Brothers

This is extremely overdue, so I apologize for a review I should have written two months ago. In fact, I didn't even see the film until this afternoon so that's my excuse.

At this point if you haven't seen Brothers, then I can't say I blame you because it got overshadowed by a lot of other bigger bolder winter blockbuster films but it was exquisite in it's own quiet way. I haven't seen many war movies simply because I have found that more often than not, when they're made well these types of films are ultimately too much for my heart and mind to handle. Brothers doesn't disappoint in that realm. It is emotionally tangled from the moment you meet the main characters, and it's evident before the lights even go out in the theatre that the audience will be watching a love affair of sorts.

What I wasn't expecting was the scenes that follow Toby Maguire's character Sam in Afghanistan as he struggles through torturous circumstances in order to get home alive. Those scenes are undoubtedly too real, leaving the audience caught between two worlds.  Existing simultaneously are the different stories the film follows and they are edited in such a way as to wake up viewers from the increasingly loving relationship that blossoms between Sam's brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), Sam's wife Grace (Natalie Portman) and Sam and Grace's two daughters.

I digress to say that I think the real breakout acting in this film is done by Bailee Madison and Taylor Geare. Two young actresses who flawlessly protray Sam and Grace's daughters. There is never a question that these girls are as grounded and wonderfully candid in only a way that a young child can be during what would be an incredibly painful situation, especially so early in life.

Sam ultimately returns [as is shown in the trailer] and suffers from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which subsequently keeps him isolated from his newly reunited family. It also keeps him guessing about Grace and Tommys' relationship, as is the audience. We never really get answers, but what we do get is an extraordinary scene involving all three main characters as Sam struggles with his inner guilt and anger. It is truly heart-wrenching, and incredibly suspenseful.

When the credits roll, you end up astounded and wanting more. Without giving anything away I have to say that I felt unsatisfied. I walked out feeling like I'd seen half of an extremely captivating film.  Check it out though - in some places Brothers is still in theatres, but if not it comes out on DVD March 23.

How To Make It In America

I just had the privilege of watching the first episode of "How To Make It In America", since I'm off from work this week due to February break. The new series on HBO which is produced by Mark Wahlberg and his team of miscreants who also created Entourage, follows two "twenty-something" guys trying to make it in The Only City That Matters (TOCTM aka NYC).

Something about the blog they've been using to promote the show caught my eye a few weeks back, so since the first ep was free (!) on iTunes I thought I'd take advantage of that and watch. What a delight.

If you happen to be a twenty-something, like I am, trying to make it basically anywhere this show is for you. I can't help but be drawn in by the city setting though. The show and it's characters remind me so much of why it is I made my goal to move to the city in the first place.

Check out the episode. It's as much full of laughs as it is full of empathy for the main character (played by Bryan Greenberg) who oozes heartbreak with his facial expressions. If you're in a similar situation to mine; aka moved home to save some money cause you got a job offer that you kind of like and it's smarter than immediately moving to where you really want to be then this show is for you.

(Photograph above from HBO Canada.)

Stud of the Month

In case you've been living under a rock for the past eight years and you don't know who Apolo Ohno is, here is my treat to you. I say Stud of the Month not as if I'll actually continue picking one on a monthly basis but because the world is currently four days into the XIX Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Apolo Ohno has already won his sixth medal for the United States in Short Track Speedskating.

Ohno has become the face of the sport and he's been an inspiring person to watch compete and represent the United States proudly. Even when he took a break from short track and went on Dancing With the Stars (which he ultimately won) he never seemed to get weighed down with fame the way so many athletes seem to.

Shortly after his first Olympic debut in Salt Lake City he was one of the athletes featured in my favorite Nike commercial of all time. Even after six years, the "move" commercial remains in the first slot for me as the athletes meld one sport into another to one of the most moving soundtracks ever to be used in a Nike ad.

The Bachelor Blows

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Bachelor and his army of skanks are not getting paid for their time spent on national television right? That said, I cannot fathom what it is about this show that keeps people coming back.

Even if you're a drama-holic jonesing for bad reality television (is there good reality tv?) you can't possibly be as deluded as half of the contestants. This show is so damned contrived I don't see how it's possible that any of the main people are able to convince themselves that their relationships are real.

"Dating itself is infuriating. Nevermind doing it in miniclips on national television," my best friend from college just weighed in and she's never even seen the show.

Every time I catch myself peering over the top of my laptop to follow along while BFab watches the latest hunk-a-millionaire bag his babe I end up wishing I could have my half hour back.

I just don't see how anyone could think that they would find an honest loving relationship with someone who's willing to have their face plastered all over national television for six months as a result. I think that's called greed, not love... famewhore works too actually.

The only girl on this season who didn't look like a fake plastic barbie cardboard cutout has left the show to save her career (!) and she's since taken a rainstorm of insults by women online for leaving and putting her career in advertising ahead of a fake relationship. Oh the horror!

...and now they're parading out the girl whose boobs could be used as a PFD (personal flotation device), in fact I'm now going to refer to women who have obviously fake boobs as PFDs.

We Are the World 25

I'm so annoyed with this. In the past week the 6:30 pm trash entertainment news segments have been inundating poor unsuspecting casual viewers with EXCLUSIVE CLIPS and interviews from the taping of "We Are The World 25 For Haiti". Call me heartless but what makes Entertainment Tonight and Mary Hart think that I'm interested in watching a bunch of semi-famous performers collaborate on the remake of a song that [let's be honest] wasn't that great to begin with. The most I got out of these so called EXCLUSIVE CLIPS was surprise that this many egos were able to fit in that small space together.

Check it out though, despite my irritation it is for a good cause and the footage from Haiti is powerful stuff.



I know what you're thinking. I was wondering the same thing. I had no idea Vince Vaughan could sing and judging from the confused look on his face during the video, he had no idea either.

...in bed.

My mom (aka BFab) informed me tonight over the dinner table that many report John Mayer is really good in bed. I almost threw up my taco salad. She says, these reports (which she is convinced are true) must be the reason his lack of good looks don't seem to get in the way of whichever Phi Beta Bimbo he's decided to lay his dirty paws on this week.

I simply answered her in one sentence.

John Mayer is sex on a guitar.

Secret Club

I have now joined the club of women who have boobs. I say that with the least amount of excitement possible because, unlike many women my age, I hate boobs. They're of absolutely no use to me. I get that men like them, but really they just get in the way. So with that, I add that I have moved up an entire cup size in the world and it feels a little bit dirty.

I'd rather be an ass woman. I figure if Miranda Kerr can get Orlando Bloom with her ass and regular ta's then I should have no problem disowning my new cup size and getting that foot of muscle that reaches from my ass to the back of my legs in shape instead.

Just saying.

Super Bowl #9986234982734

I realize that it's practically un-American to not enjoy watching the Super Bowl, yet here I sit [wrapped in my Snuggie] ignoring the tv and instead watching Lost on hulu.com. I have a few grievances this year with what I think has become the biggest excuse to create a new holiday in the states. Ever.

First of all, what's with CBS booking bands that aren't American citizens for one thing? This is supposed to be the biggest event all winter for, at the very least, most Joe-the-plumbers and yet what are we watching at half time... half dead zombie versions of anti-America British rock icons waddling around the stage like they don't know what to do without their canes. Would it kill CBS to book an American icon? some legendary American band that's still kicking? I mean if the Rolling Stones can muster the strength to shove Keith Richards on stage still (especially after that whole falling out of a tree incident), I think CBS can get Aerosmith or the Eagles.

I understand that ever since the wardrobe malfunction of 2004, the network is weary of showcasing entertainment that caters to a younger audience but this whole booking bands whose members already have one foot in the grave is way passed overkill. Not to mention the fact that last time I checked, every time Roger Daltrey gets the chance he ends up mocking Americans or our government and generally expressing his distaste for our country. I'm confused as to how someone who makes millions off of Americans buying his albums and going to his concerts every year can continue to have the audacity to mock that same audience, in their own country about their own people. If you don't like it here, then go back to where you came from thank you very much.

With my rant behind me I have a few suggestions. Instead of the Who, CBS could have easily considered booking the cast of Glee considering how well the show has done this year, Jay-Z and his many featured artists from his newest most fantastic album would have put on an incredible performance, the Black Eyed Peas also would have put on a good show, and as much as I hate to admit it I'm sure thousands would have tuned in to watch Lady Gaga eat her young onstage. How about Taylor Swift who just won the Grammy for Album of the Year or any number of the country stars that have hit it mainstream? If CBS is really so concerned about drawing an audience but keeping things PG then they could have just asked the Jonas Brothers to perform. Insert vomit sounds here. I'm pretty positive they would have had extra tv time just by showing Nick Joe and the sexually ambiguous married one cry about what a big opportunity performing at the Super Bowl is.

Instead I'm left feeling a little bored, and kind of let down. The last Halftime shows I can think of that were really great involved Bono with U2 performing in front of a scrolling list of names representing lives lost on September 11 and before that the Aerosmith, Nelly, Mary J Blige, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake smorgasbord. I suppose there's always next year. Maybe I can even make my buffalo chicken wing dip.

Oh, congratulations are in order for the New Orleans Saints. I think even Peyton Manning is happy for you guys.