The Useless Critic 2.0

on this Memorial Day: if I was the producer of some high-end Hollywood film I would stick this song in there. this girl has a lot of talent; watch out for her!

So! Uffie finally released her debut LP / mp3 leak. Let’s talk about that. Some of the other blogs have been saying people are just going to illegally download this with the internet connections they’re stealing from their neighbors instead of buying it— this seemed like fussy cynicism the first several times I skimmed over it, but the Uffie we’ve been becoming acquainted with during the past several years from her singles and pant-less photo shoots is only found on Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans because those same A-sides are included on it. Is this lazy? It might be! Leading off a new album with the same version of a four-year old song, particularly when it doesn’t sound like the 13 others in either style or content, seems like a curious way to introduce an established artist to a wider audience while simultaneously being a bit patronizing to the people who have been waiting years and years for this album to leak so we they can yawn about and delete it without giving it any kind of cha...

So guess what? I just saw Amanda Seyfried in "Letters to Juliet." Unlike Prince of Persia, I saw this ONE! This is not my normal type of movie that I go and see, and the overall result is : Not Bad. This shows Amanda Seyfried playing the fiancee of Gael Garcia Bernal. Yup, tis true. So the movie is set mainly in Italy, and Amanda helps an older lady reconnect with a love from her past. The movie had some really interesting moments, which did surprise me. It also had moments that felt tacky. This is how I describe the script: Imagine listening to an orchestra playing Mozart, and then, randomly the violinist drops the instrument and there is a deep thud. So by that the movie goes really well, but then all of a sudden there is a moment that just makes you kind of twitch and think "Ick." I mean, it was fun to see, and that's why I say it was not bad. I rarely use the star system, but I will give this movie "3 out of 5 Stars." I wish I had little star icon...

Tom Petty tickets are REALLY cheap. I was just about to buy them for my dad when I realized my dad can't handle concerts anymore, but they only came to like, 30 dollars, fees included. so, if you're a fan, I'm pretty sure he's touring everywhere in this country this summer. Like Fleetwood Mac and the Cars, Tom Petty's music was something I was raised on. here's that video with a young Johnny Depp and oh look it's China Phillips: the only thing is I don't think he's put out any good music since the 90s. it is sad to see rock stars grow old. what say you, reader? I would only go see Leonard Cohen or Fleetwood Mac these days. or maybe Joni Mitchell. I would not see Gordon Lightfoot. also, my sister showed me a picture of this random old man when I was 3 and was like "LOOK BRITTANY IT'S TOM PETTY" and I was scared of him until middle school, when I realized he was not quite that haggard.

Prince of Persia is now in theatres. 1st Note: Forget Jake Gyllenhaal. 2nd: Gemma Arterton (seen above) totally rules. 3rd: Will I see this? Doubtful!!! But if you want to go, give some props to Gemma Arterton. She has done some very talented acting work in her career, but it doesn't seem like Prince of Persia will showcase her talent. The same really goes for Jake Gyllenhaal, I mean he has done some good films in the past, but I don't care because I don't find him hot!! After watching the trailers for POP, it seems like this movie will have some decent action scenes with lots of corny lines. I'm sure if anyone is a fan of the game, it is worth seeing. If you're not a fan of the vid game, it may disappoint you. Probably has lots of flash and lots of cheese when any of the characters talk. Source: Foresight and superficial assumption. QATFYG: Have you seen Prince of Persia yet? Do you like Jake Gyllenhaal? Do you like Gemma Arterton? What is your favorite video game-...

Josh Ritter is such a gifted lyricist, which is why I'm such a fan. seriously- the first time I heard like "Kathleen"- "all the other girls here are stars, you are the northern lights"- I was hooked. He just released a new album that I'm sure you've heard if you have made the mistake of meandering into Starbucks lately, So Runs the World Away . This guy started playing guitar after buying one at K-Mart, inspired by Townes Van Zandt and Gillian Welch. This guy is like- seriously, the closest thing we have to a Bob Dylan these days. And I say that as a hardcore Ryan Adams fan. So, so good. "The Curse" is absolutely a gorgeous song. I only had to hear it once and swoon! I was done. and what's it about? a mummy falling in love with an archaeologist. see here: swoon so put away your Jack Johnson and seriously listen to Josh Ritter. this guy is nearly a legend now.

Did I mention last time I’m reading the hardcover edition of the newer Lydia Davis translation? Scott Moncrieff was probably admirable for literally dying from serving as the original to-English translator, but I’m just not into him that much. So. We’re in Combray at his Great Aunt Leonie’s house, which is where the family is living. It’s not entirely clear if she’s a self-imposed invalid or a shut-in by choice, but she’s been withdrawing further and further since the death of her husband and now no longer so-little-as comes out of her room, instead always keeping to her “uncertain state of grief, physical disability, illness, obsession, and piety” while Francoise, the housekeeper, is becoming so, so sick of putting up with her continuous fuss. Thankfully for Leonie, she still has Eulalie, a retired maid who stops in and doesn’t do much other than enable Leonie’s self pity: she requires her visitors “commend her on her regimen, commiserate with her for her sufferings, and encourage he...