2011 Movies I Loved

Tattoo Girl Rooney Mara

Some say I see every movie released. Not true. But I do see most of them.  This year-end list is compiled of "Movies I Loved," meaning, it was worth my time and money and was everything it was hyped-up to be.  


MOVIES I LOVED - in no real order / (*= DVD)
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - I didn't read the book, so the who-done-it aspect was exciting. Fincher's graphic, violent, harrowing film-making combined with Rooney Mara's powerful performance makes me want to see it again.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - I knew it'd be a fun action flick, but it was over the top, edge of your seat excitement. No denying, Cruise is a bona fide movie star - and at 49, very hot.
The Skin I Live In - Among Pedro Almodovar's best; creepy, twisted with twists, thrilling, telenovela-like. Pretty perfect.
The Help* - an instant classic with wonderful performances
Bridemaids* - the best comedy I've seen in years; Melissa McCarthy is a force.
Crazy Stupid Love* - a lil' sleeper gem
Warrior* - great reviews and no one saw it! It came after the Wrestler and Fighter, but Warrior is damn good
The Artist - beautiful, lil' love note to film making
Super 8* - fun, JJ Abrams flick that was ET meets Stand By Me
Harry Potter* - a great finale to a wonderfully entertaining series.
Being Elmo - inspiring documentary on the guy who is Elmo.


THESE WERE ALSO FUN:
X-Men First Class, Thor, Insidious, The Muppets, Ides of March, Young Adult and Beginners (with Christopher Plummer sure to win an Oscar).


DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE:
Hugo and The Descendants were two big let-downs for me. Hugo is not what the previews are and Clooney's film is not the warm-comedy it's previews are.


I'VE YET TO SEE:
War Horse, Iron Lady, My Week with Marilyn, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Carnage... but I don't think they'll end up on my BEST list.


So, buy a ticket and be Just Like Jerry!

The Best TV of 2011

I'm so thankful I discovered this
Emmy-winning piece of brilliance

Yes, I'm a TV junkie. And so I offer you my Best and Not-So-Great TV Choices for 2011.


The 15 Best (in no real order):

• Downton Abbey - It is simply brilliant. (Season 1 - 7 eps - airs again 12/18 on PBS or on DVD/Netflix; Season 2 Jan 8 on PBS)
• Homeland - Thrilling, smart, top-notch cast
• Revenge - The best p.m. soap since Knots

• Breaking Bad - Rough, edgy, killer acting
• The Good Wife - Best net drama
• American Horror Story - Twisted, dark, scary, Jessica Lange (!)
• Friday Night Lights - wrongly under rated but perfect slice of Americana family
• Grey's Anatomy - Yes, I'm still invested in these characters
• Modern Family - dialogue so fast, you must watch twice
• Happy Endings - the best "Friends" since "Friends"
• Cougar Town - too under rated; very bright w/ great dialogue and wine!
• Nurse Jackie - such a cast w/ great twists
• Weeds - see Grey's above
• Shameless - a dark, out-there, comedy-soap of a "welfare" family
• *Haven't seen the recent "Damages" on DirectTV (but I bet it's great!)

Honorable mention:

• Hung
• The Middle
• X Factor / Idol
• Parks & Rec
• Parenthood
• Oprah: Behind the Scenes
• Killing - a cheap finale and that damn rain?! Enough!

Holds promise:

• Up All Night - aka "The Maya Rudolph Show"
• Grimm - could be better as a 10-12 week summer series
• Once Upon A Time - ditto

Guilty Pleasures: 

• Gossip Girl - outlandish, unrealistic, overacted, but still...
• Ringer - see above
• Real Housewives of NY NJ BH - a bit waning but still here
• Big Brother - best summer TV
• Tabitha's Salon Takeover - formulaic, but I luv her
• Desperate Housewives - I can't quit you!
• A List NY & Dallas - a train-wreck of icky people and I can't look away

Not great this season:

• The Walking Dead - yawn
• True Blood - had better seasons
• Dexter - only as good as it's serial-killer-case
• Glee - too many characters, stretched thin, over-the-top Lynch

Lost potential:

• Terra Nova - all the hype, none of the excitement
• The Secret Circle - witches showing no powers?
• Harry's Law - shoulda been "The Practice," became "Boston Legal"

Looking forward to:

• Girls (HBO)
• Luck (HBO) - Dustin Hoffman
• The River (ABC) - "Lost" on the water?
• GCB (ABC) - Kristin Chenoweth & Annie Potts, a female heavy hour comedy soap
• Missing (ABC) - Ashley Judd (!)
• Smash (NBC) - my most anticipated; starts Feb 6!

So tune-in and be Just Like Jerry!

DVDS, Holiday Music, TV 2 Watch:

Buble's Gift For Your Ears

DVD WATCH: If you missed these, catch up on DVD or PPV - The Help, Super 8, Crazy Stupid Love (one of my top 10 faves of the year) and The Debt (with my "movie wife" Jessica Chastaine & Helen Mirren). Speaking of catching-up, the PBS/BBC mini-series, "Downton Abbey" is streaming for free on Netflix - just in time for part 2, which will run on PBS Jan 8th.  Check-out that preview. It swept the Emmy's and co-stars Dame Maggie Smith.  Netflix is cool way to watch old TV.  Greg's nightly ritual is a "Roseanne" episode on his iPad before bed, which prompted my recent dream where my parents hosted a party in her honor and Greg met her and cried.  The most astounding part of that dream: Greg crying....  TABLET READING: Didja know that if you subscribe to physical magazine, most are then available for free downloading onto your iPad?  You get the app, put in the subscription number then "bam," they're there!  I do this with GQ, Vanity Fair and now - just debuted - Entertainment Weekly!...  Wednesday night TV: It's an embarrassment of riches for TV watching on Weds.  On HGTV they do their "guys" line up with Income Property w/ cutie Scott, Property Brothers and the uber hot Kitchen Cousins.  Then the ABC line-up is pretty perfect: the underrated The Middle, the new (and so-so so far) Suburgatory, Modern Fam, and the brilliant Happy Endings - then the irresistible Revenge at 10pm.  Also at 10 on FX, the erie, creepy, thriller American Horror Story - expect Emmy love for 2x Oscar winner Jessica Lange in May.  Also on Weds is the X Factor, which I record and fast-forward through much of it.  I watch this as a TV show - not a "star-making" show.  Idol hasn't made a true star since Carrie Underwood - in 2005 - almost 7 years ago.  Quick - name the last two Idol winners - The Voice winner...?  Anyone?  Didn't think so....  MOVIE WATCH: I was upset with "Hugo." It was just such a let-down.  It gets a "C" from me.  I had fun, of course, at "The Muppets," and give "The Artist" an "A-," with a great score.  New ones: "Young Adult," is getting great reviews, as is "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."  I'll see 'em both.  And my guilty, cheesy pleasure "New Years Eve," is on my list too....  CHRISTMAS ALBUMS: the best are from the Carpenters, Phil Spector, Manilow's "Gift," and Mariah's 1st one.  Of course, any holiday recording by Sinatra is on the best-list - and I'm adding the brilliant, new Michael Buble set to this "best" along with his great TV special....  "GLEE" is certainly not what it promised to be in season one, but for the most part, their song choices and mash-up medleys are pretty damn good. (The "I Will Survive/Survivor" is great for the gym.)  Their biggest sellers this season? An Adele mash-up, which included a dance version of "Someone Like You," and a song no one knew, called "We Are Young." Recorded and released by NY-based indy band "fun," the Glee version is atop the iTunes chart and putting a spotlight on fun!  Another minor hit of theirs, "All the Pretty Girls," is worth a download too....  HIP HOP GOLD: Will we hear, "And the Oscar goes to Mary J Blige?"  Likely!  If all goes well, she be nom'd for her theme from The Help - and could go up against two tunes from Twilight (from Bruno Mars and Christina Perri) as well as the Muppets and, yes, Sinead O'Connor for "Albert Nobbs."  All of which will prove to be a nice performance seg on the telecast.  And if the Academy wants her there, Madonna could get a nod for her "W.E." theme....  PERFORMANCE VIDEO: Wanna watch the opening numbers from my recent concert with Randall? Here it is!... YES, THESE WORK: When weather shifts faster than a light switch and allergies arise, Breathe Right Strips are perfect for bedtime!  Love love love 'em!...  So breathe in and be Just Like Jerry!  

