The Prettiness of Grimm

I have been a busy little bee, watching great films, documentaries, jammin’ to ma music, and reading interesting things. For some reason, I have been heavily in to the dark, contemplative, British, gruesome, cinematographically intriguing type fare. Before I list my wondrous new loves in film/music/lit-RA-ture, let me just say that my taste has tended to the pretty and yet, grim. Sidenote: Before I give my suggestions, I must comment on the fail that is my Youtube account. I started a channel to make a few videos that deal with things from my everyday life to movies and TV I love. So far, I have come to realize it is hard to make concise, effective videos that really convey your passion for, well, your passions. I think channels like “videoclerks” and “StupidforMovies” are much better at conveying their cinematic love.

http://www.youtube.com/user/videoclerks

http://www.youtube.com/user/StupidForMovies

And this way of communicating through the Internet kind of reaches a new level on Youtube. It is personal and impersonal at the same time. While I thoroughly enjoy Youtube vids of all kinds, I think it takes a certain kind of person to make these videos, to be all over Twitter, to update Tumblr, etc. Because ultimately, we are missing the ”angst and ambiguity that real communication brings” (NPR). Can I really communicate through the Internet? Is this blog really saying something to you, my few and far between readers? In the end, I LOVE, LOVE the works of art that are films and TV shows and music, and I get the greatest joy from writing and/or talking about this love. If my blog (and maybe my Youtube account) can spread this love, then even better!

ANYWAY, I finally got around to watching several interesting movies and TV, including the mindblowing AMC show “The Walking Dead”, the rich film “Fish Tank”, the twisty, clever, and epically entertaining documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop”, and revisited some lush songs.

Fish Tank

Jarvis's character and her love of hip-hop dance

Many people have heard of this unexpectedly craftful and well-acted family/teen/urban/subtle 2009 British drama, with the now movie-star Michael Fassbender and previous unknown (and not even previously an actress) Katie Jarvis. The story itself is simple; a troubled British teen living with her mean mother and younger sister becomes intrigued with her mother’s new boyfriend, who is seductive and likable yet somehow untrustworthy. As I watched the “plot” of this movie unfold, I was really surprised by the movie’s tone and focus. I was expecting a gnarly look at urban British life along the lines of Precious, but it was really not like that at all. It was actually a VERY subtle, lush look at the relationship of sorts that forms between Jarvis and Fassbender’s characters. The wonderful thing about Jarvis being untrained and naturally talented is that her performance is completely naturalistic. She is angry and vulnerable and tight-lipped, but in ways only a teen could be. Even at their worst, you can’t help liking all the characters. The film is also gorgeously shot. It is really a  hazy, lush, and gritty “interaction” piece. The mother is awful but human, and the younger sister is delightful foul-mouthed. The reoccuring themes of the chained white horse along the road that Mia keeps trying to free, and her love for hip-hop dance, both add to her desire for freedom and beauty in her life, yet the often futile attempts to get it. At the end, these “metaphors” are not heavy handed, and this movie is not hopelessly depressing. Mia herself provides all the hope you need in the end. (a note on the few sex scenes in this movie-one of the few films where sex scenes added to characterization, were not unnecessary, and were realistic)

Exit Through the Gift Shop

The deliciously mysterious street artist Banksy

Let me just say, if you love art in anyway you will LOVE this movie. And if you don’t really care for art, you will STILL LOVE this movie. This doc is definitely hard to accurately describe. It is basically about this crazy French guy who was obsessed with videotaping anything, so he stumbles open a “community” of street artists the stretch across the world. He eventually meets the super famous street artist/genius Banksy, who eventually realizes the documentary of sorts French guy is making is shit, so he turns the documentary into a film about the French guy (THIERRY, I remember), and how Thierry somehow becomes a street artist himself. Ignore the seeming convolution. This documentary is a mind-fuck in the best kind of way. It is a funny as hell, exciting, shocking, awe-inspiring look at street art today and it endless possibilities and dizzying heights. Banksy is a genius for turning this project into an Oscar nominated doc. While you watch this doc, you will be smiling and gasping with the ludriciousness of Thierry’s journey and the fact that this wondrous world of street art actually exists. And with Thierry’s rise to fame as a “street artist”, you will suddenly question the very meaning and definition of art itself. WHAT IS ART? IS THE JOKE ON US? IF THERE A JOKE? brillianttttttt.

By the mothe uckin way, I realize NOW I took a picture of street art while in Paris. In the tunnel under the road to get to the Arc de Triomphe, I think!

I took this mother uckin picture in PARIS

The Walking Dead

What has happened?

A stylized and yet realistic look at a zombie mad world. Great for zombie and non-zombie fans alike. Let me keep it brief. The show is stunning, will make your heart pound with suspense, will scare the crap out of you, will make you tear up, and will be satisfying gory. And at the same time, it is a drama on par with its Mad Men, Breaking Bad AMC counterparts. And the lead, played by the guy-who-was-in-love-with-Kiera-Knightley-in-Love-Actually, is a damn fine actor. The pilot IS thrilling, moving, gut-wrenching, quiet perfection.

Books—Wait, I read? Hell Yuh. Things I have read since my last book update: White Horses by Alice Hoffman, Walk on Water by Michael Ruhlman (gripping non-fic tale of pediatric heart surgeons), Unknown Soldier-Easy Kill, Maurice by E.M. Forster, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and more David Sedaris with Me Talk Pretty One Day.

Read the book gorramit!

The Lovely Bones is a masterpiece of devastating loss that also manages to awaken you to the blinding beauty of being alive. Don’t have much to add to the acclaim, it is a masterpiece. Which does drag a bit the last hundred pages in terms of pacing. This is the kind of book that is consistently stunning in the actual writing; there are sentences that are so effective and moving you will literally want to cry. I can’t imagine the movie version did it justice. Even though I haven’t seen the movie, I know if it had done it justice it would have gotten every Oscar out there.

Music- I forgot all about you, The Flaming Lips. A fantastic interview on NPR this past weekend reminded to listen to their music again. “Do You Realize” is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.

A Savory Selection of Sweet Summer Entertainment

Yes, I know the summer is going to be over in about a month for many of us. For some, another year of college awaits. For some, grad school (YIKES ME!), and for others the wonderfully fruitful job market beckons. I have spent my summer mainly reading, watching TV and movies, swimming, listening to music, and weakly attempting to prepare for medical school (also enjoying Youtube). But seriously, how do you even prepare for medical school. Excuse my french, but FFFFFFF-EEEEEEERRRRR. I wanted to share some of my especially beloved tv shows/books/music/movies/etc. that were great in getting me through hot, boring days. Perfect summer selection commence!

-British Dramas, specifically MISFITS

I have always been a great fan of everything British, as anyone who knows me can attest. So, of course, I have spent a bit of time watching several British shows this summer and have been delighted by some and underwhelmed by others. I mentioned the wonderfully delightful BBC Sherlock Holmes in another post, so check it out. If you love witty British humor and subtle & psychological character development, a great pick that is quite short. I was actually quite disappointed by the British detective drama Luther. Idris Elba himself is too cool for words and Ruth Wilson actually sparkles as a charming murderer, but this show does not give its great actors enough complexity. It is the kind of show that thinks its central character(Elba’s Luther) is more compelling and shaded then he actually is. However, if you love Idris Elba, it might be worth checking out.

But to get to my real point, the best teenage/sci-fi/dramedy I have seen in a long time has got to be the compelling, gritty, and raunchtastic show Misfits. It has been often described as a mix of Skins and Heroes. As a very very very loose description I can go along with that statement. It is essentially a show about five social “misfits” who are in community service for various petty crimes. One day they are caught in an electrical storm and somehow end up with super powers. The show follows their antics as they try to deal with their powers and the problems these powers bring, as well as navigating their dynamics with each other. The reason this show isn’t a simple mix of Skins and Heroes is; while the show does have the celebration of teenage hedonism, it is grittier and less glamorized then Skins; also, while it does have some of the epic, grand destiny sensibility of Heroes, it does not have the comic-book, almost stylized self-seriousness of Heroes. Above all, this show revels in its own morbid hilarity. There is violence and death galore; its horrible and hilarious and a part of their lives they have to accept. And the script is razor sharp, constantly biting, and obscenely unrelentingly funny. These young adults are real and not always noble. Basically, watch this show if you like young people being crazy, funny, romantic, and gritty, and also if you are a sci-fi fan. Unlike Heroes, which just dragged itself along after Season 1, Misfits is the rare show that gets better every single episode. Note: The most magnetic character, Nathan, is played without abandon by Robert Sheenan. Many fans were upset to learn he was leaving after Series 2. However, I believe this is a show that got even better in Series 2, and several other characters have become equally compelling as Nathan. It is very unfortunate he is leaving the show, but I think that Misfits can still be worth watching.

(ALSO also, endlessly impressive soundtrack)

Is Non-Fiction Historical Reading EVER Fun? Hell Yes.

