(Snagged from Whitney Matheson of USA Today)
Best TV show I saw: “The Good Wife.” The “Live From Damascus” episode in season 3, about a class action suit against a software company that helped the Syrian government locate, torture and kill protesers, was particularly compelling.
I also enjoyed: “Criminal Minds.” The “Normal” episode in season 4, about a serial killer who is shooting blonde women as they drive along freeways in Southern California, featured a great performance by the always aesome Mitch Pileggi.
Best movie I saw: “Zero Dark Thirty.” Can’t say I really “enjoyed” the movie, but it felt fairly authentic. As for the famous torture scenes, I believe they were filmed in a way that wasn’t particularly entertaining or sensationalistic. In fact, I expected the scenes to be even more graphic.
I also saw: “The Silver Linings Playbook.” I’m pretty sure I was the only person in the theater who didn’t care for the movie. Normally I love a good romantic dramedy, however in this case, I felt the hero and heroine lacked chemistry. Nor did I believe that if they got together, they would last. Worst of all, I couldn’t connect with ANY of the characters in an emotional way.
Best thing I read: “It’s Been a Good Life” by Janet and Isaac Asimov. I’m about 30% done, and already I find myself wishing he was still around. He would’ve made a great interview.
I also read: “Death Notice,” the first book in the Kat Campbell series, by Todd Ritter. I’ve been waiting for two years to read this novel because it featured a killer who sent a death notice to the local newspaper’s obituary writer (before the murder actually occurred). Unfortunately, I found the story to be formulaic, and the characters too stereotypical.
My current desktop picture:
