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Academy Awards 2010: 'Avatar,' 'Hurt Locker' top nominations (full list)

2010-02-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit: WETA Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

This year's Academy Awards will be a David-vs. Goliath showdown between former spouses John Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow as his Avatar and her The Hurt Locker each vie for nine Oscars.

Avatar comes into the awards boasting the biggest box office take ever, with $2 billion and counting, while The Hurt Locker is the independent contender that the Academy usually lives for. Both have raked in their fair share of big trophies this awards season, but The Hurt Locker's nine noms pulled off a stronger upset over Jason Reitman's Up In The Air, which many have considered Avatar's biggest competition.

Sci-fi fan favorite District 9 managed to score a Best Picture slot, along with The Blind Side, which has only been kind to Sandra Bullock (a Best Actress nominee) so far. This year will mark the Academy's big experiment of including 10 Best Picture nominations over the usual five, though most have predicted that the category is really a competition between five films at this point anyway, i.e. Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Up In The Air, Inglorious Basterds and Precious. Basterds is getting its fair due with Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and a Best Supporting Actor nom for Christoph Waltz.

Local animation giant Pixar also scored a Best Picture nomination as well as a Best Animated Film one. Its Best Picture nommakes it only the second film, next to Disney's Beauty and the Beast, to earn that slot.

The full list is a s follows (source: Entertainment Weekly):

Best Picture
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Photo Credit: Dale Robinette. Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

Best Actor
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
George Clooney, Up in the Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

Best Actress
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Best Supporting Actress
Penélope Cruz, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Crazy Heart
Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
Mo’Nique, Precious

Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
James Cameron, Avatar
Lee Daniels, Precious
Jason Reitman, Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Best Original Screenplay
Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker
Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman, The Messenger
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, A Serious Man
Pete Docter, Bob Peterson & Tom McCarthy, Up
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Best Adapted Screenplay
Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci & Tony Roche, In the Loop
Neill Blomkamp & Terri Tatchell, District 9
Geoffrey Fletcher, Precious
Nick Hornby, An Education
Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air

Best Animated Film
Coraline
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Princess and the Frog
The Secret of Kells
Up

Best Foreign Language Film
El Secreto do Sus Ojos (Argentina)
Un Prophete (France)
The White Ribbon (Germany)
Ajami (Israel)
The Milk of Sorrow (Peru)

Best Art Direction
Avatar
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
Sherlock Holmes
The Young Victoria

Best Cinematography
Avatar
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The White Ribbon

Best Costume Design
Bright Star
Coco Before Chanel
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
The Young Victoria

Best Documentary
Burma VJ
The Cove
Food, Inc.
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Which Way Home

Best Editing
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious

Best Makeup
Il Divo
Star Trek
The Young Victoria

Best Score
Avatar
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Hurt Locker
Sherlock Holmes
Up

Photo credit: Anne Marie Fox. Lionsgate Entertainment

Best Song
“Almost There,” The Princess and the Frog, Randy Newman
“Down in New Orleans,” The Princess and the Frog, Randy Newman
“Loin de Paname,” Paris 36, Reinhardt Wagner & Frank Thomas
“Take It All,” Nine, Maury Yeston
“The Weary Kind,” Crazy Heart, T-Bone Burnett & Ryan Bingham

Best Sound Editing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Up

Best Sound Mixing
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Best Visual Effects
Avatar
District 9
Star Trek

Best Documentary Short
China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
Music by Prudence
Rabbit à la Berlin

Best Animated Short
French Roast
Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty
The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)
Logorama
A Matter of Loaf and Death

Best Live-Action Short
The Door
Instead of Abracadabra
Kavi
Miracle Fish
The New Tenants

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will be telecast live March 7 on ABC from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will co-host.

"Avatar", "Hurt Locker": They're no "T2" or "Point Break!"

2010-02-02T11:25:00.001-08:00

The Academy Awards nominations are out and the battle has begun; it's James Cameron vs. Kathryn Bigelow in a fight to the death for Oscar gold!

Fans, critics and movie enthusiasts alike cannot say enough just how much James Cameron’s Avatar means to the world for its visual feats.

And the same critics have finally come to accept solid filmmaking by women with the recognition of Kathryn Bigelow’s great accomplishment with The Hurt Locker. And how fun is it that these two ex-spouses get to go head to head this year at the Academy Awards for their achievements?

But this isn’t the first time they’ve battled it out at the box office. And I’m here to say that this isn’t their best match-up either. In fact, I’d like to argue the reality that Cameron and Bigelow did it so much better in 1991—when they blew our minds with Terminator 2: Judgment Day (T2 for those in the know) and Point Break.

Let’s look at Cameron's T2 first. John Connor still lives, this time in the form of a young, wise-mouthed Eddie Furlong, and must be destroyed by an all-new terminator model known as the T-1000. Arguably the best Terminator film in the franchise, do you remember where you were that summer when you got your first look at what Cameron accomplished? Remember how mind-blowing it was to see Robert Patrick’s T-1000 slink out of that checkered floor in the mental institution holding Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor; first like liquid tile, then mercury, then into a person! Or when he slaughters John Connor’s foster parents by forming his hand into a silver sword straight through the carton of milk into the man’s head with a quick flick of his arm? And that was just the first quarter of the movie.

Terminator 2 was unlike anything that came before it (until Michael Jackson wowed us again with the same visual effects used in the “Black or White” video a few months later) and it still triggers the giddy 15-year-old inside of me who caught it the first time around when I see it today--and I’m a girl! Watching that movie felt like a historical moment where the bar was reset and if anyone was going to cut it in action film-making, T2 better be a guide. And I believe most successful action flicks that have followed have done just that. No way would Tranformers be anything without the special effects groundwork Cameron made with T2.

Plus, the plot was actually solid, unlike the currently weak one in Avatar apparently being ignored by real critics worldwide.

On the flip side of that big-bang T2 bonanza was Point Break. Special FBI Agent Johnny Utah is tapped to infiltrate a gang of surfers (led by the late great Patrick Swayze) who may or may not be responsible for a string of bank thefts. He's paired up with a veteran (a brilliant Gary Busy. No, seriously.) and together the two try to get to the bottom of the crimes.

Released the same year, Kathryn Bigelow relied on solid stunts to make a really entertaining thrill-ride and using Keanu Reeves helped cement his place in the world of action films. The surfing shots were one thing, but go ahead and re-watch that skydiving sequence or chase scene again. That was definitely breaking new ground using some great stunt and camera work.

Bigelow may be feeling the critical love now for The Hurt Locker, but I doubt it will reach cult classic status the way Point Break has. Thanks to those borderline-iconic, cheesy lines, it’s even managed to spawn a tongue-in-cheek traveling live production called Point Break Live! One lucky audience member is chosen to play Reeves’ Utah. Reeves’ delivery of his lines with that same “Bill and Ted” bravado lends itself to hilarity for this live show which holds up in laughs and good times, just like the movie itself.

In honor of full-disclosure, I must admit that I haven’t seen The Hurt Locker yet, but I can tell you that I still remember the first time seeing Point Break (as well as Point Break Live! which is now playing in San Francisco at the Metreon), and I think that says a lot. Sure, I was 15 at the time and I had a penchant for all things Keanu and Winona Ryder, but still, a good action flick is a good action flick and this is one of them.

I’ve already said my piece on Avatar and I do look forward to The Hurt Locker, but I feel confident in saying that they’re no T2 or Point Break and they never will be.

One-Word Review: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

2009-07-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

Beyond.

That's the one-word review my industry insider used to describe the latest 1980s toy-based popcorn flick to hit theaters.

Obviously "beyond" leaves a lot for interpretation. Based on my insider's penchant for G.I Joe and our previous conversations about how this movie could easily be the Speed Racer of 2009 (he disagreed), I'm going to venture out and say that this means we're looking at an over-the-top action bonanza filled with explosions, pretty people and terrible dialog.

As my friend further revealed, "I think I'm going to get G.I Joe toys and stage mock battles at my desk for funsies."

Basically it's likely an "all-in-the-trailer" kind of flick--what you see is what you're going to get. And from what I've seen, I'm not sure I care to take in anymore, especially with ticket prices as high as they are now.

Maybe it's those modified suits that apparently allow our G.I.s to move more like "Iron Men" through battles, but there's something about this movie that feels a little dated. I definitely get more of a Mortal Combat vibe than a Star Trek revamp, that's for sure. And I was going to call out Channing Tatum, but he's since redeemed himself outside of this film (see here), I won't. I will, however, openly wonder why Sienna Miller continues to get work and what Dennis Quaid is doing in this.

With all the rock 'em, sock 'em summer flicks inundating this summer's slate, I think I'll skip this latest attempt because I'm sure it's not far enough "beyond" it's schlocky premise.

G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra premieres August 7.

Kitsch Toy Flashback! Hot Fun In the Summertime...

2009-06-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Ah, the sweltering summer sun is finally beating upon us.

In my mind, I'm already eating hot dogs off the grill and blasting my favorite BBQ playlist from my portable stereo. I'm scuttling off to the theater to catch this week's popcorn flick and chilling beers for my return. It's all camping trips, outdoor movie nights, a backyard kiddie pool for feet-dipping and long dog walks in the park from here on out, as far as I'm concerned. But this time of the year always evokes childhood memories as well, one in particular which I will never shake or want to based on its sheer hilarity factor.

That would be the year we invested in a "Wet Banana," a Slip n' Slide knockoff that my dad picked up for us at the local KMart because we likely were unable to afford the real deal. Anyway, what did we care when it provided the same effect? Well, I grew up in a rural part of Stockton, CA on an acre of land. No, we were not farmers, but most of our neighbors were. My point here being that we had a massive backyard with plenty of room to set up a stretch of plastic mat for us to slide along under a cascade of water provided through a banana funnel we twisted over our garden hose.

(Yup, a banana all right...as in second banana to the Slip n' Slide!)

And slide we tried. My sister and I couldn't wait to hit the wet plastic as we watched our dad throw out that mat like our personal bright yellow royal carpet of fun. We were sure to hose ourselves down first for full sliding effect before even attempting to ride that yellow wave down our lightly sloped back lawn. And yet, this might also be where our rural surroundings come into play. For you see, we also grappled with our fair share of wasps during those summer months. We used to find their nests nestled in the outside corners of our garage and at the ends of our house.

For those not familiar with wasps laying claim to your home to nest, in short it is terrifying. Nothing made us head for the house faster than a buzzing wasp looking for a landing point. Plus, my sister is allergic to bees, so she was always sure certain death would come for her with a wasp sting. And with wasps in your backyard, you were constantly looking over your shoulder that was often rocking a brightly colored strap of some sort from your swimsuit of the season because wasps are drawn to bright colors. That's right, any brilliant color is usually a solid wasp target, like, say, a giant yellow swath of plastic strewn across a rich green backdrop of grass.

And so we would soon find out in our first attempted romp that nothing attracted the enemy more than a "Wet Banana," complete with water droplets perfect for feeding upon. It was like a welcome mat we dared to slide across. And I will never forget the moment we realized just that.

As I prepared to make my first slide, I ran at full speed with excitement in my heart and a hop in my step. That's when I saw them. Between the water streams, dotted across the slide from top to bottom was an insta-swarm of wasps. And when I hit that mat, the moment turned from a highly anticipated sloshy slip of fun to a slippery slope of sheer terror. I began to scream as I tried to avoid hitting a wasp on my way across the mat. And my sister snapped back in horror.

Fortunately I made it across safely, and my father did his best to shoo away as many of the pests as possible, but the mental damage had been done. My sister and I would never look at our "Wet Banana" the same again. Sure, we continued to attempt the slide over the course of that summer, but I distinctly recall us giving it up shortly thereafter for the safer confines of our plastic kid pool, where we could easily jump in and out to avoid any unnecessary contact with our flying foes.

To this day, when the days get longer and the sun starts to strengthen in intensity, I think back on this story and laugh. Part of me feels like we were just asking for it, but at the same time I'm a little resentful that we were robbed of the simple joys of slipping and sliding our summer hours away. Still, it must have been a hilarious sight to behold from an eyewitness perspective. It certainly makes for pure comedy in my hosuehold and what more could I ask for in a summer memory?

You'll Be Missed, Farrah...

2009-06-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

Celebrity icon Farrah Fawcett died today at the age of 62, according to reports.

Fawcett long battled anal cancer, recently documenting her struggle to overcome her condition in the emotional NBC special "Farrah's Story."

Fawcett blew onto the scene in the 1970s, as a sexy pin-up and one third of the mega-successful Charlie's Angels. Her 25-year love affair with actor Ryan O'Neal also made headlines, following their ups and downs. But O'Neal proved to be her rock in the NBC documentary also noted for depicting their real life love story.

Sadly, in one a recent 20/20 interview, O'Neal admitted that he finally proposed to his love in her final days, saying “We will, just as soon as she can say yes.”

The Scoobies meet the Cullens

2009-06-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

Ah, not sure what took this long for this happen, but I love it. Check out a stellar mash-up of our fair Buffy Summers collides with Edward Cullen, though what's most obvious is that Buffy continues to reign in the witty banter department, "eclipsing" anything out of Twilight, which is why Sunnydale will always beat Forks.

Let's All Recognize, Vol. II: Triple-Name Celebs!

2009-06-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

The 'nets are abuzz today with the return of Zack Morris on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Seriously. Catch the clip below:

Now I was never a huge Saved By The Bell fan, but that doesn't mean I didn't rock a Mark Paul Gosselaar poster straight out of Teen Beat on my wall (nestled in between all the Corey Haim posters, of course). I also think it's very cool of the guy not to shy away from where he came from. So in honor of Gosselaar's awesomeness, I'm recognizing my nine favorite three-name celebrities.

Neil Patrick Harris: While Gosselaar was cutting his acting teeth at Bayside High School, Harris was pulling off complicated medical procedures as a teenage resident at Eastman Medical Center on Doogie Howser, M.D. After Doogie, he went on to tackle Broadway before coming back to television. Today Harris is more recognized as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, but like his three-name counterpart, he also paid tribute to his first big break with this hilarious SNL digital short, which kind of made me fall in love with him all over again.

Mary-Louise Parker: She's another triple-moniker star that never seems to age. I swear she looks no different in Fried Green Tomatoes than she does in Weeds, and she's fantastic in both. She remains ruthless in her acting choices and doesn't seem to be afraid of tackling taboo subject matters. Like being a drug-dealing mother who's willing to let her own children get involved in the family business. Yay for Parker!

Mary Stuart Masterson: Parker wasn't the only one hogging up poster space with Fried Green Tomatoes. Masterson gained fame in the 1980s with a string of films, including the classic Some Kind of Wonderful. She spends more time behind the camera now, but Masterson is still a legend among the best three-namers.

Harry Dean Stanton: Another alum of the house of John Hughes, Stanton captured my heart in Pretty in Pink, but he's also amazing in Big Love. And for some reason I always remember him hanging out for a jam session with members of the Brian Jonestown Massacre in the documentary DiG! The guy just exudes a cool air about him.

Sarah Michelle Gellar: Of course Buffy had to make my list! Even if I never saw Gellar in anything else ever again, she'd always rank among the top three-name celebs for her iconic turn as America's favorite vampire slayer. Good luck trying to recapture that magic without Joss Whedon or another three-name celeb worthy of the role.

Sarah Jessica Parker: I don't know if the '80s spawned three-name stars or if it was mere coincidence, but here's another one. Totally adorable in everything from Girls Just Wanna Have Fun to Sex And The City, Parker's not only beloved but she also married Ferris Bueller! Plus, word is she's every bit the sweetheart she comes off as in interviews and appearances.

Helena Bonham Carter: She started out doing Merchant Ivory but has since become the female Johnny Depp to Tim Burton. Sure, it's probably based on the fact that they're longtime partners, but what a muse she is. Carter's cornered the market on goth-chic characters often required for Burton films, but she nails them. Be sure to check out her vocal chops in Sweeney Todd and she's returning this summer as Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Jennifer Jason Leigh: She doesn't just deserve to be recognized for her name, but she deserves more work! She's showing up for a couple of episodes of Weeds this season and she was a highlight in Margot At The Wedding, but I'd love to see Leigh in a lot more. She's hotter now than she ever was in flicks like Single White Female and she's got a great connection to good work in her own director husband, Noah Baumbach. Oh right, hence her next project, Baumbach's Greenberg. Gotcha. Well, good for Leigh!

Daniel Day Lewis: He's more like three-name royalty among such celebs. The consummate performer, Lewis is known for being an actor's actor. And you have to respect anyone who can go from playing a smarmy oilman in There Will Be Blood (and picking up a second Oscar along the way) to singing and dancing his way through the highly-anticipated Rob Marshall musical Nine. Now that's versatility!

Of course, I'm leaving off a slew of three name stars, but these are a few faves that come to mind. Who comes to yours?

Sacrilege

2009-05-26T09:10:00.000-07:00

This pure garbage comes courtesy of the Hollywood Reporter:

"Buffy" in for Feature Relaunch

The warning should heed to leave well enough alone, for there is and will always be only one Buffy. Enough said.

My Summer Projects...And What Looks Good for Fall So Far

2009-05-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

Now that the dust has settled on the fallout of Upfronts this week, we know what's in and out (Yay, Dollhouse! Really, Scrubs again?). On that tip, I'd like to tout the big clip that caught my eye this week out of this fall's teasers. Just when I thought I'd have to ache over the loss of my beloved Juliet on Lost, Elizabeth Mitchell goes and shows up in the ABC remake of V, a show that scared the crap out of me as a kid, but now a must-see for me based on this:

I kinda like the fact that Mitchell has to go from the company of one former Party of Fiver to another, though I was always more of a Charlie fan than Bailey.

Also, this week kicks off what my friends and I have dubbed our "Summer Projects." With the DVR cleaned out, it's time for me to tackle those shows I missed out on the first time around. Summer projects have lead to some of my best discoveries, including Veronica Mars, Battlestar Galactica and Arrested Development. And now I can honestly say these gems rank among my faves of all time. I credit that to the fact that these were friend suggestions, whose opinions I trust for the most part. That usually means I'm guaranteed not to waste my time trying out a show I will ultimately not be into. It's like someone hand-feeding me the cream of the crop!

And so, based on those factors, this summer my projects will include:

The Wire: I know, I know, what the hell am I waiting for, right? I can't tell you how many people, from my colleagues to my dog-walker (seriously), have lambasted me for not being on board already with this HBO drama. It's especially shocking because I love almost all HBO dramas. But I'm biting the bullet officially this time! Soon I too will know the ins and outs of the Baltimore drug scene as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement. I'm on it!

Skins: Before Slumdog Millionnaire, there was Anwar and my friends were all over this British drama about high school life at fictional Roundview Sixth Form College way before Dev Patel ever uttered his final answer in his breakout film. I was able to catch one arc one weekend and immediately felt it necessary to add it to the Netflix queue.

The West Wing: Another "What?! You've never watched?!" show amongst my friends, I'm told Aaron Sorkin's political drama is more relevant than ever now! The truth is that I've been a bit hesitant to tackle this series simply because there seems to be like 20 seasons, and everyone admits that the show takes a downhill turn somewhere around the 12th. I kid, but really, that's A LOT of West Wing to get sucked into. Still, as a fan of Sorkin's previous work, I figure there's no time like the present to delve into President Bartlett's term (hey, just 'cause I never watched doesn't mean I was ever really out of the loop!).

Supernatural: This comes at the tail end of my projects because, let's be honest, I'm getting kind of ambitious with what I think I will have time for. I mean, TV is on vacation, but the Summer Blockbuster season is in full swing after all! Still, this show has everything I'd want out of it. The title alone should have hooked me from it's first run, but alas, I believe I just had too much on my plate at the time. That's not to say I haven't watched a handful of eps featuring those Supernatual hunters known as the Winchester brothers and I enjoyed every one (plus, those boys are awfully pretty). So it only makes sense that I really tackle it from the beginning. In the end, I'm sure I'm only hurting myself for not watching. Right?

And that is that, my friends. Again, with all the blockbusters in theaters and the unofficial summer TV season that kicks off with True Blood (June 14th!) and wrapping up with Mad Men in August, it's a lot. Still, marking them here keeps them within my sight. Wish me luck!

Like Fine Wine...

2009-05-18T09:46:00.001-07:00

A link to my freelance piece I felt like sharing here:

Better with Age: Actresses Breaking the Hollywood Mold

Cruel Cliffhangers: How Could You Leave Us Hanging Like That?!

2009-05-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

This week kicks off TV season finales across the networks. We should expect big bangs, deaths and story wrap-ups as usual, but I'd like to take this time to point out some of the best shows that never got to say goodbye properly.

I'm talking about those gems that were cut WAY before their time. I know, it happens every year, but it doesn't make it any less painful. And so a look at some of those shows I miss AND wish had a chance to wrap up those loose ends and provide proper closure.

Pushing Daisies: The facts are these; this show was short-ended, primarily due to the writer's strike and certainly before it's expiration date. OK, so ABC plans to air the remaining three episodes starting May 30 (check local listings!) which may or may not provide some semblance of a wrap-up, but until I see it, I cry foul. I doubt they'll be able to provide the happily ever after I was expecting from this whimsical tale of Ned the pie-maker, who's ability to bring the dead back to life (and in turn killing something else) brought him back his true love Charlotte "Chuck"Charles. And I seriously doubt the supporting characters, which included a stellar Kristen Chenoweth, will get the attention they deserve. Alas, I suppose it merely wasn't meant to be after all. But that doesn't make it any more right.

Veronica Mars: While most shows were merely killed by season's end, this one was cut to black in the middle of its third. The last we saw of our fair Veronica, our little amateur sleuth had cast off her ex-boyfriend/current acquaintance Logan, who was obviously still struggling with feelings he had for her and her dad, Sheriff Keith Mars, was facing an uphill re-election battle that it looked like he was going to lose. Did he? And what ever became of our girl's last investigation into the secret society known as The Castle that was supposedly the source of a sex tape featuring Veronica and her then boyfriend Piz? These days most fans are pinning their hopes on a movie that has been discussed, but that cliffhanger still stings...

My So-Called Life: Does Angela Chase ever figure out that the letter she thinks is from Jordan Catalano is actually from Brian Krakow? Does Rayanne ever get clean? Did Rickey ever dance again? Guess we'll never know! After just ONE season, this now-cult classic about a high school teen and those who came in and out of her life was killed. I don't really care that the show managed to make stars out of most of its key players and I'm not interested in how everyone looks back on it now and realizes what it meant. All I want to know is if Angela's parents get divorced. Would they ever have revealed Tino? Does Angela's....

Carnivale: Seriously, WTF?! Never have I been so creeped out, perplexed and yet enamored with a show. I didn't know what the hell I was watching half the time, but I'll be damned if the show didn't always have my attention. The premise of a traveling carnival set in the Dust Bowl days seemed simple enough, but the show was shrouded in the supernatural. It was often classic Good versus Evil and it rocked a Twilight Zone vibe. Plus, the cast was awesome (particularly Clancy Brown and Nick Stahl, who played like a demented version of Daisies' pie-maker). Unfortunately, the show was canceled before we found out which side eventually prevailed, Good or Evil. The way things were going, Evil was ahead, but we may never really know...I say it's still worth a watch though. Because I couldn't find the cliffhanger, here's the genius opening credits:

Deadwood: And speaking of short-changed HBO gems, we never got a chance to see how this Western was won. To use a word dropped like every minute on the show, what C*cksucker thought it was a good idea to kill Deadwood in its prime? Oh yeah, that would be the creator himself, David Milch, who felt that John From Cincinnati would better be worth his time. Too bad no one else did. And I wouldn't hold my breath for the once-promised movies that were going to be made to wrap things up. I'll be honest, I still hold a little resentment for the way we were left hanging.

And these are but a few shows that popped to mind when I considered the topic, but I could go on and on. Of course, reflecting back is only more torturous, so I suppose I'll take comfort in the finales ahead. At least I know a show like Lost won't suffer the same fate. Because there's cruel and then there's just EVIL...

"Parenthood" in the hood...

2009-04-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

Seems NBC's pilot season is making its way all over the Bay Area these days.

Following on the heels of the filming of the NBC pilot Trauma, comes Parenthood, based on the 1989 Ron Howard film of the same name. Seems they're filming the pilot right here in town. And not just anywhere, but literally half a block away from where I live. Well, here and all across the East Bay.

If you'll recall (or not, actually), the TV honchos tried this before, but with failed results. Of course that was before Brothers & Sisters, and let's be honest, couldn't we use another iteration of that concept? I'll admit that I'm a bit of a sucker for the Walker clan and wouldn't be opposed to following the family shenanigans of another brood, especially if they're basing it out of my neighborhood. Plus, this time around the Buckmans feature the likes of Peter Krause, Maura Tierney and is being directed by Thomas Schlamme (TV's The West Wing and the underrated Jack & Bobby). The plot remains relatively the same; following the lives of the Buckman family, which includes four siblings -- played by Krause, Tierney, Erika Christensen, and Dax Shepard -- and their parents -- played by Craig T. Nelson and, likely, Bonnie Bedella.

OK, so the film crew was merely on my block to shoot some exterior shots for the show, but I couldn't help but feel a little giddy when I caught the line of trailers underneath the freeway. I mean, it's like waking up and finding the circus has blown into your backyard. No? Sorry, I recently caught an afternoon showing of Big Top Pee Wee (which I unabashedly point out. Pee Wee is good times...).

Anyway, if the Buckmans manage to pull off half as many drink fests and drama as the Walker clan does over on ABC, I'm in.

TRAGIC UPDATE: From the Contra Costa Times.

Star Trek Syllable Review

2009-04-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine "in the industry" had a chance the check out the J.J. Abrams-directed Star Trek last night, so I asked him to provide me a one-word review. Instead he offered this in three subsequent text messages:

A.
Maz.
Ing.

Cute, though I wasn't sure if he was trying to make fun of me for struggling to help a second-grader nail the right answer on a practice state test this week, but that's neither here nor there...

The both of us are admitted non-fans of the original series, movies, spin-offs, fan-fiction, etc., etc., etc. so for all we know Abrams rewrites the Star Trek bible and we are unable to speak to any blasphemy that may incur. But we agreed that anything Abrams does or Bad Robot-affiliated is worth the time. Plus, I always appreciate the attempt to have a film with such a deep-seeded fanbase attempt to reach out to everyone as if to say, "Hey, it's OK. You may not know the secret Klingon hand signal or whatever, but you too can enjoy this ride!"

Again, turns out the new flick is worth more than just that. Or as my friend put it:

"Oh, and Chris Pine in his underwear?? A sight to behold...made me believe in God."

While that might not quite be what some trekkies (trekkers? Ugh...) are wanting to hear, I was also told in a follow-up conversation that the entire cast nails their roles (again, so far as he could tell as a non-fan, but then again, have you seen Zachary Quinto as Spock? I mean, how is he NOT related to Leonard Nimoy?!) and the theater of jaded critics and press junket folks who've seriously seen it all stood up and applauded at the end.

Personally, I'm ready to find my religion...

Star Trek hits theaters May 7.

SPOILER ALERT!!! BSG Edition

2009-03-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I think I have it!

With tonight's two-hour finale looming, I'm expecting nothing less than brilliance from the final chapter of Battlestar Galactica. I definitely showed up late to the party, but pushing through the entire series over these last several months was time well spent. Those who followed the final survivors of man trying to find a new home while staving off those man-made robots known as Cylons were rewarded with the best balance between science fiction, drama and action.

And tonight we will know what becomes of the colonial fleet, lead by our beloved Old Girl, Battlestar Galactica itself. How will they fair against the final battle between themselves and the defiant Cylons? Will they ever find a home after losing their faith in Earth, which they discovered to be nuclear wasteland? Will we find out the purpose of the Opera House visions? Why All Along The Watchtower? And will Lee Adama matter again?

I have a feeling that most, if not all, will be revealed. AND I think I know how it all ends. Potential SPOILER in three...two...one...

I think the fleet will face the big battle against the renegade Cylons near their "home base" that also happens to conveniently be on top of a wormhole. I believe that wormhole will suck in the entire fleet, maybe even the Cylons, and take them to the Earth that Kara "Starbuck" Thrace initially encountered (if you'll recall, she mentioned that the Earth she saw was amazing and she knew how to get them there). Of course, we all know that when the fleet finally found Earth, it was a like a scene out of WALL-E. And we discovered that Kara was technically dead.

But I think the fleet will discover Starbuck's alternate Earth. The trick is that they will be dead. I think Earth will be like "the promised land," where they find peace and happiness and everyone "lives." And why do I think this? Because Starbuck was called out over and over again as being the Harbinger of Death. And that's exactly what she is!

I know, I know, it's an out-there theory, but I seriously wouldn't put it past BSG to run with it. OR, I'm WAAAY off and this theory is garbage. Either way, I say the show goes out with several BANGS and its fair share of heartbreak. So Say We All!

I miss it already...

West Side Story Revisited!

2009-03-17T15:10:00.001-07:00

My all-time favorite musical, West Side Story, is returning to Broadway this year, and Vanity Fair just issued this awesome photo spread commemorating key scenes from the 1961 Academy Award-winning film.

While I have my issues with Jennifer Lopez as Anita (she's no Rita Moreno!) and Prince Caspian as Tony, I think Chris Evans as Riff and Robert Pattinson as a Jet is inspired. But if they seriously pit their Tony against Jay Hernandez as Chino, I'd happily "stick to my own kind" there for sure.

Check out the Vanity Fair photos and captions below, shot by M ark Seliger as well as my absolute favorite number from the film:

TURF BATTLE
The Sharks and the Jets mark out a piece of urban turf while simultaneously expressing the joy of being young, vigorous, and able to kick ass. As Bernardo, in red, Rodrigo Santoro (Behind the Sun) leads fellow Sharks played by Brandon T. Jackson (Tropic Thunder) and Jay Hernandez (Grindhouse, Hostel, Ladder 49). The Jets’ leader, Riff, in yellow, is played by Chris Evans, equally hot-headed in the role of the Torch in the Fantastic Four movies. Rounding out his crew are Cam Gigandet (The O.C., Twilight), Drake Bell (yes, the Drake, of Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh), and Robert Pattinson (Edward in Twilight, Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). They are not fully visible but they don’t mind, because they know the maxim, “There are no small parts, only small actors.”

THE DRESS SHOP
Bernardo (Rodrigo Santoro), is focused on his girlfriend, Anita (Jennifer Lopez), whose far-off gaze suggests she dreams of moving beyond the confines of the seamstress’s life. Bernardo’s little sister—the heroine of the film’s Romeo-and-Juliet drama—is Maria, here brought back to life by ingenue Camilla Belle, who played a fetching cavewoman in the would-be international blockbuster 10,000 B.C. Maria’s initial disappointment with the white dress sewn for her by Anita soon gives way to anticipation as she realizes the dress will cause her to stand out at the dance, where trouble shall begin in earnest.

THE DANCE (And Best Photo of the shoot, in my opinion!)
Between Maria (Camilla Belle, far left) and Tony (Ben Barnes, far right, also known as Prince Caspian), it is dancing, dancing, dancing. Latin steps predominate on the left, as the Sharks and their ladies give America a taste of the culture to come. On the right, we have a series of funky Anglo moves, as the Jets and their gals go rhythmically at it. On either side, our two tragic protagonists have eyes only for each other. The lead Sharks dancers are Anita (J.Lo, in an incredible pose) and Bernardo (Rodrigo Santoro). The Jet girl dancing with Riff (Chris Evans) is played by Ashley Tisdale (of High School Musical fame). Rounding out the Sharks, left to right: Minka Kelly (she’s Lyla on Friday Night Lights), Jay Hernandez, Natalie Martinez (Death Race), Brandon T. Jackson, Melonie Diaz (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints). On the Jets’ side: Sean Faris (Never Back Down), Shane Lynch (she’s gonna be big), Robert Pattinson, Cam Gigandet, Trilby Glover (88 Minutes), Brittany Snow (Hairspray), Drake Bell.

THE ROOFTOP
Before West Side Story takes its tragic turn, Anita (Jennifer Lopez, amazing in purple) drives the film’s most effervescent and sexually charged scene: the rocking rooftop song-and-dance sequence set to “America.” The lyrics, by a young Stephen Sondheim (Sweeney Todd, etc.), give Anita all the ammunition she needs to top the verbal thrusts and parries delivered by Bernardo (Rodrigo Santoro, to the left of J.Lo) and his band of toughs. From left to right: Jay Hernandez, Brandon T. Jackson, Sean Faris, Shane Lynch, Melonie Diaz, Minka Kelly, Natalie Martinez.

And here's the video to match the scene!

TONIGHT, TONIGHT
Tony (Ben Barnes) is trying to leave behind his old street-fighting ways … which is tough for him to pull off, now that he has fallen in love with Maria (Camilla Belle), who happens to be the sister of top Shark Bernardo. But tonight is a night for a serenade. A fire escape takes the place of a Veronese balcony, but the underlying emotions that have brought Tony and Maria out of their enemy camps are the same ones that fired Romeo and Juliet, not to mention James Carville and Mary Matalin.

THE KNIVES COME OUT
At Tony’s urging, the Sharks and the Jets agree to an old-fashioned street fight, no weapons. But on a night so charged, it’s inevitable the knives will come out. Shark leader Bernardo (Rodrigo Santoro) delivers the fatal blow to Jets kingpin Riff (Chris Evans) as helpless Tony (Ben Barnes) bears witness. By the end of the scene, Bernardo is on the pavement, killed by Tony. And so the musical’s male romantic lead is now a killer, which is part of what makes West Side Story revolutionary.

THE END
After a Shark flunky named Chino rubs out Tony, Maria (Camilla Belle) mourns alone at the grim murder scene, in the film’s final image.

I Watched the Watchmen...

2009-03-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

While not perfect, Watchmen delivers--especially for the fans.

Set in an alternate 1985, someone is taking out former masked crime fighters known as the Watchmen. Since such crime fighting was banned back in the 70s, masked vigilante Rorschach decides to reach out to his remaining Watchmen to get to the bottom of the conspiracy. That story is set against a backdrop of a world where Nixon remains President and the looming threat of nuclear war is days away from reality. Alan Moore's cherished classic is done justice through Director Zack Snyder's key vision of that world, which he manages to accomplish without changing the overall story drastically or overstyling everything, as he did with 300.

Snyder's dedication to the source material bleeds all over the movie, some scenes unfolding panel for panel straight out of the graphic novel. There's times when Snyder is basically flipping the pages for you on screen, and that's exactly what should please fans most.

The casting is also dead on, particularly Jeffrey Dean Morgan (as the Comedian), Jackie Earle Haley (Rorschach) and Patrick Wilson (as Night Owl). They know how to work with the dialogue that more often than not comes directly from the book.

The biggest task the movie faced was being able to reveal the layers of these characters and their psychosis. It's that complexity that makes the book an honored classic among fanboys and girls and listed among Time Magazine's 100 Best Novels. The film does a hell of a job doing it's best to nail that, though it falls just short of what the book ultimately offers. Still, it's a valiant effort and totally worth it, if only just to see the Watchmen in action. And Snyder knows how to handle action. This is a Summer Blockbuster a season early and it should satisfy diehards and newcomers alike.

awwww GEEK OUT!

2009-02-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

WonderCon 2009. Like all cons of such nature, WonderCon is usually dubbed Comic-Con lite. It's true, no con can compare to the Pop-Culture Mecca that is the San Diego convention held every summer, but the reality is that show is burgeoning on becoming an uncontrollable monstrosity allowing for little room to shop, gawk and move among the massive crowds.

As a result, conventions like WonderCon make for a sexy (yeah, I said it! Geeks are hawt. Deal.) alternative that's usually cheaper and allows you more breathing room, figuratively and literally. Of course, that's sans Saturday, where the con often features the biggest fanboy/fangirl movers and shakers to bilk maximum attendance. This year that includes the appearance of the cast and director of Watchmen*, which is reaching explosive heights of anticipation by every person who learned long ago who watches the masked heroes and why (And if you haven't, do it. NOW!).

I chose to go Friday. Less fanaticism, same cool geek chic! There were your obligatory Storm Troopers and c-listers lining autograph booths, but also Will Arnett, Kenan Thompson and Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz! Batmans and Jokers showed up, but also Watchmen, Mike Mignola and Mark Hamill!

Hurwitz, Arnett and Thompson were there to promote their new animated FOX show Sit Down, Shut Up, which sounds like Arrested Development set in a high school. It focuses on the teachers perspectives.

To paint a better picture, Arnett told the crowd, "I play Ennis Hofftard...he's a guy who's more concerned about his physical fitness and how he's doing with the ladies. His schooling of children is more of an afterthought than anything."

It's GOB with a teaching degree! It looks like another win for Hurwitz and crew, including fans. It premieres April 19 on FOX. As for the Arrested Development movie? Hurwitz said it was close to a deal with the entire original cast, but scheduling conflicts are still an issue and he has yet to write the script at this point. But the consensus was, stay tuned!

Outside of the panels, there was the floor. And while the exhibit hall is a mere hint of the draining labyrinth that dominates Comic-Con, the convenience of perusing every booth is a plus.

I'd recommend Wondercon to anyone who's looking to dip their toes in the proverbial geek waters, while it still remains possible. Afterall, if they keep ramping up the star power every year, pretty soon you might find yourself shortended out of that Dark Knight sequel panel--and that is just SOOO San Diego...

*A friend of mine had a chance to catch the movie Saturday morning and declared it "FANTASTIC!" Look for the review this week.

It's All In the Trailer!

2009-02-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

As I was watching TV the other night, I was struck by the latest trailer for Watchmen, the highly-anticipated adaptation of Alan Moore's genius graphic novel, out March 6. When I initially heard the movie was going to finally be made, I had my reservations, but the first theatrical trailer totally bowled me over. Between that Smashing Pumpkins tune and the snap shot scene of Dr. Manhattan and the Silk Spectre on Mars, the little fangirl in me nearly passed out. But then it got me thinking, and then it got me worried. My fear is that the movie could end up suffering from the Two-Minute Trick Pony Syndrome.

You know exactly what I'm talking about--when a movie boasts a bitchin' trailer only to turn into a crappy movie. To further prove the point, I present a few killer trailers from the last few years that I felt faltered under TMTPS:

The Phantom Menace

Of course we have to start with Lucas's first foray to the darkside to highlight a syndrome I was thisclose to naming after the man himself. To be honest, I could have chosen any of the Star Wars prequels or the last Indiana Jones flick, because they all had the same effect on audiences across the globe. I mean, when this trailer premiered, people were screaming and jumping out of their seats in excitement. In fact, I challenge any moviegoer of this time to tell me what movie they actually saw when they first saw this trailer. Needless to say, this was the beginning of the end for the beloved saga, in my humble opinion. I mean, when you wait decades for the return of a phenomena only to be forced to endure everything from Jar Jar Binks to Anakin the wooden Jedi, it's hard not to hold onto the excitement of that first sneak peek.

Marie Antoinette

It wasn't until Lost in Translation that I really decided to give Sofia Coppola the benefit of the doubt as a director (and forgive her for ever thinking she could pull off her role in Godfather III). Then I caught the first trailer for Marie Antoinette, and all I could think was that I couldn't WAIT to see this movie. Sure, it had me at New Order (I have a massive predilection for anything 1980s), but it was also the well-placed shots of galas and gowns and Versailles shot through the eyes of a true contemporary that hooked me. When that punk rock title popped up, I knew Coppola was taking history into her own little indie hands and ramping it up for maximum good times. Come to find out, the heart was all in that teaser, as the actual movie contained a lot of grand garden shots and little action. Turns out you can't just shoot gorgeous scenery and slap in a few pop classics--you also have to have a strong script. All I could think while watching the movie was that I wished I was watching the trailer again.

Cloverfield

I almost shed a small tear over this trailer, I was THAT excited about it. I mean, I am a huge Blair Witch Project fan, and this movie was shrouded in similar mystery when this trailer premiered. Ironically, it also played out the way I always imagined the end of Watchmen would on the big screen. So I counted down the days until its premiere. Then I went to see it. Within the first 10 minutes, I realized this was like watching a Blair Witch bootleg filmed by a guy with a nervous tick. To this day I haven't actually finished Cloverfield, but if I literally can't sit through your movie, it can't be a win. Diagnosis: TMTPS!

I Am Legend

I'm pretty much of the mind that any Will Smith movie could go here, really. I mean, Independence Day, Men In Black, take your pick (Admittedly, I'm not a fan); but I went against my better judgment regarding Smith vehicles based on this trailer. Knowing the backstory to the remake, I was kind of excited to see what Smith would do to battle ghoulish vampire-like creatures, especially because said creatures were not featured in the trailer. What would they look like? How would they move? Would Smith avoid playing Will Smith this time? The answers ended up being poor man's Gollums CGI-ing their way through yet another Will Smith movie starring a slightly more solemn version of himself. Yaaaawwwwwnnnn...To be fair, most horror and post-apocalyptic flicks suffer from TMTPS, but this one is getting called out for getting my hopes up.

And those are a just a handful off the top of my head. I know there's others, but I'm crossing my geek fingers that Watchmen doesn't end being one of them. Here's that amazing trailer again, and here's hoping for the best!

The Curious Case Involving Better Buttons

2009-02-06T14:35:00.000-08:00

Coraline is the stuff only my most awesome nightmares could have conjured as a child--that is if I was creative enough to see the world through director Henry Selick's eyes and with Neil Gaiman's voice. In short, it's a fantastical creepy adventure that hit all the right chords of my macabre heart and perfect for my age bracket, thus making it a little too demented for the 9 and under crowd.

Gaiman's tale centers around young Coraline Jones (voiced by go-to moppet Dakota Fanning), who recently moved into an old complex known as the "Pink Palace" with her folks. As her parents while away at a gardening book they are hankering to complete, our blue-haired heroin finds herself with nothing to do. So she explores her new digs, only to discover a door to her own alternate reality, complete with new and improved parents (if you can ignore their button eyes). The movie's color palate paints a striking contrast between these two worlds; one drenched in drab greys for her actual home and the other popping in gorgeous primary colors. It's The Nightmare Before Christmas (Selick's other genius feature) meets Pan's Labrynth meets Pushing Daisies. Now picture that in 3D, as I had the good fortune to see it.

Of course, Coraline finds that her alternate world is all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Or a pair for said buttons. In other words, her "other mother" has big plans for her permanent stay that includes swapping her pupils for the coat fasteners. It's a cautionary yarn with a simplistic message--careful what you wish for--but it certainly takes the audience to a creepy center to get to that point. It's definitely sick and twisted animation made all the more enthralling with Gaiman's cool story. And Selick is the Michel Gondry of stop-motion animation. I can't think of a better selling point.

Check it out, especially in 3D. While we're still not quite talking "Captain Eo" quality (remember how AMAZING those high-kick Jackson moves were when they came off that screen!!), the gimmick has come a long way from those two-toned paper shades of yesteryear. But brace those younger kids for those darker scenes. I'm not sure I would have been able to handle it at a young age myself, but then again my favorite kid's movies are Popeye and E.T., which some have claimed scared the crap out of them as youngsters, so to each their own. But don't say you weren't warned!

Oscar's 2009 Potential 'Crash' Course

2009-01-22T13:47:00.000-08:00

With nominations announced today, the 2009 Oscars may prove that we could be looking at another year featuring more losers than winners.

I don't mean in terms of the actual awards given versus those nominated, but more about the inexplicable choices made in terms of nominees. Sure, we're getting Milk more attention and I'm always happy when Marisa Tomei gets due recognition and another shot at redemption following the My Cousin Vinny urban legend , but Benjamin Button? Really? Really?! Its leading 13 nominations is a curious case, indeed.

The Brad Pitt vehicle was resoundly rejected by my circle of friends, who all agreed that they liked it better the first time around when when it was called Forrest Gump. Unfortunately Button lacked everything that made Gump the vastly entertaining and moving film that it was--not to mention that most found Button profusely boring. I wouldn't go that far and will say that I found myself enjoying the film as I watched, but screenwriter Eric Roth (who also wrote Gump) really ought to be ashamed of himself for ripping off his own stuff. Seriously, we prefer the feather over the hummingbird. I'm just saying...

Button's dominance in nominations reminds me of the soul-crushing year of the 2006 Academy Awards when Trash, I mean Crash won over Brokeback Mountain. That was the year the Academy really broke my heart and I'll be honest, I'm not sure I've ever fully recovered from that blow.

YET, I'm not ready to give up on the 2009 show just yet. There's still a chance that things will go well. Again, there's Milk, with nods going to Sean Penn and Josh Brolin (though Emile Hirsch and James Franco really deserved some love too) and nabbing a Best Picture slot. Mickey Rourke and Tomei deserve their Oscar accolades, as does every nomination bestowed on Slumdog Millionaire. I'm hoping that film knocks old man Button on its arse, for sure. Hell, it's even nice to see Penelope Cruz get her nom for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, which was a total treat during those last days of lame flicks in Summer 2008.

I may not have been totally convinced that Anne Hathaway was Oscar material or even playing the lead in Rachel Getting Married, but I'm glad Heath Ledger will get his post-humous win for The Dark Knight. And it's nice to see WALL-E get a little attention outside of its inevitable Best Animated Feature lock in the Best Original Screenplay category.

OK, before I start tipping the Oscar polls out of my favor by leaking my picks, I'll stop here. But, coming off a surprisingly strong Golden Globes that got most of its wins right, I'm holding out high hopes for the Academy to do the same. Please, whatever you do, just don't Crash it up this time.

My End-Of-The-Year Spectacular!

2008-12-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, Hello...

This is the time of year where everyone is coming up with their 2008 best-of lists. Well, I've had a year of some downs and primarily ups, so instead of my 2008 highlights, I want to recognize those pop-cultural wins that really made my year. They may not be the latest and greatest to break out this year in particular, but it's when I discovered them and therefore if you haven't, you should as well.

And so, without further ado...

TV:
Veronica Mars.
"A long time ago...we used to be friends, but I, haven't thought of you lately at all..."

I should have known I would hold a special place in my heart for a show that opened with the Dandy Warhols. At the very beginning of 2008, my friend tipped me off to this gem revolving around a high schooler/amatuer slueth following in dad's footsteps and trying to solve the murder of her best friend. Unfortunately, like so many others, my Johnny-come-lately ways would mean nothing after the show's canceled fact. Thanks to Kristen Bell's perfect snarky timing and the surprisingly strong writing of creator Rob Thomas, this show proved time and time again that it wasn't at all the "Buffy" knock-off I expected it to be, and it always spun a good mystery. I couldn't have asked for anything more from a nod to noir.

True Blood. To be honest, this show had me at the concept of vampires and humans coexisting; almost lost me with its first couple of slow episodes; then totally hooked me by the time it reached its season finale. Plus, I was going to see anything Alan Ball did all the way through. The dialog borders on "Grindhouse" schlock, but everyone on that show, particularly Anna Paquin and Ryan Kwanten as the Stackhouse siblings, sold it. This HBO show turned into the one thing I looked forward to watching live every week, and I live for my DVR. Thanks to "True Blood," I'll be keeping my HBO subscription.

Mad Men. Those opening credits! Those clothes! That cast! Love, love, love this show! Thanks to AMC's genius idea to keep its entire first season On Demand, I was able to catch up before the second season premiere and therefore join the majority of critics and loyal followers who can't get enough of it. The show masters the art of revealing the flawed cracks of the seemingly well-to-do employees of Sterling Cooper, a Manhattan advertising agency set in the early 1960s, centering on Don Draper (Jon Hamm). The show looks amazing, with amazing acting to boot. People cheer January Jones' performance as Don's emotionally frazzled wife, but I prefer Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson, the woman behind the bangs who's found her way into the man's world of Sterling Cooper. She's the one who deserves praises and awards.

Battlestar Galactica. The reincarnation of the 1970s clunker is compelling, period. As geeky as I can be, I have never been a sci-fi person. But I had a friend tell me to watch the first episode, and if I wasn't sucked in, to walk away. What can I say? The plight of the survivors of man trying to make their way to a mythical place known as Earth while staving off the man-made robots known as Cylons intent on destroying them turned into our crack when the writer's strike was hot. The Fall 2008 TV season has officially been deemed garbage thanks to that months-long standoff, but it ended up being one of the best things to happen in my household. Now I couldn't imagine my life without knowing the inner turmoils of the Adama clan and the brilliance that is Katee Sackhoff. And they have some of the best cliff-hangers, hands down!

Saturday Night Live. It's a known fact that everyone jumps back on board the SNL train when major elections go down, but thanks to Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, this decades-old staple hit a new high. Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin was a joke all unto herself, but Fey's dead-on impersonation was the breath of fresh air needed to bring this woman's "ways" to the surface. Every Palin skit killed because it made me laugh away my fear that this woman could actually have a shot at the Oval Office in any shape or form. I figured Fey was doing her part to slap Americans across the face by literally displaying just how stupid this woman was. Add to that Poehler's Hillary Clinton and the SNL election specials throughout October, and you got pure win. Plus, Andy Samberg and crew finally pulled out another stellar digital short I'd easily stick in my top five.

Movies:
Milk. Again, the election brought a lot of ups and downs. But this movie didn't just offer a parallel to the Proposition 8 battle waged in California this year, it practically recreated it. I knew little of Harvey Milk's rise to politics, but watching the Bay Area's gay community come together to fight for their rights and WIN was amazingly powerful and moving. It probably had a lot to do with the performance by the always-on Sean Penn, but the supporting cast of James Franco, Emil Hirsch and Josh Brolin did a lot of impressing as well. Hands down, it was one of the best movies I have seen all year.

The Dark Knight. Yes, the story was great. Yes, it's probably the best comic book movie ever made. But to be honest, this movie would not have been have the tour de force or FUN it was without Heath Ledger. His Joker practically single-handedly erased all those bad memories of those disasterous Joel Schumacher Batman flicks of the 1990s and ALMOST topped what Jack Nicholson did in the Tim Burton original (Almost--I'm still a massive fan of Burton's film and always will be). I know everyone's already said it, but it doesn't change the fact that they're all right. Ledger WAS that movie.

Wall-E. I swear I didn't think Pixar could pull off a Michael Phelps-like feat by cranking out a ninth hit film, so I expected "Wall-E" to suffer as a result. I was waaay off. The story of that little robot on an adventure that steers it toward true love packed the kind of heart a vintage Julia Roberts or Katherine Heigl vehicle could only dream of. I could have sat there marveling over the visual accomplishments alone, but thankfully Pixar refuses to settle for anything less than success.

**Honorable Mentions--The Wrestler and Slumdog Millionaire. I haven't actually seen these flicks yet, but I'm dying to and I expect nothing but greatness based on word of mouth, killer directors and Mickey Rourke.

Etc.:
The Epson MovieMate. I went back and forth about investing in a movie projector after getting the crazy idea that I wanted to have outdoor movies in my backyard. Once that idea took hold of me, it was hard to shake and so I basically wouldn't shut up about it until someone deemed it a good idea for me to get one. And while I got it by the tail end of the summer, my movie viewing evenings went up in cool points tenfold. I mean, it literally changed my movie-viewing life. We got to fire up the barbecue pit and throw out the lawn chairs and blankets while taking in a classic like "Sixteen Candles" or "Point Break" (seriously, it's great Drive-In movie!) Let's just say my friends and I are already coming up with a list of movie nights for Summer 2009.

The 2008 Summer Olympics. An event too big to go under the TV category. Every four years I make a point to watch, but this year's games were so captivating that I literally gave up sleep to keep up. I now understand what my friends must experience when they take time off of work to watch March Madness. Michael Phelps. Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin. The Men's Gymnastics team. I haven't taken my American flag down from my mantel yet.

Pixar. Ah, Pixar, Pixar, Pixar. Enough said.

WORST.IDEA. EVER.

2008-12-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

OK, I know this has been out there for a while now, but I just have to give my two cents about the completely LUDICROUS idea of Steven Spielberg remaking the 2004 Korean horror-thriller "Oldboy," this time starring Will Smith.

For those unfamiliar with the original, I can only describe it as one of the most mind-f*cking experiences I've ever had sitting through a film. To divulge the plot would just be rude, but needless to say it's like "Seven" spliced with the cinematography of "Amelie" and a warped story way beyond your basic "Clockwork Orange" or even like "Funny Games," in my opinion. It's twisted, it's disturbing and it's totally original and genius. And when I think of this movie, about the farthest thing from my mind is the creator of "E.T" and the Fresh Prince.

I mean, really? Really?! I'll admit that I am never a fan of remakes, but if it had to happen, I can only think of the Tarantino circle. Give it to him, Robert Rodriguez, Eli Roth, anyone who knows how to exemplify the horrors of removing one's own appendage or suffering through years of torture and manipulation. I'm sorry, but if Spielberg slapped a "War of the Worlds" kind of ending onto an "Oldboy" remake, he might as well slap the faces of every person willing to spend money to see this. Hell, those people might as well slap themselves for thinking Spielberg could pull it off!

And Smith? C'mon! I'm sorry, but the guy is a one-shtick pony! This is like signing up Vince Vaughn to play Norman Bates. Or Renee Zellwegger to play Jeffrey Dahmer. Seriously, it's that bad.

All right, rambling now, but I basically hope this never happens. AND my overall point is to pitch this movie! I highly recommend seeing the original "Oldboy," but be forewarned that it is really unsettling and yet the best way to view it is cold. Do not look up the plot, do not pass go, do not worry about the subtitles. Just sit back, watch it and freak out! If that doesn't sell it, I don't know WHAT will!

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2008-10-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

"Hello, my name is Sarah Palin and I'm here to talk to you about John McCain's Debate Boot Camp, the guaranteed crash course in politics that can turn ANYONE into a viable presence on any presidential ticket using the power of repetition and just the slightest use of mental abuse."

"In just one week in the trenches of Arizona, you too can find all the right words to make you just knowledgeable enough to pull together a string of memorized points that will make you look above and beyond your mental capacity. Just take it from this self-proclaimed 'Hockey Mom' whose foreign policy background knowledge went no further that her own backyard. Now I'm able to spit out the names of the likes of 'Achmadinijad' and 'Musharraf' with the best of them, you betcha, thanks to the JM Debate Boot Camp."

"The crash course will teach you how to recite lines on an array of subjects, such as:

*The economic crisis
*Tax-credit proposals
*Health Care Concerns
*Iraqi war strategies
*John McCain's 'Maverick' credentials

"And you'll find that if cornered in, say, a national debate, you'll have the skill-sets to completely ignore those questions ya can't answer while maintaining a down-home look that will get them every time (wink). And you'll not only be able to nail that political tone, but you'll also remain a real asset at any dinner or cocktail party!"

"So, my fellow Americans, to all those 'Joe Six-Packs' and 'Hockey Moms' who have long dreamed about being a heartbeat away from being Ruler of the Free World but didn't know how, I urge you to sign up for John McCain's Debate Boot Camp. I am living proof that with the right amount of cramming and the fear of God that the world will see you being out of your league, you too can talk pretty one day! You betcha!"

(I'm sorry, I just couldn't wait for Saturday Night Live this time...wink! Wink!)

This is garbage...

2008-08-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Unacceptable Harry Potter news.

The end.

Oh. My. God.

2008-08-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not one to normally pilfer something super cool from someone else without slapping my own mark on it, but this is just too unbelievably genius to not pluck straight off of Entertainment Weekly's Pop Watch blog. Two words: Buffy cartoon. Buffy CARTOON. Check it:

http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/08/buffy-animated.html

I mean, WHAT?! How did this NOT happen and where's the petition to make it so?! In case you didn't check out the link, this is a teaser for a cartoon that is NOT happening. I am TOTALLY panicking out loud! Still, this link is a must for BUFFY fans...

And if you don't click on it, check out the video here!!!!

My Big Obssessions This Week

2008-07-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

So over the next few days I will be grappling with the fact that I'm missing the geek prom this year: San Diego's Comic-Con. And so because I will lack any exclusives here from the con, I've decided to share a couple of things I'm currently losing my mind over right now (besides joining the rest of the world crying "Genius!" over The Dark Knight.).

The Watchmen Trailer:

Previewed before "The Dark Knight," at first I was thrown off by the Smashing Pumpkins. Then I watched it again at home. And again. And again...I can't seem to get enough of this trailer! Don't get me wrong, I'm just as skeptical as the next fan over whether Director Zack Snyder is going to be able to pull this off (I only moderately enjoyed his music video of man flesh that was "300"). But I loved the book and when I see Dr. Manhattan and the Silk Spectre rising from that Mars landscape, I get chills. Chills!

The new Harry Potter movie poster:
My favorite Harry Potter books have always been the dark ones, and they don't get darker than "The Half-Blood Prince," in my opinion. It's my favorite book and this poster not only encapsulates the book's tone, but it also single-handedly breaks my heart with that quote from Professor Dumbledore across the top ("I'm safe with you, Harry"). Click on the poster for a better view, but this just strikes all the right chords with me.

And as I continue to read the blogs and pick up my text messages from friends with word on the Con, I might continue to dig up things that bring me geek peace right here. Stay tuned...

My Parents Officially Have Cooler Friends Than I Do...

2008-07-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

No offense to my very lovely friends, but it's true. Seems my parents have made their way into the inner circle of Judd Winick and Pam Ling, of "Real World-San Francisco" fame. You see, the Lings are prominent doctors in the area, and my step-father (also a doctor) has known them for years.

I didn't think much of my parents stories about evenings out with the mini-celebrities until I realized they were getting invites to their kid's birthday parties and iPhone pictures were being shared with my friends. It struck me as odd that I had yet to get the invite to tag along with my parents to meet these kids, especially because I think we could be BFFs.

No, really. It's not just that "The Real World: San Francisco" was one of my favorite seasons of the MTV staple, but Winick is also an accomplished comic artist/writer working for such comic giants as DC, overseeing a run of the Green Lantern series among other achievements. This is a guy I tapped for a quick-hit photo at San Diego Comic-Con because I truly loved his work. Who knew that I could have just as easily gotten my photo-op by attending "Jersey Boys" with my parents on that random evening they invited me to go?

And Pam? Her personality emulates those of some of my closest friends! I just know that if I had a chance to break bread with her, we'd click over our love of the area and how our homes are both filled with pop-culture kitsch ("I heard you guys got that Yoda statue at the Con. Funny, that's where I got my Spike Puppet from Angel!"). We could then talk about the best places to get real Chinese food and then they'd ask me to babysit.

Soon, we'd be triple-dating with my parents and catching dinner before checking out Guillermo del Toro's latest flick or the Frida Kahlo show at SFMOMA. Judd and I would bounce ideas off each other over where to take the Green Arrow in his next escapade and how Allen Moore is probably right to denounce all film versions of his work as we anticipate a bastardization of "The Watchmen" to prove our point. Ah, what great times we'd have!

But alas. I have yet to meet my new best friends. I'm not sure if it's because my parents fear me geeking out all over them or that they secretly fear our insta-bond might just be stronger than theirs, who knows. But sooner or later, perhaps an upcoming family Holiday party or a chance meeting at Comic-Con, we will run into each other. So, watch out Mom! I'm gunning for your cool clique!

Thursdays should not be the new Fridays...

2008-05-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

or the new Wednesdays for that matter. I don't care if you are "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

I don't know why the date didn't click for me this week, but I just assumed the new Indy flick was opening Wednesday instead of Friday. Turns out it opens Thursday, which seems to only makes sense for the moneymakers of Hollywood to squeeze out another day's worth of ticket sales, and yet it bucks the traditional trend of a Wednesday or Friday release (with some Holidays being the exception). Well, I call bullsh*t.

Not only does this cramp my plans to catch the movie on opening night, but I think it also sets a bad precedent that allows the high rollers of Tinsletown to do whatever the hell they want so long as it makes a buck for them. Why didn't Paramount just push the opening date to shoot for George Lucas's birthday May 14 since there's obviously a lot of catering that goes on for Industry demigods like him and Spielberg.

"Ditch a killer screenplay by Oscar-nominated Frank Darabont to make way for more of your esteemed 'Phantom Menace-esque' input that may or may not include Indy battling space aliens? Sure thing, Mr. Lucas..."

Don't get me wrong, I love these guys as much as the next person, but C'Mon! There's a little thing called tradition and that includes movie openings on Wednesdays and Fridays! To quote Iron Man alter ego Tony Stark from one of the better blockbusters so far this summer, "That's how dad did it, that's how America does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far. "

Let’s All Recognize, Vol. I: Some Kind of Mary Stuart Masterson…

2008-04-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

I’ve decided to cut out my own little tribute corner here where I get to gush over actors I adore for whatever reasons I deem worthy. I’m calling it “Let’s All Recognize…”

The California Independent Film Festival rolled through the quiet backwoods, I mean backyard of the Tri-Valley of Alameda County this past weekend, and while I rarely find myself making my way to Livermore (CA), I PAID to spend my Saturday night there to check out one of my all-time favorite actresses from the 80s and 90s, the esteemed Mary Stuart Masterson.

While Masterson’s career may have slowed down in the eyes of the masses these days, she remains in the film industry. She stopped by the festival to showcase her latest directorial effort, “The Cake Eaters.” While the film itself was an enjoyably simple little indie that I’d easily catch on a Sunday afternoon on IFC, it was all about meeting one of my favorite three-named actresses (which also includes the likes of Jennifer Jason Leigh and Mary Louise Parker, to name a few off the top of my head).

We’re talking about Watts from “Some Kind of Wonderful” for chrisssakes, one of the greatest characters to come out of the John Hughes canon (right up there with every Molly Ringwald character. I love her too)! She was genius and anybody even remotely near my age group had an affinity for Watts. I will even go so far to mention one childhood memory of a particular summer afternoon after a viewing where I dug out a well-worn pair of black jeans and attempted to cut them into a pair of long cut-off shorts with all the right shreds and rips a la Watts' fashion. In the end, I ruined a pretty good pair of pants and my sister still makes fun of me for my attempt, but that's how cool I thought Watts was.

Hell, even my dad used to roll into the living room when my sister and I would be watching the movie for the umpteenth time and I'll be damned if he didn't stop to gawk, barking comments like "What the hell does (Eric Stoltz' Keith) see in that girl (pointing to Lea Thompson's Amanda Jones)?! That blonde chick is WAY prettier." To be fair, I also think my Dad had a thing for blonde actresses of the 80s as he often found excuses to watch early Meg Ryan movies, but I digress... Everyone always knew it was all about Masterson. Mess with the bull, you get the horns, you know what I’m sayin’? If you don’t, do yourself a favor and rent the movie immediately (and/or check out my favorite scene ever from the flick right here).

John Hughes not your style? Check out Masterson in “Fried Green Tomatoes” then. As she said herself, “Most people usually gravitate toward (Some Kind of Wonderful) or Fried Green Tomatoes, but they don’t really follow both because I think the two movies are so different.” Consider me the exception then, Mary.

While she had me at “Wonderful,” she kept me with “Chances Are,” “Benny & Joon” and of course as the feisty Idgie Threadgoode in “Tomatoes (which also featured Parker in a classic role)."

And not only was Masterson cool enough to sign my DVDs and chit-chat with me and my pals, but she came off incredibly genuine and humble about what she’s accomplished. So let’s all recognize an 80s icon who is as cool as her body of work and sans the attitude. We love you!

Chasing the torch...

2008-04-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

Chaos.

It's the only way to describe the Embarcadero in San Francisco right now. Let me tell you though, nothing is funnier than watching protestors, China and Tibet flags and long hair whipping wildly in the wind, racing through the streets of the city to reach the Olympic torch so they could yell at it. I mean, because nothing screams peace and Tibetan freedom like a mob armed with bullhorns and signs like the one above.

I have the pleasure of working directly in downtown San Francisco, where we watched first-hand from a co-worker's window said protestors running down Sansome Street trying to catch the Olympic torch attempting to make its way through its only North American tour stop. You see, they have changed the route several times since the torch began its run today. One co-worker described the scene straight out of a George Romero zombie flick. "I think they prefer the term 'Undead,' actually..." replied another.

All morning I've been listening to the war zone outside, sirens and helicopters preparing for the run. And in my true ill-prepared blogger fashion, I forgot the camera at home (Thank God for camera phones!). I figured I'd just drop in on the action this afternoon on my lunch break and catch the torch in all its glory. I actually had no interest in taking any political side on the matter, I just wanted to see the symbol of one of my favorite athletic events ever. I absolutely love the Summer Olympics. Swimming, gymnastics, running, diving, speed-walking -- I have spent hours watching the games in years past.

And so when I realized that the torch was coming to town, I planned to do what I could to catch it. Me and throngs of others, most better suited to capture the madness. Cameras in tow, signs in hand. The bitch of it all? I know of no one who went down there who actually saw the gawddamn torch. All for naught! Still, it made for one of my more entertaining lunch breaks.

