Tag Archives: Veronica Mars

Book Review: Mr. Kiss and Tell (Veronica Mars #2)

books poetry lit January 22, 2015 Leave a comment

Mr Kiss and Tell Veronica Mars2004 cult classic TV show Veronica Mars is one of the great loves of my life (it’s one of the tags used enough to actually show up in my tag cloud to the right, for the record). So of course I pre-ordered show creator Rob Thomas and co-writer Jennifer Graham’s second book in the novel series as soon as it was available, knowing that, even if I didn’t like, it, I still wanted to support the series and the world.

In Mr. Kiss and Tell, a girl has been brutally raped and assaulted, and claims that an employee at the Neptune Grand, where she spent the evening before her assault, is the perpetrator. She plans to sue the hotel, which hires Veronica to find out the truth.

The second half of this (as was the case in the first book), is much faster-paced and tighter than the first half, but only my familiarity with and love for the characters gives life to what is unfortunately rather an underwhelming, stale world. Every single plot twist and turn, except perhaps one, is predictable – the book sets up the two or three central conflicts in the first one-third and then unrolls them in exactly the way you’d expect, without deviation. One of these subplots is the institutionalized corruption and injustice of the police force, and the series wants to be a dark, gritty take on this, a reflection of 21st-century realities, but the depth of world and character-building just isn’t there. What does that structure look like, how does corruption interact with itself, what are the internal processes and motivations of those involved? The subplot is brushed on, hinted at further development, but never really delved into.

Logan takes up a scant handful of pages sprinkled through the novel, reflective of his non-prioritized role in Veronica’s life, which is faithful to the original series but is puzzling and frustrating at this point. Rob Thomas and the writers assured fans by the events of the film that Veronica is deeply in love with Logan and committed – yet one of the same things that tore them apart in the TV series is still evident, and unlike in the series, the book doesn’t show it as a flaw: Veronica’s compulsive habit of prioritizing her cases over everything in her life.

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“Fray” by Joss Whedon

books poetry lit August 4, 2014 Leave a comment

“In your dreams, you’re someone else. A slave. A princess. A girl in school in a sunlit city.”

FrayHeaderI’ve been reading Joss Whedon’s “Fray”, and I am very in love with it. Set in a chaotic, dystopian future world in which crime runs rampant and the gap between the wealthy and the poor has divided all of society, it’s focused on Melaka Fray, a street kid who has made a living as a skilled thief. Manhattan, where she lives, has become a deadly slum run by mutant crime-lords and corrupt or disinterested cops, and Melaka’s only family is her estranged sister, a cop. One moment, Melaka Fray is fulfilling another job for her crime boss, and the next, he’s paid her extra for the job, cut off all ties with her, and she’s being hunted by multiple assassins.

It’s fascinating and badass and the world is like a cross between the cyperpunk grittiness of Dark Angel and the sardonic one-liners of Veronica Mars. It’s not particularly unique – it’s very much a combination of previous Whedon projects – but there’s so much flare here. And something entirely magical about the character of Melaka, a great blend of vulnerability and utter, effortless cool.

Death of an OTP

film & television July 19, 2014 Leave a comment

So I had FEELS after Audrey died on 24: Live Another Day. So I wrote about them on Sound on Sight.

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One of TV’s most beloved romances is that of Logan and Veronica (affectionately termed “LoVe” by fans) from Rob Thomas’ cult classic Veronica Mars. The romance and the series had enough power and pull to drive a wildly successful Kickstarter and a reasonably successful film. Coming back to 24 for24:LAD, it struck me for the first time that one of the most famous lines from the Veronica/Logan romance, while it doesn’t quite entirely fit that couple, does, seamlessly, describe Jack and Audrey.

“I thought our love was epic, you know? Spanning years, continents, lives lost, blood shed – epic.”

The scene is highly romantic, but the actual content of this famous line is not reflective of the couple’s relationship. Their romance does not include lives lost and blood shed, and while it does span years by the time the film comes around, the epic hyperbole of this statement is simply not reflective of the kind of stakes at play in the series.

Yet it’s a perfect description of the romance that Jack and Audrey live out and the kind of obstacles they overcome. Their romance literally spans continents – when Jack is captured by the Chinese Audrey travels to China to look for him, is captured, Jack returns to the U.S., and the two reunite a year later when Audrey is also brought back from Chin (and when the two reunite in Live Another Day, it’s in London).  Their relationship also endures for five years, through lives lost and blood shed: Jack kills (or lets die) Audrey’s husband; Audrey is badly wounded during events Jack is caught up in, and later tortured by the Chinese for Jack’s sake.  By the time the two reunite in London, their relationship has endured years of absence, violence, loss, and each thinking the other was dead. They’ve spent the majority of their relationship apart, have pulled through both thinking the other was dead, Audrey’s severe PTSD after her torture, and the past years of Jack being missing under the radar and Audrey married. Yet nothing has changed about their relationship – when they reunite for a few brief moments that connection still rings true, steady and certain as it always has for them. By the time Live Another Day comes along, you really do believe that nothing on earth can separate or overcome this couple.

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Marshmallows, Unite!

film & television April 2, 2014 Comments: 2

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1. Kristen Bell gave an interview to CNN just before the movie saying “Veronica Mars could  be my life” and essentially saying she’d love to keep the story going for years through movies and a TV show.

“This could be my whole life. And by the way, what a lucky life it would be if it were. There’s no formula for it, because it just has never been done before. Except — and I’m just throwing it out there — “Star Trek” did it. They did a TV show and then nine movies. Who knows? Why can’t we make a couple films? Or continue to produce content of “Veronica Mars”? It gets tricky because television contracts legally only allow you to do one episode of a different show. They purchase you. I am now the face of “House of Lies.” So the only way I would be able to reprise Veronica Mars (on TV) is in movie form.” RT

2. Sign this Change.org petition to get season 4 on Netflix.

3. Have you bought the book yet? I did, and while it isn’t life-altering, it was good.

Caffeinated Links: Dohring and Bell on Their Chemistry, Mourning Allison Argent, Rectify

film & television March 20, 2014 Comments: 2

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What makes Logan and Veronica fall in LoVe? Jason Dohring and Kristen Bell’s chemistry has never been in question, but the way she helped him get to a right answer about their onscreen relationship really shows just how in sync they are.

“I think it’s interesting that, despite all his privilege and all that, I think that a lot of people hurt him in his life, and she understood that part of him, when she saw me and what I was going through, and I could see that she had a bad relationship with her mother,” Dohring said of why the couple works. “I just look at her and I just feel it, man. I try to make it this deep, philosophical thing, and she just smiles at me and it’s game over.” Kristen jumped in: “You’re on to something, though. There’s something, an intangible, that we’re lucky enough to have when we work together. But it’s also like wounded birds recognize other wounded birds.” “It could have been said like that,” Dohring joked. RT

I wrote a reaction post on Buzzfeed about the death of one of the most badass female heroines to ever grace the small screen – the warm, wonderful, werewolf-slayig Allison Argent. Her death broke my heart and the heart of all Teen Wolf fans everywhere. Stages of Allison Argent Grief

Pajiba’s Dustin Rowles has a great post urging us all to watch Rectify now that it’s out on Netflix. I’m convinced (also, it features Scotty from Suits!) RT

In that vein, Flavorwire has a list of 40 Amazon-exclusive series you should watch. “But the TV selection on Amazon Instant Video is also just superior — exclusive NBCUniversal deals and vintage Nickelodeon favorites and one-season wonders galore! These 40 shows available on Amazon, but not on Netflix or Hulu, may just convince you to switch over.” RT

Veronica Mars Link Love

film & television March 18, 2014 Leave a comment

Sublime interview with Jason Dohring. “Logan loves Veronica,” Dohring told TODAY. “He understands her. They’ve both been through tremendous family struggles. And I think they both even without speaking understand each other. I think that that (is what) the audience connects to, when they just look at each other, It’s just like, ‘I get you.’ That’s what’s so beautiful about that relationship.” RT

THIS. Kristen Bell says Veronica is the closest role to her own personality.

All the Videos You Need Today: Maze Runner 1st Trailer, Veronica Mars Movie Videos

film & television March 18, 2014 Leave a comment

The Maze Runner first trailer premiered last night on Teen Wolf, and why did no-one tell me it starred Dylan O’Brien??? I spent the weekend marathoning Teen Wolf, which I’d never seen before but found immensely addicting, and have a HUGE crush on whipsmart fast-talking Stiles played by Dylan O’Brien.

Gorgeous shots from the VM movie.

One of the best Veronica Mars fan videos I’ve seen, perfectly capturing the essence of the petite private eye dripping in snark and wisecracks

Caffeinated Links: Paul Rudd’s Epic Tonight Show, Rise of Kdramas and Veronica Mars

film & television, this & that February 26, 2014 Leave a comment

This shot to INSTANT lip-sync hall of fame. If you haven’t watched it yet, what are you doing with your life?

The Wall Street Journal on Veronica Mars‘ innovation – “On television, Veronica Mars was a gritty teenage private investigator who wasn’t afraid to break down doors. Now a movie version of the show is about to do the same thing.

“Veronica Mars” will be released by Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Bros. in about 270 theaters on March 14, the same day that it is available to buy or rent online. It will mark the first time one of Hollywood’s six major studios has distributed a movie in theaters and for home viewing at the same time in the U.S.”  RT

The Millions on saving “like”s linguistic reputation – “Where some traditionalists see the use of “like” as a dialog tag as portent of cultural End Times, D’Arcy views it as an important tool for self-expression, allowing speakers to narrate their interior thought processes in dramatic and easily accessible ways.” RT

PRI’s The World on how your next big, addictive TV show could be from Korea. “Last fall, one of South Korea’s leading production companies joined forces with DramaFever to produce their first original series, “Heirs” — already a fan-favorite with 17 million views in just the first three months. The story is about privileged high school students and was filmed largely in California.” RT

Lucy Schwartz, one of my very favorite singer-songwriters, crafted a gorgeous, aching ballad of pain and longing for the TV show Nashville.

Creativist Interview: Irena Freitas

art & illustration February 5, 2014 Leave a comment
irena
Most of you know I am passionate about Veronica Mars. So when a talented illustrator launched the Veronica Mars Project, illustrating a Veronica Mars character once a week leading up to the film release, I knew I had to do a Creativist Interview with her. Irena Freitas is an illustrator in Brazil.

Creativist Interview

Can you tell me a little bit about your background?
I’m from Brazil (to be more specific: Manaus, Amazonas) and double majored in Design and Journalism recently. At the moment I work as a concept artist at games studio called Petit Fabrik.
What is your favorite thing to draw and/or where do you get your inspiration from?
I love drawing characters! Originals or based on my favorites books/ tv shows. And I think it’s safe to say that pop culture is my main source of inspiration.

Veronica/Logan Episode Guide to Veronica Mars

film & television January 15, 2014 1 Comment

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Once upon a time, a petite, snarky loner who moonlights as a private detective meets a fast-talking, troubled bad boy who stopped believing anyone could love him a long time ago. The rest, as they say, is history…or more specifically, sparked one of the longest-running and most dedicated fanbases in television history, heavily contributing to a feature film produced on donated money alone.

Logan and Veronica were one of my original television ships and, recently revisiting them in light of the upcoming film, I fell in mad, intense love all over again. Some things it turns out you don’t grow out of, and even now, years later, I am still taken aback by the sheer perfect setup of this relationship and the off-the-charts chemistry between Kristen Bell and Jason Dohring.

All of which is to say – what are you waiting for to watch this show for the first time, or delve back in for the second? There is wit, sparks, banter, much delicious rescuing of-and-comforting the other in the face of violence and tragedy, and all-around near-perfection.

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