Jessie

   When I go home on vacation, I find that the #1 channel I watch is Disney. I don’t know if its because I still think like a kid and it’s still my favorite channel, or because I don’t get to watch Disney channel while in college. I also don’t understand how college students could ever not want to watch Disney channel, but that’s a whole other story.

   Now, since I love watching Disney Channel, I feel alright complaining about its various inadequacies, like how every set, character, and emotion seems to have been put through some bright sparkly filter to be more appealing to kids. But I can also be really happy when Disney does something awesome. Now, a lot of my friends have complained about Jessie, but I think it’s my favorite of the new Disney shows. It takes the characters out of the same boring luxurious set piece a lot more than Zack and Cody took the characters out of the hotel. And its fun seeing the Disney version of New York and its subways and parks and stuff.

   But the thing that makes the show more awesome than most other Disney shows right now, is the fact that it has the strongest sense of community among its characters most of whom happen to be adopted into the same family. And in a time when shows are relentlessly pushing fame and success as the way to happiness, it feels good to see a show where the parents are already famous and everything, and what really matters is family.

The Avengers

Long story short, I enjoyed the movie, but it left me with the feeling that there should have been something more. And what better way to analyze this feeling than with this week’s criteria?

1) Authority: The movie boasted all the authority in the world. It has been building up it’s credibility since the first Iron Man came out, and there is no shortage of action scenes or awesome superhero stuff. So basically, every five minutes (at least), you end up thinking, “Wow, that was cool.” Plus, all the superheroes retain their distinct personalities and are given ample opportunities to show off their skills.

2) Time: The movie was over two hours long, but it didn’t feel like it. However, the time was spent more on exposition and action that anything else. Make of that what you will.

3) Emotional Attachment (aka Hugs): This is where the movie totally failed. I never felt the urge to give a single character a hug. I love that the movie was bright and light-hearted without the need to be gritty or anything. However, I couldn’t care less whether any of the civilians or side characters lived or died. The only emotional investment this movie has is the stuff that has already been developed in the previous movies. The characters show very little conviction for fighting, other than than the occasional reminders that “the world is in danger.” No one really learns anything, everyone’s moral growth is put on hold with their respective storylines, and Joss Wheadon does very little attmpt to reach out to the audience to show them what true heroism is like.

So, to sum things up, the movie had tons of cool scenes and some funny lines, but it had almost no impact on me. I look forward to the years to come where we can see the same heros back with their own, individual storylines that actually make you feel something.

… of the Week

   Almost all TV shows have a _________ of the week format (that they occasionally deviate from). Chuck had a mission of the week. Fringe has a scientific case/monster of the week. Every single CBS drama has a crime of the week. Each episode follows basically the same format. This helps the showrunners to get into the habit of producing new stuff for each episode, even if they are just going through the motions and the “new stuff” is actually recycled plotlines.

   I’m not for or against this current TV show setup. In terms of quality, it worked great for shows like Pushing Daisies. It wasn’t so great for Alcatraz. I like that it establishes a sense of consistency. The characters on a TV show are like a family. A family that stays together and deals with the situation of the week until the show ends (due to contractual obligations). TV show families are much more reliable than real life families like that.

   But even in through this ________ of the week format, TV shows almost always include a long running plotline that develops and matures as the story progresses. And once you’ve invested a certain level of love in the characters, you are totally okay with the show deviating from the format in order to see the culmination of what the characters are going through. This usually happens in the season finale. And, the more problems you’ve faced with people you love, the more awesome it is to see them break the usual routine to reach their lifelong goals and overcome their demons.

Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promise (The Avett Brothers)

   This song sums up my experience with politics in ten words, and then goes on to much more important topics.

 

 

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

   You know which politician DIDN’T compromise?

   That’s right! Abraham Lincoln . . . when he was obliterating all the vampires!

   A lot of people seem to be hating on this movie. Something about Hollywood running out of ideas and historical inaccuracies. But whatever. I think it’s awesome. Much more interesting than whatever Speilberg is doig with his Lincoln movie. So yeah, I also hear its based on a book and stuff, and that the book is actually pretty good. So I’m gonna try to read it before June 22 (when the movie comes out). You should read it too. Then we can watch the movie together and complain and all that. Here’s the trailer:

 

 

Wake Up (Arcade Fire)

   I probably like this Arcade Fire song more than all the other ones. And it’s probably because, in addition to fitting in to this week’s theme, I feel like I understand 50% of what they are talking about. As opposed to the 10% I normally understand.

3 Most Awesome Upcoming Disney Shows

   Like almost everyone else on the planet, I’m sick and tired of Disney Channel making shows about singers and/or “a normal kid with a HUGE secret.” Apparently, Disney has taken notice, because their upcoming slate of shows sounds very promising. Here’s the three shows that stuck out to me the most:

1) Adverturers: Disney, in conjunction with Disney Nature and the Jane Goodall Institute has already begun filming on this groundbreaking docudrama, which focuses on the lives of three very different children brought together by their families’ mutual quest to protect the world’s wildlife. Each 30 minute episode will chronicle the kids’ journey as they learn to get along and work together with their families, all while shedding light on a real wildlife issue. It is being written by Lockie Leonard scribe Keith Thompson.

2) Mr. Entropy: Official synopsis: “While growing up in a terrible orphanage, Edward coped with his tragic situation by studying hard and meticulously structuring every aspect of his day. He never expected to be adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Entropy as a teenager. Now, living in a crazy house with three rambunctions new siblings and two artists for parents, Eddie Entropy slowly learns that a family’s love is more important than organization, while his new family learns that a little order in their life can be a good thing.” 

3) The Boxcar Children: In an effort to bring the quality and hype of Mad Men to Disney Channel, plans have begun to move forward on a one-hour mystery show based on The Boxcar Children. Not much is being said about this project yet, but sources have confirmed that it will have the same time period and main characters as the book series, and each episode will be based off of one book in the series.

   I would be super excited for this awesome news . . . except for the fact that I made it up. Sorry if I got your hopes up.

Give a Little Love (Noah and the Whale)

   The chorus and the title are so simple, but so hopeful. Plus this song has one of the best non-official videos.

 

Gayest Straight Guys on TV

   I really hate the blatant political ”It’s okay to be gay…” type messages on TV. However, (so far) I’m totally fine with the resurgence of totally masculine straight guys showing their more emotional side.

5) Chuck Bartowski (Chuck): He’s here because #1, he’s extremely emotional, and #2, this scene. (The “let me die with dignity” line kept Casey off the list.) 

4) Brad (The Middle): The only reason he’s not #1 is that he is may, in fact be gay. But he’s was awesome as Sue’s boyfriend. But the way The Middle’s been going, he could, in fact be one of those rare people who breaks the stereotype.

3) Phil Dunphy (Modern Family): It’s funny how on a show with a gay couple, the most touchy-feely character is the “normal” dad. He’s prone to go in for a hug when a guy wants a handshake. He also wore a girl’s sweatshirt for a whole episode, caught the PMS mood from his wife and daughters, and acted like a lot like woman while his wife was sick or away or something.

2-1) Troy and Abed (Community): I can’t really say which one is worse/better at acting gay. But I can say that I wish I had a friend I was that close to.

 

Adam Baldwin to Play Ronald Reagan in Historical Drama

   Filming has quietly begun on a new historical drama chronicling the life of Ronald Reagan. The film, titled Reagan will be directed by George Lucas as a sort of followup to Speilberg’s Lincoln. Adam Baldwin has landed the titular role, and the supporting cast includes Kirk Cameron, Rush Limbaugh, and Nancy Pelosi (as Nancy Reagan). When asked about his new role, Adam Baldwin had this to say:

   “This is probably . . . no this is definitely the role of a lifetime. Every day I ask myself, ‘What would Reagan do?’ And now that’s been really paying off. I really don’t know how I’ll ever be able to top this experience.”

   George Lucas expressed similar enthusiasm at having Adam Baldwin on board. “We spent some time wondering about who would embody the spirit of Ronald Reagan the most, and then I happened to turn on the TV to Chuck. The minute I remembered Adam Baldwin, I just knew he was the one.”

   Reagan is expected to be released on Thurday, November 1, just in time for the Presidential elections.