The List: Vol. 7

Once again, some things worth checking out/chatting about:

TV: Lost - So what did we think of the premiere, kiddos? Pretty freaking awesome if you ask me. As I told Liz earlier, everyone is totally gonna jump on my "I Heart Terry O'Quinn" bandwagon now, I can just see it.

TV (Part 2): Damages - I don't have any in the theater movies to recommend (it's the crappy time of year), but you know I have an endless supply of TV shows. Damages is back with a new season on FX. Glenn Close rocks my world. This show would actually be pretty easy to jump into without seeing previous season. I mean, you'd miss out on a lot of great backstory, but it's definitely doable.

DVD: Der Baader Meinhof Komplex - I recently watched this Academy Award nominated German film about the early years of the Red Army Faction. It's pretty damn good...especially if you like communism and chicks with machine guns and I think I speak for everyone when I say, "Who doesn't?!"

Music: Stars Set Yourself on Fire - So apparently, this album is 6 years old and this band has been around for 10 years, but this is the first time I've heard it/them (I mean, c'mon...they're Canadian). I'm obsessed with the first track, however. I was shocked (SHOCKED!) to learn they were not comprised of skinny English hipsters! Wonders never cease.

WWW: Unhappy Hipsters - Speaking of hipsters, this site is hilarious.

Your turn to share!

The List: Vol. 6

This is my least favorite week of the year. It's not because Christmas is looming and I'm in a rush to finish my shopping (I'm done, actually) and it's not because everyone seems to be all cozy and coupley and I am eternally single and it's not because the weather is cold and gloomy (it was 80 here this weekend...suckas!). Nope, it's because Liz is back home visiting her family and she's not here to chat with me all day. This makes me very sad. So, I need to make a list of things I've liked recently to remind myself things could be way worse (though really, I'm not sure how). Here goes:

Movie: Up in the Air - This weekend, while everyone was watching Avatar, I caught the new movie from Jason Reitman (Juno) starring George Clooney. It's really good and, like, perfect for 2009, as Clooney plays a hired gun who sweeps into downsizing companies and fires people. There's sexting and the technology vs. human interaction argument and great performances by Clooney and Anna Kendrick. Check it out immediately.

DVD: Paper Heart - I was eager to see this pseudo-documentary about love from Charlene Yi (the weird Asian girl in Knocked Up) and it did not disappoint. It is adorable and funny and charming and really well done. Queue it up!

TV: Dollhouse - It's already been cancelled so, of course, it's getting even better. With sleeper agents and evil scientists, I can't wait to see how the remaining episodes play out. PLUS, fellas, Eliza Dushku may be a terrible actress, but she's semi-naked in every single episode...so there's that.

And something that sucks almost as much as Liz being away:

Travesties: The Survivor Finale - SPOILER ALERT! Last night's Survivor finale was retarded. The jury picked the "nice" girl who didn't ruffle feathers over one of the best Survivor players ever. People are dumb.

What you got?

Add This to Your Queue: Gran Torino

Remember when we used to "review" movies on this site? Let's give that another whirl, shall we?

Saturday afternoon, I popped in Gran Torino, the Clint Eastwood movie from last year that wasn't The Changeling. (Seriously, how does this old man keep pumping out 2 movies in a year?! Madness, I say!) I'd heard great things about the movie and Eastwood's performance and, I must say, the hype was warranted.

Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a veteran of the Korean war who's recently lost his wife. He lives in a once lovely neighborhood in Detroit (apparently, those did exist at one point), now rundown and almost exclusively Asian (we are to believe Walt it the last remaining white dude). Needless to say, the combination of PTSD from Korea and Asian neighbors is not such a good mix for old Walt. Anyway, through a series of events, Walt becomes close with the two teenagers next door and a wacky comedy of cultural and generational misunderstandings ensues. (I kid, I kid. There is very little wackiness (though Walt is racist as hell and it's pretty amusing. Only Eastwood could make this curmudgeonly character so lovable)). It's actually an interesting look at culture clashes and the lack of respect paid to the heroic elders in this country. Funny, sad, political and thought provoking, Gran Torino is absolutely worth your 2 hours and your tears.

P.S. If you've seen this and you are male, please comment of my theory that this is the new Braveheart (i.e. the movie to make men cry). Thank you in advanced.

The List Vol. 3: Nerdiest. List. Ever.

Some things I love...even if I haven't seen them all yet:

Movie: Star Trek - You know I'm a nerd, I know I'm a nerd, so it's not surprise that I loved the J.J. Abrams reimaging of the sci-fi classic. I was never really into Star Trek, but this movie made me a fan. Chris Pine is wonderful as Kirk and Zachary Quinto was born to play a young Spock. Go see it, whether your a fan of the series or not. Definitely not our father's Star Trek.

Music: Ben Folds Presents University A Cappella - Hearing Ben Folds' greatest hits a cappella and pure and with the occasional beatbox accompaniment is just amazing. Makes me wish I was still in college...and that's the first time I've ever said that...well, other than when I started watching Greek and decided I wished I would have done the sorority thing, but that is mainly so I could have dated someone like Cappy. BUT! I digress...

TV: Glee - I was in some choir or another from 5th grade until a few years ago so you can bet your ass I'm all over this new show about a high school glee club. The pilot airs tonight after Adam and Kris square off on AI and the series begins for reals in the fall. Please watch so this shizz doesn't get canceled. You have no idea what it would mean to me.

DVD: Heavy Metal in Baghdad - This doc captures Iraq's only heavy metal band before and after the start of the war. It's a truly fascinating look at the youth culture in that country and the insane situations in which they live. Queue it up or watch it here online for free.

www: Heartless Doll - A blog that "dig[s] pop culture and ladythings." With posts like "10 Tweets My Vagina Would Twitter" and "Women Who Make Us Ask WTF?" they can be a tad femi-nazi...and I totally love it. Check it out.

As always, your recommendations for all things awesome are coveted below.

Help! I'm Starting to Like Kim Kardashian!

Kim Kardashian is only famous because her dad was on of OJ Simpson's lawyers (and for her starring role in a sex tape). Much like Paris Hilton, she doesn't seem to quite deserve the reality series or magazine covers or hot athlete boyfriend she's been given. However, I kinda like her...mainly because she's at least trying to make some sort of statement about female body issues and that's a biggie for me.

Apparently, a non-Photoshopped image (above, left) of Kim began circulating around the interwebs so Kim posted it on her blog (Celebs! They're just like us!) and said, "So what: I have a little cellulite. What curvy girl doesn't!?" To that I say, "Amen sister" and I start liking Kim more and more.

This reminds me of a documentary I've been meaning to recommend called Bigger, Stronger, Faster*. In the film, director Chris Bell examines steroids in sports and his every day life (his brothers are both admitted and proud steroid users) in a way I'd never heard discussed before...i.e. maybe they're not so medically bad after all and our real problem with steroids is the unfair advantage it seems to give users. Bell goes further and explores the desire for Americans, male and female, to look a predetermined way. Thus, men take steroids to look big and strong while women starve themselves to be thin. I find this paradigm one of the most disturbing ideas in modern society. And I'm not being over dramatic.

Anyway, check out Bigger, Stronger, Faster* whether you're a sports fan or not...and join me in not hating Kim Kardashian as much, won't you? C'mon. She's hot!

Add This to Your Queue: Long Way Down

A few years ago, I received the BBC series Long Way Round from the lovely people at Netflix. In it, I watched Ewan McGregor and his BFF Charlie Boorman ride BMW motorcycles from London, England east to NYC. Recently, I finished it's sequal of sorts, Long Way Down, and I can't recommend it enough.

Starting in John o'Groats in Northern Scotland, Ewan and Charlie ride their bikes south to South Africa. It's an amazing journey. Of course, they encounter wonderful people and incredible scenery and all manner of animals native to Africa, but the real charm is the two men and their friendship, struggles and love of the journey. It also gave me a different perspective of Africa, beyond the horrors (of which there are many) to the beauty of a continent worth preserving. Watch either or both series and sit in awe of this planet.

Bonus: Ewan is fine as ever and really adores his wife. They don't make 'em any dreamier, friends.

Add This to Your Queue: Changeling

Before the Oscars, I tried to watch as many nominated films as possible. The one I rather enjoyed more than expected was Changeling.

Based on a true story, Angelina Jolie stars as Christine Collins, a single mother in 1920's LA who's son is kidnapped. The LAPD, being the harbingers of all things good and just, replaces her son with another kid. Obviously, like any normal human being, Collins knows they've given her a faux son and she is, understandably, pissed the hell off. Of course, being the LAPD, they call her a crazy, bad mother. Good to see things have changed.

Clint Eastwood directs and does a fantastic job capturing "Old LA" (this, along with Chinatown and LA Confidential, is one of the great "Old LA" films), Angelina still manages to separate her larger than life celebrity and is believably heartbreaking, Burn Notice's Jeffery Donovan is an excellent bad guy, but it's the performances buy the kids that really got me, especially Eddie Alderson as Stanford Clark, a kid who's done some very bad things. I imagine the strong female centric themes in Changeling moved me more than they would someone of the less fair sex, but I'd recommend it to everyone. It's becoming hard to go wrong with Eastwood.

Who You Got?: FNL

Nobody watches Friday Night Lights. It's nearly been canceled, like, a zillion times, but it's one of those critical darling/cult following shows that has die hard fans all nutty and determined to keep it on the television. So, naturally, I need to watch it...and it's awesome. Seriously, queue it up.

Anyway, there loads of beautiful men and women gracing the set during FNL. The chicks are super hot (even if Lyla Garrity is a skeeze), the central marriage is incredible and there are dudes in football pants (always a plus), but there is a debate about who's the dreamiest fella on the show. So let's break this down:

First up: Your Generic Bad Boy with a Semi-Heart of Gold
- Alcoholic
- Shitty boyfriend
- Daddy issues
- Screwed his best friend's skeezy girlfriend after said friend was paralyzed in a football accident
- Needs a hair cut

Ladies (and men who like men), I give you Tim Riggins
Next up: The Nice Guy Quarterback
- Becomes starting QB after superstar starting QB is injured
- Lives with and takes care of his grandma, who suffers from dementia, while his dad fights in Iraq
- Has a nerdy sidekick
- Works hard at the local fast food joint where he never cheats The Man
- Crushes on the coaches adorable (and non skeezy) daughter, Julie
- All around nice guy with nice, sensible short hair

Friends who really could care less about this argument, Matt Saracen
Well, who you got in this totally fair and unbiased argument?

Add This to Your Queue: Taxi to the Dark Side

This will be short and sweet, as don't have time to write, yet feel compelled to move that embarrassing Facebook rant down the page.

Taxi to the Dark Side is a documentary about the treatment of prisoners in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay by US military personnel since the War on Terror began. It's incredibly disturbing and very well made (it won the Oscar for Best Documentary last year) and should pretty much be required viewing by all Americans. See it.

Add This to Your Queue

I've been a movie watching machine lately. (I think I have SAD. Is it possible to get it even if the weather isn't bad and cloudy?) Here are some suggestions of things to watch or leave on the shelf, should you be looking to rent a movie this weekend:



See it ASAP

Lust, Caution - A Chinese language film, directed by Ang Lee and set in Japanese occupied Shanghai during WWII. It's got murder, intrigue, double-crossing and some pretty graphic sex scenes.

The Visitor - From the writer/director of The Station Agent, it's a film about loneliness and immigration. Sounds incredibly boring, right? It's not...it's really wonderful and may garner character actor Richard Jenkins some serious award consideration. One of the best movies I've seen all year.

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid - An older Steve Martin movie, it's a parody of old Hollywood detective films. Scenes of Martin and his co-star, Rachel Ward, are spliced with actual old film noir movies. So, the cast includes Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep and Ingrid Bergman in Notorious. It's really a genius idea and the results are pretty damn funny. I can't believe it took me so long to watch it.

See it if all other options have been exhausted

Nightwatch - Ewan McGregor is a law student who takes a night job in a morgue. Josh Brolin co-stars as his weird ass best friend. Bonus points for a pre-Lorelei Gilmore Lauren Graham.

Velvet Goldmine - A psuedo-send-up of David Bowie starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor (what can I say? I'm on a Ewan kick...always), Toni Collette and Christian Bale.

Skip it
Leatherheads - George Clooney went from directing Good Night and Good Luck to this? Seriously? It's entertaining enough (and I'd watch John Krasinski brush his teeth and still heart him), but Renee Zelwegger is seriously miscast and it just not very funny.

Meatballs - Bill Murray goes to camp. I didn't even finish watching it.

Hope that helps get you through the weekend if, like, me your weekend includes avoiding human interaction at all costs.

Add This to Your Queue: Speed Racer

I wanted to see Speed Racer, a live action version of the old Japanese cartoon by the Wachowski brothers, while it was in the theater because the trailer looked so totally rad. Then, it came out and the reviews were terrible, and I decided to see Iron Man instead. Now Speed Racer is out on DVD and available to view on my own personal "big screen." I watched it last night while everyone else in San Diego cheered on the Chargers...and totally enjoyed it.

During it's theatrical release, most of the poor reviews criticized the less than stellar plot and the claimed no one under 10 would like the film. Well, I'm nearly 30 and I loved every minute...mainly because it looks unlike any movie I've ever seen. Sure, some of the acting is over-the-top and some of the gags are aimed purely at children while the main plot confilct is rather heady, but the anime/video game world the Wachowski's created is truly amazing. Much like their The Matrix movies, Speed Racer is worth checking out for the visuals, if nothing else.

Also, could someone please get Christina Ricci a sandwich? Anyone?

Add This to Your Queue: Shine A Light

The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? It's a debate older than, well, me anyway (which makes it pretty damn old). I've always been firmly in the pro-Beatles camp, but last night, a documentary by Martin Scorsese (the best pitchman Amex has ever had) may have maybe swayed me towards the Stones...or towards recognizing the equal genius of both bands, at the very least.

Shine a Light is a concert film at it's purest. Scorsese filmed the Stones over two nights at the Beacon theater in NYC. Interspersed with the live performance (and the film is 75% live performance) is archival footage of the Stones looking young and dashing (well, Mick looks hot, anyway. Aging has not been kind to these fellas) and showcasing various moments in their 40+ year career. The concert scenes rock pretty hard (with Buddy Guy, Jack White and Christina Aguilera popping by to duet throughout) and the old footage is funny and revealing. Hearing Mick Jagger say, at 20-something, "I think we have another year in us before we disband" is pretty hilarious in hindsight. I think that's what impresses me the most about the Rolling Stones...they are obviously talented, but their longevity is truly remarkable and, in the end, maybe that makes them better than The Beatles. I dunno. It's worthy of discussion...which is what we will do now in the comments.

So, spill it, people. The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?

Add This to Your Queue: Spaced

Anglophiles, rejoice! The hilarious British sitcom, Spaced, is finally available on DVD in the US. The show stars the adorable Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes as Tim and Daisy, roommates who pretend they are dating to land their ideal flat. It's totally not as Friends-y as it sounds. The lovely Edgar Wright (director of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz) helms the series, so you know that means some crazy business (like a drunken landlady and a zombie episode). Apparently, the DVD includes commentaries from Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Diablo Cody (further proving my suspicions she and Edgar are dating. Lucky bitch) and Matt Stone, among others. The Spaced team is also on a 4 city US tour to promote the DVD release. They will be at Comic-Con in San Diego this week and I will be stuck at work. Sometimes, life is really unfair.

And, hey look. I found the first episode on YouTube:



You're welcome.

Add This to Your Queue: In Bruges

This weekend, while catching up on Season 1 of 30 Rock (which makes me laugh so very hard. Liz Lemon and I are soul mates), I popped in In Bruges starring Colin Farrell and the entire supporting cast of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Farrell plays a newbee hit man partnered with Brendan Gleeson (aka Mad-Eye Moody). After his first job goes a bit awry, the two are sent to Bruges, Belgium by their boss, Ralph Fiennes (aka Lord Voldemort), to hide out for a bit. Farrell is miserable in Bruges, but Gleeson loves the old medieval city and it's charms (yes, they have character names, but I can't be bothered to remember or look them up. If you were expecting a proper film review, you've come to the wrong place, my friend). Anyway, Farrell brightens when he meets a girl (Clemence Poesy aka Fleur Delacroix (who, I just learned, shares my birthday. This, of course, means she's amazing)) while Gleeson deals with his next hit. Add a midget, drugs and annoying Americans and I think you can see why this movie is awesome.


In Bruges is comedy at it's darkest...think Gross Point Blank meets The Departed. Colin Farrell is really funny and by far the best he's ever been (this is how he becomes a real star...not that Alexander, shagging LiLo crap). Gleeson and Fiennes are brilliant, as always. Some people are even calling it the best film of the year so far. So, check it out before it becomes the next movie all the cool kids love. Then you can impress them when you work, "If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me but I didn't, so it doesn't" into a conversation. Everyone will laugh and love you...and isn't that what life is all about? (this post totally fell off the rails there. My apologies).

Add This to Your Queue: Be Kind Rewind

Recently, I caught Michel Gondry's latest starring Mos Def and Jack Black. Be Kind Rewind finds Mos Def, as Mike, working in a small, dying video store owned by Elroy (Danny Glover). When Elroy leaves town for the weekend on a quest to find ways to improve the video store business and keep his store open, Mike is left in charge. Enter the wacky Jack Black as Jerry, who becomes magnetized (as one only can in a Michel Gondry film) and accidentally demagnetizes/erases all the videos in the store. Mike and Jerry decide, in an effort to cover their asses until Elroy returns, to film their own versions of the videos and rent them to the customers. The film is it's best when Jerry and Mike are "Sweeding" (their term for their remakes) new classics like Ghostbusters and Rush Hour 2, but the film is really about community and friendship and all that warm, fuzzy stuff. While not anywhere near as good as Being John Malcovich or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or even The Science of Sleep, Be Kind Rewind is worth checking out for the Ghostbusters homage alone.

Add This to Your Queue: The Lives of Others

If you’re not against reading a movie, put on your spectacles and check out The Lives of Others.

It’s a German movie that takes place in East Berlin when they were still doing the communist thing, and basically follows the story of a playwright, his actress girlfriend, and the lonely secret policeman who’s in charge of spying on them.

It’s really a pretty simple story, but it manages to dig deep into why people’s messy lives are exactly why totalitarian regimes usually lose their iron grip. Sometimes the most seemingly loyal officials are the very ones screwing things up, and the people who question the logic of those in charge are actually the most valuable citizens a system can have.

The Lives of Others won Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars last year, so don’t take my word for it, take the Academy’s. You know, the same Academy that said Crash was the Best Picture a few years ago...OK, yeah, just take my word for it. Again, if you can handle subtitles, definitely check this out.

Add This to Your Queue: The Orphanage

Last night, I let creepy little kids totally freak me out when I popped in the Spanish film The Orphanage. Produced by Guillermo del Toro, The Orphanage is a terrific thriller, as we've come to expect from the Spanish (see: The Others for further evidence). Laura (played by Spanish actress Belen Ruida, who totally looks like a cross between Embeth Davidz and Maria Bello) is a former orphan who returns to her childhood home with her husband and child to open a school for "special" children. Strange things begin happening with Laura's son, Simon, and with the house...and creepy little kids become involved. If you like thrillers, especially those with style, and don't mind subtitles, check out The Orphanage. It's a great way to spend a rainy weekend (as we are expecting in San Diego).

In other news, I will be on vacation all next week. I'm sure Liz will swing by to entertain you and, if you're really lucky, Dave and Garney will pop by, too. Try not to miss me too much.

Add This to Your Queue

Last night, I watched Lars and the Real Girl. I was a bit wary, as it's basically a movie about a guy who buys an anatomically correct doll and carts her around his small town as a real person, but really it's about loneliness, community and love.

Lars is a lonely guy who lives in his brother's garage. His sister-in-law works her ass off to make Lars comfortable and welcome, but he really just prefers isolation. When he receives his "girlfriend" Bianca, he feels more comfortable in the community. Of course, the community thinks he is freaking insane (uh, because he is), but they embrace Lars and Bianca in truly remarkable ways.

Ryan Gosling plays Lars as a wonderful man-child trying to work through his issues. You so sympathize with his character, you forget he's romancing a doll (Gosling was totally robbed of an Oscar nomination). The supporting cast is also wonderful and warm (I want to move to that small town...or I would if it didn't, you know, snow there). I absolutely loved it and I think you will, too.

Add This to Your Queue

I liked Juno. You liked Juno. We all liked Juno, okay, but I had some issues with it...mostly I felt it was thisclose to being too clever for it's own good. Last night, I watched Rocket Science which was everything I wanted from Juno...funny and quirky, but still wholly believable and "real."

Rocket Science (written and directed by Jeffery Blitz, who also made the terrific documentary Spellbound) is about a young high school kid named Hal Heffner who is dealing with a stutter and a crap home life. Hal joins the high school debate team at the behest of the adorable and fast talking Ginny, the Queen of Debate. Hal promptly falls in love with Ginny and their partnership seems like a perfect situation, if only he could "find his voice." Finally, with some help from Master Debater Ben Wekselbaum (played by Nicolas D'Agosto, aka West, Claire's adorable flying boyfriend on Heroes), Hal grows up and conquers his fears. Typical coming of age stuff, but, like, really well done.

Upon further refection, Rocket Science reminds me more of The Squid and the Whale or Rushmore than Juno in it's ability to balance the humorous and the tragic. Check it out and decide for yourself.

Add This to Your Queue

I realize it's Spring and time to come out of hibernation and do outdoorsy stuff. However, if, like me, you prefer your big lovely couch to hiking up mountains, here are 4 movies worth your rental dollars:


Enchanted - Sure it's a Disney movie with singing and talking chipmunks, but it's really wonderful. It's the cleverest twist on the classic fairy tale, well, ever. Amy Adams is fantastic as Giselle, a cartoon maiden sent to NYC by a wicked witch hellbent on stopping her marriage to the prince. James "why isn't he a bigger star" Marsden, Patrick "I refuse to call him McDreamy" Dempsey, Susan "walking advertisement for looking phenomenal at 61!" Sarandon and Idina "Mrs. Taye Diggs" Menzel round out the terrific cast. If I ever have a little girl (you know, when someone finally gives in and marries me), this is the Disney princess movie she watching.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters - Who knew competitive video gaming was so interesting? This documentary follows Steve Weibe, an out of work engineer who decides to set the high score at Donkey Kong and obtain the world record. To do so, he has to take down Billy Mitchell, who set the high score in 1982 and has become a god in the classic video game community. It's a truly fascinating look at this crazy world. Read another (better) review here.

Sunshine - From the team that brought you 28 Days Later, Sunshine is a futuristic tale about a team of scientists who journey to the Sun. 50 years in the future, the Sun is dying and if the Sun dies, so goes the human race. The plan is to get to the Sun and set off a nuclear bomb to keep the Sun alive. Of course, things go very bad, as things tend to do, and the crew encounters a creepy journey to save the universe. Sunshine is a bit flawed, but it creeped me out for sure.


Dan in Real Life - I'm not really sure who this movie was made for...it falls into that "male romantic comedy" genre, which is really oxymoronic when you think about it. Nevertheless, it's funny and sweet and anyone with a soul will love it. Dan (Steve Carrell) is a widower who falls for Marie (Juliette Binoche because, c'mon. Who wouldn't?), but it turns out Marie already has a man...Dan's brother (Dane Cook, who, much to my shock and horror, I didn't hate). They, along with the rest of Dan's crazy family, spend the weekend together at their parent's home in Rhode Island and wackiness ensues. It's great. Check it out.

Because, when it comes down to it, who needs sunshine? (well, other than the movie Sunshine. Oh, nevermind...)