TV review: Other shows last week (20/11-26/11)

What a delight the past week was! One hitch was I wasn't sure if it was me or a technical malfunction that caused the next episode of House (Dead & Buried) not to be recorded that Friday night.. Grrr..

Anyway, I'm still hoping that it had something to do with the network airing it (yes, you Network Ten!) because there's no House this Friday, for some reason..

Here's a rundown of some of the shows I saw last week:

Pink Tops (The Mentalist) - Nothing happened in this episode, Red John-wise, although Lisbon tried to talk to Jane about what happened in the previous episode. But knowing Jane, he's sidestepped the conversation before it even began... The case was about an undercover narcotics cop who was killed trying to expose the leader of the drug ring.. You'd think the drug lord or one of his minions have killed her, but sadly, it wasn't so.. Except for the fact that Cho may have found somebody who's gotten past his aloof, I-have-no-sense-of-humour exterior (do I smell romance for Agent Cho?), it was a 'Meh!' episode for me.. Hope things pick up in the next episode..

Brain Doe (CSI) - DB Russell's lesson for the week was on the power of observation by sharing another short story and asking 'What's the color of the horse?' While there were no horses involved in the episode, there were 3 dead guys and a brain without it's owner's head or body for that matter.. I like DB (Ted Danson) and I don't like Morgan. Maybe because she's the newest female on the team and the show wants us to get to know her but I'd rather have more of Sarah and/or Catherine.. A 'Meh!' episode for me because while the mystery of the extra brain was okay, the ending was predictable.. I've said this before, but I'll say it again: I think Ted Danson was a great addition to the cast, but I sure do miss Grissom.. Hope he makes an appearance soon..

A Fishbowl Full of Glass Eyes (Two and a Half Men) - Am I really such a loyal person that eventhough I'm really starting to not like this show I still watch it every week? Haha.. Whatever the reason is (and it's definitely not Ashton Kutcher), I still have the series set to record every Tuesday, still hoping that one day they'd actually produce an episode I'd be glad I watched.. Sadly, I'm still waiting.. Anyway, this episode doesn't even merit a 'Meh!', it was more like 'Blah!', it just wasn't funny.. It didn't even produce a single chuckle out of me, not even a grin! I mean, the show isn't really laugh-out-loud funny but at least I got a few laughs when Charlie was still in it.. But now..

Oh Gawd, There's Two of Them? (Ringer) - I still don't get why a storyline is wasted on the stepdaughter, how is she important? What foundation is being laid by us knowing about a possible romance brewing between her and her teacher? Anyway, we finally know who's the voice on the phone keeping Siobhan updated with what Bridget is doing. It wasn't that I saw it coming but I had my suspicions.. We finally have an idea as to what's happened to Gemma (I think they've killed her off but I cling to the hope that she's still alive somewhere). And we'll finally know in the next episode how Bridget will lie her way out when the ultrasound shows that she's not pregnant.. Also, I'm curious, what will happen when the boy-toy in Paris comes back to the US and see Bridget? I'm sure he'll think she's Cora (Siobhan) and that'll add more complications (of course!) to Bridget's already super-complicated life.. Okay, the show's got me asking all these questions so I guess I'm still interested..

Frozen Planet - One of the highlights of my tv-infused week.. This is a 7-part series and I was brought to the edge of the earth right there on my living room.. Spectacular! Amazing! Unbelievable! The documentary took me both to the Arctic and Antarctic regions where animals were shown living in harsh enviroments.. Then there was an episode showing the people who live there. Then they showed the making of Frozen Planet. Finally, there was Sir David Attenborough himself sitting on the snow while a penguin casually passes him by while he talking about how the changes to the temperature are affecting life in the North & South Poles.. The whole series was just one wonderful surprise after another.. I mean, I know most of the fauna but this is the first time I've ever heard of and seen a narwhal..The killer whales on the photo fascinated me and when the showed the Northern Lights, tears just formed, it was just so breathtaking.. I also found out that Antarctica has an active volcano.. All in all, it was a great series.. I now definitely have seeing the Northern Lights in person in my bucket list..

Finale Junior Masterchef Australia - Was I right, or was I right? :) Another highlight.. Poor Jack didn't stand a chance.. I'm not trying to be mean but when the second dish was served, the winner was clear from the start.. I wish I could whip up spectacular dishes like these kids.. When I was 12, all I remember doing in the kitchen was washing the dishes, hahaha.. These kids are special, they're only going to get better and better as they grow up.. It was a great second season and hopefully I find the time to go to the website and try out some of the kids' recipes.. I know that whatever I end up making will not be in these kids' caliber (I'm a lousy cook, but in my defense, I think I've had a moment or two where something I prepared actually turned out okay :p) but I know that I'll be having fun, and in the end, isn't that what really counts, well, I mean, aside from the taste, that is..

Til then..

Movie review: Little Miss Sunshine

This doesn't mean that I have only watched this movie recently, although I have seen it again only recently, hence this post..

I love it, i just love it.. No matter how many times I've seen it, I end up falling in love with the movie all over again.. The part where they all danced on stage together just cracks me up everytime..

It was a cast that worked well together.. Steve Carell is just hilarious even without saying anything.. It's like the fact that he's there is just funny in on itself..

And the characters, what else can i say? They all were a little crazy, but then again, who isn't? At the start you're introduced to members of the family and learn about their quirks.. Then it shifts to a life on the road which always takes me back to all the road trips I had with my family (sure it's cramped and uncomfortable and just your luck if the aircon is malfunctioning - but the stories, oh the stories and the memories will be something that you'll always take with you. You may forget particular instances of the where, what and why, but it'll leave you with the nice feeling of knowing that you had fun and experienced it with the whole family). Along the way, the family experiences disappointments and loss but they soon realize that they're all in it together and that they have to stand together as a family..

Once the Hoover family reached their destination, the movie shifts a bit from the family's struggles by poking fun at kid pageants with the little girls' big hairs, heavy makeup, adult-like swimwear and physique and compares all that to little Olive who's a bit on the chubby side, wears big glasses and hair done in a simple ponytail (it scares me and makes me sad just thinking if some of the girls in the movie are living that way in real life.. I just hope that they have sensible parents who will guide them and not use them)..

Then, there was the dance number.. I loved it.. For me, it was the highlight of the movie..

If you haven't seen it, please do so.. Til then!

Book review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Spoiler alert!

Second book, awesome sequel..

The title was apt because I really felt that I was catching fire when I read this book as I blazed right through it, turning page after page after page, lost in my second adventure with Katniss and Peeta..

I was back in the Games and it didnt disappoint, not one bit..

Before delving further, I just want to note that I was pleased that Gale got more 'screentime' this time around.. I have to tell you that it did make me waver - I guess a girl's natural attraction to bad boys - and I almost, almost, changed my mind (especially when I saw who was playing him in the movie, hahaha..) but in the end I still stuck with Peeta.. But did Katniss? I guess you'll just have to see/read that for yourself..

Book review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Warning: Contains spoilers.

When I first saw Harry Potter, I was tickled because the initials were HP and when I saw this book with the prominent HG caption behind Katniss, I was, you guessed it, tickled again.. Love it when I see my initials on somethingspectacular.. LOL!

This is the first book I've read of the author so I didn't know what to expect. I was reading some books but not really getting too excited with them when a good friend of mine recommended it. As soon I started reading, I literally had a difficult time putting it down.. I wanted to finish it in one seating and if I wasn't playing a responsible adult who needs to go to the store to buy food or wake up early to go to work, I definitely wouldn't have to put it down.. I was inside the arena.. I was surviving with Katniss.. I was in the Hunger Games..

TV review: Other shows this week (13/11-19/11)

Alright, here's a rundown of other shows I saw this week:

Junior Masterchef - The finale is coming.. My bet is that it'll be Greta who'll win.. She was just on fire, winning one challenge after another in the States.. And how good was it that they got to visit Disneyland? I was sad to see Miraede go, though.. She was always willing to help out Lily in any way that she can and she looked so sweet.. A funny moment was when the chef helping out the boys' team in the tag team challenge started making spaghetti instead of fettuccine, hahaha.. Felt sorry for the girls coz their fish brought them down, they were such shoo-ins for that challenge.. And Max Brenner, how cool is that? Again, these kids are such inspirations.. I wish I could cook as well as they are.. Can't wait to see who will win this competition.. Go Greta!

Frodo's Headshots (Two and a Half Men) - I honestly don't know why I'm still watching this.. At first, I was curious how they're going to play out Ashton's character but now, it's fast becoming tiresome.. He's acting like his character on That 70's Show, it's bordering on irritating.. Anyway, 9th episode in and I'm still waiting for the show's old charm.. Maybe it's gone for good because Charlie Sheen is no longer in it.. I think it's saving grace is Conchata Ferrell (Berta) as she was fun to watch in this episode. And cmon, it was so obvious that it was a dream from the very beginning.. (Update: Because of the announcement of his divorce to Demi this week, I guess I might just continue watching the show because I feel sorry for Ashton.. Can't have his show fail just after his marriage, right? Even though the divorce might be deserved..)

The Poor Kids Do It Everday (Ringer)- The premise seemed interesting but 6 episodes in, I'm getting restless.. I can't point out what's bugging me about it but I'm pretty sure it's not Mr Fantastic or Richard Alpert.. Oh, on 2nd thought, I now think I can - it's supposed to be about the twins Siobhan and Bridget but all I'm seeing week after week is Bridget with a few snippets of Siobhan.. Why haven't they brought in more background as to what drove the sisters apart in the first place? Something to do with a kid, yes, but what exactly? Was it Siobhan's child and Bridget's irresponsibility killed him or something? I dunno.. Maybe I'm the only one who can't see it because I'm starting to not care.. Also, why the focus on the step daughter's plight at school? Are we now going to be following her experiences at school with a potential romance with a teacher? Why? What has that got to do with the title characters? It's supposed to be about both Siobhan and Bridget, right? Maybe the teacher is connected to Brig/Siobhan.. Or am I not getting it again because I'm really starting not to care? Here's the thing, alright, I bite, what happened to Gemma?

Freaks & Geeks (CSI) - I loved this show from the very beginning but when Grissom left, it just didn't feel right to me so it kinda stopped being fun.. And now I found out that Marg Helgenberger (Willows) is leaving next year.. *sigh* Ted Danson as the new supervisor seems to be a good fit.. I like his leadership style, hopefully he stays for long.. The episode, a mom claims to be protecting her child from the monsters/weirdos/freaks of the world but blind to the fact that she's the monster for killing her sister out of jealousy.. (Update: Just read that there's talks to get Elizabeth Shue to replace Marg Helgenberger when she leaves the show.. Interesting!)

Blinking Red Light (The Mentalist) - Patrick Jane scared me in this episode. He has just proven that he will stop at nothing to catch Red John to the point of sacrificing somebody, albeit a serial killer, to get Red John to tip his hand. Panzer didn't care about the lives he took so Jane didn't care about his, but was it a stroke of genius on Jane's part to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak? He now knows that Red John is still out there and he's made Red John kill a serial killer.. Whatever the answer is, I'm still hooked on the show and will keep on watching it til Jane finally gets what he wants no matter what the cost..

The Isolation Permutation (Big Bang Theory) - I enjoyed this episode. The other relationships that sprang up during the course of the series are in no way getting in the way of what the show is about. Instead, it changes them, brings them closer and develops the character, most notable of course are the changes it's brought to Sheldon. Another series I'm still not getting tired of..

Parents (House) - "All parents screw up their kids" was House's snippet of wisdom this week. They couldn't determine what was wrong with the patient near the end of the episode when House met one of the patient's parents and the secret the mother was keeping was indeed a bomb.. Again, the dilemma, is the truth worth knowing if it'll screw you up in the long haul.. Again, no right or wrong, how can there be? All families have their own dynamic and in the end, it's the family's decision because while they may not know best, they know all the people in the circle..

And becuase of that nugget of wisdom, House is out to prove that he knows his team best but comes up blank with how Adams was screwed up by her parents.. The scene at the lab where we thought she has finally confided to Chase was fun. In the end, House still got to prove his point. He is all-knowing, after all.. :)

Taub's situation is mirrored by the episode as well because he's grappling with the thought of losing one of his daughters, who coincidentally have the same names (Sophie & Sophia) when his ex-wife announces a possible move to a different state. I feel for Taub, he's being a great dad and he's good with both his kids..

After Taub, can there be more of Chase? I hope..

The yucky part was House sampling a clinic patient's urine sample to test if he has diabetes, i think it made me a bit green, that was disgusting! The faces on Taub & Chase expressed my sentiments exactly.

The humour this week was House trying to get to Atlanta with Wilson so they could watch a boxing match, ring-side, courtesy of a patient of Wilson's. The last scene was hilarous! I saw it, knew it, was sure of it, when Foreman told Wilson why it's important for House to accept that Foreman is his boss and Wilson his friend. Poor Wilson, going to Foreman to fight for House's case and ending up losing his tickets.. Oh Wilson, you're such a good friend.. When will you snap? LOL..

That's it for this week.. Can't wait for what will be shown next week.. Til then!

TV review: Glee season 3 episode 6 - Mash Off

1 - 0 to the Troubletones..
I think this is my favorite mash off episode since the series began.. The mash up of Adele's Rumour Has It and Someone Like You was so great.. I loved it, I just loved it..

TV review: Modern Family season 2 episode 8 - Manny Get Your Gun

I know, I know.. I'm a recent convert of the show.. I could've watched the first episode when they first aired it, but I chose not to, thinking I won't like it.. Big mistake.. Well, I'm making up for it and I'm hoping for a Modern Family marathon soon.. In the meantime, I'm glad that channel 10 is showing 2 episodes per week, the new ones for the new season followed by an episode from previous seasons..

And so I came upon this great episode..

It's Manny's birthday and in the Pritchett household, Manny is trying to make up for his lost childhood by prank calling and mixing different flavoured sodas while his mom Gloria is busy finding her car keys. Meanwhile, at the Dunphy's, Claire and Phil decided to race to the restaurant to see whose route gets there faster.. As for Cam and Mitchell, they are in the mall looking for a present for Manny..

Delgado-Pritchett: Gloria wielding a BB gun gangsta style at the end was awesome, haha.. 

Pritchett-Dunphy: Claire, in the car with Luke, deals with the fact tht Luke would opt to be with his dad should his parents separate. Phil, in the other car with Alex and Haley, deals with his daughters outgrowing their daddy..

Tucker-Pritchett: Cam decides to be spontaneous and tried to help who he thought were star-crossed lovers but who turned out to be, quoting Mitchell, the most adult adulterers ever, LOL! Also, Mitchell's love letter via dance didn't get the reaction he was hoping for.. 
There's a lot of laughs in this episode and it would take time to point them out because the whole episode is funny.. But what I really, really loved about it was the flash mob scene.. I found this video in youtube.. I just looooove how Cam just tries to join in.. Hilarious!

*they showed more of the flash mob during the credits that's why this video shows more even after the dance has ended*

TV review: HOUSE season 8 episode 5 - The Confession

Finally, an episode of House that reminded me of what the show is all about.. fun but with a dose of morality/ethics questions that, if you're like me, leave you pondering about what your answers would be long after the episode has ended..

Don't get me wrong, the first four episodes were great, especially the first, and while I'm proud that a Filipino was cast as a main character, I just didn't enjoy thoset as much as this latest instalment..

First off, welcome back Chase & Taub.. While Thirteen has come and gone, it's a great relief to see two more familiar faces in the team.. Old team (guys) vs new team (girls).. I think this will is an interesting dynamic that House is sure to exploit to satisfy his queer sense of humor..

Channel surfing..

Last night, I channel-surfed looking for the perfect show or movie to kick off my weekend. HOUSE was currently recording and I didn't want to watch it until it's finished so I can fast forward and not catch the ads.. Then I clicked on the planner button of my remote and saw that the series finale of LOST is still there.. then i thought, why not?

Of course, I ended up crying my eyes out. The debate about the finale has been put down to rest, I think, and I will no longer add to it.. I've said my piece, albeit on a platform that is no longer available, but please allow me to say, it was a great finale.. it was an awesome finale..

What rewatching LOST made me realize was that I have been remiss in not putting my thoughts into words for quite a while now..

And thus this new blog.. A dedicated blog filled to the brim with my reactions, my feelings, my thoughts and my opinions..

Let the journey begin...