Music 102: Garden State Soundtrack

This cd just had to be put on this website. The soundtrack for the film Garden State is known as one of the best soundtracks ever. This cd is the best mix tape ever, filled with songs you will never tire of. I've had this soundtrack since it came out and I still listen to it all the time. Even if you haven't seen the film or even care to see it, still give this music a chance, it's worth it. For this cd I decided to give a track by track breakdown of each of the songs.

Track list:

1) Don't Panic- Coldplay: I don't think it's possible to hate a Coldplay song, and this is no exception. If you're a fan of Coldplay, you probably already know this haunting song. It's a perfect way to start out this indie mix. Just listen to the lyrics and you'll fall madly in love with this song. Chris Martin's voice goes perfect with the beats of this song. 4/5.

2) Caring is Creepy- The Shins: The first of two songs by The Shins on this soundtrack. If you don't already know The Shins, listen to them. I love the tune of the song, it just makes you wanna bob your head along. But listen to the lyrics, they are so strange and mystical. It took me a couple listens to get them down. 'It's a luscious mix of words and tricks', what a beautiful line. 4/5.

3) In the Waiting Line- Zero 7: One of the stranger songs on here, still good. I think this song is great in the car, well the whole cd is great for your car. Listening to this song while driving by just makes everything seem more interesting. The mellow beats and smooth singing definitely help for the ride. 3/5.

4) New Slang- The Shins: One of the best songs on here, you'll catch yourself singing along once you get used to it. The Shins are known for their strange lyrics so when you listen to this one, don't be surprised by some of the things they say. In the end though, you'll be wanting to listen to it 24/7. I give this a 5/5.


5) I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You- Colin Hay: You'll catch yourself listening to this before bed or when you just feel calm and want to close your eyes along to some music. Colin Hay just has this organic sound to him, as if you've seen him at a small gig before. This sound of the song makes it feel like he's playing just for you. There's a sincerity to this song that you just can't beat. 4/5.

6) Blue Eyes- Cary Brothers: This song is not exactly a slow song, or it doesn't feel like it, but yet it feels like one. Soft and sweet. The song you dance to with your loved one. This song will make you feel special. A must have in your music library. 4/5.


7) Fair- Remy Zero: This is one of my absolute favorite songs of all time. There's something so touching about the beginning and how it builds up to what is a great chorus. This song will keep you captivated the whole time. I feel like every time I listen to it, I'm rediscovering it for the first time again.

8) One of These Things First- Nick Drake: This song is probably my least favorite. To me it's the least memorable song of the whole album. It's still a great song, but it feels more like background music to something else. It's hard to listen to it just alone. It feels like it's be perfect to play at a low key coffee shop. 3/5.

9) Lebanese Blonde- Thievery Corporation: This song has one of the coolest intros I've ever heard. I love the instrumental part of it and the whole feel of it. It transports me to a different world. It has a chill feel to it and makes me want to try new things. Still it's not the best on here. 3/5.

10) The Only Living Boy in New York- Simon & Garfunkel: A key track to this soundtrack. If you could only buy one song on here it'd probably be this one. The Only Living Boy in New York is a classic. Every part of this song is amazing. I love the simplicity of the lyrics and the vibe it gives off. It speaks out to you. 5/5.

11) Such Great Heights- Iron & Wine: This song is a cover of a Postal Service song, but personally, I like this version better. Iron & Wine has a way of drawing you into their soothing music and staying forever. This song is perfect for every occasion. It's the best on a rainy or gloomy day. The lyrics were already great from the original but with the soft and slow tune it just makes everything better. I catch myself singing this all the time. 5/5.

12) Let Go- Frou Frou: This song gives me an adrenaline rush. The whole feel of it makes you feel like you're in some crazy situation which makes this so great. Plus this singer of this has one of the best voices ever. This is one of the songs you need to listen to to get the whole feel of the cd. 5/5.

13) Winding Road- Bonnie Somerville: Okay this song is a great way to end the soundtrack but still not my favorite out of the bunch. There's just something missing from this song. It's almost like the odd ball out of the soundtrack. 3/5.

I love how the director of this film Zach Braff picked out the soundtrack. He made Garden State a staple in your pop culture life. This is one cd you have to own if you ever want to consider yourself a music buff. Overall this soundtrack is a 5/5.

Must Have Tracks: Let Go (by Frou Frou), Such Great Heights (by Iron & Wine), Only Living Boy in New York (by Simon & Garfunkle) , and New Slang (by The Shins.

Written by Em.

Movies 102: The Ramen Girl

Smart People
2008, Rated R (language, teen drug & alcohol use, some sexuality)
Prof. Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid) is a widowed father who thoroughly wallows in his own self importance. Fortunately for the rest of the world, karma strikes back and the professor's world becomes a bit too unfamiliar for his taste when he both begins dating a former student (Sarah Jessica Parker) for the first time after his wife's death and suffers a head injury so that his outrageous brother (Thomas Haden Church) has to drive him around town and consequentially live with him.

I want to compare this movie with Juno for the development of the characters and relationships, the witty comments, and the indie feel of it all, but it's still just too awkward. Lawrence is a difficult character to warm up to, but once he's vulnerable he turns into someone people can sympathize with and by the ending, you feel like a proud mother. A movie for folks 16+. 3/5

The Ramen Girl
2008, Rated PG-13
Britney Murphey stars in this film as an adorable yet spoiled American girl named Abby who follows her boyfriend to Tokyo only to be dumped. Stuck in this foreign city, she takes refuge at a local noodle shop and wishes to become an apprentice to its chef, disgruntled for his own reasons. As he takes her on and challenges her will, the two share a bond that grows through their differences when they come to understand one another.

This is a charming story of growth and family, with the added bonus of a passion for food! There are a couple of tearjerker moments, so this is a great movie to see with your friends and family, age 11+. 4/5




Howl's Moving Castle
2004, Rated PG
Sophie is a girl who works in a hat shop with a seemingly eventless life. That is, until she is cursed by the Witch of the West and transformed into an elderly woman. Determined to be rid of this curse, she seeks the wizard Howl's assistance, but instead falls in love.

Probably one of the best movies of all time, nominated for an Academy award and directed by the incredible Hayao Miyazaki. If you're unfamiliar with his films, he directs animes that are family friendly, sweet, and inspirational--one of his most revered films being Spirited Away, winning an academy award in 2003, also a film on my personal top-five-movies-of-all-time list. 5/5




Cashback
2006, Rated R (graphic nudity & sexuality, language)
Cashback is a sort of artistic fantasy flick about a college art student named Ben Willis who breaks up with his girlfriend and thinks about her way too much--enough to turn him into an insomniac. To pass the time spent never sleeping, he takes a night shift at a grocery store. The boredom is devastating, but he manages to come up with a way to make it more tolerable: he stops time entirely and draws portraits of women caught in a moment.

I love, love, love this film for its art, cleverness, unique story, and creativity. The characters are hilarious and believable, and there's a bit of suspense in this story about the hero's ability to stop time. Also, the ending is super duper. For folks 17+. 4.5/5



Wake
2009, Rated R (some sexuality and brief language)
A quirky indie comedy about a girl named Carys who can't cry ever since her sister died when she was young. In an effort to feel something, she attends funerals and bonds with the grieving families, but ends up getting caught in a lie and a relationship with the ex fiance of one of the deceased when even more complications arise!

This story was so cute I wanted to pinch its cheeks. Carys is so loveable, and her roommate cracks me up. The whole plot outside of the romance with the deceased woman's fiance is a little strange, I'm not sure I like it or not. The climax is a little drab and predictable, but the ending is sweet. I'd say this movie is for folks 14+. 3.5/5



Written by Abs

TV 102: HUGE

Starting June 28th (TONIGHT) at 8/7c. ABC Family is super-sizing with a show called HUGE.

HUGE is about FAT CAMP. Not to be confused with Ben Stiller's Heavy Weights comedy. See, its an issue many an actor has tackled over the years. And it's interesting that ABC Family would decide to do a show quite like this. Actually, it's long over due. A show that's not a part of the cookie cutter world, but a world many of us know.

STATISTICS:

* Approximately 19% of children (ages 6–11) and 17% of adolescents (ages 12–19) were overweight in 2000. An additional 15% of children and adolescents were at risk for overweight (based on BMI / body mass index measures).

*An estimated 70 percent of diabetes risk in the U.S. can be attributed to excess weight.

* Americans spend $33 billion annually on weight-loss products and services.

Not a bad reason to start a TV show drama about this problem we may all face in our life-time.

The show stars Niki Blonsky, who we all adored in the movie HAIRSPRAY. In HUGE, Niki plays Will, an overweight teen sent to weight-loss camp by her parents who own a chain of fitness centers. Despite this, Will is happy with who she is and her size. The show is already being touted as Ugly Betty meets Glee.

Amber (April in the book) is blond Haley Hasselhoff who is Will's roommate, has saved up all summer to go to fat camp and dreams of being her skinny self. Both are sure to clash. If you don't already know, Haley is the 17 year old daughter of Baywatch star, David Hasselhoff.

The show is full of funny, heartbreaking and provocative moments. The series follows the lives of seven teens and the staff at a weight-loss camp, as they look beneath the surface to discover their true selves and the truth about each other. Based on author Sasha Paley's young adult novel HUGE. The series is being developed by Winnie Holzman (Wicked, My So-Called Life and Once & Again) and daughter Savannah Dooley.

Raven Goodwin (Liz Lemon's Oprah) is part of the pack ready to go that extra mile to get in shape. Also newcomer Harvey Guillen and Ashley Holliday are in the cast. And Gina Torres adds good medicine to the show, as well.
Learn more at ABC Family.

Written by Ivy

Good News 101: The iPhone 4G

Well, Apple’s done it again. The new iPhone has officially been offered to the masses. I must admit, it’s a rather attractive piece of technology, described as the thinnest smart-phone on the planet along with its all-glass front and stainless steel casing. It features a camera in the front; volume controls and an accessible microSIM tray on the side; a microphone, speaker, and 30pin connector for docking on the back; and a second microphone, a headset input, and a sleep/wake button on the top.

Now, some of these features may sound familiar, but even the old iPhones don’t have a stainless steel band working as part of the antenna system. Steve Jobs (co-founder and chief executive officer of Apple) describes it as a primary structural element of the device. It supports all the wireless capabilities of iPhone 4G holds, including 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and of course other cellular communications.

The iPhone 4G also boasts an impressive 326 pixels per inch—four times the pixel density of the usual LCD display and much denser than anything else in the consumer electronics market. If you’re not sure just how impressive this is, when held at a distance of about a foot, this is a higher resolution than the typical human eye can see.

There’s also the new camera to consider, which has a remarkable 5 megapixels and a backside-illuminated sensor, meant to increase the amount of light captured by the sensor resulting in better photographs. The camera will also record video in HD at 30 frames per second and 720p resolution. You’ll also be able to edit your videos on the phone and share videos on the Internet.

Summary: this is one pretty wicked phone. But it is worth it? Reviews are already in from some major technology sites.

Brian Caulfield, senior editor of Forbes in the Silicon Valley bureau, notes: "It feels solid. Also: the screen resolution makes it very easy to read. Other than that, it works like an iPhone."

Ars Technica comments: "As for speed, the iPhone 4 is fast. It's hard to perceive the differences between an iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS, but it's definitely on the speedy side, on par with the iPad." Gizmodo (who, if we recall, somehow got their hands on a prototype of the iPhone 4 around two months ago) says: "As a person who never really liked the round mound of a back in the 3GS, the sleeker, flatter, squarer design is super welcome. It feels sturdier than the 3GS, and much less plasticky. The metal buttons give it a heftier feel-less of a toy-than all previous generations. The closest analog to it would be the original iPhone, which is more square and heavy than its newer brothers."

Its greatest assets seem to be its speed and thinness, but we’ll just have to see from the proud new owners of the iPhone 4G if it’s really worth it or not.

Written by Strawberry

Art 101: Glass Etching

I thought I would share the awesome technique of glass etching. It sounds much harder than it truly is. Plus, etched mirrors make excellent gifts for friends and loved ones.

Materials:

• glassware (mirror, wine glass, jewelry, etc.)
  
• dark-colored sharpie
• gloves
  
• etching cream
• water
  

First things first, you must decide what type of glassware to use. It could be a mirror, a wine glass, a photo frame, jewelry, etc. The possibilities are almost endless! If it's glass, you can use it.

With the glassware picked out, it's time to come up with a design. You can draw the idea or using stencils is also fine. It's totally up to you.

Next, trace the desired design onto a piece of blank copy paper so you can have a reference.

For the next part there are multiple methods. For instance, this one. I will, however, be explaining the easiest method in terms of time and materials.

Using a dark-colored sharpie (black is best), transfer your design to your glassware. The lines you ink represent the areas that will remain clear and wherever you don't put ink represent the areas that will be etched (frosted). Be sure to go over your lines more than once to ensure it's dark enough.

Keep in mind that the more dimensional your surface, i.e. a wine glass, the harder it is to accurately transfer a complicated design or picture. Thus, I would recommend doing simpler designs for such surfaces. Otherwise, it is entirely up to you to make it intricate or not.

Next, apply etching cream (available at your local craft store, perhaps even in spray form instead of cream) to your glassware. Be sure to wear gloves! The cream is incredibly acidic! Let it sit for 20-30 minutes.

Lastly, remove excess etching cream with water and viola!

Written by Lizzie

Books 101: The Catcher in the Rye

Among all of the books assigned to read in my English class this past school year, one stood out to me more than the others. One that I actually wanted to read, rather than dreaded the very existence of (coughPride&Prejudicecough): J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye.

The first thing that you should know is that The Catcher in the Rye is kind of a depressing book. It tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a cynical sixteen-year-old that swears constantly, lies extravagantly, and rants for pages criticizing what he hates about all the "phonies" of society. Holden is dealing with a lot of emotional stress involving a dead brother and a girl named Jane. On top of this, he's just been kicked out of his boarding school for "not applying himself" and failing all of his classes except for English. This isn't the first school he's been expelled from; this is just one in an entire line of failures that Holden has encountered. He knows that his parents will be receiving a letter about his expulsion soon, and impulsively decides to leave school in the middle of the night to spend his last few days before the inevitable confrontation in New York City. Throughout his time in the city, Holden makes a long string of desperate attempts to reach out and connect with somebody--anybody, from old acquaintances to cab drivers to prostitutes--who all let him down. One particular part of the book that I find to be so heartbreaking is when in the middle of the night Holden stumbles into a phone booth, but then realizes that he has no one to call. Out of everyone in his entire life, he has absolutely no one to reach out to.

There's of course a lot more that I could say about the book itself, but I don't want to give anything more away. You'll just have to read it for yourself!

One thing that I liked about this book is that it's relatively easy to read. What I mean is that it's not one of those classics with such complex language that it takes ten minutes just to decipher what the heck is trying to be said in a paragraph, which is something that personally makes me turn away from some classics. It's written in the language of the street, but touches on so many important issues with deep meaning that certainly require some reading between the lines to fully be aware of.

From what I remember, my fellow students seemed to be sort of divided on their opinions of the book. There were those that found that they could identify with Holden's adolescent angst, as well as those that felt like he was just another whiny teenager. And yes, Holden is not exactly the most likable of characters, but I don't think that really matters. The purpose of the book isn't to make you like Holden, but to give you a glimpse inside the mind of a very miserable kid. He is all that he is accused of being: whiny, annoying, self-absorbed, ungrateful, just like a lot of teenagers. Especially those that have trouble fitting in, or have mental issues, or just can't find a way to be happy. I think most people can admit to feeling like that at one point in their lives, and can see something of themselves in Holden.

Whether you find that you love Holden or hate him, I would highly recommend The Catcher in the Rye. It's just one of those books that I feel like you definitely need to read at some point in your life.

Written by Natalie

Poetry 101: e e cummings

Who is the one man who can defy grammar rules and still be loved and praised by English teachers? The poet e e cummings (10/18/1894 to 09/3/1962). He's also a man surrounded by much debate over how exactly his name is to be spelled. Well folks, E. E. Cummings, e. e. cummings, or e e cummings is said to be acceptable. Cummings himself used both the capitalized and lowercase versions.

Trivia:

• With all the different ways to abbreviate his name, many don't know his real name: Edward Estlin Cummings. Without the middle name, it sounds like Edward Cullen. o.O
• His mother introduced him to the joy that is writing. GO MOM!
• He was a Harvard man! While there, many of his poems were published in the Harvard Monthly.
• Cummings was an ambulance driver in France before and during the United States entered World War I. While working, he was arrested for suspicion of espionage and spent three months in a French prison camp. He wrote of his experiences there in The Enormous Room.
• He was a transcendentalist, which means he incorporated nature, the importance of individual expression, and spirituality into his poems.
• He is famous for manipulating grammar and placing more focus on the meaning of his poems than on the grammatical accuracy of his poems.
• Not only was he a poet, but Cummings was also a painter, essayist, playwright, and author.
• He was married briefly twice and fathered one child, Nancy.
• Quote: "Life's not a paragraph And death i think is no parenthesis"
• Quote: "Listen, there's a hell of a good universe next door: let's go."
• Quote: "The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful."

