Fargo and Orphan Black: Amazing TV

from finance.yahoo.com, oddly enough

"Fargo" is a television re-imagining of the thematic elements and the atmosphere of the 1996 Coen Brothers' film of the same name. The TV show isn't set in Fargo, and only alludes to the events of the film, but it's a wonderful homage or follow-up to the film that stands on its own two feet as one of the best shows of the year. 

Martin Freeman, with an amusing Minnesota accent, plays Lester Nygaard, the put-upon, oppressed and bullied insurance salesman who crosses paths with devilishly entertaining bad guy Lorne Malvo, played brilliantly by the incomparable Billy Bob Thornton, which sends Lester's life into a spiral of deception and danger. I came for Martin Freeman, but I'm staying for Billy Bob Thornton. He is unpredictable, diabolical, and amazing.

Finally "Frozen"

A couple of weeks ago, I felt like the last person in the civilized world who had not seen "Frozen". I was alone, living in the Cave of Uncoolness. When people would sing "Let it Go" at the top of their lungs on Youtube or in line at the grocery store, I would cringe and muse over the meh-ness of it Though, Eli McCann's niece's performance was probably the cutest cover I have ever seen. Even when Idina Menzel sang it at the Oscars, I was left thinking, "...and...?" I mean, it's a good song, but I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about.

Captain America: Winter Soldier

Or should I say "Captain YUM-erica". 

Ahem...

Captain America is back! He's got a new uniform, a new sidekick, and a new mission. 

from herocomplex.latimes.com

It's very difficult to talk about a new movie without giving any spoilers, so I guess I'll keep it brief.

Vampire Soap Operas

TV is a great source of escape at the end of a hard day of work. Or a day of hard work. Or a day of easy work. Or a day of hardly working... 

I've Been Hypnotized. By Vampires.

One of the character traits of vampires is their ability to draw their victims into a trance-- hypnotic, suggestive, or otherwise. Then the victims are at their mercy. 

I think I've been hypnotized by a vampire.

Permission to Create

Used with permission from Debbie Ridpath Ohi at Inkygirl.com

I've had a couple of fiction novels knocking around my mind for years now. YEARS. And I wrote some scenes, which I had some sisters and a select few friends read and they gave me really good feedback, encouraging me to continue writing. And I wanted to. I really did. But I got so busy. I started working again (which is now full time) and my kids got older and busier and I let all sorts of reasons and issues get in the way. 

Book Review: Dracula by Bram Stoker

I have never been able to read this 1897 classic, even though I am an avid reader and have no problem with the likes of Shakespeare or scripture, some of the older classics just don't draw me in. So I decided to give Dracula another try and listen to the audiobook. I was in the mood for a good vampire story, but I don't have much interest in the surplus of teenage vampire romances that clog the YA shelves these days (though I am a Twilight reader, I will confess), so I decided to go back to where it really began.

Book Review: How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous

Georgia Bragg, author of "How They Croaked" offers this warning:

Book Review: Hyperbole and a Half

Allie Brosh's blog bearing the same name as this book is one of the most popular blogs on the internet, with good reason. Her skewed, honest look at life with depression and other issues is hilarious and touching at the same time. 

Her book is filled with anecdotes from her life illustrated with goofy digital cartoons. Some of the stories have been shared on her blog in the past, but many of them are new for the book. Much like her blog, the book is peppered with f-and s- words, so you may have to lower your personal sensitivity rating to get through it, but I think it's worth doing that. The stories are rich and surprisingly insightful.

Her stories about her dogs (The Simple Dog and The Helper Dog) are the highlights of the book. I also love the tooth surgery/birthday party story, which I read previously on her blog. Her stories about her depression are heart-breaking, humorous and painfully accurate.

"Hyperbole and a Half" is a fun, quick read, and I absolutely recommend it.

Critics Are Too Critical

When it comes to entertainment, I can be overly critical. I realize this. However, I can also be entertained and just go with the flow if a story or character is compelling enough. I really enjoyed everything Doctor Who that I watched this year (I did not watch Series 1, so I can't say whether I would like those episodes or not), except there was something about the Christmas episode, Matt Smith's farewell episode, that just rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't hate it, but after the extremely entertaining 50th anniversary episode, and after a great run of long story arcs, fun adventures and 11th Doctor goofiness, it was just... not up to par. Oh, there was goofiness, and adventure, but it felt forced.

from grummelmaedchen.wordpress.com