Monthly Archive for July, 2008

Important Lloyd Dobler Update!

Published
by
Alfina the Vague
on July 10, 2008
in Comedy, Film and TV Boyfriends
. 2 Comments

I’m watching Say Anything and listening to the DVD commentary by Cameron Crowe, Ione Skye, and my boyfriend John Cusack. It goes without saying that the three are adorable and hilarious together.

It turns out that so many of the great lines spoken by Lloyd Dobler in the film were either added by Cusack himself, or were the result of a Cusack/Crowe collaboration.  I knew I was right about Cusack being, basically, another Dobler.  Listening to his commentary on the film just makes me love him more.  Cusack.  Dude.  Call me already.

Baltimore, Britain, or Dank Blazin’ Buds?

Published
by
Alfina the Vague
on July 2, 2008
in TV, TV Comedy, TV Drama and The Wire
. 5 Comments

I have recently downloaded a bunch of TV to keep me busy in my lean summer without cable or TiVo.  While I have been waiting for things to download, I have been re-watching all three seasons of Veronica Mars on DVD, now that I finally own all of them. (I like to watch my favorite shows straight through, to appreciate the story arcs and whatnot.  Also because I am obsessive about both TV and narrative structure.) When I’m done with that, I expect the last of my downloading will finally be done.  It seems wrong to complain that the videos I am downloading for free via my neighbors’ wifi are going too slowly, but there you go: they’re going too slowly.

Here’s what is currently in my queue or has just arrived:

The Wire (Season 2) - I tried to watch the first episode of this season twice already, and only ever got about halfway through it.  I respect the show, and at times I even find it compelling, but sometimes it’s just too tiring to watch. I’m feeling kind of meh about it now.  Does the second season pick up speed soon?  I’m sure once I make it through 2-3 episodes, I’ll be sucked in.

The Tudors (Season 1) - I’m eager to jump into this based on my friend Clarabella’s description: she is loving it so far! And, of course, there is the issue of the ultimate yumminess of Jonathan Rhys Meyers, hello. Beyond that I don’t know too much, but I’m betting there will be fabulous period clothes and sumptuous sets, etc., which are always fun.

Weeds (Season 1) - I just talked to my friend Suomichris about this show the other night, and it sounds really great! I’ve liked Mary Louise Parker a lot ever since she was on The West Wing (which I watched religiously for the first 2-3 seasons, then inexplicably quit watching).  I’m also thinking a (dark) comedy would be a good pick-me-up after the long, exhausting school year I just got through.

What should I watch first?  DECISIONS, DECISIONS!  What do you think?

SYTYCD Keeps Stepping It Up

Published
by
Alfina the Vague
on July 2, 2008
in Dance Shows, Reality and TV
. Closed

So You Think You Can Dance was back with another performance episode tonight, and with the top seven couples performing two dances each, the show was simply JAM-PACKED WITH DANCING!  And, if you’ll imagine me saying this in a Mary-Murphy-esque scream, THAT’S THE WAY I LIKE IT!  What fun!

Three of my favorite couples so far each had an amazing routine:  Kherington & Twitch and Katee & Joshua each danced a Mia Michaels contemporary routine, and both couples were great.  Mia’s routines have been hit or miss, for me, as they can sometimes be a bit too literal and/or emotionally manipulative (for example, the dance about her dead father last year - ugh).  The routines of hers that I like are the more conceptual ones, like one I seem to remember involving goggles, which I believe was danced by Lauren and Neil last year (though my memory is a bit foggy on that).

Tonight, Katee & Joshua’s routine fit that bill:  there was an awesome moment where Katee jumped through Joshua’s arms and stopped short in midair.  There was also something Nigel called an “assisted run” which made it look like Katee was running/floating just above the stage, like the way we run sometimes in dreams.  I loved it.

Kherington & Twitch’s routine verged on the too-literal side of things, but they executed and performed it so well. They pulled off the performance and emotional connection so believably. I might add that Twitch looks damned good without a shirt on!

Over all tonight, there was plenty of hot dude eye candy!  Jessica & Will did a Mandy Moore routine where they used Will’s shirt as a prop, and he used it to lift and throw and manipulate Jessica all around the stage.  It worked really well, and I am slowly getting to like them as a couple more and more.

The other routine by Mandy Moore was Chelsie & Mark’s jazz routine, which was so entertaining, and they again proved how great their partnership is — the performance was spot on, and they made the dance seem really effortless.  It’s been fun to watch them, especially since they didn’t stand out to me much in auditions — now, as a couple, they’re doing great stuff together!  Did anyone see their Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop routine last week?  It ruled.

I think both Mia and Mandy brought great routines this week!  Along with Tabitha and Napoleon (who can also get a wee bit literal, but whose routines I invitably love), they are my favorite choreographers.  I am loving the show so much this year!