Book Review: Don't You Forget About Me by Jancee Dunn

Former staff writer for Rolling Stone and author of the rock and roll memoir, But Enough About Me, Jancee Dunn has turned her considerable writing talents to fiction, and the result is the poignant and endearing novel, Don’t You Forget About Me.

Don’t You Forget About Me is about Lillian Curtis. At 38, Lillian seems to a have a pretty good life. She works as a producer of the talk show Tell Me Everything! featuring old Hollywood star, Vivian Barbour. Lillian lives in New York City with her husband, and though their marriage is no longer passionate, Lillian is content. However, her husband feels differently. He wants a divorce. Not surprisingly, Lillian is completely shocked.

Vivian (who I saw as a combination of Auntie Mame and Betty White) convinces Lillian to take a sabbatical from producing the show. And Lillian ends up going home to New Jersey where her parents welcome her back. Back in her old bedroom, surrounded by posters of Duran Duran and Squeeze, Lillian has no idea where her marriage went wrong and wonders what to do next.

Then she receives an invitation to her 20th year high school reunion. This brings up a flood of memories, which include her ex-boyfriend Christian Somers. Lillian becomes obsessed with Christian, replaying their high school romance from first kiss to break up in her mind. She wonders what he’s up to, if he’ll remember her and if he still thinks about her the way she still thinks about him.

Though she’s closing in on forty, Lillian begins to relive her teen years. She listens to old mix tapes, reads faded notes sent in her classes (remember this was before text messaging) and re-connects with her old high school chums. One of these friends includes Dawn, a girl Lillian viciously betrayed when she became part of the popular crowd. And even though it’s been twenty years since graduation, Dawn isn’t so willing to forgive and forget.

Feeling like a big loser in her thirties, Lillian believes high school glory will make her feel much better. But she soon realizes the “best years” of her life weren’t really that great and there is a reason why we call the past, the past. And there is also a reason why our ex-boyfriends are our ex-boyfriends. Lillian knows she has to move forward with her life

Don’t You Forget Me is written in an engaging style that immediately grabs you. Lillian is a character that most of us can relate to even if you didn’t graduate during the era of acid wash jeans and big hair. Lillian can be frustrating, but at the same time you totally root for her. Don’t You Forget Me is a fun read with characters that stayed with me after I read the last sentence. If you’re looking for an entertaining summer read that won’t make you lose brain cells, pick up Don’t You Forget About Me.

Just a Quickie: Emmy Nominations 2009

The Emmy nominations have been announced. One of my personal faves, 30 Rock, is ahead of the pack with 22 nominations. Not surprisingly, both Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin have received acting nods. But both Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer and Tracy Morgan have received supporting acting noms, which is great. I really enjoy them in their roles. Guest actors like Steve Martin, Alan Alda, Jennifer Aniston and Elaine Stritch have received nominations for their work. I’d love to see Ms. Stritch get an award. She’s great as Jack Donaghy’s “difficult” mom, Colleen.

Tina Fey’s work on Saturday Night Live also got a nomination. And I’m happy to see both Kristin Wiig and Amy Poehler get their SNL work recognized. I think Amy deserves some kind of lifetime achievement award for this rap alone (especially considering she was a week away from giving birth).

The Office got a nomination as did Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson. I haven’t been too thrilled with The Office lately, but I always enjoy Steve and Rainn’s work. We’ll see how The Office plays out this upcoming season, especially with Pam’s (alleged) pregnancy. I’m afraid it will get too sitcom-y.

Cable continues to get recognized for its great TV work. Mad Men, Big Love, Dexter, Flight of the Conchords and my friend Nora’s personal favorite, Entourage, have all received some Emmy love. Cable movies and mini-series like Grey Gardens and Into the Storm have been nominated. But how did that horrific Lifetime channel biopic of Coco Chanel get nominated? It was awful!

To be honest, I wasn’t too surprised about most of the nominations, a lot of familiar names once again. However, I will watch the Emmy’s when they are given out September 20th. I’m an award’s show bitch, and Neil Patrick Harris is hosting. Score!

Concert Review: Fountains of Wayne with Jon Auer

This past Saturday I went to see one of my favorite bands, Fountains of Wayne, at Turner Hall Ballroom in downtown Milwaukee. I’ve been a fan of Fountains of Wayne for years, but I never had the privilege of seeing them live. But when I found out they were playing a gig, and tickets were a mere $15.00 I jumped at the chance. I didn’t know what to expect; some bands on record don’t exactly translate into good live acts. But with Fountains of Wayne I was delightfully impressed, and I left the concert a bigger fan than before.

First, Turner Hall Ballroom is a great venue for a concert. It reminded me of an European beer hall. It’s both large enough to accommodate a big crowd, yet intimate enough to not feel overwhelming. After grabbing a diet Coke at the bar, I settled at a table near the stage, and began to survey the crowd. The audience was made of mostly Generation X-ers and Millennials, but I also spied a few Baby Boomers cool enough to realize music doesn’t begin and end with the Beatles.

Jon Auer, formerly with the band the Posies, was Fountains of Wayne’s opening act. I had heard of the Posies, but I sad to say, I’m not familiar with their music. So Auer was a mystery to me. I soon became a fan. Auer has a sweet voice that belies his big teddy bear appearance. He sung songs about heartbreak, loss and relationships gone awry. Yet, he had such fun personality. He even snarked on Nickelback and the Jonas Brothers. He joked with us that when his marriage fell apart, he thought he could either get therapy or make a record. He figured making a record would be cheaper, and the audience definitely benefited from his decision. I found myself drawn into songs like “Year of Our Demise” and “Bottom of the Bottle.” And after his set was done, I sidled up to Auer as he walked through the audience, introduced myself and bought one of his 6 song CDs. Hey, I’m always looking for some good music to listen to.

Fountains of Wayne walked out on stage at promptly 9:00pm. Hey, these are four nearly middle-aged guys with families and mortgages. They can’t afford to be screw ups. They opened the show with “Please Don’t Rock Me Tonight.” But yes, they did rock me. I couldn’t help but get swooped up in the unifying force that is music. Ugh, does that sound too pretentious and cheesy?

Anyway, even though Fountains of Wayne were treating us to an acoustic concert, everything was totally high energy. The guys joked that you could tell it was an acoustic set because of the candles on the tables. They treated us to fan favorites like “Little Red Light” and “Someone to Love.” Fountains of Wayne pointed out an adorable girl who was dancing by the stage. Hey, not so long ago I was that adorable girl. However, I decided to sit back and drink the show in while writing down some notes in my trusty notebook.

The guys informed us that they are working on a new album, and everyone cheered. Well, I should hope they’re working on a new album. It’s been two years since Traffic and Weather. But they warned us that it may be a while before it comes out because it’s been several months since they worked on it. Gee, guys, thanks for living up the Generation X slacker stereotype. However, that didn’t stop them from playing two new songs that will be on the next album, “The Summer Place” and “A Road Song.” If these songs are indication of the type of songs that will be on the next Fountains of Wayne album, well, hurry up and finish the damn thing!

During “Hey Julie” the guys invited three members of the audience to join them in playing percussion. The girls totally got into it, shaking their hips and flipping their hair. But the guy on maracas was totally chill, or "wistful" as Fountains of Wayne later commented. Are you wondering why I didn’t offer to get up and stage and accompany the guys? Well, of course at that point, I got really shy. Plus, I wasn’t as close to the stage as the others so the band couldn't see me.

Fountains of Wayne got everybody groovin’ when they played “Red Dragon Tattoo” and then brought things down a notch with “Valley Winter Song.” You may have heard “Valley Winter Song” in the LL Bean commercials. Yes, Fountains of Wayne are total sell outs. Years ago, I would have been appalled, but now I’m like, “Hey, sometimes you got to make a buck.”

Jon Auer joined Fountains of Wayne for a rendition “Hackensack.” Drummer Brian Young used to be in the Posies so it was a reunion of sorts. All five of them seemed to be having the time of their lives, and their chemistry was great, all their voices filling the hall with beautiful harmonies. And “Bright Future in Sales” pretty much brought all of us onto our feet, after we were admonished for sitting in our seats like we were on PBS or something.

During “Radiation Vibe” Fountains of Wayne seamlessly brought in songs like “Reunited” by Peaches and Herb (remember them?) and the Cars’ classic, “Let’s Go,” and for some crazy reason it totally worked. We all clapped our hands to “Leave the Biker” and swayed to “Half a Woman.” Fountains of Wayne closed their set with a slowed-down version of their biggest hit, “Stacy’s Mom,” a song that celebrates MILFs and cougars everywhere. I’m still trying to figure out if that’s a good thing or not.

