Okay, I have gone through the denial, anger, bargaining and depression of the COLOSSAL ERROR that the Sing-Off judges made in Monday’s show. (Clearly, I have not yet gotten to acceptance.)
You’ve heard us talk about the Sing-Off here (go to the 34 minute mark).
This is my first season watching it all the way through and so far, I have been supportive of the judges and their decisions.
However, on Monday, I really think the judges were wrong. The final elimination came down to Dartmouth Aires and AfroBlue. AfroBlue got eliminated, which was the WRONG DECISION.
Don’t get me wrong. I like Dartmouth Aires just fine. Their Queen medley was one of the best musical numbers I have seen on television this season.
But Dartmouth Aires relies, quite heavily in my opinion, on visual theatrics. Yes, Michael is an excellent frontman, but what they do best is filling the stage with a lot of energy. However, if you were to close your eyes and listen to the music, you would hear a choir. Which is fine. But not an A Capella group.
AfroBlue on the other hand is an A Capella group. They bring out all of the instruments on the track and the vocal stylings of the artist to create a full and rich sound. Yes, they sometimes got a little too highbrow for some of us, but they were, and are, a solid A Capella group.
When the judges were deciding, both Sara and Ben pointed to consistency as their reasons for keeping Dartmouth Aires, which is usually a good factor for an artist. However, remember that the prize of the Sing-Off is $200,000 and a recording contract.
Not a show in Vegas.
Not a touring deal.
But a recording contract.
It will not matter how much energy and jumping around Dartmouth Aires does, because when they record, we’re not going to see any of that. We’re just going to hear the music and that is where they are not as strong as AfroBlue.
Now, of course, all of this is ultimately irrelevant because, in the end, neither the Dartmouth Aires nor AfroBlue can compete against the amazing juggernaut that is Pentatonix.
Pentatonix will be the winner of the Sing-Off and I will definitely buy their album and tickets to their shows when they pass through. But that still doesn’t change the fact that I think the judges made a decision on something that ultimately won’t matter. And it was the wrong one.
- Sis
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Fall TV Shows That We Are In Love With
Jokes about hipsters are funny (2 Broke Girls). Whitney = Lucy (Whitney). And Chris Delia is a god! (Just a truth. Accept it.)
Sis and Squirt finally get around to the new Fall TV shows that they love.
When Suburgatory let go of the voice-overs, we let go of our reservations and fully embraced the show. (Even if Awkward is better.)
The Count of Monte Cristo and Dynasty got together and created Revenge, which is awesome!
Pan-Am's Karine Vanasse breaks our hearts. But we forgive her anyway.
Hart of Dixie has Josh Schwartz and Rachel Bilson and uses the Gilmore Girls set. Of course we were going to love it.
On The Sing-Off, Sis wants Sara Bareilles to give her constructive criticism on her life. And Squirt has decided that she is Ben Folds. Whatever that means.
Sis and Squirt finally get around to the new Fall TV shows that they love.
When Suburgatory let go of the voice-overs, we let go of our reservations and fully embraced the show. (Even if Awkward is better.)
The Count of Monte Cristo and Dynasty got together and created Revenge, which is awesome!
Pan-Am's Karine Vanasse breaks our hearts. But we forgive her anyway.
Hart of Dixie has Josh Schwartz and Rachel Bilson and uses the Gilmore Girls set. Of course we were going to love it.
On The Sing-Off, Sis wants Sara Bareilles to give her constructive criticism on her life. And Squirt has decided that she is Ben Folds. Whatever that means.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Fall TV Shows That We Are Bored With
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Fall TV Shows That We Are Bored With
The Secret Circle teens are cute, but stupid, even if we loved them in other shows. Apparently, Sis gave up right before both Terra Nova and the Ringer got good. But there is no love lost from Squirt over Up All Night. And don't ask Sis about The New Girl; she's still conflicted.
The Secret Circle teens are cute, but stupid, even if we loved them in other shows. Apparently, Sis gave up right before both Terra Nova and the Ringer got good. But there is no love lost from Squirt over Up All Night. And don't ask Sis about The New Girl; she's still conflicted.
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Agree or Disagree on Cancelled Fall TV Shows
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Agree or Disagree on Cancelled Fall TV Shows
It's our post-mortem of some of the shows that got the early network hammer. We didn't want to "Rush to Judgement" on any of the new Fall TV Shows (that one was for you, Monkeysee), so we used the 3 episode rule before commenting on any of the new shows.
Unfortunately some of them didn't even make it that far.
It's our post-mortem of some of the shows that got the early network hammer. We didn't want to "Rush to Judgement" on any of the new Fall TV Shows (that one was for you, Monkeysee), so we used the 3 episode rule before commenting on any of the new shows.
Unfortunately some of them didn't even make it that far.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Prince Chump
I love romantic comedies. If a movie has a quirky premise and a hint of a love story, I am there. Lifetime Movie Network and Hallmark Movie Channel have co-opted more of my weekends than I care to count. My favorite part of the romantic comedy is when my male lead performs his grand romantic gesture wherein he professes his love (rather publicly and/or expensively) to his woman and they live happily ever after and I am content that all is right in the world.
However recently, I have noticed that I can no longer attain my desirable level of contentment at the end of my romantic comedies. On the contrary, most times I have left the theater feeling rather disappointed and sometimes even very very upset. I had attributed this change in reaction to age and the cynicism of the world encroaching on my stupid little girl fantasies.
But then as I left yet another romantic comedy, slightly let down by the pairing on screen, it dawned on me...HE is the problem, my male lead...
He is a chump. “Prince Chump” to be exact.
Somehow, our male leads have done a complete 180 and gone from pre-feminism troglodyte “alpha male” to this metrosexual “prince chump” and managed to bypass the perfect prince charming in the process. If you don’t know what I am talking about let me see if can break it down for you.
Usually our Prince Chump is a good looking, average modern guy. He is not an alpha male jock but still keeps in shape by playing basketball or soccer on the weekends. He has a decent job doing something he loves but is not mainstream (so no "type A" lawyer or businessman) but maybe a sitcom writer, band manager or entrepreneur. And he is single but not, “alone/lonely” - he dates, has fun but it is nothing serious. (i.e. Ashton Kutcher in No Strings Attached, or Laz Alonso in Jumping the Broom)
So right now he is Prince Charming. (sigh, swoon, etc)
But then he meets his Tower Girl, the female lead, whose life is a tower of perfection. She is presented to the audience as our perfect modern female. She is always BEAUTIFUL, and generally smart and/or witty, with the right amount of neurosis to make her cute but not psychotic (sometimes). She has a really consuming and impressive (socially conscious) job or career that takes all of her focus.
Then, through some “cute meet” fluke, our male and female interact for literally 3-5 minutes. A look is exchanged or an obscure joke is shared and they part ways.
He is smitten.
And she...is not.
He then proceeds to spend the next hour or so of the movie pursuing and wooing our Tower Girl, who barely remembers him and is well on her way to finding a cure for blind children in the Amazon. After his first romantic gesture is rejected, our male lead keeps trying and THIS is where our Prince Charming turns into Prince Chump. He should have cut his losses and moved on, but NO. He continues to attempt to woo her and thwart other alpha male knights and slay dragons for her.
Tower girl responds to all of this attention with the enthusiasm of a depressed narcoleptic zombie. She even occasionally has to rebuke him when his “lovelorn” actions accidentally get in the way of her all-consuming career. But our hero, the Regal Chump, will not be dissuaded and perseveres.
WHY?!
Because he is a chump.
We, the audience, know that this perfectly plucky Tower Girl deserves a bit of wooing and true love from our hero but Chump doesn’t. Up until this point, she has been nothing short of rude to him and he just takes it like a man chump.
Eventually, Prince Chump catches on and realizes that Tower Girl is “just not that into him” and leaves.
(Honestly, at this point I am okay with that, I do not want them to get together. In my version, this is where the story ends and we’ve all learned a valuable lesson. Hollywood, on the other hand, has different ideas.)
Right about now in the film, Tower Girl begins to miss Prince Chump and whatever light or distraction he brought to her well rounded socially acceptable life. So she makes a little, and I mean a little, bit of effort to contact him either by an email or phone call. Sometimes when they want to make it really dramatic, she frantically hails a cab and goes to his apartment, around the corner, knocks on his door and says something stupid like “I miss you”. And that apparently is all Prince Chump needs because he wraps her in his arms and proposes to her with a ring that he sold his kidney and some treasured family heirloom for and then the movie ends.
WHAT?! WHAT!?! Can you not see my disappointment? Can you not feel my outrage?
This guy jumped through hoops for Tower Girl, SLAYED DRAGONS for her, all while she just looked on with beautiful distracted disdain, she did NOTHING for him and I am supposed to be happy that they end up together in the end.
Are you kidding me!? This just leaves you flat.
It’s like reading the Gift of Magi, but in this version she doesn’t sell her hair and mentions that the comb is kind of the wrong color. (Not as powerful, is it?)
If you are out there Prince Charming, call me. Prince Chump, lose my number...no seriously stop calling...If I get one more bouquet of flowers I am going to start billing you for my allergy shots.
--Squirt
However recently, I have noticed that I can no longer attain my desirable level of contentment at the end of my romantic comedies. On the contrary, most times I have left the theater feeling rather disappointed and sometimes even very very upset. I had attributed this change in reaction to age and the cynicism of the world encroaching on my stupid little girl fantasies.
But then as I left yet another romantic comedy, slightly let down by the pairing on screen, it dawned on me...HE is the problem, my male lead...
He is a chump. “Prince Chump” to be exact.
Somehow, our male leads have done a complete 180 and gone from pre-feminism troglodyte “alpha male” to this metrosexual “prince chump” and managed to bypass the perfect prince charming in the process. If you don’t know what I am talking about let me see if can break it down for you.
Usually our Prince Chump is a good looking, average modern guy. He is not an alpha male jock but still keeps in shape by playing basketball or soccer on the weekends. He has a decent job doing something he loves but is not mainstream (so no "type A" lawyer or businessman) but maybe a sitcom writer, band manager or entrepreneur. And he is single but not, “alone/lonely” - he dates, has fun but it is nothing serious. (i.e. Ashton Kutcher in No Strings Attached, or Laz Alonso in Jumping the Broom)
So right now he is Prince Charming. (sigh, swoon, etc)
But then he meets his Tower Girl, the female lead, whose life is a tower of perfection. She is presented to the audience as our perfect modern female. She is always BEAUTIFUL, and generally smart and/or witty, with the right amount of neurosis to make her cute but not psychotic (sometimes). She has a really consuming and impressive (socially conscious) job or career that takes all of her focus.
Then, through some “cute meet” fluke, our male and female interact for literally 3-5 minutes. A look is exchanged or an obscure joke is shared and they part ways.
He is smitten.
And she...is not.
He then proceeds to spend the next hour or so of the movie pursuing and wooing our Tower Girl, who barely remembers him and is well on her way to finding a cure for blind children in the Amazon. After his first romantic gesture is rejected, our male lead keeps trying and THIS is where our Prince Charming turns into Prince Chump. He should have cut his losses and moved on, but NO. He continues to attempt to woo her and thwart other alpha male knights and slay dragons for her.
Tower girl responds to all of this attention with the enthusiasm of a depressed narcoleptic zombie. She even occasionally has to rebuke him when his “lovelorn” actions accidentally get in the way of her all-consuming career. But our hero, the Regal Chump, will not be dissuaded and perseveres.
WHY?!
Because he is a chump.
We, the audience, know that this perfectly plucky Tower Girl deserves a bit of wooing and true love from our hero but Chump doesn’t. Up until this point, she has been nothing short of rude to him and he just takes it like a
Eventually, Prince Chump catches on and realizes that Tower Girl is “just not that into him” and leaves.
(Honestly, at this point I am okay with that, I do not want them to get together. In my version, this is where the story ends and we’ve all learned a valuable lesson. Hollywood, on the other hand, has different ideas.)
Right about now in the film, Tower Girl begins to miss Prince Chump and whatever light or distraction he brought to her well rounded socially acceptable life. So she makes a little, and I mean a little, bit of effort to contact him either by an email or phone call. Sometimes when they want to make it really dramatic, she frantically hails a cab and goes to his apartment, around the corner, knocks on his door and says something stupid like “I miss you”. And that apparently is all Prince Chump needs because he wraps her in his arms and proposes to her with a ring that he sold his kidney and some treasured family heirloom for and then the movie ends.
WHAT?! WHAT!?! Can you not see my disappointment? Can you not feel my outrage?
This guy jumped through hoops for Tower Girl, SLAYED DRAGONS for her, all while she just looked on with beautiful distracted disdain, she did NOTHING for him and I am supposed to be happy that they end up together in the end.
Are you kidding me!? This just leaves you flat.
It’s like reading the Gift of Magi, but in this version she doesn’t sell her hair and mentions that the comb is kind of the wrong color. (Not as powerful, is it?)
If you are out there Prince Charming, call me. Prince Chump, lose my number...no seriously stop calling...If I get one more bouquet of flowers I am going to start billing you for my allergy shots.
--Squirt
Saturday, October 15, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Renaissance Festival, Killer Elite & the Jonas Brothers
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Renaissance Festival, Killer Elite & the Jonas Brothers
Sis & Squirt have a few simple rules on how to enjoy the Renaissance Festival and you'd better follow them, or Squirt will judge you.
Sis doesn't know what to make of Killer Elite, but both agree that there needed to be more heart (but not more cowbell, that just wouldn't make any sense).
And then there are the Jonas Brothers...
Sis & Squirt have a few simple rules on how to enjoy the Renaissance Festival and you'd better follow them, or Squirt will judge you.
Sis doesn't know what to make of Killer Elite, but both agree that there needed to be more heart (but not more cowbell, that just wouldn't make any sense).
And then there are the Jonas Brothers...
Monday, October 10, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Summer Winners and Losers, Franklin & Bash, Suits, Switched at Birth & State of Georgia
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Summer Winners and Losers, Franklin & Bash, Suits, Switched at Birth & State of Georgia
Summer Winners, Some are Losers: Sis and Squirt give a quick recap of summer things that were great (Friends with Benefits and MTV's Awkward walked away with the grand prize) and those that truly missed the mark (Syfy's Alphas & not having to stand in line with other people (trust me, it'll make sense when you listen)).
Squirt found that some of the new summer series captured her attention and Sis has changed her mind about Raven Symone because of State of Georgia.
Summer Winners, Some are Losers: Sis and Squirt give a quick recap of summer things that were great (Friends with Benefits and MTV's Awkward walked away with the grand prize) and those that truly missed the mark (Syfy's Alphas & not having to stand in line with other people (trust me, it'll make sense when you listen)).
Squirt found that some of the new summer series captured her attention and Sis has changed her mind about Raven Symone because of State of Georgia.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...True Blood, Leverage & Drop Dead Diva
A Hot Steaming Cup of...True Blood, Leverage & Drop Dead Diva
True Blood left Squirt cold, Leverage made Sis laugh and Drop Dead Diva (a story about one woman's spirit in another woman's body) is totally "a real show".
True Blood left Squirt cold, Leverage made Sis laugh and Drop Dead Diva (a story about one woman's spirit in another woman's body) is totally "a real show".
Friday, September 30, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Eureka & Author Recommendations
As with all things, this glorious summer has come to an end. For those of you who didn't get enough of the good things that summer brings, we have a last vestige of summer for you before we start hitting the autumn cider.
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Eureka & Author Recommendations
Wherein, we love LOVE Eureka and Sis has a problem with author recommendations made via Facebook.
Enjoy!
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Eureka & Author Recommendations
Wherein, we love LOVE Eureka and Sis has a problem with author recommendations made via Facebook.
Enjoy!
Friday, September 9, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Pop Culture Trends & 90's Movies
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Pop Culture Trends & 90's movies
Sis notices a pop culture trend, but that would violate the laws of the universe, so perhaps she is wrong.
Squirt notices that Gabrielle Union is EVERYWHERE! (At least in the 90's)
And more.... All in this newest podcast from your favorite neighbors. Check it out!
Sis notices a pop culture trend, but that would violate the laws of the universe, so perhaps she is wrong.
Squirt notices that Gabrielle Union is EVERYWHERE! (At least in the 90's)
And more.... All in this newest podcast from your favorite neighbors. Check it out!
Friday, September 2, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Attack the Block, Roller Derby and Y: The Last Man
Just in time for Labor Day weekend, our newest podcast is up!
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Attack the Block, Roller Derby and Y: The Last Man
(Because if you were honest with yourself, you would admit that you've always wanted to spend Labor Day weekend with us.)
Post Script: a Derby is any competition with multiple contestants. It has NOTHING to do with circles or tracks. - Squirt
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Attack the Block, Roller Derby and Y: The Last Man
(Because if you were honest with yourself, you would admit that you've always wanted to spend Labor Day weekend with us.)
Post Script: a Derby is any competition with multiple contestants. It has NOTHING to do with circles or tracks. - Squirt
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thursday Tidbits
- In catching up on past episodes of HBO's True Blood, Squirt is deeply frustrated (and I mean, DEEPLY FRUSTRATED) with the continuous (some would say gratuitous) use of dream sequences. Especially when the story and mythology of True Blood is as complex as it is, to have it all "be a dream" is incredibly confusing.
