24 Again...

I wrote a blog earlier stating that 24 is getting better with each season. I spoke too soon. We're only at the 10th hour and 24 has already begun recycling old ideas and storylines. Blackmailing a poor woman with her son's life (Jack did that whole scene in the entire first season). How about attempting to remove the president from office via assasination? (They already blew up Air Force 1 and tried to remove David Palmer from office twice) I'm getting really sad at the prospect of seeing such a good first 4 episodes be ruined by the next 20. I do enjoy seeing James Cromwell (except does anyone believe that he looks like Kiefer Sutherland or is as tall as Kiefer is?), but other than him this season is becoming such a drag. Nonetheless, I still look forward to every Monday night.

The Best Office

When did "The Office" become the best show on television? (It isn't when 24 and Lost decided to suck it up in the past couple of weeks) But "The Office" has such a unique chemistry that works on every episode. Unlike the original UK version, "The Office" with Steve Carell has branched off and create television that is truly unlike anything else. Without a laugh track and the typical sitcom style of "Friends" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" ( I never did like that show), the writers have decided to take a new approach to the show radically different from its first few episodes. It's decided to let some cast members write episodes, moved outside the Office location, brought new actors, hired celebrity directors (Joss Whedon and Harold Ramis), and let the cast loose from its chains. It is the only show on television that I cannot live without. It always makes me smile, sometimes empathize, and realize the future of Comedic television lies in their hands.

Dixie Chicks Still Suck!

Let me preface this by stating my hate of the Dixie Chicks before any of their Bush tirades.

With that said, i still hate the Dixie Chicks and by giving them the Best Album grammy, the Recording Academy has just prolonged their careers four years longer than it needed to be. I like the album. It's very toned-down and much better than the country albums of Rascall Flats and Tobey Keith and Tim McGraw (when you write songs about BBQ stains on your white t-shirt, you're asking to be made fun of). And much of the album's strengths is because of producer Rick Rubin and not the Dixie Chicks themselves. But it's not the album, it's their whole, "I'm better than you" attitude. Natalie Maines trotted up on the stage, quoted Nelson from the Simpsons, and rubbed it in our faces that they won the grammy. Do you think the album would have won if they hadn't spoken out and be ostracized from their country music audience? Absolutely not!

Highlight What?

I don’t understand what people highlight sometimes. You get a range of people who use the highlighter for different reasons. Some people normally have one highlighter: the basic neon yellow. Then you have the highlighter fanatics, carrying their different highlighters of different colors and sizes. I can understand two colors, but five is pretty unbelievable. Is hot magenta really necessary? But most of the time, it’s not how many highlighters that people have that irks me. It’s what people highlight. Sometimes you highlight an interesting phrase or important keyword. But if it’s in bold, why do you need to highlight it? Show some restraint! The highlighter is to highlight. What’s the point of highlighting the entire book? Is it to show that everything is important? Or is it because highlighting makes it look pretty? Either way, it annoys me.

Snubbed by the Academy...not really!!!

After the Academy Award nominations are announced, there are always a lot of complaints of "being snubbed." Well, the truth is that those that were snubbed weren't good enough. Not to say that the product isn't good (as we'll see that the academy will still recognize those aspects of the movie that were good). In the case of "Dreamgirls," the movie just isn't the best thing in the world, but there are aspects of it which are good. Jennifer Hudson (whose over-the-top performance isn't that spectacular when compared to Eddie Murphy) and all the artistic aspects are recognized. Although I was a bit surprised by Sascha Baron Cohen not getting nominated, the film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay.

If you're not buying my reasoning here, I guess you can think of the Academy as a bunch of racist Jews. Which will explain why "Dreamgirls" did not get nominated for Best Picture? And will also explain why Cohen didn't get nominated for his anti-semitic Borat. Solution: Get the NAACP involved!!!!!

24

24 is probably the best show on television (minus the year when Lost had its first season). But there is a caveat to that statement. 24 is the best show for 12-13 episodes. In these episodes, you get the drama and all the thrilling moments. After those episodes, it recycles itself (from past seasons), wastes time (Kim gets caught in a lion trap), and becomes pretty unbelievable (does Jack ever eat anything?). With all that said, I do have to say that the writers are getting better every year with this past season opener being probably the best ever. It's season 6 and by this time, Jack should be around 65 years old. Yet, he still is following the president, shooting down his own people, and wearing those tight shirts.

Rain on an Island

Being on an island is a good and bad thing in film/television. For instance, in "Lost," rain comes and goes, but mostly, during intense and thrilling moments, the rain just keeps coming. It beams off Mathew Fox as he's wrestling the stranger or falls down Naveen Andrews as he's holding a dead Shannon. After living on an island for almost a week, I can say that rain just comes down.

In "Pirates of the Caribbean," which was filmed in Dominica the island I'm staying in now, rain comes down I believe only once in the beginning before the wedding. I really didn't like that movie so I don't truly remember or even care, enough to tell you that island life in Hollywood is pretty much like everything else: not real.

Borat Lawsuit

Most people who have seen the movie love "Borat." It's especially funny for most of us in the West Coast, who laugh at the bigots and racists that reside in the south. I recently read that the fraternity boys in the very funny motor-home scene are suing the creators of Borat for allegedly getting them drunk and recording their obscene gestures. This is absolutely ridiculous. Even if the producers did give offer them more alcohol, those boys already believed that "slavery is a good thing" before the producers met them. If you had given me some alcohol (two or three shots would take care of it), I would not be calling for the reinstatement of slavery, mock Jews (Mel Gibson), or look like an idiot for my mugshot (Nick Nolte and Michael Jackson sans alcohol). Once again, it's people trying to capitalize on the popularity of a genius like Baron Cohen.

A Letter to Michael Richards

Oh Michael. What have you gotten yourself into? Wasn't Mel Gibson's tirade over Jews enough? You just had to offend the black community. Oh Vanilla Face. Now when people look at Kramer, they'll see a racist. When people look at your role in "Problem Child," they'll see a racist. When people look at your role in "The Michael Richards Show," they'll see...wait no one watched that show and probably don't even remember you ever made it. Lastly, the "I have black friends excuse" is not a good excuse. The only excuse is and forever will be "I am black" so I can make fun of black people. Just ask the Tsegas.

Veronica Mars

This is a good show. Actually, this is a great show. I'm a big fan of "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer," and this show is much much better. It's funny, cute, adult, and intelligent. I just finished watching Season 1 and can't wait to start Season 2. Also, I've finally realized that watching television on DVD is the best way to go. No commercials and no waiting for a week (or months in the case of Lost).

Crazy Things People Do #1

Often, especially in crowded areas like Bruinwalk, the Airport, and big malls, I look at every person that passes me. I often dedicate a good stare and probably 2 seconds longer than I have to in order to get a really good look at their face. Why do people do this? I have no idea. I doubt that you'll ever see anyone you know, but I guess it's just nice to people watch. Sometimes, I would just plug in the Ipod and stay on my course, but that rarely happens. I know I probably won't see Heidi Klum or Brad Pitt but I will occassionally get a Steve Guttenberg, A.J. from the Backstreet Boys, or, if I'm lucky, Wayne Brady. But I know that I don't have to look at these people, many of whom I don't know. However, sometimes, when it is someone that I know and I don't want to talk to, I put my head down or pretend I'm in the zone, look forward, and pass them without a glance. It's sad, but we all do it. It's just a crazy thing we do.

TWO Many Sequels

When looking around Blockbuster yesterday, I noticed a strange title, "Save the Last Dance 2." The film didn't have Julia Stiles or "that black guy" in the movie so I was intrigued to know the premise of the film. Basically, the story goes that a white girl learns more about herself through an unlikely relationship. This sounds extremely familiar to the first movie. There's nothing really further to explore in the mythology of "Save the Last Dance." So why make this movie????

Does anyone actually want to watch this? After looking more around the store, I saw more and more sequels of movies that do not need to be made. Wild Things 2 and 3, Skulls 2, Cruel Intentions 2, Prince and Me 2, Bring it On 2 and 3, Phenomenon 2, and the list goes on. Don't even get me started on Disney Films. Lion King 1 1/2. What is 1 1/2? Is there a small simba getting into trouble with little timon and little pumba singinga child's rendition of "Hakuna Matata"?

The Roller Skate

Although the first recorded use of roller skates was in 1743, the inventor remains a mystery. Those skates were in-line skates similar to the Rollerblades we know today. It wasn't until James Plimpton in 1863 decided to create the classic "quad" roller skate with 2 pairs of wheels set side by side to give more traction and control to the skate.

To James Plimpton I say: "Thank you!" Thank you James Plimpton for creating an invention that has served no benefit to mankind aside from broken ankles and the crap movie "Roll-Bounce." Thank you James Plimpton for causing me so much pain and making me look like an idiot in front of hundreds of black people and Michelle Trachtenberg. In the middle of the Civil War, wasn't there anything better to do than think of a way to improve roller-skates? Couldn't you have, I don't know, dedicated your time to fighting slavery?

Happy B-Day Helen!

Who has a better blog?

When I'm thinking of things to write in my blog, they usually amount to superficial things that only matter to a few people. So you can imagine my surprise when I realized that I could write about things in real life. Except for the fact that my life isn't very exciting. I wake up to no job, no school, and no thing to do. (I know that i'm supposed to use nothing but no thing fits better with my motif) For people who write excellent blogs (i.e. Mindy), they have excellent lives to muse about. I could never write about my roommate who doesn't want to share the kitchen because my roommates are my parents. They always want to share the kitchen. I could write about my love for bran in any form or my old piano teacher who teaches me to play songs like "I Found Love in a Cherry Tree." Nope. Instead, I focus on the superficial entertainment news because I'm a superficial guy who wishes he hung out with Ryan Gosling everyday. Don't expect me to share my inner secrets with you, that's why I have Aegean. Just realize that my life isn't exciting and my blog will only discuss trivial matters that are more exciting than my own.

Half Nelson

This year has been very disappointing in terms of movies. When you watch a movie now, you always say to yourself, "Have I seen this before?" Of course, in the case of Jackass 2, you can't really say that you've seen someone have their privates be bitten by a snake. (Then again, what you do in your private time is your business) But I saw "Half-Nelson" with Aegean and we were both blown away by it. I haven't seen a film like this all year. It's a simple story, but I think we all need something simple. I guess I liked it because Ryan Gosling is really really good as this sad and pathetic teacher who snorts (and smokes) crack. He is my new favorite actor and for the first time I can say with full dignity that I want to see "The Notebook."

A Never-Ending Oasis

If anyone who reads this (which is probably all of 2 people) is in their early 20s, they grew up listening to Oasis. When "Wonderwall" hit the radios in the mid-90s, I was in the 7th grade and immediately loved this band. Like everyone else, I had proclaimed the new Beatles were here for my generation. Sadly, the band always fell in its own shadow and never became what they were supposed to be. After re-listening to their first CD "Definitely Maybe," I actually felt sorry for them. Here is a band with great anthems of love and despair and rejoice. They have such beautiful songs but, alas, they became perfect examples of fallen rock stars. Now supposedly, Charlie on "Lost" and his brother were modeled after Liam and Noel Gallagher. I only hope that Noel get stuck on a deserted island with strange polar bears and cocaine in Virgin Mary statues so that he may have an epiphany and realize his band was the best band of the 90s and could still recapture the glory if he wanted it.

Family Feud

There are some pretty stupid game shows out on television. For example, in "Wheel of Fortune" you spin a wheel and pick letters. Any idiot can do that, in fact, my three year old cousin can do that. And the worst part about it is that they can make over $10,000 easily. It's a glorified Hangman and it irks me everyday. But sometimes these game shows for idiots can be somewhat amusing. Take Family Feud, a personal favorite for many years especially with Richard Karn, where families give answers to survey questions. Most of the time, these answers are absolutely ridiculous. In a recent show, the question was "Name Something you bring on a first date?" One person replied, "Ketchup." Immediately the family responded, "Good answer! Good answer!" What is the screening process for this gameshow. Are the criteria: 1) Idiot 2) Little Education 3) Absolutely no common sense? Once again, my three year old cousin can give a better answer. And once again, the family can earn $20,000 each night. And once again, I watch everynight at 6pm.

Sports Night

I love sports, in particular basketball, tennis, and football (Baseball is a past time that feels like lots and lots of wasted time). So imagine my surprise when I discovered there was once a show called "Sports Night" about the going-ons of a "Sportscenter"-type show. I immediately added it to my Blockbuster queue and have enjoyed the show immensely. It's from the creators of "West Wing" and the newly beloved "Studio 60" and has a younger Peter Krause from "Six Feet Under" and Felicity Huffman from that god-awful "Desperate Housewives." Add it to your queue please or borrow it from me. Although it takes place in the World Trade Center, the show makes me wonder why this show was never on the radar when it was still on the air. Who decided to cancel this show and green light "Grey's Anatomy" with Sandra "Oh My Gosh You're Nasty"??

Good Television...Bad Movies

I've been very disappointed with the recent movies. "Illusionist" was fine, but I haven't been wanting to go to the movies. Instead, I've been content with the television, awaiting "Lost" and the new NBA season. There is just nothing good out in theaters when you know Jet Li can't act and will make another martial arts movie or when you discover that they're making movies from t.v. shows (Jackass 2 from Jackass and the Last Kiss from an old episode of Felicity). If you missed the episode last Monday, it's time to watch "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." It has movie stars (Amanda Peet), a old movie screenwriter (Aaron Sorkin from one of my guilty pleasures "American President"), and lastly a movie look. It feels like a small movie and it works. I've always enjoyed Sorkin's shows especially "West Wing," and I hope people watch it because it's in an unusual time slot and because people still watch "Grey's Anatomy" despite "Sandra Oh My God you're STILL nasty."

4.8.15.16.23.42

Lost Season 1 is the best television series I've ever seen, which is what makes Season 2 so disappointing. It's hard to follow Season 1 which introduced us to great characters and great storylines. It seems like Season 1 was so thoughtfully planned out and strategic to the very end whereas Season 2 rehashed old storylines (Ana Lucia's storyline seems very similar to Jack's storyline) and gave us storylines that we don't care about (who cares about Rose and Bernard?). Thanks to Blockbuster online i'm revisting Season 2 in anticipation of Season 3 later this month. I guess i'm watching it because I have to. I don't want to give up on Lost, but if they aren't careful "Lost" will become the next "Alias" (a great one season show).