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Singer to Watch: Yoav

BuzzSugar — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0800

If you happened to catch Tori Amos on tour last Fall, you may have been treated to a musician named Yoav. Since taking his guitar on the road with Ms. Amos, he's been building up a nice little fan base for himself, but it wasn't until this week that those fans could buy his album.

Charmed and Strange is the debut album from this singer-songwriter. Apparently, most of the beats and effects in his songs are done using only his acoustic guitar, which is probably pretty cool to see live. Raised in South Africa and Israel, he relocated to New York and recorded this album in Oxford and Montreal. His work reflects these global sounds that have influenced his life.

Most of what I've heard gives me the sense he has a keen ear for radio-friendly pop melodies, and his stuff seems ripe for club remixing. I'm still getting used to his sound, though, so to check out a music video for the single "Club Thing" and let me know what you think, read more.

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FlashForward Breakdown, "The Gift"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:30:48 -0800

On this week's episode of FlashForward, we get some of those big payoffs that Sonya Walger promised. While the main characters' most important relationships grow more tense, the FBI agents learn more about the blue-hand situation, and the end of the episode has two very big twists.

There's plenty of excitement to discuss, so to get into it, just read more.

Call me Al: We don't learn much about Al in the first handful of episodes of the season, but boy do we get an eyeful and an earful this week. Turns out Al's flash-forward is a lot more jarring than just a dead bird - it's followed up with a phone call revealing that a still-mysterious chain of events ends in Al "accidentally" killing a mother of two. Throughout the episode Al seems to have a laid-back, collected demeanor (even when he opts in for a game of Russian roulette), but inside he's a mess. In the end, Al is so overcome with grief about having a death on his hands, that he decides to "change the game" and commits suicide. I have to admit, as heartbreaking as that scene is, I was kind of glad Al went through with it - just to prove that the flash-forwards aren't necessarily the future. Everything is changed now, the paths can be adjusted, and both Mark and Demetri realize this as they head home to their significant others. Now that they believe the visions can be adjusted, I can't wait to see what else they try to do to throw their visions off course.

My blue heaven: Following up on Demetri and Al's scavenger hunt to find the "blue hands," the fun continues this week as the FBI agents discover that the blue hands are actually a "death club," with meetings set up all over the country for people like Demetri who didn't see a flash-forward ("living ghosts"). It kind of reminded me of Fight Club, though Mark defines it as a "book club with bullets." The guys are hilarious in their street clothes headed to the party, though what they find inside is pretty horrific. After a quick game of Russian roulette, the guys enter what can only be defined as a torture den - people who believe they are going to die doing all kinds of creepy things to each other. I have to say, if I was one of those "living ghosts" I think I'd either be trying to do all the fun things I never got to do before - or I'd just want to get it over with. Why anyone would want to be tortured when he or she is already tormented by the idea of their inevitable death is beyond me.

Blast from the past: Aaron gets a visit from Mike, a friend and solider who served at the same time as Aaron's daughter Tracy. Mike passes on a Swiss Army knife to Aaron, a good-luck charm that Tracy wanted her dad to have should anything happen to her. Aaron is overjoyed since the knife also appeared in his vision, though Mike isn't exactly receptive to the notion that Tracy is still alive. He explains to Aaron that he watched Tracy die (though hello! He didn't even check to see if she was breathing), but surprise! Tracy is sitting in Aaron's kitchen at the end of the episode.

Other plot points:

As tensions rise between Demetri and Zoey, Demetri finally admits to Zoey that he didn't have a flash-forward and is going to die. Zoey refuses to accept it, insisting that should could feel Demetri in her vision and that nothing's been decided yet. Demetri seems skeptical about choosing Zoey's side to "hope" for the best, but after Al's suicide, he seems to have warmed up to the idea that he can change his fate.

Like Demetri, Al's death is a wake-up call for Mark. After suffering problems with Olivia (how sad is it when Charlie catches him crying?) he runs home and embraces her sweetly.

Instead of helping out at the church, Nicole lands a gig volunteering at Olivia's hospital. We learn that she speaks Japanese pretty will, and now is helping Bryce try to find the mysterious Japanese woman from his vision. Will this somehow lead to Nicole's scary vision? Is she sticking her nose where it doesn't belong?

What did you think of this week's episode? Do you think other characters will try to "change the game," too?

Movie Preview: Michelle Williams in Mammoth

BuzzSugar — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:30:38 -0800

Sometimes it's still hard to believe that Michelle Williams was once Jen Lindley on Dawson's Creek. She's completely broken out of that mold with her ongoing string of indie films like Wendy and Lucy and Synecdoche, New York, and now comes yet another dark choice to add to her resume.

Williams stars opposite Gael Garcia Bernal in the upcoming drama, Mammoth, which follows a young family whose world begins to crumble after a few bad decisions. Leo (Bernal) is a website mogul off on a trip to Thailand, Ellen (Williams) is his doctor wife, and the film spotlights their daughter's nanny, Gloria, as well. Judging by the trailer, things begin to implode after Leo goes to a club and takes up with a prostitute - and everyone, even Gloria, feels the consequences.

I'm already mentally preparing myself for Mammoth. Thanks to its global, interconnected stories set up, I'm thinking it will be on the same intensity scale as a Babel or Crash. (Which means it's probably a downer that I'll need to decompress from later). Still, that sort of riveting drama can make for a great watch - albeit stressful - and Williams and Bernal's performances look exceptionally good in this one. It comes to theaters November 20, but watch the trailer and tell me if you agree with my assessment when you read more.

Video of the Day: Kanye West and Spike Jonze's "We Were Once a Fairytale"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:30:21 -0700

Spike Jonze is the man today. After Where the Wild Things Are took the top box office spot over the weekend, the Internet is also buzzing with this new short film he made with Kanye West. I'm on a bit of a Jonze kick myself, so I was excited to check it out - especially since I liked their combined efforts on West's video for "Flashing Lights."

This film is called "We Were Once a Fairytale," and it features a drunken West acting belligerent at a club. (Maybe that's not a stretch given the Taylor Swift incident.) Up until about the six-minute mark, the footage is actually kind of boring, but then things get bizarre, and obscure Jonze imaginings start popping up, including a creature that could be the cousin to a Wild Thing, living in West's stomach. Really.

It's interesting to say the very least, so let me know what you think after you read more.

Glee-ful Highlights From This Week's Episode, "Vitamin D"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:30:00 -0700

Just when you thought Glee couldn't get any wackier than baby buying and middle-aged students, they go and take uppers. Yup, this week's episode didn't disappoint in the hilarity department, from the A-Rod steroid jokes to Sue's dear diary moment. I do wish there could have been more performances, though there were some serious strides in the story lines, particularly with Will and Emma.

In case you missed it, be sure to take our fun Glee quiz for a chance to win a hangout session with a cast member - at the finale of So You Think You Can Dance! Ready to get gleeky? Just read more.

After laying low on last week's episode, Sue is back with a vengeance. Not only does she convince Terri to take a position at school, but we also get a peek into her psyche during her ~~diary~~ journal-writing session. Call me crazy, but I never pegged her for the pensive writer type. Sue is actually the mastermind behind the boys/girls sing-off, thanks to some words of wisdom she passes on to Will over lunch. Check out her little speech in the video below.
Speaking of the lunchroom, can we talk about Will and Emma for a second? They really kick things up a notch this week, starting with the mustard incident and ending with a teary-eyed moment after Emma breaks the news to Will about her engagement to Ken. I know that Terri is insufferable (not to mention ridiculous), but it still seems out of character for Will to even consider a relationship with Emma - for all he knows, there's still a mini-Schu on the way!
Rachel and Quinn share a very tender, bonding moment by the lockers this week but will it last? They seem to be making headway, but I just can't imagine that they'll stay civil forever - it's only a matter of time before Finn's girl situation ("I like Rachel in a Swimfan kinda way) puts the ladies at odds once again.
It's Finn and his sleepy eyes that bring on the biggest laughs, after a little help from Nurse Terri. From the moment the boys vs. girls competition begins, you know that there are going to be some sneaky tactics involved, but "performance enhancers?" Too good. How amazing are the musical numbers with the kids flailing around on stage, while Mr. Schu has no idea what's actually going on? I particularly loved Rachel's little monologue ("Also, angels!") and Finn's dance moves. Check out a video of the guys' performance below.

I can't help but feel for Mr. Schu at the end of the episode: his wife is a nut, his true love is engaged to someone else, and now he has Sue for a glee club partner. He's punished for the secret that his kids kept from him, and I can only imagine what's going to happen when he inevitably discovers that Terri's been lying to him all this time too; though perhaps that's exactly the exit he needs to finally be with Emma.

So, who would you have voted for in the sing-off? Do you wish Will would dump Terri and just get with Emma already? Chime in with your comments, and head on over to the Glee Club to keep the fun going.

Kristen Bell to Shed Her Squeaky Clean Image For Burlesque

BuzzSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:30:31 -0700

It sounds like Kristen Bell may be growing tired being typecast as an adorably bubbly blonde - she's just signed on to star opposite Christina Aguilera in the musical drama Burlesque.

Bell will star as one of the club's headliners, a "loose cannon" who doesn't exactly welcome Christina Aguilera's character with open arms. Bell did the bad girl thing during her stint on Heroes, but for some reason I just can't see her as a risque pole dancer. Plus, she's supposed to be the big fish that intimidates Aguilera? Seems like it should be the other way around.

What's your take on this casting news? Can you envision Kristen scantily clad singing and dancing side by side with Christina Aguilera, or should she stick to what she knows?

Glee-Ful Highlights From This Week's Episode, Including Video!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:30:35 -0700

Just when Kanye West was defending "Single Ladies" as one of the best songs of all time, Glee swoops in with an entire episode dedicated to the tune. We've seen a ton of spoofs of the famous music video - Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg on Saturday Night Live, Joe Jonas - but I've gotta say that I think Kurt's version may be my favorite rendition so far.

This week was Kurt's magnum opus. He and Sue are quickly turning into my two favorite characters, and they both got lots of camera time to keep me happy. Of course it wasn't all about him - the show also included a shocker that should be interesting to see play out. (Big hint: It involves the episode title "Preggers.") Keep reading for my thoughts (warning, spoilers ahead), plus video of Kurt's Beyonce impression when you read more.

Kurt opens up the episode in a leotard (because "they wick sweat from the body") with a reproduction of "Single Ladies" - until his dad walks in. Check out the dance below. I'm a little over the Beyonce parodies, but Kurt's moves are spot-on, and he takes himself very seriously, which makes it all the more hilarious. I'm also kind of loving Mike O'Malley as Mr. Hummel. The scene where Kurt comes out to him gave me the warm fuzzies.

With the exception of "Single Ladies," the episode was fairly light on the musical numbers, which was kind of a disappointment. Where is the early '90s pop, guys? I hope they were just giving their vocal chords a rest after the music-heavy episode last week.
Having the football players dance = awkward and genius. Some of those guys really know how to body roll.

Quinn is pregnant? Ugh. I guess I should've seen that one coming. They don't make a character the president of the Abstinence Club and then not have her get knocked up. I'm a little annoyed with the whole covert adoption that's going to play out with her and Terri, but I can't wait to watch the news erupt that Finn isn't the baby daddy. (Although, if Finn had been paying attention in sex ed, he would've figured that out on his own by now.)
I was dying over Principal Higgins airline steward video for Mumbai Air. When they release Glee on DVD someday, I hope the full version is in the special features. Embolism-reduction stockings are surprisingly funny.
Rachel is wearing thin on me. Anyone else agree? When she gets P.O.'d over Tina's solo, I wanted to give that girl my two cents.
Sue's pro-caning speech on the local news was a highlight of the night. ("Yes we CANE.") I love hearing more from her, but towards the end of the episode, it seemed like they were trying to set up her news spots as a moral-of-the-episode lesson. I hope this doesn't become a regular thing - an earnest Sue just doesn't work for me.
My favorite line of the night was when Sandy says to Sue, "I'm living in a cocoon of horror!" How great is that scene at his house with the kimono and the doll collection? Creepsters. Second favorite: "My body is like a rum chocolate souffle. If I don't warm up right, it doesn't rise." That's courtesy of Kurt, of course.

What did you guys think of this week's episode? Did you like having the focus on Kurt? Did you miss the flashier production numbers? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. If you're a fan of the show, don't forget that you can join Whiplash's Glee Club Community group - then enter our contest to meet one of the cast members!

Photos courtesy of Fox

The New Moon Soundtrack - Revealed!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:30:45 -0700

Finally! For weeks, there's been gossip about which artists would land a coveted spot on the New Moon soundtrack, and now we have the final list. We knew that Death Cab for Cutie's "Meet Me on the Equinox" was going to make it on there, and Thom Yorke, Muse, and The Killers were rumored as well.

Still, I'm psyched to see a few unexpected names on the roster (like Bon Iver and Lykke Li), as well as some relatively unknowns. Alexandra Patsavas put it all together - she's also the music supervisor for Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl - and her eye for artists is always spot-on, so I can't wait to download the whole thing. The soundtrack hits stores October 20th, but until then, check out the full playlist and tell me what you think!

To see the full list, read more.

Death Cab For Cutie - "Meet Me on the Equinox"
Band of Skulls - "Friends"
Thom Yorke - "Hering Damage"
Lykke Li - "Possibility"
The Killers - "A White Demon Song"
Anya Marina - "Satellite Heart"
Muse - "I Belong to You (New Moon)"
Bon Iver and St. Vincent - "Rosyln"
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Done All Wrong"
Hurricane Bells - "Monsters"
Sea Wolf - "The Violet Hour"
Ok Go - "Shooting The Moon"
Grizzly Bear - "Slow Life"
Editors - "No Sound But the Wind"
Alexandre Desplat - "New Moon (The Meadow)"

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