House, Interrupted.

I'll admit it: I've been waiting -- like a huge geek-- all summer for this episode. And for the most part I was not disappointed.

While the story of this episode is not particularly original, I thought that Hugh Laurie did an outstanding job. It is not often on House that he is able to portray any kind of poignant character development, but in Broken he gets more of the good stuff to work with, even while having less to work with (none of the other usual cast members are in this episode, save a brief appearance by Wilson.)

Apparently the writers had to completely break House down in order to build him back up again. While at Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital, we see him go through a painful detox (all in a montage, by the way -- which, yeah, a bit of a cop out. But at least it was a montage with Radiohead!) When House is done detoxing and decides to leave, the head psychiatrist -- Dr. Nolan -- tells him that he is not ready, and that if he does leave, said Dr. Nolan will not write him a recommendation to practice medicine. House sees this as blackmail (I think there was an inappropriate pun in there too) and decides to act out against the various psychiatrists and ward attendants.

The first hour of the two-hour episode is classic House, as far as his behavior. One remark, to a suicidal girl in the ward, bordered on cruelty: "So how disappointed were you when you woke up in the ER and you were still alive...and a loser."

However, somewhere along the way he begins to actually show some character growth, which I actually found extremely refreshing! I am not sure if they are going to keep building on this. My one complaint about House, as a series, is that the writers are not exceptionally talented at crafting complicated characters. A lot of what makes House great is Hugh Laurie. And yes, the character is extremely interesting -- perhaps due to his very archetypal nature. However, the writers never allow him to progress beyond a certain point.

As I stated already, the story here -- while clearly well executed -- is not very original. You may guess from the title of this review that I found a lot of similarities between this episode and Girl, Interrupted. In that film, Winona Ryder's character refuses to take her medication. Finally, after a tragedy takes place involving one of her fellow ward-mates, she decides that she wants to get better -- even though this new compliance earns her grief from some of the other patients that she has befriended. The exact same formula is played out in this episode. After House inadvertently causes one of the fellow patients to jump off of a building (he thought that he could fly) he sort of snaps. After this event he is compliant, and even goes on anti-depressants.

What I really enjoyed about this episode was the relationship between House and Dr. Nolan, and I hope that we see more of it in the future. I also really loved the mini-romance between House and Lydia (played by Franka Potente, of Run Lola Run fame.) There was something extremely sweet and innocent about their relationship, which is something I did not think House was capable of. This is leaving aside, of course, the fact that she is married. And since she is married, she inevitably leaves at the end of the episode -- dooming any further relationship. It is lovely while it lasts, though, and it is nice to see that House is capable of romantic emotions. Whether or not this experience is going to influence his relationship with Cuddy is yet to be seen. I think it would be a tricky balance to achieve, because House would not be as interesting if he were too "mushy."

All in all, I thought it was a good episode, and I am excited to see what happens next.

Emmy Reactions (Mine)

Despite some bitter disappointments (I'll get to those in a second!) I have to say that Neil Patrick Harris did an outstanding job as host! He was literally made for that gig. In fact, if at all possible, I think he should win an Emmy Award next year for his night as host this year. The only real highlights of the entire night -- for me, at least -- were his opening number, and the "interruption" by Dr. Horrible. Here's a video of that awesome moment:



The "buffering" thing killed me. And just the fact that one of my geeky little interests got major play time on mainstream TV!? Cue fangirl moment.

However, I was very disappointed when NPH didn't take home the Emmy for best supporting actor in a comedy. He is PURE COMEDIC GOLD, people! I mean, yeah...that other guy was good as Ducky in Pretty in Pink. But come on! Rigged, I tell you. And of all the wonderful actors nominated for best actor in a drama series -- they gave it to the one person I could not give a flip about. I can't even remember his name now. I think I've repressed. I was REALLY hoping that it would go to Hugh Laurie. Especially since I've heard rumors that he is thinking of quitting House soon. Hopefully they are only rumors -- but I hear that walking with a limp on the show has left him with a hip problem of some sort.

Anyway...The House snubs were annoying to me. Especially since I am not a fan of Mad Men. I'm just so over that whole show. I might try to get into it again at some point. But meh. Whatever. At least tonight is the special 2-hour premeire of House's sixth season! Woot!

True Blood - Season Finale Review

Spoilers Ahead, as per usual.

I have been terrible about keeping up with my True Blood reviews, I know. Blame it on the Summer Holiday! I did, however, watch the season finale. And I thought it was... Ok.

There were definitely good aspects -- like the level of suspense I felt when Sam was being offered up as a sacrifice by Mary Anne and her followers (really did not care for that storyline, BTW). Now, if they had killed my favorite belt-buckled shape-shifter, then I would have definitely hated the episode. But luckily he finds a way to shape shift into the very "God" that Mary Anne is trying to invoke, and proceeds to rip her heart out of her chest all violent and bloody-like. It's quite a spectacle... so I was confused when I looked at the clock and realized that the show was not even half-way over.

I was sooooooo glad to see this chick die. Goodbye, boring sub-plot.

After weeks of being teased with the whole Eric/Sookie storyline, we didn't get to see any interaction between the two of them. We did, however, see some of the aftermath of the fight between Hoyt and Jessica (another of my favorite characters!) After a chat with his mother (who was finally freed from Mary Anne's mind-control) and decides that she is, in fact, a bigot. He then goes to find Jessica and try to reconcile their relationship -- but it turns out that she is getting it on with some trucker. Then she bites said trucker, which makes me wonder if she's going to be evil in the next season. I hope not. I really loved her and Hoyt.

The most boring part of the episode, to me, was the ending with Sookie and Bill going to the French restaurant. I don't really get why Sookie was so emotional when he asked her to marry him. And why did it take going to the ladies room and trying on the ring to change her mind? It all seemed a bit simplistic to me. I was pretty relieved, however, when it turned out that Bill had been kidnapped while she was "freshening up." I really don't like it when characters get married. No way, no how. I would stop watching it instantly.

As it is... I will still tune in for season 3.

Cat Couture: Cute or Disturbing? You Decide

Cat Clothing... I've considered the notion before, I'll admit. My parents' cat, Misi, looks so grumpy all the time that I've sometimes thought about how hilarious it would be to put her in a silly little outfit and take her picture. Of course there's no way she'd ever let anyone do that. You'd literally lose an eye if you tried.

Which makes me wonder how The Tailor of Cat Prin manages to get these cats to dress up in all sorts of crazy ensembles. The site, which details each outfit in endearingly broken English, sells an assortment of cat-wear -- such as The Young Lady Blouse and The Necktie Shirt. Or, if you are tired of having a cat you can change it into a bunny or a frog with the Hat of a Rabbit and Frog Transformation Set.

While the concept is pretty funny, and, ok, kinda cute -- I don't know many cats that would put up with shenanigans like this. Which makes me wonder if the cats in this instructional video are drugged or something. My favorite part of the video is when the creator says the idea for Cat Prin came to her from another dimension.

Quentin Tarantino Puts Brad Pitt's Penchant for Bad Accents to Good Use

If you've ever seen Seven Years in Tibet, then you know that fake accents are not one of Brad Pitt's strong points when it comes to acting. His Austrian accent was downright laughable.

But luckily, that cheesy over-the-top quality fit his character perfectly in Quentin Tarantino's new film, Inglourious Basterds. In the film he plays an American who has rounded up a posse of bad-ass Jews out for revenge during the Third Reich. His Tennessee accent is hilarious, as well as his complete inability to speak in an Italian accent while undercover.

I have to admit, I was a little wary about seeing this film -- mostly because of Pitt. I am glad I went and saw it anyway, because it was pretty damn entertaining, and, amazingly, Pitt didn't annoy me once during the whole thing.

Oh, and did I mention that Mike Meyers is in it? Random much?

To Flee is to Live: Let the Right One In

Some friends and I just rented this film the other night. I'd been meaning to see it for some time now -- especially since I read a very favorable review of it in Rolling Stone. I'm very glad I finally saw it! I have never seen a Swedish film about vampires before. I also love the idea of a mortal boy falling for a female vampire -- as it is usually the other way around.

The film starts out almost like Twilight in reverse (but with much more artistic camera angles and music). Oskar is a young boy who lives with his mother in what appears to be a kind of project apartment. He is shy, awkward, and picked on at school. When a new girl named Eli moves in to the apartment next to him, he becomes fascinated with her. But of course, in true modern-day vampire fashion, she repeatedly walks up to him and cryptically tells him that she is dangerous, and that they "cannot be friends."



Luckily, the "Edwardian Vamp Dialogue" ends there. Eventually Eli relents, and the two children become friends, though it is obvious that there is something strange about her. Oskar, being a bit of a detective himself, surely cannot miss it. But what becomes interesting is the fact that he doesn't seem to care whether or not she is a killer. Under the innocent veneer of white-blond hair he has his own darkness. He is obsessed with serial killers. He cuts news stories out and puts them in a book, chronicling their exploits. He stands in front of a mirror with a knife -- practicing his "revenge" on the children that hurt him at school.

Despite the gore, there is something really beautiful and honest about the relationship between these two. Perhaps this is because of their age, and perhaps because of its very transient, ephemeral nature. My favorite lines from the movie are part of a note that Eli gives to Oskar:

“To Flee is to Live. To Linger, Death.”