Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Most commented posts

  1. Advance Review: Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Final Season, Ep 1 “Rispetto” — 11 comments
  2. #SOA Review: Sons of Anarchy “Fruit for the Crows” – Death threats, tempers flaring, and “strange fruit hanging” in trees — 6 comments
  3. TV News: TNT’s Adventure Series THE LIBRARIANS Returns November 20 — 6 comments
  4. Paleyfest 2011 – Supernatural: I almost missed it! — 5 comments
  5. Book Contest: Win “Beautiful Creatures” and “Beautiful Darkness” by K. Garcia & M. Stohl — 4 comments

Author's posts

Dec 30 2017

Stranger Things – “Chapter 8: The Mind Flayer” Recap. Spy vs Spy.

As penultimate episodes go, “Chapter 8: The Mind Flayer” doesn’t disappoint. At times, penultimate episodes are better than the season finale because all the story lines converge into a pinnacle of chaos. People die, people cry, and people fight, and fight hard. “Chapter 8: The Mind Flayer” complements the season finale, “Chapter 9: The Gate,” but doesn’t overshadow it. It makes you anxious to see how everything will turn out and makes you wonder who will be left standing when the dust settles. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s dive into this exciting episode.

Dec 16 2017

Stranger Things – “Chapter 7: The Lost Sister” Review. Home Sweet Home.

In the season two premiere, “Chapter 1: Madmax,” we saw a group of people exiting a building and one particular young girl who caused a tunnel to collapse, or so we thought. That girl, Kali (Linnea Berthelsen), plays a major role in “Chapter 7: The Lost Sister.” If the title doesn’t give it away, let me explain. Kali and Eleven, aka “El,” (Millie Bobby Brown) have a connection.

Dec 13 2017

The Walking Dead – Mid-Season Finale “How It’s Gotta Be.” Recap. Hope For What?

The Walking Dead mid-season finale has come and gone, and I’m still unsure of how I feel about it. I expected so much more this season, yet I find myself confused and conflicted. Looking back at the past seven episodes leading up to “How It’s Gotta Be,” I wonder if I’ve missed something in translation with the numerous and overused flashbacks utilized throughout the season so far. What am I missing, because this shit makes no sense at all?

Dec 04 2017

The Walking Dead – “Time For After” Review. The Winning Side?

If you were hoping for a Eugene (Josh McDermitt) centric episode, then “Time For After” is it. Probably not that many of you asked, but all Eugene (well, mostly Eugene) is what you get. My acronym for the groups (Alexandria, Kingdom, Hilltop) A.K.H. isn’t too far off Eugene’s “AHK” (Alexandria, Hilltop, Kingdom). But the real crux of “Time For After” lies in the actions and decisions of a mullet-sporting coward who doesn’t know what’s what. But he’s chosen his side. Is it the “winning side” as Dwight (Austin Amelio) puts it, with Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the A.K.H. group? Well, I think you’ll figure it out after you read this review.

Dec 02 2017

Stranger Things – “Chapter 6: The Spy” Review. Totally Tubular.

Things are starting to take a darker turn in Hawkins, Indiana and Will (Noah Schnapp) is at the epicenter of the “Shadow Monster’s” master plan. The monster invaded Will’s body at the end of “Chapter 3: The Pollywog” to protect itself and its interests in taking over Hawkins. In the opening scene of “Chapter 6: The Spy,” we see Will being wheeled into the Hawkins lab. Throughout the episode, Will’s docile persona takes on a disturbing metamorphosis, one that will cost many people their lives.

Nov 30 2017

Video/News: Starz Releases Key Art and New Series Video For Counterpart, Early Sneak Peek Airs Dec 10

The espionage thriller with a metaphysical twist stars Oscar® winner J.K. Simmons, Olivia Williams, and Harry Lloyd. “Counterpart” is the story of ‘Howard Silk’ (J.K. Simmons), a lowly cog in a bureaucratic agency, who discovers that the agency he works for is really guarding a crossing into a parallel dimension. Through Howard and his “Counterpart” on the other side, the show will navigate themes of identity, what ifs, and lost love.

Nov 27 2017

The Walking Dead – “The King, the Widow, and Rick” Review. Stupid Is As Stupid Does.

Is it just me or is this season going off the rails a bit? I’m not even sure whether I like this episode or not. I borrowed a famous quote from Forrest Gump because it’s the only quote that explains the stupidity happening within “The King, the Widow, and Rick.” Season 8 of The Walking Dead is not panning out the way I thought it would. Hell, I don’t even remember what I was thinking anymore. The tagline says “All Out War,” and while we saw some of that in “Mercy,” all I see now is a bunch of flashbacks (seriously, enough already) and whining among the groups. “The King, the Widow, and Rick” leads you to believe that there are only three major story lines but this episode is chock full of everything and everybody.

Nov 24 2017

Stranger Things – “Chapter 5: Dig Dug” Review. Top Secret Stuff.

“Chapter 5: Dig Dug” is chock full of amazing and intriguing gems, making me extremely curious as to how it will all end. The vines of the “upside down” are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg as we saw Sheriff Jim Hopper (David Harbour) dig a massive hole in the pumpkin patch and jump into a series of underground tunnels at the end of “Chapter 4: Will the Wise.” What is the “shadow monster” trying to accomplish in Hawkins?

Nov 22 2017

Video: El Camino Christmas Launches Exclusively on Netflix December 8

El Camino Christmas stars Luke Grimes, Dax Shepard, Tim Allen, Vincent D’Onofrio, Kimberly Quinn, Jimmy O. Yang, Jessica Alba, Kurtwood Smith, Michelle Mylett and Emilio Rivera. When Eric Roth (Luke Grimes) goes on an impulsive journey to find the father he never knew, his search takes him to the remote desert town of El Camino, Nevada, where he’s mistaken for a drug dealer by local, dim-witted law enforcement and winds up pinned down in a liquor store holdup with five other lost souls on Christmas Eve…one of which is his father.

Nov 21 2017

Video/News: 15: A Quinceañera Story Debuts December 19 on HBO and HBO Latino

15: A QUINCEAÑERA STORY, a collection of four short documentary films, follows five Latina girls from different cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds as they transition to adulthood, all observing the traditional rite of passage of the quinceañera, a celebration of their 15th birthdays.

Nov 21 2017

Video: TNT Releases Trailer For New Drama THE ALIENIST

Based on the Anthony Award-winning international bestseller by Caleb Carr, The Alienist follows the hunt for a serial killer responsible for the gruesome murders of boy prostitutes. Daniel Brühl, Luke Evans, Dakota Fanning, and Brian Geraghty star in the series.

Nov 21 2017

The Walking Dead – “The Big Scary U” Review. Mine’s Bigger Than Yours.

Is it just me or is “The Big Scary U” essentially a dick swinging contest to see whose is bigger? It should be a different kind of competition to see who the bigger asshole is. I was truly looking forward to this episode because I needed to see how Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) interacted with each other in a confined space surrounded by a large herd of walkers. While we gain some insight into Negan’s background, it’s not enough for me to like him any more or less.

Nov 17 2017

Stranger Things – “Chapter 4: Will the Wise” Review. Abundant Mistakes.

“Chapter 4: Will the Wise” picks up immediately after the heart pounding cliffhanger as Joyce (Winona Ryder) speeds to the school only to find her son Will (Noah Schnapp) standing in the field unresponsive, with his eyes closed. What she and his friends can’t see is what’s actually happening to Will. The “upside down” has converged with the real world and the events that happen in Will’s visions are directly affecting him in reality.

Nov 16 2017

News: Amazon Prime Video Adds Absentia Starring Stana Katic to Lineup For 2018

Amazon adds critically acclaimed thriller Absentia to its lineup of original dramatic series–all episodes will debut exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S., as well as in select markets globally. Starring and executive produced by Castle’s Stana Katic, Absentia centers on FBI agent Emily Byrne (Katic). While hunting one of Boston’s most notorious serial killers, Agent Byrne disappears without a trace and is declared dead. Six years later, Emily is found in a cabin in the woods, barely alive, and with no memory of the years she was missing. Returning home to learn her husband has remarried and her son is being raised by another woman, she soon finds herself implicated in a new series of murders.

Nov 13 2017

The Walking Dead – “Some Guy” Review. The Ultimate Sacrifice.

“Some Guy” focuses on Ezekiel (Khary Payton) and his story. From flashbacks to conversations with Carol (Melissa McBride) to intense scenes as Ezekiel tries to escape from the walkers, the entire episode exposes the slowly disintegrating façade he’s maintained with his people.

Nov 10 2017

Stranger Things – “Chapter 3: The Pollywog” Recap. Going to Need Bigger Paddles.

At the end of “Chapter 2: Trick or Treat, Freak,” Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) made an interesting discovery in his trash can. When “Chapter 3: The Pollywog” begins, Dustin’s new pet resembles the slimy blob Will (Noah Schnapp) threw up in season one. When Dustin feeds the little creature some of his “Three Musketeers” Halloween candy and nicknames it “D’Artagnan…Dart for short,” I was immediately reminded of the movie Gremlins.

Nov 10 2017

News: Smithsonian Channel Series Survival in the Skies Premieres Nov 28

SURVIVAL IN THE SKIES tells the stories behind incredible pieces of space and aviation technology, from the invention of the parachute to the development of space suits. The series features stories of the people who created these amazing breakthroughs and the men and women who relied on them when their survival hung in the balance.

Nov 10 2017

News: Wands Out! Harry Potter Marathon to Air on HBO New Year’s Day

Starting January 1st, 2018, the wizarding world will have a new home when all eight movies in the Harry Potter film franchise arrive on HBO, joining the hit prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which is available now on HBO GO, HBO NOW, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

Nov 08 2017

News: The CW Gives Full Season Order For Dynasty

The CW Network has given a full season order to its seductive new primetime drama DYNASTY. Wealth, power, deception, and double-dealing… what does it take to build a dynasty? A modern re-imagining of the iconic primetime soap, centering on the powerful Carrington family as they defend their throne against the Colbys, new rivals and threats, and even each other.

Nov 08 2017

News: Science Channel’s Street Science Returns For Season 2 November 15

Kevin Delaney, known to millions as the science expert on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, is back to build, execute, and nail the science behind larger-than-life experiments when a new season of Science Channel’s STREET SCIENCE returns. Combining scientific method with humor and curiosity, Kevin brings mind-blowing experiments out of the lab and onto the streets to show how relevant science is to our everyday lives.

Nov 07 2017

Video: Forever My Girl In Theaters January 19

Forever My Girl tells the story of music super-star Liam Page (Alex Roe) who left his bride, Josie (Jessica Rothe), at the altar choosing fame and fortune instead. However, Liam never got over Josie, his one true love, nor did he ever forget his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised.

Nov 07 2017

News: 23rd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards Will Air Live Jan 11 on The CW.

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA) are pleased to announce that the 23rd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards will air LIVE on The CW Network on Thursday, January 11, 2018 (8:00-10:00p.m. ET/PT). The show will continue its combined Film and Television awards format, honoring the finest in both cinematic and televised/streaming achievement, and take place once again at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.

Nov 06 2017

The Walking Dead – “Monsters” Review. More Prisoners, More Problems.

This week’s installment of The Walking Dead is a bit fractured. King Ezekiel (Khary Payton) and Carol’s (Melissa McBride) group strategizes against The Saviors but that supreme confidence Ezekiel felt in last week’s “The Damned” is being put to the ultimate test in “Monsters.” Meanwhile, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) continues having an interesting discussion with Morales (Juan Pareja) but it’s not by choice. When a man holds a gun smack dab in front of your face, it forces you to listen. “Shit, well, I guess we aren’t the same guys we used to be, huh? ‘Cause you’re a monster.” Is Rick truly the monster in all this?

Nov 03 2017

Stranger Things – “Chapter 2: Trick-or-Treat, Freak” Review. Half-way Happy.

As “Chapter 2: Trick-or-Treat, Freak” begins, we see what happened to Eleven in the aftermath as she wakes up in the scary “upside down” version of the school. She begins screaming out for her new friend Mike (Finn Wolfhard) — the terrified desperation in her voice so compelling and heart wrenching and finally finds a way out to get back to the real world.

Nov 03 2017

News: Travel Channel’s New Series Views From… Premieres November 19

Travel Channel’s new series, “Views From…,” uncovers the unusual stories behind gorgeous, epic and top-of-the-world locations that celebrate the pristine beauty of their unique views.