The classic NBC cop drama starring Fred Dryer as Sergeant Rick Hunter and Stepfanie Kramer as Sergent McCall, partners who together make Hunter the best classic cop drama I've ever seen.

Dryer. Kramer. Hunter. NBC Universal. 1984-1991. TV.

The first episode, Hunter (Dryer) is shown as a somewhat renegade cop who has had very transient partners, until he's assigned to team up with Sergeant McCall. Sgt. McCall, much like Hunter, has her own unique way of approaching serious cases with force, often battling it out with real bad guys and dangerous criminals while having compassion for those who are in tough situations. The duo then take on a variety of murder cases, often going through great lengths in order to solve cases and serve justice to those who have been victimized.

The depiction of Hunter and McCall as homicide investigators/detectives for the L.A. Police Department, results in this sort of mix between murder mystery and action-drama police series. 

Hunter is a great police series that embodies all the common components of a classic action-drama police series: a catchy, upbeat theme song, classic car chases, pow-punch fist fights, suspense, and the catch-phrase "works for me."

Fred Dryer. Stepfanie Kramer. Hunter. NBC Universal. 1984.

 

If you're looking for a police drama to watch, Hunter is the one I recommend.

It's a show about the cops we wish we had.

Even though I haven't had onion rings in years, I decided to try these out and the turn out was a success.  I'm not one to eat prepackaged foods all the time since they are not really the best option, but occasionally it is a nice change especially when trying something new.

Photo: Alexia Foods

While walking through the frozen section of a grocery store, I noticed these onion rings on sale by an all-natural/organic company. Alexia's onion rings are made without the unnecessary additives, chemicals, hydrogeated oils, animal ingredients, and whatever else used in fast-food chains or other mainstream/cheap prepackaged companies.

For onion rings that are baked, instead of fried, not made in a fast-food chain, and are prepared with less than fifteen ingredients, all of which I can clearly read and understand, they are amazingly good with that crisp, signature onion ring-taste. Not to forget the onion rings even look better when prepared than the photo outside the packaging.

Last March, I did a short television review of Saturday Night Live and Justin Timberlake's guest appearances on the show. In that review, I discussed a few of the hilarious highlights of his SNL appearances. This year, and just last Saturday, Timberlake hosted yet another hilarious episode of SNL, with a series of sporadically catchy tunes, famous comedian cameos, and a segment that musically relates to veganism.



For the fact that it is Justin Timberlake's fifth time hosting the show, he is then granted access into the "Five-Timers Club", a skit which was nicely segued into during the monologue. In this esoteric group, Timberlake happens to cross paths with a few very well-known and hilarious comedians.

Soon after this is another catchy and outrageous appearance from Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake as the dynamic 90s-style singing duo. Only this time, they weren't singing in a music video but were singing contestants on a dating game show. And in a new -ville sketch, J.T. reprises his street-advertizing role, and instead of advertizing for Omletteville, Plasticville, or Liqourville, the new place of interest, and song dedication, is Veganville. Dressed as a block of tofu, Timberlake veganizes a few popular songs with some super silly dance moves and even emulates the new cultural concept of the "Harlem Shake" (something that came to my knowledge via the news).




Not to forget, it is "Justin Timberlake week" over at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.


Photos/Video: NBC Universal, NBC.com

Spartacus: Blood and Sand is the Starz channel original series that extends beyond the implicit to depict the ancient Roman Republic from the perspective of the Thratian native, Spartacus (portrayed by Andy Whitfield), the famous figure of whom lead the slave uprising against the Romans. The first season of the series is the one of which will be discussed in this short review and is the starting point of the series that focused primarily on the severely oppressive disposition of the Roman Republic during the time. Although the historical drama contains an plenitude of graphic violence and explicit scenes of sexuality, it does so in a fashion that attempts to portray the Roman Era in its most brutal and exposed nature with accuracy. Thus the show's sense of story and narrative through such depiction is not lost but is relevant.

Andy Whitfield. Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Starz. 2010.

In the first scene we see an unknown character in shackles beneath the arena floor, anxiously awaiting the punishment of execution: an unconquerable battle against armored men.
The shot flashes to a killing battle in the arena, a punished captive against Roman gladiator, or executor, and then returns to the main character only to depict a flashback scene. Within that scene is recount of the events that posed as causation for such a harsh punishment as well as a glimpse into the life he lived prior to.

It's only after his victory in the arena against execution that the unnamed protagonist is later identified as "Spartacus." As a result of defeating execution a deal is made to train him in the lutus (Roman gladiator training facility) and have him fight as a gladiator, while still a prisoner among other prisoners. In this setting, the oppressive and severe treatment endured by the slaves (gladiators and servants) among the training facility is the center of attention. And within this setting is an exemplified the theme of lost love. Seeing from the circumstances many of the gladiators find themselves- torn from their wives, families, and friends. The Thratian acts as the lead example of this concept, with wife taken from him and condemned to slavery as another instance of further penalty from the Romans.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Starz. 2010.

Looking for a series to watch, I immersed myself within the first season of Blood and Sand, and by the end of it was trilled. This was a first season that concluded leaving viewers with a sense of satisfaction or pride for the characters' vengeance for what was endured. Instead of leaving a feeling of disappointment or leaving viewers anxiously waiting for what will happen next season, viewers are left with a feeling of satisfied closure, although fully aware that was an ending.

Lucy Lawless is in it too.

Official Starz trailer.
Contains explicit content.

Ever since I saw that hilarious Belvita commercial, I wondered if the breakfast biscuits were vegan and it wasn't until yesterday I finally tried them out. The crunchy belVitas should be vegan-friendly, unless they changed the ingredients. However, the soft belVitas are not vegan. When buying products from a non-vegan company (or any product really), always read the ingredient list.

On the road, looking for those addictive, yet supposedly healthy nutritional bars such as the Clif, Larabars, Luna Bars, etc. I ended up running into these belVita biscuits. Before trying, I checked the ingredients and nutritional facts, as always, and figured they're close enough to those nutritional bars I used to indulge on. Although I imagined they would taste more like thick oat cookies, they actually tasted more like a healthier version of the pretty unhealthy, but still vegan, Biscoff cookies and a bit like more plain nutritional bars.. Thus, a mixture of which I didn't mind snacking.

I wish they would bring back these actors in a series or something but here's the awesome Belvita commercial I always tell people about:


Source: BelVita, 2012. "BelVita Breaskfast Police Pre-game Commercial." Commercial.



*I have tried the original and blueberry crispy flavors. I'm not sure if the other flavors are vegan as well so if you are vegan, make sure to check the ingredients.

 Looking back on the first year:

From film reviews to (vegan) product reviews, the discussion of past and present television series as well as music-related posts, and a few vegan recipes, Films and Veganism presents a compiled overview of a few of those favorites.

• Thoughts on LANA DEL REY and her influence on modern culture.

"Del Rey, with her unique music style, and overall vintage style, infused with her jazzy-reminiscent voice, is one that sonically carries through airways loud, almost erotically intoxicating, and evocative."

• BRINDO - a sweet song embedded within a sunglasses advertizement that appears as an intimate music video

film/television photos: Google Images

In a world of pretentious yuppies and superficial social-climbing aristocrats, it just wouldn't make sense for all of them to keep their heads on straight and remain, if ever were, sane.  American Psycho is the satirical film depicting this concept through Christian Bale's performance of a character whose mind slowly but forcefully shatters while his psychological reality goes with it. It is also the perfect depiction of white male privilege and entitlement at its worst.

Christain Bale. American Psycho. Harron, Mary. Lions Gate Films. 2000.

Bale depicts a notoriously narcissistic character who not only strives to be the best, but is convinced that he certainly must be because in his mind that is how he sees himself. This character resorts to the extremes of killing the person who upstages him as though they are nothing.. but ordinary. Bale brings a somewhat shocking, yet accurate look at what a privileged, violent egomaniac looks like in this early 2000 movie. It would be an understatement to say that his character cares too much about himself and how he is perceived, because it has become embedded in his mind and evident in his persona to think that everyone has to know and see him as a "big shot", a somebody of importance when he clearly isn't. The character moves along the two extremes, accentuating the psychopathic and egotistic. The female-directed (Dir. Mary Harron) film does not forget to show the misogyny extricated by this character. Myriad scenes exemplify the character's misogynistic, psychopathic tendencies from preying on, objectifying, and murdering women. But it doesn't stop there he further traverses the streets to kill other innocent people, a homeless person, then slashing co-workers and, by the end, killing anyone who cross his ridiculous inhumane path.

Christain Bale. American Psycho. Harron, Mary. Lions Gate Films. 2000.

By the end of it, through the bloodshed, we see a character psychologically breaking down, struggling to cope with who they really are after realizing what they have become and what they have always been.

One that expresses in extreme measure, the ridiculous and the absurd to the point where the audience questions whether the scene was one that actually happened or if it was just imagined by the character. Through all the absurdity of this killing satire, the point comes across in shocking ways. The biggest problem and most important point of this is that he still gets away with it because he is the result of as well as the embodiment of a misogynistic, white Capitalist male privilege and entitlement.

Amy's Margherita pizza is a nicely delicious, easy to make frozen favorite. It is probably the best vegan frozen pizzas available.. With a flavorful sauce, great seasonings, and lightly sprinkled Daiya vegan cheeze, this pizza will have you eating it whole. The crust is also soft and possibly comparable to a flatbread..  I don't know about anyone else who has tried frozen vegan pizzas but this is most definitely one of the best and most zesty pizzas from Amy's vegan-friendly selection. Of all of the frozen vegan pizzas and non-vegan pizzas (prior to veganism), this is the best. The only problem with this pizza is that I cannot find it anywhere.





 Also, I'm pretty sure it's a slightly better/more nutritious alternative to other mainstream frozen pizzas (those higher in fat with dairy, meat, cholesterol, and several other things). This is not the type of item to eat often as it is still high in fat and sodium, but every once in a while..

After watching the third episode, and observing its growing explosion of humor, I knew this was going to be a well-received series. The recently Emmy-nominated show that not only revolves around Charlie Sheen but also gave him a somewhat-comeback to television, provided several on-screen cameos, and welcomed a few unfamiliar faces to the mainstream television is Anger Management.



Anger Management, with a pretty hilarious cast and a contrasting clash of characters provide a means for a nicely entertaining character dynamic, something we see during the main group counseling sessions. The show revolves around its title as well as the use of other psychological and therapeutic concepts, depending on the episode subject of focus.  The counsel-related settings often showcased include a prison where the main character does anger management counseling, to the couches in his living room where the prime counseling takes place along with other lead cast-members, as well as the office of his own advice-providing therapist, depicted by Selma Blair.



Charlie takes on the role as therapist, one specializing in the counseling of anger management groups and whose character slightly differs from those typecast. Shawnee Smith, an actress I know from Becker, is brought back to television playing the part of Charlie's close friend, yet divorcee. Just as former Spin City actor, Micheal Boatman, depicts the close or "best" friend and confidant to the main character. 





It's apparent that the first few episodes acted as a counter-action and not-so-subtle reference to the events of drama that occurred between the Two and a Half Men producer a few years ago. Soon after the airing of the first season, FX announced the show's continuation. Due to the show's success, 90 more episodes have been acquired according to several media sources. The second season airs this Thursday, January 17th on FX.




Update: Season Two
May, 2014

The second season does not live up to the expectations I had for it when I first wrote this review. After Selma Blair left the show, it really hasn't been the same. Blair's character was an essential aspect of the show, and anyone who has seen the major shifts and changes from the first season to the second will be able to notice how vital this character is as well. The absence of her character made the show seem as though it had no idea where it was going to go, how it was going to replace this character, and even the overall subject-matter. With the number of noticeable female character changes, the addition of another male character, and filtering out of past characters of whom I described above (the ex-wife, daughter, and friend/next-door neighbor), completely changed everything around, making audiences wonder, 'oh yeah, what happened to those characters?' In my opinion, Anger Management just seems to have taken an extreme, slightly misogynist downfall as the second season progresses especially without having an almost-feminist, intelligent female character (Blair) along with other prominent female characters (intelligent daughter character, easy-going ex-wife character) who help balance out the overly male character dynamic and their toxic masculine traits (the show increased in overt objectification of women, revolving the show even more around the idea of sex, etc).

Basically, I only slightly recommend the first season, you know, it times when there's nothing else on TV. Just be aware that the second doesn't at all complement the first, the characters, or any part of the show in general.

Here's an excerpt from Bowen of Slant Magazine that accurately critiques the second season:
"A sexist, racist, homophobic dinosaur in the age of daring and empathetic comedies such as Girls and Louie, Anger Management, whose 2012 debut was shrewdly timed to cash in on the latest speed bump in Charlie Sheen's career, revels in a glib mean-spiritedness. The first season was inhumane and all the more popular for it, so there was little hope that creator Bruce Helford and his writers would try to rise above their tabloid muck. The only, admittedly qualified, hope that one might bring to a second season is that it at least exhibit occasional cleverness in its ongoing smear campaign of everything that isn't Charlie Sheen."


Photos: Google Images

Ingredients


I've become so used to assembling in place of cooking that I forgot cooking could be simple and easy as well. The hardest part seems to be acquiring the needed ingredients for whatever dish or dessert that is desired for preparation.

Reason for the title: in case the cookies didn't turn out... they would end up as almost cookies. Thus, the name "or something like it" and the discussion of the movie Life or Something Like It.


Life or Something Like It

Angelina Jolie. Life or Something Like It. 20th Century Fox. 2002. Film Still.

I love seeing Angelina Jolie kicking ass in action films and conquering roles of mass drama as well. But I'm going to save that for another day. Instead, let's talk about Life-- or Something Like It.

Angelina Jolie. Life or Something Like It. 20th Century Fox. 2002. Film Still.

Although we don't see Angelina acting up an amazingly dramatic storm or kicking in the shins of some bad guy, we see her in a different, and dare I say, dainty feminine light. Jolie still plays a headstrong, leading woman who kicks ass but does so through her success as a news anchor. In short, the career-driven character audiences see is one that takes pride in how "perfect" her life appears and believes, which soon changes in worry after a short interview with street-psychic (Tony Shalhoub). Not to forget the question of happiness brought to attention by cameraman (Edward Burns), a co-worker of whom she had a history.

Angelina Jolie. Life or Something Like It. 20th Century Fox. 2002. Film Still.

Angelina Jolie. Life or Something Like It. 20th Century Fox. 2002. Film Still.

The major, most important theme of the film is about life and how we live it. The film sort of reflects a philosophical theory that we shouldn't only concentrate and work for the future since the present could easily be missed out on and instead, should take time to enjoy the present while being in the moment.  Though, it is still important to plan for the future, it just as important not be consumed by it. A lesson well-learned in the film. It's not the best movie, but it's the kind to watch on a weekend.





Vegan Oat-Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't really like the idea of baking, but I do like the idea of eating vegan cookies.

The original recipe can be found here, at vegangela.
I only slightly altered a few things when making mine for whatever different reasons and ended up making another type of cookie (white chocolate chip) for someone else using the same recipe --- they both turned out nice.

Also, you're going to have to excuse my bad-picture quality of photos. Again, I do not have a good camera.
Reason for not posting cookie photo on a plate, since the lighting was not good and the quality was also pretty bad. But the cookies were good- and that's what really matters.









 Another nice thing about vegan cookies, you can eat the dough.

This is probably one of my favorite characters bitingly depicted by Cameron Diaz. The "bad teacher" Elizabeth character is the complete opposite to those common typecast super sweet and nice, seen earlier in Diaz's career. Instead, she portrays an outrageous, self-serving, callus teacher with a sailor tongue-- and she does it well.

Cameron Diaz. Bad Teacher (2012). Movie Poster.

Although Diaz's character is labelled "bad," she's actually one of the most authentic characters in this movie (not including the foil characters). Sure, there's a whole list of inappropriate and raunchy and politically incorrect mannerisms from which the Elizabeth character does not refrain, but what's even more offsetting about other characters, specifically the antagonists: rival teacher Squirrel (Amy Punch) and Elizabeth's short-time interest played by Justin Timberlake, are even more problematic and politically incorrect.. Only these characters try to hide their "badness" with false personas that portray a false niceness and attempt to conceal their truly conniving selves. The characters who hide behind too nice, goody faces are the ones whose true colors are actually the worst, and whose scenes I didn't like nor find amusing (referring back to the political incorrectness). At least the Elizabeth character isn't always hiding behind a false persona.

Jason Segal. Cameron Diaz. Phylis Smith. Bad Teacher (2012).

Other characters include the hilarious Jason Segal and The Office's Phyllis Smith who both play the role of more "normal" characters that humorously counter Elizabeth's radical antics and biting comments. Their characters are also the most likable and well-received characters in the movie. In my opinion, Segal and Smith's characters should have had more screen-time, seeing from the fact that they are both more realistic, less crazy-weird, not offensive, and they are funnier. 

Cameron Diaz. Bad Teacher (2012). GIF.

Welcome to the Rileys (2010) is an independent drama with a deep, captivating cast and a storyline that uncomfortably unravels its characters in an intricate and obvious manner. It has a way of reflecting the reality that everyone has their own personal problems and own way of trying to cope with whatever those problems may be.

Kristen Stewart. Welcome to the Rileys. 2010. Film Still.

I have to say out of any of the Kristen Stewart films I have seen, this is the one that [in my opinion] proves Stewart's ability to conquer roles outside of those seemingly typecast to her personality and vary beyond a "comfort zone." Stewart embodies a character that is completely different from what most audiences might expect. Through observing the way this character was portrayed, the almost over-played, typecast-awkward persona dissolves. In this independent drama, Stewart portrays a misunderstood,too-often mistreated, rebellious, and quite vulgar runaway teenager of who dances to make ends meet.


Stewart is not the only actor seen in a different light, James Gandolfini also portrays a character that audiences would not expect. A character dealing with a severe loss, but of course does not openly express it. The wife, more dramatic on the other hand, subtly displayed by Melissa Leo, depicts a mother who becomes agoraphobic as a result of this loss. Leo and Gandolfini later begin to play the role of almost substitutional parental figures for Stewart but whether things remain that way, are a question.

Kristen Stewart. Welcome to the Riley. 2010. Film Still.

The story in and of itself helps to reveal the way in which people's problems or issues can quickly become noticed. When the collision of these three main characters comes into effect, the truth emerges along with it. Once emerged, the process of actually being able to solve and move on with life can begin, as opposed to denying and avoiding the problems and personal struggles that often occur in life. 

Another underlining theme in the film is the complex intersection of relationships and how new relationships can easily be affected by one's own personal and private past. This is something I'm sure audiences can relate to, which allows for it to be a leading factor that makes this film feel both slightly real and somehow familiar.


Photos/Images: Welcome to the Rileys. Samuel Goldwyn Films/Destination Films. 2010. Film.