Ever since I started watching Woody Allen films, it seems that every other one has been exceptional good, while the one to follow it would be just okay. I thought Match Point was so good I actually became a fan. Scoop was alright, in spite of having Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman and Ian McShane. And I loved Vicky Christina Barcelona. With this one, my theory remains intact. Larry David is the Woody Allen stand-in in this film. Genius casting. His delivery gives more impact to Allen's pessimism. Allen was wise to pull back a little bit once he starts introducing other characters. Evan Rachel Wood proved to me that she wasn't a one-trick pony. She was amazing as, get this, Larry David's love interest. That's where the film kind of loses me. I couldn't see how such a sweet character could ever fall for the likes of Boris (Larry David) and not because of the age difference either. Boris is so anti-social and admittedly unlikeable that it's amazing that Melodie (Evan Rachel Wood) wasn't immediately repulsed. But, she's the type of character that sees the good in everybody, whether they deserve it or not. She had to be, or there would be no movie to begin with. Patricia Clarkson was perfect as Melodie's mother. I always like her in whatever I see her in. And Ed Begley, Jr. earns a few laughs as Melodie's father. I also to take note of the fact that Allen finally comes back to New York with this film after spend his last few over in the U.K. and Europe.

He actually has a video for this, but YouTube disabled embedding for some reason. I had the chance to see him perform this live at the South Street Seaport last August. This is from an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

This is one of my favorite movies of the year so far. I never saw Jeremy Renner in anything but this dude does an awesome job carrying the movie. Anthony Mackie is one of the most underrated actors out there right now. I hope he'll start to get some well deserved recognition from this. But, I don't know how well it will be received, considering what's still going in the Middle East. It doesn't really deal with any political issues. It's rather stark depiction of a bomb squad's daily routine. It's definitely worth seeing. Hopefully, this will get a wider release...

Classic song...


"Think Good Thoughts" by Drake, Phonte & Elzhi. Produced by 9th Wonder, who sampled "Sweet Love"...

Gamer: This movie reunites Rock N Rolla co-stars Gerard Butler and Chris Bridges, better known as Ludacris. It also stars Alison Lohman (from Drag Me To Hell), Milo Ventimiglia, John Leguzamo, Kyra Sedgewick and Michael C. Hall (from Dexter). This looks sick...



The Surrogates: Starring Bruce Willis. This is based on a graphic novel. The concept seems familiar, but has its own twist to it. Can't wait...

Since Michael Jackson passed away, everyone is blasting his music 24/7. I thought about all the artists that were influenced by him, especially all the hip-hop that sampled his music.



On Q-Tip's album, The Renaissance, he has a track called "Move" on which the late producer J. Dilla sampled "Dancing Machine". Q-Tip would pay homage to Michael by incorporating the original song into his live performances. Check it out:


To take it even further, the video for "Move" was inspired by Michael's video for "Rock With You".

I'm feeling kind of mixed about this one. I wasn't bored nor did I check my watch once (an achievement considering that it's 2 and half hours), but I had some issues with this movie...

( WARNING: spoiler alert... )

I remember watching this in 1983. I still get chills when he did the Moonwalk...

Wow.

I remember Michael doing the Moonwalk for the first time on Motown's 25th Anniversary special. I remember wearing just one glove when I was in elementary school. I also remember endless debates over who was the baddest, him or Prince. In spite of his eccentric behavior in his later years, you can't deny the impact that he had on the culture. Not just here in America, but worldwide. He toured in places most artists never even been to. That being said, rest in peace...


Michael Jackson, pop music legend, dies at 50 - CNN.com

Sam Rockwell is probably the best actor you never heard of. Once again, he gives an incredible performance in Moon. Rockwell carries the movie mostly on his own, with a little assistance from Kevin Spacey, who provides the voice of Gerty, the computer at the moon base Rockwell's character works on. I don't want to give anything away. The trailer barely scratches the surface of what this movie is really about. It's a very smart, entertaining film.

I wasn't a big "Tonight Show" fan when Johnny Carson hosted. I remember him being the host of Star Search back in the 80's. Either way, you can't deny that this man was an icon. Rest in peace...


`Tonight' sidekick Ed McMahon dies in LA at 86 - Yahoo! News

live on VH1 Soul Soundstage

I spotted this while walking down 13th Street in NYC...

..Or else you'll have somebody like this butchering "Amazing Grace".

Just imagine if you decided to get 3 little stars tattooed on your face. You nod off to sleep as the tattoo artist is working on you. Then you woke up with half of face covered in stars. This is what 18 year old Kimberley Vlaminck claimed happened to her.

( Here is the Kimberly's tattoo artist, Rouslan Toumaniantz... )