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December, 2009

  1. Music: Andrew Ripp – A great songwriter you’ve probably never heard of

    December 14, 2009 by me

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    I rarely write blogs about my job (probably because I don’t want to get in trouble!), but I had to write this. I had a musician come in today who I’ve been trying to get on the show since he was bumped in August for an Obama press conference (curse you!). He’s your typical singer/songwriter who’s written for the likes of Ryan Cabrera (I know, who you ask? Wikipedia him). Anyway, for some unknown reason, this one song has been stuck in my head for, what seems like, weeks. The only way I can describe it is that it is a melancholy, bittersweet journey into the soul of an emotional breaking point…I just love it. And it’s haunted me ever since. So I thought I’d share, because not only is this guy fantastically talented and prolific, but he’s also humble and (seems) very aware of how lucky he is to be doing what he does. His entourage (Randy Coleman, Joe (never got a last name) and Carly) were sweet and humble and just all around nice people. And sometimes, when you deal with musicians, you tend to get the ones that are already jaded and don’t care what you’re name is. These guys, these are the people you want to succeed. These are the people you need to succeed.

    In this musical era of Lady Gaga (yes, even I listen to her sometimes…), it’s nice to know that songwriting isn’t dead, and that piano-laden ballads can still give you chills…especially if you’re lucky enough to hear him live.


  2. TV OD: Men of a Certain Age…I guess I'm just not that cynical yet…

    December 5, 2009 by me

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    It’s like: Bye, Bye, Love meets Sex in the City (minus the city)

    Stars you’d know: Ray Romano, Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap), Andre Braugher (Homicide)

    Their tagline: Three best friends deal with their forties.

    My tagline: Midlife crisis of a few stereotypical men.

    Verdict: Didn’t like it.
    Here’s why: I think I may be either way too young for the cynical-ness of the male psyche at age forty, or I just don’t get it. I mean, there were point of humor in the writing, and I do love all three of those actors. But I feel like it is too much trying to be “Sex and the City” for guys (complete with a Carrie-Romano, Samantha-Bakula, Miranda-Braugher). I know that older men in my life (aka my dad and brother) will probably get a kick out of it, because I am sure this is what all guys think about during their “midlife” crisises…but I guess I am just too optimistic or too naive to even attempt to understand what goes through the male psyche during ages forty and beyond. So, recommended for all those over forty, because if you watch it while you are under forty, it just might depress you.

    Trailer:


  3. Film Student for Life: Eagle Eye…beware of Big Brother…

    December 5, 2009 by me

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    It’s like: I, Robot meets The Fugitive

    Stars you’d know: Shia LaBeouf (Indiana Jones 4), Rosario Dawson (Rent), Michelle Monaghan (Maid of Honor), Michael Chiklis (The Shield), Billy Bob Thorton

    Thier tagline: If you want to live, you will obey.

    My tagline: Big Brother is everywhere, so beware.

    Verdict: I rather enjoyed this one. Here’s the thing…if I don’t like a movie within twenty minutes, I turn it off. I figure, why waste the minutes if it doesn’t pique my interest right away? Well, this one, off the bat, piqued my curiosity. I didn’t realize until I was an hour in that I actually wasn’t in the mood to watch a thriller. The writing, for a thriller, was excellent (it was written by four different writers, so it must have gone through a LOT of rewrites). It was filmed partly in Chicago, so that’s always a plus in my book. Shia was great, as he usually is, and there wasn’t a lot of annoying “damsel in distress” like there usually is in thrillers, so I liked that as well. The action was fantastic. I mean, I like car chases just like the next person. But there was a LOT of car chases/crashes, etc that made it exciting. The scary thing about this movie is that, yes, technology is everywhere, and Big Brother might just take over the world someday. Which is why this post is going to be short…I’d like to shut down before someone hacks into me and starts telling me to do things I don’t want to do…

    Trailer here: