Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Buffy

I used to be a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan-atic. Well, I kinda still am. I became a fan the first season, and I have one season on DVD here at home. I know there are a lot of fans like me out there, and the show wasn't a critics' darling for nothing! The writing was brilliant - there's just no better word to describe it. The characters were multi-dimensional and you really became attached to them (much the same way I became emotionally invested in another brilliant series, Northern Exposure). In the first few seasons, it blended the horror of supernatural evil with the horror of every day high school so well that you could see the supernatural battles were metaphors for high school, and later, when the Scooby gang (that's what Buffy and her sidekicks called themselves) graduated, it became a metaphor for the big bad grownup "real world." One of the highlights of the series was during the 6th season, with an episode that was produced as a big budget 40s style musical. Joss Whedon, creator and writer of Buffy, not only wrote the episode, but the music and lyrics as well. With tongue never leaving cheek, the plot followed our friends as a demon comes to town and causes people to burst spontaneously into song and dance, spilling the beans about their most secret truths. It stood apart, yet worked perfectly to move the season's main plot along to the next level.

For those of you who only saw the movie, which was fun in its own way, the series was far more intelligent and witty. I know that sounds ridiculous given the context, but it covered subject matter not usually brought to television at the time. One of the main female characters (Willow, played by the immensely likable Allyson Hannigan of 'this one time, at band camp'), fell in love with a female fellow witch. The storyline of two lesbian lovers was handled in almost a matter of fact way, and was one of the most moving star-crossed lovers story I've ever seen. The ravages of addiction was also addressed, although it was Willow and her magicks instead of drugs. Magic and power became to her just as intoxicating and addicting as any drug.

Anyone watching this realizes, of course, that this is all pure fantasy, but I've seen very few television series that has succeeded in not only stretching a viewer's imagination and challenging one's intelligence, but also created a reality that, while utterly impossible, seems totally plausible.

As a side note, the spinoff series, Angel, had all of the wit and twists and humor of it's parent show. A vampire with a soul (ie conscience)...what can be more torturous!

I'd love to hear from anyone else who enjoyed the series as much as I did. And if you have any television shows about which you feel the same way.

Posting Gaps

Hmmm...I noticed it's been a few days since my last entry. I just finished reading a couple of other blogs - Nancy's, LunaChick's, and Caroline's (who I found through her comment on the blog of someone who posted on LunaChick's blog). I enjoy reading other people's blogs and sharing ideas and opinions. Especially "meeting" people far away. It helps to feel connected to the world this way. You know, being a part of the "global society."

Not much of interest to write about...hence the gap in posts. But I AM hoping to get to see the Pirates movie on Friday, FINALLY!

Friday, August 18, 2006

Coming soon...

Lots of interesting movies coming this fall. Here are some:

SEPTEMBER
Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). According to Entertainment Weekly, "a futuristic cautionary tale, adapted from PD James' novel, about an impending era in which the human race faces extinction unless a disenchanted former activist (Clive Owen) can deliver the last pregnant woman on Earth to safety. Also starts Julianne Moore and Michael Caine as a Yoda-like pot-smoking hippie encountered on the journey.

This Film Is Not Yet Rated: documentary about the highly secret MPAA's Classification and Ratings Administration.

Sherrybaby - starring one of my favorites, Maggie Gyllenhall, as a former herion user who, upon being released from prison, tries to regain custody of her daughter.

Feast, the horror film made during the final season of Project Greenlight. Can't wait for this one. I watched that series, and it looks like it's going to be a hoot. Made with all former reality show stars.

Hollywoodland, with Alec Balwin, Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins.
About the mystery surrounding the "suicide" of George Reeves (Ben Affleck), the actor who played Superman on the original 1950s tv series.

The Amateurs, with Jeff Bridges and Ted Danson as two friends in a small town who try adult filmmaking.

The Last Kiss with Zach Braff (Garden State...which you GOTTA see if you haven't yet). He lives with his girlfriend and is tempted by a flirty beauty. So what else is new?

OCTOBER

The Departed, directed by Martin Scorsese, with his new muse, Leonardo DiCaprio (useta be Bobby De Niro), and Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen. A cop goes undercover in the Mob and a gangster who infiltrates the police.

Running With Scissors, with Annette Benning, Brian Cox, Joseph Feinnes, Evan Rachel Wood and Gwyneth Paltrow - based on Augusten Burroughs' best selling memior. Joseph Cross plays the lead character, who is sent by his bipolar mom to live with a shrink.

Breaking and Entering, directed by Anthony Minghella. Jude Law lives with his girlfriend (Robin Wright Penn, another of my faves). He investigates the burglary of his office and winds up in an affair with Juliette Binoche.

Marie Antoinette, written and directed by Sophia Coppola, starring Kursten Dunst. Need I say more?

Babel, with Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garcia Bernal. Four interconnected plotlines: an American couple vacationing in Morocco, a family of Berber goatherds, a wedding and boy-crazed deaf-mute Tokyo teenager.

The Prestige, with Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, and....DAVID BOWIE!!! Can you tell I loooovve that guy? This film is about the rivlary between two stage magicians at the turn of the century (1899-1900).

Man of the Year, with Christopher Walken and Lewis Black. Robin Williams plays a stand-up comic who runs for President and WINS!

For Ewan MacGregor fans (see me raise my hand here), there's Stormbreaker, described as a Harry Potter meets James Bond by Entertainment Weekly.

Speaking of Harry Potter, Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) stars in the indy, Driving Lessons, with Laura Linney.

Wrestling With Angels looks at the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America).

Enjoy, and don't forget the popcorn!

Oh, and here are movies that EW says are good for kids AND parents:

Charlotte's Web, with Dakota Fanning - December 20
Eragon - a fantasy adventure - December 5
Flushed Away - animated comedy - November 3
Night at the Museum - a security guard at New York's Museum of Natural History discovers that the exhibits come alive after hours. - December 22

Thursday, August 17, 2006

More, Please

While I am not happy about the way age has changed my metabolism (I used to be able to eat all I wanted and still be skinny...no more!), I do like the interior changes. I seem to have more patience, I'm able to handle change (life's one constant) better, I know what I want and who I am. I've been subscribing to More magazine (see new link) for a few years now, since I first discovered it. A magazine for women over 40. Great articles, fashion, advice, etc. The usual, but without those seamless young faces staring out from the pages. More's models are more weathered, but just as beautiful. Anyway, there is an interview with Jamie Lee Curtis, who seems to me like she would be a really cool girlfriend. She wrote a poem for More, and I wanted to share it here. It's exactly the way I feel. So, here's to all my female friends, my sis, and my beloved late mom:

Ode to women
by Jamie Lee Curtis

If indeed it’s a race
Then the chicks do the most
It isn’t a brag
Or an estrogen boast
It’s the women who’ve led me
With big open hearts
If not for their love
I’d have failed at the start
And it’s not just the mothers
I speak of them all
It’s a woman there first
When somebody falls
The multi of tasking
That’s easy to tease
I dare a great man
To try it all, PLEASE!
So this is my shout out
My rallying cry
To women all over
I hold you up high
And though there are others
Who’ll think this poem strange
It’s the women who plant
The root of big change

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Boob Tube Ruminations

I was just posting a comment on LunaChick's blog. She was writing about how much she liked Entourage. It really is a brilliant show. Entourage, is supposed to be based on Mark Wahlberg's life. It's also been called the "Sex in the City" for men. Beverly D'Angelo as Barbara is the perfect foil for Ari. Good to see her working again. You know, so few meaty parts for women of a "certain age."

Deadwood is another favorite. The second season was a bit rough. The dialogue was as difficult to understand, which made following the plot nearly impossible. But this season, it's slowed down the delivery and once again becomes one of my "not-to-be-missed-or-tivoed" shows.

Remember Ozzie Osborne's reality show? Now Gene Simmons (KISS) has his with his family, "Family Jewels." He's been with former Playboy covergirl Shannon Tweed (of those cheapy soft-core porn of the 70s/80s). They aren't married, andthey have a 13 year old girl and a son, 17. The son, Nick, is incredibly funny and witty beyond his years. It's a very entertaining half hour. Even MyMan enjoys it, and he normally scorns all reality tv.

I am also enjoying "Three Moons Over Milford" on ABC Family, and Eureka on the Sci-Fi channel. And a former Showtime series that I never got to see since we've never gotten that station - Dead Like Me. I'm looking forward to returning to the island on Lost this fall, and a new show, Jericho, looks intriguing.

I saw The Night Listener yesterday. I could have waited for it to come out on DVD. The promos for it said that just when you think you've figured it out, there is a twist. Well, I figured it out, then I tried to come up with the twist. It was what I figured in the first place, and not all that surprising. There are so many movies coming out in the next few months that look good. I know I won't see them all. Guess that's what Net-Flix is for. V for Vendetta is next on my list, as per LunaChick's recommendation.


Saturday, August 12, 2006

Guns and Kids

This article blew my mind. For anyone with small children, it can be an eye opener. No matter how well you train your kids to stay away from them, guns hold an irresistable fascination for them. Read...

http://www.sportshooter.com/features/curiosity_kills.asp

Friday, August 11, 2006

Email Brain Test

Here is one of those things that goes around by email that I had fun with. I was suprised at what I knew (like #17), but even more surprised that I couldn't come up with the answer for #19! Have fun and I'll post the answers tomorrow. By the way, I got 20 right. At least it's better than 7! I've posted the answers in the comments.

FUN QUIZ!!!
The average person only gets 7 correct. This is based on U.S. info, so use all lobes of your brain. This can be more difficult than it looks - it just shows how little most of us really see!
There are 25 questions about things we see every day or have known about all our lives. How many can you get right? These little simple questions are harder than you think-- it just shows you how little we pay attention to the commonplace things of life.

Put your thinking caps on. No cheating! No looking around! No getting out of your chair! No using anything on or in your desk or computer! Can you beat 20?? (The average is 7) Write down your answers as you go.

1. On a standard traffic light, is the green on the top or bottom?
2. How many states are there in the USA? (Don't laugh, some people don't know)
3. In which hand is the Statue of Liberty's torch?
4. What six colors are on the classic Campbell's soup label?
5. What two numbers on the telephone dial don't have letters by them?
6. When you walk does your left arm swing with your right or left leg? (Don't you dare get up to see!)
7. How many matches are in a standard pack?
8. On the United States flag is the top stripe red or white?
9. What is the lowest number on the FM dial?
10. Which way does water go down the drain, counter or clockwise ?
11. Which way does a "no smoking" sign's slash run?
12. How many channels on a VHF TV dial?
13 On which side of a women's blouse are the buttons?
14. Which way do fans rotate?
15 How many sides does a stop sign have?
16. Do books have even-numbered pages on the right or left side?
17 How many lug nuts are on a standard car wheel?
18. How many sides are there on a standard pencil?
19. Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc. Who's missing?
20. How many hot dog buns are in a standard package?
21. On which playing card is the card maker's trademark?
22. On which side of a Venetian blind is the cord that adjusts the opening between the slats?
23. There are 12 buttons on a touch tone phone. What 2 symbols bear no digits?
24. How many curves are there in the standard paper clip?
25. Does a merry-go-round turn counter or clockwise?

Watch for the answers in a post tomorrow!

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Gram's Bragging Rights

















This is mommy Rachel with Zep and daddy Devin with Zep. Z has his mommy's beautiful big eyes with his dad's eye color of brown. Little rock'n'roll baby digs the drums! He is about 10 months old here. I allow myself to indulge my proudgrandma-itus. If you're a grandparent, you can show off your grandchild...it's allowed. :)

Like the piercings? You can't see them on Devin, but he has two in his lower lip and two in his nose, among others. I think if I were in my 20s, I'd have some piercings myself. It would look pretty bad on a slightly older than middle-aged granny, though. Plus, MyMan would NOT be happy. I think there are definitely certain clothing, haircolors, and body adornments that cease to by edgy and cool once you reach a certain age. Then it becomes like a joke. But I STILL want that tatoo I've been threatening to get all my life!

The Z-Man

This is my adorable grandson. My son's son. It's still a little bizarre. But he has very devoted and loving parents. His mom, Rachel, is a hoot, really smart and I can tell she is in love with her son the same way I was in love with mine. They were going to name him Laertes, and I'm glad they didn't, but they named him Zeppelin. We call him Zep, or Z. He is a a happy baby. As long as there are people around, he is smiling. This was taken when they were out here from Arizona. I took them to the Children's Museum, and he is crawling through a tunnel (that you can't really see here). He is with the panda I got him when he was born. They named him Sid Friendly (instead of Vicious). I decided I'm allowed grandma's bragging rights. :) When I came home from AZ right after he was born, I decided I needed a baby...so I got Jack, the B&W kitten you see above. Zep is a year old and Jack will be one year next month. It will be fun to see them grow up.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

The Musical Cohen Boys

Remember Leonard Cohen? If you're too young, he was (is) a fantastic songwriter. His most well-known song was "Suzanne" from the early 70s, I think. His songs were really poems set to music. Remember that scene in Animal House during the toga party, and Belushi comes down the stairs and there is this guy playing a guitar and singing with about 5 girls around him? Belushi smashes his guitar? Well, Cohen is kinda that singer, but really brilliant. Interesting life, was with Rebecca DeMornay for years. Well, his son, Adam, is a real chip off the old block. His music isn't quite like his father's. His group is Low Millions and this album I'm listening to, Ex-Girlfriends, has two songs you might have heard...Eleanor and Statue. On one song, Mockingbird, he sings the beginning in a very low voice and sounds, eerily, EXACTLY like his old man. The father, despite the deep voice, writes songs that are kind of ethereal. Adam is more earthy...actually, I like his voice better than Leonard's. There is a really hot song called Nikki Don't Stop. I need to turn up the AC when I listen to that one. Whew!

I still have to see the film about Leonard...it is about his life, I guess, and it has a bunch of today's stars covering his tunes. I think it's called I'm Your Man, after one of his albums from the 90s. If you saw it, let me know what you thought?

Friday, August 04, 2006

Musical Musings

What are you listening to these days? I've just rediscovered Sondre Lerche. He's really young, and I THINK he's German, but his music is very catchy. I spend a lot of time at Yahoo music, and I've discovered Neko Case (although I've heard OF her, until recently I haven't heard her work), Ivy (dreamy-voiced female lead singer), and Jonatha Brook (I used to hear her on WFUV when I worked 50 miles west of home). Also, been listening to Nellie McKay again. I've heard from someone who met her that she is very weird, and in a not so nice way, but who cares. I love her music and her lyrics are unique and incredibly witty. And Dresden Dolls, the cabaret rockers. Several other artists I have nearly forgotten about and have been enjoying lately - Honeydogs, Badly Drawn Boy (his video for Year of the Rat is so sweet...he did the music for the film About a Boy with Hugh Grant), and some oldies but goodies: Meat Puppets, David Bowie, T Rex, Mott the Hoople (can you tell me I dug "glitter rock?"), and now Jackson Browne. I still don't get tired of his earlier works, especially his first 4 albums...before his music became political instead of personal. His lyrics are so simple but so powerful.

Oh, I nearly forgot, there's Frank Zappa! And Counting Crows and Crash Test Dummies, their first two albums.

When it comes to music, even though I stay pretty up to date, sometimes I feel so old. I don't have an Ipod (too expensive), and there are now adults who have never seen a vinyl record in their life! I miss records. I loved listening to the album while scouring the album cover notes and artwork, and reading the lyrics. Now, you can't even read some of the writing on CDs, and forget about trying to read lyrics IF they include them. Yep...I am officially an old folk now. By gum.

Stupid

What is it that makes smart people do stupid things? I remember when my son was growing up and he would do something dumb, he would direct this fierce anger towards himself, saying he was so stupid. I always tried to comfort him the same way. I'd tell him he was smart, but even smart people do dumb things. Smart people learn from their mistakes.

I've always been a solutions-oriented person. When I did something stupid, I'd struggle to find a way to make it right, and most of the time I do find a way to correct it, but I almost always learn from the process. That's what makes us human. I recently did something wrong, innocently without intention, but very stupidly. It was one of those times when I should have known better but didn't? Please tell me I'm not the only one. So what do you do when that stupid thing (and nope, I ain't tellin' you what it was...too humiliating) is so bad that it has the power to ruin a respectable reputation? How do you fix that? I've always believed that things happen for a reason, and you can find something good in the bad. So, how do you make the lemonade from the lemon? I've been struggling with this all week. I'd love to hear how others overcame a stupid move, regained your self-respect, and moved forward in a healthy manner.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Indie Films

I just added yet another link on the sidebar. It's to the Independent Film Channel website. If you go there and click on Short Films, you can watch literally hundreds of short films and trailers submitted by aspiring filmmakers. Granted, some are unbearable to watch. Any kid with a cheap camera can upload stuff, but there is also a lot of very good and interesting work. Check it out!

Also, I didn't add it as a link, but Theatremania.com gives you all the info you need when you are looking for a play to go to.

Insomnia

Can't sleep. Can't get my brain to shut off. Decided to add a couple more links...one to WLIU, the public radio station that broadcasts out of the college formerly know as Southampton College. Also, Drug Digest. No, it's not a website for stoners. You can go to this page and punch in two medications and it will tell you if there is any interaction. I believe in being proactive regarding your health.

Saw "Scoop" tonight with my friend, Bonnie. Woody Allen's newest. Not even going into the whole marrying his step -daughter-ish, someone really needs to tell this man to stop making movies. The acting ranged from mediocre to awful, and I think the only one to blame is the director. Neither Scarlet Johansen nor Hugh Jackman were very good, when they have given exceptional performances in other movies. There were a few laughs, though, and some of them pretty obscure. I don't know what 'thing' Allen has about midgets...excuse me, little people (and how is that term not as offensive as midgets?), but in a scene where SJ and WA are talking, two little people walk by in the background. It was so out of context we started laughing and couldn't stop, like a couple of 14-year-olds. Later, Allen's character tries to remember a code by giving each number a visual...one of which was "12 spinning midgets."

I hope to see Lady in the Water soon. I know it got bad reviews. I keep going to Shamylan's films with high hopes that continue to be dashed. ALso, Pirates. But there were some really interesting films in the previews.

Well, back to bed to try to sleep.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Links

Well, my buddy, Nancy, came over and figured out for me how to add links, so here they are. First, of course, is her blog...the thing that got ME started. She's an awesome writer and great wit, so check it out. Next is my theatre biz with my partner, Stacy. She is an awesome writer and a great wit. See a pattern?

Internet Movie Database (IMDB) will give you all the info on films that you want. Same for IBDB for Broadway. Have you ever found yourself watching a movie and recognizing an actor and wracking your brains but not connecting where you've seen him or her before? Or chatting with someone about a movie and you just can't remember who directed it and it's driving you crazy? Okay, maybe this doesn't happen to everyone, but it does to me, so...just go to IMBD and look it up. Handy.

East End Arts Council is a great resource for anything to do with the arts. And one of my real favorites, Hoaxbusters. Whenever I get an email warning me about a virus or about anything, or a petition, or whatever, I always go to Hoaxbusters before sending it on. Nine times out of ten, it's confirmed as a hoax. That still amazes me...that people actually sit around thinking of ways to waste other peoples' time and that they even START these things. Really. Get a life, dude.

Melaleuca is a great company that manufactures high quality, environmentally friendly, all natural products, from skin care to home cleaning products to toothpaste. Check it out.

US Women Without Borders works to end violence against women. So does V-Day. And Femina Web search provides a directory of links to female friendly sites.

If you have any links that belong here, feel free to suggest.