Friday, October 31, 2008

Rock the Vote


Now while I don't usually support celebrities using their star power to persuade voters on which candidate to vote for, I do support them telling people to get out and vote. VOTE.


But Matt Damon made some interesting observations about Palin in his interview with CBS that just can't be ignored. And we love the reference to a bad Disney movie. It may be the best analogy to come out of this election.
Nov. 4 is right around the corner so whether you listen to Matt or not get out there and vote.

See what...

Matt Damon really thinks of Sarah Palin.

click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6urw_PWHYk

SNL

Ideally both John McCain and Barrack Obama would be on Saturday Night Live together, just to see what happens. Wouldn't that be fun?

But it seems that it will only be John McCain on the show this Saturday with Matt Damon's bff Ben Affleck hosting. We've all heard what Matt has to say about Palin so I can only imagine what Ben thinks of her.

Will McCain be funny? Can he be funny? Let's see tune in to SNL this Saturday night. I'm crossing my fingers Tina Fey shows up to do a skit as Sarah Palin.

Oct 31

Don't forget that today is an important day for 2 reasons:

1. It's Halloween.
2. Depending on where you live early voting ends or starts today. So go VOTE.

Monday, October 27, 2008

"Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?"


Today's playlist


1. Dreams- Fleetwood Mac

2. Luv- Travis

3. New Slang- The Shins

4. Why does it always rain on me?- Travis

5. In the waiting line- Zero 7

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

How To Be (part 5)


Check out the website for How To Be http://www.howtobemovie.com/ and you'll find some interesting information about the film. The trailer, music included in the film, blogs, the cast and my personal favorite, the scrapbook.


Click on the scrapbook link and the best information is buried at the bottom. A link to self-help guru Dr. Levi Ellington's home page.


Seriously? This absurd old man is a real doctor. He wasn't an actor or someone in the films senile grandfather, he's a real honest to blog self help guru. Looks like the director really went for authenticity with that portion of the film.


Here's Dr. Levi Ellington's home page- take a look and see if you think he might be able to help you? Ha, I doubt it but you never know.

Monday, October 20, 2008

House of Torment: from the parking lot

Abby, 19, never made it to the entrance of the House of Torment.

Running across the parking lot as fast as her legs could take her screaming and on the verge of hysterics, Abby propelled herself towards the parked cars with a purpose. That purpose; to get as far away from the House of Torment as possible.

“Mommy it’s scary, I’m going to have a heart attack,” Abby said.

As I approached Abby to ask for an interview she clutched my arm and clung to my side while refusing to let me walk away from her.

“Don’t leave me, don’t leave me, he’ll come and get me if you leave me,” Abby said.

She dragged me 20 feet away into the Highland Mall parking lot near the Macy’s entrance and next to a faded gold Toyota Corolla where she continued to cry and scream as she was taunted by the ghoulish figure dressed in full black shredded clothes holding a skeleton.

By the time Abby’s parents found her in the parking lot I had almost lost full feeling in my arm. I was left with a red imprint of Abby's hand on my forearm to remind me that sometimes the scariest parts of haunted houses don’t always take place inside.

How To Be (part 4)



Music on a mission, to tell a story of a sad painfully awkward individual with as little over dramatization as possible. Mission accomplished. Instead of overcompensating the musical director, Joe Hastings, put together a score that is a sad sweet glimpse into what it must sound like in Art's mind.


Calm yet jumbled melodies bounce around with the plucking of guitar strings, the steady rhythm of the piano, light tings from the xylophone to set tempo and a melancholy cello laid over the rest create the opening sequence sound.


From there on it just keeps getting better. The harmonica used in the montage is a sweet little reminder that somewhere in this film the heart of the characters is still beating no matter how cold they seem. The phone conversation is another slow drawn out melody with a xylophone tapping soft high tings through out the track leaving the ideas of rain drops and gray skies behind as Art muffles through yet another awkward phone conversation. Finally the end credits track, you've made it out of the woods and the light shining through the trees sounds a little bit firmer with the inclusion of a solid drum beat and a vibrant violin and guitar combination. It brings home the punch before softly reminding you that perspective is key and exits with a simple guitar chord strum.




You can take a listen to four of the tracks that Hastings compiled for the movie on the How To Be website.


1. Opening Sequence


2. Montage


3. Phone Conversation


4. End Credits




For all you Robert Pattinson fans out there Rob does sing, play guitar, and the harmonica at certain points in the film. Be warned, that it's Rob playing Art playing music. So if you were expecting the sultry sounds of Robert Pattinson, don't be, it's nothing like that. Far too awkward to be anything Rob would sing or play, in public at least.


Also, the song in the preview is so cute it's worth mentioning, it called "Hammond Song" by The Roches and can be found on their self-titled 1979 debut album.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

How To Be (part 3)







My last installment for now on this movie I promise! But I have to put up my top five reasons that if you get the chance to see this film at on the festival circuit or in 2009 when it's been rumored to hit theaters you need to grab 5 friends and hurry to the ticket booth.






5. The acting is great, real and powerful painful emotions with an awkward laugh that make life easy to handle are delivered in every performance.



4. The director Oliver Irving is onto something and I can't wait to see what his other films are going to look or sound like. haha



3. The music an interesting little sound track that will remind you of your favorite scenes.



2. The writing some of these one-liners I'll be quoting till I die.



1. Oliver Irving and Robert Pattinson what a team, I hope Rob doesn't forget about the little people and still works with great directors like Oliver again and again, you know to keep his street cred.

Adapting Twilight

More on AFF that doesn't include my new favorite movie How to be, so let's start with the fact that there has been a little Twilight invasion taking over the world and I'm 100% ok with that.
Melissa Rosenberg took part in a panel discussion about what it was like to adapt the teen girls most holy work of Twilight onto the big screen.

What was most surprising is that for one Rosenberg looks more like a WNBA superstar than what I envisioned as a screen writer. Completely approachable and confident in her abilities it was refreshing to see a woman at the helm of one of the years most anticipated films. But the women is accomplished to say the least. Sighting one of her major problems in life as being "over employed" as if there were such a thing in Hollywood. Anyway, she's currently the executive producer and writer of the series Dexter, wrote the screen play for Step Up, written for the OC and other projects. So basically we loved her from the get go.
No question for Rosenberg was off limits including why she added in scenes to the movie that were not in the book and how she felt about a Twilight sequel.

As the girls in the roomed shrieked and squealed at the thought of more Edward Cullen, Rosenberg never ruled anything out and gave us a slight idea as to what she might do with character development into the second film.

Thanks to Melissa I know what I want to be when I grow up, her! Great, I'm glad that only took me 21 years to figure out.

How To Be (part 2)


Oh did I forget to mention that the cast of this film was exceptional? Ha yes I did on purpose so that I could talk about Robert Pattinson and the fact that he is a quality actor. Because believe it or not he has been in movies where he's not some kind of mythical creature or toting a wand. I know, hard to believe right?

In How To Be he's not attractive he's down right scruffy, gritty, greasy, dirty and anything but charming. Awkward sentences from a mind swirling with ideas mixed with the inability to communicate his emotions combines to create his character. His ability to detract from his good looks and create the character of Art is exceptional. I would have never seen the Twilight version of Robert Pattinson that the world is currently revolving around.

Art is just so awkward that you can't help but be uncomfortable around him even if you are just viewing him on screen. The ability to project that awkwardness onto the audience takes some talent. I've seen it in Michale Cera but Robert Pattinson really does know what he's doing because Cera has never been this awkward.

Pattinson said that had he not been awarded the role in this film he was looking at quitting acting. What, no!

So a big thank you to Oliver Irving, the director, for casting the boy, you don't want to waste this talent. If Rob keeps making vampire movies I'm sure he'll make some bank but if he continues to make films like this I think he might get some real credit from the peers of his craft.

How To Be (part 1)


(Quick note: the guy in the middle of the sea of girls is Oliver Irving the director of the film)


Oliver Irving is by far a talented and creative director, while his visionary skills may not completely be original his execution is perfection. In his latest film to hit the circuit, Oliver tackles the ideas of that little quarter life crisis, I'm looking forward to so much.

How To Be, Irving's latest work is an interesting look on dysfunctional families, awkward children, and insane friends that lend new meaning to the word idiot, but in an enduring way.

Art, is a slightly eccentric twenty something and the most awkward introvert that I've seen in a while but I love it. Who is going through a bit of a quarter life crisis. When his girlfriend breaks up with him, he is forced to move back in with his parents and deal with his issues to become a more functional member of his family. The thing about Art is that he is such a pathetic baby at points I can understand why his parents might be a little disappointed in him. But at the same time you can't help but falling in love with this character because he's trying to figure out what or who he is while getting no help from anyone around him.

