P o p M u s e

Why So Serious Indeed.

Yes I saw The Dark Knight this past weekend, and really, eh.  If I had to hear one more monologue "The hero you want isn't always the Hero you get.  I'll be the Hero Gotham needs even if it's the Hero they don't know they want or need..."  And on and on, from EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER, we get it, we-get-it! 

And Morgan Freeman, what the hell do we need him for, back to Bucket List babe, I'm tired of you popping up in every Hollywood Movie as the voice of reason (re: God).

But I've grown to LOVE the Batman Promo Poster that says, "Why So Serious?" because clearly that was a marketing exec thinking exactly what I was thinking, "why SOOOO serious?"  I mean, can we have a moment of levity, no it's 3 hours long, I want 2 moments of levity. 

Heath Ledger's performance was great (he was really the only thing in the movie) but it was no Jack Nicholson.  Be scary, be sick, be demented, but don't be so damned depressing!  You're already dead, that's a bummer enough. 

And what was up with Christian Bale's Batman-as-a-20-year-smoker voice, was that in the first one?  Hated it.  We laughed every time he did it.  So I guess that was levity, unintentional though.

I'm going to Comic-Con in 2 days for work and this Post will probably get me killed, so if you never hear from PopMuse again, it was fun being the Hero you needed, even if it wasn't the Hero you wanted.

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PopMuse Approved: HEAVY LOAD

Set your TiVo's.  There is an amazing Documentary airing this Monday on IFC.  It's called "HEAVY LOAD".  And for anyone who loves music, it is a must see.  It's about a Punk Band in the UK made up (in part) of Special Needs Punk Rockers.  I've seen it a few times and LOVE it.  You will too.  Plus it was Exec Produced by a PopMuse Besty, so support! 

OH YES, and you'll see the most touching appearance from KYLIE MINOGUE in the history of touching KYLIE MINOGUE appearances!

"HEAVY LOAD" on IFC
MONDAY, June 23rd @ 9 (est)

No Spoilers: Sex And The City

I love hype.  I do.  I find myself getting hyped up on things I know I won't like; it's how I end up with most concert or comedy show tickets.  Promotional e-mails and posters work on me.  But not this one. 

I'm so surprised to say it, but I don't have much interest in seeing "The Sex and The City Movie". 

Maybe it jumped the shark, or I find this whole thing very over-produced, but PopMuse says: "eh."  The poster is over thought, the girls interview soundbites sound rehearsed, this promotional campaign is overwhelming, it's everywhere and no where does it look fun, just desperate.

I'd love for it to have been an HBO-only movie, that may have worked for me.  Some things work on TV and not the big screen, like Jennifer Aniston. 

Now that said...  I do LOVE the Jennifer Hudson song on the Soundtrack.  It takes a while for it to get going, but once you hit the second half it soars.  Check it out...

LISTEN: JENNIFER HUDSON "ALL DRESSED IN LOVE"

Shelter / Jury Duty

Shelter is a good gay film. Bloghungry and I went to see it Friday after my horrible day of Jury Duty (more on that below).  Shelter is a surfer, O.C., coming out, rich vs. poor, older vs. younger love story.  It's a drama and indie to the core, which was refreshing actually.  See it.  You can VOD it on HERE! Network or see it in theaters and soon on DVD I'm sure.

Here's some iphone photos I took during Jury Duty on Friday.  The Los Angeles Jury System is so flawed and I can't even begin... well yes I can.  It's like sitting in Purgatory for hours, and if they call your name, prepare to face your maker and beg NOT to be sent to hell (ala a Jury). 

And if you think I'm exaggerating, fine, YOU go be on a Jury, you'll make a better Juror than I will.  But of course that's not how it works.  The fine Americans sitting in that room, who want out of their miserable jobs, have unlimited pay for Jury days, and love Law & Order DON'T don't get called, I do.

And yes I had to fight for my life NOT to get put on a 15 day Gang Trial, and thank Ally McBeal look-a-like lawyers I got excused.  But not until I had been stripped of my dignity by an arrogant starf*cker homophobe Judge.  Ahhh love that legal system.  Anyway, it is HEAVEN not having to go back on Monday.  Heaven.

D'LOAD: BREATHE "HAND TO HEAVEN"

D'LOAD: HOLE "HEAVEN"

D'LOAD: FICTION FACTORY: "FEELS LIKE HEAVEN"

GRAFFITI BRIDGE is on tv... WOW.

Random Thoughts that cross PopMuse's brain while watching Prince's epic bad movie Graffiti Bridge on FUSE:
Why is this on Fuse? I'm so happy this is on TV right now, don't question it.
The Opening Credits promise so much more movie than this is.
Why did Prince rock a 90s Jewish American Princess hair style?
Where is Tevin Campbell tonight?  Hope he is off drugs and rentboys.
For all his spirituality, Prince always was just a Misogynist Pig, albeit a talented one.
What would it have been like if Madonna DID agree to play the part of Aura?
The Glam Slam Nightclub in Miami was a really hot club.
Ingrid Chavez was bad but Jill Jones was worse.
How amazing is Jennifer's Boutique that it not only got me Jill Jones amazing Prince Produced CD, but THE FAMILY too.
Morris Day was amazing in Purple Rain (even though he was on Horse.)
Does Jimmy Jam still get residual checks from this, and does he laugh when he does, for sure his accountant laughs.
I like how they call all females in the film, "Grace" and "Stella".  Thats funny.
"Joy In Repetition" is a completely amazing song.

D'Load: Prince "Joy In Repetition"

Big Business (1988)

Now that's is a movie entrance.  You learn everything you need to know about these characters in the first minute and half of screen time.  Film Making Bitches. 

If you haven't watched Big Business since 1988, you must, it's completely brilliant.  Why don't they make movies like this anymore?  (Tina Fey I'm talking to you!)  And why was everything created in 1988 absolutely perfect?

The Darjeeling Limited - Not a good nap.

Doing that much Heroin, Indian Pain Killers and Cough Medicine, how do you get so much work done?  When I'm doing Heroin, Indian Pain Killers and Cough Medicine all I want to do is eat.  I joke. 

I like Wes Anderson movies.  I like to take naps to them, no it's not a bad thing, it took me 8 tries to get through The Life Aquatic, I kept falling asleep, but in the end, loved the film, like I love his others.  But Darjeeling wasn't a good nap, (dead children distract from sleep) and wasn't an enjoyable watch either.  And ENOUGH with the daddy issues already.

But there are 3 things The Darjeeling Limited still has going for it:

1. Hotel Chevalier (Gorgeous Short Film/Prelude to TDL which is on the DVD and above.)

2.  That Wes Anderson Font (Futura Bold. if you're wondering).  Obsessed with the way he uses it... Timeless, perfect.

3. Randall Poster - his music supervisor.  Now I'd guess a hipster like Anderson probably has his own ideas about Music, but damn were those cues on point.  Love the way he uses lyrics to play off scenes.  Hard to do right.  But done so right especially with this track...

D'LOAD: PETER SARSTEDT "WHERE DO YOU GO"

POUND (a short film by Evan Bernard)

Yes, they just did the Kid N Play, I KNOW!!! 

I used to work with director Evan Bernard back in my music video days, he's a very talented, very nice... Pimp?  Also a great director. 

He's got a short film in competition over at youtube.  So here's what I need you PopMuse fans to do:
1. Go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/ytawards07
2. Click on the SHORT FILMS category, in the cubes on the left.
3. Look to the lower right list of Nominees, find "POUND"
4. Click the vote box next to the name of the film.
5. Feel a big burst of appreciation from PopMuse.

Thanks,
PopMuse

SXSW '08 Discovery 1: "Blip"

How amazing does this documentary look?  Tech Music made with video game sound effects and video game systems.  Called BLIP: Reformat the Planet.  Interviewing the filmmakers today (for the day job), hope they give me a free CD.  Watch Trailer above... or iphone here.

"Ira & Abby" on DVD

Gotta say, kinda cute movie. In a liberal intellectual Jewish, I can do more than Kiss Jessica Stein, although theatrically no one will see it, on Netflix it's an entertaining watch, on a Sunday morning, when you are longing for a neurotic romantic leading man who isn't Hugh Grant, in a Thera-Comedy (therapy-comedies, does that work?) kinda of way. 

And OMG is that Polly Franklin from 1985's "Seven Minutes In Heaven"?  And you realize YES, it is, and you think 'why doesn't Maddie Corman work more?'  Then you check IMDB and realize that she does.  Then you're like forget Maddie, where is Byron Thames from "Seven Minutes", then you find he is here, and you decide to go back to the movie, because it has to be better than what you just saw, and it is.  So, yeah, Ira & Abby, rent it.  Or watch the clip I posted, then you decide.