New site, new domain

Yeah, and also... has moved on to bigger and better things at

http://www.yeahandalso.com


So be sure to visit the all new Yeah, and also


and also, it totally sucks right now, give me time, you're so demanding.

Nine trailer looks amazing

I just came across the new trailer for Nine and it looks amazing. With an all star cast and from the director of Chicago it looks to be one of the best musicals to come our ways in years.

Chupacabra found!!!

Well, last night I watched the excellent/terrible Mega-Shark vs Giant Octopus and it was wonderful. All the campy fun got me in the mood for some real monsters, and wouldn't you know it apparently we have found the long lost el chupacabra (goat sucker, no not like that, perv) Here's a video that shows the "evidence"




Now, I'm not saying this is legit but it is quite interesting. I do believe in some cryptozoology, but I don't know if this one is right, most likely it is just some sort of deformed canine. I will say that I do have some first hand chupacabra experience, ok second hand, but in high school my best friend's brother had a few pet goats and one morning one of them was dead with a hole in the neck. The goat was still inside its pen and it wasn't eaten at all, just the one hole. We never did figure out what would have done that and how or why, so it has always been a running joke that it was a tragic victim of the chupacabra.

Beyotch is back!

Well it is finally hear, the long delayed comeback of Whitney Houston. If you head over to her website you can stream her new album, I Look To You. I haven't listened to the entire thing yet but I have heard the title track and the first single Million Dollar Bill both of witch are pretty damn good! Alicia Keys penned Million Dollar Bill and I think it was a smart move for her to release something a bit more up-beat and more pop influenced to ensure a lot of air play.

The real question on everybody's mind though is do we think she still can sing? She will be appearing on Good Morning America tomorrow 9/2 and doing a pre-recorded live performance. I'm sure she will do her new single, but below is a video somebody posted of her singing the classic "I'm Every Woman" from that event. That song, and the fact that its a youtube video, makes it hard to determine if she's still got it, but from what I can tell she seems to still be able to work up the crowd.

Labor of Lohan

The other day I hung out with my good friend Lindsay and we commiserated about the loss of status of our once beloved Lindsay Lohan. We were both huge Mean Girls fans and are both major gossip whores so we've followed Lohan's downard spiral for years. We decided the best thing to do was open a bottle of wine and rent Labor Pains now out on DVD. Check out the trailer and my review below:






Labor Pains lead by falling star Lindsay Lohan has had a rough go of it. After initial hopes of a theatrical release the movie was sold off to cable and premiered on ABC Family before limping its way to DVD. The comedy follows the attempts of Thea played by Lohan, to fake a pregnancy in order to keep her job as a personal assistant in a publishing firm.

The movie is an occasionally charming mess. To further beat the pregnancy theme home the biggest subplot involves Thea being promoted to editor of a book on pregnancy. There is also romantic intrigue as Thea begins to fall for her too good looking to be wearing those glasses boss Nick Steinwald played by Luke Kirby. It was rather apparent that director Lara Shapiro and co-writer Stacey Kramer know little to nothing about pregnancy, publishing or office politics. The attempts to fake a pregnancy are laughable as is the complete lack of believability to any of the publishing and office plots.

While many people would be quick to fault Lohan, because of far too well known personal struggles, she herself is the highlight of the movie. It really does speak to her natural talents that she is able somewhat rise above this terrible material. The only other person in the movie who isn’t complete sunk by the wooden dialogue is Cheryl Heins of Curb Your Enthusiasm fame.

The movie is predictable from start to finish, but it isn’t completely devoid of entertainment value. If you’re one of Lohan’s few remaining fans who have been waiting form something this will likely suffice for now. Labor Pains is a simple and basic film, it is funny, sometime even intentionally.

3oh 3 Roadtrip

I went up North for a long weekend to visit my friend Paul. We had a blast going out to eat, hanging out at the lake and staying up late to sauna, night swim and watch movies. I did forget however that the horrible stretch of road earned its name in part by the lack of good radio available. Somehow I forgot both CDs and my ipod and got stuck with crap for about an hour. So for the way home I bought the 3Oh3 CD


I think the CD is a lot of filthy fun! They're sort of a weird mix of rock and rap, but not in an irritating Linkin Park/Limp Bizkit way (man, even spelling their names is irritating). They have sort of tongue in cheek lyrics about drinking, womanizing and picking fights. The beats are great, really good music to work out to or listen to in the car with your windows rolled down. My personal favorite track is Chokechain, and of course we can't forget their breakout hit Don't Trust Me. But true ME this Colorado duo is worth looking in to, and now has been nominated for the VMAs to boot. And also, Sean Foreman is a total hipster crush object.

Make it work, on Lifetime

So Project Runway is FINALLY back after all of it's behind the scenes drama. I can't even remember the last time the show was on and I had cable, I am extremely excited to watch this new season, check out the promo clip:

The first episode was amazing! The new designers seem to have some interesting characters among them, but I don't have a favorite yet. I always like to watch a few episodes before I pick my pony. Tonight's challenge was to make a red carpet look and best of all was special guest star Lindsay Lohan!!!!! I still loves me some Lohan, even if she has gone off the deep end.

Ari was the first kicked off and I think that I am somewhat disappointed by that. I kind of liked her Samantha Ronson looks and crazy M.I.A. designs. I am also looking forward to seeing the new series Models Of the Runway (though I'd have gone with Modes off the Runway). I've always loved models and modeling shows and one to go along with Project Runway has got to be fun.

District 9 review

I went and saw District 9 with my friend Scotty and we both thought it was awesome! I have so been wanting some good popcorn FX movies to come out this summer and this one rules. I loved the basic idea of it, the story was good the acting was better and I didn't even hate the tiny baby alien, it was super cute. Check out the trailer and my review below:

District 9 the new film directed by Neill Blomkamp and written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell is a summer sci-fi blockbuster unlike any I have ever seen. Told in a documentary style that recalls last years breakthrough hit Cloverfiled, District 9 tells the story of the struggle to deal with an alien refugee camp in Johannesburg, South Africa. Having crash landed twenty years ago the aliens were found starving and delirious inside their ship, they have been living in a refugee camp slum and causing ever increasing tensions with the human populations in the area.

District 9 begins by following Multi-National United (MNU) employee Wikus Van de Merwe (Sharlto Copley) who has been given a promotion, through family connections, to lead the effort to relocate the aliens to the new District 10 far outside the Johannesburg city limits. In early footage Wikus seems cheerful and excited about the task of getting the inhabitants, referred to as Prawns, to sign eviction notices. The light mood is contrasted by intercutting comments of family and colleague that ominously foreshadow events to come in the film.

From there we follow Wikus as he attempts to evict the Prawns in District 9, which has become a violent and dangerous slum. As the film progresses we delve deeper into both District 9 itself and the politics behind it. The Prawns have been increasing in population over the past two decades, which lead to the call for them to be relocated. After attempting to serve one of the eviction notices Wikus is injured and subsequently infected with alien DNA, which increases the tensions for him, and the situation in general as he become a man on the run.

The plot of the film is exciting enough on its own, but it takes on deeper meanings when viewed as symbolic of many other conflicts in the world today. It would be easy to dismiss it as just another “humans are the real monsters” type story, though that point is made quite clear. Viewed in the context of other cultures and populations that have been displaced though war, famine or disease District 9 takes on an emotional impact that is hugely uncommon in a summer blockbuster. Using aliens to represent the oppressed can allow filmmakers to address important humanitarian issues to an audience that might not seek out a film with such themes. Making the oppressors humans, for a change, forces the audience to see themselves in the villains of the piece and highlights the ethical issues involved.

Of course none of this would be possible if the movie itself weren’t so damn well made. The effects are tremendous! The special FX on the main Prawn, Christopher Johnson, are so well don . Short of Gollum himself I have never seen a more emotionally complex performance from an unreal creature The lowered budget special effects are completely unnoticed because of the documentary style of the filming. And what really makes the movie is the fantastic performance of Sharlto Copley as Wikus. From his dopey, bumbling opening scenes to his completely believe badassery at the end, he delivers. I could not believe how few previous credits he has considering he completely carries this movie in the acting department. For Copley alone District 9 is worth seeing. District 9 has finally made up for the fairly lame 2009 summer season by showing that movies still can be well made, deep and kick ass. Definitely one to check you.

Seven mintues in heaven, or GOOP yeah that's the one

So our good friend Gwyneth Paltrow over at GOOP! has posted a new cooking video with a great "fast" recipe for dinner for four.

LOL Ok, I gotta say GOOP! only makes me heart Gwyneth even more. I enjoy how completely out of touch with reality she is. She clearly means well but has no idea when she comes across as charming and when she comes across as self-centered or just loony toons. Either way, this particular recipe doesn't seem too bad and I can't help but find it hilarious that she apparently hired a camera man and editor to put together cooking clips for her blog. Or who knows, maybe Moses holds the camera and Apple is a wiz at imovie.

And also, just for the record I do enjoy her as an actress but only in supporting roles. Seven, Talented Mr. Ripley, Iron Man = Awesome Sylvia, Sliding Doors, Shakespeare in Love = slit wrists...any questions?

sun, fun, art, beer

Well the hot times have continued. Yesterday I spent the day going between the the Uptown Art Fair and the lake with my friend Lindsay. It was so hot and sweaty, which I love but hate to sweat in public so after checking out some good, bad and ugly art we dashed over to Lake Calhoun and then popped in the water for a quick refresher before making out way to Feligio down for happy hour. All and all pretty excellent for an unplanned Sunday afternoon.

Wet Hot American Summer

Yesterday was a blast! It was extremely hot and humid out, you couldn't step outside without starting to sweat. Lots of people really hate that kind of weather, but for one Saturday after one of the coldest summers in years I found it a fun change of pace. After our sleep over/ wii party at Lindsay's (who was house sitting our in the burbs) we headed over to Ken's mother's house for his sister's graduation party. Congrads to Ellie on graduating and winning a Fulbright to go to Germany! Quite the achievement! The weather was sweltering, but it was nice to eat food and sip cool drinks outside, even if it felt like a steam room with little sprinkles of rain here and there.

After going home and relaxing a bit we got ready to go over to the Pizza Luce block party in uptown. Even after the sun went down it was still hot and muggy out, and then the tornado sirens went off. We decided to still brave it and headed over to uptown for some pizza, beer and music. We met up with Chrissy, Naomi and some others and had tons of fun but by the end of it everybody was hot and worn out, so we drove over to the lake, stripped down and jumped it. An excellent, refreshing end to a hot summer day.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince review

I was able to see Ha

Kinda Good Time Max

So I rented Good Time Max tonight, co-written, directed by and staring James Franco. Not going to lie, Franco's general dreaminess is the sole reason that I was interested in the film in the first place. Check out the trailer and my review below:




Good Time Max directed by James Franco who co-wrote with Merriwether Williams stars Franco and Matt Bell as two genius brothers who have taken very different paths in life. Franco plays the titular Max who has natural talents for academics and getting in trouble. After getting busted ripping off a drug dealer Max clings to his brother Adam's (Bell) moving to California for a medical residency as his way out of trouble. Trying to get clean and lead a productive life Max quickly gives into temptation and soon is mixed up in peddling crystal meth. Adam pursues his career as a doctor but he too eventually succumbs to temptations of his own.

The film's rather simplistic plot is anchored by the two strong performances of the leads that sometimes allow it to elevate to something more, but as a whole it never quite catches on. The film as a whole doesn't quite work as a cautionary tale or redemption story, though seemingly strives to be both. It is established early on that both brothers are geniuses and I couldn't help but wish that would have been dealt with more. The parallel of addiction between the brothers comes as a subplot that is too little too late. The ending does seem to be hinting that the accumulative pressure that comes with being identified as a "genius" too early in life could have caused the problems the brothers face is intriguing, but the film mostly ignores those complications.

Good Time Max is a huge improvement though over the last film I saw that Franco wrote and directed, which was the abysmal dramedy The Ape. Franco, who studies fiction and creative writing, does show quite a bit of promise as both a writer and director, but still is rather green at both. The dialogue of the film seems particularly strong in being naturalistic, but story itself just doesn't have that much going on. I found the characterizations of the brothers far more interesting than the drug plot that dominated the film. As a whole it would be worth renting if you are a fan of Franco, but otherwise it may be wiser to wait for his next endeavor.

Is Dolce and Gabana, hello!

I went and saw Bruno Wednesday with my BFF and we had a gay old time to say the least. It is a very raunchy and outragouse good time if you are not the sort of person who is easily offened. I'd say that it's a movie to go to in the theaters just so that you can easedrop on the reactions of those around you, wich from time to tme were almost funnier than the movie. Below is my review:

Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno is a hilarious attempt to shock the masses with the wild antics of an outlandishly gay Austrian. Using a similar mocumentary style to that of his 2006 smash hit Bruno, Cohen poses in disguise to reveal the not so hidden prejudices many have against gay and/or European. The plot centers on titular character Bruno, an recently fired Austrian fashion TV presenter, trying to make it big in Hollywood. Bruno travels around the US and as far as the Middle East to find the secret of success in America.

Bruno is a hysterically funny film for those who are not easily offended by graphic nudity, homosexuality, foul language, child endangerment and ethnic stereotypes. The comedy works well in every sketch. The best moments are those that prey on the all to common quest for fame in America, the desperate wannabes who will do anything to get ahead. Most memorably are the parents who agree to let their babies and toddlers pose under any circumstances ranging from a controversial crucifixion setting to downright dangerous stunts with bees and machinery. The sheer audacity of somebody willing to risk anything for a chance to have their kids in pictures is ripe grounds for this type of satire. Other sketches involve gay conversion therapy, swingers parties, peace talks, focus groups, celebrity interviews and wrestling matches.

While the movie is funny, it doesn’t quite all work as a whole the way that Borat did. The basic premise of Borat was that he was sent with a camera crew to research American culture, so the setup for each segment was always there. In Bruno the plot has him being fire at the beginning, yet still somehow being filmed throughout his travels. It doesn’t make sense when he breaks through the fourth wall because there shouldn’t be anybody filming him. The affect is that it comes off more like The Office and less like an actual documentary, which takes away the realism of the situations. There also were a few segments that felt as if the people in them knew this was being done for comedy and weren’t acting naturally. Maybe that isn’t the case, it is possible that everybody was unsuspecting rube but it just didn’t always feel that way. The other problem I had with this movie is that from scene to scene everything felt disconnected. His departure to the Middle East offered some big laughs, but getting there on the flimsy premise that being kidnapped by terrorists would make him famous didn’t really work.

Even though there were some problems the film is definitely a fun time at the movies. It is a great movie to go to with friends and watch from between your fingers and you cringe and the increasingly wacky and humiliating stunts Cohen puts himself through. The genuine shock on people’s faces when he pulls a baby off a luggage carousel and outrage at his controversial photos with the child are priceless. Funny, appalling, envelope pushing there has never been a comedy quite like this before.

No Doubt Pictures

So No Doubt performed at the Xcel Center in Saint Paul on 7/5 and I was lucky enough to get some floor tickets and snapped some great pictures I've been dying to share!!!!!





I love Gwen as a solo artist, don't get me wrong, but I much prefer her with the band and it was wonderful to see them all back together after so many years without touring together.

Paramore (does their label not have spellcheck?) was one of the opening acts, and while their flame haired singer is irritating as all get out she did kinda help the band rock their final number, "Stand and Deliver"

Adrian Young is always my fav because the boy just loves to be naked as much as possible as much of the time as he can

Even after all these years, it still has to be somewhat awkward to play bass for a band where about 1/2 the songs are about that time you dumped your girlfriend 15 years ago

Swooooon

Rock Steady!! Also, this is like my only pic of Tom

LMFAO at how terrible this music is

So here is LMFAO's appearance on Carson Daly, I tried to find an official video but I couldn't. I must say this may be the worst song I have ever heard in my life.




After seeing this appearance I get the distinct impression that they are trying to be funny, or something, right? There has to be some excuse for producing music this terrible. Are these actual serious musicians? Either way, if they are serious then they seriously suck and if they are trying to be funny they are failing at that as well. And also, I live in Minneapolis (aka the Twin Cities) the local radio plays a version of this that says "I'm in The Cities trick" which I find more irritating because of the local connection, and because it's just stupid when the lyrics clearly are not about Minnesota.

Nancy Botwin can tuck me in any time

Here's a short clip from Esquire of our best gal Mary Louise Parker reading a bedtime story. Yeah, it's not the greatest clip in the world...but isn't the thought of curling up in bed with milk and cookies and having mama Botwin read you a bedtime story just wonderful? And also, aren't you just insanely jealous of how perfect her skin looks every time you see her?