So to fix himself Art hires this mad crazy self help guru that is the creepiest funniest most intrusive old man that I have ever seen on screen. Pure genius! If you thought Art had problems this guru is the one that needs the real help. After making Art participate in various exercises that are supposed to make him "better" Art really finds that he may be the only person that can save himself.

It was by far the most painfully funny move that I viewed at the festival but so worth every awkward laugh and glance at my neighbor to make sure that I wasn't laughing in totally inappropriate spots of the film. Irving does something with this film that I haven't seen or felt since Zac Braff's, Garden State.

He took an awkward guy going through something heavy in his life and helped the audience swallow down every ounce of pure awkward pain with laughter. Leaving you feeling a little less sorry about anything you might be dealing with because if Art can survive so can you. Trust.


Austin Film Festival

The 15 annual Austin Film Festival is in full swing bringing in some great films, directors, screen writers, and actors. Wow this is starting to sound a little bit like an LA Starbucks, huh?
Anyway, AFF is far more affordable than I thought it would be, just want to screen some movies, that will only cost you $45 for full access. Want a little more on Saturday that includes panels, access to all films and then some if you're lucky, get the Lone Star Badge at $95, it's really not that bad of a deal. Producers badges and conference badges will dig in your pockets a little deeper but depending on how intent you are on getting into your favorite film, panel or party it just may be for you. You can also view single screenings and panels for $9 by purchasing tickets 45 minutes before the start of any program, no guarantee you'll get in but if you do it's a pretty sweet deal.
More on the AFF to come, trust me we've got plenty to talk about.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Stupid Entertainment Bloggers! Ugh


Ok so to say that Bobby Bones is a genius is an understatement, the man is a myth a legend an entertainment bloggers dream, if you're an idiot. Bones has been telling all the listeners of his morning show to Goole his name plus Vanessa Hudgens and what ever random phrase he thinks up to link them together.


From what I remember, today's phrase was "Bobby Bones Vanessa Hudgens make out in car," or something to that effect. Anyway, all these celebrity bloggers have picked up on the story and are running with it. The best that they can do is link the two together from a movie that Bones did with Hudgens last spring, Bandslam.


Then Bones became a legend by staging a photos of what is supposedly Hudgens and himself making out in a car. Eww. She's 19 and Bones just looks old! The girl in the photos is not Hudgens but an employee at the station but does bare a striking resemblance to her in the blurry photographs that all the celb bloggers got from an "inside" source.


Fact check people, I know it requires effort but just try. And Bones good work my friend, you may have Zac a little worried but I doubt it!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

"She's a good girl crazy about Elvis, love horses and her boyfriend too."

Todays playlist:

1. Free Fallin- Tom Petty
2. Free Fallin- John Mayer
3. Please, Please, Please, Let me get what I want- The Smiths
4. Please, Please, Please, Let me get what I want- Muse
5.Wind Cries Mary- Jimi Hendrix
6. Wind Cries Mary- John Mayer
7. Walk this way- Aerosmith
8. Walk this way- Run D. M. C.
9. Lenny- Steive Ray Vaughn
10. Lenny- John Mayer

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Long Review: “ranters & crowd pleasers- punk in pop music 1977- 92”


Greil Marcus comes at the reader from a direction that not even people out in left field saw coming. Marcus’s book “ranters & crowd pleasers” takes an in-depth look at the world of punk music and what it meant during the time period of 1977- 1992. Starting with Britain’s version of punk music icons The Sex Pistols and ending with musicians that I would never consider including in a book about punk music, like Fleet Wood Mac and Elvis Costello, Marcus never throws the reader a pitch they see coming.

At first glance the biggest and best stands out of the book are the chapter titles. Nothing else makes the reader want to flip through the pages than giant phrases like, “Hi, this is America. We’re not home right now, but if you leave a message after the beep, we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.”, “Flat, Toneless and Tiresome” and “Groovy Hate Fuck”. It leaves the reader with the impression that the author clearly has a sense of humor and wondering what the purposes behind phrases such as these mean.

Marcus’s observation and analysis of what punk music within the time period meant can really not be compared to any other critic. He breaks down the components of what punk music is and delivers it to the reader with a sense of humor and purpose. In the chapter “Ripped to Shreds,” Marcus examines another writer, Lester Bangs, interview with Blondie front woman Deborah Harry. Marcus finds that Bangs did an interesting job of examining the appeal behind the band and getting to the true story behind Blondie’s success. “Each song is a perfectly constructed concave system in which every single piece of information, kinda like a jigsaw puzzle except at the end instead of a picture you get a perfect blank. And that blank of course is nothing less than Deborah Harry’s face.” In the end Marcus accounts that Bangs not only helped the listener dissect the purpose behind Blondie’s meaning to their music but did so in a way that was fair.
Marcus is able to articulate his points such as these, either in support or against fellow music writers in ways that are repeatable and engaging to the reader.


