While Billy Idol's self titled debut is peppered with undying, beloved radio hits like Dancin With Myself and White Wedding (still excellent despite their being overplayed), but the lesser known songs are a worthy listen that evokes images of teen 80s movies.

Hot in the City could role over the credits as a great spring break comes to an end with a beach side party, Dead on Arrival: played over a gang of suburban best friends in the big city for the day – most likely with a sun roof to pop their exuberant heads out of, Nobody's Business But My Own, again over credits – this time an outsider has triumphed over a douche bag and won the girl – they share a kiss someplace far from the prom she left the douche bag behind at, and So Cruel is a mid movie heartbreak montage – he is in a jean jacket, gazing into a body of water with perfect pompadour hair, she is throwing a stuffed animal aside that he had previously in the film won for her at an arcade.

You get the picture. It makes for fun daytime daydreaming listening.

See more: Albums 1980s Punk

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Posted on September 28, 2009

Kurt Vonnegut is an utterly beloved author by anyone that's discovered his equally humorous and gravely poignant novels, but he is rarely given satisfactory adaptation to screen. His time traveling anti war sensation Slaughterhouse Five, adapted in 1972 by George Roy Hill, is an exception.

It's been many years since I read the book, but the film to my memory seems to capture the languid fatalism and realistic surrealism of the book personified perfectly by the toothy smiled, calm voiced Michael Sacks as Billy Pilgrim. Even Vonnegut is a fan, which is rare among novelists of their big screen interpretations. He said “I drool and cackle every time I watch that film, because it is so harmonious with what I felt when I wrote the book.”

The cinematography is appropriately lovely considering Miroslav Ondricek (Amadeus) is behind the camera, and the exceptional Glenn Gould supplies the Bach. While the film may not have captured the intricacies of the novel, it captures the essence and gets one in the mood to re-read his novels (for some of us for a third time).

See more: Movies 1960s Sci-Fi

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Posted on September 28, 2009

Community is by no means a perfected stroke of television genius, but with a cast that includes Chevy Chase and Joel McHale, it was the new show I was the most hopeful and curious about.

I have to say I laughed several times and even though the pacing was off – it seemed like the makers were forced to cram the events of an hour into a half hour – or at least has stopped a few classes short in their script writing workshop, I think the show has great potential once it finds its stride. Many great sitcoms have started far weaker than this one.

McHale is almost comfortable as a douchey lawyer forced to attend community college along side a ragtag group of misfits like Danny Pudi as Abed, who for better or worse makes asperger syndrome extremely funny and Ken Jeong who was not even featured in the pilot, but made me excited for his introduction based on commercial clips. Chase is fairly subtle and might has actually chosen wisely for his small screen return. I hope so, because I'd love to add another enjoyable comedy to my weekly viewing, especially one with such a great cast.

See more: TV Shows Comedy

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Posted on September 21, 2009

Ashleigh put up this great post on RC.

Logee's Greenhouse in Danielson, CT is one of the most magical places on the East Coast, maybe Earth. Here's what they say about themselves, all true:

Since 1892, the Logee-Martin family has been growing and selling over a thousand varieties of tropical container plants for home and garden. We are the exclusive source of many varieties, both heirloom and new introductions. Cross the threshold of our greenhouses and prepare to enter into another world. Hear the trickling sounds of the water garden, see lemons the size of grapefruits on the 108 year-old Ponderosa Lemon Tree, then take a deep breath of divinely fragrant air as you meander through lush vegetation. Whether you're shopping for beautiful plants or just have a desire to surround yourself in beauty, come to Logee's, we promise it's worth the trip.”

If you are ever in the area, don't pass through without visiting Logee's. It really is a special place.

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Posted on September 21, 2009

I've recommended the work of British comedian Daniel Kitson on this blog before (once right before we saw the amazing Stories for the Wobbly Hearted and another time just for the podcasts) and probably will again any time he makes a rare US appearance. His most recent (and completely sold out) show at Union Hall was part of The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival (which ends tonight).

Kitson had death on his mind, which may not sound like a great centerpiece to a comedy routine, but his performances are beyond stand-up and he always manages to balance deep, real-life truths and jokes with poignancy and seamless hilarity. I dare you to find a gentlemen (or lady) more deftly combining poop jokes, stories about eating an entire cake and heartfelt memories of a recently deceased aunt.

At the risk of having to again watch the show on my feet because limiting seating fills so quickly, I have to strongly suggest you go to any and all of Kitson's future performances that you can. Beyond overuse of the word 'brilliant', the experience is a bit difficult to describe.

See more: Spend a Couple Hours Comedy Performances

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Posted on September 21, 2009