I write scripts to serve as skeletons awaiting the flesh and sinew of images. Ingmar Bergman RIP

How do you sum up how you feel about the director that shaped your entire view of film? Yes I know Bergman was very old but his films to me represented all that was beautiful and grotesque. They were more than words on a page or flickering images on the screen.

They were raw human emotions on display for the viewer to see. You wanted to look away but you couldn't because it was just so perfectly executed.

My first experience with Bergman was with Fanny and Alexander which I watched when I was 8. I'm not kidding. I was so transfixed that throughout my lifetime, I've seen this movie dozens of times. It's like going home, sometimes dark and creepy but always gorgeously lit:)

His extensive body of work treated the film goer to some of the best actors and actresses in the world and for that I am grateful. So I hope that he is up there in heaven making the most beautiful pictures with Orson Wells and Billy Wilder. You'll be missed . . .

Support Kyle and City to Shore

One of my favorite co-workers, Kyle, is participating in City to Shore this year, 150 mile bike ride (crazy right) so please donate so that he can meet his goal of $1000!

Also, one of my awesomest friends, Angela, is in the race (she keeps trying to bribe me into riding but I don't like sweating:) Here's her donation page as well.

A little bit of this, A little bit of that

I begin with one of my favorite bands, Mates of State, looking beautiful in the "I would rather go naked than wear fur" ad. I'm not always a huge PETA fan but I don't like fur either (unless it's necessary like living in Alaska:) A big shout out to the Divine Ms. N who is enjoying fishing and the like in our beautiful AK.

I did tons of stuff this weekend including, on Sunday, seeing Sicko (wait for the review, I always have to do fact checking with Michael Moore movies) but just in general, I thought it was pretty good. I can tell you straight out (since I get the BBC podcasts) that the British system isn't exactly what it's cracked up to be but more later.

Friday, I had another successful Girls Rock Philly fundraiser ($200 and counting.) Bombay Collins are amazing.

Saturday, I went to see my friend Eric's band Umlaut who are fantastic live. Lots of confetti and coordinated outfits. They are very fun and a breath of fresh, non-indie air.

What is wrong with you John Lannan?

I normally never talk sports but my secret passion, baseball and in particular Chase Utley. The Philadelphia Phillies just marked their 10,000 loss. So pitcher John Lannan couldn't just play fair and take pity on us . How dare you break the hand of the dreamy Chase Utley, he's half of the reason why I go to baseball games, poophead. How could you also Ryan Howard too?

Curses on you rookie. I hope you get jock itch. Get well Chase!

A Big Get Well Hug

I would like to send my personal get well wishes to one of my favorite singers, Etta James. She is currently being hospitalized for complications from stomach surgery. I first saw her on a tribute at the Kennedy Center in 1995 where she gyrated and practically scared the pants off the old, stuck up senators. It was pure love after that.

If you haven't checked out any of her stuff, it's amazing. Start with the Essential Etta James released by Chess Records. It does feature At Last but also tracks like W-O-M-A-N , All I Could Do Was Cry, Losers, Weepers and Stop the Wedding. The later is particularly sad because it was sang to a guy (Harvey Fuqua) that she really loved but treated her like crap. I haven't seen her live yet so pull through lady.
Feel better Etta:)

speaking of bad pictures

Good lord. What happened to Lindsay Lohan? I probably look like crap when I was trashed at 21 but I didn't have people that do my hair and makeup. I knew that alcohol ankle bracelet was for show only. What kind of culture are we living in where alcohol monitors (not given to the person by the court) are now fashion accessories?

Speaking of trashy, I watched the new Chelsea Handler show, Chelsea Lately, on E last night. She is funnier than say David Letterman or Jay Leno (which isn't that hard.) It's kind of disjointed but offers promise. However, she put poor Joel Stein (entertainment columnist) next to Greg Brady and Lani Love. He just got talked over.

She did do the first tolerable interview with Kim Kardashian. I don't really mind Ms. Kardashian unlike some of her party pals. She seems almost ladylike. Just remember kids, don't videotape yourself doing naughty things.

Finally, I'm dying to see the You Tube/CNN Dem debate. I saw that it was on but I was at class. Apparently, Hillary got all flustered by the off the cuff questions. There may have been someone dressed as a snowman too.

Seriously, this is the best picture they could find?

I haven't thought about Manuel Noriega in years but I guess he's being released in September and is now fighting extradition to France. He was apparently employed in some capacity by the CIA and sort of crowned himself president of Panama. He's famous for being blasted with music (reportedly Panama by Van Halen) to get him to come out of hiding when Bush Sr. invaded Panama. But seriously, this is the best picture the AP could find? He could be a stand in for Edward James Almos though. I wonder if they have a deposed dictator wing in federal prison? Speaking of which, what's happening with Castro? He was sick, his brother took over and then poof, he was gone. Maybe it's like that awful Kevin Kline movie Dave where they hire him to play the president who is in fact dead. I saw that piece of crap in the theater.

In other news, my Emmy picks should be coming soon. There are a gizillion category including Best Commercial? I will say this, what is the deal with Grey's Anatomy? I've never been able to sit through an entire show. I like the cast except for the Ellen Pompeo woman. I find her to be quite annoying and her acting tepid at best. Also, unwatchable, Brothers and Sisters. Yawnsville. My hopes are all on Ugly Betty and Project Runway (go team.)

Finally, a shout-out to Tammy Faye Messner and her family as she finally succumb to cancer last week. I caught her semi-recently on the IFC show with her son on it. She was a bit eccentric but I've always had a soft spot for the woman who had air-conditioned dog houses and biggest fake eyelashes I've ever seen. I hope there's lot of mascara in heaven.

Did anyone else read this?

This is very disturbing. More than one person a day is a victim of violent crime in Philadelphia. Say what?

Spencer update and Scott Baio

Poor Spencer got back from the hospital yesterday, doped to the freakin' gills. It was like Drugstore Coyboy. He's not eating too much and Mike and I had to force liquids with a baby eye dropper. I felt nauseous after getting the bill from UPenn which I haven't quite figured out how to pay yet (it's more than a breadbox, I'll tell you that.) I don't have pictures yet because frankly, he looks sad and his surgery area is pretty gnarly. But it looks a little like a frozen turkey. Although I like the bandage they put on his tail, very Boy George circa 1983.

Speaking of turkeys, I caught VHI's Rock of Love and Scott Baio is 45 and still single. The former isn't as offensive to women as Flavor of Love but only by one very bleached blonde hair. The sheer number of implants on screen could probably be used as floatation devices to save most people on an airplane. Scott Baio's series actually isn't half bad. I too dated Scott Baio but the 90s after Pam Anderson (I'm kidding:) Anyway, at least he has a sense of humor about it. One series I wouldn't mind being on is the World Series of Pop Culture. I think I would be pretty good (except I totally bombed on the Friends category, for shame.)

Save Spencer

Poor cat has to go into the hospital. I should raise a fund like in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. He heads into Perineal Urethrostomy surgery tomorrow. Basically, he's getting girl parts since his boy stuff isn't working properly. So keep my little man in your thoughts especially when I have to send my other cats to work the streets to pay for Fatty's new parts.

Various and KRS-One

I have so much stuff to post but when to find the time? I start another class on Monday. BTW, if any of you would like a black and white copy or PDF of a girl on the film - the mag - Let me know.

I've been watching the tribute/fundraising concerts just like the rest of you. I must say, I love Take That but when did the lead singer of Suede start singing for them? If I have a benefit show, the Cure, the reunited Smiths, Jay-Z (only the good stuff,) Lush, Chapterhouse and the reunited Talking Heads must all play.

Other than that, I've been watching more t.v. since it's too hot to go outside including my new favorite show on Discovery, Most Evil. They rate serial murderers on an "evil scale" between 1 and 22. Philly's very own Gary Heidnik scored a 22. Oh and yeah on the Sex and the City movie.

Also, in a final sad note, KRS-One, the rap pioneer's son apparently committed suicide.

Burn Notice

USA is offering up a new series, Burn Notice. The pilot introduces Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) a sort of likeable former spy who has been fired without notice. He’s been dropped off in Miami, his home town and told not to leave the state as his on some CIA or FBI watch-list. It takes a while to heat up but once Notice gets going, it’s an enjoyable hour. A major plus is the always slimy but loveable Bruce Campbell, a fellow ex-spy who has a gambling and womanizing problems, of course. Even Sharon Gless (yes of Cagney and Lacey and Queer as Folk) pops up as his hypochondriac mother. The weakest link is annoying ex-girlfriend, Gabrielle Anwar, who has these unbelievable huge lips, which are so distracting that they actually take away from the dialogue. Also, although she’s British, her Irish accent is terrible. This show needs a little fine tuning but it holds a lot of promise.

3 out of 5 make shift recording devices.

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the Dlist

Thank God for cable T.V. The second season of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List is currently airing on Bravo. The first season was a little humdrum but there’s something special about this year’s show. Yes, she’s funny and sardonic but she’s nice in spite of herself. The passing of her father, her divorce and her dating woes have more her more human and even more hilarious. For years, Kathy Griffin has been the mean clown on the red carpet. She was the one who made the joke about child actress Dakota Fanning being in rehab (and she refused to apologize – my kind of girl.)

Now she’s brash but also thoughtful and engaging. Integral to the show are her tour manager and her assistants who help keep her neuroses in check. It’s rare to find a reality show that offers heart with a little humiliation (that doesn’t involve anyone eating a bug or wrestling in mud.) Try this great summer find which is well worth the watch.

4 out of 5 A-Listers.

Waitress

So I'm finalizing my indesign magazine class project and I'm still getting over this death cold but I'm writing a couple of articles for the magazine which will appear here as well. First up, a review of Waitress.

Amongst all big explosions, flashy action heroes and special effects, comes a little movie, Waitress. The plot is centered on a pie diner, a master pie maker Jenna, played by the effervescent Keri Russell. Directed by the late, much missed Adrienne Shelly, this is a really well made, sweet comedy.

The love story begins with a trip to the doctor’s office. Jenna finds out she’s pregnant by her abusive husband (Jeremy Sisto). She finds herself falling for the new dreamy married doctor (Nathan Fillion from Serenity.) It’s strange to root for an extra-marital affair but these actors are so likeable, you can’t help yourself. The best part about this movie is that it’s filled with great character actors like Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Shelley, Lew Temple and Andy Griffith (who is fantastic as the grumpy diner patron Joe.) Shelley is being wooed by a persistent yet adorable Oggie (Eddie Jemison.) All these subplots would be distracting but just like a good pie, are essential ingredients. Please go see Waitress if you need a little escape from the big bombastic blockbuster.

I give this 4 out of 5 slices of pie heaven.