Dane Cook is the SH*T!

Last Wed, J and I had the pleasure of attending Dane Cook’s show at the Pavilion. It was Hi-lar-i-ous!!! The thing that I loved about his comedy show was that it was all new material — not anything that I’ve seen before or heard on YouTube. He’s a great performer and very energetic.

 I got these tix for J’s birthday/X-mas gift. It was well worth it!

Kathy Griffin is a Hoot!

This past Saturday, J and I went to the city to catch a 10pm show for Miss Kathy Griffin (Life on the D List). It was a fun show…she was very funny, though most of her comedy is towards making fun of celebrities – she poked fun at a whole lot of them – Marie Osmond (ew.), Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise, Oprah, Britney, all the Osmonds and many more. She was very energetic and I can see why the crowd loves her. We had a good time in the city…it was a little weekend getaway for us. Fun times.

Who Likes Jane Austen?

It was a rainy day in the valley this past Saturday so I decided to spend my early afternoon taking in a movie. I decided to see The Jane Austen Book Club. The movie is based on the book by Karen Joy Fowler.

The basic premise of the story is that 6 people form together for a book club, thus the Jane Austen book club. Each person will be responsible for holding the book club meeting at their place for each book. The 6 following books by Jane Austen are:

Sense and Sensibility
Northanger Abbey
Emma
Mansfield Park
Pride & Prejudice
Persuasion

Overall, the movie was good. There were some really funny scenes and the cast is full of good actors and actresses: Maria Bello, Amy Brenneman, Maggie Grace, the wonderful Emily Blunt (who doesn’t love her?), Jimmy Smits, and Hugh Dancy (oh my, he’s so cute!)

I’ve been reading the novel and in this case, I think the movie may be actually better than the book. I usually prefer books to the movies…but I enjoyed the movie much much more. The book can have its’ dull moments and go off on different tangents not related to the story at hand. I do agree that if anyone hasn’t ready any Austen, this could be a good introduction her novels.

Either read it or see it.

My Emmy Predictions

Since I enjoy television shows very much….I thought I’d weigh in on who should win the Emmy’s in the Outstanding Series, and Lead Actor/Actress both Comedy and Drama. I am in no way a psychic — so if one of my predictions is correct, then I don’t know what to tell you, except that I am that good, not just good, but that good. Let’s the predictions begin:

Outstanding Series – Drama: Boston Legal, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, House, and The Sopranos

My choice: Grey’s Anatomy. It was full of so much drama this past season. Since it is a veteran show, I believe that it will win. (Although I prefer Heroes to win…but since it is a new show, I think it needs to build cred before it wins.)

Most Likely Winner: Probably The Sopranos since the show ended last spring. It’s not unlike of the Emmys to grant the Outstanding Series to a show that has ended.

Outstanding Series – Comedy: 30 Rock, Entourage, The Office, Two and a Half Men, and Ugly Betty

My choice: Ugly Betty. I love everything about Mode and un-Mode. This a great show with a little evil twist — a modern soap opera. The characters are wonderful and the actors all do a great job. I love Betty Suarez. She rules.

Most Likely Winner: 30 Rock or The Office. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing either show on a regular basis, but from what I’ve seen, they’re f-in’ hilarious.

Outstanding Lead Actor – Drama Series: James Gandolfini (Sopranos), Hugh Laurie (House), Denis Leary (Rescue Me), James Spader (Boston Legal), Kiefer Sutherland (24)

My choice: Hugh Laurie. The man is genius as Dr. House. You just love to hate him sometime, but still adore him. I love this complex character he plays. He deserves to win.

Most Likely Winner: James Gandolfini. For the longest time Mr. G took the Emmy every year…now that his show has ended, he’s guaranteed this one.

Outstanding Lead Actor – Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Steve Carrell (The Office), Ricky Gervais (Extras), Tony Shalhoub (Monk), Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men)

My choice: Alec Baldwin. He’s funny. He’s got this clever way about him. I hope he gets it.

Most Likely Winner: Tony Shalhoub…not sure if he won it last year, but he’s won plenty. I’m sure one more him wouldn’t hurt.

Outstanding Lead Actress – Drama Series: Patricia Arquette (Medium), Minnie Driver (The Riches), Edie Falco (The Sopranos), Sally Field (Brothers and Sisters), Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order: SVU), Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

My choice: either Mariska or Kyra. I love both shows and I love both characters. It should go to one of them. They’re strong women and are both superb on their shows.

Most Likely Winner: Edie Falco. Sopranos is over, they will be rewarded.

Outstanding Lead Actress – Comedy Series: Tina Fey (30 Rock), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine), Mary Louise Parker (Weeds)

My choice: America Ferrera. I heart Betty. America played the part so well. She’s the youngest in the group and the most deserving.

Most Likely Winner: Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She won last year and she’ll most likely win again. I don’t understand why. She annoys me.

There you have it folks. My predictions. Will they come true? Only one way to find out. Watch the Emmy’s tonight 8:00 pm ET/PT on Fox.

Since I don’t have TV/cable anymore…I won’t actually get to watch I usually like watching the before show where we see all the stars on the red carpet. I’m all about the fashion at the Emmys!

Anyway, it doesn’t really matter who wins, they all deserve it…but the one category that I do want someone to really win is Best Supporting Actress. I really want Katherine Heigl to win, she went through so much on Grey’s this past season. She’s a superb actress and plays Izzie Stevens so well. Go Katherine!

Surprised It Was Good

Last night J and I watched the film Black Snake Moan, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci, also with Justin Timberlake and S. Epatha Merkerson. We didn’t know what to expect going in. I remember seeing the previews and all I saw was Christina Ricci running out of house and she’s got a chain around her waist. I really did not know anything else about the movie. Samuel L. Jackson plays Lazarus, a man who’s lost faith in people after he learns of his wife’s unfaithfulness with his brother. Ricci plays Rae, a victim of sexual abuse as a child, who now needs to have “it” all the time. If you’re uncomfortable with sexual scenes, this may not be the type of movie for you. Some of the scenes can get graphic. Rae loves her boyfriend Ronnie (played by JT), but he leaves her to join the army. After Ronnie departs, Rae goes out of control — getting high on drugs, sleeping around with various men, until one night she is left unconscious and abandoned by the side of the road. Lazarus stumbles upon Rae and he decides to help her by taking care of her and healing her. When Laz goes into town and learns more about Rae, how she’s promiscuous and out of control, he decides that he will rid her of her “fever.” I don’t want to give out too many details (why is she chained?), but this story is beautiful. We witness a true friendship forming between Rae and Lazarus and how they help each other out and deal with the pain they’ve witnessed in their lives. I’d recommend this film to anyone who goes into it with an open mind. Acting by Ricci and Jackson is wonderful. At the same time you are repulsed by Rae and her actions, you can’t help but also love her and feel sorry for her. Lazarus comes off as a tough mofo…but underneath, he’s so caring and has so much kindness to offer. Rent it or get it on Netflix.