Avatar

I'm not even sure where to begin with in my review of this movie. Simply put, it was probably the most impressive, engaging, inventive pieces of entertainment I have ever seen. It was tremendous, and if you don't go see it you are missing out on something that will forever change the future of movies.

At the heart, Avatar is a great story. A crippled marine, given a chance to walk again through the use of an alien body (or avatar). One species, trying to overtake another in a perverted sense of entitlement and neverending greed. Another species, trying to live their lives and protect their homes. Emotional, exciting, heroic, eye opening - Avatar is a tale that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

But what about the blue people?

Well, I'll be honest, one thing I was really concerned about was watching a movie that was entirely CGI. I was very interested in seeing the results of this massive undertaking, but I was pretty sure that it would be vaguely uncomfortable the entire time, watching digitally rendered characters.

I didn't even notice.

Think about that. Think about watching an almost three hour movie (you won't notice the length either unless you drink an super large Coke), that contains no real locations or sets, and only a few human characters. Almost everything in this movie is created digitally, from the main characters to the landscapes and animals. And NOT EVEN NOTICING.

The true wonder of Avatar is that the CGI is so perfectly rendered, the characters so fully fleshed and expressive, that you never even realize you aren't watching real actors. It is possible this is a result of the new technology created for this film (real time digital effects allowed Cameron to see the completed CGI characters on play back even as the human actors were still performing in front of him). It is possible this is a result of the story being so engaging you become too engrossed to notice. it is possible this is simply a result of the incredible improvements made in CGI abilities. Regardless, it is amazing. You are watching digitally rendered 15 ft tall, blue people walking around, flying on giant dragon-birds, and all you see are people. Stunning.

Avatar may not appeal to everyone because of the obvious science fiction theme, and that is a shame. It is a masterpiece of filmmaking, and the message contained is one everyone should be exposed to. This movie will change the way you see science fiction, the way you view CGI, and every movie made from now on.

Go see it.

Just In Time For The Holidays Reebok Comes Up With A New Way To Call Your Woman Fat

Reebok Easy Tone sneakers are built to work the muscles in your legs so you get extra toning from just walking around. They are also apparently meant to be bought by men, because this commercial is like an issue of Maxim. I don't get it: these are workout shoes for women, but this commercial is so oriented to the male consumer it's not even funny (literally, it is NOT funny). So is their goal to get men to buy their girlfriends/wives these shoes? Because men aren't really into giving gifts of shoes. And frankly, as much as I love shoes of all types (and I do, oh I do), I don't want anyone else to buy them for me. I highly doubt my husband even knows what size I wear. Maybe the plan is just to get men to RECOMMEND these shoes to their wives/girlfriends? Nothing says I love you like " you should buy these shoes to tone up your flat, flabby ass." Good luck with that.

I'd Rather Have Diamonds

I'm not even sure what to say about this CBS Cares ad:



Seriously? I understand that you are trying to spread awareness or whatever, but gross. How do these guys even get through this without laughing? I know when I saw it I had a straight face, but that was in stunned shock; if I'd had to read those words and then actually SAY them, I would have wet myself in embarassment. And I actually have a pap to smear. Way to make health advocacy creepy, CBS. Note to everyone in my life: DO NOT GET ME A PAP SMEAR FOR CHRISTMAS! For real. Get me a card, or chocolates (or a Wii, wheee!), or nothing at all. Just stay away from my lady bits. Keeping your business out of my business will make for a Merry Christmas.

Jewish? Don't worry, it's a terrible Hannukah gift, too.

ps: Get a Pap Smear. Get a colonoscopy, mammogram and prostate exam, too. Do everything you can to screen for any preventable cancers. Just keep it away from the holiday festivities. Try February.

Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery

If you watched last night's episode of Bones, you really need to see The King of Kong. The story of a real life Donkey Kong rivalry, it is crazy, funny, sad and enfuriating all at once. You'll love it. The writers on Bones obviously did.

Why Do I want Their Help?

There is a commercial airing for the Mastercard Priceless Gift finder, featuring Peyton Manning and Alyson Hannigan giving people terrible gifts. Taffy to an old man with no teeth, a mouth guard to an old lady whose tackling days are most likely behind her, etc. It is very funny and I enjoy watching it each time. but I think they may have shot themselves in teh foot a bit, because at the end it says you can win a chance for one of them to help you choose your Christmas gifts. And I can't help but wonder, after seeing how lousy they are at it, why I would want their help?

I Heart Sonya

Last night's So You Think You Can Dance was interesting. It started off so fast - they totally skipped over all the usual filler showing people picking their new partners and working with the choreographers, and it was a bit jarring. I usually only pay all that stuff the most minor attention, but it does serve as a great intro and set up and after 5 years you get into a rhythm and a routine and begin to expect it. So when it was absent I was all flustered and felt like everything was going too fast, I don't know who is paired with who, what's happeneing they're just dancing already? Whoa. But then we had the first solo, and with it a little vignette on the dancer, and a new rhythm was restored. A much better rhythm. I love when we get to this poitn and there are still a lot of people in the competition, but they are all dancing two pieces together and a solo, because you lose the blah blah blabbing and have lots of great dancing. Last night was no exception. There were several pieces I really liked, but one stood apart, not only from last night's performances, but from all performances. Sonya is a choreographer that you either love or hate - her style is very unique. I happen to love her, but I think anyone can appreciate the artistry in this dance. Oh, and Ellenore and Jakob are no slouches either.

Perception*

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

The questions raised:
*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*Do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.
How many other things are we missing?


*I did not write this. It was sent to me as a viral email and it was so thought provoking I wanted to put it here. If you wrote it, or know who did, please let me know so I can give you proper credit.

Mission Accomplished

One month, two blogs, posting everyday: check. Next time I'll try to actually have something to say in each post.

I May Have Already Talked About This

You know how cordless phones have a button on the base that you can press to page the handset? And it beeps so you can find it in the couch cushions, or toaster or whatever? Well, TV remotes need this. Badly. My marriage is depending on it. Although, I think killing my husband because he is completely incapable of leaving the remote anywhere visible is a totally justifiable defense.

Wine, Mmmmm

I have lately been enjoying Luccio Moscato d'Asti, a sweet, slightly sparkling, white wine. I discovered it on a night out to dinner, and have been buying it ever since. This is really not for you unless you love sweet wines - it almost doesn't taste alcoholic it's so sweet. like grape juice. But I love it, and I'm drinking a glass right now. After all, it's a holiday weekend. There's no making it through that without a little drinking, right?

Don't Take Chances. Take A Moment

There is a American Express commercial currently airing that I love. Not because it is clever, or pretty or good, but because it features Bach's Prelude from Solo Cello Suite No. 1. I love this piece of music, and every time this commercial airs I stop and listen and just have a moment of peace.

Happy Thanksgiving

May you all have a wonderful day full of good food, laughter and family. I know I will.

ps: want to know what I am thankful for?

Ellenore and Ryan Razzle Dazzle

The Broadway style is not really my thing. But this is perfection.

The King Gets it Right

Burger King has managed to provide and example of how cross promotion with Twilight can be done right. Their ads about Team Edward vs Team Jacob, and everyone coming together over burgers are hilarious to me. Maybe that is only because I'm totally not into the whole Twilight dealie so I don't get it, but I think they are clever. The ad adeptly advertises New Moon as well as Burger King, and it is clear in doing both. No confusion, no feeling of patronizing or pandering, just a clever ad for two products.

Yeah Yeah. But What Is Your Favorite Food?

In the spirit of my favorite sports blog, Booleyan Theory, (and by favorite I mean the only one I read) I have a comment on the NFL. I really hate it when they introduce the players at the beginning of every game and they say where they went to college. As a viewer with zero sports knowledge, I don't see why this is relevant. And I totally find it boring and stupid that grown men with professional jobs still have to share where they went to college. I wish they would say something like, "my favorite color is," or their howmetown or something. I get that it matters in sports somehow (my husband explained it once but I don't remember), I just wish they could share something else of interest rather than where they went to college.

But What Does It Have To Do With Reading?

So, have you seen the ads for the Kindle where the girl is in stop motion video and changing outfits and backgrounds and whatnot? (that's it down there if you haven't.) Can anyone explain to me what the heck this has to do with a Kindle? Is she acting out the stories? Is it trying to demonstrate the various situations where you can bring your Kindle? It is visually interesting and all, but I really don't understand what it has to do with an electronic reading device. It certainly doesn't make me want one, although to be honest, nothing short of a $1000 bonus would really make me want one. I like books. But that is irrelevant to this discussion. Which is about how the ad is stupid. Evertime it comes on the music grabs my attention and I look up to watch (good sign). And every time I get to the end and think: "that is so stupid, what does it even have to do with a Kindle?"(bad sign). I saw it five times before I even noticed there was even a Kindle in it (really bad sign). Bad advertising for a product that is really pretty neat and convenient. Assuming of course you are a total heathen and could ever bear to give up the wonder of turning pages.

Pizza Talk

Papa Murphy's has a new Chicago Style stuffed pizza. I give you a moment to study:

Now, here is what a REAL Chicago stuffed pizza (a la Giordanos)looks like:



There is no comparison. In my opinion the first one looks like a taco or something - it bears no resmeblance to pizza at all, much less the delectable, cheesy goodness of an authentic Chicago style stuffed pizza. So there you have it. Papa Murphy's has neither Chicago style nor pizza. Discuss.

update 11/22/9: I have just seen this ad again, and am enraged anew. Why can you not just call it stuffed pizza? Why do you have to denigrate the name of Chicago style pizza with this travesty? I understand that a REAL Chicago style pizza is not conducive to the whole "take and bake" thing - it needs a special pan, it bakes for a really long time, etc. SO DON"T MAKE ONE. Jerks. On behalf of Chicago I want to sue Papa Murphy's for libel or defamation or whatever. False advertising at the very least. Grrrr

A Touch Of Salt, A Lot Of Yummy

This chocolate bar caught my eye the other day:



I had a coupon, and I was intrigued, so I bought a bar. Wow. This is some yummy chocolate. There are definite salt crystals in it, but rather than feeling the grit or anything, you just get these little spots that seem meltier, and savorier than the rest. So good. If you like chocolate, I totally recommend this*. Or I recommend you stay away, depending on your willpower!

*I was not compensated in anyway for this post

Regarding Last Night's SYTYCD Decision: Baaaooooo!!*

*must be uttered with the inflection of the old woman in Princess Bride**, calling Buttercup the Queen of Putrescence. Baaaoooo!

**if you don't know who that is, or haven't seen the movie, get thee to Netflix ASAP!!

Karen is NOT a star. She is a marginal dancer, and only slightly attractive girl that pervy old Nigel has glommed onto. She does not deserve to be there over Channing, who contrary to the judge's lame excuse, has done a fantastic job both technically AND with her personality. Karen's solo last night was execrable, and she should have been kicked off, rather than given a pat on the back and the allowance that dancing a solo is hard for ballroom dancers. So what? Heidi from season 2 did it fine. So have all the other ballroom contestants from previous seasons - Karen WALKED AROUND THE STAGE FOR HER ENTIRE PIECE. Oh, except for that one hideous jump that I could have bested any day of the week while 8 months pregnant. Inexcusable regardless of your genre.
The decision on the boys was also questionable - although dance wise I don't really have any issue. But Kevin was at least memorable - I am writing this as the credits roll and I literally can't remember the name of the guy they kept. Bad sign, Spinny Guy. No votes for you. My only consolation is that you will be paried with Karen next week, so your anonymity and her suckage can bring each other down.

Picture This

I am tired of living in a house that is full of hand me down/cast off stuff, but of course, I can't afford to get anything new. But of course, I want my house to look like I chose all this stuff rather than "this is stuff no one else wanted/ all we could afford." Functionality is all well and good, but I'm sick of the eternal wait until we have money to make my house look nice. So I've been trying to think of ways to personalize my house and make it look "decorated" without really spending much money. I think if I put in a little thought and some time I can put a few things on the walls i cna make this place look really nice. So I have been exploring ideas and picturing how I would want things to be in here, and one thing I have come up with is the idea of printing some of our personal photos into big posters. There are literally a gazillion websites out there that you can upload a photo and they will print them into any size poster you want - some will even do canvas or wall stickers too. I haven't done enough looking around to really determine which sites are the cheapest so I'm not going to provide any links here - but I have seen 30"x40" prints for under $40. Not too bad (and of course, that is giant so a smaller size is even cheaper). And a lot of these sites have effects you can add to your photos, so you can turn them black and white or sepia or into a negative or whatever and get a neat effect that is a little fancier than just a giant snapshot on your wall. Also disguises less than stellar photgraphy! I am totally excited about this idea - now my only task is to narrow down exactly what I want to do- I have so many ideas! I definitely want to get some classic black and white shots, but it might be fun to get some done in the stranger effects like polarized and stuff. I have also thought about using one picture and getting it printed in several different effects so you have a grouping of the same picture in several different ways. That could be cool. Anyway, I feel totally excited about this idea, and I can't wait to spend so more time messing around online trying new things. I'll post a follow up if I ever actually get around to ordering anything.

Who Carries Around A Penny? Honestly

Arby's has a new deal that I think involves a value meal of some sort, or maybe just a sandwich (Arby's is 'xspensive ya'll) or wahtever and it costs $5.01. And various people are saying oh the penny is for the cheese, or the roast beef or whatever blah ditty blah blah. It is a stupid premise and it bugs. Because it is obvious what the penny is for: to be a PAIN IN THE ASS. Seriously Arby's are you really doing us a favor by requiring that we have a SINGLE FREAKING PENNY? Just quit with the cute and make it $5, or if you have figured out that you need that penny to turn a profit or whatever go ahead and make it $5.25 or some other reasonable amount. Otherwise you can have my penny after I stick it where the sun don't shine. Um. On you. Not me. That was awkward. Whatever, you know what I meant. This whole idea is Lame (haha get it, with a capital L?). And while you're at it, lose the stupid commercial.

Organizational A-Ha

Every holiday, when the decorations hit the stores, there will be large tupperware storage bins that echo the colors of the season. I have always wondered what kind of person needs storage boxesm and doesn't mind getting black and orange ones or red and green - having specific holiday colors for all my stuff would bug me. And then, last night I had a moment of insight - they aren't for everyday usage, they are for storing the decorations! Duh. These boxes are perfect for putting your holiday stuff in, perfectly color coordinated, so you can just see, oh the black and orange one is Halloween or the green is Christmas. I can't believe this never occured to me before. I've been taping and retaping the same cardboard boxes every year, marked ever so sloppily with Sharpie marker. Well, no more. this year I'll be picking up a nice tupperware bin to store my decor in - and at a glance I'll know what's inside because the stores have oh so thoughtfully provided color coordinated clues.

ps: this still does not explain those horrible hot pink tubs though.

What I Want Out of A Wireless Company Is To Not Be Treated Like An Idiot

There is a Tmobile featuring different 'customers' saying what it is they are looking for out of a cellular plan. In general I don't mind it except for one little bit: on woman says "I want a plan that doesn't cost me one of these" and she holds up a mannequin arm and leg. I think this is kind of clever and amusing, because if you were someone who happened to be holding plastic body parts, you might do this - hold them up and make a funny pun. But then she goes on to say "an arm and a leg" and it ruins the whole thing. Because after that, instead of being vaguely witty, it is saying look, clearly we think you too stupid to get the joke, so we're going to repeat it in actualy words, taking all the wit out of it bcaue you, the veiwer have the brains of toast. And that pisses me off. If they thought we were to dumb to fill in the blanks ourselves when she just holds up the arm and leg, then she should have just said "arm and leg" as she held them up. Holding them up silently, waiting a pause (with a light eye roll indicating exasperation at a lack of understanding), and then essentially repeating herself, has no translation other than "you didn't get it the first time, so here's a replay." I hate being talked down to.

here's the ad, what do you think?



ps: I totally love the first girl's outfit

Seven

There is a new movie coming out called Nine - you may have seen some trailers for it since it features a ton of big names in roles (Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Day-Lewis). It is about a man and the SEVEN women in his life. And to that I just have to say WTF? Shouldn't there be nine women - could they really not come up with two more? or maybe we could just call it Seven (which I realize has been done before, but hey, there's a film in theaters right now called 9, so what's the difference?). I don't get it. Admittedly, I know next to nothing about this film, and i haven't been able to find much online in the way of synopsis since I keep getting results for "9" and of course I don't want to spend more than two minutes doing "research" anyway. I think there is something about the main guy workng on his ninth play or something, so I'm assuming that is where the title comes from, but seeing as the entire focus of the movie is his relationship with all the different women in his life, shouldn't the title reflect that a wee bit more? Ie, shouldn't there be nine freaking women? I find this an assault on my sens of logic and balance and will most likely not see the film because of it. ok, I probably wouldn't have seen it anyway, but this doesn't help.

This Week's Obsession

I always have my nails painted. I feel like it just makes me look like I spend time on my ppearance when I usually don't haha. And while I have been working on a post featuring all my favorite shade, right now I am completely obsessed with this color:

Peacock Feathers by Nubar



From most angels it is a beautiful, rich, slightly metallic purple*:



But from other angles it is a deep emerald green*:



SO PRETTY! I have been showing these off to my husband all week (and tweeting it and sharing with anyone who will listen, ie my mom and 3yo daughter)-I am just mesmerized by the color change. you can get anlges where the nails are green and purple all at once, and even some flashed of gold. basically all the colors in a peacock feather, ala the name. My tip for painting them, since the formula is a little thin, is to use one coat of black polish as a base coat. This is a great tip anytime you are using a dark color because it helps with the opacity, and getting the truest deepest color, and it is expecially helpful here in getting the various colors to show up. I use OPI Black Onyx and have never had any staining problems on my nails. If you like the trendy dark polish trend and want an extra fancy kick, I definitely recommend Nubar Peacock Feathers

*I realize these photos are sucky, but it was really hard to get the right light/angle combination with the camera. I ended up using my blackberry cause that worked best for some reason. the color change is WAY easier to see in person

as usual, none of these comments were sponsored or compensated in any way. All products mentioned were purchased with my own money, unless they were purchased with my husband's money, haha!

How Does That Affect Resale?

Tis the season when we begin to see all of teh ads for influenza vaccine - and this year there are understandably more than usual. I saw one the other day, and it was all about the highest risk people who should definitely be vaccinated. There were different actors "confessing" to why they are most a risk: chronic health condition, asthma, pregnant, etc. In one of the scenes, there was a family of a mom, dad and young boy. The mom said "we live with a baby under 6 months old" and it was totally weird. The three were standing together, with the baby in front of them like it was separate from the other family unit, and they way it was phrased sounded like the baby just also lived in their house. Like a roommate or special feature of their house. Not "we HAVE a baby under 6 months old", but "we LIVE WITH a baby under 6 months old." Don't you think that sounds like the baby just lives there too, even though they have nothing to do with it? And instead of being held by the mom, the baby was kind of separate from the whole family unit, further stressing the separate feeling. Very bizarre.
Man, you think you have a problem because your house has mice? Well, mine? Came with a BABY! At least you can call pest control.

So You Think You Can Go Back To The Old Set?

So, there has been quite a revamp on SYTYCD this year. And I'm not entirely sure I love the changes made. First, they aren't switching up judge everyweek. On one hand I like it because it means Adam Shankman is on everyweek and I think he is funny and also offers good, helpful critiques to the dancers. But on the other hand, it means we don't get to see any of the other choreographers, and they have nice personalities and interesting opinions to add to the commentary as well. I think the best solution would be to continue having Adam as a permanent judge, but still have a rotating 4th judge. There's clearly a chair up there already - which reminds me: drop the whole Paula Abdul shtick. Blergh. Second issue - they have just had everyone dance and then kicked people off the first two weeks - no phone in voting for the bottom two couples. This satisfied my sense of immediate gratification since we didn't have to wait until the next night to see who was leaving. It also spared us sitting through the interminable musical guests on the results shows who are always terrible. But it also kind of took the whole point of the show away. If we don't even get to vote on who we like dleast, then just go ahead and pick a winner right now and just make it a dnace exhibition show rather than a contest. Thankfully this week it is going back to voting and the regular format. The third issue is the new stage. I absolutely HATE it. The screen behind the dancers is really distracting, and the neon lights on the sides look like some tacky Vegas review. Please, please, please bring back the old, round stage with the staircase! Watching the show on this new stage is really awful, and it is totally sapping my interest in the show. What do you think?

update 11/17/09- after watching tonight's show I have decided the biggest problem with the stage is that it is way too big for two dancers. No matter how great the dance, they cannot fill the stage and it makes the whole piece suffer. My husband says it looks like amateur night at the Apollo.

Vampires Are A Niche Market

These Volvo/Twilight commericals make me want to barf. what are they advertising - cars? The New Moon movie? Stupid. Can we please leave the whole Twilight overexposure limited to things that are actuall relevant? They should really back off a bit or they are going to get a huge backlash before the final film. Plus? overexposure aside, I think this is taking product plcaement too far. i don't mind when real products are in tv or movies - having someone drinking a random "cola" can rather than Coke was always distracting to me. using real products makes it more realistic, and I find they fade into the background better than the mocked up fakes do. But doing tie ins with a movie and then bringing it into commercials that aren't even clear about what they are advertising is just annoying. And seriously? I don't care how dreamy and ethereal and shiny Robert Pattinson/Edward is. Somebody wash that jackass' hair!!!

What Makes A Good Ad Good?

Stealth planes. Dropping unidentified pods into fields around the country. Curious witnesses creeping closer for a look. Smoke, a brief glimpse of... something, and the words "drops, 11-6-9." Maybe you think this is a lame commercial (my husband does) and maybe it is. But it has me intrigued. I can't wait to see what is "dropping" today (my guess the new Google phone since the words Google and Verizon appear in the fine print). And isn't interest in the product the biggest indicator of a successful advertisement? Or is it entertainment? Obviously, the best commercials do both - entertain, make you think or laugh or go huh?, and an ad that sticks with you isn't worth it if you only remember because you hated it. There are lots of commercials I think are great, but I can't say that I've ever seen one and thought "I really want that" unless it was something I'd have bought anyway. But there have been commercials that are so awful I have decided to never buy those products (not that I can think of a single example right now, but I know there have been some). So maybe aiming for the entertainment angle is not necessarily worth it for advertisers - go big and go risky and you may just alienate more potential customers than you gain.

My Linoleum Is Trying To Kill Me

My bathroom has recently (as of Wednesday night) become a death trap. With zero explanation, and no cause that I can discern, the floor in the master bathroom in my house has suddenly become slicker than ice. perhaps Mr Clean, or wicked elves or particularly strange type of criminal (bizarro Monk?) has been breaking in while I sleep and buffing the floor. I don't know. All I know is that I have almost fallen down five times in the past three days - even knowing it is slippery I am slipping. In socks, shoes, bare feet I am slipping. My husband is slipping, too, so it is not just that I have lost all coordination either. I am totally confused - does anyone know of any reasons why a regular linoleum floor would suddenly get super slippery? If you don't hear from me for a few days, call the paramedics and tell them where to find me.

ps: I am totally aware that this doesn't really fall into the purview of this particular blog, being neither about commercials or tv or pop culture in anyway. But it is hard coming up with new ads to talk about every day, and I haven't read any books lately that bear discussion so pffft. And it's Saturday Say What over on my regular blog so I had to post here because you never know - I could fall and bump my head and forget all about it by tomorrow. but because you are sticklers who must be appeased, I will throw in a little product comentary here at the end. Putting on my concealer this morning I noticed that it is SPF 20. What is the purpose of putting SPF in something that doesn't go all over your face? Do my zits need extra sun protection? For a moment I was all paranoid I'm going to get a polka dot tan. And then I slipped.

Look! You Can See What I'm Talking About Right Here!

So you probably haven't seen it, seeing as it is a loca commercial for our Cable service, cox cable, but it is great. take a moment to enjoy:



Now that I've had the wonderful idea to embed the ad I'm talking about in my blog, I find I have nothing else to say about it. You just watched it. Wasn't it funny? Hmm. I was thinking this was such a wonderful idea so people could refresh their memories about what I'm talking about (and I still think it is), but rewatching it right now has run me out of creative steam as far as further discussion goes. Maybe next time I'll write what I'm thinking about first, so I don't get all blanked out by the replay.

Flashforward

I don't know about you, but I am enjoying this show. Not necessarily for the show itself (some of the characters are meh), but because of the questions it brings up. The quandaries the characters face because they know, or think they know, a piece of their future. Are they destined to be in those situations because of fate, or can they change it? If they change their behavior to avoid the future will they commit the very acts that bring about their fears, implying that had they never known at all they would have led different lives? It is all so interesting, and I am really enjoying wondering where the writers will bring these people and what the outcome will look like. And I am confident in the direction of the show because I have read that the writers have a whole arc mapped out. The writers of Lost did that - and while that show is totally confusing and mystifying, knowing they have a concrete resolution in mind, and now coming down to that resolution and seeing pieces fall in to place gives real satisfaction. It won't just end up mired in mythology and secrets and end with a lame explanation that never quite does the central mystery justice. Assuming of course that they really do have a plan (a good plan), and that they are competant enough to pull it off. For now, I'll stick with it, if only because pondering the mysteries of the space time continuum is kind of fun. Try saying that at your next cocktail party.

Now Spin Your partner Round And Round - Right back Into The Closet To Change

What is the deal with square dancing? Well, not so much the dancing part, as the people involved and their costumes. It always seems to involve, shall we say, ladies of “a certain age.” And they are always dressed in what looks like a 6 year old’s best party dress. Don’t they know they look absolutely ridiculous? Grannies wearing above the knee flouncing skirts and petticoats look deranged. And also kind of like they are trying out for the Little Miss Sweet Potato pageant, 6-12 division. Can square dancing not be done unless wearing these (age)inappropriate garments? Do you not know how to do-si-do unless dressed like a child? Honestly, the costumes take away any possibility of credibility and respect you could possibly have for this activity. I don’t get it.

This Commercial Makes Your Brain Look Smaller

So I'm sure you have seen the Burger King commercials featuring the guy with tiny hands, and while I do think this is an amusing idea (it always makes me think of Austin powers and carnies - smell of cabbage, very small hands, haha!), I do think they got it backwards. Isn't the point of the ad that the dollar burgers at the King are so much bigger than the dollar burgers everywhere else? So shouldn't it be someone with extra large hands and his friends say don't worry, eat this burger and they will look smaller? Or is it supposed to be that the burger is so big the tiny hands can't even hold it? I'm confused. And now I want a Whopper. Great.

You Know, The Ad For The Stuff

I love the commercial for Chef Boyardee where the mom is trying to prevent the dad from saying it has a full serving of vegetables right in front of the kid so he won't stop eating. She keeps randomly going "psssst." to istrct him or banging pots and pans to cover the sound of his talking. And the whole time she has this intense look in her eyes at her husband, just trying to telepathically communicate the "shut up" message. It is awesome. Because as any parent knows, there is nothing worse that accidentally saying something you don't want your kids to hear, either because they love it or hate it. And of course, spelling only works for so long until they learn to still decipher what you are saying (B_A_T_H, anyone?). I personally have given my husband "the look" many times while saying cleverly disguised messages like "maybe later we can go to the place with the thing that the kids like, BUT DON"T SAY IT, because we might not be able to go, but let's plan on it for right now, BUT DON"T SAY IT, just in case because if they hear it then we have to go." Sometimes he gets it, but usually he just stares at me like the dad in the commercial like he has no idea why I've gone crazy or what I'm talking about and perhaps he should check me for stroke. Occassionally, he will say the forbidden word like I didn't just tell him not to say it a hundred times and shoot important sshhh daggers with my eyes, but that happened more in the beginning before we got to be so good at being parents and developed the super secret code I demonstrated above.

But WHY Is It Black?

Can anyone clear up the confusion I am having about the Taco Bell Black Taco? Is it just a regular taco with a black shell or does it have a special flavor? Is it black for Halloween? I don't get it. The commercials are all about showing off the new black taco, but they are forgetting one crucial element - actually SELLING the taco. Why do we want it? Why do we need it? This, I believe, is a basic tenet of advertising; tell teh consumer about the product in such a way that they feel they cannot live without it. I can live without a black taco if it's only purpose is to prove you can dye the shit out of a taco shell. The ads are all "oooh, black taco" but they don't really make it seem interesting or appealing at all. It's just black. Whoop de freakin doo. So I don't get it. Stunt? New flavor? Either way, the ad is a huge FAIL.

Day One

So, I have decided to give NaBloPoMo a go over on my "real" blog, and I thought it might be fun to give myself the extra challenge of trying to do it on both blogs at the same time. I don't know if this will generally be possible since this blog relates primarily to entertainment and commercials, and with the advent of the DVR I miss most commercials which severly limits my pool of inspiration (wow, that sounds New Agey - come, dangle your toes into the pool of inspiration and feel the ideas soothe away your aches while you listen to the twinkly twinkly music). Anyhoodle, I'm going to try and write here everyday - which may be possible because all of last week I had so many ideas for this blog, but I didn't want to write them all down at once - I thought I'd ration them out over time so they should be stored up for use now. Of course, at the moment, I can't recall a single one, so that plan may have backfired on me already.

Nobody NEEDS Someone Telling Them Their Perfect Wedding Is A Tacky Idea

So there is some new show about weddings that I can't even be botered to remember the name of, but the ads are on CONSTANTLY, and it is all singing about how every bride needs David by her side. And the ads show this guy (presumably David) waving his arms and turning various brides and bridesmaids into nicer looking brides and bridesmaids. He changes Goth Bride and Country Bride and Ugly bridesmaids, and Cutesty Bridesmaids, etc, into much nicer and more bridal magaziney brides and bridesmaids. And in general, I don't object to this. After all, the world can use a whole lot less tacky in it. But honestly, who really cares what these women want to wear at their wedding? if they want to dress up like pirates or put their wedding party into hideous froofy lemon yello gowns, how does that affect me? Shouldn't they be allowed to have the wedding they want, even if it conflicts with the typical Today Show idea of wedding perfection? Basically what notice is that he is making everyone look the same -and that's no good. It's not like they are trying to fix how people dress every day - which is just publc service because we have to look at those people when they are out and about (and at Walmart- seriously what is up with that place?). A wedding is one day - if you want to live it up and do it in a tie-dyed dress and feather hair piece, whatever. Just don't dress that way everyday or we'll have to turn you in to What Not To Wear.

I Didn't Know People Actually Read This

Hey there folks! I was totally unaware you were showing up! I am a total reject and didn't have my settings on to email me when you make your lovely comments - so I didn't know anyone was even reading! Except, my dad. I knew he was reading. but all of you others who have commented - hey there! Thanks so much! I hope you keep coming back - I'm going to try and write more and respond to comments more now that I've gotten everything straightened out.

Happy Feet

Tonight Disney aired Happy Feet for like the thousandth time, and I was finally (been meaning to since it came out in 2006) able to sit down and articulate what it is that I hate about this movie. because make no mistake I HATE this movie. I so desperately want to love it too, which I think makes its dissappointment that much keener. I feel that they had such a fabulous idea (and built in blockbuster potential, obviously), but they handled it so badly, and really turned out a lame movie. People get all dazzled by the cute penguins and the vocal stylings of Robin Williams and they don't really pay attention to how lacking this movie really is. So here are my reasons for why it sucks (which also double as examples of how it could have been better):
1) The songs suck. A main feature of this movie is that the penguins sing to each other to find mates. That is why the main character is out of place bceause he can't sing and instead dances. So why aren't the congs better? There are a few modern songs used, and they are really catchy and cleverly done (great examples of the "mash-up" discussed on Glee each week), but the big moment where his love interest sings? Booooring. Whoever was in charge of music on this film really fell down on the job bceause they had the chance to either write some really great original music, or to incorporate popular songs in new and creative ways (ala Glee or Moulin Rouge) and they didn't do either. Bad choice.
2) The main character (mumbles) never gets older. What is up with that? Is he developmentally challenged as well as a terrible singer? I just don't understdand the purpose of having every other penguin transform from a baby to an adult, except for him. I suppose the idea was to maintain some of that extra cute baby fluffiness, but having him only halfway into adult feathers while everyone else is fully grown is just lame (nless you address is as yet another way he stands out which they never do). Okay, so maybe most people just didn't notice or care, but for super logic-minded (read: anal) folks like me, it is extremely annoying.
3) The heavy handed conservation message. I get it. Over fishing and our apparent disregard for the environment and the globes other inhabitants is an important message. But really, did it need to go in this film? The lack of food for teh penguins is presented the entire first half of the film as some sort of secondary subplot. There is no focus on the penguins really starving or being in danger, and then all of a sudden, Mumbels is off in the real world doing his little dance and all the humans think "oh, so cute, lets not eat fish anymore." I don't think so. If they really wanted to emphasize the importance of this issue, I think it would have been an excellent toipic for a sequel - Mumbles, having been finally accepted by his flock, goes off to save them and brings attention to the wonderful world down south and we all decide to be more gentle and compassionate and whatever. Awesome. Teaches kids (and their parents) an important lesson, and hey look, even more money for the studio because um, if the original won an Oscar and made a gazillion dollars, don't you think a sequel might be a good idea? Yeah, me too. Taking two hours to explore how our actions affect the environment while seeing even more cute dancing penguins sounds like fun to me. Tacking it on in a desperate attempt to add a little extra meaning onto your film just ends up being didactic preaching.
Which brings me to the biggest failure of the film:
4)They completely miss the main point. Mumbles is different. He cannot sing like everyone else, instead he dances. And instead of focusing on his attempts to fit in, followed by his self acceptance and finally his acceptance by everyone, the filmakers shortchange the most important lesson in their film. This movie was a perfect opportunity to really teach acceptance - everyone is different, and everyone has something special to offer. Kids can be so mean to anyone who is different. Society can be so mean to anyone who is different. This movie was a prime situation for teaching acceptance not only of those around you who make look or act differently, but of yourself for your uniqueness. Mumbles should have found that his dancing was wonderful and special and great not because it makes the humans stop stealing their fish, but because it was wonderful and special and great. He should have been welcomed home by his flock not bceause he saved them, but because they learned his value just for being himself. This is a lesson kids can learn in a 105 minute movie, and it is a lesson they need to learn (and that parents may need a refresher course on too). By trying to throw in conservation and adventure and comedy and the kitchen sink, the filmmakers missed out on an opportunity to make a truly great film (Or two truly great films if you like my idea for the sequel to focus on the over fishing subject matter). They tried to cram to much in and ended up losing the real messge in the movie. Which I think is really what I hate most about it. It could have been wonderful and fun and educational. Instead, it was uneven, heavy handed, and a little boring. I'm not going to shy away from a message in a film - in fact I think kids movies should have something to impart beyond dazzle. Just don't beat me over the head with it. After all, it still the movies. it should be fun.

A Few Of My Favorite Things*

I may be a stay at home mom, and I may wear yoga pants a t-shirts all day long, but I still like to look nice, and so I pretty much always have on makeup. Seriously, I may not brush my hair, but you can bet I've got on my mascara! And I do feel a little silly applying foundation and the whole shebang on days when I don't even leave the house, but I have always been skeptical about that old fashion mag advice staple "just dot concealer on your trouble areas and go." For me, that seemed to just result in looking like I had small dots of makeup on my face - making me blotchier and weirder looking. I preferred using a light foundation (I use Chanel Teint Innocence in Cameo) to even everything out, and I never felt that I looked like I had "pancake face." but then I found:
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Concealer w/ SPF 20 (Light)

This really works wonderfully. I just use a tiny brush to dot it on and then cover it with the included powder and it really works. It is weird having a totally naked face, but I really like it for days I'm not going anywhere but don't want to look so tired and blotchy when I catch sight of myself in the mirror. Anyway, I thought it was so awesome, I just had to tell everyone about it, and then I figured I should maybe let you know what other products I can't live without too.
To add to the whole "I just look this great even without makeup" illusion, I use this:
Tarte Cheek Stain (Blushing Bride)

Just dab it on, rub in a little bit and it looks like you are flushing naturally - not like wearing blush at all. Works really well on top of foundation or under powder too - I think it has the most natural, subtle finish to it. In the winter it adds a bit of dewiness to drier skin, and in the summer I just put a little powder on top in case it feels sticky. Plus, I've been using it daily for 5+ years and I'm still on my first tube!
My other mainstay is this lipstick:
Revlon ColoStay Overtime Lipcolor (Timeless Nude)

I feel there is such a difference in how polished you look wearing even a nude lipstick compared to totally bare lips, and I like how no fuss the long lasting lipsticks are. I drink water constantly, and I hate having gunky lipstick residue on my bottles - chapstick is bad ebough, but when it's colored too? Gross. I have tried all teh brands before and they all work about the same. I prefer this one because this shade is the best true nude I've found- it matches my lips perfectly, and it lasts all day so I can just apply it once and then I use chapstick or gloss on top the rest of the day to keep my lips moist (I like that slick feeling and am a total lipbalm addict. My old reliable is plain vaseline). With a slick of gloss (I like Dior Addict for a really glassy, not too sticky, shine) I get that perfect nude 'Victoria Beckham' lip, and it makes me feel all sophisticated and stylish, even though I'm totally not.
The only other thing I apply everyday is mascara. I like a really black mascara, and I stick with L'Oreal or Lancome, but honestly, I will wear almost any brand except Maybelline which I have had allergic reactions to. On days i'm feeling extra sassy I will also use this:
Stila Kajal Eyeliner (Onyx, Smokey Quartz, Sapphire, or Amethyst)

This is the smoothest eyeliner I have ever found, Super easy to apply (I like to do the inner rims of my lower eyelids and this does it without any tugging at all), and it blends really well. I've also found that it wears down during the day without running all over your face which is nice. The first time I wore it was actually the day I found out I had to put my cat to sleep, and through all that crying I never had tracks down my face. For my upper lids (which I almost never line) I prefer to use a longer lasting formula that doesn't smudge or rub off so easily, but for daily use and on the gentle inner rims this is perfect. It is also probably awesome for smudging into a classic smokey eye, but I have never perfected that technique so I don't know for sure.
The final product I can't live without is:
Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Plus Intensive Repair Creme

This creme is so thick and moisturizing, and it has alpha hydroxy acids in it too, so it works as an exfoliator. I put it on my heels at night and it keeps them from getting dry and cracked and callousy. Saves time and money on pedicures! It also works really nicely the few times I have gotten eczema from allergic reactions - so far it is the only thing I have found I can apply to these rashes on my face without making it worse. It actually heal the spots faster and take the redness away.


*none of these comments were sponsored or compensated in anyway. Each of these items I found doing my own research (ie, seeing an ad, random guesswork and/or reading fashion magazines), and bought with my own money. And of course, you just have to take my word for it that they work great - for all you know I'm a hot mess. Infact, you may have seen photos, in which case you KNOW I'm a hot mess. hehe

Still Waiting For My Paycheck

When did entertainment become a job? I have a stack of magazines four months thick with new ones coming in weekly, not to mention a constantly reloading DVR and a pile of books also awaiting my attention. And I'm wondering, why do I feel this pressure to keep up with it all? I think on average I read about 20 magazines a month, 60 books a year, and watch countless hours of "must see" tv. And none of it is necessary (other than for my enjoyment), but it all feels so important. I go through the Entertainment Weekly (pick your season) movie and tv preview editions with a pad of paper making lists of what I want to see. I have not missed a single issue of that magazine practically since it came out, which was in...1990. Crazy. For weeks I have had a stack of these magazines (dating back to the beginning of JULY when moving made me put them off until later) sitting on my counter causing me anxiety over when I could find the time to read them. After all, I had to use my available free time to keep up with my other weekly magazines (can't fall behind in teh celeb gossip)or to watch on of the three or four shows I tape every night. And yet, I couldn't just get rid of them and start fresh. Just like I could never bring myself to erase the Tin Man miniseries on my old DVR even though I knew that if I hadn't watched it in the two years since it had aired I was probably never going to. It's like a compulsion to never miss a single item of pop culture that might delight or otherwise entertain me. I make lists of the books I want to read, try and figure out a perfect schedule for taping television shows to maximize the number of things I can see, and always make time for my magazines, blogs, etc. But if it is causing me stress, no matter how little, isn't that kind of a problem? This is entertainment, not life or death. yes, I may think some of the previews or reviews sound intriguing and will tickle my fancy, but is anything going to happen if I DON"T see them? Something else great will always come along after all. There are always Netflick nights when nothing else can be found and I can go back to something that I may have missed the first time around. The world will keep turning and there will always be great entertainment to be found. But in the meantime, I'll be busy catching up.


ps: I just got done with all my back issues of EW today. This week I will be attempting tackle all the back issues of my fashion magazines.

VMA-gate: And We're Suprised Why?

