Gretch-a-sketch (old)

Just in case you're wondering, PoP (Proselytizers of Pop) is where I review everything I've read, heard, or seen during the previous week. Yay!

Books
How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls, by Zoey Dean
Privileged, the new show on the CW, is based off of this book, which peaked my interest. Having a movie based on your book is one thing, but a whole tv show? Whoa.
Basic Concept: Megan Smith has to teach two snotty teens. (They're filthy rich, in case you were wondering.) If the girls pass the SAT, the twins' grandmother will pay off the Yale grad's redonkulously expensive loans. I can't blame her for taking the offer, but she's far too trusting of the orphaned Sage and Rose. It was amusingly scandalous and smarter than the average chick lit, although it did suffer from the stereotypical plot line of "Oh noes! I have a boyfriend but this other guy likes me, too. How will I choose?" I haven't really watched Privileged--anyone like or dislike it?

Graceling, by Kristin Cashore
It's been a long time since I was so deeply engrossed in a book like Graceling. Katsa is gifted/cursed with the Grace of killing, which her uncle exploits to torture those who go against his rule. She defies her uncle to go and resolve a larger mystery with her newfound friend and companion, Po. Each interaction with Katsa and Po positively crackles with electricity. Katsa is a strong, unique, and sometimes irrational female lead who is still easy to relate to. The scenery, action sequences, romance, and supporting characters are all gorgeously rendered. I feel really good about placing his sumptuous fantasy debut next to the likes of authors Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley.

The Loser's Guide to Life and Love, by A.E. Cannon
A.E. Cannon lives here in SLC--she's a newspaper columnist, novelist, and a great speaker. In this book, she's combined A Midsummer Night's Dream with teenage hormones and hidden identities. Ed likes Ellie and Ellie likes Sergio (Ed's alter-ego). Ed has two best friends--Scout and Quark. Scout likes Ed, Quark likes Scout. Hilarity ensues! It's a quick read and there were many self-indulgent chuckles on my part. As it takes place in Utah, it references the Mormon sub-culture, but usually only to clarify bits of the plot--all teen readers will love it.

Music
Pretty in Pink soundtrack
As a certified mix tape compiler (not really, but I deserve to be certified), I love and appreciate soundtracks more than the average music lover. It's all about rise, fall, and the pairing of really good tunes with a really good theme. Based on those qualifications, this is a great mix. Classic 80's--synth-pop and orchestral groove. Plus, it conjures up memories of Blane McDonough, which is never a bad thing.

Vampire Weekend, self-titled
 In a string of Ivy League alt-indie-rockers, Vampire Weekend leads the way. Most of the tracks are edgy and full of allusions. These guys know they're smarter than you and aren't afraid to show it. The result is pretentious, but it's deserved. "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" is a blast, in a self-aware, East-coast kind of way.

Movies
Laser U2
You know that scene in Freaks and Geeks where the Freaks go to the Pink Floyd laser show, except it's actually Southern Rock night? Laser U2 actually played U2, but the disappointment was the same. The lasers were lame-dash-o and the graphics were genuinely weird. My friend summed it up most aptly by saying that it was like watching a screensaver for 45 minutes. I adore U2, but what the heck?

Eagle Eye
There's a menacing threat to the government and two "ordinary" citizens are forced into saving the world as we know it. So begin the majority of action flicks and Eagle Eye doesn't waver from the format. Just like the rest of those movies, the dialogue is painfully weak and any pseudo-feel-good moments are eclipsed by explosions. Newsflash: Billy Bob Thornton really isn't that funny. Michelle Monaghan is young enough to be hot, but old enough to avoid any bizarre sexual tension with Shia LeBeouf. (Well, it's mostly avoided.) Speaking of dear Shia, for some reason they thought it would be a good idea to have his face be all scruffy. I assume this is to make him more appealing to my age-demographic, who will always remember him as Louis Stevens. Instead, he looks like a 38-year-old man who's behind on his child support payments. But if you're interested a second opinion, the Lil' Bro thought the movie "rocked so much" and "can't believe" I didn't like it.