Confessions of a Music Lovers I-Pod

Trying to get back on track with this here little musical interlude.

For those of you new to this game, "shuffle all" your i-pod and write down the first 15 songs that come up. No cheating! Unless artists show up more than once :)

1. The Replacements: Talent Show
2. Adele: Cold Shoulder
3: Robert Pattinson: To Roam (he he he)
4. The Smiths: Girlfriend in a Coma (weird coincidence - I am reading Douglas Copeland's book of the same name right now!)
5. She & Him: I Should Have Known Better
6. Cast of Spring Awakening: My Junk (with Lea Michelle from Glee!)
7. Joshua Radin: Friend Like You
8. George Harrison: What is Life
9. Lily Allen: The Fear
10: Nirvana: Polly
11. Monsters of Folk: Slow Down Joe
12. Mika: Grace Kelly
13. The Filthy Youth: Come Flash All Your Ladies (Ed Westwick from Gossip Girl's band)
14. Regina Spektor: Begin to Hope
15. Damien Rice: Sweet Avenue

Well there you have it. Anything new and exciting for you to scope out? Hit me up with some suggestions.

Although they didn't show up on this 15 I am throwing out a special mention to Bon Iver. Kristen Stewart was on Jimmy Fallon this week and mentioned them (I think they are on the soundtrack?) and she specifically mentioned an amazing acapella version of For Emma done in the hallway of a venue somewhere in Paris. I had heard it before, but forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder Kristen! I was supposed to see Bon Iver at the Sasquatch festival earlier this year, but they were 20 minutes late and I got peeved and went back to The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

And yes I kinda regret it as I saw the Yeah X3 again at Bumbershoot a few months later.

PS: Julian Casablancas tomorrow night at The Commodore! Very excited. It has been like 2 weeks since I have seen a live show!

XO

New Moon Review

Yesterday was the day. I took a long weekend, dragged my 30+ year old self down the street to the Scotiabank Theatre to meet my friend Emma, waited in a line up for 90 minutes with a bunch of teenagers to see: squeal – The Twilight Saga: New Moon – squeal.

In the interests of full disclosure, I should confess that any comments on the movie are clouded by the bottle of wine that I drank before and during the film. I will be seeing it again next week with another friend, and am gonna be sober for the second sitting. I am pretty sure there are a few things I don’t remember. On a somewhat unrelated note, did you know that if you pour an entire bottle of wine into a Nalgene bottle, it really doesn’t look like that much?

Anyways…..New Moon is infinitely better than Twilight. This movie is not and is unlikely to ever be a critically acclaimed movie series. It is currently sitting at 38% amongst the Top Critics on Rotten Tomatoes. But the critics have not in any way discouraged the masses from seeing it. The Twilight Saga: New Moon has shattered the opening day record previously held by The Dark Knight, taking in an estimated $72.7 million dollars on Friday. Which is more than Twilight made on it’s opening weekend.

Considering the grand fromage of the source material, I think that script writer Melissa Rosenberg and director Chris Weitz did a decent job keep the schmaltz in check. It was and will always be total cheese, but there were only a few times when I actually threw up in my mouth just a little. Case in point: the scene where Alice “sees” Edward and Bella running through the woods – which I guess was supposed to be our first glimpse of a “changed” Bella. Snort. It was ridiculous and completely overdone. And other, much better known bloggers have commented on the catwalk style of Edward's entrance in the film.... totally spot on. And while I understand that Edward is much more intelligent than anyone in the school, couldn't he fake the fact that he is a student by bringing a notebook, or at least a pen? Come on, if you are worried about being found out, wouldn't you at least carry a backpack?

Thankfully the dark and moody blue lighting was replaced with more earth tones. Chris Weitz also chose to ditch the swirling, disjointed camera shots that Catherine Hardwick used in Twilight – except for the scene with Bella moping in the same chair (and strangely in the same sweatpants) while the camera panned around her, showing time passing outside her window after Edward leaves. I thought it was really well done.

