The Vampire Diaries

As much as I would like to devote hours upon hours to perfecting an absolutely fabulous post about this new CW show, alas, work calls with even more demand this week as my horde of bosses live it up in New York City for Promax while I stew here in their absence, covering all their non-stop phone calls and emails. If I sound bitter, I am.

Ok, enough whining. Now for some classic CW eye-candy. Below you can check out an extended preview for The Vampire Diaries. Go on, you know you want to look...




Ok, now back to the whining. I read this series, first published 1991, as a young teenager. When this story was first published, it was released in four different books (The Awakening, The Struggle, The Fury and Dark Reunion). Check out a couple of the original covers below.


More recently, most likely due to the success of Twilight, Harper re-published the series in two different books, two volumes per book. Again, please review a couple of the newer covers below. The second one, if you're curious, is a fifth volume that Smith just released, also probably due to the success of Twilight.


Now, does anyone here notice anything wrong with this picture, when compared to our lovely extended preview? If you're thinking, "Oh, isn't it odd that Elena has dark brown hair in the show and yet, both sets of covers show her with light blond hair", you are a very clever person indeed. In the books, Elena is described as "cool, BLONDE and slender". When Damon first shows himself in crow form, unknown to the reader or to Elena, his "wings ruffling her blonde hair", the reader is now pretty sure she is...what?...oh that's right, BLONDE! There is a lot of room for adaption between a book and television series, but that aspect of Elena, that her hair is a beautiful, sleek blonde and that she has stunning blue (sometimes described as lapis lazuli) eyes, is something that is described a ton throughout the books. I'm guessing it was Smith's way of enhancing the physical differences between her and the two dark, Italian vampire brothers. Needless to say, the fact that she is brunette in the show - not a choice I'm happy with or anyone else should be happy with either.

Despite that fact, I am actually very excited about this show. I'm not sure how they are going to pull off more than one season worth of material, but I'm guessing they will probably change around a lot of stuff. For instance, Damon seems to be around starting from nearly the beginning, but in the books, he doesn't show himself out of crow form until much later. Also, Stefan doesn't have ANY friends in town, so I'm not sure who the man is that he is speaking with in the preview.

These books don't hold a candle to Meyer's writing in Twilight, but out of two series, they are without a doubt the best choice to adapt into a show. In fact, The CW is a perfect network to show it, seeing as the books now come off as beginning a little to YOUNG adult, emphasis on the young. It should do quite well with that audience. Don't get me wrong, I watch the CW (Smallville and Supernatural) and have since I was 15 or so, but it definitely caters to a certain type of market. One that should gobble this series right up.

So, what do you think? Yea or nay? Are we loving the fact that Ian Somerhalder, famous LOST veteran, is starring as the deliciously dangerous Damon? I know I am.

The Body Politic

As some of you may or may not know, I am a wee bit of a Veronica Mars fan. Consequently, I am also a huge fan of Jason Dohring, he who playeth Logan on VM and he who charmingly confirmed the fact that I, and all females like me, will forever fall for the bad-boy, despite our real-life best efforts to the contrary.

Since the last episode of Veronica Mars, I have seen Jason Dohring light up the big and little screen in only two other projects: the doomed CBS vampire drama Moonlight and the independent short, Struck (which I loved). Since then, he's be curiously and infuriatingly MIA from the duty of entertaining me. Hopefully, he won't be MIA much longer. Cue the possibly new CW show, The Body Politic. Since Watch with Kristin can pitch this show with more flare and accuracy than I ever could, I will send you there for the DL. Hummm...DL...do people still say that? Probably not...I'm always out of the trendy-word loop...

Anyway, if you're too busy to read their glowing review of the very un-CW CW show, just check out the two quick scenes (both with Jason Dohring, of course!) below and see what you think:







So, whatcha think? I'm not really one for political shows - but I do love me some J.D.

Quick Hits - Summer Movie Reviews

I know it's been forever and a weekday since I last posted. I must apologize for that - and immediately start throwing excuses your way. In my defense, they are pretty good excuses. For one, work has been kicking my backside lately but that is to be expected, what with our rise in original programming. Also, there really hasn't been that much to discuss since my DVR has become depressingly empty due to the end of the fall TV season.

But never fear my faithful readers! The Summer Movie Season has begun and I have some quick reviews from my most recent cinematic adventures:

Angels and Demons

I definitely enjoyed this one more than The DaVinci Code. It had more action, more suspense, more villains and it had Ewan McGregor. That fact in and of itself was enough to bring up the entertainment level. And if I should be felled by God for lusting after a fake priest - then so be it. It was worth it. However, even though this film was better than DaVinci Code, it's still the lowest on my summer movie list.

My Grade: B-

$/Theater or DVD: This could wait until the DVD release. I wouldn't say it's worth $10 - but if you can check it out in south GA for $6, then maybe then it's worth seeing in the theater. Otherwise, Netflix that sucker and check it out on a big-screen and all will be well.

Terminator Salvation

I am not sure what you've heard about this film, but my review is shining. Apparently, if you are a gung-ho James Cameron Terminator fan and you're expecting something like those films, then you'll be disappointed. But honestly, who really went into that movie thinking it would be exactly like those Arnold bomb-a-thons? Besides, I was never much of a Terminator fan. I enjoyed the films and they are certainly classics, but I wouldn't call myself a Terminator fangirl. So, that being said, I LOVED this movie. It was gritty, dark, exciting, new and just plain fun. It was all these things and that is exactly what I expected when I walked into the theater. And it was more. It was - egads! - emotional! Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm such a girly-girl, but I did tear up a bit at the end. The story of John Conner and even more so, the story of Marcus Wright (played by the yummy Sam Worthington) really tugged at my easily-tugged heart-strings. Call me sappy, call me blasphemous for sobbing during a Terminator film, call me whatever you like - but that doesn't change the truth. And the truth is - this film rocked my socks (if I had had socks on to rock) off. Not only that but Sam Worthington is my new favorite swoon-causer. It takes some pretty big cahonas (not to mention an insanely chiseled jaw) to upstage Christan Bale in his own film, but Worthington pulled it off, shocking and awe-ing and bringing tears to my eyes doing it.

My Grade: A

$/Theater or DVD: No question about it - dish out the $10 and see this in the theater. It's worth it, I cross my heart.

UP

This movie has been raved about for the last couple weeks and I am sorry to disappoint you but after seeing it last night, I am of a like mind with the UP-ravers. This movie was excellent, even if it did err more on the side of sad and depressing - at least more so than other Disney/Pixar films. Instead of bringing in tissues for happy Disney tears, bring them in for sad Disney tears. This is not to say that the film ended badly (honestly, it's a Disney film, people!) or that its appeal was lessened by its weepy scenes. On the contrary, the sad scenes brought a charm and depth to the movie, an aspect that has been rather prevalent in recent Disney/Pixar films. Except, unlike Wall-E, I could easily connect and sympathize with the characters (seeing as they were actual humans with human speaking skills). This movie was charmingly grumpy, a bittersweet adventure that reflected the mood and nature of the main character. The little boy, Russell, kept it from tipping over into depressing territory with his little boyscout antics, fearful heroism and a love for any creature that crossed his path.

My Grade: A

$/Theater or DVD: This could really go either way. I guess it all depends on what you have in the bank. All Pixar films are better watched in a theater and I would suggest paying the money to see it there instead of waiting to rent it. Still, if you can't see it in the theater, you should definitely rent it and watch it.

So, that's all the time and money worth of summer movies I've had so far but keep checking in for new and improved summer movie updates. And of course, because I am a Twihard (though not one of those screeching, tween ones), I will leave you with the newly released trailer for New Moon. I'm sure you've already seen it a ka-billion times, but go ahead, watch it again. You know you want to...

Glee

As EW rightly described it - it's a amalgamation of Pushing Daisies, High School Musical and Jack's Jazz Hands from Will & Grace. Check out the end of the pilot episode below. It's by far the best part of the episode. If the rest of the season follows where this pilot leads, I think I've found my new favorite show. Check it out and see what you think:

Lost - The Incident - Season Finale

Wow. It's interesting how even though LOST has blown me away on multiple occasions, I always find plenty to say about it. This time, however, I am tending towards speechless. It's probably a good thing, considering how it's impossible for my fingers to run across these keys fast enough to keep up with my non-stop, rapidly flowing LOST-esque thoughts. Still, in an attempt to keep all my thoughts from spilling out of my ears and rudely disturbing all my cube neighbors, here are a couple first impressions, theories and general things to scream/cry/wtf? about from last night's 2 hour finale:

* The first scene, where we go through some unknown person's daily routine, only to be surprised by who we were "following" around, brings to mind the first scene from season 2 premiere episode ("Man of Science, Man of Faith"), as we follow around Desmond in the hatch. Meaningful? Maybe.

* In the first scene, Jacob is wearing white and the unknown, Mr. Cranky, is wearing black. Universal signs for good and evil. There was probably a reason behind that wardrobe choice.

* The Egyptian statue is NOT Anubis, but perhaps Sobek or Taweret, both gods related to childbirth.

* Jacob is distractingly gorgeous. I had trouble concentrating on the big reveal of him and not just his face...*swoon*

* My first impression of Jacob is as a good guy, like a REALLY good guy. As in, if this show really turns out to be about the ultimate good versus the ultimate evil, then I'm rootin' for Jacob.

* Something to note: In most of the flashbacks, Jacob apologized in the most sincerest manner to our castaways, almost as if he blamed himself for the pain they were going through (or would HAVE to go through in the future).

* I have only two theories, so far, on who/what Jacob and Mr. Cranky are. One: gods. My main thought: Ra and Osiris, Egyptian gods of the sun and the dead, respectively. Two: time-travelers. My main thoughts: Perhaps once they were human, but I doubt they are any longer. Maybe during their time spent traveling through space/time they acquired certain powers, maybe they got certain powers from the Island. As far as the Island goes, perhaps they got stuck there (astral projection explains Jacobs visits off-Island) or they liked it so much they decided to stay. At some point, rules were made for them or because of them, which caused Mr. Cranky to not be able to kill Jacob by his own hand. Ok, ok, I know I am reaching now, but a this point, I think anything is game.

* Wondering what Richard said when he replied to Illana's riddle, "What lies in the shadow of the statue?" It was Latin and he said, "He who will save us all".

* The Jughead idea was insane. How could any one of the castaways think that blowing up a H-Bomb would help anything? What about everyone else on the Island? Was it ok that they would get all blown to bits? Crazy...

* I love how Miles stay relatively quiet until he asks the one, most important question.

* I loved seeing Rose, Bernard and Vincent (now all you Vincent obsessors can stop whining about where he might have been this whole time). I also loved how Rose bluntly summarized the drama of the whole show and put things in perspective for the viewers and the other castaways. The most important thing is being with the one you love, no matter what happens. And aren't these guys sick of shooting each other yet? Drama, drama, drama girlfriend!

* Juliet. Sigh. What to say? You gave up too easily? You should have fought for your man, for your life, just a little bit harder? Yeah, I could say those things...but all I really want to do is cry. I can't imagine how Sawyer will ever get over the loss of her - oh wait - if Jack's loony-bins plan worked, maybe it will be like Sawyer never even met Juliet. Except, not only would that be even more heartbreaking than her dying right in front of him, but it would mean that Sawyer would never become the good man, the good leader, that we love and know him to be now.

* Jack, dear Jack. Either your plan failed and you're a complete nut-ball or your plan succeed and you're still a complete nut-ball. Either way, I'm shocked to discover that I don't much love you as I once did. Like Kate, your character's natural development is not one that I get a good feeling about. I find myself loving Juliet and Sawyer where once I loved Jack and Kate. Interesting how the tables turn like that.

* Hurley theory: He may have an even bigger part to play in this story than we originally guessed. Of all the cameo visits Jacob made, his visit to Hurley seemed the most significant. He actually spoke in length with Hurley, even going as far as letting him know he wasn't just some stranger. That makes Hurley special...

* People have already been arguing this point - Did Jacob CAUSE Nadia to get run over or did he merely save Sayid from the same fate? I'm on the side that believes Nadia was going to get run over anyway and that Jacob stepped in to keep Sayid from getting run down also.

* Point to me: I totally guessed that it was a body that Frank was looking at in the box. I figured it was John the moment Illana showed up at the statue and spoke with Richard. Go me!

Questions:

* Why did Mr. Cranky Pants want to kill Jacob so bad?

* Why did Jacob not seem to mind that he was about to die? Why didn't he fight? Perhaps not in his nature (as a benign deity)? Does this go back to the idea of FREE WILL - it was Ben's choice to make...Does this go back to what John Locke (the real one) heard when he was in the cabin in season 3, "help me"?

* What really DID happen to the statue?

* Is Richard Albert maybe a sailor/slave from the Black Rock ship, the same one that Jacob and Mr. Cranky were watching at the beginning of the episode?

* Why did Jacob want Hurley, and possibly everyone else, to go back to the Island? What does that mean? Was he hoping they could help him with his Mr. Cranky Pants issue or was it for some other, unknown reason?

* What did Jacob want Ilana to do? How did she know him already? My thought - he wanted her to get Sayid on the plane, among other things.

* What is Mr. Cranky Pants? Some shapeshifter who took the form of John Locke? A ghost like Christian Shepard? Or is the last season of LOST really about ZOMBIES?!?!?!

* Who side is Christian Shepard on anyway?

Ok, so I know I probably missed a hundred other things but my brain is already fried. Let's just say that 2010 can't arrive soon enough. Overall, a pretty amazing season, to say the least. For a real, in-depth review of last night's finale, go check out Doc Jensen's site. He's da man! Yeah, I said it. What?

The Hero of Ages

Here is a QotD from the book I am reading right now, "The Hero of Ages" by Brandon Sanderson. Slowswift gives a great argument that I am personally fond of making...




"Do you enjoy stories, young lady?"
"What kind of stories?"
"The best kind, of course," Slowswift said, tapping his book. " The kind about monsters and myths. Longtales, some call them - stories told by skaa around the fires, whispering of mistwraiths, sprites, and brollins and such."
"I don't have much time for stories," Vin said.
"Seems that fewer and fewer people do, these days. It makes me wonder what is so alluring about the real world that gives them all such a fetish for it. It's not a very nice place these days."

The Thing About Dollhouse

Spoiler Warning!!!!!

Maybe it was the long, relaxing shower or the slightly melancholy thoughts of old friends that I have become disconnected with over time, or perhaps the combination of both, but it was Saturday morning after watching the newest Dollhouse episode that I finally realized, or maybe accepted, what it was that Dollhouse was missing; the glitch that was making the show feel hazy and unattainable.

It came to me as both simple and obvious, but it was a simple and obvious truth that had never existed in any Joss Whedon show. That's probably why I missed it in the first place. In fact, it is a staple, a wide-sweeping signature of any preceding Whedon show that is the very thing that is making Dollhouse...less. I am speaking of it's lack of deep, meaningful and solid relationships.

I have heard some people complain that Dollhouse hasn't contained much of that witty-Whedon dialogue that we love so much...but I don't think that's the real problem. Even if we did have that dialogue, no matter how great, it would mean little without the relationships to support it. If we look at it from that perspective, it's perhaps that very lack of character connection that is at fault for our missing dialogue.

This lack of connection, for the characters and therefore the audience, is plainly displayed in both Paul Ballard, our one and only constant outside the Dollhouse, and within all the actives and employees in the Dollhouse. The reason behind this lack in all the characters of the Dollhouse is evident by the very definition of the show; it's about people being constantly wiped clean of personality, uploaded with a new one, wiped clean again, uploaded again with yet a different personality, and so on. There is no constant here, nothing to cling to and we find ourselves, much like Echo at times, searching for a familiar face, feeling or instinct to guide us towards the safety and comfort that deep attachment can bring. But as much as we enjoy watching these obviously deep and complex characters (Topher is one of my personal favorites), it's hard to love them or love to hate them or sympathize with them on any deep emotional level. The ones who aren't dolls (Topher, Claire, Adelle, etc) live, work and breathe around the dolls and since their work relationships tend towards the creepy (Topher/Claire) or just the cold (Adelle/everyone else), they too lack any deep and abiding relationships to support them. The one exception I will list here is Boyd. He is the one character I find that I can feel for, that I can connect to more deeply than any other character, even Echo herself. It is his concern and care, what can only been seen as fatherly (Watcher-ly) affection and worry, towards Echo and his clear outlook on what is right and what is wrong that allows for such a character-viewer bond in this one and only case. He is also the one person that Echo finds that she can cling to, even in moments of fading memory and personal chaos ("Target", "Briar Rose"). This also helps pave the viewers' way to seeing Boyd as someone they can trust and relate to. Unfortunately, Boyd has seen very little screen time lately, not to mention that his removal as Echo's handler has distanced her and us from him, causing our tentative connect to become even looser.

As for Paul Ballard, he voiced this problem himself in the latest episode, "Briar Rose": "My whole life, my whole life isn't real". The one character that should have been our constant, should have been the person to forge the more likely lasting relationships, is instead surrounded by dolls. Every relationship he's had (except the rare professional one), every deep conversation he's been apart of, has been with a doll. If say, we had some back-story or some time with him that wasn't related to the Dollhouse, we could have the material to forge some connection to him. But we don't have that material and ever since we've known Paul Ballard he has been lost and confused and so we, the viewers, have been lost and confused with him. He has no anchor in this chaos, now even more so since discovering Echo's resistance to being rescued and his soon to be finding that even his reluctant co-rescuer is in fact a cold-blooded, psycho killer. His constantly unstable reality causes us to keep our distance from him emotionally, no matter how stunning he looks without a shirt on. Also, his righteousness is less touching than it should be, considering we don't really understand yet WHY he is so gung-ho about finding Caroline and bringing down the Dollhouse. Instead of chivalrous, he comes off as slightly looney-toons in his desperation and blind need.

I have never come across this problem with Joss' shows before so I find it difficult to express how I feel about Dollhouse. With Buffy, it was her relationships with her friends, family and Watcher that made her special, that allowed her to live long past the time that any other Slayer had ever survived. All of Xander's witticisms, all of Angel's dead-pan lines, all of Buffy's sarcastic retorts; they would have all been meaningless without the support of the relationships around them. The same goes for the characters in Angel - Wesley's dark transformation (one of the best ever on television) would never have been possible without the loss of his friends and eventually the loss of his one true love (Fred) - and goes for Firefly as well. The relationships do not revolve around the story - the story revolves around the relationships. The story comes from the relationships. And that is why they were great shows. And that is what Dollhouse is missing.

Don't get me wrong. I love Dollhouse. I love it for it for the fun, I love it for the Tahmoh, I love it for the potential and I love it for trying. What we need more than anything is a second season. We need the time for character and relationship development and we need the time to correct the story flow, which has been choppy - I'm sure due to network interference . We need that chance. Even though it's a chance in Hell, I am choosing to go against my nature and look upon this chance optimistically. If Joss has taught me anything in the 13 years he's been apart of my life, it is to laugh in the face of any "chance in hell" situation...and then hide until it goes away.