Saturday, December 13, 2014

The Librarians - My Review

So in 2004 a TV movie came out on TNT staring Noah Wyle called The Librarian: Quest for the Spear. It looked like a fun Indiana Jones type movie and I was a huge fan of Mr. Wyle from his ER days so I gave it a watch and really enjoyed the movie. Two years later in 2006 another TV movie came out titled The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines and I enjoyed this one even more. And again two years later in 2008 the third TV movie was released called The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice. It was good but not as good as the previous two. But these were some fun movies. 

A few months back I heard they were doing a series based on The Librarian TV movies called The Librarians, plural. This was exciting news as I really enjoyed these movies. I figured Noah Wyle wasn't going to be in them as he's doing Falling Skies and from the promo poster it looked like a brand new cast. 

Though the series is called The Librarians each episode has a subtitle to go along with it. The first episode which is actually two hours and made up of two episodes is called The Librarians: And the Crown of King Arthur and the second half was The Librarians: And the Sword in the Stone.

Here is a quick synopsis for part one.. And the Crown of King Arhur. Someone is killing off potential Librarians and it's up to Flynn Carsen and his new Guardian, Colonel Eve Baird, to save the three that are left.

And for part two.. And the Sword in the Stone. The Serpent Brotherhood is trying to return magic to our world. Flynn, Colonel Baird, and the potential Librarians must stop them before it's too late.

This first episode was so good!!!! Not only did we get back Noah Wyle as Flynn but we also got back Bob Newhart's character Judson and Jane Curtain's character Charlene. They introduced the new characters nicely you quickly attach yourself to them, though some are more likeable then others. They did a great job at explaining/writing out both Newhart and Curtain's characters but leaving it open for them to return from time to time. Also Noah's character Flynn isn't going to be the focus of the series but he will be in and out of episodes. And I really liked Rebecca Romijn character who seems to be the new lead. All in all it was a nice transitional episode from one set of characters that we know and love to a the new set of characters that we will get to know and love... very well done.

It's only gonna run for 10 episodes but I'm looking forward to each and every one of them.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Screener, Smaug and Star Wars

Got a screener for a movie that I went to a sneak preview of and loved it, so I was really hoping to get a screener and it came today, The Imitation Game. Alan Turning the man behind the movie was an amazing human being who did so much for this world and was treated in the most inhumane way possible. His story may in tragically but at least this film gets the word out there about his contributions not only to the modern day computer but to his part in World War II. Great movie and if you get a chance to see it I would highly recommend it.


I have several other videos that I'd like to share with you guys.. First one is a great interview from a HUGE Middle Earth fan Stephen Colbert. He interviews the one and only Smaug the Dragon.

 

The second video is so well done.. at first I though it was an airplane that crashed on the freeway.. but to my surprise... 

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Screeners, Star Wars Names and Babylon 5

I got several screeners today. First one is "Wild", I've heard Oscar buzz for Reese Witherspoon. I don't know much of the story just what I've seen in trailers. I know it's based on a true story and those are always pretty good.

The second screener is Birdman and again all I know is Michael Keaton's character use to play a popular superhero named Birdman and that's about it. Again this one is getting HUGE Oscar buzz.

Disney released the names of the main characters in the upcoming Star Wars The Force Awakens (aka Episode VII). They did it in a very cool way. Back in the day Star Wars movie trading cards were a big thing. So in the original Star Wars style they released trading cards with each new character.

During the evening I went over to my buddy Robert's place and we continued out Babylon 5 first time viewing. We've been doing this for over a year and unlike Buffy (the series we watched before this one) this series only has five seasons and several movies. Well we continue today with Season Five. We watched Episodes 15, 16, & 17.

First up was S5 Ep15 "Darkness Ascending" Sheridan finally discovers why Delenn had Lennier assigned to the White Star Fleet, and orders his ship to return. But Lennier takes his fighter and continues his mission, where he finally gets the information the Alliance needs. Lyta contacts G'Kar and reminds him of the offer he made to her in "The Gathering." She's willing to help the Narn in exchange for money to find a home world for telepaths. Garibaldi reunites with his ex wife, who discovers he is drinking once again.

I really enjoyed this episode, Lyta is making plans for something big. Still hating on Garibaldi I hope Sheridan finds out soon. This is a game changer.. Lennier evidence isn't going to go over well with Allie worlds. Something big is gonna happen.

Next was S5 Ep16 "And All My Dreams, Torn Asunder" The Alliance show the member worlds evidence of the Centauri actions, while Londo and Vir are in their room with copies of the evidence. Eventually they're let into the meeting, where they all see the evidence Lennier gathered. Sheridan comes up with a plan to peacefully enforce a blockade, but Garibaldi's issues jeopardize his plans. On Centauri Prime, the outbreak of war leads the Centauri ministers to demand that G'Kar, as a representative of an enemy government, be placed in prison. When Londo angrily states that "where he goes, I go" (expecting them to back off), the ministers throw Londo in prison along with G'Kar. Staring out of their prison window at night, Londo and G'Kar watch as Centauri warships patrol the skies over the now-embattled Centauri homeworld.

Continuing on the momentum of the last episode.. war is inevitable. Garibaldi is such a douchebag, I really hate what they are doing with his character. I am liking G'Kar and Londo's relationship, it's more the relationship that they had at the beginning of the series. The you know what is going to hit the fan soon.

And the final episode for the night S5 Ep17 "Movement of Fire and Shadow" Londo is released from prison and tries to gather support. Garibaldi learns of two member worlds's plans to attack Centauri Prime. He informs Sheridan, who rushes off to try and stop the attack. Delenn and Lennier head back to Minbar to convince the council to build new ships, but are attacked in hyperspace. Lyta and Franklin find out what's been controlling the Centauri attack fleet.

Again building on the episode before this one.. War is happening and Centauri is a sitting duck. We find out that it's not actually the Centauri flying their war ships and attacking others.. it's the Shadow allies behind the whole thing. And this looks like the end of Delenn and Lennier. So much awesomeness is happening no.. you can tell this series is getting to the end. Can't wait to see what's next.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Visiting Family & Hobbit Beer

Today I went to visit my brother's family and they are all sick, and poor Lora and Michael were exhausted from being up with the kiddos all night. I did go out to lunch with my Dad and then we went Christmas shopping. With all the house guests and then being sick I haven't had any time to go shopping so this was much needed. Dad and I went to about six different stores and the crowds weren't that bad. I did manage to get the bulk of my shopping done.

As always I found something that I really wanted and have been looking for, for a while now. The Hobbit movies released three beers. Now I'm not so much interested in the beer itself but more for the cool bottles. So I grabbed one of each as a present to myself... they're pretty awesome!!!

BTW.. for those wondering the beer is currently being sold at Cost Plus World Market.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Big Hero Six Screener

Still sick and not much going on but I did get another screener today.. this movie I have been wanting to see but secretly was hoping I'd get a screener for it.. and I did, Big Hero Six. I've heard some good things about this movie and I look forward to watching it.

Also the package is very cute, normally they don't put so much effort into the packaging of these DVDs but I have to say Disney went all out for this one.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Goodbye Lydia & Krypton Series

Lydia headed back to Switzerland today. This visit was 19 days about half of her last trip to he US. It's always fun having Lydia as a house guest. She's been to the LA area so often that she no longer needs a tour guide. We do things together and hang out at times but she has such a large group of friends here that I feel like she's more of a roommate then a house guest. I look forward to her return next summer.

Not much in the way of geek news today but I did run across something that I found interesting. There has been rumor of a Superman type Gotham series coming to Syfy. It now seems that it's officially in development.. It's a series that wouldn't have Superman in it but his family line. Here's the supposed synopsis: Years before Superman became a superhero, the House of El was shamed and ostracized. This series follows The Man of Steel’s grandfather as he brings hope and equality to Krypton, turning a planet in disarray into one worthy of giving birth to the greatest Super Hero ever known.

If this actually goes forward and makes it to series this would be a must see for me. I'm a HUGE Superman fan and would love to see more about his home world... fingers crossed

Sunday, December 7, 2014

TV Time

Ugh!! today I feel like crap.. I did mange to drag myself out of bed and to the couch where I think I will stay my entire day and catch up on some of my TV. I started with Red Band Society, I had five episodes on my Tivo I knew if I'd watch one I'd watch them all and so I did. I'm still really enjoying this series, it's not doing well in the ratings so I don't expect it to last the season but there is still hope.

I also had a back up of Arrow episodes, again I knew if I watched one I'd want to watch them all so I had to wait until I had a chunk of time I could do this.. and now that they are doing a crossover with Flash and Arrow and I'm all caught up on The Flash I have to watch Arrow if I want to stay current on The Flash. Arrow is still a fantastic show, every episode has an OMG moment at the end. Which makes me want to watch the next one asap.

My final TV tonight was Downton Abbey. I'm watching the British schedule as season five doesn't premiere here in the US until January but I had two more episodes to watch before finishing off this season. Downton continues to impress me with all the character development with so many cast members and only lasting under an hour for each episode. Season 5 had lots of twists and turns and a ton of drama. I can't wait for the Christmas special and then season/series 6 sometime next year.

I hate being sick but it does give me the excuse to just sit around and watch TV.

R.I.P. Daisy

Yesterday I got a call from my ex Harry informing me that our little girl Daisy was not doing well and that he had made the tough decision to put her to sleep the next day. But as fate would have it she died later that night at home with Harry holder her.

We got Daisy early into our relationship and she instantly became Harry's dog. When we broke up almost four years ago we both knew that Daisy was going to go to Austria with him so I had to say my goodbye then. I always hoped to have seen her again and her remember me after all these years but that will never happen.

The past few months her health has really deteriorated, to the point that her organs are starting to shut down one at a time. When we got Daisy she was already 5 or 6 (we're not sure as we got her from the pound). We had her together for another 7 or so years and then Harry has had her for another 4 more. So she was well into being a senior at the age of 16 or 17 years old. When we got her from the pound we found out that she was scheduled to be euthanized the next day. So she dodged a bullet and spent the next 12 to 13 years a pretty happy little girl. I'm glad Harry was there with her in her final moments. I did ask him to give her a kiss for me and tell her that I'm loved her. And though I haven't seen her in 3 1/2 years I still cried when he gave me the news as I still think of her as mine and will miss her dearly. R.I.P. Daisy