New Movie: Shut Up and Play the Hits

Seeing LCD Soundsystem at the Hollywood Bowl during their farewell tour was not only one of the best concerts of 2010, but it was one of my most favorite concerts ever.  It made me so sad that LCD mastermind James Murphy decided to throw in the towel on LCD, but grateful that I was there for their final Los Angeles show.  My friend Brian is so hardcore that he flew to NYC and went to the Madison Square Garden show.  I was so bummed I wasn't there in person, but glad now that all of the shenanigans were documented and put into the film Shut Up and Play the Hits, directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace.  It was such a disappointment to LCD fans that the band was dismantled and this film should help to quench that thirst.  The film premieres at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, but no theatrical release date has been set.  The trailer alone gets me so hyped up, I CAN'T WAIT until the film is finally released.  "All My Friends" is my most favorite song by them. LOVE.LOVE.LOVE.

New Movie: The Help

I am over-the-moon excited for The Help to be released on August 10th.  I read the book last summer, and could.not.put.it.down.  Even though I am already a huge fan of Southern Literature, it was just such a great and visual story that I can't wait to see it come alive on the big screen.  One of the things I loved about the book is that I can always appreciate a good "comeuppance" story about "bad" folks getting theirs.  I'm not sure if it's because I'm from the South and my faith is restored through those kinds of stories, or if it's just bleeding heart liberal fantasy fiction.

I also a little intrigued by the story behind the making of this movie, which is also kind of a fairy tale.  The author Kathryn Stockett optioned the book to her childhood friend Tate Taylor, who had some bit parts as an actor and was still trying to make it in Hollywood, before the book was released.  He adapted the screenplay and directed the film.  WOW!  They cast another longtime friend, actress Octavia Spencer, who also served as inspiration for one of the characters in the book.  And, she and Taylor fought for the film to be shot in her home state of Mississippi, which will bring that much more authenticity to the film. 

The soundtrack is definitely something to look forward to:  Mary J. Blige, Ray Charles, Chubby Checker, Bo Diddley, Mavis Staples, and, naturally, "Jackson" by Johnny Cash and June Carter.

3 Days, 3 Movies

I saw three movies this weekend...one for each day.  The three movies could not have been any different, but I liked them all just the same.  Here are my reviews:

1.  Horrible Bosses





I gave this one an A for comedy.  I see a lot of comedies, and I have to say that this one had me laughing throughout.  I really went into it with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised.  Colin Ferrell was the least recognizable and has turned into quite the versatile actor, I think.  I liked Jennifer Aniston in it, but found her character to be completely unrealistic. I thought Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis pulled off leading roles really well.  it will be interesting to see what they have coming out next.  And then there was my boyfriend Jason Bateman.  I love anything he is in.  He is just so great playing the straight person in comedy.  Horrible Bosses is definitely a fun movie, and I recommend seeing it this summer.

2.  Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest



Um, loved, loved, loved.  I give it an A+.  I posted before about my adoration of A Tribe Called Quest, but this film made me love them even more.  Not only was everyone in the theater bobbing their heads throughout the film, but people were definitely captivated by their story.  Like me, I think that most didn't know about the deep-seated drama and turmoil that the band went through while and after breaking up in 1998.  The film did a great job of telling the story and not taking sides.  Director Michael Rapaport did a Q&A after the showing and discussed all that went into the making of the film and shed some light about how the band feels about it.  They are ultimately happy with it, but some not as much since they didn't have full control as to the direction of the film.  If you're a fan of ATCQ music, you HAVE TO see Beats, Rhymes & Life.  It's opening nationwide soon!

3.  Terri



Most people haven't heard of this movie.  And, that's ok.  I gave Terri a B+.  I thought that it was super cute, heartwarming and funny.  John C. Reilly can't do a lot of wrong in my book and I thought that his performance was great as the Principal at this non-descript high school full of good hearted and bad hearted kids.  Jacob Wysocki plays Terri and is definitely going to be one to watch.  His sweet pj's are worth the price of admission.  I explained the film to a friend as being "super indie."  When I say this, I mean that is was a little slow moving, somewhat quiet and and very character driven.  I love those kinds of movies.  I think if Napoleon Dynamite had a fat cousin he would be Terri.  And I mean that in the most positive way.  If you are super indie movie nerd, this should already be on your list.

I should also note that I saw Terri at my new favorite theater, The Landmark on Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles.  I was all, Arclight who?  It's a shame that The Landmark is so far away; it takes a lot to get me to the Westside.  But, I give them an A++ for everything from service to snacks to parking to the leather seats that reclined deep.  I felt like I was in First Class! I'll be back for sure!

New Movie: One Day

 


OMG, I can barely contain the emotion just watching the trailer for this movie.  I read One Day by David Nicholls for my book club a few months ago and I can honestly say that I have not cried like that in a really, really long time.  The book stuck with me for at least a week after I was done.  The book is about the relationship between Annie and Dexter, starting when they graduate university, and checks in on them each anniversary of that date for twenty years.  I would have never guessed at the beginning of the book that I would be so invested and fallen so much in love with the book.  The movie is directed by Lone Scherfig, who also directed An Education (which I loved).  I hope that the same sensibility, style and vision that made An Education so amazing will come through in One Day.  This one may be a twenty hanky movie.

Way Back Wednesday: A Tribe Called Quest

It's weird to put A Tribe Called Quest in the Way Back Wednesday category because their music is just as relevant to me today as it ever was.  But, damn, "Can I Kick It?" was released in 1991.  I remember hearing it when I was in college and was just blown away.  It opened the door to a whole new hip-hop world for me, that had previously only been populated by Run DMC, LL Cool J and Beastie Boys.  (I grew up in Florida, what do you want?)

I'm really excited to see the new documentary Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest directed by Michael Rapaport, who went on tour with the band when they reunited in 2008.  The film features interviews with Kanye West, Common, Beastie Boys, Mos Def, De La Soul, Pharrell and The Roots.  Just watching the trailer makes me all excited and pumped.  It opens on July 8th...I'll see you there! 

New Movie: Casa de mi Padre

Diego Luna. Gael Garcia Bernal. Will Ferrell. Nick Offerman.  Um, hola! You had me at Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal, Will Ferrell and Nick Offerman. Will Ferrell’s Gary Sanchez Productions has a new movie coming out, Casa de mi Padre and it looks to be quite fun. The movie is about two brothers (Will and Diego) who come from different worlds and compete for the affections of the same woman while working together to save the family ranch. Will Ferrell only speaks Spanish in this one, so I’m not sure if it will be a huge hit at the box office, since not many people like to read their comedies. BUT, I think it will be hysterical anyway!

New Chemical Brothers

I find it hard to believe that the Chemical Brothers have yet to score a film.  Seems like such a no brainer to me.  And,the perfect first film has to be the dark futuristic fairy tale Hanna by the director of Atonement, and starring Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana and Saoirse Ronan (who was also the star of Atonement).

I've heard a couple of songs from the soundtrack, which was released exclusively on iTunes and it definitely made me want to see the movie, if even just to hear the music.  "Hanna's Theme (vocal version)" is haunting and ethereal in a way the reminds me of This Mortal Coil.  You can just feel the landscape of the song and the dangerous journey to be had.  I want more!  The newest track is "Escape 700" and (without having seen the movie) seems to be the perfect complement to one of the movie's locations, Morocco. 

If Hanna is anything like these two songs, it's going to be a wild adventure that will keep you at the edge of your seat.  Guess we'll find out when the it comes out next week, April 8th through Focus Features.

  escape 700 by Hannamovie