The Lorax

The Lorax - face of Lorax on orange background

Movie


Storyline: A 12-year-old boy searches to win the affection of the young girl of his dreams. Boy believes the key is to find the story of Lorax, charming but grumpy creature who fights to protect his world.

Genre: Animation

PG | 1 hour 35 minutes

Shows “On the Bubble” – Canceled or Renew

Logos from The River, Hart of Dixie, Body of Proof, 90210, Smash, Cougar Town, Person of Interest, CSI NY, Fringe, Nikita, The Secret Circle, CSI Miami

TV Review


Television series depend heavily on Nielsen ratings. Sometimes you will see a series moved into a different time slots or different days to boost ratings. The average episode count for a full season on prime time a little over 20 episodes.

Initially a new television series will receive an initial order of 13 episodes. However, nine or less episodes may be produced and even less aired.

There is what is called “The Bubble” were a series tethers on cancellation or renewal. This depends on several factors.

Strength of ratings of that series overall. Star power of the actors on the show. Weakness of other series within that particular network. Studio executives willing to extend the series for another year.

Top Chef Season 9 Reunion

Top Chef Season 9 chefs sit in double rows of chair for reunion

TV Review

Top Chef - Season 9, Episode 17: “Reunion.”


After 16 episodes it’s easy to forget the first chef-estants who were eliminated. It was nice to see everybody in a casual atmosphere including the judges.

Congratulations to Paul. He won $185,000, a trip to Costa Rica, and a Prius. Knowing his parents were proud of him, for what appeared to be the first time in his life, meant more to him than anything (aww).

Malibu Chris and Grayson flirt-Tweet with each other. Don’t worry gals, Malibu Chris is single and available. Small discussion of a photo of Ty’s naked butt (don’t ask). A montage of Grayson’s antics including her Girl Scout frog song (you had to be there).

Then there was the cry-fest montage, which included almost every chef. After that, a parody titled -- Mediocre Top Chef. After those long car trips it was just something Edward conceptualize. Editing team put a montage of clips with Padma’s voice over (super funny!).

Last Chance Kitchen montage where Nyesha had four consecutive wins. Beverly arrived. Not a single chef of the rejects accepted her.

NYC 22 - Cops on Foot Patrol

NYC 22 Cast Members all in police uniforms gather around a police car

Pilot Review


How many police shows have you seen on television? Too many. So what makes NYC 22 different than the rest? Firstly, the two executive producers, Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal.

Secondly, we follow six rookie cops on foot patrol on the streets of Manhattan. It’s refreshing no one’s driving around in a police car. Most of the action outside on the streets.

NYC 22 follows the six new rookie cops:

Jennifer ‘White House’ Perry former Marine MP stationed in Iraq.
Jayson “Jackpot” Toney former pro basketball player.
Ray “Lazarus” Harper newspaper reporter of 14 years.
Tonya Sanchez background from a crime family.
Ahmad ‘Kiterunner’ Khan Afghani native who moved to the US.
Kenny McLaren fourth generation cop.

The most famous face of course, Leelee Sobieski -- “White House.”

Once Upon a Time – Snow White’s Grumpy falls in Love

Once Upon a Time - Nova (Amy Acker) a Fairy kisses Grumpy (Lee Arenberg) Snow White's dwarf

TV Review

Once Upon a Time - Season 1, Episode 14: “Dreamy.”


In fairytale land dwarfs hatch out of an egg. (Don’t ask who or what laid the eggs for I haven’t a clue.)

One particular egg accidentally sprinkled with magic fairy dust. Which dwarf was it?

Grumpy.

Of all of Snow White’s 7 dwarfs it was Grumpy who got a little somethin’ special. He hatched first. Then the other dwarfs (including Stealthy who died in another episode).

Each dwarf given a pickax. (Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, off to work we go…) Once a dwarf took the pickax a name immediately embedded on the handle according to the true nature of the dwarf. Doc, Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, Happy, Bashful, Dreamy...

DREAMY?

Grumpy was “Dreamy” before he became Grumpy. So what happened?

The Big Bang Theory – One Flew Over The Cuoco’s Hair Cut

The Big Bang Theory - Penny's eyes bulge as she trimmed back of Sheldon's hair, huge gap of hair missing

TV Review

The Big Bang Theory - Season 5, Episode 18: “The Werewolf Transformation.”


The universe tumbled into chaos.

Why? Sheldon’s barber went to the hospital. Sheldon then was unable to get his hair cut at the regular appointed time.

The world will end but maybe just for Sheldon. The world however did topple a little for Leonard. He taught Penny (Kaley Cuoco) how to play chess. She moved her horsey and asked, ‘Is that checkmate?’ Now mind you this was her first time playing the game.

‘Give me a second.’

Face it Leonard. Penny just served you a can of whoop-ass. You got beat by the dumb blonde. You could almost hear Leonard's brain s-n-a-p. He mumbled that she got lucky. Uh, huh.

Taylor Swift - Ours

Taylor Swift dressed in white sits on a blue framed bed

Music


Taylor Swift’s song “Ours” slid into #1 on the Billboard Country Charts. “Ours” comes from Taylor’s 3rd mulit-platinum selling studio album Speak Now. She wrote the song herself.

“Ours” is currently on several Billboard charts including Top 100, Radio Songs, Digital Songs, MySpace Songs, and Canadian Hot 100.

