Just finished Hemlock Grove on Netflix !!Contains Spoilers!!

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Jason Bucky Roberts

***This review Does contain spoilers ***

Earlier this month, Netflix premiered its newest original series, which is based upon Brian McGreevy’s novel of the same name. McGreevy developed his novel for television alongside Lee Shipman before teaming up with director, Eli Roth and TV veteran Mark Verheiden to bring the story to life at Netflix.

All 13 episodes of “Hemlock Grove” Season 1 are currently available on Netflix. But before you dive into the show, this preview should give you everything need to know about “Hemlock Grove.” For starters, Hemlock Grove is a small town in Pennsylvania that was once widely known for it’s steel mill that was owned by the powerful Godfrey family. In the present day, the steel mill has been shut down for years, but the Godfrey family has since moved on to become the owners of White Tower, a cutting edge biotech facility.

In the opening moments of the series, a young girl named Brooke Bluebell is savagely murdered near the old steel mill. And suspicion quickly falls upon Roman Godfrey and Peter Rumancek, two teens who form an unlikely alliance to get to the truth behind Brooke’s murder and clear their names.

But in Hemlock Grove, monsters are very real. And not everyone wears their monster on the outside…

I can’t help but find it funny that everyone that has written a review has been comparing it to other shows. If you go into this show expecting it to be like House of Cards, you are not going to like it. Same with comparing it to other Sci-fi TV series’. It’s comparing Apples and Oranges.

You have to give credit where credit is due, Hemlock Grove is unique, it isn’t a generic or cliché TV show likes we’ve all seen one hundred times. The writing may not be the best and at times it can be quite confusing.
Give the show a chance, it’s not as much of a “horror” as IMDb and other sites peg it to be. It’s really not that scary. It’s an interesting show to say the least.

For someone who has both read the book and the pre-comic to the book. I enjoyed both. At first glance of the trailer for the TV series (which came out around a year after the book was released, making it feel like the book never really got a chance to stew or circulate in pop culture), I was a tad disappointed. It looked like your typical high school supernatural drama (which does catch my interest but never retains it). The trailer did a bad job, because thanks to my overwhelming curiosity, I still held out for the series premiere on Netflix and it was HARDLY your typical high school supernatural drama: the world of teenagers in the series was actually REALISTIC. Here’s the lowdown:

For one, almost every character was relatable. Even if I didn’t like a character, by the end of their journey, I at least understood them. Additionally, while the setting and plot for the story isn’t always realistic, characters all have reasonable reactions. The best part, in my opinion, is that each character does in at least one completely unpredictable direction, and you still feel for them. This is because almost every character is given time to shine.

There’s another thing: this series is very unpredictable, odd, and lets the viewer play detective. For instance:in the series premiere, our Gypsy kid Peter is having a dream about Jelly fish swimming in the sky. By the end of the episode, Peter looks up into the sky to see luminaria being set free at a vigil held for a girl that was brutally murdered. The imagery of this and Peter’s dream is remarkably similar. Then the viewer can make an exciting connection- because Peter had his dream before the girl was killed, we find out that Peter is psychic. This was subtle, as are most of these other similar occurrences, and viewers who are looking for an easy watch WILL be confused by this show. I have read many reviews already that complain about this very element: the show will NOT spell things out for you. The show is very quirky and unconventional, yet it isn’t entirely nonsensical. It is not for the close-minded or the witless.

The show also pulls on the heart strings- I can’t remember the last time a TV show or movie has had a friendship between two teens that was actually sincere, and this is exactly what Peter and rich boy Roman Godfrey have.

