“‘Twas the night before Yelpmas, when all through LA
Every Elite was stirring, inside the El Rey;
The decorations were hung from the stage with care;
“Time to enjoy the holidays if you dare.
Start searching for a festive pajama find;
While visions of cocktails dance in your mind;
You in your flannel, and us in our onesies;
One thing’s for sure the pictures will be funsies.
Out in the main room there will be yummy bites;
And on the marquee Yelp’s name up in lights;
Our favorite DJs will fill the room with song;
And the huge dancefloor will let you dance dirty all evening long;
So on Thursday the 9th, make sure you clear the night
For the Yelp Holiday Party is always an amazing sight!”

Last Thursday night our very own La Muerte & Antidote (a.k.a. “DancesWithWolves”) once again had the opportunity to perform for Yelp.com‘s; “Elite”. “A Night Before Yelpmas”, was the official private holiday party for the creme de la creme of Yelp Los Angeles community. Anytime a party is thrown to celebrate Los Angeles you best believe we’ll play just a tiny role in the production, and in this case they needed a little WolfDen help.

The party was a huge success, the guys killed it and a blast was had by all. Let’s not fail to mention that a “Pajama Party” is the most comfortable way to rage! With a huge dance floor filled, free booze and free food? Yea, you can clearly say Yelp knows how to take care of their pride and joy. I guess it’s safe to call La Muerte & Antidote; “Yelp Elite DJ’s”.

Thanks again to our good friends at Yelp for continuing to let us be a part of their rad events.

Check out some of the Yelpers words…here!

Hahaha, these guys are going to get pissed! But it’s all in good fun, yo!

Jamba Juice Master JObi-Wan Kenobi!!!

We were recently paid a visit by London based street artist D*Face over the Oscar break. For one day only these very peculiar anatomical Oscar’s were placed around Los Angeles. Us being very big fans of “La Revolution” or anything having to do with seeing through the bullshit, we laugh, and applaud you señor D*Face.

LA’s Runyon Canyon with a caption reading “‘Beauty is one snip away’ -D*Face.”

“If you don’t know now you do…
I’d been cooking these up for a few months now with the sort of planning that felt more in line with a bank job than a public ‘art donation’…
Dropped into central LA, the first as close to the actual Oscars as physically possible with the most chance of running, the second high in the hills of Runyon Canyon, perched on the peak overlooking the entire sprawl on Lost Angels.
Face lifts, fools gold and plastic surgery arghhhh thats my sort of city.
Heads up and hand claps for the help; Mr Pink, Mr Brown and the brothers grim (the names have been changed to protect the guilty).
D*”

Via

When you think of classic casual footwear, PRO-Keds stand among the forefront of what you should be out looking for. For Spring 2010, the brand put together this playful and unique video of dudes running about town in all new designs and colorways. It’s pretty well put together and I enjoyed not having to click a shit load of images for this lookbook, rather a click and sit back and watch a video.

The short clip is written and directed by Monihan Monihan.

Danish designer Han Kjobenhavn put together an unbelievable collection of traditional-inspired timeless frames that have been flying under the radar for sometime now. That’s not always a good thing you know, we wanna get ya’ll some sales my brethren! This brilliant collection is inspired by classic makes of the past, blended with simple craftsmanship and modern textures of the present. Although each of the 5 styles available offer seemingly different elements, they do not steer clear of their original goal of revamping the classics.

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The Bangz “First Girl On The Moon” takes a cut from Lil’ Wayne’s Rebirth’s “Runnin” and gives you a taste of things to come on their upcoming EP “Girls Riot”. The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League produced track is still in the making as notice Weezy’s verse is still intact. Not bad for a female duo, check it out!

[audio:http://newestra.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/The-Bangz-Ft-Lil-Wayne-First-Girl-On-The-Moon.mp3|titles=The Bangz Ft Lil Wayne- First Girl On The Moon]

DOWNLOAD: The Bangz ft Lil Wayne- First Girl On The Moon

As we are all attempt to change our nasty habits, clean up our acts, and make the world a better place. So too does Vans with their newest efforts to make their products eco-friendly. Introducing the new 106 SF, featuring green initiatives from heel to toe – including natural links, hemp uppers, and a ‘Dri-lex’ bamboo footbed. This “Green” goodenss is available in multiple colorways to accommodate all styles, and to unify all individuals in our continued march to save our planet. Available at Zozo’s Flauge.

Here’s a treat for all you skate cruzers out there. Santa Cruz released this limited edition Cruzer featuring graphics by the legendary Jim Phillips. The all-new screaming foot is the 2010 version of Phillip’s infamous Screaming Hand design, first debuted in the 80’s. Only 300 pieces were produced, both regular and goofy styles. Priced at $125 USD, so get your asses to the Santa Cruz Online Shop and pick one up one for me too! I’ll pay you back….

Via

It’s always a good day for a skate, surf, or snowboard video. Of course there is currently snow on them mountains so we’ll keep shit CHILL!

Good times and passion with Deadlung, Tony Madrid, Jake Watson, and Dax Hardy.

Photo Album compliments of our good pal Ami Cohen.

One of my favorite songs currently making its circulation is Dan Black’s, Symphonies featuring the ever talented Kid CuDi. The video creative’s are right up our alley in conceptual ideas, so I am very much diggin on it! Check it out!

Symphonies (Dada Life Remix)
[audio:http://newestra.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Symphonies-Dada-Life-Remix.mp3|titles=Symphonies (Dada Life Remix)]

The White Stripes make their return to the stage, on film that is. Under Great White Northern Lights is the new White Stripes documentary set to release next month! On Tuesday, March 9, the Egyptian Theater is the first chance LA residents get to screen the film. Tickets are not on sale just yet, but if you’re strapped for cash, there are several ways you can watch the film for free! Sssshhhh…..

The White Stripes will have three free local screenings of the new film, of Under Great White Northern Lights! Sites include the EchoPlex, The Redwood Bar, and one  “secret screening” yet to be announced but going down on Tuesday, March 16, same day as the release of the White Stripes film box set.

At times I remember the days of exploring my grandmothers garage and rummaging through boxes I would get a sever ass beating if I even peeked into. What do we have here? Tio George’s collection of classic nudy magazines!!!! Sigh, the days of voluptuous all natural women are long gone, until Jaques Magazine came along!

“America’s only new luxury erotic magazine; a modern re-imagining of the classic men’s magazines of yesteryear. We celebrate a return to the origins of the pulp title; offering edgy opinion, arousing interviews and fiery fiction blended with unparalleled pictorials illustrating the real beauty of real women.”

Check out the trailer for the May 2010 Sports Issue of Jaques…

Feast your eyes on this video of Banksy going through the process of creating the cover art. Gotta love that stencil work!

A interesting and exciting Supreme x The North Face collaboration for the outdoors man in all us, recently surfaced. No signs of this piece in the new Supreme season, so we are thinking it’s a super limited series dropping fairly soon. No word as to how many are in production and/or how much in costs, but keep checking back for updates.

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[audio:http://newestra.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/In-For-The-Kill-Le-Castle-Vania-Remix.mp3|titles=In For The Kill (Le Castle Vania Remix)]
In For The Kill (Le Castle Vania Remix)

Check out this creative video for Le Castle Vania’s: “Nobody Gets Out Alive”

Via TILT MAG.

Via

MTV recently caught up with actress Kate Mara to discuss her role in the upcoming blockbuster Iron Man 2. Mara took advantage of the opportunity, dispelling rumors that she’d be playing Bethany Cabe . In the comics, Cabe was a love interest of Tony Stark and an agent of Shield however both of those roles seem like they’ll be filled by Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow. But, if she’s not playing Cabe, who will Mara portray in Iron Man 2?

This intrepid reporter is going to go out on a limb and speculate that Mara’s playing Janet Van Dyne aka The Wasp. The facts are these; Mara told MTV that she’ll only appear in one scene in Iron Man 2. She made explicit references to the fact that her red hair wasn’t everything when it came to casting. And, she’s too big of an actress to find herself relegated to a cameo. Furthermore, Mara claims her only scene is opposite Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark and Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan. Folks who’ve seen the first film know that Hogan is Stark’s driver, but perhaps the wealthy Van Dyne threatens to steal him away. Such a scene would offer the perfect opportunity for Marvel to plant seeds for their Avengers film currently in the works, much like they did with Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury in Iron Man and Downey Jr. in The Incredible Hulk.

I for one would love to see Mara try her hand at the Janet Van Dyne role. Every indication from Marvel would have you believe that The Wasp won’t appear in The Avengers but they also denied Jackson’s role at first. Van Dyne is a necessary component of The Avengers; she is both a founding member, and a female presence, who enhances the team’s dynamic. Initially, Van Dyne is vapid and flighty but over time she grows to become the team leader. This could provide a fantastic arch for Mara to show off her acting chops. Assuming that Hank Pym aka Ant-Man will appear in the film, Mara will also have a romantic storyline of comic legend to work with.

I realize this is all highly speculative but there’s a reason Mara’s playing coy about her role. This, added to recent rumors that Jeremy Renner is in negotiations to play Clint Barton aka Hawkeye, and the copious amounts of evidence presented making speculating worth it.

The SAG Awards were Saturday night, and results were pretty much exactly what had been expected. For the most part the night’s victors were the same folks who won at the Golden Globes last week. The only major deviation came in the form of Best Film Ensemble, a category unique to the SAG Awards.

Unlike The Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, the SAG Awards opted against having a host. This actually proved beneficial to the overall broadcast, as it wasn’t bogged down by the need to wheel them out every once in a while. Because of this, the telecast should have flown by; but drawn out speeches kept the show from flying by. The lack of surprise victories didn’t help either. Like the two preceding award shows Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullock, Christoph Waltz, and Mo’Nique all walked away victorious in their respective categories. The television winners almost mirrored that of the Globes as well. Alec Baldwin, Michael C. Hall, Juliana Margulies, Mad Men and Glee were all winners. The only major deviations from the Globes were Inglorious Basterds win for Best Film Ensemble, SAG’s equivalent of Best Film, and Tina Fey’s Best Actress in a Comedy Award.

On the fashion front, there were far less misfires than the Golden Globes. Fey, who had been criticized for the Zac Posen gown she wore at the Globes, rebounded with a form fitting purple v-neck dress by Ferragamo. Anna Kendrick also picked a more flattering dress for the SAG Awards, a fuchsiasilk chiffon bustier gown by Alberta Ferretti and a Judith Leiber clutch.

Unfortunately for Patricia Arquette, she cannot claim a vast improvement. Arquette looked pretty awful in a shimmery green dress that looked like the skin of a mermaid. Sandra Bullock’s dress was also quite tacky, with a splattering of blue glitter around the neck of an otherwise black dress. Kate Hudson wore white again, and yet again it failed to flatter her curves.

Some of the night’s best dressed were repeats like Penelope Cruz and Lea Michele. But, it was Michele’s Glee costar Dianna Agron who stole the show Saturday evening.  The ethereal Agron wowed in a high concept dress by Edition for Georges Chakra. Somehow I managed to forget that the SAG awards were right around the corner when I wrote my Golden Globe Wrap Up last Monday, but it’s unlikely I’ll forget how beautiful Agron looked.

Well folks, another week has gone by and it’s time to round it up. A lot happened this week in the world of entertainment. Among the notable events were ABC’s premiere of The Deep End, Conan O’Brien’s departure from The Tonight Show, Rob Lowe announced he was leaving Brothers & Sisters, Sundance Film Festival kicked off, She & Him released the first single from their new album, and George Clooney offered Hope for Haiti Now.

ABC Plunges Into The Deep End

Earlier in the week you may have seen an article I wrote about The CW’s Life Unexpected. This time of year networks tend to debut their new shows some, like Life Unexpected, warrant their own post but others simply don’t. This past Thursday ABC began airing The Deep End; the show was received poorly by many a critic. For the most part it was considered Grey’s Anatomy goes to law school. I finally got a chance to watch the show last night and I wanted to quickly share my thoughts. The Deep End has a number of familiar faces in its Pilot episode. Matt Long of Jack & Bobby, Tina Majorino of Veronica Mars, Leah Pipes of Life is Wild.  All of these faces plus a plethora of guest stars, including and Rachelle Lefevre of Twilight fame, help enhance what would otherwise be a milquetoast show. Long in particular plays the role with enough earnest that you believe he’s sinking in the show’s proverbial “deep end.” Overall, I see myself revisiting the show but I don’t know for how long.

Conan O’Brien Says Goodbye… For Now

After weeks of discussion between NBC and Conan O’Brien, the host finally said goodbye to The Tonight Show on Friday evening. I can’t say I’m a big fan of either Leno or O’Brien, but the way Conan was treated by NBC was pretty despicable. Yes, he walks away with a hefty severance package totaling somewhere around 32 million dollars but it’s the principle of the matter. O’Brien truly cared about The Tonight Show’s legacy, which is more than NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker can say. Conan could have phoned it in this week. Instead, he upped the ante and delivered a weeks worth of quality programming culminating with Friday’s finale. Tom Hanks and Neil Young stopped by before heading over to the Hope for Haiti Now taping, Steve Carell helped debrief O’Brien, and Will Ferrell sang “Free Bird” dressed as a red neck bum. But, the highlight of Conan’s final show was the heartfelt speech he delivered shortly before the show’s close. Said O’Brien, “Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.” You stay classy Conan, and we’ll see you in September.

Rob Lowe to leave Brothers & Sisters

As first reported by Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello, actor Rob Lowe is leaving Brothers & Sisters come season’s end. Lowe volunteered to leave when ABC told showrunner David Marshall Grant that he needed to cut the show’s budget. Lowe felt underused on Brothers & Sisters and figured that he might be able to find more substantial work elsewhere. It turns out that elsewhere might be a new ABC show about doctors on an exotic island, more on that as it develops.

Sundance Heats Up Utah

Though I’m not personally in attendance, Sundance Film Festival began this week in Park City, Utah. The annual film festival is receiving extensive coverage from our friends over at /Film and Collider. Head over to either website for more information and reviews.

She & Him Venture “Into the Sun”

Alternative rock group She & Him released the first single from their forthcoming album, Volume 2, this week. Entitled “Into the Sun,” the song is pretty much what fans of the band have come to expect. It has fun instrumentation from M. Ward and delightfully airy vocals from Zooey Deschanel. Having said that, the song feels like it could have been included on their debut album, Volume 1. And, while I loved that album I was hoping they would try and expand their sound this time around. I’ve included the song below for you’re listening pleasure.

Clooney Offers Hope For Haiti Now

I mentioned earlier in the week that actor George Clooney was planning a benefit for the victims of Haiti’s recent earthquake. The benefit aired last night on all five broadcast networks, and multiple cable channels too. Portions of the benefit were filmed in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London and Haiti. The final amount of money raised was a record setting $57 million, a befitting total given the cause and quality of last performances. Coldplay sang a touching acoustic version of their song “A Message.” Later Martin would return to stage to accompany Beyonce for a restrained take on her song “Halo.” Other standouts included John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews with Neil Young, and Keith Urban who was joined by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. But, the performance of the evening belonged to Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris who offered up a heartbreaking rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic “Hallelujah.” Below I’ve embedded the video of Timberlake and Morris. After listening to it, I’d encourage all of you to buy the Hope for Haiti Now Soundtrack available on iTunes for roughly 8 dollars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxOWHu6Oyt8&feature=related

It is said that what we learn from television can be formative to our growth as individuals. If this is true then much of what I learned growing up was courtesy of The WB. A network like no other The The WB had a unique brand, and voice that spoke to a younger generation without alienating older viewers. A few years back The WB merged with UPN, an ethnically aimed network that aired unimpressive programming, to form The CW. Unlike either of its predecessors, The CW has struggled to find a voice. Rather than substance The CW has relied on hype to buoy it, as ratings continue to sink lower and lower each year.

Last May I had the good fortune of attending The CW’s Upfront Presentation where President Dawn Ostroff explained her vision for the network. Ostroff preached about the strong female following the network had, and the gains that each show had when DVR numbers were accounted for. This has been Dawn and the network’s problem since Day 1, they’re niche-casting on a broadcast network. To those unfamiliar with the term “niche-casting,” it’s when a network programs for small contingency rather than developing programming with universal appeal. After Ostroff explained her business model for the new year, and rolled out stars from some of her returning shows, she discussed the new shows that The CW had picked up.

The CW had 6 pilots in development last season, which is a relatively small number for a broadcast network. Right up until the week before Upfronts no one knew which of the 6 would go to series. For a while it seemed like the Gossip Girl spin-off Valley Girls was a lock. It has a certified star in Brittany Snow and a built in audience, but even that wasn’t enough to secure it a spot on the schedule. The Melrose Place reboot also seemed like a shoe in, and while it did receive a pick-up ratings have been abysmal. Yet, even as poorly as Melrose has done, its failure was nowhere near as epic as the Mischa Barton vehicle The Beautiful Life. Of the other 3 shows on The CW’s slate two went to series and one went by the wayside. Body Politic, despite a stellar cast and a script that attracted interest from bigger networks like ABC, wasn’t ordered to series. Kevin Williamson’s The Vampire Diaries has become The CW’s biggest hit, attracting upwards of 4 million viewers a week.

The last of the 6 was Life Unexpected, though CW was calling it “Parental Discretion Advised” when I first saw footage from it back in May. The show was quaint and sweet and reminded me of everything I loved about The WB network. Ostroff claimed that of all the pilots Life Unexpected was her favorite, which made her decision to hold it until midseason utterly puzzling. Life Unexpected officially made its debut this past Monday to audience just shy of 3 million viewers. Tonight is will re-air at 8pm and I would like to encourage all of you to watch it.

The better that Life Unexpected does, the more likely The CW is to develop program in the same vain.  Programs from young enthusiastic creators like Liz Tigelaar, who worked as an intern on Dawson’s Creek. Tigelaar understands what The CW could be, she grew up on The WB just like I did. With Life Unexpected she’s created a series with real heart. Centered around a 15 year old girl named Lux, whose been victimized by the foster care system, the show explores the true meaning of family. Brittany Robertson stars as Lux and offers the perfect mix of snark and vulnerability in the role. The rest of the cast is made up of network veterans. Shiri Appleby was the star of The WB’s Roswell, a show that would eventually more over to UPN. Here she plays Cate, a Type A person dealing with the news that a daughter she never thought she’d see again has reentered her life. Kerr Smith stars as Appleby’s coworker and love interest but to many he’ll always be Jack of Dawson’s Creek. Finally, Kristoffer Polaha plays Lux’s reluctant father Baze, one year after he stared in The CW’s Valentine.  I won’t say too much more about the series but I’ve embedded the trailer below for you to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3ZwgKHV9J4

Searching for the perfect heels is like looking for a pin in a haystack sometimes. The search can take days, weeks, and even months for the perfect pair of shoes to match that new outfit you bought. With AtelierShoes, you can create the custom heels of your dreams! Seriously, this is a gift from the gods!

All of Hollywood’s biggest stars came out to play last night for the Golden Globes. The Globes had more of a party atmosphere this year than ever before. In fact, host Ricky Gervais drank throughout the telecast. But who won? Were my picks spot on? Who was the best dressed? And were the Globes better produced than the Critics’ Choice and People’s Choice Awards? The answers to all these questions and more just as soon as I go see Abadar.

Lets address the success of picks right off the bat, because I’m proud of how well I did. In yesterday’s post I predicted 19 categories and of those, 12 of my picks were correct. Factoring in Best Original Song which I neglected to include in my post, but correctly predicted I was 13/20, or 65% right on the money. Among the categories I correctly predicted Best Actor in A Drama (Film), Best Actor in A Drama (TV), Best Drama (Film), Best Drama (TV), and Best Actress in A Drama (Film). To those of you following along at home that means that Sandra Bullock actually won for The Blind Side, and consequently we all lost. Seriously though, Bullock gave 1 million dollars of her own money to the Haitian Relief Fund so I’m going to give her a pass and pat on the back.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that some of my picks were wrong and, is the case with any award show, The Golden Globes had its fair share of upsets. The night’s biggest surprise was Robert Downey Jr.’s  Lead Actor in a Comedy (Film) win for Sherlock Holmes. Largely considered to be a space filler, Downey beat out Joe Gordon-Levitt, Michael Stuhlbarg, Matt Damon and HFPA favorite Daniel Day-Lewis for the prize. Comedy seemed to be full of surprises last night, as The Hangover walked away with the Best Comedy Award (Film) and Toni Collete won Lead Actress in A Comedy (TV) for United States of Tara. Neither was predicted to win their category, though I was glad to see The Hangover recognized rather than Nine. At the same time, I was disappointed by Zach Galifianakis’ absence from the show because I would have loved to see him accept the award.

Addressing the night’s fashion choices, it was definitely a mixed bag. Very few actresses blew me away with their choice of dress. Anna Kendrick, who readers know I adore, underwhelmed in her tree branch themed Marchesa one-shoulder gown. Mariah Carey looked gaudy in her barely there Hervé Léger gown. The usually regal January Jones looked frumpy in her black Lanvin gown and matching headband, while Ginnifer Goodwin’s knee-baring Vionnet design looked more like a curtain she’d been trapped in.  That said, the night’s worst dressed award goes to Patricia Arquette who Suze Yalof-Schwartz, executive fashion editor at large for Glamour magazine, said “looked like she was captured by a fisherman’s net, like she was dragged in by the sea.”

Not everyone misfired when choosing an outfit for the evening. Penelope Cruz looked beautiful in a lacy black Giorgio Armani Prive number. Emily Blunt pulled off the ruffled look better than most in a pink dress from Dolce & Gabbana. Kristen Bell looked simply wonderful in knee high white dress, while Lea Michele went for a more epic look in a black Oscar de la Renta gown. The night’s best dressed was an easy pick and goes to Oliva Wilde who looking stunning in a cut-to-there Gucci gown.

What of the production itself? Well, I quite liked host Ricky Gervais’ humor though some found it over the top and vapid. If anything I think we got too little Gervais who appeared every so often to announce the next set of presenters. This is why the Globes usually go host-less, a host simply isn’t a necessity. Still, I say kudos to Ricky who managed to plug almost everything he’s done in recent history while also logging the night’s best quote. “I like to drink as much as the next guy, unless the next guy is Mel Gibson,” said Gervais as he introduced Mel to the crowd. The night’s second best quote came from the Governator, who was charged with introducing Avatar to the crowd despite his inability to pronounce the word. Over and over Arnold said something to the effect of “Abadar.” All in all, the Golden Globes were the most well put together award special so far this season; but that may not last long with the Grammy’s right around the corner.

With the Golden Globes a mere hour away (follow me on Twitter.com/iamwesley for live tweeting) I tried to jot down my thoughts on who will win, and who should. I’m going to preface my thoughts by saying that the nominations themselves are flawed. Specifically in television, Zach Braff, Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton and Amy Poehler should all be walking away with wins in their respective categories. But not one is nominated. The HFPA love big name celebrities and they’re swayed by trends, which allows for people like Courtney Cox to get nominated for the rather insipid Cougar Town.

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Nominees: Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, Up in the Air

Who Will Win: Avatar

Who Should Win: Up In The Air

Why: If you read my pieces regularly you know that I have nothing but high praise for Jason Reitman’s Up In The Air, but I don’t think it’s flashy enough for the Golden Globes. Avatar is exactly the type of movie that they love because it made bank and because the word “revolutionary” has been thrown around when referring to it.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Nominees: Emily Blunt (The Young Victoria), Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side), Helen Mirren (The Last Station), Carey Mulligan (An Education), Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)

Who Will Win: Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)

Who Should Win: Emily Blunt (The Young Victoria)

Why: I haven’t seen enough of these films to be truly impassioned about who wins this category. But, I do know who I don’t want to win and that’s Sandra Bullock. Unfortunately, my gut says that’s precisely what’ll occur. I’d like to see Emily Blunt win but to be completely honest, anyone other than Bullock will be a relief.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Nominees: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), George Clooney (Up in the Air), Colin Firth (A Single Man), Morgan Freeman (Invictus), Tobey Maguire (Brothers)

Who Will Win: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)

Who Should Win: George Clooney (Up in the Air)

Why: Though Bridges is traditionally the bridesmaid, it seems like this is his year to be the groom. After a series of wins, his most recent coming on Friday night at the Critics Choice Awards, Bridges is the odds on favorite. I thought Maguire turned in an admirable performance in Brothers and I laud the HFPA for his nomination. But, I enjoyed the subtly of Clooney’s performance in Up in the Air too much to give it to anyone else.

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Nominees: (500) Days of Summer, The Hangover, It’s Complicated, Julie & Julia, Nine

Who Will Win: (500) Days of Summer

Who Should Win: (500) Days of Summer

Why: Conventional wisdom says that Nine will win this award will all of its glitz, glam and star power but given the film’s terrible reviews I think the HFPA will be hesitant to hand it such a prestigious award. Neither of Meryl’s films are strong enough to win and The Hangover is probably too raunchy. This leaves (500) Days, which, not so coincidentally, should win given how delightful it was.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Nominees: Sandra Bullock (The Proposal), Marion Cotillard (Nine), Julia Roberts (Duplicity), Meryl Streep (It’s Complicated), Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Who Will Win: Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Who Should Win: Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Why: Another chance for Sandra Bullock to win, and for me to complain about how much I dislike her. Seriously though, no one beats Meryl Streep these days except possibly Meryl Streep. So, like it or not, she’ll win for one of her films. Kudos to Marion Cotillard for being the best thing about Nine.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Nominees: Matt Damon (The Informant!), Daniel Day-Lewis (Nine), Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man)

Who Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis (Nine)

Who Should Win: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer)

Why: Damon and Downey Jr. don’t really stand a shot in this category, the latter probably shouldn’t have been nominated to begin with. In Zach Galifainakis’ absence this category is almost a lock for Daniel Day-Lewis, the HFPA’s poster boy. Stuhlbarg and Levitt were both good in their roles but it was Levitt’s boyish charm that won me over.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Nominees: Penelope Cruz (Nine), Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air), Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air), Mo’Nique (Precious), Julianne Moore (A Single Man)

Who Will Win: Mo’Nique (Precious)

Who Should Win: Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air)

Why: A rather tough category, more so than either of the Leading Actress categories perhaps, it appears as though Mo’Nique has the momentum going into the Globes necessary to win. Julianne Moore should’ve submitted for Lead Actress and Cruz isn’t a real contender. Between the two ladies from Up In The Air I preferred Kendrick. In fact, I spent the better part of the last month trying to land an interview with the budding star, though the chances of it happening are looking slim at this point.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Nominees: Matt Damon (Invictus), Woody Harrelson (The Messenger), Christopher Plummer (The Last Station), Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Who Will Win: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Who Should Win: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Why: This is a one man race, no one matched Christoph Waltz’s performance in Basterds. No one came close.

Best Animated Feature Film

Nominees: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Princess and the Frog, Up

Who Will Win: Up

Who Should Win: Up

Why: It’s Pixar. It’s heartfelt. It’s a shoe in, and rightfully so!

Best Director – Motion Picture

Nominees: Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), James Cameron (Avatar), Clint Eastwood (Invictus), Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)

Who Will Win: James Cameron (Avatar)

Who Should Win: Quentin Tarantino (Inglorious Basterds)

Why: It would be neat to see Bigelow receive a rare win for female directors but, much like the Best Picture Award, I expect the HFPA to go with the flashy pick AKA Cameron. I liked Reitman’s work but something about Tarantino’s Basterds won me over.

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

Nominees: Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell (District 9), Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker), Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds), Nancy Meyers (It’s Complicated), Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (Up in the Air)

Who Will Win: Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker)

Who Should Win: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (Up In The Air)

Why: The Globes don’t subdivide the screenplay category into adapted and original, which is pretty ludicrous when you think about it. Almost as ludicrous is Nancy Meyers’ nomination in this category. Reitman and Turner deserve the win and stand a good chance of taking it, but Boal is a dark horse who may overtake them.

Best Television Series – Drama

Nominees: Big Love, Dexter, House, Mad Men, True Blood

Who Will Win: Mad Men

Who Should Win: Mad Men

Why: Mad Men is a boring pick and its win will be equally unexciting, but it deserves to win given the season it just turned in.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama

Nominees: Glenn Close (Damages), January Jones (Mad Men), Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), Anna Paquin (True Blood), Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)

Who Will Win: Glenn Close (Damages)

Who Should Win: January Jones (Mad Men)

Why: A truly peculiar category dominated by shows I don’t watch. Paquin won last year, despite how mediocre her performance is, but she isn’t likely to repeat. Margulies is a filler nominee as is Sedgwick. Glenn Close is probably the odds of favorite simply because she’s Glenn Close. But I hope that January Jones gets the recognition she deserves.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama

Nominees: Simon Baker (The Mentalist), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Hugh Laurie (House), Bill Paxton (Big Love)

Who Will Win: Michael C. Hall (Dexter)

Who Should Win: Hugh Laurie (House)

Why: Michael C. Hall had some stellar material to work with on Dexter and that will more than likely propel him to a win over other repeat nominees like Hamm, Paxton and Laurie. Simon Baker is a waste of space as far as I’m concerned. I’d love to see Laurie win after this season’s premiere episode but I don’t think it’s in the cards.

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy

Nominees: 30 Rock, Entourage, Glee, Modern Family, The Office

Who Will Win: Glee

Who Should Win: The Office

Why: Neither 30 Rock nor Entourage has been strong enough this past year to justify a win. Modern Family doesn’t live up to it’s own hype. The Office is still funny but in the eyes of the HFPA it’s no longer “fresh.” That leaves Glee for the win.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy

Nominees: Toni Collette (United States of Tara), Courtney Cox Arquette (Cougar Town), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Lea Michele (Glee)

Who Will Win: Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)

Who Should Win: Tina Fey (30 Rock)

Why: This category is infuriating to me for a number of reasons. Cougar Town is not a good show and Courtney Cox Arquette’s over acting is predominantly why. Nurse Jackie isn’t a comedy and thus Edie Falco shouldn’t be considered. Lea Michele is nice enough but she didn’t really warrant a nomination for her work. That leaves Fey and Collette and between the two I suppose I’d rather see Fey win.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy

Nominees: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Steve Carell (The Office), David Duchovny (Californication), Thomas Jane (Hung), Matthew Morrison (Glee)

Who Will Win: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)

Who Should Win: Steve Carell (The Office)

Why: The work that Carell did during the Michael Scott Paper Company arch last season was pretty darn awesome but it’s likely that Baldwin will win again this year. Like Nurse Jackie, Hung isn’t really a comedy. And, like Lea Michele, Matt Morrison doesn’t really deserve to be nominated.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Nominees: Jane Adams (Hung), Rose Byrne (Damages), Jane Lynch (Glee), Janet McTeer (Into the Storm), Chloe Sevigny (Big Love)

Who Will Win: Jane Lynch (Glee)

Who Should Win: Chloe Sevigny (Big Love)

Why: The supporting categories for TV are a real hodgepodge as demonstrated by the nominees in this category. Lynch will win and her acceptance speech will be great, but Sevigny was magnificent last season in Big Love and thus more deserving.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Nominees: Michael Emerson (Lost), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), William Hurt (Damages), John Lithgow (Dexter), Jeremy Piven (Entourage)

Who Will Win: Jeremy Piven (Entourage)

Who Should Win: Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)

Why: After all these years it would seem unwise to pick against Piven but I’m still holding out for a NPH win.

On Saturday night the Critics Choice Movie Awards were held live from Hollywood and broadcast on VH1. After the debacle also known as the People’s Choice Awards, the bar had been set pretty low. And yet, the Critics Choice Movie Awards may actually have been worse. The winners weren’t as egregious, but the production value was low and host Kristin Chenoweth was incredibly irritating.

The night began with an awkward clip package that had Chenoweth staring opposite director Quentin Tarantino. Meant to mock both the audience and Tarantino’s film Inglorious Basterds, the clip fell flat on just about every level. That failure continued throughout the night with every subsequent sketch that Chenoweth was asked to perform. But Chenoweth also walked the ballroom at the Palladium, which made for a number of situations where you could tell actors just wanted her to go away. I felt bad for Kristin because it was evident she hadn’t written her own material, but whoever had was a hack of epic proportions.

The poorly written material wasn’t reserved for Chenoweth though. Every presenter who took to the stage suffered the writer’s wrath. Jason Bateman looked like he was auditioning for a new Teen Wolf sequel, tenatively titled Man Wolf. This not to be confused with The Wolfman which is a joke unto itself. Amy Poehler and John Krasinski who were brought up to help reflect on the life of John Hughes, stumbled through poorly written dialogue that made little sense before a clip package began. Thankfully, the musical number the followed the package was much better. Special Guests Death Cab for Cutie performed a cover of “Don’t You Forget About Me” that was both heartfelt and true to form. However, Death Cab’s presence made Nick Jonas and the Administration seem even less necessary. Billed as the house band for the evening, the folks at home heard barely any of Jonas’ music. Every once in a while we would see Jonas right before a break but overall it just seemed odd to have him and the band there.

As for the winners, as aforementioned, they weren’t nearly as flagrant as the People’s Choice Awards but they weren’t perfect either. One might think that you could use the Critics Choice to help determine who will win tonight at the Golden Globes (which I will be live tweeting at twitter.com/iamwesley) but as EW’s Dave Karger points out that’s not really the case. Critics tend to give more votes to the dark horse, in this case The Hurt Locker. Hurt Locker won Best Picture and Kathryn Bigelow took the Best Director prize but Locker wasn’t the night’s biggest winner. Avatar took 6 of the 9 categories it was up for, which thankfully meant it won in predominantly technical categories.

The biggest disappointments of the night tended to come in the form of Up in the Air losses. The film won for Best Adapted Screenplay but failed to win anything else. The ever stunning Anna Kendrick and vivacious Vera Farmiga both lost the Best Supporting Actress Award to Mo’Nique, which irks me for a number of reasons. There was a tie for Best Actress that yielded wins for both Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep. Bullock’s acceptance speech was genuine but I really can’t get behind her winning anything other than a Razzie Award. The final disappointment of evening, at least for me, was Saoirse Ronan’s win for Best Young Actress. I’m not sure what the qualifications are to be nominated in this category but I feel like Ronan should have outgrown them already, especially in light of the fact that she was nominated for Best Actress as well. I would have much preferred the award go to Bailee Madison of Brothers.

A Full List of Winners Below:

Best Picture The Hurt Locker
Best Director Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Best Original Screenplay Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
Best Adapted Screenplay Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air
Best Acting Ensemble Inglourious Basterds
Best Actor Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Best Actress (tie) Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia; Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Best Supporting Actor Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
Best Supporting Actress Mo’Nique, Precious
Best Young Actress Saoirse Ronan, The Lovely Bones
Best Documentary The Cove
Best Foreign Language Film Broken Embraces
Best Animated Movie Up
Best Comedy Movie The Hangover
Best Score Michael Giacchino, Up
Best Song “The Weary Kind,” Crazy Heart
Best Costume Design The Young Victoria
Best Make-Up District 9
Best Action Movie Avatar
Best Cinematography Avatar
Best Visual Effects Avatar
Best Art Direction Avatar
Best Editing Avatar
Best Sound Avatar

Beginning next week I’ll probably be up to my eyeballs in work, which may preclude me from posting as frequently. So, I decided to start a new column called The Weekly News Roundup. The column will be composed of important news from the week that I wanted to speak about but didn’t have enough time to give individual posts to. This week in the roundup Simon Cowell, Conan O’Brien, Spider-Man, Green Lantern and Ashley Greene’s Interview Magazine pictures.

Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol

At the Television Critics Association panel for FOX executives this past Monday, Simon Cowell announced that he’ll leave American Idol at the end of its current season. Cowell’s exit had long been rumored but was contingent on his ability to bring UK show The X-Factor to American Television. Cowell is the executive producer and creator of X-Factor and stands to make far more money from it than American Idol, this in spite of the 100 million dollar offer he had on the table to continue judging Idol. For Fox the move is a smart one because it allows So You Think You Can Dance to move back to the summer season with X-Factor slotting in Fall 2011 and American Idol remaining in the Winter/Spring season. Since the announcement every news outlet has been abuzz with rumors of who would replace Simon, and who will join him on X-Factor. Among the names rumored to replace Simon are Elton John and Rodney Jerkins. I’m not sure either would fit the show but the tone may change when Simon bids it farewell. As for X-Factor, Cowell has hinted that Paula Abdul may join him on the panel but I doubt FOX will go for it. Other options are Cheryl Cole, who sits alongside Cowell on the British show; Tommy Mottola, a successful record executive and former husband of Mariah Carey; and gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

NBC’s Late Night Zoo

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, you know that NBC decided to move Jay Leno from his 10pm timeslot back into the late night fold. This caused quite the stir when Conan O’Brien, current Tonight Show host, announced that he would leave the show if NBC moved it to 12:05am. Moving it to said time had been NBC’s plan, they were hoping to slot Leno ahead of the Tonight Show to avoid breaching either host’s contract. At this point things got nasty and the name calling began, with just about everyone weighing in. I withheld posting about the drama hoping that it would resolve itself but as of last night that looks unlikely. According to The Wrap, Conan will take a payout and leave NBC behind allowing Jay Leno to re-assume the mantle of Tonight Show host. The specifics of the deal have not been finalized but may yield O’Brien as much as 40 million dollars. It’s likely that Conan will take this money and then wait until fall to launch a new late night show on FOX.

Sony Spins a Spider-Man Reboot

Sony Pictures dropped a bomb earlier this week when they announced that they would reboot Spider-Man rather than  go forth with Spider-Man 4. Sam Raimi who had directed the three previous Spider-Man films wanted to center the franchise’s 4th on The Vulture, a villain who steals his victims youth from them. John Malkovich was signed to play The Vulture and Anne Hathaway had been rumored to play his daughter, a role that would have borrowed from Spider-Man love interest Black Cat. Sony wasn’t fond of this direction and threw out Raimi’s script leaving him without anything to shoot. When Raimi told Sony that he would need more time to craft a new script they told him it wasn’t necessary. Sony had already commissioned a reboot script from screenwriter James Vanderbilt and decided going forward with a reboot was more feasible. Raimi will remain on as a producer, and is encouraging Sony to hire Nimrod Antal to director the new film. Antal, whose biggest credit is 2007′s Vacancy, is seen as a conservative choice because of his ability to direct big action sequences on a low budget. Sony however, seems to prefer (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb for the job. Webb, despite his lack of experience in the action genre, would probably turn out a better product. He has a real knack for character development and Sony believes he could make the love story more real than Raimi did. Unfortunately, it seems like that love story will again be between Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson rather than Peter and Gwen Stacy.

Green Lantern Casting News

The folks over at Warner Brothers have been busy this week casting a few big names for The Green Lantern film preparing to shoot later this year. Last weekend it was announced that Gossip Girl star Blake Lively would play Carol Ferris, Green Lantern’s (Ryan Reynolds) love interest. Lively seems like an odd choice but according to executives she aced her screen test. That being said, I still would have preferred Lost star Evangeline Lilly. A few days ago Peter Sarsgaard joined the cast as Hector Hammond, the film’s premiere villain. And then yesterday MTV broke the news that Mark Strong was in talks to sign on as Green Lantern’s arch nemesis Sinestro. Both Sarsgaard and Strong are smart casting choices who help legitimize the film. Sarsagaard is an award winner, most recently nominated by SAG for his role in An Education. Strong was the best thing about Ridley Scott’s Body of Lies, he can also be seen in Sherlock Holmes, and the upcoming Robin Hood film. While, I still think that Reynolds was a poor choice for Hal Jordan; I’m getting progressively more excited about this film, which comes from Greg Berlanti, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim.

Dear Ashley Greene, Call Me.

A few days ago I posted about Ashley Greene’s upcoming spread in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition. I was relatively sure Greene couldn’t top herself, but then photos from her new spread in Interview Magazine leaked out and I was proven wrong. I’ve embedded the photos below, thanks again to Egotastic.

A terrible tragedy struck Haiti this week when an earthquake rocked the nation to its core. Haiti was already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and the earthquake will only exacerbate the problem. Death tolls are climbing everyday and, according to The Pan American Health Administration, may be as high as 100,000. All of this devastation has inspired George Clooney, Wyclef Jean, and MTV Networks to team up for a benefit next Friday, January 22nd.

Tentatively titled “Hope for Haiti,” the event will have three hosts. Clooney will host a portion live from Los Angeles, while Wyclef will take the reigns of a New York component and Anderson Cooper will beam in from Haiti. All the funds raised will be split among five relief organizations: Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, Unicef and Yele Haiti Foundation. Little else is known at this time save for the fact that it will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT. But, I’ll be sure to keep you all updated as we get closer to Friday.

Tights…this season’s IT trend. With so many types out there, you can easily get lost in which ones are the best. Well, let us guide you a bit. For awesome, quality and unique tights, you definitely need to check out Black Milk.

Their assortment of tights ranges from the regular “wet look” and lace to the totally-out-there “The Anatomist.” Prices start at $40 and go can all the way up to $250, but they’re sooo worth it! They even have bodysuits, too! Get them @ BlackMilkClothing

I don’t know about you, but I HATE bags that don’t fit sh*t! This is totally not the case with this killer tote from Nasty Gal! It’s big enough to fit everything you need and even stuff you don’t!

Via Nasty Gal

Our good friend Brandy Bustamante (aka: BB Gun) from Brand Equity Showroom in Downtown Los Angeles will be hosting a night of Fashion, Networking, and of course copping some of the hottest new clothes from Division E. Come out in support, meet some of the top fashion reps in the Los Angeles market, get your *Free alcohol on, and meet the cast from the Melrose Place. What are you waiting for, RSVP today!

Watching last night’s mockery of an awards ceremony I couldn’t help but wonder who the people voting for the People’s Choice Awards were? What demographic would choose Sandra Bullock as their Favorite Movie Actress and Twilight as their favorite movie? The latter seems like teen girls but does Sandra Bullock have a large fan base of teens that I was unaware of? More thoughts after the jump.

Upon a little digging I was able to uncover several problems with the way winners are chosen for the People’s Choice Awards. This year’s nominees were determined with the help of a 3rd party organization, Visible Measures. The company is a market research group specializing in internet trending and behavior. Immediately, this narrows the amount of data compiled to determine who should be nominated, and in turn who should win. But, honestly, the nominees weren’t even the more egregious part of the ceremony. This year’s show banked entirely on product integration, going so far as to interrupt the cast of Glee’s win with a DiGiorno Pizza Party. Not to be upstaged CVS ran a mini infomercial that actually had other products built into it. By the time host Queen Latifah asked me to donate to Children’s Safe Drinking Water I was pretty certain that it too must be an example of product integration rather than an act of kindness.

The show also provided us with two unnecessary musical numbers and a slew of commercials packaged as world premieres. Mary J. Blige performed “I Am” for what seems like the ten thousandth time. The song is bland and the performance didn’t help. Later in the show Cobra Starship “treated” us to a medley of “Hot Mess” and “Good Girls Go Bad” but, from what I gather, Leighton Meester was unavailable so Nicole Scherzinger filled in for her. I’m not sure if “the people” had been demanding such a team up but it was awful. As for the world premiere commercials, it’s worth noting that the trailers for Clash of the Titans and Robin Hood are both weeks old.

Going back to the winners for a second, they were very suspect. I have no problem with Johnny Depp wining a Lifetime Achievement Award but did he really deserve Favorite Movie Actor for Public Enemies? Then again, look at who he was nominated against… Ryan Reynolds for The Proposal, Hugh Jackman for X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Fear not Wolverine fans, I guess there must be some, Jackman won Favorite Action Star. Jim Carey won Favorite Comedian though his only film in 2009 was A Christmas Carol. I can’t even begin to explain how ridiculous it is that Miley Cyrus won Breakout Female Star given that she’s been around for several years now. Even with all these silly victories, surely The Hangover won for Best Comedy, right? No, that went to The Proposal!

The TV winners weren’t much better. Yes, House won for Best Drama and Hugh Laurie won Best Actor Drama. But, Katharine Heigel won Best Actress Drama in a year where she’s defected from Grey’s Anatomy twice and Glee won Best Comedy though it’s yet to make me laugh once. I was just glad Steve Carell won so I could hear someone funny speak. I was also glad that The Vampire Diaries won Best New TV Drama because any win for The CW is a big win.

Most of the music categories were done off air to save time, which was fine with me because the show was long enough at 2 hours. From what they did show, I’ve concluded that America is indecisive. They gave Carrie Underwood Best Country Artist over Taylor Swift but then Swift won Best Female Artist, presumably a more prestigious award. Mariah Carey won Best R&B Artist and struggled to get up to the stage but thankfully her assistant Nick Cannon was there to help.

All in all the show was a shameful mess that I’d rather forget. I don’t know when MTV’s Award Shows became more legitimate than the People’s Choice Awards but it seemed that way last night. Hopefully CBS learned their lesson and they overhaul the show’s format next year, but my hopes aren’t high.

For up to the moment news follow Wesley on Twitter

I don’t remember the last time I saw a movie in theaters more than once. I’ve always found it puzzling that people would line up to see the same film twice, especially with escalating ticket prices. So, if someone had told me a month ago that I’d be writing my review of Up In The Air after seeing it for a second time, I probably would’ve laughed at the notion. Yet, that is indeed the case. After the jump find out why I saw Up In The Air twice, and why you need to go see it as soon as possible.

Up In The Air is a unique film that resonated with me deeply because of the themes it explored and the cast that director Jason Reitman assembled. The film explores just how important our careers are to us as members of society, how they define us. But, in an atypical fashion, it does this through the lens of a man whose job is to fire others. George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham a road warrior who feels most comfortable up in the air. All the things that we normal folk hate about flying are Bingham’s constant reminders that he’s home. For Bingham life is all about getting the most millage out of things, and personal interactions only weigh you down. He may be isolated, but he’s happy.

This quickly changes when the company he works for hires Cornell graduate Natalie Keener. Keener, played by the ravishing Anna Kendrick, has book smarts but lacks the real world experience necessary to adequately perform her job. She thinks that firing people over the internet is a more efficient way of running the business. And, for the company it is, but Bingham cares about the craft. After convincing their boss, played by Jason Bateman, that Keener needs time in the field the two head out on a journey. Meanwhile, Bingham meets Alex who shares his love of the road and flying. The versatile Vera Farmiga plays Alex and soon she and Clooney’s Bingham start up a relationship of sorts. As Bingham’s relationship with both women begins to play out it becomes obvious that there has always been a void in his life, he just wasn’t aware of it.

I’m not Clooney’s biggest supporter but as Bingham his boyish charm works, in fact its necessary in order to believe that he’d be happy in a life devoid of person connections. In many ways Clooney’s real life persona is similar to that of Bingham’s, which is why I fear the award for Best Actor will go to Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart. But make no mistake, Clooney is fantastic in this role and shows a depth that I haven’t seen from him in years. Farmiga is equally wonderful though I think her character some of her character’s motivations get muddled towards the end of the movie. Reitman was able to cast everyone he wanted for Up In The Air, including Zach Galifianakis and J.K. Simmons in cameos. Yet, despite the myriad of big names, it was relative newcomer Anna Kendrick who stands above the crowd. As Keener, Kendrick covers a wide spectrum of emotions. She is reserved at points and vulnerable at others, looking gorgeous throughout. Few things would make me happier than seeing Kendrick win the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards later this year.

Spoilers Ahead

The film’s standout scene was one that occurred between Kendrick, Clooney and Farmiga after Kendrick’s character finds out that her boyfriend wants to see other people. Having taken her job so that she could be close to him, the realization that they’re over is devastating. But, it wasn’t Kendrick’s breakdown that got to me so much as the speech she gives to Clooney and Farmiga about what she looks for in a man. Natalie feels like no matter how much success she has in the business world, she’ll never be happy until she finds that special someone. She talks about how she thought she’d be married by the time she was 23. Alex and Ryan try to comfort Natalie by telling her that you become less picky when you get older. Alex in particular outlines all of the things that she’s no longer expects in a mate. It’s quite depressing and yields a fantastic moment wherein Alex says  that you begin to settle when you get older and Natalie points out that the very definition of settling is failure. I found the dialogue particularly ironic because less than a month ago I had a similar conversation with some friends who found it odd that I’d like to be engaged by 25. Much of what Reitman wrote for the Natalie character rang true for me, which a testament to his ability to capture the different ages of his characters.

Eventually Natalie ventures off to finish the beta testing of her internet based firing software leaving Alex and Ryan’s budding relationship to take center stage. Ryan convinces Alex to accompany him to his sister’s wedding and the event actually turns out nice. There is a brief hiccup that allows Danny McBride to show some range while still garnering laughs but the wedding is ultimately a success for both Bingham and his sister. After the wedding Bingham is supposed to give one of his motivational speeches at a prestigious convention. Standing before the crowd of thousands he realizes that he no longer believes in his own philosophy, moving maybe living but its empty without someone beside you to take the steps with. In typical romantic drama fashion Bingham heads for Alex, but when he arrives at her Chicago home he discovers that she’s married and has kids. This dramatic reveal was criticized by people who wanted a happy ending, for Reitman’s reponse head over to /Film, and those who thought the ending was too predictable. I didn’t fall into either camp, in fact I didn’t see the ending coming at all the first time I saw it. Upon second viewing I tried to look for clues and there was only one that I could find. Said clue comes when Alex and Ryan are aboard the boat in Miami and she says “Back home I don’t get to act like I do when I’m with you.” I should note that this is what I was referencing earlier when I said Farmiga’s character motivations were muddled. The ending didn’t bother me, I simply found it confusing that Alex would accompany Ryan to his sister’s wedding if he was merely an escape from her own marriage. If escape was her motivation wouldn’t she try and avoid commitment in general? If sex was her motivation then I find it hard to believe she’d go to the wedding and play nice with Ryan’s family. So what was her motivation? Best I could tell Alex is merely a selfish bitch, lord knows they’re out there, who took advantage of Ryan and then had the audacity to call him childish.

A sullen Ryan passes the 10 million mile mark on his way back to Omaha for work. Suddenly this goal he’s been working towards seems meaningless. Upon his return to work Ryan gifts some of his miles to his sister, showing that he’s going to try and rebuild his familial bridges. He also discovers that Natalie has quit because a woman they fired earlier in the film offed herself. Bateman gleefully informs Ryan that he’s headed back out on the road but, much like the miles, that means little to Ryan now. While, the final shot can be debated I saw Clooney standing in front of the departure board releasing his grip on the suitcase as him resigning to a life of anguish and emptiness. I suppose that’s pretty depressing, which explains why others might interpret it differently but I’m a glass half empty guy. When all comes said and done Ryan Bingham isn’t all that different than the people he fires in this movie, specifically J.K. Simmons’ character. In their scene together Clooney says something to the effect of “I see guys like you all the time, they get stuck in one job even though they’re unhappy.” By the end of the film Bingham is one of these people.

Spoilers End

Up In The Air has been under-performing in theaters thus far; it opened well in select cities but it’s expansion hasn’t generated the type of money Paramount was hoping for. I think this is because Up In The Air is too topical for the movie going public. In ancient Rome the Emperor employed Bread and Circuses to keep the public from thinking about the poverty that consumed them. This is why the movie industry tends to strive in poor economic climates, people look at movies as a chance to escape. Up In The Air doesn’t offer that escape, it’s honest about where we are as nation and much of the plot hinges on the recession. This might be too realistic for some people, but Up In The Air needs to be seen. Kudos to Reitman for creating another fantastic film, and a potential classic.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

I guess I’m pretty behind on times, being 2010 and I still haven’t seen a movie in 3D yet. Maybe it’s time. Even ESPN has caught on to the concept of the 3D experience. That’s why in June ESPN will launch it’s own 3D broadcast, starting with the FIFA World Cup soccer match shortly followed by a minimum of 85 live sporting events throughout the year. Most exciting, in my opinion, will be the Summer X Games followed by college basketball and football games.

While this all sounds like the best shit ever, it comes at a price. Not only will you have to wear those 3D glasses that give you a pounding head-ache after an hour…but you will have to throw that brand new 1080p TV you just got for Christmas out the window and purchase a new 3D-capable HDTV. Huge pain in the ass- we know.

Oh, forgot to mention…your cable or satellite operator might (probably) will need new equipment to handle the 3D video feeds. =Time x Money x Annoyance

I want ESPN 3D as much as the next guy…but I’m just not sure people will dish out the upgrades for 85 live events.

We’re in the middle of Oscar season right now. Accordingly, over the next few days I will be posting a few film reviews. A couple of readers have asked me why I didn’t do a Best of The Year in Film piece like the music and television articles I wrote. The reality of the situation is this, I’ve yet to see a number of the Oscar films and because of that felt like any list I compiled would be at as loss. I will be predicting the Golden Globes Award winners shortly before the ceremony airs, so look out for that. In the meantime, I saw Brothers read my thoughts after the jump.

I’m not going to lie, I’ve been anticipating Brothers for quite a while now. Before taking my position here at Newestra, this humble reporter worked at a market research film. Among my responsibilities at the firm was recording participants reaction to new movie trailers. As a result of this, I had the pleasure of seeing footage from Brothers over a year ago. Immediately, I knew the film was something special; it had a great cast and an acclaimed director in Jim Sheridan. After having its release date pushed back several times, Brothers was finally released on December 4th. Unfortunately, due to my busy schedule, I didn’t get to see the film until this weekend.

All that being said, Brothers was a magnificent film in every sense possible. It’s baffling to me that this film received such mixed reviews upon its release. But, even more baffling is its lack of nominations at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. Both institutions recognized Avatar and Nine, far less deserving films. No one in Avatar delivered a performance close to that of Toby Maguire, who was thankfully recognized by the Globes though the film itself wasn’t. He captures the persona of a soldier torn apart by the things he’s been forced to do perfectly. It helps that screenwriter David Benioff wrote a fully fleshed out character for Maguire, one who suffers from PTSD. The disease is often misrepresented in film but Benioff, yes the same Benioff who wrote X-Men Origins: Wolverine, doesn’t fall victim to this trope.

While Maguire’s character is off in Afghanistan for most of the film, his family deals with his presumed death back at home. Natalie Portman plays Maguire’s wife and she looks radiant throughout the film, something that’s actually written into the dialogue more than once. Portman, who usually plays the smart sophisticated working woman, is a stay at home mom in Brothers. In some respects her character is underwritten but that is probably my only complaint with the film as a whole, fortunately that was offset by her chemistry with Jake Gyllenhaal. Gyllenhaal, playing Maguire’s ex-con of a brother and the family’s black sheep, is incredibly endearing and actually quite funny. He feeds off the actors surrounding him. He is adorable with Bailee Madison and Taylor Geare, who play his nieces and heart-wrenching in scenes with Sam Shepard who plays his no-nonsense father. Moreover, as aforementioned, the chemistry between Gyllenhaal and Portman is palpable, which is necessary in order to believe that they may have slept together. In this respect, the strength of Brothers lies in it’s casting. Madison delivers one of the most impressive performances by a child actor I’ve seen, and even bit parts feel meticulously cast.

Sheridan also manages to turn the climate into a character by setting the film in winter. Many of the exterior shots are beautified by the falling snow. Sometimes the snow is used to accentuate isolation, particularly in regards to Maguire’s character. The snow also lends itself to the only other nomination the film received, Original Song for U2′s “Winter.” But Sheridan does more than play in the snow, he’s able to transition seamlessly from scenes in a loud war zone to scenes in the quiet suburban home. Years in the industry have taught him how to play with the audiences’ emotions and he does so throughout. Brothers moved me in a way that few films have. It made me happy, sad, reflective and disparaged all within the 104 minute run time. This is a film I would suggest everyone see at some point, whether it be in theaters or on DVD.

Overall Rating: 9/10

In an attempt to prove how much I enjoy listing things, I decided I should list the best albums of 2009, much like I rattled off this year’s finest pieces of television. With music though, listing is a bit more complicated. So many albums came out this year that it would be impossible to listen to all of them. But, I’m one of the few people still buying albums, which gives me a rather large sampling to play with. Due to said sampling I decided the best way to arrange my list of albums was by genre and then ranking. While I realize that this creates a scenario where everyone gets a trophy, it also allows everyone who visits the site to expand their taste. So without further ado, enjoy!

Best R&B Albums of the Year

1. Ready – Trey Songz

2. Transition – Ryan Leslie

3. In a Perfect World – Keri Hilson

4. Forever In a Day – Day26

5. Epiphany – Chrisette Michele

2009 was an incredibly strong year for contemporary R&B music. Many of the genre’s biggest artists dropped new albums, including The Dream, Rihanna, and Mario. But the year’s best R&B albums came from mostly new comers or artists trying to beat the sophomore slump. Epiphany was Chrisette Michele’s second album and she wisely took critics notes on her first album into the studio with her. The result is a sultry blend of classic blues with contemporary production. The reigning king of R&B, Ne-Yo, even stops by for a few tracks. Day26 also benefited from broadening their horizons, Forever In a Day is a fantastic album that shows the range that all 5 members have. Moreover, the majority of the album’s tracks are incredibly catchy. “So Good” and “Girlfriend” should have been Top 10 hits but the album didn’t get the press it deserved. Press wasn’t an issue for Keri Hilson, who had a breakout year and several hit songs. In a Perfect World is a nice mix of club tracks like “Turnin’ Me On,” radio anthems like “Knock You Down,” and baby making jams like “Make Love.” This year’s runner up, Ryan Leslie, probably would’ve appeared on my list twice if I’d expanded the field to 6 albums. Leslie dropped two albums in 2009, the self-titled Ryan Leslie and Transition. Leslie’s production was more focused on Transition, which made for a stronger album, one that offered the dynamite “Something That I Like” with Pusha T. That leaves us with Trey Songz’s Ready, a classic album that I’ve been bumping since it’s release. On Ready, Trey is able to use his guest stars incredibly well, which is probably why the album has already produced 5 hit singles. But its tracks like “Black Roses” that show how versatile Songz really is.

Best Hip Hop Albums of the Year

1. Til the Casket Drops - Clipse

2. The Blueprint 3 - Jay-Z

3. Man on the Moon - Kid Cudi

4. Loso’s Way - Fabolous

5. Guilt – MIMS

I didn’t realize how bad this year’s Hip Hop releases were until I started to put this list together. Veterans like 50 Cent and Eminem both dropped mediocre albums after long delays. Twista and Rick Ross both dropped albums with nice production but average lyrics. So who did come hard in 09? Last spring Washington Heights rapper MIMS dropped his sophomore album, Guilt, to little fanfare. People had forgotten about MIMS even though he delivered one of the decade’s biggest hits “This is Why I’m Hot.” Guilt offered a move evolved MIMS, one who was introspective and sarcastic. Another NY rapper, Fabolous returned to the fray this year with Loso’s Way. The album doesn’t offer anything new from Fab but it has a bunch of guest stars that make it a fun album to rock with. New artist Kid Cudi turned in an impressive album with Man on the Moon. Cudi will definitely be one to watch in the future, and listening to “Soundtrack 2 My Life” and “Pursuit of Happiness” it’s easy to see why. After dropping his label Jay-Z released Blueprint 3, an album that’s grown on me over the past few months. I’ve come to embrace the album, even if it isn’t as strong as American Gangster. The best rap album of the year was a late entry and comes from Virginia’s own Clipse. Til the Casket drops is a goldmine both in terms of production and rhymes. If you only buy one rap album that came out in 2009, it should be Til the Casket Drops.

Best Pop Albums of the Year

1. The Fray - The Fray

2. Breakthrough - Colbie Caillat

3. Ellipse – Imogen Heap

4. All I Ever Wanted – Kelly Clarkson

5. Here We Go Again - Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato is more than just a pretty face on the Disney Channel and she solidified that with 2009′s Here We Go Again. For her sophomore album Lovato teamed with the likes of Jon McLaughlin and John Mayer and the growth is evident in her music. Kelly Clarkson returned to Pop music after a brief foray into Rock. I’ve enjoyed every type of music Clarkson’s tried but it’s clear that her label likes the Pop version the most; and listening to All I Ever Wanted you can see why. The album is filled with radio friendly songs that Clarkson injects with sincerity and spunk. After a 4 year hiatus Imogen Heap returned to the scene with Ellipse. Ellipse is an incredibly interesting album filled with nuance and a wide variety of instrumentation. Breaking through with with her song  “Bubbly” in 2007,  Colbie Caillat decided to title her new album Breakthrough. The album is near perfection with every track building on the last. Caillat also includes a duet with Jason Reeves entitled “Droplets,” which is shear genius. Despite the fact that women dominated the Pop scene as a whole, it’s The Fray who had the year’s finest Pop album. Some critics, disliked the band’s self-titled sophomore album because they thought it was too similar to 2005′s How to Save a Live but honestly, that’s just ignorant. The Fray is an album onto itself and a special one at that. It is probably the second best of the year, overall.

Best Rock Albums of the Year

1. Battle Studies – John Mayer

2. Mean Everything to Nothing – Manchester Orchestra

3. Brand New Eyes – Paramore

4. Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King – Dave Matthews Band

5. Fortress Round My Heart – Ida Maria

Unlike Hip Hop, it was actually a great year for Rock music. All five of the albums I’ve included are top notch examples of quality rock music yet they all sound different from one another. Ida Maria’s debut album Fortress Round My Heart is wildly untamed rock music that pulsates through your speakers. Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey is controlled and surreal rock music, it’s also a tribute to LeRoi Moore, the band’s sax player who died shortly before they began recording the album. Paramore’s Brand New Eyes is a perfect example of growth in the face of adversity. After finding fame last year the band almost split up, but instead they returned wiser and more crafty. “The Only Exception” remains one of my favorite songs of the year, it’s both poignant and grandiose. Then, there’s the finest album of the year Battle Studies. John Mayer put together an album so fantastic I could go on forever about its intricacies, but suffice to say Battle Studies is a masterpiece!

Best Country Albums of the Year

1. Revolution - Miranda Lambert

2. The Man I Want to Be - Chris Young

3. Play On - Carrie Underwood

4. Stupid Love - Mindy Smith

5. Fearless (Rerelease) - Taylor Swift

It was undoubtedly Taylor Swift’s year, if you’re talking about Country music. But, the original version of Fearless actually came out in 2008 so I had to judge her based on the 6 new tracks she offered up on the rerelease. 5 of the 6 were great and the 6th was still pretty solid. So, I gave her the 5th spot. Mindy Smith is from Long Island so she immediately gets bonus points for that, but she was also overlooked by the Grammy’s which is a travesty that I’m seeking to right. Stupid Love is a fantastic piece of music with the song “Love Lost” really speaking to me. Play On continues Carrie Underwood’s string of wonderfully Pop tinged Country albums. Chris Young, on the other hand, offers a refreshingly old school Country record with The Man I Want to Be, complete with a Willie Nelson duet. But the best Country album of the year belongs to Miranda Lambert, you can read my full review of Revolution here. But basically Lambert manages to sing of love without losing her scorned edge, not an easy feat.

Best Alternative Albums of the Year

1. The Hazards of Love - The Decemberists

2. I and Love and You – The Avett Brothers

3. To Lose My Life – White Lies

4. Everybody – Ingrid Michaelson

5. A New Tide – Gomez

I’m actually a big fan of Alternative music and all 5 of these artists remind me why. Gomez’s A New Tide is funky and eclectic in its offerings. The way that they make their guitars speak is uncanny, especially on tracks like “Little Pieces” and “Airstream Driver.” Ingrid Michaelson has a subtle beauty to her music that makes it perfect for television accompaniment, which is why you might not know her name but you know her music. Everybody is a developmental album for Michaelson, who expands her sound without forfeiting the genuine nature of her lyrics. White Lies is a band to watch out for, To Lose My Life may be their debut album but they sound like veterans as they cover topics such as death and isolation. The Avett Brothers were brought to my attention by One Tree Hill, which used their song “I and Love and You” earlier this season. Immediately captured by the longing that brothers Seth and Scott were able to convey through their music, I bought the album. That longing resonates throughout I and Love and You and is tragically beautiful. Finally, the finest example of alternative music comes from The Decemberists who used their album The Hazards of Love to tell a fairytale like story. The concept worked perfectly as the listener takes a true musical journey upon first listen.

Top Dance Albums of the Year

1. Heartbreak on Vinyl – Blake Lewis

2. The Fame Monster – Lady GaGa

3. Party Rock – LMFAO

4. The Spirit of Apollo – NASA

5. Shock Value II – Timbaland

I can’t say that I’m a club monger but I like to dance just as much as anyone else does. Timbaland’s album is a tight squeeze into the Dance category because every track is a different genre leaving it orphaned. That being said, you can dance to pretty much all of them, and this is my list so deal with it. NASA is a team up of DJ Zegon and Squeak E. Clean and the result is kind of crazy but in the best way possible. The highlight of Spirit of Apollo is “Gifted” which sees Kanye West body a track alongside Lykke Li and Santogold. If Party Rock was a category then LMFAO would own it. Party Rock is filled with songs tailor made for the dance floor, in fact I couldn’t avoid “Shots” when I went out this fall. Another thing I couldn’t avoid was Lady GaGa, who dominated the charts in 09. Like Taylor Swift, GaGa’s album wasn’t technically released in 2009 but her rerelease was. The Fame Monster had an addition 8 tracks, most produced by RedOne. Of those eight the standouts were “Bad Romance” and “Telephone,” the latter of two featuring Beyonce. But GaGa’s album wasn’t the best Dance album of the year, that honor belongs to Blake Lewis. Heartbreak on Vinyl is gem of an album and it’s lead single “Sad Song” is completely contagious.

Best Adult Contemporary Albums of the Year

1. Cradlesong – Rob Thomas

2. Strict Joy – The Swell Season

3. Draw the Line – David Gray

4. Sunny Side Up – Paolo Nutini

5. The Listening – Lights

Lights, real name Valerie Poxleitner, is a 22 year old girl from Ontario, Canada. She makes synth based music that is eerily adult for someone so young. The Listening is a beautiful slice of music. It’s the kind of music that you can zone out to after a hard day at work. Paolo Nutini became massively popular overseas when he released his debut album These Streets in 2006 but that success didn’t translate to the American charts. In 2009 he returned with a somewhat new sound, adding brass instruments and banjos to his already folky music. Nutini has one of the most unique voices in all of music and on Sunny Side Up he’s able to wail. “Growing Up Beside You” is an ethereal track that engulfs you in its arms and holds you tight. David Gray may be known for his hit song “Babylon”  but on Draw the Line he offers much more. Gray’s voice is epic and his songwriting is fancy, take for example an except from the song “Kathleen.” “I gazed so long into the great aching skies; seemed like I wasn’t here no more.” Once was one of the greatest movies of the decade, a list I didn’t have the wherewithal to write up, and it also produced The Swell Season, a pairing of The Frames’ lead singer Glen Hansard with Marketa Irglova. On Strict Joy Swell Season is forced to deal with the dissolution of their romantic relationship while maintaining a musical partnership. The results are twisted and quaint with songs like “Fantasy Man” showing Irglova’s view point and “I Have Loved You Wrong” highlighting Hansard’s. Rob Thomas is an artist that I would’ve classified as Rock until 2009′s Cradlesong, an album that saw him embrace a myriad of new sounds. Some songs like “Give Me the Meltdown” are definitely still rock but others like “Someday” lean towards Adult Contemporary, and when he goes in that direction, he does it better than anyone else.

Best Soundtracks of the Year

1. New Moon

2. (500) Days of Summer

3. Where the Wild Things Are – Karen O and the Kids

4. Up in the Air

5. 90210 (TV Series)

4 of these albums are made up of various artists. In the case of New Moon, all of the songs were written for the soundtrack and set the tone of the film. The album is lined with brilliance especially “Possibility” by Lykke Li, which deserves the Best Original Song award at the Academy Awards. (500) Days of Summer is a collection of songs previously released elsewhere, same goes for Up in the Air. Though, in the case of the latter a few tracks are exclusive to the album, including Sad Brad Smith’s “Help Yourself.” 90210 is the only soundtrack from a TV show that made the list. Mostly because it featured some stellar songs like  Adele’s cover of The Raconteurs’ “Many Shades of Black.” That leaves the Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrack, which was done by Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and a group of children. The album is intriguing but plays more like score than a typical soundtrack.

Best Mixtapes of the Year

1. So Far Gone – Drake

2. 305s and Heartbreak – GhostWridah

3. A Matter of Time/One Foot Out the Door – Mike Posner

4. The Warm Up – J. Cole

5. 3000 & 9 Shit – Ocean’s 7

The mixtape circuit introduced us to a lot of new faces this year. Young Money’s mistress Nicki Minaj dropped Beam Me Up Scotty, Burbetto’s JQ released the Burbetto Mixtape, and Atlantic Record’s Wynter Gordon teamed with Static Revenger for The Trouble with Wynter. Veteran 50 Cent even dropped two mixtapes before the release of his studio album Before I Self Destruct, but 5 mixtapes stood above the rest. Jermaine Durpi teamed with 6 of his buddies: Nelly, Trey Songz, Brian Michael Cox, Usher, Tyrone Davis, and Johnta Austin to form super-group called Ocean’s 7. Together the 7 made surprise appearances at clubs around Las Vegas, much like the original Rat Pack did. They also recorded a mixtape entitled 3000 & 9 Shit. My only complaint with the tape… it was too short. Roc Nation’s J. Cole released his second mixtape this year, The Warm Up, which is a nice preview of what his album might sound like. “Dreams” is a master class in storytelling and has a nice guest by Brandon Hines. J Record’s signed Mike Posner after he dropped A Matter of Time and then less a year later he dropped One Foot Out the Door, all while attending Duke University. I couldn’t decide between the two but because they make for a good listen together, I included both. Miami’s GhostWridah took beats from Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak and crafted 305s and Heartbreak, an intimate look at what it takes to succeed in the business. The year’s finest mixtape shouldn’t come as any surprise to those who follow the music scene. Drake dominated the charts this year without even releasing an album, “Best I Ever Had” was one the 25 biggest songs of the 2009 according to Billboard. So Far Gone is a rare mixtape that could have doubled as an album, an incarnation was eventually sent to retailers, because Drake comes ridiculously hard on every track. His debut album, Thank Me Later, is scheduled for release in the 2nd Quarter of 2010. And, I don’t think anyone would be shocked if he sold 1 million copies first week.

20. Modern Family

I like Modern Family but I’m not in love with it. The show offers a funny escape once a week but its too formulaic and almost always ends with a family lesson. This repetitive nature keeps me from truly immersing myself in the series, and it nearly kept it off my 2009 list.

19. Big Love

I’m not as smitten with Big Love as other critics but this past season was fairly engaging and kept me wanting more. It will be interesting to see if the new season can keep the momentum up.

18. Entourage

Entourage benefited from a return to form this summer. Creator Doug Ellin made me genuinely care what happened to the characters again and set up the new season very well. My only complaint is with the show’s gross misuse of Autumn Reeser and Kate Mara, both of whom deserve better.

17. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Even though Sunny just ended its season I almost forgot to include it on my list. The more I thought about it though, the show definitely belongs on here. If for no other reason, then because “The Gang Hits the Road” was one of the funniest half hours of television to air in 2009. Oh, and then there was the “Kitten Mittons” gag which I’ve watched over and over since it aired.

16. How I Met Your Mother

It’s hard for me to explain why I like this show as much as I do. It’s has a great cast and snappy writing but this was the year where How I Met Your Mother found itself bogged down by the Barney and Robin romance that didn’t really go anywhere.  Had it not been for the stellar episode entitled “The Window,” which featured guest star Joanna Garcia, Mother would probably be sitting at 20. But it seems poised for a turnaround in 2010 that will probably move it up my list next year.

15. Dollhouse

Easily the most frustrating show of 2009, Dollhouse has never been sure of itself until 3 weeks ago. The first season languished in procedural territory while creator Joss Whedon tried to appease network brass, and the beginning of the second returned to that same format. However, it’s the straight to DVD episode “Epitaph One” and most recent episodes that have propelled it onto my list. It’s a shame that the show has just now found its footing seeing as how it’s already been canceled.

14. Reaper

One of the biggest mistakes that CW President Dawn Ostroff made was canceling Reaper, and believe me she’s made quite a few. Reaper was a fun show that really found its footing last spring. It also had higher ratings than a number of CW’s so-called hits but, because it appealed to people outside of the network’s narrow demographic, Reaper was doomed.

13. Community

Modern Family and Glee might be getting more attention but it’s Community that I find the most enjoyable new comedy on broadcast television. With a cast led by The Soup’s Joel McHale, Community consistently holds its own among NBC’s other comedy heavyweights. The show benefits greatly from it’s many pieces including the lovely Alison Brie, and endearing Danny Pudi. Recently, it seems like creator Dan Harmon has gotten a better grip on his many characters, which has me excited for the second half of the season.

12. Eli Stone

From Greg Berlanti, the man who delivered Everwood to the world, and Marc Guggenheim came a show about faith, love… and music? Eli Stone was a show that challenged the conventional broadcast norms, which is probably why it’s no longer airing. The show followed a lawyer with a brain aneurysm that allowed him to see the future. Eventually, he became convinced that he was a prophet and it was God sending him the visions. Interspersed with the plot were musical numbers, as many of Eli’s visions were relayed through song. The show had a lot working against it but, like Pushing Daises and Dirty Sexy Money, I think it was the Writer’s Strike that ultimately did it in.

11. Scrubs

The team over at Sacred Heart went for broke in their 8th season, because there was an assumption it would be their last. This renewed drive made Scrubs one of the best shows on television in 2009. In one season we got a tremendous amount of character growth, introduced a new team of interns, and visited Hawaii for a wedding. But what put Scrubs over the top was its hour long finale, which featured one of the most touching final montages I’ve ever bore witness to.

10. Lost

I, like the castaways, returned to the island this year and was pleased to find how entertaining it still was. Don’t get me wrong, the show can still be bumpy at points and certain episodes feel like they’re filler. But towards the end of the 5th season every episode was filled with plot progression. The one thing I would have liked more of was Jack, who spent the majority of the season making sandwiches but something tells me we’ll be seeing a lot more of him when the new season premieres February 2nd.

9. Fringe

The second half of Fringe’s first season was plagued by preemption due to American Idol but that didn’t diminish the quality of the show. The second season has been even more impressive, out of the 10 episodes that aired this fall I can honestly say I disliked only 1. “On Human Action” was cliche and overwritten but outside of that, Fringe has been firing on all cylinders. Now, if only people would watch the show, maybe I wouldn’t have to be so worried about it getting canceled.

8. House

At one time, House was my favorite show on television, and when it’s at its A game it still can be. The end of last season had some particularly strong moments. Specifically, “Simple Explanation” in which, a pivotal character’s death is revealed and all subsequent episodes in which House is forced to deal with his hallucinations. The culmination of these events, the season finale, was a prime example of House at its best. So too was the 6th season premiere “Broken,” but subsequent episodes have been lacking. Adding insult to injury, the show recently said good-bye to Jennifer Morrison. All of this makes House incredibly frustrating at times and ruined the show’s chances at a top 5 finish on my list.

7. Party Down

Before Jane Lynch signed on for Glee, she starred in Starz Network’s Party Down alongside Martin Starr, Adam Scott, and Ken Marino among others.  Party Down is an incredibly funny show from Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas. Every episodes features the Party Down Catering Company working a different event, which allows for a multitudinous number of guest stars. It also allowed the main cast to show different facets of their characters each week. All of this, paired with a guest appearance from the sublime Kristen Bell in the season finale, has made Party Down one my favorite shows on TV.

6. Kings

Outside of their Thursday night comedies NBC has been a cesspool recently, choosing to forgo scripting the 10pm hour, instead they handed it over to Jay Leno. But last spring the network rolled out Kings, an incredibly unique show that retold the story of David and Goliath in an alternate future. The show’s ratings were abysmal, mostly because NBC had no idea how to promote it, and after only 4 episodes the show was shipped to Saturday for 1 more airing before NBC pulled it altogether. Kings would return to the schedule over the summer, but by that time little fanfare surrounded it. Kings is a real treasure and I would wholeheartedly suggest picking up the series on DVD.

5. Parks and Recreation

If you’re not watching Parks and Recreation, then you should be ashamed of yourself. The series may have started off slow last spring, but at this point it’s the 2nd best comedy on television. Airing alongside 3 shows that receive more press than it does, Parks’ ratings have been unimpressive this season, to say the least. 30 Rock may win the award for Best Comedy at the Golden Globes next month, but it’s been nowhere near as funny this fall. What makes Parks so strong is its diverse cast. Amy Poehler is great as Leslie Knope but she isn’t forced to shoulder the brunt of the comedy because she has heavy hitters like Aziz Ansari and Nick Offerman to share the load.

4. The Office

If Parks and Recreation is the 2nd best comedy on television, then leadout The Office finds itself in the #1 spot. Some critics may have given up on The Office but the sheer idea of leaving Dunder Mifflin behind is bewildering to me. Last season’s Michael Scott Paper Company arch was both funny and touching, and the reintegration of the team members who defected was cleverly handled. Amy Ryan’s Holly Flax also allowed Steve Carell to show a new side of Michael Scott. This season has also offered us no less than 2 classic episodes, “Niagra” and “Shareholders Meeting.” The former was the Jim and Pam wedding episode 6 years in the making and the latter dealt brilliantly with the current economic crisis. “Niagra” also provided us with one of 2009′s best quotes “”The boat was plan C. The church was plan B. Plan A was marrying her a long, long time ago. Pretty much the day I met her.”

3. Friday Night Lights

Placing FNL this high up on my list is in some ways a showing of good faith. I’ve yet to watch the show’s 4th season, currently airing on DirecTV, though I’m told it’s great. I did however watch all of the fantastic 3rd season. Depending on whether you count the original run on DirecTV or the second run on NBC I may have only seen two episodes that qualify for 2009. But, for the sake of my ranking, I chose to include the NBC run of the entire 3rd season. Friday Night Lights gave us fitting farewells to Jason Street (Scott Porter) and Smash Williams (Gaius Charles), both of whom needed to leave the fictional town of Dillon, Texas. The 3rd season also introduced us to a world of new possibilities for characters like Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) and Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) only to see things fall apart for both of them. Finally, FNL left us with the town lines being redrawn and Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) headed to the slummy East Dillon. I may not have seen season 4 yet but I can’t wait for summer to come, so that I can.

2. Mad Men

As I mentioned in my best of the decade piece, Mad Men is a show that languishes at points and this season was no exception. The first half of the season was very slow moving but it offered up some nice character moments. Everything involving Betty’s dad and Sally was perfection and it made his death even more devastating. I also enjoyed watching everyone at Sterling Cooper adjust to the British takeover, and seeing Don try and cater to Conrad Hilton’s needs. But it wasn’t until the season finale “Shut the Door, Have a Seat” that Mad Men kicked into overdrive. The finale was fun, smart, dramatic, and thoroughly engaging in a way that few other shows can be.

1. Chuck

Chuck is the most well rounded show on television. It brilliantly mixes comedy, drama and action and always leaves you wanting more. Josh Schwartz is a very gifted man and together with Chris Fedak he’s crafted a show that’s silent but deadly. Almost canceled by the disenfranchised NBC network last spring, fans saved Chuck. And now, it’s become the cornerstone of NBC’s spring line-up. This is another show that if you’re not already watching then you need to start. A fantastic cast, lead by the charming Zachary Levi and breathtaking Yvonne Strahovski, make Chuck’s characters feel real. But it’s the show fun mix of stand alone stories and large arches that keep me so engaged. Last season saw the addition of Chevy Chase and Scott Bakula in roles you wouldn’t necessarily expect but there contributions to the overall story were massive. Chuck returns on January 10th and I hope, like me, you’ll all be watching!

10. Survivor

Television was changed forever when Survivor debuted on CBS in 2000. Before Survivor, Reality Television was merely a concept kicked around by executives looking for a cheap alternative to scripted programming. Some foreign markets had aired reality programs before Survivor but none of them were of the same magnitude. Now, looking around the television landscape it’s difficult to avoid reality programming. I remember watching the first season of Survivor, which was thoroughly engaging because of its cast of characters, including winner Richard Hatch. This is the double edged sword that Survivor and all other reality shows must deal with, if the cast of any given season isn’t entertaining then the quality suffers dramatically. Perhaps this is why I’ve only watched 4 of Survivor’s 19 seasons. Either way the impact of this show is undeniable and that’s why it claims the number 10 slot in the countdown.

9. Scrubs

It’s somewhat fitting that a show currently in its 9th season would come in at number 9 on my list. Scrubs is a series that has been taken for granted by critics and executives alike. After running for 7 seasons on NBC, during which time episodes were aired out of order and cancellation always seemed imminent, Scrubs moved to ABC last year. Then, like so many times before, it seemed like Scrubs was over this past May. Until, at the last minute, ABC president Steve McPherson ordered another season. And though its current season is more akin to a spin-off than a typical 9th season, it still features Zach Braff in some capacity. None of these challenges really explain why Scrubs made the list but they provide a framework from what it’s had it overcome. Never in its 9 seasons has Scrubs lost its edge and that’s what makes it so great. It has a sharp writing staff that gives the actors room to play and that playful feeling is infectious. Scrubs also has a deep supporting cast, something that creator Bill Lawerence was able to highlight in the show’s almost series finale last spring. All of this, paired with the wisely employed dramatic sequences make you feel like Sacred Heart Hospital could actually exist.

8. Friday Night Lights

Speaking of shows that seem so real one might forget that they’re fiction… Friday Night Lights. Lights is shot in Texas and uses a documentary style of directing that enriches it in numerous ways. The show feels authentic is a way that few others have during the last 10 years. It also boasts an impressive cast of actors, who are given enough leeway to improvise that scenes don’t feel overly rehearsed. If not for it’s 2nd season Friday Night Lights would probably sit higher on my list, but the creative dip it took in the Fall of 2007 is legendary. Thankfully, it rebounded mightily last year and has been unstoppable ever since. Ratings for the show tend to lack, and have necessitated a co-venture with DirecTV, but they are in no way reflective of the show’s quality.

7. House

All hail Hugh Laurie, the finest lead actor of the decade. As Gregory House, Laurie is a tour de force, consistently commendable and yet he is still without an Emmy Award. The show has also been nominated several times for Best Drama though it too has yet to win. Both of these facts are shameful. From its humble beginnings I’ve been a fan of House, though this season I’ve found it far less enthralling. Part of what makes the show so great is the imperfections of its central character, imperfections that Laurie delivers perfectly. Episodes that are light on Laurie are never quite the same because he is truly the show’s driving force. House has also defined Fox’s brand in recent years and resulted in subsequent hits like Bones and to a lesser extent Lie to Me. And for that I commend House and company.

6. Lost

Probably the decade’s most discussed television series it, like 24, radically altered the type of shows that networks were looking to develop. As serial a show as they come, Lost has offered its viewers countless questions and few answers. But, all of that is likely to change with the premiere of its final season on February 2nd. Unfortunately, Lost was a show that I lost track of for a little while. But once I came back to it, I was able to appreciate the show that much more. Like everything else that J.J. Abrams has produced this decade, Lost has left an indelible mark on pop culture and won’t soon be forgotten.

5. The Shield

Gritty and dark, The Shield was an apologetic look at the L.A.’s gang scene though the eyes of a special task force. Led by Vic Mackey, a gruff weathered man who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, the task force uses unorthodox methods to catch criminals. As The Onion’s AV Club put it “The Shield allowed viewers to cheer Mackey while he committed heinous acts in the pursuit of justice (and illegal cash for himself), but made us feel dirty by depicting the consequences, too.” This couldn’t have been any clearer than in the show’s final few episodes, an emotionally devastating depiction of human character flaws. The fact that The Shield went largely unrecognized by the Emmy’s (0 nominations in its final season) was simply unjust.

4. The Office (US)

The Office is a prime example of a show that I look forward to every week, and have since it began in March 2005. The show vacillates from subtle looks between characters to all out physical comedy, but at its heart The Office is a show about much more than laughs. The relationship that was built between Jim and Pam showed that the series could also delve in human relationships is a sincere way. The Office is also very lucky insomuch as many of their writers are also actors on the show. Thus, they can write to one anothers strengths. Steve Carell’s film success has helped to propel the show but he is only one cog in this well oiled machine.

3. American Idol

The show which garnished the highest ratings of the decade, also managed to secure the number 3 slot on my list. American Idol is, in many ways, more than just a television series. The show reached phenomenon status shortly after its second season began airing. Since then it’s delivered stars and duds alike. Without American Idol we wouldn’t have Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood, two women who have dominated the music charts as of late. But more than that, we’d have far less to talk about Thursday morning at the water cooler. The show’s eliminations are discussed so frequently that even those who don’t watch it can’t help but follow along. Think about the fanfare that was given to Kris Allen’s win this past spring, or as the media painted it Adam Lambert’s loss. Like it or not, FOX is on the verge of ordering 3 more seasons of American Idol, so the show won’t be going away anytime soon.

2. Arrested Development

One of most unique TV shows to find its way onto to the air this decade, Arrested Development was a show before its time. The show illustrated the corruption and greed that dominated the Aughts in a way that was both insightful and humorous. Unfortunately, the show went over the heads of the public. Though, it didn’t help that nothing else on the network really fit well with it. As the Associated Press explained in their Best of the Decade piece “charting new ground, it prepared the way for oddball comedies to come, such as The Office and 30 Rock. The Bluths were comedically bent trailblazers.” And if that wasn’t enough, the show also reignited the careers of Jason Bateman and Jeffrey Tambor while launching Will Arnett and Michael Cera. Like some of the other shows on my list, Arrested Development has a long gestating movie in the works and I can only hope that it comes to fruition because the sky is the limit with these characters.

1. Everwood

I can only imagine how confused some of you might feel upon seeing that Everwood is my choice for the best show of the decade. Sadly, I couldn’t find another list that even included this gem of a show. But Everwood isn’t just my favorite show of the decade, it’s my favorite show of all time. Set in the  fictional small Colorado town of Everwood, the show dealt with a family fractured by death. In the series Treat Williams played Andy Brown, a world renowned brain surgeon disconnected from his patients and family. After the death of his wife, Brown uproots his two children and moves from New York City to Everwood.  Over the course of the show Williams was able to show all facets of  Brown, many through the interactions he had with his son Ephram. Ephram, played by the undervalued Gregory Smith, was a piano prodigy and loner until the family’s move. Creator Greg Berlanti crafted a series that put honest human interaction on display every week. I’ve been saying it since 2002, when the show debuted, and I’ll say it again “Everwood is a tremendous piece of television.”

One of the most anticipated films of the year, movie fans young and old have been waiting for the Avatar’s release for some time now. Several months ago when footage from the film debuted at COMICON, the blogosphere was set ablaze with buzz. Some people thought the material screened was breathtaking, some were left longing for more, and some simply withheld judgment. Does Avatar live up to the hype? Find out  what I thought after the jump.I suppose the short answer is… No. Avatar is an extremely flawed film banking on visuals effects to make back its exorbitant budget. I don’t want to undersell the ambition that director James Cameron needed to have in order to make this film. And that comes out in the visual component of the film. Avatar breaks tremendous ground for 3D film-making, and 3D serves as an integral component of the film rather than a gimmick. Many of the more recent 3D hits, like My Bloody Valentine and The Final Destination, have used 3D as a selling point. These films have axes flying out at the audience and cheesy visuals of that nature. With Avatar, the 3D is used to build a landscape rather than a cheap trick. Initially you’re very aware of the 3D because you have the glasses on, but eventually that feeling fades away. The 3D in Avatar is spectacular and enriches all of the scenes that Cameron crafted. He literally created a world with the planet Pandora so enjoying it in 2D wouldn’t be the same.

That said, I wouldn’t suggest seeing this movie in 2D, as I suspect you’ll only be disappointed. Unlike many critics, I didn’t relish the experience of seeing Avatar. The story was almost identical to that of Dances With Wolves, so much so that I knew what was going to happen 20 minutes into the film. That wouldn’t have been such an issue if the film’s dialogue and character development were strong; unfortunately, they are not. Much of the dialogue feels thrown together and unedited. Some dialogue produced audible laughs from yours truly. The line that bothered me most also produced the film’s theme song “I see you.” If it looks chintzy on paper, imagine a giant blue cat delivering it to a limp human body. I didn’t find the actors as grating as others did and I genuinely enjoyed Sam Worthington’s performance, more so when he was in his human form. The scenes where he had to bare his soul into the video diary were especially moving, they examined the inner turmoil his character was facing in an honest way.

The final issue I had with Avatar was its blatant political agenda. Cameron is clearly anti-war and his sentiments resonate throughout the film in such a way that I felt like he was gagging me with them. Putting how I feel about the war aside, I don’t like how one-note his portrayal of the war felt. Americans (The Humans) are wrong to want something that will help their nation run well. Only, Cameron fails to explain how the mineral in Avatar will help Earth; we know how oils helps us. Halfway through the film I began wondering if Cameron would offer a truthful ending, one in which the humans slaughter the Na’vi and take the mineral back to Earth with them. One where Jake has to watch this other world crumble because his Avatar body’s been destroyed. Alas, Cameron decided to go with a much happier ending and a more formulaic one. To me the ending made his war theme even less relevant and thus more irritating.

The ramifications of the technological developments Cameron made will be felt in the film community for years to come. And this film may see a re-release somewhere down the line so that another generation can enjoy it. But to be frank, I didn’t enjoy Avatar and I have no intention of ever seeing it again.

Overall Rating: 5.5/10

So, for the sake of my list, there will be a Top 20. I am in no way claiming this list is God, nor am I claiming my opinion superceeds all others. What I am saying is this… When the decade began I was 9 years old and my television diet was less than savory. Shows from early in the decade like The West Wing and Oz won’t appear on this list because I’ve never seen more than an episode or two. This doesn’t mean I don’t value these shows, in fact I’m a huge Aaron Sorkin fan, it’s just that there are only so many hours in the day. Moreover, shows like The Wire and Freaks & Geeks who seem to find themselves atop many a critics list will not appear on mine. Not because I’m seeking to spite other critics but rather, because I’ve only seen about 10 episodes of each and neither really grabbed me. One day I’d love to be able to go back and watch all of these shows but with New Year’s Eve right around the corner, that day will not come before the ball drops. So, without further ado, let the list begin.

20. Chuck

I debated including Chuck on this list, and at one point I was ready to declare Top Chef number 20. But the more I thought about it, Chuck needed to make the list because it’s a clear display of fan power. Without the commitment that fans showed at the end of its 2nd season there wouldn’t be a 3rd. Moreover, I genuinely enjoy Chuck and think Zachary Levi is one of television’s funniest leading men. Co-Creator Josh Schwartz is one of the true visionaries to come out of this decade, which is probably why he makes two appearances on this list and with Chuck he’s crafted a series that is seemingly limitless. Chuck’s 3rd season begins January 10th and I couldn’t be more excited.

19. Gilmore Girls

I thought I might take some flack for including this show on my list but, to my delight, it showed up on a number of other critics’ lists too. Gilmore Girl’s wasn’t a ground breaking show by any stretch of imagination, but its pithy dialogue and perfect cast made it memorable. A great deal of credit belongs to Amy Sherman-Palladino who crafted a mother-daughter relationship so poignant that fans are still clamoring for a finale movie today, more than 2 years after the show was canceled. While Gilmore Girls may have dipped a bit in quality after Amy left in 2006, it wasn’t enough to prevent me from enjoying it on a weekly basis and including it on my list.

18. 30 Rock

Easily the most overrated comedy of the decade, 30 Rock would probably be more enjoyable if it didn’t have so much hype surrounding it. Launching in the same year as Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, another show that dealt with the behind the scenes world of a sketch comedy series, 30 Rock quickly became NBC’s little engine that could. While ratings for the show have never been strong, it has managed to win the Emmy Award for “Best Comedy” all 3 years it’s been on the air. While I could debate the merit of those victories until the cows come home, I’ll instead reflect on what makes the show special… its cast. Alec Baldwin is inspired as Jack Donaghy and Tracy Morgan the perfect side dish as Tracy Jordan but it’s Tina Fey who has a to carry the show, and she does so admirably.

17. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

One of the most subversive shows on television, It’s Always Sunny is also one of the on the funniest. Conflicting reports have the show’s Pilot Episode costing either$85 or $200, either of which is an impressive feat. But what makes the show so great is its uncanny ability to alienate everyone. As Feinberg put it “The main characters are coarse and willfully unlikable and they thrive in situations that accentuate of self-destructive they are and how happy they are to destroy each other. The characters are capable of achieving gonzo levels of despicableness.” This of course makes the show incredibly polarizing which is why, unlike 30 Rock, Sunny has been long over looked by the Emmy’s.

16. How I Met Your Mother

Creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas have stated that, had this show been framed differently it probably wouldn’t have been made. That framing revolves around our central character, Ted, telling his children the story of how he their mother… hence the title. Yet, more often than not, this story is only side plot taking a backseat to the story of 5 friends. All 5 principle cast members deliver impressive performances but it’s sharp writing that makes this show number 16 on my list. Mother isn’t always perfect, but when it is you can’t help but smile for all 30 minutes.

15. The O.C.

Launched in 2003 amongst the barren wasteland of summer television The O.C. is one of this decade’s most under appreciated shows. Created by a then 26 year old Josh Schwartz, it held the honor of having television’s youngest showrunner of all time. This didn’t stop Schwartz from crafting a true gem that explored complicated relationships between teens and adults alike. The show also helped launched the careers of Adam Brody, Rachel Bilson and Benjamin McKenzie. The former of whom I still expect big things from. Sadly, when Schwartz began focusing on other projects and current Gossip Girl showrunner Stephanie Savage assumed the helm in season 3, the quality dropped drastically. This led to severe ratings drop going into the 4th season and final season, which I’ll argue was the show’s best. It moved the adorable Autumn Reeser into the foreground and straddled college and high school stories well without the usual “we’re all going to the same college” format. And to top it all off, the finale of this show was one of the decade’s most endearing.

14. 24

This is a show that makes my list, not because I really enjoy it but rather because of the impact it’s had on the television landscape. A unique narrative approach and the ability to reinvent itself every season have kept many a viewer entertained. Personally, I checked out several seasons ago and when I tried to reenter the fray this past season I simply couldn’t reinvest. That said, without Jack Bauer many of the experimental shows of late wouldn’t have been given shot to succeed. So, kudos for that.

13. Extras

Ricky Gervais is a comedy God as far as I’m concerned, and Extras his true masterpiece. The series was able to tactfully and satirically rip apart the film industry with its plethora of guest stars. It was also able to show Gervais’ true acting chops in ways that The Office (UK) wasn’t. Though I would have loved a 3rd season of this show, I can respect Gervais’ decision to end the show after only 2 abbreviated seasons because of the stellar Christmas special which book-ended the series.

12. Veronica Mars

The UPN Network offered up very few watchable programs, one notable exception being Veronica Mars. The show was unlike anything else on television with its mix of comedy, drama and sleuthing. It also had the benefit of a fantastic lead actress; Kristen Bell. Bell is true gift to acting. Both in Mars and later in Heroes she delivered fantastic performances that actually made those around her better. Mars had a rocky road during its 3 year run due mostly to a lack of ratings. Creator Rob Thomas found himself altering the show’s format several times to appease network higher-ups but nothing seemed to work, not even a move to The CW upon UPN’s merger with The WB. Earlier this year, Thomas finished penning a follow up movie that he pitched to Warner Brothers’ film department but the response was tepid at best. Bell has stated she would return for such a film, so I encourage all of you to rally around this idea by letting Warner Brothers know that there’s interest.

11. Mad Men

Many critics had this show higher on their lists which I certainly respect, Mad Men is a fantastic series. In recent years it has dominated the Golden Globes and the Emmys. So why place it at 11? Some of my choices were made because of cultural impact and others my genuine desire to watch the series on a weekly basis. In the case of the former, I don’t think Mad Men has really garnered a large enough audience to say that it’s made a serious impact beyond the award shows. Then there is my desire to watch and, while I like Mad Men, I’ve found that it can be heavy handed sometimes. This makes me less inclined to watch it live on a weekly basis but then it delivers and episode like the Season 3 finale, which was undoubtedly one of the years best, and I’m left yearning for more.

Back at the beginning of the decade when Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz were Saturday Night Live’s dynamic duo, the two crafted a Christmas song entitled “I Wish It Was Christmas Today.” Since then, the two have returned to SNL at least once to perform a reprise of the track. Now, Jimmy Fallon is the host of his own late night program, on which Sanz joined him last night to spread holiday cheer once more. Halfway through, the song goes in a new direction when, the pair is joined by The Strokes lead singer Julian Casablancas. Casablancas actually recorded the track as an iTunes exclusive so it makes sense that he would appear. Anyway, the end result is pretty awesome so check it out below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0CPdyP6GWA

As I sat in a theater not 4 years ago watching Brett Ratner’s X-Men: The Last Stand, I thought “Wow… there’s no way they could further fuck up this franchise.” Then, less than a year ago, I went to the theater to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine and I stood corrected. Now word has come out that Brian Singer will return to the film franchise he created, and while I would love to herald this news, I simply cannot.Less than 24 hours after being named the film’s director, Singer has hired a new screenwriter to pen “his” version of the film. When I say “his” version, what I mean is 20th Century Fox has shelved the Josh Schwartz version of First Class. Schwartz, known to many as the man behind television’s The O.C., was hired back on May of 2008 to pen a draft of the film, which had me truly excited. I thought perhaps 20th Century was attempting to revitalize the franchise with someone who understood complex teenage relationships but, alas no.

I have nothing against Brian Singer, per say, but at the same time his vision for this film sounds very questionable. According to the folks over at /Film, Singer has said the film “is [about] the formative years of Xavier and Magneto, and the formation of the school.” This idea seems too similar to the proposed Magneto film that David Goyer (The Dark Knight) has been trying to lens for years. As for the screenwriter Singer is bringing on board, his biggest credit is 2008′s Street Kings, which doesn’t say much. All I’m saying is… prepare for another mess of a film and morn what could have been if 20th Century knew what they were doing.

The intro states it perfectly; “Can we pick up where we left off?” Your damn right we can, roll em!

Cocky, self-centered, yet charming Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is back, in the second installment of the Iron Man saga. What can we say, we love Tony Stark, what a straight up “G”! We also digg on the fact that they tried to show Ghostface some lovage on the first Iron Man, since he’s been known to rhyme under the alias “Tony Stark” from time to time, dropped one the illest “Iron Man” albums back in 96.

It’s about time Kid! Behold, Kid Cudi’s- “Pursuit of Happiness” video. Guest appearances include Consequence and Drake, wonderful. I’m not the biggest fan of any of these cats…but overall a dope video.

Kiehl’s recently got a skin care maker of their own by world renown artist KAWS. Here we take a look at the limited edition bottles that KAWS got down on. If that isn’t enough, they came with a little Kaws figurine mounted atop of each bottle. The collaboration has already been released around the world, but keep an eye out cause they aren’t done just yet.

On a side note, see if you can get your hands on the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar Korea, as Kiehl’s worked on a cover feature and spread in the magazine.

Via

I’m not sure whether I’m diggin the line or simply the photo-shoot on this one. Either way, the shit looks hot and these young vixens speak to the werewolf in us. Checkout Wildfox Couture, I think they got what y’all ladies are looking for in basic t’s this Summer 2010. This brand has Coachella fashion written all over it. I wont be surprised to see this brand rocked up nice and filthy in the Sahara next year! If that went over your head, than you don’t belong anywhere near the Sahara.

“Ta Ta Ta Turn Up Da Base!”

Via Society of Style

So this is what 510 fps looks like on a Phantom camera…pretty effin’ sweet!

Song: Black Bones
Artist: Teenagersintokyo
Director / Producer: Rhett Dashwood
Cinematographer: Ari Wegner
Editing: The Butchery
Post Production: Digital Pictures

Enjoy! :]

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A while back we featured a glimpse look at the Married to the MOB x Lacoste Hironia Sneakers, now…enjoy a full preview of the sneaker about to drop December 1st. Both sets of sneakers feature a lace overlay on top of a metallic violet or gold base. Each sneaker set features a black mid-sole and the classic MOB lips logo placed on the heel. I’m feelin’ these!

MTV plugs into Dreamworld in this new short written and directed by Johan Polhem. Shot on 35mm film by DOP, Danny Ruhlmann. Post production by Resolution Design and music from Lodewijk. The video concept delivered by Johan Polhem & John Beckers, check it out after the jump!

So I was skimming over my friend Bones, GottaDanceDirty site a couple hours ago and came across a post that GDD Editor “Troy” did on a surf documentary called Modern Collective. Fuel TV is a frequently watched channel around these parts, and I always get pumped when they got some killer surf footage on the tube. I’m not gonna lie, surf videos can get pretty boring and repetitive after awhile, but this one seemed different. I am still trying to process what I’ve seen in the last hour! This can quite possibly go down as the best surf, skate, snowboarding, whatever sport documentary ever!

I highly recommend you dish out the $9 bucks & cop this on iTunes, or wait for the DVD set to release in the next couple weeks.

Check out this teaser video featuring my favorite Pro Surfer Jordy Smith perfecter of the legendary “Rodeo Clown“.

Marty McFly. Back To The Future. Delorean Motor Company. Any of those names ring a bell? Yea, I loved the film series and the dope ass car too! The Hundreds have announced a collaboration with the Delorean Motor Company with the first product of the collab set to drop next week. Stay tuned!

To follow up our coverage of the Quicksilver crew and Tony Hawk in Paris over the weekend, here is the follow up video. Enjoy footage from the massive event and check out the video featuring live music, fresh art and of course- great skateboarding!

For all you female sneaker heads out there, here’s a bit of goodness for you. Married to the MOB and Lacoste collaborated and came up with this lacey high top Horonia sneaker, paying tribute to Christian Louboutin. I think these are fresh to death, and If I saw any shorty rocking this “Liquid Lace”, I think I might just fall in love right there. Is it me or is Christian Louboutin taking over the free world?

Via

World renowned vert skateboarder, Tony Hawk, and Quiksilver put on a gigantic show in Paris over the past weekend. Exhibits included music, art, product features and of course skateboarding- vert and street. Featured in the show were Andre and Busy P, whom of which you can check out in the images below.

Photography: Karl Hab

Model Daul Kim was found dead in her Paris apartment. Cause of death is still unknown, but police say it might be a suicide. It’s a sad day in the fashion world. Born in Seoul, South Korea, her career kick-started with spreads in Korean Vogue.It helped that she had impeccable street style that was praised by bloggers and editors.

Last night Ricardo “IKO” Rivas and I had the distinct pleasure of attending Cirque du Soleil : “Kooza”, compliments of our friends over at KMEX 34 “Univision“. To say the show was good is an huge understatement. The acrobatics, magic and visuals were nothing less than amazing! Especially after indulging in the delicious flavor of several complimentary Stella Artois’s.

“KOOZA tells the story of The Innocent, a melancholy loner in search of his place in the world.

KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus traditions – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.

The Innocent’s journey brings him into contact with a panoply of comic characters such as the King, the Trickster, the Pickpocket, and the Obnoxious Tourist and his Bad Dog.

Between strength and fragility, laughter and smiles, turmoil and harmony, KOOZA explores themes of fear, identity, recognition and power. The show is set in an electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprises, thrills, chills, audacity and total involvement.”

The show is being held on the Santa Monica Pier through December 22, 2009. I highly recommend you catch a performance, it’s quite remarkable!

¡Gracias a todos nuestros amigos de Univision para una noche increíble de diversión y emoción! En especial, gozan de todos los de la cerveza y comida gratis!

It seems like Gossip Girl’s Michelle Trachtenberg has landed a deal to design a jewelry collection for Coach’s Poppy line. Her designs are supposed to drop in spring and will include tons of colorful crystals with some faux pearls and intricate hardware.

Fashion doesn’t get any classic as this!

P.O.T.D., whats that mean? Picture of The Day! Ya Digg!?

Via JAK & JILL BLOG!

New York Mag’s blog The Cut reported last September that Narciso Rodriquez might be designing a special, affordably-priced line for eBay and we’re so happy to hear that it’s coming true in spring 2010. The fashion gods are listening to us!

Chanel will have it’s own publication, 31 Rue Cambon, which is named after the first Chanel boutique. We only wonder if the mag is going to cost a fortune like everything else?

Via NYMag!

What girl doesn’t love Audrey Hepburn? Now you can own some of her clothes, accessories and letters (if you have a small waist and an huge wallet that is) at an auction going down on December 8 in London. All profits from the auction will be donated to All Children in School, a foundation supported by the Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund that aims to educate 120 million children worldwide.

Via

Finding the perfect mascara can be tricky. With so many types out there, a girl can go crazy finding the “one.” Thank God Sephora made it easier to find the best mascara possible with its newest sampler, LashStash. A kit with 10 different mascara wands that promises you’ll find the wand best suited for you. Seriously, this is the best thing ever!

Victoria Beckham (above) has reportedly enlisted the help of Gossip Girl star Blake Lively (below) to model her Spring 2010 collection of dresses. They supposedly met during fashion week this September and got along “famously” the Daily Mail reports.

It turns out Brad and Angelina are now jewelry designers. They’ve created a collection of gold and silver jewelry with Asprey called The Protector which features snakes. The collection, which features rings, necklaces and bracelets, starts at $525 and proceeds will benefit the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, which the actress founded in 2006.

Our girl Rachel Bilson shows us her smoldering temptress side in the latest issue of Flaunt Magazine. Bilson, 28 makes a guest cameo on the show “How I Met Your Mother” later this season and can currently be seen starring in the independent film, New York, I Love You.

Enjoy, we did!

Strukt Design Studio has come up with one of the coolest projects we’ve seen in a minute. Judging by the photos it might be kind of tough to guess exactly just what it is. Try…digital wallpaper! Holy hell, digital wallpaper? Yea, crazy as it sounds, these guys used video projectors, some crazy software and brain power to bring the walls to life. Check the video to see Pac Man, solid stripes and other wallpapers in action!

Do you remember those ridiculously high McQueen heels from his Spring 2010 show? Everyone wondered how they would be worn in real life and now you can get a glimpse of them in Lady Gaga’s new video for “Bad Romance.” The music video also contains other great fashion like her razor blade sunglasses and that little red number at the end…it’s definitely a must-see video!

We showed you the unofficial Rosa Acosta x Supreme Video a few weeks ago. Now, thanks to Jake Davis, the official video is out. Shooting took place during Acosta’s photoshoot a while back. While the video has no nudity…I’m still labeling it NSFW for all you sitting in the office.

Creative direction: Dodi Espinosa
Stylism: Roberto Piqueras
Make-up & Hair: De María @ Bluestudio
Models: Alba @ Francina, Abraham Moya @ Group, Andres Borque @ Group, Pol @ (La Agencia), Naoual Ben Mahjoub, Laura Put
All the clothes by American Apparel

There’s a new boutique on Robertson Boulevard in L.A. …Christian Louboutin!  The space is one of the largest Louboutin boutiques in the world, modeled after the shop on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Paris.  Bigger store just means more shoes to love, which is what we like to hear!

Christian Louboutin, 650 N. Robertson Blvd. West Hollywood.

Via

Michael Simon’s Smitten collection for Spring is all about the ’80s (but then again isn’t everybody?)! The collection includes hand-embroidered, studded jerseys, reversible cardigans, feminine cotton silhouettes, ’80′s exposed zippers, Native  and American–inspired tunic looks. We’re smitten for Smitten!

Via

Who would have thought that the first woman to fly a plane would also be the first celeb to have her own clothing line…too crazy! Turns out that that in 1934, Amelia Earhart created a fashion line known as “Amelia Earhart Fashions” that was sold at Macy’s in NY and Marshall Fields’ in Chicago. The line consisted of some stylish suits and dresses, and that these were staples of her 1934 fashion line that she designed herself.

Don’t believe us?

Pac Man’s gonna destroy Cotto mang.

A few of you had seen the Supreme photoshoot with Rosa Acosta & Terry Richardson a few days ago, now enjoy the video!

Credits include: Studio Manager Seth Goldfarb, Assistant David Swanson, Stylist and Costume Leslie Lessin and special thanks to Angelo Baque.

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I’ve never found Coke very alluring in terms of the bottle’s looks, but this is definitely changing my mind. Eight women, Italian fashion designers (Donatella Versace, Alberta Ferretti, Anna Molinari for Blumarine, Veronica Etro, Silvia Venturini for Fendi, Consuelo Castiglioni for Marni, Angela Missoni and Rossella Jardini for Moschino), have partnered with Coca Cola for a fundraising campaign in support of the victims of the earthquake in Abruzzo, Italy. The bold prints and the bottle’s curves almost look like dresses!

Mattel has recently partnered with the famed shoe maker, Christian Louboutin, for a multifaceted program which the shoe designer will server as a year-long godfather to Barbie. He’ll not only rethink her fashion wardrobe, but also her physical attributes and art directing her in different life-like situations. Lucky Barbie…wishing he was my godfather, even just for a day!

“Barbie has a long history of working with various designers and artists who use Barbie as a muse,” said Stephanie Cota, senior vice president of marketing of Barbie brands at Mattel. “It was a natural for Barbie, not only with her fashion heritage, but also because of her passion for shoes. She has a billion shoes and we needed to do something special for her shoe collection.”

Louboutin was very adamant with particular re-designs of his three custom dolls , which are inspired by Nefertiti and Marilyn Monroe.

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Once you get mast the corny name, you’ll realize just how awesome these footzyrolls are! I’m pretty sure women everywhere have experienced end-of-the-night-foot torture after wearing heels for an extended amount of time, where each step is like walking on pins and needles. This is where footzyrolls come in handy. The roll-able ballet flats that you fold into a pouch about the size of a D battery, slip into your evening bag and pull out when you feel the burn. The girls who designed even provided an extra pouch to drop your heels into for the journey home!

If you haven’t heard about the highly desired and highly anticipated H&M/Jimmy Choo Collection then you must be living under a rock. Dropping on November 14 at exclusive H&M stores across the U.S, the Jimmy Choo Collection is causing mass hysteria among fashionistas. If you’re one of the brave and dedicated that will be camping out at one of the locations, H&M has kindly put out the rules on its online site.

Here’s a rundown on the rules:
“If you’re one of the first 160 people on line, you’ll receive a bracelet stamped with the time you’ll be allowed to shop the shoe, accessory, and bag selection (that section will be strictly controlled for the first two hours of the launch).”
On the site, you can also find the closest H&M outpost that will be carrying the collection. Be sure to log back onto HM.com on October 29, when the collection will be posted in its entirety, to plot your shopping strategy down to the very last shoe (or handbag, or dress).

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On November 2, Citizens of Humanity will launch its new line of tops and tees to go along with denim collection. The brand’s dip dying, gold foil painting, and burn out techniques will definitely catch the eye and go well under fall’s hottest blazers. Tops will retail from $52 to $92, which is perfect for those not wanting to break the bank on some new threads.

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Hello Kitty has decided to cozy up with Stussy for a capsule collection that will feature the globally recognizable character on some tees and hoodies. Due to drop on November 7, the collabo features the cute and prissy kitty in her original form, but with a certain street edge to her.

Kate Moss is getting ready to launch her fourth collection with Topshop for the holidays, which will include some silk nightwear in addition to the limited edition dresses and jackets often featured other collections. Check out her exclusive interview where she talks about her design inspirations and favorite pieces from the upcoming collection!

Finding a chic and stylish laptop bag can be quite challenging, which is why the English luxury brand Mulberry has recently teamed up with Apple on a nine-piece collection of bags and small leather good specially tailored for Apple computers, such as the MacBook, MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPod and iPod Nano. The collection will debut stateside in Mulberry stores November 1, and on the Mulberry site on December 1.

Sometimes your purse can be your worst enemy, especially when it makes finding things extremely difficult. I’m sure it has happened to you many times, where you find yourself hunched over your purse as you try to locate your keys, wallet or that favorite lip gloss way at the bottom of your bag.

Well, BitBags is the perfect solution to this problem! You can easily organize the contents of your purse–and life–with one or more of these zip-up pouches in hues too brightly colored to get lost in the depths of your bag. These useful bags also make life way easier when switching out purses since all you need to do is grab the BitBags and drop them into the purse you want to use without having to fumble around for things in your old one. The bags come in three different fabrics (silk, cotton, and water-resistant nylon) and 24 colors that you can choose from starting at $27.

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From New York to Paris, Milan to London Lucky Mag has compiled a list of some of the best shoes that were spotted on the runways during Fashion Week! Alexander McQueen’s futuristic stilettos take the cake as the most “out there” shoes, but he did have some fierce competition.

We all know her as the host of “Project Runway” and one of the most beautiful women in the world, but now Heidi Klum is adding designer to her resume. She recently joined forces with Modern Vintage and Majestic Mills co-founders Rick and Brian Cytrynbaum to create a lifestyle collection that will include footwear, dresses, swimwear and activewear. Her 48-style shoe collection will be the first to hit stores in February 2010 and will include everything from sky-high stilettos to tall boots.

More info on the collection coming soon!

The Olsen twins may have gotten fame via “Full House,” but it’s their impeccable fashion sense that’s bringing home the cash. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are expanding their fashion empire by including a new line for juniors at JCPenney called “Olsenboye,” which will feature casual sportswear and accessories inspired by teen trends from cities around the world. Each new collection will highlight a different city and providing customers with fun, spirited and edgy styles that will constantly change at affordable prices. The fashionista twins already have their successful Elizabeth and James clothing line, as well as their high-end sunglasses company, The Row. A preview collection will be available for a limited time at select JCPenney stores and jcp.com starting November 6, followed by the full launch in February 2010.

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The November issue of Vogue Paris has an amazing fashion editorial called “Graffi-Couture” that caught our attention real quick. The piece features artwork from contemporary designer/illustrator KAWS , super model Raquel Zimmermann, and shot by Mario Sorrenti. If we had a dollar for every time we talked about combining these creative concepts…

Falls here and winter is closely approaching for some of us. Dreadful, I know, we love the sun as much as you! Anyhow, we all need to stay warm, that’s where Neff has the ladies covered this winter. Recently introducing the 2010 Neff Cupcake Beanie, the cupcake comes in three different flavors colors: Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla!

Get your bake (cough cough) on and cop one of these!

I’ve been interested in Dr. Michio Kaku for about six or seven years now. I first discovered this modern master of theoretical physics by way of his weekly radio show (on our local Los Angeles radio station, KPFK) called “Explorations.” Now if ‘theoretical physics’ sounds too complex for you – do not fret – for what makes Dr. Kaku one of the most creative minds of our times, is that he can translate the jargon of physics into more understandable terms that everyone can understand. He is a consummate teacher, (graduate of Harvard and Berkeley) currently teaching Physics 101 at New York City Community College, who has been devoted to popularizing and spreading the gospel of physics practically his whole life. He teaches all his numerous and willing students to open their minds to ideas like Einstein’s Unified String Theory, the fifth dimension, parallel universes, time travel, and last but not least, intelligent life on other planets.  He also utilizes familiar examples from popular literature, film, and television (H.G. Wells “Time Machine,” Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” “Back to the Future,” and of course “Star Trek”) to illustrate the complex ideas of physics even more clearly to the lay man.  For Dr. Kaku, Physics is no longer a secret society, but a vital field of study and knowledge that MUST be understood (at least in part) by ALL of humanity.

“Sci-Fi or Sci-Fact?”

So understand that Dr. Michio makes a concentrated effort to allow everyone into the fascinating world of physics. I’ve just begun reading his latest book “Hyperspace,” and it seems to be a kind of summary of all of his previous work. One book builds upon the next, and indeed each new book contains all the ideas of all of his previous works – and yet, Dr. Kaku is still pushing the boundaries in his field, doing new experiments all the time, testing the dimensions of space and the so called laws of nature, and encouraging all human beings to try and not only imagine, but understand how they are a part of a much vaster and fascinating universe than we are normally aware of.

I stumbled on a truly extraordinary piece of content the other day. An animated short delivered so perfectly, as the credits appeared you felt like you’ve sat through a full-length motion picture.  The Cat Piano is an 8-minute short film directed by Eddie White and Ari Gibson. Featuring the voice of iconic Australian artist Nick Cave narrating a poem written by director Eddie White.

The beat of this amazing piece draws its inspiration from that of the great Jack Kerouac , with a balanced blend of the traditionally haunting Edgar Allen Poe.

“In a city of singing cats, a lonely beat poet falls for a beautiful siren. When a mysterious dark figure emerges, kidnapping the town’s singers for his twisted musical plans, the poet must save his muse and put an end to the nefarious tune that threatens to destroy the city.”

The film’s graphic 2D look is achieved by animating the entire film by hand in Adobe Photoshop, drawing with Wacom tablets directly into the computer.

Visit CatPianoFilm.com for more info

For the last two years, Michael Dougherty’s film Trick R Treat has been stirring up a lot of dust with the internet community. Originally set to release in October of 2007, the film collected dust on a shelf at Warner Brothers while they decided what to do with it. Thank God it’s finally out on DVD and Blu Ray!

I’m not sure if it’s my childhood affection for Halloween or just the thought of having another classic Halloween movie to add to the collection, but this movie is effin sick! Trick r Treat is one of those throwback re-mastered type movies. Something you defiantly wouldn’t expect to see nowadays, let alone with an R rating. It features four intertwined stories all tied together by one creepy little bastard named Sam.

I’ve been hyping it up to everyone around me, which isn’t always a good thing, but I can’t seem to get the stories out of my head. Trick r Treat isn’t your average paranormal or slasher gore film (how many of those shitty films we have already anyhow) but rather a classic Halloween tale(s) about a psycho high school principal, a college virgin, a group of teen who play a prank a little too far and a grumpy old man who is paid a little visit on Halloween.

Boo!

After ten long years these Irish bastards are back and looking to kill them some street scum. The first Boondock Saints is and and will forever be a timeless masterpiece in “Shoot em up!” movies. I hope Writer/Director, Troy Duffy didn’t go off and cheese-ball this movie with a money-polished sequel to a cult favorite. Haha, but given the respect for the first, and this trailer being pretty entertaining; we hope that The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day is hot shit, keeps up the gun play, and dark humor.

John Hughes died last Thursday at the age of 59 after suffering a heart attack while walking in Manhattan, New York. Hughes was one of those filmmakers you took for granted, the kind of movie maker you thought would live forever. Unfortunately, I just now learned of his death and got pretty bummed out (kinda that Michael Jackson feeling ya know?). I started thinking back on all the great films he created that inspired my lifestyle and persona growing up; I am Ferris Bueller (the cool guy), John Bender (the criminal), Gary Wallace (the nerd), this man knew me before I knew myself. Though he’ll never be considered one of the truly great directors — no one will ever mistake Hughes for Orson Welles or Stanley Kubrick – he created a series of work that developed the face of our generation, films that people still watch and talk about to this day.

So friends, we’re done mourning the deaths of Hollywood favorites on Newestra, we’re celebrating their timeless masterpieces. Thanks to my girl Jean @ NotCot for hipping me to one of the best movie montages I’ve ever seen!

Thank you Mr. Hughes for creating characters that helped define a generation, you will be missed.

Amor y Paz

I remember the first time I ever opened Maurice Sendak’s :: Where the Wild Things Are, I was 5 years old hiding behind my Kindergarten classroom bookshelf. Not sure today why I always did that, but I do remember the creepy book with a little kid screaming and dancing in what seemed to be a line of 6 monsters. That’s right MONSTERS! I opened the book and it was like Sebastian from Never Ending Story entering a world of bazaar imagery and wonder. Well, it wasn’t that big of a production, but it was the first time I ever “racked” something that wasn’t mine, cause that book went straight into my lil backpack. Funny, I still have that book coolin at my Mom Dukes house.

If you didn’t know by now, Director Spike Jonze is bringing back this amazing tale of fear, adventure, and the courage to overcome. I truly believe that this movie will be one of those that will touch the world. Now that I’m grown up, I’ve forgotten that feeling this book instilled in me when I first ventured inside its pages.

A sense of adventure, of imagination, of childlike reverie, of hope and wonder and awe of the world.

Check out this really interesting featurette of Where the Wild Things Are aired at Comic-con this weekend, which Sendak pretty much explains the story behind the story. The featurette also discusses the approach and childlike pitch that Jonze gave to Sendak that opened the door to the creation of the film. Sendak gives Spike his full blessing to create and expand on this timeless classic. Take a look….

By far the most aesthetically pleasing trailer I have seen in years!

West!

WTF?! Check out these new female Gladiator sandals Nike just dropped. Nike’s version of the popular footwear is not a FAIL by any means. I think they are super cute and cant wait to head to the Nike Flagship and pick me up some. There are two colorways for this release, an all black/ white version and the other being an all white/ gold. I can totally see myself walking my little pooch down Hollywood Blvd. sporting these fly sandal sneaks.

xo Cyan

This rad shit happened off the coast of Indonesia

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Stussy has come a very long way over the years, and has seen style trends come and go. At times they adapted to those trends that probably had some tastemakers raising an eyebrow in a “WTF, is Stussy into these days”. But overall, we support the brand and see it as well priced basics with a very reputable industry image.

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Looking at their new Summer 2009 Collection, the Cali based brand once again impresses us with their slick selection of shorts, t-shirts, button downs, and accessories. As usual most graphic t-shirts are re-interpretations of their classic logo. We especially like the plaid patterns, not so much because of the street popularity, rather the golf course popularity! Plaid shorts, a new Stussy hat, a cold beer, and a golf course sounds like our kind of day!

The new Stussy Summer 2009 Collection is now available at Haven.

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Not long now till things get pretty competitive around here, hell its going to get downright nasty in our house! The highly anticipated Fight Night 4 is set to drop June 30th 2009, and we are calling out names right now! Put up or shut up, put yo money where yo mouth is! (Newestra doesn’t endorse any form of gambling whatsoever, but it never hurts to make things interesting.)

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This creative and sexy viral video comes to us today via Trident and there announcement of a free Beyonce show this November. No we’re not selling out to corporate scum, or suddenly have a thirst for publishing all things “Jiggy” (Unless it JIGGA!, and in this case we think its pretty close.).

Legs!