I stumbled upon one of the best books I have ever read last week. I found that I really wanted to be less stupid and maybe read an intelligent nonfiction book, so I randomly picked “The Mindset Lists of American History” off the self at my local library. This book is essentially an analysis of American History for 1898 to, yes, 2020-30 ish (can’t remember). The catch is, this book started from the idea to make lists of the American people’s mindsets in various decades in history. What was considered normal in 1898, versus 1950? The authors McBride and Nief made lists of the ideas, technologies, and social norms that governed American is different times, explained the mindsets of Americans, and guessed at what we would think is normal in 20 years. The thing that makes this book so interesting is that it is written in the first person. You feel like you are hearing someone talk about their life in that time. The book covers things from the everyday (“In 1983, there have always been the Grateful Dead”, “In 1898, folks have always been intrigued by trained fleas, Siamese Twins, and ‘egresses’ “) to the grand dramas and social issues of the day (“In 1957, subversives could be anywhere”). This book is compulsively readable and exciting. I was actually waiting in anticipation to see how America would change. An entertaining and intelligent read.

Music

I love liking new things. This summer in particular, I have really stepped out of my “comfort” zone with my musical explorations. I think if you have any true love of music, you really have to try and listen to other things, really try, because that can upon shockingly fresh musical experiences to you. Part of this was done through Misfits, funny enough. The show has an excellent selection of “British club music” in many scenes, and Dubstep, something I don’t know much about. I had previously decided dubstep sucked, but I was wrong. This song in particular just freaking kills!

Also, though not really out of my comfort zone, I discovered great band called Bastille, and have so far listened to two top-notch songs by them that are swift and catchy and deep.

Cooking

I just cooked the most epically random food ever. Sweet Potato and Banana Casserole, Grapefruit Chicken (I don;t even eat chicken), and Oatmeal & Apple Crisp). Prepare for epic failing. I may have skipped certain missing ingredients like “eggs” and “brown sugar” and “nutmeg”. I am sure I approximated the intended flavor anyway.

(http://southernfood.about.com/od/sweetpotatocasseroles/r/bln411.htm)

(http://allrecipes.com/recipe/grapefruit-chicken/detail.aspx)

(http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/apple-oatmeal-crisp/detail.aspx)

Entertainment Weekly Coverage of Comic-Con

It is good. And look at this awesome picture of some of the Game of Thrones actors in….modern attire! (plus gourgeous individual shots)

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20399642_20512173,00.html#20991769

Plus Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Cast

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20399642_20405688,00.html?stitched#20816084

Paul Cast ( SIMON PEGGGGGGG)

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20399642_20405688,00.html?stitched#20816073

Vampire Diaries Cast

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20399642_20405688,00.html?stitched#20816067

The Girls of Community + Pierce

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20399642_20405688,00.html?stitched#20816054

AND, just look through the whole damn slideshow!

 

Favorite 31 Things of 2010

I have to make something clear about the many thoughts I have shared on this blog…none of them are really that original. Surprise! But this post in particular is directly inspired by the recent “50 Favorite Things of 2010″ list featured on NPR. At the end of the day, aren’t all of my thoughts inspired by NPR? So, here are 31 things that gave me unadulterated, unconditional joy in this strange and wonderful year. The only way to live is to love things and people obscenely and without reason, so here is my unfiltered list! (considering my last post was also a list, I admit I like them)

1) “Silver Lining”, Rilo Kiley.

You know when you listen to a song and everything falls away for a few minutes? Like, halfway through, you already want the song to start over again? That would be this amazing Rilo Kiley song I somehow managed never to hear before. Hip and elegant and earthly and heavenly. I can’t stop listening to this song even though I might get sick of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVtSSCzASR0&feature=feedlik

2) Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

I already talked about this movie in another post, but again: it is a pop-art visual fun endearing edgy adventure! And Kieran Culkin is in it (Igby Goes Down!)

3) Giovanni’s Room, by James Baldwin

This book is seriously devastating. Okay, not a great recommendation, but no matter how depressing it is it is still haunting to read. Beautiful and short novel that is a must-read. One of my favorite lines: “this was but one tiny aspect of the dreadful human tangle occurring everywhere, without end, forever.”

4) Amy Kuney’s music

I don’t know who this chick is, but she writes damn good original music. Hopefully the next star to emerge from YouTube? I love it when amateurs are better than the professionals. Below is one of her many good songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy3tyqEA4Cc&feature=feedlik

5) Running Wilde

Sadly this show is going to/ is already canceled. Lots of people did not like it but I thought it was totally charming and irreverent. I like to think this gem of a comedy will be appreciated in ten years.

6) Easy A

The return of the hilarious & kind of subversive teen comedy! What have we had in recent memory is Mean Girls and She’s The Man. And neither of them had the hilarious Emma Stone.

7) The Rotten Tomatoes Show clips on Hulu

Okay, never watched the show all the way through, but watched tons of hilarious clips of the Rotten Tomatoes take on the movie universe. Cue example!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/170516/the-rotten-tomatoes-show-julia-roberts-in-three-minutes-or-less#s-p1-sr-i2

8) Rediscovering Joan of Arcadia

An underachieving slacker with a heart played by the witty Amber Tamblyn and her many conversations with God; great concept? YES. LOVED this show in high school (as in never did anything else but watch it on friday nights), and fell in love with it again. Second time around is sometimes better; never really appreciated the tenderness of the relationship between Joan’s mom and Kevin, Joan’s paraplegic brother (Jason Ritter, in a snarky and soulful performance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeVrXGOt5ig&feature=related

9) Speaking of, anything Jason Ritter is in!

This guy is amazing. Seriously, there is something about him. Every role he inhabits has this earnest energy that makes him totally magnetic. In everything I have seen him in he has shined through as the most memorable character; the scandalously named but sweet “Good Dick”, a total heartthrob teacher in “Parenthood”, a wildly uncontrollable & manipulative & charismatic criminal in “The Education of Charlie Banks”…he has a lot in his future!

10) The Social Network

All hail Jesse Eisenberg. And everyone else in this movie. And Aaron Sorkin. This movie is on the path the a possible Best Picture, but I think its strength lies in its youthful and fiercely intelligent depiction of our age’s entrepreneurs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PrLjaS9SRY&feature=related

11) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

My favorite Harry Potter movie. Daniel Radcliffe & Emma Watson are finally growing on me.

12) Prep School Blues

Maybe the age of youtube, twitter, and facebook has made putting yourself out there too easy and too much. But it has also allowed creative, brilliant, and unknown people to come together and make art, and share it with the world. Prep School Blues is an online series that surprised, no, shocked me with its level of sophistication and acting. Despite a few melodramatic hiccups, not unexpected, this show is plain cool.

http://www.youtube.com/prepschoolblues

13) Big sweaters

Not much to explain here. My roommate says I am going through a “grandma” phase.

14) The “It Gets Better” campaign.

Out of uncomprehending tragedy, humanity can sometimes surprise you and build something rare; hope. Cheesy, I know, but if clips like this don’t make you cry a little then why are you reading my blog!? Life can be awful and life can be amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IcVyvg2Qlo

15) Glee…mostly

Glee has had an interesting season. When Glee is great it is really great, but when its not it is really disappointing. But Glee has two things really going it. First, Kurt, played with praise worthy dignity, vulnerability, and umph by Chris Colfer, is consistently one of the best characters on the show. Second, the bee-stung lips, surfer boy hair, and rock-hard abs of the charming Chord Overstreet. OFFICIALLY the hottest guy on Glee. Oh yeah, third…Darren Criss!!!!!

16) U.K. Version of The Office

Like the American Office but with more delicious awkwardness and Britishisms. And Tim and Dawn are almost cuter than Jim and Pam.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/130652/the-office-uk-downsize#s-p3-so-i0

17) “Ghost”, Fefe Dobson

Unnaturally catchy. Rock on Fefe! With a new album and a new(ish) sound, Fefe is hotter than ever a vengeful rocker chick in this hilarious/scary video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXrFBsYKrgE

18) Tyler + Caroline on Vampire Diaries

I seriously heart Matt, and am hoping for Matt and Caroline to reunite. But in the meantime, I am loving the surprising chemistry between the new werewolf and whiny vampire.

19) Jase + Mani in the British miniseries “Sinchronicity”

Okay, I am going to admit I only watched the “gay storyline” scenes available on YouTube, but these uploads are enough. Watch two hot British guys with unbelievable chemistry fall in love. And the character who plays Mani has more intense hazel-eyed exotic allure than most people can handle. And Jase is tall, dark, handsome, and totally cuddly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWnTLMD_t1w&feature=&p=364FBC22DDFEA608&index=0&playnext=1

20) Robyn

Not my type of music but actually love some of her songs; “Dancing On My Own”, “Who’s That Girl”, “FemBot”. This is music to dance to.

21) Rediscovery of U.K. Version of Queer as Folk

Brilliant (said in British accent). Watching series over again and its even better the second time! Great acting and a defiant spirit make this allegory of gay men who frequent a special street in England extremely watchable. And has to have the best declaration of self ever made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uomwSbZRzU

22) Googling Space Nebulas.

It’s cool. Try it.

23) The return of Kirsten Dunst!

