A Possibly Final Problem

I've just come from the theater where I witnessed what might be the very last Sherlock ever.  I'm hopeful it won't be, but there are loads of rumors floating around, so I'm not exactly sure what to believe. If this in fact is the last Sherlock, I'd like to say that I loved it; that it was a fitting end to such a groundbreaking program.  But I can't.

I won't go so far as to say I hated it.  Like I've said many times, a bad episode of Sherlock, is still better than a lot of what's on television these days.  But it most definitely wasn't on par with the other finales - even the other 8 episodes. It was missing something - something I can't quite put my finger on.

There was loads to love.  Each fabulous character got some screen time, even dead ones.  Sherlock and Mycroft shared some lovely scenes, as did Sherlock and John. There was movement on a few fronts.  There was even a huge - GINORMOUS! - mystery to solve.  Can you tell I'm trying to be vague as to not spoil it for anyone?  But the mystery itself was the issue.  

In Sherlock land, you like to think you're clever.  You like to be able to figure out a few things for yourself and have Sherlock fill in the blanks with what you've missed.  But this time around, the case was so ludicrous and huge, that there was no way to keep the train on the tracks.  It lept one from cliff to another, never allowing anyone to follow it.   Also, and this is entirely shallow and personal, but I love the way cool camera angles and tricks the show pulls - there was hardly any of that this time around.

All in all, it was a pretty amazing hour and a half.  But in the end, if they don't come back one day, I'll be very disappointed.  Because this show and these people deserve a much better send off!

Sherlock, How Could You!?

Spoiler Alert, if you haven't yet watched the Sherlock premiere.  If you haven't seen it yet - what are you waiting for?  Get to it!

Let me go on record as saying, I LOVE Sherlock.  I've been anxiously awaiting the new 3 episodes since the last 3 ended - oh, about 2 years ago.  The writing and directing are top notch.  The stories - weaving in new details to old tales - are clever and engaging.  And of course, the actors are pretty fantastic.  Even a so-so episode of Sherlock (I'm looking at you Hounds of the Baskerville...) is better than a lot of television these days. 

But, at the moment, I'm more than a little miffed at my favorite television show.  Here's the thing, for about 2 years now articles and interviews have been written and conducted on the subject of strong female characters in Sherlock.  The creative team have been ardent supporters of making Mary, Molly and Mrs. Hudson more than just the "girls" that follow the "boys" around.  Gatiss and Moffat gave them backstories with heart and grit.  The girls guide the boys and stand up to them when they need to.  

These girls are fascinating characters in their own right.  And seeing that most girls get written off as one note characters, the people behind Sherlock have been praised for their work - rightly so. And after 2 years of sticking to these principles, they blow it all up in their first episode back by killing their strongest girl for no darn good reason.

Mary's just gone.  She died saving Sherlock which is admirable and still a strong way to go. However, he could have worn a vest.  He could have jumped out of the way.  He could have done any number of things, that would have allowed Mary to live.  The writers didn't have to kill her.  It didn't serve any purpose at all.  

So yep, that's why I'm super annoyed.  I'm still planning to watch the next 2 episodes, in hopes that this is one of their classic bait and switches.  Afterall, Sherlock himself "died" a few years ago and he's back in the land of the living again.  Maybe I've jumped the gun, and I hope I have.  But if not, I'm definitely not going to be as anxious for the next few episodes as I was for the last 2 years.

Hamlet - Reprise

Last August, after waiting an entire year to see Benedict Cumberbatch play Hamlet, I wrote a fairly disgruntled review of the show.  It was entirely not what I expected and no where near as good at the Royal Shakespeare production.  Also, Benedict let me down so I was less than thrilled with my 3 hours at the Barbican.

As we learned at the time, we were seeing it in Previews so things weren't quite as they turned out to be by the end of the run.  But nonetheless, not fabulous.  However, through the glory of technology, we managed to score 2 tickets to tonight's National Theatre Live production in a nearby movie theater.  This would allow us to see the non-preview full production.  They had surely changed things around by the end of the run, so it was most definitely going to be better, right?

Wrong!  It's still terrible.  So terrible in fact, we left at the interval (which lasts the full 20 minutes, just like a live production.)

The one thing that absolutely killed me the first time was their move of "To be or not to be..." to the very first scene of the show - in theory, to give the Benedict fan-girls what they came for immediately as the curtain came up.  After this caused an uproar with the critics, they moved it to its rightful place in the show, as we saw it this evening.  However, they still gave Benedict the very first lines - lines that aren't his! Hamlet's not even supposed to be on stage for another scene.  Really people?  You don't think the theater goers could wait 10 minutes to see him?

Other than that change, everything else stayed pretty much the same - too big, and too weird, which is why I just wasn't a fan.  Hamlet is supposed to be about the words and about the feelings.  In this production, Hamlet gets lost amongst the crazy set pieces and strange costuming.  Benedict Cumberbatch is a fabulous actor and he still is in this production.  But he does go a little too manic from time to time.  Hamlet's slow descent is more of a cliff-dive this time around.

And I think because Benedict is so good, I realized, this time around, that some of the rest of the cast - primarily Claudius - just weren't that fantastic in their roles.  You're either a Shakespearean actor or your not. Some of these actors were definitely not.

In the end, it turns out that shows that aren't great live, will probably still not be great on screen.  Which is a terrible shame, because with an awesome actor like Cumberbatch, it should have been off the charts fabulous.  I think in another smaller production, he could have been amazing!  It just stinks we'll never get to see it.

Frankenstein Re-Hash

A few years ago, courtesy of National Theatre Live, I was able to see Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in Frankenstein. The premise for this show had Benedict and Jonny switching places each night - one would be the monster and one would be Dr. Frankenstein, then switch places the next night.  A ridiculous amount of work for the actors I'm sure and they handled it really well.  During that showing I saw Benedict as the Doctor and Jonny as the monster.  Both were astounding in their roles.  But here's the thing, the show itself was just weird.  

It was a really strange and gory way to tell the story, with some super cool creative effects thrown in for good measure.  So when my friend purchased tickets for the show again for this evening without asking me first, I was less than enthused.  I was actually secretly hoping she'd forget.  But unfortunately she didn't.  

Luckily, this time I saw the opposite casting of Benedict and Jonny so that's a good thing. But still, it's just weird man.  I just couldn't get into the way the story panned out.  I mean, it is Frankenstein so they kept the same bones to the story.  But the monster himself was super gory. Benedict did a great job and showing him learning, but I couldn't get past the make-up.  And Doctor Frankenstein, just didn't get much to do.  He had no redeeming qualities so you pretty much spent the entire show hating him.  

And then after 1.5 hours of this, the show just ends.  No resolution, no big fight.  Just the Doctor and the monster tramping off stage together in the snow (for some reason). Can you say bizarre?  As much as I like these 2 actors, 2 times was quite enough with for this play. No more "experimental" theater for me - I'll stick with the classic re-tellings thank you very much!

Such a Long Wait....

                  
This.  This right here is what Comic Con was made for and it just so happens to be my most favorite thing to come out of the weekend.  I've been waiting for this to appear since they started filming a few months ago and now that it has, I have SO many questions.  What's with all the nurses?  Who's in the hospital bed?  Why does Sherlock look so afraid of Toby Jones? Did Toby Jones practice that creepy maniacal laugh?  Was that really Moriarty alive and well on a gorgeous Welsh beach ?  And most importantly, why on earth is the lovely Mrs. Hudson calling Mycroft a "reptile"?

You tend to forget just how amazing and cutting edge Sherlock is when you're forced to wait so long between the seasons.  Seeing as the trailer ended with "Coming in 2017, it looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer this time as well.  But having the chance to see little sneaks like this one, and getting the chance to speculate, makes the wait almost - I'm stressing the word almost here - bearable.  

It's going to be a very long 6 months until the premiere, but from the looks of things, Moffat, Gattis, and Vertue have made that wait totally worth it!

52 Lists: Week 22

As I was sitting and enjoying "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Sunday, I started thinking about the Shakespeare productions I've seen live.  For the last year or so, I've had this little thought in the back of my head that I would eventually see productions of all of his plays either live or "live-ish."  What I mean by "live-ish" is a recorded production of a live show. Not a big-budget Hollywood version but anything like what the National Theater does with their productions - record them on stage, and beam them all over the world so those of us not lucky enough to live in Stratford, still get to see some amazing theater.

So that brings me to my list, I calculated the number I've seen already and have determined I still have quite a bit to go because these are all I've seen:

~ Macbeth at CenterStage in Baltimore: It was the very first Shakespeare I saw in high school, and I was definitely not a fan.

~ Romeo and Juliet with Orlando Bloom (Live-ish through NT Live): Good, but (and what I'm about to say is controversial) I'm not a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet.  It's always seemed a bit too over the top for me.  Though, I'm certain the draw for me on this one was Legolas as Romeo.

~ Coriolanus with Tom Hiddleston (Live-ish through NT Live): Never read this one, so I was not prepared for the violence, blood, guts and gore.  Rough one to watch!

        

~ Much Ado About Nothing with David Tennant & Catherine Tate (Live-ish through NT Live): Hilarious!  Those 2 play off each other so well and have the best chemistry.  I would have loved to have been in the theatre to feel the energy.  Also, the only Shakespeare show I know that has it's own soundtrack!

~ Richard II with David Tennant at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford upon Avon: Absolutely my most favorite production of Shakespeare (and pretty much my favorite of any type of production) ever!  David Tennant was phenomenal and I can't say enough good things about the production itself.  It blew me away.  

~ Measure for Measure at The Globe in London: I learned 2 things during this production. 1. I was not made to be a groundling. One can only endure standing straight up on concrete for so long. 2. There are a few of Shakespeare's plays that are truly terrible. 

~ Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch in London: Oh how I wanted to love this show.  It was Benedict Cumberbatch in the flesh!  But I hated it. The director moved around parts in order to get him on the stage faster.  The Set was enormous and just too much for such a personal play.  And he just wasn't as good as I thought he'd be.  After seeing this production, I appreciated David Tennant's performance so much more.  

~ A Midsummer Night's Dream by the Annapolis Shakespeare Company: So great!  The actors were fantastic and the set (all outside) was perfect!

He's Back - Be It Ever so Briefly

I knew it would be good.  I just wasn't prepared for something that amazing!  

Let me explain.  I was lucky enough to snag a ticket to a showing of Sherlock's "The Abominable Bride" in a theatre for this evening.  That meant avoiding every word written about the episode since it first aired on New Year's Day.  It hasn't been easy.  We're only graced with so many Sherlocks and to avoid one precious episode for almost a week was torturous.  Oh but it was worth it!

The episode was better than I could have imagined.  Just based on the trailer, I had gleaned a few things here and there.  I had also accidentally seen a few pics people had posted on Twitter, so I wasn't completely in the dark.  But I should have known better.  I should have known the dynamic duo of writing - Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat - would provide all sorts of surprises that I'd never dreamed of.  

Aside from the eye candy, that's what draws me to Sherlock; its absolutely pitch perfect writing.  It can swing from silly, to funny and back to dramatic and heartbreaking all within the span of a scene.  It's also unbelievably clever and creative.  I'd love to live in their heads for just a little bit.  As Sherlock himself would say "What must it be like in their funny little heads..."  

On top of the writing, the acting is spot on as well.  They could not have chosen better actors for each and every role.  The Sherlock and John characters are especially well cast, but even the supporting actors are perfect.  The writers managed to fit in all the major players from the 9 episodes we all love, somehow.  And thank goodness they did, because it wouldn't have felt right if they weren't there.  The ensemble is just such a cohesive unit.  You want to see them interact with each other for the entire time they're on the screen. 

I won't go into details because I definitely don't want to spoil it for anyone, if for some unknown reason they haven't seen it. But I will say this, while I'm super confused and little uneasy about where next season (whenever the heck that will be) is going, this particular episode is so very good and so worth many re-watchings.  Thank goodness for DVRs!

End of Summer Review

Somehow, today is the unofficial end of summer.  I feel like it was just Memorial Day and yet here we are in September with our Pumpkin Spice everything and leaves already falling from the trees.

While I'm not at all happy to see summer go, I have to admit it was most definitely a good one.  One big across the pond trip.  Numerous trips to Naptown.  A day at the beach.  A Navy Football Game. A hot as heck day in DC and a presidential-ish day in NYC. The Color Run for the Second Time and my very first (and most definitely not my last) Supernatural Con. And two concerts - Darius Rucker (Awesome!) and Mumford & Sons (not so awesome.)  I aso saw Benedict Cumberbatch, Jim Parsons, President Obama and the entire cast of Supernatural live in person - oh and I saw Mickey from Doctor Who at Heathrow. I really can't complain!

So, as we all say hello to Fall tomorrow, I suppose I'd like to say, it was wonderful seeing you Summer, I can't wait see you again next year!

To Be or Not To Be...

The singular reason we chose to go to London this year was that Benedict Cumberbatch was going to play Hamlet.  Hamlet is one of those pinnacle roles for any theatre actor - the one every actor wants and every actor wants to perfect.  Seeing as Benedict is one of the finest actors today, it was sure to be a resounding success.  And based on the box office numbers - sold out in hours, almost an entire year before the premiere - it was due to be one.  

Then the show opened.  

Before I go on, I'd like to say I'm by no means a theatre critic.  I like what I like and often times disagree with the people whose job it is to tell me what to like (LOVED Mamma Mia, and HATED Mary Poppins.)  So my assessment may be a little off base with what others are saying. Though, I know of a few UK papers that are agreeing with me for a change so maybe I am on to something...

After a year of waiting and an arduous journey to the theatre (Thanks Tube Strike!) we arrived at the Barbican the night after the show officially opened in previews, very excited and thrilled to be there.  Of course, so were all the other fangirls that were obviously there to see Benedict in person (can't blame them there, I was there to do same thing.)

We settled into fabulous seats, and as soon as the lights went down, I was ready for the curtain to come up and for the famous first words of the text "Who's there?".  What I got was the curtain coming up with Benedict appearing on stage and much to my surprise, he was reciting the famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy.  Surely you know the one - it's usually found 2 acts later in the text. Huh?  After a masterful job, he sort of went about the business of finishing the first act of the play. Some of the most famous words in literature were sort of shrugged off to get on with the show. (I'm guessing this had something to do with wanting to get their mega-star on stage as quickly as possible so as to not start a fangirl riot - but seriously, we're much more intelligent than that.  We do have the patience to wait the few scenes for hi to appear.) It was completely strange to say the least!

That was its main problem, EVERY thing was just a little too strange.  The set was gorgeous but so intricate, you couldn't focus on everything at once.  The time period was never completely explained.  Gertrude and Ophelia were sporting some beautiful vintage gowns, that could have shouted 40s or 50s but Hamlet had a hoodie on at one point that sort of shouted today.  Then there was the weird slow motion rewind of the other actors on the stage each time a soliloquy was recited and the slow motion ballet fight at the very end.  A fight that's supposed to be tense and nail-biting is neither when done in slow motion on tiptoes...

In the end I'm very happy to say I got to see it.  I had the privilege of seeing David Tennant live (Still top of my list -  Couldn't take my eyes off of him!) so it's nice to say I've also seen Benedict.  I had thought he'd gain my full attention the entire show like David did, but unfortunately, I did find myself drifting.  And that was by no means due to it being Shakespeare.  I love Hamlet, and find it beautiful to see live.  But this production was focused more on theatricality rather than the words - which, when you're planning to see Shakespeare, is kind of the whole point.

I just wish they would have made the whole thing a bit smaller.  It's almost like the producer knew exactly what she had in Benedict, and decided she could do anything she wanted, because all the fangirls would come anyway.  At least, now that they're out of previews, they're making a few tweaks.  I almost want to see it again, just to see if the tweaks help.  I hope they do for Benedict's sake...and for everyone else that has tickets for it.

Travel Worrier

  

 In T minus 4 days I will be back here - England in all its glory.  This trip has been in the works so long, it's hard to believe it's almost here.  I cannot wait! The truth is, even though I have 2 more days of work, I'm pretty much mentally checked out already.  All that's left is to get everyone up to speed on what I do and hit the road.  It really is a lovely feeling.  Mostly because, since I'm not stressing about work, I have time to stress about everything else. 


Currently on the making Kristen crazy list:

~ What if the Tube decides to go on strike early, and it's down the entire time we're in London?  Or what if the entire city shuts down because of the 24 hour strike and we're left stranded without a way to get to Hamlet on Thursday night?

~ Speaking of Hamlet, what if it's terrible?  It is after all, only the second night it will be playing.  What if the whole cast is just wretched?

~ What if the Tube strike or the migrant situation in Calais affects the train we're taking to Brussels?

~  What if, while in Brussels, no one speaks English and what if all the menus are in Flemish?

~ What if 24 hours in York isn't enough time at all and we're very very grumpy about leaving?

~ What if driving on the other side of the road and the other side of the car is too difficult and I wind up careening into a field of sheep?

~ What if my friend decides to rely on me solely for directions and I get us lost never to be seen again in England?

~ What if the clothes I'm bringing won't keep me warm enough for the 66 degree temperatures they're having? Or what if the heat wave comes back and I'm super hot because I've brought clothes for 66 degrees not 96?

~ And most worryingly of all - what if I don't have enough space in my luggage for all the books, chocolate, tea, lace and tea cups I plan to buy?


You see?  Maybe I should have stayed mentally checked into work.  At least then, I'd be worrying about normal problems, rather than the crazy town my head is imagining... : )

Two Thumbs Up

First Thumbs Up: "The Imitation Game"  

When you work with computer geeks, you learn a lot about other computer geeks; most especially Alan Turing.  The man was brilliant, and is known as the most important man in computer science.  If it weren't for Turing, World War II would have gone on much longer than it did. His ideas were ground-breaking at the time.  The movie itself was beautiful and heartbreaking.  It managed to explain the work that went into Turing's team breaking the Enigma machine but it also dealt with his personal life and strife beautifully.  In the 50s when being gay brought a prison sentence, he was tragically found out. Unfortunately, the strain was too much for someone like Turing and he killed himself in 1954.  Surprisingly it took 60 years for the monarchy to pardon him for his "sin" and recognize him for the genius he was.

And of course, Benedict Cumberbatch played the part fantastically.  Actually, the whole cast was wonderful.  When the "Fifth Estate" flopped, the director said there was no way for movies to make screens of code "interesting".  Obviously, he didn't have the expertise of the crew behind "The Imitation Game".

Second Thumbs Up: Galavant

On the opposite side of the spectrum, after a heartbreaker like "The Imitation Game", Galavant, is just what I needed.  It's a hard sell: a musical fairy tale in prime time.  Oh but it's also genius!  In truth, I've been hooked since I saw the first teaser 2 months ago.  But now that I'm seeing it all, I'm even more in love.  I've already got the songs stuck in my head and I'm counting down the minutes until next week's episodes.  Also, the cast live-tweeting? They may be funnier than the whole episode : )

Friday Five

1. I'm loving this new Christmas CD!  It just came out this morning and I've listened to it a crazy number of times!  Way to go Jason Manns!  I'm most certainly now a fan.

2. There is nothing better on a cold, rainy, headache ridden December day, than a good cuppa.  Specifically a warm cuppa London Cuppa.  Best tea I've had outside of England considering I can't get my Fortnum & Mason in the states anymore.

