In fact, the beguiling lyrics of her songs greet your ears as though they were tiny pieces of a bird nest which may have inadvertently (though fortuitously)  fallen out along her passing. Rather than let vulnerability cause her to blush, she simply gives a knowing smile, hoping you will find a way to appreciate and add the words to your own nest of thoughts. As a singer and songwriter, she is here to share with us. And what  she has to offer is a splendidly-crafted delight.

Her voice is as strong as a siren’s beckoning call, and as sweet as the angels in your most private moments of longing and reverie. Her lyrics are advocating ambassadors that honor the spirit within the most tender and poignant of feelings. After listening to her album,  a sense of hope is hard to deny.

Bri-anne’s debut album will be released on September 29th, 2009.

“So we throw all our cards on the table
Instead of counting birds on the wire
While all the kings horses and all the kinds men
Keep drawing their lines in the sand” – We All Fall Down ; Bri-anne Swan

Click here to view the embedded video.

Bri-Anne Swan’s Website

Listen to Bri-Anne on MySpace (Four Songs to Listen to!)

Pictures of Bri-Anne Swan are by Stripped Media

The new HBO series Bored to Death has already won me over just three episodes into my private viewing, which is pretty amazing since I don’t easily fall in love – I have trust issues! But I trust this show; I’d even give it a key to my place. The lovable oddball half-hour comedy features Jason Schwartzman as Jonathan Ames, who is a Brooklyn writer trying to deal with a rough breakup. Olivia Thirlby plays Suzanne, the stable and well-intentioned ex-girlfriend who has broken up with Ames because he “smokes too much pot and drinks too much white wine”. Because of Ames’ unhappiness with the breakup and his life, he (who is a noted mystery novel enthusiast) begins posing as a private detective who advertises on Craigslist (people post crazy things, but does it ever go that far?). What the astute viewer will realize is that as he tackles his cases to feel like the hands-on hero he longs to be, he is ultimately using his strong writing gifts for observation and insight. This doesn’t mean he can get his second novel started, of course. That would be too easy. Writer’s block lives strong! As does laziness.

The always-familiar Ted Danson plays George Christopher, “a high-profile magazine editor” who Jonathan works for occasionally. He is considerably fun to watch because he’s so ridiculously clingy and bluntly eccentric (he is really excited about the idea of getting a colonic). One of Ames’ best friends is the bumbling and cynical comic book illustrator Ray Hueston (lifted right out of a Judd Apatow movie – very possibly), played by Zach Galifianakis. Heather Burns (who you’ll very possibly remember as Sandra Bullock’s innocent pageant friend in Miss Congeniality) plays Hueston’s controlling girlfriend. Even the guest stars for this show are incredible: including Kristen Wiig, Parker Posey, and Oliver Platt.

I feel this show may initially be linked to cult movie High Fidelity. Yes, Bored to Death does open up with a painful breakup that involves a heartsick young man with low ambitions. He has a decent heart, and in my notes I referred to him as ‘pathetically charming – therefore sympathetic and likable’. So there’s that. And yes, the show has oodles of terrific Indie music and distinctive characters – but Bored to Death has a different agenda than High Fidelity. I’m not entirely sure what the agenda is, but I know it definitely feels different. Which is enough for me to call this original!

In fact, when I first heard about this new HBO series I worried it was going to be like another show on the air right now – Castle (Nathan Fillion). I’ve hardly seen any of Castle (shame on me, I know), but I think they’re wildly different shows. It’s like the difference between High School Musical and Juno. I’m not sure about you, but I’ve never given my attention to that High School Musical nonsense, and I’ve seen Juno at least three times.

Bored to Death will have eight episodes for its initial season, and it begins on Sunday, September 20th at 9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The first two episodes focus on Ames’ new side project as a private detective, but the third episode proves this show isn’t a one trick Maltese Falcon.

P.S. Answering the question before it’s even asked! “What is the Bored to Death themesong?” Answer:  The Bored To Death Theme Song is Performed by Coconut Records, Written by Jason Schwartzman and Jonathan Ames.

Bored to Death official site / Bored to Death on Facebook

Quotes from Bored to Death “Stockholm Syndrome” and “The Alanon Case”

“Therapists are heroic, they’re the superheroes of listening.”

“I want to be the only child in a woman’s life.”

“…Death by one-thousand bad conversations.”

“I’m not going to change. I’m just going to pretend to change. I can’t change – that’s impossible!”

“Do you purposefully try to depress me every time we see each other?”

“God, it’s like I’m surrounded by Holocaust deniers! It happened! I’m sure!”

“You know, my therapists aren’t helping me at all!”

“When I’m with her I’m going to eat vegan, but when I’m not with her I’m going to eat like an American.”

Hot Link: Courtney Cox in Cougar Town Should Wear This!

Hot Link: Twilight Jewelry That’s Not Cheesy!

Monica Hunter hosts an exploitative TV segment called “Hunt for the Truth”, and in one of her latest segments she ruins the reputation of an innocent man. She’s the type of reporter who instills fear in the public to get ratings. She’s not-so-affectionately refereed to as a “whack job” and it’s clear she’s in it for the fame. Hunter is played by actress Beth Broderick who many of you will remember fondly as Aunt Zelda on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch with Melissa Joan Hart.

Beth Reisgraf and Christian Kane, all photos by Erik Heinila

The innocent man whose life Hunter has effectively ruined has a daughter who gets the Leverage team to help. But they don’t want money. Hardison has a valid point when he says, “We’ve stolen a lot of odd things before but how do we steal back a man’s reputation?”

The team has internal worries because Nate has put Sophie in charge, albeit reluctantly. They haven’t forgotten the LAST time she was in charge and the office went kablooey. But Sophie wants a new challenge, and given the events of the last episode of Leverage, Nate’s feeling generous.

Beth Reisgraf, Aldis Hodge and Beth Broderick

Why is Monica Hunter a good target? She’s shown to be more than a disgruntled and difficult person, she’s downright bitchy and self-obsessed. But mostly she’s a target because  she doesn’t expose the truth – but whatever can seem shocking and believed to be true. She takes no responsibility for what she reports and she’s into sensationalism. So how do they take her down several notches? She wants to be taken seriously! She’s like a Paris Hilton who’d love to get cast in a Tarantino film based on her acting merits. (We all know that won’t happen.)

I’d describe this episode as one where Parker does her best impersonation of Nicole Kidman in To Die For, Hardison is Mel Gibson in Conspiracy Theory, Eliot is Will Smith in Men in Black, and Nate is…well, I don’t watch a lot of military movies… (And I don’t have a Sophie comparison.)

Beth Broderick and Beth Reisgraf

Beth Reisgraf, Aldis Hodge and Beth Broderick

Friday the 13th (2009)

Looks Like We’re Going Back to Crystal Lake…

By: Brittany (Guest Writer)

I’m going to be honest; I usually hate remakes. I don’t really get the point of them and for some strange reason I sort of feel offended on behalf of all the parties originally involved. So I don’t have a problem telling you that I had already made up my mind that I wasn’t going to like the new Friday the 13th. As a horror movie lover, that particular film series holds a special place in my heart and I wasn’t interested in seeing it slashed to pieces like one of Jason’s million victims. But then I realized that it wasn’t a strict remake but a “retooling” of the series, and even though I didn’t really know what that meant, I decided to open my mind a bit.

I’m so glad I did!

Young and handsome Clay (Jared Padalecki of TV’s Supernatural) is searching for his missing sister Whitney (Amanda Righetti) when he comes upon a group of friends vacationing at a secluded lake house. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the peaceful and secluded (yet modern and fully equipped) lake house happens to be right beside the ruins of Camp Crystal Lake. Total bummer. I don’t even need to tell you anything more about the plot because if you’re even remotely familiar with the series you can guess what happens next. The partying kids break all the rules (they drink, they get high, and they have sex) so you really can’t blame Jason for going on a rampage. I mean, that’s his job after all. These kids stumble into his camp, run amok, play loud music, and generally act like hooligans.

