I got into Modest Mouse at a time when millions of others did--2 albums ago--and I have no problem admitting that. i jumped on the bandwagon and really, really loved "We Were Dead.." I jumped at the new album and I enjoy it. It doesn't stack up with their last offering, so 4 stars, but it's still a fantastic album with energy, inventiveness, and some quirks that make it well worth repeat listens.
I remembered the video with the abs. When the new album by D'Angelo hit shelves, I began reading up. Ultimately, I picked up the album out of curiosity and I wasn't disappointed. It's musicianship at it's best, it's intriguing and thought-provoking, and it's funky and soulful. A great listen.
I love Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler. Add Black Swan to that list. Natalie Portman has long been my favorite actress and she kills in this movie. She rightfully won the Academy Award for her performance. Mila Kunis shows a new side to her talents and she's fantastic. Great acting, great writing, and amazing cinematography.
Hand-held, found-footage movies have given me headaches. Not Chronicle. Inventive, amazingly shot on a low budget, and gripping throughout. Bonus: great introduction to the talents of Dane Dehaan, for me, anyway.
First of all, Best Buy sold this for 5 bucks--on Blu Ray! I hadn't even seen it, but couldn't turn down that deal. I was not disappointed. I had grown tired of the so-called "coming of age" stories, but this movie is fantastic. It has humor and heart. It wraps up nicely, but not in a way that takes you out of the story. A happy ending? Maybe. A satisfying ending? Absolutely. Great writing, acting, and who doesn't love a good water park-set story!?
I was slightly disappointed with the self-titled album/return of original members. I was very excited to hear the guys as a reunited band, but that album never got its hooks in me. This album, though, has some great tracks and feels more cohesive. It's not my favorite TBS album--that honor goes to Louder Now--but it's a great step in the right direction. I'll be looking forward to what the band does next.
I love Deftones, but I've never loved Chino's side projects. Until this album came out, that is. Crosses takes the eerie atmospherics of that Chino seems to lean towards and adds heavy beats and intriguing arrangements. Such a great, great album. Buy it, stat!
St. Vincent (Annie Clark) has been a quirky, intriguing artist for years now, but this album has managed to combine all the previous albums and add extra awesomeness on top. A complete piece, song after song catches you, gets you nodding a long, but also paying attention. One of the most inventive artists breaking into the mainstream.
I speak in hyperbole, I admit it, but this movie SHOULD be nominated for Best Animated Feature at this year's academy awards. My kids love it, but shh...so do I! Seriously. Hilarious movie, great message, and fun from start to finish.