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Syriana (2005)
For all Gaghan's attempts to introduce characters into this morass of ideas, it still feels too much like homework and not enough like a movie. You'd really be better off reading a book, or even a good article.
Birth (2004)
I got this for camp value but it wasn't half-bad, as it turns out. A bit lugubrious and certainly too ponderous in moments when the camera slow-zooms into characters faces for an excruciatingly long time, but they manage to make a preposterous situation seem fairly interesting, and many of the characters reactions are quite believable. Unfortunately the film keeps you out of the loop for so long that at the end you're not entirely sure what was supposed to have happened, but I think I have a pretty good idea. Nicole Kidman looks elfy (sic) which is cute but she's sort of unlikable and unbelievable, and I'm not sure that that's not on purpose. Nice music (excpet for the Wagner) keeps things interesting, as do surprising (but small) roles from an unusually subdued Peter Stormare and a totally unrecognizable Anne Heche.
The Pink Panther (2006)
We actually stopped watching this. It just wasn't funny. At all.
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter (2001)
Now this is awesome. Okay...I fell asleep, but I'm pretty sure if I'd stayed awake for the whole thing it would be my favorite movie. It isn't just low budget, it's like a bunch of friends got together and made a movie, only instead of being tedious and lame as such endeavors often are, they pretty much hit a homer. Three words: "critical lesbian shortage."
Transamerica (2005)
This was okay, but I guess I should've known from the Oscar noms that it wasn't a great film. I warmed up to it by the end but I found Felicity Huffman's mannered voice and dialogue to be distracting, and Fionnula Flanagan was so totally over the top, it was like watching a soap opera screen test.
Nacho Libre (2006)
Hmmmm. This was okay, but considering the level of talent involved, it should have been a lot better. Too many cooks, perhaps? Still, there are a few inspired moments of greatness, even if there's too much fighting.
Orange County (2002)
I still liked this the second time around. Ending is a little too long and sappy but there's some great stuff in here, especially Catherine O'Hara as a proto-Lucille Bluth. Cheers once again to Mike White. Here's hoping Nacho Libre, his third team-up with Jack Black, is another winner.
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)
The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002)
I think I was confused and thought Alan Rudolph was some kind of importatn director (rather than the guy who butchered Breakfast of Champions), so this film was not what I was expecting. I find Campbell Scott (The Spanish Prisoner) sort of endearing, and he doesn't get many leading roles, but this film just wasn't very good. Scott and his wife are dentists who work together and raise three daughters. Scott believes his wife is cheating on him. Scott has poorly directed fantasy sequences starring Denis Leary, distractingly dressed like Tyler Durden. It's just dumb. And it really never goes anywhere. I've sat through worse, but I just felt like I'd really wasted my time with this film.
In Good Company (2004)
Next in our family drama trilogy, we have a love triangle featuring Scarlett Johansson, Topher Grace, and....Dennis Quaid (okay, Quaid's the dad). We've also got smaller roles from David Paymer, Selma Blair, and Philip Baker Hall, plus a cameo from Malcolm McDowell, who doesn't really seem worth it. Anyway, I was kind of in the mood for something light, and a little Scarlett never hurts, plus I'm weirdly obsessed with Paul Weitz due to his participation in Chuck & Buck, a film about weird obsession. It wasn't awful and it sort of evaded the typical Hollywood plot structure and ending, but it wasn't all that relevatory, either.
The Squid and the Whale (2005)
This is a lovely, upsetting film about everyone in a family treating each other horribly. Fortunately it's short and often funny so it doesn't bury the viewer in gloom. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach who wrote The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou with Wes Anderson.
Thunderball (1965)
I think I need a break from Bond.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Hey, it wasn't a total disaster after all! Hooray! Definitely a geek's wet-dream (they could've stood to introduce characters more clearly for the rest of the audience) which stays pretty true to the first two films, even if it wasn't quite as visually stunning. They do try to pack an awful lot into this last film, probably too much, but they stay true to all the major characters and keep hope alive for the future of the series without cheapening the severity of several key moments. I could've lived without Juggernaut's dumb helmet (even with the "dickhead" joke) and several uses of the word bitch which were out of synch with the rest of the film series, but for the most part I have little to complain about. The biggest omission, obviously, and one of the few things I agree with the ranting maniacs at AICN about, is the lack of Jean's "Phoenix Force," which in the comics manifested as a giant bird of flames surrounding her. This would've looked really cool, it was hinted at in the end of X2, and would've been easy to do with CGI -- it would've also made the name Phoenix make a lot more sense, becuase here instead of relating to her rise after death, it's supposed to be something inherent within her ever since she manifested her powers. So: they really dropped the ball there, but with all the explosions and shit flying around it's hard to say "there should've been more special effects." I'm actually looking forward to seeing this again.
THX 1138 (1971)
Lucas' director's cut, replete with "Special Edition" critters and other effects-twiddling, is actually pretty okay. There are really only a couple of points where it becomes distracting or inappropriate; for the most part these additions are well-integrated and look much better than the changes made to, for instance, Star Wars, in the annoying digital fakery that goes on in the Mos Eisley scenes. And thank God he didn't touch Walter Murch's sound mix or Lalo Schifrin's musical contributions. I'm happy to report that this film holds up very well for me. I know I like a lot of crappy sci-fi, but if you haven't ever seen this film, I highly recommend it.
A History of Violence (2005)
I was a bit underwhelmed by this at first, but it grew on me the more I thought about it. Cronenberg's commentary is a lot more interesting than most.
Logan's Run (1976)
Hey, I stayed awake for the whole thing!
A League of Ordinary Gentlemen (2004)
Hey documentary fans: this film has been unjustly neglected in the wake of your spelling bees, penguins, quads, and stunt-gluttons. It looks and sounds great, which I can't say for some other big hit docs of late, although it suffers a teensy bit from unclear chronology here and there. For the most part, though, this is a fascinating history of bowling and the shifting place of bowling in our culture. And then there's Pete Weber's patented "crotch chop." Check it out.
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Couldn't help myself. It's not bad; certainly better than the book (which isn't saying a whole lot). There were some moments where I was laughing at the film, and Hanks' speech at the end nearly had me gagging, but Audrey Tautou makes the whole thing eminently watchable (McKellen, Reno, Molina, et al don't hurt either). Considering the whole package was directed by Ron Howard, who I usually hate, this was surprisingly entertaining.
My First Mister (2001)
I wasn't sure if this would be a creepy pedophile movie or the sarcastic comedy it claims to be on he back cover, but with Albert Brooks I thought I'd give it a chance. Holy crap. Instead I was drawn unwittingly into a Hallmark Hall Of Fame Tragic Family Drama sapfest. And what the hell is Michael McKean doing here? Leelee Sobieski is actually pretty good, but Kelly pointed out that she has an unpleasant Helen Hunt thing going on.
The Pink Panther (1963)
Gotta love those Hollywood sets.
Amazon Women on the Moon (1987)
From Russia with Love (1963)
Vinterkyss (2005)
There was nothing particularly original or unusual about this, but it was good. Fairly well-drawn characters with a plot that doesn't get too neatly tied up but doesn't leave you hanging. Certainly not a waste of time.
Innocence (2004/I)
WOW. This is what cinema is all about. After the relative let-down of KussKuss and one of the worst Manhattans of my life at the downtown Luce (Phillip's "Union" Whiskey is, indeed, atrocious), we trudged back through the rain to a surprisingly short line for this film, which grabbed hold of me from the very begininng and never let go. I can't remember the last time I was so tense and curious while watching a film. The sound is incredible and sparse. The David Lynch comparisons come through most obviously in static shots of empty spaces with exaggerated "natural" room sound, as well as the filmmakers' ability to produce tension out of seemingly innocuous objects and interactions. I think the Peter Weir comparison is less apt than the Brothers Quay; think of the Quays and Lynch working together, without the idiosyncratic cliches of those creators, and you end up with a hypnotic, captivating, disturbing film that benefits greatly from the extremes of picture size and sound that the theater provides.
KussKuss (2005)
A film in which a somewhat interesting idea is played out to the detriment of character and audience involvement. It doesn't help that the subtitles were atrocious, full of inaccuracies and, in some cases, simply absent (Katjas and her father speak Russian which is never translated). There are also some really bad, obvious plot devices which we've seen a million times before (girlfriend unexpectedly returns to apartment because of forgotten keys, walks in on boyfriend grappling with other woman), in addition to a story potentially lifted from Margaret Atwood's "The Robber Bride." Ultimately it's a film in which people try to help one another but end up only hurting everyone around them, and no one seems to learn anything. Sort of depressing, but mainly disappointing.

December 25, 2007

God Says: "Vote for Polley!"

"Internationally Known Psychic," pro-choice Republican, former alcoholic, dyslepsic, and prison inmate Gerald Polley (aka "Demetrius") from Bismarck, North Dakota, speaks for God, opposes prayer in schools, and is running for President of the United States of America. You must watch these videos now. Your life -- nay, your very soul -- may just depend on it:

His wife Linda has a particularly fascinating backstory:

Hilary wants to put all our boys in dresses and makeup:

These poor, semi-retarded bastards have 42 more videos on YouTube...

THIS POST APPROVED BY GOD, MARY MAGDALENE, & JOHN LENNON. VOTE FOR THINGS AND STUFF!

03:34 PM in Politics | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

December 23, 2007

Lost: Season 4 Preview

Of course, instead of 16 episodes we're only getting 8, and then who knows what...

11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The Golden Army

11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 30, 2007

What's Happening!!

Rerun meets The Doobie Brothers:

08:20 AM in Cultural Detritus, Music, Video, YouTube | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 12, 2007

Belinda, Keytar Virtuoso

05:45 PM in Cultural Detritus, Electronics, Music, Video, YouTube | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 08, 2007

Want Now:

Go check it out in hi-rez at the official website.

07:59 AM in Movies | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

November 07, 2007

Dear Phil

Please check out my latest webby endeavor. It might make you chuckle softly before you forget about it entirely.

09:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Movie News

Shalit (1) Gilliam's next film "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" is looking more like a go, with Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, and Tom Waits (as the devil). Yay!

(2) X-Files The Movie 2 is going into production soon (if it isn't already) and might come out as soon as this summer. Duchovny and Anderson are both attached, although I'm concerned that the film might not be expanding on the pseudo-cliffhanger end of the series that promised a major alien invasion and saw Mulder and Scully on the run together.

(3) Still waiting to find out more about the crazy JJ Abrams monster movie coming in January. I'm a lot more excited about this than his Star Trek revamp, which is sounding quite boring, featuring young versions of the original series crew (including Heroes' Zachary Quinto as Spock).

(4) Richard "Donnie Darko" Kelly (is "Southland Tales" ever coming out?) is working on "The Box" with James "Cyclops" Marsden, Cameron Diaz, and the great Frank Langella. It's based on a Richard "The New Philip K. Dick" Matheson story which was also made into an epsiode of the '80s New Twilight Zone.

(5) Also in the works: Hellboy 2. The Dark Knight (with Heath Ledger as the Joker). And The Golden Compass in December. Woo!

09:09 AM in Movies | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

October 19, 2007

Petra Haden: "Don't Stop Believin"

The video isn't all that great but watch for the brilliant Wilson Phillips reference near the end. There's a bunch of good Petra Haden stuff on the YouTube (like "I Can See For Miles" live). The Journey cover is from an album called "Guilt By Association" which also features Superchunk doing Destiny's Child, Will Oldham on Mariah Carey, and Jim O'Rourke, bless him, singing the Spice Girls.

