(This entry will be posted on May 11, 2013. Because I can't ever remember from week to week what I'd like to say, I'm writing this entry as the days come.)
4/25/13: Last Day!
As I type this, I'm waiting to finish my last day of college: forever! Well, at least I hope forever. People keep asking me if I plan on going to vet school, and my answer is always a quick "NO!". It would require at least 5 more years of school, the extra year just for pre-requisites. Then it requires an interview and programs are competitive. And I would have to declare residency because frankly, out of state tuition is ridiculously high. Did I mention the school loans that would have to go along with all this? I mean, I'm not silly enough to think that, if it were really God's plan for me to move on to vet school, He would not provide what I need to get there. But I definitely don't feel my heart leading me in that direction, at least not in the near future. Plus, I'm just not sure I have what it takes physically and mentally to make it through vet school; it's extremely taxing on your body and mind, having to keep up with the case work/load as well as the stress of how expensive it is and not wanting to fail anything because if you fail you are done. While I don't wish anything bad of a vet student, I will say that there is a surplus of new veterinarians and graduating veterinary students, and the economy is just not there to support the many graduates that will permeate the job market. Some of my classmates are going on to vet school, and I hope they do well and enjoy their time in school. It's just not for me!
5/10/2013: Pinning Ceremony and Graduation
Well, I can FINALLY say I'm officially done forever with school/college. Today was an extremely full day and started out early after a night of not actually sleeping very well or at all. Honestly, the last few weeks have felt very surreal for whatever reason, and I'm not even really sure if the reality of being forever done with the program has fully sunk in yet. Today was difficult in some ways because I had to say goodbye to some awesome instructors/mentors within the program AND in the CVM health center. It was also difficult because I think I realized just how comfortable I had become with the school and most of the people there; I had some great mentors and teachers downstairs (Jamie, Maggie, and Tonya: you guys ROCK!) who taught me ways to not only improve the skills I already knew, but also how to improvise new ways of doing things or looking at things. Now, knowing I probably won't see them or most of my classmates again/for a long time is hard because graduation means having to kind of start over from scratch.
But starting over from scratch has given me the chance to think back over the last two years. I was looking through some of my older blog posts and I thought: "Gee. I was definitely stressed out when I wrote THAT entry." Indeed, there were a lot of times I let my stress get the better of me and I broke down into tears certain that I would fail, had failed, or wanted to leave the program. There was one time over a year ago where I literally had to ask myself if I wanted to stay in the program or not. I'm so glad I had people talking me out of it because I would have been giving up something good if I had left. I remember vividly my first night in my dorm and the emotional meltdown that followed with it. I ended up getting so upset that my sister had to come get me and drive me around campus (after getting a drink from Sonic) to reassure me that what I was going through was normal. Okay, maybe I should have tried to control my emotions a little better and not gotten quite so worked up about being in the dorm, and I had a major tendency to let my emotions get the best of me. I still do unfortunately (trying to work on that). Anyway, the first week in the dorm was difficult especially when I had a difficult roommate, had never lived in a dorm, had never lived away from home until then, and had to learn to make it on my own. I can't even imagine what those 10 weeks would have been like if my sister and brother-in-law had not been in the same town/state. I don't think it would have been very pretty!!! I also remember my first night in my apartment: it was scary! I kinda remember the first week of the program. It was hectic and orientation left my head absolutely spinning, but I was excited to start studying the things that I WANTED to study instead of NEEDED to study. There were hard classes in each block, and each block left me feeling like I would fail at least one class if not more. Even if I just scraped by, I still made it. I tried not to focus on what was ahead, but on what was now: the first half of the spring semester, I had to force myself to keep focused on that block (even though I was taking 3 classes that extended the entire semester, adding up to a total of 22 hours for the spring semester). Summer kind of left me unable to really worry about the coming fall: I was too busy with anesthesia in May and surgery in June to really care what was ahead of me.
Senior year beginning in August is really what has reaffirmed in me what I believe to be true: this is the job I was made for. I honestly think that any person who loves animals and can work with them on a daily basis for years and years is a special person. Like human medicine, there is ALWAYS potential for emotional burnout and compassion fatigue. If anything, it may be more pronounced in veterinary medicine because of humane euthanasia and the technician's active role in that procedure. Whether it is comforting someone who has lost a beloved pet who was 15 years old, or preparing someone for accepting their animal's condition and helping them decide what is best in the long run for the animal, or just being there for someone to grieve with, it isn't easy. Having been on both sides of the glass (i.e. having participated in humane euthanasias for very sick animals and having a pet euthanized because of advanced heartworm disease) I understand both viewpoints. I'm not exclusive in that understanding for sure; I think most of my classmates have also experienced a euthanasia at one time or another. It's when you can pull yourself out of your technician uniform and into that of an owner that your clients really trust you to do what's best for their pet. It's what causes them to trust YOU because you know what they're going through: you've been there. It never gets easier, but you have to learn to cope. There was one week during the fall where it was bookended by life and death: Monday an animal died suddenly, and that same Friday, I helped deliver 7 adorable piglets through c-section. It was a terrible start to the week, but a wonderful ending. Participating in my first ever c-section/birth made me realize how important my job is. It isn't just keeping pets healthy: it's helping an animal to start life off on the right paw/hoof.
I had only a few bad experiences within my rotations, but overall, I had some of the best learning experiences during the past year. It's amazing to think how much I know now compared to the start of the program or even to what I knew last year. This journey has been difficult. It's had ups and downs. I couldn't have made it to this point without my family who supported me every step of the way. It was so nice to have my sister and niece nearby who I could hang out with when I needed a break or just needed to take a step away from the school (not to mention getting to watch my niece grow up AND getting some good home cooked meals. haha). I'm also thankful to my friends who supported me and who I could talk to when I needed to vent (Callie, you know what I'm talking 'bout!). I'm thankful for the things I've learned, but am ready to get out on my own and apply those in a real world job. I don't know where or when that will be, but I'm trusting that God has the job HE wants for me. One chapter has just closed, but another is about to start. And in the meantime, I'll always and forever be a Mississippi State Bulldog! :)
Hail State, and Forever Maroon and White!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
One Month!
