December 14 and 15.
Mini Classic Film Reviews: Thank You for Smoking…
Full Title: Thank You For Smoking
Director: Jason Reitman
Year: 2005
Comments: This is a great piece of satire from Reitman and crew that neither endorses nor condemns Tobacco, but rather pokes fun at all the propaganda and hullabaloo that surrounds the topic. I really appreaciate this story for not selling its audience short and instead showing anti-tobacco politicians as villians (within this context) for basically exploiting the issue of smoking to enhance their own political careers. And by that same token, the character of Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is one of my favorites in all of cinema, as he is a great, three dimensional figure with both negative and redeeming qualities. Overall, a very funny and sharp look at an ongoing debate in America.
Grade: A
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Full Title: Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
Director: Tim Burton
Year: 1985
Comments: Write a mini movie review of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. (In a classic Pee Wee Herman voice) MAYBE I WILL! Perhaps one of the zaniest and definitely funniest kids movies I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Burton’s knack for odd, but enticing imagery is perfectly mixed with Paul Reuben’s eccentric performance as the bizarre man-child, Pee Wee, dedicated to only one thing in life: retrieving his beloved bike. And yes, Large Marge scared the shit outta me too as a child!
Grade: A
Full Title: American Psycho
Director: Mary Harron
Year: 2000
Comments: Shocking. Depraved. Gruesome. Sickening. Those are some adjectives you could use to describe this film. Or…. you could say….Hilarious. Comical. Witty. AP works on various levels and without a doubt is a film that sticks with you for its over the top, slam to your sensory approach. It’s twisted, gory, and for some downright offensive (as with Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, which it is based on). But, that’s the point. This is a story about high class, Wall Street scumfucks and in particular one snobbish, narcissistic man that is so devoid of human emotion he must lash out against society in the form of mass murder. AP takes that story and slices and dices it with black humor, radio friendly pop songs, and exaggerated performances- almost to the point of questioning the seriousness of what you are viewing. This is the kind of movie some folks hate for having an ambiguous message/purpose, but that’s precisely what I adore about it. Well, I’d love to stay and finish this review, but I have to return some video tapes.
Grade: A
Film Review: Machete
Full Title: Machete
Directors: Ethan Maniquis and Robert Rodriguez
Year: 2010
Comments: When I grow up, I want to be MACHETE! (pronounced muh shet tay not muh shetty). As a big fan of the fake Machete trailer in Grindhouse (2007) as well as director Robert Rodriguez’s work in general, this film was near the top of my list of highly anticipated, Must Sees of Twenty-Ten, and fortunately my expectations were satisfied. The plot involves a badass Mexican named Machete (Danny Trejo), who is instructed to off a racist, anti-immigration propaganda spewing Senator (Robert De Niro) for $150,000. Machete, an illegal immigrant himself, needs the money and accepts. As he is about to fire, he is shot at and he soon realizes the whole assassination was a set up to boost sympathy votes for the Senator and his anti-immigration policies. Now, Machete is on the run and the target of everyone from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents (Jessica Alba) to covert businessmen (Jeff Fahey). Machete also features Steven Seagal (he actually does a decent job!) as an evil druglord/nemesis of Machete, Michelle Rodriguez (looking fabulous as usual) as Shé, the leader of an underground network to support illegal immigrants, Cheech Marin as a renegade reverend/brother of Machete, and Lindsey Lohan also makes a few appearances, some without her clothes! Which, brings me to my next point, Machete is filled to the brim with buckets of blood- decapitations, intestines ripped out and used as ropes, you know all that good old family fun. Plus plenty of nudity, sex and other lurid imagery. This Mexploitation flick delivers a dish best served cold; in other words it’s a straight up gruesome, guy-action movie of that wonderfully, black/absurdist humor tinged Rodriguez/Tarantino, trashy, Grindhouse revival variety. Pheww that was a mouthful… Machete never fails to excite and entertain its audience because like most Rodriguez flicks it contains over the top, stylized violence mixed with a solid story, memorable characters, and witty, distinctive dialogue, separating it from your run of the mill action pieces of shit. On a final note, I dig the germane content of the film- illegal immigration, in light of the recent Arizona fiasco, though I don’t think this is a movie with a deep political message haha. In any case, I hope to see a Machete II in the future!
Grade: B+/A-
CD Review: The Age of Adz [2010]
Band: Sufjan Stevens
Release: 10/2010
Label: Asthmatic Kitty
1. “Futile Devices” – B
2. “Too Much” – C
3. “Age of Adz” – C+
4. “I Walked” – B
5. “Now That I’m Older” – B+
6. “Get Real Get Right” – B-
7. “Bad Communication” – C
8. “Vesuvius” – C+
9. “All For Myself” – B-
10. “I Want To Be Well” – C
11. “Impossible Soul” – B
Comments: S.S has made a return to show business…as the band Phoenix. Not quite, but as you may or may not know, this is an electronically driven piece of work. A bit like when Peter Bjorn and John went electronic…except that actually worked rather well. Sufjan is still pretty much Sufjan of old. He sort of “wow”-ed me with Illinois — not going to lie — though I’d never consider myself particularly fond of his work, holistically. You either have to stick orchestral or go full electronic. None of this half and half BS is acceptable in my eyes. Sufjan thinks since he’s Sufjan he can do whatever he wants. He’s not Radiohead. Some of these tunes are decent throw-away listens. That’s a depressing thing to say given the current music culture, but it’s true. I mean, I have a pretty short listening span so these 4+ minute tunes aren’t ever going to cut it. Even the shorties are just little one timers. Twenty-five minute songs aren’t acceptable…ever.
Grade: B- (80)
Documentary On Young Adults, Other Boston Garage Rock Bands
November 6, 2010.
Young Adults of Allston, Massachusetts will play their record release show at Great Scott. Filming will be by ExNoise. This show will be the pinnacle of a documentary featuring Young Adults and other Boston area garage rock/punk bands. You could be in the documentary…if you go to the show.
Paul Weller @ Apollo Theatre
November 6th and 7th, the Modfather Paul Weller will be in New York City playing shows. One is at the Best Buy (Nokia) Theatre and the one I am going to is at the Apollo in Harlem. I’ve been re-familiarizing myself, coincidentally, with Weller’s solo work so I’m looking forward to this thing.
The Rifles Ft. In iPod Commercial
In yet another strange pop culture twist, The Rifles (a favorite of mine) are currently being featured in an iPod commercial. Not directly, of course. The listener of the iPod in the commercial clicks on The Great Escape at the very end. The album art is very visible. This is yet another strange pop culture twist because The Rifles were being played on satellite pop radio throughout summer 2010. I found that weird because nobody knows about the Rifles in the United States…or so it seems. More exposure can’t hurt.
Link to the Commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze8hYZDJpXI&feature=related
Anthony Needle Drops Halcyon Digest
I was waiting for this review. Be sure to check out Glen’s review here https://klyam.com/2010/09/16/cd-review-halcyon-digest-2010/.
30,000 VIEWS!
30,000 views bitches! KLYAM has reached 30,000 views. Thanks to all for checking us out and to my fellow KLAYMERS, keep it cumming…
The Revolution is succeeding!
CD Review: Rock and Roll [2010]
Band: Woozy Viper
Release: 2010
Label: ?
1. “You Can’t Find Me” – A
2. “Dinner And A Movie”- B
3. “Dirty” – B+
4. “Party Town U.S.A.” – B
5. “It’s Such A Drag” – B+
6. “I Want To Strangle You” – B+
7. “She’s Mine” – B+
8. “Black Is The New Black” – A-
9. “Real Good Time” – A-
10. “Dislocated Shoulder” – A
Comments: Good stuff. To me, it’s rather run of the mill rock and roll (appropriate title) that plays like your (above) average power-pop/garage rock revue. Not too much on here blows my mind, but there are a lot of fun listens to be had. I’ve read about Black Lips comparisons and that’s simply not appropriate or fair. These guys are more Nobunny than Lips. Lyrically and musically.
Grade: B+ (88)
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