Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Kitchen Nightmares

Recently, and through the awesome Netflix genie, I have been obsessed with Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. I particularly preferred the U.K. version, because they do not 'bleep' out curse words. One thing is consistent through out both the U.K. and U.S. versions, Ramsay has a serious passion for high standards, and has a true heart of gold. Seeing his rants on Hell's Kitchen, I had thought that Ramsay was a real hot-head with little to no patience. However, it isn't so much that he's a hot-head, but he is very passionate about the quality that is produced throughout. Something I really do appreciate more with his mission, is the crusade for natural ingredients. This show also spotlights many aspects of the food industry that ignorance is not considered a virtue. When he inspects the kitchens and they house rotting food, maggots, and mold it really turns my stomach and makes me think twice about eating out. His heart of gold is obvious within his desire to help those struggling in the industry. It is something that I love watching and can't help but snicker at the individuals that think Ramsay is going to love their food and have no clue as to why their business is in so much trouble. You know if he asks if it is fresh or frozen, it is most likely frozen, he already knows the answer. Plus, you can tell how much a kitchen needs help by how much they use their microwave(s). Microwave, bad; fresh, good! I think every episode his signature body language is when he hangs his head and pinches his nose bridge to the inner corner of his eyes - watch out!
Until next time or the next... dream ~ K.E.Nowinsky



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Game of Thrones: Valar Dohaeris

Game of Thrones Season 3 Premiere: Valar Dohaeris
Valar Dohaeris (within the Game of Thrones: a song of ice and fire realms) is Valyrian, which is the origin of House of Targaryen, and means all men must serve. Which is relevant to this premiere episode, service and servitude are the forerunners.  Daenerys Targaryen, pictured here on the left, is the last remaining heir of the Targaryen reign. Her story is one of my favorites. Reading the first couple of books, I felt that there wasn't enough of her story in them, and quickly lost interest. She starts out in the shadow of her brother, who whores her out in an attempt to claim warriors as his army. As a wedding gift, Daenerys is given a chest containing three dormant dragon eggs. This has significant meaning since her house is pictured with a three-headed dragon. It is also said that a true Targaryen will not be burned by fire. Which adds that kick-ass flare at the end of season one, when she has lost her husband and traditionally burn the corpse; including her and the eggs. A naked Daenerys survives the fire along with her three newborn dragons. What I really liked about Valar Dohaeris was that we got to see the maturing dragons more. You feel like you are on a quest for a true queen to reclaim her realm, Daenerys Targaryen.
I figured each week I would spotlight a different character within the realm of Game of Thrones. This week obviously it was House Targaryen, Daenerys. Just giving a very brief overview of where she came from and what I look most to what's to come. Until next time or the next... dream ~ K.E.Nowinsky

Guest Blogger: Natalia M. Reviews Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters


Hansel and Gretel : Witch Hunters

Director: Tommy Wirkola
Writers: Tommy Wirkola
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror
Run time: 88 minutes
Rated: R
My score: 5/10

Trailer


Summary

Hansel and Gretel have grown up now and they are famous witch hunters. As a rare witch event approaches and while they are on the hunt secrets from the past unveil.

What I think of the film (Spoilers)

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Hollywood decided to destroy yet another fairy tail that we grew up loving. But beware, this movie is not for children, there is just enough blood and gore to make them cry every time they see snow white's witch. From the good old pull simultaneously all limbs away to massive troll stomps on a man's head. Good times eh?

The story wasn't too impressive. You get a bit of the original story of two siblings abandoned in the forest by their father and they found a candy house that belonged to a witch and it was obviously a trap for her to eat them but the managed to throw her in the furnace and burned her alive. That though is just the beginning of the movie. In case, i guess, someone doesn't know who they are. Then you get a 3 minutes kinda animated intro/credits, which i found a bit too long, showing how Hansel and Gretel became witch hunters after they killed the one from the original story and how they became famous. And then the movie starts. There are quite a few of the stereotypical side characters such as the young kid that's a big fan, the witch that doesn't look like one, the random bad guy that he just exist to make the main characters' life difficult and the helpful assistant that got assigned by the people who hired the main characters and you just know he'll be dead before the middle of the movie. As you would expect from an action/horror not many people survive. Interesting bit of the story was that Hansel has to take insulin injections because he ate too much candy that the OS(original story)'s witch forced him to. 

The make up in this movie when it comes to witches was dreadful  The villain of the movie, the supreme witch looked like she was wearing Halloween white face paint  dark lipstick, lots of eyeliner and veins drawn on the face with the same eyeliner. Also one of her sidekicks looked like a Goth man from the 90's and no it wasn't a man. I mean just look at this:



The special effects, can't say were too special. Even Hansel had a Neo moment with a crossbow arrow. Nothing we haven't seen before. One more last thing that I just noticed is the poster. At the background of the main poster there is snowy trees and mountains. There isn’t any in the movie. False advertisement I say.

I can't say that i enjoyed this movie but can't say that i absolutely hated it. It is not a memorable movie. I have already forgotten most parts of it while I'm writing this review. It definitely doesn't worth the money you'll pay to see it in the movies or even rent it. If you ever come across it on the TV fair enough but definitely if you have something better to watch or do at the time continue as normal like it wasn't even there. You won't regret it.

As Keith Uhlich from Time Out New York said "It's a grim fairy tale, all right"

Review by: Natalia M. from http://beware-the-spoilers.tumblr.com












Monday, April 1, 2013

Walking Talk:Welcome To The Tombs

The Walking Dead Season 3 Finale: Welcome To The Tombs on IMDb
It was all coming down to this episode. Rick and the prison group gearing up for war and the psychotic Governor manipulating the townspeople to join him in attacking the prison. But, it is ever that simple on The Walking Dead?
What we knew before the season finale. Andrea was tied up and a prisoner of the Governor. The Governor expects Milton of some involvement with the burnt walkers. So, the episodes begins with the Governor taking some frustrations out on someone. We soon find out that it is his former right-hand man, Milton.  As a test, he tells him that he has to kill Andrea, who is still tied up and defenseless. The Governor tells him that he will not leave the room without killing Andrea.
R.I.P Andrea
I understand Milton didn't want to kill Andrea, as much as I haven't liked her, I feel she meant well wanting everyone to live and that was her intentions in trying to be a mediator to the two groups.
Of course, he is no match physically with the Governor, and doesn't leave the room.  The wicked twist, the Governor leaves him there, knowing he will turn, and tear Andrea apart. Something that the Governor said, that was brought up on The Talking Dead, was: you kill to survive or your die and kill. Neither Andrea or Milton leave the room alive.
Something that really irritated me about this episode was Carl. I understand that a child living in
these conditions, having experienced rough times, would have some serious issues. Something I
cannot tolerate is disrespect. What he needs is to be knocked off of his high horse or something. When Carl has the choice of letting the living live, he chooses against it, and shoots someone as they were trying to flee from the attack on the prison. Hershel informed Rick, not only did Carl lie to him about the circumstances, he obviously disrespects his father when he discards the sheriffs badge right in front of his father. He needs to be reminded of who's the adult and who is the child. During The Talking Dead, Andrew Lincoln explains how Rick is attempting to bring civility back to the prison by rescuing the left behind residents of the towns people, back for Carl so he can check his attitude!
If you watched the extended preview of this episode, then you knew the Governor and his posse attacked the prison aggressively. He seemed quite disappointed when they arrived and it looked deserted, they met no aggression yet. As they start walking further into the prison, they are attacked including some walker. The Governor's townspeople panics and instead of fight they choose flight and ran. Once the Psycho caught up to him and the townspeople began to argue with the Governor, he opened fired and killed them all (except for his henchmen). What the Governor didn't know was that there was a survivor.
Rick, Darryl, and Micchone catch up to the scene saving the woman that survived. When they return to Woodsbury, the women is able to explain to Tyreese what had happened. The dawn of the next morning, a bus carries the living to the prison where Rick, Michonne, and Darryl reconnect with the group. Carl, in his disagreement with his father's actions, walks away from the newcomers.  Luckily, shooting for season four will be starting soon and hopefully the next season will start soon then later.
Until next time or the next... dream ~ K.E.Nowinsky

Movies In Review: The Host

The Host (2013)
I anticipated this movie since I found out it was being filmed. The Host written by Stephenie Meyers is one of my favorite books. Have you ever read a book that you thought the movie was better than the book? Yeah. Of course, the story is much more involved then what is portrayed. They hit all the main points, but I felt like there was something missing.
Stephenie Meyer - Author
Date night with my boyfriend +Justin Barnhill and he was kind enough to take me to see this movie, he knew I really wanted to see it. I could see where people that didn't know anything about the book, it might not be as appealing. Later, when we talked about the movie, we said how irritating it was listening to all the people talking or whispering, trying to explain or go further into detail about something that was said, or what was happening. Of course if you're a fan, then I think it is worth it to see it. If you haven't read the book, you might want to wait until it comes out on DVD or something. I had read a couple reviews before going; fans said to go, critic's said not to go.  Of course this is only my opinion. I love the book and that could have contributed to the movie not being held to that standard.  Until next time or the next... dream ~ K.E.Nowinsky




Movies In Review: Les Misérables


I had seen another version of the same title with Liam Neeson (1998). I have to say though, I really liked the 2012 version with heavy headers Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway The only thing, which I am glad I waited to watch this in the comfort of my home, the movie was really long running 158 minutes. Anne Hathaway's performance was pretty amazing, to bring that much emotion and severity to her character's plight within the story. All of the performances were well worth spending the time and experiencing this phenomenal movie (as long as you don't mind less words than songs). The title definitively says it all, taking humanistic stories and showing how miserable people can be, how circumstances can change, and how the people involved are effected. What I love about this story he most is when Hugh Jackman's character Jean Valjean robs a church, when the officials catch up to him and confront the reverend about his crime, the reverend agrees with Jean's story, giving him the fine things he had stolen. This was the start of Valjean's road to recovery. It just shows you, kindness goes a long way.
Until next time or the next... dream ~ K.E.Nowinsky