While I was out, amongst other things, I finished The Wire.
What to say? I don’t even know. To everyone who told me (repeatedly) it was the best show ever: You were (mostly) right. I don’t know that it is my FAVORITE show of all time, but it’s definitely the BEST show I’ve seen. Everything is top-notch, from the writing, acting, cinematography, use of location, etc. Everything is carefully and perfectly constructed. There are no mistakes. Not a word is wasted.
Now that I finished it, I want to go back and watch again. This is a show that needs repeat viewings. Although I watched carefully, I’m sure there’s still a ton of stuff I missed. Also, I could listen to that dialogue all day long. It’s brilliant.
As you can see, I have nothing intelligent to say about the show. I’m still processing. However, those looking for intelligent discussion and breakdowns should read Sepinwall’s excellent recaps. I supplemented my viewing with these, and found it helped a lot. Look on the sidebar for The Wire seasons. He even divided his recaps into two separate categories: “newbies” and “veterans.”
What else? Favorites? Sure. (Spoilers ahead, proceed with caution.)
Last weekend, I saw one of my favorite musicians, Rufus Wainwright, currently on tour for his newest album, All Days are Nights: Songs for Lulu.
I got the tickets months ago, and while I love me some Rufus, was a little conflicted about going. I wasn’t super crazy about the latest album, but figured – well, it’s Rufus. He’s amazingly talented and always puts on a good show.
Needless to say, he did not disappoint.
He came out slowly, in a long dark robe, shuffling toward the piano, sat down, and started playing. We had been instructed not to clap between songs, as this was to be a continuous performance. What followed was a combination concert/art show. He played the entire first album straight through, while we listened and watched the images. (Which consisted of…eyes. Yes, eyes. I’m not sure either, though it did get sort of memorizing after a while.)
Then there was a brief intermission, Rufus came out again, this time dressed in a fabulous multi-colored suit, and basically played a greatest hits show. (Or maybe it just felt like that to me because I love almost all his songs.)
Toward the middle of this set, he stopped to introduce “Dinner at Eight”, saying it was a song written about “the man who started it all”, his father Loudon Wainwright III.
So..being the huge Rufus fan I am, owning all his albums, and having seen him twice prior, I should have known that, right? Right. I know that “Memphis Skyline” is about Jeff Buckley. I know “Martha” is about his mother dying. Why on earth didn’t I know this?
In retrospect, I’m glad Ididn’t know it, because I got to hear it again through a new set of ears. And jeez, Louise, is it not the saddest song in the world? What is it with male artists and their tourtured relaltionships with their fathers?
See? Saddest song ever, right?
I’ve been listening to Rufus all week, reacquainting myself with an old friend. And actually, the new album is pretty great. Man alive, can that boy play piano. That’s one of the things I love about going to shows – you get immersed in the music again, remember why you love it so much.
Rufus Wainwright is currently on tour. If you’re a fan of his music, or of music and piano playing in general, get thee to one of his shows. You can do that here.
Videos of the Day: Two of my favorites from All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu.
“Who Are You New York?”
“Martha” (This is the one about his mom. I dare you not to get choked up.)
Last month, I attended a screening of the aforementioned film, Bill Cunningham New York, at the Silverdocs Film Festival. Let me first say: Excellent movie. Excellent, excellent movie. I can’t say enough good things about it. The subject, Bill Cunningham, has a wonderful screen presence. I don’t know I’ve ever seen a better subject for a documentary film. I went into the film not caring a bit about fashion (save for Tim Gunn and Project Runway), and by the end, I appreciated what fashion does for the world, and in turn, what Mr. Cunningham does for fashion. So, go see the movie if you can. It’s screening at a film festival near you, and I’m sure it will get a distributor, if it hasn’t already.
But that’s not the point of this post.
There’s a montage in the film that shows Mr. Cunningham at an event. I don’t remember which one (there are a lot in the film). It might be one in which he is honored. Anyway, the montage is of him at the event, snapping pictures every chance he can get, talking to people, snapping more pictures, rinse, repeat. At this point in the film, the audience knows that Bill has no ego, that he doesn’t really get how others view him, and doesn’t presume to think he’s any different or special than anyone else. (Which he is). Playing during the montage? Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida.”
Yeah.
Except that it works. It really, really works. It works so much I started to tear up.
And ever since then, I can’t get that song out of my head. When it comes on the radio, I turn it up. I’ve had it on repeat on YouTube all damn day.
What’s the problem?
Well obviously…I hate Coldplay. I mean…I HATE Coldplay. With a passion. With a vengeance. With the white hot intensity of a thousand suns. I hate Coldplay…so much. Flames, flames on the side of my face.
Except I love this damn song. It’s so freaking catchy. It makes me want to dance. It gets my blood pumping.
But it’s fucking Coldplay.
In case you haven’t figured it out already, I hate Coldplay because they want to be U2. They think they are the next U2, only they’re not because there can be only one. And listen, I know this is not a new theory, but I figured out their plan years ago. I was an all-day festival senior year of high school and Coldplay came out and did a short set which included the now famous “Yellow.” No one was really paying attention, because they hadn’t yet “made it”, but I watched and thought to myself, “They have the exact stage set up as U2. The lead singer is bouncing about like Bono. They want to be U2.”
