Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Critic's Corner

So now that I'm the sous chef, my days off are Tuesday/Wednesday instead of Sunday/Monday, which sucks. I'm the lame-o who can't play another game of Catan* because she has to work the next morning. And on Sundays, I rush home from church, change my clothes, and run out the door again. It makes for a very long day. On Tues/Wed, all of my friends are at work, so it's just me, Rex, and Eunice. All. Day. Long.

Anyway, I'm going to make an effort to focus on the positive here, because my schedule ain't changin' any time soon. I'd have to say the best thing about my schedule is that I have few interruptions to my rigorous TV watching regimen. I am totally up to date with The Desperate Housewives, The Top Chefs, and the American Idols. Plus, I just subscribed to Netflix (is that a chorus of angels I hear?), so I can now begin a rigorous movie watching regimen. It's all about cross-training, people.

These past couple of days have been very productive. Thanks to Netflix, I have now seen: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (review: really good), The Age of Innocence (review: disturbing), and In the Name of the Father (review: really really good). The latter two I rented because I'm kind of going through a Daniel Day-Lewis phase right now. I think he's the greatest actor of all time, period. You can either agree with me on this one, or you can be wrong. (If you disagree, be forewarned. I feel a lot more strongly about this than I do the salt and vinegar potato chips thing. You WILL be cut out of my life--permanently.) Anyway, it's too bad for Johnny Depp, who I think might either be #2 or #3 on that list of greatest actors of all time. I don't know when the Academy is going to do right by him. He's been nominated a zillion times, but always walks away with nothin'. Too bad for Johnny that Daniel Day chose this year to crawl out of his hole to make There Will Be Blood (review: in addition to there being blood, there were also about 30-40 minutes that should have been left on the cutting room floor). Otherwise, the Best Actor Oscar would have gone to Johnny D for Sweeney Todd (review: kick ass!). They really should re-name the whole category. "And the Daniel Day-Lewis award goes to..."

Anyway, today I decided to take a break from my DVD fest and go to the theater instead. I saw The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and Ironman. Let's start with Prince Caspian. I don't know. It was kind of a re-hashed version of the first one. Somebody is in charge who shouldn't be (this time, the Spanish), so the rightful leader assembles an army and ultimately wins the day. I was also bummed that my new movie star boyfriend, James McAvoy, didn't return as Mr. Tumnus. Plus, there are all of these lame sidekick characters that made me feel like I was watching another Shrek movie. (Lookin' at you, tiny sword-fighting rodents.) The one bright spot was Prince Caspian, who I am totally hot for now. He can Chronicle my Narnia any day, if you know what I mean. (Not sure I know what that means. I was just going for "dirty.")

Ironman, on the other hand, was a lot of fun. I love Robert Downey, Jr. You can tell that the dude has done some hard livin', but I'm happy to see him back because I think he's just soooo talented. Jeff Bridges did a decent job of playing the bad guy, and Gweneth did what she could with the role she was given. Great special effects, of course, and a pretty relevant story line. I liked it.

As far as American Idol goes, David Cook, congratulations. Chris Daughtry you are not, but you'll do well for yourself. Please get a haircut, though. David Archuleta, you're cute. You have a truly lovely voice, but let's be honest. You are twitchy and weird. Bless your heart, though. I'm sure you're the sweetest guy this world has ever seen. Go serve a mission and then cut some Mormon pop albums. You'll make millions.

And as for Top Chef, WHEN IS LISA GOING TO GET THE AX? Seriously, she has no business being there. I don't know when the judges are going to wake up and realize that her surly ass is ALWAYS on the losing team. Come on, Padma. Do the right thing.

Ok, must go to sleep. I'll continue this rant some other time. Ciao!


*A game made entirely out of crystal meth. If you haven't started yet, don't.

6 comments:

Rebecca McAllister said...

Thank you for the TV "Week in Review." I wish that I still had cable to dish about Top Chef.
If you're so lonley on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, why havn't you gotten your sorry butt down to Portland so we can go check out the "Amazing" breakfast place I've heard so much about?

Jeni said...

Randi, YOU are my crystal meth. God bless blogs, glory halleluiah. I miss you. I know I say that every time.

Bekah said...

OK, this past week I discovered that our cable subscription now includes BRAVO (finally!) so I got to watch Top Chef (and I wasn't even working out at the Y!)I'm far out of the loop, so thanks for starting to fill me in.

There IS a cure for Catan/crystal meth addiction--it happens somewhere around the intersection of 3 little kids, pregnancy, and being RS prez. I can't remember the last time we played...But if you have a day or two when you could come down to Boise (some Tues & Wed, perhaps?) I'm sure we could pull out the board and let you trash us. I'd love to have you come visit before I have this baby in August--let me know your schedule, and I'll put some pressure on Greg to cough up the cash for airfare.

Kam said...

Wow! I have so much to learn about American telie before I come back. You started your blog at the perfect time to educate me. I mean, I've only vaguely heard of Netflix -- missed the revelation on that one, was it mentioned in General conference, then? Sounds like you're my "source" for movies and all the best of tv!

Wade Hone said...

Heya Seattle Girl, this is Wade... um , Kamber's Brother - we met in Boston. Can, I just say - your Blog is awesome. 1st of all your favorite movies list has several that I'm a big fan of. shawn of the dead, hot fuz - awesome.

2nd of all - the commentary on movies, TV, Cooking and Life are a pleasure to read. I feel as though my life is more complete having read them.

(I'm sure there is a 3rd - 5th reason, but I'll keep this post simple.)

Thanks for Blogging! keep it up.

Wade -out.

Anonymous said...

As you know, whenever you add... "if you know what I mean" to the end of an otherwise innocuous phrase it ALWAYS SHOULD sound "dirty." And of course, it should be said out of the corner of your mouth, under your breath.