Castle: Pandora Part 2

Dear Castle: Please do not go 9 seasons (::ahem:: X-Files) with the unresolved sexual tension between Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic). I beg of you!

In Monday's episode of Castle, Castle and Beckett continue to harbor their unresolved sexual tension while trying to figure out the linchpin that will cause the end of the United States as we know it (otherwise known as "Pandora"). They want to continue their investigation, even after almost drowning in a vehicle Beckett crashed into the harbor (was anyone else hoping Castle would be required to administer CPR?). They are ordered by the CIA to halt their participation in the investigation, but, naturally, they do not listen.

They eventually discover what (or rather, who) the linchpin is and who is acting as a mole within the CIA. However, the mole is entirely too obvious, and it ends up actually being the beguiling Sophia (Jennifer Beals). Personally, I figured the mole would end up being her, and I was rather glad it was. Unfortunately, they discover this AFTER she admits to Beckett that she wishes she had never slept with Castle. My desire to throw something at her was almost uncontrollable.

Highlights of the episode include Beckett and Castle trying to escape the sinking car. It was tension filled, even though the viewer realistically knew they'd escape. Didn't they watch that episode of Mythbusters? I also loved Alexis' (Molly C. Quinn) reaction to hearing about her father's sex life with Sophia. Another comical scene had Esposito (Jon Huertas) reminding Beckett that he used to be Special Forces and can be trusted with top secret and confidential. He seems angry one second, but we quickly realize he's really just giving Beckett and Castle a hard time.

Sadly, there was very little Ryan (Seamus Dever), which was kind of a disappointment. He and Huertas have such great chemistry together.

For more on Castle:

Twitter: @Castle_ABC

http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/castle

The Simpsons: 500th episode

This screen capture, seen briefly at the end of The Simpsons' long publicized 500th episode pretty much summed up my thoughts: it did, it fact, suck. Considering all of the promotion Fox did for the 500th episode (including a contest where people tried to outlast the others in a 499 straight episodes viewing of the series), you would think that the writers would have put some effort into things. You'd be wrong.

The premise was intriguing: The Simpson family was being kicked out of Springfield because of Homer's antics, Bart's pranks, and Lisa's constant complaining. They wind up in The Outlands, an edge of society, off the grind type of community. They find that they are much happier there than they were in Springfield. Eventually, the residence of Springfield end up joining them.

However, the premise did not really deliver on the possible hilarity. The jokes (verbal and sight gags) were weak and few and far between. Considering this season has been relatively strong (with several episodes that had be laughing out loud throughout), I had high expectations for this one, and The Simpsons did not come close to living up to them. The one part that I did enjoy was the montage of couch gags at the very beginning. There was also the Outlands theme song, which was mildly entertaining, too. However, those two things were just simply not enough to carry the episode.

For more information on The Simpsons:

Website: www.fox.com/simpsons

The Hunger Games: President Snow Wishes You a Happy President's Day!

Am I the only one who thinks this picture that the Hunger Games released via Facebook this morning (http://www.facebook.com/#!/thehungergamesmoviek.com/#!/thehungergamesmovie) is absolutely chilling? I was somewhat creeped out when I first saw it this morning.

This picture is obviously meant to be remniscnet of President Barack Obama's campaign posters during the 2008 election, and serves as a stark reminder of how much power the character has in the books and movies (in the movies, he will be played by none other than award winning actor Donald Sutherland).

This is not the first creepy Snow inspired holiday greeting that the Hunger Games people have released. A week ago, on Valentine's Day, they released the following, equally chilling, picture. I think it's safe to say that someone over in Lionsgate publicity has a very interesting sense of humor

Midnight screening tickets for The Hunger Games movie are going on sale this week at many venues and online ticket sites. The film opens at midnight on March 23, 2012.

Remember, may the odds be forever in YOUR favor

Once Upon a Time: What Happened to Frederick

"True love is never easy, but it must be fought for."~Prince Charming

Tonight, there was advancement of the plot involving Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin) and David (Josh Dallas). In Storybrooke, the two finally decide that they want to be together, but before you can say "The course of true love never did run smooth," they are kept apart with the help of the scheming Mayor Regina (Lana Parrilla). Regina makes it so that the two never knew that David's wife, Catherine, has given them her blessing before leaving Storybrooke for Boston. Of course, since no one can leave Storybroke, she winds up in an accident on her way out of town. Now, Mary Margaret continues to be hurt because David was not completely honest with his wife when he told her that he did not want to be with her anymore. We find out that Regina not only told Catherine about the affair, but vandelized Mary Margaret's car and took Catherine's fairwell note.

Also, in Storybrooke, Emma (Jennifer Morrison) finds Henry's (Jared Gilmore) book, but it seems as though the new stranger in Storybrooke has made a reproduction! What issues that may cause in the future is anybody's guess. My theory is that we will find out that his Fairy Tale world counterpart is that of the author of the original book, but I could be wrong.

Speaking of Fairy Tale world, we see plenty of Prince Charming (also Josh Dallas) as he struggles to deal with the fact that Snow White (also Ginnifer Goodwin) does not wish to be with him. He encounters the Lady of the Lake in an attempt to help his Fairy Tale world fiancee find her true love. The scenery, as it often is on Once Upon a Time, was simply breathtaking during the underwater shots. Prince Charming ends up going after Snow White, but he is captured because of his refusal to marry someone he does not love.

