So's Reel Thoughts: Television

Showing posts with label Television. Show all posts

Here we go with Season 3, Episode 2, "eps3.1_undo.g". We left off last episode (see recap) with Darlene being paranoid about the FBI and Elliot asking Angela to get him a job at Evil Corp. In this episode, Elliot goes back to his 9-5 grind at Evil Corp and figures out a solution on how to them rebuild their data and avoid Stage 2. He's doing fairly well but still his loneliness is unbearable and goes back to therapy with Krista. Meanwhile, Darlene makes a tough decision that may ruin everything for Elliot & FSociety. And to my surprise, there is shocking turn of events for Joanna Wellick. All the plans are set in motion, now we wait for it to all crash and burn. We'll see what happens next week!

- Previous Episode -

December is a time to just wind down from the hectic year and just chill with your family. In the beginning of the month, I saw the fantastic Moana that reminded me why Disney films reigned supreme. A friend recommended a British show on Netflix called Chewing Gum, which is about a 24-year-old girl who is trying to lose her virginity. It's one of the most hilarious shows I've seen as of recently, it had me ROFLing. Literally. And how can I forget Gareth Edward's Rogue One that brings the darkness and realness to the Star Wars Universe to show that there is no battle without casualties of war. And to cap off the year of 2016, La La Land captured my heart especially because of it's message of the sacrifices and compromises that need to be made in order to achieve one's dreams. And ain't that the truth!

November Film Favorites // October Film Favorites

Badass Femmes is a bi-weekly column that I write on Crome Yellow about all the Badass Females in pop culture that has shaped my life.

I was lucky enough to have grown up in Los Angeles’ K-town, a city where Asians were one of the most dominant races. Eventually moving to the suburb of Torrance, I enjoyed the same type of cultural balance, a city filled with either white or Asian people. But despite being amongst flourishing Asian cultures, I still had my own run-ins with casual or unconscious racism, stemming from ethnicities who clearly had no knowledge of the political incorrectness that plagued such a so-called “diverse” environment. Though it was unbearable at times, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if I were the ONLY Asian girl in small town just like Stars Hollow, from the TV show, Gilmore Girls. It was a perspective that actress Keiko Agena brought so well to her character, Lane Kim, who played the titular Rory Gilmore’s best friend. Agena’s Kim would become a powerful representation of an all Korean-American girl living in the states; and despite the fact we were in polar opposite environments, Lane was the epitome of that archetypal bi-cultural lifestyle that so many of us second generation kids have lived and breathed.

Continue reading on Crome Yellow...

Badass Femmes is a bi-weekly column that I write on Crome Yellow about all the Badass Females in pop culture that has shaped my life.

This week I talk about the incomparable Tina Belcher from Bob's Burger and her effortless DGAF style that has everyone alike swooning and chuckling. Tina has got to be one of the most talked about and adored character in recent animation history. This little 13-year-old has changed my life for the better and hopefully many other young females and males. Read more here...

#SDCC is finally over and although I did not get to go, there were a ton of new sneak peeks of upcoming tv shows, films, and geeky stuff that I need to catch up on! I rarely talk about the tv shows I am watching but of course, I am one of the millions utterly obsessed with AMC's The Walking Dead. So Naturally, when the Season 5 trailer came out, I went skittishly bonkers but it also left me pining for more and with an alarming amount of questions and observations!

Where we left off Season 4:

Rick, Carl, Michonne, and Daryl arrive at Terminus but are met with gunfire and they are forced to go into the boxcar in order to save Carl from dying. They go into the boxcar where they are imprisoned. There they find Glenn, Maggie, Sasha, Bob, Tara, Abraham, Eugene, and Rosita. While the group is losing hope, Rick claims that "they're screwing with the wrong people." CHiLlLzZ

What the Trailer Tells Me:

1) These people at Terminus are super bad and are experimenting on people and holding them hostages. But for what? Because they are not complying with them? Are they taking body parts and doing stuff with them? WHAT THE HELL IS TERMINUS?!

2) Does the group get split up again? Numerous remarks of "We're not leaving without our people" and "Where are our people" is repeatedly shouted. The theme of family and strangers not being trusted is re-instated. It seems like the Terminus guy complies to go to Washington, sparing the lives of the crew but obviously he cannot be trusted. I mean come on, he looks like a total rat! Will they just finally be forced to kill him for the greater good of their safety and goal?

