The economy is in the crapper and banks are tanking left and right. Account owners are speculating about the safety of their savings and nest eggs, and hoping their not the victims of some grand conspiracy. There's no question that paranoia is spreading, but for how long? Has this been long-time coming--longer than the press is alluding to--or is it as sudden as some people believe.
Clive Owen's latest film, The International, would suggest the former. In the dramatic thriller, he plays an "Interpol agent who's attempting to expose a high-profile financial institution's role in an international arms dealing ring." The story basically accuses banks of using our money to fund terrorism and war. As angry as some clients are, I bet they'd love to see some justice in February 2009. I'm just relieved for a plot with a nice change of pace--for once the banks are robbing us.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
TRAILER: Nothing Like the Holidays
Tyler Perry didn't exactly revolutionize the family dramedy by creating a film that centered on a non-white cast, but he did prove that audiences would watch such a movie, making it possible for a film like the Latino-centric Nothing Like the Holidays to exist.
With a Hispanic cast consisting of John Leguizamo, Freddie Rodriguez, Jay Hernandez, Alfred Molina, Luis Guzman, and Melonie Diaz (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints), and Elizabeth Pena (Rush Hour). Straight out of Brooklyn, the Polish Debra Messing, playing Leguizamo's wife, and the Italian Vanessa Ferlito (Man of the House) round out the cast. They tell the story about a family that may be celebrating their last Christmas together because their parents are quite close to a divorce. You'll learn how to--as my mom would say--laugh in Spanish.
With a Hispanic cast consisting of John Leguizamo, Freddie Rodriguez, Jay Hernandez, Alfred Molina, Luis Guzman, and Melonie Diaz (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints), and Elizabeth Pena (Rush Hour). Straight out of Brooklyn, the Polish Debra Messing, playing Leguizamo's wife, and the Italian Vanessa Ferlito (Man of the House) round out the cast. They tell the story about a family that may be celebrating their last Christmas together because their parents are quite close to a divorce. You'll learn how to--as my mom would say--laugh in Spanish.
CAREER REHAB: Jessica Biel's comedic period piece
Usually the words "comedy" and "period piece" don't mesh well, but after seeing Frances McDormand's Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, I was convinced it wasn't that bad of a genre. I was even more convinced after I saw the trailer for Easy Virtue in which Jessica Biel plays a promiscuous American divorcée who crash lands into a British family after spontaneously getting engaged to their son, played by Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian).
Biel hasn't exactly had an easy go of it--convincing Hollywood and even moviegoers that she has what it takes to last in this business--but I can assure you this is a side of Biel you've never seen...and I think it's safe to say, you've seen a lot of her, whether it's nearly nude on the cover of a magazine or in bra and panties in an Adam Sandler comedy. Biel, however, seems to be doing everything in her power to put herself on the map ever since she freed herself from the shackles of "7th Heaven."
She played badasses in Blade: Trinity and Stealth, the one-true-love of Edward Norton's character in The Illusionist, the damsel-in-distress in the action flick Next, a heartbroken woman in the war indie The Home of the Brave, and a quirky hot lawyer in the aforementioned I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, and she still has plenty to come. But, once again, none of those compare to this role. It's an adaptation of a 1920s play originally adapted into a silent film by Alfred Hitchcock. The comedy has clever quips and comic timing you wouldn't believe. And while I could rant on-and-on about how amazingly handsome her co-star Barnes is, I must say she effortlessly steals the spotlight in the trailer.
COMPLEX PLOT: Moore & Duchovny's "The Joneses"
David Duchovny, Demi Moore, and Amber Heard (Pineapple Express) have been cast in the interesting dramedy The Joneses. It's about "a picture-perfect family that moves into a suburban neighborhood and immediately becomes the toast of the town, loved and envied by all. But the reality is they are a commissioned fake family put together by a marketing company as a way to introduce new luxury-level products to neighborhoods around the world."
Does that not 1) sound genius and 2) sound like something that Americans would totally do. I believe the first time I got extremely peeved by product-placement was when I was watching an episode of "One Tree Hill" and they not only mentioned Sunkist, but wore Sunkist t-shirts and raved about how awesome it is. Actually, come to think of it, Nickelodeon's "Kenan & Kel" were probably the first to boast about the sugary goodness of orange soda in every episode. I'm all for a spoof of the overzealous means of which companies will go to promote a product.
Heck, they're even in music videos. I was watching Alicia Keys' latest for "Superwoman," which is about how women can be influential role models, and half way through the video she flashes her hi-tech phone. Thanks for ruining the inspirational moment.
However, if you're not interested in being bombarded by a socially conscious message, rest assured that the film has a few twists in it--sick ones actually. While Duchovny plays the fake dad who's starting to feel like a hypocrite, Heard will play his fake gold-digging daughter who's trying to seduce him and Moore will be his ambitious wife who's starting to fall for him. Sounds like the American dream.
Does that not 1) sound genius and 2) sound like something that Americans would totally do. I believe the first time I got extremely peeved by product-placement was when I was watching an episode of "One Tree Hill" and they not only mentioned Sunkist, but wore Sunkist t-shirts and raved about how awesome it is. Actually, come to think of it, Nickelodeon's "Kenan & Kel" were probably the first to boast about the sugary goodness of orange soda in every episode. I'm all for a spoof of the overzealous means of which companies will go to promote a product.
Heck, they're even in music videos. I was watching Alicia Keys' latest for "Superwoman," which is about how women can be influential role models, and half way through the video she flashes her hi-tech phone. Thanks for ruining the inspirational moment.
However, if you're not interested in being bombarded by a socially conscious message, rest assured that the film has a few twists in it--sick ones actually. While Duchovny plays the fake dad who's starting to feel like a hypocrite, Heard will play his fake gold-digging daughter who's trying to seduce him and Moore will be his ambitious wife who's starting to fall for him. Sounds like the American dream.
ACTOR ON-THE-RISE: Jessica Parker Kennedy
Discovering new talent in a Disney movie isn't usually possible, but after renting Another Cinderella Movie--to see if Selena Gomez was worth all the hype she's been getting--I noticed someone else. No, it wasn't the semi-attractive, 26-year-old Andrew Seeley faking 17. It was actually newcomer Jessica Parker Kennedy. She played Gomez's best friend and number one supporter. But unlike other pals (i.e. Vanessa Hudgens' friends in High School Musical), she didn't fade into the background. She had a certain spark of spunk and sass that made me want to see her in something a little less...Disney.
Imagine my surprise when I tune into the second episode of "Smallville" this season and see a punked out version of Kennedy raising hell. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but as long as she's getting casting calls, I could really care less. Her next project is a horror film called Bad Meat, which she'll star in alongside Dave Franco, another fresh face who unfortunately suffered his first Hollywood blow when his FOX series "Do Not Disturb" was canceled this week. Here's hoping they both get a big break soon.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
CAREER REHAB: Ben Affleck's next three films
It was almost 11 years ago that Ben Affleck won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for co-writing Good Will Hunting, and a Screen Actor's Guild Award for Shakespeare in Love. After starring in Reindeer Games, Daredevil, Paycheck, Gigli, and Jersey Girl, he'd officially overstayed his welcome in Hollywood. It wasn't until last year that he managed to remind people why he won an Oscar in the first place. His critically-lauded crime drama Gone Baby Gone, which he wrote and directed, put his name back on the tip of everyone's tongues, and he's aiming to keep it there.
While it's true that he's already started choosing better parts, like 2006's mystery drama Hollywoodland, and even smaller parts, like the adrenaline-fueled Smokin' Aces, not many people have witnessed his return. Remembering that "slow and steady wins the race," he scored a part in the ensemble cast of the adapted romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You out this February. That little taste will gear people up for his major role in the dramatic thriller State of Play, where he stars alongside Rachel McAdams, Russell Crowe, Jason Bateman, and Helen Mirren. Then he'll officially remind people that he can bring the funny in Mike Judge's (Office Space) comedy Extract, alongside Bateman again, Mila Kunis, and Kristen Wiig ("SNL").
But he's not going to take a break from writing and directing for such a long stretch of time again. He's already sold another script called The Town. It'll be an adaptation of Chuck Hogan's novel The Prince of Thieves, which is a dark rom-com about "a high-tension love triangle between a female bank manager, a longtime thief who stole more than her heart and an equally smitten FBI agent trying to bust the crook and his gang before they can pull another big job." While I'm not overjoyed by Affleck's return, I'm always up for a good story--and rebirths are my favorite kind.
While it's true that he's already started choosing better parts, like 2006's mystery drama Hollywoodland, and even smaller parts, like the adrenaline-fueled Smokin' Aces, not many people have witnessed his return. Remembering that "slow and steady wins the race," he scored a part in the ensemble cast of the adapted romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You out this February. That little taste will gear people up for his major role in the dramatic thriller State of Play, where he stars alongside Rachel McAdams, Russell Crowe, Jason Bateman, and Helen Mirren. Then he'll officially remind people that he can bring the funny in Mike Judge's (Office Space) comedy Extract, alongside Bateman again, Mila Kunis, and Kristen Wiig ("SNL").
But he's not going to take a break from writing and directing for such a long stretch of time again. He's already sold another script called The Town. It'll be an adaptation of Chuck Hogan's novel The Prince of Thieves, which is a dark rom-com about "a high-tension love triangle between a female bank manager, a longtime thief who stole more than her heart and an equally smitten FBI agent trying to bust the crook and his gang before they can pull another big job." While I'm not overjoyed by Affleck's return, I'm always up for a good story--and rebirths are my favorite kind.
CAST COUP?: Eva Longoria in "The Avengers"
Eva Longoria is pretty damn funny in "Desperate Housewives" (and is bound to get funnier now that she has two kids and no money), but it never seems to translate on the big screen. Both of her feature film comedies Over Her Dead Body and The Heartbreak Kid were butchered by critics and collectively ignored by moviegoers. You can't say comedy isn't her thing. It is her thing. Rent the box set, watch it on abc.com, or tune in on Sunday nights to see for yourself. But if you were to try and convince me that she could...I don't know, play one of the characters in the new The Avengers comic adaptation, it would be kind of hard.
Apparently, Longoria was spotted with a copy of the script and is suspected of being cast as "Janet Van Dyne (aka. The Wasp) a founding member and eventual wife of 'Ant-Man' Hank Pym." I'm not particularly a fan of The Avengers, but even I'm not so easily swayed by this casting choice--fanboys must be having a fit.
CAREER REHAB: Katherine Heigl's new action film
Being branded as ungrateful in the press in the past year has not done wonders for Katherine Heigl's reputation. But the fact that she is a Golden Globe-nominated, Emmy Award winner prooves she has something to offer.
In the first half of her career, she was pegged as a damsel in distress and an Ice Queen ("Roswell"). And when she reintroduced herself to TV viewers in 2005 as the humorous hopeless romantic Dr. Isobel Stevens of "Grey's Anatomy," she was typecast as a gorgeous woman with a self-loathing sense of humor, scoring her the leads in the romantic comedies Knocked Up, 27 Dresses, and The Ugly Truth (which hits theaters next spring).
But because of her ambitions to remodel her public persona and ensure that her revived career isn't stunted by a few misinterpreted press statements, she's aiming for a different genre for her next project. Fully aware that convincing producers and executives that she's capable of anything other than looking pretty, she and her mom are the ones footing the bill for an action comedy.
I'm not quite sure if she's taking a page out of Seth Rogen's career handbook, but he also dipped his toe into an uncharacteristic genre this year, starring in Pineapple Express, an action comedy that while mainly focused on marijuana, also managed to balance the slapstick stoner humor with a healthy dose of action. You could even make an argument that Ben Stiller and Jack Black did the same this summer in Tropic Thunder. Who knows? Maybe a straight-shooting action film is in their future. What I do know is that Rogen is training to star in The Green Hornet as the title crime-fighting, ass-kicking character, which'll be hard to pull off if the audience is waiting for him to pull out a blunt and whip out his signature chuckle, hence the slow immersion into the action genre.
The project Heigl is funding is called Drawn Together. It's about "an electronics designer who meets the woman of his dreams, only to find out that she's not who she seems to be." This sort of wreaks of NBC's "Chuck," which is probably why I'm picturing him in the role opposite her, but it also promises to give Heigl something else to work with besides punch lines. This could be a step in a different direction for the actress, or it could be a disaster. One must also wonder if maybe she should've tried for the Jessica Biel career-remodel route and auditioned for more dramatic, Oscar-worthy fair. Then again, maybe there's enough drama on the set of her TV show.
New in Theaters 9/26 - "Eagle Eye" and more
I saw Eagle Eye last night. It's safe to say that D.J. Caruso, the mastermind behind Disturbia, has a gift for suspense and sporadic humor. While I wasn't exactly blindsighted by the twist--mainly because I feel like I should've realized it--I was impressed by the film's underlying message. The fact that this generation could be destroyed by its obsession with thoroughly documenting their lives on countless social-networking sites and being well-connected through pricey and incredibly advanced gadgets has been covered before by films like Untraceable, Pulse, Live Free or Die Hard, and even The Dark Knight. But Caruso's film manipulates the Constitution to further disseminate this popular message, introducing the ideas that the government should be overthrown if it fails the people and citizens should step up and protect their nation when it's in need.
While I agree with both those ideas, the extremes to which they were illustrated illuminated how such political points could be seriously misinterpreted. I'm all for a new regime (as are many who are following the current election), but offing the top 12 people in power, including the president, and dubbing it Operation Guillotine is just insane enough to make for an action-packed thriller. Adding the idea that citizens can be "activated" or recruited into doing the government's bidding (i.e. essentially, being drafted) makes for an even more interesting plot. It's as if anyone could be Jason Bourne or James Bond, on-the-run and in constant motion, fighting for justice vigilante-style. Caruso has a knack for making audiences feel like whatever's happening on-screen could very well happen to them.
This weekend, I would also recommend a few obvious choices:
+ Spike Lee's adaptation of James McBride's novel Miracle at St. Anna set in 1944 Italy during WWII starring Derek Luke (Catch a Fire), Michael Ealy ("Sleeper Cell"), Joseph Gordon Levitt, John Leguizamo, and Kerry Washington (The Last King of Scotland).
+ New Adventures of Old Christine's Clark Gregg debuts his first film, an adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's dramedic novel Choke, about a sex-addicted con artist played by Sam Rockwell, who falls in love with the one woman he can't bring himself to sleep with. Anjelica Houston, Paz de la Huerta (Spanglish), Kelly Macdonald (No Country for Old Men), Bijou Phillips (Almost Famous), and Brad William Henke ("October Road") also star.
..and one film that's been flying under the radar:
+ In The Lucky Ones, Rachel McAdams (The Notebook), Michael Pena (Crash), and Tim Robbins play three soldiers who've just returned from Iraq...WAIT! It's funny I swear. Not in a let's-make-light-of-war-Pauly-Shore-In-the-Army-Now kind of way, but in a let's-make-the-best-of-what-time-we-have-left kind of way. Each are injured physically and emotionally (as is expected when you go to war), but what really resonates is their deadpan humor in spite of their doomed destinies. McAdams has an injured leg, lost a friend, and lacks a certain amount of feminity that she may regret losing. Pena was left impotent after a groin injury. And while Robbins is free from service for good, he soon discovers that his family has freed themselves from him as well, and thus returns to nothing...Trust me, it's funny.
While I agree with both those ideas, the extremes to which they were illustrated illuminated how such political points could be seriously misinterpreted. I'm all for a new regime (as are many who are following the current election), but offing the top 12 people in power, including the president, and dubbing it Operation Guillotine is just insane enough to make for an action-packed thriller. Adding the idea that citizens can be "activated" or recruited into doing the government's bidding (i.e. essentially, being drafted) makes for an even more interesting plot. It's as if anyone could be Jason Bourne or James Bond, on-the-run and in constant motion, fighting for justice vigilante-style. Caruso has a knack for making audiences feel like whatever's happening on-screen could very well happen to them.
This weekend, I would also recommend a few obvious choices:
+ Spike Lee's adaptation of James McBride's novel Miracle at St. Anna set in 1944 Italy during WWII starring Derek Luke (Catch a Fire), Michael Ealy ("Sleeper Cell"), Joseph Gordon Levitt, John Leguizamo, and Kerry Washington (The Last King of Scotland).
+ New Adventures of Old Christine's Clark Gregg debuts his first film, an adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's dramedic novel Choke, about a sex-addicted con artist played by Sam Rockwell, who falls in love with the one woman he can't bring himself to sleep with. Anjelica Houston, Paz de la Huerta (Spanglish), Kelly Macdonald (No Country for Old Men), Bijou Phillips (Almost Famous), and Brad William Henke ("October Road") also star.
..and one film that's been flying under the radar:
+ In The Lucky Ones, Rachel McAdams (The Notebook), Michael Pena (Crash), and Tim Robbins play three soldiers who've just returned from Iraq...WAIT! It's funny I swear. Not in a let's-make-light-of-war-Pauly-Shore-In-the-Army-Now kind of way, but in a let's-make-the-best-of-what-time-we-have-left kind of way. Each are injured physically and emotionally (as is expected when you go to war), but what really resonates is their deadpan humor in spite of their doomed destinies. McAdams has an injured leg, lost a friend, and lacks a certain amount of feminity that she may regret losing. Pena was left impotent after a groin injury. And while Robbins is free from service for good, he soon discovers that his family has freed themselves from him as well, and thus returns to nothing...Trust me, it's funny.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Is "Bond...James Bond" Gone Forever?
Heroic action dramas have a tendency to rely heavily on rebirths, whether it’s the character that experiences it or the content. Many have lived to see the unrecognizable reincarnation of Batman and the graphically enhanced return of Superman. Many have cheered for the re-emersion of Indiana Jones and John McClane. Many have even anticipated the reawakening of Jason Bourne’s less-than-docile inner assassin. But the last example differs a great deal from the others in one important aspect: Its producers didn’t have to resell it.
While reselling a franchise may seem easy because it already exists within the pop culture vernacular, already has a fan base, and already has proven to not suck, there are, of course, a few catches. For example, if you bring Indiana Jones back, he has to have his whip, his fedora, and most importantly his attitude. If you bring back Batman, he must have his father-figure butler Alfred, his ridiculously sick batmobile, and a hot girl waiting for his safe return. But for John McClane, there’s really just one thing that he must have: his catchphrase: “Yipee kayay mothafucka.”
Now, while I agree that someone like, perhaps, James Bond requires a little more than a catchphrase—M, his superior, Q, his gadget-expert, and his suave Casanova-ways are a must—that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a vital part of the franchise. Fine, you can take away the bat signal—as they did in The Dark Knight—give Indie a son by the name of Mutt, and even nix Bond’s signature brunette mane, but don’t delete the catchphrase.
Sure, saying “Bond…James Bond” sounds a little kitschy and maybe even a bit dated, but it’s an iconic phrase, like the title of Sidney Poitier’s They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! and Clint Eastwood’s legendary threat, “You feeling lucky punk?” Deleting the catchphrase from Quantum of Solace may not destroy our viewing pleasure, but it will taint it.
While reselling a franchise may seem easy because it already exists within the pop culture vernacular, already has a fan base, and already has proven to not suck, there are, of course, a few catches. For example, if you bring Indiana Jones back, he has to have his whip, his fedora, and most importantly his attitude. If you bring back Batman, he must have his father-figure butler Alfred, his ridiculously sick batmobile, and a hot girl waiting for his safe return. But for John McClane, there’s really just one thing that he must have: his catchphrase: “Yipee kayay mothafucka.”
Now, while I agree that someone like, perhaps, James Bond requires a little more than a catchphrase—M, his superior, Q, his gadget-expert, and his suave Casanova-ways are a must—that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a vital part of the franchise. Fine, you can take away the bat signal—as they did in The Dark Knight—give Indie a son by the name of Mutt, and even nix Bond’s signature brunette mane, but don’t delete the catchphrase.
Sure, saying “Bond…James Bond” sounds a little kitschy and maybe even a bit dated, but it’s an iconic phrase, like the title of Sidney Poitier’s They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! and Clint Eastwood’s legendary threat, “You feeling lucky punk?” Deleting the catchphrase from Quantum of Solace may not destroy our viewing pleasure, but it will taint it.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
All Hail Queen Blair!
It wasn’t until the meteoric rise of Blair Waldorf on the CW’s Gossip Girl that teenagers everywhere (and secretly their parents) were schooled in the art of treachery. The ruthless socialite embodied the term frenemy to its fullest degree and put all those plotting, vendetta-having, power-hungry princesses to shame. The O.C.’s Summer wouldn’t last a minute in the ring with her, Julie Cooper would cower in fear, and 90210’s Brenda would be shocked into submission. It’s about as much of a contest as Beyonce versus Britney Spears. We might enjoy laughing at one more than the other, but only one of them entertains to the fullest extent.
By Blair’s standards, Priveleged's Sage is an amateur. The unimaginative duplication of her persona is an insult to teenagers everywhere--as though they only respond to one repetitive archetype. Why settle for the knock off when you can have the real thing?
The regurgitation of a popular series, film, character, song—you name it—is a common practice in Hollywood. But what studio execs fail to understand is that what needs to be duplicated is the spirit of the product, not its formula. It’s true that we mourned the demise of “Friends,” but that doesn’t mean you should slap six amateur actors into kooky romantic scenarios and practically dub it “Friends Part Deux” a.k.a. “The Class.” You’re supposed to take the spirit of friendship, love, comradery, and immature hijinks and call it “How I Met Your Mother.” Even with this advice floating around for free, studios bet their earnings on cobbling together a genre after just one hit, resulting in the fairly recent—in the last decade—eruption of super hero films—from the well-known (Batman) to the hardly mentioned (The Spirit)—and pregnancy-related romantic comedies—from the big budget (Knocked Up) to the low budget (Juno) to even low-quality (the upcoming Labor Pains).
I stand by my belief that there is no vindictive vixens on television today that can top Blair Waldorf--not even Georgina Sparks--or replicate her appeal. But I will agree that there are two other ladies that pack their own deadly dose of femme fatality: Desperate Housewives' Bree and Ugly Betty's Wilhemina Slater.
Which TV character do you think could go toe-to-toe with the Queen B?
By Blair’s standards, Priveleged's Sage is an amateur. The unimaginative duplication of her persona is an insult to teenagers everywhere--as though they only respond to one repetitive archetype. Why settle for the knock off when you can have the real thing?
The regurgitation of a popular series, film, character, song—you name it—is a common practice in Hollywood. But what studio execs fail to understand is that what needs to be duplicated is the spirit of the product, not its formula. It’s true that we mourned the demise of “Friends,” but that doesn’t mean you should slap six amateur actors into kooky romantic scenarios and practically dub it “Friends Part Deux” a.k.a. “The Class.” You’re supposed to take the spirit of friendship, love, comradery, and immature hijinks and call it “How I Met Your Mother.” Even with this advice floating around for free, studios bet their earnings on cobbling together a genre after just one hit, resulting in the fairly recent—in the last decade—eruption of super hero films—from the well-known (Batman) to the hardly mentioned (The Spirit)—and pregnancy-related romantic comedies—from the big budget (Knocked Up) to the low budget (Juno) to even low-quality (the upcoming Labor Pains).
I stand by my belief that there is no vindictive vixens on television today that can top Blair Waldorf--not even Georgina Sparks--or replicate her appeal. But I will agree that there are two other ladies that pack their own deadly dose of femme fatality: Desperate Housewives' Bree and Ugly Betty's Wilhemina Slater.
Which TV character do you think could go toe-to-toe with the Queen B?
“Burn After” “The Women”
There are certain precautions that moviegoers take to guarantee an entertaining experience. They choose a non-busy time of day, like during school or work hours. They buy all of their favorite snacks. They use the bathroom before they’re flanked on both sides by foot-resting patrons. They strategically choose a seat in the exact center of the room. And some—particularly me—choose a specific showing because it ends minutes before another film starts.
These few could be thought of as thieving vagrants or even as the main reason theaters are going out of business, but most are simply pessimists. They’re certain that one of these movies will suck, so they’ve decided that the easiest way to not feel cheated is to go for what my movie partner and I like to refer to as a 2-for-1 special (or a twofer).
Last Thursday night I watched The Women and, in the event it failed to capture the essence of the female psyche, I synchronized it with Burn After Reading—for some good old Coen Brothers dark humor. As I sat there, centered to perfection—not too high, not too low—popping kernels into my gullet with an empty tank, I found myself slightly distracted. There wasn’t a baby wailing in the background, or a feverishly texting glow emanating beside me or a boisterous peanut gallery commentary echoing through the room. The problem was smack dab on the screen, glaring at me…taunting me.
I’m 22 and I’m not judgmental—okay, I’m human, so of course I’m judgmental—but for some reason I could not stop staring at the incredible amount of facial blemishes that were burned to celluloid. Every one of those white women had sagging, rooster-like skin, or the complexion of ripe bananas, or tight foreheads and cheekbones that posed stark contrasts to the aforementioned pelican-like, sagging necks. I understand the attempt to portray women as they are, since men are often bare-boned in every film, but boy was that distracting.
I was actually expecting to be distracted by one of The Women. Meg Ryan has long sported a Joker-like grin ever since she crawled out of that hole that she was plunged into after her affair with Russell Crowe. But then I snuck my way into Burn After Reading, planting myself a little closer than I wanted to—but a good four rows from the screen—and I patiently waited for the off-beat humor to kick in. And while I started to realize that this film’s characters were more on the pathetic side than funny, and that it fit more into the suspense drama genre than dark comedy, I began to notice how smooth Frances McDormand’s skin was and how it showed even more when she put on her doe-eyed expression ofinnocence ignorance. Even someone as seasoned and respected as Frances gets a tweak here and there.
Then Tilda Swinton comes on the screen. She and Nicole Kidman have the tightest and milkiest hides I’ve ever seen, but her’s seems more natural. While Frances and Swinton flailed around in a sea of testosterone, looking so taut and rested, John Malcovich bore spotty skin, George Clooney grayed by the millisecond, and Richard Jenkins—well, to borrow a phrase from The Women—looked like a meteor hit his face and left tear drop-sized craters in its wake.
Forget what it says about me that I could spend nearly four hours pecking away at someone’s appearance instead of trying to gauge or appreciate the meaning behind these stories. Think of what it says about society that two very different films, geared to very different audiences, and written and directed by very different auteurs would share a thread of similarity—especially this thread.
In The Women, Candice Bergen hypocritically gets a face lift after mocking a socialite by saying she looked like she was reentering the earth’s atmosphere, and Meg Ryan’s 11-year-old daughter smokes cigarettes so she won’t gain weight. Whether she is skinny or fat is irrelevant—she’s fucking 11. Is that when it starts? It apparently has to start, because even in Burn After Reading, Frances’ character isn’t determined to blackmail a CIA agent because of the intrigue, or danger, or adventure of it all. No, she wants enough money to get four different plastic surgery operations that will nip and tuck every ounce of fat she’s accumulated over the last 20 years, because—as she put it—she’s gone as far as she can with the body she has now. And while Clooney and Brad Pitt aren’t as consciously obsessed with their appearance, both are quite addicted to exercise—one to cope with infidelity and escape from intimacy post-sex and the other as a profession and a hobby.
Is this the new Hollywood trend? Screw the excessive airbrushing and bring on the gritty close-ups? I’m all for realism—in a reality show, a documentary, or a news brief—but nobody goes to the movies for realism. It’s like when my dad feels the urge to yell things like “that’s impossible” or “there’s no way he/she could’ve done that” to the TV. I keep having to tell him, “Of course not, it’s make believe.”
I’ve spent the last 20 years watching movies and TV shows where teens don’t have to be sat down for a ProActiv intervention and women over 40 were never zoomed in on any further than their waist, so it’s going to be a while before I can sit through an entire film without wondering why someone’s face looks like its melting down their neck. But, of course, trying to look young or perfect on the screen can also be distracting. A perfect example is that of Ryan’s Joker grimace, which varied during the film between post-Crowe smile and its faintly memorable You’ve Got Mail/When Harry Met Sally phase. Another good example is the collagen-inflated lips that Ellen Barkin pouted in her portrayal of a cougar on the prowl for an inexperienced and eager-to-please Matt Damon in Ocean’s Thirteen. But an even better one is actually on the small screen. I watched the two-hour pilot of “90210” and scrutinized it heavily for any signs of “Gossip Girl” cult-following potential and then stopped short when I noticed how ridiculously skinny the three main female characters were: If the camera really does add five pounds, those girl weighed 15 at best...combined.
Is there no common ground?
These few could be thought of as thieving vagrants or even as the main reason theaters are going out of business, but most are simply pessimists. They’re certain that one of these movies will suck, so they’ve decided that the easiest way to not feel cheated is to go for what my movie partner and I like to refer to as a 2-for-1 special (or a twofer).
Last Thursday night I watched The Women and, in the event it failed to capture the essence of the female psyche, I synchronized it with Burn After Reading—for some good old Coen Brothers dark humor. As I sat there, centered to perfection—not too high, not too low—popping kernels into my gullet with an empty tank, I found myself slightly distracted. There wasn’t a baby wailing in the background, or a feverishly texting glow emanating beside me or a boisterous peanut gallery commentary echoing through the room. The problem was smack dab on the screen, glaring at me…taunting me.
I’m 22 and I’m not judgmental—okay, I’m human, so of course I’m judgmental—but for some reason I could not stop staring at the incredible amount of facial blemishes that were burned to celluloid. Every one of those white women had sagging, rooster-like skin, or the complexion of ripe bananas, or tight foreheads and cheekbones that posed stark contrasts to the aforementioned pelican-like, sagging necks. I understand the attempt to portray women as they are, since men are often bare-boned in every film, but boy was that distracting.
I was actually expecting to be distracted by one of The Women. Meg Ryan has long sported a Joker-like grin ever since she crawled out of that hole that she was plunged into after her affair with Russell Crowe. But then I snuck my way into Burn After Reading, planting myself a little closer than I wanted to—but a good four rows from the screen—and I patiently waited for the off-beat humor to kick in. And while I started to realize that this film’s characters were more on the pathetic side than funny, and that it fit more into the suspense drama genre than dark comedy, I began to notice how smooth Frances McDormand’s skin was and how it showed even more when she put on her doe-eyed expression of
Then Tilda Swinton comes on the screen. She and Nicole Kidman have the tightest and milkiest hides I’ve ever seen, but her’s seems more natural. While Frances and Swinton flailed around in a sea of testosterone, looking so taut and rested, John Malcovich bore spotty skin, George Clooney grayed by the millisecond, and Richard Jenkins—well, to borrow a phrase from The Women—looked like a meteor hit his face and left tear drop-sized craters in its wake.
Forget what it says about me that I could spend nearly four hours pecking away at someone’s appearance instead of trying to gauge or appreciate the meaning behind these stories. Think of what it says about society that two very different films, geared to very different audiences, and written and directed by very different auteurs would share a thread of similarity—especially this thread.
In The Women, Candice Bergen hypocritically gets a face lift after mocking a socialite by saying she looked like she was reentering the earth’s atmosphere, and Meg Ryan’s 11-year-old daughter smokes cigarettes so she won’t gain weight. Whether she is skinny or fat is irrelevant—she’s fucking 11. Is that when it starts? It apparently has to start, because even in Burn After Reading, Frances’ character isn’t determined to blackmail a CIA agent because of the intrigue, or danger, or adventure of it all. No, she wants enough money to get four different plastic surgery operations that will nip and tuck every ounce of fat she’s accumulated over the last 20 years, because—as she put it—she’s gone as far as she can with the body she has now. And while Clooney and Brad Pitt aren’t as consciously obsessed with their appearance, both are quite addicted to exercise—one to cope with infidelity and escape from intimacy post-sex and the other as a profession and a hobby.
Is this the new Hollywood trend? Screw the excessive airbrushing and bring on the gritty close-ups? I’m all for realism—in a reality show, a documentary, or a news brief—but nobody goes to the movies for realism. It’s like when my dad feels the urge to yell things like “that’s impossible” or “there’s no way he/she could’ve done that” to the TV. I keep having to tell him, “Of course not, it’s make believe.”
I’ve spent the last 20 years watching movies and TV shows where teens don’t have to be sat down for a ProActiv intervention and women over 40 were never zoomed in on any further than their waist, so it’s going to be a while before I can sit through an entire film without wondering why someone’s face looks like its melting down their neck. But, of course, trying to look young or perfect on the screen can also be distracting. A perfect example is that of Ryan’s Joker grimace, which varied during the film between post-Crowe smile and its faintly memorable You’ve Got Mail/When Harry Met Sally phase. Another good example is the collagen-inflated lips that Ellen Barkin pouted in her portrayal of a cougar on the prowl for an inexperienced and eager-to-please Matt Damon in Ocean’s Thirteen. But an even better one is actually on the small screen. I watched the two-hour pilot of “90210” and scrutinized it heavily for any signs of “Gossip Girl” cult-following potential and then stopped short when I noticed how ridiculously skinny the three main female characters were: If the camera really does add five pounds, those girl weighed 15 at best...combined.
Is there no common ground?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
TV: Spoilers for Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives, Heroes, My Own Worst Enemy, and more
BROTHERS & SISTERS
+ Kitty publishes a book on family and politics that brings her back into the spotlight.
+ There's a new Walker working for Robert--probably Ryan, the illegitimate son.
+ Sarah is going to work for an Internet start-up.
+ Two of the brothers will become alienated from each other.
CHUCK
+ Bryce will team up with Sarah again, making poor Chuck jealous.
+ Morgan will have a showdown with the leaderof the Sports Authority gang, played by NY Giant Michael Strahan.
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
+ We'll find out why Susan and Mike broke up in the first episode and it has something to do with a "tragic incident." I hope he didn't relapse and cause their kid to die.
+ Neal McDonough ("Tin Man" and 88 Minutes) will play Nicolette's new boyfriend, who has a vendetta against someone on Wisteria Lane. Hmm, who hasn't had a juicy dirty secret yet? + Lynette will have to battle a cougar who's going after one of her sons. She will also pretend to be a girl online to monitor one of her sons and he falls in love with her.
+ Susan's boyfriend was her house painter and he's a secret from the girls.
+ Bree is a succesful chef and Katherine is jealous of her.
+ Carlos is a masseur and Gaby is desperate to get back to her old ways.
DIRTY SEXY MONEY
+ Joel Madden of Good Charlotte is taking a page out of his wifey Nicole Richie's career manual and guest starring as himself.
+ Jeremy will continue to flirt with Nick's wife, Lisa.
+ Samaire Armstrong won't be a series regular. Supposedly she's traveling the world with her boyfriend.
+ Nick is trying not to fall for Karen, who is falling for Simon.
ELI STONE
+ His gift becomes a lot more public and there will be reprecussions.
+ Sigourney Weaver will play his therapist.
ENTOURAGE
+ Vince will have to belittle himself in order to get some cash by making an appearance at a Sweet 16.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
+ Smash loses his college scholarship.
+ Jason Street becomes a penny pinching dad.
+ The coach has to choose beween Matt and what's best for the team, when a new freshman comes into town with impressive football skills.
GOSSIP GIRL
+ Nate will continue to explore his feelings for Vanessa.
+ Serena will go up against Blair for the title of the Queen B of the school.
+ In the 5th episode in 2 weeks, there will be "jailhouse bonding [that] will cause Chuck to open up to Dan and reveal a secret about the never-before-seen Mother Bass."
+ Willa Holland ("The O.C.") is in negotiations for a 3-episode arc. I think she's going to play the model that corrupts Jenny.
+ Bart uncovered a secret about Lily's past that will become a major scandal for this season. Hmmm. Illegitimate child? Drug abuse? Murder? What haven't they already covered?
+ Jenny and Nate will kiss.
+ Blair will try to ruin Dan's new relationship with a girl named Amanda and Serena will meet a new guy in the 4th episode. And in the 5th, Blair will sabotage her mom's fashion show out of anger, probably because she put Serena in the front row as though she were more important.
GREY'S ANATOMY
+ Meredith and Derek will live together and Derek will ask that the roommates get kicked out.
+ Lexie falls for George. Duh.
+ Bailey will balance work and marriage.
+ Janina Gavankar ("The L Word") is joining the cast as an intern. There were rumors that the producers will looking for someone bisexual, perhaps to create a love triangle between Callie and Erica.
+Newcomer Brandon Scott has been cast as "a junior McDreamy"--not quite sure what that means.
+ Kevin McKidd (Journeyman) is getting such great feedback that he's been upgraded to a series regular.
HEROES
+ The first episode will reveal who shot Nathan and then immediately start the Villain chapter.
+ Peter's future self from 2012 will replace his present self.
+ Peter's mom has a weird relation to one of the other characters.
+ Sylar finds Claire...and I'm assuming bad things happen.
+ Francis Capra ("Veronica Mars") will play one of the villains.
+ Ali Larter will have a new personality as the wife of the NY governor.
+ Micah and Monica won't be prominent on the show.
+ And 3 people will die. But, you know Heroes, they probably won't stay dead.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
There will be a wedding one way or another. My fingers are crossed for Barney and Robin. lol
KATH & KIM
+ Selma Blair describes her character Kim as someone who "goes to the mall and buys everything she sees in the tabloids and puts it together all wrong."
+ There are a few changes from the original Australian series:
1) Kath won't have her best friend
2) Kim's husband, who she is separated from, will be a more prominent character
3) Kath is a hairdresser
LIFE
+ Charlie "knows what it's like to be both predator and prey, and he remains keenly tuned into that idea."
+ In the first season, he found the man who committed the murders he was accused of. In the second season, he will track down the men who framed him.
+ He'll keep bugging his ex-wife, because he feels betrayed by her.
+ Donal Logue ("Grounded for Life") was cast as the department's captain who will start to romance Dani, Charlie's partner.
+ Ted will continue to flirt with Olivia, Charlie's dad's fiance.
LIPSTICK JUNGLE
+ Nico will discover to what extent her husband cheated on her and for how long. She'll also discover a little plan he had in place in the event of a divorce, which ironically involves photography.
+ Rosie Perez will play Dahlia, Victory's publicist. From what I saw on the pilot, she either is a gold digger interested in Joe or she's met him before in a more private setting.
+ We'll see how the girls became friends through a flashback that shows a crisis that solidified their trio.
WATCH THE PILOT HERE!
LOST
Hurley and Sayid are teaming up to uncover this conspiracy, and of course Hurley will be the comic relief during their missions.
THE MENTALIST
Simon Baker will play a man named Patrick Jane whose family was murdered by a serial killer that he's searching for. Now that I know his motivation, I'm a little more interested.
MY OWN WORST ENEMY
+ "A secret government organization named the Janus Collective has 'manifested a divergent identity dormant in the sealed-off portion of the medial temporal lobe, creating a split personality.'" There was a glitch in the program and Henry, played by Christian Slater, wakes up in the middle of Edward's missions.
+ "There's just not a human being on the planet that at one point or another hasn't been their own worst enemy, and this really it to a phenomenal extreme," says Slater.
+ Alfre Woodard will play Mavis, Edward's boss. She'll be like his M...that's a Bond reference, in case you didn't catch that.
+ Saffron Burrows (The Bank Job) will play Henry's smoking hot therapist. I'm a little wary of how hot she is. Me thinks she's keeping an eye on him because of Edward.
+ And in case you didn't think Slater can handle combat, he actually has a kenpo karate green belt in real life.
UGLY BETTY
+ The theme for this season is "growing up." It's important to remember that this show is called Ugly Betty, not Mode. So the magazine will no longer be the main focus of the series.
+ Daniel will either start, run, or work at a men's magazine. Betty wants to start her own magazine. And Marc wants to expand his horizons and pursue other interests...whatever that means.
+ Lindsay Lohan will play Betty's father's boss.
+ Amanda moves somewhere unexpected. Hmmm. Maybe Betty gets her own apartment. This promo sure does make it seem like she does:
More Spoilers
+ Kitty publishes a book on family and politics that brings her back into the spotlight.
+ There's a new Walker working for Robert--probably Ryan, the illegitimate son.
+ Sarah is going to work for an Internet start-up.
+ Two of the brothers will become alienated from each other.
CHUCK
+ Bryce will team up with Sarah again, making poor Chuck jealous.
+ Morgan will have a showdown with the leaderof the Sports Authority gang, played by NY Giant Michael Strahan.
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
+ We'll find out why Susan and Mike broke up in the first episode and it has something to do with a "tragic incident." I hope he didn't relapse and cause their kid to die.
+ Neal McDonough ("Tin Man" and 88 Minutes) will play Nicolette's new boyfriend, who has a vendetta against someone on Wisteria Lane. Hmm, who hasn't had a juicy dirty secret yet? + Lynette will have to battle a cougar who's going after one of her sons. She will also pretend to be a girl online to monitor one of her sons and he falls in love with her.
+ Susan's boyfriend was her house painter and he's a secret from the girls.
+ Bree is a succesful chef and Katherine is jealous of her.
+ Carlos is a masseur and Gaby is desperate to get back to her old ways.
DIRTY SEXY MONEY
+ Joel Madden of Good Charlotte is taking a page out of his wifey Nicole Richie's career manual and guest starring as himself.
+ Jeremy will continue to flirt with Nick's wife, Lisa.
+ Samaire Armstrong won't be a series regular. Supposedly she's traveling the world with her boyfriend.
+ Nick is trying not to fall for Karen, who is falling for Simon.
ELI STONE
+ His gift becomes a lot more public and there will be reprecussions.
+ Sigourney Weaver will play his therapist.
ENTOURAGE
+ Vince will have to belittle himself in order to get some cash by making an appearance at a Sweet 16.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
+ Smash loses his college scholarship.
+ Jason Street becomes a penny pinching dad.
+ The coach has to choose beween Matt and what's best for the team, when a new freshman comes into town with impressive football skills.
GOSSIP GIRL
+ Nate will continue to explore his feelings for Vanessa.
+ Serena will go up against Blair for the title of the Queen B of the school.
+ In the 5th episode in 2 weeks, there will be "jailhouse bonding [that] will cause Chuck to open up to Dan and reveal a secret about the never-before-seen Mother Bass."
+ Willa Holland ("The O.C.") is in negotiations for a 3-episode arc. I think she's going to play the model that corrupts Jenny.