Okay. So you may or may not be aware of the brouhaha stemming from last nights' VMAs (since probably only my dad is reading this, that stands for video music awards. yeah, that's what I'm talking about here. Bye Dad). Basically, Kanye West acted like a dickhead and hijacked Taylor Swift's acceptance speech to say that Beyonce's video was the best one. Commence jaw dropping and much Tweeting/internet chaos. Truly, it was wonderful fodder. But basically, I just have to say, really? Are we THAT surprised that Kanye West acted like, um, Kanye West? The guy makes all the regular asshats out there seem like saints. Yes, it was amazingly rude, and yes, it was totally crazy that he actually got up and did that, but honestly, after watching the clip, the only thing that really surprised me was how polite he was when speaking. The overall message was unforgivable no doubt, but he was actually quite tame with the words coming out of his mouth. Which in itself should demonstrate the heights of douchbaggery he regularly attains, when something so heinous can come across as sort of civil. Dickweed. I would like to suggest that we all stop discussing such abominable behavior and giving the prick what he wants - attention. Don't tweet his name, don't write it on your blog. Make up some nickname (King Douche perhaps?) and use that. So that egomaniacal (and talentless, face it, anyone with his producers could do what he does) fame whore can't search for himself and revel in his controversy. The only thing his name should be used for now is as a verb to explain when someone steals your thunder and/or reaches new levels of wankosity.
ie: the best man totally KANYED their wedding when he got drunk and made out with the bride's dad

Hold Still

So, there is a new trend out there for vibrating mascara wands. Seriously. Mechanized tools for the appliaction of makeup. Makeup you put near YOUR EYES. Does this not sound like a bad idea to anyone else? I have met people who have poked themselves in the eye with a mascara wand - one even scratched her cornea (that's the outside part right? retina? whatever). And these were not expecially stpid or inept people, so imagine what all the idiots out there could be doing. you know, the people who need to be told not to use and entire acid peel on their facce twice a day and stuff. Those people should definietly not be trusted with complicated machinery. And of course, there is always the issue that mascara wasn't relly that ahrd to apply in the first place. Really, who is having an issue getting their mascara on? And if they can't apply it when it isn't moving, what makes you think they can do it when it's vibrating super fast? Stupid.

Half The Price But Twice The Fun!

There are many wonderful things about living in a city, and I will be the first to admit that one of my favorites is shopping. There are many fine stores here, with many fine things, all of which I want. I have spent much of the last few weeks going into such exotic locales as Super Target and TGI Fridays and exclaiming how wonderful they are, as well as commenting to everyone in sight that I haven't been anyhere like this for almost a decade. It is all very exciting and I'm sure half og Omaha now thinks I am a complete loon. Whatever. My new favorite place is the half price books store (called, I believe, Half Price Books, catchy, eh?). I have always loved books, and could honestly probably drop more money faster in a Barnes and Noble than I could at Neiman Marcus (if anyone wants to give me free rein with their credit card I would love to test that theory out). So this discount place has been tons of fun for me, because in it I can actually BUY THE BOOKS!! We went last week and got 10 books for $23 - not a bad deal. But the kicker is that they also take your used books - you bring em in, they give em a look and then quote you a price and you can take it or leave it. So this weekend, I finally decided that I'd open up the boxes of books I have still packed from our move, and unpack them, shelving the ones I will read again and taking anything I don't need to the bookstore so I can buy new stuff. I got $25!! YAY! And now, of course, I have been set into a frenzy of reading (so I can sell the stuff I just got back, haha) and wanting to unpack the remaining boxes so I have more trade in gold. I have also found myself getting much more strict about the requirements for staying - books that made the cut this weekend may not survive next week. The need to read is strong my fri ends. And the need to give old things away for small amounts of cash so I can buy other old things is apparently stronger. I should probably never go to a swap meet*, or we'll end up with new furniture every week.

*if indeed that is a place to go and swap things. Like furniture type things. I don't really know.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

I just finished reading this book, and I must say I really liked it. All the stellar reviews that have been cropping up all over the place and led me to read it in the first place are right - highly enjoyable. It is a mark of very good writing that you are interested and want to keep reading despite the fact that nothing really happens for, oh, 200 pages. It's like the longest introduction in history, except that it's not because you are already invested in the characters and want to know where the story is going. And then, BAM! the last 100 pages (estimated bceause I'm so not getting up and looking at the book to see where the exciting part starts), are thrilling and releav so much more hidden depths of character. Amazing. I can't wait to read the second one The Girl Who Played With Fire, but I will because it is only in hardback and I am cheap. And poor. And just generally prefer paperback. But once it is out I'm all on it, and most likely the third book as well (still untitled as far as I know) whenever that shows up. it's such a shame that the author died after submitting these three manuscripts, but I'm so glad he did because the first one entertained me and has given me that sweet anticipation for the others.

I know this is a lame review. But it's not really a review anyway bceause I don't even know what to say about the book. It's good - go read it. Yes now.

Back To Basic

I deeply love my DVR. It is probably the most fantastic thing I own , after my tv itself. Oooh, and my blackberry - I love me some crckberry too. But this is about my DVR. I am a fullblown tv addicit. If tv was like a real drug, I would not be a functioning addict, I would totally be the dirty, scabby, lying in doorways panhandling addict. It is hard for me to go an hour without the tv being on, unless I am absorbed in a good book. As a mom, with kids who actually expect to come out of their rooms occassionally I have accepted that my preferred viewing choices are not appropriate for them, and so I subject myself to Disney Channel during the day. But does that mean I have to miss my favorite shows? No, indeed it does not. Thanks to the magic of DVR I can record all of my favorites and remain free to put the kids to bed when they are actually tired instead of rushing to do it before House comes on. I can then watch at my leisure, with my only real concern being my bladder bursting because I FFWD the commercials instead of getting up to relieve myself. I can also, on occassion, even record something for the kids, which we will then watch over and over and over. And over. Basically DVR is god's gift to television loving mortals, and I am ever so grateful. Today, I had to give our DVR cable boxes back to the cable company to prepare for our move. This is acceptable because there are no shows I need to watch this weekend - in fact, I am free of 'must record' programming until Wednesday. But let me tell you, if my new system is not up and running by then, there will be some serious freaking out. because a girl needs her fix.

Mental

I like this show. It doesn't rock my world or anything, but it does make a wonderful addition to the wasteland that is Friday night tv, and the characters are fun (and dreamy) and the stories are interesting. I like that the residents aren't in every episode, and man, that one guy is a fabulous creep! But I'm wondering if anyone else feels that the pacing is off? When you watch as much tv as I do you start to get a feel for when there is going to be a commercial break. This is not applicable to Mental. This show goes to commercial at the weirdest times. I totally feel like rather than breaking off at a cliff-hangery (perhaps I should have typed suspenseful as that is actually a word?) moment or one that has a bit of closure, they seem to go to commercial in the middle of scenes. And some scenes seem a little long, and then the break off. It's weird. I totally can't get my finger on what the problem is exactly, it just seems like I'm completely caught off guard every time there is a break. usually you can feel it coming and are ready for it - you've already planned your bathroom or kitchen run, but with Mental I just feel interrupted. I'm kind of getting used to ti (or they are getting better about not doing it), but it is still offputting. If the show doesn't stick around long, I think we'll all know the reason.

Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince

I will start this off by saying that I am not a purist about these movies. When they capture the mood of the books as well as enthrall me with their spell, I leave the theater happy. Yes, stuff gets left out, or changed, but I have so far never been really disappointed by any of the films. This one was no exception. I was memerized from start to finish, and left the theater feeling like it all went by way to fast, why was it so short, oh, it's been two and a half hours. Basically, I loved it and enjoyed myself greatly. I have not read the sixth book since it was published, so I do not remember specifics about what all ws left out. I know there was quite a bit of Voldemort/Tom Riddle backstory left out, but I felt that what was left in sufficed to make their point. I did think that the Half Blood Prince parts got a little short changed - and the blatant announcement by Snape at the end was a little blunt, but that is a minor issue in an otherwise well done film. I also found it somewhat weird that they never said any of the minor character's names - Lavender was only once reffered to as "Lav", and Tonks was in and out without being called by her name once. Not a big deal for die hards, but kind of distracting for people who can't remember quite as well (like the lady next to me who kept asking her boyfriend "what's that guy's name?). I doubt it would have killed them to change lines from 'be careful' to 'be careful, Tonks.' But again, small issue. Overall I was pleased with this movie, and had a great time watching it, although it does certainly prime you for the final two. Watching this one I was really struck by the fact that while obviously a major plot point occurs, there is no real climactic battle or stand alone story. More than any of the other books and films, it really only serves as a prologue for the final chapters. And given that there won't be any more movies for a year, that makes this one a little less satisfying. But only a little - cause I had a kick ass time.

Ch- EW-ing Gum

So I saw a commercial last night for trident, that said something about it being happy gum or whatever. The ad featured two old people in a home, and the guy blew one of those party horn things and the lady’s pigtails curled up, and then she blew up a balloon and he puffed up and floated away. So, if the correlations are correct, than apparently she breathes helium. Which is still less creepy than a really old lady with long pigtails.

