Reality Sucks

There's something missing in the mix this year with So You Think You Can Dance. There's no real standout and while a lot of people like that anyone can win, it sort of creates a stagnant season. Then again every single season I've seen there's been that one dancer I truly rooted for (Benji, Pasha, Gev) while cheering on others. The latter group of people still exist this season (Melissa, Ade, Randi, Evan), but there's not that one person

I'm not sure what it is about this season of SYTYCD, but I'm just not feeling it this year. I think it's because every single season I've seen, I had that one dancer I truly loved to watch to dance every week (Benji, Pasha, Gev) and a few other dancers I rooted for as well. The latter group of people still exist this season namely Randi, Evan, Melissa, and Ade, but that one person that makes me want to vote is not there.

Then again maybe it's also because there's no real standout dancer this year. Sure you can make an argument that this year's IT dancer is Brandon, but that's another problem for me. I never liked him. Not to knock on his dancing per se, but I just never gelled with him or his partner Janette. And now with Phillip's shocking (but correct) elimination, both of their roads got easier to the inevitable final. I'm really really hoping neither of them wins, but I fear it'll be one of them indeed.

In other reality show news, Big Brother had its premiere this past Thursday. In spite of myself and my better judgment, I still watch this show. I don't know why. But this season might be the first season I don't watch. First of all, the "theme" of the season is high school and the cliques within. As if I needed any reminder of that heinousness. But I could've probably stomach that except they brought back an old contestant who I really really really don't like. So right here, right now, I am making a vow to not see anymore episodes this season at least until that certain person I really really don't like gets evicted.

This is good news. More time to catch up on films and TV shows. The latter especially since I'm dying to see Torchwood as well as catch up on Skins and Weeds. Yes, very very good.

Looking Forward To...

(500) Days of Summer
Release: July 17, 2009
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clark Gregg, Matthew Gray Gubler, Rachel Boston, Geoffrey Arend, and Chloe Moretz.

Wimbledon: The Finale

The number two seeds in both of the men and women's draw came out as the winner for the Wimbledon Championships. Roger Federer won his 6th Wimbledon title and his 15th overall as he stands alone on top with the most major won by a male tennis player. Serena Williams was able to beat her 5-time Wimbledon champion sister to get her 3rd Wimbledon and her 11th overall.


It was one of Federer's most gutsy win in a final, let alone a Grand Slam final, needing 4 hours and 17 minutes and 30 games in the final set to take down a resurgent Andy Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14. It was a game dominated by booming serves as both players won more than 80% of their first serves with Federer out-acing Roddick 50-27, Federer's personal best. Going into the fifth set, Federer had to break Roddick's serve for the first time in the match to win while maintaining his own. Roddick never got close to breaking Federer in that final set and it was Roddick who blinked first as Federer broke him in the 77th game of the match, a Wimbledon record for most games played in a final.

Under the watchful eyes of past Wimbledon champions such as Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, and Pete Sampras, Federer lifted himself up and over these legends by reclaiming his Wimbledon crown. History was made.


With six years removed from her last Wimbledon title and going against her sister Venus in a rematch of last year's final, Serena did not expect to win. But just as the serve was the key stroke in the men's final, Serena used her own powerful serve to break down her sister winning 94% on her first serve and a staggering 71% on her second. It was too much for Venus to handle faltering after 2-2 in the second set with Serena winning the last four points for a 7-6 (3), 6-2 straight sets victory.

Previous Wimbledon champions Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Maria Bueno and Virginia Wade were in attendance to see Serena capture her third Wimbledon crown. It was a dominating performance by the dominant player of her generation. All credit to her and runner-up Venus, now 8 Wimbledon titles between them, that hours after their final match, they were able to come out again and defend their ladies doubles title in straight sets 7-6 (4), 6-4 for their fourth Wimbledon doubles title.

Though they were both seeded second in this tournament, they are undoubtedly the top players in their sport of the moment with both of them winning 3 of the last 4 Grand Slams. Both of them will most likely take some time off and then come back ready to defend their US Open titles. I, for one, can't wait.

Fifteen For Federer!

It took 4 hours and 17 minutes as well as 30 games in the final set, but Roger Federer now has 15 Grand Slam titles, breaking his tie with Pete Sampras to have the most major titles for a male tennis player in history. With his 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 victory over an impeccable Andy Roddick, Federer reclaims his Wimbledon crown as well as his number one ranking.

Congratulations Roger! You are the greatest of all time.

Wimbledon: Men's Final Preview

As predicted by a lot of people when the draw came out two weeks ago, Roger Federer will try and go for history once again reaching his 7th consecutive Wimbledon final. And he will go up against a guy named Andy, though not the one a lot of people thought.


Andy Roddick ended Britain's great hope of having a homegrown Wimbledon champion when he defeated Andy Murray in four thrilling sets. So many people downplayed Roddick's chances against Murray, but it was Roddick who had the last response as he broke down on the green lawns of Wimbledon relieved to have another chance at that elusive Wimbleton title.

Like Robin Soderling at the French Open, however, Roddick is going against the tides of history since the only way for him to win is to beat Federer who has defeated him 18 out of 20 times they have played against one another. Worst news for Roddick? Federer is 7-0 against him in Grand Slam matches with Roddick only winning two sets total.


With history, and now presumably, the crowd behind him, Federer will be playing freely and with lots of confidence. His form has been superb this fortnight having only lost one set and only been broken three times. With this form, he took down Tommy Haas in straight sets punctuated by an overhead smash.

With all of that said, I am predicting Federer to win this title. If it was Murray in the final rather than Roddick, I'd be less confident, but still give it to Federer. With Roddick though, those 2-18 record and 0-7 in Grand Slams are fairly strong indicators of how it will unfold this Sunday. As a Federer fan, I can't wait.

Wimbledon: Williams Final

When the draw first came out about two weeks ago and everyone realized that Venus and Serena were on opposite sides of the draw, the focus has been their almost inevitable meeting to the finals. And of course here we are two weeks later and the sisters will yet again go head to head at the All England Club.


This is not a knock to any of the other players they had to beat to get here, but there really is no denying their record at Wimbledon with 7 single titles between them. Plus they are also the defending doubles champion! Come on now. Their semifinals displayed why both of there are in the finals and why they've been in many other Grand Slam finals.

Serena edged out Elena Dementieva winning in three tight and very high quality sets last more than two and a half hours. It was, to put it simply, the best woman's match I've seen in years. Serena was actually down match point, but her champion's heart lifted her to the finish line. All kudos to Dementieva though who never served better in her life and just really took it to Serena.

Then there was Venus dismantling Dinara Safina in a match that only lasted in less than an hour. Venus lost ONE game against the world no. 1. And this is the form she has had the past two weeks bulldozing anyone and everyone in her way.


Who's going to win? Flip a coin. Seriously. Their lifetime H2H is 10-10. They've met in Wimbledon four times and they are 2-2. And this year they are 1-1. I'm going with Venus, but if Serena wins, it will not be an upset.

Since it will be held on the Fourth of July, I am hoping for fireworks, but really I'm just hoping it'll come close to the tennis and drama of Serena's semifinal match. Here's to hoping.

SYTYCD: Top 14

I'm usually pretty critical when it comes to the routines that the dancers perform on SYTYCD, but I have to say that I pretty much loved everyone's performances last night.

Janette & Brandon displayed their huge talent for fast dancing when they nailed their Cha Cha number. I was only upset that judge Mia Michaels is not drinking the Brandon Kool Aid, but oh well. Kayla & Kupono did a quirky vampire-esque number and it was the FIRST time I truly enjoyed one of Kupono's performances. Following them was my favorite Randi & Evan showing off their personalities with a Fosse-like number. Choreographer Brian Freedman then gave Jason & Kaitlin a weird alien performance which was shockingly good. I just loved the concept and it was brilliantly executed all the way through.

The next three performances I didn't LOVE as much, but they were still great. Jeanine & Phillip had a Hip Hop number where they were chained together. Loved the dancing, but the chain was distracting. Then Melissa & Ade did the "first" Pas De Deux in SYTYCD history, but I could swear this was performed before in the show. He kinda played second fiddle to her who was absolutely marvelous. Finally, Karla & Vitolio did their best with the dreaded Quickstep, but it was still Quickstep.

So tonight I fully expected at least for Karla & Vitolio to be in the bottom and they were. They were joined by Kayla & Kupono who I thought was one of the best performances the night before and by Jeanine & Phillip which was a bit of a pleasant shock. The judges, however, as so far up Phillip's ass that his safety wasn't even in questioned.

As par for this season, the dancers "dancing for their lives" were largely meh. The only person to try anything was Phillip and even then the judges called him desperate. Just can't win, can you? In the end it was Karla & Vitolio to leave and I just have to agree. Karla never made any impact on me and I thought she was bland as white bread. Vitolio on the other hand was up against a resurgent Kupono and an infallible Phillip.

Finally, Kelly Clarkson was the musical guest and she performed her hit "I Do Not Hook Up." I love her.

Box Office: Decepticons To Rule Them All

Just wanted to capture this moment since this is probably the last day where two really REALLY good films top the box office this year. I mean sure it's still halfway through the year so there could still be good movies to come out that would beat the gross of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. A boy can dream I guess.

Numbers courtesy of Box Office Mojo.

Wimbledon: Semifinals Preview

Prediction: Your [women] semifinalists will be the top four seeds.

And indeed the top four seeds have moved on to the semifinals. It's been quite awhile this has happened in the women's side. Three of the four have moved through the draw with menacing dominance. Venus, Serena, and Dementieva have not dropped a single set. But then there's the no. 1 seed Dinara Safina who has had to gut out most of her wins. She has been completely underestimated this whole tournament. But here she is, in her first Wimbledon semifinals.

Safina will have the nearly impossible task in beating 5-time Wimbledon champion Venus en route to getting her first Slam title. Venus will win that match. The other semifinal match between Dementieva and Serena will probably be more competitive, but I think Serena will win setting up my first day prediction of an all-Williams final.

Prediction: Your semifinalists will be Roddick, Murray, Haas, and Federer.

I predicted these final four since day one and I have to say I'm rather proud of this fact. Predicting Federer, Murray, and even Roddick wasn't too much of a stretch, but I just knew that if Haas continued his strong form from the French Open and Halle, he could beat Djokovic, which he did in four convincing sets.

With their easy wins, Murray has reached his first Wimbledon semifinals while Federer logs his staggering 21st consecutive appearance at a Grand Slam semifinal. Finally, Roddick was able to overcome a match tough Hewitt to win in 5-tight sets. Roddick's tiredness will determine how competitive his match is with Murray while I fully expect Federer to end Haas' fairytale run setting up for the every juicy Federer-Murray final.

Looking Forward To...

Precious
Release: November 6, 2009
Distributor: Lionsgate
Director: Lee Daniels
Starring: Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd, Mariah Carey, Mo'Nique, Lenny Kravitz, and introducing Gabby Sidibe.