Tiger Balm (Book Review)

Publication Date: May 2010

Tiger: The Real Story by Steve Helling B-

There's not much here that the casual golf fan doesn't already know. Yet, I found parts of Tiger: The Real Story very captivating. The book is fairly tame, and I question how much of it is the "real story". Nevertheless, it's light summer reading that makes me want to dust off the clubs and play.  

The Art of Suffering (Book Review)

The Death of Ivan Illych by Leo Tolstoy D+

Original Publication Date: 1886

This story holds a lot of meaning; however, it's a tough read despite a few flashes of brilliance. Tolstoy has a way of drawing me into the darkness (which I like), but this one was a very slow starter.

The Darkness & The Light (Music Reviews)

First Impression Music Reviews

Xiu Xiu - Always B

Released March 2012

Tennis - Young & Old B+ 

I like Xiu Xiu, and I like their music.  But with each album comes an abrasiveness that always takes a little getting use too ("I Luv Abortion").  Nevertheless, the songs eventually win me over and I can't wait until the next release.  Xiu Xiu is one of the most interesting and intriguing acts in music.  Always is one of their more accessible albums, featuring a few songs that could be radio hits if they ever saw the light of day.   Favorite Tracks - Hi, Smear the Queen, Honey-Suckle, The Oldness      

February 2012

Young and Old came as a bit of a surprise.  I happen to hear it streaming for free around the time of its release, it caught me ear and never let go.  This is one of my favorite albums of 2012 so far.  It's sugar sweet pop that's infectious, dreamy and groovy- a near perfect summer soundtrack.  Favorite Tracks - It All Feels the Same, Petition, Vegas (Bonus Track)         

Jeff Who Lives At Home - Movie Review

Jeff Who Lives At Home (R) 83 minutes B
Lonely people show signs of life

Starring Rae Dawn Chong, Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Susan Sarandon and Judy Greer

This unsuspecting film follows Jeff (Segel) as he sets out to run a simple errand.  What ensues is a comical, sad, and heroic adventure that will change his life forever.  Jeff Who Lives At Home isn't for everyone, but many will be pleasantly surprised by how much this one stays with you.
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Bonus DVD Review
Margot at the Wedding (R) 91 minutes A-
Strange but true

DVD Release February 2008
Starring Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black, Flora Cross and John Turturro

I am a big fan of Noah Baumbach (Squid and the Whale, Greenberg).  All of the characters in Margot at the Wedding are wonderfully flawed and oddly realistic.  I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

Friends With Kids - Movie Review

Friends with Kids (R) 109 minutes C-
Friends with few benefits

Starring Adam Scott, Jennifer Westfeldt, Jon Hamm, Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Chris O’Dowd, Edward Burns and Megan Fox.

Friends With Kids has its moments and features an interesting cast.  But, ultimately it is a trendy, contrived, romantic comedy that is all too predictable.    
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Bonus DVD Review
Jack Goes Boating (R) 89 minutes B-
Odd, but intriguing

DVD Release January 2011
Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Ryan, John Ortiz and Daphne Rubin-Vega

Jack Goes Boating is a low-key affair about two outcasts seeking love while attempting to balance their fragile lives and psyches.  Jack (Hoffman) is a reggae-obsessed, New York City limo driver, and Connie (Ryan) is on the edge of a nervous breakdown at the funeral home where she works.  The two are set up on a blind date by mutual friends Clyde (John Ortiz) and Lucy (Daphne Rubin-Vega), a couple with major problems of their own.  Between the four of them, we explore the birth of new love, the death of old love, and what happens when you add marijuana and cocaine to the mix. This film was originally an off-Broadway play, and is Hoffman's feature film directorial debut.  JGB is humanistic, a little awkward, but strangely appealing. 

I Was Only Chocking (Book Review)

Choke - Chuck Palahniuk B+   

Publication Date: June 2002 

I listened to Choke during a road trip to Nebraska, and it stuck with me for days afterwards. Our protagonist, Victor Mancini, is a sex addicted, med-school dropout turned con-artist with a heart of gold.  This is one of those stories where it's hard not to root for the bad guy.  Choke is a profoundly dark comedy with a slightly odd/slightly humorous twist.  It begs the question, "what would Jesus not do?"

Catch and Release - First Impression Music Review

Sinead O'Connor - How About I Be Me (And You Be You)? B+

Release Date - February 2012 

Fresh from the tabloid hell, Sinead O'Connor is back!  How About I Be Me finds the infamous singer hopeful, angry and introspective.  Musically, the album doesn't break any new ground, but lyrically it's on point.  It plays like a living, breathing, piece of art that imitates O'Connor's recent past (I love the confessional self-exploration), and one that is more of a rebirth than a comeback.  It's easily one of my favorite albums of 2012 so far.  My favorite tracks include: Reason With Me, The Wolf is Getting Married, V.I.P and the John Grant cover Queen of Denmark.   

Lyle Lovett - Release Me C

Release Date - February 2012 

Lovett is a musical icon, and a personal favorite. But, Release Me, with its 12 covers and 2 originals, sounds a little phoned in.  Apparently, it's the last album of his contractual obligation with with Curb Records (see album title and cover art).  The album isn't without some outstanding moments- Girl With The Holiday Smile is among his catchiest ditties ever.  While, his cover of John Grimaudo and Saylor White's Dress of Laces is achingly beautiful, it stood me still the first time I heard it.  Yet, Release Me is more filler than substance.  To quote Josh Langhoff of PopMatters, "This album isn't good, but it has good intentions.  My favorites include the two aforementioned tracks, and Night's Lullaby.

Oscar Nominated Short Films (Live Action) - Movie Review

Pentecost  B+
This film is set in Ireland, 1977.  Young Damien, gets a second chance at being an alter boy; but, decides to punt away the opportunity.  Written and directed by Peter McDonald.  11 minutes

Raju A
A German couple loses their adopted son, and finds a dirty little secret. Written by Max Zähle and Florian Kuhn, directed by Max Zähle.  24 minutes (My pick to win the Oscar)

The Shore A-
Old friends attempt to reconcile the past after 25 years.  Set in Northern Ireland, this film is written and directed by Terry George.  31 minutes     

Time Freak A-
A young inventor tries to go back in time, but gets stuck in yesterday.  Written and directed by Andrew Bowler.  11 minutes   

Tuba Atlantic B
This dark comedy follows 70-year-old Oskar, who has six days to live and a lot of birds to kill.  Written by Linn-Jeanethe Kyed, and directed by Hallvar Witzø.  25 minutes
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Bonus DVD Review
Dirty Girl (R) 90 min C- 
Who's your Daddy? Tim McGraw... 

DVD Release: Date January 2012
Starring Jeremy Dozier, Juno Temple, Mary Steenburgen, Tim McGraw, William H. Macy, Dwight Yoakam and Milla Jovovich

Danielle (Juno Temple) is a sassy, immature teenager.  She and a friend escape Oklahoma for California in search of the father she has never known.  Juno Temple is a star in the making, but Dirty Girl is not a film that will help her cause.  File under - silly but watchable when nothing else worthwhile is on TV.      

Who Stole the Soul? (Book Review)

The Last Season: A Team In Search of Its Soul - Phil Jackson A

Publication Date: October 2004

In the shadow of Kobe, Shaq, Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Rick Fox and Derek Fisher, I'd forgotten about guys like Devean George and Kareen Rush. After finishing The Last Season I immediately googled George and Rush to see whatever became of them.  This book was an intriguing flashback to the 2003-04 NBA season.  I was completely captive by this L.A. story, and unaware that Phil Jackson and Kobe had such a tumultuous relationship.  The Last Season is a must-read for NBA fans.           

My Gray Morning's Sundance Wrap-Up

* Sundance Award Winner

*The Law In These Parts 101 minutes D

Apparently, I didn't understand this award winning doc about Israel, Palestinians and the occupied territories post war 1967. It was over my head (and frankly, a little boring). But congratulations to these courageous documentarians nonetheless.

Payback 82 minutes C

A documentary about social inequality, based on the book by Margaret Atwood.  I liked the idea, but hated the execution of this documentary.  The information and images are presented in a way that's confusing and slow building.

*Young and Wild 90 minutes A

Loved this film! A young nympho comes of age and enjoys bacon and tofu.   

Corpo Celeste 98 minutes C+

RW had to explain parts of this one, because I know nothing about catechism and Catholics.  Good acting by a young actor.  Slow start, strong ending. 

Red Hook Summer 130 min C-

Spike Lee's new, overlong, sprawling mess... But it was a great Q & A afterwards.

V/H/S 104 minutes  B-

Normally, horror flicks aren't my cup of tea, but I have to admit that this one had me on the edge of my seat!  Annoying, intriguing, and if you have a weak stomach, eat afterwards and not before.

The Pursuit of Loneliness 96 minutes B-

A slow black and white film about loneliness and death.  Not for everyone, but oddly likable. 

Shorts Program III

DOL (First Birthday) 12 minutes A-

A gay couple in the closet, but the kids are alright  

The Fort  12 minutes B

About a weird kid in the woods

Frozen Stories 26 minutes B-
At this point I was really tired...

L Train 11 minutes A  

and I cried...

Rolling On the Floor Laughing 19 minutes  A-

A family gathering that goes horribly wrong.

Surveillant 17 minutes B-

I kept waiting for something dramatic to happen... it never did.