Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entertainment. Show all posts
Merry Christmas!



I wanted to share my holiday screening traditions. Yes, I watch these all in the week leading up to Christmas and they're the cheeriest of my holiday lot!


The Holiday


 A definite go-to, no matter the season. Everything about it is magic.


The OC Chrismukkah episodes


The holiday season always makes me nostalgic for The OC and Seth Cohen's passion for the holidays. Filled with drama, romance, and a whole lot of candles and Christmas sweaters, Chrismukkah became the holiday I wish I celebrated.


The Simpsons: Christmas With the Simpsons


Every episode on here is a classic for a reason. Hysterical and timeless.


Love Actually 


 Colin Firth's love story makes me the happiest. Plus, you can't go wrong with a bit of young Thomas Brodie-Sangster.


The Office 'Benihana Christmas'

Every one of The Office Christmas episodes is fantastic, but this one stands out for all of the right reasons.



I'm off to go eat more homemade Chex Mix and watch The Holiday.


Let me know in the comments what your holiday viewing traditions are!
Katherine
10:38 PM
Oh, House of Cards. How I love thee!


I was recommended House of Cards countless times by friends, family, the internet. Everyone got obsessed with the show quickly and it became synonymous with Netflix's Original Series' success, but the political setting of the show put me off. I'm definitely not informed or particularly interested in anything to do with politics. I feel like this is a show you definitely have to be in the mood for, as well, which wasn't putting it high on my binge-watching list. But then I finally gave the series a real shot and I knew by the end of the first episode that I've been crazy not to watch it sooner.

Frank Underwood is the most polite-to-your-face maniac I've ever seen. Played hauntingly by the remarkable Kevin Spacey, Frank weaves himself in and out of impossible scenarios with eery ease, while always keeping his end game in reach. Frank's keen strategy and manipulation skills are so unpredictable that I found myself thinking at various points throughout the series' first three seasons, 'how am I this tense over a political drama when I don't even like politics?' It's actually the same approach I had with Breaking Bad. I thought that the concept wasn't for me, until I gave it a chance and became obsessed.

I love how the show has evolved over the seasons as Frank's moved up in the ranks. Pretty much everything on House of Cards revolves around or is at least influenced by the decisions that Frank makes. Each startling move that he makes takes the show in completely unexpected and brilliant places. I feel like the insanity of the moves Frank pursues are sometimes so insane, completely unlike what you think any sane person would do, and then he does them and my mind is repeatedly blown.

The acting is so top notch across the board (hello, the sublime Robin Wright and underrated Kate Mara!), but there's one supporting character that takes top-billing for me: Doug Stamper. Played by the immensely understated Michael Kelly, Doug's overarching character progression throughout the three seasons is remarkable. By the time you finish season three you won't look at him an ounce of the same way you did in the first season. I cannot wait to see where Doug's journey takes him next, because clearly he's learned a thing or two from Frank over the years.

Lastly, the cinematography and direction of the series is so consistent, but brilliantly stunning. From Frank's candid talks with the camera to the subtle but alluring camera tricks (that I don't want to spoil for you all!), it's a beautiful series to watch. So go binge-watch it! Yes, I am another person telling you that you want regret it, but remember I was in your shoes once and, trust me, you'll want to be in mine now.



Have you caught House of Cards yet or are you still unsure about it? Let's talk in the comments!

Katherine


P.S. Writing this piece while Frank Underwood was glaring at me was seriously messing with my head. Even in a still he looks like he's plotting my takedown!
8:57 PM
The Fall TV season is starting up and every year there are always tons of shows I want to catch. This week I watched three new pilots: Scream Queens, Minority Report, and Limitless. 


Here are my non-spoilery thoughts on this new trio!


Scream Queens
I was initially drawn to Scream Queens because of Ryan Murphy and the ensemble cast. I'm not huge on campy films and series, but after watching the pilot, I'm all in for Scream Queens. Emma Roberts' was born to play Chanel and the vindictiveness of her character juxtaposed with the violence of the show is so scary it's remarkable. Additionally, I really appreciate how Lea Michele's character is the polar opposite of her public persona. It's refreshing, actually. From the hilarious Twilight reference to the steamy Nick Jonas working out scenes, I am here for what Scream Queens is putting out there and I highly recommend it if you like your camp with a side of well-dressed snark.

Scream Queens airs Tuesdays at 9pm EST on FOX.


Minority Report
As a huge fan of the Steven Spielberg film by the same name, I was thrilled about this series from that moment that it was announced. After watching the pilot, you could definitely say that I'm not overly happy with it, but I'll still tune in for more in hopes that it improves. Pilots are tough and for some of my favorite shows I couldn't stand the pilots (ahem, Arrow). It's heavy sci-fi and, if you aren't familiar with the film, a lot of the references and tools that are used might go right over your head and most of the time that's okay. You can either keep an open mind about the rules of this world and maybe you'll get hooked or you can be hypercritical of all of the pilot's plot-holes. I suggest you join me and go with the former!

 Minority Report airs Mondays at 9pm EST on FOX.
Limitless
Since I watched Limitless' pilot I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It was the best hour of TV I've watched this week. Jake McDorman, who I've loved in so many projects over the years, really knocks this role out of the park. Plus, he plays guitar and I could watch that for hours alone. The pilot really hooks you into the world of NZT without relying solely on the film that its based on. Even with Bradley Cooper's fantastic cameo, it never feels like he's just there to grab the audience's attention; Bradley properly transitions us into this world to ride out this journey with Jake. There's a line in the episode about being able to remember the great ideas that you had in the shower and then subsequently forgot about...basically, I need this in my life as much as I need another episode immediately. Like, right now. I'm serious. This is a must watch!

Limitless airs Tuesdays at 10pm on CBS.



What shows have you hooked this Fall? Let me know in the comments!

Katherine

7:53 PM
As a huge fan of TFIOS and the general euphoria surrounding all things John Green, I went to see Paper Towns on opening day.


Paper Towns follows Q's borderline obsession with Margo since she moved in across the street from him when they were kids. They immediately became friends and were the best of such until her outgoing tendencies pushed her farther and farther away from Q until they no longer acknowledged each other. All's quiet on the Margo front until one night when she knocks on Q's window. She has nine things she needs to do and he's going to be her getaway driver. The next morning, Margo's nowhere to be found...until Q starts tracing the clue's she's left behind.

I don't have a strong connection to Paper Towns at face value. I haven't read the book yet (on my super long to-be-read list) and I knew nothing more about the story than what I saw in the trailer before my viewing. I'm glad that that was the case. I was surprised by the outcome in such brilliant ways. All of the character arcs are well executed, only leaving me wanting more screentime for every single one.

Q is a super reserved and play-by-the-rules type of high school senior. I really connect to his strict sense of self, not allowing himself to go outside the lines because of the anxiety of what consequences will follow. Juxtaposed with Margo's unrestrained sense of the world being her playground full of possibilities, you crave more adventurous Margo. You also want Margo's rebellious nature to rub off on Q (I mean, live a little, kid!). Margo may talk a lot of nonsense, thinking she knows more about life than she actually does, but she's right about one thing for certain: everything that Q wants in life is outside of his comfort zone. Live a life outside the boundaries that you've set for yourself and who knows what might happen.

Paper Towns lives within its brilliant cast and characters. I can easily see why John Green thought that Nat Wolff was perfect to play Q and all of his insecurities. Q's best friends Ben, Radar, Lacey, and Angela light up the film with their fantastic chemistry. I wanted them all (especially smart and quietly hysterical Radar) in every scene. Road tripping with this cast of characters, who's in?!

The biggest surprise for me (apart from that fantastically absurd cameo) was Cara Delevingne as Margo. I am familiar with Cara only from her modeling work and her eccentrically authentic social media persona. While lots of people were skeptical I truly tried to keep an open mind with her and I was so impressed with what I saw. Cara has this mystery about her, like that of Margo, where you immediately want to ask her everything about her life, but you know you'll only get vague non-answers. You want to see more of her onscreen to learn the facets of what makes her tick. The representation of Margo from Cara who's seen by millions of people and their differing visions of her in their heads: she is every one and none of their thoughts. She's not your Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She's just a girl and Cara brought such a power to that.

If you're questioning whether or not to check out Paper Towns in theaters my advice is to watch the trailer. Did you love the trailer? Then go check it out! If Nat and Cara aren't enough to sway you, then maybe wait until home release and watch it on DVD. Either way, it's a film you'll want to have in your library.

