The Pop Culture Addict’s Blog

As I’ve said before, no matter what the production, I always find something enjoyable about seeing Shakespeare in the Park. I find it satisfying to actually get tickets after putting in the time, i.e., devoting most of the day to it. Also, it’s so lovely in Central Park. I didn’t know what to expect from The Bacchae. Jonathan Groff as Dionysus worked for me. I think the appeal for me is he reminds me of Tom Chaplin from Keane. I actually saw him in Spring Awakening. I liked his energy and the enthusiasm of the cast but was underwhelmed by the show. It had too much hype by the time I saw it I think and I was expecting to have a life-altering experience. Yes, my expectations were much too high because I know the show was good, even great, but I thought it would be astounding. I will have to take another listen to the music. I enjoyed him in Hair last summer but didn’t really take notice until The Bacchae. The show is ambitious. It tries to modernize the setting but then wants to evoke the original time of Euripedes. The production is reminiscent of a Wooster Group undertaking and I commend The Public for taking a stab at trying to stage this. I think that Woody Allen was more successful in incorporating a Greek chorus in Mighty Aphrodite. It had comedy, drama and tragedy. That was what was missing from The Bacchae. It is a tragedy but it didn’t have to take itself so seriously. It wasn’t exactly inaccessible but it toed the line a little too closely. I think the beauty of Shakespeare in the Park is that it is free and open to everyone. It’s a chance to entertain. If I want to see a Wooster Group type production, I will pay to see the Wooster Group. Hey, I pay to see other more experimental Public Theater productions during the year at the Public Theater. So, I guess when I go see Shakespeare in the Park, while I don’t need to see a disco version of Two Gentlemen of Verona (sorry for not being more appreciative), I want something that feels organic and not too stage-y and distanced from the audience. Even though Brecht is not considered a pop playwright, the Public put on a good production of Mother Courage (starring the amazing Meryl Streep) for Shakespeare in the Park a few years back. I greatly enjoyed Twelfth Night just a couple of months ago. I guess since it’s a comedy, it had an edge already. Let me think of another example, Romeo and Juliet worked well. I don’t know. I guess there is a balance. Hair was accessible and enjoyable. I’m not sure if I’m making my point. I appreciated the idea of The Bacchae and some of the performances were standouts, some of the staging, some of the dancing, etc. also worked but it didn’t completely gel in the end FOR ME. This is a subjective review. But my (musical) theater crush on Jonathan Groff has grown.

EDIT: I suddenly realized I didn’t even comment on the Philip Glass music which he wrote specifically for this production of The Bacchae. It was okay. Not surprisingly, I liked it best when Dionysus/Jonathan Groff sang. It was signature Glass. Think of anything you’ve heard by him and you can hear the triplets start in your head. It wasn’t as distracting as I thought it might be. Apparently he and the director used to be married. END EDIT

District 9
By this point, most people who were interested in seeing District 9 have done so. Everyone else will probably take a pass. I thought it was a really interesting alien movie. Yes, the apartheid allegory is hardly an allegory; it’s completely on the surface, hitting us over the head. However, I really was able to watch the movie from a sci-fi point of view. I am keeping in mind that the genre of science fiction always has metaphors and allegories about humankind interacting with one another and with the environment. But it’s possible to think about aliens from outer space landing by accident in South Africa and being treated like dirt. From this point of view, I thought District 9 was fast-paced, had great effects, looked amazing for a low budget (though I can’t believe $30 million is considered low budget now) and hooked me right away. Neill Blomkamp made an impressive debut feature. To my highly undiscerning ear, Sharlto Copley/Wikus Van De Merwe kept reminding me of Jonah on Summer Heights High. I know Jonah’s accent is Tongan-as-raised-in-Australia. But I did keep thinking Wikus might say something Johah-esque. As for the whole hate-on-Armond-White campaign as documented at Rotten Tomatoes, I love Armond White’s presence in the film critic community. He keeps me entertained and on my toes. He says extreme things but he’s an intelligent viewer. Sure, he is disparaging to all who disagree with even one detail of his reviews, but he is a smart guy who is passionate about film. I always have time to read an Armond White review though I will most likely walk away feeling kind of insulted.

Ponyo
Ponyo or Ponyo on the Cliff is a classic Hayao Miyazaki movie. It’s beautiful animated, it’s weirdly populated by magical creatures and cute kids, adults with slightly goofy and irreverent idiosyncracies you would never see in an American movie (like a mother who pops open a beer in frustration when her sea-faring husband cancels on a family dinner) and has a strong “do unto the environment as you would have it do unto you” message. It’s unclear why a little fish falls for a little boy so strongly and with what understanding, that they will be siblings? That they will be a couple when they are older? But the fantasy is engaging and the oddness makes it interesting to watch.

Julie and Julia
I read Julie and Julia when it came out. I’m a sucker for non-fictional food-related books like all of the Ruth Reichl books. So I picked up Julie and Julia with interest. It was a decent read but I never imagined it would become a movie. I think it was inspired to rely on Julia Child’s memoir as a source in addition to Julie and Julia to make the book. The resulting movie is a charming, inspirational and intriguing depiction of Julia Child’s development as a master chef and a so-so depiction of Julie Powell’s blogging about her Julia Child’s inspired cooking endeavor. Meryl Streep is a star who actually makes you forget she is Meryl Streep.

Inglourious Basterds
I haven’t seen Inglourious Basterds yet but I am looking forward to it. A fellow Pop Culture Addict said it is very dialogue-oriented and that it feels like Quentin Tarantino might have outgrown the over-the-top action/explicit violence that has become his trademark. Actually, I think of his trademark as a combo of extreme violence and well-written dialogue. I heard Brad Pitt’s role is quite minor and that other non-American actors stand out.

Top Chef, Project Runway
As I write, I am behind on Top Chef Masters though I know Rick Bayless won. There is already well-deserved hype and wait for reservations at his restaurants in Chicago which will be serving the winning menu for a short time. I enjoyed reading his blog and the blogs on the Top Chef Masters site. There is a sneak preview of Top Chef Las Vegas on this afternoon I might watch. Also, I have not watched Project Runway diligently at all. I’ve only seen the last few episodes of the last season in fact. But it was enough to peak my interest for this season. I appreciate that the contestants are actually talented so it’s a matter of tapping into that talent and seeing how it melds with pressure and innovation for the challenges. I watched the Top 8 run off and the first ep of the new LA season. Tim Gunn is a reality fashion god. I love his style, his interpersonal skills and his role as mentor. Heidi Klum always looks fantastic. Michael Kors says the most insightful things I would never think of. I don’t consider myself stylish at all. I aim to look cute/presentable/nice/inoffensive enough and that’s about it. And I don’t always succeed. But I find it endlessly fascinating to see how creativity works in all artistic feats and facets so I’m looking forward to watching a season of Project Runway from start to finish.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Yes, sometimes I take forever to read one book (like A Fine Balance by R. Mistry). Sometimes I re-read a book for the umpteenth time (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling). Sometimes I find myself with just enough time and energy to re-read something like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. This is what happened to me yesterday. I picked it up and could not put it down even though I knew where it was going. It’s interesting because it has the historical, WWII element to it but it also weaves personal stories of appealing characters who formed and form the most unexpected bonds. Now I’m reading the latest No 1 Ladies Detective Agency book entitled…I have to look it up…Tea Time for the Traditionally Built: The New No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Novel by Alexander McCall Smith. I really liked the HBO series and it re-sparked my interest in the books. I also have New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, aka the second in the Twilight series, ready at hand.

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Edit: I just wanted to say, yes, Minya Oh and Miss Info, my pop culture colleague, and multi-media personality, are one and the same.

Well believe me, I will be posting this again but I had to share it with you now:

Bling Bling : Hip Hop’s Crown Jewels by Minya Oh

When it comes to the world of hip-hop, nothing shines brighter than glorious bling. A fascinating look in words and pictures at the stars of hip-hop and their fabulous jewelry.

Welcome to the rarified world of hip-hop royalty, where mega-stars from Jay-Z to J. Lo flash brilliant rocks to signify status and express personal style. In Bling Bling, writer and radio show host Minya Oh takes readers deep inside this star-studded world, exploring the wild appetite for flashy adornment that typifies the contemporary rap scene. See how the other half sparkles in this fascinating photo-filled book devoted to the history and culture of rappers and their jewelry from the last 25 years. Run DMC, Slick Rick, Ludacris, and Puff Daddy are just some of the rap legends who show and tell, as the author travels from East Coast to West to discover the world’s most fabulous accoutrements and the stories behind them.

Hip-hop culture has become, simply, pop culture. Fans who can’t get enough of the flamboyant personalities and lifestyles will embrace Bling Bling. If you’re still not yet sure what “bling bling” means, don’t fret-you can look it up in the Oxford English Dictionary, where the ubiquitous slang phrase is now included.

Look out for this book on August 10, 2005 by one of my favorite fellow PCA’s. She’s a great writer and loves and, more pertinently, KNOWS her bling.

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And I know I just talked about this but I think as I listen to it, I am going to love the new Foo Fighters that just came out this week (In Your Honor). I just loved their performance on Letterman earlier this week. I loved the energy, the love and the song: The Last Song. Nothing like telling it like it is. I remember when I first heard One by One, it was exactly what I wanted to listen to over and over again. And remember how when Dave returned to the show after his heart surgery, he requested that The Foo Fighters perform? So they flew in from somewhere down in South America where they were in the midst of a tour, and performed for him. It was very touching. I liked when Dave Grohl said, “Welcome back, Dave!” in the middle of the song.

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If you are out in LA, perhaps you will catch 2046 or something equally memorable at the LA Film Festival which starts tomorrow. Check out the schedule, etc. here: LA Film Fest.

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I keep forgetting to mention that I was watching Roswell the other day and who appeared on the screen? None other than Logan Echolls from Veronica Mars. The actor Jason Dohring has a somewhat pivotal role in the arc where Alex (Colin Hanks) dies in Season 2. He plays the delivery guy who is the last one to see him alive. Also, he was the original “Coop” from Once and Again the first time the character appears. I loved that show! But then Adam Brody played Coop the rest of the series. And while I’m on a roll, do you remember who played Tad on Once and Again? It was James Lafferty who now plays Nathan Scott from One Tree Hill. I would’ve never expected that move. Both Coop and Tad were very peripheral roles. But they got everyone to where they are now.

Incidentally, Roswell Season 3 is out August 9, 2005 and Once and Again Season 2 is out August 23, 2005.

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The first time I watched stylenetwork’s “How Do I Look” the makeover candidate was Yo Yo, yes, Yo-Y0 as in let me go into my cassettes and find Make Way for the Motherlode Yo Yo real name Yolanda Whitaker (b. 1971). Then every episode afterwards was of a “regular person.” But it was fascinating to see how she was, what she was up to (mainly motherhood and preparing for a come-back). I noticed on later episodes that Yo Yo had recorded the theme song for the show. That’s what she’s been doing. Of course when a pal asked me specifics about how Yo Yo actually looked after the makeover, all I could recall was, great. At least I remember the essence of the show.

Then more recently, I saw Tami from the Real World as the friend who nominated the “How Do I Look” makeover candidate. I didn’t recognize her until she said she was on this tv show ‘The Real World’ and Monique (the nominee) was in a musical group with her but it fell apart. Sorry, lots of near fragments and run-on sentences here. Anyway, remember Tami? I saw someone else at Wetlands once…oh Becky from the first Real World. She performed with her band. I feel they are almost artifacts of pop culture because they were among the first in that series.

So, Academy Awards are a week away and I still haven’t seen Hotel Rwanda or Closer. Is there anything else major I should be seeing? Oh, I didn’t see any of the foreign picture nominees. The Sea Inside is the only one on my list. I could rent Maria Full of Grace though the last time I had a chance to see it in the theater, I saw Napoleon Dynamite instead (and missed the end credits sequence in an uncharacteristic move). Re: Napoleon Dynamite, there were things I liked about it tho’ I had Paul Mooney’s voice in the back of my head again.

I read the first three Lemony Snicket books but haven’t seen the movie yet and may never. I liked the books but, the movie, eh. Of course I am not the target audience. I’m only mentioning it because it has a couple of nominations.

