Category: Alternate Reality

Opinion posts are always difficult. Everyone has an opinion and usually gets defensive about it. So, let me prefix this by saying this post is made in my opinion and shouldn’t affect anyone else’s judgement or personal preferences.

There are some TV shows I love and some I have absolutely no idea why they are popular. Maybe I just don’t get it but at least, I try to watch them before declaring they’re just not for me. (Shit, any more disclaimers I need to add?) So, I’ll start first with my favourite TV shows – which definitely can be mocked at. I never proclaimed to have stellar taste, just distinctive.

Oh, how I still love my Buffy The Vampire Slayer. That’s right, I still watch it from Season 1 to 7 and start again. The only superfluous character they took 2 seasons to make less annoying was Dawn, Buffy’s surprise sister played by Michelle Trachtenberg. If I was allowed only one TV on a stranded island, I’d take this and still try to get off the island (more on that to come).

As a Joss Whedon fan, you gotta love Firely. Shame about the show cancel, but heck, there’s always the movie “Serenity”. Follow Nathan Fillion on Twitter, he’s adorable. The pace of this show (as with most of Whedon’s work) is well played out, the banter and dialogues layered and usually British influenced and the chemistry, near perfect. At all times, you know the relationships between every single character – which Joss Whedon stunningly fleshes out within the first 5 minutes of “Serenity” (the movie).

Big Love is a show that has steadily not let me down with any episode for going on 4 seasons now. Every episode is explosive, intriguing and everyone plays their part to perfection. I adore Chloe Sevigny and think she does an amazing job on this show. Just when I think the plot can’t get any more crazy, it does.

I love Law & Order, slightly more than SVU, because they usually divide an equal amount of time to persecuting as catching. Plus, Sam Waterson is hot – he was Nick Carraway, for Pete’s sake! I cannot turn away from this show, if it’s on, I’m watching it.

I was a late bloomer into Californication but I’ve caught up quickly enough and have gotten caught up in the wonder that’s this show. I’ve always loved David Duchovny’s comedic forays (Return to Me, Trust the Man, Evolution…) so it makes sense that I love Californication. Life imitates art but I wonder how much of Hank Moody is David Duchovny (sex addiction, notwithstanding)?

Other notable mentions would be The United States of Tara (just one season young), The Tudors (one more season before it’s out of production), Weeds (5 seasons in and I still find the first season the most powerful) and Entourage (6 seasons in and waning as each season progresses).

So, that’s the  good stuff. Here’s the stuff I just don’t get.

What’s it been now? 6 seasons and their asses still on that island? Matthew Fox is hot and all (yes, was a fan from Party of 5 days) but for god’s sake – even Tom Hanks got off his island.

The world’s most annoying detective. Tony Shaloub should have just stuck to playing an alien in Men in Black and left us alone. We get it, he’s OCD. Haha. We get it, he’s still got OCD – let the hilarity ensue. For some reason, even just thinking about this show makes my face hurt from all the cringing it’s doing. Even an ad of the show makes me feel like hurling.

Ok, this one is a big one. I am aware that How I Met Your Mother gets big ratings and big fans. For the life of me, I have no idea why. I’ve watched a bunch of full episodes and greatest hits, and honestly, I’d rather watch re-runs of Doogie Howser. I love Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan and of course, Neil Patrick Harris but I really cannot stomach this show. I am not a fan of its pace – it goes for very quick hits, I find Harris overacts for the most part and the cast chemistry stiff and forced. But clearly, I am one of the VERY FEW people who don’t find this show amusing. True story.

—–
(Typos and grammar mistakes sold separately)

I definitely consider myself a movie person – I’m a big fan of 80’s movies and high school movies (and these are the ones I don’t consider embarrassing). But, like everyone, I have my guilty pleasures and would never admit to liking but have decided that shame was for my 20’s.

Now, my wide array of 80’s and 90’s movies don’t count because the obscure (and often embarrassing ones) would have become cult favourites already (I would place movies like Lucas, Cutting Edge, Point Break, Just One of The Guys, etc… in there). Majority of my favourite high school movies shouldn’t count either because there is usually an element of intelligence and humour in there (movies like Bring It On, Can’t Hardly Wait, She’s All That…). I am not ashamed to like these movies.

The ones I am ashamed of, on the other hand, are the ones that I don’t personally own in my collection but yet, every time they are screened on cable, I get a little excited and must catch them (usually, I will rewatch the screenings too). So, let’s start with the most humiliating (and from then on, are in no order of shame)

Maid in Manhattan: That’s right. I’ve seen this movie. Many times. I loathe that I can’t stop watching it whenever it’s on. Jennifer Lopez is seriously a shitty actor and Ralph Fiennes is a good actor (save for the accent) in a horribly written role for an overall cheap and predictable premise of a movie. And still, I’ll watch it whenever it shows. (Trailer)

The Holiday: God help me, Cameron Diaz pretending to act at trying to cry, screaming to the Killers, Kate Winslet jumping on a bed and Jack Black trying to act suave? You’d think these acts would be impetus enough to change the channel, but no… I’ll get comfortable and watch it every time it’s on. And still get all swoony over Jude Law (and I don’t even like him!) (Trailer)

I (Still) Know What You Did Last Summer: I would consider liking the first installment of this storyline fairly entertaining and almost in line with Scream – it had a good modern infusion into a classic genre, with (then) up and coming actors. But liking the sequel… now I know that is just wrong. For one thing, Brandy is acting in it and the killer is the son of that Fisherman?! Who goes that far for revenge? Who has the the time, energy and resources? Maybe I just have the hots for Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddy Prinze Jr (at least I don’t like that Scooby Doo movie…). (Trailer)

Independence Day: I think end of day movies like Deep Impact, The Day After Tomorrow etc… are pretty good. Armageddon sucked balls and even Mars Attacks! was better than it. I am really not sure where to place Independence Day. Should it be considered a guilty pleasure or do many other people actually enjoy watching this movie? Bill Pullman was ridiculous as the President (although in all fairness, he’s ridiculous in most of his movies), Jeff Goldblum played his one role as usual, the stripper and the President’s wife, Harry Connick Jr in general and a computer programme saving the world. America saves the day! (Trailer)

Disturbing Behavior: Oh sweet Lord. This one is definitely shame-worthy. What is disturbing is the shoddy level of acting on top of the overall movie premise – a small town performing behaviour-modification on its youth to behave all 50’s and compliant. I can’t go on any further without sounding like a complete nut-job for liking this movie.(Trailer)

The Jane Austen Book Club: I have watched this movie a countless amount of times. I can practically quote it verbatim. Kathy Baker is frequently annoying, Emily Blunt is the saving grace, Hugh Dancy is cute (but with an odd non-location specific accent) and everyone else are just peripherals to “add layers” to a click flick. Single, often wed, lesbian, divorcee, unhappily wed – anymore female stereotypes in there and the movie would explode. (Trailer)

Daylight: Ok, I love my Stallone – the Rocky movies, Oscar, Tango & Cash. And god help me, I love Daylight. I love watching him try to get to the people stuck in the tunnel, rally them together and I always, always, cheer on for the safety of the dog towards the final scene. Is this considered a guilty pleasure? It may not be. (Actually, I wouldn’t mind owning this movie.) (Trailer)

Urban Legend: Jared Leto, Rebecca Gayheart, Joshua Jackson and Tara Reid (need I say more?) supporting Alicia Witt (hot off the TV series, Cybill) in a whodunnit movie with, once again, a badly dressed killer in oversized boots and a trench. I have absolutely no idea why I enjoy this movie, it’s definitely not the bad acting, investigating of strange noises, typecasting or poor film editing. (Trailer)

++++++++++++++++++++

I would definitely think Maid In Manhattan is a low-point of my movie choices in life as much as I can claim to hate these movies, I can’t stop watching them. Maybe it’s more of the “car crash” theory vs. actually appreciating the film. Maybe it’s the opportunity to be able to switch off and just watch a brainless movie (with no surprises or post-movie depression that lasts days – see: Boys Don’t Cry or American History X).

I don’t think movies like Requiem For A Dream or American History X can be considered a “favourite movie of all time” – for anyone. I refuse to believe that you would take Requiem to a desert island if it was your one movie choice (unless you need inspiration to strangle yourself with a noose fashioned out of a coconut husks). It is an amazing film on so many levels but hardly a weekly repeat. I often wonder about the mental state of people who claim these types of serious films as their “favourite” movie. I mostly think they’re trying to look deep.

For me, my all-time favourite movie would be have to be Singles. It’s got everything I could ever dream of: a great script, cinematography, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden performing, members of Pearl Jam in cameos, amazing soundtrack, cast chemistry and the Cameron Crowe magic of before. (Citizen Dick scene)

** There are probably a gazillion spelling and grammar mistakes in this post but who cares? **

I have often wished to be the type of person that is constantly reading and has bookshelves of a delightful array of historical references, non-fiction narratives and deep fictional work.

Unfortunately, I chose the road less typeset and instead, have an unnatural fixation with my television set and the moving picture. This is not to say I was never a reader. I just read absolute crap books, which for some sad notion of nostalgia, I have actually kept. And so, to be completely open about my flagrant lack of taste in books, I have taken shots of my sad, sad specimen of a bookcase.

So, this is the first, somewhat socially acceptable level, of books – mostly chick lit. Ok, who am I kidding, it’s the chick lit level and the one book on Charles Saatchi does little to desaturate that.

Yes, that’s right. My hidden-behind-in-shame Virginia Andrews collection. And this is only the first layer.

Yup, 2 full layers of a Virginia Andrews collection. And for some completely baffling reason, 2 bibles. I have no idea how those got there. Jesus must have slipped those in.

This the first level of the second shelf, a somewhat more acceptable selection of books (the one on Chihuahuas notwithstanding).

And behind that, would be my precious complete collection (in less than pristine condition due to intensive childhood reading) of Famous Five books.

Here’s a selection on display.

My beloved collection from my favourite author of all time, Bret Easton Ellis. These ones, I’m actually proud of.

And since I’m currently pretending to be literary, these are the 2 books on my night stand (I am totally loving Pride & Prejudice).

And here’s a growing collection of books in the bathroom. Why? Who knows.

So there it is (art and design books not included) – a collection skewed more towards “embarrassing” rather than, “literary”. I am pleased that I am making an effort towards spending more time reading, instead of mindlessly channel surfing. We’ll see how long this lasts.

Add him on the list of odd, funny men I enjoy. Noel Fielding has a tenderness about his humour and this almost shy giggle that gets me all the time. Too damn cute. (Don’t worry, nothing can replace my Simon Pegg obsession – ever)

Watch this great episode (if you haven’t already) of NMTB when he was (at the time) guesting.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMMj1s8Kn14]

And a somewhat related video of MTW, with Frankie Boyle’s magnificent beard (Why did you cut it, Frankie? Why?!)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWhiD1NlRgI]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHUhw5NtSaA]

I believe the commonality for these odd, odd men I fancy would have to be a sense of humour.

My passion for Simon Pegg has, without doubt, not gone unnoticed. I literally have a mad crush on him – as much as regular girls do for Brad Pitt. I do not find Brad Pitt good looking. At all.

Then, there’s the inexplicable torch I’ve held for Seth Green for more than 10 years now. He’s so little, so beautiful and has excellent comedic timing.

A recent addition was Frankie Boyle, who, beyond his ridiculously sharp sense of humour, took my love higher when he grew this massive wooly beard. I mean, seriously! Look at that beard! It’s a thing of beauty, really…

And now, yet another comedian has made me all googly-eyed.

His name is Mark Watson, he looks like a total geek, is skinny (some women like that in a man) and above all, is funny.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkYuOzyikik]