Shooting
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Watching
Bored To Death: First episode, totally hilarious. In fact, first scene with Jonathan Schwartzman as Jonathan Ames questioning to the Moishe's guy, in almost a modern Seinfeld-esque way, how unlikely it was for Jews to be movers, had me laughing out loud. As did a few others lines, including Ted Danson's - while smoking weed with Schwartzman in the bathroom stall - "these one hitters really should be called three hitters..." Funny, funny writing... and delivery. Danson, so good (even more so because of his impressive turn of career). And Schwartzman, although he may not be the greatest living actor, he has a look of 'knowing' on his face that constantly amuses me.. Will definitely be watching #2.
Nurse Jackie: Edie Falco is pretty much genius in everything she does - and this is no exception. The rest of the ensemble is quite good, but she's the glue. Showtime continues to prove they may just be the new HBO.
Weeds Season 5: The show is beyond wacky, and has been twisting deeper and deeper into a version of a live cartoon ever since Season 3. It's really not even a shell of how it started out - in concept or tone - except that it has consistently changed direction & surprised. (I'd never have predicted the series would have gone this direction.) If you're still pining for the "old show," you'll hate it. But if you can see it as something else & appreciate the evolution of the equally unlikeable & pathetic cast of characters and the consistently raunchy, crude, unrealistic and sometimes shocking drama, you might find the ridiculous enjoyable. i did. (Gotta love catch up on the DVR.)
Mad Men 3rd season: shift in tone, changing times, still genius. A stoned Peggy Olson, priceless - and laugh out loud hilarious.
Hung: good concept & execution - which kept me watching back to back episodes. problem is, the characters are a bit hard to like. they've grown on me, but they're still very easy NOT to care about.. but i'll still watch through to the end..
Entourage: Okay, admittedly ridiculous. But I still thoroughly enjoy. Big points - and laughs - for Mad Men reference.
Blogs
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January 01, 2010
December 27, 2009
Reviews
Every year I look forward to cramming in all of the "Oscar" films during Christmas and New Years. But my list is shockingly short this year. I'm actually stunned at how little I'm interested in seeing.
I saw Precious, which I loved. And Up in the Air, which I also really enjoyed - although personally, it made me sadly yearn for airports, airplanes and travel... But if you like the George Clooney, it's hard not to fall for it. Not quite sure it's worthy of all the awards it seems to be nominated for. But based on its (lack of) competition this year, I'm starting to get it. The two I saw Christmas Day...
I'll start with the worst of the lot - Sherlock Holmes. Proof that the story IS - shockingly - at the heart of good story telling. Generally, wasn't all that drawn to Sherlock Holmes. But I was drawn to Robert Downey Jr. - and even Jude Law. True to their talent, they delivered - both individually and as a duo. (Good match - I'd like to see them together in something else....) And, the look of the film was actually quite beautiful as well. But it was that pesky story (and the annoying performance of Rachael McAdams - who I usually like) that held no interest for me. Just not compelling. And in parts (many), boring. True sign of a bad movie: a consistent, unsettled rumbling in the audience, and a handful who walked out...
Sherlock was sadly the first of our Christmas Day double feature. Certainly wasn't off to a great start. But after a lunch (not Chinese, but bagels), my mom and I were off to see It's Complicated. My friend Andy, a screenwriter, and someone whose film & television reviews sync up with mine about 98% of the time, told me it was "good." And "Alec Baldwin was excellent." Maybe it was because Andy saw it as an Oscar screener, at home, he didn't appreciate it as much. Or maybe it was because my expectations weren't set too high or that I was just happy to see a fully-realized story that day, but I thought it was absolutely adorable. Yes, it was exactly what you'd expect. Meryl Streep impeccable, Alec Baldwin genius (LOVE HIM!), Steve Martin a great straight-man (yet with a few shots of his "wild and crazy guy" dance...worth a few smiles.) And with every Nancy Meyers film - beautiful people, clothes, homes, and lots of food & wine... Made me want to move to Northern California and very hungry for dinner..
Not every movie has to be a film.... But a good, solid, enjoyable movie that leaves you with a sense of hope, was a good start to the beginning of the Christmas viewing season. Hope there's a few others that hit the spot in the next week - movie or film.
December 14, 2009
Let the "Best Of" Season Begin...
Not only can we live the year through lists, but this particular December we can also relive the last decade. And what a decade it was...
Here's AdWeekMedia's Best of the 2000's. Even if you aren't in the advertising business, it's a fun list to browse through. Some choices are most definitely obvious and well deserved... Media Company of the Decade - Google, Marketer of the Decade - Steve Jobs, Product of the Decade - ipod. And my favorite (and less obvious to some), TV Show of the Decade - The Sopranos. Without a doubt, absolutely deserving.
December 08, 2009
December 06, 2009
Digital Joy
Sonos has always felt a bit overkill for the size of my apartment. And although moving around digital files from computer to ipod is hardly a tough feat, I've just begun to experience the joy of iTunes Home Sharing.
Sunday morning, woke up with Jokerman in my head. (For those of you who aren't fans, it's the first track on Dylan's Infidels record.)An oldie, but goodie. So good.
