Romantic comedies typically get a bad rap because most of them are geared totally towards the female persuasion, not caring that they are alienating half the population in the process. Then there are the few romantic comedies that manage to get both sides of the sex’s right and that is the case in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Michael Cera (Arrested Development) is the Nick in the title living out a younger version of Jon Favereau in Swingers after girlfriend, the unlikeable Alexis Dziena (Invasion), but not in a good way, dumps him and he is still calling and making mix tapes a month later. But instead of an obsession with swing music Nick is in a gay-homosexual band (despite being into chicks).
Norah, played by Kat Dennings (The House Bunny) manages to be snarky and likeable when she happens to get Nick to pretend to be her boyfriend to prove to Dziena (they go to the same all girls school complete with uniforms) that she has one not know that Nick was the Nick that keep on giving Dziena mix tapes after she broke up with him. And in their mutual dislike, they decide to hop around New York City looking for the elusive and aptly titled Where’s Fluffy.
But before they can scour the city there is Norah’s very inebriated friend that needs to make it back home which fall in the hands of Nick’s bandmates and groupie, for the lack of a better word, just known as Lothario, who would obviously not take advantage of her drunken stupor. Naturally this still do not go well when she escapes and Nick and Norah have to add finding her to their list of things to do like find Where’s Fluffy and avoid their ex’s, Norah’s of which comes in the form of Jay Baruchel (Undeclared).
Oddly enough a movie with the Infinite Playlist in the title, the music isn’t as memorable as you would especially compared to other music reliant movies like Swingers or Garden State with the expect of Middle Management by Bishop Allen (which you may remember from the trailer). And Where’s Fluffy is built up so much it is hard to be anything but disappointed with their music, although the writing gets creative with the ending to alleviate that especially if you pay attention to Nick and Norah’s last conversation. But at the very least, this movies can give anyone hope that their musical soulmate is out their someone. Now if I can just find someone who has both Frank Sinatra and A Tribe Called Quest on her iPod.
Be sure to check out the extras on the DVD where Dennings gives a five minute puppet version of the film. No seriously.
Next Tuesday sees the release of the new U2 album No Line on the Horizon (I should have a review up by at least Thursday of that week) and one of my favorite songs from the group that never was a big hit was What If God Will His Angels. I guess that happens with songs that have overtly religious song. The song was off the equally ignored Pop album. It may have been the worst U2 album, but bad U2 is still ninety percent better than any music that has ever been released.
Leverage is a show that may not show up on a lot of critics list at the end of the year but managed to put together the most entertaining new show in the post writer’s strike era that isn’t populated by a bunch of Tools. This could be that the show knows it isn’t inventing the wheel (it has a modern A-Team feel to it) and doesn’t take itself too seriously (some episodes pack more laughs than most sitcoms).
The selling point for the show is that they brought together five different, but likeable in their own way characters. The MVP of the group is Alec Harrison, the resident nerd who doesn’t care to get his hands dirty but is quick to remark on anything. Then there is Parker who may have a screw or two loose as shown in her penchant to jump off tall buildings and stab guys even if it blows her cover. For muscle is the inexcusable longed hair Eliot Spencer. The interaction between these three really amps up the humor as they deal with each other’s eccentricities.
The mom and dad of the group are Nathan Ford, the guy who realized how effective the group could be, an d Sophie Devereaux who can only act herself out of a bag when she is conning people. Their relationship should be interesting going forward with the introduction of Ford’s ex-wife for the last two episodes.
Leverage isn’t without its flaws, the loss of Ford’s son gets heavy handed at times especially for the first couple episodes. And Nathan’s drinking problem seemed to come and go depending on if the plot needed it or not, but the writing for the most part was witty to help ease these annoyances.
The season finale of Leverage airs tonight at 10:00 on TNT where the gang takes another try at trying to steal David miniture. You can catch up on the whole season with a whole day marathon on TNT or download the show on iTunes or Amazon Video on Demand. Check out a clip from the finale tonight below:
Tomorrow is the season finale of 10 items of Less on TBS at 11:00 so I thought I would finally unveil the long promised video where I ask John Lehr about his hosting duties on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
Sorry for shaking the camera while laughing, I should have sprung for a tripod. I also talked to John what we can expect from the future from him in 2009, check that video out:
Tool Academy: VH1 has some weird scheduling. No Tool Academy or Rock of Love Bus tonight because of the Academy Awards yet Confessions of a Teen Idol is a go. Versus the Super Bowl No Bret Michaels but the Tools and Teens were new. Yet there were no repeats against the Grammy’s, the biggest night in music for a once music channel. It is odd to think that airing against the Academy Awards would bite into their viewers but I bet repeating an episode twenty times in a week hurts more than any special programming it goes against. In other VH1 news, Ricki Lake has been tapped to be the head master of the next Charm School featuring rejects from Rock of Love Bus and Real Chance of Love. I cannot wait. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
Chuck: Just what is chuck’s brain made of that he can store all these Intercets in it? Bryce uploaded two (although the second time seemed to get dropped from the storyline because it hasn’t been mention since as to why and what was uploaded) and now he has FULCRUM’s up there too. Hopefully this eliminates the silly plot points where he doesn’t flash on FULCRUM agents on sight even though they are in the Intercet. You can also download Chuck on iTunes.
Trust Me: The Sarah storyline this week really encapsulate why the show isn’t picking up steam, the writing is really subject. I have no clue is she actually realized she is now a lesbian, was she joking, was she just trying to talk herself out of hooking up with the dude? I have no clue. And they really need to work the daughter into the show more because she was the only redeeming quality of this past episode. You can also download Trust Me on iTunes.
Gary Unmarried: Is Jamie King even on this show anymore? I cannot even remember the last episode she was in.
Lost: There are very few things I hate more on television than those silly “Thirty-Six Hours Eariler” beginnings. What the text should read is “The First Act Is Boring So We Are Going to Start in the Third Act in Hopes That You Don’t Fall Asleep or Turn off the TV. Plus We get to Write Less Because We Will Just Show the First Couple Minutes of the Episode When We Get to it in the Story. Oh, and Spoiler Alert: Kate and Hurley Will End Up on the Plane.”
Maybe this was to distract from the gaping plot holes like if the conditions had to be as close to original crash then 1) why were they flying West, not East 2) why did they all get to sit in first class? 3) and most important, where the frak was Walt? And about the “crash” how did they warp to the time Jin was stuck in and how did they warp to the ground? They can either crash and warp or warp and plummet to their deaths; you don’t just warp to the ground safely.
As for some predictions: Kate gave Aaron to Sawyer’s baby mama; Charlie was the one who told Hurley about the plane (which is also why he had the guitar); Jin, Myles and Faraday have been living amongst the Dharma Initiative for the past three years (although Sawyer and possibly Juliet have not unless he has been bribed with enough Dharma Beer); Ben had Syiad extradited to Guam; the people in Coach did not warp in time and are the people that shoot at Sawyer at. el. when they stole their pontoon; Ben killed (or at least attempted to kill) Penny. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
Friday Night Lights: I was waiting for Rigging to get a hold of JD. And his tour of Dillon certainly disappoint. But nothing this episode beat Billy staple gunning his hand to the wall. And I cannot believe Tyra was that stupid to believe the cowboy. And thanks to the Promo Monkeys who spoiled what was coming up with their relationship, it looks like she shouldn’t have. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com.
Big News of the Week: Scooter Is Moving on Up to the East Side: I have been lucky enough to nab a few interviews here at the 9th Green but the first time ever someone actually wanted to interview me. For those that have never heard of Showhype, it is a site that collects the most linked blog posts and you can even vote them up (or down) on its site. And the site decided to give me a nice write up and a short interview so head over to Showhype to get more inside on me and the 9th Green. And if you are already a member feel free to hit the up arrow on the story.
Another thing I have been quietly doing for the last couple months is being a contributor to the Hulu Awards where I have been nominating and voting on the best the site has to offer. The awards are still to be determined but you yourself can actually vote on the winners too by heading over to The Hulu Review and all the categories are on the top right column. And if you are not sure what to vote for, you cannot go wrong with Friday Night Lights for the categories it is nominated in.
Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture of the Week:
Coalition Links of the Week: Gossip Girl is a great guilty pleasure — but would you watch a real-life version? (BuzzSugar)
This week, Sandie wished she knew how not to quit Heroes. (Daemon's TV)
Vance did some TV blog catch up and puts his two cents on American Idol, Lost and more. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace explored the history of the Cylon race on Battlestar Galactica and offered up some theories about Daniel, The Colony, and Kara Thrace. (Televisionary)
Dan finally caught up with the new Showtime series The United States of Tara, and discussed his troubling infatuation with John Corbett. (TiFaux)
This week, the TV Addict proved that he may have too much time on his hands by not only taking our favorite magazine, Entertainment Weekly to task for offering up their umpteenth Twilight cover. But going one step further and designing a mock-up of what this week's cover could have looked like. (The TV Addict)
Kate tried to decide which of the "real" housewives of NYC is the most recession-proof (TV Filter)
Free Download of the Week: Damages (iTunes): Not only can you grab the second season premiere for free, for those that enjoy that can for a limited time download the whole series for a discounted price.
Video of the Week: As seen earlier in the week, I bought a new computer. With my old computer I some problems watching even the standard resolution videos on Hulu let along the high definition ones. So I made up for lost time during the extended weekend last week when I wasn’t trying to uses the suspiciously titled Windows Easy Transfer (which tells me I need 65 GB on my old computer to transfer despite only having a hard drive of 55). A good chuck of my Hulu time has been devoted to clips of Attack of the Show’s Olivia Munn who was nice to condence her greatest bits into this two minute video:
Next Week Pick of the Week: 10 Items or Less, Tuesday at 11:00 on TBS: Aside from Leverage, which I mentioned last week, this Tuesday also sees the season finale of 10 Items or Less. In honor of the finale I may just finally release the video of star John Lehr talking about his time on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here!
There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I though I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.
I never thought anyone would ever beat out Puff Daddy for most inappropriate sample ever when he turned a song about stalking (Every Breathe You Take) into a song about a fallen friend (I'll Be Missing You), but Asher Roth now wins that title taking Weezer's song about an absentee father (Say it Ain't So) and flip it into a party jam. Yet I cannot hate on a dude for starting a song "I wanna go to college for the rest of my life." I feel you bro. Except who has enough money to drink Miller Lite? Natty Lite is the beer of college.
As proven by his attempt at singing, Kanye West is proving to be too ambitious for his own good. Like in his new video where which looks like when my cable box starts to read the cable bad and gets that off color, streaming effect. Instead of going off to work in the fashion industry, Kanye needs to go back to college and rediscover his roots. And destroy his auto tuner.
I may have my man card revoked for writing this but He's Just Not That Into You looks almost watchable, not that I am rushing to the cinema to watch it. Granted when I say it looks watchable I am really only talking about the scenes with Ginnifer Goodwin and the Mac Guy in an Ed reunion. The other parts look like your token romantic comedy drivel. For more on Eric McCarley, check out my review of her debut album: You Hold Your Head Up to the Sky and Say What Kind of Blue Are You.
I can typically get behind videos with puppets, and the last video from The BPA landed at number one of the Best Videos of 2008, but the Iggy Pop puppet just scares me a little. Of course the real one kind of has the same affect on me so I guess the video works on that level.
Got to love those people that do the write up on the back of DVD’s. For Cold Prey it says that, “If you think this is going to be the usual ‘trapped teens stalked by a maniac’ movie, you’re dead wrong.” The finishes off the blurb by quoting Arrow in the Head that says, “If you enjoyed the original Friday the 13th and Halloween, you’re going to love Cold Prey.” Two movies that created the “trapped teens stalked by a manic” genre.
First off, it should be noted that Cold Prey is actually Fritt Vilt and is from Norway and is spoken in all Norwegian (aside from the occasional English songs). Naturally reading and horror flicks do not mesh very well as you are reading what they are screaming but are distracted by the words you sometimes miss what they are actually screaming at.
Despite what the back cover would have you to believe the movie is about a bunch of teens being stalked by a maniac (of whom it is pretty easy to figure out within the first five minutes). The one thing that differs is that they are not stuck in a warm climate conducive to fornicating but instead takes place in an abandoned cabin resort. The kids are stuck there as one of them has a snowboarding accident and it is too far to drag them back in the impending snowstorm to their car and just happen to see the cabin just up ahead.
The injured friend makes for a hard dilemma of flight or fight when one of the five comes up missing. Even with all the reading, you can still sense the fear and claustrophobia that the snowboarders feel as someone in an oversized parka, ski goggles, and an ax hunting them down and manage to frightening and entertaining even as it goes through more than one horror clichés. And if you are grossed out by gore, you can still enjoy this movie as it doesn’t show much because it cares much more about the hunt than the kill, cleaning up the broken leg is as gruesome as onscreen gore as it gets in the movie. And being five character the maniac takes his time getting to each of them.
Apparently the Windows Easy Transfer does not live up to its name as I try to transfer files from my old computer to my new. It does not help that I have been trying to do it through my network and I keep getting disconnected during the transfer. Of course if it were truly Easy, it would let you start right back up instead of making you start from the beginning. But anyways. As I try to do this successfully (I am going to try doing it through my iPod today) take a listen of two of my favorite songs of the new year.
I recently bought a new computer and if you are reading this then I am still transferring files. Hopefully I can get everything configured the way I like it soon and get something posted by tomorrow. One advantage to this new computer is I can watch Hulu without a choppy video which i spent too much time this weekend on when I should have been doing the transferring stuff like this clip from Chuck. And really who need a Gratuitous Token Hot Chick Picture when there is a Gratuitious Token Hot Chick Montage.
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day so I’m sure many people pulled out their Sweet Lovin’ playlist and I though I would share a few songs on mine (please not that the Sweet Lovin’ playlist is not to be confused with the Dirty, Dirty Sex playlist which is basically Prince’s catalogue on an infinite loop). As always leave your guesses, both artist and song title, in the comment section or e-mail me. If you are correct I will un-bold the lyric. Please keep in mind the lyrics quiz is for entertainment purposes only so please only use your own meandering mind to guess them. Now onto the lyric quiz:
1. Girl I’m in love with you, this ain’t the honeymoon, past the infatuation stage. (Ordinary People - John Nlegend; guessed by Rose) 2. Tonight let’s be lovers, tomorrow, go back to being friends. (Say Goodbye - Dave Matthews Band; guessed by Angie) 3. Suppose I never ever saw you. Suppose you never ever called. Suppose I kept on singing love songs just to break my fall. 4. Do me wrong or do me right. Go on and tell me lies but hold me tight. (Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight - James Taylor; guessed by Rebekah) 5. My back is broke and it’s a hurtin’. All I want is for you to make love to me. (Beast of Burden - Rolling Stones; guessed by Angie) 6. Do my best to follow through, come up with a master plan, a home hit, a winning stand. A guarantee and not a promise that I’d never let your love slip from my hands. 7. And the wonder of it all is that you just don’t realize just how much I love you. (Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton; guessed by Anonymous) 8. It’s undeniable that we should be together. It’s unbelievable that I used to say that I’d fall never. (Back at One - Brian McKnight; guessed by Angie) 9. I don’t mind spending every day out on your corner in the pouring rain. (She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5; guessed by Angie) 10. Baby, baby, baby, I can wait for the first time. My imagination is running wild. (U Don't Know My Name - Alicia Keys; guessed by Rebekah) 11. Pour the wine. Light the fire. Your wish is m command. (I'll Make Love To You - Boyz II Men; guessed by Rebekah 12. When you kiss me on the midnight street. Sweep me off my feet. Singing ain’t this life so sweet. 13. When your secret heart cannot speak so easily. Come her darling, let the whisper start. (Have A Little Faith In Me - John Hiatt; guessed by Rebekah) 14. September’s coming soon; I’m pining for the moon. And what if there two side by side in orbit around the fairest sun. (Nightswimming - R.E.M.; guessed by Rebekah) 15. I said I love you and that’s forever. And this I promise you from the heart. (Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel; guessed by Rebekah) 16. It’s our God forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved. (I'm Yours - Jason Mraz, guessed by Molly) 17. Love remained a drug that’s the high and not the pill. (Kiss From a Rose - Seal; guessed by Angie) 18. That helping hand, someone to understand. When you have lost your way you have someone there to say I’ll show you. (Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie; guessed by Angie) 19. I just remembered that time at the market. Snuck up behind me and jumped on my shopping cart and rode down aisle five. (Comfortable - John Mayer; guessed by Molly) 20. I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you know. (Wonderwall - Oasis; guessed by Angie) 21. Now would you die for the one you love? Hold me in your arms tonight. (Hero - Enrique Iglasias; guessed by Angie) 22. Think I’d leave you down when you’re down on your knees. I wouldn’t do that. I’ll tell you you’re right when you’re aren’t. 23. You said you’d give me a highway with no one on it. A treasure just to look upon it. (All I Want Is You - U2; guessed by Molly) 24. I’m quiet you know. You make a first impression. I’ve found I’m scared to know I’m always on your mind. (Collide - Howie Day; guessed by Molly) 25. Love, I get so lost sometimes. (In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel; guessed by Molly)
Quote of the Week: He’s Korean, I’m from Encino. (Miles, Lost)
Song of the Week: Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers (as sung by Raj, The Big Bang Theory)
Big News of the Week: I’m Sorry Alex Rodriquez, You’re Just a Tool: I’m not sure what was less surprising, that Michael Phelps got caught with his lips halfway down a bong pipe or that A-Roid failed a drug test. Which begs the question, what will opposing fans taunt A-Roid more about next year: his steroid abuse or hooking up with Madonna. Or option C that A-Roid will get caught up in something else will come up between now and opening day.
Coalition Links of the Week: Buzz threw caution (and logic) to the wind and made her picks for this year's American Idol top 12. (BuzzSugar)
The smile and blond hair have a lot to do with it, but Vance still defends The Mentalist (with Simon Baker) is way more fun to watch than a procedural has any right to be. (Tapeworthy)
This week, Jace reviewed the first few episodes of Joss Whedon's new FOX drama Dollhouse, starring Eliza Dushku. (Televisionary)
Yeesh! Not even a decent Weekend Update could save a pretty dismal Bradley Cooper-hosted Saturday Night Live. (TiFaux)
Kate and Raoul rounded up all of their remaining questions about Battlestar Galactica. (TV Filter)
Tool Academy: It is pretty clear that Tommy should win because he was the only one who opted out of getting the Tool Academy tattoo. And not only did the other Tools got the tattoo but they got a huge version of the crest of it. That alone should disqualify them. And after this episode it is clear that they need to do a female version of the show. Although I am not sure what they can call it because all the common derogatory terms for females won’t get past the censors. You can also download Tool Academy on iTunes.
The Big Bang Theory: Leonard’s mom being a female version of Sheldon was cheesy, cliché formulaic and fracking hilarious. Her calling out Raj and Howard’s homosexual relationship may have been the funniest thing the show has ever done. The look on Howard’s face was priceless. Then Leonard made possible the dumbest mistake since Chris Webber trying to call a time-out. Just shut up and head for home. You can stream current episodes over at Innertube. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.
Trust Me: The whole Conner going after a pregnant ex-girlfriend really struck me the wrong way like the writers were purposefully trying to destroy the character before the show could get off the ground. Really quite disturbing. You can also download Trust Me on iTunes.
Lost: I have this sinking sensation that soon we will be dealing with three separate time period: the people still on the island circa 2006 (or wherever they may be), the Oceanic Six circa today, and Locke circa wherever he may have been warped to via the frozen donkey wheel. Of which supposable stopped the time warp according to Jack’s dad. As annoying as the multiple warping per episode I’ll be disappointed because there are still plenty of unanswered questions I thought we would get during all the flashes.
Freshest in my mind is there are still holes in the Rousseau backstory. Like we learned that she wasn’t in fact crazy and killed her team for no reason but what exactly infected her team and why did she survive? Or how did she go from having a French accent to a strong Serbian one?
We also can deduce a few things like that Locke will come back to life because he still has to tell non aging dude where, and when, to find him after being shot by Ethan. We may also be able to assume that when Locke un-jammed the Donkey Wheel that the people still on the island won’t get warped back to 2006 but will be stuck in whatever time they last were. And considering Faraday has to tell Charlotte not to come back to the island and he starts working for Dharma, as seen in the premiere, that they are suck in the sixties somewhere.
As for the Oceanic Six, we get the most anti-climatic reveal of the show that Faraday’s mother is the person working with Not-Henry. And not a peep from Desmond who saw her in his flashback/mind warp thing. And then after making a big deal about everyone going back for two seasons, she just like oh well when just three of them show up. Although I wonder if Not-Henry knows about Penny and Desmond and deduce that she is in the vicinity to kill. You can stream current episodes over at ABC.com.
Friday Night Lights: I’m not sure what was the best part of the episode, Landry listening to Skid Row, Riggins repeating Buddy’s mantra to everyone, or Herc defense as to why it is okay to have pornography around babies. Oh have I missed Herc. They really need to work him into the show more. You can stream current episodes over at NBC.com.
Free Download of the Week: Money (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge & Z-Trip) - N.A.S.A. (Amazon MP3): Yes you read that correctly, Chuck D and David Byrne on the same track. And the song is as weird and awesome as you would expect it would be. And for you dudes out there without any Valentines you can rest in the solace that the The 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Show is currently free on Amazon Video on Demand. For those that do, Amazon MP3 is offering up Let’s Get it On by Marvin Gaye for free today only (see banner below).
Next Week Pick of the Week: Leverage, Tuesday at 10:00 on TNT: Gotta love the promo for the show that hypes “Either Nate gets his vengeance or his friends go to jail for the rest of their lives.” I am going out on the limb and predict that the latter won’t be happening. But anyways. Tuesday starts off a two part season finale of what turned out to be the best new show of 2007. Then if in time for the second part on February 24, TNT is running an all day marathon airing the previous 12 episodes beginning at 10:00 A.M.
Why Survivor. Why must you vote out the hottest chick first? It happened last season and again this season. Sure Carolina Eastwood had an annoying voice, possibly the most annoying of any reality contestant ever, but that is why God gave us the Mute button. Unfortunately her tribemates didn’t have the luxury of a Mute button which may have led to her demise.
The big draw of Survivor: Tocantins was that they were voting for people right off the truck. But much to the surprise of everybody, the top vote getters were not taken right out of Brazil but got a helicopter ride to their camps, bypassing the four hour hike in 100 degree weather. I am not sure what Sierra Reed looked more upset about, that she got the most votes our her and her strep throat had to stay in the game.
But that is just where the fun began, I liked that they were given the option of either searching for a hidden Immunity Idol. But I wonder why not both? Did they dig up Sierra’s Idol so she could never get it later since she choose to set up the camp and forced Sandy Burgin not to do any work after she gave up looking for the Idol? And how could she possibly not know how long ten paces are? Has she never seen a pirate movie ever in her life?
This year may also have the most famous contestant ever Tamara Johnson-George who you may know better as Taj from 90’s R&B group SWV (don’t tell me you don’t remember Weak). And to add to her net wealth is the George part of her last name that she got from ex-Tennessee Titan Eddie. Eddie also went to Ohio State, the state’s whose former Miss Ohio Candice Smith is also a contestant this season although I don’t think we got to hear a word from her yet. There is also a multi-millionaire on the show but I don’t care enough to look that up but I will just assume that it is entrepreneur Brendan Synnott. The only other contestant of note is Mormon, nudist, professional cyclist Tyson Apostol. Here are some of my predictions:
Will Be Most Loved: Spencer Duhm
Will Be Most Hated: Brendan
Most Likely to Quit: Taj
Will Be Voted Off Next: Erinn Lobdell
Most Likely to be Blindsided Before the Merge: Benjamin “Coach” Wade
Contestant I’d Most Like to Have Dirty, Dirty Sex with Even if She Hasn’t Take a Shower in a Month: Sydney Wheeler
Survivor: Tocantins Winner: James “JT” Thomas Jr.
Back Up Choice: Jerry Simms
Survivor: Tocantins airs Thursdays at 8:00 on CBS. You can also download Survivor: Tocantins on iTunes or through Amazon Video on Demand (see below):
I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Eastbound and Down, The Closer, Heroes iStory, Tracy Jordan, Kindle 2, and free Mieka Pauley.
- In a story I broke last week, February 15th at 10:30 sees the premiere of Eastbound and Down starring Danny McBride of Pineapple Express fame. So those with HBO, cozy yourself up next to your Valentive and take a look. Before then, check out this behind the scene look at the show.
- Amy Sedaris starts up a two episode arc on The Closer this coming Monday at 9:00 as the sister of the groom and phychic who wants to help Brenda on a case which hilerity will surely follow. Check out a clip below:
- For those have yet to jump ship on Heroes, Heroes iStory recently returned with The Agent, a story that parallels Volume Four of the show. For fans not familiar with the iStory, the interactive feature at NBC.com puts fans in the seat to decide the outcome and fate of the story. I get the sence it is kind of like the old Choose Your Own Adventure books from our youths. Head over to NBC.com to check that out.
- Not to be upstaged by Christian Bale, Tracy Jordan of 30 Rock fame went on his own rant recently. Head over to NBC.com to give that a listen.
- When the Kindle arrived, it was supposed to be the iPod of reading but a year later and I have not met anyone that owns one. Maybe with the release of the Kindle 2 it will finally catch on. It totes a 25% longer battery life, more storage (1500 books), 20% faster page turns, a Read to Me function for the deaf or lazy people like me that hate to read. So if you have $359 burning a hole in your pocket, check out the banner below. Presumably you could read the 9th Green there but I am not entirelym sure how.
- For those that do not have that kind of money to spend on luxury, how about something for free? For a limited time Amazon MP3 is offering up the entire album by Mieka Pauley for free. She is kind of in the acoustic singer-songwriter in the vein of early Jewel. So give a listen to the clips below and if you like it, you can get it for nothing as long as it is still says free.
There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I though I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.
A fairly boring video with just the members of U2 playing in front of a green screen with just random stuff happening behind them like a more psychedelic iPod commercial. Hopefully the song isn’t n indication for what No Line on the Horizon is going to be as the song is just a weaker version of Vertigo. Luckily U2 tend to release some of the weakest songs of an album as the first single and Get on Your Boots may rival Discoteque in its absurdity.
Oh snap! It was the friend that he was cheating with. Okay, it wasn’t that surprising. And Taylor Swift may want to sticking to videos with no dialogue.
This new Sara Bareilles video reminds me a more colorful version of Fiona Apple’s Never Is a Promise video in the look and sound which is a good thing in my book.
It is easy to tell that Lily Allen has a huge inferiority complex. She dropped a great Mark Ronson produced album but a month later it was his other album with Amy Winehouse that got all the awards. Then Katy Perry completely stole her style to the point where she should collect a royalty check, and then scored the biggest of the summer with a watered-down version of Lily’s much catchier music.
So for her sophomore album It's Not Me, It's You she tries to distance herself from her retreads. Gone is Ronson, instead replaced by Greg Kurstin (The Bird and the Bee), and gone are her attacks on ex-boyfriends (aside from Not Fair which might as well have been called Not Big part II). Instead she has bigger targets like George Bush on (Expletive Deleted) You which although catchy can get old considering the song was officially released after the dude left the album and all the attacks on 43 have been heard multiple times before (daddy issues, racist, intelligible, war mongering).
She also goes for bigger targets like God where she ponders if the Big Guy has ever done drugs, who he would vote for, or if his favorite band is Creedence Clearwater Revival on Him. Allen even gets on her social commentary hat on with the opener Everyone’s at It where she points out the hypocrisy of people who take prescription drugs criticizing those that take the illegal time. The Fear is a tongue in cheek look at today’s materialism and fame. But you have to wonder how tongue and cheek the song is with lines like “I’ll take my cloths off and it will be shameless but everyone know that’s how you get famous” considering she spent most of last summer getting her picture taken without a bikini top on.
The lack of Ronson, who may or may not be the subject of I Could Say (“Since you gone I’ve lost that chip on my shoulder, since you been gone it’s like the whole world is my stage”), is what really brings down the album. His retro horns and Motown hooks gelled really well with Allen’s snarkiness. Kurstin does bring some diversity mixing his danceable track with barroom pianos (22), techno (Back to the Start), piano balled (I Could Say), French cabaret (Never Gonna Happen), oldies folk (He Wasn’t Time) and even country (Not Fair). But not diverse enough to keep you from thinking how some of the song could have used the Ronson magic touch.
A fairly low key event this year at the Grammy’s missing the usual goosebumps moments the show is known for instead there were too many head scratching moments. Really, the big surprise of the night was Stevie Wonder performing with the Jonas Brothers. And if I am not mistaken, this was the first year they didn’t run the “Awards previously handed out earlier” segment instead opting for a “go to gammy.com” to see those. Granted I am too lazy to do so. Here are some other thoughts from the night:
- Even though they were not up for any award, U2 opens up the show. Hopefully Get on Your Boots isn’t a preview of what is to come on their new album as it is just a Vertigo retread. Then we get our first awkward moment of the night with Bono throwing to Whitney Houston.
- I know they were engaged, but it is hard not to start laughing seeing I Love New York castoff Punk next to Jennifer Hudson, who takes home worst dressed award (M.I.A. gets a pass on account that she is nine months pregnant).
- The biggest showdown in the night didn’t actually take place in any announced category, but between The Rock and Jay Mohr between for most uncomfortable dialogues.
- The Rock throws to the next awkward moment of the evening with Justin Timberlake rambling on about stalking Al Green or something. Granted this performance was rushed together after Rihanna canceled her performance early Sunday after she may or may not have been assaulted by Chris Brown.
- I was a little disappointed that Coldplay didn’t get served during their performance. I actually thought that was Jay-Z was doing before I recognized him. And is Coldplay winning a Grammy for Viva la Vida the musical equivalent of Barry Bonds being the home run king?
- Miley Cyrus should go back to lip-syncing Hanna Montana songs for ten year olds. Singing live just isn’t her strong suit.
- A little part of my soul died watching Stevie Wonder slumming it with the Jonas Brothers. And isn’t Superstition a little too heavy for the teens. Will they be performing Walk on the Wild Side with Lou Reed next year?
- Do we really need a Blink-182 reunion? Certainly their sophomoric rock was fine when you’re twenty-three, but not when you are thirty-three.
- Did I miss the point of My Grammy Moment? Wasn’t it to perform with someone on stage at the Grammy’s, not having your video played on a screen behind someone for about twenty seconds? And one of the Jonas Brothers looked a little too excited during the Katy Perry performance.
- And here is why CBS is the number one network and NBC will be battling The CW soon. During their big event last week, NBC only promoted one night of television, while CBS actually spread out all their shows including upcoming ones. Although if I am Vegas, I setting the Over/Under on Harper’s Island at 5 episodes. That just looks cheesy. And can I go ahead and predict the Bride does it.
- It may be time for a Kanye West intervention. It is never a good sign when you are starting to look and dress like Michael Jackson circa Off the Wall.
- Well at least the Adele / Sugarland wasn’t as bad as when the country band joined Beyoncé onstage for Irreplaceable.
- Why is USC the go to marching band? Certainly being in Los Angeles has something to do with it. But can’t someone give UCLA a little love?
- Shouldn’t T.I. be in jail by now? Since when do we let felons just wonder the country for a couple months before repaying their debt to society? To make maters worse, I have to sit through that horrible Justin Timberlake collaboration. That should add a couple more months to his sentence.
- Holy Neil Diamond sighting. But how do not get an all-star chorus to sing a drunken backup like has happen in every bar for the past thirty years? That could have been the highlight of the show.
- I would like to make it known I am completely against doubling and tripling up the tribute portion of the program.
- And the least surprising part of the night was the Robert Plant & Alison Krauss sweep. And that is your 2009 Grammy’s. Yay.
) is the Nick in the title living out a younger version of Jon Favereau in Swingers
after girlfriend, the unlikeable Alexis Dziena (Invasion
), but not in a good way, dumps him and he is still calling and making mix tapes a month later. But instead of an obsession with swing music Nick is in a gay-homosexual band (despite being into chicks).
) manages to be snarky and likeable when she happens to get Nick to pretend to be her boyfriend to prove to Dziena (they go to the same all girls school complete with uniforms) that she has one not know that Nick was the Nick that keep on giving Dziena mix tapes after she broke up with him. And in their mutual dislike, they decide to hop around New York City looking for the elusive and aptly titled Where’s Fluffy.
).
with the expect of Middle Management by Bishop Allen (which you may remember from the trailer). And Where’s Fluffy is built up so much it is hard to be anything but disappointed with their music, although the writing gets creative with the ending to alleviate that especially if you pay attention to Nick and Norah’s last conversation. But at the very least, this movies can give anyone hope that their musical soulmate is out their someone. Now if I can just find someone who has both Frank Sinatra and A Tribe Called Quest on her iPod.![Terror Alert Level: High [ORANGE]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebDZ0qqwOVKMZj7oFSUe8Hm3ax54U9Hp1fThJPgiddTyzcdwx_5SV6E3b7hkKyxbaDiym4COmUXT2YJnsKCUjBHI_a2xZtNoY7qFQRslP5AGO5gLkJwn2ZbO0wIF80ycbKrgPPA/s400/small_high.png)
on my Terror Alert Scale.
(I should have a review up by at least Thursday of that week) and one of my favorite songs from the group that never was a big hit was What If God Will His Angels. I guess that happens with songs that have overtly religious song. The song was off the equally ignored Pop album. It may have been the worst U2 album, but bad U2 is still ninety percent better than any music that has ever been released.
. Check out a clip from the finale tonight below: 
(Tropic Thunder, Iron Man)
and 
, you’re going to love Cold Prey.” Two movies that created the “trapped teens stalked by a manic” genre.
- James Taylor; guessed by Rebekah)
- Alicia Keys; guessed by Rebekah)
- Boyz II Men; guessed by Rebekah
- John Hiatt; guessed by Rebekah)
- R.E.M.; guessed by Rebekah)
- Billy Joel; guessed by Rebekah)
- N.A.S.A. (Amazon MP3): Yes you read that correctly, Chuck D and David Byrne on the same track. And the song is as weird and awesome as you would expect it would be. And for you dudes out there without any Valentines you can rest in the solace that the 
is currently free on Amazon Video on Demand. For those that do, Amazon MP3 is offering up Let’s Get it On by Marvin Gaye for free today only (see banner below).
![Terror Alert Level: Elevated [YELLOW]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-iVFV0hXCTSYP16K_V0Rrxp3GqFrtBIJKeTUyQ2LpxZQ9XKHFj6QGtqqa7oxhLadLV8vUj8R84AftD8IKUSfN0u_u0CYDtJwhrpCPN2DBWquAIDv0jbVlhZL0mDFKlPKluGyxw/s400/small_elevated.png)
on my 
