GLEE: Review in The New Yorker

So spot on. I mean, I watch and like the show and everything, but I agree with the criticisms in this article.


http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/television/2010/05/10/100510crte_television_franklin?currentPage=2

Quotes:

"With several production numbers per episode, almost all of which have remarkably weak choreography and poorly synched lip-synching, the writers haven’t been able to go very deep into anyone’s life."

"Will’s wife, Terri, has to be the worst part that Jessalyn Gilsig has ever been given. She’s unaccountably unpleasant to Will, and she fakes a pregnancy for much longer than is credible."

"The episode in which many people’s affection for the show was cemented was the one in which it was revealed—briefly, in a moment done just right—that Sue had a human core; it was also an episode that was free of Terri and Emma, and thus didn’t leave you with a knot in your stomach."

"There is in “Glee” an element of creepiness, or, at least, sourness. Tonally, it hasn’t found its way yet. A teacher’s dismissal for touching a student inappropriately is treated as a joke. And Sue says to two doltish cheerleaders: “You may be the two stupidest teens I’ve ever encountered. And that’s saying something. I once taught a cheerleading seminar to a young Sarah Palin.” I get it that a group of teen-agers singing a choral arrangement of “Rehab” is notionally funny; unfortunately, watching it is notional fun. Still, “Glee” is well produced, and it works, even if some of the music, like high school itself, makes you roll your eyes and wish you were somewhere else."

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Typical Hugh Grant fare, nothing special (at all). But it's Hugh Grant! That's really all I need to know to watch the movie. Ugh I hate that I'm a typical demographic, haha. But I noticed in this movie that he is getting old. What kind of movies will he do next if he can't play the adorable, caddish, witty, self-deprecating British-accented love interest anymore? I mean, he must be one of the most type-cast actors I've ever seen, but it's because we (the captive audience) love it. Have you ever even seen him in a movie where he doesn't have a British accent? Maybe he'll go the way of Pierce Brosnan, if he's lucky. We'll see. Meanwhile I hope he acts in more dumb movies like this while he's still being cast in his go-to role.

Adventureland

Ooh, this movie was surprisingly good. I didn't have such high expectations but it was... pretty great, actually. The actors each made me fall in love with their characters. Simple premise, but it made a great movie... romantic, angsty, wistful. And it made me remember summer romances and makes me feel young(er) again, since the characters are just a little bit older then I am. I like that it's a 'period piece' set in the 80s -- it adds more to the movie -- but it also still feels modern-day in every other aspect. The music is good too. Two thumbs up. 

Badgley-Mischka

Verdict: So many different fabrics; all good.

Cozy AND pretty AND an interesting cut AND look at the ribbing of the sweater -- it's diagonal. I love this one! Hopefully a more mass retailer will create this exact dress for a fraction of the price. And I will buy it.

This wrap/belt/tights/heeled boots look? Flattering and totally do-able. I like that.

Jason Wu Fall 2010 Verdict

Verdict: Not a want-it-need-it-gonna-die collection, but I don't think Jason Wu is that kind of designer, anyway. His clothes are all very wearable, especially compared to other designers who show on the runway. Nothing revolutionary or too exciting in this collection, and it seemed a bit disjointed. In fact, some items were downright fug -- see this dress below... doesn't it remind you of Anna Sui for Gossip Girl for Target circa last year? Or Vera Wang for Kohls? Neither is a comparison Mr. Wu would want anyone to draw, I'm sure.

I thought he did show some strong wearable pieces. For example, these trousers I both want and could/would wear:

 And I very much like how he paired it below... near perfection. But again, nothing I haven't seen in a Vogue editorial before.

 

This paint-splattered suit got me wondering if I could wear this (as separates, probably) to work... do you think looser-cut suit skirts will ever catch on? 

 

Unsurprisingly, his strongest suit (ha) was his dresses. Each was Jason Wu-pretty and wearable. I'm sure every girl would love to have one of these in her closet.

 

And finally, the man himself: 

 I like his smile! And I like that he is wearing a suit! Although does that right sleeve look a bit long to you? ...

The Young Victoria

The last shot of the movie, the pair in all their glory.

I loved this movie. It was surprisingly romantic, in the most basic definition of romanticism. In choosing a husband, Victoria had to choose not only a life partner and practical co-ruler of her universe, but the practical co-ruler of millions of other people she reigned over. I thought The Young Victoria well-casted, and the acting phenonomal -- both subtle and alive.

I really like Paul Bettany, who plays Queen Victoria's trusted advisor Lord Melbourne.

For a bit of celebrity gossip, he's married to actress Jennifer Connolly. They look so striking together!

The Wild Bunch

Went to see "The Wild Bunch" tonight in Scope. It's a western film made in 1969 that conveys not only the trend of explicit violence and sex due to the change in MPAA laws, but it also subverts any western ideology and fantasy that makes up "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." With deceptive and dispassionate thieves serving as the protagonists, the film is inherently grim. Drinking constantly, sleeping with prostitutes whenever and having the ability to suspend their morality exacerbates their destitution. In addition, the difference between the "good guy" and "bad guy" is hard to tell--you really have no choice but to side with the Wild Bunch.

What also struck me was how the aesthetics worked for the women, especially. Prostitutes didn't look really like they were from the beginning of the 21st century (the film takes place right at the beginning of WWI); in fact, their straight hair and dark eyebrows were exactly in style for the 1960's/70's. But with that aside, the rest of the characters are extremely gritty and brutal.

There were some great shoot-out scenes, especially because the film takes place a bit later on in history than you typical western (technology plays a key role). In addition, seeing it on the big screen was marvelous because these sweeping shots of Mexican villages and desert juxtaposed isolation and suffocation. I would recommend this film to anybody interested in seeing an engrossing western--it was long, but it was fascinating to become immersed in the film world, especially one so heinously anarchist.

Review of Vampire Weekend's Contra

So I've gone through the album and...

First thoughts:

1. Overall, sounds like a less dynamic continuation of the last album. For some reason it doesn't have the same spark -- I miss the predominance of that effervescent bongo/drums sound. I really liked Horchata when it was released as a single/preview, but the rest of the songs blend into each other quite a bit. They sound more produced and pop-y and pale in comparison to the originals. There's more mellowness and slow songs, which I don't think is their strong point but I'll probably grow to like it because I do like the band itself.

2. Who is this girl on the cover? What does she have to do with any of the music on the album???

3. The last few songs on the album are better than the first few. I like their last song 'White Sky' a lot upon first listen. Maybe because it sounds like it's cut from the first album haha. And because the song features prominently that lovely head voice yodeling they do so well.

4. Pleasant to listen to with some very good songs but overall not as amazing as the first album. A bit disappointing, to be honest. Still good though. And I'm happy when I listen to (new) music by them and in my book that is an overall win.

Sherlock Holmes: The Aftermath

I love those sunglasses. I went to Fabulous Fanny's in NYC, a store that sells vintage and antique eyewear, and saw several pairs of antique ones just like those. I've now identified that sunglasses are my weakness.

As for Sherlock Holmes, the aesthetics were fun and fanciful, as RDJ's costume was certainly edgier than the classic Sherlock attire. But it worked for this film because it was "cool" and "hip"; it balanced the intellectual and quirky habits of the classic Holmes with a 21st century thirst for action and, well, being edgy on purpose.

It was a commercial film, and as A.O. Scott said, it was a feature-length trailer for the sequel that includes Holmes' archnemesis, Dr. Moriarty. I basically agree with everything Scott wrote, which definitely isn't always the case.

This assessment is copied from an email.

Sherlock Holmes

I was entertained and my favorite part was the score. It wasn't amazing, but it was a good way to spend a couple of hours. I'm a stickler for CGI details, so there were a few points (and by a few I mean a lot) that I thought were shaky (the bridge scene with Rachel McAdams, who I thought was kind of blah, was certainly technically complicated, but wasn't up to par in my mind with other digitally created spaces). The camera use + score definitely made a big contribution to the success of the film.

It not only catered to the National Treasure people (speaking of which, did you see both of those trailers for the new Nick Cage movies? Ahhhhh) but it also got a bit of that Guy Ritchie gruffness that dudes like.

The coincidence (or is it) is that The Hound of the Baskervilles is on TCM. Basil is a bit different from RDJ, to say the least.

I'm glad I had low expectations for the film because I was pleasantly surprised--it had more of the Holmesian logic and judgment than I thought it would, and RDJ is always good at playing a crazy, self-obsessed ass, which is the only kind of RDJ I like.

AVATAR 2.0

I'm writing this without re-reading what Fay wrote in her post, but I just saw Avatar and you must go see it. It's mindblowing. And heart-achingly good. When I say heart-aching, I'm trying to evoke that simultaneously effervescent and desperate feeling you get in your chest and brain when you can't get enough of someone -- in this case, something. Sort of an increased awareness in all synapses within a selective state of oblivion. At times I caught myself holding my breath and had to remember to breathe. 

Imagine if that world existed. At one point in the movie, I thought (likely out loud, if you've ever watched a movie with me), "well that's unrealistic," before I realized that the entire thing was unrealistic, of course.

Now that's good cinema. And excellent technology. And art. And a truly beautiful imagination I very much respect. Alright, enough gushing from me -- don't take my word for it, see it for yourself.

SEA

Went to SEA in the East Village for some Thai food at my dining companion's suggestion. I've passed it a bunch of times before because it's in a very central location in the LES, but never eaten there.

Verdict: The curry was properly spicy (+), the food was well seasoned (+), and dishes were surprisingly large (+) but accompanied by small portions of rice (-) ... but then again, I really like rice. Good ambiance comprised of modern decor and near-perfect restaurant lighting (+), service was average to good, average drinks list (as far as I could tell) and prices were reasonable (+). It would be fun to bring friends to eat here.

Overall = positive review. 
I'll be conservative and say 3.5/5 since this is my first review.

SEA

75 Second Ave., New York, NY 10003
nr. 4th St.  See Map | Subway Directions
212-228-5505 Send to Phone
See other locations

P.S. Photos pilfered from internet sources.

Continuing Education

Conclusion: Fay and I both agreed that it was beautifully shot and an absolute pleasure to watch... but the story wrapped up too conveniently and quickly at the end such that it undermined much of the movie as a whole. A rather shallow ending. Overall though, it was definitely worth watching for some believable and relate-able escapism.

Becoming Jane

I just watched the movie Becoming Jane this week (on DVD), and I thought it was a very good film. The premise of the movie (spoiler? ...) is that the main character Jane Austen basically lives the life of Elizabeth Bennett of Pride and Prejudice, and then later pens and publishes Pride and Prejudice based on her own great romance (because she is Jane Austen, author of Pride and Prejudice, haha). The main difference between the 'fact' of the movie and the 'fiction' of the book is that unlike her literary counterpart, there is no happy ending for Jane in the movie -- she never marries her real-life Darcy (love interest and penniless young lawyer Tom Lefroy, portrayed beautifully by James McAvoy) and is single for the rest of her life, living by the wit of her pen.

Earlier in the movie, in an attempt to convince her to marry the wealthy-but-boring character who has proposed to Jane, her mother admonishes, "Affection is desirable. Money is absolutely indispensable." The irony of the movie is that Jane takes this advice to heart and chooses not to elope with Tom Lefroy because she realizes the extent that his family depends on his income (and accordingly, his non-tarnished, non-eloped reputation) as a provider.

I liked the movie because it made me think -- and I realize this is starting to read like a fourth grade book report -- and realize the limitations women faced in the past in determining their own destinies, even in relatively high society. Of course, even today not all women have a choice.

Hold that thought. Live blogging, this is unfinished...

OK, I'm back.

Luckily, today in Western society a woman is no longer considered 'unmarriageable' if she is a writer... banker... production director... or whatever profession. Either way, I would not want to be alone for the rest of my life like Jane and have a great unresolved love who I discover many years later has named his first child after me (which Tom does for Jane). That was the very tragic conclusion of the movie.

I also liked the film because it recalls all that olde English shit we girls love: romance, restraint in interactions with the opposite sex, propriety, pride... prejudice... But seriously, I did enjoy the stolen glances and slight hand grazes between the main characters, and it reminded me that courtship used to be drawn out and slow-growing (is it still today, outside of college?). I was even willing to overlook Jane and Tom's seemingly sudden realization of their passionate love (in the woods, no less) because it was so... passionate.

Four stars to Becoming Jane for a strong lead character and being much better than I anticipated. I love being pleasantly surprised by movies. :)

Grizzly Bear + Beach House

Getting off the Park St. stop, I heard the men who normally sell tix for Sox games hollering "Tix for the Bears! Bears Tix!" While laughing at their nickname for Grizzly Bear, one of those bands that really shouldn't be abbrev'd, I noticed that I was walking with some of the most hipster-y hipsters ever. A sea of flannel, skinny pants, fake glasses and Cosby sweaters suffocated me almost as much as the stench of cigs, PBR and angsty white kids. I forget that I listen to hipster music sometimes.

Anyway, the concert was fine--Beach House opened for GB, which was okay, I guess? Lots of deep woman voice going on there, like Cat Power in its haunting delicacy but with points taken away for just sounding like a hangover. If you were to have a cocktail party for people with indie music taste on a fall eve, this would work.

GB was pretty good--they played their big hits, had pretty neat transitions and fine audience interaction. I like GB. When their album "Veckatimest" came out, I listened to it a couple of times and gave it a thumbs up (see "Cheerleader" and "Southern Point" for some real GB) but it proved difficult to sit through their concert. Perhaps it was the annoying drunk high schoolers who tried to commandeer my friend's seat that took away from the experience. I don't know.

Good intro songs to GB are "Two Weeks" and "While You Wait For The Others"--upbeat rhythm (though the lyrics aren't quite) and digestible vocals and instrumentals. After two hours of contemporaneously deliberate and fragile vocals that echoed out of the theater down Boylston, I had had enough.

Review: GB sounds better live, but isn't the best show in town. Next on my list: Passion Pit, Of Montreal, Crystal Castles and Radiohead. Yethhhhh

http://www.grizzly-bear.net/

And a slightly absurd music video:

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

I realized that the book was due to the library tomorrow and it wouldn't let me renew it, so I read the whole thing in one sitting today, and it is a very, very, very good book. Extremely well-researched. Clearly and simply written, in a tone that strikes the perfect pitch between documentary-like academia and when your smart friend talks to you with great verve about an interesting discovery. Incredibly insightful and incisive.

Author Malcolm Gladwell introduces his book in this video on Amazon.

Outliers are those who have been given opportunities – and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them. For hockey and soccer players born in January, it’s a better shot at making the all-star team. For the Beatles, it was Hamburg. For Bill Gates, the lucky break was being born at the right time and getting the gift of a computer terminal in junior high. Joe Flom and the founders of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz got multiple breaks. They were born at the right time with the right parents and the right ethnicity, which allowed them to practice takeover law for twenty years before the rest of the legal world caught on.

Read it. It's a quick read and well worth the time. Even the epilogue, which details the circumstances in which his own success was created and how it applies to the world, is excellent and captivating.