Paper Towns is a modern day version of a classic John Hughes high school film. With spot-on music, it's sweet and fun tone, and reflection of the self, I'll definitely be re-watching for years to come. The end of this film is one of the most satisfying I've seen this year. Plus, what's a teen movie without an epic slow-motion prom scene? Teach me your smooth moves, Nat Wolff!


Katherine

P.S. Tune in on Saturday for my August Slate! It's going to be....smoking hot!
11:12 PM
Sense8: get ready for your next weirdly amazing binge-watch.


Sense8 is weird. I'm not going to lie to you, but I love weird. I love how something as complicated and intense as this series can emotionally rip me to shreds and yet I'll still hit the next episode the first chance I get.

When trying to explain Sense8 to the uninitiated you run a serious risk of spoiling the magic of the show, or diminishing it's vastness, because it's such an 'out there' premise. But here's the jist: eight strangers become mentally linked and gradually work together for group survival.

It's an intimate series. Not only in the typical Netflix series sense of there being many graphic sex scenes (seriously, if those are not your cup of tea then maybe you'll want to fast-forward in a few parts...), but also in the sense that these characters are unintentionally (in the beginning) exploring the lives and minds of the other linked characters. Without spoiling anything, it can get intimate quickly.

What a fantastic group of characters and actors this show has put together. Originating from eight entirely different regions of the world these fascinating characters slowly intertwine their lives while still remaining in their own separate regions. Forming bonds specifically through their mental connections.

One of my favorite things about the series is how stylized it is. When a certain musical riff comes on you know that these characters are about to kick some serious ass. When the scenes are shot a certain way and in a particular lighting scheme, you know that they're exploring each other's worlds. The film language of these episodes is phenomenal.

Trust me on this one, you do not want to miss out or wait to watch Sense8. Fingers crossed for Season 2!


Katherine
9:34 AM
I watch a lot of TV. When I say a lot of TV I mean that I'm the girl who is constantly recommending shows to anyone who will listen to me ramble on and on about my latest favorite. This brings me to the latest favorite binge-watch: Fringe.

I was a first-airing viewer of Fringe for a couple seasons, but then life got in the way and their time-slot changed and it just fell off of my radar. Looking back on it now it's both a good and a bad thing. I'm a serial binge-watcher and enjoy watching most shows that way more, because I need it all now. The only bad thing about waiting was that I didn't know the brilliance I was missing until I finished the series for the first time this week on Netflix.

For the uninitiated, Fringe follows FBI agent, Olivia Dunham, who teams up with institutionalized, Walter Bishop, and his son, Peter Bishop, who's a begrudged caretaker of sorts (initially), to investigate unexplained phenomena. Unexplained phenomena is just about the biggest understatement for some of the insane cases on the show, but you'll see what I mean for yourself!

Fringe takes place in Boston, so obviously I'm more inclined to love it than just your average show (even though it clearly wasn't filmed on location). Hearing all of these New England and New York based cities on a TV series is both odd and welcoming to me, personally.

One of the things I love most about Fringe is that it is clearly a sci-fi and unexplainable phenomena--explained series. Sometimes science and technical based shows like this can be a real turnoff because their language is so inaccessible. But that's not the case here at all. Fringe never talks down to the viewer, but rather clues you into what's going on...or what they think is going on. Olivia's character truly helps a lot with this accessibility as she doesn't know the scientific background for any of this stuff either. She is the average viewer and watching her and FBI agent/lab assistant Astrid deal with Walter's scientific eccentricity is one of my favorite things.

Throughout the series, Fringe always comes back to the concept of family. Who is your family? What would you do for them? How will you stick together? The changing notion of what is family, who do you choose to be your family, and living with the family you're born with are interesting ideas that pretty much never cease on the drama front. Peter is the reluctant son, but he has his reasons. Legitimate reasons. Throughout it all, Peter and Walter never stop trying to make it work even when it gets rather mind-bendingly complicated in the later seasons.

The best thing about binge-watching Fringe was the fact that the ending was absolutely, stunningly perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better, more appropriately heart-pounding (and heart-wrenching, to be honest) ending to the series. Even after a hundred episodes (yay, syndication qualification!), Fringe still managed to make me want more and to immediately watch it over again. Speaking of...



Let me know in the comments your thoughts on Fringe and/or your favorite series to binge-watch. If you haven't watched Fringe yet, what are you waiting for?!


Katherine

8:10 PM
In which I spew forth all of the praise and feels for Cecelia Ahern's Love, Rosie (formerly titled Where Rainbows End).




It's not often that a book touches me so profoundly that I take a good, hard look of what I think the trajectory of my life will be. Will I actually accomplish what I want to accomplish? I'm a firm realistic optimist, so I say yes! Will I find true love? When the time is right. Will I travel the world like I so desperately want to? I sure as hell hope so. I attempt to plan my future, but let's get real for a minute: I'm 22 and I'm much better at meal prepping and fangirling than I am at life planning. And that's okay.

Rosie. Just typing her name makes me smile, because to begin to describe her complexities...well, I could write a book about it. She's smart and witty, but doesn't give herself nearly enough credit. Rosie's caring and selfless, but also human and raw. Her eloquent rambling makes me connect to her on a spiritual level. The way that she consistently perseveres and stands up for herself, her family, and what she believes to be true: Rosie is such a heroine in her own right.

Alex. I feel like the laugh I just had over thinking about him says it all. He's an overachiever who frequently misses the mark in his personal life. A lover who commits in all of the wrong ways...until it's finally right.

In tracing the course of Rosie and Alex's friendship from childhood to adulthood, through births and deaths, I felt I was given a gift being able to see these charming, multi-faceted characters progress (and sometimes regress). They're those two friends you know who've known each other forever. They're the backs of each other's hands, yet they can never seem to get it right. Basically, you want to smoosh their faces together and BOOM happily ever after.

I spent the duration of the novel wanting their happy ending to come already. While there were so many moments where I wanted to strangle the book in frustration, because I yearned for that coupling satisfaction, the rocky friendship needed to evolve. And evolve it did.

Love, Rosie is told through the written word only. By that I mean you read all of the emails, instant messages, handwritten letters, and chat-room sessions that the characters send to each other. I hadn't directly thought about it before, but you can learn more about a person just by their writing aesthetic (please spell correctly, for the love of the literary fairies!) than by a lot of standard first person narratives. It's less biased and more about the intricacies of their personal relationships.

There's sections of the book where Rosie seeks advice through a chatroom suited to her interests and a friend says: If you want something, you need to get out there and grab it by the horns because no one is going to give you what you want on a plate. The truth in this line is so in tune with how I try to steer my life. It's such a good reminder that you are in charge of your life and the path you take.

Just do it already. Pick up Love, Rosie. Fall in love with the oh-so-lovely and realistic characters, the magnificent Dublin (as if I didn't want to visit enough already!), and superb writing. You won't regret it. I'm grateful I did.


Katherine


P.S. Have you read Love, Rosie and/or viewed the film? Clearly, watching the film is next on my to-do list!
10:57 PM
Going into a movie with your own expectations can be an uplifting and intensely exciting thing. But when you go into a viewing with the heavy load of other's not-so-positive reactions...it can get tiring and super discouraging.



I saw The Avengers: Age of Ultron today.

I feel like I'm more of a casual Marvel fan. I'm not super obsessed with the universe as a whole, but that doesn't mean I don't love the characters. Especially when they all interact together. (Seriously, the cast's chemistry is SO top notch.) I've seen all of the Marvel slate so far, with Guardians of the Galaxy being my current favorite. 

I read a lot of film reviews. I have my favorite critics (DrewAtHitFix is my current #1). I love reading the passion and depth to which these reviewers go to so eloquently in their reviews. Plus, there's always the typical Twitter reactions, so it's rare for me to go into a film without generally knowing what the media thinks of the work.

The reaction to Age of Ultron was on another level, though. Part of that due to the fact that Marvel movies tend to increase in hype as the phases go on. The Avengers are reassembled. Age of Ultron's a sequel to The Avengers, a film that even caught me by surprise with how much I loved it. It's actually the installment that sold me on the Marvel universe as a whole.

With all of everyone's hyper critical opinions floating around in my head, I watched Age of Ultron a month after it was released. And I feel as if I watched a different movie than the majority of the world.

I loved seeing my favorite characters not only team up again, but get more screentime, detail more backstory, and ultimately move the universe forward in great ways. I laughed, I (internally) cheered, I cried (I MEAN, CMON I REALLY LIKED THAT CHARACTER!).

I didn't experience the disdain and disappointment that a lot of reviewers did. The jokes didn't fall flat. It wasn't too much. With that said, only with Marvel would some of the storyline makes sense, but isn't that the beauty of Universe that they've created? Limits are endless in such brilliant ways.

Joss Whedon did a brilliant job juggling all of the characters. And even though it nearly broke him, I'm glad he managed to finish his work, because ultimately I enjoyed what I saw onscreen. I can't wait to see more of the Marvel Universe. And isn't that the goal? To make you feel in correspondingly appropriate ways and to want more?

It's damn near impossible to go into a film with no expectations, and that's okay. It's great in fact, especially if you're surprised by how much something touches you. It's our expectations that showcase the uniqueness of our likes and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Next time you walk into a theater with expectations and opinions whirling through your head, sit down, breathe, take a bite of whatever overpriced food you purchased (or if you're smart like me, bring in Panera with you), and give what you're about to see a chance. You never know when you might leave charmed out of your wits.


Talk to me in the comments about your thoughts on film critics, public consensus, or what film you've seen lately that you were surprised about!


Katherine
9:04 PM
When I saw Pitch Perfect in theaters for the first time, I wasn't expecting much. I certainly wasn't prepared to immediately want to see it again...and again in theaters! Three years later, my BluRay copy gets played at least once a month with the soundtrack always present on my latest playlists.


Since I'm catching Pitch Perfect 2 tomorrow, today was rewatch day, so I wanted to recap my favorite moments of the first that made me fall in love with it.


Strap in for a long note!


Beca and Jesse's first meeting. It's ridiculous that five seconds after seeing Jesse I am already in love, but here we are. Beca's smirk says it all.


The Treblemakers.  There are no words...

...other than: Bumper.


Fat Amy. A new national treasure is born in Rebel Wilson. #MermaidDancing


Beca and her cup. Anna Kendrick with a chart-topping hit and killer music video? Double check!


Fat Amy and Bumper. Never gets old...only get's spicier.


Beca's toner. Can you blame a girl, though? It's Jesse we're talking about here!


Record play. Speaking of Jesse...


Juice pouches and Rocky. What more could a girl want?


Jesse and The Breakfast Club. "I wanna watch you watch The Breakfast Club..." My reaction:


Right Round. Cant. Deal.


Fat Amy slaying all. Always makes me scream.


Bromance is strong. Must. Dance. Now.


Fat Amy preaching the truth. Get it, girl.


 Jesse's recognition. His face is everything here.


Badass Bellas. Slay...


...Jesse's clearly feeling it.


THE KISS WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR. YES YES YES.


Credits that make you want to dance...on back into the theater.



Clearly, I am so ready to catch Pitch Perfect 2 and obsess over every single frame of it, as all sane people do.



Pitch Perfect fanatic like myself? Caught the sequel yet? Just need somewhere to talk all things aca? Sound off in the comments and tell me your PP stories!


Katherine
11:25 PM
When it was announced a couple months ago that there was a Minority Report TV series in the works at FOX, I freaked.


And when I say that I freaked I mean, I flailed to everyone I knew...and was met with near-silence and blank stares. Minority Report is by far my favorite Spielberg film and it is vastly underrated. For the uninitiated (what are you waiting for?!), check out the trailer for the original film.


Tom Cruise in his prime, Colin Farrell being Colin Farrell, a dystopian world wrapped up in a utopian bow? WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?! Oh, did I mention how it makes me not want to touch my eyes for a week after viewing (that bathtub scene!). It's the BEST.

Since the series recently got a full season pickup, a trailer premiered today and my keysmashing excitement can be heard worldwide.


One of the best things about this TV series is that it's actually continuing the story from the film. This isn't an origins story. It's the sequel I didn't know I needed! Thirteen years later, I'm still amazed at how well the film holds up over time. The beauty of it is how I know every beat of the story, yet I'm consistently on the edge of my seat. Will they survive? What will happen to the Precogs? Will Tom Cruise's character be reunited with his family? I have no doubt that the series will keep up the same momentum. Spielberg wouldn't have executive produced it otherwise!

Clearly, I am psyched for the series. I cannot wait to see where these new and reinvented characters go in this heart-pounding world. But most importantly, will we find out what the true purpose of the screen gloves are?! Tune in with me this Fall to find out (hopefully!).


Katherine


P.S. If you love Minority Report as much as I do (or at this point have heard it), let's fangirl together! Are you looking forward to the series? Let me know in the comments!

10:52 PM
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