Jamie's Food Revolution

Has anyone seen the promos for Jamie Oliver's new TV series, Jamie's Food Revolution? The show takes its name from Jamie's most recent and very popular cookbook, which was published in October (and which, interestingly, is called Jamie's Ministry of Food in the UK). I love any show that revolves around making over people's diets and helping them to live healthier lifestyles (and I have been known to preach that gospel myself), so I will definitely be tuning in! If you want to check it out, it premieres March 26th at 9 PM on ABC.

(Photo via Jamieoliver.com)

Countdown to Oscar

Who's excited for the Oscars this weekend? I must admit that I've seen a pitifully low percentage of this year's nominated films. Was 2009 a bad year for movies, or have I just been lazier than usual? Can you guess which 2 of the 10 nominees for best picture I have seen? Of course, we all know that the Oscars aren't about the movies, anyway...they are about the GOWNS! I'll be sharing my thoughts on this year's fashions on Monday :)

(Photo via People.com)

Lark Rise to Candleford

You may have noticed, dear readers, that I have a thing for costume dramas. To be honest, I am kind of obsessed with them (I'm a nerd, I know). Which is why I'm surprised that I didn't hear of Lark Rise to Candleford until last week. I had been wondering what on earth could possibly be better than a BBC miniseries set in 19th-century England, but now I know the answer...a full-on BBC SERIES set in 19th-century England. Naturally, I Netflixed that bad boy as soon as it popped up in my suggestion box. The show centers on the character of Laura Timmins, a girl from the tiny hamlet of Lark Rise who moves to the "big city" of Candleford to work in the post office that is run by her unfortunately-named but otherwise awesome cousin, Dorcas Lane. What ensues is class conflict, star-crossed love, and hamlet hijinks. Love it, love it.

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is, without a doubt, one of the best movies ever. I can't even count how many times I have seen it. Though it would be difficult to pick a favorite scene (they're all great!), this just might be it. Happy Groundhog Day!

(P.S. Looks like we're in for a long winter.)

Leslie Knope is the New Liz Lemon

Yep, that's going to be in my head all day. Happy Tuesday, everybody!

Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis

Do you ever suspect, as I sometimes do, that life would be better if it were a musical? Musicals always end happily. If life were like Meet Me in St. Louis, we would all be dancing the Hoochee Koochee, going to World's Fairs, and falling in love with the boy or girl next door. On the other hand, we might have to sport crazy-ass bangs and giant bow ties. Now that I think about it...I'm not sure the trade-off is worth it. (P.S. Doesn't Hilary Swank look just like Judy Garland?)

Holiday

Moving + holidays - wireless internet = light posting for the next couple of weeks. What will you do in the meantime? My suggestion: watch Holiday, a charming 1938 comedy starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. It takes place during the holidays, but it's not a Christmas movie. If you're a Netflix member, you can watch it online for free!

An Education

How good does this movie look? Awesome cast (including fresh-faced newcomer Carey Mulligan, who reminds me of a Gidget-era Sandra Dee), great soundtrack, even better clothes. Plus the screenplay was written by Nick Hornby, author of such excellent books-turned-films as High Fidelity and About a Boy. It's coming to my local arthouse theater the day after Christmas...I can't wait!

Flight of the Conchords

I won't pretend that I'm hip enough to have discovered Flight of the Conchords before it became popular, or even to really be a fan, but I watched an episode on my flight back from London, and it was pretty hilarious. This is a clip from that episode, which is entitled "New Cup." Enjoy--and have a great Monday!

I'm Going to Become Wonderful

She's not suave, she's not sexy, her personal life is perpetually in shambles and the highlight of her year is a free sandwich...how can you not love Liz Lemon? She is the Everywoman. (Except for the time she dated Jon Hamm. That was just unfair). I'm catching up on 30 Rock, and I know it's just TV, but it's making me feel better about my life. It makes me hope that, perhaps, one day, my misery will also make for great comedy (kidding). It does, however, remind me not to take myself too seriously. Also, it has given me some great ideas for what to do with my free time: "Donuts and then bed? What are you depressed about--or celebrating?"

More of the The Boosh

Because it's Monday and I like you.



Hope your week is off to a good start!

My Guilty Pleasure

At the risk of revealing myself to be a huge nerd, this is going to be a post about my love for the TV show Army Wives. Yes, it is a show about the wives (and one husband) of soldiers in the U.S. Military. And yes, it is a Lifetime original series. Despite these two facts, it is such a good show. And I love it. Love love love.

I became addicted to Army Wives by accident. I got sucked into an episode when I was flipping through the channels one day last fall, and then I soon found myself putting season one at the top of my Netflix queue. The show is now in the middle of its third season, and I have been watching dutifully every week (I usually watch the episodes online the day after they air).

Considering my disinterest in anything related to the military, it's hard to explain exactly what it is that I like so much about this show. Like my previous TV obsession (Grey's Anatomy), Army Wives has a strong cast, characters you actually care about, and interesting plots. Like, stuff actually happens. Stuff that occasionally makes you yell "Holy s**t!" at the television. I guess that's what I like about it...it's "Holy s**t" TV.

What are your guilty TV pleasures?

Just Julia

(Poster by BLT & Associates)

I went to see Julie & Julia on Saturday, and it was really quite delightful. I had doubts about a movie based on a book based on a blog, but it was entertaining and well done. Meryl was flawless, of course, and Stanley Tucci (as Julia's husband, Paul) was just adorable. For those who are unfamiliar with the premise of the movie, it consists of two separate storylines--one that follows Paul and Julia Child during the years chronicled in Julia's memoir My Life in France and one that follows real-life blogger and amateur cook Julie Powell through a year in which she decides to cook every recipe in Julia's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The blending of the two story lines was an ingenious move, as I'm not sure that either one could have stood on its own for the full two hours. Actually...I probably could have watched two hours of Meryl-as-Julia. Julia's humor and zest for life combined with the scenery of 1950s Europe is a pretty intoxicating mix. Two hours of Amy-as-Julie, however? I think I'll pass. The modern-day arc was simply not all that compelling, and the Julie "character" was not particularly likeable. Note to Nora Ephron: how about a sequel entitled Just Julia? :)

Sketchy

The State is FINALLY out on DVD! Zach and I have been watching it over the past couple of weeks, and it sort of feels like I'm re-living my adolescence (well...the good parts of it, anyway). My favorite sketches are still just as hilarious as they were 15 years ago: "$240 Worth of Puddin'," "Monkey Torture," "Choking," "Taco Man," "Captain Monterey Jack"...so golden. "Hello, cheese?" "NO! Cheese can't dial a phone!"

And that's not the only exciting news in the world of sketch comedy DVDs--the British cult hit The Mighty Boosh was also just released in the U.S. for the first time. I don't know how I never heard of it until now (well, I guess the reason is actually pretty simple...I don't live in England!), but while listening to NPR in the car yesterday, I heard an interview with the two guys behind the show. I checked it out when I got home, and oh my god...so funny. Apparently it's been on the BBC since 2004. There are also a bunch of clips and some full-length episodes online. Here is my favorite clip:


Reminds me a bit of Young Ones ("Anybody here like The Human League?"). Also, that one dude's hair is AMAZING. Happy weekend, everyone!

What a Glorious Feelin'

Zach and I watched Singin' in the Rain last night (neither of us had ever seen it before--can you believe it?), and I have to say that I kind of loved it. I didn't really expect to enjoy a movie billed as a "Technicolor Musical Treasure," but rather than being saccharine and unbearable, it was surprisingly fun and refreshing. Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor are all consummate entertainers (especially Donald O'Connor, whose aptly titled solo number, "Make 'Em Laugh," is a stand-out in the film). If you've never seen it or just haven't watched it in a while, put it in your Netflix queue...and then fight, or heck--give in to!, the urge to sing and tap dance your way down the street.