Media Overload...
I remember back in college, and even in high school, I was like the media crack dealer for friends and acquaintances. If you wanted something found, I found it. If you needed some new music or a series to get into, I found one that fit your aesthetic. I still do that these days, but to a lesser extent, and I'm figuring out that part of that (besides the availability of almost everything in the history of ever is on the interwebs) is due to the fact that it takes a lot of brain power and energy to keep all this stuff straight in one's mind. Now that I've gotten a bit older and have to hold items in my brain like bills, rent, my future, my job, what nights my roommate will be home this week and her baseball watching schedule, theatre schedules, writing schedules, writer's block during scheduled writing, and all kinds of other stuff, I find it difficult to keep tabs on all my media whoring.
Still, when good stuff comes along, I feel remiss in not sharing it with the world. So here's a bit of media pimping for this pretty calm April day:
Tony Lucca. If you're tuning in to The Voice, you'll see a pretty confident former Mickey Mouse Club member making his mark with interesting song choices, a folk-rocky sound, and getting ridiculous comments from his former co-Mousketeer, XTina. For the record, Tony turning up on this show isn't just some guy trying to jump into the limelight. Boy has been working his ass off in the music industry ever since those days in the Disney factory -- and is one of the best singer-songwriters out there today. He's got chops that The Voice hasn't even scratched the surface on, yet still is getting major love from fans of the show and industry people alike. Win or lose, Tony's been my favorite solo artist for years now, and it's wonderful to see him getting to shine. And if you're wondering why I love him so... well, here's just one sample:
Ernie Halter. Ernie's an extension of the above. Not only is Ernie another wonderfully talent artist, he's been Tony's biggest pimp since The Voice started. Seriously, Ernie's twitter feed on Monday and Tuesday nights is RIDICULOUS. Major cred and love goes to a man who supports his friends to the point of near insanity. Bros before others who aren't bros:
Sarah Jarosz and The Raven. Taking a moment for Poe, because the man was brilliant. I'm so very excited for the movie this weekend. I mean, I'd probably be intrigued just for the Poe aspect but it's John Cusack and Luke Evans. Resistance is futile. Also inspired by Poe is this song by Sarah Jarosz whose talent makes me sick (mostly because there's so much of it and she's a frickin' child).
Darren Criss, and the entirety of Team StarKid.
First off, I have to take two seconds to acknowledge Darren's love of Hanson, which just makes me adore him more. And on top of that, he recognizes their abilities and massive amount of talent. Second... can we just give this guy his own show already? Preferably one full of singing and dancing and weird Disney covers...
Oh... wait... what I meant was, can we just give the StarKid peeps their own show already, including Darren. I still haven't made it through all of HMB, but I am basking in the knowledge that I'm going to the Apocalyptour in a month.
Seriously, if you have not discovered the joy that is A Very Potter Musical yet, get thee to YouTube. Now.
The Civil Wars. Just listen. Now. Seriously.
Cabin in the Woods. Go see it. Do NOT spoil yourself. And do not expect a typical horror movie. It will blow your mind.
Also, there've been a lot of mixed reviews of Fran Kranz's performance, and a lot of comparisons to Shaggy from Scooby Doo with regard to his character. I'd just like to state for the record that Shaggy was NEVER remotely as intelligent, resourceful, compassionate, or perceptive as Marty (Fran's character in CitW). They're both stoners with squeaky voices in a horror environment with their pals. That's it. That's where the similarities end. I'm generally biased in Fran's favor, but from an acting standpoint, he's doing great work in CitW... not quite Dollhouse level greatness, but damn close. And that's even harder to do in a role built mainly as the comic relief. Mainly.
I've said too much now. Just go see it.
I really hate to be this person... but damnit, if you've just been watching Game of Thrones and not reading the books, you are short changing your life. A lot. Especially with series two. I'm not sure what the hell Benioff and Weiss think they're up to right now, but it's not the rich, layered, intricate series they developed and crafted last year. The scenes that are pretty much lifted from the book are great. The ones which follow the book but are condensed or slightly altered for content and/or time and/or efficiency are generally solid. The added scenes which are nowhere to be found or hinted at in the novels are doing nothing to further the story, and they're starting to warp character motivations and core values. It's really starting to disturb me. Still, I love the series. The cast is great, the production values good, the part where it stays faithful are almost flawless.
