(M) Herbie: Fully Loaded. (2005, Angela Robinson) Grade: F

Thoughts: I’m not sure why I decided to watch this movie on the way back from Hawaii. It could be because at one point in time I use to like Lindsay Lohan or maybe it was because Michael Keaton use to be Batman. Whatever the reason the movie was bad – very, very bad. The characters were not developed at all, instead they were one-dimensional cardboard figures. The whole film felt like an excuse to show off Lindsay Lohan and her assets.

(M) The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants. (2005, Ken Kwapis) Grade: B

Thoughts: I’ve wanted to see this movie for so long I think I hyped it up too much for myself. Four friends spend their first summer apart from each other and bond through a pair of jeans – hence the title of the movie. Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) stays at home and makes a movie and a young dying friend, Lena (Alexis Bledel) goes off to Greece and falls in love Romeo and Juliet style, Carmen (America Ferrera) visits her distance dad and his new family and Bridget (Blake Lively) goes off to soccer camp to find herself and a guy. I think the best storyline was Carmen because it felt the most real, dealing with accepting a new family and not getting replaced. Oh and I think Alexis Bledel is getting a bit type casted because she plays the same roles all the time – the prune. If I was sixteen I would love this movie but alas I'm not.

In Her Shoes. (2005, Curtis Hanson) Grade: B+

Thoughts: Based upon the novel by Jennifer Weiner, this chick lit turned film was pretty entertaining. I might be a bit biased though because I really enjoy Toni Collette's work and was delighted to find out she was in this film. Two sisters, Rose (Toni Collette) and Maggie (Cameron Diaz) Fuller, learn to deal with each other. Rose is the safe, smart, quiet lawyer and Maggie is the carefree, fun, party girl. Throw in Shirley MacLaine as their long lost grandmother and you got your movie. Surprisingly Cameron's acting did not annoy me, I actually found her charming during some parts. This is a great movie for women, especially sisters. Sidenote I hate the other ad they using to promote this movie.

Dekalog (The Decalogue)Ep. 1 to 3. (1989, Krzysztof Kieslowski) Grade: B+

Thoughts: It is hard to fully review this because there are 10 eps. I just watched the first three. The concept is 10 eps all based on the Ten Commandments in the bible , though each eps I think cover more than one commandment. I'll just say worth checking out.

Just so you know... DEPECHE MODE goes on sale Monday morning at 10am (there is already an iTunes pre-sale going on). They're performing November 21st and 22nd (Mon and Tue) at the Staples Center. Prices before taxes and parking are $85, $49, and $35.

Just wanted to let anyone who reads 'Savage Love', the advice column found in the back of the OC Weekly amongst all the smut... the author of the column, Dan Savage has a new book out.

(M) Live Forever (2003, Documentary) Grade: B+
I really enjoyed this documentary about the state of Brit Pop during the change of government over in Europe. It starts with how the Stone Roses were viewed as who may be some "saviours" of rock but then it fell apart and then it talked about how when Kurt Cobain killed himself Oasis filled the vacuum that was created by his death and then the battle between Oasis and Blur as the best band. It talks with one of the guys of Massive Attack, it talks with Damon of Blur, Jarvis from Pulp, and others.
There were 3 GREAT moments to me. Well, more than 3. Anyway... Noel Gallagher is talking about how when somebody goes out and buys What's The Story Morning Glory that it baffles his why they don't pick up Definitely Maybe (his insight is very amusing). #2 is when Jarvis is talking about Drugs and #3 - is when Noel talks about choreography. Also, Liam (as usual) comes off like he has nothing but air in his head.

I am going through movie withdrawl. I have not watched a film since pretty much early Sept. I feel ill. In fairness the fall tv line-up has begun so that has taken much of my focus.

(O) San Diego - Horton Plaza. (9/6 to 7, 2005, budget meeting/work) Grade: C
Thoughts: Horton Plaza is a freaking weird mall. It is a giant maze and a color nightmare. I was not in downtown SD long enough to walk around but that was alright. I'm not a huge fan of sleeping in hotel beds and downtown SD seemed a bit too "dude-ish" for me.

(O) Vegas. (9/9 to 11,2005, fun) Grade: B
Thoughts: I remember liking Vegas a lot more. Maybe it was because I was winning money at the time. Whatever the case this was one of the more laid back Vegas trips I had. No hard drinking, no staying up too late, no gambling tons ... pretty much just kicking back and chilling. I got to check out the new Wynn hotel (pretty nice) and the mall built near by it.

(O) Palm Desert. (9/15 to 16, 2005, budget meeting/work) Grade: C
Thoughts: Palm Desert is a very interesting place. You can be driving and driving in the middle of no where and then bang! you find this little community of people and shops and homes. You know there are 120 golf courses out there. WTF. I usually drive out there for Coachella but it never occurred to me there was like this whole little town out there. Go figure. On the way back I passed by the Rivercity. Wow has that place changed and developed. There are tons of new buildings and the school looks like it has totally expanded. I should go visit one day.

