Taylor Swift Concert

Taylor Swift and I

Taylor Swift came to perform at Beasley on October 23, 2007. Although it has been a few weeks since she came, I can't help but continue to sing her songs in my head all the time. With her self-written, catchy tunes, it is difficult not to! Taylor Swift, who is a seventeen year old country music sensation, tore up the stage while performing her hit songs from her debut album. She was very involved with the crowd and continued to thank them throughout the entire night for their love and support of her career. Her concert was very entertaining and her outgoing personality was really showcased. It was difficult to believe that she is so young!

Swift's CD came out last year and her first single, "Tim McGraw", became a hit. She garnered much attention and quickly retained a large fan base. She is relatable through her songs, and I think that is part of why she is so successful today.

During her concert, she performed almost every song on her self-titled debut CD. She prefaced almost every song with a story about how she came up with the idea, or at least made a statement regarding each song before she sang it. While performing one of her other singles, "Teardrops on My Guitar", she prefaced by saying that she had a huge crush on her friend name Drew and he didn't know, but he knows now!

The audience happily sang along with almost every one of her songs that she performed. She even performed an acoustic cover of Rihanna's hit song "Umbrella" on her guitar, as well as performing the hit song "I ain't Missing you at all."

After the concert, Swift made time to meet with her fans to sign autographs and personally thank them for purchasing her CD. I waited in line to meet her, and was greeted by her smiling, excited to meet me, and thanking me for purchasing her CD. It was really a delight to meet such a sweet and talented young woman who was grateful for her success.

Reality show invasion

This fall, two new shows in the reality genre are hitting the airwaves on the E! channel. Once again, these shows are taking celebrities lives and taping them to be entertainment for the masses. As a part of those masses, I have tuned in to some of the new shows' first episodes of the season. While I definitely have my preference of the two, I'll talk about both of them so you can decide which sounds more interesting.

The first show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, is a show about an interesting mixed family, to say the least. Kim Kardashian, a favorite among paparazzi, and her 5 siblings all live together with their mother and her famous husband, Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner. The show tapes this large families' daily lives full of television appearances, family drama, and paparazzi encounters.

On the last episode, Kim was a guest on the Tyra Banks show, where she was bombarded with questions on her infamous sex tape scandal. Kim's amazement and horror that this was all Tyra really wanted to talk about was somewhat humorous to me. Does she not realize this is her main claim to fame? While many celebrities are famous for their careers in music or television, Kim is famous for being a rich 20-something who had a sex tape. When there is no career to talk about, it makes me wonder what she thought Tyra COULD talk to her about. The show is packed with this kind of over-the- top, completely unreal situations.

Overall, the show is good for some amazed laughs and "are you kidding me?" reactions for half an hour. If you enjoy watching the lives of the rich and famous, especially those that are rich and famous for no reason, then this is the show for you. Otherwise, if you're looking for a show with down to earth people and values, then keep looking.

The other show that is new to the E! network this fall is Kimora Lee Simmons: Life in the Fab Lane. This show documents the daily life of Kimora, the ex wife of Richard Lee Simmons, founder of Def Jam Records and Phat Farm clothing line. Kimora is a self-proclaimed mogul, mother, and CEO of her own clothing company, Baby Phat. Her show portrays her as an eccentric but hard working woman, struggling to run a company, family, and personal image.

At first I couldn't stand this show because it seemed like Kimora was so rude to almost everyone she encountered, from employees to fans. Then I realized that she is simply a flamboyant personality who acts this way in order to get ahead and have things done the way she needs them. Still not the most respectable way to be, but highly entertaining to watch. She is an incredible performer, and this is her act.

This show grows on me more and more, and I think it is admirable that she keeps so many things in her life running smoothly, all while taping a show. If it sounds entertaining to you, check it out on the E! channel Sunday nights at 10.

Mortensen Delivers on His "Eastern Promises"

David Cronenberg tackles more than just the modern ethnic family mob drama in Eastern Promises (2007). Cronenberg, who also made a mafia drama in an unconventional way with Viggo Mortensen as his leading man with A History of Violence (2005), is not a torch bearer in taking on the genre of mafia film. We have seen plenty family mob movies, mostly Italian, but Eastern Promises exposes the London underworld of the Russian mafia (also plenty of Russian titles) with a very cleaver plot, brilliant cinematography, solid acting, powerful relationships, and a plethora of controversial social themes.

Naomi Watts gives a solid performance as a half Russian doctor who happens upon a girl who is pregnant with a baby conceived from a rape by the Russian mob boss. The mother dies during birth but Watts is determined to find the baby’s extended family. When Watts tracks the mafia family down with information from the girl’s diary, the family finds that they must destroy the diary that contains potentially incriminating information.

Mortensen, a driver and bodyguard for the mob boss’s son is torn between his own altruistic tendencies and advancing in the underground world. Mortensen does a remarkable job, with beard shaved and covered in tattoos, looking as intimidating as ever, as well as perfecting a very convincing Russian accent. Mortensen is transformed from a villain early in the film, to the protagonist by the end – a transformation I thought nearly impossible from my early reaction to the character. The shift in Mortensen’s character occurs when it is realized that certain “Eastern Promises” were not kept.

Although constant vodka consumption and general stereotyping of Russian crime is embraced by the Cronenberg, the film finds a way to make the characters unique and the film distinct in its own place in the crowded genre. Under-riding the surface story of mafia violence is the sad story of girls sold into prostitution to fund the family’s operation – this further social exploration is an element missing from many mob dramas – and resulting from this decision we learn not to glorify the action and gore of the culture, but to gasp at the gore of the way those who are most helpless are the ones suffering from the violence.

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Hit Fall TV Shows

The leaves on the trees are changing colors. It's starting to get colder out. School is getting busier and busier. But are you more excited to watch your new shows then Halloween coming up? Or putting on your new fall sweater? If so, don't feel guilty. Many people look forward to fall JUST for the new shows.
With the past few weeks being huge series premiers, there is almost too much to watch. I'll highlight a few of the shows that I've personally seen, give input on the premiers, and (gasp) good shows that are at the same time slot. What to do??
I'll start of with a favorite of many, Grey's Anatomy. Can the show do well without two of its main characters, Addison and Burke? As we know, Isiah Washington's character is no longer on the show due to the actor's problems. Need more information? Just search his name on google. Addison's new show, Private Practice, is guaranteed to garner many viewerds. But will Grey's be the same? After the first episode, I found myself missing Addison on the show. After vocalizing my beliefs to the other 6 girls in the room, we came to a consensus that she should come back to Grey's. I don't think its going to happen, but there's hope, right? The premier episode began with the main characters recieving their own interns. George, unfortunately, it an intern again and it will be interesting to see how he makes it through the year. IF he makes it through the year. IF his marriage stays intact. Who knows now, after he told Izzy he loved her back! Speaking of love, who knows what is going on with McDreamy and Meredith. Personally, I think he is too good for her. She has too many issues to be in a relationship..and are they broken up now, and seeing each other casually? I guess we will see. Can't wait to see what happens next week!

Rating: 4 Busch Lights out of Five. I miss Addison!

With the OC being dead, is there room for another teen drama? The CW seems to think so, as they hired Josh Schwartz to produce the new drama Gossip Girl. It takes place in the Upper East Side of NYC, and focuses on the "poor little rich kids" and their dramas. Based on the book by Cecily von Ziegesar, I think this show it sure to be a hit. Personally, I have read some of the books when I was younger, so I am familiar with the backstory. I knew I had to check out the TV show. I think the casting is superb, the actors are similar to how they are described in the book. The show's intoxicating and addictive plot line will sure to keep viewers coming back for more every week.
Rating: 3 Busch Lights of of Five. Interesting, but I think it will fizzle out in the next year or two. Look at what happened to the OC!

A Barenaked Week in the Sun

Sound like fun?? It's not what you think.
For the second year, the Canadian group Barenaked Ladies are hosting a week long cruise on a Carnival cruise ship. Even though it's only the second year of the event, it's been named Ships and Dip III, due to the amazing success of Ships and Dip I. Tyler Stewart of BNL says, "Screw Ships & Dip II, last year was so awesome, we're going straight to 3!! Not 3-D, though, that'd be crap." The ship leaves Sunday, January 27, 2008 and will travel from Miami to the Grand Cayman's and Jamaica. Members of Barenaked Ladies will be on board all five days of the cruise, and are being joined by Guster, The New Odds, Jason Plumb and Gaelic Storm.
According to the BNL website, the cruise will include:
* all meals (there's gourmet fare in the formal dining rooms, casual indoor and outdoor grills open for meals throughout the day and 24 hour room service)
* non-carbonated beverages (i.e. tea, juices, coffee)
* free entrance to hot spots like the ship's disco, casino and piano bar
* use of the ship's beautiful pools and giant waterslide (all with plenty of deck space to enjoy a cocktail and some great music)
* use of the ship's health and fitness center
* Camp Carnival facilities if you're bringing your children
* taxes, gratuities, port charges and ticketing are added at check-out and pre-paid for you ($119 per person)

This is all in addition to a week's worth of live music and shows by Barenaked Ladies and special guests!

Those who attended last year's cruise have nothing but great things to say about their week in the sun with this incredible band. It's an incredible idea, and something that not many artists do!
So if you love Barenaked Ladies, make your reservations for this amazing week of music! The website is www.shipsanddip.com.

Survey!

Justin Timberlake Concert

Justin Timberlake. The Tacoma Dome. September 8th, 2007. Every teenage girl's fantasy, right? When I first heard Justin Timberlake was coming to the Seattle area, I knew I had to get tickets. I wanted to re-live my boy band-loving youth, and I felt I owed it to my thirteen-year old self to go see the leader of NSYNC in concert.
Okay, that is a lie. I love Justin. I would go see him anyways...and I did.
I bet you are wondering how old I am. Well, as a 21-year-old JT fan, I have to say that it was the best concert I have ever been to. And, I do admit, I did scream like a teenage girl when he performed part of an NSYNC hit, "Gone".
The concert began with, literally, an explosion of screams when Justin first came out and sang his first song, "Future Sex/Love Sound". With a full band, backup dancers, and singers, it really was a fantastic show. JT really is a unique performer.
The show was definitely unique, with its stage in a shape similar to the Greek letter "phi" and "theta" together. Around the edges of the oddly shaped stage, there were a few VIP seats, which were bar seats. There was literally a bar on the side of the stage, for which those lucky fans were served drinks all night. At one instance, the lovely JT proposed a toast to the audience, which everyone went crazy for. There were curtains that doubled as a video screen, which was played up and changed depending on each song.
I was happily surprised when he played some of his own instruments. He played piano multiple times, guitar, and keyboards among others.
One of the highlights of the show was when he performed "What Goes Around/Comes Around". He held a portable camera up close to his face, and thanks to the lovely curtains, we could see him close up. If that weren't enough, at the end of the song he moved the camera away from his face, and slowly down his tie, and stopped at his belt. I literally saw a girl, out of the corner of my eye, scream until she had to sit down. It was insane, but in a fabulous way!
Justin performed all of the songs from his most recent CD, and the set and curtains changed to show off the "flavor" of each song. My personal favorite was when he sang "Chop Me Up", and the set and the video/curtains turned into a fun city at night.
Overall, the concert was amazing. Justin truly is a spectacular performer. Yes, I am 21, but I'm not ashamed that I STILL love him!

Rating: 5 Busch Lights out of 5!!