Category: Friday

(I Get So) Sentimental

2/5/2016

You don't realize quite how sad your life is until someone asks you what you're doing. It was a Thursday night and someone asked me what I was up to. I told them I had my three romantic comedies lined up and a bowl of popcorn to eat my feelings with. I'd spent the better part of the day listening to Taylor Swift, so it was only appropriate.

I was feeling sentimental and it wasn't just because I was listening to the Donna Summer song of the same name. There's something so reassuring about romantic comedies. They have a tried and true formula and you know that no matter what happens at the end, no matter how much they fuck up, they will be there for each other.

These are the three movies I picked that day. I grew up on rom com's and I'm sure there are better ones, but these movies are perfect for February

Buy "Sentimental"

Monster-In-Law
2005
Jennifer Lopez knows how to do a romantic comedy. This list would be incomplete without one of her films on it. This movie is iconic. Jane Fonda returns to the silver screen. Wanda Sykes is there. We got some cute eye candy with Michael Vartan. It's devilishly funny.

Jennifer plays Charlie who gets engaged to Kevin (Michael Vartan). His mother (Jane Fonda) tries to break them apart. She believes Charlie is not good enough for her son. There's love, a bath tub scene. Cake. Wanda Sykes does a great job playing the sidekick to the monster in law. Spoiler, that everyone ends up happy. It's another success in the J. Lo canon that includes The Wedding Planner and Maid in Manhattan.

27 Dresses
2008
The Katherine Heigl led 27 Dresses plays with the tropes of a romantic comedy. Katherine Heigl plays Jane the eternal bridesmaid and never the bride. She is hopelessly in love with her boss who near the beginning of the movie starts dating her sister (!).

But, wait. There's more. Reporter Kevin Doyle (James Marsden) wants to write a story on her. He complements her eccentricities as she does his. They love, they fight, they cry. They sing karaoke to “Benny and the Jetts”. This movie has it all. It honestly breaks my soul how much I have in common with Katherine Heigl.

Music and Lyrics
2007
Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant are no strangers to the field of romantic comedies. Take Drew's 50 First Dates or Ever After and Hugh Grant's Did You Hear About the Morgan's? or Bridget Jone's Diary as recommendations. The plot of this film pairs aging pop artist Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) with plant lady Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore) to write a hit song for pop superstar Cora Corman (Haley Bennett) entitled “Way Back Into Love”.

This movie has a great backing cast. Brad Garrett takes a turn as Alex Fletcher's manager and Kristen Johnston makes a stab as Sophie's fun loving sister. This is the most straight forward feel good movie of the three. It has a great soundtrack featuring iconic “Budha's Delight” and heart rending “Way Back Into Love” as well as a few stabs of eighties pop pastiche with “Pop! Goes My Heart”. One of my all time favorites.

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Savages

1/22/2016

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Have you ever heard a song on the radio that you fell in love with, but you weren't able to open that shazam app fast enough? The only thing you can do is make a desperate attempt to find a lyric that stands out.

There I was on my break at work, when I heard this song. I retained the word “savages” and I was convinced that was the title of the song. I typed in “savages song 2015” and all that came up was the equally entertaining Marina and the Diamonds song of the same name. Not the one I was looking for.

Buy"Savages"

“Savages” is the first and titular track of Five Knives first album. Despite their name, they're not a hard rock band. This isn't a Marilyn Manson record. However, they do seem to play with that aesthetic. They have leather jackets, post apocalyptic worlds, and a mohawk.

The group is made of four people. The lead vocalist a gorgeous Bonnie Mckee figure with her pink hair. Anna M'Queen is the only woman in the band, reminiscent of how Blondie was set up, and her vocals vary somewhere in the range of Icona Pop and their style of “I Love It”

Not surprisingly they went on tour together.

This band is hardly famous. They don't have a wikipedia page. The only trace of them online is their own website and that of their record label Red Bull Records, a record label that's biggest hit was AWOLNATION's “Sail”.

On drums Five Knives has Shane Wise, Zach Hall carries guitar, and Nathan Barlowe is behind the guitar and bass. Both Zach and Nathan share their skill in keys, programming, and BGV's. Whatever that is.

Anna lends the band a voice that makes their music more mainstream oriented then similar work done by beleaguered industrial pop artist Black Porcelain. At times her voice even recalls the wailing of The Ting Tings fronted Katie White.

Their debut album is fun. It certainly has a rebellious air to it. The most rateable lyric being “I only want you for your money.” There are certainly improvements that could be made, but as a debut it's solid and strong and most importantly it's fun. A lot of the record plays like cuts from one of Kesha's debut album without the auto tune. "Oblivion" and "Love You To Death" being solid cuts.

Their a dance/pop/rock group for the twenty first century. It seems unlikely that their going to change the face of pop music, but their certainly playing with it's aesthetic, much to their credit.

Be sure to check out their kick off song “Savages”. It's the most streamlined and certainly the best off the album with a fun video full of debauchery to keep your spirits up.

Buy "Savages"

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Lil Loaf

1/8/2016

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I have a new obsession and I've put it off sporadically. I keep meaning to mention Dej Loaf to you. The new female MC on the scene. She's having a slight rise to fame, but were still too far in the early stages to see how it's going to end up. Did we see “Your Love” as the first step in the royalty that became Nicki Minaj? Because, I didn't.

Dej Loaf is bringing some much needed girl power to the hip hop scene. She's from Detroit. Birthplace of Slim Shady. A rapper she happened to spot a verse on his Shady XV track “Detroit vs. Everybody”.

The funny thing about Dej Loaf is I thought she was male. Not an unreasonable guess considering the amount of testosterone on hip hop airwaves. Her vocal performance on “Back Up” was giving me Rae Sremmurd vibes. It was clean and smooth.

Buy "Back Up"

Needless to say it threw me for a surprise when the radio announces the drama with her and Lil Durk. I did some research. He released an album. It charted. That's all there is to know. According to public discourse, Dej Loaf is dating Lil Durk. A gay hip hop power couple was not something I expected.

Then, I find Dej Loaf is a she and not a he. And, it makes more sense. Then, we find out Aye Redd (who does not have a wikipidea page) is calling their relationship fake. And, supposedely they are in a relationship together.

Lil Durk and Dej Loaf

Aye Redd

Which, does explain the cute lesbian aesthetic in “Try Me”. Now I don't know what to believe. Aye Redd. Said that this relationship between Dej Loaf and Lil Durk is for publicity. Considering neither of them our household names. At least not in my quiet white suburban neighborhood, I don't know how likely that is.

Buy "Try Me"

All I know is that I like the music. “Back Up” has that crossover potential and with the success of “Hit the Quan”, “Trap Queen”, and “Watch Me” this could be Dej Loaf's play for crossover chart success. The song features some eerily reminiscent DJ Mustard slick beats.

This is the lead off song from her first EP “...And See That's The Thing”. It's got a glamorous cover shot and I'll buy it. As soon as it gets a physical release. It features seven tracks, which should be the lead up to her first studio album that should be out sometime next year.

The second single that plans to follow up the success of “Back Up” is a Future assisted “Hey There”. It could happen. Future is everyone's favorite crooner. Not that anyone knows what he's saying, but that's beside the point. Future has wattage that Dej Loaf just can't pull yet.

Buy "Hey There"

Future's been having some wins this year, especially after the mixtape he dropped with Drake. Not to mention their two collaborations “Where Ya At” and “Jumpman” both hit the top 40 on the main charts.

Dej Loaf herself isn't doing a bad job pulling in big name collaborations. She's appeared with The Game and Lil Wayne and it won't be long before she makes a name for herself. And, with the triumphant return of Missy Elliott. It's time for another female rapper to rise to the forefront.

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An LGBT Christmas

12/25/2015

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Merry Christmas bitches! It's the final day of the 12 Days of Bubbles. The marathon blogging spree is over. Exams are done. I'm with family.

…

And, when thinking about what the most religious, holy thing to talk about for Friday Favorites, I thought to myself “who are the most fucking gay celebrities that I love?” In this endeavor I have compiled a list of some pretty kick ass LGBT singers.

As wonderful as the LGBT community is our representation on radio is minimal at best. See Sam Smith and his lack of personal pronouns in all of his hits so he doesn't “alienate people”. Because, as we all know LGBT is offensive and gross and disgusting and the brave heterosexuals and cisgenders shouldn't have to put up with us. Least of all on the radio or their TV screens.

I'm going to be trying to include people that you might not be aware of. Some people you would have to do some research to find. Therefore as much as I love my gay boys, Elton John and Ricky Martin, they won't be on here. Similarly, everyone's favorite bisexuals Fergie, Madonna, and David Bowie did not make the cut.

Beth Ditto (Gossip)
Lesbian
“Obsession” would be an understatement for my feelings on Beth Ditto. Lead singer of rock band Gossip, she's the body positive LGBT icon you've been looking for. She's gorgeous. See my Snapshot Saturday I did on her (read here). And, more importantly a voice so distinctive, it's unlikely anyone could replicate it's wail.

She released a self titled EP full of four pop oriented tracks. Most of her work with Gossip is rock based. Standing in the Way of Control and Music For Men were there commercial break through. Specifically, their ubiquitous song “Heavy Cross”. Their last album explored an eighties pop melody and lived up to it's title of A Joyful Noise.

Buy"Heavy Cross"

RuPaul
Gay
Drag queen extraordinaire and also the topic of a Snapshot Saturday (read here). RuPaul has maintained an interesting music career. Since, his second studio album, Foxy Lady, he's remained an independent dance artist. His work is disco inspired empowerment and R&B.

His most popular song was “Supermodel (You Better Work)” when it almost went top forty in the nineties. My personal favorite album by him is Redhot and it's feel good anthem “Looking Good, Feeling Gorgeous”. Recently, he's emerged an artist on the outskirts of mainstream with the self promotion through RuPaul's Drag Race. Making “Sissy That Walk” a surprise club hit and it's parent album Born Naked his highest charting since Supermodel of the World.

Buy "Sissy That Walk"

Troye Sivan
Gay

Arguably the most well known of all the celebrities on this list, Troye Sivan is the youtuber who started the trend of “coming out online”. He released his debut album The Blue Neighborhood this December. Without a hit in sight his album and EP sales are stacking up well against who are having top ten hits. Marking a clear need for any kind of LGBT representation in the music industry.

All of his music is experimental electro pop. The trend among hopeful pop stars who want to carve out their own niche in the industry without alienating the top 40. His single “Wild” notably marked him using male pronouns to address his lover.

Buy "Wild"

Tegan & Sara
Lesbians
Canadian duo Tegan & Sara have always been on the outskirts of pure mainstream success. They have quirky good looks and have slowly been building a fanbase since their debut album Under Feet Like Ours in 1999. Their biggest mainstream success in the United States came recently when “Closer” hit the radio long enough for them to have their first charting song.

Heartthrob marked their biggest mainstream attempt and is a good place to start investigating their discography that plays well against their pop/rock leanings. Funny enough their biggest success came with a collaboration with The Lonely Island for the Lego Movie Soundtrack. “EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!!”

Buy "Closer"

Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!)
Transgender

A strong example of the lack of transgender representation in media, Laura Jane Grace made waves back in 2012 when she announced that she identified as a woman and was undergoing gender confirmation surgery to Rolling Stone.

It raised the profile of her band Against Me! and allowed for their biggest commercial success Transgender Dysphoria Blues that still only charted as high as 22 in the United States. Valid and to the point it's one of the most gripping punk rock releases of 2014.

Buy "True Trans Soul Rebel"

Halsey
Bisexual
Halsey is what the self deprecating cool kids listen to. Gorgeous. Sexy. Stunning. Breakout indie star of the year, she has a loyal and growing fan base. Her music falls into line with the moody electro pop that her contemporaries are favoring, yet doing something more with it.

There is a never ending list of amazing bisexuals. And, yet their sexual orientation is consistently erased and made to be either heterosexual or homosexual. Take Lady Gaga and Freddie Mercury. Halsey defied her record label's insistence on making her lover in “Ghost” a man and traded him in for a lush woman instead. Halsey spreading bisexual awareness one video at a time.

Buy "Ghost"

Charice
Lesbian

Filipino singer Charice was championed by Oprah. Had the highest charting album for an Asian act in the United States and all but disappeared. Her voice has the controlled range that Ariana Grande is praised for. Charice just lacked the right producers that shot other strong voiced divas like Mariah Carey to fame.

When announcing her sexual orientation, Charice said “that she understood if people didn't want to be her fan anymore.” As if that was an acceptable reason to dislike her. She's stayed mostly out of the public light, since then but she still has two strong albums full of ballads to capture you with.

Buy "Pyramid"

I hope you've found some cool LGBT singers to add to your playlist. If there's anyone you think I should add be sure to comment below.

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Tennis Skirts

12/18/2015

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I have a confession for everyone.

I love tennis. Something about green balls and rackets going back and forth is something I can stand behind. It's day 5 of the 12 Days of Bubbles. This is something that's been weighing on my heart. A need to show that I am a well balanced person who enjoys sports.

Tennis is about the only sport I will watch on TV. I have been known to enjoy a good game of hockey, but that's another story. Now, I'm not the best tennis fan. I don't know ranking unless I look it up, but my love for the sport is still there. The last full match I watched was when Andy Murray won at the Olympics.

That was such a good game. If you missed it, I'm so sorry.

The strangest thing about tennis is that as a general rule I watch women's tennis. I don't really watch men's. Yes, I caught the Olympic game between Andy Murray and Roger Federer. But, what I was really about was the Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova match. I barely missed the opening serve.

As an American I realize I'm supposed to say that I supported Serena. I didn't. I wanted Sharapova to win. As I do every time. It was the same with Andy Murray and Roger Federer. I wanted Federer to win. I should just stop willing people to win. It's clearly not helping.

I just don't watch men's tennis. Especially if I have a choice in the matter. I don't know why. You would think as a homosexual male, I would enjoy watching men's tennis. It does nothing for me. Maybe it's the tennis skirts. I have a pair of shorts I call my tennis shorts and there my favorite thing. There like sporty sexy.

I desperately need someone to play tennis with me. The last time I played tennis was with Cassandra Jerome. Yes. The semi-famous youtuber. I promise you my life is interesting once in a while. She trashed me, but I've never claimed to be good at any sport. I was lucky if I got the ball over the net. It was messy.

Sharapova is my favorite tennis player. I know I'm basic. But, she's only the third best in the world, so it's not as if I picked Serena. My favorite MALE tennis player, though. That is a trickier question. I'm not invested in them in that way. I'll watch a match, but they are not my everything.

Borna Coric

I am liking Borna Coric. He's sexy and European. He's eighteen, so he's an age appropriate crush for me. He's also doing more with his life then me. He's been playing some great tennis this year. He's beat both Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in two sets. That's amazing. Both players are ranked number 8 and number 3 respectively. This boy is killing it.

He's young enough. He could be the next John McEnroe. Hopefully, with less tantrums. He's also Croatian and how often do we get to talk about Croatia? It hasn't been since 2001 that fellow Croatian, Goran Ivanisevic won Wimbeldon on a wild card.

John McEnroe

Rafael Nadal

Goran Ivanisevic

The next tennis tournament I hope to catch is the Australian Open in January. Borna Coric is bound to make an appearance. As is every other current tennis star on the circuit. I'm excited. And, I don't mind admitting it.

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THE Michael Kors

11/27/2015

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Michael Kors is a legend in the fashion industry. I love him. I considered buying one of his backpacks. The $300 kind. It was gorgeous. It deserved me. It deserved to be on my body. It's to bad that my minimum wage job doesn't support such extravagance.

There is not a part of my body that makes me say that I'm not obsessed with Michael Kors. He's really funny. I read an interview on him and he's great. I love him and his husband Lance Le Pere. Their the cutest. They are my life goals.

Lance Le Pere (left) and Michael Kors (right)

Michael Kors was founded way back when in 1981. It's the kind of high priced luxury, that although expensive isn't too out of reach. If I'd really wanted that backpack it could have been mine.

Michael Kors is known for their handbags. When I went into the Michael Kors store that's what was on display. Their logo is just as recognizable as Louis Vuitton or Chanel. Michael Kors has that kind of brand recognition.

I've always wanted a pair of their shoes. The flats. The heels. I would wear it all. I could empty my bank account buying Michael Kors. It has that timeless elegance about it. And, what's more we all deserve something high fashion in my life.

The man behind the brand is really cool. Michael Kors is known for “being real” just like Jennifer Lopez. He's self deprecating. I want to be rich and successful and have people wonder how humble I am.

