Marathons: A Pure Indulgence (Part 5): A Wish List...

Just when you think I couldn't have any more things to marathon I do.  In fact it seems that I'm always marathoning something.  Which just goes to show that I really am an addict.  Of course not all the things I marathon are TV shows, I also *adore* doing movie marathons and book marathons. In fact marathoning anything is pretty cool.

Chocolate marathon anyone?

Boardwalk Empire

"The life of times of Nucky Thompson, political and criminal mastermind during the era of Prohibition."

Steve Buscemi rocks.

Which is why I just have to check this show out one of these days. It's on my list for him alone.  He's one of those actors who makes anything he's in just that little bit better.

 Sons of Anarchy

"The Sons of Anarchy live, ride, and die for brotherhood.  But as the club's leader steer them in an increasingly lawless and dangerous direction, Jax, a young member, is torn between loyalty and legacy."

Bad boys.  With leather jackets, no less.

Deadwood

"The town of Deadwood, South Dakota is a lawless place of crime and corruption. Into this uncivilized outpost ride a disillusioned and bitter ex-lawman and a man hoping to find a new start for himself."

Bad boys again.  This time with a gun and a cowboy hat. Plus Timothy Oylphant, Raylan Givens from Justified (which you just have to marathon because Reasons)

Oh yeah I am so there...

Grimm
  
"Detective Nick Burkhardt discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as Grimms, charged with keeping balance between humanity and the mythological creatures."

I watched the first episode of this some time ago but couldn't get into it.  I am, though, determined to give it another go. Because monsters. Do I really need to say anything more?

Amanda Hocking

A self-published author who took the world by storm with a series of paranormal YA novels.

All I needed to hear was the word 'paranormal' to decide that I just have to get around to doing a marathon session of all her books.

My To-Be-Read list is never going to go down...

The Tudors

Henry Cavill aka Charles Brandon in The Tudors aka Superman in the latest Superman movie Man of Steel

Tall, dark and bad boy hot, he is reason enough to watch all four seasons of this show.  The stubble helps also...

Sigh...

Something to Sigh About

Speaking of sighing, some of the best marathons are the ones with some eye candy.

And yes I can be that shallow.

Though I also like my men to have something more than just pretty boy looks.  The voice for one. And by voice I mean the voice, the kind that can send you into a  puddle on the floor.  A touch of bad boy is also a must...

Richard Armitage in North and South                Rufus Sewell in Middlemarch
Michael Fassbender in Jane Eyre                      David Tennant in The Decoy Bride
Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock                   Ryan Gosling in The Notebook

Marathons: A Pure Indulgence (Part 4): Teenage Angst

I haven't been a teenager for quite a few years but you wouldn't think it if you met me.  I am, it seems, permanently stuck as a geeky 14 year old.  So it probably comes as no surprise that I have a secret passion for teen shows.

Some people love watching soaps and others reality shows but for me my addiction is for trashy, angsty teen shows.  The angstier the better.

It's kind of sad really...

Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls is my go to show.  The show I watch when I just want to unwind and veg out and marvel at the sheer amazingness that it is.

There's snappy dialogue, pop culture references galore and quirky, eccentric characters.  And even better a character who loves books!

As you can imagine it was pretty much a given that I was going to love this show.

Awkward

A little more raunchy than GG (Gilmore Girls) ... because hey it's MTV, Awkward is funny, realistic comedy about the issues facing teens.

There's problems with parents and school and boys and that's only the beginning.  Because life for Jenna is never easy... especially when everyone thinks her accident was in fact a suicide attempt gone wrong.

Life sure can suck sometimes

Gossip Girl

Pretty, rich teens, doing pretty, rich things and wearing pretty, expensive clothing.

Yeah I can so relate...

Still that's part of its charm.

After all everyone needs some fantasy...

Glee

Any show that features singing, dancing high school students has got my vote. Especially when it has a sense of humour like this show does and features the wonderful Jane Lynch.

I *adore* Jane Lynch which is reason enough to watch this show.

Veronica Mars

Forget Nancy Drew.  Veronica Mars is so much better. Think Nancy D meets Dawson's Creek with a touch of Twin Peaks thrown in.

Wonderfully brilliant, the show has such a following that a massive fundraising campaign by fans resulted in a movie being made - due for release sometime next year.

How cool is that.

Pretty little liars

Secrets. Lies. Betrayals.

Pretty Little Liars is so my kind of thing.  So it's kind of shocking that I haven't even watched it. yet... something I am definitely going to be fixing with a massive marathon session some time soon.

Dawson's Creek

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I liked this show.

Dawson was an annoying dude who I just wanted to slap across the face and tell him to "man up" and Joey was a dithering mess who couldn't seem to decide what she wanted.

The fact that I liked it despite these short comings just goes to show what teenage angst can do for the brain.  Then again Pacey (Joshua Jackson) was a dream... after all any guy who names his boat True Love (watch High Society & you'll understand) just to declare his love is a definite winner.

John Hughes and Other 80's Teen Flicks

I just had to include a list of these movies because Reasons.

The music alone is enough reason to watch them.  If I had it my way every teenager today would be made to watch these as a Saturday night marathon.  Along with bowls of buttery popcorn, M&M's and vast amounts of Coke Cola.

The Breakfast Club              Pretty in Pink
Sixteen Candles                  Say Anything
Ferris Bueller's Day Off        Footloose

Marathons: A Pure Indulgence (Part 3): Something to Laugh About

There is nothing better than ending the night with a few episodes or so of your favourite comedy, especially on a cold, wet and depressing winter's night.  No matter how often you watch them they can always make you laugh.  Humour luckily never gets old... or boring.

Which is just as well as my partner and I are currently on our third re-watch of The Big Bang Theory.  Yep you heard right and in-between we've also worked our way through Will and Grace, How I Met Your Mother and Caroline In The City.  Next on our list is Spin City. 

After that who knows. Maybe you've got a favourite to recommend...

Black Books

If ever I had my own book shop it would probably be just like the one in Black Books.  And in all honestly I would be just like Bernard Black.  The foul-mouthed, drunken owner who loves books and hates his customers. Personally I can't blame him.  After all who would want to give up all those lovely books to complete and utter strangers. 

A book shop without patrons... except me.  Heaven.

The Big Bang Theory            

Soft Kitty song.

Really that's all I have to say.   Because soft kitty says it all.

If you don't know what that means then you just have to watch the show to find out.
 
Frasier                                  

"Dr Frasier Crane, psychiatrist and radio host navigates single life while coping with the day-to-day eccentricities of his family and patients."

This show never fails to make me laugh and it's easy to see why both Kelsey Grammar (as Frasier Crane) and David Hyde-Pierce (as Frasier's brother Niles) were nominated for a plethora of Emmy's during the show's 11 year run.

I feel another marathon session is called for...

How I Met Your Mother

This show is "legen...dary."  And if you've seen it you'll know exactly what this means.

Though it's about Ted and the story of how he met his wife the real star of this show for me is Barney Stinson, a serial playboy who uses trick in the book and more to get what he wants. Barney is sleazy and funny and romantic and... well the perfect bad boy,

Community

"Smooth talking ex-lawyer Jeff Winger has got a lot to learn, and he’s come to Greendale Community College to avoid every bit of it. Unfortunately for Jeff, he’s not the only misfit to enroll here."

 I've got this show on my To-Be-Watched list.  It sounds like just my kind of thing.

Miranda

Miranda and I are like this *me crossing fingers*

I adore this show and can only hope that they do another season. 

Because I need to know.  I have to know. 

That's got you curious. Hasn't it?

Outnumbered

Family life.

Watching this show you'll be grateful that yours isn't as half as insane.  Or that your kids aren't smarter than you.  Because in the Outnumbered household the kids are the true masters.

Veep

Life as a politician is never easy, especially if you the newly elected Vice President.

Balancing family life, political agendas and the demands of the President are just the beginning

30 Rock

Liz Lemon's, head writer of a live variety show, life is turned upside down with the arrival of a network executive who seems determined  to interfere with every decision she makes.

For a woman with sass and sharp wit and a mean pair of glasses Liz is just the kind of woman who isn't going to back down...

The Vicar of Dibley

The Dibley Parish Council don’t know what has hit them when the new vicar arrives in the village. Because Reverend Geraldine Granger  is not only young, trendy and bubbly but also a woman.  She is also looking for love.  Will a certain tall, dark and handsome stranger be the one?  

Featuring Dawn French at her wonderful best and Richard Armitage (or RA as his fans call him) sigh...

Marathons: A Pure Indulgence (Part 2): Land of Fire and Ice

As I mentioned yesterday I absolutely love marathons and my current fetish seems to be for all things Scandinavian.

Personally I blame it all on The Killing.  That gripping murder mystery crime show which everyone is talking about.

I've been wanting to watch this show for absolutely ages.  But I kept putting it off... until recently.  And now that I've finally gotten around to watching it I've found myself hunting out further Scandinavian delights to add to my current winter marathon session.

There is just something about these shows that is so good and all are highly addictive, especially for a crime addict like myself.  For a good, eerie thriller you can do no wrong with a touch a Swede or Dane.  Tall, blonde, enigmatic men with an air of mystery and sadness and intense gazes that are guaranteed to melt your heart.

Vikings it seems are the best.  Then again I'm probably biased.

Wallander   

A Brit playing a Swede seems a unlikely thing but Kenneth Branagh manages to convey the loneliness and isolation of Wallander, the main character of this BBC adaption of Henning Mankell's books

Moody and haunting this British made version perfectly captures the quiet beauty of Sweden.

The Killing

A surprise Worldwide hit The Killing  captured the imagination of millions who can't seem to get enough of this Danish crime show.

Sadly only 3 seasons were made.  But 3 seasons are better than none

I'm currently half way through the 1st season and loving every minute.

The Bridge                       

"The body of a woman is found in the middle of the Oresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark. Half the body belongs to a Swedish politician and the other half to a Danish prostitute. A bi-national team of inspectors is put together to solve the crime."

An American version is due to start screening in the US soon.

Borgen

"A political thriller set in the world of high-stakes Danish politic.  Birgitte Nyborg becomes Prime Minister of Denmark through a political fluke and has to learn the ways of power, quickly. She's an altruistic public servant in an old boys club and must master the art of the deal overnight, manage her image and perform the impossible juggling act of maintaining a family life."

 The Eagle: A Crime Odyssey

"In Denmark, a special unit is set up to fight cross-border crime throughout Scandinavia and to establish operational links with similar teams around the world. In Copenhagen, charismatic detective Hallgrim Hallgrimsson (called "The Eagle" for his unerring intuition) assembles a team of crime fighters equipped with the most advanced technology and high-tech weapons."

The Protectors

"In today's violent world, the lives of many politicians, industrialists, heads of state and other VIPs are often endangered. To counteract these threats, the Danish Intelligence Bureau established the elite Personal Protection Unit - a force of competent, quick-thinking and dedicated bodyguards. This Danish crime series centres around the lives and missions of these specialists, the people they protect and their enemies."

Headhunters

"Roger Brown appears to have it all as but, he is living above his means and is stealing art on the side. At a gallery opening he meets Clas Grev. Not only is Greve the perfect candidate for a position that Roger is recruiting for; he is also in possession of  one of the most sought-after paintings in modern art history. Roger sees his chance and starts planning his biggest theft ever.  But soon, he runs into big trouble and it’s not financial problems that are threatening to knock him over this time…"

Jackpot

"Oscar Svendsen wakes up, terrified and bloodied, a shotgun in his hands, in what was once a respectable strip joint near Svinesund, Sweden. He is surrounded by eight bodies, and police detective Sol r, who is convinced of his guilt, has a gun aimed at his chest. Reluctantly Oscar starts relating the incredible story of four men who won top prize in a soccer pool and suddenly found themselves a million kroner richer."

