This summer I dream of next summer

Salute to the always epic Scottish band The Twilight Sad for my subtle little spoof. Sadly enough, this summer is already a bummer. How disappointing…this is what happens when you have work to do all the time when you should be relaxing. And forget medical school applications…who knows how those will get done! At least I have movies to make life a bit more bearable. At least I can start obsessively planning my trip to London and more next summer. It IS happening! Money, check (sort of), extreme motivation, check, determination, check! I have had an unhealthy obsession with all things United Kingdom, and basically European, since I first went to london when I was 8. I only stayed a night, and then a week when I was 14. But I’ve always known England was just one of those places I was meant to be. The current plan is to hit up London, Scotland(castles, green hills, the accent, oh my!), Paris, maybe Rome…and the rest I plan on deciding when I get there! Anyway, for CURRENT enjoyment needs to be met, I have a list of some interesting movies I have seen, and ones I want to see:

There Will Be Blood

This is one of those movies you watch in perplexed and disturbed bewilderment. Don’t worry folks, that is a good thing. This movie can really be described in one word; masterful. It feels like Paul Thomas Anderson, director, shaped this movie from iron, giving each shot unrelenting strength, making each scene haunt the viewer. Daniel Day-Lewis plays an oilman in the early 20th century, who uses his cunning and fight to get rich on oil. I knew this movie was brilliant, but its aims are not intentionally clear. I actually read several reviews of this movie after I watched, because it fascinated me that much. The only fault I could find was the last half hour dragged a bit for me. Daniel Day-Lewis performance is shattering and frightening. He has an amazing way of speaking, the deliberate yet natural way of a man destined for madness. Through the  brutality of the oil business, we see Daniel Plainview (what a great name) turn psychotic, particularly when faced with the insidious preacher played by Paul Dano, yet at other times desperate when, covered in oil, he clutches his “adopted” son after a fiery explosion. I fail miserably at doing this movie justice, so all I can say is watch it.

Up

Okay, I wasn’t to keen on watching this movie, but I realized I was extremely lame after watching it. This movie is awesome! By far the best and most joyful Pixar movie of recent memory, Up is a beautiful and fun film. The first half hour is the most affecting. I did not expect the moving story of a young adventurous who meets his soulmate, and after they grow older, get married, and have a wonderful life, she dies! What?! And the old man decides to live out their dream to go to Paradise Falls in her memory! Their life is played out in various, wordless scenes; their wedding, building their house, and all the memories of their life beautifully rendered in detailed computer animation. What amazed me was the way light was used in this movie; everything shined and glowed. When the old man escapes in house by releasing a million or so balloons, it will leave you breathless. This movie is beautiful to watch and full of heart and adventure.

Gabriel/Legion

I love any movie that attempts to deal with biblical versions of heaven, hell, angels, and demons. That is why I have seen Constantine 20 times. That and Keanu Reeves. That is why I plan on watching Legion and the little known Australian film Gabriel. Not much to say on these since I haven’t seen them, but hopefully Paul Bettany’s adorableness can overcome a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 0%. Seriously Rotten Tomatoes? Update soon!

Scottish Bands, Black Rock, and Sarah Siskind

Random post time. I need to stop reading Biochem. The Scottish band The Twilight Sad makes music that is dark, cavernous, and unshakeable. Their latest album title describes their music perfectly; “Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters”. Gotta love how expressive the lead singer sounds with his Scottish accent, clear in ever word he sings. “That Summer, At Home, I Had Become the Invisible Boy” is one of many great tracks.

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

We Were Promised Jetpacks has an awesome name and their first single,”Quiet Little Voices” is, in one word, anthemic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5ZhBAylbN4

Black people make rock music! Way for me to catch up. Many people may have heard of TV on The Radio, but I hadn’t, and loved their song “Wolf Like Me” instantly. This is a horrible description of them, but when I first heard them I thought, wow, its Marvin Gaye’s hipster son. This completely original sounding band deserves a better description. TV on the Radio basically makes great indie music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTy-e6qEWRE

Gotta save the best for last. Sarah Siskind is one of those rare musicians who sounds like their were born to sing. This Nashville singer-songwriter sounds like a full on explosion of pure earthy talent. I discovered her, no surprise, through NPR tiny desk sessions. She looked like a suburban mom with slight bohemian sensibility, but then she started playing of her guitar and this crazy soul/country voice flowed out of her. Her songs sound almost like spirituals of some kind. Listen to “Say it Louder”, “Falling Stars”, and “Lovin’s for Fools”.