I want to love you

There are a lot of things I do not understand in this world, and one of the ones that haunts me every day is.. what happened to MIchael Jackson. Seriously, what went wrong there? I am going to ignore the fact that he looked like an skin cancer spokesperson/ alien from planet ugly during the last years of his life, and focus on why we all love him.. the music. If he didn't crack up, MIchael Jackson would still be making some of the best music of our generation. Even as a freak of (well i dont want to say nature because it was so un-natural) other worldly-ness, he was one of the top selling artists in history. His songs have to impact to change the way you feel about dancing. I don't think anyone can listen to "Don't stop till you get enough" without some kind of body movement. I personally desire to stand on tables and hip thrust when I listen to that song. There are many people in history that give off those "I'm too cool for school" vibes. Michael Jackson (pre meltdown) had them just leaking out of his pores. The way he moved, spoke, even just stood there was epic. I wish deep in my heart that he was still alive and sane and making me feel like dancing, but I guess I will just have to listen to all the beloved classics and be near tables so I can enjoy him. Watch the video below if you think I underestimate his "bitchin" factor.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPjfMSn4f6c&feature=channel

What's mine is yours and what's yours is ours...

I think the effect of the "serenade" is either going to be a hit or miss. In all of the examples above, the effect has been what I would call "orgasmic". First of all, lets all just agree right now that Alfalfa singing to Darla in the "Little Rascals" is just nonsensical and adorable. Children trying to be adults is a common theme in comedies, but sometimes it can go badly wrong. Lucky for our generation, this movie was not considered inappropriate, but instead an immediate classic. The serenade is all about timing. I say this because no one wants to be woken up in the middle of the night by a mediocre acoustic guitar performance of "I don't want to miss a thing" with your name strategically put in. The timing must be right, and it must be executed well. Heath Ledger (RIP) had one of the most perfect examples of a serenade should be done. I think we all melted a little bit when we first saw the movie and watched him parade around the bleachers singing "you're just too good to be true". The key is too throw in a little comedy. Heath had some adorable dance moves, help from the marching band, and the guts to slap the ass of a chubby police officer. One of my favorite serenades of all time is Jon Cryer lip singing and dancing to Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" in Pretty in Pink. His personality as "Duckie" is just perfect. He is the kind of friends you just want to put in your pocket and laugh with all day long. Watching him spin around and impersonate one of the most soulful classics is just fantastic. So gentlement of the world, if you are looking to impress your lady love with a song from your heart these are some good examples of how it should be done. Use a little comedy, pick a song with character (nothing cheesy please), and don't just stand there.. it makes it weird...... Good Luck!

If you're 16, and not a total fry... it's just what ya' do...

I am always saddened by the fact that so few people have seen this movie. Drop Dead Gorgeous has been one of my favorites for years. Of course it was made in 1999, so it already has 90's points (immediately you know that your going to see level sketchers, tshirts that show bellies, and scrunchies). It is a fantastically written moc-umentary about a local beauty pageant in Minnesota and how much it means to the girls who participate. As you can probably guess, a giant "who dun it?" comes up when contestants start dropping like flies. After 2 hours of that wonderful middle America accent, you can't help but want to barbeque and walk barefoot on your front lawn. The cast is wonderfully colorful and includes such rising stars as: Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams, Brittany Murphy, Denise Richards (who if you watch it, magically was born without an accent), Kirstie Allie, Ellen Arken, and one of my favorites Allison Janney. Now, if you are thinking "who is Allison Janney", just google her and you will bite your tongue. She has been around for years and is one of the most hilarious actresses alive. She just melts into all her roles, and is fantastic. It is strictly a comedy. No romance, no thrills, just pure nonsense in the most fabulous way.

"Oh no, my mom never kept a secret of the fact my dad chose his career over us. What was it she used to say? Once a carnie, always a carnie. Mom still cries every time she sees a tilt-a-whirl or a fat lady in a tube top" - Amber Atkins

TGIF!!

I can recall many of my afternoons being spent watching those goold ol' shows from the nineties. The conversation always comes up between new friends about " remember those old shows?". They were fantastic, they were cheesy, and they are missed. I can remember watching Boy Meets World with a hunger, I was absolutely convinced that Shawn Hunter and I were going to get married and live in his trailer ( I was also convinced I was going to marry John Bender and wear cool leather half gloves.. so apparently I have a type). In every episode of these classics there would be a dilemma, a life lesson learned, and a kick ass group of friends who had your back. Not only did the nineties shows have great theme songs (anyone remember the Growing Pains song?) but they all revolved around the whole family, which generally does not happen anymore. Someday I want to own a collection of nineties TV shows. So far I have all the episodes of Buffy and Angel, but that is because I have an unhealthy obsession with Joss Whedon. In this fabulous collection I would have all of these masterpieces: Boy Meets World, Saved By the Bell, Growing Pains, The Torkelsons, Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of BelAir, Even Stevens ( come on, Shia LeBeuf was hilarious even as a 10 year old), Clarissa Explains it All, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Flash Forward, Pete and Pete, Salute Your Shorts, and Hey Dude. I miss the effortlessness of these half hour specials. Nothing was too forced, too serious, or too stupid. Take me back to days when the biggest problem was the guy we were dating was too short (funny enough I learned a life lesson and realized appearances don't matter) or trying to figure out how to cheat on the SAT's ( but then learning a life lesson that cheating isn't really the way to get ahead in life). Watching Michael Sever ( O Kirk Cameron why did you have to go all "religious?") be aloof was enough for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s44v6VlyGHU

( don't lie, the best episodes where when we got to see Leo Di Caprio... yummmm)

I don't know any leppers either, but I'm not going to go join one of their fucking clubs...

This is a tribute to John Hughes. Whether you know it or not, you have been influenced by his magic. We all grew up watching his movies, and quoting his witty banter. My personal favorite movie of ALL TIME is The Breakfast Club and I could quote it beginning to end. John wrote and directed most of the cult classics we know and love including: Sixteen Candles, Ferris Buellers Day Off, Weird Science, Home Alone, Uncle Buck, The "Vacation" movies, Pretty in Pink, The Great Outdoors, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. For some weird reason, Mr. Hughes was able to capture all the important aspects of high school life. I know for a fact that high school never changes. The same cliques exist , and the same heartbreaks happen, and the "breakfast club" has been retold through the years with a different spin. Everyone knows that if they had a "duck man" in their lives the world would be a much happier place, and if Jake Ryan really did pull up in a hot rod wanting "you" you would melt. Unfortunately we all are aware that high school was a pretty shitty place, and watching movies like this only made you believe high school was something else. However, watching Ferris sing "Danke Schoen" on a float in Chicago on a Friday night was a staple in my young life. Watching these scenes now only brings back the memories of high school, and how young we were. So thank you John Hughes for making the 80's fabulous, and making our expectations of high school so high. RIP John.

"Not that I condone fascism, or any 'ism' for that matter. Ism's in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an ism, he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon: 'I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me.' Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus, I'd still have to bum rides off of people. "- Ferris Bueller

"Dear Mr. Vernon, We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain ... and an athlete ... and a basket case ... a princess ... and a criminal. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNGIg8f-0Wc&feature=related

Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure....

The white hair is a definite sign of old age... However, it is also a sign of intelligence. At least, in the case of hollywood trilogies (or in Dumbeldore's case a six-iology). How is it that in these stories that we love so much, there is always the greater good, the hero and his cronies, and the old wise man? In my life I have none of these things, and somehow I love the stories that do. In my dizziest daydreams I have a great mission to accomplish, sidekicks to help me, and a wonderful old mentor who tells me secrets and old answers to ancient questions. I am beginning to wonder if all great triology type stories have the "old wise men figure"? Lets see, in "Kill Bill" there are a few different masters of the arts we could label "wise man". Pai Mei, Hattori Hanzo, and even Bill himself ( now this example does not necessarily lean towards "the greater good") all serve as mentors, and all are either white/gray haired or bald. I know there are other trilogies that don't involve the old wise man, but I think it makes one hell of a story. I also wish that they could all be giving me advice, all the time. Maybe I would learn magic, the force, secrets of ancient history, and kung fu all at once. One can only hope.

There is NOTHING ironic about show choir...

I am sure many of you have had the joy of watching Glee on Fox this past season. I am pleased to say that my room mate Emily and I have become increasingly obsessed with this drama/comedy about high school misfits. I have an older post about my love for musicals, and this was the reason I started watching Glee in the first place. I am a sucker for anything that sings and dances! However, the show is more than just kids singing show tunes. The writing behind the series is actually very witty and smart. A good show is made up of three things ( In my opinion at least) 1: Good acting. 2: Good Writing 3: Like-able characters. Fortunately for Glee, it shines in all of these areas. The main diva of the show (Racheal Berry, played by Lea Michele) is a bossy, slightly conceded, but charmingly honest ambitious teenager with no thing distracting her from her life goal of becoming a star. Finn (played by Cory Monteith) is the distracted but heartfelt confused boy, in love with the snotty cheerleader. The only thing bringing these two opposites together is their love for singing and Glee club. Lea Michele tried to make her mark on broadway for years. She has been around for while, most well known for her role in Les Miserables. Non of the stars on the show had much in their pockets before starting on Glee. Now they have the whole of the United States begging for more. It just goes to show you I was right. EVERYONE loves musicals, admittedly or not, they are an uplifter. Sing away guys!