The Pop Culture Addict’s Blog

I saw Twilight! I rate the experience of seeing it opening weekend with a mostly fan-filled crowd an “A” and the actual movie a “B-” or so. I’m not saying there’s only room for one teen/vampire love story in my pop life. But I am a Buffy/Angel girl. Actually, I liked the Buffy/Spike relationship over the series too. Still, Twilight seems to have many elements I find entertaining. I even picked it up a couple of times at the bookstore but I never quite got into reading it. But my fellow Pop Culture Addict said I should read the series and that the books are better than this first movie. So, I will read Twilight. There was enough in the story that kept my interest. I loved hearing the squeals of delight in the movie theater at Edward Cullen’s entrance as well as Dr. Carlisle Cullen’s and even Jacob Black’s. I don’t know enough of the mythology to get it completely. In fact, I gathered that Jacob was also immortal or something but it wasn’t until it was spelled out to me that I got that his wolf clan is a werewolf clan. The vampire mythology is unique to the Stephanie Meyer universe. Vampires don’t burst into flames in sunlight. They are all glisteny and irridescent. I liked that Bella had friends in high school who weren’t vampires and also that she had a good relationship with her parents. Robert Pattinson does a good job with a role I’m sure many fans have envisioned down to every minute detail. He looks similar to how he looked as Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter movies. But I read that he worked out and trimmed down to get those cheekbones to pop. The vampires tend to look a little bugged out at times. I guess they are straining under the pressure of living among the living. It seems like the character of Bella is very internal. So she doesn’t seem to put much out externally. I thought Kristen Stewart did a fine job in Into the Wild. I sort of remember her in that Jody Foster movie. She was fine in that. In this movie, she’s very internal. I guess she is uncertain about what she is feeling and observing. My fellow PCA was not that into her performance. I must say I did believe the connection between Edward and Bella. It happens fast on screen. It wasn’t a stretch to see that they wanted to be together. The actors had good chemistry that way. As I was watching it, not knowing much about the story, I thought, wow, it could go really dark at the end. But I know there are 3 more books. So all of the main characters must stick around for awhile. One funny thing was we went about 10 minutes before showtime without getting tickets beforehand. No problem. Even though it was Saturday in NYC, it wasn’t sold out. Unbelievable. I wonder how Twilight would be in 3D. I almost made it to the 3D show but the logistics didn’t work out. I bet I would have given it a half grade higher if I saw it in 3D. Anyway, this movie was not made with me in mind. It was made for the millions of Twilight fans out there. It hardly matters that my fellow PCA was somewhat disappointed. She was determined to see the movie opening weekend and she did. I thought it was just okay but I’m still planning on reading the book and will most likely see the next movie. So mission accomplished. They got me.

I loved The Beach by Alex Garland. I enjoy movies by Danny Boyle and the acting of Leonardo DiCaprio. I really wanted to love the movie version of The Beach. It had its moments but it didn’t quite capture me like the book did. Still, I was interested in Danny Boyle’s latest movie Slumdog Millionaire. I saw it a day before its official release at a screening. It was really good though very sad. It was hopeful but highlighted how this kid’s childhood helped him succeed on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. It is based on a book and the story transferred well to screen. The story was strong and lent itself to being visually actualized, a lot of lyricism in the story. I highly recommend this movie. Bring tissues though. I found myself getting verklempt without even realizing it. The main kid, his brother and friends endure a lot of strife in their young lives.

I read about Summer Heights High in Entertainment Weekly and remembered seeing the ads for it wondering how funny it might be. I figured I’d give it a shot. Then it slipped my mind and a fellow Pop Culture Addict who is very familiar with my tastes said I had to watch it particularly as a fan and consumer of practically every high school documentary, staged or not, in recent years. Well, Chris Lilley is a genius. You can’t take him at face value. He knows not to put anything into make up. He puts on a wig and puts on the right clothes and transforms himself into a 13 year old Polynesian boy who likes to hang with his boyz or a teenage girl who thinks public school kids are just plain dumb or a drama teacher who yearns for the big league. Hilarious. This Australian import is well worth a peep.

When I saw the trailer for Role Models, it made me smile a bit but I didn’t put seeing the actual movie at the top of my list. I figured I would watch it on cable at some point and be entertained enough. Well, on a mission to see a light movie, I was thinking about either the new Kevin Smith or Role Models. One of the Pop Culture Addicts in my crowd strongly did not want to see Zack and Miri Make a Porno and said given a choice, Role Models was it. So to Role Models we went. It was really good. On the one hand, it was much better than I anticipated and on the other hand, it was actually a good movie. It was funny and sweet. It was crass and stupid at times and I really didn’t care. It all hung together and made for an entertaining couple of hours. This movie is from the Wet Hot American Summer people. Wet Hot American Summer is one of those cult hits. Personally, I thought it was just okay. So I thought Role Models would be just okay but it was more. Elizabeth Banks is in three movies right now including this one. I didn’t realize she was one of the original Wet Hot American Summer cast. It’s been awhile since I saw it. Anyway, I liked everyone in Role Models - Elizabeth Banks, Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Jane Lynch, to list the prominent adults, and the kids played by Bobb’e J. Thompson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. If you’ve seen the trailer, you have a sense of the story. Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott are partners at a job where they are spokespeople for a high energy drink. They travel around from school to school promoting this drink. One day, they get into some legal trouble and Elizabeth Banks works out a deal for them, instead of 30 days in jail, they have to do community service as mentors to a couple of kids. This movies is for adults though. I mean, the language is not for little kids. The language the little kid uses is pretty appalling for a little kid. But it’s for a reason aside from the comedic effect. He thinks he’s a little tough guy but he’s not. It’s his defense mechanism. The older kid, Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s character, can only relate to his fellow players in his live action fantasy game. There are a lot of obvious jokes to be made but the story goes for depth. Christopher Mintz-Plasse does a good job making a different character from his McLovin one. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie.

I thought the movie was cute and watchable and I would certainly watch it if I caught if on cable sometime while channel-surfing. I wouldn’t mind watching it again all the way through to see the the parts I really enjoyed. But I have a feeling the soundtrack might have longer lasting power. The book sounds cute and I can see the appeal of turning it into a movie. Michael Cera endeared himself to me as George Michael on Arrested Development and I don’t think I will ever not enjoy seeing him onscreen. I think he shined in Superbad. He is fun to watch in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. The story is light. It has some real moments. I like his band and bandmates. I like seeing NYC through the eyes of Peter Sollett who wowed everyone with his short 5 Feet High and Rising and then Raising Victor Vargas. It wasn’t mind-blowing but I did want to see it so I’m glad I got a chance to see it in the theater. I bet if you want to see it, you’ll find enough in it to enjoy. As a big fan of Nick Hornby, I would say Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist was Nick Hornby-esque in an American, junior, lite way if that makes sense. The girls were cute too. I remember seeing Ari Graynor in that play Dog Sees God. She played Peppermint Patty’s pal Marcy. Actually, Eddie Kaye Thomas has a small but memorable role in Nick and Norah and he was in that play too as “CB.” In fact, I think they are a real-life item perhaps stemming from working together in that play. Anyway, if you haven’t seen Arrested Development yet, please give it a try.

The Return of 30 Rock

I’m so glad 30 Rock Season 3 is starting this week. I admit I watched the sneak preview provided by hulu.com as linked to by Watch with Kristen’s Kristen. Thanks, guys. Alec Baldwin is sublime. I also love how Jack Donoghy and Liz Lemon are BFF’s. They make this status seem believable and desirable. I am still reeling from the memory of how ingenious Jack McBrayer was at the NYC improv performance he gave with his improv partner Paul Scheer over the summer. Paul Scheer was great as well. It was at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. I already loved the character of Kenneth. Now I can truly appreciate the comedy genius of Jack McBrayer.

W

I ended up seeing W again with a fellow Pop Culture Addict who really wanted to see it. I still think Josh Brolin did a great job. I thought the story was decent. Another PCA said she didn’t think there was enough to the story but appreciated the work of Josh Brolin.

Mad Men Season 2

I have yet to watch the season 2 finale but I can’t wait. I was surprised to read a somewhat humdrum review in the NYT of season 2 in general. Every episode has been full of surprises. I also haven’t had a chance to watch Jon Hamm on SNL (also available at hulu.com) but I’m sure there will be something amusing there. Don Draper is certainly the role of a lifetime for Jon Hamm and he is fabulous in the show. Everyone does such a great job of fleshing out their characters. The writers, directors, set designers, costume designers, dps, etc. all pay such attention to detail. And it all works. I find the show very warm and real even when it is addressing the unhappiness and uncertainty in the lives of the characters. Yes, I’m behind, very behind in watching my dvr’d shows. But I refuse to give anything up…yet even if it means Thanksgiving weekend I’m still watching shows from this week.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

A Pop Culture Addict lent me this book I had never heard of and said I would like it. I knew nothing of it and was pleasantly surprised by how charming it was. I must say I highly recommend it. It is a series of letters from various people all tangentially related in post-WWII Great Britain. It starts when a writer receives a letter from someone who comes upon a book she once owned. He finds her name and address written in the cover and just wants to know where he might find more books like that one. From that letter, a series of people enter this woman’s life and it reads very smoothly and engagingly.

Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles Renewed for Season 3!

This show is effective in capturing the nuances of interpersonal issues yet making it extremely action-packed for a network television show. I thought it was not going to last much longer. I had heard that Season 2 might even be cut short. Then suddenly, it was announced that Season 3 had been picked up. I guess I am less interested in the Shirley Manson storyline but I like enough about the show to be happy it will continue a little longer. Frankly, if I had to choose between this and Heroes, at this point, Heroes would fall by the wayside. But as it stands, I’m still trying to keep up with both shows. The one show I had to put on hold for now (because of my love of Chuck and Gossip Girl) is How I Met Your Mother. I might be able to catch up online or else, I’m counting on summer reruns to carry me through. So try not to tell me what happens. Ha, who am I kidding, I will find out without even trying.