I was perusing the latest Fast Forward Weekly (a Calgary-based alt weekly) when I came across Danny Austin's Super 8 review. Check the description/subtitle/abstract/whatever you want to call it:  "Finally, an original movie hits screens."

What's that you say? An original movie? Sounds like someone read a little article about this year's crop of original summer movies! 

I mean, you know, probably not. But because I am the queen of specious shout-outs, I shall claim it. Shout out!

Adding to our list of specious shout outs is Rolling Stone's story that got General McChrystal fired. "The Runaway General"? Meet the Runaway issue.

I'm a big believer in making your own fun. If the Daily Show has taught me anything (oh, how it has), it's that the news can play a big role in said fun-making. All you need are a few headlines. Such as: 

"Victoria dancers sparkle in the limelight"
Misread that as daylight, and you might think Stephenie Meyer attacked Victoria.

"J'ai tué ma mère fails to win César"
So not only did Xavier Dolan's film lose, it also came home to face a very disappointed parent Montreal Gazette.

The AV Club released their best film performances of the decade list yesterday, and I dismissed their first entry for Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married as a coincidence. But as I scrolled down as saw both Mark Ruffalo in You Can Count on Me and Laura Linney in said same movie, it was hard not to call the shout out. Didn't I just tell you guys how great they are in that movie just a couple of weeks ago? Sure did. I call shout out, even though they have been compiling their list for some time and likely unaware of my similar opinion. I am the queen of specious shout outs. Also, three makes a rule.

IMDb's guess the quote of the day:

Movie/TV Quote
Tom: People don't realize this, but loneliness is underrated. 

I shall claim the shout out for the following three reasons:

1. Underrated is November's theme.
2. I almost always use the month's theme as the keyword when I search for a quote from IMDb to use as a title for my blog post that will link to my article of the month.
3. I am a champion of both Joseph Gordon-Levitt and (500) Days of Summer.

As you may recall, three makes a rule. Shout out!

Friday

Dale Smith Gallery is pleased to present "Travelling Light," a joint exhibition of recent work by photographer Joy Kardish (Ottawa) and painter Angela Petardi (Toronto). Joy Kardish's luminous photo-based works capture the magical elegance of Paris, while Angela Petardi's vibrantly colourful oil paintings transport us to the exotic streets and markets of Morocco. Join us on Friday, July 31 from 7-10 PM to meet the artists and toast the exhibition. The exhibition continues until August 18. 

Karsh-Masson Gallery (136 St. Patrick Street )at Sussex) presents Amy Schissel's "Prolix X" (pictured) and Steven Stewart's "Missing Persons" from July 31 to September 20, 2009. 

After last night's True Blood, in which Sarah and Jason go at it in the balcony of the sanctuary at the Fellowship of the Light while Sookie and Hugo are locked up downstairs (and Godric's apparently rattling around down there somewhere) and Lorena prevents Bill from saving Sookie at Eric's behest and Daphne betrays Sam to Maryann so she can cut out his heart, I had a heart attack. At the second season's mid point, Alan Ball et al had ratcheted up so much tension that I cannot possibly watch an episode without a lot of yelling. Then, this happened:

In last night's True Blood, Sarah Newlin (right, Anna Camp) served up banana pudding for dessert when the Newlins had Jason Stackhouse (left, Ryan Kwanten) over for dinner. I know that the episode was filmed months ago and that the show is based on a series of books and that that pudding is probably laced with ruphies and evil, but I don't care. Banana pudding? Thank you for noticing June's theme, Raelle Tucker!

Sadly, I could only find a still from last week's episode, in which Jason took role playing a little too seriously and tried to stake Sarah with a flagstaff "like some Muslim Buffy with a dick." If you're not watching True Blood, you really should start.