Thursday, July 15, 2004
Are they blind?
The Emmy nominators, I mean. Look here:
Nominees for the reality series category were Donald Trump's hit "The Apprentice," "The Amazing Race," "American Idol," "Last Comic Standing" and "Survivor."
Any glaring oversights?
Indeed. What about the best reality show EVER? America's Next Top Model, of course. That show is sheer brilliance. Fire and music, if you will.
Tyra Banks wuz robbed.
The Emmy nominators, I mean. Look here:
Nominees for the reality series category were Donald Trump's hit "The Apprentice," "The Amazing Race," "American Idol," "Last Comic Standing" and "Survivor."
Any glaring oversights?
Indeed. What about the best reality show EVER? America's Next Top Model, of course. That show is sheer brilliance. Fire and music, if you will.
Tyra Banks wuz robbed.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
It's De-not bad
Last night. Free screening of the latest Cole Porter bio-pick, De-lovely. The makeup, wardrobe, set design, and jewelry were indeed "delicious, delightful and de-lovely." And Kevin Kline is "de-vine, dear." But.
I have a couple issues. Cole Porter was gay. The only person they showed him in bed with was Linda Lee Porter, his wife. Why? I guess a big Hollywood picture is just not the right media to reflect real people in all their complexity. Good thing my expectations weren't that high to begin with. At least, the filmmakers did portray Cole in less than hetero interactions. Not explicit, you pervs. But quite unlike Night and Day, the last big Hollywood picture about Porter. Aw, heck, that was only 58 years ago.
Also, when will American cinema come to grips with black people/people of any color at all in our history and culture? We are either missing entirely from where we absolutely, definitely are/were (too many films and television shows to name) or, as in De-Lovely, put in where we were prohibited from being. Like on stage dancing and singing with white people on Broadway in the 20's. Check me on my facts, lovies, but I believe that if Jazz Age theatergoers witnessed a black face alongside a white one on the Great White Way, it was a white actor in blackface.
No, I'm never satisfied. In case you were wondering.
Last night. Free screening of the latest Cole Porter bio-pick, De-lovely. The makeup, wardrobe, set design, and jewelry were indeed "delicious, delightful and de-lovely." And Kevin Kline is "de-vine, dear." But.
I have a couple issues. Cole Porter was gay. The only person they showed him in bed with was Linda Lee Porter, his wife. Why? I guess a big Hollywood picture is just not the right media to reflect real people in all their complexity. Good thing my expectations weren't that high to begin with. At least, the filmmakers did portray Cole in less than hetero interactions. Not explicit, you pervs. But quite unlike Night and Day, the last big Hollywood picture about Porter. Aw, heck, that was only 58 years ago.
Also, when will American cinema come to grips with black people/people of any color at all in our history and culture? We are either missing entirely from where we absolutely, definitely are/were (too many films and television shows to name) or, as in De-Lovely, put in where we were prohibited from being. Like on stage dancing and singing with white people on Broadway in the 20's. Check me on my facts, lovies, but I believe that if Jazz Age theatergoers witnessed a black face alongside a white one on the Great White Way, it was a white actor in blackface.
No, I'm never satisfied. In case you were wondering.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Trading Up?
No. Don't waste your time reading this one, people. I know, I'm all late in registering my opinion as the book by Candace Bushnell was released in paperback last month. Sue me, I have to wait until stuff hits the shelves at the Studio City Library. Need I remind you that "the phone in the limo is busted and I can't get in touch with mah bitches." In other words, I am broke and, thus, have no money for frivolous purchases like a book in which the main character is completely unlikeable, wholly unsympathetic, and likely sociopathic?
I do have money for necessary activities like the "Sing Along Sound of Music" at the Hollywood Bowl last Saturday night. And for the accompanying mixed drink that Mr. X and I concocted that he christened "Champagnotiq." It's a delicious, chartreuse variation on the "Incredible Hulk" theme currently popular in the 'hood. As I recall, we poured equal portions of Remy Grand Cru Champagne Cognac and Hpnotiq over ice, shook it all up, and enjoyed.
Really, would we lie to you?
