Hannibal Season 1 Blu-Ray Review

I do my first blu-ray review. This will end well...

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. "The Well" Review (Parts 1 & 2)

I take a look at the episode "The Well".






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All Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. vlogs

Almost Human "Pilot" and "Skin" Review

I look at this brand new tv show starring Karl Urban.

Animorphs Re-Read: #3 The Encounter (Chapters 17-20)

Chapter 17

Tobias lands on the perch outside of Rachel's window. It's night but she isn't asleep and is instead reading. I like to think that she's up because she's worried about him and has been doing this since the day at the mall.

When he gets her attention she throws the book and quickly opens the window to let him in. Rachel asks if it's him and he says 'more or less'. It's like he can't admit to her what happened or at least doesn't want to start the conversation out on a bad note.

Rachel mentions that the rest of the Animorphs have been worried about him since they thought he was killed. Tobias says he's okay and then Rachel allows herself to get angry at him. Tobias says that makes him smile since it's so Rachel. I admit that I am worried if someone I love is in pain but once I know they're okay I'll let emotions like anger out.

Rachel asks, angrily, what Tobias thought he was doing going away like that. Her anger shows that she cares for him as she probably hates him for making her feel pain. Tobias explains that it's hard to talk about what happened. I admit that the previous chapter was a little odd and it would be hard to tell someone about that experience. However, I think his pride has been hurt and he thinks he's weak for doing what he did and so that's why he said it's hard to explain.

Tobias goes on to explain about his first kill and how it made him feel. Tobias says that he had lost control of himself and had started living his life like a hawk with no room for his human mind. He had started to lose his sense of identity. His sense of self. Tobias then says something happened.

If I didn't know what happened I'd wish that he'd say it was his love of Rachel that brought him back. I'm a big romantic, though I tried to hide it in my early years. But what really happened is much better.

We finally find out what happened to the random guy! Tobias thought-spoke to him and lead him to safety.

I like how Rachel reprimands Tobias since now the random guy knows about him and the Hork-Bajir and Tobias' reply is how stupid the guy's story would sound to other people. Rachel laughs and agrees with him, adding that if the guy does talk about what happened he'd be silenced. Tobias replies to that by saying he warned the guy what the consequences of speaking out would. Rachel says that Tobias saved the man and his reply is very showing of his character.

While Tobias likes to help and was the strongest supporter of fighting the Yeerks in the beginning, he's reacting to Rachel telling him he saved the guy like a Hork-Bajir realizing it can use its blades for killing.

Tobias says that he never thought of it that way since the Hork-Bajir was the predator and the human was the prey. He points out it's the same thing that's going on with him hunting rats. Rachel points out that it's different since he's hunting out of the need to live and they're hunting because of power. Tobias' reasons for hunting are good, the Yeerks' reason for hunting isn't.

Tobias said he never thought of it that way. Rachel continues to say that what Tobias does is natural for a hawk, what the Hork-Bajir do isn't natural for them since they are controlled by Yeerks. And Yeerks only want control and domination.

Tobias says that he knows, however that's not true. It appears that Tobias is agreeing since he likes talking to Rachel. Rachel comforts him and holds him steady. This is sort of like some friends I have: we don't always see eye to eye, but I still love them and know when to not push certain subjects.

Rachel says that he's human but Tobias disagrees. He doesn't have the body of a human and so it's hard to convince himself that he is a human. Tobias is surprised when he sees Rachel about to cry as she's not someone who usually does.

Tobias then goes to saying he's sorry about ruining her exhibition the other day. Rachel replies that it's okay since she doesn't like doing exhibitions anyways. Tobias then asks if anyone was hurt by the falling glass and Rachel says no.

Rachel then asks Tobias what he would have done if Marco hadn't been there since Tobias would've hit the glass and most likely killed himself. Tobias doesn't know what to say and I can understand. I self-harm and I can't really explain the reasons to others for doing so nor can I explain why I pick my cuts. This is because there's not a good enough reason to explain why and also the fact that I am ashamed.

I feel very connected to Tobias in this scene.

Rachel pets Tobias and tells him that as long as he has the rest of the Animorphs he isn't lost. Even Marco. Rachel says that someday the Andalites will come and that reminds me of the ending of one of the books.

Tobias agrees and says that he has to go to Jake as the mission is supposed to happen tomorrow. Rachel says he doesn't have to and Tobias' reply is important.

The first five books are each of the Animorphs finding a reason to fight. Not just because the Yeerks are trying to invade Earth, but because they each have a personal stake in the war. Except I can't really remember Cassie's reason.

Tobias' reply is his reason for continuing to fight against the Yeerks and not retreating into the hawk part of his mind: he knows what it's like to feel trapped. He knows what it's like not to be in control of yourself. Freeing humans from the enslavement of the Yeerks is what he needs to do to stay human.

Chapter 18

The next day the Animorphs go on the mission. Tobias flies overhead while the others go as wolves. Marco is the first to speak and complains about going into a bear cave. He mentions grizzlies. A lot of the time it seems Marco complains just to complain, but I can understand his worry. Bears aren't Controllers, but they can be deadly.

Cassie reassures him by saying that there would most likely be black bears which are much smaller. Marco, being a normal human being, basically says that doesn't reassure him.

Tobias tells Marco that he's seen animals, like skunks, in the cave. Marco doesn't like the sound of skunks. Goddammit, Marco, at least skunks aren't bears!

Jake tells Marco that they won't be hanging out with skunks and Tobias says that the skunks only go in there to run away from predators. When no one asks for Tobias to explain how he knows that, it seems the reasoning is that the others are nervous about triggering him. Nervous that Tobias will lose himself again. A sort of pity towards the nothlit.

Tobias explains his reasoning for choosing the cave. He says that it is is close to the lake and sarcastically replies that there wasn't a convenient hotel close by. I feel like Tobias' reply is him saying, "Goddammit, Marco!" in a polite way.

Marco, of course, replies in a sarcastic manner. Saying that the cave has to have cable as there's a game on that night.

Tobias is carrying a small pouch of luggage. It's light enough for him to carry and not noticeable to any possible Controllers. However, it does slow him down some.

They arrive at the cave entrance and Marco makes a comment. Three guesses if it's a sarcastic remark or not. First two guesses don't count.

Tobias replies that he hasn't been inside before. Makes sense since a hawk can't exactly enter through foliage. I admit it's a point that should've been looked at, however it's a little unimportant in the long run.

Tobias remarks how easy it is for the others to go into the cave in their wolf morphs and remarks that he hopes there isn't a bear in there. What? Tobias, you said there weren't any bears!

Rachel says that there is only a spider and a scared mouse in the cave. Tobias decides to tell a joke, at his own expense, and asks Rachel to chase it out since he's hungry. Only Marco laughs and bird-boy thinks he said something bad.

This is sort of how I feel about Politically Correct language (which I separate from 'the words you shouldn't use so you aren't an asshole') being about censoring things because they MIGHT offend people.

So Tobias makes a joke which shows he's trying to come to grips with his new life and the rest laughing would show support. It would give him confidence in himself. Instead only Marco shows support because the rest are too frightened about possibly hurting Tobias' feelings. This, in turn, makes Tobias get ashamed of how he's choosing to deal with his own situation.

Add this to the moments that I will use once I really start shipping Tobias and Marco.

Marco then suggests they demorph and Tobias flies away. He uses the excuse that he's going to look around since he doesn't like watching the others demorph.

When the others exit the cave, Marco complains about the shoe situation. I wish Applegate had used aqua shoes at one point as some fans pointed those out to her.

Jake says, with hands on his hips, that they should gather firewood. If it wasn't for his stance I would question Rachel's remark. However, I agree with it and love how Jake gets defensive. Aw!

Turns out the plan is for the group to catch a fish and have the group acquire it. So when is either Cassie or Marco going to morph an Osprey?

