There aren't too many great movies opening this weekend- just the awful-looking Renee Zellwegger romcom New in Town, the alright-looking Taken (the trailer alone made me want to watch it), and the horror movie The Uninvited. Oh, The Uninvited... For those of you who don't know, this movie is based on the highest grossing Korean horror movie of all time, A Tale of Two Sisters (JangHwa, Hong Ryun). I HATE horror films. I usually watch with my eyes closed and my ears plugged, so... yeah, spending $10 to be a mute for 2 hours is not something I think is fun. But, I did watch A Tale of Two Sisters because I found intriguing the fact that SOO many people watched and loved it, and I really like the 2 actresses that play the sisters in the movie.
Um. It's a REALLY scary movie. We're talking blood and ghosts and scary noises. But, it's also a really well made, imaginative, and thoughful kind of a horror film. Which is why I have absolute no hopes for this new remake. The trailer makes it look stupid. And it hasn't been getting hot reviews either. If you really want to be scared, netflix the original A Tale of Two Sisters.
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Uninvited
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Song of the Day: Britney Spears - If You Seek Amy
If U Seek Amy - Britney Spears
Oh baby baby, have you seen Amy tonight?
So begins one of Britney's catchiest songs ever. Earlier this month it was announced that If You Seek Amy would be Britney's next single off of the Circus album, and rumor has it that her upcoming concert will be based heavily on this seeking Amy concept (whatever that means). It's also becoming her most controversial track ever, with parents upset at the very overt sexual message of the song ('if you seek amy' is supposed to sound like... 'f**k me'). The Parents Television Council got in on the action, advising radio stations and music channels about this fact, and so Britney re-recorded the track for radio play. The song you will hear on the radio and see on MTV will now be... If You See Amy. Whatever it is, it's hella catchy and ultimate pop magic, penned by none other than Max Martin, the person responsible for Britney's Baby One More Time and Oops..I Did It Again. Video coming soon. Can't wait! La la la la la la la...
Current Obsession: 꽃보다 남자
For our non Korean reading/speaking viewers .. my bad.
Julia Park has officially gone to the dark side. After a 7 year ban on ALL Korean dramas, the hiatus has been broken. The culprit? KBS's 꽃보다 남자, or in horrible English translation, Boys Before Flowers/Boys Over Flowers. Yes, I hang my head low in shame, especially with a name like that. But in my defense, I JUST HAD TO watch it, since it's based off of one of my favorite all-time comic books, Hana Yori Dango by Kamio Yoko.
The series centers around 금잔디/Geum Jan Di, your typical Korean drama protaganist, who lands herself at the elite Shinhwa High School on a scholarship type. Why did such a "common" girl get accepted? Well, mainly for damage control for the school's bad rep with being too elite and with the shady high school snobs in it. And of course, there's the F4 - Flower 4 (again, super gay name). F4 is consisted of four of the school's most elite boys, who are rich, spoiled, and definitely consider them to be above the rest by faaar. Situations occur, and the main leader of F4 (구준표/Goo Joon Pyo, played by Lee Min Ho) falls for Jan Di.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Super Bowl Sunday Recipes
Hey hey now, who is excited for the Super Bowl this year??? Yeah, me either. I don't quite know my plans as of yet, but if I don't end up doing anything, I'll totally be ok. I don't know if it's just me, but there doesn't seem to be the usual hoopla surrounding the Super Bowl this year, maybe because the Cardinals don't have many fans outside Arizona, and no one really cares about Pittsburgh (sorry if you do). I don't think anything will quite top last year's amazing Giants victory anyway.
But alas, if you are having a Super Bowl party, a) why haven't you invited me yet, I am the life of every party, and b) I found some cool recipes that you should definitely use. You are so very welcome!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Movie Trailer of the Day: 17 Again
I have my fair share of young Hollywood crushes. Sadness, I know. But one of my top crushes is Zac Efron -_- I'm a bit ashamed to admit it, but I seriously heart the High School Musical series :x
Anyway, I really can't wait for 17 Again to pop out in theaters. Sure, Zac Efron gets to don the basketball shorts and play a star basketball player (like in High School Musical), but the tipping point for me was Matthew Perry, otherwise known as Chandler Bing, my favorite actor from Friends! :) But besides those two elements, 17 Again looks like a wholesome-ish movie, and sometimes I'm just in the mood for a nice family movie.
Sure Zac Efron isn't really spreading his wings too far away from his humble HSM beginnings, nor has Matthew Perry had a decent flick since the end of Friends, but a girl can have hopes, right?
17 Again is set to be released in theaters on April 17, 2009.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
WTF, American Apparel, WTF?
I heart American Apparel. Yes, they are vastly overpriced for such generic, plain products, and yes, I do feel bad about spending $28 on a white T-shirt that I could've also picked up at K-Mart for 7 times less (I only did it once, so stop judging!). And, even though their print ads border on pornographic sometimes and their window displays leave a lot to be desired (I'm sorry, but gold lamé leggings will NEVER go with a deep purple sweatshirt. Scratch that, gold lamé leggings will never go with anything.), I still like their stuff. And I'm not the only one apparently, because American Apparel was one of the very few companies that managed to post a gain in sales last year, compared to the double digit slips of its competitors.
But that's really not what I want to discuss here. I want to discuss WTF American Apparel is doing, bringing back these:
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Books, Books Everywhere ..
In case you didn't know, I LOVE reading.
I'm always down to read some classics (Pride and Prejudice FTW), as well as some newbies (Twilight series FTW). Really, if someone recommends a book for me to read, I will read it (unless it's one of those romance novels with Fabio on the cover -_-).
Anyway, I love seeing book lists to compare what I've read and to see what I should perhaps be reading. Nerdy, I know, but I blame summer reading lists (which I totally loved and conquered!). NERDATRON!
Here's the top 10 books from USA Today's top 100 titles of 2008:
1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
2. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
3. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
4. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
5. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
6. The Shack by William P. Young
7. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow
8. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
9. Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
10. The Appeal by John Grisham
Soundtrack of the Day: Slumdog Millionaire
While I was so wrong in my Oscar nomination predictions, I am happy to see that Slumdog Millionaire was recognized for its music. I've been obsessed with this soundtrack for a while now, because it's just really great, really fun, and really full of energy. The entire soundtrack is a rocking mix of Bollywood and hip-hop, and it provides the perfect score for a vivid, pulsating film such as Slumdog. A.R. Rahma, an internationally known composer, can now add Oscar nominee to his resume. It also helps that M.I.A. (one of my faves) is featured prominently in the soundrack, and yes, we may all be sick of hearing Paper Planes, but how perfect is that song for this movie- "Sometimes I feel like sitting on trains..."
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Predicting the Oscar Nominations
Tomorrow morning, actor Forest Whitaker will announce the Oscar nominations, to be handed out at the 81st ceremony on Feb. 22. Predicting the nominations is just as fun as predicting the winners, and I'm gonna go out on a limb here and attempt to do that. Check back here tomorrow and see if I should quit my day job and make a living predicting stuff like this, or if I should be hiding under a rock because I was so off. Most of the nominations in each category is a lock, so there shouldn't be much suspense as to who and what might be nominated, but you never know with the Oscars.
Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
I am pretty sure Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, and Slumdog will all be nominated. The elusive 5th spot is the toss up. I think The Dark Knight will take it becayse even though it is a summer blockbuster/superhero movie (which is normally not an Oscar type film), it was such a smash with critics and movie-goers alike. Revolutionary Road, Doubt, and Wall-E can all sneak in here, but I think Wall-E will just have to settle for a Best Animated Film nomination/win.
Best Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Gus Van Sant, Milk
I also think this category is pretty set, unless Sam Mendes sneaks in here for Revolutionary Road (probably not), or Mike Leigh for Happy-Go-Lucky (more likely, but also probably not). Who might an upset replace? With the exception of Boyle (who is going to win this), anyone can be switched out.
