Jumper

View date: 7/20/09

Jumper is a movie about a group of people that can jump through space to any location they have 'mapped'. There is another group, led by Samuel L. Jackson's character, who hunt and kill the so-called jumpers. They believe it is the only way to protect society. There is an age-old war between the two groups, and the main character is trying to prove himself different.

This movie seemed a little rushed to me. It definitely could have been expanded to include more of the limitations and abilities of the jumpers. The war between the two groups could have been explored further. However, there was a nice twist at the end, and this was probably one of Hayden Christianson's better roles.

10 words or less: Not horrible, but could have been better.

Smack

Author: Melvin Burgess
Completion Date: 7/20/09

This book is a story about a normal kid who runs away in England to escape abuse from his alcoholic parents. He is a really good kid that just needs to find a new situation in life. His girlfriend follows, and she introduces him to a group of friends that are into heroin. Prior to this, he had smoked some pot and drank, perhaps tried a few other, more minor drugs. But once he starts with smack, he can’t stop. The story follows his decline into addiction, his attempts to get clean, and the effect both have on his relationships.

I really like the format of this book. Each chapter is written from the perspective of a different character in the story. I found the prose itself rather difficult to read, partially because of the style and partially because of the British slang used throughout the story. I thought parts of it were really moving, and thought it really delved into the troubles of both runaways and addicts.

10 words or less: OK, but I won't read it again.

Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer

View Date: 7/19/09

This sequel to the original Fantastic 4 movie brings the Silver Surfer to the planet, as well as brings back the original cast.

There really isn’t that much to say about this flick. The first 20 minutes was the only humorous part of the film, and the rest couldn’t hold my attention. The acting was pretty bad, about on par with the first one. I really hope they don’t continue on with this franchise; it’s just not worth it if this is what will result.

10 words or less: Not worth the time.

Children of Chabannes

View Date: 7/20/09

This documentary is about a group of children sent to France during the Second World War to protect them from the atrocities of the Holocaust. Most of these children never saw their families again. The children were educated and assimilated into the culture of this very small farming village. The teachers made sure to work with the children to perfect their accents and become as strong as possible to give these children the best survival tools they could provide.

The film was narrated and produced by the daughter of one of these amazing children. The truly unbelievable part is that, of the hundreds of children involved and the German influence on France, only 6 children were lost. This is wholly due to the organizers and teachers of the school, who cared for these people as children and did not see them solely as Jews. They risked their own lives many times to protect their charges.

Many of the children involved remained in France after the group was separated due to increasing German presence in their area. Others emigrated to the United States or Israel after the war. As such, the piece is partially subtitled and partially in English. This may make it difficult for some viewers. However, it was a truly fascinating piece, not only the descriptions by the surviving children, but through the recollections of the teachers as well. The excerpts from the diaries of the principal and the scrapbooks of the school children were incredibly enlightening, and highlighted not only the danger faced, but also the everyday life of the children.

10 words or less: Maybe not for everyone, but an interesting film.

Sorority Boys

View Date: 7/19/09

This is a goofy college romance/comedy about a trio of guys that get kicked out of their fraternity by the backstabbing of a fellow brother. They then present themselves in drag to the sorority of misfits, who accept them into their fold. The guys actually help the other members of the sorority improve their place in the college hierarchy, and everything turns out happy in the end. This was definitely not the first time I have seen this movie, and as soon as my daughter saw it she asked that I keep it on because even she likes it.

Besides some really bad wigs, I like this movie. I know it is not the best movie out there, and not even the best of its kind. However, it’s a fun movie with some fairly cute guys and some actual acting talent. Several of the actors are known for their television performance, and there are some well-known movie actors in the mix as well. This is a fun way to spend some time not having to really concentrate on anything in particular and just enjoy some raunchy humor.

10 words or less: Fun brainless comedy with some very poor drag.

Alive

View Date: 7/18/09

Alive is the story of the Uruguay rugby team that crashed in the Andes during winter. The survivors of the crash had to deal with unbearable cold, injury, illness, and death. They had no way of communicating with the rest of the world, and wound up running out of food. As a result, they resorted to cannibalism of the dead for survival. In the end, two of the stranded walk out of the Andes and bring back a rescue squad.

I had seen this movie before, and it was just as moving this time around. The performances are very real to the point that I wanted to smack people acting like fools or cheer when the group was rescued. Of all the acting, I think that the person best known, Ethan Hawke, actually had the least believable performance of the group. I am glad the actors did not use accents, although at times it makes you forget that the team is from Uruguay. Overall, this is a movie very worth watching.

10 words or less: One everyone should see.

Top Chef: Masters (Bravo)

View Date: 7/29/09

Chefs: Rick Bayless, Michael Chiarello, Art Smith, Anita Lo, Hubert Keller, and Suzanne Tracht

Tonight is the champion's round, with the previous winners back to compete for the big reward for their charities.

Quickfire Challenge: Working in teams of three, the chefs competed in the classic and always a favorite Mise en Place relay race. And Tom Choliccio was the guest judge/referee. The chefs on the winning team will get an advantage going in to the next round. Each team needs to open 15 oysters, chop 5 onions, butcher 4 chickens, and finally separate 5 eggs and wisk them by hand until they will stay upside-down in the bowl for 5 seconds. This is particularly tough because these chefs generally haven't prepared ingredients en masse like this in years. The team of Rick, Anita, and Hubert won the challenge.

In-Between Challenge: The chefs had to cook their signature dish for presenting to the other chefs, supposedly so they could learn more about each other.

Elimination Challenge: The chefs now have to recreate and reimagine another chef's signature dish. Hubert got to pick first because he went twice for the winning team in the relay race. Whoever he picked, that chef would have to recreate his dish. The other chefs had to draw knives to determine which dish they would be making. Hubert and Anita were paired, Art and Suzanne, and Rick and Michael. The special diners tonight are former TCM competitors. Rick and Anita had the high scores tonight, and Anita won overall with 24 of 25 stars. Suzanne went home by half a star due to some cold and overdone fish.

10 words or less: I think it's only 4 more weeks of this.

SYTYCD

View Date: 7/29/09

The top 6 competed tonight for a chance at the finale. Once again, Cat looks amazing and adorable at the same time. I'm quite amazed that Evan has lasted as long as he has. Our guest judge was Lil' C tonight, which is always a fun and enlightening experience. Each couple will perform two dances, then each dancer will also perform a solo and in a group number. Being the top 6, the dancing is expected to be spectacular. No matter what the decision is tonight/tomorrow, the loss will hurt like it has every year.

Guys group dance:
The guys performed a Sonia routine. It is so weird seeing only three of them there (Mom- Evan seems to be bringing it up to the level of the other guys this week. He seems to be bringing out more of his personality, too.) I love watching a group of guys dance a very powerful routine. Seeing these guys fly across and above the stage is breathtaking. The choreography was perfect with this group, and each guy brought so much of themselves. I totally agree with Lil' C in that Evan did not get lost with the other two, and really made himself visible in a good way.

Jeanine and Ade's first dance: This couple performed a Louis van Amstel samba routine. I really almost lost Ade at times in this routine with how amazing Jeanine was. They seemed to be in unison throughout the routine, and the routine definitely seemed to bring the heat desired by the choreographer, mostly because of Jeanine. Mary really ripped apart the the dancing, and it may very well be true. She only really talked about Ade's performance, so I'm unsure how Jeanine's technique really was. (Mom- They almost looked like virgins making love. They went through all the motions but didn't know how to being the sexiness.) At least Nigel complimented Jeanine's performance. Ade is really having trouble with the ballroom numbers, but he does pose well.

Kayla's solo: Haven't we heard this song already this year? She did seem to be more dynamic this week, so we'll see how she does the rest of the night.

Melissa and Evan's first dance: The couple performed a Broadway routine by Tyce DiOrio. This is very much Evan's type of dance, so the judges will be expecting a lot, but Tyce seemed to really like working with him. Honestly, I don't think Melissa could keep up with him on this one. She seemed to look stiff throughout the routine to me, and some of her movements looked like they should have been faster. It really was nice seeing Evan in his own style for a change. Now, I don't think that Melissa did poorly, but Evan outshone her.

Ade's solo: with his frenetic movements that he prefers, he should pick faster music. He can be really hit-or-miss with the slower music.

Kayla and Brandon's first dance: This couple performed a Stacey Tookey contemporary routine. This is the style for both of these dancers, so the judges will be expecting more than perfection from them. For being a relatively small guy, Brandon is just awesomely powerful. This was also the best dance of the night so far. There was so much emotion expressed from both dancers, and I could really see the story come through.

Melissa's solo: This was probably her best solo of the year. The music really suited her style of dance, and it looks like she really worked on it for this week.

Jeanine and Ade's second dance: This couple performed a Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop routine. Both commented on just how many hip-hop they've done already this season. It's a good thing, then, that they're both really good at it. We also got our first "buck" routine of the night. This was a wonderful use of props, and especially with using some of the boxes as shoes. Maybe Jeanine should consider changing her style to hip-hop, because she really seems to excel at it.

Brandon't solo: The man wore some nu-huggers tonight, and made them look amazing. He picked the perfect piece of music, the perfect dance for that music, and the piece was perfectly timed. It even received a standing ovation from the judges, and Nigel complimented him by saying he just gave us one of the best solos ever seen on this show. He reminds me of the group of male dancers from last year that Will looked like he could have joined. It was phenomenal. It was perfect. WOW!

Melissa and Evan's second dance: This couple performed a Louis van Amstel quickstep routine. This dance style really seemed right up Evan's alley, because it is so old Hollywood. Then with his costuming tonight, He looked very dapper and quite handsome. Melissa did quite a good job too. The height difference was quite noticeable throughout much of the routine, but it worked out OK. I thought that this was one of the better quicksteps performed on this show. Side note: I can't believe Nigel just compared Melissa to Cloris Leachman.

Jeanine's solo: She is still my favorite female dancer this season. She is by far the most dynamic and shows that in her solos.

Evan's solo: Wonderful. He is an entertainer. He may not be the best dancer out there, but he is the most fun to watch, especially in his style. In that way, he reminds me a lot of Benji.

Kayla and Brandon's second dance: This couple performed a Doriana Sanchez disco routine. At least we know that Brandon can do disco, or at least he could with Janette. I know that most people look at the girls in the routines, but my eyes couldn't stay off of Brandon. It was also really nice to see the guy doing some of the partner-assisted flips and drops. Hell, it even got Nigel up out of his seat and screaming tonight.

Girls group routine: The girls performed a Sonia contemporary routine. I don't think that it was a powerful as the guys' routine, but that would be hard to top. It was performed well. I did notice that Melissa did not have a solo section while the other girls did. I wonder if that was planned that way, or if it was altered because Melissa could not hack it. I agree with Joe C, but in other words there could have been more.

The only person that should be absolutely safe tonight is Brandon. He absolutely shone tonight, brighter than anyone else this season. Looking back, his routines have gotten the only two standing ovations given by the judges all year. And it was a wonderful night for his mother to be present for the first time.

Kayla will probably be safe, because she participated in two of the best performances of the season. But honestly, I think that Jeanine is the best female dancer of the group. She is an absolute chameleon.

If I was voting, I would probably see Melissa and Ade go home. They both have had some fairly weak performances after they reached the top ten, but were always saved by another dance performed that night. Melissa's solos have been the weakest all season, and she seems really stiff in many other styles. Ade is an amazing specimen and a fantastic dancer. Honestly, this is probably the toughest decision for me. Ade is probably the better dancer, but Evan is much more entertaining when he is really on. I always look forward to seeing Evan dance, and he has proven himself to be more versatile than originally thought.

10 words or less: Tough decisions tonight, hardest of the season.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

View Date: 7/18/09

This is the sixth movie in the Harry Potter series, which goes along with the sixth book. The story gives much of the history of Voldemort, as well as expresses the danger now being encountered by the good guys. The movie also started to really explore teenage romances, with the main characters either becoming involved in romances or determining their feelings.

The makers of the movie obviously had to cut out a lot of the story to make this two and a half hour movie. However, I feel like they cut out some crucial parts and majorly changed others. On the good side, the action sequences were really well done. Also, I thought the movie was actually funnier than the book.

I may be a huge HP fan, but I don't totally obsess about what was changed between the book and the movie. I can appreciate the movies for their entertainment value. While I was disappointed with parts of this movie, I can appreciate the good and take the bad.

10 words or less: Can't wait until the final movies come out.

Shortbus

View Date: 7/17/09

This film by John Cameron Mitchell is about the lives of 6 New Yorkers as they explore their sex lives and preferences. All aspects of love and sex are explored, particularly with the help of the underground club Shortbus.

John Cameron Mitchell always pushes the limits of art with his movies. In this, he chose not to simulate any of the sex scenes, of which there were many. And you name it, it was in there.

I watched this movie mainly because I heard how shocking and edgy it was. Honestly, I thought that it was also a fairly interesting story as well. The graphic sex was used to explore the various issues the main characters are having. I also found the backstory video very interesting, perhaps even more so than the movie itself. Overall, a fairly good movie.

10 words or less: I'll watch anything by John Cameron Mitchell.

J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life

View Date: 7/17/09

This was a documentary special aired by ABC right after the latest Harry Potter movie was released. A film crew worked with Jo Rowling during the time she was finishing the final Harry Potter book. Interviews were also conducted during this time frame. They reviewed her childhood, her time living on welfare, and the process of writing her famous books. They also discussed the loss of her mother and other happenings that greatly influenced her writing.

The show was OK. Even with how big of a fan I am, I probably wouldn't watch this again. I have seem many better shows about the author, and many better interviews. It felt kind of choppy and haphazardly put together.

10 words or less: Watch the Biography Channel episode instead.

Sense and Sensibility

View Date: 7/15/09

This film is a wonderful adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. Now, I am definitely not a a Jane Austen fan. However, this is one of several adaptations of her works that I have enjoyed. It is a story of three sisters and their mother trying to deal with life after their father/husband dies. They also have to deal with a nasty sister-in-law and a brother who bows to her every whim. The two older sisters meet men, people fall in love, and the meddling adults and neighbors try to set up the young or single people.

This movie makes me wonder just how many actors there are in England. It seems that they are all in either the Harry Potter series or a Hugh Grant ensemble movie, such as Four Weddings and a Funeral or Love Actually. But I jest. There are many, many familiar faces for those fans of the above movies, and they are some huge names, indeed. Included are Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman.

As I said above, I enjoyed this movie. The accents were believable as they should have been with this cast. The actors all lived up to their reputations in this movie, and it seemed to keep with the feel of the books. From what I could tell, the story seemed to follow the original work, but it has been a long time since I last read this.

Overall, I enjoyed this. I probably will not watch it again because of the author, but it was not a bad experience, especially if you're in the right mood.

10 words or less: Excellent acting and casting improve on the author's work.

We Own The Night

View Date: 7/14/09

We Own The Night is a movie starring Mark Whalberg, Joachin Phoenix, and Robert Duvall. Robert Duvall plays the police chief and Mark Whalberg his son and an officer in his precinct who are starting a new taskforce to taake down the leading drug lords in the area. Phoenix plays another son who is a promoter at some local night clubs. Unfortunately, he winds up being busted in a drug crackdown, after which all kinds of bad things happen.

I watched this movie primarily for the actors and not for the storyline. Thank goodness for that. I didn't care too much for this movie in general. The acting was OK, the story was OK, but there wasn't much else going for it. I would have to say this movie was mediocre at best.

10 words or less: Won't be watching this one again.

Rocky Balboa

View Date: 7/13/09

This is the sixth Rocky movie in the franchise, and not too bad overall. It tells the story of an aging boxer who runs a Philadelphia eatery who is not completely satisfied with his place in the world. He is constantly at odds with his son who desperately wants to find a way out from his father's shadow. Adrian has died and he has not been able to get past it two years later. After some soul searching, he realizes that he misses boxing and decides he would like to take part in a few local matches even though he is very old by boxing standards.

This movie seemed to capture some of the emotions and drama from the early movies. I was luckily able to see some clips from the extrasam even though I watched this movie on TV. It described how various parts were recreated from the original, whereas other parts were based on real life experiences of both Stallone and other boxers.

