The Five Best Moments From the 2013 Golden Globes (Plus a Priceless GIF of Glenn Close)

This GIF pretty much sums up the 2013 Golden Globes. Enjoy.

This year's Golden Globe Awards will definitely rank amongst the best ever, thanks mostly to the hilarious host Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. But more on them later. Here are the greatest moments from this year's ceremony:

5. Adele Wins Best Original Song for "Skyfall"
She ruled 2011 and 2012, and it seems her reign isn't letting up in 2013. Adele made her huge public return at this year's Globes, and surprised no one (except maybe Taylor Swift) when she won the award for Best Original Song for her hit "Skyfall" from the Bond movie of the same name. Ever humorous and humble, Adele admitted she was expecting to just be there for the party as she accepted her speech. Oscar glory is all but guaranteed for her come next month.

4. Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig Present Best Actress
Last night was filled with laughs, but the most side-splitting moment by far came from Bridesmaids star Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell, who presented the award for the Best Actress - Comedy or Musical. The two played a hilarious skit where they try to describe the performances that they haven't seen, with absolutely outrageous results. If this was their audition for the Golden Globes 2014, then they can take it.

3. Ben Affleck Wins Two Golden Globes and Gets Back at the Oscars for Snubbing Him
Many people were surprised to learn that Ben Affleck (and Katheryn Bigelow, for that matter) did not receive a Best Director nod from the Academy Awards. Well it seems the AMPAS (Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences) has some explaining to do, after Ben Affleck not only won Best Director for his critically lauded film Argo, he took home Best Picture as well. Ben, who admitted to be in recovery mode following the mess that was "Bennifer", seemed stunned when he picked up his Best Director trophy, pipping frontrunner Steven Spielberg and his film Lincoln. With this huge double whammy from the Hollywood Foreign Press, Argo is firmly set as a frontrunner in this hotly-contested Oscar season.

2. Jodie Foster. Enough Said.
I wasn't expecting much from Jodie Foster when they announced she was receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. That was a mistake. Huge mistake. The actress, who has logged nearly five decades worth of performances, delivered one of the most unbelievable speeches in the history of entertainment. Part-retrospective, part-coming out, part-diatribe on privacy in Hollywood, part-tribute to her mother, and part-retirement declaration, Foster left everyone either laughing, crying, or just speechless in her acceptance. While proclamations that it was the best speech ever might be taking it too far, Jodie Foster's speech will certainly go down as the most memorable in Golden Globes history.

1. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Need To Host Every Awards Show
From start to finish, comediennes Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were absolutely brilliant, so much so that I wished we got to see more of them during the three hour telecast. There were just so many hilarious moments, from their dragging James Cameron and James Franco within minutes of each other, to their dig at Taylor Swift and her serial dating, to their drinking after losing the Golden Globe to Girls star Lena Dunham, to their trolling of the presenters as fake nominees, I can't possibly see why those two shouldn't remain as host for the foreseeable future. Oscar host Seth McFarlane has his work cut out for him.

What were your favorite moments from the Globes?

BEST: Prince Says The Internet Is Over!

Prince says NO to iTunes for new album 20Ten

Prince would say some next level stuff like the Internet is over, because he's freakin' Prince!

The pop legend declared the world wide web's demise in an interview with UK tabloid The Daily Mirror, which is giving away his new album 20Ten for free this week. The Purple One, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's BET Awards, has yet to announce an American release date, but it certainly won't be over iTunes, or the Internet.

“The Internet is completely over. I don't see why I should give my new music to iTunes or anyone else. They won't pay me an advance for it and then they get angry when they can't get it. Internet’s like MTV. At one time MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated. Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can’t be good for you.”

Of course, he couldn't be further from the truth, but Prince wouldn't be who he was if he didn't make comments like this. Plus, he has a pretty dodgy history with big business. Remember when he changed his name to that symbol in the 90's during a feud with Warner Bros. (who ironically share his distaste for YouTube)?

BEST! Jennifer Hudson's Outstanding Weight Loss

Hollywood is full of celebrities who have tried all different kinds of diets, with a mixed bag of results. So it was a breath of fresh air when singer/actress Jennifer Hudson blew through with a heavyset figure she was completely proud of. She surely was an inspiration for girls not to stuff their heads in toilets.

