Night Moves - Movie Review

Night Moves (R) 112 minutes B
Dam, I wish I was your cover

Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning, Peter Sarsgaard, Alia Shawkat, James LeGros, Matt Malloy and Katherine Waterson

From the director of Meek's Cutoff (hated it!) and Wendy & Lucy (loved it!) comes Night Moves, a low-key eco-terrorism film that is slow but steady.  Thanks to solid performances by the principle cast, Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning, Peter Sarsgaard, this film stays afloat and stays intriguing throughout.  It's likely to be a little too slow for some audiences, but I really enjoyed the quiet mystery and looming darkness that filled these characters.

Dream Big, Be Epic (Album Reviews)

Teeth Dreams - The Hold Steady B+
Epic - Sharon Van Etten A-                                                                              

 

Released: March 2014

Dare I say that Teeth Dreams is the best Hold Steady album yet... Well, I should probably revisit 2006's Boys and Girls in America before making that declaration.  But, the first couple times I listened to Teeth Dreams I was pretty blown away.  It's everything I love about The Hold Steady- gritty, smart, catchy, sensitive and a little geeky.  Plus, this album rocks out with its cock out.  It's alt radio ready with a tingle of arena rock thrown in.  Regardless of whether this is or isn't their best album, it's sounds great right here, right now.  Favorite Tracks: "The Ambassador," "On with the Business," & "I Hope This Whole Thing Didn't Frighten You" 

Released: September 2010 

Sometimes I hear an album and right away I know it's special.  That was the case with Sharon Van Etten's Epic.  Quietly, acoustically, and passionately this album penetrates and stays with me long after it's over.
Favorite Tracks: "A Crime," "Peace Signs," "Save Yourself," & "Don't Do It"

The Blood Jet is Ariel (Book Review)

Published: 1965

Ariel - Sylvia Plath B+

During the last few months of her life Sylvia Plath wrote poems at a frantic pace, in a cold apartment (with no heat in the dead of winter), after her husband, Ted Hughes, reportedly abandoned her and the children for another woman. On February 11, 1963 Plath killed herself. Ariel is the poetry collection that best defines Plath. Not because it is depressing and angry, but because it is graceful, vivid and untamed. She was a remarkable talent and one of my biggest influences. Favorites include: "The Applicant," "A Birthday Present," "You're" and "Fever 103."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hHjctqSBwM&feature=kp 
"Daddy" from Ariel read by Sylvia Plath

Fed Up - Movie Review

Fed Up (NR) 92 minutes B
Sugar is the new Cocaine

Documentary: Directed by Stephanie Soechtig and narrated by Katie Couric

Food documentaries can be a major downer; yet, they are the ugly truth. Complications from obesity kills more people than hunger these days. The culprit, according to Stephanie Soechtig's new doc, is sugar and the food industry's commitment to the almighty dollar. After viewing Fed Up I felt like I never wanted to eat processed foods again, but then I got hungry. I wish this documentary was required viewing in schools and offered up in the workplace. The message is compelling, relevant, and non-partisan. Realistically, people are never going to stop consuming massive amounts of sugar.  Futhermore, as long as there is money there will be food politics. But, Fed Up has the power to change the way people think about food and perhaps lead to healthier choices... and that's a start.

Neighbors - Movie Review

Neighbors (R) 95 mins B
The old me vs the new me living in disharmony

Starring:  Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Ike Barinholtz and Lisa Kudrow

Sometimes I feel like Seth Rogan is performing in a different version of the same film over and over again; yet, it's still funny. Neighbors is pretty much what one would expect from a comedy starring Rogen- a clever mix of penis jokes, stoner humor, and pop culture references. But, what stood out to me in Neighbors was truth about crossing the invisible threshold from youthful revelry to responsible adult without losing "street cred." While I have definitely embraced some of the quieter moments of middle age, I often struggle with the reality that I am no longer young. Nevertheless, Neighbors is bound to remind you of a time when it was fun to be young and dumb... regardless of if that time was then or now.

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.