I like to rate movies that I watch. I have Netflix, so I can use the rating system on there. But years ago I started rating movies on IMDb as I watched them. I even devoted a whole week to rating every possible movie I could remember ever watching. (I also keep a list of the movies I’ve recently watched/rated on my blog.) With Netflix my only complaint is that you can’t give “half-stars,” so everything is just 1 to 5. I prefer rating on a scale of 1 to 10 like I do on IMDb.
I think I’m pretty lenient when I rate movies—rarely anything gets below a 4 out of 10. Or maybe that’s because you can usually tell if a movie is going to be below a 4, and you don’t waste your time watching it.
Why am I babbling about my own personal ratings system, you ask? Because I was reminded of what was possibly the worst movie I have EVER seen in the theater. Yes, I said ever. A movie that I actually rated a 1 out of 10. Of all the movies I’ve seen, less than 0.5% have “earned” a 1 out of 10.
Released in 2000, this movie must’ve been part of a mother-daughter summer outing before my college break came to an end. And my God was it awful. I can’t even remember who picked it, so I’ll blame it on my Mom. I remember us talking through the whole thing, shocked at just how awful it truly was.
Now I’m not one who’s comfortable with May-December romance cinema to begin with, let alone mother-and-daughter-sharing-the-same-lover stories. The pairing of Richard Gere and Winona Ryder was just atrocious. Granted I do not like Gere, but still…there was no chemistry, it was just repulsive. And their 22-year age difference did not help matters.
We laughed through the sad parts. We gagged through the love scenes. Why my Mom and I did not walk out of the movie I do not know. Perhaps it was because I try to always finish a movie, no matter how awful it may be. But to this day we still joke about it, leaving messages for one another like, “Your favorite movie is on TV tonight!” I even told her I was penning a blog entry titled “Worst Movie Seen in Theaters” and she remarked, “Oh, you mean Autumn in New York?”
So Autumn in New York has my vote. What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen in the theater? Or the lowest rating you’ve given a movie in general?
Well, it’s been a little quiet on Pop-Pop for the past few days. That’s understandable, considering it was a holiday weekend, but I think it’s time for me to post. Let’s face it, I’m due.
Since I’m in that laid-back, holiday state of mind, I’m gonna throw out a softball question to our loyal readers. Gentle readers, how does music affect your state of mind?
Okay, so maybe that’s not a softball question in some ways, but I’m curious. Is there a song that has the power to turn your happy mood sad? Is there a song that will always pump you up? Is there a song that creeps you out? Please tell me because I’d like to know.
In the interest of fairness, I suppose I should answer my own question.
I find music to be an incredibly powerful force in my life. Now obviously, a lot of us have that song that will always be linked to a memory, like a childhood school play or a past love. However, I feel there are certain songs that can put me into a specific mental state, regardless of the state of mind I’m in before I hear it. Some examples (and these are by no means the only songs that fit these categories):
*SONG THAT CAN ALWAYS MAKE ME SAD: “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt
With a solemn musical backdrop and lyrics like “I’ll close my eyes, then I won’t see, the love you don’t feel when you’re holding me” it gets me every time. I think it’s a GREAT song, but I certainly have to listen to it strategically.
*SONG THAT CAN ALWAYS PUMP ME UP: “Hard to Handle” by The Black Crowes (I prefer this version)
From the drum at the beginning to the guitar riffs at the end, I love the high energy of this song and find that I can’t resist tapping my feet to it when it comes on.
*SONG THAT CREEPS ME OUT: “Young Girl” by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap
If you’ve never heard this song, you’re lucky. An older man falls in love with a girl who is not yet old enough for Heaven knows what. It is just gross. I can’t discuss it further. You can catch the lyrics (and video) here:
*SONG I'M ALWAYS IN THE MOOD FOR: “Africa” by Toto
It’s catchy, easy on the ears, and I absolutely love it.
*SONG THAT PULLS ME OUT OF A FUNK: “Golden Years” by David Bowie
“Don’t let me hear you say life’s taking you nowhere”…that lyric is a prime example of why this song helped me out of a rough patch. It’s up-tempo and it reminds you that things will not always be so bleak. Definitely a favorite of mine!
*SONG THAT MAKES ME WISH I WAS BEING SERENADED: “You Are the Woman” by Firefall
If you listen to the words, you’ll know why it is so sweet. I should be so lucky…
*SONG TO BELT OUT IN MY CAR AT NIGHT BECAUSE IT JUST FEELS RIGHT: Tie—“I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner and “Drive” by The Cars
Both songs that I cannot resist singing to at night in my car. Try it once and you’ll understand why.
*SONG THAT MAKES ME FEEL HAPPY INSIDE: “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest
From the first few notes, it’s a light-hearted, uplifting song. I recommend it for anyone in a bad mood.
*SONG TO MAKE ME INVOLUNTARILY AND UNCONSCIOUSLY PARTICIPATE IN MY OWN AIR BAND: “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature” by The Guess Who
I can’t help it. I love the rhythm and this song (mostly the “No Sugar Tonight” part) makes me rock out like I know what I’m doing. It’s science.
As I could go on forever, let me end on this note…
*SONG THAT I PRETEND MY LIFE IS A MOVIE TO: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears
“Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down/When they do I’ll be right behind you”…I think that pretty much sums up my movie sequence featuring this song, but of course it would be in slow motion. Maybe I’ve revealed too much.
Happy 30th Anniversary to Star Wars. This cinematic anniversary is even being honored by the US Post Office with some stamps and mailboxes. Even in LA it's "Star Wars day." There was a showing of all 6 films that began Wednesday night. Can you imagine sitting for 17 hours straight?
Of course we all know that the Star Wars franchise is such a commonly referenced piece of pop culture:
Spaceballs:
Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back (and most of Kevin Smith's movies):
Family Guy (gotta love the CYE reference at the end):
I know that many people reading this probably didn’t even watch last night’s American Idol performance finale. But I can’t take it anymore, so I have to say something.
THAT was the winning song of the song writing contest? Really?
Lyrically it sounded like the type of poem a 5th grader would write. Perhaps I shouldn’t cast stones since I did not enter, but I am confident I could’ve written better lyrics, even if I can’t compose music. It was like someone opened a bag of clichés, grabbed a handful and threw it at the wall.
Apparently it was written by Jeff Peabody a church pastor and his fellow congregation member Scott Krippayne:
There was a time I packed my dreams away. Living in a shell, hiding from myself.
There was a time when I was so afraid. I thought I’d reached the end, Baby that was then I am made of more than my yesterdays.
This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment. As I look around I can’t believe the love I see. My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts That was then, this is my now.
Had to decide was I going to play it safe or look somewhere deep in inside try to turn the tide and find the strength to take that step of faith
This is my now, and I am breathing in the moment. I look around I can’t believe the love I see. My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts. That was then, this is my now.
And I have the courage like never before, yeah. I’ve settled for less but I’m ready for more, Ready for more. This is my now
I’m living in the moment As I look around I can’t believe the love I see. My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts. That was then, this is my now.
I am breathing in the moment. As I look around Can’t believe the love I see My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubts That was then. This is my now. This is my now.
If you’re really dying to hear the finalists each sing it, here’s Blake and here’s Jordin. But honestly, I don’t recommend wasting your time.
I don’t know what I expect. It is American Idol, it is cheesy and it is supposed to be a pop song. And like all the other “finale” songs, it won’t do well. But I’m very sensitive about lyrics and it just really, really bothered me. Thanks for letting me vent.
When looking back on the musical landscape of the past two decades the artists that were truly original and their own creative forces are few and far between. One artist stands out above the rest as a musician who has a voice and style all of her own. In honor of her new CD, Volta, which was released this month I thought a tribute was in order.
Björk
I have always been drawn to Björk's music for some reason. Her voice is incomparable to any that are in mainstream music. She first came to prominence with the greatly under appreciated Sugarcubes. From that springboard came solo success. Most notable was her eccentric musical style that didn't cater to one specific genre.
Along with her music, her videos became mainstays on MTV during the 90s. They showcased a creativity unlike most other artists of the time.
Some of her most notable videos:
Her newest single, "Earth Intruders", is very addicting and the video is equally enticing.
I thought that since I mentioned Carmen Sandiego, the least I could do is give a shout out to Rockapella. They were without a doubt the greatest house band on a game show based on a computer game.
Sadly this is the best video I could find. It doesn't show them but it has the best quality of the song.
This is the Dynatec. It is the world's first mobile phone, brick-style, that consumers could use without having to tote a heavy battery around with it.* Often referred to as a "shoe phone"....
Wait a second.
A "shoe phone"? I have never heard anyone under the age of 30 refer to it that way. Yes, dear friends. You know what it's called. In America, people under 30 have come to know this style of phone by one name: The Zack Morris phone.
Is this possible? Could a cultural phenomenon known as Saved By the Bell (in my opinion the greatest teen comedy television show ever) have delved so deep into American culture that it trumped the actual name of the phone? The answer is a simple "yes."
Just as tissues have come to be known as Kleenex, copies have become Xeroxes, and in some parts of the country, every soft drink is referred to as Coke, the Dynatec has become The Zack Morris phone. Is this fair? In all likelihood, no it's not. The company (which I believe is Motorola) should claim rights to the phone that they invented, but somehow they just can't. SBTB has created a pop culture hurricane so powerful that its aftermath is still felt, even 14 years later.
Why is this important? Why am I nostalgic about a phone?
In my research, I have found that exactly 14 years ago today, May 22, the final episode of Saved By the Bell aired (the only version you can truly consider SBTB). It was on this day in 1993 that viewers watched the prime-time series finale, titled "Graduation."
There were other, lesser versions of the show. "Saved By The Bell: The New Class" lacked likeable characters or original plot lines. "Saved By the Bell: The College Years" tried to capture the spark of the high school students in their college endeavors. However, the new characters were awkward and the missing characters (Lisa and Jessie, namely) detracted from the group dynamic. There was just no show like the original. In case you need a few more examples of the high caliber quality of the show, take a gander at these classic moments:
And OF COURSE
So, let's continue to pay tribute to this show. (Rest assured this is not the last time I will mention it.) Let's keep referring to the Dynatec as the Zack Morris phone. Let's remember that there's no hope with dope. But above all, let's remember not to listen to Zack. Last time I listened to Zack I wound up naked on a bus.
*This information came from http://hardware.silicon.com/pdas/0,39024643,39164317,00.htm. We at Pop-Pop don't like plagiarism!
Since I share my birthday with MTV, I’ve always had an interest in music videos. [Insert “remember when MTV actually played music videos” joke here.]
In the early days of MTV and VH1 we used to sit with a blank tape in the VCR and record certain music videos that we liked. Re-watching some of these tapes now at my parent’s house is very amusing.
So here’s a Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers classic for you. Enjoy.
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