The technical aspects of the show work as well. The dialogue is very unique, and while some may find it unrealistic, delivered by the actors in a very convincing manner. The cinematography is wonderful as well, capturing the mood through use of various angles, more so than color (Which seems to be the focus of the new and “improved” “edgy” Hollywood). The special effects, while in CGI (I’m a bit of a snob with CGI), don’t play it cheap, such as in the werewolf transformations. While obviously CGI, they are graphic and show you HOW it happens rather than a two second clothes ripping *HULK SMASH!* transformation. Props to the two actors portraying the transformations as well, they made it look incredibly painful. The music was exceptional too, and really aided the mood of the scenes. In the climax of Peter, Roman and Letha’s story, for instance, this dissonant, disturbing, helpless sounding music played after Peter’s face was ripped off, as he staggered around the room with the characters screaming for him.
There were a few flaws or strains I felt ran through the series as a whole, though. Olivia and Norman’s storyline dragged on a bit for me, but was still tolerable that I wouldn’t fast forward. Peter’s mom bugged me at certain points where it felt like she should be more concerned about her son, such as when his girlfriend died and you could clearly see he was trying to mourn. I guess that’s just her character. The last couple of episodes felt unnatural to the rest. The death of Letha Godfrey and the aftermath felt like too much, but perhaps the show was giving you a healthy dose of reality- in the words of Clementine: “God doesn’t want you to be happy, he wants you to be strong.”

The show had plenty of philosophical musings and ideas that made you think. It never chose a side, but left it up to the viewer to decide who was right. Characters you love have to make truly difficult decisions. Characters you love can betray the viewer. Characters you hate do something you may value. Characters may make you question your beliefs and values. I know I started to get a bit more interested in Gypsy culture after reading the book…

Overall, this series is both an emotional and intellectual treat. It is a fresh spin on a genre tired by current frivolous, hormone-pandering duds. It combines elements from the mystery genre, horror genre, romance genre, drama genre and the more artsy genre.

Kudos to Eli Roth, Brian McGreevy, the actors, the whole crew and Netflix for bringing to life such an awesome series.

Why Have We Stopped Seeing UFOs in the Skies?

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Jason Bucky Roberts

I became aware of a pattern of bright flashing lights on the wall. All I could see through the curtainless window on the opposite side of the room was a strip of rather cloudy night sky. The vivid flashing was coming from within, or perhaps behind, a bank of cloud. As I continued to watch, an object materialized from within the cloud, advancing until it stood in plain view in the night sky. It was a strikingly large craft of some kind, flattish but with rounded edges, like an old-fashioned bedwarmer, or perhaps a huge English muffin. It was sparkling-silver and covered all over with a regular pattern of flashing white lights. After hovering for a few seconds, it began to move across the sky, and as it reached the right-hand frame of my window, I leant over the side of the bed to keep it in view. At a certain point it ceased its progress and, at the same sedate pace, retraced its route back to its starting-point. There it lingered for a few more seconds, before retreating into the cloud-bank until its evanescent flashing had entirely dissolved from view. I had not been drinking or taking drugs, I hadn’t dozed off and reawoken, and I wasn’t in a general state of agitation. It was a perfectly normal evening: I had gone to bed and was waiting to fall asleep. Nothing remotely similar has ever happened to me before or since. If everybody is entitled to at least one experience of the paranormal or unexplained, this was mine. UFO sightings, along with all other kinds of paranormal activity, used to be commonplace around the world. Aeon Magazine’s Stuart Walton explains why they may have gone missing. UFO sightings reached their spate roughly within a decade of the release of Steven Spielberg’s spellbinding film Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). One good reason to believe there were never any UFOS is that nobody sees them any more. Once, the skies were refulgent with alien craft; now they are back to their primordial emptiness, returning only static to the radio telescopes, and offering the occasional meteor shower to the wondering eye. It isn’t only flying saucers that have receded into history. They are being followed, more gradually to be sure, by a decline in sightings of ghosts, recordings of poltergeists, claims of psychokinesis and the rest. Many of those with a vested interest in the supernatural industry naturally resist this contention, but there is far less credulity among the public for tales of the extraordinary than there was even a generation ago. The standard explanation attributes this to growing skepticism. But, as is only fitting for the paranormal, it might be that there are more mysterious forces at work. Filming is now within the grasp of everybody with a smartphone. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) beadily observes the nothing that is all that seems to happen on deserted night-time streets. Video cameras used to be reserved for the signal events of a life (weddings, anniversaries, birthdays), but now scarcely anything is beneath the attention of YouTube. In the heyday of ghost stories, the elusive grail was a photograph or moving film of some spectral emanation. There should no longer be any technical obstacle to providing this, and yet all we see is the odd whitish blur that could as easily be a mark on the screen. The dignity of spooky stories was that, unlike obvious tissues of lies, they occasionally managed to cross the divide between the highly unlikely and the just barely credible. If they could never be proved, neither could they ever be disproved—except by pointing to the laws of physics, an alienating language spoken by experts who couldn’t conceal their contempt for ordinary gullibility. Now that so much of the culture of the spectacle evokes the same response, the laws of physics have no greater claim to finality than do poorly produced video-hoaxes on YouTube. The cameras of natural history programming miss nothing, even at the cellular level, even in pitch dark, and yet everything looks like the video that it is. There are those who continue to believe the Moon landings were a hoax just because the film evidence looks so fake, and could so easily have been produced in a studio. By contrast, the notorious black-and-white alien autopsy footage from Roswell, New Mexico is an insultingly obvious fraud, as educated people reassured each other at the film’s emergence in 1995, having forgotten for a moment that the absurdity lay not in the cinematography but in the very idea of a humanoid space-creature. In the age of electronic mass media, when so much flashes around the world instantaneously, when video clips, in a telling usage, ‘go viral’, there should be no doubt about what is real and what isn’t. Yet the critical mass is no longer critical. There is an air of the semblance, of ‘facticity’, about what we are urged to look at. The very fact that it is shrieking for public attention tends to speak against it. A couple of years ago, I saw a documentary about the UK’s dwindling UFO sightings. Various people who had reported them in the past were invited to relive their experiences, often going back to the very places where the incidents had taken place. Some of the interviewees were still as unshakeably convinced of the concrete reality of what they had seen as they were at the time, though the thrust of the program was towards likely explanations, set against the general cultural fascination there once was in the idea of alien civilizations. One man had seen a mysterious object in the sky, some time (if memory serves) in the late 1980s. He had drawn a sketch of it soon after. Hearteningly enough, it was identical to mine.

