tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325733532024-02-19T07:38:43.940-08:00Linz McC's Completely Pointless BlogJust a blog about the stuff I like and the things I do.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-81288273229015987902023-04-05T14:48:00.003-07:002023-04-05T14:49:27.748-07:00G Crochet Crocheted Amigurumi Octopus! Small, cute and cheap! They ar so adorable and only $5!Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-63707703151932794882011-04-26T10:29:00.000-07:002011-04-26T10:29:57.574-07:00Music: Adele's '21'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20zf9jh7Y5sop6qnLhEcXsuKTV2wOi8lwwXW4Lp8U9wXEYiWulwCqysfOulgIjz5COQ5SSffmDUijMOHUYo-U1tjm_lu5pXYMn3yUXU2yt62OKsYEvwYnqu8pQdovJydBOkVn7w/s1600/adele-21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20zf9jh7Y5sop6qnLhEcXsuKTV2wOi8lwwXW4Lp8U9wXEYiWulwCqysfOulgIjz5COQ5SSffmDUijMOHUYo-U1tjm_lu5pXYMn3yUXU2yt62OKsYEvwYnqu8pQdovJydBOkVn7w/s320/adele-21.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I first heard Adele a couple of years ago on So You Think You Can Dance. Katee and Joshua danced this gorgeous number to "Hometown Glory." [Side note: I just got really excited about SYTYCD which starts in a few weeks!] <br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xi37PIFWES0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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I downloaded that song and listened to it on repeat for ages. Then I downloaded Adele's version of "To Make You Feel My Love." Also beautiful.</div><br />
When Kenzie told me I MUST get the new Adele album called 21 (named thus because she was 21 when she wrote it), I got my hands on it. Most albums require multiple listens before I can declare them good or bad. I got about three songs in on this one and was hooked. I couldn't believe how good it was from the get-go.<br />
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I can't believe Adele is so young. Her song-writing and singing skills are way above par. It's hard not to be impressed by her skillz (yes with a "z"). She is quite a hoot, too, if you ever see her in interviews. <br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8_xRlRVQNnM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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A couple of song samples from 21!<br />
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Live version of 'Someone Like You'<br />
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NAc83CF8Ejk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Rumor Has It<br />
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-_6BBAVfzqM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-10055684997604870782011-04-23T20:45:00.000-07:002011-04-23T20:45:30.520-07:00Movie: Water for Elephants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXpSrksHCOtSHjUHIjaqshey8vdgse2fkW1aYI4_x6slSOFfQGAfsuBIcqOazTgrgb87gtDRJv49jlNyF5-OyAOna8Mcgn0J4163RaDHed8faaxNIpY0keDXnLg_zXStPprBY1g/s1600/WFE_Still_16_MQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXpSrksHCOtSHjUHIjaqshey8vdgse2fkW1aYI4_x6slSOFfQGAfsuBIcqOazTgrgb87gtDRJv49jlNyF5-OyAOna8Mcgn0J4163RaDHed8faaxNIpY0keDXnLg_zXStPprBY1g/s320/WFE_Still_16_MQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Well, if you know of my Robert Pattinson love, it wouldn't surprise you that I've managed to see my first movie since before the girls were born: <i>Water for Elephants</i>. As I have told Sean countless times, I enjoyed the book and was very intrigued when I found out that a film version would be made. Rob is just a nice pretty cherry on the top.<br />
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First off, you can read my review of the book <a href="http://linzmcc.blogspot.com/2008/08/book-water-for-elephants.html">here</a>. <br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF2nf30tAPyFbgCtHCuG7_cabIMO2VZckQAyY5ouBPKO2n6yf7OZ-nVv2pD-xcN_hdRpVk56buYfgx_AKOh4pD4Ctc0lrGGigkhN9M4UZZv9gI0mScq3Xap1WxeyBsJ-0ZlNEbQ/s1600/WFE_poster_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF2nf30tAPyFbgCtHCuG7_cabIMO2VZckQAyY5ouBPKO2n6yf7OZ-nVv2pD-xcN_hdRpVk56buYfgx_AKOh4pD4Ctc0lrGGigkhN9M4UZZv9gI0mScq3Xap1WxeyBsJ-0ZlNEbQ/s320/WFE_poster_2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
I had already heard good and bad things about the film adaptation before I made it to the theater. But I decided to make up my own mind.<br />
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<b>The good:</b><br />
The film sheds light on an interesting time period and setting (old-timey circuses and carnivals are so intriguing to me!). Christoph Waltz plays a bad guy with almost no heart perfectly, and helps the viewer to understand where he's coming from (even though he is still unforgivable). Tai the elephant plays Rosie wonderfully. You can tell she is just so smart and it is sad because there is some animal abuse that is portrayed in the film and it's just terribly sad to watch. Robert Pattinson looks pretty: tan, sweaty, period clothing (no sparkles, no white makeup, no bouffant, no red lipstick, no colored contacts), and it suits him beautifully. He looked quite handsome.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GAr2DwP80gkjpsQkBHy6sx0nLBv0jtdtuOSUs42R4oGrfvRBjcslD4obuVqQ69znfOV_GDR31yq_fEgwV12RaurSameNMaURgYNREJR9A8myzmagdFi1pipzOVrG48K9DZVtgg/s1600/WFE_Still_4_Sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GAr2DwP80gkjpsQkBHy6sx0nLBv0jtdtuOSUs42R4oGrfvRBjcslD4obuVqQ69znfOV_GDR31yq_fEgwV12RaurSameNMaURgYNREJR9A8myzmagdFi1pipzOVrG48K9DZVtgg/s320/WFE_Still_4_Sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>The bad:</b><br />
I didn't really think Reese Witherspoon was going to be a great fit for the part of Marlena, and while she acted it perfectly well, my preconceptions of her as the girl-next-door interfered with my ability to see her for the character. And she didn't have great chemistry with Pattinson. It also doesn't help that she is 10 years older than him in real life, although she doesn't look it at all.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBJQKn9UtAIIeC_uK2MXudNs4p8W-1rBt6FIzpgwGmv4o2SLzBw_5S-IQq4IMlh9QLBfJ1IiPs7ctlFCcbsNR_tONh9E98Wv9GBH2GtQ1y8YzfgCddUNt2WpYUiD-vp5oMmc_zA/s1600/WFE_Still_7_HQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBJQKn9UtAIIeC_uK2MXudNs4p8W-1rBt6FIzpgwGmv4o2SLzBw_5S-IQq4IMlh9QLBfJ1IiPs7ctlFCcbsNR_tONh9E98Wv9GBH2GtQ1y8YzfgCddUNt2WpYUiD-vp5oMmc_zA/s320/WFE_Still_7_HQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>My recommendation:</b><br />
See it, but if you like to read the book before you see a movie, take the time to do that first. But then, see it. It's sad, it's romantic. There's funny. There's action-y parts. Take your husbands because he'll just be glad you aren't dragging him to <i>Twilight</i>!</div></div>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-25562710549429523152011-04-22T14:09:00.000-07:002011-04-22T14:09:19.731-07:00Movie: Holy Rollers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Now that Jessie Eisenberg is a household name, one of his older films is getting released in theaters, even though I'd seen it on my Netflix Instant Watch for ages. It's a 2010 film, so by ages, I mean several months. Anyway, I decided to give it a shot. Here's my thoughts?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL06BqVPC3ykRnNYvNlUC3AK0pFDO2avZjuajdFz7_z-J_w_eJTmv6dNQnTho_DQ78WbwhYbWVa_HnFL8Kgay_hF55IudOF7z6IdSPBzs0pUMzw_x7E_S6SIL-uHc_rH2JziX_Q/s1600/Holy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL06BqVPC3ykRnNYvNlUC3AK0pFDO2avZjuajdFz7_z-J_w_eJTmv6dNQnTho_DQ78WbwhYbWVa_HnFL8Kgay_hF55IudOF7z6IdSPBzs0pUMzw_x7E_S6SIL-uHc_rH2JziX_Q/s400/Holy.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br />
<i>Holy Rollers</i> is about an Orthodox Jew named Sam who gets caught up in an international drug ring. In the beginning, he unknowingly takes on a job as drug mule, thinking it was innocent. He is trying to make an extra buck to be "worthy" of the girl he wants to marry. Once he find out the trips to other countries aren't as legal as he thought, he sticks around for the money. Needless to say, he gets caught up in the world of drugs and partying and pulls away from his family and religion.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LFBO3RRmJz6mOCJtJ0rU5s8qC_ORi1lOHLaYaALiOvK6miFkq43fk_QD-ScaFs3KB-H-Nh674jxKzXgEfWh6KyxbGjSuAvGQr6536cY7RHrG1YmeJdn2Q95xh5RTzOMTwWKQ_g/s1600/holy-roller_320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LFBO3RRmJz6mOCJtJ0rU5s8qC_ORi1lOHLaYaALiOvK6miFkq43fk_QD-ScaFs3KB-H-Nh674jxKzXgEfWh6KyxbGjSuAvGQr6536cY7RHrG1YmeJdn2Q95xh5RTzOMTwWKQ_g/s1600/holy-roller_320.jpg" /></a></div><br />
You'll also spot Justin Bartha as the guy that gets Sam involved in the illegal trade. Justin is most recognizable as the groom in <i>The Hangover</i> and from the <i>National Treasure</i> movies. Ari Graynor is also great as Rachel. I only know Ari from <i>Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist</i> (the role where she vomits in a toilet in the bus station and opts to pick her gum out of the nasty toilet and puts it back in her mouth). <br />
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The film is based on a true story, which I didn't realize till the end, when they do that "what happened next" text across your screen. I enjoyed it but it was sad watching Sam get sucked further and further in. </div>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-84482075765253939192011-04-13T08:38:00.000-07:002011-04-13T08:42:25.269-07:00Movie: Never Let Me Go<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW91TnN8yi8a1erd8hELyjU-cZ_BjRLJxhhqC3R2upQZTrMp4j-Lnjnzf2xXQTdaAOB2UEnL1reeLQ6iMrGTEjGvgeJMlfjCQeWw5yL4PY_S_ylMrsKjci3UrfG-qV8LeuVHLpYA/s1600/NLMG_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW91TnN8yi8a1erd8hELyjU-cZ_BjRLJxhhqC3R2upQZTrMp4j-Lnjnzf2xXQTdaAOB2UEnL1reeLQ6iMrGTEjGvgeJMlfjCQeWw5yL4PY_S_ylMrsKjci3UrfG-qV8LeuVHLpYA/s320/NLMG_1.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox Searchlight Pictures</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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I got this on Netflix a few days back. I remember hearing so-so reviews on it after one of the major film fests (TIFF maybe?) but I was curious based on the cast. The film stars Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley. <br />
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Might I add that I was amazed at how well the young actors were cast for Mulligan's and Knightley's characters? They not only looked like them (eerily so), but they also sounded like them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3uvYYAAP9LUa_NslxJ0UtitdGrOJAKflAboaWlgZcrm98DB9Dj6R55ytRa737IlFkIQsFCw_TrSOy0LU_uD-uPGOZBoyCYxlnNlADuZWsLT1IklFwIej43wta3RrKhGs9XFW2Q/s1600/NLMG_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3uvYYAAP9LUa_NslxJ0UtitdGrOJAKflAboaWlgZcrm98DB9Dj6R55ytRa737IlFkIQsFCw_TrSOy0LU_uD-uPGOZBoyCYxlnNlADuZWsLT1IklFwIej43wta3RrKhGs9XFW2Q/s320/NLMG_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox Searchlight Pictures</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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I had no idea about the plot beforehand, which made it all the more interesting once I got started.<br />
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SPOILER ALERT (and I recommend watching without reading this part) The basic story is that these three characters grow up at what seems to be a boarding school, but where you quickly discover is actual an organ farm in an alternate universe. These people have been created for the sole purpose of supplying vital organs for transplants. Once they are old enough they start the donor process, and, after 3-4 surgeries, once they have lost various body parts, they die, or "complete." <br />
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Mixed into all of this is a pretty tragic love story. Many reviewers said this film fell flat. But I was mesmerized by the general idea of the organ farms, and thought the love story was captivating and tragic. Also, the general look and feel of the film caught my attention. All-in-all, I was intrigued and enjoyed it. It made me want to read the book that the film was based on, written by Kazuo Ishiguro.<br />
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Trailer:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sXiRZhDEo8A" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe></div>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-69636300297698832042010-09-10T12:06:00.000-07:002010-09-10T12:06:09.952-07:00Current musical obsession: Mumford & SonsIf I want to know what bands I really am loving (as if I can't figure it out...), I just look at what spends the most time in my car's CD player. Currently, the album I can't seem to remove from the player is "Sigh No More" by Mumford & Sons. I love a band I can't really pinpoint into a specific genre. I guess it's kind of alterna-folk-bluegrass. Sort of. And they are surprisingly spiritual in their lyrics. And I love that there are so many instruments in the band. <br />
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"Thistle and Weeds" <br />
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"Awake My Soul" <br />
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Live performance of "Little Lion Man" and "Roll Away Your Stone"<br />
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Working on getting tickets to see them at the Palladium in Hollywood next month. Hear more of their songs at their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons">myspace page</a>. <br />
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I'm also loving the band The XX a lot right now. Maybe I'll post on them, too.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-62030989514295092092010-09-08T08:52:00.000-07:002010-09-08T08:52:21.936-07:00"Breathe Me" by Sia (Live)I love this song. SO much. But I have never listened to Sia perform live before and she pretty much blew me away. So without further ado, here's Sia with "Breathe Me" (and ignore the guy yelling...).<br />
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Thanks to my pal Steph for posting this on FB so I could obsess over it.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-75519514248552919592010-07-28T19:37:00.000-07:002010-07-28T19:37:04.295-07:00TV: Breaking Bad (Seasons 1 and 2)Just a quick note as I have just completed seasons one and two of Breaking Bad. Unfortunately, season 3, which has already aired on AMC is not out on DVD yet, and I don't get the channel anyway, so I'll be waiting to see what happens next. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEfakAMRXIjwC3bJy2fSH4AHNsvHvpJQkcL17L9XZPWh2CVzaQPTMSaXTeOBhMF4m4VBxxIi5K4RxkcXqBhW2izaZcfzG67_37yPRAD-cW2m1akJgZnMUEtHLRHbVB1V0QAVm1A/s1600/BBssn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEfakAMRXIjwC3bJy2fSH4AHNsvHvpJQkcL17L9XZPWh2CVzaQPTMSaXTeOBhMF4m4VBxxIi5K4RxkcXqBhW2izaZcfzG67_37yPRAD-cW2m1akJgZnMUEtHLRHbVB1V0QAVm1A/s400/BBssn1.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><br />
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Anyway, I randomly added this show to our netflix queue and Sean and I both got quickly sucked in. As a quick synopsis, Walter White is a high school chemistry teacher, married with a teenage son, and another child on the way. The news comes that he has terminal cancer and Walt turns to a former student, Jesse, to form a partnership to create and sell crystal meth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRYw53m6ioT0hqKHowWoJaZYxnDVmZIG4csOiYXvlKQunZ7id8OVU62VkbO-jgXByWqTbfdFnn780HCYi7Dm8pgI09tnscC-VboVc1WB-Vk0U3bnP-RY2ctglB51xhKyprNnVfA/s1600/BB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRYw53m6ioT0hqKHowWoJaZYxnDVmZIG4csOiYXvlKQunZ7id8OVU62VkbO-jgXByWqTbfdFnn780HCYi7Dm8pgI09tnscC-VboVc1WB-Vk0U3bnP-RY2ctglB51xhKyprNnVfA/s400/BB1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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The acting is excellent. The subject matter is very tough. But there are very comedic moments, usually at the expense of dumb drug dealer Jesse (Aaron Paul). And these situations where you are laughing so hard you cry are not funny situations in reality. To call Walter White's transformation from the first episode to the end of season two "dramatic" would be a complete understatement. I have no difficulty understanding how Bryan Cranston has won two Emmys for the role, and that the show itself and actor Aaron Paul have also received repeat nominations. If you aren't watching this show, do yourself a favor and get to it! And have tissues handy, both for the laugh-til-you-cry bits, as well as the devastating moments that come quite regularly.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-68565327463919453072010-07-23T18:07:00.000-07:002010-07-23T18:07:30.976-07:00Nick Jonas is Marius in "Les Miserables"I still can't get over Nick Jonas as Marius in the West End production of <i>Les Miserables</i>, singing my favorite song from the entire show, "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables." Not trying to sound shocked, but if you have ever heard Nick sing with the Jonas Brothers or his band the Administration, you know he usually sounds like his voice is in the process of changing (don't think of this as hating, because I like his pop voice just fine). But when I heard he'd be playing Marius (and knowing that I have such a major love for Michael Ball on the original Longdon cast recording from the 80s), I just had my doubts. Anyway, here is a recording of Nick performing the song.<br />
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And while I am at it, here is "A Little Fall of Rain."<br />
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<br />
And "In My Life/A Heart Full of Love."<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4u1SG_6OzQI&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4u1SG_6OzQI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-18226683181921157912010-05-24T22:36:00.000-07:002010-05-24T22:42:56.221-07:00The End of Lost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfua0D-ScZF9tZPgWMjZLWkioYT4KAEKr-2Xv4kT17_TsOCTrRp4OFqs7O1Vyw3PUewWKHfQRA8h0pibyK-XCxrapnIJBDfkTGGEQJJP0wN1C3ethajznC6rLiOjepg_G2Ni6R7A/s1600/a90727cf13e24ad6e79b61ec45cabc61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfua0D-ScZF9tZPgWMjZLWkioYT4KAEKr-2Xv4kT17_TsOCTrRp4OFqs7O1Vyw3PUewWKHfQRA8h0pibyK-XCxrapnIJBDfkTGGEQJJP0wN1C3ethajznC6rLiOjepg_G2Ni6R7A/s320/a90727cf13e24ad6e79b61ec45cabc61.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I didn't even try to write about Lost this season. It was not only overwhelming, but kind of exhausting and I didn't always get my head wrapped around it in a timely manner. However, I do think that the series finale, appropriately entitled "The End" deserves a post of its own. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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OK press play for a song-accompaniment to my post. <br />
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<br />
I know many people who gave up on Lost long ago. I know others who have stuck it out but aren't crazy about where it's gone. Then there are people like me who think this is the best show that has ever graced the small screen. I literally feel an empty hole in myself knowing that Lost will never again appear on my TV. It's a bittersweet moment, that's for sure.<br />
<br />
ON-ISLAND GOINGS ON <br />
I was enjoying the final brutal and fast-paced face-off between Jack and MIB-in-Locke's-body. I was taken by surprise that it was Kate that killed MIB and not Jack, but as my sister Julie (shout out!) pointed out, this allowed for Jack to have NEVER murdered anyone (a la Harry Potter) which I think was fitting. He wasn't a killer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOYrxZtxsk_WSF4KbIe4Zts8O2wGG41FdiaIZHyPKj8dCkIRLWi5WcfoPBo4eZI_iDV8hnt6iqaRJW2MJWVlAKBomtyWMyV2u1JZ-ihV445odSBGAngtVXya5WpPJwyVJIOaGjg/s1600/0cddf3eb9b7e0dc867bb1a0fc0e78a8d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOYrxZtxsk_WSF4KbIe4Zts8O2wGG41FdiaIZHyPKj8dCkIRLWi5WcfoPBo4eZI_iDV8hnt6iqaRJW2MJWVlAKBomtyWMyV2u1JZ-ihV445odSBGAngtVXya5WpPJwyVJIOaGjg/s320/0cddf3eb9b7e0dc867bb1a0fc0e78a8d.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I was happy that Hurley ended up serving a greater purpose for the island, and while Jack had to step into Jacob's shoes, he only had to do it long enough to kill Locke, and Hurley was the one with the purest heart and it made sense he would take the role. And, of course, Ben points out that Hurley doesn't have to run things the way Jacob did. I always felt there was something important for Hugo Reyes in the end. <br />
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It was a touching moment when Hugo asked Ben Linus to help him out. Obviously, Ben didn't see that one coming, but it was so moving for him (as had the Rousseau/Alex off-island goings on) that you couldn't help but have an "aww" moment for him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KzIMqNme1baw9eKry-BQkDd7G2BT2wCYplHjGaJ6sIXJNzZzNxWBiNU0MbRL-UdvMXoa0X1QS5NotXmE42uJivrpjlplhNpkHaCuyNFyjZM0ztGmbvydWOuhOxi0iOX0dTmInA/s1600/0c7840e5435f12f98683da789cdbf135-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KzIMqNme1baw9eKry-BQkDd7G2BT2wCYplHjGaJ6sIXJNzZzNxWBiNU0MbRL-UdvMXoa0X1QS5NotXmE42uJivrpjlplhNpkHaCuyNFyjZM0ztGmbvydWOuhOxi0iOX0dTmInA/s320/0c7840e5435f12f98683da789cdbf135-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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OK, I was a little miffed that Jack went down there to fix that plug that Desmond pulled out. Des was right: he could do it without dying. But Jack says no and does it anyway. I know, I know, it came full circle and it was appropriate that he died, but it's one of those moments when you are yelling at your TV "What are you DOING?" It was, as is fitting, heroic of Jack, though.<br />
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OFF ISLAND HAPPENINGS<br />
I didn't see this one coming. I was glad they pulled one more over on me and that there was a bit of a surprise at the end. The timeline where the gang all landed at LAX was an afterlife of sorts. An in-between. A purgatory. And once they all "remembered," realized and accepted, they all moved on together. And it was a very sweet reunion.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ5wDOksmYrWmVEvCfzjhSoG8_j0Gp2xh9MPAF4b60uMwYJcWLjrmZzVHQPyzGFDdio1Arvu3M2Q8Z0_7rrQ0hNZlmH044URxycCDsRn6voSmO8SYlfYhUaQ8Vft8p2RM-gEtGg/s1600/6b24d5a8ab0d6f950b3f8fe7e2b44930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ5wDOksmYrWmVEvCfzjhSoG8_j0Gp2xh9MPAF4b60uMwYJcWLjrmZzVHQPyzGFDdio1Arvu3M2Q8Z0_7rrQ0hNZlmH044URxycCDsRn6voSmO8SYlfYhUaQ8Vft8p2RM-gEtGg/s320/6b24d5a8ab0d6f950b3f8fe7e2b44930.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Fess up. You cried a lot. Please. Seeing Kate help deliver Aaron, and Charlie finding Claire and Aaron? Or when Juliet and Sawyer touched and both freaked out and then he hugged her and proteced her? I loved the moment where Locke rolled up in his wheelchair and turned to Ben, "Benjamin." And then Ben proceeded to tell him to get out of the chair. And he does. It's a miracle! :) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhMSxeUyicfz3k6I2yqJN_ZzAz-a8g_nnzJZfT2dZNLflE5aj9DtTq1CaCxMNNigWsWwJ_Ii_9vYJIisFxe8KAcBMeF3ufkyOuMvpNvDAR6VScAI-6T7SX3Az0gInRNdquZyi3g/s1600/c1e65f30f06d6461dada6e792a408620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhMSxeUyicfz3k6I2yqJN_ZzAz-a8g_nnzJZfT2dZNLflE5aj9DtTq1CaCxMNNigWsWwJ_Ii_9vYJIisFxe8KAcBMeF3ufkyOuMvpNvDAR6VScAI-6T7SX3Az0gInRNdquZyi3g/s320/c1e65f30f06d6461dada6e792a408620.jpg" /></a></div><br />
But of course, Jack, ever the skeptic (in this timeline anyway), sees the flashes and continues to refuse to accept them. Until he sees his father. The interaction between Jack and Christian was not only very touching, but also very enlightening. I had to pause it and think it through after that conversation. I thought it was very hard to watch Jack say "I died, too." and then they hugged and all was forgiven.<br />
<br />
I am enjoying thinking through the episode this morning. It certainly calls for a re-watch. But in the meantime, I am contemplating the "lives" these people have created for themselves in their death; their off-island realities. It isn't just "these lives are better than the ones they had in the other universe." It is they are literally what they would have made for themselves. For example, Sawyer isn't a con-man, but a good guy, a cop, and someone with the resources to locate the man responsible for what happened to him in his childhood, and, hopefully, handle the situation a bit better. Jack has a son so he can prove that he could break the cycle and be a good father.<br />
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One last YEA! for Richard Alpert, who finally began aging and then presumably escaped the island to live out a normal life, along with Frank, Miles, Kate, Claire and Sawyer. <br />
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I would like to say that Matthew Fox should have been nominated for an Emmy prior to this season but, as this was his swan song, and he managed to KILL it every week, usually by crying (and breaking my heart), he deserves the nom (Will he win with the competition in the category? Probably not. But let's give him some credit here.) What is it about a grown man crying that gets me every time?<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Alright, these are NOT my complete thoughts, but my LOST thoughts are never complete, so this time will probably not be any different. Also, I am going to need to give this finale an additional viewing to wrap my brain around it (at least a little bit). In the meantime, I am aware that these sound like crazy ramblings, but it is fair to say that I am literally going to be lost with out LOST on my TV every week. RIP, my friend.</div>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-79727943512086179082010-05-23T19:25:00.000-07:002010-05-23T19:25:28.737-07:00TV: Party Down, Season 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBwhWw5rqXBJAy2R3BT_7M4P9Qscs0vR2Zao99IZJBET8KpLRkANjZ_J-IcRahMN-keNp65W4PHFgeagjz9Z8KCfiAAjSNDyRQY6swN2whybnszEtX0gQS24cN5KPqbSv3Swumw/s1600/PartyDownSsn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBwhWw5rqXBJAy2R3BT_7M4P9Qscs0vR2Zao99IZJBET8KpLRkANjZ_J-IcRahMN-keNp65W4PHFgeagjz9Z8KCfiAAjSNDyRQY6swN2whybnszEtX0gQS24cN5KPqbSv3Swumw/s400/PartyDownSsn1.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br />
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I had various reasons for wanting to watch this show. Originally, my main reason was because it is co-created by <i>Veronica Mars</i> creator Rob Thomas, and Paul Rudd (who I just love anyway). But the cast is excellent. And it's just funny.<br />
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You may not have heard of this show as it appears on the cable channel Starz, but it was available on my Netflix Instant Watch. The plot centers around a group of cater-waiters for a company called Party Down. It's probably safe to say that you would not want this group catering your parties...<br />
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The cast (I'm going to relate as many of the cast as I can back to <i>Veronica Mars</i>):<br />
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<b>Ken Marino as Ron</b> - AKA Vinnie Van Lowe<br />
I'd call him the lovable loser but he isn't really all that lovable. He thinks he is very smooth and is easily dooped. You more just feels sorry for him.<br />
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<b>Adam Scott as Henry</b> - AKA Mr. Rooks<br />
I know Adam Scott from his episode of <i>Veronica Mars</i> and from a few episode stint on <i>Six Feet Under</i>. He was also the huge jerk of a brother on <i>Step-Brothers</i>. But his character Henry is the most "normal" of the group. He is an almost-actor that has resorted to cater-waitering for an income. He is very likable and relate-able. And he is pretty cute to boot.<br />
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<b>Lizzy Caplan as Casey </b><br />
I know Lizzy Caplan from <i>Mean Girls</i>, <i>The Class</i>, and <i>True Blood</i>. Casey and Henry hook up during a job and then there is that awkwardness that follows, but it's rather endearing. I liked Casey for MOST of the season. She might have ticked me off at the end...<br />
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<b>Ryan Hansen as Kyle</b> - AKA Dick Casablancas<br />
Kyle is adorable and obnoxious. Kyle isn't as big of a jerk as Dick in <i>VM</i>. He is the really cool guy that likes to party and gets all the ladies. And he is funny. <br />
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<b>Jane Lynch as Constance</b><br />
Does anything need to be said about the ever-brilliant Jane Lynch? Her line delivery is always spot on and her character is a bit ridiculous, which makes her even funnier. Unfortunately for Party Down, Jane left the show to be a part of <i>Glee</i>. Megan Mullaly moved in to the empty space. <br />
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<b>Martin Starr as Roman</b><br />
I loved Martin Starr as über geek Bill in Freaks & Geeks and am always glad to see him in other things. And guess what: he is a big nerd in this one, too (well, that's just what he plays, right?). <br />
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I think this cast and how they work together is what makes the show so funny. ALL of the story takes place during catering jobs. There is not outside interaction. Various <i>Veronica Mars</i> alum show up during various episodes (you can definitely look forward to seeing Kristen Bell and Jason Dohring). <br />
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Final word: Prepare yourself for crass humor and you are going to love this show. Too bad it doesn't get more press because it is on Starz channel...Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-83559866155397716812010-03-18T11:59:00.000-07:002010-03-18T12:00:49.053-07:00Book: A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGiUFBulnYuNNRq314YIA-_A1tsaeRqipnbw9O2zCVtAGaA5U7J_cquZsU8i4qOSlExSNU8MAtASp-zDuwIkPoQFjmx0sfwt3L2Cgi-29BKI52JbQRrgztVPZqDLNtNjKVjXPQg/s1600-h/alongwaydown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGiUFBulnYuNNRq314YIA-_A1tsaeRqipnbw9O2zCVtAGaA5U7J_cquZsU8i4qOSlExSNU8MAtASp-zDuwIkPoQFjmx0sfwt3L2Cgi-29BKI52JbQRrgztVPZqDLNtNjKVjXPQg/s320/alongwaydown.jpg" /></a></div>Emily gave me a handful of books for Christmas, including <i>A Long Way Down</i> by Nick Hornby. This is the second Hornby book I have read, and you can read <a href="http://linzmcc.blogspot.com/2009/06/books-several-reviewsthoughts.html">my less-than-excited thoughts</a> on <i>High Fidelity</i> <a href="http://linzmcc.blogspot.com/2009/06/books-several-reviewsthoughts.html">here</a>. I enjoyed <i>A Long Way Down</i> more than <i>High Fidelity</i>, and found it thoroughly entertaining, given the subject matter.<br />
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Each of four very different characters narrates their own chapters, and are all written in a first person POV with very different writing personalities. The characters meet on New Year's Eve on the ledge of a building that is commonly used for suicide, all preparing to take their lives for one reason or another. Some of them actually have pretty valid excuses for wanting to end it all, but for some it seems like their reasoning is immature. Basically, this group of people manage NOT to kill themselves, and become a strange group of friends. Well, friends isn't really the right word because they don't seem to be able to stand each other. But they have this one secret in common, so the lean on each other to get through.<br />
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I loved how Hornby wrote each person so differently. You've got a washed up TV personality amid a sex scandal whose family has abandoned him. He is intelligent but irritated easily. Next up, you have a woman who is dealing with a son that is basically a vegetable and she has never had the opportunity to have a real life. She is very shy in her story-telling and she puts in **** instead of writing out when other characters swear. And then you have the American 20-something that is depressed after his band fell apart. I can tell the author had an American read his chapters to make sure he didn't say anything to English. And, last but not least (well, kind of least because she is ANNOYING), you have a teenage girl who is ready to jump off a building because a boy she likes won't tell her why he doesn't want to see her anymore (at least that is what we think in the beginning). Her narration is extremely irritating but that is due to her personality being almost unbearable. :) <br />
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Given the fact that the whole story revolves around four suicidal people, Nich Hornby is great at finding humor in the situation. I laughed out loud during my reading of the book and found the story to be refreshingly different from anything else I have read.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-24395946571655434542010-03-17T17:16:00.000-07:002010-03-17T17:34:40.850-07:00My thoughts on 'The Runaways'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjSw9_B7dlxvTh1h4hwSt0_zzFkrxzhFA8C2QqnRO0fz1_iJGn6yDPfFMpod5gkfhh2Qc4YvnHdysG-VK1YzF-ZimQ0B609aO8fUxLmyHvEfQhpqlraPzcEjvIkPY6y23f79s8g/s1600-h/RunawaysPoster1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjSw9_B7dlxvTh1h4hwSt0_zzFkrxzhFA8C2QqnRO0fz1_iJGn6yDPfFMpod5gkfhh2Qc4YvnHdysG-VK1YzF-ZimQ0B609aO8fUxLmyHvEfQhpqlraPzcEjvIkPY6y23f79s8g/s400/RunawaysPoster1.png" width="270" /></a></div><br />
[Just realized I should add a SPOILER ALERT!]<br />
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Last night I had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of <i>The Runaways</i>, a biopic about the 70s girl rock band. I have read and heard SO much about the film, including reviews, interviews with the cast and members of the band, and photos and clips from the movie. At first it didn't exactly appeal to me. I wasn't even born when The Runaways formed and I hadn't heard any of their songs. I also don't get into the sex, drugs and rock & roll rock star biopics. However, once clips of the film came out, my interest was piqued, if nothing else I wanted to see these teen actors take on this kind of role. So click on for my thoughts...<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Like I said, this type of story doesn't usually appeal to me. Add to it the very indie feel of the film, and I wasn't crazy about it. I didn't really feel like this was a new story except for the fact that it was the first rock band that featured all female members. You still had the "start from nothing, start to get big, drug-induced ecstasy, hate on the over-publicized hot lead singer, infighting, band breaks up, members make up later in life" story that seems so common. Actually, being a rock star is just cliche, isn't it? So you can't blame The Runaways girls for falling into that pattern.<br />
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Let's talk about the actors' performances:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqfOmNCbT1hk4oaCIDBvsN_TXFxBYG8pZGdnE82jWRsp9Cp_It_LtYER7a2YpPDv1wyRKlbARGmPQNG-IKlf9awtSRcBO8xs6keTpVBV4tKDpD8uyvMZq6wTxywyVVBvByXf4kg/s1600-h/RunawaysStill13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqfOmNCbT1hk4oaCIDBvsN_TXFxBYG8pZGdnE82jWRsp9Cp_It_LtYER7a2YpPDv1wyRKlbARGmPQNG-IKlf9awtSRcBO8xs6keTpVBV4tKDpD8uyvMZq6wTxywyVVBvByXf4kg/s400/RunawaysStill13.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br />
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Dakota Fanning as Cherie Curry. This was a hard performance to watch because I kept thinking in my head that Dakota is only 15! But then I realized Cherie was only 15, too. So it made it disturbingly fitting. Dakota was great in this role. How terrifying for her to take this on, but I firmly believe that she can pretty much act any role ever and pull it off beautifully. Be prepared to watch Dakota snorting coke, making out with guys AND girls, wearing raunchy lingerie on stage, and dropping F-bombs left and right. If you prepare yourself for that, you can enjoy her performance (unlike the old man next to me as we exited the stage: "What a slut! Why would her agent let her do that role?"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4_o642BldDN6mucsjDPkBpebdr7vEtzXMktz4pUHBCEP4QJmb6YpDcPq4-588vl0hvKl1mKfJUABZJE8m8cziTrkiFVehv_ZTfDEHo2pFpUKQTG97BQn79QDVqztdMdHagsZsA/s1600-h/RunawaysStill14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4_o642BldDN6mucsjDPkBpebdr7vEtzXMktz4pUHBCEP4QJmb6YpDcPq4-588vl0hvKl1mKfJUABZJE8m8cziTrkiFVehv_ZTfDEHo2pFpUKQTG97BQn79QDVqztdMdHagsZsA/s400/RunawaysStill14.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br />
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Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett. Kristen infamously cut her hair into a 70s rock mullet for this role. She's still paying the price, but I would say the hair cut paid off in the end. Kristen embodied Joan so well There was NO Bella Swan in this. There wasn't even the girl from Into the Wild. This is like nothing Kristen has done before. And I loved her performance. I would say viewers would be a little more willing to accept Kstew cursing and screaming, kissing Dakota, doing all sorts of drugs, etc. because she is older and her prior films are a bit edgier. I thought her performance was spot on.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpgK25lF_BdZwWf88Og40w0v4WDgHWWS33R3euURA9ErFhvN4XTWVFrl9_k0lrRWtYsbeowBHEWLTpb8LksAiNW4BIsy4qX_6aceWeHRsov0nMCL1OiSbCXC22NQPq7_McuWetA/s1600-h/RunawaysStill8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpgK25lF_BdZwWf88Og40w0v4WDgHWWS33R3euURA9ErFhvN4XTWVFrl9_k0lrRWtYsbeowBHEWLTpb8LksAiNW4BIsy4qX_6aceWeHRsov0nMCL1OiSbCXC22NQPq7_McuWetA/s400/RunawaysStill8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Michael Shannon as Kim Fowley. Kim told me on twitter the other day that <span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">"Michael Shannon does a great job as me...but I do him better" which I thougth was a great statement, and if you see the film, very fitting. This is a one-of-a-kind guy. A record producer that isn't afraid to be a foul-mouthed sexist to promote his girl band. And while it was quite disturbing, it was also kind of funny. And Shannon was inspiring. </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzODAwwSZ7knBVOQ-ufR3NftXWUeXjZCm-C8M748S84XOnJ6m4GvXBwg5zz7BnDMWVzZzKw8eQ9jzud5V0VoT7G3UNBItXeAp_a6IPdb1KyvdIpI-Ov78m4rNuilCy-jK94-rYA/s1600-h/RunawaysStill1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzODAwwSZ7knBVOQ-ufR3NftXWUeXjZCm-C8M748S84XOnJ6m4GvXBwg5zz7BnDMWVzZzKw8eQ9jzud5V0VoT7G3UNBItXeAp_a6IPdb1KyvdIpI-Ov78m4rNuilCy-jK94-rYA/s400/RunawaysStill1.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content"><br />
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<span class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">These three performances are worth the viewing, even if I didn't love the film. On top of that, the film's got a killer rock & roll soundtrack, including songs performed by the actors (Stewart and Fanning) which are quite good. Most importantly, you need to know what you are getting into. Probably not something you'd take your 12 year old Twifan daughter to see. Just sayin'...</span></span>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-32502057551506927192010-03-16T12:47:00.000-07:002010-03-16T12:47:00.704-07:00Sam Worthington in 'Details' magazineIn his new interview with <a href="http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/201004/sam-worthington-cover-star-avatar-clash-of-the-titans?currentPage=1">Details Magazine</a>, we get a better understanding why we (and James Cameron) see Sam Worthington as both a sex symbol and a man's man. Sam is one of my top actors right now. I first noticed him in <i>Terminator Salvation</i>, and then, of course, <i>Avatar</i>. I also went back and watched his film from a few years ago called Somersault where he is sporting a very lovely mullet. I am looking forward to <i>Clash of the Titans</i>. Basically, I am willing to watch any film he does at this point. But anyway, it's a really interesting interview, and Sam discusses how he was living in his car when he got cast for <i>Avatar</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC6T8OR0gBMsDWlqVhmgfEz0biGlUV7MhTRJM1fKgFIMt80T3qyQ3Fhf0qR4YTiQrq_lGtPZvucj07ioDegg5BrMBOvl1AQRVKE5ZSfxHI9U3JtwD1Q9nwax-pI-LQxd4pJ9VKw/s1600-h/Worthington4_EHSS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC6T8OR0gBMsDWlqVhmgfEz0biGlUV7MhTRJM1fKgFIMt80T3qyQ3Fhf0qR4YTiQrq_lGtPZvucj07ioDegg5BrMBOvl1AQRVKE5ZSfxHI9U3JtwD1Q9nwax-pI-LQxd4pJ9VKw/s320/Worthington4_EHSS.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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All that to say, the reason for my post is the pictures. And here they are in all their glory!! Photos by Norman Jean Roy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O5RFRx8gITDF9gdF7fVQnbKjLkgwXRJyjmJyQlaka6b-C0LRIpbybSCkmQ4VJo8G_-0_hPgHpjs7ZKow2yT-SCVI7wnfk-WFlUF5Czz2St-PIO1hI7TFRI5IFIMWETtfQ73qsQ/s1600-h/Worthington1_EVSS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O5RFRx8gITDF9gdF7fVQnbKjLkgwXRJyjmJyQlaka6b-C0LRIpbybSCkmQ4VJo8G_-0_hPgHpjs7ZKow2yT-SCVI7wnfk-WFlUF5Czz2St-PIO1hI7TFRI5IFIMWETtfQ73qsQ/s320/Worthington1_EVSS.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QO7Y1TcjK0v56qgK-gDGDC20VrCIIvc4wPJBwcRRXpX2fUOY0AD_PDA3mhC5JcHv6u1KTB_0EmGgwAeUVfiqObOrv7kbXbyTMsjSKM8aSSzwhdMcvRkcjERaDPpKVtA4NABiew/s1600-h/Worthington3_EHSS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QO7Y1TcjK0v56qgK-gDGDC20VrCIIvc4wPJBwcRRXpX2fUOY0AD_PDA3mhC5JcHv6u1KTB_0EmGgwAeUVfiqObOrv7kbXbyTMsjSKM8aSSzwhdMcvRkcjERaDPpKVtA4NABiew/s320/Worthington3_EHSS.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFLhxF7nFVlhcU_p4dr9rwGG0-uPUTBn-E0c0lc3sjwxFK8DPuiOR4zdl8sVgq9avaiEDbQ8Xm0fYdBRMh5JtaX9jplzQUhHj0xdXn_UsgYY4z4zb107RNWmtsKBccbKaZio_9A/s1600-h/Worthington_EHSS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFLhxF7nFVlhcU_p4dr9rwGG0-uPUTBn-E0c0lc3sjwxFK8DPuiOR4zdl8sVgq9avaiEDbQ8Xm0fYdBRMh5JtaX9jplzQUhHj0xdXn_UsgYY4z4zb107RNWmtsKBccbKaZio_9A/s320/Worthington_EHSS.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJc2fEAiWDX0qwnQr6bGEf1m_hOey7cwrPnyV9dq5kekuIOH23GyaIusqdRDP-OU7tZyNRN54p9vXR3EnaXellpQR9SVoMFsByi-cJcPLET7I-x_uvRIYrVzZROeE14gB4kSKgQ/s1600-h/Worthington2_EVSS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJc2fEAiWDX0qwnQr6bGEf1m_hOey7cwrPnyV9dq5kekuIOH23GyaIusqdRDP-OU7tZyNRN54p9vXR3EnaXellpQR9SVoMFsByi-cJcPLET7I-x_uvRIYrVzZROeE14gB4kSKgQ/s320/Worthington2_EVSS.jpg" /></a></div>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-69045224925961904892010-02-25T16:47:00.000-08:002010-02-25T16:47:42.185-08:00TV: Big Love Season 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5kH-T2fxKfzldDP-gZXgkgBuhTzZ3ilMsTS1y9aQ83S7sUy0DGtsa1Mab5nBgNc6U9exIvhvqZM71jef5l-uxHmBu5f74okmCFlGoM21HNh_uPwaIqKtPqeqfDWaXcR5Q8fr7A/s1600-h/biglove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5kH-T2fxKfzldDP-gZXgkgBuhTzZ3ilMsTS1y9aQ83S7sUy0DGtsa1Mab5nBgNc6U9exIvhvqZM71jef5l-uxHmBu5f74okmCFlGoM21HNh_uPwaIqKtPqeqfDWaXcR5Q8fr7A/s320/biglove.jpg" /></a></div> My sister has been telling me to watch Big Love for ages. And I finally added it to my Netflix queue after my husband expressed just a semblance of interest. And we have been sucked in. I am currently awaiting disc one of season two (today!), so while I wait, here is what I thought of the first season.<br />
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I love the idea of representing a modern times, off-the-compound polygamist family. And the show does a great job of making the people in this family (er... most of them) seem really normal. And likable. You kind of look at them and start making excuses for their lifestyle and rooting them on. In fact, I have now said to my husband: How is what they are doing illegal? He isn't legally married to any of the wives except Barb. There is no law against sleeping around, having illegitimate kids, paying someone's mortgage (who isn't your spouse). We decided what they are doing is most likely not illegal but just really looked down upon.<br />
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Here are my thoughts on a few of the main characters.<br />
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1) Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton) - He's a bit of a doofus but he's a good businessman and managed to snag not one, not two, but THREE hot wives. I would be doing fine if I never had to see his unmentionable parts or tighty-whities again, though.<br />
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2) Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) - Barb married Bill before they decided to live the "principle" of polygamy. In fact, he wasn't moved to leave the LDS church and revert to his roots until SPOILER ALERT Barb got sick with cancer and almost died. And I guess she agreed. Barb is the first wife, making her in charge, pretty much, of the other two. She's my favorite wife of the three. She is the most obvious as for why Bill ended up with her and like her kids.<br />
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3) Nikki (Chloe Sevigny) - Nikki is the long skirt-wearing, braided wife from the compound. And really she is just obnoxious and manipulative. They ahven't gotten into it much but it has been thrown around that Bill married her because of a business deal with her father Roman, the One True Prophet. She just sucks but I loved in teh final episode when, for Barb's sake, she SPOILER ALERT put on a normal dress and wore her hair down and makeup. She looked pretty. <br />
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4) Margene (Gennifer Goodwin) - Margene is the latest addition to the family and is 23 years old. Needless to say, she is immature and has lots of growing to do. She is the most easily sucked into the outside world, but adorable at the same time. I like her but I don't see it going good places with the way Ben (teenage son of Bill & first wife Barb) checks her out.<br />
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This part of this post is SPOILERific so don't read it if you don't want to know. I'll put it in <i>italics</i>!<br />
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<i>For much of the season, Roman (father-in-law to Bill via Nikki) has been manipulating Bill and forcing him to hand over profits from his business. Bill finally got fed up, got sneaky, and ended up on the elder board so he would find out all of Roman's secrets. In addition, Bill's sister-in-law sort of poisoned Roman's son Albie (I hate his guts!) and to get back at Bill, exposed their entire family in public as polygamists, something they have managed to hide for 6 years. End of season 1.</i><br />
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Hopes for Season 2: They take Roman DOWN. He sucks! More story with Tina Majorino, who plays the friend of Bill & Barb's daughter Sarah (Amanda Seyfried)<br />
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Fun side note: Sarah's friend is Tina Majorino and Ben's friend is Kyle Gallner. Kyle and Tina's characters (Cassidy/Beaver and Mac) were dating in Veronica Mars Season 2.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-46736870155915402392010-02-24T17:15:00.000-08:002010-02-24T17:15:00.152-08:00Lost 1x05 - 'The Lighthouse'I was just telling <a href="http://eclairefare.wordpress.com/">Emily</a> yesterday why I haven't posted again about this season of <i>Lost</i>. This is such a smart show. So smart that, at times, it's over my head. And I am OK with that but me babbling on about something that makes no sense to me wouldn't make much sense. But I do have a few things to say about The Lighthouse and then I will direct you elsewhere to other people who "get" this better than I do.<br />
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1) Hurley. I love him in this episode. OK, I love him in general, but this episode reminds me of the change in Hurley. He fully accepts that dead people talk to him and realizes he isn't crazy. He tells other people straight up that he is talking dead Jacob, knowing that with the wackiness that happens on the island, it isn't as weird as he originally thought. Plus, he's just funny. That was a great scene where he told Dogen that he is a candidate and he can do what he wants. <br />
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2) Jack. He's a dad. And he kinda sucks just like his own dad does. But, in my opinion, not nearly to the same extent. He's an absentee father but not a total jerk that tells his son he sucks. In fact, jack realizes in this episode that he does NOT have to be his father. This season, Jack is reclaiming the part of my heart he held for a few seasons before we got so annoying. Matthew Fox's acting was excellent and I find his candid admission to Hurley of why he came back to be quite touching. And telling.<br />
