The Pop Culture Addict’s Blog

This is one of those movies that made me laugh every time I saw the trailer. A fellow PCA was like, we need to see this movie. When I was watching The Hills online at MTV, every break they showed the same 30 second ad for House Bunny. I was already sold and felt like this repetition was going to drive me away. But it didn’t.

Anna Faris created this character and shopped it around with a writer or two to some studios until one bit. It is a funny premise – a Playboy bunny living the high life at the mansion suddenly out on her own without any real-life skills seeing a way to be useful as a house mother. This movie could’ve been incredibly dark and depressing. But they chose the comedic route and Anna Faris made her character very funny and sweet. She stood out as the thing driving the movie forward. Everyone else was really secondary and not as developed. But as predictable movies go, I enjoyed the comedy and the sweet moral of the story, be true to yourself but don’t underestimate what you still might accomplish.

Sometimes levity can do you good. So that’s my way of saying I would probably go see House Bunny 2 as long as it was still Anna Faris-driven.

The Hills, Season 4

While I’m here, let me say something about The Hills. I’ve been watching since a fellow PCA got me hooked on Laguna Beach Season 1. I was surprised at how appealing Lauren was in The Hills Season 1. Now we are in Season 4. I was actually starting to think I had reached my saturation point. They are so in your face in ads, in magazines and online. But Episode 1, Season 4, I was there watching it. I can say I have reached my saturation point with Heidi and Spencer. Everything they say and do seems completely false and is uninteresting. I know Lauren, Audrina, Whitney and Lo also stage conversations and scenarios for the show but I still find them interesting to watch. What a strange life to lead being a reality tv star. I guess I’m supporting their lifestyle by watching their show. I admit I do have my opinions of the Lo-Audrina situation. Lo never liked Audrina and is the original friend of LC. Audrina is the new friend. This is a turf war. Who owns LC loyalty now? They are all on the young side and even then, age is only a number. People makes mistakes until the end of their lives. At the same time, people become wiser every day until the end of their lives. But my point is that relationships (friendships, etc) are constantly in flux. They are still discovering who they are and who they want to hang out with. We just happen to be watching this process almost moment by moment, sharply edited to a hot soundtrack. If only all of our lives were so compact and snappy.

Enchanted April

Enchanted April is one of my favorite little movies. It sort of snuck up on me. I have had the good fortune of spending some time in Italy – in a smattering of the usual spots. I would love to return and fill in the gaps. Anyway, I found it magical there. Swelteringly hot in the summer, but charming like you’ve never been charmed. Enchanting, really. So it was a nice surprise to come across the book The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim published in 1922. As much as I enjoyed the movie, it never occurred to me to seek out the source material. The movie was really wonderfully done. You may recall there was a Broadway version of it a short while back. I didn’t bother to see it because I couldn’t imagine it topping the magic of the movie – also, the backdrop of a castle, San Salvatore, with it’s beautiful “wistaria and sunshine” seemed hard to recreate on stage. So, I’ve been reading the book and enjoying it immensely. It is definitely making me want to re-watch the movie. I trust it will be on cable again soon as it is periodically. I think one of the HBO/Showtime/Cmax/TMC/Starz programmers also has a soft spot for Enchanted April.

I get a kick out of seeing Alfred Molina playing Mellersh Wilkinson in Enchanted April and also playing Doc Ock in Spiderman 2 and a very funny version of himself in Coffee and Cigarettes.

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I know some people really hated the new Star Wars movie. I was a little confused in the beginning because it definitely assumes you remember everything that has happened thus far. But I found my bearings shortly. It was fun. I remarked afterwards that it was strange to see Anakin be so good and a fellow PCA said, “You mean it’s strange to see good acting?” Hardee har har. But, yes, the acting was stronger in this animated version. I did mean good vs. evil as there is little indication that Anakin Skywalker is going to turn into Darth Vader in the not so distant future. The point by my fellow PCA’s was that the so-called live action movies George Lucas has made are actually so filled with digital effects that there is little difference between, say, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones visually speaking. Ziro the Hutt did make me think of Truman Capote. I think that was the intention. As this movie is the launch for the animated tv series, I expect we will see many of the same characters including Asajj Ventress. I wasn’t sure why she had two red light sabers. I think it was just for show. Anyway, it was pretty fun to watch. I’m surprised at the scathing reviews some people have given it. There are far worse movies in existence.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

I must admit I have yet to see Scoop or Cassandra’s Dream. I did like Match Point a lot. It reminded me of Crimes and Misdemeanors. I liked Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation and thought she did a decent job in Match Point. Something about Scoop just doesn’t appeal to me. I used to run to anything featuring Ewan McGregor but I’m dragging my feet on this one. But I will see both eventually. In the meantime, I thought Barcelona looked great in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I ended up enjoying the movie. This is another one some people really despise. Penelope Cruz’ hair looked fantastic. I liked the dialogue too. It made me laugh. “Speak English.” People kept laughing everytime Javier Bardem said that to Penelope Cruz. We were all like, just keep speaking in Spanish. It also made me realize Javier Bardem was really trying hard to have an American accent in No Country for Old Men. Yes, he looked much better in this movie, hair and all.

Tropic Thunder

Ben Stiller and Co. did a good job on this one. It was a good satire on the foibles and insecurities of actors, big budget action movies, big time movie execs and whatever else they could think of to skewer in Hollywood. A fellow PCA said it was stronger in the first half than in the end. It made us talk about Heat Vision and Jack the notorious tv pilot that never made it to air. I saw a copy of a copy of a copy (of a copy) on VHS many moons ago and laughed my head off. It was truly ludicrous but had this charm only the combination of Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Owen Wilson could drum up. Is the movie offensive? I think it purposely shows offensive behavior by the actors in the movie within the movie. It shows how incredibly misguided they are and what poor judgment they have shown in their careers and perhaps lives. And also, the actors in the movie within the movie are somewhat earnest in their completely oblivious way. Anyway, I’m sure Ben Stiller was surprised to find himself on Charlie Rose the other night talking about it.

Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog

I am still very into this. I’ve watched it three times now. I look forward to the dvd release with commentary and musical commentary. I’ve successfully converted some PCA’s into fans. Neil Patrick Harris is awesome. Nathan Fillion is awesome. Joss Whedon is Joss Whedon. And Felicia Day as Penny is sweet as can be.

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I know I’ve been crazy lazy this month just stopping by to list some pop culture events to consider. I don’t think I’ll go back and talk more about them right now. Just know that I attended performances of them, watched them on tv, went to the theater to see them, etc.

Let me try to do better with the bonus trax.

1. Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog

Yes, I love every project of Joss Whedon’s with a passion. This one is no exception. I’ve watched it twice on my nano. You can still watch it free on the site. Neil Patrick Harris is hilarious and has an awesome singing voice. Nathan Fillion is also hilarious and sings just fine. The guy who plays Moist is funny – Simon Helberg. The guys who sing the letters from Bad Horse are great. The love interest is cute – Felicia Day.

2. Russell Brand

Like most Americans, I first heard of Russell Brand when I saw him play Kristen Bell’s rocker boyfriend in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Very funny. Then I saw him on American talk shows and he was incredibly funny. Recently, he was in NYC doing a stand up act. I was impressed with how he captivated the room. He kept saying, “I’m really famous in England.” LOL. Apparently, he is!

3. Scheer/McBrayer

I saw another impressively hilarious and professionally executed comedy act at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre NYC by Paul Scheer and Jack McBrayer. AND it was all IMPROV. How bad could that have been? We’re talking abysmal. But, it was sheer (Scheer?) brilliance. I was so blown away by how funny and quick paced they kept it. 30 Rock is one of my all-time favorite shows and they are both on it. Jack McBrayer is sharp, sharp, sharp in 30 Rock and in improv! Paul Scheer has a recurring role as the “head page.”

4. Hubbard Street Dance Company

This Chicago-based dance company is phenomenal. I love their creativity and boundless talent. I saw them in NYC and was thrilled per usual.

5. Pineapple Express

Yes, it looks silly perhaps even stupid. Maybe it was but I did find myself laughing a lot.

6. The 29th Olympics in Beijing

I admit I’ve been recording stuff and watching it on my own schedule, but it has all been pretty riveting even the opening ceremony and parade of nations. To watch the best athletes in the world compete is amazing. I’ve seen a little bit of a lot and a lot of some – swimming, diving, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. I’m sure I will watch something every night until it is over. I was touched by the story about the little boy who marched in with the Chinese delegation alongside Yao Ming. He is the 2nd grader who survived the recent earthquake. They said 20 of his 30 classmates didn’t make it. He freed himself from the rubble and then saved 2 of his classmates. When he was asked why he went back, he said it was his job as a class leader. Also, the flag bearer for the US has an interesting story having been a one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

7. America’s Best Dance Crew and So You Think You Can Dance

I am more into ABDC but my fellow PCA’s are very into So You Think You Can Dance. So with my curiosity peaked, I watched a total of 4 episodes, two in the middle and the final two. I thought the final 4 were great. I liked Katee and Joshua as a pair. Joshua as a winner works for me. I didn’t vote because I don’t vote. Also, I didn’t see enough episodes. But I don’t vote for ABDC and I’ve been watching since last season. I think if I started out voting, I would’ve continued. Anyway, I greatly enjoy watching it. And there are plenty of other fans out there willing to submit their votes. Anyway, anyone who makes it to the top, possibly even the show, either show, has already had positive exposure for their careers.

Okay, I won’t make any promises about next month. Maybe I will surprise myself and write another entry before August is out. I don’t have any big plans but my plans change all the time so who knows.

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I know I need to update my blog but I haven’t gotten around to it lately. I keep jotting down little notes to myself about what I want to comment on but then I misplace them. So here it is:

samuel beckett
mama mia
canadian brass – penny lane
harry potter
hair
stepbrothers
return of mad men
return of burn notice
katherine heigl

I will be back later to expand.

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