TV Show - Firefly (2002 - 2003), Movie - Serenity (2005)

'There's No Place That I Can Be Since I Found Serenity.'

A statement that all Firefly fans can live by. Truth is, there is no other show quite like Firefly. Somehow, despite an early cancellation, Firefly was able to hook people in for years afterward. It's so much more than just a science fiction show.

There is such depth in the characters. And somehow, despite the fact that the fans only received 14 episodes -- of which only 11 episodes were ever properly aired -- not a single character was left looking two-dimensional. Sure, fans were left hanging with a few unanswered questions and I'm not alone when I say it wasn't given a fair chance. Many fans struggled to try and keep Firefly on the air, or get it back on the air once it had been cancelled.

Truth is, it really wasn't given the chance. It's a science fiction, a peak into a possible future, but it's also a bit romantic, packed with adventure, the right amount of drama and a good dose of comedy. It's something people can relate to despite the fact that it's based 500 years in the future. It deals with the same problems. Poverty, illness, war, lack of work, a struggle to survive from one day to the next. It deals with family and trust. It's a struggle to find work and keep flying. But it's not all bad.

From the strong, trusting friendship between Zoe and Mal, to the cautious, but friendly banter between Jayne and Kaylee. It becomes obvious that these nine social misfits have created a home out in the black together.

It becomes so easy to get attached to this story. It's no wonder that despite it's cancellation, Firefly still became a major motion picture. Serenity was released in 2005 and picked up shortly after the final episode of Firefly. Immediately, fans were thrown back into the Firefly 'Verse. While things have changed slightly -- River's about to go on a job with them and Inara is not on the ship -- it's clear that we've been placed back in familiar territory. Back where we all belong. And although we're sent on a wild rollercoaster ride throughout the movie, fans were ecstatic to get the show back. It was hope that maybe, just maybe, things would continue. Maybe we'd get another chance.

Unfortunately, Serenity was looked over and ignored just like Firefly. Once again, fans were faced with the disappointment of losing a beloved show. However, we Firefly fans have stuck together and the cast and crew of the show have never forgotten the 'Verse either. As long as we spread the awesome that is Firefly, as long as we never forget, Serenity and her crew will always live on.

Movie - Dirty Dancing (1987)

One word, Swayze! Patrick Swayze was one of the best actors that ever lived. Music, dancing, really tight pants...... I'm back. Every time I watch this movie, for some reason, I just really want to dance and that is strange for me because I can't dance; it's really funny actually. I kinda look like a Canadian jackalope with seven legs. Not only did Patrick Swayze and Cynthia Rhodes make it look easy, but Jennifer Grey makes it look easy to learn... if you dance like me.

Even though the movie is placed in the 1960's the music, even now, is very fitting to the feel of the movie. I have always found that older music is better then some of the new stuff that is out today. As the movie sujests, you should just be yourself and let life lead you to where you are meant to be.

Movie - The Birds (1963)

Alfred Hitchcock was one sick guy, I loved his movies. In this movie, all of the birds in a local town start attacking the residents for no reason. Personally, I think that that was one of the biggest faults in the movie. They never do tell us WHY the birds start to attack people, while in most movies the reason would be witchcraft, disease, torture, etcetera but in this movie there is no reason. Not to mention that the main child character has two birds with her at all times that stay her pets, the movie would have been better if they had killed the bitchy mother.

Either then that I thought that the movie was very good.

Movie - The People Under The Stairs (1991)

First off... Ewww, the two people who we thought were a couple turned out to be brother and sister; and they WERE a couple. Ya, that is real creepy! Secondly, how old is this girl that they are keeping hostage as their daughter? She only looks to be about 12 but the "mother" keeps insisting that the little boy, Fool will influence her into sexual behaviour. This movie really rocked, even though the quality was bad and it looked like they were on a budget.

Movie - The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride is another classic movie from the 80's. And though, yes, technically it is a book too, most people remember the movie first.

The thing about the Princess Bride is that, no matter what age you were when you watched it, whether you were a boy or a girl, there was always something to interest you. Most little boys were attracted by the sword fighting and wanted to be the Dread Pirate Roberts. And most little girls watched it for the love story and wanted to be just like Buttercup. And if you were a weird child, like me, you wanted to be Inigo Montoya, but that's 'cuz he kicks ass.

The storyline of the Princess Bride was so attractive because it followed the same path of everyone of your favourite fairytales...if they were all mashed together! It was perfect. The scenes were intense, no matter if you're with Princess Buttercup and Westley in the Fire Swamp avoiding capture by Prince Humperdinck or if you're Inigo Montoya finally face-to-face with the six-fingered-man. It's a very gripping tale.

And the cast, you couldn't find better people for the roles. Of course, young girls everywhere had swooned over Cary Elwes as Westley. And Mandy Patinkin portrayed Inigo Montoya with unforgettable grace. And Andre the Giant made Fezzik a truly amazing character. There really wasn't anybody who could play these characters better than the chosen cast.

Really, I can't see how anyone can leave this classic movie out of their DVD collection.

Movie - Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)

Okay I know that everyone loves it, so I am just going to say it. Star Wars rocked!!!! I myself am a fan the original trilogy, episodes 4, 5 and 6. These movies started the huge war between the Star Trek fans -- I don't like Star Trek -- and the Star Wars fans. Everyone is always asking which is better and yet it can never be said because everyone has their own opinion on why they were the better one in their differences.

Episode 4 - A New Hope:
This movie was the very first Star Wars movie, made in 1977. This futuristic view of an everyday man turned into a hero was a huge hit the moment it came out. Gun fight, chase scenes, evil emperors, hot main characters and a woman in trouble..... kinda sounds like a western but with technology. At the beginning of this movie, it shows how normal and plain the main character, Luke Skywalker's life is. Like everyone his age, wanting something more, wanting something better. Soon after he realizes that his normal old life wasn't so bad. Then, the ever badass Han Solo, portrayed by Harrison Ford, shows up to help Luke with his journey. This movie marked the beginning of the original trilogy and the beginning of the Star Wars craze.

Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back:
Out of the original three, this movie was my favorite. It had the action, the strategy and Yoda. He rocks! When Luke goes to find out how to use his Jedi powers, passed-down to him, he encounters a short, green, powerful, old man who helps him. Being apart from his friends -- Han, Leia and C3P0 -- gives him time to concentrate on his own powers. Being apart from each other also gives Han and Leia time to argue uninterrupted...... except for one time by C3P0. Later in the movie, some people show up that give the audience a little understanding to what the main characters's pasts were like and how they came to be where they are now (an example would be Lando). This movie kicked the sci-fi genre's ass!!!!!

Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi:
The last movie that did the series justice. The fall of hope, no escape, close encounters with defeat.... sorry, I lost myself for a moment. This last movie put all of the missing pieces together, explains how this terrible war started, though you kinda have to figure it out yourself. And has an awesome conclusion.

Would I recommend this series to the world? Hell yes!!!! And if you don't watch it then you are way way behind the times and you obviously have no life, so watch it right now.... I can give you sites.

Movie - Beetlejuice (1988)

So we all know that I am a Michael Keaton fan, I am also a huge Tim Burton fan (who isn't? No, really I want letters). Beetlejuice was an awesome movie that I still watch all the time, over and over. Michael Keaton's portrayl of a dirty, perverted, scum-of-the-earth, con-artist was dead on. His voice kinda sounded like Rob Schneider's.... :s

The plot was good, the cast was great. Like Winona Ryder, she is a sweetheart and was perfect for this role as a depressed, lonely, friend-deprived teenager. Ahh, life is so hard but, in the real world we get over it. Anyway, this movie was before Alec Baldwin's figure really matured and when Geena Davis stopped aging. Also another psycho mother role effectively played by Catherine O'Hara (she's awesome at that). All-in-all this movie rocked and has been one of my favorite movies since I was 4.

Movie - Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Alice in Wonderland has always been a very stoner happy movie, no matter which version you watch. This one was cool though because Johnny Depp was in it. He has been in a lot of muffed up movies but this one takes the cake. Speaking of cake, didn't those little 'eat me' cakes look delicious? Even though he played a messed up looking dude he still manages to be one of the most attractive guys in the media. He also made the Mad Hatter seem very real. Yay!!! You go Johnny Depp.

Anne Hathaway also did an amazing job as the White Queen, she is so cute. I wouldn't kick her out of bed for eating crackers. In most movies, Queens or royal figures in general are portrayed as mean and bitchy, so it was a nice change to see a Queen who cared about her land and how it was being treated. Though she and Mr. Depp were very good in this movie I would have to say that the best character was the March Hare. He looked like he has had one-too many coffees in his life. But, what made him so awesome was that he was mental and every time he laughed you had to as well. Just one of those laughs I guess.

Good movie, watch it.

Movie - Malice in Wonderland (2009)

"Circles, circles, we all move in circles." This movie, made in 2009, is a modernized adaption of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland novels. Director Simon Fellows took a different direction than the usual talking rabbits, 'drink me' bottles and vengeful Red Queens. Fellows's Wonderland is filled with carnival lights, mob bosses, taxi drivers, DJs and a truck stop brothel. In the beginning of Alice's adventures in Wonderland, it can be difficult to follow the movie. It carried a lot of riddles and nonsensical comments. However, if one has read the original stories of Alice in Wonderland, they would understand that it doesn't stray far from the true story. Instead of the White Rabbit -- literally running late and worried about the time -- we get a taxi driver, Whitey, practically shackled to time and its limitations. Instead of the mad Red Queen, the Queen of Hearts, we have Harry Hutt, a powerful Mob Boss. Despite bright colours and flashing lights and near insanity, the movie strives to show the point that we do run in circles. Everything you started with is what you'll return to at the end. This is part of the reason that despite the riddles and nonsense, you should definitely sit through this movie and watch it from beginning to end. It's the final scenes that will pull the movie together and have it make sense.

I greatly enjoyed the movie for several reasons. Of course, the bright colours and strob lights did help keep my attentions in the beginning. I found that Malice in Wonderland brought the original story, a story I've cherished since I was a child, into a view that I could understand in this day and age. It's more modern, it's easier to understand and it makes sense to today's audience. An audience that reads the newspapers, watchs true crime and mystery television, that witnesses crime in their own home towns. Yet, it would still appeal to the child I no longer am. It still carries the riddles and the simple thoughts of our youth. "What has no conditions, but one condition?" A riddle that follows you from the moment you hear it uttered until the final scene of the movie. Everything in this movie happens for a reason. And not a moment is wasted as you follow Alice through this exciting view of Wonderland. But, don't take my word for it. See it yourself and fall in love with the characters as I have.

Alice in Wonderland was a fantasy movie when I was a child, but Malice in Wonderland could not be classified quite as simply. It still holds true to the fantasy aspects, but it could just as simply be a mystery, a love story, an action. It's a movie that I'd recommend to any one of my friends or family.

Finally, we musn't forget the wonderful selection of actors. Fans of the television series Lost will be delighted to see the lovely Maggie Grace in the truly stunning role of Alice Dodgson. And Danny Dyer's portrayl of Whitey, the anxious taxi driver, is so genuine and believable, you can see why Alice is so taken with him. The supporting cast -- filled out by Nathaniel Parker, Matt King, Gary Beadle and many others -- play their roles with such conviction and believability, it's truly difficult not to adore this movie. I happen to know that Chaz even decided to rewatch the movie the same night. Definitely one of my favourite movies to date.

Movie - Batman (1989)

Okay, we all know that Adam West was the original Batman, but he does a better job of being himself on Family Guy. He was a fine Batman and everything, but Michael Keaton was the best Batman ever. Yes, he was only in two of the movies but he was the most believable, a rich man who doesn't act like a rich man is always a superhero by night. It's true, look it up. Read all the original comic books, what do they have in common? Night and no one can know..... you know because it might 'endanger them'. Ha! Ya right. I know about my friends's family and their relations to the Mob but I don't see criminals coming to my door asking to call off their bookies. Their true identity can't 'endanger' everyone.

Anyway, this movie was awesome and Jack Nicholson was a kick-ass, mentally messed-up bad guy. He had the coolest outfits and the funniest lines. "You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses?" Nothing like an evil nemesis with a sense of humour and bright colours so that you can pick him out of a crowd. I don't think that anyone, other then him, could have played the part as well as he did.