Archive for January, 2008

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

{ 01/29/2008 @ 6:36 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Imdb: http://imdb.com/title/tt0408236/

Trailer:

I actually saw this movie last week, I’ve been packing up some stuff though, thus I have also been slacking. Packing and slacking, ha.

Anyway, I feel it’s important for me to begin by saying I loathe musicals. Typically guy I guess you could say. Just…singing….all the time? during a movie? like….common….really? Something along those lines. Why did I see this movie?

Johnny Depp.

This is obviously the reason many people went to see it, because the damn girls in the seats down the aisle from me kept gasping and talking amongst themselves every time something would happen. OH MY GOD! They’d scream… I knew they obviously had no clue what the movie was about going in. At least do a little research.

I will warn you of two things if you haven’t yet seen the film: 1) There is singing (I know, shocking). 2) Mr. Todd is a DEMON BARBER, he don’t cut your hair, unless you got hairs in a line across your throat (he cuts alot of throats/there is blood).

Sorry to spoil it for you.

All this being said, Sweeney Todd was great. Johnny Depp, (who turned down singing lessons and opted to fly on his awesomeness alone) was great. His subsequent oscar nomination is well deserved. He brings a lot of emotion to the screen and to the character, and Mr. Todd is someone who has quite a lot of that. Benjamin Barker has a good life, he is a respected barber around London, he has a cute little family consisting of his beautiful wife and daughter AND now he has been kicked out of the country so some sleaze bag judge (Alan Rickman) can jump in and snag his wife and kid. Sweeney Todd begins with Barker’s return to London, only this time he is obviously weathered, worn, aged, wears a lot of black, probably listened to the cure a lot, etc etc etc, and he goes by Todd, Sweeney Todd. He dreams of finding his wife and children and resuming his relationship as it was before the Judge booted his ass. The story generally revolves around Depp singing about getting revenge or something along those lines. There is a nice song where he refers solely to his straight razors as friends, that song was fun. Helena Bonham Carter comes into the story as Ms. Lovett, an ugly chick who bakes nasty pies, together they plot revenge on the judge and other things of that nature. I won’t go into much more, this review is already shaping up to be longggggg and the movie is pretty self explanatory, you’ll catch on.

Depp does a wonderful job, H.B. Carter does a great job, and best of all, the music didn’t detract from the film for me at all. I wasn’t constantly thinking, god okay….lets get on with the talking, more talk, less sing. I actually liked the singing. Depp has a few very good songs, and his deep voice does the songs well. He appears to have this angry fire in his eyes throughout the film, something you just can’t teach a person. I had to take a quick bathroom break in the middle, and I was actually pissed off that I was going to miss a couple minutes. That should seal your viewership right there. Burton’s directing is top notch, this is as good (directorially speaking, as Big Fish and Ed Wood, both of which were great. There is one song in particular that the directing was very strong.

See it, at least rent it, maybe that might be more your speed? If you like musicals, or kind of like them, see it in theaters, if you don’t I’d still give it a shot on dvd, I think if nothing else you’ll be impressed.

It’s too bad Daniel Day-Lewis decided to do There Will Be Blood, because if it wasn’t for DD-L, Depp might have the oscar locked up, unfortunately he is developing Peter O’Toole/Martin Scorsese syndrome. We’ll see, anything can happen.

4/5

Stephen Malkmus – REal EMotional TRash

{ 01/14/2008 @ 10:11 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Photobucket

Oh man, what a day yesterday was. The new Stephen Malkmus album has leaked. No doubt by some no talent critic who will give it one listen and make his judgement (rolling stone). I’ve spent last night and all day today listening and critiquing. And here it is…

My track by track analysis of:

Stephen Malkmus – Real Emotional Trash

1. Dragonfly Pie
Starts out with a heavy beat and bluesy distorted guitar and does a good job of setting the tone for the album. This song is a bit of a microcosm for the entire album. The beginning is hard hitting, heavy, bluesy and then he refrain is a bit catchier, but not catchy……….as the album goes on you’ll see what I mean. Overall a strong opener, just as Water and a Seat, Pencil Rot and to a lesser extent Black Book, were great openers.

2. Hopscotch Willie
SM said this song was based on a character of the same name that he created. He said he was kind of like a Bad Bad Leroy Brown type of character, with a WAY more feminine and less scary nickname. This song chronicles Willie’s suspected participation in a  murder. Willie, claims he’s innocent, don’t we all. This is a cool song. The guitars in this song are also screamy, bluesy and just downright awesome. They fit the song perfectly and you’ll want to hear the guitar riffs over and over. The refrain is also ALMOST catchy, but not quite, in a way cool way. The guitar in the refrain is loud, thin and echoes, it’s way cool.

3. Cold Son
At present, my favorite song on the album. I really like the development of the guitar from palm-muted scraping to the poppy guitar with a shins-esque keyboard/moog in the background. This song reminds me of the Ramp of Death+Post Paint Boy with heavier guitar.  I LOVE the refrain in this song. The guitar has such an awesome effect on it, just sounds awesome, very original, crunchy, or something?

4. Real Emotional Trash
SM’s first title track. In the same interview I read he said that the girls in the band thought the name worked well as an album title and thus it was so. I really like the title. This song is the longest of some long songs on this album, clocking in at 10:09. This songs is a a smooth lyrically beauty. The song just feels like it flows perfectly. Lyrics such as: “easy said but less often done/point me in the direction/of your real emotional trash.” I think that sums the song up quite well. The guitar in this song is great throughout, fits the lyrically atmosphere perfectly.

5. Out Of Reaches
This song creates a somber mood through the title and the seemingly hopeless electric guitar lines. Give this song a listen, the sadness just radiates from every drawn out guitar line equipped with a bend at the end. SM’s whining at its best. The refrain of this song is great, it has one of those awesome dual lyrical moments where he is saying, Out of reaches, Out of reaches, but the way in which he separates the words makes it sound as though he is saying, “Out of, reaches out, out, of scenery.” I love that, it’s one of my favorite moments on the album. The drums throughout the song are great too, as I break from my SM love train. Ending the song with sincere repeating of the phrase, “I know the tide will turn.” perfect.

6. Baltimore
The first song I heard polished up and in album form. It was the one Matador released as a free download on its website. I was definitely disappointed. While this song has grown on me, I still find it to be my least favorite, which of course is a pleasant surprise as it did not leave me with high hopes for the album. I do like the lyrics throughout the song, but the thing I think is the most positive about this album is the guitar. SM at his fretboard molesting finest. The guitar is great throughout the entire 6:37. For now that’s all I’ve got. GIve it a chance I suppose, it will grow on you for sure.

7. Gardenia
Listed in live sets as Merry Go Round (pronounced Mary Go Round), it has been renamed and slightly re-lyriced. This is a sweet little song, almost channeling a cereal bar jingle or something of the sort. The chorus is awesome. So catchy, truly. It’s an intensely happy sounding and joyful romp through the mind of SM. One of those, oh….it’s so short and you just want it to go on forever. Lyrics are great. This is also the second song to feature the woman Jicks on backing vocals. The chorus is truly enhanced by the bah bah bah’s they sing so carelessly.

8. Elmo Delmo
This song is a lot cooler than you think, and Elmo Delmo is totally a phrase I’m going to use from now on. I wasn’t sure about this song at first. There is some weird little flutely/keyboard/puff the magic dragon thing at the beginning. After that finishes the song kind of races off at a quick pace and has moments where it reminds me of some of John Lennon’s later Beatles stuff (I’m not comparing it to the Beatles, calm down). The guitar sounds almost foreign, but not in a bad way. Then at about 2:00 the song settles into itself and the guitar starts to truly rock as SM starts a mini-solo sort of deal. From there on I think the song is a good one. It’s got a good deal of instrumental moments, which is cool, especially at this juncture of the album. The end of the song is my favorite part, from about 4:30 on, culminating with SM’s cool repetition of Elmo Delmo. This song seems very superficial in a cool way, completely self conscious, Elmo Delmo is basically SM telling you he knows how awesome he is. This song segues into the next very well.

9. We Can’t Help You
As I said, follows Elmo Delmo quite well. Has a very SM guitar riff and a very comical sound. It’s one of those that will eventually be good to sing along to with a car full of friends, once you all learn the words that is. This song is another example of the lady Jicks stepping into a singing role, and another time where it just sounds plain good. There is a riff that is repeated throughout the song, its hard to explain, but its like a syncopated rhythm sort of deal and its way cool. A piano, almost bar piano sounding, and an organ back up the Jicks on this song, and it could be cheesy, but naturally its just awesome. Fits the song well.

10. Wicked Wanda
Smooth guitar opening and throughout. Moments in this song almost sound awkward, but somehow they work. The lyrics are interesting: “…little spider with hollywood inside her. Wicked wicked wanda, i’d rather date Rwanda.” Hey, that’s cool I guess, with SM. More Jicks singing in the background here. Again no more than a single word, but it works well. As does the keyboard/toy piano used sporadically throughout, This song does the album justice as a closer and I think ends it quietly while not simply wilting away or going out with a whimper.
__________________________________________________________
Overall: I do not think this album was a disappointment by any means. It is great to see that no two SM albums sound the same. It keeps things interesting, it really does. This album might be hard to crack into for some, but once you’ve found the tap, I think you’ll love it. Parts of it have yet to grow on me, so we’ll see how that goes. Great music often takes patience. I can’t say I’m ready to give this album “a rating out of ten” but I could rank it amongst his other albums.

1. Pig Lib
2. Real Emotional Trash
3. Stephen Malkmus
4. Face The Truth

I guess that means if Pig Lib were a 10, then REal EMotional TRash would be an 8? We’ll see what pitchfork gives it, I’m guessing a 6-7 something. Personally, I like it, I think you should give it a listen. And if you download it, PLEASE go out and buy the album. I’ll be first in line for the vinyl pre-order when it’s announced, that much I know. And go to shows!

Real Emotional Trash can legally be yours on the 4th of March, 2008.

REal EMotional TRash

{ 01/14/2008 @ 3:41 am } · { Uncategorized }
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It’s here. After I listen, you’ll know.

Juno (not like the city in Alaska)

{ 01/14/2008 @ 12:21 am } · { Uncategorized }
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IMDB: http://imdb.com/title/tt0467406/

Trailer: I’d advise against watching it, it ruins a lot of the funny parts, thus–I’m not gonna post it.

This is the review all three of my readers have been waiting for I’m sure. You’ve all seen the trailer, know the film, blah blah blah. It’s better than you think. Much better. This was a great little movie. Ellen Page does a great job playing Juno, the witty accidentally pregnant 16 year old.

I’m sure you know the plot, but for a small refresher. Juno, gets pregnant, opps. She’s 16, opps again. She decides to keep the baby but donate it to a wealthy cause, a couple who can’t seem to have one of their own. What ensures is a hilarious few months in the life of a pretty normal teenage girl.

This film has an interesting premise and is beautifully executed. The music throughout the film is next to god awful but works amazingly well for the film itself. The characters are smart, funny, original and spontaneous. They all make you want to know exactly where they live so you can move then and perhaps lighten up your life a bit. The directing is next to ordinary but is completely made up for in the acting department. Ellen Page and Michael Cera are perfect for their respective roles and they have great chemistry together on screen. There is one scene in particular involving music and the two of them that is particularly great. Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner are also great and even better together.

This film dodges cliche and maintains it’s intelligence throughout without seeming self-promoting or pretentious. It’s quite the feat but the final product is a great movie. Maybe the best “comedy-drama” I’ve seen in a long while. The brand of humor is so different and refreshing, you’ll feel like you’re actually watching something new, not just the same old recycled garbage that is being pumped out these days.

I’d strongly recommend this movie. You’ll laugh a lot and probably name your kid Juno.

4/5

The Savages

{ 01/14/2008 @ 12:09 am } · { Uncategorized }
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IMDB: http://imdb.com/title/tt0775529/

Trailer:

For some reason the only one I could find has french subtitles? Sorry.

That song towards the end of the trailer: Rob Crow – Up. In case you were wondering, I was, great song.

Anyway, this movie was awfully sad, but greatly great. So sad, so good. I really liked it a lot. Laura Linney officially is my favorite actress after this movie. She is great and Philip Seymour Hoffman is amazing as always. I’m glad he’s finally getting the parts he deserves.

The Savages focus’ on a family that had fallen apart in the early stages. Hoffman and Linney play a brother and sister  whos mother and father both abandoned them at a young age. They essentially raised themselves and are now in two very different stages in life. They are brought together again by their father’s sudden onset of mental illness. They have not seen their father in years, but he has been diagnosed with dementia and has no one to take care of him. Brother and sister are now placed in the awkward position of taking care of someone who never took care of them. It’s an extremely interesting idea: how do you honestly take care of someone who abandoned you at such a young age? This movie made me think of how much of  bell curve life is. You start young, helpless and you end old, helpless. It’s a sad fact of life but this movie tackles it perfectly to a T. See it. Cry. You may.

4.5/5

I Am Legend

{ 01/13/2008 @ 11:51 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Wow, more than a month. I was slacking. Holidays got the best of me I suppose. In my return to Oregon I have found that I actually have a life, and therefore I am not as up to date on my blogging. I’ve seen only a couple movies since my last post and No Country For Old Men about 3 more times. This should be the first of four or five posts in a row, we’ll see how motivated I actually am.

I Am Legend, I feel, was such a popular movie that you’ve either A) already seen it or B) have sworn yourself against it. I’m not going to post a link or the trailer because I’m sure you have seen one or the other/both.

Will Smith, boo.

 I Am Legend is another step in the right direction for Will. Pursuit Of Happyness was decent, he did a good job and this movie is similar. This film appears to be your classic zombie film on the exterior, but it is actually much more. This came as a pleasant surprise to me. Will Smith plays the last man standing in New York City after a cancer vaccine mutates into an unstoppable viral plague. This is a pretty interesting concept in itself. The city is quarantined and most of the people are rushed out before the island’s bridges are blown up. All of the infected are left behind, oh and Will. He plays military scientist, Robert Neville.

Here is where my favorite part of the movie comes into play, no really, no sarcasm.

This movie/story plays the percentages. We soon discover that not ALL of the world turns into what Neville calls, Dark Seekers. We also find out that not only Neville is a immune. When the virus began to spread it killed off Xx of the worlds population immediately, Xx of the population was immune though many of these people have since been killed by the violent dark seekers and then a certain percentage contracted the virus but did not die but instead turned into the dark seekers. This helps ground this sci-fi story in reality. All of the ideas in this film are not as far fetched as they may originally seem.

We follow Neville as he struggles to find a cure for the virus and reverse its effects and basically save humanity, how dramatic.

If you’re looking for some mindless action flick, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for something that is smart, but entertaining I would recommend this movie. Smith does a good job when the entire story is centered solely on him. He has little interaction with humans but his actions are still believable. If nothing else this film’s cinematography is top notch. I wouldn’t be surprised if it got an Oscar nod.

3/5