Summer Movie Blockbuster Season is Thankfully Almost Over

Movies that aren't sequels!?!?! Wow!!! Who knew they still existed? I always held out hope I'd see them again (But of course not again and again and again and again.). Check out my picks for the best upcoming movies that thankfully won't ever become sequels. (click on the poster to watch the trailer):

The Darjeeling Limited (Fall 2007)

This latest film from Wes Anderson looks interesting and I love the actors in it. Plus, it takes place in India, a place I would love to visit.

End point: I really liked The Royal Tenenbaums, I really didn't know what to think about The Life Aquatic, but I'm super psyched for a new vision from this unique director.
("Darjeeling Limited" at Technorati)


December Boys (Fall 2007)

Daniel Radcliffe not portraying Harry Potter AND keeping his clothes on (as far as I know). I also really enjoy coming-of-age movies. The trailer for this conjures memories of Stand by Me and Now and Then.

End point: New Zealand + Harry Potter + the beach = Love.
("December Boys" at Technorati)


Gone Baby Gone (Fall 2007)

Ben Affleck's first crack at directing looks intense. It stars his brother Casey and a lot of other great actors, plus it takes place in Boston. See that skyline? It's the only good thing about riding the Red Line home from work.

End point: Casey Affleck is adorable, Boston is beautiful, this author also wrote "Mystic River". I'm sold.
("Gone Baby Gone" at Technorati)


30 Days of Night (October 2007)

"Which of these things is not like the other? Which of these things just doesn't belong?" Okay, so this movie could possibly spawn a sequel (30 Days of Light. Wait, already been done.) and yes, it stars Josh Hartnett. But what can I say? I am a sucker for horror movies and the undead. The premise for this seems like a fresh take on the genre, although I can't believe it's taken this long for someone to make a vampire movie set in one of those crazy places that has days and days of darkness during the winter. Hello people! No sunlight = no killing vampires! Duh!

End point: It's produced by Sam Raimi, I'm ready to get shit scared out of me, bring it on.("30 days of night" at Technorati)


1-18-08 (Guess when it comes out?)

Oh, J.J. Abrams, you have hooked me in again. No one knows what this movie is called or what it's about or who's in it, and if LOST is any indication, once we see the movie we still probably won't know what the hell's going on. But you know what? I'm still gonna see it. And then I'm going to spend hours on a message board trying to unlock it's secrets. Ok, not really, but a lot of other people already are. After watching a 2 minute preview. Of a movie without a name. Mr. Abrams, that is power.

End point: You know what would be funny? If this movie didn't even exist. J.J. Abrams is just fucking with everyone because he can. You get to the theatre, sit down and then the smoke monster comes on and does a 2 minute tap dance. Cut to J.J. Abrams saying "Watch LOST! I'm J.J. Abrams bitch!" Would that blow your mind or what?
(1-18-08 at Technorati)

The Best Things in Life Are Free, Part Deux

Just in case you missed the memo....THE INTERNET IS AWESOME!
(If you were hoping for better commentary from a Boston University College of Communication alum on the state of media and communication in 2006, please remember that I have two jobs and no desire to think any more than necessary apart from them.)

So, my latest, greatest find in the arena of fabulous internet content is this site - http://allfg.alluc.org/cms/cms/. On here you can watch FREE episodes of your favorite TV shows - LOST, Grey's, Seinfeld, The Office, etc. Of course, my own personal favorite is The X-Files! Only seasons 1, 2 and some of 5 are up, which is random, but I'm not complaining.

A few down-sides to the site are - you will need Quicktime installed on your computer (easily acquired) and a fast internet connection (we have cable and an hour long episode uploads quickly and runs fine). The video quality also isn't exactly HD TV, but how much does it really matter when you're probably watching the episode for at least the 6th time (or is that just me)?

Lastly, I do not promote piracy or illegal downloading (especially of moves and television). This site provides strictly streaming video content (non-downloadable) and I did look into the legality of the content posted on the site. Apparently, like the free music download site I had recommended in an earlier post, the site manager is just acquiring the links to the content and listing them in one handy place for people to browse. Most of the videos link to external sites where the people who have uploaded them have had to (hopefully) prove their legal right to share the content.

So my advice: get while the gettins good. This may be like Napster (circa 2000) where the content is given free reign until someone realizes the money they are potentially losing and finds a better way to cash in.

