Dress Down Day No. 140
There could be a million explanations for this, and I can only speculate on most of it, but if we can all be adults for a moment, we can lay down some ground rules…Rule number 1: Don’t dress your child in anything that even resembles anything related to PENN STATE. Rule number 2: See Rule Number One!!
Watson Reviews ‘Young Adult’
“Young Adult” marks the second collaboration between talented screenwriter Diablo Cody and very talented director Jason Reitman. The pair’s first film together was “Juno,” the surprise smash-hit comedy of 2007 about a teenage girl whose likability depended almost entirely on one’s tolerance for quirky-turkey dialogue. “Young Adult” is slightly different; it too is a comedy, albeit a very dark one, about a teenage girl, only this one is pushing 40, but whose likability depends almost entirely on one’s tolerance not for quirky-turkey dialogue but for juvenile bitchiness.This character is Mavis Gary, played by Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron (“Monster”). At 37 years young, Mavis is a moderately successful author of “Twilight”-esque novels intended for young adults – as is the case with every writer to ever feature in a film, Mavis is suffering from a spot of writer’s block. And when Mavis is not staring blankly at the blinking cursor on her laptop screen in her pig sty of a condo, she’s chugging back gallons of alcohol like a hamster at its water bottle – the fact that Mavis suffers from alcoholism is undeniable, and has also probably helped shape the person she is at the film’s beginning. (Continue Reading…)
(For more from Stephen Watson, visit JustAnotherMovieBlog.com)
Filed under Movies, Review, Special Guest Blogger
Worst Music Video of 2011: Addendum
from attorneyguy. This video failed to make it to my New Year breakdown of the Best and Worst Music Videos of 2011. This was due to a combination of seeing the video after I’d already created my lists, and also that the video appears to be comically independent. But no matter, I’m pumped and prepared for a full video breakdown, so buckle up, suckas!
0:00-0:20–The alluring narrator has captured my attention with her superb diction and the way she pronounces every syllable, not with any kind of distinguishable accent, but with a purpose about as flimsy and uninspired as her tattoo.
0:25-0:40–We’re fortunate enough to meet all of the characters in this historical fiction. Many of whom look as if they’ve been pulled off the streets of a Renaissance fair, asked to do a little LARPing and were never heard from again.
0:48–Sorry, I know this is sudden, I just couldn’t let the kid with the bow and arrow go unnoticed. I’m not sure which period he’s supposed to be representing, or what role he plays in this epic, but I’m with him all the fucking way.
1:23–After meeting all of our characters and getting our back story (thank christ) we can move on to the actual music video, an interminable attempt at garage metal. Also, pretty sure the woman riding a horse in the opening is wearing a fucking T-Shirt.
2:00-2:30–I’m stunned I’ve lasted this long. There’s only so much time one can stare at terrible fashion, slightly overweight man-tits in tight shirts, and some faux-metal jock screaming maniacally like a dastardly villain in a cartoon.
2:40-2:50–Mad, mad Merlin.
3:18-3:40–We’re in the breakdown part of the song now, and the metalhead archer kid with the goober hair-cut is BACK! I’m glad I put so much stock in him earlier, because I think he kills every female character in this show…there’s no real way to tell.
4:30-5:00–Aaaaand everyone’s dead. Wrap it up guys. I guess we can go home now. Maybe I’m stupid, maybe I wasn’t listening to the lyrics, or maybe I was way too disinterested to care, but I don’t understand this story one bit. Let me know what you think!
The Top 10 Philly Comedians of 2011
Forgive my enthusiasm for being retrospective at the start of a New Year, but I’ve done a lot more this year than I actually realized. Slacking a lot more too, I imagine. This site was always supposed to be about being funny, or at least entertaining, and the most fun and entertaining events I’ve been a part of have been seeing stand-up comedy in Philadelphia, and having the privilege of meeting some of the best and brightest new performers in the field today. Our friends over at It’s Always Funny in Philadelphia posted a Top 5 list of comedians to watch in 2012 (check it out here). So I thought, since I have the experiences to share, I’ve personally shot the footage, and I enjoy randomly and brazenly excluding people for no legit reason, I’d make a Top 10 (motherfuckers) List of my favorite comedians over-all, and reasons to keep watching them in 2012. In the words of the late, great Kel Mitchell*: Awwww, here it goes!
10. John Nunn
It’s hard to rank your favorites from 10 to 1 without feeling bad about where you place them, but fuck it. They should be happy just to be here. John Nunn has been consistently one of the funniest people I’ve met, and not just in the fat hipster category either! I mean like…out of normal people, too! He’s a great guy with a good heart despite his often-filthy sense of humor. He hosts a comedy showcase at Little Bar in South Philly called Last Laugh with John Nunn. Check out more on Little Bar’s page.
9. Carolyn Busa
I have only had the chance to see Carolyn Busa a few times, but that might be a factor that landed her on this list. Seeing comedians over and over as they work on their material can be tricky. Catching a performer like Carolyn the several times I have, has given me the chance to see her when she’s truly on. Carolyn tends to “play” the innocent and quiet role on stage, which makes her jokes about waking up with no underwear and shitting the bed go over so well. She is one half of the comedy duo who host the open-mic showcase, Laughs on Fairmount, every Monday evening at the Urban Saloon.
8. Shawn J. Jackson
For having only seen Jackson perform one time (I believe), the fact that he’s stuck in my mind through Twitter and Facebook and other shameless self-promotion, is a huge deal. Always Funny in Philly named him one of their top 5 comedians to watch in 2012, and I’d have to support that. You might say his future’s so bright he has to wear shades, but then you wouldn’t be able to get lost in his magical eyes. Jackson’s moving very fast, and his sharp wit on stage pushes him ahead of many of his contenders. It often seems like his mind and ambitions are racing and the rest of him is rapidly trying to catch up.
7. Alex Grubard
Alex Grubard doesn’t have any money, and he’ll be the first to let you know. The good news is that his luck should be changing very soon with the recognition he is pulling in, along with the material he continually pushes out. His stage presence is self-depreciating, focused, and bitter, but he is one of the most friendly people I’ve ever met. After seeing Grubard take over several different rooms, I’ve found his material is far from broad, but always manages to find an audience. He is a comedian’s comedian and will no doubt continue to grow in 2012.
6. Lisa Yost
Yost conjures up an essence of Sarah Silverman, mixes it with her own fantastic brand of pseudo-relationship humor, bakes it for a while and puts it on the windowsill to cool, because she’s a lady, god dammit, and she’s kicking ass. The late Christopher Hitchens once argued in Vanity Fair that women aren’t funny, but he’s been wrong before. Lisa Yost is only getting better every time I see her. You can see her passion and desire for more in every performance. And it’s amazing to see that amount of power and presence coming from such a petite female comedian–er–I mean…”Comedian.”
5. Conrad Roth
One of the founders of Center City Comedy, Conrad Roth is so versatile that his material can often appear completely off the cuff. He is a towering figure, but with a subtle way of controlling a room through the magic of passive-aggressive comedy. Roth downplays himself and his stage presence is often introspective and subdued, but make no mistake, he’s a pioneer in the scene and he hasn’t stopped or even slowed down. No matter where he finds himself in 2012, Roth will rule with an iron fist–as he should.
4. Chris Cotton
Chris Cotton is the greatest human being in the world. Okay, let’s just say he’s the greatest person in the Philadelphia comedy scene, just to make it easier. He also runs the open mic performances at Center City Comedy‘s Thursday night shows at Raven Lounge. Cotton behaves on stage as if he is hanging out with a group of best friends, telling his favorite stories with such pin-point accuracy in his humor and observation that by the time he’s finished the set, everyone in the room is actually his best friend.
3. Mary Radzinski
The violently single half of the Laughs on Fairmount comedy duo with Carolyn Busa, Mary has been one of my favorites since the first time I caught her set. It’s difficult for a female comedian to deliver jokes that speak directly to the women in the audience without causing the men to grumble and become immediately disinterested. Naturally, men and penis jokes have to be the center of attention. Somehow, and don’t ask me how, Mary magically captivates everyone in the crowd and for that brief moment, even if it’s only a few minutes, it’s not all about dick. Radzinski is always professional, always creative, and always pushing herself to do things bigger and better…and it always works.
2. James Hesky
When he’s not complaining about how much new and original content Louis CK constantly delivers, James Hesky is actually a stand up comedian! He also hosts at Helium Comedy Club and records his own show called Cheapodcast. Hesky sets himself apart from the crowd in that he never wears himself thin. He’s always searching for more, new, different, and better. Despite all of the creative outlets he makes for himself, and the self-loathing that comes with trying to be the best there ever was, Hesky’s material never misses. He is constantly evolving and always staying relevant. I, for one, can’t wait to see where he takes his material in 2012, and whether he’s aware of it or not, he’s only getting better.
1. Ryan Shaner
A fully-registered member of CCR**, the world is Ryan Shaner’s stage. Not necessarily in a bullshit Shakespearean way, but suffice it to say that Shaner is always on, and always creating. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ryan Shaner not writing, even if he doesn’t literally have a pen and paper in hand. And this is how “Rainman” Shaner uses his slightly autistic (not proven) powers to be so spot-on, innovative and hilarious every time he’s behind a microphone; more often than not, spouting new material. Don’t let his miniature Henry Rollins stature fool you, Shaner is a smart, friendly, hysterical and endlessly inventive young comic…and he almost certainly is not a rapist.
(For more from our favorite comedians, visit the VIDEOS section. And for more great comedy bloggers, see the LINKS on the side of this page)
*Kel Mitchell has not passed away.
**Center City Rapists
Best and Worst Music Videos of 2011
Hey, boys and girls! I’ve been reviewing music all year–songs and artists that I’ve really enjoyed, and those I found horrifying. I try not to be genre-specific, but it does become a strain on my ability to effectively deliver my honest opinion. Having said that, I can (and regularly do) appreciate lots of different styles of music, which you’ll see here. Some of these may not surprise you if you’ve frequented this site to read our rants and reviews, or if you’re friends with me on Facebook. Leave your comments below if you agree or disagree. I’m sure we’ll come to a polite consensus. I should also mention that these are purely looking at the video itself. Someone might have had a great song, but the video was just satisfactory. So, if we’re all on board this fucking gravy-train, let’s start off with the BEST 5 Videos I’ve seen this year:
5. Lil Wayne–How To Love
There’s a lot going on in this video, and I get that “this isn’t my life, but holy shit” moment that I always got from 2Pac’s more emotional songs. I’ve had conversations with hip hop enthusiasts who hate Lil Wayne, and others who couldn’t live without him. It could just be the heart-tugging elements of the video itself…but it’s songs like this, that cement Weezy’s relevance and diversity, IMO.
4. Tyler the Creator–Yonkers
Vulgar, offensive (to some), and with such multi-leveled introspection, I feel like I’ve been Incepted, I can never be mad at Odd Future. They gave me some of the best music (most of it for free) and one of the best concerts of the year. They’ve irritated many, arguably growing too immense for their own good, as they now walk around so high-and-mighty with their heads in the clouds that they look like collectible Bobble-Head versions of young black hipsters. They’ve inserted themselves into every possible media niche, and it all started here, when Tyler hit the mainstream. It might be nonsensical, silly, horrific batshit, but I hope it never ends.
3. Garfunkel and Oates–This Party Took a Turn for the Douche
Been in love with Garfunkel and Oates for a while, but Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome definitely have everything going in this video. With guest appearances by Sarah Silverman, Tig Notaro and Alia Shawkat, and references to everything from Tim Taylor to Jeff Goldblum, I can’t get enough of this video and wind up showing it to everyone whether they like it or not. Fuck you.
2. Manchester Orchestra–Simple Math
This video doubles as one of my favorite videos and songs of the year. There’s so much happening in this tribute to, what I can only assume is, the moments that flash before you when you’re a fat kid. This video became so engrained in my mind with this song that I can hardly listen to it anymore without feeling that sense of drifting in and out of reality; and that sounds totally gayballs, but it’s true.
1. Beastie Boys–Make Some Noise
I would be amazed if this video isn’t near first place on every “Best of” list of the past year. Not only is it a celebrity-packed, epic and bad-ass homage to the aging band, but the song is phenomenal and proves that the boys from Brooklyn are still relevant. Their style, while subtly evolving and incorporating new vision, remains–at its core–identical to the old school. Mike D, MCA, and Ad-Rock are re-energized as portrayed by Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood, and Danny McBride.
And now we have to move on, I’m afraid, to the Worst of 2011…the videos that made me hate myself, the music industry, and you. But they also made me feel so much better about listening to everything for free, courtesy of the Internets.
5. Rebecca Black–Friday
I know, I know. It’s easy and it’s on every list, but it’s unavoidable. There’s no way, being a pop culture website, we could just ignore this bullshit. This took the world by storm and it’s probably the reason YouTube still exists. As horrible as this song and video are, I can’t be mad at Rebecca Black. She doesn’t know any better…which is why, I couldn’t just crash her attempt, landing it safely in the Hudson Bay of 5th place. Also, I love the completely unpredictable and insanely meaningless rap at end. This has undoubtedly made Black more money and given her more opportunities in life that anyone in her family has ever had, so…she’ll inevitably fade into obscurity when something more painful to listen to over and over and over again emerges in 2012.
4. Kreayshawn–Gucci Gucci
Some of you may find it odd that in the “Best of” section, I swooned over Odd Future, only to post a video in the “Worst of,” featuring several members of the band making guest appearances…and to that, I say: well observed! Anyone who likes this video must get themselves a CAT scan. I tried to like Kreayshawn, after her interview with Nardwuar and educating myself to her punk-rock upbringing, I thought to myself: Hey, self, this isn’t going to be awful! And immediately after, I thought: Self, why are you listening to me in the first place?
3. Skrillex–Ruffneck
As much as I can’t abide Skrillex and think all of his “songs” sound identical, this video really had me questioning whether he should be on the cover of SPIN, or that anyone should know his name (stage name). I actually liked his video for “First of the Year (Equinox),” even though the tune itself was just as shrill and irritating as this one, thus keeping it off my top 5…but this video is simply awful, and the Christmas gimmick pushed it over the edge to just being painful to watch (and listen to!).
2. Lady Gaga–Marry The Night
I’m sorry. I don’t get Lady Gaga, and I probably never will. Nothing she says or does ever seems honest or original. Her fans praise her for her weird personality, original style, and overall “fuck everybody” attitude. In reality, she just represents a new generation of club kids who dig this because they’re too fucked to realize how obnoxious it all is. Marry the Night, like all of Gaga’s videos, is far too long–and it would be entertaining if it weren’t so flat and boring. You know how people have that ongoing argument about art? Someone will say, “This isn’t art, this is just slapped together and stupid.” And then someone else will retort, “Who are you to say what art is? Maybe everything we do is a form of artistic expression!” Yeah? Well, this isn’t art.
1. Shira–Pound on my Muffin
This spot was supposed to be reserved for the lovely Courtney Stodden, who graced us with some of the worst vomit-inducing musical macabre we’ve ever heard. But, alas, her videos were all 2010 timestamped, so I had to think on my feet. This is the best/worst thing I found. Hitting it kind of close, as this just hit the internets on Christmas (of all days), but I think I found my swan song of 2011. The lyrics are so atrocious that I can’t help but think it’s a joke…but if it is, it’s not funny. Not only does Shira’s scarred and weathered appearance indicate she’s had more than her muffin pounded over the years, she has the sad, desperate demeanor of a stripper, or that girl from the neighborhood who always wanted to be a stripper, and then mysteriously disappeared. My absolute favorite part of this video has to be the faces on all of the men who make appearances, pretending to seem interested, and instead looking confused or horrified. Time will tell if this piece of shit gains any media attention. But at 60,000+ hits, it’s starting to look like a bright year for Shira!
–That’s All Folks! Welcome 2012!
Filed under Arts, Fun Stuff, Music, News, Review, Top 10 List, Top 5 List