- I love Shakespeare. Like almost an unholy love of this man and his work. My goal, before the end of the year, is to find a version of Romeo & Juliet that I like. I was not a fan of the Baz Luhrman oeuvre. Here are some of the versions of Shakespeare works that I love (and will probably watch as a marathon over this Labor Day weekend)...
- We're super excited about the re-emergence of Odorama in the form of the Spy Kids 4 movie. If all goes according to plan, we may even be able to tell you about it in the next podcast.
- A new podcast will go up this weekend, wherein we discuss Roller Derby, Attack the Block and Y The Last Man. And we will have a special bonus podcast, just in time for Labor Day weekend. Enjoy!
Sis
- I love Shakespeare. Like almost an unholy love of this man and his work. My goal, before the end of the year, is to find a version of Romeo & Juliet that I like. I was not a fan of the Baz Luhrman oeuvre. Here are some of the versions of Shakespeare works that I love (and will probably watch as a marathon over this Labor Day weekend)...
- Twelfth Night - BBC TV movie version with Parminder Nagra as Viola/Cesario, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Duke Orsino and Zubin Varla as Feste (the fool)
- Much Ado about Nothing - The Kenneth Branagh version with Emma Thompson as the amazing Beatrice. There is so much eye candy in this movie, regardless of what your eye likes to eat, that you will always find someone nice to rest your gaze upon, while the poetry of Shakespeare tickles your ears. (Okay, maybe that's a bit much, but I did mention that I LOVE Shakespeare, so really, you were already warned.)
- Love's Labours Lost - Also the Kenneth Branagh version. And it's a musical! Nathan Lane! Alicia Silverstone! Matthew Lillard! Alessandro Nivola! Adrian Lester! Where can it go wrong? (Nowhere, that's where. (Again, you were warned.))
- We're super excited about the re-emergence of Odorama in the form of the Spy Kids 4 movie. If all goes according to plan, we may even be able to tell you about it in the next podcast.
- A new podcast will go up this weekend, wherein we discuss Roller Derby, Attack the Block and Y The Last Man. And we will have a special bonus podcast, just in time for Labor Day weekend. Enjoy!
Sis
Saturday, August 27, 2011
My Favorite Neighbors Take On - Glee 3D: The Concert Movie to End All Concert Movies
My Favorite Neighbors Take On - Glee 3D
You can find all of our podcasts on iTunes and you can follow us on twitter @myfavneighbors.
See you around!
- Sis
You can find all of our podcasts on iTunes and you can follow us on twitter @myfavneighbors.
See you around!
- Sis
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Fall TV Shows & Music for the Hypothalamus
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Fall TV Shows and Music for the Hypothalamus
So after two whole podcasts were eaten by the computer (Bad Murphy!), we finally managed to record one and make it ready for you. Aren't you lucky?
You can find all of our podcasts on iTunes and you can follow us on twitter @ myfavneighbors.
See you around!
- Sis
So after two whole podcasts were eaten by the computer (Bad Murphy!), we finally managed to record one and make it ready for you. Aren't you lucky?
You can find all of our podcasts on iTunes and you can follow us on twitter @ myfavneighbors.
See you around!
- Sis
Monday, August 15, 2011
The Adolescence Paradox
I just want to be "NORMAL"
This phrase (or some variation of it) can be found in almost every young adult novel or teen television show ever made. Go on, think about it, I’ll give you a minute...the statement is usually uttered by the “not normal” character, who is gifted with some amazing supernatural or just really cool ability that any one of us would die for (i.e ability to fly or do really hard math, in their head, in 10 seconds) when that ability some how hinders them from connecting with the boy/girl they are madly in love with....Are you with me?!
I have come to expect this statement to be uttered at some point in every teen show and this year’s crop of teen shows has yet to disappoint. I actually think in Teen Wolf he manages to whine it twice in one episode.
But here’s the thing “teens” NO ONE WANTS TO BE NORMAL
No one actually wants to be normal because normal is boring. When you are normal you are invisible and the last thing you really want as to be as a teenager is invisible (I know I felt invisible ALL OF the time and hated it). However, I realize now (15 years later) that this is the paradox of adolescence. As a teen you feel invisible BUT you don’t want to stand out. Having this battle with yourself 24/7 365 would make anyone crazy, moody and depressed which is what most teens are.
Recently in the news there have been celebrities who have lamented that all they wanted to was to be normal in high school but I challenge you “celebrities.” You didn’t! If you wanted to be boring or normal you could have been but instead you stood out and that took you all they way to the top. While I can understand, no one wants to be or should be bullied and harassed in school and being “normal”/invisible is a way to avoid that, celebrating your uniqueness and diversity is how to WIN in life.
In a world of celery and carrot sticks, pears and kumquats are revered.
I am reexamining all of the messages that I was fed (and we are currently feeding )as a teen and I think this one should change. So here is a thought writers, the next time a character with an AMAZING ability says “I just want to be normal” have the the best friend to say “ No you don’t, normal is invisible and I don’t have invisible friends.”
-Squirt
This phrase (or some variation of it) can be found in almost every young adult novel or teen television show ever made. Go on, think about it, I’ll give you a minute...the statement is usually uttered by the “not normal” character, who is gifted with some amazing supernatural or just really cool ability that any one of us would die for (i.e ability to fly or do really hard math, in their head, in 10 seconds) when that ability some how hinders them from connecting with the boy/girl they are madly in love with....Are you with me?!
I have come to expect this statement to be uttered at some point in every teen show and this year’s crop of teen shows has yet to disappoint. I actually think in Teen Wolf he manages to whine it twice in one episode.
But here’s the thing “teens” NO ONE WANTS TO BE NORMAL
No one actually wants to be normal because normal is boring. When you are normal you are invisible and the last thing you really want as to be as a teenager is invisible (I know I felt invisible ALL OF the time and hated it). However, I realize now (15 years later) that this is the paradox of adolescence. As a teen you feel invisible BUT you don’t want to stand out. Having this battle with yourself 24/7 365 would make anyone crazy, moody and depressed which is what most teens are.
Recently in the news there have been celebrities who have lamented that all they wanted to was to be normal in high school but I challenge you “celebrities.” You didn’t! If you wanted to be boring or normal you could have been but instead you stood out and that took you all they way to the top. While I can understand, no one wants to be or should be bullied and harassed in school and being “normal”/invisible is a way to avoid that, celebrating your uniqueness and diversity is how to WIN in life.
In a world of celery and carrot sticks, pears and kumquats are revered.
I am reexamining all of the messages that I was fed (and we are currently feeding )as a teen and I think this one should change. So here is a thought writers, the next time a character with an AMAZING ability says “I just want to be normal” have the the best friend to say “ No you don’t, normal is invisible and I don’t have invisible friends.”
-Squirt
Saturday, August 13, 2011
My Favorite Neighbors Take On - "The Help"
My Favorite Neighbors Take On - The Help
For past episodes of the My Favorite Neighbors podcast, go to iTunes.
For past episodes of the My Favorite Neighbors podcast, go to iTunes.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Why I Care (But Not Really) About Writers (Or Directors Or Producers, etc)
We’re nearly at that magical moment in the summer, where the blockbusters are releasing their grip on summer movie screens and the “movies of substance” start to reenter the multiplexes. (And studios are valiantly trying to figure out how to get an invite to that big party Oscar throws in January, but that’s a whole ‘nother topic.) While I’m looking forward to quite a few of these movies (not the self-serving pretentious ones, but the other ones), I really don’t care about who wrote them, directed them or produced them.
Except that I do.
I do notice when a movie has been written or directed by a woman. Or if there is a woman’s name in the credits. It makes me happy that there are women in high(er) places in Hollywood who are putting out movies that I want to see and putting their names on them, preferably in the opening credits. I have heard enough stories about the old boys club that is the movie and entertainment industry that I want to support my female writers and directors, because I feel that they aren’t getting enough love. So I do care.
Except that I don’t.
Simply knowing that a woman has written or directed the movie doesn’t make me any more likely to see the movie or like the storyline. There are very few writers or directors that I can name off of the top of my head (and I don’t feel that I particularly need to.) I don’t need to know or care about who wrote or directed the movie that I’m watching. I don’t need to know, and usually don’t want to know, about their childhood or their life philosophy or what kind of car they drive or what movies they like. I just need to enjoy the movie that is in front of me on the screen. And it doesn’t matter who wrote it or directed it.
Except that it does.
Where I will give deference is that if there is a writer or director that I know (ie. I have taken the time to figure it out), it is because something about a movie they were a part of (usually the script, but sometime the story itself) really appealed to me and I want to see more movies of that quality and style. I use name recognition to assess quality before I go to the movies (which is really not right), but not for anything else.
So when studios use phrases like “From the creators of “Easy A”’ or “From the director of “blah blah blah”’, I kind of don’t care, unless it was a movie that I liked and what I liked from that movie is prominent in the new film. And usually it’s not. I’m a script and casting girl myself, and that’s not usually what the studios promote. Maybe if they did that, I would care.
But then again, maybe not.
-Sis
Except that I do.
I do notice when a movie has been written or directed by a woman. Or if there is a woman’s name in the credits. It makes me happy that there are women in high(er) places in Hollywood who are putting out movies that I want to see and putting their names on them, preferably in the opening credits. I have heard enough stories about the old boys club that is the movie and entertainment industry that I want to support my female writers and directors, because I feel that they aren’t getting enough love. So I do care.
Except that I don’t.
Simply knowing that a woman has written or directed the movie doesn’t make me any more likely to see the movie or like the storyline. There are very few writers or directors that I can name off of the top of my head (and I don’t feel that I particularly need to.) I don’t need to know or care about who wrote or directed the movie that I’m watching. I don’t need to know, and usually don’t want to know, about their childhood or their life philosophy or what kind of car they drive or what movies they like. I just need to enjoy the movie that is in front of me on the screen. And it doesn’t matter who wrote it or directed it.
Except that it does.
Where I will give deference is that if there is a writer or director that I know (ie. I have taken the time to figure it out), it is because something about a movie they were a part of (usually the script, but sometime the story itself) really appealed to me and I want to see more movies of that quality and style. I use name recognition to assess quality before I go to the movies (which is really not right), but not for anything else.
So when studios use phrases like “From the creators of “Easy A”’ or “From the director of “blah blah blah”’, I kind of don’t care, unless it was a movie that I liked and what I liked from that movie is prominent in the new film. And usually it’s not. I’m a script and casting girl myself, and that’s not usually what the studios promote. Maybe if they did that, I would care.
But then again, maybe not.
-Sis
Friday, July 15, 2011
Coming Soon: Return of the Podcast
We've taken a bit of a break but we're coming back with a ton to say about....well....everything. :)
Follow us on Podcast Alley and iTunes.
Follow us on Podcast Alley and iTunes.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
PODCAST: A Hot Steaming Cup of...Rules for YA TV, Funny Women and a Farewell to Oprah
It's our second time and trust us, it was twice as nice. :)
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Rules for Young Adult TV shows, Funny Women and a farewell to Oprah.
A Hot Steaming Cup of...Rules for Young Adult TV shows, Funny Women and a farewell to Oprah.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Our First Time
Listen to our very first podcast, wherein we discuss sad moopy sad sacks, sister dynamic, ghosts and Sinead O'Rebellion.
The First Time (May 7, 2011)
The First Time (May 7, 2011)
Monday, June 6, 2011
Buffy beats Bella
A few weeks ago, I saw a commercial advertising that they are gong to start syndicating “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” on Teennick (formerly Noggin, formerly TheN) . I cannot explain how ecstatic this information made me. I am a HUGE Buffy Fan. Not only do I have the complete series on DVD but also all 70 or so VHS tapes which contain the original recording from the WB on Tuesday nights. I was not only excited for me, I was excited for this generation of girls that would get a chance to be exposed to Buffy. In a world of Mean and Gossip girls where Scheming is valued over Strength, Buffy is a show where “staking in the heart” is valued over “stabbing in the back.”
Another reason why I was so happy about this is because Buffy ain’t no Bella. I am NOT on the Twilight bandwagon. I am also not on the “I hate Twilight” bandwagon, either. I came by my contempt honestly. I tried. I really did. But after attempting to read the books 3 times and falling into boredom-induced comas, I just gave up. And I’m not exaggerating here, I literally fell asleep, for hours at a time.
The problem I had was that I did not like Bella and unfortunately, she is the main character. She’s just so milquetoast, so completely useless that it pains me (actually causes me physical pain).
But my girl Buffy, she kicks butt and does it with style. She was beautiful, popular and semi-decent student, but she was also strong and extremely loyal to her friends. This series was just so good and well done, I am excited that this generation will have a chance to embrace it!
But all is not always well in Sunnydale.... (Grrr, Argh!) :)
The whitest people you know: There are no actors of color. Not one. There is not even a racially ambiguous Asian or Latino. It’s not until the 5th or 6th season that we see some black slayers and hunters. So for those that believe that Buffy is the pinnacle of YA TV, think again. Diversify, Whedon, diversify!
As much as I LOVE Sara Michelle Geller (now Sarah Prinze) and am impressed at how good of shape she was in for Buffy, I cannot believe that she could take down half of the vampires, demons, ghosts, ghoulies, gods, what have you that she fought. She couldn’t have weighed more than a buck 10 and she was barely 5’1”. While I have been trained from TV that martial arts is not about strength but about skill, I have to believe that at some point brute strength is going to win out. And the odds of a 100lb girl taking out a 300 monster just ain’t gonna happen.
Even with all of these detractors, Buffy is still such a freakin’ good show that I will definitely be watching the episodes as they cycle through TeenNick and through a brand-new generation of Buffy fans.
-Squirt
Another reason why I was so happy about this is because Buffy ain’t no Bella. I am NOT on the Twilight bandwagon. I am also not on the “I hate Twilight” bandwagon, either. I came by my contempt honestly. I tried. I really did. But after attempting to read the books 3 times and falling into boredom-induced comas, I just gave up. And I’m not exaggerating here, I literally fell asleep, for hours at a time.
The problem I had was that I did not like Bella and unfortunately, she is the main character. She’s just so milquetoast, so completely useless that it pains me (actually causes me physical pain).
But my girl Buffy, she kicks butt and does it with style. She was beautiful, popular and semi-decent student, but she was also strong and extremely loyal to her friends. This series was just so good and well done, I am excited that this generation will have a chance to embrace it!
But all is not always well in Sunnydale.... (Grrr, Argh!) :)
The whitest people you know: There are no actors of color. Not one. There is not even a racially ambiguous Asian or Latino. It’s not until the 5th or 6th season that we see some black slayers and hunters. So for those that believe that Buffy is the pinnacle of YA TV, think again. Diversify, Whedon, diversify!
As much as I LOVE Sara Michelle Geller (now Sarah Prinze) and am impressed at how good of shape she was in for Buffy, I cannot believe that she could take down half of the vampires, demons, ghosts, ghoulies, gods, what have you that she fought. She couldn’t have weighed more than a buck 10 and she was barely 5’1”. While I have been trained from TV that martial arts is not about strength but about skill, I have to believe that at some point brute strength is going to win out. And the odds of a 100lb girl taking out a 300 monster just ain’t gonna happen.
Even with all of these detractors, Buffy is still such a freakin’ good show that I will definitely be watching the episodes as they cycle through TeenNick and through a brand-new generation of Buffy fans.
-Squirt
Friday, April 29, 2011
The "Chuck" Drinking Game
About a year ago, Squirt got very into the NBC series "Chuck". She subsequently pleaded, cajoled and whined until I agreed to watch the first few episodes. (The whining is really what did it.)
We started with the first season, which was ultimately cut short by the writer's strike. I was not impressed. She then continued to whine (she knows the secret for how to get me to do things) until I would agree to watch the second season. She won that as well. I started the second season and I can safely say that I am now hooked.
However, my initial distaste for the show created what has become the official My Favorite Neighbors Chuck Drinking Game. 4 simple rules, 1 great way to enjoy a great show.
There are special rules for some of the sillier episodes, like the Cat Squad one, but in a nutshell, these are the rules.
For now, Chuck is still on the air, so feel free to enjoy the next few new episodes of Chuck with this game in mind.
-- Sis
We started with the first season, which was ultimately cut short by the writer's strike. I was not impressed. She then continued to whine (she knows the secret for how to get me to do things) until I would agree to watch the second season. She won that as well. I started the second season and I can safely say that I am now hooked.
However, my initial distaste for the show created what has become the official My Favorite Neighbors Chuck Drinking Game. 4 simple rules, 1 great way to enjoy a great show.
- When the little "nerd" icon falls out of Chuck's nose in the intro, drink. (This only happens once, but it's disgusting.)
- Chuck's flash face is stupid. Drink every time he does it.
- Every time Sarah loses her gun in a fight, drink.
- Every time Casey grunts, drink.
There are special rules for some of the sillier episodes, like the Cat Squad one, but in a nutshell, these are the rules.
For now, Chuck is still on the air, so feel free to enjoy the next few new episodes of Chuck with this game in mind.
-- Sis
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