If you need to find me, I will be retracing the beginnings of Mulder and Scully. Please leave your jokes about my giant dork status below.


P.S. Speaking of....congratulations go out to Gillian Anderson (aka Scully) on the birth of her son.

P.P.S. Congratulations also go out to David Duchovny for being hot.

The Best Things in Life are Free

Especially if one of those things is music.

Today a stumbled across a site called It's Free Downloads that is making a directory of ONLY the free downloads from iTunes. That way us cheapies don't have to search through the whole iTunes website to find those little treasures. It's not just for music either - there are links to free TV show episodes (special eps of LOST and Grey's Anatomy anyone?), video clips and audiobooks. Plus, there's this free song list for Facebook members. Check that out here.

So, it's not exactly Napster circa the year 2000 (sweet, sweet times), but it also won't land your ass in the middle of a ridiculous lawsuit where the plaintiff is an artist worth 100 times more money than you'll ever see in your life. Don't EVEN get me started.

Confessions of a Grey's Anatomy Virgin

In the past 3 weeks, I have had a total of 5 people almost go into coronary arrest over my utterance of the simple statement: "I have never watched Grey's Anatomy." So, to ensure that I am not to blame for anyone's premature death, I have succumbed to the peer-pressure and watched last night's episode. It was the re-airing of last year's season finale and thus I was a little confused. However, TV is not rocket-science and this show isn't exactly 24 or LOST (no offense Grey-lovers, it just isn't as complicated as those), so I think I'll be able to pick it up.

Fast forward to tonight. I just watched what I am assuming was a show to catch up people like me on the last season, and I think it did the trick. And I'll admit, I'm intrigued. I do keep having to stomp down the little voice in me that says "But what is the NEED for another hospital-based drama?!", but if it's as good as you all say, I'm sure I'll get over it.

So, here I am. It is 9:00pm on Thursday, October 21, 2006, I am in my PJs, have a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and I am about to watch my first episode of Grey's Anatomy (ok, technically not the first, but the first that I'm going to understand). Come along and I'll tell you how it goes.

9:01
Well, we are off to a good start, they are using the Lullaby song I love from the Dixie Chicks' latest album. +1 (even though Medium used it last year)

9:08
The bubonic plague? Ok, ok, I'll give it a chance.

9:20
Realize I haven't been writing in here about the show. That's probably worth a +5.

9:22
Knocked-up catholic school girls throwing their baby into a dumpster and cheaters getting cheated on. +2 for piqued interest, -1 for soap-opera quality

9:25
There is a skunk outside my apartment. -10 for the skunk and another glass of wine for me.

9:32
There is a woman larger than a size 2 on the show and she seems like she actually has a part beyond the comic relief or the wise friend who can't get a date. +5!

9:36
Dr. McDreamy (that is his name right?) is going to die of the plague in the resident locker room after he eats every piece of food in there. +2, I want to see that

9:39
Someone save the plague guy who used to be on Boston Public!!! +1 for emotional involvement

9:48
Realizing this show is different than ER because no actual medical procedures are performed. No points won or lost because I haven't decided whether it's a good thing or not.

9:49
How long do you think Chris O'Donnell will be "Guest Star"ing on the show?

9:59
Finally! She put those damn panties on the bulletin board. I was waiting for that the whole time. Good move Mrs. McDreamy, even though you were the one that cheated first.
Ok, I'm obviously getting into this. +1

10:01
Told us what music was used in the episode. Good job ABC. +2
But why are your shows ending at 10:01?
At least it's not like LOST where you tell us it's an "extended episode" and it lasts until 10:02. -10 for ABC and their idiotic-ness when it comes to that show.

But, I digress.

I made it successfully through my first Grey's Anatomy episode and I enjoyed it! I hear the first two seasons are even better and Jen has decided that I'm going to watch those too. So I will admit I am excited for that.

But, back to tonight. The tally is......drumroooooooooooll........16! (for Grey's, but -8 for ABC and -10 for the skunk.)

That's a pretty good score. Of course, my points are like those on Whose Line is it Anyway?, they don't matter. However, they do mean that I will probably watch again next week.

Well, I may tape it while I watch CSI.
What can I say? Dr. McDreamy is pretty dreamy, but Nick Stokes is the hottest CSI around.