"Wanda's One Night Stand"

Funny, funny stuff..and just the care needed for the winding down of the
holiday season and the year!

Have a chuckle, chill out, don't get wound up, and just remember
to try not to take it all so seriously; It's all kind of a joke, but as long
as you're in on it, it can't be all bad!

Just own your business and your circumstance, Wanda-style!

********************************************

Looking Forward to a Liitle "Deception" (Winter TV & Films)

I'm so immensely thrilled that the world didn't end last night, despite the
best efforts of Republicans, gun-owners, and religious nuts...Oh My!
(What's that? They're traditionally all the same ? Well, it still sounds good
as a bastardized movie quote. Anywho...)

The above trailer for NBC's new drama, "Deception" has me hooked and
looking forward to a mid-season replacement. Hopefully it's as good as it looks
and stays on the air, since there's a hole in my life where NBC's cancelled
"Awake" used to be! (Note to self; don't enjoy shows that are too well-done
or intelligent; they have a short shelf life.)

Also on my 'Must See' list is The Following on Fox with Kevin Bacon

For the Holiday movie season, I'm excited over Cirque Du Soleil and their
full length "Worlds Away" 3-D experience,

the best-cast movie of the year, it seems,  Hyde Park on Hudson, with the
powerhouses Laura Linney, Bill Murray, and Olivia Williams (yay!)...

I'm also anxious for what has to be the most perfect follow-up to a
movie of all time, This is 40...dove-tailing out of the scene-stealing
perfect-chemistry couple from 'Knocked Up,' Paul Rudd and Leslie
Mann! Also starring Melissa McCarthy, Jason Segal, Albert Brooks,
and more inspired casting. Looks like Judd is getting back to his
mainstay, great character pieces.

Of course there's the spectacle and dramatic musical offerings of
Les Miserables which will need to be prepared for with water and
tissues, but there's just something brutally effective about the power
of song to convey emotion... and this cast--Whew!

Of course, I can hardly stand to go to a theatre anymore with people
being so asinine, but if I can find an empty matinee, I'm all over it.

And I'm also happy to still be alive because I would like to actually
get laid once more before dying. But since there's a better likelihood
I'll see this films, I'll put my energies behind that dream!

***************************************************

My Favorite 'Holiday' Movies

Probably my fave, between the songs and

the starkness. Spectacular performances.

Even though more 'Hallmark' than I

typically like, it has a good message.

Good story about growing up.

Just stupid-ass funny, which we all

definitely need.

Definitely a great movie, and the heartsick

longing of a world at war, a family separated,

are unfortunately always topical.

Just a fun, dorky, light, chick flick with

some good performances (esp. Ghost of Christmas Past!)

The Real Deal of X-Mas flix, it's the

third in the trilogy for the Friday franchise!

"Stop selling that snatch for Jesus!"

Classic!

My fave of the old claymation, what with all

the politically-charged message and the diversity

bit. Anything with loners, underdogs winning, and

lonely folks coming together works like a charm!

Hilarious...complete with a great Carol

Kane performance, Annie Lennox music,

and all the cheese you can eat!

Yeah, it's always on a list because it really

is that good. The ending is unbelievable,

but the need for it to be true is what affects

people so deeply, and it's the hopefulness

Capra understood so well.

The most-maligned film of all time!
Yes, it's saccharine...yes, it's corny..

but it's a good catharsis for real feelings

and the cast can't be beat...a lot of my

favorites are in this!

The only religious-themed movie (not counting 'Ultimate Gift,'

which is only peripherally such) on my list, but it's well-done.

It presents a world of people as they really are, not idealized

versions, and the message isn't 'beat you over the head'

annoying. Good flick.

Pure crazy and hilarious...awesome cast.

Anyone who's ever been in a bad relationship can

totally relate!

Just a fabulous movie, period,

but since the setting is what it is...perfect!

Okay, so not actually a Christmas movie, but between

the setting and the magic, and the perfect analogy

for what's wrong with religion, I consider it a

great Holiday film!

Still brilliant, even 3 decades later.

I don't care who you are, this

shit is funny!

Both Die hard 1 and 2 are great popcorn

movies that keep you on the edge from start to

finish, and sport Xmas themes in each.

We all wish we'd have a chance to be John

McCain and have an excuse to shoot up

a bunch of crazy bastards about

this time of year!

Another nice, easy, feel-good romantic comedy

when you're in the mood to zone out and get

caught up in fantasy. Damn, Bill Pullman

looked his best right here!

Another super action flick with plenty

of surprises and kick-ass, plus a good

story about identity, politics, and more.

Heh heh. Neil Patrick Harris has his candy cane

pointed at my face! Ho ho ho!
Crazy good times...let the 'inappropriateness'

commence! Only for those tolerant of the

'politically incorrect.'

***

I'm definitely more a fan of the lewd and lascivious,

with a love of raunchy humor and turning tradition

on its ear, but I do also like some of the heartfelt

stuff. Not as much as when I was young and innocent, but...

There are also some great TV shows that handle Christmas

right; 'Happy Endings' is hilarious, so were all of 'In Living

Color' Christmas themed eps.  Anything David Kelly does

with holidays is spot-on (Ally McBeal, Picket Fences, L.A. Law,

etc.) and Ryan Murphy always puts the proper schmaltzy

and rebellious spin on things!

Stock up on the good stuff, and let the movies be

your company! The end results are likely to be

much merrier! Peace~

***

That's How You Do It!

Last night's "Law & Order: SVU" was a

phenomenal piece of television.

It began with a bang; a masterpiece lead-in which

set up the storyline, incredibly edited and

emboldened by a brilliant song choice

("I'll Take Everything" by James Blunt.)

I just can't say enough about the masterful

use of song and editing complimenting

the acting and filming!

(Actually, hearing that decrepit old theme

song following the intro was kind of a mood killer.

Probably should have done away with the regular

theme song, although I know that's anathema to

diehards. Still, it belies the seriousness of the

show, and was dated when it first appeared.)

Anywho; a fantastic episode, with all the

usual cast greats (I love the new dynamic!)

and special guests Patricia Arquette and

Anne Meara.

If they don't receive award nominations
(as the entire episode should, too!)

it will be a true sex crime...cuz someone

sure will be getting screwed over!

Watch the complete episode "Dreams Deferred"

***

Liz and Dick

No, I'm not going to unload any more crass

and rabid comments about Miss Lohan.

Everyone else has been quite wrapped up in all of that!

I actually didn't expect much, and figured most viewers

were of the same mindset, coming to the 'biopic' with

a sort of morbid curiosity about how bad it would

be, and wanting to see what they expected to be

another Lindsay train wreck.

But I rather imagine many went in eyes-open expecting

a cheesy, over-the-top, 'Dynasty'-style campy romp

that would amuse and titillate!

And certainly more than a few fans of 'Desperate Housewives'

and 'True Blood' and other shows, tuned in to see THIS:

Or perhaps more accurately, THIS!

The luridly Hawt (and accomplished) Mr. Bowler
can do no wrong, and though I have yet to see

more than clips, I am sure he held his own in

the 'Liz & Dick' craptacular.

Now, if you'd like to see a great biopic,

check these out!



Albert Finney as Churchill in "The Gathering Storm"



Firth and Rush in "The King's Speech"



Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose"

And if you happen to want to know dirt on Elizabeth
Taylor, or you want to see a stunning actress in action,
or perhaps to see a true mirror into Liz and Dick's real
life insanity, just rent "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

It's too close for comfort.

***

Fright Night (1985) Complete Movie

THIS...is a good vampire movie (in case you were born in the last
20 years and don't know!)

Just follow the links to the remaining parts...worth the effort!

***********************************************

Twilight Saggin'

What do you know?

My gag reflex just reinstated itself.

Hmm.

***

Dystopian Futures

And, really...are there any other kind?!?

So, there have been a plethora of future-based

films, and smartly, everyone always assumes

it's all going to pot!

Anyway, these are my faves for the genre.

Probably forgot one or two...

you can only focus on tomorrow being

a crap-fest for so long, don'tcha know!

They run the gamut from fun and quirky

to maudlin and dark, but there's a bit of a gem

in all of them!

***