Everyone needs to be watching The Sound of Music right now. And it's on basic cable so no excuses.

Why Love Actually is actually good

I don’t care what you say about the corniness, but Love Actually is one of the best things about Christmas. There’s laughing, crying, Andrew Lincoln not killing zombies. And awesome British actors. Nothing beats it.

The world better not end before I have a chance to see these movies

Les Miserables
This is 40
Django Unchained
Star Trek Into Darkness
The Master
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Zero Dark Thirty
The Hobbit (all of them)
Amour
Iron Man 3 (and really any Marvel sequel)
The Great Gatsby
Despicable Me 2
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mockingjay

Movie Review: Silver Linings Playbook

This is a story of boy meets girl. Of course, in this case, it’s more about boy gets out of an eight month stint in a mental hospital and meets a girl who is also her own type of type of crazy since the death of her husband. It could be the crazy at brings them together and heals them.

This movie is all about the characters. While you hear about Jennifer Lawrence and how she is going to be nominated for all the awards, Bradley Cooper should be talked about as well. He brings so much truth to the protagonist, and makes us all think we are a little crazy as well, and that may not be a bad thing after all. Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver shine as Cooper’s parents trying to come to terms with their son’s bipolar disorder and violent outbursts. Really, the entire cast list is amazing. And it’s no wonder this movie is beginning to haul in the awards it most definitely deserves.

Grade: A+

There is hardly a show I laugh harder per episode than FX's The League

Movie Review: The Puffy Chair

This movie has a small premise: going to pick up a burgundy chair for a birthday present to a father. Josh, played by Mark Duplass, brings his girlfriend and brother on the journey with him.

For such a small movie, this film has big heart. After watching, I was impressed to find out this was the Duplass brothers first film. And, as always, Duplass’ acting is spot on and truthful.

Grade: B+

Me watching tonight's How I Met Your Mother

I am still hoping beyond hope that the Barney/Patrice romance is just an elaborate ruse to get Robin to realize she wants Barney. And Patrice just wants Robin to be happy so she’s going along with it. Otherwise, I’ll be pissed.

Movie Review: Hope Springs

Centered on a couple (Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones) going through their share of marital problems, Hope Springs shows the complexity of romance after that happily ever after you see in so many films. Seeing her relationship failing, Kay (Streep), decides that she needs to be the one to change things around, hopefully for the better. To do this, she suggests an intensive couples counseling session with Dr. Feld (Steve Carell), and, of course, all sorts of drama and funnies occur.

While I am much younger than the characters in this film, I still can appreciate the troubles that go along with this long marriage, and that is mostly thanks to the great acting. Streep and Jones breath life into this couple and make the conversations with the good doctor seems extra believable. And seriously, I do not now how Carell got through some of that dialogue. I would be bursting out laughing. It really is a testament to these actors how they made these intimate conversations so so honest and real, and not as awkward and horrifying to watch as lesser actors would have done.

I’m sure if I were at this stage of my life, I would appreciate this film more. But it was still a joy to watch.

Grade: B

Why I'm excited for the Homeland season finale

This penultimate episode contained a lot of relief. SPOILER. What with Abu Nazir getting offed, the Brody’s finally admitting to the end of their marriage, and what seems like smooth sailing for Nick and Carrie.

You just know all hell is gonna break loose. I can’t wait until it happens.

I don't normally hope for adultery, but when I do, it's during Homeland.

The Magic of Safety Not Guaranteed

This is truly one of the most surprising and great movies of 2012. Going in, I wasn’t sure how well Aubrey Plaza would be able to carry a movie as a leading role. Thanks to outstanding writing and acting, however, this film proves me wrong.

I’ve said it and other posts and I’ll say it again, Mark Duplass is truly an incredible talent and I am so glad the world is figuring it out this year. His portrayal as the awkward Kenneth that believes in time travel is spot on and completely believable. And his chemistry with Plaza is perfection. The other performances all work to the films benefit, including the supporting Mark Jake Johnson.

I really could watch this movie over and over. The wit is true and the writing is amazing. This really is a film both small in scale and epic in execution.

Grade: A+

Movie Review: You Sister's Sister

What an interesting, quirky, and moving movie we have here.

Centered on Jack (Mark Duplass), Iris (Emily Blunt), and Hannah (Rosemarie Dewitt), this is a movie about a group of people trying to get over loss of love and loss of life. Set one year after the death of his brother, Jack is sent by his best friend Iris on a retreat to think about his life. Who does he meet at the family cabin but Hannah, Iris’ lesbian half-sister. After a round of miscommunications and bad behavior, everything blows up. And the ending… It is not often you see a successful cliffhanger in a small, indie movie. But here we have one, and it is magnificent.

