Between coffee-tasting and tea-tasting days (there's a difference!), I have been putting my creative writing on a higher priority so between the new playlist and that Hocus Pocus piece, the blog juices are a-flowing and the V-Spot folder in my bookmarks is full of things that are pretty amazing. I repeat, amazing.
"Penny Dreadful" is Bleeding
to Come Back!
And honestly, I can't wait! "Penny Dreadful" is a feast for the Victorian-loving senses (and you can quote me on that!). While I can honestly say that the first season's storyline being all knitted and tied up too quickly is the possible downfall of John Logan's series despite the amazing acting from Eva Green, Harry Treadway and Josh Hartnett. But one season is one season, a way for Showtime to know what they have. But let's just hope that Logan will be able to embellish and, like a good Victorian novel, spend pages and pages describing this beautiful sense of longing with these Gothic characters. For now, let's enjoy a promo because "the past [might] return." Bring it! I'm ready!
(Josh Hartnett making out with Reeve Carney again! Josh Hartnett making out with Reeve Carney again! I mean, ahem....)
Penny Dreadful Season 1 is AVAILABLE NOW ON DVD! So you know what to get me for my birthday or Christmas, right? Right???
Say Goodbye to Mr. Mickey Rooney
in the latest adaptation of "Strange Case of Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"
With two well accolighted veteran actors in Margaret O'Brien and the late Mickey Rooney, B. Luciano Barsuglia's adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson story looks pretty good to me. Add the 12th Doctor's distant cousin, actor Gianni Capaldi playing Mr. Hyde and we certainly have a strange production coming our way. Toss into the weird salad two actors playing the normally dual role, Mickey Rooney not dressed in Victorian attire, and the trailer still feeling somewhat ambiguous, damn it, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS! Tell me what magical insanity this is! Please?
Let's Take a Moment to Remind Ourselves
Sean Lennon is Awesome-r Than the
Rest of Us
I literally have no words to explain how awesome this is. So let us take these magical four minutes to take in this man's brilliant words.
Amen. Blessed Be.
And Another Reason Why Donkeyboy
is My "Hero" ... and not in a Bette Midler
Kind of Way ...
There is absolutely no lie when I say that Donkeyboy is amazing and have the inability to suck, because Cato Sundberg is amazing with everything he composes. While he can't take the whole credit for this new song "Hero" as this was the first 100 % Donkeyboy-produced and written song with the exception of a few lyrics thrown in by Canadian songstress Kiesza (who also helped out on "Triggerfinger"). But damn it, this is just good and Scandipop is right that you start singing along midway through. I'm starting to lose the words of how good these guys are. Just, damn it!
Check out the boys performing the new hit on NRK TV!
Ages and Ages NEW VIDEO!
Remember that band that I mentioned once that their music could help change the world? Yeah, they took that opening song from the album and made it into a beautiful video. Despite the fact they dumped the driving introduction that absolutely rocks my socks off, the video is full of the intricate work of instruments and voices shot-by-shot. And that's amazing. So I must share this because every time someone plays Ages and Ages, humanity receives more hope. I really hope I'm right about that. Oh, and Tim Perry talks to his cat.
Conan O'Brien Holds George Harrison
Week and It Was...
...Lukewarm. I'm sorry, it was totally lukewarm with some pretty dynamic moments. I have always loved Mr. O'Brien and everything he associates himself with (that epic throw-down three-way between him, John Stewart and Stephen Colbert? Uh, yeah.). With the advent of Harrison's reissued "The Apple Years: 1968-1975," the O'Brien bandwagon leapt to showcase many artists throughout the week playing in the former Beatle's honor. And it was... yeah, it was very lukewarm.
Beck kicked off the week with a classic from "All Things Must Pass" which came across well-played but with not much vocal strength. Tuesday was blessed by Paul Simon covering "Here Comes the Sun" and once more, there was something lacking I just wasn't feeling. The Bob Dylan-esque vocals, perhaps? Harrison's own son came on Wednesday night to serve the world the best night covering not only a rocking yet simultaneously soulful "Let it Down" but also a web exclusive featuring Jon Bates of Big Black Delta giving a folky rendition of "Ballad of Frankie Crisp (Let it Roll)." Norah Jones finished off the week with a pretty not incredibly exciting "Behind the Locked Door".
But that was only the tip of a very cool iceberg as Sunday night was George Fest at the Los Angeles' Fonda Theater, which was just a huge explosion of music, including Brian Wilson, "Weird Al" Yankovic, The Killers, Dhani Harrison, Spoon, Velvet Revolver, "that guy" from The Eurythmics Dave Stewart, Ringo Starr, Kara DioGuardi, Ann Wilson, The Flaming Lips, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club among many others. This magical night was not only a George Harrison "church service," so to speak, but also a benefit for the Jameson Neighborhood Fund which 100 percent of the tickets went to. You can watch a lot of the magic here. But Mr. O'Brien proved his Beatle nerdiness as he covered "Old Black Shoe" both vocally and on guitar. I immediately gave infinity points to Gryffindor.
And the Honorary V-Spot Award of Life
Goes to...
ME GETTING A PICTURE WITH SHARON VAN ETTEN LAST MONDAY!
You can see it all on my face, "Dear Goddess, her arm is around me and WHAT THE HELL her head is on my cheek. Keep it together B! *internally screaming*"
You know it's officially spring when new music comes popping up faster than the leaves sprouting in Iowa during Spring-Winter, Winterish-Spring? In other words, fast. Very.
Donkeyboy's Crazy is the Coolest, Like Ever
It's seriously hard to believe that just a week ago "Crazy Something Normal" was released. And since then, the new Donkeyboy feel-good has been dominating the ITunes charts including a Late Night stint AND a music video that involves demonic spray cans and the boys looking wonderfully bad ass.
Jena Malone Makes Art
**Warning, there's nudity**
Jena Malone channels something like classical art in The Shoe's video for "Dead Rabbit Hopes" and I don't think anyone is complaining unless you have an issue with yourself when you take your clothes off. She is stunning with nothing but flowers decorating her perfect and -- dare I say -- perfect body you would almost think the video distracts from how lovely her voice is. But it doesn't, or at least to me versus the perverted male species. This is art and it is stunning.
Sharon van Etten "Taking Chances" on a Tarot Reading
This is includes all of my favorite things: close ups on Sharon's lovely face, mysticism, tarot cards, nail polish (albeit chipped) and a strangely profound message in between the lines. Despite the fact I saw the ending from a mile away, I absolutely adored getting lost in this video.
Lindsey Sterling Consorts with Mer-Creatures Now...
There are some musicians whose music just encompasses your spiritual beliefs; my list includes Julianna Barwick and especially the way Lindsey Sterling sets up her music videos. And her latest "Beyond the Veil," the "hip-hop violinist" evokes something between The Little Mermaid and Lord of the Rings as her violin gets stolen by a magical child-creature who can breathe underwater. This is just breathtakingly beautiful! Mission Creek, can we get her next year? Stirling's album "Shatter Me" comes out May 2nd.
It's coming, the literature and food, readings and concerts of people who you can hear on NPR or Indie Rock Playlist on constant repeat. It's Mission Creek next Tuesday, the magical time of the year where everyone starts interacting a little more than usual under the influence of nicer weather and bonding over big names (Philip Glass, The Head and the Heart, Kishi Bashi...) and making new friends, facebook friends (because there's a difference) and networking. I'm so ready it hurts.
Want to See Something Dean-Mayzing?
While I despise puns, I can think of at least a thousand over Dean Pelton (Jim Rash)'s Pay Day rap on Community's episode on March 13th. This is still hysterical even after two weeks! "Even Barack Obama is scared of me!" And Gillan Jacobs not trying too hard keeping it in. While Community has been a little up and down for the last season or two, this is ultimate win.
Mr. Little Jeans is Streaming and Premiering a Video-Video
There's little question of how much I am obsessed with Ms. Monica Birkenes, or more popularly known as Mr. Little Jeans. Maybe it's her heritage or her magical moody electronica that can either make you dance or cry, but the ultimate magic has occurred -- her latest album, while it's not on Spotify, it is very streamable on Hype Machine. And until it's up on Spotify, I think I'm going to keep this link in safe keeping.
Some videos are meant to make you happy and some just punch you in the gut. And would we expect the former from Ms. Birkenes? Maybe in the future (and preferably a video to the tune of Valentine, pretty please?) but now we have a gorgeous, albeit rather depressing, video to "Good Mistake" that features a truck driver realizing the pain of his life and Monica in full form whipping her hair around in a telephone booth which hearkens to the movie, Stoker. The "Good Mistake" video is definitely just as moody and a little frightening like the Chan-wook Park film but it is also heartbreaking and unexpectedly made me cry. Absolute perfection.
Margaret Berger is Making Us Scream
Aaaaand the puns just keep happening... but the best news (second or first depending on the hour considering there's NEW DONKEYBOY happening!) is that Margaret Berger is finally putting out another teaser to "New Religion" and while I am excited, I am also just as frustrated. Last time anyone heard about the album was back in September and was intended to be released last November and then according to Wikipedia it was to be out last month! What gives, Margaret? We're ready to have your album! "I Feed You My Love" and all!
But while we're waiting and agonizing, Margaret has been kind to put out a new song, which is currently being made into a video, that reunites all the songwriters that formed the second semi-finalist song for Eurovision 2013 ("I Feed You My Love"). This time, "Scream" has the same charging electronic sound but with a little Mediterranean beat during a very infectious chorus. If it's any indication with the comparisons between the first three singles off the new album, "New Religion" is going to be fucking solid! I am so ready!
Donkeyboy Somewhere Between Crazy and Normal...
...but normal is just a setting on the washing machine, right? Well, Cato and crew are kind of nuts and they prove it along with a children's choir that they are "living how we wanna/spinning through the night." It's a perfect Donkeyboy happy dance (and happy-dance, however you want to read that) single that is going to prove that their next album along with "Triggerfinger," we're going to see a little deeper into the synths of the otherwise happy-go-lucky band and see something sweetly and adorably profound in them.
But let us watch them get a little dorky. It's an international language.
What does Donkeyboy Sound Like Stripped Down and Without Kiesza? This.
Hey Girl...
The Ichabod Crane Version
There's a comment that Ichabod would never say hey girl, but let's just imagine if these memes start with "Greetings fair lady" and the world (at least the ladies and gentlemen of a certain persuasion) will breathe a sigh of happy. God, Tom Mison is so pretty!
Lea Seydoux's "Beauty" and Cinematography Stun in Christophe Gans "Le Belle et la Bete"
Separate what you know from Disney and even from Cocteau's version of Beauty and the Beast, and revel in the exquisite beauty of Lea Seydoux and the beautiful, if not rather CGI-tinted, cinematography and fantastical world fashioned by Christophe Gans. I'm not too thrilled with the image of the beast (but I'm kind of hoping Cassel plays the duel role of the good guy and bad guy in the tradition of Cocteau's Jean Marais) or even purely CGI characters, but I am absolutely enthralled with what is there. I am so going to the theater to see this when it's released in the U.S.!! Who wants to go with me?
... Please don't suck!
Golden Globes 2014: My Wish-List
And who Will Really Win
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will win all over! They will win every category and I will laugh so hard that I will pee a little... OK, for real now...
Best Motion Picture, Drama
I don't really have an opinion about this category, so I may have to with 12 Years a Slave. No doubt it will win.
Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
I'm really pulling for the Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davies, but I have a feeling American Hustle will win but kind of hoping Nebraska will be the surprise win for the buzz it's been getting.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
This year, it could be anyone's game, although I was kind of hoping Tom Hanks would have been nominated for Saving Mr. Banks. I think it's a race between Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) (since everyone knows biographical figures have a chance) and Robert Redford (All is Lost). I'm kinda pushing for Ejiofor and Redford for all the hype behind their acting.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
The indie lover in me is really pushing for Bruce Dern (Nebraska) and/or Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis) but I'm pretty sure Dern has a good chance.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Again, not very enthusiastic about this race but, I'm all for Judi Dench (Philomena) but since we are going with what people talk about the most, no doubt Sandra Bullock (Gravity) will win.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Meryl Streep (August: Osage County), Meryl, Meryl, Meryl, Meryl. Is there anyone else? Come on, seriously.
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Personally, I would be so happy if Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) would get it and people will start taking transgender rights more seriously for the work he did for a male to female transgender woman. But, knowing how voting works, Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave) or Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips) will take it home.
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Definitely a tie between Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) and/or Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave), and I wouldn't care either way because both of them are great (and the most buzzed about)
Best TV Series, Drama
Although I would love it to be Downton Abbey, but we all know Breaking Bad is really going to win.
Best TV Series, Comedy or Musical
I would like for The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family and Parks and Recreation to get into a fight and see who comes out on top, but I'm really pulling for Parks and Recreation since they have been nothing but nominated and has yet to win!!
Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama
Once more, hype would have it and Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) will win over the underrated and wonderful James Spader (The Blacklist). This sucks!
Best Actor, TV Series Comedy
Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), there isn't even a race here, damn it!
Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama
Again I'm hopefully wishing for the stunning and extremely talented Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) will win for my newest obsession. But chances are that Kerry Washington (Scandal) or Julianna Marguiles (The Good Wife) will be taking it home. I bet they haven't tried playing seven characters in one show at once!
Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy
I'm holding out for Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) who, either way, will make a joke about her nomination or lack of a win or if she really does win. She won just by being a host and being just plain awesome. But, yeah, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (Veep).
Best Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie
Again with no huge opinion on this category, I'm pulling for Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dancing on the Edge) or Idris Elba (Luther).
Best Actress in a Mini-Series or TV Movie
Hands down, Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Coven), there isn't anyone else in this category.
I yearn for fall.
I yearn for "a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils" (name the movie reference; I buy you a cookie)
I yearn for....
THIIIIISSSS!
*geekgasm relief*
Donkeyboy's Back with some Sexy...back.
You know you're the coolest band in Norway when you get to number 2 on the charts just a few hours *after* it's release. And that's what Triggerfinger, with the assistance of Canadian songstress Kiesza, did for Donkeyboy. It's no lie this song is Donkeyboy is getting their sexyback where "Ambtiions" was Europop goodness, "Silver Moon" was synth-y and dance club-ready. If this single is any indication of what's to come on their next album, let's all hope for some synth-y sexy bedroom R&B.
Personally suggested for the Iowa City Public Library to buy.
And all the 90s kids rejoiced and sang jubilance.
Binge-Watchable TV: Sundays and Suspense
Not Netflix, not Hulu; I like to kick my binge-watching slightly old school. Rhyme unintended, really. But with Fall comes the most binge-able season of the year for the classic movie junkie: October's Turner Classic Horror Marathon. But this month is almost like a warm Fridays in October. Ever wanted to watch every single movie Hitchcock ever made including some of his silents and exports from England? Spend Sunays with Hitch. I am and I'm not apologizing for it. Hashtag: better than Twilight.
* = ones I've seen already
September 15:
CST 10:15 The Trouble with Harry (1955)
12:15 Family Plot (1976)
2:30 The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
4:45 Vertigo (1958)
7:00 Rear Window (1954) *
9:00 To Catch a Thief (1955)
11:00 The Farmer's Wife (1928)
September 22:
CST 9:00 The Skin Game (1931)
10:30 Lifeboat (1944)
12:15 The Lady Vanishes (1938)
2:15 Topaz (1969)
4:45 Torn Curtain (1966)
7:00 The 39 Steps (1935)
8:30 Sabotage (1936)
10:00 The Dick Cavett Show: Alfred Hitchcock (1972)
11:15 The Manxman (1929)
September 29:
CST 9:00 Rich and Strange (1932)
11:00 Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941)
1:00 Suspicion (1941)
3:00 Strangers on a Train (1951)
5:00 Dial M for Murder (1954) *
7:00 Rebecca (1941) *
9:15 Notorious (1946) *
And Now a Song for the Pessimistic....
Margaret Berger knows how to make us dance and happy; but lately with the symphonic electropop that also includes her Eurovision entry "I Feed You My Love" you have to wonder if she forgot to take her anti-depressants. Armed with the same songwriters from the unfortunate 6th runner up song, there's something curious about "Human Race" that would probably make someone not want to like it right away but much like Lady Gaga's "Applause" it would take a few listens to really fall in love with it. And who doesn't love a Margaret Berger song? Berger's album "Chastisement" is rumoured to come out sometime in November!!!!!
Bench Art, or, the Reapers are in Iowa City.
#Grimm #Grimmsterfanneedsanewhobby
#Grimmwithdrawalsyndrome
Sleigh Bells Sex it Up
After splintering my face off live last year; Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller clearly weren't done with blowing people's minds with loud noise pop. "Bitter Rivals" as their first single to the same titled album comes out October 8 with the Sleigh Bells experiments they like to do. First with experimenting in "Reign of Terror" with drums, "Bitter Rivals" will be more focused on melody. And if the single is any indicator of the album, I'm definitely interested in seeing how many times a day I have to listen to a song to like it. But I'm a loyal fan and will hope to hear more once October rolls around and watch Alexis get sexy in a boxing outfit in the new video until then. And that kid with the glasses is my new favorite person.
Britpop's New Pixie: Chloe Howl
Lilly Allen is all about the quirk; Kate Nash is all about making you feel like a '90s Riot Grrl in a retro dress but Chloe Howl makes you feel human. Personally for me she does that and then stuns me with her beautiful pixie-ness.... and her freckles. But enough of me girl-crushing all over her. The "Rumour" songstress has a new song under her belt and its seething with intelligent Britpop with a touch of synth. "How Proud" sounds very different from the pop-tarty "Rumour," with polished snythpop and the attacking lyrics "So don't bother showing me those lines that are tattooed on your lips/I know you're on the clock for sure, I know the way you tick."
Regardless of my theories on the concept of marriage; it's great for those who want it (and I know a very deserving lady couple who will be married soon and I hope they find a song on here that they will enjoy ... aaand maybe play at their reception? =] ) who are lucky enough to find their someone. But it's clear to me I'm meant for a "lesbian handfasting"... are those legal? #curiouserandcuriouser
Best music to play while getting ready for a date. They can be like your personal Yoda with "Get Up" or "No More Movies." Because there is literally no one else that has their sound or charm (Believe me, I looked) Neon jeans and ties. End of Discussion.
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