That was American Idol... more like "The Adam Lambert just took that song to CHURCH Show"

Fellow Idol watchers, did you vote for your favorite Idol this week? I did... about 50+ times, but more on that in little bit.

So, tonight's theme was pretty much a free for all... just pick a song that people download on iTunes. I thought it was supposed to be a super popular song, but I guess that wasn't the case... I like Celine Dion's "I Surrender" as much as the next gal, but I only downloaded it b/c Kelly Clarkson rocked the snot out of it on season 1 of AI... I had never heard the song before that, so that doesn't scream "popular" to me. And I should know, I listen to a looooooooooot of music.

Let's go in order of tonight's performers, shall we?

Starting off the show ("the curse of the first" as past Idolers Kimberly Caldwell and Brandon Rodgers called it on last week's Idol Wrap) was Anoop Desai singing Usher's "Caught Up". I love that song. I love Anoop. But I wasn't 100% over the moon with Anoop singing that song. I respect that he wants to be an R&B artist - he certainly has the chops for it - but he hasn't picked the greatest R&B songs this season to showcase that (see also when he sang "Angel of Mine"... great song, but not for his voice). I hope he makes it a few more weeks b/c I heart Anoop. 

Holy hell, what was Megan Joy singing tonight? Of all the Idol contestants, she and Lil Rounds have had the worst song selections of the season. Megan Joy's outfit was whack, the song was boring and she didn't look like she was connecting with the song or the audience. Look at her eyes when she sings... she looks kinda bored. She shouldn't have chosen a Bob Marley song. She keeps going on and on in interviews about how she loves Bjork... why didn't she sing a Bjork song? At least that would have matched her voice. Or sing Adele or Duffy or Amy Winehouse like the judges suggest. Geez.

And then there was Danny Gokey... a breath of fresh air after Anoop (sorry Charlie Bucket!) and Megan Joy (*she* gave me a headache). Danny, Danny, Danny... I don't love Rascal Flatts, but I liked your version of "What Hurts The Most". You could so tell that he was feeling every word he was singing... and that is infectious. There was pure emotion behind his eyes as he sang, and as an audience member, I appreciate that a lot. He's not just singing to sing, he's singing because he has to - because that's sometimes the only way you can express what you are feeling. Solid performance - very heartfelt.

Allison took a small step backwards this evening. And I'm not even talking about her outfit (I dug it - I just thought her hair was sticking up an awful lot)... good for her for bringing out her guitar (or "your ax" as Paula put it... Small tangent - WTF is up with Paula? She over prepares her little monologues after each performance... she usually doesn't make sense, but now she makes little sense with a lot of effort involved. Sometimes I fast forward through her just b/c I can't stand to hear musical nonsense. Small tangent over.), but I don't think that the guitar was necessary. She only used it for the opening run of notes and then the guitar physically seemed to be in the way when she was trying to grad the mic stand. I thought it was not a good arrangement of "Don't Speak". That's a great song, but I don't think that arrangement showcased Allison's singing skills very much.

I like how Scott looks up to and respects Billy Joel, but Billy Joel he is not :( Scott, "I Love You Just the Way You Are" doesn't have as strong of vocals as some of the other contestants - his tone is lacking and there is not much flavor to his voice - he kind of just belts it with his Disney-esque voice. (I still cannot get over how dead-on Randy was about that last week...) It was during Scott's performance that I chose to get up, leave the room and get a drink of water from the kitchen. I like Scott, but this was just not as strong of a performance as some of the other contestants. 

Matt Giraud, as promised, I called 1-866-IDOLS-06 for you this week... for about an hour. You are still my favorite contestant, even if you did sing a song by The Fray (not a fan of anyone who has songs on Grey's Anatomy... sorry!). I don't even remember the title of the song (I think it's "You Found Me", but I could be waaay wrong), but I will still download it. Why? B/c I heart Matt Giraud. He sang fine, but the judges are right - he should stick to the bluesy/R&B songs. I understand that Matt is more well rounded musically than that, but it he was smart, he would sing awesome bluesy songs to get himself a bit further in the competition, and then put whatever the heck he wants on his first album. Don't sell out to the man, but do go against what you're good at. Just because you like a song doesn't mean you should sing it... Not gonna lie, Matt Giraud is very, very talented at singing and playing the piano, and he is awfully cute - I would very much like to hear/see his performances for the next couple months.

