Doctor Who: Season 8

 

Well... That was certainly a season that happened... I'm not really sure how I feel about the whole thing but as a whole, it doesn't feel very positive. I mean, Peter Capaldi was fine. I don't mind him as The Doctor but it felt like Moffat and the other writers just didn't know what to do with him. After the world-wide smash hit that was Matt Smith, this season felt an after-thought. I know transitions between Doctors can be hard, but this learning curve felt really steep and we did not come out shining on the other side. There are few episodes that I have found memorable in the entire season and there's even an episode that I fell asleep during and have not felt inclined to go back and see what I missed. The general consensus is that I didn't miss anything.

There were few through lines to tie these episodes together and while I know a cohesive storyline from episode to episode is not required in Doctor Who, but there is usually at least some sort of overarching theme. The few through lines we did have felt half-hearted and rushed. Oh wow, how ground-breaking! The Doctor's companion has a boyfriend who doesn't like The Doctor! The Master is back and oh my goodness, The Master is now The Mistress? Shocker! Every problem was solved too easily and every adventure was quickly forgotten. It was as though everyone except Danny Pink suffered from some form of amnesia. It was like dealing with a drunk girl who only wants to be your friend when she's drinking. As soon as she sobers up, she'll forget every promise she's made to you. It is a miracle that Danny didn't punch The Doctor at any point this season.

The thing that concerns me most is wondering where we could possibly go from here. Clara is leaving after the Christmas special (which I am looking forward to mostly for Nick Frost as Santa!), we've established that The Doctor is not a good man, The Master is either dead or, more likely, teleported somewhere. What does that leave us with? This is a season without a legacy.

Capaldi isn't the problem though. In my opinion, Moffat and the writers of the show are the problem. Moffatt has been the show runner for fifty episodes. It may be time for him to bow out. He is a very busy man with his fingers in a lot of different progress and the thinner he spreads himself, the more the work suffers. You know, Moffat should start to be concerned that all the merchandise that's currently being sold still has Matt Smith and David Tennant's faces all over it.

This was a forgettable season. I stopped looking forward to new episodes in this season. It isn't Peter Capaldi's fault, it isn't Jenny Coleman's fault. Sometimes it is hard to be a Whovian.

Movie Review: Nightcrawler

In another universe where I am less timid of a person, where Los Angeles suits me perfectly, where I actually used my journalism degree, I picture myself as a nightcrawler. I have inklings of the tendencies. I like to say that it is the fault of my journalism training, but I have always been a bit of an ambulance chaser. I've always been curious, I've always wanted to see what's happening over there and where some people are going in such a hurry. I want to know. I want to see things while they are happening and being a reporter is just a good excuse for being nosy as heck.

But in this reality, I am a timid person. I wonder but do not often pursue. I may drive around the block an extra time but I don't stop and I don't document it. I'm too timid to be the journalist I wish I could be which is why I have a blog in which I talk about movies and television and things like that...

NIGHTCRAWLER struck a chord with me. I was completely enamored from beginning to end. It was a very dark, twisty, creepy profile of a man who has found his niche. It was uncomfortable and greasy. It showed a world where it is a good quality to lack human empathy and to entirely disregard personal privacy. It is a dark, sleepless world that is extremely well-portrayed in this movie.

I love this movie. It excited me. It made me want to take night hikes and write until 2am. Jake Gyllenhaal was incredible in this role. Absolutely believable and engrossing from beginning to end.

Go see this movie! You will not be disappointed.

Back From Hiatus

It was never my intention to be away from my writing for so long but this has been a year of many things. Unfortunately, writing has not really been one of those things.

Chris and I got married... twice. And those were two of the happiest days I have ever experienced. Though those days make me thankful that time machines do not exist as I would have told myself that throwing two wedding, a week apart, on opposite ends of California, is an absolutely insane idea. But I regret nothing!

We had two very different weddings but they both felt very personal and very "us." The first wedding was in the LA area and was for all of our family, family friends and local LA friends. This was the "fancy" wedding. I'd say the more traditional wedding but neither of our weddings were really very traditional at all except for the fact that at the end, we were married. We were married in a botanical garden by one of our dearest friends surrounded by... most of our other dearest friends. It was a truly magical day that I will never forget!

 Yes, our cake topper is high-fiving. What else do you expect?

 Gladly added our names and date to the wall of love in the bridal dressing room.

 First selfie as married people!!

 After the reception, we ventured back to our hotel where we stuffed our faces with In-N-Out burger and reveled in afterglow. One of the most fun things was having all of our friends staying in the same hotel. After Chris put me to bed and I was fast asleep, he went and played in a very special blanket fort that housed a keg. What more could you ask for?! A blanket fort!!! With a keg in it!!! I hear this was loads of fun. I was sooooo tired.

 We had planned to head straight home the next day but all our friends were there! Time for adventures! Off the Vasquez Rocks we went to recreate some of our favorite movie scenes and bask in the beauty of the desert. What a great way to unwind after a great wedding.

Before I knew it, my house in Eureka was full of people. Between my parents, Chris' parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and guests. No time to breathe! No time to rest! A second weddings is only days away! Why did we decide to do this? Oh my gosh! This was the party wedding mostly consisting of marching band friends. The wedding was the same weekend as the World Famous Kinetic Grand Championship which made this an event-filled weekend. I told the guests the dress code was either semi-formal (which I was later informed meant shirt and tie on top, loud boxer shorts on bottom), Kinetic madness, or Sci-Fi/Space. Our friends are very good at themes.

 Many beers were drank, many friends were hugged, and much good food was consumed. For some of the younger people attending, this was their first wedding and I think we may have ruined weddings for them forever. No other wedding is ever going to be like this one!

 One of the most fun aspects of this wedding was that our officiant, Brooke didn't show us anything to do with the structure of our ceremony before the actual ceremony. It was all new to us and both heartfelt and hilarious. There were tears of joy and laughter throughout the hall.

 My beautiful bridesmaids.

The wonderful groomsmen. Thank you Jeff for interrupting the ceremony to let us all know how honored you felt to be invited to that space wedding.

The planning and execution of these two weddings ate up every moment of free time I had for over a year but they were perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about either of them. They were such different days and I couldn't have asked for more from either of them.

But now the weddings are over. All that's left is scrapbook construction. Not only did I have my own wedding to worry about this year, but the weddings of several of my dearest friends. These joyful events took us all over the state. But now we're home and wedding season is over. I can finally start trying to remember what my hobbies used to be and what activities brought me joy. 2014 was full of changes and joy. I'm hoping to bring writing back into my life starting now and throughout 2015.

Please Excuse...

Please excuse the hiatus of unknown length. I'm planning my wedding. It seems to eat up a lot of my bandwidth. I'll write when I can but I can't promise much.

Iron Man 3

It's hard to say whether I love Tony Stark or if I love Robert Downey, Jr. Either way, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and not just because there's a giant stuffed bunny. This movie does great things to develop Stark as a more human character. The fact that he has suffered from major health problems through the run of these films has made sure he was somewhat grounded in reality but the addition of PTSD caused by the incredible battle in New York stretches further to make him a more human character. Any person in his situation who was not a genetically engineered super-soldier or a demi-god from another world is likely to have a severely broken brain after that event.

It saddens me that Disney and Robert Downey, Jr. were unable to come to an agreement concerning salary so there will not be anymore movies with just Iron Man. Luckily, he will still be included in the Avenger movies that are yet to come.

I appreciate what a strong character Pepper Potts has turned out to be. Without her, Tony Stark would end up just another crazy rich guy who would end up doing more harm than good. She's great for him. She is the only thing that often stands between his ego and the rest of the world.

This movie is a great way to start the summer. Can't wait until the next Thor movie!

Oblivion

If you have ever thought to yourself, "Gee, I'd really like to watch, "Moon," "Mad Max," and "Planet of the Apes" but I just don't have that sort of time!" then "Oblivion" is for you. This movie is full of old SciFi cliches and over-dramatic acting.

Yes, this is an entertaining movie. The problem is that it is entirely predictable. Ten minutes in, I was able to go, "Hey I bet this is going to be the twist at the end," and I was right. There were several moments in which I sat and laughed at how ridiculous and cliche things were going and my sweetheart glared at me for it.

Quite visually interesting but the story is crazy old. A good movie for a drunken SciFi night, not so great for a critical theory class. If you miss this one, no big loss.

Matt Smith Leaving Doctor Who

This is a day we all knew was coming eventually; Matt Smith has resigned his role as The Doctor on "Doctor Who." The fact is that Matt Smith has had this role longer than any other Doctor since the reboot. In his time on the show, "Doctor Who," has become an international sensation and it is all his fault that I can now buy a "Bowties are cool," tshirt in Hot Topic. Smith's Doctor has been charismatic, playful, adventurous and endearing. He's shown us a new side of The Doctor that while still very serious, also kisses whimsey right in the mouth.

The thing that is amusing me most right now is listening to the cries of all the fans who have adopted this fandom in probably the last two years. "Matt Smith is leaving? How can this be? It is the end of the world!!" But it isn't. Death and rebirth are at the heart of the show. One of the inevitable truths of "Doctor Who," is that The Doctor dies. The Doctor dies and then regenerates. He has a new face, a new voice, a different personality. But he is still The Doctor. Sure, everyone remembers their first Doctor. They have favorite things about the way each actor takes on this magnificent character. But at the end of it, Doctor Who fans have to know in their heart that no Doctor is forever. This is the great and the terrible that is this show.

I am thankful for the performance that Matt Smith has given. His Doctor is eternally delightful and will always hold a special place in my heart but I will not grieve for The Doctor in the same way I grieved for Amy and Rory. (There were some ugly, ugly tears during "The Angels Take Manhattan.") The Doctor isn't really dying. He's being reborn. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us next.