Once

I'm really really bad with movie reviews (See: my Hangover review), but I had to make a quick post recommending one of the best movies I've seen in a while, Once. True, I'm late to the bandwagon and only really watched it now because of Kris Allen (omg stop talking about American Idol!), but it doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it any less. It is a brilliant little movie with fantastic actors, amazing songs, and an ending that made me cry like a baby! I actually just went and bought the soundtrack and now I can't stop listening to it. It's a quiet, passionate movie that really speaks to the power of music and how it brings people together.

"Falling Slowly" is maybe one of the greatest songs ever. The scene where they learn it together gave me goosebumps, and it playing over the end of the movie was pretty much the reason I cried so hard. Here's a link if you want to listen to it. (Oh, and uh, here's a link to listen to Kris's version. IDK it's pretty good I guess...). I also really like "If You Want Me", but all of the songs are great!

The movie is definitely an "indie" movie so I understand if it might not be for everyone, but I have to urge you to give it a shot. I really think it has a lot of interesting things to say about relationships and music, and I was really really glad I watched it, even if it did make me cry.

Hey kids! It's an American Idol "rewatch"!

I missed the majority of the first three episodes of American Idol this season, and while I have seen some of the performances from Michael Jackson week, country week, and Motown week, I've decided to go back now and watch all of these episodes I missed the first time around. With the re-airing of Michael Jackson week last night, I've decided to write up some of my thoughts on these episodes. It’s a really interesting experience going back and watching these earlier episodes, because the truth is I didn’t actually see a lot of these performances, and the ones that I did, I barely remember. It’s also interesting to reflect on how my opinions changed over the course of the season. I'm also doing this because I'm bored. I'm sorry.

Top 13 "Michael Jackson Week" I do remember flipping to during commercials during Lost or something so I did get to see a few people. I believe that I saw Anoop, Jorge, Adam, and Alexis, or at least those were the performances I remember seeing anyway, heh.

The performances:
# Lil Rounds - “The Way You Make Me Feel”
# Scott MacIntyre - “Keep the Faith”
# Danny Gokey - “Pretty Young Thing”
# Michael Sarver - “You Are Not Alone”
# Jasmine Murray - “I’ll Be There”
# Kris Allen - “Remember the Time”
# Allison Iraheta - “Give in to Me”
# Anoop Desai - “Beat It”
# Jorge Nunez - “Never Can Say Goodbye”
# Megan Joy Corkrey - “Rockin’ Robin”
# Adam Lambert - “Black and White”
# Matt Giraud - “Human Nature”
# Alexis Grace - “Dirty Diana”

Danny was terrible. Terrible. I often want to give this guy the benefit of the doubt because I’m extremely biased in my hatred of him, but his horrid dancing coupled with his screaming made me cringe and laugh. And then the judges fawned all over him. I. Don’t. Get. It. It is mind boggling to me the way they were talking about him like he was the best contestant to ever get on stage. Ridiculous!

Hi, so, I’m extremely biased when it comes to Kris (duh) and I really love his performance of “Remember the Time”, but I didn’t actually watch it until I had already fallen in love with him and went back and watched his performances I had missed. Even so, I truly believe that if I had been watching this episode back when it premiered, I would have liked this performance then too. Especially considering all of the people who went before him and how kind of stale and safe and boring they all were (especially Scott, Michael, and Jasmine). Kris’s performance of this song is just so fun and joyful and adorable and cool and knowing myself, I bet I would have fallen for him back then. It’s one of my favorite performances to watch now, because he looks so young and cute while he’s performing and it makes me feel all happy inside knowing that he had no idea at that time just how far he would go.

Allison! How is she so awesome? She had one of the best performances that night for sure. Love that Kris helped her pick this song because it was perfect for her. I even downloaded the studio version of this song because I loved it so much.

I love Anoop, but the judges were spot on. He looked really really stupid. I remember thinking at the time that it was pretty bad, but watching it again? Yikes. Anoop, baby, no.

I do remember being completely blown away by Adam when I watched this episode oh so long ago. And agreed with the judges that it was better than anything I had seen to that point. Now, the performance isn’t quite as good as I remember it (apparently Adam isn’t too happy with it either), and I find Paula’s meltdown to be really annoying (as an aside, this episode Paula told Danny and Adam they were going straight to the finale. Yes, she really was making these proclamations the first episode of the finals). Still, I didn’t love “Satisfaction”, so this performance was the one that made me like Adam. He was probably my “favorite” until Top 9 week and it was this performance that did it (I use quotation marks because even though he was my favorite performer, I didn’t really feel too strongly for anyone at that point, and I wasn’t like, in love with him or anything).

I sometimes wonder if I would have grown to love Matt if I had been introduced to him earlier and seen some of his better earlier performances. Especially because he’s from Michigan and you gotta support your hometown guy. Unfortunately, the first time I remember seeing Matt was “Viva La Vida” and then I finally caught him again when he did “You Found Me”, which are both regarded as his worst performances, heh. I actually liked his performance this week when it started and I began to think that maybe Matt would have become a favorite if I would of seen this performance, but then he started going crazy with his high falsetto riffing at the end and I was just like, no. No, I probably wouldn’t have liked him then. I can’t stand when he does that.

I don’t care what anyone says, I love “Dirty Diana”. I remember liking it when I watched it and I still like it now. There’s something kind of slightly annoying about Alexis, but I liked all of her songs she did. She should have lasted further.

Watching the results shows is interesting as well. You can really tell whom the producers were trying to pimp based off of Ford commercials, group sings, and those montages they always do. It’s kind of funny the way they totally ignored Kris and totally and completely pimped out Danny and Adam from the beginning. Also, while they never pimped out Allison, I still find it funny that they mentioned she was 16 every. Single. Time she was on stage, heh.

FYI

Just in case anyone is interested, FOX is rebroadcasting the Top 13 "Michael Jackson Week" performance episode of this season's American Idol at 8 tonight.

It's a pretty strong episode overall and features Kris doing an awesomely adorable performance of "Remember the Time", Adam doing the performance that made me fall for him with "Black or White", and Allison giving one of my favorite performances of hers in "Give In To Me". Unfortunately, you also have to see Danny doing "PYT", but at least you can watch Megan Joy being her crazy self and doing "Rockin Robin" and Alexis Grace doing a very underrated performance of "Dirty Diana".

Maybe I'll write about it later.

True Blood 2.03 "Scratches"

Sorry I didn't post about last week's episode. I was busy. Also, I didn't like it as much as the premiere.

This episode:

Is Sookie the most insufferable heroine on television? I cannot stand her. And Anna Paquin is kind of a horrible actress. She won the Golden Globe? The fuck?

Is it just me or are all of the secondary characters more interesting than the majority of the main characters? Terry is awesome, but Hoyt....Oh god, Hoyt! I've always really liked Hoyt, but now I'm full blown in love with him! Could he be anymore perfect and adorable? I love Jessica/Hoyt too! I hope they keep it going!

Speaking of awesome secondary characters: Pam. What a fierce bitch. LOVE.

Jason is so dumb and adorable and I love him so fucking much! He's like this weird paradox in which he's really really hot, yet he acts like an 8 year old all the time. He's always been one of my favorites, but it just really struck me tonight how much I enjoy his presence on the show. I love him!

Michelle Forbes is really really beautiful.

Sam and the dog was SO cute!

Eric > Bill

For as much as I think this show is kind of bad, I sure do love a lot of things about it, heh.

Ed Helms is my hero

Go see The Hangover. Just...go see it. That is all.

So You Think You Can Dance: Top 18 Perform

Yeah, we're blogging SYTYCD again.

I like Lil C. I've come to the realization that I like all of the guest judges, but none of the regular judges. Mary-hate is a given, but I've never really liked Uncle Nigel that much either. I always feel like he has an agenda. He's like Simon in a way. Damn Brits ;)

Randi and Evan - Jive: It certainly was fun, heh. It wasn't the greatest thing ever, but I liked it. Those two make an adorable couple.

Mellisa and Ade - Jazz: Sonya has done some of the weirdest yet coolest routines on this show. I love Ade! He is AWESOME! Mellisa I'm unsure about, I wasn't too impressed with her this routine. But Ade? Love.

Caitlin and Jason - Hip-hop: OMG Baby Jason dancing as Michael Jackson is one of the cutest things I've ever seen. So, I kind of loved that. Jason was so good. That flip Caitlin did toward the end was crazy, but I was way more impressed with Jason. Wow, ok, so apparently I'm a bad judge of dancing, because the judges hated this, heh.

Janette and Brandon - Disco: Brandon, I hate you for having that body and never working out. As for the routine? Ca-razy and super impressive, damn! They should, however, banish disco from this show and American Idol. Why would anyone want to relive disco? LOL Lil C is always so ~deep. I love him.

Asuka and Vitolio - Waltz: I don't know why I love these two, I just do. OMG Vitolio stop it with your tears! You're making me fall for you even more! Damn, I got chills watching that. Gorgeous. I've never seen judges cry as much as they do on this show.

Kayla and Max - Pop Jazz: I always think Max looks like he's going to be super serious and dour, but he actually seems like a sweetheart. I love him too. Geez, I love too many people on this show. What a cool routine. They were ridiculously synchronized. Something bothers me about Kayla. I think it's because the judges fawn all over her all the damn time. Hey, look at that, I guess I don't love everyone after all.

Karla and Jonathan - Contemporary: Why are you so adorable Jonathan? Like, I cannot even handle him, god damn. OMG Falling Slooooooooooowly! Shit, it's the original though. Which is still pretty awesome, but if it was the Kris version I think I would have died and then these two would have automatically become my favorite contestants and and...what is wrong with me? Ahem. Ok, the routine...wait a sec...Damn...I think they became two of my favorites regardless! That was SO good! That's it, I'm rooting for these two. You know I love me an underdog.

Jeanine and Phillip - Tango: Jeanine is weird. Phillip is kind of cute. That...was kind of a weird routine. It was sort of a slow tango. Jeanine was a lot better than Phillip though. There were good parts to it, but I didn't really love it. Hm, lots of Phillip pimping going on right now.

Kupono and Ashley - Hip-Hop: Kupono is one of my favs. I love the beginning of the routine with the shadow stuff. So cool. The rest of it I thought was fine. I think the judges are being a bit harsher this week than last week, but maybe it's just because overall the routines are not quite as good as they were last week.

I am so bad at making predictions for this show, so I'm not going to make a guess on who is going home. I did think the best of the night were Asuka & Vitolio and Karla & Jonathan. I did really like Kayla & Max and Janette & Brandon too though. Mary was also slightly less annoying, which was good. Let's hope she keeps that up.

This is amazing

I have such a weird obsession with the Christian Bale rant. I kind of live my life by it. What don't you fucking understand?!

True Blood 2.01 "Nothing But The Blood"

Rapid fire thoughts:

Ever since I heard about Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer dating, I find Sookie/Bill...creepy. Yeah.

Sam is still my favorite character. I think I have a thing for guys in plaid, IDK.

I love Tara. Love her. I didn't like her at first, but now she's probably my second fav. That actress is amazing!

I think I understand what's happening with Lafayette, and I have to say I'm glad it involves Eric because I missed him. Very glad Lafayette isn't dead too. Yay!

Michelle Forbes is awesome. Like, no words can describe how awesome she is. She has, hands down, the best story line on the show right now.

I love Hoyt.

Oh Jason. He's so dumb. But in a lovable, endearing kind of way. I've started to grow very fond of him.

This show is gross.

I used to find Jessica annoying, but now I find her hilarious.

It is still enjoyable to make fun of the way Bill says 'Sookie'.

Overall, I liked this episode. This show is still incredibly trashy and I would still describe it as my guilty pleasure, but....I do enjoy it so. Keep on keeping on, True Blood!

So You Think You Can Dance: Top 20 Perform

So, I'm attempting the whole 'blog about So You Think You Can Dance while it's happening' thing. I'm...skeptical on how this is going to turn out. Only because, even though I'm not a singer, for American Idol I can at least tell relatively whether or not someone is singing well. With SYTYCD, I'm always just like, "wow, that looks cool!" with no actual idea whether or not a dancer is actually good or not, heh.
Also, I hate Mary. HATE HER. If you thought I hated Kara on American Idol, it is nothing compared to the hatred I feel for Mary Murphy. This could prove...distracting while trying to blog, heh.
I still do really like this show though and am excited that the finals are starting since I hate the audition shows. Still, I have no idea how this blog is going to turn out, heh.

It's starting:
Wait...is the SYTYCD set the same as the American Idol set? How have I never noticed that before?

I did watch a few of the auditions so I recognize some of these people, but I don't know any of their names. OMG there's so many of them, ugh. I'm never going to remember any of these people until like, the top 10.

Cat Deely is fucking awesome! I have a giant girl crush on her. I. Love. Her. Adam Shankman YES! I'm pretty sure he's my favorite judge. He's fabulous.

I forgot that I kind of don't like the format of this show. With the judges ultimately picking who stays or who goes out of the bottom 3. I don't like giving the judges that much power on any kind of reality show. /bitter

The whole choosing between the brothers thing last episode was so sad. I thought it was kind of cruel :/

Holy shit, this show is 2 hours?!

Jeanine and Phillip - Hip-Hop: Ok, SYTYCD fanatics, why do I recognize Phillip? Has he auditioned before? I feel like they've featured him before. I also feel like people who do hip-hop routines have an automatic advantage. Because who doesn't like hip-hop? Aw, that was good. He was a lot better than her though, but that's his style so it's expected. I liked it! Yay! Jeez, Mary acts drunker than Paula Abdul.

Asuka and Vitolio - Broadway: I like this couple because I like both their names. Oh...Vitolio has a sad story and an accent. He's going straight to the top 10 at least. That was cute. Again, I thought the guy was better. The judges are dissapointed and I kind of agree? It was kind of boring. Cute, but boring. I hope they make it through though because I like them.

Karla and Jonathan - Cha Cha: Jonathan is kind of ridiculously cute, hot damn. Jonathan, don't encourage Mary to scream for you! OMG "Poker Face"? Sweet! Oooh, I think I liked it. It was cool and different. Jesus H. Christ I hate Mary Murphy.

Randi and Evan - Jazz: Ok, Evan so has an advantage over everyone because of the brother thing. And dammit, I don't care, I love him! Look at his smile! OMFG HE'S FROM MICHIGAN?! Ok, yeah, he's my favorite. Damn you, Evan! Wow, so... I LOVED IT! Sexy. They were so good. Yay, favorite contestant!

Paris and Tony - Hip-Hop: Wow, Paris's story about her car crash is scary. That's great that she can still dance. That was a cool routine! I like the "hard hitting" hip-hop they do on this show. I think Paris was better, which is surprising because Tony is supposed to be the hip-hop guy. Eh, I don't think it was as bad as the judges said it was, but yeah, it wasn't amazing.

Caitlin and Jason - Bollywood: Ack Jason, you are adorable! Ooh, I like it when they do Bollywood. "Jai Ho"?! Fuck, yeah! Whoa, hello kiss at the end! I loved that! I'm just so impressed that they could do that! So awesome! Please do Bollywood every week!

Janette and Brandon - Foxtrot: Wow, why did the judges not like Brandon? He seems awesome. See, I always feel bad for the couples who get these kind of dances, because they're never going to be as exciting as the others. It was just nice. The ending was kind of awesome though. I really legitimately think Mary Murphy is drunk.

Ashley and Kupono - Jazz: Kupono's audition is one of the few that I remember, because he reminded me of Mark from last season. Actually, I think I read somewhere that he knows Mark maybe? Oh Mark. You were my absolute favorite and should of won last year! Bleeding Love is still one of the best routines this show has ever had. Also, here is a picture of Mark with Kris Allen. Yes. Anyhoo, Wade Robson does the weirdest routines. OMG this is so weird and cool! I thought they were both really good. Kupono, you are my other favorite contestant :)

Melissa and Ade - Contemporary: Melissa is 29 and old. I feel bad for dancers. I love Ade's hair. Damn, that was super impressive. They were SO good. Adam Shankman is crying.

Kayla and Max - Samba: Yes! A Russian ballroom dancer! There needs to be one every season. And he is super intense too. That was hot. I like these two. Adam Shankman makes being really really excited adorable. Mary Murphy makes being really really excited annoying and ridiculous. Ugh.

I'm not going to make any predictions about who's going to leave tomorrow because I have no effing idea.

I like this show. I think I will try and blog about it next week.

this man really needs to be on my tv screen every week

Leeeeeeeeeeeeee Paaaaaaaaaaaaace!!!!!!!!!! Be in my life more!

The World According to MTV

So, MTV had their infamos Movie Awards a couple of nights ago and I have to say "our generation" really likes some...instead of saying crappy I'll say: not so worthwhile stuff.

Here's a quick rundown of the awards and who got what:

Stand Out Perfomance by an Actress: Ashley Tisdale

Best Fight: Robert Pattinson and Cam Gigandet (Twilight)

Best Male Performance: Zac Efron

sidenote---this award could not have been deliverd more awkwardly, seriously its the whole incident that caused the Bruno and Eminem incident.

Quick Quote: "you keep sending me up here to steal these things"

I couldn't agree more Zac, you really were up against some pretty amazing talent

Best Kiss: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

my take: is it really fair to nominate Vanessa Hudgens and the Zeffron when their dating and it should come natural to them. If it didn't then I'd worry. Maybe there should be an awkward kiss award--hee! Now that's genius :P

Best WTF Moment: Amy Poehler

Best Song in a Movie: Miley Cyrus for "The Climb"

Genertation Award: Ben Stiller

Best Female Performance: Kristen Stewart

Best Comedic Performance: Jim Carey

Best Villian: Heath Ledger

sidenote: it didnt get mention in the program but the honor was still bestowed upon him...

Best Movie: Twilight

Now for those of you keeping track Twilight got 5 awards Sunday night and Disney pretty much aided in taking over the whole night. It's like all the MTVers only watch the bottom of the barrel crap. I'm just wondering when did MTV become taken over by that crowd. Seriously people he's a vampire not rooted in mythology but in what Stephanie Myers tells you to believe about vampires. Come on! He glitters in the sunlight. What have movies come to. I have to say I am glad that we aren't allowed to vote on every award given out. P.S. Kristen Stewart total didn't seem to care, she herself seemed disenchanted with the new film when introducing the exclusive preview that aired that night. She supposedly (that is in the eyes of the fans), is given the role of a lifetime and she's all like "meh." Anyways along with that exclusive film, the event also premiered exclusive clips from Harry Potter: The Half Blood Prince and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. So if your a fan of either, go ahead and check out those parts of the program at www.mtv.com. Finally, you'll also love all that Andy Samberg offered to the evening.

All in I guess not the worst way to spend 2 hours. Also I spotted K. Bell twice! Who I totally love :)

Disco sucks

So, I said I was going to post more. And here I am, posting more! There's randomness ahead!

Zozizzle, this post is for you! I've come to the realization that Zozizzle is a closeted Kris Allen fangirl. She'll never admit it, of course. Oh no. She's way too highbrow for American Idol, but I know the truth. Girlfriend enjoyed when I forced her to vote for Kris during the finale. I know you can't wait to see him on tour Zozizzle, you scoundrel! Anyhoo, I'm planning on doing an ~epic~ Kris Allen post at a later date, but for now I'm posting the best Kris interview I've seen so far (and I've seen...a lot). I cannot for the life of me figure out how to embed this video (damn you, EW), so here's a link:

'Idolatry': Kris Allen on obscure songs, matching aprons, and the coolest thing he's ever done

