Happy Birthday, Red!

Today is Gingers is the Watchword co-founder Lora's birthday! Known to you all as Red (and to a select few as Triple Threat) Lora is the only actual ginger to write for this site. She shares her birthday with some rather impressive company, including Winston Churchill, Mark Twain and Ridley Scott; some kind-of-impressive company like Dick Clark, Billy Idol, Ben Stiller, Bo Jackson and Sandra Oh; and some not-so-impressive company like Clay Aiken and Elisha Cuthbert.

If memory serves this whole site was Lora's idea to begin with, so blame her and wish her a happy b-day!

Best Albums of 2007

Most “Albums of the Year” lists are totally useless. This one is even more so. In addition to the usual problems of comparing art, needing more time to fully judge a record, etc., I haven’t heard anything close to all the music released this year. My scope is limited. That being said, I love music. I enjoy lists. So since everyone else is doing it, I present: The Top Ten Albums Liz Heard in 2007.

(Feel free to mock and judge).

10. Amy Winehouse: Back to Black
Back to Black was technically released in the UK in 2006, but it was released stateside in 2007, and let’s be honest: U.S.A. #1! Winehouse’s soulful voice is a perfect fit for her music’s new twist on an old sound, just as it is for her train wreck of a personal life. Eartha Kitt could only insinuate what was going on in smoky mid-century jazz clubs; Winehouse lays it all on the table with heartache, humor and the best eyeliner since Bowie.



9. Beirut: The Flying Club Cup
Wunderkind Zach Condon took a trip to Europe in his late teens and returned with a love of Balkan folk music, which he decided to put to an indie rock beat. How pretentious can you get? Well, probably not much more, but what saves Condon's recordings under the name Beirut is that they’re also really freakin’ good. The Flying Club Cup, his second full-length sounds like a hung-over Arcade Fire. In a good way.


8. Lily Allen – Alright, Still
Again, it came out in the UK last year. Again: U.S.A. #1! Lily and Amy are both young British gals with oft-blunt lyrics, but the comparisons end there. Alright, Still runs the pop music gamut with the sounds of British Invasion rock, ska and borderline hip-hop. It comes together into a sugary confection of an album that sticks in your head no matter how hard you might try to fight it. So don’t fight it.


7. Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, are you the Destroyer?
The sound of a nervous breakdown. And its got a good beat and you can dance to it!






6. Okkervil River: The Stage Names
A great album doesn’t have to be crazy new. Okkervil River took old school folk/rock and played it extremely well. The Stage Names is vaguely a concept album about a band and their personal lives (I think) but all that matters is if it’s fun and interesting to listen to. And it is. Very much so.



5. MIA: Kala
The Sri Lankan/British daughter of a terrorist/freedom fighter who made her name as a visual artist/rapper, M.I.A. has a lot going on. She brings it all into her music, combining Timbaland beats with world music and lyric samples from the Pixies (among others) on her second album. Sometimes it sounds like the soundtrack to a killer rave, other times like a street battle in Falluja. M.I.A. would probably say same difference.


4. Jamie T: Panic Prevention
This album got no love in the American press and the one English person I mentioned it to practically laughed at me. Screw them. London white boy rapper Jamie T’s got a pubescent voice and a sharp eye for the way his peers spend half their lives trying to construct a self-image, only to go drink themselves into oblivion. Some people say they prefer The Streets. I say those people need a pint and a shag.


3. Radiohead: In Rainbows
If people spent as much time on In Rainbows' music as they did its unique payment model, they’d find one of the most accessible Radiohead albums since OK Computer. And for only $However Much You Wanted to Pay!




2. Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
Neon Bible didn’t reach the dizzying heights of Funeral, but there’s undeniably still something about that blend of strings, guitars, organs and militaristic drums that breaks and heals your heart at the same time. Its like going to church – if church actually made you feel better.

1. The National: Boxer

Like a lot of the best albums, this one’s a grower. You’ll think its just average until you find you can’t live without it. It’s basic mid-tempo rock with a few power chords and tinkling pianos thrown in, but singer Matt Berninger’s deep baritone makes everything he says sound more profound, and around 4 pm every weekday, I don’t so much want to listen to this album, as I need to listen to this album. That’s how you get to be #1 on this list.

