Live TV

I caught the live episode of Will & Grace last night. It was very…interesting. I’m not a very big fan of the show, I’m really indifferent too it. It’s not like I don’t like it, I just have trouble getting on board with any sitcom and there are none I watch regularly. I catch the Will & Grace reruns on UPN occasionally, and enjoy watching it. Anyway, I have new respect for Alec Baldwin and Megan Mullally. The only ones I believe who didn’t crack, although Ms. Mullally appeared to come close once. To tell the truth, I wanted more. It was over way to soon. I think there should be more live tv. Of course it would be difficult to do with hour-long shows like Lost or CSI, but I can see it really working for sitcoms. Modern actors have become lazy, I believe, because there’s no pressure to get it right the first time, or even the second or 8th. Being a fan of James Dean, I’ve seen several tapes of live broadcasts he did before he got into films. While, the story lines and everything aren’t on par with what we see today, there are fewer screw ups than by the SNL crew. Each one has a moral, but the actors for the most part give realistic performances and never drop a line, and if they’re reading from cue cards, I can’t tell it (unlike on SNL). Especially in The Bells of Cockaigne.

Considering my recent posts, one may get the grossly incorrect impression that I watch a lot of tv, which is certainly not the case. There are a few shows I watch regularly, LOST and 24, other than that there are shows I like, but generally end up missing several episodes. CSI for instance, I like it, but actually watch fewer than ten shows a season. Just thought I’d clear that up.
I started reading Little Birds, by Anais Nin last night. I got it because I saw Henry & June, which is based on one of Ms. Nin’s diaries. Apparently, before she became known as the world’s foremost diarist, she got her start writing underground erotica, which is what Little Birds is. This is quite obvious from the cover, which has the title in barely able to read red letters, while erotica is spelled out in large black block print, and is the first thing one’s eyes are drawn to upon looking at the cover. It’s basically just a cheesy marketing ploy to get people to purchase it, I know, but it’s still kind of awkward when I think of some old librarian checking this book out and sending it off through the mail to me. I’m only on the second story (the book is comprised of several very short stories) and so far, like the previously mentioned film, I wouldn’t call it pornographic; which I guess is what the definition of erotica is supposed to be. They certainly are not the best written stories I’ve ever read-the sentences are short and often seem very “choppy”-but there is something lightweight and ethereal about them, making the stories more sentimental and aesthetic than sexual.

TV

I am happy to report that the 2nd season of my favorite tv show, Lost, has so far not been a disappointment. It is annoying in some respects though, like all of the questions that have been posed, with so little answers. But it’s a wise decision on the creator’s part, because it undoubtedly will keep me and many others tuning in each week to find out what happens. I’m almost tempted to quit watching it and wait until the season it released on DVD so that I don’t have to wait so long to find out what new obstacles the characters will have to face and the various mysteries of their pasts and what they will face next. But let’s get real here for a moment, that’s never going to happen, because like a heroin junkie, I need my fix, too bad this one only comes once a week.

My Name is Earl on the other hand is kind of a let down. I just didn’t think this week’s episode was that entertaining, not bad, but certainly not on par with what I like to see in tv shows, hence why I don’t watch that many. But as mentioned previously, I’m a Jason Lee fan so I’ll probably continue watching until it’s cancelled.

I’m glad to see Boston Legal back on the air. It’s a great mix of The Practice (which I missed out on and have to suffer through spotty reruns) and Ally McBeal (saw a few episodes, but it didn’t take). James Spader is awesome, and William Shatner is hilarious. I was a little disappointed with Rupert Everett’s guest appearance. It was just so boring, from a usually very interesting actor. I’m not thrilled about the time slot, I preferred having it follow Desperate Housewives. And I can’t stand Gray’s Anatomy.

Speaking of Desperate Housewives, I was glad to see it back in top form on Sunday. For me, towards the end of last season the episodes just seemed to lag. I was not surprised to see that my prediction of Zach aka Dana, is Mike’s son. I was disappointed however, that after waiting most of last season for the plumber and Susan to get together, they are now splitting up. It’s so unbelievable, I mean, what guy would choose a looser son over Terri Hatcher? Not me. I’m liking the character of Bree more and more, now if they would only get rid of Gabrielle, my least favorite character. I really can’t stand her. I like Carlos though. And why do a take on the legend of Glamis? It’s already been spoofed on the Simpson’s and is so like, 17th century ago. Come one Mr. Cherry, first a rip off of a cheesy made for cable looking movie, and now an old legend? Think of something original!