Her music video is a live action short. It’s was fun to watch Taylor Swift work at a 9-5 job. She wore no make up. Wore drab clothing. Worked in a drab office environment.

The rat race of a boring job but Taylor found a way to make the music video interesting. There’s a nice comedic moment with the copy machine and at the water cooler.

The Good Wife – Will dodged a Grand Jury Bullet

The Good Wife - Will stands in Grand Jury room doorway with thumb's up

TV Review

The Good Wife - Season 3, Episode 14: “Another Ham Sandwich.”


Will narrowly escaped the grand jury indictment bullet. Through some clever misdirection and misplaced trust he was free. Here’s how it went down.

Special prosecutor Wendy Scott-Carr (ambitious political climber) had enough evidence (though not obtained legally) to bring Will before the grand jury.

An interesting fact about grand juries is that the prosecutor can ask any question on any subject. The defendant cannot have a defense lawyer present (doesn’t seem fair).

Will’s lawyer zany Elsbeth Tascioni strategy was to have those who took the stand to mention Peter Florrick during their testimony. That would bring unwarranted attention back to the state attorney’s office.

Good strategy! It actually worked until Wendy focused on the McDermott case involving Judge Parker.

Do you remember that huge file Kalinda handed over to Dana at the bar? It was a trade to keep Alicia out of jail and to give the prosecution information against Will. That huge file was the McDermott case files. Wendy’s focus turned to a possible bribery between Will and Judge Parker.

The Voice – Part 1 Blind Auditions

The Voice - judge in chairs Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Blake Sheldon

TV Review

The Voice - Season 2, Episode 1: “Blind Auditions #1.”



Sophomore year for The Voice and a much welcome change after the debacle of The X Factor. All four original judges return: Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton. Host Carson Daly returns in fine form as well.

If you have not seen The Voice, first are the blind auditions. The judges sit in their chairs with their backs turned toward the singer. This allows the judges to choose “voice” alone over any physical characteristics or performance by an singing contestant unlike American Idol.

If the judge likes what he or she hears, they press a button, which turns their chair around to face the singer. If more than one judge turns around then it is up to the singer to decide who will mentor them during the competition. If not one single judge turns their chair then the competition is over for that particular singer.

Haywire

Haywire Movie - Mallory (Gina Carano) fires a machine gun

Movie


Storyline: Covert operative Mallory Kane hired by government security contractor is sent on a rescue mission to free a journalist who is held hostage. Once she completed the mission Mallory is double-crossed and left for dead by her own agency. In order to survive she uses her black-op military training to outwit the assassins who know how she operates and takes vengeance on those who betrayed her.

Tagline: They left Her no Choice

Genre: Action / Thriller

R | 1 Hour 33 minutes
Actors:
Gina Carano…................Mallory
Channing Tatum..............Aaron
Michael Douglas.............Coblenz
Antonio Banderas...........Rodrigo
Ewan McGregor..............Kenneth

Director:
Steven Soderbergh

Rotten Tomato Reviews:
Critics – 80%
Audience – 42%

Verdict: Simplistic espionage-action movie mixed with incredible martial arts scenes. This felt like a real movie rather than an overproduced spy film filled with hi-tech gadgets.

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Syfy Dream Machines - Rapper 50 Cent's Jet Car

Dream Machines - Rapper 50 Cent's Jet Car

Pilot Review


If you can dream it, they can build it!

New reality series from the Syfy Channel's two-part pilot introduced the Parker Brothers Concepts. Unlike most reality series involving motorcycles or automobiles this is not a rebuild or an overhaul.

Parker Brother Concepts will build your dream machine from the ground up. One-of-a-kind. The company owned by a pair of brothers. Shanon Parker is chief designer and fabricator. Marc Parker is the engineer and fabrication specialist.

Shanon scribbles.
Marc builds.

Parker Brothers Concepts commissioned by rapper 50 Cent to build his Dream Machine.  He wanted a mix of a Formula 1 racing car, fighter jet, and alien spaceship.

Seriously?

Top Chef – Paul Wins!

Top Chef - Paul Qui smiles as he leans against the judges table

TV Review

Top Chef - Season 9, Episode 16: “Finale.”


Down to two chefs-estants. Paul and Queen of Mean Mini-Me Sarah. Finale can make or break the chef. Much hinges on the members they choose for their team.

Past chefs returned with the exclusion of Lindsay and Beverly. (Yes, the Queen of Mean Heather was there.) There was a bonus of two well-regarded James Beard winners.

Everyone had 45 minutes to create a dish. Paul and Sarah then tasted each dish and determined their team according to the quality of the dish.

Paul’s team: Barbara Lynch (James Beard winner), Ty, Cute Chris, and Keith.
Sarah’s team: Nyesha, Tyler, Heather, and Grayson.

Paul scored big with the James Beard winner chef Barbara. Sarah took a guess at which dish Heather prepared and picked Tyler. Tom booted him on first show because Tyler didn’t know how to butcher meat.

That was stupid move Sarah! You picked the dish not the person. She missed the opportunity to have the other James Beard chef on her team.

Beyoncé and her baby Blue Ivy

Beyoncé holds her newborn baby Blue Ivy

Celebrity


Beyoncé Knowles and Jay Z offered a few cool million for exclusives photos of their newborn baby girl from a print magazine. Did they take the money and run?

No!

As one of the richest couples in all of Hollywood set up a Tumblr blog titled, “Hello Blue Ivy Carter.” They posted five cute pictures of their newborn free for the public to view.

Once Upon A Time – The "UGH" Episode

Once Upon a Time - Car wrecked near the "Leaving Storybrooke" sign

TV Review

Once Upon a Time - Season 1, Episode 13: “What Happened to Frederick.”


Episode in a word – UGH! Let’s take a trip to fairytale land.

Abigail set to marry Prince Charming to unite the two kingdoms together. Prince Charming loves Snow White. Abigail loves Frederick.

Who’s Frederick?

Just some knight turned into gold that saved the life of King Midas (the curse of Midas is that anything Midas touches turns to gold).

What Abigail needed was magic water from a lake to resurrect Frederick. Many have tried but lost their lives. Prince Charming said he was fearless and brave. He would retrieve the magical water.

Ugh!

Charming went to the lake. He filled his drinking pouch with water.

Double ugh!

The Middle – Quit Nagging Me!

The Middle - Parents sit on sofa as Axl (Charlie McDermott), Brick (Atticus Shaffer) and Sue ( Eden Sher) show notes make in black marker by their mom (Patricia Heaton) on their bodies

TV Review

The Middle - Season 3, Episode 17: “The Sit Down.”


Nag, nag, nag, nag, n-a-g!

The kids don’t do as they’re told. Frankie wrote marker notes on her kid’s body parts to remind them of their responsibilities. (Would you trust those kids?)
Main issues were:
  • Axl needs to read his book and write a book report
  • Brick needs to return coffee maker lent by Frankie from her workplace
  • Sue needs to not lose her winter coat
Parents plopped on their bed in exhaustion. What to do, what to do…

Frankie and Mike summoned kids into the living room. Kids asked for a “sit down.” Mind you, the parents were contemplating the same thing. Kids beat them to it.

The argument was clear; let the kids show they are responsible by leaving them alone. (Sort of had disaster written all over it, don’t  ya think.) The parents agreed, albeit reluctantly.

No nagging of any kind. Zip. Zilch. Zero.

2011 Top Ten Highest Paid Male Movie Actors

Head shot of Leonardo DiCaprio

Movie


List of the top earning actors fluctuates year by year. One year an actor may have a big blockbuster hit in his pocket. The following year he could bomb in a very poorly written, poorly directed, and overproduced movie. Here are Top 10 movie actor moneymakers.

1. Leonardo Dicaprio – $77 million
Shutter Island, Inception, and J. Edgar skyrocketed Leo to the top. He made his money not only acting but also through his production company Appian Way Productions. DiCaprio will star in a new rendition of The Great Gatsby this year.

 2. Johnny Depp – $50 million
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Rango both blockbuster hits for Depp. Hollywood’s chameleon actor will a film version of the cult television show Dark Shadows directed by Tim Burton this year.

Grey’s Anatomy – I Heart You

Grey’s Anatomy - Grey's Anatomy - Nightime on street Karev and Meredith stand next to ambulance, 3 bodies lie on street

TV Review

Grey’s Anatomy - Season 8, Episode 9: “Dark Was the Night”


A patient’s heart screwed by a screw. Meredith’s heart broken by the loss of Zola. Yang’s heart broken by the death of her mentor’s husband. Teddy’s heart yet to break.

Teddy’s husband Henry coughed blood into a tub (ew). His heart about to give out, but he doesn’t know that. No one does, yet. Got him prepped ready for surgery. Took Teddy long enough to fall in love her husband in that fake marriage.

Meredith got a call from social worker who told her, “Move on.” Zola will not become part of their family. That was the only baby for Meredith. No surrogate. No adoption. She is done. Heart break #1.

Callie’s patient developed complications. Screw set to stabilize the patient’s spine poked her heart. Teddy had to operate immediately. Avery did the original solo surgery while Callie read a magazine.

Bailey said to Torres it happens to everybody. (Why don’t I find that a comfort?) Heart break #2.

Pan Am – Bye, Bye! Thanks for Flying into our Living Rooms

Pan Am cast - Dean ( Mike Vogel), Maggie (Christina Ricci), Colette (Karine Vanasse), Ted (Michael Mosley), Laura (Margot Robbie), Kate (Kelli Garner) stand on hotel balcony at night

TV Review

Pan Am - Season 1, Episode 13: “1964.”


New Year’s Eve 1963. Dean, Ted, Maggie, Kate, Laura, and Colette stood on a hotel balcony waiting for the New York ball to drop.

Backup a few days Kate found herself in the middle of a double agent double-cross. Richard her handler was shot. He came to her apartment. Showed her a small capsule that contained film filled with secret information the Soviets wanted.

No one knew Richard was gone so when she bumped into the British agent she had once work with and by chance he asked her she knew Richard's whereabouts.

Kate set up the British agent. Had him confess verbally while he held her at gunpoint. He was taken out by a handful of spies. Kate now in the big leagues asked to quit Pan Am and join the C.I.A.

Ted said no to crazy lesbian Amanda. He did not want to marry her. It took him a while but he discovered he was in love with Laura. To his surprise Laura loved him as well. What bomb was dropped?

Country Singer's tour bus EXPLODES!

Tour bus on fire as 3 men stand in foreground, fireman stand near smoldering bus

Celebrity


Country singer Jerrod Niemann sang at Hearts Strings for Hope benefit concert for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

It was late Tuesday (March 6th) night in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After the concert, the 32-year-old singer boarded his tour bus with his band, and family members his father and uncle.

