Andrew's Blog

Take me to the library

Andrew Fillmore — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:45:26 +0000

I’ve been at the University of Kansas for three years now, but I seriously just discovered the Lawrence Public Library. And let me say… it’s so wonderful.

This year I’ve read the “Hunger Games” series and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” but I wanted something different. And deeper. I got the strange urge to go a library, and today’s trip was magical. This is weird, but I really haven’t explored a library for fun since I was in middle school and still obsessively collecting Accelerated Reader points for bragging rights and some shitty 500 point prize.

So today I picked up the novel “Atonement,” the play “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” and the graphic novel “Persepolis.” I realize all these books have been turned into films, but those are the kind of books I enjoy. Cinematic books. Sweeping books. And there was no way in hell I was going to pick up “The Stand” (which has been on my bookshelf for years).

The loot.

I can’t wait to dive into these books and become a semi-intellectual again! Plus I need something to do on my lunch breaks.

Katy Perry’s Friday

Andrew Fillmore — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 03:54:44 +0000

How many people did it take to create Katy Perry’s piece of shit music video for “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”? The song is super catchy, and along with Lady Gaga’s “The Edge of Glory” is bringing “sax”y back this summer, but I’m pretty sure a group of 11-year-olds wrote the script for this thing. And the ridiculous cameos by Rebecca Black, Kenny G, and the video game Just Dance? Too much. I can’t handle it.

United family of Tara

Andrew Fillmore — Mon, 30 May 2011 02:55:35 +0000

Showtime's "United States of Tara"

I fell in love with the Gregsons this weekend. No shame.

On a whim I decided to watch season 1 of Showtime’s now-canceled show “United States of Tara,” which was created by Diablo Cody. It wasn’t a perfect season, but I’m dying to watch seasons 2 and 3 now.

One of the reasons that I enjoy the show so much is the dynamic of the Gregsons, the main family in “Tara.” There’s Tara (Toni Collette), husband Max (John Corbett), son Marshall (Keir Gilchrist), and daughter Kate (Brie Larson). All the actors work so well together, and I really commend the casting director for the series. Toni Collette deserves an Emmy, and Keir Gilchrist breaks my heart in almost every scene he’s in.

When people talk about the show, most people focus on Tara’s dissociative identity disorder and the “alters,” but what really hooked me was the family. Do yourself a favor and check out this truly heartfelt show. Plus, episodes are only 28 minutes long!

Why do I always fall for the canceled shows?

Ode to blerg

Andrew Fillmore — Sun, 29 May 2011 03:52:57 +0000

Thank you, Liz Lemon, for giving me an all-encompassing word for frustration: blerg. This goes out to you.

Blerg this weather. This sounds crazy, but I would welcome a sunburn about now.
Blerg the fact that I spent six hours watching TV shows today. And blerg the fact that I want to watch more.
Blerg my teeth. If I don’t eat a hamburger or go on a run soon I might go crazy (what up, oxymorons).
Blerg that I’m too lazy to ever be in a relationship.
Blerg going to the grocery store. Blerg money.
Blerg the fact that my friends are moving away this month.
Blerg all the people seeing The Hangover II tonight.
Blerg so many pop culture references.

Blerg blerg blerg.

White whine! My life isn’t that bad. I just wanna complain.

Mandatory graduation blog post

Andrew Fillmore — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:09:58 +0000

This Sunday is KU’s Commencement ceremony. And one year from now, it will be me walking down that Hill.

This freaks me out. What will my life be like one year from now? It’s nerdy, but I was talking with a friend the other day about seeing “The Amazing Spider-Man” at midnight next summer, and I realized that I have no idea where I’ll be on July 3 next year.

Until then I’m just going to enjoy this summer and the time I have left with friends that are graduating. And I’m also excited to start my PR/marketing internship with the KU Edwards Campus, which I’m hoping will be a great experience.

Insert song that has a correlation to this blog post.

Glee’s sophomore successes

Andrew Fillmore — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:29:07 +0000

I don’t think anyone can exactly tell you why, but everyone knows that Glee’s second season has been weak. Maybe it’s the show’s urge to be over-the-top relevant (“Grilled Cheesus” and “Born This Way”). Maybe it’s the show’s meandering plot lines (where did Sunshine go?). Maybe it’s the increasingly annoying antics of Sue Sylvester (Ryan Murphy, don’t make us take away Jane Lynch’s Emmy). It’s actually probably just a combination of everything.

But rather than rag on the show, I thought I’d write about three of the highlights this season. Three episodes from season two really stick out in mind as memorable.

Season 2, Episode 5 – “The Rocky Horror Glee Show”
Yeah, another tribute episode, but this is one I can get behind. Plus, the show took an issue many shows don’t cover (male body image) and handled it wonderfully.

Season 2, Episode 14 – “Blame It on the Alcohol”
I’ve probably watched this episode four times. Hands down it has some of the best writing and direction of the season. Plus, Darren Criss and Lea Michele’s duet of “Don’t You Want Me” is one of my favorite Glee-formances (yup, just did that).

Season 2, Episode 20 – “Prom Queen”
This episode, which aired last night (May 10) had a rocky start, but the last 15 minutes were some of the most genuine Glee moments in recent memory. Plus, who doesn’t love prom?

I’m still not sure if I’ll bother to watch the third season premiere of Glee when it rolls around this fall, but these three episodes have kept me hooked on the show. Say what you want, but Glee had a great first season, and a few episodes from season two have recaptured the magic for me.

Thor is unexpectedly solid

Andrew Fillmore — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:32:36 +0000

I caught a matinee of “Thor” (Marvel Studios’ new movie) today, and I’m surprised to report that most of the critics are right. It’s actually a pretty solid movie.

Chris Hemsworth is Thor

I’m not saying that superhero movies can’t be good. “The Dark Knight,” “Spider-Man 2,” and “X2″ were all great. I was just worried that a movie about the God of Thunder would fall flat on its face in a big-screen adaptation. But luckily director Kenneth Branagh, writers Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz (“Fringe” vets), and a star-making turn from Chris Hemsworth keep the movie grounded and enjoyable.

It doesn’t all work. Thor’s romance with Natalie Portman is kind of groan-inducing. Plot holes are everywhere. And Marvel’s constant attempt to weave all of its movies together is rather annoying. But it somehow all works.

In the past few years my movie taste has matured to more awards-friendly indie fare, but movies like “Thor” will always harken me back to my geeky days of perusing movie discussion boards. I will forever remain loyal to that geek culture. And most of all, “Thor” has really gotten me excited for “The Avengers.”

I liked “Thor” more than I should have. But I’m okay with that.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

#nowplaying

Andrew Fillmore — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:02:11 +0000

As part of my neverending quest to appreciate more music, for the next few days I’m going to dedicate my time to becoming more familiar with the music in my iTunes library. So I’ve (obviously) outlined in my agenda one artist per day to enjoy. Here’s the sched:

Friday – Vampire Weekend
Saturday – Coldplay
Sunday – Ben Folds
Monday – Something Corporate
Tuesday – Muse
Wednesday – Passion Pit

And today was Death Cab for Cutie day. I’ve always been embarrassed at the number of songs left unplayed in my library, and I can’t wait for this next week of music!

Also, does anyone have any (little-known) favorite songs from any of these artists that I should definitely check out?

To close… here’s some Death Cab.

The Book of Mormon

Andrew Fillmore — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:00:36 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I’m dying to see Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Braodway musical “The Book of Mormon.” They’re the guys who brought us “South Park” and “Team America: World Police” (which is a MASTERPIECE). You can read about it here, because I don’t feel like giving a synopsis right now.

Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad

Basically I just want to see it because you’re bound to spot a celebrity there. Even Rebecca Black and Bryan Singer have seen the musical!

And lucky for you, one of the hilarious tracks from the musical is online! Listen to it here.

About this Budweiser ad

Andrew Fillmore — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Apparently there’s “controversy” surrounding this “gay-themed” Budweiser ad, according to Ad Week. But my question is: why do we even care? And why am I fueling speculation with this post? So what. Who cares. Get over it.