Movie of the Week: The Hobbit

I planned on doing a review of The Hobbit opening day, but I was too tired from seeing the midnight showing, and then I thought I should also see it in 3D before I did.  The Hobbit was an incredibly entertaining, but it was longer than it should've been for the theatrical version.

The beginning with Ian Holmes and Elijah Wood was for the most part unnecessary, but it was a reminder of its connection to The Lord of the Rings and what is to come.  There were many parts that serve as hints as to what's to come, but this was one that did not need to be there.  Rather, it should've just been Ian Holmes or Cate Blanchett (instant shivering orgasm when she narrates) narrating the taking of the Lonely Mountain by Smaug, much like The Lord of the Rings.

Chris Hardwick's New Nerdy Deal

Deadline reported that nerdy pop culture entrepreneurial god Chris Hardwick has landed a deal with BBC America in hosting a 10-episode variety talk show named after his internet empire The Nerdist.  Only 10 episodes?  How British of them!  The show will entail "celebrity guests, UK and U.S.-based correspondents, and stand-up and musical performances."  The Nerdist TV program will hit your TVs in Spring 2013 on Saturdays to round out the extremely nerdy lineup of Doctor Who, Being Human, and Orphan Black, hosted by Chris Hardwick as well.  Hardwick will produce under his production company Nerdist Industries. 

Best Albums of 2012

2012 was a wonderful year for music in all genres!  While last year belonged to rock and pop with the likes of Adele and Florence + the Machine, this year for me belongs to country and folk.  This year saw the return of Sinead O'Connor and The Cranberries at full force, great follow-up albums, and significant debuts.

10. December Well (Mike Vass)

I've already gone in depth this album.  The only thing that kept it from being higher up is that it may be too seasonal.  But, hey, it beat out the rest of the competition!  Check out my previous post on it.

Follow Mike Vass over at his website, twitter, youtube, and facebook.

Buy his album at his website, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, or iTunes.

Let's Hear it For the Girl: Looking Forward to "Girl Meets World"

Fifteen years ago the Disney Channel was my jam. After a long hard day in middle school I'd come home and quickly reserve my spot on the floor at the end of my parents' bed in front of their tiny bedroom TV and watch. Between the hours of 3 and 6 pm Disney Channel programming was gold. Growing Pains, Brotherly Love, Flash Forward, The Torkelsons and, of course, Boy Meets World occupied those hours between school and family dinner. Let's not forget the weekends and summers either. My friends and I can go several rounds discussing our favorite Disney Channel Original Movies or have extensive conversations that start with "remember Zoog Disney??"

Admittedly, I haven't watched the channel in several years. Being a 27 year-old adult with a job and everything, I've kind of grown out of it. However, upon hearing the news of the channel's new show, "Girl Meets World," I suddenly made a mental note to add the Disney Channel back into my favorites list.

While creating the list of shows I watched during what I consider the DIsney Channel's prime, I noticed something.

Luke Winslow-King's The Coming Tide

Luke Winslow-King has been gently rocking the New Orleans music scene with his elegant mix of blues, folk, ragtime, and old-timey.  His latest album The Coming Tide, featuring Esther Rose, has made waves across the country, enough to be signed to Chicago-based label Bloodshot Records, joining the likes of The Riptones, Bobby Bare, Jr., Bryan Adams, Neko Case, Ha Ha Tonka, Kelly Hogan, and other incredible acts.  Under the new label, he'll be re-releasing The Coming Tide with bonus tracks in March of next year.

I Want To Be the Girl On Fire

"I want to be Alicia Keys!" Katie Couric declared on her show last week. Keys was a guest and had just performed a song from her new album, Girl on Fire (released today: 11/27). At this point you can probably guess that this post isn't about my desire to be Katniss Everdeen (not this time at least).

Admittedly, I've never considered myself a big Alicia Keys fan. True, I love many of her singles and find her vocal and musical talent incredible. Still, it wasn't until learning more about her last week that I began to think we should all be more like Alicia Keys.

I realize not all of us can sing like she can or play piano like she can or even write songs like she can. We can't all produce our own music either, or were the valedictorian of our high school class, but I'm not talking about all that. Last week I learned more about her philanthropic efforts and found myself inspired, impressed and a little surprised that I didn't already know all she does. But, maybe that's intentional: Keys not telling her right hand what the left is doing. Gotta love that.

Celtic Corner: Mike Vass' December Well

As reported last year, Mike Vass was working on a project called December Well, in which he wrote and recorded tunes inspired by the Scottish December. The result is an album of wintry wonder that is available on December 10.