Let's talk about green

As in Gables.  I never read Anne of Green Gables as a girl so I've been thinking I ought to.  People mention it often enough and always say they loved it. So I got it and am about halfway through.  I kind of dreaded it - so often I try books that "everyone" loves and then they are horrible disappointments.   Confession time about AOGG:  I love it.  It is thoroughly engaging and funnier than I expected.

Color me confused...

I wonder what the NAACP thinks of Benedict Cumberbatch's remark?

Happy-Pharrell Williams & 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover-Paul Simon Mashup

Say what?

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reinterpret the first part; it is frequently used for dramatic or humorous effect.

Where there's a will, I want to be in it. - anonymous

War does not determine who is right, only who is left. - Bertrand Russell (attrib.)

If you're going through hell, keep going. - Winston Churchill

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. - Oscar Wilde

I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it. - Groucho Marx

If I am reading this graph correctly--I'd be very surprised. - Stephen Colbert

Muppets Most Wanted

Overall:  We enjoyed it.  The Muppets were good and they didn't spend much time on peripheral Muppets, which I liked.  I was never a hardcore Muppet fan; I liked Kermit and Miss Piggy but didn't really watch the TV show.  Gasp, I know; am I even an American?!

It was less heartfelt than The Muppets, more of a madcap comedy but well-done and enjoyable.  Pretty clear what was happening at all times; only really young kids may get a little confused.

Music:  The music was good, much like the first Muppets reboot.  Bret McKenzie did a great job with the songs, I think.  I wasn't sure if he was involved with this one until one of the songs started -- I think it was "The Big House" -- and I thought, "That sounds a lot like Flight of the Conchords."  And sure enough!

Cameos:  I know people love cameos but I felt like some of them were just distractions and didn't add anything at all.  Except Tom Hiddleston wasn't in it enough.  Honestly, I didn't realize who he was at first; he is one of those people who can look drastically different from one role to another and in this he does not resemble Loki at all.  I would say that's a good thing since this is a kids' movie but he plays a criminal in a Siberian gulag, so...  In general, though, I'm always ready for more T.Hid.

Acting:  Tina Fey did a good job, funny and pretty consistent with the Russian accent.  Ricky Gervais was okay but it seemed like he has decided he is a little too cool to enjoy being in a Muppets movie.  Not too cool to be in one, especially since The Muppets did so well, but too cool to really enjoy it.  I don't know, maybe it's just the way he interpreted the character he was playing, but it just felt a little flat.  As far as I'm concerned, the movie's saving grace was Ty Burrell.  He was completely entertaining.  Not only was he consistent and funny, but it seemed like he was genuinely having fun.  Like he was thinking, "I can't believe they're paying me to do this!"  Not like he signed on because The Muppets did so well but because he just thought it would be a hoot.  Ty Burrell FTW!

Takeaway:  If you have kids or just love the Muppets, it's worth watching.  Two frog legs up!

Bad Luck, Fans!

One of Disney's family shows, Good Luck, Charlie, is ending in a few months.  I think it's the best one they've got right now but apparently Disney would have to pay more if they keep it going, so OH WELL.  The Mouse House can churn out another one, right?

Well, yes, they can, but this one is actually good.  It's genuinely funny and the cast is actually talented, which you don't always find in Disney shows.  Some of the other shows we watch are only okay, with a lot of the "humor" mean-spirited and lazy.  I guess Disney doesn't think kids deserve more.

Also, I've noticed that commercials on the Disney Channel say things like "Proud sponsor of the Disney Channel."  Huh?  I thought companies sponsored non-profit channels and programs, like public television.  Why on earth would DISNEY need sponsors?  It may be only semantic but it's odd.  Disney is very much for-profit.  Famous for being all about the bottom line.  So I don't think they need corporate sponsors.  Money from advertisers, sure, but sponsors?

Whatever.  I'll come back from that tangent.  I'm just disappointed that Disney has a quality family show and they're going to let it go because they won't make as much money off of it once they have to pay the cast and/or crew more.  Boo, Disney!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/12/good-luck-charlie-canceled_n_3427819.html

Happy Halloween!

"The Thing on the Fourble Board" from Quiet, Please (1948)

Widely considered the best and scariest story from radio's golden age of horror and mystery programming.  It's 25 minutes long but worth it!