Casual Reviews of Movies, Music, and Literature

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

125 Years, 125 Films (1889-2014)

125 years ago, film as we know it started to emerge. It was a timid thing, hesitantly making its way from humble experimentation to aesthetic storytelling. Over the past century, the medium has mutated and evolved, in a constant state of artistic flux: at once soulful and analytical, brash and beautiful, introspective and entertaining. Cinema harmoniously blends innumerable arts (acting, writing, photography, music, design, fashion, architecture, dance) in splendid synchronicity.

The following list is 125 of cinema's "best" films. These are the movies that engaged me emotionally, intellectually, and aesthetically - the 125 essentials. I challenge you to hunt them down and view them all. You won't be disappointed.  
- Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)
- Safety Last! (1923)
- The Battleship Potemkin (1925)
- The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
- The General (1926)
- Metropolis (1927)
- Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
- The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
- Un Chien Andalou (1929)
- All Quiet On the Western Front (1930)
- City Lights (1931)
- Frankenstein (1931)
- M (1931)
- King Kong (1933)
- The Goddess (1934)
- Gone With the Wind (1939)
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
- Stagecoach (1939)
- Fantasia (1940)
- The Great Dictator (1940)
- The Philadelphia Story (1940)
- Citizen Kane (1941)
- Sullivan's Travels (1941)
- Casablanca (1942)
- To Be or Not To Be (1942)
- Bicycle Thieves (1948)
- The Third Man (1949)
- Sunset Boulevard (1950)
- Rashomon (1950)
- Strangers on a Train (1951)
- Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- From Here to Eternity (1953)
- On the Waterfront (1954)
- Rear Window (1954)
- Seven Samurai (1954)
- The Night of the Hunter (1955)
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
- Paths of Glory (1957)
- 12 Angry Men (1957)
- Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
- North by Northwest (1959)
- The Apartment (1960)
- Eyes Without A Face (1960)
- Psycho (1960)
- Spartacus (1960)
- The Hustler (1961)
- Lonely Are the Brave (1962)
- To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
- Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
- Persona (1966)
- The Graduate (1967)
- Rosemary's Baby (1968)
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
- Patton (1970)
- A Clockwork Orange (1971)
- The French Connection (1971)
- The Godfather (1972)
- Don't Look Now (1973)
- The Exorcist (1973)
- Chinatown (1974)
- The Conversation (1974)
- The Godfather Part II (1974)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
- Jaws (1975)
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
- Taxi Driver (1976)
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
- Eraserhead (1977)
- Star Wars (1977)
- The Deer Hunter (1978)
- Halloween (1978)
- Alien (1979)   
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Raging Bull (1980)
- The Shining (1980)
- The Thing (1982)
- The Right Stuff (1983)
- Ghostbusters (1984)
- Ran (1985)
- The Fly (1986)
- Full Metal Jacket (1987)
- The Vanishing (1988)
- Do the Right Thing (1989)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- A Few Good Men (1992)
- Reservoir Dogs (1992)
- Unforgiven (1992)
- Groundhog Day (1993)
- Jurassic Park (1993)
- Schindler's List (1993)
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
- 12 Monkeys (1995)
- The Thin Red Line (1998)
- The Usual Suspects (1998)
- American Beauty (1999)
- Audition (1999)
- The Insider (1999)
- Chicago (2002)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- Lost in Translation (2003)
- Oldboy (2003)
- The Aviator (2004)
- Downfall (2004)
- Children of Men (2006)
- The Departed (2006)
- Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
- Michael Clayton (2007)
- No Country for Old Men (2007)
- There Will Be Blood (2007)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Inglourious Basterds (2009)
- Up (2009)
- Inception (2010)
- Drive (2011)
- Argo (2012)
- Django Unchained (2012)
- The World's End (2013)
- 12 Years A Slave (2013)
- The Babadook (2014)
- Calvary (2014)
- Interstellar (2014)

Granted, there are some pretty fantastic movies not on this list (and certainly there are a few movies on here that aren't as amazing as I think they are), but this is nonetheless a fantastic start for anyone who wants to experience the awesomeness of cinema.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Weezer's "Everything Will Be Alright in the End" - 2 Reviews, 2 Opinions

Everything Will Be Alright in the End by Weezer, released 10/7/2014.
Last May, B. Gutierrez and I reviewed Weezer's album Hurley, a record that I mostly enjoyed and he basically detested. Regardless, it was a fun little experiment, so with the release of Weezer's newest record Everything Will Be Alright in the End this month, it seemed natural to do it again. Like before, we'll be covering the album track-by-track, with some overall impressions acting as bookends. Read, enjoy, listen, and take a stance!

B. Perry
Can I start right off the bat with some intense hyperbole? I can? Okay, here goes: thank God for albums like this. It not only reaffirms Weezer as a rock & roll mainstay, but also reminds listeners of the humble brilliance that pop-rock as a genre has to offer. This album isn't another of Weezer's ploys for popularity (of which there have been many), but isn't simply a rehash of former glory either. For fans of the band and listeners in general, truly everything will be alright in the end. Here's why: 

1.) Ain't Got Nobody: At a glance, this track feels pretty shallow. Historically, Weezer has had some terrific openers (My Name is Jonas, Tired of Sex, Troublemaker, If You're Wondering If I Want You To, etc.), and this one didn't seem to compare. The melody felt redundant, and the vaguely cheesy dialogue put me off. But then I listened to it a second time, and a third time, and finally the whole thing came alive. The gravelly guitar that chugs away with a steady intensity, the drums that echo larger than life, the rock & roll chorus whose hook seems primal, immortal, chiseled in stone - it all fits together with a brazened chemistry I honestly didn't think the band still had. Even better, front man Rivers Cuomo absolutely tears it up with a lively, spirited guitar solo. Although it took a few listens to grow on me, it's certainly one of my favorite new tunes and one of the best openers Weezer has to offer. Great stuff. 
2.) Back to the Shack: For a first single, this song was a perfect choice. It was one of the best tunes of the summer thanks to a simple, solid hook and a wave of screeching guitars (the Sonic Youth-style solo is fantastic). Lyrically, it's equally liberating and depressing. I love the idea that Weezer decided to cast-off pop conventions and just play a throwback hit reminiscent of better days (the phrase "Rockin' out like it's '94" resonates strongly), but it's a bummer that the band felt it necessary to appease fans who crave the same style, the same old thing, day-in-day-out. Regardless, it's an excellent radio rock song and will certainly be a concert staple for the rest of  Weezer's career. 
3.) Eulogy for a Rock Band: Here we have a toe-tapping, head-nodding tune that does a nice job cooling off the album's fiery first act, which is a refreshing change of pace this early on. It's a mellow yet energetic tribute to the rock bands of yore (perhaps Weezer themselves?), sustained by a subtle momentum and utterly electric chorus. Every time I go back to it, I enjoy it more and more. 
4.) Lonely Girl: I'll admit, I'm not wild about this song. While I like the performances and the undeniable Weezerness of it all, it unfortunately sounds a bit too much like The Green Album. Granted, lots of people adore that record, but I've never really been a fan  - every song follows the same cookie-cutter format, the musicianship on display is lukewarm to the point of nausea, and the bubblegum froth of it all is maddening. Lonely Girl is kind of like that, except it's partly redeemed by a competent arrangement and a top-40 guitar solo. It's just a big 'ol pile of  meh...
5.) I've Had It Up To Here: Thankfully, the record picks back up with this track. A lot. Sometimes in life you hear a song and it practically screams your name, like it was written just for you and no one else. For me, this is one of those songs. I love the initial guitar work that stutters with rhythmic funk. I love the Chili Pepperesque vocal melody, particularly in the verses. I love the faux reggae bridge. I love the Pinkerton guitar solo with its unexpected half-time feel. I love the lyrics, which are some of the simplest, yet most astute, Rivers has put together in years. This tune is a mid-album revelation, a fireworks display of clever songwriting and instrumentation with enough spit and spirit to energize you for the record's second half. I love this song.
6.) The British Are Coming: As much as I appreciate the idea of this song, the awkward execution is a little hard to take. Don't get me wrong - I don't dislike this track, it's just not up to par with some of the others. The singsong melody during the verses is uninspired, and Rivers' vocals during the chorus are...painful? Maybe. However, the opening acoustic guitar lick is really neat (I dig on that Baroque pop vibe), the solo is great, and the lyrics are hilariously divine (it's hard to shake the idea that Rivers wrote this one after some botched meeting with label executives). This one's a mixed bag, and is a bit of a misstep after the perfection of the previous track. Not bad, though. Far from it. (Getting to see it performed live for the first time was pretty cool. With a crowd of thousands pumping fists and singing along, the tune feels positively vibrant.)
