If you can't handle a 9/11 remembrance that isn't all flag-wavy and up with people, don't read this.
A few days after it happened, a friend who just moved to NYC from Ohio and I were walking in my neighborhood. It was another beautiful, sunny day. And so quiet in a suddenly car-less lower Manhattan. We saw the people taking advantage of this unique moment: The few restaurants that were open spread their outdoor seating from the sidewalk to the middle of West Broadway; children were released from their strollers and leashes, playing and giggling in the road; a tall, lithe gentleman in short-shorts and vintage headphones sailed down Houston on roller skates. Finally I felt something other than confusion or anger.
My hopeful, naive 24-year-old self saw all of this and thought maybe -- even while we were still inhaling the acrid dust of the violence that happened a dozen blocks below us -- something good could come of this. We could start new as a city, as a nation, even just as people.
But that never happened. Things got worse than I could have imagined. And all I can think now is what a fucking shameful waste of life it all was. Tragedy with no remedy. Grief with no solace. It's not that the terrorists won, it's that humanity lost.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Hmmm.
I don't really have anything to say, but I feel strangely obligated to post something. So. Two things:
Nutmeg can kill*
and Superchunk rocks:
*BUT WHAT OF MY EGG NOG???
Nutmeg can kill*
and Superchunk rocks:
*BUT WHAT OF MY EGG NOG???
Sunday, January 16, 2011
What I Listented To, 2010 ed.
Lou Barlow Sentridoh III “Caterpillar Girl” “Gravitate”
Sarah Harmer Oh Little Fire “Captive” “Silverado”
Superchunk Majesty Shredding “Digging for something” “Crossed wires” …and everything else they’ve ever done.
Pernice Brothers Goodbye, Killer “Newport News”
Robyn BodyTalk “Dancin’ On My Own” “Hang With Me”
Grinderman Grinderman 2 “When my baby comes”
Ted Leo Brutalist Bricks “Where was my brain” “Bottle of Cork”
Laura Veirs July Flame “When you give your heart”
Josh Ritter So Runs the World Away “Rattling locks”
Bill Fox Shelter From the Smoke/Transit Byzantium “Bird of the World” “Song of a Drunken Nightingale”
The Mice For Almost Ever Scooter “Just Like a Brick”
Ben Folds & Nick Hornby Lonely Avenue “Practical Amanda”
Field Music Field Music (Measure) “Them That Do Nothing”
Bettye LaVette Interpretations: The British Songbook “Love Reign O’er Me”
Cee-Lo Green The Lady Killer “Fuck You”
Corin Tucker Band 1,000 Years “Doubt”
Frightened Rabbit The Winter of Mixed Drinks [and my winter of pinot grigio] “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” “Yes, I Would”
Guster Easy Wonderful “Do You Love Me” “Architects & Engineers” “Jonah”
LCD Soundsystem This Is Happening “All I Want”
The National High Violet “Terrible Love” “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
New Pornographers Together “Crash Years” “My Shepherd”
Extra Lens Undercard
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings I Learned the Hard Way “Mama don’t like my man”
Mavis Staples You Are Not Alone
Sharon van Etten Epic/Because I Was In Love “One Day” “I Wish I Knew”
Surfer Blood Astro Coast
Stornoway Beachcomber’s Windowsill “Zorbing”
Yeasayer Odd Blood “Ambing Alp”
Tame Implala Innserspeaker “Solitude is Bliss”
Built To Spill There Is No Enemy “Good Ol’ Boredom”
Unrest Imperial ffrr “I Can See You Blushing”
What I have yet to hear in full…
Junip
Dangermouse & Sparklehorse
Cloud Cult
S. Carey
Thermals Personal Life
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
You forced me to come to Arizona. I loathe Arizona.
"He's paid to not look surprised."
I’ve been trying to figure out how to approach an end assessment of the late Dollhouse. I have no strong feelings, probably because I wasn’t that huge a fan of it the first place. Sure it had a (mostly) stellar cast, and it threw out some lofty issues to discuss and debate (Free will! Identity! Sexual slavery!), but it was more a curiosity (look what Joss is doing now!) than a story I could get emotionally involved in (in a completely sane way, of course).
Didn’t help that Joss & co. were forced to end their story early and the plotholes were many and HUGE:
Why was Boyd the bringer of the apocalypse? Where’s his mad scientist origin story? (Was he even a scientist?) What exactly was the sitch with Dr. CliveClaire and Boyd? Was she always Clive as Claire and Whiskey? Why would Boyd, in protecting his walking-talking fountain of youth, allow Echo to be put in so many dangerous situations? What was with the creepy ‘you’re my family’ talk? (Even Paul? I mean, he just tried to kill Paul!) And what about a contingency plan? He was an evil genius, so he should’ve had a backup of himself somewhere super-secret and safe should, you know, he be made into a human bomb. Evil geniuses usually think ahead, right?
I can’t help but thing that Joss’s original plan for Boyd was something different but the truncated season (and I would imagine, the reduced guest star budget – no more Carradines for you!) forced him to turn to an already-there character/actor rather than introduce someone new…so TWIST! I guess? Lennix was great as evil, but there’s only so much an actor can do without a viable, earned backstory.
How did Caroline get the funds for all her hot clothes and solo commando missions? ID/credit card theft a la the Supernatural boys? I kind of hope she had a secret benefactor who figure in later in the story.
How did Adelle get there? If there’s any glaringly absent backstory, it’s hers. Of course, Olivia Williams and her arms are so amazing, I’m happy as long she’s in her immaculate wardrobe and toting a gun.
Wasn’t Echo told to smash the chair after she (ugh) uploaded Paul to her overly crowded brain? That chair was still intact when Fox abruptly cut to the next show.** Sloppiness or an opening for future stories elsewhere, like comics?
I like romance with my sci-fi but sometimes I feel like Joss watched more Days of Our Lives
than I did as a kid. Why did I have to watch Tony and Priya futzing around Topher’s workshop discussing their relationship in the penultimate ep instead of learning just what the hell Boyd’s deal was or seeing Adele’s reaction when she found out who Boyd really was? I felt cheated.
Of course, I never bought the doomed OTP of Echo & Paul as they were so thoroughly boring and awful and idiotic. It was even worse when Topher had to clip Paul's ‘lurve nerves’ or whatever to make room in his brain for…shit, I don’t know. And then to have Echo pining for him?? Gah. Paul was even worse as the patronizing manipulator of doormat Mellie. She offs herself to save him?! Her mad ninja skillz were the only remotely interesting things about her! Kill him! KILL HIM WITH YOUR FLOWERS IN A VASE!!!!!
(Honestly, I was always astonished a guy that stupid and obvious stayed alive that long.)
And, then, once Paul was finally offed, we got to see Echo have an Adama-esque level meltdown minus the paint and antique model ships. I guess she felt bad about not saying how she felt about him? I… *sigh* So she uploads him…and will she be yelling at herself when they fight about leaving dirty dishes in the sink in her head? I really didn’t get how that was going to work.
Even the Tony/Priya relationship stuff seemed out of place – hell, downright laughable – with the dystopian backdrop. (And of course that's Tony’s kid. Why reveal it like it was surprising?) This is when the character aspect gets in the way of plot, which was of primary importance in the final episode. I would’ve rather gotten hints on the relationship stuff and more solid storytelling when it came to the plot. (Writing was not all that good for this series. Joss is still great with a quip, but in general the writing was mediocre to awful. More than once it felt like the script faltered under too many metaphors and too much preaching.)
Speaking of MadMaxVictor and his cyberpunk babelfish, the last few eps were a holy wreck of (the writers’?) fave sci fi films and shows rolled in an overflowing cannoli of heretofore unmixed elements:
Zombies: the Dolls (natch), Prya’s evil doctor/rapist in her Attic hallucinations.
BSG: Cylon Tanks of Goo™ in the attic, with Clive as the mainfraim/hybrid (ENDOFLINE)
Frankenstein: Obvious, only more with the brain zappy than the sewn together body parts.
That Whedon Touch: Ginger lesbians, double-handed neck breaks, evil white men (except for Boyd. Progress in a post-racial Obama world?), ending his stories with widespread wanton death and destruction.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy parts of this last stretch of eps:
REED!
ALPHA! (Who rehabbed himself in Reno. Of course.)
Victor as Topher
Adelle mothering Topher
Topher as Martyred Nerd (Was the red shirt he was wearing a Trek shoutout?)
Scut Farkus as the leader of the Resistance
How Tuscon is the center of all Dollhouse-an evil, like how Burbank is the center of international espionage on Chuck.
So, Dollhouse, you collapsed under the weight of Joss's pretensions and Fox's stupidity. There's always my Firefly DVDs.
*Say maybe he was an unfairly disgraced cop/fed who had a daughter he never saw/lost to violence/general badness because he was so devoted to the job, which is why he was so protective of Echo. Cliché, yes, but I think Lennix could have sold it.
**The end? Ya didn't have two seconds for a proper fade out Fox? It's a fucking cooking show!!!
I’ve been trying to figure out how to approach an end assessment of the late Dollhouse. I have no strong feelings, probably because I wasn’t that huge a fan of it the first place. Sure it had a (mostly) stellar cast, and it threw out some lofty issues to discuss and debate (Free will! Identity! Sexual slavery!), but it was more a curiosity (look what Joss is doing now!) than a story I could get emotionally involved in (in a completely sane way, of course).
Didn’t help that Joss & co. were forced to end their story early and the plotholes were many and HUGE:
Why was Boyd the bringer of the apocalypse? Where’s his mad scientist origin story? (Was he even a scientist?) What exactly was the sitch with Dr. CliveClaire and Boyd? Was she always Clive as Claire and Whiskey? Why would Boyd, in protecting his walking-talking fountain of youth, allow Echo to be put in so many dangerous situations? What was with the creepy ‘you’re my family’ talk? (Even Paul? I mean, he just tried to kill Paul!) And what about a contingency plan? He was an evil genius, so he should’ve had a backup of himself somewhere super-secret and safe should, you know, he be made into a human bomb. Evil geniuses usually think ahead, right?
I can’t help but thing that Joss’s original plan for Boyd was something different but the truncated season (and I would imagine, the reduced guest star budget – no more Carradines for you!) forced him to turn to an already-there character/actor rather than introduce someone new…so TWIST! I guess? Lennix was great as evil, but there’s only so much an actor can do without a viable, earned backstory.
How did Caroline get the funds for all her hot clothes and solo commando missions? ID/credit card theft a la the Supernatural boys? I kind of hope she had a secret benefactor who figure in later in the story.
How did Adelle get there? If there’s any glaringly absent backstory, it’s hers. Of course, Olivia Williams and her arms are so amazing, I’m happy as long she’s in her immaculate wardrobe and toting a gun.
Wasn’t Echo told to smash the chair after she (ugh) uploaded Paul to her overly crowded brain? That chair was still intact when Fox abruptly cut to the next show.** Sloppiness or an opening for future stories elsewhere, like comics?
I like romance with my sci-fi but sometimes I feel like Joss watched more Days of Our Lives
than I did as a kid. Why did I have to watch Tony and Priya futzing around Topher’s workshop discussing their relationship in the penultimate ep instead of learning just what the hell Boyd’s deal was or seeing Adele’s reaction when she found out who Boyd really was? I felt cheated.
Of course, I never bought the doomed OTP of Echo & Paul as they were so thoroughly boring and awful and idiotic. It was even worse when Topher had to clip Paul's ‘lurve nerves’ or whatever to make room in his brain for…shit, I don’t know. And then to have Echo pining for him?? Gah. Paul was even worse as the patronizing manipulator of doormat Mellie. She offs herself to save him?! Her mad ninja skillz were the only remotely interesting things about her! Kill him! KILL HIM WITH YOUR FLOWERS IN A VASE!!!!!
(Honestly, I was always astonished a guy that stupid and obvious stayed alive that long.)
And, then, once Paul was finally offed, we got to see Echo have an Adama-esque level meltdown minus the paint and antique model ships. I guess she felt bad about not saying how she felt about him? I… *sigh* So she uploads him…and will she be yelling at herself when they fight about leaving dirty dishes in the sink in her head? I really didn’t get how that was going to work.
Even the Tony/Priya relationship stuff seemed out of place – hell, downright laughable – with the dystopian backdrop. (And of course that's Tony’s kid. Why reveal it like it was surprising?) This is when the character aspect gets in the way of plot, which was of primary importance in the final episode. I would’ve rather gotten hints on the relationship stuff and more solid storytelling when it came to the plot. (Writing was not all that good for this series. Joss is still great with a quip, but in general the writing was mediocre to awful. More than once it felt like the script faltered under too many metaphors and too much preaching.)
Speaking of MadMaxVictor and his cyberpunk babelfish, the last few eps were a holy wreck of (the writers’?) fave sci fi films and shows rolled in an overflowing cannoli of heretofore unmixed elements:
Zombies: the Dolls (natch), Prya’s evil doctor/rapist in her Attic hallucinations.
BSG: Cylon Tanks of Goo™ in the attic, with Clive as the mainfraim/hybrid (ENDOFLINE)
Frankenstein: Obvious, only more with the brain zappy than the sewn together body parts.
That Whedon Touch: Ginger lesbians, double-handed neck breaks, evil white men (except for Boyd. Progress in a post-racial Obama world?), ending his stories with widespread wanton death and destruction.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy parts of this last stretch of eps:
REED!
ALPHA! (Who rehabbed himself in Reno. Of course.)
Victor as Topher
Adelle mothering Topher
Topher as Martyred Nerd (Was the red shirt he was wearing a Trek shoutout?)
Scut Farkus as the leader of the Resistance
How Tuscon is the center of all Dollhouse-an evil, like how Burbank is the center of international espionage on Chuck.
So, Dollhouse, you collapsed under the weight of Joss's pretensions and Fox's stupidity. There's always my Firefly DVDs.
*Say maybe he was an unfairly disgraced cop/fed who had a daughter he never saw/lost to violence/general badness because he was so devoted to the job, which is why he was so protective of Echo. Cliché, yes, but I think Lennix could have sold it.
**The end? Ya didn't have two seconds for a proper fade out Fox? It's a fucking cooking show!!!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The bigger list
The faves
All things Merge. It's their 20th anniversary, you know.
- Portastatic Some Small History, Be Still Please, Make It Sound in Tune (covers)
- Score! 20 Years of Merge Records : the Covers
- Superchunk Leaves in Gutter
- Guided By Voices: I've just been listening to them. A lot.
Andrew Bird Noble Beasts - An absolute masterpiece.
The Thermals Now We Can See - "I Let It Go"; live at the Bowery
Metric Fantasies - "Help I'm Alive"
Neko Case Middle Cyclone - "Middle Cyclone," the song, hits like a ton of bricks. Despite the disappointing live show I attended at the Wellmont, this record was just fantastic.
Dinosaur Jr. Farm - live opening for Sonic Youth. (It was the first time I had worn earplugs to a show in about twenty years.)
Dirty Projectors Bitte Orca - "No Intention"; live at the Bowery, not very exciting but sounded great.
Bon Iver Blood Bank - Good Christ, Justin Vernon has a beautiful voice.
Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion - I just got around listening to this record last week . I was seriously grooving in my cubicle.
Daniel Martin Moore Stray Age - "Stray Age"
Kelly Clarkson All I Ever Wanted - OMG. Here's the thing about KC that makes her a step above the rest of the Idol-esque, melismatic horde: KC performs the song. She doesn't trill and leap to show off her talents. Like Frank Sinatra, she actually pays attention to lyrics and narratives of the songs, as silly and nonsensical as they may be. And that's why she's probably the best pop singer working today.
The best of the Nat King Cole Trio - "Tis Autumn"
Dean Wareham/Dean & Britta/Luna/Galaxie 500 - After reading his memoir, I loaded up on his discography and was summarily impressed. How do the Kiwis consistently write such great pop?
The Bats The Guilty Office - Speaking of Kiwis....
Nirvana Bleach reissue
Neil Young Sugar Mountain Live at Canterbuy House 1968 - "On the Way Home"
Ciao My Shining Star : the Songs of Mark Mulcahy - ... of Polaris/Pete & Pete fame; "All for the Best" Thom Yorke.
Jen Trynin Cockamamie - "Better Than Nothing"; Another great rock memoir.
John Doe & the Sadies Country Club - "The Night Life"
Dark Was the Night Red Hot compilation - Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings "Inspiration Information"
Lou Barlow Goodnight Unknown - "Don't Apologize"; live solo at Mercury Lounge, cut short for me buy loud drunken Russians.
Sonic Youth The Eternal - "Walkin' Blue"; live at Terminal 5.
Nellie McKay Normal as Blueberry Pie : a Tribute to Doris Day - This is what I've been waiting for from NM: a straight jazz/standards album: no rapping, no winking, just great songs with great arrangements (by NM, herself)
AC Newman Get Guilty - Gotta admit that what I'm really waiting for another New Pornographers record, but this will do for now.
Elvis Costello Momofoku - "Shudder and Wow"; Profane and Sugarcane was good, but this is old school EC rock and soul from 2008, with Jenny Lewis and her crew backing him up.
Sondre Lerche Heartbeat Radio - "Easy to Persuade"
M Ward Hold Time - "Stars of Leo"
The Avett Brothers I and Love and You - "Kick Drum Heart"; I still can't believe these guys are on a major label.
Dan Auerbach Keep It Hid
Wye Oak The Knot
Thao & the Get Down Stay Down Know Better Learn Faster - "When We Swam"; She and Animal Collective are the super indie groovemasters of Aught Nine.
Passion Pit Manners - And also these guys ^^^
The Breeders & the Amps aka the Sisters Deal - "Saints" & "Tipp City" are my go-to wake-the-fuck-up songs
The Dears Missiles
Deastro Moondagger - I love an electropop record made in some Michigan kid's basement? Why not!
Melody Gardot My One and Only Thrill - Wow. A jazz album with new songs that's really, really good.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Teddy Thompson Separate Ways - "I Should Get Up"; I don't know if I've ever heard a more entrancing swoon-worthy voice...other than Lou Barlow's...*sigh*
Japandroids Post-Nothing - This is just two Vancouver kids rocking the shit out of it.
Telekinesis!
Barbara Manning/SF Seals - Found via the Merge covers collection. There's too much good to name just one song.
X Under the Big Black Sun - "The Hungry Wolf"; Yeah, I just got around to them...; live at the Bowery.
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest - "Fine for Now"; This record just gets better and better every time I hear it
Raphael Saadiq The Way I See It - I loved Tony! Toni! Tone! and this is a stellar piece of retrosoul
Solange Knowles - "Stillness is the Move" Dirty Projectors' cover
So good and I'm ashamed I haven't listen to them more...
Burning Hearts Aboa Sleeping
Maxwell BLACKsummersnight
BellX1 Blue Lights on the Runway
Throw Me the Statue Creaturesque
Antony & the Johnsons The Crying Light - This record is exceptional but just depresses the hell out of me.
Loney Dear Dear John
Iran Dissolver
David Bazan Curse Your Branches
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Levon Helm Electric Dirt
Pomegranates Everything is Alive
The Bad Plus w/Wendy Lewis For All I Care - Avant-jazz covers of (mostly) rock songs. It shouldn't work but it does.
Ida Maria Fortress 'Round My Heart - "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked"
Robyn Hitchcock Goodnight Oslo
The Decemberists The Hazards of Love
Eels Hombre Lobo
Young Fresh Fellows I Think This Is
Department of Eagles In Ear Park
Doves Kingdom of Rust
The Mountain Goats The Life and the World to Come
Great Lake Swimmers Lost Channels
The Love Language
The Wooden Birds Magnolia
Visqueen Message to Garcia - "Ward"; Rachel Flotard might just be the coolest, nicest person in rock music.
Heartless Bastards The Mountain
Camera Obscura My Maudlin Career
The Low Anthem Oh My God Charlie Darwin
Yo La Tengo Popular Songs - "Periodically Double or Triple"; I even bought the actual physical disc of this and I just haven't listened to it all that much...
Grand Puba Retroactive
AA Bondy When the Devil's Loose
The Disappointments
Phoenix Wolfgang Amaedeus Phoenix - Funny. I was such huge fan of Alphabetical and the follow-up and so anxiously awaiting this record...but then when they became the ubiquitous car commercial I just never listened to WAP after that first go. It's not bad, I guess, they're just not my little secret of pop goodness anymore. And maybe they're heading to Coldplay territory? And that makes me sad?
Pearl Jam Backspacer - This just didn't sound like a PJ record, in that it sounds like a conscious attempts getting back on pop/modern rock radio, to be 'catchy.' Thing is they've always been able to write catchy songs, and lyrical songs, and fun rockers, and harsh rockers, drawn jams for nights of pot smoking, and the songs sounded organic and authentic. Here...nothing sounds like that except for "Unknown Thought," and maybe "Speed of Sound."
Ben Kweller Changing Horses - How could a country album by BK be disappointing? It just is. But then, nothing can surpass On My Way.
Brendan Benson My Old Familiar Friend - "Feel Like Taking You Home"; Just couldn't live up to the pop masterpiece that was Alternative to Love.
Maximo Park Quicken the Heart
Wilco Wilco (The Album) - Unlike a lot folks it seems, I loved Sky Blue Sky. It was a bit more low-key, and maybe simpler musically than the more vast sonic landscapes of YHF and AGIB, but the songs were so so good: "Impossible Germany" and "Sky Blue Sky" and "Hate It Here" .... WTA did not have a song that good. Usually a Wilco record has music that stays with me for days, weeks, etc., lyrics I can't shake like "Jesus, etc.," or "Handshake Drugs," but I honestly can't remember what this album sounds like, except that I think "Bull Black Nova" kinda rocked.
Stuff I Just Got and haven't listened to yet
The Twilight Sad Forget the Night Ahead - I've actually been listening to this as I've been typing and holyshitsogood.
Lightning Dust Infinite Light
The Swell Season Strict Joy - Also, there once was a vid out there of Glen Hansard covering R.E.M.'s "Hairshirt" on Jimmy Fallon. If you find it, keep the tissues handy.
New Stuff I heard first live
Rock Plaza Central ...at the moment of our most needing - Canadian alt folk ensemble with stunning harmonies, and opened for an otherwise unremarkable Weakerthans show at the Bowery.
Point Juncture WA Heart to Elk - Opened for the Thermals at the Bowery; Beautiful, lilting and fun.
Stuff I haven't got yet
Grand Archives Keep in Mind Frankenstein
BOAT Setting the Paces
Fanfarlo Reservoir
Emily Rodgers Bright Day
All things Merge. It's their 20th anniversary, you know.
- Portastatic Some Small History, Be Still Please, Make It Sound in Tune (covers)
- Score! 20 Years of Merge Records : the Covers
- Superchunk Leaves in Gutter
- Guided By Voices: I've just been listening to them. A lot.
Andrew Bird Noble Beasts - An absolute masterpiece.
The Thermals Now We Can See - "I Let It Go"; live at the Bowery
Metric Fantasies - "Help I'm Alive"
Neko Case Middle Cyclone - "Middle Cyclone," the song, hits like a ton of bricks. Despite the disappointing live show I attended at the Wellmont, this record was just fantastic.
Dinosaur Jr. Farm - live opening for Sonic Youth. (It was the first time I had worn earplugs to a show in about twenty years.)
Dirty Projectors Bitte Orca - "No Intention"; live at the Bowery, not very exciting but sounded great.
Bon Iver Blood Bank - Good Christ, Justin Vernon has a beautiful voice.
Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion - I just got around listening to this record last week . I was seriously grooving in my cubicle.
Daniel Martin Moore Stray Age - "Stray Age"
Kelly Clarkson All I Ever Wanted - OMG. Here's the thing about KC that makes her a step above the rest of the Idol-esque, melismatic horde: KC performs the song. She doesn't trill and leap to show off her talents. Like Frank Sinatra, she actually pays attention to lyrics and narratives of the songs, as silly and nonsensical as they may be. And that's why she's probably the best pop singer working today.
The best of the Nat King Cole Trio - "Tis Autumn"
Dean Wareham/Dean & Britta/Luna/Galaxie 500 - After reading his memoir, I loaded up on his discography and was summarily impressed. How do the Kiwis consistently write such great pop?
The Bats The Guilty Office - Speaking of Kiwis....
Nirvana Bleach reissue
Neil Young Sugar Mountain Live at Canterbuy House 1968 - "On the Way Home"
Ciao My Shining Star : the Songs of Mark Mulcahy - ... of Polaris/Pete & Pete fame; "All for the Best" Thom Yorke.
Jen Trynin Cockamamie - "Better Than Nothing"; Another great rock memoir.
John Doe & the Sadies Country Club - "The Night Life"
Dark Was the Night Red Hot compilation - Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings "Inspiration Information"
Lou Barlow Goodnight Unknown - "Don't Apologize"; live solo at Mercury Lounge, cut short for me buy loud drunken Russians.
Sonic Youth The Eternal - "Walkin' Blue"; live at Terminal 5.
Nellie McKay Normal as Blueberry Pie : a Tribute to Doris Day - This is what I've been waiting for from NM: a straight jazz/standards album: no rapping, no winking, just great songs with great arrangements (by NM, herself)
AC Newman Get Guilty - Gotta admit that what I'm really waiting for another New Pornographers record, but this will do for now.
Elvis Costello Momofoku - "Shudder and Wow"; Profane and Sugarcane was good, but this is old school EC rock and soul from 2008, with Jenny Lewis and her crew backing him up.
Sondre Lerche Heartbeat Radio - "Easy to Persuade"
M Ward Hold Time - "Stars of Leo"
The Avett Brothers I and Love and You - "Kick Drum Heart"; I still can't believe these guys are on a major label.
Dan Auerbach Keep It Hid
Wye Oak The Knot
Thao & the Get Down Stay Down Know Better Learn Faster - "When We Swam"; She and Animal Collective are the super indie groovemasters of Aught Nine.
Passion Pit Manners - And also these guys ^^^
The Breeders & the Amps aka the Sisters Deal - "Saints" & "Tipp City" are my go-to wake-the-fuck-up songs
The Dears Missiles
Deastro Moondagger - I love an electropop record made in some Michigan kid's basement? Why not!
Melody Gardot My One and Only Thrill - Wow. A jazz album with new songs that's really, really good.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Teddy Thompson Separate Ways - "I Should Get Up"; I don't know if I've ever heard a more entrancing swoon-worthy voice...other than Lou Barlow's...*sigh*
Japandroids Post-Nothing - This is just two Vancouver kids rocking the shit out of it.
Telekinesis!
Barbara Manning/SF Seals - Found via the Merge covers collection. There's too much good to name just one song.
X Under the Big Black Sun - "The Hungry Wolf"; Yeah, I just got around to them...; live at the Bowery.
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest - "Fine for Now"; This record just gets better and better every time I hear it
Raphael Saadiq The Way I See It - I loved Tony! Toni! Tone! and this is a stellar piece of retrosoul
Solange Knowles - "Stillness is the Move" Dirty Projectors' cover
So good and I'm ashamed I haven't listen to them more...
Burning Hearts Aboa Sleeping
Maxwell BLACKsummersnight
BellX1 Blue Lights on the Runway
Throw Me the Statue Creaturesque
Antony & the Johnsons The Crying Light - This record is exceptional but just depresses the hell out of me.
Loney Dear Dear John
Iran Dissolver
David Bazan Curse Your Branches
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Levon Helm Electric Dirt
Pomegranates Everything is Alive
The Bad Plus w/Wendy Lewis For All I Care - Avant-jazz covers of (mostly) rock songs. It shouldn't work but it does.
Ida Maria Fortress 'Round My Heart - "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked"
Robyn Hitchcock Goodnight Oslo
The Decemberists The Hazards of Love
Eels Hombre Lobo
Young Fresh Fellows I Think This Is
Department of Eagles In Ear Park
Doves Kingdom of Rust
The Mountain Goats The Life and the World to Come
Great Lake Swimmers Lost Channels
The Love Language
The Wooden Birds Magnolia
Visqueen Message to Garcia - "Ward"; Rachel Flotard might just be the coolest, nicest person in rock music.
Heartless Bastards The Mountain
Camera Obscura My Maudlin Career
The Low Anthem Oh My God Charlie Darwin
Yo La Tengo Popular Songs - "Periodically Double or Triple"; I even bought the actual physical disc of this and I just haven't listened to it all that much...
Grand Puba Retroactive
AA Bondy When the Devil's Loose
The Disappointments
Phoenix Wolfgang Amaedeus Phoenix - Funny. I was such huge fan of Alphabetical and the follow-up and so anxiously awaiting this record...but then when they became the ubiquitous car commercial I just never listened to WAP after that first go. It's not bad, I guess, they're just not my little secret of pop goodness anymore. And maybe they're heading to Coldplay territory? And that makes me sad?
Pearl Jam Backspacer - This just didn't sound like a PJ record, in that it sounds like a conscious attempts getting back on pop/modern rock radio, to be 'catchy.' Thing is they've always been able to write catchy songs, and lyrical songs, and fun rockers, and harsh rockers, drawn jams for nights of pot smoking, and the songs sounded organic and authentic. Here...nothing sounds like that except for "Unknown Thought," and maybe "Speed of Sound."
Ben Kweller Changing Horses - How could a country album by BK be disappointing? It just is. But then, nothing can surpass On My Way.
Brendan Benson My Old Familiar Friend - "Feel Like Taking You Home"; Just couldn't live up to the pop masterpiece that was Alternative to Love.
Maximo Park Quicken the Heart
Wilco Wilco (The Album) - Unlike a lot folks it seems, I loved Sky Blue Sky. It was a bit more low-key, and maybe simpler musically than the more vast sonic landscapes of YHF and AGIB, but the songs were so so good: "Impossible Germany" and "Sky Blue Sky" and "Hate It Here" .... WTA did not have a song that good. Usually a Wilco record has music that stays with me for days, weeks, etc., lyrics I can't shake like "Jesus, etc.," or "Handshake Drugs," but I honestly can't remember what this album sounds like, except that I think "Bull Black Nova" kinda rocked.
Stuff I Just Got and haven't listened to yet
The Twilight Sad Forget the Night Ahead - I've actually been listening to this as I've been typing and holyshitsogood.
Lightning Dust Infinite Light
The Swell Season Strict Joy - Also, there once was a vid out there of Glen Hansard covering R.E.M.'s "Hairshirt" on Jimmy Fallon. If you find it, keep the tissues handy.
New Stuff I heard first live
Rock Plaza Central ...at the moment of our most needing - Canadian alt folk ensemble with stunning harmonies, and opened for an otherwise unremarkable Weakerthans show at the Bowery.
Point Juncture WA Heart to Elk - Opened for the Thermals at the Bowery; Beautiful, lilting and fun.
Stuff I haven't got yet
Grand Archives Keep in Mind Frankenstein
BOAT Setting the Paces
Fanfarlo Reservoir
Emily Rodgers Bright Day
Thursday, December 31, 2009
A 2009 iTunes Inventory
Number of Songs: 6215
Number of Albums: 1358
Most Recently Played Song: "Everything is One Big Christmas Tree" Magnetic Fields
Most Played Song: "Jigsaw Falling into Place" Radiohead
Most Recently Added Album: Bleach / Nirvana (reissue)
First Song Alphabetically: "A.C. Cover" Camper Van Beethoven
Last Song Alphabetically: "ZZ Top Goes to Egypt" Camper Van Beethoven
First Song Numerically: "007 (Shanty town)" Desmond Dekker
Last Song Numerically: "90-Mile Water Wall" The National
Shortest Song: "(Untitled)" Maxwell (:05)
Longest Song: "Photogram/Om Eye Sweet Isthmus" Camper Van Beethoven (19:40)
First Album Alphabetically: (a)spera / Mirah
Last Album Alphabetically: Zen Arcade / Husker Du
First Album Numerically: #1 Record/Radio City / Big Star
Last Album Numerically: 3 Rounds and Sound / Blind Pilot
First Five Songs That Pop Up OnShuffle iTunes DJ:
"Tower Song" Martha Wainwright
"Room a Thousand Years Wide" Soundgarden
"Flume" Bon Iver
"Senor 007" Ray Barretto
"Good Feeling" Violent Femmes
Conclusion: I need to get some of that Camper Van off the hard drive....
Number of Albums: 1358
Most Recently Played Song: "Everything is One Big Christmas Tree" Magnetic Fields
Most Played Song: "Jigsaw Falling into Place" Radiohead
Most Recently Added Album: Bleach / Nirvana (reissue)
First Song Alphabetically: "A.C. Cover" Camper Van Beethoven
Last Song Alphabetically: "ZZ Top Goes to Egypt" Camper Van Beethoven
First Song Numerically: "007 (Shanty town)" Desmond Dekker
Last Song Numerically: "90-Mile Water Wall" The National
Shortest Song: "(Untitled)" Maxwell (:05)
Longest Song: "Photogram/Om Eye Sweet Isthmus" Camper Van Beethoven (19:40)
First Album Alphabetically: (a)spera / Mirah
Last Album Alphabetically: Zen Arcade / Husker Du
First Album Numerically: #1 Record/Radio City / Big Star
Last Album Numerically: 3 Rounds and Sound / Blind Pilot
First Five Songs That Pop Up On
"Tower Song" Martha Wainwright
"Room a Thousand Years Wide" Soundgarden
"Flume" Bon Iver
"Senor 007" Ray Barretto
"Good Feeling" Violent Femmes
Conclusion: I need to get some of that Camper Van off the hard drive....
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Did I miss anything? Just the Vodka, thank God.
Dollhouse, Season 2
I intended to post episode reviews, but laziness and a sense of fruitlessness, compelled me to abstain. In other words, I would be saying the same thing every week: stand-alone eps are weak and absurd, while the interior eps dealing with the ethics and background of the Dollhouse are some of the most intriguing television drama I've seen.
Stand-alones
Eliza and Tamoh, and their characters, still interest me the least. Though, I will say both the writing for them and their performances are better than what we saw during the first season. Nonetheless, when Echo and Paul take center stage, the rest of the DHers seem to lose dozens of IQ points: Really, who thought leaving the serial killer unguarded and still alive was a good idea? Anyone can come in or out of the place, unchecked and unseen.
TPTB also hit and miss with their use of guest stars. Jamie Bamber worked out great, all sinister with the accent and the hotness...mmmm Apollo..... um. right. But they also had Michael Hogan and let him die in a car accident halfway through the ep without doing much of anything! How do you waste Saul Fucking Tigh??!!!
The Grand Arc
When we stay in the Dollhouse we see one of the best ensembles on television. And we actually learn about these people: We learn about these people: Boyd the Fixer, Topher the MD, Priya the artist, the Doctors Saunders, Ms. Adele Lonelyhearts.... And here is also where Echo and her development as a sort of emancipating leader of the Dolls makes her the compelling question mark rather then the chick in the ridiculously tight clothes.*
Specifically, "Belonging" was even better because of how it tied to the unaired season one coda "Epitaph One." We see the beginning of Topher going mental and Adele's (now the functional alcoholic) beginning softness towards him, and Echo the Protector.
Oh, and as far as "Epitaph One" goes, my only real note is that I loved seeing Olivia Williams with a machine gun more than I can say.
So, while I do look forward to the eps returning in December, I kinda hope that Fox's shunning the series during November sweeps is a sign that they'll give the show a merciful death. I don't think Joss really has it in him, story-wise, to go further than this second season without annoying the shit out of me.
*Seriously, that dress she wore at the beginning of "Belonging" was retarded. Showing off a beautiful girl is fine, but she was basically naked. They give Dichen reasonable clothes. Why can't Eliza get a break? But it must also be said: Eliza needs to learn how to walk. A girl that pretty should glide, not lumber. Christ, I'm turning into to my grandmother.
I intended to post episode reviews, but laziness and a sense of fruitlessness, compelled me to abstain. In other words, I would be saying the same thing every week: stand-alone eps are weak and absurd, while the interior eps dealing with the ethics and background of the Dollhouse are some of the most intriguing television drama I've seen.
Stand-alones
Eliza and Tamoh, and their characters, still interest me the least. Though, I will say both the writing for them and their performances are better than what we saw during the first season. Nonetheless, when Echo and Paul take center stage, the rest of the DHers seem to lose dozens of IQ points: Really, who thought leaving the serial killer unguarded and still alive was a good idea? Anyone can come in or out of the place, unchecked and unseen.
TPTB also hit and miss with their use of guest stars. Jamie Bamber worked out great, all sinister with the accent and the hotness...mmmm Apollo..... um. right. But they also had Michael Hogan and let him die in a car accident halfway through the ep without doing much of anything! How do you waste Saul Fucking Tigh??!!!
The Grand Arc
When we stay in the Dollhouse we see one of the best ensembles on television. And we actually learn about these people: We learn about these people: Boyd the Fixer, Topher the MD, Priya the artist, the Doctors Saunders, Ms. Adele Lonelyhearts.... And here is also where Echo and her development as a sort of emancipating leader of the Dolls makes her the compelling question mark rather then the chick in the ridiculously tight clothes.*
Specifically, "Belonging" was even better because of how it tied to the unaired season one coda "Epitaph One." We see the beginning of Topher going mental and Adele's (now the functional alcoholic) beginning softness towards him, and Echo the Protector.
Oh, and as far as "Epitaph One" goes, my only real note is that I loved seeing Olivia Williams with a machine gun more than I can say.
So, while I do look forward to the eps returning in December, I kinda hope that Fox's shunning the series during November sweeps is a sign that they'll give the show a merciful death. I don't think Joss really has it in him, story-wise, to go further than this second season without annoying the shit out of me.
*Seriously, that dress she wore at the beginning of "Belonging" was retarded. Showing off a beautiful girl is fine, but she was basically naked. They give Dichen reasonable clothes. Why can't Eliza get a break? But it must also be said: Eliza needs to learn how to walk. A girl that pretty should glide, not lumber. Christ, I'm turning into to my grandmother.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
It's not men. It's just him.
Torchwood : Children of the Earth
The story contained in these five episodes (comprising this truncated Season 3) was basically what would be a 2-3 episode arc in full season would be. But over five eps the story is given room to breathe, with plenty of moments both small and revelatory, and huge and suspenseful.
Small and revelatory
Huge and suspenseful
While I thought this short season well-executed and highly enjoyable, there were some annoyances. Mainly, a few too many repetitive scenes and establishing shots that went on for a bit too long. It's like the Torchwood PTB were so used to cramming such a story into 2-3 eps that they found themselves a bit short on time so, hey, why not another shot of the traffic roundabout at Whitehall, or wherever, one more time! Also, let's have the kids scream again, longer! and louder! And let's have the parents keep yelling at their hypnotized kids again! Some more! If it were excised of this filmic fat, the season would be damn-near perfect.
Circle of Iron (1978)
"There's nothing here to hide from." Nothing except your chin butt, Coop!
A couple weeks ago I had to catalog this forgotten gem of schlock, and when I saw it at the library I had to pick it up, if only because it starred the late, greatly sleazy David Carradine. (Though it was actually thought up by the late, great Bruce Lee who died before the project got off the ground.)
It's set in a mythical world where fighters dressed in proto-laser tag gear fight on The Life of Brian locations (only slightly used!) and have disturbingly straight, clean teeth. "Star" Jeff Cooper even looks like Eric Idle! I expected him to claim allegiance to the People's Front of Judea (please call him Loretta) and his mustachioed aggressor to be one of those tossers from the Judean People's Front. And there's Roddy McDowall. Proving yet again that he'd be in anything.
Carradine literally has a bell on his toe. The jingle is hella annoying. I mean, I don't like them on cat collars, much less humans. But he, the bell, and a bamboo flute take out five guys who have swords and maces, so I guess one shouldn't complain too much about it in his presence. Oh, and he's blind, too? He just cold-cocks bratty kids at will! He's also in adual quadruple role! In one, he's a king of some sort, named Chang, but wears a fake tan and sounds kinda Mexican...
(The alternate title is "The Silent Flute." But dude, you can totally hear it... DID I JUST BLOW YOUR MIND?)
Eli Wallach is in a giant pot in the desert. This ain't no Elia Kazan flick!
And there are monkey people?
Also: Boobs. Well, side-boob. And some ass, but this was the 70s so it was kinda obligatory. Poor girl gets crucified for her trouble, but sadly does not burst into song to make our weary traveler/paramour feel better.
Coop kicks a horse in the face? What is this, Blazing Saddles?
Hey, aren't those the nuke worshippers from Beneath the Planet of the Apes?
Why do quests for Zen enlightenment also involve so much sex and violence?
Zetan? Why, that's DRACULA! He's studying the perfect of perfection...or the perfection of perfect...er.... and there's some book.... fuck it, I'm totally distracted by the pointy baby blue Sumerian hats.... Apparently the endless peace and pleasure of total harmony is so great Dracula of Sumeria can't stand it anymore! He's all, take my peace, please! But Coop is like, whatevs dude, I'm gonna hang with Carradine and his noisy silent flute and kick some ass! Late, sucka!
FIN.
The story contained in these five episodes (comprising this truncated Season 3) was basically what would be a 2-3 episode arc in full season would be. But over five eps the story is given room to breathe, with plenty of moments both small and revelatory, and huge and suspenseful.
Small and revelatory
- Jack has daughter and a grandson. He doesn't see them much, at her request, but helps them financially. And after the flaxen-haired grandson dies, upon Jack's orders, to save the aliens from taking the world's children... Well, let's just say Boxing Day's gonna be awkward this year. And these were the nicest bits for Barrowman, who didn't get to do his typical scenery chewing - with the quipping or screaming or anguishing - and acted like a real, mundane human for once. But we all know he's really there for the eye-candy, right? And on a Blu-ray disc those ocean-blue eyes are seriously mesmerizing.
- Ianto has a sister who lives with her family in the Cardiff projects (council estates, are they?) whom he also doesn't visit often; while good at heart, they're loud, crass, and messy. But they have a lovely kitchen table convo where he reveals that he is indeed dating his very handsome, very male boss. It was a sweet construction: the siblings living lives on opposite ends of the socioeconomic spectrum who rarely connect, but when the shit comes down they will help and protect and believe in one another. And of course, this follows even after Ianto's death at the hands/tentacles/poison of the evil alien.
- Oh yeah. IANTO DIED. Fuck. Again, I was happy with Barrowman here. There were lots of tears and a little yelling (WHY HIM??!!) but nothing really over-the-top. Of course, any cheesiness might've been undetectable through my tears as Ianto begged the (almost!) immortal Jack to not forget him. SHIT.
- Gwen is pregnant. Rhys is the last to know, as usual. He's pissed but get's over it. And if there's one thing I have really loved about this show, it's how they've never made Rhys into the bad guy, or the oaf, or the idiot. He's a bit of a schlub (but still cute!) with a blue-collar job, but he's not stupid or a complete doormat. He supports Gwen and helps her out with some clever ideas of his own. They're both feisty and stubborn and completely mad about each other. (I also loved her video soliloquy in the last ep, about the mysterious Doctor who suddenly not around. Well done, Eve!)
- And last, but certainly not least: The amazing Peter Capaldi, the gun, and the closed bedroom door. This was actually more stunning and heartbreaking than Ianto's death.
Huge and suspenseful
- Torchwood HQ = BOOM!
- Jack in a slab of concrete rescued by Ianto in a bulldozer! ...and a hardhat! ...and a three-piece suit! (Who will fill the vest quotient now, Russell T. Davies? WHO?!)
- Big slimy alien you can't quite see who has rage and bodily fluid issues...and maybe the DTs?
- And the kids are the crystal meth for the slimy aliens and Jack helped them - the aliens - out before? Both creepy and gross. Kudos!
While I thought this short season well-executed and highly enjoyable, there were some annoyances. Mainly, a few too many repetitive scenes and establishing shots that went on for a bit too long. It's like the Torchwood PTB were so used to cramming such a story into 2-3 eps that they found themselves a bit short on time so, hey, why not another shot of the traffic roundabout at Whitehall, or wherever, one more time! Also, let's have the kids scream again, longer! and louder! And let's have the parents keep yelling at their hypnotized kids again! Some more! If it were excised of this filmic fat, the season would be damn-near perfect.
Circle of Iron (1978)
"There's nothing here to hide from." Nothing except your chin butt, Coop!
A couple weeks ago I had to catalog this forgotten gem of schlock, and when I saw it at the library I had to pick it up, if only because it starred the late, greatly sleazy David Carradine. (Though it was actually thought up by the late, great Bruce Lee who died before the project got off the ground.)
It's set in a mythical world where fighters dressed in proto-laser tag gear fight on The Life of Brian locations (only slightly used!) and have disturbingly straight, clean teeth. "Star" Jeff Cooper even looks like Eric Idle! I expected him to claim allegiance to the People's Front of Judea (please call him Loretta) and his mustachioed aggressor to be one of those tossers from the Judean People's Front. And there's Roddy McDowall. Proving yet again that he'd be in anything.
Carradine literally has a bell on his toe. The jingle is hella annoying. I mean, I don't like them on cat collars, much less humans. But he, the bell, and a bamboo flute take out five guys who have swords and maces, so I guess one shouldn't complain too much about it in his presence. Oh, and he's blind, too? He just cold-cocks bratty kids at will! He's also in a
(The alternate title is "The Silent Flute." But dude, you can totally hear it... DID I JUST BLOW YOUR MIND?)
Eli Wallach is in a giant pot in the desert. This ain't no Elia Kazan flick!
And there are monkey people?
Also: Boobs. Well, side-boob. And some ass, but this was the 70s so it was kinda obligatory. Poor girl gets crucified for her trouble, but sadly does not burst into song to make our weary traveler/paramour feel better.
Coop kicks a horse in the face? What is this, Blazing Saddles?
Hey, aren't those the nuke worshippers from Beneath the Planet of the Apes?
Why do quests for Zen enlightenment also involve so much sex and violence?
Zetan? Why, that's DRACULA! He's studying the perfect of perfection...or the perfection of perfect...er.... and there's some book.... fuck it, I'm totally distracted by the pointy baby blue Sumerian hats.... Apparently the endless peace and pleasure of total harmony is so great Dracula of Sumeria can't stand it anymore! He's all, take my peace, please! But Coop is like, whatevs dude, I'm gonna hang with Carradine and his noisy silent flute and kick some ass! Late, sucka!
FIN.
Friday, July 3, 2009
This life's hard, man, but it's harder if you're stupid.
Supernatural, Season 4
Bunny Colvin, Evil Angel of Darkness. Well, Kripke got some quality guest stars for this season including Robert Wisdom, Misha Collins, Kurt Fuller, and Richard from Felicity. Sadly, the casting for the females is rarely as good. I realize you can't have Amy Acker on every week but there must be some actresses in Hollywood and Vancouver that are both hot and able.
"You don't wanna go fightin' ghosts without any health insurance!" Sam, you may be a poor man's Riley Finn, but you you are no where near a Jim Halpert. (Padalecki was working his best David Copperfield with a dash of Freddie Mercury in that de-deomonizing stance.) But I do appreciate the writers' trying some deeper, more ambitious storylines (God! Lucifer! Angels at war!) and even doing a decent job with the ones they rip off.
You poor, freakish, unnatural, stumpy little bow-legged Lamb Of God. Sniff. Of course, my favorite part of the show remains the Dean and the Demian's recaps.
Merlin - Well, it's not as bad as the Flash Gordon reboot, but not that much better.
Near Dark - Lost Point Break Boys! by Katherine Bigelow!
There's plenty of bloody wanton violence - including several scenes of vamps flambe, but it moves at a dirgelike pace with a lot of WTF scenes that take you out of what little plot there is to the movie. Like, say, the relationship between a young Adrian Pasdar and some random blonde we never hear from again which is the basis for the whole damn movie. Essentially, she was a cute stranger and he was bored on a Saturday night in a small town, and she bites him when he makes with the date-rapey groping. Twu wuv!
And why does Pasdar just stand there expecting his 8-9 year old sister to outrun a station wagon of vengeful vamps (one of whom is a young Bill Paxton)?
But you do get to see Lance Henriksen with a rat tail! So there's that!
The Friends of Eddie Coyle - Subtlety writ large. Wait. No, really. And it's from the guy who directed Bullit.
Public Enemies
Funny. Michael Mann is known for action thrillers, but to me his best film is The Insider where the only action is Russell Crowe falling down on the front lawn.
Anyhoo - torture and interrogation techniques, surveillance techniques, who are the criminals? Lofty questions, all, and there was a fantastic cast in amazing costumes... but I felt so detached from it all. And the only question that's answered by the movie is: Is Johnny Depp unsurpassingly cool even with a pencil-thin mustache? (Answer: Yes.)
If you want good crime drama, go with Eddie Coyle.
Oh. It was my birthday. And I thought of this.
Sally: No, no, no, I drove him away. AND, I'm gonna be forty.
Harry: When?
Sally: Someday.
Harry: In eight years.
Sally: But it's there. It's just sitting there, like some big dead end. And it's not the same for men. Charlie Chaplin had kids when he was 73.
Harry: Yeah, but he was too old to pick them up.
Bunny Colvin, Evil Angel of Darkness. Well, Kripke got some quality guest stars for this season including Robert Wisdom, Misha Collins, Kurt Fuller, and Richard from Felicity. Sadly, the casting for the females is rarely as good. I realize you can't have Amy Acker on every week but there must be some actresses in Hollywood and Vancouver that are both hot and able.
"You don't wanna go fightin' ghosts without any health insurance!" Sam, you may be a poor man's Riley Finn, but you you are no where near a Jim Halpert. (Padalecki was working his best David Copperfield with a dash of Freddie Mercury in that de-deomonizing stance.) But I do appreciate the writers' trying some deeper, more ambitious storylines (God! Lucifer! Angels at war!) and even doing a decent job with the ones they rip off.
You poor, freakish, unnatural, stumpy little bow-legged Lamb Of God. Sniff. Of course, my favorite part of the show remains the Dean and the Demian's recaps.
Merlin - Well, it's not as bad as the Flash Gordon reboot, but not that much better.
Near Dark - Lost Point Break Boys! by Katherine Bigelow!
There's plenty of bloody wanton violence - including several scenes of vamps flambe, but it moves at a dirgelike pace with a lot of WTF scenes that take you out of what little plot there is to the movie. Like, say, the relationship between a young Adrian Pasdar and some random blonde we never hear from again which is the basis for the whole damn movie. Essentially, she was a cute stranger and he was bored on a Saturday night in a small town, and she bites him when he makes with the date-rapey groping. Twu wuv!
And why does Pasdar just stand there expecting his 8-9 year old sister to outrun a station wagon of vengeful vamps (one of whom is a young Bill Paxton)?
But you do get to see Lance Henriksen with a rat tail! So there's that!
The Friends of Eddie Coyle - Subtlety writ large. Wait. No, really. And it's from the guy who directed Bullit.
Public Enemies
Funny. Michael Mann is known for action thrillers, but to me his best film is The Insider where the only action is Russell Crowe falling down on the front lawn.
Anyhoo - torture and interrogation techniques, surveillance techniques, who are the criminals? Lofty questions, all, and there was a fantastic cast in amazing costumes... but I felt so detached from it all. And the only question that's answered by the movie is: Is Johnny Depp unsurpassingly cool even with a pencil-thin mustache? (Answer: Yes.)
If you want good crime drama, go with Eddie Coyle.
Oh. It was my birthday. And I thought of this.
Sally: No, no, no, I drove him away. AND, I'm gonna be forty.
Harry: When?
Sally: Someday.
Harry: In eight years.
Sally: But it's there. It's just sitting there, like some big dead end. And it's not the same for men. Charlie Chaplin had kids when he was 73.
Harry: Yeah, but he was too old to pick them up.
Monday, May 11, 2009
You always say nothing.
Quick off-topic pondering: Why is evil Prison Break mom so evil? Is it cuz it's hard to see through a dozen layers of of false eyelashes and mascara and eyeliner? And also not to get at least some of that mascara smudged on that spiffy white pantsuit she's wearing? Must be frustrating...
Dollhouse, Week 12
So. Huh. I guess it's appropriate the season finale would be indicative of how I feel about the show as a whole: The two leads are mediocre and poorly written; the plot's a mess; and good actors (and some beautiful sets!) are going to waste.
To the pains...
Her is me. So, shiny sparkly Echo is the reason the psycho killer from Alpha's original self switched on, and he offed his handler, the original Dr. Saunders (an old dude!), and sliced up Whiskey's (Saunders 2.0) face. Why Whiskey? Because she was the #1 Doll and Alpha wanted shiny sparkly Echo to be number one. (Yes, all this chaos and death resulted from a dude wanting the new girl in school.) His obsession with Echo withstands the 40-something personalities he holds in that square head of his, and decides that she should be Omega to his Alpha and have bunches of fucked up personalities too! So they can "ascend" (when did this become fucking Stargate?) and be superstrong psycho freaks together, ruling the world or something, from a warehouse in an abandoned San Pedro industrial park. To do this, they kidnap the ....
...and for some reason Google hiccuped, the toads rained from the sky, and the rivers ran red, deleting my brilliantly bitter post about this sad clusterfuck of a show. So let's cut to the chase, as I am tired and this shit ain't getting renewed...
Acker and Kranz were fantastic and I would love to see these characters interact more. There's some lovely development here that we'll probably never get to see. Let's hope they get better shows next year.
For the first time, I liked Caroline, in the random kidnapping victim who happened to be Mike Seaver's baby sister. But she doesn't have a producer's credit like Eliza so...YA DEAD.
Ballard still sucks and he is already pushing Boyd to the background.
RE: Alpha's serial killer-ness: "I flagged it in the paperwork..." (He was an administrative SNAFU! This explains everything!)
They actually take the prospective actives pre-brainwipe on a tour of the facilities? I figured they would anesthetize them right after signing and make with the mindzapping before there were any second thoughts. Then again, these are the same folks who recruit serial killers for dangerous brainfuckery, give them weapons training, and then headquarter themselves in Tuscon. So, clearly this is SOP... ("It was only 'attempted murder'...")
"Bal-LARD and his crimesolving abilities"?! Biggest laugh of the season.
Is one of Alpha's imprints Dr. Smith?
"Friends are nice."
"You are the best?" Oh for fuck's sake. Amy Acker kicks Eliza's ass everyday of the week and twice on Sundays. Alpha totally traded down...
This is what I've been saying: Don't let Dolls have scissors.
Eyes! Like Deadwood!!!!
You don't get enough Minoan shout-outs.....
"Well, one of my personalities happens to be a multiple personality..."
Wedge. Say it again.
Wedge.
Wedge. Wedge. Wedge. Wedge.
He saved the girl. GEDDIT?!
November = Madeline Cosley. Who is she? Fuck if I know...
Dollhouse, Week 12
So. Huh. I guess it's appropriate the season finale would be indicative of how I feel about the show as a whole: The two leads are mediocre and poorly written; the plot's a mess; and good actors (and some beautiful sets!) are going to waste.
To the pains...
Her is me. So, shiny sparkly Echo is the reason the psycho killer from Alpha's original self switched on, and he offed his handler, the original Dr. Saunders (an old dude!), and sliced up Whiskey's (Saunders 2.0) face. Why Whiskey? Because she was the #1 Doll and Alpha wanted shiny sparkly Echo to be number one. (Yes, all this chaos and death resulted from a dude wanting the new girl in school.) His obsession with Echo withstands the 40-something personalities he holds in that square head of his, and decides that she should be Omega to his Alpha and have bunches of fucked up personalities too! So they can "ascend" (when did this become fucking Stargate?) and be superstrong psycho freaks together, ruling the world or something, from a warehouse in an abandoned San Pedro industrial park. To do this, they kidnap the ....
...and for some reason Google hiccuped, the toads rained from the sky, and the rivers ran red, deleting my brilliantly bitter post about this sad clusterfuck of a show. So let's cut to the chase, as I am tired and this shit ain't getting renewed...
Acker and Kranz were fantastic and I would love to see these characters interact more. There's some lovely development here that we'll probably never get to see. Let's hope they get better shows next year.
For the first time, I liked Caroline, in the random kidnapping victim who happened to be Mike Seaver's baby sister. But she doesn't have a producer's credit like Eliza so...YA DEAD.
Ballard still sucks and he is already pushing Boyd to the background.
RE: Alpha's serial killer-ness: "I flagged it in the paperwork..." (He was an administrative SNAFU! This explains everything!)
They actually take the prospective actives pre-brainwipe on a tour of the facilities? I figured they would anesthetize them right after signing and make with the mindzapping before there were any second thoughts. Then again, these are the same folks who recruit serial killers for dangerous brainfuckery, give them weapons training, and then headquarter themselves in Tuscon. So, clearly this is SOP... ("It was only 'attempted murder'...")
"Bal-LARD and his crimesolving abilities"?! Biggest laugh of the season.
Is one of Alpha's imprints Dr. Smith?
"Friends are nice."
"You are the best?" Oh for fuck's sake. Amy Acker kicks Eliza's ass everyday of the week and twice on Sundays. Alpha totally traded down...
This is what I've been saying: Don't let Dolls have scissors.
Eyes! Like Deadwood!!!!
You don't get enough Minoan shout-outs.....
"Well, one of my personalities happens to be a multiple personality..."
Wedge. Say it again.
Wedge.
Wedge. Wedge. Wedge. Wedge.
He saved the girl. GEDDIT?!
November = Madeline Cosley. Who is she? Fuck if I know...
Sunday, May 3, 2009
I'm not comfortable having people in my home who aren't delivering me Thai food.
Me neither, Alpha. Me neither.
Dollhouse, Week 11
Here's why I can't get with Caroline or Ballard as my 'heroes': They seem more concerned about being right, rather than them doing right. Flaws are fine, but this just makes them assholes. And not amusing/sorta likable assholes, like House, just annoying, obnoxious, and taking screen time from characters that are actually compelling. It also doesn't help that the actors are fairly mediocre and around more for their hotness than their charisma or talent. That's why I couldn't enjoy this ep like wanted to; there's a good story developing here but it's being hampered by its leads. That's a problem.
Good
Written by Jane Espenson - "Carrots. Medicinal carrots." "I'm gonna die in pajamas."
"It's a small world, right? I went to elementary school with Jenna Elfman."
Let's keep bald black lady Fed and send Ballard to the attic.
Victor as Dominic!!! The freakout of realizing he was Attic-ed and now temporarily in a Doll was a nice touch, and the actor did a fine EvilReedDiamond impersonation.
Tudyk!!!! - So fantastic. Hilarious, menacing, and definitely worth the wait. Eliza's had virtually no presence when they shared a scene. Next week should be interesting... (And I really wanted Alpha to break out while he was in the mindzappy room and shove Ballard into the Comfy Chair.)
Boyd. Fuck Yeah. I seriously hate Ballard for hurting Boyd. This will not stand.
Random
"The Dollhouse is underground." - They're the Mole People!!??!!1
So the LA Dollhouse was built eight years ago?
Dollhouse HQ is in...Tuscon? For christ's sake, why? Then again, a locus of evil located in that god-forsaken place does make some sense. I have feeling Cindy McCain is involved somehow...
"Caroline, you don't have to do what they tell you." - Just do what I tell you. Be free, you brainwashed freak.
Grrrrr
Echo saves the children - was this some pro bono work that's supposed to make us like the Dollhouse tech now? Why did it take up so much time and then go nowhere? Why was it so. fucking. boring?
Why is it just Caroline that matters to Ballard? He doesn't think there are other Dolls that might like to not be Dolls anymore (like maybe the one he's been fucking for the last month)? I don't buy the connection they're trying to build between them. There is no connection, writers, other than their annoyance.
Seriously, Fox: NASCAR popups? During Dollhouse? I'm guessing the demos don't overlap as much as you'd like to think...
Dollhouse, Week 11
Here's why I can't get with Caroline or Ballard as my 'heroes': They seem more concerned about being right, rather than them doing right. Flaws are fine, but this just makes them assholes. And not amusing/sorta likable assholes, like House, just annoying, obnoxious, and taking screen time from characters that are actually compelling. It also doesn't help that the actors are fairly mediocre and around more for their hotness than their charisma or talent. That's why I couldn't enjoy this ep like wanted to; there's a good story developing here but it's being hampered by its leads. That's a problem.
Good
Written by Jane Espenson - "Carrots. Medicinal carrots." "I'm gonna die in pajamas."
"It's a small world, right? I went to elementary school with Jenna Elfman."
Let's keep bald black lady Fed and send Ballard to the attic.
Victor as Dominic!!! The freakout of realizing he was Attic-ed and now temporarily in a Doll was a nice touch, and the actor did a fine EvilReedDiamond impersonation.
Tudyk!!!! - So fantastic. Hilarious, menacing, and definitely worth the wait. Eliza's had virtually no presence when they shared a scene. Next week should be interesting... (And I really wanted Alpha to break out while he was in the mindzappy room and shove Ballard into the Comfy Chair.)
Boyd. Fuck Yeah. I seriously hate Ballard for hurting Boyd. This will not stand.
Random
"The Dollhouse is underground." - They're the Mole People!!??!!1
So the LA Dollhouse was built eight years ago?
Dollhouse HQ is in...Tuscon? For christ's sake, why? Then again, a locus of evil located in that god-forsaken place does make some sense. I have feeling Cindy McCain is involved somehow...
"Caroline, you don't have to do what they tell you." - Just do what I tell you. Be free, you brainwashed freak.
Grrrrr
Echo saves the children - was this some pro bono work that's supposed to make us like the Dollhouse tech now? Why did it take up so much time and then go nowhere? Why was it so. fucking. boring?
Why is it just Caroline that matters to Ballard? He doesn't think there are other Dolls that might like to not be Dolls anymore (like maybe the one he's been fucking for the last month)? I don't buy the connection they're trying to build between them. There is no connection, writers, other than their annoyance.
Seriously, Fox: NASCAR popups? During Dollhouse? I'm guessing the demos don't overlap as much as you'd like to think...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
10 albums to blare from the car on a hot sunny day
1) Boys and Girls in America / the Hold Steady
2) Exile in Guyville / Liz Phair
3) Now We Can See / the Thermals
4) Paul's Boutique / Beastie Boys
5) Houses of the Holy / Led Zeppelin
6) Robyn / Robyn
7) Get Happy! / Elvis Costello
8) Yield / Pearl Jam
9) Being There, Disc 1 / Wilco
10) [any] / the New Pornographers
2) Exile in Guyville / Liz Phair
3) Now We Can See / the Thermals
4) Paul's Boutique / Beastie Boys
5) Houses of the Holy / Led Zeppelin
6) Robyn / Robyn
7) Get Happy! / Elvis Costello
8) Yield / Pearl Jam
9) Being There, Disc 1 / Wilco
10) [any] / the New Pornographers
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Right now, we should be drinking.
Damnit! I turned the teevee too soon and thought WILLIAM FICHTNER was gonna be on Dollhouse. *sigh*
Dollhouse, Week 10
Alas, there was no Fichtner, but there was Gregg Henry, one of the kick-ass HITGs. Alas, he was woefully underused. Even as the red herring, he could've been given more to do. (Question: The boat fiasco = The noodle incident?)
Good
Topher - Layers! It appears that even he succumbs to his loneliness once a year, and creates a geek dream girl to play laser tag with for his birthday. Gah, how sad. It wasn't even some nasty, pervy scenario; he just wanted someone to hang out with! Also, love his interactions with Boyd.
Jane Espenson! wrote some of tonight's episode - can you guess which parts? (I'm guessing the discussion with NerdSierra about androids. And the, 'more money for everyone, yay!')
"We can't play with the sleepies..."
Everlasting life? Another morally questionable twist of the Dollhouse tech. Should there be a second season, this facet could give it legs.
Tudyk = Alpha? It's a guess. In any case, I would give about ten Tahmohs for one Tudyk on a regular basis. Let's make this happen, Joss.
Eh.
The Echo-focused plot. I like a drawing-room mystery as much as the next gal, but this was pretty rote and unsurprising. I mean, why wouldn't the killer be the evil popped-collar preppy with a gambling problem, when the bitter daughter and drunken uncle get so little screentime? (Also, I've only seen Jordan Bridges play a good guy once. and he still died.)
And yet another strange wardrobe choice takes me out of the story: the solid gold dress at the end? Seemed a bit much for a daytime reading of the will and stroll by the pasture. One can be both practical and hot in a decent pair of jeans and shitkickers.
November's breasts: MVP of the whole Mellie/Paul storyline? Paul's anger at the whole situation and the rough sex that followed is fine bit of darkness to add to that plot, but I'm still not feeling all that sorry for Ballard, and Mellie is such a simpering doormat I feel like smacking her around a bit myself. Perhaps I should give Joss, et al., kudos for creating a story wherein the mad scientists, rather than their victims, are the most interesting and sympathetic characters.
Um, where *was* Echo's handler? Seemed like he would've been handy when the Topsider Killer made with the syringe....
Dollhouse, Week 10
Alas, there was no Fichtner, but there was Gregg Henry, one of the kick-ass HITGs. Alas, he was woefully underused. Even as the red herring, he could've been given more to do. (Question: The boat fiasco = The noodle incident?)
Good
Topher - Layers! It appears that even he succumbs to his loneliness once a year, and creates a geek dream girl to play laser tag with for his birthday. Gah, how sad. It wasn't even some nasty, pervy scenario; he just wanted someone to hang out with! Also, love his interactions with Boyd.
Jane Espenson! wrote some of tonight's episode - can you guess which parts? (I'm guessing the discussion with NerdSierra about androids. And the, 'more money for everyone, yay!')
"We can't play with the sleepies..."
Everlasting life? Another morally questionable twist of the Dollhouse tech. Should there be a second season, this facet could give it legs.
Tudyk = Alpha? It's a guess. In any case, I would give about ten Tahmohs for one Tudyk on a regular basis. Let's make this happen, Joss.
Eh.
The Echo-focused plot. I like a drawing-room mystery as much as the next gal, but this was pretty rote and unsurprising. I mean, why wouldn't the killer be the evil popped-collar preppy with a gambling problem, when the bitter daughter and drunken uncle get so little screentime? (Also, I've only seen Jordan Bridges play a good guy once. and he still died.)
And yet another strange wardrobe choice takes me out of the story: the solid gold dress at the end? Seemed a bit much for a daytime reading of the will and stroll by the pasture. One can be both practical and hot in a decent pair of jeans and shitkickers.
November's breasts: MVP of the whole Mellie/Paul storyline? Paul's anger at the whole situation and the rough sex that followed is fine bit of darkness to add to that plot, but I'm still not feeling all that sorry for Ballard, and Mellie is such a simpering doormat I feel like smacking her around a bit myself. Perhaps I should give Joss, et al., kudos for creating a story wherein the mad scientists, rather than their victims, are the most interesting and sympathetic characters.
Um, where *was* Echo's handler? Seemed like he would've been handy when the Topsider Killer made with the syringe....
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Maybe there'll be cake?
Dollhouse, Week 9
Well fuck me, THAT was an excellent episode.
Adele uses Victor! Holy shit! There was cake! (so the 'meeting' was just a much-needed day off...) And, fittingly, it's kinda violent and twisted and desperate. Adele is just a fascinating character and Olivia Williams is incredible. It was an excellent use of the entire cast while maintaining Echo as a focal point, action-y, emotional, suspenseful... Which makes next week's ep seem all the more disappointing - an Echo mystery of the week? Really?
Random observations
I told Joss there should be swords...
Victor's got a hot lady handler! We need to see more lady handlers... And I don't mean that in a dirty way!
"...or an assassin that does cheers..."
"You think I'm a spy?"
"Not in a bad way...."
Art class? Are there be fingerpaints and paper mache? Wait, they let them have scissors? and not the blunt-point kindergarten kind? That's not gonna end well.
Ballard - how many guns are shoving in your pants there, buster?
For a minute I thought that file room was the Intersect.
"...no need to hide your flaws" - so really, the Dolls just give you the out if you have a tendency to fart in bed...
Oh Evil Reed Diamond, I hope we'll see you again...preferably bound and splayed in the back of my van...
Well fuck me, THAT was an excellent episode.
Adele uses Victor! Holy shit! There was cake! (so the 'meeting' was just a much-needed day off...) And, fittingly, it's kinda violent and twisted and desperate. Adele is just a fascinating character and Olivia Williams is incredible. It was an excellent use of the entire cast while maintaining Echo as a focal point, action-y, emotional, suspenseful... Which makes next week's ep seem all the more disappointing - an Echo mystery of the week? Really?
Random observations
I told Joss there should be swords...
Victor's got a hot lady handler! We need to see more lady handlers... And I don't mean that in a dirty way!
"...or an assassin that does cheers..."
"You think I'm a spy?"
"Not in a bad way...."
Art class? Are there be fingerpaints and paper mache? Wait, they let them have scissors? and not the blunt-point kindergarten kind? That's not gonna end well.
Ballard - how many guns are shoving in your pants there, buster?
For a minute I thought that file room was the Intersect.
"...no need to hide your flaws" - so really, the Dolls just give you the out if you have a tendency to fart in bed...
Oh Evil Reed Diamond, I hope we'll see you again...preferably bound and splayed in the back of my van...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Banana pancakes? We're all gonna die.
Dollhouse, Week 8
Freedom has to be earned. God, their teasers suck. Poor Eliza got her boobs shoved up to her neck and we get a redundant fantasy sequence that shows us nothing but Tahmoh's absurdly smooth and ripped torso. And still, despite said torso, Ballard's stuff leaves me cold.... "Show - don't tell" - OREALLY?! Too meta show, too meta...and not in your favor.
Staff meeting! One of the main reasons the last few eps have worked better than their predecessors is that they've stayed in the office. The House is the most fascinating aspect of the show, and that's where the cream of the cast is. Dr. NotFred rocks. Not sure why she isn't a regular, as I have avoided (most) spoilers. And I'd definitely like to find more backstory on her than Caroline or Ballard.... Also, I want Olivia and the First Lady to arm wrestle with those serious biceps they got. We also finally saw some female handlers! Finally! Where have they been and will we see them again?
Aliens! I thought for sure the blonde dude was your redshirt for the evening. Somewhere that actor has sung 'Springtime for Hitler'* in community theater.
The faux Doll revival/revolt was exciting and answered some questions, including the incredibly depressing fact that Sierra apparently entered the Dollhouse because she was raped...and got raped again (many times over?) by Handler McPerv. Mellie/November, though, was not consistent: she was frightened, then badass, then frightened again, so I wasn't sure what to make of her. Of course, by the time she hit the cemetery I was just wishing the poor girl could catch a break. But: awww Victor/Sierra smoochies...
Um, I don't like Caroline. She's righteous to the point of foolishness - the type of foolishness that gets people killed (bye cutie boyfriend!). And sweetie, we're part Cylon, we're totally programmable.
House
House : Mos Def on the virtual beach :: Death : Max Van Sydow playing chess on the shore
I haven't seen the Kutler suicide ep yet, but I'm happy for Kal Penn's new White House job. He seems like an earnest down-to-earth guy who sincerely believes in the administration's work.
Also, see him in The Namesake, a touching, lyrical film based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri.
ER
It was a lovely, low-key series finale, despite Stamos' scenery-chewing. Alexis Bledel impressed me with very believable non-Rory portrayal of a young intern: inexperienced but smart, overwhelmed and awkward, but caring.
Young Rachel Greene is tall just like her Pops and seems to have gotten over her troubled teen ways... but why did they give her that awful up-do at the beginning of the ep? It was like she was in a BBC costume drama from the neck up.
Oh, Dr. Carter you haven't looked the happy - or that hot! - in ages. You're a County rat and you know it...
Castle
Nate Fillion has a new murder mystery show: it's pure fluff and lamely predictable and absurdly unrealistic. But then there are random moments where he's playing laser tag with his precocious but responsible teen daughter, or Susan Sullivan just appears in all her fabulousness, or he's wearing onion goggles while making dinner, or name-checking Commander Riker and Sleestacks ... and it becomes damn charming ... and evident of some serious geekitude on the writing staff.
Also, the wardrobe folks on this show dress Fillion very well.
(But what in the hell were they thinking when they put the lovely Stana Katic in that ruffly hot pink atrocity and the wing-y hair last week? She looked like a refugee from Shindig...)
*It's Captain Jack!
Freedom has to be earned. God, their teasers suck. Poor Eliza got her boobs shoved up to her neck and we get a redundant fantasy sequence that shows us nothing but Tahmoh's absurdly smooth and ripped torso. And still, despite said torso, Ballard's stuff leaves me cold.... "Show - don't tell" - OREALLY?! Too meta show, too meta...and not in your favor.
Staff meeting! One of the main reasons the last few eps have worked better than their predecessors is that they've stayed in the office. The House is the most fascinating aspect of the show, and that's where the cream of the cast is. Dr. NotFred rocks. Not sure why she isn't a regular, as I have avoided (most) spoilers. And I'd definitely like to find more backstory on her than Caroline or Ballard.... Also, I want Olivia and the First Lady to arm wrestle with those serious biceps they got. We also finally saw some female handlers! Finally! Where have they been and will we see them again?
Aliens! I thought for sure the blonde dude was your redshirt for the evening. Somewhere that actor has sung 'Springtime for Hitler'* in community theater.
The faux Doll revival/revolt was exciting and answered some questions, including the incredibly depressing fact that Sierra apparently entered the Dollhouse because she was raped...and got raped again (many times over?) by Handler McPerv. Mellie/November, though, was not consistent: she was frightened, then badass, then frightened again, so I wasn't sure what to make of her. Of course, by the time she hit the cemetery I was just wishing the poor girl could catch a break. But: awww Victor/Sierra smoochies...
Um, I don't like Caroline. She's righteous to the point of foolishness - the type of foolishness that gets people killed (bye cutie boyfriend!). And sweetie, we're part Cylon, we're totally programmable.
House
House : Mos Def on the virtual beach :: Death : Max Van Sydow playing chess on the shore
I haven't seen the Kutler suicide ep yet, but I'm happy for Kal Penn's new White House job. He seems like an earnest down-to-earth guy who sincerely believes in the administration's work.
Also, see him in The Namesake, a touching, lyrical film based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri.
ER
It was a lovely, low-key series finale, despite Stamos' scenery-chewing. Alexis Bledel impressed me with very believable non-Rory portrayal of a young intern: inexperienced but smart, overwhelmed and awkward, but caring.
Young Rachel Greene is tall just like her Pops and seems to have gotten over her troubled teen ways... but why did they give her that awful up-do at the beginning of the ep? It was like she was in a BBC costume drama from the neck up.
Oh, Dr. Carter you haven't looked the happy - or that hot! - in ages. You're a County rat and you know it...
Castle
Nate Fillion has a new murder mystery show: it's pure fluff and lamely predictable and absurdly unrealistic. But then there are random moments where he's playing laser tag with his precocious but responsible teen daughter, or Susan Sullivan just appears in all her fabulousness, or he's wearing onion goggles while making dinner, or name-checking Commander Riker and Sleestacks ... and it becomes damn charming ... and evident of some serious geekitude on the writing staff.
Also, the wardrobe folks on this show dress Fillion very well.
(But what in the hell were they thinking when they put the lovely Stana Katic in that ruffly hot pink atrocity and the wing-y hair last week? She looked like a refugee from Shindig...)
*It's Captain Jack!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The best of all possible worlds?
BSG: The End.
It was a contradictory ending, no? Both within and outside of the story. AngelGaius bemoans the modern world of Times Square, while AngelSix counters: yeah, but maybe they won't fuck it up this time? And then the montage of RobotFutureDoom....
So. Civilization's (of the metal or fleshy sort) rush for the new new tech outpaces our emotional and big-picture understanding of that tech bringing Armageddon, and all-around badness. Certainly we've made our mistakes, Mr. Moore, but that tech also brings the pretty, pretty explosions on your teevee show and games on your iPhone. Would you like to give that up, along with your cigarettes and scotch, just to till the soil and be one with the earth and God? I thought not. We all have those moments where we're at the end of our respective ropes and want a do-over. But that Never. Happens. The show has been about a fleet that, despite incredible hardships and guilt and trauma, puts its head down and barrels through as they learn and fight for survival. Far from perfect, but noble to the end. But now they should be passive fatalists, munching on dandelions and awaiting movement from the hand of God? For a show that had prided itself on being brutally honest about human nature and suffering, that whatever, here's a pat-on-the-back ending does feel disingenuous.
Fuck, G, I woulda killed the bitch too, if I found out she shot the wife I didn't really love all that much out the airlock. Go on with your Highlander-self and be at peace! Wait, *I* killed my wife... oh well, bygones!
(We never found out what Tory's deal was and that did piss me off. Huge loose thread there, writers.)
Finding Earth is fine, but why not go outside our known history? Why ditch all the ships and redo the hunter/gatherer business? Why not integrate, learn, and grow and show an alternate-Earth story?
On a lighter note: did anyone else see the tribal Earthlings and wonder if one of them was the First Slayer? Crossover!
The future is always better than the past. Even Voltaire knew that, and he invented this trite shtick. If you can't believe that -- if you fear the future you're creating, for yourself -- you're done. Because there's no point: end it today, or stop bitching and apply yourself to making it better, because essentially the implication is that nobody knows how to save the world, but you, and nobody but yours will ever figure it out. That is dead. That is death.
It was a contradictory ending, no? Both within and outside of the story. AngelGaius bemoans the modern world of Times Square, while AngelSix counters: yeah, but maybe they won't fuck it up this time? And then the montage of RobotFutureDoom....
So. Civilization's (of the metal or fleshy sort) rush for the new new tech outpaces our emotional and big-picture understanding of that tech bringing Armageddon, and all-around badness. Certainly we've made our mistakes, Mr. Moore, but that tech also brings the pretty, pretty explosions on your teevee show and games on your iPhone. Would you like to give that up, along with your cigarettes and scotch, just to till the soil and be one with the earth and God? I thought not. We all have those moments where we're at the end of our respective ropes and want a do-over. But that Never. Happens. The show has been about a fleet that, despite incredible hardships and guilt and trauma, puts its head down and barrels through as they learn and fight for survival. Far from perfect, but noble to the end. But now they should be passive fatalists, munching on dandelions and awaiting movement from the hand of God? For a show that had prided itself on being brutally honest about human nature and suffering, that whatever, here's a pat-on-the-back ending does feel disingenuous.
Fuck, G, I woulda killed the bitch too, if I found out she shot the wife I didn't really love all that much out the airlock. Go on with your Highlander-self and be at peace! Wait, *I* killed my wife... oh well, bygones!
(We never found out what Tory's deal was and that did piss me off. Huge loose thread there, writers.)
Finding Earth is fine, but why not go outside our known history? Why ditch all the ships and redo the hunter/gatherer business? Why not integrate, learn, and grow and show an alternate-Earth story?
On a lighter note: did anyone else see the tribal Earthlings and wonder if one of them was the First Slayer? Crossover!
You haven't seen my drawer of inappropriate starches?
Dollhouse, Week 7
It's made of brown. This was...kinda exciting! Still don't care about Caroline or Ballard as characters, but the tension of containing the contagion (wordplay!) was quite effective. And a new Doll! So many questions answered! (Boyd should always be business casual.) So many raised! (EvilReedDiamond not so evil?) The most pressing being: what happened to Topher's pants?
High five!
Next week's the Doll's Awaken-rebellion-thing looks fantastic...but where can they go after that?
In other TeeVee...
BSG finale
I'm not sure I can create a coherent and cohesive response to this ending. I was not disappointed, but I was rather surprised that there was a happy ending. (Almost) Everyone lived and were able to start anew. Though I was hoping that Starbuck, Apollo, and the Fighting Agathons (Helo survived?!) found Lake Wobegon - where all the women are strong (Kara, Athena), the men are good looking (Lee, Karl) and the children are above average (wee troublemaker Hera)....
Random thoughts...
Saul Fucking Tigh. Drunk. At a strip club. With his wives. (And of course, they declare their eternal love for each other at said strip club while downing shots and watching lapdances. Their trashiness is so endearing.)
Doc Cottle humbled into speechlessness.
"The night's young and so are you." DRINK!
Well, I suppose vomiting in the gutter is better than breaking down in the bathroom again, Bill.
"...then I want you to start throwing rocks."
Wanton Centurion-on-Centurion violence!
ADMIRAL HOSHI. PRESIDENT ROMO. This is a nation I can believe in.
Baltar so pathetic with his Rubbermaid File Tote of Destiny...
So, what they're saying is, it's all Callie's fault... And Tori's.... I can get behind that.
Galen's the first Viking/Scotsman/Icelander? So the kilts were his idea? Noted! (But I want pictures.)
So Asimo and the pervy AsianSexBot are the harbingers of the endtimes? Thanks for head's up, Ron.
30 Rock
Muppets. Dennis. Hornberger. Now that they've ditched the guest stars (who weren't all bad) the show has finally gotten back to the interplay of the writers room and Jenna and Tracy and the complete madness that makes it great. Plz keep it this way, thnx
OMIGOD HE'S MORTAL.
The Office
Oh no. I love it when Pam walks on hot coals.
"I'm aware of the effect I have on women."
It's made of brown. This was...kinda exciting! Still don't care about Caroline or Ballard as characters, but the tension of containing the contagion (wordplay!) was quite effective. And a new Doll! So many questions answered! (Boyd should always be business casual.) So many raised! (EvilReedDiamond not so evil?) The most pressing being: what happened to Topher's pants?
High five!
Next week's the Doll's Awaken-rebellion-thing looks fantastic...but where can they go after that?
In other TeeVee...
BSG finale
I'm not sure I can create a coherent and cohesive response to this ending. I was not disappointed, but I was rather surprised that there was a happy ending. (Almost) Everyone lived and were able to start anew. Though I was hoping that Starbuck, Apollo, and the Fighting Agathons (Helo survived?!) found Lake Wobegon - where all the women are strong (Kara, Athena), the men are good looking (Lee, Karl) and the children are above average (wee troublemaker Hera)....
Random thoughts...
Saul Fucking Tigh. Drunk. At a strip club. With his wives. (And of course, they declare their eternal love for each other at said strip club while downing shots and watching lapdances. Their trashiness is so endearing.)
Doc Cottle humbled into speechlessness.
"The night's young and so are you." DRINK!
Well, I suppose vomiting in the gutter is better than breaking down in the bathroom again, Bill.
"...then I want you to start throwing rocks."
Wanton Centurion-on-Centurion violence!
ADMIRAL HOSHI. PRESIDENT ROMO. This is a nation I can believe in.
Baltar so pathetic with his Rubbermaid File Tote of Destiny...
So, what they're saying is, it's all Callie's fault... And Tori's.... I can get behind that.
Galen's the first Viking/Scotsman/Icelander? So the kilts were his idea? Noted! (But I want pictures.)
So Asimo and the pervy AsianSexBot are the harbingers of the endtimes? Thanks for head's up, Ron.
30 Rock
Muppets. Dennis. Hornberger. Now that they've ditched the guest stars (who weren't all bad) the show has finally gotten back to the interplay of the writers room and Jenna and Tracy and the complete madness that makes it great. Plz keep it this way, thnx
OMIGOD HE'S MORTAL.
The Office
Oh no. I love it when Pam walks on hot coals.
"I'm aware of the effect I have on women."
Friday, March 20, 2009
This is getting old.
Dollhouse, Week 6
There's no porn! Oh it would've been much more interesting if there were. That said, the pretty people are doing nothing for me.
Ballard: He's an asshole and I don't care. The only good part of him kissing Mellie was that he finally shut the fuck up. Also: he is the worst FBI agent ever - Sidney Bristow would mock him. And kick his ass. She's twice Eliza's size...
And Echo is, well, a non-entity. The good thing about her this ep is that she took a back seat to the overall plot. Joss (read: Patton and/or Mellie, depending on the scene) was heavily pushing Ballard's obsession with Echo/Caroline...and I just wasn't buying it. Obsessed with the organization? Yes - hell, if Ballard asks anybody 'where's the Dollhouse' one more time I'm gonna reach through the screen and punch him in the nuts - but Caroline is just the key that gets him there. But now it's about Caroline? If this is supposed to be about Ballard chasing just Caroline, Joss might as well go full Mamet* and have him keep repeating 'where's the girl' until he reaches Olivia's door.
Patton is a tiny, tiny man. I've actually seen him live, in person, and up close. But I was drunk at a bar and sitting down, so clearly I didn't realize he was a PocketPatton. Eliza is taller than he is. Still, his performance was a highlight. You really don't get that sort of material on King of Queens...
Can Patton, NotFred, Olivia, and Boyd stay and the rest leave? Okay, Topher still amuses me in his snide, creepy way... Does his assistant have a name yet?
Moral spankitude! While the issues of identity and prostitution and free will and human nature are all fun to ponder, pedantic/didactic Joss makes my eyes roll. And the idiot-on-the-street interviews were both poorly written and poorly acted.** Make me think, but don't lecture me. And, for the love of Giles, don't lecture me badly.
The Sierra/Victor/Handler McRapey story at least had some ActionBoyd to make it entertaining...
Ma'am, do you have an exit strategy? Well, do you, Joss? There were no surprises here: Mellie's a doll?! Oh, it wasn't telegraphed from the get-go and they didn't have her callsign on IMDB for the last month or anything... And I still had to watch her get assaulted and strangled. I'm so tired of predatory white dudes assaulting young women. I know the point Joss is trying to make, but that doesn't make it easier to watch.
This was the first time I actually flipped to FNL rather than wait to watch online the next day. Coach calling a ref a 'sonofabitch' and getting thrown out of the game was ten times more awesome than Ballard's post-coital banter. So much for the game-changer super awesome episode....
*I saw Redbelt the other day, and while Chiwetel Ejiofor (The Operative!) and Emily Mortimer were marvelous (as usual), it was quite plain that Mamet has become a parody of himself. One can only stand so many stilted conversations regarding manliness and honor before you just need someone kick somebody's, anybody's ass.
**It's true! Joss can produce sucky scripts!
There's no porn! Oh it would've been much more interesting if there were. That said, the pretty people are doing nothing for me.
Ballard: He's an asshole and I don't care. The only good part of him kissing Mellie was that he finally shut the fuck up. Also: he is the worst FBI agent ever - Sidney Bristow would mock him. And kick his ass. She's twice Eliza's size...
And Echo is, well, a non-entity. The good thing about her this ep is that she took a back seat to the overall plot. Joss (read: Patton and/or Mellie, depending on the scene) was heavily pushing Ballard's obsession with Echo/Caroline...and I just wasn't buying it. Obsessed with the organization? Yes - hell, if Ballard asks anybody 'where's the Dollhouse' one more time I'm gonna reach through the screen and punch him in the nuts - but Caroline is just the key that gets him there. But now it's about Caroline? If this is supposed to be about Ballard chasing just Caroline, Joss might as well go full Mamet* and have him keep repeating 'where's the girl' until he reaches Olivia's door.
Patton is a tiny, tiny man. I've actually seen him live, in person, and up close. But I was drunk at a bar and sitting down, so clearly I didn't realize he was a PocketPatton. Eliza is taller than he is. Still, his performance was a highlight. You really don't get that sort of material on King of Queens...
Can Patton, NotFred, Olivia, and Boyd stay and the rest leave? Okay, Topher still amuses me in his snide, creepy way... Does his assistant have a name yet?
Moral spankitude! While the issues of identity and prostitution and free will and human nature are all fun to ponder, pedantic/didactic Joss makes my eyes roll. And the idiot-on-the-street interviews were both poorly written and poorly acted.** Make me think, but don't lecture me. And, for the love of Giles, don't lecture me badly.
The Sierra/Victor/Handler McRapey story at least had some ActionBoyd to make it entertaining...
Ma'am, do you have an exit strategy? Well, do you, Joss? There were no surprises here: Mellie's a doll?! Oh, it wasn't telegraphed from the get-go and they didn't have her callsign on IMDB for the last month or anything... And I still had to watch her get assaulted and strangled. I'm so tired of predatory white dudes assaulting young women. I know the point Joss is trying to make, but that doesn't make it easier to watch.
This was the first time I actually flipped to FNL rather than wait to watch online the next day. Coach calling a ref a 'sonofabitch' and getting thrown out of the game was ten times more awesome than Ballard's post-coital banter. So much for the game-changer super awesome episode....
*I saw Redbelt the other day, and while Chiwetel Ejiofor (The Operative!) and Emily Mortimer were marvelous (as usual), it was quite plain that Mamet has become a parody of himself. One can only stand so many stilted conversations regarding manliness and honor before you just need someone kick somebody's, anybody's ass.
**It's true! Joss can produce sucky scripts!
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