Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad (2008)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The acting is mediocre, though the series is fascinating in the way that you can't help staring at a train wreck. It's a small miracle they've gotten away with the scam as long as they have. It's only a matter of time, which is running out for the lead character/chemist, before it all falls apart around them. The question is will it be before or after the cancer eats him alive?

In Death 17: Imitation in Death

In Death 17: Imitation in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A little slower in the get-go, but it definitely has it's moments and is still another fantastic addition to the series. The flash back to Eve's own mother so close to Roarke's own discoveries seems a little too quick in the sudden shift, but also works with the type of case she's handling. Curious to see if she ever spills to Peabody or has any idea her aide, now partner detective, is putting the pieces together. The small bits with Mira were gems however, as was Roarke's amusing failure with the BBQ. Nice to know he's not completely perfect after all.

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In Death 16: Portrait in Death

In Death 16: Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I never seem to tire of this series. This time not only is there an ugly case on Eve's plate, but Roarke is in for an unexpected shock as his past is unraveled rather unexpectedly. With Summerset out of commission on top of everything else, it's kind of nice to see Eve step into the family role and take care of Roarke for a change. Hopefully we'll get to see more of this new side to his family as they seem like great people (and Eve's discomfort around animals is still highly amusing). I can thank pregnancy hormones for bringing on the tears during Roarke and Eve's show down when she asks if he doesn't love her any more. Cutting comments and stark realizations on both end, but hey, that's a relationship for you. Love how real these characters are and their rather unique ways of coming back together.

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Thomas and the Magic Railroad

Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I can't think of Thomas without thinking "children's film," which is completely accurate. There is an interesting combination of live action and animation that doesn't entirely work. The animated trains seem fake somehow and the clay faces really are not all that appealing. Overall the movie did not manage to hold my attention and I probably would not have ever watched it had it not been in my friend's collection and I have baby on the brain.

Beneath the Blue

Beneath the Blue (2010)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Also titled Way of the Dolphin, I first saw the majority of this film when it aired on the CW in place of the Vampire Diaries one evening. Small wonder since they both star Paul Wesley as the leading male. The idea behind the dolphin studies is interesting, and the sonar testing would make any animal lover angry. Overall though it was sadly disappointing in it's conclusion.

Contagion

Contagion (2011)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


When I first saw the previews for this movie, I thought Resident Evil or Dawn of the Dead type story. In reality, this is actually very mild and rather anti-climatic compared to other films of it's type. Decent overall, but not likely one to think of readily when browsing for something to watch.

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (2000)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Not the best anime series out there, but it is the only gundam based series that didn't give me headache within the first three or so episodes. I think there's something about Duo and Heero that keeps me interested on the rare occasions I do turn this on. Lots of robots, so not on the rec list if that's something you can't stand.

Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz

Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1998)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This actually takes place after the original anime series. Decent as a stand alone, but almost too brief if you aren't already familiar with what happened earlier in the series or the characters themselves. There's a lot of history that gets ghosted over. Oddly, it was this same lack of detail that lead me to watch the series in the first place many years ago.

The Fast & the Furious

The Fast & the Furious (2001)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


For some reason, I always get this film confused with Gone in 60 Seconds when I turn it on. An undercover cop has to do some fast talking and fast driving to get in with the street racing gang and find out who's ripping off semis before the public goes up in arms on their own. What should be his big bust to make detective turns out to bring up a very different career path than he likely ever expected or planned.

Fly Away Home

Fly Away Home (1996)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a cute family film about a young girl who adopts a flock of geese and rigs a rather unusual way to teach them to fly south for the winter. It's a little odd watching this now and realizing Anna Paquin is in it as I now mostly associate her with X-Men's Rogue and True Blood's Sookie. Another of those feel good films for any age to watch.

Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket (2001)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a short and sweet series that never fails to put a smile on my face. It's one of those feel-good stories that anyone can enjoy. If anything, I wish they'd do another season of the show now that the manga has been finished. These characters are very difficult not to love.

Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows

Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows (2011)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's hard sometimes to live up to the standard set by the first movie in a series. This one met that standard beautifully. I will now forever have imprinted the memory of Holmes bouncing along on a jaunty Shetland because he was too afraid of the full-sized horses to ride one. "They're dangerous on both ends and crafty in the middle." My husband now loves that line while between that and rantings of a fork in a horse's hoof as it attacks him, I'll be rolling with laughter every time I enter the barn. The end almost has you wondering, which adds to the suspense of the film brilliantly. Overall very well done and definitely one to recommend if you haven't seen it already.

The Matrix 3: Revolutions

The Matrix 3: Revolutions (2003)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Trinity may have avoided her fate in the second film, but she doesn't luck out again in this one. Neo meets another interesting challenge as he tries to save the colony without the use of his eyes. Still rather climatic, it feels as if they've dumped as much action and strife as they could in this film and forgotten the back story and purpose behind the whole line. Overall made for a disappointing end to what could have been a great trilogy.

The Matrix 2: Reloaded

The Matrix 2: Reloaded (2003)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a decent pick-up from the first film. A little more action than story line, but still interesting and well filmed. Neo really picks up the pace and shows off a bit here as he's become more comfortable with own abilities and fate. There are still plenty of twists ahead, especially when Trinity is also on the line.

The Matrix

The Matrix (1999)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


I remember feeling as if I'd seen most of this movie despite not having any desire to see it at the time as many teachers loved using various clips from the movie as visual aids in class. By the time I did watch it all the way through, it was all very familiar and I didn't really feel like I'd missed anything from the few pieces that had been blank before. While it was somewhat revolutionary for it's time with all the coding and high-tech action in a very different world than our own, I almost felt that it had been over-hyped and therefor wasn't as impressed or taken with it as I might have been otherwise. Still, it is a unique story that is very well done and interesting to watch every time it comes on.

Glee: The 3D Concert Movie

Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (2011)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Sadly, there was more fan interviewing than actual Glee singing in this "concert movie." On top of that, there was a lot of lip syncing going on, which this group is especially obvious about. Made for a rather depressing overall film which should have just been a lot of fun music.

Fight Club

Fight Club (1999)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This was a very strange movie. Supposedly it raises a lot more questions and is much clearer on some points in the book, but the film itself is filled with twists and turns that just make you wonder what brand of craziness could cook up something this extreme. Not likely to recommend to those who don't like a lot of swearing or fighting.

Cinderella

Cinderella (1950)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Being an older Disney film, sometimes the difference in the artwork and sound style can irritate me after seeing so many new high-definition films. At other times I find it very refreshing and really enjoy the childhood memories it brings. Had to watch it again after my husband managed to get "Cinderella, Cinderella" stuck in my head. There is a reason this is considered one of Disney's classics.

X Factor

X Factor (2010)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


If anything, this seems to just be a re-launch of American Idol. Same judges, same theme, same big prize at the end of the game. The only big difference seems to be that this time they choose teams to compete against each other rather than just an individual contest. Similar to the teams formed in The Voice, only in this show the judges can both see and hear the candidates before choosing their players.

Judge Judy

Judge Judy (1996)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


I can remember watching this show as a child, and it's still on today. Judge Judy has always been entertaining. She brings the courtroom home and cuts through to the heart of the matter. As she says in one of her commercials "they don't keep me here because I'm gorgeous. They keep me here because I'm smart."

Home Improvement: Undead Edition

Home Improvement: Undead Edition by Charlaine Harris

 My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Some of these stories are very interesting and leave you wishing they were longer. Others are just the right length; There was only one that I really had a hard time wading into. A little spooky and somehow oddly related to home repairs, this is a unique collection of stories that will give you a little bit of everything.

This includes the following stories:

• Blood on the Wall by Heather Graham
• Downside Ghosts 3.5: Rick the Brave by Stacia Kane
• In Brightest Day by Toni L.P. Kelner
• It's All in the Rendering by Simon R. Green
• Mercy Thompson 0.5: Gray by Patricia Briggs
• October Daye 4.5: Through This House by Seanan McGuire
• Southern Vampires 11.1: If I Hade A Hammer by Charlaine Harris
• Spellcrackers.com 0.5: Full-Scale Demolition by Suzanne McLeod
• Squatters' Rights by Rochelle Krich
• The Mansion of Imperatives by James Grady
• The Path by S.J. Rozan
• The Strength Inside by Melissa Marr
• Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler
• Woolsley's Kitchen Nightmare by E.E. Knight

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In Death 15: Purity in Death

In Death 15: Purity in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This one hits Eve on a different front as Feeney, McNab, and Peabody are all injured on the job. A rather unexpected realization over a meal hits Eve square between the eyes as she contemplates what it means to be a family. I had to laugh at Mavis's grand entrance and news. Seems even in my mystery books I can't avoid pregnancy - it's everywhere.

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In Death 14: Reunion in Death

In Death 14: Reunion in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This story brings back a return rival from Eve's days fresh out of the academy. Being a horseback rider and general horse lover myself, I found Eve's terror of the country and horses to be hilarious. Would have been a hoot to get her and Roarke in the saddle rather than the jeep. Oh well, better luck next time.

The anniversary in the midst of all this drama is a nice touch, as is Eve's final confrontation scene in the Dallas hotel where she killed her father. Can't help but feel bad for both of them; Eve for the memories and actual experience, and Roarke for being forced to basically remain helpless when all he wants to do is fix things for his wife. It's hard to put a value on emotional support, and often that will feel like it's inadequate to the person who's relegated to only that as a form of comfort or correction.

Of course the action can't end without the ultimate cat fight. Eve and Roarke have both always been such physical people, that with this story line, it's a very fitting end. Nice to see the cops back Eve up stalling the feds too. They've already messed up past cases, and this was without a doubt meant to be Eve's collar.

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