Harper's Island Delivers On All Fronts!

It’s easy to think of a television show that ends with far fewer cast members than it begins with as having a self-fulfilling prophecy and perhaps that is what makes Harper’s Island so refreshing. Is there an element of a slasher movie? Sure. Are there a lot of over-attractive socialites partying like there’s no tomorrow? Correct on that one, too, but lo and behold; there’s more!

With two of the main characters coming home to the island after a horrific history, the plot is far-more complex than a who-done-it scenario. Visually stunning, the cinematography is fabulous, the setting for the story is perfect, and there is a great mix of vibrant, corrupt, and yes, likable characters that you’ll hate to see killed off, but this is the premise of the show. And if that weren’t enough, there will be no cliffhanger season finale or long dragged out storyline. Harper’s Island has its’ conclusion in pone season and while two episodes are already in the books, this may turn out to be one of the better mystery shows since Twin Peaks!

The Day The Earth's Audiences Gasped!

You’d have thought that Jennifer Connelly would have learned a lesson from her role The Hulk a few years back, but apparently not. Keanu Reeves, on the other hand, tends to land roles that are brilliant or downright horrible. The latter was again the case in The Day The Earth Stood Still.

Remakes are rarely better than the originals, but to make a movie this bad must have been a chore. Being a big fan of science fiction, I had high hopes for this film, but after renting it, there is a small part of my life that I would really like back.

Yes, the special effects were pretty good and the altered storyline was okay, but there were so many issues with the plot that 90 minutes couldn’t do justice to. Nevertheless, it was good to see the earth survive, but many more of these films and these actors’ careers may not!

Happier pets and happier pet owners!

I’ve been a pet lover my whole life and yet I’ve also always had some challenges to having pets – allergies. Many pet stores can tell you what types of pets are best suited for people with pet allergies, but none can tell you how to best deal with pet hair and dander for those of use that already have pets we are allergic to. That being said, there are special grooming tools that you can use to minimize shedding, which for me, is the biggest issue.

North Coast Pets has exclusive supplies like the Furminator, which is a great de-shedding tool that can be used for dogs or cats. You’ll save time, money, and you won’t have hair all over your furniture.

More important than how we are affected by our animals, is their health and unlike your local pet box store, North Coast Pets has all the information you need to prepare a great diet for you dogs and cats that will keep them healthier and happier. You’ve probably never heard of BARF, but I assure you it has nothing to do with vomiting, but rather a biologically appropriate raw food diet. My folks started using a diet like this years ago for their standard poodle and I was amazed at how much she loved it.

So whether you need the best and latest in home grooming supplies or want to find a diet solution that the pet stores can’t match, North Coast Pets is where you want to go!

Twilight just isn't for everyone!

Take a look at just about any best seller list in the country and you’ll see that Stephanie Meyer novels occupy 3-4 of the top 5 spots due to the huge success of her Twilight series. And while young adult romance isn’t really my cup of tea, I took a chance at the film adaptation of the first novel recently and had some pretty mixed thoughts.

I guess part of the problem was that I went into it thinking that it would have had a lot more action and mystery, but didn’t realize that 90% of it was really a story of romance between two teens. Well, one teen and one 200-year-old vampire. I found that while their courtship was dramatic and interesting at times, it was overdone. I mean, come on; we get the point – they’re in love with each other and it’s a little odd because she’s alive and he’s undead.

Nevertheless, it was a fairly well-made movie and the scenery and cinematography was nothing short of stunning. Then again, this is not your typical vampire movie and you’d be well-served to know that going into it!

SciFi Needs to Get Back to Science Fiction!

As much as I love the Scifi Channel, I am often bothered by their constant need to put on useless reality shows that take up time slots that would be better suited for reruns of older shows or syndication. There are currently reality shows that pit people against each other in a quest to become the best video game player and then there are a couple of silly shows that are like cheap obstacle courses with nothing exciting about them and clearly nothing “science fiction” related.

Oh, and don’t get me started on Scare Tactics. I really don’t have the time to cover this monstrosity of a poor man’s version of Punk’d meets Candid Camera!

All of that said, I have been a fan of Ghost Hunters for some time, but even that show seems to really have run its’ course. I know it’s really popular and even has it’s international spin off, but the original show is getting boring because it’s really the same thing over and over and over.

Having watched some of the best original programming on television, on Scifi, over the past decade, I would really like them to get back to the scripted science fiction series that really make people say, “If.”

One Week To The Deadliest Catch - Season Five!

There aren’t many things I like about skiing’s off-season, but unlike a lot of people, I happen to be a fan of summer television. While most networks put their second tier shows on or throw down a line up of untested reality shows, spring and summer is prime time for the cable networks. OK, so I don’t really know if that is accurate, but in my opinion there is some great programming.

Now, I don’t want to give away all my summer television secrets just yet, but given that the show starts season 5 next Tuesday, I thought I would mention one of the only reality shows I watch on a regular basis – The Deadliest Catch.

Having grown up on the ocean, there is something I can relate to on this show. No, I’ve never fished for crab in Alaska, but in Maine we know a thing or two about rough seas and the dangers presented on the ocean. Watching The Deadliest Catch is like a constant reminder that no matter whether you’re heading out for a relaxing sail at sunset or embarking on an offshore leg of a trip, danger is ever-present.

Personally, I can’t wait for season 5 to begin and hope that most of the cast from season 4 is back on board. Pun intended!

A creative departure from the typical vampire movie!

When it comes to vampire movies, most people think of Twilight and the series of movies that are sure to follow, but to mix it up a little last night, I rented a theatrical release from a couple years ago – 30 Days of Night. Yes, I saw the movie a while back, but for some reason I was compelled to watch it again.

Set in the northern-most reaches of Alaska where inhabitants go weeks on end with no darkness and conversely weeks on end with no daylight, 30 Days of Night is by no means your conventional vampire movie. With a cast including Josh Hartnett and Melissa George, it also strays from the typical B-movies that take no name actors and thrust them into impossible and often inescapably gory situations. Instead, the movie is an adaptation of a graphic novel of the same name and is surprisingly well-written and creative.

True, it’s the classic good guys versus evil Vampire scenario, but the landscape and inhabitants of the small town really add to this story which is as much about survival and relationships as it is about the undead. If you like a scare and don’t mind stretching the imagination a little, check this one out.