Author: gettingthroughanxiety

B.W. Ginsburg has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. Her favorite authors include: Harlan Coben, James Patterson, and John Saul. B.W. Ginsburg published her first book, Rest in Piece, in October 2016. In addition to writing fiction, Ginsburg also writes about mental health. In her spare time, she can be found blogging, watching TV, and listening to music. B.W. Ginsburg graduated college with a B.A. in Arts; she majored in English and minored in writing.

Ginny and Georgia

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I first heard about Ginny and Georgia when I was scrolling through an article about the newest shows on Netflix. The first thing that caught my attention in the summary was the comparison made to Gilmore Girls. The show even has a scene where Georgia compares herself and her daughter to the women from Stars Hollow. Except, Georgia claims that they have bigger boobs than Lorelei and Rory.

Let me tell you something, bigger breasts is not where the differences end with the four characters or the show in general. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t expect Ginny and Georgia to be exactly like Gilmore Girls (I wasn’t sure it would be like it all, for that matter), but I was hoping that it would be more like it than not. Boy, was I wrong.

First of all, the only similarity I really see between Gilmore Girls and Ginny and Georgia is that both Lorelai and Georgia had their daughters when they were young. While Lorelai had good grades when younger, Georgia was more rebellious; often found running with the wrong crowd and getting into trouble – even more serious trouble than getting pregnant. I won’t give out too much information, but let’s just say that as far as I know, Lorelai never held a gun as a teenager.

Now let’s compare – or rather not compare – Ginny with Rory. While both girls are smart, Ginny is often seen following the crowd. In the first couple of episodes, it portrays Ginny as someone who is strong and independent. Soon enough though, we see that Georgia hits the nail on the head when she describes Ginny as a ‘stereotypical, angsty teen girl’. Ginny, unlike Rory, is constantly complaining about her mother and really, her entire life.

Don’t get me wrong, things are hard for Ginny. Again, I won’t give too much away. When it comes to things being hard, I also get that teens can have it rough. We all have times of difficulty and we all struggle sometimes. Still, I feel like the show portrays every single teenager as riddled with issues, secrets, and overall depression. Not every teen has an awful life. Not every teenager is depressed or hiding some big, dark secret.

Let’s continue talking about the show in general, and not just in comparison to Gilmore Girls. In general, the show is okay. I didn’t think this is how it would turn out, but I find myself way more interested in how things turn out for Georgia than I do for Ginny. I also, unexpectedly, like Georgia better. Yes, she does and did things in her past and present I don’t always approve of, but she’s a more interesting, rounded character. She’s fun to watch and oftentimes, she’s funny and full of spunk. I find myself often annoyed with Ginny. While Georgia can be manipulative and full of hidden agendas, she is who she is. Ginny is hypocritical and oftentimes rude.

Before I conclude this review, I want to mention the character of Austin. The summary I read made it like the show was mostly about Ginny and Georgia, mother and daughter. While perhaps true, there is a son and brother in the picture. This is yet another way the show differs from the dramedy that is Gilmore Girls.

Again, whether comparing the show to GIlmore Girls or not, I find it filled with some substantial annoyances. From stereotypical teen portrayals to some highly annoying character traits, Ginny and Georgia is a show that while decent, definitely lacks something special. 

All in all, I give the drama a B-. Some of the characters and plots are entertaining, but some things are way too typical and cliche. If the show returns for a second season, I’m not sure I’ll be watching.

Jane the Virgin

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This is the second time that I watched a show after a friend’s recommendation and absolutely fell in love with it. As with Supernatural, I wasn’t sure Jane the Virgin would be my cup of tea. I’m happy to say that I was wrong. The show has brought me to both laughter and tears and never disappointed.

Written and created in telenovela format, the show is full of twists and turns. It toys with your emotions in a good way and makes you crave more. The characters are phenomenal and the plot is both touching and hilarious. While you might expect the unrealistic parts of the show to be annoying, it actually makes the series even more enjoyable.

Not only is Jane the Virgin hilarious and heart breaking all at once, but it’s utterly creative. The creativity added to the enjoyment and never stopped delivering.

I think my favorite thing about the show was the narration. Anthony Mendez had me cracking up more times than I could count. He definitely made the show the funniest series I’ve seen in a while.

Another aspect of Jane the Virgin that I enjoyed so much was how truly touching it was. As some of you may know, I’m not one to get overly emotional when it comes to watching – or reading – fiction. In fact, other than Gilmore Girls, there aren’t many shows that have brought me to tears. While I wouldn’t say I ever cried while watching Jane the Virgin, there were definitely scenes and plot lines that tugged at my heartstrings.

One last thing I’d like to talk about is the connection between family in this show. While other shows (such as Supernatural) claim to focus on the family dynamic, I really feel that Jane the Virgin does. Sure, there is humor and at times, outrageous stories being told, but underneath it all, the show is clearly about the love of family.

Jane the Virgin is a series that truly has it all. It contains serious issues, comical plot lines, love stories, and a plethora of enjoyable tosses and turns. It’s about life, death, and the crazy journey in between!

I give Jane the Virgin an A.

The Haunting Of Bly Manner

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So, The Haunting of Bly Manner. Where to start? Let’s start with the beginning. I liked it and I loved how a few actors returned from The Haunting of Hill House. I especially loved Victoria Pedretti who displayed a much more memorable appearance than in The Haunting of Hill House.

While overall, the show was okay, things got wacky around episode 5. I actually had to go back and read the description of the episode to fully comprehend what was going on. As a good friend of mine mentioned, I think the show goes a bit long. I also feel that some episodes are a bit too discombobulated. So much so, that it takes away from some of the enjoyment of the show.

When it comes to the characters in the show, I really liked them. The same goes for the plot. The underlying problem is how complicated things get and how, While creative at times, sometimes I think things are taken a bit too far and too much is going on. Too much is packed into one season.

I am honestly struggling with grading The Haunting of Bly Manner. It’s a good show, but can be a bit headache inducing. Therefore, in the end, I’m going to give the show a C+. 

The Haunting Of Hill House

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The following is a review for the first season of The Haunting of Hill House. This is not a review for The Haunting of Bly Manner.

As I kept hearing about The Haunting of Hill House and was searching for something new to watch on Netflix, I decided to give the horror show a chance. At first I thought that I might not like it, as I thought it might be meant for a more young adult audience. Soon, however, I was hooked.

It literally only took me a few days to watch the entire first season of The Haunting of Hill House. While I’m usually not crazy about the way some shows go back and forth (from past to present and from one character’s view to the next), I actually learned to kind of appreciate the style. At least, it seemed to work in this case.

Something I loved about Hill House was the way the show dove into each character’s personality and story. The way we learned about the characters as both kids and adults was truly phenomenal. 

The actors in the show were also great. They each brought life to the characters in countless ways. Among my favorites were Carla Gugino (Spin City, Gerald’s Game) as the matriarch, Olivia Crain, and Kate Siegel (Gerald’s Game) as one of the sisters, Theodora Crain. While all of the actors were great, I have to say that Gugino and Siegel were phenomenal.

Let’s take some time now to talk about the horror of The Haunting of Hill House. The show was definitely creepy. It wasn’t all about the ghosts and monsters though, but also about the creativity of it all. The ideas and planning that went into this show were truly amazing. Just by watching, one can tell how much thought went into connecting the pieces of this horrific puzzle of a show.

I give this show an A-. It contained excellent acting, a great plot, and was creepy. A perfect treat for the Halloween season!

Glitch

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Upon searching for something to watch on Netflix, I came across the Australian TV show, Glitch. The premise interested me and so I began to watch. Right away I was intrigued and quickly found that the show was great at not only developing characters, but keeping its viewers constantly riveted as well.

