The black community in Hollywood is very small and close-knit. We watch each others’ scenes. There is a natural chemistry. You can’t have a crazy diva… -Gabrielle Union
Getting married was a political act because so many people fought so hard for it. Also, every time I say the word “husband” and somebody flinches, I am helping to teach society this is the way it will be. This is the way it is. -Denis O’Hare
NOTE: This is a SPOILER-FREE review.
I saw “Inside Out” at a free pre-screening w/ my movie Meetup (all ladies) and a large group of press folks (who were pretty quiet during the film, which is common). Before the main attraction, we saw a short film (“Lava”) about a lonely volcano that wants to have someone to love. I’m NOT sure if this story was based on a Hawaiian folk tale. There was a song all through the short, which was cute and catchy.
I went in NOT knowing much about the film, BUT I liked it! Some critics say it’s the best thing since “Toy Story,” which was a big hit for Pixar. I suggest it for kids 10 and up, especially, as it deals w/ themes that MAY go over the heads of the younger crowd. There is also a LOT for grown-ups to enjoy.
Riley, an 11 y.o. girl, goes through a period of displacement and sadness after moving from her suburban home in Minnesota to an apartment in San Francisco. Aside from Riley, the main characters are the emotions inside her head: Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), and Fear (Bill Hader). I wanted to see this mainly b/c I’m a fan of Black and Kaling.
In the beginning, everyone was bummed out by how Sadness (who is blue, wears a turtleneck) was acting, BUT we know that people can’t always be happy. Riley has to get used to her new room, new school and classmates, and missing her best friend. She finds it VERY difficult to be her usual positive self, even though she knows that’s what her parents (voiced by Diane Lane and Kyle McLachlan) want. Joy tries hard to get Sadness out of the way, BUT an accident pulls these two main emotions away from the control room.
NOTE: This is a SPOILER-FREE review.
Did you watch The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits? Do you think that technology is taking over your life? Are you open to a dark, intelligent show? Then check out this British sci-fi series. There are 2 seasons up on Netflix now; each has 3 eps. I can honestly say that I’ve NEVER seen anything like this before!
Downton Abbey fans will be delighted to see Jessica Brown Findlay in S1 (“A Million Little Pieces”); she played Lady Sybil Crawley on the hit PBS series. She’s a naturally gifted singer who tries out for a show VERY similar to American Idol. The setting of ALL the eps is a world VERY similar to ours, BUT perhaps a bit further in the future. No little green men here, thank goodness! It could appeal to that friend of yours who HATES typical sci-fi fare.
Each ep is a standalone piece, BUT you’ll see similar themes emerge. My favorite ep of S1 (“The Entire History of You”) centers on the age-old issue of romantic jealousy (the green-eyed monster). Speaking of eyes… well, you’ll see! This is the type of show where you don’t want to know TOO much!
There is also a Christmas Special ep starring Jon Hamm (Mad Men); you’ll also see Rafe Spall, Oona Chaplin and Natalie Tena (who both appear on Game of Thrones). It’s my second favorite ep; it has several twists and turns.
The must-see ep of S2 (“Be Right Back”) stars Hayley Atwell (star of Agent Carter) and up-and-coming actor, Domhnall Gleeson (son of character actor Brendan Gleeson). The young Gleeson is thin and boyish (unlike his burly father), but exudes a sort of intensity and maturity that makes him seem wiser beyond his years. Most recently, he co-starred in the critically-acclaimed sci-fi/thriller Ex Machina.
SPOILERS: Don’t read this post if you have not yet seen or don’t want to know details from Season 5, Episode 7 of Game of Thrones.
You’re losing all your friends, Tarly. -Ser Alliser tells Sam as Maester Aemon’s body dead is burned and Jon rides off to meet w/ the Wildling clans
Your name is Theon Greyjoy, last surviving son of Balon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands. Do you hear me? -Sansa declares to Reek (AKA Theon)
I’ve been naturalized by a royal degree. -Ramsay says to his new wife
By Tommen Baratheon? Another bastard. -Sansa replies
I killed a White Walker, I killed a Thenn, I’ll take my chances with you. -Sam says to the two Night’s Watch men trying to attack Gilly
All rulers are either butchers or meat. -Daario gives his opinion to Dany
I would do anything for you. Anything to keep you from harm. I would burn cities to the ground. -Cersei tells Tommen
You are the few and we are the many. -The High Sparrow concludes in his talk w/ Lady Olenna
What will we find, when we strip away your finery? -The High Sparrow asks Cersei
Look at my face! It’s the last thing you’ll see before you die! -Cersei screams at her jailor
SPOILERS: Don’t read this review if you have not yet seen or don’t want to know details from Season 5, Episode 6 of Game of Thrones.
So many faces, so little time:
A girl is not ready to become No One, but she is ready to become someone else. -Jaqen H’ager concludes to Arya Stark
Arya (still sweeping/washing dead bodies) is once again tested by the other girl she has been working w/ in The House of Black and White, then later, by Jaqen. He hits her w/ a branch whenever she tells a lie about her past life. When she gets the dying little girl to drink the (poison) water of the well, Jaqen sees more of Arya’s potential. I LOVED how naturally Arya related to this girl. (I didn’t know that this well was the last resort for people who drank from it, but it makes sense now!) Jaqen leads Arya down through a tunnel to a long room- there are faces EVERYWHERE! Arya is speechless as she looks over these faces.