3) I see Carol so seems like she found the crew!!! I hope she comes in with guns banging and ready to save the day.

4) The level of intensity and danger is increased with the crew's unrelenting persistence to travel to Washington in order to find the cure for the zombie epidemic. But will they make it? The risk of going there and not finding anything is huge. Will they risk their safety for that chance?

5) Rictatorship won't be back but it seems like Rick is taking charge and kicking some serious ass. He cocks his muthafucking gun and looks back with such intensity! You definitely know a lot of shit is going down.

6) Whereas previous seasons, the crew was stationed at the jail or at a farm, there seems to be a lot more movement and action taking place at and beyond Terminus. Explosions of zombies are going off, cars falling off highways, people getting tortured, people just bawling their eyes out! A lot of emotions and events are detonating in season 5!

7) Lastly, is this the season where Beth goes total badass after she is pushed to the brink? The last sequence shows a snippet of the danger she encounters. A woman states " Every sacrifice we make, needs to be part of the greater good. In here, you're not the greater good, you're part of the system." We see beth maybe doing some stunts, running, and slaughtering zombies. I hope this is the season where Beth really shines.

The Walking Dead creator Robert Kickman said this season would start off with the Terminus detour, something not shown in the monthly comic book he writes but would soon get back on the track of the story shown in the comics. Apparently, season 5 will be much tougher and rougher (via. Hero Complex) as it's clearly seen in the trailer. With that said, it seems like all the characters will be pushed to their limits and test them in ways they did not think possible. I definitely want to see some epic transitions in Season 5 especially with Beth and Carl. I seriously cannot wait, I got so many chills while watching the trailer! The Walking Dead season 5 comes back October 12!

I watched TV guys! Just in case anyone was wondering! And these are the shows I usually watch and the ones I'm excited about for the fall. With Breaking Bad now gone, I'm so glad that NBC's Parks and Recreation, Fox's The Mindy Project and Bob's Burgers are coming back. And of course, I'm elated about new shows like Fox's Brooklyn Nine-nine, HBO's Hello Ladies, and ABC's Super Fun Night starring Rebel Wilson! Woot Woot! I'm definitely going to try to watch more! What are your favorite television shows?

Go On (NBC)

It's that time again! Fall TV season means new shows, new faces, and hopefully better story lines. Out of the many series that are premiering this fall, I have the most hope for at least three shows. Go On stars Matthew Perry as a Ryan King, a sportscaster coping with the loss of his wife. The show might stumble and struggle to keep people interested (maybe) but I'm excited to see what it has to offer. And I'm definitely expecting some old FRIENDS to stop by. If you know what I mean. It is premiering tonight at 9/8c tonight!

Elementary (CBS)

The Mindy Project (FOX)

And then there is Elementary (CBS) and The Mindy Project (FOX). What do these two new fall shows have in common. FUCKING ASS-KICKING ETHNIC WOMEN! I've been waiting for Lucy Liu to make a comeback and not just in Southland but in a show all of her own. Of course she will be sharing the screen with Jonny Lee Miller (Dark Shadows, Trainspotting) as Dr. Joan Watson and Sherlock Holmes, respectively. And considering the main character is named Sherlock Holmes, I think we should all know by now what this show is going to entail. ( I HOPE) The mystery solving begins on September 27 10/9c.

And then there is The Office veteran Mindy Kaling,who at just age of 24 was the first female writer for the mockumentary show. I've also been meaning to read her book "Is Everyone Hanging Out without Me?" which sounds fantastic! Who ever thought that a women of Asian/Middle Eastern descent would be headlining her own show in the year 2012! Surely, it sounds plausible (with the exception of Margaret Cho's All American Girl) but "shockingly", it hasn't happened till today. And I would want no one to lead this revolutionary move than Mindy. After the show was rejected by NBC (bastards!), FOX knew better and quickly snatched it up. Who wouldn't with The Mindy Project being produced by none other than B.J. Novak. Especially with Ed Helms appearing as a love interest in the pilot, it's fucking gold! The show premieres on September 25 9:30/8:30c on FOX!

Naturally, I'm also going to keep up with my other shows such as How I Met Your Mother (CBS, Sept 24, 8/7c), Community (NBC, Oct 19, 8:30/9:30c), Bob's Burgers (FOX, Sept 30, 8:30/9:30c) and The Simpsons. Although, I haven't been keeping up with The Simpsons, when I read in Entertainment Weekly that Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, Zooey Deschanel, Sarah Michelle Geller, and Sarah Silverman was going to be in the season 24 premiere as Bart's old girlfriends, I almost choked on my chocolate cookie and fainted. If that kind of news wasn't shocking enough, Steve Carell, Justin Bieber, Edward Norton are also being featured throughout the season. Talk about a STACKED cast! I can't wait! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world! IM BLESSED, THANK YOU TV GODS!

I just finished my Breaking Bad marathon in hopes of continuing on to the fifth season but sadly, didn't make it for the season premiere that aired on the 15th of July. But I'm just glad I completed all four seasons in a rough, rough two weeks. It's been a morally confusing and soul-sucking ride through the toxic climate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Viewers and critics alike have been madly raving about Breaking Bad and it wasn't until last year that I gave this anxiety inducing drama show a try. Unlike most shows which chronicles the character's lives from day to day through their struggles and hardships and eventually concluding their path to their heart's contentment, Breaking Bad runs the other way. On Walt White's (Bryan Cranston) journey to perserve his family's livelihood after being diagnosed by lung cancer by turning into a meth dealer quickly turns into a dark tale of morality and greed. This fifth season is their last and final season and Vince Gilligan, the creator said it would be their baddest season yet. The sheer notion that show could descend anymore towards the fiery wrath of hell is one frightening thought. But I must strap myself with the most secure of morality floats and jump in to see what the rest of Gilligan's twisted yet genius brain has in stored for me. Gilligan will take us hostage in his last ride through the Albuquerque desert and it won't be until we get there anxiety-filled, blind-folded, and soaking wet with sweat that we discover if we will make it out alive. Hold on tight.

BOOM.

Mildred Pierce is a five-part HBO mini-series adaptation of James M. Cain's 1941 novel. It is directed by the only Todd Hayes (Far from Heaven, I'm Not There) starring Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce, Evan Rachel Wood. It is the second adaptation of the novel after the 1945 film that stars Joan Crawford.

Mildred Pierce depicts an overprotective, self-sacrificing mother during the Great Depression who after her cheating husband leaves her, proves she can be independent and successful by opening up her own restaurant.

I am a huge Kate Winslet fan so anything that she's in, i am down for! so, when she won best actress in a mini-series/tv movie, i knew i had to check it out. Joan Crawford eventually nabbed her first Oscar for her portrayal of Mildred Pierce as well. As winslet's fan, i am obviously biased and support anything she does. when she won, i didnt think anything of it and it's the same feeling that one gets when they see either someone of winslet's stature like meryl streep win awards time and time again which is, they are just good actors and nothing more. boy, i was wrong. after mindlessly watching mildred pierce without any previous knowledge, winslet's slowly revealed a completely different character than i've never seen her portray and i was blown away. Her contradictory persona of a woman who is strong-willed but passive is surely a complex character only Winslett could master (biased again.) Aside of Winslet and Pearce, Evan Rachel Wood portrayed Pierce's monstrous daughter, Veda. you know an actor is doing their job when you want to just murder their character. this mini-series is certainly something to watch. i definitely have to check out the 1945's original considering there are minor differences, but a intense story that certainly must be witnessed! A

Its weird that HIMYM did a photoshoot like this cause it explains absolutely nothing about the series. ive been on a HIMYM marathon for the last 3-4-5 days ( i lost count), and im still only on season 3! that will explain my lack of film viewing. i havent watched a feature film since probably a week ago. ive been watching this series day and night! im determined to finish this series by maybe monday! and when im done, its onto breaking bad. oh dear. im never getting out of my bed.

i stated the beginning of the new fall television season that i will be now watching tv. i had been so focused on films for the past few years and with the lack of a television it just got harder and harder to really find time to watch all the shows that i wanted to. with the surge of reality shows, it felt like good storytelling was really hard to come by. with the exception of community and two broke girls, i felt like the only good television worth watching was on cable, esp on amc, hbo, ifc, and what not. after the fall trial period, i stopped tuning into 'the new girl,' 'pan am,' 'the office,' and (gasp!) 'boardwalk empire.' i lost complete interest and some of their ideology was really bothering me (ahem, the new girl...) instead of dragging my feet to see if any of these series would eventually pick up their pace, i dropped them like hot cakes and moved onto popular picks like breaking bad and newcomers, portlandia and enlightened. mad men was always on top of my list but now i finally finished season 4, im dying to see what season 5 has in stores. these are just some of the shows im am currently watching as well as a few films here and there.

ive heard so many things about breaking bad so finally i gave in and gave it a go. while it is honestly the heaviest series i am currently watching, it is addicting. i always thought shows that this about the sympathetic yet law-breaking civilians were overrated with shows like nurse jackie, dexter, and weeds, that have about the same premise was just getting old. while i cant say if breaking bad is much better than the other ones cause i didnt fully watch the other series, this show is shocking, explosive, and empowering. im only on season 2... till next time.

i really wanted to explore the realm of television and what is has to offer so i googled 'best new shows 2011' and portlandia came up. the humor of saturday night live is understood and adored by many, my humor is a little harder to please. this show is entirely about portland, oregon and everything it has to offer. the pros and cons between television and a live show is obvious. but the one thing that a live show cannot offer that digital presentation can is editing. which i think plays a huge part in my ability to laugh. portlandia shows the lives of hipsters but to an extreme. you thought you were a hipster, wait till you get a load of these two (points up.) fred armisen (snl) and carrie brownstein are the stars that embody all the hipsters you hate/love around the world. i just ended season 1. season 2 starts jan. 6, 2012. YYYYES.

laura dern is simply amazing. this show somehow has the ability to drag and yet make you anticipate for the next episode. dern's character, Amy is not easy to love but knowing her, you want to give her some benefit of the doubt that things will pan out in the end. will it? will it not? amy is a walking disaster and everything she touches turns to complete shit. will she be redeemed? get her revenge? be understood? maybe not. we will see season 2 if the underdogs will prevail or be killed.

need i say more. just look at him...

im going to start watching a lot more television now considering that the film shouldnt be the only production i should be concerning myself with. so these are the shows ive been religiously/started watching...

1) mad men: IF YOU DONT WATCH MAD MEN, YOU NEED TO START NOW. i love this show. this is one show that really makes me want to not go into film but into television. im going to need to finish season 4 after i watch boardwalk empire.

2) the office: i cant believe theyre on their 8th season and going strong! although there are so many comedy shows that have been getting more buzz, the office has still not lost its touch. there is a much more base they need to cover and i hope the series doesnt end soon!

3) community: wow, this is got to be one of the funniest shows ever. with its meta/pop culture references and witty dialogue, it is really hard not to laugh out loud. and i NEVER LAUGH. OUT. LOUD. that says a lot. each character is sterotypical yet so unique and different to their sterotype. the show never ceases to surprise me! this last season 3, episode 2 was simply one of the best yet!

4) boardwalk empire: i always love some good storytelling. it may seem like its acquired interest with its focus on the prohibition era but with this much drama, who cares! anyone will be able to enjoy this intelligent show thats able to tell a thorough story without losing an aspect of filmmaking. this is tv at its best!

5) two broke girls: from the guy who brought you sex and the city brings you two broke girls. although i never really liked kat dennings, i cant help but appreciate and love her deadpan/sarcastic humor. although producers time and time again have tried to bring back the magic of sex and the city, no ones ever going to get close to it besides the man who made it himself. while other shows are sugar-coated, this show brings out the rawness of how girls you love or hate actually act like. its dirty and fun and everyone loves that!

6) new girl: i love zooey deschanel. thats it. i love her. but if she continues to act like a helpless puppy who is so desperately weak to her knees from her break up with her cheating boyfriend, i dont know how long i can stand watching this show. hopefully the next few episodes pick up...

7) pan am: who doesnt love to watch the 1960's lifestyles of globetrotting stewardesses explore new territories while looking good while at it? i do. i do. i do. anything relating to the 60's like mad men, I AM TOTALLY DOWN FOR! first episode was interesting and will have me as a fan for a while. i love christina ricci and hope to see more of her. i hope it lives up to its hype and hopefully will be as good as its 60's related series mad men.