Sarcastic Bastard

i've been watching american idol again this season, and it's really starting to piss me off. most of the kids on the show suck, but a few somehow get a lot of respect from the judges. it's gotten to the point where anything paula abdul says carries absolutely no credibility...she looks like she's trying to be buddies with them all, an aging singer trying to recapture youth, it seems. randy is just annoying to listen to, trying to sound like he's from the streets (which he probably was, a long time ago). simon, however, is brilliant in my opinion. he's straight up with the kids (even though they often don't want to listen), and knows what the hell he's talking about: image, singing ability, personality. the kids are really dumb, and i believe the show is fixed. that remains to be seen, but if the final 10 consist of 5 girls and 5 guys, i'll know i'm right.

the other night, i was listening to andrew krystal on MOJO radio talking about how there are a lot of actors these days who are supposedly trying to be tough guys, but really aren't. one of the examples was ed norton. now, part of me agrees: norton is a skinny guy who doesn't convey the same kind of image as an arnold schwartzenegar (however you spell that!) or a vin diesel. BUT, norton does have a very strong presence, and comes across as one of those mentally tough guys. i think he's also bigger than he looks, as evidenced in his physical role in fight club. anyway, the reason i bring this up is that another example krystal used was kiefer sutherland. well, as those of you who watch 24 can attest, kiefer is one bad ass mofo! last night's episode kicked some serious ass. he's tough, sneaky, intelligent, and not afraid to take extreme measures. so, as much as i respect krystal's opinions most of the time, i gotta say he's wrong on this one.

so what else? well, i've just been tearing through books lately. last week i wrote that i'd finished life of pi, and started stick. well, i finished stick yesterday morning, and it was quite good. as with most elmore leonard novels, this one is easy to picture as a movie. turns out, there was a movie made of it back in the 80s, and i was very amused to find out who was in it, because it was nobody i'd expect. of course, i'm looking back nearly 20 years later, so obviously contemporary actors today are different. but still, i'd have never even imagined burt reynolds as the lead character! (if it were done today, i'd probably think of bruce willis, or maybe nicolas cage) now i'm already 3/4 of the way through catch me if you can, which is a very enjoyable read, and has made me more interested in seeing the movie once i'm done.

that's about it for now. it's quiet at work, but in a little while people are coming in, and i'll have some stuff to do.

posted by leor @ 10:38