Stephen Gately

Yesterday morning pop star Stephen Gately was found dead in his apartment. An apparent accident, it has left me devastated. During high school I was beginning to question my sexuality and started to feel alone in the world. During this time of being depressed I heard about a British boy band star that had recently come out as gay.

I read about him and his life and started listening to his bands music; I started to feel normal.

Knowing a celebrity that was going through a similar process as me really helped me cope.

That's the best I can do to put into words how I feel about this. I'm filled with an enormous sadness at the loss of someone who can best be described as a hero for me. Not only was he a wonderful singer and role model, but he was young. 33 is way too young to lose anyone.

The loss of him has made me realize how much I want to accomplish, and I need to stop assuming I'll be here tomorrow. One day I'll run out of tomorrows and it's time to take my life off of the back burner.

Stephen Gately will be truly missed, and no one will ever be able to replace him, or what he did for me. Without even meeting me, Stephen changed, and possibly, even saved my life.

x

TOP 20 OF 2009 (HALFWAY POINT)

Sometime during June each year I like to take a look at my iPod to see which songs have had the most play throughout the year. Now I'm going to share it with all of you so that you can (not so) silently judge me, and maybe discover your new favorite song.

Before I get started I want to remind everyone that these may not be official singles, or they may have even come out in the end of 2008, but as far as I'm concerned if you don't like the list you can suck each and every one of the songs.

1. Gives You Hell by The All American Rejects:
Not only does it have one of the catchiest chorus's ever, Gives You Hell takes me back to when I was younger and believed that I could be a rock star and laugh at all of my friends working their "nine to five pace".



2. Untouched by The Veronicas:



3. Weightless by All Time Low:
The story of my life these last few years - the years that I lovingly call my quarterlife crisis. With verses such as "Turn a page, I'm a book half unread," and "I'm stuck in this f*cking rut, waiting on a second hand pick me up, and I'm over getting older," Weightless has quickly become the song at the top of my list to sing along to after a too long day at the office.



4. Made Up Stories by Go: Audio



5. Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) by Lady Gaga
Ever since the release of Just Dance last summer Lady Gaga has released single after single, each as amazing as the previous. Gaga is the new princess of pop, and there's nothing else I can say.



6. If You Seek Amy by Britney Spears
It's Britney, bitch.



7. About You Now by Miranda Cosgrove
The star of iCarly surpassed my expectations with single, a cover of a Sugababes 2008 hit. Miranda proves she can sing and act - without selling her soul to Disney.



8. I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas
The Peas have returned to the top of their game with an album of party-ready songs, including the perfect gettin' ready to go out song - I Gotta Feeling.



9. Waking Up In Vegas by Katy Perry



10. Boombox (LA Riots Remix) by Kylie Minogue:



11. Ice by Lights
Basically it has the best video. Ever.



12. I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week by Mandy Moore:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr9aNwOHXAo

13. Issues by The Saturdays
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT68EcMi6bM

14. Happy (American Dream) by Troy This:
You cannot not smile and feel a little better about life when you hear this song. And as an added bonus it features Robyn!
http://www.myspace.com/troythis

15. Don't Trust Me by 3OH!3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlTE5j7aEf0

16. It's A New Day by Will.i.am:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxr4j9ZgtXo

17. Lala Land by Demi Lovato:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu3swO5PE3A

18. Poker Face by Lady Gaga:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpE0RDXUQMM

19. Welcome to the World by Kevin Rudolf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49qWFJSd-nQ

20. Love Game by Lady Gaga
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fDwRRZ7eUo

SONGS TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
Boardwalk by Sugar Ray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7Y1FZ208iY

Can't Have It All by Jay Brannan


Hey by Mitchel Musso

Web Soup

The newest member of the Soup family, Web Soup stars former Singled Out host, Chris Hardwick. The show takes a look at the best in viral videos that, thanks to Youtube and the word of mouth from Facebook, Twitter, instant messaging, MySpace, and the plethora of other social networking sites, we've all seen hundreds of times.

The show is amusing, but so far lacks the special something that The Soup and The Dish have. Hopefully it'll pick up the pace and find it's footing as the weeks go on.

The Soup family already has the ugly ginger cousin (Sprots Soup), it doesn't need another.

Web Soup: C+

Web Soup airs every Sunday night at 930 on G4

Lesbian Vampire Killers

What would you do if your girlfriend dumped you and you got fired from your job? For Jimmy and Fletch the answer is simple; get "shit faced".

The men head to their local bar after a particularly bad day where after several beers they decide to go for a hike in the woods. However, with so many options for hiking A D V _ N T U R E S the surest way to decide where to go is to throw a dart at a map and go where it lands.

Cut to a small town that has a centuries old curse that turns all of its women in to lesbian vampires of their 18th birthday. Jimmy and Fletch arrive only to discover that Jimmy is the only one who can stop the lesbian vampires and end the curse. From here we see lots of boobs and kissing ladies.

The movie is well written and shot, and generally amusing as long as you take it as seriously as it takes itself. Unfortunately I fear the LVK has fallen victim to the Snakes on a Plane syndrome. If the movie doesn't take itself seriously, then why should the viewer take it serious? So sit back, enjoy the movie, and look forward to the hinted at sequel: Gay Werewolf Killers.

Lesbian Vampire Killers: A-

Click here to buy LVK region 2 DVD

If you like Lesbian Vampire Killers, Too Much Rock recommends Gavin and Stacey Season 1

TMR Seal of Approval: Jayma Mays

Jayma Mays first came to my attention in 2007, as the saving grace in Epic Movie. Playing Lucy, Mays' character was a spoof from the DaVinci Code that was afraid of the talking beaver. Unfortunately once the movie ended I left the theater never to think of Mays again. Until I saw her on Heroes anyway.

I immediately fell in love with the waitress Charlie that was possibly the nicest character on TV I've had the pleasure to watch. I'd gladly give Charlie a big tip if she were my waitress. Unfortunately she died. Even more unfortunate, for me at least, they wrote a spin-off book of Mays' episode which I bought. And never finished.

Charlie (or another Charlie anyway) then appeared on Ugly Betty. "Hey! You were called Charlie on Heroes too!" I said when I saw her on screen. "Like rain on your wedding day, that's ironic!"

But then Charlie started talking and Jayma Mays became my least favorite person ever. Not because of anything she did, but because Charlie came between Betty and Henry and I just wasn't going to stand for that. When Charlie left the show I said good riddance, and couldn't help but to think that Sylar killed the wrong Charlie.

Apart from an episode of Pushing Daisies I didn't see anymore of Jayma, and I was OK with that, seeing as how she stole Henry.

Then a few months ago I saw Paul Blart: Mall Cop and was surprised to see Mays in it...and absolutely loved her. Playing kiosk worker Amy, Mays channeled dead Charlie and became, in my opinion, the star of the movie. Amy, while not a character that was developed much, became someone I would love to be friends with, because of how sincere she was. I especially loved her unconditional love of Paul. Sigh. It was fantastic. After Paul Blart I knew that Jayma could do no wrong. Anything she did in her career from this point on I would support.

Then I saw the preview episode of Glee...and totally agreed with past me - Jayma was brilliant. She made the character of Emma real; not easily accomplished in a pilot episode where you aren't the main character. I can hardly wait to see new episodes of the series this fall when it returns full time.

I am proud to announce Jayma Mays as the first recipient of the Too Much Rock Seal of Approval.

2008 VMA's

As far as award shows go the VMA's is probably the only one that can muster up any excitement in anyone under the age of 40. It's a night that is always full of unexpected events (the Britney/Madonna/Christina three-way kiss for example) and incredible performances. Unfortunately it is also usually the same thing every year; an award show that is more like a giant concert and party than anything else.

Knowing this is what I was getting into I eagerly watched this year (if only to see the rumored Britney Spears comeback part 2). The show opened weak with the ever annoying Jonah Hill trying to kiss Britney before she explained to us that it was the 25th anniversary of the show. She then went backstage and it was revealed that the opening act was Rihanna. She has some catchy songs, but that's about all there is to say about her...anybody could be Rihanna. Anybody could have opened the VMA's just as well.

Some other low points of the show include the Jonas Brother's whining their way through their latest single "Love Bug", Jordin Sparks calling Russell Brand a slut, and "McLovin".

There were some great moments though, such as the hilariousness of host Russell Brand (especially when he called George W. a "retarded cowboy", and his trying to win away the promise rings from all of the Jonas Brothers before the night ends). Also exciting to watch were the performances of Pink and Christina Aguilera. They were both fantastic and it reminded us why they have staying power.

Oh yes, this was an awards show so I guess I should make some mention of the awards: all of the right people won. Britney Spears (who has never won a VMA in her entire career won three tonight), and Tokio Hotel won the viewers choice award.

Overall I'm pleased with MTV and the entertaining two hours I spent with them tonight. With more events like this, I just might have to tune into MTV a little more often.

B+

Hamlet 2

Hamlet 2 sounds promising enough. Dana Marschz, a failed actor, settles for a job teaching high school drama and puts on stage performances of past Hollywood successes. And there are only two students in the drama class. And the program is being cut due to a lack of funding. So in a last hoorah sort of effort he writes an original musical to help earn the $6,000 needed to save the program. The musical, as I'm sure you're well aware is Hamlet 2 (complete with time machine).

Unfortunately, just because something sounds promising doesn't mean it turns out well. Instead of a hilarious movie what we get is a glimpse into the life of a man whose life is basically falling apart - with unhilarious results.

However, the movie does pick up its pace and becomes somewhat enjoyable during the third act, when the Hamlet 2 play begins. Instead of seeing a movie about some losers' life we see what could have been a great movie involving team work, second chances, and a sexy singing Jesus. Had the movie actually been a musical movie of Hamlet 2 the audience may have actually enjoyed the movie rather than seeming bored throughout the entire thing.



Along with the hilarious play itself there are some enjoyable performances by Elisabeth Shue and Amy Poehler - neither of whom is in the movie enough.

While the movie isn't unbearable and does have some amusing moments this is one that you should definitely wait to see until it's on DVD...or HBO.

C+