3. Even after all the stressing I've done over gifts, cards, crafts and more, I'm still in love with this whole Christmas thing.  I just love seeing the lights and decorations.  I love hearing the songs, and seeing everyone so jolly.  If I could focus on that part of the holiday, as opposed to the the crazy prep for it, I'm fairly sure I'd be a more well-adjusted person.

4. I'm not a comics girl, but this is very, very good news.  Any excuse to see his smiling face on the big screen is fine by me!

5. I got a sewing machine!  How cool is that!?  Of course, I haven't ventured into using it just yet, but oh my goodness, does Pinterest have all sorts of fun things.  I've found some super simple bookmarks and some scarves.  Those are so going to be the first things on my list - provided I can figure out how to use it...

Bummed

So this happened today...

Just a few months after this happened...

Don't these guys know that they're supposed to be waiting for me to make the big wedding leap?  Now that my future plans have gone up in smoke, I guess I really need to start looking for a husband...It was so much easier being mentally betrothed to 2 of the most eligible bachelors in the world.  : )

Friday Five

1. I said it last week, and it still rings true this week - I'm in love with these Ice Bucket Challenge videos.  Each one is more creative than the last and no 2 reactions are the same. Of course the celebrities are the best, but every day people come up with some pretty epic ideas as well.  Though, I've found a few more favorites that may have beaten Matt Bomer's from last week: Misha Collins (naked in a tub of ice save for a strategically placed blow up horse), Benedict Cumberbatch (dunked not once but 6 times) and Joss Whedon (who called out the entire British Royal family - except for the baby of course because that's just "mean").  Such a totally unexpected phenomenon but such  a crafty way to raise awareness and funds!

2. I found this on BuzzFeed this week but it's originally from Three Panel Soul.  You can totally see these thoughts going through a dog's head, especially the big dopey dogs that are just so happy to be alive and be with you.  Too cute!

3. The only show in this video I've ever seen is True Detective.  However, if their leading men and ladies were always this cute, I'd watch every single one of them.  Little Matthew McConaughey is too adorable for words!

         
4. Three day weekends that include a trip to the beach are always high up on the list of favorite summer activities.  I really believe that if every weekend was 3 days, life would be a bit happier all around!

5. Doctor Who is back tomorrow!  It's been about 8 months since the eleventh Doctor left and left me sobbing on the sofa in the dark on Christmas night.  He wasn't even "my" doctor for goodness sake - it should be illegal to make people cry that much on Christmas!  But anyway, tomorrow's a brand new chapter in the 50+ year show and I'm quite looking forward to seeing what Peter Capaldi brings to the role.  He's no David Tennant, but I'm certain he'll pull it off!  Allons-y!

Things on a Thursday

- I've been in vacation mode since about this time last week.  I've been going through the motions of getting up and going to work, but in my head, I'm already on my way to Boston. Currently there's about 56 hours until I leave which is going to make actually having to go to work tomorrow a whole lot more unbearable than usual.  Come on Sunday - just get here already!

- The Emmy Awards were announced today.  Wahoo! for Marylanders Josh Charles and Julie Bowen!  Yay for Brits Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Martin Freeman! And Hooray for Christine Baranski, Nathan Lane and Matt Bomer!  Boo for the lack of The Good Wife in the Drama category and for all the Netflix, and Cable shows.  There are some seriously fantastic shows on network television.  Just how many people were snubbed because Netflix was included?  

- Why is painting your fingernails so darn difficult?  Honestly, mine look like a 3 year old did them...

- I'm not sure why Anderson Cooper doesn't get more awards for journalism.  His stories are always enlightening and fascinating.  Once again, he hit it out of the park with this story on Schizophrenia.  He used a simulation of what constant voices in his head may sound like, and tried to get through quizzes and normal every day activities.  I can't even imagine what everyday feels like living as a schizophrenic; with the voices and the stigma that goes along with the disease.  But trying to get inside the issue like Anderson did, raised awareness and gave empathy to the cause, rather than just stating the facts.  

               

#MakesMeHappy

Since this possibility was first rumoured 4 months ago, I've done weekly checks to see when and if tickets had gone on sale and what theatre it would be playing.  Around 8:30 this morning, I very nearly jumped for joy when the information was released.  Of course, when it was first rumoured, the time-frame of Fall 2014 was distinctly mentioned so I've been busily planning a gorgeous itinerary for a trip this October.  Now that it has in fact moved out to 2015, I suppose I won't get my fall trip this year but it at least gives me bit more time to raise funds and gives me something to look forward to.  aAlso, seeing as it opens in August, I'll finally get to see London in the sunshine of summer which will be quite helpful to my packing abilities.  I'm slightly worried about the fact it's only going to be a 12 week run though - that seems like a quick run which will be inundated with thousands of fan girls.  I got lucky with Richard II, let's hope I'll get lucky here too.  If not,there will be dark times ahead... ; )

After the excitement of the morning, there wasn't really any way the rest of the day was going to be bad - 70 degree temperatures and quite a bit of shopping in Nap-town.  What's not to love!?  

  

Friday Five

1. Fatherly Illustrations: A father has created truly awesome posters of things he's had to say to his children and they are as amazing as you may think.  This one is by far my favorite!

2. Cabin Pressure on BBC Radio: Yes, the only reason I started listening was the fact that Benedict Cumberbatch was in it.  Yes, the only other reason I started listening was to lighten the mood after watching the fairly intense True Detective.  And yes listening to BBC radio makes me about 150 years older than I actually am.  But it's just too funny to stop.  The final episode just recorded last week so it's not airing any more, but you can still catch up on YouTube thanks to some lovely Benedict loving citizen.  Just go listen to one, I guarantee you will continue through the entire series.

3. Food trucks from 2 cities, was pretty darn amazing, but now there adding a third?  Woohoo!  As usual, it's sure to be the highlight of the spring!

4. As someone who is struggling slightly with figuring out the ins and outs of opening an Etsy shop, this series on opening one in 30 days is about the most helpful post I've ever read.  

5. Have you ever seen anything cuter than this little guy?  It's a bit creepy how much he looks like a human baby but aside from that, he's completely adorable!

Friday Five

1. Who doesn't love a good cupcake?  I have to say that the best in Maryland (and outside of Maryland too, in my opinion) are from Kupcakes and Co. in Elkridge.  I'm usually partial to Elvis (Banana, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips - Yum!) but that wasn't the special today so I opted for Hot Chocolate which was chocolate with marshamallow icing.  I have a feeling it's a special just for winter which is a real shame because it's just become my favorite! I'll need at least another dozen before the season ends...Absolutely delicious!

2. As a Harry Potter Fan, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Disney World, has been on my radar for a while.  But I'm not a huge fan of Disney World in general (ridiculous I know) so I haven't really felt the need to get down there too quickly.  However, after the unveiling of the new plans for this summer, I'm super ready to hop on a plane.  The best part is, I'd only need a weekend to get it all done.  It's most definitely on the itinerary for next summer or spring.   I can't even imagine how they're planning to recreate Leicester Square in central Florida but I can't wait to see it!

3. You just have to love Brit award shows!  Their winners just seem so much more heartfelt in their speeches and well-spoken than ours ; )

          

          
4 & 5.  There have been 2 fairly ridiculous things that have made me laugh like a fool this week.  Neither should be as funny as I think they are, but I hope others at least get a giggle. The first is the list of the 30 Naughtiest Puppies. (Whoever created Dog Shaming should receive a substantial award.  I can't help but laugh every time I see those photos!)  And the second is the Bad Lip Reading of the NFL.  (I have no idea how in the world these people make these videos, but they are perfect on every level.)

Frankenstein Live-ish

Things I learned seeing this in DC.
  
              

~ While it was very different than I expected, it was very, very good.  I should have expected Danny Boyle-ish effects and allusions but I didn't for some reason.  He has a very distinctive look to his works and this definitely had it.  That being said, it wasn't scary just slightly macabre.  But also, pretty amazing!

~ I had hoped to see Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of the creature as his reviews were better for that role, but instead Jonny Lee Miller was taking him on.  He was fully commited and tremendous as such.  I'm sure spending a good 20 minutes or so naked pretending to learn how to walk, talk and feel took some getting used to.  But he managed it perfectly.  I think he may have been slightly over the top sometimes, but you can't say he wasn't totally in character as a scientifically engineered creature.  That being said, Benedict Cumberbatch was also fantastic  in the role of Dr. Frankenstein.  While you kind of loved to hate him, every once in a while you saw flashes of Sherlock break through.

~ I'm not sure the bestie enjoyed it as much as I did.  She looked at her phone quite a few times checking to see how much longer it was going to last...We really have such different tastes, it's a wonder we don't argue all the time!

~ The Shakespeare Theatre Company seems to be a pretty fantastic place to see live theatre in DC.  Halfway through the show, I realized even though there were people sitting directly in front of me, the stage wasn't blocked at all.  I could see perfectly.  I can't wait to get back there for another show.  I only wish the Hippodrome was so lovingly built.

~ Theatre Geeks will talk to almost anyone.  At one point 2 girls surrounded the bestie and I and all personal conversation ceased to exist.  Neither girl knew each other, but suddenly they were joining in every one of our conversations.  It was a bit odd and I'm still not sure I wasn't in some Social Psych Grad project...

~ Being able to throw everything to the wind like that and acting your heart out must be such a high. I can't ever imagine having the guts to do so.  But I'm so glad talented people do because they are truly awesome to watch!

The Fifth Estate

Before Julian Assange decided to go off the deep end and hole himself up in an Ecuadoran Embassy in London, I was sort of behind him.  I agreed with his free speech, the world needs to know practices - up until his practices put lives in danger, and then of course, I was much less behind him.  From what I can tell, he was fairly harmless in the beginning as long as you weren't a crooked bank manager or a billion dollar company embezzling from investors.  But then he decided to play god with American lives (releasing thousands of documents relating to US assets in foreign countries without redaction)  thus gaining the moniker of enemy of the state.  The rest, of course is history: he's charged with rape and flees to the only embassy that will take him; Ecuador and lives out his days (for at least the last year or so) holed up only coming out to cause some commotion every once in a while.  

In theory, it's a fairly compelling story, full of lies and intrigue.  On paper or on film, as it was in The Fifth Estate, a great deal is lost in translation.  Now don't get me wrong, I've been wanting to see the film since I heard Benedict Cumberbatch would be playing Assange.  As is the case, Benedict could make the reading of a phone-book seem interesting, so I had no doubt that it would be stellar.  Even when every single review I read was negative, I was still determined to see it.  Oh what a waste!  It must be said that, half way through, I nodded off for a few minutes which may have something to do with my total and utter confusion as to what was happening, but not entirely I'm sure.

The acting itself was remarkable.  The greasy white hair and the vaguely Australian/South African accent he employed, seemed to make Benedict disappear completely until all that was left was Assange.  He played ego maniacal and unhinged quite convincingly and I wouldn't be surprised if he garnered at least one award nomination for his work; most likely a few more.  The main problem was the script itself.  Since Assange was a hacker, a great deal of the story focuses on hacking and computer code.  I may be in the minority, but it's utterly impossible to make bits and bytes appearing on a computer screen exciting - especially when you have no idea what those bits and bytes even mean.  Because of this, most scenes consist of little more than actors staring at code looking worried.  The other issue I had was that the writers never really took a side.  Love Assange or hate him - everyone has a black or white reaction to him.  The writers chose to skirt the issue of this and instead presented him as a freedom of speech crusader AND an ego maniacal control freak equally; never even addressing the scandal he's most known for these days (the rape charges) until a small post-script at the end.

In the end, I really, really wanted to like it.  After all, 2 hours staring at Benedict Cumberbatch couldn't be that bad, right?  But, he's such a good actor who completely transforms for roles that even his appeal couldn't save this bomb.  Here's hoping the other 20 or so movies he's in this year are better.