The Useless Critic 2.0

I have not really paid a ton of attention to Conan Gray, but I think he's talented, and I have observed from a distance his output for the past few years. Happy to say he's stepped into what I think is top-tier pop star mode with his 1980s-inflected single, "Never-Ending Song." Check him channeling MJ in the video below! I seriously think he is going to enter the big leagues (although he kind of already is there in a way). Excited to see what is in store for him next! Now i feel like I need to watch "The Never-Ending Story" finally.

"West Side Story" has been my favorite movie since I was nine. And I've seen it 7005583 times at this point in my life. So you think I would know EVERYTHING. And I don't mean the play. Uh, I mean the movie. Sorry. But: I don't.  Here are five random things I learned regarding this movie last night. Yep, instead of going out, I was at home struggling to breathe taking Nyquil. Stupid Erie gave me Typhoid.  1.) Michael Jackson was a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge fan of "West Side Story."  Intriguingly, MJ watched it once a week. And of course it gave him the idea for "Beat It." I'm not going to lie, having the same favorite movie of MJ scares me a little. 2.) Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood could not stand each other. Oh don't we hear about this with a lot of films? The romantic leads can't stomach each other? I prefer not to think too much about this fact. Natalie was awesome (RIP) and Richard. Well, he was on "Twin Pe...

I know I know I KNOW I should have more interesting/better things to write about. But I am jetlagged and still somewhat disoriented from the long ass ride across the country yesterday. So deal. Just deal. Punch Drunk Love  is on and my dear friend (as well as fellow UC writer) is tinkering with a desk behind me. Love Songs That Should Just Not Be For Many Reasons When you sing about a rat, you are falling on hard times. maybe not so much hard times as here... AND LASTLY Anything you'd like to add?

mine, ahem: "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah"- Tracy Jordan/30Rock  (question:  HOW MUCH DOES IT SUCK WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THIS SHOW TO RETURN? damn you Tina Fey!) "Thriller"- Michael Jackson (advice:  you should listen to as MANY DEAD CELEBRITIES AS YOU CAN on Halloween. Let's brainstorm: Elliott Smith, John Lennon, Mama Cass, Michael Jackson...actually, just have an Elliott Smith/Michael Jackson dance-off). "Vampire Girl"- Johnathan Richman (so much fun!) "Psycho Killer"- Talking Heads (BA BA BA BA) "Witchy Woman"- The Eagles "I Put A Spell On You"- She & Him cover (because we love Zooey DAT much. I wonder what she will be for Halloween? God, probably a pumpkin!) "Great Pumpkin Waltz"- Vince Guaraldi trio anything by the Smashing Pumpkins (but not when they began to suck) "Halloweenhead"- Ryan Adams Boys For Pele era Tori because BITCH CRAZYYYYYY "Party"- Beyonce, because let's as...

I recently met up with the on-the-rise singer/songwriter/poet/dancer Klairkia . She has a lot to offer the world and is set to take it by storm, it seems. She's one determined lady!  I was very late to our meeting- the first IN PERSON Useless Critic interview- because I work way way way out by Coney Island where everyone is Russian and I'm not. But she was nice enough to wait for me and to give me the benefit of the doubt that I was indeed on my way.  The first thing that struck me about her was how beautiful and personable she was, and the next thing was how DRIVEN she was. I mean, my god, this girl has a gift and she's going to let the world know about it, no matter what. Her new record is about to come out to the public on September 16th (my brother's birthday, happy early birthday Joe). It's called Who's Bad , which is a partial nod to Michael Jackson, that late "king of pop." As she explained, both Jacksons have been big influences on her...

Today marks the eighth-year anniversary of Aaliyah's death. :( she was really quite talented and I don't consider myself even a light fan of R&B. yes I like soul, but I don't care much for most R&B I hear on the radio. been trying to expose myself to the new Maxwell but it hasn't grown on me yet. in more recent news, Michael Jackson's death was ruled a homicide. how sad! I was watching footage of him on TV preparing for his tour....that would have been one kickass concert. I don't think he had the energy to do all those shows. I mean, I've read stuff about the state of his health at the time of his death and it's terrifying. "Try Again"- Aaliyah & Timbaland also, not to sound like a trite jerk, but you should try any form of Peach Wedge from Wegman's. it's like drinking a Dreamsicle!

At 1 P.M. EST the long-awaited Michael Jackson memorial will air, on all the major networks as can be expected. Los Angeles will be pandemonium. it makes me happy I am not there (apologies to those of you that have to deal with that). I'm kind of upset though work has me missing it, just because it would one of those historic remember-when things to watch, like the Diana funeral, the Obama inaugeration and the lunar landing ;) (ah! emoticons are affecting my writing EVERYWHERE!) you can watch it online at one of the places mentioned here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10280634-93.html Also, "Ten Things I Hate About You" the TV series will premiere on ABC Family at 8 p.m. My feelings on this? mixed, mixed, very mixed. WHO THINKS IT'S GONNA SUCK? ME ME I DO. And I'm excited, because although I rarely watch Lifetime and advise you to do the same (oh hey Grandma), one of my all-time favorite movies, "Ghost World," will be airing Thursday night at 9. I ha...

Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson.