JanPattersonRN

Oh.My.God.

Ok, overused phrase.

I've not been fond of Glenn Close, but that's changed now. She brings the coldness, edginess, and brilliance that's needed to this part with just the right amount of [very small, very specific amount of] vulnerability. Scary, scary people, with scary, scary agendas, in a very scary world where winning is everything, and the law comes second, and yet rules all. I mainlined the first two seasons.

I'm so sad that this show's not finding its feet. It should be another gem for the franchise, but there's something not quite right about it. I'm going to keep watching, see if I can figure it out.

I've got some history with guys like this- some mean well but want the money, some don't, and want the money. The IDEAS, real ideas, are around - not for free, you do need a teacher/student relationship- but not at THIS kind of risk...I have to say, I was glad to see him take this guy down.

Also, is it just me, or is Cal Lightman getting more and more twitchy as time goes on? It's worrying.

I'm really enjoying Detroit 1-8-7. I didn't get to see Detroit in its heydey, and it hurts me that it's being left to fall apart instead of being made into the garden city it could be now, with all the open space it's got, so the glimpses of the city are a treat. But: wait! there's more! The stories are moving, the ensemble acting is very very very good, the writing is fantastic, the story-telling style and camera work gripping. It's all very well done. Highly recommended.

American Apparel is a fully ethical apparel manufacturer and seller- in fact, I'm hoping to go by their factory in December. Fully vertically integrated as a company, so that everyone knows what everyone's worth is to the company as a whole. On top of that, the clothes are really well made, fashionable, durable, and comfortable. This Groupon helped me buy Christmas gifts for two of my favorite people from one of my favorite companies, AND (again) put money in my savings-for-school account.

First, Kiva's brilliant. It's ethical, it's thoughtful,and it works. Second to get a Groupon for $10 off a $25 Microloan helped me as well as my lendee- I'm saving for school, so that $10 savings went into my school account, and my lendee still gets the full $25 because that's how Groupon works. Nobody loses.

Oh, Bones. I read some of the books this series is based on, then, when the series started, I wasn't in a position to watch prime-time TV. Thank goodness for Hulu and Netflix, because I've had a chance to catch up. The science isn't always accurate [though more than a lot of these shows!] but the dialogue is fun and the character development intriguing. It does my heart good to see the "science girl" come alive.

One of my top ten go-to movies. Not a perfect movie by any means, but more than the sum of its parts, and enhanced by the music in a lovely haunting way.

It's going to take me a second round to get into this, I think. I love me some Jimmy Smits, but there's something about the pacing that didn't grab me. [The fact that I've been working 6-night-weeks and two other jobs might have something to do with it. It takes a LOT to break through that kind of sleep deprivation.] I hope this hangs around for me to give it its second chance.

He really IS ruggedly handsome. And funny as heck. I still don't like the *Smart girl has to handle oafish guy who is really way far ahead of anyone else* pattern, either in this or in The Mentalist. It's demeaning to both characters, Castle and Beckett. But the dialogue is good, and the daughter intrigues me. I'm glad it's back for another round.

I still like the premise. I miss the characters, as introduced in season 1~ I know it's the style these days to have to have ever more outrageous story lines, but. . . Anyway. Lightman seems even more twitchy this season, more irritable, less interesting. On the other hand, now I want to know WHY he's in this prolonged snit- so I'm going to keep watching. *G*

The telling of recent 'history' is always a bit tricky. Set in London at the turn of this century against the backdrop of New Labour's rise to power, Gideon's Daughter explores themes of loss, grief, and the slow re-awakening of attention as one becomes aware again of more than one's own pain. Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt each won Golden Globes for their performances, and London at the time of Princess Diana's death and the planning of the ill-fated Millennium Dome is as much a character in this as any of the people. Worth a watch.