I left the concert on a total high, feeling fine. Fountains of Wayne have an indescribable way of turning songs about mundane shit into some of the most cleverly written power pop ever recorded. Head songwriter, Adam Schlesinger, is one of the most talented lyricists around, and deserves more recognition. Fountains of Wayne are amazing musicians, and really got into their performing. They truly seemed to be enjoying themselves. They didn’t just say, “Hello, Milwaukee!” and then go through the motions. They joked with the audience, and made self-deprecating jokes about themselves. It may only be July, but the Fountains of Wayne concert was definitely one of my pop culture highlights of the year. Now if only they’d finish up their album.

Just a Quickie

So did anyone watch the entire Michael Jackson memorial (::crickets chirping::). I was at work, so of course I didn't get to see it. I did see some snippets on the news. I wasn't overly moved or anything but I did get a bit teary-eyed when Jackson' daughter, Paris, spoke at the end. I have to admit, Michael Jackson was one big bag of crazy, (talented, but crazy), but he has some gorgeous kids.

But I digress. To be honest, the Michael Jackson media clusterfuck is starting to work my nerves. I do like seeing the footage of his videos and hearing the music. And foxy music journalist, Toure', is always a sight for tired eyes. But after awhile, enough is enough. And I know some people were really pissed that the memorial pre-empted their "stories." Waves to Re.

Now that the memorial is over, a lot of questions are being raised about Jackson. How did he die? How many drugs did he consume? Are his kids biologically his? And who will raise those kids? However, I really need to know why he was buried in a chafing dish. Somehow, I think it would be more apt to bury him in a giant, gold-plated Pez dispenser.

Oh well, time to move on. I'm going to the Fountains of Wayne concert this Saturday, and I'm really excited. One of the first music reviews I ever wrote was for their 2003 release Welcome Interstate Managers. If anyone wants me to dig it up, and post it here, let me know.

Movie Review: Away We Go

Away We Go, written by literary super spouses, Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, and directed by Sam Mendes, is the story of long-time couple Burt (John Krasinksi) and Verona (Maya Rudolph). Burt and Verona find themselves unexpectedly pregnant. On the surface they seem like just another aimless, slacker couple. They live in a run-down house in Colorado. They seem to still be living in a college-aged bohemia, and not too passionate about their jobs (he works as an insurance salesperson and she works as a medical illustrator). Yet, on the verge of being parents, Burt and Verona know they need to get their act together.

They hope Burt’s parents (played by Jeff Daniels and Catherine O’Hara), will be around to help them avoid any parental pitfalls. But mom and dad have news of their own. They’re moving to Belgium, and will miss the first two years of their grandchild’s life. With their new adventure on the horizon, Burt’s self-absorbed parents seem barely affected by the idea of being grandparents. And with Verona’s parents deceased, Burt and Verona are desperate for a sense of family and community.

So off they go on a road trip. They first arrive in Phoenix where they meet up with Verona’s former colleague Lily (Allison Janney), Lily’s oafish husband Lowell (Jim Gaffigan) and their uncommunicative children. It is strongly implied that Lily has problems with alcohol, and when she isn’t ignoring her kids, she’s cruelly mocking them.

It’s obvious Phoenix is not the place for Burt and Verona, and soon they end up in Madison, Wisconsin, where a childhood friend of Burt’s is a professor at the university. Given the name Ellen (Maggie Gyllenhaal), she now goes by the less gender-specific, LN. And when Burt and Verona first meet up with LN, she’s nursing both her children (one of them appearing to be five-years-old) in nearly orgasmic bliss. Later, LN and her husband (Josh Hamilton) smugly tell Burt and Verona they have a “continuum household,” which means sharing a family bed and refusing to use strollers because it means LN would be rejecting her children by pushing them away from her.

Madison turns out not to be the place, so Burt and Verona set their sights on Montreal where they meet up with college pals, Tom and Munch (Chris Messina and Melanie Lynskey). Tom and Munch seem to have it all, a happy marriage, a beautiful home and a rainbow tribe of charming and sweet adopted children. But underneath this blissful exterior is heartbreak and despair. Burt and Verona soon realize that even people who seem to have it all, don’t.

A family crisis prompts the couple to go to Miami, Burt’s brother Courtney (Paul Schneider) has been abandoned by his wife. A loving, doting father, Courtney is filled with anger and fear. He’s not sure if he’s up to the task of being a single father. After these cross-country travels, Burt and Verona know that no matter what heartbreak and joy will always be a part of life, and no matter where they find home they need to be there for their child. This is the best any of us can hope for.

Away We Go is a sweet, gentle movie with characters we know and recognize. Both Burt and Verona could be hipster caricatures but Krasinski and Rudolph make the real and relatable. Krasinski continues his adorkable everyman quality he shows every week on The Office. Burt can be quirky but he’s also optimistic and expansive. And Rudolph is a treasure as Verona. Only familiar with the characters Rudolph played on Saturday Night Live, I found her acting to be a treasure. Verona is practical and reserved, but she also has an inviting warmth that seems to emanate from an inner strength. In one pivotal scene, Verona meets up with her sister Lily (Carmen Ejogo), and they talk wistfully about their parents, their grief still so palatable.

I know a movie is good when the characters stay with me after the credits roll. I really want to know what happens to Burt and Verona and the child they are expecting. Will they stay together or break up? Will they have more children? What about their friends and family? I hope this is revisited in a sequel. Burt and Verona are characters you care about and Away We Go is a wonderful, but too brief glimpse into the life of a couple we really want to root for.

Because Every Other Blogger Does It

Hello everyone. I hope you're all gearing up for the 4th of July festivities. I know I'm looking forward to a 3-day week-end. It will give me a chance to catch up on some things at Chez Popcorn that I've been putting off for a while.

Just so you know, because of my real life responsibilities, this blog will be put on the backburner until some time next week. I'd love to put up some new posts but other responsibilities take priority.

May you and your loved ones have safe and fun holiday.

ETA: Okay, this made me feel old. Young whippersnapper is mystified by the Walkman.

Great Moments in Gen-X History: Schoolhouse Rock!

“Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?”
“Hooking up words and phrases and clauses.”

Now, if you a Generation X-er who spent plenty of time in front of the TV Saturday mornings, I’m sure that song is somewhere in the recesses of your brain. You may not remember senior year calculus, but there is no doubt you know the “Conjunction Junction” song and other ditties from Schoolhouse Rock!

Schoolhouse Rock! was a series of animated short films that aired during ABC’s Saturday morning programming. They covered topics like grammar, history, mathematics, science and civics. Schoolhouse Rock! both educated and entertained young children in between episodes of Jabberjaw and Scooby Doo/Dynomut.

Schoolhouse Rock! was the brain child of David McCall. McCall, who worked in advertising, noticed how his young son had difficulty with certain educational concepts but had no problem remembering the lyrics of pop songs. McCall thought maybe his son, and other children, would have an easier time learning these educational concepts if they were set to music. He joined forces with songwriter Bob Dorough and came up with the song “Three is a Magical Number.” It was a huge hit with test audiences. Soon Tom Yohe came up with the idea of adding animation to the songs.

It wasn’t long before McCall was producing animated versions of the songs and he sold the concept to ABC. These animated shorts were interspersed in-between regular programming Saturday morning programming. Between 1973 and 1986 kids learned mathematical concepts through songs like “Zero, My Hero,” discovered how a law is made by Congress in “I’m Just a Bill,” and reached for the stars in “Inter-planet Janet.” Diversity was taught through “The Great American Melting Pot,” and the classic “Unpack Your Adjectives” probably helped a generation with their grammar. Later on, Schoolhouse Rock! introduced then-revolutionary computer concepts with characters like Scooter Computer and Mister Chips. And for a brief time in the 1990s, currency facts were also taught with Money Rocks. Ultimately, the series was canceled in 2001.

Yet, Schoolhouse Rock! lives on as a Generation X cultural touch stone. Ask any 30 or 40-something to sing “Conjunction Junction” or “I’m Just a Bill,” and I bet they won’t have too much difficulty. Personally, I know Grammar Rock inspired me to write. At this moment both “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here” and “Interjections” are playing in my head. And who knew the United States Constitution could be so melodic until we heard “The Preamble?”

I feel really sorry for kids today. They don’t get to see Schoolhouse Rock! while watching their favorite Saturday morning shows. But that doesn’t mean Gen X parents and doting aunties and uncles can’t pass on Schoolhouse Rock's fun and knowledge. Today you can order both the CD and a DVD of Schoolhouse Rock! And I just found out Schoolhouse Rock! was also a live show.

I’m so happy I grew up with Schoolhouse Rock! The songs are infectious and catchy, and the animation is charming. What are your favorite Schoolhouse Rock! memories?