10:54 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

October 05, 2007

First Semester Spanish Love Song

12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Jefferson Star Wars

12:33 PM in Personalities | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

September 25, 2007

Double Shot

Stream the two new Robert Pollard albums two weeks before they're released:

Thank you, Merge!

07:53 AM in Music | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

September 05, 2007

Edison's Epic: Boxing Cats

09:09 AM in Film | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

August 21, 2007

People Get Ready

Full_sail There's a warm breeze blowing, and if you listen beyond the sounds of the waves and seagulls, you might hear the smooth sounds of electric piano, vibes, synths, muted drums, and gentle, groovy bass lines. My obsession has paid off in the form of a nearly-complete playlist from Yacht Rock for our collective listening pleasure. Behold:

Episode 1: What A Fool Believes

Sweet Freedom Michael McDonald
Breezin' George Benson
Sailin' The Wind Loggins & Messina
Whenever I Call You "Friend" Kenny Loggins w. Stevie Nicks
What A Fool Believes The Doobie Brothers

Episode 2: Keep The Fire

Peg Steely Dan
Sara Smile Hall & Oates
Portable Radio Hall & Oates
This Is It Kenny Loggins
Sailing Christopher Cross

Episode 3: I'm Alright

Time Out of Mind Steely Dan
Keep the Fire Kenny Loggins
How Do the Fools Survive? The Doobie Brothers
Lights Journey
Any Way You Want It Journey
Kid Charlemagne Steely Dan
I'm Alright Kenny Loggins

Episode 4: Rosanna

Hold the Line Toto
Make Believe Toto
Ride Like The Wind Christopher Cross
Don't Fight It Kenny Loggins w. Steve Perry
I'll Supply the Love Toto
Rosanna Toto

Episode 5: I Believe In It

Believe in It Michael McDonald
Beat It Michael Jackson
Thriller Michael Jackson
I Gotta Try Kenny Loggins
I Gotta Try Michael McDonald
Eruption Van Halen
Human Nature Michael Jackson

Episode 7: I Keep Forgettin'

I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near) Michael McDonald
Nuthin' But A G Thang Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg
Let Me Ride Dr. Dre
Gz and Hustlas Snoop Dogg & Nancy Fletcher
Who Am I (What's My Name)? Snoop Dogg
Regulate Warren G & Nate Dogg

Episode 8: Gino (The Manager)

Love Will Keep Us Together Captain & Tennille
Any World (That I'm Welcome To) Steely Dan
Swear Your Love Kenny Loggins
Watching The River Run Loggins & Messina
Your Mama Don't Dance Loggins & Messina
Gino (The Manager) Hall & Oates
Takin' It To The Streets The Doobie Brothers

Episode 9: Runnin' With The Devil

Atomic Punk Van Halen
Runnin' With The Devil Van Halen
Echoes Of Love The Doobie Brothers
I'm The One Van Halen

Episode 10: FM

Winter Tori Amos
Sweet Freedom Michael McDonald
I Believe In Love Kenny Loggins
Life In The Fast Lane The Eagles
Everything You Did Steely Dan
Do It Again Steely Dan
Hotel California The Eagles
F.M. Steely Dan
Danger Zone Kenny Loggins

Obviously I didn't include the many song repeats (though, really, can you ever get enough "What A Fool Believes"?) except that "Sweet Freedom" is in here twice, which is conservative considering it's at the beginning of every epsiode. Also, no Jethro Tull. No one would be amused by that except for me (and perhaps JD Ryznar).

On top of this I've got 87 more songs in a playlist of a similarly beachy vein, with more Ted Templeman production, Jeff Porcaro drumming, and Michael McDonald backing vocals than you can shake an empty coconut at.

Come with me, and escape.

SO SMOOTH: The Yacht Rock Extended Family Mix

Beginnings Chicago
Vahevala Loggins & Messina
Summer Breeze Seals & Crofts
Only A Fool Would Say That Steely Dan
Just You 'n' Me Chicago
She's Gone Hall & Oates
Las Vegas Turnaround (The Stewardess Song) Hall & Oates
When The Morning Comes Hall & Oates
We May Never Pass This Way (Again) Seals & Crofts
Wishing You Were Here Chicago
Call On Me Chicago
I'm Not In Love 10cc
Camellia Hall & Oates
Dance with Me Orleans
Bad Sneakers Steely Dan
Doctor Wu Steely Dan
So Into You Atlanta Rhythm Section
What Can I Say Boz Scaggs
It's Over Boz Scaggs
Lowdown Boz Scaggs
I'd Really Love to See You Tonight England Dan & John Ford Coley
You Are the Woman Firefall
Rich Girl Hall & Oates
Back Together Again Hall & Oates
Good Ship Pablo Cruise Pablo Cruise
Save It for a Rainy Day Stephen Bishop
Sentimental Lady Bob Welch
1993 Boz Scaggs
Feels So Good Chuck Mangione
You Belong To Me The Doobie Brothers
Just Remember I Love You Firefall
Time Loves A Hero Little Feat
Red Steamliner Little Feat
Baby Come Back Player
How Much I Feel Ambrosia
The Biggest Part Of Me Ambrosia
Little Darling (I Need You) The Doobie Brothers
Here To Love You The Doobie Brothers
Minute By Minute The Doobie Brothers
Right Down the Line Gerry Rafferty
I Just Wanna Stop Gino Vannelli
It's A Laugh Hall & Oates
I Don't Wanna Lose You Hall & Oates
Reminiscing Little River Band
Lotta Love Nicolette Larson
Don't Want to Live Without It Pablo Cruise
Love WIll Find A Way Pablo Cruise
Baby Come Back Player
Crazy Love Poco
Losing Myself In You Stephen Bishop
Georgy Porgy Toto
Magnet And Steel Walter Egan
Nobody's Fool Bill Quateman
Dependin' On You [Single Version] The Doobie Brothers
Sharing the Night Together Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer
Wait For Me Hall & Oates
Let Me Go, Love Nicolette Larson
I Go to Rio (Extended Version) Pablo Cruise
I Want You Tonight Pablo Cruise
You Can't Change That Ray Parker Jr & Raydio
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) Rupert Holmes
99 Toto
Biggest Part of Me Ambrosia
You're the Only Woman Ambrosia
Into The Night Benny Mardones
Miss Sun Boz Scaggs
Never Be The Same Christopher Cross
Say You'll Be Mine Christopher Cross
One By One The Doobie Brothers
One Step Closer The Doobie Brothers
Real Love The Doobie Brothers
Kiss On My List Hall & Oates
Steal Away Robbie Dupree
Hey Nineteen Steely Dan
Living Inside Myself Gino Vannelli
I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) Hall & Oates
Did It In A Minute Hall & Oates
Heart to Heart Kenny Loggins
Shoot For The Moon Poco
All Right Christopher Cross
Say It Isn't So Hall & Oates
Africa Toto
Foolish Heart Steve Perry
No Lookin' Back Michael McDonald
By Heart Michael McDonald
Yah Mo B There (single version) James Ingram & Michael McDonald
Drowning In The Sea Of Love Boz Scaggs w. Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Cornelius Bumpus, Phoebe Snow

02:11 PM in Music | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)

August 14, 2007

XANADU

I don't mean to be narrow-minded, but clearly the best thing about YouTube is the unfettered, immediate access to music videos. I was going to feature Hall & Oates' "Adult Education," (an amazing lesson in how not to edit, direct, dance, or place cameras) before I found this. If you haven't seen the entire movie, you really owe it to yourself: