Whatever Wednesday: NCAA Preview

Welcome to my NCAA mini-preview! This will be how the Friday post will look starting September 9th. and ending with the Men's National Championship Game in April. Each week, I will list out my top-15, my Heisman front runner, and my story of the week. At the end of the year it will be fun to see what I got right, and what you will ridicule me for getting wrong.

Let's begin:

Top 15

1. Oklahoma -- Easily the class of the nation, but tough conference play may derail BCS dream.
2. Oregon -- Ducks' offense should give them a shot, but a November meeting with Stanford looms.
3. Alabama -- 'Bama's defense is better than some NFL teams, but the iffy offense could stop them.
4. Boise State -- Boise should go unbeaten, but may not rise above this ranking.
5. Stanford -- My dark horse for the National Title.
6. LSU -- Never count out the Tigers, but the always tough SEC is a blessing and a curse.
7. Wisconsin -- Class of the Big Ten. Much better than overrated Nebraska.
8. Oklahoma State -- Could be surprise Big 12 champ, upset special over the Sooners.
9. Florida State -- I don't like the Seminoles this year, but they're talented enough to win ACC.
10. Texas A&M -- Tough-as-nails as Aggies will give the Cowboys and Sooners close games.
11. TCU -- My dream would be a Boise-TCU BCS title game, but Boise's move to MWC ends that.
12. South Carolina -- The old ball coach will have them ready to play. Could be a land mine team.
13. Arkansas --Ditto with the Razorbacks. Wouldn't put the SEC title game past them.
14. Virginia Tech -- Tech is always exciting on paper, but blah on the field. Should win ACC.
15. Georgia -- Tough opener against Boise, but good showing will put the Dawgs back on the map.

Heisman winner: Andrew Luck, Stanford -- Way to go out on a limb, huh.

Surprise team: Penn State -- Talented D will put Lions in the inaugural Big Ten title game.

Game of the Year: Penn State vs. Wisconsin. PSU pulls out 3-point victory to clinch Big Ten title game birth.

Movie Monday: Disaster Movies

I'm making an early return from my hiatus for a quick run down of my three favorite (not best) Disaster Movies, and a couple crazy underrated entries. Without further ado, in honor of Hurricane Irene:

3. Deep Impact (1998)

Maybe I have a thing for asteroids, or meteors, or space junk hitting the earth, but two of these three movies involve something from space possibly hitting the Earth and ending life as we know it. Deep Impact slides into the third spot because while it's still a terrible more, it takes itself much too seriously. It succeeds at times with emotional moments like the scene with the old couple succumbing to their fate as the tsunami rolls on to coast. It's the only story line that has legitimate closure. Unlike the awful  Elijah Wood and Leelee Sobieski ending with them running up a hill to safety with a baby.

Tagline sums it up best: Oceans Rise. Cities Fall. Hope Survives. (vomit)

Verdict: Good movie to watch if there's not much else on. Plus you get an over the top acting performance from Tea Leoni, which is almost as bad as Bad Boys.

2. The Day after Tomorrow (2004)

Great visuals. Good Acting. Emmy Rossum is actually tolerable in this role, and Jake Gyllenhaall is as dreamy as every. I love the science talk in this movie, I don't know if it's true or not, but they make it sound good.

Verdict: If you are worried about global warming, don't watch this movie. If you're worried about people thinking you have a thing for Jake Gyllenhall, then tell 'em you watch for Dennis Quaid Emmy Rossum.

1. Armageddon (1998)

Bruce Willis. Billy Bob Thornton. Steve Buscemi riding a nuclear war head. Some guy who won an Oscar with Matt Damon. If you haven't seen this movie, you are a communist.

Verdict: Rent this masterpiece movie yesterday. Great campy fun, and it doesn't take it self seriously at all. You will not stop once you start.'

Underrated: Miracle Mile and The Night of the Comet

If you haven't seen Miracle Mile, check it out because the story is sorta interesting but it's so 80's fantastic that it doesn't matter. It stars Dr. Mark Greene Anthony Edwards, and that other chick from St. Elmo's Fire. An it's about nukes and maybe commies, I'm not sure but it's worth at least one viewing if you enjoy 80's "films".

Night of the Comet is just pure, unadulterated insanity. I'm not sure if you could classify it a disaster movie, but I don't care. I've seen this movie dozens of time, but I still don't know how the movie got produced. My only guess is that it was made in the 80's and apparently people would see anything in the 80's.

Must Watch Actresses Update: Sophia Bush sits at No. 4 now because of my Hurricane Irene viewing of One Tree Hill Season 3 and Van Wilder. Great raspy voice (I think you guys have figured out my type). If you want to see an actress put in top level work while dealing with a personal problem (with her TV boyfriend and real-life Ex-husband), watch OTH Season 3. The girl pull some serious raw emotions out during the season finale. She should get more recognition than she does. I will watch anything with her in it, including that awful remake of the Hitcher.

Sports Friday: Quick NCAA Thoughts, Hiatus

After reading over the past few week about conference expansion in the SEC, it reminded me of earlier this year when there were thoughts of creating 4 super-conferences, and doing away with the BCS. Anything that gets the latter accomplished is fine by me. The BCS is a joke, and it's obvious why FBS Division I football is the only sport that doesn't determine it's winner in a playoff: Sponsorship money. University AD's Devil's advocates would say, without the money the other 30-plus sports wouldn't have the money to compete. But I say, isn't there a way to have a playoff and sponsors. Like I don't know, maybe have each bowl game sponsor back a playoff game. Hell charge more for the privilege!

There is a dead period in December that is just itching to be used for playoff games. If scheduled right, you could have the championship game on New Year's Day, and avoid pissing off the NFL. Unless a team is flat out dominant, or is the only team to run the table, I will not consider the BCS National Champion a true champion. Even if the winning team wears Blue and White.

One final NCAA thought, I fully support any use of the death penalty in regards to NCAA violations (again, even for Penn State). Even though in some respects the NCAA is a joke, they are still the governing body. And I believe you would only have to do it one time to a BCS school for everyone to get the message. Whether its Ohio State (please God), or Miami, or USC, or eventually the next team Butch Davis coaches, there needs to be a clear message that no one is above the rules; BCS conference or not. Either that or change the rules.

NOTE: This part of the blog will be on hiatus until the special college football kickoff post on Wednesday, August 31st, which will include my first prediction. Also, look for my top-15 every Sunday. It will just list the teams, and a one sentence explanation on their ranking, or other thought. I will wait until the Marshall-West Virginia game is final to post my inaugural rankings.

Whatever Wednesday: DVD Tuesday, EPL, Hell

First, I'd like to announce a change to DVD Tuesday — which was part of the reason that there was no post yesterday — instead of reviewing DVD that came out that day, I will review ones from the past week. This blog will be evolving and changing, and this is one of those changes. Until I can figure out a way to watch (legally) the movie a day before it is released, my work schedule will not allow me to be as current as I want to be. So look for my first (or many) DVD review(s) next Tuesday.


Moving on...

As much as I enjoy the English Premier League, and European club soccer as a whole, I don't get the transfer system. Maybe this is coming from an Arsenal fan that watched his favorite player (Cesc Fabregas) and his second favorite player (Samir Nasri) be sold to other teams, but I don't get it. As far as I know, they were both under contract and I guess, just wanted out. Now I'm not an idiot (some may disagree), I understand how Fabregas and Nasri left, but where my knowledge lacks is knowing exactly who's available to replace them. I assume there are ways that clubs make it public who they are interested in selling and what the price is, but I am still learning the system and it confuses me. So if someone in the comments could spell it out for me, I would be grateful, or call me and idiot and show me I was just being lazy. Either will do.

Thought of the day: If a collegiate wrestler is accused of attempted rape, what rung of hell am I going to if my first thought was, 'he must not be much of a wrestler'?

Movie Monday: The Help Review

Movie: The Help

Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer

Run Time: 137 Minutes

Short Synopsis: A look at what happens when a southern town's unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship.


Before I start with the review of the actual movie, this movie tackles some sensitive issues, but it's a movie produced by DreamWorks under its new deal with Disney, so I was not expecting a complete accurate representation of history and neither should you. If you buy a ticket for The Help, understand that it is a work of fiction, not a documentary. It does somethings right, and somethings wrong, but don't expect it to be considered alongside Roots as an accurate depiction of White-Black relations in America.

The movie opens with the beginning of Skeeter's (Emma Stone) interview of Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis), as these two characters are the crux of the narrative. Davis' performance of the stoic, yet displeased Clark is one of the best I've seen this year. Her quiet intensity, as the maid of Stone's character best friend, should get her strong consideration for the Academy Award for Best Actress. You are glued to her every second she is on screen, and you are emotionally invested in each of her scenes, especially when she has to walk home through the White neighborhood.

