TV show #16: Pawn Stars

I know, I know, tasteless title. But I like it.

Family-owned pawn shop. It's like Antiques Roadshow for 2009.

Yes, it's a reality show, and I hate the fact that there are a handful of these shows that I actually WATCH ... but here are the pros:

~You get an interesting perspective on history. Whoa, you could get a car for $400 back in the day? Wait, how much did people get paid back then?
~There are some interesting items that are brought in.
~ The dudes don't beat around the bush. The owners and sellers are both out to make money, and there's no subtext!
~It's in vegas, but no showgirls! Thank goodness. Just a few file shots of the strip.

You don't have to like antiques to like this show, but if you DO like antiques, you'll probably like it.

Manda's rating: 4/5 ("really like it")

Just the one JuneBug

Identity

Pretty lady-

How did you get into this debacle?
Did you wake up thirsty?
Were you in need of a song?
I imagine you
in a stupor.
staring blankly
at the slew of slung clothing,
you sitting in shame on your sleeper sofa.
Are you a smoker?
Do you leave that lipstick smudged on your Virginia Slims?
After your show,
you sit at the bar,
blow billowing smoke
from another cig,
whose flaccid ash
dares anyone
to come near its mother.

I sing. I survive.

Film #17: The Hangover

So, yeah, Stefan and I saw this at Movies 10, surrounded by creatures of all ages, including a girl who repeated every funny line and image that crossed her brain. That was the least enjoyable part of the movie.

Sometimes when watching a movie like this you have to remember what it's purpose is: to entertain you and make you laugh ... and probably to make you a little uncomfortable, too. Especially if you're a woman.

I have to break this down into the cast, because it really was pretty good.
Stu (Ed Helms) - I really think Ed Helms is a great character actor. He plays Andy Bernard brilliantly in The Office, and his character in The Hangover is similar, but with a little more of a deviant nature.
Alan (Zach Galifianakis) - The extreme character who pushes everything jut one step further. The stupid question isn't just stupid, it's ridiculous. Zach is a funny comedian in stand-up though.
Phil (Bradley Cooper) - Probably the Elizabeth Bennett of this movie. He's not perfect, but he's the one most people can relate to. Fairly reasonable character, kinda the leader.

This makes me want popcorn. Is that weird?

TV show #15: True Blood

Okay, I don't know about the rest of you, but I tried the twilight books and was no timpressed. I couldn't even finish it. I tried the movie. Again, I couldn't finish it. I usually finish movies. The vampire thing is spreading like wildfire.

And so here's the topic of today's entertainment blog: True Blood.

I wasn't expecting much. Just another pop culture by-product of the vampire fad. But I was intrigued with the take on the subject. Vampires have always been around, but within the last two years they have come out of the closet, as it were.

See, that's the thing I like so much about fiction, be it a book or film or a tv series. What makes it fictional? Just the fact that it's written to tell a story? Or is it how the author/director/producer creates a world that includes a lot of reality with a premise or two that we don't have in reality?

So anyway, I'm likeing this show. I have to admit, the main character's name is a bit irritating. Do you know anyone named Sookie? I appreciate that the characters and their relationships are dynamic. There are some scenes that are a bit more graphic than I would like, though. But, it's HBO.

And I really like the setting - The Bayou? How cool.... Louisiana has its special culture anyway, and to throw this subculture into the mix just makes it all the more interesting.

TV show #14: Friday Night Lights

Okay, so I've been really lazy about the blog posting .. but I've been very good about watching TV!

So you all know that I'm not a huge fan of sports in general. The only reason I ever went to football games was to work concessions for German club or play in Marching Band.

But I effing *love* Friday Night Lights. I don't know if it's because of the realistic relationships portrayed or the very, VERY attractive leading male actor.

I was offered a position in Texas and turned it down because I was offered a job closer to the fam .. and way farther away from hurricane shtuff.

I'm only in season 1, but I'm very excited to get caught up -- that won't probably happen until this summer, so please keep spoilers to a minimum. I'm guessing someone's going to get pregnant, and soon.

And my FAVORITE PART?

This guy. With a sweet, sweet, Texan accent.