Don't Mess With Jack

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

After last night’s episode of 24, the verdict is in. I’m done. There’s more that I loathe about this season than I like. This means I will no longer watch. It gets deleted from the schedule on the DVR. Makes me sad - the early seasons were awesome.

In good news, though, LOST starts tonight and I’m muy excited.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Four hours into the new season and I’m optimistic that this season of 24 will be better than last season’s crapfest.  ***SPOILERS follow***

As always, Tuesday’s reading requirement is Dave Barry’s blog. Today’s quote:

Jack got sucked into a plot to kill the head of the Generic Islamic Republic, President Sham, who has been negotiating a nuclear treaty with President Woman President and also bonking a professional journalist who has been set up as the fall person for the plot by the real plotters. Jack and Chloe tried to explain this to CTU Director Brian Hastings, who does not believe them because, in keeping with established CTU-director tradition, he has the anti-terrorism instincts of lasagna.

And The Amazing Steve’s recap, too. His quote:

Davros tells Cole to make everyone move to the northeast. Cole calls it in, but says that Davros is with him now! Just as Davros is about to pull the trigger to kill Cole, Jack shoots Davros! Just in time! Davros is dead, and Jack takes pictures for his CTU Memories Scrapbook.

I may be reading Magic Lamp during the new season of LOST, too, since it looks like he writes about that as well. Woo.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

LOST: In a word? Awesome.

I’m so curious about what’s going to happen next season to wrap up the show.

For more commentary from the masses, check out this thread at The Thinklings. Be aware that it is very spoilerish.

24: This one comes next week and while I think I’ll be able to watch it while at the beach, I may have to wait to see it when we get home. I’m OK either way. I’ll watch it to get closure, but this season has not been very good, if you ask me. And I’m doubtful about watching the next season, although I do realize that with time and distance I can get sucked back into the hoopla for another “day.”

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

I missed several weeks of Dave Barry’s 24 recaps, but remembered to check in this morning. The poll is great and I love the first comment posted to the poll page.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

In a follow-up to yesterday’s post, I also discovered that Verizon’s On Demand offers free viewing of some movies running on the premium movie channels. That’s awesome. Of course, they’re a bit older than the pay per view movies On Demand, but there are still some that I haven’t seen yet and it’ll be a nice way to fill in when I’m waiting for new DVDs from Netflix.

[UPDATE for Stupid Alert]: Not so fast with the premium movies. When you actually click to watch the movie, although it says FREE on the screen, what they want you to do is sign up for subscription to that channel. Sneaky.

Also, on some current TV:

1. I can’t believe that Coach is still on Survivor. He is so full of it and himself. I did love last week’s blindside vote though. The power has shifted.

2. I’m still watching 24, but I fear that the bloom is nearly completely off this rose.

3. Kris Allen is my new favorite to win American Idol. I don’t think he’ll actually win, but he’s the guy that I’d pick to win. Unfortunately, I think that Lambert (pronounced like Colbert in my head) is going to win. Ack.

4. I’m liking CSI with Laurence Fishburne. I was skeptical about William Peterson being gone, and I do miss him, but I think the show has revived itself with the cast changes.

In non-TV news, Molly Ann slept for nearly 8 hours last night. She rulz.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Of course, we all love 24 because it’s over the top and ridiculous, but the lack of research by the writers is getting exasperating.

So the bad guys swim down the Potomac to drill under the White House to gain entry without alerting security? While DC was built on swamplands and I know the Potomac runs alongside the Pentagon, as far as I know it does not run under the middle of Washington, DC.

Good grief, people.

That said, Dave Barry’s live recap is hilarious. The poll is spot on.

[UPDATE 4:30pm]: Apparently, there were a lot of questions about the tunnel drilling under the White House. The comments are priceless.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

1. This post was convicting. I shall cease and desist immediately. The truth is I really do love my job and I am grateful to have it, especially in this economy and given our family circumstances. God has blessed us and while there are certain aspects of my job that do drive me nuts, in the grand scheme they are relatively minor.

2. Related to item #1, I was struck by how the economy is impacting folks in ways that I wasn’t aware. Several in my small group expressed concerns - they are small business owners who aren’t being paid by clients despite having already received goods/services. What was surprising was whom the clients were - very large companies who should easily be able to pay.

3. I plan to skip the President’s speech tonight. I am not interested in hearing what he has to say. He’s said plenty already. If you ask me, the Dow should cover its ears, as well.

4. I’m on worship team for the final time this weekend. I won’t participate with that ministry again until well into the summer. I’m going to miss it.

5. In TV news, I have not seen an episode of the new season of The Amazing Race. Somehow I missed that it was starting a couple of weeks ago. I guess I’ll have to wait for the DVD. *lightbulb* Or maybe I should check for eps online that I missed and set the DVR to record the rest of the season. I can watch it while I’m on maternity leave.

Does anyone else think it’s odd that there’s way more traffic shown on 24 this season than when they were in LA? Not that DC doesn’t have horrendous traffic, but still…. Also, I have to quibble over the FBI mole dude swearing out warrants for Jack and Agent Walker - that would never happen. All law enforcement, be they local, state, or federal, must get a warrant from a judge. One last thing from last night’s ep: anyone else think that Agent Walker and Jack were going to kiss? I’m half relieved/half disappointed that they didn’t.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Two things…

First, we watched The Mayor of Casterbridge this weekend. I started to watch this years ago when it was on A&E, but I never thought I finished it. There were parts that seemed familiar, but for the most part it was still pretty new to me. It didn’t have the production value of other miniseries run on the network, but it was still pretty well done with a good cast of actors.

The Thomas Hardy novel was one of the books we read in my AP English class in high school. Actually, I never really read it and relied almost solely on the class discussions to pass the test on it. Sad, no?