No. Don't waste your time reading this one, people. I know, I'm all late in registering my opinion as the book by Candace Bushnell was released in paperback last month. Sue me, I have to wait until stuff hits the shelves at the Studio City Library. Need I remind you that "the phone in the limo is busted and I can't get in touch with mah bitches." In other words, I am broke and, thus, have no money for frivolous purchases like a book in which the main character is completely unlikeable, wholly unsympathetic, and likely sociopathic?
I do have money for necessary activities like the "Sing Along Sound of Music" at the Hollywood Bowl last Saturday night. And for the accompanying mixed drink that Mr. X and I concocted that he christened "Champagnotiq." It's a delicious, chartreuse variation on the "Incredible Hulk" theme currently popular in the 'hood. As I recall, we poured equal portions of Remy Grand Cru Champagne Cognac and Hpnotiq over ice, shook it all up, and enjoyed.
Really, would we lie to you?
Friday, July 09, 2004
V. A. C. A. T. I. O. N.
In the summer sun. And amazingly intense humidity of Orlando, Florida. That's where I was last week, people. At Disney World. As to where I've been this week, well, I'm back at "work." I know, I know. You're thinking to yourself, "What an enormous waste of time." I couldn't agree more.
The Amazing One is off in Knoxville, Tennessee with her grandmother, The Comedian's mother, also known lovingly as Bebe. She's there for the entire month. So far, her absence has meant that I have greater access to the television and the freedom to go to the movies whenever I please. I have been bingeing. To wit:
At the cinema:
Spiderman 2 (twice, and would see it again. JAMES FRANCO!)
Fahrenheit 9/11 (go see it but take along your trusty grain of salt)
Dodgeball (again!)
On cable television:
Identity (I figured it out halfway through)
The Bourne Identity (surprisingly entertaining, can't wait for The Bourne Supremacy)
The Recruit (what is it with Al Pacino and those deadly southern accents?)
Runaway Jury (brought my Johnny Cusack up to two in a week)
Man on Fire (love the beauty that is Denzel, hated the final third of the film)
In between sweltering in the crack of Satan's Ass (that's what The Comedian calls Florida), work, and almost nonstop movie watching. I have been READING. Surprised? Why? It is FUNdamental, you know.
So far...
Caucasia by Danzy Senna (great coming of age story)
The Good House by Tananarive Due (really well done horror. LOVED IT!)
Next up...
Ilium by Dan Simmons
The Known World by Edward P. Jones (a re-read for the book club)
Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman: Portrait of an American Hero by Kate Clifford Larson (I do read non-fiction, you know)
In the summer sun. And amazingly intense humidity of Orlando, Florida. That's where I was last week, people. At Disney World. As to where I've been this week, well, I'm back at "work." I know, I know. You're thinking to yourself, "What an enormous waste of time." I couldn't agree more.
The Amazing One is off in Knoxville, Tennessee with her grandmother, The Comedian's mother, also known lovingly as Bebe. She's there for the entire month. So far, her absence has meant that I have greater access to the television and the freedom to go to the movies whenever I please. I have been bingeing. To wit:
At the cinema:
Spiderman 2 (twice, and would see it again. JAMES FRANCO!)
Fahrenheit 9/11 (go see it but take along your trusty grain of salt)
Dodgeball (again!)
On cable television:
Identity (I figured it out halfway through)
The Bourne Identity (surprisingly entertaining, can't wait for The Bourne Supremacy)
The Recruit (what is it with Al Pacino and those deadly southern accents?)
Runaway Jury (brought my Johnny Cusack up to two in a week)
Man on Fire (love the beauty that is Denzel, hated the final third of the film)
In between sweltering in the crack of Satan's Ass (that's what The Comedian calls Florida), work, and almost nonstop movie watching. I have been READING. Surprised? Why? It is FUNdamental, you know.
So far...
Caucasia by Danzy Senna (great coming of age story)
The Good House by Tananarive Due (really well done horror. LOVED IT!)
Next up...
Ilium by Dan Simmons
The Known World by Edward P. Jones (a re-read for the book club)
Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman: Portrait of an American Hero by Kate Clifford Larson (I do read non-fiction, you know)
