Lineup: Matt Nathanson, Collective Soul and Los Lobos

I was more amused by the many unfortunate shirtless wonders in the crowd (see photo below), as well as the huge line of young girls and college prepsters that awaited autographs from and a chance to meet Matt for two hours after his set. Watching his career grow from a guy with a guitar in the dorms at 18 to performing for 100,000 people is pretty amazing, and I continue to be both in awe of and very proud of him.

And then there were the fireworks, set to a great soundtrack. Thick layers of fog rolled in and blocked some of the larger displays, but it was very cool nonetheless.

That’s all, folks.

Thanks for having me.

Also, I appreciate that you allowed me to watch television. Lots of it. From a very young age, and always without a filter. That is not to say that you failed parental obligations by exposing me to myriad evils on the small screen. Because obviously I can distinguish between fact and fiction. Except when I discuss characters on Lost with friends and fellow fans.

Although I know you would have preferred that I applied the same degree of effort and enthusiasm that I have for pop culture to, say, the stock market, you’ve never expressed anything other than support for every aspect of my life, job and hobbies. 

I love that you were my very first blog subscriber, and that you check the site every day for updates. I don’t even mind when you call to point out the rare grammatical or spelling error.

You rule, and so does my grandmother, your 97 year old mother. That I have gained even an ounce of your combined wisdom, intellect and personalities is an honor.

I hope you had a chocolate-filled Mother’s Day, because that is how the women in our family roll. Call me if you need an explanation about that phrase.

Love,

Jo

Click on the hyperlink in each paragraph to view the trailer in a new window.

Because it was directed by the Wachowski brothers, the geniuses behind the Matrix trilogy. Because the trailer is visually stunning. And because Matthew Fox (Dr. Jack Shephard on Lost) is Racer X.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
May 23

Because the theme song alone conjures up a rare rush of childhood joy.

SEX AND THE CITY
May 30

Because I watched every episode of the television series, and it will be a guilty pleasure afternoon of estrogen among a sea of summer testosterone.

THE HAPPENING
June 13

Because M. Night Shyamalan is one of the only contemporary directors who creates films that actually scare me. And because it co-stars Zooey Deschanel.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK
June 13

Because it has to be better than Ang Lee’s recent version. And because this one stars Edward Norton.

WALL-E
June 27

Because it’s a Pixar production. End of story.

WANTED
June 27

Because Angelina Jolie + James McAvoy = H O T. And because it looks like a kick-ass action movie.

HANCOCK
July 2

Because it’s Will Smith and Fourth of July weekend. And because it co-stars Jason Bateman and Charlize Theron (who were hysterical together when she guest-starred on Arrested Development).

THE DARK KNIGHT
July 18

Because director Chris Nolan has revitalized the Batman franchise. Because Christian Bale is the perfect man for the bat suit. And because Heath Ledger is absolutely mesmerizing in the new trailer.

MAMMA MIA!
July 18

Because I grew up listening to Abba. Because the stage adaptation was great. Because Meryl Streep plays the matriarch, and she’s never looked better. And because it will be fun; a necessary, therapeutic alternative after experiencing The Dark Knight.

THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE
July 25

Because this date has been circled on my calendar since it was announced. Because ten years ago I gathered twenty friends to go see the first installment on opening night. Because before Lost, this was my obsession and favorite show of all time. Because my cats are named Mulder and Scully. And because I heart Gillian Anderson almost more than Kate Winslet.

Directed by multi-hyphenate Jon Favreau (who’s previous stints behind the camera have included Zathura and Elf), Iron Man is action packed and tech savvy. It maintains a decent pace, and the story is compelling enough to fill the two hours without thinking about the length as you watch.

Despite Robert Downey Jr.’s personal issues, his talent has always been obvious and admirable. He has clearly shed lingering demons for this particular role, and offers up a franchise superhero with more wit and intelligence than most of the flawed men who jump with capes and powers from the small pages to the big screen.

Jeff Bridges makes an excellent corporate villain. It’s amazing how much a bald head enhances one’s menace. Although many will forever align Bridges as The Dude from The Big Lebowski, I’ve always been partial to 1984′s Starman.

It’s no secret that I have never been on Team Gywnnie, but Paltrow is actually pretty tolerable and likable in Iron Man. She more than holds her own as a female Alfred to Tony Stark, Iron Man’s emotionally unavailable alter-ego. And Terrence Howard plays the perfect patient sidekick to Downey’s crazy genius; I look forward to more of him in the sequel.

pop culture tangent

Lost fans may recognize actor Faran Tahir, who plays lead terrorist Raza in Iron Man. He appeared briefly in “The Shape of Things to Come” two episodes ago, as Widmore’s man in Iraq (the one that Sayid killed when he cornered Ben).

Everyone has their favorite superhero and/or cartoon, and so they view movie adaptations of them with specific personal criteria. Mine just happen to be acting, story and cheese factor. I am a big fan of the Superman, X-Men and Batman film franchises (especially the reinvented Chris Nolan series), and loathe the Spider-Man trilogy and Transformers.

To me, the acting in Spider-Man just killed all three films, whereas horrible dialogue, gratuitous violence and sexism ruined Transformers.

What I love about Iron Man (at least compared to the movies above) is that it combines seamless special effects with a good script and performances, plus eye-opening technology that doesn’t seem unrealistic and campy. In addition, the relationships between the main characters aren’t forced or insincere, and there is an actual and obvious heart and humanity beneath the machinery and superhero facade.

[note: this is not actually me.]