This is sort of late, but who cares? Ha! Here is Katelyn Epperly's version of Kings of Leon's Use Somebody. Oh, and she's offering this as a free download.
While I do wish people would stop covering this particular song - ton of artists, including Brooke White, covered this song in a similar slowed down version - I still think that this is a perfect example of how ridiculous the eliminations were during the Top 16 night of last season. Seriously. I like her voice and her phrasing in this rendition. This actually makes me more excited to hear her own materials. Enjoy!
One long box. One man trapped inside. Roughly 90 minutes. How can they possibly fill the runtime? Well, after watching the film, I was stunned as it actually felt longer, which in this case was a good thing since the intent was to make the audience feel like they were in the same situation as the trapped man.
To me, the film had a simple yet effective story that put me on the edge. I actually thought that it was a fantastic idea for a film to set it all in a singular location sans any beautiful images as it made the audience focus more on the narrative of the movie rather than the special effects. Obviously, this only proved the point that it's not always the CGI, the big casts or fancy stunts that make a good film - it's actually just a good story. Nothing seemed implausible. Nothing seemed contrived simply to move the plot along. The level of realism in this film was absolutely refreshing. Now, it's also worth noting that this film was extremely well written and brilliantly directed and photographed. I found the direction of Rodrigo Cortes to be truly exceptional as he clearly had a nimble eye for visuals and angles just to keep things visually interesting and fresh. He managed to constantly have me on the move just like the main character's thoughts. Diving in when the action was intense and then cutting the scene black when I don't think I can take it anymore. He also provided enough to share that sense of claustrophobia and confinement within the small physical dimensions.
Moreover, the cinematography was also impeccable as the film got the best out of the mere two light sources to make the experience a frighteningly vivid one. Oh, and the musical score was ominous.
But of course, all of that would not matter if the actor playing the only role botched his part. That's why I have to give it to Ryan Reynolds who I thought had a considerable charm and surprisingly convincing acting chops to carry the entire film by himself. I thought he gave the performance of his life after he single handedly demonstrated his great acting range as he took me through a wide variety of emotions from angry, to sarcastic, to terrified. This film was, literally, his.
Needless to say, I would highly recommended this film for its bold vision and fine execution. Yes, Buried, to some extent, was a tough movie to watch as it was both dark and depressing, but it was so impeccably directed, written, and acted that it's well worth the discomfort. Ha!
Wow! After nearly four months, we are down to single digits!!
I pretty much loathe the teenage boys, there I said it! Haha. Throughout the first 6 seasons, every teenage boy that made it to the Top 12 has been pretty worthless - as far as vocal talent goes. Every single one of them made it further than they deserved - maybe because of the "cute" factor. So, when I learned about David Archuleta as a possible Top 24 contestant of Season 7, I was groaning.
Seriously. Can you blame me for assuming the worst? Out of 100 contestants, the second highest placing teenage boy was at number 89, with Aaron Kelly! Haha. They suck. But I knew David actually had some vocal talent - he was a Star Search finalist, for crying out loud - and he was especially cute. So, I was somehow excited to watch him, and knew that he'd be around for.ev.er. Ha! Oh, and this was before they even aired his audition.
Now, when the San Diego episode aired and I got to see Archuleta's audition, I was pleasantly surprised. Quite frankly, I wasn't blown away, but he was definitely someone that I could be happy with making the Top 24 of the season, and doing slightly well. Then, he performed Heaven during Hollywood week and declared myself a fan.
So, when the Top 24 started, I was already rooting for him. He performed Shop Around and I instantly knew there was no stopping this kid. The next week, he delivered a heartfelt rendition of Imagine and the competition - that time - was over. Ha! That performance, I believe, made him pretty untouchable for the rest of the season. I had seriously never been so positive that a contestant had the whole thing wrapped up, like I was with little David.
He turned in a couple of outstanding performances after that and I actually enjoyed most of his performances. It was extremely frustrating though at times when he would completely butcher a performance like, say, We Can Work It Out, and still get almost positive reviews from the judges. Plus, I never really thought he sold an upbeat number.
I have to admit though that the kid have a great tone. I mean, at the beginning I thought he was extremely stage school and over-rehearsed, but as the competition continues he'd do very slight things on the melody of the song that would win me over. Every time he would sing a run that had an ounce of soul behind it, he earned respect in my book. There was a bit of inconsistency with David Archuleta's performances though, and I do think we saw the best of him during the second week of the semifinals round, but other than that, he seemed to SLOWLY improve during the competition.
I had no problem with him making the Top 2. I actually thought he did pretty stellar during the Finale and I would be fine with him beating David Cook since Simon Cowell almost crowned him as the winner when he said it was a knockout in favor of little David. I'd get over it. But, personally, an Archuleta win - at that moment - would've been a less than satisfactory ending for one of the best seasons on American Idol. That's just me though. Ha!
Now, David Archuleta's career after Idol has been relatively good. His debut album was surprisingly a solid effort with a huge hit single, Crush. However, it was his second album, The Other Side Of Down, that made me really appreciate him more as a recording artist. I thought that album was leaps and bounds better than his self-titled album.
Favorite performance(s): Truth be told, when he sang Imagine, I was speechless. Some people saw that performance as a bit overrated, but I do not agree AT ALL. To me, it's one of the best Idol performances EVER. I mean, every single phrasing worked perfectly well with the beautiful subdued arrangement. It was practically sensational. I really loved the vibe of his Stand By Me performance and I thought David definitely has the best version of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. I also thought his rendition of Robbie Williams' Angels was stellar.
The first Paranormal Activity was possibly one of the scariest films I have ever seen, yet the most polarizing movie of last year. Some people thought that it was absolutely terrifying, while others found it boring as hell. Well, I side with the "absolutely terrifying" camp and loved it enough to merit a place in my "Best Movies of 2009". Ha!
So, I seriously had doubts with this sequel. I mean, it had that daunting task of furthering the story and, at the same time, keeping the tone of the original. Would it be a bloated budget with big effects but lacks the primal charm of it's predecessor? Would the novelty be lost with a new director handling the material? Or simply, would a sequel of Paranormal Activity succeed? Well, I think it did. Despite the fact that this, arguably, recycled the original's formula, I still think that it somehow upped the ante with a bigger cast, a brilliantly filmed scenes with more suspense and goose bump-inducing scares. I wouldn't spoil anything too major, but I will also say that this sequel managed to tie in with the original's story with surprising competence. That alone made this just as brilliant, I think.
Now, this movie also took time to develop characters and build subtle tension. It obviously started relatively slow but when things started happening, the movie turned into something horrifyingly intense. The tension reached a point wherein even the slightest flicker, movement, or shadow made me want to fly out of my seat. I actually thought that the beauty of this film - same with the original - was that nothing was revealed too soon. It allowed the previous events simmer and settle with the audience before revealing more. It was agonizing, yet a wonderful use of suspense and imagination.
But with all that being said, I can't say that it totally measured up to the original's level of brilliance. The security camera shots were a little too convenient and didn't have the effectiveness of the infamous darkened bedroom shot in the original. I also found the pacing a tad off the potency of the original and the acting to be relatively weaker. Oh, and I was also slightly disappointed by how everything was concluded. It wasn't a total letdown - since it definitely left some room for another installment - but it was just a little too abrupt for my taste. Nevertheless, the film captured the essence of brooding, intimate horror perfectly - which, to me, was most vital.
Rarely do films leave me so terrified - take note of the word. Ha! - but I think it has to be that scary lingering effect that makes this movie really disturbing and creepy. I'd say, I was yet again sufficiently creeped out by this second installment and I'd highly recommend this for those who enjoyed the first one. By the same token, if you didn't like the original, you probably need not bother to watch this as there was largely no variation on the theme.
Yes, we shall start the Idol Top 10 with Jordin Sparks!
Believe it or not, Jordin was a contestant that I definitely thought wouldn't win early on. I expected to see her do quite well in the competition and get voted out mid to late Finals. But winner? Never thought she had it in her.
I mean, I had seen the types of people that had won the first five seasons, and Jordin didn't exactly fit the bill. The five proceeding winners had something about them that made people take notice early on. Jordin didn't seem to have that same spark - no pun intended - early on. But of course, she managed to prove me VERY wrong.
If I'm being honest, Jordin just went completely unnoticed from her audition, to Hollywood week and even during the semifinals round - though two of her performances were really good. When she performed Give Me One Good Reason and Heartbreaker, I knew she'd make Top 12, but for some reason she just screamed cannon fodder to me.
Then, I Who Have Nothing happened during Top 11 night and I was absolutely hooked. I suddenly became a fan. She then managed to deliver good to breathtaking performances after that from ABroken Wing to On A Clear Day and even Hey Baby! Sure, she wasn't as vocally precise as Melinda Doolittle or unbelievably unique as Blake Lewis, but I always felt her emotional connection when she sang her songs and she, to me, had a very beautiful upper register to her voice. Yes, she couldn't support her lower notes that well but she has improved since then.
Obviously, Jordin absolutely was one of the more talented contestants of Season 6, and she gave at least one performance that goes down as one of the all-time great Idol performances. Oh, and considering she was - in Randy Jackson's voice - only seventeen at that time, that's already a pretty impressive feat.
One minor issue I had with Jordin though was the fact that the other seven winners - Lee Dewyze not included. Haha. - either brought something very unique to the show - Fantasia Barrino and Taylor Hicks- or they were simply, hands down, the best at the type of music they sang - Carrie Underwood, David Cook, Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Kris Allen. I don't think the same could be said about Jordin. Sure, she's extremely talented, but she didn't bring anything to the show that people from proceeding seasons - or even her own season - didn't do better.
However, she may not be one of the "stand-out" winners so far, I think Jordin fills that young Pop/RnB niche that NO ONE from American Idol has really found much success at. Clearly, she has been pumping out hits very steadily with Tattoo, One Step At A Time and Battlefield. Her single No Air even holds the record as the Best Selling Idol Single EVER with more than 3 Million copies sold - yes, beating the crossover success of Carrie Underwood's Before He Cheats. Not too shabby for Jordin Sparks eh?
Favorite performance(s):I Who Have Nothing was undeniably Jordin's best performance. I think I literally dropped my jaw as I was watching that performance. I got chills. Her voice soared and she captured the emotion of the song perfectly. Again, very breathtaking. Now, Jordin also delivered many good ones during her time on Idol and I'd say my other favorites would be A Broken Wing, Give Me One Reason, Wishing On A Star and To Love Somebody. Terrific song choices, with great vocals to back them up.
OMFG! The teasers for the next season of American Idol is out and it had me grinning like a retard while watching the promo with all the winners in it! I swear, nobody does schmaltz better than American Idol. To me, they elevate it to an art form! Haha.
Needless to say, watching the teaser just reminds me why I'm so obsessed with this damn show. Obviously, Idol will be very different this season, but no matter what I will still watch it because I honestly don’t care about the judges - all I care about are the contestants.
This wasn't entirely a good episode. Nobody, except for one, was able to deliver a good performance. Really. Not a good week for X Factor.
I like Matt Cardle but I didn’t think he did well this week. I was hoping he could do something more with Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love, but it just fell flat to me. Rebecca Ferguson’s version of Wicked Game was not near as good or as intense as Siobhan Magnus, while Treyc Cohen was just forgettable. I’m also not sure how long Aiden Grimshaw can last in the competition if he gets perpetually stuck in the constipated singing mode. Now, the only one who I thought saved the night was Cher Lloyd with her outstanding version of Stay. Her performance was superb!! Wagner, as usual, was HORRIBLE.
Anyway, here's how I rate each performance after the jump!
Seriously. Can you blame me for assuming the worst? Out of 100 contestants, the second highest placing teenage boy was at number 89, with Aaron Kelly! Haha. They suck. But I knew David actually had some vocal talent - he was a Star Search finalist, for crying out loud - and he was especially cute. So, I was somehow excited to watch him, and knew that he'd be around for.ev.er. Ha! Oh, and this was before they even aired his audition.
I have to admit though that the kid have a great tone. I mean, at the beginning I thought he was extremely stage school and over-rehearsed, but as the competition continues he'd do very slight things on the melody of the song that would win me over. Every time he would sing a run that had an ounce of soul behind it, he earned respect in my book. There was a bit of inconsistency with David Archuleta's performances though, and I do think we saw the best of him during the second week of the semifinals round, but other than that, he seemed to SLOWLY improve during the competition.
I had no problem with him making the Top 2. I actually thought he did pretty stellar during the Finale and I would be fine with him beating David Cook since Simon Cowell almost crowned him as the winner when he said it was a knockout in favor of little David. I'd get over it. But, personally, an Archuleta win - at that moment - would've been a less than satisfactory ending for one of the best seasons on American Idol. That's just me though. Ha!
Yes, we shall start the Idol Top 10 with Jordin Sparks!
If I'm being honest, Jordin just went completely unnoticed from her audition, to Hollywood week and even during the semifinals round - though two of her performances were really good. When she performed Give Me One Good Reason and Heartbreaker, I knew she'd make Top 12, but for some reason she just screamed cannon fodder to me. 
Obviously, Jordin absolutely was one of the more talented contestants of Season 6, and she gave at least one performance that goes down as one of the all-time great Idol performances. Oh, and considering she was - in Randy Jackson's voice - only seventeen at that time, that's already a pretty impressive feat. 
