Reviews, reviews, reviews
Books
36) House of Cards - CE Murphy - pretty much the same as my review for the first book. I like the female protagonist but the male lead still leaves me could. I find the secondary characters SO much more interesting.
I wasn't too sure about a book that was set in the Percy Jackson world but didn't actually have Percy in it, but bloody hell, did Rick Riordan change my mind. I really shouldn't have doubted.
I like the way he did it: Percy wasn't around because he'd disappeared suddenly one night.
I really like the idea of the gods having children in both their Greek and Roman aspects. That's totally fascinating to me. I can't wait to see the two camps working together. And the way Jason's quests obviously mirror Percy's is awesome. I bet hearing them comparing notes would be fascinating.
I loved all the cameos by our regular secondary characters from Half-Blood Prince. And Annabeth. She totally rocked.
I was SO relieved that Jason told the truth about everything from the very beginning. It never fails to infuriate me when people keep secrets when quite obviously quests (or whatever) would go so much easier if everyone knew everything. On the other hand, I can totally understand Piper not wanting to tell people about her dad.
I'm still trying to work out who the seven demigods are. Jason, Piper and Leo, obviously. Percy, I would assume because it would be really weird to have five books about Percy doing all that awesome stuff and then going, nope, sorry, he's no longer important. I think not. I assume Annabeth. And that would be five. And part of me thinks that the other two much come from the Roman camp, but then another part of me wants Nico to be one of them, too, because I love him so much. Also, how much did I love that Grover and Nico are both out trying to find Percy.
I am slightly worried about Percy being in the Roman camp. I can't imagine them welcoming him with open arms like the Greeks did Jason. Having said that, Percy kicks ass and I can't imagine him being out of his depth too much. Although, I do wonder what vague memories Hera left Percy when swapping him and Jason.
I'm guessing the next book with be Jason et el going around to the other camp and picking up Percy and a few others. I wonder if stuff is going to happen to them all there or if they are going to go straight to Greece.
I really can't wait for the next book *bounces impatiently*
OMG Graves! When is the next book out??? I kind of need it now.
I'm not sure I'm a fan of Dru and Christoph possibly having a romantic entanglement. I preferred the idea of them having a purely platonic relationship.
Plus, I love and adore Graves. I repeat, OMG Graves!
I really like the other Wulfen. They continue to rock and I love how they keep protecting Dru. Also, Dru's fight with Anna was very kickass.
I really can't wait to find out what happens next.
This series continues to absolutely rock. I can't wait for the next one. They should be coming out roughly every six months, so not too long to wait, thank goodness.
What I totally love about this book is that, after spending three books making the ninja as a whole evil, Chris Bradford has completely flipped that on its head and has make both different factions more grey - their are good people and bad people on both sides. Chris Bradford has had Jack learn that not all Samuari are good and not all ninja are bad. It's brilliant.
It's Chris Bradford doing what I always wish JKR had done with the Slytherin's.
I never liked that - with the exception of one or two people - if you were sorted into Slytherin, you were evil. I could understand children believing that - especially with everything that was going on with Voldemort. What I couldn't understand were adults - especially teachers at Hogwarts, or Ministers or, well, any adult with even an ounce of common sense - who subscribed to the simplistic view of Slytherin = evil.
I remember very well when Harry was told that everyone possesses the attributes that marked out each house, you just got sorted into the one that described you the best. Which means that Slytherin's, as well as being ambitious, should be clever, kind and brave. And after the first couple of books, that seemed to be forgotten,
Roll on the next Young Samurai book - Ring of Fire (can't stop singing the song *g*)
Movies (no spoilers)
American Beauty - I watched this with mum (her choice, by the way) she didn't like it, but I thought it was awesome. I was also impressed with the cast. I hadn't realised there were quite so many awesome people in it.
Elf - Okay, so I watched this when me, thisissirius and seektheinfinite went and stayed the weekend at tahariel's. Neither me nor thiissirius are huge fans of Will Ferrell's but we watched it anyway and we kind of loved it.
I hadn't realised that James Caan was in it and we spent a lot of the movie marvelling at how many of the same expressions Scott Caan shares with him. It's all kinds of adorable.
It's a hilarious film and I'm so glad that tahariel made us watch it (although I suspect that if she hadn't already seen it numerous times, she would have killed me and Siri for the squeeing and talking we were doing).
The North Pole scenes were awesome and Leon who has no feet was a legend.
Small Town Saturday Night - We watched this for Chris Pine - obviously, but the film itself was kind of awesome and we really enjoyed it. Which was a nice change from the last Chris Pine film we had watched - Surrendering Dorothy, which was awful.
Stuart: A Life Backwards - We watched this mostly because Siri was hating on Eames and therefore Tom Hardy, and while I can cope with her hating on Eames (But WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY), her hating on Tom Hardy was a lot less acceptable *g*
I think it's fair to say that within about ten minutes Tom Hardy had managed to change her mind (about Tom Hardy, not about Eames, worst luck *sad face*) because his performance in this is fucking amazing. It's a bloody harrowing story (it would be harrowing if it was fiction; it's SO much worse knowing this really happened) but the performances from Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch are top notch and both me and Siri were crying by the end of it...which was why we watched Fast and Furious after. We needed something light and daft to watch after that.
TV
Burn Notice - I wasn't blown away by this episode, I have to admit. Although James Ransone was awesome as the really very terrifying serial killer. Also, Jesse, that's going to be interesting, I think.
Friday Night Lights
Okay, so I still love the show and am hating the idea that in ten episodes time there will be no more FNL episodes made.
Having said that, I'm really missing the old characters. REALLY missing them. I find the majority of these new characters less interesting. Well, apart from Vince and Jess. I find both of their arcs really interesting and I still like Becky and Luke and want to know what happens to them, but other than that...
So it's a good job that I love Coach and Mrs Coach so much and that they were a huge reason for me watching.
I love that Billy is now working for Coach and the speech he gave Eric about needing to be around someone like Eric nearly made me tear up. Oh, Billy. I also love that Billy is clearly aware of what Tim did for him because when Mindy complained about Becky living with them, he points out that the brother who went to jail for him asked for him to look out for Becky and Mindy really has no reply to that.
And then when Becky comes home late and Mindy tells her that if she's living with them she better get used to people caring where she is made me smile so much because Becky was truly taken aback by the idea of people caring about her.
And, talking about Tim, the scene he had with Billy in the first episode was heartbreaking. God, Tim, please get out of prison okay.
When Landry left, I was really heartened to see him go and see Matt's grandmother. It was wonderful seeing her again. I do miss not seeing her now that Matt isn't around. It's like how I still miss not seeing Smash's mom, who I thought was amazing.
With how much Jess loves football I always thought that it would be cool if she somehow ended up helping Eric on the team, and now she is working on the team, I kind of love it. Although I can get why Vince is less than happy that his girlfriend could be in the locker rooms when the team is semi naked or, naked, even. But I love that Mrs Coach is encouraging Jess with her love for football and I love that Eric agreed to give her a go.
But they are letting a girl get involved in high school football in a role other that rally girl or cheerleader. And I kind of love them for that. All last season I thought it was a shame that Jess was obviously so interested in football and obviously knows so much and all she gets to do is help her brothers and Vince. The idea that she could carry on and do what she wants is awesome. I do kind of hope that Eric sees something in her and encourages her because that would be awesome.
And Grace telling Eric to think about it when Tami is asking Eric to think about letting Jess on the team was AWESOME. She is SO adorable and Eric's look of, well, crap, I'm doomed was hilarious.
Vince's conflict with his dad was very well done and amazingly acted. I really felt for both his dad and for Vince. Because it was so obvious that his dad really wanted things to be okay between him and Vince but he went about it all the wrong way. He didn't think about the fact that Vince had had to do a lot of growing up in the last five years. I liked how he realised that watching Vince playing football. And not having Vince chasing after his dad was a wise move. I like to think that over the next several episodes Vince and his dad will start to re-connect.
