Tuesday, May 28, 2013

New DVD Releas This Week: The Numbers Station

DVD icon

As I expected, there aren't many good DVD releases this week. I'm not even sure that The Numbers Station was ever released in movie theaters.

These are some of the new DVDs released this week, the ones I find interesting or of note.

 

Tuesday May 28, 2013

The Numbers Station, R      Amazon
British-American action thriller film, starring John Cusack and Malin Ã…kerman, about a disgraced CIA black ops agent assigned to protect the code operator at a secret American numbers station somewhere in the British countryside.

 

 

Note: this blog post contains affiliate links.

Graphic Credit: DVD Icon made from WikiMedia.org free software, you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation.

 

 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day Weekend Cook-Out Vines

My friend Myles (@MylesGRyan) hosted a little get together yesterday. He also has a new iPhone and is getting into Vine so here are a few short videos he took.

This one shows the usual suspects. Look fast, I'm in the yellow shirt.

 

 

What's a cook-out without some grillin'?

 

 

The gang again, Steve is still a little camera shy and I'm a bit cold.

 

 

Speaking of cold, it got a lot colder after the sun went down so we started a fire.

 

 

Sunday, May 26, 2013

TV This Week: Doctor Who Revisited; Body of Proof series finale

TV This Week icon

After your day at the beach or cook-out Sunday night Memorial Day weekend watch Doctor Who Revisited. Later in the week PBS has a few interesting shows, one is about the Boston Bombing.

These are the TV shows I plan on watching this week. Most of them I will watch by DVR or OnDemand. All times ET.

 

Sunday

Doctor Who Revisited, The Fifth Doctor. BBC America, 8:00pm.
A detailed look is taken at earlier seasons of the iconic television show Doctor Who, a phenomenon that is still popular after 50 years, featuring The Fifth Doctor, played by Peter Davison, and his foes, the Cybermen and Master. 3 hrs.

Mad Men, The Better Half. AMC, 10:00pm.
Roger continues to have the same dream every night and becomes concerned about the repetition; Joan takes some time off from the agency in order to enjoy the beach, which results in an interesting outing for the beautiful Ms. Harris.

 

Monday

Revolution, City of Men. NBC, 10:00pm.
Miles, Charlie, Nora and Aaron finally discover a way to enter the Tower, which pits Miles against Monroe once again in a battle that proves to be deadlier than their first encounter; Tom and Jason Neville find themselves shut out of the Tower.

 

Tuesday

Constitution USA with Peter Sagal, Built to last. PBS, 9:00pm.
Host Peter Sagal visits Iceland to examine the country's decision to create a new constitution that was inspired by the Constitution of the United States, and later, he looks into why the U.S. Constitution has lasted over 225 years.

FrontLine, Outlawed in Pakistan. PBS, 10:00pm.
A young female rape victim's five-year struggle through Pakistan's broken justice system is chronicled, examining her courage to come forward, the alleged rapists' attempts to clear their names, and society's beliefs about victims of rape.

Body of Proof, Daddy Issues. ABC, 10:00pm.
* * * Series Finale * * * Megan brings Tommy along for her father's exhumation, but instead of answering questions about his suicide, it seems to just make more; Megan's mother suggests looking into her husband's patient files that may hold connections to his death.

 

Wednesday

Nova, Manhunt - Boston Bombers. ABC, 9:00pm.
The investigation and manhunt following the deadly Boston Marathon bombings on April 15 are chronicled, examining the roles of various innovative technologies, including bomb chemistry analysis and traditional detective work.

 

Thursday

 

 

 

Friday

 

 

 

Saturday

 

 

 

Sunday

The Killing. AMC, 8:00pm.
Detective Sarah Linden desperately tries to keep her past mistakes from tormenting her life; Holder finds himself struggling with a new assignment given to him; a prisoner manages to show his true colors while in prison. 2 hrs.

Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, Peru. CNN, 9:00pm.
Anthony and fellow chef Eric Ripert go looking for a particular variety of wild cocoa that is only found in a remote part of the Andes, experiencing the pre-Colombian lifestyles of the rural areas as well as the modernity of Lima, the capital city.

 

Graphic Credit: TVTW Icon made from WikiMedia.org free software, you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation.

 

 

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

I thought Zebra made good pens

Zebra pen photo

I used to think Zebra made nice, high quality pens. I used several different models of them for a number of years, but have been using a Parker most recently. I carry a small tablet around to catch ideas and such so a few months ago I purchased an Zebra compact telescoping pen.

I'm sorry I bought the pen. For one thing it's disposable, you cannot replace the ink. And second the thing broke less then three months after I started using it!

So it's back to my stainless steel Parker Jotter for daily carry.

 

 

Photo: Zebra pen broken in pieces.

 

 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

New DVD Releases This Week: The Last Stand, Side Effects

DVD icon

There are few movies released this week, probably because next week is Memorial Day. So expect few movies again next week. Side Effects sounds interesting, I may try and watch it. I'm not as interested in The Last Stand.

These are some of the new DVDs released this week, the ones I find interesting or of note.

 

Tuesday May 21, 2013

The Last Stand, R      Amazon
The Last Stand is a 2013 action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, written by Andrew Knauer and directed by Kim Ji-woon. The film is Schwarzenegger's first lead role since 2003's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, as well as the first American production for the South Korean director Kim Ji-woon, cinematographer Kim Ji-yong and composer Mowg. The film focuses on a small town sheriff and his deputies who must stop a dangerous drug lord from escaping to Mexico in a modified sports car.

Side Effects, R      Amazon
Side Effects is a 2013 American psychological thriller film directed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay written by Scott Z. Burns. The film stars Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Channing Tatum. The film concerns the ramifications of an event following a young woman being prescribed antidepressant drugs.

 

 

Note: this blog post contains affiliate links.

Graphic Credit: DVD Icon made from WikiMedia.org free software, you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation.

 

 

Sunday, May 19, 2013

TV This Week: Doctor Who Revisited, Mel Brooks

TV This Week icon

The TV sweeps period ends this week; by the looks of things I would say that it's Wednesday. Next Sunday night Doctor Who Revisited is up to the Fifth Doctor. Lastly fans of Mel Brooks will want to watch American Masters Monday night.

These are the TV shows I plan on watching this week. Most of them I will watch by DVR or OnDemand. All times ET.

 

Sunday

The Simpsons, The Saga of Carl Carlson; Dangers on a Train. Fox, 8:00pm.
When Homer, Moe, Lenny, and Carl win $200,000 in the lottery, Carl takes the money and runs back to his homeland in Iceland; Marge meets a man after accidentally visiting a website for married people to arrange affairs on instead of a baking site.

Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, Libya. CNN, 9:00pm.
Anthony Bourdain explores the aftermath of the civil war that toppled Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, looking at cultural surprises such as Italian restaurants and Arabic-speaking rappers who returned home to fight the powers that be.

Mad Men, The Crash. AMC, 10:00pm.
Don is unable to conduct his regular business due to an unexpected visitor that manages to disrupt his life; while struggling to come up with a worthy idea for a campaign, Peggy attempts to find something to inspire her.

 

Monday

American Masters, Mel Brooks. PBS, 9:00pm.
The life and career of American entertainer and filmmaker Mel Brooks are explored as never-before-told stories are shared and actor Matthew Broderick, actor Nathan Lane, actress Joan Rivers, and other friends and colleagues are interviewed. 1½ hrs.

Revolution, Clue. NBC, 10:00pm.
While Nora is held captive and savagely tortured within inches of her life, Monroe learns about Rachel's plan to infiltrate the Tower, though he is unaware of how far her scheme truly goes; Miles is determined to find a murder in among the team.

Bates Motel, Midnight. A&E, 10:00pm.
Sheriff Romero decides that it is finally time for him to take action; Norman anticipates his date with Emma when he asks to take her to the school dance; Miss Watson assists Norman by giving him a ride back to the motel.

 

Tuesday

Constitution USA with Peter Sagal, Created Equal. PBS, 9:00pm.
As the 14th Amendment is examined, a look is taken at the Declaration of Independence's inclusion of the idea that all men were equal and the 75 years and bloody war it took before the right of equality was included in the Constitution.

 

Wednesday

Modern Family, Goodnight Gracie. ABC, 9:00pm.
Claire helps Phil with Grace's last wish for Frank and the kids reflect on the presents left to them; Gloria faces an outstanding arrest warrant; Cam fits right in with an elderly women's group; Jay runs into an important person from his past.

 

Thursday

 

 

 

Friday

 

 

 

Saturday

 

 

 

Sunday

Doctor Who Revisited, The Fifth Doctor. BBC America, 8:00pm.
A detailed look is taken at earlier seasons of the iconic television show Doctor Who, a phenomenon that is still popular after 50 years, featuring The Fifth Doctor, played by Peter Davison, and his foes, the Cybermen and Master. 3 hrs.

Mad Men, The Better Half. AMC, 10:00pm.
Roger continues to have the same dream every night and becomes concerned about the repetition; Joan takes some time off from the agency in order to enjoy the beach, which results in an interesting outing for the beautiful Ms. Harris.

 

Graphic Credit: TVTW Icon made from WikiMedia.org free software, you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation.

 

 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

New DVD Releases This Week: Cloud Atlas, Liz and Dick, Texas Chainsaw

DVD icon

Cloud Atlas interests me a bit, the others not so much.

These are some of the new DVDs released this week, the ones I find interesting or of note.

 

Tuesday May 14, 2013

Cloud Atlas, R      Amazon
Cloud Atlas is a 2012 German drama and science fiction film written, produced and directed by Lana and Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer. Adapted from the 2004 novel by David Mitchell, the film features multiple plotlines set across six different eras. The official synopsis for Cloud Atlas describes the film as: "An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.

Liz and Dick, Not Rated      Amazon
Liz and Dick is a 2012 biographical television film chronicling the relationship of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It was directed by Lloyd Kramer, written by Christopher Monger, produced by Larry A. Thompson and stars Lindsay Lohan as Taylor and Grant Bowler as Burton. It premiered on Lifetime on November 25, 2012.

Texas Chainsaw, R      Amazon
Texas Chainsaw is a 2013 American slasher film directed by John Luessenhop and written by Debra Sullivan and Adam Marcus. It is the seventh film in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise, and was presented in 3-D. The film stars Alexandra Daddario, Dan Yeager, Tremaine Neverson, Tania Raymonde, Thom Barry, Paul Rae, and Bill Moseley. The story centers on Heather, who discovers that she was adopted after learning of an inheritance from a long-lost grandmother. She subsequently takes a road trip with her friends to collect the inheritance, unaware that it includes her cousin, Leatherface, as well.

 

 

Note: this blog post contains affiliate links.

Graphic Credit: DVD Icon made from WikiMedia.org free software, you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation.

 

 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

TV This Week: Finales for Survivor, Doctor Who, Body of Proof

TV This Week icon

Season finales this week for Survivor and Doctor Who. Sadly Body of Proof ends its series Tuesday night.

These are the TV shows I plan on watching this week. Most of them I will watch by DVR or OnDemand. All times ET.

 

Sunday

60 Minutes. CBS, 7:00pm.
Scheduled: American aid worker Jessica Buchanan recalls her dramatic Navy SEALs rescue in the Somali desert; a course that teaches disabled vets to start their own businesses; Charlie Rose visits Microsoft founder Bill Gates in his private office.

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites, Season Finale. CBS, 8:00pm.
After a harrowing season of surviving in the Philippines, the remaining castaways still competing for the $1 million grand prize end their journey and prepare to face a jury of their peers who will ultimately decide the sole survivor of season 26. 2 hrs. Note: Reunion Show at 10pm.

The Simpsons, Fabulous Faker Boy. Fox, 8:00pm.
When Bart begins to explore his creative type at Marge's encouragement, she hires Slava's daughter as his piano instructor; when the last two hairs on Homer's head fall out, he begins to try a variety of headgear to hide it from Marge.

Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, Morocco (Tangier). CNN, 9:00pm.
Anthony Bourdain visits the former International Zone, the part of Morocco where artists such as Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Tennessee Williams and the Rolling Stones went to escape moral prohibitions and rekindle their inspiration.

Mad Men, Man with a Plan. AMC, 10:00pm.
Everyone at the agency diligently works to try and satisfy the wants and needs of competing clients in order to solidify their commitment to the company; Pete Campbell is caught off guard when he gets an unexpected visit.

 

Monday

Revolution, The Longest Day. NBC, 10:00pm.
Romantic connections begin to heat up among the rebels as an onslaught of drone attacks from the militia threaten everyone involved; an assassination attempt made on Monroe's life heightens his paranoia while Foster contemplates surrendering.

Bates Motel, Underwater. A&E, 10:00pm.
While Abernathy continues to put pressure on Norman, Norman is still unsure what he wants from him; the friendship between Dylan and Bradley grows; Miss Watson notices Norman's active imagination, and encourages it; Emma takes a trip.

Independent Lens, Invisible War. PBS, 10:00pm.
The issues of rape and sexual assault in the United States military are examined, revealing the culture and conditions that led to few prosecutions, the various struggles female victims and male victims are facing, and more.

 

Tuesday

Constitution USA with Peter Sagal, It's A Free Country. PBS, 9:00pm.
Peter examines the section of the Constitution that many believe to be its most important feature, the Bill of Rights, and several headline-making stories that involve freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the right to privacy.

Body of Proof, Breakout. ABC, 10:00pm.
* * * Series Finale * * * After an inmate escapes a prison transport van and quickly becomes a wanted fugitive in Philadelphia, a witness from his murder trial mysteriously ends up dead, forcing the man to seek out Megan in hopes that she will hear his pleas of innocence.

 

Wednesday

Modern Family, Games People Play. ABC, 9:00pm.
Phil gets a brand new RV for the family in hopes going on a fun road trip, leaving Claire to let him learn the hard way as to why this is a terrible idea; Jay and Gloria help Manny look for his backpack; Mitch & Cam get competitive at Lily's meet.

Secrets of the Dead, Cavemen Cold Case. PBS, 10:00pm.
Scientists examine 49,000-year-old Neanderthal bones found in a remote region of Spain in order to determine how they died and what their deaths may mean for the Neanderthal extinction, but the discovery of possible cannibalism raises more questions.

 

Thursday

 

 

 

Friday

 

 

 

Saturday

Doctor Who, The Name of the Doctor. BBC America, 8:00pm.
* * * Season Finale * * * The Doctor keeps a secret that he plans to tell no one as long as he remains among the living, but though he plans to take the secret with him to his very grave, the truth is discovered sooner than anyone could have expected.

Saturday Night Live. NBC, 11:30pm.
Host actor Ben Affleck, musical guest Kanye West.

 

Sunday

The Simpsons, The Saga of Carl Carlson; Dangers on a Train. Fox, 8:00pm.
Two episodes of The Simpsons.

Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, Libya. CNN, 9:00pm.
Anthony Bourdain explores the aftermath of the civil war that toppled Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, looking at cultural surprises such as Italian restaurants and Arabic-speaking rappers who returned home to fight the powers that be.

Mad Men, The Crash. AMC, 10:00pm.
Don is unable to conduct his regular business due to an unexpected visitor that manages to disrupt his life; while struggling to come up with a worthy idea for a campaign, Peggy attempts to find something to inspire her.

 

Graphic Credit: TVTW Icon made from WikiMedia.org free software, you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation.

 

 

Friday, May 10, 2013

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

New DVD Releases This Week: Jack Reacher, Mama, and Safe Haven

DVD icon

The big releases this week are Jack Reacher and Safe Haven. I'm kind of interested in Jack Reacher but will pass on Safe Haven.

These are some of the new DVDs released this week, the ones I find interesting or of note.

 

Tuesday May 7, 2013

Jack Reacher, PG-13      Amazon
Jack Reacher is a 2012 American thriller film. It is an adaptation of Lee Child's 2005 novel One Shot. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a man drives a van into a parking garage across the Allegheny River from PNC Park and, after paying for parking, readies a sniper rifle. He takes aim and appears to randomly kill five people around the stadium and on the river’s North Shore Trail before fleeing in the van. The police soon arrive, headed by Detective Emerson, and they discover a shell casing as well as the coin used to pay for parking. A fingerprint taken from the coin points to James Barr, a former U.S. Army sniper. When the police raid his house, they find the van, equipment for making bullets, the rifle in question, and Barr, whom they arrest.

Mama, PG-13      Amazon
A horror movie, the film deals with the story of two young girls abandoned in a forest cabin, fostered by an unknown entity that they fondly call Mama, which eventually follows them to their new suburban home after their uncle retrieves them.

Safe Haven, PG-13      Amazon
American romance film starring Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel and Cobie Smulders. Erin Tierney (Julianne Hough) leaves her abusive, alcoholic husband, Boston police detective Kevin Tierney (David Lyons), under disguise with the assistance of an elderly neighbor, Mrs. Feldman. She eventually flees to the small town of Southport, North Carolina, where she befriends her neighbor, Jo (Cobie Smulders), and adopts the identity of "Katie". She also meets Alex Wheatley (Josh Duhamel), the manager of a local convenience store, and his children, Lexie and Josh. Alex's wife died of cancer, and he keeps letters written by her to be given to their children at important moments of their lives.

 

 

Note: this blog post contains affiliate links.

Graphic Credit: DVD Icon made from WikiMedia.org free software, you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation.

 

 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

TV This Week: Survivor Season Finale

TV This Week icon

It's that time of year again, May TV Sweeps, so network shows will be wrapping up their seasons soon. Also ending its season (and series) this week is Touch (I think).

These are the TV shows I plan on watching this week. Most of them I will watch by DVR or OnDemand. All times ET.

 

Sunday

60 Minutes. CBS, 7:00pm.
Scheduled: Lesley Stahl reports on counterinsurgency tactics helping law enforcement officers in Springfield, Mass.; Scott Pelley reports on a charity that's given $1.25 billion to New York's neediest; a report on veteran's traumatic brain injuries.

The Simpsons, Whiskey Business. Fox, 8:00pm.
Moe winds up going into business when a group of venture capitalists take interest in his homemade whiskey; Grampa injures himself while babysitting Bart, leaving Bart to take care of him; Lisa is insulted by a hologram of Bleeding Gums Murphy.

Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, Canada. CNN, 9:00pm.
Anthony Bourdain takes a railway journey across Canada in the company of restaurateurs David McMillan and Frederic Morin, the fun-loving founders of a world-renowned Montreal steak-and-seafood eating place called Joe Beef.

Mad Men, For Immediate Release. AMC, 10:00pm.
Roger reexamines his methods and decides to make a change to the way he works in the hopes of bringing in new business for the agency; Pete Campbell finds himself in an awkward situation during an unexpected encounter with a client.

 

Monday

Revolution, The Love Boat. NBC, 10:00pm.
Despite being thrown in to a situation where they're fighting for common goals, Miles refuses to place any trust in Tom; Charlie, Jason, and Nora execute a daring plan of action to rescue Dr. Stephen Camp in an attempt to thwart Monroe.

Bates Motel, A Boy and His Dog. A&E, 10:00pm.
While Norma gets in a tight situation with a stranger, Bradley grows frustrated over the rumors spreading at school; Dylan and Remo get away from town but their road trip quickly turns violent, and Norman takes up a strange hobby.

 

Tuesday

Constitution USA with Peter Sagal, A More Perfect Union. PBS, 9:00pm.
The host travels across America, examining the Constitution's delicate balance of power through the differing opinions of people who think the government has become too big and those who believe a strong central government has improved the nation.

Body of Proof, Dark City. ABC, 10:00pm.
A plane crashes into the main power grid of a city in Philadelphia due to a gunman opening fire while aloft, leaving Megan to conduct autopsies during rolling blackouts when one of the bodies goes missing; Tommy and Adam get in a serious accident.

 

Wednesday

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites, Don't Say Anything About My Mom. CBS, 8:00pm.
The final six get a much-needed visit from family members, leading to an emotional day for everyone; Cochran worries that he may be the next to have their torch snuffed; one castaway is forced to make a game-changing decision.

Modern Family, My Hero. ABC, 9:00pm.
A very personable and successful doctor and ex of Mitch, invites the whole family out to a fundraising event at the local roller rink; Phil teaches Gloria to skate; Manny and Luke must choose subjects for their 'My Hero' essays.

Secrets of the Dead, Death on the Railroad. PBS, 10:00pm.
Utilizing modern forensic and scientific investigative techniques, experts set out to uncover the truth behind the suspicious deaths of 57 Irish immigrants who were hired in 1832 to lay railroad tracks in West Chester, Pa.

 

Thursday

 

 

 

Friday

Touch, Leviathan. Fox, 9:00pm.
As Aster Corps prepares to take a top spot in the global economy, Nicole Farington stops at nothing to achieve her goals; Martin and Trevor interrogate a captured enforcer in a race against time to save Jake and Amelia from Aster Corps' grasp.

 

Saturday

Doctor Who, Nightmare in Silver. BBC America, 8:00pm.
The Doctor arrives at Hedgewick's World of Wonders, a great location to spend a day out enjoying a theme park, but also the starting point for a deadly silver resurrection that could turn out to be more frightening than the tallest roller coaster.

Saturday Night Live. NBC, 11:30pm.
Hostess actress Kristen Wiig, musical guests Vampire Weekend.

 

Sunday

Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites, Season Finale. CBS, 8:00pm.
After a harrowing season of surviving in the Philippines, the remaining castaways still competing for the $1 million grand prize end their journey and prepare to face a jury of their peers who will ultimately decide the sole survivor of season 26. 2 hrs. Note: Reunion Show at 10pm.

The Simpsons, Fabulous Faker Boy. Fox, 8:00pm.
When Bart begins to explore his creative type at Marge's encouragement, she hires Slava's daughter as his piano instructor; when the last two hairs on Homer's head fall out, he begins to try a variety of headgear to hide it from Marge.

Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, Morocco (Tangier). CNN, 9:00pm.
Anthony Bourdain visits the former International Zone, the part of Morocco where artists such as Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Tennessee Williams and the Rolling Stones went to escape moral prohibitions and rekindle their inspiration.

Mad Men, Man with a Plan. AMC, 10:00pm.
Everyone at the agency diligently works to try and satisfy the wants and needs of competing clients in order to solidify their commitment to the company; Pete Campbell is caught off guard when he gets an unexpected visit.

 

Graphic Credit: TVTW Icon made from WikiMedia.org free software, you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation.