The 2004 Mellies! Day Numero Four!
Sorry for the break in Melly postings. We've had some recent turns of events in La Familia which were unfortunate, unavoidable and not a lot of fun. This has also interrupted my workout schedule. Which meant that tonight was my frist trip back in a week. Tonight sucked. It's like starting all over.
Must never miss a whole week again.
I may be switching to Haloscan as per the recommendation of RHPT.com. RHPT.com is wise like Papa Smurf.
Anyway, on with the show!
Best television commercial
Jim D.
The trailer for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Jamie
The ING commercial with the talking kitties. Because one of them is wearing a monacle
Jilly
the master card ads with the dog that looks like my dog
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
The Six Feet Under Promo featuring the amazing Nina Simone, the Red-hot Lauren Ambrose on roller skates, and Peter Krause x 2.
Scaljon
isn't there a good one with monkeys out there now? if not, then we'll go old school with the Mssr. Cheppy e-trade ad.
Harms
iPod ads. They have defined a whole decor motif, launched a thousand parodies, and launched the careers of several artists. Even if you don't like them they have been incredibly influential.
Valdez
This Honda commerical. According to numerous websites, this ad was shot in one take. Not true. My sister works for The Mill, who did the post-production effects.
Nord
a. http://www.fuckallyall.com/article2007.html b. The Screaming Kid in the Grocery Store Birth Control Commercial
The League watches TV, too...
and yet a single commerical from the past six months doesn't really pop into my mind. I mean, the Quizno's Sponge Monkeys had a certain je ne sais quoi, but those commercials appeared terribly ineefectual, and weren't my favorite ads.
I guess the Dennis Haybert Allstate ads qualify as pretty high up there, as they did lead The League to throw our endorsement behind the man for POTUS. But, again... not my favorite ads.
Go here to see my favorite commercials.
Oh, and, uh... since there's no plurality or anything for a winner, I say that Scaljon's answer wins as it shows not his desire for an actual product, but his desire for a certain, chimpy, form of salesmanship.
Clearest, bluest day
Jim D.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - At 4:45 p.m. CST, on this day, my niece, Olivia Alexandra Dedman, was born in Columbia, South Carolina
Jamie
May 8. Because it was so clear that I almost passed out at the animal park
Jilly
The day I realized that, indeed, Ryan 2 would be the perfect name for our child. In fact, the name will be Ryan 2 Jamie Steans Hermann-Wilmarth. Regardless of sex, of course.
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
June 8, 2004. For Art and Mudpies out of the clear blue sky
Scaljon
day after i was accepted to law school
Harms
In Northern California all the days ending with "day" are clear and blue. A day that was particularly good was the day at Bondi when I caught my first real wave and rode it all the way to the shore with a few sweet turns.
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. April 3, 2004. Although it was a bit cloudy in Central Park, 'tis a day that will shine forever. b. Sunday, May 31, 2004. A wonderful 2 hour round of golf.
It's always blue in Arizona... and The League thinks that's half the trouble...
Sunshine has come to mean grueling heat in the mind of The League. It means it's hot as hell between May and October (although I might say that, as I type this, it just began to rain).
My clearest, bluest day...? I dunno. But every day is clear and blue when Jamie is around.
Best candy
Jim D.
Tear Jerker Sour Gumballs
Jamie
Hot Tamales
Jilly
sweet tarts--satisfy all of my pregnancy cravings
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
Jason Lewis. Yummy.
Scaljon
jujy fruit.
Harms
Sour gummy peaches - so tangy, so sweet, so citric. Keeps scurvy away - Arr!
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. M&Ms. b. Whatchamacalit
The League
Hot Tamales, fool!
But I gotta say, this inspires me to try the few on this list I haven't yet tried.
Especially Gummy Peaches, which sound like either they'd be real good or real bad.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Friday, July 23, 2004
I loves me some Watchmen.
This seminal 80's comic (by comic legend Alan Moore and artist extraordinaire Dave Gibbons) is one of the two or three comics that journalistas trot out each time they want to point to the fact that, once and for all, comics have matured since 1955.
I pulled this from Superhero Hype!
