Speed Racer runs out of Gas

The best performance in this film was given by this monkey.
Sad, I know. But still, props to the Monkey.


If I read anymore my head is going to explode. It is Wednesday and I it is my 3rd day in a marathon of studying that involves 17 hour days in a library reading texts that are thousands of years old. I am burned out, and I need a break. I’ve wanted to see Speed Racer since I first heard that the makers of the Matrix were at the helm of this summers potential blockbuster. It would be great to let a fun story and a visually stunning effects wash over me and allow me to relax.

This movie accomplished something great, but did not meet my expectations. The great thing it did was made me think about how it was more interesting to read old books rather than endure this boring movie. Horrible, just horrible; I am convinced that the Wackowski brothers happen to strike gold with the original Matrix film and overall are not good filmmakers. They can oversee great visual effects but can’t tell a basic story. I think there was too much focus on the look of this movie that we forgot the Pixar Principle; Story, Story, STORY!!!

The racing sequences were stylized and interesting to watch, but that doesn’t make up for the other 2 hours or dribble. When I come off a film like Iron Man, I expect more. I don’t think it was casting, because I liked everyone in their respective roles. It was bad script and bad direction. My recommendation is to skip it in the theaters and only Netflix the film if you really must.

The wait is over, it’s on to the finals!

Syesha, I appreciate how you carried yourself during courtesy week.
Too bad you didn’t step it up and go out with a bang.


Last night I bumped into a friend that I hadn’t seen for a while and he mentioned my blog. It always makes me happy to know that people are actually reading this thing. At times it feels like I release these things into cyberspace and no one reads them. Anyway, my friend commented that I talk a lot about American Idol. At this point it’s the only TV show that I keep up with weekly. While life is too often described as busy, I do enjoy the 90 minutes of Idol. Plus it is the only show for which I cannot avoid a spoiler. With other shows like Lost or The Office, I can generally change the channel or change the subject quickly enough. But Idol is everywhere and it only takes a single sentence to ruin the surprise. I do love the Idol and want to experience with the rest of my friends.

With that, the show does have some areas that are lacking. There is a great article in last weeks Entertainment Weekly that gives suggestions for improving the show. I completely agree with the overhauling that is suggested. If you want, take a minute and give it a read. Fox announced that they are cutting the results show to a half hour next season. Hopefully this means they will cut the horrible Ford commercials and the group numbers. I heard Seacrest say that he wasn’t sure how they’d cram all that show into 30 minutes. Really Ryan? We’re talking about you saying a name. It could actually be done in 15 seconds.

Okay, enough about programming issues, on to moments that made me laugh from last week’s Idol. Syesha does a crappy rendition of Fever and Ryan Seacrest makes sure that we see the “classic chair”. Syesha’s performance of Fever was her giving up and not trying to be relevant. She was giving a Broadway Audition rather than creating a case that she is a potential pop star. The most laughable moment though was David Archuleta’s pathetic attempt at exuding street cred by singing “Boo”. It made him seem pathetic. The news that is swirling about his father is also making him appear less like an Idol and more like a Von Trapp child. (More on that at the end of this post.)

The finals are working out to be everything that I expected and what everyone wanted. My feeling is that if Archuleta wins, the show will end up loosing fans and followers. The tween crowd is going to tune in, no matter what. But my feeling is that the 22-32 demographic will not buy it and many will tune out. My prediction is that when the finalists perform with other pop stars Archuleta will look lame and out of his league, while Cook will be in step with whomever he is paired with. Again, let’s hope that justice can beat 13-year-old girls.

I stand by my Prediction that our next American Idol is…

1. David Cook

Trouble in the Archuleta Family?

In the event that you haven’t heard about David A’s daddy drama, here’s a little video that helps paint the picture.

If you don’t want to watch a video then the combination of images below gives a representation of the personality dynamics between David & his Dad. (Note the German Flair!)

David is Kurt Von Trapp; young, naïve and totally dependent on his parent.

David’s Father is a tyrant that is barking orders and annoying everyone around him.

(Note: Anytime you want to strengthen your argument, throw in a reference to the infamous Führer)
(Note: My last note was dripping with sarcasm. Don't do that, it's annoying.)

Iron Man; A pleasant surprise!

I was very indifferent about Robert Downey Jr. but after seeing this film
I think I am now a fan, well done sir.


It didn’t even make my list of movies that I am excited about seeing this summer. I was actually a little frustrated at the movie. I didn’t quite see why Summer needed to start before I was ready and this movie was ushering it in on May 2nd, even though I love Summer. I didn’t see how the director of Elf and writer of Swingers would have a good take on a comic book movie, even though I am a fan of Favreau. I have zero knowledge of Iron Man and think this is just another B-list comic book character, even though I love superhero movies.

Friday morning is when the tide started to turn. I am seeing friends raving about the movie via their status on Facebook. That night I ended up seeing “Made of Honor” with a bunch of friends that are girls. (I know, I shared my opinion in a post last week.) As we left the theater I spotted people coming out of the theater showing Iron Man with a spring in their step. Their body language was similar to that of people getting of Space Mountain. Smiles and excitement are evident and they want to get back in line for another ride. Then the next afternoon my friend Andrew says the movie was so good he wants to see it again that night after improv. Sure enough, we get tickets for a screening at the Arclight that was added due to high demand, just after midnight.

The theater was packed and the movie started. I LOVED IT! As we exited the theater after staying for the “surprise at the end” (note: no need to stay if you don’t read comic books) Andrew said “I don’t even need to ask if you liked it, you were leaning forward the whole time.” Apparently I lean forward when I am enjoying a movie or a play. I really enjoyed this movie. The special effects were hardly noticed which is a sign of greatness. The performances were spot on, even though I did laugh at Jeff Bridges as a villain because he had some funny ”dude” moments it was still great casting.

This is a Rock ‘n Roll Superhero movie. I don’t know how else to describe it. It is fun and makes you think, I wish I could do that. That’s what a good superhero movie does; it makes you wish you had that power or that suit. I find most comic movies frustrating in that I am just waiting for the thing to happen so they can move on and become the title character. In this movie, the set up was just as much fun as the pay off. It had lots of laughs, great action sequences oh man, it was great.

So, this Summer Season is already surprising me with Iron Man. In fact it is surprising the studios too with such a huge opening and a great second weekend that beat out the odds on favorite, Speed Racer, but more on that later. I give Iron Man the “Push your friends to see this instead of anything else that is out between now and May 22nd (Indy Release!) because you will be entertained.”

FYI-Feed Your iPod: New Songs that Move

Feed your iPod is a new feature here at Thoughts of Trent. This is a short list of songs that you should consider purchasing to make your iPod more well rounded.

Random Purchase Recommendation

WARNING: This article talks about MTV's The Grind and my attempts at dancing like a member of Bel Biv Devoe. Read at your own risk.


I was asked to come up with some music for a friend to purchase and so I looked at my Purchased play list on iTunes and found the songs that I have bought in the last few months that I bump all the time. Since my friend is a diverse lady I gave her both Hip Hop and Rock. It’s funny how I listen to Muse and then Britney Spears and don’t skip a beat. I’m an odd fellow, so I don’t suggest others try that. This is why I have them divided by category, enjoy.

Hippidy Hoppidy

Don't Stop the Music- Rhianna
For a week I didn’t know who sang this song, I just knew I liked it and it sampled Michael Jackson. I write ridiculously fast when I put this song on repeat.
Piece of Me- Britney Spears
What a crazy thought? A new song from Bi-Polar Britney that makes me feel bad for her and shake my booty all at the same time.
The Way I Are (feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.)- Timbaland
Good beat, makes me want to dance even though I can’t. When I was in 7th grade I watched episodes of “The Grind” on MTV to try and learn to dance maybe I will do that again.
Give It to Me (feat. Justin Timberlake & Nelly Furtado)- Timbaland
Clearly I shared too much for the last song, and these two Timbaland songs are one in the same for me.
Low (feat. T-Pain)- Flo Rida
Yes, it’s overplayed but any song that can make me consider seeing “Step Up 2” deserves to be on the list. I am definitely sharing too much in this article.
What's Golden- Jurassic 5
Now here we go. Jurassic 5 doesn’t get a lot of Top 40 exposure, but they have amazing songs. This one is one of my favorite of theirs. They remind me of a modern Sugarhill Gang.
Kiss Kiss (feat. T-Pain)- Chris Brown
This song makes me wish I was 18 again, and I very rarely wish I could go back in time and be a different age. It also makes me wish I was black, but it doesn’t take much for me to wish for that.
Beware of the Boys (Mundian to Bach Ke)- Panjabi MC
I like songs that mix different styles. This song has a sitar and some Indian percussion mixed with the theme from Knight Rider. Now that is what I’m talking about!

Rocky Rolly

Paralyzer- Finger Eleven
This song has a great hook, and while I don’t see myself enjoying the vocals most of the time, it works for this song. Good sound.
The Good Left Undone- Rise Against
I have heard this song a few times on my Ipod at the Gym and its funny how I speed up and slow down multiple times in the same song. Good driving beat though.
Best of You- Foo Fighters
I’m not a hardcore Foo fan, but there is something about this song that makes me feel nostalgic and I have no clue why. It’s telling when a song seems to bring up emotions to a memory you don’t have.
Icky Thump- The White Stripes
From the intro, I fell in love with this song. It just sounds raw and distorted and yummy. Kudos to this Brother Sister team…or is it Husband Wife? I forget. Either way, it has a killer beat and sick guitar and fresh sound. (I tried to mix up my adjectives there and feel it was a mistake, apologies)
Where Is My Mind?- Pixies
This is an oldie but a goodie! You may remember this song from the end of Fight Club… It’s a great anthem for that movie and that movie is great so therefore it is great. (I was afraid of my adjectives for the last song, so I stuck with great here)
Knights of Cydonia- Muse
I found this song in the midst of my Guitar Hero career. I have found an appreciation for Muse and for this song that feels like two songs in one. It’s very Queen-esque.
Starlight- Muse
This song is much more of a single and sounds like an edgy Coldplay. Every time this comes on KROQ, I perk up, roll down the windows and just escape. Well done Muse, well done.
This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race- Fall Out Boy
Ok, I couldn’t love this song anymore than I do. I have no clue what the song is about but I know that it is ridiculously catchy. I love it when songs go to just vocals and drums, and this song does that well. Its what I would call fancy-punk which isn’t usually my style, but I make an exception here.


There’s my List…What would be on your list of newer songs that are UP and driving and available on iTunes?

We wanted it, HE wanted it, Castro has fallen!

If you’ve ever wondered why other countries hate Americans,
it’s the fact that we embrace guys like this.



Finally, finally FINALLY! It took a week with two HORRIBLE performances and America gave Jason Castro the boot. How did this guy mess up Rock week? The answer is that he WANTED to go home. I’ve seen multiple interviews with him saying that he is just tired and done. Then when the vote comes down he was thanking Ryan Seacrest for sending him so that he didn’t have to practice three songs. This guy is a pothead with no drive and desire for success. I loved how ticked off Simon was at Castro’s blasé attitude. It was another moment where I just smiled and was reminded of why I agree with Simon so often.

Entertainment Weekly had a great article about song selection last week. It gave readers a picture of backstage dynamics and it didn’t paint a good picture of Archuleta’s dad. This must be chipping away at the image of this young star. While he seemed impossible to beat in the first month of this season, the tides turned when David Cook performed Lionel Richie’s “Hello”. This last week was sub par for Cook when it should have been perfect for him. I think he got in his own head and just didn’t make good choices. He really needs to build some momentum going into the finals.

This week seems obligatory and not really necessary. It is like an empty tribute to Syesha more than a real competition. The following week is when we will see the stand off of Archuleta vs. Cook and when we find out who wins in the battle of Justice vs. 14-year old girls.

For this week, I hope Syesha enjoys her moment.

3. Syesha Mercado
2. David Archuleta
1. David Cook

All of this “empty tribute” talk reminded me of the time Michael Jackson accepted the “Artist of the Millennium” award, when in reality all he was being presented with is a birthday cake. Enjoy this awkward moment. (note: watch the start and not the No Doubt acceptance speech. The only reason that is in the clip is because Michael is still on the stage.)