Thursday, November 26, 2009

Completely un-"twitten" by Twilight

This week was marked by “Twihards” awaiting the premiere of New Moon, the latest movie installment of the ever-popular Twilight book series.

Twilight is unarguably the most influential “literature” on the market for teen girls today. I understand that fantasy is a dominant trait in youth fiction’s genre, but is this the kind of example that should be showcased?

The saga: Bella meets vampire Edward and becomes completely smitten with him. Bella and Edward breakup (gasp) and Bella slips into depression, considering suicide. Finally, Bella decides that in order to be with her true love, she must become a vampire, forever changing herself.

The books give an unrealistic expectation for love and no earthly male can live up to Edward’s standards. Bella portrays a classic ‘damsel-in-distress’ role, fully dependent on her better half. She is an example to girls that they are nothing without their man—something I'm sure all parents dream about for their daughters.

In addition to teaching girls how to pine for their boyfriends and turn over their souls, Twilight's success is a slap in the face to authors who have actually earned their place among the best-selling lists.

I hope the excessive popularity of all things Twilight will end before its lingo moves from Urban Dictionary to Merriam-Webster.

Today's verdict: People have taken the term "fan" and morphed into something that Merriam-Webster never saw coming.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

May your days be merry and bright...


It’s here. Or should I say, it's here!

Television commercials are flaunting holiday shopping deals and the stores are draped in red and green. This can only mean one thing—the rest of the world has finally caught up with me.

As someone who pulls out my Frank Sinatra Christmas classics on Labor Day and decorates the ol' Tannenbaum the day after Halloween, I've been awaiting ABC Family's month-long gift of airing holiday classics. For this Christmas-fanatic, nothing rings in holiday cheer more than the 1954 classic, White Christmas.

I scoff a “Bah! Humbug!” to those who have labeled the film a cheesey, staged, Bing Crosby publicity deal. Christmas just can’t be Christmas without this movie full of Irving Berlin favorites articulated by a more-than-capable cast.

Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) team-up to form a successful song-and-dance act after serving together in WWII. When the duo meets two singing sisters, Judy (Vera-Ellen) and Betty Hanes (Rosemary Clooney), they decide to join the women and spend their show's holiday break at Columbia Inn in Vermont, where the sisters are slated to perform.

After a train car singing performance of “Snow” (in four-part harmony, nonetheless), the travelers arrive in Vermont to find dry ground, and Wallace and Davis discover that their former general now owns the lodge they are staying at.

With full-fledged Christmas spirit, the foursome decides to bring Wallace and Davis' show, “Playing Around,” to the inn to boost the lodge’s business and the spirits of the men’s former general. Amidst the musical numbers, the characters find time to do a little matchmaking on the side.

Regarded as one of the best singers of his time, Crosby's smooth baritone carries the film’s defining favorites, such as “White Christmas,” “Count Your Blessings,” and “What Can You Do With a General?” The crooner’s virtuosity is a perfect counterpart to Kaye’s comedic clumsiness—which is quickly exposed as an act every time the audience witnesses Kaye's impressive dance moves.

Clooney's vocal jazz is rich and smooth—almost like the maple syrup that is so characteristic of Vermont. Her harmonies with Crosby create strong, steady performances of White Christmas’ unforgettable songs. Vera-Ellen's singing talent is only featured in group numbers. Perhaps because she is too busy displaying her undeniable agility in the movie's dance-focused numbers.

Though the plot of the film is predictable, the movie's story is enhanced with the singing and dancing. With two renowned singers in Crosby and Clooney and two acclaimed dancers in Kaye and Vera-Ellen, the talent in the movie is impossible to go unnoticed. However, so is Vera-Ellen's severe battle with anorexia...

Director Michael Curtiz' balance of music and acting carried the movie to its success. In addition to earning Irving Berlin an Oscar nod for Best Original Song (“Count Your Blessings”), White Christmas was among the highest grossing films of 1954.

Even though White Christmas is more than 50 years old and doesn't feature the special effects that we have grown to take for granted, its story is timeless. With a theme of giving and coming together, the movie spells out the true meaning of Christmas.

With that warm-fuzzy, I'm making myself a mug of hot chocolate and starting the season the right way—dreaming of a white Christmas.
Today's verdict: 55 years later, and Bing is still at the heart of Christmas

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Taking aim at "Battle Studies"

Six days and counting. I am eager, yet nervous. John Mayer’s new album Battle Studies will be released on Nov. 17 and I’m afraid of being disappointed.

While waiting for the album to be released, anxious fans/critics are listening to sneak-peek, 30-second clips from Battle Studies, in addition to its full-length single “Who Says.”

“Who Says” exhibits Mayer's acoustic ability, but it's perhaps too familiar. Musically, the song sounds like his Continuum ballads “Heart of Life” and “Stop This Train.” Lyrically, the song is less than riveting, but when the first line is “Who says you can’t get stoned?” you can't expect earth-shattering revelations. However, this may be one of Mayer’s most personally descriptive songs--an autobiography in music form.

The clips of intros and choruses from the rest of the songs off Battle Studies are coy snippets that leave you wanting more—as in, OK, where are you hiding the good stuff we’re used to hearing? Overall, the intros are quality examples of soft rock and Johnny’s featured guitar. But the choruses have little impact, which is disappointing from a man who declares himself a writer as much as a musician. You can only hope the rest of the songs’ lyrics will add meaning to their choruses.

Listening so far, Battle Studies sounds different from the beloved Continuum, and Mayer prepared us for this. Although not devastated, I'm not yet dazzled. I just hope that the album’s title, as well as its songs “War of My Life,” “Heartbreak Warfare,” and “Assassin,” are only in reference to his tumultuous public relationships, and not to a (nearly) midlife music crisis.

I just pre-ordered my album. Now all there is to do is wait.

Today's Verdict: Sometimes it is best to believe in the sayings we repeat to comfort ourselves--Good things come to those who wait.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

What begins as an assignment

Okay, here I am. Now what? Is this where I say, “Are you there, world? It’s me, Megan.” Or do I just greet the people? Either way—Hello world, it’s Megan. And, welcome.

Double majoring in journalism and communications and finding myself in my fifteenth year of schooling (really, 15?!), I have many times said, “I wish I could just write about topics I want to write about.” And, here it is—a class-required blog that tells me to do just that.

How does that saying go? Be careful what you wish for?

In a day where print seems to be quickly leaving us, and the cyber world welcomes us with open arms, I am excited to explore this new medium. It is starting as an assignment for a Critical/Editorial journalism class. I will see where it ends up taking me.

Personally, I hope to continue the blog because I have found writing to be a method of self-awareness and constancy—two things everyone needs in life. With professional aspirations of writing, I hope to continue the blog because I grew up hearing, “You’re only the best at the things you do the most.” Thanks, Dad.

Here embarks an indefinite journey.
Today’s verdict: Dads, though often quirky, sometimes give the best advice.
MKB