American Hustle - Movie Review

American Hustle (R) 138 minutes A
Hustle and Flow

Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K., Michael Pena and Jack Huston

Outstanding performances (Christian Bale is masterful), stunningly beautiful women (Amy Adams never looked better), and a story that had me on the edge of my seat for the duration.  American Hustle is David O. Russell's best film to date- much, much better than 2012's Silver Linings Playbook.  This might be the best film of 2013!

Philomena - Movie Review

Philomena (R) 98 minutes A-
Human Interest

Starring Anna Maxwell Martin, Dame Judi Dench, Judi Dench, Mare Winningham, Michelle Fairley, Steve Coogan

Philomena is based on the true story of Philomena Lee, played by Dame Judi Dench.  As a teenager in 1950s Ireland, Philomena became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent.  Shortly thereafter, her baby boy was taken from her.  Fifty years later her only goal in life is to find out what became of her son.  Initially, the trailer for this film struck me as a dull and pandering to the older holiday crowd (because it can't be all fart jokes and explosions).  But, this film is funny, cynical and frankly, surprisingly touching.  Steve Coogan is marvelous, as is Dame Judi Dench.  Philomena is very understated, but don't let that fool you.  High Recommended.

Two Unique Voices, Two Mixed Results (Book Reviews)

Published February 2006

Published April 2002
 

 Open: Stories - Lisa Moore B-
I found some of these stories original and enthralling, while others were contrived and forgettable. I'm sort of undecided about this one, but I think Moore's voice is interesting enough to consider her other books.

Sinners Welcome: Poems - Mary Karr B-

The poems in this collection are hit and miss, but I thoroughly enjoyed the essay on poetry and faith. Sinners Welcome is a nice companion piece to Karr's extraordinary 2009 memoir, Lit.

The Punk Singer - Movie Review

The Punk Singer (NR) 80 minutes A-
Rebel Girl

Starring: Kathleen Hanna, Carrie Brownstein, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett, Adam Horovitz

Watching Sini Anderson's documentary The Punk Singer made me happy, because it reminded how much art matters.  It also made me feel regretful, because I wish I'd possessed the passion and the drive to pursue art when I was younger.  The Punk Singer follows the evolution of punk rock feminist Kathleen Hanna, from little girl to riot grrrl, to her battle with late-stage Lyme disease.  Hanna may or may not come to mind when you think of influential feminist icons.  But, there's no denying that when she talked you could hear the revolution and where she walked you knew the revolution was coming. 

I wanna be her best friend. 

Better, Better, Bland (Music Reviews)



Released Sept 2013 

Neko Case - The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You A

Pearl Jam - Lightning Bolt B+

John Mayer - Paradise Valley C

 

Released Oct 2013 

Neko Case and Pearl Jam are two of my favorites; but, until their latest releases I thought their best music was behind them.  The Worse Things Get gives Furnace Room Lullaby a run for its money as the best album of her career.  Lightning Bolt is not Pearl Jam's best, but it's their best album in over a decade.  

 

John Mayer is an artist who has the potential to be one of the future greats.  Yet, the bland Paradise Valley would suggest otherwise.  Mayer is a brilliant dude with a tendency to do and say stupid sh*t - a perfect combo for making intriguing music.  However, as he mellows out and settles into Americana/adult contemporary territory I hope he doesn't get all top forty cheesy on me. 

 

Released Aug 2013 

Favorite tracks:

 

The Worse Things Get

Night Still Comes,

I'm From Nowhere, 

Nearly Midnight, Honolulu,

 

Lightning Bolt

Mind Your Manners,

My Father's Son,

Sleeping By Myself

 

Paradise Valley

                                          Dear Marie

 



 

All Lit Up (A Book Review)

Published November 2009

Lit - Mary Karr A

I know it sounds cliché, but this book changed the way I feel about writing, religion and my own personal demons. Lit was a reminder of why some people are special, while others only dream about being special. Not only did Mary Karr persevere through insurmountable odds, she channeled those odds into a literary masterpiece.



Mary Karr talks Lit  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu7QyaOFgPc
 

It's His Vibe (Concert Review)

Jeff Tweedy @ Paramount Theatre 12/5/13 B-

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (YHF) is one of the greatest albums of all time.  Jeff Tweedy's solo concert at Denver's Gothic Theatre in 2006 was one of the ten best concerts I have ever seen. Yet, my love for Wilco has faded over the last seven or eight years. A Ghost is Born, Sky Blue Sky, Wilco (The Album), all failed to conjure up earlier mystic.  Maybe it was because they became super popular after YHF, or maybe because of my own musical shift...?  Whatever the reason, It wasn't until 2011's The Whole Love that Wilco popped up on my radar again.  A solo acoustic Jeff Tweedy show seemed like the perfect shot in the arm to motivate me to dig out all my Wilco cds and give them a spin.  But, Thursday's show wasn't a "play the hits" kind of deal... Tweedy played a very casual, very talky show that played well to the KBCO types and the hardcore Tweedy fans.  Since I no longer belong to either subset (I still think the guy is a brilliant singer-song writer), I have to confess I was a little disappointed.  It's lame to admit, but I hoping to hear more of the songs I love- "She's A Jar," "Sunken Treasure," "Misunderstood," "Acuff-Rose," "I Must Be High," "Reservations," etc... Instead, the set-list looked something like this:
* Denotes my favorites
1. Someday Some Morning Sometime (Woody Guthrie cover)
2. Laminated Cat (Loose Fur song)
3. Ashes of American Flags (Wilco song)*
4. One Sunday Morning (Wilco song)
5. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (Wilco song)
6. One Wing (Wilco song)
7. Pecan Pie (Golden Smog song)
8. Remember the Mountain Bed (Woody Gutherie)
 9. Long Time Ago (Golden Smog song)
10. Bob Dylan's 49th Beard (Wilco song)
11. Jesus, Etc. (Wilco song)* 
12. Born Alone (Wilco song)
13. You Are Not Alone (Written by Tweedy for Mavis Staples)*
14. The Ruling Class (Loose Fur song)
15. New Madrid (Uncle Tupelo song)
16. Box Full of Letters (Wilco song)
17. California Stars (Written by Woody Guthrie)
 Encore:
18. So Much Wine (The Handsome Family cover)
19. Passenger Side (Wilco song)
20. Nothing Up My Sleeve (Wilco song)
21. I'm the Man Who Loves You (Wilco song)*
22. A Shot in the Arm (Wilco song)

Enough Said - Movie Review

Enough Said (PG-13) 93 minutes A
Second Chances

Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette, Ben Falcone, Amy Landecker, Tracey Fairaway, Eve Hewson and Tavi Gevins

Nicole Holofcener is quietly becoming one of my favorite filmmakers. She has written and directed: Walking and Talking (1996), Lovely and Amazing (2001), Friends with Money (2006), Please Give (2010), and the wonderful new film starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the late James Gandolfini, Enough Said.  In each of the aforementioned films Holofcener created something humanistic, funny, slightly sad, and memorable.  It's no coincidence that her first job in the film industry was working on the set of Woody Allen's 1982 masterpiece, A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy.  Four years later she was an apprentice editor for Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters, one of the best films in cinematic history. It's no wonder Holofcener is becoming such a distinguished force in film and television.

I haven't said much about Enough Said, but that's because I love this film so much I don't want to give anything away.  Enough Said is smart, has great acting and nearly made me cry.  This film isn't going to change the world, but for an hour and half it took me out of mine. Highly highly recommended for those not opposed to a sweet and funny romcom. 
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Bonus Rental Review
Nobody Walks (R) 83 minutes B
Fatal Attraction

Home Release date: January 2013
Starring John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby, Rosemarie DeWitt, India Ennenga, Dylan McDermott, Justin Kirk, Rhys Wakefield, Emanuele Secci, Sam Lerner and Mason Welch

File this one under, "Bitter indie drama that is not for everyone."  This film doesn't quite achieve the emotional breadth it may or may not be shooting for.  But, it is an intriguing story of a horny, skinny jean wearing femme fatale and an undersexed married man.  Not to mention the other infatuation laden side plots. I am becoming convinced that I like everything Lena Dunham touches(she co-wrote the film).  Nobody Walks generally received terrible reviews;  however, it did take home a "Special Jury Prize (for Producing)" at Sundance 2012.  This one is worth a look for those who like awkward, abrupt, relationship driven indie dramas- everyone else should steer clear.
    

Love, Set, Match @ the Bluebird Theater (Concert Review)

Tennis @ Bluebird Theater B+ 

Photo by RW

I was excited about seeing Tennis, the Denver-based indie pop band at the Bluebird Theater tonight. The husband and wife team of Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley spawned one of my favorite albums of 2012, Young and Old, and based on that gem the concert was destined to be a groovy kick-off to the Thanksgiving holiday. An energetic crowd welcomed the band, who were happy to be wrapping up their tour at home after dodging a tornado, being robbed and getting sick while on the road. They played songs from both of their studio albums  and the new EP, Small Sound. They also debuted a new song that had previously never been performed live. South of France opened for Tennis.  I liked what I'd heard from them prior to the concert. But, unfortunately their opening set was a little hit and miss... Nevertheless, check out South of France at   http://southoffrance.bandcamp.com/album/another-boring-sunrise and look for Tennis on tour in 2014:

1/3 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court Gallery
1/4 Boise, ID @ Neurolux
1/5 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
1/6 Vancouver, Canada @ Fortune Sound Club
1/7 Seattle, WA @ Barboza
1/10 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
1/11 Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite
1/12 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
1/15 Austin, TX @ The Parish
1/16 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
1/17 Norman, OK @ Opolis
1/18 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar

Mission Accomplished! (Theatre Review)

The Book of Mormon @ The Buell Theatre A

It is a beautiful thing when one realizes they are in the presence of greatness.  The Book of Mormon is the best musical I have ever seen and possibly the best production (in general) I've ever seen at the theatre. Extraordinary!

Book Of Mormon returns to Denver in 2015.  Tickets for those shows go on sale tomorrow morning.