Book Review: Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files (The Dresden Files, #12.5) by Jim Butcher

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Jason Bucky Roberts

Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files (The Dresden Files, #12.5)
by Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)

Jason Bucky Roberts‘s review

Mar 31, 13 · edit

4 of 5 stars

Recommended for: Yes

Read on March 31, 2013 — I own a copy, read count: 1

The new Harry Dresden collection of short stories, SIDE JOBS, is a must for all Dresden fans. Over the years, Jim Butcher has been sprinkling Harry shorts into various compendiums or posting them on his website, albeit less frequently than we would like. But we fans of Harry will most definitely take what we can get. SIDE JOBS pulls all these little extras together in one convenient, complete package, and adds a special treat: “Aftermath”. “Aftermath” is a novella which takes place immediately following the end of the most recent Dresden novel, CHANGES. It does not answer any of the big questions, but it does show us how grim the situation actually is.

In total, SIDE JOB contains 11 stories, in the following chronological order:

“A Restoration of Faith,” before the first book, Storm Front (1). The first Harry story Jim Butcher ever wrote. It isn’t perfect, but it does give us some insights into Harry, and it shows us how some beloved characters first met.

“Vignette,” between Death Masks (5) and Blood Rites (6). A conversation between Harry and Bob.

“Something Borrowed,” between Dead Beat (7) and Proven Guilty (8). Harry is rude to an evil stepmother, but still makes sure that everyone gets to the church on time.

“It’s My Birthday, Too,” between White Knight (9) and Small Favor (10). It’s Thomas’s birthday, and Harry is determined to celebrate it with him. But vampires of the Black Court have other ideas.

“Heorot,” between White Knight (9) and Small Favor (10). Mac asks for Harry’s help. Harry teams with Miss Gard, and we learn more about this mysterious woman.

“Day Off,” between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11). This is Jim and Harry’s first attempt at a comic story. All Harry wants is a day off with Anastasia. But the magical realm, from disciples of Slytherin to psychic fleas, will not leave Harry alone.

“Backup,” between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11). Thomas works hard to protect his little brother, without Harry ever knowing about it.

“The Warrior,” between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11). Michael may still be retired, but that does not mean he isn’t in danger.

“Last Call,” between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11). Mac’s beer is suddenly starting riots, and Harry must thwart the supernatural cause.

“Love Hurts,” between Small Favor (10) and Turn Coat (11). Couples are literally loving each other to death. Will Harry and Murphy survive the effects?

“Aftermath,” after Changes (13). With Harry gone, Karin Murphy must save the day.

I found all of the stories in SIDE JOBS to be fun and entertaining, but you must be a Dresden fan to appreciate them. This is not a book that you can pick up cold; you need to at least be familiar with the Dresden-verse to appreciate them. But if you are a die-hard Dresden fan, then this book is for you. Most of what we love about Jim and Harry is here: the great stories, the droll, acerbic wit, the fast-paced action. SIDE JOBS also gives us some one on one time with other favorite characters – Thomas, Michael, Karin, the Alphas, Mac, Miss Gard are each featured prominently in at least one of these tales. A few are even told from perspectives other than Harry’s. We get to see more of what makes these characters tick, and that adds to the enjoyment.

Overall, if you love Harry Dresden and Jim Butcher, then run, don’t walk, to get a copy of SIDE JOBS. MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Book Review: Blameless (Parasol Protectorate, #3) by Gail Carriger

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Jason Bucky Roberts

Blameless (Parasol Protectorate, #3)
by Gail Carriger (Goodreads Author)

Jason Bucky Roberts‘s review

Mar 31, 13 · edit

5 of 5 stars

Recommended for: Yes

Read on March 31, 2013 — I own a copy, read count: 2

Do not read if you have not read Soulless and Changeless!

We last left Lady Alexia Maccon inwardly distraught and fleeing Scotland because her husband turned into a veritable arse at the end of Changeless. It turns out that Alexia is pregnant. Not particularly a big deal when you consider that she is married, but apparently supernaturals are unable to produce offspring. Lord Conall Maccon flew off the handle, instantly believing that Alexia had cheated on him, and called her all kinds of hurtful names.

Blameless is focused on finding out how Alexia and Conall were able to produce offspring. Okay, we know how. Rather, I should say why. Alexia is not particularly happy with the “infant inconvenience” as it cost her her husband, but she wants to find proof that Conall is the father. She has already been cast out by Conall and seeing as her family does not want her and Lord Akeldama and all his drones have disappeared, Alexia decides to go to Italy. Her father was Italian and a preternatural; maybe she can find answers there.

Luckily, Professor Lyall, Floote, and Madame Lefoux believe Alexia and she allies with them. Floote and Madame Lefoux accompany Alexia on the journey to Italy while Professor Lyall stays behind to nurse an inebriated Lord Maccon and take over pack and BUR business since Conall is out of commission and the Gamma, Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings, has disappeared. Consequently, Professor Lyall is one stressed werewolf. He also tries to figure out the mystery behind Lord Akeldama’s disappearance along with all of his drones.

Poor Alexia. I really did feel bad for her. I guess it is good that being preternatural allows her to put logic and practicality above her emotions or she may very well have completely fallen apart (and she still had her moments).

Sorry if I run on like a broken recorded, I just thought I would bring this up. Due to reading some of the other reviews, I was frankly put off a bit about buying this. I went ahead and did so and I am very glad I did. It is a solid addition to the story and the characters. It shows some interesting aspects of the larger world. I also did not have as much trouble with the section of the book others seem to have so much problems with. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I will not go into details but I will say this to other readers of the series who may have been put off as I was: the characters reactions were within acceptable boundaries. While the main character has gone through a lot, she also has several key pieces of evidence before the end with which to judge a certain individual (if that is too arcane, someone she is married to — simpler?). There is a buildup, and Alexia was looking for signs (and more importantly, “getting” them) well before his arrival. Frankly, I’d make the Scottish oaf eat it on toast in every argument for another decade or two; but that is a separate issue and one we may or may not see develop in forthcoming books.

One of the things that the author has to do in this series which is extremely difficult is to keep a certain werecreature from spoiling the menace that our heroine faces. Alexia has to be threatened, or there is no story. Alexia also happens to be married to someone who would be able to protect her from just about anything. So the authors has to go through intricate steps to isolate the heroine from her protector and maintain the threat level for story purposes. In this light, the plot developments central to this book were satisfactory. Yes there are other ways to manage this isolation, and the author is very capable, but if she has several more books in her for Alexia (and I hope she does) we will see those others come up in time as well (I’d say about… yeah, every book). And given the demands of fiction, they will have to be humdingers every one or readers will express disappointment. I heartily suggest anyone who may have been put off by some reviews to take the plunge.