Just Can't Quit You Yet

I'll admit, TV and I haven't been getting along too well lately. Not since the writers' strike went and completely through my viewing schedule off. Not since I realized there was life outside of that glass screen. And not since I remembered my love for Buffy and Gilmore Girls thanks to my box sets. Usually at this time of year, I'm constantly updating EW and TV Guide's websites, waiting for confirmation of my shows' renewals. A year ago, I was cursing the CW for ending my beloved Veronica Mars. This year, I could care less what shows made it. Hell, I could care less what happened on any show, what character suddenly got the axe.
That is, until I watched House.
The two-part finale was everything I love and missed about television. The storyline, the twists and turns, and the incredibly painful ending. This may have been the only show that benefitted from the Writers' Strike. Regardless of how uneven the season was as a whole, what with the cast shakeups and drawn out team selection, the acting in those two hours may have been the best on television all year. Hugh Laurie, Robert Sean Leonard and Anne Dudek were simply incredible and hopefully at least one of their names will appear on an Emmy ballot.
Here's hoping next season picks up right where this one brilliantly left off. And more importantly, here's to my renewed love for TV.

Giving summer blockbuster a better meaning

With summer typically known as the blockbuster season for movies, it's safe to say you won't find too many Oscar contenders in the upcoming months. And Dark Knight aside, I didn't really have high, or even slightly high expectations for any of the films released during the vacation season, especially after the barrage of sequels last year. And then came Iron Man. Sure, it's another superhero movie with a relatively predictable plot. And yes, the villains aren't the most developed. But the big kicker about the quality of the film is the exact reason I hate the Spiderman series: the star. Regardless of his notorious past, Robert Downey Jr. was the perfect choice for the rough around the edges Tony Stark. They didn't try to suppress the womanizing or alcohol abusing to make the film safe for the kids. And Downey has a way of playing up the chauvinism and cockiness while still becoming a character who the audience wants to root for. For once, the guy seems normal. He isn't the humdrum, corny Peter Parker, dancing around the streets or hamming it up for the kids. Downey didn't seem afraid to show his character's appalling qualities. And Toby Maguire? Well, he grew out his hair to have an emo swoop. If you get a chance, check out Iron Man. If nothing else, it'll feed your superhero appetite until Christian Bale dons the batsuit once again.