Lonely But Not Alone (Album Review)

Released: April 2014

Everyday Robots - Damon Albarn B

After hearing the review on NPR of Damon Albarn's new album, Everyday Robots, I knew it was something I needed to investigate further.  Albarn, who is best known for being the frontman for Blur and half of the virtual band Gorillaz, has finally ventured out on his own. But not without help from a few friends, namely Brian Eno, Natasha Khan, and The Leytonstone City Mission Choir. My least favorite tracks are those featuring the aforementioned choir. Nevertheless, Everyday Robots is a fairly penetrating affair that characterizes a few arresting moments of the human condition. Case in point, the tracks "Lonely Press Play," "Photographs," and my favorite, "The Selfish Giant (featuring Natasha Khan)." This album is easily accessible. It looks and sounds deeply personal from the cover art to the tripping Timothy Leary sample on the track, "Photographs." All in all, this is a very nice album that I recommend for those lazy summer days when one needs to hear something airy, smart, introspective and relaxing. Check it out.

Here is the NPR review by my man Tom Moon http://www.npr.org/2014/04/29/308068267/album-review-everyday-robots

"It's hard to be a lover when the TV's on and nothing is in your eyes." - The Selfish Giant

God's Pocket - Movie Review

God's Pocket (R) 86 mins B
A South Philly Tale

Starring John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Jenkins, Christina Hendricks, Caleb Landry Jones

God's Pocket is based on Pete Dexter's first novel (of the same name) published in 1983. The film is written and directed by John Slattery and Alex Metcalf. It features two of my favorite actors, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Richard Jenkins, as well as a voluptuously captivating Christina Hendricks. This gritty drama, sprinkled with dark humor, is set in a rough South Philly neighborhood circa 1978 and centers around Mickey Scarpato (Hoffman). Mickey is a blue collar, hard luck, second tier criminal who is struggling to keep his money right and his wife satisfied. When his maladjusted stepson is "accidentally" killed on a construction site, life gets considerably more complicated for Mickey.

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I enjoy a gritty drama with dark humor. This film is not necessarily the best example, because it feels a little watered down. Nevertheless, it is still highly intriguing and enjoyable. The performances are understated but effective. Fans of Hoffman's indie films won't be disappointed. Everyone else should proceed with caution (and/or wait for it on Netflix).

Tales From The Hood (Book Review)

Published: July 2007

Drown - Junot Diaz A-

File Under: "Writers I am in awe of." This collection of stories offer an undaunted look at urban life in New Jersey via the Dominican Republic.

Morrissey 25: Live (Movie Review)

Morrissey 25: Live (NR) 92 minutes A-

Maladjusted & Magnificent
 

Tonight there was a special screening of Morrissey 25: Live in Denver - one night, one showing. The concert film marks 25 years as a solo artist for Morrissey. It was shot on March 2, 2013 at Hollywood High School after a sold out show at LA's Staples Center the night before.

If given the opportunity, this film is best experienced on the big screen in all its glory with the volume turned up. Morrissey 25: Live is simply about one night with Morrissey, his music, his band and his crazed fans. Anyone expecting anything else will be gravely disappointed.

Track listing

1.  Alma Matters
2.  Ouija Board, Ouija Board
3.  Irish Blood, English Heart
4.  You Have Killed Me
5.  November Spawned A Monster
6.  Maladjusted
7.  Still Ill
8.  People Are The Same Everywhere
9.  Speedway
10.  That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore
11.  To Give (The Reason I Live)
12.  Meat Is Murder
13.  Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
14.  Action Is My Middle Name
15.  Everyday Is Like Sunday
16.  I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
17.  Let Me Kiss You
18.  The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

 http://www.morrissey25live.com/  

Available on DVD & Blu-ray. 
 

Not That Srange, But A Lot Happened (Book Review)

Published: Sept 2009

 

Strange Things Happen - Stewart Copeland B-

Strange Things Happen was not the wild and raunchy rock tell-all I expected from one of rock's most popular drummers, Stewart Copeland of the Police. Nevertheless, Copeland is an interesting guy and a true artist for whom I have a newfound respect after finishing Strange Things Happen. I have never been much of a Police fan, but I enjoyed his anecdotes about creating films scores and jamming with Oysterhead.

Under the Skin - Movie Review

Under the Skin (R) 108 minutes B-
Cruising for Oozing

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Paul Brannigan and Lynsey Taylor 

I didn't realize how much this film had gotten under my skin until hours after it ended and I was still thinking about it. Under the Skin is weird. It's definitely not for mainstream audiences despite the presence of a mainstream Hollywood star, Scarlett Johansson. But, it is artsy, intriguing, and hypnotically obscure. This film is directed by Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast & Birth) and has the distinct claim of being Johansson's first explicit nude scene in a film.

Under the skin is adapted from Michel Faber’s extraterrestrial novel of the same name. The film is set in Scotland and driven by Johansson’s cryptic performance as Laura. With her plump bosom, vacant eyes, mysterious black hair and full pink lips, Laura cruises the streets of Glasgow. Innocently she talks unsuspecting blokes into her van. She then drives them to an undisclosed location where an inky black pool of deception awaits. I cannot claim to understand what it all means, or its purpose. But, I personally surmise that the film’s essential meaning revolves around the mundane alienation and vulnerability of the human spirit. In our self-obsessed existence we fail to truly understand what is under the skin.

This sci-fi drama is a puzzle film in which all the pieces do not fit; but, don’t get hung up on that. Under the Skin is a one trick pony as far as plot and it feels longer than it actually is. Yet, thanks to Johansson's allure, the Kubrick-like vibe, Mica Levi's ambient soundtrack and Daniel Landis' moody cinematography, audiences should spend more time appreciating the film and less time decoding it. Sometimes it’s just nice to go to the movies and experience something other worldly... even if it leaves you feeling a little mystified.

An Object of Beauty and Mystery (Book Review)

Published: March 2013

No Object - Natalie Shapero A

In the poem, "Lean Time," Shapero writes: "Outcasts only care what outcasts think." After I read that line I knew I had fallen for Shapero's twisted enlightenment. No Object is smart, witty, challenging, and accessible. Yesterday, I was reading the book in a coffee shop and caught myself saying out loud to myself, "Oh my god, this is brilliant!" These poems are slightly odd, slightly menacing, and full of questions. My favorites include: "Stars," "Bad Key," "Lean Time," "News to Me," "Little Winter," "Our War," "Arranged Hours," "No Please After You," "Hot (Normal)," and "Close Space."

Dead Set with Desire (Book Review)

Published: Sept 2008

Indignation - Philip Roth B

Another Philip Roth novel, another slow starter. But, when Roth's stories kick into gear they tend to drive an emotional dagger through my soul and prompt a re-investigation of my own ruinous behavior and mortality. Indignation, Roth's 25th novel, is set in 1951 during the Korean War.  The protagonist, Marcus Messner, is an  overachieving college sophomore who recently transferred from a small college in his home town of Newark to a conservative college in Ohio... mainly to escape his overprotective father.  In Ohio, Marcus encounters the typical ups and downs of college life.  He also becomes enamored by the lovely, but unstable, Olivia Hutton.  On their first date, Olivia performs fellatio on Marcus and that pretty much signals the beginning of the end for our protagonist. 

However, Indignation is about more than I have described above.  It is about: the relationship between a father and son, life during war time, death, and being a Jewish immigrant in America. But, one of the moments that hit me hardest was an exchange between Marcus and his mother.  (Spoiler Alert!) She begs him not to see Olivia any more, she warns him, "Weak people are not harmless," which leads  Marcus to a crescendo of confusing emotions.

There is a "wow" factor that often accompanies a Philip Roth book, and this one is no exception.  His books may require a little patience in the beginning, but so far they have been worthwhile in the end.

Good God (Music Review)

Released March 2014

Withered Hand - New Gods B+

Spring has sprung and I have a serious contender for my 2014 summer soundtrack. The latest offering from Withered Hand is infectious, accessible, smart, and sounds great loud with the windows rolled down. Under the surface it flirts with some heavy themes, above the surface it just sounds like good, clean, commercial alt-pop. My favorite tracks here include: "Horseshoe," "California," "Fall Apart," "Life of Doubt," and "Black Tambourine."

Nymphomaniac: Volume I - Movie Review

Nymphomasiac: Volume I (NR)  118 mins C
There will be sex

Starring: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgard, Stacy martin, Shia LaBeouf, Uma Thurman and Christian Slater

I went to see Nymphomaniac: Volume I not because I thought it would be a well-acted cinematic gem, but because the one and only review I read prior to seeing it promised (I'm paraphrasing): lots of explicit sex, intrigue, and a decent storyline. Despite the review I still had my doubts... and my hopes. But, I figured the worst case scenario would be having to sit through two hours of copious, nearly pornographic sex- it's a tough job.  And no, this is not (technically) a porno. It's playing at local art houses in major cities, it's written and directed by Lars Von Triers (2011's Melancholia), and stars the likes of Shia Labeouf, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Christian Slater, and a scene stealing Uma Thurman.

However, this film is not for the timid mainstream moviegoer. Some will consider this porn masquerading as art. Others, will simply consider it a two hour porno with too much talking.  Nevertheless, this very cheesy, often lame, and sometimes (unintentionally) funny film managed to peak my curiosity about what happens next (Volume II hits theatres within weeks). Nymphomaniac: Volume I is totally stupid; From the ridiculous metal soundtrack, to its philosophical leanings about love, sex, loneliness and nature.  But, this LVT film has just the right mix of absurdities to make it a bonafide cult classic and enough perversion to make it a guilty pleasure.