Ah, the dog days of summer...remember how the first assignment when you got back to school was about how you spent your summer vacation? I have never been more excited to write my back to school essay as I am now. Why such excitement? Because the second half of summer brought my love of pop culture zinging back to life. More on the picture to the left later...
Let's start with Batman. This is one of the best crafted films I have seen. This series of Batman, compared to any superhero films I have seen, is so beyond superior. It has a storyline that feels perfect to the spirit of its superhero -- a delicate balance between human behavior and power. The characters of this comic book caper are so three dimensional that you actually end up understanding the logic (twisted as it may be) of each character -- villain or superhero or just civilian. Yes Christian Bale's voice is odd as Batman (did he not speak in the first film that I never realized this?), but his acting as Bruce Wayne is pitch perfect. Aaron Eckhart's fantastic work has been barely praised, unfortunately. But I understand why -- Heath Ledger plus the character Christopher Nolan wrote resulted in one of the best villains I have ever seen - scary, evil, but also convincing -- I say yes to anarchy! I re watched Brokeback a week after seeing Batman and was even sadder this talent is lost to us -- what a contrast from Ennis who can barely open his jaw to speak, never mind reveal his emotions, to the Joker whose mouth is stretched wide open and who cannot control himself from talking, yelling and slurping his way through the whole film.
Then I watched every episode of the first season of Mad Men. I am in the midst of convincing everyone I know to watch this show, so I will not reveal any plot lines (although talk about a season ending TWIST???) Once again, great storyline and I am a sucker for the stylized perfection of the show. The costumes, the style of speaking, even the drinking and smoking (my god no wonder why everyone got cancer). And I love when Jon Hamm, the main character delivers a genius advertising concept. Fantastic show - WATCH IT!
And yes, I am proud to admit that since receiving the new Sugarland album on July 23rd, I have managed to learn all of the words to all 17 songs (I of course have the Deluxe Fan Edition with extra tracks). For those who can't deal with twang get a taste for the group with their live version of Life in a Northern Town - an 80's hit by Dream Academy that is not country
Or you might recognize this Matt Nathanson song that is on the radio now called "Come On Get Higher" as sung live by Sugarland on the new album -- it is phenomenal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoZ9p-CaYnU
And now for the story as pictured above. Besides tan lines, what else is summer's greatest gift? IDOL concert tour. Pretty simple concept with the top 10 performing 3 songs each except for David Cook and David Archuleta who got to do some extras plus 2 group numbers. Each finalist got to do the types of songs they plan on releasing. Some did highlights from the season but also added in new songs or new covers that showed their musical personality. David Cook, Carly and David Archuleta were the best in that order, but the one who most surprisingly sang songs that made me want to buy her album was Brooke White. She did Let It Be as she did on the show, but then 1234 by Feist with a guitar and Yellow by Coldplay on the piano. Really great.
Of course the fact that Brooke helped me bring my nieces Sonia and Julia to the meet and greet after the concert only added to my adoration. So yes, Sonia and Julia (and me!) got to meet and greet Brooke, David Cooke (I know, the eyeliner is a bit too much), Michael Johns, Jason Castro and of course David Archuleta. Talk about an obsession coming to life - -I thought Sonia was going to hyperventilate when David Archuleta signed her tee shirt (and sang in her ear!). He was absolutely adorable and really made her night, or maybe her summer and maybe even her year. Each and every Idol was super nice and sweet to the girls and for that I believe they deserve for me to rank them as the highlight of my summer vacation because seeing this smile on Sonia's face made all of my blahs melt away.
