Saturday, September 27, 2014

This is Where I Leave You - Movie Review

This Is Where I Leave You (R) 103 minutes B-
Dysfunction Junction

Starring:  Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Jane Fonda, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Corey Stoll, and Timothy Oliphant.

This Is Where I Leave You is an entertaining film adaptation of Jonathan Tropper's popular 2010 novel of the same name.  Directed by Shawn Levy (Date NightThe Internship, Night at the Museum), the film features a good cast, a few laughs and lots of dysfunctional family drama.  The problem is, the drama stuff quickly wears thin and the comedy goes bland.  Eventually the story grows trite and overblown.  But, luckily there is just enough star power (mostly Bateman) to keep the film afloat and enjoyable.    

Watch the trailer ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH0cEP0mvlU

Monday, September 22, 2014

Return to Sender (Album Review)

Released: May 2014
A Letter Home - Neil Young D+

I tend to think of Neil Young as a prolific musical genius.  He has a tendency to go a little rogue (artistically), but that's one of the things that intrigues me.  Before I listening to A Letter Home I was warned (by friends) that the album was a disappointment.  Yet, I was encouraged to check it out because of my affinity for Young and my leanings toward the stripped-down acoustic sound.  After a couple spins, the best way to describe A Letter Home is, "old-timey."  The album, which was recorded in a Voice-O-Graph recording booth, has its moments.  But, there's not enough of those moments to make the album worthwhile.  The snap, crackle and hiss of the recording hampers the music more than helps. The best tracks: My Hometown (Bruce Springsteen cover), Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot cover) and Girl From the North Country (Bob Dylan cover).

Monday, September 15, 2014

Slow burning Masterpiece (Album Review)

Released: June 2014
Sunbathing Animal - Parquet Courts A-

Sunbathing Animal does not have the hooks of its predecessor, Light up Gold, but critics have held it as a more evolved album. It's a slow burner that I have come to love more and more with each listen. Favorite tracks include: Sunbathing Animals, Black and White, Always Back In Town, Ducking and Dodging, Vienna II, Dear Ramona and Raw Milk