What the what?!?! Episode 238 of The Sunshine Happy Kpants Hour is available now!

The 238th episode of 'The Sunshine Happy Kpants Hour' is uploaded and now available through iTunes, Talkshoe, Stitcher Radio and streaming LIVE right here.

This episode, the topics include: Tingler Televison, Castle Chaos Multicon, physical and digital media, tattoos and the joy of editing. This episode is legit!

Songs played this week:
1) Drain by Sofcult
2) March Sadness by Tawny Peaks
3) Better by Caracara
4) Free Range by Free Range
5) Digger by Great Grandpa
6) 1980's Horror Film II by Wallows

my thoughts on.... Val Camilletti

It's very seldom that I'm at a loss for words. For anyone that knows me, they know that words are something that I love. They're a personal passion of mine. It's apparent in my writing, my podcasting and even in my choice of profession as a customer service representative. I talk and write for a living as well as a hobby. The only time I'm not volleying my vocabulary, is when I'm sleeping and I've been told that even then I'm still as verbose, however incoherent it may be. Today, all my words escape me. Today, I lost not only a friend, but a family member, a mentor and one of the biggest hearts I've ever known. It's not just me that's feeling the loss, as we all shared a connection and a bond with the amazing Val Camilletti. She was a true original and to call her one of a kind would be selling her short. When she came into this world, they broke the mold. There never was and never will be another one quite like her. People always ask if working in a record store is like 'Empire Records' or 'High Fidelity' and the reality is, it kind of is. At least some aspects are the same. This is my journey. One that I took with Val that lead me on a crazy adventure where I learned who I was and grew up surrounded by a family bonded by love and music.

When my story began with Val, it was 1993 and I was a 19 year old college Freshman. I was new to the area and had just moved from Kansas City Missouri to River Forest to attend Concordia University. My goal was to become a high school teacher, majoring in art and English. On a day like any other, I made my way to a little record store located directly across from the 'El' platform known as Val's Halla Records. I'd heard this song on the radio and couldn't get it out of my head. I was hoping to track down a copy of the cassette and had seen a colorful postcard in my welcome packet at school and decided that this was the place to track it down. When I walked in the door, I was taken aback at the sheer overwhelming visual onslaught of sights and sounds that flooded my eyes and ears. Behind the counter, was none other than Val herself and Andy. They immediately welcomed me to the store and asked if they could help me find something. At this point, after hearing the song on Q101 several times, I mistakenly heard the name of the band as 'Cleft of Soul'. Andy jumped into action and began to browse the various written resource materials that were littered about the counter top and then moved to the giant phone book like index that seemed to be a catalog of everything ever recorded. Remember, these were the days before Google, as the internet was barely even a blip on anyone's radar. After questioning me further and not having any luck in locating this band, I got the spiel that perhaps the album wasn't out yet or it was a local group that didn't have much distribution. Feeling a bit crestfallen, I wandered the stacks of CD's, cassettes and records and eventually left, empty handed. After some time had passed, I finally came to know that the band was called Collective Soul and the song was 'Shine'. After purchasing the cassette from Val at a later date, I began to become a more frequent visitor to the store and despite being a little intimidated by Val, I never the less began to feel at home.

As my college career continued, soon it was 1995. While spending another afternoon between classes at the store, I found out that there was a job opening and hesitantly applied. At this point in my life, my music diet was fed mainly by the radio and the first batch of cassettes from Columbia House, that I'm not sure I ever paid for. Despite all of that, Val saw something in me and I was hired. Now, as a college kid who's creative and wanting to find his place in the world, this was like winning the lottery. Everybody wants that cool job that your friends are envious of. We all wanted to be record store employees. My days there, slowly turned into months and then into years. I devoured every piece of knowledge that Val would bestow upon me. I learned about every genre of music imaginable. She instilled in me a work ethic and the groundwork for what makes for excellent customer service. All along the way, providing me with valuable life lessons that you can't learn in a book or in school. I learned more in those first few years at Val's, then I ever learned in all of my years of higher education. It wasn't just from Val though. All of the people she surrounded herself with, fed my eager mind and gave me the tools to be more than I ever could have been otherwise. I even learned things that I didn't know were possible and things I never thought I needed. Case in point, Val consistently drove the point home, that we were always to be multitasking and paying attention to our surroundings. If there was a customer that was staring at a section too long or that looked like they were waiting for some attention, we were to address that immediately and make sure that we took those nonverbal queues seriously. But quite possibly the most fun party trick I gained was how to be an ambidextrous listener. Val insisted on the fact that if you were talking with someone else, that you should be aware of what's being said around you. This way, if someone had a question, you didn't miss it. This also meant that if you were being helped by one of us, that at the same time, the other staff that was there was to help out too. So if she didn't know the answer, but I did and I heard the question, I could stop mid sentence with the customer I was helping and address the other customers question too. It's a skill I retain to this day and makes me very alert to my surroundings and can sometimes garner strange looks from others. Val also was a firm believer in providing more than the customer asked for. Like when we got a phone call requesting what time we closed that day, we were also advised to tell them the full schedule for the week. You never knew when someone might say, “Hey, I didn't know you were open on Saturdays!” This is something I use in my current job and it gets me accolades for going above and beyond for my members. This was just another life lesson that Val taught me, that went beyond just being useful in the store. There's so many more, just too many to list and I'm losing my words again.

Before long, I had the opportunity to take over as a manager. I had changed career paths at school and was now at Columbia College studying film, so it only made sense to change roles in the store as well. Needless to say, I was floored at the idea that she trusted me to be her right hand man. Something I did not take lightly and thus began my era in the stores history. At this point in my life, I was firing on all cylinders. I knew more about music then I ever thought was possible. I could research things with such ease and accuracy, that it became like second nature. I became comfortable in the role of helping people and guiding them to things that maybe they hadn't tried before. I learned about what it takes to run a business. My entire world was opened up to all of the possibilities that there were in this life and that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round. I felt like I was a part of something far greater than I was and it was all thanks to a woman who gave me chance. Who saw something that even I couldn't see. Something that everyone deserves in this life, but not every one gets. That was the kind of woman she was. Because of this, I wear my time working with Val as a badge of honor. Some of the greatest days of my life, were spent behind that counter with her and no one can ever take that away from me.

Val also introduced me to all that Oak Park had to offer. Primarily in the form of places to eat like Erik's delicatessen, Grape Leaves, Vivaldi's, Tasty Dog and Luo's Peking House, just to name a few. She broadened my cinematic horizons and my taste in literature. Val was not only an expert in music, but an expert in just about anything that she loved. I'll never forget our Christmas parties, hosted after hours in the store. The anniversary sales, where one of us would go pick up some beer before the festivities started and for that one day, we would drink on the job. How many of you can say that? I remember one particularly snowy day, when I used to live within walking distance to the store (which she helped me find that apartment), walking to work and finding Val stuck in the snow, as driving a teal Camero in Oak Park is just asking for trouble. I helped push her out of the snow and met her at work a short time later. For that entire day, we only saw one customer, a man on ski's who had basically cross countried his way to come and shop. The rest of the day was spent with just she and I talking. It was something I will forever miss. That one on one time that we shared, because that.... to me.... was more valuable than any amount of money in the world. I also remember making runs to the White Hen Pantry for coffee, cigarettes or soda. Even as a manager, I was not above a 'Hen Run'. Which reminds me of another perk of being in Val's circle of friends, people know you. Not me in particular, but that I worked for Val. I'd get questions about how she was doing or “Do you carry the new album by Pearl Jam?”, it was a regular occurrence and something I never minded one bit. Did I mention that Val was intregal in my decision making process on what kind of dog to get? Yup. My love affair with basset hounds all stems from Val as well. She even introduced me to her personal vet, who soon became mine. Which reminds me that in the early days, Val didn't come as a one person act. She always had Loki in tow and Woden manning the store, even after Val had gone home for the night. I can't tell you how many times we'd go looking for Woden out in the bushes, when he decided it was time to patrol the area in front of the store. Those two had just as much personality as she did. Val also had an interesting knack for the people she hired. She once confided in me that she tended to only hire Virgo's. Not intentionally, but for whatever reason, she was drawn to them. I even polled the employees at the time, after I learned of this, and sure enough.... almost every single one of them was a Virgo. Just one more thing that made Val who she was.

