Sometimes being Gayer-Than-Gay is the absolute best thing in the world! Shit gets super crazy around the 4 minute mark.
ps. Best entrance ever?! Methinks so!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Telly on Telly: Top Titles
The Ultimate T.J. Kous has compiled for you his Top 11 picks for Best Opening Title Sequence. Enjoy!
11. Avatar: The Last Airbender
It's always best when an opening sequence can sum up the integral plot points for you so that you don't have to tell new viewers about it. It's great! You can just let the well-crafted words and artistry speak for themselves. Avatar is a perfect example of this. Also, the last line of this one gives me goosebumps every time!
10. The Girls Next Door
I remember this great scene in this Japanese movie I watched in college, Ikiru I think, where these drunken ladies were in the back of a taxi singing "Come On-a My House" in terribly broken English. I love that song, it's so classy. Add bobble-headed animation, exotic birds and Hugh Hefner and you've got yourself a title sequence.
9. Gossip Girl
So often simplicity is key. I love the little whispers that accompany this one. And of course one of the greatest catchphrases in contemporary television. xo xo.
8. Nip/Tuck
Many nights were spent in dark rooms watching what I think to be the most outrageous show in history. Although it's not a scary show watching Nip/Tuck in the dark is so undoubtedly haunting and I think it's because of this sequence. This song can keep you up at night.
7. Big Love
HBO's new signature show is definitely one of my top ten of all time. I've always loved how it was able to make something so abnormal and unfamiliar seem like the most honorable and normal way of living life. We can see that in the intro: you've got the Beach Boys, ice skating, laundry - all completely comprehensible and accessible (dare I say) "American" things. But then you mix in two too many ladies, the ice begins to crack, and in there amongst the sheets lines begin to blur, we can't really tell who's where and what's going on. But don't worry, we return to normalcy by the end....when they have family dinner on a tiny far-off planet in some unknown solar system....
6. Ugly Betty
This one always brings a smile to my face. The cheery, upbeat music, the simple concept. I love how it comes right at the end of the first act, too, right when they drop some sort of plot bomb. Also, to this day, I love how after seeing each part of it individually throughout the shuffle Betty's mug is still so surprising huge and ugly in the end. Gets me every time.
5. Melrose Place
Some have accused me of having a "1994 fetish." How can you blame me?! The hair! The clothes! The GUITAR RIFFS!! Hearing that first swanky chord of this number always takes me back to my childhood years, sitting down with my mom and my sisters to watch another one of their "adult programs." God bless the 1990s! (note: sorry for leaving out Amanda Woodward. this sequence is from before Heather Locklear's 6 year stint as a "special guest star.")
4. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Also a relic from my days studying Japanese culture this is perhaps one of the best songs I don't know the meaning of. At about the halfway point the imagery is powerful and fast moving. Try and see if you can figure out the plot of this short-lived anime series by just watching the credits. I bet you can't!
3. LOST
When it comes down to it, LOST is just scary. Horrifying, really. Some of you may know that I watched the entire first two seasons in a couple of nights. Sitting there, sleep deprived, not knowing when the last episode ended and this one began, the darkness would surround me and all I could see in the blackness was a distant word in white, eerily floating towards me momentarily coming into focus as the dissonant music swelled. At that moment, actively watching this title for what felt like the first time ever all I could think was, 'This is what it must feel like to go insane - you just float through the abyss as giant, abstract words drift past you.' Creepy.
2. The Golden Girls
Sometimes it's all about the music. Other times it's all about Bea Arthur biting her fist, Betty White being hurled into a closet, Rue McClanahan strutting in a night gown and eyemask and the beautiful Miami skyline. These are images I'll NEVER forget.
1. Six Feet Under
I think this speaks for itself. Utterly beautiful.
Well there you have it! My top 11 (I know, I just couldn't make any cuts!) Hope you enjoyed them. Did I leave any of your favorites out?? Be sure to let me know.
But first, before I go I want to share some honorable mentions. Here, dear reader, are my choices for the best NEW opening title sequences from this year's fall lineup:
True Blood
At first it seemed strange and a little alienating, but - oh boy - does this song ever grow on you! The whole sequence captures the desperate, underground nature of the show - I'm simultaneously disgusted and intrigued by these images. Just remember - God Hates Fangs!
Fringe
Again, this is a simple one, not too long, but the music is delightful and the concept speaks to the high school scientist of my past. Some might think it's hokey to be so explicit about the fringe science, with the floating words and all, but I like it. Every time I see it I get something new, and isn't that what it's all about when it comes to main titles?
11. Avatar: The Last Airbender
It's always best when an opening sequence can sum up the integral plot points for you so that you don't have to tell new viewers about it. It's great! You can just let the well-crafted words and artistry speak for themselves. Avatar is a perfect example of this. Also, the last line of this one gives me goosebumps every time!
10. The Girls Next Door
I remember this great scene in this Japanese movie I watched in college, Ikiru I think, where these drunken ladies were in the back of a taxi singing "Come On-a My House" in terribly broken English. I love that song, it's so classy. Add bobble-headed animation, exotic birds and Hugh Hefner and you've got yourself a title sequence.
9. Gossip Girl
So often simplicity is key. I love the little whispers that accompany this one. And of course one of the greatest catchphrases in contemporary television. xo xo.
8. Nip/Tuck
Many nights were spent in dark rooms watching what I think to be the most outrageous show in history. Although it's not a scary show watching Nip/Tuck in the dark is so undoubtedly haunting and I think it's because of this sequence. This song can keep you up at night.
7. Big Love
HBO's new signature show is definitely one of my top ten of all time. I've always loved how it was able to make something so abnormal and unfamiliar seem like the most honorable and normal way of living life. We can see that in the intro: you've got the Beach Boys, ice skating, laundry - all completely comprehensible and accessible (dare I say) "American" things. But then you mix in two too many ladies, the ice begins to crack, and in there amongst the sheets lines begin to blur, we can't really tell who's where and what's going on. But don't worry, we return to normalcy by the end....when they have family dinner on a tiny far-off planet in some unknown solar system....
6. Ugly Betty
This one always brings a smile to my face. The cheery, upbeat music, the simple concept. I love how it comes right at the end of the first act, too, right when they drop some sort of plot bomb. Also, to this day, I love how after seeing each part of it individually throughout the shuffle Betty's mug is still so surprising huge and ugly in the end. Gets me every time.
5. Melrose Place
Some have accused me of having a "1994 fetish." How can you blame me?! The hair! The clothes! The GUITAR RIFFS!! Hearing that first swanky chord of this number always takes me back to my childhood years, sitting down with my mom and my sisters to watch another one of their "adult programs." God bless the 1990s! (note: sorry for leaving out Amanda Woodward. this sequence is from before Heather Locklear's 6 year stint as a "special guest star.")
4. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Also a relic from my days studying Japanese culture this is perhaps one of the best songs I don't know the meaning of. At about the halfway point the imagery is powerful and fast moving. Try and see if you can figure out the plot of this short-lived anime series by just watching the credits. I bet you can't!
3. LOST
When it comes down to it, LOST is just scary. Horrifying, really. Some of you may know that I watched the entire first two seasons in a couple of nights. Sitting there, sleep deprived, not knowing when the last episode ended and this one began, the darkness would surround me and all I could see in the blackness was a distant word in white, eerily floating towards me momentarily coming into focus as the dissonant music swelled. At that moment, actively watching this title for what felt like the first time ever all I could think was, 'This is what it must feel like to go insane - you just float through the abyss as giant, abstract words drift past you.' Creepy.
2. The Golden Girls
Sometimes it's all about the music. Other times it's all about Bea Arthur biting her fist, Betty White being hurled into a closet, Rue McClanahan strutting in a night gown and eyemask and the beautiful Miami skyline. These are images I'll NEVER forget.
1. Six Feet Under
I think this speaks for itself. Utterly beautiful.
Well there you have it! My top 11 (I know, I just couldn't make any cuts!) Hope you enjoyed them. Did I leave any of your favorites out?? Be sure to let me know.
But first, before I go I want to share some honorable mentions. Here, dear reader, are my choices for the best NEW opening title sequences from this year's fall lineup:
True Blood
At first it seemed strange and a little alienating, but - oh boy - does this song ever grow on you! The whole sequence captures the desperate, underground nature of the show - I'm simultaneously disgusted and intrigued by these images. Just remember - God Hates Fangs!
Fringe
Again, this is a simple one, not too long, but the music is delightful and the concept speaks to the high school scientist of my past. Some might think it's hokey to be so explicit about the fringe science, with the floating words and all, but I like it. Every time I see it I get something new, and isn't that what it's all about when it comes to main titles?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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