“The Walking Dead”

The Walking Dead returns

Here’s a thing you should know about me, I hate scary movies. When I heard about “The Walking Dead”, I said to myself… that sounds scary or stupid, not really sure what to think. I also thought it was on one of those channels like HBO or Showtime you have to pay to watch it on so yet another reason why I didn’t watch it.

Anyway, I heard people talking, I saw Facebook posts going “OMG, WALKING DEAD WAS AMAZING LAST NIGHT….” I think you already know what happened, I decided to watch it. You know I like to join that bandwagon. I started watching it and is it possible to say, I love those damn walkers?

The suspense is this show. It reminds me of “Legend” with Will Smith which I love watching because I love the dystopian feel of society, but I also love jumping slightly. This is my limit of scary if I had to say.

I guess I should tell people who haven’t joined the bandwagon what it’s all about… “The Walking Dead” is in its second season of the world being taking over by zombies or walkers. There is a disease, an infection that I don’t think we’ve been told what it is, but it changes its victims. After one walker, comes many… If you are bitten or scratched, you will turn into one of them. Very few humans are left in this society.

“The Walking Dead” talks places in the South where Rick, a sheriff in his previous life has woken up from a gunshot to the changed society. Rick played by Andrew Lincoln and the leftover humans are trying to find a safe place in the world.  ”The Walking Dead” is based off the comic books by Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn and Tony Moore.

Another reasons is those characters such as Dale or Rick, Shane or Lori. My favorite is Daryl, that redneck that everyone loves to hate, but I think everyone is starting love him. Daryl is such a great character that is evolving from an abusive one side look at the world. He really showed a change in the second season when he was out looking for Sophia. Daryl is played by Norman Reedus.

Like most shows including “LOST”, the second season has found it’s sophomore slump for 8 episodes of trying to find Sophia. The last episode concluded with the outcome and what an outcome it was.  I’m interested to see where “The Walking Dead” picks up when it returns February 12th. I hope “The Walking Dead” has a good suspenseful second half.

“The Walking Dead” returns February 12th on AMC  at 9 PM.

Revenge Ep9: “Suspicion”

Revenge ABC

Nolan pretty much sums up this whole episode, “Even I’m getting confused.”

Characters keep interchanging their names, but not to worry Nolan and fellow viewers, the plot line to this episode is pretty simple.

There is a big investor dinner for Grayson Global and Tyler and Daniel are up against each other. As Tyler puts it, it is ambition v. nepotism. Tyler plans on banking Nolan Ross after Nolan learns of Tyler’s con. Tyler had stolen one of his credit cards. Tyler promises Nolan, “I’ll pay you back when you invest.” Nolan finds this ridiculous since then Tyler would paying him back with his own money.

Emily begs to differ. She tells Nolan to invest. Why? They learn that Tyler has Lydia’s speech. Emily wants to lure Tyler with money and then take it away from him when she succeeds in getting back the speech. Best part is when Tyler and Nolan agree on this deal with a kiss, Ashley catches them in the act.

Daniel tries to makes a connection with Satoshi Takeada who Emily seems to know. Such a random encounter. When I first saw this episode, all I could thing was, what?!? I thought I was watching a very bad take on “The Karate Kid”. Takeada doesn’t give in even though Emily speaks Japanese. He clearly came out of loyalty for Emily. He has no interest in Daniel’s offer, but Daniel doesn’t know this.

The important turn in this episode is that Amanda or “Kara” for part of this episode, admits to Jack that she is Amanda Clarke. Jack is delighted and kisses her on his boat. Sammy does not approve. Neither does Emily when she finds out.

Side notes:

• When Tyler offers to pay back his loan with a romp in the bed, Nolan responds, “No transaction. Cash only.” Hehe, too funny!
• Nolan is just full of good quotes in these episodes. “When she wants someone to go, they usually go in a spectular fashion.” Nolan says this to Amanda when she decides to stay.
• Victoria Grayson tries to buy Declan out of his relationship with Charlotte.
• Victoria also speaks to Emily. Emily says, “Last thing I want is for Daniel to get hurt.” I find this very ironic since Daniel gets hurt at the start of the season.
• Lydia moves out of the house.
• The police are circling the Grayson’s house after finding the GPS signal from Frank’s phone within in their property.

Revenge Ep8: “Treachery”

Revenge ABC

This post is going to get confusing. We have Amanda and Emily who is really Emily and Amanda. You get what I’m saying?

Not to worry, I’m not going to change anyone’s name. I’m going to try to keep it consistent. This is a pretty basic episode anyway…

Two people arrive at the Hamptons. Lydia returns to the Hamptons to convalesce at the Grayson’s house and Emily has stashed her one time juvie buddy at Nolan’s. Nolan is not amused. I like when he goes, “How long am I running a daycare center?

Emily doesn’t give a name to her friend, but promises she will return to get her. Nolan allows the girl a.k.a Amanda Clarke in the pool when Jack comes back, looking for Nolan. Jack has a new interest in his life. Nolan tells him to avoid her against all costs. He has seen blood on her coat.

Flashback common sense: Emily and Amanda switched names. The warden at Allenwood told Emily to get the real “Emily Thorne” to trust her and then you can have her work her. Emily gave “Emily” a half a million dollars to switch her name and story for hers.

While Amanda is staying with Nolan, Franks wallet is uncovered. Nolan is not happy, one bit. Harboring criminals is one thing Nolan won’t do.

As Lydia moves in, Emily asks Nolan to do her another favor. What is Emily going to do without Nolan? Nolan is such a good friend to her especially after she wants the photoshop picture of New Years in under an hour. What a nice relationship they have. Another lovely relationship is Lydia and Victoria. Victoria is making sure if she remembers anything, it is only the right things.

Emily is working on a new identity “Kara Wilkins” for Amanda because as Emily says, “it’s not safe for you here.” Let’s send you to Paris, but Amanda won’t have this.

The police show up at Emily’s house asking questions, but she has a fish alibi. After picking Amanda up that morning she had gone to pick up some Lox for Daniel. How convenient…  The police tell her that Frank was investigating her for Victoria. Emily then explains about the Allenwood facility. She uses the real Emily’s story about how she ended her abusive father’s life. Daniel is horrified that his mother was having her investigated. He moves in with Emily. Score one for Emily!  The Police do mention that Frank’s car was in Long Island, but the body was not. Not so good Amanda. Too bad she’s going to stick around and have some fun.

Sidenotes:

• Daniel is quitting his job after two episodes at the Stowaway. Congrats Dan! He joins back up with his father.
• Ashley is sick of working for the socialites… she wants to be one of them.
• Kara Wilkins is Emily’s mom name.
• Nolan and Jack’s friendship is restored. See, I didn’t even mention this in the last post because I knew they would be still together.
• Lydia overheard the truth between Victoria and Conrad on how her fall happened.
• Emily leaves Frank’s phone at Victoria with the GPS turned on after she and Nolan wiped the memory.

Revenge Ep7: “Charade”

Revenge ABC

Conrad and Victoria Grayson are celebrating their 25th anniversary, can you believe it? I don’t think they can either. A New York Times reporter comes to interview them and they try to act very much in love like the ice king and queen would. The reporter also interviews Daniel. When Daniel doesn’t let slip who he is dating, Tyler is very helpful in this part.

Franks Story Angle:

Back at Emily’s house, Frank is waiting for her. He finds her gun and wants her to talk. Emily says she will pay him, but that isn’t what he wants.As he leaves, Emily calls the warden and explains her problem. Frank reemerges at the hospital where Victoria is. He promises to redeem himself to her.

Frank goes of to Allenwood, a juvenile maximum correctional center  where he found out Emily went.  That was confidential, but “he broke the sealed records”. The warden tells him he needs a warrant for what else he may want. Franks does not follow the rules and comes back later at night. He does not play nice and picks the locks. He realizes that Emily Thorne is not who she appears to be. The file for Emily Thorne holds the picture of a different girl.

He traces this girl to a strip club where the girl is posing as Amanda Clarke. He tells her where Emily is. She tells him they can go together. Frank calls Victoria and warns that Emily who is not who she appears to be. Too bad, Amanda whacks Frank on the back of the head. She drives his car back to the island to meet Emily. Oh won’t Emily be so surprised?

Relationship Angle:

Emily will be surprised, but first she must see through the Grayson’s 25th anniversary intimate dinner which turns more into a dinner where Declan Porter who Charlotte invited, can’t control himself. He is bitter that Emily can’t see what she means to Jack. She had stopped by earlier in the day and gave him a  mariner’s compass for fixing her porch swing. That’s not just a friend’s gift.

