I’m fascinated by others’ web surfing habits. If you’re like me, you have your core sites, those places you keep an eye on, and scroll through often, perhaps daily. I would imagine that every list is something like a fingerprint. But maybe not, maybe I’m an unoriginal member of the horde….you be the judge, oh, and leave your own list…
I’ve been afflicted with the exercise bug since I was in high school, and have suffered through step aerobics (with or without the high tops), the Reebok Glide Slide (which is like a sideways "Slip ‘n’ Slide"), pilates (ouch), yoga (double ouch), weightlifting (I’m a wimp and have no muscles), and of course, running.
I’m somewhat saddened to have to be the one to blog about this. Other kulturbloggers have carved out their niches of expertise. Susan is our music goddess extraordinaire. D. is our movie expert with the library to back him up. I seem to have staked my claim to sci-fi and reality tv. Jeez. I know how it looks folks, but I swear I’m at least marginally cool in person.
Which brings me to Kathy Griffin…
In a squeaker, Steppenwolf’s "Magic Carpet Ride" edged out "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones, 16 votes to 15 (thanks to all those who voted as per my personal requests).
If you thought last week was close, this week is bound to be even more heated!
Hollywood is panicking because attendance at movies is down again this summer. I’m afraid I’ve gone along with the trend; while in past years I would go to one or two, I can’t remember having seen a single film in the theater this summer. I do make frequent visits to the local library, however . . .
You want culture? I started a cheese blog. (get it, culture…). Check it out, let me know what you think.
Is it just me or are there more really cool songs being resurrected in TV commercials lately?
I live and work in New York City. I don’t know if there is a neighborhood with a higher Beautiful People to Normal-looking People ratio than SoHo, which is where I work. Perhaps Beverly Hills, but you never see them because they are in their cars.
I am often asked the question, “What Hollywood star do you think is the most beautiful?” to which I usually respond that I don’t think any of them are all that great.
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I knew to lower my expectations a little when I saw that the New York Public Theater would be presenting Two Gentlemen of Verona: The Musical, but I was unprepared for how bad an evening of theater could be.
Aretha scrapes out a win with a single vote… in a poor turnout of 20 votes. On to a great new battle!
I have a problem. This summer I’ve been suckered into watching all kinds of reality tv programming that a year ago I never would’ve even considered watching. To make it even worse, I feel the need to actually talk to people about these shows. And even worse than that, my husband has also been suckered in.
I blame Brian G.
There’s a couple I’m hooked on, but ROCK STAR: INXS has to be the worst. Maybe because I’m a music fan, and I’m offended by what the band’s done to try to find a new singer. But because I’m a music fan, I can’t resist watching.
While trying to wrap up the pre-nap story time with my toddler boy today, and while absently reading Goodnight, Moon in a mock-enthusiastic voice for the third time in a row, I started to wonder what on earth I’ll be reading to him in, say, three years.
From this month’s issue, here’s the complete list, apparently just decided by Premiere staff editors. I think the term "overrated," in this case, refers to something that either has popular or critical acclaim, and perhaps both.
I put this list here just to generate discussion. I could easily dismiss 10 of these films from the list, but 10 are, indeed, overrated.
Heads up NYC, something wicked your way comes. If you’ve read the afore-name-checked Ray Bradbury novel or seen the Disney film version thereof, you’ll have some idea of what that something is. You guessed it–an evil circus!
You know, we used to have a sports category. Steve must have taken it down which only makes sense because for a long time the only thing under sports was a post about G.I. Joe. Is that proof we’re geeky or what? But I know there’s sports fans out there.
I had the good pleasure of emailing Brandon Bird, a fantastic artist best known for mixing classical themes with pop culture and satire. Operator of www.brandonbird.com, he’s been putting out some of the best pop art out there for several years. I’ve inserted some images from his site in this interview (click on them for full-size), but I recommend that you check out his site and buy many, many of his prints and paintings. During the interview I asked about his take on pop culture and the art industry.
Garfield 2 is in the works. Shame on Bill Murray for not being consistently fantastic, all the time! This is the most unwanted sequel since Miss Congeniality 2.
Interesting week — after a strong start, Joni Mitchell’s "California" lost out to Cat Stevens’ "Wild World," 20 votes to 6. 2 votes for Iron & Wine.
So…. for the first time, a non-rock Thunderdome!
Ever since I started earning my own spending money, I’ve shopped the bargain bins at the record stores. My collections of Elvis Costello and Jethro Tull cassettes come courtesy of the $3.99 section of my local Sam Goody store. Sure, you’ve got to wade through a lot of crap, but there are definitely some undervalued gems to be had if you know what to look for.
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Why is it that music stars can become actors, but actors cannot become rock stars?
Admit it, that Terry Jacks song from 1974 made you cry. “Seasons in the Sun†made us all cry in the 70s. It still can be a tear jerker today if one isn’t prepared. “Good bye to you my trusted friend. We’ve known each since we were nine or ten…†You know where it goes from there – straight to boo-hoo city.
So now’s your chance to get it off your chest, friends — What songs made/make you cry? Go ahead you can tell us… It’ll make you feel better.
So I was watching Goodfellas a while back and was awestruck by Scorcese’s use of music, in particular, the Layla montage. That scene and that music were *perfect* together. Good music in movies is great, but when the music is not only good, but makes a perfect paring with what you are seeing, it’s inspiring. I know I’m preaching to the choir here, so I won’t go on about that. But I’m wondering what other examples (scenes in particular, not necessarily entire movies) you can think of where the music and scene were perfect pairings.
In a squeaker, the Violent Femmes’ "Kiss Off" defeated Led Zeppelin’s "Immigrant Song", 25 votes to 20 (poor Beastie Boys got 6 votes). Well, last week’s songs were all very angry, shouty winners.
This week, let’s take it down a notch.