Monthly Archives: March 2010

Just what are you saying, Mr. Joel?

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Every time I hear the song This Night by Billy Joel*, I think to myself, “This would make an excellent wedding song.” I picture a couple dancing (maybe me, maybe not), enjoying the intimate moment on the dance floor, celebrating their first night as a married couple. It’s perfect.

Or is it?

Because the song could also just be about having sex. I mean, think about it: “Tomorrow is such a long time away, this night we are together.”

It could also be the anthem for a stalker. “This night, you’re mine. It’s only you and I.” Taken in that context, it’s kinda creepy.

I’d like to think that Billy Joel wrote the song with good intentions, and he probably did. But still…could I have been fooled all these years? Could This Night be akin to The Police’s Every Breath You Take?

Creepy or not, it’s still a great song, and one of my favorite from the Joel catalogue. (Second only to [obviously] Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Summer Highland Falls, and possibly Vienna.)

Give a listen: What do you think? Safe for a wedding, or would we creep everyone out?

*Yes, that’s right, Internet. I am coming out as a Billy Joel fan. I grew up listening to him on car trips and family vacations. He’s like home.

Alex Lambert, we hardly knew ye

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And I will miss you. In this dismal season of Idol, you were one of the bright spots. You have one of the richest, distinctive, and interesting voices of any Idol contestant to take the stage. I sincerely hope someone in the music industry was watching last night and snatches you up. I’ll be waiting for your album.

In the meantime, I’ll just have to be content listening to your fantastic cover of “Everybody Knows”, which – yes – I did download from Itunes as soon as it came out.

p.s. Does anyone else keep thinking that this season is just a reminder of how great last year was? With the exceptions of Crystal, Big Mike, and the dearly departed Alex, there’s really no one with equal star power and talent. Looks like I’ll be following Simon to The X-Factor next year.

Hollywood’s biggest night: A delayed live blog

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I don’t have the technology (i.e. a laptop) for a live blog, but I did jot down some thoughts…ok, a LOT of thoughts, last night while watching the Oscars. Just pretend you’re reading this on Sunday night.

  • OMG! NPH!
  • Wow, Alex and Steve are actually funny. I can’t believe I’m laughing out loud.
  • George Clooney + long hair = HOT.
  • T- Bone Burnett looks pretty badass.
  • Aw, Coraline should have won best animated film. It kicked ass.
  • Tina Fey looks beautiful!
  • Why are all the men wearing sunglasses?
  • Why is Molly Ringwald at the Oscars? Oh. John Hughes tribute. This is going to be sad.
  • Yep, totally made me cry. His films are so much more than they seem to be. But why no clips from Uncle Buck?
  • Very cool to have successful feature directors talk about their short films. Better way to get the audience to care than nominating 10 for best picture.
  • Nick Park! I love Wallace and Gromit!
  • Why did that woman interrupt the director of the best short doc winner? Worst. Speech. Ever. (Update: You can find out why here. Stay classy, Elinor Burkett.)
  • Why does Ben Stiller always make an ass of himself at award shows? Just say no, Ben.
  • I really wanted to see A Serious Man, but I think it was in theaters for like, a week.
  • Up in the Air is the best movie I’ve seen in a long time. I bet it wins adapted screenplay, but I’d like to see it win best picture.
  • Ooh – it went to Precious. Maybe there’s hope for Up in the Air after all.
  • Morgan Freeman looks underwhelmed to be there.
  • I don’t understand the world’s obsession with Penelope Cruz. She just bugs.
  • Sigourney Weaver has been eaten by her dress.
  • I am SO NOT interested in seeing Precious. There, I said it.
  • Is Edward Scissorhands a horror film?
  • I don’t know enough about sound in film, but it seems like if you win for sound editing, you should also win for mixing. Looks like the academy agrees. The Hurt Locker – 3; Avatar – 1. (Update: At this point in the night, I started rooting for The Hurt Locker to take it.)
  • Elizabeth Banks, I love your dress! Tim Gunn would approve.
  • Damn, The Hurt Locker – 3; Avatar -2.
  • Oh, In Memoriam, my fave. I hope they don’t fuck it up like last year.
  • No, this way isn’t very good either. Too fast and too much info on the screen.
  • Aw, Natasha Richardson.
  • A Commercial for Happy Town. The only reason I’m interested in watching that is for the amazing Amy Acker.
  • These dancers are a lot better than the ones on the Vancouver Opening Ceremonies.
  • Why isn’t the audience on their feet? That was amazing!
  • Avatar gains again. But it is for visual effects, so I’ll give it that. You win this time, Cameron.
  • Ooh! Modern Family commercial just for the Oscars! If anyone hasn’t seen this show, you’re really missing out.
  • Matt Damon was 27 when he won that Oscar? Damn. Now I feel inadequate. About to turn 29, and no Oscar.
  • I know I should see Food, Inc., but then I’d never eat again.
  • Fisher Stevens? What??
  • Woo! The Hurt Locker pulls ahead again in editing.  HL – 4; Avatar – 3.
  • I know it’s going to Jeff Bridges, but I’d love to see George Clooney or Jeremy Renner take home best actor.
  • Nice idea, but these pre-actor speeches are WAY too long.
  • Oh, God. Oprah. We’ll be here forever.
  • Michael Sheen! I love him more than anyone.
  • I really want Meryl Streep to win. She broke my heart in Julie and Julia.
  • I’m still not over Sean Penn beating Mickey Rourke last year.
  • Seriously, who the fuck calls themself Sapphire? Ugh.
  • KATHRYN BIGALOW – WOO! Suck it, Cameron! (But seriously – so deserved – The Hurt Locker is amazing.)
  • There is never a time I’m not happy to see Tom Hanks.
  • Holy crap! The Hurt Locker takes it all! Woooo!!
  • Man, I’m glad I saw The Hurt Locker last night. Good timing, self.
  • Thank you and good night!