+ Bart uncovered a secret about Lily's past that will become a major scandal for this season. Hmmm. Illegitimate child? Drug abuse? Murder? What haven't they already covered?
+ Jenny and Nate will kiss.
+ Blair will try to ruin Dan's new relationship with a girl named Amanda and Serena will meet a new guy in the 4th episode. And in the 5th, Blair will sabotage her mom's fashion show out of anger, probably because she put Serena in the front row as though she were more important.
GREY'S ANATOMY
+ Meredith and Derek will live together and Derek will ask that the roommates get kicked out.
+ Lexie falls for George. Duh.
+ Bailey will balance work and marriage.
+ Janina Gavankar ("The L Word") is joining the cast as an intern. There were rumors that the producers will looking for someone bisexual, perhaps to create a love triangle between Callie and Erica.
+Newcomer Brandon Scott has been cast as "a junior McDreamy"--not quite sure what that means.
+ Kevin McKidd (Journeyman) is getting such great feedback that he's been upgraded to a series regular.
HEROES
+ The first episode will reveal who shot Nathan and then immediately start the Villain chapter.
+ Peter's future self from 2012 will replace his present self.
+ Peter's mom has a weird relation to one of the other characters.
+ Sylar finds Claire...and I'm assuming bad things happen.
+ Francis Capra ("Veronica Mars") will play one of the villains.
+ Ali Larter will have a new personality as the wife of the NY governor.
+ Micah and Monica won't be prominent on the show.
+ And 3 people will die. But, you know Heroes, they probably won't stay dead.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
There will be a wedding one way or another. My fingers are crossed for Barney and Robin. lol
KATH & KIM
+ Selma Blair describes her character Kim as someone who "goes to the mall and buys everything she sees in the tabloids and puts it together all wrong."
+ There are a few changes from the original Australian series:
1) Kath won't have her best friend
2) Kim's husband, who she is separated from, will be a more prominent character
3) Kath is a hairdresser
LIFE
+ Charlie "knows what it's like to be both predator and prey, and he remains keenly tuned into that idea."
+ In the first season, he found the man who committed the murders he was accused of. In the second season, he will track down the men who framed him.
+ He'll keep bugging his ex-wife, because he feels betrayed by her.
+ Donal Logue ("Grounded for Life") was cast as the department's captain who will start to romance Dani, Charlie's partner.
+ Ted will continue to flirt with Olivia, Charlie's dad's fiance.
LIPSTICK JUNGLE
+ Nico will discover to what extent her husband cheated on her and for how long. She'll also discover a little plan he had in place in the event of a divorce, which ironically involves photography.
+ Rosie Perez will play Dahlia, Victory's publicist. From what I saw on the pilot, she either is a gold digger interested in Joe or she's met him before in a more private setting.
+ We'll see how the girls became friends through a flashback that shows a crisis that solidified their trio.
WATCH THE PILOT HERE!
LOST
Hurley and Sayid are teaming up to uncover this conspiracy, and of course Hurley will be the comic relief during their missions.
THE MENTALIST
Simon Baker will play a man named Patrick Jane whose family was murdered by a serial killer that he's searching for. Now that I know his motivation, I'm a little more interested.
MY OWN WORST ENEMY
+ "A secret government organization named the Janus Collective has 'manifested a divergent identity dormant in the sealed-off portion of the medial temporal lobe, creating a split personality.'" There was a glitch in the program and Henry, played by Christian Slater, wakes up in the middle of Edward's missions.
+ "There's just not a human being on the planet that at one point or another hasn't been their own worst enemy, and this really it to a phenomenal extreme," says Slater.
+ Alfre Woodard will play Mavis, Edward's boss. She'll be like his M...that's a Bond reference, in case you didn't catch that.
+ Saffron Burrows (The Bank Job) will play Henry's smoking hot therapist. I'm a little wary of how hot she is. Me thinks she's keeping an eye on him because of Edward.
+ And in case you didn't think Slater can handle combat, he actually has a kenpo karate green belt in real life.
UGLY BETTY
+ The theme for this season is "growing up." It's important to remember that this show is called Ugly Betty, not Mode. So the magazine will no longer be the main focus of the series.
+ Daniel will either start, run, or work at a men's magazine. Betty wants to start her own magazine. And Marc wants to expand his horizons and pursue other interests...whatever that means.
+ Lindsay Lohan will play Betty's father's boss.
+ Amanda moves somewhere unexpected. Hmmm. Maybe Betty gets her own apartment. This promo sure does make it seem like she does:
More Spoilers
Monday, September 15, 2008
TV Highlights: 90210, Gossip Girl, Bones, Terminator, Prison Break
BONES
+ "You are hot," Sweets to Brennan after helping Booth interrupt her date.
+ They didn't even mention that Angela and Hodgins broke up.
TERMINATOR
+ Cameron had a termination order to kill John after a piece of metal screwed with her brain wiring. When he pretty much pleaded with her to stop and gave her a chance to "redeem" herself by handing her a gun, she handed it back and overrode the order...which is unheard of. The creators say that they're not trying to make it seem like she's developing a conscience, but it sure as hell looks like it.
+ Shirley Manson, the new baddie on the show, turns out to be the liquid Terminator.
90210
+ Silver was living in a shelter to avoid her drunken mom and the show suddenly turned into "7th Heaven" when the Wilson's took her in and solved her problem.
+ Dixon avoided a juvy question.
GOSSIP GIRL
+ Serena seduced Dan.
+ "Once I get him out of the way, then I'll have a clear shot at Blair," said Chuck. "You know it's love when you start talking like an assassin," responds Nate.
+ "His consort needs to be able to host royal dinners and hob-nob with a dictator," Blair said in reference to Marcus. "Well if you can't find common ground with a dictator, I don't know who can," jokes Serena.
+ Blair's new favorite nickname: Downer Dan
+ Chuck sold his club to help Nate's mom when she asked, which pissed off Nate.
+ "She made Waldorf rhyme with Spears. I might as well have gone commando..." Blair said when the Duchess Beaton said she was too lowly to be apart of their family.
+ "All I had to do was be myself," Blair said to Serena coyly referring to how she blackmailed the Duchess after finding her screwing Nate in the library to which she screamed "Oh my f*ing God!"
PRISON BREAK
+ Michael's refusal to help the government anymore lasted all of 20 seconds. They weren't kidding when they said they weren't going to drag things out anymore.
+ "It has more firewalls than the devil's bedroom," said the hacker.
+ "I love him," I said, when Linc simply picked up an axe off the fire truck after Michael called him for help when he got stuck in a shatter-proof room.
+ "[I tried] even a back door entry. You were in prison. I'm sure you're familiar with that," said the hacker to Linc. "Do you want to stop breathing?" grunted Linc.
+ "You are hot," Sweets to Brennan after helping Booth interrupt her date.
+ They didn't even mention that Angela and Hodgins broke up.
TERMINATOR
+ Cameron had a termination order to kill John after a piece of metal screwed with her brain wiring. When he pretty much pleaded with her to stop and gave her a chance to "redeem" herself by handing her a gun, she handed it back and overrode the order...which is unheard of. The creators say that they're not trying to make it seem like she's developing a conscience, but it sure as hell looks like it.
+ Shirley Manson, the new baddie on the show, turns out to be the liquid Terminator.
90210
+ Silver was living in a shelter to avoid her drunken mom and the show suddenly turned into "7th Heaven" when the Wilson's took her in and solved her problem.
+ Dixon avoided a juvy question.
GOSSIP GIRL
+ Serena seduced Dan.
+ "Once I get him out of the way, then I'll have a clear shot at Blair," said Chuck. "You know it's love when you start talking like an assassin," responds Nate.
+ "His consort needs to be able to host royal dinners and hob-nob with a dictator," Blair said in reference to Marcus. "Well if you can't find common ground with a dictator, I don't know who can," jokes Serena.
+ Blair's new favorite nickname: Downer Dan
+ Chuck sold his club to help Nate's mom when she asked, which pissed off Nate.
+ "She made Waldorf rhyme with Spears. I might as well have gone commando..." Blair said when the Duchess Beaton said she was too lowly to be apart of their family.
+ "All I had to do was be myself," Blair said to Serena coyly referring to how she blackmailed the Duchess after finding her screwing Nate in the library to which she screamed "Oh my f*ing God!"
PRISON BREAK
+ Michael's refusal to help the government anymore lasted all of 20 seconds. They weren't kidding when they said they weren't going to drag things out anymore.
+ "It has more firewalls than the devil's bedroom," said the hacker.
+ "I love him," I said, when Linc simply picked up an axe off the fire truck after Michael called him for help when he got stuck in a shatter-proof room.
+ "[I tried] even a back door entry. You were in prison. I'm sure you're familiar with that," said the hacker to Linc. "Do you want to stop breathing?" grunted Linc.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
TV RECAP: "Priveleged" (Ep. 1)
The chronicling of the filthy rich continues with this CW series about Megan Smith (Joanna Garcia from "Reba"), a straight-out-of-college aspiring journalist who gets fired from her tabloid job and referred to a nanny-seeking socialite, who wants her to get her orphan granddaughters Rose (Lucy Hale from "Bionic Woman") and Sage (newcomer Ashley Newbrough) into Duke University in exchange for her loans being paid off. While it seems pretty cut and dry (emphasis on the dry), there were a few interesting moments.
For example, when she broke down in front of her boss after her apartment burned down and she accidentally dyed her hair Kool-Aid red. Emotionally distraught, she whined: "I'm a homeless person with peppermint paddie hair. OH MY GOD everything is bad!" She's kind of spastic when it comes to reigning in her emotions. Sometimes she tends to overshare, like when she divulged that she was afraid of "snakes, sharks, and terrorism" (nice that she prioritizes). She even agrees, admitting "It's like I have turrets [syndrome]." But you have to cut her some slack. While she is the underappreciated tutor of bitchy Blair-Jenny wannabes, she's also interested in getting their grandmother to be her mentor, because she's a successful businesswoman with a certain confidence that Megan seriously lacks. I find it hard to believe that she'll be able to maintain high self-esteem around these girls, especially Sage who told her, "I puke cuter than that outfit."
However, she does have a a circle of friends who'll keep her sane. There's the live-in gay chef, who brings the funny every time he's on screen. Like for example, when she meets Will (newcomer Brian Hallisay), the rich cutie next door with photography aspirations, the chef comically mimes "Have babies with him" behind Will's back. Then there's her best friend Charlie (Michael Cassidy from "Smallville") who is clearly in love with her. He's the one who brings to light her hidden past. The fact that her mother abandoned her when she was 7, her dad became a depressed drunk and she escaped him, leaving her little sister Lily (newcomer Kristina Apgar) behind, when she went away to college. Uh, Lily's kind of bitter. She might actually become even more annoying than Megan's students. But while Rose is puddy in her hands because she really wants to go to Duke and make her mother proud, Sage is hell-bent on rising in the higher echelons of society and keeping Megan at arm's length. I personally think that she has abandonment issues and would rather torture Megan than let her into her heart and risk getting hurt.
