Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Playlist and Top 20 Albums of the Year
First of all, I have decided to change the playlist on the right to reflect my choices for music rather than the choices of my iPod's genius function. I found that the genius function wasn't as diverse as I would have liked, so you are left with my generating a weekly playlist via my handy old noggin. This weeks playlist is very acoustically based with exception of a few songs. In the midst of feeling very sentimental, I arranged a 13 song playlist that represents a set of songs that encompass how I have felt over the last few weeks or so. I hope you enjoy it!
In other news, I will be counting down my Top 20 Albums of the Year. Everyday, I will reveal the next album that I have included on my list. I will begin this process on the 12th of December in order to finish my countdown on the 31st of December, just in time for the turn of the year. Hopefully this becomes something to look forward to. Until then enjoy my playlist.
In other news, I will be counting down my Top 20 Albums of the Year. Everyday, I will reveal the next album that I have included on my list. I will begin this process on the 12th of December in order to finish my countdown on the 31st of December, just in time for the turn of the year. Hopefully this becomes something to look forward to. Until then enjoy my playlist.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Exciting News!!!
I have some exciting news. As of today I am now a part of the writing staff at Anomalous Material. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to write in a community with as much passion about film as myself. I hope that my time spent with them will further my knowledge of film as well as continue to push me forward in becoming a better and more seasoned writer. I appreciate all of your support and ask that you continue to support me as I move forward with my passions. I expect that the majority of my film blogging will take place over there, so you should go check it out now! I will still keep my other blogging here as I continue to explore the world of Music, Politics, and Sports.
Anomalous Material
Anomalous Material
The Year of the Animated Film
I have always had a soft spot when it comes to animated films. While many of my cohorts will simply skip the genre when such movies come funneling into town, I find myself sneaking away by my lonesome to catch a matinee. Animation thrills me in a way that live action just is unable to do. I am not one for overly fantasy based live action films, because I have a hard time relating to the characters and I dislike the fact that they are trying to make the impossible believable. But when it comes to animation, I am able to put those feelings aside. I am able to become a child once again, where I can believe that anything is possible.
This year in animation has been simply brilliant. I always get excited for what Disney/Pixar has to offer, and this year was most definitely not an exception. From the beginning with Toy Story, they have blossomed into their prime by concluding that same adventure with a second sequel of the 1995 film. Nostalgia got the most of me. I feel as though I grew up with the character of Andy, and I embarked on this journey with his toys, Woody, Buzz and the whole crew. In the end, Toy Story 3 concluded just as brilliantly as it had begun, leaving me smiling behind tears. After seeing the final part of the trilogy, I knew that it mattered very little what else came out this year, Toy Story 3 would be taking home the little statuette of a gold man come next March.
But the fact of the matter is that it does matter. I am but three animated films deep into this year’s collection, and I already can’t imagine a better field to fulfill the genres’ representation come award season. It is a shame that only 15 films qualified for an Academy Award this year, meaning that only three films will be allowed a nomination for the award. They were one short of threshold needed to expand the field to five as they did last year.
Disney also released Tangled, which is said to be their final Disney Princess film for quite some time, if not their final one ever. I didn’t have a lot of expectations for the film. I missed out on last year’s The Frog Princess, but for one reason or another felt compelled to see this film. When the film began, I was thinking that it might have been a mistake to commit myself to the occasion. But as it started to take form, I quickly began to enjoy myself, and fall for the characters. By the end, I was more than thrilled that I had decided to go with my instincts and see the film. I can’t say that it is in the same league as Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin, but it held its own. When you are dealing with Disney, the bar has been held high, and not every release is going to exceed that. But it did hold that same feel as some of the other great Disney films, the Alan Menken written score, the loveable characters, and an enchanted land beyond your wildest dreams (I can see my seven year old self getting psyched right now).
How To Your Dragon is Dream Works submission to the wonderful year of animated films. Whereas, I will still take Toy Story 3 as the best animated film of the year, How To Train Your Dragon demonstrates to me that Hollywood can still be creative and come up with innovative ideas in an industry that is set on littering the silver screen with remakes and sequels. I can’t complain about a single aspect of the film, as it is as good as anything that has been released this year across all genres, and deserves recognition in being so.
I still have yet to see the latest from Sylvain Chomet, The Illusionist, but from what I have heard and seen from the trailer, it looks absolutely fantastic. Chomet is the director of the critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated film The Triplets of Belleville. It seems as though everything he touches becomes Oscar bait. Unfortunately, I doubt that I will be able to see this film by the time award season comes to a close. Films such as The Illusionist seem hard to come by until much later after it initially comes out. But I look forward to catching it as soon as I am able, and it is sure to be a great addition to the already crowded field.
I have yet to see Despicable Me, Megamind, and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole. I am going to make an assumption that none of these films are in the same league as the four previously discussed ones, but nonetheless have something to be said about the genre. Despicable Me and Megamind were both decently received by critics and ultimately did fairly well at the box office, and in almost any other year, at least one of the two would have likely scored a nomination at the Oscars.
The fact is that the animated genre is gaining a larger respect from the industry. I think that people are growing sick of the same old stuff, and the animated field is continually one of the few genres that are keeping things fresh with quality films. The genre is looking to boast a third all time Best Picture nomination, and second straight year to capture a nomination. From the sounds of it, Disney/Pixar is getting serious about their campaign. They are trying to make a run for the ultimate prize. From a logical point of view, more than likely this will not be the year that the Academy goes all the way for the animated underdog. However the genre is gaining ground, and maybe one day it will take home that top prize.