Lil Rounds was once again a hot mess. She should not have sung "I Surrender". Why, if you want to be an R&B singer like Mary J. Blige would you sing CELINE DION? At least do a Whitney song, Lil! If you're doing to do a diva, at least do one in your GENRE!! I get frustrated when Lil Rounds picks the wrong songs because the judges have pimped her to be such a great singer/performer and for the 4th week in a row, she's chosen a crap song and done a crap performance. She looked completely disinterested during her performance and her stylists should be fired for putting her in that hideously unflattering dress. So she hit a couple good notes. That's not good enough...

Not when Adam Lambert follows you and sings the hell out of "Play That Funky Music White Boy". He took that song to CHURCH and back. He's a smart one, that Adam Lambert. He still had his slicked back hair and no fingernail polish look going on, but he brought back his little sexy moves, his crazy falsetto, and completely updated that song and made it amazing. Another crazy awesome performance from the most unique Idol contestant ever. Props to him for giving props to the band and the arrangement - he's very gentlemanly and obviously a seasoned performer who knows to give credit where credit is due.  I think he deserved to sing last this week after last week's stunning rendition of "Tracks of My Tears". Ah-MAZ-ing. Snaps to you, Adam Lambert. Je t'aime.

Rounding out the Top 9 was Kris Allen with his decent arrangement of "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone". Good for him for playing the keyboard - showed a different musical side of himself. I thought he was going to sing a Jason Mraz song, but I sit corrected. I don't think that this is the kind of stuff he would sing all the time... but this was another solid performance delivered out of the side of his mouth :) (I'm not knocking him - I think that's kinda endearing). He's had a few good weeks in a row now and deserves the praise he's been getting.

I hope next week's theme is better - something that will challenge the Idols and further weed out the weak links (*cough* Megan Joy). Bring back Broadway week - that always throws the Idols for a loop. All I know is that Megan Joy, Scott or Lil deserve to be in the Bottom 3 this week. I'm not being disrespectful - everyone else just brought it this week (or brought it more, anyway... Scott was a big improvement from last week's hot mess).

So long as Matt, Danny and Adam coast few to the Top 3, all will be well in my book :)

Ode to Paul Rudd

It’s nice to see the rest of the country hopping onto the Paul Rudd wagon… I’ve been on board since high school but it seems to have taken the general public a bit longer, even though he’s been making an impact on American Cinema since the mid ‘90s.

Rudd is on the cover of two very prominent magazines this month – the April issue of Vanity Fair (where he stands in a barrel next to his frequent co-stars Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel) and the March 27th issue of Entertainment Weekly. His latest movie, "I Love You, Man" is getting great reviews and Rudd is getting the recognition he deserves.

Although Rudd is mostly known for his comedic roles, he has done some dramatic films, as well as plays. Right after I graduated from college in June of 2006, my sister and I road tripped to New York City to take in some Broadway shows – including the closing night of Three Days of Rain, the Richard Greenburg drama which starred Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper and Paul Rudd (!). To be perfectly honest, I am not and will never be a Julia Roberts fan – especially after seeing her robotic performance in Rain. Unlike most of the rest of the crowd, I was at the play to see Cooper and Rudd and was blown away by both of their performances.

My sister and I had seen many shows before this one, so we were well aware that it would be possible to get pictures and/or autographs of the actors at the stage door at the close of the play. When the curtain fell, we bolted down the balcony steps and out the lobby entrance and made a beeline toward the stage doors. Because it was the finale of the show, and because Roberts is a huge media/paparazzi draw, 45th Street was filled with hundreds – nay, thousands – of people. Since my sister and I had ticket stubs from that evening’s show, we were squired to a holding area by the stage doors.

After waiting awhile, Roberts came out and began scrawling her autograph on peoples Playbills. Everyone has their arm stretched out in order to get as close to Roberts as possible and after she scribbled her way through the mess of Playbills, she ducked back inside the stage doors. When my sister and I brought our Playbills closer to our persons, we realized Roberts had not signed mine. That was actually film by me – I wasn’t there for her anyway and it just reinforced my stance that I am just not a fan.

Soon Bradley Cooper and Paul Rudd came through the stage doors – if you can believe, they are both way more handsome in person than they appear on screen. The two men began signing away, Playbill after Playbill. I was fortunate to get both of their autographs – and I will treasure that Playbill till the end of time. During their signing session, Roberts came outdoors again and went over to the other side of the holding area to sign more autographs. Cooper and Rudd hung over by my side of the holding area, so I decided that I was going to talk to Paul Rudd, since he is my favorite American actor. The day before, I had met my favorite British actor, Ralph Fiennes, so talking to Rudd was going to fulfill this movie-geek’s wildest dreams.

Lots of people were screaming, so I thought for a fraction of a second and decided that if I was to get Rudd’s attention, I couldn’t just scream what every one else was screaming (which was mostly Anchorman quotes or stuff about Friends). I was proud with what I came up with:

"I loved you in The Chateau!"

And just like a scripted movie moment, Paul Rudd (who was facing away from me) turned around and looked right at me. Oh those sparkling blue eyes… but I digress.
He looked me dead in the eye and said in a surprised tone, "You saw that? You and like nine other people."

As my heart melted, I told him that my best friend had recommended it to me and he said, "Tell your best friends I say ‘Thanks’!"

So, in honor of Mr. Rudd and his 2nd place opening at the Box Office last weekend, with a respectable $18 million for "I Love You, Man", here are my thoughts on some of the 22 of his movies I have seen. (With great sadness, I have to admit that I haven’t seen "Role Models" yet… I know it just came out on DVD a couple weeks ago, so in due time I will obtain a copy and watch it over and over again).

Let’s start at the very beginning, shall we?

CLUELESS (1995) – Josh

Even though I thought it was a bit creepy that a guy in his twenties would fall for a high schooler (As if!), I found myself crushing on the character of Josh when I saw this movie back when I was in middle school. In Clueless, Rudd’s Josh is sarcastic, funny, goofy and just a nice guy. He teases Cher, but it’s out of love (awwww). Dug his character and his faux-grungy wardrobe of flannel shirts.

OVERNIGHT DELIVERY (1998) – Wyatt Trips

They show this all the time nowadays on Comedy Central, but I had never heard of it in the late 90s when it came out. Rudd and Reese Witherspoon star in this little road trip movie… pretty cliché and cheesy, but this is the first time we really get the sense of Rudd as a romantic/likable/charmingly goofy leading man (Clueless was a good warm-up, this is more of the real deal). This is not a great movie, but it’s watchable because of the leads and chock full of sarcastic banter, of which I am a huge fan.

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER (2001) – Andy

"You taste like a burger, I don’t like you any more."

One of the few movies where Rudd plays a jerk, but it’s to such an extreme that you still find him oddly charming and see why the female camp counselors are attracted to him. His physical comedy skills are really put to use when Andy is told to put his lunch stuff away. He sweeps his plate and utensils off the table, then reluctantly goes around the room and with great unhappiness and laziness, he picks up each item one by one, as if it’s the worst chore anyone every had to do in his entire life.

THE CHATEAU (2001) – Graham Granville

Small movie where Rudd and Romany Malco (his co-star in 40 Year Old Virgin) play brothers who are set to inherit property in France but run into trouble with the housekeeping staff. Quirky and cute – Malco and Rudd are great together.

TWO DAYS (2003) – Paul Miller

Not the greatest movie ever made, and it’s super depressing, but Rudd brings it as Paul Miller, an actor who has given up on life and plans on committing suicide in two day’s time. The standout scene is when Rudd’s character goes on a casting call and reads – a very powerful moment that shows you that Rudd is more than just a great comedian, but super talented when it comes to dramatic parts.

