TV Review: So You Think You Can Dance – Top 8

fox-broadcasting-company_-dance

The night was kicked started by an out of this world group number choreographed by second season Alum, Travis Wall.

Janette & Evan – Jazz
For the first half of the dance I was simply stunned by Janette’s cat-like grace. Then I realized that everything I was in awe of was really prompted by Evan – his partnering skills were spot on.

Kayla – Solo
Kayla has a queenly grace that is beautiful to watch.

Jeanine & Brandon – Waltz
This left my feeling oddly lacking. There was enough power, enough connection, enough… something.

Read More

TV Review: Merlin S1, Episode 2: “Valiant”

merlin_valient

Buy MERLIN – Series 1 Vol. 1 (BBC Series) [NON-USA Format / Import / Region 2 / PAL] on Amazon || Watch on Hulu.

Riding the coattails of the very strong pilot episode “The Dragon’s Call,” “Valiant” continued to pull its audience into the world of medieval times and magic. Although there was a scene present in this episode that caused me to cringe horribly, this was another tale that had me cheering.

My [rating:4]

(Spoilers After the Jump)

Read More

Music Review: Sub Pop’s Cybersex Digital Sampler (2009) [CWG Review]

subpopI’ve started doing some album reviews for CWG and I thought you guys might enjoy. Make sure to read the entire review over at CWG! – Tabz

Reviewing a compilation CD is a bit like reviewing a cheerleading squad. You have to not only score the relative hotness of each girl as an individual, but how they work together as a team. Then you must factor in things such as presentation, costumes and pep. So when I sat down to review Sub Pop’s Cybersex Digital Sampler (2009), I was a bit overwhelmed, but in a good way.

Sub Pop Records is a Prolific Seattle label that has a quirky, buck-the-system attitude to making music, as evidenced by their album. You won’t hear a sugary pop song on this album, but instead you’ll hear compelling lyrics, complex rhythms and tambourines. Yes, I’ve got a thing for tambourines, so sue me.

First up on the album is “Strictly Rule” by the band Vetiver. This is probably one of my favorite songs on the entire sampler. I love the incorporation of 70’s style rock with a smooth vocal that gives it a simple but profound sound. The lyrics are perfect and I love how they turn common phrases (“Once chased now this bitter taste as I swallow my pride…”).

Read More Over at Chicks with Guns.
Buy Tight Rope by Vetiver

Review: Big Brother 11 — Meet the Houseguests.

bb11cast

The Big Brother 11 houseguests entered the house on Thursday night.  Well, actually they entered about a week before, but they showed it on TV  this Thursday.  Twelve people entered the house and selected their sleeping arrangements, but there is of course a twist.  We’ll get to that in a minute.

The houseguests were introducing themselves and getting to know each other when host Julie Chen came on their TV.  The houseguests will be playing in high school cliques this year.  They will still play as individuals, but if a member of a clique wins HOH, the other members of their clique are safe from eviction as well.  The cliques are as follows: popular, athletes, brains, and off beat.

Read More

So You Think You Can Dance – Top 12

This week the fluff is gone to be replaced with a LOT of hard work. Each couple danced twice and danced to win, because only the top 10 couples go on to dance on the tour.

Melissa & Ade – Disco
This was just exceptional. Fun, fast, flirty, everything the disco is about.

Kayla & Kupono – Contemporary
This numbers gave me chills and left me speechless. The intensity coming off of these two dancers was just mind blowing.

Caitlin & Jason – Foxtrot
This dance just oozed sophistication and class, the basic rise and fall was beautiful and the lifts were lovely.

Jeanine & Philip – Russian Folk
I was disappointed by this number. Folk dancing is a very simple style of dance, but even so there really wasn’t a lot of content to this dance.

Read More

Why You Should Be Watching “The Web Files”

Web videos have become the next big thing in Hollywood, but strict news shows and coverage of the web is only now exploding with places like NewTeeVee and other websites. Now from the creative minds of Kristyn Burtt and Sandra Payne comes a interview show that brings the background scoop on some of your favorite web shows and creators.

The first episode features Tay Zonday in a friendly interview format that makes you feel like you’re right there with Kristyn. Beautifully shot on location the video has impressive quality standards that I can’t wait to see more of. All in all a great first episode and I can’t wait for the next episode with the Cast and Crew of The Crew!

Movie Review: Year One

Favorite Quote:

[Zed has eaten an apple from the ‘Tree of Knowledge’]
Zed: I might know everything. Ask me something?
Oh: Where does the sun go at night?
Zed: Pass. Next question.
Oh: Where do babies come from?
Zed: Pass. Next question.
Oh: [noticing a snake] There’s a snake on my foot.
Zed: In the form of a question.
Oh: [scared] There’s a snake on my foot?
Zed: Correct!

When my friend told me he was having a bad week and wanted to go see “Year One” in an effort to cheer up, I was – to be honest – less than thrilled. I’d only seen Michael Sera in “Juno”, and while I liked Jack Black, I wasn’t a huge fan of his. Imagine my surprise to discover that I actually liked this movie.

The story follows a hunter, Zed (Black) and a gatherer, Oh (Sera) who are forced from their village after Zed eats fruit from the forbidden tree of Knowledge. Through a well-written comedy of errors, the two are thrust head long into the pages of the Old Testament itself. Together, they witness Caine killing Abel, Abraham nearly sacrificing Isaac, and other biblical events. Zed and Oh even travel to ancient Sodom in an effort to save the women they love from slavery and ritual sacrifice.

While this is not a movie for children, full of suggestive scenes and moments that are somewhat disgusting, adults who are not easily offended will enjoy both the comedy and the metaphysical questions. I think what I enjoy most about this movie is that it will leave you thinking, “Do we make our own destiny, or are we pawns of a higher building?” Watch this film, and decide for yourself.