Karma, hicks, and older chicks

(hick)

One show I didn’t get a chance to praise, for lack of time, was My Name is Earl, the new Jason Lee (see Almost Famous) sitcom. Generally, as a rule I don’t watch sitcoms, in fact, I despise them with a vengeance. There are a few I like (the classic Seinfeld, King of Queens, Just Shoot Me, and a few others that I will watch from time to time late at night when there’s nothing else on), but for the most part I give sitcoms an extremely wide berth. I just don’t like them and they make me violently ill with how moronic most of them are.
Granted, My Name is Earl, is not the best sitcom ever, or the best show on television, but it has some odd charm that has me completely enraptured. I live near a really small town that has several trashy little convenient stores. And whenever I drive by them, there are always guys hanging around outside, guys just like Earl describes in his opening monologue of the show. It had me in stitches. Although I must admit the whole premise of the show is kind of stupid, and the acting could pretty much be described as sinful, but I will still watch it. I guess it’s one of those tv guilty pleasures people always talk about.

I had yesterday off, so I went swimming at my aunt’s. Of course, with my luck, it rained most of the time I was there. A large dark cloud has been following me around the past few days. I mean, every time I turn around it’s there, hovering over my shoulder like some demented psycho just waiting to gets its claws into me. Anyway, my mom’s friend (who happens to live nearby) sees me out at the pool and stops by. Why, I don’t know, but she did. I soon found out why. She never actually crossed over the line, but her flirting made me feel uncomfortable, especially since I was only in a pair of swimming trunks. Rather long swimming trunks, but still I felt vulnerable under her lecherous gaze. I would’ve put a shirt on, but she snuck up on me. Anyway, it made me feel uncomfortable because the attraction is certainly not returned. She’s defiantly not my type. And it was just really, really awkward, and I don’t know her that well. If I knew her better it might not be so awkward. But it did get me wondering, why can’t my mother have friends who look like Terri Hatcher? This woman has about 12 years on Terri Hatcher and looks nothing like her. If she did I might be willing to overlook the fact that she was born over half a century ago. Older women seem to love me, and I have a somewhat unhealthy attraction to them (the hot ones anyway). So my question is, why doesn’t my mother go out and get some hot friends to hit on me?

That last bit was just some sort of subconscious rambling, so pay no attention to it;)

(hot older chick)

LOST again

I am so glad that the season premier of Lost was not a disappointment. I was kind of worried because I had such high expectations, and I assumed I would be let down. But not so. This show has some of the greatest writers working in television, because the show-story wise and the shows essence-picked up right where everything was left off last season. With my experience in returning shows, it usually takes awhile for the show to get back into the swing of things upon returning from summer hiatus, but not this show. Wow! I was totally blown away. I’m still off kilter, and my mind is overflowing with possibilities about how the new character, Desmond, got on the island. And what exactly is he doing down in that cavern? Hmm. The only thing about last night’s episode that disappointed me is that there was no update about what happened to Sawyer (one of my favorite characters). That and the fact that I have to wait until next week for another Lost fix, and several more months of waiting to see how everything plays out.
I couldn’t sleep so I ended up watching Boiling Point, which I purchased recently on DVD. Anyway, it’s not very good, despite the presence of Dennis Hopper, Wesley Snipes and Viggo Mortensen. It’s a Snipes vehicle, and he’s basically playing the same character he played in all of those 80’s-90’s cop flicks he was in. He just really sucks in this one. So does Dennis Hopper, enough so that it makes me wonder how this guy ever got famous. You’d think he would’ve gotten lost back in the 50’s and drowned in thespianic obscurity. (And in case you’re wondering, thespianic is not a real word, I just like making up my own, and hope they catch on). Even Viggo Mortensen, who is usually one cool cat on screen comes across as wooden and uncomfortable. Dan Hedaya, however, comes through and add a little brightness to the scenes he’s in.

Premiers I’m looking forward to:

Lost
My Name is Earl
Boston Legal
The O. C.
House
CSI
Reunion

Premiers I’m not looking forward to but will probably watch anyway

How I met your mother (because in the promo some guy says “this is definitely going in my blog”

American Idol

Desperate Housewives (this show started out cool, but dropped close to mid season. It’s just a rip off of a Pierce Brosnon movie).

Threshold

I saw two of the coolest movies ever. Okay, so maybe not the coolest movies ever, but they are both surreal. Both also prove that film can be art and not just brainless entertainment for the general movie going lemmings. The first is Heavenly Creatures. It’s difficult to believe that Peter Jackson went from doing Dead Alive, to this movie, and eventually to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s very refreshing to see a director who is so versatile. The three movies mentioned above could not be more different in subject matter and scope-although some scenes in Heavenly Creatures do have a style reminiscent of horror flicks. The other movie was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I wasn’t sure I was going to like this movie. I’d heard good things about it, but the promos I’d seen for it did not seem very enticing. While it’s not the best movie ever made by any means, I found it very interesting. I like the surreal quality to the story and cinematography. The direction wasn’t that great, and none of the actors really seemed that comfortable, except maybe Kate Winslet. What I really liked about the movie though was the non-linear narrative. I’m so sick of screenwriters thinking there has to be a precise “paradigm” just because they’ve read a book by Syd Field, one of the worst script writers to ever try his hand at the craft.

And my stomach churns

I am getting sick over all the “celebrities” trying to cash in some publicity points by pretending to care about the people suffering in the aftermath of the hurricane. Chief among them being Oprah. I know I have some readers who are Oprah fans, but you’re just going to have to get used to the fact that something about that woman rubs me the wrong way. Don’t expect to see a lot of Oprah bashing on here, but don’t ever expect to see me praise her either. My complaint is, why did she think it was necessary to go to New Orleans? I could see her bringing some of the survivors into her studio to get some sappy interviews, that’s what she does, but does she really think she can get some sort of coverage that the actual news channels will not? And it’s not like she was the first person on the scene, anything she’s going to get has already been covered by the real journalists. And does anyone believe Julia Roberts cares about anyone other than herself? I don’t, not for a second. And what’s up with Chris Rock? It just reeks to me of him wanting to look good to people so his new sitcom will be a hit. That’s not what makes me sick. Everyone seems to be exploiting the survivors. What really makes my guts roil, is that stupid Fashion Rocks concert that was on TV last night. No, I didn’t watch it, but saw some footage on some late night “news” channel like Extra or something. First of all, if it’s a benefit for hurricane survivors, why call it Fashion Rocks? It sounds like it should be more something like money going to models with eating disorders. Plus there was a whole Red Carpet thing, that made it all into fun and games. None of the celebrities interviewed were taking it seriously, except for the lovely Tyra Banks, who took a serious moment to remind everyone why they were there before moving on to more important things like who designed the dress she was wearing. If they people asking for money don’t care about why they are asking in the first place, why should I? And for that matter, what does it say about Americans that we need a bunch of famous people to beg us to give money to facilitate those who are truly in need? Shouldn’t we, as a society, be willing to donate to those people without having to be asked to do so by the rich and famous?

Mikey Rourke & Willem Dafoe Crossover DVDs

Mikey Rourke & Willem Dafoe Crossover DVDs

Jason and I had a Mickey Rourke Willem Dafoe crossover DVD party tonight. Jason gave the films we watched tonight to me for Christmas last year, I believe it was, that or my birthday, but I’m pretty sure it was for Christmas. I’ve been waiting since then to watch them, because there were four movies altogether, and we had to wait until a time when we could start early instead of the usual 10:00 at night. Which we don’t have that much time to do since the only night we can is Monday, and I usually give piano lessons until late Monday night. So I was thankful for the holiday so that way I could tell my students, take the day off, while I was really conspiring to spend some QT with brother Jason.






First we watched Point Blank (new), a low budget action flick that is beneath star Mickey Rourke, and co-stars Kevin Gage, Frederic Forest, and James Gammon. It’s not a bad flick when one takes into consideration the type of movie it is, it’s just disconcerting that a fabulous actor like Rourke would be in a flick like this. Although his presence does elevate the drab and laughable acting by the local Texans who make up the hostages in the mall that a group of escaped cons, lead by Ruddy’s (Roake) brother (Gage). To make sure his brother doesn’t get hurt, Ruddy, an ex-Texas Ranger/ex-merc, makes his way into the mall to take out the bad guys before the Texas Rangers go in, or the FBI comes in to screw things up “like they did in Waco”. His brother ends up dying anyway, at the hands of the sleaze ball who was behind the whole breakout anyway (Paul Ben-Victor). This is where Rourke escalates the acting, not only in this movie but in pretty much every action flick that’s ever been made, as he breaks down and actually cries real tears (as opposed to the scrunching of the eyes seen in most of these flicks whenever emotion is called upon).



Next up was A Prayer Before Dying (new), a “thriller” according to the cover, which turned out to be more a very interesting drama about an IRA operative (Rourke) who decides to quit after one of his bombs blows up a school bus full of children instead of its intended military target. But to get out of the country with a new identity, he has to pull a hit for a local mobster, who runs a mortuary/crematorium-not as a cover. Rourke’s character does the hit, but it’s witnessed by a priest (Bob Hoskins) who’s in the cemetery where the assassination takes place. Rourke later takes refuge from the mobster in the priest’s parish where he meets and falls in love with the priest’s niece. A little convoluted, but very entertaining and well executed all the same.




