Shannon Vestal
Associate Editor & Reporter, Entertainment
Shannon Vestal

99 Followers 87 Following
About
Shannon Vestal's Lists
TV

The Vampire Diaries Season Finale "Graduation": The Good, the Bad, and the Bloody

That's all, folks! Season four of The Vampire Diaries has wrapped up with a bang — excuse me, several bangs.

That's all, folks! Season four of The Vampire Diaries has wrapped up with a bang — excuse me, several bangs. This finale is action-packed — there are a couple of love confessions, more than one make-out, someone takes the cure, a dead person comes back to life, and there is a doppelganger reveal that basically blew my mind. Plus, everyone graduates! It almost seems like small potatoes compared to the other huge changes for everyone in this episode. There are major developments for Elena, Katherine, and Stefan especially — though not all of those changes are positive.

Even though there are a lot of jaw-dropping twists in the season finale, there's also so much mushy, awesome romantic stuff. There's definitely a lot here to keep me wondering all Summer long about what's going to happen next. So let's just get to it: read the good, the bad, and the bloody after the jump.

TV

Are You Satisifed With The Office Series Finale?

After nine seasons at Dunder Mifflin, The Office ended this week with a series finale that was sentimental, tidy, and funny.

After nine seasons at Dunder Mifflin, The Office ended this week with a series finale that was sentimental, tidy, and funny. It picked up one year after last week's episode, and some of the employees had moved on from the office, like Stanley and Kevin, while Jim and Pam were planning their next move. Beloved characters who had left the series came back for cameos, like Kelly and Ryan, but it was the return of Michael Scott that was the best, most moving surprise. I don't even care that the show creators denied it for so long — in Jim's words, it was the best prank ever. From there, the episode piled on the emotion, from Dwight and Angela's wedding to yet another great Jim and Pam moment and an amazing party scene in the office itself. I thought it was the perfect way to close out The Office, but I want to know what you think: did the finale leave you satisfied?

Movies

Star Trek Into Darkness: Thrills, Chills, and Heart

Star Trek Into Darkness is J.J.

Star Trek Into Darkness is J.J. Abrams's second installment of the famous franchise he rebooted in 2009, and the success of the first film is both a blessing and a curse for the sequel. It has a lot to live up to, but this isn't Abrams's first time at the sci-fi rodeo; he delivers a fantastic film that's both a satisfying sequel and a standalone movie (no need to rewatch the first one or even really be familiar with the Star Trek universe). The awe-inspiring visuals are enough to make a fun Summer movie, but when you factor in the engaging story and strong performances of the cast, Star Trek Into Darkness adds up to a can't-miss movie.

Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are back as Captain Kirk and Spock, along with the rest of the Starship Enterprise, like Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg), and Sulu (John Cho), all showing off more of their fun chemistry, but with interesting developments. Scotty has a moral dilemma with Kirk, Spock and Uhura are having relationship issues, and Kirk and Spock are working on their friendship. It would be entertaining to watch another chapter of these characters together, but it's the arrival of Benedict Cumberbatch as the mysterious villain who targets Starfleet that escalates the excitement. Ready to find out why Star Trek Into Darkness is so great? Just keep reading.

Movies

Zac Efron Will Take on the Autobahn and the Rest of This Week's Biggest Casting News

It would be an exciting week for casting even if the Cannes Film Festival weren't going on, but the glamorous event in France is bringing a ton of new casting deals as well.

It would be an exciting week for casting even if the Cannes Film Festival weren't going on, but the glamorous event in France is bringing a ton of new casting deals as well. The lead for YA tearjerker The Fault in Our Stars cast its Augustus Waters, and Zac Efron just got a new speed-demon role. Click through to see these and the new jobs for everyone from Shia LaBeouf and Christoph Waltz to Cate Blanchett and Scarlett Johansson.

Movies

Last Vegas Trailer: Partying Never Gets Old

Have you ever rewatched The Hangover and thought, man, these guys are just too fresh-faced and inexperienced to properly party?

Have you ever rewatched The Hangover and thought, man, these guys are just too fresh-faced and inexperienced to properly party? In the off chance that has ever happened, you're in luck with the trailer for Last Vegas, in which aging stars Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, and Robert De Niro star as four friends who head to Sin City for one of their bachelor parties. Once there, they are ready to "party like it's 1959," and the Lipitor jokes start flowing like wine.

All told, the preview is pretty cute, mostly because the actors are so beloved and really seem to be having a good time. If anything, it's worth it to watch Freeman discover vodka Red Bull cocktails and the obvious post-vodka Red Bull dancing. Last Vegas comes out Nov. 1, and you can watch the trailer after the jump.

Fall TV

The CW's New Fall Schedule: Almost Every Show Is Getting a New Night

If you're very used to your weekly routine with your CW shows, then get ready to be flexible, because the network is shaking up its entire Fall schedule.

If you're very used to your weekly routine with your CW shows, then get ready to be flexible, because the network is shaking up its entire Fall schedule. At this week's upfronts, the network announced that almost all of its returning shows will air on a new night (with the exception of The Vampire Diaries). For instance, Hart of Dixie is now on Mondays, Supernatural is on Tuesdays, and The Carrie Diaries will now be on Friday nights. It's not just veteran shows that are subverting expectations, either: the new The Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals won't follow its sister show on Thursdays and will instead be on Tuesdays. Along with its schedule announcement, The CW also announced that Nikita will be wrapping up after its six-episode run in the midseason schedule.

Check out the full Fall schedule for The CW after the jump.

TV

John Krasinski on The Office's Final Season: "To Say That I'm Sad Is the Biggest Understatement of the Year"

The Office's series finale is this week, and original series star John Krasinski is already feeling emotional about the impending end.

The Office's series finale is this week, and original series star John Krasinski is already feeling emotional about the impending end. When I sat down to talk to the actor recently, he got sentimental about the show, talking about what it's meant to him and his career. Watch him open up about his feelings and talk about how nice it would be to have former costar Steve Carell stop by.

TV

Why The Mindy Project Was Worth Watching This Season

The Mindy Project's season finale aired this week, closing out a first season that started out a little shaky but has found its footing over the last few months and become one of the season's funniest new shows.

The Mindy Project's season finale aired this week, closing out a first season that started out a little shaky but has found its footing over the last few months and become one of the season's funniest new shows. And though a lot of this success is due to Mindy Kaling herself, she's not the only one who makes The Mindy Project so entertaining. Here are the reasons why I think the series has gone from promising new show to powerhouse comedy in its first season — all of which, incidentally, are on display in this week's finale.

  • Mindy's relationship humor is now landing perfectly. When the season begins, Mindy is single, and I liked watching her dating life, but the hopeless single-girl routine has been done. However, Mindy has been shining when she's in a relationship, especially with current boyfriend Casey (Workaholics' Anders Holm). The jokes about relationships have been hilarious because they're either real or original — like last week's botched shower-sex scene or this week's laugh-out-loud bit when Casey's anatomy knocks off Mindy's glasses because they're in too-close quarters.
  • The love interests have been perfectly cast. Speaking of Casey, one of the reasons why I've loved his relationship with Mindy is because the actor behind the character is so funny. Holm's only the latest in a long line of awesome actors who have played Mindy's boyfriends or flings, like Seth Rogen, Mark Duplass, and Tommy Dewey (who was Mindy's first hilarious boyfriend, Josh). I hope that Mindy stays with Casey in season two or gets similarly cool stars to play her future dates. The only love story line not working? Mindy's relationship with co-worker Danny (Chris Messina). They have chemistry as friends — but not romantically.
  • There's less focus on her job. I love that Mindy has an amazing career as a doctor, but in the early episodes, there's a lot of focus on Mindy's patients. It didn't work, and it was just an annoying distraction from whatever funny thing was happening in her love life. Thankfully, that's been scaled back, and when we're inside the office now, we're seeing priceless antics, like anything Morgan (breakout cast member Ike Barinholtz) is doing. Seriously, anything. That guy is the best.
TV

4 Things We Loved About the New Girl Season Finale

New Girl wrapped up its second season this week with a wedding, an amazing make-out session, and hijinks galore.

