Oh, Hello There.

So the TV has been broken for a week.

A WHOLE WEEK, PEOPLE.

What I'm Watching: Bates Motel

If I haven't told you yet, I like creepy stuff- books, stories, etc. I normally don't go out for spooky TV and movies, but after watching Supernatural last summer (yes, all of it), I've changed and I'm much more open to creepy or scary TV shows now. Enter Bates Motel.

What I'm Watching: Gotham

In case you've missed it, this is one show I don't miss:

Gotham

I hesitated to watch Gotham at first, because I figured (rightly) that some plot devices simply wouldn't work because we all know that certain characters live to know the adult Bruce Wayne, etc. and because I figured it's all kind of been done and the current over-saturation of comic-book media might be getting to me.

But... Gotham! I loved Batman Begins so very, very much, and I really like Batman as a character, so I had to give it a chance.

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

White Fire Delivers on the Promise of Pendergast

Five qualities of a really good mystery/thriller are:

1. Draws readers in and doesn't let go
2. Has compelling characters that readers can become passionate about
3. Tells a captivating story that's exciting and interesting, suspenseful and scary
4. Surprises readers
5. Leaves readers wanting more

What to Watch 12/5/13

I took a week off from blogging for Thanksgiving and setting up a book fair at work. It was a busy week! Here are some fun suggestions to entertain you this weekend, between your normal, everyday chaos, Christmas parties and shopping, you'll need a little down time, I'm sure. 

Happy Birthday, Doctor!

Now and then, something truly remarkable happens in the world of entertainment. A 50th birthday is one of those things.

What to Watch This Weekend 11/21/13

There's a multitude of fun stuff to watch this weekend!!

What to Watch This Weekend 9/14/13

While my recommendations may seem thin this week, if you haven't seen "Ender's Game" or "Thor: The Dark World", those ought to be at the top of your list. Here are a few other ideas:

On Netflix

If you haven't ever seen the show "Supernatural", now is as good a time as any to give it a look. It's been on TV for many years (I think it's in its 9th season), and I am not currently watching as it airs, but I did go back and watch the first couple of seasons recently. My first impression? It's so scary!! So maybe not for kids. Also now and then there are surprise sex scenes, so also not for kids. Luckily, they are short, not terribly graphic scenes. Actually, in all of seasons 1 and 2, I can't remember more than one, so thankfully that distraction is minimal. (One day I'm going to write a diatribe on the fact that Hollywood is filled with writeres who like to distract from actual STORYTELLING with sex scenes in their movies and TV shows... but this is not that day.) The show follows the Winchester brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) as they travel around the country fighting supernatural evil, including witches, ghosts, spooks, urban legends and demons. Though I didn't find it compelling enough to rush through, it is a show I will go back and watch from time to time, if I'm in the mood. Again, probably not for kids. It's scary, gory and there is adult dialogue, ifyaknowwhatImean.

At Redbox

With the second Hunger Games movie opening next week, it's a good time to rent the original and watch it again. For the uninitiated, this dystopic story is about a future where teens have to fight to the death to entertain the masses, which keeps everyone thoroughly oppressed by the government. It would be a rare treat if the movies were better than the books, but they do stand up pretty well on their own.


Comment below-- tell me what you're plans are!  Then pop the popcorn, make a mug of cocoa and settle in with your remote control or a good book. Have a great weekend, everyone! 

Thor: The Dark World is Thorrific!

The good- Chris Hemsworth is very well cast, and seems to have grown into the role quite a bit. This time around, his Thor is much more natural and human. And his interactions with Loki are excellent-- the brotherly chemistry between them really works. 

Thankfully, the script for this sequel has a lot more humor than the original "Thor"-- I think the folks at Marvel and Disney learned something of real value when Joss Whedon's "The Avengers" was such a huge success in large part due to a script generously peppered with wit and humor. "Thor" benefits greatly from doing the same. 

I think the entire cast from the first movie returned for this film, including Thor's Asgardian buddies and family, and they have some fun moments. Natalie Portman's Jane Foster is back and somewhat more interesting this time, and Kat Dennings as her assistant Darcy is good as well, but it's Stellan Skarsgard who steals every scene he is in. I love the continuity between both "Thor" and "The Avengers" and his storyline in this film.

The bad- Some scenes seem rather rushed-- there were a handful of quick cut-aways that felt abrupt. Really, that's my only critical comment. Well, maybe also that the "Dark Elves" didn't really seem all that scary. I never felt like the heroes were ever in real peril, but in a film like this, that's okay.

The awesome- The special effects and CGI are, as usual, phenomenal in this movie. As I mentioned above, humor also improves on the first film so much-- no comic book-based movie should take itself too seriously, and "Dark World" achieves an excellent balance.

 But what really lifts this movie is Tom Hiddleston as Loki. He endears the character with such depth-- Loki is a trickster, he is conniving, wicked, and clever. But he also feels sadness and disappointment and frustration and Hiddleston manages to relate a wonderful mixture of emotions beneath Loki's veneer of confidence and sly trickery. He really is utterly compelling as the villain and his performance threatens to overshadow all the heroes of the Marvel universe. I look forward to seeing what Loki will do next. (Though, it's been said that he won't appear in the sequel to "The Avengers".)

Oh, and one more awesome is a cameo by... well... maybe I won't tell you. You'll see. It's adorable and funny and made me so very excited for the next few Marvel projects. 

If you haven't made it to the theater for "Thor" yet, it's an excellent date movie, or take your teenagers. This is a great "popcorn" movie-- this film is what you go to the movies for. Fast, fun action and entertainment.

Book Review: "Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon"

For those who may have forgotten, by day I'm an elementary school librarian. This book was included in a packet of free books I got from Scholastic in a book order last month, and at first, I wasn't really interested in reading it. So many nonfiction books for children are, simply, boring. I don't know why that is, but that's my impression, and although this is an award-winning book, I figured it would just be dry facts and figures and not all that interesting.