Our President and First Lady Looking All Lovey-Dovey
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama made their rounds last night, partying it up before Obama gets his hands all dirty with the mess our country is in. Despite her questionable choice of outfit for the actual inauguration, the First Lady looked absolutely STUNNING in her Jason Wu gown.
Beyonce did a pretty decent job; and I don't blame her for getting all teary at the end because I mean, LOOK AT THEM! Look how beautiful they are!
Down Under...In More Ways Than One
Blow-up doll sex suspect arrested in Australia- CNN
Police in Australia have arrested a man accused of breaking into an adult
shop and having sex with blow-up dolls, it was reported Wednesday. The
23-year-old allegedly broke into the Laneway Adult Shop in the northern
Australian city of Cairns on several occasions, having sex with a doll named
"Jungle Jane," the Cairns Post reported. It earlier quoted the store's owner
saying the burglar always cleaned up after himself, but the dolls were dumped
unceremoniously in an alleyway behind the store.
The suspect was charged with breaking and entering but not for sexual harassment. When asked about this, Jungle Jane was left speechless.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Event of the Day: Inauguration Day!
Whether if you're at work or at school, THE EVENT to see today is the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama. I mean, you know, unless you hate America :x (and trust me, I've encountered my fair share of people who don't think that watching the inauguration is important today)
If you're television-less, check it out LIVE on CNN.
It seriously is an amazing step forward for us, as a country.
What do you think about Michelle Obama's outfit? Dick Cheney is in a wheelchair! (he apparently strained his back when he was packing up to move out) What up, Colin Powell! Where's Hillary at??
Monday, January 19, 2009
Movie Review Roundup
At the end of last year, I had like a crapload of time off from work. And instead of utilizing those days and being productive, I did nothing on my to-do list, didn't travel anywhere, didn't go once into the city to do non-work things... But what I did do was watch like a billion and one movies. Some good, some not. But thanks to the massive amount of new releases at the movies, and my trusty netflix, I got through the days of doing nothing. Here is a rundown and mini reviews of each. Hopefully I will inspire you to either park yourself in front of your couch, or run out to the theaters.
1) Into the Wild - Based on a true story of Christopher McCandless, who gave up everything he had to go live in the wilderness of Alaska. Along the way he meets different people (including Vince Vaughn and a pre-Twilight Kristin Stewart), and though we all know how the story ends, the film is breathtaking. It's so beautifully shot, it made me almost want to give up all my materialistic possessions and go trek through the wilderness. For a second. Emile Hirsch is AMAZING in this role, and he is one of my favorite actors. I actually made like a million people move this movie up on their netflix queues. I think it's a really important film.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Funny Clip: Dirty Dancing
So apparently there's a reality show on TruTV (yeah, never heard of this channel either) called The Principal's Office. It basically shows students getting reprimanded or whatevs .. at the principal's office.
Anyway, the following video clip cracked me up. I'm pretty sure that those two boys went to my high school, only to be left back or whatever, because I refuse to believe that there are such stupid tools existing out there.
Have they no shame? Apparently not:
The Birds, The Birds!
US Airway Plane Crashes in Hudson River- ABC
A US Airway flight crashed into the Hudson after experiencing trouble. The culprit of this fiasco was apparently a bird. Government officials say the engines failed after a bird struck the plane.
Really? Is that all it takes to down a plane? Why bother with missiles when you can bring a plane down with a life size Big Bird doll. This either shows the vulnerability of aircraft or the viciousness of birds. I have a couple of friends who can't stand feathered creatures. As one of them so wisely noted, their danger comes from their air/ground attack; swooping down from the skies to hunt you down or leaving poop all over the place for you to step on.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Eats of the Day
TASTEatery
1224 Anderson Avenue
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Today at the office we did not settle for the usual pizza or fried chicken. Instead we went to TASTEastery in Fort Lee. Tasteatery is like a smaller version of Whole Foods. The food is on the healthier side and, thus, a little pricier as is to be expected. The quality is top notch though. I ordered a Cowboy Burger which consists of all natural beef, a slice of American cheese, and chipotle sauce. It also comes with baked french fries. Try it it with the A+ organic ketchup they have. They also have almost 20 kinds of all natural teas, really good salads and sandwiches, and a list of independent albums on stock (the owner is a musician). If you wanna try something different for lunch or breakfast, I highly recommend it.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
WTF of the Day: The Ramen Girl?
Brittany Murphy, WTF?
Sure, your past roles haven't been exactly stellar. But really? Really?
It seems to be going along the lines of Lost in Translation. Girl comes to foreign country with her significant other. Byebye significant other. How to deal in new land? Find something meaningful in life.
But instead of Girl comes to foreign land with husband, it's her boyfriend, who ends up leaving her. And instead of befriending an old movie actor, she befriends a pro ramen maker, and finds her true calling in life by means of ramen. Friends, this movie is called The Ramen Girl.
I can only imagine what sort of conversation went on between her and her agent when discussing the role..
Monday, January 12, 2009
Golden Globes Recap!
The 2009 Golden Globes were last night, and after last year's press conference style ceremony (due to the Writer's Strike), they were back in full swing with the lavish party, where the free-flowing booze always elicits hilarious unscripted moments from the stars. 3+ hours of anything is bound to have snooze moments, but I like sitting through all of it. And seeing how well I do on my predictions. Kate's double wins kinda threw off my score, but other than that I did well. Here are my thoughts on the night.
TV
* They have got to stop lumping made-for-tv movies in with drama and comedy in the Best Supporting Actor/Actress category. SO NOT THE SAME THING. Guys, how is Neil Patrick Harris going to win one of these things if he's competing with like past Oscar winners for their roles in TV movies??
* Nothing but love for 30 Rock- sweeping Best Comedy, Best Actor, Best Actress. Ok, I get it. I love the show, I think it's amazing, I think they are so deserving. But enough. Next year, bring it back to the Office, ok? It has yet to take home a GG for Best Comedy. It deserves to.
Mashup of the Day: Jaydiohead
I kinda love mash ups. A) I think when done well, they can be so brilliant and creative, and B) What is not to like about combining 2 good songs together? If math class taught me right, 1 good thing + 1 good thing should = 1 awesome mashup. Err... Right, I know that doesn't make sense, ok?? Moving on.
Anyways, Jay-Z seems to be THE go-to artist when creating mashups. Remember the pretty awesome Grey Album (Jay-Z's Black Album plus The Beatles's White Album) by DJ Danger Mouse? And earlier last year, we had Mick Boogie and Terry Urban's Viva La Hova, which is Jay-Z + Coldplay. I sorta love that one. But I think I've found my new favorite, Jaydiohead by DJ Minty Fresh. You guessed it, Jay-Z + Radiohead. What a perfect combo. Jay-Z's hip hop beats intermixed with Radiohead's creepily awesome sound? Perfection. My favorite song at the moment is Fall in Step, which uses Radiohead's best song off their last album, 15 Steps. Listen to album below, or go download at the site.
Jaydiohead :: Jay-Z x Radiohead
Taylor Lautner is HAWT!
New Moon is probably my 2nd favorite book in the Twilight series (the first being Twilight, duh!). When I heard all the drama about the casting for Jacob Black in New Moon, I was all for Taylor Lautner, because I felt bad for the poor kid; afterall, his tv show gig (My Own Worst Enemy) did get canceled .. and losing the role of Jacob Black would've been devastating for his career.
But Taylor Lautner hung in there, and worked his ass off to show Stephenie Meyer, newly appointed director Chris Weitz, and the Twilight fans that he could maintain the role. And damn, that kid must've really wanted the job.
However, now that it's all official, I'm left wondering if Taylor Lautner can do justice to the character of Jacob Black (link may contain spoilers!). Sure, he's got the boyish looks and charms for the first film, and now the muscle and brawn for the second film .. but can he really do it? Looks like winning the role was just half the battle, but maybe he could prove fans and critics wrong, just as co-star Robert Pattinson did.
Anyway, here's a clip from Access Hollywood, showing the newly muscled Taylor Lautner discussing his upcoming role in New Moon:
Friday, January 9, 2009
Mothers, Don't Let Your Babies Become Athletes
From FanIQ...Athletes With Illegitimate Kids: Expanded And Updated 2009 Edition. Check out the link for the entire list. The following is just a sample.
THE HEAVYWEIGHTS
Calvin Murphy - 14 illegitimate kids by 9 women. You sir are our current champion.
Travis Henry - 9 kids by 9 women. All of this by 28. Impressive. He is on pace to catch Calvin. The fact that he's broke from paying child support may slow him down though.
Ex-San Antonio Spur Willie Anderson - 9 illegitimate kids. If only his field goal percentage had been as high as his impregnation rate.
Evander Holyfield - 9 illegitimate kids. Has more kids than brain cells left.Jason Caffey - 8 kids by 7 women.
Shawn Kemp - 7 illegitimate kids by 6 women last time. Supposedly up to 11 kids by 9 women now. Gives his nickname of the Reign Man new meaning. Might also explain why nearly played for an Italian team late in 2008.
The most impressive one of all is Tom Gordon who had three kids by the age of 17. Also of note, Karl Malone should be arrested.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
It's Baaack! NYC Restaurant Week
Time to send out the mass email to friends, coworkers, and fellow foodies!
NYC Restaurant Week is back for the winter (January 18 - 23 / January 25 - 30), so make your reservations to the normally "too expensive" eateries. It's definitely a great deal, especially for the price you are paying for a delicious 3 course meal.
Cuteness of the Day: Cute Things Falling Asleep
I originally was going to write about the ludicrousness of the adult entertainment industry wanting to ask the government for a $5 million bailout, but then I came across this site, so here is a post that is 180 from the dirtiness of Larry Flynt and Joe Francis. It must have been a slow newsday at CNN, cause they had a story on Cutethingsfallingasleep.org. OMG. SO CUTE. I think sleepy animals and babies are so cute. Cause you know, they're pretty helpless when it comes to that stuff. And I also think babies who sleep with their mouths open are the cutest things ever! Fully grown humans, not so much. And so, just like I watched those uber cute shiba inu puppies for like an entire day nonstop, this site will be my little obsession for today. What work?
Below is my favorite sleepy baby ever. I love his sister watching TV next to him (such nonchalance!) almost as much as the sleepy baby himself. :)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Mama Mia, Pizzeria...
What's the one food you can't live without? That's right, pizza. I know we've all had it way more than we should and frankly we all get tired of it. However, just like a good marriage, you keep coming back for more. (Sidenote If eating the pizza is the sex in the marriage, what does that make Pizza Hut, Domino's, etc..? Brothels. Those are not the pizzas you want to marry.)
If you feel the need for cheese, try Brooklyn's Pizza located in Hackensack, Edgewater, and Ridgewood New Jersey. Brooklyn's is more reminiscent of old school Italian pizzas in the way it is prepared. It's not bathed in toppings and everyone gets a pie. For more of an American flavor, try Fort Lee Pizzeria in, you guessed it, Fort Lee, New Jersey. Try their sausage and jalapeno pizza. It is simply amazing.
The Puppedential Debate with Anderson Cooper
Unless you were living under a rock this week, you probably know that the Obamas has made the move to D.C., though, not yet into the White House. With the inauguration in less than 2 weeks, everyone is curious about how the Obamas will adapt to living in the White House .. and what dog they are going to freaking get!
The Daily Show did a great bit about the question on everyone's mind, featuring Anderson Cooper:
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Dryer sheets are awesome.
Yesterday, I wore a sweater dress to work that I knew would cause me problems allll day. Sometimes (ok like ALL the time) cuteness > comfort. So to combat the static my dress was radiating, and to avoid accidentally flashing co-workers as a result of my dress sticking to and riding up my tights (I'm sorry...is this TMI??), I carried around a dryer sheet and was patting myself down with it all day. I stashed a couple of extras in my bag and forgot about it, till the end of the day when I opened up my bag. Goodbye smell of leather, hello smell of FRESH LAUNDRY. I completely forgot the odor eliminating/emanating power of a simple dryer sheet! And then I remembered an AWESOME forward I received months ago, about the 100 different ways you can use a dryer sheet other than just in the laundry. Btw, I HATE forwards. If you're about to send me one, don't, and if you think I'm not talking about you, I am.
Besides from eliminating static from things like your uber cute sweater dress, computer/tv screens, and hair, here are some cool uses for dryer sheets:
TV Obsession of the Day: House
For the past 5 years, I've been proudly stating that even though there seems to be a million medical based shows (ER, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, etc.), Scrubs was my one and only medical show to watch. Sure, it's not super dramatic, and not as technical when it comes down to patients and their illnesses (actually, I wouldn't know since I never saw any other medical show besides Scrubs), but it had the silly humor that made me overlook the sad memories that I usually associate hospitals with.
Anyway, after a long weekend in Seattle a month or so ago, I started watching House. Mainly because the gloomy Seattle weather kept us indoors, but mostly due to the fact that the show is so ADDICTING! And I always love a mean character :P
Currently, I'm on season two, having just finished episode eight last night. And you know that it must be that good, especially since I've gotten a few friends hooked on it (yeah, you know who you are). And not to mention that I started carrying around whichever season dvd in my bag, in case of a House marathon :)
The negatives of House? Well, besides the fact that you totally get sucked into it, you begin to feel like a total hypochondriac. Being a bit of one to begin with, I can officially say that my slight case of O.C.D has risen, thanks to close-up shots of patients' insides, especially for catching mysterious illnesses in the most random, bizarre ways. Please, guys: wash your hands and be sanitary at all times! For your sake and mine :x
Monday, January 5, 2009
True and lasting love exists!
For all you pessimists out there... Researchers at Stony Brook University in New York discovered that true love can indeed last a lifetime. They scanned the brains of couples who have been together over 20 years and compared with the brain scans of new couples. In 10% of those mature couples, they had the same reaction as new couples when shown photographs of their loved ones.
"The findings go against the traditional view of romance -- that it drops off sharply in the first decade -- but we are sure it's real," said Arthur Aron, a psychologist at Stony Brook, told the Sunday Times.
So there you have it folks, true love CAN exist a long time. For 10% of us, anyway. I hope you are listening, Jorge J! A little background for you readers- he is the funniest person to watch romantic comedies with, he mumbles things like, "yeah, like that would ever happen in real life, oh COME ON!" through the entirety of the movie. True Love, FTW!
Fresh for 09 Suckas
2008, you started out so well. Then January came around and you spiraled out off control. Way to disappoint.
Last year I predicted that a white woman or a black man would win the presidency. Check. I also predicted underwear would make a come back. Thanks to celebs, check. I also predicted Bear Grylls would take of his shirt. Check, check, check, and check.
This year, no predictions. You get a clean slate 09. As Chris Martin would say, "I'm going back to the start."
My article for you today is Have Americans Gone Nuts Over Nut Allergies?
Of the roughly 3.3 million Americans who have nut allergies, about 150 die from
allergy-related causes each year, notes Christakis. Compare those figures to the
100 people who are killed yearly by lightning, 45,000 who die in car crashes,
and 1,300 killed in gun accidents. As a society, Christakis says, our priorities
have been seriously skewed, and it's largely a result of fear. "My interest is
in understanding [the reaction to nut allergies] as a spread of anxiety," he
says.
No, no, no...that's what she said.
