IT IS NOT A SNOGBOX

Hello readers! Tuesday is the last episode for the fourth season of Justified, but fret not. There's always another show to talk about. And starting today, that show is Doctor Who.

The second half of series seven started today. New companion, new TARDIS interior, new suit for the Doctor. I highly recommend that you watch this show (from the beginning obviously) if you haven't already. It's on Netflix, it's amazing, annnnnd it's sort of hard to explain. But I'll try to give a brief synopsis.

The Doctor is an alien. He flies around in his time-traveling spaceship call the TARDIS (time and relative dimension in space) that's bigger on the inside. He travels with a companion, or two depending on what series you watch. He has adventures. He saves worlds. He loves humanity. I think that's brief enough. If you haven't watched the new episode or started the series but have plans to. Stop reading. Spoilers are next.

So onto the new start. I've been excited about the new companion, even though I loved the Ponds with all my heart. Clara Oswin Oswald is the newest guest on the TARDIS. And she is shrouded in mystery. Based on the fact that she has died twice. In different time periods. And is somehow still alive in modern day London. It's all very complicated. I've been falling in love with her since the Christmas special, when instead of the usual reaction to the TARDIS she said, "It's smaller on the outside." So sassy. I have high hopes for series 7. But I never judge any show based on the first episode. In this week's we were introduced to "The Great Intelligence", no doubt the super villain for the series. And the Doctor saved a bunch of people from being downloaded. Although I do have a question. When their souls were re-uploaded into their dead bodies...wouldn't some of them have been in coffins? Or brain dead? Far be it from me to question plot holes though. Onto the next!

P.S.- Doctor Who is on BBCA Saturdays at 9. Enjoy!

The Actual Review by Emily (tm)

This Tuesday, I went to see a pre-screening of the Host, directed by Andrew Niccol, starring  Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, Jake Abel and Diane Kruger. Based off the novel of the same name by Stephenie Meyer, the movie takes place in a not-so-distant future where aliens have invaded Earth. The few humans who haven’t been taken as hosts for the aliens live in hiding,

As a fan of the book, I was a little disappointed by the adaptation. The movie focused less on background and plot, and shoved romance to the front and center. While the book is largely about love – both romantic and familial – it’s also a tale of humanity being taken over by aliens. The trailers for the film were action packed, fast paced and exciting; in reality it was about 90% dramatics and only 10% action. While the story does put a new and interesting twist on the idea of a love triangle, the characters fell in love too quickly and unrealistically, and I was told by a woman who had not read the book before watching the movie that she had a hard time following and believing it. On top of that, the acting was definitely sub-par.

That being said, it wasn’t all bad. The scenery, for example, was amazing. We get to see gorgeous shots of Louisiana swamps, New Mexican deserts and an underground cavern where the rebel humans live. I also have to give them credit for making a movie like this work in the first place. When I first read the Host in 2008, I figured it would never be made into a movie. Having the main characters be a girl and the alien who lives inside of her makes for a confusing film, but they made it work.

I would definitely recommend that fans of the book check it out, and anyone else who might be interested should give it a shot. It’s worth it for Jake Abel. (I couldn’t resist, I really love Jake Abel.) The Host will be in theaters starting this Friday, March 29.

A Review by Emily (tm)

The next post will be a movie review written by my best friend, Emily. She goes to school in Boston and was lucky enough to get free tickets to the pre-screening of the new movie "Host." It comes out tomorrow, so I asked her to write a review.

It's a Girl! (also I totally called it)

There's just one episode left of season four, and it looks like it's going to be a doozy.

But first things first. After almost a whole season of not being seen Winona appeared in last night's episode to announce the sex of her and Raylan's baby. As you can see from the title of the post, they are going to have a daughter. But all seemed not well in Raylan's head. He caught Drew Thompson, and his suspension was about to start, yet something was clearly wrong. When Shelby/Drew demanded that Ellen May (the hooker he ran off with) be put into custody for her safety or he wouldn't talk, Raylan insisted that he be the one to get her. Really insisted. You'd think that with the news of a daughter and mandatory time off he'd be happy, but there he was, begging with Art to wrap up the case. It was a little worrisome.

But more worrisome things were to come.

This week mainly focused on the underbelly's dealings. Johnny is tied to a chair for betraying Boyd, and Tonin needs Ellen May to be dead to tie up loose ends, but no one can find her, and Limehouse (who was a main part of last season's arch) refuses to trust anyone. So Limehouse was housing (haha punny) Ellen May, then let her go, and she eventually ended up at the church from the beginning of the season.

This is where the thing I totally called happened. SPOILER ALERT if you didn't already guess. I told my dad, who also watches the show, that I thought Colt wasn't going to make it past this season, and that Tim was going to be the one who did him in. AND I WAS RIGHT AND HE WAS WRONG BECAUSE HE THOUGHT JOHNNY WOULD DO IT. So there, dad. Victory is mine.

But the ending. Oh boy. When I recognized Tonin's guy in Winona's nursery. I was mad. Why do they have to pick on the pregnant lady?

Next week is the season finale. And I'm sure it will be one to remember.

Tensions: They Were High

The mystery of Drew Thompson has been solved! And what a plot-twist it was. Shelby the Sheriff is the mastermind fugitive. Art summed up Shelby/Drew's life with one word. Badass. The man was a police officer twice! He was helping Raylan find Drew! He ran off with a hooker half his age!

Of course he didn't get very far. First caught by the bad guys and then found and arrested by the Marshals before the worse guys could get to him. And then the challenge was getting him out of Harlan.

The hero of last week's episode was Constable Bob. He got the beating of a lifetime, but refused to give the location of Shelby/Drew. Then he stabbed his interrogator with his handy hidden knife, right in the femoral, and that was the end of that.

Last week's episode also showcased more of the Boyd/Raylan parallel. In a somewhat creepy way. Every move Raylan made, Boyd knew he was doing it. Just by knowing him. Also featured was some Boyd/Raylan banter. My personal favorite banter.

So Shelby (narrowly) escaped from Harlan with U.S. Marshal Rachel, and everyone in the underbelly is going to be in a lot of trouble for letting him slip by.

I'M RUNNING AROUND SCREAMING

...in my head. In reality I'm just sitting here grinning the biggest grin I can grin. Earlier today I wrote about the Veronica Mars movie kickstarter that had just started. Less than 24 hours later THE GOAL OF 2 MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN REACHED. It's apparently a kickstarter record, raising 1 million in the first four hours of opening, but while this whole thing is extremely exciting, it's not exactly surprising. Veronica Mars has dedicated fans. These are the people who protested the cancellation by sending thousands of mars bars to the Warner Bros office, and an airplane into the sky, and that was before the time of social media. Though not everyone who donated was a dedicated fan, one man paid $10,000 for a speaking role, and then said he's not even a big fan of the show. I think the thing that clinched it was Logan's smolder in the video. It's a great smolder.

Honestly, this is one of the greatest things I've ever watched happen. It's an amazing show, with an amazing cast, that's just really...amazing. It totally deserves the proper send-off the movie is going to provide.

Seriously. You should go watch it. Right now.

BIG NEWS (well for me)

A new kickstarter was started today. For those of you who may not know what kickstarter is, it's basically a funding website for projects. So for example a band might want to record a new album but they don't have the money so they open a kickstarter with a goal of $10,000. They promote it, most likely with goodies involved, and people back it by pledging money. The money is only taken if the goal is reached.

BUT BACK TO THE KICKSTARTER THAT WAS STARTED TODAY.

You should remember my top five list, it was only a few posts ago, and a little show that was on it called Veronica Mars. I told you that the first two seasons were the best, and it was canceled during the third. So basically at the end of the third season, there was no. closure. And it was horrible and heart-breaking for everyone involved.

But now. There is hope. For a kickstarter has begun to make...wait for it...THE VERONICA MARS MOVIE. This is one of the best days ever. I'm going to leave a link to the kickstarter page that has a hilarious announcement video featuring the cast members of the show.

I strongly encourage you to watch the show, and if you like (love) it as much as I do, to also consider pledging to the kickstarter to make our (my) dream come true.

 http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/559914737/the-veronica-mars-movie-project

Update: Grey's Anatomy

Everyone is still stupid, I still hate them, I wouldn't let them come near me with a stethoscope, and I still can't stop watching.

So last week I gave a top five list of TV shows I think you should watch. I am always looking for new shows to watch. Yesterday, though I haven't finished Grey's Anatomy yet, I started the Showtime series Shameless because the episodes will only be available on my OnDemand service for so long, and I need captions. But, I  never like to start a show without knowing what show to watch after. So my question for you, dear readers (if anyone is even reading this), is what show do you think I should watch and why? It can be an old show, a new show, or an upcoming show. Doesn't matter, give me your recommendations and maybe I'll give them a try.

You're Stupid and I Hate You

So I don't know how it happened, I think it was boredom, but I have started watching a new show. Grey's Anatomy. I never had any plans to watch this show, but my best friend is on her spring break and I'm bored and it's on Netflix. So this title is partially me talking to myself. Why am I still watching this show when I hate more characters than I like? I don't know. It's like crack. Show crack. I'm two seasons deep and I don't see myself coming up for air anytime soon.

So let me explain why I hate this show. The characters. They are totally unable to get their shit together. (excuse my french). But I would not let any of them operate on me. Their personal lives are so intertwined with their professional lives that they can't possibly know which way is up.

Every episode I just sit and ask the characters "what are you doing?" "why are you doing that?" "WHAT ARE YOU DOING STOP IT." "YOU ARE STUPID." And of course. They never listen. But they should. In my opinion, you shouldn't sleep with your boss, or flirt with your patients, or attempt to make the girl you like have feelings for you when she's feeling sad and vulnerable then get mad at her for deciding she doesn't want to sleep with you after all.

They are messes disguised as people. And I can't stop watching.

Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave.

So. Last night's episode of Justified was dramatic, to sum it up in a word. By the end 7 people were dead. Raylan's father, Arlo, died and he met a pretty girl, and Boyd got himself a bigger shovel to dig his hole. It's interesting to see how the lives of Raylan and Boyd are suddenly not so disimilar. Sure, Boyd is a criminal, Raylan is a lawman, but at this point that is were the differences end.

It has been clear from the beginning of the season that Raylan is thinking of his unborn child. The very first episode features him doing some illicit bounty-hunting for extra cash for baby. Boyd asked Ava to marry him and promised a respectable life for their children (and grandchildren). And both are using the elusive and unknown Drew Thompson to try and reach their goals.

Raylan wants to solve the case in hope of being promoted, and Boyd is using his new connections to set up a Dairy Queen. Both men came from Harlan, went in opposite directions and are now walking the same path with the same motivation. Family.

Top 5 TV Shows You Should Watch

So since this is a blog about TV shows, I thought it was time to give you a brief introduction to what else you should watch. So here are the top five shows you should watch.

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

    BTVS is no longer on air, but it's worth a few trips to the library to get the season box sets, or if you have Netflix all seven seasons are available on instant. Don't let the vampire slayer title throw you off, she also battles demons, witches, monsters, puberty, and more apocalypses than seasons of the show.












2. Charmed

     Charmed is also a show no longer airing new episodes, but I believe re-runs are played on some channel. Again, the show is on Netflix instant. Featuring three lovely Halliwell sisters and their sudden discovery that they are witches, Charmed will grab your heart and never let go.







3. Supernatural

    Keeping with the paranormal theme, (which isn't necessarily on purpose these are just the shows I watch) Supernatural is the story of two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, and their never-ending quest to rid the world of monsters. Unlike the previous two shows, the brothers are not in possession of superpowers, just super destinies. The show is currently running on the CW network and just got picked up for the ninth season. Older seasons are on Netflix instant. Note: the fandom likes to pretend season six doesn't exist, so have fun with that.









4. Doctor Who

  This is probably my favorite show out of the five on the list. It was the first my best friend and I ever marathoned and I love it so much I want to get a DW tattoo. Right now, Doctor Who is on its 11th doctor and in its 7th series of the revamped show. It is not necessary to watch the series from the 60s, you can just start with the new version. It's all on Netflix instant, and the second half of series 7 returns this month. I would explain the concept of the show, but to quote someone on tumblr "I understand Doctor Who until I have to explain it to someone." Meaning: it's hard to explain. But it involves time travel and aliens, so there you go.

5. Veronica Mars
   Starring Kristen Bell as the tiny, blond, ferocious detective, this show is so good that when it was canceled during its third season, fans protested by sending a thousand mars bars to the network, and hired an airplane to write "bring back Veronica" in the sky. Alas, it didn't work, and season three ends with no wrap up. But don't let that deter you from watching. The first two seasons are the best, the endings to the season long mysteries have conclusions that I did NOT see coming. Veronica Mars is not on Netflix instant, unfortunately, but it is on the old WB network site.