Pop culture rodeo roundup. Yeehaw!

[raybear]

1. Like a good music nerd, I went out and bought Radiohead's new album today. Like a bad music nerd, I have no eloquent overindulgent review for you. Right now it's mostly excellent background music to my work day, at least until it runs out and I switch over to either the new Les Nubians album or some sampler CD I got for free that has both a track off Annie Lennox's upcoming album and the single from Kelly Clarkson's album. But whatever, just go read Spin magazine or click "random" on the Find User function of livejournal, because I'm sure plenty of mofos have something to say. You can come to me when you want a review of the new Big Tymers single.

2. Hillary Clinton's book came out today. I noticed yesterday that The Hours is coming out on DVD in two weeks. And Strangers with Candy -- Season One. And I believe Buffy Season 4 came out today. Have I mentioned my birthday is coming up? Will someone buy me a computer while you're at it? Is it bad to send my dad a father's day card with the hopes of getting a birthday gift in return?

3. I finally saw X-Men 2 on Sunday. I was thoroughly entertained and enjoyed it more than the first -- which I didn't think was bad, only a little forgettable. Madness Librarian told me last night that Halle Berry won't be doing a third movie because she feels she's gone as far as she can with Storm as an actor. But has her back account gone as far as it can for her to play Storm? C'mon Halle. I don't understand actors being all snooty about the opportunity to make lots of money in fun mainstream movies that will pay the bills for years to come and make you cool to your kids. Besides, if she was going to leave the franchise, I wish she had gotten killed at the end instead of my favorite character. Even if she does have questionable taste in men, she's still hot and telepathic.

4. Speaking of telekinesis, after dinner on Saturday with Educating Esme, we stopped by her apartment and watched a bit of the new movie of Carrie, and although it starred my favorite Patricia Clarkson, how can one compete with Piper Laurie as the original mom? Also, we talked a lot about how all the girls in the remake didn't look too scary with their nice hair and clothes and bodies. It felt more like a Jennifer Love Hewitt/Freddie Prinze Jr. movie than a horror flick. But, the upside is that I realized I need to rent the original because I haven't seen it in a very very long time. I'm thinking about doing a double-feature rental night entitled "Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen" and I'll rent Carrie along with Femme Fatale, then a discussion will follow about how whether DePalma is a hack or a two(three? four?)-hit wonder or misunderstood genius. Or maybe instead we can just re-enact the trashy sex scenes from the latter film. Let me know if you want an invite.

5. I was going to use this space to rant/discuss/elaborate on my problems with people 'rapping' as a musical expression without properly understanding the art of the craft and how it's not just talking over music or even just reciting poetry to beats. But I've run out of steam. Maybe next time.

Comments

[joelandrewtyson.livejournal.com]

People have been talking over beats since before the notion of rap even existed.

i know who you're talking about

[dommeyourass.livejournal.com]

don't be putting down my pals, even if they are white girls doing rap, their politics kick-ass. ;)

Re: i know who you're talking about

[raybear.livejournal.com]

Don't be all up in the kool-aid when you don't know the flavor, missy!

Granted, your pals (who have excellent politics, I agree) were part of the larger conversation but they certainly weren't my only targets and they got off super-easy compared to some other folks I diss(cuss)ed, including Madonna and her "ironic rapping".

[mintwaster.livejournal.com]

I love John Travolta in Carrie.

I'd ask for an invite, but I cannot watch Femme Fatale again. Ever. Not even for the scene between my beloved Rie and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos.

By the way, the week that you and Domme took your road trip, "Showgirls" was shown repeatedly and Cocolola watched the entire thing even though she did not want to. It's like a car wreck. Even I walked away. Not even Gina Gershon could keep my attention.

Showgirls

[raybear.livejournal.com]

I actually knew this -- when I got a haircut in a Boston barber shop, they had the telvision tuned to VH1 while showing it. I'm fond of that version because I like the computer generated bikinis used to cover up the nudity. I can't believe own the DVD of this movie. But it's a camp classic and someday people will bow to it's glory. Even I didn't understand at first -- I just got mad that she pronounced her name as "Crystal". Soon I realized it's genius.

And remember, there's always someone behind you on the stairs, waiting to push you down.

I'm a nerd

[qvalentine.livejournal.com]

If your favorite character was Jean Grey, no need to worry, she didn't really die. I heard from a guy who knows a comic book nerd who told me that she was helped by a character known as the pheonix, or she is a pheonix herself, or something. The person who died was a pheonix, and the "real" jean grey comes back. That's why at the very end of X2 there is a bird form barely visable under the water.

here is a site I found:
http://www.marvel.com/bios/bios.htm?id=21&family=X-MEN

Sorry if you don't like spoilers! I spoiled you!

-Q

Re: I'm a nerd

[raybear.livejournal.com]

I didn't really think Jean had died -- I didn't see a body! I'm glad to know Famke will be around in a different form.

I don't mind spoilers too much for entertainment I take less seriously, so no worries! Besides, I like when you spoil me.

Re: I'm a nerd

[qvalentine.livejournal.com]

I like to spoil you.

Now I just wish that she and wolvorine would get it on so I can see Hugh Jackman doing naughty things, maybe Rogue and Storm can join in! Oh, superhero love....

-Q

Re: i know who you're talking about

[herownsociety.livejournal.com]

i take offense to being called a 'white girl.'

but ray, i would like to hear what that (dis)cussion entailed.

Re: i know who you're talking about

[raybear.livejournal.com]

I would love to talk with you in more detail -- perhaps at dinner tomorrow night? Or maybe even tonight at T's while vimandvigor is bartending? Or both?

(p.s. I wasn't talking about you in my lj post either!! ;) I'm not that passive-aggressive!)

radiohead

[keetbabe.livejournal.com]

last night i heard several reviews on the radio regarding this new work by radiohead. the reviews ranged from the best thing ever done, their best work yet, to it was awful, thom yorke doesn't sing, he wails...

i'm interested in hearing what you think. i was a big fan of radiohead but they lost me after ok computer... or maybe i just got bored.

Re: radiohead

[raybear.livejournal.com]

they lost you after OK Computer? Don't ever say that outloud in a used record store, as you might get spat upon by the emo store clerks. or at least they'll roll their eyes and take a long time to ring you up. blashpemy, for sure. i, however, don't really care!

i was slow on boarding the radiohead boat. i bought ok computer a couple years after it came out, and only recently started to enjoy it, along with Amnesiac (which I've grown to love). I copied dommeyourass's copy of "Kid A" but haven't listened to it much. So far I like Hail to the Thief, but I'm only on the second listen. But Thom does at least some singing. Maybe I can burn you a copy and we can do a music swap -- I don't have any of their earlier albums. Or some other musical group.

X-Men

[vimandvigor.livejournal.com]

i loved X2
wolverine was a childhood hero of mine,
i wanted to be just like him!
so, i was REALLY nervous with their
casting when the first one came out,
but i've been so pleasantly surprised.

Re: radiohead

[keetbabe.livejournal.com]

I really liked OK Computer -- but KidA is a little too too something, too industrial for my tastes...

I have Pablo Honey and The Bends-- I love the Bends. I have Amnesiac at work but have yet to give it a really good listen. I'll burn 'em for ya..

geesh! talk about over-sensitive

[herownsociety.livejournal.com]

being overly sensitive...i admit to it. especially lately. i should have not assumed that you were talking about me... there was an incident recently that someone decided to dis what i do without any good support to back up what he was saying. and that ticked me off. hence, some defensiveness on my part.

i'm looking forward to dinner tonight. and, yes, we should discuss more. it was nice sitting on your lap last night. thanks for the invite. ;)