Watch all 5 epic parts of epicness! I've expressed my love for 'Idolatry' in the past and Michael Slezak and the team just continue to be amazingly awesome. I loved being able to hear Kris answer intelligent questions about the show, instead of all this inane "culture war" shit he gets asked in other interviews. Kris comes across as someone who really loves music above all else, and I love that he's such a "lyrics guy" who thinks about the meaning of the song over everything. He also comes across as charming, funny, nice, and totally hot (ahem). Slezak is also such a fanboy in this it's ridiculously endearing, heh. My favorite part however is when Kris talked about how pissed he was after his duet with Danny. Even though he's trying to be nice, you can tell how the guy really feels about the whole thing. I love it because I felt the same way! Thinking about Rock Week still makes me so flippin angry, ugh. Anyhoo, what I really want to do is show this interview to all the (lame-ass) Kris-haters. I think it would change a lot of people's minds about him. Watching this again, it's just reminded me how deserving he was of winning and how proud I am to be his fan. I can't wait to do my epically self-indulgent post about him later!

(As an aside, everyone should definitely check out the other 'Idolatry' episodes from the season along with the other interviews. The interviews with Anoop, Matt, Allison, and Adam are all really funny and insightful. The interview with Danny is extremely awkward and uncomfortable, but that's just because Danny is an extremely awkward and uncomfortable human being. Whose performance spot on tour is designated for my bathroom break!)

Hope you enjoyed that, Zozizzle! Step out of the closet, fangirl!

What's Next?

That question haunts the recent grad in me but for you guys I'll face my fear...and live in the glory that is summer.

So its the summer and regular programming has gone on hiatus to plan the amazing or not so amazing seasons of our beloved programs or those that we are highly attached to. So what's there to talk about people? At least that's what you may be wondering.

Well I always spent my summers reading books growing up so there's that. But for those of you who could care less about my reading choices I plan to report to you about the best of the best summer movies, meaning the movies that I chose to see this summer :P
Because in fact the summer is all about crazy and insane movies with out of this world budgets. And I couldn't be more excited!!! I really love the summer the sun and its comprade the breeze, the sand on the beach and all the delicious barbecue food. The movies are just the chocolate syrup to my sundae.

Here's my list so far
The Hangover June 5

• hilarity will ensue, that my friend is a guarantee
  

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen June 24

• Besides my addiction to my age-appropriate BF, Shia, how can you pass up the chance at an INSANE adventure with machines from another world. Also the first movie was one of the best of last summer
  

The Proposal June 19

• Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, what more could you ask for from a romantic comedy. I mean have you seen the previews?
  

The Ugly Truth July 24

• Gerard returns to the seen with the chic from Grey's, Katherine Hiegl and you have to wonder how it'll all end
  

Away We Go

• John Krasinki attempting the feat of growing up and finding the definition of home, should be heartwarming and hilarious all in one amazing package, kind of like Jim Halpert

And of course we can still count on the networks to test out the show their considering for the normal sched. I mean that's how I got hooked to Kyle XY (*tear). Some shows that are premiering this summer that I plan to give a chance are Royal Pains on USA and Hawthrone on TNT. I might also break my ban on ABCFamily and check out 10 Things I hate about you, but I also fear they might ruin my adolescent film fave and finally Fox premiered Mental 2 weeks ago and so far I don't hate it too much.

Honestly it isn't too bad. The title isn't the only British touch on this show, the story revolves around Dr. Gallagher who is the new guy that comes in and takes the coveted position. So it's about him and his colleagues acclamations to his position and style of medicine. Also I give it points for have an innovative take on a procedural show. It's complete focus is on the psychiatric wing of a hospital and it uses weird visuals to give the viewer take on the way the patient is feeling and seeing things. But I guess ultimately the true mystery is how each of the doctors are affected by their relationships/non-relationships with the patients and each other and of course their is a character that we never see but is clearly important to Dr. Gallagher, someone named Rebecca, who I'm guessing is his sister who has mental issues and is on the street. Final comment Fox really loves their lesbians, first 13 who is technically bi but with this new show one of the attractive interns is a lesbian so we'll see how that all plays out. It's like a big old bowl of soup that no one knows all the ingredients to.