I feel like I've come alive -- IDOL is back. If you are wondering what I will be doing on Tuesday and Wednesday nights for the next couple of months, don't wonder anymore -- I'm on FOX.
Season 7 does feel different. I think Idol has proved that it can make some superstars, but not every contestant or even winner can make it even with Idol behind them. Bye, bye Ruben, Clay, Fantasia (sorry Ed), Bo, Taylor, Jordin. It was fun for a while and I enjoyed watching you get your opportunity, but you just could not cut it. But I'm okay with that -- I don't think everyone has to last. But what other reality show has even come close to a Kelly, Carrie or Chris Daughtry? No disrespect, but who is America's Next Top Model? Or Project Runway Designer? Or Top Chef? You get my point. This show actually can make things possible.
And now on to my analysis. I'm just going to hit on some of my favorite moments. The judges definitely seem more selective and the audition shows are balancing good with bad instead of showing one freak after another (but it still amazes me how many freaks there are in this world).
Philly - Audition City 1. First, those I am rooting for:
-Jonathan Baines who sang Little Big Town -- I'll be watching you boy.
-Kristy Cook -- the curly dirty blonde hair who sang Amazing Grace was really good.
-Brooke White -- the Nanny with the light blonde long hair who sang Corinne Bailey Rae
Those who touched me
-Temptress -- I cried at your story about your dying mother and how you have to help her and how you play football and I was so glad the judges were supportive even they couldn't send you to Hollywood. Simon even showed his soft side.
-Angela Martin (I'm rooting for her too) -- the one with the kid who has Rett syndrome. I mean I was so happy that you were actually really good and made it (more tears).
And those who made me laugh
-Udgeet Sampat (Udi) -- Did you really do an MC Hammer dance in your office? Can you come work at KCD?
-The Egyptian guy who sang the Bee Gees and has the "sexy face"-- Did he really say that he loves a woman from her hair to her nipple?
And now on to Dallas Audition City 2 Those I am rooting for
-Katy Molloy -- first she did the Britney imitation and then the Carrie, but when she sang that Righteous Brothers Song, Simon said she was the best audition so far, and I agreed. Once again, song choice is everything.
-Kyle - the nerdy wanna be politician -- I think he might be really good (he sang the Queen song "Somebody To Love") if he stops singing like he is chorus.
-Colton Swon - Well he sang Little Big Town "Boondocks" and I gotta root for the LBT fans
-Drew the farmer who sang George Strait, enough said
Those that touched me
-Paul the park attendant who sang the Elliot Yamin song. He was so sweet and the judges were sweet (Did you notice that when he left the room Simon copied his singing? I've never heard Simon sing before)
And those that made me laugh
-Brian who keeps his old peeled nails in a bag, really?
-Erick the Ruben Studdard look-a-like who sang some song "Mama" (Simon told him he sang like a 7 year old)
-Angela with the hot husband Chad who told her what to sing - she was terrible but it was so funny
-Kyle the rocker with the "guyliner"
-We're brothers forever - the song for Simon, Paula's dance, I am still crying.
I definitely cringe with these people that really think they can do this, and they take it so seriously and they are so terrible - I feel like they need to do some psych screenings or something. Case in point - -Douglas in Dallas who needed to keep warming up and walked in circles and sang Bon Jovi and security had to take him out -- that was not ok. Or "If You asked Me Too" girl who was a slow talker - not okay.
Regardless, looking forward to next week, my friends. Tuesday and Wednesday? You know where I'll be, and remember...
don't be ashamed of your obsessions...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
A Quick Globe Commentary
First of all, BORING! I'm all for the Writer's Guild, but this could not be any more painful to watch. Especially with Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell -- really? No one else who actually knows how to speak without a teleprompter could announce the winners? Ugggh
Okay, so here are my thoughts on the winners --I'm not going through every category because I am so unexcited, but you know I have something to say.
In the TV comedy actor category -- David Duchovny over Alec Baldwin? WHAT? The foreign press is retarded. That episode where he played Tracey Morgan's father, mother, uncle, neighbor in 60 seconds -- pure genius!
TV Comedy -- Extras over 30 Rock or The Office? Why because they are british? I'm not saying it isn't funny but come on.
I can't comment on TV Drama because I boycott any categories that don't include Friday Night Lights. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose!!
For film categories, I hate when comedies compete with musicals that are dramas. It should be comedy versus drama and a musical can be in one or the other.
So, although I'm sure Marion Cotillard is great, she didn't sing and it isn't a comedy. WRONG CATEGORY. Ellen Page should have won.
And Sweeney Todd is a DRAMA even if it is a musical. I don't mind it winning, but it shouldn't be competing with comedies. Juno should have won. Although if Once has been in this category I would have wanted it to win :)
Expected choices in the acting categories for the most part. I need to see There Will Be Blood -- DDL looks phenomenal.
And I end with my disappointment in Atonement winning. I really, really liked it personally, but No Country for Old Men is a "better" film.
Well good news is GIANTS won! Bad news is that I had to watch an hour of Billy Bush.
Please, please, please let the Oscars go on as scheduled. It would really suck if there were no Oscars. I mean I am in Paris so I would miss the live show anyway, but still -- I like to know everyone else gets to watch them.
What is this American Gladiators nonsense? Oh geez, I have to go now and turn off the TV.
Although tonight was disappointing, remember...
Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...
Okay, so here are my thoughts on the winners --I'm not going through every category because I am so unexcited, but you know I have something to say.
In the TV comedy actor category -- David Duchovny over Alec Baldwin? WHAT? The foreign press is retarded. That episode where he played Tracey Morgan's father, mother, uncle, neighbor in 60 seconds -- pure genius!
TV Comedy -- Extras over 30 Rock or The Office? Why because they are british? I'm not saying it isn't funny but come on.
I can't comment on TV Drama because I boycott any categories that don't include Friday Night Lights. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose!!
For film categories, I hate when comedies compete with musicals that are dramas. It should be comedy versus drama and a musical can be in one or the other.
So, although I'm sure Marion Cotillard is great, she didn't sing and it isn't a comedy. WRONG CATEGORY. Ellen Page should have won.
And Sweeney Todd is a DRAMA even if it is a musical. I don't mind it winning, but it shouldn't be competing with comedies. Juno should have won. Although if Once has been in this category I would have wanted it to win :)
Expected choices in the acting categories for the most part. I need to see There Will Be Blood -- DDL looks phenomenal.
And I end with my disappointment in Atonement winning. I really, really liked it personally, but No Country for Old Men is a "better" film.
Well good news is GIANTS won! Bad news is that I had to watch an hour of Billy Bush.
Please, please, please let the Oscars go on as scheduled. It would really suck if there were no Oscars. I mean I am in Paris so I would miss the live show anyway, but still -- I like to know everyone else gets to watch them.
What is this American Gladiators nonsense? Oh geez, I have to go now and turn off the TV.
Although tonight was disappointing, remember...
Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...
Sunday, January 6, 2008
I Found the ONE
And the winner of Rachna's favorite film of 2007 is...
ONCE. Now let me clarify by saying that A. I have not finished viewing all of the films I am supposed to from 2007 but I am ready to make this declaration and B. when I say Rachna's favorite film I mean Rachna's -- not the Academy's or A.O Scott's or Roger Ebert's, it is my personal favorite and you may choose to feel the same way or not.
That being said, this simple tale of a struggling singer/songwriter and the girl he meets is beautiful. It is described by the writer/director as a tale of friendship, but to me the romantic, it is of course a love story -- a love story with music as a bonus! The two meet and begin to create music together which in turn inspires each to make changes and take chances in their lives and this simple tale becomes genius. The music is fantastic, of course and I have already bought the DVD and the CD. The main characters are not actors, but they are actually two musicians who are friends. (Of course I watched the extras in secret hopes that the two are a couple in real life, but so far, that doesn't seem to be the case). Regardless, they do an amazing job telling this tale and I guarantee if you see it, you will be swept away as well.
It is not the most original film, or the best cinematography or whatever else the critics hail films for -- what it is is this perfectly told story (from the writing to the acting to the filming, etc) that will get right into your heart and make you feel without question. And that is why it is my favorite film of the year.
I also saw Juno and I think Ellen Page is so fresh and fun. She is a bundle of energy and I am eager to see what she will do next -- I'm not sure if she can play something different, but I am definitely intrigued. Maybe my theme for the year is musical couples, because that end scene where she and Michael Cera duet on that dippy song is so great!
And now for my "Did you notice this too?" moment, I bring you to Atonement. This is a visually stunning film and that James McAvoy is a star and I even like Keira Knightley in it. But I have to say this. Keira Knightley is trying to be Kate Winslet.
Here is the situation. Even if you haven't seen the film, you have probably heard the commercial a zillion times and there is a line in the film where Keira croaks "Come back to me." On New Year's Day I was celebrating the 10th anniversary of my favorite film of all time, TITANIC, with my 20th or so viewing of the movie from my couch, and the scene came on from the end where Kate's Rose is lying on the piece of wood and the rowboat is coming back to try to save people and she croaks "Come back, come back" because she promised Leo's Jack she would go on and then she has to tearfully dump Leo's frozen body into the water so she can get off the raft and grab the dead officer's whistle so the rowboat can hear her and goddamn it the rowboat does hear her and comes back and she does go on and even learns to ride a horse like a man and (okay I will stop retelling every detail of Titanic now).
The point is, Keira is totally trying to copy Kate's epic "come back" with her croak and I just have to say, croak away Keira, but you are no Kate Winslet. There, I said it.
Okay, now I have to thank NBC for the new episode of FNL that was all about Tim Riggins. It opened with Tim Riggins playing with Baby Gracie and then standing up for his team against the opposing team who peed in his locker and then saving Julie from drinking too much at a party. But alas, poor Tim Riggins -- no one will ever have faith in him despite all his good intentions. Not even the great Eric Taylor (although Coach Taylor did let the coach of the opposing team HAVE IT for messing with his boys!) I feel for you Tim -- I'm here for you and most of all, I believe in you.
And here is a tip for those of you (like me) who feel maybe they should watch some real football during this time of year but have not quite found the magic in the game. While you watch you can play a game called voice the dialogue of the players on the field even though you really don't know what they are saying. So for instance, when a player scores a touchdown and does that macho dance thing? You say out loud "Yeah, I'm the man!" and when a player fumbles and looks like he is about to commit suicide, "Aww man, I had that ball in my hands -- I tell you!" And when a player slaps a fellow player's butt, "What up my brother?" And I guarantee that this game will liven up the post season.
So now I wish you all a Happy New Year and remind you of my resolution...
Don't be shamed of your obsessions...
ONCE. Now let me clarify by saying that A. I have not finished viewing all of the films I am supposed to from 2007 but I am ready to make this declaration and B. when I say Rachna's favorite film I mean Rachna's -- not the Academy's or A.O Scott's or Roger Ebert's, it is my personal favorite and you may choose to feel the same way or not.
That being said, this simple tale of a struggling singer/songwriter and the girl he meets is beautiful. It is described by the writer/director as a tale of friendship, but to me the romantic, it is of course a love story -- a love story with music as a bonus! The two meet and begin to create music together which in turn inspires each to make changes and take chances in their lives and this simple tale becomes genius. The music is fantastic, of course and I have already bought the DVD and the CD. The main characters are not actors, but they are actually two musicians who are friends. (Of course I watched the extras in secret hopes that the two are a couple in real life, but so far, that doesn't seem to be the case). Regardless, they do an amazing job telling this tale and I guarantee if you see it, you will be swept away as well.
It is not the most original film, or the best cinematography or whatever else the critics hail films for -- what it is is this perfectly told story (from the writing to the acting to the filming, etc) that will get right into your heart and make you feel without question. And that is why it is my favorite film of the year.
I also saw Juno and I think Ellen Page is so fresh and fun. She is a bundle of energy and I am eager to see what she will do next -- I'm not sure if she can play something different, but I am definitely intrigued. Maybe my theme for the year is musical couples, because that end scene where she and Michael Cera duet on that dippy song is so great!
And now for my "Did you notice this too?" moment, I bring you to Atonement. This is a visually stunning film and that James McAvoy is a star and I even like Keira Knightley in it. But I have to say this. Keira Knightley is trying to be Kate Winslet.
Here is the situation. Even if you haven't seen the film, you have probably heard the commercial a zillion times and there is a line in the film where Keira croaks "Come back to me." On New Year's Day I was celebrating the 10th anniversary of my favorite film of all time, TITANIC, with my 20th or so viewing of the movie from my couch, and the scene came on from the end where Kate's Rose is lying on the piece of wood and the rowboat is coming back to try to save people and she croaks "Come back, come back" because she promised Leo's Jack she would go on and then she has to tearfully dump Leo's frozen body into the water so she can get off the raft and grab the dead officer's whistle so the rowboat can hear her and goddamn it the rowboat does hear her and comes back and she does go on and even learns to ride a horse like a man and (okay I will stop retelling every detail of Titanic now).
The point is, Keira is totally trying to copy Kate's epic "come back" with her croak and I just have to say, croak away Keira, but you are no Kate Winslet. There, I said it.
Okay, now I have to thank NBC for the new episode of FNL that was all about Tim Riggins. It opened with Tim Riggins playing with Baby Gracie and then standing up for his team against the opposing team who peed in his locker and then saving Julie from drinking too much at a party. But alas, poor Tim Riggins -- no one will ever have faith in him despite all his good intentions. Not even the great Eric Taylor (although Coach Taylor did let the coach of the opposing team HAVE IT for messing with his boys!) I feel for you Tim -- I'm here for you and most of all, I believe in you.
And here is a tip for those of you (like me) who feel maybe they should watch some real football during this time of year but have not quite found the magic in the game. While you watch you can play a game called voice the dialogue of the players on the field even though you really don't know what they are saying. So for instance, when a player scores a touchdown and does that macho dance thing? You say out loud "Yeah, I'm the man!" and when a player fumbles and looks like he is about to commit suicide, "Aww man, I had that ball in my hands -- I tell you!" And when a player slaps a fellow player's butt, "What up my brother?" And I guarantee that this game will liven up the post season.
So now I wish you all a Happy New Year and remind you of my resolution...
Don't be shamed of your obsessions...
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