Unlikely Traveling Companions:
Do you ever stop talking!? -Ser Jorah Mormont exclaims to Lord Tyrion Lannister
Jorah (FINALLY) learns from Tyrion that his father, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, is dead at the hands of some his own men. Iain Glen (one of my faves on this cast of FAB actors) quietly lets us know how his character is feeling. Later on, the two men are captured by a band of pirates led by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who you may know from HBO’s prison drama Oz or ABC’s Lost. (This was a nice surprise- I didn’t know he’d have a role on this show!)
Take me to Slaver’s Bay. Put a sword in my hand. I’ll prove my worth. -Jorah tells the pirate leader
Tyrion does what he does best- talking his way out of getting killed and convincing the pirates that Jorah is a great warrior (of course, we know he IS). Jorah joins in by explaining that he killed one of Khal Drogo’s bloodriders (which he did to protect Dany and her then unborn child).
Young love (probably won’t end well):
What was up w/ the rescue/kidnap plan of Myrcella (looking so pretty/sweet) in the Water Gardens!? Talk about a hot mess! Neither Jaime and Bronn nor the Sand Snakes had a good plan. Bronn got a cut on his arm. (Joanna Robinson and Dave Chen of A Cast of Kings wondered if he was poisoned. Oberyn said that he put poison on his weapons in S4.)
Some viewers were happy to see that Myrcella and Trystane (son of the king of Dorne) had fallen in love. Tyrion arranged the match to protect the girl in case war came. But, come on people, do you REALLY think a couple will be allowed to be happy on THIS show!?
Littlefinger runs into Lancel, then meets w/ the Queen Mother:
We’re both peddling fantasies, Brother Lancel… mine are just more entertaining. -Lord Petyr Baelish (Littlefinger) explains to the young Sparrow
I absolutely LOVED the above line- who else but Lord Baelish would have the gall to compare religion (albeit a very extreme from) to pimping!? LOL!
Hmmm… why exactly did Cersei call Littlefinger back to Kings Landing? He works his magic w/ his words (as usual), and eventually reveals that Sansa Stark is alive. Well, THAT gets Cersei’s attention! Of course, he never says anything about HIS role in helping Sansa out. And can you imagine Littlefinger trying to rally the lords of The Vale in a battlefield!? Hey, it might happen if the Martells remove their support.
The Tart-Tongued vs. The Tart:
I didn’t trust your father, or particularly like him, but I respected him. He was no fool. He understood that sometimes we must work with our rivals rather than destroy them. -Lady Olenna comments
House Lannister has no rivals. -Queen Mother Cersei Lannister retorts
The scene w/ Cersei and Olenna was just perfect! And did you see how comfortable Cersei looks in the office of The Hand (where her father Tywin used to sit)? Olenna pointed out that House Martell has been providing “gold, wheat, and troops” to the capital, so she can’t have her house’s “future” (Ser Loras) locked up in jail. But the above remark about the Lannisters having no rivals was just dumb, even dangerous.
Faith, Lies… & (GASP!) Olyver:
…neither kings nor queens are exempt from testimony at a holy inquest. -The High Sparrow explains to Margaery
Next up- the inquest (NOT a trial) which involves Tommen, Cersei, Lady Olenna, Margaery, Loras (looking FAB w/ that beard), and the High Sparrow/High Septon (still in threadbare robes) and a few of his attendant Sparrows. This scene was pretty predictable, as Dave Chen noted. Loras denies that he and Renly Baratheon were lovers, even though we Loras mourned his death deeply and wore his king’s green/gold armor at the Battle of the Blackwater (see clip below).
Queen Margaery sticks up for her big bro, even saying that she swears to the gods that she’s telling the truth. I knew that the pro/procurer, Olyver, would testify against Loras (who should’ve been more discreet). But why should his testimony be held above that of a noble family!? It doesn’t make such sense. Shockingly, Margaery is taken away by the Sparrows, while Tommen just sits silent (powerless/clueless).
The third time is NOT a charm for Sansa:
…the last thing we needed was to have a powerful young woman brought low in order for a male character to find redemption. No thank you. -Joanna Robinson (A Cast of Kings podcast/Vanity Fair magazine)
I’m sure we ALL felt very sorry (yet again) for poor Sansa! She has been through SO much, but come out as a survivor. The dirge-like music as she prepared to go to the wedding was a superb touch, as was the dark/snowy nighttime setting of the ceremony. Sansa took her time to agree to the alliance (this is political, after all). Notice the evil/gleeful look in Ransay’s eyes? It was creepily apropos.
I agree w/ Joanna that focusing on Theon’s/Reek’s quivering/crying face as Sansa is being raped (yes, marital rape is real) by Ramsay was NOT a good choice. Why does it have to be about the man’s pain!? I expected BETTER!
Knightleyemma 