Hey guys, it’s now that time of the year. Last blog post of the semester. This week I want to discuss the film Good Will Hunting.
This movie is about a young man named Will Hunting (Matt Damon) who works as a janitor at Harvard University. You soon find out that Will is a genius, smarter than all of the students that he cleans the university halls after. A professor eventually discovers him and decides to try to develop him, so he can contribute his gifted abilities to society. Will also has some unresolved issues with himself, though. For this reason, the professor decides to send Will to his old friend, Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), from his college day who is now a psychologist and professor at a local college. Together, they overcome difficulties in both their lives. Sean guides Will, and helps him come to terms with love and life.
This is an excellent film. Besides Damon and Williams, Ben Affleck also stars in it with a smaller role. Check it out next time you find the time.
More MLS news… Two weeks ago the Chicago Fire played the New York Red Bulls at home. The end of the game was nearing, and the score was 1-1. The Fire coach decided to make a late substitution and put in Maicon Santos up top. This proved to be a very good decision, when Santos put two balls away into the back of the net in the last seven minutes of the game.
Very rarely does a sub come in and score two late goals. Jeff Crandall runs a blog for the Chicago Fire and he took some time to review the club’s history in terms of late substitution performance. Only on four prior occasions did such notable performances take place: 2011, 2006, 2004, and 2001.
Welcome to the club Santos. Let’s see what you can make out of the rest of this season.
So what’s going on with North Korea recently? Latest news from Fox News is that North Korea is now threatening Japan that it would target Tokyo before anywhere else.
The majority of news reportings that I am reading seem to just shake off any idea that North Korea has the capability of accurately firing any sort of ballistic missile. John Kerry, current Secretary of State, has even commented to the likes of this, while also maintaining that we would “defend ourselves.” What exactly are we to believe? Is North Korea just trying to stir things up for some reason unbeknownst to the rest of the world, or do they have serious plans of firing a nuclear warhead no matter how accurate it will be?
This process is beginning to get a little old, according to Kerry. No one wants to deal with Kim Jong Un’s attempt to stay relevant in the world. According to experts, North Korea does not really have any capability to responsibly fire a missile on the magnitude with which they continue to threaten different countries, including the US. Kerry has also said that any negotiation with North Korea will involve a total denuclearization. Is that going too far? Are we trying to dictate the way other countries want to run themselves? These are questions that will never have one solid answer.
Hey guys! End of the semester is almost here, it’s crazy. Just about two weeks to go! This week, I want to talk to you about Quentin Tarantino’s first film ever, Reservoir Dogs.
Image provided via:
www.fanpop.com
This movie is considered to be one of the best crime films and independent films of all time. It is about eight men—all strangers to each other—who plan and execute a diamond heist. The interesting thing is, Tarantino entirely skips the robbery altogether. Instead, most of the movie focuses on what happens after the heist. Pretty much, things don’t go exactly as planned, and police arrive to the scene much faster than they had anticipated. A gangster gets shot and sped away in a getaway vehicle.
Those left after the heist meet at their spot. It is there that all the drama unfolds. They come to the conclusion that there is an insider, a cop amongst them. Being that they are all strangers to each other, and don’t even know the names of their counterparts, everyone holds suspicion against everyone.
This film sets Tarantino up perfectly for the rest of his career. His brute, indifference to violence and overall bluntness, his beautiful artistry when it comes to depicting a crime story…it all shines through in this debut film. There is much to gain from watching this film, I suggest everyone to check it out!
Last night I read a really interesting article about Herculez Gomez, a current Mexican club player whose roots are American club soccer. However, his talent and potential was never fully realized in the MLS or in American soccer. He was told at certain points to consider ending his career. But he did not let any of this negativity or criticism discourage him. Instead, he used it to fuel himself and reach a point in his career where he finally feels accomplished and appreciated. He has now played for several different Mexican clubs where he has displayed a certain potency in the striker position. His Mexican club career boasts something on the order 50 goals in about three years, around 10 of those goals being scored against MLS teams. So as this article I read asks, what else does Herculez Gomez have to prove to us? He has led an immensely successful career now. He climbed up from the underdog label and made a respectable name for himself. He doesn’t care whether or not the MLS wants him back, because he’s garnered success and respect somewhere else. Why should he come back to the league that didn’t see his potential or want to help develop him?
Hey guys. It’s that time again. Another week, another movie. So this time I want to talk to you all about Adventureland.
This movie is about a kid named James who is fresh out of college with an English degree, but he’s still unaware of where he wants to put it to use. For the summer, he ends up taking a job at the local amusement park, Adventureland. James is played by Jesse Eisenberg, and James is no different from most of Jesse Eisenberg’s characters. James struggles throughout the movie to fit in with society and at the same time, be honest to himself about who he is.
At Adventureland, Jesse experiences a more carefree and less serious outlook on life. The summer that he sets himself up for offers him the insight he needs to see what is really important in life. He meets two female characters Em Lewin (Kristen Stewart) and Lisa P. He knows that Em is the right girl for him, but messes part way through messes up his chances by getting together with Lisa P. which is the girl that every guy in the park completely drools over. He is also misguided by Mike Connel (Ryan Reynolds), who is the cool guy of the park. The irony in this is that Mike is possibly the most dishonest person, and also possesses the least potential out of everyone.
If you’re seeking some type of 80s nostalgia, and a cool movie to get you in the mood for summer, check out Adventureland.
On March 27th of this year, a letter to John Ziegler was written by an Onward State editor and posted online. John Ziegler is a man who has been working on uncovering some further truth on the entire Sandusky-Paterno story. He is trying to prove Paterno’s innocence, and show that certain assumptions that had been arrived at, may not be completely true. He feels that he is fighting an honorable fight. He intends for his project to end up as a documentary movie, and his website is www.framingpaterno.com.
The letter from the Onward State editor, by Ryan Beckler, calls out Ziegler on a very recent critical error he made in his efforts to defend the Paterno legacy. Ziegler tried to blackmail one of the child sex abuse victims into speaking to him. And eventually, Ziegler turned to Twitter and revealed the name of the victim, who has been until now, referred to as Victim #2. Ziegler then took down the posts and tried to cover up his mistake and make excuses. This whole series of actions taken by Ziegler has by far outstepped his professional bounds, and has made an even worse name for himself. Beckler ends the letter by basically telling Ziegler to give up and take a hike.
Hey guys, hope you’re all doing well. This week I’m coming to you with a review of the movieDiggers, which was released in the year 2006.
Image provided via
movies.nytimes.com
Diggers tells the story of a group of twenty or thirty-year-old friends on Long Island who make a living off fishing for clams, or “digging” as the title of the movie puts it. But mainly, this movie follows the character Hunt (Paul Rudd), and his difficulties with coming to terms with life and the recent death of his father. His father dies one day out on his boat while getting a head start on the day without Hunt, who was for some reason late. Hunt’s father suffers from a heart attack while out on the boat alone, and nothing can be done to save him. The death is taken very lightly by the group of friends, and as I watched, I did not question this at all. I just figured that maybe the father had distanced himself from his kids somehow.
Life continues for the group of friends. Hunt finds other things that begin to occupy his time, and he starts to focus on something more than just fishing. He meets a girl, who might not turn out to be all that he expects. He finds out his sister is sleeping with one of his friends. He just starts to realize that there is more to life and he’s not living it out enough. Hunt’s friend helps his uncover something that you don’t realize has been weighing him down the whole movie—he feels responsible for the death of his father. Once this is out in the open, he finally finds the ability to move on.
This movie was decent. What I did like about it is that like many indie movies, it sends you off with some good messages. Rudd doesn’t play many serious roles, not recently anyway. If you want to see him in a role like this, I suggest taking a look.
I have recently read about the shootout that occurred in Texas. A man known as Evan Ebel took cops on a high speed pursuit when he was eventually hit by an 18 wheeler. He then is said to have emerged from the vehicle to continue his assault on the police at the scene. The police were able to take him down. It is heart-wrenching to keep hearing stories like this in the news. It is disturbing to know that incidents like this are going to keep happening, and brave innocent people lose their lives like this. Evan Ebel is now the suspect of the death of a Colorado prison chief and a pizza delivery man. He is also noted to have been a member of a white supremacist gang. In the past few months, even the last year, the media has been shedding light on all the gun violence that has been taking place. It is hard to tell if the numbers of incidents have actually gone up, or if the media is just paying more attention to them.
In either case, the media, based on whatever motive, wants us to be aware of the issue of gun violence. The light that is being shed on all these cases does help to surface a trend in these kinds of people, however. There always seems to be indications of some disturbance or aggression earlier in the life of these criminals, but the right action is never taken. This is a problem, and shows that more attention may need to be paid to mental health and mental condition inside of schools. Unfortunately, many people turn their cheek and don’t address problems early on. Violence on a large scale is then a potential future consequence.
What’s up, everyone? Hope you’ve had a chance to see a good flick or two this past week. I definitely had the chance to see a great new movie, and that was Silver Linings Playbook.
Now, this movie, which was gradually released in many theaters across the country, has found itself to be the topic of some debate. The question surrounding this film is about whether or not it can be truly classified as an indie film. It stars such famous names as Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Lawrence. As I’ve alluded to in previous posts, the way the most of the world—myself included—identifies films as being indie depends mainly on their means of production and financing. Typically independent movies aren’t products of Hollywood. And despite the super-star studded cast (unusual for in indie films), Silver Linings is not a Hollywood movie. But in the same token, it was not independently financed. It was paid for by The Weinstein Company. So it is up to you to decide. But this movie was more than I could have asked for, and a good movie is a good movie. Whether or not you think Silver Linings Playbook deserves to be classified as indie, I want to dedicate this post to discussing the aspects of this movie I most appreciated.
Aside from all the technical justifications of being “independent,” I want to say that Silver Linings fits into the indie genre because of its simplicity and the nature of the story. Indie is often a good reflection of everyday life, which is very refreshing to sit back and take in as a viewer. This film provides this sensation. It is honest, it doesn’t try to upscale life. It doesn’t lie to you. It is the story of a man named Pat Jr., played by Cooper, and Pat falls victim to the apathetic disposition of the world. He comes home one day to find his house ringing with his wedding song. He hears the shower on upstairs, and he finds his wife standing inside of it. Pat then realizes she is not alone, but with another man. And at this point he loses control and attacks the man, a stranger trespassing on his wife. As a result of court orders, he ends up in a mental institution. When he gets out, he finds guidance and understanding from a woman in his neighborhood named Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) who is also dealing with her own struggles, after her husband passed away. He unexpectedly becomes involved in a project with her, and it is this connection that ultimately helps him get better.
There are two main motifs that the story of this movie generates, and in a way they are both greatly epitomized by Pat. The first one I want to mention is the presence (or lack thereof) of honesty in society. The movie does a great job of defining the importance of honesty, and how the use and misuse of honesty can sometimes be disrespectful and dangerous and at others, beneficial and necessary. The role that honesty plays in life is depicted in the movie in different forms: honest and dishonest relationships, honest and dishonest communication, etc. When I say honest relationship—platonic or not—I am referring to one that is real, as opposed to a dishonest or fake relationship, devoid of feeling. As far as honest communication, it is simple. I am talking about communication with little to no lies. Pat is a very honest person; sometimes this works for him, sometimes it doesn’t. Pat is also subjected to both honest and dishonest relationships. In many ways, it can be thought that Pat and Tiffany are the only two honest characters in the movie. They are the only two forced to face their biggest problems, while the other characters hypocritically hide from their issues. They are the only two to be able to openly accept their flaws with dignity and self-confidence.
The other motif, the more prominent of the two I would say, is the role and effect of positiveness and optimism in/on society. Pat, after going through his eight month stay in an institution, has a new positive outlook and he is the embodiment of this confident optimism. The idea of the “silver lining” was not clear to me at first, I didn’t understand what meaning it represented in the movie. But then I began to understand it as an ideal as the movie transpired. The silver lining of a situation is the one thing that makes that particular situation or circumstance worth any struggles or efforts. It is a beautiful notion that basically means there is always a reason or a perk to push forward through a hardship. A light at the end of the tunnel. This inspirational quote from Pat in the film pretty much sums it up: “I hate my illness and I want to control it. This is what I believe to be true: You have to do everything you can and if you stay positive you have a shot at a silver lining.” In a world of pessimism, Pat is fighting to believe in the power of a bright outlook.
So going back to the original question from the beginning of this post, on the qualifications of the indie genre. In the end, does it really matter? Silver Linings Playbook is a great movie and that is the one thing that counts. And if you are a believer, as am I, that the indie movement is about the preservation of the artistry of film, then you should feel at ease with the fact that a studio, capable of producing mainstream movies, is endorsing something with “indie” influences.
Hello everyone. Had a great spring break. Hope you all did as well. I am proud to be able to say I watched a few good flicks over break. One of them, Safety Not Guaranteed, happened to be an indie film. Released in 2012, this film stars Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Rec) and Jake M. Johnson (New Girl). The plot fits in the typical indie structure. It’s about a fellow named Kenneth who, to most of the people from his town, does not appear to be “all there.” He puts an ad in the classifieds looking for a partner to travel to the past with. A magazine columnist, Jeff, along with two interns, travel to meet up with this time traveling junkie.
Darius, one of the two interns, eventually becomes the only one at all invested in the project. She puts a lot of effort into getting to know Kenneth, their subject and gaining his acceptance. I like indie movies because one common trait shared among them is their ability to capture the simplistic, peaceful side of life and capture it in film. Something you don’t really get with the all the big blockbusters. Safety Not Guaranteed brings you this feeling of ease with its very innocent story.
I’m writing this blog post in response to an article I read on a music journalism site recently, entitled “Mumford & Sons Call Out Copycats: Acoustic Rock is Not ‘a Formula to Go and Sell Records.’” I am so glad to finally read a professional publication expressing the exact views that I have on some of the moves that have been occurring in the music industry lately. One thing that I love is a band that sounds like nothing I’ve ever heard before. But with the way the industry works today, the multitude of entrepreneurs in the music making “business,” it is that much harder to avoid copy cats and to find a truly unique sound. When the band Mumford and Sons arrived on the scene, I think they were a perfect example of what it means to bring something new and fresh to the table.
The one thing I hate the most in music is the lack of identity that a lot of new bands start out with or eventually take on. This happens because once they become more mainstream, they have to fit a certain mold. They lose the part of them that makes them who they really are. They’re no longer able to create one of a kind art. Instead, they end up getting stuck using some overrated pop music formula to become commercially successful. In my opinion, this is what happened to musicians/bands like the Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Phillip Phillips, etc. They all possess talent, but in my opinion they are gaining their success on the sound that Mumford and Sons recently broke out on, and for that reason I don’t have much respect or desire to listen to them. I already have my real Mumford and Sons, why do I need faux? This article makes this point very well. I encourage you all to check it out. Give credit where credit is due.
This week the rhetoric in civic life which I feel compelled to discuss is MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. I experienced it for the first time, reading it for this class the other night. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words did more than just defended his views and his position. They gave a strong feeling to the message. This unique piece of literature struck me very sharply. There are so many elements to this letter that only put me in further disbelief that this was written while sitting in a jail.
King’s use of language is superbly masterful. Each thought is strung together by the perfect arrangement and combination of the exact right words. His writing reaches its peaks in emotion and then drops back down, at all the right moments. It is just a piece of writing that cannot help being admired.
One of the most strongly written paragraphs is the twelfth, where he goes in depth about the piercing and sometimes disabling pain that it takes to be Negro and to be told to “Wait.” It is written with an evident emphasis on the appeal to emotion. Maybe I am most responsive to pathos and that is why I felt this to be one of the most effective paragraphs. But throughout the entire letter, there is use of all three classic appeals, and that is part of what gives this letter its strength.
This letter represents the true art of rhetoric. It doesn’t avoid any truths. The message is all about the truth. And it is brought forth in an extremely effective use of the language.
So earlier this week, I finally watched the widely praised indie drama, Blue Valentine. I want to give you a fair warning—this post will be one big spoiler if you haven’t seen the movie.
provided via: www.fanpop.com
I typically don’t find myself watching dramas or romances. I can’t exactly define what my motives were for this movie… Maybe it’s the fact that tonight begins my spring break, and I can finally see a girl from back home for whom I’ve waited two long months to see. Chances are that’s it. In the end, this movie turned out not to be what I was initially looking for, but still a moving piece nonetheless. As virtually half the movie dictates, this is not a romance. Instead it is the tragedy and decline of a romance, and I should have probably picked up a hint from the title of the movie.
Blue Valentine is the story of a young passionate couple which eventually finds itself in a doomed marriage. The lead roles are played by the immensely talented duo of Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. The most significant characteristic about this film is that the plot is not revealed in a linear shape. Instead the movie cuts back and forth from past to present. As you experience the perils of their marriage in the present, you cannot help but to wonder why two people, so different from each other, would be foolish enough to get married. But then, you are brought back to their adolescence when Gosling’s character is portrayed as a hero and Williams is a girl in love, and the two together seem to be just simple logic. In an interview, Gosling explains that the movie was shot in two parts: Valentine, which was shot first, followed by Blue. He says that developing the story and the romance between the two lovers in Valentine was such an uplifting thing to do, that no one wanted to actually go on to shoot Blue.
The dramatic Blue side of this film is intensely depressing to watch. However, it is probably more emotive and effective than Valentine, and it is probably for this reason that the producers and/or directors knew the story would be incomplete without it. In Blue, Gosling falls apart and loses sense of what it means to be a man. The tension he creates is a product of his character’s lack of ambitions and the world of differences that separated them to begin with. But regardless of the sense of inevitability that exists due to several plot complications (a pregnancy and a blown shot at an education), Blue Valentine still has you searching for explanation to what is sadly an often pondered mystery… What does it take for a man and a wife to get so hopelessly out of sync with one another?
Yes, this movie is a train wreck of a romance, but it is a very well-made drama. Again, there is another Ryan Gosling role that is a primary contributor to an exceptionally emotional film.
Hey everyone! This week I’m reviewing a real indie gem! Who loves the Beatles?! If you do, you’ll love the movie Nowhere Boy.
provided by http://thefffurbelow.blogspot.com/
This movie does get into the early formation of the Beatles, but it’s more of a biopic specifically focusing on the life of John Lennon. Even if you think you are pretty well versed in the history of the Beatles and each member, you will surely learn things from this movie. I don’t want to get too much into the story, because I don’t want to say too much. Knowing that it is a biographical film about John Lennon is enough plot reveal.
Instead, I will tell you that the acting is phenomenal. The actors they chose to play the roles do a memorable job. For people my age, it can be hard to personalize or feel familiar with a young John or Paul, since we were never around for John and we have only seen Paul in his older years. This movie makes that connection for its viewers and for real Beatles fans. I will also tell you to give the movie a good 10 min or so to get rolling. The pace of the movie in the beginning is a little misleading and is not similar to the rest of the film.
I have already seen this movie twice, and it takes a lot for me to watch a movie more than once. You will enjoy this film, please check it out!
Hello everyone! I hope that your week’s been treating you well so far. If not, then maybe this blog post will help you clear your mind for a little bit. Today I will be reviewing a film by Kevin Smith—writer, director, and actor. Smith has had his fair share of experience in the film industry and has built something of a reputation for himself. He is known infamously for his recurring collaborations with actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on various movies which he has written, including Chasing Amy and Dogma. Smith was even involved in the making of Good Will Hunting as a co-producer. As of about one year, he has started hosting a show called Comic Book Men which airs on AMC. But the movie of his which I will lay out for you today is entitled Clerks, written and directed during the mid-90s—doesn’t get any better, folks.
So, any of you guys ever have jobs in customer service? If you have, then you probably know…for the first few weeks, if you’re lucky, you can show up to work with some level of motivation and a bright attitude. But it never takes long for that job to just become dull, routine work. When you finally reach that point, you begin to feel like you’ve had just about enough of everything and everyone. Some days it’s just too funny; you honestly don’t know how you could put up with more. Instead on other days, it may turn out that all you could wish for is just one thing to put up with, to put an end to the monotony.
It is this paradox that Kevin Smith preserves so heroically and classically in the movie Clerks. This film traces a full day in the shoes of two bored, apathetic convenience store clerks. The first scene of the movie opens when Dante, one of the two main characters, falls backwards over himself outside of his bedroom closet where he most likely passed out the night before after having a one too many beers. To his dismay the phone is ringing and on the other line is his boss calling him into work…on his day off nonetheless. CAN A GUY CATCH A BREAK?
www.troll.me
A long day at work for Dante and his best friend Randall, you will see, can mean anything. From dealing with painfully strange customers to calling a game of hockey on the roof to discovering the fiery sexual fervor that embodied your girlfriend’s past, they take it all. And Dante will unfailingly offer you the glass-half-empty, discouraging perspective of the day while, thankfully, Randall is there to do the opposite, with his carefree, adolescent type outlook. These guys are so relatable, and that might be what has made this movie as successful as it has been in the past two decades.
Another thing about the movie is that the first thing you will inevitably notice is that it was shot entirely in black and white. This adds an unexplainable appeal to the movie. But in retrospect, the decision to implement black and white footage in a 90s movie probably separates the film even further from anything I have ever seen. Would there be such a cult following if the movie was never released in black and white? I think there would be. With characters like Jay and Silent Bob, it is impossible to become an immediate fan. Plus, the follow up Clerks II was shot in color.
Here’s the trailer, check it out! It is a strange take on the art of film, but you might be pleasantly surprised. Kevin Smith is a clever man.
Fun Fact: The image that is the background for this blog site comes from the movie clerks.
With all the debate over gun control lately, I thought I would share this lyric video of the song “Glorified G” by Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam is clearly a band of advocates for gun control policy. This song was released on the album Vs. in 1993. The lyrics are pretty straight forward. Through them, you can see that the lyricist believes that guns are commonly just a feeble attempt to compensate for any other inadequacies the owner might possess. The simple and catchy melody probably purposely contrasts the serious message of the song. That’s because many gun carriers don’t acknowledge the gravity of ownership of a weapon. The song lyrics were based on irony and written very sarcastically. It’s a really interesting song, and deserves a listen.
The best Superbowl commercial to air this year, without a doubt: Volkswagen Get Happy. I first started seeing this commercial as advertisements on YouTube videos. As of recent, I find myself actually sitting through the ads you find at the beginning of online videos. I think advertisers are beginning to master the art. Maybe they are beginning to see what it takes to capture the focus and interest of their audience. Or maybe I’m just becoming more patient. The 2013 Volkswagen Superbowl commercial follows a regular adult white male throughout his work day. What separates him from his colleagues is his cheery mood and bright presence. That along with his out of place Jamaican accent and island slang. It’s impossible not to find enjoyment out of this commercial, I watch it every time. Easily my favorite Superbowl ad this year!
What? You don’t know what Sound City is? Well to rock star—and budding film director—Dave Grohl, Sound City is a place he very well may owe the success of his life and career too. Sound City was a recording studio located in Van Nuys, California. From it emerged some of the biggest landmark records to ever grace the house of rock and roll, having produced albums for legendary acts like Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Nirvana, and many others. The list is endless…trust me…mind-blowingly overwhelming.
You may have also asked yourself who Dave Grohl is. Well, Dave Grohl is a legend in the making. He first gained his notoriety thanks to his role as Nirvana’s most successful drummer. After the shocking death of Kurt Cobain, Grohl stepped out into the world and gave us the Foo Fighters, one of today’s most respected rock bands.
Like all of the musicians to pass through Sound City, he is bound to the studio by a very special and personal experience. His work at Sound City with Nirvana is somewhat unique from other bands, though. Nirvana’s presence at this recording studio may not have meant the same to Sound City if it were any other band at that time. The reason for this is that when Nirvana came to Sound City in the year 1991, it was an analog studio striving to survive in the days of a digital revolution. Analog recording takes place on tape reels while digital recording is done completely through the use of computers, no tangible component to the work. Nirvana brought something to the music world that was provocative and entrancing. And in the year 1991, thanks to Sound City, it brought us Nevermind. This unforgettable album resulted in a resurgence of interest and a re-inhabitance to the Sound City recording studio.
Nevermind album cover
via www.fanpop.com
Unfortunately, it is not actually possible for us to visit Sound City today. It closed down in 2011. Upon hearing of this news, Dave Grohl contacted those in charge at Sound City to see if it would be possible for him to purchase their infamous mixing board, a one of a kind Neve Console. In the belief that Grohl was a rightful heir of the console, they sold it to him and he had it installed into his studio, Studio 606.
To show his gratitude and pay tribute to his experience at Sound City, the experience of other bands at Sound City, and the significance of the Neve Console, he decided he would a make a film to pay homage to both the analog era and the analog process. The movie, entitled “Sound City,” is built around a theme that highlights the importance of the human element in music, and the idea that digital recording commonly takes the soul and life straight out of music. I would feel confident in guessing that one of Dave Grohl’s biggest fears might really be the thought of his two daughters growing up in a world that demands perfection to the point where the capacity of human capabilities are considered subpar. Clearly, Grohl firmly believes that we must embrace our inadequacies and let them define us—let them make us unique. A digital world will only lead to an unappreciable conformity and a lack of variety. If Grohl hopes to do anything with this film, he hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians to make music, relieving them from the pressure of seeking perfection.
