Lincoln - Movie Review

Lincoln (PG-13) 150 minutes B
Lincoln's quest to abolish slavery

Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones, Lee Pace, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jared Harris

I liked this film, but didn't love it.  It's nicely adapted from Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2005 book, Team of Rivals, however; I agree with film critic Peter Deruge who described Lincoln as, "a respectable but waxy re-creation that feels somehow awe-inspiring yet chillingly lifeless to behold." 

Daniel Day-Lewis is as good as advertised, James Spader is an unsung scene stealer, and everyone else is generally hit or miss.  The political history is intriguing, as is Lincoln's family dynamic.  But, the film tends to be a little laborsome with a running time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.  

Recommended for those who like historical biopics.

Silver Linings Playbook - Movie Review

Silver Linings Playbook (R) 122 minutes B
Love, Football & Mental Illness

Starring Anupam Kher, Bradley Cooper, Chris Tucker, Jacki Weaver, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Stiles and Robert De Niro

It's hard to make a romantic dramedy these days that's smart, funny and serious.  Silver Lining Playbook manages to accomplish all three aspects, despite an ending that surprises no one.  The film is solid, and has a good cast.  But, it's more of a feel good film than an impactful film.  Directed by David O Russell (The Fighter, I Heart Huckabees), Silver Linings Playbook is a safe bet this holiday season.  It may not rock your world, but it's worth the price of admission.

Animal, Life, Mind & Sky (Music Reviews)

First Impression Music Reviews











Soundgarden - King Animal B
This is Soundgarden's first batch of new music in 16 years.  King Animal doesn't possess the same urgency of their earlier material, but it's solid nonetheless.  

Nas - Life is Good B-
Yet, another hip hop album that would benefit from more weeding.  Sometimes less is more.   

Ben Folds Five - The Sound of the Life of the Mind C
The songs "Sky High" & "Away When You Were Here" jumped out at me right way... and I'm still figuring out the rest. 

Dinosaur Jr. - I Bet On Sky B
DJ isn't usually a slow burn for me, but this one is... and it's getting better with each listen. 





 

Light-hearted fun at Swallow Hill (Concert Review)

Jill Sobule w/ Megan Burtt @ Swallow Hill November 24, 12  B-

 

Sobule, one of my favorite live acts, delivered a playfully entertaining set at Swallow Hill tonight.  Folk/pop songstress Megan Burtt provided an impressive opening set.  Overall, this was a solid show, but nothing memorable.    

 

Starz Denver Film Festival Reviews

Due to my busy schedule I only saw three films at this year's festival.   Here's a brief rundown: 

Supporting Characters A-
Directed by Daniel Schechter
Two friends attempted to balance work, love and life in a film that feels very authentic. 

Struck By Lightening B-
Directed by Brian Dannelly
An impressive outing for Chris Colfer (Glee), who wrote the script and stars in the film.  Struck By Lightening recounts the miserable life of a teenager whose only goal in life was to be a writer. 
Video on Demand - Late December, Theatrical Release - Mid January

The Shape of Error D+
Directed by Abigail Child
This is a dramatization of the life of Mary Shelley.  Shelley herself is an interesting figure, but this film is too busy and ultimately too frustrating to care about.    

The most interesting man in the literary world (Literature Event Review)

Inside the Writers Studio with Junot Diaz @ Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center November 10, 2012 A+

I did not know what to expect when I bought a ticket to see Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, Junot Diaz.  At the very least, I figured I'd pick up a few tips on how to improve my craft while being inspired by his rise to literary prominence.

The Su Teatro was packed on this cold and rainy night.  I, along with my trusty companion, a steaming hot cup of coffee, managed to snag one of the few remaining seats available.  After a lengthy introduction, Diaz walked onto the stage and proceeded to look over the crowd as if he was lost and looking for a familiar face.  This peculiar move kicked off one of the most memorable and intriguing literary conversations I have ever been apart of.  The free flowing, unscripted talk meandered from politics, to the legalization of marijuana, to writers who don't read.

Diaz does not strike me as your typical Pulitzer Prize winner (ironically, I've met a few), he radiates an everyman appeal combined with wicked intelligence and street smarts.  I could have listened to him all night.  He also read from his latest, This is How You Lose Her, a 2012 National Book Award finalist.  Tonight's book event will go down as one of my favorites of all-time, I left this event educated, inspired, caffeinated, and thoroughly entertained!

Argo - Movie Review

Argo (R) 120 Minutes B+
I love it when a plan comes together

Starring Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman and Victor Garber

Argo is a gripping thriller that somehow manages to be totally suspenseful despite knowing the outcome.  Based on the real-life events of the Iranian hostage crisis, 1979 - 1981, this film has Oscar nomination written all over it. 

Recommended.  

Return of the Gentlemen - Concert Review

The Afghan Whigs @ the Ogden Theatre
10/30/2012 B+

I don't have much to say, except that I am glad I got to see Greg Dulli and company on this reunion tour tonight (Thanks DiddleFinger for the ticket).  The show was blistering, raw, and above all else, rockin! They played plenty from their seminal album, Gentleman, along with a little Prince (Purple Rain), The Beatles (She Loves You), Frank Ocean (Love Crimes) and tracks from their other albums.  My favorite, without of doubt, was "Fountain and Fairfax," perhaps my favorite Afghan Whigs song of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=337Sn_rc7PE    <-----For your viewing pleasure.

Cloud Atlas - Movie Review

Cloud Atlas (R) 172 minutes B+ 
Faces of Breadth

Starring Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Hugh Grant, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Susan Sarandon.

Cloud Atlas is probably the biggest surprise I've had at the movies this year.  The trailer looked less than appealing, the running time of nearly three hours was a turn-off, and frankly, some of the get-ups I initially saw Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in looked cheesy and cheap.  But, I should know better than to judge a film by its' cover (I also thought Braveheart and A Beautiful Mind looked less than spectacular at first).

Based on the novel by David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas explores the notion that all of our actions as human beings have interconnected consequences- from the beginning of time until now, and from now until forever.  The film is "deep," for lack of a better term, and I couldn't help but shed a tear at the end.

Lovely, in a weird way. 

Liberal Arts - Movie Review

Liberal Arts (NR) 97 minutes A-
Because we all feel younger than we are

Starring Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, Zac Efron

Chances are, most of you reading this review will not or did not love this film as much as I did... and that's okay.  I think this film appealed to me because it's timely (considering where I am in my life), and because it's smart.  Liberal Arts is all about books, love, college and getting older.  Ironically, all of which I have romanticized, and all of which are bittersweet. 

Highly recommended for people like me.