Freaks and Geeks: The complete series

Series: Freaks and Geeks.

This televison show staged mostly in a Detroit high school was probably taken off the air due to some marketing problems as most sitcoms that have potential are. The premise of the show? Lindsay and Sam Weir, brother and sister, try to survive their high school experience as "freaks and geeks." Pretty catchy title.

I'm still undecided as to how much I really liked the show. The main character, Lindsay Weir, is a nerd who tries to become someone more edgy by wearing the same over-sized army jacket everyday and hanging out with some less than amazing potheads. She is the most disappointing character in the show. I wanted to like her, but it was painfully hard. I think of her the same way I think of Will and Grace- put Karen and Jack back on.

Sam, Lindsay's brother, and his geek squad friends Bill, the ultra-nerd, and Neil the 55-year-old-stuck-in-a-15-year-old's body jewish boy, are definitely worth watching. As far as I'm concerned the show would be next to worthless without them.

There are some young stars that play pretty small roles, but were cast well and who I wold've like to have seen more of such as: Seth Rogen- a burnout, Samaire Armstrong (better known as Anna from the OC)- a hippie, and Shia LaBeouf- the high school's mascot.

I heard a lot of hype about this show. The first episode wasn't super impressive, but it had some good moments. Each episode got progressively better and by the sixth and final DVD- I was sad it was over.

What it's worth to me:

I made a good choice by Netflixing this series, but I don't know if it was worth moving to the top of my queue for and especially in the middle of my Scrubs marathon. It took me about three weeks to watch the whole show- which is a really long time. All in all- I'd see it again, but I'm not in love with it.

Without a Paddle

Movie: Without a Paddle.

This was one of the best movies ever... to burn... in a fire.

Three morons (Dax Shepard, Matthew Lillard, and Seth Green) played three morons on a treasure hunt and we get to see their wacky adventures along the way.

I mean- come on. Let's be serious. Who makes these movies? What bunch of people sit down together and decide that this would be a hilarious box office hit. And who casted it? Some super original movie guru got Seth Green to play a short nerd and two other semi-actors to play his tall lesser-nerd friends. I'm pretty sure they just threw this script at people and signed anyone who read it.

Poor Paramount Pictures. What were you thinking?

What it is worth to me:

Nothing. Luckilly, I didn't pay to see this movie. I rented it from Sabrena's collection downstairs- even though she warned me of it's crap factor. Miles was crying during part of the film and David and I were doing other projects for the rest. I'm glad we had some other distractions. For this lack of a film, I'd have some Pepto-Bismol in one hand and maybe a good book in another. Hope you like it.

Atonement

Movie: Atonement.

Brilliant. (That was in my best British accent.)

This Focus Film set in late 1930s was well casted, acted, directed and photographed. The "porcelain pretty" Keira Knightly headed up a major role in the film as well a new shining star, Saoirse Ronan, who plays the precocious 13 year old writer whose need for drama becomes the undoing of a wealthy English family.

From the magnificent mansion to the glamorous costumes, I felt like I had stumbled into a world that only exists in Murder Mysteries and Jane Austen books. I loved it. It was romantic and provocative, embarrassing and unforgiving, sexy and horrifying, lovely and depressing.

The only part of this movie I didn't like was the man-sitting-next-to-me's nose whistling on every breath. Even with that annoyance in my ear for the duration of the film, I still felt it’s heartbreaking woe. With it’s well written twists and turns- this movie definitely deserves it's Oscar Nomination for Best Film.

What it's worth to me:

My mother-in-law watched Miles while we went to the movie, but I would easily spend money for a babysitter and a ticket. The only treat I'd bring to view the film would be a bottled water to rehydrate after such an emotional journey.