I have loved Kirsten since Jumanji, and I am glad she has come back with her unique brand of boho chic, talent, and twinkly-eyed charm. Looking forward to  her upcoming films “All The Good Things” with Ryan Gosling, and “Upside Down” with Jim Sturgess. Great costars!

24) The Station Agent

A folksy charming heartbreaking movie about a dwarf who grudgingly makes friends in his new town. Peter Dinklage is an f-ing great actor, and this is a film with subtle meaning. Patricia Clarkson is simply beautiful.

25) Oscar Wilde

I would so love to talk to this guy. Not often you find writing that is still funny over 100 years after it was written. And what a fascinating life.

26) Adam Goldberg

Hot in a bearded tattoed way. And in two of the most clever, hilarious movies I’ve seen this year; “(Untitled)” and “Two Days in Paris”.

27) Remembering why I love Patrick Fugit after watching Bickford Shmeckler’s Cool Ideas

I hope this guy comes back with some good movies. I had to watch this movie after seeing it on Comedy Central/Showtime for the tenth time. He has been in much better, but this odd, kinda silly, funny movie shows Patrick at his boyish best. I want my own Patrick Fugit.

28) Any episode of the second season of Community

This show is brilliance. Just watch the Christmas episode.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/199579/community-abeds-uncontrollable-christmas

29) Edith Piaf

Her song “Je Ne Regrette Rien” was the dramatic warning to escape dreams in Inception. Her life is an interesting one, showcased by the intriguing and kind of long film La Vie En Rose. I somehow never heard of her, though she is one of the most famous singers of the 20th century. Check her out; she is classic.

30) Overturning of Prop 8/ Don’t As Don’t Tell

We are moving in the right direction. Even though we are moving WAY too slowly.

31) ”The purpose of art is not a rarified, intellectual distillate – it is life, intensified, brilliant life.” Alain Arias-Misson

The Wonderful Things in My Universe

So of course I have not written in my poor neglected blog for far too long. Many times I have thought of something I desperately wanted to write about, but realized I NEED TO STUDY. So, life this semester has been very strange. I have never had to THINK this much in my life! It is not just medical school interviews, or hard-as-crap classes, it is the future and the now. I keep envisioning the scope of my life, and also trying to just live in the moment. I think this year has been my most formative yet. Along this train of thought, I have also been thinking about the things in my life I love and how my interests distinguish me as a person. And I realized, I am passionate about some things no one else gives a shit about. Really. I like to talk about my disturbing dreams, debate the relative hotness of random actors and actresses, talk about how I love accents, etc. I recently read an article on cracked.com about the top five things you think are interesting that no one cares about. I think I’ll make my own amusing list of THINGS I LIKE TO DO/THINGS I OBSESS ABOUT THAT NO ONE ELSE CARES ABOUT !!

1) How awesomely cute, funny, charming, talented, and underapppreciated Chris Lowell is!

Literally, no one I know has any idea who this guy is, other than “the cute guy from Private Practice”. I was obsessed with Veronica Mars, but I thought the third season kind of sucked it hard. People might disagree with me, but I think Chris Lowell’s character Piz was the sweetest, funniest part of the third season. Sorry to Logan+Veronica fans, I am a diehard Piz+Veronica fan. Anyone remember the short-lived, original dramedy “Life As We Know It”? Kelly Osbourne before she lost weight and became blond? Chris Lowell was the cutest guy in that show, hands down! The only dilemma is whether he looks cuter with long or short hair…I am so torn.

2) Annoying my roommates by OBSESSIVELY playing these amazing songs which they think are kind of mediocre.

-”I L U” & “Windstorm”, School of Seven Bells

-Anything by Vanessa Carlton.

-”Sitting Down Here” & “Playing My Game”, Lene Marlin.

-Anything by Hilary Duff.

-”Dream of Me”, Kirsten Dunst.

3) Heights is STILL one of my favorite movies ever. Seriously! Why can’t I convince any of my friends to watch it?

- This movie is a complex, thrilling yet urban and subtle human drama. Literally, you could watch it for the opening scene alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pma2fEkFO-M

Jesse Bradford is actually cute AND talented in this movie. I really gained a new appreciation for him. Glenn Close is brilliant and dignified and broken. This is the only movie in which Elizabeth Banks does not annoy me. The camera work, the visuals of New York, and the story itself all add up to make a really unique movie unlike most others I have seen (and yeah, I watch a lot of movies).

4) Memorizing poetry is fun! Listen to me recite it! LISTEN.

