Tag: christmas

Let’s Get Elfed Up

Two blog posts in one week?!? The universe might not be able to handle me posting on a regular schedule, but it’s happening! Got a quick one for you about the Christmas EP that Backyard Superheroes is putting out this Friday the 13th: Let’s Get Elfed Up.

First of all, I love the album title! It’s clever and fun, as is the album art. There’s two tracks on it that are both upbeat and catchy, which makes it perfect for a quick run to the store to buy some eggnog and cinnamon (or whatever else gets you in the holiday spirit). Plus all proceeds are going to Toys for Tots, so you get to listen to great music while also spreading some joy this season. That’s a win all around, in my book.

“So where do I go to purchase this festive music?” you ask… The EP will be available on Bandcamp, as well as Apple Music and Spotify. Personally I love Bandcamp and even use it myself for Lonely Atom Records.

I know you’re tired of the same old Christmas Classics, so don’t snooze on some new holiday tunes to add to your playlists this year.

Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

The blog has been on an unofficial hiatus for awhile now, and for that I am sorry. The writer (that’s me!) has been dealing with some things, but hopefully next week will more than make up for it. I’ve got a very late live review of Ben Folds from earlier in the month, plus a couple of cd reviews and a giant end-of-the-year post with my top albums and concerts from 2010. But that is all for after the holidays.

Today is Christmas Eve. As a little present (and to make up for a lack of posting) I give you a few videos to put you in the Christmas spirit (or just make you smile).

Nerd Birthday (x3)

I’ve had to put the blog on hiatus for a bit due to other obligations, but there are three birthdays that pulled me out of hiding for the day.

1) First, a very happy birthday to one Molly Lewis. I was first introduced to this young musician thanks to a few dozen w00tstock videos I trolled on the YouTubes. Anyone who follows her on the interwebs knows the trouble she has had with venues and such due to her being underage. Well, that won’t be an issue after tonight (although her response to the most notable incident – SDCC w00tstock – was quite enjoyable. Ninja gig ftw!). Happy 21st Birthday, Molly!

2) Next, a very happy birthday to our Nerdist, Chris Hardwick. It is thanks to this guy that I waste countless hours on one of my favorite websites. He also is one of my favorite people to follow on the Twitter. Oh, and let’s not forget the podcast and nerd social networking site he also runs, called Node. (Wow, I didn’t realize how much of my life is connected to this one person. Kinda cool.) In addition to being a presence on the interwebs, Chris does some stand-up comedy as well. He’s really funny and if you get a chance to see for yourself you really should (and I’m not just saying that because of the street team hat I occasionally wear for him). If you don’t believe me, then see for yourself.

3) Last, but certainly not least, I would like to give a happy birthday shout-out to Doctor Who! That’s right, the British sci-fi series turns 47 today. The first episode, An Unearthly Child, aired on this date in 1963. Since it’s start on this date it has seen 11 different people play the lead role of The Doctor. The new Christmas Special is set to air on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC America. If you’ve never watched this show then you are seriously missing out. It was one of the few things that can always make me smile when I’m down, and makes me think about the world in a whole new way. I love everything about it, and would love nothing more than to spread this love with the rest of the world. (Wow, that’s a lot of love for one show).

That concludes another birthday edition of News on Shuffle. Hope all those celebrating have a wonderful time. Congrats to you all!

Movie Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I thought I would celebrate with a list of my favorite Christmas movies and maybe share a memory or two attached to each one. Here it goes:

1) White Christmas – Ironically enough, I used to hate this movie as a kid. Now it is one of my favorites. I remember sitting in my grandparents house and being bored out of my mind as everyone payed more attention to me than the movie. Now I love everything about it and understand why they loved it so much. The music is great as is the story. A holiday classic that everyone should see at least once (and I defy you to only want to watch it once).

2) Next for me would probably be A Christmas Carol, specifically the 1951 version with Alastair Sim. To me this man was Scrooge. There was anther version with Patrick Stewart that I recently saw which is also good, but nothing beats my first experience with the character.

3) I’m going to lump all my favorite childhood ones together, simply because I always watched these as a group when I was younger. This includes A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman. I remember watching these with my Mom while eating Christmas cookies and drinking cocoa. I’m actually watching Rudolph now (minus the cookies and milk).
4) It’s A Wonderful Life is another one of those movies I hated as a kid but absolutely love as I make may way towards adulthood. Some of my favorite lines come from this movie, including the classic “Isn’t it wonderful, I’m going to jail.” This is one of those movies that can make you laugh one minute then cry the next. It really tests your emotions and pushes them to the limit. A classic that everyone should experience at least once (and once may be all you can handle until next year).
Some may think that Miracle on 34th Street should come next but, since I have only ever seen it once many moons ago, I can’t actually add it to my list. I have been meaning to visit this classic again (since I know it really is a classic) but have yet to get the chance. Maybe next year…
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season and are ready to welcome the new year in style. And as Tiny Tim would say, “God bless us, everyone.”

Christmas Releases

For those who celebrate, Merry Christmas Eve. For those who don’t, Happy Holidays. And for those who don’t celebrate anything remotely connected to religion, you’ll get a Happy New Year from me in a week. I think that about covers it. Now on to the good stuff.

Movie releases. There are a couple good ones coming out tomorrow, including one I’ve been waiting for since I found out about it this summer. That would be Sherlock Holmes. I know this isn’t going to be your typically Holmes tale, but I still look forward to what it potentially has to offer me.

Another movie I am excited about is The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. This was the movie Heath Ledger was working on before he died. The entire cast for this one looks great and the story seems intriguing so I look forward to seeing the finished product here. So far it is only supposed to have a limited release (festivals and LA/NYC), but if it does well to start and enough people show interest then we might be able to get it in more cities across the country.

The only other releases tomorrow are “It’s Complicated”, which hasn’t reached the hole I have been living in quite yet and “Nine”. The cast for “Complicated” looks good but I couldn’t tell you whether or not it is worth checking out just yet. “Nine” also has potential but I am on the fence as to whether or not I actually am going to see it. Might just wait for the DVD and Netflix that one.

Overall, Christmas looks like it’s going to be good to the movie industry this year. Holmes should do fairly well, seeing as how the character already has a decent fanbase. Hopefully Parnassus gets a Christmas miracle and sees great success as well.