This (sort of) Just In

Sorry for the lack of blogging this week. It probably has something to do with the confusion and fear Red and I are experiencing because water droplets keep falling from the sky. Seriously, I’ve lived in San Diego for more than 4 years, and I have never seen it rain this hard for this long. That’s what she said.

To make up for the absence, here are some pop culture tidbits you may not be aware of:

- Caprica starts tonight. No secret that we were big fans of Battlestar Galactica in these parts, so I’m looking forward to this prequel series. The first two episodes that they released a few months back were kind of odd, but had potential.

- Conan’s final show is tonight. A new show is born, another dies. Circle of life. Turn, turn, turn, etc. NBC’s poor decision making comes to a head tonight as Conan O’Brien hosts his final Tonight Show. Tune in and give him record ratings, just for the hell of it.

- New She & Him song! I think I like it. Stream it here.

- The Grammys are going 3-D. I’m not exactly sure how this work’s, but the Grammy Awards (Jan. 31) are doing a 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson.

- The Sundance Film Festival is happening. Just thought you might like to know.

Top 5: Things to Experince Before I Die

Because all my inspiration comes from ew.com (sadder words have never been spoken), their Concerts I Gotta See Before I Die list got me thinking of my own pop culture bucket list...which I will now impose on you:

1. Attend a Bruce Springsteen concert - I had an awesome professor in college who taught us Springsteen lyrics as poetry (ah, modern education) and he said the only way to experience The Boss is in concert. I tried (along with the local radio station) to get Bruce to play San Diego last year, but we failed. Someday...

2. Check out the Sundance Film Festival - I suppose Cannes would be awesome, too, but I've been to the village of Cannes, and it's tiny. I don't think I could handle the insanity of the Film Festival. I'll settle for Park City, Utah and Sundance.

3. Wear a designer gown - Now, I'm no fashonista, but I do love a cute outfit. I would like to wear something by Alexander McQueen or Valentino or even Christian Siriano to an event where such an dress would be warranted. This may be difficult, as I'm not a size 4, but dreams are made to be broken! Or something.

4. Eat with someone famous - I'd like to share a meal with one of the following: Anthony Bourdain, Dalton Ross, Tim Gunn, Sarah Jessica Parker, Quentin Tarrantino, Sophia Coppola, Simon Pegg, Ricky Gervais, Jeremy Clarkson, or Victoria Beckham...not that Vicky actually eats. We could have tea.

5. Publish something - A book or an article or my deeply moving sixth grade journal, whatever. Just published somewhere other than the internet. The internet is for poor people.

Your turn.

Alert to Chuck Fans

Chuck Palahniuk's second long-awaited movie adaptation, Choke, recently debuted at Sundance. Some early reviews are out, and Fox Searchlight has already purchased this film for $5 million.

It's another dark opus delving into the world of sex addicts and theme park employees. Sam Rockwell stars as medical school dropout and con-artist Victor Mancini. A little disappointed that the first person narrative is not present throughout the film a la Fight Club, but whatever. I will still be shocked if this movie sucks.

Here's an interview with director Clark Gregg, along with a snippet from the film:



Have a great Thursday, and you can check Chuck's official website, "The Cult" for more news and updates.

I Wanna Go to Sundance!!!

The Sundance film festival begins tonight. With a long history of bringing awesome movies to the world (Reservoir Dogs, Clerks, Little Miss Sunshine, Napoleon Dynamite, Sex, Lies and Videotape all debuted at the festival), Sundance has become the place to premiere your independent film. This year, I am most excited for Hamlet 2, about a High School drama teacher (played by Steve Coogan) who writes a musical sequel to Hamlet. Doesn't everything about that sound awesome?

I've always wanted to make the trek to Utah for Robert Redford's annual film festival (I've had a few friends go and return with stories of drinks with Parker Posey and film going with Laura Linney). I mean, what a better way to spend a week? Watching movies; wearing fun snowy weather clothes; perhaps hot tubbing with Peter Sarsgaard and Paul Rudd (I suppose their wives can join us). Sounds amazing. Maybe next year...