So shows have started to come back and you know I'm excited. Some of my favorite crappy shows are back and I was all over them. This is just an overview of what happened in the season openers and where I think they are going.
First up we have one of my favorites, Gossip Girl. Last we left it Blair and Serena were off to Paris to forget about guys, Chuck was shot in the stomach in Prague where he had gone to forget about Blair, Nate was heartbroken by Serena and sought comfort in Chuck's little black book of whores, Dan and Vanessa seem to be on the outs and Vanessa runs off to do some documentary in Haiti, and good old Georgina had surprised Dan with a big "guess what I'm pregnant and its yours."
As the show goes on you pretty much see what the group has been doing over the summer. By the end of the show you are pretty much caught up on everyone. Serena has pretty much been sleeping her way around Paris. If they were a man then it was a safe bet she had sex with them. Oh yeah, and she got into Columbia University somehow, which is the school Blair will be attending. Blair on the otherhand has just been reading in the park and looking at her favorite Manet paintings and hasn't found a man to help her get over Chuck. But don't fret readers, she does meet one, and he is a Prince from Monocco. A double date ensues and you have the old prince pretending to be the driver routine which gets Serena pushed in a fountain because Blair is jealous that she always gets everything great with no effort. Oh yeah, and she is extra upset that Serena is going to Columbia because she knows she will be upstaged by her for the umpteenth time and just wants something of her own damnit. Chuck is not dead surprisingly. He was rescued from near death by some strange French girl who nurses him back to health in her apartment. Chuck finding the oppurtunity to be someone new decides he's going to be called Henry now and when he was better they went off to Paris for him to relax. We all know what that means.
Back in NYC, Nate has been diligently going through the black book but mysteriously feels no better after his breakup. He runs into a somewhat older woman in a restaurant while out with one of the bimbos and proceeds to pour his heart out to her about what he has been doing all summer and gives a little game. Of course the woman takes the bait. But as we see towards the end of the show that this woman isn't who she is claiming to be and seems to be stalking Nate. For what reason? We have to wait and see. Vanessa comes back to find that Georgina had the baby and has been shacking up with Dan the entire summer. And surprise surprise Dan hasn't told anyone about the new addition. Vanessa is understandably upset but oddly still tries to stand beside her friend/man. She is very skeptical of Georgina, and with reason. It finally comes out to Dan's dad, Rufus, and his wife, Lily, during some party at their place because Georgina crashes. They are skeptical and demand a paternity test. Georgina is ready for that one and shows some paper, which we can only assume is doctored up, saying Dan is the dad. And guess what, everyone believes it. The fools. So the show seems to be promising. They delivered in the first episode and I'm eagerly anticipating more.
Here is a clip of what is happening next episode.
Vampire Diaries is also back! Thank goodness because I have been wondering all summer what has been going on. Last we left it Katherine was back and posing as Elena who is her doppleganger. Caroline and Matt were in a car accident and Caroline was given some of Damon's blood. Since he is a vampire it will bring her back to life with it's healing powers. We also see that Damon has feelings for Elena, which isn't good because she is with his also vampire brother, Stefan. And we have all seen how nasty it can get between those two over a girl.
So when it came back it picked right back up. Katherine was in full b**ch mode and trying stir things up. It finally comes out that she came back to profess her eternal love for Stefan. He turns her down because, unlike Damon, he hasn't been pining away for her all these decades and loves Elena. Damon is heartbroken when he finds this out. Katherine goes off, heartbroken as well, and smothers Caroline in the hospital as a warning that she is gone for good. Damon on the other hand gets drunk and goes to Elena to profess his feelings and in a rage snaps the neck of Elena's brother Jeremy. Thankfully Jeremy is now wearing a ring that has a spell on it to keep him alive so he isn't completely dead.
Caroline, since she still had the vampire blood in her system, is brought back to life. As per the rules and regulations of becomming a vampire she must now feed on blood to completely become one. Well, being locked in a hospital didn't help her fight that urge and she is now a vampire. Saddly Matt has no idea. The rest try to carry on as normal teenagers and plan the carnival for school. They just can't get away from their problems though. Caroline gets out of jail and starts feeding on people. Her friends then find out. Damon is now catching on to something else supernatural in the town in the form of a returned uncle to one of the kids' classmates. Some investigating is done and seems that they are trying to paint him as a werewolf (which if true I will be sorely upset that they feel they have to go the Twilight route) and it being possibly that his nephew could be one too. This season seems to be going in a direction I wasn't expecting. I'm curious to see how this whole Caroline thing will pan out. I'm also praying that we won't see the emergence of werewolfs. If it happens, I hope it happens in the great Seth Green as Oz on Buffy the Vampire Slayer way, and not in the Twilight way.
Here is a clip of the upcoming episode.
Well guys, this is it for now. Next week is premier week so I will be coming back with opinion of new shows this season. Head over to the forum at www.j1studios.com and discuss these shows. Or any returning shows for that matter. Or you could just have at it right here in the comments.
Till next time kids, this has been Hava.
Showing posts with label vampires. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vampires. Show all posts
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, November 30, 2009
DOUBLE FEATURE - NEW MOON AND NINJA ASSASSIN!!!
I know no one is ready for this: the Bella & Edward romance story.... and a rogue ninja assassin?!?! Indeed, I come to you with dual, humble offerings of drama and some tasty butt-kicking. A Double Feature you ask - yes! Read on....
New Moon (2009)
Running Time: 130 minutes
Rated PG-13
Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Romance
Director: Chris Weitz
Ahhhh, the cheesy romance between two desire-filled teens - not quite a scene put at the top of any of my flick picks. Yet there's something annoyingly appealing about seeing the exchange between Bella's angst-filled presence and Edward's tough-to-read facade. All is contained within this second installment of the Twilight series, (The first of which is Twilight (2008)) based off of Stephenie Meyer's novels.
When the much-hyped, original Twilight movie arrived in theatres, it was an instant hit - women, young and old(er) fell hard for the misunderstood Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison), a "17 year old" vampire in a family of semi-self controlled vamps recently settled in the small town of Forks, Washington.
The story continues where it left off: Isabella Swan, aka Bella (Kristen Stewart), remains immersed in Edwardland and is currently obsessed with the reality of her aging while her beloved keeps his youth. A family time accident sparks the Cullen Family's departure from the town thus rendering Bella heartless and depressed. Her desire shifts to depending on the rush of living the dangerous life for happiness as it gives her visions of Edward. Bad Girl Bella's desire encourages the bonds of her relationship with Jacob and a loving friendship between the two becomes more complicated. Secrets are discovered and it all comes to a dramatic yet predictable head.
There were many obnoxious recurring themes - Bella's extended depressed stage, excuse me, whole life, is enough to make you sick to your stomach (it's over the top). The uninspired acting by many of the main characters. Edward's muttering - I still do not know half of what he said. The plain ol' cheesiness. The movie wasn't totally ridiculous though; the fight scenes were impressive and once the first film is seen, you grudgingly want to know what develops with Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Bella's friendship and the human-vampire conundrum. In addition, in previews shown on television, the wolves seen are technically werewolves. While I don't usually get angry about adding a slight new twist on old tales, simply put - these are not werewolves! In and of themselves, they are extremely well-done. Terrifying and powerful creatures they are, powerful wolves to be exact - not werewolves. Then again, what can I expect from a film that depicts "vampires" that have reflections and can mingle in the daylight. Alrighty.
Another aspect to factor in and something I was only aware of after reviewing some message boards, is the disgust with how this story portrays young women. While being a teen and falling in love is tear inducing and brings the end of the world feeling when you're without him, Bella's lack of any tad of a personality strength, sense of independence or will-power and her hopelessness-without-Edward deal is quite putrefying and not something "tweens" need to rely on as images to look to as "cool". Bella needs, thrives even, off of Edward and can you guess what happens while he's gone? She stares out of a window for months, isolates her already loner self from her few friends and wallows in self-pity, only seeing a glimmer of happiness from the visions she sees of Edward. While we wouldn't have the freedom we desired if all films were positive, this is a series that is impacting youth at a pivotal age - can't we have an ounce of self respect from the protagonist for the sake of the chil'ren?
