Monthly Archives: March 2009

What Happened to Silver?

March 31, 2009
By

erinsilverheader
Um, what the heck are they doing to Silver on 90210? She was my favorite character! She was fun and spunky, and a good balance for the other totally superficial characters on the show. And she was a blogger! Woot! But then she pushed over a sandcastle, got a Dixon tattoo, and it’s been downhill ever since. Tonight’s episode was insane. But it is a teen soap opera, so maybe I should expect such things? We’ve come a long way since Jesse Spano and caffeine pills. Please tell me I’m not the only person who watched this! And in case you’re wondering, my new favorite character is Adrianna.

Comment (26) on this Entry

Muppetstar Galactica

March 30, 2009
By

Thank the Lords of Kobol for commenter rjhall, since he pointed me in the direction of this delightful Battlestar Galactica/Muppets mash-up:

I love it! I’ve watched it about twenty times already. If only it were a little longer. Or a weekly television program!

Comment (48) on this Entry

One Man’s Trash. Another’s Transformer

March 30, 2009
By

galvatron01

galvatron01

galvatron02b

galvatron01

galvatron01

galvatron01

galvatron01

galvatron01

galvatron06

Comment (62) on this Entry

Watchmen – Graphic Novel – Review

March 27, 2009
By

watchmengnheader
So I finished the Watchmen graphic novel on the train into work this morning. Wait a minute, that would suggest I’m writing this post at work which we all know can’t possibly be right. So I finished it last night. And wrote this review last night in the comfort of my own home. Yes, yes, that’s it. Okay, so what is there to say about it? It’s amazing. Just as amazing as everyone says. I’m dying to see the movie again because just reading it made me look back on the movie with a greater appreciation. What else could I possibly say to add to the accolades this book has already received? It’s like reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and being like “I think this is gonna be huge!”

I will say though that the squid omission is a bit sad. Before seeing the movie, I thought the idea of the squid was just ridiculous and I thought it was a good idea to leave it out. However, after reading my favorite AintItCoolNews writer Massawyrm’s review of the movie, he makes a good point. The squid worked because it was supposed to be from another dimension with no allegiances to any Earth nation. To essentially give that plot point over to Dr. Manhattan doesn’t work logically, because to have America’s favorite weapon turn evil and destroy cities around the world just doesn’t work. Even though he supposedly also destroyed American cities, it seems unlikely that the rest of the world would turn a blind eye to the fact that he was America’s pride and joy for a few decades. But I’ll let you know what I think after seeing the movie again. If you were like me and have never read a comic book before, give this one a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Now I need some suggestions for other graphic novels I should read!

Comment (80) on this Entry

What I’ve Been Watching

March 26, 2009
By

coralineheader
1. I saw Coraline this weekend. Not the 3D version, just the regular version. While incredible to look at, the story was nothing special so I was a bit let down. Character animation can only sustain a movie so far. As I was watching it, it reminding me a lot of MirrorMask, which I loathed, and as it turns out they were both written by Neil Gaiman, who I proclaimed was a genius after seeing Stardust, but it now appears that’s the only work of his I actually enjoy. But Coraline was enjoyable for it’s animation, much more so than MirrorMask, so I wouldn’t call it a waste of time. Maybe seeing the 3D version would have made a big difference?

2. I thought LOST was really good last night! I’ve been let down these past few weeks because I feel like the episodes have lost (LOL) focus and didn’t have a specific purpose other than to push things forward. But I really enjoyed that last night’s episode was character-centric (in this case Sayid) and therefore able to deal with a specific theme (his life as an assassin) and how it affects his life on the island. It was like a classic first season episode. And that ending! OMG!

3. Speaking of ending, how about that ending to America’s Next Top Model last night? Holy Cannoli! That was amazing! My jaw hit the floor when Celia stepped out to make her proclamation. I like Celia a lot (perhaps because she looked a bit like an undercover Deputy Trudy Wiegel in her confessional after the posing competition?) but I think she’s crazy for what she did. Though don’t think I’m defending Tahlia because I think she’s a total brat who’s mood depends on how well she’s doing in the competition. I can’t wait to see what the house is like next week!

