The Mellow, Vaguely Chemical Smell of Faux Butter Hangs in the Air

Lots o' bloggers are doing the summer preview thang. But writing a comment or two about dozens of movies seems . . . hard. So here are the five movies I most would like to see in a theater this summer. I will not see all five of these. I have three-year old twin girls. I may see two. But if wishes were fishes? These.

Spider-Man 3
Will hopefully see in the next week or two. I was very fond of the first two, so, despite some negative buzz, expect to at least be greatly entertained by this one. Three villains does seem like overkill though.

Knocked Up
The Forty-Year Old Virgin was hilarious and touching a feat that is very hard to pull off. (The regularity with which The Simpsons did it for six or seven years during the peak of the show's run there notwithstanding). So this follow-up by many of the same suspects is s strong in-theater contender, especially given that the wife's tastes and mine don't converge often, and we both loved Virgin.

Evan Almighty
Steve Carrell and Lauren Graham? And Morgan Freeman? In what actually looks like a pretty funny big comedy? I'm in.

Ratatouille
I still haven't seen Cars so the Pixar 1.000 batting average may or may not be intact with me. But this is more than just Pixar, this is Brad Bird-directed Pixar.

The Simpsons Movie
I have nine seasons of The Simpsons lined up on my shelf and faithfully Ti-Faux two syndicated episodes a day to try and catch post-season nine unseen episodes. I must see this movie.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Ex, Shrek the Third, Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer, Hairspray, Stardust, Superbad, and The Bourne Ultimatum - we may get together on DVD. We'll see.

Until Whenever

Smart Move

If this is true, then the suits at ABC, in a move uncharacteristic for their breed, are being smart and not greedy. As has been said many times before, giving the Lost creators a firm end-game will allow them to do a much better job of structuring the large story they're telling, and of determining when it would be most appropriate to provide certain answers. And five seasons strikes me as a fair run for the show, and gives them more than enough time to finish telling their story. We had heard a while back that the producers wanted this, and that ABC might have been amenable to the idea. If the E! report is right, then this would be the natural end result of these rumors. Excellent news, and I hope we hear it confirmed soon.

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Gilmore No More

According to Alan Sepinwall, the CW has officially announced that Gilmore Girls will end with the season finale. The rumored short season eight will not be happening after all. I know many fans are actually happy about this, given their lack of respect for the Sherman-Palladino-less seventh season. But as I have said, I've found this season, if less than great, consistently enjoyable, and I suspect that this news will make the last few episodes somewhat less satisfying than they would have been, not as artfully conceived a capper to seven seasons as they would have been.

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On the Nightstand

Oryx and Crake

I read Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale last year, and she immediately jumped up pretty high on my personal list of favorite authors. And now, after reading Oryx and Crake, she only keeps climbing. Just as The Handmaid's Tale showed us a dark vision of the near-future, with the details teased out in bits and pieces only, so does Oryx and Crake. But where the former focused on a future in which women's rights were all but stripped away completely, and the dark Fascist America in which that happened, the latter focuses on a world in which genetic experimentation and bio-engineering have been followed to what Atwood convinces us is an inevitable conclusion.

Atwood's explorations of her characters, especially Jimmy/Snowman, the central figure in her tale and the one who gives us, the audience, the story of how society fell is superb, as is her handling of the present/flashback structure. And I loved the world and story she has laid out - the concepts behind the Crakers (a new race of humans genetically engineered to be polyamorous non-violent herbivores), and the spliced-together new animal races (pigoons and wolvogs), and the way that mega-corporations have created a demarcated society even more split than the one we have now. But I did find myself wishing for some more vigor and detail behind the science, of the kind of fact-based, dryly scientific verisimilitude that someone like Kim Stanley Robinson brings to his near-future, based-on-real-science creations. There was a felling throughout of the science - and, given how dependent her world is on real scientific advances, the world Atwood was creating - being not completely real, not as finely textured and convincing as it could have been. In the end, this feeling was easily ignored, given the remarkable skill at hand in the other elements of the novel. But that faint whiff of "what if" was nonetheless there and present as I read.

Other minor faults? The romantic triangle angle, and Oryx herself, the distaff point of that triangle, were surprisingly underdeveloped, especially given the title. But, again, in the end, none of that really mattered, given how good what is focused on is. The character of Jimmy, who goes from smart-assed kid to unhinged, sheet-clad oracle is completely believable. And the self-centered, Aspergery genius character of Crake, whose hubris proves so devastatingly destructive, was likewise completely realized.

The bottom line is that the book grabbed and moved me like few others have, making me eager as can be to dive into another Atwood novel as soon as is feasible. Any suggestions? (I've read The Blind Assassin as well but no others save Oryx and Handmaid. ?

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It's the Role She Was Born to Play, Baby!

The Obererver notes that Saturday Night Live has yet to feature a Barack Obama impersonation, due to the glaring lack of a thin black castmember. While they are correct in noting that the show really will have to feature an Obama at some point, given that election-season candidate mockery is so finely woven into the DNA of the show, they are incorrect in claiming that SNL currently has just one black cast member. Maya Rudolph is, as far as I'm aware, at least partially black, and it occur to me that she could turn in a pretty interesting Obama impersonation, if they let her. She does that deep-voiced orator thing pretty well and with the right makeup and wardrobe - why not?

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The Fiber-Rich Diet

So, at long last, we have replaced the lamented DVR, by giving the new competition a chance and switching to Verizon's FiOS TV, Internet, and Phone package. For the same price we were paying before for phone, cable, and high-speed Internet, we now have a faster Internet, 11 HBOs (previously had none), and a brand-spanking new DVR. So, a week in, what do Tosy and Cosh think of FiOS?

Yay!

• The picture is noticeably better - and we are not springing for HD, nor do we have a HD TV - just a plain old picture tube.
• The channel choices. I especially like the multitude of digital music channels, a list that includes a beast I have long longed for - the showtune channel!
• Faster Internet. Not crazy noticeable, but noticeable all the same.
• The tech who installed it all. Eager, helpful, and superbly diligent - even when Verizon corporate dropped the ball (see below).
• The DVR. Dual tuner. Much easier to work than the old model. Series priority capabilities.
• Widgets - with a push of a button I can get a five-day forecast on-screen, under whatever I'm watching. Neato.
• On Demand. After much searching, I finally figured out that I could just order up, for free, that first episode of The Sopranos. Awesome.

Boo!

• On install day, some card on some pole was out, so after doing everything the tech realized that phone calls were disconnecting after 30 seconds, and that the Internet would disconnect as well. Stupid Verizon home office refused to let him put us on another card, and told him to tell us to just wait for the card to be fixed - which would mean he came into a house with working phone and Internet only to leave it with neither. He yelled at Verizon home office. He was awesome. And yet ineffectual in the end - they wouldn't budge. In the end, we made him put us back on copper for the phone. SO he had to come back this week to finish.
• Without a box, you get only network TV and a few odd cable channels. I knew without the $5-a-month box I wouldn't get all those HBOs, but I figured, as with cable, all the basics would work - TNT, Comedy Central, ESPN, etc. Not so much. So the bedroom and basement TVs are very limited. Ugh. Still, another $5 a month galls. Will try to go without.
• Call waiting is included. Never had it before. Me like.

So overall, while the tech gets an A, Verizon FiOS as a whole gets a B-, for screwing up the install and for the shortsighted, piggish box strategy. But on the whole? Happy.

Until Whenever

Random Top Ten

Random Top Ten!!

Top Ten Adam Guettel Songs

10. “The Beauty Is” – A delicate song about being on the threshold of adulthood, about being ready for responsibility and for consequences.

9. “The Riddle Song” – A great scene/song that closes out Act II of Floyd Collins. Floyd is trapped underground in a cave and his brother refuses to let him lose hope by getting him to relive childhood fun. Stephen Sondheim has called this one of the songs he “wishes [he] wrote,” so there you go.

8. “The Light in the Piazza” – A gorgeous ballad, with Guettel’s trademark understatement shining through.

7. “Let’s Walk” - More from The Light in the Piazza. The ingenue's parents discuss the difficulties inherent in letting their children grow up.

6. “Fable” – The finale to The Light in the Piazza. Note the Sondheim allusion at the opening, with a very Into the Woods-esque vamp introducing the lyrics about "looking in the forest" for a "prince to appear."



5. “The Carnival” - A basically instrumental piece from Floyd Collins that plays as the media circus overtakes the town (think Baby Jessica eighty years earlier with a young man instead of a toddler).

4. “The Ballad of Floyd Collins” - A dead-on pastiche of a folk ballad, used to introduce the show in lieu of an overture and in a eerie, angry reprise later.

3. “Dividing Day” - Light in the Piazza again. Clara (the mother) ponders when her marriage went from one of love one of convenience, ponders when that "dividing day" was. An achingly melancholy and pensive melody.

2. “Migratory V” - Guettel gets a lot of the beauty and power in his music through harmonic language and effects and odd rhythms. But here a pure, pristine melody drives the song, a beautiful hymn to the power of what people can accomplish in communion with one another.

1. “How Glory Goes”- The finale to Floyd Collins, with a dying Floyd asking God what heaven will be like. Heartbreaking.

Until Whenever

Season Endgames

Here at the end of the 06-07 season, I thought it would be fun to take a look at the series I watch, where they stand, what I thought, and were they are going. So:

How I Met Your Mother - I though the second season was superb. I missed a fair share of episodes thanks to what I'll refer to as the "Tragic DVR Implosion of 07", or "TDI07," but still caught a good hunk of the season, and thought the writers did a fine job of a) deepening Barney without needlessly softening him, b) developing the Ted-Robin relationship, and c) fairly handling the Lily-Marshall break-up/reconciliation. I understand that the season finale upsets some apple carts, but am reassured by the good Mr. Alan Sepinwall that a third season will surely get approved and any open plot threads the chance to get resolved next year. Huzzah!

Studio 60
Never found its stride. I think having the leads be savior/geniuses who succeed out of the gate at rescuing Studio 60 was a major dramatic stumbling block (I never really believed in their genius), and that the tone of "this stuff isn't of earth-shattering importance, but it is to us, and we treat it that way" that Sorkin achieved so nicely on Sports Night was missing. Sorkin tried to have his cake (write about folks just putting on a show) and eat it too (the show was the most important show ever) and ended up neither possessing or ingesting it.

Heroes
Saw this intermittently over the year and have seen most episodes by now. Loved the plotting and sense of momentum. Loved the sense of humor. Thought the portentousness fell flat and that the character interaction writing - the dialogue - was oft clumsy. Still, very eager to see how this first season plays out.

Gilmore Girls
Thought, as usual, that long-time fans overreacted to the shift in focus. No, this season hasn't been classic Gilmore Girls, but it has been worthy and honest and entertaining. I'm one of the few hoping the 13-episode final season gets approved, so that the tying up of loose ends can be done more elegantly.

Veronica Mars
TDI07 had me miss all but the first, stellar, arc, but I eagerly await the last episodes of the season, and most likely series. I have a feeling it'll take the DVD to really appreciate this chopped-up season. I do think that Veronica Mars had the potential to be very interesting in the long-term, as they let Veronica grow up, and on that basis mourn its supposed demise even more.

Lost
I marvel at every episode at how well-directed, shot, cast, scored, and produced this is. While Heroes may have gotten a lot of ink for successfully aping Lost's sci-fi, geeky, serialized nature and bettering it in plot-advancement, I don't think it's gotten enough dis-credit for not coming close to equaling the writing, acting, or production excellence that is Lost. I know many lost patience with this season, but I remain enamored. We've learnt much about the Others (whose story this season is clearly largely concerned with) and have seen some interesting dynamics develop between characters. Count me as hugely anticipating next week's Ben-focused backstory and the Jack-(again?? - I bet this time there's a good reason)-focused finale.

My Name Is Earl
Only saw a handful of these, but loved the messing with the format they've done, and actually think the last few episodes, which suggest big changes for Earl, could be great.


The Office
Missed some key episodes (all the Roy-Jim stuff), but absolutely loved how they have managed to balance soapy, plotty stuff (the Jim-Karen-Pam triangle, the Michael-Jan relationship) with more standalone humor. It's a hard balance to strike, but I think they're doing a great job of it.

Scrubs
Seen maybe half of the episodes and have liked them just fine. Scrubs is one of those shows I never think about, but always love when I remember to watch it.

30 Rock
A great first season that evidenced a remarkable ability to adjust on the fly. An ability that will hopefully not be tested by an Alec Baldwin-less season. Still, I don't curry with the seemingly unanimous notion that Baldwin carries the show. A Tina Fey-less 30 Rock I could not fathom. Get the right actor to replace Baldwin and you could still have a show.

ER
Still moving, still capable of wonderful drama.

The Sopranos
Have only seen the premiere so far. Will post thoughts once I'm more caught up.

Battlestar Galactica
TDI07 had me miss the entire second half of the season. Am trying to grab reruns now.

Until Whenever

Stars and Moon

When this song came up in a Friday Shuffle two weeks ago, I wrote at (relative, for a Friday Shuffle entry) length about what a great song it is, and how quickly it's become a cabaret staple. At the time, I tried to find a video to better illustrate its brilliance, but was unable to. No more. From a live Audra McDonald concert in London. Enjoy.



Until Whenever

Things That Can Kill You

When your three-year old, the one who carts her baby doll around with her everywhere, is told that she can't take a highchair for her baby doll to sit in, because she's not real and a real baby might need it, and she responds, with absolute stunning sincerity, "But my baby is real."

Until Whenever

Random Top Ten


Random Top Ten!!

(Longest Random Top Ten Title Ever!)


Top Ten Most Attractive Saturdan Night Live Female Cast Members


10. Joan Cusack









9. Molly Shannon










8. Kristen Wiig

7. Jan Hooks

6. Amy Poehler











5. Sarah Silverman












4. Maya Rudolph

3. Janeane Garafolo

2. Tina Fey

1. Julia-Louis Dreyfus

Until Whenever

A Trio of Dylan

Can't say I understand the whole whiteface thing, but the live album of Dylan's 1975 tour is the one disc that really got me into Dylan. From the acoustic set, an impassioned "Tangled Up in Blue."



A very, very early performance. Ain't he cute!




And a pretty recent (2002), pretty rocking performance of "Cry a While." Dylan and his live band pretty much define what it means to be "tight" as a band.



Until Whenever

On the Nightstand

Forty Signs of Rain, Kim Stanley Robinson


The author of maybe my favorite sci-fi series ever (the hugely recommended Mars trilogy) has written a three-par (I think) series about environmental disaster, replete with the usual real, hard-core science to back up everything that's happening. The touch Robinson displayed with character in the Mars trilogy seems to be missing here, with most of the largish cast of characters pretty generic and stock. That being said, a romantic subplot that should be cliched and hoary as hell (it involves a main character getting caught in an elevator with an attractive woman and sparks flying) actually works very well. This first book is really stage-setting, with not much of import happening until the last fifty or so pages, when a monster storm takes out Washington D.C. The slow build-up notwithstanding, the book served its purpose and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the second book.

Aging with Grace, David SnowdonThe fascinating story of the long-term Nun Study, in which author David Snowdon has enlisted a few hundred nuns in a long-range study designed to tease out some answers around the causes of Alzheimer's, what keeps the mind sharp in old age, and other medical issues facing the elderly. To really make the study worthwhile (especially around the Alzheimer's question, which is pretty central to the study and the book), Snowdon actually convinced each nun to donate her brain to the study upon her death. The scenes in which Snowdon recalls making the request, and the life-affirming responses he received are some of the book's most emotionally powerful. Snowdon's writing is a bit plodding (he's no master prose stylist), and yet he still manages to convey the warmth and giving nature of these women wonderfully. The most intriguing conclusion wrung from the study so far is a remarkable correlation between idea density in the nuns' writing (each nun had penned a few-page autobiography before entering the convent) and the risk of developing Alzheimer's. The denser with ideas the nuns' sentences, the less likely they were to develop the disease.

Until Whenever

Doin' the Friday Shuffle

1. "Broadway Baby" - Stephen Sondheim (sung by Elaine Stritch) - Follies in Concert - 1985
Probably my favorite performance of "Broadway Baby." And I've heard a lot of them

2. "Honey Are You Straight or Are You Blind?" - Elvis Costello - Blood & Chocolate
Love the see-sawing organ bit. Steve Nieve rules.

3. "The First Goodbye" - William Finn - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Original Broadway Cast)
I got this probably a good year ago and haven't really listened to it. Not sure why.

4. "Somewhere" - Leonard Bernstein - West Side Story (Original Broadway Cast)
Quite simply one of the purest, most achingly beautiful melodies ever composed.

5. "Madman across the Water" - Bruce Hornsby - Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin
A very nice cover. Hornsby is a natural fit doing Elton John's music.

6. "Chasin' the Train" - John Coltrane - Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: John Coltrane
Epic, at times seemingly atonal saxophone piece by the master.

7. "Boy with a Problem" - Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom
This pretty, bittersweet ballad sounds like prom music. Not sure why, but, yes. Prom music.

8. "Ship of Fools" - Elvis Costello - Kojak Variety
From the bonus disc that came with the Rhino reissue. Piano-based bar tune.

9. "Queen Amidala and the Naboo Palace" - John Williams - Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (Score)
Mood setting piece, with a lovely quote of Anakin's theme.

10. "Wanting Things" - Burt Bacharach - Promises, Promises (Original Broadway Cast)
Bacharach's score is very underrated - a canny blend of Broadway and his own instantly identifiable sound. If Tom Jones hasn't covered this he damn well should.

Until Whenever

A Trio of Sondheim

Mark Evanier over at News From Me linked to this a while back, but it's definitely worthy of a look. Stephen Sondheim works with a student learning "Send in the Clowns." His comments are so wonderfully specific and tailored, and illuminating, that you just wish you could see the entire thing, and not just these four-plus minutes.



This is quite simply the most beautifully acted performance of "Send in the Clowns" that I have ever seen. What can't Judi Dench do?



And, finally, one of the most iconic Sondheim performances of all time - Mandy Patinkin's original performance of "Finishing the Hat."



Until Whenever

More, More, More!!

From good ol' reliable Jaq, this time:

What do you think about Ouija boards?

That they're very silly. But them I'm a pretty hard core, no ghosts, no spirits, you become naught but meat when you die kind of a guy.

Your favorite TV shows?

Currently? Lost, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, The Sopranos, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, Scrubs, Battlestar Galactica, 30 Rock.

What’s on your mouse pad?

Promotional information about the learning center at my company in the shape of a subway map.

Favorite board game

I don't have the mental discipline of chess, but the writer and word-lover in me loves him some Scattergories.

Favorite magazine

The Atlantic. This month's issue has a great (and creepy) piece on mass suicides in Japan.

Favorite smells

Chocolate chip cookies baking. Christmas. The beach. Really, all the cliches.

Worst feeling in the world

Seeing your child in pain.

Best feeling in the world

Seeing your child become a person.

Favorite soundtrack

All of John Williams' Star Wars scores, collectively. Close runners-ups to his A.I. score, James Horner's Braveheart score, Thomas Newman's Shawshank Redemption score, and Michael Giacchino's Lost scores.

What is the first thing you think when you wake in the morning

You can do it. You can get through another day of work.

Roller coaster - scary or exciting?

