I chose Opposites Flower because this post has two reviews. Both star Jeff Bridges and the movies are both quite similar and yet quite different. So--on with the reviews!
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This past weekend I caught two movies, True Grit and Tron. As I said in the previous paragraph--both star Jeff Bridges and there are both big similarities and big differences. First I'll deal with True Grit.
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I had seen the first True Grit way back in 1969 and, although not a big Western OR John Wayne fan, I really enjoyed the movie. This new version has been completely re-concieved and it is just as good as the original. This True Grit is frankly grittier than the first version. The older movie was bathed in bright colors altogether cleaner. The new version was washed in sepia tones (rather like a faded color photograph. The cowboys aren't nearly as handsome (although both Rooster Cogburns have clearly seen better days). The new version sticks closer to the book in plot and language but there is plenty of quirkiness as you'd expect in any Coen brothers film.
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Jeff Bridges is morally ambiguous as Rooster but he still makes you root for him. The single-biggest standout in the cast though is relative newcommer Hailee Steinfeld: her Maddy Ross is stubborn and single-minded and she too is entirely believeable. Matt Damon has some of his good looks toned down but his texas accent is flawless. Josh Brolin is hardly recognizable as Tom Chaney but he is creepy and does "bad guy" to perfection. The rest of the cast handles the difficult script with aplomb: they never distract from the tone and character of the movie.
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If there is any justice in the world True Grit will nominated for multiiple Oscars. A "Best Picture" nod is certain (but with ten slots to fill how could it not? Still--this is a highly worthy contender.) Best Actor/Actress nominations are also a lock for Bridges and Steinmetz and I expect a Directorial nod for the Coen brothers. There should also be a slew of other awards for writing, set and costume design, cinematography and other categories. True Grit is well worth the trip to your local cineplex (just leave the kiddies at home).
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FINAL GRADE: A+
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Tron was a critical and financial flop way back in 1982 although it spawned a large and deeply-devoted cult following. (I wasn't quite a "Tron" Cultist but I really enjoyed it.) When I heard they were making a sequel I had high hopes. Sadly, I went to see the movie...
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I so wanted Tron Legacy to work: if it wasn't for the script I'd really have enjoyed the movie. The "light cycle" "I.D. Disk" Gladiator battles are back and the visual effects have been ramped out so they are truly a thing of beauty to behold. Male lead Garrett Hedlund needs a thorough ass kicking (at least his character does). He gives it the old college try but it would take an actor of more talent and experience to rise above the drek that is this script. Jeff Bridges' character from the original has discovered (in the words of my young friend Eris Young) "Zen and shit" but it just doesn't work here. His philosophising just drags an already weighty movie into the toilet.
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I could spent literally hours cataloging the faults of this movie but why prolog the pain? Suffice it to say this movie is just, plain, BAD. It is a pretty movie but, like a dumb, blonde, there's nothing inside. It's nice to look at but ultimately unengaging. If you MUST see Tron Legacy park your brain (and any higher expectattions) at the door. Sneak in after watching a better movie or, better yet, wait to this comes out and rent it. Even waiting for the network TV debut wouldn't be a bad idea.
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FINAL GRADE: C- (and that's being kind)
It's that time of year--the time where I talk about the latest additons to my ever-growing Christmas Album collection. Thus I chose Christmas Bells as today's fractal cookie. Now that's out of the way--lets get on with the review!
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Faithful readers of this blog will know I really like my Christmas music. (I know, you're still surprised--deal with it.) Once upon I said I'd have one Christmas Album for each year I'm alive--but that ship sailed long ago. (Of course, I have been weeding out my collection--but I'm not going to talk about that.) This year I found myself going toward popular artists. The results were--interesting (to say the least!) So, here are the reviews...
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A Christmas Corncucopia by Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox, the female half of the Eurythmics, has released an album of mostly traditional material. There is a decided Eurythmics "vibe" to the music and arrangements (although Dave Stewart is nowhere in evidence). She's never had the world's best voice and the years haven't been kind to her vocal cords and a lot of the songs seem more shouted than sung. Still, somehow she manages to make it work: combining techno and world music elements with these familiar (and a few not-so-familiar) old carols makes for an excellent listen. There's nary a mention of Santa or anything else secular--and I found that rather refreshing. The one original song, Universal Child, isn't holiday-themed at all--but rather talks about suffering children. All the procedes of this song are going to charity so I can't really knock (even though the sentiment has been expressed many times before--and better). If you were a fan of the Eurythmics, "synth-pop" or even just holiday music that isn't a carbon copy of evertyhing else you've heard done to death A Christmas Cornucopia is a worthy choice.
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FINAL GRADE: A
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A Cherry Cherry Christmas by Neil Diamond
In a lot of ways this album is the polar opposite of the one reviewed above: with two exceptions (Joy To The World and Amazing Grace) this is a decidedly secular outing. A lot of the songs are lushly orchestrated and you have deal with Diamond's often cheesey (which sometimes seems to veery way too close to self parody) that send some of the songs that threaten to send the album into the land of Utter Crapdom. (His version of White Christmas needs to be taken out in the alley and shot and Jingle Bell Rock couldn't be saved by Jesus Christ himself.) The three new songs included here are nice but nothing special: there are no new Christmas Classics here Still, there are a few songs that save the album from the toilet. The self-referential title track is chock-full of shout outs to Neil Diamond songs and albums: it's pure fun (but, like, any novelty song might grow tiresome after a few hearings) His gospel-drenched Joy To The World harkens back to Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show and there seems to be some real emotion and sentiment here. The strangest song on the closer--The Chanukah Song (yes, the one by Adam Sandler!). I didn't think he could pull it off but somehow he makes it work (and it's one of the better cuts on the whole album). Neil Diamond fans will eat this up like candy and fans of mainstream music will probablhy enjoy it more than I did. This is one of those times I really wanted to cherry pick the best cuts on i-Tunes and ignore the rest.
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FINAL GRADE: B-
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Joy by Jim Brickman
New Age Pianist Jim Brickman is back with his third Christmas Album featuring more gooey goodness for the holidays. This has a nice mix of traditional carols and one or two new pieces done mostly with solo piano (with the occasional instrumental or vocal added in for spice). Unless you are a serious piano fan you don't actually need to listen to anything on here--but it makes for great background music. (This is perfect music for a holiday party or to read a book by the fire.) The original songs are more forgetable than those on the previous two albums but that's OK. All in all, this album isn't bad for what it is--if you don't expect a lot.
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Final Grade: C+
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Christmas Wishes by Aureole
Technically, this isn't a "new" Christmas album at all (although it is new to me). It was released back in 2004 but I didn't know of its existance until a few days ago while listening to Holiday Pops on satelite radio. That got me curious enough to search my usual musical haunts: I found it only at Amazon.com but it was cheap so I bought a copy. Three hot babes playing flute, viola and harp travel through mostly traditional, and quite familiar, music: some of the arrangements a very traditional and some have a decidely jazzy, very modern-day vibe. The mix makes for an interesting combination you can actually listen to or simply put on as background music for a holiday party. There aren't any "oh my gawd that song is awesome!" moments on the album--but neither are there any "Jeez--that song sucks major!" moments either. For those who like their holiday music out of the mainstream this album is well worth tracking down.
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FINAL GRADE: A-
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Holly Happy Days by the Indigo Girls
And now for something completely different--starting with the packaging! This album doesn't ship in the usual plastic "jewel case" but instead comes with inside a cardboard "present" along with three free-standing "ornaments" (so they could include the liner notes). This is a fairly low-fi, folksy album with a decidely country flair. Unlike the other albums I've reviewed today, seven of the eleven tunes are originals (that vary from the pretty darn good to merely OK). Songs like the rollicking I Feel The Christmas Spirit and the joyful Your Holiday Song are the stand-outs in the bunch although there's much to recommend the hauting lullaby Peace Child. The traditonal songs are where the album falls down a bit: their version of O Holy Night isn't quite a howler but their bawling version doesn't do justice to one of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever written and there cheesed-up version of I'll Be Home For Christmas is a total groaner. In The Bleak Midwinter is entirely too spritely for my taste but the harmonies and instrumentation at least make it interesting to listen to. Not sure why they felt the need to include Happy Joyous Hanukah but their version is loaded with fun and good cheer and fits right in with the tone of the other songs. It is an altogether worthy additon to the collection. At least they follow it up and end the album with a pretty good Angels We Have Heard On High. Again, this is an album out of the mainstream but this is something more than just background music. Holly Happy Days has its flaws but the highs well outnumber the lows: all in all it is well worth the listen.
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FINAL GRADE: A-
Any post that deals with a religious theme (even peripherally) gets a "Stained Glass" fractal. This post deals with a matter that is purely "black and white" (in my mind at least) so I chose Stained Glass 13 as today's cookie: I'm just sorry the image is so pretty because what I'll be talking about is frankly ugly.
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CNN reports those "delightful people" (SARCASM ON) at the Westboro Baptist Church have announced they will be picketing the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards. These are the same people who used to picked funerals of those who died of AIDS then decided they could get more coverage picketing funerals of American soldiers killed in action. If you need to read the story here's a link you can check out: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/09/elizabeth-edwards-funeral-westboro-baptist-church_n_794333.html . (WARNING: this is disgusting--and it's me who's saying that!!!)
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I have a good vocabulary yet I find I can't find the words to sufficiently condem such utter and complete NONSENSE!!! Forget the fact that these fools have obvious never cracked the New Testament of the Holy Bible or that they have never heard of the words "Christian forgiveness." How can people who presume to call themselves a Christian Church have the NERVE to claim they know the mind of God? (Come on people--confining someone to HELL??? I thought only God could do that...) These people give Christians a bad name throughout the entire world.
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Normally, there's no greater advocate of Free Speech then me. Honestly, I believe they have a right to put this (pardon my French) utter shit out there: I just wonder who keeps feeling the need to continually bring these people (and folks like them) back to the national spotlight. What possible good does the Media feel can be done by giving them coverage? They are a tiny, fringe group that even many Fundamentalist Christians find hard to take: they add nothing to the national dialog and frankly don't deserve coverage.
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Therefor I have a suggestion that should be given serious consideration: lets introduce the Amish concept of "Shunning" to american society--and lets begin with the Westboro Baptist Church. When someone in the Amish community commits a serious offense they are completely ignored by the community as a whole. The offender is not spoken TO or OF: the community does there best to pretend the shunned individual never existed.
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Since I suggested the idea I'm going to be the first one to put it into practice: henceforward I promise that those people will never again be mentioned by me in this blog--or anywhere else. Let them say what they want and DO what they want: I won't comment and will pretend they don't exist. Never again will I waste metephorical ink or even a though on those people. Won't you join me?
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Think about it.
