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Showing posts from March, 2010

Spotlight/Shoutout: Rick Astley's F*ed up Back Up Dancer

I recently watched the pop up video for Rick Astley's famous jingle jangle, "Never Gonna Give You Up." From 1987 One of the dancers (the bar tender) in the video arrived On Set extremely hung over, and performed dances and stunts like back flips. He even passed out on the pool table for 2 hours. What he did took courage! My hero with a high ball glass. In the vid, he is the bar-tending African American (in a hat). Yup :( I couldn't load the pop up video, but here is the classic for what it's worth. Happy 31st of March! QATFYG: Have you ever arrived to work hung over? And have you have you ever passed out on any type of table?

joanna: a review (kind of)

Matthew and I traveled several hours out of the way to see JOANNA NEWSOM in the FLESH in Columbus yesterday. We didn't get back til 5 this morning. damn! :( (I'm still quite tired from this) Columbus is a big, clean, boring city, from what I could deduce, in the few hours I spent in their downtown. Not a lot to write home about, but certainly no Cleveland. We snuck around the hotel next to the theater trying to catch a glimpse of the goddess in the flesh. The goddess that has the deluded notion that Andy Samberg is her life partner or something (seriously! Bill Callahan, why DID you let her go!). No signs of her but we did get to see a few members of her eclectic little band in the lobby. and oh my god! SO MANY HIPSTERS! it was like an American Apparel exploded on us or something. Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes fame was the opener. He wasn't bad at all- that guy can sing! It was all solo stuff though. I wasn't familiar. And then, after a HUUUUUUUUGE break (I started to f

Humor Epoch: The Arrogant Worms

So every time I'm in a bookstore, I've been hovering in the humor section. Some scientists say that laughter is as addictive as cocaine, they are fucking right!! ;) Also, I've been learning about new bands in the genres of humor music. Such as great stuff from. A prideful Canadian band, known as The Arrogant Worms Their music is kind of alternative. The vocals are mostly clear, and their songs frequently almost touch on the "spoken word" genre of music. But they are really enjoyable. Check out the rest of their youtube vids. QATFYG: What is your favorite humor band/ or musician?

Kids Choice Award Notes

Kevin James hosted, and he was okay to start with…. Now for some notes…. Only time iCarly will win the award for best TV show. It’s mostly likely they got it because their network of nickelodeon hosted. “Wizards of Waverly Place,” is clearly a better show, but that’s why my bff in another life, Selena Gomez, won best TV Actress. If Miley Cyrus had won, she would have been a FLAKE and probably sucked on the tip of the orange blimp in a sexual manner. She always starts controversy for herself. Selena gave a great award speech. She was holding back tears. Best Speech of the night. Of course Miley did win for Best Movie Actress, and I am quite sure she is teasing her blimp right now. Hi Liam!! Rihanna also performed, dancing with a robot army. Is it weird that I’m not surprised? Rihanna’s music videos are horrible, and they feature equally bizarre staging that is just like cracka say WHAT?!? Oh, Tyra Banks presented with George Lopez, and she told lots of jokes that BOMBED!! I mean TAN

James Cameron has Jacked us All Up!!

I like to spread rumors, and this I just heard is the lulu of all rumors for the next four hours. Due to the success of "Avatar" at the box office (Fastest movie to gross a billion dollars.) Movie ticket prices are going to rise all across the country. Their Plan: People want to see movies, they enjoy seeing movies, they care about seeing movies, they will pay 1-3 dollars more to see a movie. Thank you James Cameron, you dick!! You know, I did not believe it when someone told me that movie ticket prices would go to $10 a ticket. But voila, here they are. Some theatres charge $10.50. Mine thankfully charges $9.50. (yup :( ) In all honesty, it's only a matter of time before prices rise anyway, but let's get mad at James Cameron because it's fun!! QATFYG: Would you go to the theatres to see a movie $3 more than what you currently pay now? Example: My theatre charges $9.50, Would I go for $12.50? Maybe once a year for "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn."

open mic night

HEY if you are in Edinboro, you should stop by the Pogue Student Center's third floor lounge tonight at 7 p.m. Sigma Tau Delta is organizing an open mic night. Come read poetry or play music or whatever. WHATEVER. food will be on sale (cheap) and it's lasting til 9. I WILL BE THERE AND I AM READING AS WELL COME STALK ME BYE

Spotlight/Shoutout: Dan Horn

So if you need something out of the ordinary on this Wednesday, look no further than Dan Horn and his good friends. I've spent the last few days doing nothing but listening to ventriloquists, mostly thanks to Jeff Dunham, but I decided to look at the recommended videos youtube provided me, and I came across some Dan Horn works from the 80's. This guy is funny, and he works so well with dummies. He is very good at articulating the scenes. Is he as funny as comic icon and puppet master Jeff Dunham? Well, that's all matter of opinion, but not exactly. However, I will say that he does certain aspects of the Ventriloquism better. He can move his lips less, and he has better interactions with the dummies. Good stuff, and lots of laughs. Especially his vids with the dummy Orson, a 91-year-old former singer. Also, if you are into this art check out Nina Conti with her Monkey, and that one guy from America's Got Talent! Who knows what his name is? QATFYG:If you were a ventriloqu

"up in the air" and the prospect of marriage

So I finally saw (WOO) "Up in the Air" last Friday with my good friend Kim. And Jason Reitman can really do no wrong, as far as I'm concerned. "Juno," "Thank You For Smoking," and "Little Miss Sunshine" were all amazing and this was no exception. it was even better than I was expecting, which is always nice. However, Kim brought up the fact that the film pushed the idea that you can only be happy if you're married. completion can be only be found within the confines of marriage. The main character realizes the life he's been living, without a steady significant other and children, is kind of empty. And I think she had a point: that the film seemed to paint the image of happiness as meaning that you need to settle down. I kind of see this point as valid- I think we all need that someone, you know, at the end of the day. but it can be more abstract than being married. for some it's a good friend, even a pet. and who says you have t

Anna Kendrick needs a Spot on a Soap

So today, I saw my first episode of "As the World Turns." The first thing I noticed was, a show like this needs Anna Kendrick. She just seems like she has a versatile look that would fit on a soap, She could be a villain, a heroine, a smart-ass, a nerd, all the possible stock characters of the soap opera world. But now that she has been nominated for an Oscar, she has been catapulted above the soapasphere. She's out of their league now. My idea for Anna, evil druglord. You only laugh now because you didn't think of that first. QATFYG: Which soap would you put Anna K. on?

eat pray love: the movie

I do not care about this film. at all. Give me "Bounty Hunter" anyday.

A highly UNDER*RATED REM SONG!!

many people look to REM for "It's the end of the world as we know it," or "Losing my Religion." But this song rules, from their later days. Enjoy for real!! It's been a bad day. The blue border is to make it look serene. QATFYG: Are you a Stipe Army Soldier? What is your fav REM song if you have one?

zooey deschanel, MARRY US

oh wait you're married to Ben Gibbard WELL NEVER MIND. but seriously! SERIOUSLY! this music video is too adorable. I haven't been this excited about a music video since Feist's "1234." And Volume Two? OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD. She & Him - In The Sun from Merge Records on Vimeo . They will be in CLEVELAND come June 10th. words cannot describe.

Spotlight/Shoutout: Jon Cryer

So for the first time, the spotlight/shoutout appears on thursday. I did not want to put up a non-irish post on st. patty's day, but here it is....yesterday, I saw Jon Cryer on TV, and I felt so frickin happy! Like no joke, imagine the scale of 1-10. Before Jon Cryer, I was an 8 after Jon Cryer I was a 10......as in 10 Billion!!! This guy makes me smile and laugh so much, and I am so glad he was rewarded with an Emmy finally for "Two and a Half Men." I need to see him in "Pretty in Pink," one of those brat pack movies I want to see. ;) Also, he was notoriously a voice for the show "Stripperella!" And playing Mr. Truscott on Hannah Montana! Jon Cryer makes me smile! (No joke, it was like 10 Billion!!!) QATFYG: Have you watched 2.5 men? haha I tried to make a joke with the numbers, but it failed.

happy st. patrick's day!

with a flood of Irish-centric music: Damien Rice: Damien Rice - 'Volcano' sonya | MySpace Video Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (the couple from Once aka the Swell Season who will be in Cleveland come May!) Snow Patrol: Van Morrison: U2: The Cranberries: Lisa Hannigan: Gemma Hayes: The Frames: let me know what I missed! enjoy your day!