I found it sad with little redemption in the end. As Beau pointed out, even when Henchard tried to find redemption or make amends he screwed that up, too. Ultimately, I think I really don’t like the story at all, although I’m happy to have watched the series.

Second, on last night’s episode of 24, my only thought to share is from the end of the hour. (Only slightly spoilerish…) I turned to Beau and said, “Well, the good news is he covered her with plastic. But the bad news is he covered her with plastic.”

[UPDATE 7:40pm]: This YouTube partial recap is highly spoilerish and kind of hilarious.

Monday, January 12, 2009

After 18 long months, TV’s best show (which could also be LOST, depends on my mood) finally returned to the airwaves. And did not disappoint. Right?

My favorite part of last night’s episode occurred in the first 10 minutes. I was cheering when Jack told off the Senator. He said everything that we’ve all wanted to say and wished others who actually do get grilled by Senate committees would say. Beautiful.

I’m sad to miss most of tonight’s episode. It means I’ll have to wait until Saturday to watch it. Bah!

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Wow, long time since I last posted.

Thursday was a busy work and Jesse day. Friday we hit the road for a long weekend with the Cooties, which was very fun and also exhausting - the not so dull roar of rambunctious toddlers wore me out. Yesterday was the trip back home and now I’m back at work and busy again.

A few random thoughts to tide you over (some TV spoilers follow):

1. I really wanted Yau Man to win Survivor. I knew that Dreamz was not going to follow through on his deal. Earl was the next best on the winner list, though.

2. Somehow I missed that Joey Fatone was in the bottom twoon DwtS last week. That’s shocked me a bit. I was glad to see him dance better last night. Ian Ziering annoys me with his slick smile and calling Cheryl “baby.” Ack.

3. I’m so excited that 24 is almost over. Happy to see that Bill Buchanan makes another appearance next week. I miss him.

4. I’m super annoyed with our postal carrier right now. I left several items in our box to go out on Friday morning. Arrived home to find them still in the box last night. Now the postage is not enough and I have to take a priority mail package to the PO to add postage and it’s going to arrive later than I wanted. One irate phone call later, I’m told that the problem with the carrier will be taken care of and that I erred by not letting the PO know that I had a priority package to go out. I’m sorry, but I shouldn’t have to notify them if it’s in my box to go out. Right? Bah!

Now I need to get back to work.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

First the TV stuff…

TAR-AS: I’ll be glad when this season is over. I think we need a longer break between seasons this time. Or just better contestants and challenges. The best part for me from Sunday’s episode:

In the Kuala Lampur airport, Mirna pushed Charla, who was standing on a luggage cart. In the Hong Kong airport, Charla popped out the wheels on her tennis shoes, and Mirna pulled her along. Next week, Mirna pops open a playpen and lifts Charla into it, telling her play quietly while Mirna stands in line for tickets.

[...]

Explaining one of the Detour options, Phil said, “Once here, they must climb up an 11-story bamboo scaffold, while avoiding an ongoing battle between stunt kung fu experts.” Best. Challenge. Ever.

The self-righteous anger of the teams irked at the BQs for using the Yield is laughable. They talk about the dirty play of the BQs since they used the Yield. Listen, whiners, the Yield is a legitimate part of the Race. You all play dirty by lying to travel agents or cab drivers or similar things that are not part of the organized Race. Using the Yield is not cheating.

Bah.

DwtS: Love Apolo Ohno. That is all.

24: Double Bah!

Now, from the DVD player…

Over the Hedge: Absolutely loved it. Sweet and hilarious. I can’t wait to watch it with Jesse when he’s old enough. A new children’s classic that I plan to buy for our DVD library. 5 stars out of 5.

For Your Consideration: I’ll be honest. I didn’t finish watching this one. I couldn’t get past the first 30 minutes, which was very disappointing because I love the Christopher Guest oeuvre. I believe he may have tapped out the mockumentary well at last - I didn’t laugh one time in the 30 minutes that I did watch. Makes me sad. 0 stars out of 5.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

So I was thinking that maybe the day would end early? And then the return of the opening subplot that got set aside while Jack and Co. dealt with the middle eastern nuclear terrorists. I’m hoping the return of the opening subplot will mean the season gets more interesting? Then again, maybe not.

Was that cryptic enough for those of you who haven’t seen last night’s episode yet?

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Gary at The Llama Butchers outlines the troubles with this awful season of 24

In the comments, Steve offers an alternative that I think has promise:

Maybe this—-Chloe sneaks out of CTU to get a bite, is menaced by a cougar in the Quiznos. Chloe kills the cougar with a #2 pencil, jammed between its eyes. Chloe kidnapped by Gredenko, as he too was sneaking out of terrorist sooper sekrit HQ for a toasty late nite sandwich. Jack proceeds to blow up Quiznos, provoking an international incident as the Quiznos is technically part of the Vatican consulate in LA. Flying pieces of Sun Chips (french onion flavor) get sucked into the ceiling fan units of CTU, coating the place in a toxic orange paste. Morris’s shoulder becomes infected and he almost dies.

Chloe licks the Sun Chip crust off Jack’s face….

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Are they kidding with this Vice President?

This is the worst season of 24 so far.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

OK, I’m not giving up on 24 this season, although it’s not one of the better seasons, imho.

So I’m watching Jack browbeat and torture the Russian consul dude when I realize that he’s Denethor. Excellent!

Also excellent, the return of Martha and Aaron next week. I love them! I’m hoping Aaron replaces Curtis as Jack’s sidekick.

[LATER]: Dave’s recap. My favorite UPDATE:

UPDATE: Morris found a way around the algorithm and is picking up a digital shadow.

Heh.