Eclectic Pop

where "pop" culture gets "eclectic"

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@BrittLWriter

Let's Discuss: Last Week's Stirring Episode of 'Reign'

There are few characters on TV’s canvas as noble as Mary (Adelaide Kane) on the CW’s historical drama “Reign”. This past week’s episode, “The Lamb and the Slaughter” proved that point with exceptional impact as she suffered various highs and lows, including a horrific personal loss.

TV Rundown: Oct 19 - 24 | Liz Gets Possessive on 'The Blacklist', 'Arrow' Misses the Mark & more!

The Blacklist | Liz isn’t the only one having trouble with the suggestion that Red might have a daughter that’s not her. The key to the Liz/Red dynamic has been that she is the only person that is special to him, who he is willing to protect at any cost. If there is another person he is willing to do that for, regardless if they are his daughter or not, that kind of throws a wrench in things.

It was nice to hear Liz express her begrudging pleasure at the value of her position with Red. Despite being the show’s protagonist she is still a bit of a mystery and learning her big secret should help shed more light on her.

Music News | A Special Event, an Award Win & New Music

Benefit Concert: Music 4 Vets presented by The Envision Indie Coalition, Rize Records & LadyLake Music

Vital Info: Music 4 Vets is a concert series that will be simulcast live online through the Giving Stage network’s website. Among the musical acts scheduled to perform are headliner Doc G. of PM Dawn, A.O., Omar A., Nick Shaw, B.B.P, I-10 Connect, Diane Cameron and International Nova. Music 4 Vets, which was initiated in 2012, is a charitable endeavor aimed at providing musical instruments and music therapy programs for veterans.

For further details on the event, click here for the official press release and The Giving Stage website
Where: 1510 S Mint Street in Charlotte, NC
When: Sat. November 1, 2014

Let's Discuss: Five Things Concerning 'Gone Girl'

Ever since seeing the much buzzed about and highly acclaimed “Gone Girl,” there were some lingering issues that stood out, negatively affecting the film’s quality, including when compared to other movies. However, in Eclectic Pop’s review, there were limits for how detailed the criticisms could be…

TV Rundown: Oct 12 - 17 | Vengance on 'Arrow', a Coronation on 'Reign', Plus 'TVD' & more!

Arrow | As the team attempted to mourn and avenge Sara, the sentiment was difficult to empathize with. For one, she had strolled into Starling City last season acting superior to every member of team Arrow and had especially been a pain in Felicity and Laurel’s derrieres. Interestingly both women were shown to be the most outwardly shaken by her demise.

Sara’s smug self-righteousness, lack of remorse and smug attitude should have made for few mourners. She betrayed her sister, killed people for a living and was a compulsive liar, not much to miss there. She lived by the arrow and died by the arrow. The biggest mystery of the hour was how Laurel managed to carry Sara’s body all the way to Verdant.

Movie Review: 'Gone Girl' (2014)

What do you get when two unlikable characters are embroiled in a mystery? The answer is a story that boasts hardly any emotional stakes.  “Gone Girl” opens on the day that Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) disappears. Her bitter husband, Nick (Ben Affleck), goes to his bar to blow off steam with his siste…

Let's Discuss: A Double Dose of Guilty Pleasure Movies

A great thing about movies is that sometimes, even if it is not going to win Oscars or be a hit with critics, it can still be an entertaining experience in its own right. These movies are more commonly referred to as guilty pleasures, and for the next two weeks, the box office will have two back-to…

TV Rundown: Special Soap Edition | It's Ridge vs. Rick on 'Bold' & Billy Miller Debuts as Jason on 'GH'

The Bold and the Beautiful | The Ridge/Caroline/Rick/Katie quadrangle has taken flight and the results have been awkward to put it mildly. Ridge is Rick’s half-brother/ex-stepfather and Katie (Ridge’s fiancée) is Rick’s aunt/soon-to-be-sister-in-law so the relationships in this romantic quandary are…complicatedly tangled to say the least. As Katie watches idly by with her red string “engagement ring”, her passive reaction has lead her into door mat territory again.

Ever since Caroline began working as Ridge’s creative surrogate the looming romantic fallout was inevitable. Coming off the worst in all of this is Ridge, who appears to be destroying his brother’s marriage just to get the position as Forrester Creations' CEO. Knowingly hurting Katie for a career ambition seems out of character. The good news out of the storyline is Rick has had a larger presence and a more distinct storyline.

TV Rundown: Oct 5 - 10 | 'Vampire Diaries' Travels Back in Time, 'Arrow' Returns, 'The Flash' Premieres & more!

The Vampire Diaries | While it is understandable that Elena is distraught over Damon’s “death”, the timeline of it only being 4 months later is a rather brief time for her to spend attempting to cope without taking drastic action. Especially when she's faced similar circumstances before and successfully brought loved ones back from the dead.

It was nice to hear her finally admit how long her feelings for Damon have existed though. For years viewers have been left to speculate the exact origin of her affection and now we know. The highlight of the episode was Damon and Bonnie’s banter in 1994. Their acerbic repartee has always been fun and now it’s getting a stellar showcase.

Quick Hit Movie Reviews #4: 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,' 'The Protector 2,' 'Rage' & 'Open Grave'

"Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" (2014)

Chris Pine takes on the title role of Jack Ryan in this poorly formulated action-thriller. From one ludicrous action sequence to the next, plausibility is thrown out the window as Jack performs one hard to believe rescue after another. In the minor role of Jack’s loving paramour is Keira Knightley, who is wasted in a cliché jaded girlfriend arc, looking in from the outside on Jack’s professional travails.

Eclectic Pop News: War Machine vs. War Horse Podcast: 'White Bird in a Blizzard' Episode

I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on the War Machine vs. War Horse Podcast, a terrific podcast dedicated to movies. If you’re a fan of funny repartee, comparative insights, and movies in general, this is the show for you. On the show, hosts Mike and Shane discuss a new release and compare it to an older release that shares a similar theme. They then debate, which movie tackled the subject better.

TV Rundown: Sept 28 - Oct 3 | The Return of 'Reign', 'Vampire Diaries', 'Revenge', 'OUAT' & more!

Reign | Returning to the airwaves in regal fashion, “Reign” did not miss a beat catching the waves of last season’s momentum. As the plague threatened everyone in the realm, Mary outmaneuvered a devious Catherine, Kenna and Bash lost a loved one, Greer worried over her lost love Leith’s next move and Francis made a decision about his new baby.

Mary going into full fledged Queen-mode provided the series with a defining moment for its heroine. She’s not who she once was, she’s stronger and kudos to Adelaide Kane’s subtle flinch when Mary imposed her lethal verdict. It was a stellar nuance.

TNT's 'Dallas' Reboot Cancelled: Why It Will Be Missed

Brilliant storylines, a strong cast and sleek production were not enough to save TNT’s enthralling Primetime sudser. After three seasons the exceptional “Dallas” reboot has gotten the ax. Yesterday’s announcement comes with an especially bitter taste given the finale left various storylines in limbo. The most fans can hope for is that TNT will green light a TV movie to close things up. It’s not the first time that “Dallas” has left the airwaves and after several TV specials throughout the 90’s, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the series rise one last time.

Top 20 Remaing Movies of 2014 | Part 1: #20 - #15

#20 Gone Girl | Ever since the announcement that Gillian Flynn’s best-seller would be getting the adaptation treatment, there have been expectations. When it was announced thriller maestro David Fincher would be taking the helm those expectations were only heightened. “Gone Girl” possesses all of t…

Let's Discuss: The Buzz Surrounding 'Gone Girl'

David Fincher’s adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s best-selling crime novel is quickly becoming one of the early awards season breakouts and a likely box office hit. “Gone Girl” is a moody mystery that centers on the disappearance of 30-something wife Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) and the suspicion that falls on her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) as the investigation into her whereabouts unravels his darkest and deeply kept secrets.