Madam Secretary: Téa Leoni's Best Performance Yet

Snow days have always been one of my favorite things about living in Canada, because every year you can count on them to provide an unexpected (and much needed) break from work and daily life. Today is such a day and, as it looks like the weather will still be the same tomorrow, I wanted to take the time to talk about a TV show since there is nothing better than spending a lovely day at home watching the snow falling, cooking and enjoying great entertainment. Obvious your choice of program is important and I always love shows that are captivating and interesting as well as being funny. As of late, Madam Secretary does it all for me.

The show stars the incredible Téa Leoni as Elizabeth McCord, the American Secretary of State, and lets us explore the inner workings of the State Department as Elizabeth balances diplomacy and international crisis. All the stories focus on very real problem, making the show really believable and interesting because we can relate episode to real events. All the dialogues are intelligent, it feels like the characters know what they are talking about and have relevant things to say, they are not babbling nonsense. That being said, humour has a place in the show and witty and funny lines have their part in every episode.

A special note has to be made for all the stunning sets and locations. The McCord’s home is beautiful and homey, while the State Department’s offices look dignified and filled with history. They also manage to make all the foreign locations look real and I like how they pay a lot of attention to details so there is a lot to see in every scene.

However, what really makes the show for me is Téa Leoni’s performance, she is amazing!! I mean the way she delivers her lines and her composure really give her the credibility required for the role. I mean she could really be the Secretary of State because she is just so believable. Her performance alone is worth watching the show for.

Madam Secretary has a lot to offer to its viewers, a perfect blend of political drama and family dynamics with a dose of fun and engaging storylines. I enjoyed watching season 1 again after getting it on DVD and so far season 2 has been just as good!

Madam Secretary airs Sunday night at 8PM EST on CBS. Season 1 is available on DVD and on iTunes. 

Scorpion: A TV Action Drama Favorite

Cold weather creates the perfect opportunity for some cozy time at home and to me nothing is cozier than a lovely evening with a good TV show. Ever since last fall I haven’t found that many new shows to love, but a returning one has really stepped up its game for me: Scorpion. Season 2 has been amazing so far and it made me want to re-watch season 1 which is actually much better than I remembered!

The show follows a group of geniuses (team Scorpion) who work together as contractors for Homeland Security in the United States. Every episode, you see them put their minds together to solve problems that no one else can figure out. Walter, Toby, Happy and Sylvester might be super smart but they struggle a lot when it comes to emotions and interacting with "normal" people. Thankfully they have the help of Paige, a waitress turned member of the team because she has great people skills. Agent Cabe Gallo works as their government handler and he also serves as a greater father figure to the team.

The dialogues are witty, the intrigues keep you engaged (you never know how they’ll solve the problems) and the cast has great chemistry. Personally what I enjoy the most is seeing all the geniuses try to deal with the emotional aspect of things, it leads to a lot of funny and very sweet moments on the show. Honestly I cannot recommend Scorpion enough, it’s really great! It also happens to be one of the rare shows I actually look forward to seeing every week because I know I’ll be entertained.

You can catch Scorpion Monday night on CBS at 9:00 ET and Season 1 is available on DVD from Amazon. You can also get it on iTunes.

Getting in the Holiday Spirit with The Secret World of Santa

I cannot believe Christmas is only four days away! December has been going by so quickly and the weather is most definitely not Christmassy. It’s actually been quite warm here in Canada and we’ve barely had any snow… All this to say I have been having a hard time getting in the Holiday spirit, but a little Netflix discovery might be the solution to it all. Say hello to The Secret World of Santa.

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This is a French animated series that came out when I was little and I used to watch it every year without fail. It would air every morning in December with a marathon of all the episodes airing on Christmas day. It’s the most amazing and festive show ever! If you speak French then you might recognise it as Le Monde Secret du Père Noël. Every episode follows Santa and his three elves as they get ready for Christmas. The whole series is lovely with cute and funny stories and festive music.    

It honestly brings back so many happy memories and while I think it still airs on TV, I love that I can easily watch it on Netflix this year. If you have kids, are still a kid at heart or are simply looking to get a bit more in the Holiday spirit you have to watch it. As I said, you can catch it on Netflix and I’m assuming it’s available in different countries. You can also get it on DVD from Amazon and it is available on iTunes. Also, if you speak or understand French I highly recommend watching the French version, I just think the voices are much better and it’s a bit more magical that way.

I hope you are all having a wonderful Holiday season. Let me know in the comments below if you have any TV shows or movies you love to watch at this time of the year. 

Austenland: the funniest romantic comedy of all time

In order to get rid of my current writer’s block, I thought a nice little chat about one of my all-time favorite movies would be good. I have always been more of a TV girl to be honest, but some movies just stay with me and I can watch a hundred times without ever getting bored. That is the case with the amazing Austenland, and incredible British-American romantic comedy.

