Friday, February 26, 2010
Shutter Island
After seeing what seemed like countless previews for this movie the past six months or so Shutter Island is finally out. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about Martin Scorsese. There is no denying the man is a huge champion of film, especially preservation, but I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of his films. Shutter Island didn't change my mind. There is a sense of self-importance I get watching his films; like they are supposed to be somehow elevated and more cerebral simply because he directed them. This point was driven home about two minutes into Shutter Island when Leo and his new partner ride up to the gates of the facility to the most overly dramatic, ominous score swelling so loudly you start to wonder if it's a joke. Seeing as we know nothing about what goes on here it seems, well, way over the top and a bit sophomoric as far as film making in my humble opinion... you know, not being an award winning director myself. Leonardo DiCaprio has become Scorsese's muse as of late. I'm never sure if I think he's a good actor or not. He seems somehow too self aware. I feel it an random times seeing him act. I will say, there is one particularly dramatic scene toward the end of the film where he gives an excellent performance. The film has plenty of strong performances... Max von Sydow (always deliciously evil), Patricia Clarkson, Jackie Earl Haley and Michelle Williams to name a few. I have a hard time enjoying Ben Kingsley. Like Scorsese, I feel like he finds himself to be a very 'important' actor.
The film is somewhat slow-moving and drawn out and what I assume are intended to be shocking plot twists can be seen a mile away. It wasn't an awful movie. I just thought it might be better... especially since Scorsese would have assumed I would expect it to be.
Posted by soft rock star at 12:18 AM
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Some Kick Ass New Music
I really hate that MySpace bought Imeem. There isn't any good website for posting MP3 streams anymore, hence my lack of new music posts lately. I guess I'll just have to rely on YouTube and try to ignore the generally boring visuals that accompany the video-less songs. Anyway, here are some great songs that already have 2010 off to a great start when it comes to quality music :)HOT CHIP "Take It In"
MUMFORD & SONS "Sigh No More"
Goldfrapp "Rocket"
WOODPIGEON "My Denial In Argyle"
Posted by soft rock star at 12:06 AM
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
If The Future Is 3D Let's Not Go
Avatar has become the highest grossing movie of all time and now suddenly all the media big whigs think we want to see everything in 3D. Michael Jackson's tribute on the Grammy's was in 3D. Beyonce, Rihanna and Wil.i.am got to look like dorks in their glasses to watch it. The rest of the audience and everyone at home got to watch it blurry. How fun for us. The footage from the new "We Are The Wolrd" recording? 3D! So we get to watch that blurry during the Olympics too. And now there's a scramble on to convert as many movies as they can into 3D that are coming soon (Clash Of The Titans, Harry Potter). Any way to charge us a few extra bucks... even if the movie was never made with 3D in mind! 3D TVs are on the way! Because we all want to wear glasses and sit directly in front of the TV to be able to watch the news and Oprah. Entire 3D channels are in the works. The TVs? Oh, they'll be at a 'higher price point' than high def HD TVs. And the glasses? Well they'll only cost you $50 a pair! Wow, where do I sign up? Call me crazy, but I'd like to watch my favorite TV shows without goofy glasses. I'm really just fine seeing made up stories in 2D. It's OK, I know they aren't real and I still enjoy them! I'm fine with new technology. I'm just not wild about it being forced on me.
Posted by soft rock star at 11:35 PM
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Taylor Swift Is Starting To Bug Me
It's odd that just a few months ago I blogged about how much I hated Kanye West (note: I still do) for busting up Taylor Swift's win at the MTV Video Music Awards last fall. But after watching the Grammy's the other night I almost hoped he would have been there to disrupt her now annoying acceptance speeches. I'll give you a mouth-agape, shocked-as-hell, aww shucks, 'I used to stand in the mirror and accept speeches as a kid' speech the first time you win but the girl has been collecting piles of awards since then. But each and every time she won the other night it was the same thing. "My dad and brother are freaking out at home right now!" (Really? Did you see them freaking out in your mind as you walked up to the stage? Are their hopes and dreams completely wrapped up in the number of awards you win? Is this all they've hoped and dreamed for?) "This is what WE will be telling our kids about when we're 80!") Huh, silly me, but I think YOU winning a Grammy might not be what one of the producers of your CD will be telling HIS grandkids about when he's 80, Taylor.)
And then there was her offkey, limp, lifeless live performance (which she has to drag the amazing Stevie Nicks into). I've never been more embarrassed for Stevie. Singing backup for a 20 year-old who can't sing. Terrific. Yeah, it's great Taylor can write her own songs. But the "I wish a boy would come on a white horse and save me from all these stupid boys I date" themed songs are getting tiresome.
Taylor Swift seems like a nice girl. But the Cinderella act has been played out. I just hope she realizes it sooner than later because I don't want to watch it anymore.