Mete-Or We Could Write Something, I Don't Know, New?

One bonus of there not being any new shows on tv is that I don’t have anything taped, so I actually have to watch stuff live. Which is a negative in that I have to watch the dreck that is currently airing, but a plus because I get to see some commercials, as well as previews of upcoming shows. This month, NBC will be airing a tv movie called Meteor. I’m sure you can guess what it is about - think Deep Impact. Think Armageddon (the movie, not the biblical occurrence). And in light of these two classical entries in the “Earth is threatened by space debris” oeuvre, I can’t help but wonder what NBC felt still needed to be said. True, this version features Jason Alexander, but in what looks like full on drama mode rather than Constanza goodness. Also, this meteor is apparently the size of Mt Everest. The one in Deep Impact, I believe, was the size of Texas, which is…um, bigger? Maybe the mountain comparison means it is pointier? I’m not sure. I suppose the obvious area for differentiation could come in how they plan to deal with the meteor. Deep Impact used explosives and old astronauts. Armageddon used explosives and oil rig drillers. So this one could have explosives and like, ballerinas and some thing. Or maybe they just shoot it with lasers. If ballerinas shoot it with lasers, I’m there.

Cause We Need Another L&O

Because there hasn't been a new version of Law and Order in a few years, I thought I would let everyone in on my idea. I think the next incarnation should be about a defense lawyer and his private detective as they work on appeals for people already convicted. It oculd be like a cross between all the current versions and cold case. You're welcome, Dick Wolf.

Welcome, And All That

So. Here we are. This seems familiar, especially since all of the posts previous to this one are old, hashed out over the past few years. Well, that's what happens when you start a blog, then suddenly change the tone and content - you need a new place to put all the old stuff (maybe most people would have started a new blog for all the new stuff, but I like to flaunt conventions. It's how I roll). So here is the new home for all of my previous opinions on tv shows, commercials, movies, books, miscellaneous whatnot. Feel free to peruse the archives and catch yourself up on all of my thoughts. There will be a test later. It is even possible that I might have some new opinions on these topics in the future so even if you've read all the old stuff you should probably check in once and awhile.


three column layout courtesy of this how-to guide

Who Are These Razors For?

So what is the deal with the Gillette ads where video game versions of athletes like Tiger Woods leap out of the tv and race each other to get to the razors? I understood when it was the athletes themselves, people like to buy things associated with their idols- that's the whole point behind having a spokesman for your product. But who wants to be a video game version of their idol? Did the endorsement prices for these guys get too expensive so we had to go with animation, or are they trying to do some sort of weird cross advertising where the games get recognition too. If so, it's ineffective since no actual games are mentioned. Or maybe they're trying to aim it especially at younger guys who are just starting to shave thinking that if they get brand loyal early on they will stick with Gilette. But wouldn't the real guys also help with that aspect? Either way the concept is lame. Cartoon characters fighting over razors so they can shave is just plain stupid - they should be fighting over erasers. Ha!

Sign Of The Dog

So, Monday night's House featured a deaf patient, which is pretty much irrelevant except that it brings up all kinds of questions about being/going deaf like "how hard is it to learn sign language?" and "what would it be like to be born deaf and never hear anything at all, ever?" and teh most important, "how exactly does a dog assist a deaf person?" You may be a bit confused by that last statement, but I assure you it happens. i know this because my local Post Office has a sign saying that no dogs are allowed inside, except for those "assisting blind or deaf persons." I am fairly familiar with how dogs assist the blind by leading them around obstacles and keeping them out fo traffic situations, but I am not familiar with how they go about assisting the deaf. But the first time I see a dog asking the telling for stamps or signing the postage rates to his disabled owner I promise to let you know.

Healthy Dose Of Humor

I thought I liked the Healthy Choice commercial with Julia Louis Dreyfus. And then I saw the one with her and Jane Lynch. And now I'm just wishing Seinfeld were still on.

Faux-ercise

I am really enjoying the ads for the Ab Rocker, which is this spring loaded backrest that makes sit ups easier. The obvious appeal comes in the form of the device itself, which makes sit ups look fun because they are basically no longer exercise - its just like reclining a lazyboy over and over. Wheee. But I am also really loving the clips of people struggling to do regular sit ups - they are so terrible! These people make doing crunches look like trying to carry a 1,000 lb pack up the sheer face of a cliff. They struggle and struggle and barely get their heads off the floor - it's completely awesome. I mean, sit ups are hardly the most fun of activities, but they are not hard - multiple reps might be hard, but unless you are an invalid just doing one or two crunches is not exactly running a marathon. But this ad really pushes the whole "oh, sit ups are soooooooooooo hard, see these people can barely do them, but with the ab rocker they are so easy - you can suddenly do hundreds!" And of course, we all know that if it's easy, it ain't working. Of course, in terms of mental health and self esteem it might be awesome - hey look, I did a thousand crunches on my ab rocker! So whaat if I'm still all flabby because the thing basically pushes me up?

I Don't Like This Show, Not That I've Ever Really Watched It**

I am not a big fan of NCIS. I will watch all of the other procedural shows - the Law and Order series, the CSI series (although not Miami so much cause Caruso blows), but I just can’t get behind NCIS. I have only seen it all the way through once, with snippets of other episodes, and it just seems dull, with lame characters, bad dialogue, and cases that are boring and either obvious to the watcher, or the cast just instantly solves it five minutes from the end with no explanation as to how. But the thing that bothers me the most is the way they have chosen to stage the autopsy scenes. First of all, they are always standing over a body that has its chest flaps wide open and having long discussions about evidence or whatnot. This seems a little gratuitous, but hey it’s and autopsy, whatever. What’s is not forgivable, however, is that instead of just covering the lower half of the corpse with a sheet like virtually every other show does, they just hav a bright light shining on the genital area, ostensibly so bright that the naughty bits are visible. This is a really stupid decision for two reasons. First, it completely doesn’t work. Yeah, there is a light obscuring the area, but not enough to disguise the fact that these corpses are going to make a Ken doll look well endowed. And secondly, the director/producer/person in charge of this brilliant decision seem to have forgotten that whole concept that bright lights draw your attention. So basically every time one of these scenes is on, which is a lot, and they are LOOOOOONG, I spend the whole time staring at the lit section and wondering where all the bits are and why they can’t just be covered like on every other show so I can focus on the plot (whatever plot there is). Very distracting and irritating.
On a similar note of criticizing shows that I really have never watched, I caught a few bits of two separate JAG episodes the other day and I have some questions. In the first, one of the characters received a fax accidentally that held the itinerary of a visiting dignitary. It was sent to the wrong number by someone I assume was planning to kill this person, and when the killer showed up to get it, she just handed it over tra la la. Now, I have heard all kinds of good things about this show when it was on, so I’m wondering if it was always this stupid or was this just an off episode. Because honestly, a highly secure military office probably would not just hand over what was obviously privileged information even if it had gotten it erroneously. These are lawyers - wouldn’t they have shredded it immediately and assumed that whoever was supposed to get it would be able to get another copy? And how did the killer even figure out a) what wrong number he typed and b) where that was? Bad. The other clip I saw was from the very end of an episode, and it featured the main guy in a shoot out in alley with some gang bangers. Now, isn’t he a military lawyer? Why is he involved in a civilian gun fight? I would like to know how the plot there in that one.

*By the way, Laird, I totally wrote and posted this before we even talked. So weird.


**update 6/15/9: after my beloved auntie told me NCIS was actually very good, I decided to give it another chance and actually watch a whole episode whie also paying attention. I am now completely obsessed and watch it everyday.

In The Mood To Redecorate?

This week I got a catalog in the mail for Crow’s Nest Trading Co. Here is the cover:


All I can say is Wow. That is quite a chair. $1300 almost seems like a bargain for something that special. For those of you who don’t know me, let me assure you that there is nothing even remotely resembling this in my home, or in the home of anyone I know. So basically I’m wondering what the hell I did that got me onto this mailing list. Oh, and by the way, they also sell clothes, yay!

In My Body Is Not The Same As On My Body

So Avon has a new product - Anew Derma Fill wrinkle cream, and they are advertising it as having the same ingredients as injectable fillers to smooth away wrinkle son your face. How is this a selling point? I understand the principle behind injecting a think gel into your deep wrinkles so they get plumped up from underneath (although I don't really get the appeal), but I fail understand how rubbing these same ingredients into your face acheives the same results. Maybe it is like spackle - you smooth it on and it settles into lines so when you put makeup over it your face looks smooth. Sounds attractive, especially if you have spackle skills on par with my own and the chunks fail to stick. Big globs of cream falling off your face and out of your wrinkles is probably what the company is going for.

