Ruminations
Over the past month, I have downloaded and digested a staggering amount of TV (thanks to the vacation) and feel a need to ruminate and put my thoughts down on paper/screen/lj
first, because i watched it last night - Criminal Minds finale was utterly, utterly useless. Eric Close, my poor Vin, reduced to this. In fairness, the latter half of this season of CM has been dismal compared to the run up to Hotchner vs Reaper epic. That is how you end a season people, that! I did like Hotch's crack about Reid's haircut though :)
next, Project Runway continues to feed my delusions of craftmanship... makes me wish i had paid better attention in home economics and could sew in a straight line :) I am holding thumbs for Seth Aaron to win ... Ego Emilo is eyeroll worthy even with all the skills.
Farscape season 3 is still downloading (utorrent says i can watch it in approx 2 weeks :O ) but season 1 was so wonderfully awful that season 2 has been fantabulous. Ole Ben Browder is so OTT but hilarious at the same time and I love Claudia Black. (still miss Vala at times) but i definitely like Chiyana... heck, I love Farscape for the wackiness ... both looking forward and not looking forward to the end
Justified is all that interweb hype promises. i am in favour and will continue downloading... cowboy hats FTW
White Collar is a pleasant Catch me If you Can tv-version and I also indicating a general thumbs up!
Bones season 3 was a mixed bundle of huh and squee. I was utterly flabbergasted at Zacks one-episode psychosis turnover and realise that the writers strike may have had an impact but still... was very left field. BUT i liked the season generally but season 4 started off with a bang and a dud. How can you invest so many episodes of Hodges/Angela in season 3 and then torpedo the whole thing in one 'oh we don't actually trust eachother' scene. Rubbish! The bandg was Oxford and Boothe in London and then trials of interns to replace Zack. Here's hoping for a good rest of season!
Big Bang has produced a Sheldonette? Sheldenia? Shelly? This is most wonderful!! and potentially scary
HIMYM for the continued win that is Barney Stinson! and for once a Ted episode I liked - Ah, Baggage!
And an excellent Castle finale! Great old school romance troubles with miscommunication. Although, poor Sam Anders, yet again on the wrong side of a love triangle. True, Starbuck married him, but we all know she loved Lee best and NOW Beckett is choosing Castle over him.... I'll have you!
Medium season 3 had some great episodes and is looking for an interesting finale... and yes, still have many seasons to catch up on ... ah the anticipation. I often feel for poor Joe :)
NCIS season 7 has been great... although i do agree with some concerns over Gibbs attraction to the Lawyer lady... i liked the Coast Guard chick better. BUT NCIS Los Angeles continues to confuse me. They have this mutual appreciation society going on ... oh we are so wonderful and talented and wounded and mary sueish but they don't really show this ... just exposition it. Its like bad fanfic you can't stop reading... cos i like Callen and Hanna's buddy thing but on the whole, I'd prefer a more gritter actual undercover plot with actual going undercover and less talking about it with the occasional stint for 5 mins of undecover work before their cover is blown. Hettie is amusing... but on the whole I don't think the show actually knows what it wants to be. They need a Gibbs. :) and a Tony.... oh wait >>>>
SGU remains a car wreck... I watch out of fascination tinged horror more than anything else. Not a single character beside Eli that I actually like and would be momentarily sad to see go ... continues to be very BSG overtoned (mysterious planet = Kobol) and they fail to capitalise on so many interesting aspects, but then that seems to be a hallmark of SG producers/writers (cough SGA cough)
Veronica Mars season 3 (yes, I know very late on this one) was disappointing. I feel for Logan and agree with him terminating the relationship but i think Veronica out of high school just wasn't that interesting. I was intrigued however by the season 4 premise and wouldn't have minded seeing that ... if they managed to shoe horn the whole cast in too.. wallace working in the fbi filing office, Logan as a informant come White Collar esque agent, Weevil an undercover agent, Keith as the new FBI director... Mac as their Garcia. sigh... delusional i know.
and finally, the best for last. Supernatural. I saved the final 4 episodes for a one sitting Dean-fest. and boy was the wait worth it. Having decided to no longer read reviews or read online speculations and/or lj user disappointments, I am enjoying SPN a lot more. I watched season 1 and 2 entirely on my own without any outside input on development and remain of the opinion that season 3 and 4 were tainted by online mumblings and disagreement over character and plot development
So in that vein, I loved the season finale. From Point of No Return to Swan Song was ... excellent. Gabriel's return and demise. Death and Pestilence. Sam and Dean's realisation that the bloody end was going to be repeat of the deal, only with Sam and Dean handling it a whole lot better this time. I loved Swan Song... the whole Impala doccie inserts, Chuck Voice Over, Sam's fist of doom and well, the end. Love it. Is Sam a ghost, back or something else. I am looking forward to season 6.... in continued isolation :)
and yes, i find it disturbing that i a) noticed that Dean got pounded in 5 episodes straight and b) that i thoroughly enjoyed it. The boy just does hurt so well. and that final beating ... sigh.
FTW!.
i still have loads to watch but will conclude on a few thoughts on Iron Man 2.
Every great/good comic book based movie needs to tick 3 boxes in order to be the aforementioned good/great"
1. Supervillain who is interesting, diabolical, humorous and or well acted/protrayed
2. A secret indentity crisis conundrum for hero to overcome
3. a love interest in peril either via the supervillain or secret identity crisis
I remain confused as to why Iron Man ended with the reveal of Tony Stark as Iron Man - why? why break form, canon or anything... why go Civil War route... it made no sense as part of the appeal of superheroes (for me at least) is knowing that they have this juxtaposition of lives, of balancing the vigilante with reality. Sure, sure the whole sequel's plot revolves around Iron Man being the damacles sword hanging over the world to ensure peace, but even in comic book land that is not realistic. how would Iron Man realistically/figuratively stop all the terrorists and arms dealers and.... well Tony Stark would have no time to be a playboy billionaire, thats for sure.
So, fail on no 2.
Iffy on no 1, too I fear. Mickey Rourke's come back (gag) remains unpalatable and un-understandable to me. and he did not make a good villain. Sam Rockwell fared better but needed more ... more something. So, half a thumb
what saved Iron Man 2 was Pepper Potts and the over running conversations i am trying to tell you i love you without actually saying anything meaningful at all. I liked it... both Paltrow and Downey played it to perfection.
Further disappointment was Don Cheadle. Just no.
but i still liked it - it was enjoyable. but hold it up to the super hero movies that tick all the boxes... Spiderman 2, Batman Begins, Dark Knight and welll.... its on the shelf with DareDevil and the Incredible Hulk. I liked it - despite the flaws it was a good read so to say.
In fact... come to think it, i think i need to create a new shelf... for Wolverine. Redeemed by good acting and Hugh Jackman, but in serious need of a 'stop hacking character canon to pieces' shelf.
and with that
ttfn
first, because i watched it last night - Criminal Minds finale was utterly, utterly useless. Eric Close, my poor Vin, reduced to this. In fairness, the latter half of this season of CM has been dismal compared to the run up to Hotchner vs Reaper epic. That is how you end a season people, that! I did like Hotch's crack about Reid's haircut though :)
next, Project Runway continues to feed my delusions of craftmanship... makes me wish i had paid better attention in home economics and could sew in a straight line :) I am holding thumbs for Seth Aaron to win ... Ego Emilo is eyeroll worthy even with all the skills.
Farscape season 3 is still downloading (utorrent says i can watch it in approx 2 weeks :O ) but season 1 was so wonderfully awful that season 2 has been fantabulous. Ole Ben Browder is so OTT but hilarious at the same time and I love Claudia Black. (still miss Vala at times) but i definitely like Chiyana... heck, I love Farscape for the wackiness ... both looking forward and not looking forward to the end
Justified is all that interweb hype promises. i am in favour and will continue downloading... cowboy hats FTW
White Collar is a pleasant Catch me If you Can tv-version and I also indicating a general thumbs up!
Bones season 3 was a mixed bundle of huh and squee. I was utterly flabbergasted at Zacks one-episode psychosis turnover and realise that the writers strike may have had an impact but still... was very left field. BUT i liked the season generally but season 4 started off with a bang and a dud. How can you invest so many episodes of Hodges/Angela in season 3 and then torpedo the whole thing in one 'oh we don't actually trust eachother' scene. Rubbish! The bandg was Oxford and Boothe in London and then trials of interns to replace Zack. Here's hoping for a good rest of season!
Big Bang has produced a Sheldonette? Sheldenia? Shelly? This is most wonderful!! and potentially scary
HIMYM for the continued win that is Barney Stinson! and for once a Ted episode I liked - Ah, Baggage!
And an excellent Castle finale! Great old school romance troubles with miscommunication. Although, poor Sam Anders, yet again on the wrong side of a love triangle. True, Starbuck married him, but we all know she loved Lee best and NOW Beckett is choosing Castle over him.... I'll have you!