This year in animation has been simply brilliant. I always get excited for what Disney/Pixar has to offer, and this year was most definitely not an exception. From the beginning with Toy Story, they have blossomed into their prime by concluding that same adventure with a second sequel of the 1995 film. Nostalgia got the most of me. I feel as though I grew up with the character of Andy, and I embarked on this journey with his toys, Woody, Buzz and the whole crew. In the end, Toy Story 3 concluded just as brilliantly as it had begun, leaving me smiling behind tears. After seeing the final part of the trilogy, I knew that it mattered very little what else came out this year, Toy Story 3 would be taking home the little statuette of a gold man come next March.
But the fact of the matter is that it does matter. I am but three animated films deep into this year’s collection, and I already can’t imagine a better field to fulfill the genres’ representation come award season. It is a shame that only 15 films qualified for an Academy Award this year, meaning that only three films will be allowed a nomination for the award. They were one short of threshold needed to expand the field to five as they did last year.
Disney also released Tangled, which is said to be their final Disney Princess film for quite some time, if not their final one ever. I didn’t have a lot of expectations for the film. I missed out on last year’s The Frog Princess, but for one reason or another felt compelled to see this film. When the film began, I was thinking that it might have been a mistake to commit myself to the occasion. But as it started to take form, I quickly began to enjoy myself, and fall for the characters. By the end, I was more than thrilled that I had decided to go with my instincts and see the film. I can’t say that it is in the same league as Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin, but it held its own. When you are dealing with Disney, the bar has been held high, and not every release is going to exceed that. But it did hold that same feel as some of the other great Disney films, the Alan Menken written score, the loveable characters, and an enchanted land beyond your wildest dreams (I can see my seven year old self getting psyched right now).
How To Your Dragon is Dream Works submission to the wonderful year of animated films. Whereas, I will still take Toy Story 3 as the best animated film of the year, How To Train Your Dragon demonstrates to me that Hollywood can still be creative and come up with innovative ideas in an industry that is set on littering the silver screen with remakes and sequels. I can’t complain about a single aspect of the film, as it is as good as anything that has been released this year across all genres, and deserves recognition in being so.
I still have yet to see the latest from Sylvain Chomet, The Illusionist, but from what I have heard and seen from the trailer, it looks absolutely fantastic. Chomet is the director of the critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated film The Triplets of Belleville. It seems as though everything he touches becomes Oscar bait. Unfortunately, I doubt that I will be able to see this film by the time award season comes to a close. Films such as The Illusionist seem hard to come by until much later after it initially comes out. But I look forward to catching it as soon as I am able, and it is sure to be a great addition to the already crowded field.
I have yet to see Despicable Me, Megamind, and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole. I am going to make an assumption that none of these films are in the same league as the four previously discussed ones, but nonetheless have something to be said about the genre. Despicable Me and Megamind were both decently received by critics and ultimately did fairly well at the box office, and in almost any other year, at least one of the two would have likely scored a nomination at the Oscars.
The fact is that the animated genre is gaining a larger respect from the industry. I think that people are growing sick of the same old stuff, and the animated field is continually one of the few genres that are keeping things fresh with quality films. The genre is looking to boast a third all time Best Picture nomination, and second straight year to capture a nomination. From the sounds of it, Disney/Pixar is getting serious about their campaign. They are trying to make a run for the ultimate prize. From a logical point of view, more than likely this will not be the year that the Academy goes all the way for the animated underdog. However the genre is gaining ground, and maybe one day it will take home that top prize.
Animal-like Instincts Make or Break Life in Animal Kingdom
Our world is filled with all sorts of unique individuals. Some are very nurturing and kind in nature. Others are ridden with evil, sweltering over into a lifestyle of wrongdoing. Our world has a dog eat dog mentality. Often what we receive in life comes down to how we go about achieving it. In David Michôd’s Animal Kingdom, he invents world of paranoia in which his characters do what they need to do in order to survive. They harness their actions through their lifestyles, and within the environments in which they have been brought up.
The film wastes no time in getting into the story as J or Josh, the centralized character of the film and played by James Frecheville, enters into a way of life beyond his wildest nightmares, when his mother loses her life to a heroin overdose. The underage young man finds himself left to live with his grandmother and uncles under a roof that is crowded with sketchy practices. Janine “Smurf” Cody (Jacki Weaver), J’s grandmother, acts as the queen bee of their dysfunctional family. It is hard to peg exactly what is going on with her motives throughout the entirety of the film, but as an audience member we are uncomfortable by her existence. Her sons are immersed in drugs and criminal acts that leave nothing to the imagination. The worst, Pope (Ben Mendelson), is somewhat of the ringleader, and by all standards insane with a killer’s instinct. Pope and his best friend, Baz (Joel Edgerton), get in over their head with the police and everything begins spiraling out of control. In the midst of all of this, J gets dragged into the family business. He is only able to find peace through his girl friend Nicky and her family, who are the closest thing that he has to a functionally operating family. When people start dying, J gets caught in a legal situation, where he is forced to decide whether to protect his family or himself. Detective Nathan Leckie, played by the wonderful Guy Pierce, consults with J as he tries to save the young man from falling too far into the troubled family’s ways.
I am not in particularly familiar with Australian cinema, but Michôd’s film styling impressed me. In his first full feature film, Michôd shows that he has a vision for telling a crime tale that rivals many of the greats. His in your face camera work frames the picture to put you as close to the action as possible without losing the presence of what is happening. On the flip side, he manages to keep the camera at a fair enough distance as to not encroach on the characters and their actions. When necessary the camera floats about the scene with little to no effort, allowing his audience to stay engaged rather than distracted by what he is trying to accomplish.
The film appropriately uses dialogue to build tension, and truth behind its characters. However, Michôd is not afraid to drown out the live sound and replace it with emotionally driven music in order to allow the visuals to tell the story. In some of the most powerful scenes, sound and dialogue take the back seat to emotion engulfed visual sequences. Throughout the film, I found myself uncomfortably adjusting my position behind clenched teeth in order to brace myself for what was about to happen.
The film has garnered some Oscar buzz for Jacki Weaver in her portrayal of a controlling mother-like figure. The character is haunting, as she almost seems to be in love with her boys in an incest-like sentiment. You understand there is something always clicking in the back of her mind, and though she never really acts out, there is evidence that she must be just as messed up as her sons. The testament that her boys are criminals, says something about her character. The Oscar talk is warranted. She is brilliant, and likely won’t be rivaled by many others in regards to a truly great supporting performance this year. But I am not convinced that in the political world of the Academy Awards, performance alone will get her a nod (i.e. Sam Rockwell for Moon in 2009, Paul Giamatti for Sideways in 2004). With that said, I hope that I am wrong. Her performance was clearly the most interesting within the film, but shouldn’t undermine the performances by Frecheville in the leading role, and Sullivan Stapleton as the drug-dealing Uncle Craig. Both of these actors, in my opinion, gave outstanding performances. Frecheville plays his character as an out of place teen trying to cope with the things around him. A scene in the final half hour of the film, where he finally breaks down showcases the young actor’s talents. Stapleton captures the essence of being completely on edge and fills the screen with paranoia in a way that swallows up the audience and spits them back out feeling rather unsettled. The rest of the cast was great, but gave nothing to film that was exceptionally noteworthy. I suppose, much of that should be blamed on the script, and the way in which the characters are played out.
My main complaint of Animal Kingdom is that at times the almost two hour film seemed to drag. At times, I thought, “Alright, let’s get to the point.” But in the end, it did get to the point. The script was beautifully crafted to say or show all the right things at all the right times. It all comes back to one common theme. In the world of animals, there is a sense that individuals are to fight for themselves. Michôd captures this idea through his title, conversations, and the actions being played out. Animal Kingdom, as the title so perfectly demonstrates, is a film about survival, and encompassing the traits of animalistic nature to the human race. In each of us, we have some animal-like instincts, how we harness these instincts is up to us.
4 out of 5 Stars
The film wastes no time in getting into the story as J or Josh, the centralized character of the film and played by James Frecheville, enters into a way of life beyond his wildest nightmares, when his mother loses her life to a heroin overdose. The underage young man finds himself left to live with his grandmother and uncles under a roof that is crowded with sketchy practices. Janine “Smurf” Cody (Jacki Weaver), J’s grandmother, acts as the queen bee of their dysfunctional family. It is hard to peg exactly what is going on with her motives throughout the entirety of the film, but as an audience member we are uncomfortable by her existence. Her sons are immersed in drugs and criminal acts that leave nothing to the imagination. The worst, Pope (Ben Mendelson), is somewhat of the ringleader, and by all standards insane with a killer’s instinct. Pope and his best friend, Baz (Joel Edgerton), get in over their head with the police and everything begins spiraling out of control. In the midst of all of this, J gets dragged into the family business. He is only able to find peace through his girl friend Nicky and her family, who are the closest thing that he has to a functionally operating family. When people start dying, J gets caught in a legal situation, where he is forced to decide whether to protect his family or himself. Detective Nathan Leckie, played by the wonderful Guy Pierce, consults with J as he tries to save the young man from falling too far into the troubled family’s ways.
I am not in particularly familiar with Australian cinema, but Michôd’s film styling impressed me. In his first full feature film, Michôd shows that he has a vision for telling a crime tale that rivals many of the greats. His in your face camera work frames the picture to put you as close to the action as possible without losing the presence of what is happening. On the flip side, he manages to keep the camera at a fair enough distance as to not encroach on the characters and their actions. When necessary the camera floats about the scene with little to no effort, allowing his audience to stay engaged rather than distracted by what he is trying to accomplish.
The film appropriately uses dialogue to build tension, and truth behind its characters. However, Michôd is not afraid to drown out the live sound and replace it with emotionally driven music in order to allow the visuals to tell the story. In some of the most powerful scenes, sound and dialogue take the back seat to emotion engulfed visual sequences. Throughout the film, I found myself uncomfortably adjusting my position behind clenched teeth in order to brace myself for what was about to happen.
The film has garnered some Oscar buzz for Jacki Weaver in her portrayal of a controlling mother-like figure. The character is haunting, as she almost seems to be in love with her boys in an incest-like sentiment. You understand there is something always clicking in the back of her mind, and though she never really acts out, there is evidence that she must be just as messed up as her sons. The testament that her boys are criminals, says something about her character. The Oscar talk is warranted. She is brilliant, and likely won’t be rivaled by many others in regards to a truly great supporting performance this year. But I am not convinced that in the political world of the Academy Awards, performance alone will get her a nod (i.e. Sam Rockwell for Moon in 2009, Paul Giamatti for Sideways in 2004). With that said, I hope that I am wrong. Her performance was clearly the most interesting within the film, but shouldn’t undermine the performances by Frecheville in the leading role, and Sullivan Stapleton as the drug-dealing Uncle Craig. Both of these actors, in my opinion, gave outstanding performances. Frecheville plays his character as an out of place teen trying to cope with the things around him. A scene in the final half hour of the film, where he finally breaks down showcases the young actor’s talents. Stapleton captures the essence of being completely on edge and fills the screen with paranoia in a way that swallows up the audience and spits them back out feeling rather unsettled. The rest of the cast was great, but gave nothing to film that was exceptionally noteworthy. I suppose, much of that should be blamed on the script, and the way in which the characters are played out.
My main complaint of Animal Kingdom is that at times the almost two hour film seemed to drag. At times, I thought, “Alright, let’s get to the point.” But in the end, it did get to the point. The script was beautifully crafted to say or show all the right things at all the right times. It all comes back to one common theme. In the world of animals, there is a sense that individuals are to fight for themselves. Michôd captures this idea through his title, conversations, and the actions being played out. Animal Kingdom, as the title so perfectly demonstrates, is a film about survival, and encompassing the traits of animalistic nature to the human race. In each of us, we have some animal-like instincts, how we harness these instincts is up to us.
4 out of 5 Stars
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Well, Well, Well...
So I apologize for my disappearance over the last 2 and a half months. But I am ready to come back full throttle to unleash upon you a whole new world of entertainment. I am going to try to catch up a little bit on what we missed over the last couple of months. So stayed tuned.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Music Reviews
Lots of Music in the last 2 weeks! I haven't been able to keep up. But here are a few tidbits about each album.
Ludo - Prepare the Preparations
After a disappointing followup to "Broken Bride," I was beginning to lose faith in my favorite band for St. Louis. The alt-punk band found their groove again on "Prepare the Preparations." Many of the tracks are a flashback to the days of their self-titled debut and "Broken Bride." With the exception of the single, "Whipped Cream, which may very well be their worst track they have released to date, the rest of the album is solid. With many more acoustic tracks, I would expect them to take a more stripped down set on the road. The album begins with "Too Tired To Wink," a fun track that epitomizes what I love about Ludo. It creates imagery that many other artists fall short in doing. This is prevalent throughout as a Ludo album should be. What makes the band so great is that they are able to find a happy medium between quirky and mainstream, and they do it very well. Not to take anything from the other tracks, but aside from the first track, other tracks that I found particularly impressive are "Skeletons on Parade," which I half thought was a cover from "The Nightmare Before Christmas." "Safe in the Dark" also stands out for me. The track, which I had heard as a demo many, many years ago, plays in well to their genre as it takes everything that is great about Ludo and Weezer, and then places it nicely into a single track to finish off the album. Overall, I would give the album 3 out of 5 stars. Ludo will be coming to Omaha on October 11th at Sokol Underground.
http://www.myspace.com/ludorock
Ludo - Prepare the Preparations
After a disappointing followup to "Broken Bride," I was beginning to lose faith in my favorite band for St. Louis. The alt-punk band found their groove again on "Prepare the Preparations." Many of the tracks are a flashback to the days of their self-titled debut and "Broken Bride." With the exception of the single, "Whipped Cream, which may very well be their worst track they have released to date, the rest of the album is solid. With many more acoustic tracks, I would expect them to take a more stripped down set on the road. The album begins with "Too Tired To Wink," a fun track that epitomizes what I love about Ludo. It creates imagery that many other artists fall short in doing. This is prevalent throughout as a Ludo album should be. What makes the band so great is that they are able to find a happy medium between quirky and mainstream, and they do it very well. Not to take anything from the other tracks, but aside from the first track, other tracks that I found particularly impressive are "Skeletons on Parade," which I half thought was a cover from "The Nightmare Before Christmas." "Safe in the Dark" also stands out for me. The track, which I had heard as a demo many, many years ago, plays in well to their genre as it takes everything that is great about Ludo and Weezer, and then places it nicely into a single track to finish off the album. Overall, I would give the album 3 out of 5 stars. Ludo will be coming to Omaha on October 11th at Sokol Underground.
http://www.myspace.com/ludorock
Thursday, September 16, 2010
"Get Low" and Oscar Buzz
Last week, I managed to make it to the late showing of "Get Low" at the Ross before it made its departure. Not that it is going to be the best movie of the year, but by all standards it was a perfect film. Aaron Schneider, cinematographer turned director, creates a world that is brittle but has plenty of back bone to hold it up. Set in the 1930s in Roane County, Tennessee, the film follows a hermit, who lives outside of town in the middle of the woods. Felix Bush (Robert Duvall), the hermit, has rumors of his past life engulfing the townsfolk minds. Felix has reached a point in his life where death becomes a main thought point. He worries about his legacy and whether he will be judged in the end by what his life truly consisted of. In a last attempt to make amends with himself and those around him, he plans his own funeral in which he will be in life form present.
The film builds on Duvall's acting. I see many movies each year, and I keep up with the Oscar Buzz. I like to think that I generally have a pretty good grasp on what films and actors are deserving of a nomination. Duvall certainly should be considered. Not to take away from the cast of supporting actors, including Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, and Lucas Black, but Duvall's performance is intoxicating. He is the man that by all standards you should despise, but there is something more there that allows you to root for his success. Duvall allows for us to go on this ride with him as he unveils character development while the film presses along.
As Schneider has a strong background in cinematography, the film is beautifully constructed. Each and every camera shot is meticulously thought out. The camera moves around the scenes in a effortless waltz. Schneider understands his environment, and places that understanding onto his audience to enter into the world of Felix Bush and Roane County. The lighting always seems perfect as it tries to encapsulate the mood, and flow of each scene. We are watching a true artist at work. I expect that this will not be Schneider's last major film.
It cannot be unnoticed how beautiful the set design is for this film. The design captures in its essence a 1930s town, and in particular the back country areas of Tennessee. In addition to the set, the music is just right. Immediately when the film began, I took note of just how appropriately conducted the score really is. The music was written by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, who won the academy award for best original score for the film "Finding Neverland" in 2005. He might end up with another nomination for this film if Sony pushes a hard enough campaign for the film.
In the end, "Get Low" won't be my favorite film of the year, but from a technical standpoint, it is as close to perfect as anything I have seen over the last several years. I was unable to be very critical, as it is an interesting tale that very uniquely engages its audience into believing in what is being told. At the same time filling my eyes with tears and leaving me feeling very heartfelt toward the story's characters.
"Get Low" will be playing at East Park Theater starting Friday.
4 1/2 out 5 Stars
On the Oscar Buzz front, Paramount Pictures just released the trailer for the David O. Russell film, "The Fighter," Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams. From the looks of the trailer and buzz, "The Fighter" seems to be an almost shoe in Oscar Nomination. I am not a big fan of Wahlberg, whereas I think he is hit or miss. I don't think he is all that great of an actor, but certain roles lend to his greater talents. This looks to be one of those roles. I think that he will likely be in the talk for an Oscar Nomination come February, but I don't really see him being able to win one. I do however think that Christian Bale is a fine actor in most anything that he is a part of. He has become the master at losing and gaining weight for his roles. From the looks of it, he lost a lot of weight for this film and looks as though he puts on quite a performance. I expect his name to be in the Oscar talks maybe more so than Wahlberg. As for Amy Adams, it is hard to gauge just how good she really is. It might not be quite the right role for an Oscar nod. In a year that is expected to heavy on the female front, I don't see her getting noticed. However I have heard that Melissa Leo, although a much smaller part, is absolutely magnificent, so she might get an Oscar Nomination when all the dust has settled. I hope that this film can stand up to the great sports pictures that have come out of the years. I really thought "Cinderella Man" (2005), was a very underrated film, and it looks like "The Fighter" is very similar. I guess it just remains to be seen if it can be ever the more effective in telling an inspiring story.
Check out the trailer here
The film builds on Duvall's acting. I see many movies each year, and I keep up with the Oscar Buzz. I like to think that I generally have a pretty good grasp on what films and actors are deserving of a nomination. Duvall certainly should be considered. Not to take away from the cast of supporting actors, including Sissy Spacek, Bill Murray, and Lucas Black, but Duvall's performance is intoxicating. He is the man that by all standards you should despise, but there is something more there that allows you to root for his success. Duvall allows for us to go on this ride with him as he unveils character development while the film presses along.
As Schneider has a strong background in cinematography, the film is beautifully constructed. Each and every camera shot is meticulously thought out. The camera moves around the scenes in a effortless waltz. Schneider understands his environment, and places that understanding onto his audience to enter into the world of Felix Bush and Roane County. The lighting always seems perfect as it tries to encapsulate the mood, and flow of each scene. We are watching a true artist at work. I expect that this will not be Schneider's last major film.
It cannot be unnoticed how beautiful the set design is for this film. The design captures in its essence a 1930s town, and in particular the back country areas of Tennessee. In addition to the set, the music is just right. Immediately when the film began, I took note of just how appropriately conducted the score really is. The music was written by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, who won the academy award for best original score for the film "Finding Neverland" in 2005. He might end up with another nomination for this film if Sony pushes a hard enough campaign for the film.
In the end, "Get Low" won't be my favorite film of the year, but from a technical standpoint, it is as close to perfect as anything I have seen over the last several years. I was unable to be very critical, as it is an interesting tale that very uniquely engages its audience into believing in what is being told. At the same time filling my eyes with tears and leaving me feeling very heartfelt toward the story's characters.
"Get Low" will be playing at East Park Theater starting Friday.
4 1/2 out 5 Stars
On the Oscar Buzz front, Paramount Pictures just released the trailer for the David O. Russell film, "The Fighter," Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams. From the looks of the trailer and buzz, "The Fighter" seems to be an almost shoe in Oscar Nomination. I am not a big fan of Wahlberg, whereas I think he is hit or miss. I don't think he is all that great of an actor, but certain roles lend to his greater talents. This looks to be one of those roles. I think that he will likely be in the talk for an Oscar Nomination come February, but I don't really see him being able to win one. I do however think that Christian Bale is a fine actor in most anything that he is a part of. He has become the master at losing and gaining weight for his roles. From the looks of it, he lost a lot of weight for this film and looks as though he puts on quite a performance. I expect his name to be in the Oscar talks maybe more so than Wahlberg. As for Amy Adams, it is hard to gauge just how good she really is. It might not be quite the right role for an Oscar nod. In a year that is expected to heavy on the female front, I don't see her getting noticed. However I have heard that Melissa Leo, although a much smaller part, is absolutely magnificent, so she might get an Oscar Nomination when all the dust has settled. I hope that this film can stand up to the great sports pictures that have come out of the years. I really thought "Cinderella Man" (2005), was a very underrated film, and it looks like "The Fighter" is very similar. I guess it just remains to be seen if it can be ever the more effective in telling an inspiring story.
Check out the trailer here
Monday, September 13, 2010
College Football: Week 2
Well, I did a little better this week on my picks, I went 7-3, but my pick of BYU over Air Force was my most confident pick, and I missed that and lost out on 10 points. That puts me at 13-7 on the season. For those who don't want to do the math, that is a 65%. If we are talking school terms, I am sitting at a D right now. That is unacceptable. Let's see if next week I can improve on that.
Power 12:
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. TCU
4. Boise State
5. Iowa
6. Nebraska
7. Oregon
8. Oklahoma
9. Texas
10. Florida
11. Wisconsin
12. Miami
Alabama and Ohio State stay at the top. They are by far and away the two teams that currently look like they deserve to be in the championship game. I dropped Boise State to number four after Virginia Tech, their hardest opponent on the 2010 schedule, lost to FCS James Madison. That takes away somewhat from their victory last Monday. So TCU jumps the Broncos, as they look like a team to beat. Iowa is still strong at number five, and Nebraska barely holds on to the sixth slot, in an area where Oregon, Oklahoma, and Nebraska could all fill in these spots. Texas by default stays at number nine. Florida is just one hard game away from leaving the top ten and never getting back. Wisconsin makes their debut at number eleven representing the Big 10 with three great teams. Miami still holds onto the twelfth spot despite losing to Ohio State. They are still a very good football team, and I look forward to seeing more from them in the following weeks.
Power 12:
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. TCU
4. Boise State
5. Iowa
6. Nebraska
7. Oregon
8. Oklahoma
9. Texas
10. Florida
11. Wisconsin
12. Miami
Alabama and Ohio State stay at the top. They are by far and away the two teams that currently look like they deserve to be in the championship game. I dropped Boise State to number four after Virginia Tech, their hardest opponent on the 2010 schedule, lost to FCS James Madison. That takes away somewhat from their victory last Monday. So TCU jumps the Broncos, as they look like a team to beat. Iowa is still strong at number five, and Nebraska barely holds on to the sixth slot, in an area where Oregon, Oklahoma, and Nebraska could all fill in these spots. Texas by default stays at number nine. Florida is just one hard game away from leaving the top ten and never getting back. Wisconsin makes their debut at number eleven representing the Big 10 with three great teams. Miami still holds onto the twelfth spot despite losing to Ohio State. They are still a very good football team, and I look forward to seeing more from them in the following weeks.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Jamie Lidell
Now that I am getting close to being a week removed from this show, I have proven that the journalist in me is too busy to stay on top of things. But, I have vowed to report on this show. I had a very relaxing night at the Bourbon on that Wednesday night. I grabbed myself a Jack and Coke before taking a seat at a table on the main floor. This is where I observed the opening act, The Tony Castles. They are a three piece band from Brooklyn, New York. They reminded me of an updated, indie version of The Police. But I really loved their sound. They are one of those bands that if they can find the write break, they just might be the next big thing on the indie market. I felt somewhat bad due to the lack of people that made their way out that early, but it was still a fun opening act. I need to track down their record (if they have one? still checking up on that).
Jamie Lidell is a man of energy. When he took the stage to maybe 75 to 100 people, the energy felt like about 5 grand were in attendance. He was set on making sure that our little music town wouldn't get lost in depths of his show. He made us feel special even though he was likely going to be playing a much larger magnitude show the following night. He brought the funk, soul, and beat-boxing madness to Lincoln, and Lincoln danced the night away. The guy's voice is pure velvet, and his band only enhanced that as they tightly pumped out his backing tunes. They left for his solo showcase, where he created a layering of his vocals, and built a very impressive song right in front of us. That is the kind of stuff that always blows my mind. The guy is talented. There is no doubting that. This was the third time I had seen Lidell, but by far and away the best time. The intimate show was rather special, because I knew that I wouldn't have the opportunity to get that up close and personal with an artist of his caliber very many more times. It was as if I had my own private show, and to tell you the truth, it was somewhat of a surreal event for me. I hope that this isn't the last time that I get the opportunity to see him, but I have a hard time believing that it will ever be quite the same as that wonderful evening at the Bourbon.
http://www.myspace.com/jamielidell
http://www.myspace.com/thetonycastles
Jamie Lidell is a man of energy. When he took the stage to maybe 75 to 100 people, the energy felt like about 5 grand were in attendance. He was set on making sure that our little music town wouldn't get lost in depths of his show. He made us feel special even though he was likely going to be playing a much larger magnitude show the following night. He brought the funk, soul, and beat-boxing madness to Lincoln, and Lincoln danced the night away. The guy's voice is pure velvet, and his band only enhanced that as they tightly pumped out his backing tunes. They left for his solo showcase, where he created a layering of his vocals, and built a very impressive song right in front of us. That is the kind of stuff that always blows my mind. The guy is talented. There is no doubting that. This was the third time I had seen Lidell, but by far and away the best time. The intimate show was rather special, because I knew that I wouldn't have the opportunity to get that up close and personal with an artist of his caliber very many more times. It was as if I had my own private show, and to tell you the truth, it was somewhat of a surreal event for me. I hope that this isn't the last time that I get the opportunity to see him, but I have a hard time believing that it will ever be quite the same as that wonderful evening at the Bourbon.
http://www.myspace.com/jamielidell
http://www.myspace.com/thetonycastles
Friday, September 10, 2010
Looking Forward
Sorry guys, being a student keeps you very busy. So I am behind on my reviews. But things to look forward to in the next week: Jamie Lidell show review. Album reviews from Ludo, Weezer, and Brandon Flowers. Movie review of "Get Low." More football talk including NFL. Exciting week. More to look forward to. See you on the other side.
Football, Football, Football!
It has been a hectic and busy week. But finally, I am here, and able to update. Last week in College Pick'em, I went 6-4. Not a good start. But I hope to come back strong this week. There are more challenging matchups this week, but I feel like I have a better gauge for how good teams are now. So without further ado:
CP Winner
10 BYU over Air Force
09 Hawaii over Army
08 Iowa over Iowa State
07 Stanford over UCLA
06 Oregon over Tennessee
05 Alabama over Penn State
04 Michigan over Notre Dame
03 Georgia over South Carolina
02 Ohio State over Miami
01 Florida State over Oklahoma
Should be a great weekend of football. I didn't appropriately discuss Nebraska Football last week. After thinking about their recent win against Western Kentucky, I have come to the conclusion that we are probably about as good as I thought we would be. The offense looks sharp. Taylor Martinez is going to be a pretty special player once he gets some of the freshmen jitters out. The defense looked sloppy, but they are only going to get better. I look for them to make strides this weekend. Prediction: 51-10 in favor of the Big Red. Should be a fun game.
Power 12:
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Boise State
4. TCU
5. Iowa
6. Nebraska
7. Oregon
8. Oklahoma
9. Texas
10. Miami
11. Florida
12. Virginia Tech
CP Winner
10 BYU over Air Force
09 Hawaii over Army
08 Iowa over Iowa State
07 Stanford over UCLA
06 Oregon over Tennessee
05 Alabama over Penn State
04 Michigan over Notre Dame
03 Georgia over South Carolina
02 Ohio State over Miami
01 Florida State over Oklahoma
Should be a great weekend of football. I didn't appropriately discuss Nebraska Football last week. After thinking about their recent win against Western Kentucky, I have come to the conclusion that we are probably about as good as I thought we would be. The offense looks sharp. Taylor Martinez is going to be a pretty special player once he gets some of the freshmen jitters out. The defense looked sloppy, but they are only going to get better. I look for them to make strides this weekend. Prediction: 51-10 in favor of the Big Red. Should be a fun game.
Power 12:
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Boise State
4. TCU
5. Iowa
6. Nebraska
7. Oregon
8. Oklahoma
9. Texas
10. Miami
11. Florida
12. Virginia Tech
Russian Circles
I don't receive the opportunity to see instrumental in nature artists very often. On Monday September 6th, 2010, I was given the chance to see three. Downtown Lincoln was completely dead, as if the few at the Bourbon were the last of a Labor Day apocalypse. I made my entrance just as Omaha's own The Answer Team took the stage. The four piece band were good, they have what it takes to fit into a crowded genre. They have a lot of potential to grow into the genre. As they proclaimed that they would be playing a new song, they went into a more complicated, more mature musical ballad then the previous material they had been playing. This is the point in which they hooked me. Although, they still lack what the final two bands had, in order to fully engage it's audience members. They weren't as tight as they could have been, but that doesn't take away from the budding potential that is there. They are definitely a band to keep an eye on over the next few years. I am excited to see how they progress.
Machete Archive took the stage next. I went into this show with high expectations for this band, and they delivered. I am confident that they are one of the best bands coming out of Nebraska. Frankly, they were the perfect opening act for Russian Circles. They have high energy, and rocked the place out for a solid hour. There is no reason why they shouldn't have many successes in the years to come. I look forward to watching them grow as a band, and will continue to go out and see them for as long as they keep playing shows.
At last, Russian Circles took the stage. No microphone. Nothing flashy. They were there to solely play a great show. And they did just that. In much the same way that Explosions in the Sky, fellow instrumental gods, gives themselves to the music, Russian Circles moved through their set as if they couldn't give a hoot whether anybody was even there watching. You can tell that they truly love music. Just as music is a gift to the world, they became a gift to the music. When you can completely submit yourself to your instrument and let it take over, you are doing something right. The three Chicagoans fell into that whirlwind of music, and put on an unbelievable display of musical talent. After the show, I was given the opportunity to speak with the guys for a little bit. I always appreciate artists that genuinely seem to enjoy talking to their fans. For a band that doesn't speak a word during their set, to see how personable they were was something special. I am always curious how a band perceives the crowd, and whether they are planning on a show being a tad bit bigger than it ended up being. From the sounds of it, they were pleased with the turnout. That is always rewarding as a fan knowing that you have accepted the band as much as they would have desired. Russian Circles deserve the reception that they have received over the years, and probably deserve more than that. Here's to them growing as a band and becoming bigger than ever.
http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles
Machete Archive took the stage next. I went into this show with high expectations for this band, and they delivered. I am confident that they are one of the best bands coming out of Nebraska. Frankly, they were the perfect opening act for Russian Circles. They have high energy, and rocked the place out for a solid hour. There is no reason why they shouldn't have many successes in the years to come. I look forward to watching them grow as a band, and will continue to go out and see them for as long as they keep playing shows.
At last, Russian Circles took the stage. No microphone. Nothing flashy. They were there to solely play a great show. And they did just that. In much the same way that Explosions in the Sky, fellow instrumental gods, gives themselves to the music, Russian Circles moved through their set as if they couldn't give a hoot whether anybody was even there watching. You can tell that they truly love music. Just as music is a gift to the world, they became a gift to the music. When you can completely submit yourself to your instrument and let it take over, you are doing something right. The three Chicagoans fell into that whirlwind of music, and put on an unbelievable display of musical talent. After the show, I was given the opportunity to speak with the guys for a little bit. I always appreciate artists that genuinely seem to enjoy talking to their fans. For a band that doesn't speak a word during their set, to see how personable they were was something special. I am always curious how a band perceives the crowd, and whether they are planning on a show being a tad bit bigger than it ended up being. From the sounds of it, they were pleased with the turnout. That is always rewarding as a fan knowing that you have accepted the band as much as they would have desired. Russian Circles deserve the reception that they have received over the years, and probably deserve more than that. Here's to them growing as a band and becoming bigger than ever.
http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles
Monday, September 6, 2010
Weekly Genius Playlist
To the left, you will notice the addition of a Grooveshark playlist. I hope to update this weekly. What better way to start your week then with a batch of songs to push you on through. I created this playlist by selecting the shuffle feature on my iPod and then hitting the genius button for the first song that allows me to do so. I then go in and edited it down, so that each artist only appears once within the grouping. What I am left with is a tight 14 song playlist with some really great tracks, some of which are deeper cuts then others. Enjoy!
Tonight is going to be busy. We have the Boise State vs. Virginia Tech, top 10 showdown. Russian Circles show at the Bourbon. Ludo's 2nd major album release on Island Records, "Prepare the Preparations." Stay Tuned, for my opinions on all these and more coming in the next few days.
Tonight is going to be busy. We have the Boise State vs. Virginia Tech, top 10 showdown. Russian Circles show at the Bourbon. Ludo's 2nd major album release on Island Records, "Prepare the Preparations." Stay Tuned, for my opinions on all these and more coming in the next few days.
Gaslight Anthem
It had been a long time since I had been to a real rock show. My music of choice generally lands in the indie realm of music, and every once and awhile a mainstream artist will catch my fancy. But I took a chance, and bought a ticket to the Gaslight Anthem's first fall tour show at the Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska. I didn't really know their material with exception of "American Slang", the title track from their most recent album. They opened with that song, and so it began with a bang. I like knowing an artists' material before going to a show, but in this case I had just as much fun without knowing the songs. They put on a true rock show. The New Brunswick, New Jersey crew exploded into a slew of catchy tunes that wouldn't allow you to stand still. I couldn't help but want to dance, so I did just that. Brian Fallon, lead vocals and guitarist, looked like he was having just as much fun as the mosh pitting group of fans at the front of the stage. This might not have been largest audience the band has ever played in front of, but it seemed like a great starting point for a tour. The Lincolnites were appreciative that such a band would take a chance on our quaint little city with a budding music scene, and in return the band seemed appreciative of the reception they received. It was an amazing show despite my failed attempt to know their music prior. I must say, the Bourbon has done well for itself. Quickly, they are bringing in better and better shows every month. For a music fan in Lincoln, Nebraska, this is one of the most exciting things that could possibly happen. The folks at the Bourbon have a busy week ahead. Labor Day brings Russian Circles for a cheap but bound to be amazing show. This coming Wednesday, Jamie Lidell brings in his funky, soul act. It should be a good week in music for Lincoln. Stay tuned for reviews from these shows.
http://www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem
http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles
http://www.myspace.com/jamielidell
http://www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem
http://www.myspace.com/russiancircles
http://www.myspace.com/jamielidell
Thursday, September 2, 2010
"Rob Carraher's The Good Life: Everything Entertainment" Launch
This is a concept that I have tried in different forms. I have decided that I would stick to a general platform of ideas and opinions. I figure that "Everything Entertainment" can include just about anything that I might want to talk about. You are going to read about sports, music, movies, television, and maybe sometimes politics. I am not going to be picky about my subject matter. I just want to write, and share my ideas with you. As this is in a beginning stage of development, you may notice some major changes over the next few weeks/months. Eventually, I hope to launch my own website, where I can have complete control over what you see and read. So, in between school and work, you just might get to pick my brain a little bit. As I conceive more ideas, I will share them with you. Until then, please enjoy. Hit me up with any questions or suggestions that you might have in regards to the operation of my blog. So without further ado, I present to you "Rob Carraher's The Good Life: Everything Entertainment":
College Football kicks off tonight, and over the past week I have put together a few things. First off, I have formulated my "Power 12", which is a concept based upon a 12 team playoff system. Such a system is just a facet of my imagination, but something that I will use as I cover the season ahead. I will explain more about that another time. But for starters here is my preseason "Power 12":
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Oklahoma
4. Boise State
5. Florida
6. Nebraska
7. TCU
8. Iowa
9. Texas
10. Virginia Tech
11. Oregon
12. Pittsburgh
Update:
Power 12 Thursday Night Predictions-
Ohio State over Marshall
Pittsburgh over Utah
It is difficult to come up with a preseason ranking, but these are the 12 teams that I feel have the best opportunity to finish the season with the least amount of losses. We will see as the season unfolds how my projections hold up. But for now, this is where we are at.
In addition to my rankings, I am playing College Pick'em on ESPN. Here are my Week 1 picks:
ESPN - Based on games picked right and Confidence Points(CP)
CP Winner
10 Missouri over Illinois
09 Colorado over Colorado State
08 Notre Dame over Purdue
07 Michigan over Connecticut
06 Cincinnati over Fresno State
05 UCLA over Kansas State
04 TCU over Oregon State
03 LSU over North Carolina
02 Washington over BYU
01 Louisville over Kentucky
I am looking forward to an exciting season. I hope you are too. Let the games begin.
College Football kicks off tonight, and over the past week I have put together a few things. First off, I have formulated my "Power 12", which is a concept based upon a 12 team playoff system. Such a system is just a facet of my imagination, but something that I will use as I cover the season ahead. I will explain more about that another time. But for starters here is my preseason "Power 12":
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Oklahoma
4. Boise State
5. Florida
6. Nebraska
7. TCU
8. Iowa
9. Texas
10. Virginia Tech
11. Oregon
12. Pittsburgh
Update:
Power 12 Thursday Night Predictions-
Ohio State over Marshall
Pittsburgh over Utah
It is difficult to come up with a preseason ranking, but these are the 12 teams that I feel have the best opportunity to finish the season with the least amount of losses. We will see as the season unfolds how my projections hold up. But for now, this is where we are at.
In addition to my rankings, I am playing College Pick'em on ESPN. Here are my Week 1 picks:
ESPN - Based on games picked right and Confidence Points(CP)
CP Winner
10 Missouri over Illinois
09 Colorado over Colorado State
08 Notre Dame over Purdue
07 Michigan over Connecticut
06 Cincinnati over Fresno State
05 UCLA over Kansas State
04 TCU over Oregon State
03 LSU over North Carolina
02 Washington over BYU
01 Louisville over Kentucky
I am looking forward to an exciting season. I hope you are too. Let the games begin.
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