THANK YOU (and NO THANKS) - A LIST

Things I'm NOT Thankful For: 

• Some neighbors - namely two below me and one across the hall - and the loud, 80 y.o. man in the next building.
• Shania Twain's long absence from album-releasing.
• That these people aren't on TV every week: Ann Jillian, Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore, Valerie Harper, Faith Ford, Laurie Metcalf, Sally Field, Jackee, Cybill Shepherd, Tyne Daly, Suzanne Sommers, Stockard Channing
• No comeback for "The Comeback"
• These people not making good albums: LeAnn Rimes, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger
• The demise of "Glee"
• Cleaning my place more before and after the cleaning lady than the cleaning lady does
• Movie tickets over $12.50 - I mean, really?
• Time Warner Cable 
• Working-out (which I guess is better than not being able to)
• I can't find Chewy Jolly Ranchers or Sour Starburst (not the gummy kind) anymore
• Bad contestants on singing competition shows
• Oprah ending her show
• "The Rosie Show" not being on network or syndication
• Ed Westwick's constant whisper-talk as Chuck on "Gossip Girl."
• Movie versions of Sondheim's "Company" and "Into the Woods" aren't in production
• The classic variety show will never see a renewed relaunch - but perhaps Solid Gold will..?
• The scariness of an election year
• That Simon Cowell doesn't know me
• "The View" hosts

Things I AM Thankful For:

• Some good neighbors - you know who you are
• The anticipation of another Cher comeback
• Kermit
• Peanut butter
• Pinot Grigio, Happy Hours and Revolver bar reopening
• Numerous skin-saving products
• This movie - 01/13/2012
• Blue cheese burgers and sweet potato fries
• Music & Singing
• The promise of "Smash"
• "Les Miz" the movie in 2012
• Fast food (once a month) - namely Jack in the Box
• This video
• Schadenfreude - not in a horrific, deadly way; more so in a makes-me-chuckle-way a la bad karma - like the 'explicit language' song from Avenue Q 
• That amazing talent like Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley, Bernadette Peters & Christine Ebersole are still out there teaching ALL how it should be done. (Look at those links!)

And yes... VERY THANKFUL for - my life so far, my health, a roof over my head, bills-getting-paid, my great family, "bestest" of friends and Greg.

