The Secret Lives of Women (Book Review)

Fly Away Home - Jennifer Weiner B
Publication Date: July 2010

Fly Away Home is surprisingly sad but entertaining. It's the story of three women (a mother and her two daughters) at the crossroads; Sylvie- the politician's wife, Diana - the overachieving (super freaky) older daughter, and Lizzie- a recovering addict with good intentions.

I got a little bored with Sylvie about half way through; however, Diana and Lizzie more than made up for that. On the surface, this will remind you of several scandalized politicians, their fractured lives and public humiliation. But underneath you will find an emotional story of longing, lust and self-discovery.

50/50 - Movie Review

50/50 (R) 99 minutes A-
A Cure For the Pain

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston.

I was squirming in my seat all throughout this film.  The thought of a massive cancerous tumor growing on my spine is a bit unnerving.  Yet, that was the predicament of our protagonist in Jonathan Levine's latest film, 50/50.  The dramedy starring Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is about a twenty-something public radio employee, Adam, who has been diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer. Adam, who doesn't drink, smoke or drive, naturally views the diagnosis as a death sentence.  Furthermore, to add insult to injury, his relationship with his girlfriend dissolves during chemo treatments, leaving him to rely on his womanizing best friend, his inexperienced (but terminally cute) therapist and worrisome mother.  It all sounds pretty serious and sad (and it is), but it is also laugh-out-loud funny.  Based on a true story (Rogan's real life friend, Will Reiser), the film was better than I expected.  It also had me weeping like a little b*tch!

Recommended.

The Ides of March - Movie Review

The Ides of March (R) 101 minutes A
The politics of hope

Starring George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright and Max Minghella. 

The Ides of March was so good that I did not want it to end. The gripping political thriller (based on Beau Willimon's play Farragut North) follows the campaign of Democratic presidential hopeful Mike Morris (Clooney), as he tries to win the key state of Ohio.  A once promising campaign begins to derail when it's best and brightest young star, press secretary Stephen Meyers (Gosling), engages with the enemy.  This sets off a chain of events that reaches a crescendo more emotionally intense than anything I've seen this year.  Great film!    

Contagion - Movie Review

Contagion (PG-13) 105 minutes B
Shaking the Disease

Starring Laurence Fishburne, Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jennifer Ehle and Gwyneth Paltrow

Who ever decided to release this film right before cold and flu season is a genius.  I think about Contagion every time I touch a public door handle, faucet, elevator button, etc...  This smart, creepy, contagious disease thriller will make you want to smack anyone in close proximity who doesn't cover their sneeze.

I didn't find a lot of engaging characters here, and RW is right when she said, "it sorta has a TV movie feel to it."  But nevertheless, Soderbergh continues to be a favorite, and one of the most intriguing filmmakers around.  I hope to god that nothing like this ever happens.  Scary stuff!
 

Higher Ground - Movie Review

Higher Ground (R) 109 minutes A-
Losing my religion and reaching a higher (emotional) ground

Starring Vera Farmiga, Joshua Leonard, Norbert Leo Butz, McKenzie Turner and Donna Murphy

This film is based on the 2002 memoir, This Dark World: A Memoir of Salvation Found and Lost by Carolyn S. Briggs.  This film really struck a chord with me; it almost brought me to tears.  It reminds me of the Counting Crows song, "Rain King," and the lyrics to that song best encapsulates the film:

When I think of heaven (Deliver me in a black-winged bird)
I think of flying down into a sea of pens and feathers
and all other instruments of faith and sex and God
In the belly of a black-winged bird
Don't try to feed me
I've been here before and I deserve a little more

I recommend this film to general moviegoers, and anyone who has ever questioned religion and/or spirituality.

First Impression Reviews - Another Girl, Hot Sauce & a Sabor Tooth Tiger... Oh My!

Juliana Hatfield - There's Always Another Girl C+

Release Date August 2011

I really want to like this one, but so far I haven't been able to sink my teeth into it.  As soon as I read that the album's central theme was failure, the title track was inspired by Lindsay Lohan, and the project was initially called Speeches Delivered to Animals and Plants, I was uber-excited to hear these songs.  Unfortunately, this has been a slow burn with only one song standing out so far, and a few others bubbling under.  Favorite tracks - Someone Else's Problem and Thousands of Guitars

Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 B

Release Date: May 2011

A playful and fun party record that I haven't taken too seriously.  Lots of old school hooks and clever beats.  It occasionally sounds cluttered, but ultimately satisfies.  File under: Sounds like summer, smells like cayenne pepper.  Favorite tracks - Lee Majors Come Again and Nonstop Disco Powerpack
  

Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp Muhl - Ghost of a Sabor Tooth Tiger: Acoustic Sessions D+

Release Date: October 2010

I like Sean Lennon, I was excited to see he had a new project, but this one is nothing more than boring background music.  Favorite track - Rainbows in Gasoline

Celebrity Rehab

Wishful Drinking - Carrie Fisher B
Publication Date: September 2009

This one feels like a guilty pleasure, but a pleasure nonetheless.  I actually didn't know much about Fisher's life, yet my weakness for scandal-ridden celebrity memoirs made this one too tempting to pass up.  The Princess Leia thing is interesting, however it is the substance abuse and her relationships (with Paul Simon and Bryan Lourd) that were most intriguing to me.   

Wishful Drinking is humbling, amusing and a little annoying.  But it is hard not to like Fisher, who I suspect left out some of the juicer bits and darker moments.

November Spawned A Monster

The Answer Key - NFL Preview 2011

My annual picks and predictions for the upcoming NFL season.

AFC

AFC East

1. New England  12-4 

2. NY Jets 10-6*

3. Miami  6-10

4. Buffalo 5-11

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh 11-5

2. Baltimore  10-6*

3. Cleveland  6-10

4. Cincy   3-13

AFC South

1. Houston 10-6

2. Indy  8-8

3. Tennessee 7-9

4. Jacksonville 4-12

AFC West

1. San Diego 11-5

2. Kansas City 8-8

3. Oakland 7-9

4. Denver 6-10

Wild Card

(3) Pittsburgh over (6) NY Jets

(5) Baltimore over (4) Houston 

Divisional Round

(5) Baltimore over (1) New England

(2) San Diego over (3) Pittsburgh
AFC Championship

(2) San Diego over (5) Baltimore
*****

NFC

NFC East

1. Philly  10-6

2. Washington 8-8

3. NY Giants 8-8

4. Dallas 6-10

NFC North

1. Green Bay 11-5

2. Minnesota 9-7*

3. Detroit 7-9

4. Chicago 7-9

NFC South

1. Atlanta  11-5

2. New Orleans 9-7*

3. Tampa Bay 8-8

4. Carolina 3-13

NFC West

1. St. Louis 10-6

2. San Francisco 7-9

3. Arizona 6-10

4. Seattle  5-11

Wild Card

(3) Philly over (6) Minnesota

(5) New Orleans over (4) St. Louis

Divisional Round

(1) Green Bay over (5) New Orleans

(2) Atlanta over (3) Philly

NFC Championship

(2) Atlanta over (1) Green Bay
***** 

Super Bowl

San Diego 17

Atlanta  14

Tree of Life - Movie Review

Tree of Life (PG-13) 138 minutes C-
Like watching a tree grow- beautiful but boring

Starring Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Sean Penn and Laramie Eppler.

Maybe I would like this film more if I watched it a second time?  Maybe I would like it more if I took the time to consider how gorgeous, imaginative and profound it was?  But as it were, I found the film to be overdone, overlong and overrated.  Tree of Life is Passion of the Christ for the IMAX set. 

If you dare, watch it on the big screen.  It is a sight to behold if nothing else.