Even though Sage seems to be a formidable enemy, having invited Lily to a ball so that she'd find out Megan was secretly back in town, and the love triangle of Will-Megan-Michael might be slightly interesting, the story itself is hardly worthy of an hour or even of skipping FOX's "Fringe" for. The only thing that makes it interesting is Joanna Garcia. Playing dumb on "Reba" for 6 years must've sharpened her comedic skills, because she's not just a pretty face anymore. She's actually very charismatic and engaging. Of course, the great dialogue also deserves some credit. It completely caught me off guard when she quoted Spiderman ("With great power, comes great responsibility") and then proceeded to say "Shout out to Uncle Ben," and then clarified after her speech was over that it was Spiderman's Uncle Ben who said that and not her Uncle Ben. Geeks everywhere swooned. She even dropped a few pop culture nuggets for the TMZ/Perez Hilton-obsessed generation, when she ranted about her sister's payback of stealing her boyfriend, saying: "It is a significant level of betrayal. Brutus, Judas, Brangelina!" I think this generation would agree that all three of those betrayals were on the same level. lol
I'll give it a few more episodes, but if the dialogue slips up and the plot continues to be boring, I'll pass.
For example, when she broke down in front of her boss after her apartment burned down and she accidentally dyed her hair Kool-Aid red. Emotionally distraught, she whined: "I'm a homeless person with peppermint paddie hair. OH MY GOD everything is bad!" She's kind of spastic when it comes to reigning in her emotions. Sometimes she tends to overshare, like when she divulged that she was afraid of "snakes, sharks, and terrorism" (nice that she prioritizes). She even agrees, admitting "It's like I have turrets [syndrome]." But you have to cut her some slack. While she is the underappreciated tutor of bitchy Blair-Jenny wannabes, she's also interested in getting their grandmother to be her mentor, because she's a successful businesswoman with a certain confidence that Megan seriously lacks. I find it hard to believe that she'll be able to maintain high self-esteem around these girls, especially Sage who told her, "I puke cuter than that outfit."
However, she does have a a circle of friends who'll keep her sane. There's the live-in gay chef, who brings the funny every time he's on screen. Like for example, when she meets Will (newcomer Brian Hallisay), the rich cutie next door with photography aspirations, the chef comically mimes "Have babies with him" behind Will's back. Then there's her best friend Charlie (Michael Cassidy from "Smallville") who is clearly in love with her. He's the one who brings to light her hidden past. The fact that her mother abandoned her when she was 7, her dad became a depressed drunk and she escaped him, leaving her little sister Lily (newcomer Kristina Apgar) behind, when she went away to college. Uh, Lily's kind of bitter. She might actually become even more annoying than Megan's students. But while Rose is puddy in her hands because she really wants to go to Duke and make her mother proud, Sage is hell-bent on rising in the higher echelons of society and keeping Megan at arm's length. I personally think that she has abandonment issues and would rather torture Megan than let her into her heart and risk getting hurt.
Even though Sage seems to be a formidable enemy, having invited Lily to a ball so that she'd find out Megan was secretly back in town, and the love triangle of Will-Megan-Michael might be slightly interesting, the story itself is hardly worthy of an hour or even of skipping FOX's "Fringe" for. The only thing that makes it interesting is Joanna Garcia. Playing dumb on "Reba" for 6 years must've sharpened her comedic skills, because she's not just a pretty face anymore. She's actually very charismatic and engaging. Of course, the great dialogue also deserves some credit. It completely caught me off guard when she quoted Spiderman ("With great power, comes great responsibility") and then proceeded to say "Shout out to Uncle Ben," and then clarified after her speech was over that it was Spiderman's Uncle Ben who said that and not her Uncle Ben. Geeks everywhere swooned. She even dropped a few pop culture nuggets for the TMZ/Perez Hilton-obsessed generation, when she ranted about her sister's payback of stealing her boyfriend, saying: "It is a significant level of betrayal. Brutus, Judas, Brangelina!" I think this generation would agree that all three of those betrayals were on the same level. lol
I'll give it a few more episodes, but if the dialogue slips up and the plot continues to be boring, I'll pass.
TV RECAP: "Do Not Disturb" (Ep. 1)
FOX doesn't exactly have a good reputation for 30-min comedy shows. They abruptly canceled their last series "Back to You," essentially because it wasn't paying for itself. The two leads were over-priced and the ratings weren't very high. So what do you do with a relatively good plot scheme (work-place comedy with opposing higher-ups and comical ensemble cast) that's too expensive to produce? Duh. You higher C list actors (Niecy Nash and Jerry O'Connell) who are cheaper per episode. That, of course, has disaster written all over it....or does it?
I'll admit that Nash ("Reno 911!") is a lot funnier when she's playing an overblown stereotype on Comedy Central void of all inhibitions and that the first 5 minutes weren't hilarious. BUT, if you kept watching (like I eventually did online), you would've discovered a few things:
1) The writers Abraham Higginbotham and John Quaintance, who sound like they made up last names in the event this comedy sucked, have written for previously funny comedies...albeit canceled ones. Higginbotham wrote for "Back to You," "Will & Grace," and "Arrested Development," and Quaintance wrote for "Notes from the Underbelly" and "Joey" (please disregard the fact that he co-wrote Hilary and Hayley Duff's Material Girls). Because of their years in the business, they were able to whip up little quips like these:
+ When the hotel workers are trying to figure out which office slut was described as "voracious" in a Time Out NY tell-all article and Molly (newcomer Jolene Purdy) suggests Nicole (Molly Stanton from "Twins" and "Passions") could be it, she responds: "I told you. I don't do drunk and voracious. It's like, I'm already drunk and naked, what more do you want?"
+ Stanton has been often typecast as a dumb blonde, but at least in this series where she plays an aspiring model, she's a dumb blonde with bite. When Molly, who I guess can be referred to as pleasantly plump, offers the number to her modeling agency, saying: "I'm a model. I model," Nicole bitchily responds, "I don't think you're using that word right." Cold, but funny.
+ And there are even a few racial jokes thrown in for good measure. Like when O'Connell's lecherous character Neal tries to uncover whether or not the African American Nash's Rhonda is sleeping with the African American security guard Billy (RonReaco Lee from "Sister, Sister"), going against the office policy she firmly scolded him for neglecting, he asks Molly if they'd been in Rhonda's office for long and Molly idiotically responds, "Are you implying what I think you're implying, because that's like super racist." I don't know what she means, but that was a dumb enough response to be funny.
2) The ensemble cast isn't half bad. Along with Stanton, Purdy, and Lee, there are two other guys who tickle our funny bone. There's the young bellhop Gus (newcomer Dave Franco from "Greek"), who fancies himself a mini-Neal and has a really mellow Cali-drone to his voice that makes every line he delivers seem like it's a joke even when it's not. And then there's Larry (Jesse Tyler Ferguson who was hilarious on "The Class"). I didn't catch his position at the hotel, but I do know he's gay, he's been in a relationship for five years, he's Nicole's cheerer-upper, and he has lowwwww self-esteem. Oh yeah, and he's a dork.
3) It just might last. Maybe not for several seasons like "Friends" or "Will & Grace," but at least through this one. As long as the lines get funnier and Nash loosens up a bit, there's a chance FOX might actually have a consistently funny series in one of their time slots...as opposed to that crap fest "Til Death" that proceeds it.
I'll admit that Nash ("Reno 911!") is a lot funnier when she's playing an overblown stereotype on Comedy Central void of all inhibitions and that the first 5 minutes weren't hilarious. BUT, if you kept watching (like I eventually did online), you would've discovered a few things:
1) The writers Abraham Higginbotham and John Quaintance, who sound like they made up last names in the event this comedy sucked, have written for previously funny comedies...albeit canceled ones. Higginbotham wrote for "Back to You," "Will & Grace," and "Arrested Development," and Quaintance wrote for "Notes from the Underbelly" and "Joey" (please disregard the fact that he co-wrote Hilary and Hayley Duff's Material Girls). Because of their years in the business, they were able to whip up little quips like these:
+ When the hotel workers are trying to figure out which office slut was described as "voracious" in a Time Out NY tell-all article and Molly (newcomer Jolene Purdy) suggests Nicole (Molly Stanton from "Twins" and "Passions") could be it, she responds: "I told you. I don't do drunk and voracious. It's like, I'm already drunk and naked, what more do you want?"
+ Stanton has been often typecast as a dumb blonde, but at least in this series where she plays an aspiring model, she's a dumb blonde with bite. When Molly, who I guess can be referred to as pleasantly plump, offers the number to her modeling agency, saying: "I'm a model. I model," Nicole bitchily responds, "I don't think you're using that word right." Cold, but funny.
+ And there are even a few racial jokes thrown in for good measure. Like when O'Connell's lecherous character Neal tries to uncover whether or not the African American Nash's Rhonda is sleeping with the African American security guard Billy (RonReaco Lee from "Sister, Sister"), going against the office policy she firmly scolded him for neglecting, he asks Molly if they'd been in Rhonda's office for long and Molly idiotically responds, "Are you implying what I think you're implying, because that's like super racist." I don't know what she means, but that was a dumb enough response to be funny.
2) The ensemble cast isn't half bad. Along with Stanton, Purdy, and Lee, there are two other guys who tickle our funny bone. There's the young bellhop Gus (newcomer Dave Franco from "Greek"), who fancies himself a mini-Neal and has a really mellow Cali-drone to his voice that makes every line he delivers seem like it's a joke even when it's not. And then there's Larry (Jesse Tyler Ferguson who was hilarious on "The Class"). I didn't catch his position at the hotel, but I do know he's gay, he's been in a relationship for five years, he's Nicole's cheerer-upper, and he has lowwwww self-esteem. Oh yeah, and he's a dork.
3) It just might last. Maybe not for several seasons like "Friends" or "Will & Grace," but at least through this one. As long as the lines get funnier and Nash loosens up a bit, there's a chance FOX might actually have a consistently funny series in one of their time slots...as opposed to that crap fest "Til Death" that proceeds it.
TV RECAP: "True Blood" (Ep. 1)
I wasn't expecting to like this series. They said if you like "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," "Angel," or even "Moonlight," this might be the show for you, but I was still skeptical.
Anna Paquin, who I know mainly from her role as Rogue in X-Men, doesn't exactly have a well-known, diversified resume. But I probably would've overlooked that if they had immediately mentioned during promotions that her character, Sookie Stackhouse, is telephathic. I think that's the main reason I don't find the first two books of Stephenie's Myers' Twilight vamp series to be that interesting. I know Bella is special, but it would be even cooler if it were plainly obvious how special. So, needless to say, I was more excited about the relationship potential between Sookie and Bill (Stephen Moyer from "The Starter Wife"), the first vampire that she's ever met.
Apparently, a few years ago, a representative for the vampire community went on a television publicity tour to inform the world of their existence. She told everyone that they developed a synthetic blood drink called Tru Blood that would subdue their hunger, so....no worries. Nothing to be afraid of. Go about your business. Apparently, she's unaware of how easily humans find reason to discriminate. So while vampires aren't exactly hunted, they are stared at, feared, and shunned. As expected, people treat them like novelties. Some are so intrigued by them that they engage in sexual acts, while others charge a grand. And some, like Sookie's grandmother, think they're a parlor trick, asking them to regail them with stories of hundreds of years ago or recount epic tales from specific decades in history. But while there are the harmless, there are also the harmful...
Yes, even though they have a never-ending synthetic blood supply, they still kill people. But the real dangers out there are humans who bleed vampires to sell their blood to...um, people who drink vampire blood. Apparently, it's addicting. It makes them feel powerful and well, high. Oh, how the tables have turned. How exactly do you trap a vampire? Why with silver of course. Yeah, I'm just as confused as you are. I could've sworn that was strictly a werewolf thing. But, apparently, all you need is a silver chain and it'll sear through the vampire's skin and weaken them so much they can't move.
Plot aside, the supporting actors aren't half bad. Although I could do without the overly bitchy, angry, and antagonistic Tara (Rutina Wesley from How She Move) who seems out of place. Not because she's the only minority on the show, but because she has more energy than everyone else who seem so relaxed, low key and zen. Her new boss, who is in love with Sookie, is just creepily stalkerish, which isn't helped by our insights into his thoughts brought to us by Sookie's telepathy. There's also a mysterious dog that follows Sookie at night and I secretly suspect it might be him. I don't know for sure, but if vampires exist and people can be telepathic, then maybe they can turn into dogs too. lol Then there's Sookie's brother, Jason (Ryan Kwanten from "Summerland") who Tara is in love with and will most likely never sleep with despite his Lothario ways. He just got out of jail. I didn't catch why, but he's looking to go back in by the looks of things. He had sex with a woman who recently slept with a vampire in return for a thousand dollars. She video tapes all of her escapades, including their reenactment of her vampire encounter, where she was strangled. For some peculiar reason, Jason had less self-control than that vamp, since he accidentally strangled her to death mid-coitis. Now the police have him in custody for questioning, since he was the last to see her.
But maybe Jason will get off the hook once attention turns to Sookie, who was being beaten to death by humans at the end of the episode. She stopped a thieving couple from bleeding Bill and they returned to punish her for it.
I think the series will continue to be interesting if we:
1) Find out what everyone is thinking all of the time.
2) Learn about Bill and Sookie's past that has molded them into what they are.
3) Figure out other mystical happenings in the world.
4) Examine the prejudice against vampires.
5) And maybe, just maybe, investigate whether that synthetic blood is actually synthetic. Call me skeptical.
Anna Paquin, who I know mainly from her role as Rogue in X-Men, doesn't exactly have a well-known, diversified resume. But I probably would've overlooked that if they had immediately mentioned during promotions that her character, Sookie Stackhouse, is telephathic. I think that's the main reason I don't find the first two books of Stephenie's Myers' Twilight vamp series to be that interesting. I know Bella is special, but it would be even cooler if it were plainly obvious how special. So, needless to say, I was more excited about the relationship potential between Sookie and Bill (Stephen Moyer from "The Starter Wife"), the first vampire that she's ever met.
Apparently, a few years ago, a representative for the vampire community went on a television publicity tour to inform the world of their existence. She told everyone that they developed a synthetic blood drink called Tru Blood that would subdue their hunger, so....no worries. Nothing to be afraid of. Go about your business. Apparently, she's unaware of how easily humans find reason to discriminate. So while vampires aren't exactly hunted, they are stared at, feared, and shunned. As expected, people treat them like novelties. Some are so intrigued by them that they engage in sexual acts, while others charge a grand. And some, like Sookie's grandmother, think they're a parlor trick, asking them to regail them with stories of hundreds of years ago or recount epic tales from specific decades in history. But while there are the harmless, there are also the harmful...
Yes, even though they have a never-ending synthetic blood supply, they still kill people. But the real dangers out there are humans who bleed vampires to sell their blood to...um, people who drink vampire blood. Apparently, it's addicting. It makes them feel powerful and well, high. Oh, how the tables have turned. How exactly do you trap a vampire? Why with silver of course. Yeah, I'm just as confused as you are. I could've sworn that was strictly a werewolf thing. But, apparently, all you need is a silver chain and it'll sear through the vampire's skin and weaken them so much they can't move.
Plot aside, the supporting actors aren't half bad. Although I could do without the overly bitchy, angry, and antagonistic Tara (Rutina Wesley from How She Move) who seems out of place. Not because she's the only minority on the show, but because she has more energy than everyone else who seem so relaxed, low key and zen. Her new boss, who is in love with Sookie, is just creepily stalkerish, which isn't helped by our insights into his thoughts brought to us by Sookie's telepathy. There's also a mysterious dog that follows Sookie at night and I secretly suspect it might be him. I don't know for sure, but if vampires exist and people can be telepathic, then maybe they can turn into dogs too. lol Then there's Sookie's brother, Jason (Ryan Kwanten from "Summerland") who Tara is in love with and will most likely never sleep with despite his Lothario ways. He just got out of jail. I didn't catch why, but he's looking to go back in by the looks of things. He had sex with a woman who recently slept with a vampire in return for a thousand dollars. She video tapes all of her escapades, including their reenactment of her vampire encounter, where she was strangled. For some peculiar reason, Jason had less self-control than that vamp, since he accidentally strangled her to death mid-coitis. Now the police have him in custody for questioning, since he was the last to see her.
But maybe Jason will get off the hook once attention turns to Sookie, who was being beaten to death by humans at the end of the episode. She stopped a thieving couple from bleeding Bill and they returned to punish her for it.
I think the series will continue to be interesting if we:
1) Find out what everyone is thinking all of the time.
2) Learn about Bill and Sookie's past that has molded them into what they are.
3) Figure out other mystical happenings in the world.
4) Examine the prejudice against vampires.
5) And maybe, just maybe, investigate whether that synthetic blood is actually synthetic. Call me skeptical.
TV RECAP: "Fringe" (Ep. 1)
The series was exacty what everyone was saying it was going to be: "The X-Files" meets "Bones," which isn't exactly a bad thing. I spent the first hour of the premiere feeling annoyed by the fact that Olivia (Anna Torv), who hunted down and blackmailed Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) so she could get access to his imprisoned mad scientist father Walter (John Noble) in order for him to cure her mysteriously diseased partner/lover, was already showing signs of flirtation with Peter even while her "true love" was dying slowly nearby. I get that Josh is charming and cute and funny and...well, I get it. But that guy who said he loved you, the one you watched almost die...do you remember him? She even admitted that this was the first relationship she felt good about. I guess that was conditional upon someone cuter and younger showing up.
Aside from that, Olivia was a pretty cool chick. When she was chasing down Stark, the guy who gave her lover the disease (and murdered an entire plane of people by making his twin inject himself with a virus), Peter had successfully detained him, but she still felt the need to put her foot on his neck and demand answers. But that, of course, doesn't top what Peter did in the interrogation room, breaking the terrorist's hand with a coffee mug. How did he get away with that? He's not a cop, so he can pretty much do whatever he wants. This sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship...even though Olivia would rather go back to her regular life as an FBI agent.
Unfortunately, even after they cure her boyfriend, the fun doesn't quite end there. In a twist I didn't see coming (mainly because she put him up on such a high pedastal), her boyfriend murdered the terrorist and escaped from the hospital. Both he and the terrorist worked for a secret organization called the Pattern, who use the world as their lab, testing out diseases, cures and God knows what else on random populations. After a car chase where Olivia pursued him, causing his car to flip and him to die, he told her: "Ask yourself why Broyles sent you to Stark's facility?" Why he wanted to make her suspect the Homeland Security official who put her on the job, I'm not sure.
It's going to be one of those shows where you never know which is the right side of the law. Is Broyles trying to protect humanity or is he just after the extensive research that I'm sure the Pattern has amassed. There's one company in particular called Massive Dynamics that used to employ Stark and is presently supervised by a woman with a visually impressive mechanical arm. She owes her life to the machines that the company has designed. She believes in the future and, essentially, that the ends (cures, advanced technology, etc.) justify the means (mass murder, etc.). Then there's also the fact that Walter's former science partner-in-crime runs Massive Dynamics. While that's good for them because Walter can pretty much undo any chaos he wraughts since they worked on the same experiments, it isn't great, because we don't know if Walter shares the same philosophy as Massive Dynamics. For all we know, he could be pretending to be crazy so he can achieve his own agenda.
Overall, I like the chemistry between the leads. I was actually expecting Anna to be rather boring. And I even had lower expectations for Noble, but his character was half the amusement. Josh sets them up the jokes and he knocks them down. There was one scene where Josh was trying to discourage Olivia from participating in an experiment that would involve being half naked and lots of electricity. Peter's main argument is that his father hadn't done an experiment in more than 15 years and that they had just released him from a mental hospital where he was imprisoned for accidentally killing someone in his last experiment. Walter's response: "I'd rather not. I'm just saying I can." Clever little quips like that will keep you interested if the crazy experiments (one of which involved a cow) don't have your full attention.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK Round-up
That about wraps up Spring 2009's Fashion Week. While in previous years I may have gushed over Naeem Khan, this year I fell in love with Cynthia Steffe, who mastered tough-girl-glam...
...and Matthew Williamson, who managed to make graphic prints a beauty staple.
Who was your favorite this season?
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Marchesa
Favorite Outfits: She is like the queen of gowns. From the regal laced dresses to sculpted gift-wrapped minis, they're just plain gorgeous.
See more from the runway.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Victoria Beckham
Common Themes: high-waist skirts, collar-bone cut dresses--designs very similar to what she's usually seen wearing.
Favorite Outfits: I like this one because it's conservative but sexy.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: I like this one because it's conservative but sexy.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: J. Mendel
Favorite Outfits: I like the cinched roman-toga feel of the first salmon dress and the fanned shoulders of the pearl gown.
See more from the runway.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Tibi
Favorite Outfits: It reminds me of the conservative shoulder cuts and collars of the 40s mixed with a kimono.
See more from the runway.
See more from the runway.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Zac Posen
Favorite Outfits: I like the feminity of this vest and the daring behind this checkered dress.
See more from the runway.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Oscar de la Renta
Common Themes: Greecian key print, geometric shapes, tie-dye, ruffles, and florals.
Favorite Outfits: Is it just me or is Oscar channeling Hitchcock's dames? Sophisticatedly fierce.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: Is it just me or is Oscar channeling Hitchcock's dames? Sophisticatedly fierce.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Douglas Hannant
Favorite Outfits: I don't know if this is an insult, but this looks like a really good choice for a bridesmaid's dress.
See more from the runway.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Project Runway's Christian Siriano
Common Themes: sheared puffed shoulders, ruffled collars, and chiffon galore.
Favorite Outfits: I didn't watch Project Runway, but I did manage to find one outfit I liked on his runway. The material and the cut are gorgeous.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: I didn't watch Project Runway, but I did manage to find one outfit I liked on his runway. The material and the cut are gorgeous.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Carmen Marc Valvo
Favorite Outfits: Valvo was having fun with straps apparently, but it translated into elegance.
See more from the runway.
See more from the runway.
Friday, September 12, 2008
FILM: New in Theaters - 9/12/08
If you want to see a star-studded, sassy chick flick, then check out...The Women.
It stars Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler...a lot of chicks, so many in fact that there isn't a male actor with a speaking part at all. That's what was so awesome about the original 1939 film. The plot, however, is your run-of-the-mill estrogen-influenced drama about a woman's (Ryan) friends coercing her into confronting her husband's mistress (Mendes). Hilarity ensues.
If you want to watch a Cohen Brothers' comedy with zany characters, then check out...Burn After Reading. Not only do you get the double pleasure of seeing Brad Pitt and George Clooney step out of their debonair celebrity personas, but you also get a kooky tale about gym employees who discover a CIA agent's memoirs and then hold it for ransom. With Frances McDormand, John Malcovich, and Tilda Swinton rounding out the cast, it's sure to be a hoot.
If you're looking for a crime thriller starring two acting heavy weights, then I'd suggest...Righteous Kill. Robert De Niro and Al Pacino team up on the big screen and in the plot to bring down a potential serial killer that they thought they already caught years ago. Also starring are Carla Gugino (Sin City), 50 Cent, John Leguizamo, and Donnie Wahlberg.
If you want to see another Tyler Perry film, then you might be interested in...The Family that Preys. I'm not quite sure if this is a comedy or a dramedy, because the trailer makes it seem like there are evil people messing with this family and that's not normally funny. Alfre Woodard ("Desperate Housewives"), Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan (Something New), Rockmond Dunbar ("Prison Break"), Cole Hauser ("K-Ville" and Paparazzi), Robin Givens, and Tyler Perry star in this story about two families who must learn to work together.
It stars Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler...a lot of chicks, so many in fact that there isn't a male actor with a speaking part at all. That's what was so awesome about the original 1939 film. The plot, however, is your run-of-the-mill estrogen-influenced drama about a woman's (Ryan) friends coercing her into confronting her husband's mistress (Mendes). Hilarity ensues.
If you want to watch a Cohen Brothers' comedy with zany characters, then check out...Burn After Reading. Not only do you get the double pleasure of seeing Brad Pitt and George Clooney step out of their debonair celebrity personas, but you also get a kooky tale about gym employees who discover a CIA agent's memoirs and then hold it for ransom. With Frances McDormand, John Malcovich, and Tilda Swinton rounding out the cast, it's sure to be a hoot.
If you're looking for a crime thriller starring two acting heavy weights, then I'd suggest...Righteous Kill. Robert De Niro and Al Pacino team up on the big screen and in the plot to bring down a potential serial killer that they thought they already caught years ago. Also starring are Carla Gugino (Sin City), 50 Cent, John Leguizamo, and Donnie Wahlberg.
If you want to see another Tyler Perry film, then you might be interested in...The Family that Preys. I'm not quite sure if this is a comedy or a dramedy, because the trailer makes it seem like there are evil people messing with this family and that's not normally funny. Alfre Woodard ("Desperate Housewives"), Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan (Something New), Rockmond Dunbar ("Prison Break"), Cole Hauser ("K-Ville" and Paparazzi), Robin Givens, and Tyler Perry star in this story about two families who must learn to work together.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Naeem Khan
Common Themes: florals, asian patterns, japanese-influence, satin, sheer fabrics, circular collars, and oranges.
Favorite Outfits: Khan is one of my favorite designers. He always manages to turn a trend I'd never wear into something I can't wait to get my hands on. He reinvented leopard print for Fall 08, glamorized the paisley print for Spring 08, and unknowingly designed my future wedding dress for Fall 07. And now he's done it again. I would never wear this design, but that cut--a blooming bust cinched at the waist--has me sold.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: Khan is one of my favorite designers. He always manages to turn a trend I'd never wear into something I can't wait to get my hands on. He reinvented leopard print for Fall 08, glamorized the paisley print for Spring 08, and unknowingly designed my future wedding dress for Fall 07. And now he's done it again. I would never wear this design, but that cut--a blooming bust cinched at the waist--has me sold.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Narciso Rodriguez
Common Themes: a lot of criss-crossed fabrics and stripes.
Favorite Outfits: I like the shapes it makes.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: I like the shapes it makes.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Doo.Ri
Common Themes: silk and geometric lines.
Favorite Outfits: This subtle print makes all the difference.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: This subtle print makes all the difference.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Rock & Republic
Common Themes: studs, leather, stonewash, streaks, and tiered ruffles.
Favorite Outfits: Fierce ruffles all around.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: Fierce ruffles all around.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Tracy Reese
Favorite Outfits: From laced military-style elegance to embellished prints.
See more from the runway.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Vivienne Tam
Common Themes: florals, pinstripe, pleather, sheer fabrics, and ruffles.
Favorite Outfits: I'm not really a fan of florals, but this is subdued enough to be wearable.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: I'm not really a fan of florals, but this is subdued enough to be wearable.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Justin Timberlake's William Rast
Common Themes: mini-ties, double breasted suits, leather, plaid, etc.
Favorite Outfits: Justin Timberlake teamed up with his bff Trace Ayala and produced what could be described as Southern gentleman meets urban metrosexual.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: Justin Timberlake teamed up with his bff Trace Ayala and produced what could be described as Southern gentleman meets urban metrosexual.
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SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Monique Lhuillier
Common Themes: halter & circular collars, lace, and patterns.
Favorite Outfits: The first one looks fantastically wind-blown--just a beautiful example of Oscar-worthy pieces.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: The first one looks fantastically wind-blown--just a beautiful example of Oscar-worthy pieces.
See more from the runway.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Matthew Williamson
Common Themes: floral, leather, sequins, prints, and satin.
Favorite Outfits: Glamorous prints aren't just for wallpaper.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: Glamorous prints aren't just for wallpaper.
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SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Marc Jacobs & Marc by Marc Jacobs
Common Themes: plaid, mixed patterns, military cut jackets, and kimono belts.
Favorite Outfits: I had to weed through a mess of clothes that seemed liked the bastard child of a lumber jack and a plantation owner's wife to find this potential L.A.M.B. throw-away.
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Common Themes: stripes, denim, tier ruffles, and polka dot pattern.
Favorite Outfits: It's the only mix of patterns that I actually liked.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: I had to weed through a mess of clothes that seemed liked the bastard child of a lumber jack and a plantation owner's wife to find this potential L.A.M.B. throw-away.
See more from the runway.
Common Themes: stripes, denim, tier ruffles, and polka dot pattern.
Favorite Outfits: It's the only mix of patterns that I actually liked.
See more from the runway.
SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: Cynthia Steffe
Common Themes: leather, circular pattern, Victorian design, lace, florals, and tan.
Favorite Outfits: This is the wardrobe of a badass girly girl who watched Mad Men reruns this summer.
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Favorite Outfits: This is the wardrobe of a badass girly girl who watched Mad Men reruns this summer.
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SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK: 3.1 Phillip Lim
Common Themes: military cut, circular collars, geometric shapes, tier ruffles, and pastels.
Favorite Outfits: Ruffles tend to imply show-stopping, garish flare. Lim managed to make the aesthetic detail low-key.
See more from the runway.
Favorite Outfits: Ruffles tend to imply show-stopping, garish flare. Lim managed to make the aesthetic detail low-key.
See more from the runway.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
FILM: Batman Sequel, Seyfried, Superman Sequel, Sherlock Holmes, and more
+ Russell Crowe is rumored to be in the running to play the Dr. Watson to Robert Downey Jr.'s Holmes or his nemesis Professor Moriarty in Guy Ritchie's upcoming Sherlock Holmes adaptation.
+ Mark Millar wants to create a trilogy, Lord of the Rings-esque Superman tale for the big screen, one installment per year.
Update: Kevin Spacey is going to return as Lex Luthor (which I think is a big mistake--start from scratch).
+ Steven King's Dark Tower novel will be getting a 7-film saga treatment by David Lindelof ("Lost").
+ Pussycat Dolls: The Musical, lol. Yes, the Pussycat Dolls plan to follow in the footsteps of the Spice Girls and S Club 7. They are reviewing scripts for their own autobiographical musical.
+ Idris Elba ("The Wire") wants to star and direct a Michael Jordan biopic.
+ Ghost Rider sequel: "The general idea was to take the character to Europe where he will work with the Catholic Church, deal with supernatural stuff on the continent and figureout a 'connection working with different religious figures.'"
+ Fanboys will finally be released in November 26.
+ Will Smith wants to star in The Last Pharaoh.
+ Michael Caine claims that Johnny Depp will play the Riddler and Phillip Seymour Hoffman will play Penguin.
+ Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia) has been cast as Channing Tatum's love interest in Nicholas Sparks' Dear John.
+ Mark Millar wants to create a trilogy, Lord of the Rings-esque Superman tale for the big screen, one installment per year.
Update: Kevin Spacey is going to return as Lex Luthor (which I think is a big mistake--start from scratch).
+ Steven King's Dark Tower novel will be getting a 7-film saga treatment by David Lindelof ("Lost").
+ Pussycat Dolls: The Musical, lol. Yes, the Pussycat Dolls plan to follow in the footsteps of the Spice Girls and S Club 7. They are reviewing scripts for their own autobiographical musical.
+ Idris Elba ("The Wire") wants to star and direct a Michael Jordan biopic.
+ Ghost Rider sequel: "The general idea was to take the character to Europe where he will work with the Catholic Church, deal with supernatural stuff on the continent and figureout a 'connection working with different religious figures.'"
+ Fanboys will finally be released in November 26.
+ Will Smith wants to star in The Last Pharaoh.
+ Michael Caine claims that Johnny Depp will play the Riddler and Phillip Seymour Hoffman will play Penguin.
+ Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia) has been cast as Channing Tatum's love interest in Nicholas Sparks' Dear John.
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