When Jerrod Newman stepped inside the bus he noticed a nasty smell emanating from the heater. Songwriter John Stone, one of the passengers that night, also noticed a foul smell. Stone said to Newman,

'Dude, I think your bus is on fire.'

The “Lover, Lover” singer Niemann refuted and said,

'No, that’s the heater.'

By chance Stone was on Lee Brice’s tour bus when it caught on fire (Stone needs to get better travel buddies). Stone was adamant. Brice was also present having just performed a gig, so both Stone and Brice got off the bus to take a look.

FIRE!

Nikita – The Truth Isn’t What You Think It Is

Nikita - Nikita (aggie Q) peers out from behind a wall

TV Review

Nikita - Season 2, Episode 10: "Guardians."


Birkhoff’s out of commission. Amanda smashed his hand with a hammer.

Michael’s playing daddy with son in England. He’s out of the picture. Alex smuggled her way back into Russia to kill Semak who killed her mother and father.
That left Nikita alone, sort of.

Remember Owen? He's that cute guy (cuter than Michael). Regimen-drug addict turned super human fighting machine with a few side effects. Well, Nikita reached out to him. Sure Owen’s a good guy, but the truth, he’s in cahoots with the Russians.

Double crossed-crossed.

One black box destroyed so Nikita sought Owen’s help to find another. Yes, Owen did track the location of a Guardian. When they got there, Guardian’s gone, so was the black box.

Percy sent a message for Guardians to relocate through a crossword puzzle that The Cleaner decoded. Amanda’s none the wiser.

Don’t underestimate Percy.

Revenge – How DARE you point a Gun at my Head

Revenge - Emily has a gun pointed at her head

TV Review

Revenge - Season 1, Episode 11: “Duress.”


Emily had her own gun held to her head. Tyler had just flown over the cuckoo’s nest.

Back up two days earlier. Daniel did not want a fuss over his birthday. Emily suggested a clambake on the beach. Victoria deflated that her son wanted something so trite, but she agreed. She asked Ashley to get her overqualified self over to Emily’s and plan the party.

Emily and Nolan had fallen out of connection. She swung by his place to apologize. Both unaccustomed to friendships and apologizes. He accepted. (Oh goodie, revenge team back in full swing.)

Nolan tracked Tyler’s phone with GPS signal. Helpful, but only to a point. Meanwhile Daniel agreed to go back to work with dad. But only to spy for mom.

Conrad fired Tyler. But slick psycho boy had other plans. Tyler confronted Conrad about video he had in his possession. Grayson’s bodyguard harassed Lydia before she fell off the balcony.

Resident Evil Retribution

Alice shooting two guns, behnd her men dressed in black with weapons, explosions and helicopters above

Movie


Resident Evil: Retribution 3-D movie is the fifth installment of the zombie theme franchise starring
Milla Jovovich.

It’s been 10 years since the first Resident Evil movie and there’s chatter in Hollywood of a possible 6th installment.

Milla trained in Wu Shu, Kung Fu, Tae Kwan Do, and Brazilian Ju Jitsu. She also trained in sticks, swords and other weaponry. She’s by far the #1 Female Action movie action hero to date, but not one of the highest paid female actors.

Once Upon a Time – Beauty and the Beast

Once Upon a Time - Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle) kisses Belle (Emilie de Ravin)

TV Review

Once Upon a Time - Season 1, Episode 12: “Skin Deep.”


Rumpelstiltskin was-is a monster, but not according to Belle. This was the story of Beauty and the Beast.

I didn’t think it was possible, but Rumpelstiltskin the most powerful person in fairytale land was far more ‘human’ than the evil Queen.

During the Ogre wars a man asked for the assistance of Rumpel to save his family and friends. Of course, any deal with Rumpel came at a price. Belle (no, she did not read books) would become the caretaker of Rumpel’s house. Belle agreed.

Rumpelstiltskin spun straw into gold, that’s his thing. Beautiful Belle took care of his house, that became her thing. Like the story Beauty and the Beast, Belle became less intimidated or afraid of Rumpel. In fact, she found him funny. They actually enjoyed each others company.

Katy Perry - Part of Me

Katy Perry dressed in camouflage shirt and hat with camaouflage paint on her face

Music


Katy Perry’s “Part of Me” official music video made its debut on MTV this week.

Unlike most abstract cheaply produced music videos this live action video actually tells a story.

Young woman discovered her boyfriend cheated on her. She breaks up with him and joins the Marines. When Katy donned her camouflage uniform it reminded me a little of the movie Private Benjamin. However, Katy totally went all out G.I. Jane.
She cut her own hair in a bathroom at a gas station. Went through rigors of basic training. Even fired a machine gun. You go Katy Perry!

Reports state that Katy Perry put herself through boot camp to train for the video, which was filmed at Camp Pendleton. Video does indeed feature real Marines.

Glee – OMG! What happened to Quinn?

Glee - Quinn texts on cell phone while she drives, truck about to hit her car

TV Review

Glee - Season 9, Episode 15: “On My Way.”


On My Way

Finn and Rachel agreed to elope after regionals. Un-be-live-able! Coach Sylvester is pregnant. Un-be-live-able! Karofsky attempted suicide. Un-be-live-able! And Quinn in a car accident that could

Sebastian from the Warblers attempted to blackmail Rachel. He won’t post fake pictures of a naked Finn in high heels if she doesn’t perform at regionals.

Rachel told Finn she would perform because her N.Y.A.D.A. application depended on a win at regionals. Did it finally get through that thick head of Finn that ambition comes before love for Rachel?

Karofsky hid his gayness. But his new school classmates found out. Karosfky went through the same harassment Kurt suffered. (Karma.) Unlike Kurt, he didn’t have the stomach for it. Inter-cuts as Blaine belted “Cough Syrup” with Karosfky quietly prepping to hang himself.

Castle – How to Pick Up Women Guide

Castle - room full of women

TV Review

Castle - Season 4, Episode 11: “Till Death Do Us Part.”

A male’s naked body tossed out the window falls onto a fresh fruit cart. Fruit didn’t make it. Neither did the man. However, he died of poison not the fall.

Deadly game of sex-pionage. The victim was a pick-up artist tangled in corporate spy games. Episode was so convoluted it was hard to keep up.

Let me get to the subplots:
  • Ryan fasted for his upcoming nuptials with Jenny
  • Esposito upset Lanie had a plus-1 for the wedding
  • Esposito brought his cousin to the wedding
  • Castle’s mother and daughter on shopping spree for expensive gowns
Okay, that pretty much covers it. Beckett had anyone who’d slept with the victim brought in for questioning. When she entered the room there were at least a dozen gorgeous women. Victim was not a good-looking Casanova.  So how did he do it?

2011 Top 10 Highest Paid Female Movie Actors

Head shot of Angelina Jolie

Movie


Female actors were quite successful this year. Though they don’t amass the cash like the men, women were a force at the box office in 2011. Here are the Top 10 female actor moneymakers.

1. Angelina Jolie – $30 million
Kung-Fu Panda was a voice-over gig for Jolie, however that animation flick fattened her pocket book. Jolie dubbed as a female action hero star.

2. Sarah Jessica Parker – $30 million
I Don’t Know How She Does It and New Year’s Eve were two movies Jessica starred in last year. However, she has more than one pot in the fire. She designed clothes with Halston. Parker also has a line of best-selling fragrances which brought in $18 million. Jessica’s upcoming feature is a voice-over gig for the movie Escape from Planet Earth.

The Big Bang Theory – Roommate Agreement Annulled

The Big Bang Theory - Leonard holds a big light saber, Sheldon holds a small glow stick

TV Review

The Big Bang Theory - Season 5, Episode 15: “The Friendship Contraction.”


Why, oh why would anyone agree to roommate agreement?

Especially in a binding agreement with Sheldon. Brilliant scientist however antisocial with zip, zilch, zero cultural skills. Leonard fell into the trap just the same. He needed a place to stay at the time.

The emergency preparedness drill occurred quarterly according to the roommate agreement. This prepared Sheldon and Leonard for any natural disaster or nuclear fallout or the world coming to an end. (Seriously?)

Leonard had gone along with the crazy that is Sheldon but this was the breaking point. Up in the middle of the night. Wear hazard vest and hardhat helmets. That's it!

Under Clause 209 in the roommate agreement (omg), once agreed upon removed friendship between roommates (if only such a clause existed between friends).

This also reduced the relationship to the bare essentials.

‘Sup.’

Top Chef – There’s no Justice in the World

Top Chef - Lindsay, Sarah, Paul each hold a butcher knife

TV Review

Top Chef - Season 9, Episode 15: “Fire and Ice.”


There’s no justice in the world. Just saying...

Quickfire

Chefs in Vancouver but the challenge took place in Chinatown. Huh? Didn’t that seem a bit odd. What I did like was former Top Chef Masters (all Asian) paired in this challenge.
  • Lindsay – Anita Lo.
  • Sarah – Floyd Cardoz.
  • Paul – Takashi Yagihashi.
I remember Anita Lo. She was one tough cookie so I thought Lindsay would have the upper hand. Tag team challenge.

Masters would start an Asian inspired dish for 10 minutes, then without communicating, they stepped out of the kitchen. The chefs had to think quickly what the Masters had conceptualized.

Pretty much everyone was on the same page as the Masters. After 10 minutes, the Masters came back in. Then after 10 minutes, the chefs finished the dish and plated. Took 40 minutes to complete.

No one made any major mistakes but the best dish went to Sarah. (I don’t think she would have been on top without a Top Chef Master at her side.) Her winning dish with Floyd’s direction: Pan-seared cod with coconut curry, crab salad with clementine and amaranth.

She won $20,000. She had not won a dime before that moment. Now, the Queen of Mean Mini-Me won big. There’s no justice in the world.

Elimination Challenge

Five hours to cook. Around 150 people to serve. Must prepare one dish and one cocktail. This had disaster written all over it. That theme was "Fire & Ice." Lindsay couldn’t decide whether to take it literal or not. (Second-guessing never a good thing.)

Since I am ridiculously lost when it comes to alcoholic drinks I’m not even going there.
 The dishes were:
  • Lindsay – Halibut with fiery celery root salad
  • Sarah – Five greens filled pasta with garlic, chili, and spiced sformato
  • Paul – King crab with lobster broth and lemon snow
Paul’s technique was the best for both the cocktail and the dish. Sarah’s “ice” part was frozen. It missed the mark because sauce was to melt over the cannoli. Lindsay was in La-La-land. She played it extremely safe.