7.) Da Vinci: While I fear this has a few too many Green Album trappings, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and a playful arrangement validate the track. I'm a big fan of the harmonizing vocals that smooth over the rather by-the-books melody, making it all so much more enjoyable. I also never dreamed of hearing a pop song that uses both Stephen Hawking and the Rosetta Stone as measures of true love. It's very funny.
8.) Go Away: Finally, life. This one has it all - a delightful melody, terrific instrumentation, and abundant musical chemistry between the boys and their collaborators, the band Best Coast. I'm particularly fond of male/female duets, and this one delivers tenfold. Both voices intertwine with warmth and brightness (I get chills whenever they hit that high note during the chorus). Is it one of Weezer's best? Maybe, maybe not. In the very least, it's memorable and fun. Who can complain about that?
9.) Cleopatra: THIS. IS. MY. JAM. Seriously, this song is the perfect, three-minute rebuttal to all of the album's naysayers. Musically, lyrically, and emotionally, Cleopatra is the continuation of Weezer's best record, 1994's Blue Album. Listening to this song, you can't help but wonder why it isn't dominating the charts right now. It's catchy yet inventive, fun yet melancholy, bold yet familiar. The folk-pop atmosphere of the verses is sugary sweet, with a subtle harmonica laying a soft textural framework. The chorus is so inescapably Weezer, you can't help but bop your head and sing along. The bridge, though simple, is incredibly effective (it amps me up every time). A measure of 5/4 sticks its nose into every chorus, and somehow always works. Thankfully, there's another phenomenal guitar solo, this one slippery and flirtatious. Yup, I'll say it again: this song is terrific, a perfect blending of 1994 with 2014. Truly awesome.
10.) Foolish Father: The greatness continues with this, the album's true finale. Simple, eloquent, and unapologetic, this song tugs at your heartstrings with infinite finesse and creativity. The woebegone echos of the introduction explore some new musical territory for the band, and do a nice job translating Rivers' emotions. The lead guitar is essential to the melody, adding depth and gravity to the overall arrangement (I especially like the playful fa-do fugue in the middle). Hearing guitarist Brian Bell singing along during the final chorus is also nice. However, I most enjoy the song's conclusion. The choir singing "Everything will be alright in the end" over and over really speaks to me. I'm not sure if it's the melody, the lyrics, or what, but something about it sticks - it really does feel like everything will be alright in the end.
11.) The Futurescope Trilogy I - The Waste Land: Here we are - Weezer's epic, ambitious rock suite written and performed in three movements. Do I love it? Not exactly, but I like it. This first entry in the trilogy, entitled The Waste Land, is an intriguing instrumental tune. It focuses on a single riff, one that from any other band would sound positively menacing (it's a ghastly one). However, in the hands of Rivers and company, they can't quite pull it off. It works just fine, but doesn't blow me away. Drummer Pat Wilson does a pretty solid job, but other than that, it's fairly forgettable.
12.) The Futurescope Trilogy II - Anonymous: Conversely, this second part of the trilogy works very well. The lyrics are, um, detrimentally Weezer, but this song isn't about lyrics. Again, the focal point here is the guitar, which simmers and sings. I'm also partial to the shout-chorus near the end. This one is quite good.
13.) The Futurescope Trilogy III - Return to Ithaka: The final installment of the trilogy is a blazing blowout of instrumental insanity, notable for its high energy and creative arrangement. In its last moments, Rivers melts some faces with a truly exceptional electric guitar flourish. With this, the album ends.

As I sit here, typing up the last of this review, I again find myself stunned by Weezer's fan base. How can you like the Blue Album, Pinkerton, and Maladroit, but not this? It's a musically diverse record that pioneers some fresh territory, but unlike albums Raditude and Hurly doesn't abandon Weezer's trademark style. It's a perfect blend of the old and new, a logical connection of past to present.

Seriously, I ask again: what's up with the fans? Critics certainly like it (4 stars from Rolling Stone, 4 stars from AllMusic, a perfect 5 stars from the Alternative Press), casual listeners like it, why not these guys?

...wait...I think I have an answer.

Old school Weezer fans are now well into adulthood. They remember with starry eyed fondness those first few albums (even the mediocre one...yup, the Green Album) and stubbornly refute the new stuff. Is it hard for them to accept the maturation of a rock band because they can't accept it in themselves? Possibly. But maybe it's the other way around - with a nose to the air and a flick of the wrist, former fans may claim they have outgrown the band, that it's too juvenile, too passe. Worst of all, I've heard some fans (my pal B. Gutierrez included) who, after complaining for a decade or more about Weezer changing their style, are now complaining that they changed it back for this new album! Really? Even The Beatles attempted to do that with Let It Be (originally titled, for obvious reasons, "Get Back")! Why is Weezer being penalized for playing music? Why can they never win, even when it all works this well?

Whatever the mindset, I simply don't understand it. Why can't a song just be a song? An album just an album? Why has this particular band been ridiculed for musical experimentation? It's something our best rock bands always do, from Led Zeppelin to the Red Hot Chili Peppers - they change over time. Although there have been failures, I contend that Everything Will Be Alright in the End is a success. What the hell - Hurly is, too. Weezer has run a grueling uphill sprint since 2005's Make Believe, with nary a compliment from a persnickety audience. It's time to lay off. I challenge jaded listeners to bring an ounce of gratitude (or raditude?) to a band that's put out some of the best music of the last 20 years. Revisit the records you hate: hear the emotional musicality of Make Believe, the crackling wit of the Red Album, the upbeat delirium of Raditude, and the organic chemistry of Hurly.

Like I've already made explicitly clear, this newest addition to Weezer's discography is terrific: catchy melodies, amusing lyrics, sly arrangements, and superb musicianship. With Everything Will Be Alright in the End, the band decided to make a great pop-rock album and succeeded. Although it may concede too much to an entitled fan base, it is nonetheless well-crafted and sincere.

The music is fantastic. To judge the album based on anything else is absurd. 


Weezer performing live in 2014.
B. Gutierrez
Ten years. Ten years is how long you and I have been active (and at times obsessive) Weezer fans! Granted, that’s half as long as some people, but I don’t think we can blame our five year-old selves for that. Quite frankly, I don’t know how there are still people that have lasted the band’s entire 20 year run. Because I, for one, am done. I’m exhausted, drained, just plain tired from following this band for a decade. “I’ve Had It Up to Here,” if you will.
  Let me take a step back for a minute. I think you and I can agree that the main problem with Weezer fandom is that they have hoped for a true follow up to Blue Album and/or Pinkerton for 18 years now. To the point where it’s become obnoxious. I’m as guilty as anyone here. Through that time, I feel like you’ve been a constant little pro-Weezer voice in my ear that whole time. I’ve heard you make compelling cases for various piles of crap that Weezer has pushed out over the years that were decidedly unlike their first two albums. And you know what? I was finally ready to buy into it! Wholeheartedly. The last album that gave me any sort of positive feeling whatsoever was Red. Six years ago! I was ready though, for THIS album to be the one where I finally brush off my bias towards early Weezer, put on a fresh set of ears, and just plain enjoy what it presents.
And how does Weezer thank me for this? THEY RELEASE AN ALBUM ABOUT GETTING BACK TO THE SPIRIT AND STYLE OF BLUE AND PINKERTON! Alright then, time to throw away those shiny new ears, put my jaded waxy ones back on and dive into the muck…


1. Ain’t Got Nobody- Alright, right off the bat, Rivers gives me my first bone to pick with EWBAITE (How does their most wordy album have the least to say?). Remember my big pet peeve for Hurley being the cover? Well this time it’s saying the freakin’ album title in no less than two songs! And there’s no “title track” to be found anywhere! Seriously, if I could start this song at the 11 second mark, it would be worlds better for me. Outside of that, I really don’t know what to think. I should note that, musically, most all the songs follow through on getting back to that “feel” of Blue. Lyrically, this is just a mess though. As I said, if Rivers had allowed me to listen to this album freshly, without viewing it through the lens of their early albums, I could dig on this track. Since he made it clear he wants me “rocking out like it’s ‘94” though, I have to assume he’s trying to write with the same sincerity of those first two albums. Don’t get me wrong, when I hear this I do slightly get warm fuzzies thinking of all the “problems with women” songs from Weezer’s early catalogue. When a forty-something year-old man with a wife and two children tries to evoke the same feelings from me, I just stand up and say “bullshit.” That guitar solo, though. Woo!
2. Back to the Shack- In case a good old-fashioned lead track about lady troubles wasn’t in-your-face enough, now we’re straight-up being told we’re listening to a “classic” Weezer album! Honestly, from the first time I heard this track, all the cautious optimism I had was completely drained. My first thought was “pandering” but now after several listens I’ve settled on “pleading.” Say what you may about the guitars (great) and the solo (double great), lyrically what I have here is Rivers telling me how I should be listening to Weezer. After 18 years of various levels of experimentation largely focused on to broadening his audience, Rivers is now telling me that he’s sorry, and what he’s got to offer can’t be put on sale. Fuck. That. I know you have your beef with “old school” Weezer fans, and to be fair Weezer was unnecessarily faulted for branching out stylistically many times. All fans ever asked for- Hell, all I ever asked for, though, was to know that the band I fell in love with, that made me feel feelings I didn’t know I could feel, still existed to some degree. I was appeased easier than most. I found bits of it in tracks like “Hold Me” and “Automatic” and “I Don’t Want to Let You Go” and (I would insert a Hurley track here if there were any worthwhile). I was ready to be pleasantly surprised here again, but instead I get a riff-heavy apology (?) swearing up and down that NOW the real Weezer is back, and forget all that other shit, (including one of the aforementioned tracks!) we were just kidding. And it makes me sick in a way that no amount of Lil Wayne guest spots or steaming piles like “Everybody Get Dangerous” ever could. And THAT, more than anything, is why I’m finally throwing in the towel. I’ll take my Blue and Pinkerton and selected tracks from the next twelve years and live in a cave. If that turns me from a fan to a “fan” so be it.
3. Eulogy for a Rock Band- Now that I got that out, moving on… When I was listening to this album and jotting down notes, my page for this song was pretty much blank. It was basically a lot of question marks. Is this a tribute to their inspirations? (Was “Heart Songs” not enough?) Is it a song about themselves in their twilight continuing the demand to be taken seriously from the previous song? Do I care either way? Could this song be more boring? Just a real snoozer all around. Maybe I’m just tired from my “Back to the Shack” rant, but I really have nothing substantial to say about this one.
4. Lonely Girl- Like I said about “Ain’t Got Nobody”, I’m not sure if it’s Rivers getting older, or me getting older, I just can’t relate to these songs coming from this songwriter anymore. Even when he asks in the song. (Ha! See what I did there? Actually, you might not since all these lyrics are completely forgettable) Plus, Rivers just sounds completely bored himself throughout this song.
5. I’ve Had It Up To Here- I actually find myself groovin’ to this song more than most on this album. I just don’t understand what I should take out of it. Is Rivers trying to paint himself as a victim? People didn’t like some of his songs, so now he’s just gonna do what he does and not give a crap. Am I supposed to feel bad for him? Am I supposed to think he’s a badass and consider this a defining anti-establishment anthem? Honestly, I know I come back to this over and over again, but part of the reason why I love(d) Weezer is how relatable the music was. Even well past Pinkerton. But seriously, nearly every damn song on here rings false to me. If I just wanted to listen to pop music that I only connect with on a superficial level, there are dozens of artists that do it worlds better than Weezer does.
6. The British Are Coming- Here’s a twist- I actually like this song! The string intro, the shredding solo, the inexplicable Revolutionary War lyrics? Love it! It makes no sense whatsoever and doesn’t really tie in with anything else (though I guess you could say there’s a historical arc along with “DaVinci” and “Cleopatra” if you’re reaching) but I’m okay with that! It’s a good old-fashioned palette cleanser. You can probably tell, but my palette is quite dirty at this point. I could see myself using this as filler on a Weezer mix though. And at this point that’s pretty much the highest praise I can give.
7. DaVinci- Ugh. Now we’re back to reality. I’m actually fully on board with this song up until a distinct point. I like the sentiment (I guess Rivers can still pull me in a bit), I think the chorus is neat, I’m bopping right along. Then, “I looked you up on Ancestry.com; no sign of Dad or of Mom.” No. Just no. I’m nitpicking I know, but I literally cringed the first time I heard that. Takes me completely out of the whole song. That’s not a thing. It’s not relatable, it doesn’t add to the song, it flies in the face of the chorus using all these monumental figures. It’s only in there because Rivers has an endorsement deal with said website. I’m convinced. Although, I do have to bump this song back up a few notches and give Rivers credit for not finishing “Everything Will Be Alright” with “In the End” here. That’s mad restraint he’s showing.
8. Go Away- My first draft of this review had something witty about my favorite track on Weezer’s new album being titled “Go Away”. I’m too tired now though. It’s great, and it reminds me a lot of “I Just Threw out the Love of My Dreams” which is awesome. I’m probably gonna go listen to Best Coast now and have a better time than this.
9. Cleopatra- I just don’t know. “It’s a song?” I just don’t have any criticism left in me. I’ve run out of things to write. Which is also what Rivers did when he decided simply counting by fives was acceptable songwriting. It's OKAY, I guess.
10. Foolish Father- For some reason, this song has stuck with me more than any on the album. It’s catchy, I’ll give it that. I think this feels more representative of where Rivers is right now; it comes off as genuine. See, there’s this whole adult family reconciliation angle to mine, why do we have no less than 4 songs about lady troubles? Screw that end, though. Awful. Although I guess there is some nice full circle to it being said by a mom at the beginning of the album, and by children at the end (before the suite).  That’s deep, man. Blew my freakin’ mind.
11. The Futurescope Trilogy (The Waste Land, Anonymous, Return to Ithaka)- This is awesome. As you can tell, 80% of my problem with this album was lyrical, so this is super refreshing. “The Waste Land” is a killer build-up, I actually enjoy most the lyrics in “Anonymous” and “Return to Ithaka” is a good closer. A few things: LOVE (hey, hey, hey, hey!) in “Anonymous” but “Now I know what to call you” is pretty much a nothing line. I do heartily appreciate “Ithaka” melting my face off to close the album.
When I unload all my Weezer baggage and just take this in, it’s not a bad album. I’d put it firmly outside of the top 5, though. It doesn’t offend me in the same way as “Hurley” did, and it’s not “Make Believe” levels of forgettable. I just wish that they didn’t make this so blatantly tied to their identity. Maybe if the next Weezer album isn’t about being Weezer, I'll think about giving them another shot. For now though, I’m just washing my hands of this whole mess. I don’t have the cognitive ability to rock out to music this meta.


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

31 Days of Horror (Part 3): The Curse

Well, here we are: year three of my 31 Days of Horror series. Yet again, I'll be presenting 31 of the genre's best movies (in chronological order) for your viewing enjoyment. Monsters, killers, ghosts, vampires, demons, zombies, dinosaurs, aliens, werewolves, cannibals, invisible brain creatures...this year has it all. So, as the leaves start their slow march to decay, as the days get shorter, as the shadows pool together and grow fangs - watch these horror classics and enjoy. It's Halloween season folks, so let's make it a good one.

- The Lost World (1925)

- The Mummy (1932)

- The Invisible Man (1933)

- Son of Frankenstein (1939)

- Dead of Night (1945)

- Gojira (1954)

- Les Diaboliques (1955)

- The Blob (1958)

- Fiend Without A Face (1958)

- The Haunting (1963)

- A Clockwork Orange (1971)

- Badlands (1973)

- The Wicker Man (1973)

- The Amityville Horror (1979)

- Videodrome (1983)

- Day of the Dead (1985)

- Aliens (1986)

- Fatal Attraction (1987)

- The Vanishing (1988)

- Tremors (1990)

- From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

- Scream (1996)

- Ginger Snaps (1998)

- Wolf Creek (2005)

- Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

- Slither (2006)

- Them (2006)

- 1408 (2007)

- Antichrist (2009)

- Drag Me to Hell (2009)

- We Are What We Are (2013)

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Top 5 Films of 2010

As promised, here are my picks for the five best movies from 2010. Read and enjoy!

(Honorable Mentions - Black Swan, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, How to Train Your Dragon, Kick-AssThe Social Network, The Town, Toy Story 3TrollhunterTrue Grit, Winter's Bone)

5.) The King's Speech: When watching The King's Speech, it's damn near impossible not to smile. As the scenes unfold, as characters and conflicts develop, your shy smile will blossom into a full-on grin. Back in 2010, critics and moviegoers unanimously agreed: this is an excellent film. Was it a Best Picture shoo-in? Perhaps. It goes down about as smooth as soda in summer, so who can complain? Underdog stories are always compelling (classics like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and On the Waterfront come to mind), and this one hits all the right notes in stride. Thanks to an exceptionally wonderful cast and crew, the film is practically a buffet of perfect cinema. Endearing characters? Check. Relatable plot? Check. Gorgeous cinematography? Check. Terrific art direction? Check. Humor? Wit? Soul? Check, check, and check. Even if you're not a fan of historical docudramas, The King's Speech is an absolute winner.

4.) Shutter Island: Martin Scorsese is the grand master of American cinema, and practically all of his movies are instant classics. Shutter Island, however, had moviegoers divided. I have no idea why this is. To me, it's utter perfection. First and foremost, this is a compelling film. Murder, revenge, mystery, suspense...what's not to like? The plot bobs and weaves like eels in rough water, and it's a sinister joy to get sucked in (the "twist" ending is sublime). All the performances are stellar, but DiCaprio as the archetypal noir detective is particularly riveting. He is battled, boozed, and broken. The musical score and set design are decadent, conjuring up the gothic days of melodramatic horror, when Christopher Lee's stare or a shadow in a dusky mansion could make audiences shiver. Even better, Scorsese uses these nostalgic horror cliches as a mighty palette on which to paint beautiful images. Honestly, of all his movies, this one ranks as one of his most visually stunning - a tumultuous surf hammers a jagged shore, piles of frozen bodies glisten in the snow, orange flames lick the sky as they wrap around the metal husk of a '47 Roadmaster (followed by one of my all-time favorite movie lines: "You blew up my car. I really loved that car."). Shutter Island is divine - intelligent, suspenseful, intimate, and engaging. It's Scorsese at his finest.

3.) Inception: I am consistently taken aback by Christopher Nolan. All of his films manage to perfectly balance explosive action with intimate drama (and often a dash of humor to soften the delivery). With 2010's Inception, Nolan dared to take us into the dizzying tangle of dreams. Somehow, he succeeded. This is the opposite of a heist movie - not about the theft of something precious, but about the creation (the inception) of it. And the movie is all about "breaking into" a man's subconscious and tinkering with his mind. How cool, right? Now, it's hard to review this movie simply because of its enormous popularity (I may be a touch redundant with this one), so I'll make a series of statements that sum up my opinion:

The action is utterly breathtaking and unlike anything you've ever seen. The pace is breakneck, and you'll be gasping for air as the final credits roll. The script is taut as piano wire (and just about as sharp, too). The set design is innovative and incredible. The performances are soulful and realistic - Marion Cotillard and Cillian Murphy are sublime. When all is said and done, you'll have watched one of the most exciting, thought-provoking, gorgeous movies of the decade, and certainly of 2010.

2.) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: I'm a massive fan of director Edgar Wright (check out my "Three Flavours Cornetto" trilogy review for the proof), and I think Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is one of the best comedies ever made. Like many of the greats, getting laughs is all about that indescribably perfect blend of witty writing and perfect performances. Here, thankfully, we have both. The dialogue is stylish yet realistic, crafted with just the right amount of sparkle for maximum hilarity. Fortunately, the actors delivering said dialogue have impeccable comedic timing, so the whole thing is pulled off beautifully.

Oh yeah - there's that, too: the entire movie is a visual treat, a razzle-dazzle light show that dances across the screen and tickles the senses. Delightful comic book imagery doesn't always play out well on film, but here it is superb. Wright takes mundane movie moments and amplifies them with charming comic cliches (heck, if he can make watching something as simple as a doorbell ringing fun, then he can do anything). Scott Pilgrim is a sugary shot of entertainment straight to the heart. Give it a try, and I promise you won't be disappointed.

1.) The Fighter: There are plenty of great boxing movies out there - Rocky, Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby, yadda yadda yadda - but The Fighter comes out on top. I know I may be losing some credibility with many of you right now, but yes, you read that correctly - I think this film is better than 'em all. Honest.

Why, you ask?

Well, a lot of reasons spring to mind. All the technical aspects are spot on (the design, editing, and cinematography are exquisite), the script is fresh and buoyant, David O. Russell's direction is effortlessly appealing (every scene is powerful, every moment enjoyable), and the performances are some of the best ever put on film. Melissa Leo's jagged portrayal of mother Alice Eklund-Ward is unforgettable, and Christian Bale's triumphant turn as former champ turned junkie Dicky Eklund is astonishing (both won Academy Awards for their roles, by the way). There's just so much to enjoy. I remember being in the theater and seeing people actually stand up and cheer during the finale, as if the characters on screen could really hear them. That's what a perfect movie does - it transcends the screen, and nestles into your heart. The Fighter is smart, soulful, and infused with warmth. It's a cinematic pick-me-up that succeeds on every level. Definitely the best movie of 2010.

Monday, September 1, 2014

The Top 25

Greetings! Since 2014 marked my 25th year on planet Earth, I'm choosing to give you my top 25 favorite books, albums, and movies. I've been around for a quarter century now, and this list didn't come to me easily. I had to do a lot of soul-searching to arrive at each entry on this post, and I sincerely think it reflects me, age 25. Literature comes first, then cinema in the middle, and finally music at the end. Read and enjoy!

Books 
25.) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951)
24.) The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller (1986)
23.) Red Dragon by Thomas Harris (1981)
22.) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (2003)
21.) On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (2000)
20.) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (1985)
19.) Feed by M.T. Anderson (2002)
18.) Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade by Kurt Vonnegut (1969)
17.) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (2005)
16.) The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism (2nd Edition) edited by Vincent B. Leitch, William E. Cain, Laurie A. Finke, Barbara E. Johnson, and John McGowan (2009)

15.) The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy (1980)
14.) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (1937)
13.) 11/22/63 by Stephen King (2011)
12.) Watchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins (1987)
11.) The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen (2001)
10.) Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953)
9.) The Prehistory of The Far Side: A 10th Anniversary Exhibit by Gary Larson (1989)
8.) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee (1962)
7.) The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (2003)
6.) To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)

5.) Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954) 
4.) In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1966) 
3.) The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands by Stephen King (1991) 
2.) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) 
1.) The Complete Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson (2012)

Movies
25.) Patton (1970)
24.) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
23.) Inglourious Basterds (2009)
22.) Michael Clayton (2007)
21.) This is Spinal Tap (1984)
20.) The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
19.) Tropic Thunder (2008)
18.) Hot Fuzz (2007)
17.) Halloween (1978)
16.) Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

15.) The Godfather (1972)
14.) Back to the Future (1985)
13.) Chinatown (1974)
12.) The Shining (1980)
11.) The World's End (2013)
10.) The Fugitive (1993)
9.) 12 Angry Men (1957)
8.) Jurassic Park (1993)
7.) Rear Window (1954)
6.) Jaws (1975)

5.) The Big Lebowski (1998)
4.) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
3.) The Dark Knight (2008)
2.) Star Wars (Episode IV): A New Hope (1977)
1.) The Departed (2006)


Albums
25.) Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds Five (1995)
24.) Hammersmith Odeon London '75 - Bruce Spingsteen and the E Street Band (2006)
23.) Illinois - Sufjan Stevens (2005)
22.) Sinatra at the Sands - Frank Sinatra with Count Basie (1966)
21.) The College Dropout - Kanye West (2004)
20.) Comfort Eagle - Cake (2001)
19.) Deja Vu - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970)
18.) Recovery - Eminem (2010)
17.) Morning View - Incubus (2001)
16.) Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace - Foo Fighters (2007)

15.) Rated R - Queens of the Stone Age (2000)
14.) Infinity - Journey (1978)
13.) The Central Park Concert - Dave Mathews Band (2003)
12.) Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin (1968)
11.) Kind of Blue - Miles Davis (1959)
10.) Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles - John Mayer (2008)
9.) Elephant Eyelash - Why? (2005)
8.) Weezer (aka, The Blue Album) - Weezer (1994)
7.) Somewhere in the Between - Streetlight Manifesto (2007)
6.) Evil Empire - Rage Against the Machine (1996)

5.) Dave Grusin Presents GRP All-Star Big Band Live! - GRP All-Star Big Band (1993)
4.) ...In Shallow Seas We Sail - Emery (2009)
3.) Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra - Bill Evans Trio (1966)
2.) Abbey Road - The Beatles (1969)
1.) Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006)