They Had Me At “Scully? Mulder.”

Finally, an extended trailer. Click here to visit the official movie site for The X-Files: I Want To Believe and view the latest footage.

On July 25, you know exactly where I’ll be.

If you live in the Bay Area and are interested, I’m thinking about organizing a large group to attend on opening night (followed by analysis over cocktails and coffee, of course).

{* Correction: I am a dumb ass, and forgot that I’ll be at Comic-Con in San Diego from July 23-27. Thus, I will be seeing this film on 7/25 in SD by myself instead. Doh!}

By the way, it was just announced that Gillian Anderson is pregnant with her third child. Which answers the frequent inquiry…where has she been and what has she been doing?

And here is what our own little Scully & Mulder are up to…

Um, I just became the girl who posts photos of her cats on her blog. Crap. My apologies. 

Read More

The Night is Fallin’ & The Music’s Calling; You’ve Got to Get Down to SWINGTOWN


Beginning Thursday night, CBS is taking a leap from their norm by offering up Swingtown, a new series about the suburban 70′s. Bring on the key parties and open relationships!

Here are the top 3 reasons I will be watching:

  1. It stars Molly Parker, who played Alma Garret on Deadwood
  2. The pilot was directed by Alan Poul, executive producer of Six Feet Under
  3. The soundtrack is provided by Liz Phair

Above and beyond that, my summer canvas is chock full of flawed, overconfident men (Mad MenRescue Me), so I  look forward to this addition of flawed, overconfident women.

Other Swingtown stars include Grant Show (Jake from Melrose Place), Jack Davenport (Norrington from the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy), and Lana Parilla (who has appeared on everything from Spin City to Boomtown to 24).

The series was created by Mike Kelley, who recently produced both Jericho and The O.C.

Read More

Rewind & Review: REM in Concert


I saw REM for the first time last night, and it was fantastic. I didn’t really care for the opening bands, but given a choice, I prefer The National to Modest Mouse.

To me, REM represent a dying breed in the industry; they exude an authenticity that many modern artists lack. All three original members seem to truly enjoy what they do for a living, they acknowledge dedicated fans and encourage audience interaction. And of course, they are lyrically brilliant.

Michael Stipe was wearing a suit and tie; he is quite fit and dapper. His energy really fueled the show, which featured a nice mix of new and old. I have to say that “Losing My Religion” was one of the best live performances of an individual song that I’ve ever witnessed. [U2's "City of Blinding Lights" tops my list].

Pete Buck’s enthusiasm was great. He jumped around stage like a spry young man, which is impressive after almost 30 years of touring.

Bonus
points: the additional guitar player was sporting an Oakland A’s
jersey, and I seriously doubt he dons one for every major city and MLB team.  I assume he’s a local guy, and it was a nice touch.


And even though the above photo is from a distance (where we were sitting), I just wanted to point out that the Greek Theatre in Berkeley is an excellent venue. The acoustics are perfect and it retains an intimate feel even when full to capacity.

If you have the opportunity, go see REM when they hit your town or one nearby.

Next on my list of dream concerts? Bruce Springsteen.

Read More

Milestones, Music & Meditation


I was happy to discover that this particular post happens to be my 400th. In just under 3 years, that is far more than I ever thought I would write or share.

At this very moment I am on a writing retreat, sitting in front of the ocean on a foggy Saturday morning. The setting and environment are picture perfect, along with the weather and tranquility.

Fresh air is something I tend to overlook and ignore, but it certainly awakens introspection and inspiration. Every few years I remove myself from work, home and life for a few days. It is a healthy and necessary mental break. Perspective is essential in order to embrace change, at least for me.

What is my point?

This morning I took a walk along the beach, and my iPod was clearly in sync with my spirit. Although on random shuffle, the songs could not have been more appropriate for exactly where I am right now, location-wise and emotionally.

So I had to share. Here are some suggestions for your own contemplative road trip or hike:

  1. The Blower’s Daughter – Damien Rice (O)
  2. City of Blinding Lights – U2 (How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb)
  3. Chocolate – Snow Patrol (The Last Kiss: Original Soundtrack)
  4. Cold Wind – Arcade Fire (Six Feet Under: Everything Ends, Vol. 2)
  5. Heartbreak World – Matt Nathanson (Some Mad Hope)
  6. I Will Possess Your Heart – Death Cab for Cutie (Narrow Stairs)
  7. Private Universe – Crowded House (Afterglow)
  8. Read My Mind [Like Rebel Diamonds Mix] – The Killers (Read My Mind – EP)
  9. Remember Me As a Time of Day – Explosions in the Sky (How Strange, Innocence)
  10. Scared – Liz Phair (Liz Phair)
  11. Walking After You – Foo Fighters (The X-Files: The Album)
  12. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi – Radiohead (In Rainbows)
  13. When Your Mind’s Made Up – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (Once soundtrack)

See you next week. Time to pack up the laptop (a cold mist is moving in quickly) and enjoy the scenery instead.

p.s. I will be taking my very first yoga class this week. wish me luck; I am not the most flexible or fit kid on the block or in the office.

Read More

Shortest. Review. Ever: Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

It was:

  • Entertaining and exactly what I expected.
  • Great cinematography accompanied by cheesy dialog.  

Shia LaBeouf was a pleasant surprise, and Cate Blanchett was hysterical and perfect as the villain.  Karen Allen looked like she had the most fun filming the movie, and perhaps the best time of her life. I don’t care how old Harrison Ford is; he fills the iconic hat and role like no other.

The end.

Read More

Callie & Hahn: It’s On (Grey’s Anatomy Season Finale)


[Again, before I begin...a polite request. Just
as I choose to click away rather than respond when I strongly disagree
with someone's written opinion, I hope you do the same. If you leave an
offensive comment or personal attack, I will not approve or post it.
That is my prerogative as the owner of this site. There are plenty of
other online outlets for you to share those sentiments.]


It’s all
about chemistry.


 


You can’t
help who you’re attracted to. It’s chemical, it’s human nature, it’s inevitable
and it’s beautiful. 


 


On Grey’s
Anatomy
, Dr. Callie Torres and Dr. Erica Hahn are two of the finest surgeons at Seattle Grace Hospital. They also happen to be drawn to one another in ways
that seem as surprising to them as they are to some of the fans.


 


Here is
what I love about this storyline:


 


I love
that their friendship and connection was established before May Sweeps; this
relationship was not a ratings stunt. The sexual tension between Callie and
Hahn is palpable; it’s all about chemistry.


 


I love
that after Hahn planted one on her in the elevator last week, Callie hesitated
before following Sloan rather than Hahn.


 


I love
that in last night’s finale, Callie was so flummoxed by her feelings for Hahn
that she just took a deep breath and kissed her because she wasn’t able to
express in simple words how she was feeling at that moment. We’ve all been
there, and it is fantastic to be on the receiving end of that passion. It’s all
about chemistry.


 


I love
that Hahn kissed her back.


 


I love
that the writers have handled their story with respect and grace. We do not
know if Hahn is gay, and up until now, we’ve only seen Callie date men. Both of
them may turn out to be bisexual or lesbian or neither, but it’s not important
to label their relationship at this stage. Not everyone is fortunate enough to
figure out exactly who they are from birth or early on; for some, it only
becomes obvious much later in life. It’s all about chemistry, and it isn’t
always easy to find and/or admit.


 


I also
love that the writers do not back down when faced with negative fan feedback. They
didn’t fold when the George/Izzie outrage was deafening, and they won’t give in
now. With Callie and Hahn, they have provided us with the opportunity to cheer
for yet another equally challenging and entertaining relationship. Their interaction will
look and feel familiar, regardless of whom you happen to share your life with. It’s
all about chemistry.


 


Gay and
lesbian characters are prevalent on most television and cable networks now, and
it is refreshing to watch a slice of my own reality unfold onscreen. That
Shonda Rhimes and the Grey’s writing staff have so accurately presented the
beginning of a relationship and true chemistry between two women on TV is brave
and encouraging. They are changing the lives of countless women and men of all
ages who have not had the courage to admit who they are just yet, teenagers and
adults alike who might be more likely to actually talk about it because a
similar situation presented itself on their favorite show.

I applaud the actors and everyone involved with Grey’s Anatomy for taking us down this path, and look forward to the next season more than ever before.

I originally wrote a lengthy response to the general ire that many have expressed about Callie and Hahn on various message boards since last night’s season finale aired. However, it became too personal and I didn’t want to sound preachy, so I chose not to post it.

For those of you who are also fans of the show, I encourage you to read Grey Matter, the official Grey’s Anatomy writers’ blog.  Creator and show runner Shonda Rhimes wrote the finale, and she blogged about it there. I also recommend Grey’s Anatomy News, a great fan and news site for all things Seattle Grace.

Have a great weekend, and thank you for reading.

- Jo

Read More