BuzzSugar

Caption It: Which Caption Should Win?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:30:52 -0700

Recently on Weeds, Alanis Morissette joined Justin Kirk for a conversation near a Ms. Pac-Man arcade game.

It's a funny photo, so thanks for all of your suggestions in this week's Caption It challenge! There can only be one winner, though, so here are the finalists:

"I bet you ten matzos you can't beat my top score!"
"No, you may not. MR. Pac-Man is in the kitchen."
"I oughta know what?"
"She doesn't love you but wants you to be her illegitimate son's daddy? Oh, that is SO just rain on your wedding day."

Photo courtesy of Showtime

Album Review: Alanis Morissette's Flavors of Entanglement

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:30:48 -0700

Most people own one Alanis Morissette album: Jagged Little Pill. For those of a certain age, it's an album that defined our teen angst and shouted to our lovers of yore a loud, angry "F You!"

Alanis went on to record more albums, and some were successful (Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie went platinum three times) while others were not (her last album So-Called Chaos peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart), but none were quite as beloved as Jagged.

Some critics have attributed the disappointment of Chaos to Alanis' "domestic bliss" at the time, which now appears to be over as a result of her broken engagement to Ryan Reynolds. I'd like to counter that her recent musical downfalls have occurred because she was the lead producer. With her new album, Flavors of Entanglement, Alanis lets someone else run the show, something she hasn't done since Jagged.

That someone is producer Guy Sigsworth, and he is a breath of fresh air. He takes Alanis in a new direction, closer to the sounds of other artists that he's produced including Imogen Heap, Bjork and Madonna ("What it Feels Like for a Girl"), while not leading Alanis too far astray. Thankfully, this is not a transition like Jewel's disastrous 0304, it's more of a graduation. What results is an Everything but the Girl-esque sound mixed with Morissette's always strong lyrics, which, when combined, result in her strongest album in more than a decade.

To read my initial thoughts of each of the tracks, read more.

"Citizen of the Planet": Good introduction to the album, starts quiet and slow, but then grows to a more rocking anthem. When it gets going, it sounds similar in tone to something from Evanescence.
"Underneath": This is the first single from the album. It's a safe, logical choice. While the song is smooth and pretty with a catchy chorus, I prefer the video. I'm looking forward to the next single.
"Straitjacket": The anger we all remember from Jagged returns. Alanis yells the F word and frequently quips "this sh#t's making me crazy." The anger is offset with an electro-pop '80s sound. Me likey.
"Versions of Violence": Starts as a slow and sensuous ballad that transitions into something you'd imagine Bjork rocking in her heyday. One of the best.
"Not as We": The first true ballad, where she sings about "starting over again." With the first four tracks so strong and upbeat, this one feels a little out of place. Not a bad song per se, but it would have made more sense at the end of the disc.
"In Praise of the Vulnerable Man": This would have been the better follow up to "Versions of Violence." Not quite a ballad, not quite an anthem, this pop-y ditty praises the brave, sexy, and yes, vulnerable man. Moving on.
"Moratorium": On first listen, "Moratorium," is one of my favorites on the album. And it's probably the least Alanis-y. It's a serious, but bubbly, electronic song that sounds like it could have been ripped from a Frou Frou album, a band that Sigsworth formed with Imogen Heap.
"Torch": Of all of the songs, "Torch" definitely has the the most heartbreaking lyrics. "I miss your smell, and your style, and your pure abiding way. Miss your approach to life, and your body in my bed." The words are coupled with moving guitar and string arrangements. If I weren't at work, this one might make me weepy. Might.
"Giggling Again for No Reason": Very Everything but the Girl. Nothing revolutionary, but it has a fun dance vibe.
"Tapes": This is where the album starts to come to a close. "Tapes" is a slower ballad where Alanis states that she's "someone easy to leave, even easier to forget." The music itself isn't quite as depressing, the chorus moves along happily.
"Incomplete": This is probably my least favorite song on the album. I don't know why, but the beginning reminds me a little of Madonna's "Hey You" (not a good thing!). I would have preferred "Tapes" or "Not as We" to close out the album.

Have you heard the new Alanis yet? If so, what do you think? If not, will you be making the purchase?

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Link Time! 5/22

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:04:46 -0700

MTV Movies Blog takes a look at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's new exhibit Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.
Popwatch has an interview from Cannes with Mike Tyson and James Toback all about Toback's documentary Tyson.
Cinematical takes a look at the women of the Indiana Jones movies.
Curious about Alanis Morissette's latest song and music video? Head over to Stereogum to check it out.
GiveMeMyRemote has a first look at Chuck the Comic Book.
FilmExperience has intensely mixed feelings about the casting news that Jake Gyllenhaal will be portraying a Persian prince.
TV With MeeVee is deeply concerned with the upcoming season of Weeds. . . or maybe they're just paranoid.
FilmSchoolRejects lists their Ten Most Memorable Indiana Jones Moments. What are yours?

Buzz News Roundup, 12/17

BuzzSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:30:59 -0800

Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien will return to the air Jan. 2. The Futon Critic has Conan's full statement along with Jay's take.
Meanwhile, David Letterman is working on a plan to bring his show back - writers and all, writes The Hollywood Reporter.
The release date for the Bryan Singer/Tom Cruise film Valkyrie has been pushed back from July 4 to October 2, Variety reports.
Jon Favreau and country music stars Tim McGraw and Dwight Yoakam are joining the cast of Four Christmases, which stars Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, writes ComingSoon.
Billboard has new details on Alanis Morissette's new album, which will bring together folk, world, and experimental pop music.
The American Film Institute has named its top movies and TV shows of 2007, USA Today reports, including No Country for Old Men and Friday Night Lights.
NBC has set a February premiere date for Quarterlife, the online series it's re-purposing for TV, Zap2it reports.
According to Variety, Emmy Rossum will star in Dragonball, the movie based on the Japanese manga.

Photos courtesy of NBC

Link Time! 11/1

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:28:42 -0700

SuperheroHype found a new image from the next Batman movie, The Dark Knight.
Cinematical found a hilariously groovy clip from an instructional video on how to breakdance - featuring a young Vin Deasel.
Rolling Stone's Rock & Roll Daily has details on what Alanis Morissette's up to these days, including a new album and the possibility of more parody songs.
Popwatch wants to know what the top ten viral videos of the year are.
Check out Will Arnett and Amy Poehler in a new Gap ad at Give Me My Remote.
FilmExperience explains why the kiss between George and Mary in It's a Wonderful Life is so well-done.
TV with MeeVee is loving The Simpsons video game.

ShockTilYouDrop is featuring a comic book companion piece to the upcoming Will Smith movie I Am Legend.
Lifeline Live has the details on a live Project Runway event in New York next week.
AquariumDrunkard is heading down to New Orleans for the 2007 Voodoo Fest.

Music Video: Alanis Morissette, "My Humps"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:20:10 -0700

For all these years that Alanis Morissette has been working the fiesty pop star thing, she may have been missing her true calling - as the female Weird Al Yankovich. Now, I normally find Alanis pretty annoying, but I think Fergie is infinitely more annoying, and that is why I love this music video for Alanis's cover of "My Humps."

By turning the horrendous Black Eyed Peas hit into an earnest, forlorn ballad, Morissette highlights just how laughable these song lyrics really are. Her down-tempo version would be funny on its own, but with the melodramatic, ghetto-fabulous visuals, it's pretty brilliant. To watch, read more

Thanks to Idolator for posting the video.
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Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:30:03 -0700

Please, Tracy Morgan, join Twitter! Check out the public plea, all you 30 Rock fans - Best Week Ever
Emma Stone talks about shooting zombies - Rotten Tomatoes
A list of the 13 best South Park episodes (with clips!) - TV.com
Alas, another Simpsons movie looks unlikely. Sigh . . . - Moviefone
A Mike Tyson biopic? It'll happen if Jamie Foxx gets his way - MTV Movies Blog
David Bowie and Iggy Pop get Lego'd - Stereogum
Bored to Death gets picked up for a second season on HBO - The Futon Critic
Concert video of Kelly Clarkson covering The White Stripes, Alanis Morissette, and Kings of Leon - Rolling Stone
Take this tech quiz on last night's episode of The Hills - GeekSugar
Mariah Carey dishes on her new album . . . and wearing Nick's clothes?! - HitFix