Entertainment Stuff - Pop Culture Tragic

RECAP: The Walking Dead, Season 6 Finale, Episode 16: “Last Day On Earth”

9/4/2016

So here we are, at the finale end of season 6 of The Walking Dead. Yes, Negan appeared, no he didn’t swear. Yes someone died, no we don’t know who. And so begins my sweary, Negan-inspired recap of Episode 16 (entitled “Last Day On Earth”)…
The season 6 finale of The Walking Dead ran for 90 minutes. But considering AMC broke the episode down into approximately 60 minutes of Rick’s RV adventure into roadblock hell, 15 minutes of suicidal Carol being followed by turncoat Morgan, 1 minute dragging Glenn, Daryl, Michonne and Rosita out of a van and 14 minutes of Negan monologuing about how awesome he is and shit, there isn’t really much to say.
CF: Oh, there’s PLENTY to say. And people best get their big girl panties on, ’cause this is gonna be a ride. Though not like the one that starts below—

Recap: The Walking Dead, Season 6, Episode 15: “East”

29/3/2016

Damn, Walking Dead fans. Shit's getting real, huh.
Cassidy Frazee and Rachel Tsoumbakos from Snarking Dead are back to recap season 6, episode 15 for you. One more episode to go!

Episode 15 (titled “East”) of AMC’s The Walking Dead is basically the set up for the season 6 finale. While there was plenty of scary moments, it was really just a means to an end. Here’s what happened:

Other than being a bridging episode to get the characters in place for Negan’s big arrival, this episode is basically about the fallout as a result of Carol’s (Melissa McBride) faltering belief in herself and Daryl’s (Norman Reedus) guilt over Denise’s death.
Another thing to note in episode 15 of The Walking Dead, is the amount of flesh on offer. Between Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira), and Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan), there is a LOT of near nudity. And it worries me, especially the time spent lingering on Glenn and Maggie, because, well… Negan and the whole thing that just might go down in the season 6 finale ofThe Walking Dead.

CF: The whole time Maggie and Glenn were showering I’m thinking, “Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing, bitches!” The Walking Dead has been beating the Foreshadowing Horse so much it turned Walker just so they could ram that bo through its brain and beat it some more. We GET it, AMC: This isn’t a relationship that’s gonna last.
RT: It’s almost like AMC are using a baseball bat covered in barbed wire to bludgeon us with their foreshadowing. How original…
CF: Could we get Negan to say, “Foreshadowing is HUNGRY!”?

Mark Your CalendaR: This is What's Coming and Going on Netflix April 2016

23/3/2016

There's something for everyone this month, and no April-fool's joke in sight concerning what is coming and what is leaving the popular streaming service in April.

Mark your calendars, peeps. April 1st is a big day of culling the ol' to-watch list down. Use it or lose it!

RECAP: The Walking Dead, Season 6, Episode 14: “Twice As Far”

22/3/2016

Photo Credit: AMC

Ready for some deadly discussion? This is a recap of an episode, in which we discuss what happened, so if you don't want spoilers then turn back now. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Rachel Tsoumbokas (RT) and Cassidy Frazee (CF) recap season 6, episode 14 titled "Twice as Far" of The Walking Dead. Let's begin:

So I really didn’t think AMC could top last week’s episode of The Walking Dead. However, this episode comes pretty damn close! Here’s what went down in Episode 14 (entitled “Twice As Far”) of season 6 of The Walking Dead:

CF: Oh, yeah. They managed to top last week. Though it seems like it was kinda scattershot. :)

Book Review: The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski, the Finale of The Winner's Curse Trilogy

21/3/2016

War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it with untrustworthy new allies and the empire as his enemy. Though he has convinced himself that he no longer loves Kestrel, Arin hasn’t forgotten her, or how she became exactly the kind of person he has always despised. She cared more for the empire than she did for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she did for him.
At least, that’s what he thinks.
In the frozen north, Kestrel is a prisoner in a brutal work camp. As she searches desperately for a way to escape, she wishes Arin could know what she sacrificed for him. She wishes she could make the empire pay for what they’ve done to her.
But no one gets what they want just by wishing.
As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover that the world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and they are caught in between. With so much to lose, can anybody really win?

