TV: Game of Thrones SE4

Game of Thrones
Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

It's been another big season in the Seven Kingdoms! Lots to talk about...

The Wall is under attack from Wildlings... but they're not attacking because they want The Wall, they're attacking because they want to hide behind The Wall from the coming winter and you know... crazy white walking frozen zombies. Mance (Ciaran Hinds) should have said so to Jon Snow (Kit Harington) from the beginning though... not that Jon would have been able to convince Slynt (Dominic Carter) to let them in. Now that Stannis (Stephen Dillane) is there Jon might actually get heard. So, The Wall is won and everyone is like la-di-da... little do they know what's coming for them.

Ygritte (Rose Leslie)... "You know nothin' Jon Snow". *sobs*

Arya (Maisie Williams) is finally leaving the Seven Kingdoms! She just spent the entire season walking across the country with The Hound (Rory McCann)... literally. Remember the Red Wedding season three finale (duh)? Well she was there remember? Just outside when it happened... and so The Hound took her to the Eyrie instead but they were three days too late for Aunt Lysa (Kate Dickie) and no one actually knew that Sansa (Sophie Turner) was there. So they left there too... Then Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) comes along but by that time Arya was like 'screw that' and went her own way, leaving The Hound to die miserably. Now she's off to Bravos finally! Her plot line next season will make up for this one...

Also, we've been having Skinfam Game Of Thrones nights (fun for the whole family!) and we've been arguing all season because none of us can remember what happened to Sandor Clegane in the books... does anyone know? Does he actually die? Comments!

Poor terrorized Sansa Stark finally escaped the Red Keep with the help of the slimy Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) but was it him who killed Joffrey (Jack Gleeson - who will never work again!) or was it the Lady of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg)? It was very vague in the books too but I always thought it was Olenna, who is one of my favourite characters. She hints at it in the show too when she talks to Margaery (Natalie Dormer), telling her that she would never have let her wed the little shit that was Joffrey. I think Littlefinger may have helped but only to get what it is he wants... Sansa. In the meantime, crazy Lysa sees Littlefinger kiss Sansa and gets batshit crazy jealous, Littlefinger tries to sooth her then promptly pushes her out the moondoor. Then the two of them, in an amazing performance, manage to convince the Eyrie council that she jumped. Freaking fantastic!

And the final Stark, Brandon (Isaac Hempstead Wright). I've read all the books so everything that has happened is not too surprising to me... this was. I did not think that they would have reached the Weirwood already. You know how long Arya has been wondering around? Well Brandon got carried around by Hodor (Kristian Nairn) a billion times further and they still made it to the tree before she even gets to Bravos... This has put a spanner in the workings of my mental timelines... How cool was the Heart Tree guy though? Almost how I pictured him. Keep an eye on Brandon now, I do believe he is the main character of the entire thing!

I don't want to talk too much about the Lannister's except for the final scene of course. Nothing much happened with them... Joffrey finally died to the joy of absolutely everyone except Cersei (Lena Headey) and Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) was as awesome as ever despite spending most of the season locked in a dungeon... and that final scene with Tywin (Charles Dance) and Shae (Sibel Kekilli): perfect! Just how I pictured it!

Not much happened with Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) either. She liberated a few more cities and then spent the rest of her time in hearings for the people. Exciting right? No... There was that moment with Daario (Michiel Huisman - not nearly as pretty as last seasons Daario: Ed Skrein) and the eventual discovery of Jorah's (Iain Glen) betrayal that happened seasons ago. Be prepared for Dany to sit around moping about her dragons and the ongoing liberated slave problems for another season or two...

I have to mention one of my favourite characters, Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal). I loved this character in the books and I love the way he was portrayed in the show as well. It's a shame he doesn't get to hang around for longer but what a scene to go out on! So, so, so good! If someone made a top ten death scenes from GoT, this would be the top one. But do not despair, we shall hear from the Martell's next season, I do believe. That is where Marcella is too, if you missed that part.

So, predictions for next season. Lots of Bran hiding in a hole under a tree listening to the old man lecture. Lots of Tyrian and sailing and shenanigans. Lots of Arya! Her story is one of the most exciting from now on I think, she has some adventures let me tell you! More battles at The Wall and a little bit of intrigue as well. Stannis will hang around there for a while too I think. There will be a surprise appearance by an old friend and quite a few new characters will be introduced from Dorne.

That's enough Game of Thrones for this season. It was renewed for season five and six right at the beginning of this season. They are catching up and in some places overtaking the books! Speaking of which... what was with Craster's babies? That wasn't in the books!

'Til next season!

5 out of 5 splattered heads...

TV: Fargo SE1 EP10 - Finale

Fargo

Crime, Drama

This show....just wow. I first heard about it from some of the bookclub girls who had been watching it, then I looked up the promo above and started it purely on the basis that it had Billy Bob Thornton (the guy who was married to Angelina Jolie years ago. You remember the blood in the vial around the neck debacle? Oh, and he starred in Bad Santa, Pushing Tin and a heap of others) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, Sherlock).

The show is based off the 1994 movie of the same name, which is apparently based off real life. There are those disclaimers at the beginning of each episode but I had a hard time trying to find anything factual...  and that's because it's not real... The writers/directors of the film insisted it was based on a true story when doing promotional tours and the myth persisted... But it's entirely fictional, just in case you were wondering. I haven't actually watched the film (yet) so I can't tell you how close it is. I do know it was a hit and lots of people I know love it...

Well, now we can all love the show too because it is bloody brilliant. There is not a single episode that was dull, I was biting my nails in the finale. I recognised Colin Hanks from his short time on Dexter and Bob Odenkirk who plays Saul in Breaking Bad but the stand out performance (other than Billy Bob) was definitely Allison Tolman who I have never seen in anything before. Billy Bob is such a bad ass! Freaking fantastic performance!

Brilliant show! It's not been confirmed for second season yet but I've heard that there is a plan for season two already and I will be very surprised if it's not picked up... I've also heard that second season will be very different from what we've seen so far but the guy who wrote season one is also writing season two so what's the bet it will be just as awesome?

5 out of 5 maple leaves...

TV: Sherlock SE3 EP1

Sherlock
Crime, Drama, Mystery

Merry Christmas and Happy New Sherlock! I am beyond excited about this show and the return of everyone's favourite neurotic detective, so this will probably be an exceedingly long, swoony post. I - along with everyone else who's seen it - love this show. The cast is amazing and the 1.5hr long episodes are like mini movies which makes the 3 episode seasons not too bad. I know I go on and on about short seasons but if any show can get away with it, it's this one; English shows somehow manage to pull it off.

The opening was amazing, making us think that was how Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch - Star Trek Into Darkness) had managed to make everyone believe he was dead... except that's not how it actually happened is it? Will they ever tell us? How do you think he did it? The way Sherlock explained it to the journalist is probably the most liable. Though the jumping through the window and kissing Molly (Louise Brealey)... that scene alone would have made me happy with this episode.

We all knew that Sherlock wasn't dead and even though Watson (Martin Freeman - The Hobbit, The World's End) wished it wasn't so, he had no idea...poor Watson. I was absolutely horrified at that meeting scene... it was everything I could have wanted it to be. I knew he would punch Sherlock... in fact the hubs and I were egging him on the entire time! Sherlock is such an ass! What do we think about Watson's fiance, Mary (Amanda Abbington)? I had a momentary thought that maybe she was a plant... but Sherlock would have picked it up, right?

Mycroft (Mark Gatiss - Doctor Who) knew the whole time then hey? I love the banter between these two; they are each other's bouncing boards. Is Mycroft the smarter one? I wonder if they could do a spin-off for him... spending a day with him would be interesting. And how ordinary are their parents?! Hilarious! How did that happen? Mrs Hudson (Una Stubbs) is brilliant, just giggling away. Lestrade's (Rupert Graves) reaction was surprising.. I thought he would have smacked Sherlock one as well. I loved the fan-fiction Moriarty (Andrew Scott) slash Sherlock scene if only to see the amazing Moriarty again.

Speaking of Moriarty, who is this new nemesis? The one who kidnapped John and put him in the pyre? I wonder if these episodes are at all close to the books. I recently picked up a copy of the classic collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and mean to read some of them this year. I'll let you know.

I love the way this is shot; so much black, white and grey... very London! The observations coming up on screen in words, slow motion pan ins and over-layer photographs...great! It's like they show us all the pieces of the puzzle and give us just enough time to almost figure it out ourselves before Sherlock shows us. So well done! I like this show so much better than Elementary, I will probably post about each episode as they come... stay tuned!

5 out of 5 Happy New Sherlock...

Extras

They actually have "I don't shave for Sherlock Holmes shirts" here.

Did anyone else catch some of the #SherlockLives promo tweets? They had an empty hearse drive through London to some of the places Sherlock is filmed and used Twitter to spread the news of the new episode.

Movie: Odd Thomas (2013)

Odd Thomas
Mystery, Thriller

You might recognise the name of this film from the series of books written by Dean Koontz and yes this is an adaptation. I haven't read these books yet but they are pretty high up on my list now. I have read quite a lot of other Koontz though and I recognise his story style in the film. He normally writes mysteries with a twist of the fantastical, such as Odd Thomas (Anton Yelchin - Star Trek). Odd can see dead people, they never talk but using his "psychic magnetism" he figures out how they died and why they cant't move on.

It's a great little story and it features some new faces and some old. I spotted Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy) who made me chuckle as the one armed ghost looking for a laugh and Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man) as the police chief who tries to make sense of Odd's abilities. Addison Timlin (Californication) plays Odd's lovely girlfriend, Stormy. Their relationship is so cute; they're soul mates, even a fortune teller told them so. I love their banter and Stormy's complete and utter acceptance of Odd's abilities.

I really enjoyed this movie. I've heard there has been a bit of a drama over it actually being released and I'm not sure if they've resolved that yet... maybe it will go straight to DVD. But I definitely recommend it. It's funny and has a great story with some fantastic scenes played out by the two leads. I laughed, I cried and it made me want to read the books and find out what happens next with Odd Thomas. If you see this on the shelf, pick it up!

5 out of 5 I see dead people...

TV: Sons of Anarchy SE6 EP13

Sons of Anarchy
Crime, Drama, Thriller

Firstly, HOLY SHIT!!!!! I literally screamed and burst into tears twice in the space of three minutes. Wow, just....wow! I was thinking that the beginning of this episode was a bit slow and normal for an SOA finale... and then BAM! I am in shock...

What a season for Tara! I applaud Maggie Siff for an amazing performance, especially in the last few episodes. She will be missed and I really did feel for Tara's plight this season with being jailed and stalked, trying to get the boys out of the never ending shitsplosion that is the club, and then to finally have the solution right there, ready to go, only to be stabbed by a carving fork over a misunderstanding. Shit eh?

I knew as soon as Gemma (Katey Sagal) took Unser's (Dayton Callie) truck that she was off to find Tara... I actually thought she would have a gun ready to shoot her with but I have to say the kitchen cat fight was better. What I want to know is, did Juice (Theo Rossi) just clean up all the mess or is he planning to take the fall for this after Jax (Charlie Hunnam) just confronted him with the betrayal to Nero (Jimmy Smits) about that Dominique woman? He might take the fall just to get away from the clubs justice and to protect Gemma who saved his life when he took all those oxy last ep.

Was the DA (CCH Pounder) looking at Jax's gun as the murder weapon then? What happens now to the musical game of deals? Tara doesn't need to be cleared of that murder now so all the DA needs is someone to take the fall for the guns, right? Jax can't turn himself in and leave the boys with no one now, especially with Gemma all screwy and Wendy (Drea de Matteo) in rehab. How long will Gemma be able to hide this one?

I was so happy when Tara and Jax worked things out. That scene at the park was brilliantly shot and portrayed. Tara was so scared and the look on Jax's face was definitely something to be afraid of... and then he said something like "Be a good mother. You don't have to run anymore." Cue swoons.

I find it really hard not to blog about this show every episode - I like to keep it fresh for ya'll - but it has to be one of my favourite shows. Kurt Sutter does an amazing job writing, keeping us constantly guessing and his season long plot lines never fail to impress me. I can't wait to see what he has planned for us for the final season of this fantastic show and what he will come up with next.

If you need me I'll be the one in the corner sobbing into my pillow until next season..

5 out of 5 carving forks...

Gemma to the DA: Suck my white crack.

Movie: Rise of the Guardians (2013)

Rise of the Guardians
Animation, Adventure, Family

I might gush a little over this film, I lurrrrrved it! It's fantastically animated by the people who did How To Train Your Dragon (which I also loved!) and even though the idea has kinda been explored before, I don't think I've ever seen a double sword wielding Santa (voiced by Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock)!

The big four; Santa, the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman - The Wolverine, Les Miserables), the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher - Now You See Me, Confessions of a Shopaholic) and the Sandman (who doesn't talk), are protectors of children's happiness. Pitch Black (Jude Law - Sherlock Holmes, Repo Men) is the monster hiding under your bed and his goal is to suck all the happiness out of the world and envelope it in darkness. The Man in the Moon decides that the Big Four will need help, from non other that Jack Frost (Chris Pine - Star Trek). I love the tale of Jack Frost, in fact I was a little swoony over him... much like the Tooth Fairy.

I wanted to watch this movie again right after I finished it. The animations are fantastic and I chuckled a lot at the antics of Santa's elves. I loved Santa's full sleeve tattoos of Naughty and Nice, the Yeti's being the ones that make the toys but Santa letting the elves think they are the ones who do it and of course the sleigh. Everyone loves the sleigh! The Easter Bunny is bloody hilarious! Love that he's an Aussie with a boomerang and all the Australian colloquialisms. Then when the kids stop believing in him, he turns into this tiny cute little bunny; adorable! The Tooth Fairy's obsessiveness over teeth, especially Jack's and all the baby teeth! Sandy talking in shapes made by his sand and kicking Pitch's ass!

This is such a great movie, I'm going to go watch it again. I think I've mentioned before what a sucker I am for kids movies and books. I just love them and this is one of the best ones I've seen lately.

5 out of 5 snowballs...