The only person missing from this little rendezvous is Tyler. Tyler is busy talking things over with Nolan. Nolan learns that Tyler has had a restraining order against a Leslie Montgomery who turns out to be a dude.  The talking eventually leads to the bedroom where Nolan enjoys himself. Emily will not be pleased when she finds out.

At the end, Daniel and Emily are sitting on the porch swing. Daniel says “I Love you” to Emily as she strokes the swing that is a memory of her past.

Side notes:

• Nolan has a bodyguard now whose name is Big Ed
• Lydia wakes up from her coma, has amnesia.
• Conrad moves out
• Daniel and Emily are on the other side of the fold of the paper. Jack and Emily are not amused.

“Midnight in Paris”: Nostalgia all the way

“Midnight in Paris” is an interesting take on nostalgia thanks to the director and writer, Woody Allen.

So I found out this year in school that I’ve seen very few Woody Allen films. I think my totally is up to a grand total of four thanks to “Midnight in Paris”. Allen always has an interesting take on his films and you can always tell that they are his films. He also always picks very beautiful locations.

Paris is beautiful in the opening credits. It seems like a time lapse to show the world of Paris changing from day to night. “Midnight in Paris” is all about Gil Pender who is a would be writer with a past in Hollywood scripting. Gil played by Owen Wilson is engaged to the very spoiled Inez played by Rachel McAdams. While Inez goes out ever night to dance with friends including an ex-boyfriend who she still likes, Gil goes out walking the streets at Paris.

This is where the fun starts. Everynight when the clock chimes midnight, an old car comes to pick him up and transports him back to the time he wished he was born into… the 1920′s. In the 1920′s he runs into may greats including Cole Porter and the Fitzgeralds, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Fitzgerald. I love at one point when Gil offers Zelda, a valium when she freaks out.  He also meets Ernest Hemingway.  Gil promises to bring his manuscript back to Hemingway tomorrow.

When he wakes up, he is back in his hotel room, telling Inez about his crazy night. She thinks he has a brain tumor. He keeps trying to surprise her to take her back to this time, but she gives up before the car arrives. Maybe nostalgia doesn’t make her happy, her present life is happy when she is hanging out with an old boyfriend.

With his first trip back to the 1920′s, I thought Gil was just very drunk. However when he returns a second time, I think not. Gil goes back farther with is Adrianna, mistress to Picasso played by the lovely Marion Cotillard. Side note: Anything this woman does is perfect. Love her! Gil and Adriana goes back to la Belle Epoque. Allen never really describes how it happens, it just does.

I think a quote that Gil speaks tells the reason behind these time shifts,

“Adriana, if you stay here though, and this becomes your present then pretty soon you’ll start imagining another time was really your… You know, was really the golden time. Yeah, that’s what the present is. It’s a little unsatisfying because life’s a little unsatisfying.”

It’s a sad realization because Gil is upset with his life and the situation it is in. Allen creates a nice  spin on nostalgia and why so many people look back or can’t move forward with their lives.

If I had to pick a theme for the 9 Best Pictures nominations, I am slowly beginning to realize what is. This movie along with other 8 Best Picture nominations have a great tie to the past and present. They all share a sense of nostalgia and a time that was.

Oscar Nominations: 

• Best Picture
• Best Art Direction
• Best Directing: Woody Allen
• Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

 

“The Descendants”: A Hawaiian Tribute

Imagine this is George Clooney as a family man… finally. Albeit, a little dysfunctional.

Clooney plays Matt King, a prominent lawyer with three big problems happening in his middle age life. 1) His wife is in a coma and he has to take care of his two daughters which he has not done, ever. 2) He is currently in charge of a trust that contains the last natural part of Hawaii. His cousins are currently trying to decided what to do with it, but Matt is the last deciding factor. 3) He learns his wife was cheating on him.

Now those are some pretty big problems and it’s a good thing that you only have to get a quick flight to get to the different islands of Hawaii. Clooney does a pretty good job of towing his daughters around with their one friend to tell people about his wife’s condition and find the person his wife cheated on him with from island to island.

People were upset that Shailene Woodley who plays Alexandra King, the eldest daughter, didn’t nab a nomination. I thought she was good, but I thought she just played a very unstable teenager. I don’t know if that’s very hard to play. I did however grow quite an affection for Scottie played by Amara Miller, the youngest fiery daughter who has quite a mouth on her.