The Winner’s Kiss by Maire Rutkoski
Pages: 496
Publish date: 24 March 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
ISBN: 1408858746
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU (Kindle and Audible only so far)

This review will have spoilers from the previous novels in the trilogy.

RECAP: The Walking Dead, Season 6, Episode 13: “The Same Boat”

17/3/2016

Cassidy Frazee and Rachel Tsoumbakos have recapped the latest and greatest episode of season 6 yet, episode 13: The Same Boat.
If you love reading show recaps and are a fan of American Horror Story, Fear The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Humans, iZombie, Orphan Black or Vikings, you really should check out their site The Snarking Dead for all your recaps and show news. Now onto this week's Walking Dead recap! – Sarah, Managing Editor

You know what, I think this might be my favorite episode ever of AMC’s The Walking Dead! While it only centred on two main characters, Carol and Maggie, it did address that huge elephant in the the room: the fact that Rick’s group are no longer (and may never have been) the good guys in the zombie apocalypse.

CF: I have to say I loved this episode as well, and it’s at the top of those I consider the best, if not the best. Again, it’s one of those “character building” shows that I spoke about in one of my videos, and we know a lot of people hate them because “nothing happened,” a comment I saw a couple of times today. Still . . . the acting was tense as hell, and I really didn’t know what the hell was going to happen until the end.
RT: On Twitter plenty of people were complaining this episode was boring, but without the character building, there is no way this show would be as huge as it is. Fans love these characters so much because AMC invests enough time in them.
While plenty happened in Episode 13 (entitled “The Same Boat”) of Season 6 of AMC’s The Walking Dead, it is probably best to surmise it this way:

This episode overlaps a little with episode 12 of The Walking Dead in that it starts a little before the previous episode finishes. Carol (Melissa McBride) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) find themselves scouting a perimeter yet still get themselves captured by the hands of one of Negan’s groups. The group consists of Angry Ginger Spice Paula (Alicia Witt), Token Guy Donnie (Rus Blackwell), Stupid Old Hippy Molly (Jill Jane Clements) and the Maggie Clone Michelle (Jeananne Goossen). We soon get a feel for this group and it can be summed up in one way; they are survivors who will do anything to survive. Oops, sounds a bit like Rick’s group.

CF: You mean “Woodbury Mk 2”, don’t you? ‘Cause that’s what the ASZ is fast becoming.
RT: Yes, absolutely! Besides the obvious Terminus vibe with the slaughterhouse, there were a few moments there at the end where I could see Rick channeling the Governor.

Book Review: Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (Spoiler Free!)

15/3/2016

It’s been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses.
Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions…
Making things even more complicated, Julian’s brother Mark—who was captured by the faeries five years ago—has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind—and they need the Shadowhunters’ help to do it. But time works differently in faerie, so Mark has barely aged and doesn’t recognize his family. Can he ever truly return to them? Will the faeries really allow it?

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (The Dark Artifices #1)
Pages: 720
Publish date: 8 March 2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 1442468351
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

I love Cassandra Clare’s books. And after I waiting for Lady Midnight for over a year, I was pretty excited and had quite high expectations. Let me tell you: they have been met.

Lady Midnight was amazing! It is probably Clare’s best work to date and that is saying something. There was something about Lady Midnight that was different from her other books, something to do with the writing. I relished it.

Recap: The Walking Dead, Season 6, Episode 12: “Not Tomorrow Yet”

10/3/2016

Photo Credit: AMC

Rachel Tsoumbakos and Cassidy Frazee of The Snarking Dead are back to recap this week's episode of The Walking Dead. Many thoughts. Much feels. Share your own in the comments!

Here’s what went down in Episode 12 (entitled “Not Tomorrow Yet”) of Season 6 of AMC’s The Walking Dead:

Carol’s (Melissa McBride) cooking – this could end badly. Now she’s collecting acorns and killing walkers and shit. Dammit, there’s another floral shirt ruined. Better have a shower and pick out another soccer mom outfit. Although, to be honest Carol, I don’t think the Alexandrians are falling for your disguise anymore. Especially not when you’re handing out homemade cookies. Is Alexandria the new Waco? Carol may have all intentions of feeding the masses, but even when people are as hungry as they are in Alexandria, they are still a bit hesitant to try her home cooking.

CF: When I saw her coming out with the cookies the first thing that came to mine was, “They’re all gonna die!” I mean, look at this face:

Interview: Ordinary Aussie Author Amie Kaufman and Co-Writers Courted by Eric Balfour and Brad Pitt for TV and Film Deals, Talks the Surreality of Life Right Now

5/3/2016

amie kaufman pop culture tragic

Amie Kaufman

Over the past couple of years, the life for authors Meagan Spooner and Jay Kristoff has taken an exciting turn. Meagan Spooner's sci-fi trilogy These Broken Stars has been optioned for a TV series by actor Eric Balfour's production company, whereas Jay Kristoff's trilogy, The Illuminae Files, has been optioned by Plan B, with Brad Pitt (yes, the Brad Pitt!) producing.

Both Spooner and Kristoff are living every author's dream, but not as much as Amie Kaufman.
And who is Amie Kaufman? Only the co-writer of both smash success young adult sci-fi series heading to the big and small screen.

Interview with Amie Kaufman

Amie Kaufman, as half of one writing duo with Meagan Spooner as the authors of the young adult fiction sci-fi trilogy These Broken Stars, and half of another writing duo with Jay Kristoff behind the Illuminae Files trilogy, you have had a pretty tremendous couple of years.
I really have! It's been a lot of hard work and a lot of good times -- I still find most of it hard to believe!

The Walking Dead Episode Recap: Season 6, Episode 11: “Knots Untie”

3/3/2016

Photo Credit: AMC

Last week's recapper, Rachel, was busy this last weekend, so here I, Cassidy, her co-episode-recapper at The Snarking Dead with The Walking Dead recap of Episode 11, Knots Untie (with later comments by Rachel!). Let’s jump right in this sucker, 'cause it’s time to check out the living and the dead.

RT: Thank you so much for stepping in and doing this Cassidy! :-D

Abraham and Sasha are entering the main gate of the Alexandria Safe Zone after returning from a patrol, and he’s going on about one he did in Afghanistan that seems to have something to do with a camel eating keys, which she’s not buying. He’s making it clear he’s a bit freaked about Maggie being pregnant, but Sasha’s blowing it off, giving him the “You’re a dumb fuck” look. He says he’ll see her tomorrow, but since she’s on a new shift that’s not going to happen, and this leads to Uncomfortable Silence Moment – maybe because there’s a quick cut to a close up of Rosita’s face lying next to him in bed after some heavy duty sex. So he’s bangin’ Rosita but thinking about Sasha. Not right, dude. It gets even more uncomfortable when Rosita gives him a necklace she made from the tail light of the fuel truck and tells him there’s more fun to come in the shower.

RT: I am a bit scared about how this is all going to end because this whole scene felt like some serious foreshadowing of a multitude of shit that is about to go for these three.

Cut to night and Maggie putting up trellises in for tomatoes because why the hell not. Glenn comes along and The Farmer’s Daughter tells him the tomatoes aren’t coming in and it looks like a bust. Glenn knows better, though, because only a year and a half after delivering pizzas for a living, he knows stuff. (Not things, though, ‘cause that would piss Rick off something bad.) Together they witness Denise pulling Abraham in off the street and they go check it out.
So here’s Jesus checking out paintings, and Carl comes along and puts a gun to his head. He’s like, “I’m Jesus,” and they exchange names. Carl asks what Jesus is doing in their house, and he says he’s waiting for Carl’s dad and mom to get dressed. Sure enough, out pops Rick and Michonne—awkward! Probably the first time Rick’s sorry Carl’s stayed in the house.

RT: Is it just me or was anyone else hoping poor Carl would have to deal with Rick and Michonne being naked?