Wonderfalls

I thought I had little hope of even catching a glimpse of it, since the show was axed by Fox and was only watchable through DVD (Region 1 DVDs!!). It’s unfair. It’s short lived with only one season, it’s relatively unknown, why did I bother? It’s because I was wildly curious about a certain tall actor with pleasantly soothing voice and substantial eyebrows called Lee Pace, after seeing him in trailers for The Fall and Soldier’s Girl in good old YouTube. At that time I didn’t know about Pushing Daisies.

Quick facts

A 2004 show, Bryan Fuller creates it, Caroline Dhavernas plays the lead with other brilliant casts including Lee Pace. Although cut short, it developed a rather loyal fan base. Imdb page here. A campaign to save Wonderfalls here.

What?

Well, I heard good things about Wonderfalls and started my research. It didn’t have any ground-breaking premise like Heroes! Dexter! Desperate Housewives! (don’t get me wrong I love those shows). The idea of having figurines talking to you as a central idea of a TV show itself is odd. The heroine, Jaye, is a disgruntled overeducated underemployed retailer in a tourist shop and there seemed to be nothing special.

I’m glad I bothered.

It was still a weird show, but with good, fun, quirky writing and acting, after the initial joy of finding the stuff online, I was quickly pulled in! After episode 2, I was intrigued. I can’t pinpoint why I like it. The seemingly mundane lives of the characters and an interesting show coming out of it? Jaye’s intriguing mindset? Unexpected twists and wit? I’m only up to episode 2 so I can’t say a lot more about it, other than that I’m gonna watch more.

Where to watch?

Here. (not complete yet but I am hopeful)

More tidbits

• Australian Channel 9 did air this show (but I’m sure I wasn’t in Australia yet at that time), but as expected it pretty much disappeared into oblivion.
• This comes from the creator of Pushing Daisies! I haven’t even watched Pushing Daisies as Channel 9 has been bragging about it being their best! Show! In! 2008! And it’s near the end and people are sick of waiting and still no free-to-air Pushing Daisies. How sad.
• Apparently there are a lot of elements from Wonderfalls to be embedded in Pushing Daisies in season 2. according to some articles I read online! A deserving tribute to a show cut short. Lee Pace already took centre stage in Daisies but more stuff from this show is welcome.

Make Me a Deliciously Trashy Show

I can’t resist it. I like trashy shows that has the word ‘model’ in it. Make me a Supermodel is one. And it’s the Australian version, of course, because I live there. First time watching I was “Oh! Fun! I like this idea! Fresh!” then a simple research showed that the show originated in UK. Sigh. Of course. There goes one more light of hope that Australia can actually create an decent original reality show.

Hosted by the ever-golden Jennifer Hawkins, too bad every sentence out of her mouth has exactly the same tone, and she came out as rather bland… compared to the other two assertive judges that is. I forgive her because her hair looks pretty. The show, it’s like America’s Next Top Model with guys meet Big Brother and lots more catwalk. While America’s Next Top Model dangerously teeter towards bitch fest and freak show, this one is sliiiightly closer to the modeling and catwalking skills. It’s got its bitchiness, of course, but it’s not excessively so. And Hallelujah, no Tyra Banks! And brownie points for the pretty boys.

My favourite contender has got to be Tom, who was forgettable in early episodes but turns out to be the best without too much attitude problem. His only crime is to put too much product on his hair to make it look like it’s windswept unnaturally, while wearing hoodie on top of them, and looking like a snobby preppy boy. I did like Lucas, until he left the competition to focus on… excuse me??! Acting!? As for the girls, Courtney with the elfin ear looks really cute.

Sparky eyed little girls are better off away the show. Just look at Sheridan being told off harshly because of her weight, while her natural built is slightly bigger, she’s not fat at all. As a fellow big-boned person I am not happy. While it is quite disgusting, it’s also pretty understandable that the model pretty much has a standard size. Bleh. But I keep watching because trashy shows like this is just so damn entertaining.