So, as I write this entry, I'm currently watching an episode of Star Trek: Enterprise coming off a long day of doing laundry and working on an academic elective. What kind of elective? Well, basically, I have to create a course for the veterinary technology program (either re-design a current course, or create an entirely new course) complete with assignments, lab handouts, and a lecture powerpoint. Silly me, I chose the anesthesia course as my project, but I've actually enjoyed going back over the information. I'm no longer afraid of anesthesia or the calculations that go along with it. I mean, after spending 2 weeks in anesthesia a while back, I realized that the rotation made me stress out over nothing.
Anyway, as I write this entry, I have just one month and one day left in this final semester! It's so hard to believe that I'm standing staring at the last few weeks of my college life. This journey has been incredible in so many ways. I'm going to save all that for an entry when I officially graduate, because I want to put all my feelings into one entry instead of two. Did I mention that I've gone back to [more] faithfully writing my Star Wars fan fiction? Oh, didn't know about that? Well, yes, I have. It's actually a long re-write of a story I'd previously written, but if you want to check it out, go to: www.figment/com/users/281852-AravisKenobi to check it out ("Left in the Shadows" since the other one is needing major revisions).
Check back in about 6 weeks as I'm sure I'll have photos and more regarding graduation.
Anyway, as I write this entry, I have just one month and one day left in this final semester! It's so hard to believe that I'm standing staring at the last few weeks of my college life. This journey has been incredible in so many ways. I'm going to save all that for an entry when I officially graduate, because I want to put all my feelings into one entry instead of two. Did I mention that I've gone back to [more] faithfully writing my Star Wars fan fiction? Oh, didn't know about that? Well, yes, I have. It's actually a long re-write of a story I'd previously written, but if you want to check it out, go to: www.figment/com/users/281852-AravisKenobi to check it out ("Left in the Shadows" since the other one is needing major revisions).
Check back in about 6 weeks as I'm sure I'll have photos and more regarding graduation.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Short Review of "Les Miserables"
Because I've never read the book or seen the play of the same name, my comments about content may or may not be accurate. However, I think I'll be commenting less on story subject than story presentation. I'm not going to lie: the music in this movie was really good. Well, when they were actually singing songs, not singing dialogue to each other in a conversation. This movie had all the honest hallmarks of being an epic and wonderful film. Unfortunately, hallmarks is all this film had. Epic in scope, sure. Epic in being emotional, being moving, and being a powerful story? No. When a musical resorts to converting dialogue into song, the result is pretty shallow. It's also close to being really silly and corny. There were moments in the movie where, even though it wasn't a funny moment, I wanted to laugh because I couldn't believe they were being sing-songy with dialogue and keeping straight faces!
Don't get me wrong. During the moments that it counted, each actor brought their best voice to the table. Hugh Jackman had some really great moments. Anne Hathaway's "I Dreamed a Dream" was gorgeous and I really felt her pain come across in her voice. Who knew Amanda Seyfried could sing? In spite of these bright spots, I found it difficult to follow the plot, I felt as if the movie skimmed on being really emotional, and I felt like the pace was almost too quick. I mean, things shifted like crazy, and it was kind of hard to follow. Also, character development was barely in existence. I feel that a movie like Les Miserables, with its apparently deep dealings with the poor, the rumblings and machinery of the French Revolution, and the deep personal tragedies of the main characters (namely Valjean and Fantine). why did they adapt the musical instead of the book? I feel as if the movie had the potential to be an epic film. But I also feel as if people haven't really connected to the film (if box office numbers are any real indication, Les Mis fell behind Hobbit, and barely surpassed Django Unchained).
In conclusion, it was an $8 I felt was wasted. I would have personally benefited from peering deeper into characters' lives, learning why Javert was the way he was, and seeing the REAL undercurrent of the French Revolution and the people who fought in it. I give it a personal rating of 2/5 stars.
Don't get me wrong. During the moments that it counted, each actor brought their best voice to the table. Hugh Jackman had some really great moments. Anne Hathaway's "I Dreamed a Dream" was gorgeous and I really felt her pain come across in her voice. Who knew Amanda Seyfried could sing? In spite of these bright spots, I found it difficult to follow the plot, I felt as if the movie skimmed on being really emotional, and I felt like the pace was almost too quick. I mean, things shifted like crazy, and it was kind of hard to follow. Also, character development was barely in existence. I feel that a movie like Les Miserables, with its apparently deep dealings with the poor, the rumblings and machinery of the French Revolution, and the deep personal tragedies of the main characters (namely Valjean and Fantine). why did they adapt the musical instead of the book? I feel as if the movie had the potential to be an epic film. But I also feel as if people haven't really connected to the film (if box office numbers are any real indication, Les Mis fell behind Hobbit, and barely surpassed Django Unchained).
In conclusion, it was an $8 I felt was wasted. I would have personally benefited from peering deeper into characters' lives, learning why Javert was the way he was, and seeing the REAL undercurrent of the French Revolution and the people who fought in it. I give it a personal rating of 2/5 stars.
Monday, December 31, 2012
2012 in Review
Well, it's the last day of 2012. It's kind of hard to believe the year has flown by so fast, and on the other hand, hard to believe that it's gone by so slowly. 2012 saw the end of my junior year/first year in the vet. tech program, to starting senior year and clinical rotations, having my first ever 4.0 semester (yay!), my niece's first birthday, joining First Baptist under their watchcare program, transitioning to a new Sunday school class, my discovery of The Hunger Games, The Hobbit finally coming to life, my 21st birthday, job opportunities not working out, leaving an online Narnia forum that I was a part of for nearly 8 years, my hometown football team nearly going to state championships for the first time in over 40 years...what am I missing? Oh yeah, my parents celebrating their 30th anniversary, AND having all of my immediate family together for Christmas. Did I mention we also had a white Christmas?
2012 has been a year of ups and downs, which is no different than 2011 or any other year. We lost lots of people to violence (which no laws will curb) and saw a hurricane hit the east coast. At the moment, I'm busy studying for probably the biggest exam in my life next to the SAT/ACT/THEA: the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) in March/April. This test is a comprehensive exam of everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) I've learned over the last year and a half, all compiled into an exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions to take in a period of 4 hours. To say the least, this test has me extremely nervous and anxious. I keep asking myself, "Am I studying enough? Am I studying the right things? Am I focusing on the wrong subjects? Am I overstudying?" and then all that ends with, "I feel so overwhelmed!". I came up with a study plan, but have had a very difficult time sticking to it. I've been wondering if I even have the right studying tactics, memorizing quizzes and questions instead of learning the material. How much can I retain before March? My problem has always been that if it's just on paper and not practical, I very rarely ever remember it. There are some things in the review book that I recognize as learned. I've done it, I know it, I'm not going to study it (restraint was one of those chapters I never bothered to read because it's the one chapter I feel like I know!). I'll also have to start studying for my surgery and anesthesia rotation that begins in late February/early March. It's known to be the hardest rotation in terms of work and expectations. I have a packet about 2 inches thick to study before the rotation starts. I haven't hardly even looked at it yet, but I have promised myself I would study it long and hard as I go through my first 6 week rotation in small animal. The only thing I can do in regards to studying is a) do what I can and try to take small bites, b) be persistent and try to be consistent, c) do my best and try to be as fully prepared for the test as possible, and d) leave the rest up to God.
2013 will be a busy time for me and the rest of my family. Not only will I finish up my college career in May, I will also hopefully find a job that I love over the summer and fall. 2013 will also mean [most likely] moving back to Texas, leaving the temporary home I've made in Mississippi. I can't say I'll be sad to leave, but it will be harder leaving First Baptist since I've finally gotten settled there. And, there are things about the town that I like! I mean, it was pretty nice living just a few blocks away from the movie theater, Wal-Mart, and Kroger.
So what else will 2013 hold? I guess we'll just have to live the year and find out. :)
2012 has been a year of ups and downs, which is no different than 2011 or any other year. We lost lots of people to violence (which no laws will curb) and saw a hurricane hit the east coast. At the moment, I'm busy studying for probably the biggest exam in my life next to the SAT/ACT/THEA: the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) in March/April. This test is a comprehensive exam of everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) I've learned over the last year and a half, all compiled into an exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions to take in a period of 4 hours. To say the least, this test has me extremely nervous and anxious. I keep asking myself, "Am I studying enough? Am I studying the right things? Am I focusing on the wrong subjects? Am I overstudying?" and then all that ends with, "I feel so overwhelmed!". I came up with a study plan, but have had a very difficult time sticking to it. I've been wondering if I even have the right studying tactics, memorizing quizzes and questions instead of learning the material. How much can I retain before March? My problem has always been that if it's just on paper and not practical, I very rarely ever remember it. There are some things in the review book that I recognize as learned. I've done it, I know it, I'm not going to study it (restraint was one of those chapters I never bothered to read because it's the one chapter I feel like I know!). I'll also have to start studying for my surgery and anesthesia rotation that begins in late February/early March. It's known to be the hardest rotation in terms of work and expectations. I have a packet about 2 inches thick to study before the rotation starts. I haven't hardly even looked at it yet, but I have promised myself I would study it long and hard as I go through my first 6 week rotation in small animal. The only thing I can do in regards to studying is a) do what I can and try to take small bites, b) be persistent and try to be consistent, c) do my best and try to be as fully prepared for the test as possible, and d) leave the rest up to God.
2013 will be a busy time for me and the rest of my family. Not only will I finish up my college career in May, I will also hopefully find a job that I love over the summer and fall. 2013 will also mean [most likely] moving back to Texas, leaving the temporary home I've made in Mississippi. I can't say I'll be sad to leave, but it will be harder leaving First Baptist since I've finally gotten settled there. And, there are things about the town that I like! I mean, it was pretty nice living just a few blocks away from the movie theater, Wal-Mart, and Kroger.
So what else will 2013 hold? I guess we'll just have to live the year and find out. :)
Sunday, December 16, 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The film Tolkien fans have waited for since 1956 has finally been made. I've been a longtime Lord of the Rings fan (movies mainly), and I've been looking forward to a 'Hobbit' film ever since they first announced they were moving to make it. Peter Jackson made 'Hobbit' unlike 'Rings': 48 fps (frames per second) and in 3D. But it didn't detract from quality or beauty. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I haven't mentioned the long wait we had while in the theater. It was raining when we got to the mall, which may or may not have been a cause of the power outage the theater experienced a mere 8 minutes prior to showtime (yes, I was keeping close track of the time!). We sat until probably 2 or 2:15 waiting for them to resolve the power problems, and we FINALLY got video and audio. It made the entire experience longer, but I suppose it was worth it in the end.
So, where to begin? I guess I should start with the story. Because this was Peter Jackson's work, and not the work of certain 'other' directors (if you know me well enough, I guarantee you know exactly WHO I'm referring to!), I was fairly confident that the movie would follow the majority of the book. I don't claim to know a ton about Tolkien or the history of Lord of the Rings, so some of the events may or may not have been in the Appendices/History of Middle-earth. But I felt that, overall, Jackson did a superb job of blending the book's narrative with the backstory that Tolkien created that is not in the Hobbit: Necromancer, anyone? In fact, most everybody's complaint about Jackson turning the book (which is short in comparison to Lord of the Rings) into a trilogy of films is that there isn't enough material to justify such a move. If Jackson has the right to Lord of the Rings AND Hobbit (which he does), why not flesh out the history and background of events we see or are told about in Hobbit? He did the same with Lord of the Rings (I think primarily exemplified with Aragorn and Arwen's on-screen story). Up until this film, I was never really curious about how Sauron regained his power, or how the Ringwraiths came to exist. The movie has made me want to re-examine both Lord of the Rings AND its subsequent texts (i.e. the Appendices) to find out exactly what Jackson was using in the film. Anyway. I felt like the screenplay was well written, though I do have to agree with some of the critics who say that Hobbit lacked the emotional depth of Lord of the Rings; this is true, but this is also the general tone of the book and the critics need to realize that (they don't, of course). But come on, who didn't tear up at the end when Thorin hugged Bilbo after admitting he was wrong?! The only quibble I really have with the way this one ended is: where was all that stuff with the Eagles? I'm still holding out hope that maybe, just maybe, the stuff with the Eagles will end up being in the 2nd film.