-Okay, obnoxious and posery as it is, I love to memorize random poetry so I can feel cool and educated as I recite it perfectly from memory. Also, poetry is all about the beauty of language, and the only thing more fun than reading poetry is reciting it. Unfortunately, my friends don’t think it is especially fun to hear my recite random poetry with multiple errors. I recently mastered the wonderful ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”. That is such a lyrical poem to memorize, and literally love acting like a mad person and muttering this poem to myself.

http://www.bigeye.com/donotgo.htm

5) Gay/interracial romantic movies can be way way more interesting than straight ones.

-Okay, this may be due to my recite obsession with anything gay-themed (Shelter, Watercolors, the absolutely wonderful My Beautiful Laundrette), but I am going through a phase where heterosexual white love stories are just boring. I am SO not saying that the million amazing love stories out there are not worth watching over and over and over again (Um, ever heard of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth? ‘nuf said. Wait no, how about Brief Encounter!?). It is just that the standard, rom-com, white boy meets white girl and cutesy antics ensue plotline has been done to death. LIKE REALLY. Oh my god, does the world not have enough of self-obsessed mainstream unimaginative unsincere love stories out there? The thing about interracial/gay love stories is that they are something different. Maybe Something New does not have the most wildly original storyline, but the movie explores the complications of interracial attraction and relationships in a way you don’t usually see. This movie actually pushed some buttons! Also why I love gay movies to death. The dynamic of two men or two women is so refreshingly different. (And there is just something about two men kissing…:)

Really Old Music and Other Mildly Related Things

So, this summer was ridiculous on many levels. I absorbed copious amounts of television, movies, and music. I even got so bored with my laptop usage that I read some really great books and started drawing again. But first, let’s get back to the music. I have recently looked to the past for musical inspiration. After watching La Vie En Rose, I discovered who Edith Piaf was. I became a bit obsessed with this amazing musical icon. It is kind of sad I had no idea who she was when Piaf was probably one the most famous singers of the 20th century

.

For fans of the mind-blowing film Inception, you might remember the epic retrieve-you-from-the-dream-song “Non Je Ne Regrette Rien”. If not, listen! I also realized that one of the characters in The History Boys sings her song “L’accordeoniste”, which is so catchy and wonderfully French. However true La Vie En Rose is, Edith Piaf was a talented, wild, dramatic musician who lived a tumultuous life. It is easy to listen to her music for hours on end, and feel as if you have been transported into some 1950′s French performance hall. Another, more obscure musical icon I discovered just a few days ago was Marika Papagika, a Greek-American singer from the 1920′s.

Music collector Ian Nagoski was interviewed on NPR (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129381403) for his collection of obscure vinyl, and he discussed this forgotten musical figure. Apparently, Papagika was wildly popular in the 20′s, but her immigrant brand of music has been “erased” from the American musical landscape. There was a whole musical community from the Mediterranean that made great music no one knows about today. Papgika’s music in particular, when listened to on youtube, is grainy, eclectic, and often times haunting. Her music probably inspired the likes of modern day musicians like Beirut. Here are two samples of this music from another time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK4c-twfn8M&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux_whsihlM0

Okay, in a GIANT shift to a decidedly more modern brand of music in the absolutely wonderful Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.

Okay, I am not just ranting about the hip, totally cool music from fake bands in this movie. I am ranting about the entire movie. Whatever naysayers naysay, they are wrong. This movie is crazy, and futuristic, and hip, and funny, and romantic, and colorful, and subtly subversive. First off, great actors, from the yes, adorable, Michael Cera, to the zany Jason Shwartzman, to the wry and hilarious Kieran Culkin (“I wanna have your adopted babies!”). Okay, the fact that Kieran Culkin was in this should convince you alone. Didn’t? How about Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick? And the crazy funny and constantly uncaring college intern chick from Parks and Recreation?

Whatever you might think about this movie, go see it and prepare for a blast of originality. This film not only uses visual effects to blast our senses, it uses visual effects to add a magical, comic-book dimension to ordinary life. So, this (hopefully) soon to be cult hit is MY NEW OBSESSION.

Movies and Songs that will Emotionally Devastate You- In Time for Spring Break!

I am definitely enjoying Spring Break! Even though its requires ignoring vast amounts of work. Whatever! I always enjoy uplifting movies, chessy movies, happy romantic comedies, Glee music for 7 hours… but sometimes you are in the mood for more powerful stuff. You know, like Brokeback Moutain and Sigur-Ros-esque, really powerful, heart wrenching stuff. Here are my choices for movies and songs that will emotionally devastate you!