Alan Cumming was very funny on The Daily Show the other day (I’m still not seeing Son of the Mask though I remain a fan of Spy Kids). John Stewart asked him if he really had a cologne line and AC said it was all true. He said he’s had 40 years of people making fun of his name and now it’s his turn to embrace it especially with the lotion…something about having it all over you (too blue for this site). I was LMAO, as some like to say. And then on Conan he talked about the rumor about how he and Keanu Reeves got married. While I think I usually hear all wacky rumors (such as the one about how M. E. Kerr was really Lemony Snicket – she isn’t, it’s Daniel Handler, in case you didn’t know), I hadn’t heard this one. And he also made me laugh with his comment about “hairbs” i.e. “herbs” and then as an aside said, “it’s not ‘ello, ‘ow are you.” Also, did you know coffee is a nose palate cleanser – just sniffing it, not snorting as Alan Cumming said he almost did by mistake while creating his fragrance.

Also on Conan the same night was They Might Be Giants promoting their ABC’s album (I’ll be back with the link). They were cute as ever. I have one of their kid albums. But while I think I could listen to Don’t Let’s Start and Ana Ng a million and one times, children’s albums these days don’t have the same staying power. But as for TMBG, love them, love them, love them.

So, I keep meaning to go see the Gates. Obviously I haven’t even approached Central Park because I hear they are visible from every angle. I know someone attending a wedding there this weekend. I guess that’s a clever idea although the wedding pictures will have a preponderance of saffron in them. I just had a thought – I think the black and white photos will look really cool with all the hanging fabric against the trees, etc. Here’s another site: http://the-gates-at-central-park.com/.

Okay, enough of this. After all my pre-Oscar talk, I am going to go see that Japanese movie Nobody Knows (Dare mo shiranai) which is not nominated for anything. It’s the only movie I really feel like seeing right now. Maybe I’ll catch Hotel Rwanda next.

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Clearly it was all about Green Day and their album American Idiot. The Green Day performance far surpassed anyone else’s in energy, caliber and memorability. They were so adorable!

Jennifer Lopez should’ve ditched her husband and performed Get Right like we all wanted. That song is hot, the video is hot, as Queen Latifah noted. Speaking of the host, she was cute too. Very likeable. Not at all stilted, unfunny or annoying (all pitfalls of hosting award shows).

Aside from Green Day, I would say Gwen Stefani’s legs took the cake. Zowie. She and Eve gave a great performance.

It was very satisfying watching Usher dance. It made me think of Paul Mooney but it’s too involved to explain here. Let me say it has to do with how Usher was like, don’t compare me to Justin Timberlake, and something Paul Mooney said on the Chappelle Show in his “Ask a Black Dude” segment on the dvd of season 1.

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Kanye West had a strong set piece.

It’s always a pleasure to hear Stevie Wonder sing live.

Loretta Lynn gave a very cute speech. As I’ve said, I love that single Van Lear Rose. I wish she and Jack White had performed.

U2 gave a sweet speech too. It’s nice to acknowledge your fans so directly. I did think about their iPod promo and that bit on Best Week Ever about how U2 was trying too hard and that they didn’t need to work so hard for our support.

Oh, I liked seeing Franz Ferdinand. And I’ve already said how I like that song This Love by Maroon 5 (though I wondered how many million times they’ve performed it).

Oh, now I’m remembering Jamie Foxx, Quincy Jones and orchestra and Alicia Keys performing Georgia on My Mind. That was excellent. And I must say I do enjoy John Mayer’s music. His live album is really good.

I think that’s it with my Grammys observations.

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I wanted to say that my new makeover show is What Not to Wear on TLC. I also caught the original on BBC-A. A pop culture colleague who’s familiar with my penchant for makeover shows said I should watch this one and boy, was I won over! It works because the hosts Stacey London and Clinton Kelly are cool and sweet. The “victims” are real people with different backgrounds and body types, hair types, skin types, etc. So you can relate to them. And they really focus on feeling good about yourself and taking care of yourself. It’s a moving experience – not at all superficial or shallow as it could easily be.

I am not abandoning How Do I Look? But I am more likely to make time for What Not To Wear. Let me say a word about the original BBC version. The hosts, two women, are drop-dead gorgeous but are very real and warm. The BBC version also picks real people to makeover. It’s only 30 minutes which is a good length I suppose though I’ve gotten accustomed to the 60-minute TLC American version. Plus, the TLC version takes place in NYC so that’s always fun. In the BBC episode I watched, both model-esque hosts were pregnant but they dressed off the runway like they were wearing second skins.