The Hollywood Reporter says Watchmen is moving ahead with some big names at Paramount..."Watchmen," the seminal DC Comics limited series, has landed at Paramount Pictures. Darren Aronofsky will develop and direct the project, which is being written by David Hayter. Aronofsky's producing partner Eric Watson will produce with Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin. "Watchmen," created by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, was released as a 12-issue comic book in 1986 and is one of the most critically acclaimed series in the genre. It is a crime-conspiracy story that provided the first realistic look at the behind-the-heroics lives of superhero archetypes.
Watchmen is a phenomenal comic book, but...
Watchmen is about retired superheroes. It has absolutely no action to speak of. I think there are five or six fights in 12 issues. And only one of the characters has any "super-powers."
Like any decently dense reading, I don't begin to see how they can condense this into a 2 hour movie. At one point, Jim D. suggested to me it might make for an excellent mini-series for TV. And I think that's probably a much, much better idea.
The story criss-crosses about forty years, is deeply embedded in Cold War issues, and covers topics from quantum physics to McCarthyism to pirate comics to troubled marriages. Not exactly "We must defeat the Masked Menace!" This is not to mention how curious I am about how they would handle the conclusion of the story.
Film adaptations of Moore's work tend to fail. From Hell was a slightly interesting movie, but failed to capture Moore's densely layered investigation into the period and environment surrounding the Jack the Ripper slayings. From all accounts, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was a tragic mistake. I loved the comic, and thusly avoided the movie (which has nothing to do with the comic, from what I hear).
Cartoon Network is adapting the classic Superman story "For the Man who has Everything" for one of the first episodes of the new Justice League Unlimited series. I certainly look forward to their treatment.
I have no faith in Paramount's ability to actually bring anything remotely faithful regarding Watchmen to the screen (just watch... they're going to make Dr. Manhattan wear clothes...). Nonetheless, I am deadly curious about how they plan to present Dr. Manhattan and Rorschach.
But, hey, Paramount! Given my physical fitness, sign me up to play Nite-Owl! I'll do it for scale!
This seminal 80's comic (by comic legend Alan Moore and artist extraordinaire Dave Gibbons) is one of the two or three comics that journalistas trot out each time they want to point to the fact that, once and for all, comics have matured since 1955.
I pulled this from Superhero Hype!
The Hollywood Reporter says Watchmen is moving ahead with some big names at Paramount..."Watchmen," the seminal DC Comics limited series, has landed at Paramount Pictures. Darren Aronofsky will develop and direct the project, which is being written by David Hayter. Aronofsky's producing partner Eric Watson will produce with Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin. "Watchmen," created by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, was released as a 12-issue comic book in 1986 and is one of the most critically acclaimed series in the genre. It is a crime-conspiracy story that provided the first realistic look at the behind-the-heroics lives of superhero archetypes.
Watchmen is a phenomenal comic book, but...
Watchmen is about retired superheroes. It has absolutely no action to speak of. I think there are five or six fights in 12 issues. And only one of the characters has any "super-powers."
Like any decently dense reading, I don't begin to see how they can condense this into a 2 hour movie. At one point, Jim D. suggested to me it might make for an excellent mini-series for TV. And I think that's probably a much, much better idea.
The story criss-crosses about forty years, is deeply embedded in Cold War issues, and covers topics from quantum physics to McCarthyism to pirate comics to troubled marriages. Not exactly "We must defeat the Masked Menace!" This is not to mention how curious I am about how they would handle the conclusion of the story.
Film adaptations of Moore's work tend to fail. From Hell was a slightly interesting movie, but failed to capture Moore's densely layered investigation into the period and environment surrounding the Jack the Ripper slayings. From all accounts, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was a tragic mistake. I loved the comic, and thusly avoided the movie (which has nothing to do with the comic, from what I hear).
Cartoon Network is adapting the classic Superman story "For the Man who has Everything" for one of the first episodes of the new Justice League Unlimited series. I certainly look forward to their treatment.
I have no faith in Paramount's ability to actually bring anything remotely faithful regarding Watchmen to the screen (just watch... they're going to make Dr. Manhattan wear clothes...). Nonetheless, I am deadly curious about how they plan to present Dr. Manhattan and Rorschach.
But, hey, Paramount! Given my physical fitness, sign me up to play Nite-Owl! I'll do it for scale!
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Looks like Squawkbox has decided to turn a pig's ear and watch 'em squeal.
Curious thing... Squawkbox only takes payment by PayPal, and my credit card company won't let me sign up with PayPal. Curious, no?
I'll figure something out.
on with the show...
Mellies 2004, Day Numero Three
Most loathsome band/album/ song
Jim D.
Inspiration by William Hung. Is there really any competition for Hung in this category? Somehow, Hung has taken his fifteen minutes of fame and stretched it out far beyond what was previously imaginable. It is astonishing that he has released not only one album but will release another in the fall (which will include his rendition of Queen's "We Are the Champions"). Hung was, of coure, amusing during his initial appearance on American Idol, but the fact that he is still in the public eye after so many months illustrates that his handlers and his "record company" are attempting to milk him for every penny. His sincerity, which was at first intriguing, now just seems depressingly silly.
Jamie
'Hey Ya' as blasphemously manipulated by the Golden Globes to note the arrivals of celebrities and their bling-bling.
Jilly
stopped listening to the radio when I got a CD player in my car
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
I don't know. Probably something by one of those American Idol kids or Toby Keith
Scaljon
Tie. Nickleback, whatever Fred Durst is involved with, whatever Axl Rose is passing off as Guns N Roses
Harms
Nickelback - in the words of Jeaneane Garofalo back when she was doing comedy central ads, "mediocrity is evil".
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. Every band on the radio that isn't Outkast b. Anything by former mouseketeers. I thought we moved past that with Beach Blanket Bingo.
The League Chimes in:
Well, I guess Nickelback wins. Unfortunately, the only radio I listen to is the local public radio station, and until Renee Montagne decides to do a duet, I don't think think I'll be hearing them.
I pretty much don't hear anything new until it's months and months and months too old. Today I saw a video on VH1's bizarre 90's nostalgia show in which they make reference to a band called "LFO" who enjoys girls in Abercrombie & Fitch (famous for catalogs in which people wear next to nothing, which I can onboard with), who was apparently really big in the 90's. I had never, ever heard of LFO. In the 90's, I was just discovering Roxy Music, so in 20+ years, I should catch up and really dig LFO.
Worst idea of the past 6 months
Jim D.
John McCain as John Kerry's Vice Presidential Nominee - I have never understood McCain's appeal, and the reputation of Republican maverick (which he foisted upon himself using "campaign finance reform" as a vehicle to free himself from the entanglements of the Keating Five scandal). McCain is an egomaniac, and the press only adores him because of his occasional tendency to stick it to his own party. I find McCain particularly distasteful as both a senator and a candidate, and I was pleased as punch when he was defeated in the 2000 presidential primaries by President Bush. Although McCain would likely do anything for the sake of self-aggrandizement, the prospect of his switching parties to join Senator Kerry (though unlikely) is a terrible, terrible idea.
Jamie
The intro of the 'roundabout' concept to the city of Mesa. Imagine 5 very old people sitting in their cars waiting for each other to go
Jilly
take digital pictures of yourself abusing prisoners
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
Besides renewing the patriot act? Buying stamps to send email.
Scaljon
re-setting my tivo and ending up erasing everything. f direct tv customer service. DAMN YOU TO HELL!
Harms
MS-Windows perenially takes the cake
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. The kid in Lubbock who drank poison. B. This radio promo.
So Speaketh the League
Yeah. So many ideas we manage to jack ourselves up with. I think my bioggest mistake was having too many categories and THEN allowing everybody to have two answers. Or perhaps the mistake was in not building an Excel file as the noms were coming in.
I dunno. This is turning into real work.
It also occurs to me that if I delay anymore, Jill might have her baby without the input of The Loyal Leaguers.
Best Name for Jill's Forthcoming Child
Jim D.
Male: Filo, Female: Aphrodite
Jamie
C3 - designation of cube a cat Jamie and I were going to adopt, and we referred to the cat so often as "C3", we determined if we got the cat, we would name it "C3". The cat was adopted, and we ended up with Jeff The Cat instead.
Jilly
Ryan 2 on both counts (male or female)
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
Boy: Ryan Girl: Jamie
Come on, who is running this award thing anyway?
Scaljon
i don't know jill or her child. but Seven is good. as is Napster.
Harms
Boy: Calvin Girl: Ravenna
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. Atreyu - boy b. Evangeline - girl (the League has to give props to Atreyu. Because the next step is to get an oversized dog named "Falkor.")
League sticks its nose in
I'm fairly certain Jill will be able to name her child without our help. But that doesn't mean we can't help. And I by help, I mean browbeat Jill into naming her child "Ryan 2".
Jilly, I am certain you will select a wonderful name for that kid. Keep us posted with any news. The League wants to publish the first internet photos.
Curious thing... Squawkbox only takes payment by PayPal, and my credit card company won't let me sign up with PayPal. Curious, no?
I'll figure something out.
on with the show...
Mellies 2004, Day Numero Three
Most loathsome band/album/ song
Jim D.
Inspiration by William Hung. Is there really any competition for Hung in this category? Somehow, Hung has taken his fifteen minutes of fame and stretched it out far beyond what was previously imaginable. It is astonishing that he has released not only one album but will release another in the fall (which will include his rendition of Queen's "We Are the Champions"). Hung was, of coure, amusing during his initial appearance on American Idol, but the fact that he is still in the public eye after so many months illustrates that his handlers and his "record company" are attempting to milk him for every penny. His sincerity, which was at first intriguing, now just seems depressingly silly.
Jamie
'Hey Ya' as blasphemously manipulated by the Golden Globes to note the arrivals of celebrities and their bling-bling.
Jilly
stopped listening to the radio when I got a CD player in my car
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
I don't know. Probably something by one of those American Idol kids or Toby Keith
Scaljon
Tie. Nickleback, whatever Fred Durst is involved with, whatever Axl Rose is passing off as Guns N Roses
Harms
Nickelback - in the words of Jeaneane Garofalo back when she was doing comedy central ads, "mediocrity is evil".
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. Every band on the radio that isn't Outkast b. Anything by former mouseketeers. I thought we moved past that with Beach Blanket Bingo.
The League Chimes in:
Well, I guess Nickelback wins. Unfortunately, the only radio I listen to is the local public radio station, and until Renee Montagne decides to do a duet, I don't think think I'll be hearing them.
I pretty much don't hear anything new until it's months and months and months too old. Today I saw a video on VH1's bizarre 90's nostalgia show in which they make reference to a band called "LFO" who enjoys girls in Abercrombie & Fitch (famous for catalogs in which people wear next to nothing, which I can onboard with), who was apparently really big in the 90's. I had never, ever heard of LFO. In the 90's, I was just discovering Roxy Music, so in 20+ years, I should catch up and really dig LFO.
Worst idea of the past 6 months
Jim D.
John McCain as John Kerry's Vice Presidential Nominee - I have never understood McCain's appeal, and the reputation of Republican maverick (which he foisted upon himself using "campaign finance reform" as a vehicle to free himself from the entanglements of the Keating Five scandal). McCain is an egomaniac, and the press only adores him because of his occasional tendency to stick it to his own party. I find McCain particularly distasteful as both a senator and a candidate, and I was pleased as punch when he was defeated in the 2000 presidential primaries by President Bush. Although McCain would likely do anything for the sake of self-aggrandizement, the prospect of his switching parties to join Senator Kerry (though unlikely) is a terrible, terrible idea.
Jamie
The intro of the 'roundabout' concept to the city of Mesa. Imagine 5 very old people sitting in their cars waiting for each other to go
Jilly
take digital pictures of yourself abusing prisoners
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
Besides renewing the patriot act? Buying stamps to send email.
Scaljon
re-setting my tivo and ending up erasing everything. f direct tv customer service. DAMN YOU TO HELL!
Harms
MS-Windows perenially takes the cake
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. The kid in Lubbock who drank poison. B. This radio promo.
So Speaketh the League
Yeah. So many ideas we manage to jack ourselves up with. I think my bioggest mistake was having too many categories and THEN allowing everybody to have two answers. Or perhaps the mistake was in not building an Excel file as the noms were coming in.
I dunno. This is turning into real work.
It also occurs to me that if I delay anymore, Jill might have her baby without the input of The Loyal Leaguers.
Best Name for Jill's Forthcoming Child
Jim D.
Male: Filo, Female: Aphrodite
Jamie
C3 - designation of cube a cat Jamie and I were going to adopt, and we referred to the cat so often as "C3", we determined if we got the cat, we would name it "C3". The cat was adopted, and we ended up with Jeff The Cat instead.
Jilly
Ryan 2 on both counts (male or female)
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
Boy: Ryan Girl: Jamie
Come on, who is running this award thing anyway?
Scaljon
i don't know jill or her child. but Seven is good. as is Napster.
Harms
Boy: Calvin Girl: Ravenna
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. Atreyu - boy b. Evangeline - girl (the League has to give props to Atreyu. Because the next step is to get an oversized dog named "Falkor.")
League sticks its nose in
I'm fairly certain Jill will be able to name her child without our help. But that doesn't mean we can't help. And I by help, I mean browbeat Jill into naming her child "Ryan 2".
Jilly, I am certain you will select a wonderful name for that kid. Keep us posted with any news. The League wants to publish the first internet photos.
Monday, July 19, 2004
Hey, if Maxwell can make herself into a Superhero, so can I.
Check out this link to make yourself a superhero.
Check out this link to make yourself a superhero.
2004 Mellies, Day Numero Dos
Today we see two categories as I try to get through this nightmare of my own making!
Most loathsome television program
Jim
The Jury - This is just one of those shows which illustrates that the writers and producers have only a little working knowledge of the law and its procedure. I suppose that they pitched the show as a "Twelve Angry Men" for cynical, modern times, but it comes off merely as a third rate legal drama in which jurors are depicted as either misunderstanding key facts and evidence or refusing to follow jury instructions. I had originally set my Tivo record this program as a Season Pass, but upon watching the first episode, I was so disappointed that I cancelled the pass so as to avoid all future showings.
(editor's note: Sorry, Jamie...) Wonderfalls - Despite the protestations of viewers, the cancellation of this acclaimed and praised (and mostly unwatched) television program was warranted. The program tried valiantly (too valiantly, in fact) to be hip and clever and postmodern and wry and ironic, and thus, its humor and narratives seemed forced. Oh, how I grimaced when the writers had their main character use the recently coined word "frenemy," a combination of "friend" and "enemy," just to showcase their hipness and familiarity with Internet lingo. Ugh
Jamie
The Simple Life. Because Paris and Nicole will never realize what dumb dipshits they really are.
Jilly
The Swan--televised trainwreck
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
The Swan--I admit I watched this a couple of times for the sheer train wreck morbid fascination, and for this I will be judged in heaven
Scaljon
Again with the Kutcher. Punk'd is stupid and juvenile
Harms
Fox News - if I must be specific I think it's Hannity and Colmes
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. Survivor b. American Idol
The League Chimes In:
Goodness. You know, of the shows I watched this year, I'm tempted to say anything starring Wolf Blitzer is pretty lame... but is it loathsome? Not really.
This one is a tough call, and since I haven't actually seen The Swan, I have to believe it's strong showing here indicates the loathsome nature of this show. And I thionk going into why here is a bit redundant.
The show I did see an episode or two of, which outstripped the embarassment of Jessica Simpson or the grotesque behavior of The Simple Life, was MTV I Want a Famous Face.
The show seems like some bizarre sequence from Robocop or The Running Man. There's no other term for this show than "fucked-up." The show follows really fucked-up people who worship A and B list celebrities, and, unable to stalk them on their Piggly Wiggly hourly wage, decide they will contract MTV to get them plastic surgery and a make-over so that they may look like bizarro versions of their favorite celebrities. This isn't to mention that these people don't want to look like, say... George F. Will, or Cokie Roberts. These people want to look like fucked-up celebrities like Mariah Carey or Nelson or something. But they don't. They end up looking gross and weird, and MTV sort of fawns all over them like this is something really rational to do, and not something really fucked-up to do.
I mean, this is the equivalent of you or I deciding we REALLY like Doc from Love Boat, so we're going to go get tube socks, stethoscope and a white sailor suit.
Anyway, virtually all of MTV's programming is seriously jacked, but this show is seriously fucked-up.
But, maybe less fucked up than giving people a total body make-over and THEN making them compete in a beauty contest.
Most loathsome movie (theatrical release)
Jim
Van Helsing - Said I during my initial review of this movie: "Words fail me when I attempt to describe the utter awfulness of Van Helsing. Adjectives like 'abominable,' 'regrettable,' 'ridiculous,' and 'asinine' seem appropriate, but even they cannot convey the magnitude of the film's idiocy. I could attempt to cobble together a word or phrase ('deus ex machina-ridden' perhaps?) to achieve my great level of disdain for this cinematic detrititus, but even that would not accomplish the task."I can think of no other film released this year that was as awful.
However, for good measure, I'll include this as my second nomination: Dogville, a film about America by a pretentious Danish director who has never visited America. Lars von Trier has his moments (Breaking the Waves) but his downward spiral into fashionable pretension resulted in Dogville, which even The New Yorker called "unwatchable." I did not see it.
Jamie
Garfield. Because Garfield ceased being funny circa 1991.
Jilly
haven't seen enough to answer
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
Troy-within the first five minutes Brad Pitt smells the fart. It looks like Wolfgang Peterson took a joke take for each of Orlando Bloom's scenes, a "Don't worry, we'll never use this" take, and used all of them. There is one hot sex scene with a knife, but even Brad Pitt's naked ass cannot save this film.
Scaljon
hmm. I haven't seen anything in a while that was truly awful. I'm guessing Farenheit 9/11 for the obvious reasons
Harms
The Passion of the Christ for undermining the hopeful message of Christianity and turning it into a death cult on the par of Q'tub's death cult.
Valdez
The Matrix Revolutions. The original was fantastically entertaining. Reloaded raised enough questions to keep me interested. The finale was endlessly disappointing.
Nord
a. Lost in Translation b. The Passion of the Christ
The League Chimes in:
Looks like The League has turned on Gibson's exploration of Christ's final days. I never saw this flick, so I don't really have much to say about it. I mean, I loved the book, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to spoil it with a movie.
You know what movie really pissed me off?
Disney's Home on the Range. This movie wasn't funny. It wasn't clever. It was some nice, clean animation, but the humor was derivitive of every Disney movie since Aladdin.
And, if nothing else, it's the last 2D movie from Disney for the foreseeable future. Blah. Just thinking about it irritates me too much to go on again.
Today we see two categories as I try to get through this nightmare of my own making!
Most loathsome television program
Jim
The Jury - This is just one of those shows which illustrates that the writers and producers have only a little working knowledge of the law and its procedure. I suppose that they pitched the show as a "Twelve Angry Men" for cynical, modern times, but it comes off merely as a third rate legal drama in which jurors are depicted as either misunderstanding key facts and evidence or refusing to follow jury instructions. I had originally set my Tivo record this program as a Season Pass, but upon watching the first episode, I was so disappointed that I cancelled the pass so as to avoid all future showings.
(editor's note: Sorry, Jamie...) Wonderfalls - Despite the protestations of viewers, the cancellation of this acclaimed and praised (and mostly unwatched) television program was warranted. The program tried valiantly (too valiantly, in fact) to be hip and clever and postmodern and wry and ironic, and thus, its humor and narratives seemed forced. Oh, how I grimaced when the writers had their main character use the recently coined word "frenemy," a combination of "friend" and "enemy," just to showcase their hipness and familiarity with Internet lingo. Ugh
Jamie
The Simple Life. Because Paris and Nicole will never realize what dumb dipshits they really are.
Jilly
The Swan--televised trainwreck
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
The Swan--I admit I watched this a couple of times for the sheer train wreck morbid fascination, and for this I will be judged in heaven
Scaljon
Again with the Kutcher. Punk'd is stupid and juvenile
Harms
Fox News - if I must be specific I think it's Hannity and Colmes
Valdez
No Answer
Nord
a. Survivor b. American Idol
The League Chimes In:
Goodness. You know, of the shows I watched this year, I'm tempted to say anything starring Wolf Blitzer is pretty lame... but is it loathsome? Not really.
This one is a tough call, and since I haven't actually seen The Swan, I have to believe it's strong showing here indicates the loathsome nature of this show. And I thionk going into why here is a bit redundant.
The show I did see an episode or two of, which outstripped the embarassment of Jessica Simpson or the grotesque behavior of The Simple Life, was MTV I Want a Famous Face.
The show seems like some bizarre sequence from Robocop or The Running Man. There's no other term for this show than "fucked-up." The show follows really fucked-up people who worship A and B list celebrities, and, unable to stalk them on their Piggly Wiggly hourly wage, decide they will contract MTV to get them plastic surgery and a make-over so that they may look like bizarro versions of their favorite celebrities. This isn't to mention that these people don't want to look like, say... George F. Will, or Cokie Roberts. These people want to look like fucked-up celebrities like Mariah Carey or Nelson or something. But they don't. They end up looking gross and weird, and MTV sort of fawns all over them like this is something really rational to do, and not something really fucked-up to do.
I mean, this is the equivalent of you or I deciding we REALLY like Doc from Love Boat, so we're going to go get tube socks, stethoscope and a white sailor suit.
