LOOKER on iTunes!

My pal, AJ Lambert, plays bass in a cool NYC band called LOOKER, and their new 2-song single (After My Divorce/Master's Gone Away) is out now on iTunes! Just a $1.98; check it out!!



P.S. Chelsea beat Leicester in a Carling Cup match today! Congrats to Frank Lampard on his hat triZick!

Happy Halloween!

New Music (&DVD) Tuesday

There's no BS here! Here are the only music releases I'm interested in today:

Free music is always nice too though...

And these DVDs have caught my eye:

P.S. I feel sort of obligated to mention that cutie John Krasinki's (terrible) summer movie, License to Wed, is out today too.

We won't always have Paris.

Apparently, Robby Ginepri won't be participating in the ATP Master Series in Paris (which starts today with coverage on Tennis Channel) and has instead decided to return home to Georgia to train. I feel for the poor lad; he hasn't had a good year on the tour (although I wouldn't mind having a bad year at work and still gross over $200K). Robby, I'll be cheering for you next year nonetheless!

By the way, my other beloved, Marat Safin, has also called it quits early this year, hoping for a better run in 2008 as well. Marat, I hope we can take another picture together soon!

My Eye-Candy Pumpkin

Get it?!

6-0, baby!

Chelsea just beat Manchester City 6-0! Oh, happy day!

Friday Movie Review

Hillz, Bill and I saw DAN IN REAL LIFE today. Although Hillz and I are big fans of THE OFFICE and of Steve Carell, we kept our expectations low, and we were all pleasantly surprised by this cute and sweet movie. Juliet Binoche, who co-stars, is so lovely, and the delightful soundtrack was penned and performed by Sondre Lerche. I think my favorite part of the movie was the East Coast scenery. I'm sort of obsessed with Cape Cod (for no good reason really; I've never been), and this flick was set in some gorgeous coastal town in Rhode Island!

Tennis on the CW?!

I need to get a job on this upcoming tennis show to be executive produced by Maria Sharapova!

More Important But...

I know there are more important things in the world, but...

1) Chelsea just beat Schalke! Sweet!

2) Bill Murray is set to appear on the cover of the premiere issue of MOVIES ROCK.

3) Entertainment Weekly has come up with a list of the Top 25 Dirty Songs. I agree with some of the selections (Bel Biv Devoe, Marvin Gaye, Peaches, Ray Charles), and Color Me Badd is even on there for Lady Lorelei.

4) Sia is scheduled to be on Morning Becomes Eclectic tomorrow (Thurs. 10/25; KCRW 89.9 FM); I can't wait for her new album (Some People Have Real Problems)!

5) PERSEPOLIS is an animated movie that I am actually looking forward to!

Champions League

Chelsea takes on Schalke 04 today in Champions League action (on ESPN2 at 11:30am PST). Go Blues!

By the way, the Chelsea anti-racism charity single "Skin" (featuring Michael Essien and Didier Drogba) is out now. Check out the video HERE.

P.S. On a random note, I'm still in a Sam Riley-fog after seeing CONTROL and also seeing him in person at the post-screening Q&A. Even though I've learned that he's dating his co-star, Alexandra Maria Lara (boo!), I just can't get over how breathtaking he is... Hmmm, I wonder what football club he supports?

GGPs

aka GAY GAL PALS; you can't live without them. The best example currently on TV is of course Marc and Amanda from Ugly Betty!

Speaking of GGPs, check out this book:

New Music (&DVD) Tuesday

Support Lady Hooligan pal and fellow tennis playa, Raul Campos, and buy Loteria Beats Mixtapes, Vol. 1

Other cool CD releases today:

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' collaboration Raising Sand
(Fellow Chelsea FC fan) Paul Oakenfold's Greatest Hits & Remixes
Comedian Nick Swardson's Party



And some (random!) DVDs I'm eyeing...

I'm not English, but...

I am a bit of an Anglophile, and I feel the pain of English sports fans.

Just this past week:

1) England lost to Russia in a Euro 2008 qualifying game.
2) England lost to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.
3) Lewis Hamilton lost the Formula One title.
4) The Galaxy (even with their English mega-star David Beckham) failed to make the MLS play-offs.

All I can say is, CHIN UP, kids, we have Champions League matches this week!

Sunday Movie Review

Just got back from a screening of the movie CONTROL (directed by Anton Corbijn about the life of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis). I loved it. The direction (not surprisingly) was beautiful, and Sam Riley's lead performance was definitely Oscar-worthy (and I'm not just saying that because there was a post-screening Q&A with Sam Riley, who is a FOX in person). Go out and support this movie!