To me, the episode felt very transitional, and it was probably not among my favorites of the season (those being the Hansel and Gretal and Beauty and the Beast episodes) It was setting the stage for a lot of questions to be answer. Who is the stranger in town? What happened to Catherine? Will Mary Margaret and David be able to be together? Sadly, these questions will not be answered for at least 2 weeks!

Oh, on one more final note, I particulary love the evil glee that Parrilla plays Regina with. It gives me the creeps every time.

For more on Once Upon a Time:

Twitter: @OnceABC

Website: http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time

The Hunger Games Movie Visual Companion

Make sure to get your copy of The Hunger Games: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion. The companion features behind the scenes information, interviews, and other information Hunger Games fans won't want to be without.

Check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Official-Illustrated-Companion/dp/0545422906/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329700392&sr=1-5Companion/dp/0545422906/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329700392&sr=1-5

I know I have my copy, and it's helping me brush up on all things Hunger Games before the movie debuts on March 23, 2012 at theaters across the country. There are also movie tie in versions of the book and a Tribute Guide to help complete your Hunger Games collection.

The movie debuts March 23 at 12:01 am. I am definitely wanting to catch a midnight showing (if my dreams of attending the premiere go unrealized), and I'll be posting my review right here immediately following the screening.

The New Girl! It's Jess!

Ah, The New Girl: otherwise known as the best new comedy of the television season. Airing on Fox and starring the “adorkable” Zooey Deschanel (Almost Famous, (500) Days of Summer, Yes, Man), The New Girl started off strong with its series premiere, and continued to remain strong in the ratings after being pre-empted by the World Series. The premise of the show is Jess (Deschanel) walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her, so she moves in with 3 male roommates: Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Nick (Jake M. Johnson), and Winston (Lamorne Morris). After moving in and assuring her Mom that the guys aren’t going to kill her just because she “met them on Craigslist,” Jess proceeds form a new family that enables her to move on from her failed
relationship.

Jess’s romantic exploits, whether they be with fellow teacher, Paul (Justin Long), or True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten, never fail to entertain. Her inanity, such as the fact that she plays the bells, sings her own theme song, and refers to being horny as being “twirly,” keeps the audience rooting for her to find happiness. The audience is also wondering by this point if the series writers are planning on having her hook up with Nick (Johnson) or Schmidt (Greenfield). In fact, in the most recent Valentine’s episode, she almost did try to hook up with Schmidt, but was saved from the “mistake” by Nick.

The roommates also hold their own against Deschanel’s Jess. Schmidt is a want-to-be playboy who has been given a “douchebag jar” by his roommates. Greenfield plays him with such earnestness that it’s hard not to love him, even when he’s earning having to put money in the jar. Nick quit law school right before finishing because of his own broken heart (all the better reason why he and Jess should get together). Winston has returned from playing basketball overseas to find that he has a new, semi-insane roommate. I actually hope they begin giving Lamoire Morris more to work with.

The New Girl airs at 9pm on Tuesdays on Fox.

Twitter: @NewGirlonFOX

Website: http://www.fox.com/new-girl/

The Hunger Games are approaching....

On March 23rd, Lionsgate Films will be releasing The Hunger Games, the much anticipated adaptation of Suzanne Collins hugely successful Hunger Games Trilogy. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone), Josh Hucherson (The Kids Are
Alright), and Liam Helmsworth (The Last Song).

As fans of the novels are already aware, The Hunger Games is about a futuristic society where natural disasters have all but destroyed North America. The new Capitol now requires each of the 12 Districts to send 1 boy and 1 girl between the ages of 12-18 to fight in a battle to the death in the annual Hunger Games. Previously, there was an violent uprising where the districts attempted to rise up against the Capital, and ultimately failed. Their ongoing punishment are the yearly Hunger Games.

In District 12, Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) volunteers to take her younger sister's place when Prim's name is called in the lottery. Katniss, along with the male Tribute, Peeta Mellark, (Hutcherson) is taken away to the Capital to prepare for the games. Along with them goes the only winner to ever come from District 12, Haymitch (played by Woody Harrelson), whose job it is to help them try to survive. They are also accompanied by Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), who is the official escort of the District 12 Tributes. Then, after being prepped by Haymitch and their image consultant Cina (Lenny Kravitch), they are taken into the arena to begin the games. Katniss and Peeta struggle to survive the games while maintaining their humanity.

Based on the trailers that have been released, the film seems as though it will avoid the problems that plagued the Twilight films. For example, they have made sure to enlist a cast that consists of Jennifer Lawrence, who was nominated for her performance in Winter's Bone; Harrelson, who has been nominated for Academy Awards, SAG awards, and film fest awards, and Hutcherson, who was in the award winning The Kids Are Alright. The trailers also indicate that the film version will not shy away from the dark, sinister nature of the novels. The trailers show that the overall essence of the books seems to have been kept while transferring author Suzanne Collins' vision onto the big screen.

For more information, you can visit:

www.lionsgate.com

http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com

The Hunger Games Facebook Page