grassmonk.net

September

Books

• The Hunger Games

Movies

• Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
• The Lorax
• Ernest Goes to Jail
• Ernest Rides Again
• From Up on Poppy Hill
• The Fugitive
• G.I. Joe: Retaliation
• Mary Poppins
• Oblivion
• The Sword in the Stone

TV

• Angel – 14 episodes
• Batman: The Animated Series: 23 episodes
• The Big Bang Theory – 1 episode
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine – 2 episodes
• Castle – 1 episode
• Dexter – 3 episodes
• Firefly – 8 episodes
• Major Crimes – 11 episodes
• Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – 1 episode
• The Mentalist – 1 episode
• Star Trek – 30 episodes
• Tiny Toon Adventures – 22 episodes

October

Books

• Catching Fire
• Mockingjay

Movies

• The Avengers
• Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
• The Bourne Identity
• The Bourne Supremacy
• The Bourne Ultimatum
• Done the Impossible
• Ernest in the Army
• Ernest Scared Stupid
• Iron Man
• Iron Man 2
• Iron Man 3
• (500) Days of Summer
• Groundhog Day
• The Little Mermaid
• The Man Who Knew Too Little
• The Matrix
• The Matrix Reloaded
• The Matrix Revolutions
• Much Ado About Nothing
• Return to Never Land
• Serenity
• Sleeping Beauty
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
• Superman
• Superman II
• Superman III
• Superman Returns
• What About Bob?
• World War Z

TV

• Batman: The Animated Series – 20 episodes
• The Big Bang Theory – 5 episodes
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine – 4 episodes
• Castle – 4 episodes
• Firefly – 6 episodes
• Homeland – 5 episodes
• Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – 4 episodes
• The Mentalist – 4 episodes
• Star Trek – 5 episodes
• Superman Famous Studios Shorts – 8 shorts
• Superman Fleischer Shorts – 9 shorts
• Tiny Toon Adventures – 20 episodes

November

Movies

• Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
• Almost Heroes
• Batman Begins
• Clear and Present Danger
• The Dark Knight
• The Dark Knight Rises
• Ender’s Game
• Ernest Goes to Camp
• The Heat
• Inception
• The Invincible Iron Man
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
• Monsters, Inc.
• Monsters University
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
• Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
• Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
• Star Trek
• Star Trek Into Darkness
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Thor: Tales of Asgard
• Thor: The Dark World
• Throw Momma From the Train
• Transporter 2
• UHF

TV

• The Big Bang Theory – 3 episodes
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine – 4 episodes
• Castle – 3 episodes
• Homeland – 4 episodes
• Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – 1 episode
• The Mentalist – 3 episodes
• Star Trek – 45 episodes
• Tiny Toon Adventures – 40 episodes

Video Games

• New Super Mario Bros. Wii
• Super Mario Bros. 3
• Super Mario World

December

Movies

• About a Boy
• Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
• Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
• Batman
• Elf
• Ernest Saves Christmas
• Frozen
• Galaxy Quest
• Ghostbusters
• Gone in 60 Seconds
• The Great Muppet Caper
• The Hobbit
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• Home Alone
• Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
• Hot Rod
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• The Hunger Games
• The Island
• Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
• LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Superheroes Unite
• Liar Liar
• The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning
• Live Free or Die Hard
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• Love Actually
• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• Muppet Treasure Island
• R.I.P.D.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Turtles in Time
• The Way Way Back
• The Wizard of Oz
• The Wolverine

TV

• Batman: The Animated Series – 24 episodes
• The Big Bang Theory – 2 episodes
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine – 1 episode
• Castle – 2 episodes
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Homeland – 3 episodes
• It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown
• Justice League – 1 episode
• Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – 3 episodes
• Major Crimes – 6 episodes
• The Mentalist – 2 episodes
• Superman: The Animated Series – 48 episodes

May

Movies

• Alice in Wonderland
• Bolt
• Howl’s Moving Castle
• Hulk vs
• Iron Man 3
• My Neighbor Totoro
• Shrek
• Shrek 2
• Star Trek
• Star Trek Into Darkness
• Superman: Unbound

TV

• Angel – 11 episodes
• Arrested Development – 46 episodes
• The Big Bang Theory – 3 episodes
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer – 11 episodes
• Castle – 8 episodes
• The Mentalist – 3 episodes
• The Office – 5 episodes

June

Movies

• The Black Cauldron
• Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
• Hercules
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• Jack Reacher
• Man of Steel
• Planet Hulk
• Super
• Tarzan
• Warm Bodies
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

TV

• Angel – 14 episodes
• Animaniacs – 5 episodes
• Arrested Development – 22 episodes
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer – 11 episodes
• TaleSpin – 2 episodes

July

Movies

• Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
• Despicable Me 2
• A Good Day to Die Hard
• The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
• Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
• Spider-Man
• Spider-Man 2
• Spider-Man 3

TV

• Angel – 22 episodes
• Animaniacs – 17 episodes
• Batman: The Animated Series – 27 episodes
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer – 25 episodes
• Dexter – 5 episodes
• Transformers: Prime – 1 episode
• X-Men: Evolution – 1 episode

August

Movies

• The Amazing Spider-Man
• Atlantis: The Lost Empire
• Atlantis: Milo’s Return
• Beautiful Creatures
• The Emperor’s New Groove
• Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
• The Fox and the Hound
• The Fox and the Hound 2
• Kronk’s New Groove
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame II
• Lilo & Stitch
• Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Monsters University
• Oliver & Company
• The Princess Diaries
• The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
• Robin Hood
• Twilight
• The Twilight Saga: New Moon
• The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part Two
• X-Men
• X2: X-Men United
• X-Men: The Last Stand
• X-Men Origins: Wolverine

TV

• Angel – 8 episodes
• Batman: The Animated Series – 3 episodes
• Dexter – 4 episodes
• Orange Is the New Black – 1 episode
• TaleSpin – 2 episodes
• Tiny Toon Adventures – 16 episodes

January

Books

• Crossroads of Twilight
• Knife of Dreams
• The Gathering Storm
• Towers of Midnight
• A Memory of Light

Movies

• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1
• Finding Nemo
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• Looper
• Winnie the Pooh

TV

• The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – 12 episodes
• The Big Bang Theory – 2 episodes
• Big Love – 30 episodes
• Fringe – 3 episodes
• The Office – 3 episodes
• 30 Rock – 3 episodes
• Ultimate Spider-Man – 1 episode

February

Books

• Ender’s Game

Movies

• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2
• 007: Casino Royale
• 007: Quantum of Solace
• 007: Skyfall
• The Bourne Legacy
• Friends With Benefits
• Peter Pan
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
• Total Recall

TV

• Batman: The Animated Series – 2 episodes
• The Big Bang Theory – 2 episodes
• Big Love – 22 episodes
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer – 34 episodes
• Castle – 3 episodes
• The Mentalist – 4 episodes
• The Office – 4 episodes
• Phineas and Ferb – 1 episode
• 30 Rock – 2 episodes
• Ultimate Spider-Man – 2 episodes

Video Games

• LEGO Lord of the Rings
• LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean

March

Movies

• The Aristocats
• Brother Bear
• Enchanted
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame
• Meet the Robinsons
• Mulan
• Oliver & Company
• Pixar Short Films Collection Volume 1
• Pixar Short Films Collection Volume 2
• Treasure Planet
• Wreck-It Ralph

TV

• Angel – 17 episodes
• Animaniacs – 9 episodes
• Batman: The Animated Series – 4 episodes
• The Big Bang Theory – 4 episodes
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer – 40 episodes
• Castle – 4 episodes
• The Mentalist – 3 episodes
• The Office – 1 episode

April

Movies

• Argo
• Brother Bear 2
• Chain Reaction
• The Lion King
• Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

TV

• Angel – 24 episodes
• Animaniacs – 18 episodes
• Batman: The Animated Series – 3 episodes
• The Big Bang Theory – 2 episodes
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer – 23 episodes
• The Mentalist – 2 episodes
• The Office – 3 episodes

Amazingly enough, I updated in a timely fashion.  Hooray me!

November

Books

• The Dragon Reborn
• The Shadow Rising
• The Fires of Heaven
• New Spring

Movies

• The Amazing Spider-Man
• Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
• 007: Skyfall
• Brave
• Cinderella
• The Great Mouse Detective
• The Kid
• Pocahontas

TV

• The Big Bang Theory – 4 episodes
• Castle – 4 episodes
• Dexter – 4 episodes
• Fringe – 3 episodes
• Homeland – 4 episodes
• Jim Gaffigan: Mr Universe
• The Mentalist – 4 episodes
• The Office – 3 episodes
• 30 Rock – 2 episodes

Video Games

• Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

December

Books

• Lord of Chaos
• A Crown of Swords
• The Path of Daggers
• Winter’s Heart

Movies

• The Dark Knight Rises
• Elf
• Ernest Saves Christmas
• Home Alone
• Men in Black 3
• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• Pete’s Dragon

TV

• The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – 14 episodes
• The Big Bang Theory – 2 episodes
• Big Love – 1 episode
• Castle – 2 episodes
• Dexter – 3 episodes
• Fringe – 3 episodes
• Homeland – 3 episodes
• Jim Gaffigan – Beyond the Pale
• The Mentalist – 1 episode
• The Office – 1 episode
• Phineas and Ferb – 3 episodes
• 30 Rock – 2 episodes

Video Games

• New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Here are my favorite movies of 2012 (and 2011, where I didn’t manage to watch them then), in no particular order, except the order that I am typing them up in, etc.  I haven’t see The Hobbit yet; I am a stranger to myself.

