Sorry about that. I've been extremely busy this semester because I have six classes. But I have started two new shows. Slowly.
The first show is Sleepy Hollow. It is the newest show on Fox and it is excellent. To give an overview, Ichabod Crane, from the original Sleepy Hollow-Headless Horseman tale, wakes up in present day, having last been conscious during the Revolutionary War. And so begins the start of the apocalypse. Because what else would happen? The show follows Crane, and police-officer Abby Mills as they battle the forces of darkness together. It's a phenomenal show. My only complaint is Crane wears the same set of clothes...from the 1700s. You'd think he'd get a new outfit.
The second show is Arrow. A CW show. This show follows Oliver Queen and his return to civilization after being shipwrecked on an island for five years. Also now he's a superhero called the Green Arrow. Or a bow and arrow shooting vigilante called The Hood (so creative), depending on who you're talking to. My favorite part? Felicity. The blonde, brilliant, and hilariously awkward IT tech. You get one brief moment of her and instantly want more. And you get it. It takes a little bit to get there, but you do. My least favorite thing? Or I suppose I should say the most ridiculous thing is Ollie's disguise. Or lack of. Seriously. If eye makeup made people into unrecognizable super heroes, women would've taken over the world by now.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, September 30, 2013
I Am Woman Hear Me Roar
Today I'm am going to give you my top three shows featuring strong female leads. And you should watch them.
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
At this point, BTVS is a classic. Both the film and the TV series. But I'm focused more on the TV show in this post. The title really sums up the premise. A girl named Buffy is the Chosen One. She slays vampires, demons, monsters, gods, and frequently stops the apocalypse. She does all of that while going through high school, boy troubles, friends becoming witches, and much more. Buffy is a young lady with super powers. With the weight of the world on her shoulders. She kicks ass every night, but since she is a human being, she also deals with the feeling of being vulnerable and lonely. Watching tiny little Buffy save the world over and over with her horrifying puns is one of my favorite things to do. An interviewer once asked Joss Whedon (the writer/director/producer guy) why he kept writing strong female leads instead of the typical male leads. His answer: "Because people keep asking me that question." All seasons of Buffy are on Netflix.
2. Lost Girl
I sort of touched on this with my post about the entire show, but it bears repeating. Bo is a gorgeous, butt-kicking succubus who refuses to commit to Light or Dark Fae. She's a leader. She's not sexually shamed. She is a character who makes her own decisions. Bo isn't the only woman you should be watching the show for, however. Her best friend, Kenzi, a human holds her own in a world she really doesn't belong in. She is unswerving in her loyalty to Bo, to the point of putting herself in danger. She fights the monsters and is on the front lines with her friends. And she does it in stilettos.
3. Teen Wolf
I have plans to do a post on Teen Wolf as a whole during the winter, when the second half of season three starts again. Or maybe earlier than that. Anyway. Though they are not the main character of the series, Allison and Lydia are certainly two of the best. Allison transforms from reserved girl to bad-ass werewolf hunter with knives. And Lydia is the smartest one of the bunch right from the start.
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
At this point, BTVS is a classic. Both the film and the TV series. But I'm focused more on the TV show in this post. The title really sums up the premise. A girl named Buffy is the Chosen One. She slays vampires, demons, monsters, gods, and frequently stops the apocalypse. She does all of that while going through high school, boy troubles, friends becoming witches, and much more. Buffy is a young lady with super powers. With the weight of the world on her shoulders. She kicks ass every night, but since she is a human being, she also deals with the feeling of being vulnerable and lonely. Watching tiny little Buffy save the world over and over with her horrifying puns is one of my favorite things to do. An interviewer once asked Joss Whedon (the writer/director/producer guy) why he kept writing strong female leads instead of the typical male leads. His answer: "Because people keep asking me that question." All seasons of Buffy are on Netflix.
2. Lost Girl
I sort of touched on this with my post about the entire show, but it bears repeating. Bo is a gorgeous, butt-kicking succubus who refuses to commit to Light or Dark Fae. She's a leader. She's not sexually shamed. She is a character who makes her own decisions. Bo isn't the only woman you should be watching the show for, however. Her best friend, Kenzi, a human holds her own in a world she really doesn't belong in. She is unswerving in her loyalty to Bo, to the point of putting herself in danger. She fights the monsters and is on the front lines with her friends. And she does it in stilettos.
3. Teen Wolf
I have plans to do a post on Teen Wolf as a whole during the winter, when the second half of season three starts again. Or maybe earlier than that. Anyway. Though they are not the main character of the series, Allison and Lydia are certainly two of the best. Allison transforms from reserved girl to bad-ass werewolf hunter with knives. And Lydia is the smartest one of the bunch right from the start.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Just a Note
While I try to avoid spoilers as much as I possibly can, this is NOT a spoiler free blog.
Searching. While Hiding.*
Following the recent theme of shows with female leads, I want to tell you about the most recent show I caught up on. A show called Lost Girl. Don't let "girl" fool you. Bo, the main character of this supernatural series, is far from girlhood.
The Canadian show revolves around the (new) life of a woman named Bo, who has been running from her past and herself since she was a teenager. Why has she been running? Well...whoever she has sex with dies. Let me explain. During the first episode we, and Bo, discover that she is part of a race called Fae, and her specific species is called succubus. And succubus feed on the sexual "chi" of others. Since she grew up not knowing that she was Fae, she did not learn how to control her abilities, hence the trail of happy dead bodies. She is told that she must choose light or dark Fae life, because that is how things work in that world, and she refuses to align herself.
And so begins three seasons of awesome. Bo is a bad-ass, bisexual, strong-willed woman, who is not ashamed of her need for sex. The fact that no one ever calls her a "slut" is another reason I love this show. There is a host of strong female characters. Bo, her best friend Kenzi, Lauren the doctor, Bo's first love interest's new girlfriend. I could go on.
I'm so glad to watch a show where there are more recurring strong female characters than male characters. There are lots of shows with male leads, and not many with female mains like Bo. She is respected by the other characters. She is a leader. That is exactly what I want from my favorite characters.
There are three seasons of this show. The first two are on Netflix, but since the third just ended you'll have to find it elsewhere. I believe the fourth season starts in November. However. It is a Canadian show on a Canadian channel. So we might have to wait until it gets online to watch it.
*I should note that the title is from the theme. Which is one of the most ridiculous and annoying themes I have ever encountered. It is literally the only thing I dislike about the show.
The Canadian show revolves around the (new) life of a woman named Bo, who has been running from her past and herself since she was a teenager. Why has she been running? Well...whoever she has sex with dies. Let me explain. During the first episode we, and Bo, discover that she is part of a race called Fae, and her specific species is called succubus. And succubus feed on the sexual "chi" of others. Since she grew up not knowing that she was Fae, she did not learn how to control her abilities, hence the trail of happy dead bodies. She is told that she must choose light or dark Fae life, because that is how things work in that world, and she refuses to align herself.
And so begins three seasons of awesome. Bo is a bad-ass, bisexual, strong-willed woman, who is not ashamed of her need for sex. The fact that no one ever calls her a "slut" is another reason I love this show. There is a host of strong female characters. Bo, her best friend Kenzi, Lauren the doctor, Bo's first love interest's new girlfriend. I could go on.
I'm so glad to watch a show where there are more recurring strong female characters than male characters. There are lots of shows with male leads, and not many with female mains like Bo. She is respected by the other characters. She is a leader. That is exactly what I want from my favorite characters.
There are three seasons of this show. The first two are on Netflix, but since the third just ended you'll have to find it elsewhere. I believe the fourth season starts in November. However. It is a Canadian show on a Canadian channel. So we might have to wait until it gets online to watch it.
*I should note that the title is from the theme. Which is one of the most ridiculous and annoying themes I have ever encountered. It is literally the only thing I dislike about the show.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
RIP Bunheads It Was Too Soon. Way Too Soon.
Oh ABC Family. You don't know what you had. Bunheads was the best original show you ever produced. And instead of keeping the magic alive, because that show was truly magical, you killed it. Axed it. For what? You're other shows have absolutely nothing on Bunheads.
Don't believe me? Think Pretty Little Liars is worth losing some show that only had one season? Wrong. So. Wrong.
Bunheads is/was the brainchild of Amy Sherman-Palladino, the writer and creator of Gilmore Girls (another show I used to watch). Gilmore Girls was famous for it's witty fast talking characters, especially the two main characters, Lorelai and her daughter Rory. Sherman left the show when WB got gobbled up and turned into The CW, and the show was canceled not long after that.
But back to Bunheads. It is the story of a professional dancer, Michelle (played by the talented Sutton Foster) who unintentionally got stuck in Vegas as a showgirl then got married (drunk) to a suitor she barely knew, and then moved back to his tiny hometown with him. The suitor (SPOILER ALERT) dies in a car accident the same episode. Leaving Michelle with all his worldly possessions, even though his mother is still alive. Awkward.
The show follows Michelle as she tries to adjust to small-town living with her mother-in-law (played by the same woman who played Emily Gilmore in Gilmore Girls), who owns and operates a ballet/dance studio. It also follows the lives of four of the bunheads (ballerinas) and their struggles with body issues, boys, and absentee parents.
It is truly a beautiful, funny, and just amazing show. I was devastated to hear that it was being canceled after only one season. The characters were extremely likable, and each show ended with an incredible dance number by one of the characters.
I watched all of it at once on Amazon Prime (free 30 day trial because that's how I roll), and that's the only place I know has all the episodes right now. But find it. Watch it. Love it. I'm sure you will.
Don't believe me? Think Pretty Little Liars is worth losing some show that only had one season? Wrong. So. Wrong.
Bunheads is/was the brainchild of Amy Sherman-Palladino, the writer and creator of Gilmore Girls (another show I used to watch). Gilmore Girls was famous for it's witty fast talking characters, especially the two main characters, Lorelai and her daughter Rory. Sherman left the show when WB got gobbled up and turned into The CW, and the show was canceled not long after that.
But back to Bunheads. It is the story of a professional dancer, Michelle (played by the talented Sutton Foster) who unintentionally got stuck in Vegas as a showgirl then got married (drunk) to a suitor she barely knew, and then moved back to his tiny hometown with him. The suitor (SPOILER ALERT) dies in a car accident the same episode. Leaving Michelle with all his worldly possessions, even though his mother is still alive. Awkward.
The show follows Michelle as she tries to adjust to small-town living with her mother-in-law (played by the same woman who played Emily Gilmore in Gilmore Girls), who owns and operates a ballet/dance studio. It also follows the lives of four of the bunheads (ballerinas) and their struggles with body issues, boys, and absentee parents.
It is truly a beautiful, funny, and just amazing show. I was devastated to hear that it was being canceled after only one season. The characters were extremely likable, and each show ended with an incredible dance number by one of the characters.
I watched all of it at once on Amazon Prime (free 30 day trial because that's how I roll), and that's the only place I know has all the episodes right now. But find it. Watch it. Love it. I'm sure you will.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Pretty Tough...To Not Watch This Over and Over
Ever since I started seriously committing my time to watching television shows on Netflix, I (and my best friend), have also committed time to watching the other things our favorite TV actors have done. Sometimes, they are made for TV movies that are so incredibly bad, they deserve all the awards.
Pretty Tough is an example of a show we watched because an actress from a different show stars in it. The actress is Adelaide Kane, who plays Cora Hale on MTV's Teen Wolf (a show I will talk about at a later date). The show is on Hulu for free and there are only five episodes.
It is a beautiful show. Packed to the brim with teen angst and "love what you got" lessons, it was/is totally worth the couple hours one needs to finish the show. You'll laugh, you'll cry...you'll probably just laugh. You'll shout "OH NO SHE DIDN'T." And you'll be glad you decided to give this show a chance.
Pretty Tough is an example of a show we watched because an actress from a different show stars in it. The actress is Adelaide Kane, who plays Cora Hale on MTV's Teen Wolf (a show I will talk about at a later date). The show is on Hulu for free and there are only five episodes.
It is a beautiful show. Packed to the brim with teen angst and "love what you got" lessons, it was/is totally worth the couple hours one needs to finish the show. You'll laugh, you'll cry...you'll probably just laugh. You'll shout "OH NO SHE DIDN'T." And you'll be glad you decided to give this show a chance.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Saving Rock and Roll
So I went to see Fall Out Boy (with openers Panic! At The Disco and 21 Pilots) last night at Liacouras Center at Temple University in Philadelphia. I know this is technically a blog about TV shows, but I also posted about my Green Day show, and I talk about movies, and the title is justifiably entertaining. And all those are forms of entertainment. So without further ado...
So once again I had floor tickets. My friend and I waited in line for three hours, and then in the crowd for an hour, waiting for 21 Pilots to come on. I had planned to listen to 21 Pilots weeks before the show, but it didn't happen. They were really good. They both had amazing energy, and their music is unique and exciting. They were quite a few people in the crowd singing along and basically everyone was moving in some way.
Then. It was time for Panic! At The Disco. Now, Panic! is a huge part of the reason I begged my friend to go with me to this tour. I've adored Panic! since their first album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. And they've only gotten better and better since. Unfortunately for me (and possibly others, I'm not a mind reader) my favorite member (person) drummer, Spencer Smith was not drumming. Due to personal reasons.* However. They absolutely killed it. Brendon Urie (singer) has an amazing voice, and is definitely not afraid to show it off. He was hitting high notes every time he could sneak one in. They only played ten songs, but each one was spectacularly done. I actually blew out my voice screaming the words back at them. I couldn't stop grinning the entire time. And the rest of the crowd were just as into it as I was. Jumping, screaming, and waving their arms about.
