Sex in the City. The cable series that spawned a generation of well heeled fashionista cosmo sipping brunch loving girls forever pondering existential question: "Am I more of Carrie or a Charlotte?" finally opened last night in the City of it's birth. The mythical "fifth character" NYC.
Since the movie began filming last year, the fervent hype has been building for this follow-up to the series, akin I can only imagine to the second coming. In the past few weeks the local and national media coverage has been just this side of saturation, inducing an air of hysteria and feeling of some ultra exclusive social event of the century.
I decided to get swept up in the collective hysteria which descended on the city last night. As a fan of the show, I felt compelled to be a part of the phenomenon. Procuring my tickets a week in advance, paid off
as every showing in every theater in Manhattan was sold out last night.
I went to the 7:30pm showing, and not a stranger to opening night movie crowds, got there an hour early, to be greeted by a line of fans which snaked around the theater.
Throngs of female fanatics (with the long suffering boyfriend/husband sprinkled in here and there for good measure) showed up in droves. A good percentage of which came dressed to the nines, in their spiffiest designer duds, presumably tapping into whichever of the four characters they identify with best. The fanatical devotion espoused had the feeling of a sci-fi convention, albeit a well dressed one, as the palpable excitement
rolled off the crowd in waves, over whelming all, even the weary pedestrians who dared wander in it's wake. Or maybe that was annoyance I felt from commuters and passersby as they tried to make their way home, gawking at what a spectacle this movie mob made. As I waited on line I couldn't help but give into the feeling of grandiose excitement a little. It was hard to not feel like you were a part of something big, an exclusive party you were able to snag an invite to. Even around 10pm, when my showing let out, the crowds hadn't abated any. The frenzied excitement still permeating the air.
The movie was good. If you were a fan of the series if was a fitting follow-up. There were no loose strings. It ended exactly the way just about everyone who has any desire to see it probably hopes it will. But, all in all it was just a movie. By going on opening night was I a part of something bigger? Grander? Special? Would the experience have been any different if I had waited until next week or month to see it? I don't think so. If anything I think I maybe felt a little let down. Even with all my reticence to building up my expectations or giving into over enthusiasm of any kind for fear of having said expectations torn asunder, some small part of my otherwise guarded facade couldn't help but expect something. What exactly that something was I don't know, but some undefinable "something". Well, y'know scratch the surface of a cynic. This cynic couldn't help wondering last night, if anyone else left feeling the same way, and if somewhere in a tower high above the city atop a pile of cash, if SJP and crew were watching the melee with a knowing smile
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Words to add to the Lexicon
Thank you urbandictionary for creating a diversion for me in the guise of education. I love you, and more importantly I'm making it my mission to insert these words (with utmost sincerity) into random conversations in the near future. It's sure to be entertainment at it's finest!
On The Laugh Rag:
A term used to describe those rare days where everything you say is funny.
Early Nerd Special:
Midnight showing on the day of release of a highly-anticipated film, typically of the science-fiction/fantasy genre.
nut huggers:
really tight jeans worn by a man
Shituation:
n.: a bad situation, 2.: a dramatic, usually negative happening resulting in utter shit in one's life.
slacktivism:
The act of participating in obviously pointless activities as an expedient alternative to actually expending effort to fix a problem.
ice maker:
The opposite of ice breaker. Something you do that makes it super awkward, right after meeting someone.
disneyfication:
The act of taming the world to make it all safe, clean, and completely simlar to a theme park. To remove the sharp edges and darkness that is life.
googleganger:
Similar to that of a doppleganger, it is another individual with the same name as you whose records and/or stories are mixed in with your own when you Google yourself.
Hobosexual:
Adjective. The opposite of metrosexual; one who cares little for one's own appearance.
infoporn:
Information that serves no purpose and consumes valuable space in your head.
ignoranus:
A person who is not only ignorant, but is also an asshole.
cafediem:
Caffeinate the day.
askhole:
Someone who asks many stupid, pointless, obnoxious questions.
blogorrhea:
To write a blog entry just for the sake of posting an entry, not because you have done anything interesting today.
On The Laugh Rag:
A term used to describe those rare days where everything you say is funny.