New Girl wrapped up its second season this week with a wedding, an amazing make-out session, and hijinks galore. Though Nick and Jess are always the focus for us, there's a lot going on — Cece's wedding gets sabotaged (I mean, sabo-ed), one couple doesn't make it, and Taylor Swift herself is there. The episode is a pleasing ending to a funny season filled with will-they-or-won't-they moments, and before we say goodbye, let's talk about our four favorite things from the New Girl season finale.

  1. The song "Cotton Eyed Joe." The '90s one-hit wonder plays a very important role: it's part of Schmidt and Winston's plan to sabotage Cece's wedding. It's a hilariously random song to pick, and the fact that Nick can't resist fist-pumping to it is priceless.
  2. Nick and Jess "un-call it." Nick and Jess finally have an honest conversation about their relationship, where Jess confesses there's a part of her that's scared that Nick may be too much of a mess to get involved with. They agree to "call it," and my heart broke — but their feelings for each other are too strong, and Nick goes after Jess, who's ready with a speech. Nick's response is the best: a big 'ol kiss.
  3. Winston is the voice of reason. Thank goodness for Winston. He may be weirdly awful at pranks, but he's a good friend with great advice. He's the one who tells Nick that drinking his feelings away is Nick's dad's move — but it doesn't have to go down that way.
  4. Cece admits her feelings for Schmidt. Schmidt has been chasing Cece all season, only giving up on her recently and finding happiness with Elizabeth. As a Schmidt/Cece fan, I'm glad that not only does Cece not marry Shivrang, but also that it's her who admits she wants to be with Schmidt. I'm even kind of glad Schmidt doesn't pick between her and Elizabeth yet — there has to be some kind of cliffhanger!
Movies

Alice Eve on the Star Trek Into Darkness Secrecy: "I Told My Mum!"

Alice Eve plays one of the new characters in Star Trek Into Darkness, and when I recently sat down with the actress, she was happy to talk about her role and how it felt to be welcomed into the cast.

Alice Eve plays one of the new characters in Star Trek Into Darkness, and when I recently sat down with the actress, she was happy to talk about her role and how it felt to be welcomed into the cast. Eve also confessed to not being able to keep all of the script's secrets in — she conspiratorially told us she spilled to her mother! Watch to see the charming star talk about the action film, J.J. Abrams, and how she might figure into the Entourage movie.

Movies

Simon Pegg Talks Secrets and Why Humor Is "Vitally Important" in Star Trek Into Darkness

Simon Pegg is reprising his role as Scotty in this week's Star Trek Into Darkness, and we recently sat down with the actor to talk about reuniting with his costars four years after the last film.

Simon Pegg is reprising his role as Scotty in this week's Star Trek Into Darkness, and we recently sat down with the actor to talk about reuniting with his costars four years after the last film. Pegg also talked about helping out the newbies like Benedict Cumberbatch (and how funny it is to hear Americans say that name). Watch to find out why the very funny Pegg thinks humor is so important for this sequel and just how secretive he and the cast had to be about the J.J. Abrams film.

TV

See Pictures From the New Girl Season Finale!

The New Girl season finale is this week, and there's so much to look forward to, namely Cece's wedding to Shivrang.

The New Girl season finale is this week, and there's so much to look forward to, namely Cece's wedding to Shivrang. We have all the photos from the finale, including a look at special guest Taylor Swift! Take a look at her, along with the other photos from the big event, like a few of Nick and Jess getting close. Click through to see those two looking quite cozy and all the colorful, beautiful pictures from Cece's wedding.

TV

Brand-New Fall TV: Watch the Trailers For NBC's New Shows

This week's upfronts are getting us superexcited for new Fall TV, and not only are we finding out what the new weekly lineups will be, but we're also getting to see footage from the new shows.

This week's upfronts are getting us superexcited for new Fall TV, and not only are we finding out what the new weekly lineups will be, but we're also getting to see footage from the new shows. NBC has three new comedies and three new dramas joining the Fall schedule, and we have the trailers — and everything else you need to know — right here. From Michael J. Fox's new comedy to a creepy vampire show starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, click through to watch the previews from NBC's newbies.

Movies

Happy Birthday, Robert Pattinson! See 27 Pictures of Him Looking Hot on Screen

Today is Robert Pattinson's birthday, and the Twilight Saga star is turning 27.

Today is Robert Pattinson's birthday, and the Twilight Saga star is turning 27. We're celebrating his big day by sharing 27 of his hottest photos from his movie roles. From the role that launched him to super stardom, Edward Cullen, and beyond, check out these photos of the charming Brit.

TV

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: "Man With a Plan"

The physical merging of the merger happens on this week's Mad Men, and people aren't just butting heads because there's not enough room at the SCDP office.

The physical merging of the merger happens on this week's Mad Men, and people aren't just butting heads because there's not enough room at the SCDP office. While some people are having a tough time transitioning into the new situation, some employees have it worse and get the boot. Meanwhile, Don pushes his extramarital relationship too far, Pete's mother pops up, and Joan and Bob Benson both help each other.

The show ends with one of the most shocking moments of the late '60s: Bobby Kennedy's shooting. Since it happens in the closing moments, it doesn't permeate the episode like Martin Luther King Jr.'s death did a few episodes ago, but it's a bold punctuation to the end of the episode. But before we talk about the end, let's get to the five maddest moments of this week after the jump.

Movies

Exclusive: See Isla Fisher in a Cool Motion Poster For Now You See Me

Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Dave Franco star in this month's Now You See Me, a story of four magicians who perform mind-blowing illusions (like robbing a bank in Paris from Las Vegas).

Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Dave Franco star in this month's Now You See Me, a story of four magicians who perform mind-blowing illusions (like robbing a bank in Paris from Las Vegas). The visually impressive film has equally impressive motion posters, one for each of the main characters, and we have an exclusive look at the one for Fisher's character, Henley, who's also known as "the escape artist." The motion poster, which you can see after the jump, features Fisher in one of the movie's coolest scenes, where she tries to escape from a water tank. Be sure to catch Now You See Me when it opens May 31, and see the poster in all its moving glory after the break.

A Game of Thrones Star Will Be Cinderella's Prince, Plus More Casting News

This week's casting news is fun, with Game of Thrones star Richard Madden (better known as Robb Stark) signing on for Disney's live-action Cinderella, Jessica Alba boarding an indie romantic comedy, and Andrew Garfield signing on for a Martin Scorsese film.

This week's casting news is fun, with Game of Thrones star Richard Madden (better known as Robb Stark) signing on for Disney's live-action Cinderella, Jessica Alba boarding an indie romantic comedy, and Andrew Garfield signing on for a Martin Scorsese film. Click through to get the scoop on the new jobs of your favourite stars!

TV

Mad Men: Why You Recognize These Recent Guest Stars

This season of Mad Men has brought more than an obsession with death, copious facial hair, and a merger — it's also been featuring a ton of recognizable guest stars.

This season of Mad Men has brought more than an obsession with death, copious facial hair, and a merger — it's also been featuring a ton of recognizable guest stars. We were shocked but delighted to see Linda Cardellini (Freaks and Geeks forever!) in the season opener, and now it seems like each episode has another face we know. But just in case you're still trying to place some of Mad Men's recent guest stars, we've got the answers right here.