Anyway, virtually all of MTV's programming is seriously jacked, but this show is seriously fucked-up.
But, maybe less fucked up than giving people a total body make-over and THEN making them compete in a beauty contest.
Most loathsome movie (theatrical release)
Jim
Van Helsing - Said I during my initial review of this movie: "Words fail me when I attempt to describe the utter awfulness of Van Helsing. Adjectives like 'abominable,' 'regrettable,' 'ridiculous,' and 'asinine' seem appropriate, but even they cannot convey the magnitude of the film's idiocy. I could attempt to cobble together a word or phrase ('deus ex machina-ridden' perhaps?) to achieve my great level of disdain for this cinematic detrititus, but even that would not accomplish the task."I can think of no other film released this year that was as awful.
However, for good measure, I'll include this as my second nomination: Dogville, a film about America by a pretentious Danish director who has never visited America. Lars von Trier has his moments (Breaking the Waves) but his downward spiral into fashionable pretension resulted in Dogville, which even The New Yorker called "unwatchable." I did not see it.
Jamie
Garfield. Because Garfield ceased being funny circa 1991.
Jilly
haven't seen enough to answer
Randy
No answer
Maxwell
Troy-within the first five minutes Brad Pitt smells the fart. It looks like Wolfgang Peterson took a joke take for each of Orlando Bloom's scenes, a "Don't worry, we'll never use this" take, and used all of them. There is one hot sex scene with a knife, but even Brad Pitt's naked ass cannot save this film.
Scaljon
hmm. I haven't seen anything in a while that was truly awful. I'm guessing Farenheit 9/11 for the obvious reasons
Harms
The Passion of the Christ for undermining the hopeful message of Christianity and turning it into a death cult on the par of Q'tub's death cult.
Valdez
The Matrix Revolutions. The original was fantastically entertaining. Reloaded raised enough questions to keep me interested. The finale was endlessly disappointing.
Nord
a. Lost in Translation b. The Passion of the Christ
The League Chimes in:
Looks like The League has turned on Gibson's exploration of Christ's final days. I never saw this flick, so I don't really have much to say about it. I mean, I loved the book, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to spoil it with a movie.
You know what movie really pissed me off?
Disney's Home on the Range. This movie wasn't funny. It wasn't clever. It was some nice, clean animation, but the humor was derivitive of every Disney movie since Aladdin.
And, if nothing else, it's the last 2D movie from Disney for the foreseeable future. Blah. Just thinking about it irritates me too much to go on again.
The League is slowly but surely succeeding in its elaborate plan.
Just now, Jim D. e-mailed me to let me know he'd been to Mile High Comics in Denver. Jim had not bought a comic in years, but recently, I dragged him back... kicking and screaming. Apparently, he's newly fascinated with zombie and horror comics. Unfortunately, I don't pick up too many horror comics, so I am unable to be much help, but I am more than 100% supportive. I actually am digging Darkhorse's Freaks of the Heartland. it's not a horror comic, per se... but it is done in the milieu.
And then Cowgirl Funk posted about her 4th, and how she managed to incorporate Free Comic Book Day into her day. And the story is well worth reading. She seems to like Spidey. Hey, I love Spidey. More power to her.
Just now, Jim D. e-mailed me to let me know he'd been to Mile High Comics in Denver. Jim had not bought a comic in years, but recently, I dragged him back... kicking and screaming. Apparently, he's newly fascinated with zombie and horror comics. Unfortunately, I don't pick up too many horror comics, so I am unable to be much help, but I am more than 100% supportive. I actually am digging Darkhorse's Freaks of the Heartland. it's not a horror comic, per se... but it is done in the milieu.
And then Cowgirl Funk posted about her 4th, and how she managed to incorporate Free Comic Book Day into her day. And the story is well worth reading. She seems to like Spidey. Hey, I love Spidey. More power to her.
YES!!!
Arnie finally plays off his own caricature as means to a political end! And, predictably, everyone else acts like a caricature, too...
How many other Governors provide this sort of powder keg atmosphere? Not dull, old Janet Napolitano out here in Arizona.
Arnie finally plays off his own caricature as means to a political end! And, predictably, everyone else acts like a caricature, too...
How many other Governors provide this sort of powder keg atmosphere? Not dull, old Janet Napolitano out here in Arizona.
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