Groundwork for District 9

I just came across this short film which was the groundwork for District 9, currently in theatres. This is so compelling to me because this is the first time I have ever seen alliens in a film represented as being "stuck" on earth. Usually the alliens have a plan to strip earth of its resources and take over the world only to be stopped when the world unites to fight back. This film is so bizzare because the alliens aren't in a major city and their violence seems to be provoked out of frustration from not being treated as equal to humans.

I haven't seen District 9 but I plan on renting it this winter. I hope the film is about social issues and not too much action. This was a really cool find, enjoy.

Talk About Reinventing Yourself

Two years ago when the Michael Vick dog fighting scandal broke loose I was very upset to say the least. I am a huge animal lover and a proud owner of cat which I adopted from the Humane society. To learn that Vick was not only running the dog fighting operation but actually participated in the killing of dogs made me sick to my stomach.



Last night 60 minutes aired their interview with Vick where the former football star opened up about his long nights crying in prison and his new role as an ambassador for the Humane Society. Yes it is true, Michael Vick is currently holding public conferences and appearing on television to speak out against animal cruelty.

I want to give Vick credit for at least owning up to what he did and taking full responsibility for his actions. It's still unclear whether or not Vick's involvement with the Humane Society is genuine or if it is purely a way to help reshape his image, we will have to wait to see how involved he is in few years.

The most intriguing part about all of this is that if we as a society accept Vick's apologie and end up viewing him as a crusador for animal rights it will be one of the biggest personal reinventions in media history. Genuine remorse or a great marketing team supporting Vick? We might never know, either way he is doing the right thing.

The Same Food Network Star

Last night was the season finale of The Next Food Network Star and the winner would receive a shot at culinary fame by having their own series on Food Network. In the finale challenge contestants Melissa D'Arabian and Jeffery Saad shot pilots for their potential show. Melissa is a stay at home mom who used "kitchen survival tips" as her culinary point of view while Jeffery, a former restaurant owner used "ingredient smuggler" as his pilot theme.

Both contestants performed well throughout the competition and were worthy of their own series, but isn't the winner controversial just by the title of the show? The show is called "The Next Food Network Star" but isn't Melissa "The Same Food Network Star" we have seen for several years now? Melissa is not a trained chef and she focuses on quick easy tips to help you create your meal. She also has the typical "nice mom look". Does this sound like any one else on Food Network?













I really think this is a bad, lazy move by Food Network. It feels like they decided to pick someone who can step right in and shoot a series based on their other successful programs like Semi Home Made (Sandra Lee) or 30-Minute Meals (Rachel Ray). Not to take anything away from the stay at home mom who comes up with inventive ideas on how to make easy meals, but there are plenty of viewers who would like to see something new.

Jeffery wanted to show us how to take one ingredient that most American's aren't familiar with and incorporate it into some of our favorite foods. Nothing fancy, nothing difficult, just something new and exciting. Isn't that what The Next Food Network Star is about? Finding the person who is forward thinking and brings something new to Food Network?

I do wish Melissa luck and I'm sure I will end up watching her show, I'm just not very excited for it. Even if Jeffery Saad never gets a show on the Food Network I hope they follow through with some version of his "Ingredient Smuggler" because I would love to learn how to incorporate something new and exciting into my meals.