– My favorites –

The Amazing Spider-Man

I liked the Tobey Maguire Spidey films.  I have no beef with them, even with Spider-Man 3.  I am equally a fan of Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man.  The tones of the two different takes on the franchise are different enough that I think a direct comparison is unfair.  I can just like them both and leave it at that.  Also, I think Emma Stone is much more fun to watch than Kirsten Dunst.  I saw this one theatrically.

The Avengers

Joss Whedon, you can do very little wrong.  That is all. (Also, Hulk smash.)

007: Skyfall

This may be one of my favorite 007 movies (though that’s not really a hard list to top, I guess; it probably is anathema to Bond fands that Timothy Dalton is my favorite Bond after Daniel Craig).  I have really enjoyed all three of the Daniel Craig Bond films, and this most recent had the bonus of having Albert Finney in a supporting role.  Having watched Big Fish a few months prior just made me smile at his appearance.  This film had the rare distinction of my seeing it opening day, which it really ought to feel good about.

The Dark Knight Rises

I can’t say whether I liked The Avengers or The Dark Knight Rises more; they’re just too different.  Despite its flaws, I enjoyed this film immensely.  The cast was perfect, Catwoman wasn’t silly, and I think it provided a fitting ending to the trilogy.  I also saw this one theatrically.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

This is technically from 2011, I guess, but it was probably my favorite of the MI movies, up there with 3.

The Muppets

Also from 2011, this was very very surprising to me in how much I liked it.  I bought the Blu-ray combo pack that came with the soundtrack and my children listened to it a lot, and it didn’t bother me.  This is probably my favorite Muppet movie, except for The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Superman vs. the Elite

The second of the 3 direct-to-DVD DC movies of 2012, it was by far my favorite.  It may be my favorite of all the DC Universe series.  After watching it, I remember thinking, “That is why I love Superman.” I even found a way to bring it up in a church lesson.  The note left for Lois that said, “Always believe.” and the resolution afterward: awesome.

– Other movies I enjoyed –

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1

DC’s third direct-to-DVD movie of the year.  I liked it, as with most things Batman, and am eagerly waiting for part 2 at the end of January.

Brave

Pixar, you can do little wrong.  This was the annual daddy-daughter princess movie.  We both liked it a lot, and Scottish accents are awesome.

The Cabin in the Woods

Joss Whedon, you can do little wrong.  I am not a horror fan at all, and so the only reasons I watched this movie were because of Joss Whedon’s name and a few of the actors (specifically Fran Kranz, Chris Hemsworth, and Amy Acker).  I throughly enjoyed it, though I would not want to watch it again.  Too bloody.

Justice League: Doom

DC’s first direct-to-DVD movie of the year, this had a lot of the Justice League TV show cast back in their roles, with the addition of Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern.  How can that not be awesome?

Kung Fu Panda 2

From 2011.  I don’t remember the plot right now, but it was fun.

Puss in Boots

From 2011.  Antonio Banderas’ Puss in Boots was one of the highlights of the later Shrek films.  His own entry in the franchise was definitely better than some of the Shrek films, too. Especially Shrek 3.

Rango

From 2011.  I watched this with the kids on Netflix, on a whim.  It was fantasically quirky and funny.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

From 2011.  Having never seen any of the original Apes movies, and having been appalled and outraged at the 2001 Tim Burton movie (though I can’t remember specifically why), I didn’t really expect to like this film.  It got good reviews and I gave it a shot and really really liked it.  Andy Serkis is awesome.

– Movies that made me say “meh” –

Cowboys and Aliens

I had hopes for this movie.  Daniel Craig? Check. Harrison Ford? Check. Olivia Wilde? She wasn’t bad on House M.D. Was anyone else in the movie?  I can’t remember, but it was very lackluster.  I really hoped for more.

– 2012 movies I haven’t seen yet that I hope are good, or at least not terrible –

The Bourne Legacy

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Looper

Total Recall

Wreck-It Ralph

– Movies that made me say “Why on earth did I watch this?” –

I don’t have anything to list here.  Maybe that means my discernment is getting better.  Ha ha ha ha ha, yeah right.