Whistling Dixie

In a strange bit of solidarity, The Wife and I decided that with our next paycheck, we would buy the new Dixie Chicks CD Taking the Long Way. We actually liked the last CD, Home, quite a bit. (The Wife is big fan of the song Landslide in any version. I like Travellin' Soldier.) The sound on that CD was more O Brother Where Art Thou, then Garth Brooks. We also really appreciated what Natalie Maines said about our "Fearless Leader" and found the flack around it rather disturbing. It's not like they said they were "Bigger then Jesus." Anyway, I listened to cd through free streaming on Real Networks. I liked it. The country sound has been toned down for a more folk-pop approach. Some people I admire helped on the CD, like Neil Finn, Sheryl Crow and Pete Yorn. It was produced by Rick Rubin, who did some great work with Johnny Cash before he left us. (The Man Comes Around is an excellent single, and a great way to open the Dawn of the Dead remake.) What I really enjoyed about this CD is the anger it contains. The first single, Not Ready to Make Nice, has so much venom laced in superb harmonies and strings, it almost like Eminem meets Jewel. The part where Natalie sings about receiving death threats is pretty chilling. Other songs like Taking the Long Way and Lubbock or Leave It show the Chicks giving a collective finger to the audience that burned their CD's.

Of course, that audience is still trying to give the Dixie Chicks the "Bum's Rush. " Country stations are trying to avoid the CD like it had the "Bird Flu." I haven't really bought CD's in a long time. Too many other expenses right now to spend on anything that seems superflous. However, I will run out and buy this CD. I would hate to feel like I've been lumped into an ignorant lot by not buying.

Rocky Mountain Low

I've been paying attention to the TV Upfronts just to see what is coming in the next season. In particular, was curious what the new fledgling network, the CW was going to show. I was very happy to see that Tuesday night is an estrogen-fest with Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars. Larry Jr was glad that Smallville was back, and Laurita was even more so to see Supernatural on the schedule. (Of course it is on a death time slot competing with the moved Grey's Anatomy and CSI, plus the new Aaron Sorkin faux-SNL backstage series.)

Anyway, what really chapped our family's collective behind was the CW's decision to change it's mind and bring back the insipid 7th Heaven, after it had it's friggin' series finale. That decision signed the death warrant for one of the few shows we enjoyed as a family viewing experience. I am talking about Everwood.

I'll spare the details on Everwood. If you have not seen the show, you won't be sad to see it gone. It's been on for four seasons, and moved around quite a bit. It's a good show. The acting is top notch. The characters are people you care about. In a rarity for a show, characters would make stupid decisions that actually would have lasting affects through the series. Sympathies could change. Situations were never very soapy, or stupid. Episodes culd make you laugh, or tear-up, sometimes in minutes from each other. Everwood could be very cathartic.

Anyway, Everwood is gone. The series final airs Monday. I'll be watching it the next day on DVR since I work that night. I'm sure I'll smile and I am sure that will cry. I am also sure that I will be removing the timer from my DVR way too soon.

Note: Invasion is also gone. No more Sheriff Tom. Heavy sigh.

TeeVee Question # 3 (I am worried about the Beaver)

Last night's Veronica Mars finale was one of the best episode's of TV I've seen all year. Perhaps I feel justified in my appreciation because I had the mystery solved. (Before the denouement, I had paused the DVR to explain what a clue meant to The Wife and little Laurita.) There was so much going on in that episode, I almost felt exhausted.

My question about the episode is a bit complex. With what happened to Aaron Echolls near the end, do you think that Duncan Kane and Kendall Casablancas actually set-up the reasonable doubt so the Echolls could get free?

Hmmm....

This Blog will self destruct in five seconds...

Last night, the Wife and I headed to the cineplex with kids in tow to see J.J. Abram's MI3. We, of course, got in free since Lawrence Jr. works at that theater. I was looking forward to seeing it. To be frank, I did not see the first two movies in the theater. MI:1 I saw on my sisters laserdisk machine. We rented MI:2. (Although I am huge John Woo fan, I could not get myself to theater to see it.) This one I really wanted to see. Not cause of Tom Cruise, but cause of J. J. Abrams.

The Wife and I have been big fans of the Abrams. We're devoted fans of Felicity, and will sometimes keep the re-runs on if they show up on a remote scan. And who would of thought a character we hated, (Hannah) would morph into Sydney Bristow? We are both sad that Alias is leaving the air. I really don't think I need to add anymore wood to the Lost acclaim fire. Heck, we even like Armageddon. (And The Wife likes Regarding Henry)

So my expectations to MI3 were pretty high. I was not disappointed. MI3 is fun, action packed film. It was a cool movie. It played like a big-budget verions of Alias. (Sadly without a Jack Bristow.) I also had fun playing spot the J.J. Abrams touches.

This is what I noticed.

1.) The movie starts with a whimper and becomes a flashblack. (Just like many an Alias episode.)

2.) A party scene with the main characters showing domesticy, with wine glasses all around. (Added bonus for appearance of Greg Grunberg, Abrams lucky charm)

3.) Keri Russell playing no wimp.

4.) The friendship/team moments of the IMF force that Ethan Hunt works with.

5.) The Benjy character is the British Marshall Flenkman

6.) The quiet moments had the Michael Giacchino score play simple piano keys

6.5.) At least one slow motion scene of people walking, but it did not have a song playing by Sarah McLachlan, so it half counts.

7.) There is a lot of running.

I am sure that there are plenty of other Abrams touches, so I will have to go and watch again.

Notes: I did read that in the end credits, J.J. Abrams gives a special shout-out to The Hanso Foundation. Nice.