One of the most surprising aspects of the film was the caliber of acting. While Dewitt and Blunt have been known for their dramatic turns, Duplass steals the show. Maybe it’s just because I do not know all of his work, but this is far more dramatic than I am used to seeing him. I’m used to the dumb guy from FX’s The League, or just the talented writer of such awesome films as Jeff, Who Lives at Home and Safety Not Guaranteed. I guess after having seen Safety I should not be surprised, but this film came with a whole lot of other acting challenges, and Duplass pulled them off to a tee.

One of the year’s most underrated films, Your Sister’s Sister is one that everybody should see at least once, if only to know that small and dramatic films can be heartwarming, surprising, funny, and sweet. And, of course, to witness some of the most incredible acting and writing I have seen in any of the movies of 2012.

Grade: A+

Quick Movie Reviews: Pitch Perfect and Breaking Dawn Part 2

Pitch Perfect: Now this was a movie that was one of the biggest surprises of 2012. I remember seeing the trailer and thinking to myself “now this will probably be dumb, but I’ll see it anyway.” Then it came out and got decent reviews and I didn’t get a chance to see it. You can imagine my happiness when it came out on DVD. The movie was hilarious, mostly because of Rebel Wilson. And the singing. Oh the singing. The mash-ups were fantastic and made me want to just get up and sing along. And of course the guy from Spring Awakening and Hamlet 2 was amazing. Down in its heart, this is a sweet coming of age and love story. Just sprinkled with songs and hilarity.

Breaking Dawn Part 2: Another surprising one. Now that doesn’t mean good. Just means better than I expected. And I like the twist that wasn’t really a twist at the end. Almost made me sad for some of the characters. But really, I still just felt bad for Rob Pattinson sitting through all the premieres having to watch him and that cheating lady make googly eyes at each other. But anyway bottom line: better than I thought, still not great.

American Horror Story: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

• Well that is just about the creepiest Santa ever.
• Exactly what I’ve always wanted: hair ornaments for my Christmas tree from the heads of mentally insane people.
• How in the world is Sister Jude not dead after last week?
• Well that was a horrifying and depressing Nazi death camp story. I cannot wait unti Dr. Arden meets his death.
• I didn’t realize how offensive Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer was to Catholics until today.
• You know it’s a good episode when Joseph Fiennes is in it.
• Now there are teeth in the tree?!?!?!
• Oh yes, it makes perfect sense to make the deranged murderous Santa the Santa for the insane asylum.
• Well at least two outside people know who the real Bloody Face is.
• Well I could’ve told you that Santa was a bad idea.
• Oh shit Threadson is back! Not that I’m all that surprised at all.
• Just what I wanted to happen: the introduction of an all new Bloody Face.
• Just when I was about to forget about the aliens….

Quick Movie Reviews: Lincoln and Skyfall

Lincoln: This is a film about trying to pass the Thirteenth Amendment. And boy, for what it was, it was very exciting. Of course, people go into it thinking there’d be more scenes dealing with the war and other famous Lincoln speeches. While there were certainly several parts that dragged, this was one superbly acted film. Daniel Day Lewis deserves all the awards come Oscar time. Sally Field was terrific. James Spader was hilarious. Even if you like nothing else about this movie, you can still say you’ve seen acting perfection.

Skyfall: Wow, this was, for lack of a more eloquent phrase, a kick-ass movie. It starts out action packed and continues to keep the audience on the edge of their seats throughout its rather long runtime. Daniel Craig is James Bond perfection. And Javier Bardem is cinemas best villain. You cannot look away from the destruction he causes, no matter how you might want to. And there was James Bond backstory! And a big twist! I couldn’t leave the theater without thinking how fantastic the next movies will be with the new revamped story ahead. Sam Mendes, I commend you for creating an action film so engrossing and fantastic that I forgot how much action movies could suck.

Why I still love How I Met Your Mother

In honor of a brand new HIMYM tonight, I thought I would take the time to describe why this show is one of my favorites of all time.

Yes, I understand that some story lines the past few years have been rocky, to say the very least. And I know that it is far from the top of it’s game (oh seasons 1-4, how I miss you so). And there is some merit in people complaining about not meeting the mother yet (hey, look at the name of the show). But all of that does not take away the show’s heart. 

This is a show depicting the lives of our five heroes: Ted, Barney, Robin, Lily, and Marshall. In truth, it is more about how they have all grown through the years more than it is about finding out who the mother is. Why does the audience really need to fall in love with the mother in order to call this show a success? It is about Ted and the rest of the gang growing up and figuring out their lives. And the show continues to showcase this, even in its worst episodes. Still, not an episode goes by where I don’t feel connected to these characters who I have grown to love over the years, and not an episode goes by where I don’t laugh at a dumb joke.

