Random bits of knowledge ... and some reviews.

Here are a few things I've learned since I've been here:

1) Long Islanders wear Fur Coats. A lot.

2) There are a lot of red doors on houses. I was informed this derives from an 18th Century practice where once a mortgage was paid in full, the owner would paint the door red, to let the tax collector's know that there was no longer a need to stop at that particular residence.

[cue tagline: The More You Know!]

3) The Islanders have the same GOAL! music at the Anaheim Ducks. In case you don't know, it's this. It's a song called "Bro Hymn" by Pennywise, in case you're interested. Which many of you may not be; but so it is. (Just so we're clear, I haven't been to see the Islanders play, though I might, I just watched them shut out the Red Wings 5-0. Nice.)

4) (This one may help native West Coasters with tv/media references) Apparently, it's a "thing" here to refer to one's social position by identifying one's home as being on either the North or South side of the highway (see: Long Island Expressway). If one lives on the South side of the highway (like we currently are), looks range from pleasant smiles to envious surprise. It's the posh side of the highway, or the "right" side of the tracks. If one lives on the North side, then chances are one is, well, normal. We haven't been to the dreaded "North Fork" yet - though Greenport and Shelter Island technically are ... but if that's what Long Island refers to as "average," I don't want to know what it refers to as sub-par.... apparently there is at least one reference to this on Sex and the City.

5) Long Islanders refer to NYC as "The City." This constantly confuses me because Western Massachusettsians refer to "The City" as Boston.

Things that you have to watch/listen to RIGHT NOW:

(this one makes me think of my monkey... :)

OK GO didn't have the embedding on YouTube, but this is their latest video. And it's AWESOME. Watch it.

New Music You Should Pick Up Right NOW:

1) Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Up From Below. So if you like the song in the video above ("Home"), then you should just buy this album. This album was released in July of 2009, and they're absolutely my new favorite band. It's only $7.99 on itunes. Do it.

2) Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes. I'm currently experiencing a repulsion of over-produced, over-synthesized albums. Simple, somewhat rustic, and with an emphasis on musicality. If you, like me, are looking for this kind of music - buy this. Now.

Tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood

3) Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest. See #2. But different.

Tracks: Two Weeks, While You Wait For The Others

4) Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. I'm veering a bit away from the home-grown, granola-crunchy music above with this selection. But it's good. Really.

Tracks: 1901, Lisztomania

Also:

Vampire Weekend's New Album: I'm not impressed, and totally disappointed. Remember how I said I'm not really into over-produced, over-synthesized music? Well, that's this album. It's like some music exec listened to Vampire Weekend's first album, and loved it so much, he had to change everything that was charming and wonderful about this band and their sound. This is what's wrong with the music industry.

Menage a Twang: Again, if you like what saw in the video above, buy their album. Witty, interesting, creative - these three women are awesome. Check them out here. My friend/co-director/roommate, Allissa, turned me on to them. And thank goodness.

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Reviews with observations, and a disappointment...

Oh ... it's Monday (I really have nothing interesting to say about Monday, except that it exists). I had the unparalleled pleasure of seeing not one, but TWO movies this weekend. This does not happen very often, so I thought I'd take advantage of this rare occurrence, and share some thoughts with you. I'm a rather opinionated little bear, and this is my blog ... so here we go.

Reviews

1) Taking Woodstock

I think this movies is proof that you can't always believe what you read. The reviews for the film have been horrible to ambivalent, at best. And for the life of me I can't understand why. Of all the movies to hate, this is not one of them. I think Rottentomatoes.com is probably the best microcosm of the opinion divide on the interwebs. Read it, don't read it; but I think the point is that the film has clearly had a polarizing effect on its viewers. And I don't know about you, but some of the best movies I've seen have created the same disparity.

Ang Lee focuses on the gritty and minute details that made Woodstock a reality. THIS IS NOT A MOVIE ABOUT THE MUSIC. It's a movie about the people and the place, and as one reviewer aptly described, "Dear-hearted but fuzzy in a way that unintentionally mirrors the hippie aesthetic of the Woodstock festival, Lee's film is interested not so much in the massive concert as in the Catskill Mountains community which hosted it, however unwillingly." I'm not sure that I agree with the "unintentional" quality this gentleman mentions, but the rest is certainly true. Ang Lee is, for me, one of those directors who is able to achieve what Brecht could only dream; a full-heart in league with a full mind - and I don't think that's a bad thing. Imelda
Staunton and Henry Goodman are fascinating, Liev Schreiber is illuminating, Emil Hirsch is heart-breaking, and while Demetri Martin is slow-to-boil, he gets there. Some critics have mentioned the word "stereotype," but there isn't a two-dimensional character in the lot.

A hippie experimental theatre troupe (The Earthlight Players), Liev Schreiber as a heat-packing transvestite, Paul Dano on a mushroom trip, and Meryl Streep's charming daughter, Mamie Gummer, in an understated, yet interesting role. My question is, why not?

Interesting note: Last year, when I was working for Shakespeare & Co. in Lenox, Massachusetts, Imelda Staunton came to the premier of the Fall Show, The Canterville Ghost. She stood right next to me (she's tiny!). At the time, I thought she must have been there to visit Tina Packer, the Artistic Director, but since the film was shot in New Lebanon, NY,
View Larger Map which is only a hop over the MA/NY border, my dad and I came to the conclusion that she must have been shooting this film. Awesome.

Polar Bear Rating:

3 out of 4 paws


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2) Ponyo

Let me begin this by saying that I am a HUGE fan of Hayao Miyazaki. This all started back in college when my friends and I rented a little, unknown movie from the school library called My Neighbor Totoro. We laughed for almost two hours straight, without having consumed ...substances... of any kind. It was love at first sight. I have at least half of Miyazaki's films in my collection, and while I had iffy feelings related to Disney being the Studio Ghibli distributor in the states, I love that American children are getting to see these stories.

At any rate, I love Mr. Miyazaki. I asked my parents if they wanted to go, and my dad said, "Anime just isn't my thing." But the wonderful thing about Miyazaki is that it's not *really* anime. It is, in terms of the aesthetic and some techniques of the animation, but certainly not in terms of story. Ponyo is no exception to this. There is a simplicity about the animation ... it's functional, but not fancy. The point of animating films, in my opinion, is to allow the creators to do the impossible on screen, and in doing so, broaden the imagination through the art - the art makes the story possible. I'm babbling about this, I know, but it's important. It's why Miyazaki is a master at what he does.

Ponyo is the most positive apocalyptic film I've ever seen. Everyone lives at the end. It's kind of like the Japanese version of The Little Mermaid, fused with Water World. Yes, I realize how awful that sounds, but it's really quite ingenious! The environmental theme is HUGE, but it's not dark and dour. It strives to return balance, and "begin life anew." The seas take over, the Cambrian Age comes back, true love is kept sacred, commitment and responsibility marry them all, and children prove, once again, to be the most honorable and pure-hearted characters in the movie.

For those other Miyazaki fans out there, Ponyo is less fantastic in scope than Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle, but never lacks in charm or interest. The wonderful thing about this Miyazaki creation, is the English voice casting; it's the best yet. Tina Fey (kicked voice-over ASS!), Cate Blanchett, Betty White, Cloris Leachman, Liam Neeson ... seriously. awesome. Definitely worth seeing.

And please don't be detracted by the thought of screaming, talking, ill-behaved children crowding the theater. When Lara and I went, there was scarcely a peep from the kids; adults, however, were another matter entirely.

Polar Bear rating:

3 out of 4 paws


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Disappointment:

It's too depressing to talk about, so I'll only provide you a link.
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Reviews...from a reluctant critic.

Between new music and new movies, and my secret fantasy of working for Rolling Stone, I have some reviews for you. Being an artist that is often reviewed myself, I'm going for positivity ... here's what I have:

MOVIES:

Julie and Julia - "...and if you're alone in the kitchen, who's to see?"

I went to go see it this morning ($6.00 matinees, yahoo!) ... certainly worth it, if for nothing else than Meryl Streep (even at full price). She has a luminosity on screen and captures a certain something in Julia Child, an uninhibited joy, that is the grand dame of cooking herself.

There's a generosity that effervesces through passion, and served a much-needed reminder for me about why I do the things that I do, regardless of banal, minute things that too often get in the way. So if you're in the need of a passion refill, go. If you love to cook and/or love food, go. If you only want to go to see the wonder that is Meryl Streep, definitely go. It's a great cast over-all, in fact, and the most creative (and least cliche) thing to come from Nora Ephron since "Michael."

Quick, non-movie related rant: I have been to three movies in the last week, and 2 out of 3 of them have at the preview for the apocalyptic film "2012." If I were going to go see "GI JOE: The Rise of Cobra," I would expect to see this trailer, but NOT when sitting in the movie theatre, preparing to watch a charming half period, half contemporary film about cooking. Worst part, is that the trailer for "2012" was the LAST trailer to be shown before "Julie & Julia" began. Bad form, movie makers. Bad form. If you like to be scared and agitated before indulging in a much anticipated chick-flick that you've been waiting months to see, raise your hand.


3.5 out of 4 paws
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Funny People - "Why did you cheat on me? I was so hot."

A different kind of movie for Judd Apatow ... it's part sentiment, part regret, and part foul dude language that for some reason, I get, and continue to come back for. Seth Rogen is my birthday brother (born same day/same year), and is actually the main reason I keep coming back to these "movies from a dude's point of view" ... he does dumb-but-lovable painfully well, and does not fail me in this. Adam Sandler pulls out some serio-comic talent as a character who has the potential to change, but can't get there without the aforementioned dose of dumb-but-lovable.