Considering the fact that this was made about 30 years after the original, it was one of the better movies in the series. I really felt for Rocky, and Stallone really looked the part of a person who had been beaten for many, many years on a routine basis. I could also relate to the son, who just wanted to find his own way in the world and be respected for he is, not just because of who his father is. The loss of Adrian was felt by all of us, but the role of female supporter was successfully filled. Overall, I thought this was a surprisingly good movie that really kept my attention.

10 words or less: If Stallone hadn't been Rocky, would he be a star?

SYTYCD

View Date: 7/23/09

Tonight is the 100th episode, and what a celebration they are having. I always love montages, but I almost wish they did the seasons separately instead of combining all of the footage together. I also wish they had extended this episode to 2 hours to fit even more goodies in.

I was somewhat surprised to see Janette in the bottom two, but wasn't surprised to see Kayla there. As for the guys, Jason was once again in the bottom, which I'm a little surprised about, but Brandon utterly shocked me. I must say, Melissa and Ade really lucked out performing by performing that Tyce contemporary routine, because I really thought they would be going home.

When it comes to the showcase numbers, they couldn't have picked better. The Hummingbird and Flower from Season 3. The Bench Routine from Season 2. The Ramalama dancing zombie routine from Season 2 with the choreographer in the routine too. The dancing was completely spot on, and it looked like they had been dancing together since they left the show. And Katie Holmes was actually did a really respectable job, even if it was taped.

As far as the eliminations, it is an absolute crime that Janette is going home tonight. Jason going home is a little more reasonable, but still a shame. They are both such fantastic dancers, and it is hard to lose either one.

10 words or less: I really hate America sometimes. Janette was robbed!

The Phadelphia Zoo

Visit Date: 7/12/09

The Philadelphia Zoo is the nation's oldest. It tends to be well-known for its great ape exhibits.

I remember loving the Philly Zoo when I was a kid, except we always went with camp on the hottest days of the summer. Since then, my family and I have been to many zoos around the country, and even one internationally. I now find that the Philly Zoo suffers from some of the same problems as other older zoos: the exhibits are still predominated by the older cage style.

Newer zoos were designed to showcase the animals in more natural habitats, sometimes including several species in the same area. Also, zoos such as the Cleveland Metropark Zoo, ensure the animals can be seen at all times throughout the year. The Philly Zoo, as experienced by several members of my family, is severely lacking in this area. Additionally, the zoo recently shipped their elephants to other locations due to lack of funds for improving their exhibit. Unfortunately, this is not being seen as a temporary change. And as my daughter states since she was very young, it's not a zoo without elephants.

That's not to say that everything about this zoo is bad. Several exhibits have been revamped to showcase the animals in more natural environments. The great ape house, which had to be rebuilt due to a fire, is centrally located and a relaxing place to spend some time in the middle of your visit. Likewise for the big cat exhibit, but there are fewer places to sit.

Unfortunately, of all the zoos I have visited, the Philadelphia Zoo isn't near the top of my list. Amazingly enough, the top zoo on my list is Cleveland's, followed closely by the National Zoo in Washington DC. If Philly continues to modernize and naturalize the exhibits, as well as becomes more winter-friendly, my opinion of it may increase.

10 words or less: Disappointing compared to many others.

Top Chef: Masters (Bravo)

View Date: 7/22/09

Competitors: Jonathan Waxman, Roy Yamaguchi, Art Smith, Michael Cimarusti

Quickfire Challenge: The chefs need to cook the best meal they can using $20 and only one aisle of the grocery store, which corresponds to the number on the knife they chose. Michael won this challenge with his chocolate parfait.

Elimination Challenge: The challenge is to create a dish using 7 items from a mystery box prepared by a rival chef and made for culinary students. Art Smith won the challenge with a Southern fried chicken dish and is the last chef to move on to the champions round.

10 words or less: Looking forward to this being over.

SYTYCD

View Date: 7/22/09

Tonight the top 8 dancers performed. Cat looked very nice tonight all shiny and golden with the slicked-back hair. The special judges tonight were Mia Michaels and Ellen Degeneres. I think this may be the first time we've had a guest judge that wasn't a dancer or choreographer. I do wonder, however, if she will say anything negative tonight. They are having a different week because Thursday night the 100th episode special show.

Group Dance: All of the dancers joined together for a Travis Wall high energy mixed-style number. The lighted costumes really make it stand out when someone is off in their movements. I mention this because there was a segment when Jason was off while dancing in the front and in the dark. But overall, this was a great routine, and Travis is an excellent choreographer. (Mom- Kayla really stands out with that very blond hair, and she seemed a little off at points.)

Evan and Janette's first dance: This couple performed a Sonia jazz routine. sonia really does pick music that most other choreographers on this show wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. I'm just not quite sure about this routine in general. (Mom- They are actually suited from each other. The costumes also work well. And Evan kept up with Janette well.) I thought the routine was performed well, but I'm not sure about the choreography itself. I'm really glad that the judges liked the performance, and I'm glad Evan stepped up tonight. I wasn't overwhelmed with this dance, so it will really depend on the other performances tonight.

Kayla's solo: Pretty dress which I wouldn't mind wearing on a night out. It was a somewhat different routine this week, but still in the standard female contemporary style that tends to bore me.

Brandon and Jeanine's first dance: This couple performed a Hunter Johnson waltz. Interesting choreographical move to start the dance in a lift. And Jeanine's dress was yet another gorgeous one tonight. I thought it was very pretty, and there didn't seem to be a single misstep. I agree with Mary in that it was a respectable routine, but probably could have been better. The music was very slow, and that could have been part of the problem.

Jason's solo: I didn't like this solo as much as I enjoyed other performances of his, but it was a lot livelier than most male contemporary solos. I don't think this compares to last week's solo, but it was a decent effort.

Ade and Melissa's first dance: This reunited couple performed a Tony Meredith Cha-Cha routine. She looked incredibly hot in that flaming dress. But honestly, I was a little disappointed in this dance. I thought they both needed to shake their hips more throughout the entire routine. Not my favorite routine by them, and it won't be that memorable in the long run. I think the only part I may remember is Melissa's dress.

Janette's solo: Not a good solo for her. It may have been to show her versatility, but being a salsa dancer, she needs to use faster music and show more skin.

Jason and Kayla's first dance: this couple performed a Tyce Diorio Broadway routine. Not the most exciting Broadway routine that's been performed on this show. I do think that Jason was a lot better, even though Kayla had the look for the piece. It is so nice that he is finally being given the chance to shine. Nigel commented that this was the best routine so far tonight, but I think that's because the other dances thus far have been rather weak. However, Jason's performance was the best of the evening at this point of the show.

Ade's solo: Winner of the most dynamic solo award!!! That was amazing, just downright amazing. He picks unusual music and manipulates his body in ways that the other dancers this season don't.

Evan and Janette's second dance: This couple performed a Tony Meredith rhumba. I'm a big fan of the rhumba in general. I think this was an amazing performance. Janette is a beautiful dancer, and Evan is doing wonderfully well tonight. I disagree with Nigel in that I think Evan did really well in this performance. There were times that he could have taken some of the smile off his face, and he doesn't seem to check out the girls during his numbers that is sometimes required.

Melissa's solo: She just isn't good at dancing solos. I understand she is a ballerina, but even with quicker music her dancing was really slow.

Brandon and Jeanine's second dance: This couple danced a pop jazz number. I thought this was a very good routine, and performed very well. Jeanine is an amazing dancer, and Brandon is still phenomenal. These two are still at the top of my list. They should both make the top four.

Evan's solo: Evan's solos are always so much fun. He does many of the same moves every time, but is thoroughly entertaining. He may not be the best dancer, but he is one of the most entertaining on this show ever.

Jeanine's solo: Since she has entered the top ten, she has definiely been one of the top female dancers for me. I can see why she made it so far. Every time I have seen her dance over the past two weeks shows me just how much she was held back by her partner previously.

Ade and Melissa's second dance: This couple performed a Tyce Diorio contemporary routine. This is much more what I expected from this pairing. They just needed a really good, emotional piece to let their talents shine. I did get the story from the dancing that was described in the practice tape. It showed how much they trust each other, and of course Ade's power. This routine reminded me a lot of Mia Michael's routine about losing her father. I actually totally agreed with Nigel's comments about this routine, and am moved by his emotions. Probably the best and most beautiful routine of the night. I said last week that you always know when a routine is good when the judges give it a standing ovation. Let me add that you can say the same when a routine brings the judges to tears.

Brandon's solo: I just love watching that man dance, especially shirtless. I think it was the most dynamic solo from the guys, and maybe one of the best of the night.

Jason and Kayla's second routine: This couple performed a Shane Sparks hip-hop number about zombies. I definitely would not have wanted to be performing this routine tonight, solely because they had to follow the breast cancer-inspired dance. That said, they did perform this well. It does seem kind of odd that Kayla keeps getting these very goth routines.

Definitely tough voting tonight. Some people I thought would definitely be going home came through in the end and had some amazing performances. Melissa and Ade had the weakest routine overall, and also had the weakest solos of the night. But then they did have the most emotional performance of the night as well.

10 words or less: The voting will be very tough tonight.

300

View Date: 7/11/09

300 is the story of the king of Sparta taking 300 men to go up against the largest army ever known at that time, the Persian army. Persia was conquering every nation it came across in its bid to take over the world. The city's council would not support a full-fledged attack or even a defensive stand, as they were heeding the advice of corrupt individuals. King Leonidas chose to fight for freedom rather than surrendering to slavery.

This movie was spectacular. I had heard from many people that it was good, and I wish I had listened and seen this sooner. The fight scenes were fantastic. The visual enhancements were subtle but totally appropriate (it definitely wasn't obviously animated like I was expecting). This was a great story to be turned into a movie, and even included small moments of humor. Overall, this was a great movie.

10 words or less: A visually breathtaking heroic movie for the ages.

Shows I Have Stopped Watching This Summer

This won't be like my usual posts, in that I won't actually be reviewing anything. I did notice recently, however, that I have actually stopped watching several shows this summer, which is rather unusual for me. I thought I'd put together this post to summarize which ones and why.

The Secret Life of the American Teenager: This is probably the most surprising of the bunch. I had been watching this show from the very first episode, and even told several people about it. But now that the build-up about the teenage pregnancy is over and the baby has gone home with Amy, the show just couldn't hold my attention. Also, I just couldn't put up with Amy's whining and bitching any longer. After three seasons, I had to let this one go.

Make It or Break It: This show didn't live up to my expectations from the start. I didn't connect with the characters at all. The promos also made the show seem like it would be similar to the movie Stick It, but there was no humor. This one was broken for me from the beginning, even though it is being praised by critics.

10 Things I Hate About You: This one I will take full responsibility for dropping. The critics seem to absolutely love this show. I have read nothing but rave reviews, particularly regarding the young actors. I just couldn't get past the movie, both the similarities and differences.

True Blood: I started watching this show during its second season. I had originally been waiting to start this show until after I had read the books. I picked it up at the beginning of the second season, right after I finished the first book. Turns out, that was both a good thing and a bad thing. It was good in that I wasn't completely lost. It was bad because I realized just how much they changed. I was very confused and disappointed because of the changes. And the books are just so much better than the show. I am glad that I gave this show a try, as I am now able to put faces to the characters in the books. But no matter how much I love vampire stories, I won't be going back to this one except in book form.

10 words or less: A few have fallen by the wayside. Who's next?

Music and Lyrics

View Date: 7/10/09

This movie stars Hugh Grant as a washed-up former pop star. He is currently accepting any job that crosses his path, including writing a new song for the current pop princess. He is very talented as a musician, but has no real skill at writing lyrics.

Drew Barrymore plays a former writer who comes in to water his plants while he is working with a professional lyricist. While she is goung around his apartment watering the plants, she starts singing with the music he is playing. Of course, her version is much better than the lyricist's, so he gets fired and she gets hired. She, of course, has a past which makes her run away at inappropriate times, but they do wind up securing the song deal with the singer.

This is a typical romantic comedy with the usual happy ending. Hugh Grant is his usual adorable self, and Drew Barrymore reminds me of her character in The Wedding Singer, one of my favorites. The chemistry seems to work alright between the two. It is a very typical rom-com, but it's not bad if you're looking for that kind of movie.

10 words or less: A light, fun rom-com with a sappy ending.

Eureka

Airing Date: Fridays, 9pm, SyFy

This is a show about a town full of geniuses who work on highly classified projects, mostly for the US government. There is one "normal" person in town, the sheriff Jack Carter, who always seems to wind up saving the day. He is definitely street smart, and he uses the knowledge of the town's other inhabitants to keep the town safe.

While the show is formulaic, with a science project gone awry every episode, the humor is what sets this show apart. It is geek humor mixed with suspense, and you always want to see what kind of trouble happens each week. I have been watching this show from the beginning, and have enjoyed it immensely. Carter is surrounded by an interesting group of friends in town that he has come to rely on, but they can cause trouble of their own. He has his enemies as well, including the US government and the former head of the local research company. Even when things look hopeless, he always manages to pull through.

10 words or less: Love it, love it, love it. You should watch.

Royal Pains

Air Date: Thursdays, 10pm, USA Network

This show is about two brothers who start a concierge medical practice in the Hamptons after the older brother gets fired as an ER doctor. The younger brother is a CPA who convinces the doctor to start the practice. Joining them are a local ER doctor who also plays the older brother's love interest, an a physician's assistant in whom the younger brother is smitten.

My parents first got into this show and recommended that I watch it. As it is a show this summer, I did not miss many episodes, and was able to catch most of them during a marathon event. This is a cute show, even if it is rather formulaic. There is a medical case to be solved every episode with a few underlying storylines. You are also provided with sexual tension and relationship issues.

However, it is also rather fun. There is a great deal of humor, particularly involving the younger brother. It could be classified as a dramedy, and involves mild geek humor in addition to standard brother friction humor. I have been enjoying this show, but not sure if I would choose it if another show was up against it.

10 Words or less: Cute show, but also rather formulaic.

Living Dead in Dallas / Club Dead

Author: Charlaine Harris
Completion Dates: 7/09

These are the second and third books in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Honestly, I think this series is getting better with each book. You are getting to know the characters better as the series continues. I found the stories incredibly gripping, as evidenced by the fact that I read both of these books in approximately 3 days. The sexual tension grows with each book, and I keep wondering if Sookie is actually with the right guy. Also, I am much more interested in the supporting characters, particularly Eric, than I am with either Sookie or Bill. I may even have to pick up books in this author's other series as well, especially if they're anywhere near as entertaining as these.

10 words or less: The series just keeps getting better.

SYTYCD

View Date: 7/16/09

Well, I was not surprised to see Randi and Kupono go home this week. Their dances were just generally pretty bad this week.

I wasn't even overly surprised to see Melissa at the bottom. As I mentioned about the performance episode, her solo was relatively weak compared to the other girls. Also, I'm not sure America really connected with the Hair routine. I think Melissa may be this year's Will: the most technically perfect dancer of the bunch, but will be eliminated before the final 4.

The one I was really surprised about was Ade. I think he is one of the two best guy dancers of the group. While I still don't understand Cat's comment after his solo, he was fabulous. There are people that think Ade wasn't actually in the bottom 2. I think that maybe it was like what happened on American Idol a few years back where the frontrunner was eliminated well before the finals.

10 words or less: It was time for Randi and Kupono to go.

An Evening With Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder

View Date: around 7/10/09

As mentioned in the title, this was the second DVD set of Q&A sessions with the director Kevin Smith. He is best known for his movies including Clerks, Mallrats, and Dogma.

Basically, Kevin Smith gets up in front of auditoriums full of people, mostly college kids, and answers their questions in a rambling sort of way. Included in the answers are other stories about his life which he was reminded about by the questions. In this particular 4-hour collection, he spoke in Toronto and London.

I had originally watched the Toronto show streaming on Netflix back in March. It was just as good as I expected, so I made sure to add the second portion, London, to my DVD queue. If anything, it was better than the first half. I am still laughing about some of the anecdotes, such as his favorite sexual euphemism and when his daughter walked in on he and his wife having sex. Many of the really cute stories involve his daughter, such as when she discovered the word 'bullshit'.

Jay and his mom were both present. I have to say, Jay gives a pretty crappy interview. I don't know if it was his history of drug abuse or his generally laid-back personality, but I enjoyed more of his antics when he wasn't actually talking.

Overall, I had yet another enjoyable evening watching Kevin Smith do what he does best.

10 words or less: A must for any Kevin Smith fan.

10 Things I Hate About You (TV show)

Air Time: Tuesday 8:00pm, ABC Family Channel
View Date: 7/7/09

This show is based on the 1999 movie of the same name starrung Heath Ledger and Julia Styles in the two lead roles. As one of the actors described, this was a reimagining of the story from the movie, with some plot points changed, particularly in the background of the characters. It retained the father from the movie, as well as the location and character names. This show, as was the movie, is an adaptation of the Shakespearean play 'The Taming of the Shrew'.

I was very skeptical going into the viewing of this show, because the movie is one of my favorites. It was better than I had feared, but I still probably won't watch it again. Because I have the movie memorized, hearing the same lines being said by the characters with different lead-up was disconcerting for me. While the acting was OK, the performances were very different with the new actors.

I think people with no prior knowledge of the movie may like this show,

10 words or less: OK, but not the movie.

Tamarindo

Location: Broadaxe, PA
Dining Date: 7/3/09

Tamarindo is a BYOB Mexican restaurant located in Broadaxe. Now, when I think Mexican food, I typically think of tacos, burritos, and the like. This was much more upscale, and had a much smaller menu than most other Mexican restaurants. However, the food was so much better than any other Mexican restaurant I've ever frequented.

My friend and I both had steak meals. She had the filet, while I tried the skirt steak. Aside from hers being slightly overdone, they were both excellent. The dessert was very tasty as well. Thr establishment also provides margaritas free-of-charge, although they do not offer a non-alchoholic version.

Overall, I would definitely go here again. It was a little pricy for a Mexican restaurant, but well worth it based on the quality of the food.

10 words or less: Yummy upscale Mexican BYOB with free margaritas.

Top Chef: Masters (Bravo)

Contestants: Rick Moonen, Nils Noren, Lachlan Patterson, and Michael Chiarello

Quickfire Challenge: The chefs had to recreate a classic junk food as a high class dish. The chefs seemed to choose safely based on the brief intros we saw. Michael easily won the Quickfire with some fish balls.

Elimination Challenge: The chefs need to cook a miniature three course meal by themselves. They also have one of the biggest budgets I've seen for an elimination challenge in which the chefs compete individually. Rick really kicked butt in this challenge after not getting out a Quickfire dish. His menu seemed to be the most well received by the critics. Michael rightly won the right to go on to the finals round, but I'm still impressed with Rick's work.

10 words or less: In my mind, better than last week.

SYTYCD

Air Date: 7/15/09

Tonight, all of the couples that we have grown to know and love split up, and everyone gets new partners. This is when we find out who really are fantastic dancers and who were really being helped by their partnerships. This is also when we start voting on the dancers as individuals rather than as couples. The participants will all be dancing a duet, a group dance, and a solo.

Tonight's guest judge is Debbie Allen. I have liked her for years. Cat looks quite nice tonight, but I do tend to like her outfits better when they aren't strapless. Great color, though.

Girl's Group Dance: The top five girls danced a Bollywood routine. Honestly, no matter how much it pains me to say this, I thought Melissa was the weakest of the group. Not by much, mind you, but her movements just didn't seem as sharp and precise yet fluid as the others. This was overall a very fun number, with some excellent dancing and solid choreography.

Kayla and Evan: Pairing up the tallest girl with the shortest guy... this could be trouble. The couple performed a Tony Meredith Viennese Waltz. Fantastic song (Duff- This dance has nothing to do with Batman.) Gorgeous dress on Kayla, and the height difference didn't seem to cause any problems, but they did also have an ingenious solution to that problem. Also, during the rehearsal footage, seeing Evan dancing in heels was hilarious. I'm sure Mary's points were valid about the technique, but it was a very beautiful routine.

Brandon's solo: What can I say. He is just amazing. He's so good at everything kind of dance, I sometimes forget that he's actually a contemporary dancer. I really felt his passion for dancing through his solo.

Janette and Ade: The couple performed a Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop number. I thought they inhabited their characters well. Parts of it seemed out of sync, but it could also just have been that Ade was more funky. He seemed more like a hip-hop dancer and really got down with it. Janette seemed to bring more of a traditional hip-hop style to the routine, and I think that's what the choreographers wanted. And incorporating the pick was perfect for Ade.

Randi's solo: Pretty, but I feel like I've seen most of this routine from her before.

Kupono's solo: I think that was one of the best solos I've ever seen from him. Regardless, it was so much better than the past several weeks. Much better music choice with much more dynamic dancing.

Jeanine and Jason: The couple performed the first Travis Wall contemporary number on this show. Travis is known as one of the final four in Season 2. Beautiful number, beautifully danced. Even the judges gave them a standing ovation. And I could see Travis all over that number. What is amazing was that he brought movements made known by him when he competed on this show to two other dancers. The chemistry that this routine needed was there, the passion was there, and the final kiss was amazing. It was sad to see Caitlin and Phillip leave last week, but these two look like they were made for each other. It seems that these two were really held back by their partners.

Melissa's solo: Beautiful. However, it wasn't as dynamic as some of the other solos we've seen tonight, and I thought the music kind of overpowered the dancing.

Evan's solo: Straight out of the classic Hollywood dance movies. It is great having a Broadway dancer on the show this season. It is just pure entertainment.

Kayla's solo: Very pretty, but it feels like she dances the same solo every time.

Randi and Kupono: This couple performed a Tony Meredith Paso Doble. With the hair extensions, I barely recognized Randi. I think this was the weakest routine we've seen tonight. The transitions weren't smooth, the dancing was awkward, and it just wasn't the best Paso Doble we've seen on this show. The passion wasn't there, the power wasn't there, and it was just poorly danced in general. I actually thought that Randi struggled more than Kupono, even though I agree with the judges that Kupono didn't portray the strength necessary for this type of dance. Maybe it was nervousness, but I'd worry if I were these two.

Ade's solo: He should always go shirtless, especially when dancing to Unchained Melody. I just love watching him move. Maybe not my favorite solo of the night, but well done nonetheless.

Jeanine's solo: For a girl's solo tonight, I thought that was very dynamic. Many of the girl solos, particularly those of contemporary dancers, tend to blend together for me. The music was an interesting choice and I think it worked well. I felt like she incorporated some of the ballroom that she has been learning into her own style to make it more hard-hitting, staccato, and interesting. The costume was gorgeous on her. She is having an absolutely great week.

Jason's solo: Very unique. I thought his costume was very era appropriate for the selected music. Most people would not have chosen to dance to Muddy Waters. I also thought that the hat was well-used as a prop.

Melissa and Brandon: I didn't realize just how short Brandon is. This couple performed a Tyce Diorio Broadway routine from the musical Hair. These two are still in my top four after this routine. Very interesting and unique number for a broadway routine on this show. It seemed much more like a contemporary or jazz routine than broadway, but that's more the music choice than anything else. The choreography was totally appropriate for this song, and beautifully danced. Tyce put these two into some very interesting positions, particularly in the lifts. Wonderfully done.

Janette's solo: Because of how good she is in all the other styles, you forget that she's a salsa dancer. This solo made me remember why she was selected, and showed off just how overtly sexy she is. And you will always remember she's from Miami.

Guy's group number: The guys performed an African dance number. Just hearing what style of dance this was, I was afraid for Evan, being the only (very) white guy in the group. Yes, Evan struggled a bit, but what bothered me more was that he kind of played it off jokingly. Maybe it was OK with the choreographer, but it seemed out of place to me. It just seemed wrong for this routine. Brandon and Ade seemed to get into it the most, but as a group I thought the guys did well.

The guys all really turned up the heat with their solos. Most of the girl solos blended together to me. Based on overall dancing tonight, not counting previous weeks, I would be sending Randi and Kupono home. No matter what, we have become attached to all of these dancers, so it will be hard every week to see two more go.

10 words or less: The bottom two really stood out to me tonight.

High School Musical 3

View Date: 7/5/09

This was the third movie in the extremely popular High School Musical movies by Disney. This movie sees the main characters as high school seniors, trying to make decisions about what to do with the rest of their lives. As always, there are plenty of new songs and obviously choreographed dances throughout.

As I've mentioned before, I am generally a fan of musicals. I applaud the series for bringing the live-action musical to a whole new audience. The dancing may be cheesy and the songs benign, but the talent of the actors is without question. I can see why kids enjoy these movies and why the young actors have become such huge stars.

10 words or less: A cute musical for the kids.

The House Bunny

View Date: 7/12/09

This movie stars Anna Faris as a Playboy bunny who gets kicked out of the mansion and has to find a new place to live. Lo and behold, she comes across a sorority house in need of a house mother. And she's actually quite perfect for that role. She changes the entire image of the sorority in question as well as the girls involved. The ending was predictable and happy.

I actually really enjoyed this movie. It was a fun way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon relaxing after a day outdoors. Anna Faris plays dumb so well you would think she actually was that vapid. The movie also had Kat Dennings and the redhead from Superbad as sisters in the awkward sorority. There are some great cameos by Hugh Hefner and the original Girls Next Door. Lessons are learned, wrongs are righted, and all the good guys wind up happy in the end.

10 words or less: Cute, fun, and funny little movie.

Civil War Combat: America's Bloodiest Battles

View Date: 7/11/09

This is a History Channel series about, obviously, civil war combat. When I first saw the title, I expected it to be about the bloodiest battles that every civil war buff knows about and cover them in their entirety, namely Antetim and Gettysburg. Rather, this series covers a very small part of those epic fights to explore the bloodiest individual attacks of the battles. It also focused on just a few key regiments from each side of the battle.

The series made me really feel the horror of the war. The re-enactments were well done, and you could practically feel the ammunition strikes and bayonet run-throughs. And they did something that I always like by letting you know the fates of the key participants after the battle. That is, if they survived.

10 words or less: Good viewing for a civil war buff.

Up 3D

View Date: 6/20/09

This movie is Pixar's latest endeavor, and the animation definitely showed it. As always with Pixar, the movie was excellent, although not exactly what I expected.

This movie was absolutely gutwrenching. I basically cried through the whole movie, with only minor breaks in the middle for a few smiles. I had been told that Up was a tearjerker, and I guess in my overly- emotional state I was completely overwhelmed.

As far as the 3D graphics, I could have lived without them. There were a few good effects at the beginning, but they kind of petered out by the middle. While the 3D was still there at the end, they weren't as obvious as they were at the beginning.

Overall, I thought it was another Pixar success. I could have lived without the 3D, but the film was nicely done. I probably won't see it again anytime soon, but not because of the quality of the film. I just don't think there are enough tissues in the world.

10 words or less: Well done, but very sad.

The Illusionist

View Date: 6/30/09

The Illusionist is a movie starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, and Paul Giamatti. It is about a young boy who becomes friends with a noble girl, and they are torn apart due to the class system throughout Europe during the 19th century. The boy grows to be a magician and illusionist, and meets up with the now grown girl upon returning to his hometown.

There is a corrupt crown prince and a rwluctantly loyal police chief who is afraid of losing his job. A crime occurs, and the police chief has to decide whether to cave to the crown prince's demands or actually follow the evidence.

Now remember, this film is titled The Illusionist. Appropriately, there is some great magic throught the movie. There are also some very surprising twists at the end, which is also appropriate based on the name.

I generally really enjoyed this movie. I was really quite perturbed by the really bad accents throughout, and they kind of distracted me. Other than that, the ending really caught me by surprise, and that's pretty hard to do these days. I was very pleasantly surprised with how good this movie actually was, because I was quite reluctant to see it.

10 words or less: Good movie with a surprise twist ending.

SYTYCD

Air date: 7/9/09

Well, I was surprised to see Melissa and Ade in the bottom 3 couples this week, but it was so nice to see their solos. I wasn't surprised about the other two couples being there.

Yay! They finally got rid of Caitlin. As you can tell if you look back, I haven't liked her from the beginning, even in the auditions. As for the guys, it was between Phillip and Jason for me. I'm a little sad to see Phillip go, but I understand where the judges were coming from. I think Phillip knew he was going, and I felt really bad for him because he looked sooooo sad. I'm glad that the two who got booted last night will be on the tour, and that really seemed to cheer both of them up.

10 words or less: I'll miss seeing Phillip's solos.

Shoot 'Em Up

View Date: 6/27/09

This movie stars Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti in an action flick. Clive Owen is trying to protect first a pregnant woman then her newborn child from Paul Giamatti and his gang, who are trying to kill her.

I found this movie to be a lot funnier than I think it was meant to be. Clive Owen's main waepon is a raw carrot, which he uses for everything from a killing weapon to an extra (non-broken) finger. Some of Paul Giamatti's lines are just hilarious. The scenes with the lactating hooker are some of the best.

10 words or less: Funny even if it wasn't supposed to be.

Hamlet 2

View Date: 6/27/09

Hamlet 2 is the story of an untalented high school drama teacher who' typically miniscule class ireceives an influx of minority students. When he goes to talk to the administration about it, he finds out that the drama program is about to be cut and he will be out of a job.

Rather than doing any of the standard repertoir of high school plays and musicals, the teacher poorly rewrites or reimagines recent movie successes to disasterous results. After several variations and alterations, he develops the musical Hamlet 2. He and the students have to fight tooth and nail to make sure the show goes on.

A subplot involves the drama teacher and his wife trying to start a family. They go to a fertility clinic where the actress Elisabeth Shue is now working as a nurse after leaving show business behind. This subplot, and appearances by Ms. Shue, thread through the entire movie.

I eventually liked this movie. I found the beginning rather tedious, but once the details of Hamlet 2 start being revealed, and the show is performed, I was more invested. After that, I couldn't stop watching. Excellent acting and a fabulous cast round out the movie.

10 words or less: Funny once the show goes on.

Top Chef: Masters (Bravo)

Contestants: Douglas Rodriguez, Anita Lo, John Besh, and Mark Peel

Quickfire Challenge: The competitors have to cook eggs with one hand behind their backs, and they have 25 minutes to cook. Gail Simmons saying that she tastes burnt grease in your dish is never a good sign. With the help of another contestant, Anita was able to pull

Elimination Challenge: Create a delicious dinner for Neil Patrick Harris and his friends with a magic theme. Each contestant had to pick a card from a faceless deck in various ways from a magician. The dish has to be inspired on one of the four qualities of magic: mystery, spectacle, surprise, and illusion. Anita categorically won the elimination challenge, which was well deserved.

10 words or less: Only a few weeks left of this.

SYTYCD

View Date: 7/8/09

The top 12 are dancing tonight, and Cat just announced that each couple will be doing two dances tonight. Cat is wearing a lovely LBD tonight. With her picking her own outfits this year, I think her wardrobe has improved dramatically. She also looks adorable with the pinned-up hair. Tyce DiOrio is the guest judge this week, which should be enjoyable. He's a lot like Adam Shankman in that he tells it like it is, but he also sticks up for the dancers. His comments are very constructive, if he likes it or if he doesn't.


Melissa and Ade:

This couple's first dance was a Doriana Sanchez disco routine. He looks like he's straight out of the 70's with the way he moves. Those dance steps are executed perfectly. (Mom- They should have put her in tights. It looks weird for some reason.) While the lifts were stunning feats of strength for Ade and flexibility for Melissa, the transitions into the lifts looked somewhat awkward. It was a fun routine for the first dance of the night. I seem to be liking the disco routines this year much better than ever before.

This couple's second dance of the night was a Ron Montez waltz. She is such an amazing dancer, as he is, but she just seems to float across the floor. You can totally see the trust between the two with the way she just throws herself at him. It was a very beautiful number. It will be very sad to see this partnership separate next week, but it will be interesting to see them with different partners.


Kayla and Kupono:

This couple's first routine was a Mia Michaels contemporary routine with a backstory of addiction. Kayla is playing the addict, and Kupono is her drug. (Mom- This one gives me goosebumps.) I could actually really see the backstory come through in this routine. I thought that this was a lovely routine, and Kupono can portray an evil little smile/smirk. I really like Tyce's description that the best dancers are the best actors, because it really seems true on this show.

This couple's second dance of the night was a Joey Dowling broadway routine about love at first sight. Gotta love West Side Story any time or way it is performed. I thought is was lively, but it felt like it needed a bigger group. They danced the steps very well, but it didn't grab my attention like other routines did tonight.


Caitlin and Jason:

This couple's first dance was a Tony Meredith foxtrot number. I generally really like the foxtrot. I just think it is such a classy dance, and it usually reminds me of old Hollywood. I realize that I am biased against this couple because of Caitlin, but something just seemed a little off with the dance. (Mom- It was better than I thought it would be.)

This couple's second dance was a Mandy Moore lyrical jazz routine. The judges will be expecting a lot out of these two because this is very close to their own style. (Mom- He does good gloor work.) This was a very pretty routine. My biggest problem with is is that, for being a lyrical number, I didn't really see the story come across.


Jeanine and Phillip:

This couple's first dance of the night was a Russian folk dance. She did very well, but he almost looked like a dancing scarecrow or rag doll during his actual steps. Now, when he was doing the tricks, he seemed much more comfortable, but he probably shouldn't have smiled so much or had quite as much blush on. I agree with Nigel that it looked rather like a couple of kids dancing a very folky dance. I also agree with him that, compared with Josh and Twitch's number last year, it was no comparison. (Mom- I wonder if they had to tone down the choreography because the dancers couldn't get the steps, or if it was really meant to be that simple.)

This couple's second dance of the night was a Tony Meredith jive. The first dance that popped into my head when I heard that was "uh-oh". He looks really awkward when he smiles. (Mom- he has a Jerry Lewis smile.) I thought this was a lot of fun, but he does look awkward in some of these other dance styles, which is most likely due to his lack of training. I thought it started off really well, but he seemed to lose steam toward the end. However, this was the best review that Nigel has given him in a long time. All that said, I was impressed with the routine, Phillip in particular. (Mom- He was really kicking strong and high tonight, much better than before.) They reminded me of the dancers at the wedding in Steel Magnolias, or even a little of Benji.


Randi and Evan:

This couple's first dance was a Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop number. The characters they were given was a young couple in love that just found out they were expecting a baby. I thought the story really came out through the dancing, and they were amazingly in sync. I thought they did really well, especially considering this is totally out of their style. I think they did a lot better this week than they did last week. I also actually agree with Mary in that I was kind of expecting a train wreck once I heard they were doing hip-hop, but I really liked the routine. I am liking Tabitha and Napoleon more and more every week as choreographers.

This couple's second dance of the night was a Pasha and Anya samba. She does embrace her tasks. I think this really does have a Pasha feel to it with the wrist flicks and arm movements in particular. I thought the choreography was very good. It did seem kind of funny seeing Evan try to be sexy in a ballroom dance kind of way. I thought they did a reasonable job, but I see Evan as more cute than sexy, and he needed to be sexy in this routine.


Brandon and Janette:

This couple's first dance of the night was an Argentine Tango. (Mom- She has the look.) Gorgeous. Stunning. And they got a standing ovation from the judges, and you really got to see how short Tyce is. The lifts were divine. Both of their kicks, but especially his around her waist, were phenomenal. Amazing. They juiced the whole orange, and got every bit out. (Mom- Well, the orange juice goes with the tamales.)

This couple's second dance of the night was a Wade Robson jazz routine about two thieves. This was a fun and bouncy (Mom- and weird) routine. These two are absolutely amazing, and Nigel is right that they showed it tonight. Totally synchronized, brilliantly choreographed, and fabulously danced. It is going to be very hard to see these guys split up as well.


Another night of great dancing, and I don't really know who might be in trouble. I think the safe couples should be Brandon/Janette and Ade/Melissa. That said, who really knows at this point. Next week should be very interesting, and hopefully they'll be able to bring back some of the people already eliminated for the tour.

10 words or less: Tomorrow will be a sad night with two going home.

Make It or Break It

This is a new show on ABC Family about the lives of a series of elite gymnasts. The circumstances in one gym are turned completely upside-down when a new gymnast, who happens to be on scholarship and was discovered at her local YMCA, beats out one of the usual girls for a spot on the Nationals team.

I'm really not sure about this show. I realize I've only watched the first two episodes, but it really isn't drawing me in. Last night, I was more compelled to take a phone call and watch a movie than tune in to this show.

Perhaps I expected more humor from this series. Unfortunately, the only funny parts of the show aren't actually meant to be funny. And the parts that are meant to be dramatic only make me want to smack one of the girls for being so selfish and snotty. In the first episode, this particular character had failed in her own routines and purposely sabotaged the new girl. Now I realize that this is only a TV show and that it is a work of fiction, but these types of things happen in real life and have killed young girls. Not the kind of thing I would think this channel would want to air.

10 words or less: Make It or Break It? Definitely broken.

The Smokers

View Date: 7/6/09

This independent film starring Dominique Swain and Busy Phillips is about a small group of girls at a boarding school known as the smokers. They are having a difficult time dealing with guys during their senior year, and are glad they are so close.

After visiting the home of one of the girls during a school break and being exposed to a gun, one of them gets the idea to start attacking the guys in their lives so they know what it feels like to be attacked. Hence, the start of the downward spiral.

This movie was pretty good, and had a nice little twist at the end. For me, the circumstances at the end surprised me quite a bit for two of the main trio and one of the guys. And the very end had a wrap-up of what each of the characters di with their lives after leaving school, which I always enjoy.

In summary, it was a decent movie. I'm glad I didn't pay to see it, but it was good on video.

10 words or less: Good flick with a nice ending twist.

Decisions That Shook the World

Completion Date: 7/1/09

This History Channel documentary series provided an interesting look at three crucial presidential decisions that changed the course of American history.

LBJ signed into motion several key civil rights laws that progressed our society on a national front. Kennedy is remembered as the Civil Rights president because he had planned to enact these laws prior to his assassination. LBJ made the crucial decision to proceed with Kennedy's plans, even though his record indicated that he would generally not support them. Unfortunately, LBJ's legacy is overshadowed by our entrance into Vietnam and the aftermath. However, even months before his death, LBJ continued to work for civil rights.

Reagan's support of the Star Wars program, however underfunded, was a decisive offensive stance toward foreign policy. Even though the program is remembered as a failure, it did provide other countries the opinion that the US would attack if provoked. The program also intimates that the Star Wars program was key in the fall of communism and the breakup of the USSR.

Finally, the program discussed FDR's decision to arm England prior to the US's entry into World War II. Doing this outright was illegal, so he found ways, such as bartering, to provide support to England. Even with the loopholes he found, much of what he did was borderline illegal, and thus he did not notify the American public until after he did them. His ultimate goal was to support another nation to delay the US's entrance into the war as long as possible. He knew that if England fell, the US would have no other choice but to enter the war. Once Pearl Harbor happened, the American public did not have a problem in general declaring war on Japan, but still had issues declaring war on Germany. FDR did his best to protect the interests of the US, and to protect the US's position in the world.

This, like many other History Channel productions, was very well produced. It helped remind me about moments in our country's history that are sometimes forgotten because they are overshadowed by other events taking place around the same time.

10 words or less: Well-produced and educational.

SYTYCD

Airing Date: 7/2/09

Well, I was not really surprised by who was eliminated tonight. In fact, the only couple I was surprised to see in the bottom 3 was Kayla and Kupono. But with Mia Michaels' reaction to those two being in the bottom group, I felt pretty sure they would be safe this week. Then, after seeing the solos, I felt pretty safe for both Jeanine and Phillip. They truly did have the best solos of the night, and I think some of that was because they hadn't been there before.

In the end, it was Karla and Vitolio that went home this week. It was a little sad because they did a pretty good quickstep. Maybe they had just been at the bottom too many times for the judges to risk another week with them. I think the right decision was made, but Vitolio was finally coming in to his own.

10 words or less: The right couple, Karla and Vitolio, went home.

Gia

View Date: 7/2/09

This is the story of the supermodel Gia Marie Carangi, supposedly through the words of her friends and her own diaries. This film originally aired on HBO in the late 1990's.

Gia shot to stardom out of nowhere, being discovered on the streets of Philadelphia. She was picked up by one of the huge modeling agencies in New York when she was 17, and was one of the favorite and most sought-after models in the world. She eventually became addicted to drugs. Once she began injecting heroin, her modeling career disintegrated. It got to the point that her tract marks couldn't be covered even with airbrushing.

Gia went through rehab several times to no avail. She became one of the first famous women to acquire and die of AIDS, back when the AIDS epidemic was thought to be mainly confined to gay men.

This film had a phenomenal cast that won several awards for their parts. Angelina Jolie, who played the grown Gia, won a Golden Globe for her part. This was the part that led to her role in her Oscar-winning role in Girl, Interrupted. Mercedes Reuhl plays Gia's mother, and Mila Kunis plays Gia as a young girl.

I had read several things about this movie and had been wanting to check it out. It did not disappoint. However, it was much more graphic than I expected. There was lots of Angelina Jolie nakedness, and a rather explicit lesbian sex scene. As most HBO originals, I thought that it was very well done.

10 words or less: Mila Kunis grows up to be Angelina Jolie. Perfect.

Make Love! The Bruce Campbell Way

Author: Bruce Campbell
Completed: 7/3/09

This book has been on my "to read" list for a very long time, and it didn't disappoint. I haven't read any other books by Bruce Campbell, but they are on my list as well.

Bruce Campbell, if you don't know, is today's ultimate B-movie actor. He played Ash in the Evil Dead trilogy, and has had bit parts in pretty much every Sam Raimi vehicle. His characters are usually comic relief, and very minor, but fun nonetheless.

This was a fun book, and that's all it was meant to be. Therefore, it fulfilled its purpose. It was light and humorous, with funny anecdotes that I'm still trying to determine if they actually happened or are completely fictitious.

10 words or less: Fun and light, an enjoyable read.

Sister Helen

View Date: 7/4/09

This is a documentary about a nun who runs a sober-living home for men. I believe the home is in New York.

Sister Helen was a Benedictine nun in her late sixties who joined the sisterhood after her sons and husband died. She was also a former alcoholic, and chose to help other addicts improve their lives. Although she was, as she describes, and old Irish woman, she was feisty, had an incredibly foul mouth, and could keep those men in line.

I thought that the documentary was OK. You could tell that it was not put together chronologically because Sister Helen's hair keeps changing colors, but otherwise the production was OK. It was an interesting story, but not my favorite on the subject.

10 words or less: Interesting story of a hard life.

Manchild

This was a British series that can generally be classified as Sex in the City with 50 year old men in London. Two characters are playing divorced men, another is a perpetual bachelor, and the fourth has been married for over 25 years. It never really caught on, and therefore there are only 7 episodes.

I watched it mainly for Anthony Head, who played Giles on the Buffy the Vampire series. However, he was probably my least favorite part of the show. It could just be the way the character was written, but I really enjoyed the other 3 men much more.

I had seen a few episodes prior to this viewing and was not hugely impressed. This time, I did have a few more laughs, but it still wasn't as good as I had hoped. This was, overall, definitely not the best British show I have seen, and doesn't come anywhere close.

10 words or less: If looking for British humor, go elsewhere.

SYTYCD

Tonight, Cat is wearing a lovely hot pink strapless dress. Evidently she is choosing her own clothing this year, and is doing a wonderful job at it.

Janette and Brandon: This couple danced a Jean-Marc Genereux Cha Cha. This couple is full of skill and can perform any dance sent their way. Both Mom and I can see both of these dancers in the final four. They have loads of personality, and that comes out in their dancing. The music is very interesting with this, also. It is not the typical classic Latin beat, but it still works well. These two are probably the most consistently exciting dancers on this show right now. In Nigel's words, these two "are brilliant!" And Brandon finally won over Mia Michaels!!!!

Kayla and Kupono: This couple danced a Sonia contemporary routine with a dark vampire theme. They are so in unison tonight, and appear very equally matched in skill, personality, etc. They seem to have a chemistry together that neither had with their previous partners. They are also excellent dancers, and Kupono is dancing so much better being partnered with Kayla. She is really bringing out the best in him, and he is stretching his skills to come up to her level.

Randi and Evan: This couple danced a Joey Dowling Broadway routine. This was right up Evan's alley, and he basically outshined Randi tonight. Honestly, I thought the routine was kind of boring tonight, particularly compared to the previous two dances. It was just kind of flat. I think once these two make it to the top 10 dancers, Evan will have problems because of his height. He will have problems partnering with just about anyone else because he will be shorter than them. These guys may be in trouble this week.

Caitlin and Jason: This couple danced a Brian Friedman pop jazz routine. This was yet another weird routine, but they danced it well. Mom thought that he danced it much better than she did, even though she didn't like the routine. I liked the routine, and thought he was fantastic. But this week was the first time that she caught my attention. They were very in sync, and that really impressed me. (Mom- It's a shame when the choreographers go so far outside of the box that it can hurt the dancers.) I think they may go the way of the previous Brian Friedman routine, when Max got eliminated.

Jeanine and Phillip: This couple danced a Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop routine. I thought that they danced and generally worked really well together. The story was good and it really came through in the dancing. In general, Tabitha and Napoleon provide really nice choreography. Props usually work really well on this show, and this was no exception. They were in sync with the music and each other. However, compared to the first two couples, it's just not quite at that level. I'm waiting to see the other dancers before I make up my mind on this routine.

Melissa and Ade: This couple danced a Thordel Christensen traditional Pas de Deus from Romeo and Juliet. Traditional pas de deus means that it's performed on pointe, so this was the first time pointe work was performed as a choreographed piece on SYTYCD. This was the only couple that could have possible come anywhere close to pulling off this routine, and it was stunning. Melissa was expected to be amazing, but Ade pulled off his part as well. Stunning, gorgeous, brilliant, spectacular, breathlessly amazing. Mom and I were both sitting there barely breathing throughout the routine. And the lifts, with Ade's power and Melissa's positions, looked effortless.

Karla and Vitolio: This couple performed a Jean-Marc Genereux Quickstep routine. Nice costume change in the middle of the routine for Karla. I thought that this was pretty good for the first pairing of this couple. He was much better tonight with the new partner. Karla didn't impress me too much. It was a fairly entertaining routine, but I'm not sure if it was in the top 3.

Other comments: Mia Michaels seems to be in a really good mood tonight. She must currently be taking her meds. Secondly, the Dizzy Feet Foundation should be supported by anyone who can give. Arts are dying out in our society, and we can't let that happen. We must preserve the arts by ensuring future generations have the opportunity to participate.

Top Three: Brandon/Janette, Ade/Melissa, Kayla/Kupono
Others: Vitolio/Karla, Phillip/Jeanine, Randi/Evan, Caitlin/Jason

But then again, anything is possible this week. None of the routines were absolutely horrendous, but some really stood out.

10 words or less: Some beautiful routines. Hurray for ballet.

Secret Life of the American Teenager (ABC Family)

Airing: Mondays 8:00pm, ABC Family

This show is about a teenage girl, Amy, who finds out she's pregnant after the first time she has sex. It focuses on the lives of her friends and family, which include the father of the child and Amy's new boyfriend.

The first two seasons took us through the pregnancy and delivery. The recently started third season is now showing Amy struggling with being a teenage mother and then learning that her mother is now pregnant.

The acting in this show is mediocre at best, and the writing is worse. But I can't seem to stop watching. The adult actors are actually quite well known and have been around for decades. For example, Molly Ringwald, the muse of John Hughes, stars as Amy's now-pregnant mother. The teenage actors are also appearing in other roles, and most show great potential.

I will keep watching this show for the time being, but this season is starting to annoy me. I realize that Amy is struggling with being a teenage mom, but she has become a flaming bitch this season, out of proportion with what she's going through. I'm not sure how much more of it I can take.

10 words or less: Wouldn't recommend picking it up now.