Finally some Oud I like....

I've been listening to the Oud for a while. It is a stringed instrument of Arabic origin, but it was brought to Spain during the Moorish periods. And once in Spain, the Spanish style of Flamenco, well-known for the guitar, was applied to the Oud. I've heard many Oud players, but I have never been super pulled in, until I heard this one arrangement from Saad Mahmood. It Is FRICKIN AWESOME!! QATFYG Is this your groove?

Another Asian Music Party

So it’s been months and months since I did an Asian music party, and here is another one for absolutely no particular reason. Some awesome Asian sounds include.... For starters “12 Girls Band.” They are super popular, and super well-liked for a reason, nothing but charisma and excellence emits from the orchestrations. Here is their version of “Reel Around the Sun,” from “Riverdance.” Next The Morin Khuur, the Mongolian instrument known as the “Horse Head Fiddle,” in English is a brash sounding musical masterwork that has a very strong sound, most things in Mongolia are strong like Genghis. And Possibly the best thing on the internet (from India or someplace like it), “Benny Lava” a la Buffalax. Just listen, it’s worth it. And of course, Shahrizoda. I don’t pick favorites with music, but I listen to this group from Uzbekistan of Uyghur decent so much. They are popular in the Xinjiang region of China’s Northwest. QATFYG: Who wants to toss around some other good Asian music names?

HELLO BABY

>DEERELRELER?E?>R ????? thank you Camille for introducing this to me. my sister really, really enjoyed it. like, super-enjoyed it. words are not enough. THOUGHTS? is it wrong I feel all tingly now?

lizstomania!

I am seriously in love with these kids: to see more of their performances- and what a talented group they are! seriously! they have stuff by the likes of Coldplay, Tori Amos, Lady Gaga, etc. - head here: http://ps22chorus.blogspot.com/ Ashton Kutcher is a fan. SO YOU SHOULD BE TOO.

Marvin Hamlisch Speaks

So lately, I caught a Marvin Hamlisch interview, and I was shocked at how good it was. I didn't even know his name, but I knew his music........... Creating the Music for "A Chorus Line," or doing piano work for Babara Striesand in "Funny Girl," which I am so watching this weekend. That's just the frickin start of his life. As well as a bazillion other songs that are commonly heard in movies, theatre, and on the tv. This guy just had such a fascinating life. He's won 12 Oscars, and is one of only two people to win 3 Oscars in a single evening. Also he is in the EGOT club. (For people who have won the Emmy Grammy Oscar and Tony). It's crazy how talented he is. He even went to the Juiliard Pre College program at the age of 7. This is part of the interview, and I find it so inspirational to hear the stories from people who are just accomplished, but not total douchebags..... There are more interviews from him online, and I'd like to find the rest of

Steve Martin and Bluegrass

Okay, so after the Oscars I started reading about Steve Martin, and I learned that he has won 4 grammys. I was a little surprised because I thought he only had maybe one for a comedy album. But 4 is impressive. I started listening to his grammy award winning "The Crow: New Songs for the 5 String Banjo." Steve Martin is a notorious banjo player, but honestly I just don't think Bluegrass is my genre. However, the first thing I ever heard from him was this duet with Paul Simon on "Fallon." Think of the gravity of Steve Martin playing with Paul Simon. WOW! QATFYG: Anyone want to throw out some good bluegrass names?

Spotlight/Shoutout: Corey Haim

Rip Corey Haim December 23, 1971 – March 10, 2010

crazy heart soundtrack is BOSS

All this Oscar nonsense will be out of my system with this post. although I commend Al (see below) for stirring the pot in my computerless state! the Crazy Heart soundtrack has been playing NONSTOP at Border's these past few days. and I have to say, as a non-fan of most country music, I've been genuinely impressed by it. this film (as well as Up in the Air and The Hurt Locker ) is one of the few this year I've really wanted to see. it includes the late, great TOWNES VAN ZANDT (!!!) who is one of the performers I've listened to after one take and been really moved by. the man was a genius. his song on it: so talented, holy shit. anyway, I love the soundtrack for this film. and Maggie looked pissed during the ceremony. did anyone else pick up on that? God bless that emotive bitch. did you see Crazy Heart ? is it good? great? etc? THE SOUNDTRACK IS.

Full Oscar Recap

For starters Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin were great hosts. I really liked their chemistry and humor, but I wondered how they would get through without a musical number.....then there is Neil Patrick Harris to save the day. So like I said, Miley and Taylor were out of line....and I really did not like how when Miley was up on stage with Amanda Seyfried and she says "We're nervous, it's our first time up here." OH come on, like you've never presented an award before, and you've also been to the Oscars.....Not to mention Amanda S. presented the special last year with R Patz about Romance movies. More Recap, Monique won as predicted. Christoph Waltz won as predicted. Jeff Bridges won as predicted. Sandra Bullock won as predicted. All of which were Great and Followed with Great Speeches. I love how Sandra said in the Baps interview that if Meryl Streep won, she's gonna "kick her ass." Also Christoph Waltz was so good. He was unbelievably good in &qu

FISHER STEVENS WINS AN OSCAR!!!!

I am so happy he won for best feature documentary. I've been a fan of his stuff for so long..... From "Early Edition." To "Factotum," to "The Cove." So many great things that have come from him Fisher Stevens rules!!

The Worst Dressed on the Red Carpet

Only a few minutes in, and these are the first fashion flops that catch your eyes. Male: Taylor Lautner His tux looks like a piece of cardboard. The bow tie is stiffer than his acting. Female: Miley Cyrus Her dress reminds of one that gets kicked off of Project Runway because the designer didn't finish and just stuffed the model into it. QATFYG: Who did you catch?

so i finally saw "antichrist"

wow. Lars Von Trier, why you keep making movies? I guess this was a horror film but it felt so ridiculous to me. so over-the-top it was unforgiveable and just unneccessarily gruesome. the guy has issues. William Dafoe was pretty good in this, which surprised me, because I am stupid and just recognize him from Spiderman . (btw: Peter Parker was laid off! did you know that?) anyway, the moral of this movie is DO NOT have sex while leaving baby unattended or it will die and you will end up in the woods and chop off your husband's genitals and have him cum blood on your face. sorry for the spoilers, but you know how it is.

So About Alice....

So Alice has been the most talked about subject of today, and it's in theaters. Could you belive there is an Alice more popular than Alice Cullen? QATFYG: ARe you going to see it? I might, however, I am not too excited for it. But expect more coverage from the Useless Critic on this...maybe a review soon. Johnny Depp will probably be awesome. He is very talented as an actor, and he does well in most of the Tim Burton roles.

Spotlight/Shoutout: Mia Rose Frampton

So, on the blog I've stated that I am a huge fan of the show "Make it or Break it," but lately, I've been watching each episode and thinking......"Where is Mia Rose Frampton?" She was a minor character they used to employ in the early episodes of season 1, but she has been nonexistent. Her performance added a lot to the show. Sadly, as far as acting goes her ABC Family stuff has been the ONLY major work on her filmography. And her name might ring a bell, as she is the daughter of Rock-o god-o, Peter Frampton. Hence the Peter Frampton song: Mia Rose. i love to hear you talk i love the things you say i love to hear you speak - my name i love to spend my time holding your hand in my mine watching the world go by through the wonder of your eyes there's a secret in your soul - mia how i love to watch you grow - mia like a flower you unfold - mia beautiful mia, beautiful mia you are my angel heaven knows - mia rose QATFYG: Are you a Framptonite?