Stone, once again brings her charm and top-notch comedic timing to a role that could very easily have been overshadowed by the larger than life performances by Bryce Dallas Howard (Queen Bee racist, Hilly Holbrook), and Clark's best friend and fellow maid, Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer). But her ability to really ground a character and make her seem real, is one of the reason's this film is balanced. She never overacts, nor does she come off as boring, yet she is noticeable. The one thing that was lacking from Stone was her scene stealing ability. Her two real emotional scenes away from Davis, Spencer, and Howard really fell flat. Now, whether it was the lack of a build up, bad writing, or she had a bad day, can be debated, but despite that, it was another solid effort from the future A-list actress. She has the potential to be the next Julia Roberts.

After plodding along at a good, but not remarkable pace, the film hit its best stretch when Minny went to work for town outcast Celia Foote (the lovely, Jessica Chastain). From the moment Chastain's ditsy, well-meaning Celia began to get screen time, she stole the movie. For me, it's the little things that help steal a scene and/or a movie. From her shaking of the chicken bag to her innocently wanting to eat with Minny (which was a big no-no in 1967 Mississippi), and especially her quiet scene in the garden, Chastain just had that pitch perfect connection to a character that makes you want to follow her instead of the main story arc. She was able to do what Matthew Lillard has made a career out of.

The best compliment I can give a movie is that it made me laugh, think, and tear up, while still being entertaining. It wasn't too light for the subject matter, but it was still enjoyable enough to not feel like I was sitting through a lecture. Some may find it offensive, some may find it disheartening because it wasn't as graphic, or raw as they think all period pieces should be. To those people I say, what did you expect from a movie with Disney's imprint on it? They weren't going to show the sexual abuse some maids went through, or the fear that was instilled by the KKK during its peak around this time, they expected the audience to understand these underlying issues, and see the movie with that in mind.

The Help is a movie about the courage these maids showed in a terrible time in this country, and showed how telling their stories were a part of their own personal freedom during the Civil Rights Era.

Rating: 4 out of 5. Davis should get at least an Oscar nomination for her role as Aibleen.

TV Thursday: Idol Finale vs. SYTYCD Finale

Tonight was the finale for my favorite talent competition show, So You Think You Can Dance. SYTYCD, for short, has done a wonderful job of introducing the world of dance to those, like myself, that would have never bothered to search it out. I believe the show is the anti-American Idol.

Idol has all but killed the singing competition show, only a unique show like The Sing Off (despite being hosted by Nick Lachey) has been able to breathe fresh air into the genre. As the years have gone on, Idol has become a show that appears to be really scripted, only moments when Ryan Seacrest appears bored and ad-libs is the show fun. The opposite is true of SYTYCD, the panel's reactions and the banter with Emmy snub Cat Deeley, all seem natural and unscripted.

While this leads to awkward transitions, which Deeley (again, how hasn't she won the hosting Emmy) handles effortlessly, it also allows the show to connect with the audience in a real way. This really comes through with the feedback from the judges, minus Mary Murphy's predictable scream, SYTYCD blows Idol out of the water. For some reason Idol went very soft this year, and disrespected its audience. But executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe's, along with those of the choreographer guest judges, consistent criticisms when something isn't danced well, has helped to expand the audience because they are not underestimating its knowledge of the material.

The Finale of both shows really expose the glaring differences between the two. While Idol tries to make a spectacle out it, SYTYCD allows its contestants to shine. Instead of inviting lots of professional acts to the show, they make the show a celebration of the season, and awards the audience for watching all season by showing the best dances of the season.

What is truly weird is that Lythgoe is a exec on both shows, and you never see him attempt to bring what works on SYTYCD to Idol. From the finale, to the guest judges not only being celebrities but choreographers who actually know what to look for (the addition of Jimmy Ivoine was a start), to the inclusion of past winners helping specific contestant not the whole group, Lythgoe has so many ways to improve the highest rated show on TV. Yet, he doesn't.

In conclusion (I know, I know...this is a cop out, but it's getting close to midnight and I need to feed Gizmo), if Idol wants me to not fast-forward through most of its results show, and the judges' "critiques" as well, they need to take a cue from SYTYCD and make the show fun to watch, and less like funeral procession.

Whatever Wednesday: Youtube, Twins, and SYTYCD

Welcome to Whatever Wednesday! This day will be dedicated to small pondering, and extensions of other post. Whether it's a theory, or a need to explain a point, I will use Wednesday to clarify it. Also, this will be the day I give predictions for American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and in the fall, X-Factor. Wednesday will be a little more free form than the rest of the week.

So let's begin...

Youtube is great invention. It is the greatest blank canvas on the internet. You can search for nutshots, or cute cat videos, or old clips of TV from your childhood, and be enthralled for hours. It's also gave birth to the Rick Roll, and was a key cog in the Egyptian Revolution. Youtube can be anything, but the one aspect of the website that draws me in is people singing cover songs. It doesn't matter if it's good or bad, I will watch it. But just like anything else on Youtube, it has a very practical application.

Singers like Tiffany Alvord, Christina Grimmie, and Greyson Chance, and bands like Boyce Avenue have all used the site to upload their versions of popular songs, and created a fan base large enough that they can go out on tour and record albums. And they all built their popularity through sheer will and self confidence without the backing of a studio, which is the complete opposite of "singers" like Rebecca Black and whatever other auto-tuned teen that Arc Music Factory produces.

Obviously, unsigned bands posting their music on the internet is nothing new, but there's something different about watching the person sing the song that makes you feel more connected to the artist. I have listened to each artist listed above multiple times, and find myself gravitating to their covers (most notably, Alvord's acoustic work) when I have down time at work, which was something I never did with the former social network mecca for music, Myspace.

Of course, their success leads to a host of untalented teenagers posting videos of themselves singing whatever their favorite song is that day. In most cases, when a subject is over saturated with mediocre to terrible content, it drowns out the actual talent.

Surprisingly, the opposite is true in this case, and those terrible covers just highlight how good singers like Alvord are. So maybe Justin Bieber's story is not one in a million, but more of a guideline on how to get noticed on your own in the internet age.

If you have not, I suggest checking out each singer and/or band that I have listed above (Alvord and Boyce Avenue's "Jar of Hearts" cover for starters), and have fun clicking on all the similar links Youtube gives. Who knows, you may be watching the next Bieber, or the next William Hung, but one thing is for sure, you'll enjoy it.

Thought of the day: Do guys that fantasize about threesomes with twins, realize it's actually incest?

SYTYCD Prediction: First off, Melanie should win, and I think she will. The surprise tomorrow night will be that Sasha will finish third. Also, look for my review and thoughts on the series as a whole on TV Thursday.

My order of finish: Melanie, Marko, Sasha, Tadd. What's yours?

DVD Tuesday: It's Kind of a Funny Story

There are always movies that slip under the radar either due to bad marketing or a low budget. I hope to use this blog to expose some movies that you may have missed, but need to see.

Movie: It's Kind of a Funny Story

Starring: Emma Roberts, Zach Galifianakis, Keir Gilchrist

Released Date: September 26th, 2010

IMDB Tagline: A clinically depressed teenager gets a new start after he checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward.


It's Kind of a Funny story is really a movie about character, and less about plot. It's set in a mental ward of a New York hospital, and 90% of the movie takes place there, so it allows for a lot of development for each of our main characters. Bobby, played by the extremely talented Zach Galifianakis, looks out of place at first because he isn't your prototypical mental patient. He seems wise, calm, and more like he's on vacation then getting treatment. The subtle changes are wonderfully expressed by Galifianakis as he steals the movie. Galifianakis's charisma sells the audience on the Bobby character, but his underrated acting skills allow his arc to seem natural. His performance strengthens my theory that most comedic actors can give top level dramatic performances but most dramatic actors can't perform well in comedic roles. Dramatic actors get the grade-school gold star for effort, while comedic actors get Oscars. Best example is Tom Hanks, but that theory will be delved into another day.

But the heart of the movie is carried by Keir Gilchrist and Emma Roberts. The love story between the two teenage patients is both sweet and heartbreaking. Gilchrist and Roberts are pitch perfect in the roles. There's never a moment when you think, 'Oh, she would never go for him' or vise versa. Despite his solid performance, it's Roberts' vulnerability as Noelle that is the standout. Even though her screen time was less than her co-stars, Gilchrist and Galifianakis, she had me anticipating her next appearance. I do believe DNA plays a role in one's ability to be a top level actor and with her father (Eric Roberts) and aunt (Julia Roberts) already highly respected actors, it's only a matter of time before she is thought of as a leader of young Hollywood with the other Emmas -- Stone and Watson.

If you couldn't tell by my review, I highly recommend this movie, especially for readers who enjoy good writing and directing over plot heavy stories. It's not for people who need their movies to be depressing and raw. The story is lighter than say, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, but I don't believe the story is meant to show Craig (Gilchrist) is in any danger like Jack Nicholson's R.P. McMurphy in Cuckoos Nest, but rather that he's in his own head, and the ward gives him some prospective on his life. He meets people with real problems, and realizes that his life is not so bad -- a lesson most teenagers should learn.

Recommendation: Definitely rent this movie. It's worth a look.

Movie Monday: Concerts on the Big Screen

With this week's release of Glee the 3D Concert spectacular money grab or whatever its called, I thought about the new phenomenon that popped up in recent years. The snowball began with the Miley Cyrus 3D movie, which lead to the Jonas Brother, then, naturally to Justin Bieber. I have to admit, to Bieber's credit, his movie was actually watchable if you didn't like his music because his story is one of those amazing once in a lifetime occurrences.

While the 3D aspect of these "movies" is new, the concept of filming a concert and the charging a fee to watch it is nothing new -- especially in my family. There is probably a VHS of the famous New Kids on the Block pay-per-view concert (along with a few Wrestlemanias) from 1990 stashed somewhere in my childhood home. The teeny boppers of their day had their legions of fans just like Bieber and Cyrus, including one especially obsessed sibling of mine. So shelling out money to watch a concert outside of an arena is not a new phenomenon.

So, why the sudden uptick these types of movies?

The obvious answer is money. Disney, and Nickelodeon to a lesser extent, is a teen idol making machine. They are essentially the golden era movie studios of today. Each performer has to be able to sing, dance and act. OK, so maybe it's just two out of three. While each performer is talented, they are processed through the machine and then discarded when they are too old. At Disney, there was Cyrus, then Selena Gomez, then Demi Lovato and now, Bridget Mendler. And Nick has Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice, and those two special kids dancing. So these concert movies are a classic strike while the irons hot business decision.

But the real issue is that pre-teens have become more obsessed with these stars then the were back in the late 80s/early 90s. Sure, both generations bought the pins, stickers, magazines, puzzles, and whatever other kind of merchandise is for sale. But with the age of the Internet, kids can sit on their computers all day and obsess over whichever star is their favorite. It becomes scary (and lucrative) when the obsession is part of anti-social behavior because the kids become mini hoarder and will watch or buy just about anything involving their crush. I'm no psychologist, but 20 years ago, girls (and boys in some cases) would gather in a friend's bedroom and discuss which member of the band they liked best, or which pop stars hair style they wanted, and that was good because at least there was a chance they were socializing outside their bedroom and computer.

I know it's ironic that I discuss my concerns with sitting and reading things on the Internet, while I write a blog, but reading things on the Internet is not the problem, it's the constant need to watch, say, all things Bieber. Personally, I'm afraid it becomes an addiction, one which the movie companies feed into by creating these concert movies.

Now I may be completely wrong and people were just as obsessed and addicted to Tiffany or Debbie Gibson like they are with Bieber and Gomez. But it feels more dangerous and emotional now. Maybe it's because I grew up during the NSYNC and Britney Spears era, and I didn't feel that the girls I knew were as obsessed as my four-year-old niece is with Bieber. As long as these movies are successful, they will continue to be released. They only way they will stop is if parents decide that they don't want to shell out almost $100 to see something that could be cheaper live. But I bet today's kids wouldn't like a live concert as much because it is not on a screen of some kind.

Sports Friday: Culture Change in Sports Towns

I have gone to baseball games my whole life. Starting in the now-demolished Veterans Stadium and continuing at beautiful Citizens Bank Park. When I was younger, I'd go to the park and watch the Phillies any chance I got. I never worried about the team's record (usually terrible) or who was pitching (usually terrible). The only care I had was keeping score and hoping that the Phils would actually win a game.

I cheered my heart out for the likes of Ricky Otero, Kevin Sefcik, Mike Grace, Robert Person, Omar Daal, and Rico Brogna to give my team a lead. Then the 9th inning would arrive, and if they were lucky to have the lead, out would march the closer du jour. Whether it was Jose Mesa, Heathcliff Slocumb, Mark Leiter, or Jeff Brantley, I would still believe we would win. But alas, we usually didn't.

Rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1994 to 2000 was only for a masochist. Then, 2001. Many Phillies fan don't look back on this season as the turning point for the franchise, but in many ways it was the first brick on the road to the golden era. Despite the fact that the team was nowhere near worthy of a playoff spot, they took the Braves to the last week of the season before giving in to the inevitable. Even though that team ultimately failed, they created the spark that eventually rekindled Philadelphia's love of baseball. That spark didn't start the fire until the team signed Jim Thome (the flint?) and ushered in the Phillies place as a contending team.

Now you may be asking, why the walk down memory lane? or I don't care about the Phillies, why should I keep reading? Well, I believe this story is one that any team with a struggling baseball town can be inspired by. Sure, not every team will have the resources to assemble a $175 million dollar payroll, but the idea that all it takes is one successful season in a baseball market (Pittsburgh, I'm looking at you) to rekindle the love for the sport, is universal.

As I watch the Pirates from a far and see the passion that my friends from the Pittsburgh area are showing for the first time since I met them,  it's eerily similar to that 2001 season. A band of misfits who are playing above their heads, but most likely will fall short of the goal. My advice to Pirates fans is to enjoy this season, don't get frustrated if they don't win the division, and most importantly, keep going to the ball park. The only way to change the culture of a losing organization is to support them when they are doing well, whether you believe they will make the post season or not. If you need a point of reference, look at Penguins. Sure, they drafted three franchise players during their down years (something the Pirates haven't done), and that played a part in the turnaround. But what really built that new arena in your town was fan support.

If the 2001 Phillies taught me anything, it's that the smallest spark can start the competitive fire for a franchise. So sell out your beautiful ballpark, and the winning teams should come, and eliminate the ghost of Sid Bream.

TV Thursday: The Fine Art of the Teen Drama

Yes, I watch teen dramas. Everyone who knows me, knows this. I do not hide my love for these shows as I own a few on DVD. But I do have a problem with the over-saturation of the genre killing the effect on a generation these shows can have.

There is an art to writing a teen drama. Just like other genres, you have to weigh plot, character building, and tone. But you have the added pressure of the small attention spans of the 18-34 demographic, especially in the last five years. It seems like you can't build a love story as organically anymore. The best slowly build love story was Pacey and Joey, but things were different in the 90's. It took 18 episodes to pay off the Pacey-Joey build up, but now were lucky to get to the winter hiatus. This hyper-active story telling leads to my first point.

SHORT SHELF LIFE

These current versions need to be refreshed or ended by season four. There's only so many love triangles and drug addictions that can happen to one group of friends in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, the networks only look at the ratings (as they should) and allow the stereotype to perpetuate. Shows like Gossip Girl, 90210, and to a lesser extent, Degrassi have all been on the air way too long, and their characters have grown stale. Even a favorite of mine, One Tree Hill, has jumped a family of sharks as it heads (stumbles?) into its ninth and final thank god season.

Unlike some other genres, rotting teen dramas are easy to spot. They become very plot heavy and have more twist than an M. Night Shyamalan ending. This seems to be the illness of CW shows. While season one of Gossip Girl was quite good, its been a train wreck since. Its something I like to call....

THE O.C. SYNDROME

The show-killing illness is caused when you've done a great job of establishing the characters and their background, but then you don't take the same care when introducing new characters. After failing with the new characters, you begin writing crazy situations for your mains so that the show doesn't grow stale, but you end up losing the moral center/reality you established early on. The best example is, obviously, from the O.C.

Season one of the O.C. is quite possibly be the best single season of all time, but one decision in season two contributed to the downhill slide of the series: Sandy Cohen possibly cheating on Kirsten. Some laud this as showing that not every man is perfect, but I see it as losing the show's moral compass established in the pilot. Just like every story needs a good villain, it also needs the white knight that would never be corrupted. Dawson Leery comes to mind as the perfect example.

For the O.C., that man was Sandy Cohen. Once Sandy was allowed to be corrupted (even though he never followed through), every situation he gave out advice after that didn't have the same power for the audience. And once the series lost the moral center, everything else crumbled. Remember, this story line was established after the failed creation of the Lindsey character, which lead to the blundering of the Alex character. But there is a cure...

THE REBOOT

One Tree Hill had a disastrous second season following a solidly built foundation in season one. They're O.C. Syndrome was called Anna, Felix, and angry Mouth. Felix was the most useless character to reside in Tree Hill. He was meant as a foil to Lucas and a love interest for Brooke, but he did neither well. Anna was supposed to be a love interest for Lucas, but became the show's token gay character instead. And angry Mouth didn't work because the aggressive turn for his character made him like one of the poplar kids when his purpose was to be the moral grounding post for Lucas. But credit Mark Schwahn for realizing his mistake, getting rid of the characters and using the season's final episodes to set up the reboot of the series and head into arguably the series' best season.

He reestablished Mouth as a level-headed reasonable guy, and rewarded him with his first girlfriend. But most importantly, he resuscitated the heartbeat of the show by hinting at a Naley (Nathan and Haley for those not in the know) reunion, and finally allowing Lucas to admit he loved Brooke. With those subtle course changes and without resorting to a plot device, he was able to heal his show and continue it for two more years, and then extended the shows life with a five year jump for season five. But without the Reboot, the ship would have sunk like the O.C. did after four seasons.

FINAL THOUGHTS

For every Dawson's Creek, there a Secret Life of the American Teenager. For every One Tree Hill, there's a 10 Things I Hate About You (I seriously turned it off after 15 minutes). And for every The O.C., there's a Hidden Palms. Every genre goes through a period of over saturation, but teen dramas are the only ones that insults its audience by thinking a pretty cast cast will out-do good writing.

If you want to see writing in this genre at its best, I recommend The O.C. (Season 1), Dawson's Creek (Season 3), and One Tree Hill (Season 3). Also, there's a gritter, more realistic type of teen shows that are just as great, but are much different then the shows above. But I highly recommend watching My So Called Life and Freaks and Geeks to become a more well rounded teen drama fan.

So the next time you see a pilot for a teen drama, give it a chance. Teen dramas are the one genre of television that never grows old because there will always be a new batch of teenagers. Hopefully your generation's is more Dawson's Creek than 90210. If yours is 90210, do yourself a favor, and go watch Dawson's Creek.

DVD Tuesday: Is It OK to Own a Vin Diesel Movie?

Its time for...Why Do I Own That?!!

Movie: xXx

Starring: Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson, Asia Argento

How I acquired it: Purchased it the day it was released...sigh.

First off, how in God's name did this movie get a sequel? And who thought it was a good idea to cast Ice Cube in the lead? I would love to have been in on that meeting.

Anyway, back to the (better?) original. This movie is your run of the mill action-thriller. There are russians. They like vodka and techno. They want to destroy the world. They have a stupid name. And America (obviously) needs to stop them. So who does Agent Augustus Gibbons Samuel Jackson call on? The CIA? The FBI? Seal Team Six? Ghostbusters? Nope, he recruits Xander Cage, an "extreme sports athlete" who apparently is trustworthy enough that the government believes there's no way he could be seduced by money or women. Thankfully, they found the one anti-establishment rebel who is cool with keeping government secrets. Long boring story short, he saves the world in James Bond fashion, wins the heart of the sexy, eastern European double-agent (are there any others?), and kills all the marine life in Prague.

Now the $64,000 dollar question, why did I waste $20-something hard earned dollars on this "film"? Ignorance? Naivete? Maybe. But the real reason might be that I thought it was better when I was sneaking off to see it while on duty as an usher at a movie theater. But, then again I didn't buy that abortion of a boxing movie, Undisputed, or the completely forgettable (Literally, no one I know has seen this movie), FearDotCom.

Let's go through my check list. Hot Girl? Sorta. Good Writing? Haha. Good acting? Even Mr. Jackson mailed it in. Must see actress? No. So bad its good? Ding. Ding. This one definitely fits in this category, which honestly we could rename the Vin Diesel section. So I guess even mistake purchases have a purpose on your DVD rack as they remind you to rent before buy. Or give you something to watch with friends after you've finished a case (or two) of beer, and you don't feel like watching infomercials at 2 a.m.

Recommendation: Watch it high or drunk, preferably both...on Netflix instant.

Movie Monday: Must Watch Actresses List

As you may have noticed, there's a list of 5 actresses on the right sidebar. Now this isn't a shallow list that ranks the women because of their Hotness. While that does factor in, they also need to be able to act because there are hot girls in soap operas, but I'm not DVR-ing Days of Our Lives, or buying it on DVD (Do they put Soap Operas on DVD?). So enjoy the first installment of my Must Watch Actresses List.


5. Sarah Michelle Gellar

Well, it's nice to see my original favorite kick ass woman make an appearance on the inaugural list. Sarah had all but disappeared from mainstream film and TV following the alright final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After appearing in the awful Grudge 2, she began working the independent scene, including the insane but must see, Southland Tales along side Justin Timberlake and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Now, she is returning to the small screen in the CW thriller, Ringer, in which she plays a dual role as twin sisters. Needless to say I will be glued to this show no matter how awful the writing or the acting of her co-stars.

4. Alexis Bledel

Wow, has Rory Gilmore grown up. After all these years, those piercing blue eyes still make me stop and watch whatever movie or episode of Gilmore Girls I happen to come across. From the first time I saw her in Tuck Everlasting to my anticipation to see the Conspirator, I will watch her in anything including an embarrassing amount of viewings of The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (you may see two of her three co-star appear on this list at some point). She has a new movie about two teenage assassins with The Lovely Bones' Saoirse Ronan, in which Bledel looks to add action (and a new level of fandom of yours truly) to her resume.

3. Rachel Bilson

I watched the O.C. Yes, the whole series. Even that god awful fourth season with Hercules. And the reason I kept coming back episode after episode: Summer Roberts. Bilson has kept me tuned in to many movies and TV shows that I wouldn't have thought twice about. For example, 2006's The Last Kiss (really, it's been five years) was a tolerable movie, but I would have surely turned it off if Bilson's gorgeous smile never appeared on screen. With her new project from O.C. creator Josh Schwartz, Hart of Dixie, scheduled to premiere in the fall, I will finally be getting my weekly fill of Summer again.

2. Dianna Agron

Have I watched Glee? Yes. Will I admit it if you asked me? Maybe. Thankfully for my manhood, Agron starred in the respectable, I am Number Four, with Timothy Oly-fantastic, and future member of this list, Teresa Palmer (ah, accents). The smokey voice (I love a girl that's perfected the art of whisper talking), the stunning green eyes, and she can actually sing. She has the rare talent to pull off the local outcast loner and the poplar cheerleader, and not look out of place. The only other actress I've seen pull it off convincingly was Mandy Moore. Looking forward to her next big screen project, but for now I'll just look at her GQ photo shoot.

1. Emma Stone

It will be awfully hard to unseat Emma from the top spot. She's smart, quick-witted, beautiful, and one hell of an actress. I first discovered the future A-list star on the short-lived, little known 2007 Fox series, Drive, with underrated actor, Nathan Fillion. There's not much I can say that watching Stone's acting wouldn't say better. Start with Easy A, then proceed to Superbad, House Bunny, and then finish with Zombieland. If she doesn't instantly became one of your must watch actresses, then I don't know why your reading my blog.

*This list is very fluid, and actresses will come on and off, and move up and down frequently, so this is by no means definitive. Keep your eyes on the list, and when it changes I will explain why in the Monday post.


If you disagree, please feel free to leave an actress you would put on this list in the comments, or tweet it to @offthemarktweet.

Introduction

Hello, Everyone!

This first post will explain what to expect each day from this blog. I will be updating it Monday through Friday, and each day will have a theme.

Let's start with...

MOVIE MONDAYS

Starting next week (not tomorrow), this post will either contain a review of a movie in theaters, a rant of some kind, or thoughts on a phenomenon in the movie industry.

Tomorrow's post will explain the list you see in the sidebar.

DVD TUESDAYS

This will be dedicated to three things: Reviews of popular movies that were released on DVD/Blu-ray that week, a recommendation of a previously released DVDs that you may have missed, and a special monthly segment called, "Why Do I Own That?!!," where I write about a DVD in my personal library which is either embarrassing or a guilty pleasure.

TV THURSDAYS

Obviously, this is when I discuss all things on the small screen. There will be reviews of new series, recommendations of current, cancelled, or classic series and a special split post titled "How Did/Didn't that show get cancelled?" Also, within each post I will dedicate a section for the rant/observation/opinion of the week. Sort of like Jerry Springer's final thoughts.

SPORTS FRIDAY

I will lead you into the weekend with my thoughts on the sports stories of the past week, and a look ahead at the week to come.

When college football begins, I will also include my "Game of the Week." A segment which will discuss and predict the most noteworthy contest of the week, and will continue through March Madness, covering only college athletics (except the Super Bowl, of course).

The weekend will be for special posts or for answering questions for you, the loyal readers. Also, look out for the podcast that will be added for Sunday in the near future!

No, I didn't forget Wednesday. If you read the poll below, I'm allowing you to vote on it. The first Wednesday post will be for the week of the 8th.

Finally, I hope you decide to come along on this journey with me as I trek into the world of blogging. I look forward to reading all suggestions, questions and/or snide remarks. Also be sure to follow me on Twitter @offthemarktweet.