What I'm...

…Renting
Broken Flowers- Never had been a big fan of Jim Jarmusch films except for certain scenes in Coffee and Cigarettes. However, I was willing to give this a try mostly because of one Billard Murray. This is an extremely rewarding film to watch. Murray plays a variation on the Rushmore, Lost in Translation role he’s been perfecting the last few years. In those roles, Murray plays a jerk searching for redemption through others. Here he plays slightly less of a jerk, who finds redemption forced upon him while he’s swimming through a happy yet unfulfilling life. Jeffrey Wright gives a performance worthy of a best supporting actor nod and the cavalcade of ladies we meet all turn in solid performances.

…Not Renting
The Baxter- Here’s a movie I rented despite all the horrible reviews. The film stars and was directed by Michael Showalter who was responsible one of the funniest films I’ve seen in the last few years, Wet Hot American Summer. He’s also 1/3 of the mind behind the short lived Comedy Central show Stella. Those of you familiar with Stella know that it could be a great show one week and painful to watch the next. Unfortunately The Baxter plays like a bad episode of Stella. It might have turned out okay but I don’t know. For the first time in years I actually stopped watching after 25 minutes. Renters beware.

..Watching
The O.C. - Here’s a show that’s bounced back from the proverbial sophomore slump. A true sign of a faltering show is usually the addition of new characters. Last year we got Trey and the lesbian/bi girl forced down our throats and it led to some out character moments for the core cast. This year a whole new batch of newbies were thrown at us but in moderation and over time. When Marissa transferred to a public school I initially shuddered at the inevitable introduction of her new “crew.” Thankfully the show took its time and even though Johnny became a regular, Chili, Volchuk and the rest of the public school kids were limited to appearances only when story dictated. Also we got a jail bait version of Caitlin that was fun for a few weeks but then wisely went back to school off screen. Plus we got Matt, Sandy’s new partner which allows for focus on the adult’s lives and that’s always been part of the O.C.’s appeal.

Listening to
Top 5 on my iPod for the week
1. The Veronicas- 4Ever (Catchy Australian pop that I can’t get out of my head, they sound like the love children of Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne.
2. Fountain of Wayne- Hey Julie (Heard this on Scrubs the other week and gave it the old download. Funny stuff)
3. Boston- More Than a Feeling (Another Scrubs inspired download. I tend to enjoy cheesy classic rock like this as opposed to say the Stones.)
4. String- Toys that Kill (Not sure why this came up in heavy rotation this week but I’m not complaining.)
5. Hung Up- Madonna (I can’t stop listening to this song, I may need help.)