I love the way he devotes his time and money. He's a huge supporter in AIDS research and assistance. Much like Elton John and not unsurprising considering his experiences in New York during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The foundation he does most of his work with is God's Love We Deliver.

He's also an ambassador for the United Nations. He works with their World Food Programme and helps to get food to school children in needy parts of the world.

I've always thought well of him, but reading about him really changed my perspective. If you have money, you should want to make a change in the world, and it's great that he does that. That he's trying to change the world

Michael Kors brand has been described as “too safe”. I don't think. It's true that his clothing doesn't push the boundaries that some fashion houses do. But, it's also not rooted in the same cycle of repeat, redo that is so much apart of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger..

His brand isn't changing the world of fashion, it's not edgy. But, there's something about it. Not every $200 coat makes me consider buying it. That's how much I spend on clothes a year, so to spend that much on one jacket. It has to be more then just a name.

It has to be something more and in his own way that's what Michael Kors does. He's not going to start the next punk phase, but there's an idealism to his clothes that you can't find from every designer.

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Moon Child

11/13/2015

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As a general rule I question why every artist has a name for their fanbase. And, yet for some no matter how small, it just makes sense. It's a community.

For Kerli it just makes sense that she has her moon babies. I can just sense this protectiveness she has over her fans. Her moon children may be small in number, but their number doesn't matter. Being in love with Kerli is in the same as being in a wonderful cult.

Kerli is everyone's favorite Estonian. A country in the Baltic part of Europe right by Latvia and Lithunia and more noticeably, Russia. She's a unique beauty and has embraced prosthetic attachments on her face for musical appearances. Colored hair and of course glitter.

The only way to express what Kerli is doing is that she's a survivor. She grew up in an abusive household. Something she attributes to the dark undertones of her first album Love Is Dead. “Until you're absorbed by darkness you can't overcome it and face the light.”

Anyone paying close attention in 2008 would have been looking at Kerli to make it big. Even now there's still this possibility that she could be huge. The album has a twisted fairy tale aesthetic and is alternative goth electronic. It was experimental in a boundary pushing way. It's only single “Walking On Air” didn't make any impact in the United States.

Buy"Walking On Air"

Although, she remains the only Estonian artist to chart on the albums chart with Love Is Dead and Utopia at 126 and 196 respectively. The album sales for both were commercial disappointments. Part of the reason she split ways with her record label, Island.

She took a five year gap between Love Is Dead and Utopia. Releasing two electronic buzz tracks “Army of Love” and “Zero Gravity” as well as recording “Tea Party” for the Almost Alice soundtrack. Continuing to spread her own brand of pop excellence.

Utopia's lead off single remains one of my favorite songs. “The Lucky Ones”. It's gorgeous synth. Simple but effective. Her voice is the emotional centerpiece and the music video only drives home it's central idea. When I say it's one of my favorite songs, that's an exaggeration. I'm constantly coming back to it and being inspired by it.

Buy "The Lucky Ones"

Some Moon Babies called her a “sell out” for making more electronic music. A change in style hardly makes someone a sell out. Especially with a record label that failed to push this song onto the radio. Kerli could have been the breakout star of 2013.

In fact Utopia was released as an EP when originally it was intended to be a full studio release. They cut six songs from it, added a remix, and called it a day. They fucked her over.

Since, then Kerli's being featured on some experimental electronica from Seven Lions and Benny Benassi. She's cowritten some of my recently favorite songs. The highlight of the Pentatonix EP Vol. 3 “See Through” features Kerli as a contributor. And, Hilary Duff's Breathe In. Breathe Out features the ecstatic track “Confetti” that was originally a Kerli demo.

Right now she's signed to Ultra records. Working on a music video for her second album. Writing and producing all of her songs in the forests of Estonia. And, if you think I'm kidding, then you don't know Kerli.

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The Blue Neighborhood

10/30/2015

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Depending on how up you are on Troye Sivan's career you have a concept of what The Blue Neighborhood is. It's a film project, separated into three parts. Frankly, I think it's fascinating. It's three separate music videos promoting his latest EP Wild that he lauded as an album earlier this year.

Forewarning that this Friday Favorites is not an endorsement of Wild. I'm still listening to it. Giving it a few spins. I listen to it every time I go to work and I'm allowing it to really sink in.

This EP was promoted with the lead and titular title track “Wild”. I love this song. Much like Tryxe. The lead single “Happy Little Pill” is certainly the highlight. It's perfect mid tempo electro bliss. The music video for “Wild” is more boundary pushing.

Buy "Happy Little Pill"

I'm in love with the video and the song. The song is by far one of the best of 2015. Troye Sivan is one of everyone's favorite homosexual youtuber's. Besides me of course. He's the one who started this concept of coming out online.

Which, is why the video for “Happy Little Pill” was a little disappointing. It centered around a perfectly nice heterosexual couple. If that's what I wanted in a music video, I would just go to Meghan Trainor's vevo account.

“Wild” corrects that and makes Troye and this unknown the center of this love affair. It has the flashbacks to their childhood. Their two little boys who love each other. It's so cute. He nailed it. It's not even a question

Buy "Wild"

Troye said that he wanted there to be an innocent young gay relationship in a video and he certainly nailed that. He also said that he didn't want to skirt away from using personal pronouns like “he” and “him” from his music like Sam Smith does to reach a larger audience. It's a form of censorship and I certainly agree.

The follow up video was for “Fools”. Not one of my favorite tracks. I would have preferred “Ease” or even “Bite” being considered instead. But, we get what we get. In this video we get the fact that Troye Sivan's lover has an unaccepting family.

The video essentially ends with the two of them apart and his lover in a heterosexual relationship with his father's goading. For how much Troye wanted to break away from the mold of what music forces on relationships. It's interesting that he made the gay relationship unhappy. What a common trope. Homosexual relationships always end in tragedy.

Buy "Fools"

“Fools” ends with some product placement. Scenes show Troye Sivan at a funeral. I might have cried. I did cry. It was bad. I won't ruin the third installment for you. You can watch it to find out what happens.

Buy "Talk Me Down"

The Blue Neighborhood is cinematic in quality. Much like his lyrics. According to Troye these songs are built out of a love he has. It raises so many questions. Who is this boy? Are they dating right now? IS TROYLER REAL?

Troye should be releasing a full length album at some point. Although, I think this promotional strategy with five or six song EP's is a great way to introduce fans to his music. He's also going on a tour. And, worldwide enough in it's scope that you might be able to see Troye Sivan in your hometown.

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Quan To The Co

10/16/2015

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ABC is killing the game. Literally and figuratively.

In a highly inventive new television show Quantico there will be FBI recruits, sabotage, golden boys, and terrorism. All playing into America's deep rooted fears of a terrorist attack. The show is going to play with those conventionalities that have made Homeland such a runaway hit for Showtime.

The reason I discovered this show is because of actress Priyanka Chopra. I did a Snapshot Saturday on her entitled Drop Dead Priyanka (read here). I was trying to title it as a variation on “drop dead beautiful” and looking back on it I realize I didn't do a great job on that.

She is a beauty pageant queen. She was very successful at it. Imagine Vanessa Williams in the eighties. Priyanka is gorgeous. She's also a phenomenal actress and women's right's activist in India. She's really an amazing woman.

She will be starring as the lead Alex Parrish. From what I've been able to gather from the trailer, she is an independent woman. She is very confident with her sexuality.

This show is set up to be a thriller. The central concept is that it's a flashback to her days in training at Quantico. One of the people she trained with committed this terrorist act on American soil and she's been set up for it.

Over the course of the season it should focus on her times training and her current situation of trying to discover who set her up. There's the golden boy. The one who's beautiful to look at, but only got in because his parents are agents. Jake McLaughlin is set up to be her love interest. More then likely he will not be the traitor.

Jake McLaughlin

Graham Rogers

There's a whole slew of other characters here to misdirect and throw suspicion. It will be intersting to see if this show does well. It airs on Sunday's. A tough time slot to say the least. Pan AM, GCB, 666 Park Avenue were three shows canceled consecutively in the same time slot Quantico is set for.

This is going to be Priyanka's debut to American audiences who are widely unaware of her superstar status in India. She's tried to launch a music career here, but neither Pitbull assisted “Exotic” or Bonnie Raitt cover “I Can't Make You Love Me” clung to American radio.

If this show is the success it has the possibility of being, this could be what gives Priyanka a leg up in the music industry. See Jennifer Lopez and Ariana Grande for examples.

I haven't been able to watch it, yet. Tragically I work on Sunday's, but I have high hopes for it. Honestly, I'm going to catch up over the winter break and report back to you. Trying to keep up with Scream Queens and America's Next Top Model is the struggle right now.

Make sure to checkout Quantico on ABC. It airs on Sunday's at 10/9 central. They've only aired a few episodes, so there's still time to catch up before it's season finale later this year.

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Thrill & Tigerman

9/18/2015

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The last of summer reading is upon us.

Before the school year started up I managed to sneak two books into my schedule before classes started up. The first was a true winner and the second was missing of much win.

No surprise to the living and breathing world of literature, the Jackie Collins novel I picked up was tantalizing. Her books are trashy representations of the upper class. There an escape to the world of the rich and famous. The kind that makes the middle class mom in Iowa glad she never pursued her dream of acting.

Last summer I spent most of my time with Jackie Collins. In fact the last book I read was Hollywood Wives. Her books might be four or five hundred pages long, but it's not implausible that you could knock one out in an afternoon. They're that good. Jackie Collins is a goddess.

Jackie Collins (right) with her sister and actress Joan Collins (left) on the Graham Norton Show

The novel of hers I got from the local library was Thrill! I'd seen it from a distance. I'd picked other books over it. Jackie Collins has titled her books much better. See The Stud and Poor Little Bitch Girl for examples. The cover was also tranquially electric. Momma told us not to judge a book by it's cover and that's what I did.

Thrill! is one of Jackie Collin's books from the nineties. It is not her best. However, I can't believe I thought it would take me four days to read this book. Try two with time to spare. If I hadn't been working Sunday it would have been no contest.

This is not the Jackie Collins novel I would start a fresh reader on. It's not her best. It also is not her most original. It's a little tired if a solid read. The one thing I love is that all the men are pieces of shit. That's the kind of literature I can stand before.

It centers around actress Lara Ivory. Everyone else is subplot. She is the star of the show. I can't say I like the ending of the book. It wasn't satisfying. It did do it's job. I just loved Lara too much for her life to converge in that way.

The final book I read was Tigerman. I made the mistake of judging a book by it's cover. I thought, this looks really cool let me read it. I got books with the twins and Miss Sara Bellum picked up Nick Harkaway's Angelmaker. It's the same man who wrote Tigerman and I thought we would love it. We did not.

Looking at his picture on the flap of the book I just imagine he imagines himself as an Ernest Hemingway. Take that as you will. The book caters to this kind of created masculinity. It's archaic and muscular yet firmly set in the 21st century.

I honestly didn't know if I liked this book for the longest time. The wording was heavy and I was just trying to figure it out. Then, about page 250 I realized that I intensely did not like this book. Fun fact the book is only 337 pages long. I finished it.

Let me tell you what this book is actually about. The flap does not explain anything. The book centers around Sergeant Lester Ferris and his affection for this boy. It's a really sweet relationship. The sergeant just wants to take care of him and make him his son. I actually really liked the Sergeant without enjoying the book. I also like the boy.

That was his name in the book.

They live on this island that's going to be destroyed. And, I'm sure somewhere between all the words the author explained why it was necessary for the Sergeant to turn into Tigerman. The comic strip superhero of Mancreu. I'm not kidding you. This is the plot. All of it set in a realism.

This book could have been fast paced. It needed an editor to cut some of the length out. That could have helped my perception of it. However, despite my criticisms of this book I really did grow fond of a few of the characters. Like The Sergeant, the boy, and Africa (you have to read deep into the muck for this jewel).

Also the fact that the book has thirty page chapters is not kosher. It takes ten years to get through one chapter and I have no drive to read another one. Long chapters are deaths to solid literature. They halt the progress it takes to read it.

What made me the most upset was the ending. I spent all this time. Invested all this energy into loving and supporting these characters FOR YOU TO DO THIS TO THEM???

I am still so mad. I was on break finishing this book when this happened to me. NICK HARKAWAY YOU HAVE RUINED MY LIFE.

All of that said. This book does have it's own charm and for some the writing style might not be prohibitive into getting into the novel. I imagine if your a middle aged heterosexual man retired to Bermuda with a snifter of brandy in has hand, you would find this book quite entertaining. AND NOT AT ALL HEART BREAKING AND DISAPPOINTING.

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