I didn’t know that Justin Timberlake was releasing an album until late January or early February, but when I heard “Suit and Tie,” I knew that March 19th couldn’t come fast enough. I loved the direction the single and his Grammy performance was going. Definitely old school sound meets new production style and concepts.
At first, I was a put off by the track number. Only 10 singles?!? Why wait five years to put out an album if it’s only 10 tracks? But, whatever, it’s JT. I’ll trust him. I started listening to “Pusher Love Girl” while making dinner and realized four minutes later that the same song was still playing. Each track is easily six minutes long with the song and a reprise included. Overall, worth the download for the cd since the playtime is still at least an hour.
I love this album. I don’t know if I have a favorite track since they flow into each other seamlessly. The feel is mellow and consistent throughout. It’s “grown and sexy,” “chill and relax’” and pretty much a good jazz/R’n'B/Pop album. I think it will be a different experience for fans of “Future Sex/Love Sounds” and “Justified,” but Justin is in a different place now than he was when he released his previous albums. Realistically, none of them sound the same. But, this one is my favorite. This album has a smoother, more easy-going feel, and I love riding it out.
I like to pick favorite songs that aren’t singles, but “Mirrors,” “Pusher Love Girl” and “Suit & Tie” are extremely well done. There are plenty of other tracks I sang to today. Check out love crooners “That Girl” and “Tunnel Vision” for heartfelt Justin. Add “Let the Groove in” to your work out mix or pre-party jam.
Photo ABC
Dancing With the Stars
This season marks the 14th gathering of some of Hollywood beloved classic stars in a winner takes all 12 week dance competition. At first, I was skeptical that this season would lose its zing for me, but I found a few things that will entice new audiences and keep loyal fans.
Highlights: Best season premier to date. Two dancers received nines in their scores (never before done on the first night) and all others received positive praise for musicality and performance value.
People to watch: Don’t count Gladys Knight out! While she is the oldest star on the show, the lady can move. Classical singer and sitcom personality Jaleel White scored two nines and were surprisingly wonderful to watch.
Concerns: There is a lot of good talent in this season, but I’m nervous that some of the better dancers won’t make it because they aren’t as well-known. Every season, a Disney star does REALLY well, but doesn’t seem to have the fan base to grab the mirror ball trophy.
Preview
The Hunger Games
contains spoilers
Highlights: New trilogy for literary nerds to salivate over after the end of Harry Potter.
Plot: Girl is picked to fight to the death in a yearly gladiator style reality show.
What to watch for: Jennifer Lawrence is an Oscar nominated actress turned badass and is fast tracking to be the next big movie series star. The remaining cast is solid and is filled with some of my favorite actors. (Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, and Lenny Kravits just to name a few.)
Concerns: In reading up on The Hunger Games news, Elizabeth Banks commented that she will play her character, Effie, as a villain. Effie is, in my opinion, NOT a villain. She’s too dumb and wrapped up in the Capitol frivolities to be villainous. She’s a product of a messed up society. So, I’m worried that the film will ruin one of my favorite characters.
My dearest Kindle,
It has been three months since we first met at Best Buy. When I first held your demo model in my hands, I have to admit I was skeptical. The demo, Dearest, is not a good example of who you are. I almost walked away. I was sure you were just another trumped up, over priced gadget. But, I am so glad I took heed to the sales clerk and gave you a shot.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
Winners at the 54th Anual Grammy Awards
(Note: This is NOT a comprehensive list. For a list of all 78 Awards, click here.
Best new artist: Bon Iver
Record of the Year: Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Producer of the Year: Paul Edworth
Album of the Year: Adele - 21
When I first heard about Meryl Streep and The Iron Lady, I was excited to see if this film would follow in the Oscar footsteps of The King’s Speech. I usually love anything with Meryl in it, so I was sure that I would gush about how great the feature was and watch it bring home award after award on February 25. While the movie does have good parts and has similarities I admired in the Academy’s 2010 Picture of the Year, it generally fell short of what I expected.
The Iron Lady is a biopic that focuses on Margaret Thatcher’s early political career, her time as prime minister, and her retirement. I knew hardly anything about Lady Thatcher before I sat down, but seriously respected her when the hour and 45 minutes were over. The film concentrates on Lady Thatcher’s transformations from grocer’s daughter to wife, politician and prime minister. You understand why her political stances are so iron clad and why the British had such a love hate relationship with her.
Told in flashback, and I’m partial to anything told in flashback. I like watching who someone is now and comparing it to who they were. For The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher is the same independent, self-made woman, but she is viewed differently by her family and peers. That being said, I feel the movie may have been too jumpy. What I love about movies like The King’s Speech and Moneyball is that these films are about getting somewhere. Lady Thatcher went too many places. Parliament, Prime Minister and, finally, getting over the death of her husband. If this movie was delivered linearly and ended with her resignation from office, I would have left satisfied. Some of the current timeline lagged and some of the flashback segments were too short.
Meryl Streep has generated a lot of Oscar buzz for her role as Margaret Thatcher in the Iron Lady. I’m not sure if there is enough performance to cary her through, though. She’s going against a lady who played a man for an entire film (Glenn Close from Albert Nobbs) and a woman who was pretty much the only reason to watch the film (Michelle Williams from My Week With Marilyn). However, it takes extreme talent to play three phases of life in one movie, and I’m not going to count her completely out just yet. I never know what the Academy is going to vote or why, so I’ll just leave it up to them.
Overall, the movie was a great lesson on someone I vaguely knew, but I don’t think I would watch it again. It’s hard to make a historical film worth re-watching, and this biopic is missing the special oomph I need before I add it to my collection.
Media Jail will return on October 1, 2011.
I barely remember the rebooted Planet of the Apes, and I never saw the original. With that in mind, I approaced this film with a few expectations.
Since it has been ten years since the last Planet of the Apes movie, I thought the series would be trying to gain new fans and spark fresh interest in the brand. I expected the movie to be similar to the way Star Trek reboots or comic book companies introduce a film. So, for me, an intro/reboot film should do several things: set up the main characters and provide their backstory; give the audience a good, solid plot through wich sequels can be planned, and keep the original fans from leaving the fan base.
I don’t have many nice things to say about Friends with Benefits. The plot was unoriginal (didn’t No Strings Attached just come out in January?) and the movie was unmemorable.
The best thing was that Emma Stone and Andy Samburg had cameos at the beginning. I wish they had more screen time.
I can appreciate the movie’s commentary on how real love doesn’t happen the same way as in romantic comedies and the “development” of the female lead to look for her new and improved prince charming. However, a true attempt at originality would have been if the main characters ended up with different significant others.
I would not recommend the movie. It’s not suitable for background noise, girls night, or a date. It had a couple funny moments, but not enough to save the film.
Images from imdb.com
For those of you unfamiliar, the United States was in jeopardy of not paying its debts as of August 2, 2011. Also, the country was in danger of losing its high AAA rating since receiving it in 1941 if costs were not cut significantly and the debt ceiling raised adequately. Continue Reading
Crazy Stupid Love. I was pumped to watch it mostly because I usually like Steve Carell and Emma Stone, but I think the movie fell a bit short. The character names and presences were unmemorable and lackluster. But I did find some redeeming qualities.
The film started right at the point. Cal (Steve Carell) has been dumped by his wife and Jacob (Ryan Gosseling) is going to help him get better. New clothes, New haircut, New Cal. The story unfolds with a few intertwining love stories. The son has a crush on the babysitter who has a crush on the dad. The wife and a coworker try to date. And, of course, the cynic learns about true love while the romantic’s will is tested. The mix is similar to He’s Just not that into You or Valentine’s Day.
What I didn’t like about the movie was the premise. From the trailers I thought that the movie would focus more on Cal and Jacob trying to find the right person for Cal. I also wanted more development of their friendship, Cal’s apartment, or the relationship with his kids. Also, for me, the character names were unmemorable.