Films 2 See, TV Tanks, New Music

January will be SMASHing

Movie-Watch: Ok, here we are, on the cusp of the REAL movie-season... Oscar Time! Here are the ones I'll be seeing over the next week, if not all this weekend!  Lotsa Oscar-buzz for "The Artist," a silent film, yes silent, B&W film that was the darling of Cannes and atop many critics lists as the one to beat this awards season.  Scorsese goes the family-film route with what is touted as sophisticated fare for kids in "Hugo." I'm reading that these 2 films will be the front runners for gold statues.  Once again, Michelle Williams will be nominated - this time for "My Week with Marilyn,"  bravely channeling legendary, iconic Monroe.  While it won't blow up awards season - perhaps some Comedy nods at the Globes or musics nods at the Oscars, "The Muppets," have certainly set the stage for the biggest comeback since Tina Turner!  They are everywhere and I love it!  Kermit is my hero....  TV-Tanks: Two that are off-their-game this season are "Dexter" and "The Walking Dead."  Sleepy and overall "unexciting," these cable shows have the chance to be edgy, thrilling, gory - and yet, there's a s**t-load of talking and virtually no action going down.  The writers planted the zombie-killing-clan on a farm all season, dropped in an idiotic possible-pregnancy and a 4 episode search for girl who better be dead at this point.  As for the murderous Dex, what should be a macabre-sacrilegious-thrilling serial killer hunt, is slow-rolling, uninteresting yawn-fest with sidestepping stories (Trinity "returns," Brother Sam) that were there for no reason.  For what? Character development?  We get it - Dexter's a mess-of-man, struggling to be more "human."  We don't need special additives to show us that....  New Yorkers: Patti Lupone & Mandy Patinkin are on Broadway "in concert," till Jan 13.  An "A-" in EW and 4* in USA Today? Go!... Music-Musts: Mary J. Blige released "My Life II." After taking her in her concert in SF last week, I am still in awe of the Queen of Hip Hop.  Check out her current jam, "25/8."... Hot baldie Daughtry returns and my 3 initial call-out tracks are Crawling Back, Losing My Mind and Rescue Me.... Non-stop hit-maker Rihanna released her latest within 11 months of the last one!  It's as if she saw Beyonce would be taking a pregnancy-pause and decided to jump on the opportunity.  Well, I've yet to take in the full album, but her #1 tune, "We Found Love," is purely infectious and according to Mike, the call-outs are Roc Me Out and Do Ya Thing....  Highly anticipated here: the 2nd album from Adam Lambert. I've read he worships top 40 pop and is working with Nile Rogers (Chic, Madonna, Bowie), so I'm holding out for what could be my summer '12 soundtrack!...   Coming soon: The TV mid-season-season starts shortly with the return of Showtime's wonderful "Shameless."  Newbies set to launch include "GCB" on ABC (in March), a Dallas-set dramedy soap co-starring Annie Potts and Kristin Chenoweth.... Speaking of Dallas, the original "Dallas," gets a makeover on TBS for Summer '12....  And in January, faltering NBC is placing all its bets on "Smash," a 10pm "drama with music" from Speilberg about the making of a Broadway musical.  I need not explain my excitement over this.  I've seen the pilot and, Dear God, please make this show work, be huge and last! Watch the trailer here....  FlashBack:  This popped on the radio the other day, much to my delight. Barbra recorded with her then BF, Don Johnson, this tune from a never-staged-musical, "Goya." The breezy ballad hit #25 in '88.  While there was no video made, take in the delight of a home-made fan-video of "Till I Loved You."...  Are you a Dove or Caress Soap person?  Well, in these winter months, I reach for Caress, before I dress.... So get silky smooth and be Just Like Jerry.

Snow White, Dry Nails, Kim K

"Prince" Armie Hammer in "Mirror"

Snow Battle: In the fight of the "Evil Queens" - Julia Roberts vs. Charlize Theron - the Oscar winners have just had their "Snow White" themed trailers released.  Theron's "Snow White & the Huntsman," seems more serious fare with Kristin Stewart and Chris "Thor" Hemsworth (swoon) in a darker take on the fairy tale.  Mrs. Roberts-Moder is clearly going the comedy route with Nathan Lane as her loyal servant and uber hot Armie Hammer as the Prince in "Mirror Mirror."  They both seem interesting.  I think Theron's will be better/edgier, but Roberts' will get the family box office dollars....  Recent flicks I loved: the docu "Being Elmo," about the man behind the red Muppet and Almodovar's "The Skin I Live In," a dark, sinister, creepy, telenovela-like, outlandish drama that gets an "A+" from me....  I still want to see "J Edgar," but the reviews were just okay, seemingly stalling it's Oscar thrust.  I hope to take in "The Descendants" this weekend - a dramedy from the "Sideways" director about a widowed George Clooney discovering his deceased wife was a cheater.  Something tells me, I'll be taking it in solo while Greg is in another theatre seeing the new "Twilight."  Nope, I don't do those.... FlashBack Jam: The System's "Don't Disturb This Groove."  I was obsessed with this tune in '87, which hit #4 on the Pop charts and #1 R&B.  It was essentially their only smash hit with a few other minor charted tracks.  Trivia: half of the duo, David Frank, wrote Christina's "Genie In A Bottle," and the classic 2000 ditty, Dream's "He Loves You Not".... With "Glee" off it's season-one game and hitting some record lows, I bet those "kids" (Lea Michele) who were rumored to have been exiting the series at the end of this season, wish the rumors were true.  Another one seemingly begging for cancelation is Blake Lively on "Gossip Girl." She's segued nicely into features ("The Town") and is still a tabloid darling, so I sense the series low ratings on "GG" are providing negotiations for her exit, should the CW give it life support.... Dry Season: So obsessed with this new find - The Body Shop's Almond Nail & Cuticle Oil. It's a lil' brush that distributes much-needed moisture to dry, ugly cuticles....  People Mag names Bradley Cooper Sexiest Man Alive.  I swore it was Ryan Gosling's year and while I think Cooper's good choice, Ryry had a better year....  Damage Control: Do I think the now defunct marriage of Kim Kardasian has damaged the "brand." Yes.  Is it fixable? Yes.  Seemingly devoid of any talent, the one great thing she and her handlers have done right is the "business model" of branding of scents and fashions.  The TV show could end tomorrow and her "products" could still rake in millions. (See: Jessica Simpson). However, the sit-down, mea-culpa needs to happen.  She has NO excuse that this is private matter - not when you have wedding TV specials and major media coverage "deals."  I suggest a Katie Couric scoop via her new ABC digs or keep it in the E! family and have Seacrest do it.... Showtime's "Homeland," is still the best on TV right now.... Didja Know!?  I'm nominated for Best Male Cabaret act via Broadway World.  I'd love it if you'd vote for me and Randall Phillips (Best Female). Use multi-e-mail addresses to vote often. It's quite an honor and we deeply appreciate it!  Here's a lil' concert clip.  So vote away and be Just Like Jerry!  

TV Flops, The 1st Idol, Grimm...

David "Grimm" Giuntoli - Yum!

This blogging is more difficult than it seems. For as much wonderful info and advice I have flowing through my mind, sitting down to create the damn thing is tough. But, after a long week off, here I am....  By now, you know I did my concert on 10/30 and had a blast!  We received a stellar review and here's a lil' clip. (A DVD will be coming soon.)  Thanks to all who came!...  TV Watch: Shows I've dropped - Pan Am (unexciting, un-juicy), 2 Broke Girls (juvenile), Terra Nova (action-less; should be on ABC Fam), Secret Circle (never into it really, but even Greg dropped it).   Best: Homeland on Showtime, Revenge on ABC.  I'm enjoying Once Upon A Time (needs to up it's effects budget) and Grimm (with hottie David G). I'm hoping they'll get grittier.  But they are both a lotta fun.  American Horror Story is very chilling and creepy, but I keep having to suspend belief that anyone would stay in that house.  How can they make it last as a series? And Dylan McDermott hasn't been shirtless in two week. C'mon!...  Vocal rest: first John Mayer then Adele, now Keith Urban?!  Surgeries and no music from these acts for months... hope it all comes out well!...  Kelly Clarkson dropped her "Stronger" album.  I worship her! However, I'm only drawn to the up-tempos on this effort - and the guarded-heart, you can't hurt me, you did me wrong songs have to transform into something more mature - as does her overall sound.  As good as tracks like "I Forgive You" and "Stronger" are, they can fit perfectly into her "Breakaway" album from 7 years ago.... Current jam: Lalah Hathaway's "If You Want To" is da jam!  It'll get you going for your day or your night.  Daughter of legendary Donny, Lalah's sultry voice with a flashback 90's vibe will satisfy. Trust. Believe.... Painful TV: Have you seen "Access Hollywood Live," the daytime 1 hour version? Billy Bush thinks he's a gift to the biz.  The whole show is a step away from public access. Yuck.... I'm off to SF next week to take in Miss Mary J. Blige in concert (courtesy of Teen & Deb). MJB is celebrating her 1994 "My Life" album and will perform it all!...  Films: I'll be taking in "J Edgar," (Nov 9) of course - and this weekend we're seeing the doc "Being Elmo."  Yes, it's about the man behind the Sesame Street lovable Muppett.  Also open is Almodovar's "The Skin I Live In," which I hope to see next week.... So "Funny Girl," will now not play LA or Broadway with Lauren Ambrose. They claim money woes - and I'm hoping this means that a film version can come around starring Lady Gaga (an idea implanted in me by Scott Nevins).  I say a movie because there's no way she'll do Broadway.... If you're in NYC and aren't seeing "Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway," please de-friend me in life!  It'll be amazing and I hope they film it!... With the rain in LA, I think it's ok to listen to Michael Buble's wonderful new "Christmas" album, right?... I can see clearly now!  The best glass/mirror cleaner? Sprayway. The. Best....  So spray away and be Just Like Jerry!