So... What are we doing for New Years?: 2008

Step 1: Put your iTunes or equivalent on random.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 35 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 3: Have people guess what songs they are.
Step 4: Bold out the songs when someone guesses correctly.
Step 5: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is cheating!

1. Come dance with me/ I -I- I love it
2. Something in the way she moves
3. The Magic 8 says I’m losing/ but I’m trying even harder now to hold on
4. Lily is dancing on the table/ We’ve all been pushed too far
5. Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann
6. It’s been 7 hours and 15 days/ Since you took your love away
7. Pick the girl up at the train stop where I live/ Take a drive along the beach by the ocean
8. Well I’d live to visit the moon/ On a rocket ship high in the air
9. Once was a magical place/ Over time it was lost/ Price increased the cost
10. In many ways / They’ll miss the good old days
11. Come on baby leave some change behind/ She was a bitch but I don’t care
12. I don’t mind it/ I don’t mind at all/ It’s like you’re the swingset and I’m the kid that falls
13. Boys and girls of every age/ Wouldn’t you like to see something strange
14. Teenage Mary said to Uncle Dave/ I sold my soul must be saved
15. All I can ever be to you/ Is a darkness that we knew/ And this regret I got accustomed to
16. Here we are we’ve come to call/ With pipes and flutes and fiddles and all
17. Heaven bent to take my hand/ And lead me through the fire
18. A man walks down the street he says/ Why am I soft in the middle now?
19. I would like to reach out my hand/ I may see you/ I may tell you to run
20. I got dosed by you/ And closer than most to you and/ What am I supposed to do/ Take it away I never had it anyway
21. Come on come on come on come on now touch me babe/ Can’t you see?
22. Ka-boom/ Get it right now/ Oh let’s burn the factory/ that makes all the wanna-bes
23. Perfect by nature/ Icons of self-indulgence
24. Knew you’d be here tonight/ So I put my best dress on/ Boy I was so right (God, I'm embarrassed)
25. He was a hard-headed man/ He was brutally handsome
26. Miami/South Beach bringing the heat (dear GOD.)
27. The minute you walked in the joint/ I could see you were a man of distinction
28. Walking from the past/ But I don’t think I’ve said my goodbyes
29. Baby can’t you see/ I’m calling (this is a COVER version)
30. Drugs/ They say/ To make us feel so hollow/ We love in vain/ Narcissistic and so shallow
31. And I feel that times a wasted go/ So where you going to tomorrow?
32. You took your coat off/ And stood in the rain/ You’re always crazy like that
33. Dusting off your savior/ Well you were always my favorite
34. Don’t waste your touch/ You won’t feel anything/ Or were you sent to save me?
35. You pretend you’re high/ You pretend you’re bored/ You pretend you’re anything/ Just to be adored

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Whee! new meme!

1. Started your own blog (duh.)
2. Slept under the stars
I think the last time I did this was on Catalina, and we woke up covered in ash from the LA fires
3. Played in a band
I sang in a choir...
4. Visited Hawaii (seriously? can't we just say an island?)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumping
Hell no. But I would like to go skydiving.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
I've walked to the top of the leaning tower of pisa
18. Grown your own vegetables
tomatoes and apples
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
the Indian Pacific in Oz
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
Dear god I hope women don't do that anymore
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
SF child. I have built massive pillow forts...
25. Held a lamb
baby goat...
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
It may have been in kickball... but still
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
If my grandparents count
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
It was the Marilyn Manson version of Sweet Dreams. It wasn't good.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
Last time I can remember (if not in Ifaty, Madagascar) was in San Diego to watch the grunion
46. Been transported in an ambulance
I was accompanying my mother
47. Had your portrait painted
sketched - does that count? Oh - and sculpted, too.
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Can't - moving veins. They don't like me.
65. Gone sky diving
want too...
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
I've fractured my left pinky finger. Does that count?
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
Jeff Goldblum, Neil Patrick Harris, Alan Cumming, Nellie McKay, Zeljko Ivanek, Billy Crudup, Ana Gasteyer, Tom Hewitt, and many, many actors from RENT. And Olga Borodina and Jose Cura, who are opera singers. I have also seen Chris Kattan, Cheri Oteri, Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, Conan O'Brien, John Hodgman and Will Arnett. Living in SF and New York has it's perks. My mother also told Mel Gibson that I loved Braveheart. This was before he went crazy.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Whee! Meme!

The flickr mosaic meme, which I got from Cleolinda.
01. Answer each of the questions below the cut using the [Flickr] search engine. (ETA: I've changed the URL so it will automatically search "Most Interesting" for you.)
02. Choose a photo from the first three pages.
03. Copy the URL of your favorite photos [here].
04. Then share with the world.

01. First Name: Jessica. This one was tough. There was a cool desert landscape, a picture of red smoke, and a stylized one of false lashes, but this one spoke to me most.

