Getting in The Zone

In late 2014, the Sky network launched a new Entertainment channel called The Zone, which features TV shows and movies from the Science Fiction, Cult, Fantasy, Superhero and Horror genres. I squealed rather loudly in delight when I read about it, because I have long wished that NZ had its very own version of the SyFy channel available overseas. At this stage I should mention I am well well WELL behind in watching TV shows. Something had to give when I became a parent to my mini-geeks, and sadly TV was it L

So when I read the initial line up for The Zone there was even more squealing, or squee as it is fondly known as. My mysky unit then very quickly filled up with all sorts of shows, many of which got the one episode watch and then the flick. (Sorry awesome shows, I only have so much mysky hard drive space and evening viewing time). But the following oldie yet extremely goodie shows made the final cut, and I am now well addicted!

The great news for you, our lovely library customers, is that we have most of these terrific shows on DVD for you to borrow, just in case you missed them on The Zone, or don’t have Sky TV at home. Or maybe you just want to revisit the awesomeness.

First up is Eureka. Eureka is a quirky wee town like no other. Jack Carter, a U.S. marshal who stumbles across the town, is quickly drawn into mysterious events, which we soon learn are pretty par for the course in Eureka. In a town made up of America’s top geniuses and scientists, things definitely get a bit interesting! I’m so in love with Sheriff Jack and the way he meshes with the town, and can’t wait to see more. Luckily for me I have 5 more seasons to look forward to J

Next is Warehouse 13. This is a spin off show from Eureka, but stands on its own just fine.  Secret Service agents Pete and Myka are ‘seconded’ to Warehouse 13, a highly secretive storehouse of supernatural artefacts. They are sent on missions to retrieve such objects when they wreak havoc in the world. There is just such a fun dynamic between the leads. Again, I’m pretty happy to see I have another 4 seasons after this one to go, wahoo!

Third on the list is Supernatural. This is a show I have been missing out on for so many years it’s a bit embarrassing really. I have several good friends (and family members) who have been telling me how much I would love it, and yep, they were all right. Supernatural follows the adventures of brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they battle a legion of supernatural and demonic creatures. I may have come to this show because, lets face it, that’s a whole lot of hot right there with Sam and Dean, but I’m staying because it is nail biting and terrifyingly good (although I MAY watch from under a pillow a chunk of the time). The dynamic between the brothers is just that good – it really is what makes the show what it is. Not to mention the incredible supporting cast, I am hanging out to get to Charlie episodes. And yay - now I understand so much more on Tumblr!

Lastly we have Teen Wolf , which has almost completely taken over my mysky, as since The Zone launched, they have already played the first three seasons and are just starting the fourth. I’m quite ok with that, but my other half not so much; he seems to be missing the attraction (ahem) somehow. Teen Wolf is (very) loosely based on the 1985 movie of the same name that featured Michael J Fox. I am actually old enough that I loved this movie at the time (although not so much its sequel). This modern take on Teen Wolf is a whole lot more gruesome and gritty, but is still filled with just the right amount of teen angst. Scott McCall is the said Teen Wolf after being bitten in the pilot episode, and he is not only navigating some very complicated wolfy politics and vendettas, but is dating the daughter of the family of hunters that have hunted his kind since way back when  - awkward! His best friend Stiles is just THE best, full of zingy dialogue and witty one liners. His mysterious werewolf mentor Derek Hale is full of smoulder, tension and general hotness, and I am never sad at all when he has to remove his shirt, although usually he is in pain at the time, oh dear *fans self*.

So these are just a few of my new (old) favourite things, courtesy of The Zone. If you’ll excuse me, I believe I may have some more TV to catch up on J

The holiday catch-up - DVDs

Forget getting together with extended family or the chance to finally spring-clean your house, now it's actually summer. Christmas is a time to catch up on all the great films and shows you missed out on during the year. All you need is 15 minutes of sun per day to get your recommended dose of vitamin D. The rest of the time, draw your blinds, relax your eyes from the harsh glare, and float away on a wave of unreality.

(If you really will miss removing sand from your orifices and clothing and sheets for days on end, I recommend eating mince pies or chips in bed while you watch. Ready-salted chips provide the greatest seaside authenticity. Or you could just explode a beanbag and sit on the filling after turning on your fan heater.)

Scriven's picks for best holiday watching:

Lulu and the Bankrobber
This TV show is a bit like a Danish Outrageous Fortune - if you're not afraid of subtitles, you really should take a look. Lulu is the fond but long-suffering fiancee of Leon, who has a long criminal past and some very dodgy friends and family. When he's arrested just after saying "I do" at their wedding, it's up to Lulu to find out exactly why and save their house from foreclosure. Leon swears he's been framed, but can she really trust him? Cue various encounters with lawyers, Serbian prostitutes, Turkish mobsters, motorcycle gangs, suspicious cops, hormonal teenagers and lots more. By turns scary, funny and touching, you'll want to watch right to the end. If you like this, also try The Bridge.

The Angels' Share
A Ken Loach movie that's a bit more uplifting than usual. A group of Scottish petty crims on a community work programme come up with a plan to get them out of their dead-end lives for good. I won't spoil the plot, but it involves some very rare whisky, some very clever tactics and that fantastic, dark Scottish humour, with Loach's fantastic eye for the realities of British life. A wee gem.

Despicable Me 2
One for the whole family. If you haven't seen it yet, buy it or rent one of our bestseller copies. You've no hope of getting it before April otherwise. Those little minions are back, every bit as yellow, cute and punchy as ever, in a plot that involves former archvillain Gru going undercover to find a mystery nemesis who's stolen a potentially dangerous substance that turns cute little things into violent purple monsters. I think you can guess where this leads...

Argo
Now's your chance to see this, if you haven't. Nailbiting and funny, and beautifully shot, it's the Oscar-winner by Ben Affleck about the 1980 siege of the US embassy in Iran, and how they managed to smuggle some American embassy staff out of the country under cover as Canadian film-makers. Deserves the hype.

Much Ado About Nothing
Haven't seen this yet, but it's by Joss Whedon, he of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and so forth, and I personally can't wait to see what he's done with the play. It was shot over just a few days at Whedon's house, starring a whole bunch of unknown actors, and it's been updated and given the Whedon treatment. It's got great reviews.

Wreck-It Ralph
Another family movie that's actually a lot better than it sounds. I was a bit dubious about watching a movie with video game characters from the 80s (or pretend ones, anyway) and a villain who wants to be a hero. I mean, it just sounded so cheesy. But it had a lot of heart, some sarcastic humour and some really great chase scenes and I actually thoroughly enjoyed myself. Kids will love it - and maybe you will too.

The Bletchley Circle
Those of you who like Call the Midwife may not have come across this short TV series set during the 1950s. A group of women were codebreakers at Bletchley Park during World War II, and are rather adrift now that the war is over. Until one of them decides to hunt down a serial killer by charting patterns in his behaviour, even when the cops think they're mad. More sisters doing it for themselves.

And if you haven't seen The Hobbit yet, it's probably about time you did. Not Jackson's best, admittedly, but the scenery's fantastic, and Martin Freeman makes it all worth watching. Plus number two is supposed to be pretty awesome, and you won't know who all those people being toasted and eaten are if you haven't seen this. You know you want to see the dragon. So get to it.