Secretary

There’s something sliightly cheeky about the idea of the female secretary and the boss. After this movie, you’ll never think the same way.

Quick facts:

Directed by Stephen Shainberg, starring James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal, this 2002 movie was nominated for the Golden Globe. Sensuous, erotic and highly delicious while at the same time full of heart, gentle and uplifting. Weird combination. Official website here.

Synopsis:

The troubled Lee Holloway was just released from a mental hospital for self-mutilation when she found a job as a secretary of a demanding lawyer, Mr. E Edward Grey. Excited with the prospect of having a job for the first time, despite Mr Grey’s warning that it would be a very dull one, Lee was enthusiastic and this intrigues Mr Grey. Both emotionally troubled, they couldn’t deny that absolutely electric attraction and started an unconventional, sadomasochistic affair.

Rants (with spoilers):

I was expecting a cheeky watch of a light hearted comedy. I mean just look at the poster! One minute into it I realized I was wrong. Maggie’s Lee Holloway was dejected, lost, vulnerable and her naivety and excitement of getting a job for the first time was amazing, she’s almost a child-woman. Is it romantic? Very much. Funny? Oh yes. Black? Totally. James as Mr Grey was perfect in his controlling and cold demeanour, because he suppressed a lot of himself. And yet his gentleness, especially towards the end of the movie, could make anyone weak-kneed. Come on. First time I found a guy in his forties this delicious. More so than James Bond. And the sexual chemistry was brilliant. As Mr Grey tried to suppress his desire and Lee’s more convinced that it’s what’s right for them, she grew into a strong, confident woman. I especially like the one scene where Mr Grey wrote an apologetic letter to Lee and the next instant, upon seeing her, was him feeding the letter to the paper shredder. The humour works that way. Mr Grey and Lee gave what the other wanted, and outside, they’re just like another couple. Tongue-firm-in-cheek and sensitively made, this satire of a movie shows that love, how unconventional it is, might work its wondrous ways and this is a really sweet, satisfying watch that makes you fell all bubbly and warm inside. Strange considering the premise of spanking, bondage and all that.

Where to watch?

Is it really possible to find this movie online (then buy the DVD after you check out how awesome it is?) Surely not?! It’s too good to be true!! Indeed!

image credits: www.moviescreenshots.blogspot.com

77 beds

A cool and kooky short directed by Alnoor Dewshi and starring the amazing Ben Whishaw. Enjoy!

If you do want to know more about the short you can come here. On a side note, I don’t know anyone else so skinny yet this attractive.

Citizen Dog (Mah Nakorn)

Quick facts:

Directed by Wisit Sasanatieng, starring Mahasamut Boonyaruk and Saengthong Gate-Uthong, 2004, dubbed as the Thai Amelie, narrated by Pen-Ek Ratanaruang.

Synopsis:

Country bumpkin Pod went to Bangkok, despite his granny’s warning that he’d grow a tail living in the city. He found a job at a sardine cannery but lost his finger in a freak accident. So he went to search for the missing finger and decided to be a security guard instead, where he met pretty maid Jin, who’s obsessed in a white book that she didn’t understand.

Rants (contains spoilers):

I love the main theme. It’s full of heart.

Apparently this is really a tribute to French sensation Amelie, but the lack of sleekness and sophistication in Citizen Dog really is its charm. I like the use of colours, they’re really eye-popping, and the really fake special effects, like the grandma gecko, are adorable. Some of the characters are weird, even kooky, but this is surrealism so you should just go along and enjoy it. One good thing though, the plot seems like it goes haywire and you could never really predict where it’s gonna go, (except how Pod and Jin ends up, no?) and the two main characters’ naivety are sometimes annoying yet most of the times endearing. But. I do like Citizen Dog. What I love the most is its genuine warmth and gentle humour, like how the people in the city wears Jin’s blue maid uniform. And the bus grinding scene. And a little scene where the guy in the car who almost knocked Pod over really looked for his father.

Here’s a nice review of Citizen Dog.

Where to find it?

download, crunchyroll (with subtitles) or youtube (no subtitles)