tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127672992024-02-28T08:05:09.184-05:00film fataleOnline musings of a total media whore. TV, books, movies, music, magazines -- I love them all! A pop culture guru with friends who have real lives and issues, thus forcing me to share my thoughts with strangers on the web. Welcome!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-2128106408997710572009-12-19T14:50:00.006-05:002009-12-19T17:05:29.050-05:00The Best of Jennifer JonesJennifer Jones passed away today capping off a year that saw the passing of many icons. I'm sure when all is said and done Jennifer Jones will be overshadowed by the likes of Michael Jackson, Bea Arthur and Farrah Fawcett, among others. I, however, shed a few tears this morning. I can't think of another actress that I have loved for longer and in such a wide range of roles. <br />
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Her personal life was messy and tragic and she retired from films too soon for my taste. What's left, for all of her fans and newbies alike, is a powerful filmography available on DVD and frequently seen on television. The magic of Jennifer Jones is that she looks like the girl-next-door, but her performances show that she's anything but. Her performances are full of sexuality, passion and raw emotion. In her best roles (hell in almost all of her roles) she wears her heart on the sleeve. As a viewer you can't help but fall in love with her, over and over again. Here are five of her most essential movies. Enjoy!<br />
<ol><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Song-Bernadette-Jennifer-Jones/dp/B00008LDO7?ie=UTF8&tag=filfat-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Song of Bernadette" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B00008LDO7&tag=filfat-20" /></a><b>The Song of Bernadette</b> (1943) - A title card at the beginning of the film proclaims "Introducing Jennifer Jones." It's only half-true, as Jones had appeared in several films under her real name prior to 1943. But no one remembers those films and everyone remembers <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Song-Bernadette-Jennifer-Jones/dp/B00008LDO7?ie=UTF8&tag=filfat-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Song of Bernadette</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=filfat-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00008LDO7" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i>. The film follows the life of Bernadette Soubirous (the nun soon-to-known-as St. Bernadette) who spoke to the Virgin Mary at Lourdes. Jones practically glows in this performance and it has nothing to do with the lighting. Her face conveys innocence, piousness, joyousness and pain. Her "debut" performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress and probably convinced more than a few Catholic girls to become nuns.<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Portrait-Jennie-Jennifer-Jones/dp/B0002KPHYC?ie=UTF8&tag=filfat-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Portrait of Jennie" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0002KPHYC&tag=filfat-20" /></a><b>Portrait of Jennie</b> (1948) - This film is the reason I love both Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten. They had made two movies together at this point (<i>Love Letters</i> and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Duel-Sun-Gregory-Peck/dp/B0001GF2HY?ie=UTF8&tag=filfat-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Duel in the Sun</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=filfat-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0001GF2HY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i>) but none can equal the bittersweet love story in this film. Cotten stars as a painter in search for inspiration and Jones stars as his ghostly muse. This film is perfect for all the hopeless romantics out there.<br />
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<li><b>Duel in the Sun</b> (1946) - Watching this film in 2009 is hard. Jennifer Jones plays a bi-racial Native American in full Technicolor. It's not as offensive as black face, but I'm sure it can be pretty offensive to someone who is Native American. If you can get past that, what you're left with is an incredibly lush movie. Striking scenery, tortured love affairs, sibling rivalry, and gunfights. Jones is flat-out sexy in this movie. Her character and her performance are passionate - with all the positives and negatives that the word implies.<br />
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<li><b>Love is A Many-Splendored Thing</b> (1955) - When people think of this movie, there a number of things that come to mind. Jones and William Holden in swimsuits, passionately kissing. The chart-topping theme song. What you probably forget is that the timeless romance is actually an extra-marital affair. Holden's character is married, which doesn't really stop their passionate affair from taking place. Another must-see for all the hopeless romantics.<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Since-Went-Away-Claudette-Colbert/dp/B0002KPHZ6?ie=UTF8&tag=filfat-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Since You Went Away" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0002KPHZ6&tag=filfat-20" /></a><b>Since You Went Away</b> (1944) - Every actor you've ever heard of seems to be in this movie. Claudette Colbert, Shirley Temple, Joseph Cotten, Monty Woolley, Lionel Barrymore, Hattie McDaniel, Agnes Moorehead. The movie is really about how Claudette Colbert deals with WWII while her husband is away fighting. It's a great film that illustrates what women went through during WWII - when they became single mothers, head-of-households, and generally kept America going. What the movie ends up being about is - say it with me - a tortured romance between Jennifer Jones and her then-husband Robert Walker that invents the "running after a train while saying goodbye" cliche. </li>
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**There are so many other wonderful films to explore - <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Arms-Rock-Hudson/dp/B0007PALN4?ie=UTF8&tag=filfat-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">A Farewell To Arms</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=filfat-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0007PALN4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i>,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Man-Gray-Flannel-Suit/dp/B0009NZ2OW?ie=UTF8&tag=filfat-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"> The Man In The Gray Flannel Suit</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=filfat-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0009NZ2OW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Madame-Bovary-Jennifer-Jones/dp/B000KJU132?ie=UTF8&tag=filfat-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Madame Bovary</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=filfat-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000KJU132" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></i>. This is a personal list chosen for personal reasons.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-36691511880243127262008-04-04T01:00:00.004-04:002008-04-04T01:17:47.648-04:00Worst Bravo Hostess - You DecideHa, like anyone actually reads this blog.<br /><br /><embed allowscriptaccess="never" saveembedtags="true" src="http://www.polldaddy.com/poll.swf" flashvars="p=488191" quality="high" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="beta3" salign="tl" scale="autoscale" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="430" width="352"></embed>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-21171244951437213902008-04-04T00:53:00.004-04:002008-04-04T01:23:05.198-04:00Step It Up & Dance<img src="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-04/37480467.jpg" align="right" height="300" hspace="10" vspace="5" width="225" />Why the hell is Elizabeth Berkley hosting this show? And why does she look like a waxy, orange Barbie? And how does she still have a career?<br /><br />Really, I can't past this to watch the show. Look at the picture on the right. She looks like the freakin' crypt keeper! <br /><br />Oh wait, there's dancing. Yeah I'm ok again. <br /><br />I love dance shows, but . . . I don't know. I just don't care about all these bitches and their crying? They should have called this show "SHUT UP and Dance."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-37719061883736700652008-03-30T23:56:00.003-04:002008-04-04T01:15:58.494-04:00'John Adams' is Boring<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBuZ3wYjSUr6UYeFcF1Kl7utskkvHsXX4_ZZnNehMPld7BXPZCDfdvFw0cZiISv8qvesjwjzbKL96JVlL0hrnZ4hNDznBQmMzZ1BFswud5Tnf1xmLYiFfgv-9aa3DCn5zep4E0g/s320/john-adams.jpg" alt="paul giamatti and laura linney" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185254038840131458" align="right" border="0" hspace="10" vspace="5" />This is the fourth episode of the HBO mini-series and I just can't take it anymore. I've been open to the series -- everyone said the book was brilliant and I'm such a fan of Laura Linney and Paul Giamati, but I JUST DON'T CARE ANYMORE. I've given them over four hours of my life (since each episode lasts slighting over 60 mins.) and I can't commit to anymore.<br /><br />I understand the desire to look back at the great men and women who helped to shape our country, particularly as we are entering a treacherous era both in domestic and international affairs. However, there is only so much we can learn from our founding fathers at this point. Society has changed so much since 1776 that we might do better to examine our more recent Presidents in looking toward the future. Where is the in-depth biography and mini-series of FDR or Teddy Roosevelt.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-38468364568892668152008-01-02T12:05:00.000-05:002008-01-02T12:06:42.933-05:00Should TV Viewers Go On Strike?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Zqaw4NHNpL0SnIYdGf3Ha6I0OgV388Zro_YeU3SJyXbojL_2J5T_PBP1ONfrOF8DGuJ1JJRfYuFoADqCE09W87yvU8390pzmIejh58ZxgdzAC3HKYE7IW92dZ8NDkci5bwxRlA/s1600-h/stewart-colbert.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Zqaw4NHNpL0SnIYdGf3Ha6I0OgV388Zro_YeU3SJyXbojL_2J5T_PBP1ONfrOF8DGuJ1JJRfYuFoADqCE09W87yvU8390pzmIejh58ZxgdzAC3HKYE7IW92dZ8NDkci5bwxRlA/s320/stewart-colbert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148369449105363762" border="0"></a>Today all the nighttime shows -- <font style="font-style: italic;">Conan</font>, <font style="font-style: italic;">The Daily Show</font>, Colbert <font style="font-style: italic;">Report</font>, etc. -- come back on tonight without their writers. I'm thrilled that I get new episodes of <font style="font-style: italic;">The Daily Show</font> & <font style="font-style: italic;">Colbert Report</font>, but I do feel a little guilty that I'm planning on tuning in.<br /><br />I know that people in Hollywood (including lowly paid writers) make a hell of lot more than I do, so why should I even be concerned about an industry strike I'm not involved in. Well, all strikes have a point and they usually shed light on some labor issue that applies to all industries -- better hours, pay, benefits, etc. It's hard to see the point when a strike disrupts your life (like when the MTA strikes in NYC and you have to walk 50 blocks to work), but I think we can all agree that not having new TV shows on in February is not the end of the world. Maybe it's because I work in new media and I don't have a union to speak for me, but I now that there is money to made in this field and that the workers in it are often over-worked (70 hour work weeks are expected) and under-compensated.<br /><br />So, when my shows come back to night, do I just sit back and enjoy, or do I show support by not tuning in? It's not a question of whether the hosts are correct in their decision to come back -- I think it's great that they're thinking of their non-union staff who would otherwise be out of work. I suppose I'll cave in and watch, because I'm so conditioned to turn on my TV as soon as I walk in the door. I'm not sure I could just sit on the couch and read a book, or even meditate. But it's certainly something we should all consider before we readily tune in tonight. If the producers don't think writers have any value, what value could they possible put on the viewers?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-42435153937943993462007-12-30T09:00:00.000-05:002007-12-30T23:33:01.332-05:00The Complete Jane Austen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6tgg2v84AepoL3RXcgvOLQFaJukKGVcJRf1LK65_5tVCAzltFcqkNXJBXFpapSq0ND59nypEUBM81AcLh2KQP5Kq9AKYzwAEVYf1oo21ZY_udiNi8OZXj0A1ITrGoCRefZnFtA/s1600-h/pride-and-prejudice-DVDcover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6tgg2v84AepoL3RXcgvOLQFaJukKGVcJRf1LK65_5tVCAzltFcqkNXJBXFpapSq0ND59nypEUBM81AcLh2KQP5Kq9AKYzwAEVYf1oo21ZY_udiNi8OZXj0A1ITrGoCRefZnFtA/s320/pride-and-prejudice-DVDcover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148376527211467586" border="0" /></a>How much do you love PBS? Come on, you know you love it -- from when you were a wee little babe watching Sesame Street to today when it brings you the brilliant programming that is '<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/austen/index.html">The Complete Jane Austen'</a>. Starting the first Sunday in January and continuing for THREE MONTHS, PBS will be treating us to the all the Masterpiece Theater versions of Jane Austen's works, including the dreamy Colin Firth adaption of <span style="font-style: italic;">Pride and Prejudice</span> and Kate Beckinsale's feisty take on <span style="font-style: italic;">Emma</span>!<br /><br />If you can't wait for January to start, tune in to PBS tonight to catch <span style="font-style: italic;">Jane Eyre. </span>Yes, it's Charlotte Bronte, but it's almost-Austen and will get you in the mood for all the respectable British adaptations about to flood your way. An independent woman, an inappropriate love match, scandals that rock society! It's all there and the second part finishes up next week on the sixth, and then we launch in Austen-mania!<br /><br />Check out the schedule below and remember that you owe your local station a little cash for all the love they're showing you!<br /><br />• <strong>“Persuasion” (1/13, 9-10:30)</strong><br />• <strong>“Northanger Abbey” (1/20, 9-10:30) </strong><br />• <strong>“Mansfield Park” (1/27, 9-10:30)</strong><br />• <strong>“Miss Austen Regrets” (2/3, 9-10:30)</strong><br />• <strong>“Pride and Prejudice” (2/10-2/24, 9-11)</strong><br />• <strong>“Emma” (3/23, 9-11)</strong><br />• <strong>“Sense and Sensibility” (3/30 and 4/6, 9-10:30)<br /></strong><br />Looking for non-Masterpiece versions of these novels? Check out these excellent adaptations from Hollywood!<br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" id="Player_b3656701-3aa0-4779-a5a4-1050fe527659" height="200" width="600"> <param name="movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Ffilfat-20%2F8003%2Fb3656701-3aa0-4779-a5a4-1050fe527659&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Ffilfat-20%2F8003%2Fb3656701-3aa0-4779-a5a4-1050fe527659&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_b3656701-3aa0-4779-a5a4-1050fe527659" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_b3656701-3aa0-4779-a5a4-1050fe527659" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" height="200" width="400"></embed> </object> <noscript><a href="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Ffilfat-20%2F8003%2Fb3656701-3aa0-4779-a5a4-1050fe527659&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</a></noscript>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-80906729511985089552007-12-27T14:46:00.000-05:002007-12-27T14:47:04.382-05:005 Reasons Why Angie Harmon is the Sexiest Woman on TV<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyEdOE8TAGguECTyQvz58xBTNLvB1G-OY9foSIi48FVSjSUcDb-eqfofmisvWjKxYXuSi7UrCuGQKWO_JccDs_MBN_KRUfeYs8JLyD_H3szNitXYhlNM8PPx5EW_kJiN-wcbcVQ/s1600-h/angie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyEdOE8TAGguECTyQvz58xBTNLvB1G-OY9foSIi48FVSjSUcDb-eqfofmisvWjKxYXuSi7UrCuGQKWO_JccDs_MBN_KRUfeYs8JLyD_H3szNitXYhlNM8PPx5EW_kJiN-wcbcVQ/s320/angie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146464455015928562" border="0" /></a>Angie Harmon has been robbed - TWICE! First AOL named their <a href="http://television.aol.com/photos/sexiest-women-tv">50 Sexiest Women -- EVER!</a> and there was no Angie Harmon. There was a lot of uproar about the list, including the number one pick Pam Anderson. So AOL was nice enough to let fans pick their 20 hottest women, but again no Angie Harmon. I'm sorry, but she's so hot I would switch teams for her. I've been watching her new show <span style="font-style: italic;">Women's Murder Club</span> and I can see how everyone would have a crush on her. So without further ado I present a handy list for you all Angie Harmon beats the competition hands down.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. She's low-maintenance. </span>Well, at least she appears to be. She seems to just roll out of bed looking fabulous which can be frustrating if you don't have a girl crush on her.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. She's a tomboy. </span> She's married to an ex-football star, and looks like she was born in jeans and a leather jacket.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. She's got style.</span> A former model, Harmon knows how to dress to accentuate her<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. She's a mom.</span> That's right. She's had two kids and still looks unbelievably good. Yes, celebs have access to personal trainers and such, but Harmon looks like just as good as she did on <span style="font-style: italic;">Law & Order</span> all those years ago.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. She oozes sex. </span>Despite all the qualities that make Angie accessible, it's her bedroom eyes and husky voice that gets most men's hearts pumping.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-91001095544807233652007-12-26T12:17:00.001-05:002007-12-26T12:27:35.336-05:00Long Live the '90s!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk8-83SQAh9Xxolj1MZdpegObPs7IPRhs9jEtPTK7s7o5WgKCNaqY3JwUojKjeCaV6swYTqwjduE6xjskjruLmulRsBwkgnE1Qys28qnMREGrOq_iCKF0_XM0g12kfIBIk1kScg/s1600-h/boyz2men.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk8-83SQAh9Xxolj1MZdpegObPs7IPRhs9jEtPTK7s7o5WgKCNaqY3JwUojKjeCaV6swYTqwjduE6xjskjruLmulRsBwkgnE1Qys28qnMREGrOq_iCKF0_XM0g12kfIBIk1kScg/s320/boyz2men.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148334531021247266" border="0" /></a>Has anyone else noticed that this decade is back in a big way? First, there was a Spice Girls reunion. Then, there was VH1's Top Songs of the '90s. Now, there's a new album from Boys II Men.<br /><br />I'm loving all this nostalgia -- so far it's making me super happy. But the Boyz 2 Men thing feels like we've turned a corner to tragic. I mean, they're down to 3 members and it's an album of Motown covers. I'm sure they pull of the songs -- they've got great voices. But there's something that feels almost desperate about it. Like, would anyone under the age of 25 even listen to these songs? Sad to think, but the answer is probably no.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-86182109930754516812007-12-21T11:13:00.000-05:002007-12-21T12:22:36.393-05:00Cloverfield TrailerI know this has been around for a while, but it's probably one of the best movie teases since <span style="font-style: italic;">Jaws</span>. The idea that we don't know what the monster is, but we can see it's destruction. It's like what the <span style="font-style: italic;">Godzilla </span>remake should have been like.<br /><br />One complaint -- what's up with always destroying NY? DUDE STOP IT! I HAVE TO WORK HERE EVERY DAY!<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IvNkGm8mxiM&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IvNkGm8mxiM&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-44657111823701298952007-12-17T22:03:00.000-05:002007-12-17T22:24:01.285-05:00Clash of the Choirs vs. DuelThis showdown of special edition series was no contest. On one channel you had a well manicured sportscaster refereeing a game show whose set looks suspiciously like 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'. On the other channel - a choir, featuring a 77 year old woman, singing and dancing to Bon Jovi's 'Living on a Prayer'. Like I said -- no contest!<br /><br /><a href="http://abc.go.com/primetime/duel/index?pn=index" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Duel</span></a><br />I really like Mike Greenberg. I try to listen to <a href="http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/1050espnradio/show?showId=mikeandmike" target="_blank">'Mike and Mike in the Morning' </a>as often as possible. Great banter and a lot of great insight. I was super psyched to hear that he was going to be hosting this show. Not only does he have kids, but he's quite fond of Prada. So any income would probably out, but he doesn't really bring anything to the show. He's so stiff that it's a little uncomfortable to watch. Not that the show is really his fault -- it's just kinda lame. But then again so is 'Deal or No Deal' and that's a ratings blockbuster.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nbc.com/Clash_of_the_Choirs/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Clash of the Choirs</span></a><br />Thank you Jesus! After <a href="http://www.tv.com/viva-laughlin%21/show/68672/summary.html" target="_blank">'Viva Laughlin'</a> got pulled, I was afraid that I would be robbed of pure cheesy musical joy. Thankfully NBC has answered my prayers with this FABULOUS reality competition. The choirs sounded great and the winnings will go to some awesome charities so we can all sit back and enjoy the show. There are faults her too -- way too much filler and the celebrity "judges" are also the directors of the choris competing so they don't say anything bad or really add to the proceedings. If there is a God in heaven, Michael Bolton's choir will go through to the next competition so I can watch him choose a completely inappropriate song for his choir to sing, hog the spotlight by "performing" instead of conducting, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">PLAYING AIR GUITAR</span>. Thank you again Jesus and the suits at NBC for life's little joys.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-74978316421107928372007-12-13T14:08:00.000-05:002007-12-21T12:02:36.361-05:00Not so shocking reality moments<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DqQg5hV6Y2Q/R2vwZppmExI/AAAAAAAAAA0/HraEMr0JV4g/s1600-h/saleshia-tyra.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DqQg5hV6Y2Q/R2vwZppmExI/AAAAAAAAAA0/HraEMr0JV4g/s320/saleshia-tyra.jpg" alt="tyra banks and saliesha" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146471322668634898" border="0" /></a>I have never been the world's biggest reality show fan, but there are a few that I follow religiously. Two of my favorites are <span style="font-style: italic;">America's Next Top Model</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Project Runway</span> have always been fun, but both are starting to show their age. Really, was anyone really shocked by last night's developments?<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/index.php" target="_blank">Project Runway</a><br />I would have found Jack's early departure if not for the 8 million ads on Bravo that basically gave it away. Bravo is certainly not the first network to be guilty of this (I'm looking at you Fox!), but what is so frustrating about these slips is that it completely destroys the illusion of reality TV. I'm not stupid. I realize these shows are heavily edited and manipulated, but that doesn't mean we can't all pretend that all this drama doesn't just magically happen! Bravo, I find that hard to do that when you give away the twists in your freakin promos!<br /><br />Having said that, I'm said to see Jack go. He was crazy hot, obviously talented, and fun to watch.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cwtv.com/shows/americas-next-top-model" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">America's Next Top Model</span></a><br />Saleisha wins? Really? OMG I totally didn't see that coming! Of course we say it coming, she's the only one who is remotely pretty enough to be a freakin' model. If I were Tyra Banks I'd be getting a little nervous that <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/Make_Me_A_Supermodel/season/1/about/index.php" target="_blank">Bravo is planning to make their own modeling show</a>. They're much better at casting that you are baby.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-31969656164953050802007-12-11T11:53:00.000-05:002007-12-21T12:03:08.623-05:00Finally a Good "Grey's Anatomy"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxxu_Rgeh62LFKCLKIGBK1pfCwLGXT-_s_aiirAHhQOx0xHuWBxLRO9o4ySZ22zVwTu3S1IqWJs8oAel8YLYN6F4jy40Ctz41FgqsJXJDPSLeJ3M8uQKH5yo1hU-n8gptPtyEOw/s1600-h/grey_cast-799847.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxxu_Rgeh62LFKCLKIGBK1pfCwLGXT-_s_aiirAHhQOx0xHuWBxLRO9o4ySZ22zVwTu3S1IqWJs8oAel8YLYN6F4jy40Ctz41FgqsJXJDPSLeJ3M8uQKH5yo1hU-n8gptPtyEOw/s320/grey_cast-799847.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146464562390110978" border="0" /></a>Much has been said about the disastorous pairing of George and Izzie, but they are not totally to blame for this fall's lackluster season. After all, Meredith <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">still </span>can't make a decision, Bailey has been relegated to the sidelines after losing out on being named chief resident, Callie and Christina walking around as if they don't have any purpose, and no one stepped up to fill the giant holes left by the departures of Addison Montgomery and Preston Burke.<br /><br />So imagine the delight I had watching the recent two-part episode that really let the entire cast shine. Everyone's character flaws were worked into a thrilling arc that actually led to me watching the second part in real-time (yeah, it was <span style="font-weight: bold;">that </span>good). Bonus points to Shondra & the gang for throwing in Gale Harold and Seth Green, both sorely missed since they've left their regular TV gigs.<br /><br />Besides the thrill of 2 great hours of TV, I also feel like the show has turned a corner. Christina, Callie, and Bailey are back to being complex, female characters, and the addition of Brooke Smith as Dr. Erica Hahn might just be enough to make me forget both Addison and Burke. Hell, I even liked Meredith in this episode! And McDreamy finally did something that didn't make me want to smack him but kissing that adorable nurse.<br /><br />Hopefully the show will be able to carry this momentum after the strike is over, but it's nice to see the old <span style="font-style: italic;">Grey's</span> starting to come back. Oh, and please please please let this be the last we hear of George and Izzie.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-69533054858673200702007-12-06T11:35:00.000-05:002007-12-21T12:20:02.968-05:00'Heroes' is the new 'O.C.'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9vZIfWcWSOZ2mH4-IhJGSyyRSpmF-U7zsGlGkTvQpXFLSS0vl5mvm_6WYfukx-TIzKz_qLvuvn9Kq5A3F9N7ZuUPCVyr1jL7XYECDDUd6dwW8onIbEHdU52Ipbxc4YnEMsa9RQ/s1600-h/01_heroes2_lgl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9vZIfWcWSOZ2mH4-IhJGSyyRSpmF-U7zsGlGkTvQpXFLSS0vl5mvm_6WYfukx-TIzKz_qLvuvn9Kq5A3F9N7ZuUPCVyr1jL7XYECDDUd6dwW8onIbEHdU52Ipbxc4YnEMsa9RQ/s320/01_heroes2_lgl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146462822928356050" border="0" /></a>I had many emotions Monday night watching the <a href="http://film-fatale.blogspot.com/2007/11/fall-finales.html">"fall finale"</a> of <span style="font-style: italic;">Heroes</span> -- boredom, anger, um, bordeom -- but after it was all over I was struck by one thought. <span style="font-style: italic;">Heroes</span> is the new <span style="font-style: italic;">O.C.</span>.<br /><br />All TV junkies know that <span style="font-style: italic;">The O.C.</span> was pretty much perfect when it started out, but fell apart as the seasons dragged along. It was like a soap opera on speed - everything great that could happen to the characters seemed to work itself out in the first season. It's probably the closest we've come to a telenovella on American TV. Sure <span style="font-style: italic;">The O.C.</span> had its fans all the way through to the season's end, but it never reached the popularity or pure fun that first season had.<br /><br />How does that relate to <span style="font-style: italic;">Heroes</span>? Really, is there anyone who has cared what happened after they saved the cheerleader? The idea that this group of super mutants will have to constantly save Earth from doom is a little exhausting. The cast keeps getting larger and duller - Maya (or Mayja as her thankfully deceased brother would call her) and West, really? - and all we got from Monday's episode is that if you are remotely interesting as a character you're doomed (nooooo Nathan!). Now Tim Kring has admitted that t<a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20158840,00.html">his half of the season didn't really work</a> and <a href="http://www.tvguide.com/news/heroes-generations-finale/071204-01">volume 3 (villians) will be better</a>. So, here's hoping I'm totally wrong about the show. I'm fairly certain that Tim Kring has a better idea of what's going on than I do , and I've definitely held out on shows much longer than they deserved only to be rewarded (I'm looking at you <span style="font-style: italic;">Lost</span>!).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-35096049078035187862007-12-05T07:36:00.000-05:002007-12-21T12:20:20.467-05:00Tin Man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE6QA5INq10111dxj-vk70wdrWbwz9gxW5Ag3Uu8gJDgSH_Xrht-N1XVTxvhURCIpdyndbNSfqVvM5-O2cohiU2SZHY5I37GEPwRTyHAmGwZJiC8VIo3E7t9Thm9ZBZ7TVbcs9g/s1600-h/tinman_large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE6QA5INq10111dxj-vk70wdrWbwz9gxW5Ag3Uu8gJDgSH_Xrht-N1XVTxvhURCIpdyndbNSfqVvM5-O2cohiU2SZHY5I37GEPwRTyHAmGwZJiC8VIo3E7t9Thm9ZBZ7TVbcs9g/s320/tinman_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146462311827247810" border="0" /></a>What an utter disappointment this miniseries has been . . . I know a lot of people have already written about how terrible these past three nights have been, but unlike those people I actually like <span style="font-style: italic;">The 10th Kingdom</span>. But this movie has just been a mess -- from the actors to the plot to the title of the damn series. If this movie is suppossed to be about "D.G." than why is it called <span style="font-style: italic;">Tin Man</span>?<br /><br />As for Zooey Deschanel, I've always wondered how she is an actress. While she's as cute as a button, she has no emotion. Neither does her sister Emily, but she's found the perfect role for her monotone delivery in <span style="font-style: italic;">Bones</span>. In this show she appears like a confused little bird.<br /><br />Didn't see the film? Don't believe me? <a href="http://www.scifi.com/pulse/">You can watch the whole series over at scifi.com.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-70493611498770838022007-11-15T23:21:00.000-05:002007-12-27T10:17:56.255-05:00Daytime TV: Curse or Blessing?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTFlrt1hrP7ZZPMDqR39zzsJBn776W5FI3ht-u3ET1tmfFR8QV-JBfqFBHPV73foG3hSZLdBRIxFT_bqhPRog2ivpki9HQlmJs9s7rmduVDMaAfOVjwE1kUXXVwOWRKe5DCcafw/s1600-h/gilmore-girls-lauren-alexis-300-032707.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTFlrt1hrP7ZZPMDqR39zzsJBn776W5FI3ht-u3ET1tmfFR8QV-JBfqFBHPV73foG3hSZLdBRIxFT_bqhPRog2ivpki9HQlmJs9s7rmduVDMaAfOVjwE1kUXXVwOWRKe5DCcafw/s320/gilmore-girls-lauren-alexis-300-032707.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148672222824895330" border="0" /></a>I'm really not sure anymore whether Daytime TV is a gift from God or sent from the Devil himself. Being out of work has been an eye-opening experience for me, mostly because I can't believe how much television I've consumed. I would think that it was all a waste of time, but I've been learning so much!<br /><br />In the end I think it all comes down to choice. Are you going to spend that rainy day on the couch watching Jerry Springer or Maury Povich? Or are you going to watch a home improvement show that teaches you how to caulk your tub? I've been spending a lot of time on the History Channel myself, but I recently found that ABC Family is re-running <span style="font-style: italic;">Gilmore Girls</span> from the pilot episode. Sigh. They make me so happy. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-61825900173314226112007-11-14T11:59:00.000-05:002007-12-21T12:20:33.556-05:00The Darjeeling Limited<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgoesJp0bIAqj-BI9N0XjPQWEaLATNXrpRNW3kyN-9P2d3J_hXCC5KwAujoD9x6zp-aieVpUkSSskZ6nDWAi_M0zgvj5fAumoJQkvtyWHEkZIzRQtDmuhrKGz2_EG4cemzTKYAA/s1600-h/the_darjeeling_limited_movie_poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgoesJp0bIAqj-BI9N0XjPQWEaLATNXrpRNW3kyN-9P2d3J_hXCC5KwAujoD9x6zp-aieVpUkSSskZ6nDWAi_M0zgvj5fAumoJQkvtyWHEkZIzRQtDmuhrKGz2_EG4cemzTKYAA/s320/the_darjeeling_limited_movie_poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146463140755935970" border="0" /></a>I might be crazy, but I am a Wes Anderson fan. It's the cute little details that I love discovering in his films (like the framed drawing of underwear in <span style="font-style: italic;">The Royal Tenenbaums</span>), which often make him a target with critics.<br /><br />Even though <span style="font-style: italic;">The Life Aquatic</span> was a bit of a letdown for me I rushed out to the theaters for this exotic tale of three brothers attempts to reconnect after their father's death. There was something intoxicating about the film, which may have a lot to do with the lush Indian settings. I can't for the life of me remember anything that was said in the movie, but I do remember feeling warm and fulfilled after seeing the film. It's also inspired me to take a train trip through India, perhaps one of the last truly exotic travel options left in the world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-41058178485144068852007-11-13T12:04:00.000-05:002007-12-09T22:48:40.644-05:00Fall finalesFox spent last week eagerly hyping its "fall finale" of <span style="font-style: italic;">Prison Break</span>. As <a href="http://film-fatale.blogspot.com/2007/11/writers-strike.html">the writer's strike</a> continues to cause ripples throughout the world of scripted television, this could look like a blessing. Fans of the show will have a conclusion that will tide them over until new episodes can be produced, unlike other shows which will just abruptly cease airing new episodes.<br /><br />However, this fall finales trend has been going on for some years now and I'd like start a discussion as to whether these are actually helpful to viewers. Last fall I was absolutely engrossed in <span style="font-style: italic;">Heroes </span>as were many Americans. I was desperate to know whether or not Peter and the gang would "Save the Cheerleader. Save the World." When the event finally occurred I felt a rush of satisfaction, but also a lot of disappointment. It was no surprise when the Season 1 finale rolled around that I felt it was all very anti-climatic. There was so much hype and promise and delivery from the "fall finale" that I didn't need anymore resolution.<br /><br />I hope networks start treating their viewers with more respect. We're media savvy - we understand sweeps ratings, product placement, hell we can even get our favorite programs from places other than TV now. By trying to stick to a outdated profit model, networks are losing site on what will really keep us coming back - quality shows that run uninterrupted so that we can tune in and enjoy. They don't always have to be amazing (even the best shows go through rough patches) but they do have to be consistent.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-5214217683673904162007-11-08T13:01:00.000-05:002007-12-09T22:49:01.077-05:00cheers and jeersAwesome! <a href="http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Cheers-38-Jeers/Jeers-Bee-Bee/800026303">Someone else out there agrees</a> about the desperate shilling of both NBC and Jerry Seinfeld. Woo hoo TV Guide!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-21389165726491228042007-11-06T10:23:00.000-05:002007-12-26T15:26:51.558-05:00The Writer's StrikeUnless you work or follow entertainment media, you might not have noticed that the writers went on strike. For everyone dealing with this "tragedy" I've got good news and bad news.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good News</span> - No more dreadful <span style="font-style: italic;">Saturday Night Lives</span>! After Saturday's episode with Brian Williams I think it's time to finally put this show to rest. I know, everyone else has stopped watching it years ago, but there was always one or two sketches that were worth watching for.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bad News</span> - No new <span style="font-style: italic;">Daily Shows</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">Colbert Reports</span> until the strike is over. OK, this can be a serious problem. I look to those shows to provide a little dose of sanity to the ridiculously over-hyped and biased news coverage that blankets American media (and CNN is as much to blame as Fox News on this front).<br /><br />Basically as long as all of this ends before the new season of <span style="font-style: italic;">Lost </span>starts we'll be good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-26912994124792885972007-10-31T17:28:00.000-04:002007-10-31T17:29:57.406-04:00Where have all the trick or treaters gone?I've been home all day waiting for cute little kids in costumes and I've gotten nothing! I live in a development. When I was kid lazy parents used to drive their kids here. Boo. What the hell do I do with all this candy?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-9539052229953238892007-10-22T22:54:00.000-04:002007-12-09T22:50:19.483-05:00Bee TVAll right Jerry. We get it. You have a movie coming out. Really, did Dreamworks think this movie needed mini comedy spots starring Jerry Seinfeld on NBC for over a month? What animated movie opening in November doesn't go well? All you had to say was "Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock. From the creators of <span style="font-style: italic;">Shrek</span>." Every kid and their mother is going to see this movie, so just stop with all the friggin' commercials already.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-84900621234420564752007-10-21T22:58:00.000-04:002007-12-09T22:50:42.652-05:00Danny Houston is one scary vampireSeriously where did this guy come from? I know he's acting royalty but it's like he burst onto the scene a few years ago and he's just totally intense. In <span style="font-style: italic;">30 Days of Night</span> he was like Bela Lugosi meets Nosferatu on steroids -- terrifying and yet charming. I really need a film journalist to interview him and find out what makes him tick. Oh wait, is there even such a thing as film journalism anymore?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-1134590595233701742005-12-14T15:01:00.000-05:002005-12-14T15:03:15.246-05:00Katie Holmes Not Pregnant?That's according to this site: <a href="http://conversationsfamouspeople.blogspot.com/">http://conversationsfamouspeople.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />I don't know . . . seems a little extreme to protect a sham? Then again, I'm not famous so what do I know.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-1133798578222439682005-12-05T10:58:00.000-05:002007-10-22T23:08:45.492-04:00Wendy Wasserstein gravely illShe is the pioneer of chick lit. Chick lit with a purpose. Are we too smart? Too independent? Why are women who are suppossed to have it all always end up alone? She's one of the reasons people should read more plays.<br /><br />I hope you get better Wendy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12767299.post-1130858036151220142005-11-01T10:12:00.000-05:002005-11-01T10:13:56.163-05:00Why Are Deer Attacking People?That's the most brilliant headline I've ever seen. Apparantly male deer are starting to attack people and pets. <br /><br />Awww yeah. Bambi is kicking ass and taking names. Read the story on <a href="http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=1258792">ABCNews.com</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0