Eventually, my time at the store came to an end. At this point, I had since completed all of the schooling I could handle and was married and wanting to start a family. (Val was at my wedding) I continued on in my role for as long as I could, until one day the decision was made to move to Kansas City again. The promise of a home and a place to raise my children, was too great and that was it. However, that is not the end of this story. Every year after, I was always there for the anniversary sale, right up until the original location closed. Any time I was in town, I always stopped in to say hello and chat. I even made sure that shortly after my daughter was born, that she came into the store to meet 'Grandma' Val. Time marches on, as I moved from one state to the next and then back to Illinois, but this time I was an hour and a half away. It was no longer a short walk to the store, but I still made time to see Val and to re-introduce her to my ever growing children. There was that moment when I'd walk in the store, where I was anticipating her seeing me again and that ever so familiar greeting, “Oh hey, you!” that just made me feel like I was home again. We'd spend time catching up, as we're both simultaneously listening for the cue to jump in and answer a question of a bewildered customer. It was always like no time had passed, but things can't last forever.

Last week I got the message that Val was in the hospital. By the weekend, she was in a rehabilitation facility and it was suggested that I come and see her, as her time may be short. I drove down late in the day on Sunday and was greeted outside her door by 14 other people who loved her just as much as I did. It was a bittersweet homecoming, as everyone smiled and put on their best faces. I could only wish that I would have so many people surrounding me that felt the way we do about her. There were plenty of deeply felt hugs and proof that family isn't just blood. This was my family and Val was out matriarch. We all spent time catching up and one by one visiting Val by her bedside. As the numbers slowly dwindled down to just me and my former right hand girl, Jen. We sat down next to Val and talked to her and regaled her with stories of the good old days. We're not sure if she heard what was said, but I like to think that she still knew we were there. Eventually, I was left alone with the woman who has always meant more to me than any simple words could express. I told her that I loved her and I thanked her for everything she did for me and for making me a better man. I rubbed her back and said my goodbyes and that was the last time I was ever to see her. By Tuesday.... she was gone. I still can't fathom how someone who was always so bigger than life, could just be taken like that in an instant. In our minds, we picture those around us as being immortal. I always thought that Val would be there. She was such a fixture in my world that the idea of her ever leaving it was impossible, but it's happened and I don't know where to go from here. As I write this, I have yet to really break down and feel the true weight of her being gone. I know it's still coming and I know it will be a crushing blow, but the one thing I continually take comfort in is that this isn't the end. The connections I made and the extended family she provided, will always be there. Val was the center of all of us, out bright shining star, and we orbited around her, like oh so many planets. Some of us were closest to her and others would drift in and out, but she created a greater universe of amazing people that I'm proud to have known. We've seen some come and go, but they're never truly gone. Once you're a member of Val's family, you're a member for life. For that, I thank her.

Which brings us back to the beginning, when I was once a 19 year old kid who wandered into a store, looking for a cassette. The thing is, I'm 43 years old now and I'm just realizing that.... I never really left after that. Rest in peace, Val. I only hope that you knew what a truly unique and wonderful person you were for so many and for so many reasons. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.

another GIANT blog update....!

I just posted this update on Facebook, but I also wanted to include it here for those who aren't on my Facebook. I've spent another 3 days updating my blog. This time, I decided to post trailers for every movie I review from now on. However, I couldn't just leave it at that.... I had to go back to all the old reviews and add them there too. So from now on you can expect on each review: 1 poster or DVD cover for the movie being reviewed, 1 screencap from the movie, the trailer for the movie, tags so the movies are easier to find, suggestions for other movies and of course my review. I know I'm probably going off the deep end by doing this, but I haven't been 100% inspired to write reviews.... so this allowed me to be creative and made the blog more coprhensive for you all and any new readers. I want to make this the best blog I can. So, that's it.... this should be the last changes I make. (i think.) Pretty soon I'll post a new review, but until then.... I leave you with this: 'Titanic II' a movie I don't think I ever need to see. It just seems wrong all on kinds of levels. Why make a "sequel" to the worst oceanic tragedy that ever occured and make it basically the same thing in modern times? I guess some more out of work actors needed something to do. Also, the direct to DVD market isn't saturated enough.... they had to add one more piece of crap that will eventually land in the $1.00 cutout DVD bin. Look for that coming to a DVD store soon. Enjoy!

(why wouldn't you even get on this boat?!?!)

in defense of Rebecca Black and 'Friday'.... an editorial....

A LOT has been written, said and joked about regarding the up and coming singer, Rebecca Black. She's a 13 year old 8th grader and the girl with the hottest internet music breakout in a long time. The sad thing is that it's not a positive breakout, she's the butt of just about every joke online and has spawned a meme all her own. You can't get online, visit a website or turn on the TV without hearing her mentioned in one way or another. As of the last check on http://www.youtube.com/, she was at 35 million hits for her video for 'Friday'. That's nothing to sneeze at for a 13 year old who was virtually unknown a couple of weeks ago. I admit that I have been a part of the majority of people who joked and teased about the horrible lyrics and tacky music that she had produced, but after some thought and a viewing of her 'Good Morning America' appearance I started to re-think things a little bit. I know that this editorial may not make me popular and might get me some backlash, however.... I think that there's more to this than meets the eye.

Let's start with the fact that Rebecca is the one receiving all of the intense backlash and ridicule, but is she really the one to be burning at the stake? Is she the one that wrote the song or made the music? The answer is no. A duo by the name of Clarence Jey and Patrice Wilson are to blame for that. They put pen to paper and wrote the most infamous lyrics of 2011. Another question, did Rebecca Black put the record out on her own? No. She is a proud member of Ark Records, a record label that has a nasty habit of putting their name in every song that their artists perform. That's just kind of lame don't you think? So far, Rebecca Black hasn't been shown as someone that should be so hated and despised by the general public. She's merely an 8th grader with a desire to make music and share her voice with anyone who'll listen.... is that wrong to have a dream like that? Especially at her age? I mean, how many of us would've done the same thing if we were put in that position when we were young? I know I would've done the same thing.

Embedded below is the official video for the song, if you haven't seen it yet watch it now:

Okay, so now you've seen the song. Is it better or worse than you expected it to be? It's catchy if nothing else. Let's take a look at the horrible lyrics from another angle. Rebecca Black is a young girl, one who doesn't have a huge amount of real world experience. She's 13 years old and in 8th grade. When we were in the 8th grade, what would our songs have sounded like if we wrote our own lyrics? Unless you're a child prodigy or a young Bob Dylan, the lyrics would have probably sounded like this:

(Yeah, Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ark)
Oo-ooh-ooh, hoo yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah-ah-ah
Yeah-ah-ah
Yeah-ah-ah
Yeah-ah-ah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

[Rebecca Black - Verse 1]

7am, waking up in the morning
Gotta be fresh, gotta go downstairs
Gotta have my bowl, gotta have cereal
Seein’ everything, the time is goin’
Tickin’ on and on, everybody’s rushin’
Gotta get down to the bus stop
Gotta catch my bus, I see my friends (My friends)

Kickin’ in the front seat
Sittin’ in the back seat
Gotta make my mind up
Which seat can I take?

It’s Friday, Friday
Gotta get down on Friday
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend, weekend
Friday, Friday
Gettin’ down on Friday
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend

Partyin’, partyin’ (Yeah)
Partyin’, partyin’ (Yeah)
Fun, fun, fun, fun
Lookin’ forward to the weekend

[Rebecca Black - Verse 2]

7:45, we’re drivin’ on the highway
Cruisin’ so fast, I want time to fly
Fun, fun, think about fun
You know what it is
I got this, you got this
My friend is by my right
I got this, you got this
Now you know it

Kickin’ in the front seat
Sittin’ in the back seat
Gotta make my mind up
Which seat can I take?

[Chorus]

It’s Friday, Friday
Gotta get down on Friday
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend, weekend
Friday, Friday
Rebecca Black Friday lyrics found on http://www.directlyrics.com/rebecca-black-friday-lyrics.html

Gettin’ down on Friday
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend

Partyin’, partyin’ (Yeah)
Partyin’, partyin’ (Yeah)
Fun, fun, fun, fun
Lookin’ forward to the weekend

[Bridge]

Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday
Today i-is Friday, Friday (Partyin’)
We-we-we so excited
We so excited
We gonna have a ball today

Tomorrow is Saturday
And Sunday comes after...wards
I don’t want this weekend to end

[Rap Verse]

R-B, Rebecca Black
So chillin’ in the front seat (In the front seat)
In the back seat (In the back seat)
I’m drivin’, cruisin’ (Yeah, yeah)
Fast lanes, switchin’ lanes
Wit’ a car up on my side (Woo!)
(C’mon) Passin’ by is a school bus in front of me
Makes tick tock, tick tock, wanna scream
Check my time, it’s Friday, it’s a weekend
We gonna have fun, c’mon, c’mon, y’all

[Chorus]

It’s Friday, Friday
Gotta get down on Friday
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend, weekend
Friday, Friday
Gettin’ down on Friday
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend

Partyin’, partyin’ (Yeah)
Partyin’, partyin’ (Yeah)
Fun, fun, fun, fun
Lookin’ forward to the weekend

It’s Friday, Friday
Gotta get down on Friday
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend, weekend
Friday, Friday
Gettin’ down on Friday
Everybody’s lookin’ forward to the weekend

Partyin’, partyin’ (Yeah)
Partyin’, partyin’ (Yeah)
Fun, fun, fun, fun
Lookin’ forward to the weekend

They're not good lyrics, but in 8th grade that's about the right mindset. Your life is going to school, hanging out with friends, having a good time and not always making sense. Singing about having cereal.... doesn't surprise me that she would include that, it's part of her day. The lyrics about the days of the week is a bit silly, I don't think anyone needs a lesson on how the week works do they? I suppose that one you can joke about. It's basically filler in the middle to take up a little more time or at least I hope that's why it was included. Also, the video depicts a young girl chilling out with her friends. I mean, the two in the backseat of the car in the second verse have braces for god's sake! They're just kids. And about the "Which seat can I take?" lyric, I have no defense or reasoning behind that one.... it's basically nonsense and I'm guessing that she just sang it because that's what they paid her to do.

below is her appearance on 'Good Morning America'. Watch it and see what you think of her after it's over:

For a girl her age, she's got a pretty good head on her shoulders. To take all of the shit she has and to still hold her head up high and not let it get to her is pretty impressive. I know that at 36 years old, I wouldn't be able to put up with that much loathing and hatred. I would probably lose it on a daily basis and regret my decision everyday of my life. It's like being the next Vanilla Ice or Milli Vanilli and look what happened to Rob Pilatus of Milli Vanilli, he killed himself. I think that everyone should re-evaluate why they're making fun of her and the song. What if she was your younger sister or daughter? Just look at the bit of the 'Good Morning America' piece where she talks about having "Bieber fever", she shows her age loud and clear. At that point, I really felt like a heel for ever making fun of her in the first place and that brought me to where we are now. I'm not asking you to change your ways, you can do what you want. I just want you to think about it from a different perspective. I want you to remember back to when you were a kid and what was important to you and to wonder if you wouldn't have done the same thing she did. I want you to consider pointing your hatred at the writers of the music and lyrics or at Ark Records for allowing this to be produced. Although, I do find that the lyrics really sum up the thoughts of an 8th grader, no matter how silly and mundane.

That's all I have to say about the topic. I'm not 100% sure that I got my point across the way I wanted too, but I hope that it at least got you to think a little bit. And if Rebecca Black reads this (which I doubt) I'd like to tell her to keep her head up and weather the storm, this too shall pass and maybe it'll bring you good things in the future. You're young and have your whole life ahead of you.... but it seems like you already are aware of that.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming....

my brief thoughts on.... 'I Need That Record!'

how many of you have ever set foot in an independent record store....? i'm guessing most of you buy online, .mp3 or from a "big box store".... am i right....? well, you're missing out.... it's not just a shopping trip.... it's an experience.... something that you can't achieve anywhere else.... but sadly they're dying off.... one by one they close down or get run out of business by bigger and larger places that they just can't compete with.... so if there is still one left in your town, go now before you can't go ever again.... that's what this wonderful love letter of a documentary is about.... and, me personally, having worked at and managed a real record store for 6 years this is something near and dear to my heart.... and the store i worked at, Val's Halla Records in Oak Park, IL, was forced out of their original locaion.... but has moved and is still alive.... thank god for that.... because i loved every minute of my time that i worked there.... and learned more in those 6 years about people, music and life than any other place i've ever worked.... hell, i learned more than in my everyday life.... or school....! i can't explain it to you.... but if you're a music lover or junkie, a record store is your dream location to be.... i know it was for me....
this is a documentary so again there isn't really a plot.... more of a narrative about the current state of the indie store and the how's and why's of what's killing them off.... it's very in depth and pulls no punches.... it also touches on the slow demise of the record industry and the rise of the internet in making both regular and indie music easy to find and buy for everyone.... but part of the joy of the record store was having to search for that one thing that you've been looking for.... if you can just get whatever, whenever where is the fun in that....? it makes collecting boring.... granted, you can more than likely find everything you've ever wanted.... but true collectors want the thrill of the hunt.... the joy of the find and that's it.... this documentary was bittersweet and made me realize that the trend of indie stores is happening here just as much as anywhere else.... and it's not just record stores, but anything owned by someone, not some corporation.... i don't expect that i can save the world or the independent retailers and i doubt this documentary can either.... but it stands as a record (no pun intended) of a soon to be extinct kind of place to go.... a sad reminder of where we've gone as a country.... it's on Netflix OnDemand and i highly recommend it.... 4 out of 5 stars....

to all those who own their own business, no matter what it is, i wish you all the best and commend you for living your dream.... godspeed to you all.

don't watch anything after this.... grab a phonebook and visit your local independent retailers

my brief thoughts on.... 'Air Guitar Nation'

i saw you playing air guitar.... you know you've done it.... i think we all have at some point.... but who knew there were championships for this....?!?! that it's nearly a sport....?!?! and that the world finals are held in Finland....?!?! i didn't know any of it before hearing about this on the radio when it first came out.... and i've been waiting to see it ever since.... and last night was the night.... it was OnDemand and ready to go.... it's a one of a kind documentary that you won't see any other documntary about.... it's fun.... and you'd think that they're poking fun at these people.... as the whole thing seems kind of silly.... but the joke wears off quick and you realize how seriously people take this "artform".... and by the end, you respect the guys for their 'airness' and wonder if you might be able to compete yourself.... the only real problem i would have with competing is having the balls to get before a large audience and pretend to play a guitar.... i think i'd be on the sidelines.... but hey, that's just me.... one side note on this, the 'sport' is growing.... so you'll probably be hering more and more about this as time goes on....

the movie centers around two competitors, Bjorn Turoque (Born to Rock) and C-Diddy.... it follows their rise among the different levels of competition all the way to the worl championships.... it also sheds a light on a subculture that most of us probably never even knew existed.... every character in the movie is interesting.... you want them to succeed and you get behind their journey.... i couldn't help but find myself cheering them on by the end of the movie.... and getting excited to see what kind of performance would come out of each person.... and they're from all over the world.... now the competition between the two main characters reminds me slightly of the movie 'The King if Kong'....
i don't know why anyone hasn't done a documenty on this before.... it seems to be a no-brainer.... who wouldn't want to see people pretend to play guitar in costmes and fake personas....? i knew i didn't think twice.... it's amazingly well done.... i'm suprised how fascinating the documentary filmakers made this.... i mean it's a sideshow all on its own.... but they took it to a whole different level.... i would even consider watching this one again.... it's just so much fun.... i gave it a high 3 out of 5 stars.... it's fantastic. go. watch. now.

the only other similar documentary is: 'The King of Kong'

my brief thoughts on.... 'I Think We're Alone Now'

remember the 80's pop star Tiffany....? well, this documentary focuses on two people who do.... REALLY do.... Jeff, a 50-year-old man with Asperger's syndrome, and Kelly, an "intersexual" (Hermaphrodite) who claims to have had an inspirational friendship with the singer when they were teens.... these two go beyond fans into the realm of creepy stalkers.... as a matter of fact, Jeff was forced to stay away from Tiffany while she was in her teens and he was in his 30's.... it was a 3 year restriction, but nowadays he goes to all the shows he can and seems to get as close to her as often as he can.... he's got hundreds of pictures with her.... hugs her, gets cheek kisses.... so i guess all was forgiven finally.... Kelly seems to think that it's her/his destiny to be with Tiffany and that's all there is to it.... he/she believes it so deeply it's disturbing and sad at the same time.... Kelly has never had a relationship and is a lonely individual.... where as Jeff is a bit more outgoing and has friends.... he's still way over the top.... i've seen horror movies that aren't nearly as scary as this documentary.... it makes me glad not to be famous.... or a hot redheaded singer.... either way....
this is a 3 out of 5 star 1 hour documentary.... and i can't recommend it enough as a study of the human condition.... these two people are so bizarre and out there that they have to be seen to be believed.... i am still in shock at them both.... i felt dirty after watching them.... and it was funny at the end that Jeff, realizing that Tiffany was happily married and only going to be a friend, brought up another obsession.... Alyssa Milano.... i nearly lost it when i saw this turn of events.... because it just showed how messed up he was.... and Kelly i just felt sad for.... they were both so socially inept and akward.... it hurt.... this really is something that you have to see to believe and thank goodness it's OnDemand right now.... so don't miss out....! i can't compare it with any other documentary.... and if i didn't know that it was real, i would almost think it was a mockumentary.... it's so over the top and strange.... anyway.... it just makes me wonder what Debbie Gibson has to put up with....

i can't think of anything else like this.... check this out and tell your friends

my brief thoughts on.... 'nbt: Never Been Thawed'

"This year's 'Napoleon Dynamite'." hardly.... entertaining....? somewhat.... i'll give it originality points.... and a few subtle laughs.... but nothing to write home about.... it's 100% low budget.... it's obvious it was someones pet project.... and i'm sure they're pretty proud of it.... however, i just didn't care for it too much.... or maybe i just didn't get in on the joke....? i don't know....

the basic story revolves around frozen entree collectors.... one's who are so obsessed that they have multiple stand alone freezers in their homes and apartments.... they wait patiently for the newest releases of the dinners and get them as soon as they come out.... there's also a subplot about one of the collector's having a Christian rock band that he converted from a non-Christian band just to try and make it big.... this bit lends itself to some funny moments, especially the little concert they have at one point where they're swearing while playing songs about God.... all of these stories lead up to the frozen entree convention that they've been planning for a long time....
i think 2 out of 5 stars is all this deserves.... like i said, it has a few moments of fun.... but overall it's not all that exciting and kind of a mess.... i wouldn't really recommended it other than for the novelty factor of the script itself.... how many movies have you seen about frozen food and Christian rock....? i can only think of one.... anyway.... watch it if you want.... maybe you'll get the joke.... but i missed the boat on this one i think.

if you like this: there isn't much else to compare it to, it's in a league of its own

my thoughts on.... 'Pirate Radio'

as you all should know, i'm a music lover.... perhaps some would say obsessed about music.... and i love a good film about music.... when i heard about this one, i was peaked instantly.... not too mention that the cast was amazing.... a strong group of grade 'A' actors who could all carry the movie just by themselves.... i had no idea about the story behind this.... it just sounded like an interesting story and had 'Joel' written all over it....

in the mid 60's, pirate radio was at it's peak and this is the story of a true pirate radio station.... so much so that it takes place on an actual ship.... where a group of men run a 24 hour radio station that plays all of the rock n' roll music of that era.... according to the story the regular radio stations didn't play the same kind of music and this was the only way for the masses to hear it.... and they had a huge following of listeners who loved the music and the guys who played it.... i don't want to give away too much of the storyline.... as it's a qualiy movie that is well worth the watch....
all of the actors are involved 100%..... the story is wel written and fun.... the music is amazing.... the direction is spot on.... and all in all it's an excellent film for music lovers and regular film lovers alike.... the story may not be totally original.... there are certain aspects that ring true from other storylines.... so it may sometimes feel like a movie you've seen before.... but that takes nothing away from it overall....

4 out of 5 stars for this little gem of a music based movie.... it has a lot going for it and i think it's worth watching and even re-watching.... i would give it the 'Joel' seal of approval.... it's available to rent everywhere and is worth your time to invest in it, because it pays off in spades....

if you like this movie, check out: 'High Fidelity', 'This is Spinal Tap' and 'School of Rock'