You're so beautiful, you could be a waitress

[cleolinda]

So. I actually got a fairly good scene handwritten today, plus a smidge of work the last two days each. Eh. Then Sister Girl came home from work and, having just discovered that we do get HBO On Demand last night, wanted to watch several episodes of Flight of the Conchords. I don't know if y'all have seen this, but it's basically about two geeky New Zealanders, Jemaine (Jemaine Clement) and Bret (Bret McKenzie, aka Figwit) who have--are?--a band. And their hapless, anal-retentive manager Murray. And their one fan. And an on-again, off-again girlfriend, Sally, who is the subject of two of the best songs in the entire series, IMO: the Prince-inflected "Beautiful" (I'm guessing at titles here) and the Smoove B-esque "Business Time" (warning: not entirely safe for work). I would also recommend the hip-hop mugger song and the mermaid song--the songs remind me a lot of Jonathan Coulton, except dweebier. On purpose. And in a good way.

So very, very much linkspam:

Adventurer Steve Fossett missing.

New Bohemians keyboard player shot to death; Rockers are more likely to die early. Well, yes.

911 prankster made 2,000 calls in 6 months.

Microwave popcorn cited in illness.

Scientists discover ‘skinny’ gene.

Truckers form rolling roadblock, end police chase.

Maine sand castle builders seek record.

Thousands gather to mark Summer of Love.

India embraces superlatives, obsessed with Guinness records.

Britain gets first female Beefeater.

50 years of astronaut culture.

Yahoo Picks: Sarcasm Society.

Hey! People aren't reading books! I know! Let's burn some, that'll make 'em read more!

Lewis apologizes for anti-gay slur. "The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Tuesday denounced comedian Jerry Lewis' use of the word 'fag' on Lewis' annual Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy and called on him to apologize." Wait, how did this come up on a telethon?

Soap star lands lead on ''24'.'

Doctor Who to return for fifth series in 2010. "Viewers are in for a treat this Christmas, as a special episode starring David Tennant and Kylie Minogue will be broadcast on BBC One in December 2007. Series Four, which went into production in July 2007, will hit UK screens in Spring 2008, followed by a special episode for Christmas 2008. In 2009 Doctor Who will return with three specials starring David Tennant, with Head Writer, Russell T Davies. The full-length fifth series will transmit in 2010."

Lingerie maker ties up Maggie Gyllenhaal; Are you buyin' what she's sellin'? ("Me, I'm off to go buy Maggie's 'sweater' so I can look even more like a pissed-off bat than I do already." That said, the photography is great.) More pictures here.

From 'Spidey' to 'Bourne,' a record summer; Hollywood slays the $4 billion barrier this summer.

USAToday headlines fall movie preview article with bad pun.

Division over next-generation DVDs deepening.

Telluride Days 2 & 3: 'Redacted,' 'Into the Wild,' 'The Savages.'

Caspian Designs More Elaborate; Narnia: Prince Caspian Set Visit Part 2.

Golden Compass Toy Pictures.

Visit Stormhold. Yeah, maybe if these ads had been played in the U.S., people might have actually gone to see Stardust.

Bourne action designer Dan Bradley Hired for Bond 22. Oh, sweet.

Dan Radcliffe: Filming on "Half-Blood Prince" Begins in Two Weeks, Wants to Appear in Broadway Staging of "Equus."

Uncensored Beowulf Internet Trailer Hits.

New "Blade Runner" cut is how it should have been.

New Indiana Jones 4 Set Pics.

Review: The Nines.

Nightmarish reviews for Woody's 'Cassandra's Dream.'

The Second 'Saw IV' Blood Drive Poster. Y'all know my feelings about the Saw and Hostel movies, but, on the other hand: blood drives. Maybe I just feel guilty because I can't ever contribute to them (the antidepressants disqualify me, apparently).

'Wonder Emporium' Ad Will Smell Like Cake.

Pitt's Close Confrontation with Crazed Fan (pictures). Oh, crazy lady, you so crazy. Meanwhile, Pitt: 'I do love a gay story': "Answering questions from critics at the Venice Film Festival, where [The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford] opened, Pitt appeared temporarily stunned when asked if the tale - a western - was actually a gay drama about the relationship between two men. 'If that's what works for you, it's absolutely fine,' he replied."

(Similar: Colin Firth stalker arrested.)

Joe Wright and Rosamund Pike engaged. Awww! He directed Pride and Prejudice and she was Jane! AWWWW.

Kidman, Black and Leigh Turn Housemates To Perfect Roles; All's 'Fair' in love and work for Kidman.

Walken Plays Birthday Prank on 'Balls of Fury' Castmates.

Comments

[veetvoojagig.livejournal.com]

Man... I remember when I was one of the few people in the States who'd heard of Flight of the Conchords. *Shakes head* This is getting weird. *laughs*

[disturbed-kiwi.livejournal.com]

Try living in New Zealand and watching them get noticed overseas.

It's really really spooky actually...

[glass-radical.livejournal.com]

OMFG YOU WATCH FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS.

That has pretty much been my favorite show of the summer, and I am so happy it got renewed for next year.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

As much as I like the name/title now that I've seen the show... it's a really terrible title in terms of getting people to give the show a chance. I'd seen the title, but I had no idea what it was about--maybe some Edgy, Important HBO show about politics...? or yuppies...? or something...? One of my sister's friends made her watch the "Mermaids" episode, and then she made me watch it, and then we spent the afternoon watching more.

[claidissa.livejournal.com]

Is Stardust still playing? I'm so so close to finishing the book and I really want to see the movie.

Also, awwww Wright/Pike. She's really pretty.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I think so--I just saw it again a couple of weeks ago.

[rebel-waltz.livejournal.com]

i could never put into words the glory that is Flight of the Conchords.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

See, that's why I didn't try. I really feel like if you watch a couple of the songs, that's all you need to understand. Because the first ten minutes of the first show I watched, I was like, "Wow, this is almost drier than I actually like my humor, and it's kind of hitting me right in the embarrassment squick." And then we got to "Mermaids" and that was it.

[linz-lou.livejournal.com]

"Wait, how did this come up on a telethon?"

That's exactly what I was wondering.

[linz-lou.livejournal.com]

Ah, OK. From what I can decipher from the video, he was referring to a camera. I think it's time he gave up the telethon.

Link (http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/04/jerrylewis.telethon/index.html)

[spectralbovine.livejournal.com]

Heh, those "Visit Stormhold" bits are amusing.

(Amusingly enough, Stardust just hit our local independent theatres, and the newsletter referred to it as "A.K.A. Princess Bride 2."

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I liked the director saying that it's Princess Bride by way of Midnight Run.

[dives.livejournal.com]

The Bowie episode of Flight of the Conchords is the most brilliant thing I've seen for a...a really long time.

[lo0o0ony-lauren.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I second this.

[lolathehated.livejournal.com]

hm. after watching that trailer for beowulf, i.m not sure how excited i am. i.ll see because i.m an english major, and i really enjoyed reading it (although i guess i.m the only one in the whole world you did?). but the cg is a bit too.... shiny for me. and that.s not what i pictured grendel.s mother to look like. hmmmmm.

[scarletsherlock.livejournal.com]

nope, you're not alone! Beowulf is one of my literary loves. I am dreading this movie. It doesn't look quite as bad as Gerard Butler's horrid Beowulf and Grendel though. Don't get me started...

[prncssaurora.livejournal.com]

EEEEEEEE FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS! So wonderful. The season finale was glorious, and I have a feeling I've watched the "Business Time" video on YouTube approximately 74 times. Another favorite: "If You're Into It." The little instruments Jemaine plays are hilarious.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Is that the one they sing to Coco? I liked that one.

[lauramcvey.livejournal.com]

"Hey, let's burn books to make people read them!" . . . well I get the logic behind it, but . . .

The geeky NZ mention reminded me- have you see Perfect Creature? It seems like your kind of thing. I mean, I don't know if you're into vampires or not, but it's set in steampunk!New Zealand, where vampires are basically the intellectual class. It's horror/sci-fi with a bit of romance sprinkled on. It went direct-to-video in North America *grumble*, so you'll have to rent/buy it, but it's extremely worth it.

[disturbed-kiwi.livejournal.com]

Um, I don't think that's come out here in New Zealand yet... I remember hearing about it in the last few months and wanting to see it...

As a side note, I'm really looking forward to The Tatooist (tatoo artist decides to use Samoan tatoo only it causes demon possession. Or something). And did Cleo mention much about Eagle Versus Shark here? I'm assuming yes,but it's all become a blur in my memory.

And then there's Peter Jackson's 15 minute WW1 film.

Hmm. I'm basically just info dumping at you now aren't I ;)

[lauthe.livejournal.com]

Joe Wright and Rosamund Pike engaged

Holy cuteness. I thought he spoke awfully fondly of her in the P&P DVD commentary!

[megmatthews20.livejournal.com]

A flight of the Conchords stand-up...err sit-down type of thing that hasn't been on the show this season...

In fact, I wonder if it's even possible to get it on the show. Anyway it rocks...Flight of the Conchords...Jenny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlYkIJVguCU

My favorite episode is the one where Bret accidentally takes acid before singing Pretty Prince of Parties.

Cheers here's to Bret and Jemaine!

[robyn-ma.livejournal.com]

'Wonder Emporium Ad Will Smell Like Cake.'

Wonder Emporium Movie Will Smell Like Toilet.

[marumae.livejournal.com]

*cracks up*

[sfmarty.livejournal.com]

Flight of the Conchords is the name of their band. YouTube has quite a few videos of their shows. I became addicted to the show after about 30 seconds.

[biblio-filia.livejournal.com]

I actually got my mom obsessively into Flight of the Conchords through HBO On-Demand. She thinks it is the most hilarious thing in the world, ever. I was also sold immediately after the mermaid song.

[kth524.livejournal.com]

I recently became addicted to Flight of the Conchords. I love that show so much now. I love in "Business Time" when Bret just keeps randomly popping up during the chorus. My favorite is probably "If You're Into It", though. I'm a sucker for Bret. My friend and I are always randomly bursting out into some sort of Conchords song. We love to randomly burst out doing the end of "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros" ("I'm the motherflippin'! Who's the motherflippin'?") and see how many weird looks we get.

[barrelgoddess.livejournal.com]

Eeee, Prince Caspian stuff! Pardon me while I drool, as that movie just sounds better and better the more I hear about what they're doing with it. =D

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

Bourne action designer Dan Bradley Hired for Bond 22.

Pardon me while I go make a high-pitched noise of delight.

Chances of Bond 22 having an utterly kick-ass car chase significantly increased: Y/N?

[greyduck.livejournal.com]

Not just Yes but Hell Yes.

The Bourne movies have some of the best set piece action sequences I've ever seen, turning the usual "okay, we've entered the designated Action Location, let the mayhem begin" setup into a fully realized, complex, three-dimensional environment, and using more of it than the viewer expected, every time.

Mind you, I also belong to the Cult of Ronin when it comes to car chases.

[xblackrose666x.livejournal.com]

I've heard of the Conchords. Wasn't really all that fond of them at the time.

I, however, loved Stardust. Because not only was the movie really good, if there were any doubts, Robert De Niro was worth it. However, I haven't read the book, so I don't know what differences there may be.

[greyduck.livejournal.com]

Because not only was the movie really good, if there were any doubts, Robert De Niro was worth it.

Oh sweet merciful heavens, yes. Having seen it, I don't think anybody else could have made it work the way he did. I'm not saying nobody else could have played the part, but there's something about having De Niro in that role which just kicks so very much ass.

And the people who are upset about him playing that part will never, ever understand why it was such a perfect bit of casting.

[maedinn.livejournal.com]

Darn. I can't watch that Beowulf trailer because I don't live anywhere the US.

oh wells

[krazykarot.livejournal.com]

Ooo my fave FotC song would have to be If you're into it

[ellaafleck.livejournal.com]

Ooooohhh Flight of the Conchords. "Albei the Racist Dragon" made my life on their stand up special. Love that show.

[eruvadhril.livejournal.com]

Flight of the Conchords

Ohhh, they're fantastic!
If you like them, you'll like Tripod. Here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSqFqhUzutg) a (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt0hml2j43E) couple (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7O4izi1fQE) of (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUORu0OcTZ8) classics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of2Tg-mLdAU) on (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXIfstoJHPw) YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXDx15EldH8).

[eruvadhril.livejournal.com]

Oh, I forgot to mention- TOY ALITHEOMETER I WANT ONE

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

Did a blood drive person tell you that about the antidepressants? There are only a handful of medications on the disqualified list, and I don't think any of them are common a/ds. See http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html#med

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

They just had a very simple typed list, and it was like, STDs, AIDS, antidepressants, etc. Huh. Of course, the last time I was even anywhere near a blood drive, it was seven years ago, so maybe they've refined the list since then. I'm pretty sure that if they'd known at the time they would have been happy to take me, because my roommate had some rare-ish type and they'd call her up and beg her to give more because they "needed her blood for the babies."

[dietcokebreak.livejournal.com]

I get a kick out of the Frodo song in Episode 11 (http://www.hbo.com/conchords/video/index.html).

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

You know, I was hoping they'd eventually go there. Heh.