The premise of the story follows Jane, a 30-something woman who is a fan (you could say slightly obsessed) of everything Jane Austen that decides to go on holiday in an immersive Jane Austen themed resort. While the estate is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, it is also full of charming kooky characters. The movie made me laugh like I hadn’t in a long time, it is full of funny moments and while you to get the sweet/romantic scenes, I thought it was heavier on comedy part of a rom-com.

Keri Russell, Jennifer Coolidge and Georgia King are hilarious and the supporting cast really elevates the whole movie, it’s a hoot! I don’t think there was a lot of publicity when the movie came out a few years ago, but it is so worth watching. Yes it is a bit ridiculous at times, but it is in the best way possible and really it is quite charming and heart-warming.

You can watch the trailer here! 

You can find Austenland on DVD on Amazon and it is available on iTunes. I really cannot recommend it more, I am sure you’ll have fun watching it!

Apple TV

I have always been a DVD kind of girl, I just prefer watching shows on TV. I know this seems old school now, but I like being able to physically browse through my collection. To be honest I also hate being on my laptop at night because the light keeps me from falling asleep quickly. That being said I do enjoy Netflix and I know many people like to keep their bedroom/space clutter free. This is when the Apple TV comes in, an Apple product that is not talked about much these days.

Granted this little device is not something everyone needs, if you have a smart TV or Blu-ray player, they can probably do the same thing, however there are still advantages that I love about the Apple TV. Now if your television or Blu-ray player is a bit old (I got mine right before all the “smart” ones came out) they might not have functions like access to Netflix and YouTube. That being said, that does not prevent them from being high-quality and performing well. If you don’t want to update them or they are secondary ones (like in a den or bedroom), having an Apple TV is a great way to get access to loads of fun apps and it is a lot less expensive.

The other thing that sold me on it is that you can use it to access all the content you have purchased on iTunes so you can stream your movies, music and shows on your TV. It is very quick and convenient and you can also rent movies right from your living room.

Lastly, as usual with Apple, the design is quite sleek and does not take up a lot of space. Also you only need an HDMI cable and the power cable to make it work: meaning you won’t end up with a tangle of cords.

I know Apple TVs are by no means new, but they are a great product that does not get a lot of buzz. If you are interested, you can read more about it here and it is available from the Apple website and Apple stores.

Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast

We could all use a little bit more magic in our lives and I think that connecting with our child’s spirit is the best way to do that. That connection is all about remembering the excitement we felt about the little things when we were younger. For me the excitement usually comes around Christmas time and whenever I watch animated movies. Now, Christmas is still a few months away, but that also means there is no better time to be watching Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast.

I plan on talking about the whole Disney Fairies/Tinker Bell Movie franchise in a later post because it is one of my favorites, but I thought the latest installment would be a good place to start. It has quite a special story. For the first time Fawn (an animal fairy) is the main character and we follow her as she discovers a strange creature and tries to understand and befriend him. The rest of the fairies are not so sure about the beast, so as they try to capture him, Fawn and her friends come together to save him.

This is a beautiful story about learning the important of not judging others and how we should try to really get to know people before passing judgements. Personally I feel like all the Tinker Bell movies teach such great morals and are truly perfect for kids. That being said, as an adult, I really enjoy them as well because they are beautiful to watch and the stories are always very heartwarming. Also the fairy magic in them always brings me back to when I was younger, I would have loved those movies.

Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast has a great message to teach us all, but that does not stop it from being very funny and cute. The ending is quite abrupt (not that it’s bad), but kids might be surprised to see it end the way it does because you expect to see more. I did shed a few tears, but I would not call it a sad movie, it is just very touching because the relationship between Fawn and the NeverBeast feels very real.

You can get Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast on DVD from Amazon and other major retailers. It is also available on iTunes and Netflix is you prefer a digital format. 

Covert Affairs

Last summer, I slightly dislocated my hip which meant I couldn’t do much for about a month. This led to some intense marathon viewing of different TV shows. At some point though, I ran out of things to watch and was thoroughly bored until I discovered Covert Affairs. While I couldn’t do any physical activity, this show got my heart pumping.

This is a spy show that follows Annie Walker a new CIA operative, as she discovers what it’s like to work in the field. As far as spy shows go, I was really surprised by how realistic it was, the stories were engaging but never too farfetched. There’s a ton of action so it’s never boring and there’s plenty of laughter (especially in the first seasons) because the show’s writers know how to be funny and incorporate it into the world. The cast does a great job at being credible and the chemistry between them all is great. Piper Perabo and Christopher Gorham were real show stealers for me with their incredible performances.

Another thing that I loved is that they shot several episodes abroad, so many of the exotics locations on the show were actually filmed in the real countries. I always appreciate when shows do this as it adds realism to the story and it is beautiful to see on screen. Covert Affairs has fewer episodes per seasons than your average TV show, however it compensates with beautiful locations and stunning visual effects.

If you are looking for new entertainment, I say give Covert Affairs a ago, it’s not girly but it’s not a guys only show either so everyone can enjoy it. The series concluded its final season last year so you can get all five seasons on DVD from Amazon (or any DVD stores), buy it on iTunes or watch up to season four on Netflix. 

Workout Playlist June 2015

I have been trying to get back into my regular workout routine for a while now, but it’s been harder than I expected. I prefer working out in the evening but recently I have felt too tired after work to get myself to the gym. In order to boost my motivation, I have been updating my gym playlist and I thought I could share with you some of my favorite songs of the moment. Maybe they’ll get you in the mood to be more active or to add something new to your own playlists. 

You can watch all the music videos in the links below and all the songs are available on iTunes.

- Maroon 5: Sugar (here)

- Kara: Mamma Mia 맘마미아 (here)

- Girl’s Generation: Catch Me if You Can (here)

- Zedd: Find You (feat. Matthew Koma & Miriam Bryant) (here)

- One Direction: Where Do Broken Hearts Go (here)

Grey's Anatomy

I love television. In fact, love is probably not strong enough to describe how passionate I am about it. Nonetheless, some TV shows leave a more lasting impression than others. The 11th season of Grey’s Anatomy ended two weeks ago and now that the dust has settled, I thought I would share with you my thoughts on a series that is very dear to me.

I discovered Grey’s Anatomy when it was in its fourth season, and started watching season three after a friend recommended it. I still have her note explaining who the characters were because I hadn’t watched the first two seasons. I instantly fell in love with, so much so that as soon as I finished the DVD I had borrowed, I begged my mom to take me to the store so I could get the entire season. Waiting a whole weekend to see what happened next was just not an option.

The premise of the show is that it follows the lives of new surgical residents in a Seattle hospital. Through both their patients and glimpses of their personal lives, you learn and start caring for all the doctors. Life can be complicated but following Meredith Grey can put everything in perspective. I also found all the medical content interesting and as a native French speaker, Grey’s Anatomy greatly helped me improve my English and learn words that were not thought in English class.

I have always been fascinated by biology and so, I wish I had discovered the show earlier because it might have given me the extra push to become a doctor. I heard that quite a few people decided to go to medical school after watching it and I can see why, even though it is far from easy it also seems incredibly gratifying and interesting (you always have to keep learning). For me though, I felt like it was a bit too late to make changes to my school schedule, but had I had that push/motivation before, I would have focused more in math class.

Something else worth mentioning is the music used in the series, it is very unique. You can usually recognize the show simply by hearing its soundtrack because they only use a certain style of songs. You might discover new and less mainstream artists which is always nice.

Even though the more recent seasons of Grey’s Anatomy are not as good as they used to be, it still worth watching if only for those first seasons alone. It is one of those rare television series that will make you laugh and cry and change your perspective on things. I for one, feel much more comfortable being in a hospital (not as a patient) and actually find them calming in a strange way. They feel familiar so I don’t get nervous like other visitors might, because I have a better understanding of how things work there.

You can get Grey’s Anatomy on DVD on Amazon and in stores, 10 seasons are currently available and you can stream them all on Netflix or get them on iTunes. 

Veep: My Favorite Political Comedy

Tonight is going to be great one in the television world. The fifth season of Game of Thrones is premiering and everyone, myself included, is super excited to go back to Westeros. That incredible phenomenon of a show aside, today also marks the return of my favorite on screen politician: Selina Meyer. Veep is coming back for its fourth season and I could not be more excited.

If you are not familiar with the show, the story follows the life of Selina Meyer the Vice President of the United States and her staff as they navigate daily life and the political world. The entire cast is hilarious but Julia Louis-Dreyfus steals the show for me, her performance and charisma cannot be matched. Her character is a character itself on the show, she can be awkward and sometimes self-centred but I find that, balanced the other actors, it all makes for good fun. Tony Hale as the VP’s personal aid also deserves a special mention because he is so endearing as well as funny and his relationship with the Veep is unlike any other.

This is by far one of my favorite TV show and seeing it return for a new season brings me a lot of happiness. It always manages to make me laugh by turning serious situations and settings into something slightly ridiculous. They just take everything so seriously that you cannot help but laugh. I already had a fun-filled marathon of the past 3 seasons so I am all ready for the premiere.

You can catch the season premiere of Veep tonight on HBO and you can easily catch up on past seasons as they are all available on DVD and on iTunes. 

The Royals

E! premiered a new TV show this week called The Royals, the story follow the lives of the (fictional) English royal family. It reminds me of Gossip Girl, but set in England and I have to say I really enjoyed the first episode. With the Pretty Little Liars season finale coming soon I’m glad I have something new and entertaining to watch.

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The Royals has plenty of drama and the cast is great with actors like Elizabeth Hurley (Gossip Girl), William Moseley (The Chronicles of Narnia) and the endearing Vincent Reagan. More than the story itself, I loved the sets and locations of the show with the stunning Blenheim Palace serving as the royal residence. Having visited Blenheim Palace when I lived in Oxford, this show is nostalgic to me and I can’t wait to see more places I’ve visited on the screen. 

You can catch The Royals on E! Sunday nights at 10:00 and you can also currently download the first episode of the season for free on iTunes. Watch the trailer here.