Early Nerd Special:
Midnight showing on the day of release of a highly-anticipated film, typically of the science-fiction/fantasy genre.
nut huggers:
really tight jeans worn by a man
Shituation:
n.: a bad situation, 2.: a dramatic, usually negative happening resulting in utter shit in one's life.
slacktivism:
The act of participating in obviously pointless activities as an expedient alternative to actually expending effort to fix a problem.
ice maker:
The opposite of ice breaker. Something you do that makes it super awkward, right after meeting someone.
disneyfication:
The act of taming the world to make it all safe, clean, and completely simlar to a theme park. To remove the sharp edges and darkness that is life.
googleganger:
Similar to that of a doppleganger, it is another individual with the same name as you whose records and/or stories are mixed in with your own when you Google yourself.
Hobosexual:
Adjective. The opposite of metrosexual; one who cares little for one's own appearance.
infoporn:
Information that serves no purpose and consumes valuable space in your head.
ignoranus:
A person who is not only ignorant, but is also an asshole.
cafediem:
Caffeinate the day.
askhole:
Someone who asks many stupid, pointless, obnoxious questions.
blogorrhea:
To write a blog entry just for the sake of posting an entry, not because you have done anything interesting today.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Pictures from my Birthday
My contemplative birthday look. Hmmm...cake? Wine? Food? I like!
Clearly I have a thing for tiaras! from L-R: Fran, Kristie, the birthday girl,
and Christine.
Christine has fun with photoshop! But I gotta say I like my face on the hundred
dollar bill better than what's his name.
Shhh.......I'm wishing myself back to 29!
And finally....I'm drunk!
Happy Mother's Day
Which TV Mom Are You?
My Result: Marge Simpson
You encourage your kids' creativity and individuality, whether that means watching them perform the saxophone or helping them raise exotic lizards. You may sometimes say things that sound like old-fashioned parenting clichés, but when it comes down to dealing with domestic disasters, you can be a pretty together, modern mama.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Cozy Soup 'n Burger
Located as 739 broadway at Astor pl, was my first stop on my Burger Quest '08 city wide search. A good medium rare cheeseburger is one of the most pleasing things to my otherwise quite unrefined palate, so I've decided (mainly because I've got nothing better to do) to make it my mission this year to find the best cheeseburger the city has to offer.
I was turned on to the Cozy burger by some co-workers who's raves of the jumbo sized grilled meat patties had visions of cheeseburgers dancing in my head.
Cozy Soup 'n Burger, is well cozy. A small, almost innocuous diner, I almost passed it by. It has quite an expansive menu, offering all the traditional, comforting diner fare, and 30 some odd types of burgers to choose from. I was impressed. I also had built my expectations a little too high. Wisdom always dictates that much like no good deed going unpunished, that whenever Jenn has expectations of something the universe will conspire to make sure real life does not live up to them. You would really think I would learn by now. But, I digress.
I deiced to go with the eponymously named "cozy burger", Which includes american cheese, mushrooms and grilled onions. The burger was in fact "jumbo", but it was really soggy and messy. The mushrooms were canned and the onions barely discernible. I'm sure if I weren't on Burger Quest '08, and hadn't already been treated to rave reviews of this place I might have enjoyed it a little bit more, but it was disappointing.
Cozy is however now on my short list of late night, post boozing n losing stops. Nothing beats good diner food to soak up all the alcohol from a long night, but my quest for the elusive best burger continues on.
I was turned on to the Cozy burger by some co-workers who's raves of the jumbo sized grilled meat patties had visions of cheeseburgers dancing in my head.
Cozy Soup 'n Burger, is well cozy. A small, almost innocuous diner, I almost passed it by. It has quite an expansive menu, offering all the traditional, comforting diner fare, and 30 some odd types of burgers to choose from. I was impressed. I also had built my expectations a little too high. Wisdom always dictates that much like no good deed going unpunished, that whenever Jenn has expectations of something the universe will conspire to make sure real life does not live up to them. You would really think I would learn by now. But, I digress.
I deiced to go with the eponymously named "cozy burger", Which includes american cheese, mushrooms and grilled onions. The burger was in fact "jumbo", but it was really soggy and messy. The mushrooms were canned and the onions barely discernible. I'm sure if I weren't on Burger Quest '08, and hadn't already been treated to rave reviews of this place I might have enjoyed it a little bit more, but it was disappointing.
Cozy is however now on my short list of late night, post boozing n losing stops. Nothing beats good diner food to soak up all the alcohol from a long night, but my quest for the elusive best burger continues on.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Gloria
I don't quite understand how Laura Brannigans much beloved "Gloria", or the ensuing dance is supposed to translate to a commentary on political dissatisfaction, or dissonance, or whatever it was they were going for. But I also can't quite understand how men with moves this fly, or coordination in spades could really be all that bad and deserving of a prison sentence.
Stark Days Ahead.
Tony Stark of course. Ironman, the first summer blockbuster is out of the gate, and after how much I enjoyed it, I've got my hopes up, way up for the rest of the summer movie season.
Of course I knew I would (or should) love Ironman. Jon Favreau is someone who's involvement in a project almost always ensures my enjoyment of said project, especially as a director (kinda like Kevin Smith)
Robert Downey jr. is such a ridiculously talented actor. Yes, he's suffered through a very public, notorious battle with drug addictions, which detractors everywhere must use to undermine his efforts, but let's be real, the man can act. The man has serious talent, in my opinion anyway, and I think he proves that time and time again. Maybe that's just my little quirk, my little personality flaw speaking, which drives me to appreciate people because of their flaws, not despite them, but I don't think so. I was more than confident Downey would shine, and his being cast as Tony Stark was excellent. He adds an undeniable element to the movie that would otherwise be missing.
The supporting cast: Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard; even without seeing the movie how could this be a miss I ask you?
Ok, talented director, great cast, so far so good. Now, all we need is an intelligently written script with witty dialog, good special effects and tons of action. Check, check and mate.
I'm not even going to try to write a review. I mean in all reality there is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said, and more eloquently I'm sure. The only thing I can really impart is that this movie not only lived up to my expectations,(which I always try, usually without success, to keep as low as possible) and then exceeded them. There is no misery greater to me then to build something (or someone for that matter) up and then have it turn out to be a bitter disappointment. Such is life I guess, but because I'm an eternal optimist, those moments when something, (or someone) actually does pleasantly turn out as good, or better than you had hoped are so sweet, they counteract the bitter ones. Now here's hoping I have far more sweet movie moments that bitter ones this summer.
PS, when you do endeavor to see Ironman, stay until all the credits are done rolling. There is one final scene you can't miss. I dunno I kinda really want to start building up my hopes for this entire franchise, even though logic always prevails and tells me to keep my hopes and enthusiasm in check, sometimes I just can't help it.
Of course I knew I would (or should) love Ironman. Jon Favreau is someone who's involvement in a project almost always ensures my enjoyment of said project, especially as a director (kinda like Kevin Smith)
Robert Downey jr. is such a ridiculously talented actor. Yes, he's suffered through a very public, notorious battle with drug addictions, which detractors everywhere must use to undermine his efforts, but let's be real, the man can act. The man has serious talent, in my opinion anyway, and I think he proves that time and time again. Maybe that's just my little quirk, my little personality flaw speaking, which drives me to appreciate people because of their flaws, not despite them, but I don't think so. I was more than confident Downey would shine, and his being cast as Tony Stark was excellent. He adds an undeniable element to the movie that would otherwise be missing.
The supporting cast: Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard; even without seeing the movie how could this be a miss I ask you?
Ok, talented director, great cast, so far so good. Now, all we need is an intelligently written script with witty dialog, good special effects and tons of action. Check, check and mate.
I'm not even going to try to write a review. I mean in all reality there is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said, and more eloquently I'm sure. The only thing I can really impart is that this movie not only lived up to my expectations,(which I always try, usually without success, to keep as low as possible) and then exceeded them. There is no misery greater to me then to build something (or someone for that matter) up and then have it turn out to be a bitter disappointment. Such is life I guess, but because I'm an eternal optimist, those moments when something, (or someone) actually does pleasantly turn out as good, or better than you had hoped are so sweet, they counteract the bitter ones. Now here's hoping I have far more sweet movie moments that bitter ones this summer.
PS, when you do endeavor to see Ironman, stay until all the credits are done rolling. There is one final scene you can't miss. I dunno I kinda really want to start building up my hopes for this entire franchise, even though logic always prevails and tells me to keep my hopes and enthusiasm in check, sometimes I just can't help it.
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