At no point does the reader feel on the outs with the subject matter simply because they are not a fan of punk music or have never heard of some of the bands discussed in the short essay format the book is laid out in. It is Marcus’s ability to include and introduce the reader to the world of punk music and prove that not all screaming and waling is without a purpose that makes Marcus a great translator of punk music to the masses. However, sometimes points of the book it can seem that Marcus is over analyzing the ideas of punk music. Like in the chapter, “In the Fascist Bathroom,” where Marcus presents an piece written on Elvis Costello in which the mention of so many songs and how Marcus can find something to complain about with each one, makes me wonder why he even thought it was worthy of reviewing in the first place.

In the end, Marcus does an interesting and demanding job of holding the reader’s attention in ways that most other music critics have yet to achieve. I doubt that I have ever been as intrigued or inspired to listen to new music after reading any critics review as I have Marcus’s. He has also introduced me to new music that I had never considered listening to before like Gang of Four and definitely re-examine the works of Elvis Costello.

Food for thought

I'm deathly allergic to peanuts, no exaggeration needed and I recently had a run in with some one eating them that touched my hand and made me break out in hives. Thanks.

This lead me down the path of a little research and I learned from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology that over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, food and environmental.

The highest number of food allergies goes to seafood with 6.9 million people allergic, with nut allergies coming in a close second at 3.3 million. And at least 40 deaths occur annually from people that suffer insect bites and are allergic to them. And the AAAAI, as they like to be called, claims that, eight foods account for 90% of all reactions in the U.S.: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish

Interesting stuff huh? Take this information to your next cocktail party and see where it gets you.

Halloween's a scream


The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, that's right Halloween is coming up on Oct. 31, in case you forgot. Anyway, one of the best things about Halloween is the gross out food recipes that anyone can make to add to the festivities. A personal favorite of mine are blood shot eye balls made with eggs and olives. Okay, so it may not sound like the most appetizing food in the world but don't knock it till you try it.


Here's the recipe:


Strained Eyeballs 6 hard boiled eggs6 oz Whipped cream cheese7 oz Green olives -- with pimientos Red food coloring Peel eggs cut in half lengthwise. Remove the discard yolks. Fill the holes with cream cheese. Press an olive into each cream cheese eyeball, pimiento facing up, for an eerie green iris and startling red pupil! For a final touch, dip the tip of a toothpick in red food coloring and draw broken blood vessels in the cream cheese.

"You brought a snack."


I've been counting down the months, days, hours, minutes and seconds until Twilight the movie comes out, obsessive? Hardly. I'm just a devoted fan to the books and can not wait to see how one of my favorite books translates to the big screen.


Luckily I've been given a gift from the Summit Entertainment gods in form of the final preview before the movie is released on November 21. This preview by far tops the rest, yes it still emphasise that the movie has action and drama but we finally get to see some Bella/ Edward romance. Yes. Thank you God. Finally what makes people love the book is actually being seen on the screen.


While I can already see that the writers took some liberties translating the text to dialogue, it still seems true to the basic plot line. November 21 can't get here soon enough, still crossing days off my calender until then.

Step one: admit that there was a problem


So rumor has it that our favorite pop princess is going public about her psycho melt down that she has been displaying for the past two years, at least. That's right Britney Spears and MTV have apparently teamed up to created a documentary special so that Brit Brit can confront the rumors, the scandals and the controversies.


In the documentary Britney apparently admits to have gone off the edge a bit and acknowledges that her behavior was out of character and at times uncalled for. And I say bravo Britney I'm glad that you confronted what ever had you acting like a fool, put your under ware on and divorced your baby's daddy. Good work.


I can't wait to see what Britney has in store for us in '09, if the VMA's were a precursor for where she's headed I think Madonna should watch out because her title as the "Queen of reinvention" may soon be snatched away by my favorite pop tart.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

red, white, and you blew it!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4- a gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." ---George W. Bush February 28, 2008. 

When was the last time that you put gas in you're car GW? Around that time (Feb.) gas was crazy expensive. Must be nice not to have to worry about $$$. Who does that for you? Can I hire them? Let me know! 

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Sports Report

Now what I don't understand is why parents push their children into playing sports at such an early age? I don't see the need for a 3 year old to practice kicking a soccer ball or learn to swing a bat. They're 3.

Little girls do not need ballet and tap lessons when they've just learned how to walk and properly form sentences. I get it, they're young and it's cute but pushing children too early into athletics is not a good idea.

I really don't see any 3 year old coming up to their parents and saying I want to be a gymnast or a baseball player. Parents please stop trying to live vicariously thought your children or at least wait till they're 5. Thanks.

Monday, October 6, 2008

POP goes the weasel

Today's play list:

1. Love bug- Jonas Brothers
2. Love story- Taylor Swift
3. I'm only me when I'm with you- Taylor Swift
4. Stab my back- The All American Rejects
5. 7 Things I HATE about you- Miley Cyrus
6. Hot and cold- Katy Perry
8. So what- Pink
9. One fine wire- Colbie Caillat
10. Mmm Bop- Hanson

Random huh? Well give them a listen I guarantee they're make you laugh at least, if not walk away feeling a little bit better about life.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

el pollo loco

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/microwaved-chicken-isnt-necessarily-cooked-chicken/?hp

So I read this story in the New York Times and it made me think about the way I prepare my food, which is strictly in the microwave. I don't cook, don't understand why people cook, and have tried to cook and have set 3 house fires. So the fire department has asked me to refrain from cooking, seriously.

Anyway, if I can't cook something in the microwave, I don't trust it. But I'm not allowed to use the oven so I pretty much out of luck. And in the past I have walked away sick from some of my microwave dinners, maybe it was due to not being thoroughly cooked, but maybe not. Either way cook your food people, it's a good idea.

GOALLLLL


So I'm really starting to enjoy the sport of soccer. It took me a while to catch on to the thrill that die hard soccer fans get out of the game. But now I have to admit that I can kind of see why they like it so much.


Soccer is one of the few sports where the players can't use their hands. This makes for some interesting and inventive ways of moving the ball around the field. Bumping it with your head or chest is a perfectly acceptable and encouraged way to move the ball around on the field. Not something that you see in other sports.


For example, Michael Jordan never bumped a basketball on his head to get it into the hoop and I can't see Tiger hitting a golf ball with his chest, even though that would be price less.


Anyway, soccer is intense both on the field and in the stands, today for example at a soccer game I attended I almost saw a fight on the field and plenty of expletives used by the players. I enjoyed it. While the fans are so adorable, up on their feet at the sign of a near goal and cheering there little hearts out when the ball actually goes in.


I'll keep you posted but I'm pretty sure that next to crew, soccer is my new favorite sport.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Partridge get's kicked out of the pear tree


Oh like no one saw this coming. Really? Hill star Audrina Partridge has moved out of the Hill's home that she shared with LC and Lo Bosworth.

Rumor has it that it was a "friendly" choice to move out and on for Partridge but we've heard other wise. According to some Partridge is a little umm... upset, to put it lightly, with LC for flirting with her on again off again jerk of a wanna-be- boyfriend Justin Bobby. Can you say girl fight?

And I'm so sure that Lo was just brimming with tears at the sight of Audrina's moving van, NOT.

Well I hope this doesn't take away from my Hills fun. I need those dynamic characters to go through the bad relationships and jerks so I know what to avoid.
They're my survival manual.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Nick and Nora


Nick and Nora's Infinite Play list. So it's unlike me to post two play lists in the same week but Nick and Nora deserve it. In theaters tomorrow go check it out, good music, Michael Cera, and a cute love story I'm sure.



"[leaving a message on his ex-girlfriend Tris' phone] I think we both said some things we didn't mean, like...when you broke up with me...on my b-day. " - Nick

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

It's a great VIEW


Elizabeth Hasselbeck, you know the young Blondie with about as much sense as a damp napkin is rumored to be leaving "The View" for her own gig on the Fox News Network. Wait do they really call it a news network?


Anyway, rumors are buzzing that Hasselbeck is through being the lone ranger when it comes to conservative opinions on the view and being singled out by her fellow hosts.


Hopefully she stays on the view, she makes me laugh,

that poor girl is about as equally delusional as the president, if she wasn't pretty, well her life would suck.

red, white, and you blew it! part whatever

"People say, how can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil? You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in's house and say I love you." —Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2002

What? What? What? No really What was this poor man thinking. Excuse me while I cut this blogs short to visit my local shut- in, just doing my part to support the war effort.