All The Real Girls

This delicately paced, achingly real romantic drama follows a young man (Paul Schneider), who after years of womanizing and fooling around in the small town he grew up in, falls in love with his best friend’s sister (Zooey Deschanel). “All The Real Girls” is filmed in an almost secretive way, moving through the lives of the surrounding friends and family of the couple, and through their hushed, overwhelming,  new romance. So many scenes in this movie with transfix you. One scene in particular has Paul Schneider drinking in a bar, trying to explain something to an old fling he screwed over. He describes how as a young boy, he saw a flock of geese fly overhead, and one crashed into the side of a house, and fell down dead. He asks her, “Have you ever seen an animal make a mistake?”. This movie will ask you that exact question.

‘What’s A Boy To Do”, Mat Kearney

Always found this song devastating, but not exactly sure what the lyrics are saying. This song is more like an impressionistic poem, flashes from a young boy’s life, without a father, without direction. The images are violent, rainy, lonely. The song builds up its pace, but stays with a simple melody, keeping that sadness clear. Mat Kearney has a great voice, and with “What’s a Boy To Do”, has created an affecting song.

Into The Wild

Damn, this movie is tragic. Like the memoir, this movie will shock you with the spirit of a young man in love with the wild, the idea of being lost in the middle of the unforgiving wilderness. The tragic end of this man shocks you to, as that same wilderness crushes him. Christopher McCandless walks out on his college educated, privileged life, to wander the American wilderness, with no possessions or money, just a foolish and amazing spirit of adventure. The movie shows his encounters with townspeople and such he meets along the way, who remember him years later. The tragedy and joy of this movie is the path this young man’s life takes, and the friends and family who are haunted by Christopher. Emile Hirsch shows the ability to win an Oscar at some point. Top notch emotional devastation.

I got Soul But I’m not a Soldier

This semester can been described in one word; draining. The epic snow week, followed by lots of tests and papers crammed into less time have left all of us stressed. As I try to figure out my schedule for next semester, the outlook is bleak. I look forward to being a senior, because then I’ll have an excuse not to care. Studying is a drag. You know what’s better? “The Good Wife” and Netflix becoming my number one website on Google Chrome! Excellent, my obsession can’t be denied. The Good Wife is one damn fine show. Seriously good acting, and a subtlety rare on similar law shows. The politics of human interaction are real and tangible in this show. The wonderful Josh Charles again displays his general awesomeness in this show as a successful, fairly cut-throat and clean-cut partner at a law firm. Its a testament to his skills that his lawyer on “The Good Wife”, and his rugged, uneducated, and angry husband on “In Treatment” are equally believable.

In my various attempts to avoid productivity, I finally watched “An Education”. Yes, it is as great as they say. Carey Mulligan somehow manages to be empathetic as a mildly self-absorbed (who isn’t at our age?) , passionate, confused, blooming young woman. Her character is truly a young woman; young in her passion and intelligence, and unsuspecting curiosity. She, by the end of the movie, has started towards to path of womanhood. This movie is about how we are blinded by the brilliance of the world, and when we venture out, inexperienced and unwise, we can get shattered. If we learn to put ourselves back together again, we are adults. Interestingly enough, I thought this movie was not depressing, but really empathized with being a young woman.

For all the times I have used Netflix for the powers of good (to watch the likes of Happy-Go-Lucky, a joyful movie), I have used in for the powers of guilty pleasure (Legend of the Seeker, an entertaining show, ESPECIALLY when Richard is shirtless…drools). But all the limitless movies!!! Finally, I was watching Princess Diaries the other day (powers of guilty pleasure), and I realized the love interest is the lead singer of Rooney. I listened to the band’s music, its fun and charming. I plan on listening to them more!

Tea and a Biscuit

As we students approach or have arrived at the beginning of a new semester, we need to breathe. It’ll be okay. Freaking out is meant for finals. Now is the time to enjoy school. I for one have a new attitude this semester. Okay, I have a “new” attitude every semester, but now it’s legit: no freaking out, a.k.a., stressing out. a.k.a., generally being miserable. Sure, maybe I need to study really really hard to get straight A’s this semester to increase my GPA, but I am not going to panic. SERIOUSLY. We all do better when we are not stressed. So, I need certain things to ease me into studying again. Unhealthy amounts of tea. And good music. Started listening to the new John Mayer album, Battle Studies. Not bad! I have only been listening to “Assassin”, which is great in a “I can listen to this over and over until I hate it” way. Also, interesting song from newish artist Theophilus London; you may have heard it on the obnoxious faux music snobbery of MTV U’s Video Hour or Dean’s List, “Humdrum Town”. At first I thought it was good, on second listen I really liked it. And a excellent track off Imogen Heap’s latest album sounds like her best, “Tidal”. Sometimes I love songs just for the first 20 seconds. This song is great the whole way, and has flourishes of manipulation of sound that only Imogen Heap’s music mind can create. There are some songs that I do love really only for the first 20 seconds. “Just Don’t Pretend”, by 16 Frames, “Sweet Disposition” The Temper Trap”. Can you think of songs that you listen to just for that sweet intro? In other news, a great new show to occupy you this semester; The Deep End. I was expecting it to be completely idiotic, but it was very watchable. There are enough talented actors in this show to give me confidence. The guy from Jack and Bobby! Eggs from True Blood! Rachelle LeFevre! Mac from Veronica Mars! And many more.  The first episode covered a lot of territory without being stuffed with too many plots. And yes, slightly less sex than Grey’s Anatomy but no unbearable and self-involved characters (*cough* Meredith). I’ll watch this show! Now, on to ordering books for classes in two days.

