Jude's Thursday Dish

I'm sitting here with Katie watching probably the 48th hour of kid shows this week. She's on her 4th day of being home sick. It's just a viral cold, but she can't seem to break her fever of about 101. We saw the pediatrician yesterday, so hopefully she'll be on the mend soon. Still, I've had it up to my eyeballs with PBS Kids and her 4 tivo-ed Disney shows ("Hannah Montana" drives me crazy). At least we got a "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Elf" thrown in there for some variety. Thank heaven for TV or I wouldn't get any work done.


1. Due to our drama week, I didn't get a chance to see "Twilight" yet. But, John and I did go and see "Australia". I LOVED it! It's not a perfect movie by any means. There's some implausible parts of the plot and I have no idea the historical accuracy or whether they were true to it or not. The first 20 minutes felt over the top and madcap like classic Baz Luhrmann. But then it turned and started feeling like a "real" movie. It doesn't fit into Baz's Red Curtain Trilogy ("Strictly Ballroom" -- awesome!, "Romeo + Juliet" and "Moulin Rouge"), but it stands on it's own. It reminded me of a big 80's or 90's epic, like "Far and Away" (but not as cheesey). I can see why critics don't like it, because it's not cynical enough. And epics are out (an epic film hasn't won an Oscar since "Gladiator" in 2001 -- and that was grizzly). Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was 3 hours long, which I absolutely detest long movies, but I only felt bored once in the middle and checked John's watch. For the most part, it was fast and entertaining. Nicole Kidman really has come into her own. She definitely got better since divorcing psycho Tom Cruise. And Hugh Jackman. Oooh, he's perfect in this. I'm so glad Russell Crowe didn't take the role (he wanted too much money). Hugh's a really hottie! He should've shown this side of him years ago and he'd have a heart throb reputation long before now. So, I recommend it -- but truth be told, I'm not sure it's for everyone. If you do see it, let me know what you thought!


2. Yes, I swore I wasn't going to cave in and go see anymore kid's movies in 2008. But if you know me at all, I obviously say a lot of things and always either give in or change my mind. My MTC branch president said once of my best qualities is that I'm "teachable", but I think it's just that I can't commit to anything -- even my own choices. Anyway, a bunch of my family went to go see "Bolt" the night of Thanksgiving, so of course, John and I went along with Katie. It was 3D, so it was kind of a pain. I had being crying for 2 days straight, so I got a headache. And John gets motion sickness, so he got one two. Aren't we just old farts? The movie was cute. John Travolta drives John crazy and Miley Cyrus' voice does the same for me (doesn't she always sound like she has a gumball or a retainer in her mouth?) so that probably didn't help us enjoy it. But, the hamster in the ball was hilarious. And the story was original. Of course the kids loved it, but I would've rather had stayed home and watched "Kung Fu Panda" again.

3. It's time for my midterm report on the TV I've been watching. My shows have dramatically dropped from all my high hopes of shows I'd start up in September, but it's good because I really don't have the time to keep up.

First, shows I bailed on: Dancing with the Stars (too much time), Biggest Loser (missed a few episodes and couldn't catch up), Private Practice (sucks), 90210 (sucks more), Grey's Anatomy (sucky-ish, come on... dead Denny is back in visions, gag!) and sadly, no more Pushing Daisies after the next couple of episodes even though it was GREAT!


The Amazing Race: B+
This hasn't been my favorite season, but it's been a blast watching it with Katie. She gets really into it. Our favorite team got the boot (they lost their passports AND their money on Sunday -- an Amazing Race first). And I just found out the Dallas had a naked picture of himself circulating on the Internet, so that drops it down a 1/2 grade. We're not really invested in any of the final 3 that will race to the finish line on Sunday. But I really heart this show.


Desperate Housewives: B
The smarm factor has been dialed down a bit, so that really helps. Plus, having Gabby (Eva Longoria) being a frumpy housewife has been really entertaining. They stole a page out of the "Lost" handbook jumping 5 years ahead, but it gave the show a shot in the arm. I was ready to give up for good, but I'm glad I gave it a 2nd chance.

Brothers & Sisters: C
This season is DULL. When I feel like "Oh, I really need to watch this because it's STILL on my Tivo" and watch it on a night I can't fall asleep at midnight hoping it WILL put me to sleep -- that doesn't say much for that show. That show needs a pep-up to keep me watching in January.


Gossip Girl: A
Love it!!! I didn't see season 1 and I've heard this season isn't as good, but since I'm a newbie, I'm totally into it.

My Thursday Night Line-up -
My Name is Earl: C
It's gotten better since Earl's back doing the list, but I only watch this if I'm around
Kath & Kim: B
Funny, but kind of the same thing with Earl. If I'm home, I'll watch it. But I don't bother to Tivo it for later
The Office: A-
Great season so far, especially looking up now that Pam is back!
30 Rock: A
There's only been 4 episodes, but it's just classic 30 Rock. And that Oprah episode was sublime!

4. This is completely random, but did you see the Macy's Thanksgiving parade? I always think it's so bizarre when stars are on a float singing their contemporary hits. Here's Idina Menzel singing a song from her new album on the M & M float, just because she was Elpheba on Broadway and the green M & M is dressed as the same? But, nothing was MORE bizarre than the Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. The cartoon figures started to sing a song from the show when out of the blue, Rick Astley showed up and started singing "Never Gonna Give You Up." It was so bizarre. It wasn't until after that I looked into it online. I guess it's called being "Rick Rolled." It's an Internet Meme (like an Internet inside joke). Someone sends you a link to something that they say is relevant, but the link actually takes you to the Rick Astley 1987 video for "Never Gonna Give You Up." If you're a child of the 80's, it will definitely bring you back. On Wikipedia, it shares all these examples of how Rickrolling has extended into disrupting all kinds of situations. So, I guess I would've enjoyed the parade interuption a lot more if I knew that it was meant to be funny. I guess I'm not as Internet savvy as I thought. Here's the clip I'm talking about.



That's it for this week!