Monday, August 19, 2013

tv on netflix - reviews

I have this thing with tv. I don't always find the series that I would like to watch. That is what reruns are good for, right? That is what happened for me with Quantum Leap. Totally didn't watch it first run. Loved it in reruns (where, by the way, my loyalty does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for ratings numbers or the odds that the show will be picked up for the next season or canceled. You're welcome.)

This summer, I started watching a show called The Dead Zone, based off of Stephen King's novel, and starring Anthony Micheal Hall, who also produces. Yeah, from Pretty in Pink, and those movies. Only, all grown up. Nice transition there, AMH.

Through the summer, I watched an episode almost every day. Some days two, but I didn't want to burn through them. I've enjoyed it, on the whole. The acting is decent, the writing servicable, and the plotsare reasonable with the trope that is given. Yes, Johnny has to have a vision, and - mostly - work on preventing it from becoming reality. Occasionally, he looks for clues to solve some mystery from the past, as well. For several seasons now, we have an arching story about a senator who may bring about armegeddon. They add a little to that story arch each season, and while I don't really think those are the best episodes, they have served to progress the series as a whole somewhat.

I worked through the season of Once Upon a Time this summer, as well. Over all, I would say I liked this series better, although the trope of fairy tales coming into the modern world evidently didn't fare well enough for there to be more than one season. It got to be a little... far fetched, I guess. Maybe miniseries instead of series? Still, I am a fairy tale reader from way back, so there were things I enjoyed.

Recently, I started watching Saving Grace. Not particularly child-friendly for all that it is/was network television. Holly Hunter stars and produces. The premise for this show seems a little muddled. She's a cop, so we're solving crimes, but she's also got an angel trying to "save" her. The solving crimes seems to provide more plot movement than the angel. But it's named for the angel business... not sure how it is working for me. One thing, though, the theme song rocks. What? The theme song? Yeah. I think that may be my favorite part of this series. Oh, and Holly? eat a sandwich!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

winter is coming

Game of Thrones

Love it.

Not for kids.

If you aren't already on the Game of Thrones bandwagon, there are the two things you absolutely need to know. If you don't want spoilers, then that may be all you want to read of this post.

Ron and I watched season 2 this summer, when Raine was out of the house. Yes I know there is season 3, and when we pick it up on disk, we will catch up with that. We enjoyed season 2, and all the King making and breaking that was going on.

I've now read three of the five novels, as well. The first novel was good enough, although there were so many points of view it was sometimes hard to keep track of who was connected to whom. And then of course my favorite character was killed off. NNOOOoooooo!!!!! Still, I think that was a necessarily gateway into the rest of the story(ies). When I got to the end of book one, I was ready to set the series aside for a while and read other things.

When I picked up Book 2 this summer, It was easier to get into the various characters and their stories. It seemed the true action had begun, and I enjoyed it. I was ready to delve into the third book right as I finished the second, and I was not disappointed. Now that I have finished that one, I really want to dig into book 4, but school has started, and I need to pay attention to other things. Other. Things.

Really.

Now, to tie the books to the series, I think they've done a pretty decent job. No, they haven't used every detail of every story from the various books, but I think they've done thoughtful editing, in general. And really, how many cut-off noses do you really want to see? Yeah, same for me. I appreciate that they have kept the intent of the novels, and the feel of them. They've also managed to keep the breadth of them as well.

Still, each novel is 1000+ pages. I would think that would be PLENTY of fodder for a season of story. We were watching season 2, and as I read into book 3, there were some story lines showing up. I would think they could have kept a season to a novel pacing. There are 5 novels, and I can easily see 5 or more seasons for the series. Lets not rush tooooo much here, OK? I want to be able to savor some of this video story telling, and there is material there, folks. Lots of it!

My recommendation? Read the novels AND watch the series. If you can't face 5,000-6,000 pages, then you can feel reassured that at least through season 2, the series is staying fairly true to the books. Once you've enjoyed the series, and you still want MORE Game of Thrones, pick up the books anyway.

No, not me, not yet... School, Dina, school. THEN, more Game of Thrones.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

back to work

Where did July go? Here it is August, and school starts tomorrow. With students, and everything. We had so much inservice this year. 6 days. Even though some of it was working in our classrooms, there was a lot of not working in our rooms. We weren't even in our building today, or yesterday morning. A lot of it was repititious. I guess that isn't much different than most times, though. Honestly, I'm ready to have students if that means I won't have to go to inservice tomorrow.

Raine is NOT ready to go back to school. Mentally. Physically she is, and she has her supplies and clothes and haircut. Her friends will be there too. Her campus is having more major building going on this year, which is a pain, but makes its own memories.

I did a bit of creative stuff through July, and have more lined up (of course). I've made friends with Netflix on the Wii and worked on a few new (to me) television series the past month. I read. Man, did I read. Two of the books in the Game of Thrones series and 1,000+ pages a pop. Then, there are the Neil Gaiman books. Oh, and did I mention Jack Reacher? He rather reminds me of Travis McGee, in a way. So expect some reviews over the next few weeks, OK?

SO, what is on the to-do list for today? Make it through the first day of school!