Crash Into Me

Musings

1.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - My favorite movie of the series. It was wonderfully done. The kids are coming into their own, the action is more and more exciting with every film, and the danger is greater. Excellent job of weaving "larger themes" into the movie, as well. My only complaint is that they really rushed it. Coulda been a half hour (or more) longer, then they could have fit some more of the good stuff from the book in, and not hurried through some important stuff (like Occlumency lessons), and it still wouldn't have seemed long. But overall, I'd see it again in the theater, and that's saying something these days. New book tomorrow...so stoked to see who dies and who doesn't.

2.The Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist. First new album in seven years. And. It. Rocks. The first half the album is brilliant. It rocks hard and fast, and is excellent. After that, they kind of waver a bit, and the second half sounds like a combination of Billy Corgan's solo album, and the last album the band put out, Machina, neither of which is very good. But that could be because "The Smashing Pumpkins" consist only of the original drummer (the drumming is excellent, by the way) and Billy Corgan who does everything else...literally (it is actually credited that way in the liner notes). But I can't complain, I've listened to it around 8 or 9 times now, and I really dig it, even the last half.

3.Grey's Anatomy. Lacey and I have rented the first two seasons on DVD, and we're hooked. Let me just get this out of the way: I do like the show. That said, I have some major issues with it. The main one is that it is a slutty show. And I don't mean that just because everyone sleeps with everyone, which they do. The show has no orginality WHATSOEVER. And I know, I know everyone rips from everyone (as they say so eloquently in Swingers). But this is downright shameless...like a whore...didn't I say slutty? It borrows from Scrubs mainly, but also a handful of other shows. And did I say borrows? I meant STEALS. From characters, to diseases, to personality traits, to soundtrack choices, to everything in between, it yanks stuff from other shows all over the place. I almost can't get past it! The more I watch G.A. the more I am in love with Scrubs, which I am convinced more and more is the fourth greatest sitcom in the history of TV, behind Seinfeld, Cheers and Simpsons. It takes talent to be funny, and even more to be heartfelt in the same half hour. But I digress. I don't say all of this to make you think I hate the show. I do like it, but only because I'm this sappy, sentimental schmuck who lets himself be invested emotionally in the characters of a TV show. Oh well.

BTW, we'll be in Monroe on Saturday, hope to see many of you this week.