Monday, July 13
A Picture Review of 'The Science of Sleep'
It's official: I'm obsessed with the innovative and trippy aesthetic of French auteur Michel Gondry. His surreal 2006 mindtrip, 'The Science of Sleep' is even more visually stunning than his other popular work (that I have seen), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'. The story doesn't keep up with the insane visuals, but it doesn't necessarily lag. It simply doesn't make an ounce of sense at times. But whatever, it's an unforgettable love story and the performances get better and better as the film goes along. Here are a bunch of shots I took of the film. Pretty crazy shit.
Friday, July 10
Assessing The Big Brother 11 Field
Okay, I have a confession you're going to have to get over: I'm semi-obsessed with the "classic" CBS reality show, "Big Brother." And this summer, since it's just so fascinating to me, I'm going to blog about the guilty pleasure on a weekly basis, probably. The season premiere was last night, and it was just as good as always. This sounds so pathetic, but at the end of the episode, I said to myself, "I'm going to be spending my summer with these people." Scary, huh? Well here are the houseguests:
Braden: "My names is Braden. Like "braidin'" hair, it's as easy as that." He's the surfer dude, part-time cocky bastard. I kind of already hate him. He was already showing off in the first competition (then was promptly eliminated) and has the aura that he thinks he's pretty great.
Casey: The Obligatory Old Guy, except he's only 40. I think he'll be a surprisingly good physical competitor and might be able to make friends, as he comes across sort of self-deprecating and likable. My pick to win it, as of now.
Chima: Annoying as hell, mostly because she laughs hysterically at everything she says. Otherwise, I see her slipping under the radar for a few weeks and maybe have an outburst during the season. That's to be expected.
Jeff: So far he's the heartthrob of the household. The heartthrobs always go the same way: hold up a showmance for a few weeks, have decent gameplay, are gone midway through and then forgotten.
Jordan: The Obligatory Fun-Lovin' Southern Belle. God, this season is predictable. Not much to say about her, really.
Kevin: The Obligatory Snarky Gay Guy. Holy shit. He was hilarious, though, and told it like it was. Maybe a bit too much. He'll inevitably make a ton of enemies, have a few tirades and get out after a few weeks. I know these things.
Laura: Huges ones. You know what I'm talking about. Let's just say Kevin called her "voluptuous." Look for her to hook up with Jeff.
Lydia: Tatooed, punkish girl. I'm already picking up on signs of her being insane. You have to look at the little details. Like when the houseguests were picking rooms she of course had "been shafted" and ended up "with the worst room." She's defensive, moody and angry. Should be interesting to watch.
Michele: She's already rubbing me the wrong way. After she blabbed about the fact that she's not going to tell the house about the fact that SHE HAS A PH.D. Also, she wants to "let loose" in the Big Brother house and not be the "nerdy lab girl" that she apparently is. Ergh.
Natalie: Simply diabolical. Like, seriously? You're already lying? You really think the house is going to suddenly think you don't know your elbow from your ass if you tell them you're four years younger than you actually are? Another insane one. What are we up to in the insanity tally?
Ronnie: Don't really know what to think of him. I'll probably end up hating him, which, you know, isn't a big deal in the Big Brother house. X-Factor: No one wants it more than he does. I can tell.
Russell: Jesse Version 2.0, except with a dash of humanity. Speak of the devil...
Jessie: Okay, I detest this guy, let me say that much. But, there is almost no player more interesting to watch. To get in his psyche and figure what he's actually thinking. Insecure, mad at the world, cocky, manipulative, and bordering on psychotic. The ideal Big Brother houseguest.
Braden: "My names is Braden. Like "braidin'" hair, it's as easy as that." He's the surfer dude, part-time cocky bastard. I kind of already hate him. He was already showing off in the first competition (then was promptly eliminated) and has the aura that he thinks he's pretty great.
Casey: The Obligatory Old Guy, except he's only 40. I think he'll be a surprisingly good physical competitor and might be able to make friends, as he comes across sort of self-deprecating and likable. My pick to win it, as of now.
Chima: Annoying as hell, mostly because she laughs hysterically at everything she says. Otherwise, I see her slipping under the radar for a few weeks and maybe have an outburst during the season. That's to be expected.
Jeff: So far he's the heartthrob of the household. The heartthrobs always go the same way: hold up a showmance for a few weeks, have decent gameplay, are gone midway through and then forgotten.
Jordan: The Obligatory Fun-Lovin' Southern Belle. God, this season is predictable. Not much to say about her, really.
Kevin: The Obligatory Snarky Gay Guy. Holy shit. He was hilarious, though, and told it like it was. Maybe a bit too much. He'll inevitably make a ton of enemies, have a few tirades and get out after a few weeks. I know these things.
Laura: Huges ones. You know what I'm talking about. Let's just say Kevin called her "voluptuous." Look for her to hook up with Jeff.
Lydia: Tatooed, punkish girl. I'm already picking up on signs of her being insane. You have to look at the little details. Like when the houseguests were picking rooms she of course had "been shafted" and ended up "with the worst room." She's defensive, moody and angry. Should be interesting to watch.
Michele: She's already rubbing me the wrong way. After she blabbed about the fact that she's not going to tell the house about the fact that SHE HAS A PH.D. Also, she wants to "let loose" in the Big Brother house and not be the "nerdy lab girl" that she apparently is. Ergh.
Natalie: Simply diabolical. Like, seriously? You're already lying? You really think the house is going to suddenly think you don't know your elbow from your ass if you tell them you're four years younger than you actually are? Another insane one. What are we up to in the insanity tally?
Ronnie: Don't really know what to think of him. I'll probably end up hating him, which, you know, isn't a big deal in the Big Brother house. X-Factor: No one wants it more than he does. I can tell.
Russell: Jesse Version 2.0, except with a dash of humanity. Speak of the devil...
Jessie: Okay, I detest this guy, let me say that much. But, there is almost no player more interesting to watch. To get in his psyche and figure what he's actually thinking. Insecure, mad at the world, cocky, manipulative, and bordering on psychotic. The ideal Big Brother houseguest.
Thursday, July 9
My Top Ten Favorite Michael Jackson Songs
Okay, I know this is a week late, and the craziness that has come with the death of Michael Jackson has made some nauseous with MJ excess, but I really want to write this post, so I'm going to. Anyway, "Michael Jackson" and "MJ's" are still trending topics on Twitter, so clearly the mourning hasn't subsided.
I'd be lying, really, if I told you I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. I had liked his music, but casually. I didn't ever listen to him voluntarily, but if one of his songs were to come on the radio, I'd remember my fondness of his music. So clearly, with his passing, there has been loads of MJ music in all media. I couldn't help but totally get addicted to his music over the past two weeks. He's pretty much all I've listened to in that span of time, and the way his artistry has evolved over his roller-coaster career fascinates me and gives his music an even deeper meaning. So here are my ten favorites:
10. Rock With You
Cool beats and synth make the song, really, and you can't help but the think of the very disco video, made at a time when Jackson looked his best. It was all downhill from there.
9. We Are The World
Really bumped up in my rankings after it was played at the memorial on stage. A simple, yet beautiful song that has become synonymous with humanity and philanthropy.
8. Scream
Sung with his little sister, this was really a change of pace for Jackson. Verges on hard rock, and he pulls it off. The lyrics are heartfelt and sum up the reason for his demise: "Stop pressuring me."
7. Black or White
A really cool, innovative video (though the Macaulay Culkin part always makes me laugh nervously) and Slash's guitar riff gives the song an edge. Another great song that truly has something to say.
6. Bad
It's almost unfortunate that every time I hear this song, I think of Weird Al Yankovic's parody, "Fat." But, I mean, talk about a song that sticks in your head endlessly. Honestly, though, I don't mind humming this song all week.
5. You Are Not Alone
I'm starting to love this song more and more every time I listen to it. The lyrics are great and it's a perfect showcase for MJ's incredible falsetto and overall vocals.
4. Smooth Criminal
Not only is the song great and extremely iconic, but the video shows Jackson at his coolest. My heart skips a beat every time I see him do "the lean." He really was smooth.
3. Man In The Mirror
Probably the best vocal work of any of his songs. Add a choir to the background and I start getting choked up. The first MJ song I truly fell in love with.
2. Billie Jean
I mean, it's the essential. It's made its mark in the hall of fame of greatness for a reason. It is the musical peak of Michael Jackson's solo career.
1. I'll Be There
So simple but so important. I'm convinced it may have some of the best lyrics of any song. I know I'm really diving into hyperbole here, but this is most certainly one of my favorite songs, period.
I'd be lying, really, if I told you I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. I had liked his music, but casually. I didn't ever listen to him voluntarily, but if one of his songs were to come on the radio, I'd remember my fondness of his music. So clearly, with his passing, there has been loads of MJ music in all media. I couldn't help but totally get addicted to his music over the past two weeks. He's pretty much all I've listened to in that span of time, and the way his artistry has evolved over his roller-coaster career fascinates me and gives his music an even deeper meaning. So here are my ten favorites:
10. Rock With You
Cool beats and synth make the song, really, and you can't help but the think of the very disco video, made at a time when Jackson looked his best. It was all downhill from there.
9. We Are The World
Really bumped up in my rankings after it was played at the memorial on stage. A simple, yet beautiful song that has become synonymous with humanity and philanthropy.
8. Scream
Sung with his little sister, this was really a change of pace for Jackson. Verges on hard rock, and he pulls it off. The lyrics are heartfelt and sum up the reason for his demise: "Stop pressuring me."
7. Black or White
A really cool, innovative video (though the Macaulay Culkin part always makes me laugh nervously) and Slash's guitar riff gives the song an edge. Another great song that truly has something to say.
6. Bad
It's almost unfortunate that every time I hear this song, I think of Weird Al Yankovic's parody, "Fat." But, I mean, talk about a song that sticks in your head endlessly. Honestly, though, I don't mind humming this song all week.
5. You Are Not Alone
I'm starting to love this song more and more every time I listen to it. The lyrics are great and it's a perfect showcase for MJ's incredible falsetto and overall vocals.
4. Smooth Criminal
Not only is the song great and extremely iconic, but the video shows Jackson at his coolest. My heart skips a beat every time I see him do "the lean." He really was smooth.
3. Man In The Mirror
Probably the best vocal work of any of his songs. Add a choir to the background and I start getting choked up. The first MJ song I truly fell in love with.
2. Billie Jean
I mean, it's the essential. It's made its mark in the hall of fame of greatness for a reason. It is the musical peak of Michael Jackson's solo career.
1. I'll Be There
So simple but so important. I'm convinced it may have some of the best lyrics of any song. I know I'm really diving into hyperbole here, but this is most certainly one of my favorite songs, period.
Wednesday, July 8
Summer = Freedom/Laziness
The best part of the summer vacation is the fact that I'm free, for once. My heart rate is down, I'm not stressing about homework or tests or, or...Latin (aka the most torturous class ever, though oddly the funniest). In Summer, I'm free to hang up in my room and just listen to music and pointlessly browse Netflix (my idea of hardcore good times). I can sit and watch a movie without being interrupted with other more "important" things.
I can sleep in and then go running and chill with some friends. I'm not locked down by the constant dreariness and impending doom of the school year. Yes, doom. I don't know, but I just feel more stressed and uncomfortable and almost miserable during the school year. I feel like Alvy Singer (from Annie Hall, for those who are uninformed):
Alvy Singer: I feel that life is divided into the horrible and the miserable. That's the two categories. The horrible are like, I don't know, terminal cases, you know, and blind people,crippled. I don't know how they get through life. It's amazing to me. And the miserable is everyone else. So you should be thankful that you're miserable, because that's very lucky, to be miserable.
Laziness is summer. Summer is freedom. Freedom is laziness. Laziness. Freedom. Summer!
Anyway, during this summer I've become lazy and free, so much so, that I've quasi-given up on blogging. This poor, neglected blog. This blog is like a dog whose neighbors leave it outside all the time. Even in the rain and snow and blistering sun. I left this blog out when it needed me. When the AMPAS decided to broaden the field to ten nominees. Where was I? I left this blog alone when I saw great, great movies like Children of Men and Dancer in the Dark. Where was I? This blog was empty during the shocking death of the King of Pop. I could have writen a few posts on that. Where was I, man?!
But whatever, it's in the past. At least, I'm happy, right? It's summer, bitches.
And so, since I've been such a dick to my blog over the past month, here is a little something I wanted to tell my blog. Let's let MJ do the talking, shall we?
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
I'll be there to protect you, with an unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name and I'll be there
I can sleep in and then go running and chill with some friends. I'm not locked down by the constant dreariness and impending doom of the school year. Yes, doom. I don't know, but I just feel more stressed and uncomfortable and almost miserable during the school year. I feel like Alvy Singer (from Annie Hall, for those who are uninformed):
Alvy Singer: I feel that life is divided into the horrible and the miserable. That's the two categories. The horrible are like, I don't know, terminal cases, you know, and blind people,crippled. I don't know how they get through life. It's amazing to me. And the miserable is everyone else. So you should be thankful that you're miserable, because that's very lucky, to be miserable.
Laziness is summer. Summer is freedom. Freedom is laziness. Laziness. Freedom. Summer!
Anyway, during this summer I've become lazy and free, so much so, that I've quasi-given up on blogging. This poor, neglected blog. This blog is like a dog whose neighbors leave it outside all the time. Even in the rain and snow and blistering sun. I left this blog out when it needed me. When the AMPAS decided to broaden the field to ten nominees. Where was I? I left this blog alone when I saw great, great movies like Children of Men and Dancer in the Dark. Where was I? This blog was empty during the shocking death of the King of Pop. I could have writen a few posts on that. Where was I, man?!
But whatever, it's in the past. At least, I'm happy, right? It's summer, bitches.
And so, since I've been such a dick to my blog over the past month, here is a little something I wanted to tell my blog. Let's let MJ do the talking, shall we?
Whenever you need me, I'll be there
I'll be there to protect you, with an unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name and I'll be there
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