Daily Rant: Hairspray

So last night, I watched the new musical version of Hairspray. I'd heard great things from everyone who'd seen it in the theaters, and I loved the John Waters version from the 80's, so I was really looking forward to it (I pushed it to the top of my ridiculously long Netflix queue as soon as it was released on DVD). It was fun. The music is terrific, Nikki Blonsky is fantastic as Tracy Turnblad (so charming and really talented), Christopher Walken is always best when he's singing and dancing, and I even kinda "got" the Zac Effron thing for a millisecond (AND who knew James Marsden was so talented?!?!? Sign that guy up for all future movie musicals!) However, I didn't really get John Travolta (what was that accent about?), thought Michelle Pfeiffer has been better and Amanda Bynes should really stay away from musicals.

But, my biggest problem was the focus on, and jokes about, weight. One of the things I liked most about the Waters version was, while it was no secret Tracy was "pleasantly plump," weight wasn't really a big deal. I remember the hot guy liking Tracy because she was so cool and not liking her despite her size. And Edna was just a crazy mom, not insecure because she'd put on a few pounds (maybe I'm remembering it wrong. It has been a few years. (And yes, I realize this is my second post to discuss societies' perception of weight and those of you who don't know me probably think I'm really heavy, but you know what? I don't care)).

This new version of Hairspray sends the message that it doesn't matter what color/size/class you are, we are better when we come together and embrace our differences, and that's, obviously, a totally awesome message, but I think the truly revolutionary films (and, obviously, Hairspray is not trying to be revolutionary in anyway) will come when the leading lady is curvy and it's not even mentioned....it's just the way things are. It's kinda like my problem with the movie Crash. It tried to be deep by talking about race and "aren't we Los Angelenos so complicated and progressive because we talk about how white ladies clutch their husbands when a black guy walks down the street" and that is, pardon my French, bullshit! The truly radical act is to so ingrain ourselves with diversity that it's part of who we all are and we don't have to make a statement about it to feel better about ourselves.

Wow! I just realized this horse is really high. I'm coming down now...

Top 5: TV Moments of 2007

I realize it's a bit early to start the whole year-end-top-whatever-list thing, but if I have to spend one more minute killing time at work playing solitaire (or checking to see if Go Fug Yourself has an updated post) I may kill myself (seriously. Work is so boring right now. Maybe I need a new job. I'd really like to watch movies all day (and I guess write about them if I really have to). This seems like a perfectly achievable goal. So, if you can work on making this happen, that would be great. Thanks).

Anyway, here are my top 3 best and top 2 worst TV moments of the past year:

Best
1. The Sopranos -[spoiler alert: for my cousin because she has somehow avoided hearing plot details of the final season and no, she surprisingly does not live in an Amish village in Pennsylvania.] The final episode was amazing (I was one of the "did my cable just go out" people, but after I realized what really happened I thought it was brilliant (I'm in the Tony got whacked camp, myself)), but the Sopranos moment that really blew me away was when Tony killed Christopher. I've always been a Christopher fan (Michael Imperioli is so yummy) and, though I was disappointed when he offed Adriana, I hoped things would work out for him. Even when he got back on the drugs and started acting like a crazy person (or a drug addict anyway, but really what's the difference) I was rooting for him to turn things around. Then he launched his SUV off the road, pleaded with T to help him out because he was high, and Tony just covered his nose and mouth and ended it. I was really heartbroken. The look in James Gandolfini's eyes was remarkable, as Tony finished off the man who was like a son to him, and you knew it was time to start saying goodbye to the family.

Flight of the Conchords - The show looked funny from all the HBO previews, but I had no idea just how funny it would be...mainly because I had no idea it was a musical. The moment Jermaine broke out into song in the first episode, I laughed so hard I cried. Funniest. Moment. Ever.



Gilmore Girls - When I realized the wonderful and amazing Palladinos, who created the Stars Hollow universe I so grew to love over 7 seasons, were not going to be a part of the series finale of my favorite show (judge if you must), I was pretty bummed. I still knew it was gonna be emotional, so I turned off my phone and wouldn't let anyone come over to watch it with me. When, before the opening credits even, Christian Amanpour appeared in the Dragonfly Inn, I started crying...and pretty much cried through the entire bleeding episode (wow. This is painfully embarrassing). I understand it wasn't the show Amy Sherman-Palladino wanted, but it was the perfect way to say good-bye to Rory and Lorelai and all the Connecticut crazies. Man, I miss that show.

Worst

Viva Laughlin - Pretty much the worst thing I've seen on TV in the past 5 years. I couldn't even make it through the first episode and I watched the ENTIRE season of John from Cincinnati! I mean that's really saying something!


Veronica Mars - The final episode itself wasn't so bad, but the fact that they let Veronica (and Logan and Sheriff Mars and Dick Casablancas) go out without a proper ending (only to have K. Bell appear in a lackluster Heroes season) is truly upsetting. I don't think I'll ever forgive the CW for that one.


So what say you, readers? What were your favorite TV moments this year? Have I lost all my (non-existent) street cred because I'm still heart broken over the Gilmore Girls? Is there anything funnier then FOC? And, most importantly, can you hook me up with a cool job?

Tesla Still Gets No Respect

Over at Pink Hat Nation, Liz started a little column she called Tanked and Friendless which I will now steal and use here.


This weekend, I journeyed up I-5 to Los Angeles...City of people who've had enough work to look like what they imagine Angels look like. A friend of a friend had a going away party at The Edison downtown. Situated between the financial district and skid row, The Edison is leading the nightlife rejuvenation in historic downtown LA and was created in LA's first private power plant. When you enter the bar from the alley (where there is no sign because, as we all learned from Swingers, the coolest bars don't have signs) and travel down into a huge, open room, it's like you've been transported to a 1920's speakeasy, with 3 bars, old movies projected on the walls and plenty of space for lounging. It really is like stepping back in time...when women wore dresses, men wore suits and the most scandalous thing you could do on a Saturday night was drink (there is a dress code at The Edison...not overly strict, but you are expected to dress intentionally. I love this. More places should have a dress code). The creators of The Edison used architectural elements from the power plant (like huge generators) and themes from the dawn of electricity (hence the name "The Edison") to create a truly original bar.

The food is good (I had the four cheese and black truffle Mac and Cheese. Yum. There's also a lobster corn dog that sounds really interesting), the drinks are "hand crafted" (I'm sure they are delicious, but I had beer), and the people are very LA (actors out to see and be seen...I mean, we met a guy who told us he played Lloyd's assistant on Entourage. I've seen every episode of Entourage. I don't remember Lloyd having an assistant), but the real draw is the decor and the feeling that you've stepped back in time. If you are in LA, this is a place not to be missed.

Name: The Edison
Location: 108 W. 2nd St. #101 Los Angeles, CA
Fun Fact: After 10:30, flappers entertain the crowed with terrific numbers from the swing era several times throughout the evening.
State of the Guinness: They don't serve Guinness (I know! The horror!!!), but the Fat Tire is ice cold and delicious.

See This...

The much buzzed about I'm Not There opened this week in San Diego. You know the one...where 6 different actors, including Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger and Christian Bale, play Bob Dylan at different stages in his life. Or at least that's what I thought it was about. And it kinda is, but not really, does that make sense? I'm Not There is like Dylan's music: beautiful, poetic and all over the place.

The film begins with Dylan as a young, black child called Woody Guthrie (an homage to Dylan's biggest musical hero) who travels in box cars and tells fantastic tales of life during the Great Depression. From there, we see Dylan as the shy young troubadour who becomes the talk of NYC's Greenwich Village. Next is Robbie, an actor who plays the Dylan character as his marriage falls apart (that makes sense, right?). There's also Dylan as Billy the Kid and Dylan being interviewed (and being difficult for the press) as he was in D.A. Pennebaker's Don't Look Back and the Dylan who broke the heart of folk music lovers everywhere when he plugged in an amplifier and "went electric" (one of the most fascinating moments in music history).

The performances are fantastic, but Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin and Bruce Greenwood are the standouts. Blanchett is uncanny in her Dylan-ness (Amazing that it takes a woman to really capture the man). Her early Oscar buzz is truly deserved. Marcus Carl Franklin is charming as the young, traveling Dylan. His singing voice (one of the few actors who actually sing) is really fantastic. And Bruce Greenwood (redeeming himself from John from Cincinnati) plays the villain...and plays it very well.

I imagine the movie would be difficult if you don't know anything about Dylan, so I suggest renting No Direction Home and Don't Look Back first...and you should have some time, because until the film racks up some Oscar nominations (and it will) it may not be coming to a theater near you (unless you live in a major American city), but when it does, be sure to check it out. It's unlike anything you've seen...and that's always a good thing.

Top 5: Thankgiving

There outta be a law about working the day before a holiday, as no one actually works anyway and we all just sit at out desks for 8 hours (or so I'll tell my boss) bored out of our minds and dreaming of turkey and mashed potatoes and (my favorite) stuffing. At any rate, here are the top 5 things I am thankful for today:

Project Runway - Back and already cattier then ever.

My Birthday - It's a week from Friday. It's my favorite day of the year.

Fall Movies - So many great things to see, so little time.

30 Rock - I dare you to find a funnier show on TV. The past two weeks made me laugh so hard I cried.

You! - Thanks for reading (and commenting). It makes our lives a little better knowing you are out there.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Calling All Battlestar Gallactica Fans...

The new BSG "movie" Razor airs this Saturday at 9pm on Sci-Fi. From what I understand, it's a prequel of sorts. Hey, any chance to see yummy Jamie Bamber is Must See TV for me...

I just use these pics to distract Dave.

So good! So good!

Let me tell you something: I love Neil Diamond. I don’t consider this a guilty pleasure; I don’t feel guilty about it at all. Yeah, he’s got some real schmaltzy stuff that’s hard to listen to, but when he’s good he’s amazing. As far as I’m concerned, if hearing “Cherry, Cherry” doesn’t make you want to dance, you have no soul.

“The Jewish Elvis” revealed today that his song “Sweet Caroline” is about Caroline Kennedy. His explanation is mildly creepy, but more importantly I feel like I already knew this. Maybe its just because I’m from Massachusetts where there’s Kennedy obsession in the water and I assume anything about anyone named John, Jack, Jackie, John John or Caroline is about a member of Camelot, but I don’t know, I feel like this may have been rumored before. Was it?

Incidentally, they play this song during the 7th inning at every Red Sox game at Fenway Park, so hearing it always puts an extra big smile on my face. I think what I’m trying to say here is, you go Neil Diamond. You go.

See This...

The Cohen brothers are back. After 2 less then stellar films, Joel and Ethan are back to form with No Country for Old Men, a modern western based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy. NCFOM follows 3 men (Josh Brolin as Llewellyn Moss, Tommy Lee Jones as Sherriff Ed Tom Bell and Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh) as they traverse the modern American west.

A lot happens in NCFOM, but really, like The Darjeeling Limited, the film is about character and mood, and both are portrayed brilliantly. I've always been a Josh Brolin fan (I had the biggest crush on him when he played Brand in Goonies. I so wanted to be Andy...and not just because she was a cute redhead), but Brolin probably does his best work in this film. He is subtle and smart and wholly believable as a man who finds a huge case of cash and does just about anything to protect it so he can make a better life for his wife (played by Scot Kelly MacDonald, with a perfect southern accent). Tommy Lee Jones plays the quintessential lawman, as he always does, perfectly. He is funny and thoughtful; a lawman of the past, who actually cares about his job and the people he is meant to serve. And then there is Javier Bardem. It's been a long time since I've seen a character as powerful as Bardem's Chigurh. Every moment he's on screen (with his near flawless English which shocked me almost as much as anything) is incredible (He will be nominated for all the big awards. You can take it to the bank). As a complete psychopath who tracks Moss and the money, Bardem is mesmerizing and really scary. The fourth major character in the film is the American west itself. The film opens with shots of the beautiful, desolate country...a rough place where young and old alike struggle to survive. NCFOM is probably the quietest movie I've ever seen. There is little, if any, incidental music and scenes (especially with Moss and Chigurh) have almost no dialog. The sounds of the west make up the soundtrack and it's perfect. As they did with their early work, the Cohen brothers create an atmosphere wholly unique and completely engrossing.

As we left the theater, my friend said he didn't think he "got it" and I said, "I don't think there's anything to 'get'" and it's true. In NCFOM, stuff happens and doesn't really get resolved (which I've read many people are a bit upset about), but trying to figure out what it all means really isn't the point. The point is, you take the bloody, beautiful journey with these characters and maybe come out a little different at the end (not that the subject matter is life changing, but, for me anyway, when I see a work of art on film, it changes me. Maybe that's weird, but it's true) and NCFOM is definitely a work of art and the best film I've seen so far this year.