I've been thinking about this a lot lately and that doesn't seem to be the case when it comes to television series.  If a show is not canceled by it's third season (Arrested Development, Veronica Mars) then it has peaked (Entourage, Weeds, Nip/Tuck).  So why is this?  I thought three was the magic number not the downfall of television shows number.  I feel as though these things happen for a couple different reasons.  A reason shows are absolutely wonderful in their third seasons is the chemistry that exist by the cast at this point.  Also, the writers have developed these characters so well by this point that the show is more cohesive and pulls us in more.  So why are shows canceled at this point...in my opinion it's solely marketing.  Time slots are the biggest killers of amazing series.  Anything usually airing on a Friday night is the biggest killer of tv shows and any newer show competing against a well established show is a goner as well. I mean, it's like David versus Goliath.   I think the biggest thing to figure out is how does a show stay fresh and interesting after that third season peak.  I think one way to avoid the curse of the three is to constantly evolve characters.  Just like real people change and grow so should a shows characters.  To stunt their intellectual and emotional maturity is to make the show unrealistic.  Writing tends to be the core of a thriving series despite how good the acting is if there is nothing good being said well then, who cares?  Unfortunately, this isn't the 80's anymore where a quest spot or adding a new character can instantly help a show gain another season.  It's a new time and new generation, so try harder tv peeps.

Now here's someone definitely worth checking out!  Mike Posner is a fresh sound that categorized as Synthpop.  His debut single "Cooler than me" off his forthcoming album 31 Minute to Takeoff is all over the airwaves.  However, I think the non radio version is far superior. With a striking resemblance to Asher Roth (frat boy suburbanite) it's kind of hard to take him seriously but he's got a lot of talent.  While his single is simply a fun introduction his song I'm Still not Over You which samples The Frey's Cable Car really showcases his talent.  Without a doubt I think that Mike Posner is certainly "Cooler than Me." Check out his music here!

With their third studio release, Hands all Over set to be released in Sept. Maroon 5 hit us with their new single "Misery".  The band has this uncanny ability to give us catchy hooks and make us dance.  And with Levine's crooning falsetto how can one deny the likability of this fab 5!  Unfortunately, jusding fromthe single it all still sounds the same.  I sincerely hope that they go back to their roots.  A friend of my recently made the point that Maroon 5 was perfect for when we were in High School but maybe we've just outgrown them.  I may have to agree with that.  However, one positive thing is that they always have masterfully well put together bridges in their songs that never fail to get stuck in your head. Check out the debut song and video from the new album!

Now a days, with shows like Modern Family it is more and more certain that what the ideal family looks like is slowly but surely changing.  It is no longer your textbook definition of the Nuclear Family.  And now comes along the film,  The Kids are All Right.  This is the complicated story of a lesbian couple with two teenage children who decide to find their father.  What was meant to be a quick meet and great with the man who gave them life turns into a full fledged relationship with this man with many interesting twist along the way.  Even though this plot seems simplistic I think that if you look beneath the surface you will find a lot more there: the complexity of a marriage between two women, the affects it has on their kids and how surprisingly normal this family's obstacles are despite their unique situation.  This film is getting a lot of critical acclaim and with a cast like Julianne Moore, Anette Bening and Mark Ruffalo, I would have to agree.  Check out the trailer!

Finally Spider Man is revealed and surprisingly, his name is not Peter Parker but rather Andrew Garfield.  Recently, in a press release it was announced that he will be playing the notable superhero in the reboot of the franchise.  Now I know that most people think that is it way too soon to do a reboot and how can this possibly work?!  I on the other hand think that putting a fresh face and story to the Spider Man can really change things and make it interesting again.  Unfortunately, we will have to see if Mr. Garfield has the acting chops to play the geeky yet charismatic Peter Parker.  His resume consist of a lot of critically acclaimed stage performances in London and he will be appearing alongside Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland, Zomblieland) in the upcoming bio pic of facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network.  If done correctly I think that the reboot of Spidey will attract a whole new group of fans into its web.

So, I know that trailers can be quite deceiving.  However, I think that this one is clear cut and gives us what is there.  The plot of Easy A is very formulaic: the good guy (or girl in this case; Emma Stone of  The Rocker, Zombieland, House Bunny) after being invisible and picked on finally comes into her own and comes out on top.  I think what makes this movie look great is the combination of a witty story, The Scarlet Letter with our new Hester Prynn not only wearing a red letter A, but rocking red hair as well.  I think that although a movie like this is released about every few months, that this one will outshine the rest; simply because of Stone.  I feel as though Emma Stone can carry a movie.  She's a new type of leading lady that is uniquely pretty but also spunky and blunt.  Take a look at the trailer and see if you agree!

The wait is over folks...Drake's long awaited album Thank Me Later has dropped.  Now, I know it seems as though this 23 year old kid has been around the block and already released an album due to his heavy rotation on top 40 stations; The truth is, everything we've heard from Drake before this was from a mix tape not an official album.  Thank Me Later, is a mix of smooth beats and is a blending of rap and r&b so there's stuff to hype you up as well and mellow you out. Although, the sound is great it was not quite what I was expecting.  I think the anticipation of this cd was its downfall.  Since Drake is a rapper I figured the album would have more...rap songs.  My question however is, does Drake deserve a thank-you for bringing us his first studio album?  I'll let you answer that.
Here's some selections I've made that I thought were the best off the album:

Over


The Resistance


Find Your Love



And maybe his best song yet, "Tweet, Tweet" w/ Jimmy Kimmel