ANCHORMAN (2004) – Brian Fantana

Everyone has seen this movie and quotes it a bajillion times, but you know what my favorite part of the movie is? When Ron Burgandy tosses to the first of several segments about the pregnant panda at the zoo and we the audience are treated to seconds of pure comedic bliss – Rudd raises his head, brings the microphone to his mouth as his eyes lock with the camera and he says, completely seriously, "PANDA WATCH!" Makes me laugh every time.

THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN (2005) – David

Again, another comedy that everyone has seen and quotes all the time, but one of my favorite parts, again, is a little Paul Rudd moment that you probably haven’t noticed. You know the scene where the Smart Tech guys are on break the day after the shellfish girl throws up on Andy? Cal (Seth Rogen) and David (Rudd) are smashing fluorescent light bulbs on the ground – watch Rudd’s face… he smiles like a kid who’s content playing with his favorite toy. Too funny. And then to cap it off, Cal hits a bulb against David’s leg and David has one of my favorite lines in the movie, "New pants, man." Another brilliant Rudd moment is during the finale – right when everyone starts singing "This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, the Age of Aquarius… AQUARIUS!!!!!! Aquarius." For the first time… Rudd jumps into frame, then proceeds to do the choreographed dance moves with the rest of the Smart Tech guys… but as the sequence ends, he flings his arms back, puffs out his chest and prances out of frame… Brilliant.

I COULD NEVER BE YOUR WOMAN (2007) – Adam

Underrated Rom-Com from Amy Heckerling, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Rudd as her younger love interest. Rudd does this crazy wonderful dance routine during a club scene… I hadn’t laughed that hard in awhile. This movie is currently in the Dump Bin at your nearest Wal-Mart… it’s worth a watch, if only for the dancing.

I LOVE YOU, MAN (2009) – Peter Klaven

There are too many positive things to write about this movie and Rudd’s performance. This is the first really big studio-driven comedy that Rudd has headlined (I’m going to overlook "Over Her Dead Body" which I haven’t seen yet, but I have DVRed to watch very soon… though I don’t expect much from it) and he nails it on every level. He’s funny, he’s endearing, he’s likeable and most of all, you can relate to him because the plot is realistic and Rudd sells it. You can see how Peter is a girl’s guy – he’s romantic and seems to understand women. He’s not a womanizer – he just needs some male friends. He and Jason Segel make a great on-screen team, playing off each other’s quirks and mannerisms. You want Peter to make friends and you are happy when he is happy – when he’s slapping the bass or just saying "Slappin’ da bass!" you had a smile on your face, admit it.

Paul Rudd is a funny guy. He’s always great doing press on TV – his interviews with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show get funnier each time he’s on. Awkward dancing sometimes erupts – it’s glorious.

If you haven’t gotten hooked on Paul Rudd and his amazingly talented acting skills by now, please go to the nearest bus station, buy a ticket and HOP ON ALREADY!

Oh *hell* no, America - Matt Giraud in the bottom 2 this week on Idol - RIDICULOUS!

Yes, I know this is a movie blog, but American Idol is in full swing and takes up multiple hours of my week. Deal! (I am working on a massive blog dedicated to my favorite American actor, Paul Rudd, so that'll be posted soon, I promise).

So, anyways... the Idol.

Tonight was the results show and Matt Giraud was in the bottom three... nay, the bottom two... WTF America?!

First of all, there are many talented contestants this season. There are a few guys (and perhaps one little cranberry haired young lady) who I think will do very well this season, as well as Post-Idol. Second of all, there were three or four performances this week that were waaaaaaay worse than everyone else... instead of Matt Giraud in the bottom, Lil Rounds or Meghan Joy could have easily filled that slot.

Let me explain...

This week's AI theme was Motown (!) Sooooo many great songs to pick from from soooooo many of the greatest artists in music history. No one should have picked a wrong song, but alas - some of the song choices were whack.

Matt Giraud started the show off right singing Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On". I would have been content if he would have stayed behind the piano, but he got up and BRUNG IT front and center stage. His voice is smooth and he's a great performer. He deserves the praise he's getting and the comparisons to Justin Timberlake and Michael Buble are valid. Each week since the Top 13, he's had solid performances... his version of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" is the most played song on my iTunes (20 plays and counting) and I only downloaded it less than a week ago. There was no way on Earth he should have been in the bottom two this week. I usually wait until later in the season to vote, but starting next week, I will be 1-866-Idol-0something for Matt Giraud.

Kris Allen gave another solid performance this week - I really liked his take on "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You". Him and his guitar are a good match for each other - with his little side-mouthed singing... he hit some awesome notes this week and I'm glad that America voted him into the Top 13 even though we didn't see anything from him before the Top 36.

Another consistently strong performer is Adam Lambert. He's different, that's for sure. You can tell he is very comfortable on stage and knows how to work his instrument and the camera. He's been all over the place with types of performances, but they are always on pitch and interesting. Last week's version of "Ring of Fire" was insane - and though I felt somewhat uncomfortable watching him sing, there is no denying he is very, very good. (He's very easy on the eyes, but when he started groping the mic stand and making sexy eyes with the camera, I couldn't watch without giggling a little bit :) ) I liked his Elvis-inspired look this week... I also thinks he looks a bit like Ewan McGregor circa Moulin Rouge! (2001)... dark hair, light eyes... almost the same nose/mouth/chin. He'll be around on Idol for awhile and I'm fine with that.

Another one of my favorites this season is Danny Gokey. I dig his different glasses each week and his high-energy performances. He even took "Jesus Takes the Wheel" to white people's church last week, which I enjoyed. I look forward to when he (or anyone this season, really) REALLY takes a song to Church... Gokey's back story is sad, but it's inspiring to see him singing each week. I only wish his friend would have made the Top 13 too :(

My other favorite guy is, of course, ANOOP! I have been rooting for Anoop (as well as the other 4 listed above) since the audition rounds. Anoop is awesome - he can sing a mellow ballad, and then turn around and give a rousing performance of "My Perrogative" - Love It! He's adorable to boot, and I like seeing his parents cheer him on each week.

As for Scott MacEntyre (sp?) - I like him just fine, but he doesn't have what it takes to win this competition. He seems like a super nice guy, he sings pretty well and plays the piano just fine, but he's not a showman like some of the other guys. Randy's right - he's got a Disney voice.

I was so glad to see Michael Sarver leave tonight. It's not that I didn't like him - but between him and Matt Giraud (swoon), Matt Giraud deserves to continue on in hopes of becoming American Idol. Sarver seems like a nice guy and he sings all right, but there was no way on God's green earth that he's better at singing/performing than Danny, Matt and Adam. He should have gone home last week instead of Alexis Grace, but good for him for making it to the tour.

As for the girls...

I was a fan of Lil Rounds during auditions, but she hasn't wowed me at all these past 3 weeks. During Michael Jackson week, she sang "The Way You Make Me Feel". Not the most challenging song in his song book. And she did horrible during Grand Ole Opry week... "Independence Day"? Fine, do that song, but make it your own! Turn it into a hot R&B track, don't just sing it how Martina McBride sings it and look bored as hell while you're doing it. And then this week - "Heat Wave" - she shouted the entire song! That's not musical at all, that's just loud. You best do better Lil Rounds, or all your hype will be for naught.

Alexis was my favorite girl in the Top 13, but she got ousted, so then we're only left with Lil, Megan Joy and Allison. Oh, Meghan Joy, you are KILLING me, Smalls. I dig your quirky singing voice, but pick better songs and quit the dancing. You totally chose the wrong song this week - first off, with your vocal stylings, you shouldn't sing Stevie. Pick a female artist or girl group and look at their tracks. Pick one that you could make bluesy/jazzy. Don't. Sing. Stevie. EVER.

Allison, Allison, Allison. You rocked the beJESUS out of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone". That last run of notes was CRAZY AWESOME. I dig you and your red hair and uncensored comments (like the other week when you said you didn't cut yourself... that was priceless). This 16 year old is super talented and very much deserves her slot in the Top 9. Keep going, girl.

America, please do not let Matt Giraud be in the bottom 2 ever again this season... The boy is crazy talented and it would make me (and probably millions of young women across America) very sad if he was not crooning at his piano for the next couple months.