The same could be said for Clooney. Everyone is loving George Clooney in his role, but I think he showed a deeper character in “Up in the Air”. I didn’t dislike George Clooney. He definitely played a great awkward father with his different hairstyle. However, I thought if I had to say where he really deserved his nomination, it would be at the end of the film when he says goodbye to wife. It shows the full circle of everything he goes through. People could just say, “Yeah, he was crying. How hard is that to do in front of camera?”  I thought the cry still showed what his wife meant to him. He still loved his wife even after all the frustration she caused.

In result to the land development, there’s a couple different ways that it could have gone. That I thought was a better part of the movie when King announces his decision.

The ending I had to think about for a while. I think in the end, the director Alexander Payne was trying to show a family just trying to pull themselves together and to be a family again.

The one nomination I thought was missing from the list was cinematography. Phedon Papamichael showed a beautiful landscape that is Hawaii. He just didn’t show what tourists see, he also showed where the families live which I think a lot of people forget. It’s not just a tropical location… it’s people’s homes.

Oscar Nominations:

1. Best Picture
2. Best Actor in a Leading Role: George Clooney
3. Best Directing: Alexander Payne
4. Best Film Editing
5. Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

“Smash” may just be the break NBC was looking for

“Glee” made it okay for every other show out there to use music in their show. “Smash” is no exception.

Lord, the previews for NBC’s “Smash” started a long time ago. I can’t remember when, but I remember it was a long, long time ago. I know why they were doing it. They wanted to get your attention. They are desperate for a new hit show.

Now with all the previews hitting me every day of the week, you might wonder, why would I ever watch this show? Haven’t I had enough? Well, to be honest, I was watching “The Voice” which was on before, “Cake Boss” ended last week and I was already taping “Castle”. So I was all set and I didn’t even have to change the channel.

Like I said earlier, “Smash” has music, but unlike “Glee”, it’s original songs which is always good stuff. Debra Messing has arrived back to television as Julia Houston, a workaholic writer who loves making plays with her co-writer Tom Levitt. They start to joke around with the idea of  making a play all about Marilyn Monroe. They start to do a demo and it gets accidentally released by an assistant whose mom put its on youtube. It becomes viral and they decide to go forward with the backing of Eileen Rand played by Anjelica Houston.

You would think everyone would be sick of Marilyn by now especially since of the Oscar Buzz for Michelle Williams? I thought I would be too, but the music is catchy. The baseball song Ivy sang was particular fun and entertaining, just like a broadway show is supposed to do.

Vying for the part of Marilyn is Ivy played by Megan Hilty and Karen played by Katherine McPhee. Ivy has always only had ensemble parts. She has worked with Tom and Julia and they want her to have the lead part. Too bad, the snarky british director Derek Willis played by Jack Davenport has his sights set on the very green Karen.

Now looking at the two, the ads makes you want to pick Karen as your go to pick for Marilyn. She’s down on her luck and her parents don’t believe she can do it. Katherine McPhee, as an actress, is different. I’ve seen in the “House Bunny”, but I don’t know if that counts, though I throughly enjoyed it. Don’t get me wrong, she has a great voice, but I also like Ivy.

Ivy has her own sob story of how her mom has clearly picked a favorite of her children and it’s not her.

You don’t know who gets the part which is the whole gimmick of this season, how many callbacks does it take to get the part? Will it be Ivy who Julia and Tom had in mind or will the newcomer get it? Derek will become an interesting catalyst for both woman as he looks for his leading lady, but also who will entertain him in his private life?

“Smash” airs Monday at 10 P.M. after the “Voice” on NBC

Revenge Ep6: “Intrigue”

Revenge ABC

It’s really fun going back to watch episodes a second time around because you pick up on new things including costume, music or just another layer to a character like Tyler.

“Intrigue” centers around July 4th weekend and the big annual party that the Graysons throw. There are two main stories going on in this episode, you have the relationship angle, but you also have the remnants of what happened to Lydia.

 4th of July Party with Relationship Angle:

Ashely with her handy dandy iPad is behind the helm to control the undertakings of the festivities. The only person that won’t be attending would be Daniel.

Daniel is starting his new job at the Stowaway as a second bartender with a double shift. Jack isn’t happy about rich boy working, especially since rich boy is definitely dating Emily now, hence the double shift. Victoria is not happy either. Tyler let’s it slip that maybe Emily made him get the job. Gotta love this evil kid’s effort to undo this relationship.

Nolan is also trying to undo the relationship between Daniel and Emily, but I find it, this time, endearing. Nolan knows the truth and isn’t being a jerk without a reason. Tyler is creepy and Nolan is endearing. Nolan keeps coming over to egg Jack on that Emily might have feelings. Nolan is trying to make Emily happy and stop playing the game. He is the older brother that she never had.

Nolan drags Jack and Declan to the party. Declan goes after Charlotte still playing the whole Romeo & Juliet angle of coming from different worlds. (Declan stole from a lobster net to make a profit. Too bad the net belonged to two burly men)

Jack talks with Emily down at a dock and gives a real deep metaphor about a sailboat which I can’t really care to write down. Let’s face it, Jack loves boat analogies with love.  Jack tells Emily, “Tell me the truth and then I’m done with this and I won’t ever bother you again.” Emily tells him, he is talking to the wrong girl.  I, like Nolan, ask myself, Emily is all this really worth it? Emily is just pushing him farther and farther away. Come one Emily, he even came over to fix your front porch swing in this episode. Now that is some love right there.

4th of July Party with Plotting Angle:

Nolan tells Emily the truth about Lydia. She’s not so paranoid, but he is. By the end of the episode, Nolan has every right to.  Emily and Nolan decide to send the video to the Grayson and let them bury their employee.

Conrad is the first to view it and decides to fire Frank. Gives him a nice big severance/blackmail check to keep him quiet. However, Frank will do the opposite, especially after he learns Conrad has the video. He was not aware that Lydia’s apartment had surveillance.

Frank goes over to Lydia’s apartment and watches security footage and learns that Nolan entered the apartment. This is where I freaked out because Nolan is my buddy and Frank is pretty scary. Frank corners Nolan at the party and is about to blow off his kneecaps, but Tyler and Emily interrupt the situation.

Frank disappears, only to see that Nolan and Emily go off to the side to discuss what happened. He only reappears to warn Victoria of the danger late at night. Victoria will not listen to him, she has seen the video. Conrad finds him and throws him out of the house. Frank may know the truth, but no one will listen.

The only other problem really going on in this episode was Tyler, being Tyler. He goes to the bar and has a drink with Daniel. While Daniel is busy, Tyler slips something in his drink. Tyler purposely smashes his head on a beam as he leaves the Stowaway. He explains that Daniel was drinking and he did this and it’s all Emily’s fault.

Emily and Tyler’s twisted relationship, goes to yet another level when they have a great conversation during the dinner date.  It really made more sense when I saw this episode a second time. There’s this underlying tone that Emily speaks with that gives this conversation, a second meaning. Emily can tell that Tyler isn’t who he talks himself out to be.

Tyler: I’m just trying to tell a story.

Emily: I believe that.

Tyler: Why don’t you tell your girlfriend to take a step back? Who does she think she is talking to?

Emily: That’s a very good question. 

Side notes:

• Great music again especially from Peter Bradley Adams
• Loved Emily’s dress at the July 4th party. Just found out it is designed by Jason Wu. Lovely
• Does anyone really believe Ashley and Emily are really friends? I can never quite figure this relationship out.

 

Superbowl Tidbits

By no means am I a football fan. I’m a Giants fan by default thanks to my dad and his friend, but that’s all I really know. I don’t know how the game is played except the occasional touchdown, but here are a couple things to get you in the Superbowl Mood is if you’re like me…

1.DanRad loves the Giants. He’s the man. Yes he’s British, but he’s also been living in New York for a while.

2. The Superbowl is all about the commercials for me. I’m happy to say that a Long Islander did a great commercial for Chevy. Can’t wait to see it tonight during the game. Also the Ferris Bueller one with Matthew Broderick is really funny.

3. When everyone is celebrating the winner of the Superbowl, I’ll be very excited to watch the Voice. Love the chemistry that all the judges have with one another.

Enjoy the game in anyway you do whether it’s eating all the delicious food, laughing at the commercials or just getting really into the game.

Tonight’s Television Pick: Grey’s Anatomy

This is probably the Grey’s Anatomy episode that I’ve been excited in a while for. They have had eight seasons, but they have never done this.. an alternate universe episode. Meredith get’s Alex, Derek is still married and Lexi is a little vampire druggie like. Also Alex is preppy, awesome.  I’ve seen the first few minutes and I can’t wait to see the rest of the episode.  It’s gonna be a great night of some old style Grey’s Anatomy.

Check it out tonight on ABC at 9 PM