Downton Abbey is Back!

Posted on January 5, 2013 at 3:31 pm

The war is over, but intrigue, crisis, romance, and change still grip the beloved estate in the thrilling new season of Downton Abbey. Written and created by Julian Fellowes, with its all-star returning cast and Oscar-winning guest star Shirley MacLaine as the American mother of Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), Downton Abbey, Season 3 premieres tomorrow night on Masterpiece classic!

Years earlier, Cora rescued Downton Abbey with her New World riches by marrying Robert, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville). Now, New World and Old World are about to clash as Cora’s mother locks horns with Robert’s redoubtable mother, Lady Violet, played by Maggie Smith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95tjLcrBvmM

Last season closed with the reluctant heir to Downton, Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), recovered from his war wounds and ready to tie the knot with the eldest of Lord and Lady Grantham’s daughters, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery). Meanwhile, Mary’s youngest sister, Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay), has eloped to Ireland with the political-minded chauffeur, Branson (Allen Leech), and is expecting a child.

A tantalizing glimpse ahead: Downton’s impeccable butler, Carson (Jim Carter), breaks in a new footman, who happens to be the nephew of the scheming lady’s maid O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran). Following Matthew and Mary’s engagement, Robert sticks to his duty to maintain Downton more firmly than ever — even as other great houses are crippled psychologically and financially in the wake of World War I.

In this changing landscape nothing is assured, and could it be that even the war-weary Crawleys must fight a new battle to safeguard their beloved Downton? I’m looking forward to the the Maggie Smith/Shirley MacLaine confrontations, of course, and hoping Lady Mary and Matthew will finally get married, but what I am most looking forward to is some good news for Bates!

Refresh your memory with this guide to the characters and a recap of the first two seasons. (Wonder why we see it so much later than the Brits?)

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Television

Great Reviews of Awful Movies by Roger Ebert

Posted on January 5, 2013 at 8:00 am

January is traditionally the worst month of the year for movies, as the studios take a break from releasing their big, ambitious, awards contenders. That makes it a perfect time to read Roger Ebert’s series of books about the movies he, well, hated, hated, hated. The third in his series of collections of reviews of movies that got no more than two stars (out of four) is, as always, smart, funny, and just plain delicious fun. When the movies are good, Ebert is very, very good, but when they’re bad, he’s even better.

The newest one is A Horrible Experience of Unbearable Length:More Movies That Suck, featuring reviews of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (which gives this book its title) and “Your Highness.” The previous books are Your Movie Sucks and I Hated, Hated, Hated This Movie. I love Roger’s unabated passion for movies, and I love the way it inspires him to stay as angry at the bad ones as he is enthusiastic about the good ones.

Want to read about some good movies to enjoy while we wait for some better new releases? Try Ebert’s Roger Ebert’s Four-Star Reviews 1967-2007 or his The Great Movies and its sequels. And of course, follow him on Twitter at @ebertchicago and read his award-winning blog.

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Books Critics

Internet Film Critic Society Awards for 2012

Posted on January 4, 2013 at 4:57 pm

I’m honored to be a part of the Internet Film Critic Society and pleased to announce our awards for 2012 (except for the “worst film” selection — I liked “Battleship!”)

Best Drama: Argo

Best Comedy: 21 Jump Street

Best Horror or Science Fiction Film: Looper

Best Action Film: The Avengers

Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix for The Master

Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook

Best Director: Ben Affleck for Argo

Best Experimental Film: Holy Motors

Most Underrated Film: End of Watch

Worst Film of 2011: Battleship

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Awards

More about Fracking: Gasland

Posted on January 4, 2013 at 3:59 pm

This week’s release of “Promised Land,” with Matt Damon and Frances McDormand as representatives of a natural gas extraction company trying to persuade residents of a farm community to permit drilling, should inspire viewers to find out more about the controversial practice of “fracking.” You can watch the 2010 documentary, Gasland, online.

And there are a number of books on the subject like Shale Gas: The Promise and the Peril, this progress report from EPA, and this report from the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources as well as a fascinating episode of This American Life.

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Documentary Environment/Green

Rules for a Middle Schooler’s iPhone

Posted on January 4, 2013 at 8:00 am

I love the rules from a mom to her son about the use of his new iPhone, among them:

6. If it falls into the toilet, smashes on the ground, or vanishes into thin air, you are responsible for the replacement costs or repairs. Mow a lawn, babysit, stash some birthday money. It will happen, you should be prepared.

7. Do not use this technology to lie, fool, or deceive another human being. Do not involve yourself in conversations that are hurtful to others. Be a good friend first or stay the hell out of the crossfire.

14. Leave your phone home sometimes and feel safe and secure in that decision. It is not alive or an extension of you. Learn to live without it. Be bigger and more powerful than FOMO (fear of missing out).

17. Keep your eyes up. See the world happening around you. Stare out a window. Listen to the birds. Take a walk. Talk to a stranger. Wonder without googling.

And especially this one:

18. You will mess up. I will take away your phone. We will sit down and talk about it. We will start over again. You and I, we are always learning. I am on your team. We are in this together.

These are great talking points for any parent and “digital native” child about the use of media and the importance of real-life interaction coming first.

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Parenting Tweens