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Veronica Mars starring Kristen Bell, Teddy Dunn, Jason Dohring & Enrico Colantoni

Posted on January 18, 2011 Written by ripitup

Veronica Mars starring Kristen Bell, Teddy Dunn, Jason Dohring & Enrico Colantoni. Image via dizim.org

Californian high school student Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) is an outcast. She is pretty and smart, yet the popular circle despises her since her best friend Lily (Amanda Seyfried) got murdered at her own house and Veronica’s sheriff father Keith (Enrico Colantoni) blamed Lily’s dad for it. But Lily’s dad being a rich and powerful man, Keith got fired and ridiculed. Lily’s friends asked her to choose, and she stuck with her dad. So her boyfriend Duncan (Teddy Dunn) dumped her, and so did his circle of friends. Moreover she was raped at a party. Oh, and Veronica’s mom couldn’t handle the pressure, loss of income/reputation and left the family “for a while”.

But being an outcast made Veronica the strong, sassy and the independent girl she is today. Her father was replaced by the jerk of a sheriff. Keith Mars now runs a private investigation business and Veronica helps him .

The episodes include that week’s case for Keith, sometimes a separate case for Veronica while father and daughter try to solve the mystery of Lily’s death and Veronica’s mom’s whereabouts, usually keeping their efforts from each other.

Of course being the high school student, Veronica needs to deal with Logan (Jason Dohring) – Duncan’s best friend and constant trouble-maker, the local motorcycle gang and possible romantic involvements.

Veronica Mars is a really fun crime/mystery/drama that is not quite like your other high school series. Veronica has really original and entertaining ways of dealing with trouble and cracking her cases. She is more than able to take care of herself. But of course things with Duncan are really complicated. It seems like Duncan isn’t over Veronica and doesn’t quite know how to handle it. Who can Veronica really trust apart from her new friend Wallace (Percy Daggs III)?

Rated at 8.7 on IMDB (voted by nearly 14,000 people) Veronica Mars is a must-see for mystery lovers. The cast and writers do a good job, although I strictly prefer season 1 and 2 over season 3.

Fun notes:

You might remember Enrico Colantoni as the fashion photographer from the comedy series Just Shoot Me.

One of the guest actors is Sydney Tamaiia Poitier. As the name suggests, she is the daughter of Oscar-Winning actor Sydney Poitier.

If the name and face of Jason Dohring seemed familiar, it is because you might have watched him as a fun-loving, 400 year-old, rich vampire in Moonlight. He played Josef, Mick St. John’s best friend.

Paris Hilton appears as Logan’s annoying girlfriend for a couple of episodes. No worries. She fits the popular/dumb/bitchy blonde part.

Also on Kristen Bell:

When in Rome starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel

Couples Retreat starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis, Malin Akerman and Jason Bateman

Forgetting Sarah Marshall starring Jason Segel, Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Russell Brand

Serious Moonlight starring Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell and Justin Long

33 Actors From My Generation – Actors Born in the Years Between 1980-1990

Also on Amanda Seyfried:

Chloe starring Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore and Amanda Seyfried

Also on Jason Dohring:

Moonlight starring Alex O’Loughlin, Sophia Myles and Jason Dohring

Gossip starring James Marsden, Lena Headey, Norman Reedus, Kate Hudson & Joshua Jackson

Posted on January 4, 2011 Written by ripitup

Gossip starring James Marsden, Lena Headey, Norman Reedus, Kate Hudson & Joshua Jackson. Image via moviepostershop.com

College student Derrick Webb (James Marsden) has it all: money, looks, charm & 2 great friends/roommates – hard-working Cathy Jones (Lena Headey) & artistic Travis (Norman Reedus). In fact, the only thing Derrick hasn’t managed to “get” so far is Johns. Jones wants him too but she is just afraid of the aftermath.

This all seem to be interested in the beautiful & filthy rich blonde Naomi (Kate Hudson). After all, she is known for being against sex, despite being in a relationship with the cute Beau (Joshua Jackson). And Jones heard that Naomi started a rumor about Jones sleeping with their professor – Goodwin (Eric Bogosian).

So when Derrick witnesses Bo and Naomi making out heavily in a party – with Naomi too drunk too tell Beau off, Derrick gets the perfect idea for Goodwin’s class. Why not spread a rumor that Naomi slept with Beau that night and see how well it spreads?

Of course the rumor spreads like crazy. However before the trio can fully enjoy their results, the unexpected happens. The rumors reach Naomi. She was so drunk that night that she doesn’t actually remember what really happened. So she believes that Beau raped her. Beau is arrested. Jones wants to come forward, but Derrick stops her. After all- what if Beau really raped her? It is not like Derrick saw the whole thing….

From then on, events take on amazing twists and turns. And if you are worrying I gave away too much of the plot, don’t. The movie really starts kicking ass right after Beau is arrested. What started as a sexy & intriguing teen college drama turns into an intelligent and even sexier mystery/thriller. No gore. Almost no blood. Practically no effects and no big budget. Just a talented cast, a smart script and really good storytelling.

Pay attention to James Marsden. The cast is good enough but I have to say James steals the show with his wonderfully grey character Derrick.

Written by Gregory Poirier. Directed by Davis Guggenheim.

Fun notes:

* Kate Hudson (she plays Naomi) is actress Goldie Hawn’s biological daughter. She is very close with her step dad, Goldie Hawn’s long-time partner Kurt Russell.

* Noticed someone familiar among the students? It is none other than Kris Holden-Ried, who you might remember as William Compton from The Tudors, or from the romcom Touch of Pink. Does Kris remind anybody else Chris Martin of Coldplay, or is it just me?

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Recommended Reading:

Other good movies with great scripts and not-so-high budgets:

6 Solid Films with Low Budgets and Enclosed Locations Featuring Uma Thurman, Colin Farrell and Timothy Hutton

Other Articles on James Marsden & His Movies

Straw Dogs starring James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard & James Woods

James Franco, James McAvoy & James Marsters: Collective Trivia for 3 Namesake Actors

The Box starring James Marsden, Cameron Diaz & Frank Langella

Stardust, The Air I Breathe, Playing by Heart, The Good Shepherd, Hairspray & He’s Just Not That Into You: 6 Good Movies with Brilliant Casts (Hairspray features James Marsden

Enchanted starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey & James Marsden

Movie Reviews of 4 Nicholas Sparks Adaptations: A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, Message in a Bottle and The Notebook (The Notebook co-stars James Marsden)

The 24th Day starring James Marsden and Scott Speedman

Also on Joshua Jackson:

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Cursed Movie Cast & Crew Trivia Feat. Joshua Jackson, Christina Ricci, Portia De Rossi, Kevin Williamson & More

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Fringe Trivia: 13 Facts About Fringe Cast, Crew, Plot Feat. Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv, Mark Valley…

The Shadow Dancer starring Joshua Jackson, Claire Forlani and Harvey Keitel

Bones starring David Boreanaz & Emily Deschanel

Posted on December 21, 2010 Written by ripitup

Bones starring David Boreanaz & Emily Deschanel

I started watching Bones pretty much when it first started – I only recently got to writing about it. I have an on-off relationship with this show. When I watch it, I can’t get enough of it but come on, there are many good distractions out there Castle, The Mentalist, House, Fringe…

So since we got the Bones tardiness apology out of the way:

Plot & Characters

Dr. Temperance ‘Bones’ Brennan (Emily Deschanel) is a brilliant forensic anthropologist working with the (fictional) Jeffersonian Institute in Washington D.C. She is also a published author and an occasional partner for the F.B.I, when the crime scenes feature not bodies in flesh but rather just bones. Her partner at the F.B.I is Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz), who often calls her Bones – despite her objections.

Bones and Booth get on reasonably well, despite their character clashes, different points of view and social behavior. Bones is too involved in her science, lacks all diplomacy and political correctness, often to the point of being insensitively blunt. Booth calls Bones and her team “squints”, who are more at home at labs than crime scenes, although Bones manages to get more involved in the field and Booth at the lab.

Despite his military background, Booth has an emotional side and a soft spot for Brennan. Romantic & sexual implications are made for these two characters from the first episodes, although it is not quite acted on for a long while. Six seasons into the show, they never officially got together minus a couple of kissing scenes.

Other characters – both in their interaction with each other & with Booth- are quite fun:

Temperance’s best friend is Angela (Michaela Conlin) – who is a great computer programmer and who has developed the program that can give their bones “faces”, making identification easier. She is comfortable at the lab and with the computers. She is also much more social than Brennan, however the crime scene does give her a “yuck” factor.

Zack (Eric Millegan) is a rookie and the youngest member- despite being a genius, he has a lot to learn both when it comes to bones and women.

Jack Hodgins (T.J. Thyne) has 3 advanced degrees, is a big help in cracking the cases and he is also famous for conspiracy theories.

So like many crime shows, we get a crime scene. There is a set of bones and Bones and her teams’ assistance is needed. Then we get sheer brilliance, detective work on bones, detective work with people and the victim and the killer(s) are identified.

Of course relationships and characters evolve through each episode and season. The show started in 2005 and is currently in its 6^th season.

Verdict

It is a great show, but it is not exactly for the very faint of heart. Hell, I am used to some gore and blood and dead bodies, being a regular fan of crime and vampire shows. But I am still not immune to

seeing so many bones. But the storylines, character interactions and fun banter make the show well worth watching.

8.4 on IMDB.

Fun Quotes:

Season 1, Episode 3

Zach: (to Booth quietly) Sometime when you’re not busy, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about sexual positions.

Booth: If you even try I will take out my gun and shoot you between the eyes.

Season 1, Episode 4

(On Bones’ boss sending her on a field trip with Booth)

Bones: Why is Booth the one who decides if we are going to Washington State? He gets the gun and the authority. He’s the one that people like.

Dr. Gibson: Firstly, he didn’t decide that you go to Washington state. He made a request. I’m the one who decides where you do and do not go.

Bones: And secondly?

Dr. Gibson: Secondly, It’s time to live a little Temperance. Connect with other people.

Bones: Are you suggesting that I take this opportunity to have sex with Booth on a field trip?

Dr. Gibson: Good God, where’s Dr. Freud when you need him?

Fun Notes:

Getting a lead role on a TV show is tricky. And there is always a risk of cancellation. If an actor is lucky enough to land the leading role in a show that lasts, then he faces the challenge of being branded that character or never finding another gig getting so popular. Well, David Boreanaz doesn’t have this problem so far. He played the vampire Angel/Angelus for 8 seasons in a row (3 for Buffy, 5 for his spin-off Angel). Angel ended in 2004 and Bones started in 2005. We hope Boreanaz always is this lucky. We like watching him.

Actress Zooey Deschanel, who you might remember from Yes Man and 500 Days of Summer, is the real life sister of Emily Deschanel.

Emily Deschanel and Michaela Conlin are good friends both on and off screen.

Anne Dudek appears as Booth’s girlfriend in two episodes. She gets a lot of girlfriend/ex-girlfriend roles to the main characters in popular shows, including House and How I Met Your Mother.

The Vampire Diaries starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder

Posted on November 20, 2010 Written by ripitup

The Vampire Diaries starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder. Co-starring Steven R. McQueen, Candice Accola, Katerina Graham, Michael Trevino and Zach Roerig, Sara Canning. The second season is on. Image via byterology.com

The Plot

Small town. Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) is back at high school. She and her brother Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), also a high school student, have lost their parents at an accident last spring and things have never been the same ever since. Elena struggles to make it through, while Jeremy spends most of his time getting high, giving drugs to Vicki (Kayla Ewell) and hoping she will choose him over the cocky football player Tyler (Michael Trevino). It is up to their young Aunt Jenna (Sara Canning) to look after Elena and Jeremy.

