This post was inspired by one of my favorite pop culture blogs, NY Mag's Vulture, which recently asked Gillian Flynn, one of my favorite writers from EW, to keep a diary on her pop culture consumption for a week. I figured that was an easy way for me to write about the pop culture that's on my mind, so amazingly I managed to do it. This obviously doesn't include the vast amounts of online articles I read about pop culture daily because that would show my ridiculousness in a different way.
Day 1
9:00 a.m.
I’m about 70% into "A Dance With Dragons," the most recent entry in "A Song of Ice and Fire," which I mostly read on the subway. Chris generously let me borrow one of his many reading tablets and I’ve enjoyed not carrying around these massive books in my purse. Oh my, how IS Tyrion going to get out of this one?
10:00 a.m.
Friday means trailer day! I watched (and shared) trailers for “
2 Days in New York” and "
For a Good Time Call." I had read positive things about Julie Delpy’s follow up to “2 Days in Paris” and I’m excited to see Chris Rock in a “dramatic” role. I hadn’t head of “For a Good Time Call” until seeing this trailer but it looks fun. I have residual good feelings toward Ari Gaynor so I’d see this as part of marathon movie day. Later I watched the trailer for “
Pitch Perfect,” a kind of “Glee” meets “Bring it On.” I shared the trailer with Carolyn who replied within minutes with simply:
Carolyn: well
i'll obviously be seeing that
11:00 a.m.
I’m on Spotify for most of the workday so instead of obsessively listing what songs I listen to here I’ll give you the name of the playlist. Today was a Rolling Stones day. I recently created a Wes Anderson playlist after seeing "Moonrise Kingdom" and noted that he uses a lot of Stones in his movies. Realizing I didn’t think I’d ever listened to a full Stones album I subscribed to this Ultimate Rolling Stones one and I am LOVING it.
7:00 p.m.
I took advantage of my summer Friday to catch an early showing of "Prometheus" I managed to avoid spoilers so I was excited to see it. Saw some great trailers beforehand, most of which I’d already watched online.
• "
Django Unchained": SO PUMPED! Oscar for Leo!
• "
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter": I still haven’t decided on this one, I think I’ll wait for reviews to roll in to decide if it’s worth going in the theater.
• "
Frankenweenie": I feel like I’ve seen this trailer for MONTHS. Time to come out so I can stop.
• "
Savages": I hold out hope for this one, only because I love Taylor Kitsch and God knows he needs a win after "John Carter," which I did see, and "Battleship," which I totally meant to. He deserves better and Oliver Stone should be able to deliver. The trailer looks equal parts creepy and exciting. Also, hey Benicio!
• "
Gangster Squad": Is it just me or is this the only movie where Ryan Gosling’s accent actually makes sense? Loving everything I’ve seen and read about this.
So anyway, "Prometheus…"
SPOILER ALERT: I’m so confused! I was actively enjoying the film while I was watching it but then it was over and I was like, meh. Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace are both fantastic. I genuinely thought the tattooed geologist was Christian Bale for a good 20 minutes of the film. I also knew Guy Pearce was in the movie and therefore thought he was tattooed geologist’s respected friend who wanted to CUDDLE AN EYEBALL. So. Much. Confusion!
On the other hand the scene where she performs her own C-section will haunt me for months. Overall, I just can’t muster up much enthusiasm for the film. I get that the black goo is obviously the catalyst for creating life but if this film was made to answer questions about the "Alien" mythology it failed miserably by creating so many more questions than we were prepared for. But of course, there will be a sequel to answer those quesitons! We should have known that going in guys.
10:00 p.m.
Made it home to hang out with my kitten and started watching "Crazy, Stupid, Love" since I just ordered it from Amazon to push me into free shipping. Am interrupted by Alison alerting me to the fact that a man is going to walk on a tightrope across Niagara Falls. Am transfixed for a solid half hour with terror and wonder. Finish "Crazy, Stupid, Love," watch the latest "Ricky Gervais Show" (God bless Karl Pilkington) on HBOGO and go to sleep.
