20s Movie Review - The Silencing

Director: Robin Pront
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Mystery/ Thriller
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 2020
Starring: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Annabelle Wallis, Zahn McClarnon, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Jason Jazrawy, Melanie Srofano, Charlotte Lindsay Marrow

Description: A reformed hunter (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) living in isolation on a wildlife sanctuary becomes involved in a deadly game of cat and mouse when he and the local Sheriff (Annabelle Wallis) set out to track a vicious killer who may have kidnapped his daughter years ago.

Review: Rayburn Swanson lives alone on a wildlife sanctuary. After his daughter disappeared 4 years ago, he lives a life of solitude and protects the area. When a mysterious killer appears in this sanctuary, he and the local Sheriff try to figure out who he is and if he might have been involved in his daughter’s disappearance.

The setting is perfect for a thriller like this, somewhere in the chilly woods in northern US. The film is nowhere remarkable or original, but it’s engaging and suspenseful and I don’t get all the negative reviews this film is getting.

The script aims higher then a no-nonsense and taut thriller about the search for a killer. Director Robin Pront gives the characters more depth increase dramatic potential. And that’s successful for most part. The Sheriff dealing with a moral dilemma, Rayburn’s personal demons.

The film is somewhat predictable, but overall it’s a pretty solid thriller that I really enjoyed and kept me engaged the full runtime.

Rating: 3/ 5

Movie Review - Against the Ice

Director: Peter Flinth
Genre: Drama/ Adventure
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Joe Cole, Charles Dance

Description: In 1909, two explorers (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Joe Cole) fight to survive after theu’re left behind while on a Denmark expedition in ice-covered Greenland.

Review: More than a century ago we had mapped most of our planet. Only of the most inhospitable parts was it not yet clear how the land masses formed. Greenland was one such area. The Danes undertook a number of expeditions to prove that even the furthest and coldest part of Greenland was theirs. The last of these daring expeditions was led by Captain Ejnar Mikkelsen. He wrote a book about his adventure that is till worth filming decades later.
Mikkelsen was sent out to find one of his predecessors. Perhaps for no more than an honorable burial, but hopefully also to secure evidence for the Danish claim to all of Greenland. Indeed, the United States claims that a northern piece of Greenland I not attached to the Danish remainder and therefore need not be Danish. Mikkelsen does find something, but for the really conclusive proof, he will have to make a months-long trek across the icy plains, into the snow-white interior. His crew is not eager to join him, except for Iver Iversen, the rookie.  
With this mechanic with no experience above the Arctic Circle, the somewhat gruff captain treks deep into the Arctic Circle. On the way, the two encounter the necessary dangers and inconveniences on their dog sleds loaded with food, until they finally find the documents for which Denmark had sent them, emaciated and heavy-handed. For most films, writing about this would have been a spoiler of sorts, but for “Against the Ice”. Finding evidence is one thing, securing it is another. Returning alive to the waiting ship and then Denmark is an immense challenge, as is keeping the peace along the way.
The drama weaves together these stories without losing sight of the bigger picture. That finding some frozen documents is far from the end of the film, any observant viewer understands after a quick glance at the clock. Stories of lingering loneliness and extreme isolation, whether in space, underground or in the snow, benefit from a slow narrative. There is a real lack of a narrative structure where loneliness and despair creep up on the pair and the viewers. The journey through the Arctic not frequently feels rushed.
When the truly desolate hopelessness does get space, there appears to be enough energy in the film. There is then enough left behind to the seasoned veteran and the enthusiastic youngster to be able to relate in the silent lunar landscape. The first half of “Against the Ice”, in which all sorts of things were supposed to happen and all sorts of things were hoped for, turned out to be nothing more than a stretched out introduction.
It is worth watching, but with that it’s not as eventful as you might expect. It’s an okay film, with strong performances and beautiful visuals, but it’s not a movie that will stay with you for long.

Rating: 3/ 5 

10s Movie Review - A Thousand Times Good Night

Director: Erik Poppe
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Laryn Canny, Larry Mullen Jr., Chloë Annett, Eve Macklin

Description: Rebecca (Juliette Binoche) is one of the world’s top war photographers. She must weather a major emotional storm when her husband refuses to put up with her dangerous life any longer.

I WATCHED THIS FILM FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 31: A WAR MOVIE
 
Review: With great passion and dedication Rebecca shows everyone the many untold stories of the world. Because she believes that world is entitled to the truth. Her surrender is accompanied by a businesslike coldness. Emotions need to be turned off and parked untol Rebecca is on safe ground. Her family is somewhat less than enamored with Rebecca’s far-reaching ambitions, especially when she returns from a photo mission in Afghanistan after getting hurt pretty badly. The call from those around her to quit the dangerous job becomes stronger and stronger, but Rebecca struggles between her private life and her work.
Director Eric Poppe’s “A Thousand Times Good Night”,  with its overly sentimental title, begins at once gruesome and powerful. Rebecca attends a funeral, dressed in the local clothes but with a camera in her hand. This turns out to be staged, because the deceased has yet to fall. However, there is no opportunity to say goodbye, because the woman is a suicide bomber. By the other women of her community, she is being groomed for her horrible task. Rebecca wants to come along in the van that will eventually explode. After she gets out of the van, the van explodes and she ends up in the hospital.
As soon as Rebecca is reunited with her family in Ireland, the quality and impact of Poppe’s war drama noticeable deteriorate. The contrast between Rebecca’s tow daughters is striking. The youngest asks id mom hasn’t brought her presents, as if her mother has been on vacation. The eldest better realizes all that her mother has had to endure and even begins to show interest in her work for a school project.
Still, the tension that Rebecca’s work creates in the family have a fairly predictable character. The course of the escalating conflicts is therefore easy to guess. This would not be a problem at all if Pope’s screenplay had been able to accommodate this with strong dialogue and intense interplay from the actors. But alas.
With actors like Juliette Binoche and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau on board, things should be fine, one would think. All their solid efforts notwithstanding, the characters are so headstrong that it’s hard to steer them off course. There is little room for nuance or real character development, no matter how well the performers do their best. A pleasant change occurs when Rebecca travels to Africa with her oldest daughter Steph. This initially creates a change of setting. But after her return, it seems as if Rebecca just doesn’t want to learn from her mistakes, even if this helps her family to gain dramatic momentum. The result is a sudden change of direction at the very last moment. It is then too late for this drama to sink in.
The movie didn’t turn out to be what I expected. In this case, that’s a bad thing.

Rating: 2,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - The Other Woman

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Leslile Mann, Kate Upton, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Don Johnson, Taylor Kinney, Nicki Minaj

Description: After discovering her boyfriend is married, Carly (Cameron Diaz) meets the wife (Leslie Mann) he’s been betraying. And when yet another love affair is discovered, the three women team up to plot revenge on the three-timing S.O.B.

Review: “With a lawyer, a wife and boobs we form a killing machine”. This is the revenge plan lawyer Carly and her fellow ‘victims have set up. Carly, Kate and Amber are all being fooled by the same man. Neurotic Kate is married to him, Carly thought she was exclusively dating him and Amber is seemingly only there for the sex. They accidentally find out about each other and what their man, Mark, has been up to. Their revenge has to be so sweet, but in director Nick Cassavete’s “The Other Woman” is sadly leaves with a bitter taste of frustration.
Further then giving him some laxatives, hormone treatment and some ‘special shampoo’ they really never go. And the shady business he is running in the Bahamas, which never really gets clear, enters the story in warp speed. Cassavetes invests most of his time into introducing us to the characters and the blooming friendship between Carly and Kate.
Later we are introduced to bombshell Amber, played by Kate Upton. A gorgeous woman, but that’s seemingly the only purpose she has. Because after her introduction, she’s like the third wheel and never gets to do anything of any significance. Leslie Mann, whom I usually adore, starts to work on your nerves pretty quickly here. Here overall charm that we are used to, is totally gone. And Cameron Diaz has also had her best days.
“The Other Woman” is entertaining, but mostly cringe worthy. And the slapstick humor os totally off.

Rating: 2/ 5

Hottest Men on "Game of Thrones"

It was definitely worth hours of crafting to create this list of hottest men on "Game of Thrones". It was tough, so many men to choose from. But this is the ranking I made.

15. Loras Tyrell (portrayed by Finn Jones)
Whenever I see Loras Tyrell, I want to run my fingers through his curly blonde hair. He is every young woman’s dream. A handsome, brave knight, a real heartthrob. Just a shame that he’s not interested in women.

14. Tormund Giantsbane (portrayed by Kristofer Hivju)
Tormund is a scruffy, grizzled ginger who acts as a leader of sorts to the Wildlings and is obsessed with Brienne of Tarth. It’s that wonderful beard that does it.

13. Podrick Payne (portrayed by Daniel Portman)
Podrick was a squire for the Lannisters before he came into the service of Brienne of Tarth. Shy and hardworking, Podrick is one of the sweetest and most attractive men on “Game of Thrones”. And there is still one question we need answered: what did he do to those girls?

12. Ned Stark (portrayed by Sean Bean)
Being and honorable man, with a sense of justice, Ned Stark didn’t live long as the Hand of the King. His honor eventually cost him, but his love for his wife and children and his acts still lived on after his death. Ned always kept his cool and is a great keeper of secrets. Ned is one for the long hall. And he is handsome too (with a killer smile).

11. Jaqen H’ghar (portrayed by Tom Wlaschiha)
Jaqen H’ghar can change his appearance whenever he wants. It’s not shocking that he leans toward this menacing yet dangerously attractive look.

10. Grey Worm (portrayed by Jacob Anderson)
A commander of the Unsullied warriors and another loyal follower of Daenerys. This serious and fierce warrior captured the hearts of many viewers, especially when his hard shell cracks and we start seeing the real man beneath the brutal Unsullied training.

9. Bronn (portrayed by Jerome Flynn)
This cheeky northerner is nothing short of charming. His and Tyrion’s banter is great and his sarcasm brings fun to every scene. I just love a man with sarcasm. He’s definitely one of the most endearing characters, with a rugged appearance and superb fighting skills.

8. Oberyn Martell (portrayed by Pedro Pascal)
Oberyn’s fighting skills, slightly cocky attitude, and passionate temper turned the heads of many viewers. Partner that with a sexy Dornish accent and you’ve got yourself one charismatic and attractive character.

7. Jaime Lannister (portrayed by Nicolaj Coster-Waldau)
Jaime Lannister is a complicated character, who we see do acts of both good and great evil. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying the Kingslayer is another gorgeous character. I prefer his bearded look over his ‘prince charming’ look though. The dirtier her gets, the better looking he becomes.

6. Robb Stark (portrayed by Richard Madden)
There is something distinctly regal about Robb Stark. And watching him follow his heart over his head is very charming. Even if it cost him his life eventually.

5. Gendry (portrayed by Joe Dempsie)
Well hello there, Gendry! He mainly caught my attention in season 2, where he showed of his very muscular body. He is ripped! And how he eventually shows Arya he loves her. How Gendry wanted to marry her and for her to be his lady. We all know Arya is not very ladylike, but kudos for trying.

4. Jorah Mormont (portrayed by Iain Glenn)
If you want a loyal man, who would do anything to keep you safe, Jorah is the man you need. I always found Jorah a very tragic character. Showing his love for Daenerys over and over again, but she never returned it. Although she knew Jorah would do anything for her. His manly, rugged and handsome looks, combined with that loyalty and him willing to die for the woman he loves. That’s the kind of man any good woman deserves.

3. Khal Drogo (portrayed by Jason Momoa)
Khal Drogo was married to Daenerys and they instantly became the hottest couple in television. Muscular, tough, handsome, tall, a great warrior. Perfection I tell you.

2. Daario Naharis (portrayed by Michiel Huisman)
Daario Naharis is a lieutenant of the Second Sons mercenary company before pledging his allegiance to Daenerys. Proud to say that he is Dutch like me, he is one of the finest looking men on the show. We sure understand why Daenerys liked him so much.

1. Jon Snow (portrayed by Kit Harington)
Jon Snow is one of many people’s favorite character in “Game of Thrones”. A brave swordsman and one of the main protagonists. I’ve loved swooning over this handsome bastard since day one. He is handsome, kind, loyal, strong, willing to do anything for the people he loves and he is just.

It's clear that I have the same taste as Daenerys!!!!

TV Show Review - Game of Thrones (Season 8, Episode 6)

Season: 8
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy
Episode: 6
Episode title: The Iron Throne
Air date: May 19th 2019
Starring: Kit Harrington, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Lena Heady, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Liam Cunningham, John Bradley, Gwendolyn Christie, Jerome Flynn, Kristofer Hivju, Joe Dempsey, Jacob Anderson, Gemma Whelan, Richard Dormer, Anton Lesser, Daniel Portman

Description: In the aftermath of the devastating attack on King's Landing, Daenerys must face the survivors.

Review: It’s here, the moment we’ve been waiting for for eight seasons: the final episode of “Game of Thrones”. We finally get to find out who ends up on the Iron Throne. This season was highly criticized. And although I get why and I do agree on some points, I think some people are just nitpicking. The final episode was never going to satisfy everyone. Was it the best show ending? No. Was I happy with it? Yes, for the most part I was.
The episode starts with Tyrion, Davos and Jon walking down the streets of King’s Landing, with dead people all over the place and everything covered in ashes. Daenerys’ destructive rage has left its mark and now she’s got what she always wanted: the Iron Throne.
Tyrion finds Jaime and Cersei, his brother and sister, dead in the crypt. It’s a very emotional moment for Tyrion. He weeps for his family and we join him. When the camera zooms out, we see the Lannister twins died in each other’s arms.
Jon walks up to Daenerys, who is about to step in front of her people. The moment we see her, Drogon is behind her and it looks like Daenerys has dragon wings. This is a beautifully shot scene. Daenerys speaks to her people, how she is planning to free the world from tyranny. Afterwords Tyrion walks up to her and tells her he was the one who freed Jaime. Daenerys knows Tyrion betrayed her and he confirms by throwing his pin, that made him the hand of the queen, away. A very important and brave moment for Tyrion. Daenerys holds him captive.
Jon visits him and Tyrion tries to convince him to do the same. We see that Jon is still struggling and he wants to defend his queen. But you can see that he knows Tyrion is actually right.
When Daenerys walks into the throne room, we see her smile and enjoying the fact she finally got what she wanted. Jon joins her and Daenerys tells him stories of when she was little. Jon confronts her with her actions and Daenerys is trying to convince him that what she did, was the right thing. For a second we think Jon believes her and that the two will rule together and join forces once again. But Jon stabs Daenerys and she dies in his arms.
The most heartbreaking moment follows, when Drogon flies up and sees Daenerys’ lifeless body. I balled my eyes out. Not because of Daenerys, but because of Drogon’s pain, which he is clearly feeling. Right when we think Drogon is going to burn Jon, he burns down the throne. And this is actually very logical. Because Jon might have stabbed Daenerys, but her hunger for power was what actually killed her.
Knowing that Daenerys didn’t end up on the throne, there are still some unanswered questions. When Tyrion is joining all the lords and ladies of Winterfell in the Dragon’s Pit, he claims to know who should be on that throne: Bran Stark, Bran the Broken. This is somewhat surprising, which is what I wanted. I didn’t necessarily want Bran on the throne, because he is one of my least favorite characters. But I did want someone on the throne we never expected to become king or queen. And I think Bran would make a good king. He is the Three-Eyed Raven and is able to avoid the mistakes that previous rulers have made.
One decision will change Westeros forever. Sansa doesn’t want the North the be part of the Seven Kingdoms anymore and form a separate kingdom. Bran agrees and Sansa will rule as the Queen of the North. Jon will go back to the Night’s Watch. And I think this is a logical move. Because if we look back, Jon was happiest there. This is where he belongs. And with him returning, this time as Lord Commander, we get what we’ve been wanting since he left Winterfell the last time: a reunion with Ghost and the hug we wanted to see. The best moment of the episode for me.
I also loved the moment where Jon, Sansa, Arya and Bran said their goodbyes. We’ve seen it before, but this time there are far better futures ahead of them.
Arya’s fate was perfect. She decided to travel to the west of Westeros, the part where all the maps stop. This is what she always wanted and what she was meant to do.
When the small council gets together for the first time, we see Tyrion (as the hand of the King) meeting up with Master of coins Bronn, Master of Ships Davos, Grand Maester Sam and Brienne of the King’s Guard. This is a great scene. One moment I didn’t really like, is the book that Sam presents, which is called “A Song of Ice and Fire”. A bit to meta for me.
Tyrion was the star of the episode, he had the best moments. All thanks to Peter Dinklage’s great performance.
It felt like they took more time this episode, to round it all up. To say goodbye to all these beloved characters and their stories. Like predicted, the ending was bitter sweet. It wasn’t a happy ending, because that just wouldn’t fit. Bran ends up on the throne, but he doesn’t really want to be there. Jon is right back where he left off, in the Night’s Watch and no one will ever know that he is actually the true king we all need. And Daenerys, the one who wanted the throne more than anything, is dead. But it’s not all drama. Sansa gets her own throne and Arya does what she was always meant to do. And Tyrion can finally do the right thing for the king he chose himself.
I don’t care what everyone says, I was happy with the ending. “Game of Thrones” is and will probably always be the best show I have ever witnessed. All the times I cried, laughed, was shocked, felt fear, felt nervous, all the excitement I felt after and before each episode. Never has a show done this much with my emotions. No show will ever give me that feeling again and I’m very thankful to have been a part of this fantastic journey. There is only one upside to the ending. We can now watch it all again, from the beginning and start that journey again. And again.

TV Show Review - Game of Thrones (Season 8, Episode 2)

Season: 8
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy
Episode: 2
Episode title: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Air date: April 21st 2019
Starring: Kit Harrington, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Lena Heady, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Liam Cunningham, Nathalie Emmanuel, John Bradley, Gwendolyn Christie, Alfie Allen, Conleth Hill, Rory McCann, Jerome Flynn, Kristofer Hivju, Joe Dempsey, Jacob Anderson, Iain Glenn, Pilou Asbæk, Gemma Whelan, Richard Dormer, Anton Lesser, Daniel Portman

Description: The battle at Winterfell is approaching. Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is confronted with the consequences of the past. A tense interaction between Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) follows.

Review: The second episode of season 8 does two things: it shows beautifully what has happened so far, what journeys everyone took and how it changed them. But is also looks ahead, preparing for the inevitable battle against the white walkers. This make it the second episode in a row that is not action packed. But a lot happens. Strong dialogues and great conversations between the characters. ATTENTION: SPOILERS AHEAD!
The episode opens with Jaime, standing in front of Sansa, Daenerys and Jon. He’s not exactly the most welcomed guest at Winterfell and especially Sansa and Daenerys have doubts. It’s Lady Brienne that convinces them to let Jaime stay and fight alongside them. Because he has changed and is now an honorable man.
There is a moment between Sansa and Daenerys, the first real conversation between the two. They are at odds with each other, but also seem to agree on some level. Until Sansa brings up the fate of The North. She won’t let anyone else rule it, ever since the Starks have taken it back. So what will happen to The North, if Daenerys sits on the Iron Throne?
Bran and Jaime talk. Jaime is the one responsible for crippling Bran. But somehow Bran forgives him. Jaime is not the same man because of the push and Bran is not the same man because of the fall.
And Theon also returns to Winterfell, willing to fight. And Sansa is particularly happy with his return, after he helped her escape Ramsey.
When night falls in Winterfell, we see the characters come together. Reminiscing about the past, their journeys, the upcoming battle. My favorite part was where Lady Brienne, Jaime, Tormund, Podrick, Tyrion and Davos gather around a fire. Talking about all the battles they have won, everything they’ve been through and what to expect next. The moment where Brienne finally becomes a knight, is hands down my favorite part of the episode (and hints to the title of this episode).
There was also some romance and it was pretty surprising. Arya wanted to know what it was like to be with a man, before she dies in battle. And Gendry is that man. I think many of us still see the little Arya from the beginning, but she’s all grown up now. Arya and Gendry hooking up is something we wanted, but this scene felt a little unnecessary.
Someone we wanted to see for a long time is back and if you blinked, you could’ve missed it. It’s Ghost, Jon’s direwolf. Where did he come from and why was it just that one scene that we saw him in? Great that he’s back, but I wanted a bit more.
Jaime and Tyrion had a few moments together and it’s the first time that they can finally be brothers who are freed from Cersei. Tyrion was also questioned as the hand of the Queen, by his queen Daenerys. She admits Tyrion has made mistakes and she isn’t afraid to tell him. Tyrion knows that he might hand over this task. Maybe to Jorah, who has been Daenerys’ most trusted and loyal servant since the beginning.
Speaking of Jorah. He met up with his cousin Lyanna, who is planning on fighting in battle herself. And Sam handing over his family sword to Jorah, because Sam is not a fighter.
At the end, we see Daenerys meeting up with Jon in the crypt. Jon is standing in front of Lyanna Stark’s statue. When Daenerys asks Jon who it is, Jon tells her about Lyanna Stark. And with that Jon tells her the truth about him. Daenerys doesn’t believe it at first, but knows what it means. But there is no time to think about it, because the battle is about to start. And right when the dead arrive, the episode ends.
The episode has some sort of melancholy. Meetings we were hoping for happened and it’s a great build-up to the upcoming battle. Episode 2 is definitely the beginning of the end. I think this was a goodbye to some characters, because we are definitely going to lose a few in that battle that will happen in episode 3. I’m afraid for a few people: Jorah, Brienne, Theon and Grey Worm. For some reason I think they will not return from battle.
It’s a great episode. The perfect build-up for next episode. Which makes it even more unbearable for us to wait another week.

Top 5 Thursday: Epic Moments from "Game of Thrones" Season 5

Because we have to wait a year for new “Game of Thrones” episodes, I decided to rewatch all the old episodes. I’m going to create a series of top fives, where I will share with you the most epic moments in every season. This week, season 5.

5. Jon Snow Gets Stabbed
Jon Snow’s fellow me of the Night’s Watch lure him into a trap, by telling him his uncle Benjen has returned. Instead he finds a cross with the word traitor on it and he is stabbed to death.

4. Sansa and Theon Escape
Sansa’s existence for the past few years has been completely miserable. Her father was killed, she was betrothed to a monster, her mother and eldest brother were murdered, she believed that her two younger brothers had been killed as wel, she was forced to marry Tyrion and when she finally and when she finally escaped she was stuck with Littlefinger. Somehow the show managed to make things even worse for Sansa, as she married Ramsay Bolton, the one character more psychotic then Joffrey. Theon, who had been tortured by Ramsay, eventually helps Sansa escape.

3. Cersei’s Walk of Shame
Cersei Lannister is a woman used to getting what she wants, regardless of the cost to others. It was Cersei who granted the High Sparrow a position of power within King’s Landing, and Cersei who delivered Loras and Margaery Tyrell to him. This time, though, things didn’t got all her own way. After being broken down to the point of confessing her sins, the next step is to atone for them in front of her people. Her head shorn and clothes stripped away, she was forced to walk the streets of King’s Landing, being verbally abused, having things thrown at her, and being completely humiliated.

2. Riding Drogon
After Jorah’s victory during the Great Games, the Sons of the Harpy launch their biggest and most direct attack yet, emerging at random within the crowds and mercilessly slaughter those in their way. The target is of course Daenerys. She is herded in the middle of Daznak’s pit, along with Tyrion, Missandei, Jorah, Daario and a handful of Unsullied. She is accepting her fate, until Drogon saves his mother.

1. The Battle of Hardhome
This was a mind-blowing action sequence. It started with Jon and Tormund attempting to negotiate with the Wildlings living at Hardhome in order to get them to The Wall. Any plans were thrown into disarray when wights attacked them and all hell broke loose.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Daenerys Meets Tyrion

Top 5 Thursday: Epic Moments from "Game of Thrones" Season 3

Because we have to wait a year for new “Game of Thrones” episodes, I decided to rewatch all the old episodes. I’m going to create a series of top fives, where I will share with you the most epic moments in every season. This week, season 3.

5. Theon Gets Cut
An entire season of torture reached a new disgusting level, when two naked women get Theon all excited. And then the Boy, later know as Ramsay, removes the women and announces his intention of cutting off Theon’s manhood. Auch…

4. The Red Wedding
The once who read the books were looking forward to this scene, the once who didn’t read the books were shocked. The blood-soaked celebration took away some important and well-known characters away from us. Robb Stark, his wife Talisa and off course Catelyn Stark.

3. Daenerys’ Double Cross
Probably the best ‘Hell yeah’ moment o the season, is the one in which Daenerys takes control of the Unsullied army. She reveals she speaks Valyrian and then informs her ‘business associate’ that dragons cannot be traded or owned. She then proceeds to have the dragon cook him on the spot and unleashed her new army upon the other slaves.

2. Jaime Loses His Hand
For the first two season, we wanted nothing more than for cocku Jaime Lannister to be killed. But thanks to this one scene, in which Jaime loses his sword hand and along with it his identity, the character is propelled down a new path. One that makes him incredeibly more accessible and interesting.

1. Jon Snow Breaks His Oath
The chemistry between Jon Snow and fierce Ygritte is terrific, but it’s the scene in the cave that gives the audience one of the best quotes of the season. After shedding her clothes, virgin Jon Snow (“You know nothing Jon Snow”) gives Ygritte the best night of her life.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Swordfight on the Bridge, How Jaime Became the Kingslayer, Jon Snow and Ygritte on Top of the Wall, Samwell Kills a Walker, Ygritte shoots Jon Snow

Top 5 Thursday: Epic Moments from “Game of Thrones” Season 2

Because we have to wait a year for new “Game of Thrones” episodes, I decided to rewatch all the old episodes. I’m going to create a series of top fives, where I will share with you the most epic moments in every season. This week, season 2.

5. Jon Snow meets Ygritte
Jon Snow encounters Wildlings and loses his group of Night’s Watch men. Finding out one of the Wildlings is a woman, he decides to behead her. Jon Snow wouldn’t be Jon Snow is his heart spoke. He can’t kill her and he takes her, Ygritte, as his prisoner.

4. Jaime’s Great Escape
Jaime Lannister spent most of the season as a prisoner of war, bound in Robb Stark’s stockade. Then, Jaime found himself in the company of his distant cousin, Alton Lannister. They have a chat, where Alton reminded Jaime that they had met before and Jaime reminisced about this time spent winning tournament and fighting wars. It’s a long, quiet scene that concludes with Jaime accepting that he’s only good at one thing: killing. He proves this to Alton firsthand by strangling him to death and escaping. Jaime may be a charming, hilariously sarcastic rogue who we love to hate, but he’s also a deeply damaged man.

3. The Wildfire
The entire battle of Blackwater is epic, but this particular moment made the most jaws drop. Vastly outnumbered by Stannis’, Tyrion gambles big and fills an entire ship with the highly flammable Wildfire. This causes a huge explosion and a flash of green light.

2. Tyrion puts Joffrey in His Place
Any scene with Tyrion Lannister could be put on this list and no one would complain. The same goes for King Joffrey, who is one of the most fun-to-hate villains in television history. When a riot breaks out in King’s Landing while Joffrey and his escort are returning to the castle, the entire party suddenly finds themselves in mortal danger. Once they’ve taken cover, Tyrion confronts the king, rightfully blaming him for the riot: “We’ve had vicious kings and we’ve had idiot kings, but I don’t know if we’ve ever been cursed with a vicious idiot king!” The Tyrion gives his nephew one of the most satisfying slaps we’ve ever seen. It’s a fist pumping moment, there is nothing like one of our favorite characters punching our least favorite.

1. Three Blasts
Samwell Tarly and his Night’s Watch buddies are collecting scattered feces to burn for warmth, when they hear the blast from the horn. But then they hear three blasts, that hasn’t been heard for thousands of years. Sam, unable to keep up with his friends, takes refuge behind a boulder and watches an army of walking corpses.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Robb Stark’s Wedding, Cersei Almost Kills Her son, Gendry Learns the Truth About Arya, Fire Breathing Dragons, Jon Snow Snuggles with Ygritte, Daenerys Teaches her Baby Dragon to Breathe Fire, Tywin and Arya, Theon Seals His Fate, The Birth of the Shadow Baby, Sansa and the Hound, The Beheading of Rodrik

Top 5 Thursday: Epic Moments from "Game of Thrones" Season 1

Because we have to wait a year for new “Game of Thrones” episodes, I decided to rewatch all the old episodes. I’m going to create a series of top fives, where I will share with you the most epic moments in every season. Starting with season 1.

5. The Fall of Bran
Although Catelyn Stark thinks Tyrion Lannister is responsible for the attack on her son Bran, it was actually the older brother, Ser Jaime Lannister who pushed him. Bran was spying on Queen Cersie Lannister, who was intimate with Jaime, who are also siblings. Neither Lannister could afford their secret relationship to get out. So Jaime decided to push Bran out of the tower window. This crippled Bran for life.

4. The Golden Crown
Viserys Targaryen traded his sister Daenerys to Khal Drogo in exchange for an army to conquer the seven kingdoms. And Drogo didn’t exactly seem eager to keep his end of the bargain. It might have been because Drogo Recognized that Viserys was both foolish and insane. And when Viserys threatened the life od Daenerys and Drogo’s unborn child, he went too far. Drogo kept his promise to give Viserys a crown of gold, but in the form of molten gold poured over his head.

3. The White Walker Attacks Jon Snow
After remaining offscreen for most of the season, the White Walkers attempted to make a bold move and assassinate the leader of the Night’s Watch. For Jon Snow this probably couldn’t have come at a better time. With his father accused of treason and his own standing within the Watch also in question, Jon needed some way to prove himself. After stabbing the undead man, the Walker pursued on him again. Thanks to fire, he burned the walker and Jon survived. He earned a new respect from the men on the wall.

2. The Dragons Rise Again
Daenerys lost nearly everything to the witch Mirri Maz Duur. Her son was still born, her Dothraki horde abandoned her and her beloved Khal Drogo lived on only in a vegative state. At the end of the season Daenerys emerges from the flames, nakes and unharmed. And she is also joined by three new born dragons.

1. The Execution of Ned Stark
Readers of the novels knew that this was coming, as did I, but this is definitely the most memorable moment of the first season. Faced with the difficult choice of maintaining his honor in death or attempting to save his daughter Sansa, Ned confesses his imagined crimes in public and declared Joffrey to be the true king. However, this horrible boy king rejected the clemency plans offered to Ned an ordered him immediately beheaded.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Stark Vs. Lannister, The Direwolf saves Bran, The Last Stand of Syrio Forel, Tyrion’s Trial by Combat, Littlefinger Betrays Ned Stark