Oh no I stubbed my toe

I have recently discovered the breathe of fresh air that is Mr. Hudson, the hip-hoppy ish-new Kanye-West endorsed-British-blond as Lady Gaga- singer. I first listened to the single off his new album “Straight No Chaser”, “Supernova feat. Kanye West”, and liked it. Didn’t see what the big deal was, though. The song grew on me, and as I listened to the rest of the album, I loved it. Then I developed an unhealthy obsession with the track, “There Will Be Tears”. It’s amazing what you can do with talent, rhythm, a good voice, and splashes of autotune. Lines like this somehow sound brilliant:  ”We were trying to move forward love/ but it’s tricky through a brick wall love”; “Oh no I stubbed my toe” . Why is this song so short? Mr. Hudson should be amazingly famous. He has the formulaic individuality package down, with actual individuality to back it up. Or at least he is really good at faking it. Whatever, I buy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJa6VbWoLKc&feature=related

In unrelated news, I need to read more. I read The Soloist two weeks ago, and I forgot how much fun it is to read a brilliant book. GREAT read, I suggest it for everyone who loves music and thinks homelessness sucks. Seriously, this novel was frustrating and inspiring at the same time, and I finished it in one day. As usual, instead of reading more great books, I watch a lot of TV. I tend to start watching a lot of shows, and get annoyed a season or two in. Some shows can be extremely frustrating like that. Other shows I finish in a week and wait desperately for new episodes. In the annoying category is Six Feet Under. I really liked this show at first, and dug its HBO shock value and unique morbid quality. But then all the doom and gloom and death got annoying. And I accidently read a spoiler for the third season and quit the show all together. Even though I love Peter Krause, only so much death and lying and drama can be tolerated. The show did not allow new characters in, which I think is really important for any show on for many seasons. When Molly Parker arrived as an earthly beautiful rabbi, I thought, Finally! A new love interest! Rejected. A show I did LOVE was True Blood. I watched the first 5 episodes over a year ago and kinda hated it. I picked up with the show, and by the second season it was brilliant! This show is consistently great now. I particularly loved Michelle Forbes as a goddess of sin (or whatever she was), and that young Danish actor as the 2000 year old Godric. And who doesn’t love Eric? Anyway, I need a new show to occupy me in between working on my personal statement for medical school.

I see your red hat.

I could quote Elizabethtown forever. And a day. My love for the genius of Cameron Crowe is a love of a lifetime. I think that Cameron Crowe, just like Kirsten Dunst or “Claire”, may not know a lot about everything, but what he knows he knows really well. People. We’re a lot less mysterious then we’d like to think. So much for the show. So much for how we all try to fool each other. Instead, we should listen to the music of soulful rivers and take a solitary road trip across the country. I can’t stop quoting that movie! For instance, after another grueling semester, I have to agree with Orlando Bloom a.k.a. “Drew” (looking as gorgy as ever); the only god people really worship is success. Making it to the top of the ladder. Being better. I for one have found the whole process of climbing to success tiresome. I want to succeed, but I also want to be like Drew and Claire. Take a step back, and see the world for what it is. And try to find all those dumbfoundingly deep moments. Like staying up all night on the phone and driving to middle of some Southern highway in Kentucky to watch the sun rise over a long river. I mean taking that roadtrip. I mean dancing to that music. You know…that music that shaped generations. I just loved it when Claire smiles cheerfully at Drew and says “You keep trying to break up with me, and we’re not even together!”. He replies, after a pause, “We’re not”. She shakes her head, “No. Not even close”. What does it mean? Something! This movie wasn’t just talking about love. It was life. Life, realists and phonies, acceptors of fate. And I quote another here when I say life is seeing the madness of the cosmos, and dancing with that madness. So, here, I take a step. I’ll start by making the soundtrack to my soon-to-happen road trip. Actually, that’ll take some time. Save it for my next post.