Overall I thought the acting from all was decent. Nothing award winning, but not as amateurish as Twilight was. I am an unabashed fan of Kristen Stewart, and I thought that she did a great job again. I much prefer the Bella that she portrays as opposed to the Bella from Stephanie Meyer’s books. Rob was very very pretty and tortured and brooding. And did I mention pretty? Taylor Lautner did good – but, I’m sorry, I just can’t take him seriously in the role of Jacob. He looks 16. Jacob is supposed to look 25. It just doesn’t do it for me. But he was fine. And his abs are crazy sick.

As I expected, I very much enjoyed Anna Kendrick's Jessica. For the few lines she had - amazing. According to an interview I saw recently with Melissa Rosenberg, she was one of the only cast members whose improvised lines were consistently better than the scripted lines written by Rosenberg. Love her. Can't wait for Up in the Air. Also – can I tell you how much I love Billy Burke as Charlie? Funny and sweet and fantastic. He can rock that moustache like no-one I have seen before. Love the 'stache.

The Volturi were appropriately menacing. Michael Sheen’s Aro was perfectly over the top – a little campy, but clearly dangerous. Dakota Fanning needs to play a villain more often. With one sideways glance her Jane could cut anyone down to size. The wolfpack were shirtless. Which is pretty much all I have to say. They were shirtless. A lot. Actually, the whole time. Shirtless brown boys = goodness.

With few exceptions, the styling and look of the Vampires was far superior to Twilight. From the red and topaz eyes, to the clothes, to most of their hair. One noticeable exception is the incredibly hot in real life Jackson Rathbone. Jackson plays the unfortunate Jasper, whose hair made me laugh out loud. What was with that lock that was falling into his eyes? Bwahhhh. Even though Rachelle Lefevre was only in the film for about 2 minutes in total she looked awesome – her hair was flaming red as it should have been in Twilight.

The effects were good in parts and laughable in others. When Bella went cliff diving for instance. The diving - good. Even when she is getting hammered by the waves = good. but when she was knocked out? WTF was that? The position of her body was ridiculous. It was stiff and unnatural and not what would happen if you were in the water. Badness. The wolves were decent – their few fight scenes were fast and furious and pretty hard to follow. The scenes in Italy were beautifully shot – from Bella running through the crowds to find Edward to the Volturi chambers.

Overall, I found The Twilight Saga: New Moon the movie to be vastly superior to Twilight. Granted the budget was almost double that of the first flick. But the whole thing was just better for me. Yes it was cheese. Yes I laughed out loud at a few of the lines (but that was due to the horror that is Stephanie Meyer’s writing). But I am much happier with this one than with Twilight. Well done Chris Weitz. Well done!

XO

New Moon Premier

Have your ears stopped ringing yet? Mine haven't and I live thousands of kilometres away from Hollyweird. Monday night was the much anticipated official World Premiere of The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Twi-hards came from far and wide, camping for days all to catch a glimpse of the cast. Summit also streamed the entire premiere through MySpace. Insanity. The three leads all arrived separately and I do not recall seeing any photos of Rob and Kristen together. No desire to feed the incessant and all encompassing rumour mill about the status of their relationship. Smart kids. Or should I say, smart Summit.

Kristen seems to have lost some of her edge for the premier. The dress is actually pretty enough, her hair and make up are spot on. She does look beautiful. But she doesn't look like Kristen Stewart. No real edge. Nothing of the rad cool chick that doesn't give a shit about what she wears or what you think about what she is wearing.
It actually looks like something you would wear to a friend's Debutante Ball. I know you may find this shocking and even a little bit amazing, but this cynical bitch was presented to society when she was a wee young thing. It was through my Church (another shock I know). Do not judge me. We all did it. It was an excuse to get dressed up and party. They put wine on all of our tables. We were 16 years old. Whatever, I don't have to explain myself to you. It was quite the memorable night - from the teeny tiny bit I can recall and what friends filled in for me later. I didn't get along with my partner, my hair looked like complete ass after about an hour (stupid cheap hair dresser), on the way to the afterparty I had to sit in the front seat of the limo next to the driver as the back was full, At the afterparty - which was at the house of someone I wasn't really friends with, I managed to get into a screaming match with my best friends, and then I proceeded to puke *all* over the bathroom. Classy classy classy. Oh and my wonderful mother still has a picture of me in my f*cking white satin & lace sweetheart neck lined dress on display in her living room. Thanks mom!

