We're Back and Better Than Ever!

Aaaaaaaand I'm not alone in my angsty, movie-loving oddness! I would like to introduce you to the newest co-conspirator the wonderful Therese Lantigua!

I realize it has been a few years since my last post, but so many things have changed. I was blessed to move into a Catholic intentional living community with some beautiful, amazing ladies. One woman in particular inspired me to bring back the blog! Therese Lantigua - history major, movie lover, Parks-head, and platonic co-lead actress in the musical of my life. We sing together, rant together, obsess over Outlander together. We're bunk-mates, roommates, Criminal Mind binge-mates, and honestly soulmates.

Together, we will be reviving this blog. However, since we don't exactly have cable, we will have to modify the whole Sunday night thing. We will be reviewing movies, shows, and soundtracks as we gain access to them (through legal means of course). I am very excited to restart this journey through my cinematic life and I'm glad I'm no longer alone in my neediness! Hold on tight, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.

- Gabby

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Tonight I went to go see the second Avengers movie, Age of Ultron. To be completely honest, I was blown away. I've seen my fair share of action and superhero movies, but AoU takes the cake. It was incredible. Going into the movie I was expecting to be entertained. I thought I would laugh a little and enjoy the film overall. However, the sequel never lives up to the first film. Well, I was in for a surprise. AoU was better than the first film in so many ways. I spent every second with my eyes glued to the screen. I didn't want to miss a thing, and I'm pretty sure that is the fastest two hours and twenty-one minutes I have ever sat through.The one-liners, surprising romance, and amazing special effects and action scenes really made it one of the best movies I have seen in a while.

The first Avengers film was pretty funny, but Age of Ultron took it to a whole new level. I mean the first real line of the movie was Tony swearing and Cap telling him to watch his language (something that carried on throughout the whole movie). Even the most tense scenes of the movie were broken up by a quick comment from Stark that made the audience laugh nervously. Age of Ultron also seemed to appeal to a more adult crowd. Some of the jokes would either go over the heads of younger children or be really inappropriate for them. While the first Avengers movie was geared more towards families, this one is best enjoyed by those old enough to actually understand it.

The special effects in AoU were amazing. I mean to begin with, Hulk. The other guy had facial expression and movement that he has never had before. Then there's "Veronica" or the Hulk-buster armor. Watching the fight scene between Iron Man and Hulk was an experience. I can't wait for the movie to come out on DVD/Bluray so I can watch the special features and hopefully find out how they did it. As if these amazing CGI creations weren't enough, they pulled off the most amazing robot I've ever seen, Ultron. James Spader's voice was perfect for the character, but the crazy suit is really what made it. The way the mouth moved in time with the words was incredible. Overall, the special effects were incredible. I've never seen anything that can compare to them before. 

 

Okay so final thing, but before I get to it, I need to do a PSA. Mark Ruffalo. He is the most underrated actor in this movie. The way he showed Bruce Banner's intense internal conflict and emotional struggles throughout the film was amazing. He just made it seem so real and so relatable. I'm so annoyed they aren't giving him his own movie. Like for once, they have a chance to make a good Hulk film and they are just passing it up. I'll be honest though, I have ulterior motives for wanting a Hulk movie. Natasha and Bruce. OMGGGG! When Natasha was admitting her feelings for Banner, I just about died. It makes so much sense! Looking back, they have had chemistry since the first time they met in Calcutta. When they had their confrontation/conversation in the bedroom in Clint's house, I realized I had a new OTP. Natasha opened up to Bruce in ways she wouldn't to anyone else. The fact that they both can't have kids and that they both opened up with that was kinda cute/perfect. I'm pretty mad that their romance was left in jeopardy at the end of AoU, but I'm sure it will be resolved in future movies. It better be....

So yeah. Long story short, that movie was the bomb!

