It's around here Somewhere...

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Summer Entertainment Sucks

I know thats pretty blatant of an opinion, but I only hate most Summer Entertainment and movies. When I say "Movies" I mean the blockbusters that are about robots, explosions and all things that have to do with superheroes. Does this make me a bad boy (and I dont mean in the greasy way)? I mean am I not masculine because of my dislike for all things that have to do with talking dogs and Vin Diesel with strange markings on his cranial lobe? And at that, why are they so popular? Why are we rewarding ignorance?

I intentionally sit inside my room looking at what's coming out around December...Or how I like to call it, "Oscar Bait Season". I can always enjoy a moody drama about rape in the Congo or a politician in a struggle over a Goliath-like power around the Holidays. I am desperately waiting for something of the likes of Cate Blanchett or Viggo Mortensen I need It! That's how I survive during the whole year round!

The Summer can only produce Independent films (Like 5OO Days Of Summer) that are great, but not good enough for a November or December release. Why cant these films be put into more theaters than just one next to every Urban Outfitters in Manhattan? Does Regal Cinemas think that I should buy earplugs for all of the destructive movies? I get sick of them, along with your ten dollar ticket prices.

Ive stated my case...not to mention I hate the Summer in general (I hate white, I dont tan, they dont make the grape-flavored pops anymore, and Julie Chen (A.K.A. The Chenbot) is not enough for myself.)

In one of the most ironic things of all time, I hate Summer, But I am dying to see a film called "500 Days Of Summer". What a twisted web you turn, Zooey Deschanel, very twisted.

Songs You Need to Check Out Now

This Year Has been so good for music. Wheter it be Alt-Rock or raunchy pop (thats you, Gaga). Here are some songs you need to refresh your playlist with.

Bat For Lashes
"Daniel"

You may feel a resemblance of The Karate Kid in the music video for "Daniel", thats because the video was based loosely on the 1980's hit film. Brit Import Natasha Khan is 'Lashes' where she has a sharp tacked voice that keeps melodies in your mind..either though this beautiful this song is somewhat mysteriously creepy and sad, it is still a remarkably epic stature.


Matt A
nd Kim
"Daylight"
The Brooklyn indie-pop duo provide major rhythms and dance along beats to the independent scene with "daylight" off of their album "Grand". The song can change a mood with it's rather happy mood, and the opening piano (courtesy of Matt), can electrify you with intensity that is sure to not be unheard.




Metric

"Help, I'm Alive"
If you, by any chance, watch any late night talk show, you have surely seen these guys pop up two or three times. "Help..." is a very engine-roomy type song with electronic beats and hooks that really do get your pulse going.









The Today Show: Why A Fourth Hour?


As of right now, I am bracing for the laugh-fest that is The View to start. What other place can you find five menopausal women bickering about KY Jelly and planting? Im looking at the clock. 10:50. I am, for the next ten minutes, watching the Today Show's train wreck third hour. I am white-knuckling it waiting for The View to start..and after a half an hour of that, Ill switch over to The Price Is Right. And the sad thing is is that there's another hour ahead on NBC. I actually enjoy the fourth hour only because I like to see Kathie Lee drunk...but it will never triumph over Elizabeth Hassleback squirming under Whoopi. Never.

I think that the fourth hour of the Today show is better than the third. That's mostly because the only things that happen during the third hour is Al Rocker eating a whole Honeybaked Ham. Why do we need to find things out like new quesadilla recipes and vaginal rejuvenation. That does sort of sound like a pre-View show, but the premise is just a lie.

I dont know why NBC hasn't thought of putting on a new talk show. I think at this point I would consider watching a cat doing things for an hour than watch the third hour of The Today Show. Why cant NBC realize that painted cacti designed by the elderly in New Mexico is not news. It may be cute, but it's just not news.

My mornings this Summer Vacation have been okay, mostly because of the presence of Ellen DeGeneres in my schedule. But sometimes, dancing blonds cant make me feel any better about myself. I have been sitting around my computer just typing away. I would really like it if something new was on during the daytime schedule so I could actually feel like their doing the service of entertainment for myself.

While watching the third hour of the Today Show, you feel a sudden shock of regret. All the other shows have already started, so you cant go back now. It's too late. Your just going to to have to deal with the fact that versible tofu recipes are just going to have to do it for you.

Until then, I'm just going to have to hold on til the night time comes. I always have preferred the Late Night television lineup anyway.

Monday, July 20, 2009

This Weeks spotlight Indie Artist...


Florence And The Machine
Snarly and self aware Brit rocker Florence Welch started Florence And the Machine in 2007 after being discovered in a London bathroom. There, she was picked out for her bluesy, yet poppy, charming voice. The Machine is made up of the background musicians who provide the music for Welch.

In 2008, Welch's first EP, "Kiss With a Fist", a roll-licking and soulful clash of pop and puck, was released.The EP was so widely accepted in the UK that Florence and The Machine won the Brit award for critic's choice--before even releasing their debut album Lungs on July sixth.

Its not for certain if these pop-punkers will be the next British invasion, but for all of those who can check them out, get ready to rock.


Download This: "Kiss With a Fist" also... "Are You Hurting the One You Love"


Check Them Out: http://www.myspace.com/florenceandthemachine

Friday, July 17, 2009

The 20 Best Television Show Openings/Credits


The list below is that of the best opening sequences from television history. When I say "sequences", i mean the opening montages and the themes in general.

1. Weeds
I used to live in the suburbs, and this is a lot like what is common in those parts. Set to
"Little Boxes", the opening theme shows just how people re all the same in the good life. They all seem emotionless, yet its ironic and cleverly witty. I think the fact about what the show is about makes you think highly and get the inside joke that the opening provides. Not just a great show, but a terrific opening!
2. Dexter
Its not very fun getting up in the morning. But when your a closeted serial killer, its bound to get interesting. The sessions of shaving, juicing, and tieing all seem to end up in some blood being involved. This is the ultimately inquizative opening.
3. True Blood
You have everything thing in this opening. Everything from Alligators to prostitues...even a rotting wolf. It's deliciously Southern and creepy, but still makes you want to party. The song isn't too bad either ("Bad Things" by Jace Evrette).
4. Six Feet Under
No one wants to die. But on the other hand, if my departure from this world is this great and spooky, I would like to take part; soon. Said to be made up by a company called Digital Kitchen, the wonderfully creepy, yet uplifting, opening has you cheer and not get goosebumps with scenes like a lone tree and a gurney left alone inside a herse. With its bright and sunny music taking the background, this opening is a winner!
5. Mad Men
A man falling to the sound of somthing of almost sympathetic music cannot be beat. I am convinced that this may be one of the reasons that it won critical acclaim and an Emmy for Best Drama-Apart from the great acting, writing, yada yada yada.
6. Nip/Tuck
Ive never seen a show that wants to scare its viewers with manaquins. Ever. And still do a good job with creepy music! But dont get me started on the markers, they're even worse.
7. The Golden Girls
The single reason why I want to live in Miami is because of the first minute of this show. Great Friends, lovely music, and cheesecake!
8.The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Not only was the song catchy as hell, but it was words of advice. You dont know how many times I've used the line "I guess I did make it afterall" in my essays for school. And, to top it all off, how can you top Mary throwing her hat in New York? You cant! Ive done it before, and it was rather satisfying.
9. The Simpsons
Maybe Im just putting this on the countdown because I love this show. Maybe because its classic. Maybe even because its a trip through the dysfunctionally hilarious town of Springfield and its residents. Thats good enough for this countdown..I'd say so.
10. How I Met Your Mother
It all starts with a flash of a kodak camera. It then evolves into an almost evolution-like event of friends through a time where most is all good. The song, which is interestingly enough preformed by the shows creators, fits the program with pep and modern bliss.
11. Big Love
Two words: Dancing Mormons. 'Nuff said.
12. Saturday Night Live
Though it changes every few seasons, just like its cast of not ready for primetime players, the shots of hustling New Yorkers in motion, roof-top parties, and water towers, and such other very memorable shots, along with Don Pardo's announcing genious, is still sentimentality at its best.
13. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
If you lived the nineties-or were just born in the ninties, you know how to finish "This is a story...".
14. 30 Rock
Unlike number sixteen, the opening for one of my favorite shows (actually, my favorite show: Period), its upbeat and totally New York. The song brings you back to shows of yester-year theatrics and the shots of the cast in motion aren't to shabby either.
15. Damages
Dark and moody, just like the show. The sweeping and rapid movement of New York City's gloom and defeat is perfect for this acclaimed drama (and personally, one of my favorite shows). The music definetly catches the vibe of cut throat business and law in an urban jungle.
16. The Big Bang Theory
Its almost as if a cappuchino were a noise that was then thrown down a flight of stairs. The fast-paced song (written and preformed by The Bare Naked Ladies) sums up the shows whole quirk. Not to mention the trip through history all leading up to four brainiacs eating Chinese with a hottie.
17. The Office (UK Version)
A trip around the UK business scene is enough for this better than-its succsecor hit to make it to the countdown. It feels peppy and ubeat without feeling fake.
18. The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson
It might probably be because I watch every night that I am a little biased to think that the self written (by Craig Ferguson himself!) song and montage of all his skits is truly amazing. Maybe its because I feel like I'm apart of a great inside joke. Either way, its gold.
19. Law And Order
I think if this countdown were just based on opening theme songs, this would be in the top three. When you hear anything close to the strung-out song, you immediately thing of Law and Order. It's up to you to say if thats a good or bad thing.
20. Fosters Home For Imaginary Friends
The note-pad like opening brings you from the beginings of a drawn-out home into a beautiful landscaped world. How fitting for this show!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Emmy nominations came out this morning and kept me on edge. I pick out who should win from the list of the actual nominees.