I saw this movie last Friday night, on the day it was released. I had it pre-ordered and I was really excited to get to finally see it. Dave Grohl is certainly a hero of mine, nothing short of a role model. This documentary will force you to acknowledge the value of recording music that truly reflects only one’s abilities and, if not more importantly, their style and individuality as well. Besides the huge message of encouragement to all musicians which this movie offers, it also brings you interviews and thoughts from amazing musicians and people within the industry. Completely worth the money spent purchasing it, and the time spent watching. Check it out!!
…oh yeah… If you are fan of good music, look out for the soundtrack release this March, entirely comprised of new songs that Dave Grohl co-wrote with many of the artists that appear in the film, including John Fogerty, Stevie Nicks, Josh Homme, and Paul McCartney among others. They’re even playing a series of shows right now to promote the film, and they’ll be making a stop in Manhattan this Wednesday!
Hello, my name is Tom, and this is my first attempt at keeping a blog. From now on when you visit this site, you can expect me to be sharing my latest cinematic endeavors. I will focus specifically on independently made films here. I see great value in most things indie, especially movies. Indie films have the ability to achieve things that many of the huge blockbuster films are not always capable of. Without the whole mess of people involved in making high budget movies and the sometimes burdensome attention, the writers and directors who choose to make films independently are able to make stylistic choices largely on their own accord. For this reason, you can experience a lot of surprising and enjoyable elements within the indie arena that you probably won’t see anywhere else. And while I make this point, I want to be clear that I am not trying to denunciate or put down the mainstream side of film. I’m just like the next guy, who is sitting on the edge of his seat waiting for the sixth enrollment in the Fast & Furious series, or to see Andrew Garfield’s next move as Spiderman. The effort behind this blog is put forth to shed a light on some movies that you might have to dig a little deeper to find. Many of those films deserve just as much recognition and appreciation.
To kick off this blog, I want to share my thoughts about the movie Skateland. It was directed by Anthony Burns and written by him as well, along with Brandon Freeman and Heath Freeman. Skateland is a movie that focuses on adolescent lifeand the certain struggles commonly associated with that period. The movie follows the life of Richie Wheeler, a nineteen year old kid working at a skating rink during the early 80s. He’s still not sure with what direction he wants to take his life. In the meantime, his sister and one of his best friends—a beautiful girl, played by Ashley Greene (Twilight)—are convinced he needs to go to college, and he’s also forced to deal with this pressure from them. Throughout the movie, he also faces other struggles like the divorce of his parents and the death of a close friend.
Made in memory of John Hughes (director; Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club, andmany others), this movie is real and it is relatable. It is about life as any single person knows it. Towards the end, the film becomes packed with emotion, memorable acting, and unforgettable scenes. You truly feel that you are right at the side of the main character, Richie. Finally, one last bit of satisfaction: Skateland could not have a more perfectly timed and gratifying ending. If you were a fan of the movie Dazed and Confused, you will find similar enjoyment out of this movie. You probably want to make sure you see it!!
The gorgeous Ashley Greene as Michelle Burkham
and Shiloh Fernandez as Richie Wheeler.
From: www.team-twilight.com
So… if my thoughts on this movie have peaked your interest and you think you might want to look it up, check out my blog again next Friday. I will most likely obsess over the Sound City Movie (released today) directed by Dave Grohl, a musician and personal hero of mine. Thanks and enjoy the week!
Save water. Save Life. The text placed besides the fish bowl in this image makes a very distinct claim. It says that water is a vital resource. The civilized and developed world in which we are fortunate to live in is not one that is common across the entire globe. We take water for granted and treat it as an unlimited resource. While it can be argued that water truly is an unlimited resource, it cannot be denied that certain areas of the world struggle to tap into clean and abundant sources of it. The fish above represents the societies on this planet that so intimately depend on water and whose relationship with the resource is so fragile. The faucet located outside of the bowl makes a statement that societies which face this issue are, in all actuality, dealing with a problem that is beyond their control. However, control of the problem and a solution does lie within the realms of more fortunate groups of people, those who exist outside of this symbolic fish bowl.
While this image does not fully explain how one person saving water can affect the supply of water half way across the world, it does express a sense of urgency and the need for an improvement in standard of living somewhere else, in another person’s life.
