Archive for June, 2009

So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 Top 16: Ranking Time!

June 19, 2009 at 10:46 pm · Filed under Television ·Tagged

My favorite performance of the Top 18:

The move from the top 18 to the top 18 meant two painful and confusing cuts. Lost from the girls was Ashley, and from the guys, Max. Ashley seemed like a pretty good dancer, and I felt for her because she had tried out so many times, only to be cut from the top 18. Ouch. And it wasn’t even her fault she was in the bottom 3! Kupono, her partner, destroyed the routine, which wasn’t that great to begin with- I’m sorry, bu Shane Sparks is no Tabitha and Napoleon. Max getting cut made sense- he doesn’t fit the young, Zac Efron-cute, contemporary or hip-hop mold of male dancers. He just wasn’t right, and it’s a shame because I love the male Russian ballroom dancers. Pasha is my favorite SYTYCD contestant yet. But I digress, someone had to be cut.

Ashley’s solo was definitely the weakest, with just some posing by the stairs- always a deadly solo move. But I think Max’s ballroom “Footloose” routine had more substance that Kupono’s spiritedly quirky solo. Kupono should’ve left, but he was a more intriguing character, and after all, SYTYCD is a television show for America’s favorite dancer, not the best.

That leaves Kupono and Kayla as a couple, and I think they’re going to emerge as a power couple. Both are strong dancers, who have bright personalities and are attractive. Reminds me of Chelsie and Mark from last year, another girlie blond and quirky Hawaiian duo, who made it pretty far…

TOP 16 RANKINGS

  1. Janette & Brandon- two smashing performances to date, and not exactly in the most entertaining genres
  2. Karla & Jonathan- an amazing comeback from the first week with the best performance of week two
  3. Jeanine & Phillip- they were dreadful this week, but Phillip is definitely the most beloved dancer this season
  4. Melissa & Ade- two weeks of strong performances, but I fear they’re not compelling enough personality-wise
  5. Randi & Evan- these two are cute and have chemistry, and I think they’ll bounce back quickly
  6. Kayla & Kupono- a new partnership with huge potential
  7. Caitlin & Jason- they are cute together, but I think they don’t have long-term potential…
  8. Asuka & Vitolio- the waltz was okay, but not tear-worthy, and I think they’re in serious trouble

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Style Hunter: Possible B-day Gift for Myself #2

June 19, 2009 at 7:01 pm · Filed under Fashion, Movies ·Tagged , , ,

Okay, I need your help with this one, blogosphere! I am head over heels for the heeled boots that Sally Hawkins wears in the little-seen British indie from last year, Happy-Go-Lucky. The play a minor role in the film, as they enrage the driving instructor who has a crush on her. I think they’re absolutely adorable, and I loved the fashion in that film. I love mixing bright colors and blinding those around me.

I can’t find any images, so here is a video. There’s the slightest glimpse of them at 3:26:

The worst part is, I cannot find those boots! I’ve sent an e-mail to Entertainment Weekly’s Style Hunter, but no such luck. Google was also unhelpful… =(

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Style Hunter: Possible B-day Gift to Myself #1

June 19, 2009 at 6:39 pm · Filed under Fashion, Movies ·Tagged , , ,

The H. Stern "Love" keychain I'm dreaming of, featured in "Sex and the City: The Movie."

The H. Stern "Love" keychain I'm dreaming of, featured in "Sex and the City: The Movie."

My birthday is coming up this week, and I’m thinking of treating myself with something I wouldn’t ordinarily buy. This week I was flipping through Cinemax, and I caught Sex and the City: The Movie. I had seen it last year in theaters, and I was stunned by the fashion, like always. However, this time, I was really attracted to Louise’s “Love” keychain that she gives to Carrie, and the whole story about she carries love everywhere she goes as she looks for her love in New York. Adorable! Now I want it. H. Stern originally made it I think, and sold it for almost $7,000. Now I’m looking at Intuition’s $85 version or Seen On!’s somewhat cheaper looking $25 version. What do you think?

The H. Stern version

The H. Stern version

The Intuition version

The Intuition version

The Seen On! version

The Seen On! version

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Top 5 Returning Summer TV Shows: Try Them!

June 8, 2009 at 1:11 pm · Filed under Television ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Bill and Sookie, the vampire-human couple at the center of "True Blood."

Bill and Sookie, the vampire-human couple at the center of "True Blood."

1) True Blood (Premiering June 14; HBO)

Season 2 of the sexy, scary, and brilliant Southern vampire-fantasy drama returns this Sunday, on June 14th, for a 12-episode run. It follows up on the cliffhangers presented in last fall’s finale. Sookie struggles to keep her relationship with Bill going because of his maker responsibilities to Jessica, the wild vampire girl he turned as punishment for murdering a vampire to protect Sookie. The mysterious Maryanne furthers her grasp on the people of Bon Temps, and her backstory with Sam is revealed. Jason. Meanwhile, gets further involved in the Fellowship of the Sun, the anti-vampire church. Overall, this is HBO’s biggest hit in a long time, and it’s unlike anything else you’ll see on television.

Try it if you’re a fan of: Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

2) So You Think You Can Dance (Wednesdays at 8 pm, Thursdays at 9 pm, FOX)

Season 5 of this summer reality show has already begun, but on Wednesday the most intense part of the competition begins as the top 20 perform. Here’s to hoping the brilliant Wade Robson returns after stepping out of Season 4 to choreograph Chris Angel’s Vegas show. I’m sure this season will be even better than last; Brandon, who is probably my favorite dancer I’ve ever seen perform on that show, has finally made the top 20! Now only if Mia Michaels and Lil C would shut up. The only downer about this season could be the endless onslaught of female lyrical-contemporary-jazz dancers who’ve scored no screentime so far, thus they could be bland both on and off the stage.

Try it if you’re a fan of: American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, America’s Best Dance Crew

3) Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (Premiering June 8, BRAVO)

Some people don’t click with her outgoing personality, but I love this show more than the other-docu-trash shows like the Real Housewives franchise. Her relationship with her wino mother and three entourage members make for lots of laughs, as do her encounters with other celebrities, as she navigates her life. This show is consistently hilarious, and sometimes heartbreakingly poignant. I like it more than any other comedy on television, and more than her own comedy specials. Plus, I hear there’s more celebs this season!

Try it if you’re a fan of: The Real Housewives of New Jersey, The Office, The Soup

4) Mad Men (Sometime in August; AMC)

The long wait is almost over, and Season 3 was given the greenlight. Spoilers remain sparse, but Betty is having Don’s baby despite her affair. That’s all know, but is there any doubt that this 1960s office drama is going to be cinematic, brooding, and superb?

Try it if you’re a fan of: Breaking Bad, In Treatment, Big Love

5) (tie) Project Runway (Premiering August 20; Lifetime)

Entourage (Premiering July 12, HBO)

These shows need to fix themselves if they’re going to retain their status as hit summer shows. Entourage has fallen into the same routine, and it needs to freshen up to continue. Project Ruunway has been off the air for awhile, and it was strating to get stale before it took its break. Here’s to hoping that L.A. will fix it, but I’m concerned about the whole Lifetime thing. Lifetime does not equal quality reality programming in my book.

Try Entourage if you’re a fan of: 30 Rock, Rescue Me, Breaking Bad

Try Project Runway if you’re a fan of: The Fashion Show, What Not to Wear, Top Chef

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