EMMYS 2010 (Yes, I know they were two weeks ago!)

This bear has hibernated long enough. My apologies for the absence. My day job is teaching computer lab at an elementary school. The start of the new year took me longer to adjust to than I expected and this blog got pushed to the back burner by default. This is the restart of what I hope to be a consistently updated website. Please don’t bail on me yet!

So…without further ado…here are my reactions to the Emmys…2 weeks late!

Out of all the mediums of popular culture, I would say watching television is one I consume less than most of the others. I do have my few shows I DVR but the majority of TV I watch is on DVD. So, I won’t be able to say if the right or wrong nominee won but I can comment my reaction based on what I do know. First though, lets talk about the show itself.

I am a fan of Jimmy Fallon and his late night talk show but I can admit that he isn’t necessarily the funniest person on the planet. He did, however, impress me with his execution as host of the Emmys. It seemed like a perfect fit to have him host. Neil Patrick Harris did a strong job at last year’s awards but Fallon was confident and just let his natural persona shine through. From his little musical introductions to the different genres to his tribute of the major shows that went off the air this year, his charisma allowed the broad humor to be acceptable for the evening. The highlight of the show though was the amazing “Glee”-themed opening.

The show began with a taped intro of Fallon arriving at the theatre, only to meet a few members of the cast of “Glee” on the street. He tells them that he can’t wait to see them at the show but they respond by saying they can’t afford tickets. Jimmy has the idea to win the money needed for tickets by winning a glee club contest but they need to find a few more people to join the group first. What follows is an energy-pumping, movie musical-quality rendition of “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen. The sketch included Tina Fey, Jon Hamm, Betty White, Joel McHale, Hurley from Lost and even Kate “can you believe I had 8 children?!” whatever her last name is. The song ends with the entire group running out live on the stage to finish the song, Jimmy in The Boss’ trademark white t-shirt, jeans and all. It was a perfect, literally perfect, way to kick off the show.

Now to the actual awards…

Yes, you got that right

*Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”): Kansas City native Eric Stonestreet was one of the main reasons “Modern Family” was the best comedic addition to television this year. As half of the extremely lovable, newly-minted and gay parents of an adopted Vietnamese girl, Stonestreet plays the role to hilarious perfection. It would be hard to find a character on all of television that you would want to actually know in real life more.

*Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Aaron Paul (“Breaking Bad”): Even though the show has only been on for three years, this is a long overdue accolade for Paul. He should have been the runaway winner last year as his performance in season two was one of the most riveting on film or television in several years. Even from the crowd’s reaction to his name being called this year, you could tell it felt like a make-up award. Not that his performance this season wasn’t great but compared to the previous year’s it was pedestrian.

*Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – John Lithgow (“Dexter”): Lithgow’s turn as the almost mirror image to Michael C. Hall’s Dexter, the working family man by day/serial killer by night, was chilling and haunting. The murder he commits in the first episode of this last season literally gave me nightmares and I still have trouble shaking it. He played a character who was a man that I know; a religious, giving, loving husband and father who has his demons. This could have been played extremely over the top but his subtle, volcanic arc throughout the season was incredible.

*Outstanding Reality-Competiton Program – “Top Chef”: This category has been won every year since it was created by “The Amazing Race.” I know my sister loves that show but “Top Chef” is the ONLY reality-competition program I watch. You know why? Because it is mainly about them COMPETING, not silly, slyly edited fake drama. Its about time this show won.

*Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”): This show has been on for three years. Cranston has won three times. This is not a fluke. This is the best show in television. He is a major reason why.

*Outstanding Comedy Series – “Modern Family”: Have you seen it? No? Do you own a television? Yes? (sigh) I can’t believe we are friends.

Ho-Hum

*Outstanding Drama Series – “Mad Men”: Don’t get me wrong, I love “Mad Men.” This show and “Breaking Bad” are easily the two best hour-long dramas on TV…and they are both on the same network! But it has won every year since it premiered and that is boring now. This award should have gone to “Breaking Bad” this year. I suggested in my Twitter that night that if “Mad” is going to keep winning, next year just play that night’s episode. Its on at the same time. While the cast and crew were on stage accepting their awards, the new episode was playing over on AMC. Let’s save the time next year.

*Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Jane Lynch (“Glee”): Jane Lynch is hilarious! She is the hottest thing right now. I’ve never seen an episode of “Glee” but it didn’t win anything else and its so popular that it needed to get something. Either of the ladies from “Modern Family” or Kristin Wiig from “SNL” were deserving as well. I can’t bash this win too much because I don’t know enough but I could see this coming miles away.

Sorry…I have to disagree

*Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series – “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”: I am a huge fan of “The Daily Show” but this was the year of CoCo! Conan deserved this award, not as a sympathy gesture but because the show deserved it. Conan brought back the true spirit of “The Tonight Show.” While there are MANY more important issues and injustices in the world, what happened to Conan this past year was just wrong. I am very excited for his new show to start in a couple months but I would have been willing to wait a few more if it meant I could have heard his acceptance speech on the stage that night.

*Outstanding Nonfiction Series – “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea”: How does the BBC’s follow-up to “Planet Earth,” the breathtaking and insanely entertaining “Life”, not win?! It is preposterous. Maybe its because Oprah narrated the US version. Oh well…

*Outstanding Reality Series – “Jaime Oliver’s Food Revolution”: I struggled with this show. Maybe because it was more horrifying than I was expecting. But there is nothing better that describes “reality series” to me than “Mythbusters.” It is my current TV obsession. I will be writing more about this in an upcoming post.

*Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Archie Panjabi (“The Good Wife”): I guess the Academy needed to throw the networks a bone but come on! ROSE BYRNE! She has been deserving of this or any award connected to “Damages” for as long as the show has been on. In fact, I think she is stronger than Glenn Close, who is very good in her role in her own right.

My "Scott Pilgrim" review featured on RELEVANT

My "Scott Pilgrim vs The World" review was featured on RELEVANTMagazine.com today. Click the link below to check it out!

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/film/reviews/22539-scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world

NEW POLL: Primetime Emmys

The commercials for the 2010 Primetime Emmys hosted by Jimmy Fallon are in full force. I like Jimmy and several of my favorite shows are nominated but I'll probably DVR it so I can watch the condensed version later. What about you though? Is watching the Emmys a priority for you or just another sad example of Hollywood grandstanding? SOUND OFF!

1. YES! I never miss 'em!

2. Probably. There usually isn't anything else on Emmy night.

3. I'd rather not but I may not have a choice. (Thanks to the wife or roommate)

4. NO STINKING WAY! I'd rather go through 7th grade algebra again!

Some leftover pics from Comic-Con...

While cleaning out my cell phone media today, I ran across a few pics from Comic-Con that I never shared. So, I thought I would post them here. The more I reflect on my experience, the more of a blast I realized I had. I'm guessing I'll be returning next year. Wanna come?

Papa and I before our last day at the Con

Not bad looking, huh?

Alice in Wonderland

Papa with some of our favorite costumed fellow attendees.

Captain America's Shield

My dad accomplishing one of his dreams! (what you can't see is a sign right below that said "Don't Touch"!)

David Boreanaz

We were walking by the Fox booth and there he was. I am a big fan of everything he has done; from Buffy to Angel to Bones!

Jon Favreau and Daniel Craig

My phone couldn't take a clear picture of the stage, so this is from the screen right by us. Trust me though, they were only like 50 yards in front of us. If you don't know who these guys are, it is Jon Favreau (director of the "Iron Man" movies) and Daniel Craig (current James Bond). They were promoting their film, "Cowboys and Aliens" that comes out next summer.

Harrison Ford

'Nuff said.

These pics were just from the very last day. It's all happening so fast and its so crazy, I didn't even think about taking pictures. Next time, I will be an expert. I swear this is the end of my Comic-Con 2010 coverage. Hope you enjoyed!

REVIEW: "Salt"

One of the most overused responses to criticisms of mainstream blockbuster movies is "Can't it just be fun?" Yes, is my response, yes it can just be fun but that doesn't mean it needs to be mindless and insult the audience's intelligence. This has really become an issue for me since last summer's piece of absolute childish garbage that is more popularly known as "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Just because you have an endless budget and make a lot of explosions, it doesn't give the studios the right to just plop something, anything, on the screen.

I say all of this because "Salt" is a perfect example of the exception to this rule. This film is fun. Period. The action is exciting, the plot is smart but not overindulgent and the movie is accessible for all audiences. I love a movie that makes me think, that challenges me, that even disturbs me but I don't always want that. I love to go to the theatre and just have fun. "Salt" provided this for me. It is a wonderfully crafted summer action flick.

This script has been circling Hollywood for a couple of years and Tom Cruise was attached to the lead role for the majority of that time. After a couple director and script changes, Cruise dropped out and director Phillip Noyce ("Patriot Games") took the helm. His first major decision was that he wanted to put Angelina Jolie as the title character. This, in hindsight, was the best move he could have made. Noyce's direction with the execution of the superb cast is what makes "Salt" work.

Evelyn Salt is a complex character who leaves the audience guessing the entire film. As the tagline to the marketing said, "Who is Salt?", and you don't get the answer to that question until the end of the film. Jolie embodies this character to perfection. She brings a humanity to a person who does horrible things without us understanding her motivation. There are also few female leads in the industry today that could pull off what this role requires, both emotional and especially physically. She pulls off some action in this film that seems comparable to the footage I've seen of the upcoming "ultimate" action flick, "The Expendables." I know that she gets a lot of flack from the public for her personal life, but as an actor, she represents the strong image of a woman very well and I don't know if she gets enough credit for that.

Rounding out the strong three leads of this cast is Liev Schreiber ("X-Men: Wolverine") as Salt's CIA partner, Ted Winter and the underrated Chiwetel Ejiofor ("American Gangster") as the man chasing her on the run. These two fine actors bring a respectable performance to their characters that could easily have been phoned in by any other actor out there today. At the film's panel at Comic-Con, Noyce raved about the only reason this film truly succeeds is because of the performance of his actors. I have to wholeheartedly agree.

The storyline has the basic outline that has been seen before with a tale of spies, the government, double agents, etc., except this has a new take and refreshing spin on what could have been a too predictable of an outcome. Its not too complicated or challenging in anyway but that allows any and everyone who watches this movie to enjoy it. You will see a few things coming here and there but that is why you just sit in your seat and have a good time.

If you just need a two hour escape from your hectic life or want a quick thrill, "Salt" will not bore you. It is not of the the Top 10 films of the year, even in a weaker year, but it is not a complete waste of time or money. In these days, that can be all we ask for sometimes.

Best Albums of 2010 (so far...) (for me...)

2010 has been an subpar year so far when it comes to music. More than any other year in recent memory, I have found myself listening to the same thing repeatedly or consuming more older stuff. So, I did some online research to remind me of what came out this year and went through my iTunes library and compiled a small list of music I have really been digging that came out this year. I know I am forgetting something, so sound off and let me know. Also tell me how wrong I am about something I chose. Hope you discover something on here. These are all worth checking out.

BROKEN BELLS - Broken Bells

While this list is not in any particular rank or order, this album from the creative minds of James Mercer (lead singer of The Shins) and Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) is easily my favorite of the year. The clear chemistry of this duo shines through as the album's atmosphere of unique independent sounds shines through.

LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

James Murphy is rumored to believe that this will be the last album he does as LCD Soundsystem because he feels like he is losing his edge. Hopefully this is not true because no matter how hard he tries to not believe, he is still near the forefront of cool.

SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS - I Learned the Hard Way

The latest sound making a comeback is the old school R&B/Motown sound and no one, absolutely no one, is doing better than Sharon Jones. Her voice is as perfectly classic as it comes and she is rumored to put on an amazing live show. I hope to see her in a couple months. Until then, this album will more than hold me over.

THE MORNING BENDERS - Big Echo

The Morning Benders is a band from Berkeley, California who released what is technically their sophomore album, "Big Echo", this year. I say "technically" because their debut album flew under the radar and while it was critically praised, I believe "Big Echo" will push it back into oblivion. The Morning Benders are one of the ultimate "indie bands" and have supported such acts as Broken Bells and Grizzly Bear. I look forward to what they will bring in the future.

THE BLACK KEYS - Brothers

The Black Keys are a brother duo made up of drums and guitar. Kind of like the Right Guard to The White Stripes' Sure deodorant. They are very consistent in the quality of music they produce and "Brothers" is no exception. Plus, its got the greatest album cover EVER.

LOCAL NATIVES - Gorilla Manor

"Gorilla Manor" is the debut album from a band that has hit the scene hard. Buzz has building about this LA-based band since last year and they have not disappointed. It hasn't maintained its strength as the year has gone on for me but when it pops up on shuffle, I quickly grow a smile.

SLEIGH BELLS - Treats

Sleigh Bells album "Treats" would be my choice for debut album of the year if it wasn't for the first and last selections on this list. This is pop/rock/indie/dance at its best. You can't help but bob your head and move to the groove when this band comes on. This is the band I am most excited and curious to see perform live.

MUMFORD & SONS - Sigh No More (note: some explicit lyrics in the video)

Coming in a close second for my favorite, most played album of the year is England's "Mumford & Sons." What's great about this band is that even though they are British, "Sigh No More" is the most Americana-sounding album in a long, long time. This is real music; talented musicians who can all play and sing beautiful harmonies while being inventive and classic at the same time. I can't be more excited about a band right now and this whole album is amazing.

NEW POLL: Concert Tickets

NEW POLL POSTED!

When you buy tickets to a concert, what is the most important factor to you?

1. Ticket Price - I have a limit, no matter the band

2. Seat Location - I want the best seats, no matter the price.

3. Venue - There are certain places in town I will see a show and certain ones I will avoid

4. None of the above - It doesn't matter if I love the band enough. I will do whatever it takes to go.

I want to hear your thoughts. With the tanking economy and ridiculous ticket prices and fees, are you still going to shows? The poll is in the column on the right side of the page. SOUND OFF!