To the writers of Dexter

Why’d you have to bring back the whole Deb is in love with her adopted brother storyline?

Sincerely,

The World

P.S. I guess it wasn’t the worst way to handle that situation. I won’t be mad at you forever I guess.

P.P.S. I really did not expect the Isaac is gay storyline to happen. I like it.

Quick Recap of Hameland, season 2 episode 8

So essentially this is what happened on this week’s Homeland:

Dana goes to confess and confide in Mike, who is essentially the coolest pseudo father-figure ever. Brody and Carrie do the dirty with the whole CIA team listening (that’s gotta be super awkward at work the next day). Carrie denies she has any real feelings for Brody (like anyone believes that). Roya is up to some shady business. Carrie needs to learn how to follow direct orders. And Brody gets into a mysterious helicopter, taken by Abu Nazir himself.

And, as usual, all acting was top-notch and killer.

Thoughts on The Walking Dead, episode 6 (SPOILERS)

I’m back and ready to be a little better with my take on recapping some of my favorite shows. Which basically consists of my writing down my first reactions to crazy awesome scenes. First up: The Walking Dead!

• That biter-gram is pure genius. I just want Michonne around forever.
• What is the point of calling if you can’t say where you are?
• If it wasn’t for the Governor’s charm, Andrea would’ve been out of that place a long time ago.
• The people on the phone’s standards for survivors seem to be a little high.
• Nice ponytail Hershel.
• That is some serious gut-busting zombie killing.
• There is no way Carol is actually dead, right?
• I swear, these phone people are just trying to make Rick go even crazier than he already is. WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE!?!?!?!
• I predict Merle is going to be in some trouble when they all find out that Michonne isn’t dead yet.
• Andrea, listen to me, you have to get the hell out of there.
• And now Merle and Michonne found our survivors. This can’t end well.
• Welp, Rick is completely insane. And he’s going to go even more insane if the baby grows up to look exactly like Shane.
• CAROL!!!!! CAROL’S ALIVE! She and Daryl are going to have one sweet reunion.

Why Daryl Dixon in one of the greatest characters on television

Reason #1

He’s good with babies, even though ten minutes earlier he is a ruthless zombie killer.

Thoughts on The Walking Dead, episode 3

There was some more zombie killing extravaganzas on tonight’s Walking Dead. Instead of doing a normal recap of the whole episode, I’m going to start a tradition of writing down all my thoughts as the episode airs. This won’t be an every episode of every show I watch kind of thing, just every once in a while. So here goes….. hope it works out.

• So much excellent zombie killing. As always.
• Oh, Michonne cut off her zombie pet’s heads….. I’m not sure why I’m sad about that
• Merle is back!
• What in the heck is wrong with Andrea?
• Merle is a little bitter, isn’t he?
• I am not so sure about this Governor guy. And Woodbury.
• Well now I know where I’d want to live during the zombie apocalypse. Heck, I’d almost move to Woodbury now (famous last words, I know). 
• There is some weirdness going on at this place.
• Trouble in paradise with Andrea and Michonne.
• Well the Governor seems to have some anger, doesn’t he?
• So many secrets!
• Andrea, stop flirting with the Governor to find out his real name.
• WHAT IN THE HECK ARE ALL THOSE ZOMBIE HEADS DOING THERE?!?!?!?!
• I kind of want to go back to the prison.

For the last few months, I’ve made it my mission to watch shows I never gave a chance or just weren’t on when I became a TV nerd. Here they are.

Will & Grace: hilarious and heartwarming. Series finally brought massive tears.

Twin Peaks: crazy, weird, still don’t quite understand it. But great because of all that.

Veronica Mars: didn’t expect that to be good based on its network. First season was surprising and had great twists and turns. Unfortunately, the series finale was not up to par.

Party Down: I went in already loving members of the cast (namely Adam Scott). And it was fun to find all the Veronica Mars actors. Witty and entertaining, and worth a hell of a lot more than what it got.

Louie: I know this show is still on, but I only just got into it. So awkward, but funny because of it. Louis CK is the kind of guy you can’t help but feel bad for, but cheer on at the same time.

The Good Wife: this is the only one on the list I’m not all the way through yet. In fact, I’m about 4 episodes in. But I tell you, holy crap am I upset I never watched before. I heard it was good, I just didn’t know how good. So much intrigue, just don’t know what’s going to happen next.

Movie Review in Brief: Looper

Highly original. Fantastic acting. Fierce special effects. And an ending I did not see coming at all. Is there really anything more to say? Oh yeah: Joseph Gordon Levitt. Enough said.

See, I told you that would be brief.