And all this fills my head in the midst of re-reading The Dark Tower series and still, STILL, obsessing over Sherlock.
So as my final pimp, if you haven't seen Sherlock yet... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!? Fuck you, they're all nominated for BAFTAs!
Still, when good stuff comes along, I feel remiss in not sharing it with the world. So here's a bit of media pimping for this pretty calm April day:
Tony Lucca. If you're tuning in to The Voice, you'll see a pretty confident former Mickey Mouse Club member making his mark with interesting song choices, a folk-rocky sound, and getting ridiculous comments from his former co-Mousketeer, XTina. For the record, Tony turning up on this show isn't just some guy trying to jump into the limelight. Boy has been working his ass off in the music industry ever since those days in the Disney factory -- and is one of the best singer-songwriters out there today. He's got chops that The Voice hasn't even scratched the surface on, yet still is getting major love from fans of the show and industry people alike. Win or lose, Tony's been my favorite solo artist for years now, and it's wonderful to see him getting to shine. And if you're wondering why I love him so... well, here's just one sample:
Click to viewErnie Halter. Ernie's an extension of the above. Not only is Ernie another wonderfully talent artist, he's been Tony's biggest pimp since The Voice started. Seriously, Ernie's twitter feed on Monday and Tuesday nights is RIDICULOUS. Major cred and love goes to a man who supports his friends to the point of near insanity. Bros before others who aren't bros:
Sarah Jarosz and The Raven. Taking a moment for Poe, because the man was brilliant. I'm so very excited for the movie this weekend. I mean, I'd probably be intrigued just for the Poe aspect but it's John Cusack and Luke Evans. Resistance is futile. Also inspired by Poe is this song by Sarah Jarosz whose talent makes me sick (mostly because there's so much of it and she's a frickin' child).
Darren Criss, and the entirety of Team StarKid.
First off, I have to take two seconds to acknowledge Darren's love of Hanson, which just makes me adore him more. And on top of that, he recognizes their abilities and massive amount of talent. Second... can we just give this guy his own show already? Preferably one full of singing and dancing and weird Disney covers...
Oh... wait... what I meant was, can we just give the StarKid peeps their own show already, including Darren. I still haven't made it through all of HMB, but I am basking in the knowledge that I'm going to the Apocalyptour in a month.
Seriously, if you have not discovered the joy that is A Very Potter Musical yet, get thee to YouTube. Now.
The Civil Wars. Just listen. Now. Seriously.
Cabin in the Woods. Go see it. Do NOT spoil yourself. And do not expect a typical horror movie. It will blow your mind.
Also, there've been a lot of mixed reviews of Fran Kranz's performance, and a lot of comparisons to Shaggy from Scooby Doo with regard to his character. I'd just like to state for the record that Shaggy was NEVER remotely as intelligent, resourceful, compassionate, or perceptive as Marty (Fran's character in CitW). They're both stoners with squeaky voices in a horror environment with their pals. That's it. That's where the similarities end. I'm generally biased in Fran's favor, but from an acting standpoint, he's doing great work in CitW... not quite Dollhouse level greatness, but damn close. And that's even harder to do in a role built mainly as the comic relief. Mainly.
I've said too much now. Just go see it.
I really hate to be this person... but damnit, if you've just been watching Game of Thrones and not reading the books, you are short changing your life. A lot. Especially with series two. I'm not sure what the hell Benioff and Weiss think they're up to right now, but it's not the rich, layered, intricate series they developed and crafted last year. The scenes that are pretty much lifted from the book are great. The ones which follow the book but are condensed or slightly altered for content and/or time and/or efficiency are generally solid. The added scenes which are nowhere to be found or hinted at in the novels are doing nothing to further the story, and they're starting to warp character motivations and core values. It's really starting to disturb me. Still, I love the series. The cast is great, the production values good, the part where it stays faithful are almost flawless.
And all this fills my head in the midst of re-reading The Dark Tower series and still, STILL, obsessing over Sherlock.
So as my final pimp, if you haven't seen Sherlock yet... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!? Fuck you, they're all nominated for BAFTAs!