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To be honest, as I wrap this up, the Grammys are still going on but I can’t imagine anyone or anything trumping Green Day tonight. So I am going to sign off.

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It’s year of the wood rooster. If you were born in February- December of 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993 or today in 2005, you are a dependable, pensive, hardworking, independent though possibly conceited rooster who gets along best with oxen and snakes and least with rabbits.

If you were born in January of any of these years, you are an intelligent, high-energy, funny, good at problem-solving monkey who gets along best with dragons and rats and least with tigers.

This is the order: Rat Ox Tiger Hare Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig. It’s a 12 year cycle with the order having something to do with the order the animals got to the other side of a river in a race sponsored by the gods. Supposedly, dragons will have a great year, rats, oxen, tigers and snakes will have a good year; sheep, monkeys, roosters and pigs will have both good and the bad mixed together; and hares, horses and dogs will have more obstacles, trials and tribulations.

Maybe I’ll write more about each animal later on. Not that it’s a specialty of mine or anything. I just know that we all get a kick out of this stuff. I mean, why not. It’s just another way to mark time. I just view the lunar new year as another kind of beginning. And I try to have ttuk guk and also use it as a way to get around sending holiday cards really, really late by saying I’m wishing a happy lunar new year (so now you know if you’re one of the recipients).

Pop music: Listen to this: Jin Tsunami Response. I made it to a well-populated benefit for tsunami relief co-hosted by Miss Info and Jin. Other celebs there were DJ Honda, the guy from Mortal Combat and another MC (and friend of Jin) LS.

I’ve also been totally grooving with Franz Ferdinand – the whole eponymous album, Living Colour’s album recorded at CBGB’s and Best of Dinosaur Jr especially, as I’ve said before, their cover of the Cure’s Just Like Heaven. I tried to go to a few concerts…Keane, Bright Eyes and the Futureheads. But they were all far more popular than I expected and were sold out by the time I got around to trying. But I’m still listening to them all.

Pop books:

I was extremely surprised to find that Tuesdays with Morrie was a great book! I had assiduously avoided it thinking it would be way too “chicken soup for the soul”-y. But it was a quick, enjoyable and touching read. I can enjoy some sentimentality but not too much schmaltz so believe me when I say that Tuesdays with Morrie is worth reading. I found that my own outlook had a lot in common with Morrie’s philosophy on life. Next I have the complete shooting scripts, both volumes, of Freaks and Geeks. I will write more when I read more.

Pop tv:

It’s all about Wonderfalls. I powered through all 13 episodes on dvd and passed it on to friends who haven’t heard of it. I must say that I think this season’s 24 is really good. I believe in the good judgment of Shohreh Aghdashloo who has said she wouldn’t have accepted the part if it were offensive to her and also have noticed the PSA Kiefer Sutherland does about the topic. So, I am waiting to see how this story unfolds. I hope I don’t eat my words.

Pop fashion: I should put this above. I actively watch the Style Network. What can I say?

Pop theater: I dug the Wooster Group’s Poor Theater last November. They have another show coming out. Something I saw before I think… House/Lights.

Pop mags: I’m still reading my EW and US Weekly. People (namely my brother) tell me they’re redundant but I figure, if I’m reading one, why not the other? And he does still look at them both though he’s more likely to read Film Comment cover to cover than I am.

Pop movies:

The Incredibles is due on out dvd March 15th. And as I said earlier, I loved how The Aviator turned out.

Pop tech: Sidekicks. Yea or nay? Fun? Addictive? Necessary? Irritating when there’s no service? A leading cause for repetitive stress disorder in teens? (Did you see that news report about how text-messaging is causing health problems in teenagers?) And what about mobile phones that also play full-length movies? I just saw that on the news.

Pop life: There is always room for pop life! “Everybody needs a thrill!”

Added 2/10/05:

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I thought of a few more things. I loved Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. Also, after or before listening (sorry I left mid-sentence. It’s 2/11 now.) to Jin’s Tsunami Response, read more about it at hiphopmusic.com and asianmediawatch.net. And here’s a picture from the benefit:

From left to right are Jin, Miss Info (aka Minya Oh) and promoter David Wong.

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