Score. One thing I appreciated about Howard Shore here is how he was able to blend the old and the new. There were enough of the themes of Lord of the Rings present to make us feel like we were in Middle-earth, but plenty new themes and music to tell us we were on a different adventure. I LOVE, repeat, LOVE the Dwarves' theme ("Misty Mountains"/"Song of the Lonely Mountain"). Richard Armitage and the group did a great job singing a portion of a long(er) song from the book; very haunting melody. A mistake made with other films, like Narnia: Prince Caspian, was taking too much of the previous film's score and inserting it into the film. Shore, I feel, did not make that mistake here. Also, the song at the end by Neil Finn was beautiful. Some might argue that Shore's score lacks the classicality of Lord of the Rings, but THIS ISN'T Lord of the Rings!
Acting. I was so nervous really about Bilbo, since he is the central character. Long story short: Martin Freeman is the perfect Bilbo; he has the gentle Englishman nature about him, with a kind of quirky nervousness. Richard Armitage? I will say he's a good Thorin. Doesn't hurt that he's pretty good looking as well. :) Ian McKellen again shines as Gandalf, and I think after seeing Hobbit, I actually like Gandalf more than in Lord of the Rings because he has a sense of humor in Hobbit! Same can be said for Elrond; I never liked him in Lord of the Rings, but I came away from Hobbit actually liking him more. And Gollum. Dear ol' Gollum. What would Middle-earth be without Andy Serkis as the very-definition-of-bipolar-disorder Gollum/Smeagol? One of my favorite scenes was the scene between him and Bilbo; very well done in regards to the book, and whether it was because of Serkis, the dialogue, or both, I still felt sorry for Gollum and hated him at the same time. And, lastly, is it really fair for Cate Blanchett to look virtually the same as she did 12 years ago filming Lord of the Rings? I mean, really!
Finally, the controversy swirling around Jackson's use of 48 fps versus 24 fps has been an unfortunate detraction from the film itself. We saw it in HFR (48 fps) 3D, and I honestly could tell little difference between it and a traditional 3D film. What I did notice was the sharp, clear quality of the film. This didn't subtract anything: it enhanced the film tremendously. All the naysayers and nags who keep flapping their gums over the 'groundbreaking' new frame rate really should get out more. I still believe that those who were "sick" when watching the HFR were really disoriented by the 3D. Maybe I'm just not as critical of those things as some. I just wanted to see it in that frame rate to see if there really was a difference in quality or speed. Disappointed in that regard, I have to say.
So, overall, it was an enjoyable film that was faithful to its source material (yes, all you Tolkien purists out there will most likely disagree with me), with a solid cast and music. 8.5/10 stars for this return to Middle-earth. Jackson can count on my presence next December at The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
So, where to begin? I guess I should start with the story. Because this was Peter Jackson's work, and not the work of certain 'other' directors (if you know me well enough, I guarantee you know exactly WHO I'm referring to!), I was fairly confident that the movie would follow the majority of the book. I don't claim to know a ton about Tolkien or the history of Lord of the Rings, so some of the events may or may not have been in the Appendices/History of Middle-earth. But I felt that, overall, Jackson did a superb job of blending the book's narrative with the backstory that Tolkien created that is not in the Hobbit: Necromancer, anyone? In fact, most everybody's complaint about Jackson turning the book (which is short in comparison to Lord of the Rings) into a trilogy of films is that there isn't enough material to justify such a move. If Jackson has the right to Lord of the Rings AND Hobbit (which he does), why not flesh out the history and background of events we see or are told about in Hobbit? He did the same with Lord of the Rings (I think primarily exemplified with Aragorn and Arwen's on-screen story). Up until this film, I was never really curious about how Sauron regained his power, or how the Ringwraiths came to exist. The movie has made me want to re-examine both Lord of the Rings AND its subsequent texts (i.e. the Appendices) to find out exactly what Jackson was using in the film. Anyway. I felt like the screenplay was well written, though I do have to agree with some of the critics who say that Hobbit lacked the emotional depth of Lord of the Rings; this is true, but this is also the general tone of the book and the critics need to realize that (they don't, of course). But come on, who didn't tear up at the end when Thorin hugged Bilbo after admitting he was wrong?! The only quibble I really have with the way this one ended is: where was all that stuff with the Eagles? I'm still holding out hope that maybe, just maybe, the stuff with the Eagles will end up being in the 2nd film.
Score. One thing I appreciated about Howard Shore here is how he was able to blend the old and the new. There were enough of the themes of Lord of the Rings present to make us feel like we were in Middle-earth, but plenty new themes and music to tell us we were on a different adventure. I LOVE, repeat, LOVE the Dwarves' theme ("Misty Mountains"/"Song of the Lonely Mountain"). Richard Armitage and the group did a great job singing a portion of a long(er) song from the book; very haunting melody. A mistake made with other films, like Narnia: Prince Caspian, was taking too much of the previous film's score and inserting it into the film. Shore, I feel, did not make that mistake here. Also, the song at the end by Neil Finn was beautiful. Some might argue that Shore's score lacks the classicality of Lord of the Rings, but THIS ISN'T Lord of the Rings!
Acting. I was so nervous really about Bilbo, since he is the central character. Long story short: Martin Freeman is the perfect Bilbo; he has the gentle Englishman nature about him, with a kind of quirky nervousness. Richard Armitage? I will say he's a good Thorin. Doesn't hurt that he's pretty good looking as well. :) Ian McKellen again shines as Gandalf, and I think after seeing Hobbit, I actually like Gandalf more than in Lord of the Rings because he has a sense of humor in Hobbit! Same can be said for Elrond; I never liked him in Lord of the Rings, but I came away from Hobbit actually liking him more. And Gollum. Dear ol' Gollum. What would Middle-earth be without Andy Serkis as the very-definition-of-bipolar-disorder Gollum/Smeagol? One of my favorite scenes was the scene between him and Bilbo; very well done in regards to the book, and whether it was because of Serkis, the dialogue, or both, I still felt sorry for Gollum and hated him at the same time. And, lastly, is it really fair for Cate Blanchett to look virtually the same as she did 12 years ago filming Lord of the Rings? I mean, really!
Finally, the controversy swirling around Jackson's use of 48 fps versus 24 fps has been an unfortunate detraction from the film itself. We saw it in HFR (48 fps) 3D, and I honestly could tell little difference between it and a traditional 3D film. What I did notice was the sharp, clear quality of the film. This didn't subtract anything: it enhanced the film tremendously. All the naysayers and nags who keep flapping their gums over the 'groundbreaking' new frame rate really should get out more. I still believe that those who were "sick" when watching the HFR were really disoriented by the 3D. Maybe I'm just not as critical of those things as some. I just wanted to see it in that frame rate to see if there really was a difference in quality or speed. Disappointed in that regard, I have to say.
So, overall, it was an enjoyable film that was faithful to its source material (yes, all you Tolkien purists out there will most likely disagree with me), with a solid cast and music. 8.5/10 stars for this return to Middle-earth. Jackson can count on my presence next December at The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
A Lesson I Gleaned from "Once Upon a Time"
I recently saw the ABC series "Once Upon a Time" for the first time. Okay, I started it on Sunday and finished it last night. 22 episodes to catch up on season 1, and then the season 2 premiere from Sunday night. The pilot was cheesy, I'll admit. But my interest was piqued. I have to say that the idea of having fairy tale characters living in our own world is fascinating. I mean, just how exactly would Prince Charming cope not being, well, a prince and living in a castle? How would some of the most evil characters in fairy tales cope with having to live in our world without their evil magic?
These questions were kind of tackled in the first season of the show. Of course, none of these characters remembered who they truly were when placed in our world. Only Emma, the show's heroine and daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, could make them remember who they really were. I absolutely had zero interest in this show when it first came on last year, pretty much casting it off as yet another occultic and demonic show (and a lot of shows DO fit this bill mind you). For whatever reason, I had an interest in seeing it. So, I found it on Netflix and decided to see it while it was on instant streaming. I could not stop watching it. I sat and watched at least 7 episodes in one sitting, one right after the other without stopping. The show isn't horrible; you've got your magic, and your spells, and your curses. And yes, sometimes those elements make me uncomfortable. But there is at least one valuable lesson that I've gleaned from the 23 episodes so far: unforgiveness can make you into a horrible and despicable person to be around. Regina is the perfect (or imperfect?) example of why forgiving people their mistakes is so important. Unforgiveness can eat away at the person that you are, causing you to be bitter, hateful, spiteful, and mean. The show explores, through every episode, why exactly Snow White was the object of the evil Queen's (Regina) wrath. Okay, maybe not in the context of the REAL fairy tale, but in the context of THIS show's storyline. Snow White broke a promise not to tell Regina's mother (a witch?) about Regina and Daniel (a stable boy that was Regina's true love) and their plan(s) to run away and marry, since Regina's mother wanted her to marry Snow's father the king. Regina's mother proceeds to rip out Daniel's heart and crush it, leaving him dead and Regina heartbroken (no pun intended). Regina discovers it was Snow who broke the promise, and makes her life miserable from that day forward. It is this unforgiven mistake that leads Regina down her path of getting revenge on Snow White, the person that she claims has "taken everything she loved away from" her. Of course, Snow is in the wrong for breaking a promise that she made, but Regina's mistake was allowing her unforgiving attitude towards Snow White erode the person that she was.
Because Regina, as we learn, was actually a nice person before marrying Snow's father. Before I move on, let me say I'm NOT making the case for the humanist argument that all people are basically good inside and/or that we're born good. Every person is born evil. Every person is born with a sinful nature. We're all born with a natural tendency to be mean, to be unforgiving, and to be spiteful. Regina was a caring, kind and [mostly] unselfish person before the incidents that led to her marriage to Snow's father. The show is barely into its second season, and there may be more moral lessons to glean from both season 1 and the season yet to come. But if there was any lesson that came out of season 1, it's that we cannot let past wrongs and injustices get the better of us and shape who we are. We usually turn into the type of person that nobody else can stand being around.
These questions were kind of tackled in the first season of the show. Of course, none of these characters remembered who they truly were when placed in our world. Only Emma, the show's heroine and daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, could make them remember who they really were. I absolutely had zero interest in this show when it first came on last year, pretty much casting it off as yet another occultic and demonic show (and a lot of shows DO fit this bill mind you). For whatever reason, I had an interest in seeing it. So, I found it on Netflix and decided to see it while it was on instant streaming. I could not stop watching it. I sat and watched at least 7 episodes in one sitting, one right after the other without stopping. The show isn't horrible; you've got your magic, and your spells, and your curses. And yes, sometimes those elements make me uncomfortable. But there is at least one valuable lesson that I've gleaned from the 23 episodes so far: unforgiveness can make you into a horrible and despicable person to be around. Regina is the perfect (or imperfect?) example of why forgiving people their mistakes is so important. Unforgiveness can eat away at the person that you are, causing you to be bitter, hateful, spiteful, and mean. The show explores, through every episode, why exactly Snow White was the object of the evil Queen's (Regina) wrath. Okay, maybe not in the context of the REAL fairy tale, but in the context of THIS show's storyline. Snow White broke a promise not to tell Regina's mother (a witch?) about Regina and Daniel (a stable boy that was Regina's true love) and their plan(s) to run away and marry, since Regina's mother wanted her to marry Snow's father the king. Regina's mother proceeds to rip out Daniel's heart and crush it, leaving him dead and Regina heartbroken (no pun intended). Regina discovers it was Snow who broke the promise, and makes her life miserable from that day forward. It is this unforgiven mistake that leads Regina down her path of getting revenge on Snow White, the person that she claims has "taken everything she loved away from" her. Of course, Snow is in the wrong for breaking a promise that she made, but Regina's mistake was allowing her unforgiving attitude towards Snow White erode the person that she was.
Because Regina, as we learn, was actually a nice person before marrying Snow's father. Before I move on, let me say I'm NOT making the case for the humanist argument that all people are basically good inside and/or that we're born good. Every person is born evil. Every person is born with a sinful nature. We're all born with a natural tendency to be mean, to be unforgiving, and to be spiteful. Regina was a caring, kind and [mostly] unselfish person before the incidents that led to her marriage to Snow's father. The show is barely into its second season, and there may be more moral lessons to glean from both season 1 and the season yet to come. But if there was any lesson that came out of season 1, it's that we cannot let past wrongs and injustices get the better of us and shape who we are. We usually turn into the type of person that nobody else can stand being around.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Fall TV (Hell on Wheels, Hawaii Five-0, NCIS and Vegas)
So, this week is premiere week for many new shows as well as returning shows from the spring. Among those returning are Hawaii Five-0 and NCIS, with a new show (Vegas) having its series premiere on Tuesday. Hell on Wheels second season began in August and is rolling along (no pun intended) to its season 2 finale on AMC. First, I'll start off with the new shows this week, and end with my thus-far review of Hell on Wheels' sophomore season on AMC.
Hawaii Five-0: La O Na Makuahine (3x01)
Season 2 ended with a cliffhanger: Kono was thrown into the ocean bound and gagged, Malia Kelly was severely wounded by a gun, Frank Delano was out of prison, and McGarrett's mom *gasp* was revealed to be Shelburne! With the appearance of Joe (Terry O'Quinn) this season, I had a feeling that either he or someone else close to Steve would be revealed as Shelburne, the person who killed Wo Fat's father. I was so sure of this fact that I even joked to myself that it would probably be either McGarrett's mom or dad. I was shocked when the season finale rolled around and I had been on the right track. Crazy! Season 3 opened with as much suspense and adrenaline as season 2 left us with over the summer. (Spoilers ahead, so stop reading now if you don't like 'em!) Malia ends up dying in Chin's arms. This came as almost no surprise, but I had been hoping that Chin would get her help in time and she would make it. I will admit, I was crying when Malia died, and even more so as Chin was looking over her body at the morgue. Even though it's partially Chin's fault that Malia did die, I still felt sorry for him. oh yes, and Kono lived (no surprise there) since she was rescued by Adam Noshimuri (sp?) who was called by Chin (what's up with that?!). Anyway. I'm starting to like Adam, and only hope he keeps clean this season. I also hope to see more of Christine Lahti (Doris McGarrett) in future episodes this season as she was entertaining to watch. Her cargument with Danny was absolutely hilarious; pretty evident where Steve gets the talent to argue in the car! But, as revealed in the last two minutes, Doris let Wo Fat go even though he had come to kill her in the safe house. This is leading some to wonder if perhaps Wo Fat and Steve aren't half-brothers, and Doris knew this and Wo Fat discovered it upon holding a gun on her. Who knows? It will be interesting to see where they take season 3 from this point.
4/5 personal rating
Viewers: 8.06 million according to Nielsen
NCIS: Extreme Prejudice (10x01)
NCIS also ended its 9th season with a bang: Harper Dearing, a man who lost his son to supposed Navy flaws on ships targeted NCIS, leaving the building in shambles. Ducky, while in Florida for Palmer's wedding, suffers a heart attack on the beach, where the season 9 finale blacks out. Season 10 opens up basically where it left off: Ducky is in the hospital recovering from his heart attack with Palmer by his side every minute, while the team is left to pick up the pieces in Washington. They do pick up the pieces, however slowly, and end up chasing Dearing only to miss him twice. This leads to a man-to-man showdown between Gibbs and Dearing, which, if you know anything about Gibbs, leaves Dearing dead. In comparison to the H50 premiere the night before, I felt like the season opener to NCIS was flat, predictable, and 2D. The Tony/Ziva elevator scene: pitifully misleading. The implication that the team was in more danger than they actually were: pathetic, considering even McGee didn't get seriously injured while being next to glass windows that exploded!!!! I'm glad we know what happened to Dearing, but I felt like they built up to this whole "Dearing is the most wanted man in the U.S." and then they dropped it in the premiere. Maybe they couldn't stretch it out past the first episode, but it was just a very flat episode and not one that stood out much.
2.5/5 personal rating
Viewers: 20.2 million (2nd largest premiere opening in the show's history, biggest since 2009)
Vegas: Vegas (1x01)
No, that's not a stutter. The "Vegas" pilot episode is named "Vegas" (clever, huh?), and premiered after NCIS and NCIS:LA. "Vegas" is, well...about Vegas in the 1960s, and is loosely based/inspired by the real life story of Sheriff Ralph Lamb, "a fourth-generation rancher tasked with bringing order to Las Vegas in the 1960s, a gambling and entertainment mecca emerging from the tumbleweeds.Ralph Lamb wants to be left in peace to run his ranch, but Las Vegas is now swelling with outsiders and corruption which are intruding on his simple life. Recalling Lamb's command as a military police officer during World War II, the Mayor appeals to his sense of duty to look into a murder of a casino worker - and so begins Lamb's clash with Vincent Savino, a ruthless Chicago gangster who plans to make Vegas his own. Assisting Lamb in keeping law and order are his two deputies: his diplomatic, even-keeled brother, Jack, and his charming but impulsive son, Dixon. Ambitious Assistant District Attorney Katherine O'Connell, who grew up on the ranch next to the Lambs, also lends a hand in preserving justice."(CBS.com)
So, how was it? I'll put it this way: I hate judging things by their pilot episodes. Heck, had I quit watching NCIS after seeing the pilot episode last year, I would have missed out on a great show. Vegas was slow, I'll admit, and I found the plot to be a little underwhelming. However, I'm pretty sure I said that about Hell on Wheels' pilot, and when I kept watching, the show got better and less snooze-inducing (more on that later). And I will also admit, the main reason I even wanted to watch the show was because of Gil Birmingham's guest role in the pilot (which was also underwhelming, though I credit this to the writers and not the actor). I even was able to get 4 replies from Gil during the premiere, which was the highlight of my Tuesday night and made me kind of forget about the rest of the episode! Haha. "Vegas" apparently wasn't too bad; it had an opening of 14.7 million viewers, sweeping in all demographic (age) categories. Will the series improve? Or will it continue to play on worn out cliches and stereotypes of cowboys vs. bad guys? Time can only tell. I'll keep watching for the forseeable future at least.
2.5/5 personal rating
Viewers: 14.7 million
Hell on Wheels: Season 2 (episodes 1-7)
I never imagined myself writing what I'm about to write in regards to Hell on Wheels. Season 1 left me wanting another season, made me want to know what would happen to these characters that grabbed my interest. Season 2 made me want to know if the writers would continue to go against Hollywood type and expand the roles of Native actors like Eddie Spears (Joseph Black Moon) and Wes Studi (Chief Many Horses). I will be honest, the only reason I even started watching HoW was because of Eddie Spears and Wes Studi, and it's the only reason I've been watching season 2 thus far (Studi has not made an appearance yet in season 2, and it doesn't look like he will). So the show is rated mature. It's not for the weak stomachs, and sometimes I even cringe at the violent nature of the show. I guess what got me intrigued by season 1 was all the diversity and complexity of each character, and the promise by the writers to flesh all that out in season 2. But from episode 1, I've been disappointed in this season so far. We're only 2 episodes away from the end of the season (episodes 9/10 have been combined into one 2 hour finale), and I have yet to be wowed or impressed by a single episode. This isn't good, folks. Apparently, Nielsen is saying so as well, since last Sunday night's episode only had 0.6 million viewers in the 18-49 demographic range; to give you a comparison, Keeping up the Kardashians had 1.8 in the same range on the same night. 'Nough said? Or, you could compare season 2's ratings with those of season 1: episode 2 of season 1 had 1.5 million viewers, double that of season 2's 7th episode. I find the ratings to be a little odd, since most first seasons of shows have lower ratings than those of following seasons! And, we're not talking about the 2nd episode of season 2 here; episode 8 is just around the corner, and ratings are low. I mean L-O-W. Granted, season 2 premiered much earlier in the fall compared to season 1, which premiered in November 2011 (maybe the low ratings are Breaking Bad's fault?). But it kind of makes me wonder: if episode 7 has numbers like these...what in the world will season 3 have going for it? I guess I should explain why I've been so disappointed in the second season. Erratic writing. Plot holes. Character incongruity. Character turn-arounds that are so sudden they don't make sense at all. Characters going crazy/insane to the point of death. The show having a more odd tone to it than season 1. The show being considerably more bloody ("Slaughterhouse" anyone?) and more foul. I'll say this: the main focus of my fan anger is because of the horrible way the Joseph/Ruth relationship has "evolved" over season 2. When I say evolved I really mean "imploded." The writing behind Ruth's character is so all over the place I don't know what she's up to anymore. I've also felt lost timeline wise from episode 1 because time elapsed in-between the two seasons.
And let me tell you folks: It's never good to begin a season feeling so disoriented you can't get your bearings on anything. It's sloppy and messy, and will be the death knell of this show if they don't correct it. The fantastic writing of season 1 has been discarded in favor for something masquerading as quality writing. I'll keep watching season 2 to see how it ends (and I'm curious to see Durant's wife on the show as well), but if there's a 3rd season, well. I seriously doubt I'll be dedicating Sunday nights to the show.
Personal rating: 1.5/5
Hawaii Five-0: La O Na Makuahine (3x01)
Season 2 ended with a cliffhanger: Kono was thrown into the ocean bound and gagged, Malia Kelly was severely wounded by a gun, Frank Delano was out of prison, and McGarrett's mom *gasp* was revealed to be Shelburne! With the appearance of Joe (Terry O'Quinn) this season, I had a feeling that either he or someone else close to Steve would be revealed as Shelburne, the person who killed Wo Fat's father. I was so sure of this fact that I even joked to myself that it would probably be either McGarrett's mom or dad. I was shocked when the season finale rolled around and I had been on the right track. Crazy! Season 3 opened with as much suspense and adrenaline as season 2 left us with over the summer. (Spoilers ahead, so stop reading now if you don't like 'em!) Malia ends up dying in Chin's arms. This came as almost no surprise, but I had been hoping that Chin would get her help in time and she would make it. I will admit, I was crying when Malia died, and even more so as Chin was looking over her body at the morgue. Even though it's partially Chin's fault that Malia did die, I still felt sorry for him. oh yes, and Kono lived (no surprise there) since she was rescued by Adam Noshimuri (sp?) who was called by Chin (what's up with that?!). Anyway. I'm starting to like Adam, and only hope he keeps clean this season. I also hope to see more of Christine Lahti (Doris McGarrett) in future episodes this season as she was entertaining to watch. Her cargument with Danny was absolutely hilarious; pretty evident where Steve gets the talent to argue in the car! But, as revealed in the last two minutes, Doris let Wo Fat go even though he had come to kill her in the safe house. This is leading some to wonder if perhaps Wo Fat and Steve aren't half-brothers, and Doris knew this and Wo Fat discovered it upon holding a gun on her. Who knows? It will be interesting to see where they take season 3 from this point.