And 12 years later…
That’s one of the main reasons I hate them, but not the only one. I actually came to terms with Coldplay in college. My friends dug their albums. I started listening. I kinda dug their albums, too. Might have even bought one or three.
Then one day, years later, I’m driving to the beach, put on their third album, and thought to myself, “This is just like their first two albums. All the songs sound exactly the same. You know what, self? You’re done with Coldplay. Done.” The next time pulled over, I threw their albums out. Seriously.
Ok, I will admit to still liking a few songs – “The Scientist” and “Warning Sign.” But only in the sense that they are on some mix CDs I made back in college, and sometimes still listen to.
But “Viva la Vida” is a whole different story. Yes, I know the album has been out for a couple of years. And yes, I was aware of this song. I don’t live in a cave. But it never really hit me until Bill Cunningham New York.
This is a really good fucking song. Not only that, it’s different from anything they’ve done on their previous albums. Does that mean their 4th album is different? Did they break out of their comfort zone? Might this actually be worth buying?
Ack! No! Even thinking such things makes my skin crawl. Do not support Chris Martin. DO NOT SUPPORT CHRIS MARTIN.
Except I might have to download this damn song off Itunes. It’s too damn catchy not to.
I hate myself.
Video of the Day: I’ve been listening to this song with the browser down. Before writing this post, I took a look at the actual video. My hatred increased tenfold. You look like a douchebag, Chris Martin. Stop dancing like that. My recommendation would be you press play and put your browser down. Just listen to the song. Don’t watch Chris try to be Bono. YOU’RE NOT BONO, CHRIS MARTIN. He’s the only one who can pull off those moves.
No spoilers here, this is from season 2. Nothing says comedy like dragging a dead body through your office. Am I right?
Have you all seen the trailer for the new season of Dexter from Comic Con this weekend? Yikes! Looks like it will be a very different season. You can see it after the jump. And um, if you haven’t yet gotten to the end of season 4, DO NOT watch.
Also, this marks the fourth year in a row I’ve failed to go to Comic Con. Every year I say “next year.” And then the next year passes by and I’m not there. This year, in addition to Dexter, I missed a Glee panel, Community panel, some sort of awesome writers panel with Joss Whedon, and probably a lot more I don’t know about. *Sigh* Next year?
Party Down, I miss you so much I still haven't watched the last two episodes.
I don’t know about you all, but this weather is really getting to me. Normally I don’t mind the summer – like Rory Gilmore I tend to run cold, so the summertime is one of the only times of the year I’m actually comfortable. Until now.
Between the oppressive heat and about a month of being out of town or having house guests, I have been completely ignoring my duties as a pop culture/television junkie. When I’m home, I can’t be bothered to watch or read something new – instead it’s been trashy or adolescent books and TV on DVD.
I’ve completely abandoned my fake news boys, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. It started innocently enough – miss a few episodes there, a few episodes there. Before I knew it, weeks had gone by and my DVR was backlogged with episodes. So then I started going through them, but listening to news 4 weeks old is, well, kind of pointless. And only made me feel worse about getting far behind. So I deleted them all and started fresh. And then didn’t watch for three more weeks, and now they’re on hiatus.
I’ve also abandoned the last two episodes of Party Down though I suspect that’s because I know they are truly the LAST TWO episodes. Stupid Starz. For those unaware of the brilliance of this show, check it out on Netflix instant queue. Just don’t tell me what happens at the end of season two. (Though I’ve heard rumblings of Constance returning, which can only be awesome.)
Speaking of Netflix, forget it. I only just watched the Broadway documentary that had been sitting atop my DVD player for a month. The Informant! still sits there untouched.
That thing he's holding is called a blasting rod. This never fails to make me giggle, because I am very immature.
Don’t get me started on books. Books, books, books, I have so many books to read! A few months ago, I made the huge commitment (and possible mistake) of buying all the books in the Harry Dresden series. Yeah, I know, but stay with me: It was a nostalgia thing. I used to read them in college, ok? And awhile back, I got an iTunes gift certificate, which I might have used to get the first two audiobooks. Which might have led to an expensive day at Barnes and Noble. So now, not only do I have 10 books to get through, I also have, you know, regular books sitting untouched on my bookshelf. Don’t worry guys, I’m coming!
Pop culture ruts can be hard to break through. My problem is I get really stuck on one thing and have a difficult time getting unstuck. But it’s just like everything else in life: you don’t want to do it, but once you go through the motions, it’s not a big deal. And you’re glad you made the effort.
Emmy nominees(!!) Kyle and Connie, aka Coach and Mrs. Coach
Once I get unstuck, what should I be looking at this summer? Besides Friday Night Lights, which I would never abandon because it’s AWESOME. (Speaking of which, can we all give a big internet cheer to Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler for their very, very VERY overdue Emmy nominations?) I haven’t been to see a movie since Alice in Wonderland. Any suggestions? I hear good things about The Kids are All Right. Anything else?
Video of the Day: Farewell, Party Down. Here’s one of my favorite scenes from season 1.
Retrowatching 