Music: Adele's '21'

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!] 



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.

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.

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.



A couple of song samples from 21!

Live version of 'Someone Like You'


Rumor Has It

Movie: Water for Elephants

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: Water for Elephants. 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.

First off, you can read my review of the book here.

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.

The good:
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.

The bad:
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.

My recommendation:
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 Twilight!

Movie: Holy Rollers

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?

Holy Rollers 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.

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 The Hangover and from the National Treasure movies. Ari Graynor is also great as Rachel. I only know Ari from Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (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).

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.

Movie: Never Let Me Go

Fox Searchlight Pictures

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.

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.

Fox Searchlight Pictures

I had no idea about the plot beforehand, which made it all the more interesting once I got started.

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."

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.

Trailer:

Current musical obsession: Mumford & Sons

If 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.

"Thistle and Weeds"


"Awake My Soul"


Live performance of "Little Lion Man" and "Roll Away Your Stone"


Working on getting tickets to see them at the Palladium in Hollywood next month. Hear more of their songs at their myspace page.

I'm also loving the band The XX a lot right now. Maybe I'll post on them, too.

"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...).



Thanks to my pal Steph for posting this on FB so I could obsess over it.

TV: 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.

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.

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.

Nick Jonas is Marius in "Les Miserables"

I still can't get over Nick Jonas as Marius in the West End production of Les Miserables, 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.



And while I am at it, here is "A Little Fall of Rain."



And "In My Life/A Heart Full of Love."

The End of Lost

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. 

TV: Party Down, Season 1

I had various reasons for wanting to watch this show. Originally, my main reason was because it is co-created by Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas, and Paul Rudd (who I just love anyway). But the cast is excellent. And it's just funny.

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...

The cast (I'm going to relate as many of the cast as I can back to Veronica Mars):

Ken Marino as Ron - AKA Vinnie Van Lowe
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.

Adam Scott as Henry - AKA Mr. Rooks
I know Adam Scott from his episode of Veronica Mars and from a few episode stint on Six Feet Under. He was also the huge jerk of a brother on Step-Brothers. 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.

Lizzy Caplan as Casey
I know Lizzy Caplan from Mean Girls, The Class, and True Blood. 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...

Ryan Hansen as Kyle - AKA Dick Casablancas
Kyle is adorable and obnoxious. Kyle isn't as big of a jerk as Dick in VM. He is the really cool guy that likes to party and gets all the ladies. And he is funny.

Jane Lynch as Constance
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 Glee. Megan Mullaly moved in to the empty space.

Martin Starr as Roman
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?).

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 Veronica Mars alum show up during various episodes (you can definitely look forward to seeing Kristen Bell and Jason Dohring).

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...

Book: A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

Emily gave me a handful of books for Christmas, including A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby. This is the second Hornby book I have read, and you can read my less-than-excited thoughts on High Fidelity here. I enjoyed A Long Way Down more than High Fidelity, and found it thoroughly entertaining, given the subject matter.

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.

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. :)

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.

My thoughts on 'The Runaways'

[Just realized I should add a SPOILER ALERT!]

Last night I had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of The Runaways, 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...

Sam Worthington in 'Details' magazine

In his new interview with Details Magazine, 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 Terminator Salvation, and then, of course, Avatar.  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 Clash of the Titans.  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 Avatar.

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.

TV: Big Love Season 1

 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.

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.

Here are my thoughts on a few of the main characters.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This part of this post is SPOILERific so don't read it if you don't want to know.  I'll put it in italics!

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.

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)

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.

Lost 1x05 - 'The Lighthouse'

I was just telling Emily yesterday why I haven't posted again about this season of Lost.  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.

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.

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.

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 "squirrel baby" 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...

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 Vozz points out, Kate IS on the wheel in the lighthouse.

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!

Where are our Losties being guided? At least the ones that are "candidates?" I can't wait to find out.

Now go read these guys:
Vozzek's Things I Noticed (and his post on The Substitute)
Pink Ray Gun
Televisionary

Coming soon: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

I read Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater a few months ago and am anxiously awaiting the second book in the series, Linger.

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, 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.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger 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.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here.

Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie's blog.

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?

Michael Emerson (LOST) on Jimmy Kimmel Live

"You have no idea what's coming."

I haven't said it lately, but I think Michael Emerson's portrayal of Ben Linus on Lost 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.

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.

Photos: 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) Ewan McGregor at Out.com, 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!

 

Book 3 in The Hunger Games trilogy: Mockingjay

So it was finally announced that the third and final book in The Hunger Games series will be appropriately entitled Mockingjay. 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!

The first two books in the series by Suzanne Collins are The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Mockingjay will be released on August 24, 2010 via Scholastic Press.

Lost: "LA X" (Parts 1 & 2)

I'll be honest. I was a little irritated at the Lost episodes last night. Not that they weren't entertaining, and it was SO great to see our Losties 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.