She got the boot. Lindsay had a bad day. Unfortunate for Lindsay. Fortunate for Sarah. Paul won the challenge and a trip to Costa Rica. Sarah got second place.

Paul and Sarah will fight it out for the title of Top Chef. Sarah made it to the finale?

Again, there’s no justice in the world...
Watch Top Chef Wednesdays 10/9c on Bravo.

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner had baby boy

Bearded Ben Affleck and pregnant Jennifer Garner walk down the sidewalk

Celebrity


Ben Affleck (39) and Jennifer Garner (39) had a baby boy!

Affleck wrote on his Facebook page:

“We are happy to announce on February 27, Jennifer gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Samuel Garner Affleck.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have two daughters: Violet, 6, and Seraphina, 3. Baby Samuel was born in Santa Monica, California on Monday.

Affleck and Garner were married in 2005 in a private ceremony while Jennifer was already three months pregnant with their first child.

The couple met on the set of the movie Daredevil.

Once Upon A Time – The 3 Faces of Rumpelstiltskin

Once Upon a Time - Rumplestiltskin as a normal man, Dark Lord, and Mr. Gold

TV Review

Once Upon a Time - Season 1, Episode 8: “Desperate Souls.”


The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Regina is Emma’s enemy. Mr. Gold is Regina’s enemy. That makes Emma and Mr. Gold uh, friends. That’s so wrong on so many levels.

Some light shed into the origins of Rumpelstiltskin, the most dangerous man of Storybrooke. I thought he was like the Evil Queen -- once wicked, always wicked. Not true.

In fairytale land Rumpel lived in a humble abode with his son 13-year old son Bae. Knights rode into village took a 14-year old girl. Age that a child’s drafted into the Ogre Wars. Rumpel’s son would be drafted within three days.

Rumpel did what any father would do, run. He’s so different than his usual plotting, conniving, and wicked self. Rumpel’s actually a likable man who loved his son. He did limp so when I said run, I meant amble fast.

Rumpel and his son crossed paths with a beggar. He told Rumpel the only way to save his son was to steal The Dark One’s dagger. Uh, Stilt-skinny branded as a coward. He went AWOL during Ogre wars. Wife left him for that. (Rumpel told son mom was dead.)

Pan Am – Colette danced with a Prince

Pan Am - At a black-tie ball Colette (Karine Vanasse) dances with Prince Omar (Piter Marek)

TV Review

Pan Am - Season 1, Episode 12: “New Frontiers.”


Never a dull moment with flight attendants.

Maggie finally told Ted about Amanda (who kissed her). Of course Ted furious, didn’t believe Amanda would kiss another woman. Maggie cut him off and said it was fine. She was just joking.

It wasn’t a joke when he saw Amanda hug Laura in his living room. Laura went to Ted for financial help. Tasteful nude photos of Laura currently hung at a gallery.

She wanted to buy the lot of them before the real buyer Andy Warhol bought them. She needed $500. A lot of money back then. Amanda’s rich. That’s pocket change. Amanda wrote Laura a check and then gave her a nice tight hug.

Yeah, Ted, your girl is sooo not into you. Amanda finally confessed she’s more comfortable with women (ya think?). But that shouldn’t dampen their 2-story house white picket fence dream. They could have an “open” marriage.

Seriously Ted, run!

Bent - Broken beyond Repair

Bent - Amanda Peet and four cast members behind a huge hole in wall

Pilot Review


NBC’s new comedy Bent starring Amanda Peet pilot aired last night. Critics from the Huffington Post and The LA Times gave the show positive reviews.

Did we watch the same pilot?!

NBC will broadcast six episodes in all, two at a time for the next three weeks. From there the executives will decide whether to place Bent in its network’s lineup.

I found the show:
  • Utterly dull
  • Utterly uninteresting
  • Utterly contrived
  • Utterly unfunny

No laugh track, which was a plus. Way too many characters, which was a minus. Story premise about a lawyer Alex Meyers (Amanda Peet) whose husband went to prison for insider trading. No mention of divorce either way, she must raise her daughter Charlie (Joey King) on her own.

Do you see any originality?

Rizzoli & Isles – Season Finale a Burning Mess

Rizzoli & Isles - Maura walks with her mother Constance

TV Review

Rizzoli & Isles - Season 2, Episode 15: "Burning Down the House."


Death by fire. Awful way to go. Sort of like this season finale -- a burning mess.

Maura and her mother went out to dinner. Her mother Constance came to the realization she wasted a lot of quality time she could have had with her daughter. It was a tender moment. Then...

BAM!

Black 70s canoe-of-a-car varooms toward them. Mother pushes Maura out of the way. Up on the hood mother flipped, crashed the windshield, fell off the hood onto the street. Maura faced down between two parked cars. Black car disappeared. Isles cried out to her mother.

Jane had a date with former lover F.B.I. Agent Dean (not as cute as current solider boyfriend). Got the call about the accident and met Isles at hospital. Touch and go for Constance. Isles told Rizzoli, ‘Go do what you do best.’

Hart of Dixie – The Bitter Lemon Drop

Hart of Dixie - Lemon (Jaime King) embraces George (Scott Porter) outside surrounded by Christmas decorations

TV Review

Hart of Dixie - Season 1, Episode 10: "Hairdos & Holidays."


Every girl in Blue Bell wants to be crowned the new Miss Cinnamon Cider. Or was that Miss Cinnamon Stick?

Oh, it’s cinnamon something. That pageant story was on the surface. What was really interesting was Lemon’s back story on her mom and all (that’s how they talk in Blue Bell).

You see, Lemon’s mother abandoned her family. Up and left her husband and two daughters, Lemon and Magnolia.

Yep, that’s the girl's names all right. One named after a fruit and the other after a shrub. Lemon was older so when “mama” left, it hurt her deeply.

Lemon became the caretaker of the house. Dad went to work. Lemon cooked, took care of sissy, took care of practically everything. It’s not surprising underneath Lemon’s positive attitude smile lies a tightly wound Barbie doll. She’s had to play mom, because “mama” was gone.

The Grey

The Grey - Ottaway runs in snow with knife in hand

Movie


Storyline: When a plane crashes into the sub arctic tundra in the remote Alaskan wilderness a group of oil-rig roughnecks are left stranded to battle mortal danger, hunger, and bitter winter elements as they are hunted by a vicious pack of rogue wolves.

Tagline: Live or Die on This Day

Genre: Action Adventure

R | 1 hour 57 minutes

Actors:
Liam Neeson...............Ottaway
Dallas Robert..............Henrick
Frank Grillo.................Diaz
Dermot Mulroney........Talget

Director:
Joe Carnahan

Rotten Tomato Reviews:
Critics – 79%
Audience – 64%

Verdict: Ice-cold thriller astonishing sequences, spectacular cinematography, excellent performances and heartfelt ruminations on mortality, faith, masculinity, hope, family and existence.

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Unforgettable – Carrie dates a Mobster

Unforgettable - Carrie (Poppy Montgomery) dines at a restaurant with mobster Steve (Jackson Hurst)

TV Review

Unforgettable - Season 1, Episode 12: “Butterfly Effect.”


Carrie likes to live life on the ledge. Yes I meant ledge not edge. She hung for dear life off 8th floor ledge of a very tall building.

Back up 36 hours earlier when an iron worker found dead at a construction site. Al, Roe and Carrie investigated the crime scene. One worker smirked at Carrie,

Worker - 'Which Charlie’s Angel are you?'
Carrie - 'The one with the big gun.'

Don’t mess with her boys. Now the victim had dent on back of his head. Construction site + murder = Irish mob. (I’ll get to that part.)

Nina got a call when she was at the site with Al. There were five thefts at that particular construction site within the past two months. Was the victim part of the theft ring? No. (I’ll get to that part too.)

Carrie took a good look at the construction site. She noticed a tool belt left on the ground that belonged to the victim. Her super cool gift of memory kicked in she remembered that all construction workers carried a huge wrench on their belts. Yep, that’s the murder weapon. They found a discarded bloody wrench in a dumpster (how convenient).

Victim Christopher Feeney was just a good kid. He once worked as a lifeguard. Mob daughter took a liking to him at the beach. Mob then gave him a job (plus $50k) after his father’s accident. Left his father crippled. Son dropped out of college to help support family. See, good kid. He didn’t do it.

Time for Carrie to live on the edge (I meant it that way this time). Only way to find out if the mob was involved was to ask the mob. (Whoa!) She paid a visit to the Coiffe family. They agreed to talk to her. Then they locked her in a wine cellar. Smart move, Carrie.

Young guy entered. Meet mob Jr. He’s not mobster Stefano Coiffe. He’s Steve Coiffe. Clean as a whistle (so he said). His father, not so much. Steve agreed to help Carrie (but what’s in it for him?). He later gave her information about time of next theft at the construction site.

Carrie and Al on stakeout. Mystery guy gets out of a pickup truck about to steal some materials. Both Al and Carrie with guns drawn told him not to move.

Would-be-thief ran.
Why do they always run?

Carrie chased him up to the 8th floor. That’s when he blindsided her. She skidded onto the ledge. Carrie hung there for dear life. She rocked her legs and swung her body onto the 7th floor. Sweet move!

Carrie blindsided the perp. Payback! Mystery near solved. Owner stole materials from his own site. He had nothing to do with the death of Feeney or fellow coworker (yeah, I forgot to mention that part).

Manny, the dead coworker would load up his cement truck, detour to girlfriend’s house for a tickle to his pickle. During the she-bang-me time he’d water down the cement so it wouldn’t harden, but that made the cement weak.

Feeney found out and told Foreman who killed Feeney then Manny to keep his job, knowing the building would one day fall.

Mob not involved but still in the picture. Mob Jr. took Carrie out on a dinner date. Outside the restaurant window someone with a camera took pictures of Carrie on a date with a mobster.

Unforgettable starring Poppy Montgomery was canceled by CBS.

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2 Broke Girls – Rich Girl Uses Coupons

2 Broke Girls - Max forces Caroline to hand grocery clerk coupons at checkout

TV Review

2 Broke Girls - Season 1, Episode 13: “And the Secret Ingredient.”


Han, owner of the diner has the right to up his prices, but not on everything according to Max.

In the women’s restroom a female hygiene product went from twenty-five cents to seventy-five cents.

'I do not want to talk about the cotton mouse.' - ew! I agree Han. Yep, the first part of the show was about, ahem, personal female hygiene products (I don’t want to talk about the cotton mouse either, so moving on.)

