Something to Hear - East Hundred, "Passenger"

Well, where do I begin this post? First a thanks to XPN for spotlighting the band on their station. I never would have gotten hooked on them would it not be for you. I heard one song and I made sure to remember the name when I got home.

This is me doing my part for a Philly-based band, and one that deserves it. This post is a wee bit late as they actually released their official debut in January of this year. And before my friends and those who know my musical tastes (yes, a female lead singer and I will inevitably be hooked without hope, put it with good-great lyrics and interesting production values, well then, I'm a full-blown addict) speak up about my leanings, just know this - the album is damn fine. :)

The band and the album are essentially about a relationship gone wrong. One of the two founding brothers of the band and his then-girlfriend are the core, but the songs, while they may meander a familiar path, are nothing to be scoffed at. We've all been there, at the tail end of a relationship, scouring the ashes, wondering where and how it went wrong, and trying to see where that leaves us.

Well, if Passenger is any sign, it leaves you a bit bruised, weary, but still hopeful in the end that things will be ok.

I won't go into much more, except to say that lead singer Beril Guceri brings to mind Nina Persson of the Cardigans in many a song, and the music is at times, vibrant, cathartic, heart-wrending and as I said, ultimately, hopeful.

Standouts (to this guy anyway) are: "Slow Burning Crimes," "Plus Minus," "Deadpan," "Dear Blue," "Sigh & Wave" and most importantly, "Afterlove." (which, by the by, has been on repeat for me for days....seriously).

90210/Melrose Place

So, yes, 90210 and Melrose Place returned tonight. I'll deal with this in two parts.

90210. Way to move on...and get better. Silver looks fantastic. Annie was always annoying and she's saddled with the "I think I killed someone" storyline. But everyone else, fantastic and it was just fun.

Melrose Place. I had heard that Sydney was getting killed in the first five minutes, but seeing it, upset. Seriously, Laura Leighton, tell me what you do to still look so darn hot, just glad that I heard a lot of the season will be flashbacks seeing you in all your fantastic glory.

Both cheesy fun, and seriously, in these times, don't we need that? Life is hard, breezy, well-done shows with good music, some soapy drama...I see nothing wrong.

xoxo
Ryan

ps - yes, that was a Gossip Girl reference...that's the show I'm wanting back...and NOW!

The Final Destination

OK, truth be told, was rather disappointed with this movie. I know, I know these movies and I still liked the third, but this last one was super disappointing. I mean, 83/84 minutes for the movie, really? With 12 or so survivors?

The third gave short shrift to the people who survived before they were killed. But this one was ridiculous. I feel super sorry for Krista Allen. They seemed like they were giving her a character. She got a scene where she thanks the main guy for saving her, her husband and two kids. It was genuine and you could feel her trying to imbue it with everything she had, but in the end, wow, really awful.

Not her acting, but the scripting. They got the anticipation right, but they killed her character in front of her two kids, and you see it quickly, but then, you hear them screaming, "MOM!" Heartbreaking, and they didn't kill the kids, but they killed their mom in front of them...bad form.

The movie didn't make you involved with anyone. I mean...go to IMDB, you get the characters' names...beyond the main 4 or 5...it's "Racist," "Racist's Girlfriend," "MILF/Samantha (sorry, Krista - that just sucks)", etc.

The reason the first two rank up there is that you care...even in the second, when the tweaker, asked one of the other survivors to clear his apartment up of porn so that his mom/family didn't think he was abhorrent if he died...that was something real, even if small.

Don't get me wrong, the 3D was cool. The set pieces impressive...but still. And I will say, that I loved the beginning and ending credits with the X-ray view of some of the best "hits" of the films, but still....

Will say that the main guy's girlfriend (Shantel, you made the most of your part and I thought you were likable) did the best she could, but most of the other characters, ridiculous and not in a good way.

Seeing the numbers for the film though, hoping, they'll end it right...do another, get the characters right...we don't need a whole back story, but give people names for god's sake.

OK, done venting.