College pop culture retrospective

In honor of my college graduation, I give a list of my favorite pop cultural finds of my college years. It's pretty random list, some of which is completely cliche, but here you go:

1. Bollywood. My freshman roommate started me on Bollywood films with Dil Chahta Hai. While in recent years my consumption has slowed down, they're usually good for a laugh or cry or just fun if you've got a spare 3 hours.

Om Shanti Om is fantastic. I never wrote a review on it, but if you love super-meta, making a movie within a movie, genre mixing movies, than this one is for you. It's funny, a little tragic, and randomly spooky. Plus, Hamlet and Singin' in the Rain references.

2. The Beatles. Like anyone who likes music, I've always loved the Beatles, but I owe a guy I will always remember as Hot Hot Brian in my psych class for pointing me toward Rubber Soul during a class presentation. After that, I was hooked to the Beatles' later (and more awesome) albums.

Seriously. Buy it. Love it.

3. Led Zeppelin. *cough*

Jimmy Page is inviting you into the dangerous world of Led Zeppelin fandom. Warning: it can be obsessive.

4. K-dramas. Next time in search for a corny series I might branch out from Korean dramas, but My Lovely Sam Soon was a good place to start.

I know right? From this picture alone My Lovely Sam Soon is already too adorable to resist. FYI, it's like a Korean Bridget Jones except way more adorable...adorable.
Shockingly, it's probably just as cheesy.

5. House. I have found that a good way to tell if you're going to like a roommate is if they'll sit down and watch an episode of House with you.

The original team smilier than they are ever on the show; I just love this picture.

6. Online television. I'm counting both legal and more sketchy means. It's so much more convenient to find catch up on tv shows since I got to college, and I love the internet for that.

It's like magic.

7. pandora.com. Check out this station that was developed from artists I discoverd on pandora. I now can enjoy bluegrass and other musical genres new to me.

8. Emo. Sometimes, it doesn't suck. But as a friend said, everyone has a quota of how much emo they can take. Personally, emo better come with some pop hooks or I'm out. Less offensive emos: Panic at the Disco (since they're either electronica or Beatles in their approach), Cartel (pop-y!), about 4 of My Chemical Romance's songs, about 5 of Fall Out Boy's songs, a smattering of others. But for the most part, still kind of a whiny/mediocre genre.

Do yourself a favor and never image search 'emo.'

9. The rock musical/opera. Possibly the best film genre possible in that the musical is usually good and the plot is usually preposterous. This magical blend makes sure that you feel both pleasure and guilt if you like it. Great examples: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Across the Universe, Tommy.

I was going to subject you to Mean Mr. Mustard's robots in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, but thought better of it and instead I give you the Barry Gibb and his fabulous locks, the rest of the Bee Gees, and Peter Frampton in the film.

And in case you're concerned about what happens to Mr. Frampton...


Billy Preston magically appears from a weather vane to save the day! yay!

Actor Appreciation: Shahrukh Khan

I'm craving a Bollywood movie. Admittedly, I've probably seen about 7 or 8 Bollywood movies, I'm no connoisseur. But of the ones I have seen, I especially love the ones with Shahrukh Khan, one of Bollywood's biggest stars. If you haven't experienced the endearingly incorrigible actor that is SRK, do yourself a favor and track down a movie staring him.

Check out the excessive bare chest/shoulder. Yesssss...

I've heard that Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is like the Bollywood equivalent of Titanic (in the sense that they're kind of epic romances that got out of control popular), but let me tell you, this one is way more entertaining. It's about 3 hours long, but like most Bollywood movies I've seen, it's like watching 2 movies.

The first half is very comedic following a recent college graduates in London played by Shahrukh Khan and Kajol *(this on-screen pairing is apparently also out of control popular). Kajol convinces her parents to let her go on a trip to Europe with some girlfriends before she must enter an arranged marriage. Khan also ends up going on a trip to Europe, too, and wouldn't you know it they meet! Khan is somewhat of a flirt with little decorum. Kajol is a dreamer, but is very traditional. Fights filled with sexual-tension and vacation misadventures ensue.



By the end of the first half, they both realize they love each other, but don't admit it. Kajol goes back home to face her impending marriage. Khan goes back home to mope around and drink beer with his dad, until his dad convinces him to go get the girl. So Khan finds Kajol's house empty, only to hear from a neighbor that the family has gone to India for her marriage. Before all hope is lost, Khan finds the cowbell that Kajol bought in Europe--surely a token of her affection--and follows Kajol to India.

The second half is epic! Khan weasels his way into the wedding preparation to slowly making his move to marry Kajol. Will there be a showdown? Will the lovers get together, or will they be shot down by tradition and marriage promises?

Frankly, this movie is ridiculous. I laugh during at least half of it (laughs of appreciation and love).But like I said, anything is great with Shahrukh Khan in it. He is not particularly handsome, but he wins you over with his warm personality. Khan's just playful and charming enough that the movie works. He dances great (did I mention the musical numbers?) and cries like a champ. Really, you can't lose.

The movie I may end up watching this weekend is the one SRK movie I own: Kal Ho Naa Ho. Hilarious beginning, insanely dramatic second half. Tightly-wound and emotionally wounded girl, the best friend who loves the girl, and carefree and loving man who shows them the way despite his own feelings. So great. Plus, this one really does have great music (that none of the actors actually sing, as per usual). The "Pretty Woman" cover is great and filled with overt American propaganda since it's set in New York; "Maahive" features some sweet engagement clothing as well as a cameo by Kajol (!); and my favorite is "It's the Time to Disco" at the local dance club's retro night. SRK is more of a fatherly figure in this one, but does have some great scenes. And did I mention the crying? EPIC!

"It's the Time to Disco" for you viewing pleasure.

Anyway, I recommend both of these movies. Get yourself some snacks, bask in the glow of Shahrukh Khan, and make a night out of one of these.

*Forgive me, I'm just going to use the actor's names.