4/5 personal rating
Viewers: 8.06 million according to Nielsen
NCIS: Extreme Prejudice (10x01)
NCIS also ended its 9th season with a bang: Harper Dearing, a man who lost his son to supposed Navy flaws on ships targeted NCIS, leaving the building in shambles. Ducky, while in Florida for Palmer's wedding, suffers a heart attack on the beach, where the season 9 finale blacks out. Season 10 opens up basically where it left off: Ducky is in the hospital recovering from his heart attack with Palmer by his side every minute, while the team is left to pick up the pieces in Washington. They do pick up the pieces, however slowly, and end up chasing Dearing only to miss him twice. This leads to a man-to-man showdown between Gibbs and Dearing, which, if you know anything about Gibbs, leaves Dearing dead. In comparison to the H50 premiere the night before, I felt like the season opener to NCIS was flat, predictable, and 2D. The Tony/Ziva elevator scene: pitifully misleading. The implication that the team was in more danger than they actually were: pathetic, considering even McGee didn't get seriously injured while being next to glass windows that exploded!!!! I'm glad we know what happened to Dearing, but I felt like they built up to this whole "Dearing is the most wanted man in the U.S." and then they dropped it in the premiere. Maybe they couldn't stretch it out past the first episode, but it was just a very flat episode and not one that stood out much.
2.5/5 personal rating
Viewers: 20.2 million (2nd largest premiere opening in the show's history, biggest since 2009)
Vegas: Vegas (1x01)
No, that's not a stutter. The "Vegas" pilot episode is named "Vegas" (clever, huh?), and premiered after NCIS and NCIS:LA. "Vegas" is, well...about Vegas in the 1960s, and is loosely based/inspired by the real life story of Sheriff Ralph Lamb, "a fourth-generation rancher tasked with bringing order to Las Vegas in the 1960s, a gambling and entertainment mecca emerging from the tumbleweeds.Ralph Lamb wants to be left in peace to run his ranch, but Las Vegas is now swelling with outsiders and corruption which are intruding on his simple life. Recalling Lamb's command as a military police officer during World War II, the Mayor appeals to his sense of duty to look into a murder of a casino worker - and so begins Lamb's clash with Vincent Savino, a ruthless Chicago gangster who plans to make Vegas his own. Assisting Lamb in keeping law and order are his two deputies: his diplomatic, even-keeled brother, Jack, and his charming but impulsive son, Dixon. Ambitious Assistant District Attorney Katherine O'Connell, who grew up on the ranch next to the Lambs, also lends a hand in preserving justice."(CBS.com)
So, how was it? I'll put it this way: I hate judging things by their pilot episodes. Heck, had I quit watching NCIS after seeing the pilot episode last year, I would have missed out on a great show. Vegas was slow, I'll admit, and I found the plot to be a little underwhelming. However, I'm pretty sure I said that about Hell on Wheels' pilot, and when I kept watching, the show got better and less snooze-inducing (more on that later). And I will also admit, the main reason I even wanted to watch the show was because of Gil Birmingham's guest role in the pilot (which was also underwhelming, though I credit this to the writers and not the actor). I even was able to get 4 replies from Gil during the premiere, which was the highlight of my Tuesday night and made me kind of forget about the rest of the episode! Haha. "Vegas" apparently wasn't too bad; it had an opening of 14.7 million viewers, sweeping in all demographic (age) categories. Will the series improve? Or will it continue to play on worn out cliches and stereotypes of cowboys vs. bad guys? Time can only tell. I'll keep watching for the forseeable future at least.
2.5/5 personal rating
Viewers: 14.7 million
Hell on Wheels: Season 2 (episodes 1-7)
I never imagined myself writing what I'm about to write in regards to Hell on Wheels. Season 1 left me wanting another season, made me want to know what would happen to these characters that grabbed my interest. Season 2 made me want to know if the writers would continue to go against Hollywood type and expand the roles of Native actors like Eddie Spears (Joseph Black Moon) and Wes Studi (Chief Many Horses). I will be honest, the only reason I even started watching HoW was because of Eddie Spears and Wes Studi, and it's the only reason I've been watching season 2 thus far (Studi has not made an appearance yet in season 2, and it doesn't look like he will). So the show is rated mature. It's not for the weak stomachs, and sometimes I even cringe at the violent nature of the show. I guess what got me intrigued by season 1 was all the diversity and complexity of each character, and the promise by the writers to flesh all that out in season 2. But from episode 1, I've been disappointed in this season so far. We're only 2 episodes away from the end of the season (episodes 9/10 have been combined into one 2 hour finale), and I have yet to be wowed or impressed by a single episode. This isn't good, folks. Apparently, Nielsen is saying so as well, since last Sunday night's episode only had 0.6 million viewers in the 18-49 demographic range; to give you a comparison, Keeping up the Kardashians had 1.8 in the same range on the same night. 'Nough said? Or, you could compare season 2's ratings with those of season 1: episode 2 of season 1 had 1.5 million viewers, double that of season 2's 7th episode. I find the ratings to be a little odd, since most first seasons of shows have lower ratings than those of following seasons! And, we're not talking about the 2nd episode of season 2 here; episode 8 is just around the corner, and ratings are low. I mean L-O-W. Granted, season 2 premiered much earlier in the fall compared to season 1, which premiered in November 2011 (maybe the low ratings are Breaking Bad's fault?). But it kind of makes me wonder: if episode 7 has numbers like these...what in the world will season 3 have going for it? I guess I should explain why I've been so disappointed in the second season. Erratic writing. Plot holes. Character incongruity. Character turn-arounds that are so sudden they don't make sense at all. Characters going crazy/insane to the point of death. The show having a more odd tone to it than season 1. The show being considerably more bloody ("Slaughterhouse" anyone?) and more foul. I'll say this: the main focus of my fan anger is because of the horrible way the Joseph/Ruth relationship has "evolved" over season 2. When I say evolved I really mean "imploded." The writing behind Ruth's character is so all over the place I don't know what she's up to anymore. I've also felt lost timeline wise from episode 1 because time elapsed in-between the two seasons.
And let me tell you folks: It's never good to begin a season feeling so disoriented you can't get your bearings on anything. It's sloppy and messy, and will be the death knell of this show if they don't correct it. The fantastic writing of season 1 has been discarded in favor for something masquerading as quality writing. I'll keep watching season 2 to see how it ends (and I'm curious to see Durant's wife on the show as well), but if there's a 3rd season, well. I seriously doubt I'll be dedicating Sunday nights to the show.
Personal rating: 1.5/5
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