(SW=WHO I WANT TO WIN; WW= WILL WIN)

Best Comedy Series
Entourage
The Office
How I Met Your Mother
30 Rock (SW/WW)
Family Guy
Weeds
Flight Of the Concords


Best Drama Series
Breaking Bad
Dexter
Big Love
Mad Men (WW)
House
Damages (SW)
Lost

Best Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Christina Applegate-Samantha Who?
Toni Collette-The United States Of Tara
Tina Fey-30 Rock (SW/WW)
Mary-Louise Parker-Weeds
Sarah Silverman-The Sarah Silverman Program
Julia Louise-Dreyfuss-The New Adventures Of Old Christine

Best Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin-30 Rock (WW)
Jermaine Clement-Flight Of The Concords
Jim Parsons-The Big Bang Theory (SW)
Steve Carelle-The Office
Tony Shaloub-Monk
Charlie Sheen-Two And A Half Men

Best Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Kyra Sedgwick-The Closer
Glen Close-Damages (SW)
Mariska Hargitay-Law And Order:SVU
Holly Hunter-Saving Grace
Elizabeth Moss-Mad Men (WW)
Sally Field-Brothers and Sisters

Best Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Simon Baker-The Mentalist
Hugh Laurie-House
(WW)
Gabriel Byrne-In Treatment
Michael C. Hall-Dexter
(SW)
Bran Cranston-Breaking Bad
Jon Hamm-Mad Men



Best Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Jane Krakowski-30 Rock (WW)
Kristin Chenoweth-Pushing Daisies
Kristin Wiig-Saturday Night Live (SW)
Vanessa Williams-Ugly Betty
Amy Poehler-Saturday Night Live
Elizabeth Perkins-Weeds

Best Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Tracy Morgan-30 Rock (SW)
Rainn Wilson-The Office
Jon Cryer-Two And A Half Men
Neil Patrick Harris-How I Met Your Mother (WW)
Jack Mcbrayer-30 Rock
Kevin Dillon-Entourage

Best Supporting Actress In a Drama Series
Cherry Jones-24
Rose Byrne-Damages (SW)
Chandra Wilson-Grey's Anatomy (WW)
Dianne Weist-In Treatment
Sandra Oh- Grey's Anatomy
Hope Davis- In Treatment

Best Supporting Actor
Aaron Paul-Breaking Bad (SW)
Michael Emerson-Lost
William Hurt-Damages
William Shatner-Boston Legal (WW)
John Slattery-Mad Men
Christian Clemenson-Boston Legal








Wednesday, July 8, 2009

My Dream Emmy Nominations: Part 2

There comes a time during the year where my love of television takes over the all-powerful love of film. In the begining of the year, its the Oscars. But in the Summer, the Emmys is all the rage. The Emmys nominees are not very far away, so here are my picks for who should be nominated this year.

Best Comedy Series
Pushing Daisies
The Office
The Big Bang Theory
The New Adventures Of Old Christine
30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm

Best Drama Series
Big Love
Dexter
Damages
Mad Men
True Blood
Friday Night Lights

Best Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Glen Close-Damages
Mariska Hargitay-Law and Order:SVU
Regina King-Southland
January Jones- Mad Men
Anna Paquin-True Blood
Elizabeth Moss- Mad Men

Best Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Michael C. Hall-Dexter
Denis Leary-Rescue Me
Gabriel Byrne-In Treatment
Bryan Cranston-Breaking Bad
Jon Hamm-Mad Men
Kyle Chandler-Friday Night Lights


Best Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Julia Louise-Dreyfuss-The New Adventures Of Old Christine
Kaley Cuoco-The Big Bang Theory
Mary-Louise Parker-Weeds
Tina Fey-30 Rock
Amy Poehler-Parks And Recreation
Toni Collete-The United States of Tara

Best Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin-30 Rock
Steve Carell-The Office
Jim Parsons-The Big Bang Theory
Tony Shaloub-Monk
Lee Pace-Pushing Daisies
Zachary Levi-Chuck

Best Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Christina Hendricks- Mad Men
Rutina Wesley- True Blood
Jennifer Carpenter- Dexter
Amanda Seyfried- Big Love
Rose Byrne- Damages
Ginnifer Goodwin- Big Love

Best Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Walter Goggins- The Sheild
William Hurt-Damages
Aaron Paul-Breaking Bad
Jeremy Davies-Lost
Ted Danson-Damages
Ryan Kwanten-True Blood

Best Supporting Actress in A Comedy Series
Portia De Rossi-Better Off Ted
Jane Krakowski-30 Rock
Rashida Jones-Parks And Recreation
Kristin Wiig-Saturday Night Live
Cobie Smulders-How I Met Your Mother
Wanda Sykes-The New Adventures Of Old Christine

Best Supporting Actor In A Comedy
Michael Urie-Ugly Betty
Tracy
Morgan-30 Rock
Aziz Ansari-Parks And Recreation
Rainn Wilson-The Office
Jack Mcbrayer-30 Rock
Neil Patrick Harris-How I Met Your Mother