In a World - Movie Review

In a World (R) 93 minutes A-
Sexism & the Industry

Starring: Lake Bell, Demetri Martin, Rob Corddry, Michaela Watkins, Ken Marino and Fred Melamed

In a World is mostly about the competitive nature of the voiceover industry. But, it's also about love (bad boy vs. nice guy), about a father's ego and his relationship with his daughters, and about a marriage in crisis. In a world full of crap films that corrode our brains it's a shame that more people won't see this film. Written and directed by Lake Bell, and the recipient of the Sundance Film Festival Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, In a World is a funny, slice of life, dysfunctional family comedy that is a low-key gem. Recommended!

Mazzy Star & NIN - The Tale of Two Bands (Album Reviews)

First Impression Music Reviews
Mazzy Star - Seasons of Your Day B
Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks B 

Released 9/24/13

Released 9/3/13

Obviously these are two very different bands with very different sounds, but their new albums had a similar effect on me.  Since acquiring both they have acted mainly as mood music.  For Mazzy Star this has always been the modus operandi upon the first few spins of their music. However, Trent Reznor and company usually dig their claws in right away and begin gnawing away at my pessimistic little soul. Hesitation Marks feels like a smart album-cold, calculated and at times, surprisingly funky. But, when I turn off the music a majority of these songs (on both albums) are not staying with me. That's not to say that there is a lack of strong material here. Season of Your Day and Hesitation Marks feature some of my favorite songs this year. Mazzy Star's "California" is a near perfect single and probably one of the best songs they have ever done, while NIN's "All Time Low" jumped out of the stereo the first time I heard it. The things is, whenever I pop these CDs (yeah, I'm old school) into the stereo I am initially jazzed, but by the time the disc stops spinning I've already mentally stopped listening. Both albums are good and worth paying for; however, I have yet to make a deeper connection... but the potential is there.
 

The Butler - Movie Review

The Butler (PG-13) 132 minutes A-
Wow!

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lenny Kravitz, John Cusack, James Marsden, Robin Williams, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Jane Fonda, Minka Kelly, Vanessa Redgrave, Clarence Williams III, Yaya Alafia, Elijah Kelley and Alex Pettyfer.

It's true, I sort of expected The Butler to be a highfalutin, over-cameoed, schmoozy film about a black butler working in the White House through eight presidencies.  Forest Whitaker is one of the best actors of our time, but when I heard about so many high profile stars: Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Lenny Kravitz, etc... I feared the film would be overindulgent.  Boy, was I wrong! I underestimated everything and everyone in this film... especially director Lee Daniels who I am now convinced is someone very special.  I will be rooting for Daniels, Whitaker and Winfrey come award nomination season.

Fruitvale Station - Movie Review

Fruitvale Station (R) 85 minutes A
The little film that can

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand and Ariana Neal

Sometimes, the sign of a great film is still being surprised even though you know how it will end. Not only is Fruitvale Station timely because of Travyon Martin, it's powerful and heartfelt.  This film definitely evoked emotion from me and it stands as one of the year's best.  Recommended!

Blue Jasmine - Movie Review

Blue Jasmine (PG-13) 98 minutes B+
Break it down again, no more sleepy dreaming

Starring: Vanessa Ross, Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alden Ehrenreich, Michael Emerson, Bobby Cannavale, Louis C.K. and Charlie Tahan

Cate Blanchett won an Academy Award for her role in the 2004 film, The Aviator.  However, my favorite Cate Blanchett film is 2006's Notes on a Scandal.  But, don't be surprised if she becomes best known for her role in this film, Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine.  Here, the actress plays Jasmine, a privileged women who has lost everything after her husband's indiscretions and shady business dealings come to surface.  With no where to turn Jasmine moves to San Francisco to live with her less than privileged sister and start a new life... but the transition is not an easy one to say the least. This is a great cast, but ultimately Blanchett is the main attraction.

The Spectacular Now - Movie review

The Spectacular Now (R) 95 minutes A-
Leaving Las Vegas for the YA set

Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Kyle Chandler

Not only is this the best coming-of-age film of the year, it's destined to be in the running for my best overall film for 2013.  Based on Tim Tharps's novel, a National Book Award Finalist in 2008, this unlikely love story is charming, tender and pretty darn spectacular.  Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley are stars in the making.

The Reluctant Rock Memoir (Book Review)

Published August 2010

Rat Girl - Kristin Hersh C-

Rolling Stone magazine called Rat Girl one of the 25 greatest rock memoirs of all-time. I'm a Kristin Hersh fan, but I was sort of underwhelmed by Rat Girl. I kept waiting for it to pull me in, but it never did. Maybe my expectations were too high?

