Since I last posted . . .

I saw The Kids Are All Right, Inception and The Young Victoria. I loved Kids the most; Maree and I sat in the theater for a good ten minutes after the credits rolled, hugging each other and happy crying. Annette Bening's performance blew me away.

Song for you.

Scaling the Hills: Lo

In wake of the Hills series finale, I'm taking an in-depth look at each of the show's primary (meaning, they made the opening credits) cast members, in order to discern what about them (if anything) made for good TV.

We continue with Lo Bosworth.

Queens for a year.

Attention readers: In two weeks, I'm trading the high-rises of Manhattan for the row-houses of Astoria. Gone will be my immediate access to the Union Square Barnes & Noble and the Madison Square Park Shake Shack. In their stead, I'm gaining a bigger, cheaper apartment and a new neighborhood to explore. Exploration, however, benefits from recommendation, and so I ask you this: have any of you ever been to Queens, and if so, where should I go when I get there?

The rest is still unwritten.

Even though I still have six Scaling The Hills profiles to write (Lo is next), I couldn't help but slap together some quick thoughts on last night's series finale and live reunion special.

X-Men: Second Coming #2

"Well then, little spirit. Prepare."

After three long years of "No More Mutants!" the X-Men have finally found some Hope (I couldn't help myself) (but seriously, the introduction of new mutant characters proves a long overdue and desperately needed shot in the arm for a franchise crumbling under a stultifying editorial edict).

Scaling the Hills: Stephanie

In anticipation of the Hills series finale, I'm taking an in-depth look at each of the show's primary (meaning, they made the opening credits) cast members, in order to discern what about them (if anything) made for good TV.

We begin with Stephanie Pratt.

Song for you.

Hooray!

Congratulations to Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, the Emmy nominated stars of Friday Night Lights.

It's about damn time.

TV time.

Kristin Cavallari acts sad on The Hills; photo by MTV

The City "Roommate Wanted": I hope producers initiated the "Whitney treats Roxy like dirt" storyline. If not, Whitney has officially veered into the "obnoxious and unlikeable" end of the reality star spectrum. Why does she feel betrayed upon learning Roxy looked at an apartment, when last week Roxy announced that she wanted to move out? Roxy claiming she can't afford a $4,000 a month 1 bedroom leads me to believe this drama is all for show - MTV has to pay these girls more than that. The best part of the episode was Olivia's steadfast refusal to acknowledge Whitney's clothing line on-camera.

They're back.

I give you the Season Four cast of Mad Men.

Let's discuss.

Help!

Covers by Scribner and Picador

Dear readers: I am currently between books. I presently have no new novel, memoir, or short story collection to anticipate. These doldrums cannot continue, especially with so little new television to occupy my time. Below, I have compiled a short list of titles I'm considering, but I need your help making my final selection. Cast your vote in the comments, and don't hesitate to suggest a personal favorite I've overlooked.

I can explain.

I have a confession to make: I really want to see Eat, Pray, Love. I read five pages of the book before putting it down; it wasn't my thing. The movie's trailer, however, has piqued my curiosity. Watch, as Julia Roberts has a relationship with pizza, pets elephants, seeks advice from numerous spiritual gurus, and tries not to want to have sex with Javier Bardem.

Song for you.

Recently read.

Covers by Anchor, Harper Perennial,

and The Dial Press

The Blind Assassin: Prior to reading this book, I had never read any Margaret Atwood (I know). I consumed her Booker Prize winning masterpiece in a frenzied four days; I can't remember the last time I so desperately needed to know what happened next, while simultaneously never wanting the book to end. The narrative-within-the-narrative keeps you guessing, dropping clues as to what's really happening, even as protagonist Iris Chase Griffen dances around the truth. Phrases like "tour de force," and "jaw-dropping" come to mind. The most satisfying novel I've read since starting this blog.

The best movie I've seen this year.

Toy Story 3

"So long, partner."

Entertainment monthly.

Whitney Port does her best Lauren Conrad impression

on The City; photo by MTV

The City "Stage Fight": Whitney has finally completed her transformation into the New Lauren, now that she has taken to acting like an entitled bitch to Roxy. In her later Hills seasons, Lauren often adopted a similarly patronizing tone with Audrina and Stephanie (such impatience usually indicates the star's boredom with the entire exercise, due to a flourishing personal life kept decidedly off-camera). After spending the last three episodes literally taking notes for Whitney at business meetings, at least Roxy got something to do.

The best thing I saw on Hulu this week.

Friday Night Lights, S4, Ep. 2 "After the Fall"

"Principal Taylor? I'm really sorry for lying to you this whole time, and for lying to you right now to your face."

How I spent my Memorial Day.

Love in Infant Monkeys: Strange, affecting short stories that examine the neurosis of celebrity, coupled with mankind's often ill-advised efforts to connect with the natural world (A).

Inglourious Basterds: Nazis, Nazi hunters, and a German actress turned double agent collide for a bloody massacre in Paris (plus, a lot of meta movie discussion [and scalping]) (B+).

Song for you.