Max and Caroline shopped at a small grocery store. When I say small, I mean tiny. Even by TV show standards that was one piss-poor excuse for a grocery store.

Caroline discovered Max’s cupcake ingredient. Duncan Hines cake mixes. Caroline completely shocked that Max would use a generic mix. She thought the cup cakes made from scratch, homemade as it were.

'They are. I make them in my home.' - Max

Beyoncé - Love on Top

Beyoncé lies on floor wearing a sexy black dress

Music


Beyoncé Knowle's “Love on Top” holds at #1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

Hit single also on other Billboards charts: Hot 100, Dance/Club Play Songs, Radio Songs, and Ringtones. Beyoncé co-wrote the song with Terius Nash and Shea Taylor.

“Love on Top” classified as an upbeat tempo 1980s retro-soul song. The Village Voice applauded the hit single as an “easy listening/easier dancing boogie vibe.”

Beyoncé’s new R&B hit song derived from her fourth studio album simply titled, “4.”
Knowles stated on her official website that the music video to “Love on Top” was inspired by her favorite male groups.

"I remember seeing videos from New Edition, The Jackson 5 and the Temptations, bands I love for their beautiful harmonies, and precise choreography and I always wanted to make a video and be part of a boy group myself.”

The Closer – The Johnson Rule

The Closer - Marvin Evans (Jason George) points gun at Chief Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick)

TV Review

The Closer - Season 7, Episode 15: "Silent Partner."


Who’s the leak in major crimes department?

Who betrayed Chief Johnson and tossed her knee deep into a huge lawsuit with the city. Cost her family a good chunk of their savings to hire a top class lawyer to defend her. So, who’s the leak?

Don’t know. Horrid TNT Network will keep us guessing until next season, which will be the final season of The Closer.

Dropping Terrell Baylor at his crib in front of his gang probably was not Chief Johnson’s smartest move. The lawsuit spawned from his death.

This episode major crimes found Terrell Baylor’s car. A body of a gang-banger riddled with bullets slumped over a seat. Explainable how dead guy got the car. Baylor’s mom lent the car to J-Rock (dead gang-banger.) But why did he have to die? J-Rock knew who killed Terrell.

New Girl – Turn on the Christmas Lights

New Girl - CeCe (Hannah Simone), Winston (Lamorne Morris), Jess (Zooey Deschanel), Nick (Jake M. Johnson), and Schmidth (Max Greenfield) stand on street in front of house lit with Christmas lights

TV Review

New Girl - Season 1, Episode 9: "The 23rd."




Oh no, not the “L” word! Why did Paul ruin things for Jess? She’s recovering from a bad relationship. Paul such a sweet guy. He surprised her with plane tickets to Vienna for Christmas. Jess gift to him was an anatomically correct fuzzy heart. Huh?

Jess’s odd present personified her odd personality. 'I love it,' Paul said. He meant it too. They hugged then he said, 'I love you.' A-w-k-w-a-r-d! Jess sheepishly answered, 'Thank you.' Ugh, the kiss of relationship death.

The gang all invited to Schmidt’s office party. He played the part of Santa. Uh, dirty-sexy Santa. Semi naked dressed in boxer shorts, a Santa’s hat, and a funky Santa tie. Women sat on his lap and... (use your imagination).

Jess however not in a festive mood.

Big Miracle Movie

Big Miracle movie poster whale underneath ocean

Movie


Storyline: Based on the true story. When an Alaskan news reporter discovers a family of gray whales trapped in the Arctic Circle, he recruits his ex-girlfriend a Greenpeace volunteer to coordinate with a coalition of Inuit natives, oil companies, Russian and American military (during the Cold War) to help free the endangered whales.

Tagline: A family of whales trapped beneath the ice. One unforgettable rescue.

Genre: Drama

PG | 1 hour 46 minutes

2011 Celebrity Divorces

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver

Celebrity


Celebrity relationships it’s either sink or swim (pretty much like the rest of us). They have it harder with the spotlight that airs out their dirty laundry. Only a few celebrity marriages seem to have a chance of longevity. So why are we shocked when a celebrity couple calls it quits. Seriously? Fame and fortune often leads to indulgence.

Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger
He married a Kennedy. She married Mr. Universe. He knocked up the housekeeper. They had a love child. Scorned wife went on YouTube and boo-hooed it to the world.

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher
Ashton often spoke of his undying love for Demi. Well, it died when he corkscrewed a blonde. Demi bent to screw him in court for a pay out (or at least sweat out).

Bones – Come on, Everybody do the Twister

Bones - Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth sit together in a storm shelter

TV Review

Bones - Season 7, Episode 5: "The Twist in Twister."




A storm chaser’s body (what was left of him) found scattered at a campsite. The scarring of the bones indicated the victim’s body sucked up into a tornado then tossed out. But he wasn't alive when the deadly twister ate him. Ah, ha! Now that perked Brennan’s interest.

The show however felt like a family series. Booth over protective to Brennan. She’s so pregnant she can’t get up off the ground on her own.

Angela and Hodgins sleep deprived because of their son. Angela didn’t want her dad to over stimulate her son during his visit. It’s the Jeffersonian people, not baby day care. Anyhoo...

Here’s an interesting fact about tornadoes, twisters, winds of Hell, whatever you wish to call them. Approximately 99% tornadoes in the northern hemisphere rotate counterclockwise.