Medium season 3 had some great episodes and is looking for an interesting finale... and yes, still have many seasons to catch up on ... ah the anticipation. I often feel for poor Joe :)
NCIS season 7 has been great... although i do agree with some concerns over Gibbs attraction to the Lawyer lady... i liked the Coast Guard chick better. BUT NCIS Los Angeles continues to confuse me. They have this mutual appreciation society going on ... oh we are so wonderful and talented and wounded and mary sueish but they don't really show this ... just exposition it. Its like bad fanfic you can't stop reading... cos i like Callen and Hanna's buddy thing but on the whole, I'd prefer a more gritter actual undercover plot with actual going undercover and less talking about it with the occasional stint for 5 mins of undecover work before their cover is blown. Hettie is amusing... but on the whole I don't think the show actually knows what it wants to be. They need a Gibbs. :) and a Tony.... oh wait >>>>
SGU remains a car wreck... I watch out of fascination tinged horror more than anything else. Not a single character beside Eli that I actually like and would be momentarily sad to see go ... continues to be very BSG overtoned (mysterious planet = Kobol) and they fail to capitalise on so many interesting aspects, but then that seems to be a hallmark of SG producers/writers (cough SGA cough)
Veronica Mars season 3 (yes, I know very late on this one) was disappointing. I feel for Logan and agree with him terminating the relationship but i think Veronica out of high school just wasn't that interesting. I was intrigued however by the season 4 premise and wouldn't have minded seeing that ... if they managed to shoe horn the whole cast in too.. wallace working in the fbi filing office, Logan as a informant come White Collar esque agent, Weevil an undercover agent, Keith as the new FBI director... Mac as their Garcia. sigh... delusional i know.
and finally, the best for last. Supernatural. I saved the final 4 episodes for a one sitting Dean-fest. and boy was the wait worth it. Having decided to no longer read reviews or read online speculations and/or lj user disappointments, I am enjoying SPN a lot more. I watched season 1 and 2 entirely on my own without any outside input on development and remain of the opinion that season 3 and 4 were tainted by online mumblings and disagreement over character and plot development
So in that vein, I loved the season finale. From Point of No Return to Swan Song was ... excellent. Gabriel's return and demise. Death and Pestilence. Sam and Dean's realisation that the bloody end was going to be repeat of the deal, only with Sam and Dean handling it a whole lot better this time. I loved Swan Song... the whole Impala doccie inserts, Chuck Voice Over, Sam's fist of doom and well, the end. Love it. Is Sam a ghost, back or something else. I am looking forward to season 6.... in continued isolation :)
and yes, i find it disturbing that i a) noticed that Dean got pounded in 5 episodes straight and b) that i thoroughly enjoyed it. The boy just does hurt so well. and that final beating ... sigh.
FTW!.
i still have loads to watch but will conclude on a few thoughts on Iron Man 2.
Every great/good comic book based movie needs to tick 3 boxes in order to be the aforementioned good/great"
1. Supervillain who is interesting, diabolical, humorous and or well acted/protrayed
2. A secret indentity crisis conundrum for hero to overcome
3. a love interest in peril either via the supervillain or secret identity crisis
I remain confused as to why Iron Man ended with the reveal of Tony Stark as Iron Man - why? why break form, canon or anything... why go Civil War route... it made no sense as part of the appeal of superheroes (for me at least) is knowing that they have this juxtaposition of lives, of balancing the vigilante with reality. Sure, sure the whole sequel's plot revolves around Iron Man being the damacles sword hanging over the world to ensure peace, but even in comic book land that is not realistic. how would Iron Man realistically/figuratively stop all the terrorists and arms dealers and.... well Tony Stark would have no time to be a playboy billionaire, thats for sure.
So, fail on no 2.
Iffy on no 1, too I fear. Mickey Rourke's come back (gag) remains unpalatable and un-understandable to me. and he did not make a good villain. Sam Rockwell fared better but needed more ... more something. So, half a thumb
what saved Iron Man 2 was Pepper Potts and the over running conversations i am trying to tell you i love you without actually saying anything meaningful at all. I liked it... both Paltrow and Downey played it to perfection.
Further disappointment was Don Cheadle. Just no.
but i still liked it - it was enjoyable. but hold it up to the super hero movies that tick all the boxes... Spiderman 2, Batman Begins, Dark Knight and welll.... its on the shelf with DareDevil and the Incredible Hulk. I liked it - despite the flaws it was a good read so to say.
In fact... come to think it, i think i need to create a new shelf... for Wolverine. Redeemed by good acting and Hugh Jackman, but in serious need of a 'stop hacking character canon to pieces' shelf.
and with that
ttfn