Criminal Minds

I read an article with the best title today. “Newflash: Serial Killers Are Not Cool.” This appeared in The Age and is about our society’s fascination with serial killers. I have to admit, I’m one of these people who find them fascinating. I prefer to think that’s because that the behavior is so aberrant and disgusting that it is necessary for me to understand how people could possibly do that. I don’t know. I’ve often thought that it is very odd that our entertainment consists of people getting murdered and raped and the more violent and unusual, the better.

The author of American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis, has a theory that serial killers are so empty and soulless that the only way they can feel anything is to kill in some vile way. And readers read about them to fill the same void. This is creepy, but I think true to some extent. If you’ve ever read American Psycho, you know that the book’s main character is an extremely violent freak. The things he fantasizes about and does, and how he feels about it, are so disgusting. It’s everything the killers from Criminal Minds are except in extreme detail.

It’s repulsive, but we keep wanting more of it. So many tv shows and movies are about seriel killers, a lot of books are. Our culture is saturated with the mystique of the serial killer. Middendorp talks about the paintings of John Wayne Gacy in his article. This is the ultimate symbol of our fascination with depraved killers. Gacy raped and killed 33 boys and young men. He also happened to finish a few oil paintings in his lifetime, and these are astoundingly in-demand. Actor Johnny Depp even boasted of having one. If that isn’t sick, I don’t know what is. But at the same time, I can kind of understand it.

Jonathan Davis of Korn wanted to open his own serial killer museum. He has Gacy paintings and the very disturbing clown suit that Gacy used to dress up in. He even has Ted Bundy’s VW, with which Bundy picked up women he later killed. When I first read this, I was thinking “What a freak. Who would do this? Who would collect serial killer memorabilia and open a museum?” But then I thought, “Yeah, I’d go.”

The author of this article, Chris Middendorp, points out the popularity of shows like CSI, Criminal Minds, and Bones, and movies like Silence of the Lambs. He writes that the “serial killer has replaced Satan as the ultimate symbol of evil.” Our ultimate fear isn’t of demons and supernatural forces. It’s of other people.

Middendorp also discusses the huge numbers of serial killers that populate tv and movies:

If we are to accept the bombastic premise behind popular TV crime shows such as CSI, Bones, Waking the Dead, NCIS, Wire in the Blood, Criminal Minds, Law & Order and many others, there’s some kind of debased homicidal predator lurking on every second block. If there really were as many serial killers as these shows would have us believe, the world population explosion would clearly not be an issue; we’d be more worried about population shrinkage.

Ok, so there aren’t really serial killers lurking in all of our bushes waiting to attack, but we still like to hear about them. Maybe because they’re NOT in our bushes or likely to kill the average citizen?

It’s nothing new that our culture likes to watch and read about the most disgusting members of society. If it’s because we identify with them in some way or have absolutely no idea how they operate, I don’t kow. I don’t think it’s likely to change soon, though that’s what Middendorp would like to see. The articles parting words:

None of this is useful or healthy in an era that desperately needs to establish harmony between people and cultures. What does it say about us that accounts of grotesque depravity are one of our favourite forms of entertainment? Our serial killer fixation is a measure of a culture’s dislocation and it is imperative we do something to remedy this.
It’s just possible that if we improve the quality of the stories that entertain us, we’ll improve the quality of our society too.

Maybe that would work, but I don’t see it happening.

A little off track, but since there aren’t many new episodes of Criminal Minds, I wanted to take the time to talk about another great crime show, The Women’s Murder Club.
This show is based on books by James Patterson (who wrote books on which movies Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider are based on). Click here for a description of the show.

In November, an episode of the Women’s Murder Club aired. In one of the final scenes star Angie Harmon is talking to her ex-husband and current boss, Tom. I loved the song in the background, which is by Abra Moore. The song is called “Family Affair.” There’s been a great reaction to the song, so it’s up at her record label’s website. You can go there, listen to the song, and even download it for free.
The site is http://sarathan.com/lp/familyaffair/ if you’re curious. Abra Moore’s first album, Strangest Places ,earned a Grammy nomination, and she has a new album called.
From her website:

On The Way finds Moore completely at ease in her own skin and voice. It’s a ferociously quiet album that unfolds gently but packs an emotional wallop with its unwavering honesty. It’s an album full of subtle moods. There’s always been an atmospheric quality to Moore’s writing - maybe that’s why Hollywood keeps seeking out her music. Moore’s songs have appeared in more than 25 films and television shows including Cruel Intentions, Sliding Doors (with Gwenyth Paltrow), Happy Texas, Party of Five, Dawson’s Creek, Felicity and Melrose Place. Her song “Big Sky” was used in the super-hot video game The Sims with one little twist—she had to rerecord all the vocals in Simlish, the language used in the game.

I always like songs I hear in shows but never think to look them up. This is a good chance to hear more of the music that makes it on tv.
The Women’s Murder Club airs on ABC, Fridays at 9:00. This week, there’s a bonus episode on Saturday at 10:00. Definately a show to watch. And don’t forget a new episode of Criminal Minds is on tomorrow at 9:00.

It’s Black Friday, the second biggest shopping day of the year. How can you put your money to good use and still support the economy?

The other day I was doing some Christmas shopping online because I HATE to shop at Christmas time. It makes me stressed (a lot of things make me stressed though). So I was looking for stuff for my hard to shop for family members. There’s a cool site called Findgift.com where a magical wizard asks you a few questions and then finds gift suggestions. I tried that and was looking at a bunch of expensive things. And I thought that if I was spending money, I might as well spend it better.

I did a quick google search and found World of Good. All of the products on this site are fair trade certified. You can read where the products are made and by whom. I picked out a tote bag for my sister-in-law. The description tells me that it was made in India. The workers who make the bags are paid a living wage. The proceeds from the bags also help subsidize meals, housing, and health care.

I’m not against big stores…I also bought my daughter a present from Amazon, and I have an affinity for Wal-Mart. But I felt like I was helping, if only a tiny bit. And besides that, the products make really nice gifts, and the prices are good. They have jewlery, bags, housewares, and linens - all made by different artisans and all funding good causes.

I just wanted to mention some alternative gifts for Christmas. I found gifts for my hard to shop for people and they’re more unique than the gifts you pick up at Target or whatever. If you’re interested in fair trade products, visit World of Good. I just did a google search for socially conscious gifts. (Make sure that you visit legitimate sites though.)

Note: If you’re looking for unique gifts that cost very little and are awesome, check out Creative Mom Cafe. There are some really good ideas for homemade presents.

I really hate game shows. Jeopardy is ok, but I can’t stand anything else. I hate reality shows too. I refuse to watch Survivor, although yes, I will watch Janice Dickinson and Ultimate Fighting Championship (I don’t know how I come up with these, but there it is).

Anyway, as the WGA strike continues (talks resume next week - so hopefully it’ll be over), you may find yourself with some time on your hands if you don’t like game or reality shows or reruns. What are you going to do with your freed up time?

Here are some of my ideas:

1. I could read/play with my daughter. She’s way more entertaining than a lot of tv shows. (I hope the strike doesn’t affect Curious George, though. That would be devestating.)
2. You can catch up on shows you haven’t seen. If they’re showing reruns it’s a good time to see what’s up with Lost or 24.
3. You can check out Oxygen’s Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. Wait, really, she grows on you. She’s so bold and bitchy - I love her.
4. I will finish making my Christmas presents for my family.
5. I will have time to devote to cleaning my refrigerator and oven. These are jobs no one tells you about when you’re young and can’t wait to be an adult.

6. Reading is always good. I’m reading Year of Wonder by Geraldine Brooks. It’s about the Bubonic plague. If you’re looking for something less depressing, read Freakonomics. It’s really interesting, and then you’ll be able to tell people why crack dealers make less than McDonald’s workers and how Superman stopped the KKK. Also available is the first book, Jump Cut, in the new Criminal Minds-based series.
7. You can go on the Watching House site and harass Randi with comments about how much better Criminal Minds is.

8. I like to do crafts. If you need some crafty tips, 451Press has great craft and hobby blogs. Did you know that you can make Vanilla Velvet Honey Lip Balm? Summer at Creative Mom Cafe has this and other great projects - including 30 Gifts in 30 Days, perfect for Christmas. Draw, paint, sew, whatever.
9. Watch netflix. I’m getting Season Five of CSI.
10. If I get really really bored, I suppose I can have a quality conversation with my fiance.

What are some things you do for entertainment besides tv?

For your viewing pleasure, I have found another crime procedural show. I really like this show, and I just stumbled upon it. Please don’t think I watch tv all the time! I watch Curious George with my daughter, Criminal Minds, and really not much else. My fiance works nights on Fridays, so I stay home and hang out. A few weeks ago, I was flipping through the channels trying to find something to watch because I just cannot watch Moonlight anymore. I found Angie Harmon in The Women’s Murder Club. The title sounded familiar - it’s based on a series of books by James Patterson.
The show centers around four successful women working in San Francisco.
Angie Harmon plays Detective Lindsay Boxer. She’s a divorced workaholic. Ironically, her ex-husband becomes her boss. They get along for the most part, but there is a lot of awkwardness - especially when Linsday meets his new fiance. Tyrees Allen plays Lindsay’s partner, Warren Jacobi. He’s a father-figure to Lindsay. His cool demeanor balances Lindsay’s hot head. I wasn’t a fan of Angie Harmon’s when she was on Law & Order. But on this show, she shows a lot more personality.

Paula Newsome plays Claire Washburn, the Medical Examiner. She is the only one who is married and has kids. Her husband is a retired cop. She is kind of the responsible, sensible figure to turn to for the other ladies. She’s a good character because you see her working with dead bodies all day and then she goes home to her husband and kids. That must require quite a bit of seperating in her mind.

The lawyer in the club is Deputy DA Jill Bernhardt, played by Laura Harris (pictured below). In her job, she has to anticipate problems with a case. In her personal life, she does this too. This makes it hard for her to committ to her boyfriend, Luke (an ER doctor) or be happy with her life.

Rounding out the Women’s Murder Club is Cindy Thomas, a reporter for the San Francisco Register. Aubrey Dollar plays the young, eager journalist. Cindy wants to work the crime desk for the paper. She is persistent and finally gets Lindsay to talk to her. She continually shows up wherever Lindsay is, and often gives her valuable pieces of information.

This show is entertaining. The cases are serious, but then there are moments when the women talk about themselves, their lives, their days, whatever. It’s different to see that on a crime show. Their personalities mesh well together, as do their professional abilities.
There is a sub-story continually running through the show. There is a killer whom they call the Kiss Me Not Killer. He continues to elude them. I missed the first few episodes, so I’m not entirely sure what that’s about, but again, it’s different to have an unresolved case being brought up again and again. ABC has a good site for this show, with episode/cast/character info if your interested. You can also watch an episode online if you’ve never seen the show before.

James Patterson has written a billion books - five in 2007 alone. He wrote Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls, which were made into movies starring Morgan Freedman. There are six Women’s Murder Club books, with a seventh due out next year. James Patterson’s website is full of stuff - there are contests and reading discussion clubs. Very cool. So if you find yourself at home on a Friday night, don’t despair. Watch The Women’s Murder Club. It airs on ABC at nine.
Find out what else is good on tv at 451 Press.

I know that this blog is called Watching Criminal Minds, but I have to speak out…I can’t stand it any longer. My colleague in blogging, Randi, and I are having a huge fight, and I’m hoping to get some support for my side. The problem? Who’s better: Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? Randi writes the Brad Pitt Watch and is in love with the entire Pitt-Jolie family. I think that Jennifer Aniston is hotter than Angelina Jolie. We used to do the same thing with Salma Hayeck and Katherine Zeta Jones. (We were dorky then and we’re dorky now.)
Anyway, back to Jennifer Aniston. Take a look at the picture below.

She’s beautiful. More than that, she looks nice. Maybe it’s the roles she has played (like Rachel), but she comes across as very nice. She has an open face and warm eyes and gives the appearance of being more approachable than Angelina Jolie. Angelina Jolie is also very beautiul, there is no denying that. But she looks like she could freeze a person with her eyes.
She has a way of holding herself that is very rigid; she’s very poised all the time, which is admirable when you walk through cameras all day, but she seems like she would be hard to talk to. She maintains a kind of distance with her posture. She looks like she’s always posing - again, beautiful, but not entirely natural.
Jennifer, on the other hand, looks stunning not only in red-carpet wear, but also her bumming-around clothes.

Philanthropically, Angelina is more publicized in her quest of making a better world. She was filming a movie in Cambodia in 2001 and became aware of the plight of the refugees. She tooks steps to adopt a child (her son, Maddox) and became of UN Goodwill Ambassador. She also donates a significant portion of her income to charity. (She sounds pretty good - maybe I’ll switch sides!). But Jennifer Aniston is also involved in charity work - for such organizations as St. Judes Children’s Hospital, Friends Finding a Cure, and the Rape Treatment Center. Her work (and/or money) may be closer to home, but no less important. If you disagree, check out the Epidermolysis Bullosa website (an organization with which she is also involved). It is absolutely heart-breaking.

Then there’s always the argument that Angelina Jolie is a husband-stealer. While it may be true that Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt would’ve seperated over her decision not to have children right now, it was hurried along. I don’t think you should get involved with a married person.
I am not going to criticize Angelina Jolie as a mother - obviously her kids are the only ones who can do that. She did adopt three children and is giving them a much better life than they would have had otherwise. That is commendable. The only thing I will say is that she isn’t setting a great example for her daughters. She is showing them that women can be strong and powerful and successful, but she’s also giving them the message that beauty is stick-thin.

She says she lost weight because she is grieving her mother’s death, which very well may be true. But when you have children, you lose a lot of the luxury of self-harm. You need to take care of yourself so you can take care of your kids, and you need to show them how to be healthy and how to deal with difficult things in a safe way.

Both women are beautiful and talented. They both show how women can succeed and thrive and help others. I should be so lucky to look like either one of them! But, having said that, Jennifer is definately cuter. And Criminal Minds is better than House.)

But this is a beautiful picture of mother and daughter.