59: stimuli for November 28, 2008

TV: "The Shield": Along with The Wire, one of the better exits for a TV show this year (if not ever). Among the highlights: one horrifying resolution to a main character's torment (probably the most bone-chilling scene of TV I've witnessed in a looong time), one betrayal, a couple of loose ends wrapped up, and corrupt cop Vic Mackey getting sent to his own personal purgatory. If that isn't vague, allow me to paraphrase an old quote: "God often punishes us by giving us exactly what we want."

"A Colbert Christmas": A Christmas special that doesn't make me want to drench myself in gasoline.

"24: Redemption": A nice primer for this January. And not many shows can claim to have the Midnight Cowboy, the Candyman, and Begbie from Trainspotting in one show.

MUSIC: The Killers, Day and Age: Enjoying this one so far.

Kanye West, 808s and Heartbreak: Too much Auto-Tune vocal mischief here, but not unlistenable.

DVD: "Hancock": Two movies that are unfortunately sandwiched into one, and unfortunately, both together don't work. A slight dissapointment, even with the image of a man's head up another man's ass.

58: stimuli for November 21, 2008

TV: "The Shield": Still one episode to go in the series, and boy it still has me wondering what will happen. After one or two OMG moments this week, there was still my favorite moment of TV in a long time: corrupt cop Vic Mackey's confession of ALL his crimes (among them, the murder of a fellow cop). The sinker line (regarding the audio recorder during this confession): "How much memory does that thing got?"

"South Park": A spotty string of episodes ends with Goth kids, fake vampire kids (obviously a rip to those damned Twilight books), and the torching of a Hot Topic. Good times.

VIDEO: "Wall-E": One of the best animated movies I've seen in a long time. Slapstick comedy, a love story, and a sci-fi story all bunched into one solid film.

"Tropic Thunder": My favorite comedy this year (even if it is on the salty side). A nice poke at Hollywood, war movies, and actors (and god knows they deserve it).

57: 10 songs currently stuck on my iPod (11/19/2008)

Coldplay, “Lost+”: The reworking of this track (available on the CD-single, or online) only revision is a verse or two from Jay-Z. Even stranger? It doesn’t detract from one of the strongest songs on Coldplay’s new album.

Justice, “D.A.N.C.E.”: French-Euro techno-pop that’s more addictive than drugs. This one will stick in your head, whether you want it to or not.

Nickelback, “Gotta Be Somebody”: As I have mentioned previously, a song that will likely irritate me six months from now, after it’s been played to death everywhere.

Mos Def, “Ms. Fat Booty”: An older tune on this list, but has managed to come back onto my playlist.

Kanye West, “Love Lockdown”: Weird bit of trivia for ya: the group listed second on this list won a major European music award, which launched Mr. West into another patented tantrum (although to be honest, what can’t launch Kanye into a hissy-fit? No seriously, what can’t?).

The Killers, “Human”: As much as I like this tune, I think the chorus sucks. As in it doesn’t make sense, even abstractly. Lazy songwriting or a case of being too cool for the room? You be the judge.

Staind, “Believe”: Funny, I keep thinking I heard this song back in 2003. I wonder why…

Cameo, “Word Up”: Nice booty-shaking music. And performed by a lead singer with a red leather codpiece no less.

ABBA, “Take a Chance on Me”: No, this does not mean I’m a fan of Mamma Mia!

Beck, “Farewell Ride”: This track recently caught my ear after catching promos for The Shield’s last season. Dirty, grimy countryified rock.

56: stimuli for November 12, 2008

VIDEO: "Hellboy II: The Golden Army": One of my favorite movies this summer. A cavalcade of monsters, some heart, and for some reason, a Barry Manilow song. Highlights: tooth fairies (and not the money-giving kind), a giant forest creature run amok in NY, and unstoppable metal golems. Did I also mention a drunken sing-along?

"Band of Brothers": An amazing miniseries about soldiers dropped into Europe on D-Day. Gritty and powerful stuff. Still one of the best things HBO has ever made.

BOOKS: "Y: The Last Man" (Deluxe Edition, Volume 1): What would really happen if every man on the Earth died save one (and his pet monkey, but they're not men, are they)? Power struggles, militant psycho-feminists, cloning, and the search for said last man's girlfriend fuel this first hardcover collection of this amazing series.

55: Praises and Peeves 11/5/2008

PRAISES: Barack Obama: I don't need to explain why, do I? Finally a black president is not limited to TV shows anymore (BTW, my favorite: David Palmer from 24). As I believe Chris Rock once said. "George W. Bush ****ed things up so bad, he made it hard for a white man to run for President!"


PEEVES: California voters passing Prop 8: It's weird to hear the Mormons backed this initative, considering they're not the good example of clean moral values (look at Utah and tell me I'm lying. C'mon.). I mean, I didn't hear anything from gay people about wanting to marry MORE than one spouse, did you? It's days like this where I don't regret being out of my home state. Sigh.


BRIEF FOOTNOTE: Author (and creator of "ER") Michael Crichton ("Jurassic Park", "The Andromeda Strain") passed away from cancer today at the age of 66(!). Another bad note on an amazing day.