Third on the list, as well as the film which brought together the fabulous actors showcased in our DVD marathon tonight, was The Animal Factory (new). As far as prison flicks go, this one (directed by Steve Buscemi) is excellent. Even Edward Furlong isn’t bad in it. The film is follows Ron Decker (Furlong) who gets sentenced to five years in the penitentiary for possession of marijuana (harsh much?). Being a young, skinny kid, he’s obviously going to be the apple of some poop chute banging residence of the state. So he falls in with Earl Copen (Willem Dafoe) and his buds who take care of the new kid, without him having to worry about them turning him into their broad. Willem Dafoe gives a terrific performance in this movie, he totally embraces the character. And unrecognizable and hilarious in this film is Mickey Rourke as Jan the Actress, I think the name and setting of the film explain the name. Jan is Ron’s cellmate to start with until Copen gets Ron moved to his block. Rourke is spot on with the mannerisms, as he never over plays it, making the portrayal (which could have been played way over the top) so believable that I’m still can’t believe it was the buffed up Mickey Rourke. Copen and Ron develop an almost father son relationship, which seeing Ron’s real father (John Heard) in a few scenes, it’s obvious why Ron cleaves so strongly to this new older male figure in his life. The title (taken from the novel the film is based on) is all but lost in the film, however. It’s supposed to mean that prisons are factories that turn people into animals, instead of rehabilitation centers for the criminally deranged. However, since the two main characters, Ron and Copen, are shown as caring and sympathetic, as are most of their circle of friends-the only deranged people are the rapists who try to butt plug little Ron-this theme does not really come across.




Ending the night was To Live and Die in L. A. (new). Willem Dafoe is absolutely marvelous as the artist/counterfeiter villain of the film. William Peterson (CSI) is also good as the Secret Service agent who tries to take him out. The film itself, however, is rather messy, with subplots running here and there seemingly in a hurry to get nowhere. The death happens too suddenly, and the impact of bullets look like someone is throwing rotten tomatoes at the actors’ faces. The performances by Peterson and Dafoe, however, make this flick worth the time to watch.

It wasn't until The Animal Factory that I realized how many movies these two guys have been in together. There's The Animal Factory, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and White Sands. And if you add Danny Trejo into the mix you get three movies too, Point Blank, Tha Animal Factory, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico (all three with Mickey Rourke and the last two with Willem Dafoe).


Two episodes of Roswell.

Willem Dafoe

William Peterson

The O. C.

Don't miss the season 3 premire of The O. C. this Thursday @ 9pm on Fox!

The Mad Ranting of a Pre-Op Insomniac

Yes my dear and faithful readers, (like the one of you-at least I hope Jeff is still glancing at this drab account of my life. I’m thinking of renaming my blog something like my good friend Kevin Smith’s My Boring Ass Life [I had the pleasure of meeting him at a comic-con and we’ve remained e-mail pals ever since] my insomnia has returned. I suffered insomnia as a child and throughout most of my teenage and young adult life, then a few years ago it went away and the old eyelids began to fall around 10:30pm and usually closed for good sometime between 11:00 and 11:30pm. But, for reasons beyond my ken, I have not been able to go to sleep until three in the morning or after for the past week. At first I thought it might have something to do with some sort of subconscious trepidation I had about switching companies. And since today (Friday) was my first day with this company, I was going to have my new supervisor looking over my shoulder, although, luckily for me personal reasons forced her to leave within the first hour, so I didn’t have that to worry about. But here it is, well past the witching hour, and I’m wide awake with no signs of stopping, so I know now that it had nothing to do with work (although last night was the worst, after sitting through one of the most asinine episodes of Loveline I still couldn’t sleep for and hour or more. Then after finally dosing off, I woke up at five a. m. with one of the worst migraines I’ve ever had, and ended up calling Ralph on the big white telephone.

My first day with Serve Corp. Inc. went quite well, actually. And not a single old woman hit on me, not that I mind affection from the older ladies, it can be quite nice at times, but at the old company I was usually getting hit on by women who looked like they walked off the set of Deliverance. Today I was hit on and actually stooped so low as to flirt with a lovely young woman, with the coolest blonde highlights in her hair. I’m sure it’s all the rage, but she’s the first person I’ve seen with them. She also had a belly ring, which she kept playing with while we talked, which I can’t decide if it was done out of nervousness, or to draw my attention a little lower down.

Kudos to ABC for showing the good the government is doing for those in Louisiana. I’m just getting so tired of the other stations showing all the people who are frustrated, angry, and bashing the people who are risking their lives to save them. ABC is the first station-that I know of anyway-to show that there are still people stuck in or on top of flooded buildings. It just makes me sick when the media does not take an objective standpoint on something so important. And I’m not saying what the people there are going through is frivolous, it’s obviously hellish and I’ve no desire to be in their place, but it’s only one side of the story. The people who are on dry land, although crowded and hungry, are only one small part of the bigger story which most of the news stations seem to be neglecting to tell. I knew there was something I liked about ABC other than Boston Legal and Lost. And I think that calling them refugees is a taking it a bit too far. The key definition of refugee is someone fleeing his or her country. These people still have a country, and somewhat of a city. Survivors, yes; but refugees? Please. The term refugee, to me, seems to have the wrong connotations for this situation anyway.