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Why I Support the Writers Strike

Film, Personal, Television, Writer's Strike

January 30, 2008

I have supported the Writers Guild of America Strike from Day 1 and will continue to do so until it is resolved on their terms. I support the writers as a film & TV fan standing strong on the sidelines cheering them on as they fight for the compensation that they deserve.

I support them because of Jim, Pam and Dwight Schrute, three people we’ve all either fallen in love or worked with at some point in our lives.

I support them because of Coach Taylor and Tami, the most realistic television couple in recent memory.

I support them because two men spent a summer together in the mountains of Wyoming, fell in love, and forever changed the social landscape of modern film.

I support them because of the Fisher clan, and their delightfully dysfunctional family squabbles at the funeral home. And because that series finale was beautifully written, one of my favorites of all time.

I support them because of Mulder and Scully, without whom my entire pop culture world and outlook would be vastly different, and far less exciting. And, truth be told, without whom I may never have met the love of my life.

I support them because Ray Kinsella built a baseball field on his farm, and because Crash Davis believed in long, slow, deep, soft wet kisses that last three days.

I support them because of Tobias Funke and his never-nude syndrome.

I support them because of Jenny Schecter, the only character on television that I have disliked for 5 consecutive seasons yet continue to watch. I support them because they haven’t caved from years of fan pressure and given up on her.

I support them because a 29-year old woman just received a Best Original Screenplay nomination for her very first film, which she wrote while sitting in a suburban Target.

I support them because of Al Swearengen, who makes Tony Soprano seem like a sweetheart.

I support them because once a week, I crash land on a mysterious island for an hour, and continue to talk about the other survivors for the next six days like they are personal friends.

I support the writers because they are the ones who have created this amazing melange of characters, some of whom I relate to, and some of whom I escape through.

My TiVO may be empty, but my heart remains on the picket line.

Mark Your Music Calendars: Matt Nathanson on Conan & Kimmel

Posted by JOpinionated

Music, Television

January 29, 2008

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Matt Nathanson is currently on tour in support of his album, Some Mad Hope, but he will be performing on Conan O’Brien tomorrow night (set your TiVO for 12:30am early Thursday) and on Jimmy Kimmel next month. Once that date is confirmed, I will post it, along with video from Conan if it is available.

I will always give Matt a shout out; he is a good friend and one of my favorite people in the world. If you haven’t seen him live, add that experience to your wish list. In addition to being a great guy and a very talented singer and songwriter, he is unbelievably funny; his concerts tend to become a music/comedy show hybrid.

Not Oscar or TiVO-Worthy; CRASH Resurfaces

Posted by JOpinionated

Film, Television

January 29, 2008

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Ugh. That was my reaction upon hearing that, and it hurts me to say this out loud, the Oscar-winning film Crash is going to be made into a cable television series. It didn’t work on the big screen, and I doubt it will work on the small one.

The
TV show for Starz will be co-written and directed by original
helmer/screenwriter Paul Haggis, and Don Cheadle is the only film
character who has signed up for this version thus far.

To this day, my distaste for Crash and the inexplicable Oscar victory that followed still lingers like garlic on day two. Yuck.

I won’t rehash my feelings about the movie two years later, but I still believe that it didn’t deserve Best Picture. Not that year, not any year. Brokeback Mountain did. Capote did. Good Night, and Good Luck did.

Very few people seem to share my opinion about Crash, and most vehemently disagree. Case in point? The film is the most popular rental on Netflix. It makes me insane.

I stand by my assertion that Brokeback Mountain should have earned the golden statue instead of Crash, and it will go down in history as one of the best motion pictures of all time. Both were controversial and important, but only one was groundbreaking and meaningful.

Let’s open up the floodgates…will you watch the show? Did you love the film? Be honest. I can take it.

In a Nutshell: LOST, Season 3 in Review (Updated)

Posted by JOpinionated

LOST, Television

January 27, 2008

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To refresh our memories, I have posted a brief review of every episode from last season of Lost, as well as a list of lingering questions from Season 3, by character. Check all entries out here, on my new Lost blog.

I have also posted Predictions & Theories for Season 4.

Don’t forget to set your TiVO/DVR for Wednesday night as well, because ABC is airing an enhanced version of last year’s 2-hour finale, “Through the Looking Glass,” complete with on-screen facts and clues at the bottom of your screen.

And if you have other Lost friends who are are obsessed with the show as we are, please have them drop me a line or forward me their email addresses so I can add them to my Lost Distribution List!

Have a great week.

- Jo

THE RETURN OF MULDER & SCULLY

Posted by JOpinionated

Film, Television

January 17, 2008

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I collect things. For the most part, I have accumulated toys from the wonderful world of pop culture (many versions of Yoda, the gay Teletubby with the red purse, a Dwight Schrute bobblehead, a frozen figurine of Neo from The Matrix). But I was never into dolls much. I think I came to that realization when my brother shaved Malibu Barbie’s head and I didn’t cry…although I did wail when he decapitated Wonder Woman and flushed her head down the toilet. That being said, I have a confession to make. I own an official special-edition Mulder & Scully Barbie set, like the one pictured above. However, mine is still sealed in the box in mint condition, and is one of my prized possessions.

That was a long-winded way of letting you in on a poorly-kept secret: I have been and always will be a huge fan The X-Files. Up until recently, I had every single episode of the TV show on VHS. And I am finally about to own the entire series on DVD. That, coupled with the fact that the first production stills from the Untitled X-Files Sequel came out this morning (see example below), is why I am giddy like a schoolgirl right now.

The new film is scheduled to debut in theaters on July 25, 2008, so you know where I’ll be that day. I still vividly remember going to the first movie immediately after work on opening night in 1998 with 20 friends, and openly failing to conceal what a total dork I was. Not much has changed.

The good news for loyal fans is that the sequel is being directed and co-written by X-Files creator Chris Carter (the other screenwriter is X-Files writer/producer Frank Spotnitz). Along with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, they have only announced a few of the other ‘name’ cast members: Amanda Peet, Xzibit, and Billy Connolly. There isn’t an official title to the new film, but IMDB lists the possibilities as either The X-Files 2 or The X-Files: Done One.

Not only do I not know what the sequel is about, I am going to do my best to remain spoiler-free. I can’t imagine how my life would have been if blogging and message boards were as widespread back when the television series was at the height of its popularity. I’d probably still be single…

Although you all know how much I love Lost, I’d like to end this post with a visual illustration of my longterm dedication to this particular television series and movie franchise.

Let’s be honest, Sayid & Sawyer are hot, but they aren’t great names for felines. Besides, I specifically chose these cats because of their color and relation to The X-Files characters/actors; Mulder is kind of brooding and wears his dark coat well, Scully is smarter and she knows it – AND she sports the trademark red hair.

WHAT TO DO UNTIL 1/31/08: SUGGESTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ‘LOST’

Posted by JOpinionated

Film, LOST, Television

January 15, 2008

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Season 4 of Lost is fast approaching. Eight brand new episodes in a row, beginning January 31.

The countdown has begun, and the fanboys and girls are restless. So here are some fun suggestions for the Lost masses to entertain themselves in the meantime.

Go see Cloverfield this weekend, and support J.J. Abrams. He’s like our L. Ron Hubbard, except far less creepy. And much more alive.
Throw a Lost theme party where character costumes are mandatory, and invite your favorite blogger so she can take photos and interview the guests (I’m talking to you, Jaime!).
Channel your inner Martha; make and bake homemade Fish Biscuits and dream about shirtless sweaty Sawyer in the cage. Or dressed up and dirty Kate, who, according to the shirtless sweaty stud, tastes like strawberries.
Rent or buy Season 3 on DVD, and host your very own marathon. The bonus features and commentaries are AWESOME, by the way.
Catch up with Hurley in real life. Read Jorge Garcia’s blog.
Watch a sneak peak of a scene from the new season AND a recap of all 3 seasons in the Hurley-inspired/numbers-cursed time of 8 minutes, 15 seconds here.
Obsess about and overanalyze the new Lost promo (pictured above), which features the reflection of a modern city skyline in the water.
Watch videos, follow clues and play along on Find815.
Google the new Lost cast members: Jeremy Davies (Saving Private Ryan), Jeff Fahey (Lawnmower Man), Ken Leung (X-Men: The Last Stand), Rebecca Mader (The Devil Wears Prada), and Lance Reddick (The Wire).
Create a Lost contest on your blog or at your office, and reward the person who can guess the exact number of times that Michael has yelled “Walt!” in three seasons combined. Bonus points for the person who correctly estimates how many times he wails for his son again after his return this season.

So update your calendars and set your TiVO or DVR, because here are the titles and air dates of all 8 new episodes:

Episode 4.1: The Beginning of the End (1/31/08)

Episode 4.2: Confirmed Dead (2/7/08)

Episode 4.3: The Economist (2/14/08)

Episode 4.4: Eggtown (2/21/08)

Episode 4.5: The Constant (2/28/08)

Episode 4.6: The Other Woman (3/6/08)

Episode 4.7: Ji Yeon (3/13/08)

Episode 4.8: Untitled/TBD (3/20/08)

Bring. It. On. Are you with me?

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