A Case Against CGI

I'm assuming there isn't a soul left who hasn't seen the original Star Wars, especially after all the recent resurgence of the series. Personally, I have yet to see the new ones, and I doubt I will. Hans and Leia Forever.

Ever notice how much better the Muppets are in the old films? Jabba the Hut is just creepy. And Yoda looks way more wise-sage of outer-space than his "younger" self. Even the light-sabers are cooler! You know why? Because no one knew what those were thirty years ago! The filmmakers had to create something from nothing. Can you imagine the conversations? "What if we had red beams coming out of swords?"

And how about Jurassic Park? After the original, who else was legitimately scared of raptors coming into your bedroom at night? And the scene with the triceratops? Who else could smell the dung?

Yes, they obviously used computerization, but they made an effort to make it real. The opening credits to Splash will make you seasick. And how about Look Who's Talking? Watching that scene will get you pregnant, I swear.

Even George of the Jungle. Yes, a British gorilla in the middle of the jungle was weird, but it was believable. The gorillas and other animals in The Legend of Tarzan look like apparitions in an LSD-inspired dream sequence in comparison.

Who else agrees with me? Or is newer always better? Weigh in in the comments!

Wheelchairs in the Media

I was re-watching the movie Hot Flashes, with the actress Brooke Shields, tonight. It's a fun movie involving middle-aged women playing basketball against the championship high school girls' team. I noticed during one of the games, there's a blink-and-you-miss-it woman in a wheelchair sitting in the stands. Now, obviously she's still in the wheelchair, and in the front row. But the movie makes a point to include her in a sea of extras. She's not just the token disabled person in town. She's just a Texan in a high-school gym, watching a basketball game.

A show that also includes a woman in a wheelchair, without rubbing it in your face or making it an after-school special "teachable moment", is Madam Secretary. Obviously, this a show about a female Cabinet member, specifically Secretary of State. I have noticed two different instances, seasons apart, where a woman in a wheelchair is shown wheeling past the main actors into an office or the elevator. Thereby showing that we can be in positions of power. Maybe she's not the Secretary, but she works for her. I'll take it!

We might get to the point where the boss is someone in a wheelchair, but if it doesn't happen, fine. Even ten years, ago, I can't remember any show that had someone who was in a wheelchair in a starring. Yes, that kid in Glee, but the actor was never disabled. Speechless is the only one, but I want to see a show where I can see myself in the character; someone who has gone to college and is not just seen as "that wheelchair lady".

Review: The Luck of the Bride

The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Poor little girl. And the baby who will never know his parents.

Omigod, I'm dying! The author had me fooled. Viscount, indeed.

Can you really steal from yourself?

A nobleman who can't count is just asking to get cheated.

I would so slap him. She knows how old she is!

Aww, William has always been a good brother, it seems. That lady should be hung up by her toes!

Poor thing has PTSD from Faith's fall.

This is really romantic, except for, you know, the blood.

He just walked right into her house, and she doesn't even scream?

And there he goes, ruining the moment...

Stupid ton. Chin up, Faith. Besides, it looks like you've caught the eye of a certain doctor.

Ugh, why is that guy everywhere? But drinking isn't the answer to everything either McCalpin.

Girls, if your men believe this idiot's lies over your own sister, you don't want them as husbands.

Bennett is nine-going-on-twenty-nine, I swear.

Could they have been re-marrying?

Gah, men are dumb. Bennett is smarter than all these men put together.

Suck it, Rupert.

I like that they showed compassion for whodunit.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Behind the Mask

Behind the Mask by Renee Canter Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know it's creepy when even the assassin is scared.

Remind me never to be in Venice on a foggy night.

What a crappy police force.

All those drugs can't be helping with the memory loss.

This is an excellent mystery.

The professor's wife ordered the hit on her, I bet.

Richard is not as large-and-in-charge as he thinks he is.

The assassin with a side-job as paparazzo.

I never liked Carmen.

Holy crap!

Whoa, she had some balls before the accident.

Ewww. Buh-bye, Ricky.

Ha, she's got jokes! Good for her.

Snort. She thought he was having a heart attack.

Oh, how nice that they found the boy.

Who else wants that wedding feast?

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Package Deal

Package Deal by Charissa Stastny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not a fan of the scruffy look either.

Geez, this photographer is pushy.

Er, I'm not liking Brandee. She's mean.

"Spawn"? Seriously, man?

Emma is so adorable.

Men should always open doors.

There was a creepy guy at my work too.

Kieran was such a twat.

It sounds like this job is killing him, albeit slowly.

Hudson should have forcibly removed her from that idiot's car.

Suddenly Brandee has time for her, just when she messed up Hudson and Spring's relationship? Ugh.

He's good at making up.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


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Review: Not Quite Crazy

Not Quite Crazy by Catherine Bybee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Welcome to New York, honey. It's nice that your boss actually wants to cover your transportation costs.

Poor Trent.

Oh, he's got moves.

That was funny, Owen.

Haha, Mary Frances sounds cool!

She sleeps with her boss on the first date, goes on vacation with him, but doesn't want to ride into work together?

What the hell?

She should really check her mail.

Good judge. Suck it, hag!

I love the ending.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Disarmed by Love

Disarmed by Love by Gail Chianese
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My kind of kid. Reading is more fun.

I would have told on Chris so fast...

What the hell?!

Saying you're fine twenty times in one breath usually indicates you're not.

Small world.

Wait, she was changing in front of the camera, and could have been seen naked by her best friend's husband at any time?

He cooks!

Geez, he's the girl in this relationship.

He's a better father figure than Sal could ever be.

I'm glad that she didn't blame him for the accident.

If she had just reported Sal for attempted murder, custody wouldn't be an issue.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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