This is somewhat of a new segment in that I will be writing a brief blurb on films I have already seen before after I view them. Does that make any sense? Probably not… Ok, so I typically write up proper film reviews of movies I have never seen before up until that point. Since, I love film and film analysis, I will be posting these ditties everytime I watch a movie (or as much as I possibly can, if I’m not too busy with something else), unless it’s a new film to me, then I will do a normal review. Also, I will probably discuss more than one motion picture per post. Got It? Great, now to this classic.
Full Title: E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial Director: Steven Spielberg Year: 1982 Comments: This is easly the greatest and most emotional “Children’s” film in existence. Spielberg creates a magical, touching, and extremely timeless masterpiece without inundating us with over the top special effects. The famous shot of E.T. and Elliot silhouetted against the moon is without a doubt one of the most lasting cinematic images in film history and definitely one of my favorites at that. Grade: A+
Gangsta Rap and Hip Hop in General:
There are many aspects of (QUALITY) Rap and Hip-Hop that I love, but two things have always stood out to me more than anything: 1) The harshness in the lyrics, sometimes sound, and most definitely the delivery. This is what I adored in old school Gangsta Rap groups like N.W.A. and Wu-Tang Clan, amongst several others. In general, I really have an affinity for confrontational art and these artists certainly got the job done and scared all the White Folks. 2) The dark, caustic and occasionally absurdist humor that one can find in said harsh lyrics. One of the first rap songs I ever heard that hit me hard was Eminem’s “My Name Is,” I saw its video on MTV when it was “Brand Spankin’ New” at the wholesome age of 8. I then went out and purchased the entire record. I fell in love with the Slim Shady “character.” I was frightened and simultaneously amused. And the rest is history… Nowadays, I don’t like as many rap artists, especially those that call themselves “Gangsta Rap.” Now, it could just be my taste and I’m sure there are plenty of awesome underground rappers, but certainly the state of mainstream hip hop has taken a turn for the worse in the past 10-15 years or so. Modern rappers that I dig include Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, and Necro. All of those artists have been around for a while however, but they are still holding the intimidating/militant character of rap music/culture that I cherish. I’m sure there are others out there as I already said, but they simply haven’t caught my attention; rap/hip-hop is a style of music I enjoy, but makes up a small percentage of my eartime. Anyway, in mainstream hip pop the production is far too clean, commerical and the songs are just poppy dance numbers. Really wimpy, pussy shit. Even people like L’il Wayne do very little to nothing for me. ME! I’m a privileged, little, white suburbanite that knows nothing of “street life” and has no gangsta credibillity whatsover (don’t want any for that matter) and yet these supposedly tough guys on the radio do not initmidate me with their craft. There’s nothing threatening about it. I’m sure in real life they are “tough,” but with their music they have no balls. In short, for me Hip-Hop shares the same story as Rock and Roll, but in way less time and far less pleasing too my taste, albeit some very classic material. It’s like both started out as small, underground, regionally based, black music that was threatening and rebellious to white people. The style became popular and hit the mainstream, then matured (sonically, lyrically, aesthetically,etc), then slowly became more and more mainstream until there was a massive chasm between commercial and underground Hip Hop, with the former sucking massive Corporate Cock. The only thing is the Rock story lasted way longer (Early 50s- Mid 70s- started to go downhill in the mainstream) than Hip Hop (Early 80s- Early-Mid 90s). I know I know Hip Hop technically started wayyyy before then, but it didn’t really take off until the early 80s. So, in other words to the silly Mainstreamers out there in Rap and/or Rock and Roll, in the fine words of N.W.A. “EAT SHIT AND DIE!”
1) Jay Reatard
2) Mark Sultan
3) Black Lips- Jared Swilley, Cole Alexander, Joe Bradley
4) John Lennon
5) Joey Ramone
6) King Khan
7) Zack De La Rocha
8) Bradford Cox
9) Kurt Cobain
10) Beat Happening- Calvin Johnson and Heather Lewis
11) Roy Orbison
12) Paul McCartney
13) Lou Reed
14) Lou Barlow
15) Freddie Mercury
16) Paul Simon
17) David Bowie
18) Seth Bogart aka “Hunx”
19) Paul Westerberg
20) Morrissey
21) Clayton McIntyre
22) Dean Allen Spunt
23) Jim Morrison
24) Roger Daltrey
25) H.R.
26) Glenn Danzig
27) Jello Biafra
28) Maynard James Keenan
29) Thom Yorke
30) Johnny Cash
31) Tammy Wynette
32) Patsy Kline
33) George Jones
34) Johnny Rotten
35) J Mascis
36) Michael Nau
37) Animal Collective- Panda Bear and Avey Tare
38) Nathan Williams
39) Bobby Vinton
40) Karen Carpenter
41) Dean and Gene Ween
42) Darryl Palumbo
43) Sonic Youth- Thurston Moore, Kim Gordan, and Lee Renaldo
44) Pixies- Black Francis and Kim Deal
45) Ian Mackaye
46) Steve Albini
47) David Byrne
48) Ronettes
49) Supremes
50) Beach Boys- Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love
51) Tom Gabel
52) Conor Oberst
53) Win Butler
54) Bob Marley
55) Leonard Cohen
56) Elvis Presley
57) Daniel Johnston
58) Perry Farrell
59) Elliott Smith- can’t believe I haven’t mentioned him yet!
60) Nick Cave
61) Frank Zappa
62) The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello)
63) Alex Turner
64) Shane MacGowan
65) Chino Moreno
66) Jesus and Mary Chain- Jim and William Reid
67) Meat Puppets- Cris and Kurt Kirkwood
68) Christopher Owens
69) Kip Berman
70) Milo Aukerman
Full Title: (500) Days of Summer Artists: Various Year: 2009 Label: 20th Century Tracks:
1) “A Story of Boy Meets Girl” – Mychael Danna and Rob Simonsen
2) “Us” – Regina Spektor– 9/10
3) “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” – The Smiths– 9
4) “Bad Kids” – Black Lips 10!!!
5) “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” – The Smiths – 9
6) “There Goes the Fear” – Doves-9/10
7) “You Make My Dreams” – Hall & Oates- 8
8) “Sweet Disposition” – The Temper Trap – 10
9) “Quelqu’un m’a dit” – Carla Bruni- 8
10) “Mushaboom” – Feist- 8
11) “Hero” – Regina Spektor- 8/9
12) “Bookends” – Simon & Garfunkel – 10
13) “Vagabond” – Wolfmother- 7/8
14) “She’s Got You High” – Mumm-Ra- 8
15) “Here Comes Your Man” – Meaghan Smith – 9
16) “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want” – She & Him- 8
Comments:
First things fucking last, this review will be centered on the actual record itself and not the placements of the songs in the film, which for the record (no pun intended lol) is executed quite well. Ok, so here we have a great ensemble of “Indie” pop artists with music that reflects the various themes of love and loss in the gem, (500) Days of Summer. Things kick off with Regina Spektor’s spectacular “Us.” I really dig her vocal range and the odd nature of her singing; yet despite its idiosyncracies the song still feels very pop like and indeed catchy. Being a huge Smiths fan, I enjoy their offerings on here. I admire Zooey Deschanel and her group She and Him for covering “Please.” Naturally, it does not match the original, but it is not too far off and in fact, some of it’s flaw (though it has very little flaw) is due to it sounding too much like the original and not really venturing in its own direction. I appreciate the fact that my favorite band, the Black Lips (like y’all didn’t know!) are receiving more exposure with the inclusion of their triumphant song, “Bad Kids.” Those that like this ditty, please check out the rest of their discography. Check it out on here! Alright, that’s enough KLYAM promotion midway into a review. “There Goes the Fear” (Doves) and “Sweet Disposition” (The Temper Trap) rank as some of my favorite tracks and definitely some of my favorites of recent times. I feel like those two songs, especially, the latter have hit potential, if they are not big enough already. Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bookends” completes the coming of age, twenty-something feel of this album/film and Meghan Smith’s cover of the Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man” is amazing and truly brings out the tune’s pop hooks, even more than the original. All in all, one of my favorite soundtracks from one of my favorite films.
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 