Goodbye Downton

Somewhat recently, Mrs. Paterson provided me with some of the worst news in television history. After season 6, Downton Abbey will be over. Forever. That's it. Fin. The End. Done. My favorite show of all time will simply cease to continue. Now, I can argue why it's a good thing, but I can also (very easily) argue why it is the worst thing that could ever happen to Masterpiece. Since I can, I will, so here we go.

Why Canceling Downton is a Good Thing: 

So often, I have seen shows go down the drain. Once Upon a Time is a prime example of that. Recently, there have been complaints that Downton is turning into a historical soap opera. I guess in a way it's good for them to stop while they are ahead. Also, they are going to start losing actors. Maggie Smith already said that she was done with the show after season 6. If she left they would have to pull another Matthew and that would really stink. The last big reason why ending Downton is a good thing is that they seem to be running out of material. Yes I love Tony, but Mary's love life has kinda just been going in circles and (fine I'll admit it) has become kind of boring. They need to either have her settle down for good or realized she will be a single, independant woman before the end of the final season. So yeah. Canceling Downton could be a smart idea....I'm still not completely sold but it's not my decision anyway.

Why Canceling Downton is a Bad Thing:

It's Downton Abbey, people!!!!! How can they end something that is so amazing?! In my very humble opinion, the show was just getting good! This new guy with Mary is chill (not to mention super hot) and Edith's story was picking up. Yeah sure a couple characters "move to America" and are never seen again. I'd take that over not having my show on Sunday!!! I have no idea how in the world the show is going to end. They have sooooo much to cover within a season, and I really do not know if they will be able to. 

I personally wish the show would go on for the rest of my life, but I can understand their reasoning for ending it. I will have rather empty Sunday nights, but I guess I'll be able to deal. However, OUaT looks like it might be winding down soon too, so for at least half the year I won't even have a Sunday night show to watch.....I'll be okay. I might need support, but I'll be okay.

Emma's Journey

OUaT has been pretty soap-operaish and honestly boring recently, but I guess the one really interesting thing to talk about is Emma and how here character has changed over this last season.

1. Hook: Okay so I'm going to start off with how annoyed I am at the writers. They could do soooooo much better developing the story between Emma and Hook and working it into the show. Instead, about once an episode, Hook says something sweet and they kiss. After that, Hook is barely seen for the rest of the night. Putting that aside, Emma's relationship with Hook shows that she has come pretty far since last season. She can actually trust a man now and is willing to open up a lot more. That might be why my next point was so devastating.

2. Charming and Snow's Secret: Emma needs to get over herself. Everyone makes mistakes once and a while, even the "perfect" Snow White. However, Emma will not let it go. She treats her parents like trash and is being extremely bratty and rude. Their secret wasn't even that bad. They traded what they thought was a dragon's egg in order to ensure a safe future for their daughter. With everything going on at the time, they deserve some slack. Ugh! Emma is acting like a 5 year old who isn't getting the cookie she wants!!!

3. Lily and the Dark Side of the Force: That's right, the Dark Side. Emma has been on the verge of going dark for a couple episodes now. She keeps making stupid decisions. They seem pretty much irrational and unrealistic and it's super annoying. Like, "Here let me just pull a gun and point it at someone in the middle of the street because that's totally how normal people act!" It's so annoying. Anyone with a brain would know her actions are wrong!!! Lily could be interesting because she brings out a side to Emma that we have never seen before. For once, I 'm actually enjoying the flashbacks. Emma's back story with Lily is pretty interesting, and I hope they show more.

SPOILER ALERT: 

Completely unrelated, but omg Zelena is pregnant with Robin's kid. Help. Ewww. I need to go wash my eyes and ears out with Holy Water.

Season 4B So Far

I hate to say it, but I'm really not impressed. For years I thought Once Upon a Time was the greatest thing to ever happen to television, but then I actually started watching other shows. Compared to shows like Parks and Rec, The Walking Dead, and Downton Abbey, OUaT is dry, repetitive, and looooong. After a lot of contemplation, I realized what the problem is. Laziness. The writers of the show are just working for the money at this point, I swear. They pick one general plot and repeat it over and over again until it becomes extremely predictable. Instead of coming up with new ideas every season, they take the easy way out. It is honestly so disappointing to know that my favorite show is going down the drain. Frankly, I'm actually pretty mad. I almost fell asleep last week! Ugh. Whatever. I guess I'll live. Hook is still hot as heck and Regina's sass will keep me going for a little while longer. It wasn't all bad. There were a few parts that I enjoyed more than the rest of the episode.

Guess who's back. Back again. Rumple's back. Tell a Friend. Is it weird I'm glad he's back n Storybrooke? Rumple is the best and most complex character so far in the show. Honestly, I was starting to like him as a good guy. He and Belle were happy together and it looked like the show was starting to come to an end. Now that he's a bad guy again, it's made it possible for at least another season. OUaT need's to stop while it's ahead. If they go on any longer than one more season, I'll probably stop watching.

Where's Hook? I mean he's there, but he gets like three minutes of screen time every episode. I've been waiting for Emma and Hook to be together for years and when they finally are, the writers aren't giving me anything. What happened to the adorable conversations and looks from Killian. They are always being interrupted and Hook seems to spend more time with Belle than he does with his girl. So annnoyyyingggg!!!

All I can say is this season better be different than the others. Stop with the curses and Emma being the Savior and all that. Make it interesting!!!! Oh well....I'll keep watching for the fleeting glimpses of Colin O'Donoghue and hope it picks up soon. The current situation with August and Regina being it trouble looks interesting, and at least I have The Walking Dead after it every Sunday, so I still have something to look forward to. I miss Downton!!!!

Season Finale

It's over. It's over. It's over. Did I mention, it's over. Okay, so maybe I'm being a little overdramatic....No way! Who am I kidding?  It doesn't come back until JANUARY 2016!!! What the heck Downton Abbey!!! That's how long I waited for my baby brother to be born! But anyway....So yeah....season finale....AMAZING!

Stowell vs Barrow/Sinderby/Idek anymore - Wow. Stowell is a narcissistic idiot. Thank God we might never have to deal with him again. The way he treated Branson was insane. Luckily he came around by the end and shaped up (thanks to Rose). Honestly though, he got played at the end there. Barrow totally set him up. It was coming to him though.

Lord Sinderby  - Finally we found out that Sinderby isn't half as pure as everyone thought he was. I knew he couldn't be that adamant about his views without having something to hide. I don't get how he was able to discriminate against Rose's parents when he has a child from what seems to be an affair. Like, you would think that would teach him to be a little more accepting. However, by the end they worked it out, and that moment with him and Lord Grantham was priceless.

Mary and Talbot - Finally Mary found someone as lifeless as her! She has been driving me crazy these past few weeks. I mean I get that Matthew died and he's a really hard guy to replace and stuff, but she was just being so rude to everyone in her life. The way she treats Edith is disgusting. At this point, Matthew's death can't be used as an excuse for her bad behavior. It's time for Mary to shape up!

Anna/Bates Situation - I. Love. Them. The way Bates looks at Anna and the way she just always knows what he's feeling is just soooo cute. In the scene in the prison when Anna was like "did we leave our manners outside" (or something like that) was adorable. When he "confessed" to the crime, I remembered just how much I loved him. He would do anything for Anna, and it melts my heart!!

Dowager and Mrs. Crawley - Looks like neither of their relationships is going to work out. I'm sad to see both of their men go, but I think Lord Merton hit me the hardest. He seemed like a great guy who really brought out both sides of Mrs. Crawley. She was obviously so happy with him and I officially hate Larry. The end.

Lord Grantham - Once again, he surprised me. He was so nice when he confronted Edith. Then when he was talking about selling the painting with Cora, he was wicked nice again! Times are changing, and it finally looks like Donk is changing with them.

Branson and Sybbie - I'll miss Branson a lot. He was so nice and offered a break from the traditional characters. Lord Grantham is really going to miss Sybbie. The two things he has left from Sybil are leaving him, and it must be hard to let go.

So now onto the really big stuff, and the most tear-jerking (in a good way) parts of the finale!

Carson and Mrs. Hughes - This is my second favorite proposal in the history of TV/Movie proposals (behind Ben Wyatt and Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation). It was the most adorable thing I've ever seen on the show. Mrs. Hughes' face just made it that much better. She was elated. "Of course I'll marry you ya old boobie...I thought you'd never ask!" AHHHHHHHH SO CUTE IT HURTS!!!!

Anna and Bates (Part II) - OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG. So I may have kinda possibly started jumping up and down on the couch when Bates walked in. It was such a perfect way to end it (and leave me in tears). I've just wanted them to be happy since they got together, and it looks like things might finally settle down. Nothing can break up my OTP! Banna ftw!!!!

Ummm yeah. So I guess that's it...no more Downton for 9 months....I'll survive somehow. If OUaT gives me any content, I might consider writing about that...we'll see...but it's time for me to reconsider my Sunday night priorities. It looks like Sundays belong to the dead now, like I said, we'll see.

Trying to Make Sense of it All

So I guess even though I'm emotionally destroyed, I should probably still recap a little of this week.

1) Rose and Atticus got married: Even though Rose's mom is a complete psycho who can't stand to see her daughter happy, Rose was still able to tie the knot! This gives me hope that maybe their relationship really will last. Before, I thought they were just rushing into things, but this episode they had to face a lot of challenges and they overcame all of them. Way to go Ratticus! (Also, her wedding dress was definitely white and gold...no one dare tell me it's blue and black!)

2) Molesley and Baxter: That man needs to ask her out or something already. The tension between the two of them is driving me crazy!!! She pretty much said she wants to marry him. Pick up on the hints brother! I honestly looove them. They are adorable together and really bring out the best in each other. (One problem...their couple name could be "Molester" and it's kinda creepy soooo...)

3) Thomas: Why is he so confusing??? Can he just either be mean or nice and not be weird "Uncle Thomas". I mean I think he likes Andy and that's why he's helping him, but I really don't know. Maybe he is starting to change?

4) Donk: Lord Grantham did a bunch of things I loved this episode. He apologized to Cora for the whole thing with Bricker and finally realized he was way off base. I feel like that took a lot for him to do. Also, he honored Mrs. Patmore's nephew which is so nice and reminded me just how much I loved him. Finally, the way he reacted to knowing his daughter had a child out of wedlock was really nice and it makes me realize he's progressing.

5) Edith and Marigold: Everyone is going to find out eventually. Lord Grantham finally figured out that Marigold was strikingly similar to Michael Gregson. Let's be real, Edith is the best parent on this show. She loves little Marigold, and her motherly instincts are so strong. Finally, there is a little spark of hope for her :).

6) Daisy: This girl seriously needs to learn diplomacy. She does not know what to say in certain situations. I understand that she wants to leave Downton eventually, and I'm rooting for her, but there is a better way to go about it. I really hope  when she finally decides to leave she doesn't hurt too many people.

7) Denker: That lady is crazy.

8) Dowager Countess and Prince Kuragin: You go girl! I just want her to be happy, and I'd hate to see her alone in her house all the time. Prince Kuragin is a good-looking older gentleman who could probably show her a bit of fun in her later years. Why not marry him?

9) Mrs. Crawley: I hope she really doesn't give up on Dickie Merton. Rose had family problems, but she overcame them. They looked so happy together, and she looks so miserable now without him. His sons are crazy to not like Mrs. Crawley as their step-mom. She's the bomb!

10)

 

Once Upon a Time comes back this Sunday at 8:00 PM EST. Then Downton Abbey is on PBS at 9:00 PM EST. The same time as The Walking Dead. Then The Talking Dead at 10:00 PM EST...soooo idk what I'm going to watch and what I'm not going to watch...