More Comic Con Stuff

I MISSED CHUCK NORRIS!!!!!! WAAAA!!!:(

While I was up in the press room interviewing the very photographic Jensen Ackles, Chuck Norris, my longtime hero was roaming the Exhibit hall buying stuff for his two youngest kids. So close yet so far away..*sigh* maybe next time.

I think I had one of my ultimate fangirl moments when I got meet Charles Band! Yes I am a huge fan of the tacky horror movies produced by Band's Full Moon Productions and to meet the man who was responsible for such favorites of mine as 'Trancers' and Puppet Masters was just a huge thrill for me. Yes, my friends say that my inner child is really a 12 year old boy and this just proves it LOL!

That and I just had to get some photos of the Mach 5 and the Batmobile..if the 67 Impala from Supernatural had been there I would have been in car heaven.

Some Comic Con Stuff

I recently went to Comic Con this past weekend to do some coverage for Eclipse Magazine. I had a lot of fun, but the pace was very hectic and by Sunday I was feeling the drag.

I'll have lots of interviews and articles upcoming in the weeks ahead, but just wanted to share some overflow stuff here. Mostly photos and fun encounters with some really great people.

Got a chance to meet one of my long time faves, Marc Singer and interview him. I have to tell you he looks amazing and he has such beautiful blue eyes. Got to chat with the always interesting John De lancie who was at the Lightspeed Fine Arts booth to promote his new work.

Also got to talk to Teryl Rothery who told me that Janet Fraiser is not going to be in any of the two new SG1 movies, but did tell me what a great time she had working on Supernatural in the episode Heart where she once again played a medical person. She said that Jared Padalecki was an absolute sweetheart to work with..very funny and very giving.., but she got a crimp in her neck having to look up at him. (Padalecki is 6'4" and Teryl is 5'3"). Teryl said she would love to work on Supernatural again and of course appear as Janet Fraiser in any new SG1 movies that might come along. So listen up SG1 movie producers....we want Teryl back:)

Got my picture taken with the very suave Joseph Mallozzi Showrunner for SG: Atlantis. Got a nice pic of Ben Browder and of Browder, Judge and Tapping together. Got a great shot of my two favorite guys from Eureka. Oh and just for good measure got to take nice photos of the very photographic Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester, Supernatural).


That's it for this post now, more to come.

M

Michael Shanks is Setting Records at TVGuide.com

Michael's Publicist has just passed along another message about his TVGuide Blog

"Michael's blog is now officially launched, and available via TVGuide's Celebrity Blogs page. He already may have set a new record for number of user comments in a celeb blog posting, which is awesome."
http://community.tvguide.com/blogs/Celebrity-Blogs/700000136

Way to go Michael Shanks:)

Commentary - The Punisher (the Thomas Jane Version)

"In certain "extreme" situations, the law is inadequate. In order to shame its inadequacy, it is necessary to act outside the law. To pursue natural justice. This is not vengeance. Revenge is not a valid motive, its an emotional response. No, not vengeance-but punishment." -Frank Castle (a.k.a. The Punisher)

The other day while I was at Wal-Mart shopping for something else, I came across the Extended cut of The Punisher starring Thomas Jane. So I bought it. I'm glad I waited and got this version as the added footage explains so much more and really gives the movie back some of the coherency and punch I always believe it was intended to have. But with or without that, it was still a movie I have found myself compelled to watch over and over again. Never tiring of it.

For some reason I cannot really explain, I love this movie. Every time it's on a premium channel I have to sit down and watch it. I've been through numerous rationales for why it calls to me and no matter what else I am doing, I have to sit down and watch this version of The Punisher, which stars Thomas Jane.

Well one could look at the photos I have included of TJ as Frank Castle/The Punisher and conclude it's got to be the sexy look he's got going in this movie. However, this is the only movie aside from Deep Blue were I find Mr. Thomas Jane even remotely attractive (he does have a nice chest and I am happy to see he hasn't given into the latest thing about all male actors having to have smooth, hairless chests). So no it's not how he looks per se.

I do know he has one of those voices I find very intriguing and wonderful to listen to. If he and Timothy Dalton, Jensen Ackles, Sam Elliot and Richard Chaves ever did a movie together I would probably melt into a puddle just from listening to them talk LOL:) But even that isn't enough to explain my attachment to this movie.

The production release describes the plot of The Punisher as this: The Punisher walks through the world we all know, a world darkened by war, crime, cruelty and injustice. He has no superpowers to battle the evil he sees - only his fierce intelligence, his years of combat experience and, above all, his iron determination to avenge those wronged by society's villains.

Sometimes I think it's my own innate need to tilt at windmills and my own intolerance for unfairness or how some people seem to get away with things and doing things to other people and not have retribution brought down on them.

Sometimes I think it's because Frank Castle is so adrift and alone in the world having lost all the people he cares about. The only thing keeping him going is a fierce need to stand between other innocent victims and the terrible thing that happened to him. He's such a loner. He plays by his own rules and sets his own boundaries.

One of these days I'll figure it out. Til then, I have a really great extended cut of this movie to watch whenever I want to. To be able to listen to Thomas Jane's voice and get all shivery over it cause he does have a nice voice. Oh and he aint to bad to look at in this movie either;)

M

Fictional Character Appreciation - Happy Birthday Sam Winchester

Happy 24th Birthday to one of my Supernatural 'Boys' Sam Winchester.

Memory Lane - Happy Birthday Merrill Osmond

Yes, I'm taking another trip down memory lane back to my teenage girlhood and the guy whose pictures shared my bedroom walls with those of Chuck Norris and Paul Michael Glaser.

Today is Merrill Osmond's birthday.

Happy Birthday 'Teddy Bear' from this 'teenager' who is still proud to be listening to your music at the top of her car stereo:)

Shallow Blog Post: My 'Most Wanted'

There you have it, my 'Most Wanted' List, what a line up huh LOL

Ok so it does need the addition of a character played by Chuck Norris to make it complete but I just had to post these pictures as my latest 'shallow blog' contribution.

I guess I just found it so funny that over the last 2 months 3 of my favorite actors would play characters that get mug shots taken of them. First to come was the dazzling and talented Michael Shanks as Jack Sullivan in the Lifetime Movie Judicial Indescretion. Jack Sullivan is a very nasty piece of work and Michael Shanks played the role to perfection once again proving what an amazingly talented actor he is.

The other two are Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, stars of my current favorite TV series Supernatural. There is Dean 'I call this one Blue Steel' Winchester and Sam 'because I have an idiot for a brother, that's why' Winchester in the episode Folsom Prison Blues..the one were the boys con their way into prison to fight a supernatural threat.

Needless to say I think they all three look adorable in their mug shots and are definitely on my wanted list LOL!

M

Memory Lane - War of The Worlds Revisited

I was in the Circuit City store the other day to buy an new cordless phone and decided to ramble through their selection of TV shows on DVD that were for sale. So what did I discover but the whole first season of the late 80's TV show War of the Worlds.

Wow, but I loved that show and the whole 'buddy' thing between the sweet Harrison Blackwood (played by Jared Martin)and the sexy Lt. Col. Paul Ironhorse (played by Richard Chaves). I wrote a ton of fanfic back in the early 90's about this show and especially about these two characters. Harrison and Paul were fascinating to me in their dynamic and interaction. Of the two of them, Paul Ironhorse with his military background and his strong sense of loyalty to his Native American heritage was the most intriguing to me of all.

In sitting down and watching this show on DVD at first I was wincing over the cheesy special effects and the shallowness of the plotting, but then I began remembering what it was that drew me in..it was Harrison and Paul. Don't get me wrong, I liked Suzanne and Norton too. It's just that there was this strong 'buddy' element of two opposites coming together to form friendship between Paul and Harrison. A working chemistry between Jared Martin and Richard Chaves that really stood out and captured my attention.

Ok and to be perfectly shallow they were two good looking men, especially Chaves. And Richard Chaves has a voice that can make a girls knees go weak, ok well he makes mine go weak (OMG if he and Timothy Dalton and Jensen Ackles ever did a project together I would be in heaven cause I could listen to those three read the phone book I tell ya). I loved the contrast between the lightness of Harrison Blackwood with blue eyes and the dark smoldering look of Ironhorse with deep brown eyes.

So here I am going down memory lane with two of my favorite characters and of course now they are urging me to write fan fic about them again LOL. Of course they are going to have to talk a little louder to be heard over Dean and Sam Winchester right now LOL.

It's been really nice to see these two 'old friends' again.

M

Update on the Bear

In the end, I could not part with Harry. He's been in my life as long as I can remember and he'd held my secrets, shared my dreams, my sorrows and happiness far too long to just put him on the curb for the trash man to take.

So what if he's just made of stuffing, fake fur and numerous additions of this and that to keep him held together. He's still a part of my heart and I'm just gonna keep him there for good.

M

Life and the Joy of Unpacking

I finally finished moving all my stuff from one apartment to the next. Now comes the joy of unpacking.

It's kinda like Christmas, I get to open boxes that have who knows what inside of them. Yes, of course I'm one of those people who doesn't methodically label every box and carton..heck I have a ton of video tapes that I have no idea what I recorded on them, so why would I label boxes for moving LOL!

I also have some stuff I have to make a serious decision on as to whether or not it's time to let go of it. One of those major decisions involves my childhood and a teddy bear I've had since I was 4 years old. Harry began life as a present given to my 15 year old cousin from one of her 'boyfriends of the week'. At two foot in height, Harry was just a fraction taller than me. I loved him and his shiny blue fur at first sight. 'boyfriend of the week' and giver of said bear lasted longer than a week then he was replaced. Harry was then placed into my arms with the command to 'take this thing if you want it.'(he had been replaced by a stuff leopard named 'Delphy').

Harry and I became fast friends and constant companions. The years went by and a lifetime of absorbing tears, secrets and hugs had taken its toll on his shiny blue fur which was eventually worn threadbare. A bout of fiercely being dragged around by a insolent puppy with no respect for the owners treasured things while she was at work, left Harry with a gaping hole in his chest, an arm and leg missing and vital stuffing strewn around the floor. Major reconstructive surgery ensued, preformed by an understanding sister in law who gave Harry a new chest covering and a pair of men's athletic socks as a new arm and leg (we have the technology, we can rebuild him).

Today I have to decide if it's time to let go of Harry.

But how to do you look a thread bare teddy bear with a piece of blue valour over his chest, a pair of men's athletic socks doubling for an arm and a leg..who is not just filled with cotton stuffing, but a childhood full of memories (not to mention a few adult ones as well..it was into Harry's reconstructed chest that I sobbed out my grief over the loss of my mother those first few and terrible weeks after her death) in his trusting plastic eyes and tell him it's time to go?

The answer tomorrow.

M

My New Car Is Going to do What?

For the first time in my life, I am at a point to be able to afford to buy a brand new car instead of something used. So after my trusty ten year old Eagle Talon had a major mechancial failure too expensive to repair in a car that was also starting to have many minor issues as well, I decided to go car shopping early last December and get me something as a birthday/Christmas present to myself.

Of course I was thinking sports car. I have a particular fondness for Pontiac Firebirds and am still pining away over the loss of my beloved 77 Formula Firebird that I had bought used back in the mid 80's (350 engine, duel carb/duel exhaust--zero to 90 in a heartbeat) and drove until the body on it just started falling off and the price of gas got too expensive to keep it on the road.

However it turns out that even used sports cars were out of my budget range, but my favorite Saturn Dealer (I've bought my last two cars from their used car department and they were total gems to own) told me that I could afford a NEW CAR. Ok I said rather scepticly and they trotted out this black 2007 Saturn ION for me to puruse. It's pictured above.

OMG it's so...conservative looking was my first reaction to this boxy thing on wheels sitting in front of me waiting to go for a test spin. Where had the sleeker, sportier design of the Saturn gone to! (meanwhile their sexy version of a sports car sat in the corner of the showroom mocking me with it's outragous price tag).

Putting my reservations aside, I got in and took the ION for a test drive. Yep it was definitely conservative. Meanwhile my favorite Saturn Dealer was extolling the virtures of the car. It had ONSTAR, it has a Satellite Phone, it has a button to call an ambulance..'but where is the cassette player' I asked looking around anxiously. The only place I'm really serious about listening to music is in the car. How was I going to enjoy the music of she who is legend to me?

No cassette tape player, my dear. Those are obsolete now. I was beginning to feel obsolete too

"But your car can send you emails." FSD said with smile.

"It can do what?" I had immediate visions of KITT the Knight Rider car suddenly turned into a conservative boxy thing that would be filling my inbox with whiny messages about being too cold, too hot, too lonely out in the parking lot without me. But no, it was not to be anything even that exotic.

It will send me status updates on oil, the engine and other mechanical issues. Lovely. I'll get Boring technical emails from a car..as if spam wasn't bad enough.

In the end, however the boxy, conservative black 2007 Saturn ION won me over and he and I drove off the lot together with me glancing back at trusty little black Eagle Talon sitting forlornly off to the side of the lot. Soon he would be going to the auto auction like an old horse to the glue factory. Yes, I cried. I'm the kind of woman who gets emotionally attached to her cars (except the much hated and much reviled 1986 Ford Taurus I owned for a brief time. I was so glad to see that piece of money grubbing junk go away that I zoomed off the lot in my 1990 red Pontiac Sunbird with a smile on my face).

I'm also the kind of woman who names her cars as well. From Old Blue (1973 Chevy Nova), Prince Baron the 77 Formula Firebird, right up to Teal'c the Talon (btw, just a tip, never name your car after a Clint Eastwood character and think that will make it tough and dependable..yes the Taurus was named Rowdy Yates) I've always given them names. And yes I have 'guy' cars and don't even try to give me that hoohaw about all cars being female because of the way gas is put into them. Gas is fuel which is food to the car and you name me one guy who doesn't put a spoon or a fork in his mouth to eat with.

This one has a name too, but I'm keeping that to myself. One day when he is gone to the auto auction, I'll tell you what it is. I will say that so far it's been a good name and the car seems to like it alot.

Wonder if he's sent me any emails today:)

Jon Bon Jovi - My Picses Birthday Guy Today

Yes, I'm still in the process of moving, so I'm still writing about shallow stuff, like picses men having birthdays and looking good shirtless:)

Todays installment is Jon Bon Jovi, awesome singer, actor and picses guy without a shirt on;)

"Shot through the heart, you're to blame! You give love a bad name!" The one song I simply have to play at full volume on the car stereo when it comes on the radio!

M

New Sera Gamble Interview - Supernatural

Sequential Tart has another great interview with Supernatural Executive Story Editor Sera Gamble

Super Women: Sera Gamble
An(other) Interview with Supernatural's Executive Story Editor
by Mary Borsellino
When I interviewed Supernatural Executive Story Editor Sera Gamble for December's Sequential Tart last year, fandom kind of exploded with glee at some of the things she had to say.

Since then, the show's season has progressed, and one of the then-upcoming episodes that Sera discussed in our chat — "Houses of the Holy" — has aired. I caught up with Ms Gamble again to talk faith, finales, music, and Sam Winchester's sex life.



Has some really spoilery stuff in it, especially for fans of Sam Winchester!

Commentary on Saw 3 - (spoilers)

I took a break from packing and moving over the weekend to watch the movie Saw 3. I have to say it was very uneven and I think it more cohesion. There were parts that were 'edge of the seat' suspenseful and some that were 'head on the back of the couch, eyelids drooping' down right boring. Oh and there were also a few 'ack look away', moments too.

However it was interesting how they wove events from the first and second movies into the storyline of the 3rd and gave the viewers a look at what happened to some of the character and what their fates really were.

I don't think the 2nd and 3rd Saw movies captured the same spark of creativity that the first one had. Lacked the same intensity to the twists and turns of the plot.

I really hope they don't try to make a Saw 4 (but of course I'll watch it just to see).

Marla

I own an Apology to Kate Bosworth (spoilers for Superman Returns)

She doesn't know it, but I owe Kate Bosworth an apology. When I heard they had cast her as Lois Lane in the movie Superman Returns, I was like 'what??". She is far too young to be playing a 'seasoned news reporter' is how I felt about it.

Well I finally broke down and rented the movie. Kate Bosworth was awesome, that's all there is too it.

Her Lois Lane was tough, saavy but with a softer edge to her. That softer edge came from the fact that Lois was now a mother and Kate Bosworth played this aspect of the role perfectly.

All in all she was flawless in this movie and I certainly hope they keep her for any sequels.

Brandon Routh was just amazing as well. His take on Clark Kent was a seamless transition from the late Christopher Reeeve's portrayal and a perfect match. Yet his take on the Superman part was, IMHO far superior to that of Christoper Reeves'version. His Superman had great strength and power, but he also had grace and elegance about him. He not so much flew in the air as he danced upon it and was a thing of beauty to behold. He never lost his masculine energy, but he wasn't afraid to show his vunerability and serious side.(though my favorite Clark Kent/Superman is still Dean Cain's version and is followed closely by Tom Wellings version)

Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. Great choice, but I think Michael Rosenbaum does a better, more layered take on this character.

Thankfully this movie has no Lana Lang!

Commentary on SG1 S10 Episode Bad Guys(spoilers)

Don't know if it was the lighting or not, but Michael Shanks looked very tanned:)

One day this man will get to do a real comedy and that will be a wonderful thing because he can do comedy very well. His timing and his use of body language/facial expression are amazing.

Sadly though, Stargate SG-1 is not a comedy and while some humor is always welcome, seeing Daniel Jackson reduced to nothing more than the comic relief for the sake of the story was not something I enjoyed watching for the character (but conversely thought that Michael can really do comedy).

Who was that guy impersonating Daniel Jackson? Is it some left over influence of Merlin's personality or some weird gate related mutation. Either way, it was very jarring and not something I want to see the character do again..Michael Shanks as an actor do again in some really all out funny comedy, yes..but Daniel Jackson, no. It threw me right out of the storyline.

So Vala did Sam's job while she was gone and as much as I hate to say this because I like Sam Carter, but Vala did it better and in a more interesting manner. If this episode proves one thing it's that Vala is one smart lady.

Mitchell and Teal'c were perfectly in character in this episode and that along with Vala made it very good in many parts. I liked Jaymas the guard and I liked the curator guy. They were good characters. Wish I could say more for the other characters..like the totally cliched 'valley girls from another planet' and the ridiculous catfight thing. I wonder who came up with that..Ben Browder or Martin Gero. Whichever one did needs a good talking to.

I like fluff as much as the next person, I just don't like it at the sacrifice of a character's integrity and intelligence. This episode did both to Daniel Jackson and I find that very disheartening. Only in the end did he actually turn back into the real Daniel Jackson.
__________________
MARLA

Supernatural - Houses of the Holy (spoilers)

In a recent interview, Supernatural Executive Story Editor, Sera Gamble says she jokingly describes the premise of Supernatural as "the epic love story of Sam and Dean." She might just be saying this to tease show creator Eric Kripke, but I think it's one of the most accuracte descriptions of the show out there.

Love doesn't just mean romantic/sexual feelings between two people. Love is something that encompasses many forms amd types of relationships. Why deny the fact that Sam and Dean Winchester, as brothers, love each other very much and that they are on a journey of discovering and testing what that love means and where it's boundries, if any exist, are.

Once again the writers of Supernatural, most specificly Sera Gamble take the backdrop of 'the hunt' to bring forth a story that reveals more to us about the complex nature of Sam and Dean Winchester and their connection to each other as brothers and warriors in the battle.

I think the most compelling thing that this episode brings to the table is something that we have seen alot of this season..and that is how much Dean believes in Sam. The one thing I have noticed and really admire the skills of the writers in presenting it to us in such a subtle way, not to mention the incredible acting talent of Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, is that Dean is, when you come right down to it, not a leader, he is a follower. The subtle way that you see that while on the surface Dean seems to be the alpha male, it's actually Sam that is. Sam is the leader because Dean desperately needs something to believe in and to follow that he can see and know for sure has a tangible presence. For years the thing he believed in was their father, but that belief was rocked to it's foundations when John Winchester made a deal with a demon to trade his life, not really for Dean's but for a means to have Dean there to look after Sam.

I found The House of The Holy to be more than just a good vs evil issue or 'is there really a God' issue. I found it to be more of a metaphor about the changing relationship between Dean and Sam. About leadership and redemption. The 'angel' in this story was giving those who had led less than good lives the chance to redeem themselves by hunting down and killing real evil...which is a perfect allegory for what has happened with Dean and his father. John Winchester to whom Dean followed and hero worshipped his whole life gave (in Dean's own opinion of himself) his less than perfect son Dean a chance at 'redemption' by saving him from death to be there to protect and follow (in Dean's own opinion) John's perfect son Sam.

The ending car chase scene, the scene where Dean is doing, without question, what Sam wants him to do. Following the man Sam says is bad to keep him from killing that girl and Dean witnessing a 'devine intervention' was so well written. It was a revelation to Dean that there is something higher than what he can see. That there is something more to who he is than someone to be a follower.

That the angel turned out to be what Dean thought it might be, which was a vengeful spirit, was well written too. Not once did it take away from the idea of a higher power, but it brought home that man has to be careful with the powers he is given or assumes he has been given. That Sam has to be careful with whatever it is the Demon wants him for..that Sam himself might, all on his own, become the one to use it incorrectly without any influence from the demon at all. That he has to be careful not to become something he is not ready to be yet or should never be in the first place, especially not without someone there to balance him. Not without Dean there.

Very good episode, very well written and acted. Rock on Supernatural!

You're the Only One I'd Watch MacGyver For

Catchy blog title huh?

Not that this blog entry has anything to do with MacGyver LOL. Except to say it's one of my favorite older shows.

Actually I just found out that apparently a lot of people think this is what Melissa Etheridge is saying in her song 'You're the Only One'. The actual line is 'you're the only one I'd walk across the fire for'.

So I guess I'm not the only one who has being singing the wrong lyrics to songs like 'You're the One that I Want' from the Grease soundtrack. I mean for years I could have sworn Olivia Newton John was singing:

"I've got shoes, they're multiplyin', and I'm losin' control cause the power you're supplyin', it's electrifyin' .

Which of course didn't make a bit of sense to me even though as I've gotten older and somehow fallen into the kind of shoe buying fetish I had previously been able to ignore, I've discovered that shoes can indeed multiply. Oh and a full blown shoe buying fetish can go out of control, which is what makes the shoes multiply.

I have recently decided to do research and have found out that what she is actually singing is:

"I've got chills, they're multiplyin', and I'm losin' control cause the power you're supplyin', it's electrifyin' ."

Somehow when all said and done, I think I like shoes better LOL!

Marla

Commentary on Under The Mistletoe(spoilers)

This is a movie very dear to my heart because I got to spend some time on a location set for it interviewing star Michael Shanks and director George Mendeluk. While I was there I got to watch the actors at work. The following is a critique of the movie and a little bit about my experiences on the set.

Aside from a few sentiments that bothered my slightly feminist nature ...such as the deceased Tom Chandler telling his son Jonathan thatSusan 'needs a man in her life' because she is struggling to cope with paying bills and such... this is a charming and gentle movie.

Both George Mendeluk and Michael Shanks describe Jamie Ray Newman as being very 'present' in her role of Susan Chandler and after seeingthe movie I understand more clearly what they are saying. SusanChandler just fills the screen with chemistry and energy. The only problem I had with Susan Chandler is that she seems a bit too self absorbed. Even with mistakenly thinking that Kevin Harrison has a wife at home, she constantly imposes on him to look after her son while she pursues her 'love life'.

I mean I would think it was very strange for someone's wife to allow him to just go baby-sit my kid on a moment's notice.

After seeing this movie and even with knowing why Michael Shanks chose the role he did in it, part of me kinda wishes we could have seen what he would have done with the role of the ghostly father, Tom Chandler. In my interview with George Mendeluk, he says that Michael Shanks has a wholesome quality about him that makes Kevin Harrison so believable. Boy is this ever true.

You just can't help but want to take this man home with you. He is gentle, caring, intuitive, intelligent and dedicated to helping Jonathan deal with losing his dad. Yet there is an air of sadness about him that tugs at your heart. When he finally reveals the story of how he lost his own wife, you just want to hug Kevin and never let him go. It's easy to see why Michael Shanks was drawn to this role considering how devoted to his own family he is. If you haven't seen the movie yet, keep your eyes open for the bracelet he is wearing which is clearly visible in one particular scene. It is the one thathis oldest daughter made for him and Michael Shanks told me it was part of what he was using to remind him of his own family life and using it to create part of Kevin Harrison's character.Burkely Duffield is really amazing in this movie and George Mendelukis right, he is the one who brings it all together. Under TheMistletoe foregoes the stereotypical 'wisecracking' preteen who is smarter than the adults.

Instead, Jonathan Chandler is filled with achildlike faith and sense of wonder that so often children lose as the head towards their teens. Burkely Duffield makes Jonathan come across as sweet and sincere. In many aspects, Under the Mistletoe is a 'by the numbers' storyline, yet it manages to rise about that and stand out because of theextraordinary cast of characters and the actors playing them, especially Michael Shanks and Burkely Duffield.

Susan is a writer/reporter for City News Magazine and decides to use the radio contest thing as a story for the magazine after her son enters her in the contest. Jonathan is 11 years and there is no comedy ensuing fromthe plot of this movie. The movie is actually straight dramatic with only one small reference to 'going to plan b'.Jonathan Chandler is very worried about his mother and he finds a safe harbor in Kevin Harrison who, instead of treating him dismissively for claiming to be able to speak to his deceased father,opens his mind and heart to the troubled young boy to really listen to him.

The movie treats both Jonathan and Susan's issues of grief over the loss of Tom Chandler with respect, not as comedic fodder.The one thing I did come away with (and I read someone else pointingthis out too in a review) is that movie is really more about Jonathan and Kevin's journey towards bonding as 'father' and 'son', with some help from Tom Chandler more than it was about Susan and Kevin fallingin love.

Susan Chandler in many ways seems almost secondary to this part of the story line as she blithely turns her son's emotional issues and problems over to a man she hardly knows, but immediately trusts to help him. On the totally shallow side, Michael Shanks is absolutely stunning tolook at in this movie. His close ups highlight his eyes and hissmile. The camera angles and blocking for this movie are definitely used to his best advantage, as it is with all the actors involved. This movie was clearly made by someone who wanted it to be focused on the characters, not on the scenery around them.

Watching Michael Shanks work was, I have to say, a really amazing experience. The day was so hot and he was wearing that suit with a jacket.

They had to do the scene over and over several times for different camera angles or because the lighting would suddenlychange on them (drat that sun chosing to go behind a cloud at the wrong moment). Yet Michael Shanks never lost his energy or his enthusiam for the scenes. Not to say he didn't flub up a bit a time or two.

I couldn't stop giggling when he blew the line that began with 'lady' and immediately went into this perfect and I do mean perfect imitationof Jerry Lewis..'laaydeee'(said in high pitched squeaky voice).

Getting to watch he and Jamie Ray Newman rehearse the scene and trying out the dialog with different levels of intensity and voice inflections. Watching them make doing the kind of give and takeduring rehearsals that is what creates chemistry between characters that leap off the screen. Each coaching and critiquing the other all in the process of making each the best they can be on screen.

Standing quietly by in the director's tent as Michael came in towatch the playback of the scene and to ask George Mendeluk the director thoughtful questions about position and lighting because Michael Shanks has a genuine interest in learning everything about the industry he's in and learning it from people whose work head mires and respects.

I feel very privileged to have gotten that opportunity to see an actor, whom I admire, in his working environment and seeing himwithing his creative process first hand.Did I mention the man was glowing with happiness at being in thismovie and getting to play a dad, a hockey coach and play on the ice:)

Did you ever have the Urge

To 're-imagine' an episode of your favorite TV show because the episode just didn't work for you or you just expected more out of it?

I've had that urge ever since I saw SG1 S10 The Shroud. The episode had IMHO so much potentional and was to me very much a let down. As I stated in my review, it was just to glossed over and really had no heart or soul in the places and scenes where I wanted it most to be..yah I'm talking about the Jack and Daniel scenes.

I've re-imagined several episodes of SG1 before and really had a very satisfying time doing it. Don't know if others enjoyed them, but I had a great time working on them.

Have you ever seen a movie that you would like to re-imagine into an episode of your favorite TV show? I knew a very talented fanfic writer once who was very adept at doing this. Her re-imagine of 'Near Dark' into a War or the Worlds (TV show) story was awesome. Everytime I see the movie Manticore on the Scifi Channel I want to re-imagine it into a Stargate SG-1 episode. One with the Jack O'Neill as he was in the first several seasons of the show.

So who knows, I might share some 're-imagined' stories with my blog. Not that anyone is reading this but me LOL. So I write for myself. At least I know I'll have a friendly audience for my work:)

Marla

Supernatural - love those Winchester Boys

Supernatural has definitely become my most current 'must see' TV show. Eric Kripke has created a masterpiece, a wonderful combination of great story telling and intricately woven characters that drive those stories.

Dean and Sam Winchester are two of the best characters to come along, IMHO in very long time. The dynamic between them as two brothers, opposite in personality but united in the same cause, is simply fascinating to watch.

I am a longtime fan of 'buddy' shows from the days of Adam-12, Emergency, Starksy & Hutch, to Jack and Daniel from SG1(the early years of SG1) and Clark and Lex(before they hated each other) on Smallville. I am also rare I think in I like female buddy shows as well, Cagney & Lacey, Kate & Allie and male/female buddy shows like Hunter and The X-Files( before shippiness got in the way)

But I'm a fan of only certain type of buddy interaction, there has to be the right elements and I have to see chemistry between the characters electrifying the screen. And if Sam and Dean get anymore electric with the chemistry, we won't need power companies any more.

And I don't mean electric in the sexual sense. One of the things that I like best about these two characters is that they are not just friends, they are brothers. They have a genuine love for each other as brothers. Sometimes they don't like each other very much, but they always love each other.

I have to admit my favorite is Dean Winchester. What can I say, I like the tough guy, with the wiscracks, the cynicism and the compassionate gentle heart under it all(the only time this ever changed was with Jack and Daniel from Stargate. I started out liking Jack the most, but ended up completely enamored of Daniel Jackson). I like that Dean looks after Sam and has this fierce devotion to his little brother, even if he doesn't always understand what motivates Sam. I like that sometimes Sam doesn't even realise the power he has over Dean because of this protective streak. That Dean is willing to charge into the fires of evil and danger if Sam says he knows for sure there is danger or evil to fight against.

I like Sam Winchester too. He's not without his quirks, his strong and tough side. And he is equally devoted to looking after Dean. Willing to risk anything to protect his brother as well.

I like the easy banter that Dean and Sam have between them, but also like that they can have serious discussions and admit shortcomings and fears to each other. Sometimes it takes a bit for that to happen, but they are each other's support system (something that IMHO went AWOL between Jack and Daniel as SG1 went on and they were reduced to just making witty banter at each other). I like the gentle teasing, the knowing which buttons to push in the other to get them going. I like how Dean and Sam can come at things from two different perspectives and make it work like magic.

I also like the stories they get involved in. The dangers, the challenges, the emotional issues they face.

I just really love those Winchester boys.

Snakes On A Plane (spoilers)

I had heard so many bad things about the movie Snakes on A Plane that I almost didn't rent it. But I did rent it and boy am I glad I did.

I really liked this movie. It was suspenseful, well acted and the writers made a real effort to make the premise as plausable as possible.

I am not a fan of CGI work, but found that Snakes on A Plane artfully combined CGI with the use of live snakes to create images that had a very creepy feel to them.

The characters were well fleshed out as well. While you had the usual cliche types, they were nt cardboard cut outs, but instead were given interesting quirks and details. Even the little dog and the snakes was good characters.

The movie had some plot holes and some moments where it didn't quite work as well as it did in others, but it had me on the edge of my seat and it had me worrying about the safety of the characters. To me that is what a good movie is all about.

So yep, I liked Snakes on A Plane.

Marla

Commentary on SG1 S10 The Shroud (spoiler)

Well I watched The Shroud and in all honesty I would have to rate it as good.

One of the major issues that kept me from rating it as excellent is that the Jack and Daniel banter was way too slick and superficial. It was as if the dialog was written and played 'by the numbers' with no real depth to it and no one's heart really in it.

That said, there were a few moments between them when it felt like the Jack and Daniel of old, the two men who had had founded a friendship on being able to 'agree to disagree' and to have an understanding of each other that went beyond what anyone else had bothered to know about the other. For the most part, however it was just cotton candy, airy and very little actual substance.

I don't know if was the effect of being a prior or that he was sharing his mind with Merlin, but Daniel just didn't seem to have the kind of genuine frustration level that he gets when he really needs to convey something to Jack and O'Neill is not taking him seriously. I would have liked to have seen abit of the Daniel we had in There but for the Grace of God. Not the 'I must be so amusingly sarcastic' Daniel we got in this episode when he was dealing with Jack. And for heaven's sake when did Jack trade in his 'adult male in the military' voice for that constant whiny tone. He sounded more like a petulant 4 year old who is being told he can't watch cartoons right now then a man confronted with the very real possibility that someone who is a suppose to be a dear friend might now be their worst enemy.

The only time he stopped whining like a 4 year old was when he gave Woolsey the 'over my dead body' ultimatium. There was the Jack O'Neill that I wanted to see in all of this episode. There were a few other glimpses of him here and there, but not enough to counter the whiny guy.

I do have to say I really liked his scenes alone with Carter. For the first time in a long time I saw a comfortable and easy interaction between them. There was nothing being forced or trying to be implied. It was just O'Neill and Carter talking and trying to solve something.

I liked Vala in this episode very much. She is one smart lady under those pigtails and she knows the score. The scene where she is sitting on the stool laying it on the line for Daniel about what it might mean for her to have to chose not to protect or save him was the kind of scene that would have once been between Jack and Daniel, but I have to say that it now works so much better between Daniel and Vala. I'm glad they gave that dramatic part to them. Michael and Claudia made it work and work well.

The scenes between Daniel and Woolsey were awesome. Those two have such complicated interaction and uneasy relationship going on. Robert Picardo brings the right balance of arrogence and sympathic note to Woolsey. His character is a man very earnest about doing the right thing, but never sure where the line is between the right and the wrong thing and what consequences there will be for not making the right decision. Daniel understands that, but has little patience for bureacratic mindsets. It makes for interesting clashes between them.

Overall this episode was too slick and too superficial in many parts. I think it should have been a two part episode. There should have been more angst and more suspense. I think Michael Shanks deserved a two part episode for this story because he is such a powerhouse when it comes to this kind of acting challenge. I would like to have seen more of the Adria/Daniel interaction that led to him becoming a Prior. I like the fact that we have learnt that Adria has a real competitive rivalry streak when it comes to her mother.

In conclusion, I think I would have liked this episode better if Jack O'Neill had not been in it. If they hadn't wasted time trying to go there, but instead had focused on Daniel, Mitchell, Vala, Sam and Teal'c. I would liked to have seen more of Daniel being a Prior before being captured. More of Daniel having a discussion with Mitchell and Teal'c about some of the things that he might have learned about Origin that he actually found admirable or good. I could see Daniel defending something he found that made sense or was enlightening and it making Mitchell and Teal'c wary, but at the same time more sure that it was Daniel under that prior exterior because something like that would be so typical of Daniel Jackson, the man who always seeks to find the good in something or someone if he can.

So it was a good episode. Michael Shanks was awesome as he rose to the challenge of working under heavy makeup, restraints and such. Just wish it hadn't been so slick and 'by the numbers' in the parts that could have been some of the best scenes in the episode.

Dancing With Denny Crane

OMG the ending of last night's episode of Boston Legal was a scream! Alan Shore dressed up like Shirley and Denny Crane wanting to dance with him on the balcony.

Denny:"Image what someone looking accross at to here and seeing Shirley dancing with Cheney would think."

Alan: "If they are regular viewers, they know anything goes."

What a priceless scene that was and as much as the writing does deserve credit, I think the reason the scene worked so well is all down to the incredible chemistry and comedic timing between William Shatner and James Spader who are willing to take the risk.

Of course James Spader has always been willing to take the risk in his career with roles and scenes that might make other actors cringe in fear. He's kissed other men, dressed like a woman, been a ruthless killer, a geeky jerk.

William Shatner on the other had has, IMHO until this role, played it safe in his career. With few exceptions that were designed to poke fun at himself he has been the proper 'leading man' material' all the way. It seems that age has become a liberator for him. That he's reach a point in his career where he seems to feel a measure of safety in which to take chances and do something different.

It seems a lot of 'old school' actors go this route. Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Lloyd Bridges..all stalwart leading men and 'rugged action heroes' in their early days yet after a certain age found that they could take comedic risks and poke a little fun at those images of themselves along the way.

Personally I think William Shatner is the best he has ever been. Don't get me wrong, I will always remember him best as Captain James Kirk, but Denny Crane is a masterpiece of work on his part. The writers give him great scenes and great dialog and Shatner shines in them. He also shows that you don't have to be a twentysomething year old man to be virile and sexy. That older age doesn't mean an actor is relegated to playing the grumpy old codger, the crazy old coot or the devoted grandpa(grandma). That older age is just another stage in life to play upon.

And whomever got the bright idea to pair William Shatner up with James Spader needs an award for the brilliance of that move. I admit right here and now, I only watch BL for the two of them together.

Shine on Shatner and Spader...you've got a winning combo going there!

Marla

Commentary on The Dresden Files Series(Spoilers)

I watched the pilot episode and came away less than impressed with it. Nothing seemed to fit right with what I liked about the books and the audio novels. Mostly I think I missed James Marsters voice.

After the pilot episode left me unenthused for the series, I still decided to go against my earlier decision to pass on the show and I watched the second episode.

It was a little better, but I couldn't help but think how much better this story would have been in the hands of the writers and actors from my absolute fave series right now, Supernatural. This version of Harry Dresden just can't kick it like Dean and Sam Winchester can.

I've decided that Bob is annoying and maybe he wouldn't be if the actor doing the role would make some real facial expressions. Bob looks like he's suffering from Botox overload. At least Harry had more than one facial expression in this episode..last week he looked like he was suffering from a sour stomach all through the episode.

So what is it with tough female cops named Murphy? There was one on MacGyver years ago.

I think my main problem with the whole story about Anubis and the tablet that was a lock that allowed people's souls to switch bodies at the time of physical death was that I just kept hearing Dr. Daniel Jackson from Stargate SG1 saying that this was the myth behind the explanation for how Goa'uld parasites changed hosts. I mean even the tattoos on the back of the neck were like entry marks made by the goa'uld when they possessed a human host. I think I've watched waay too much Stargate SG1!

Not sure if I will watch the next episode of The Dresden Files. I think it depends on what's playing on LMN or Lifetime.

Marla

Commentary on Movie - Long Distance(spoilers)

So I saw the movie 'Long Distance' yesterday. Netflix is such a wonderful thing:)

I was expecting Long Distance to be a rip off of Cellular, but it wasn't. It was a instead a very well written and acted movie with plot twist they managed to keep hidden until the very last moment possible.

Nichole is a young grad student who is reeling from the breakup with her long time boyfriend whom she suspected was cheating on her. She has a very tense phone conversation with her mother and then attempts to call a friend to commiserate with. However she inadvertantly misdials the friends number and hungs up. No soon than she does, when a man at that number calls her back and begins a series of creepy and harassing phone calls.

Each time the man calls her it's from a different place where he has committed a murder and he is headed in a straight line for Nichole's apartment. Meanwhile Nichole is having strange and disturbing dreams that may link back to why the killer is stalking her.

The police and FBI become involved in as a race against time to track the mysterous man who call's himself Joe and protect Nichole. The lead detective on the case, Tony Halsey becomes romanticly involved with Nichole as he takes on the role of her personal bodyguard.

All the elements of the movie are somewhat cliched, but the actors involved manage to create a lot of tension and character dimension out of it. The movie has minimal gore and relies very heavily on psychological terrors than visual ones. That in itself was a refreshing change of pace. A movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat without grossing you out of it.

The plot twist was very well done and very well hidden until the time needed to reveal it. I won't give the twist away here..I say rent the movie and see it for yourself.