Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 3 – “The Invitation”
[From Ron’s note] If they say yes, send Pig back with your answer pronto, and we’ll come and get you at five o’clock on Sunday. If they say no, send Pig back pronto and we’ll come and get you at five o’clock on Sunday anyway.
When Marvel and Disney decided to combine the Marvel Cinematic Universe with cult favorite writer/director Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog), the result was The Avengers, the 3rd-highest grossing movie of all time. When you combine that film with the rest of the MCU, including the Iron Man series, Thor and Captain America and their upcoming sequels, it’s an obvious choice for Disney/Marvel to want to expand the empire that has brought them such commercial and critical success. And who better to give the reins to their new TV series to than Joss and his team, which in this case includes his brother and sister-in-law, Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen (also known as J-Mo)? The result is the awkwardly titled Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which I will from here on refer to as something that’s easier to type. SHIELD is not the story of the superheroes that get their own films but of the government agents who are forced to deal with them “to protect the ordinary from the extraordinary”, people who have no superpowers of their own yet who are constantly in contact with those who do. And who better to anchor that story than Agent Phil Coulson, who was stabbed through the chest by villain Loki during the events of The Avengers and presumed dead? But instead of getting ahead of myself, why don’t we just jump into tonight’s episode, boringly titled: “Pilot”.
Welcome to Night Vale, Episode 31 – “A Blinking Light Up On the Mountain”
Cecil: Ignorance may not actually be bliss, but it certainly is less work.
Welcome to “Trailer Tuesday” where I talk about trailers for upcoming movies.
When my wife and I see a new movie trailer, either in the theater or at home, we almost always look at each other afterwards to get an sense of each other’s quick reaction to the trailer. Usually they’re in sync, as we typically like the same sorts of films. “Stupid” comedies get an eye roll, horror films usually get a sarcastic yes followed by a determined no, big, loud action movies typically get an indulgent smile and a shake of the head, while many others get a noncommittal shrug or head bob indicating that we need to see more before deciding. Even when we don’t agree, we usually know what reaction the other one will have before we look, so I wasn’t surprised to see her emphatic no following the first trailer we saw for Gravity. Take a look at the latest one below, and read on for my comments:
Review
In a World… is funny, random, charmingly sweet, a little romantic and an impressive feature length writing, producing and directing debut by star Lake Bell. It’s also strongly feminist, but in a way that feels realistic while still sending a clear message. The film, which was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of Carol Solomon, a struggling vocal coach whose father, Sam Soto, is one of the famous kings of the movie trailer voice-over industry. You would think with a father who is a legend in the industry that Carol would have an easy way into the business, too, but her father not only is uninterested in giving her handouts (which his therapist tells him is just enabling Carol) but also doesn’t think women have any place in the industry. It’s a boy’s only club, with Sam spending his time and energy promoting sleazeball Guztav Warner as the next generation of voice over powerhouse instead of his own daughter. Sam makes his opinions clear to Carol before kicking her out of the house so that Sam’s groupie girlfriend can move in instead (nevermind the fact that she’s a year younger than his daughter.)
So Carol moves in with her sister and brother-in-law, Continue reading
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season2: Episode 22 – “The Wire
Garak: Doctor, did anyone ever tell you that you are an infuriating pest?
Dr. Bashir: Chief O’Brien all the time, and I never pay any attention to him either.
The Muppets
Walter: But Kermit, you have to try! The Muppets are amazing! You give people the greatest gift that can ever be given!
Kermit the Frog: Children?
Walter: No, the other gift.
Kermit the Frog: Ice cream?
Walter: No, no, after that…
Kermit the Frog: Laughter?
Walter: Yes! The third greatest gift ever!
The Casual Vacancy – J.K. Rowling
There was nothing, as far as Howard could see, to stop the Fielders growing fresh vegetables; nothing to stop them cleaning them disciplining their sinister, hooded, spray-painting offspring; nothing to stop them pulling themselves together as a community and tackling the dirt and the shabbiness; nothing to stop them cleaning themselves up and taking jobs; nothing at all. So Howard was forced to draw the conclusion that they were choosing, of their own free will, to live the way they lived, and that the estate’s air of slightly threatening degradation was nothing more than a physical manifestation of ignorance and indolence.
[Love Pirate’s note: Howard is the head of the town council and main “villain” of the book.]
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 2: Episode 14 – “Whispers”
Miles O’Brien: Are you nearly finished? I believe you poked into every orifice in my body… and created a few new ones.
Julian Bashir: Any dizziness? Oversleeping? Lack of energy? Euphoria?
O’Brien: Yes! All of them, especially euphoria! Lots of euphoria!
Bashir: Seriously.
O’Brien: Look, if you are determined to keep me here until you find something wrong with me, I’ll see if I can’t grow you a hangnail!
Bashir: Eye problems? Hearing? Headaches
O’Brien: Headache! There you go. In fact, I’m getting a very bad one right now!
Bashir: Short temper…flies off the handle under the slightest provocation. Perfectly normal.
O’Brien: I’m glad you’re enjoying this.
Bashir: Sorry, I know how you feel about doctors.
O’Brien: It’s not doctors I have a problem with
[Together] It’s you Julian.
Bashir: Well, your sense of humor seems normal enough.
O’Brien: I don’t have a sense of humor.
Bashir: Cough.
[O’Brien coughs]
Bashir: How’s the sex life?
O’Brien: I don’t have a sense of humor.
Bashir: Cough!
[O’Brien coughs]
Bashir: Everything all right in that department
O’Brien: That department is none of Starfleet’s business, or yours.
Welcome to “Friday Favorites” which highlight some of my favorite movie-related things.
Babe is one of my favorite movies. And while I love all of the things that everyone else praises, the story of an “unprejudiced heart” who challenges preconceptions, the fantastic music (which will be a post of its own one day soon) and the Oscar-winning effects, my favorite part of the movie is one that is often overlooked: Arthur Hoggett. Though James Cromwell was nominated for an Oscar for the role, losing to Kevin Spacey for his deserving role in The Usual Suspects, his performance in this Best Picture nominee has been mostly ignored in the 18 years since Babe’s release. So today, I’d like to highlight one of my favorite characters/performances, who turns out to be deeper than he might seem on one viewing.
The Love Pirate 