Marathons: A Pure Indulgence (Part 1): Paranormal Pandemonium

I love marathons.

And no I'm not talking about the kind of marathons you run. Because heaven forbid. Me? Run? Sorry not gonna happen.

What I am talking about are movie marathons, TV series marathons, book and author marathons.  The kind of thing where you indulge yourself completely in something.  Bingeing. At least according to a recent article that appeared in Canvas the NZ Herald weekend supplement.

It is, it seems, a relatively new phenomenon.  Who knew?

Well my partner and I  - apparently. Because we've been binge watching for several years now.  Or marathon watching as we call it. In fact marathon watching a TV show is the only way to watch a show.

Trust me you don't know what you're missing until you've tried it.

It's seriously addictive. And once you start you can't stop. And of course marathon works really well with other mediums too such as movies and books. 

Winter is a perfect marathony time of the year. When you can spend endless hours indoors and not have to feel even a little bit guilty about it.  And yes I know marathony isn't a word but if you can think of a better word let me know.  In the mean time there is nothing better than stretching out on the couch with a hot beverage, a king size bar of chocolate and the utter indulgence of a marathon session.

Supernatural

8 seasons and counting.

Supernatural as you may know is my god.  The show that I measure all other shows to.

It's brilliant and funny and sad and exciting and... well I could just go on.  But I won't.  Just check it out for yourselves.  You will soon be hooked.

The Vampire Diaries    

Hot vampires? Check. Badass werewolves? Check. Love Story. Double Check.  And of course it has some great indie music.

Vampire Diaries is a confusing, somewhat trashy mess and it's all the better for it.  This is not a show to take seriously, instead just sit back and root for your favourite vampire bad-boy Damon Salvatore and wallow in his misery.

It's awesome stuff

Buffy the vampire slayer

Buffy was my first love.  

It was a show that broke all boundaries combining horror with humour in a subtle and exciting way.  It took itself seriously without taking itself seriously - if that makes any sense.

Throwing out the dumb blonde who always got killed and spinning it all on it's head and turning her into a kick ass heroine who could be girly one minute and stab a vampire with a stake the next.

In a word it was bloody fantastic.

Being Human

Being Human was the British way of making a paranormal TV show and it had it's  own unique, dark touch to it, something the Brits do so well.

There were struggles with identity and acceptance... and creatures even badder than you wanting to kill you. Who knew that being a vampire, werewolf or ghost could be so hard.

Laurell K. Hamilton

Before there was Buffy there was Anita Blake.

The gutsy heroine struggling to live in a world of vampires, werewolves, zombies and other creatures of the night.  As well as having problems with her love life.

What's a girl to do
 
J. R. Ward

A society of vampire warriors who defend their race against those that would do them harm, the Black Dagger Brotherhood are the ultimate vampires.

The covers of this series also let you know that these guys are not only deadly but sexy too.  Featuring as they do, a variety of bare-chested men. Sex sells and the popularity of this series is a testament to this.

It's the perfect romance/paranormal series to indulge in.

Sherrilyn Kenyon    

More warriors.

More sexy, hot men who will do anything for the women they love.

The Dark Hunter series features immortal warriors dedicated to defending mankind from the forces of evil. It's heady, sexy stuff.

Christine Feehan

Of course you just knew they were going to be more sexy, hot men.  In the Carpathain series these men are a powerful and ancient race, skilled in the art of killing... and love.

Finding a suitable mate though is difficult, especially in the world of mortals.

And the men in our lives thought they had it hard.