whats news

America is currently atwitter over the beef recall and the video that spurred it all. I was completely disgusted by the video, and yet not completely surprised by what I saw. I hope this prompts more consumers to take an interest in what they consume and demand stricter regulations on what makes its way to the supermarket and schools.

Lindsay Lohan feels like we havent seen enough of her girly bits flashed around the red carpet already, so we have to see her mocking a screen legend. I'm underwhelmed.

It looks like Hoosier conservatives will have to wait a few more years before they can attempt another ammendment (and you can bet they are starting the countdown clocks) to the consitution that would ban gay marriage (link). Also wonderful is the strong showing of protestors of the ammendment (link).

"Drop your socks and grab your mini-boombox." Kylie Minogue's latest album, X, is probably going to be the only thing playing on my ipod the next week or so. It's one hot dance album.

I am completely tired of IU basketball coaches (link). I am beginning to long for the days when no player was safe from projectile chairs and the General ran the court. (That link just put espn in my browser history, and will probably take a mere 24 hours before it realizes it just doesnt fit in.)

And for everyone who I'm sure was beginning to worry, I did complete my ensembo for the Sheraton employee party. Red carpet pundits can rest easy and make some room on the best dressed list.

stop pressurin' me

Given that Thriller has officially hit the 25 year mark (ugh, I guess I gotta do that this year as well), I have been revisiting some of the best of Mr. Jackson. Since I was really a youngin' during the early years of Thriller I didnt really begin to experience it until the 90's and on. It truly is everything a pop album should be and there is no escaping its effect on music. It is however a different Michael altogether that hooked me when I was a kid, and that was his duet with Janet "Scream." I don't know what it is about this song, and its stellar, big budget music video, that completely hooked me.

i drink your milkshake

I gotta say there were some great movies in 2007, so without further ado I guess I should roll out one of those unholy lists. I dont in anyway think this is complete yet as there I still some key movies from last year I intend to see; however it's a damn good place to start.

Intense as hell, I saw this one with the parents (I had almost forgotten how much my mom talks to the characters during movies, other viewers probably won't forget either) and was overwhelmed by the raw emotion and power of the characters. Tommy Lee Jones has never been better.

Maybe it was the fact this was one of the first books I had to read for college or maybe it's just because the movie is so damn good, but this one moved me like no other. Emile Hirsch captures everything about McCandless, and Hal Holbrook gives one of my favorite performaces of 2007: utterly heartbreaking.

Probably had one of the best ever tracking shots (right up there with the one from Children of Men) when Wright sits the viewer down into the beach at Dunkirk. Knightley and McAvoy were the sexiest thing last year, and I will never hear the sound of a typewriter quite the same way again.

Daniel Day Lewis creates a character that I am pretty sure can not be left off any list naming the best ever movie characters. And if by some oversight Daniel Plainview is snubbed, be sure there are no bowling pins in sight. PT Anderson (one of my all time fave directors) departs from the style and feel of his previous films to direct the most pulse pounding portrayals of American ambition ever.

I'm not a foodie, I don't particularly love rats, and I've never been to Paris, but did I love this movie. The stunning visuals and brilliant writing had already won me over, but then I heard Peter O'Toole and it was love. His voice gives me chills and reminds me of the power a movie can have over someone.

Everyone raves about Ellen Page in this movie, and I do think her's is one of the best female performaces of last year, but I really loved the supporting roles much more. Jennifer Garner moved me to tears on more than one occasion and I too felt an attraction to Jason Bateman before feeling uttely betrayed. Plus Allison Janney was in it and was feisty, so I had to love that.

It's a long one and you never really find out "who did it," but it's very entertaining to watch three great actors embody doggedness as characters obsessed with discovering the identity of a serial killer. Up with No Country in terms of nailbitting suspense and intensity.

Ryan Gosling proves he is still worthy of his oscar nominated performace from Half Nelson with this sweet, touching comedy. Gosling makes us all feel lonely and completely awkward in this movie. With a great supporting turn by Emily Mortimer, and one of my favorite movie lines from 2007 ("Why are you yelling?"), Lars is a winner.



Honorable Mentions include Enchanted, Knocked Up, Eastern Promises, The Jane Austen Book Club and Hairspray.

Still dying to see Margot at the Wedding, The Savages, Gone Baby Gone, The Darjeeling Limited, Michael Clayton, Persepolis, Before the Devil Knows you're Dead, and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly