Uneven Edges & Pilgrims - Book Reviews

Uneven Edges: Poems - Phoebe Sophocles B-

Publication: 2000

This collection of poems is unsuspecting, deeply personal and surprisingly consistent. These poems will occasionally strike a chord, but promise not to disturb the peace. My favorites include: "Find Me A Child," "Growing Beautiful" and "My Name Means Shining."




Publication: 1997

Pilgrims - Elizabeth Gilbert C+

Pilgrims, Gilbert's first short story collection is a mixed bag. However, I really loved "The Many Things That Denny Brown Did Not Know (Age Fifteen)." That story alone makes the collection worthwhile.

2 Days in New York - Movie Review

2 Days in New York (R) 96 Minutes B
Neurotic in New York

Starring Julie Delpy, Chris Rock, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau, Alex Nahon, Dylan Baker, Kate Burton, Daniel Bruhl and Emily Wagner.
2 Days in New York is the follow-up to 2007's 2 Days in Paris, in which Julie Delpy starred opposite Adam Goldberg.  In the latest installment, Jack (Goldberg) is gone and Mingus (Chris Rock) is the new beau. 

The film has been called Woody Allen-esque, and that it is.  But, even more appealing is Delpy's off-beat charm and neurotic beauty.  Her lunacy works surprisingly well with Rock's perfectly tempered performance.  This film is not easy to digest, but it's a good time in an odd sorta way.      

For a Good Time, Call... - Movie Review

For a Good Time, Call... (R) 86 minutes  C
Beating a dead horse

Starring Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller, Justin Long, Mark Webber, James Wolk, Nia Vardalos, Mimi Rogers and Don McManus

For a Good Time, Call... was enjoyable, but nothing to brag about.  This female odd couple/opposites attract comedy is mostly predictable but contains sexual energy to keep you interested. Lauren (Lauren Miller) is the straight-laced brunette who needs a place to stay.  Katie (Ari Graynor) is the bubbly blond with an infinity for "sexercizing," and has a spacious apartment in Gramercy Park that she can't afford on her own.  Thus, the two former college enemies are brought together by their mutual and squirrelly friend, Jesse (Justin Long). 

The title, 2 Broke Girls was already taken, otherwise that might have been a better title for this sitcom-ish film.  After their awkward re-introduction, the new besties decide to start a phone sex line.  The sex thing provides a few laughs, I liked the bra-mance (that provides a nice amount of sexual tension) between two heterosexual friends.  But still, the film ultimately feels like it is dry humping my cinematic intelligence.

Wait for this one to make an appearance on Skinemax, HBO or whatever.
   

PSB - Elysium & The xx - Coexist (Music Reviews)

First Impression Music Reviews 

Released September 2012

Pet Shop Boys - Elysium B

On this, their eleventh studio album, the boys are still in fine form.  Elysium is allegedly their first album recorded in the US, and the first with Kanye West producer Andrew Dawson.  However, this is not a beat heavy dance album (PSB have been nominated for 5 Grammys in various dance categories).  This one is reminiscent of the duo's 1990 classic, Behavior. It is tranquil, pensive, snappy and as described in one interview- "happy-sad."  

Favorite tracks - A Face Like That, Invisible, Your Early Stuff

 

                                         

Released September 2012

The xx - Coexist C-

This was an impulse buy.  Coexist is the second album by this London trio and it's generating a lot of buzz. I never listened to their much-hyped debut album from 2009, but since then producer/band member Jamie Smith (also known as Jamie xx) has lent his talents to the likes of Adele, Gil Scott-Heron and Drake.  I was intrigued and curious to hear this album because I thought this would be a moody, atmospheric meditation on cohabitation.  Plus, I liked what I heard of them on NPR.  Yet, when I got this one home, tore off the plastic and popped it in my CD player... It was more or less disappoint me from the start.   

I've listen to Coexist about 3 or 4 times now.  It's not as lame as I initially thought, but it's an album that sounds safe, pretty, and boring.  There's probably a couple of cool top 40 singles here, and maybe a pulsating club groove that will sound great under multi-colored strobe lights with a fluorescent colored cocktail in hand.  But, ultimately Coexist is commingling with mediocrity.  Where is Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt when you need them? 

Favorite track - Sunset

R.I.P. Monty - Coolest Cat Ever!

Monty this seems strange to me

The movies had that movie thing,

But nonsense has a welcome ring

And heroes don't come easy

The NFL Answer Key 2012/2013

AFC East
1. New England    10-6
2. Buffalo              9-7 *
3. N.Y. Jets           8-8
4. Miami               3-13

AFC South
1. Houston          11-5
2. Tennessee       7-9
3. Indianapolis    5-11
4. Jacksonville    4-12

AFC North
1. Baltimore     11-5
2. Pittsburgh     9-7
3. Cincinnati     8-8
4. Cleveland     5-11

AFC West
1. Denver          10-6
2. San Diego      9-7 *
3. Oakland         8-8
4. Kansas City   7-9

(*Wildcard Teams)

Wildcard Round
Denver over Buffalo /  San Diego over New England
Divisional Round
Houston over Denver  /  Baltimore over San Diego
Championship Game
Baltimore over Houston
-----------------------------------------------

NFC East
1. Dallas            10-6
2. Philadelphia   9-7 *
3. N.Y. Giants    8-8
4. Washington    6-10

NFC South
1. Atlanta            12-4
2. New Orleans   10-6 *
3. Tampa Bay      8-8
4. Carolina           7-9

NFC North
1. Green Bay   10-6
2. Detroit          9-7
3. Chicago        8-8   
4. Minnesota    4-12

NFC West
1. San Francisco     9-7
2. Seattle                7-9
3. St. Louis Rams  6-10
4. Arizona              3-13

(*Wildcard Teams)

Wildcard Round
Green Bay over San Francisco /  Philadelphia over New Orleans
Divisonal Round
Dallas over Green Bay / Atlanta over Philadelphia
Championship Game
Atlanta over Dallas

Super Bowl XLVII
Baltimore 23
Atlanta 16