And you have no idea how happy I was for Vince when Eric showed him all the colleges that are interested in him. I really, really hope that he doesn't do anything stupid to screw it all up. He is the one new character I am truly invested in.
I will say that I'm less than interested in Julie's storyline. I just. The kid out of water has been done to death already. And while I appreciate why they are doing it with Julie - she's been so eager to leave Dillon since we met her - I still think it should be done better. And I;m really/i> not sure about the whole Julie sleeping with her married TA. I get that she's feeling all at sea, but I honestly thought Julie had more sense than to believe some guy who says 'we're not really married - hey, come have sex with me' *eyeroll*
I'm still confused as to how Tami hasn't already met all these down and out kids since, until last year, they should all have been at Dillon High anyway. It's one of the continuing things that bugs me. I just want an explanation. Any explanation.
I really can't wait, though, for Tyra, Riggins, Six and others to do their few farewell episodes. I'm also hoping that Smash, Matt and Landry come back, too. I really hope Lyla doesn't come back. As much as I've missed so many of the old characters, it's nearly been worth it for not having to deal with her.
The Mentalist
I'm glad that they've made Grace's (I'm realising there are a lot of Grace's on TV at the moment - The Mentalist, FNL, Hawaii Five-0 and The Good Wife. Weird.) new boyfriend a decent guy and not some asshole you are more than happy to dislike for Rigsby.
Cho still gets all the best, deadpan lines. And I loved him breaking into Jane's desk and Jane leaving a note telling them to stop looking through his desk, and how it was that that made Grace tear up and wonder if Jane was still alive.
The way Patrick played Rachel, making her push the dead body nearer to him was brilliant.
Lisbon's reaction to Patrick being kidnapped was interesting, no doubt about that.
I loved how worried everyone was.
And Hightower is freaking awesome and badass and she SO saved Patrick and Lisbon big time.
The Good Wife
Eli being worried about talking to Alesha about Grace was hilarious 'I'm trying to work out how to phrase this' Haha
There has got to be something about that new candidate, right? No-one can be that clean, can they?
I really, really want to know what's between Will and Blake.
As much as I like Blake, I still find it weird seeing Scott Porter walking because I'm so used to seeing him in a wheelchair in FNL.
I can't wait to see what happens between Kalinda and Blake. It's got to be explosive, right?
I still love Carey.
Nikita
So, they kept Michael's backstory more or less the same as before, which I'm fine with. I really liked how they played it and seeing Michael and Nikita working together really made me see what a good partnership they must have been and I want to see more of that.
I want to yell at Michael and tell him that Percy is using his pain and his desire for revenge for his own ends. Out of the two, Nikita is the one you should trust more. She cares about whether or not you survive and that's why she did what she did. Percy wouldn't care one way or the other if you live or not. Arrrrr!!!
And Nikita's line about finding Michael and then losing him was really sad. I hope that Michael eventually realises that Nikita will always be there to support him (even though she is working to bring down Division).
I know that they need Michael to be on the side of Division for a while, but at the same time, I love them working together.
A couple of notes about the episode before this one:-
1) Michael letting the girl get away and telling Percy she was dead was awesome
2) Birkoff's line of 'X is still dead, isn't she?' was hilarious. I love Birkoff so much. I want him to have a few episodes that focus on him a bit later on in the season because he's great.
NCIS:LA
I really like the new girl they got in to work with Eric. She's awesome and the interplay between her and Eric is adorable. I like that she can hold her own with Hetty, too.
Deeks still makes me laugh, even though he is utterly inappropriate. I think the fact that the rest of the team think he's a bit of a douche makes me less bothered about it because they obviously don't think it's cute or anything.
NCIS - the end of 806 made me cringe SO bad. Also, they recycled a plot they used way back in season two, right? I still need to watch 807.
I need to do a Hawaii Five-0 post because I just want to gush about it. Now, though, is not that time.
Right, I've got to go to sleep now, because I have to be up at 5am for a stupidly early start. Ugh.
36) House of Cards - CE Murphy - pretty much the same as my review for the first book. I like the female protagonist but the male lead still leaves me could. I find the secondary characters SO much more interesting.
I wasn't too sure about a book that was set in the Percy Jackson world but didn't actually have Percy in it, but bloody hell, did Rick Riordan change my mind. I really shouldn't have doubted.
I like the way he did it: Percy wasn't around because he'd disappeared suddenly one night.
I really like the idea of the gods having children in both their Greek and Roman aspects. That's totally fascinating to me. I can't wait to see the two camps working together. And the way Jason's quests obviously mirror Percy's is awesome. I bet hearing them comparing notes would be fascinating.
I loved all the cameos by our regular secondary characters from Half-Blood Prince. And Annabeth. She totally rocked.
I was SO relieved that Jason told the truth about everything from the very beginning. It never fails to infuriate me when people keep secrets when quite obviously quests (or whatever) would go so much easier if everyone knew everything. On the other hand, I can totally understand Piper not wanting to tell people about her dad.
I'm still trying to work out who the seven demigods are. Jason, Piper and Leo, obviously. Percy, I would assume because it would be really weird to have five books about Percy doing all that awesome stuff and then going, nope, sorry, he's no longer important. I think not. I assume Annabeth. And that would be five. And part of me thinks that the other two much come from the Roman camp, but then another part of me wants Nico to be one of them, too, because I love him so much. Also, how much did I love that Grover and Nico are both out trying to find Percy.
I am slightly worried about Percy being in the Roman camp. I can't imagine them welcoming him with open arms like the Greeks did Jason. Having said that, Percy kicks ass and I can't imagine him being out of his depth too much. Although, I do wonder what vague memories Hera left Percy when swapping him and Jason.
I'm guessing the next book with be Jason et el going around to the other camp and picking up Percy and a few others. I wonder if stuff is going to happen to them all there or if they are going to go straight to Greece.
I really can't wait for the next book *bounces impatiently*
OMG Graves! When is the next book out??? I kind of need it now.
I'm not sure I'm a fan of Dru and Christoph possibly having a romantic entanglement. I preferred the idea of them having a purely platonic relationship.
Plus, I love and adore Graves. I repeat, OMG Graves!
I really like the other Wulfen. They continue to rock and I love how they keep protecting Dru. Also, Dru's fight with Anna was very kickass.
I really can't wait to find out what happens next.
This series continues to absolutely rock. I can't wait for the next one. They should be coming out roughly every six months, so not too long to wait, thank goodness.
What I totally love about this book is that, after spending three books making the ninja as a whole evil, Chris Bradford has completely flipped that on its head and has make both different factions more grey - their are good people and bad people on both sides. Chris Bradford has had Jack learn that not all Samuari are good and not all ninja are bad. It's brilliant.
It's Chris Bradford doing what I always wish JKR had done with the Slytherin's.
I never liked that - with the exception of one or two people - if you were sorted into Slytherin, you were evil. I could understand children believing that - especially with everything that was going on with Voldemort. What I couldn't understand were adults - especially teachers at Hogwarts, or Ministers or, well, any adult with even an ounce of common sense - who subscribed to the simplistic view of Slytherin = evil.
I remember very well when Harry was told that everyone possesses the attributes that marked out each house, you just got sorted into the one that described you the best. Which means that Slytherin's, as well as being ambitious, should be clever, kind and brave. And after the first couple of books, that seemed to be forgotten,
Roll on the next Young Samurai book - Ring of Fire (can't stop singing the song *g*)
Movies (no spoilers)
American Beauty - I watched this with mum (her choice, by the way) she didn't like it, but I thought it was awesome. I was also impressed with the cast. I hadn't realised there were quite so many awesome people in it.
Elf - Okay, so I watched this when me, thisissirius and seektheinfinite went and stayed the weekend at tahariel's. Neither me nor thiissirius are huge fans of Will Ferrell's but we watched it anyway and we kind of loved it.
