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.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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.
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.
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