Clear vision, shaky lens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cM3-uj3rOns Oscar season is officially here. Christmas has passed, the 2013 has begun and New Years resolutions are already struggling to stay afloat though none of if matters, not now. Though flawed, the Oscars have officially arrived by way of announcing the nominees. I enjoy this "season" immensely since I am that guy who enjoys... Continue Reading →
Kathryn Bigelow, to my own surprise, has done it again. When I first heard that Bigelow was dipping from the war well again, I was not excited. Though The Hurt Locker was as tense and tight a film as I have ever seen, the promise of another the-same-but-different war story sounded a bit lackluster. Suffice... Continue Reading →
Now presenting my top 50 songs of 2012! Only caveat, no band can be represented more than once hence the reason you won't see multiple entries from the likes of Jack White, Woodkid, fun., Frank Ocean and so on. Enjoy! Check out my best albums of 2012! 50. Selah Sue, "Raggamuffin" 49. The Shins, "Simple... Continue Reading →
After much deliberation, I have compiled my (20) Best Albums of 2012. I owe a debt of gratitude to Spotify, which was introduced to me this year, Rolling Stones magazine and NPR's 'First Listen' for being great music resources through out the year. I would love feedback and I encourage you to share your thoughts,... Continue Reading →
The premise is simple; divorced mother and angst-filled teen move from large city to small, secret-filled town in order to get a fresh lease on life; sound familiar? The plot follows a relatively straight-forward horror movie format that has just enough twists and turns to keep audiences fully invested as the unpredictable events unfold on-screen.... Continue Reading →
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpA0g0UG9CU
"It's not violence that sets men apart, it's the distance they're willing to go." Forrest Bondurant Lawless, which opens nationwide tomorrow, is a phenomenal action film that is as equally disturbingly violent as it is surprisingly funny. The action is non-stop, the characters familiarly real and the prohibition era setting of Franklin County, Virginia, known as the "wettest county in the world" is ripe for exploring. Lawless, put simply, is unruly fun. "Lawless is the true story of the infamous Bondurant Brothers: bootlegging siblings who made a run for the American Dream in Prohibition-era Virginia. In this epic gangster tale, inspired by true-life tales of author Matt Bondurant's family in his novel "The Wettest County in the World", the loyalty of three brothers is put to the test against the backdrop of the nation's most notorious crime wave. -- (C) Weinstein"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MemkzzlQJ6Y
Dear Wes Anderson, It is, as always, a great treat to be invited into the inner workings of your mind. The magical worlds that you allow me to traverse are continually intriguing and always diverse. By transporting me to 'foreign' places through eras long forgotten, you continue to give me the wonderful gift of true escapism while offering me a different lens through which to view things. On top of that, you spoil me by introducing me countless interesting characters that have ridiculous flaws, superficial depth and so so SO many crushing secrets-delightful. In your most recent delight, Moonrise Kingdom, you have done it again and for that I thank you. I must also thank you for the wonderful cast that surprised and amused me to no end. I may have laughed louder than others through out the entire film while in the theater but how could I not? The subtle humor in every scene, be it in the dialogue, carefully set-up scenery or the score, kept a continual smirk on my face that just returned. In a word, your '60s island world was enchanting. So in conclusion, thank you. I doubt any film you make can top 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' my personal favorite, but you approach it every time I can't wait until for the next adventure you'll take me on. Until next time, Michael
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWMhADqlPYg
What is your beach tradition? Do you live in the water and never get out? Do you like to go, lay out and 'die' on your towel while the day rolls slowly along or do you read for hours on end? Perhaps your traditions also involve eating at seafood restaurants, playing beach house games or a smattering of all/most/some of the above. One (Wenger) tradition I enjoy is going to the movies, normally mid-to-late week, to catch a recent flick. This year, the local cinema has four options which are not in a million years 'Ice Age,' already sen and loved 'The Dark Knight Rises,' not in theaters 'The Watch' and the semi-intriguing 'Total Recall.' What to do what to do.... The first, at-the-time mind-bending 'Total Recall' film starred Arnold Schwarzenegger during his '90s glory days as an 'actor.' The movie not only won an Oscar and had box office success but it was just campy fun with unforgettable lines spoken inaudibly by The Governator. Now, in the year 2012, technology has continued to improve so the inevitable remake has arrived. Though I haven't seen it (yet), reviews so far aren't good since this film takes itself a bit too seriously and chooses action over character development and Colin Farrel's brooding eyebrows over AHnaHld's pained expressions...worth it? For lack of better options, I guess I'll find out!
This is MY top ten list but it is still quite a tricky thing to compile right? Compressing such a list down to a mere handful is rough stuff even if you cheat disqualify a few favorites for a variety of reasons you can see below... (Way) before my time: M.A.S.H, I Love Lucy, Ed... Continue Reading →
Mikethatmiller 