Epic Love Ballads: Do they exist today?

I opened Itunes and put it on shuffle all songs, next thing I knew I was singing along to Next Time I Fall in Love by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant.  Naturally, I stopped what I was doing and looked up the video. It had been years, but I had/have a romantic nostalgia about the song and video. Turns out the video isn't as good as memory, which is why I understand that some things, people, places should remain memories. The song held up, but, this isn't my real point. Listening to the song really had me thinking, "What happened to the epic Love Ballads? Or the Rock Ballads?" Remember the 80's and 90's when music was almost inundated with too many ballads? And all those CD's/tapes came out with 'The Best Ballads of 1992.' And we would buy them, even if we owned every song already. Now, I feel we are left with Celine Dion to deliver the ballads. That saddens to me no end because I don't listen to Celine Dion, at least not in 8, 9  years. 
I started trying to rack my brain for current epic ballads, but I came up short. Is it that the new 'ballads' are harder to spot now a days because they contain more subtlety? Or do they just not exist anymore? I kept coming up with songs only to realize they came out in the 90s. Am I getting that old, or are we missing the big, sweeping, epic ballads? And please don't talk about Celine or Alica Keys or Beyonce or other singers with great voices. That isn't my point. Yes, they may sing about love, but are the songs big, sweeping, ballads that give you chills? Do  they really compare to what we witnessed during the 80s and 90s?
I will let you ponder these thoughts with some of my favorite sweeping ballads. Send me your favorite ballads. Are there great sweeping ballads today that I'm missing? Please send!

New TV show tonight: The Following!

The Following premieres tonight on Fox at 9/8 pm. It's Kevin Bacon chasing a serial killer. Who's not in for that?
Watch the teaser before the episode airs tonight!

Shut Up (Give me whatever u got) - Song of the day

A little new music today from the likes of Amelia Lily, a former UK X factor contestant. This acoustic version blows away the radio version. (Don't they always) I'm diggin' her soul and hope she's more soul than pop. I love a white girl who can sing.
Can't see it? Click Here !!

Feeling Good and Other Weekly Updates

After two steroid shots and beginning steroid pills my face is finally back to normal (mostly). Yay! I can go out in public without the stranger's thought "botox?" So, yeah, feeling good, not perfect, but good enough!

Now for all my weekly thoughts that I was unable to blog about due to 'plastic surgery' mishaps. (That's a joke, I really was sick)

• Dance Moms - Holy shit. Abby went and done it! In one of my favorite scripted reality TV moments the Dance Moms staged a silent protest against Abby. What did Abby do? She said, 'fuck 'um, I'll get a whole other dance team.' Brilliance!! I don't even care if the original team comes back next week or not, that episode is a true reminder why we subject ourselves to scripted reality TV. 
• American Horror Story: Asylum - Two weeks in a row this show has delivered in a such a way that I take back all the negative I said in the begging. No spoilers, but a hint; vindication is beautiful, especially with a cigarette dancing in the fingers. Only 1 episode left! Oh my. I've already bought a ticket to whatever ride Ryan Murphy takes me on next season. And my theory is proving itself: Ryan Murphy makes incredible season 1s. 
• Nashville - I've been listening to the soundtrack for days leading up to the winter premiere so I was very excited for the episode. It was good. No OMG, best moment ever, kind of episode. However, they did give us a new song. And I loved it:  

• Pretty Little Liars - it's back. When I watch the episodes, I'm good. I follow the convoluted, twisted story pretty well. But, never ask me to tell you what happened, unless, of course, it was a mind blowing, "A" revealing episode. This show is addictive, I love watching it, but I never remember what I watched until the next episode. I'd say that is a good and a bad thing. 
• Monk - Yeah, I know Monk is no longer on air, but it is on Netflix and I've been watching a lot of eps during my swollen Lindsay Lohan debacle. I'm sorry I dismissed this show while it aired. It's funny and Tony Shalhoub  deserved every Emmy he won.
• Bonnie McKee - Just watch (on computer) if you are viewing via ipad or iphone Click Here!

 

• Lastly, and most exciting: Justin Timberlake is teasing us with new music. It's been 6 years since his last solo album and virtually zero talk of a new album. Just yesterday he surprised the world with this little tidbit: 

Happy weekend folks. I will be watching some movies this weekend in preparation for my Oscar rants. Today: Life of Pi. Review to follow.

Sky Ferreira (aka Fiona Jr.) performs on Jimmy Fallon and makes Why Not Mindy a happy girl

 No real introduction needed. I have mentioned this girl before, here's another chance to listen to Sky, who I've dubbed Fiona Jr. It's about damn time we got a 2nd generation Fiona. Happy day.

The Holidays finally end and American Horror Story says "What? I'm awesome."

The Holidays. They come sweeping in, something akin to a mass hysteria with the shopping, traffic, and the changing of a year. My TV shows take a pause. Movies become "Oscar Worthy," and my Entertainment Weekly's get lost in the mail. All in all, my routine is thrown into a blender. And now it's over.
I'm happy 2013 is here. It will be an epic year for me. I'll be launching my new site: www.whynotmindy.com, making a short film, and making my very first feature film. There are other projects along the way and in between. This is the year. The changing year. But, not to worry, I'll still be blogging about TV, music, and movies. Speaking of TV...
What better way to start my 2013 TV viewing experience, than with the masterful American Horror Story: Asylum. Yeah, I said masterful, because January 2nd's episode was one for the books. It was a doozy. A jaw dropping piece of work that had me shouting, "That's how you start a new year, Motherf***er!" I, again, am not into spoilers or rehashing the episode, so I won't, kind of. So if you haven't watched the episode yet, stop reading....
Jessica Lange's character singing the "The Name Game." Wow. Ryan Murphy made glee happen inside the Asylum. And it was joyous, for that split moment. 
That scene is also Ryan Murphy's tease of what he wants to do for season 3, calling it "Evil Glamour." If that is, indeed, his theme for season 3, then I'm as excited for it as I am Season 3 of Homeland or season 8(?) of Dexter (what will Deb do??)
Ryan Murphy you get my trophy. You took me on a roller coaster of hate and love and intrigue. I hate you so much I love you. Or vice versa. Welcome all to 2013.

Why Not Mindy's top 10 movies that not enough people saw: 2012 edition

It's the end of the year and every publication from Entertainment Weekly to Hollywood Reporter are rehashing the best movies of 2012. We get it. Lincoln is good, Oscar worthy. Blah blah blah. The "great" movies of 2012 have huge amounts of promotional money which helps the general public become aware of what they are suppose to see. As a struggling artist/filmmaker, I feel for the little guy. The small budget movies or incorrectly marketed movies or 'sat on a studio shelf too long and so not enough people saw' movies all deserve to be seen. I set out to try and watch as many movies in the last two weeks. Yes, I got help from Independent publications that mentioned movies I'd never heard of, and I also spent a stupid amount of time watching trailers. My research was as thorough as I know it can be. There will not be long synopsis' about the movies, or a tedious breakdowns of why they are so good. This my opinion. I want you guys to have your own. Each movie has a link to IMDB. You can find details there or even watch the trailer. That is that.
So...
Here it is:
The Top 10 Movies That Not Enough People Saw: the 2012 Edition!

Something new for the New Year :)

Yep, I'll be dropping the blogspot.com part and going straight up 
whynotmindy.com starting in 2013!

There will be even more than just my rambling blog! Stay tuned for the opening day.
I'll probably be counting it down here, so until then keep checking back for Holiday rants and missing TV and Oscar contender movies!

Fiona 2.0 ??!!!

Are ya a lover of Fiona, like me? Well, I might have just found a young, 2.0 version by the name of Sky Ferreira. Why compare her to Fiona?
1. Jon Brion produced her latest EP Ghosts.
2. Jon Brion wrote with her.
3. When she sings, she sounds, looks, feels the weight of too much.
4. Unique voice.
5. I trust everything Jon Brion is involved in. Check out his credits Here.  

Click Here to watch Sky perform Ghost acoustic. On a boat.  

She is mesmerizing. You want to hug her, slap her, and then sit back and watch her sing more.

Here are the lyrics to Ghost.
 "Ghost"

I'm not irrational
I'm just no longer in the day dream
Of the delusion that
Once was hard between our love it seems
Lately I've been between
Being steady or a head case
What's become of us now
Hanging our hearts in disgrace

[Chorus:]
What did I do to make you so cruel
I've got this ache inside my heart
I know that it's you
What should I do now that
I know that we're doomed
I loved you most
And now you're a ghost
I walk right through

Oh remember when you said
That I was sick inside the head
I'm just half way there
My common sense hanging by a thread
I'm bad on the outside
But a coward at heart
The taste of salt in my mouth
My voice is silent
But my thoughts are right

[Chorus x2:]
What did I do to make you so cruel
I've got this ache inside my heart
I know that it's you
What should I do now that
I know that we're doomed
I loved you most
And now you're a ghost
I walk right through

 

Gossip Girl Series summed up in 10 words. No spoilers.

Gossip Girl is over. No more "Hey Upper East Siders" ringing through my ears. 
I am sad to see it go. The show brought a lot of laughs and of course, Blair Waldorf, who still ranks as one of my favorite TV characters. The series finale was good. The show hit the right notes and made just enough fun of itself to be self aware. I applaud that. I, however, do not applaud a touted "2 hour finale" only to be duped by a 1 hour retrospective. Boo CW. Shame on you for getting me all excited and then delivering only an hour. That's the worst kind of tease.
All in all, here is my 10 word summation of the series Gossip Girl:
"That was a lot of work just for a girl." - mindy bledsoe
You guys can quote me on that.
I do look forward to the complete series to be released in a shiny bright box and re watching the whole thing with the knowledge of the real Gossip Girl. 
I wonder if the books have the same Gossip Girl as the TV show? And I wonder what new TV show will be my Gossip Girl replacement.
Ah well, au revoir Upper East Side. I know I love you. XOXO

 

Dexter, Homeland, Gossip Girl...Oh My! (No spoilers Here)

Dexter's finale ended with a literal bang last night and I think most of us had our jaws hanging open. 
In what could possibly become a huge twist in the Dexter-universe, has my mind on overtime, trying to get inside of the writer's minds for what will be next. September is so far away. I hope Showtime's spring shows are as satisfying as Dexter has been.
Due to a series of unfortunate events, I haven't watched Homeland's finale yet. I will at some point today, but meanwhile, I will avoid the internet and any accidental spoilers. Yes, I said I will avoid accidental spoilers. I refuse to let a slippery mouth spill the deets on what will happen in the terrorist world/love triangle that Homeland is.

Also, tonight is Gossip Girl's 2 hour series finale, in which the identity of Gossip Girl will be revealed. I'm sure some of you are wondering how in the hell can I group Gossip Girl into the same post as such prestigious shows as Homeland and Dexter. Well, I say to you, just because I love Filet Mignon doesn't mean I don't frequent Taco Bell.
I have spent a week avoiding teasers, trailers, clips, and actual spoilers to the end of Gossip Girl, that my anticipation has grown just because I had to work so hard to avoid it.
Today will be an epic ending day as I ponder Dexter and Deb, watch Homeland, and then finally know after 6 years, who in the hell is Gossip Girl. I'm still rooting for Kristen Bell (she voices the character) and I do hope she's bitchier than Blair with a hangover after once again being dumped by Chuck. Fingers crossed. You know I love you. XOXO.

Best of Lyrical and Music Videos 2012: Why Not Mindy Style

Growing up and getting a new album on tape the first thing I would do is listen to the album while reading along with the lyrics. My brain wasn't clever enough to pick up on every word without seeing  it. And then somewhere in the mid 90's to the mid 2000's it became "uncool" to include the lyrics with the album. There was this whole transition into digital music and the written word got lost for a bit. Now in days it's easy to find the lyrics to almost any song you want by simply googling it. I thank the universe and all the wonderful geeks who took the time to make my life happier. 
And now we are on a trend of lyric videos before the actual video is released. I am a sucker for these. I couldn't be happier. I watch them all. Even if I don't particularly like the song, there maybe some wonderful lines that occur. I'm in love with this trend. I hope it lasts. Music videos have found their way to last. Thanks again internet.
As the year closes I'd like to give some of my favorite lyrical videos and music videos of 2012.

LYRICAL VIDEOS

- Shiny Toy Guns "Somewhere to Hide"

-  Taylor Swift "We are never getting back together"   This lyric video could have been the music video, it's clever and cute, like her damn song.

-  Calvin Harris "Drinking from the Bottle"

-  The Pretty Reckless "Kill Me" 

-  Ke$ha "Die Young"

There is an art form behind these lyric videos. Just putting the words on the screen won't work anymore. The bar has been raised. I look forward to 2013 to see who makes my eyes happy. Did you have a favorite lyric video that I missed?

MUSIC VIDEOS

I'm a believer that favorite music videos are about opinions and one's own matter of taste. So don't get all up in a hussy if I pick music videos that don't suit your fancy. These are the videos that I played more than 5 times during the year of 2012. 

- Fun. "Some Nights Intro" I could play this every day and be happy. 

- P!nk "Try"  Hands down one of the best videos of the year. 

- Muse "Madness"  *sigh* I love this song

- Kat Graham "Put Your Graffiti on Me"  - The hottest video that not enough people saw.

- Paloma Faith "Just Be" - Beautiful. Romantic. Lovely.

- Fiona Apple "Every Single Night" 

- Lana Del Rey "Ride" - Extended Version - This video is hands down my number one re-watched video. The whole 10 minutes. I love the poetry bookends and the romantic notion of just riding.  

"Who are you? Are you in touch with all of your darkest fantasies? Have you created a life for yourself where you can experience them? I have. I am fucking crazy, but I am free." - Lana

Golden Globes Nominations are out: Jumbled mess or right on?

I want to start with what I think is the biggest snub: Lily Rabe who plays Sister Mary Eunice in American Horror Story Asylum. 
Hopefully when the Emmys roll around they will remember her chilling and transformational performance. She haunts me.
Other snub: Tom Hooper for Director of Les Miserables. Granted, I haven't seen the movie yet, but I sure was rooting for him. Oh well.
Otherwise, the nominations are pretty much as expected. No big thrills. I was sad to see Dexter completely locked out. It's been a great season. And poor Jennifer Carpenter who plays Dexter's sister Deb has never ever been nominated for her role. This should have been the year. Watching her teetering the edge this season has been addictive. And how Parks and Recreation DIDN'T get a nomination for best comedy is beyond my comprehension. And it is a pure travesty to mankind that the Globes AND the Emmys refuse to recognize the genius that is Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson on Parks & Rec.). 
I'm also very saddened by myself. Out of the movies nominated in Drama and Comedy, I've only seen 1. And I watch a lot of movies. Guess, I've been watching the wrong ones. And I guess I've got a lot of watching to do.

BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA
Argo
Django Unchained
Life of PiLincoln
Zero Dark Thirty
Lincoln

BEST MOTION PICTURE — COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Miserables
Moonrise Kingdom
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Silver Linings Playbook


Can you guess the film I've seen? You'd be right if you guessed Moonrise Kingdom. I'll always be first in line for a Wes Anderson flick. Too bad he didn't get a director nomination, but hell, neither did Paul Thomas Anderson for his quiet beauty The Master.

BEST DIRECTOR
Ben Affleck (Argo)
Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty)
Ang Lee (Life of Pi)
Steven Spielberg (Lincoln)
Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained)

I think we all expected to see these names. They've all be nominated before. They make great movies, obviously, b/c it's their movies that are nominated for Best Picture. What can ya say, besides, "A surprise here and there would be nice."
Oh Wait! The best surprise and the real reason I'll be sitting in front of the TV on January 13, 2013 is because Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are hosting. I wouldn't miss that for anything.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS 

The Pretty Reckless is recklessly pretty to my ears

I'm always waiting, expecting, anticipating new music from The Pretty Reckless. It's a group that you just know that each year, with rising age and wisdom, will come bigger and even better music.
Today they debut the new song "Kill Me." After my first listen I'm immediately transported back to my high school angst ridden years and I couldn't be happier. I've been lacking that hard woman vocal reminiscent of Hole. If you are not familiar with The Pretty Reckless, then get to know them. They are a growing force to be reckoned with. I look forward to the day I get to see them in concert. 
Light Me Up was their first full album and it is still a staple on my ipod. It is a brilliant album. Buy it.
Or Listen to it @ their website! 

Now have a listen to their lastest: Kill Me by clicking here!

 

Christmas comes and TV shows go

Christmas is approaching which means our beloved TV shows either end or take a hiatus. This makes my heart swell with a sadness that probably isn't rational, but I pay no mind to that cause I love my TV shows and my TV characters. I invite these characters into my heart and home and then poof, they are gone, sleeping in the TV box, waiting for the next season or awaiting their proper burial. Homeland and Dexter each have 1 episode left. Last nights episodes were EPIC to say the least. I can hardly contain my imagination as it wishes and hopes for the last episodes to satisfy my needs well enough to tide me over till next September. 

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR DEXTER AND HOMELAND. BEWARE. 

Tonight: Art, music, short films, and yeah, I'm included in that.

Tonight, everyone should come out to "Xmas Under Da Ground at Minicine?" 
There will be art for sale, bands for entertaining your ears, and short films to entertain your eyes. I'm happy to have some metal prints for sale AND a visual poem short showing. There are other awesome artist showing films and selling art like Robert Trudeau, Kevin Deloach, Conchita Iglesia, and Rachel Stuart-Haas. So many others will be part of this extravaganza! Click Here for a full Detailed List!
Best part? It's FREE to get in, unlike other Christmas gatherings.
It will be a great night of experiencing other artists in town, listening to bands that you may have not been exposed to before. AND it's totally casual as in, no need for that expensive dress or tux. Come as you are. Be happy. Be free. Experience the wacky, brilliant underground artists. Drink. Be merry!
Check out the deets Here!
Shout out to Nathan Treme for his awesome flyer creation! Click his name and check out all his work!

Kate Hudson can roll her stockings down anytime!

I'm not one for spoilers, like ever, but sometimes there are exceptions. This exception comes in the form of Glee, Kate Hudson, and an all time favorite song of mine, "All That Jazz." When I read that Kate Hudson's character and Lea Michele's character were going to go head to head with that song, I squealed. So what was I to do when I stumbled upon the full clip today? Be a good girl and wait till Thursday night to watch it in context of the storyline or say 'to hell with context.  It's All That Jazz! Hello!' We all can guess what I did. I watched it. Then I watched it again. And again.
Check it out below or don't. It's up to you. If you don't watch Glee then WATCH it. Reason? Kate Hudson. Kate has been the shining light on an otherwise weird transitional season. In fact, I would love a spin off with Rachel Berry, Kurt, and Kate Hudson. Oh that would be joyous.

 

The Killers' new 'Christmas' video :) "I Feel it in my Bones" and Prince. What a Wednesday!

Christmas music grates my nerves. The older I get, the more stores I frequent, the more I want to take a machine gun and blast away the speakers that keep demanding happy joy joy. So imagine me when I watched the video below. I got a warm fuzzy all over. Thank you Killers for this demented, lovely story telling music video. Bravo. PS. watch till the end. The entire end.
OH! also want to give a special happy note to the beginning of the song that is very reminiscent of Bon Jovi's opening of Livin' on a Prayer. Makes me smile.

AND! Prince has a new song and video that is perfect jam music. Prince can do no wrong and I think he doesn't age. Check out his music video!

Finding NEW in Zee Avi

I LOVE finding new music! I think I might of stumbled across a gem. Name: Zee Avi : 25-year-old Malaysian singer/songwriter. She has a voice that reminds you of simpler times. Soothing, effortless. She lands in the world where your parents could love her and you (the kid) can still feel okay with loving her too.

Check out her video for Concrete Wall from her album Ghostbird.

If you got a kick out of that, then check out her Website to listen to her entire album! I recommend the song Madness. 

Sneaking into TV world 2013. Check out some shows to look forward to!

As 2012 comes to an end I look forward to 2013 TV. Here are some new shows and returning shows to look forward to. *This is just a preliminary list, as the days pass and 2013 gets closer, the list will surely lengthen*

Girls - Season 2 - Showtime - January 13
I was enthralled with season 1 and have high hopes for season 2. Plus, Lena Dunham (creator, writer, actress) is brillant at only 26. Check out the trailer for season 2.

The Following - Fox - January 21 (New Show)
I'm a sucker for anything serial killer. I'll watch it all, good or bad. After watching the trailer for The Following, I'm guessing this show will fall right in the middle. And I'm okay with that. Plus, Kevin Bacon. Watch the trailer :)

Deception - NBC - January 7 (New Show)
I'm not really fawning over this show, but I'm curious. I'll watch the first couple of episodes to see if it has any lasting potential. 

Bates Motel - A&E - Spring Premiere TBA (New Show)
I've VERY excited for this show. It's like a prequel to Psycho, in the sense that Norman is a child and his mommy buys a motel. I'm so in. Watch these quick teasers below.

Cougar Town - Season 4 - TBS - January 8  
Cougar Town fans were excited when TBS swooped in and kept this series alive. Farewell ABC. Cougar Town doesn't need you. Watch the video below to see how the cast announced the network switch and premiere date. Clever. Wonderful. Pour me some wine. 

Community - Season 4 - NBC - February 7  ( In my heart it's October 19. )
NBC screwed this show around so much and for that I'll always have a black whole in my heart reserved for those NBC powers that be. First they fire the show runner and creator Dan Harmon from his own show, then they decide to just not air season 4 in the fall. I guess we are lucky to be getting these upcoming 13 episodes as opposed to none. Community is brilliant and self aware. Now, watch Troy and Abed talk about the strange switch-a-roo of premiere dates.

I hope these 6 shows tease you enough to be excited about 2013. Stay tuned for the more up to date list of new shows and returning shows. Happy week!
Also, check out my Etsy Store for some Christmas shopping!