...Speaking of which

My friend just forwarded me this tragic and provocative piece off a LiveJournal blog (sorry, haven't found the original link yet, but it's been passed around a lot so...).

Read and reflect-

"I am the boy who never finished high school, because I got called a fag everyday

I am the girl kicked out of her home because I confided in my mother that I am a lesbian.

I am the prostitute working the streets because nobody will hire a transsexual woman.

I am the sister who holds her gay brother tight through the painful, tear-filled nights.

We are the parents who buried our daughter long before her time.

I am the man who died alone in the hospital because they would not let my partner of twenty-seven years into the room.

I am the foster child who wakes up with nightmares of being taken away from the two fathers who are the only loving family I have ever had. I wish they could adopt me.

I am not one of the lucky ones. I killed myself just weeks before graduating high school. It was simply too much to bear.

I am the man who fears that I will never be able to be myself, to be free of this secret because I won't risk loosing my family and friends.

We are the couple who had the realtor hang up on us when she found out we wanted to rent a one-bedroom for two men.

I am the person who never knows which bathroom I should use if I want to avoid getting the management called on me.

I am the mother who is not allowed to even visit the children I bore, nursed, and raised. The court says I am an unfit mother because I now live with another woman.

I am the domestic-violence survivor who found the support system grow suddenly cold and distant when they found out my abusive partner is also a woman.

I am the domestic-violence survivor who has no support system to turn to because I am male.

I am the father who has never hugged his son because I grew up afraid to show affection to other men.

I am the home-economics teacher who always wanted to teach gym until someone told me that only lesbians do that.

I am the woman who died when the EMTs stopped treating me as soon as they realized I was transsexual.

I am the person who feels guilty because I think I could be a much better person if I didnt have to always deal with society hating me.

I am the man who stopped attending church, not because I don't believe, but because they closed their doors to my kind.

I am the person who has to hide what this world needs most, love.

I am the person ashamed to tell my own friends im a lesbian, because they constantly make fun of them.

I am the boy tied to a fence, beaten to a bloody pulp and left to die because two straight men wanted to "teach me a lesson"


Thoughts anyone? Funny how people are, at the end of the day, the least accepting and most judgemental kind walking this planet. To think that some people would be considered of different value because of their looks, thoughts, or feelings. And to realize that so many people out there DO value their peers differently. How is that for a 21st century on-going tragedy?

xo xo

tPoW

GG proves a point

SPOILER ALERT AHEAD-

Adorable Connor Paolo, who plays lil' bro Eric Van Der somethingorother on the CWs teen drama Gossip Girl, has had an interesting twist for his character as of late. Although Schwartz has lost some (a lot) of that initial hardcore teen drama touch he had with early OC (and early GG episodes too), Connor's performance as well as the writing of this brother-centered episode upped the enjoyment levels a notch.

Turns out, after many rumours, that Eric and Jenny was not going to happen after all, not since this boy with a maturity level far beyond his age had figured out his stance on his sexuality.


Cudos for adding a little frisky twist to the storylines, but also for not batting around with cliches too much when it comes to issues of this nature. Oh wait, they did that! Nonetheless, a good eppi.

The rest of the latter part of the season though? Well, in true Josh Schwartz fashion there was bitchyness, relapses, drama, and faltering storylines already in the first season. Repetitive doesn't always work in the long run. The UPs include Blair's storylines, Nate and Chuck's friendship in all it's loyal quirkyness, and hey Serena pulled a Marissa and 'killed' someone... only she didn't... and there were drugs... but she didn't actually... only she did... and then Dan... and the confusion... and then Ryan...

Oh, hang on. Which show was which again?

Anyhow... Let's hope the CW makes sure those producers spend a little less of the budget on the clothing and a little more on, well, refreshing the show. Teens need their weekly drama too, let's make it quality drama guys!

xo xo

ps. There's just something about him, and if you wanna see more of Connor's acting check out 'Alexander' (the movie), or the first hour at least. He plays young Alex, and get's to sit by Angelina Joile.

'No rest for the Wicked'

Apparently Mr. Kripke (aka master of the Supernatural land=) had wanted 'No rest for the wicked' as a tag line for the show from the very start.

Personally I think that'd have rocked. And a small selfish part of me keep thinking that if the CW had only caved on that (instead of 'ghosts just got sexy') we might not have had to endure the finale of season three. Because, you know, sure it was a mind blowing, beautiful (cinematography and dialogue and story wise), fast paced, classic SPN, dark, and cliffy episode. BUT it left millions of fans out there shell shocked and muttering words that held no meaning. CLIFFHANGER MUCH?

Don't worry, won't leave any spoilers here... Just saying. It was cruel and evil and plotted, and positively genious.

Course, they knew they'd been renewed. More importantly perhaps Eric's got a plan. A five year plan. And he knows where to take the show, thank whoever's watching, and we are not risking to fall into a tragic grey's pattern of back and forth and nothingness.

As for cast updates (look away if you're not up to date post 3.15) Bela Talbot has bowed out of the show for the last time. The character that didn't really bring much of anything that brought the storyline forward to the show got a graceful and, honestly, quite wicked ending. From the add-on that stirred such dramz in the fan circles, Bela is now running the chance of being remembered quite fondly as the antagonist and evil bitch lord that... well... you know. Hell hath no fury and all that. Furthermore Lauren Cohan did a great job throughout the season despite being thrown a role that wasn't even supposed to be re-occuring, and is headed for a great career... Looking forward to seeing her (in other settings).

As for Ruby and Bobby, they're both staying on. Katie and Jim have both put in nice performances over the year, and will continue to be re-occuring in season four.

All in all, the latter part (post 3.7 ish) of the third season had Supernatural steadily heading back to the cult classic's roots and by the very end we were back to the good ol' school Kripke ways of intensity, lore, and darkness, and of course the brothers. As one of the few shows actually heading in a steady direction ever since the pilot, the next two years of the five year plan promise to be just as addictive and high class.

Not to mention, will someone be giving Jensen Ackles an emmy, or a film role with Oscar promise, anytime soon? The man is underrated in the awards circles. Seriously, give him something big screen to chew on!

xo xo

'The boat that rocked' open casting in Weymouth!

Open Casting sessions for 'The Boat that Rocked' at Weymouth, UK (southern part, the tip by the atlantic, you'll find it on the bottom of a England map) continues on Sunday 10AM-5PM at the Best Western Hotel Prince Regent. You'll find it by spotting the block-long cue of hopefulls waiting to get their picture taken and sign the address slip...

PS. Know how to swim if you're going...

The movie itself includes Philip Seymour-Hoffman (apologies for the spelling), Rhys Ifans (who knew him and Sienna were getting friendly?), and is focused on the somewhat partially potentially true story of a North Sea rocking radio station called 'Radio Rock'. It's directed by Richard Curtis, and honestly looks kind of promising. Shooting starts in May, so swing by and take a look around if you're in the area...

best of luck dearies

/Des

Re-newed television dramas

In case anybody missed...

Here's a list of who's back and, well, you'll figure out the rest... Sad news there, Prison Break will return. Why?! Why not let the poor show rest in peace already. It's over, out, done... 90210 was more interesting by it's fourth season. Actually, by the tenth, which is saying something...

In other news, Supernatural is also back, yay... Celebrate like happy people...

OTH- Running to stand still s5e13

Hm… I actually have to say I’m impressed with OTH’s new season. There’s a lot of the old worn-out drama there which, yeah, get’s a bit boring the fiftieth time around. But in last night’s (ep 10) episode the Haley and Nathan scenes made up for a lot of that. Plus, Q is really growing on me (I can’t believe I said that…).

Being a fan of gorgeous Bethany Joy Lenz/Galeotti’s musical aspirations I have a lot of respect for her in whatever undertakings she ventures into, and as far as the role of Haley I loved her portrayal from the start (although I think the writing changed her character pretty drastically pretty quickly… perhaps not always for the better). Lenz/Galeotti’s interactions with on-screen hubby (as of the moment) Nathan Scott (played by James Lafferty, the formerly youngest member of the cast), and the Naley-couplings strong fan base support, has obviously become quite the pillar in the show as well. Last night, though, that pillar once more suffered a blow. And this time, the question is if the writers are trying to bring in more spices by tearing them apart (again… although they haven’t got the track record of the Peyton-Lucas-Brooke triangle. The last lines of that eppi, and the play out of those scenes sorta confirmed the shift into the ‘grown up’ world as opposed to the teenage dramz that colored the series for four seasons.

As far as the rest of the 10th episode of season five, it was alright. Dan (Paul Johansson) was back, and as always the creepy slightly insane and sneakily malicious voice of the Scott brother’s daddy dearest seemed like a lost member of the team that had come back home. The guy nails the role a bit too well (although, come on, give the man a break. Have him parolled and make him turn out really evilly in that sneaky way. Like, really really turn around).

Peyton (Hillarie Burton) did some verbal tango with her former boss and defended her label and only artist, yay. Brooke (Sophia Bush) brought the bar tender to NY to show off her business and real estate, but ended up running across good old Rachel (Daneel Harris), whom I actually came to love in all her wicked ways. I mean come on, you crash your car over a bridge, almost hook up with Mouth, almost steal the cheer squad from Brooke and end up the cause of a fist fight (that was her, right?), and then get expelled, and then… Well, she was nice. In a whirl-windy slightly insane way. Just, please, have her say other lines than “I don’t wanna be alone” while pouting next time, kay? Great and not (really) a too surprising twist of her storyline but… I’m pretty sure there could’ve been more acting and lines thrown in that direction.

Ok, main point though. Nanny Carrie (doesn’t that just sound like one of the original Carrie sequels?) is the evil bitch version of Dan. Lindsay was… Where the he*l was she? I missed her non-tree-hilly ness! And Jamie (Jackson) was adorably awesome as always (dude, he’s how old?). And, the big pressing issue is how serious the ‘D’ word was at the end of the episode… Tune in to find out. Eh…
Well come on guys, this isn’t exactly The OC. It’s a guilty pleasure... one of a few. Many. Alright whatever, it pops on every once in a while and every once in a while it rocks (actually, that happens at least for a few lines every other eppi).

/

Des


P.S. The CW has officially announced a sixth season is ordered.

Grey's... season four

Been catching up with some of the Seattle Grace's going ons, and I must say season four is not quite as desperate as I had thought (remember the 'three seasons and the show's pretty much, usually, dead' posting). In fact, there are high points. Especially when you've taken a long (long!) break from the dramz that is surgeons and on-call rooms on eve tv...

Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is amazing, love her. But I did want to smack her (and had to pause the player repeatedly) when she turned into that blubbering awe-struck teen in front of what's-his-face jock from her high school days. Did love the resolution where we find out McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey) too wore a band uniform in high school, and had acne issues. Yes, high school is... interesting.

Izzie (Katherine Heigl)/George (T.R. Knight) Well... And beware those of you who haven't gotten past eppi seven/eight (SPOILERS), but this one had me all confused. I thought George and Callie were pretty much over from the start, but their storyline was interesting. Got old towards the end though. Oh, and I just love Callie (Sara Ramirez), I mean her entrance into the show involves dancing around in her 'home' in the cellar of the hospital as the chief walks in, plus she's sassy in a more believable way.
But... The coupling, well, could've worked. But they're just so perfect as just best friends it definitely seems like it could've gotten awkward. Still, lucky girl... And as far as Izzie's storyline go, I think she could really carry some more hefty (=juicy) character backstories come-to-life. We already see it happening with the 'not friends like Mer and Christina' comments, and the 'trailerpark' references.

Meridith (Ellen Pompeo)/Christina (Sandra Oh).... I just had to say, I love em both... in all their dark and twisted ways, both of them (!), love them. Even though both characters are worn out and more often than not evoke strange desires to smack them over the head... Why! Why is it fair that Mer has to have abandonment issues big enough to twart McDreamy happy-ever-afterness? What does that leave for the rest of us twisted personas? *sad smile* And Christina needs to punch Hahn. Mostly just because that'd be an awsome showdown. Oh *pictures*. Plus, someone needs to put the new Burke in place.

And there's the other thing. Are we missing Burke (Isaiah Washington)? Are we, really? Because, while him and Christina had their moments of wow ness I think their time ran out... a bit. And, well, it's all going quite well... Right?

Oh, and I hear saucy gossip that Kate (Walsh) is returning for an episode to come in the spring (date's not been set cause the eppi's not been scripted out fully yet). Oh Addison, bringing in the comedy and the drama.

