Monday, September 21, 2009

10 Best Emmy Moments; 5 Worst Emmy Moments

I may disagree with just about every winner that was announced at this years Emmys, However it was definitely one of the best Emmy presentations ever! Neil Patrick Harris rocked. Here are the Best (and a few worst) moments from the awards -


1. NPH - Although I am still holding out for Ricky Gervais to get a hosting gig, NPH was outstanding. He has the perfect combination of sarcasm, cockiness and chivalry - looking quite dapper in his crisp white tuxedo jacket. I think he won me over when he used the term "dagnabbit" in his opening monologue.

2. Tina Fey's dig at NBC - something like "Thanks for keeping us on the air even though we are more expensive than a talk show" - an obvious dig at The Leno Show that garnered the 10pm time-slot Monday thru Friday (which essentially leaves out 5 shows that could have been).

3. Thanking Lorne Michaels - Everyone thanked the creative genius so much, I believe he was even thanked more than "god".

4. Anna Torv - Holy crap! She is gorgeous. I guess I didn't realize her beauty as it is toned down for her tough chick demeanor on Fringe. I also had no idea she was Australian - which just proves she deserved a nomination!!

5. The narration/presenter intro's - The fun facts (and completely made up?) narration that was heard while the winner was making their way to the stage and NPH's fun introductions of the presenters actually kept me from hitting the fast-forward button on my remote.

6. Dr. Horrible crashes the Emmys - This sketch made me add Dr. Horribles Sing-along blog to my netflix queue, which I had no interest in before. I loved his comparison to watching shows on a t.v versus a computer. Hilarious.

7. Ricky Gervais is once again the best presenter - the only person that can offend everyone in the room and not get booed off the stage. (Jimmy Fallon was a close second as best presenter - I'm not usually a fan of prat-falls but he did it well).

8. Kristen Chenowith and Alec Baldwin- The only winners that I actually agreed with! Plus, they both had a great speech. Kristen's "I'm unemployed now, so I would really like to be on Mad Men" was funny and honest. (On a side-note, the funny eye wear that all the nominees wore during the announcement wasn't really funny, but why wouldn't Vanessa Williams participate? She bothers me.) Alec's speech " I would trade this to look like him" referring to Rob Lowe, which made us wonder if he was kidding or if he is that self-deprecating, but all the same it was funny as hell.

9. Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedjwick - The best couple in Hollywood. They have been married for 21 years(!) and they seem completely happy and in love - which I guess proves my theories on marriage wrong.

worst:

1. Ryan Seacrest drooling over Blake Lively during the pre-show - Yes, her dress was provocative - but Ryan's inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour during his "interview" with her was an embarrassment. I put interview in quotes because he didn't actually ask her any questions about Gossip Girl or what she was presenting at the awards. She obviously felt uncomfortable and even quietly said "I'm only 22" so that maybe he would stop his drooling. It didn't work.

2. Weeds and Dexter pretty much ignored - Not only was Weeds not featured in the "Year in Comedy" montage, but both of these amazing shows received zero awards! I love both 30 Rock and Mad Men but I don't think they are the BEST shows on television right now. Plus Michael C. Hall is one of my favorite television actors ever (He should have been showered with awards for Six Feet Under as well), he has been nominated for 3 Emmys and 3 Golden Globes and hasn't won yet...I think it's his time already!!

3. Aaron Paul was robbed - The biggest upset of the night for me. Michael Emerson is amazing on Lost (as is Terry O'Quinn and Jeremy Davies) and any other year I would be ecstatic for a Lost win, however I promise you Aaron Paul is perfection in the second season of Breaking Bad. He truly deserved the award - hopefully the Golden Globes will not make the same mistake.

4. Jon Cryer - Really? He's more deserving than Jack McBrayer and Rainn Wilson? I would have even preferred Tracy Morgan to win.

5. The dancing - People I don't know dancing (and not even that great!) don't belong at the Emmys. And to think...people watch that crap EVERY week!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

4 Reasons Why "All About Steve" Is Not the Worst Film I Have Ever Seen

So it is obvious by now that "All About Steve" is ranked as the worst film of the year (and one of the worst theatrical released films ever - it currently has a measly 6% tomato reading on RottenTomatoes.com. Even "The Happening" has 11%!). After watching the film, I feel that the current lambasting of this film is a little harsh. It had several cute moments, a great cast and a quirky storyline. Yes, it probably should have been a straight to DVD release, but it wasn't the worst film I have ever seen by far. Here is why -

1. It's not really a romantic comedy - It's advertised like it is, but in reality it's more about the adventures of a single woman balancing between being herself and being America's version of what is "normal". It has a unique story about a woman who becomes so obsessed with Steve, not because she is actually in love with him but because he is her only chance to become "normal". While stalking him (literally following him around the country), she meets 2 friends who are just as unique as she is and begins to realize that being different is actually more "normal" than being the same as everyone else.

2. The guys - Bradley cooper (frosted tips...really?), Thomas Haden Chuch and Ken Jeong have a great chemistry together. Their scenes together could have really have been an entire film on its own. I do have a problem with Sandra - not because of her acting- but because of her "look" as Mary. I get that she was supposed to be eccentric, but the haircut and red boots made me HATE her.

3. It wasn't painful to watch - I actually didn't get bored once, it had well-paced humor and emotion. It wasn't laugh-out-loud funny like it should have been, but I think the critics were simply to harsh - it was described as "hopeless", "embarrassing", "vapid" and "bland."

4. America liked it - Usually America enjoys bad films and t.v, but in reality it is the "people" and not the critics that make or break a film and I have to say - the audience that watched the film with me ( a full crowd) clapped at the end of the film (no - not because it was over!). They enjoyed the film and I overheard several people saying "why were the reviews so bad? -it was cute!- I loved it! etc. Ideally a great film should be enjoyed by both the masses and the critics alike, but if the people like it then it can't really be the worst film of the year...right?

Sunday, September 13, 2009

12 New T.V Shows To Watch

Although the fall movie season looks disappointing, there are several new t.v shows that I am very excited about. So many in fact, that my dvr will be working over-time. Here is a look at what I will be watching...

1. Community - Joel McHale! Joel McHale! Joel McHale! The greatest television personality ever (o.k I might be exaggerating slightly) finally has his own t.v show. I'm not sure if Joel will be a decent actor or if the show will be successful, but I will support it anyway. Then again, if the show succeeds does that mean he will leave The Soup when his contract expires next year? Hmmm...nevermind...do not watch this show...

2. Glee - The sneak preview pilot that aired earlier this year was outstanding! It's a musical/comedy that is about high school outcasts (a.k.a the glee club) and the teacher, Will, who is a former glee-clubber trying to re-live his past (because his future is a little scary). The cast is perfect - Jane Lynch as the aggressive and highly competitive cheerleading coach, Jessalyn Gilsig (Hello..Gina from Nip/Tuck! Thank you Ryan Murphy, I was upset when Gina died - but now I forgive you.) as Will's wife - who is mildly psychotic and newcomer Lea Michelle as the star glee club member. However, the real star of the show is the actual performances by the glee club. I never though I would enjoy Kanye's "Gold Digger" being rapped by a white guy so much.

3. The Vampire Diaries - I have to admit I am a little tired of vampires! With the whole Twilight phenomenon, vampires are EVERYWHERE! But back in the day, I was a huge Buffy fan (yes, I even loved the original film!), so I am hoping this show will fill the void. Plus, Kevin Williamson knows how to make teen dramas interesting (i.e Dawson's Creek). I enjoyed the first episode and am looking forward to it becoming my next addiction. Did anyone else recognize main vampire Stephan as Donnie from The O.C?

4. Cougar Town - Getting past the AWFUL title, the show looks good. Single mom enjoying the dating scene starring Courtney Cox. The creators insist that the show is not just about her dating younger guys and that the title is based on the local football team named The Cougars, if they are telling the truth then the show has promise.

5. Melrose Place 2.0 - O.k. Truth be told...I was a Melrose junkie. Never missed an episode. As much as I loved the show and prayed for a reunion episode, I am not quite sure a "new" Melrose will ever be as good. And casting Ashley Simpson was the worst idea ever. Unfortunately, I am curious enough to watch it - the first episode was o.k. I loved watching Sydney and Michael in the same room, but how long will my nostalgia for the old Melrose last? The new cast was pretty uninteresting. We will see what happens.

6. Trauma - With so many hospital shows on t.v, I like the idea that this one is about the paramedics. However, the show kind of reminds me of Third Watch which was about paramedics, firefighters and police officers (the show was o.k, but never really captured my interest). Plus, it has a cast of relatively unknown actors (the only actor I recognize is Derek Luke). So in order for the show to truly capture my interest it is going to have to be one amazing pilot episode.

7. The Beautiful Life - or TBL (what the creators apparently would like you to call it). So Mischa Barton is kind of a disaster and one of the worst actresses ever and the "producer" Ashton Kutcher is a tool. However, I love reality model shows so I feel like I would enjoy a fictional account of the modeling world as well. Hopefully it brings the drama it will need to survive.

8. FlashForward - or the new Lost as the creators would like you to think. With ABC losing it's most beloved show next year, they are smart to get people addicted to a new show ASAP. The premise is obviously original (the entire human race blacks out at the same time and sees a glimpse of their future), I am intrigued on how they can drag that premise out for an entire series. Plus it already has the invested interest of Lost fans by employing Lost favorites Charlie and Penny. They even have Joseph Fiennes (an actual respected film and theatre actor!). The only bad things it has going for it is that it's What did you see? advertising gimmick is a little cheesy and J.J Abrams is not involved.

9. Modern Family - I was not amused by the extended commercial that I saw for this show, however it is trying to do a good thing for television by extending the t.v show version of "family" to include a more realistic version of family. Plus it has a gay couple. So I will have to support it. Please be funny.

10. V - I am not to familiar with the mini-series that this is based on (I just added it to my netflix queue), however the plot sounds great! And I welcome Scott Wolf's return to t.v.

11. Eastwick - This could be another Lipstick Jungle/Cashmere Mafia disaster show disguised as a campy, fun witch show. Hopefully not. I liked the film that the show is based on (although Jack Nicholson was over-the-top ridiculous).

12. Mercy - Another nurse show (did anyone else watch HawthoRNe? - I did only for Michael Vartan). Will it really be any different than the current doctor shows? I guess I am just a sucker, because I know I will be suckered in just like the rest of America. At least it has the always delightful Michelle Trachtenberg in it.

All of these shows, plus I still have to follow the shows that actually survived from last year (Dollhouse, Southland, Fringe, Parks and Recreation) - I guess it's a good thing I don't get premium channels (I wait for the dvds of my fav shows like Dexter, Weeds etc) otherwise I would never be able to leave my house!!

4 Reasons Why "District 9" Was an Unexpected Surprise

I knew nothing about "District 9" other than it has no known actors or director and that it is about aliens. I never planned on seeing it until Entertainment Weekly gave it a solid "A" (and a cover story!). In actuality, the film has one of the best acting performances that I have seen all year and it is about so much more than aliens. Here are reasons why the film took me by surprise.

1. Sharlto Copley - Never heard of him? You are not alone - he has never been in a feature film before, which truly blows my mind because he was fantastic. His characters transformation in the film is spectacular. Guaranteed to be a household name soon enough (he is rumored to be cast in The A-Team. The film is an awful idea, but at least he is among respected actors - Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper) maybe Oscar will come calling?

2. By far the best action film of the summer - Forget Transformers, Terminator and G.I Joe, this film blows them away and was made for a relatively low budget (30 million). The film is non-stop visual stimulation.

3. Not really about aliens - It's more about humanity, apartheid, racism and the competition for superior weapons and technology, but the film is so engaging that it doesn't distract the audience from enjoying the simple aliens vs. humans story.

4. It is like nothing I have ever seen - I guess what is so surprising to me is that it is a film that is so different that I have nothing to compare it to. It's an intelligent, heart-breaking, exciting allegorical sci-fi adventure film that feels like a documentary. I am amazed that the director was able to accomplish so much with one film. I'm very happy that I decided to go see it.