My parents have been on my case about getting together an earthquake survival kit since I moved to California. And I’ve been totally lazy about it, operating under the premise “Well they say it can happen, but can it really?”
The magnitude of the natural disasters in Myamar and China is extremely unsettling and finally spurring me to develop a kit. Well, that and my fears of apocalyptic doom. But hey, if you’re going to create a survival kit, you might as well mix in some fun things right? Here’s the beginnings of my future kit:
I recently discovered The Kills after hearing their new single ‘U R A Fever’, and am going through their albums with the giddy glee of a kid in the candy shop. The cinematography of the video is kinda…kinda creepy, but works well with the song:
I am a sucker for epic, instrumental music. And Explosions in the Sky is the perfect combination - epic, instrumental rock! I discover quite a bit of my music from TV/movies, and I’m also one of those freaks who can peg a specific piece of the music to a specific scene. Anyways, I came across these guys on Friday Night Lights. Here’s “First Breath After Coma”:
At first glance, it seemed like this was going to be a pretty strong season since there are some really talented dancers this season - Kristi Yamaguchi, Jason Taylor. But then, in the 100th show, they brought back two former couples - Apolo Anton Ohno & Julianne and Mel B. (you love the Spice Girls, don’t deny it!) and Maks:
Dude. I’d forgotten how fun it is to watch these guys dance! Mel B. was bloody robbed I say! It only spotlights how this season lacks a little pizazz - not bad, not awesome, just OK. Despite how good Jason and Kristi are, there really aren’t any couples I really look forward to seeing dance every week.
One of the signs you watch a lot of TV/movies? You start making connections like, “Hey! I know that person! He was that extra who was in that show five years ago!” (e.g. Paul Giamatti plays a hotel employee in My Best Friend’s Wedding who tells Julia Roberts smoking isn’t allowed in the hotel, only to join her. Paul Giamatti!)
Anyways, I just realized that Michael Giacchino, who wrote the scores for The Incredibles and Ratatouille, writes the music for Lost! Yeah, the same guy who set the tone for a sweet movie about a rat overcoming the odds is the same person who writes that oh so lovely, creepy score. Is that range or what?
Intriguing, no? Bay is reportedly an enormous arrogant ass who can’t resist an explosion. Ever. But come on, the Rock, Con Air, Armagaeddon were good cotton candy fun. And hey, their movies keep the stuntpersons employed.
I was 6 episodes behind on Lost thanks to a combination of a shoddy ABC player and a shoddy Internet connection. I know the ABC player and CBS player suck because Hulu.com streams perfectly well.
Now I’m only 3 episodes behind, and boy have I missed this show.
Except for Desmond and Ben, the post-first season characters still don’t draw me in. Just finished the Juliet-centric episode, and she’s had her moments in this series but I still don’t really care for her storyline. Because they were integrated really well in an action-heavy ep, I still want to know more about Miles, Farraday and Charlotte. Part of the draw is I get a nerdy kick everytime I hear the name Farraday.
Memorable quote of my evening Lost marathon:
“How come we don’t know about this [a secret sanctuary]?” -Carl
“Well it wouldn’t be a sanctuary if I told everyone about this, would it?” -Ben
Hands down, the best part of television. I’m talking about that jaw-dropping, no way, WTF! moment where everything coalesces into a perfect intersection and you can’t believe what just freaking happened!
Reality shows, though entertaining, don’t deliver the huge twist with that same weight. Serials, on the other hand, have a form that allows them to build up to that WOW! moment.
When it’s on all cylinders, Lost kicks ass at this. Alias and Heroes, the same. 24. But oh man, GOSSIP GIRL. Let’s talk about Gossip Girl. Disclaimer: If you haven’t seen this episode, don’t click on this link. I knew about it beforehand and I really wish I hadn’t. And if you haven’t seen an episode then you need to run out and watch it. All 16 of them. You’ll thank me later. Anyways: this moment at the end of the episode yesterday?!
WTF?! BTW, props to Alexandra Patsavas as usual on her music supervision. The music at the end only heightened the bizarre dual reality/disreality that is this show.
I’m all for trying to do your part in conservationism, but I get a cheap thrill when celebrities who claim to be environmentally friendly get busted. I’m sure the article plays up the facts, but it’s still pretty amusing. Come on guys, put your money where your mouth is. If Radiohead can do it, so can you.