I think what sets this film apart from others in the series is that it’s pretty darn entertaining. There’s the usual horror movie fare of blood and guts and nudity but there’s also a fair amount of humor. I found myself laughing at the dumb jokes even when I tried not to. Chewie is the token funny man of the group and has one of the best parts in the movie when he bumps into Jason while sweeping up some broken glass in a tool shed with a hockey stick and asks him if he’s looking for the stick he’s holding because it “completes his outfit.” You really have to see it to appreciate it because it seriously made me giggle.

So where’s the retooling part? Well, the film takes the premise that years and years ago a young boy drowned while at summer camp and his mother killed all the counselors for revenge. Sound familiar? Keep reading. But, the legend says, the boy didn’t really die. He made it back to camp in time to see his mother’s head chopped off at the hands of one of his counselors and the legend goes on to say that the boy, Jason, still roams the woods
taking it upon himself to kill as many people as he can.

The kids still do dumb stuff (Why would you go BY YOURSELF out to look for your missing friend when you KNOW there’s a crazy killer running around killing people? WHY?) and some of the dynamics are a little confusing (Are Jenna and Trent dating or what?) but it all comes together in a pretty satisfying conclusion. The ending won’t be for everyone but us horror movie purists will certainly appreciate it.

Though I really did enjoy the film, there are a few unanswered questions that will make you scratch your head. Did Jason feed Whitney? Does he mail a check every month to pay his electrical bill? Why in the world is the 80s song “Sister Christian” played just before a death scene? Since when is water-skiing topless a good idea? And I’d also like to point out that while Jason was very tough and scary in this movie, the farm-hand guy was miles scarier. I’ll be checking under my bed every night to make sure he’s not hiding there.

Watch this film for some laughs, for some scares, and to feel better about your own IQ. I wouldn’t, however, watch it the night before a big camping trip because, well, you just never know, do you? Four stars out of five.

Episode: The Beantown Bailout Job PH: Erik Heinila

Season two of Leverage starts again this summer on Wednesday, July 15th at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The episode we start off with is the curiously named episode: ‘The Beantown Bailout Job‘. Check out the video sneak peek!

When last we saw our crew, they had disbanded. Sadness! But the most open-hearted (read: mushy)  of the group finds a way to have them all reconnect. And meet-up they do. Just it time, it would seem. Because Nate has witnessed the attempted murder of a man who works at a bank. What makes that worse? The man’s daughter was also almost killed in the process. This (along with the group’s encouragement to work together again) I believe ultimately makes it a case that Nate doesn’t want to ignore – given how he misses his own son.

There are so many questions as we go into a new season of Leverage. I mean, did Hardison try looking for Parker in these past few months? What did they end up all doing on their own? Do any of them want to stay loners now? Does anyone end up wearing any funky costumes in this episode? And what funky costumes should we look for in the future?!  Can Nate stay sober?  Where will the team work  now that their old headquarters have been destroyed? Some of these are answered in the first episode of season two – so pay attention!

What can you look forward to this season? Leverage Spoilers! Eliot’s martial art skills, a Ponzi scheme, and taking over a private school. Whaaat?

Memorable quotes from Leverage: The Beantown Bailout Job

“What are the odds that Eliot’s crotch will actually explode?” – Parker

“When you’re sober your metaphors get creepier.” – Parker

Okay yes, I’m guilty of excessive Parker love.

Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton in Nurse Jackie - Photo: Ken Regan/Showtime

On Monday July 13th, 2009 the Nurse Jackie episode Tiny Bubbles will air on Showtime. The show has been renewed for a second season, already. I hope you guys haven’t been missing episodes!

