***Shudder*** Island. Pun Intended. Yeah, I went there.

Recently, as I left my local movie theater after witnessing the wonderful Shutter Island (!!!), it dawned on me that, although not in this case, I am often left feeling unfulfilled with book to movie adaptations. I mean, let’s be honest, vampires sparkling in the sun just don’t cut it on screen. However, Scorsese’s magnificent adaptation was beautiful to witness and a necessary part of your movie-going experience right now. Hint, hint, rush out and witness the awesomeness!

Blast from the Past - Buffy Season 2

I caught the finale again the other day and was reminded again of the integral part of music in our emotional connection to a show and its characters. Because he is a master at all things awesome and heart-wrenching, Joss Whedon picks the perfect songs to accompany pivotal moments. If you know Buffy episodes, you'll remember this one to be where she had to kill Angelus - only for him to become Angel again at the point of no return. Joss uses a great Sarah McLachlan song to end the episode and portray Buffy's internal turmoil.

"Winter here's cold and bitter - chills us to the bone. Haven't seen the sun for weeks - too long too far from home. I feel just like I'm sinking, and I claw for solid ground. I'm pulled down by the undertow. I never thought I could feel so low. Oh darkness, I feel like letting go."

Beautiful and poignant - all in a few minutes. Like I said - Joss is a master at his craft.

A Slattern's Rant for the Week

As if commercials did not so thoroughly steal our souls already, it has now become necessary to bombard television viewers with product placements advertisements so very apparent in weekly T.V. It appears that the Don Drapers of the world have wised up to the habitual DVR viewers such as myself and my fellow Slattern who wait an appropriate amount of time to watch our favorite shows so as to avoid those pesky ads. Upset with the forceful hand of The Man, many shows such as 30 Rock, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and even No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain, are not even attempting to hide their disdain for the practice and seemingly mock these product placements with obvious if not over to top product inclusions. In fact, I am sure that in the near future our favorite characters will be replaced by products themselves. Imagine, for example, the P.C. guy on the Big Bang Theory or one of those Charmin bears with no pants playing Robin’s new co-anchor on How I Met Your Mother.

Better late than never

Dollhouse Finale (aired 1/29/10)

How can an ending give you such sadness and hope in one package? Joss Whedon is a master at killing beloved characters and then portraying surrounding transactions that are so real and raw they might bring you to tears. We are shown that life is full of joyous hellos and hard good-byes, but the bottom line is that we are all survivors to our core.