Reel Talk: Thanksgiving Movie Holiday Round-Up

A Belated Happy Thanksgiving to all!

While my family has no true tradition for this first of the many wintery holidays, it seems like we always fall into a snuggily pit of movie watching. Sometimes we go out, but usually it is just whatever we find on TV. This Thanksgiving weekend was a truly special one in my father's book because we got free STARZ and ENCORE. Be thankful for all the little things right? This immediately made us jump to clog our tivo with every single movie we kind of sort of wanted to see. These were the ones that made the cut, but maybe made me want to cut my eyes out.


1.Parenthood (1989)
This Ron Howard film starring Steve Martin (and a very young Keanu Reeves) was surprisingly emotional and serious for a movie whose poster looks like the prequel for Cheaper by the Dozen. Following the intersecting stories of four grown up siblings and their families, including their grumpy old father, Parenthood tackles the semi taboo ideas of single parents dating, teen marriage/pregnancies, gambling and debt, and probably taken most seriously, children within therapy. While it wasn't as funny as expected, the film has an incredibly big heart that makes you think and appreciate your own parents a little bit more.


2.The Bounty Hunter (2010)
We couldn't get through the first half hour of it. I don't know why Gerard Butler continues to get roles, but this was just too much. Even a fat Jason Sudekis couldn't even fix this trainwreck.


3.Albert Nobbs (2011)
Glenn Close absolutely shines within this tale of gender bending and class issues of turn of the century Ireland. Working in a hotel as a waiter, Albert Nobbs saves her money in order to own her own tobacco shop and continue to make a better life for herself. Along the way she encounters desires for a wife, and confusion about her own place within the incredibly strict society. It's heartbreaking, inspiring, and upsetting all within one small film. My only issue with the film is that it bills Jonathan Rhys Meyers pretty high, while he only makes 3 appearances on screen entirely? Is he really that big of a name pull?


4.Burlesque (2010)
What can I say? I was really intrigued by this mish mash of a musical and an updated version of Britney Spears' Crossroads. There were more montages within this 2 hour and 15 minute sparkle fest than actual dialogue. Enough said.


5.My Week With Marilyn (2011)
Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain, Blue Valentine) completely embodies the aura and fun loving spirit of Ms. Monroe in this film. While I will always have issue with the fact that she was much too skinny to play the size 12 superstar, Williams' performace was the shining light of this mediocre Lifetime-esque film.

6.The Muppets (2011)
Going to see this opening night with no knowledge of the plot or jokes was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. This new revamping of our beloved hand-held friends is classic and has jokes for every age group. It also follows the fool proof muppet movie equation: songs+jokes+celebrity cameos=delightful. Good job Jason Segel with the help of Bret from Flight of the Conchords!

It's Chili in the Woods

Most super bands of the world practice their new material in a large sound stage as to not be caught not knowing the words, or sounding less than impeccable. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are not most super bands. Following in the footsteps of their "Californication" lifestyle, RHCP fronted by Anthony Kiedis and energetically supported by bassist Flea took their unreleased tracks from the upcoming studio album I'm with You to Big Sur.


While the Henry Miller Library gives off the vibe of a venue more suited for an acoustic folk show or an intimate backyard wedding, Kiedis and co transformed the grassy starlit dance floor into a private party fit for the funk metal festival headliners. Considering that the price of a ticket to see RHCP at Club Nokia in August starts at $150, the audience shuffled in quickly and prepared for the once in a lifetime show about to start before them.

Coming on late--as every diva rock star does--Kiedis and Flea casually addressed the audience as their close friends and greatest admirers before jumping into a set comprised of 90% of unknown songs.


Semi Big Sur local Flea joked with the crowd as he started up his iconic bass playing, "If you guys know where I live, this would be a good time to rob me...because...you know...I'm not there!"

Even the most reluctant of music lovers couldn't help but get excited by hearing the sounds of a band they have heard on the radio for almost 30 years now. Whether you like them or not, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are iconic and represent the middle school years of almost everyone on the West Coast. There was a sense of warm nostalgia that pierced through the bitter cold Northern California night.

The fun sense of carefree summers can only take you so far before the audience begins to notice that Kiedis couldn't remember the words or get through an entire number without mentioning that his throat hurt. Passing most of the choruses by the end of the gig off to a second banana player, Kiedis continued to command the stage with an air of entitlement even as the light show consistently failed around them.

When they were tight and together, nothing could stop the audience from swaying and dancing, but these moments were few and far between partially because the 250 odd people didn't know any of the words of the songs played. Peppering old classics such as "By the Way" and "Californication" within the masses of new material, RHCP jump started the buzz and demand for their style and talent for their next world tour. My only hope is that they remember to play favorites like "Scar Tissue" and "City of Angels" at future shows as a thank you to the fans who have been there all along.

Reel Talk: IFC Obsession

Within the last 2 months I have discovered the joy of the Independent Film Channel. Every single day there is at least 4 things I want to watch. My Tivo overfloweth! I have become completely obsessed with the channel, but every time that I try and share this joy, no one seems to really know if they get IFC on their tv or they don't really care...EITHER WAY! I am here to enlighten on all things great about IFC

1. Rhett and Link: Commercial Kings

Best friends since the first grade in North Carolina, Rhett and Link are advertising, film, and youtube stars who have decided to use their digital savvy to help others (and get great show material in the meantime). Each episode follows the adorable boys helping two struggling businesses that need to find new customers because of the recession. Rhett and Link get to know the owners and what they want. Beyond creating epic local commercials, there are endless hilarious moments between the film makers and the entrepreneurs. Each episode is fresh and original. It is one of the greatest new shows on television.

2. Freaks and Geeks/Undeclared block

I don't think that I need to really explain the greatness of each of these shows individually, but the brilliant minds at IFC brought the two together in a wonderful rock block of Apatow-esque humor that we love. On the downside, I become completely unproductive whenever these blocks start.

3. Sunday's Best
True to their landmark dedication to film, IFC is not just great because of it's television blocks, but also because of its choice films. One of it's best film series is Sunday's Best. A wonderful mixture of classic movies and small flicks, Sunday's Best gives you and your family a great thing to do while lounging at the end of the weekend.
Examples of films offered: Pulp Fiction, Meatballs, Monty Python at the Hollywood Bowl, Tremors
Please everyone join my IFC obsession. Mostly so I can have someone to talk to and watch more tv with.

Love Bailey

Reel Talk: Beastly

I know that we haven't been updating as much as usual, but now we are back and ready for action. Sorry for the delays!

As for Beastly the Vanessa Hudgens driven car crash, I saw this on an airplane yesterday and wanted to gouge my eyes out.



You might say, "Come on, it really couldn't be all bad!"
I would have to counter you by saying "Yes. It was ALL bad."

There was nothing redeeming at all about this Beauty and the Beast "kool kid update" including casting Neil Patrick Harris as a blind tutor. Don't get me wrong, I love NPH as much as the next lady, but this was just such a sad career choice.

Now that is all I am going to say about this mess of a movie, because honestly this is probably as many minutes the writers spent on the script.

Fat Girl Pro-Tip

I just bought these tights from Target for $14.00. Now I know that seems like a lot for black tights when they have 5 dollar pairs at Target, but I figured it was worth it since all my tights are basically ripped to shreds. First of all, I'd like to say that even if you are a skinny girl, you should really check out shape wear. I know a lot of shape wear is scary looking and can be pretty expensive, but it is a worthwhile investment. All I'm saying is, go buy some Spanx, or, if you can't afford Spanx like me, go to Target and get these. They're made by Spanx. I know as a proud fat girl I should be saying shit like "FUCK SHAPEWEAR, IT'S BARBARIC!" Don't get me wrong, I love letting my thunder thighs hang out, but sometimes I like to keep everything, you know, smooth and stuff.

Hurr

Yes, this shampoo was originally created for horses, but apparently the trainers who used it on their horses started using it themselves and insisted to the company that they adapt it for humans. I have very thin hair (thanks Mom!), I shed like a cat (seriously, apparently if you open M's Roomba its all just red hair and lint) and it has become progressively worse since that one time I cut it all off myself and then started dying it. For some reason my dad has been using this since I was a kid and I finally got around to buying it for myself and I love it so much I wanna take it behind a middle school and get it pregnant. My hair doesn't get greasy after a day anymore, and I was able to go about 4 days without washing it which is a miracle for me because I have incredibly greasy locks and I hate having to wash my hair every day. Also its like 7 dollars for a huge bottle and there's even a pun on the bottle! I LOVE PUNS. BUY THIS SHIT.