Zoey (Merrit Wever)  is adorable and I love any scene she’s in with O’Hara (Eve Best) or Jackie (Edie Falco).  The last episode of Nurse Jackie had that really cute episode where Zooey and O’Hara went out to eat and I thought they could never top that. But this episode? I swear to you, it does. It kills me with the unbearable cuteness of being.

I really like when they focused on Zoey and the quirky, well-intentioned ways she over analyzes things that are going on at the hospital. She wants to be respected, and liked, and do a good job – and I’m sure I’d feel the same in those nurse shoes. Hopefully I’d be less awkward than her, though.

What’s more, the task in this episode that Zoey has extreme confusion over participating in happens to be one that I would struggle with, too. Life and death are tricky things, or… maybe they’re essentially simple? But I’d bet on tricky.

I think life is tricky. And maybe we should all  just meditate and feel more at peace. Maybe… we should feel this is easy. But then would we ever feel anything? Is there really another way to live? Don’t look at me for these answers. But I’m pretty sure the only ’should’ to listen to is the one that say’s you shouldn’t live your life by ’shoulds’.

For those who find themselves wondering – the song featured at the end of this episode (Tiny Bubbles) is: Patty Griffin – When It Don’t Come Easy

Click here to view the embedded video.

Tonight I cry for the love I’ve lost, and the love I’ve never found.

I continue to adore Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll). After last week’s episode Keep The Party Going I feel like we learned a lot about her character, especially her motivation for wanting to go back to her family – to give payback to her abusive father. This character has layers! I am glad they showed us some of her backstory.

Speaking of backstory – we get a bit of Sarah’s! Why does she hate vampires so much? Why does she like to wear so much yellow? All this, and more! Okay, well not the yellow part – that’s obviously because of ‘light’ and ’sun’ an all. We aren’t supposed to like Sarah, I don’t think, but I don’t totally hate her or anything.

To switch things back to Jessica, we don’t just get to be content with backstory, she has future plans. Plans that cannot possibly go very well! But that’s the fun part, eh? She really does have teenage impulses just like Bill predicted. I can’t help from loving her story.

Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) and Bill become confused over something that hurts Sookie. Eric is…well, you know. He’s evil but sometimes he does ‘good’ things. But these ‘good’ things are pretty much always for his own personal motivations.

Tara and Eggs (Mehcad Brooks) get closer and closer…and it’s oh so fun to watch!

And where does this leave poor Sam? He’s the odd one out! And he might not be liking that these days. You better watch to find out! This episode airs Sunday, June 29th a 9 p.m.

Julian Armenante and Jada Pinkett Smith on HawthoRNe

It occurred to me as I watched the opening of Healing Time that nurses probably feel just as under appreciated for their actions as Moms. Neither get thanked enough, that’s for sure. In this episode Christina (Jada Pinkett Smith) proves right away that she’s willing to do whatever she has to do to get the job done, even when others don’t step up.

Healing Time guest stars Cloris Leachman as the ‘too mean to die’ patient that Kelly (Vanessa Lengies) has the task of caring for. One gets the idea that she’d rather scrub the bathroom walls than deal with this particular patient – although she does her very best. It has to be insulting when Cloris’s character is seen revering Doctor’s as Gods and tattling on nurse Kelly (for no rational reason).

Adam Garcia and Suleka Matthew on HawthoRNeSuleka Matthew, Jada Pinkett Smith and Malcom-Jamal Warner on HathoRNe

Malcom-Jamal Warner is another special guest star, Fred, the endearing brain aneurysm patient who believes that Christina is his wife “Lindsey”. This has to be painful for Christina, who lost her actual husband a year ago. Ouch. Fred does not want to be parted from Christina, so Christina does her best to fill in for the confused patient.

We see that Doctor Tom Wakefield (Michael Vartan) enjoys bantering playfully with Christina as he teases her about her ‘wedding’ to Fred. I really enjoy the little moments they share. I really enjoy seeing Vartan playing a character that gets to joke around a bit, because from the interviews I’ve read with him, he has strong natural humor. Normally Vartan’s characters have constantly furrowed brows, which, though enjoyable to watch – I suspect he may get tired of playing on a constant basis.

Michael Vartan and Jada Pinkett Smith on HawthoRNe

When Fred has to decide between two options, he chooses to go with Christina’s input instead of Dr. Wakefield’s. What’s tricky is that he agrees with Christina because he believes she’s his wife. While it’s okay to have another opinion than a Doctor, it is probably not entirely appropriate for Christina to advise him under these false pretenses.

Bobbie (Suleka Matthew) continues to be pursued by the cutie paramedic Nick (Adam Garcia). She has strong barriers erected, which Nick wants to pull down right away. I’m a little less interested in this possible relationship than I am in the friendship between Bobbie and Christina. I love the way they rely on each other. Bobbie cares about Christina in the way that Christina probably doesn’t let other’s openly care about her.

I don’t want to give you guys any spoilers that will ruin the show for you, so I don’t want to say much more! When you guys watch this episode, let me know what you think of it.

HawthoRNe airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m.

Follow SofaChip on Twitter! You’ll get a follow in return, but most importantly – fun TV babble!

The episode of True Blood season two that will air on Sunday June 21st (9p.m.) is called Keep the Party Going. Here’s a word of advice: do not start this episode off with a snack of popcorn or well, anything. Trust me. It won’t be pretty, or easy to swallow.

The Light of Day leadership conference seems to be making Jason pretty happy. Then again, doesn’t a bit of group singing on traveling buses make everyone cheerful? No? Apparently Steve (Michael McMillian) and Sarah (Anna Camp) of the conference are a bit like the Brad and Angelina of The Light of Day. They’re certainly as annoying as them. Yikes!

I am interested in the new hired waitress, Daphne (Ashley Jones). She seems so innocent that I worry for her.

Tara thinks it’s cute that Sookie is ‘like a step-mother’ to a vampire. I like the way Sookie and Jessica interact, I believe Sookie really cares about the girl. I truly feel bad for Jessica. And, no, not just because we share the same name!

Maryann is up to hijinks at Merlotte’s, but I didn’t find that part of this episode all that interesting, personally.

This is the episode that has Christian pop singer Amanda Jane’s version of “Jesus Asked Me Out Today.

And, there’s a Buffy shout-out! Score!

The last couple of minutes of this episode were fantastic, heart-racing, and crazy! And it leaves you going WHAT?!?! I can’t wait for the next episode.

Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton and Merritt Wever as Zoey in Nurse Jackie (Episode 3) - Photo: Ken Regan/Showtime

Being an addict ain’t pretty, people.  Hopefully you’ve never had to learn that fist hand. Jackie has, though. Or rather, does. Am I mixing up my tenses? Ehh! The point is – Jackie has some addiction-related problems in this episode.

Nurse Zoey continues to be naive and adorable while Dr. O’Hara decides to mess with her a bit. Do you think you could stand up to Dr. O’Hara? I personally want to go shopping with her!

On the patient front: A cat causes some injuries for someone, in an unusual way. And another patient has decided that chicken soup is the only cure he needs. One woman ends up giving Jackie some unhealthy advice.

I’m not sure I understand why some people are offended by the portrayal of ‘this kind of nurse’ on TV. No one is saying that these are how all nurses are. It’s just one nurse – a fictional nurse at that. And who wants to watch a show with a boring nurse? Not me. Not anyone. Well, maybe my Grandma. No – you know what? Not even her. She has good taste in TV!

Eve Best as Dr. O'Hara in Nurse Jackie (Episode 3) - Photo: Ken Regan/Showtime

Quotes from Nurse Jackie – Chicken Soup:

“April showers bring May flowers. And if you’re really good, maybe a blow job.”

“Doctor’s take shit. Sandwiches. Stethoscopes. Credit.”

“They’re nice buses, if you have to get hit by a bus.”

“Oh God, I’m in stirrups?”

“He doesn’t have a Doctor. He’s eating soup.”