Mockingjay Part 1: A Fantastic Prequel

As an avid fan of The Hunger Games series I was dying to see the much anticipated third installment in the movie franchise.  The third book was by far my least favorite (I loved Catching Fire) but this movie made me want to reread it.  The journey that Katniss takes is different and more emotional than any other time we've seen here.  And Jennifer Lawrence? I can't say enough great things about her.  At times her acting makes one forget that they are watching a Hunger Games movie.  The best decision Suzanne Collins made was making sure Effie Trinket, played beautifully by Elizabeth Banks, was in this film.  Book fans know that Effie doesn't pop up in the books until the last chapter.  

              

Did you notice this poster? Its the first one where Katniss is not about to shoot an arrow.  

Everything about this film was amazing except for one thing: it felt like two hours and three minutes of set up.  When the final movie of a book series is split into two its almost impossible to not compare the movie to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Both parts of Hallows had equal parts action and emotion.  To me Mockingjay Part 1 was about watching Katniss break down, build herself up, and break down again.  Like I said before, Jennifer Lawrence's performance was outstanding which makes this bareable.  But the entire movie was spent listening to people tell Katniss how much she matters and how strong she is.  You know its nothing more than a set up for Part 2 which is slightly disappointing.  Coming off of the success of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire I'll admit that I was expecting a bit more action wise but I'll wait. 

The positives far outweigh the negatives and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is well worth the money just don't expect ton of action like the previous films being that there is no arena. And here's a little fun fact: throughout the entire movie Katniss Everdeen shoots one arrow.  One. The entire time.  Let that sit with you.  

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 enters theaters November 2015. 

The Osbournes Are Back!!!

90's Kids Rejoice! The Osbournes are taking a stab at reality TV one more time.

Sharon Osbourne revealed on The Talk today that the family will be returning to our screens in no more than 6-8 episodes.  It will be an update of sorts.  The hit MTV show ran from 2002-2005 and many consider them to be the first family of reality tv.  No dates have been released but we are so looking forward to it.  Sit down and take notes Kardashians.  The Osbournes did it before you and they did it better. 

Will the Real Black Canary Please Stand Up

ITS FINALLY HAPPENING!!!!! Excuse me I'm a little excited.  Katie Cassidy took to the internet today to reveal what fans of Arrow as well as the Green Arrow and Birds of Prey comic books have been waiting for.  LAUREL LANCE WILL FINALLY BECOME THE BLACK CANARY!

As we've seen on the show Laurel's sister, Sara, was the original Canary who was killed in the first episode of this season.  During San Diego Comic Con this year Cassidy said that this season would be a journey for Laurel.  In TV land journeys usually take time so I'm very surprised that Laurel will be suiting up already.  Did I mention that I'm excited? This will be the third incarnation* of the Canary in the last ten years as Caity Lotz played the Sara Lance version in the first two seasons of Arrow and Alaina Huffman played the Dinah Lance* version on Smallville.  Expect to see The Black Canary in the tenth episode of Arrow. 

For those of you who don't follow the comics: Dinah Lance is actually the second Black Canary.  Her mother, the original Canary, appeared during the Golden Age of comics, which is why some fans may have freaked out when Laurel's mother popped up on the show. She is the second female to join the Justice League (Wonder Woman being the first)

**I would just like to point out that the character's actual name is Dinah Laurel Lance, Arrow's version goes by her middle name. 

                                   

                                       Laurel Lance Black Canary (Katie Cassidy)

                                 

                                         Sara Lance Black Canary (Caity Lotz)

                                  

                                     Dinah Lance Black Canary (Alaina Huffman)

*At time of the original post there were four live action Black Canaries. Lori Loughlin (Full House) placed Dinah Lance on the short lived Birds of Prey (2003). 

Will the Real Black Canary Please Stand Up

ITS FINALLY HAPPENING!!!!! Excuse me I'm a little excited.  Katie Cassidy took to the internet today to reveal what fans of Arrow as well as the Green Arrow and Birds of Prey comic books have been waiting for.  LAUREL LANCE WILL FINALLY BECOME THE BLACK CANARY!

As we've seen on the show Laurel's sister, Sara, was the original Canary who was killed in the first episode of this season.  During San Diego Comic Con this year Cassidy said that this season would be a journey for Laurel.  In TV land journeys usually take time so I'm very surprised that Laurel will be suiting up already.  Did I mention that I'm excited? This will be the third incarnation* of the Canary in the last ten years as Caity Lotz played the Sara Lance version in the first two seasons of Arrow and Alaina Huffman played the Dinah Lance* version on Smallville.  Expect to see The Black Canary in the tenth episode of Arrow. 

For those of you who don't follow the comics: Dinah Lance is actually the second Black Canary.  Her mother, the original Canary, appeared during the Golden Age of comics, which is why some fans may have freaked out when Laurel's mother popped up on the show. She is the second female to join the Justice League (Wonder Woman being the first)

**I would just like to point out that the character's actual name is Dinah Laurel Lance, Arrow's version goes by her middle name. 

                                   

                                       Laurel Lance Black Canary (Katie Cassidy)

                                 

                                         Sara Lance Black Canary (Caity Lotz)

                                  

                                     Dinah Lance Black Canary (Alaina Huffman)

*At time of the original post there were four live action Black Canaries. Lori Loughlin (Full House) placed Dinah Lance on the short lived Birds of Prey (2003). 

Where Would Arrow Be Without Felicity Smoak?!

Did you see the last episode of The CW's Arrow?  I've been dying for a Felicity centric episode and finally the show devivered.  Last nights episode was appropriately titled "The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak" and it gave fans everything they've been waiting two seasons for.  

                         

                                      Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity Smoak (Fan Art)

The show has now run for 51 episodes and viewers have never seen Felicity outside of Queen Consolidated or the lair.  Last night we not only saw her humble abode (which was actually very nice) but we also met her mother!  I won't give any spoilers in this post but I will say that Felicity is one of the most well rounded characters on television today.  She is first and foremost, extremely intelligent and she isn't the damsel in distress! If she ever is caught its cause she trying to do something with a computer that no one else can do.  She is after all a genius hacker that graduated from MIT.  She makes nerds look cool.  She's also the show's comic relief as well as its brains and heart.  For some characters this would be a lot to have on one plate.  It could make them seem extremely one dimentional but Felicity's portrayer Emily Bett Rickards makes the character into a well rounded, believable person.  She is a valuable asset to the DC Universe* as she's already crossed over to Arrow's spinoff, The Flash.   Bottom line.  If you're not watching Arrow you should be.  

*There is already a character in the DC Universe named Felicity Smoak.  They are now developing a character that reflects the Felicity on Arrow. 

Arrow airs on Wednesday at 8/7c on The CW. 

I'm SO over Lifetime

This past weekend Lifetime cancelled Witches of East End, staring Rachel Boston and Jenna Dewan-Tatum, after two seasons and MAJOR cliffhangers.  NOW here's my issue....WHY WOULD THEY CANCEL WoEE????  The show had great storylines and was one of the bigger shows on the network.  The supernatural drama is about a family of cursed witches did experience a ratings drop but nothing unusual for the network being that the highest rated show only had about 2 million viewers.  If you were a fan of old school WB (Charmed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls) then you would've loved WoEE.  Bad move Lifetime. You cancelled a show about strong, intelligent women who protect their family.  You also cancelled the one show that made you a relevent network instead of a sappy movie channel.  RIP Witches of East End.  

                                     

Cast of Witches of East End (Rachel Boston, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Julia Ormond, and Madchen Amick)

Some Other Ones Bite the Dust

NBC just added to more shows to the cancelled list.....sort of. Bad Judge, staring Kate Walsh, and A to Z will be cancelled following their 13 episode orders.  In an unusual turn of events the network has decided to let both shows finish their seasons as well as shoot the remaining episodes. Normally, once a show is cancelled production ends at the wrap of whatever episode the show is currently filming.  If a show is bad enough the network will pull it from their lineup immediately. As of now Bad Judge has shot 10 episodes while A to Z has shot 11. The Peacock Network will allow the writers to put some finality on their series which allows fans to have closer.  Way to keep it classy NBC, FOX should take notes (I'm still bitter about Firefly). 

The most recent episode of the Kate Walsh comedy only had 4 million viewers.

 The romantic comedy staring alum from How I Met Your Mother and Mad Men had 2.6 million viewers during their recent episode.