"I went down to see the Olympic Torch Run and all I got was this lousy salad."

Obama is no Olmos...

2008-04-07T18:14:00.000-07:00

Sen. Barack Obama is at it again!

Call me slow on the uptake, but it JUST became irksome to me that, much liked the publicized ballyhoo over the senator's February speech he supposedly "borrowed" from a close supporter, the man continues to ride high on the campaign slogan "Yes We Can" he copped from another well-known minority known for rallying the masses--Cesar Chavez. "Si Se Puede" indeed...Well, as a staunch Hillary backer, this is one Mexican he won't be rallying. Unfortunately the man's stolen rhetoric has already taken hold of my mother, whom I now refer to as "Omama," but I suppose that's neither here nor there.

To bring this point into a pop-culture realm, I'm posting this piece of art donning one the walls of a large building in downtown Los Angeles, literally at the very corner my friends and I were driving near, totally missing this masterpiece because we were searching desperately for the nearest freeway on-ramp. In case you can't identify my Latino brethren, it's a mass-scale painting of Edward James Olmos as Jaime Escalante from "Stand and Deliver" standing next to the real guy. Not only do these guys have more claim to "Si Se Puede" than Obama, but if anyone's ever going to portray Cesar Chavez in a film, you know it's going to be Olmos. The guy is "the every Latino." No, seriously. Check out his resume.

So until I see or hear Obama giving credit to the Mexican-American labor activist whose slogan has blazed the man's campaign trail every time it's uttered, I say "No, no se puede!"

AND I will let Saturday Night Live do the rest of my political talking for me from here on out...

I'm baack! TV's baack! Everything's baack!

2008-04-07T13:00:00.001-07:00

OK, so obviously Winter just wasn't my season. But I haven't given up, I swear! Which brings me back to another post...

My absence is two-fold, however. First of all, I haven't been to a movie since January. I know, I know, it doesn't speak well of my position as a pop-culture blogger, but can you blame me when most of my choices have come down to dreck like this?

What's worse, the writer's strike killed television for the past few months. We have only been provided endless amounts of "American Gladiator Idols Top Dancing with the Star Searches" for entertainment. So I'm stuck watching The Hills 90210 or digging elsewhere. My only small-screen saviors were "Lost" (total Godsend) and discovering "Veronica Mars" (MAN! What a great gawddamn show!) on DVD.

So now that everything is returning this month (30 Rock! Ugly Betty! Forgetting Sarah Marshall! Yeah, Kristen Bell's on my It List right now. That and I love the ad campaign...), I figured I would too. Let's do the TV/Movie timesuck again! I mean, all that reading was starting to give me a headache...

RIP

2008-01-22T15:09:00.001-08:00

Ah, that smile...

Cloverf...blllbbbtt

2008-01-21T09:41:00.000-08:00

This has never happened to me before.

Not that I wasn't warned. In fact, even the movie theater felt compelled to warn me. There was a sign and everything at the ticket counter. But I refused to heed the warning. Afterall, I was chomping at the bit to check out "Cloverfield" ever since I saw that ominous trailer before "Transformers" last summer. Then I find out J.J. Abrams is behind it and it's going to be a "Blair Witch Project" (which I loved) meets "Godzilla" horror flick. I could not WAIT!

And so despite what I was told, I jumped full speed ahead onto the ride. Literally. As soon as the movie started I could tell I was in for some shaky camera work, but I had no idea. The effect really was like being on a roller-coaster. Everything was a jerky movement, a swerving screen pivot. And let's not forget that the action doesn't even pick up until a fair 20 minutes in.

My movie date was out in a half-hour. I left 30 minutes later.

Not that what I saw wasn't frickin' fantastic. Man, I could have LOVED this movie! The build-up to the monster's arrival (Yes, monster. I am spoiling nothing), the rumbling sound effects rippling through the theater where it may be the best place to experience such a thing. Well I don't know about you, but it turns out I can't be on a roller-coaster for 80 minutes. I guess my limit is about 45 minutes.

Between the whirling party snippets and the full-on sprint of the camera guy following his friends through the chaos he so quickly tries to capture along the way as they try to escape God-Knows-What, I was feeling a lil' woozy. But I refused to leave until I saw some of said monster, which I did, but apparently not enough of because another buddy of mine told me later that I missed his close-up. I was also determined to figure out what the hell happened to that person shown in the trailer who looked like she was either transforming into something or being attacked behind a sheet. Well, that scene ended up pushing me over the edge.

(Small spoiler alert) I was able to see the main characters be attacked in a subway tunnel where one female character gets bitten by "something." As the group comes across a military station for the injured, we see this girl looking pale and drained. Her friends start to freak out, asking military men for help. The bitten girl, now starting to bleed from the eyes, says, "I'm feeling dizzy." Let me tell you sister, I know the feeling. She is then taken quickly by two men in quarantine gear toward the back of a tent as people start screaming, "We've got a bite! We've got a bite!" As soon as that girl gets behind that sheet, you see the men trying to hold her and then SPLAT! Blood hits the sheet. Her head has apparently exploded. And I felt like I was going to pass out.

I was told later that the rest of the movie was great, that many got used to the guerilla-style camera work and it was all worth it. I sure in the hell wish I could have seen it for myself, I really do. I guess I'll be forced to see it on DVD when I can take a frickin' break.

Now I know I wasn't the only one in the theater who couldn't hack it (other people we're slowly trickling out as well), but anyone else I know suffer the same effects? Should I have just packed some Dramamine and called it an afternoon? Can someone tell me EXACTLY what the monster looked like and if it in fact was scary? I am so depressed. I just wanted to see it!!!!

January sucks...

2008-01-07T23:23:00.000-08:00

All right, now I'm pissed. With today's announcement that the Golden Globes have been canceled due to the ongoing writer's strike, I have basically given up on 2008 already.

No red carpet! No Golden Globes parties! No Isaiah Washington-like outbursts! No drinking games and nominee pools! Just some cheap announcement of winners sans celebration.

Blast you, Writer's Strike, blast you! Be forewarned, you are now on my list...

HIT LIST 2007

2007-12-31T15:07:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, everybody's doing it, so why not me? Here's a breakdown of my top lists for the year. I'm foregoing a top ten because frankly I'm not sure if I could conjure up enough hits to make the list, considering that this year wasn't necessarily any better than last. What can I say? I'm pessimistic like that...So here we go, in no particular order:

TOP FIVE MOVIES
To be honest, I feel like there's been very little to compel me to visit my local multiplex this year. And there's nothing in the world, save for the current writer's strike ruining my TV season, that makes me more sad. Plus, I have been lagging in catching up with the Oscar contenders this holiday season, so I suppose this list may not be completely accurate. Nevertheless, here's what I did see (and dug):

Grindhouse. As one of the first things I posted about here, this double feature from directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez was the best time I had at the movies all year. Seriously. And where Rodriguez nailed the B-Movie vibe with his zombie flick "Planet Terror," Tarantino honored it with his grindhouse homage (and better of the two flicks) "Death Proof."
Juno. Yeah, this movie is totally tailored to me and my friends and everyone out of our generation and those closely thereafter, but the thing is that I ate up every moment of it. The casting, the dialog, the music. I was all about this little indie flick and to top it all off, my favorite magazine, Entertainment Weekly, recently decided to sign up screenwriter Diablo Cody as a columnist. Way to end the year on a high note and have something to look forward to in 2008.
Into the Wild. Didn't read the book (yet), but Sean Penn's take on the brief life story of Chris McCandless sucked me in through the cinematography, Emil Hirsch's performance and Penn's direction. I felt like I was right there in the throws of every adventure McCandless threw himself into, and the ending was haunting. Can't ask for much more out of a film than that.
Once. Love the music, the setting and the story. Watch as Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova find their tempo in their music and their love in this remarkably simple yet delicately handled love story between a busker and the gal he meets along the way. See my music list for the soundtrack.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This movie makes my list simply because it may have been my favorite summer blockbuster and the best sequel by far. It's also a remarkable feat in my opinion because it happened to be my least favorite book in the series. The film was dark, which is good, and the characters just get stronger in their dialog and their magical skills. Plus, these films keep managing to pull in the best of the best from the British acting pool.

TOP FIVE TV SHOWS

Californication. I was never a David Duchovny fan, but the guy totally sold me as Hank Moody in this Showtime show. It's funny, touching and sexy usually every episode and it's only a half-hour! That's a total win.
Dexter. Showtime wins again with this hour-long drama featuring one of my favorite "Six Feet Under" alums, Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan, a serial killer who targets only the evil. Hall is so good he could easily draw me back every week as the main character, but thanks to the killer supporting cast, he doesn't have to carry that weight alone. If you haven't seen it, rent the first season immediately. And then remember that the second season is even better.
Flight of the Conchords. HBO finally did something right after ruining my life by canceling "Rome" and not fighting hard enough to keep "Deadwood" by picking up and bringing back this 30-min. sitcom about a couple of New Zealanders looking to make it in New York as a singing duo. There's a Wes Anderson undertone to the deadpan humor here, but it's the folksy, genre-crossing songs that push this show over the top and onto my list, for sure. Definitely download "Business Time" and "If You're Into It." Thank me later.
Lost. Some will argue that I would have to go with a season played out in 2007 only, but I beg to differ in that this show really gained ground when it came back after the fall run. Anyone who bailed early based on the first six episodes should either go back to the DVDs or be kicking themselves for losing out on one of the most gratifying shows currently running. That's right. Gratifying. As in, the answers are finally starting to flow and the payoff thus far has been absolutely fantastic. I dare anyone who has been following, either remotely or fully, to drop a bad word about last season's finale. Pure brilliance.
30 Rock. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Tina Fey is genius. And this current season we've seen everyone in the cast hit their stride, which is unfortunate because the damned writer's strike is going to kill that flow. Still. Hang in there. This show will not disappoint unlike others (I'm talking to you "Office." That episode with Michael in the wilderness was pure terrible.).

TOP FIVE ALBUMS

Radiohead's "In Rainbows." I'll admit it, I was a total Jonny Greenwood come-lately to this group. But since jumping on board, I found that I leaned more toward the electronic stuff, like "Kid A" and "Amnesiac." Not to say I didn't love the older stuff too, but watching the band in concert gave the newer stuff some amazing heft. That said, Radiohead's latest effort is all that and a little "Pablo Honey/The Bends" interspersed. It's a must for any fan and the kind of album that can also be approached by the newcomer looking for the perfect cross-section from one of the best bands ever.
LCD Soundsystem's "Sounds of Silver."Ask my friend what he thinks of this album, and he'll call it frenetic in its seemingly genre-jumping style. That's exactly what I love about this album. Track #4, "Someone Great," is a must-download for its New Order-esque back beat and killer lyrics. I had this album on rotate for weeks.
White Stripes' "Icky Thump." Yes, they broke my heart by robbing me of the one concert I was looking forward to all year, but the fact that they released a new album this year was almost as good. I wasn't head over heels for it the first listen, but the more time I spent with it, the more I came to appreciate gems like "300-mph Torrential Downpour Blues" and "A Martyr for My Love For You." What can I say, I'm a sucker for throwback, folk-rock with some stank on it...
"Once" Soundtrack. Great film, even better music. And this is coming from someone who obviously leans more toward Bjork than Coldplay. But this duo known musically as The Swell Season put out one of the best albums of the year through heart-tugging lyrics and amazing vocals. Plus Glen Hansard is amazing on the guitar and the group is even better in concert.
Lily Allen's "Alright, Still"/Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black." These two Brits may have been wicked messes outside of of the recording studio, but their 2007 efforts we're among my favorites. In fact, I loved both albums so much, I couldn't go with just one. No summer barbecue was complete without Allen's disc in rotation and Winehouse belongs here for any number of jams off her album, but none more moving to me than "Wake Up Alone." When you come up with a song that can span time like that one, you should be on everyone's top list.

And that's that, my friends. Feel free to argue, come up with or add your own highlights, but that's what 2007 was to me. Have a Happy New Year and come back next year!

SPOILER ALERT!

2007-12-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

I'm really not going to say much about this other than it might be the greatest T-Shirt I have ever received in my life (click on the image for a closer look). Needless to say, the shirt's title is "Spoil't." Thank you, Darrell, for one of the best Christmas presents to date.

I encourage everyone to take a close look at the info laid out in this shirt, but be forewarned: you're either going to find yourself laughing your ass off out of sheer recognition of all things
that have to do with the flicks referred to here or you'll shriek out of the fact that there are a multitude of movie endings that are ruined in this one frock. Brilliant!

Enjoy and here's to the new year!

A Different Take On Sweeney Todd...

2007-12-18T20:06:00.000-08:00

Last week I had a chance to catch an advanced screening of Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd," probably the one film I've been anticipating all year long. Thanks to friends, I snagged free tickets. Or so I thought. Turns out the free "passes" were basically fliers that were given out like candy and you had to redeem them for actual tickets. Well, some of us who actually work outside of the suburbs can't be at a movie theater at the crack of dusk. I was screwed. Screwed! Out of the one thing I have been looking forward to longer than I can remember at this point!

My fault? Maybe. But it not only sucked to miss the flick, it sucked to miss the exclusive advanced review. Until I remembered that there were those I knew who actually got in. And so, thanks to friend and former co-worker Robert, I give you his blow-by-blow of the film he shared with me:

The story is what it is, the tale of a vengeful man taking revenge on the people who took away his family and the twists, etc. that usually accompany a musical and the gore was actually pretty gruesome to me. This is coming from someone who worships Alan Rickman less as Severus Snape and more as Hans Gruber, so the fact that I was squeamish after a while says something (as a personal aside, I spent some time as a lab assistant in a hospital’s surgical pathology wing, during which I impaled my hand with a scalpel, so my tolerance for blood is pretty high).

Generally, I’m lukewarm to musicals, but I did like the movie adaptation of “Chicago” and thought “The Producers” was well done. The musical numbers were pretty good. Helena Bonham Carter is probably the best singer of the bunch, but that’s neither saying much nor really the point of their performances. I’m familiar with some of the songs, and they came out well even though Johnny Depp and Co. were for all intents and purposes saying their lines in a singing inflection, if that makes any sense. It works particularly well with Depp, who really, really, stretched himself to knock out some of those lines and notes but still retained the dark and sinister.

I haven’t seen the musical and I know this might sound like anathema to the Sondheim enthusiasts (I’m admittedly musical-ly unknowledgable), but I actually can’t imagine the songs being performed in a sing-songy kind of way; they really fit the bill here.

But enough with the technical breakdown -- overall, the movie was great. Depp conveys the vengeance and humorlessness of Sweeney Todd in a way that’s funny, and I’m sure that everybody meant for it to come off that way. That he can play a homicidal and pseudo-cannibalistic barber so effortlessly is a bit scary, but truly good artists are never sane, no? As for Bonham Carter, I always maintain that she had a pretty good career strategy (date a director and let him knock you up, ensuring a part in every movie he makes), but you can’t attribute favoritism for this casting job. She’s great, embodies the callousness, loneliness and warmth of her character and is a good fit, which leads me to believe that a) Tim Burton digs and creates really odd Addams family-type chicks and b) those two must have the weirdest sex play in Hollywood (probably includes bats in some form, I’d imagine).

The supporting roles are hit-or-miss. Rickman knocks it out, and the Borat guy has some moments, but the other characters are not played in any way that’s particularly captivating, so they don’t really offer much beyond their roles in advancing the plot. Some throwaway performances, if you ask me. But again, those are minor snipes because most of the screen time is dedicated to Depp and Bonham Carter, and they mostly keep you glued to the screen.

This is a Burton production through and through. The singing parts are just a different tool (e.g. stop-motion animation) for him to paint a dark, brooding picture that is still very relatable and reminds folks that lots of “good” people are bad and lots of “bad” people are well-intentioned even as they do bad things.

WELL folks, let's give Robert a hand and tune in when I try to give my take on why I've had so few movie reviews to tackle this year (Hint: for the most part, this Holiday movie season blows about as much as the latest TV lineup. Damn you, strike!)...

Why "Pushing Daisies" Makes Me Push ZZZZs...

2007-12-12T21:52:00.000-08:00

The facts are these...

I actually love "Pushing Daisies." Between the stellar cast, the set design and the great guest stars, the show is a win. I mean, it's Tim Burton meets Dr. Seuss meets Dead Like Me (the latter is based on the fact that creator Bryan Fuller is responsible for both shows)! There couldn't be a show better tailored for me had I come up with it myself!

So why do I usually fall asleep within the first 20 minutes? Well, the truth is that it's all based on the conditions that I watch the show. Having never watched it live, I am normally curling up with my nearest dearest on my couch, a fire roaring, lights dimmed. As the narrator kicks in recapping the latest involving the Pie Maker and the love of his life that he brought back from death with his special touch, I feel a wonderful warmth creep over me.

Between the embrace of my love and the lulling tone of the narrator, I find myself completely at peace, comforted by the beautiful fairy tale (with a perfect score after Danny Elfman's own heart) wooing me to slumber. I am happy. I am warm. I am...zzzzzzz

And that about sums it up. We usually end up watching it over again, this time staying firmly seated on the couch, preferably during daylight hours. I absolutely adore the show, not only for its content, but I swear if it hasn't provided me the best sleep I've had in years.

Catch "Pushing Daisies" on ABC, Wednesdays at 8 p.m., or until they run out of new episodes. (Damn you, strike!)

Tina Fey Goes Norma Rae...

2007-11-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

This image, courtesy of the New York Times, pretty much sums up why I heart Tina Fey so much and my sympathy for the Hollywood writers' plight for ultimately more cash. Yes, everyone's overpaid in the industry, but with that much money floating around out there, I really can't blame the people who create the voices of all the characters we adore so much in TV and movies for wanting a little more of the pie, you know what I'm saying?

Take Ms. Fey, for example. That American Express commercial of hers is no joke, this woman has busted her ass for decades, first on Saturday Night Live and now pulling multiple duties on one of the best sitcoms on TV right now, "30 Rock." I mean, she put the funny in Jane Krakowski for chrissakes! That woman was nothing but a walking sex joke in "Ally McBeal," barely able to muster a couple of laughs based on her soft-spoken tone and legs for days. Now her "30 Rock" character is responsible for some of the show's biggest laughs (of course along with Baldwin and Tracy Morgan), based on her comic timing and the words Tina Fey puts into her mouth ("Me Want Food!")! That is no small feat and should not go unappreciated, my friends.

So let's show a little respect for the Hollywood underdogs out there today on the picket lines. Without them, I'd have very little to look forward too day in and day out (Yes, it's an addiction! I get it!). Me Want Entertainment!

Diego's "Chavez"

2007-11-04T16:04:00.000-08:00

I had a chance to check out Mexican actor Diego Luna's directorial debut, "J.C. Chavez" this weekend at the International Latino Film Festival that kicked off in San Francisco. While the film centers around renowned Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, I could have spent the entire time centering around Luna, who's awfully pretty in person as he is on the big screen and comes off incredibly intelligent in Spanish and English.

Of course, out of respect for the fact that Luna was here to promote his film and not his looks, I will focus on the 78-minute documentary. With that time frame, Luna attempts to get right to the heart of Chavez's story, quickly moving through his ascension in professional boxing and instead focusing on what the boxing legend meant to his people and his country. We learn through intimate interviews of his family and colleagues that Chavez fought his way to the top through hard work and determination. And when Chavez was hot (his winning streak of 89-0 as an undefeated fighter is second only to "Sugar" Ray Robinson's), he was hard-pressed to find a Mexican who wasn't rallying behind their beloved champ.

Luna has an eye for editing and an ear for music that really works throughout the documentary, though, as the director pointed out himself following the film, what we really don't get is the other side of the story. We fail to hear from his opponents, save for Oscar De La Hoya (whom Chavez fought twice, losing one fight and winning the other), who ends up speaking more on behalf of Chavez and not elaborating on what it was like to go up against him. That would have added a great asset to the film.

Luna told the audience that he wanted his first directing debut to focus on a story between a father and a son, and we get that in "J.C. Chavez" through the fighter's relationship with his son, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who also is a professional boxer. We get to see the proverbial handing of the torch from father to son in Chavez's final fight in 2005. We see Chavez Jr. win the opening fight, only to see the elder Chavez go down in his own bout. What isn't said is merely understood as we learn that Chavez opted to retire after that loss and now spends his time managing Chavez Jr.'s career.

Overall, the documentary plays like a loving portrait to Chavez, which Luna confirmed when he talked about the boxer as one of the highlights of Mexico at a time when the country was going through serious political turmoil.

As a boxing fan who grew up watching fights with my family (doesn't every Mexican family, after all?), including many Chavez bouts, I really enjoyed the film, especially the footage of Chavez taking down his opponents over and over again. Though, I'll be honest, I'm not sure if my criticism has been muddled by Luna himself, who provided some serious eye candy at the Q & A (and was a total gentleman to all the loving ladies who crowded him for, um, photos and hugs). Now if he could only pull in his good friend Gael García Bernal for his next project...

It'll probably end up being the kind of documentary you'll catch on IFC at some point, and I think that'd be a good way to see it.

We Don't Need Another "Heroes..."

2007-10-21T22:26:00.000-07:00

So we're now four episodes into Season Two of "Heroes," and at this point, the only saving grace thus far has been waiting for the arrival of Kristen Bell (which happens Monday night), and I didn't even watch "Veronica Mars" (though her guest arc on "Deadwood" sold me).

Rather than wax poetic on the myriad reasons to join the throngs jumping off the "Heroes" bandwagon, I'm going to post a condensed chat string between my good friend, and fellow pop-culture junkie, Darrell, and myself. I'm still holding out hope that Monday's episode will mark a turning point in a "Company Man" sort of way, and not a Season One finale route:

Darrell:I just read the perfect wrap up of why I'm disappointed with Heroes this year,although it is getting better.

me: I mean, I guess, but I hate that little girl, and Claire's BF is a total stalker creep...

and I really don't like watching "My Two Dads," I mean, "My Two Heroes..."

Darrell: I hate the Ireland story.

Did you really think Peter being all chained up stole your iPods?

me: but I like nekked Peter...

Darrell: and I don't like the creepy dude either

that's stalking Claire

me: and Micah's cousin's power is that she learns shit off of TV? I mean, really?!

Darrell: I liked that

I had no idea what her power was

me: it's ridiculous!

Darrell: It was kind of funny

me: and recycling powers is weak too...

shows they can't come up with anything good

Darrell:

And what the hell is that terrible Guatemalan story?

That's my least favorite

I hate it

me: Que terrible, indeed!

Darrell: She bleeds out of her eyes?

Lose.

me: I mean, how the hell did Sylar even find his way off of the "Lost" Island?

The show is falling. No, plummeting...

Darrell:

Sylar is so last year

let him go off and be Spock already

"Heroes" no longer needs him

We have crazy nightmare dude

me: Oh, you mean Matt's dad? Who looks about as scary as a car salesman from the 1960s?

Yawn...

me: So what exactly can those twins offer the show?

I wish they could have been the Wonder Twins instead...

Darrell: That would have been rad

me: big time...

Darrell: they are crap

and it had to be crossing the border?

Lose.

me: Exactly!

But how about the black cousin from New Orleans who lost her family in the flood?

Super excited about Kristen Bell though

I had forgotten she was joining the cast, somewhere between the New Orleans mental montage and the chickens running in the dirt of Mexico...

Lose.

Nomad's Land...

2007-09-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

Sean Penn's latest directorial effort, Into the Wild, is the true story of Chris McCandless, an Emory University graduate who decided to shed his entire identity, including his family and all his possessions, to live a tramp's life in and out of the wilderness. He ultimately ends up in Alaska where his inexperience and naivete ultimately leads to his demise.

Based on the book by Jon Krakauer, the film intertwines McCandless's (Emile Hirsch) Alaskan stint with his journey to his ultimate destination. It's gorgeously shot and despite McCandless's obvious arrogance in his approach to his chosen nomadic existence, Hirsch still manages to captivate and draw you into his journey, along with the stellar supporting cast that includes William Hurt and Catherine Keener.

Like most of the critics, I was completely gripped by this movie, though on a personal level. It triggered memories of the idealism I used to harbor for such a lifestyle. McCandless was heavily influenced by Leo Tolstoy, Jack London and Henry David Thoreau, but I'd simplify my attraction to this existence even more to include the likes of the children's classic series "The Boxcar Children" and Jack Kerouac's "On the Road." And, more than anything, these stories instilled in me a fascination for those real people who attempted to pull it off.

My only problem was that I never really heard of stories where women could go out and hit the road and the wild on their own. Perhaps these are tales that I've merely missed as I'm sure they exist, but instead I think about a college friend of mine whose name was Sara, the closest I ever got to such a woman. I forget her last name and I spent only a brief amount of time with her, but she was amazing in the most entertaining ways.

We met in a random community college class, and when the course ended we just sort of stayed in touch during class breaks or award ceremonies (we both loved film and the award shows that recognized them). During my few years in school then, we'd always make a point to get together for the Golden Globes or Academy Awards no matter what. Most of the time Sara would just show up at my house. No phone calls necessary. She'd just show up, usually with a snack and a bottle of wine.

We may have bonded over pop-culture, but it was Sara's adventures that captivated me. She would always share these yarns about her various travels and encounters, whether hitch-hiking by night with coke-head truckers desperately wanting company, or catching free rides on the Amtrak by ditching the ticket-taker at just the right times. An L.A. native, she talked about these incredible nights she'd spend with some of her favorite artists by happenstance, smoking bowls with Courtney Love and drinking tequila with Anthony Kiedis (this was back in the mid-1990s, after all).

The details (and often photos) usually vindicated her. She had great stories about those truckers she'd ride with, who talked about special courtesy signs they would make to each other on the road via headlight signals and things like that.

Still, I mentally questioned her for a long time until I had a chance to actually accompany her to a Porno for Pyros concert she won tickets for from the local radio station. Those nosebleed tickets transpired into bracelets for the pit area and eventually back-stage passes, based solely on Sara's know-how with people and sheer tenacity. It was inspiring. Sara lived these unbelievable anecdotes all the time. She was one of my favorite people.

The last I heard from her, she had left a note on my apartment door the weekend of the Golden Globes one year where I had been out of town. She said she was sorry she missed me and had left me a bottle of red wine at the door step. That was it.

I don't think she pulled a McCandless by any means, but I love the idea of Sara being out there, doing her thing. Just enjoying life. And it's these little stories along the way to these paths that always resonate with me. And I think that's why McCandless's journey and this film does too.

A Moment...

2007-09-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

In the aftermath of the mostly dull 2007 Emmy Awards show (with exceptions like the top comedy prize for my show "30 Rock"), I wanted to take a moment to recognize my girl, America Ferrera for her Best-Actress-In-A-Comedy win for her turn as Betty Suarez in my ultimate guilty TV pleasure, "Ugly Betty."

Fererra is the first Latina nominee/winner in this Emmy category, pulling off the win sans the over-the-top Halle Berry fist-pumping, tear-fest at the podium (no way was she better than Sissy Spacek for "In the Bedroom" or even Nicole Kidman in "Moulin Rouge." Yeah. I said it!).

She may be Honduran in real life, but Fererra gets my props for playing Mexican on a show that has managed to reach a mainstream audience through its melting-pot take on the Latino telenovela. It's just as fabulously kitschy, but it's got a kind-hearted center (I swear to you, I laugh and cry basically every episode). And any show that plays up my own ethnic background (not to mention other people's AND is gay-friendly AND allows all these groups to come together in an organic way) and features old-school Latino actors like Tony Plana is a win in my book. Ferrera's win proves that this holds true with the Emmy voters too.

So here's to you, America, and all involved with "Ugly Betty," for casting a stellar light on Latinos and giving them a place on television outside of Telemundo. And Salma Hayek should win an award for getting this show off the ground while still being able to sex, er, act it up for the big and small screen. Now there's a woman who knows how to multi-task...

Check out Season One, now out on DVD, and catch the second season premiere at 8 p.m., Sept. 27. And no, I don't work for ABC or Disney, I just like pushing my favorite shows.

Damnit, Meg! Why??!!!

2007-09-12T15:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I've been this broken-hearted. I'm filing this under the same category as when I missed a 1993 benefit show featuring Nirvana and The Breeders because I didn't keep in touch with a high school friend one summer and ditching a Sublime show one holiday to visit my best friend who later turned out to be a racist (long story).

No, I'm not expecting Meg White to die from her acute anxiety, but with the White Stripes' announcement today that they are canceling the rest of their U.S tour, which includes my show in Berkeley, I have a bad feeling that my chance to catch one of my all-time favorite bands is slipping away from me once again. This will also be the second time in as many months that I have to miss a killer show. The last one featured Spoon and Rogue Wave performing in a space the size of my living room.

As much as I'd like to blame the concert gods for cursing me, I am instead blaming these other less-talented hacks (though I love the Winehouse, I do) who've apparently paved the way for others like my beloved Stripes to duck out of their jobs (yes, jobs! You're paid to perform!) for like acid reflux disease, deviated septums and work permit issues (I mean, really Lily Allen?) or some such crap. Why should honest-to-goodness concert-goers like myself have to suffer for someone else's herpes outbreak or crack habit?!

Enough is enough, I say. I mean, I'd rather hear the Sarah Silverman excuse (“I can’t do my show tonight, I have diarrhea. Oh, it’s Monday? I’m going to have diarrhea Monday, too.”) at this point than "exhaustion." Although, to be fair, Eddie Vedder gave that very excuse at a concert in Golden Gate Park during the Pearl Jam heyday, and it wasn't very cool then...

I'm not crossing the Stripes off my list or anything, but I'm really going to need Meg to shape up and come back soon...
I'll be waiting. For now.

They're All Growns Up

2007-08-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

I’ve recently been getting into “Californication,” the new David Duchovny show on Showtime (10:30 p.m. Mondays, after another favorite, “Weeds”). It’s instantly addicting and I’ve never been a bigger fan of “Mulder” than I am of him as new character “Hank Moody," but I was horribly distracted in the first episode by another oddly familiar face.

That mug belonged to Madeline Zima, an apparent one-night stand of Hank’s who will end up playing a much bigger role. As I watched the young actress seduce Duchovny in one scene, I was irked by her familiarity. How did I know her? And then, as the sex scene kicked in with the naked Zima riding atop our boy, it clicked. She was the little girl in “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.” And then my friend pointed out, no, she’s the little girl from “The Nanny,” that TV show with Fran Drescher. I know, I know, both horrible bodies of work, but still.

And then I couldn’t shake the image of that little girl who was so cute in that really cheesy flick, and now I’m watching her pull her own version of the donkey-punch on Duchovny for kicks. It made me realize just how difficult it must be for child actors who move on to more adult fare.

I think these career moves need to be more carefully considered possibly just for the peace of mind of those people like myself who might recall their earlier work. Actors that come to mind include Drew Barrymore, and hell, even Christopher Knight, who went from that crackling-voiced Peter Brady to a reality show celebrity who was shown getting leather-whipped by his now-wife Adrianne Curry before they cut the cameras on their sexcapades.

It’s disturbing, people! (Although I will admit that I found it surprisingly easy to watch the adult Peter Brady getting it on. He was always my favorite…) I don’t really have any suggestions on how to accomplish this kind of transition, I can only say that these moves don’t just affect the actor’s career, it can also warp the viewer’s perspective.

So before you child actors go pulling those drug and sex scenes on screen, I think you have to ask yourself if you’re venturing into Jodie Foster success or Dustin “Screech” Diamond territory. Because let me tell you, there’s a BIG difference in those two images…

Comic-Con: A Wrap-Up

2007-07-29T21:44:00.000-07:00

I spent a little more than an hour at the Con today in the exhibit hall (where they sell everything) and believe me when I tell you that it was worse than yesterday (Saturday traditionally being considered the busiest day for crowds).

I could barely come up for air, let alone cram in the kind of last-minute shopping I always reserve for this day. Turns out I'm no longer among the few to do so...

Since I hit no panel today, I figured I'd provide a wrap-up of the random things that I heard or encountered during the convention. Without further ado...

*Number of times I had to ask attendees not to discuss "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?" Just one. A couple of people waiting for a panel started to bring it up and I kindly told them, "No! I haven't finished reading it yet!" They told me to go back to my hotel as soon as possible and get on it because it's fantastic. As of now I've got about 200 pages left. Shhh...

*Robert Downey Jr. is exactly the person you think he is. Using my backstage pass to ditch the crowds filtering out of the large hall in order to race upstairs to another panel, I walked past the black curtain to take the secret elevator used by all the celebrities. There were lots of people back there too, including Stan Lee, Liv Tyler and Gwyneth Paltrow (co-starring in "Iron Man").
Too many people packed into Paltrow's ride up, so I waited for the next one. I ended up going with Downey Jr., who made some crack before we took off about this being an exclusive "Iron Man" meeting of the minds in here. He was joined by who I hope was his wife, and literally to my right (the guy's arm was rubbing up against mine, for chrissakes!) he's groping his girl, smacking some gum and starts kissing her. So much for me saying anything to him...

*Speaking of Stan Lee...the comic book icon was walking the main floor one day with guards all around him when I see him right next to me and I say, "Stan Lee, you're the greatest!" He turns, waves and says, "Hi! Howya' doin'?!" The man is like the Hugh Hefner of comics, from his cool, shaded glasses to his well-groomed hairstyle. And he's sharp as a knife for being in his early 80s...

*At the "Watchmen" panel, a guy dressed as one of the book's main characters, Rorschach, steps up to the mike and the crowd loses it (in a good way). Actor Jackie Earle Haley, who's been tapped to play the same character, leans into his mike and says "Poser." Classic. The very next guy who comes up to ask a question is dressed like another Watchmen character, the Night Owl. The whole scene starts to come off like that Saturday Night Live opener with Natalie Portman, when Star Wars fans keep hounding her about details of the films. It's hilarious.

*Matt Dallas (Kyle XY) is gorgeous in person. Enough said.

*Skeet Ulrich, not so much. Obviously trying to channel a little James Dean, he shows up for the TV Guide Hot List panel with sex hair, a black t-shirt and sunglasses. He tries to be a little too cool for the room. Tries is the key word here...

*Danny Bonaduce isn't above grilling "Heroes" along with the rest of us. The former child actor and radio/reality TV personality stepped up to the microphone like everyone else during the NBC panel to ask the "Heroes" cast if they live and die by the scripts that could kill off any major character at any time. They answer yes. Before walking away, Bonaduce tells them thanks and then adds, "Oh, and by the way, when they cancel your hit show, the rest of your life sort of sucks for a while." Priceless.

*Masi Oka can pull in some serious ass if he wanted to. When a fan asked Oka and James Kyson Lee (Ando) if they felt their characters were being stereotyped as the typical emasculated Asians without sex appeal, co-star Ali Larter (Nikki/Jessica) said, "I think Masi is damn sexy!" That was followed closely by new co-star Dania Ramirez (Monica) adding, "I'll give you some play, Hiro." The fan boy next to me literally cried, "Oh, damn!"

Lastly, Rosario Dawson turned me into a Pop-Culture God among my friends. She wonderfully obliged me when I asked her to hold up a sign for my friend, who's getting married in September, congratulating them. The only other person I wanted to nail down for such props was Oka, whom my other friend Brooke downright adores. She had to settle for costumed attendees giving her love via another sign (see photos!).

AND that, my friends, really concludes my time here in a random nutshell. I hope you've found the daily updates informative and enlightening. I had a blast and I'm already thinking about next year.

Until then...

Comic-Con 2007, Day 3

2007-07-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

I've actually reached the end of the line here. Today has been exhausting, but really informative. Before I get into the dish, I've got to say that my trip thus far has been all about a combination of luck, great timing, an exclusive exhibitor badge and my inside guy whom I'll refer to as H.R. Publicist. I have evaded almost every line, even sneaking in an extra hour of sleep this morning, thanks to these measures.

As an example, I found myself facing my first HUGE line when I wanted to get into the Marvel Pictures panel, so rather than brave the masses that whipped around the entire San Diego Convention Center, I texted H.R. Publicist to see if he could get me into the hall. Within minutes he hooked me up with an all-access pass that got me into the green room where the entire cast of "Superbad" was kicking it, including Seth Rogen and producer Judd Apatow. It's moments like those when I immediately think to myself, "I shouldn't be here." Why? Because I know I could geek out at any moment. My connection warned me to be cool, and yet my instinct was to grab my camera and my pen and pad and start harrassing.

And with that, this is what I took away from the multiple panels I sat through all day long:

Heroes Panel:
Partly in response to the fans who clearly propelled this show into its insta-hit status based on last year's panel, the entire cast showed up, from Ando to Micah. Sendhil Ramamurthy (Suresh) probably pulled in the most "whoops and hollas" from the ladies in the crowd, followed closely by Milo Ventimiglia (Peter). Watching the cast interact with each other may have been the best part. Turns out Greg Grunberg is the comedian of the crew, while Masi Oka is basically "Hiro," without the super-powers and a better grasp of English. Oh yeah, and Bennett is super-hot, even without his horn-rimmed glasses.

The Scoop: Despite executive producer Jeph Loeb's plea to attendees not to spill the beans on the exclusive second season clip, here's what we saw:

Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar), in a full-grown beard, digging through some box as his mother tells him something along the lines of "You're brother's dead because of you. If you had just done what you we're told, he might be alive by now."
Hiro is still stuck in the past. We see him training with the Asian Warriors, though one warrior ends up taking his mask off to reveal a blond guy underneath.
Molly Walker (Adair Tishler) wakes from disturbing dreams in fear of the "boogie man" who haunts her sleep. We get no glimpse of said villain.
Peter appears, freaked out when someone opens a door to the room he's apparently locked in.

There are also plans for new female characters, including Maya (Dania Ramirez), who's on the run from the cops in Central America, and a character named Monica (unnamed actress) who "will come from the hurricane-ravaged area of New Orleans," according to Loeb.

Surprise guest Kevin Smith will direct the first episode of the six-episode spinoff of the show titled, "Origins." The crowd goes crazy.

*When Ramamurthy talked about his character, and his "father's research," Grunberg joked about having to take a drink. I love the idea of this drinking game.

"Heroes" returns Sept. 24.

Tomorrow I'll give little highlights from this panel and other random events that's happened to me throughout the Con, but...

Onto the Marvel Panel:
Let me just tell you, I've seen footage from "Iron Man" three times since I've been here. Yes, it looks good. Yes, Robert Downey Jr. is a great Tony Stark and director Jon Favreau can't say enough fabulous things about his movie. The thing is I didn't come to this panel for "Iron Man" so much as I did for:
*"The Incredible Hulk"--Edward Norton (incidentally in my top-five celebrity f*ck list), who will star as Bruce Banner and also wrote the screenplay, assured worried fans that this version will be a whole new take on the Marvel character. "The whole idea of starting from scratch and re-conceiving the story as a mythic saga was really exciting," Norton said.
Norton was joined by co-star Liv Tyler, who's incredibly soft-spoken in person. A highlight is when a woman dressed as Tyler's "Lord of the Rings" character stepped up to ask a question.
"Oh my God, it's Arwen! You look amazing," Tyler said. It was great to hear the actress sound like the fan girl at that moment.
No clips for the Hulk segment as production is only two weeks in, but totally worth it to see Norton pontificate on the Hulk. He remains high on my list...

And finally, in Smallville:
After seeing the "Superbad" kids in the green room, I decided to ditch their panel and check out the "Smallville" one instead. I'm glad I did. I seriously thought I was on my own for the most part in my devotion to this show. Turns out I was wrong. There is a definite legion out there. The seventh season preview revealed:

Chloe (Allison Mack) is shown in surgery before a nurse pronounces her dead (a later scene shows a short-haired blonde snapping up from her bed in what looked like a morgue, so I'm guessing she's back. Plus, the new Supergirl, Laura Vandervoort, said she has had a chance to meet several cast members, including Mack).
Speaking of, Supergirl will appear this season as Clark's cousin. She apparently crashed onto Earth with the original meteor shower, but she fell in the river. She's set free when the dam breaks (shown in last season's finale). Originally older than Clark, she's been frozen in time in the meteor, so Clark is now actually older than "Kara." Oh yeah, and she can fly and she will try to teach Clark to with mixed results.
Hottie Justin Hartley will return as Oliver "Green Arrow" Queen. "Bruce Wayne" will never show up in "Smallville" because the Warner Bros. features department has blocked the show from using the character because of the movie revamp.
A new editor takes a job at the Daily Planet and gives Lois her first shot at the major metro paper because of his interest in her.

Funniest moment: When one person asked panel speakers Erica Durance and Hartley how they prep for their love scenes, Hartley replied, "I usually say something along the lines of 'Don't be mad at me if something happens, but don't get mad at me if nothing happens.'"

"Smallville" returns Sept. 27.

That's all for now, folks...

Comic-Con, Day 2

2007-07-27T17:39:00.001-07:00

For me, today was all about the Watchmen movie. I crashed the MASSIVE line to get into this Warner Bros. panel and here's what I got:

Who Watches the Watchmen?
Director Zack Snyder ("300") talked at length about his planned take on Alan Moore's graphic novel set in an alternate 1985, where costumed adventurers are real and the country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union (thank you, Wikipedia). It tells the story of a group of past and present superheroes and the events surrounding the mysterious murder of one of their own.

Snyder confirmed several key casting choices, including Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan, Patrick Wilson as Night Owl, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the Comedian, Stephen McHattie as Hollis,
Malin Akerman as the Silk Spectre, and Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach, with the latter two joining Snyder on the panel. While some have called out the director for a slightly younger cast than that of the book, he said he didn't want to have to cast two actors for flashbacks, figuring he'd skew his cast somewhere in the middle and age them appropriately.

Expect Dr. Manhattan to be a 3-D, CG version while "Jon" will simply look like Crudup.

Snyder also said that the film would take place in the mid-80s like the comic and that he plans to take the same approach he did with "300" by sticking as closely to the original material as possible, even though he doesn't expect to get Moore to sign off on his film. The writer is notorious for not backing movie versions of his work, understandably after the appalling job Hollywood did with "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."

"We all want to please Allen. I don't think it's a crime to want the guy who fucking created (the book) to not hate (the film)," Snyder said. "I just imagine that one rainy day in England, when he pops in the DVD, which will probably never happen, he'll watch it and say, 'You know, they didn't fuck it up that bad.' That's my hope and desire anyway."

Snyder also plans to make the film rated R, which he said is cool because he wants to combat the idea that superhero movies are for kids only. "I think when those people see 'Watchmen' they're going to say, 'They didn't just do that?! That looks like sexual assault to me...'"

Snyder said he's also working on getting the pirate story into the film, and that he's trying to get the budget for it now. He then revealed a poster he asked original artist Dave Gibbons to come up with specifically for the Con that would promote the film. Click on the photo for a close up. He then gave out a copy of it to the attending audience. Needless to say, I think it might be the coolest thing I've gotten so far.

The target release date on "Watchmen" is 3-6-09.

As for the rest of the panel...
Uber-producer Joel Silver and Kate Beckinsale came out to promote "Whiteout," based on Greg Rucka's graphic novel. It's a thriller set in Antarctica. The movie could have been about the handy office supply for all anyone really cared because Beckinsale's wit stole the show (despite the fact that she was late). That British Hottie is absolutely cheeky!

When asked what the difference was between her costumes in "Whiteout" and "Underworld," she replied, "The differences between this costume and that costume is that in 'Underworld,' every time I bent down I got used to hearing, 'Uhh(groan)' and I didn't get that hardly at all with this costume."

Later, she went on. "It is different. I slept with the director a lot fewer times (Beckinsale met and eventually married "Underworld" director Len Wiseman)...I still got bruised and beat up (she then dropped her voice) and I liked it."

Because I had always heard from those I know in "the industry" that Beckinsale was a stone-cold bitch, I was blown away by her witty candor and overall good spirit. Consider me a converted fan...

And Finally...
Though we're talking about the same panel, Warner Bros. brought out most of of the cast of "Get Smart," starring Steve Carell. Carell, The Rock, Masi Oka (Heroes alert!), Ken Davitian, and Nate Torrence all showed up unexpectedly to answer questions.

Always the unwitting charmer, Carell talked about what it was like being a spy. "Personally I get to look like I'm athletic, coordinated and sexy, when in real life I am none of the above," he said.

He also talked about where he likes to take most of his characters in comedies. "I always think it's funny when a character doesn't realize they're in a comedy, that's always what's worked for me," Carell said. I think that says a lot about all of Carell's most prominent roles.

Other panel tidbits include:
Shannyn Sossamon, co-star of "One Bad Call," a remake of yet another Japanese horror flick, buckles in the face of a crowd.
She fidgeted constantly next to co-star Edward Burns, playing with her hair and uttering to Burns at one point, "I am so scared right now." Then they gave away iPhones to those kids who asked them questions. Seriously. iPhones. I'm fairly certain one of those people was a child. Unbelievable...

The trailer for "10,000 B.C." is "Apocalypto" meets "Ice Age" without the funny. Think archaic warriors battling Woolly Mammoths. I think it has potential...

And I will let photos speak for the rest of my day. Until Saturday...

Comic-Con, Day 1

2007-07-26T23:14:00.001-07:00

First off, can I just say that Comic-Con is a marathon, people, a marathon. Let me put it to you this way, I didn't grab a real bite of food to eat (or a bathroom break for that matter) until 4 p.m. Why? Because it's all about keeping a schedule here, and God forbid you step away from the chaos for more than five minutes because you'll end up losing your place in line or worse, being blocked from some major event or some extra swag you can only score as long as supplies last.

With that said, onto the tidbits I took in on the first day of Comic-Con 2007.

I'll start with the Paramount Pictures panel. We discovered, among other things that:

SNL prime-time player Andy Samberg and his school pals, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone (current SNL writers) really work as a threesome through thick and thin. When Samberg talked about conceptualizing "Dick In A Box" with Justin Timberlake for the Emmy-nominated digital short, it was Taccone that came up with the theme.

"It's an old joke that me and my granny used to do...she's a character," Taccone said.

The Berkeley natives then previewed a clip from their new feature, "Hot Rod," where Samberg's wanna-be stuntman character re-enacts a scene from Footloose. The crowd flips for it. Says Samberg afterward, "There's a lot of 'Footloose' in that clip. And let's be honest, there's a lot of us that were born because of Kevin Bacon. He's pure sex!"

The Untitled J.J. Abrams "Cloverfield" project a.k.a the one that ran before "The Transformers": The "Lost creator practically bum-rushes the stage after the trailer of his untitled film (http://www.firstshowing.net/2007/07/09/jj-abrams-cloverfield-1-18-08-trailer-officially-hits/) plays. He talks about a recent trip to Tokyo where he and his son are out on the town and toy Godzillas catch the youngster's eye. "I decided that we need our own monster... King Kong's cool, he's cute, but I wanted to come up with our own monster that was much more fierce and frightening."
Though he refused to reveal the name and scoffed at the rumored title "Monstrous," ("You think it's 'Monstrous? Come on," he says) the promotional poster revealed otherwise (see photo).

Indiana Jones: Steven Spielberg sent a special message out to con attendees, with Harrison Ford (dressed in full Indy garb), Shia LaBeouf dressed as a "greaser" and the return of an Indy original, Karen Allen, who will reprise her role from the original "Raiders of the Lost Ark" as Marion Ravenwood. We'll call this a major highlight!

J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek": Abrams returns to the panel to announce that it's the script that attracted him to the project. He announces Zachary Quinto as "Spock," a casting call we are already aware of, then brings out Leonard Nimoy, who will also reprise his role. When asked about what he thought of Quinto's casting, Nemoy replies, "We have a great director and a wonderful actor playing the young Spock and I guess the answer is it was logical."

And then I hit the "Lost" panel to which it was revealed that:

Harold Perrineau will return as a series regular for the fourth season, which premieres in February. Writers Damon Lindeloff and Carlton Cuse refuse to say in what capacity his character, Michael Dawson, will return. Then they bring out Perrineau to tout his return and offer the actor up to answer any questions. He sits up to the microphone only to say nothing. He has no idea nor will he share how or why he's back.
The writers say fans can expect more flash-forwards, along with flashbacks and that Jack and Claire will discover their relation in the coming season. They also promise to answer what that smoke monster is and who made it and also delve into Danielle Rousseau's backstory at some point, but that her storyline has to sync up with another plot strand. They won't reveal what that is yet.
Season three's finale flash-forward featuring Jack and Kate was not the end of the show.
The writers are excited about the announced end-date for the show because, as some had expected, they admitted that they had to sit on certain plot points (therefore dragging out storylines) because their overall plan for the show had no end in sight. In other words, while they have this master plan for the show, without that end target, they found themselves stalling to move things forward. Says Lindeloff, "I think if you had the seen the episode finale of season three and not realized that there was an end in sight, I think you'd throw your hands up and say 'They're fucking stalling again.'"
Everyone on the show hates spoilers. Cuse says, "I think the show is more enjoyable without spoilers. We realize it's virtually impossible to keep them out of there to keep them from getting out there, but you can help us do that. Hopefully there's mysteries that remain mysteries and that's OK because that's the nature of life." In other words, don't expect EVERY mystery of Lost to be solved when the series ends in three seasons.
The writers leave us with a Dharma video clip that shows Edgar Halifax, a.k.a. Marvin Candle getting his make-up done for a new orientation reel regarding Station #6, known as the Orchid. He holds a white bunny with the number 15 marked on it. He talks to the camera, telling would-be Dharma members that he is sorry they had to lie to their families about what they are doing at the Orchid. As he speaks, inaudible sounds creep in between film pieces, along with splices of film with the subliminal message, "He loves you as he loved Jacob," a shot of an large building that looks circa 1960s, and an upside down shot of someone riding a bicycle along what looks like the Dharma's community on the island. In between takes of the film, a crash rattles the Orchid, Halifax cries, "What the fuck?" and the film splits again as they start over. It's both puzzling and enthralling, yet, like everything with "Lost," tells us nothing. End of panel.

And finally, I learned that the Robert Rodgriguez/Quentin Tarantino double feature that is "Grindhouse" will be split in two for separate, extended-version DVD releases. Tarantino's "Death Proof" will be released Sept. 18, while "Planet Terror" comes out in October. Those fake trailers sandwiched by the two features in theaters will be split between the two DVDs, with two apiece on each respective disc. Best Buy will exclusively sell the DVDs in special collector tins.

And that, my friends, concludes day one. Check back for day two...

Comic-Con 2007

2007-07-25T15:46:00.001-07:00

So here's the plan. I'm heading for San Diego tonight for Comic-Con. For the first time ever, I plan to keep this blog updated with any lowdown that I deem interesting or worth it. Come back to check out photos and tidbits. No, this photo is not to highlight what me and my friends are wearing (this is from Halloween 2006, FYI), but it's more like a teaser. I don't dress for the occasion, but I can't wait to show you those that do...

You're Ruining It For Me...

2007-07-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

You know who’s going to kill Harry Potter?

Word of mouth and the media, that’s who.

Thanks to these two factors, I’m going to have to blow through the final book in J.K. Rowling’s brilliant series because I know someone’s going to ruin it for me otherwise.

I can just see it now. “R.I.P. Harry.” “So Long Snape,” the headlines will read. T-shirts will be made up with lists of the dead.

Oh, some will try to be coy. “R.I.P Harry?” Spoiler alerts will abound. But I can read in between the lines. I can often tell what happens based on the pitch of a friend’s voice when they say, “Have you finished it yet?” Depending on the friend, I can tell who lives or dies in that one statement (I’m definitely calling some of you guys out!).

If it were up to me, I’d prefer to take my time. I mean, this is it. It’s the culmination of years, YEARS of build up. And I’m a slow reader by nature so I was hoping to take the time to indulge in it a little.

And so I BLAST you spoilers for screwing me out of my leisure summer reading, for forcing me to cram the end of a grand tale in the span of a few days (if I’m lucky). Oh yeah, and Harry is dead. I read the final pages on early postings online. Oh, I kid! I kid! Or do I…

The Sopranos

2007-06-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

It’s been nearly a week, are you past it yet?

Last Sunday’s Sopranos finale (where the screen literally cuts to black in the final scene, leaving the moment in eternal limbo, for those who didn't see it or know what I'm talking about) was so bold that it remains one of the biggest discussions among fans (I have personally watched it from day one, season one), fair-weather viewers, critics and basically any pop culture junkie anywhere. And it is definitely a love/hate situation.

It’s been dissected ad nauseum. Was it a dream? Is Tony dead? Alive? Did the audience get whacked? Who was that guy at the counter (NO! IT WAS NOT A LEOTARDO!)? Why can’t Meadow parallel park for shit? My favorite analysis of the finale comes from my favorite magazine, Entertainment Weekly, by Owen Gleiberman. Check it out: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20040769_20040772_20042736,00.html

But I think a co-worker put it best, which has compelled me to write about it. This is a guy who’s from New Jersey and has lived and breathed the show for years, coming into work every Monday yammering for days about how fuckin’ great this scene and that scene was when absolutely nobody was asking (this is not my favorite co-worker). Seriously, “The Sopranos” and Bruce Springsteen are the end-all, be-all for him.

So what did he have to say this past Monday after years of hearing this guy go on and on and on (and yes, that’s a “Don’t Stop Believin’” reference! Who doesn’t love Journey?) about this show like he thought he was one of Tony’s personal right-hand men?

Nothing. Not a word.

When the rest of the office was a buzz with “WTF,” he remained silent. It was almost like we got our own proverbial cut-to-black from this blowhard, and for that I can’t begin to thank creator David Chase enough.

I think that speaks volumes (and secretly makes me guffaw inside because that tells me that the way he see it, he’s of the mind that it was a big “Fuck-You!” from Chase for all this guy’s years of dedication).

I really can’t add too much more to this except when I first watched it, I was pissed. And then I was floored. Count me among those who believe Tony got whacked. Why? Because that’s how I interpret it. Not just because of the layers of foreshadowing throughout the season and that pivotal flashback in the penultimate episode between Tony and Bobby, but it really is the type of ending that allows me to do just that.

So suck it up, you. Yeah, you know who you are…

Spider-Man 3: Don't Do It

2007-05-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

Unless you're into getting inside the gummy bear middle of your superheroes and villains, I can't recommend summer 2007's first blockbuster out of the gate.

The latest installment of the franchise (LOVED the others), featuring all the major players from the first two (Director Sam Raimi and stars Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco), are back, but somewhere along the way someone thought it'd be cool to cram a chick flick with multiple subplots into the middle of the action movie, sucking all the air out of the whole thing. Oh yeah, and the role of the chick is split between Dunst and Maguire.

"Spider-Man 3" picks up some time after we last left Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson in his apartment realizing they were meant for each other. Now that he's gotten the girl, he's also gotten a little too comfortable as a superhero, with all the attetion going to his head. Mary Jane has broken into theater and she still attracts the attention of Harry Osborn, who is intent on taking Peter down for killing his father. This is one plot.

There's also Flint Marko, a.k.a. Sandman (Thomas Hayden Church, looking like a living comic book character. He definitely shaped up for the role) and Eddie Brock (Topher Grace), a rival photographer at Peter's newspaper who becomes Venom. I'd say the black substance from space is also a villain unto itself, the way it's played up in the movie.

The long and short of it is this: Sandman mopes because he needs to find money to take care of his sick daughter; Eddie Brock longs for the big photography gig Peter's been trying to get since he started freelancing at the Daily Bugle and Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard), who in turn longs for Spider-Man and Peter; Harry wants revenge and Mary Jane, whom Peter plans to propose to. The super-couple love each other but can't seem to pull it together, and others get in between them on their way to bliss.

Everyone cries. They cry alone. They cry together. Some cry more than once.

I'd say there's almost more tears than action. It's not a great sign when you take a 6-year-old boy to see a 2 1/2-hour comic book movie and he's on the verge of his own tears--of boredom. He wasn't the only one. Plus, we get to see Maguire attempt to do his best -- to take a phrase from Marvel's competing superhero franchise Superman -- "Bizarro" Peter Parker (complete with bad bangs and slight eyeliner) as he becomes a darker, twisted version of himself because of the black suit. He looks ridiculous, to say the least, like a Fall Out Boy groupie more than anything.

The special effects are all right, but they really under-utilize Eddie Brock/Venom as a villain. I was always behind Topher Grace in the role, and he's one of the most entertaining characters, but he's buried under all the other subplots. To play down one of the best Spider-Man villains in the comic is a total rip-off.

And the effects are not as good as the ones from the last two installments. They're way more over-the-top, which should be perfect for this type of movie, but not after we have already seen what can be done (watching Doc Ock moving in any scene in "Spider-Man 2").

I usually take this as a bad sign as we gear up for yet another summer of sequels. I mean, look at the list: "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Shrek," "Harry Potter," "Die Hard," "The Bourne Ultimatum," hell, even "Rush Hour" is back. I'm reserving judgment for now, but I have to say that I have been less than jazzed about the trailers, and nothing depresses me more than not having anything to look forward to in the summer blockbuster season.

Spider-Man was supposed to kick that excitement into high gear for me but, from the looks of things to come, I might be better off steering clear of the sequels. Of course, next week is the release of "28 Weeks Later." Hopefully I've spoken too soon...

So, About That Profile Photo (Or How I Should Have Bedded Paul Thomas Anderson)…

2007-04-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Paul Thomas Anderson (Also known as PTA): Established film director known for his features, including "Boogie Nights," "Magnolia" and "Punch Drunk Love." Known for working with large ensemble casts. Currently in post-production on "There Will Be Blood," an adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s “Oil!” starring Daniel Day Lewis. Former flame of Fiona Apple; father to daughter Pearl Bailey, whom he conceived with current girlfriend, Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live cast member).

The story I’m about to tell you is true and haunts me to this day. It’s the type of tale my friends love to laugh at me about for its “WTF” factor.

Last March I was invited by a friend of mine to see Paul Thomas Anderson do a Q&A at UC Berkeley.

I loved all his movies, but my sister was the mega-fan who always contended that she wanted to have his babies. I asked her to join me, but she couldn’t, so instead I asked her if there was anything she wanted me to ask him. She said I should ask him what he thought about "Crash," or what we dubbed “Trash” because we thought it was one of the worst movies of that year (About as insightful as a ton of bricks labeled ‘racism’ falling on your head).

I get to the event and make my way to the question line. He’s laid back and candid, fielding a multitude of compliments and moviemaking queries as open and honest as possible, shifting in his chair and rubbing his head nervously.

As the line creeps forward, I start to get more and more nervous myself. I get to the microphone and he turns his eyes to me. Here’s what transpired to the best of my recollection:

“Hi Paul. If you think you’re nervous, I think I might actually throw up right now, so you’ll have to forgive me (slight chuckles throughout the MASSIVE crowd). But I wanted to speak on behalf of myself and my sister, Samantha, who couldn’t be here tonight, and I want to thank you. Thank you for Magnolia and Boogie Nights and thank you for using that Shelley Duvall song from “Popeye” in Punch Drunk Love, because that movie was such a huge part of our childhood. Oh yeah, and we love Maya Rudolph…

But now my question is, as someone who clearly appreciates ensemble pieces, what you thought of a movie like 'Crash' (small rumblings of “Woos” pop), because WE thought it was fucking garbage, but…”

And I’ll be damned if the sounds of the crowd didn’t part like the red sea, split between “Boos!” and “Yeahs!” And the random, “Speak for yourself!”

When the chuckleheads dialed down, Paul laughed, rubbed his head and said…

“To be honest, I haven’t seen it…”

So I laugh and started walking back to my seat when he says:

“You know, you said you were nervous, but you didn’t seem nervous at all. I like your style…”

I blushed. And then one of my friends says to me, “Dude, he just said he likes your style!”

The remaining discussion was a blur because I was too distracted by my moment with Paul (That’s right, Paul), as in, “Did I just have a ‘moment’ with Paul Thomas Anderson?”

Afterward, I darted for the stage as I do after most events like these with my camera in hand and flushed cheeks. He’s up there signing someone’s DVD, so I stand next to him and what does he do? He nudges me with his shoulder. A playful nudge. In my mind, the scene quickly went from blushing school girl to starf*ck potential.

So my response?

“Hey, PTA!”

Good move, I think. And then the fumble.

“So seriously, Maya’s hilarious. I love her on SNL.”

WTF?! He throws me a frickin’ nudge, and I start babbling about his girlfriend?! I STILL have responses that race through my head even now. “So where’s the after-party?” “Is it time for drinks?” “Who’s hungry?” ANYthing would have been better than girlfriend talk!

It’s like I chose to sabotage myself. And yet, it may have been because I seriously found myself torn between my newfound crush on PTA and my love of SNL, especially Maya Rudolph, who I consider a fracking genius!

And yes, I’m in a relationship, but I figured this would fall under the “celebrity list” scenario. Sure, PTA isn’t on mine, but I’ll be damned if I wasn’t ready to bring him up from my newly-formed alternate list.

All of this was to no avail. I blew it. Big time. And to this day, whenever I see this photo or catch Magnolia on Starz or hear that “Popeye” song or, hell, even the name Robert Altman, I think about that night. I realize the whole "hook-up opportunity" was likely all in my head, but it still makes for a great bar story. At least it still makes my friends laugh, anyway...

Buffy Lives

2007-04-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

Forgive me, it's been a while since I've posted. I'm still reeling from the success that is not Grindhouse. Maybe it's my age, maybe it's my taste, but I'm still convinced that film should have been gold. Then again, it's exactly the type of feature that probably can't slip into its cult classic status comfortably without going out with a whimper in theaters. So here's to its continued success outside the box office. I still maintain the flick is bad-ass and a must-see.

But I digress.

So Buffy. Yes, she's back. Any super-fan knows this already but, as such said fan, I figured I'd add my own two cents as well. Joss Whedon, never one to let fans down, has given us back Buffy in comic-form in what he's calling Season Eight. Quick recap: Buffy the Vampire Slayer lasted seven seasons on television, and since closing the door on that brilliant series in 2003, Whedon decided to bring us back our beloved Scoobies (if this is lost on you, rent Buffy. I swear you won't be sorry) via comic book.

Now I suppose you could call me a fan girl in that you might occasionally find me trolling the comic book aisles of a book store or, you know, comic book shop, and I'm usually in line for an autograph signing at, say, San Diego's Comic Con, but I don't really read comics. In fact, I'm usually tipped off to a killer graphic novel through friends or upcoming movie projects I read about. So believe me when I say that if you are even less of a comic reader than I am, this series is still for you.

It is literally like reading a Buffy episode. Joss is a genius (And for those who think I love everything, I promise to blog about the bad too. Forgive me if I haven't seen "Wildhogs."). He is literally putting his hands all over this, including penning the first arc of the season, and you can hear it in every little comic bubble. The artwork is great too in that every character looks fantastic. Who knew we could have the hot Xander (see comparisons above) of the early seasons back literally with a stroke of a pen? (Though, I know, he always remained adorable.)

I now anticipate the next issue as I used to every new episode when the show was on. It is an absolute must that every fan read the comic.

The first two issues are now available. I mean, how rare is it to have your favorite show resurrected after declared dead for the last four years? Only in the Buffyverse!

Grindhouse/Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino

2007-04-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

I’ll be honest, as soon as the names Rodriguez and Tarantino were slapped together for “Grindhouse” -- the cult tag-team’s take on 70s-era, B-movie mass productions -- I was already crying insta-classic. Well, let’s just say I’m making room in my cult collection as we speak.

The double feature includes Rodriguez’ Planet Terror and Tarantino’s Death Proof, two full length films padded with faux trailers in between films. It’s “From Dusk Till Dawn” meets “Kill Bill.” For the hell of it, Quentin decided to throw a little “Jackie Brown” in there too.

It’s really is a blast from start to finish, from Rodriguez’s film score to those trailers. Eli Roth’s “Thanksgiving” and Rodriguez’s own “Machete” (“They f*cked with the wrong Mexican!”) is not to be missed.

For Rodriguez’s part, “Planet Terror” is everything a grindhouse flick should be; it’s a schlocky, campy, gory zombie movie in a Tex-Mex setting zoned in on all things that a cult classic makes. From the dialog to the gratuitous T&A shots, it’s spot-on. And who knew Freddy Rodriguez, at 5'6", could pull off the leading bad-ass role? Rico never looked so good (See Six Feet Under. Seriously.).

Tarantino brings it down a notch with “Death Proof,” about a deranged stunt man (Kurt Russell) who uses his car to slay women. It's a slow burn of a movie that pops in all the right places. While being called out as the weak link to the double feature by some critics, I say character development in a story is not a flaw. And those crash and chase scenes are frickin’ fantastic!

And you know what? Time seriously flies when you’re having fun; so don’t let the 3+ hours put you off. My inner geek couldn’t get up from her seat if she tried (though I don’t recommend large refreshments of any kind, even if that extra large soda is only a quarter more.).