I hadn't realised that James Caan was in it and we spent a lot of the movie marvelling at how many of the same expressions Scott Caan shares with him. It's all kinds of adorable.
It's a hilarious film and I'm so glad that tahariel made us watch it (although I suspect that if she hadn't already seen it numerous times, she would have killed me and Siri for the squeeing and talking we were doing).
The North Pole scenes were awesome and Leon who has no feet was a legend.
Small Town Saturday Night - We watched this for Chris Pine - obviously, but the film itself was kind of awesome and we really enjoyed it. Which was a nice change from the last Chris Pine film we had watched - Surrendering Dorothy, which was awful.
Stuart: A Life Backwards - We watched this mostly because Siri was hating on Eames and therefore Tom Hardy, and while I can cope with her hating on Eames (But WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY), her hating on Tom Hardy was a lot less acceptable *g*
I think it's fair to say that within about ten minutes Tom Hardy had managed to change her mind (about Tom Hardy, not about Eames, worst luck *sad face*) because his performance in this is fucking amazing. It's a bloody harrowing story (it would be harrowing if it was fiction; it's SO much worse knowing this really happened) but the performances from Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch are top notch and both me and Siri were crying by the end of it...which was why we watched Fast and Furious after. We needed something light and daft to watch after that.
TV
Burn Notice - I wasn't blown away by this episode, I have to admit. Although James Ransone was awesome as the really very terrifying serial killer. Also, Jesse, that's going to be interesting, I think.
Friday Night Lights
Okay, so I still love the show and am hating the idea that in ten episodes time there will be no more FNL episodes made.
Having said that, I'm really missing the old characters. REALLY missing them. I find the majority of these new characters less interesting. Well, apart from Vince and Jess. I find both of their arcs really interesting and I still like Becky and Luke and want to know what happens to them, but other than that...
So it's a good job that I love Coach and Mrs Coach so much and that they were a huge reason for me watching.
I love that Billy is now working for Coach and the speech he gave Eric about needing to be around someone like Eric nearly made me tear up. Oh, Billy. I also love that Billy is clearly aware of what Tim did for him because when Mindy complained about Becky living with them, he points out that the brother who went to jail for him asked for him to look out for Becky and Mindy really has no reply to that.
And then when Becky comes home late and Mindy tells her that if she's living with them she better get used to people caring where she is made me smile so much because Becky was truly taken aback by the idea of people caring about her.
And, talking about Tim, the scene he had with Billy in the first episode was heartbreaking. God, Tim, please get out of prison okay.
When Landry left, I was really heartened to see him go and see Matt's grandmother. It was wonderful seeing her again. I do miss not seeing her now that Matt isn't around. It's like how I still miss not seeing Smash's mom, who I thought was amazing.
With how much Jess loves football I always thought that it would be cool if she somehow ended up helping Eric on the team, and now she is working on the team, I kind of love it. Although I can get why Vince is less than happy that his girlfriend could be in the locker rooms when the team is semi naked or, naked, even. But I love that Mrs Coach is encouraging Jess with her love for football and I love that Eric agreed to give her a go.
But they are letting a girl get involved in high school football in a role other that rally girl or cheerleader. And I kind of love them for that. All last season I thought it was a shame that Jess was obviously so interested in football and obviously knows so much and all she gets to do is help her brothers and Vince. The idea that she could carry on and do what she wants is awesome. I do kind of hope that Eric sees something in her and encourages her because that would be awesome.
And Grace telling Eric to think about it when Tami is asking Eric to think about letting Jess on the team was AWESOME. She is SO adorable and Eric's look of, well, crap, I'm doomed was hilarious.
Vince's conflict with his dad was very well done and amazingly acted. I really felt for both his dad and for Vince. Because it was so obvious that his dad really wanted things to be okay between him and Vince but he went about it all the wrong way. He didn't think about the fact that Vince had had to do a lot of growing up in the last five years. I liked how he realised that watching Vince playing football. And not having Vince chasing after his dad was a wise move. I like to think that over the next several episodes Vince and his dad will start to re-connect.
And you have no idea how happy I was for Vince when Eric showed him all the colleges that are interested in him. I really, really hope that he doesn't do anything stupid to screw it all up. He is the one new character I am truly invested in.
I will say that I'm less than interested in Julie's storyline. I just. The kid out of water has been done to death already. And while I appreciate why they are doing it with Julie - she's been so eager to leave Dillon since we met her - I still think it should be done better. And I;m really/i> not sure about the whole Julie sleeping with her married TA. I get that she's feeling all at sea, but I honestly thought Julie had more sense than to believe some guy who says 'we're not really married - hey, come have sex with me' *eyeroll*
I'm still confused as to how Tami hasn't already met all these down and out kids since, until last year, they should all have been at Dillon High anyway. It's one of the continuing things that bugs me. I just want an explanation. Any explanation.
I really can't wait, though, for Tyra, Riggins, Six and others to do their few farewell episodes. I'm also hoping that Smash, Matt and Landry come back, too. I really hope Lyla doesn't come back. As much as I've missed so many of the old characters, it's nearly been worth it for not having to deal with her.
The Mentalist
I'm glad that they've made Grace's (I'm realising there are a lot of Grace's on TV at the moment - The Mentalist, FNL, Hawaii Five-0 and The Good Wife. Weird.) new boyfriend a decent guy and not some asshole you are more than happy to dislike for Rigsby.
Cho still gets all the best, deadpan lines. And I loved him breaking into Jane's desk and Jane leaving a note telling them to stop looking through his desk, and how it was that that made Grace tear up and wonder if Jane was still alive.
The way Patrick played Rachel, making her push the dead body nearer to him was brilliant.
Lisbon's reaction to Patrick being kidnapped was interesting, no doubt about that.
I loved how worried everyone was.
And Hightower is freaking awesome and badass and she SO saved Patrick and Lisbon big time.
The Good Wife
Eli being worried about talking to Alesha about Grace was hilarious 'I'm trying to work out how to phrase this' Haha
There has got to be something about that new candidate, right? No-one can be that clean, can they?
I really, really want to know what's between Will and Blake.
As much as I like Blake, I still find it weird seeing Scott Porter walking because I'm so used to seeing him in a wheelchair in FNL.
I can't wait to see what happens between Kalinda and Blake. It's got to be explosive, right?
I still love Carey.
Nikita
So, they kept Michael's backstory more or less the same as before, which I'm fine with. I really liked how they played it and seeing Michael and Nikita working together really made me see what a good partnership they must have been and I want to see more of that.
I want to yell at Michael and tell him that Percy is using his pain and his desire for revenge for his own ends. Out of the two, Nikita is the one you should trust more. She cares about whether or not you survive and that's why she did what she did. Percy wouldn't care one way or the other if you live or not. Arrrrr!!!
And Nikita's line about finding Michael and then losing him was really sad. I hope that Michael eventually realises that Nikita will always be there to support him (even though she is working to bring down Division).
I know that they need Michael to be on the side of Division for a while, but at the same time, I love them working together.
A couple of notes about the episode before this one:-
1) Michael letting the girl get away and telling Percy she was dead was awesome
2) Birkoff's line of 'X is still dead, isn't she?' was hilarious. I love Birkoff so much. I want him to have a few episodes that focus on him a bit later on in the season because he's great.
NCIS:LA
I really like the new girl they got in to work with Eric. She's awesome and the interplay between her and Eric is adorable. I like that she can hold her own with Hetty, too.
Deeks still makes me laugh, even though he is utterly inappropriate. I think the fact that the rest of the team think he's a bit of a douche makes me less bothered about it because they obviously don't think it's cute or anything.
NCIS - the end of 806 made me cringe SO bad. Also, they recycled a plot they used way back in season two, right? I still need to watch 807.
I need to do a Hawaii Five-0 post because I just want to gush about it. Now, though, is not that time.
Right, I've got to go to sleep now, because I have to be up at 5am for a stupidly early start. Ugh.