CommmmCast

The new Comcast ads where people semi sing all about the merits of Comcast while walking through strangely illustrated streets is pleasing to me. I'm not sure that they are particularly effective as commericlas, but the chanting is strangely hypnotic and I like it. It's like a 30 second spot of meditation, except instead of pondering inner peace we are musing on digital cable and internet.And that's my type of meditation.

I'll Eat The Soup If I Can Paint My Kitchen

So, I'm sure you've seen the commercial where the guy gets dragged across the kitchen floor and into his chair to demonstrate his reluctance to try low sodium Campbell's soup. Well, can you please explain to me why everything in the ad aside from the soup (kitchen setting, tables, chairs, dishes, the people's clothes etc) is beige or white? Are they representing the excess of sodium in the world? Would regular colors distract from the soup? I don't understand.

You Know The Keys Lock, Right?

When I first saw the blackberry ad about "butt dialing" I thought it was pretty funny, but also a little ridiculous. I mean, there is a key lock, so if the whole flip thing really necessary? And then I got called three times in 20 minutes by my husband as he was walking around the store with his phone in his pocket. Now I think the Blackberry flip phone is a genius invention for those people out there who can't quite figure out how the key lock works.

This Castle May Not Sink Into The Swamp - Yet

There are two reasons I will watch Castle a few mores times. I watched it the first time because I like Nathan Fillion, and there was nothing else on, which overrode the fact that I had previously decided I wasn't interested (despite said love of nathan Fillion) because the previews looked vaguely lame. But I think I will give a few weeks to grow on me now for couple of things that were in the preview. The first was a scene between the main character and his daughter. They were having a perfectly normal conversation where he was explaining why the police had talked to him, but instead of wlaking together down the hallway, he was playfully pushing her so her socks slid her along the hardwood floor. To me this was such a natural scene of what a happy father daughter relationship is like, and in a small way it indicates an interest in portraying realistic characters. The rest of the character interaction was fairly typical and predictable, but this little glimpse showed promise to me. The second reason is that Fillions' character is a famous bestselling muder mystery author, and he plays in what is presumably a regular poker game with other famous authors - who are played by Steven J Cannell and James Patterson. And that may show just an insider conceit by the shows producers, but I choose to believe that it indicates a little reward to any viewers who may be fans of the genre the main character writes in. And since I am a fan of both the genre and insider jokes that I actually get, I will give this show a few more chances to really win me over. Although part of me hopes it fails because what I really want I Nathan Fillion working with Joss Whedon again - a role on Dollhouse perhaps?

Sweetie, Can You Show Mommy how To Work The Computer Again?

I really like the PC Windows ads that show little girls demonstrating how easy it is to use a digital camera and their computer. however, it is also a little scary, because they are doing things I don't know how to do myself, and I know that in a year (or three given the different ages of the girls) my daughter will be that age and doing things I don't know how to do.

American Idol - The Judges Picks

Praise Jesus, Tatiana "I just got a new accent" del Toro is out of there! Clearly the producers weighed the online backlash aginst the appeal of onscreen dramatics and made the right decision. Hooray! Beyond that, no big surprises really - even adding an extra 13th contestant wasn't that huge a shocker given the talent in the eight wild card hopefuls. I think the only thing that really surprised me is that they didn't vote in more girls to try and make it even - we are super boy heavy this season. But whatever, Tatiana is gone, and Megan Joy and Anoop are in, so I'm happy.

American Idol - Wild Card

Well, The judges certainly have their work cut out for them - there are a lot of good people in the wild card race that deserve another chance. Do they all deserve to be in the top twelve? I don't know, but maybe neither do all of the people who were voted in. That's why we need a few more weeks to vot and get to know the contestants. What I do know is that if tatiana makes the top twelve I will have to stop watching the show, and judging by all the polls I've seen indicating how much people hate her (one website poll voted her the most annoying contestant EVER), lot of other people feel the same way.

American Idol - The Third Set Of 12

Von Smith - He didn’t sound that good to me, but to be honest I had a really hard time hearing him clearly over the noise of the heat in my house no matter how loud I made the tv. I definitely didn’t like the song, but I’ll hold off totally judging the performance since I could hardly hear it,. The judges liked it and I‘m assuming they could hear it better than I could.
Taylor Vaifanua - SI thought she sang beautifully, but her liquid leggings didn’t go with her dress and the shininess was distracting. And apparently she sang a song she had already sung - which would be an issue is the audience had seen her sing it twice, but despite how much the judges like to insist on it being a singing competition and that the contestants have to shocase their range and versatility, it is basically a popularity contest, and we haven’t seen enough of the contestants yet to really know or care if she sang a repeat song.
Alex Wagner-Trugman - I did not like the beginning, but once her got to the chorus it was much better. He needed a snazzier outfit though - all he needed was a backpack and he would have been ready for school.
Arianna Afar - Another one who sang in a range that gets eaten by my heat - the notes I could hear sounded nice and strong. But she was super boring - just stood there and moved her arms out once or twice. Work on some stage presence, girl.
Ju’not Joyner - Sang a song I really like, but I did not like the arrangement at all - way too slow and kind of depressing. I think he should have sung something by Seal - he had that same kind of tone to his voice.
Kristen McNamara - Another song I hated the arrangement on - she changed too many notes on this song so the tune was almost unrecognizable. She sang well, I just didn’t like what she did with the song itself. Her dress was also not particularly flattering (what were the weird flowery things on the shoulders?), and it seemed more like something you would wear to a lunchtime bridal shower than on stage to rock out.
Nathaniel Marshall - This guy is quite a character, and you just have to like that he sang Meatloaf. I though he sang well, and while he has a personal style I don’t particularly love (lip piercing, constant headband) it suits him.
Felicia Barton - The second chance girl - she got kicked off originally and was brought back because another girl in the top 36 was really good friends with some producers and they had to ask her to leave to avoid controversy. I think she did a good job with her second shot - she sang nicely, performed well and chose a good outfit.
Scott Macintyre - Um, let’s see; he’s really talented, apparently a genius, and he’s blind. Think he’ll get some votes?
Kendall Beard - She didn’t sing that well, and what the heck was on her belt? She wore a really cute yellow dress, and I agree that it needed a belt to add a little extra style, but what was the big bunch of “flowers” hanging off of it? It looked like Spanish moss spray painted various colors. Ugly. And she has the distinctin of being the first performer I saw that was bad enough that Paula only commented on her looks. She also looks just like Tamra from The Real Housewives of the O.C. Not that that means anything, I just had to mention it (although that reveals that I watch The Real Housewives of the O.C., which is maybe something I wanted to keep to myself).
Jorge Nunez - The beginning was so boring! He had such a look of feigned earnestness on is face, blech. It picked up a little when he hit the chorus, but I was not moved.
Lil Rounds - Loved her dress! Seriously, does anyone know what it is because I want it (although I would probably need the top to be a different color, yellow doesn’t look as good on me as it did on her). She sang wonderfully (Mary J Blige anyone?), and I think she was one of the few who came across already professionally.

Too Fat To Fly?

So there is this ad for the Realize Gastric Band, basically advertising having a band put around your stomach so you lose weight. It features overweight people offering up the reasons they want to lose weight -for example, one guy wants to get healthy so he can do karate with his daughter. But one woman's reason is "to fly to Paris with her husband." Is this really something you can't do if you are fat? I totally understand not being able to run around and play with you kids - or worrying that you won't live long enough to see them grow up. But not traveling? I know it probably isn't all that comfortable to be on an airplane for a transAtlantic flight if you are the size of two people, but does it really prevent you from going altogether? I doubt it unless you are spending so much on food you can't afford the flight. Otherwise it's just an issue of letting your disappointment in yourself stop you from what you want to do. And that is cause for therapy - not a reason to have surgery.

Um, I'll Stick With The Donuts

I love Dunkin Donuts, and for that reason some of their commercials make me sad. They have been advertising their new egg white sandwiches, and I have to say I have never seen less appetizing food in a ommercials attempting to sell it. These things look flat and tasteless, and a bit like they are made with cardboard instead of pita or flatbread or whatever it is. They sound good, but they really need to work on the glamour shots of their food.


ps: interesting I have two donut titles in the past week - what am I thinking about?