You are currently browsing the monthly archive for March, 2006.
Lindsay Lohan reportedly wants to star in Joss Whedon’s next project, a “Wonder Woman” re-make. Apparently she’s tired of being a teeny-bopper icon and (at the ripe old age of 19) wants to move on to more mature roles.
I’m a huge fan of Joss Whedon, but I have three words for him: DON’T. YOU. DARE. I swear, if he picks Linds as the heir to his long line of butt-kicking female superheroes, I just might cry.
Now that I’ve issued Joss a fair warning, I have to say that I don’t think Lindsay will snag the role. A much safer choice would be to either cast an unknown, or to go with someone a *bit* older who can carry a little more gravitas, like Charisma Carpenter or Trisha Helfer. Even someone like Rachel McAdams, who’s name has been thrown around on some discussion boards, or Anne Hathaway (a personal favorite) would be better than Lindsay “Herbie: Fully Loaded” Lohan.
Technorati tag: Movies, Celebrities
Richard Sambrook has written a very comprehensive and insightful analysis of citizen journalism’s role in the media landscape and potential role in the future of information. He covers a lot in just a few words, and I especially like his discussion of how citizen journalists/bloggers fit into the mainstream media in times of disaster. Instead of journalists searching for eyewitness reports, the eyewitnesses are now banging down their doors, with pictoral and video documentation to back up their stories. Journalists have to face facts: we cannot be everywhere, every moment. Things will always be happening in out-of-the-way locales with no one but the random passer-by and his or her cameraphone as documentarian. As much discussed here and in many media-centric blogs, mainstream media should see the emergence of citizen journalism as a resource–a boon rather than a threat. Of course, the wildfire-spread of online publishing capability is sure to have its downsides, like a proliferation of unverified and unreliable information. That’s where MSM comes in, acting as a filter. Really, it isn’t necessarily a “brave new world” to which we’re heading, as long as we keep our heads.
Technorati tag: Blogs, Media, Journalism
I know this is supposed to be a serious blog and not just a glorified Dear Diary, but I have to talk about myself just a little bit now and then. My last Spring Break ever is almost officially over, and it was a whirlwind. South by Southwest was insane, a complete blast. I volunteered as stage crew at The Hideout, a teeny little coffee shop/theater that temporarily masqueraded as a live music venue for the festival. Despite a totalitarian cashier, a disgusting/vulgar sound guy and a few drunken, angry bands, the experience was a rush. Not a single recognizable band (in mainstream circles) was booked for our hole-in-the-wall venue, but sometimes the most obscure artists turned out to be the most entertaining. Another bonus–the often dead crowd made for a few opportunities to play hooky (with my stage manager’s permission) and go see some bigger names.
Here’s the part where I try to spin this diary-entry posting into some credible entertainment journalism. I’ve read tons of my dad’s album and concert reviews in my lifetime, so hopefully this foray into music criticism won’t suck completely.
Thursday at the Parish was Nada Surf, whom I first heard doing a cover of “If You Leave” on the soundtrack to “The O.C.” I was expecting the concert to be a little more mellow than it ended up being. Much to my surprise, the band had a lot of energy and really fired up the crowd, even inviting fans to come up onstage and dance. I don’t know a whole lot about the band, so I’ll focus most of my attention on my next entry…
Of all the shows I saw, my favorite by far was OK Go on Friday night at Dirty Dog Bar. Shockingly, they weren’t headlining the venue, but the infectiously good Chicago group definitely brought in crowds worthy of a headliner. Sporting their trademark neckties and British-feeling paisley and tweed, the four members–Damian Kulash, Tim Nordwind, Andy Ross and Dan Konopka–worked the stage for almost an hour. Kulash controlled the mic with big Jagger-esque vocals and a bigger personality, occasionally breaking in the middle of songs to bribe audience members to bring the band shots of whiskey. After about 40 minutes of rock, the highlight of which was the crowd-pleasing hit “Get Over It,” the band members shed their instruments and assumed dance positions–if you haven’t seen OK Go’s amateurish and hilarious “music video” that’s been dominating YouTube, go now: “A Million Ways” video. Obviously the fans went nuts at the gangly and half-drunken rendition of the dance the group has performed at venues the world over. I’ve been swept up in OK Go fever, to say the least.
The next day I had the privilege to attend a panel on music and activism populated by the likes of Steve Earle, Chris Walla from Death Cab and my adorable friend Damian Kulash. I’ve interviewed celebrities before, but asking a question while five famous people are staring at me was nerve-wracking. I stammered something about celebrities being political and whether or not they have any credibility, to which Steve Earle said “that’s our job.” Cue the applause.
Jay Rosen, already a celeblogrity, has started a new project with his NYU journalism students. It’s called Blue Plate Special, and its first project was to rate the best blogging newspapers in the United States. And who took home first prize? Our very own Houston Chronicle. And here I thought the Washington Post was the undisputed newspaper blogging champion?
Technorati tag: Newspapers, Blogs
It’s Oscar night, and I’m trying my hand at liveblogging, AKA writing a running commentary while an event is underway. The only problem is that I pulled out my computer a little late. A serious liveblogger would have been doing a pre-show and would have had laptop at the ready. I’m a little slow on the uptake here. My only real complaint so far has been about the Best Song recipient. I CANNOT believe a song called “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” won an Oscar. But name notwithstanding, it wasn’t even that great of a song. And I like hip hop. I didn’t think any of the songs were really that outstanding, but really. Musically, the only good thing about it was the interesting use of timpani. On the whole, bo-ring. Not to mention the pummeling of many years of feminism. It’s hard for a pimp? What about “It’s Hard Out Here For A Ho?”
Right now we’re on Best Actress–all the buzz has been about Reese, and I’m betting on her–but I think Felicity Huffman (Transamerica), who I predicted as winner a few weeks ago, has a chance too. The Academy does seem to like women who uglify themselves. But I kind of think this is Reese’s day. So let’s see. Here we go… and the Oscar goes to… Reese Witherspoon! Aw, she’s so adorable and southern and her dress is fantastic. I’m glad I got this one right, because I made a fool of myself earlier when I predicted David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck) for best actor. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I think all that’s left is Best Director and Best Picture. Oh, nope, I forgot screenplay–and that’s even two categories! Okay, so for adapted, we’ve got Brokeback, Capote, History of Violence, Munich… I’m betting on Brokeback, as always. I finally saw the damn thing yesterday, and I had to go by myself because everyone, including my parents, had already seen it. I’m totally enraptured.
Hey, I’m right! Wow, they’re playing that song for like the zillionth time tonight.
On to original screenplay. I think this one is easily going to go to Crash, but Match Point might put up a fight. Before the show they said this was the one year Woody Allen (who has a history of snubbing the Oscars) would have attended the ceremony if he’d gotten a director nod, but he didn’t. Ironic.
Nope, Crash it is.
Here comes Tom Hanks to present Best Director. Man, this guy is going to get a lifetime achievement award someday. What a quality guy. Let’s see… I think it’s between Paul Haggis, Ang Lee and George Clooney. That’s not narrowing it down much, I know. Hmm… OK, I guess I’ll go for BROKEback (ha ha) and pick Ang Lee.
Oh, I’m good! I guess it helps that I happen to be rooting for the film that’s garnered the most critical attention and the most box office success of all the Best Picture nominees. Before Ang even finishes his speech I’m going to predict Brokeback for Best Picture. Other than Best Actress, that’s the one category that most people have been agreeing on.
Ugh, Jack Nicholson is presenting Best Picture. People are laughing and he’s not even saying anything funny! I don’t understand it. It’s amazing that his voice alone can inspire whatever emotion he wants. Here we go… come on, Brokeback…
OH MY GOD. Crash???
Wow. Didn’t see that coming. I feel a little sheepish. The looks on the producers’ faces are hilarious! No one else tonight has let surprise show like that. Man, I saw Crash last summer and liked it a lot, if I remember correctly, but I certainly didn’t think, “that’s a future Best Picture right there.”
The wrap up: Crash wins three, including orig. screenplay and picture; Brokeback wins three, including adap. screenplay and director; Geisha won three artsy awards; King Kong won three techie awards. No clear “big winner” like a Titanic or a Million Dollar Baby. And Jon Stewart was funny, although I don’t think the Hollywood audience thought so.
UPDATE: Ohhhh! The airheaded chick on E! just said that awful “Pimp” song was from Crash. It’s from Hustle & Flow, you moron. Just because Crash is about race doesn’t mean it would stoop to having a song as ridiculous as that as its ambassador. The song from Crash, which was actually very pretty, didn’t win the category.
UPDATE #2: One of the Williams sisters (I think Serena) just called Philip Seymour Hoffman “Philip Semen Hoffmour.” LOL!