Anyways, that is the vibe Kristen's dress was giving me. Debutante Ball at Camberwell City Hall. She could do so much better. All of her red carpet outfits thus far have been impeccable. Even on Conan earlier that day, she looked like herself. Messy hair, a hand drawn tatoo on her wrist (mocking those idiot who have twilight tatoo's perhaps?), cool dress. But Oscar de La Renta gown was not Kristen to me. Even she didn't look comfortable in it and she apparently changed into jeans and a t-shirt as soon as the photog line was done. The man of the hour - Robert Pattinson - finally heard all of our pleas and threw on a suit. Still wish he had shaved, but I will take what I can get. Taylor blinded everyone with his smile and I am sure that he continued his tradition of over enunciating every word. I appreciate good diction as much as the next slightly neurotic person, but come on........

Big ups to Dakota Fanning and Anna Kendrick. Best dressed of the night for me. Loved Dakota's entire look. Age appropriate (ehm... Miley Cyrus you should be studying this young girl to see how to transition from child to actual star in Hollyweird). Her shoes were dope. For Anna Kendrick, the New Moon premiere is probably pretty low key for her. I mean this is a girl who very shortly will be walking the carpet for Up in the Air with George mother-f*cking Clooney and Jason fricking Bateman. That one shouldered black sparkly number... super hot. Hair - awesome. Make-up & styling - flawless. Loved it. Honorable mentions to Jackson Rathbone and Nikki Reed.

Ashley Greene appeared to be going for the Miss Teen "Milking my 15 minutes for as much as I can" look. Hated her dress. Dull. Just because it is red and slinky does not make it right. It was a bad prom dress. The hair was also bad bad bad. And I don't get it. Ashley is stunning. Such a pretty face! And her body is sick. She has the potential to look amazing. Sadly, Ms Greene always looks like she is trying so hard to be the Belle(a) of the Ball. Something she is not. And will never be. But, ya know what? Props to Ashley Greene. Out of all of the second string Twilight cast, Ashley is working the hardest to make this last. Apparently she has been working pretty steadily on no less than 4 projects since the start of Twilight... strange that the only press I have seen about her is whe n she was making out with Chase Crawford and/or the opening or celebration of anything she is invited to.

And what is there to say about Stephanie Meyer. That dress pretty much defies description. Too tight. Ugly. Completely wrong for anyone to be seen in public in. I am sorry. But the woman has more money than she can spend in a lifetime and this is the best she can come up with? I know she is an author not an actress, but she is a celebrity. Girlfriend needs a stylist...stat. Maybe one of her fans designed it and sent it to her? Ha!

XO

Fashion Fabulosity a la Kristen Stewart

When a movie opens, even a movie that is pretty much guaranteed to be a blockbuster, there are normally two or three big red carpet premier's scattered throughout the world. But for The Twilight Saga: New Moon it has been taken to the next level. Hell, it has been taken to the next stratosphere!! I honestly cannot recall there being "fan events" attended by upwards of 20,000 screaming fans for any other movie franchise. Even Harry Potter did not receive this level of craziness. Photo calls, press conferences, red carpets, musical performances by bands from the soundtrack, autograph sessions. Complete and utter controlled insanity - all to promote a movie that really doesn't need promoting.


And in attendance at all of these events the ridiculously titled "Twilight Trinity" of Robert Pattinson, Kristin Stewart and Taylor Lautner. Srsly, Twilight Trinity? Ugh. Whoever came up with that moniker deserves a good thrashing. Tagging along for the ride, but getting a lot of love also is the movies director Chris Weitz. But it is pretty much all about Rob, Kristen and Taylor. They have been earning their paychecks this week. Smiling for the fans, signing thousands of autographs, answering the same questions, smiling for the photogs, standing there - smiling - listening to the screaming....it always boils down to the screaming.

The lead cast have been to London, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Mexico, Brazil, Japan and prolly a few places I have forgotten about. And with few exceptions Kristen Stewart has looked phe.nom.inal at every event. I am not a fan of the white jeans in the top photo and the cream Paris outfit would have looked a lot better if she had gone with a pop of colour in the shoes... but small things. Overall her styling has been impeccable. Fashion forward, edgy, polished. But it seems to be staying true to her own style. Love love love for Kristen this press tour. Her reign as my ultimate girl crush remains firmly intact.

My personal faves have been the grey and black peek-a-boo Balenciaga ensemble from Madrid (above) - super sexy, with the sheer panels on the skirt and the top. A little challenging to wear I suspect as the photogs are looking to get shots from every angle and that could be somewhat unintentionally revealing. This dress is like a naughty school-girl outfit designed by Sid Vicious. Love it. And even when she is just going out for dinner (in jeans below) she looks awesome....

I also loved the London outfit - the bright flirty and fun Proenza Schouler below. Amazingness again. I know that a lot of her fashion choices have been panned by the blogs - or at least the people commenting on the blogs. Whatever. These are also the same people who find Robert's homeless person look charming and adorable. Am I the only one who is completely over this bedraggled, unshaven, I don't give a crap look? This is the red carpet. Not the just crawled out of bed, can't be shagged putting on a decent outfit carpet. Even Taylor Lautner has the class to shave and throw on a decent outfit. Not saying that Rob needs to throw on a suit - but come on...... a t-shirt? And could you maybe try and look like you have showered over the past few days?

Kristen seems as if she is a completely different person from last years junket. Nearly every interviewer has commented on the fact that she seems more comfortable being involved in the juggernaut that is the Twilight franchise. She is confident and poised when answering the same question repeatedly and is a lot more articulate in expressing her feelings for the film and her character.

I honestly think that she knows her character better than any of the other cast. She seems to have thought about it intently and gives thoughtful, sincere answers about Bella's motivation and the other characters. Rob as always is charming and self-deprecating... but this is also something I am kind of over just a little. At least Rob is still pretty! Taylor is confident in his answers, but over enunciates to the point that I want to stab myself with something sharp and pointy.

There will always be those who feel that Kristen is an ungrateful brat. That all she does is itch and moan about the perils of fame and the fact that she can't go anywhere without being followed by the evil photogs. But what these people fail to realise or acknowledge is that Kristen isn't spontaneously harping on her lack of privacy or the paparazzi following her everywhere. Every single interview asks her about how her life has changed since the release of Twilight. If she were to say her life hadn't changed, she would be accused of being insincere and a liar. When she is asked the questions, she answers. Honestly and probably a little more bluntly than her publicist would like. Her honesty and bluntness are always going to get her into trouble with some people.

This week is going to get pretty crazy with New Moon mania. The entire cast is reuniting in LA for yet another premier. Apparently people have been lined up since Thursday. Cray-zee! Do these people not have jobs? Children? Spouses? Umm Dare I say, lives? Ya know what? Whatever floats their boat I guess! And who am I to talk. I am taking a day off work on Friday... ostensibly because I have personal time to use before the end of the year. But in reality, it is to see a matinee of New Moon. Heh!

XO

Mark your Calendars: November 20th = Quiver Overload

In spite of the many posts on this here wee blog fawning over all things Twilight Saga related (& the self-imposed round of self-loathing for said fawning), this is not a post about Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart or the movie. That is the next post. Ha!

It is just a happy coincidence that on the same day that The Twilight Saga: New Moon is released to the crazy masses, we get our first glimpse of James Franco on General Hospital. Sigh. The speculation about why James - an actor that is universally acknowledged does not *need* to lower himself to be on a Soap - has not abated since the announcement came out a month or so ago. There has been no official word from anyone in Franco's camp and the powers that be from ABC are also keeping relatively quiet.

James began filming his 2 month arc at the end of last month, and a few photos have made their way to the interwebs. The whole "Franco" sign is kinda silly and I hope doesn't irritate me to much. But I am already kinda happy to see he is in at least one scene with mob-boss Sonny Corenthos (Maurice Bernard). James looks decidedly soapstud like in these pictures no? Soapstud, with just a hint of the crazy. Hello salty goodness!

The speculation has begun as to who he will be playing, and more importantly whether the dreamed for hawt off between him and Steve Burton will actually take place. I would settle for a Franco-Jackson hawt off as well. Jonathan Jackson has just returned to GH as Lucky Spencer - a role he originated many many years ago. I had forgot exactly how adorable he was. Love him. Glad he is back.

As to deducing from a few photo's the entire storyline for Jame's "mystery" character, my only assumption is that the faceless mystery dude currently obsessed with Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) will turn out to be Franco. Nice touch GH, having American Idol superstar Adam Lambert's Mad World as this mystery nemesis' theme song.

I am very much looking forward to November 20th. James Franco in the morning and a nice dose of Edward Cullen in the afternoon......New Moon matinee. Already have my tickets. Do not judge me. I don't know if my loins will be able to handle it.

XO

Gimme Sympathy

I know I know. Bad wee-blogger. I have been back for a week and only one post. And it wasn't even about U2 or my trip. It was about Joshua Jackson.......sigh. And now I really want to write about the hawt photo of James Franco that the good folks at ABC have released in the lead up to his first episode on General Hospital. Or alternatively the swoon worthy & quiver inducing Vanity Fair pictures of Robert Pattinson. Sigh indeed.

The trip was awesome. Details will follow once my life is back to normal. It is splendidly chaotic right now! Weekend of drinking.... and I didn't even leave the house on Halloween (dislike of organised holidays because they are silly and commercial and rarely as much fun as the hype) = hangover and no desire to turn on the computer......

The amazing Regina Spektor last night (sooo f*cking good!!) so no time to write let alone post. Tonite is is Metric. Eeeek! So excited.

But I am gonna get back on track in the next few days.

Lots of stories to show and tell! Random Ben Affleck sighting in Boston - which did not involve me stalking in any way shape or form. Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig, Jude Law, Tom Lenk, Carrie Fischer!!!!! OMFG - so much too say.

Give me just a little more time kiddies and I will deliver the goods! Be patient just a little bit longer.

Oh and did I mention that Constantine Maroulis totally looked at me with sex eyes during Rock of Ages? And that I totally geeked out when I saw Tom Lenk and couldn't even say hi....

Gotta get my dancing shoes on for the amazing Metric this evening.

Okay, Just one picture of Rob!

XO

New Moon Posters & Eclipse Posers

Twi-hards everywhere are torn. On the one hand they want to squeal with excitement that three brand spanking new posters from The Twilight Saga - New Moon have been released. On the other hand, they are picking apart every aspect of the pictures judging and criticising and taking it all far too seriously.

OMG - I can't believe Jacob isn't in the first poster. How could they do that? The whole movie is ruined. Exclamation Point!

OMG can you believe how completely and totally unscary the Volturi look? And don't even get me started on Jane's blond hair. In the bible (sorry, the book) she had brown hair. Why didn't they make Dakota put on a wig. The movie is ruined. Exclamation Point! Underline! Exclamation Point!

OMG finally Rosalie looks halfway pretty, but can you believe how bad Alice looks. God they should have cast Actress X, Y or Z in this role. She is totally going to ruin the movie.

What is up with Edward & Bella - that looks more like an Eclipse embrace not a New Moon embrace. Stupid Summit! When will they learn to consult each and every fan before they do anything as important as print a poster. Maybe we should start a petition. I'll get the Edward and Bella Stationary. Be right back, okay?

Maybe I am exaggerating just a titch, but honest to Betsy at least half of the statements above were written today about a couple of posters. Ugh. It is a movie poster kids. Deal with it.

I like them.

I am feeling a tad anti Twi-hard right now. It's kinda strange. I have always been on the Twi-hards are not as crazy as everyone thinks bandwagon since the beginning of all this. And I still am - for the most part. There are just a couple of things that have been on my mind that I think it is time to let it all out.

What I find so interesting - and at the same time completely infuriating - in all of the frenzy about Twilight and it's stars is that the uber fans (who may or may not be certifiable) have no problem heaping vitriol on the Photogs, but they think it is perfectly okay for them to interrupt someone while they are eating, shopping or generally trying to have some semblance of a normal life. You know the photogs can't go into a restaurant or stores to hassle these kids right? That they would be kicked out immediately if they tried to interrupt them?

Go to the set. hang out there forever. Stalk the f*cking set. But when these people whom you all so desperately try to protect from the paparazzi are trying to have dinner, how about you try leaving them the f*ck alone. Especially if you have already had your photo taken with them. How many photos do you need of yourself with Kellan Lutz?

I hear your retorts: Oh they don't mind. Oh I am respectful of them. Oh I am not like one of the dirty paps. Pfft. Whatever gets you through the night sweetheart! Just because you are not getting paid for these photos does not make what you are doing any more morally acceptable.

Of course they say they don't mind - they are actors. It is their job to not mind. You are the reason they are famous. I get that. And I am sure they completely appreciate the fandom. But don't you think it would be nice, for once, for them to be able to enjoy a meal without someone going up to them? Don't you think it would be respectful to not go to a restaurant that you know they go to? Wouldn't it be swell to let them have some privacy while they are here. Especially since most of you are all so "down with the Paps"

Just to clarify, it is not just the photogs in Vancity numbers that have increased during the filming of Eclipse. It is also the number of regular folks who are stalking not only the sets, but also the places they think the cast will be. And it is this combination that is making the experience of filming Eclipse a lot harder for the cast - particularly Rob and Kristen. I mean, they are both virtual prisoners in their hotels. And you wonder why?

I really don't know why I felt the need to vent this. And I know, only about 4 people read this, so I am not that concerned about the hate from the very twi-hards that I am writing about. I am sure you are all very nice people. I am sure you are not at all crazy.

XO

LA Times visits New Moon Set

The Twilight Saga New Moon comes out in less than 2 months. Squee! Still incredibly hopeful that I will be able to take the day off work and go to a matinee with my girls, bottle of wine in hand. There is sadly a slight chance I may have a work event that I can't get out of and have no actual control over. Ugh. We shall see.

The LA Times has released a ton of photos taken on the Vancouver set of New Moon this Spring.

These pics are so f*cking promising. Rob and Kristen look phenomenal with the exception of that ugly ass jacket that Kris is wearing. I know it is a left-over from Twilight, maybe there will be a ritual burning of anything that reminds her of Edward, cause that is one hideous frumpy piece of outerwear! I love the one in the top in the middle, where there is a ton of light on Rob & Kristen. Beautiful right? And the one of Rob getting his lips touched up. Sigh......I threw in one photo of young Mr Lautner for those on Team Jacob. Yes, the kid looks good half nekkid....but still... meh.

One of my good friends lives in Port Moody, where they were filming something at a police station today. Rob was on set. Apparently there were thousands (which I will take to mean close to 100 as there is a tendency to exaggerate) of girls screaming and holding their camera phones ready to get a shot of Rob. In April, I may have been a teeny tiny bit into something like that. Now, not so much. Not even at all.

I think I have made a major breakthrough. I am still a pathetic loser. But at least I am not a pathetic loser who stalks sets right?

XO