Day 2
9:00 a.m.
I recently started watching "Breaking Bad" from the beginning on Netflix. I'm enjoying it but am not flying through episodes like I thought I would. I had hoped to get all caught up before the new season starts but that's not looking good right now. However, I now understand why Cranston always steals away the win from Jon Hamm at the Emmys, even though I'm not 100% supportive of it. I watch a good portion of an episode while I’m getting ready.
10:30 a.m.
Before leaving for the day I watch the trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson's movie about Scientology, "
The Master." The teaser for this focused on Joaquin Phoenix but this time PSH gets his turn. He's doing his creepy best. Man, remember "There Will Be Blood?" PTA is just the best. Also, FNL's Landry as PSH's son. Impeccable casting! I am sold.
12:00 p.m.
I spend most of the day at the Jazz Age Lawn party on Governor's Island so while there is still culture (jazzy costumes, dancing, orchestra) it doesn’t quite fit this diary.
5:30 p.m.
Exhausted and sunburned I return home with some Five Guys and with every intention of watching "Animal House," which I’ve had from Netflix for weeks. Can’t seem to muster enthusiasm for it and decide to peruse Netflix Instant instead. I settle on "Kick Ass," which I’d never seen. It was fun but I think I’d heard it talked up too much.
9:00 p.m.
I gorge on two episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress" because I’m obsessed with it. They are followed by an episode of a spin off called "Randy to the Rescue," where Klienfeld’s “fashion director”/resident gay travels to Vegas with wedding dresses in tow to help brides find their wedding look. I obviously set a series record to this as well.
11:45 p.m.
Some more episodes of "The Ricky Gervais Show" and I’m asleep with a kitten by my side.
Day 3
9:00 a.m.
Up to make it to brunch I watch more "Breaking Bad" while I get ready. Walter just shaved his head and now looks like the badass he is.
11:00 a.m.
Meeting friends for brunch in Harlem but they are running late so I get some more "Dance With Dragons" reading done.
6:00 p.m.
Settle down in front of the TV with my computer to get some work done. I also recently started watching "Happy Endings" from the beginning so I decide to watch that while working. I’m liking it a lot, though I wonder what the recappers say about Elisha Cuthbert’s character. Am I supposed to dislike her this much?
11:15 p.m.
The usual "Ricky Gervais" episodes play while I fall asleep.
Day 4
8:00 a.m.
Watch some "Breaking Bad" while getting ready for work.
9:00 a.m.
More "Game of Thrones" on the subway. I’m about 85% done per my borrowed Kindle.
12:00 p.m.
Today’s Spotify playlist is Ultimate Mad Men, which I’ve been listening to a lot since season five started and has now ended. Favorite entries from the past season include “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” by Dusty Springfield and “He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss)” by The Crystals.
8:30 p.m.
Had a date but it ended early so I was home in time to watch "The Bachelorette" and still fast forward through commercials. It’s ridiculous but I am helpless against it. The recaps on EW the next day make the humiliation of admitting I watch it worth it.
11:15 p.m.
To shake things up I watch the pilot of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" as I drift off to sleep.
Pants tent!
Day 5
8:00 a.m.
More "Breaking Bad." Walter made a deal with Tuco and Jesse just doesn’t think it’s a good one.
9:10 a.m.
More "Game of Thrones." I’m about 87% done. If Dany doesn’t show up in the conclusion of this I’m going to pissed.
10:30 a.m.
Take a short break to watch the new "
The Dark Knight Rises" trailer. So much more Bane! I have already secured my tickets to opening day for this and am convinced it will be the highlight of my summer.
12:30 p.m.
Back to the playlist that started the Stones obsession, my Wes Anderson playlist. I was inspired to make this after seeing his most recent movie, "Moonrise Kingdom." It is fantastic and I recommend to all who love Wes Anderson. If you don’t like him, I must say, this is the most Wes Anderson-y of his films I can think of so steer clear.
6:30 p.m.
Decide to catch up on some DVR’d TV including "True Blood" and the last two episodes of "Girls." "True Blood" I can’t even say I really enjoy watching anymore. I feel like I’ve seen all these plots before. WHY are we subjected to watching Tara be a vampire? Wasn’t everyone excited when they thought she was dead and we didn’t have to listen to her anymore.
As for "Girls," I’ve really enjoyed its first season. The pilot got way overhyped but the successive episodes really built on who these characters are. There has been so much written about the show that it feels superfluous to add more so I’ll just link to some of my favorite articles about it and leave it at that.
However, I will say these last two episodes were especially affecting as we see SPOILER Hannah and Marnie move farther away from each other as they each realize hard truths about themselves. We’ve all been there, right? Then Bobby Moynihan shows up and makes the season with his hilarity. "Girls," I’m signed on for season two along with DONALD GLOVER!
A.V. Club article I liked:
http://www.avclub.com/articles/how-girls-challenges-the-masculine-expectations-of,81266/
10:30 p.m.
When I turn off the DVR "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II" is on HBO and I watch until INCREDIBLY OLD SPOILER Snape is about to die and I have to turn it off because I don’t want to go to sleep a teary mess.
11:45 p.m.
Ricky Gervais and Co. lull me to sleep.
Day 6
8:00 a.m.
Nothing like watching some meth being cooked to start the day.
9:00 a.m.
More—you guessed it—"Dance with Dragons!"
2:15 p.m.
Break down and watch the new "
Breaking Dawn Part 2" teaser trailer. Yes, I know these movies are terrible. I suffer from a condition where I can not stand reading about pop culture events when I haven't seen/read/listened to said event. I’ve managed to not give in to this condition on things like "50 Shades of Grey" but my condition got me to read/watch "Twilight" so long ago it seems silly to stop now before it’s finished.
4:00 p.m.
As a palate cleanser, I watch the new "
Anna Karenina" trailer. I hadn’t heard about this adaptation but I am sold immediately.
5:00 p.m.
Leave promptly so I can eat before heading to "The Book of Mormon" tonight!
9:30 p.m.
The Book of Mormon just got out and WOW! So fun! I forgot that I paid the big bucks to get a really good seat so I had a perfect seat for all the hilarity. My favorite part had to be when Jesus calmly called one of the missionaries a dick. And he promptly sang “I can’t believe Jesus just called me a dick!” Also, the cameos by Hitler, Darth Vader and Yoda were most welcome. Definitely worth the money. The songs will be in my head for days.
Day 7
12:00 a.m.
Head home after drinks with a visiting friend and read my "New York Magazine" because I’m too tired to focus on "Game of Thrones."
12:45 a.m.
Watch "Curb Your Enthusiasm" to try and fall asleep. Have a tough time of it since my kitten has been alone all day and wants to PLAY. So I have to watch three episodes before he calms down enough for me to actually fall asleep.
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The usual "Breaking Bad," "Dance with Dragons" morning commences. Oh look Dany did show back up. I finish the book and have decided to read "The Devil in the White City" next.
1:40 p.m.
I’m headed to the Newport Folk Music Festival at the end of July so I created a playlist of the bands playing to prepare myself. I’m really liking Blind Pilot and City and Colour so far.
4:45 p.m.
Watch "
$ellebrity" trailer. Hadn’t heard of this one and am impressed all these celebrities agreed to talk to the filmmaker. I am easily sold, which I’m afraid is the point the movie is making. Conundrum!
5:03 p.m.
The day is winding down and I’ve lost motivation so I watch the "
Celeste and Jesse Forever" trailer, which starts Andy Samberg and Rashida Jones in a film they co-wrote. I’d read about this during Sundance and am clearly going to see it. Looks like they’ve got great chemistry and will probably make me cry my eyes out.