Girl Most Likely - Movie Review

Girl Most Likely (PG-13) 103 minutes C-
Silly

Starring: Kristin Wiig, Annette Bening, Darren Criss and Matt Dillon

Kristin Wiig is always worth watching, but unfortunately Girl Most Likely is light weight and forgettable.  It's a horrible film, but wait for it to arrive on cable and watch it on one of those lazy days with a big bowl of buttery popcorn and a carbonated beverage.
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Bonus Rental Review
Hello I Must Be Going (R) 95 minutes B+
Melanie Lynskey, Melanie Lynskey, Melanie Lynskey

Home Release Date: January 2013
Starring:  Melanie Lynskey, Blythe Danner, Christopher Abbott, John Rubinstein, Dan Futterman and Julie White       

So, let me name a few things about this film that I liked other than the film itself: Melanie Lynskey,  Melanie Lynskey, Melanie Lynskey.  Additionally, I've always thought Todd Louiso (the film's director) was a funny guy... and probably a really cool guy in "real life."  Christopher Abbott, best known as "Charlie" from the phenomenal HBO series Girls.  He's does a great job at playing a peculiar 19 year-old.  And lastly, the soundtrack, which is playful and catchy.  

The film itself is smart, funny and intriguing.  A freshly divorced 35 year-old woman becomes intimately involved with a 19 year-old manchild.  What ensues is highly worth watching.  If you've never heard of this film and you like bittersweet rom-coms, seek it out.

There Will Be Blood (Book Review)

Published April 1974

 

Carrie - Stephen King B-

It took me a little while to get into this one, but eventually it hooked me. I've never seen the Carrie film and television adaptations; however, I'm curious to see how they match-up with what I imaged from the book.

Gatsby - Movie & Book Review

Gatsby (2013)  B-
The Great Gatsby (1974)  C
The Great Gatsby (1925)  A

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published in 1925, yet it felt surprisingly applicable to current times. The novel, which has been adapted to the big screen four times, is superior to the 1974 and 2013 films. Both films follow the book rather closely, but neither duplicates the imagery, the intrigue, or the connection I had with narrator Nick Carraway while reading Fitzgerald’s magnum opus. The films are enjoyable and worthwhile; however, depending on your preference (contemporary glam or traditional aesthetics), you would be better served picking one of the two films to watch.

Gatsby (2013)

This redux, directed by Baz Luhrmann is brass, colorful and splashy. I understand the logic behind such an “in your face” approach. It is so similar to the book and the 1974 version, something had to be done to make it stand on its own. However, that something probably could have been dialed down a notch- less digital effects, less hip-hop (it's a decent soundtrack, but there's no need to beat us over the head with it) and less gloss. The film feels extremely over-produced. Luhrmann, and the rest of the creators behind this film are ultimately in a lose-lose situation. They are remaking a classic novel that has already been adapted for the screen three times prior. A few younger moviegoers may think Gatsby is “cool” and be inspired to read Fitzgerald’s novel. But, those of us who do not wear skinny jeans, and do not view film as a vehicle for profit, will likely find this over the top. That being said, Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby) and Carey Mulligan (Daisy) are preferable to their 1974 counterparts. DiCaprio evokes more emotion than Robert Redford’s 1974 portrayal of Gatsby, while it is not difficult for the fresh-faced Mulligan to outshine an anemic Mia Farrow who portrays Daisy in the 1974 version.

 The Great Gatsby (1974)

The Great Gatsby circa 1974 felt a little slow and methodical after watching the newest version. Directed by the late Jack Clayton and screenplay adapted by celebrated filmmaker Francis Ford Coppela, this third installment was not well received by critics upon its release in 1974. However, it did go on to win two non-acting Academy Awards (Best Costume Design and Best Music) in 1975, while Coppela won Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for The Godfather II that same year. Not to mention, Coppela was also competing against himself for Best Picture, as the ambitious filmmaker also wrote and directed The Conversation starring Gene Hackman (a fine film if you have not seen it). So, perhaps Coppela was not emotionally invested in the adapting the screenplay for The Great Gatsby; hence, its lack of appeal.

The characters here seemed to run the spectrum. Mia Farrow as Daisy seemed about as believable as a three dollar bill. Redford, a logical choice for Jay Gatsby, seemed stiff and uninspired. On the other hand, I preferred the young Sam Waterston over Tobey Maguire, the latest version of Nick Carraway. Waterston brought anonymity to the role that Maguire could not. From the beginning of the film, Waterston appeared sweaty and slightly awkward, in a way that seemed authentic and not scripted. That was the first sign that I liked this Nick Carraway. I also preferred model-turned actress/former Bond girl, Lois Chiles as Jordan Baker (inspired by Edith Cummings). Jordan Baker’s role was fairly small in both films, but she represented one of the more memorable characters in the novel. Tom Buchanan, of whom who Fitzgerald wrote,“He’s the best character I have ever done,” was the most consistent and equally matched character in both films and the novel.