4. Heroes was also really good this week. The return of a character that is so easily mockable wasn’t as annoying as I suspected it to be. And I really enjoyed Tracy’s use of power. Tracy is such a step up from Nikki/Jessica, and I’m glad they finally got her out of the heat room to move her story forward. And as much as I hate Matt and Daphne, I thought the end of the episode was really clever and touching, although the flying special effects left a lot to be desired. And YAY for Hiro and Ando being fun again! This baby storyline could be an annoying disaster, but so far their dialogue is keeping it fun. Star Trek references make everything better!

5. There’s gotta be something more to this year’s Desperate Housewives mystery. The car accident storyline has been pretty obvious from really early on, and since it’s been confirmed and we still have a lot of episodes left this season, I feel like they need to have something more up their sleeve. My theory is that Creepy Dave wasn’t really married to the woman in the car crash, and was just her crazy stalker, and that her husband (also named Dave) is still alive and will come into play. This would explain why they have different last names. Yes, Dave could have just changed his last name after the accident, but if my theory isn’t correct, what else could the twist be? Or is there no twist?

Comment (31) on this Entry

The Battlestar Galactica Series Finale

March 25, 2009
By

bsgfinaleheader
Alright, so I’ve had a few days to let the series finale of Battlestar Galactica marinate in my head and I’m ready to discuss it. Before we begin, let me just say that there will be HEAVY SPOILERS here on the front page. So do not read any further if you have not seen the series finale, or are still in the process of watching the series. Don’t even skim it because I don’t want to be held responsible if your eyes catch a glimpse of “Boxey was behind everything all along!” and then you’ll blame me for being spoiled. Here goes:

So in a nutshell, what did I think? I loved it. I say that now, having thought about it for four days and rewatching the final half hour. As I was watching the first hour and half for the first time, I thought it was incredible. I don’t think they answered a single question during that time, but the battle was just so amazing that I didn’t care. Baltar staying on the Galactica and teaming up with Caprica Six, Hoshi getting to be admiral, the jump into the colony, the barrage of fire the Galactica initially took, the ramming, the cylon versus cylon battle sequences, Starbuck in short sleeves while everyone else was suited up, was all frakking amazing.

So that’s the first hour and a half. Amazing. Now in order to properly discuss the final 45 minutes, I need to discuss some specific plot points. I may jump around a bit, but I’ll do my best to keep things in chronological order:

THE OPERA HOUSE: I was a bit let down by the Opera House explanation. Not the fact that the Opera House was really the Galactica, that worked for me. What didn’t work for me was that the characters’ involvement in the Opera House sequence was so literal. Throughout the series, we’ve seen visions of Roslin and Athena chasing after Hera, who is then picked up by Baltar and Six and taken away. And here in the finale, we see that the vision was literally just that. Baltar and Six taking her away. Not for a specific purpose, not because Baltar and Six were symbolic of something else, but just because that was the way things played out. So it felt more like they had to do it because that was the way they set it up previously, rather than giving it a true purpose to the story. Plus, how many frakking times can Hera run away? Someone put a leash on the damn kid.

THE FINAL STANDOFF: First off, where the heck did Cavil come from? Okay whatever, that’s not important. But seriously, he just popped out of nowhere! And what was with that phone call he made to the colony? That was like the way my Mom talks on her cell phone. “Hello?! Hello! This is Cavil! Stop everything!” Plus I didn’t realize the Galactica and the Cylon colony were on the same cell network. Odd. But beyond that, I thought the trade for resurrection was really clever, and the Tory/Chief exchange was a fantastic “Oh shit!” moment, which once again proved that Chief is the worst character ever. I just wish Cavil could have had a more appropriate death than the one we got. Apparently another ending called for Tigh to kill Cavil, which I think would have been so much more appropriate seeing as though Cavil held Ellen hostage for all those months (not to mention frakked her a couple times on New Caprica) that the two of them would have had some unfinished business. Plus, Cavil’s old body that he hated so much wouldn’t have been strong enough to take on Tigh, and that could have been poetic. Plus I feel like we haven’t had a really good hand-to-hand fight on this show since Starbuck and Six fought over the Arrow of Apollo. But apparently Dean Stockwell suggested this ending, so that’s what we got. Oh well. It could have worked if it didn’t come across so rushed and silly.

THE JUMP: As much as the “All Along the Watchtower” business bugged me since it made it’s first appearance in the Season 3 finale, I thought it totally worked in the scene where she punches in the jump coordinates. No, it still doesn’t make much sense, but in terms of the artistry of the scene, it worked. And the fact that Starbuck said: “There must be some way out of here!” before she started punching in the jump coordinates and I didn’t pick up on the fact that those are the lyrics to the song (I picked up on it the second time around, not the first) I have to give them credit for sticking that line in there and not having it stick out like a sore thumb, at least to me, though I can be pretty dense sometimes. And I loved the fact that she yelled “Jump!” just like a Hybrid.

WHERE THEY ENDED UP: So of course they find Earth. Not the original Earth, but our Earth. This was bound to happen, and just as I suspected it’s a pre-civilization Earth. What I completely did not suspect was cavemen and the total abandonment of technology. I mean, I should have suspected it since I predicted they would find our Earth and we don’t have fossilized Battlestars lying around, but to see them make the decision (unanimously?) to leave all their technology behind was a bit of a shock. But in terms of the story, it fits. You might have a hell of a time getting people to leave the comfort of their ships to go live in huts, but like I said, it’s a fitting rebirth of civilization. And who knows, after all these people have been through, they might all be too excited to stretch their legs in the open air to care what happens to their precious technology. Plus, Starbuck’s goodbye to Anders, Adama leaving for the last time in his viper, and the fleet heading towards the Sun with the original Battlestar Galactica theme playing in the background was incredible.

THE FLASHBACKS: I liked the flashbacks. I didn’t love them, but I enjoyed them, and their relationship to the current events. Apollo and Starbucks’ was probably the most interesting. Their almost getting jiggy with it defines their relationship for the entire show — constantly on the edge of being able to be with each other — so it’s interesting to have their relationship begin and end on the same terms. I also enjoyed Baltar’s flashbacks mainly because I enjoyed seeing the softer side of Caprica Six as she cared for Baltar’s father, and the way everything came full circle in the end as Baltar admitted that he knew about farming, which I found really touching. Adama and Tigh’s were also interesting, solely for Ellen’s involvement. I could have done without Adama entirely, but seeing Tigh and Ellen’s interactions were totally fun since I love them both, and it was a nice comparison to their current relationship. Boomer’s brief flashback was interesting, but why would she owe Adama because of scratching up the landing platform? Why not for SHOOTING HIM in the gut twice?! That was just odd. Roslin’s flashbacks were probably the most disappointing. While they started out strong with her tragedy (did anyone else think Tigh or Lee were gonna be the drunk driver?), they kinda fizzled out by the end, and I just didn’t find the former student storyline interesting at all. But I will say that she looked damn fine in her nightgown. Work it girl!

ADAMA: A little odd that he decided to go off and be on his own, but loved his final flight with Roslin and his plans for the cabin. I was worried for a minute that he would purposely crash the raptor to commit suicide, but thankfully that didn’t happen. “I laid out the cabin today. It’s going to have an easterly view. You should see the light that we get here. When the sun comes from behind those mountains. It’s almost heavenly. It reminds me of you.”

ROSLIN: My favorite Roslin moment of the episode was her chat with Doc Cottle. I wish her work in the sickbay during the battle and her later death could have had the same impact as that conversation, but once Adama put his ring on her finger, I felt it. “Don’t spoil your image, just light a cigarette and go and grumble.”

STARBUCK: So the real Starbuck died, and she was sent back to lead humanity to Earth. She’s always been my favorite character so I’m glad she turned out to be the primary hero of the series. I wish there would have been more of an explanation of her connection to the song, or her father (I’m still surprised there was no connection to the lost Cylon Daniel) but the vagueness does fit with her storyline, and upon second viewing I was able to appreciate her disappearance. “I just know that I am done here. I’ve completed my journey, and it feels good.”

APOLLO: As much as I like Jamie Bamber as Apollo, he really hasn’t contributed much to the overall storyline of the show. So his character discussion will focus solely on the superficial. He is so much hotter with his hair shorter! It has been large and in charge lately! Plus I really enjoyed the boyish excitement he exuded when he talked about his plans to explore. “Goodbye Kara. You won’t be forgotten.”

BALTAR AND CAPRICA SIX: Earlier in the season it bothered me that Baltar and Caprica Six hadn’t made contact with each other, even though they were both on the Galactica. Then a few episodes back Caprica confronted Baltar and told him of her disgust in his cult and I absolutely loved it. Then the finale wrapped up their storyline superbly. As I said earlier, I loved their flashbacks and the depth Baltar’s father added to the storyline. “Cultivation?” “Yes. You know, I know about farming.” “I know you do.”

HEAD BALTAR AND HEAD SIX: If I’m understanding it correctly, their purpose was to ensure that Hera made it to Earth safely. I just have a hard time accepting the idea that everything they did was to get Hera to Earth safely. Yes, you can say that because she ended up there that they must have done their job right, I just can’t accept it. But that’s a common problem I find with movies and television shows. They like to explain things away by focusing on the end result, but the end doesn’t always justify the means. I don’t want to blame it on poor planning, because I believe a show needs to evolve as it progresses, but at least acknowledge the fact that not everything they did was for the sake of Hera. “God’s plan is never complete.” “Great.” “I think it’s safe to say that, from now on, your lives will be less…eventful.”

HELO, ATHENA, AND HERA: So so so so so so glad they all survived and lived happily ever after! But the news article at the very end said that they found the remains of a young woman who they considered Mitochondrial Eve. Young woman? Odd, but acceptable.

THE VERY END: I was really unimpressed by the last two minutes the first time I watched it. The Ron Moore cameo stuck out like a sore thumb and the robot montage was a bit much, and lacked any kind of subtlety. Couldn’t they have just shown one robot with a hint of a rotating red eye? But upon second viewing, the shock of the surprise had worn off, and I enjoyed it more. Plus the Head Baltar and Head Six conversation and walk off was fantastic. And Meg told me that Head Six and Head Baltar are the Joker and the Thief from the song “All Along the Watchtower” and I think that’s a really great idea.

CONCLUSION: All in all, I thought this was a great finale to one of my favorite television shows ever. Yes, it appears I do a fair amount of complaining above, but I wouldn’t be a fanboy if I didn’t complain. What did you guys think?

Comment (27) on this Entry

Teach Me Something Tuesday #19

March 24, 2009
By

bullhornheader
IMPERATIVE

[im-per-uh-tiv], adjective: absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable.

The word imperative stems from the Latin word imperativus, which means “pertaining to a command”. Imperativus has its roots in the Latin words in- “in, toward” and -parare “beget, bear”.

Imperative is primarily used by people of authority. As a general rule of thumb it is only used (almost always over e-mail, but does occasionally make even douchier appearances verbally) when said person of authority forgets to do an item of work, and assumes that using the word “imperative” when directing you to do said item of work that said person of authority forgot (“It is imperative that you get this done first thing in the morning!”) makes them sound more important and therefore helps you forget that you’re only doing said imperative thing because said person of authority forgot to do so themselves, when in actuality, if said imperative thing was so “imperative” it would have been done already by said person of authority, or you would have been directed to do said imperative thing before it became “imperative”.

NOW TEACH ME SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW!

Comment (46) on this Entry

This is what I call “Joke Hijacking”:

March 23, 2009
By

And it may or may not be based on a true story starring my parents, my sister Amanda, and myself:

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

crabgrass01

Comment (33) on this Entry

Saying Goodbye to Battlestar Galactica

March 20, 2009
By


In 2003 I saw a commercial for the Battlestar Galactica miniseries to air on the Sci-Fi channel. At the time, the Sci Fi channel to me meant the Stargate and Farscape series, which I could never get into, and those god-awful made-for-television movies that always seemed geared more towards horror fans than science fiction fans, and I hate when DVD sections in stores combine their science fiction and horror genres. The commercials for the miniseries didn’t do much to whet my appetite either. They focused a lot of the publicity material on the character Six and her sexiness and I remember thinking how lame it was to have a show about sexbots. It struck me as keeping with the retro vibe of the original 1970′s Battlestar Galactica series and was not something I wanted to watch. So I didn’t.

I didn’t start watching Battlestar Galactica until the end of the first season when I began hearing all the great buzz from friends and critics. My first episode was Colonial Day, followed by Kobol’s Last Gleaming, one of the best episodes of the series, and the first of several season (and mid-season) finale cliffhangers that help make the show so damn good. I caught up with the miniseries and first season on DVD before season two began airing, which I was able to begin watching live.

Season two continued to be amazing and never failed to keep me entertained. Yes, there was the occasional misfire (Blackmarket anyone?), but that was an episode, not an entire season, like season two of Lost (enough with the damn Hatch already) or Heroes (Hiro in Japan couldn’t have been more awful) which you just have to pretend never existed. Then of course came season three, and I truly believe that the four episodes on New Caprica are some of the best episodes of television ever. After season three came the movie Razor, which I completely underestimated and felt was totally unnecessary. Who cares about the Pegasus anyway? Those people were asses. But then I saw it in the theater with our TV Group and was completely blown away. “Kara Thrace will lead the human race to its end. She is the herald of the apocalypse, the harbinger of death. They must not follow her.” I remember leaving the theater in chills.

And now here we are, in season four, the final season. The producers made the wise decision to mark an end date and to work towards that end date, similar to what they’re doing with Lost. But unlike Lost (sorry to keep hating on Lost, you know I still love it) individual episodes of Battlestar Galactica had a plot, with a theme and resolution, not just a shapeless inch closer towards the finish line as Lost does, but a story that helps push the series to its conclusion. As it draws to a close tonight, I look back and see that the series has always stayed true to itself. Even through the less than savory storylines, such as Baltar’s crazy lady cult, the characters stayed true to themselves. Of course Baltar would have a crazy lady cult! And of course Caprica Six would hate him for it. Roslin and Adama were a bit frustrating at times this season, but they have led these people unwaveringly for years, so we can grant them some slack in these final days as they struggle with their leaderships. But as we saw last week they still have the strength to pull themselves together for a final act of valor.

I cannot wait to see how everything comes together tonight, and hopefully have most — if not all — of our questions answered. To find out if Roslin truly is the dying leader, or perhaps it’s Adama, or even the Galactica herself. To see if Helo and Athena will be allowed to live a life happily ever after. To hold my breath waiting for Apollo and Starbuck to share a kiss and wonder if it will be their last. To see if I am right in thinking that Starbuck will be the true hero of this series. So here’s to you Battlestar Galactica. It’s been a fun ride, and I’m glad I was able to tag along. Just don’t tell anyone you’re not on anymore, I’d still like to use you as an excuse not to go out on Fridays.

So say we all.

Comment (33) on this Entry

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to Me!

March 19, 2009
By

dsc00815

dsc008131

dsc008181
Thanks Michelle M! Expect Mary Katherine Gallagher to start making loads of appearances on Puntabulous now! She also made some Puntabulous flair on Facebook, so go to the flair application and search for Puntabulous right away! Now if anyone needs me, I’ll be the one passed out in a pile of my own filth and green gummmi bears. Superstar!

Comment (16) on this Entry

Search