merry christmas

Here is wishing your friends and family a good one - shennantics

"Rolling with the homies"

Today is a very sad day, it was reported earlier that actress Brittany Murphy (Clueless, 8 Mile, Spun, Sin City and Just Married) died of cardiac arrest this morning.

It really is shocking because, Murphy was only 32 and she hadn't really been in the news lately. I'm saddened because Murphy was one of my favorite actresses because of her goofball tendencies and just sorta whacky demeanor.

Different entertainment reports all cite "8 Mile" as her claim to fame, but who could ever forget about Tai? "And my buns they don't feel nothing like steel."

Murphy did quite a bit indie films that kinda went under the radar, and even had done a recording with dance DJ Paul Oakenfold for "Fasterkill Pussycat," which surprised everyone because she could carry a note, very well. I don't know why people were so surprised just remember the scene in Clueless "Rollin' with the homies."



She will be missed.

Fasterkill Pussycat

The Monsters Under Lady Gaga's Bed

Don't call it an album, really, do not. Lady Gaga's "Fame Monster" is definitely an EP, and if you bought the deluxe/super-de-duper/limited-edition/her-hair-is-attached-to-it boxset than you were also greeted with "The Fame" in conjunction with "Monster." It is the year of the Gaga.

From the now-famous battle cry of "Bad Romance" with it's club stomping sensibilities and bizarre lyrics (References to Hitchcock aplomb!) the "Fame Monster" is a set up for the crazy, but very seductive world of Lady Gaga.

8 tracks seems to be very skimpy, yet it's always better to go out with the audience wanting more. And yet, for all the black glitter allure of "The Fame Monster" the ambition, the expectation is a bit much. Gaga is a talented woman, with an ear for impressive, catchy pop hooks, but releasing new material so quickly after "The Fame" does show that there is still room to grow.

On an interview with Toure for Fuse, Gaga opened up about her idiosyncracies regarding love, monsters and pop fame. The album explores these 'monsters.' "Alejandro" with it's slice of Euro-disco, is one of the two tracks that deviate from Gaga's tried and true in-your-face dance aggresion.
Things get a bit creepy on "Monster" with lyrics like "he ate my heart," and "he ate my heart and then he ate my brains." Aside from the lyrics, "Monster" is the most radio friendly. This album was designed for the clubs.

Sasha Fierce or should we say, Beyonce, drops in on the claustophobic production "Telephone" which details a night at the club punctuated with incessant calls from a too eager amour. Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins produced "Telephone" and it does signify a break from the rest of the album, Sasha Fierce's guestspot as the tough-as-robotic-nails diva only amps up this single as another club jam.

"The Fame Monster" is not lean on club jams either, the swaying "So Happy I Could Die," is a personal favorite, while "Dance in the Dark" gets lost in the small shuffle. Tellingly, "Speechless" and "Teeth" the non dance-y cuts on the album highlight Gaga's ability to craft interesting pop songs. It's not a leap away from "The Fame" but for people who can't get Gaga out of their head, "The Fame Monster" is good enough to eat.
Grade : A-

Gaga Ooh La La

Optimus Prime Needs A WonderBra?

So, Michael Bay has directed a Victoria's Secret commercial.
FML.
I'm kidding.

I'm not a fan of Bay's I-need-to-blow-everything to pieces cinema de verite, and I can't for the life of his career understand why he would undertake directing a VS commercial.

I am a fan of VS (what girl isn't?) but this commerical pushes the aggresive sexiness to a whole new level. Seriously, models leaving a jetliner in their lingerie? That makes no sense whatsoever, Bay. We get it, VS is serious business and sexiness is danger, adrenaline, yadda yadda.

I wonder if when directing the clip, Bay was trying to "reach deep" into the models pysches and play up to their individual personalities.

Just a thought.


Blow it to Pieces!

Grade : F for Fail.