For those that love the series and who crave seeing the novels come to life, the teenage girl in me can understand those that will unquestionably buy into all of this. To sum it up - it is somewhat cute but all-in-all, the extended moans Bella exudes whenever stepping within 5 feet of Edward get sickening. Fast.
I give it a 2 out of 5 stars.
Trailer:
New Moon (2009)
Running Time: 130 minutes
Rated PG-13
Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Romance
Director: Chris Weitz
Ahhhh, the cheesy romance between two desire-filled teens - not quite a scene put at the top of any of my flick picks. Yet there's something annoyingly appealing about seeing the exchange between Bella's angst-filled presence and Edward's tough-to-read facade. All is contained within this second installment of the Twilight series, (The first of which is Twilight (2008)) based off of Stephenie Meyer's novels.
When the much-hyped, original Twilight movie arrived in theatres, it was an instant hit - women, young and old(er) fell hard for the misunderstood Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison), a "17 year old" vampire in a family of semi-self controlled vamps recently settled in the small town of Forks, Washington.
The story continues where it left off: Isabella Swan, aka Bella (Kristen Stewart), remains immersed in Edwardland and is currently obsessed with the reality of her aging while her beloved keeps his youth. A family time accident sparks the Cullen Family's departure from the town thus rendering Bella heartless and depressed. Her desire shifts to depending on the rush of living the dangerous life for happiness as it gives her visions of Edward. Bad Girl Bella's desire encourages the bonds of her relationship with Jacob and a loving friendship between the two becomes more complicated. Secrets are discovered and it all comes to a dramatic yet predictable head.
There were many obnoxious recurring themes - Bella's extended depressed stage, excuse me, whole life, is enough to make you sick to your stomach (it's over the top). The uninspired acting by many of the main characters. Edward's muttering - I still do not know half of what he said. The plain ol' cheesiness. The movie wasn't totally ridiculous though; the fight scenes were impressive and once the first film is seen, you grudgingly want to know what develops with Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Bella's friendship and the human-vampire conundrum. In addition, in previews shown on television, the wolves seen are technically werewolves. While I don't usually get angry about adding a slight new twist on old tales, simply put - these are not werewolves! In and of themselves, they are extremely well-done. Terrifying and powerful creatures they are, powerful wolves to be exact - not werewolves. Then again, what can I expect from a film that depicts "vampires" that have reflections and can mingle in the daylight. Alrighty.
Another aspect to factor in and something I was only aware of after reviewing some message boards, is the disgust with how this story portrays young women. While being a teen and falling in love is tear inducing and brings the end of the world feeling when you're without him, Bella's lack of any tad of a personality strength, sense of independence or will-power and her hopelessness-without-Edward deal is quite putrefying and not something "tweens" need to rely on as images to look to as "cool". Bella needs, thrives even, off of Edward and can you guess what happens while he's gone? She stares out of a window for months, isolates her already loner self from her few friends and wallows in self-pity, only seeing a glimmer of happiness from the visions she sees of Edward. While we wouldn't have the freedom we desired if all films were positive, this is a series that is impacting youth at a pivotal age - can't we have an ounce of self respect from the protagonist for the sake of the chil'ren?
For those that love the series and who crave seeing the novels come to life, the teenage girl in me can understand those that will unquestionably buy into all of this. To sum it up - it is somewhat cute but all-in-all, the extended moans Bella exudes whenever stepping within 5 feet of Edward get sickening. Fast.
I give it a 2 out of 5 stars.
Trailer:
________________________________________________________
Ninja Assassin (2009)
Running Time: 99 minutes
Rated R
Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
Director: James McTeigue (directed V for Vendetta)
Ninja Assassin, starring Raizo (a South Korean popstar, Rain), a meticulously and ruthlessly trained ninja who had escaped the secret Ozunu Clan, follows his life throughout his childhood and into adulthood. The Ozunu Clan kidnaps orphaned children to train them as perfect killers through blood, sweat and many, many tears. The clan works for hire and they are the best out there; no feelings, no mercy, just pure skill and ruthlessness. Raizo is a superb fighter, with his teacher, Takeshi (Rick Yune) never letting up, knowing that his potential is immense. Raizo later rebels and leaves as a result of the clans murder of his young love. This rebellion is not taken well - the Ozunu clan takes allegiance to them under all circumstances, no exceptions.
Raizo meets Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), a European CIA agent who discovers the danger of knowing the existence of the clan. Their goal is to take down the clan but a formidable and futile task it seems.
What is expected occurs: someone dear to Raizo is killed thus his disapproval of those who once instructed him is sealed. Many fight scenes between fellow ninjas including his "brother". Swift blocks, chopped limbs, quick body shifts, dodging swords - the movements are exciting to see but are not new or original. Raizo's skill with his swinging Kusai-gama (a traditional Japanese weapon) is incredible. There are some scenes which made your pupil's dilate and your palms sweaty out of anxiousness and eagerness, yearning to see how the injured Raizo is going to dodge the 50+ assassins who have him trapped.
There was no real surprise - Raizo fought with precision and grace, as we expected him to. I am glad that Mika and Raizo did NOT have a love connection - it would have taken away from the story, as many, many movies do. They forge a crisis-imparted connection that is sweet; we thank the creators for recognizing that there is not a need to always have an awkwardly placed love exchange between the hero and the victim.
My opinion: Raizo was well-cast, Mika did alright, loved Raizo's solo training scene ;) and the computer generated blood that was criticized wasn't horrible at all (it made sense in a movie of this nature). I do not understand those that felt there needed to be a deep, verbally-charged, life-impacting film. I do feel that the characters could have been developed more fully but we got what we needed to understand a straight-forward plot. It's an action movie guys, come on.
My advise: this is the type of movie you'd watch again on cable, but do not need to buy on Blu-Ray.
I give this film a 3 out of 5 stars.
Trailer:
Danae signing off!
source:www.traileraddict.com
Ninja Assassin (2009)
Running Time: 99 minutes
Rated R
Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
Director: James McTeigue (directed V for Vendetta)
Ninja Assassin, starring Raizo (a South Korean popstar, Rain), a meticulously and ruthlessly trained ninja who had escaped the secret Ozunu Clan, follows his life throughout his childhood and into adulthood. The Ozunu Clan kidnaps orphaned children to train them as perfect killers through blood, sweat and many, many tears. The clan works for hire and they are the best out there; no feelings, no mercy, just pure skill and ruthlessness. Raizo is a superb fighter, with his teacher, Takeshi (Rick Yune) never letting up, knowing that his potential is immense. Raizo later rebels and leaves as a result of the clans murder of his young love. This rebellion is not taken well - the Ozunu clan takes allegiance to them under all circumstances, no exceptions.
Raizo meets Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), a European CIA agent who discovers the danger of knowing the existence of the clan. Their goal is to take down the clan but a formidable and futile task it seems.
What is expected occurs: someone dear to Raizo is killed thus his disapproval of those who once instructed him is sealed. Many fight scenes between fellow ninjas including his "brother". Swift blocks, chopped limbs, quick body shifts, dodging swords - the movements are exciting to see but are not new or original. Raizo's skill with his swinging Kusai-gama (a traditional Japanese weapon) is incredible. There are some scenes which made your pupil's dilate and your palms sweaty out of anxiousness and eagerness, yearning to see how the injured Raizo is going to dodge the 50+ assassins who have him trapped.
There was no real surprise - Raizo fought with precision and grace, as we expected him to. I am glad that Mika and Raizo did NOT have a love connection - it would have taken away from the story, as many, many movies do. They forge a crisis-imparted connection that is sweet; we thank the creators for recognizing that there is not a need to always have an awkwardly placed love exchange between the hero and the victim.
My opinion: Raizo was well-cast, Mika did alright, loved Raizo's solo training scene ;) and the computer generated blood that was criticized wasn't horrible at all (it made sense in a movie of this nature). I do not understand those that felt there needed to be a deep, verbally-charged, life-impacting film. I do feel that the characters could have been developed more fully but we got what we needed to understand a straight-forward plot. It's an action movie guys, come on.
My advise: this is the type of movie you'd watch again on cable, but do not need to buy on Blu-Ray.
I give this film a 3 out of 5 stars.
Trailer:
Danae signing off!
source:www.traileraddict.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
RECAP!!!
So I thought it was time to give you guys a little update on what I have been watching lately. Now I may not be watching the most sophisticated of programming but I’m addicted. The first thing that I’m catching you up on is Gossip Girl. Yeah, I know. But I have been hooked since the first season and now must continue to watch it. Now I’m not going to tell you everything that has been happening for the past two and half seasons but I will go over the last episode that aired this past Monday. Apparently Serena is torn between her desire to have an affair with married new Congressman and old crush Tripp Van der bilt and not being a slut. So she turns to her friend Nate, Tripp’s cousin, who has extensive knowledge in this department, for help. His solution is to keep her away from him by going on a bar crawl. Genius! Jenny decides to help Chuck by giving some foreign ambassador’s son a tour of NYC and finds out that he sells drugs in the park. Chuck comes to her rescue when she gets into an awkward drug deal in a bar. What a wonderful step brother he is. Blair continues her quest to become queen of NYU by trying to get in with the Tisch crowd and their cabaret. She does this by going through Olivia, who is a big movie star attending NYU with her. Olivia just so happens to be in a relationship with Dan and roommates with Vanessa, who has been lifelong friends with Dan. The tension with those three can be cut with a cleaver since in the last episode they all had a threesome because they thought Olivia would be leaving to shoot a movie, which of course it fell through. Olivia suspects that Vanessa has a thing for Dan, which she does, and that Dan might have that same thing for her. Well in the end the cabaret performance with their little group goes off pretty well considering it’s a musical version of Snow White set to Lady Gaga songs. But it’s the end of Olivia on the show because it has been confirmed that Dan does like Vanessa by a kiss and a look that he gave her during the threesome. So in the end Serena’s slutty ways win out and she goes off with Tripp when she finds out his wife did a not so good thing and she makes out with him. Jenny is lured by the “dangerous” ways of the foreign kid who looks like a 35 year old man. Blair shows up the snotty Tisch kids by getting them in to see a private Lady Gaga concert that they couldn’t get themselves. Dan realizes that Olivia is done with him and that he really does like Vanessa, but maybe she’s moved on to someone else. Just think, that’s not even the tip of the iceberg for these tangled stories. This is a clip from the next episode that is unfortunately two weeks away.
The next show I have been following is America’s Next Top Model: Cycle Short Girls. It ended last night with the predictable winner of Nicole. Now I waxed poetic earlier in the season about how Tyra is out of control with her whole stereotypes and craziness and how the season just felt hypocritical to me. Well I still feel that way. Yeah Nicole is gorgeous and she takes great pictures. My beef is not with that. Even though I would have preferred Laura to win, I’m okay with Nicole winning. I just can’t get over Tyra and her letting out her inner crazy person. Now, my day job is as a mental health case manager so I work with crazy people on a regular basis so I feel comfortable enough saying that I think Tyra has the DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder, or split personality). She’s all over the place with her accents and characters and general weirdness. I can’t get over it. I’m sorry. But yeah, Nicole won. Woo hoo! Looking forward to the next season Tyra. Still waiting for the all plus sized model cycle. Here is a clip from the season.
Lastly one of the shows I follow is the new show Vampire Diaries. Now I’m not big on this whole vampire craze sweeping the world. I cannot stand any part of the Twilight crap that is out there or any of the other vampire based books. This show however caught my attention. It’s not the best show out there or even has the best acting or story lines but I’m kind of hooked. It follows Elena, whose world has been turned upside down by the death of her parents, and Stefan, who is new to town and has the bruiting good looks that all vampires have. To mix it up Stefan has a brother, Damon, who is also a vampire that is pretty evil and is out to do something which we haven’t figured out yet. Elena’s best friend, Bonnie, just so happens to come from a long line of witches and she is starting to get visions and feelings. On this last episode Bonnie’s visions of an old relative are increasing due to an old necklace that once belonged to her. It shows us a little into what Damon has planned. It is revealed that there was an arrangement between him and Bonnie’s relative in order to save a woman that both he and Stefan loved (who coincidentally looks just like, you guessed it, Elena) from a fire that killed the whole town over a century ago. In the end things settle a little but Stefan has just reinforced for himself that he needs to stay away from Elena so she is safe. He’s going to leave town. Sucks for him and her since she actually likes him even though he is a vampire. Please tell me you caught the use of the word sucks going with the theme of vampires. Okay, moving on. I’m enjoying seeing where this is going. I’m not quite sure what Damon is up to or who this new vampire guy is that seems to be interested in Elena’s aunt, who she now lives with, but I want to know. So I’m going to keep watching. Here is a clip for the next episode. (Just so you know, there is a bit of Elena in her underwear in this clip cause she and Stefan will probably have sex in this episode. Lucky girl!)
Well kids, you can follow what I'm watching or find "crap" of your own to watch. Either way head over to the forum and talk about my shows or your shows, or just shows.
Until next time kids, this has been Hava!
Info for all of the shows listed above can be found the CW's website.
The next show I have been following is America’s Next Top Model: Cycle Short Girls. It ended last night with the predictable winner of Nicole. Now I waxed poetic earlier in the season about how Tyra is out of control with her whole stereotypes and craziness and how the season just felt hypocritical to me. Well I still feel that way. Yeah Nicole is gorgeous and she takes great pictures. My beef is not with that. Even though I would have preferred Laura to win, I’m okay with Nicole winning. I just can’t get over Tyra and her letting out her inner crazy person. Now, my day job is as a mental health case manager so I work with crazy people on a regular basis so I feel comfortable enough saying that I think Tyra has the DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder, or split personality). She’s all over the place with her accents and characters and general weirdness. I can’t get over it. I’m sorry. But yeah, Nicole won. Woo hoo! Looking forward to the next season Tyra. Still waiting for the all plus sized model cycle. Here is a clip from the season.
Lastly one of the shows I follow is the new show Vampire Diaries. Now I’m not big on this whole vampire craze sweeping the world. I cannot stand any part of the Twilight crap that is out there or any of the other vampire based books. This show however caught my attention. It’s not the best show out there or even has the best acting or story lines but I’m kind of hooked. It follows Elena, whose world has been turned upside down by the death of her parents, and Stefan, who is new to town and has the bruiting good looks that all vampires have. To mix it up Stefan has a brother, Damon, who is also a vampire that is pretty evil and is out to do something which we haven’t figured out yet. Elena’s best friend, Bonnie, just so happens to come from a long line of witches and she is starting to get visions and feelings. On this last episode Bonnie’s visions of an old relative are increasing due to an old necklace that once belonged to her. It shows us a little into what Damon has planned. It is revealed that there was an arrangement between him and Bonnie’s relative in order to save a woman that both he and Stefan loved (who coincidentally looks just like, you guessed it, Elena) from a fire that killed the whole town over a century ago. In the end things settle a little but Stefan has just reinforced for himself that he needs to stay away from Elena so she is safe. He’s going to leave town. Sucks for him and her since she actually likes him even though he is a vampire. Please tell me you caught the use of the word sucks going with the theme of vampires. Okay, moving on. I’m enjoying seeing where this is going. I’m not quite sure what Damon is up to or who this new vampire guy is that seems to be interested in Elena’s aunt, who she now lives with, but I want to know. So I’m going to keep watching. Here is a clip for the next episode. (Just so you know, there is a bit of Elena in her underwear in this clip cause she and Stefan will probably have sex in this episode. Lucky girl!)
Well kids, you can follow what I'm watching or find "crap" of your own to watch. Either way head over to the forum and talk about my shows or your shows, or just shows.
Until next time kids, this has been Hava!
Info for all of the shows listed above can be found the CW's website.
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