This movie is full of disappointments, but intended to be so. It's not the over-the-top zany and ridiculous that we're used to seeing from Apatow and his clinch-hitters. But it is 2.5 hours long, and could have potentially been two different movies. But if you're box-office gold and have the really tough demographic of 18-35 year old males enthralled, without the use of blowing shit up, then your name is Judd Apatow, and you can do whatever you want. Oh ... and cameos from almost every stand-up comic to grace the screen of Comedy Central in the last 10-15 years. Bottom line: Worth watching, but wait till it's out on DVD.

Random new person to watch out for: Aubrey Plaza plays the character of Daisy ... brilliant. Awkward, alternative, smart, bullshitless brilliance.


2.5 out of 4 paws
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(500) Days of Summer - "Author's Note: The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Especially you Jenny Beckman. Bitch."

Go see this movie NOW. Just do it. It's my 2nd favorite summer movie...



5 out of 4 paws (yes, it's my blog, I can do that. Because fractions are stupid, and I'm awesome.)
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Away We Go - "Did you think that was fun? Because trust me you won't have that much fun until you discover oral pleasure."

My favorite movie of the summer. Yes, over Harry Potter. And over Star Trek (though Star Trek was awesome). You probably can't go to see it anymore, because it's out of the theatres. If you did catch it, PLEASE tell me you loved it. If you didn't, get it as soon as it's released. Maya Rudolph + James Krasinski = filmatic goodness.

What you CAN get now: The Soundtrack. DO IT. Mostly music by Alexi Murdoch, with some smatterings of George Harrison, The Velvet Underground, and Bob Dylan. 'nuff said. (4 out of 4 paws, I'll save you the trouble of posting an album review)


8 out of 4 paws. That's two bears, people.
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MUSIC

The Constantines - Kensington Heights

The Constantine's American debut album (on the Sub-Pop label, 2003), Shine a Light, is pure Indie genius. They are classified under a music subdivision called "art-punk" (I know, it's no wonder I love them), and Shine a Light it definitely artful punk. The follow up album, Tournament of Hearts, seemed to have some typical and predictable sophomore album blues, with a couple of good songs, but not enough to let the album stand on it's own. In essence; growing pains.

This third major, full-length record has The Constantines back on track and growing like a wild-fire in Malibu. Mature lyrics, interesting and inspired guitar lyrics; the art in punk is back like an awesome habit; wearing Toques and Maple Leafs.

Choice tracks:
Hard Feelings - Can't sleep in a nation of imagination/ you can tell by the way I talk/ I've got hard feelings

Trans Canada - Hot dice keep rolling/ try to lose our nothin'/ now familiar, now forgotten/ to get the prize/ forget the song/ we're here and gone

Brother Run Them Down - This is a song for a sensitive man/ and the humor that he keeps/ for Tim who brings rest to the restless/ I sing so I can sleep

New King - Your mother and father/ walked out of the city/ bound together as they were bound to be/ to pull the bed from new beginnings/ of drift wood and fallen leaves


3 out of 4 paws
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Modest Mouse - No One's First, and You're Next

Modest Mouse is easily one of my favorite bands. In fact, I would say they're definitely in my top 10. So please excuse me as I gush all over myself. Modest Mouse is a no-longer obscure band from Issaquah, Washington ... and you'd think (if you were me) that they came from the Sub Pop Label (which is in Seattle). But no. They gained fame and fortune through the SONY subsidiary, Epic. And there you go.

This album, is rather revolutionary ... it's kind of like Modest Mouse sat down and had a pow-wow with Wilco. And then went and smoked a bowl with Dave Grohl. And then went into the recording studio and jammed. The instrumentation and lyrics are typically Modest Mouse, but the tone, the style, the imagery ... a bit of a departure. Especially since the Mouse's last two albums, Good News for People Who Love Bad News and We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, while both incredibly brilliant, revolve heavily around death. The only problem I have with the album is that there's only eight tracks.

Reasons to love Modest Mouse: Their band name comes from a line of Virginia Woolf. Oh, and they're pretty good at writing and playing music and stuff.

Choice Tracks:
Satellite Skin - If you break these moth wing feelings/ powdering dust on your fingers/ we know we're not praying we're kneeling/ hard enough just to say you believe them

Whale Song - I guess I am a scout/ so I should find a way out/ so everyone can find a way out

King Rat - We spun like birds on fire right/ down towards the residence and I/ I took all the time desired/ even crooks have to pay the rent



4 out of 4 paws
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Regina Spektor - Far

I won't talk about this one ... just go buy it. She's brilliant.


4 out of 4 paws
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