many questions to be answered in a short 45 minutes. For example, why kill her in the first place? Beat the crap out of her. Threaten her little brothers. Buy her silence. Hell, there are a 1000 ways to convince a 17 year old to keep quiet without resorting to beating her half to death and then locking her in a trunk to drown. This is why I think that if Jamie is in fact involved with the shady business concerning the Mayor and the casino, he would have charmed, bought or otherwise "Jamie'd" his way into Rosie not talking.
At this point, the most I am willing to say about Jamie is he might have been the one to beat her up at the Mayor's bidding. I am more inclined to believe that Chief Jackson beat Rosie.


Ok, I don't know who did it. That is part of the reason this show is awesome. Keeps you on your toes.
At this point, I say it is someone completely different. Maybe we will see another person on the elevator. Who knows? Just the people that make the show and they are not talking.