Now that Home Share is on, easy. Instead of dragging files from office computer onto ipod, waiting for what seems like forever for everything to wake up - oh, that's just me - and bringing it into living room, I pop open the laptop, already there. Search Infidels. Not there. Seemingly not possible. But yet it is. Hmmm.. I know I have it on vinyl.. But I haven't yet had a coffee and ease is the factor here (as well as the determination to find it.) So I go to Rhapsody. A minute later, there Bob is - and Infidels.
So, it may not sound the same as vinyl. But I'm not mourning for the past (except when yearning for some earlier Dylan.) I love that I can find whatever I'm craving at the moment, whether I own or rent. For the music fan, nothing like digital. For the artist, that's another story....
... "Steal a little and they'll throw you in jail, steal a lot and they'll make you king.... there's only one step down from here baby, it's the land called permanent bliss."
Line above from Sweetheart Like you. If I had the mp3, I'd include - instead video, Bob 1983.
December 04, 2009
Seth Godin's Blog: Within Reason
Within reason
Often, someone will riff on a concept or approach that characterizes the revolution that we're living through online, and heads will nod. "Sure, that sounds great [insert idea here... like Free, or social media or permission or ideaviruses or empowered consumers or treating people with respect, etc.] within reason."
It's the last two words that make it a lie.
The last two words allow you to weasel your way into failure. Within reason means, "without bothering the boss, without taking a big risk, without taking the blame if we fail, without alienating our current retailers... be reasonable!"
And so you do it half-heartedly and you fail.
And who beats you?
The people who did it without reason.
About Random Musings
Susan Solomon is a media, entertainment and news junkie who some days feels like writing about what she reads, hears and sees - this blog is those random thoughts.
Out There
for all things travel
Reading
Amitav Ghosh: The Glass Palace: A Novel
Ever read a book and wonder why? Or better yet - why you finished it? This was one of them. I was given this as a recommend while traveling in Malaysia, and started it then. I remember liking it enough but when I moved onto Thailand, I also moved onto another book. In cleaning up the Kindle, decided to dive back in. At about 40% in my interest was weak & I could have dropped it - and usually I do, if I'm not into it But somehow I felt compelled to continue. It could have been interesting - a fictional history covering about 100 years of intertwined families against the backdrop of Burma, Malaysia, India, British colonialism, World Wars through to present time. But it wasn't. Completely uneven, ddn't care about any of these people. So glad I can now move on... Needless to say - not a recommend.Jonathan Tropper: Everything Changes
After finishing up This Is Where I Leave You, felt like I wasn't ready to move on just yet and picked up (or downloaded) Everything Changes. Although not as good as his latest, the tone, humor and style all very similar (and now familiar)... good story, enjoyable read.This Is Where I Leave You : Jonathan Tropper (Author)
Sometimes you just have to decompress and read something light and breezy, with no strain on the brain. And I chose the right one. About a Jewish family that comes together to sit shiva for 7 days after the death of their father. Sounds serious, but all humor - except when it struck a (personal) family chord, for me. Not a literary work of genius, but an excellent read. Definite recommend - thoroughly enjoyed both style & substance.Rory Stewart: The Places In Between
At one point during Rory Stewart's trek through Afghanistan, from Herat to Kabul, a Special Forces team drove by in their jeep, rolled down their window and told him, "you are a fucking nutter." And that's pretty much what I was thinking as I was reading the book. Serious snow & deathly cold weather, lack of food & water, threats of bodily harm - not to mention the Taliban - but he persevered, sticking with his plan to travel only by foot. All in all, in some ways, more of a travel book than anything else. Provided a great picture of the Afghan landscape, the tribal customs and its people in 2002, after the (supposed) fall of the Taliban. Yet, although the journey was obviously treacherous, it was all relayed somewhat dispassionately. Even, his description of his adopted dog, Babur - who he obviously cared for - didn't ooze with any real emotion, even when he died in the end. Interesting read, if just to get a better insight into the "real" Afghanistan. But if he'd given a little bit more of himself in the narrative, could have been much better.Don George: Wanderlust: Real-Life Tales of Adventure and Romance
Some short stories were stand-outs, others I passed over completely after a few pages (or clicks on the kindle.) My favorite, still, was the intro by Pico Ayer. Of all, the most powerful to me & tapped right into how I feel about travel - and the return from it.Nathaniel Bellows: On This Day
I just met Nathaniel last week... smart, sensitive, thoughtful guy. Figured his novel would be good - and I was right. He's published a first novel (the one I read) and a book of poetry. And as I just put down 800 pages on Vietnam, a good novel was what I needed - and this was that. Kept me interested and intrigued, day read. A few criticisms - or maybe just things I need to debate out loud... Either way, look forward to novel #2.
Listening
You Could Start A Fight In An Empty House
Angela McCluskey: You Could Start A Fight In An Empty House
Old friend, new partnership (- more on that later...) Angela has one of those voices you either love or hate. I'm in the former camp & have been ever since I heard her performing in L.A. with the Wild Colonials - her first of many incarnations. Haunting, powerful, moving...Up From Below
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: Up From Below
immediate love.Age of the Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets: Age of the UnderstatementKnow Better Learn Faster
Thao With the Get Down Stay Down: Know Better Learn Faster
