Directed by Terry Ingram. With Anne Heche, Dylan Neal, Sean Michael Kyer, Farryn VanHumbeck. Two single parents battle for control of the Christmas holiday at the middle school their children attend and learn a lesson about the meaning of Christmas.
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📺 Just in Time for Christmas | Hallmark Channel
Directed by Sean McNamara. With Eloise Mumford, Michael Stahl-David, Christopher Lloyd, William Shatner. A young psychology professor must choose between moving across the country for her dream job or staying in her hometown to marry the man of her dreams. On a foggy December night, she gets little help from a Coachman, who brings her three years into the future and shows her what her life will become.
I started this a few nights back and dozed off late at night. Finished the last 30 minutes tonight.
I don’t think it’s possible for Eloise Mumford or Michael Stahl-David to be more charming. I’m obviously stuck on these holiday movies, but this one seemed even more tempting as I watched the credits for Christopher Lloyd and William Shatner. Sadly Shatner only had a 5 minute role and as a hipster Santa-esque carriage driver with an insane gray surfer-chin-fuzz goatee and a straw pork-pie sort of hat.
The sad part was that most of the plot was a very loose rip-off of Mr. Destiny which is still one of my favorite films.
In all though, it may be one of my favorite Christmas movies in this particular genre now.
📺 “Star Trek: The Next Generation” Conspiracy | Netflix
Directed by Cliff Bole. With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Denise Crosby. After diverting to a secret meeting with an old friend and some of Starfleet's finest commanders, Picard finds the Horatio blown to bits just hours after the meeting and he returns the Enterprise to Earth looking for answers.
The mid-50’s claymation special effects here are almost hilarious!
📺 “Star Trek: The Next Generation” We’ll Always Have Paris | Netflix
Directed by Robert Becker. With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Denise Crosby. A scientist's experiment in time goes awry, reuniting Picard with an old flame, now married to the scientist.
📺 “Star Trek: The Next Generation” Skin of Evil | Netflix
Directed by Joseph L. Scanlan. With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Denise Crosby. Counselor Troi is held captive on a deserted planet by a slick, black, oily, sentient and immortal puddle of evil.
I knew she left the series fairly early, but didn’t expect to see Tasha Yar die in this episode.
The entire plot was starting to smell of Beauty and the Beast in which the beast was played by the “skin of evil” character whose voice reminded me a bit of Aragog’s from the Harry Potter films.
📺 “Chopped Junior” Sibling Showdown | Food Network
Directed by Michael Pearlman. With Ted Allen. Two set of siblings compete and must pair pancetta and pasta in the first round; some adorable food animals must make their way into entrees; a dessert tower excites the finalists in the last round.
It’s best to watch these cooking shows as you’re eating yourself.
The structure of two sets of siblings competing against each other is interesting, but I don’t think would work well in the long-term for the show structured the way it is. Perhaps four sets of siblings cooking together? But that would be a lot of people in that kitchen.
📺 "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Symbiosis | Netflix
Directed by Win Phelps. With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Denise Crosby. The Enterprise encounters two neighboring cultures, one suffering from a plague, the other marketing a cure, and learns that nothing is as simple as it seems.
This was pretty well structured to initially hide the fact that the people we’re really dying from the “plague”, but instead were addicted to drugs. This helped it to make some interesting observations from a political perspective and really, isn’t drug addiction like a plague?
📺 "Star Trek: The Next Generation" The Arsenal of Freedom | Netflix
Directed by Les Landau. With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Denise Crosby. The Enterprise encounters a planet long dead, but technical equipment still functions for the purpose of selling off its arsenal, along with self sufficiency.
This one felt like a true throwback episode to the 60’s Trek in tone, plotting, and even execution. Loved the brief appearance of Vincent Schiavelli.
📺 Introduction to the New Testament History and Literature RLST 152 – Lecture 3 – The Greco-Roman World | Open Yale Courses
Knowledge of historical context is crucial to understanding the New Testament. Alexander the Great, in his conquests, spread Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean world. This would shape the structure of city-states, which would share characteristically Greek institutions, such as the gymnasium and the boule. This would also give rise to religious syncretism, that is, the mixing of different religions. The rise of the Romans would continue this trend of universalization of Greek ideals and religious tolerance, as well as implement the social structure of the Roman household. The Pax Romana, and the vast infrastructures of the Roman Empire, would facilitate the rapid spread of Christianity.
📺 Christmas at Pemberley Manor | Hallmark Channel
Directed by Colin Theys. With Jessica Lowndes, Michael Rady, Cole Gleason, Maddie McCormick. As Christmas approaches, Elizabeth Bennett, a New York event planner, is sent to a quaint, small town to organize their holiday festival. When she arrives, she finds William Darcy, a high-profile billionaire lacking in holiday spirit, in the process of selling the charming estate she hoped to use as a venue. Determined to make her event a success, Elizabeth persuades the reluctant Darcy to let ...
What can I say? It was on tv again, so I’m obligated to watch it again, right?
Is it possible that it’s even better the second time around?
📺 "Madam Secretary" Winter Garden | CBS
Directed by Eric Stoltz. With Téa Leoni, Tim Daly, Keith Carradine, Patina Miller. Elizabeth and Jay must work to keep Spain from defeating a historical agreement between Serbia and Kosovo. Henry has to deal with a bizarre encounter with Secretary of Defense, Gordon Becker.
📺 "Chopped Junior" Let’s Taco ‘Bout It | Food Network
Directed by Michael Pearlman. With Ted Allen, Scott Conant, Martita Jara, Kym Whitley. Junior chefs integrate the mystery basket ingredients into taco-inspired dishes, the entree round gets prickly and a cake in the third basket contains a sweet surprise. Chef Scott Conant, Martita Jara and actress Kym Whitley judge.
📺 "House of Cards" Chapter 4 | Netflix
Directed by James Foley. With Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Michael Kelly. Francis shakes down the Congressional leadership. Zoe is offered the promotion of White House Correspondent and doesn't know if she should take it or not.
📺 “House of Cards” Chapter 3 | Netflix
Directed by James Foley. With Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Michael Kelly. Francis heads for his hometown to deal with a crisis. Zoe negotiates the politics of being a journalist on the rise. Claire finds herself a new business partner.
📺 “House of Cards” Chapter 2 | Netflix
Directed by David Fincher. With Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Michael Kelly. Francis and Doug plan to frame Secretary of State nominee, Michael Kern. Meanwhile, Zoe's popularity at the Washington Herald continues to grow.