Da Dee Da Na Na

It feels like a Wigwam day.

Bob Dylan - "Wigwam"



I spent a little time figuring out that A) I am an idiot and B) I could convert m4a files to mp3. So I went back and added music to my top movies post here and my top songs posts here and here. Go me, the lamest iTunes user ever!

Clowns

This list sums up all I believe about clowns. Chilling.

Damn you Tim Curry and your portrayal of Pennywise. Forever scarred, you jerk.




Milosh - "Creepy"

The State of Things

(Picture sent to me by Swoz. Thanks for finding the right one that sums it up.)

The New Pornographers - "Adventures In Solitude"

Top 5 Movies - 2007

Just a favorite list of the movies I watched this year, not necessarily all having been released in 2007. Do I have to even mention that all of these movies have excellent scores as well and that I bought them straight away after watching each movie? No? Okay.

5. The Painted Veil
Okay, I admit this is mostly because I have a thing for Edward Norton, but in my defense he does consistently pick good rolls in solid movies (Well, I hate American History X, but who honestly does like that movie?). It's period piece set in China during the cholera epidemic in the '20s. It's epically romantic and coming from a girl who's seen enough chick flicks and romance movies to end all worlds it's something.

Alexandre Michel Desplat - "River Waltz"



4. Nirgendwo in Afrika (Nowhere in Africa)
It's another Holocaust/World War II type movie, but with an interesting take: those that took refuge in Africa. I was fully absorbed in this family's drama of their struggle to acclimate into the Kenyan culture all the while dealing with the knowledge of the war in Europe. "Nowhere In Africa" has that epic quality that deserves a viewing.




3. Lars and the Real Girl
The word that pops up in my head every time I think of this movie is "charming". The story, the characters, and the music are just very endearing and quirky. Plus Ryan Gosling is the hotness.

David Torn - "End Credit Suite"




2. Pan's Labyrinth
This is an amazing movie. It's part fantasy and part psychological drama, and most definitely not for kids. Every scene was captivating both in story and in special effects used. And yes, the score was also stellar.

Javier Navarrete - "Long, Long Time Ago"



1. Once
It's kind of the modern day musical but with the singing naturally incorporated into the movie's plot and without it coming across as contrived. Romantic as hell and the soundtrack is exactly why I bother searching through the music blogs as I found the music before I saw the movie. I want my own Glen Hansard.

Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová - Lies



Notables:



Hot Fuzz

The "awesome British humor" pick.
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Memories of Murder

The "suspenseful thriller in a foreign language" pick.
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Sound and Fury

The "documentary that makes you think and choose sides" pick.
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Juno

The "adorable, quick-witted, and quirky" pick.
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Top 5 T.V. Shows - 2007

5. VH1 Classic - Morning Video Block

I just randomly decided a few months ago to start recording these music video hours that played daily. They call the selections classic, but the farthest back they'll go is 1975. I'm perfectly ok with that because I have a strong aversion to music from the 60s and 70s. For the most part it's hippy crap and I'll pass, thank you. Most of the videos they do play are just cheesy goodness, like Duran Duran "Rio", Heart's "Alone", Rod Stewart's "Hot Legs". I like to play it while doing homework or as cool background stuff if people are over and the board games are out in full force. You really can't go wrong with this show.




4. Human Giant
This new comedy is exceptional. It's mainly bits and sketches that Paul Scheer, Aziz Ansari, and Rob Huebel (my new love) create themselves and perform, and it airs on MTV. I think I watched all six episodes about a good 15 times each, that's how much I crave this show. It's sometimes dark, usually twisted, and always very very funny. I can't wait for it to start again in a few months. I need more Illusionators!

3. Pushing Daisies
I LOVE this show. Like, a real deep love. It's a mix of Amelie's fantasty style of storytelling and settings and Big Fish's visual candy. All of the characters are likeable (even the females, gasp!), the storylines are interesting enough to enjoy while not requiring too much emotion be exerted, and it's not like what's on T.V. right now. I'm pointing at you, Law and Order and CSI and every crappy spinoff that has come from them. Take a note, television studios: Make interesting and appealing shows and the people will watch for the most part. Easier said than done, yes, but stop whining already and get it made. Oh, and stop ripping off the writers so Pushing Daisies can continue. Thank you, that is all.

2. Battlestar Galactica

It's seriously the best drama on TV. I know the name is off-putting and people cringe and wrinkle their nose when I mention the name of the show, but I don't care. Intense drama, compelling story lines, stellar music, Edward James Olmos, it's all packed in to this amazing show. Do yourself a favor and watch it. If you're not having a love affair with Helo after the beginning mini series then you're already lost and I wish you the best.

1. The Office
Ever since losing Arrested Development (I love you Michael Cera!) I've had a comedy hole in my heart that I believed would never be filled. While I still proudly declare that Arrested Development is my favorite comedy ever, The Office has thankfully filled the comedy void. Every single character is interesting and funny, 99% of every scene is hilarious and creative, and Jon Krasinski is on the show. I mean, come on. All I ask is for more Toby and Creed. And for the stupid executives to pay the writers their deserved dues so they can get back to making
more episodes, damn it!

Notables -

Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares
It's a little formulaic what with the "Crappy restaurant in dire need, head chef/owner gets yelled at by Ramsay, the place gets the kitchen and dining area remodeled, the restaurant re-opens and then happy ending.". But Ramsay in anything is enjoyable. Though I do get a sick pleasure from seeing them go back six months later to check on the restaurant's progress and the place is shut down. I'm a jerk, I know.

Final 24
It's so morbid and sad that I end up in a funk after watching it. Yet I can't stop watching because of how stupidly tragic and usually avoidable most of these deaths were. Celebrities, such attention whores to the death.

True Life
This show has been on MTV forever. It just somehow finds the most dysfunctial fools as well as some awesome people and showcases their issues or struggles. "I'm Going to Fat Camp", "I Stutter", "I Live on Staten Island", "I Have Baby Mama Drama". It's gold, I tell you.

Engaged and Underage
This show is fun and just as frustrating too. I'm amused by these kids wanting to get married, yet they don't have real jobs or money, aren't out of college (or even high school for that matter), bicker like siblings and are incredibly immature. But other than that, great show!



Gabriel Rios - Broad Daylight
(Just a random song I like at the moment)