02. Favorite Food: Sushi... Mmm...

03. Hometown: San Francisco

04. Favorite Color: Burgundy

05. Celebrity Crush: This one was also tough. I did try looking up some guys, but none of them had interesting photos. My favorite actor, Sam Rockwell, did.

06. Favorite Drink: French Martini.

07. Dream Holiday: Borneo.

08. Favorite Dessert: Coffee ice cream

09. What I Want To Be When I Grow Up: conservationist? I don't know...

10. What I Love Most In The World: Well, I tried friends, but not much came up. So I tried movies and this came up (evoking house of flying daggers).

11. One Word That Describes Me: FIGBASH.

12. My LiveJournal Name: jwdmeow. Returns no results, so meow gives you this.

1. Bath, 2. Sushi!, 3. Outgoing Waves, 4. Wave, 5. sam rockwell tichert, 6. French Martini, 7. .The Land Below The Wind ., 8. Coffee Stracciatella Ice Cream, 9. creeper, 10. House of Flying Dagger, 11. Figbash saloon & bar, 12. Uyarı! / Işıklar içinde yat Fazıl!.. :(

Monday, November 10, 2008

Please Excuse the Interruption

It has come to our attention that our editor has left us, perhaps indefinately, for better and brighter things. No doubt as soon as she has access to a personal computer updates will be regular and frequent. In the meantime here's the best the management in stead could offer:

~ The Management

Lists are being made of movie superlatives.

Developments on shows such as Lost, Pushing Daisies, and other witty or 'brilliant' shows.

Cleolinda is still blogging.

Sam Rockwell is doing things...

...

In turns out we have no idea how to do this. Our apologies. Keep checking back for information and links as developments continue to discontinue.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

I'm baaack!

Hello? (hello... hello...) Echo... (echo... echo...)

'Sup, y'all? Sorry to have been gone. I've had two very rough weeks at work followed by a week of the plague. I was going to update for the emmys (I might still post a mini-recap at some point - oh and I came in 123rd out of about 3100 in the Emmy prediction game), but I was seriously ill. Whatcha gonna do? Here's about a week's worth of news and stuff. It's been a fairly slow news time for films anyways - I feel like there's been very little buzz out of the film fests.

(Oh - AND I'm raked 46th in the Fall Box Office Challenge so far. I rock.) (Oh - and how to fix the emmys) (Oh - and Josh Groban? I think Defamer puts it best; "Say what you will about his talent, his popularity, his banality, his backstory, whatever, but the guy isn't stupid. He knew the position he was in, he knew the job he had to do, and unlike the hosts, writers and producers who pumped (and tape-delayed!) three hours' worth of bullshit into America's beloved televisions, he did his job. And he pretty much meant it — every outlandish segue into a condescending gospel choir or Muppet guest appearance seemed to nudge his energy incrementally higher. It was genuinely stirring, as in: We might not have finished our liveblog without it.")

There are a bunch of things I want to see in theaters, but the only thing I've been up to seeing through my sickness was RENT filmed live, since it was limited run and pricey. But well worth it. While it wasn't perhaps the strongest cast RENT has ever had, and the filming of the production was not always great (the camera often seemed placed about 2 inches too low), it was worth it to see Michael Greif's superb stage direction one last time. There were some standouts in the cast (Mimi had a very lovely voice), which made up for others who were particularly rough (Benny springs to mind). Were a DVD ever available, I would probably buy it, RENThead that I am, but I'll still probably watch my bootleg of the Angel cast more often. Still, since I couldn't see it live one last time, at least with this set, these costumes, and this direction, the filming made for a nice final way to see it, even when it lacked some of the thrill and energy of a live performance (that was particularly noticeable when Rent kicked in). And hey - at least it's better than the movie. Here's a clip of highlights.

Choke is out! Choke is out! It's been a monsoon here, so I have yet to brave the out of doors and see it, but I'll probably go tomorrow. Here are some reviews: Entertainment Weekly, Cinematical ("...there's only one reason why I would recommend you check out this film, and one reason only: Sam Rockwell."), New York Times ("It remains for Mr. Rockwell to create a center for a satire that is about not having a center. He distills a skeptical attitude of an under-40 everyman from the educated class (he is a medical school dropout): bored and cynical, concealing his hurt under layers of defiance, sarcasm and feigned indifference. Mr. Rockwell makes you see all the layers as well as feel the pain that lies beneath.") Speaking of which, Sam Rockwell in High School. 7: sex addicts on the silver screen.

Paul Newman dies

The Academy's re-opening! Yay! Check out the architecture here. It's gorgeous. (Speaking of which, a mile long line to get in.)

I've been reading a lot of Mark Morford of the SF Chronicle recently. Here's a good one on Palin. And the Good News and the Bad News.

