TV 128 : People's choice best new comedy

Here is the list from the People's Choice Awards that will be on this January 5th on CBS.

$#*! My Dad Says Here we have William Shatner on a Thursday night(CBS) saying whatever he wants to the neighbors, shop keepers and the like. Its as if he can say whatever is on his mind and doesn't care who he offends. Honestly, I believe the book is better than the show. The show is based on Justin Halpern's Twitter feed "Shit My Dad Says" which was also turned into a best-selling book. If you like rude comedy this is the one for you.

Better with you You have some true TV veterans in this one. Although, I really loved Jennifer Fennigan and Josh Cooke in the NBC's short lived Committed. They were both a  bit crazy in different ways in the big old New York City. They do comedy well together. And again, you've got a Big City comedy, though its about three couples in different generations. Its not quite as fresh as I'd hoped it would have been, but I have found it endearing. Its great to see Debra Jo Rupp without a wig. Although, you won't get that silly laugh of hers in this one. She is really the stern one at times, in this show.

Out sourced It fits in perfectly with the NBC Thursday Night Line up. Ben Rappaport isn't quit Jim from the Office, but he's been transplanted in a country of different traditions he's trying to embrace. The cast is full of new faces. You'll either love this comedy, or you'll feel its too cliche. There are a few things I'm not fond of, especially, the business of stupid things Americans would want to consume. But there are some interesting character developments. I'll just have to keep watching.

Molly and Me I have loved all the supporting characters that (Molly) Melissa McCarthy has ever had to play up too, so I was so happy to see her as the star of the show. She's very likable, and truly we need more real women like her in comedy or anywhere on TV. She plays the teacher with a rather white trash family. Honestly, it would be brutal to grow up with a sister and a mother like that who, well, I won't go there. Her love interest is (Mike) Billy Gardell who is that big bear of a hug-gable cop. He looks like he came right out of King of Queens, and you know how much you can watch repeats of that. Really, its CBS good comedy.

Raising Hope As far as I'm concerned, this is the real winner for best new comedy. Its a hit from those people of My Name Is Earl. Martha Plimpton is the favorite of being the queen of every working mom, who had a son when she was a teenager, and her hubby who I've only seen play bad before in movies.. is just hilarious as the Dad (Garrett Dillahunt). And to finish it off with off the wall Cloris Leachman as the great-grandma. Truly Lucas Huff is precious in this story. Due to a very wild premise and very good writing, you have a story of a single father who has to raise baby Hope, after the serial killer mom was executed in prison. Each week, this show will make you laugh and sometimes, cry too. Honestly, the creator does have a way of touching the soul in a 20 minute or so scenerio, and that is serious comedy.

Poetry 127: Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

~~~

Honestly, how could I possibly not share this poem tonight?
Here's wishing you all an absolutely fantastic holiday. :)

TV 127 : The People's Choice Favorite TV drama

Coming up on January 5th is the People's Choice awards. What TV shows are on the People's mind? Well, here's a gander. Warning: I apologize if I beat up your favorite show.

People's choice where to vote.

Gossip Girl -OK, if you love fashion, and some of you do, this is the one you'll want to win. Granted, not a lot of plot. Its the same old story, week after week. Some rather slight character development. Always hopeful. Naturally its Blair and Chuck that we love the most. This year started out with a blaze. Clemency Posey guest starred. Although, her wardrobe wasn't that spectacular. I guess Serena & Blair call dibs on the show. There were truly some bully moments between Blair and Chuck and Dan's little sis. Really, I don't think the writers were helping much when it came to a new media campaign on how to stop bullying. I'm sorry to say, I'm not really a fan of the show. I sit there watching for something amazing to happen. Only it never does.

Grey's Anatomy - This show is drama roma when it comes to adults who should know better. ABC gives it so much hype, but really, as ground breaking as it tries to be, I really feel the show has gone down hill after the first couple of seasons. I felt I had been sucked into a world that I really didn't want to know about. True, they use gimmicky catastrophes and put so many doctors in harms way. But St. Elsewhere and ER always did it better.

House - This is truly a winner even if it does not win. Outstanding writing, a wonderful cast and ever so wonderful character development.  Hugh Laurie is the mainstay of this drama.Yes, truly, the writers push the plot and story-lines to the limits. But you always want to come back for more. You can't wait to down load the shows or rush to Target when you know the past seasons are on sale. This is truly your set of DVDs you would not give up. It'll always have a place on your shelf for those days to cheer you up or just because you need this hospital drama fix.

The Good Wife - You know, I haven't even wanted to watch this show on CBS. Its in its second season. Honestly, I'm not sure she's as good this season as she was last season. I think she might be having a fling this season with a co-worker. With a title like this it makes me think of THE GOOD GIRL. And really, Jennifer Aniston's wasn't that good in it and neither was her character. I know, a complete different story. Just saying.

The Vampire Diaries - OK, this is a show I can definitely talk about. I'm a faithful viewer and it keeps getting better and better. Is it because of all that eye-candy? Is it because main character Damien the vampire has made Ian Somerhalder a better actor? Possibly. Really, this show has so many twists and turns. You can't wait for various characters to hook up, even when they don't, there is plenty of fan fic out there to read about them. You just never know what might happen on the show. And though, it might not be TRUE BLOOD. And I'm thankful it isn't. There really is a certain pride in this little town of history. We fall in love with the present and the past. Its a show that I'm pleased has surpassed TWILIGHT. Its the real deal in the tradition of DARK SHADOWS. There are characters you love to hate, and some you'd hate to be put to rest.

Movies 127: Golden Globes Part 1 (Animated Films)

During the holiday season, us contributors could easily write about all the holiday films out. This year, though, there aren't any new ones and frankly, we've all seen the others. Instead, fellow Mix Tape contributor Ivy and I decided to do something else. If there is anything more important than holiday movies during this season, it's award show nominees.

So during this time, we have decided why not review the biggest categories in the biggest awards shows right now (with a splash of movie reviews here and there). To start off the season the right way, we'll start with the rebel award show: The Golden Globes. You'd think it would have the same nominees as the Academy Award usually does...but it doesn't. The Golden Globes always have some oddball in their nominee list, so hopefully we won't sound like a broken record over the next few weeks talking about the same movies over and over again (promise we won't).

So here it goes, nominees for best Animated Picture ARE....:

***Fun Fact: These are all the same best animated picture nominees for the Critic's Choice Awards***

1) Despicable Me (Dreamworks): Let's face it, there is no way this film will win, but it is definitely worth seeing. It has a well-rounded all-star cast (Steve Carell never fails to deliver the laughs) and a heart warming story. The best part of the movie was definitely the youngest girl (who obsesses over unicorns) and the minions (yellow things). There were killer scenes that really showed what animated films could do like a roller coaster scene that made you feel like a part of it. On the grade scale it deserves a B+.

2) How To Train Your Dragon (Dreamworks): Really, this film is really the simple story of a boy and his dog...taken to huge proportions. Really, you've got breathtaking scenes of a dragon's flight and another great cast. The best scene has to be the one depicted in the poster, it will literally plaster a huge smile on your face as you watch it. That and a great score make a great film to sit through. I can't tell you how many times I have watched this movie but it was way more than Toy Story 3. On the grade scale it deserves an A+. This could actually be good competition for the Globes.

3) The Illusionist (--------): Every year there is one small film that makes it to the nominee list, this is that one. French film for adults, old style animation, no way of ever winning this award. I haven't seen it but when I do, you will know if it's good. Sorry folks, but no grade for now.

4) Tangled (Disney): Now we reach one of my favorites. This is one of the only films that made me cry out of happiness and sadness without being emotionally attached because of it's previous films. Absolutely beautiful in 3-D with it's festival scenes and music that sticks with you after, this is a great film. If this doesn't win best animated film, well then the poster should get something for being so dang cute. Being Disney's last fairy tale for the time being, I am happy to say it was so worth the $15 dollars I shelled out to see it. A.

5) Toy Story 3 (Pixar): There's no real use of a review, everyone has seen it and everyone knows it will win. Still, for those who haven't, this is worth seeing too (all are great, hence the nominations). The best part about Toy Story 3 was seeing all the old characters again and seeing some more, the story line was almost a little too trite though. I enjoyed Buzz a lot in this movie and the involvement of some of the other toys. Ken probably supplied the most laughs though. Every scene is a trip down memory lane. A+.





As for who will win here are my picks and why rating from 5 to 1 (one being most likely to win).

5) The Illusionist- small films almost never win this category, especially the foreign ones.
4) Despicable Me- No matter how cute this film was, it just does not shout globe winner at all. It's more of a place holder for a nominee.
3) Tangled- It's the last of the list to come out and with it's other two main competitors, it stands a small chance of winning. There still is some hope though.
2) How to Train Your Dragon- This was a shocker when it came out and got the same appraise as TS3, but it still has a tough chance of winning (explanation in next part). No matter how amazing it was, it's hard to beat Toy Story 3.
1) Toy Story 3- Of course this will win (unless there is some weird miracle that lets an underdog win this year. See the last time a non-Pixar film won best animated film was Happy Feet in 2006 (when it was up against Cars and Monster House). The reason Toy Story 3 will win will be because of it's attachment to fans. It brings back memories of the past two films people loved and cared about. But then again....there is always room for change.

So what do you think?

Hopefully you'll get to see all of these soon because this year is probably the best in a long time when it comes to animation and it's not just because of all this 3-D hype!

Poetry 126: Woods In Winter

Woods In Winter
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

When winter winds are piercing chill,
And through the hawthorn blows the gale,
With solemn feet I tread the hill,
That overbrows the lonely vale.

O’er the bare upland, and away
Through the long reach of desert woods,
The embracing sunbeams chastely play,
And gladden these deep solitudes.

Where, twisted round the barren oak,
The summer vine in beauty clung,
And summer winds the stillness broke,
The crystal icicle is hung.

Where, from their frozen urns, mute springs
Pour out the river’s gradual tide,
Shrilly the skater’s iron rings,
And voices fill the woodland side.

Alas! how changed from the fair scene,
When birds sang out their mellow lay,
And winds were soft, and woods were green,
And the song ceased not with the day!

But still wild music is abroad,
Pale, desert woods! within your crowd;
And gathering winds, in hoarse accord,
Amid the vocal reeds pipe loud.

Chill airs and wintry winds! my ear
Has grown familiar with your song;
I hear it in the opening year,
I listen, and it cheers me long.