Glitch managed to do something quite rare in TV today. It established a deep understanding and backstory for its characters and, in my opinion, left the viewer satisfied at the end. While I did read various reviews stating that season 3 was a let down, I couldn’t disagree more.

Another aspect of Glitch that I loved were the tosses and turns. While some of the turns were ones I wasn’t always immediately happy with right away, I did find myself slowly getting over the initial shock and hesitation to enjoy them.

My only real complaint about the show is that, sometimes, it was a bit hard to follow. Also, a few of the scientific concepts were lost on me. The back and forth of the show could admittedly be a bit much at times.

Overall, however, I found Glitch to be quite phenomenal. The last episode in particular blew me away. If you’re interested in a show that will make you think and at the same time, put you on the edge of your seat, then Glitch is a must-see. 

I give Glitch a grade of a B+.

Away

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A couple of weeks ago, I finished watching the first season of Netflix’s Away. The show stars Hilary Swank, Josh Charles, Vivian Wu, Mark Ivanir, Ray Panthaki, and Ato Essandoh. The show also includes Talitha Bateman and Monique Curnen. Away is about five astronauts who set on a turbulent journey to Mars.

In a galaxy of shows that are often filled unnecessarily with fowl language and over the top sex scenes, it is nice to know that pure creativity exists. Away is a phenomenal show that relies purely on good acting and a thought-provoking plot. While I admit that I do watch shows that sometimes contain gore, swear words, and sex scenes, Away is a much welcomed break from it all.

One of the best attributes of Away is the stellar acting skills. Hillary Swank is marvelous as the commander of the spaceship, demonstrating the hardships of being both in charge of a crew and being a mother and wife separated from her family. Josh Charles plays a devoted and concerned husband and father, all while battling his own obstacles. Vivian Wu, Mark Ivanir, Ray Panthaki, and Ato Essandoh all bring to the table their individual talents and skills as performers. Lastly, Talitha Bateman, Monique Curnen, and the rest of the cast play their parts wonderfully, making Away a captivating must-see show.

I don’t find myself in tears much when watching things or reading books, but I did shed some tears at times while viewing Away. I’m definitely looking forward to a second season. I give this movie a grade of an A+.

Love, Guaranteed

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I recently had the pleasure of watching the movie, Love, Guaranteed on Netflix. The movie stars Rachel Leigh Cook and Damon Wayans Jr.

I wasn’t honestly sure I’d like this movie. While I am a fan of Romantic Comedies, there is always the possibility that they will be a bit too cheesy. However, I found that Love, Guaranteed was sweet without being too corny or obnoxious.

Another thing I wasn’t sure of was if I thought Cook’s Susan Whitaker and Wayan’s Nick Evans had enough chemistry. As the movie moved on though, I found that the two actors and characters were a pretty good match. The character of Susan Whitaker was down to earth and passionate and Wayans’s Nick Evans was kind and charming. They made the perfect team.

Another great thing about the movie were the co-stars. They were funny and added to the enjoyment of the movie.

I give Love, Guaranteed a B.

Hereafter

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Last night, I watched the movie Hereafter for about the third time. While I had seen the film before, I admit that I hadn’t remembered a lot of the details. After watching it again, I decided to write a review.

I have to say that I think the movie is good. While not the happiest, it is very thought-provoking and I like the characters. I think that Matt Damon portrays George Lonegan very well. Frankie and George McLaren are also excellent in the movie, along with Cecile de France and other A-list actors and actresses.

While I find the movie interesting and while the plot is one that certainly holds my attention, I’m not overly fond of the ending. Don’t get me wrong, there are various things I like about how things end up, but I wanted (and expected) much more. The ending definitely left me saying, “That’s it?”. I kept waiting for something to happen that never did. I kept waiting for more. Therefore, unfortunately, I find myself slightly disappointed with the ending. I feel like the movie ended far too abruptly, not giving me as the viewer what I wanted to see.

I give this movie a B. I really like it, but I feel like the ending was a bit rushed and not up to my full expectations. 

The Accidental Husband

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Tonight, I had the pleasure of watching The Accidental Husband, starring Uma Thurman (The Producers) and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Supernatural).

The movie begins with Emma (Thurman) giving advice to Patrick’s fiancé, thereby making her reconsider marrying the fireman. Patrick (Morgan) decides to get his revenge by making Emma’s life a living hell, complicating her own engagement. Before both Emma and Patrick realize what’s going on, they find each other falling for one another. 

There were many reasons that I find myself really enjoying this movie. For starters, the cast is wonderful. I especially loved the chemistry between Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Uma Thurman. It’s interesting because Thurman’s Emma is more polished and sophisticated whereas Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Patrick is more laid back and at times, immature. Still, they work wonderfully together!

Another great thing about the movie is just how funny it is and how well everything flows. I can honestly say there wasn’t a scene in the movie I didn’t enjoy. I found The Accidental Husband to be one of the better romantic comedies I’ve seen in a while. While the ending may have been predictable, it still managed to stay fresh. 

All in all, I give The Accidental Husband an 8/10. I definitely recommend it for those who love a good romantic comedy!

Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life

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Hi all!

If you read my review for Gilmore Girls, then you probably noticed that other than a few issues, I really love the show. However, when it comes to Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life, I have a totally opposite opinion. Instead of only disliking a few things, I only like a few things.

Right from the beginning of Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life, it’s clear that Alexis Bledel has lost the ability to play Rory’s character like she once did. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. I understand that it may not be Bledel’s fault that her voice no longer sounds the same, but I do think the fact that she no longer has the same ability for witty banter says something about her as a performer. Right away, something seems off. The reprising of Rory’s character seems extremely forced. It definitely seems like Bledel is trying way too hard to recapture something long gone.

Speaking of Rory’s character, she just seems to get worse and worse. The decisions she makes, especially when it comes to her personal life, are ones that I think young Rory would be ashamed of to no end. I know many articles claim that the point of Rory turning out how she does is to show how life comes full circle, but to me, it makes me feel like it’s sending a much more negative message – that a daughter can’t escape a mother’s errors in judgement. Lorelai wanted a better life for Rory. Rory seemed to have such a promising future once and hated some of the poor decisions that Lorelai made. Yet, in the end, Rory seems to make decisions that are far worse.

I will say, however, that for the most part, Lauren Graham still plays the part of Lorelai quite well. She still has the sarcasm, wit, and fast talking personality that made her character so lovable in the first place.

A major problem I have with the reprisal of Gilmore Girls is that so much of it seems awkward and like Rory’s character, forced. It doesn’t seem to come naturally like it once did. Also, way too much time is spent on trivial things that instead of adding humor, add frustration. I mean, what was with the obsession over the musical? The only good part of that whole scene was how insane Lorelai thought it all was. Oh, and it was nice to hear you-know-who sing for a quick moment there.

I am not going to give out any spoilers for Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life, but there are three events that take place that I think are the only really good reasons to watch the show. Also, since this continuation of the original show is technically part of it, I guess it’s nice to watch for true closure. Other than that, I find it fairly annoying at times. Plus, I didn’t think the ending to the original Gilmore Girls was all that bad. It was kind of nice actually. We could imagine what would happen with all of the characters. Sometimes it’s better to have an ending that gives enough away, without everything. Sometimes everything becomes too much if done wrong.

The show was separated into the four months of the year. I honestly think that with a few more things added, the show could have just used the ‘Fall’ portion and scrapped the rest of the year. 

I hate to say this, but I think I have to give Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life a C or C-. The feel of the show was awkward and unnatural, Rory’s character was unlikable and in many ways, unrecognizable in terms of her personality, and much of the show was unnecessary.