So basically, the fourth season doesn't suck. It'll never reach the peak of the 'Denny dying while Izzie frantically shoves her career down the pipe to save him' arc back in season two/three (early), but hey... It doesn't suck. And it's evolved. And they're all older, bossier, and tragic, and they shout a lot and make dumb decisions and have lots of open heart surgeries.

/
Prue

P.S. Madeleine Zima's guest apperance (as Marissa during the 'high school sucks' episode) as the pretty realistic best friend of 'pencil in my eye' guy was fantastic, can't wait to see more of her (in leading roles!)...

George: "Izzie, did you only shave one of your legs?"

Izzie: (starts crying again) "Yes!"

Reminisce, and enjoy the height of a storyline (/show). A few years ago now.

Supernatural re-newed for Fourth Season!

Big (and official) news!!!! SPN aka Supernatural will return with a fourth season sometime in the fall, the CW has announced. It is being re-newed along with Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Smallville, and America's next top model to name a few (check out the list here or here).

Great news for the fans who've been worrying throughout the strike. The show which has developed quite the cultish fan base around the world (dude, who get's more conventions in their schedules than these guys? Okay, seriously, don't answer that, I was just trying to make a point) will also be back for a couple (four) of episodes in circa April where among other things we'll have blair witch style/ghostbusters in reality show format comedy with the guys who asked the vital question back in season one, WWB (what would buffy do)? I feel so bad for knowing that *look guilty*. The big Dean-going-off-to-hell arc will also recieve a good deal of focus, and the last eppi is (DON'T READ IF YOU FEAR RELATIVELY OBVIOUS SPOILERS) supposed to center on his last day...

Lovely.... *grins expectantly*

/
Des

Fanfiction/parody ala Supernatural (Abridged series)

A friend sent me the link to the Abridged series version of the Supernatural Hookman (s1e7) eppi... And I must say it was quite funny at times. Bare with the first two pages and it get's pretty awsome. Especially love pyromaniacal Dean...

Enjoy kids =)

/
Des

Gone baby Gone

"Based on the Dennis Lehane novel about two Boston area detectives investigating a little girl's kidnapping, which ultimately turns into a crisis both professionally and personally."


First off, gone baby gone. Ben Affleck feel down to the very core, and in a good way too. It’s the Good Will Hunting thing that’s come back to sparkle, granted though not to the same extent.

The film is based on a book (by Dennis Lehane) so complaining of the story would really make this more of a book review. The re-write to script works fine, well suited to the director and the cast. Casey Affleck (Patrick Kenzie) works perfectly in the role as he-doesn’t-look-a-day-over-25-investigator, and everyone down to the extras feel authentic. The mother of the missing girl (who has an un-canny resemblance to missing Madeleine, aka Europe’s heart ache girl who went missing from a hotel in Portugal almost a year ago) is perfect for the role, and a little too convincing in the ending scene where her priorities seem back to being… questionable but reflections of her life experiences.

Wow, that sounded awfully defensive. Don’t take it that way though.

The only real issues I have with this film relate to the answers we get towards the end. The un-folding of the plot after a certain point felt, at the time of watching, a bit un-realistic. However, while writing this and reminiscing in the scenes I realize it’s grown on me rather than the opposite. Then there is Michelle Monaghan (aka Angie Genarro and Casey’s character’s girlfriend and partner in missing-persons cases). Cute girl, probably an awsome actress, but at times I wonder what her role is in the movie except to make the first bar scene logical (threat to the damsel), fill out and ask some of the questions, act as emotional buffer. Her character seems to have a lot more depth and potential than shines through in the film (perhaps the book depicts her differently, perhaps the length of the movie simply didn’t allow for those moments to be included).

All in all, the movie was nice to watch (apart from the whole ‘god no, not the kid’ issue). Definitely one of the better releases of late, with a lot more old school depth and dramaturgy than some of it’s fellows in time. While the hype around We own the night for example out-did this one by far, Gone baby gone works the shoots and the emotional development of the storyline (a bit too many quick cuts between sights of the neighborehood though, but it’s workable).

As far as controversy goes bthw (beyond kimmel f*ing the director), the movie was not released in certain parts of England according to rumors because of the Madeleine case which remains unsolved.

All in all, it’s more than a good job. Not an awsome 'oh wow my hands are shaking' job, but definitely good and intriguing and once you put it on you’ll want to see it through even though you may have issues with some turns of events or the way Casey drawls his ‘h’s.

Desideria