At the Movies – October 2014 – Part 2: Hollywood Films

Drama:

The Good Lie – Drama – Oct 3

Plot Summary: Carrie Davis takes three Sudanese refugees into her home to help them make it in the United States. Basically, this is The Blind Side but without sports. Key Filmmakers Involved: Director Philippe Falardeau and producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard. Actors Involved: Reece Witherspoon and Corey Stoll. Quality Potential: Medium. The Good Lie looks like a feel-good, Oscar-bait type of film, built around a good performance by Reece Witherspoon. She is mounting a big comeback in 2014 starting with The Good Lie and following it up with what looks like the even better character drama Wild and a supporting role in the likely Best Picture nominee Inherent Vice. Witherspoon won an Oscar for her work in Walk the Line but has sort of picked mediocre projects since. It will be nice to see her in good films again (she was also in last year’s very good drama Mud). Director Philippe Falareau is following up his successful French-Canadian film Monsieur Lazhar with his first Hollywood film. Trailer: Here.

The Judge – Drama – Oct 10

Plot Summary: Hank Palmer is a successful big city lawyer who long ago left his small hometown behind; however, he is forced to come home when his father, the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Hank wants to find out the truth, and in the process maybe reconnect with his estranged family. Key Filmmakers Involved: Director David Dobkin, composer Thomas Newman, and cinematographer Janusz Kaminski. Actors Involved: Robert Downey Jr., Vera Farmiga, Leighton Meester, Billy Bob Thorton, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Robert Duvall. Quality Potential: Medium. The Judge is a change of pace for director David Dobkin who has previously made his living as a director producing comedies (such as Wedding Crashers). Here, he takes on a family drama built around the reconnecting of a father and son – each with a strong personality. The film honestly looks incredibly generic and emotionally clichéd. It debuted on the festival circuit in September playing to a blasé response from critics, but general moviegoers seemed to enjoy it quite a bit – probably because it has a good cast lead by Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall. Trailer: Here.

Men, Women &Children – Dramedy – Oct 24

Plot Summary: In a world where relationships now exist mostly through online interaction, where does that leave us? Sexually frustrated. Key Filmmakers Involved: Writer-director Jason Reitman. Actors Involved: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Kaitlyn Dever, Ansel Elgort, Judy Greer, Emma Thompson, Dean Norris, Dennis Haysbert, J.K. Simmons, and Rosemarie DeWitt. Quality Potential: Medium. Jason Reitman’s last film, Labor Day, was a misstep tonally for the director; however, Men, Women & Children looks like a complete return to form (similar to Juno, Up in the Air, and Young Adult). He has assembled a good cast and the film looks like an interesting probe into the modern world of interaction online – where a person, to some extent, can be whomever they want to be – yet this separation only seems to make one feel even more alone. The film played to good reviews during its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Trailer: Here.

Action/Adventure:

Fury – Action/War Drama – Oct 17

Plot Summary: In 1945, a U.S. Sherman tank crew is sent on a suicide mission behind enemy lines. Key Filmmakers Involved: Writer-director David Ayer and composer Steven Price. Actors Involved: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal, Michael Pena, and Jason Isaacs. Quality Potential: Medium. Fury looks to be a very good action/war drama. Writer-director David Ayer excels at shooting gritty and visceral dramas that revolve around their lead characters (though, all the films he has directed to date have been about L.A. police officers, but Ayer is a former military man himself, so this should be a good fit). The film features a good cast and some have even given it Oscar buzz (I personally think that is a bit of an oversell). The one concern is whether the film will more resemble Ayer’s strong dramatic work (Harsh Times and End of Watch) or his weaker action-oriented work (Street Kings and Sabotage)? As someone you loves WWII films, I hope the former is true. Trailer: Here.

Comedy:

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day – Family Comedy – Oct 10

Plot Summary: Alexander has always had bad luck and bad days while the rest of his family seems to glide through life on a cloud; however, on one fateful day his bad luck seems to have been transferred to his whole family creating one mega bad day for everyone – but maybe this awful day will bring them closer together as a family? Key Filmmakers Involved: Director Miguel Arteta. Actors Involved: Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Bella Thorne, Burn Gorman, Jennifer Coolidge, Kerris Dorsey, Dick Van Dyke, Megan Mullally, Donald Glover, Dylan Minnette, and Ed Oxenbould. Quality Potential: Medium/Low. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day looks like a funny family film and a good vehicle for Steve Carell to continue to make safe, family-oriented comedies. Director Miguel Arteta could bring a fun indie flair to the film, which may make it more adult friendly. He directed the good indie dramedies Chuck & Buck, The Good Girl, Youth in Revolt, and Cedar Rapids. Trailer: Here.

St. Vincent – Dramedy – Oct 24

Plot Summary: A young boy’s life is thrown into chaos when his parents get divorced and he must move with his mother to a new home. Things seem tough, but he meets an unlikely friend in the form of the grumpy old war veteran who lives next door. Key Filmmakers Involved: Writer-director Theodore Melfi. Actors Involved: Bill Murray, Jaeden Lieberher, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Chris O’Dowd, and Terrence Howard. Quality Potential: Medium. St. Vincent looks like a decent, if not generic, older-mentor narrative from first-time feature director Theodore Melfi. He does, however, have a fantastic cast, and the buzz out of the festival circuit is that Bill Murray is brilliant in the film (but, when is he not). I am not sure this is an Oscar hopeful as some have suggested, but as a huge fan of Murray I am excited to see the film all the same. Trailer: Here.

Horror:

Dracula Untold – Action/Horror – Oct 10

Plot Summary: The untold origin story of Dracula, focusing on the man who would become the monster – or, a feature version of the Francis Ford Coppola Dracula prologue. Key Filmmakers Involved: Director Gary Shore and composer Ramin Djawadi. Actors Involved: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, Charles Dance, Samantha Barks, Zach McGowan, and Charlie Cox. Quality Potential: Low. Dracula Untold could be a fun action/horror film. It has some good actors and people behind the camera involved. Director Gary Shore is making his feature directorial debut. Yet, probability is not of the film’s side. In all likeliness, this will just be another pointless throwaway action film that only appeals to teenage boys and a few genre fans. I have hope (as I like the period horror aesthetic when done right), but the odds are against it. Trailer: Here.

Music Review Roundup – January and February 2014

Kid Cudi – Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon

Review: Satellite Flight was originally intended to be an EP, building anticipation for Kid Cudi’s return to his successful Man on the Moon album series. It probably would have worked better if it had stayed an EP. As it is, the album basically just sounds like a typical Kid Cudi release, which was interesting and fresh when Cudi first came on the scene (in 2008), but now it just feels boring and stale. We have already heard these types of tracks from him before, and they were better too. Cudi is still an extremely talented artists and there are some fantastic moments (especially from his production soundscapes, which he shares with Dot Da Genius on three tracks), but all in all it is pretty disappointing. It might be time for Cudi to start working with new collaborating producers again to help grow his sound. 2/5 Available for download here

ScHoolboy Q – Oxymoron

Review: The black hippy MC, ScHoolboy Q, has dropped an early contender for hip hop album of the year. Lyrically, Q is very conflicted about his place in the world. He is a budding rap superstar, but still feels connected to the streets – which can be very much heard in the sound of the album – and he still wants to engage in the party lifestyle, but he is a father now. It is definitely worth checking out for hip hop fans. 4/5 Available for download here

Broken Bells – After the Disco

Review: James Mercer and Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) are back with another collaboration (or as some might say, a new The Shins’ album but with Danger Mouse producing and co-writing). After the Disco is a very catchy pop rock album that almost feels too tight and clean (maybe a byproduct of Mercer and Burton being great musicians). There is not much raw energy, leaving it feeling a bit stagnant, but at the same time the songs are all pretty great and infectious. Fans of The Shins will definitely find something to like here with After the Disco. 3/5 Available for download here

Dum Dum Girls – Too True

Review: Too True is the third album from this LA band. While lead singer Dee Dee’s emotive singing is still utterly compelling, the songs on Too True suffer from rather bland production. They seem to drift into the background, not demanding for the listener’s full attention. There is nothing wrong with that style of passive music, but it feels like a letdown given the groups usual striking raw quality that begs for attention. 3/5 Available for download here

St. Vincent – St. Vincent

Review: Annie Clark is again in fantastic form on her fourth solo album, working with for the third time with producer John Congleton. St. Vincent (the album) feels almost like a concept album as it focuses on themes of what it means to be a person in the digital age, an age in which we create the role of ourselves (or who we hope we will be) and then promote that role to the world digitally. Musically, this set of songs is Clark’s most ambitious. They are funky and accessible, yet still have a definite fringe aesthetic. It is the best album so far this year. 4/5 Available for download here

Warpaint – Warpaint

Review: Warpaint also hails from Los Angeles. There self-titled second album is a haunting, brooding experience of beautifully harmonized vocals that feels all consuming, and maybe even devastating if you let yourself be completely taken away. It oozes with atmosphere that may not immediately grab you; but once it does, it pulls you in and devours you – sirens calling you into the rocks. 4/5 Available for download here

LeapBackBlog 2011 Music Awards – Part 1: Ten Essential Albums

Music in 2011 saw the further domination of hip hop and indie rock as the principal forms of ‘good’ music. Forms of electronic music have also taken up a much more mainstream appeal in recent years, and there is certainly evidence of this in what was great in music in 2011. Here are my ten favorite albums of the year.

Part 2: Ten Essential Songs (Singles)

Part 3: Ten More Essential Songs (Deep Cuts)

Albums:

Artist: Beyonce Album: 4 Essential Tracks: I Care, I Miss You, Party, Rather Die Young, and Countdown Why It Made the List: Beyonce has been on top of the pop R&B genre since she became a solo artist. 4 feels much more like a personal album, filled with meaningful tracks and not just poppy stuff for the top 40. While it may not have the singles to dominate the charts and radio, it is her most complete and enjoyable effort of her career to date. Plus, the video for Countdown very well might be my favorite of the year. Available: Here

Artist: Childish Gambino Album: Camp Essential Tracks: Outside, Bonfire, All the Shine, Heartbeat, and You See Me Why It Made the List: Childish Gambino announced himself to the world in 2011; both with his EP featuring Freaks and Geeks and his first commercial release Camp. I liked Donald Glover as a rapper coming into the album, but it completely blew me away – both with fantastic production and real lyrics, while still maintaining the humor. Camp is an album you can listen to all the way through and enjoy every track, no matter how many times you have listened to it, which is very rare these days. Available: Here

Artist: Drake Album: Take Care Essential Tracks: Headlines, Crew Love, Marvins Room, Under Ground Kings, and Lord Knows Why It Made the List: Drake has a very unique sound – a good thing in a genre that is filled with artists that sound the same. The album has a lot of features but they all work well with Drake and do not overshadow him. The production on the album by 40 and T-Minus is fantastic as well. Drake is not afraid to gets his emotions across in his music, and Take Care is moody and personal. It is his best release to date. Available: Here

Artist: Jay-Z & Kanye West Album: Watch the Throne Essential Tracks: Niggas in Paris, Otis, Gotta Have It, Murder to Excellence, and Illest Motherfucker Alive Why It Made the List: Coming in to 2011, this was the most anticipated album for a lot of people (me included). It did not disappoint. The production on the album, first off, is brilliant and probably the best of the year (though The Weeknd’s trilogy is right there too). Kanye and Jay-Z cover all their bases lyrically, touching on politics, personal issues, lifestyle, art, having fun, and pretty much everything else. This is the best hip hop album of the year. Plus, the music video of Otis is so much fun. Available: Here

Artist: J. Cole Album: Cole World: The Sideline Story Essential Tracks: Lights Please, In the Morning, Nobody’s Perfect, God’s Gift, and Work Out Why It Made the List: J. Cole has been called the future of hip hop by many fans and pundits. His first commercial release lived up to the hype. It is not as flashy an album as a lot coming out in the genre, but it is solid all the way through and has a great ‘true hip hop’ feel to it –not so much of the pop hip hop sound that we have come to expect from most artists like J. Cole. His production ability also shines on the album. Available: Here

Artist: Kendrick Lamar Album: Section.80 Essential Tracks: Fuck Your Ethnicity, A.D.H.D., Ronald Regan Era (His Evil), Rigamortis, and HiiiPoWer Why It Made the List: Part of the hip hop group Black Hippy (with Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul), Kendrick Lamar had a huge 2011 – killing verses on Tech N9ne, Drake and Game’s albums, making a name for his crew and dropping one of the best albums of the year in Section.80. His flow and lyrics make him very relatable and relevant to today’s youth, while his musical ability endears him to lovers of the genre. Plus, HiiiPoWer is the best hip hop track of 2011. Available: Here

Artist: Pusha T Album: Fear of God II: Let Us Pray Essential Tracks: Changing of the Guards, Amen, Trouble on My Mind, My God, and I Still Wanna Why It Made the List: Pusha T, as a part of the duo Clipse, is already a well-known entity to genre fans, but with his Fear of God Mixtape and Fear of God II: Let Us Pray EP he has put himself in the upper echelon of solo artists as well. Teaming up with Kanye West seems to be a perfect match. His likely solo album in 2012 is among my most anticipated. Plus, Trouble on My Mind with The Neptunes producing and featuring Tyler, The Creator is one of the best collaboration of the year and has a great video. Available: Here

Artist: St. Vincent Album: Strange Mercy Essential Tracks: Cruel, Cheerleader, Strange Mercy, Dilettante, and Year of the Tiger Why It Made the List: There was a lot of great indie rock in 2011, but St. Vincent’s Strange Mercy was a step above the rest. Annie Clark’s art rock has so much substance to it, both musically and lyrically. Her sound is also fantastic. She has found a great balance between experimentalism and accessibility making this her most approachable album for those new to the genre.   Available: Here

Artist: Wale Album: Ambition Essential Tracks: Double M Genius, Miami Nights, Chain Music, Focused, and Ambition Why It Made the List: Wale had somewhat of a comeback year in 2011 (commercially at least, musically he never left) with early releases like 600 Benz and Bad Girls Club. Many of his fans were nervous that he would compromise his sound when he signed to Rick Ross’s MMG, but with the release of Ambition it is clear that Wale still brings the same fire to the mic and has maintained his lyrical integrity, be to a somewhat different style of beat. This is a very fun album with a lot of energy, yet introspective and personal. Available: Here

Artist: The Weeknd Album: House of Balloons Essential Tracks: High for This, House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls, Wicked Games, The Party & The After Party, and The Knowing Why It Made the List: The Weeknd with his 2011 Trilogy (including this album, Thursday and Echoes of Silence) is 2011’s best new artist (and probably the artist of the year). All three albums would have made this list; House of Balloons is just my favorite and the best album of the year. It has some of the best production creating the perfect sound to accompany Abel Tesfaye’s dark lyrics. It is tragic and beautiful. Plus, it is free. I cannot wait for his first commercial release slated for 2012. Available: Here

St. Vincent – Strange Mercy (2011) – Review

St. Vincent – Strange Mercy

St. Vincent, the stage name of performer Annie Clark, is a described as Art Rock or Baroque Pop – sub-genres that alone intrigue potential listeners. But what is so brilliant about Clark’s songwriting and aesthetic is that it is both challenging music (in that it is not just bland radio fodder) and completely accessible for those who enjoy pop music. Her third album, Strange Mercy is maybe her most poppy and also rocking, though its sound feels in tune with her style progressing from Marry Me through Actor and now to Strange Mercy. Clark’s singing and lyrics have a cryptic yet genuine emotion to them, which play against the listener’s own. The album is an experience (which seems to be rare these days). The overall sound she creates is fantastic – powerful and interesting, as it evolves and artfully flows. There are not too many artists right now that can capture the same amount energy in their records – Clark just has this rawness to her that is really appealing, despite her sweet voice. The lead single Cruel is a phenomenal song (and the video is cool too), and probably my favorite of the genre so far this year (though, I do really like Peter Bjorn and John’s Second Chance – even if it was overplayed in TV commercials, as with The Black Key’s Tighten Up). I highly recommend picking this album up if you like indie pop (or as I would categorize it post rock) that has a great sound and complexity to it. 4/5

Editor’s Song Picks:

1)      Cruel

2)      Dilettante

3)      Cheerleader

Available on CD and Digital Download