Sweet Upset!

Argentine David Nalbandian BEAT Roger Federer today in the final of the Mutua Madrilena Masters! As you may know, I dig it when anyone beats Roger. Although I have plenty of respect for Roger's skillz, it's just too boring when he wins everything...

Speaking of winning everything, Justine Henin won her 9th title of the year today by beating Tatiana Golovin in the final of the Zurich Open.

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LADY SOPHIE!!!

LHK Sporting News

1) I was at the Galaxy game last night for David Beckham's long-awaited return to the squad. It was, of course, a tad anti-climactic since the Galaxy only ended up drawing with the N.Y. Red Bulls 1-1.



2) The Rugby World Cup is tomorrow; England takes on South Africa!

3) It's going to be a big weekend for English sports, as Formula One driver, Lewis Hamilton, could win the world title.

4) In Chelsea FC news, both John Terry and Ashley Cole are unfortunately injured and unavailable for the game against Middlesbrough tomorrow (on FSC at 6:55am PST).

5) In Madrid, there are no Spaniards left in the Mutua Madrilena Masters; the semi-finals take place tomorrow.

Alooo-haa!

Thanks for the yummy treat, Kenneth!

Fox Alert!

Ryan Gosling is on the cover of the November GQ! Hey now!

LHK Soccer News

1) DOH! England lost to Russia this morning 2-1! I'm very glad I didn't rush out to a pub to try and catch this game.

2) Instead, I'll perhaps just watch the Euro 2008 qualifying games that are being televised for free today on FSC:

Lithuania vs. France
Sweden vs. Northern Ireland

Of course, the Madrid Masters tourney is on the Tennis Channel too; hmm....

LHK Sporting News

1) Sniff, sniff; both of my beloveds, Robby Ginepri and Marat Ginepri, lost at the Madrid Masters today. Speaking of Madrid, it's good to see Andy Murray back in action.

2) In more sad news, John Terry re-aggravated his knee injury and definitely won't be playing for England tomorrow morning in the very important Euro 2008 qualifying game against Russia!

3) Will Sweet Cheeks Becks actually play for the Galaxy this Thursday night? Who can say? But, I plan to be there nonetheless, and I will be using my LAST PAIR of drama-filled season tickets.

New Music (&DVD) Tuesday

There aren't any new music releases that are exciting me today. But, I am intrigued by The Killers' cover of Joy Division's "Shadowplay" (featured in the end credits of the new movie CONTROL)


I also wanted to mention a couple of albums that actually came out last week and that I've had a chance to mull over:

Scout Niblett's "This Fool Can Die Now"
The track "Kiss" is ridiculously good.


Band of Horses' "Cease to Begin"
I love the track "The Funeral" from their first album, and this sophomore album sounds pretty darn nice too; like a moodier version of The Shins.




As far as DVDs, perhaps scheck (sic) out:

The Madrid Masters

The ATP is in Madrid this week for the Mutua Maridlena Masters Series, and it's nice to finally have a big Fall tournament to follow. The good news is that Robby Ginepri made it through the qualies and even WON his first-round match against Juergen Melzer today. However, the BAD news is that Robby meets Roger Federer tomorrow in the second round! Oy vey...

Oh yeah, and also Marat Safin meets Ivo Karlovic tomorrow in what should be an interesting first-round match. TV coverage of the tourney is available on the Tennis Channel.

Sunday Movie Review

Bill and I caught a (rare Sunday) movie this morning with our friend, John. We saw Lars and the Real Girl, starring the wonderful Ryan Gosling as a delusional, but very sweet small-town young man. The movie was very tender and well-acted, and I'd recommend it. I especially enjoyed Paul Schneider's performance as Lars' older brother. Oh, and make sure to take some kleenex because there were several audience members (not me though) who got a bit choked up...

Friday Movie Review

WOMAN, WARRIOR, QUEEN. Just based on those three words on the poster, I knew I would like Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Cate Blanchett is the epitome of a holy monarch (with so many great lines and costumes), and Clive Owen is so sexy and manly as the swash-buckling Walter Raleigh. Although Bill, Rob, and I all agreed that the original Elizabeth was much better than this over-the-top sequel, The Golden Age is still a very enjoyable movie.

Acts of Love

Autism Speaks is having a great event on Monday, Oct. 15th in Westwood called ACTS OF LOVE. Please check it out...

And, CONGRATS to Mr. Al Gore on winning the Nobel Peace Prize!

More Important But...

I know there are more important things in the world, but...

1) Marat Safin lost to Igor Andreev in the Kremlin Cup today; at least his sister, Dinara, won her match.

2) In Chelsea FC news:

- Henk Ten Cate has officially signed on as our new First Team Assistant Coach.

- There's a crazy story that Chelsea's new manager, Avram Grant, may want to sell Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba in order to buy AC Milan's Kaka!

- John Terry may have hurt his knee during a training for England's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifying game against Estonia. Argh; there's only so much I can take!!

3) It looks like Madonna is leaving Warner Brothers and signing a huge new music deal. Go, Lady! Sell it!

4) BOO to ANTM! How dare they introduce Nigel Barker's wife on last night's show! It was completely uncalled for and (dare I say) an intentional infliction of emotional distress. Although Nigel's make-up artist wife only consulted on a make-up challenge, I don't want to see her on the show, and I frankly prefer to pretend that she doesn't exist...

5) A great radio show that I dig, On the Corner, has been moved to Sunday afternoons (from 3pm-5pm on KCRW). Hosted by the sexy Frenchman, Mathieu Schreyer (aka Mr. French), the show features cool tunes from around the world.

6) The LACMA Salvador Dalí exhibit opens on Oct. 14th!

More Important But...

I know there are more important things in the world, but...

1) My pals and I went to see the Tony-award-winning musical, Avenue Q, last night at the Ahmanson. Let me start by saying merci to Bill for hooking us up with great seats. Okay, in general, I am not a fan of musicals, BUT (and this is a big but, Pee-Wee) I had heard that this show wasn't like the typical musicals and was supposed to be really funny. Although all of the performers were extremely talented and the songs were fairly witty, I was CRINGING in my seat last night. The whole concept of the actors holding the puppets, performing as them and singing in nasally puppet-voices was just so unappealing to me. During the whole 2-hour+ show, I just kept looking forward to getting back to my car and going to my happy place (aka listening to some Andy Gibb). So, if I may get even more childish, I'll just say that Avenue Q = Avenue P.U.

2) On a more interesting note, the English Domestic Goddess herself, Nigella Lawson, is apparently a huge Chelsea FC fan! She certainly has great taste, and I admire her even more now!

3) Speaking of Chelsea, it looks like Ajax' manager, Henk Ten Cate, will soon be coming to Stamford Bridge as the new Assistant First Team Coach. We certainly need all the help we can get, and I read that Ten Cate is amigos with Ronaldinho (from when Ten worked at Barcelona), so ya never know...

4) On a lighter note (upcoming pun intended), Lily Allen went to a hypnotist to help her lose weight. This is a "procedure" that has crossed my mind, and I'm going to ask Lady Doc for her opinion on the matter.

5) Finally, has anyone seen and/or heard the new SILVERCHAIR? The cute, little Australian boys from the old grungy "Frogstomp" days are back with a new sound and look. I just saw their video for their most recent single "Straight Lines" and was shocked to find out that it was them. Their new sound is very mainstream/adult alternative, and lead singer Daniel Johns now looks like a very metro (and oddly sexy) cross between Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Jake Shears from the Scissor Sisters. Hmmm...

LHK Tennis Update

Marat Safin beat qualifier Denis Matsukevitch in the first round of the Kremlin Cup. Marat, who's sporting a fuller 'do, takes on Igor Andreev or Nicolas Mahut next.

Robby Ginepri, on the other hand, lost in his first round match at the BA-CA TennisTrophy tournament. Unfortunately, he had drawn Novak Djokovic though; poor Gineps!


P.S. RANDOM ALERT! Here's a pic of the first Boston Terrier that I fell in love with, Buster:

New Music/DVD/Book Tuesday

As a huge BLONDIE fan, I'm looking forward to Debbie Harry's "Necessary Evil"



As far as DVDs, a decent rental would be Evan Almighty.
It wasn't as bad as I expected, and my beloved Jonah Hill is it.

The anticipated book releases for today are
Stephen Colbert's "I Am America (And So Can You!)"(which is also available as an audiobook on iTunes)
AND Rosie O'Donnell's "Celebrity Detox: (The Fame Game)"

P.S. If you're in the NYC area tonight, AJ Lambert will be playing at The Delancey; check her out.

Live Music Tonight

Hillzie and I will be checking out Holly Golightly at The Echo tonight. Ms. Golightly is definitely an interesting Lady, with at least a dozen albums to her name. I think she sounds like a modern-day alt-country Nancy Sinatra.


P.S. Did I mention that on Mondays I've been taping the new show CHUCK (8pm on NBC)? There's nothing else to really watch on Monday nights (I never got into "Heroes"), and YES, I think the lead actor is a hot nerd!

More Important But...

I know there are more important things in the world, but...

1) Chelsea beat Bolton today!

2) At the risk of jinxing it, Sweet Cheeks Becks might actually grace us with his presence on the pitch this month.

3) Jimmy Fallon will most likely take over for Conan O'Brien when Conan moves to The Tonight Show in 2009. It sounds like the dream late-night line-up to me. Conan is hysterical, and can you then imagine the adorable Jimmy Fallon interviewing someone like the equally adorable John Krasinski?!?!? Pure heaven!

4) Amy Sedaris chats with Martha Stewart about bong water!

5) In men's tennis, Marat Safin is in Moscow this week for the Kremlin Cup. He'll take on a qualifier in the first round. Robby Ginepri, on the other hand, takes on Novak Djokovic in his first round of the BA-CA TennisTrophy (sic) tournament in Vienna!

Friday Restaurant AND Movie Review

Bill and I were joined by our lovely friend, Hillzie, today for brunch, a movie and some shopping.

First, we dined at Cheebo (on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood). The food was yummy, and our waiter (unintentionally) cracked us up because he kept calling Hillzie and me "Lady", which we loved! The only negative part of our dining experience was the onion/sauerkraut smell that wafted from the back to our table and stung our eyes! No joke!

Anywhoo, we then caught The Darjeeling Limited at the ArcLight. Although it was rather slow at first, I enjoyed the movie overall, as it exceeded my low expectations. As always, I appreciated Wes Anderson's directing style and his choice of cool soundtrack music. The colorful Indian scenery and details were delightful as well. Oh and don't forget to check out Hotel Chevalier, which is sort of an intro short film to this one.

After the movie, we did a little shopping at Amoeba, Borders and Staples (all within walking distance of the ArcLight of course). Then, we finished up our day with some coffee at Groundwork Coffee Company. A lovely day indeed....

P.S. Last night, I dined at Empanada's Place (in Culver City) with Dr. Lee. The delicious empanadas come with a variety of different fillings and are only $2.85 each. Their flan is divine too. Bill told me that there used to be a closer branch in WeHo, but it closed down a while ago unfortunately. Damn it!

30 ROCK returns!

The Emmy-award winning 30 ROCK returns tonight for it's 2nd season! The premiere airs on NBC at 8:30pm. I love this show, and of course it joins the already jammed-packed Thursday night TV line-up. But, I'll work something out...

The Masked One

Just days after cheekbone surgery, John Terry, was back on the pitch training with his squad and wearing a protective facial mask. He's our fearless leader, as Chelsea takes on Valencia today in Champions League action (at 11:30am PST on Setanta). John, you're my hero. COME ON CHELSEA!

New Music Tuesday

First of all, did you see the hilarious Andy Samberg SNL digital short "I Ran"? To quote Bill, that Andy is a "funny bitch."

Speaking of shorts, Wes Anderson's short film "Hotel Chevalier" has been released on iTunes and is available for free:


In any case, there's a lot of new music out on this first Tuesday in ROCKtober, so I'm not even getting into DVD releases today. Also, just as an FYI, both Bruce Springsteen and Annie Lennox have new releases today. But, here are the artists that I'll be checking out:

PJ Harvey's White Chalk


Bob Dylan's Dylan


Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings' 100 Days, 100 Nights


The Pipettes' We Are the Pipettes


(If only for the title alone) Richard Hawley's Lady's Bridge


Siouxsie (sans the Banshees) releases Mantaray


In addition to these new music picks, I wanted to mention a few other artists that I'd like to give some (belated) attention to:

1) This interesting new band, Black Kids, has 4 of their songs available for free download on MySpace.

2) Duran Duran's new single "Falling Down" came out last week, and it's actually a collaboration with Justin Timberlake?! Believe it or not, it's a pretty decent track, so check it out and judge for yourself:


3) I've been on the fence about Bat for Lashes, a sort of dreamy and gothic new artist. But my blog pal, Kennethinthe212, posted her recent video on his site, and I really dug it. So, being the MTV child that I am, I must admit that a video has YET AGAIN made me like a song more. The intro to the song "What's a Girl to Do?" is very much in the vain of the Ronettes' "Be My Baby", but then the track goes straight into creepy love-song mode. Perfect for Halloween!


4) Last but not least, there's the fabulous Nellie Mckay. Her new album ("Obligatory Villagers") is, of course, jazzy and delightful.