Gross. I have no tolerance for roller coasters, but it's not a "I'm scared" thing, it's a "when I go on one I feel horrible" thing. It's basically a kind of pain, an intense, nauseating discomfort in the belly and chest.

How many rings before you answer the phone?

Two.

Favorite Foods

See here.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Has push come to shove? It has? Chocolate then. Because mediocre chocolate is still good. Vanilla is bliss, but only high-quality vanilla.

Do you like to drive?

Not particularly.

Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?

No.

Storms - cool or scary?

Cool. Until they cause real damage, Fortunately, I've never been in that position.

What type was your first car

Buick Le Sabre. Named her "Jenny," after my Grandma - both were old, large, and loud.

If you could meet one person dead or alive - who would it be?

Bono.

Favorite alcoholic drink

None. (Teetotaler)

What is your zodiac sign?

Virgo. A wimpy kind of sign.

Who is your favorite poet?

Don't have one. Never got into poetry.

Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

I do. Yummy.

If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be?

Short-term? Broadway actor. But the truth is I'm too much of a family man to maintain that kind of schedule long-term. So, long-term, let's say pop culture critic at large. I really want Chuck Klosterman's career.

If you could dye your hair any color, what would it be?

Well, I could if I wanted to and I don't.

Have you ever been in love?

Have and am.

What is on your walls in your room?

Caricature of me and the wife. Cast-signed poster for a production of Man of La Mancha I directed. This:

Is the glass half empty or half full?

Depends on the day.

What is your favorite Snapple?

I just discovered Diet Carrot Orange and am in love.

Favorite movie(s):

Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Shawshank Redemption, The Fisher King, The Last Temptation of Christ, Beauty and the Beast.

Are you a lefty, righty, or ambidextrous?

Righty. What am I, a freak?

Do you type with your fingers on the proper keys?

Not remotely.

What’s under your bed?

Crap. Oddly enough, the same crap that was under it in the old house. You'd think we wouldn't have just moved it. But we did.

What is your favorite number?

42. Because I'm a good geek.

Favorite sport to watch

Basketball. Only I have the patience to watch these days.

Say one nice thing about the person who sent this to you

Jaq writes probably my favorite Star Wars commentary out on the Web. And there's a LOT of Star Wars commentary out on the Web.

Favorite quote

"Evil will always win over good. Because good is dumb."

Until Whenever

More Music Meme!

Another one filched from the sword-wielding Japanese amphibian:

What was the first recorded music you bought?

Casettes to use on my brand-new Walkman - the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack (pretty much for that awesome piece of synthesized instrumental coolness, "Axel F") and the Goonies soundtrack (can not for the life of me remember what song made me want this. Although it may well have been "Goonies (R Good Enough)" I was an odd child.

What was the last?

The soundtrack to the second season of Lost. Giacchino works wonders on that show.

What was the first "professional" music show you ever went to?

U2, Zoo TV Tour. Seventeen years old, last-minute scalped tickets, after beating the parents into submission to get them to let me and the younger sister go and getting lost on the way and almost giving up before approaching some guy selling in the larking lot, and paying way too much per. Indescribably thrilling.

What was the last?

Allmann Brothers. Went with my father last year when a guy at work offered him tickets. Not really my bag but a worthy evening just the same, if just for the experience. Guys can play, that's fo' sure.

What's your "desert island" album?

The Joshua Tree. Easy.

What's your favorite album/song title?

Album and song - All this Useless Beauty. I just love the phrase. Even wrote a short story inspired by it.

What's your favorite album art (include an image of it if you can)?

Human Wheels, John Mellencamp. It's really a lovely image, and one very appropriate to the album's themes.

Ideal choice for a karaoke song?

Something by Dylan. Everyone thinks he can't sing, so you're not being judged too harshly.

Song you don't like that WILL NOT LEAVE YOUR HEAD if you hear it."

No one will know what I'm talking about, but there's a song, "Going on a Hayride," from a really, really low-budget, bad video my kids unfortunately love that sticks like glue.

Which is cooler? -- Vinyl? CD? Cassette? 8-track?

mp3 or other digital. I really don't notice sound quality at all unless it's really bad, so portability wins out.

Until Whenever

Is There a Time?

One of my favorite songs, in an understated, quiet live performance from Milan. I love how Bono, while clearly not in the best vocal shape late in the tour, still manages to pretty much nail the high note in the aria section, the one done by Pavarotti on record. Not sure how many other rock vocalists could do what he does here - sing a note like that, in full voice, without screeching or screaming it.


Until Whenever

iPod as Magic Eight Ball

Thanks to Electronic Cerbrectomy for the meme. The iPod's shuffle feature mystically provides insights into my life:

1. How does the world see me?
"Remember Vinnie Bolanzo" (from the A View from a Bridge opera) The world cautions me not to follow the example of poor Vinnie.

2. Will I live a happy life?
"The Worst Pies in London" (from Sweeney Todd) No; the worst kind of life, apparently.

3. What do my friends really think of me?
"Two of a Kind" (from The Wild Party) They think we're pretty tight.

4. Do people secretly lust after me?
"Mother and Child Reunion" (Paul Simon) Not if the image that comes to mind is a heartwarming family reunion.

5. How can I make myself happy?
"The Show Biz" (from Ragtime) Goodbye corporate world! I'm going to make it on Broadway!

6. What should I do with my life?
"A Quiet Girl" (Leonard Bernstein) What I'm doing, so it seems, spend it in domestic contentment.

7. Will I ever have children?
"Polly" (Nirvana) Not either of my kids names, but OK.

8. What is some good advice for me?
"My Wife" (The Who) My wife is good advice, or has good advice?

9. How will I be remembered?
"Eminence Front" 9The Who) - As a man of eminence? Cool.

10. What is my signature dancing song?
"Rhode Island Is Famous for You" (Mandy Patinkin) - A sweet and silly standard that you'd dance along with the kids to? Works well.

11. What do I think my current theme song is?
"O beauty, o handsomeness" (Benjamin Britten) - Tee hee.

12. What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
"Caca" (Elaine Stritch) - Sheer perfection.

13. What song will play at my funeral?
"Simple Joys" (from Pippin) - A bit upbeat, no?

14. What type of women/men do I like?
"Les Poissons" (from The Little Mermaid) - I like fish-women?

15. What is my day going to be like?
"Whisper of a Thrill" (from Meet Joe Black) - Not yet.

Until Whenever

Lost Thoughts

As Lost moves into the end stages of Season Three, I'm finding myself, much against the grain of much of the Internet-based fanbase, of becoming more and more fond of the season. Last week's episode was notable in its several reveals - what happened to Claire, Juliet's backstory, the truth (maybe) of her joining the beach crew - but even more notable, for me, were a few acting moments. Josh Holloway's performance of the moment when Jack and Kate return was a revelation - without one word he was able to very clearly convey the changes Sawyer has gone through in the two or so months they've been on the island. In particular, the way he made his feelings for Kate known was remarkably clear and affecting.

At the same time, Elizabeth Mitchell was masterly, throughout, but especially in the scene where Ben shows her video of her sister and her little boy. The way that Mitchell showed us Juliet being just completely overtaken by emotions was what impressed me the most - she didn't play just relief, or joy, or sadness, but a wrenching combination of all three.

What also impressed me greatly about that moment was how invested in it the show was able to get me - it was a very effecting emotional moment, that moved me as a viewer, and yet that particular storyline has hardly gotten oodles of screen time - a couple of flashback scenes in one episode prior and in this on and that's it. And yet it was extremely involving.

Whatever faults Lost may have, and even I'll admit it has some, the production values - from the direction to the acting to the editing to the scoring (especially to the scoring) - are impeccable week in and week out, and do not get near enough credit. So as we move into the endgame - and to a season finale that will most likely leave us to go seven-plus Lost-less months - I'll say, loud and proud, that Lost is still delivering the goods, in pretty much every way.

Until Whenever