Television Tuesday (Justified)

So, over the holiday weekend I finished up the second season of a little television show called "Justified". This show is the story of a United States Federal Marshal by the name of Raylan Givens. The character of Givens comes from the mind of Elmore Leonard and has appeared in a couple of novels "Pronto" and "Riding the Rap" and a short story called "Fire in the Hole". I have not read any of these particular stories but the other Leonard novels I have read in the past have always been interesting. The man knows how to tell a crime story or detective novel. I will write more about him in another post.

The show is set in Lexington, Kentucky and around the town of Harlan. I can only imagine that the town of Harlan is not as bad in real life as it is in the show. Though you never can tell with hillbilly folk. The basic premise of the show is a pretty simple one. There are crimes and criminals in and around the Lexington area and Raylan Givens does what he can to stop those crimes. Now, sometimes the measures that he takes are a little bit outside the lines of the law. When the show first started Raylan was being sent back to Lexington because of a shooting in Miami that may have been a little over exuberant.

I think what makes the show even better for me is that Raylan grew up in Kentucky in Harlan and most of the people who are still in the area are actually criminals including his estranged father and several people that he grew up with. His ex-wife is also there and so that adds some relationship drama. But, not so much that it takes away from the gun play because there is lots and lots of gun play. Raylan is played by Timothy Olyphant and if you have ever seen the HBO show "Deadwood" you know exactly how good he is at gun play and smoldering sensuality. He brings something for the ladies and the fellas. If you haven't seen "Deadwood" and you like westerns and good television get yourself a copy of the series and watch it. But it does have some rough language. So that is something to be ready for it is not a family show.

Back to "Justified". I think what makes this show work for me is that while it is set in modern times it is also much like the classic westerns that I grew up with. There are bad people and sometimes it takes a person willing to work outside the lines of the law to stop those bad people. That is a gross over simplification of the show but the willingness of the Raylan to step over the line when there is something important at stake is something that has a long historical tradition in books and film. I also like the he isn't a John Wayne hero. I enjoy John Wayne movies and I enjoy that archetype but I like it when my hero maybe drinks a little to much and is perhaps a poor fist fighter. The is the case for sure with Raylan. He just is not a fighter. Oh he can get his pistol out and fire it on target but when it comes to a fist fight you better get someone else to do that job.

So if you are looking for something fun to watch that has some action and some decent storytelling and some good dialogue this is a show for you. I believe season 1 is out on DVD and Netflix will have it for sure. Check it out. I do not think you will be disappointed.

Memorial Day Music Monday

Songs for Memorial Day



Classic song



Wow. I am not sure if I have really felt or heard this song before.



Can not forget WWII.




Civil war.

I know I complain but I am happy about living here and I am well aware of the freedoms that this allows me. So take a moment and be thankful today.

Friday

gargle, bargle. It is Friday.

I love grilled cheese sandwiches.

Why are the things that taste so good so bad for me? I love you bacon, cheese, fries.

I know that I will feel horrible the morning after. I still want to drink this to excess.

The best breakfast ever. I am pretty sure my heart would stop beating halfway through this. I want to eat it anyway.

I love Deviled Eggs. There is one other egg dish that I love even more though.

Oh yes. A hard boiled egg. Wrapped in sausage. Battered. Fried. Taste Bud Heaven.

"You just shut up Dr Kat and let Lance enjoy his alone time." "Shut up!!!!""We have discussed this before. You are not a dietitian and we both know that Freud was a hack. I do not care that you are half Jungian."

Thursday Thoughts

I realize that I am supposed to be writing something today. But so far nothing is springing to mind. I am not feeling inspired by my disgust with a television show or an actor. There does not appear to be a film coming out soon that I have not already highlighted in some form or the other.

I am actually bored of writing about politics. While I firmly believe that we need to vote and that we need to stay informed. It really is feeling to me like what is going on in politics is just more of the same old same old. The hard core believers on the right or the left continue to get worked up about different bills and potential laws and meanwhile nothing really changes. We have had a "liberal" Democrat as President now since Jan 20th 2009. The way gun and ammunition sales spiked after he won you would have that that the world was coming to an end. Well it is 2011 and we still seem to be cranking along.

During his inaugural speech President Obama said this"

"It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America."

Really? Has that happened? Honestly? Has change come to America? Things do not look all that different to me. Oh wait, wait, Osama bin Laden is dead!! So I suppose that makes up for the last two years of business as usual in Washington. I think more and more that it doesn't matter in America who the President is. The people who have most if not all of the power are the people in Congress. I know that I made the same argument when Bush was in office and I really feel like after seeing these last two years of lots of noise and people getting so angry that it just doesn't seem to matter.

My life has not changed politically at all. I have conservative friends worried about things. I have liberal friends worried about things. But, nothing is that different. We are still in armed conflicts around the world, people still need jobs, and lots and lots of people get sick and die who probably could be saved if they had access to some kind of affordable medical care. These are things that have been the same in America for the last 5 Presidents or longer. All that has changed is the political party that the people can complain about and that most of the time feels like a change in name only.

So there you go. A little taste of cynical Lance today. I think I am getting a cold and that maybe what is causing all of the angst.

"Awwww thanks Dr Kat but I do not think I need a prescription for Valium". Lance said as he lay back on the couch. "Do I look like a housewife from the sixties?"

Webfind Wednesday

I have a little bit of a sore throat today or at least I woke up with one so I am just going to give you some stuff I have found around the internets that I find amusing or interesting.

That is a picture from one of my favorite movies.

Not a favorite but a movie I like and one of my favorite scenes in it.

I believe there is an Owl outside my house right now. I am hearing what sounds like the sounds that an Owl makes. Coincidence? I think not.

That is going to do it for me. I am enjoying listening to the rain fall. I know I am going to miss it when the summer gets here. Does anyone have a television show that they think I should watch or write about? Please let me know.

Tuesday

I spent the day with my parents. So this is all you are getting. I really need to convince them to get the internet it would make things a lot easier for me.

Music Monday (Disco Edition)

Today on Music Monday, it is going to be a Disco edition. So put on your tight pants and your shiny shirt and lets get on that Disco train to Boogie Town.

Our first stop is Walter Murphy with "A Fifth of Beethoven" lets all get down!!!



Can you dig the crazy two handed keyboard action. You got to love it. Our next stop? Well who doesn't like a little Hot Chocolate with "You Sexy Thing"...



mmm,mmm,mmm, so tasty. Who doesn't believe in miracles. Okay lets keep this train a rolling with a little Silver Convention and "Fly Robin Fly"...



Oh yes!! Keep on reaching for that sky. Follow those dreams kids. The train is still moving and lets keep those feet moving as well. Come on and "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty" with KC and the Sunshine Band...



Ahhhh yes!! Can you feel that booty shaking? I know I can. Who wants to ring my bell? Anita Ward wants to know. "Ring My Bell"...



oooh Baby my head is still spinning. Lets slow it down with a little The Commodores and "Three Times a Lady"...



Well I know your a lady but I have to ask. Well "Do you think I'm sexy?" Rod Stewart and I need to know...



Ohh baby thank you. I know you do. Lets end this train ride with a classic from the brothers Gibb. The Bee Gees because we are "Staying Alive"...





I will catch you on the flip side. Keep it real.

Film Friday

So I went to see "Thor" on Tuesday night for the $5 showings at Cinebarre. I would highly recommend seeing all of your films there on Tuesday nights. Not only is every show $5 they also serve some tasty food and the onscreen presentation is always top notch as well. They show first run movies and other then it not being stadium seating I have never had a bad experience there. Also paying just $5 for a movie makes it a lot more tolerable for me and I am for sure more forgiving in my reviews of them.

Which brings me to my topic at hand. I went to see Thor and I enjoyed it but I am not sure if I was enjoying it because I had only paid $5 or if it was actually a good quality movie. I have mentioned before that I like Kenneth Branagh as a director and he did a fine job in this as he always does. There were some absolutely beautiful shots of space and some amazing CGI work as well. So both his directing and the cinematographer did excellent work. But the script. Oh, the script. When I checked the credits I noticed that the writing credits for the movie had 8 names on it. That is right you heard me. EIGHT NAMES!! IT TOOK EIGHT PEOPLE TO TELL THIS STORY!!! I am incredulous. This is a 115 minute movie. I suppose I should be glad that it was over 90 minutes but I mean seriously eight people. These elite eight are as follows Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne with a screenplay credit. Then J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich with a story credit followed up by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby with a Comic Book credit. Now I am not sure how much of these peoples work even made it to the screen or even if this film was based on a graphic novel or was some sort of movie stand alone story. (I know who is who in the comic book world so please do not give me comments citing the importance of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.)

I just think it odd that any film needs to have this many screen writers. It has kind of been an unwritten rule for me that if a film has a lot of screenwriters it is usually not a good film. But that is a discussion best left for another time.

This is a picture of Thor in one of the Marvel Comics

This is a picture of Thor from the movie.

As you can see they used the comic as a guideline for the costume which is pretty cool. I really did like the visuals of the movie but there were times that the dialogue really seemed awkward to me and a little forced. I thought there were some really good actors in the film and a good if not great director so the flaws really had to be with the script itself. That being said it seemed to rise above it script limitations and when Thor left Asgard and came to earth it really took off for me. Do not get me wrong. I enjoyed some of the stuff in Asgard but what went on when he came to earth was just far more interesting to me.

So I think if I had paid full price for this film it would only get 2 out of 4 for me. But seeing it for so cheap makes it be a 3 and a half easy. It is just a plain fun movie. You might not enjoy it as much if you are not a comic nerd but if you are it is a fun time. I say take next Tuesday and check it out.

Animal Farm

Getting going a little late today folks I went to Costco with my parents so I am only now getting started. I hope you like pictures of cute animals because that is what you are getting today.

I love sea otters

The taste of a banana trumps all inter-species rivalries.

I too hate everything but I love how this little dog looks.

I unashamedly love Ferrets

So does this dog.


I hope you enjoyed the animal pics today.

Zookeeper

So what you just watched was a the newest preview for the new Kevin James film "Zookeeper". I am not sure what has me more upset. The fact that crap like this is even being made or that I was amused a few times during the preview. I am just so mad right now. I am starting to feel like my level of elitism that I have nurtured for years and years is now fading. I CAN'T ALLOW THAT!!

If we encourage this kind of film making then society is really going to destroy itself. I guess maybe we get what we deserve then. Because this is just the kind of film that keeps all of us stupid. Do not go see this movie. Steal this movie. Seed it all over but do not pay your money to go see this film. Do not encourage these films to continue to be made.

Tuesday

Today is Tuesday and I appear to have run out of coffee. I need to remedy that. So good day to you.

Music Monday

Sorry about Friday folks. When Blogger hiccuped in the morning I didn't get to writing and then I just never got back on so I failed in my quest to keep the streak alive. So today begins a new quest.

Since it is Monday lets get it started with the top 5 songs in no particular order of effectiveness that make Lance cry at least 60% of the time or more whenever he listens to them.

No 5.



Not much to say about this song. Those who know, they already know why this song is a little kick in the guts for me. It is worse because it really is a lovely song and I am not a fan of the new modern country.

No 4.



I first heard this song on the "Shrek" soundtrack and really enjoyed it then. I have heard many versions but this one just works so well for me. I am not sure if it is her voice or the other singers but it is just a great version.

No 3.



As usual a great song from Ben Folds but I am pretty sure that he isn't singing this about me. He is probably singing it about you guys.

No 4.



This band!! I just. It feels like every song is just so good. I know that some people feel like it is hipster music but I think it is far better and deeper then that.

No 5.



Not much to say about this one. He took away from Tent Reznor and made it his own. I love this version so much.

Big Bang Theory Redux

So I am just finishing up season 3 of Big Bang Theory and as I mentioned earlier I am going to be revisiting the show. I am still a little skeptical as to the premise of the show. But I can see why people enjoy it. That isn't to say that I think it is a quality show. Because I do not.

I still feel that while the interactions of the characters have changed with the introduction of the female characters. The show is still a pretty typical sitcom. There are no real surprises. You could see that Leonard was going to wreck his relationship with Penny. So when it happened it was not a surprise or particularly sad. It just happened. I think part of the problem is that I do not find Leonard a particularly likable character. He hurts the show for me.

I think that the show works for me when I have it playing in the background and am reading a book or playing a video game. It doesn't need my full attention. It just rumbles along and every now and then I get a chuckle or perhaps an awwwww moment. There might be a nerd specific guest star to gain a little media attention. "Oh look!! There is Stan Lee." But there is nothing greater involved with it. There is no deeper meaning there is no overall story arc that is being told. That is fine. There doesn't need to be a far greater concept in everything. But in my honest opinion that is what I like. I like there to be something deeper to what I watch. It can be a horribly made and acted show and if there is some sort of deeper mystery at the core of it I will watch it.

What I find most upsetting is that the shows that I like most. Those shows get canceled far earlier then the shows that I don't like.That just means that I like things that the rest of the world is just not cool enough to really appreciate. Yep. That has got to be it. My tastes are just to refined for the tastes of the common man.

I always knew that I was special. I have always had a taste for things of higher quality am really able to get the most out of the most subtle of flavors and of entertainments. I just generally operate at a higher level then the common peoples around me. It is hard I must admit that I am so much better then you my readers but that is the sad truth.

Now, I do not expect this realization to change things between us. I still imagine that you will come to me for enlightenment and honestly who else would you go to. The wisdom I impart is far greater then anything you are going to get anywhere else. So feel free to donate to the landrewc Wisdom Fund so that the insights can continue.

Have a good day and be well.

Wednesday

Well another Wednesday, another thanks but no thanks email as I continue to look for work. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

One Last Blonde

I forgot about one last blond that I like. Though this video could possibly be unsafe for work at least lyrically so put on those headphones and rock it out.



Thanks for the reminder Sherry.

Totally Television Tuesday

I wanted to write about television shows or something today but I also do not want to get into a rut and always write about the same stuff. I am torn because I am not feeling particularly inspired today and I hate to just throw up a bunch of YouTube videos because while I may enjoy it I am not sure that everyone else does. So what to do, what to do?




"Sister Golden Hair"? She knows who she is ;)

Top 10 Blond entertainment persons (Based on Lance's own secret recipe)

1.

I have always love No Doubt but I also love her solo work as well. I think part of it is her perceived confidence and style.

2.

I didn't really become aware of Kristen Bell until I saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" but recently I watched "Veronica Mars" (which I really enjoyed). I think she is a good actress and seems to be pretty active when it comes to helping others. I think that is a good thing.

3.

Not much can be said about the iconic Debbie Harry. She was and is a classic that transcended the music industry and a real ground breaker for the women of today.

4.

January Jones is a very attractive women but I think she really shines as Betty Draper. I am so looking forward to the next season of "MadMen"

I am stopping at 4. I have grown bored.

Music Monday May 9th

Today is the day after Mothers Day lets find some songs about mothers. These are not in an order of preference they are just in order of whatever I felt like looking for.



That is one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs. I think it really highlights the suburban ennui that can come to dominate the existence of peoples lives. I also like the tune.



A little Mr T with treat your mother right. "Treat Your Mother Right" T speaks the truth!!!



That was some classic punk right there. I like your Mom!!!



One of my favorite Pink Floyd songs of all time and one that always blows my mind just a little bit.



A young boy getting some advice from his mother. This is a great song and full of good advice.



I am not a huge Paul Simon song but I really do enjoy this one. It just has a nice sound and it flows.

Well that is it for today. I hope people had a nice day yesterday with or without their Mothers.

Choose Life?

"Choose Life.(Seems pretty simple) Choose a job.(I am looking) Choose a career.(I have no idea what a career means) Choose a family.(I feel like I am doing pretty good there) Choose a fucking big television,(Have one) choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers.(Have some) Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance.(None of the above) Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments.(Gone now) Choose a starter home.(Gone as well) Choose your friends.(Done) Choose leisurewear and matching luggage.(I like the idea) Choose a three-piece suit on hire purchase in a range of fucking fabrics.(Nope) Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on Sunday morning.(Pretty much every Sunday) Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth.(Try to not but it happens) Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pissing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourselves.(No kids, will die with my cats) Choose your future.(No idea) Choose life… But why would I want to do a thing like that?(Who decides what life is best) I chose not to choose life.(There was a time) I chose somethin’ else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you’ve got heroin?"(Not heroin, maybe books and video games, a little booze)

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh (Modified by Lance)






Who doesn't need an escape now and then from the mundane?

Television Thursday

I just finished season 1 of "The Big Bang Theory". I am still not sure if I enjoy it or not. The show will be entering its 5th season next year and has won a few different awards and has been nominated for several as well. I have always been of the opinion that winning awards does not always mean quality and I think that I feel the same way about the show. To be sure there are some very funny bits here and there and I really enjoy the nod to popular nerd culture. But I am not sure if on a consistent basis this actually holds up.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the show the basic premise is this taken from their IMDB page

"Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper are both brilliant physicists working at Cal Tech in Pasadena, California. They are colleagues, best friends and roommates, although in all capacities their relationship is always tested primarily by Sheldon's regimented and non-conventional ways. They are also friends with their Cal Tech colleagues, mechanical engineer Howard Wolowitz and astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali. The foursome spend their time working on their individual work projects, playing video games, watching science fiction movies or reading comic books. As they are self-professed nerds, all have little or no luck with "popular" women. When Penny, a pretty woman and an aspiring actress originally from Omaha, moves into the apartment next to Leonard and Sheldon's, Leonard has another aspiration in life, namely to get Penny to be his girlfriend."

The creator of the show is a man named Chuck Lorre who has been mostly responsible for the majority of bad sitcoms on CBS right now. Though he did have a hand in "Roseanne" but that was never a show that I liked all that much. I found her loudness tiresome and not amusing in the least. But his biggest crime is that he created "Two and a Half Men" and in doing gave Charlie Sheen a career resurgence that has since allowed for the epic meltdown we all got the pleasure of experiencing earlier this year. I feel that for this crime alone Chuck Lorre should be flogged and hung from the town clock tower but I digress.

The concepts behind "The Big Bang Theory" (TBBT) are pretty basic and the show is filmed the same way that all sitcoms are filmed. As far as technique goes it could be "Laverne & Shirley" or "My Two Dads" there is nothing groundbreaking about what is going on behind the camera in each episode. The has some slight foreshadowing but the only kind of continuing story arc was the will they or won't they of Penny and Leonard. Believe me they are not Sam and Diane as much as Chuck Lorre would like us to believe they are. The interplay and the pining of Leonard towards Penny is interesting and believable. Who hasn't pined after someone who is out of their league. I realize that we are supposed to accept some fantastic things when watching a television show. But there is no way on Gods green earth that this woman

Is going to date this man

I really think that over the course of the first season Leonard has been releasing some form of gas into Pennys apartment and this is making her more malleable to his advances. There is no other reasonable explanation for them even getting involved. I have an incredible personality and I am good, good friends with many woman who are far out of my league and there is no way that it will be any different. This show does a disservice to poor lonely nerds everywhere (Who, lets be honest, have no where near the amazing personality that I do) in making them think that they could ever date a smoking hot babe like Penny. It is never going to happen. LET THE DREAM DIE NERDS!!!! LET IT DIE!!!

The show is also filmed in front of a live studio audience and I am just not a big fan of that. I do not like being told when to laugh based on the reactions of the audience of the laugh track that is being played. It isn't a horrible show but it isn't an amazing show either. I think that is why it is a success. It thrives in it mediocrity. The audience doesn't have to think. They do not have to feel. They can sit in their stupefied state. They are allowed to just float along without any effort on their part.

So that being said. I do find it something that I can just stare at and listen to while I do other things and let it just wash over me. So if that is what you are looking for then "The Big Bang Theory" is the show for you.

Wretched Wednesday

aaaagh!! Moan, complain. whine. Insert snarky remark here. Take something out of context. Complain about it. Make fun of someone. Feel better about myself. Find something else to complain about.

I got nothing today folks.

T is for Tuesday

Today is Tuesday, Tuesday!! It is the day before hump day and the day after the dreaded Monday. I think it is really kind of an unsung day. We are not at the middle of the week and it isn't the first day of the week so most of us have recovered from the weekends festivities and the Monday hangover has subsided. I bet more actual work gets done on a Tuesday then on any other day of the week. Now, granted, I have no real data to back up that claim. But when have I ever let something like that stop me? That is right I never have. My gut is telling me that Tuesday is the most productive work day of the week and I am sticking with my gut. I am so confident of this in fact that I am not going to bother even looking up evidence to back up my claim. I know I don't need to.

T is also for Thor because the premier of the new movie is in three days. I normally would not really care about yet another comic being made into a movie but what interests me is that this film is being directed by Kenneth Branagh. I realize that some may disagree but I think having Branagh as a director gives real weight to this movie. I know that is has been a while since he has directed anything but I absolutely love what he did with Henry V. I also really liked his version of Frankenstein, So, with that being said, I have reservations because I have no idea what the story is like or anything like that for the film but I like the director and I am looking forward to seeing what it looks like and how it translates to the screen.



Have a good day folks. I hope you are enjoying the ride and remember rich or poor, powerful or weak, it is all the same. None of us are getting out of here alive. So lets just enjoy the journey okay.

Music Monday May 2nd

I like to listen to music. I realize I have talked about that before but I was thinking about guitar solos that I have enjoyed and I thought I would share some of those solos with you. You want to hear them? Here they go.


WAIT!! WAIT!! Change of plans. I am going with songs named after women. Some of these will be women I know some will not and there is no personal order of preference involved. I may do songs with guys names next week I am not sure. But if your name isn't here it is probably because no one has used it in a song title not because I dislike you or anything like that. The world doesn't revolve around you so get over it.



Jessica by the Allman Brothers is an absolute classic and has some amazing guitar playing by Dickie Betts I believe. One of my favorite songs to close my eyes and just zone out to. I like the piano as well.



Beth by Kiss is a hard rock classic. It is a little hair metal but it actually is a pretty good song.



This is a song I have never heard before I thought I had seen the Woodstock DVD. I really like it.



Ahh yes the smooth, smooth, country sounds of the Pure Prairie League.



Another clip from Woodstock but this is the 99 version a little Alison by Elvis Costello. This is another song that I really like but I like most of the music by Mr. Costello



I admit I like some pretty sappy music but I am not going to be ashamed of it. I like this song. Aubrey by Bread.



I love, love, love Iggy Pop. This song works for me in so many ways and it has the lovely Kate Pierson and that is always a plus.



Brandy!!! You know your a fine girl. What a nice song about sailors who are in love with the local bartender.

I would be remiss if I did not close this out some classic heavy metal. So here we go with a little King Diamond from 1987 "Abigail" I am pretty sure that most of you are not even going to like this. I DO NOT CARE!!! \m/ \m/



I tried to find the a modern song that had the name of a girl in the tile and the only one I could find in Billboards Top 100 list was Akon and the song Angel. It is an example of the horrible autotuning that is going in todays music. Here you go.



Meh



Thus ends your Music Monday for May 2nd 2011