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3) Claire. Well, she ain't dead and she's after the people who took her baby. And darnit if she isn't going to chop them to bits with a hatchet when she finds them. Look out Kate. I thought for a minute she woudn't recognize Jin, but, alas, she seemed like she was bordering on crazy without being so. Until the reveal of the "<a href="http://twitter.com/CarltonCuse/status/9594668431">squirrel baby</a>" in the crib. And then we met her BFF, the man formerly known as Locke. Uh oh. This doesn't bode well for her long term...<br />
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I won't get into the lighthouse. I need to let it sink in a little more. But, look, those numbers are assigned to the same name, and as <a href="http://darkufo.blogspot.com/2010/02/things-i-noticed-lighthouse-by-vozzek69.html">Vozz</a> points out, Kate IS on the wheel in the lighthouse. <br />
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What I am looking forward to/hoping for: the Jin/Sun reunion (I am currently thinking that Jin is the Kwon listed in the Cave of Names and that is why Sun didn't go back in time; just a thought), Claire somehow miraculously regaining her sanity (weirder stuff happens on this island), the proverbial s#$% to hit the fan with Sayid, and MOST importantly, discovering how Sawyer and Non-Locke got out of that cave after Sawyer broke the ladder! <br />
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Where are our Losties being guided? At least the ones that are "candidates?" I can't wait to find out.<br />
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Now go read these guys:<br />
Vozzek's <a href="http://darkufo.blogspot.com/2010/02/things-i-noticed-lighthouse-by-vozzek69.html">Things I Noticed</a> (and his post on <a href="http://darkufo.blogspot.com/2010/02/things-i-noticed-substitute-by-vozzek69.html">The Substitute</a>)<br />
<a href="http://www.pinkraygun.com/2010/02/24/lost-lighthouse/">Pink Ray Gun</a><br />
<a href="http://www.televisionaryblog.com/2010/02/to-lighthouse-through-looking-glass-on.html">Televisionary</a>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-47068758221462722782010-02-21T12:54:00.000-08:002010-02-21T12:54:37.859-08:00Coming soon: Linger by Maggie StiefvaterI read <i>Shiver</i> by Maggie Stiefvater a few months ago and am anxiously awaiting the second book in the series, <i>Linger</i>.<br />
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<blockquote><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maggiestiefvater/4346151105/" title="Linger Cover Large by Telltale Crumbs, on Flickr"><img align="right" alt="Linger Cover Large" height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4346151105_c6ced14c47.jpg" width="257" /></a><i>In Maggie Stiefvater's </i><b><i>Shiver</i></b><i>, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in <b><i>Linger</i></b>, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.<br />
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At turns harrowing and euphoric, <b><i>Linger</i></b><i> </i>is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.</i><br />
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Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. <b>Pre-order </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Linger-Maggie-Stiefvater/dp/0545123283/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258569951&sr=1-1"><b>here</b></a><b>. </b><br />
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Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Red-Jackson-Pearce/dp/0316068683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266164034&sr=1-1"><i>Sisters Red</i></a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Tossed-Waves-Forest-Hands-Teeth/dp/0385736843/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266164052&sr=1-1"><i>The Dead-Tossed Waves</i></a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Brenna-Yovanoff/dp/1595143378/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266164072&sr=1-2"><i>The Replacement</i></a> on Maggie's <a href="http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/">blog</a>.</blockquote><br />
I feel like I am waiting on SO many books to come out in the next year or so. Mainly books that continue certain series I am reading. Are you waiting on any books?Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-19946741474529840602010-02-17T09:42:00.000-08:002010-02-17T09:42:09.746-08:00Michael Emerson (LOST) on Jimmy Kimmel Live"You have no idea what's coming." <br />
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I haven't said it lately, but I think Michael Emerson's portrayal of Ben Linus on <i>Lost</i> is PURE brilliance. And while I am loving some of the other actors right now (namely Terry O'Quinn and Josh Holloway), I thienk Emerson is the best actor on the show. I screamed out loud when he FINALLY won the Emmy award for Lost. It was so SO deserved. I would really like to catch him on stage to see him live.<br />
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Michael Emerson appeared on Jimmy Kimmel last night and reminded us that he IS not actually an evil mastermind in real life, but just plays one on TV. <br />
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<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qIqToq25n1Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qIqToq25n1Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />
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<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F4u-xNIot-A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F4u-xNIot-A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-4529134027819973492010-02-16T13:22:00.000-08:002010-02-16T13:22:35.433-08:00Photos: Neil Patrick Harris is "Out"This set of photos and article came out ages ago, but I just came across them while perusing the new photos of (a very dirty-looking) <a href="http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=26508">Ewan McGregor</a> at <a href="http://www.out.com/exclusives.asp?id=24029">Out.com</a>, which are also worth a look. But if you know me at all, you know my love for musicals, Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris (not all at once, but if Cheno and NPH were to pair up for a duet I might combust!). So when I happened across these photos of Neil, aka Barney Stinson, again, I thought they definitely deserved to be posted on my humble little blog. Here you go!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hxhQUZR9hJyogrVfW3el5aY-FS5YPEt7iR5xlGrTFecZ0lykcx_VNwHE5Ilm2xoYVysiQwlVHI1hR5LLzif5SSfGL71wnfUzdpB9nzlmLNnxURoI228jzk93KfCIGiwRwxGKvQ/s1600-h/Picture+18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hxhQUZR9hJyogrVfW3el5aY-FS5YPEt7iR5xlGrTFecZ0lykcx_VNwHE5Ilm2xoYVysiQwlVHI1hR5LLzif5SSfGL71wnfUzdpB9nzlmLNnxURoI228jzk93KfCIGiwRwxGKvQ/s320/Picture+18.png" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIaVUgIJ6kjRYpYFnkhoSSNmJq4kLSY4sBnK7MRy7EcHPp-zc6ZyEjdmTjDFYVDiRmF_Y_wbNPxOBQ9dbNdrqd907kUFfVjDmefl45NceyooQoreTw-Rf6fVFoiKH4OO4XlGVYQ/s1600-h/Picture+19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIaVUgIJ6kjRYpYFnkhoSSNmJq4kLSY4sBnK7MRy7EcHPp-zc6ZyEjdmTjDFYVDiRmF_Y_wbNPxOBQ9dbNdrqd907kUFfVjDmefl45NceyooQoreTw-Rf6fVFoiKH4OO4XlGVYQ/s320/Picture+19.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6KkB9ielNcfOmhqFLU_vYN6SwqRMb1YB_NmEDqwLHDNmgBBHKiqszASSdgthhp5rW45xKhPjhqC2UTeA0nnp2sZvtHwOoOnorJS11LLGeg4hCbe1DxQTF_m6YJKtVSJgDF48yw/s1600-h/Picture+20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6KkB9ielNcfOmhqFLU_vYN6SwqRMb1YB_NmEDqwLHDNmgBBHKiqszASSdgthhp5rW45xKhPjhqC2UTeA0nnp2sZvtHwOoOnorJS11LLGeg4hCbe1DxQTF_m6YJKtVSJgDF48yw/s320/Picture+20.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ond17fcZgUIl8W77FLOv-4wrDYor_7uytxLyj5nH1_ohZyP0sXCeXYemqpBhgTkSdDuP2_k5fMWTbeE-F1oRSxCi6asU0p7G8TSkPuki0KxjaedoVAngjHBu00gCcdi8SE9BEg/s1600-h/Picture+21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ond17fcZgUIl8W77FLOv-4wrDYor_7uytxLyj5nH1_ohZyP0sXCeXYemqpBhgTkSdDuP2_k5fMWTbeE-F1oRSxCi6asU0p7G8TSkPuki0KxjaedoVAngjHBu00gCcdi8SE9BEg/s320/Picture+21.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AR_Ojb0Os_VfM9iP8ORw9BPiGD7n6HemTde-4nFLm2Hoo6eqTSnssTyn7TC712wQriGD97ZqDx6AUJRuhBL-KPHftMb679WgPEuWOk70PpYdQ5BQqGZ82De-MiQYsKMCoEHzIg/s1600-h/Picture+22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AR_Ojb0Os_VfM9iP8ORw9BPiGD7n6HemTde-4nFLm2Hoo6eqTSnssTyn7TC712wQriGD97ZqDx6AUJRuhBL-KPHftMb679WgPEuWOk70PpYdQ5BQqGZ82De-MiQYsKMCoEHzIg/s320/Picture+22.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SKCoVspxOl7dUL49ECemreS4DDee6vMWr6312A3J0ib4iPLPb4Hc12dcD60wwhp37-MlxM-aJlGWYLN6HQxAfvLQMSEwRJFy2L5Z5m9JLvAnm4CgxwWAwKeY3xhhLm12DZAftg/s1600-h/Picture+23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SKCoVspxOl7dUL49ECemreS4DDee6vMWr6312A3J0ib4iPLPb4Hc12dcD60wwhp37-MlxM-aJlGWYLN6HQxAfvLQMSEwRJFy2L5Z5m9JLvAnm4CgxwWAwKeY3xhhLm12DZAftg/s320/Picture+23.png" /></a></div><br />
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See the accompanying article at <a href="http://www.out.com/exclusives.asp?id=24029">Out.com</a>.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-58597834567608041452010-02-15T16:38:00.000-08:002010-02-15T16:38:19.036-08:00Book 3 in The Hunger Games trilogy: MockingjaySo it was finally announced that the third and final book in <i>The Hunger Games</i> series will be appropriately entitled <i>Mockingjay</i>. I am anxiously awaiting the release of this book as the series is a new favorite of mine. I keep recommending it to everyone I know who reads. So go read it!<br />
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The first two books in the series by Suzanne Collins are <i>The Hunger Games</i> and <i>Catching Fire</i>. <i>Mockingjay</i> will be released on August 24, 2010 via Scholastic Press.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-16565485229216971032010-02-03T13:29:00.000-08:002010-02-03T13:46:48.813-08:00Lost: "LA X" (Parts 1 & 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvc4587GYvcXlwHpB9OZEBCJxqIcmEoLlCoa25o_c6x1kjLt1E0LpcCK1GIph8eiHZg839DZ0sqdaGBNAvmNTNcsmggXSr-pn-OkuNwEcVD3aBY3pfdredURWjJ_kV4RGpKV5aQ/s1600-h/LOST_LA_X_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvc4587GYvcXlwHpB9OZEBCJxqIcmEoLlCoa25o_c6x1kjLt1E0LpcCK1GIph8eiHZg839DZ0sqdaGBNAvmNTNcsmggXSr-pn-OkuNwEcVD3aBY3pfdredURWjJ_kV4RGpKV5aQ/s400/LOST_LA_X_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I'll be honest. I was a little irritated at the <i>Lost</i> episodes last night. Not that they weren't entertaining, and it was SO great to see our <i>Lost</i>ies again on screen in some new episodes. And I have watched this show religiously for five previous seasons, so I KNOW not to expect answers. I know that. But for some reason, maybe since it is the beginning of the final season, I was really wanting just one or two little ones.<br />
<a name='more'></a>OK, I suppose we got a couple of answers. We know that the black smoke monster is also the man on the beach with Jacob last season, his eternal nemesis that now inhabits Locke's body. We know that Jacob is dead, and that Ben just MIGHT have a smidgen of conscience in there somewhere. We know if Juliet is alive or dead. <br />
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But, ultimately, didn't they, in typical Darlton fashion, just create a bunch more questions. I think I was really hoping in this first episode that they would say "Oh yes, the bomb worked." Or "nope, you idiots, that plan didn't work." Instead we have them both on the island, post-bomb, back in the same time that Ben, Sun, Locke's body, etc. are in, AND<i></i> on the plane from Sydney, landing at LAX with little trouble.<br />
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Now the question is this: are we seeing two different alternate realities at once? If so, that is kind of a cop out, at least for now. But I don't think that is what is happening. Juliet posthumously said "It worked." And I believe her even though I don't know how it worked. My thought are these: I think that whatever happens with them on the island (where they are now hanging with who I assume to be Black Rock pirates) will lead to the reset later, which puts them BACK on the plane heading to LAX on September 22, 2004, albeit with some seemingly carried-over effects (the wound on Jack's neck comes to mind). Now, I have always said that if they "reset" it would be tragic, because so many of them had such awful lives that have improved on the island, and because I think their relationships are so important. But I am starting to feel like fate is going to bring them together in a different way. I just don't know what way that is yet... OK, as usual, my theories will be proven wrong, especially since they are even confusing me. But speculating is one of my favorite things about this series. <br />
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Even saying ALL that, I am so glad Lost is back on, and can't wait to see where it's going. I love these characters, even the ones I hate, and was really happy to see Boone, Charlie and Claire alive.<br />
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Now my thoughts on specific happenings (and I am typing these as a re-watch the episode so bear with me on the randomness):<br />
<ul><li>I'm confused how the island is underwater. If, in 2007, it is still afloat, then how it is underwater in 2004?</li>
<li>Desmond is on the plane. Which is fine because he never would have sailed to and gotten stuck on the island if it had been blown up in the 70s. </li>
<li>Darn them for letting Juliet be alive in this episode! I had said my sad goodbyes, and then had to do it all over again. And poor Sawyer! Can you blame him for kicking the crud out of Jack and then saying he would kill him? </li>
<li>And while I am feeling sorry for people, let's talk Jack. He finally trusted in something COMPLETELY insane instead of science and it failed him, or so it seems. "I thought it would work," laced with emotion. Tough to watch.</li>
<li>Hurley is completely open to his "talking with dead people" thing and knows to trust it. He does exactly what Jacob tells him to do. </li>
<li>Was anyone else waiting for Locke to stand up, gather his bags, and exit the plane? I suppose that was the point. And he is a big liar...</li>
<li>I am still irritated with the "shadow of the statue" Ajira passengers, and it was quite satisfying when Ilana asked about Jacob, and he said, "I'm sorry, who are you?"</li>
<li>The person, or entity, wearing the Locke body isn't actually inhabiting Locke's body, but more just taking on his form. Which leads me to believe that the resuscitation of Sayid is something different. We still see Locke's dead body on the beach, but Sayid's dead body comes back to life. Maybe I am just hopeful because I don't want him to die. </li>
<li>Josh Holloway broke my heart crying over Juliet. His character has evolved so much since Season 1 and I can easily say I have moved from a Jack girl to a Sawyer girl. I like to think that he loves Juliet WAY more than he ever loved Kate. </li>
<li>So was it Charlie's destiny to die, even before the plane crash? </li>
<li>I was so disappointed to see Jin acting like his old self, staring at the stupid watch and telling Sun to button her shirt up. I love new and improved and English-speaking and somehow more handsome Jin...</li>
<li>Hasn't that US Marshall learned he can not trust Kate? Guess he fell for her feminine wiles. </li>
<li>The rusty brown water doesn't heal the hand of the Captain (yeah, I am calling him the Captain, as in Black Rock, since I don't know what else to call him) when he cuts it, yet they put Sayid in the water anyway. And proceed to DROWN him. Huh? Poor Sayid. Had to die to live? Maybe. And will he be a "new" man? Remains to be seen.</li>
<li>Is Sun lying about not speaking English? Or did she not learn in this different dimension.</li>
<li>Why did Kate stop Jack from trying to resuscitate Sayid? He was just drowned and has been laying there for like ONE minute. Why not try to save him?</li>
<li>Kate pulls a gun on a cabbie, and who's in the hijacked seat next to her? Claire! But we don't get to see if she is pregnant. We know Claire got on that plane because it was supposed to crash the first time around. So why this time? </li>
<li>When Fake Locke was telling Ben about John Locke's final dying thoughts, I just felt sorry for him. Locke that is. Does Ben even care? Probably not. He is just mad he got used.</li>
<li>And then Fake Locke goes and beats the pooh out of Richard, which I don't have a problem with... </li>
</ul>Aw, shoot. I am sure there are so many little things that I missed. So I am going to wrap this up and wait on pins & needles until next Tuesday night... <br />
<ul></ul>Now for links to my favorite reviewers/theorists/discussions:<br />
<a href="http://darkufo.blogspot.com/2010/02/things-i-noticed-la-x-by-vozzek69.html">Things I Noticed by Vozzek69</a><br />
<a href="http://abc.comhttp//abc.go.com/shows/lost/flash-sideways">ABC.com</a> is keeping a list of differences from the original storyline, and what they are calling the Flash-Sideways aka the new reality of the plane landing safely at LAX<br />
Lisa at <a href="http://www.pinkraygun.com/2010/02/03/lost-season-6-premiere/">Pink Ray Gun</a> tells it like it is (or how she thinks it is anyway)<br />
Recap and analysis from <a href="http://darkufo.blogspot.com/2010/02/la-x-part-1-recap-and-analysis-by-erika.html">Erika</a>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-41318537443367347122010-01-24T13:47:00.001-08:002010-01-24T13:47:34.440-08:00Lost recap video starring Italian family of amazing actors...So bad it's good... I found this video over at Jorge Garcia's blog "<a href="http://dispatchesfromtheisland.blogspot.com/2010/01/someone-sent-this-to-me.html">Dispatches from the Island</a>." Great blog if you are a LOST or Hurley/Hugo fan. Anyway, this is a video of a guy and his Italian extended family reenacting the first five seasons of LOST. <br />
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<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M1D-cuc8OTI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M1D-cuc8OTI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-60179129679237255792010-01-16T21:24:00.000-08:002010-01-16T21:29:01.675-08:00My favorite books of 2009I was a busy reader this last year, especially during the three months I spent in India. It helped me not to feel so homesick. So here are some books I read this year that I really loved or that just stuck with me.<br />
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<b><i>The Hunger Games</i> and <i>Catching Fire</i> by Suzanne Collins</b><br />
I've been busy reading a lot of <i>Twilight</i> for the last year and a half, but I realized recently that there are some really great young adult books out there. I am a fan of <i>Harry Potter</i>, too, and when a friend recommended <i>The Hunger Games</i>, I gave it a try. And it sucked me in immediately. It was <i>The Road </i>meets teen romance meets <i>Gladiator</i> or something. I can't even explain it and I don't like to tell people the plot before they read it. I went into it completely blind as to what it was about and that made for more of a surprise while reading it. <i>Catching Fire</i> is the second in the series. The third and final book is due out in August of this year. I. Can't. Wait. Probably my favorite I read this year.<br />
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<b><i>The Mortal Instruments</i> series by Cassandra Clare</b><br />
In continuing the theme of young adult series, I picked up <i>The Mortal Instruments</i> when a friend recommended it. I didn't get into it as quickly. In fact, for the first couple of chapters I thought I was going to quit. It is a world with angels, demons, vampires, werewolves, and just about anything else you can imagine. The characters take some time before you like them much, but I was completely sucked into the story and read all three rather large books over the course of a couple of weeks. I was under the impression there were only 3 books, but apparently a fourth is in the works: <i>City of Broken Glass</i>. Again: can't wait!<i></i><br />
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<b><i>Paths of Glory</i> by Jeffrey Archer</b><br />
I saw this one in all the English-language bookstores in Mumbai so I picked it up. It was heavily promoted because it was about a climber attempting to summit Mount Everest back before anyone had ever done it. It's based on the true story of George Mallory, using his family's stories and his own diaries. It was a great story, and very tragic. For some reason it stuck with me. Then, when I went to Darjeeling, I went to the Himalayan Climbing Museum and there were photos of him and some of his gear and things there. It was so random because I had just read the book. Anyway, I really thoroughly enjoyed it.<br />
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<b><i>The Outcast</i> by Sadie Jones</b><br />
I reviewed it <a href="http://linzmcc.blogspot.com/2009/06/books-several-reviewsthoughts.html">here</a>. The story just broke my heart. It was a tad slow in parts, but a pretty easy read.<br />
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<b><i>A Thousand Splendid Suns</i> by Khaled Hosseini</b><br />
So apparently I like very sad books. This one was written by the author of The Kite Runner, so I knew to expect something hard to read. And while I found The Kite Runner very sad, I sat and cried in multiple different places while reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. This book focuses on the lives of women in Afghanistan. It's a hard subject to broach, and one should be warned it isn't an easy story to read. But very well-written and emotive. <br />
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</div><b><i>1984</i> by George Orwell</b><br />
I reviewed it <a href="http://linzmcc.blogspot.com/2009/06/1984-george-orwell.html">here</a>. I had never read it before and was surprised at how quickly I got into it.<br />
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OK, so clearly I didn't get around to reviewing ALL the books I read last year. But I read a lot! I love to read, but I read a lot even for me this last year. Maybe 30 or so books? I'll try to keep track of them this year.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-53238382050418195082010-01-15T21:52:00.000-08:002010-01-15T21:52:36.384-08:00Fave Albums of 2009I had a sudden inspiration during my 6000 mile drive over the last 8 weeks to write up some posts covering things I loved during this last year. I'm starting with my favorite albums of 2009. Well, what I loved during 2009, doesn't mean it was released in 2009... These are in no particular order, but they all got quite the playing time on iPod and iTunes.<br />
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<b><i>Glee Volume I</i> (and Volume II, and the unreleased tracks...)</b><br />
I don't love EVERY song every sung on this show, but there are more that I love than those that I don't. "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Alone" probably have gotten the most play time, followed by "Taking Chances" and Lea Michele's rendition of "Defying Gravity." Can't WAIT to see what else we get this season, with guest stars such as Idina Menzel and Jonathan Groff.<br />
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<b><i>Swoon</i> by Silversun Pickups</b><br />
I can't stop listening to this album. I have Silversun Pickups' first album <i>Carnavas</i> but it never got much play time on my iTunes. However, I got <i>Swoon</i> this summer and still can't stop listening to it, six months later. "Panic Switch" is a good song, but it is really over-played. The rest of the album is certainly worth a listen. I had to listen through it a few times before I could truly appreciate it. Now I hear they will be touring with Muse. And they don't come to LA on the tour... Devastated.<br />
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<b><i>Until the Whole World Hears</i> by Casting Crowns</b><br />
I saw Casting Crowns in concert last fall for the first time. Most people haven't heard of them, unless they listen to Christian music. Their live performance was inspirational. Then I got this album later in the fall and I still can't stop listening to it. Current favs: "At Your Feet" and "Blessed Redeemer." <br />
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</div><b><i>The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack</i> by Various Artists</b><br />
This was a highly anticipated album, not just for me, but for the legions of Twilight fans and people who enjoyed the first installment. Chris Weitz didn't disappoint by choosing a bunch of indie bands, only a few well known, to be featured on the soundtrack for the film. My fave songs include "Possibility" by Lykke Li, "Hearing Damage" by Thom Yorke and "Slow Life" by Grizzly Bear.<br />
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<b><i>The Resistance</i> by Muse</b><br />
It felt like ages since Black Holes & Revelations came out, and Muse is one of those bands where I constantly check to see when a new album will be released. So they finally released <i>The Resistance</i> this year and I was super excited. They never really disappoint me. I love their sound. They are becoming more mainstream in the US without changing the music they make. People are just slowly taking notice. About time.<br />
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<b><i>Singles</i> by Britney Spears</b><br />
Yep, I put Britney on this list. Poor thing is a hot mess, but her <i>Singles</i> album has every one of my favorites from her previous albums, plus some I had never even heard before. They aren't all amazing, but Brit songs can always get me pumped up! They make me want to dance...<br />
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<b><i>In Rainbows</i> by Radiohead</b><br />
This one came out in early 2008 but I didn't get it till it had been out for a while. And it is really good. My husband loves it, too, so it gets lots of play when we are both home. Radiohead continues to be odd and interesting and original. I can listen to this album over and over and not get bored with it.<br />
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<b><i>Vampire Weekend</i> by Vampire Weekend</b><br />
This one also came out in early 2008. And, again, I was late to the party. Sean bought this CD and I had heard a couple of songs on the radio. But it is quirky and catchy and all around fun. I just got their new album Contra, so when I have decided what I think, I'll have to post about it.<b><br />
</b>Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573353.post-27518333116500168862010-01-15T21:28:00.000-08:002010-01-15T21:37:30.110-08:00Battlestar Galactica: The Plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Yj2KwBbLUlQ-dnb7EfQzfCUgyvDwtBFbXPgrNMCHwpkv08tP1wNzdMpCWBW7Is9tun1VBbE6YbZCjePWf6KvO8L89SX39FWxVlEmjySjswbE8FPPcxVlWCw4jZd6x7bE3Uknwg/s1600-h/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Yj2KwBbLUlQ-dnb7EfQzfCUgyvDwtBFbXPgrNMCHwpkv08tP1wNzdMpCWBW7Is9tun1VBbE6YbZCjePWf6KvO8L89SX39FWxVlEmjySjswbE8FPPcxVlWCw4jZd6x7bE3Uknwg/s320/Picture+1.png" /></a><br />
</div>I finally watched <i>The Plan</i> tonight. I wasn't feeling too interested in watching it, but now that I have, it is like ripping a scab off an old wound, and I plan to re-watch the series from the beginning. I don't know why I used that description; it's gross.<br />
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This movie recycles a lot of scenes from earlier on in the series. Certain actors didn't even film new footage for the film, but were still prominent in it (such as Katee Sackhoff as Starbuck), and then scenes were built around that footage. There was also a good deal of completely new story going on, such as interactions between a Cavil and Anders while he was running the resistance cell on Caprica. Or one of the Simons who has adapted to human life by marrying. I was also intrigued at the back-story we got with Sharon and her attempt to kill Adama, as well as the beginnings of Leoben's obsession with Thrace.<br />
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The straight-to-DVD release of <i>The Plan</i> allowed for some equal-opportunity nudity, but other than that, the film was quite similar to what you would get in any given episode. Not enough Apollo for my tastes, though. Also could have used a little more Tight. However, we did get the always amazing line from Gaius: "No more Mr. Nice Gaius!" again. And plenty of Anders, which was nice. <br />
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All in all, the movie was entertaining, but not a requirement to understand the story. It was more just an interesting filler than anything else. But enjoyable to watch. The few times I was lost, I had to ask Sean about what happened way back in Season 1 or 2. That's when I decided it might be time to crack the <i>BSG</i> DVDs again. Let you know how that goes.Linz McChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14552277903004765691noreply@blogger.com0