The Entertainer, Volume 7

Title: Bliss, Remembered

Author: Frank Deford

Why?: I read a review of it somewhere on the internets, and it's about swimming. And the Olympics. And World War Two. Why on earth wouldn't I read it?!

Three Thoughts: This book is pure awesome, and I would highly, highly recommend it. Very readable without being simplistic, with a story that drives forward at just the right speed and complexity. I really, really want them to make it into a movie.

Title: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season 4

Notable Actors: Larry David, and guest starring Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer, and the ever fabulous Mel Brooks

Why?: Because I'm making my way through the series so I can get to the Seinfeld reunion episode.

Three Thoughts: This was probably my favorite season so far (although those who are fans of the more stand-alone episodes may disagree). The main storyline has Larry starring as Max Bialystock in The Producers, and Stiller, then Schwimmer, co-starring as Leo Bloom. Most people who read this blog probably know of my love of The Producers, and can therefore understand my pleasure with this season; the season finale alone is fabulous.

Title: Nurse Jackie, Season 2

Notable Actors: Carmela Soprano, Mr. Jennie Garth, and Merritt Wever, who deserves a good role after being stuck in the infuriating Studio 60

Why?: Because I watched Season 1. And I liked Season 1 very much.

Three Thoughts: I liked Season 2 very much, too. This show is awfully dark to be called a comedy, but it has its moments, and the storyline is engaging enough to compensate for the darkness. I think Edie Falco does an exceptional job, too (although I don't know that I would've voted for her for that Emmy she won).

Title: Wall Street

Notable Actors: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen before he became a walking STD

Why?: Because we want to go see the sequel.

Three Thoughts: I love movies that were made in the 80s. This one unsurprisingly reminded me of Bonfire of the Vanities, but not as accidentally funny. And also, Daryl Hannah sucks and I hope she's not in the sequel.

Title: The Days of our Lives

Author: Ken Corday

Why?: Because I used to watch Days of our Lives like it was my job. I would tape it every day (and this was back when all we had were VCRs), and watch it after school.

Three Thoughts: This man REALLY loves this show - not like a fan, but just as someone whose family's whole life was based around it. It reads almost like a love letter - even those stories that aren't so happy are told in a reverential manner. I'd definitely recommend it if you've enjoyed the show in the past, but don't expect it to be the best book you've ever read.

Title: Temple Grandin

Notable Actors: Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, Catherine O'Hara

Why?: Because it won a bunch of Emmys, and it showed up on Netflix as coming out on DVD last week.

Three Thoughts: This made-for-TV movie, which was based upon a true story - was all kinds of fantastic. The acting was exceptional - especially Danes, about whom I am usually ambivalent- and the story was engaging and very well-told. Add this to your Netflix queues, you will not regret it.

The Entertainer, Volume 6

Title: Parenthood (Season One)

Notable Actors: Nate Fisher, Lorelei Gilmore, that chick from Swimfan, George Michael's girlfriend Ann, Patty Pryor from my dearly departed American Dreams

Why?: See the list of actors.

Three Thoughts: This show is on the good side of mediocre (and nothing like the film, if you were curious). I watched most of it last season, but it kind of got bumped toward the end of the season; however, it was good enough to get the remaining DVDs from Netflix when they came out last week. The storylines are good and I'd highly recommend it, although it's nowhere near as good as any of the notable actors' previous shows.

Title: Dexter (Season Four)

Notable Actors: David Fisher (and I swear I didn't set up this entry just to talk about former Six Feet Under actors)

Why?: After accidentally reading the end of season four, I figured I should watch it to see why people were so upset.

Three Thoughts: This show is great, and the supporting actors are a big part of that (especially John Lithgow, who played the villain this season and freaked me out a bit). However, I wanted to smack Dexter multiple times through the end of the season. Maybe if I hadn't known the end of the season, I would've been less frustrated, but yeah...don't be an idiot, because bad stuff will happen.

Title: Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea

Author: Chelsea Handler

Why?: Because she's funny.

Three Thoughts: Handler is pretty darn funny...she reminded me a bit of the style of David Sedaris, but a bit less clever, less dry, and more vulgar. There were a few stories in the book that weren't as entertaining as others, but on the whole, they were very readable. I have her other books on my Paperback Swap list, although the queue for them is so long that I probably won't get them until I go on vacation next year (which is not a problem - this would be a great beach book!)

Title: Love! Valour! Compassion!

Notable Actors: Lionel Luthor, George Costanza, Andy Botwin

Why?: Because when Sara and Caitling found out I hadn't seen it, they expressed great amounts of outrage.

Three Thoughts: The performances in this movie based upon Terrence McNally's Tony award-winning play were wonderful (particularly Jason Alexander). I'd imagine that it would've been much better on stage; you can definitely tell that it was a play first. Although that's not necessarily a bad thing; I'd still highly recommend this one.

Title: Idiocracy

Notable Actors: Maya Rudolph, Wilson Good

Why?: Someone at work recommended it to me when I was complaining about stupid people.

Three Thoughts: An easily watchable movie built around a disturbing premise (that all of the stupid people in the world will breed prolificly, and the smart people will limit how many children they have, thus leading the stupid people to take over the world). The actors and supporting characters fit the plot well too. Heaven help us all if these people really do take over the world...

Title: Vampires Suck

Notable Actors: No one you've heard of except for small roles by Dave Foley, Ken Jeong, and that guy from The Drew Carey Show

Why?: Because I like to make fun of Twilight (even though I've seen them all), and the showtime fit our timeframe well.

Three Thoughts: If you've seen Date Movie, or Not Another Teen Movie, or Scary Movie, this is exactly like it. However, the subject matter is much more fun to make fun of. Plenty of funny moments, but let's just say that it helped that I went there straight from Happy Hour.

Title: Little Shop of Horrors

Notable Actors: Rick Moranis (who looks a great deal like the husband of one of Ken's and my college professors), Ellen Greene, my beloved Steve Martin

Why?: Because I discovered it was On Demand and I got really excited. And I've decided to start including notable rewatches in this here blog feature instead of just movies I've seen for the first time.

Three Thoughts: This movie is so freaking much fun...except for that whole man-eating plant thing. The music is great (although I tend to prefer the Broadway soundtrack, despite my love for Ellen Greene), and I particularly like the part in the story where the abusive boyfriend gets eaten by the Audrey II. I could watch this movie all day long.