(O) Hawaii. (9/17 to 21, 2005, fun) Grade: A-
Thoughts: I would give a solid A but see I'm not a huge fan of the sun, ask Darth how deathly afraid of it I am. To be honest the whole water, sun and sand thing does not settle well with me. However, I did like the hikes we went on to Manoa Falls and Diamond Head. The falls were amazing because it was so rich in the lush rainforest environment. Amazing stuff. Oh and I could not get enough of that wonderful shaved ice. Yummers.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shirley Manson On Garbage Hiatus: 'I'm Burnt, I'm Done, I'm Toast'

Worst. News. Ever.

Ummm I have not seen or read anything new really. I just do not want to have Cure lady throw down the gauntlet on me cause I have not posted in a while. So hope you and Darth had a fun trip. Piece.

(B) The Partly Cloudy Patriot (Sarah Vowell) Grade: A
Vowell is like the history professor you *wish* you had. Not the stuffy ones that drone on and on, putting you to sleep, but one who infuses her retelling of history with funny asides and memorable comments. She also is staunchly Democratic (with a capital D according to her), so conservatives might beware. (Although I caught O’Reilly on Fox News the other day chatting with a Democratic representative and both were civil, so maybe all is possible in this seemingly divisive world.) Most will enjoy her (might skip her chapter on the 2000 election though) and I am already anticipating reading Vowell’s Assassination Vacation as it should be a good one.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire comes out on November 18, 2005. I just saw the previews and it looks really really really good. This was my favorite book in the series. And they showed the girl who plays Cho Chang...she's such a cutie!

Today is Talk Like A Pirate Day. No, really. Here goes:

Aye mateys, Kurt Vonnegut be on the Daily Show, so ye best try to watch. Tis does show the ol gent still witty and spright. Arrrr!

Crap I haven't blogged in over 10 days and I'll be busy/out of town for the next 5. (sigh) I need to sleep. I'll write more later.

(M) Oasis -Definitely Maybe Documentary: Grade - B/C
It gets a B for the entertainment and a C for trying to understand what they're saying. This was entertaining and revived my love for Oasis. I wish I was going to the Hollywood Bowl to see them. They will never be 'The Beatles' but they're still a great band and this album still holds up after all these years.

Since buying my Honda Civic, I am missing my tape deck terribly. Or rather the ability to play my iPod. I can never predict what I will want to listen to on my commutes to work, so I end up with a scatter of CDs everywhere--very messy. I own an iTrip but have yet to try it out. Does anyone have any input? (Specifically Bleed Like Me as New Wave tells me you use something other than iTrip?)

(A) War of the Wakening Phantoms (The High Dials, July 12)
Grade: A
Oh, when will my love for Canadian bands end? Here is another promising group from Montreal whose second album is a lovely, upbeat pop offering. The group formed after the demise of the Datsons (not to be confused with New Zealand rock group Datsuns) and already have a lot of good buzz. Rightly so.

(A) Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? (The Like, Sept. 13)
Grade: B
I still am amazed that these girls are so young, considering the maturity of their sound. It’s like singer Z Berg is a 30-year-old in a teenage girl’s body. This debut is decent, regardless of their age, and thankfully the band has realized it’s no longer cute to name every release with their band name in it (i.e. I Like the Like, Like It or Not). It’s only when they chat that I find them difficult to listen to ... after all, there’s only so much giggling I can take.

For Nada Surf fans, here’s an interview I did with drummer Ira Elliot.

(G) Garbage, The Warfield Theater, SF (10 Sept 2005) grade: A

As usual: awesome show! Shirley looks as great as ever, and the band sounded great. Highlights: Shirley's parents were in the audience (all the way from Scotland). Shirley apologized for bringing up Hurricane Katrina, but it was a moving moment as she introduced "Metal Heart" (one of my favs from the album), their version of a protest song. They played, for the first time ever live, "Nobody Can Win". "Happy Home" was also spectacular. I would have given the show an A+, except that I do think the April show was a bit better (with the performance/introduction of so much new material). Also, the stage set up/visuals and Johnny Cash intro were the same as the last show, so that didn't provide the same novelty factor. So by comparison, this one gets an A.
Here's a link to more pics I took that night (I hope it works).

(M) The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) grade: B-

OK, so I'm a big fan of The Exorcist, so this review is a bit biased. After the big dissapointment of last year's Exorcist: The Beginning, I wasn't expecting much from this movie. That it's "Based on a true story" kind of adds a level of weirdness to it. Overall, it was rather interesting, thrilling at moments. It serves as an advertisement for religion, which I didn't appreciate, but whatever. Just makes you think about the What-If's of the supernatural realm.

(A) "Shake It Off (Remix)", Mariah Carey feat. Jay-Z & Young Jeezy (2005)

Did I mention, SHE'S BACK?! haha

The remix is more hip-hop than the original. The "retired" Jay-Z adds a nice intro rap, rapping in the verses' melody. The official release is next Tuesday, Sept. 20 on iTunes. Check it out.
Oh yeah, and for those of you who missed it: Mariah tore it up on this year's VMA's. Go Mimi!