Synecdoche, New York poster, Changeling poster, Valkyrie

Trailers: Benjamin Button tv spot / trailer here, For the pleasure of being robbed, badass final Spirit trailer (I know... it'll probably be bad. But I'm gonna go see it.) the Elephant King, Valkyrie, Timecrimes, Hunger (this looks amazing), Revolutionary Road, Deadgirl, Synecdoche, Waltz with Bashir, Year of the Fish,

Fan Rant: Can we focus on Keira Knightley's performances, not her ribs? (Which is a good sentiment, if the author talks about herself waay too much) and this is also funny because a few hours earlier a different writer when commenting on Kiera taking on Zelda Fitzgerald, wrote, "Keira does a decent job with these sort of roles, but Zelda was not a waif. I hope, at the very least, she tries to get that cherubic flapper look for the role." That's right, focus on her looks, not the acting job required. Also: 7 Knightley costume pics.

7: movies within movies since 2000

The essay on Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega

The most awesome magazine cover. Plus a great interview with Colbert and Stewart.

18 wild trips to the library

The Paddy's Pub Blog is fun for all you fans of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (how brilliant was the cannibalism episode?)

Hear the full Another Way to Die. I like it alright. I like the rhythm and the horns, but I'm not sure Alicia Keys was really utilized effectively.

I hate the new Sound Bites format, but John Krasinski's arms (9.24) crack me up

Watchmen legal update: dressing up as a comic book character solves everything!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Riddler

I don't remember if I linked to the Batman sequel fan art from a week or so ago, but in addition to the very cool pic of Kristen Bell as Harley Quinn, apparently there was also a mock up of David Tennant as the Riddler. How brilliant is that? I can't seem to find the poster anywhere else, but what a great casting idea. I would also like to see Johnny Depp in the role (that is, if the Riddler ends up in the next film). Other possibilities? Ryan Gosling, Edward Norton, maybe Joseph Gordon-Leavitt? Although I'm not sure he has the gravitas to pull that off quite yet. Hmmm - Guy Pearce? I've also heard Adrien Brody and Casey Affleck thrown out as suggestions, but I just can't see them enjoying the role enough. I've also heard Crispin Glover, but I think he's a bit too out there. Finally, Kevin Spacey has been mentioned, which is fun, but I can't see them casting someone significantly older than Christian Bale. Oddly. But I just get the feel that the new direction, in addition to being darker and more dramatic, is also younger. As for Paul Bettany, Neil Patrick Harris, David Hyde Pierce, or Robert Downey Jr.? Phhhhttttt. Now you're just throwing out names. (Watch: NPH will walk away with the role).

Out of all of these, I'm most sold on David Tennant. He has the manic energy, the sly wit - and he played a psycho in HP4 (well, and apparently in Secret Smile as well, though I haven't seen it). I love on Doctor Who when you watch as his mind jumps around at a thousand miles an hour, which would be perfect for the Riddler, who is supposed to be that clever.

Finally, I heard one person say that William Fitchner's name tag in the bank scene was Edward Nygma. Was that true, or wishful thinking?

Whoever they go with, I think someone talented without being too famous may be the way to go. Johnny Depp is good in almost everything he does, but his star power might overwhelm the character. Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart worked because they were known names, but smaller stars (and both very good). Cillian Murphy was even lesser known (despite being a fantastic actor).

Also - I completely forgot to mention before that I saw Red Dragon (how did they get that cast into such a giant mess?), Death Proof (Oh so awesome! AND Butterfly wears a shirt I own. Double fantastic.), and Murder by Numbers (it was late and I was tired. That is also what inspired the Ryan Gosling suggestion above). And Season 2 of 30 Rock over at Hulu. You know, to counteract the blood and gore.

More Choke fun

Clips are going up all over the place, and while I was initially torn as to whether or not to watch them, my love of all things Sam Rockwell won out. And lucky for me, they are all great and I don't think they've spoiled anything. I can understand not wanting to see half the movie before it opens, which is why I often stop watching clips a few weeks before a premiere - the Dark Knight being a case in point. But occasionally a studio has the good sense to release just a few good clips, which actually make you excited to see a film, without giving away the best parts or major plot developments. It makes me happy when Hollywood gets it right.

Anyhoo - clip 1 (Colonial America), clip 2 (visiting Angelica), clip 3 (Angelica and young Victor - love the hat!)

Also, the higher def Frost/Nixon trailer can be found here.

That's all the update from here, and as I'm taking off for labor day, I probably won't get back into the swing of actual updates till September. At that point, I'd like to try writing some more columns, in addition to your regularly scheduled linkspam, but as I still don't have a laptop, we will see how that pans out.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

EEEEEE!!!!

It's blurry, but SAM ROCKWELL WANTS TO PUT NIXON ON TRIAL. Go see it. Go see it noooow.

Also - Michael Sheen's "I'm sorry?" at the end is priceless. I hope he doesn't get overshadowed again come awards season.

Sorry for the absence, boys and girls. Have you ever had one of those weeks where you've been meandering along, punching the clock and then 10 million tons of stuff lands on your head all at once? It was one of those weeks last week. C'est la vie. Among the many, many things, one of my best friends is off to Ireland, my brother got a scooter, I got a pay raise, and I won advance screening tickets to Hamlet 2 tomorrow. I also saw Tropic Thunder, which was very funny. It's pretty up and down, but there were some really hysterical moments. Unfortunately (?) the absolute best comes during Robert Downey Jr.'s fake trailer, which is right at the start.

I won't bother with a full slate of linkspam, but there were a couple of things that caught my eye.

This is beautiful. I particularly like the AT-ATs by the cliff house, and the subbing in for the Blue Angels. *sigh* I miss SF.

The Bulwer-Lytton winners

Also I can't stop listening to this.

Frank Miller Disney Princesses

This made me laugh

And finally, I skipped over this a week or two ago, but the alternate Bond theme is really, really worth a moment of your time. It's still making me smile today.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Save the Lips!

Not much going on here. I got a call from one of my best friends who is in Kenya, informing me that she is engaged (yay!) which means not only do I get to be a bridesmaid for the first time, but I get to help plan her hen night! Mwahahahaha....

Watching the olympics. They're using the Kaiser Chiefs as background music. I wonder how many Americans catch that? Also - there's an ad on for Kath and Kim, which I never got into in Oz. Bring over Rove!
Ha. And now the Sarah Connor Chronicles is on (I'm trying to catch up on what it's about before Shirley joins) and who should appear but Dean Winters! He was so fab on Oz. Hmmm... I'm liking it. Not anything groundbreaking, but plenty of action.

Saw Persepolis, which has terrific animation, and I think the storyline was streamlined incredibly well. I highly recommend it. Also saw Elizabeth: the Golden Age, which was very pretty, if somewhat convoluted. The first one was better. And I'm sorry Samantha Morton didn't have a lot to do as Mary Queen of Scots. (Also - why was Tom Hollander doing 2 scenes in the whole thing? What a waste of talent. Did he have a friend on set and swing by for an afternoon?)

Political: McCain's 'respectful' campaign, Vote for Bush? Pay up, McCain's green eyed monster, Mr. Darcy comes courting. Maureen Dowd is particularly good at the moment.

Hurrah for gorrillas and the WCS!

Bert and Ernie; Gangsta rappers

A map of olympic medals. Too much fun - I wasted a ton of time on this; who new Kiwis were so good at horses?

A Farm Boy Reflects

The Hot Ticket adds Cirque. I LOVE Cirque! Also - I'm on the hot ticket notification list for the second the RENT tickets go on sale.

Image of Ben Barnes as Dorian Gray, Colin Firth and Ben Barnes alone do not an Oscar Wilde adaptation make *sigh* I'm still sad they went with Colin Firth. Although maybe the middle-aged ladies will help bump up the box office. (I forget if I already posted these; Easy Virtue pics)

Trailers: The Lucky Ones, Happy Go Lucky, the Haunting of Molly Hartley, Fireflies in the Garden, Yes Man, The Informers, Winged Creatures, Role Models,

Positive Valkyrie review

Save the Lips!

Robbie Coltrane; teenage burglar

Saul and Dale before Pineapple express. Ha.

Sci Fi saves Shakespeare Man, I would give my right arm to see that Hamlet, but I can't imagine what the insane British Who fans would be like.

The Deal is better than the Queen. I really want to see the Deal. I thought Michael Sheen was fantastic in the Queen.

Latest Watchmen production journal

New LOSTies

Megan Fox is an NC-17 Mother Theresa

Movies that deserved a different rating

4 More Join Inglorious Bastards

Would you rather... I think I can easily say which one I'd choose (although sex tourism in Thailand? euch.)

Cloris Leachman is funny

Um... Josh Holloway? What have they done to your hair?

Kevin Smith wins his R (I love his quote)

Are you speaking Bat?

The cinematical seven: the Bechdel Rule

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Human nature, I guess?

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!!! THE RED BAND FOR CHOKE IS BACK UP!!!!! GO SEE IT NOOOOOOOOWWWW!!! (also - Clark Gregg on casting).

Stayed home sick Thursday. Felt sorry for myself. *cough cough* (Okay, actually I was achy and had a sore throat, but there are no sound effects there). Also having family crises right and left. Fantastico. I was going to get myself a laptop this week, but I've decided to just save up to move. Yes, it stresses me out not to have a laptop and I really want to be able to organize all my photos from traveling. And my itunes. But I think I need to move first. Why can't I just win the lotto? It would solve so many of my problems.

Very excitingly, on Friday I got over to the library, where they have a First Folio on display in the rare books room - preeeetty. They also had several early quartos, including a Midsummer's Nights Dream from 1600. It was a very cool display.

Let's see. Saw Hellboy 2, Mama Mia. I didn't enjoy Hellboy all that much. I might have like it more if I saw it before the Dark Knight. Or had seen the first one, maybe. The visuals were very cool though. Mama Mia... gah. My mom wanted to go see it together, and I thought it would be kinda sparkly and fun. If nothing else, it would have a bit of Dominic Cooper. Here's what I got. We now know what would happen if Meryl Streep filmed an entire movie drunk. (And yes, that is Dominic Cooper in the pink spangly jumpsuit). Oh - and THIS. Why yes, those are men in tight swim trunks, snorkels, and flippers doing the stupidest choreography you have ever seen in your life.

Currently watching Top Gear (love) and the Great Raid (Joseph Fiennes does tortured so well). (BTW - did you know you can check out the Top Gear star leaderboard at wikipedia? Here you go.) (Also, one more reason to love Top Gear: their theme song is my song!)

Saw the Doctor Who Finale last night. I don't think I liked it. Spoiler sweep: [While it was exciting to get the whole crew together, I don't think they knew what to do with everyone once they were there. The jumpy editing between the two doctors made it feel like the acting was a bit off. As if David didn't really know how to play the two. I did really enjoy a lot of the plot and the middle bit with Donna. But here were my two biggest problems:

Donna - I was so upset by her ending. She had changed her life, she had done amazing things, and it was all taken away. Killing her would have been kinder.

Rose came back. ROSE. CAME. BACK. That's huge. That's massive - and I never felt that they really gave that reunion the attention it deserved. And I can't decide about the ending. I might have liked it more if it had been given more weight. I think because they still had to get onto Donna, it felt rushed. I just... I don't know. It wasn't him, you know? She had broken down the walls of the universe to get back to him and then got put back in the other world with almost him and no TARDIS. How exactly is that supposed to work? And why couldn't the doctor (the actual doctor) have just said I love you already? What was with that?

Oh - and last thing. I love Doomsday in part for how incredibly, desperately sad it is. But this episode it just so depressing. Tell me the end of David staring at the TARDIS didn't just depress you half to death.]
io9: Doctor Who Finale made us miss last year's Tinkerbell Jesus

Also saw the Robin Hood Finale. [OMG WTF They KILLED MARION?!? Not that she wasn't asking for it, but Jesus.] Also; Richard Armitage on Bits and Bobs. Oh my god he was in Cats.

I also saw the new Move On ad on tv for the first time. It made me laugh.

LOVE THIS: the 2008 Box Office graph. Ooooh.... pretty....

The Rain of Madness site is awesome. If nothing else, check out the biography on Kirk Lazarus' site.

Comic Con came and went obviously. Some highlights (because I sure as hell can't deal with the backlog); The Wolverine trailer bootleg, Comic Con in 3 minutes, the Spirit art school poster, visionaries panel = pure gold, more comic-con wrap up, Shirley! Shirley shirley shirley shirley, Dharma initiative steals the show at LOST panel, Heroes panel. OH! Can I mention that NATHAN is in the previews for next season?? Way to completely lose there Heroes. Just when it looks like you might strap on a pair and try to emulate some of the good aspects of LOST, you go and wimp out and refuse to kill anyone. And speaking of people coming back in S3. Also, Tim Kring makes puppies commit adultery.

For those about to Watchmen Includes a link to an annotation site, and an interview with Alan Moore. All-encompassing hype started 20 years ago. Watchmen posters. Love. There are watchmen interviews here (if you scroll over to Sundance 2008 you can see a vid on Choke, too). Also there is some shaky, partial comic con footage here. I will say Rorschach looks awesome. New Empire covers and pics. How dark will Watchmen be?

What does the HP6 trailer mean? I like it overall, but I will say that the tone in the scene between Dumbledore and Tom struck me as off. Also: hi res HBP stills, in case you are like me and are going "what? Ron was in the teaser?" And Beedle the Bard to be published in Dec. (Fictional books we'd like to read) And THIS WINS.

The world's funniest race call. ARRRRR!!

Will W be stupid or serious?

The Brothers Bloom trailer, Pride and Glory trailer, What Just Happened trailer, Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist trailer, Up teaser an octogenarian prank show, Princess and the frog trailer. I like the princess and the frog. The lightning bug worries me. It is also making me want to see The Rescuers.

So apparently there's a monster in NY?

Zombie Haiku

Terminator: Salvation poster, Doubt poster, My Bloody Valentine 3D poster. Are you my mummy?

The Dark Knight erects giant pile of flammable currency, Johnny Depp and PSH as Bat-villains? Where could Batman go next? Angie as Catwoman?

Captain Hammer's super powers, Stars banter at Dr Horrible panel

Keira Knightley's breasts officially unmarketable

Near impossible task of marketing Hamlet 2

Nottingham film pushed back for Sherwood foliage I am not looking forward to this film at all. I mention it only so that I can also mention that I have been to Sherwood Forest. It's true.

Bay changing script for Shia's mangled hand? Worth it for the image of Bay continuing to work through setbacks.

New Oz photo. Mmmmmm....

Oh nooooes! Horrible news! Colin Firth joins the Picture of Dorian Grey.

14 franchises that need to stop. Including the Land Before Time; the definition of sequels being a DO NOT WANT.

August a cursed movie month

GI Joe vs. the Thing. Uhhh....

Also - Cleolinda has a discussion of Breaking Dawn up over at her place. I have yet to read it, but I'm looking forward to it.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

The world is a mess and I just need to rule it

OH MY GOD. SOO much has happened in the last week and my internet keeps going out for a couple of days at a time, so I'm going to miss a ton of stuff.

First off, I was doing some yard work last Sunday and found two snakes in the yard, which was exciting. Then, on Monday, I found out I came in 5TH - YEAH THAT'S RIGHT 5TH - in the Box Office Challenge, which was suuper exciting. Plus, Choke came out with a red band trailer, but the dating thing didn't work for me and then they took it down (ALONG WITH YOUTUBE! I don't get that. Why on earth would free advertising for your film be a bad thing? Why would you discourage fans from watching and sharing your trailer?)

[Update: I finally, FINALLY found a working trailer via a google video search and it is awesome and apparently too raunchy for the interwebs. It is also hysterical. I CANT WAIT]

Then the Watchmen trailer came out - EEEEE (it did seem to break the internets briefly, I had a difficult time finding the trailer for about an hour, and then finally I saw the apple version (and then today I saw it on a big, pretty IMAX screen, but more on that later)). OH MY GOD!! So good! Billy Crudup as Jon Osterman? Brilliant (I love, love, love him - he's easily one of the best actors around. I met him after an insanely brilliant performance of his on broadway and sort of lost the ability to speak English. True story.) It looks very accurate to the panels (I got that leap of glee that I had when shots in Sin City mirrored the comics so exactly.) In fact, about a day after hitting the web, people had already posted side by side comparisons. whee. Oh - I also don't mind the use of the Smashing Pumpkins' song. I think it fits well and the use of the same song does not mean the movies will be in any way equivilent.

I believe there was also a Twilight trailer, but I couldn't care less. I briefly thought it could be funny and sparkly and campy, but all signs point to zombie-awful.

Today, I caught the 10am IMAX showing of Batman. I'm having a hard time digesting the entire thing. There was just so very much there. I think I may have to go watch it again just to grasp it all. Although, and I said this when I walked out, the ecard about 'devastatingly bleak'? That's fairly accurate. It is dark. It is so sad. It is epic and gorgeous and there is so much to digest and process. It's musings on the nature of justice and good and... I just can't even write articulately about it at the moment. This not your oversimplified good vs. evil storyline. It is complex and the writing is handled extremely well (Well, maybe Gary Oldman's last speech was a leetle bombastic) but otherwise, there were just so many fine scenes. Batman and the Joker, Alfred describing what Batman needs to be for Gotham, the Joker and Dent, Bruce and Dent discussing heroism... the list goes on. There are so many fine moments. A lot of the tone is similar to the Dark Knight Returns, though of course the plot is different. But there is the question of people emulating batman, rather than being simply inspired by him. There are the themes of enduring an impossibly difficult mandate, the precarious link to the police, and the fact that Batman has always been the darkest superhero, the most criminal.

The direction is excellent. The action scenes are well done, the character scenes are well done, the entire affair is so well plotted that the MASSIVE amount of plot in the two and a half hours just zips along.

The cinematography is astounding. If you can see it in IMAX; GO. I cannot remember the last time I was so blown away by a shot (well, many shots). I have seen many films with great cinematography, but this elvates the form to a whole new plane. I know I posted this before, but this bears repeating.

Finally, the acting is stupendous. From every member of the cast. From Christian Bale down to Nestor Carbonell to the extras who get a few lines (the two on the ferries merit special mention). I am sorry that Christian Bale isn't getting much attention because, obviously, the whole thing falls apart without him. The fact that he gets Batman, he gets Bruce Wayne, he swings from menacing and scary to love-sick and unsure of himself; I simply cannot imagine anyone else pulling it off. Before Sam, Christian was my favorite actor all through high school, and I continue to think he is one of the best around. (While I understand it, the fact that he wasn't nominated for Rescue Dawn was criminal.) He pulls off an incredibly complex, difficult character with his usual assurance. He doesn't have the glib sarcasm of Tony Stark to fall back on; he's a man dressed up as a bat and he makes it both natural and really scary.

The Joker is astounding. I don't know what to say. He crackles on screen. He's psychotic and funny and terrifying and so natural. There is never a moment when the character slips. It is amazing that the two roles Heath Ledger will be best remembered for, this and Brokeback Mountain, are so wildly different. In the one, he was taciturn and closed off, in this, he is wildly exuberant and chaotic. It is astoundingly impressive.

Everyone else is superb. The actors are such high caliber and I think working together they all upped their game even further.

I've also had fun during this week with Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog, although I watched act 3 today after Batman and it made me sad. (Spoiler sweep: What is with women dying for guys to pine over? I thought Dr. Horrible was going to be this bit of internet fun to counteract the darkness of Batman and... no. I'll have to go see Mama Mia sometime this week.) Snap judgement from EW (I thought Act I was the best). Also it did super, super well.

Blurg. I can hardly digest it all. Maybe I'll have more coherent thoughts about Batman later. I also recommend checking out Cleolinda's thoughts. She thinks good thoughts.

Oh! And yay for 3 seconds of Cillian Murphy! AND FOR CHRISTIAN BALE ON THE RED MOTORCYCLE.

Speaking of the Dark Knight, the Dark Knight grabs the biggest weekend opening ever. I'm sure it'll have the biggest first week, too. BTW - in this week's box office game, I was only off on the total of the Dark Knight by a couple hundred thousand. I rock. Snarky batman e-cards at someecards.com Oh, and Heath's FHM interview. More on the box office. Note the figures have since been revised and anyway it just baaarely missed 200 mil for global (I left a comment to that effect).

Speaking of Watchmen, EW's exclusive first look. Q&A with Alan Moore. Patrick Wilson Says ‘Watchmen’ Ending Remains The Same.

And because nothing should ever be held too sacred; Dark Knight Cameos, Christian Bale, To the Owl-Copter!!

Uh. I don't know how to describe this.

22 best comic book films

The Emmys were announced! Who got snubbed? (Plus, all time 50 biggest emmy snubs) At least Flight of the Conchords got some Emmy lovin, if not best comedic actors... (they're up for writing, too) Emmys: EW critics react and Tin Man, Battlestar Galactica Get Emmy Nods. I still really want to see Tin Man

Comic Con sneak preview Featuring the Spirit, Star Trek (which I don't so much care about, but how much does Zacahry Quinto win the spock look-a-like award?), Terminator Salvation (hello pretty), League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Max Payne, the Day the Earth Stood Still, Rocknrolla and... what is this Unborn thing? Why is crazy Gary Oldman screaming? Man, I wish I were going to Comic Con. Check out io9's annotated schedule here.

Justin Theroux to write Iron Man 2. Hmmm... Dedication has yet to reach the top of my queue, so I'll reserve judgement.

CSI news!!! William Petersen leaving! CSI's season of change! We can has more Greg now?

Bits and Bobs vol 3. I love it. A gathering place for Anglophile pop culture junkies. I love it so much.

Join my slow movie movement... eventually. It's so true. I had meant to get around to Forgetting Sarah Marshall... oops. And I want to see the Fall, which bizarrely is still out here. I need to get on that.

Neil Gaiman Celebrates ‘Sandman’ Anniversary With New Comic And More.

I forget if I posted this, so: New Trailer for 'The Spirit'

‘The Dark Knight’ Debate: Who Should Be The Villain In ‘Batman 3′? Can't this wait? No, wait... Scarecrow! Bring back Cillian!

Finally! 'Wicked' to Get a Movie Makeover.

The 'Terminator Salvation' Teaser

Ponyo on the Cliff Japanese trailer

This made me laugh: 'Daily Show' Tackles Bizarre Trend of Middle-Aged Women Enjoying Sex [Cougars].

The fifty worst sex scenes of all time. AHHH.

Annotated Picks for Comic-Con [Comic-con 2008]

Christian protests may leave 'The Golden Compass' as one of a kind Aww... that's too bad. I enjoyed the first one. I think I would've liked it even more had they not watered down the faith aspect. Also - it did a ton of money at the box office, you'd think that would engender a sequel.
Frog Bites Disney. Seriously?

Harvey Weinstein explains why he dumps movies Wibba? No Houdini flick?

Underrated music movies

Enough LaBouef HAhahaha

Page to Screen: Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist

New Jibjab vid

"You know, I've seen a lot of 'behind the scenes' photographs over the years, but these latest from Crank 2: High Voltage win the "what the heck is going on here?" award, hands down."

Update: It's taken me a couple of days to put this all together, and in that time; Did Batman assault his mother and sister? And already Phanatic wins for best comment, ever; "Of course he didn't. Aaron Eckhart did, Christian Bale's just taking the rap. "

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Bad Wolf

I got my Dark Knight IMAX advance ticket! First thing Sunday morning - Yay! Sad about no Harry Potter trailer, but I'm willing to overlook that for the Watchmen trailer. And I have heard rumors that IMAX might get a teaser anyways...

Let's see... seen Be Kind, Rewind (very sweet), Jumper (a cool concept ruined by bad execution and writing, although Jaimie Bell is fun when he shows up), To Die For (Nicole Kidman is fantastic, although parts weren't quite as good as I had thought they would be... if that makes sense), and Flushed Away (so cute! It's really too bad this didn't do better. There are lots of very cute jokes (a cockroach reading Kafka, Hugh Jackman's rat holding up an X-Men outfit, singing slugs, and one of the best French jokes I've seen in a really long time). I really liked the Aardman style of the characters (plus Wallace and Gromit cameos). It wasn't quite the Wrong Trousers, but it really should've done better.)

Gold derby has the short lists for the Emmy nomination pool (all except 2 comedy actors; fingers crossed for Flight of the Conchords, although they may split the votes.) I am trying to ignore the fact that the LEFT OUT HENRY IAN CUSICK FOR SUPPORTING DRAMA ACTOR (WTF?!?). The inclusions I am happy with;
Comedy; Flight of the Conchords, the Office, Pushing Daisies, and 30 Rock
Drama; Dexter, House, and Lost (FOR DESMONDS EPISODE! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLY THE BEST DRAMA EP OF THE YEAR AND THE MAIN ACTOR ISN'T NOMINATED?!?!)
Drama Actor; Michael C. Hall, Eddie Izzard, Hugh Laurie, and Denis Leary
Drama Actress; Minnie Driver... hmmm.... There really aren't many women I'm currently watching, although I'd like to see Saving Grace.
Comedy Actor: Steve Carell, Lee Pace, David Duchovny, and Alec Baldwin
Comedy Actress: Tina Fey, Anna Friel, Sarah Silverman, and Mary-Louise Parker
Drama Supporting actor: Naveen Andrews, Zeljko Ivanek, and Michael Emerson (who better win!)
Drama Supprting actress: Hmmm... Sharon Gless? Rose Byrne? I don't watch either, but I like them.
Comedy Supporting actor: Justin Kirk, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, Jack McBrayer, and should win Neil Patrick Harris
Comedy supporting actress: Jenna Fischer, Jane Krakowski, Amy Poehler
Guest comedy actress: Sarah Silverman, Carrie Fisher, Elaine Stritch
Guest drama actor: Keith Carradine, Robin Williams

I guess they don't know guest comedy actor/ guest drama actress. Other sad omissions; Christopher Meloni, Robert Sean Leonard (seriously? not for Amber?), Terry O'Quinn (although it wasn't his strongest season), Elizabeth Mitchell, Danny DeVito, Jaimie Pressley, and possibly Josh Radnor along with the Conchords. Oh, and David Caruso.

Also... are BBC reruns not eligible? Because you'd think David Tennant would get some recognition for his work.

YYYAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY for Shirley on the ads for the Sarah Connor Chronicles.

(Also: Where have all the Riot Grrrrls gone?)

(Non-movie: the best 50 bands from each state)

The disappointment of David Tennant I thought they were placing bets on who was next because David wanted to leave, not because anyone wanted him to leave. He's so good as the doctor!! Although Eddie Izzard is kind of a fab choice if there needs to be a replacement in 2010. I will say the writing has been uneven so far in season 4, but I've liked having Donna around (surprisingly, after the Runaway Bride) and yay for Rose coming back in last night's episode Midnight, which by the way? SO scary. The writing was easily on par with Stephan Moffatt's episodes (although... I just read some seriously misogynistic statements by him... oh so not cool.)

Also: An Anglophile what-to-watch.... hee. Speaking as someone raised in an Anglophile household; brilliant.

The woman who decides what movies you get to see

Not good X-Files 2 spoilers

New Office webisodes, Heroes webisodes teaser

You are; The Free Agent That sounds about right.

Trailer Park: Hell Ride and Rain of Madness, the Tropic Thunder documentary

How Dr. Horrible came to be

Fincher's Heavy Metal a no-go

Max Payne trailer

Best and worst of 2008 so far I vote for In Bruges, Snow Angels, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Wanted, Wall*E, Be Kind Rewind and Prince Caspian, although there are still a few I'd like to see, like 21, Get Smart, The Bank Job, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Cassandra's Dream, Charlie Bartlett and the Fall. Also: the 20 best movies from Moviefone and 7 overlooked gems

Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist poster

Should there be a Deadwood movie?

5 reasons 1980 was not the best year for musicals

And finally, all of the furor over the Twilight EW cover at Cleolinda's blog has been cracking me up. Check it out; "If you have not seen the lolarity that is next week's Entertainment Weekly Twilight cover (plus a sparkleized version by orangeokapi13. Plus another version over at FW. Plus Maybelline icons, and I'm kind of tempted to snag one) from yesterday, I suggest you hie yourself there with a quickness. Truly, it is magnificent, and the best laugh you will have all week. (And just think: I'm getting this in the mail.) ETA: THIS JUST IN: THERE ARE PICTURES INSIDE THE MAGAZINE AS WELL. OUTSTANDING." And "My day has been made...Meanwhile, the LA Times reports fan outrage at the tackiness of the cover. No, I'm not kidding.)