In Film: The Lovely Bones

At first I was reluctant to watch this movie.  I heard very little about it, but what I had heard was generally good.  It sat in the red envelope for more than a week before I finally decided to watch it so I could send it back and get something new.  The beginning is like any other murder mystery buildup, fairly well done.  Mark Wahlberg's acting isn't completely heinous, but I still expect him to flop his shlong out and call himself a star.  Susan Sarandon, however, is amazing as always.  Once the murder happens, the movie takes an extremely pleasant turn.  The rest of the movie is stunningly beautiful and suspenseful and creepy.  I would recommend this movie to anyone and am planning on owning it soon.

The Good: The cinematography and CG are unbelieably beautiful and fun to watch.  Definitely get it on Blu-Ray as opposed to DVD.

The Bad:  The beginning tends to drag a little, but just hang on, it'll get a lot better!

The Ugly:  I think they could have chosen someone better than Marky Mark.

★★★★☆

In Music: Snoop Dogg - Oh Sookie!

I honestly am at a loss for words, which is a rarity!  I'm not really sure if I should love or hate this, but I'm thinking I just might love it!  Check out the Sookie look-alike backup dancers! True Blood fever has hit the Dee-Oh-Double-Gee!

In Life: David's Off To Austin

Just dropped David off at the airport.  He's going to Austin for our friend Jennifer's birthday until next Wednesday.  I'm gonna miss him! Nothing some Shakespeare's Sister can't fix though ;)

Heather's Music Education: Broken Bells

The first course in Music Education from Professor Heather Kendrick Holt of the Freebird Institute is Broken Bells.  Broken Bells is a collaboration between lead singer from The Shins, James Mercer and artist-producer Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse. Released on Columbia Records in March of 2010, the self-titled album peaked at #7 on the US charts and #3 on the US Rock charts.  The sound itself is a great blend of the two contributing artists that sounds akin to Zero7.  Mercer's vocals compliment Danger Mouse's stylized tracks perfectly to blend a 60's style rock album with extremely modern indie production values.  All the songs on the album were written by both Mercer and Burton.  Listen to "October," my favorite track, below and click the post title for the track list and individual song ratings.

★★★★☆

Heather's Music Education

Professor Heather Kendrick Holt, a Musicologist from the Freebird Institute, has graciously donated 9 albums said to be ear pleasing and life changing.  Over the next week, I will delve into this music collection and see if any of it can produce the elusive "eargasm".  Stay tuned...

In Movies: The Smurfs

You know, I have to say, I'm actually pretty excited about this movie.  Maybe it's pure nostalgia, but who didn't love the smurfs when they were kids?  The smurfs will be voiced by an all star cast like Jonathan Winters, Paul Reubens, Katy Perry and George Lopez just to name a few.  It also stars Neil Patrick Harris and Hank Azaria as Gargamel!  And of course, it's in 3D. What isn't these days?

In Music: Katy Perry - California Gurls

Okay, so I really don't like Katy Perry, but I'll give this video some props, it's pretty clever and really makes me want some gummi bears!  So the song is mildly catchy (but take a look at how many people it took to write this travel bureau jingle), but the video is just plain fun!

Artist: Katy Perry

Song: California Gurls

Album: Teenage Dream

Writer: Katy Perry, Bonnie McKee, Calvin Broadus, Max Martin, Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald

Label: Capitol

★★☆☆☆

In Games: Assassin's Creed Brotherhood for PS3

Multiplayer Assassin's Creed...OMG!

★★★★★

In Music: Matisyahu - One Day

Continuing with "Whitey Wednesday Reggae" is Matisyahu, an amazing reggae artist who happens to be a Hasidic Jew from White Plains, NY.  This song is actually really great and uplifting!  The whole album, "Light" is extremely eclectic and wonderfully written.

Artist: Matisyahu

Song: One Day
Album: Light

Writer: Matisyahu

Label: Epic Records, JDub Records

★★★★☆

In Music: Selah Sue - Raggamuffin

It's Wednesday, Hump-Day, and I'm in a middle of the week funk.  Nothing releases the stress like a little Reggae, especially from the most unlikely of artists.  So I'm dedicating today's posts to "Whitey Wednesday Reggae" starting with Selah Sue.  This tiny little white girl is tearing up the reggae scene lately and will definitely surprise you!

 

Artist: Selah Sue

Song: Ragamuffin

Album: Black Part Love

Writer: Selah Sue

★★★☆☆

Hump Day: Marco Dapper

In Gadgets: iPhone 4 Pre-Order

I've ordered mine, have you?

In TV: True Blood Season 3 Episode 1

Well, I'm not going to give anything away, so no need to worry if you haven't seen it yet.  The fact of the matter is, I finished season two yesterday, realized it was the premiere of season 3, so I called Direct TV and ordered HBO.  The first episode continued in the story just mere moments after the last episode from season 2.  With that being said, the episode itself was more of a precedent setting episode than an action episode.  Still, it had enough action and intrigue and of course, a cliffhanger ending like all the rest.  So let's see, Sookie's in trouble, Bill's in trouble, Jessica's in trouble, Eric's in trouble, Lafayette's in trouble, Jason's in trouble, need I go on?  This season is shaping up to be a BIG one.  Alan Ball says this will be the best season yet!  Can't wait!

★★★★☆

Mancandy Monday: Kerry Degman