SceneIt_by_Marijke's blog

You know when you go to see a movie against all your better instincts? Yeah, it was like that. But go I did (at the request of one who will remain anonymous for fear of further public humiliation), and sorry I was.

Ugh. Any affection you held for the goofy shtick of Myers from his Austin Powers day will surely fade to distant nostalgia after you meet the Guru Pitka. In press for the film, Myers has talked about his own search for spiritual growth and the message he hopes the film sends amid the laughs. After sitting though the movie, the only message I could discern is that he thinks poop and sex jokes are the funniest things ever.

Another bad sign for Myers’ joyless flop is that after 30 minutes I looked at my watch and though, “God, how much of this film is left?” At only 90 minutes, it seemed much longer. Or perhaps time just moves more slowly when you’re not laughing.

The box office failure of “The Love Guru” could signal the end for the Myers-era of broad, larger-than-life, wink-at-the-camera crazy character comedy. (For reference please see Austin Powers and Wayne’s World.) Today’s comic hits tend to be more reality-based, or at least slacker-wishful-thinking-reality-based, comedies about everyday geeks who score smokin’ hotties. (For reference, please see Judd Apatow.)

The moral of this story: Always follow your instincts.

Last night on “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List,” the snarky red-head was in Tracy, yes Tracy. The comic was in town to a) record her new (and just released) comedy CD “For Your Consideration” and b) celebrate a homecoming for her assistant’s assistant Tiffany Rinehart, who graduated from Tracy High.

Kathy recorded her CD (which she shamelessly did just to receive a Grammy nomination, and possibly win) in Tracy and the episode includes shots of her in the Grand Theatre, Primrose Lane II Tea and Crumpets and The Great Plate.

You can also see her being interviewed by the Tri-Valley Herald and “Good Day Sacramento” personality and Turlock native Alan Sanchez.

In short, it’s all Central Valley all the time. I can’t say she loved the town, or the live chicken she was given as a gift during a party in her honor. But it was fun to watch and see her dole out her trademark snark on the valley. A sample comment: "It's so nice, if you like cow s***." A glowing review, for sure.

Check out clips from the show below. And catch the repeat of the entire episode tonight at 6 p.m. on Bravo.

Step away from the Ricky Martin. These are the songs of the summer that can really help you live la vida loca. So sit back, put on your shades and slather on some sunscreen. Summer is here.

"The Quest," Bryn Christopher

"I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me," Annie

"Into the Nightlife," Cyndi Lauper

Those were my picks, now post your own. Just no Ricky Martin. We have standards.

Four gals in six-inch heels just kicked that old codger Indiana Jones’ butt. That’s right, Hollywood, you can take your “niche audience” and shove it someplace not entirely polite. The “Sex and the City” ladies trampled all box office expectations this weekend to the tune of $55.7 million dollars. And a couple of those dollars came from yours truly.

I was among the throngs of women who flocked to the theater this weekend with friends to visit with our old pals Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha. Was it a great movie – probably not. Was it a fun movie – definitely. What has always made SATC work for me is the core friendship between the four women. That their lives were also glamorous, humorous and fabulous was just icing.

SATC broke records becoming both the biggest opening R-rated comedy (a spot previously held by “American Pie”) and the biggest opening romantic comedy (a spot previously held by “Hitch”) in movie history. With any luck, it will also help break old-Hollywood thinking that a film needs a male lead to open big at the box office.
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Former Modestan Janelle Ginestra has stepped it up and danced into the final five of the new Bravo dance series “Step It Up & Dance.” The 18-year-old Johansen High graduate has made it past seven other contestants and is on the verge of making the final four and the grand finale. It’s an impressive display of fancy footwork for the hip-hop dancer who was a part of the Starstruck All-Stars cheer and dance teams while in Modesto.

The episode airs at 10 p.m. tonight on Bravo. The finale will air the following week and the winner goes home with $100,000. Check out a preview of tonight’s episode below. Good luck, Janelle!

Apparently, it’s really, really, not easy being green. If you’ve been around the web-block, you might have stumbled across Sad Kermit. The online parody of everyone’s favorite amphibian has been online and bumming us out since 2007. Why so sad?

“Soon after the death of Jim Henson, Sad Kermit spiraled downward into a life full of addiction, romance and pain. The songs and videos on this webpage shed light on Sad Kermit's descent into his dark, hurting world.”

The site has a series of song parodies sung by Kermit including covers of Nine Inch Nail’s “Hurt,” Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” and Radiohead’s “Creep.” Now, depressed Kermie has released his second video, this time for Elliott Smith’s melancholy “Needle in the Hay.” The clip is a parody of the suicide scene from “The Royal Tenenbaum” which uses the same song. Check them out side-by side. And then come back for a group hug. You’ll need it.