#Eh: Musings From the Things-I-Didn't-Like-As-Much-As-I-Thought-I-Would Files
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Meghan Brown
Editor's note: Meghan is a pop culture nerd that will once a week examine the pulse of everything pop and break it down ... like she be all gettin' down on it - ya heard??? Hit it Meghan!!
As a TV, book, and movie (I can't bring myself to say "film") junkie, I approach most things with an almost embarrassing amount of excitement. I go into most artistic experiences really wanting to enjoy myself... so it's a huge bummer when something I've been eagerly anticipating fails to live up to expectation. Here are a few recent cases from the Things-I-Didn't-Like-As-Much-As-I-Thought-I-Would files.
1. Just Kids, Patti Smith
The only thing I liked was the name-dropping... and that's a really bad sign. I have issues with artists fetishizing poverty, and feel like Smith missed a great opportunity to really explore the depths of her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. We know where they lived and who they met... but we don't ever actually get to know the characters. Patti herself remains an enigma, a gothic crow of a woman who is inexplicably appealing to just about everyone she crosses paths with. If Just Kids is a snapshot of a moment in time, it's a blurry one at best.
2. Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen
Since this movie is totally beyond up my alley, I was particularly saddened to find that it was... eh. Despite some really winning performances, a beautiful setting, and ridiculously amazing costumes, there's no real emotional core to the film. Woody Allen inserts a few big questions, but leaves us with cheap, easy answers.
3. The Bachelorette
OK, duh, The Bachelorette is awful. But still, I always end up watching. This season, however, might end up being my last. The boys are boring, the formula's getting tired, and Ashley's constant concern that no one really likes her makes me nauseas. Also: Can we please get rid of Chris Harrison? Pretty please? Someone?
4. The Killing, AMC
Now this one broke my heart. The first few episodes of The Killing were haunting, vivid, and engaging. What happened? After a season of constant red herrings, a total lack of character development, and ridiculous coincidences WE DIDN'T EVEN FIND OUT WHO KILLED ROSIE LARSON. (I considered putting a spoiler warning... but then realized that I'm basically just clueing everyone in to the fact that THERE WAS NOTHING THERE TO SPOIL.)
What movies / tv shows / books are in your "eh" file?