In the meantime, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) is back at his home town after a long time. Stefan is a 17-year-old going on over about 160. He is a vampire, who refuses to feed on humans and is lured back into town because of Elena’s existence. Elena carries an uncanny resemblance to his ex-love Katerina (also played by Nina Dobrev). He wants to carry on a normal existence, while getting to know her. So he enrolls in her high school. Everyone is intrigued by the presence of this new hot student, especially Elena’s friend Caroline (Candice Accola). Unfortunately for Caroline, Elena seems as smitten as Stefan. At first this pleases Elena’s best friend Bonnie (Katerina Graham) and depresses Elena’s ex Matt (Zach Roerig), a good-natured football player who is still in love with her.

Unfortunately, Stefan’s peaceful existence is challenged by the mysterious deaths occurring all around town and he has a pretty good idea who is sucking their blood- it is none other than his vampire but not-so-good-natured brother Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder). He has no intention of behaving himself. In fact, there is nothing he loves more than complicating Stefan’s life. He was also involved with Katerina and their past issues comes up- along with flashbacks- throughout the episodes.

Another problem for Stefan is that Bonnie is coming from a long line of witches and she is starting to gain some powers, and she is not enjoying the vibe she is getting from the new love of her best friend…

The Background and the Fun Stuff.

The series are based on a series of books written by L. J. Smith, also called The Vampire Diaries. One of the show’s producers is the famous horror/thriller writer Kevin Williamson who is famous for Scream, The Faculty, I Know What You Did Last Summer and Cursed. He was interestingly also the writer of the hit teen show Dawson’s Creek starring Joshua Jackson, James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.

On a side note, the actor playing Jeremy, Elena’s brother, is played by Steven R. McQueen, who is the grandson of the late movie icon Steve McQueen.

The Vampires

The vampires in this show can’t be hurt by garlic or holy water. They can be killed by fire, pretty much the standards the modern vampires hold. However they still need to be invited into a home before they go in, pretty much like the vamps in Buffy The Vampire Slayer. There is also the issue of the vampire faces- while they don’t get as much make-up done as the ugly faces of the Buffy vampires, their eyes go red, weird disfigurement appears on their faces and their teeth show. It is also funny that they get this face when they get turned as well. They also have special rings that allow them to go under the sun without hurting.

One of the episodes also carries a fun reference to Twilight in one episode. As Damon is sitting on Caroline’s bed and reading one of her Twilight novels, she asks him why he doesn’t sparkle like Edward and he answers that he lives in the real world where vampires get burned under the sun. He also makes a fun comment on he doesn’t understand why everyone in the series is so fascinated by Bella and says she’s got them all whipped.

The Verdict

The Vampire Diaries is a fun and addictive vampire/mystery/romance show. Sure it has lots of teen angst and drama but it balances it well with enough mystery and action. There are enough murders and blood-sucking to keep this in the action genre but not enough gore and sex to compete with True Blood.

The Vampire Diaries has caught a great balance with the modern vampire understanding (the pretty vampires who don’t burst into flames) but they carry some of the classic myth (they need invitations, they have vampire faces- they are not pretty when they turn…).It is also refreshing that the reason Elena and Stefan don’t have sex right away is that Stefan is afraid she will see his vampire face- it is not like he is afraid he will bite her or hurt her or something like that.

Fun, modern and unisex. Sure, Salvatore brothers do and will have more than their share of female fans but it doesn’t change the fact that this is one engaging show. Give it a shot.

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8 on IMDB, with nearly 60.000 votes.

Other Vampire Show and Movie Posts Covered

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Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Dracula, Lestat and Other Vampires

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