And soon after, Fall Out Boy (here on known as FOB) took the stage. I am a HUGE FOB fan. When they took their hiatus four years ago, I was terrified they would never come back. But they did. In a huge way. I should start by saying that their new album Save Rock and Roll is a perfect album. Not one song is skipable. Just like all their other albums. This was my first time seeing them live, so I was extremely excited. And the months of waiting, the sore shoulders and throat that I have right now, totally. worth. it. It was one of the best shows I have ever been to. In every way. From the lights, to the videos playing behind them, to the balloons during "Young Volcanoes." It's hard to pin down what was my favorite moment of the set. Perhaps it was during the song "Save Rock and Roll" when they played a slideshow of iconic bands and artists and chanted along with the crowd to the ending notes,. Or Joe Trohman's and Andy Hurley's solos. Maybe when Brendon Urie came out to sing "20 Dollar Nosebleed" and back flip off a riser. It could be Pete's inspirational speeches, or when he had everyone in the stands do the wave. They played my favorite song from the new album live. Or maybe it was Patrick Stump accidentally kicking a mic stand into a girl's face and being really apologetic about it. (She was absolutely fine, and he was adorable about it.) Maybe it was the acoustic set they played in the middle of the set on a riser smack dab in the center of the crowd.
Truth is. I don't have a favorite moment. Because I loved every second. And there are too many moments that I could write about. I wish there was a way to make you feel what I feel, and felt, after seeing them live. Because its the kind of happiness and excitement and awe that I just can't seem to accurately put into words. Even out loud I just keep saying to people "I'm just SO HAPPY!" and flailing my arms around. It was amazing. Simply. Amazing.
*if you are curious about this situation you can google it
Thanks to my friend Jess for going with me and driving.
falloutboy.com
panicatthedisco.com both these websites have information about the tour and music if you are interested.
Obviously the opinions about the music and this whole experience is personal and pertains only to me. But it seemed like everyone there was enjoying themselves.
So once again I had floor tickets. My friend and I waited in line for three hours, and then in the crowd for an hour, waiting for 21 Pilots to come on. I had planned to listen to 21 Pilots weeks before the show, but it didn't happen. They were really good. They both had amazing energy, and their music is unique and exciting. They were quite a few people in the crowd singing along and basically everyone was moving in some way.
Then. It was time for Panic! At The Disco. Now, Panic! is a huge part of the reason I begged my friend to go with me to this tour. I've adored Panic! since their first album A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. And they've only gotten better and better since. Unfortunately for me (and possibly others, I'm not a mind reader) my favorite member (person) drummer, Spencer Smith was not drumming. Due to personal reasons.* However. They absolutely killed it. Brendon Urie (singer) has an amazing voice, and is definitely not afraid to show it off. He was hitting high notes every time he could sneak one in. They only played ten songs, but each one was spectacularly done. I actually blew out my voice screaming the words back at them. I couldn't stop grinning the entire time. And the rest of the crowd were just as into it as I was. Jumping, screaming, and waving their arms about.
And soon after, Fall Out Boy (here on known as FOB) took the stage. I am a HUGE FOB fan. When they took their hiatus four years ago, I was terrified they would never come back. But they did. In a huge way. I should start by saying that their new album Save Rock and Roll is a perfect album. Not one song is skipable. Just like all their other albums. This was my first time seeing them live, so I was extremely excited. And the months of waiting, the sore shoulders and throat that I have right now, totally. worth. it. It was one of the best shows I have ever been to. In every way. From the lights, to the videos playing behind them, to the balloons during "Young Volcanoes." It's hard to pin down what was my favorite moment of the set. Perhaps it was during the song "Save Rock and Roll" when they played a slideshow of iconic bands and artists and chanted along with the crowd to the ending notes,. Or Joe Trohman's and Andy Hurley's solos. Maybe when Brendon Urie came out to sing "20 Dollar Nosebleed" and back flip off a riser. It could be Pete's inspirational speeches, or when he had everyone in the stands do the wave. They played my favorite song from the new album live. Or maybe it was Patrick Stump accidentally kicking a mic stand into a girl's face and being really apologetic about it. (She was absolutely fine, and he was adorable about it.) Maybe it was the acoustic set they played in the middle of the set on a riser smack dab in the center of the crowd.
Truth is. I don't have a favorite moment. Because I loved every second. And there are too many moments that I could write about. I wish there was a way to make you feel what I feel, and felt, after seeing them live. Because its the kind of happiness and excitement and awe that I just can't seem to accurately put into words. Even out loud I just keep saying to people "I'm just SO HAPPY!" and flailing my arms around. It was amazing. Simply. Amazing.
*if you are curious about this situation you can google it
Thanks to my friend Jess for going with me and driving.
falloutboy.com
panicatthedisco.com both these websites have information about the tour and music if you are interested.
Obviously the opinions about the music and this whole experience is personal and pertains only to me. But it seemed like everyone there was enjoying themselves.
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