Now, after having her son David Jr. last year, the Oscar-winning diva has decided to drop the baby weight, and more, with the help of Weight Watchers. Her successful transformation has gotten her the job of their spokesperson, complete with her own commercial.

The TV spot is nice and all, but how she looks is really important, and she looks AMAZING!

For some context, here was Jennifer at the 2008 Grammy Awards:

As you can see, the change is simply astounding. And she did it for some really good reasons too. She told Robin Roberts on Good Morning America that she joined Weight Watchers because she wanted a better lifestyle for herself, and she wanted to set a good example for her new baby boy.

Congrats on the success, Jennifer! You look absolutely amazing!

My Favorite Song of the Past Decade: A Retrospective

"CALL THE SHOTS" BY GIRLS ALOUD

 

The last few months of 2009 were flooded with "best of the decade" articles and posts from all over the publishing world, regardless of niche. I love those kinds of things, and I wanted to throw myself in, but I found it really hard to choose a list of the best songs the past decade had to offer.

Now the first decade of the new millennium has past, I looked through my ever-expanding iTunes library and decided on the one song that was worthy of mention. It is the song that completely changed how I viewed pop music, and if I never heard it, there was a good chance that I would not have discovered and downloaded 75% of the music that I did in the two years since its release.

And, as of 1:29 am, I have played this song 837 times.

The song I am talking about is "Call The Shots" by Girls Aloud.

I had first encountered the British girl group in early 2007, when their song "Something Kinda Oooh" (the second most played song on my iTunes) was used in a YouTube video about Melrose Place I was watching. After doing my research, I found their song and quickly began playing the heck out of it. I only added one song of theirs after that, "I Think We're Alone Now", choosing not to do my usual thing where I become obsessed with them and quickly burn out on them a month later.

In November of 2007, I was on YouTube again when I saw a link to Girls Aloud performing on X Factor, the British show that I only knew as Leona Lewis' origin. I watched the video, where they performed their new single titled "Call The Shots". Besides the little issue of Sarah Harding being a hot mess, everything about that performance was fantastic, and I immediately sought out the song. When I found the studio version, I fell head over heels in love with it.

I thought it was one of the most perfect pop songs I ever heard. It was a ballad, but the wondrous synths gave it an undeniable energy. The production, provided by Xenomania, was flawless in its mixture of melancholy, resilience, and hope, and it made me realize that synthpop could be more than just a dance floor filler. I fell in love with Nadine's voice, which sounded so powerful as she sang one of the most addictive hooks I ever heard (and ballads aren't supposed to have addictive hooks). The lyrics, although a bit confusing in the first few listens, have one of the most mature, adult outlooks on relationships that pop music has ever had, while maintaining its Europop style (again, the "call the shots" hook still gets me to this day). The song would end up being one of their biggest hits, peaking at #3 on the UK charts (behind Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" and Take That's "Rule The World") and spending seven weeks inside the top 10. It is also one of their most critically acclaimed records, with Popjustice declaring it the best pop song of the 21st century and their best song ever. Even though seeing the song's success was nice, it was the song that truly commanded my attention. After years of listening to current mainstream R&B slosh, my ears were touched by a whole new, much more attractive, sound.

My musical tastes would never be the same.

So, what would come of my love of "Call The Shots"? Well, my Girls Aloud hesitation quickly abated, and I gathered as much music as I could from them. My scavenger hunt for all things GA ultimately brought my attention to other British artists, which immediately included Sugababes, George Michael, Take That, and Westlife. It was also the song that helped my curiosity about Leona Lewis, the X Factor winner, develop into being a huge fan of hers. For awhile, in fact, "Bleeding Love" and "Call The Shots" were duking it out in my iTunes library for most played song of the year. Girls Aloud ultimately exposed me to a whole new country to find music. I soon began realizing that British music tended to be a lot more satisfying than pop in the States. Since 2007, a lot of my music has been influenced by what is successful in Great Britain, which allowed me to be ahead of the curve when it ultimately arrived here. Although it would be really hard to be exact, I can safely say that British and American music have a near equal bearing in my library. As you could expect, my life for British music poured over into a love for British culture. I became fascinated by everything Brit; their TV, their government, their newspapers, even their celebrities. To this day, when I make my daily internet rounds, I always stop at The Sun or The Daily Mail to see what's up across the pond. It allowed for a different perspective, which I think is necessary as you are growing into an adult.

I also credit "Call The Shots" for elevating my pop senses. Before, it would be really easy to fall into the crap traps that were the one-hit wonder pop songs that seemed to flood the decade. With a solid example of what good pop music could be, I found myself evading certain music that ended up smashes, like "Crank That" or "This Is Why I'm Hot", or, more recently, the R&B pop male triumvirate ("Replay", "Whatcha Say", and "Down", for the most part). I became a smarter, more thoughtful pop music listener, and I credit it to that song.

Without "Call the Shots", I have absolutely no clue where my tastes in pop would lie. Without that song, my view of the entertainment world would be vastly different. It may seem doubtful that one song could be so transformative, but I can honestly say that it did. For those reasons, and the because it is inarguably one of the best British pop songs of the last 25 years, "Call The Shots" is my best song of the decade.

If you haven't heard of the song, or them, do yourself a favor and check out the video below.

In Case You Didn't Know, "Bad Romance" Is The Best Video of the Year

What do bearskin rug capes, ridiculously shaped Alexander McQueen shoes, sex trafficking, murder, the Russian mafia, and bath houses have in common?

Nothing, unless you are watching "Bad Romance", the latest music video from Lady Gaga.

The pop star unveiled the video for her latest single on her website today, after holding its release back one day. The anticipation wasn't for naught, because the video is, without a question, both her best and the best of the entire musical year.

The video features an "innocent" Gaga (hence the wide, anime-style eyes) being kidnapped by white-wearing people, forced to down vodka, and sold into sex slavery sponsored by the Russian mafia. She appears to get her bearings back in the end, as she sets her slavemaster's bed on fire.

With this stunning masterpiece, Gaga has proven herself to be the most creative artist in pop music today. It is the most visually stunning, thought-provoking, and innovate music video of the year, and it most likely ranks in the top 10 videos of the decade. The only other artist I can think of off the top of my head who delivered art like this is the godfather of music videos himself, Michael Jackson.

I cannot think of anyone better to follow in his footsteps.

Jay Leno Grills Emotional Kanye West On VMA Disaster

Kanye West became very emotional, almost on the verge of tears, as Jay Leno questioned him over his antics at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards.

The rapper, who now-infamously stole the mic from Best Female Video award winner Taylor Swift, was grilled on Leno's new show before performing "Run This Town" with Jay-Z and Rihanna. Kanye appeared truly repentant over his actions, even offering to apologize to Taylor face-to-face.

Things got emotional for Kanye when Jay asked him how his mother would react to his behavior. Kanye's mother Donda died last year after a botched medical surgery. The question clearly affected him, because it took him a few seconds to answer. Within that break of time, Kanye appeared to be crying.

The embattled rapper claims that he plans on taking a break in order to re-evaluate his celebrity.

After Sunday's behavior, that sounds like an excellent idea. I think he's truly sorry, but he really needs some serious help.

Check it out below:

THE QUEEN IS BACK! Whitney Slays With "Million Dollar Bill"

UPDATED WITH FULL HQ VERSION!



"I Look To You" was only the beginning.

Whitney Houston's long-awaited comeback has officially begun with the release of the first pop/rhythmic single "Million Dollar Bill", the much-discussed collaboration between Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. The song will officially impact radio tomorrow, but the song has leaked in snippets FULL today. After listening to it a good 50 or so times, I can very well say that the hype for this song was well-deserved.

"Million Dollar Bill" was called a classic throwback with a modern twist, and they weren't lying. The intro, from its funky guitars to the long Whitney-style note, is ripped right out of the 70's. The closest reference I can think of is The O'Jays. At the same time, it still sounds like its from this decade, thanks to some brilliant genius strokes production-wise from Swizz Beatz. The midtempo disco style continues into the chorus, with one of the most infectious hooks of Whitney's entire career. Trust me, the chorus' first line will take root in your brain after the first listen. If it doesn't, you've got some serious willpower. Serious kudos goes to Swizz and writer Alicia Keys for not giving Whitney some ridiculous, generic hip-hop crap. It's clear that this song was made with Whitney, a classic diva who is above the limitations of today's Top 40, in mind, while still sounding fresh in contemporary. At the same time, it wouldn't hurt if the song had a little something more to fill it out; a remix would do it wonders (see "It's Not Right, But It's Okay")

Now, about the voice. She definitely sounds better here than on the previously released songs, including "I Look To You". The drop in tone is still recognizable, but with this kind of song, its not as disarming as you would expect. Her voice is reminiscent of the My Love Is Your Love era, which is refreshing. As I wrote in my review of "I Look To You", the vocal changes are something to get used to, but Whitney never truly lost her title as "The Voice".

Those wondering about Whitney's chances of success in today's pop world can be rest assured: the Queen is back and ready to take over.

I Look to You is released on August 31st.

BEST: Kings of Leon FINALLY Find US Success with "Use Somebody"

Anyone who has been reading this blog since last year knows that I like Kings of Leon. Both "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody" were top 10 hits on the BWU Chart, even when most people in the mainstream weren't even aware of them.

Well, they are finally catching on here in the US after tons of international success, thanks to their second single "Use Somebody", an excellent rock anthem. The song got its first mainstream exposure when the band performed it at the MTV Movie Awards two months ago. The song caught on, gaining steam on CHR radio, which shamefully ignored "Sex on Fire".

The song its currently in what I like to call its "smashing" phase, thanks to tastemaking New York radio station Z100, which added the song to its playlist earlier this month. Currently, it is #2 on iTunes, behind the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling". It's #15 on CHR radio and climbing, which is quite amazing since it was barely making a sound a few months ago. It will mostly likely debut in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 this week, making it their first real mainstream hit.

Last year, "Use Somebody" saw a peak of #2 on the UK Singles Chart, selling over half a million copies. Good to see the US is trying to catch on with worldwide mainstream trends.

If you have yet to hear this song, check it out below:

Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon

The CW's Gossip Girl Delivers Best Episode To Date

Gossip Girl is many things to different types of people. It's a visual Bible for tweens, a guilty pleasure for teens and young adults like me, and a source of corruption for adults. Rarely is it considered a genuine television drama worthy of praise.

Well, that may change soon because tonight, Josh Schwartz presented the best episode in the entire Gossip Girl series. Emotional, powerful, intelligent, and shocking, tonight's episode, entitled "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?", should silence the critics who brand the series as mindless fluff.

SPOILERS COMING UP

The episode focused on the aftermath of Bart Bass' timely death. For such a minor character, Bart's passing definitely caused a ripple effect. By ripple, I mean massive waves that threaten to crash onto the show's already shaky canvas. His death left many of the characters shaken, but no one more than his very troubled son Chuck. Usually impeccably composed in appearance and demeanor, the Chuck Bass seen tonight was completely dissheveled. His eyes were weary, his hair was scruffy, and his voice was gravelly. What was more interesting was Chuck's attitude throughout the episode. Chuck has always been a kinda bad guy, but he was bitter cold, even dealing with his step-brother Eric. The ice veneer finally cracked, thanks to Blair. Never one to give in, Blair fought hard to get through to Chuck. She even went as far as to say the words she never wanted to; "I love you". The words struck a chord with the broken Bass, who showed up in her room during her mother's wedding to Cyrus. There, Chuck finally broke down, crying sobless tears in Blair's waiting arms. It was a beautiful scene, probably the best in the show history. Ed Westwick's performance in this episode was a revelation, and if I wasn't certain that teen dramas will never be nominated Emmys, I would consider him a lock for a Best Supporting Actor nod.

Another big storyline affected by the death of Bass was Lily and Rufus's on-and-off relationship. The two met in Central Park, where he declared he would wait for her this time. Lily, after episodes and episodes of denial, finally admitted she loved him too and the two planned a getaway. However, that rendezvous seems to be postponed indefinitely, especially after the bomb that was dropped in the jaw-dropping cliffhanger.

The last few episodes have revealed that Lily was in fact institutionalized, like her son Eric. Bart's digging into her past was definitely unwelcome, but we didn't know why until tonight. She was sent to the institution because of attempted suicide or drug addiction. It turns out that Lily was pregnant, with Rufus' baby. BOMB DROPPED.

Just when you thought that the path was cleared for the longtime lovers to reunite, a whole mess of bricks are dropped in front of them. If Rufus' word can be trusted, than the chances of the bricks being lifted are slim to none.

The only weak spot into tonight's episode was the slightly dreadful Aaron/Dan/Serena love triangle. Amongst death, emotional breakdowns, and dirty secrets blowing up, these three are trying to decide which guy gets the girl? Honestly, there's no one to root for anyway; Aaron's annoying, Dan's an obnoxious, pretentious jackass, and Serena has REALLY bad taste. It's a lose-lose-lose situation.

Except for that small, but annoying blemish, tonight's GG was exceptional. The acting, particular Westwick's, was excellent, the storylines were appetizing while leaving us craving for more, the cliffhanger was shocking, and there was significant character development.

It makes me wish that new episodes ran through the Christmas season.

To vote for Gossip Girl as Best Primetime Show, visit the BWU Website at http://brandonbestworst.webs.com and click on the "BWU Awards" link at the top of the website

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony: The Best Ever!

Seriously, I can't even remember previous Opening Ceremonies when compared to this one.

The 2008 Summer Olympics, hosted by the city of Beijing in China, started off with a spectacular opening ceremony. Directd by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, the ceremony was a stunning piece of work, unlike anything I've ever seen at the Olympics before (my memory goes up to 1998, with the Winter Olympics in Nagano).

The truly amazing part came before the always-awesome Parade of Nations. The segment was sort of a "history lesson" on Chinese culture, taking us through both the ancient and modern times. What was impressive was how the most miniscule detail was paid attention to. When the 2008 performers were playing those drums that lit up, it was awe-inspiring to see how precise they all were. Another visual wonder were those boxes that lifted up and down, whether to show water or the Great Wall of China. It was amazing to see at the end that the boxes were being moved by people, not machines. It boggles the mind to consider how much pratice all of that took in order for everyone to be synchronized the way they were.

The Chinese people's appreciation to such detail, precision, and perfection is definitely something to be admired. That dedication helped create one of the most awe-inspiring sights I have ever witnessed. The mix of past and present, the recurring theme of peace and openness, it all came together in a ceremony that will go down in Olympic history as one of the best.

An NBC commentator described this year's Olympics, and the opening ceremony in particular, as China's "coming out" party. With one like this, China has definitely succeeded.

To watch the full ceremony, click here

Chris Brown and Ciara at the BET Awards 2008

50 Cent must've been tight last night!

Chris Brown delivered a REALLY boring performance of "With You" at last night's BET Awards. Just when you thought it was over, he switched it over to "Take You Down", his top 10 single on the R&B charts. Well, he didn't sing it, but can you blame him? It would be pretty distracting to sing when Ciara, dressed like a dominatrix/sex goddess, is dropping it above you!

I don't understand why she came out, but I'm glad she did. Ciara SAVED that performance, because without her, it would've been completely forgettable (and a bit gross, depending on your gender or preference). Their chemistry was on point. I loved how Rihanna looked amused when the camera went to her, because apart of me knows she was just a little bit ticked off that Ciara was practically having sex with her "friend" onstage. Also, I would be nervous if I was Chris, because I know 50 wasn't happy. In fact, I can almost see him talking to reporter, saying how Chris is wack and not enough man for Ciara, launching another feud.

Here is the video:

CB - WY&TUD [BET]
by Alisvideo

The Best "Don't Let A Loss Get To Your Heart" Songs (Part 1)

The title comes from a friend of mine (who shall remain nameless, lol) and the songs are pretty much songs you should listen to whenever you're feeling down. Whether you want to wallow in despair or lift yourself up from the ashes, there's something here:

"Fix You" by Coldplay - I have just begun discovering Coldplay, and this song almost immediately stuck out to me. It is a somber, yet uplifting song allowing to remember that we all aren't irreparably broken.

"Hometown Glory" by ADELE - This song is absolutely beautiful. It just seems perfect for a bus or train ride home after a difficult day. Although she is singing about London, I feel like this song could applied to any city, especiallyh my "hometown" of New York

"Better In Time" by Leona Lewis - Like I wasn't going to slip a Leona song in here, lol. Seriously, it's a great, uplifting song about surviving a bad break-up. Even if the lyrics don't get you, the powerhouse singing it definitely should.

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day - Grammy-winning perfection. "Boulevard" is one of Green Day's best songs, because the lyrics are personal, making them easy to connect to. It's a terribly moving song.

"Ugly" by the Sugababes - Have you ever been teased, made fun of. Ever wonder the perfect comeback? Listen to this song. Not only does it give you a good quip, it reveals a bit about human nature. The girls' harmonies are seamless in this song, making it a very pretty track; one of their best.

"Hollywood's Not America" by Ferras - There was a reason the song was chosen as the American Idol goodbye song before Ruben came along. The song with a story is a somber, wonderful song that fit perfectly with a dejected contestant going home in defeat.

"Tears Dry On Their Own" by Amy Winehouse - You would never think this was a sad song if you listened solely to the melody. The Motown- sound, ripped right out of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", masks the pain in the lyrics. Then, there is Amy's voice, rich in soul and passion, reminding you about the song's lyrical content. If you're looking for a double whammy of joy and sorrow, here's your song.

Record Contract For Archuleta?

According to trade magazine Hits Daily Double, the wheels are spinning for runner-up Archie!

While RCA Records focus on winner David Cook and his guaranteed #1 single "Time of my Life", Archuleta will be signed to Jive Records, home to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. However, there will be no David-David war on iTunes; A's single will be released around the time of his album, during the summer.

There are some possible reasons for this choice. Maybe they are afraid of a Clay/Ruben outsell happening again. Maybe they want more time to cultivate a record for little D. Then, there is the easiest reason; they want to focus on their winner.

Figure it out for yourself.

Archangels, proceed to scream now, lol.

Greatest Scenes in Movie and Television History: Part 1

In no apparent order, I have decided to put together, what I consider, the greatest, most iconic moments from recent television and movie history.

The first scene is from Grey's Anatomy, which will be featured many more times. The season finale of Season 2 was known for many things, including the infamous Meredith/Derek reunion sex. However, the best moment of the episode, the season, and arguably the series was when the interns walked into Denny's room, finding Izzie lying next to his dead body. Everything about the scene was perfection. Katherine Heigl, who tended to take a backseat to Ellen Pompeo and Sandra Oh since the series began, really shone through, and became a real reason to watch. It may have been this scene that helped launch her burgeoning movie career. This scene also helped in launching Grey's as a serious contender on television.

Check it out below:

Whitney's Back! Her Triumphant London Performance!

Weeks after her disastrous appearance at a Tobago jazz festival, Whitney shows the UK why she is "The Voice".


Weeks after her disastrous appearance at a Tobago jazz festival, Whitney shows the UK why she is "The Voice".

The pop queen performed yesterday at the Caudwell Children's Legends Ball in London, to magnificent reviews. A guest told People Magazine that she "both looked and sounded amazing". In an hour-long performance, she sang many of her chart-toppers, including "I Wanna Dance With Somebody", "Greatest Love of All" and her signature "I Will Always Love You".

Whitney's comeback performance comes after her terrible showing at the Plymouth Jazz Festival in Tobago, where her voice was ragged and she called out a different country's name. Many considered that performance as a sign of how her storied drug use damaged her legendary voice.

Apparently though, those fears can be put to rest!

Movie Review: "Iron Man" Has A Heart

          There's more than gold-and-red painted metal to "Iron Man"

When I left the movie theater at 3:15 pm, there was one thought running through my head: Iron Man is the best superhero film I have seen in a LONG time.

Ironically, it's because Iron Man was more of an actual film than a summer blockbuster. Unbelievably smart casting, humor-ridden dialogue, well-rounded characters, and a coherent plot expand the movie's audience past the die-hard comic book fans. The movie would have done well regardless of its release date; its just fortunate that it was chosen as the kick-off to the summer movie season.

The movie is about Tony Stark, a genius billionaire playboy who runs a weapon production company that helps supply the US military. He is funny, witty, charming, and terribly self-involved, like many superhero alter-egos. His view on life is changed when he is kidnapped by infidels in Afghanistan after a weapons presentation to the Army. The explosion used to kidnap Tony nearly killed him, but the quick work of a European scientist saves him. To keep him alive, the scientist plugs a mini-power generator into his heart. The two work together on a special suit powered by the arc reactor that will aide in their escape, under the guise of developing a super-missile for the infidels. Stark eventually escapes, not before getting back at his captives, of course.

Speaking of heart, it is one of the central themes of the film. After his traumatic three-month experience in Afghanistan, Tony Stark decides to cancel his company's weapons division after witnessing the destruction they cause first-hand. His view of assistant Pepper Potts (played exceptionally by Gwyneth Paltrow) is also altered, recognizing the importance she holds in his life. Although a romance is only implied, the chemistry between Paltrow and Downey is there. She, along with picking up his dry cleaning, helps him replace the arc reactor keeping his heart beating. So, for the romantics, yes, she actually held his heart in her hands.

The middle part of the film deals with Stark perfecting the crude design he cultivated in that Afghan cave. The scenes are both hilarious and captivating at the same time. If you look at another way, it is also a bit sad, considering how isolated the billionaire appears to be. If you didn't love the character of Tony in the beginning, these scenes will definitely do the trick.

The last part of the film is very action packed and CGI-ed, while still maintaining the humor set earlier. I won't spoil the main plot (if you want a plot summary, email me and I'll put one up soon), but it is quite the spectacle. The ending definitely blows a certain superhero cliche into the sky.

Although a skeptical casting choice in the beginning, Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal is the only one that would make sense. His comic timing is key to what makes this film great; I have never laughed so much during a superhero film. His chemistry with everyone (even the computer robots that help him build the suit) is fantastic. His ability to be vulnerable (I'm assuming he drew from his drug experiences) makes his alter-ego more relatable than any other in the superhero franchise. He, quite simply, is the heart of both the film and the suit.

The other performances are great. Jeff Bridges, who plays Obadiah Stane, is fantastic as Tony's co-worker. Even in the beginning, you can see an underlying resentment that will help shape the rest of the film. Terrance Howard is woefully underused, being nothing more than a sidekick. However, there is a scene in the second half that implies a greater role in future films.

Iron Man is a triumph for Marvel Studios, who produced the film alone. The movie breaks free from the stereotypical comic-book flick, becoming a franchise that everyone can enjoy. Despite being a metal suit, Iron Man has brains, brawn, and most importantly of all, a heart.

RATING: 9/10

A Classic Whitney Performance

Here is Whitney Houston singing "Home" at her Concert for a New South Africa in 1994 (also known as the Bodyguard Era). Its one of her best, most emotional performances ever!

Hopefully, she can get back to this level; we need her!

THIS...is what a divorce from Bobby Brown will do for you!

  ""The Voice" Whitney Houston is all smiles at a boxing match last Monday. Her date for the evening was R&B singer Ray-J (don't get me started on that!) and she looks very happy and relaxed, despite a tell-all being released by ex-husband Bobby Brown. Show him what you're made of, Whitney!

The Jonas Brothers Tackle Diabetes In New Album

Girls, proceed to scream, squeal, and tear up.

The Jonas Brothers, arguably the biggest boy band on the planet right now, have revealed the name of the upcoming album that the "Burning Up" tour will support.

A Little Bit Longer, the band's third album, will be released on August 12th. The album title comes from the song "A Little Bit Longer", which Nick Jonas wrote about his struggle with diabetes.

The youngest brother of the band revealed he was a Type 1 diabetic in March 2007 during a benefit to support the illness. In order to help him manage the insulin-dependent disease, he uses the OmniPod insulin delivery system.

As a diabetic myself, I am very interested in how Nick will detail his experience in song. I am expecting a heartfelt ballad; a boisterous, teenybopper jam would seem a bit inappropriate (unless that's inspirational too). It takes a lot of maturity, courage, and strength to tackle something like that head on, and for that, he has my respect. When I found out he had the disease, it was shocking, considering the schedule he is able to maintain. Touring, recording, and promoting takes a lot of time and energy, and the fact that Nick is able to properly handle diabetes is truly astounding. If he and his seemingly responsible brothers are supposed to be role models for kids, then I definitely support it. Considering who the role models used to be (coughBritneycough), it is definitely a nice change of pace.

I'll probably never really like their music (I may give their album a chance), but they do have my respect.

For those who LOVE them, remember the Burning Up tour kicks off in Toronto, Canada on July 4th. The tour swings by NYC on August 10th at Madison Square Garden. Considering the response, the tour is probably sold out.

 

Picture comes from JustJared website