Jake says there shouldn't be a problem catching a fish but Cassie knows better.  Jake admits to only fishing once. For those who haven't fished: it's a long and boring process that I have given up because I can't catch anything. Except for three fish in maybe five years.

Tobias goes to look around again because that's the only help he can offer. He watches as the other Animorphs continually fail to catch a fish. Marco, of course, is the one to break down and ask how a fish can outsmart them. This is the question everyone who fishes asks themselves. That and, "Why am I fishing?"

Cassie tries to calm the group down and Jake points out how little time they have until the Yeerks show up. Rachel and Tobias both say that the group should try again later. Jake points out waiting is a bad idea as the Yeerks can't keep using the same lake forever. They need to do the mission today or risk having to search awhile to find the next lake the invaders are using.

Again, I like the realism in this series.

Tobias continues to argue with Jake until Cassie catches a fish. Marco doesn't like it since he wanted to morph something like Jaws.

The chapter ends with Cassie acquiring the trout and Tobias reflecting on the ability to morph. That it is both a gift and a curse.


Chapter 19

Tobias is suddenly against the plan that Jake had put into play. Jake brings up the point that Tobias was in on the plan since the beginning and Marco asks why bird-boy is getting cold feet now. Tobias explains that he's not worried about himself, he's worried about the others. He'll be safe while the others will be in danger.

This is one thing about being trapped in morph: your morph might be useful in certain situations, but you'll have to sit some things out.

A red-tailed hawk is a good morph, but not in every situation.

Cassie understands Tobias' concern and points out that he isn't useless. Jake says that they don't have time to debate this as the Yeerks will be arriving shortly. Rachel tries to reassure Tobias that they will be alright. That she will be alright.

Tobias can't stand watching as he thinks about them nearly being stuck in mid-morph and then thinks of them being trapped in fish morph. He remarks how the others don't really understand that they could be trapped in morph. His thought process is correct because people think shit won't happen to them until it does. That people think they will get out fine because they are the exception.

Tobias, again, uses the excuse of looking around to escape watching his friends acquire the trout. He would laugh if the situation weren't dire, since worrying if your friends will be trapped as fish is downright funny. Tobias starts to think that maybe the Yeerks had moved on to another lake. I feel that Tobias is being hopeful since he doesn't want his friends to be trapped in trout morph.

Tobias then spots the female hawk. Part of him thinks that she is only watching him because he's in her territory. Another part of him, though, thinks she wants him to fly over. To become her mate. In a recent Supernatural episode Dean gets turned on by a female dog because he is sharing the mind of a dog.

Here's why the premise works in this book and not in that episode: Tobias' situation isn't treated as a throw away joke. The book has it be a sub-plot to explore how Tobias' mind is becoming unhinged. It doesn't treat being attracted to an animal as a simple thing. And getting turned on by an animal isn't a simple thing. Plus, Tobias is in the body of a hawk so I'm not imagining Tobias the human fucking a hawk.

Tobias doesn't know if hawks mate for life or a season. But he's not ready to settle down with anyone at the moment. He looks away from the female hawk and thinks how glad he'll be once the mission is over.

Tobias suddenly sees movement and mentally reprimands himself for not paying attention. He warns the other Animorphs that the Yeerks are coming. The other Animorphs are going into the cave but are going too slow.

Tobias decides on a suicidal idea and flies straight at the helicopter.

I know this is a move meant to save the group, but I think he might also be thinking this is something to help him wake up. I just noticed it isn't just the one chapter, but throughout the book he's been doing a lot of stunts.

Chapter 20

So you've probably guessed that Tobias survives, as it's too early in the series for anyone to die. For some reason the pilot of the helicopter doesn't hit Tobias. This stunt seems very suspicious for a hawk. Or else my two parakeets don't have the same tendencies as a hawk.

Tobias then checks to see if the helicopter could've seen any of the other Animorphs. He sees Rachel going into the cave and he thinks those in the chopper could've seen her. He watches her until she's safely inside the cave.

Once she's safely inside he tells the others that he doesn't think the Controllers saw them. The other Animorphs, being human, can't reply to him. He waits and watches as the Yeerks go through the familiar routine of preparing for the ship's arrival.

The Controllers seem very nervous and Tobias thinks that Visser Three had gotten angry at them. He remarks that that particular Yeerk isn't one you want mad at you. And look what we have seen of him in just the first two books plus The Andalite Chronicles: he will kill people that are on his side when he gets pissed off at the way things are.

Tobias remarks, once the Transport ship arrives, that you can never get used to the sheer size of it. He then tells the others that the ship has arrived.

Tobias keeps remarking on the extra security. There are two Bug fighters on patrol while two land. He is surprised and I know he must realize that whatever is going on isn't good.

Another cloaked ship is arriving and...it's a Blade ship and Tobias knows why the Controllers are nervous. Blade ships are special ships for the Yeerks achieving the rank of Visser.

And who is the only Visser we have met? The one in charge of the invasion of Earth?

A Controller shoots a deer that is in mid-leap. Yep, the cat loving Visser we all know and love is here.

Hork-Bajir and Taxxons exit the Blade ship before Visser Three comes out. Again it's repeated that he is the only Andalite Controller and is very creepy. He looks like an Andalite but he doesn't feel like an Andalite.

When Tobias sees that it's safe he goes to the cave. Jake wonders why Tobias is there since it's not part of the plan. Tobias just refers to Visser Three as 'he' and the rest of the Animorphs know who he's talking about. They realize that with Visser Three there shit is going to get real.
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Animorphs Re-Read Table of Contents

Gravity (2013)

Title: Gravity

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, and Ed Harris

Rated: PG-13

Released: 2013

Personal Rating: 6/6

Oscars: N/A

Plot:  A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space.
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The Ride
Normally I am one to say that a movie has to be looked at differently than a ride. But this movie is different. The feeling of being the main character puts you in the movie. You, considering you are an average person, have never been in space and the likelihood is so little as not to be talked about. So Ryan Stone is the perfect character to get into the mind of as she isn't comfortable about being in space and so when the shit hits the fan (in this case debris hit the space shuttle) she gets scared as a normal person would in that situation. Stone's viewpoint makes for a very thrilling and tense ride.

3D is a Must
I normally don't like 3D. Or, if I do, I think there's not much lost if you view the movie in 2D. However, this movie is different. The 3D did make me feel like a part of the movie. I love when things fly at me from the screen and this movie does this too. It does it without being cheesy also! A scene in which space debris is flying at the screen had me pushing into the back of my seat even though I knew it couldn't harm me. Even though I knew there was nothing actually coming at me. I'd sit up in my seat saying I wouldn't flinch and then a second later I'd be pressed against the seat again.

Reality Hits Home
I have always found myself attracted to things involving the supernatural or aliens. However, it's always the horror stories that are supposed to take place in the real world that creep me out the most. I am not phased by Alien, but Psycho creeps me the fuck out. In this movie it takes place in the real world (technically slightly above it) and maybe this is why it really affected me. I have always been attracted to space and my Dad used to work at NASA. So seeing the visuals alone in this movie made me all happy inside, especially the slow first shot of Earth. I know there are things factually wrong in this movie (such as Stone's character being up there in the first place), but I found it easy enough to put things aside and be drawn into the movie. I think this affects me more than a movie such as Alien because it is supposed to be real.

Final Thoughts
This is a very moving movie. It is one where there was never a dull moment. While the movie was the right amount of time, it was so good it feels like I could accept the movie being even longer. Yes there are factual inaccuracies that may bug some of my readers, but the movie is worth putting those aside. In other words suspending your disbelief is easy enough. It's been a long time since a movie has moved me like Gravity has.

Inbetween: The Incredible Burp 5

Coffee is something that should be simple to order. But it isn't always. There are these fancy terms for different kinds that I never got. I would sometimes have a cup of coffee in the morning, but I was never an addict. So I never got to ordering more than black coffee anywhere outside of home.

The fact that my job, while I was away from Tobias' meadow, Ax's scoop, and Cassie's barn was a barista at a small coffee shop was funny. I knew I should just be hiding out and not getting a job, but sitting around all day would just make me bored. Make me more likely to lose control of myself and then morph when I didn't mean to.

Yes, a Controller could recognize me, but it was a risk I was willing to take. Plus the fact that I was away from where the Animorphs lived would mean it'd be less likely that the Yeerks would figure out I had teamed up with them. They wouldn't think I'd team up with them anyways or that they'd have given me morphing technology as my former captors thought them all Andalites and the species was known to be stuck up.

Ax didn't seem stuck up or pompous, but he could be an exception. A wonderful exception I thought as I took an order from my latest customer.

The cafe always had noise either from customers or the music that was supposed to make people calmer. It wasn't as loud as the animals in Cassie's barn, but somehow it was less peaceful.

It might be that I was imagining everyone in sight as a Controller that knew who I was and then I would be captured. After questioning I would be infested again and this time, oh this time, I would end up giving up the Animorphs. The only hope left for Earth would be lost because the Yeerk would see everything.

It could also be because I was imagining one of the Animorphs walking in, though that was highly unlikely unless Ax had spoken to them about what was supposed to be secret, and their doubts would be proven correct. I had attempted to destroy the group and had also tried to use Ax in that attempt.

That would be the version they would see and it would be impossible to convince them otherwise. I would never earn back their trust. Would I get a fate worse than David's?

Even though I was getting nervous, I had learned to control my emotions well enough. I had a few outbursts before, but now I was getting decent. I didn't want to be tested as I didn't know how well I could hold up against a real challenge.

As I served another customer I noticed someone walking in. The teenager was beautiful, that was the only word I could think of to describe her. I wished I could have thought of a better word at the moment, but I couldn't.

Her hair was brown and long. It rested on her shoulders and back like a queen on a throne. Why was I thinking of such a cheesy phrase to describe her? Couldn't I think of a phrase that was as beautiful as I thought she was? And why was I seeing Ax angry in the back of my mind? Why was I thinking of him now?

Focus on her. Focus on this teenager.

With my mind properly focused I watched her while helping with the customer. As the girl walked her breasts bounced to signal that she wasn't wearing a bra. Was she going to meet someone later?

I wanted her to meet me now.

I had never dated before I became infested and after my infestation there wasn't a chance to. Luckily my Yeerk didn't think it necessary for my cover to date and have sex. I wasn't scared of sex, it was just that it should be my decision.

As she looked at me I felt myself getting wet and butterflies flew around in my stomach. I was scared and oh so horny. When she walked to the counter I noticed another change, a change that was other worldly.

I felt myself beginning to morph. Damn Hereth illint!

When I had first joined the group I had acquired a cockroach and morphed it to show I was brave. I had heard talks that everyone was afraid of morphing insects, though Jake said being a flea wasn't half bad.

The girl didn't talk but just looked at me strangely. I admit I was a sight to see. I was walking oddly as I tried to get out of sight as quickly as possible. I looked at my hand and saw it becoming a cockroach 'hand'. I was afraid that other stages of morphing were visible to everyone watching.

The back of my neck? My face?

"I need to pee." I whispered weakly and ran to the bathroom.

As I closed the door to the only stall, I started to shrink. My eyesight got weird and exoskeleton took the place of my skin.

I tried to say gross but my vocal chords were gone by that point.

When my morph was complete I was inside my clothes and shivering. Well, as much as a cockroach could shiver.
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Inbetween: The Incredible Burp 4

I made sure I had packed all that I would need for the coming week. I wouldn't be able to morph so even if I wanted to try out the Frolis Maneuver I couldn't. Plus I was afraid of acquiring anything else until the Hereth illint was over.

I looked around Cassie's barn and I reveled in the noise. No one was here to pity me or show their distrust in me. All that the animals in the barn could do was to cause a racket, which they had been doing non-stop since I started packing.

I'd like to think that they cared that I was troubled. That they didn't want me to leave even though staying at the barn was dangerous. But that was only my imagination as they were animals and didn't think that way. I had morphed some of them in the past and so knew that it was only my imagination that was making me think that they cared.

I finished checking and thought of where to go to next. Where did I think would get me far enough from the group not to harm them and where would it be safe for me to go?

As plans started to form in my mind I thought of Ax. I needed someone to know exactly where I was going and I needed someone that could help if I ran into any trouble. Ax could do both of those things.

I wrote down a list of different destinations to give to Ax. I could have just written down the one location I wanted to go to, but I knew there was a chance that something might go wrong and then I'd have to move.

Besides Cassie, Ax was the only one of the group I actually trusted. Liked? Maybe I'd think so later, but not now.

I started to walk towards Ax's scoop as I couldn't morph to get there. Walking of my own accord was a feeling I couldn't describe to the others, Jake and Cassie being the exceptions, since they had never been infested. But I preferred flying since it opened up a lot more options. Plus the experience was beyond words.

It took a little bit and I let the scenery of the forest sink in. It might be the last time I would be seeing a forest for a week, depending on where I decided to hide out. The sounds were much different here than in the barn. There was a lot more space for the sound to reach out and it didn't have to bounce off walls.

I looked up to see if Tobias was close by and there was not a red-tailed hawk in sight. Good, I wanted to talk to Ax alone.

I walked up to his scoop and looked in. He didn't seem to be home and so I decided to wait. After what seemed like a long time, I saw Ax returning.

I didn't wave this time as I was feeling scared and was about to ask Ax to lie for me. I knew, from what Cassie had told me, that Ax had problems with telling the group the truth in the past. Now I was asking him to do what he might consider a bad thing for the new person in the group.

Ax slowed down as if he could tell something was wrong or else that he was angry that I was in his scoop.

"Ax, I'm going to be leaving." I said and neither of us spoke for a moment.

You didn't tell the others. He finally replied.

I chuckled and confirmed his answer by saying, "It's not like the group trusts me. Even you weren't giving me support during the meeting."

I don't think you'll betray us. Ax said.

"No, I won't." I replied and shook my head. "But I do think I might be a danger to the group. If I make a little mistake the group might suffer."

I didn't add that I was also leaving because I couldn't stand being sick and the only people around were ones that didn't trust me. That would question my every move. Worse, they might pity me.

I tru- Ax began, but I stopped him with a raised hand.

"No, you don't. Part of you may trust me but the side that doesn't trust me seems to have a much bigger grip on you." I said and Ax looked ashamed. "Listen, I just wanted to say good-bye and give you a list of where I'll be staying. Well, locations of where I'm thinking of going."

You didn't tell the others. Ax replied as he took the note I handed him. You don't want to protect them, you want to protect me.

"Yeah," I said. "Right on the first, half-right on the second. I don't want the others to come and try to get me back to what they consider safety. I want to protect you and Cassie as you've been the kindest to me."

Then why didn't you tell her? Ax asked.

"Because, knowing Cassie, she'd try to find me because that is what's morally right."

And you don't think I'll tell the others? Ax questioned me. If you're captured by the Yeerks again you'll be infested.

"I'll morph something and stay over the two hour limit." I answered and was greeted by a strange expression from Ax that seemed to combine surprise with admiration. "I've been infested by the Yeerks once, I'd rather die than have that happen again."

I'll check up on you later this week. Ax said after a few minutes. It seemed to be a hard decision for him to make. I won't tell the others.

I shouldn't trust him as he had more loyalty to the group than to me. But, for some reason, I did believe him. I trusted him to keep the secret.

For a second I wanted to hug the Andalite Aristh as it'd be the last touch I'd be getting for awhile. I decided against it as I didn't want to break his resolve and if I even shook his hand I might not go.

"Good-bye." I said and walked away. Before I did, though, I saw some type of sadness in his eyes.
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