In Memoriam

Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967–2014)

This very talented film and stage actor left us too soon because of a drug overdose.  He was only 46.

I remember him in Twister, Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski, Patch Adams, Flawless, Magnolia, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Almost Famous, Punch-Drunk Love, Red Dragon, Cold Mountain, Capote, Doubt, Moneyball, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

That’s an impressive list of titles and there are many more in my list of movies to see that showcase his talents.  He was nominated for 5 Golden Globes and 4 Academy Awards (among many others prizes) and won one each, both for Capote.

R.I.P.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment, by James Patterson

I picked up this audio book on the cheap when a book store was going out of business and figured it would be a light and easy read.  That, it most certainly was.

I had never read a Young Adult novel before and shortly after the start of this book I realized that this might have been one of those.  I was right, and I now know why there’s a special category for that genre.

The story isn’t bad, it’s just very simplistic if you will.  And the way the characters speak is clearly tailored to a youngish audience, made up of people who would actually talk like that to each other in real life.

The only real gripe I have with the book is that it doesn’t fully stand on its own as it gives you no closure.  It is part of a series and it definitely expects the reader to invest in the whole rather than any of its parts.

Grade: 5

A Home at the End of the World, by Michael Cunningham

A very interesting book about the lives of two young boys who meet and strike a friendship that will last into adulthood.  Through the years, we see them enter and exit relationships and face events that will affect each other.

The book was adapted into a movie and the actors from the movie read their respective roles in the audio book.  I’m mentioning this because I had a very, very hard time understanding Colin Farrell, a decent actor who tends to speak with a husky voice, in short bursts, and oftentimes eats his own words.

This is quite unfortunate, as I like the guy (hell, it’s Colin fraking Farrell!!) but it really gave me pause.  All the other actors, regardless of how they acted in the movie, which I haven’t seen, speak loud and clear, with pauses and breaks, clearly following the text as written.  Farrell almost gives the impression that he’s got to fake his way through his part, speaking quickly and in hushed tones to give his words more impact or to hide his shortcomings.

Alas, in an audio book, likely listened to while driving, clarity of voice is always best.  It doesn’t detract from the overall impact of the book, it’s just that I was dreading the parts where he was doing the reading…

Grade: 8

Homeland

Season 3 of Homeland was definitely the weakest to date.  Not that it didn’t have its share of edge-of-your-seat moments, chases, and confrontations, but it felt less solid and more frantic than the previous two.

Don’t get me wrong, Homeland is still a great show and I’m looking forward to the next season, especially since several of the major players have been eliminated one way or another and it will be interesting to see what the show runners concoct for us next.

Grade: 7

Web Therapy

I was certain this wonderful comedy wouldn’t come back because of it’s narrowly tailored appeal, even though it’s one of the funniest comedies I’ve ever seen on TV.

Lisa Kudrow is a fantastic actress and her comedic timing is unmatched.  She’s back here as Fiona Wallice and once again has to deal with the curveballs life giddily throws at her.

Trust me, if you’ve never watched this show, you have to start doing it now.  I started when it was still only a web based series of shorts and can’t wait for it to come back next year.

Grade: 9

Dallas

Season 2 of the famous 80s’ show reboot matches season 1 and keeps the action going, but it pretty much is dedicated to saying goodbye to Larry Hagman, aka J.R. Ewing, who passed away shortly after filming had already gotten under way.

Considering the tall order or saying goodbye to a character larger than life and really one of the best known TV characters of all time, I would say they did a fantastic job.

Overall, the show kept up with its staple of intrigue, backstabbing, and twists and turns that made me go back for a second helping.  If you liked the original or saw the first season of the reboot and liked it, you won’t be disappointed.

Grade - Season 2: 8

The Amazing Spider-Man

The gist: a young Peter Parker is raised by his uncle and aunt after his parents have to flee in a hurry.  As a teenager, he finds some documents left behind by his dad that hold the key to some important scientific research.  While investigating this research he gets bitten by a genetically engineered spider that confers to him supernatural powers.  He starts using these powers as a masked vigilante known as Spider-Man who will have to face down both common and supernatural enemies.

This is Andrew Garfield's first outing in the titular role and he certainly impresses and charms with his good looks and acting skills.  Emma Stone as our hero's love interest is well cast as well, vulnerable and strong in equal parts.

It was interesting to see the detours the script takes from Spider-Man's classic tale by disclosing Peter Parker's real identity to his love interest, her father, and his aunt so early in this first chapter of the comic's reboot.

The Bottom Line: the reboot gamble certainly pays off and we're treated to a new take on the web slinging superhero that enthralls and scares with impressive claustrophobic sequences.  Awesome visual effects.

Grade: 7

Under the Dome

We started watching this show because we had little to watch this past summer and also because I really like Stephen King’s stories.

While at first it seemed like the show was in good hands, with interesting twists and turns, as time went on things started to get too ridiculous to be believed.  Characters started doing things that strained the plausible and events happened for no reason other than to shock or fill time.

Also, while the producers promised that by the end of the season (it wasn’t known if it would get picked up for season 2) they would reveal the Dome’s origin and meaning, instead of dragging it for several seasons a la Lost, we were cheated of an explanation and the season finale was totally underwhelming.

Even Mr. King himself was wondering how they would be able to keep the show going for many episodes and apparently they resorted to spinning their tails.

It’s still up in the air whether we’ll be back for season 2, although Mike Vogel and Alexander Kock certainly make for a compelling argument.

Grade: 6

Dexter

The end of a beloved show always feels like the death of a dear friend.  Even now, while I try so hard to cut back on the amount of television I watch to free up more of my time, I know I will miss a show like Dexter, which I had come to consider one of my favorites.

It is not an easy task to make a serial killer so sympathetic to the audience that we actually root for him not to get caught by the authorities and to always prevail in any match with the bad guys he targets to tame his deepest instincts and darkest needs.

Dexter certainly had its share of ups and downs in terms of quality of seasonal arches, but I felt it was always compelling.  I also have to appreciate the decision to put an end to it before it started running out of plausible scenarios in which to place our flawed hero.

Ultimately, the final season is well developed and very original in the layers it adds to the character and his relationship with his inner Dark Passenger and the people around him.  Also, I found very satisfying the way the show-runners decided to end the story, which is again something very tricky that often leaves the fans either hating or loving a show’s final moments.

I don’t want to spoil anything for those who never watched the show and are wondering whether it’s worth a look.  Let me assure you that Dexter is a very original show that will entertain you for many hours.

Grade – Final Season: 8

We’re now at 17!

The New Mexico Supreme Court has just ruled unanimously in favor of gay marriage, making it the 17th state to offer equal rights to all its citizens.

From Towleroad:

We conclude that the purpose of New Mexico marriage laws is to bring stability and order to the legal relationship of committed couples by defining their rights and responsibilities as to one another, their children if they choose to raise children together, and their property.

Prohibiting same-gender marriages is not substantially related to the governmental interests advanced by the parties opposing same-gender marriage or to the purposes we have identified. Therefore, barring individuals from marrying and depriving them of the rights, protections, and responsibilities of civil marriage solely because of their sexual orientation violates the Equal Protection Clause under Article II, Section 18 of the New Mexico Constitution.

We hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law.