Yay for Nerdy Kids
I re-watched Spellbound earlier this week, and found myself utterly charmed again by those eight kids. Wondering how they fared, I Wikipedia-ed Spellbound. First, I cracked up and smiled because I’d forgotten that one of the kids ended up going to the U of C. Aw, U of C y’all! But then I read that one of the kids had passed away, and while death is never a particularly celebrated matter, this seemed especially stunning and cruel given just how much sweet, smart kids have to offer the world. (You may be cotton candy entertainment but this does not include YOU, you talentless female and male starlets. These are not the people who will solve crises and create innovate solutions, but I digress).
As much as I am a pop culture news junkie, it’s always nice to hear good news about bright, smart children. While I don’t believe that book smarts can solve all of the world’s problems, I do believe so many problems exist that you can never have too many of these types. This brings us to: The National Geographic Bee, where the average contestant there knows more than the average adult. The winning question was, “Cochabamba is the third-largest conurbation in what country?” Congrats to 11-year old Akshay Rajagopal!
Monkeys Like Snickers, Too.
So says a study by a team of neuroscientists at Emory, where this study is a part of their research on human junk food binges. One of the major differences, they say, is that humans tend to feel guilty about binging on junk food whereas monkeys don’t. Oh stupid humans and their feelings.
Funny Guests on Conan
This is not a major revelation, but Conan especially rocks when there are comics on. The riffs between him and the guests are spot on, and you can kinda see they’re genuinely having a good time doing as they do. I always look forward to seeing SNL/Daily Show standouts. But as long as they have proven comic timing, e.g. John Krasinski or Will Arnett, or a standup background, e.g. Jack McBrayer, it’s good times all around.
In recent weeks, my favorite guest has been Seth McFarlane. And I just remembered – he’s dating Eliza Dushku! So it’s a doubly bonus day for me – not only did I finally see McFarlane’s appearance on Conan, there’s also a new trailer for Dushku’s upcoming Whedon TV series, Dollhouse.
Dollhouse Trailer:
http://www.dollverse.com/trailer/
McFarlane on Conan:
Survival Kit 101
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:
-Gallons of Water
-First Aid Kit
-Perishable Food Items
-Flashlight + Extra Batteries
-Radio
-Swiss Army Knife
-Machete
-Stress Ball
-Swatches of Fabric
-Matches
-CHOCOLATE and gum
-Toilet Paper
-Toothbrush
-Soap
-Compass
-Rope
-Nail-cutters. No, seriously.
-A book (Hey, you never know!)
What things would you take?
Favorite Bands of the Moment
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”:
Summer Movies To Look Forward To
It’s summertime! Well, except in Monterey, where summer doesn’t happen. Go figure I’m living in the part of California without bloody summer.
Anyways, what’s summertime without explosions! shiny colors! sequels! Drum-roll: Top 7 Movies To Look Forward To:
Dancing With the Stars’ 100th Show
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.
I’ve Seen That Name Before!
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?
Get ready for Bruckheimer-Bay-style TV
Variety reported Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer may reteam on a TV series based on the documentary “Cocaine Cowboys”:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117985133.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
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.