"i carry your hear with me" by e e cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

He is a great and quirky poet. Hopefully, your interest in Cummings has renewed or if this is the first time you hear of him, you'll want to read more of his poems!

Written by Scarlett.

Food 101: Fakeout Lollipops

Nothing is more fun to me than pulling a prank on some friends. While some pranks are usually gross and nasty, I like to put a tasty little spin on mine. Imagine reaching for what looks like a cherry sucker only to discover it's grape! These lollipops are fun and are sure to please at parties or sleepovers.Now honestly, you don't have to follow the flavor instructions exactly, in fact you can get as creative as you want with the flavors!

For ingredients you will need:

1 cup of sugar
1/3 cup of corn syrup
1/2 cup of water
1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon of the flavoring of your choice
Food coloring
Oil, or spray oil

And for those who like to set out their materials ahead of time you will need:

Lollipop sticks (skewers cut in half will also work)
Wooden Spoon
Candy Thermometer
Cookie Sheet (or a large flat surface)
Parchment paper
Pastry brush & a bowl of warm water
Heat proof measuring cup with a spout

Directions:

1) On a flat surface put a cookie sheet upside down & oil or spray the sheet and the measuring cup.
2) In a large saucepan put sugar, corn syrup, water, and cream of tartar to cook over medium heat. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the sugar is completely dissolved. Keep stirring for at least 5 more minutes, or until it starts to boil. In order to keep sugar crystals from forming on the pan, whip out the handy dandy pastry brush dipped in warm water and brush the sides of the pan.Stop stirring when your concoction starts to boil.
3) Carefully place the candy thermometer in the pan without touching the bottom or sides of the pan (false readings are no bueno!). Let the syrup boil for 10 minutes, or until it reaches about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
4) Quickly remove the pan from the heat to let it cool and stop bubbling. It should be around 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
5)Add your flavoring and food coloring and stir quickly. In the prepared measuring cup place some syrup inside then pour in out on your pre-prepared parchment paper in 1/2 to 2 inch rounds. They can be any size of your choosing, but keep in mind that the bigger the lollipop the longer it takes to dry!
6) One quarter of the way up the lollipop place the stick in and twist it a little to make sure it's attached to the sucker. Cool for fifteen minutes or longer, depending on the size.
7) Decorate, or just enjoy!

Feel free to experiment a little with color and texture by adding edible glitter or swirls of other color!

Written by Liz

Fashion 101: Retro Swimwear

I'm the kind of girl who walks into Victoria's Secret and asks herself, "What would Grace Kelly wear?" Generally when I ask myself this question, I find and leave with lingerie that looks more at home in Audrey Hepburn's wardrobe. Lovely and pretty pieces that are not leopard printed with words on the derriere, as so many pieces there are.

When it comes swimwear, I like to keep it flirty and fun, but not skimpy. Finding a swimsuit that covers while staying cute is not easy at all. Luckily, the fine folks at Modcloth, a vintage fashion clothing site, have the best array of swimsuits in keeping with the vintage look.

Like the Beach Blanket Bingo Two Piece which features lowcut legs, a high-waisted bottom with flattering ruching, and a halter neck. It is one of the top-rated pieces on the site and looks pin-up perfect!



Along with other pieces like the Bathing Beauty One Piece in Emerald (can't you just see Katy Perry dying for this one?), these swimsuits come in a variety of colors and sizes. It is recommended by the reviewers on the site that you size up a size because most of the swimwear is sized from a small.

While the prices are generally higher than most swimsuits, these are unique, well-fitting, and fabulous. Definitely worth the investment!

Written by Heather

Music 101: Forgiveness Rock Record, Broken Social Scene

Take One.









Alright, so lately, I've been tired and uninspired. Tired and uninspired by and of the musical likings of many. Auto-tune and no musical capability just aren't cutting it for me, and so I have tried to listen to the classics, strictly, and NOTHING else.

That was until I found this little band called Broken Social Scene. All rules were broken, all bets were off.

Broken Social Scene was formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, and consists of anywhere from 6 to 19 members. (Meaning, they alternate who plays what and work according to everyone's schedule. Each member in the band is apart of at least one other group besides Broken Social Scene.) The band, based out of Canada, is known for combining classical ideas and indie/post/dream/pop-rock into their songs.

B.S.S. just released their fourth Album, Forgiveness Rock Record, in May of 2010.
This album has officially put this band in a league of its own.
Broken Social Scene, with the help of producer John McEntire, have manufactured an album that is simply defined as pure joy. They have masterly fused together bits and pieces from many genres of music and many completely different instruments. They have made it humanly impossible for anyone to not like at least one of the songs on this album. Their catchy tunes, and even catchier lyrics make it hard for one to stop listening. This album is paving the way for indie rock musicians everywhere. With Forgiveness Rock Record comes diversity, mature sounds, infectious beats, and an all around influential and amazing musical experience.

Songs: "World Sick", "Texico", and "Forced To Love" are my top 3 song choices of the album.
Overall Album Rating: 2 out of 2 thumbs are up.


If you like: Indie Rock, Vampire Weekend, Passion Pit, M83, LCD Soundsystem, Temper Trap, Band of Horses, Wilco, Belle and Sebastian.
You will surely like: Broken Social Scene.


So put down your Lady Gaga, and give Broken Social Scene a good listen. You're sure to be pleased.

Written by Kendra.

Movies 101: Jonah Hex

Josh Brolin is back to heat up the summer with just a little Grindhouse tradition. Needless to say, I couldn't think of anyone else being DC Comics' Jonah Hex but him.

Throw in some Clint Eastwood-like moments (can you say 'spaghetti western direction?'), weapons, explosions, and Megan Fox, and you've got a guy movie. Jonah Hex merges the old with the new, combining a graphic novel with some seasoned veteran actors to create mayhem.
Quentin Turnbill (John Malkovich) is our awesome, ugly villain in this tale. Turnbull is so bitter from the aftermath of the Civil War that he becomes not just an outlaw but an outright terrorist. He creates our anti-hero Hex (Brolin), who somehow has a knack for talking to dead people thanks to some Native Americans.

There is a good balance of special effects and the ruggedness of The Wild West. However, the story mainly takes place in the southern and eastern United States. The movie leaves Lilah (Megan Fox) with so little as nothing but a corset, her sweat and thigh high black socks to give her more than a tad of sass in this PG-13 flick, and she recites one liners like a modern day Mae West. I'm sure we won't really appreciate Fox until she's immersed herself in more outrageous adventure movies like these.

It's a fun movie, yet it's on the verge of being rated R. Lots of shoot-'em up scenes. Axes and knives coming out of nowhere. Dead people coming alive and then turning rapidly back to bones. I'm sure your tolerance depends on your gore factor, though. If you're with some of your best friends for a night out, it's a flick you can find a lot to smile about, and you'll share a laugh or two at the alternate history.

But it's probably not suitable for a date night. I mean, Megan Fox doesn't leave that much to the imagination.

In theaters now.
Rating: 4/5

Written by Ivy

TV 101: Lie to Me

Since most of us have started our summer vacation, we can indulge more in weekday night TV-watching. So what exactly is there to see on Monday nights? Lie to Me.

Lie to Me is a drama series with humor, suspense, and science at the core of the show. Dr. Cal Lightman is the leader of the Lightman Group, a team of deception experts, and they assist the FBI, corporations, military, private individuals, etc. who have hit obstacles in their quest for the truth.

The main characters:

Dr. Cal Lightman is a human polygraph. He can tell from one's facial expressions, voice, and/or body movements if one is lying. However, Lightman's talent is both a gift and a curse. His deception skills present him with the misfortune of always knowing if someone is lying to him, which result in awkward situations with his teenage daughter. For example, in an episode, Lightman discovers birth control pills in his daughter's drawer. So, rebellious teens beware! You wouldn't want him as a father. He'd know if you were going to a concert two states away and not the all-girl sleepover at Susan's. Furthermore, Cal Lightman is diehard. He knows he's the best deception expert in the country and so his huge ego results in confrontations with his team members. Yes, he needs a slice of humble pie.

Dr. Gillian Foster is a renowned psychologist and Lightman's right hand man...woman. Together they are like yin and yang. Unlike Lightman, she is compassionate and willing to look at the big picture before coming to a conclusion. She adds balance to the partnership and friendship. If you ask me, there's a romance brewing between the two, but we'll just have to continue watching the show.

Eli Loker is a hot nerd! Seriously, he is and his character is an MIT graduate. Not only is he handsome, but he is also Cal Lightman's lead researcher. Loker is opposed to the human flaw to lie, so he is always honest no matter how embarrassing or "crossing the line" his comments may be. Yes, he's the main contributor to the humor in the show.

Ria Torres is the newest member to the Lightman Team. She's Cal Lightman's protégé. Contrary to Lightman's years of study to learn human deception, Ria was born with the natural talent to detect lies. Consequently, Lightman and Ria butt heads frequently since he sometimes refuses to believe her ability is as accurate and credible as his.

The cast is awesome and so is each episode's story line. Lie to Me is on every Monday (TODAY) at 8/7c on FOX. Currently, the show is on season 3, but interested viewers need not worry! The drama series is not chronological, so you can begin watching at any episode. However, if you are too excited to wait till 8/7c for tonight's new episode and want to get a feel for the show, Hulu has all the episodes up to last week's.

An introduction.

Welcome to mix tape!

This is a collab blog that will cover various aspects of pop culture -- music, fashion, books, poetry, good news, art, food, movies, and tv -- throughout the week. The order or schedule of when such aspects will be covered shall remain a mystery for now, but once the ball gets rolling, we'll do our best to not make it a secret.

Meet the contributors!

Lizzie is the mastermind behind this idea. She's a rising junior in high school that loves to write, draw and take pictures. Her main blog is The Dreams That Makes Us Real, but for Mix Tape she will be contributing good news and art.

Abs is the creative director, helping bring about Lizzie's vision! She enjoys drawing and photography, scratching itches, wood smoke, and English accents. Her main blog is Fact Not Fiction, and for Mix Tape she will be proffering her thoughts on art and movies.

Scarlett is a rising senior in high school. Her favorite things to do include going to thrift stores, reading, hanging out with her handful of close friends, and discovering new places to eat in the city. Her main blog is A Nice Kind of Mean, and for Mix Tape will write about books, poetry and tv.

Ivy is a lover of dialogue living in the mid-west of USA, better known as the Heartland. She's lived off soaps and must-see TV, inspiring her to write fiction and fan fiction. But if she's not watching TV, she's writing, and if she's not writing, she's playing around with her Maine Coon Butcher. Her main blog is Ivy's Closet, but for Mix Tape will be enlightening us about TV and movies.

Natalie is pretty much just another slightly awkward sixteen-year-old internet addict from a small town in the middle of nowhere. She has a dislike for pretzels, uncooperative technology, and making important decisions, as well as a love for hats, books, and cereal. Oh, and a love for blogging, of course! Her main blog is a natalie moment, but for Mix Tape she will be discussing books and poetry.

Em is in high school and living in Southern California. You can usually find her with her friends or at the local theater. Give her a red velvet cupcake or talk about movies around her and she'll be your best friend. She's a Star Wars nerd with a great memory for useless pop culture facts. Her main blog is The Way I See It, and for Mix Tape she will be contributing to food and movies.

Liz is an overachiever whose main goal in life is to escape college with a minimal amount of debt and get on Cash Cab. Currently she is a junior in high school, and even though she is a self proclaimed foodie and artist, she likes to dabble in other things, such as speech and debate. In her free time she smiles, sleeps, makes things with her hands, and showers her friends with weird faces. Her main blog is Bookish.Spazz, and for Mix Tape she will set forth her ideas about food.

Strawberry is a super-awesome writer and does not like people. But don't let that scare you! She loves the chocolate pineapple upside-down cake with the raspberry-and-caramel sauce stuff at Bahama Breeze, and finds it very important for you to know that because it is awesome. Her main blog is Plastic, and for Mix Tape she will be gracing you with the latest news.

Heather is a recent college graduate living in Southern California. Her loves include traveling,
writing, reading, and being with friends. Her hero is Jessica Darling from the Megan McCafferty book series. A writer at her main blog The Dream Machine, she writes about everything under the sun, but in particular loves to write about fashion and for Mix Tape, she'll be fulfilling that love.