~~~

Just another poem to share. It's certainly seeming relevant to me right about now, considering the freezing temperatures and dustings of snow we've been seeing as of late. So be sure to keep warm and drink lots of hot cocoa this winter! :)

Music 126 : Darren Criss

This just might be his year. If you haven't came across this beautiful voice yet, you might want to check him out on this season of GLEE as Kurt's new love interest. Darren plays Blaine from the prep school.

To others you know him from the Harry Potter musical which you can find on YouTube.




Criss is from San Fransisco. He's of Filipino Irish heritage. Criss has enjoyed musical instruments and anything to do with music since he was a kid. He is part of the Team StarKid theater. He's talented in songwriting as well. Which you can clearly enjoy in the Harry Potter musicals.

Initially, he tried out for the part of Finn before Glee started. Now he's been signed on as Blaine for this season and next season, as well.

Darren is definitely on his way to being the guy to watch for. He's so creative and so much more than just eye-candy. Back in July he released a CD with five songs entitled HUMAN. I can only hope we'll be seeing a whole lot more of this talented guy.

Movies 126 : 127 hours

OK, I will let you know how I feel about bio pics. I don't think they make the best films. I suppose I like fiction over nonfiction when it comes to movies.

Here we have a film by Danny Boyle. I absolutely loved Slumdog Millionaire. From the music to the way it was styled, it was an excellent movie. But in 127 hours, I felt a little pressured, from the get go, especially, with the split trio screen. Yet, you are given the fast paced world of Aron Ralston (James Franco). This is a film you will either love the freshness to it, or hate it.

Storyline: 127 Hours is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he is finally rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the two hikers he met before his accident. Will they be the last two people (Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara) he ever had the chance to meet?

In the movie you are taken on one of his average adventures in the canyon. You see its breath taking beauty, and the risks he takes on these amazing feats. He is such a thrill seeker. In some way, one has to wonder if he's down right vain, videoing all his accomplishments. Because of his foolishness(or to some, insanity), he neglects to tell anyone back home where he's going. And soon he's stuck, between a rock and a very hard place to get out of. Most of the movie is about his hours waiting for time to past. He thinks of his life and how his ex-girlfriend (Clemence Poesy) told him how lonely he'd be one day. You also see how he dreams of the future too and how he decides to to get out of this predicament.

Some think this might be James Franco's chance at an Oscar. I suppose we'll know next year.

There is some controversy over the movie. Some fainted while watching the graphic scenes. Trivia : The amputation scene was done in one take with multiple cameras because only one prosthetic arm was created. This movie isn't for the squeamish.

8/10

Poetry 125: Between the Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Poem by Linda Ellis, 1996

*I just thought this would be an interesting poem to share.*

Music 125: Coconut Records



A review on the band Coconut Records is way over due on Mix Tape. You may be asking yourself 'who is Coconut Records?', but I guarrantee you will be humming along to this artist's tunes after this.

Coconut Records is a band that consists only of the actor Jason Schwartzman (Bored to Death, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Darjeeling Limited, and Funny People to name a few).

Coconut Records started in 2006 and currently has two albums out. Of the two albums (Nighttiming and Davy), there have been many guests featured on his songs. Some of the collaberations have been with the band Incubus, Actress Kirsten Dunst, and Actress/Singer Zooey Deschanel.

Coconut Records music has been featured on the soundtrack for the show Bored to Death and the movies Funny People and Spider Man 3.

On to the actual listening part of this review, all of Coconut Record's songs are good but if I had to pick my top three they'd be:

1) West Coast (off the album Nighttiming)


2) St. Jerome (off the album Davy)


3) Microphone (off the album Davy)


Hopefully you've enjoyed this review on an artist I think everyone should listen to.

Movies 125 : Love and other Drugs

It was definitely NOT what I was expecting. I'm not sure what I was expecting. I won't say I hated it, but I didn't quite love it, either. I mean, no way was I going to walk out on Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway. I've wanted to see them in something together since Brokeback Mountain. They do have a certain chemistry together. A sort of playfulness. And thankfully, they had it, in this movie.

STORYLINE: Maggie (Hathaway) is an alluring free spirit who won't let anyone - or anything - tie her down. But she meets her match in Jamie (Gyllenhaal), whose relentless and nearly infallible charm serve him well with the ladies and in the cutthroat world of pharmaceutical sales. Maggie and Jamie's evolving relationship takes them both by surprise, as they find themselves under the influence of the ultimate drug: love.

Its not a match made in heaven.

What I can say about their characters, Maggie and Jamie, they are definitely each other's equal. Of course, you have to wonder if they have any redeeming qualites. Just what was it that they saw in each other.. than the possibilities of hooking up.

The film takes place in 1996 when a war of pharmaceutical sales of antidepressants is going on. Here you have attention deficit Jamie from a rather doctor oriented family, but he just can't focus on medicine, so he does the next best thing. A drug salesman, and it really helps to be a ladies man too. Then there is Maggie with no insurance, a free spirit with a problem. She is a sick girl with begining stages of Parkinson's disease. But that doesn't let her down. She's spunky and has the most amazing flat ever. Of course, you have to wonder how she could afford such a place. And then one thing leads to another. Jamie has a panic attack when he can't even tell Maggie he loves her. He also has a very gross little brother, Josh Gad, as Josh.

Really, the movie offers all sorts of bad situations of brotherly love. There are moments I'm not that fond of in the movie, but I guess it has something for everyone. Oliver Platt is a little to high strung in the movie, but supporting actress Judy Greer is marvelous as ever. There are some laughs in the show, but you might be asking yourself later, just why you laughed. Thankfully, the ending was as I predicted. It has a fun 90's soundtrack, too.

Meggie's apartment was my favorite part of the movie.

5/5

Books 124: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

"Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. Routine, order and predictability shelter him from the messy, wider world. Then, at fifteen, Christopher's carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbor's dog, Wellington, impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing.He is a fifteen-year-old boy with autism, and also a savant genius who knows the capital city of every country in the world, every prime number up to 7,057, and much more. One day he discovers the dead body of Wellington, the neighbour's dog, who has been stabbed by a garden fork.

Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer and turns to his favorite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents' marriage. As he tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, we are drawn into the workings of Christopher's mind."


(I didn't have time to write my own summary, so credit goes to Book Browse for doing a very good job of it!)

Anyways, I got this book from the library and finished reading it in the same evening -- I just couldn't put it down! It was one of those books that left me with a strange sort of feeling that I can't really put into words. One of those books that manages to somehow makes you want to laugh, want to cry, and just want to sit back and reflect on life, all at the same time. I would definitely recommend it.