Happytown

Well, with three writers with messes like October Road and Life on Mars have decided to go the Stephen King route this time. And it just might work if they keep focused.

The pilot opened with such a squeamish murder in a fishing shed on an ice pond and Georgia (Sara Gadon) almost witnessed it, but it began to rain. Later we find out who it was who dropped the girl across the tracks on the old road to walk home. The Prince of Haplan Andrew played by new comer Ben Schnetzer. There story is that of star-crossed teen lovers in a little Minesota town. Where the bread factory is the big dough and crime hardly ever happens. That is if you haven't forgotten The Magic Man.

True, the writers can make some very quirky characters. Now if they can just keep the plot going, we might just have a winner. It has so much potential. Everyone loves a good mystery. And with Rootbeer, the nervous Deputy played by Jay Paulson and the cool collected Geoff Stults as the new sheriff in town cause his Dad's just a little crazy these days..you've got a perhaps Fargo in the making. Especially when you add the mysterious Sam Neill who might know more about The Magic Man than he's telling. Also, you can't forget the new girl in town Henley Boone (Lauren German) with the strange question mark on her back who just has to find out what is on the 3rd floor of the boarding house where she's staying. The suspense just keeps building. You might be happy that you watched what's happening in this heartland town.

Victorious

Yet again Nickelodeon bites back with yet another teen comedy. Tori Vega (Victoria Justice) from Zoey 101 has now started high school at the prestiageous Fine Arts school in L.A. or somewhere around there. Why did it have to be a comedy? Well, it is Nickelodeon. Granted, its slightly better than BIG TIME RUSH. Victorious has Avan Jogia to the rescue and you know how serious he is. Thank God. Its said he and Tori are dating in real-life. Dang.

Anyway, the show has Daniella Monet as Tori's sister, although she might get 30 seconds on the show. And then there is Liz Gillis as Jade. The mean girl who..guess..oh yeah, she can act circles around Tori..and has Avan Jogia's Beck as her boyfriend. You can just tell Tori is longing for him. yadayadayada..she needs the whole gang to help her be one of them at this wonderful school. It would have been so much better as..lets say..a drama..kind of an L.A. Fame. But you know, that can't happen with budget cuts and the lack of fine art filming. No, you get lame situations of Tori questioning..'what is this?'..holds up prop...Really, she has all the makings of the girl next door... that a John Stamos character would fall in love with and later gets her own show on the CW like Lori Loughlin with Summerland and maybe just maybe Justin Bieber will star in it as her teen nephew..some day....

Naturally, someone I know had her own take on the show. She thinks Liz Gills, if given half a chance could be the American version of Skins' Effy. Well, possibly not exactly Effy, but a little bit. So she started..naturally a fan fiction.

So Jade

cool nerds or YA Tarantino

YES! I saw it. And well....its just so Tarantino-like(my friend ellie shared that with me), except...so real. KICK-ASS..kicks ass.

OK, so our main character is going through his own woes and yes, you may think he has suicidal tendencies. Then after one feat that almost ends him...the word is out that he MUST BE GAY. So that's how you get to a girl's heart. Being her gay BFF. Hahahaha..and to think Aaron  pulls it off. OK, he's got a bod fit for a green suit. Rounding out Dave (Johnson) 's pals, Duke Clark and Evan Peters who hang out at the comic book store. Of course.

And you'll LOVE Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Red Mist. Oh, the bonds made in this film. But this film should recognize the talented Chloe Maretz. You'd definitely think she should be the daughter from Kill Bill in this movie. Of course, many a parent might not like the character's attitude. But she is superb in what she can do on film.

This film is remarkably cool and yet it gives you every punch as if you might experience it, yourself. Some bloody and gruesome places, but still it delivers a very emotionally connected Dave in all the horrific things in this movie. Wow, I know I have to see it again because I probably missed some good parts the first go around. This is an R -rated movie. It leaves nothing behind.

lets go Veronica

So Heathers was on other night. And I own the movie, but still I had to watch it. Its the ulitimate 80's classic. It went where no other teen movie went. It exposed the cliques. The language. The style. And still, past the padded shoulder and the triangular bods..there was Wyona Ryder in her own style. Her Veronica was no Heather. And as we know, Wyona still has her own timeless style. She might be a loner and alienated and quite the literary intellectual in anything she does, but you can't deny it...that girl's got style.

I love the blue tights she wore. The black dress in the shower scene. And well, Christian Slater fit as the perfect psycho Jason Dean. I don't think he's ever gotten over that part. We knew then he had potential for serial killer moments in cinema. The voice. The rage and of course knowing all the right answers to the daily lunch poll.

This film had great one liners. The music milked the scene for all that it was worth. I hear there is rumor of a sequel. But how? Why? I mean, her boyfriend blew himself up. Should we go down that road again?

Really, this is a film full of style and satire. Just let it alone. Who pulls off an oversized vest with leggings these days, anyway?

the squid and the whale

I know...

I've been meaning to watch it for years now. I so loved the director's Margot at the wedding. And if you've seen that..well, The squid and whale is for you. Its an 80's film when a literary family breaks up. Two sons both have issues with their family and how they deal with the break-up.

Jesse Eisenberg is just perfect for the part as Walt. Then there is scene stealer, Owen Kline who has some of the more disturbing parts. Yet, he does it brilliantly. I hope we see more of this kid (his parents are Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates).

I really enjoyed how the movie evolved. Of course, if you aren't used to potty mouth vocabulary, this might not be your kind of movie. But some great performances from Jeff Daniels as the professor who can't seem to get his novel published as well as Laura Linney who is up and coming with her novel and other writings. These are the parents who spend different days with their children.

Its quite emotional..and real. Its on my list of favorite movies now.

vampire diaries fan fiction

OK, I am in love with the Jeremy and Anna storyline. Last week, he gave us a shocker when he found out Anna was a vampire and that he wanted to be one too. Wow. Didn't see that coming. Just when you thought Damien had set him straight, get back to school and be smart...he does this.

Jeremy's the main character's(Elena) little brother. Initially, Jeremy was not a character of the real series of books by L.J. Smith. But his little side story is becoming a major contender. Oh, he's been brooding for a while now, and its about time we dedicate something to that woefulness of Jeremy's aka Seven R. McQueen.


Jeremy's Turn

go barefoot so they don't have too

Here are my Make Art Not War shoes from Toms. I love them so much. I can't tell you how happy I was to get them at Christmas. They feel so good on my feet. They fit like a glove. Light weight. Durable. Believe me, they've been through a lot with me and still they are in great condition. So you know Toms knows what they are doing when they make shoes. And these are the kind of shoes a child in a far off place will get from them. It sort of makes you feel you have a common bond then with someone you don't even know. That you did a good thing when you purchased a pair of Toms shoes. Because someone out their in a little corner of this vast world is getting Toms shoes too.

I love their cause. Everyone needs shoes. Especially, in those places where they don't have a way to get shoes.

So go barefooted tomorrow. See what these children have to endure. And then maybe you'll want to purchase something from Toms. Even a T-shirt will help Toms support their cause. Do it! You'll be glad you did.

Toms Shoes Celebrates.

hot tub time machine - movie review

Brook Bennett, Jake Rose, Aliu Oyofo and Clark Duke

OK..its not in 3-D. That's a plus. Of course, there are times you wonder if the computer generated John Cusack's face. They did find someone to play his younger version. If only, he could have been in it longer.

See, it all boils down to some Russian drink that does something to the hot tub..and they all go back in time, 20 years ago. Even the nephew. Its really a buddy film. And well, you have the gross factor to consider because you know, guys are going to watch this.

But you've got a great cast. Cusack is even excutive producer. You have some new faces, like Charlie McDermet from THE MIDDLE and some old ones too, like Chevy Chase and Crispin Glover. And there are those who are unrecognizable.

But excellent job from Craig Robinson on the Office. He was great. I do love this big guy. Clark Duke, part of the Kick-Ass movie and better known as that religious dude on Greek was sweet too. And the comedic relief of Rob Corddry. Which I could only take so much of.

I won't say its right up there with The Hangover. But it has its moments. Silly. Naturally. And a decent soundtrack of 80s tunes.

clash of the Titans-movie review

First off, I have decided....Sam Worthington just does not do it for me. Second, I'm glad I didn't see it in 3D.

Now, of course, you have a worth cast. I mean, its not everyday you get to see Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes together. As brothers, no less. I know, I'm bad, but I get them mixed up... all the time, but I must admit. Ralph shined every moment on the screen as the evil Hades.

Like any epic movie, its a journey. And yes, we get breath taking beauty of water and land and then scorpions in the sand. Huge ones, of course. And well, I wll admit, I only went to see this movie for the sake of Nicholas Hoult. But it was just a bit part. And he gets to sit a lot... because, he's taller than the going rate actor, evidently. But still, he really needed more moments on the screen that he didn't get. Just a blur. I would  have loved to gaze at that bizarre yet historical hairdo of his and of course..the clothing.

Yes, I got lost in it somewhere and wasn't that crazy about the special effects.

Another shining ember of a bit part.. was to see "Effy", Kaya Scodelario, who plays Hoult's sister from Skins in a tiny bit part. I think she might have said "no" once. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the movie more if both had gotten the main parts. But they are young and hopefully by the time they are 30 they will be part of what BBC will consider note worthy for any film. We'll just have to wait.

Honestly, I'll have to admit, I did find the 80's Clash of the Titan's cool. Perhaps it just exposed what the 80's were, for all I know. Kind of campy. The robotic owl. And there were skeletons. Alive. Of course, who doesn't love Pegasus? I could just watch a movie about someone and their flying horse. Yeah, How to train your pegasus. Now that might be a winner.