Short Reviews: 'Ice Age: Continental Drift' & 'ParaNorman'

Movies:

Ice Age: Continental Drift (on DVD)

(Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox)

I'll admit, I went into watching Ice Age: Continental Drift with low expectations. I've watched the previous three over the years and have found them to be at most just above average films. Now, you may be thinking, why then do you continue to watch this series? Well, it's because having said that, they are enjoyable films, but I wouldn't pay to see them in theaters or buy them on DVD. There are aspects that I like, such as Scrat and Sid. And I think a lot of the actors voicing these animated characters have been put to good use, for the most part.

Look at What Book I Got Early: 'Elimination Night' by Anonymous

About a week and a half ago, I wrote on BuddyTV about a new book coming out, Elimination Night, written by someone who's familiar with how American Idol is run behind-the-scenes. This book (out January 8), while a work of fiction, is most obviously based on Idol season 10, with characters based on Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson, Nigel Lythgoe, etc. Last week, I received a copy of the book from the publisher to review, and I started reading it the other day, on Friday.

I Recommend: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' Film & 'Catfish: The TV Show'

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

Movie:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (in theaters)

(Image courtesy of Warner Bros.)

The Hobbit is a book that I grew up with. I'm sure I have read it more than once as a child. But looking back, I realize that it's been over 10 years since I last read it, since some time in middle school. When The Lord of the Rings movies were released in theaters, my 92-year-old great-aunt and I went to each one together. (She and I share a love of reading, and always talk about such stories as Harry Potter, Hobbit/LOTR and more.) We've been anticipating the release of the start of the middle-earth stories, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. And as is tradition with us, we went to see it recently, in 3D/24 FPS.

'I Recommend: 'A Game of Thrones' Book & 'Ruby Sparks' Film

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

Book:
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) by George R.R. Martin

(Image courtesy of Bantam Spectra)

I first heard about this series around the time that season 1 of the TV show adaptation was on the air. Everyone was talking about HBO's Game of Thrones. And I noticed all the awards and accolades it received. And what piqued my interest was that people were comparing it to Lord of the Rings, and that author George R.R. Martin is the American J.R.R. Tolkien. But I guess I never took my interest any further than that--until earlier this year when season 2 marketing and promotions were in high gear. Then I broke down and read some of the information on the Song of Ice and Fire wiki page and Martin's wiki page so I could get a better sense of what this series was all about.

I Recommend: 'Chely Wright: Wish Me Away' Film & 'The Casual Vacancy' Book

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

Movie:
Chely Wright: Wish Me Away (on DVD)

(Image courtesy of Beverly Kopf & Bobbie Birleffi)

I'll be honest here: I had no idea who Chely Wright was before I found out about her documentary, Chely Wright: Wish Me Away. But I am so glad that I do know about her now and her personal story. She is the first country music artist to come out as gay. And she was pretty much shunned by the people in her own genre for it, the people that wholeheartedly embraced her before. And that is something that needs to change. Yes, we're making great progress in this country when it comes to equality and acceptance, but there are still people and groups who are still stuck in the middle ages. And it's sad to think about that.

I Recommend [TV Edition]: 'Commander in Chief,' 'Revolution' & 'American Horror Story'

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

TV Shows:
Commander in Chief (on Hulu)

(Image courtesy of ABC)

Commander in Chief is an ABC political drama that aired during the 2005-2006 TV season. It chronicles Mackenzie Allen as she becomes the first female President of the United States. But she doesn't get there through an election. Rather, she's first the Vice President, then the President has an unexpected death. The Constitution states that she's now the President.

I Recommend: 'Land of Stories' Book & 'Katy Perry: Part of Me' Film

(Image courtesy of Jeff Dodge)

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

Book:
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer

Before I talk specifically about the story, I'll preface this by quickly recapping how I ended up reading this book. As I mentioned here back at the end of August, I had entered a contest from Hypable to win a signed ARC of Glee star Chris Colfer's debut novel--and I won (and as you can see from the above photo, the prize also included a Land of Stories tote bag). I finished reading it recently...and so now you're caught up!

I Recommend: '8' (Prop 8 Play) & 'Recount' Film

(Image courtesy of American Foundation for Equal Rights)

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

Play:
8

When this one-night only play based on the whole ordeal surrounding California's Prop 8 in 2008 was released on YouTube earlier this year, I couldn't wait to watch it. Unfortunately, time slipped away from me and I ended up not getting to it until not that long ago, in the latter half of the summer. But even though it took a while, I am still glad I saw it.

Emmys 2012: My Predictions vs. Winners

(Image courtesy of ABC)

Last night, ABC aired the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards. Anyway...so how about that weather?

No? You don't want me to make a distraction? Okay ... well, out of the 24 major categories, I only got eight correct in my predictions this time around -- that's only 33%, people. And I thought last year was bad, where it was 46%. Am I getting worse every year or what? I seem to do better at the Golden Globes and at the Oscars, so I guess better luck next time for me?

I better just get it out of the way ... below are the list of winners compared to my predictions:

Jeff Dodge's 2012 Emmy Predictions

(Image courtesy of ABC)

The 64th Primetime Emmy Awards are coming up tonight (Sunday, September 23) at 8pm ET/5pm PT on ABC, hosted by late night host Jimmy Kimmel. And with all of these award shows, I usually post my predictions over at the TV Watch Online BLOG. But from now on, I will be posting them here on my personal blog (in order for me to streamline the process a bit). Go ahead and check out my predictions below: