TWO MONTHS WORTH OF MOVIES/CDs OF THE MONTH!!!!!
Yeah, I know I haven't posted anything in a while, but in an effort to make it up to you, here's TWO months worth! Starting with...
JANUARY!
Movie of the Month: Catch and Release
This was a no-brainer since it was the only January release that I caught in theatres. There were a couple other that I came close to seeing, but I just had so many holdovers from December to catch up on that they had to fall by the wayside (and it was worth it. Films such as Little Children and The Painted Veil ended up among the best of 2006). So back on track, I'll be honest, the only reason I was interested in Catch and Release was because because of Kevin Smith's involvement. Luckily, the film ended up being much better than I anticipated if nothing remarkable. The main love story between Garner and Olyphant was a little strained, but the central themes involving Gray (Garner) discovering how little she truly knew about her recently deceased fiance was quite moving. And, needless to say, Kevin Smith carried the film comedically while also showing some dramatic chops as well. If you're interested in a solid rom-com, give this a rent when it hits DVD in a couple months.
CD of the Month: Pain of Salvation's Scarsick
January ended up being a big month of CDs, as I picked up 3: Scarsick, The Bird and the Bee, and The Shins' Wincing the Night Away (see february). As is usual for my favorite band of bands, Pain of Salvation, Scarsick was a completely new sound and direction. Taking a 180 from the orchestral, polished, philosophy of BE, Daniel Gildenlow has crafted a heavy, raw, more band-oriented release to express his frustrations with current state of the world's society. Focusing on everything from America's world policing to religious corruption to rappers' obsession with holding their crotch, this album really spans the problems with our culture. And in typical PoS fashion, the music is stylistically all over the place and amazingly composed. There's the relentless intensity of the title track, the rap parody of Spitfall, the angry beauty of Cribcaged, the experimental guitar sounds and exotic melodies of Mrs. Modern Mother Mary, the creepy disco of Disco Queen, and the screaming anguish of Moth to the Flame. And more and more and more. Seriously, I love this band.
FEBRUARY!
Movie of the Month: Bridge to Terabithia
Two movies were up for it this time around, though any movie released this time of year would have been hard-pressed to beat Bridge. Even with the March releases of Black Snake Moan, Zodiac, and 300 (all of which I've seen), Bridge still tops my list. I had never read the book before, really, had never even heard of it. But I just fell in love with the story. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE ADVERTISING! This is NOT an adventure movie. The fantasy sequences are few and far between. This is a very quiet, dramatic movie about friendship, understanding, loss, recovery, and imagination. The acting of the two child leads was simply superb. I fell in love with Annasophia Robb, who turns in an amazing performance that is a complete 180 from her Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Facotory (another great performance). Seriously folks, she's one to watch for the future. Back to the film itself, you follow to outcasts who find each other and fill that unmistakable hole that we've all known at one point or another. They complement each other completely, together learning how to be fullfillingly happy and how to be kind and understanding. When the film takes a devastating turn, we must deal with the tragedy along with the characters and through them come to important realizations about life and the things that really matter. It's a heavy movie for the young ones, but I think an important one. There's a reason why the book won the Newbury Medal. And speaking of which, I ran out and read the book after watching the film. For fans of the book, have no fear! It is a stellar, and true to the source adaptation! GO SEE IT! (bring tissues)
CD of the Month: The Shins' Wincing the Night Away
No new CDs in February so I'm gonna hit you with my number 2 for January since it's also a great album that deserves recognition. I first became aware of the Shins with the Garden State soundtrack, along with many others. After hearing their New Slang and Caring is Creepy from that film, I ran out and bought their album Oh, Inverted World. Well, I wasn't that big a fan. Turned out I could only take so much of their style on that CD. Well, that does not apply on the album. I'm not sure what happened, but it just seems the songs are much tighter and have just a fantastic flow. It's a great CD to listen to at night, alone in your car. From the subtle building intensity of the opening track, Sleeping Lessons, to the gorgeous final ballad, A Comet Appears, Wincing the Night Away is a lush musical journey with stellar writing and soaring vocals. Check it out if you haven't already.
And that does it for that. Next up, movies I'm looking forward to (and backward to...) in the next two months.
JANUARY!
Movie of the Month: Catch and Release
This was a no-brainer since it was the only January release that I caught in theatres. There were a couple other that I came close to seeing, but I just had so many holdovers from December to catch up on that they had to fall by the wayside (and it was worth it. Films such as Little Children and The Painted Veil ended up among the best of 2006). So back on track, I'll be honest, the only reason I was interested in Catch and Release was because because of Kevin Smith's involvement. Luckily, the film ended up being much better than I anticipated if nothing remarkable. The main love story between Garner and Olyphant was a little strained, but the central themes involving Gray (Garner) discovering how little she truly knew about her recently deceased fiance was quite moving. And, needless to say, Kevin Smith carried the film comedically while also showing some dramatic chops as well. If you're interested in a solid rom-com, give this a rent when it hits DVD in a couple months.
CD of the Month: Pain of Salvation's Scarsick
January ended up being a big month of CDs, as I picked up 3: Scarsick, The Bird and the Bee, and The Shins' Wincing the Night Away (see february). As is usual for my favorite band of bands, Pain of Salvation, Scarsick was a completely new sound and direction. Taking a 180 from the orchestral, polished, philosophy of BE, Daniel Gildenlow has crafted a heavy, raw, more band-oriented release to express his frustrations with current state of the world's society. Focusing on everything from America's world policing to religious corruption to rappers' obsession with holding their crotch, this album really spans the problems with our culture. And in typical PoS fashion, the music is stylistically all over the place and amazingly composed. There's the relentless intensity of the title track, the rap parody of Spitfall, the angry beauty of Cribcaged, the experimental guitar sounds and exotic melodies of Mrs. Modern Mother Mary, the creepy disco of Disco Queen, and the screaming anguish of Moth to the Flame. And more and more and more. Seriously, I love this band.
FEBRUARY!
Movie of the Month: Bridge to Terabithia
Two movies were up for it this time around, though any movie released this time of year would have been hard-pressed to beat Bridge. Even with the March releases of Black Snake Moan, Zodiac, and 300 (all of which I've seen), Bridge still tops my list. I had never read the book before, really, had never even heard of it. But I just fell in love with the story. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE ADVERTISING! This is NOT an adventure movie. The fantasy sequences are few and far between. This is a very quiet, dramatic movie about friendship, understanding, loss, recovery, and imagination. The acting of the two child leads was simply superb. I fell in love with Annasophia Robb, who turns in an amazing performance that is a complete 180 from her Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Facotory (another great performance). Seriously folks, she's one to watch for the future. Back to the film itself, you follow to outcasts who find each other and fill that unmistakable hole that we've all known at one point or another. They complement each other completely, together learning how to be fullfillingly happy and how to be kind and understanding. When the film takes a devastating turn, we must deal with the tragedy along with the characters and through them come to important realizations about life and the things that really matter. It's a heavy movie for the young ones, but I think an important one. There's a reason why the book won the Newbury Medal. And speaking of which, I ran out and read the book after watching the film. For fans of the book, have no fear! It is a stellar, and true to the source adaptation! GO SEE IT! (bring tissues)
CD of the Month: The Shins' Wincing the Night Away
No new CDs in February so I'm gonna hit you with my number 2 for January since it's also a great album that deserves recognition. I first became aware of the Shins with the Garden State soundtrack, along with many others. After hearing their New Slang and Caring is Creepy from that film, I ran out and bought their album Oh, Inverted World. Well, I wasn't that big a fan. Turned out I could only take so much of their style on that CD. Well, that does not apply on the album. I'm not sure what happened, but it just seems the songs are much tighter and have just a fantastic flow. It's a great CD to listen to at night, alone in your car. From the subtle building intensity of the opening track, Sleeping Lessons, to the gorgeous final ballad, A Comet Appears, Wincing the Night Away is a lush musical journey with stellar writing and soaring vocals. Check it out if you haven't already.
And that does it for that. Next up, movies I'm looking forward to (and backward to...) in the next two months.