Media Madness

Okay, let’s take a short break from the politics, shall we? Let’s talk music, movies, TV, etc. Here’s what’s been on my media plate lately :

MOVIES - Loved The Incredibles (which we’ve discussed already) and I’m really looking forward to The Life Aquatic. That Lemony Snicket movie looks pretty good too, but I need to hurry up and read the other books first. Other than that I haven’t paid much attention to what’s coming out soon.

MUSIC - I don’t care what the purists say, The Beatles’ Capitol Albums box set kicks ass. Even if it is a bastardization of their British releases, some of the mixes sound better with the added reverb and fake stereo. I hope they continue the series and include the soundtracks to Help and A Hard Days Night (complete with the instrumental bits) and the interview disc The Beatles Story.

TV - I got the Freaks & Geeks DVD’s for my birthday and it’s now one of my favorite shows ever. Go figure, since I loved Paul Feig’s book Kick Me as well as the semi-followup series Undeclared. As far as current shows are concerned, everyone should watch Arrested Development. It’s one of the funniest and smartest shows on TV, and by that I mean that it’s going to get canceled any day now.

BOOKS - Here’s where we end up back in the realm of politics. I’m about halfway through Lakoff’s much-praised Don’t Think Of An Elephant. It’s pretty damn good so far, but so far it seems like he’s a lot better at identifying problems than solving them. By that I mean, I think he’s done a good job isolating Republican frames, but I’m not as big fan of his ideas for senate frames. I’ll have more to say when I finish the book. I’m also fighting my way through The Second Bill of Rights, which is fascinating, but really drags in parts.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I haven’t mentioned my current addiction to Mario Vs. Donkey Kong for the Gameboy, or the new Looney Tunes DVD’s, or the Shins CD that’s been stuck in my car for the last three months….


posted by greg on November 24, 2004 @ 11:56 am

7 comments

  1. Dood, I don’t have any idea how you have enough time to consume that much media.

    Comment by Charlie — November 24, 2004 @ 12:41 pm

  2. You liked the Lemony Snicket books? They seemed rather thin, even for children’s books. Each book has what like five major characters. The good adult, the bad adult (Count Olaf), the three children. And each time the plot is convoluted, but hardly worrisome.

    The success of this series boggles my mind.

    Comment by The Critic — November 24, 2004 @ 1:49 pm

  3. I watched that Freaks and Geeks DVD set a couple weeks back. I’d forgotten how much I loved that show. That pilot episode is great.

    Comment by E-Rock — November 24, 2004 @ 3:01 pm

  4. MUSIC - I don’t care what the purists say, The Beatles’ Capitol Albums box set kicks ass.

    Yeah! And what about the Let It Be DVD to be released next year! Can’t wait (even though its the worst days of the best band in the world) to see it. I’m sure the reality will be a let down after all these years, but I’ll have it just the same.
    -trollboy

    Comment by Keith "The Troll" — November 24, 2004 @ 3:35 pm

  5. To this day, years later, I’m still actively angry that they canceled “Undeclared.” Seriously, I liked “Freaks & Geeks” a lot, but my heart gushed for “Undeclared.” Just one of the funniest goddamn things I’ve ever seen.

    The Lemony Snicket books are good for a variety of reasons, not least of which is that they don’t condescend to their readers. At this point, 3,000 years into the history of drama, saying a book isn’t good because its plot structure has been done before is like saying the Grand Canyon sucks because holes have been around for millions of years.

    Comment by briantologist — November 25, 2004 @ 8:51 am

  6. Didn’t like Freaks and Geeks. Can’t wait for the Capitol Beatles set; my husband is a Beatles purist and he can’t wait either. Read the L. Snicket books with the kids and got bored halfway through the one about the hospital. Was excited about the Incredibles until I found out that the director is nuts. Love Arrested Development and don’t think it’ll be cancelled this season and will probably get a third.

    Comment by eRobin — November 26, 2004 @ 6:52 pm

  7. i really tried to dig that shins album all year to no avail.

    id really like to strongly suggest all who love the beatle vibe to pick up the last elliot smith and a little less emphaticly encourage buying the new polyphonic spree.

    Comment by josh — November 29, 2004 @ 5:06 pm

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