Bang on a milli

2011-10-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

I've moved to tumblr. I've had this blog for too long. to anyone that read it, thank you!

Lykke Li - Unchained Melody

2011-10-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

Morrissey Quotes

2011-10-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

I was looking for jobs online, found nothing and started compiling Morrissey quotes.. so!

“I do maintain that if your hair is wrong, your entire life is wrong.”

“I am capable of looking on the bright side - I just don’t do it very often.”

“When I'm lying in my bed I think about life and I think about death and neither one particularly appeals to me.”

“I lost myself to music at a very early age, and I remained there.”

“I still don't belong to anyone - I am mine.”

Andy Hull - How I Waited (with lyrics)

2011-10-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

2011-10-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

Recently Watched: DRIVE

2011-10-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

Damn Ryan Gosling, damn. I know a lot of people have a fondness for the Gosling but like my fondness for Robert Pattinson (no I don't like Twilight, I am an adult!) I feel like its different than the mainstream crowd...unfortunately Lucy probably feels the same way..who is Lucy...Lucy is the 12 year old google searching images of Ryan for her binder collage. What am I talking about this is about his movie DRIVE!

So yeah, I saw Drive recently and I was entertained. I TELL YOU. It was extremely violent, but the violence made sense.. I mean honestly Pineapple Express has more unnecessary violence. Gosling's character is a stunt driver who does shady shit on the side. He's quiet, smooth and good at what he does.. but then he meets his neighbor and her son and gets involved in a mess that results in tons of violence. The opening is really strong, the music is kind of bizarre but it works, the performances are pretty amazing.. I liked it. It's an indie/noir/80's/action movie with Gosling in really cool outfits. totally see it.

Juvenile - Back That Azz Up

2011-10-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to XM's 90's on 9.. this gem of a tune played in its entirety at my work. MIND YOU most of our customers are above 50.

I think at one point he says "want to walk it like a dog" also "you's a fine mother fucker" while meant as a compliment //when followed by "why don't you back that ass up" is kind of hilariously offensive.

DAVID BOWIE - REBEL REBEL

2011-09-27T20:41:00.000-07:00

Friends - Friend Crush

2011-09-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

this keeps coming on the radio on the way to work.. it makes me want to dance, kids!

Fast as You Can

2011-09-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my mind don't shake and shift
But most of the time, it does
And I get to the place where I'm begging for a lift
Or I'll drown in the wonders and the was

actions have reactions.. and sometimes they suck!

2011-09-10T13:09:00.001-07:00

Last night was a bit of a reality check that sometimes when you get used to doing things that you shouldn't, you lose sight of how real things could get. lesson: Be responsible in your irresponsibility.

2011-09-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

the yeah yeah yeahs have a kind of sweet sadness, happiness/ weird reflective life? /dance? /party (ish) sound that I'm currently enjoying.

Gardens & Villa - Star Fire Power

2011-09-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

The Joy Formidable - 'Whirring' (The Sarm Sessions)

2011-09-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

been rockin' to this diddy at work. thank jesus for the indie xm channels. I'm so tired of the 70's (BEE GEES) station.

For Your Precious Love - Otis Redding

2011-08-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness

2011-08-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

Jeff Buckley "Lilac Wine" (Nina Simone Cover)

2011-08-25T21:43:00.000-07:00

I got water in my phone, so I bought an IPHONE because.. that's what you do?

2011-08-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

in my head when I do a serious smile for a picture I feel like I'm saying "I think I'm attractive"
so instead I make faces like this.

Recently Watched: The Color Wheel

2011-08-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

I recently watched and really liked "The Color Wheel," (a film that I didn't get a chance to see at the Maryland Film Festival.)

The film was co-written by it's actors Carlen Altman and Alex Ross Perry who play sort of estranged siblings who take a road trip to move Altman's characters stuff out of her ex boyfriend/ professor house.

I thought the dialogue was really well written, funny and realistic. The characters are kind of sadly relatable to where I am in my life. (i.e The semi artsy but lazy aspiring something or others talking about what they want to do, while being unemployed or stuck in a "dead-end" job. I WORK LESS THAN 30 HRS A WEEK AND MAKE NO MONEY, PEOPLE!!)

anywayyyy I look forward to seeing more by Ross and Altman.

Bon Iver - Minnesota, WI

2011-08-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

2011-08-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

winter Katie.

2011-08-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know what my face is really saying, but I'd like to how I got my bangs so smooth. #deepthoughts

I get stressed man.

2011-08-04T18:43:00.001-07:00

So as I've said on here before I've been serving for almost a year now. At times it's a real test in keeping my passive-agressive-ness in check... My hope is that customers just think I'm weird and aren't offended by my subtle digs at their RUDUNKULESS-NESS. I have an inside joke with my co-worker that inside when I feel like I'm dying from a customers wicked ways.. I sing Enyas "Only Time"

muttering the lyrics to calm myself down.. I think it's something everyone should do. You're welcome for this post.

Lykke Li - Can I Kick It (Live Cover) @ Osheaga 8/1/09

2011-07-24T22:14:00.000-07:00

Recently Watched: Manhattan & Bridesmaids

2011-07-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

In "Manhattan" Woody Allen plays a writer who is in a relationship with a 17-year-old-girl played by Mariel Hemmingway. I've said it before, but I find Allen a bit creepy. His whole I'm an intellect and so I understand that this is wrong so then it should be less wrong doesn't fly, yo. A 42-year-old and a 17-year-old should probably not date (or rather a 42-year-old shouldn't want to date a 17-year-old) (I know I just commented on things seemingly personal but Allen has made some questionable choices a la dating his young adopted step daughter.) With that said I really enjoyed this film. It's probably my favorite Allen movie. We have some interesting people Dianne Keaton plays the "other woman" to Allen's best friend and then to Allen...and then to his friend again. While Hemmingway's character is seemingly in love with Allen despite his constant "you should keep your options open" speeches. I think the whole thing plays out rather realistically. Allen is funny and he is also honest about all of his craziness which I think is great. But again I don't find it endearing..he creepy (yo.)
I held off on seeing Bridesmaids until I saw it was playing at the 3 dollar movies + the weather in Baltimore felt like HELL (120 degree heat index.) I'm not a big fan of the current SNL/Kristen Wigg, but I really liked her in this. Maya Rudolph and Wigg played off each other creating a realistic modern female friendship, and under the direction of Paul Feig (Freaks and Geeks,) the film had a good mix of comedy and drama. I'm new to Chris O'Dowd and I thought he was really great in the film, also Jon Hamm was wonderful at being completely terrible.

new Kevin Devine Lyrics

2011-07-13T22:00:00.001-07:00

/now every single time that you open your mouth something like the truth comes stumbling out, a picture of the past you keep whittling down to a version of yourself you can follow around/

NYC

2011-07-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

Recently Watched: Midnight in Paris

2011-06-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT

Midnight in Paris is a well made movie. Paris looks so beautiful, (ME WANTS TO GO.) It's well acted; Owen Wilson particularly does a great job in the lead role and the script is pretty funny in that Woody Allen dorky-clever way. I think my biggest problem with this movie was that going into it I thought that when Wilson's character explores Paris after midnight he'd be experiencing some of the current Parisian night life... SPOILER ..I was wrong.. instead Wilson goes back in time and experiences Paris in the 1920's. It's cute..he is a huge fan of the 1920's and he is meeting literary/cultural figures from the 1920's and he is aware of how crazy it is (insert Allen humor) ... it works or I should say it worked for most of the audience..but to me it got a little old after say the 15th person he met. The movie comes around ..I don't want to say I didn't like it because I did, but I definitely have mixed feelings about the plot. I really liked the ending, and the overall message of people always thinking a time before "their time" is more inspiring.

FYI: team9 vs Stereogum - Bang On A Milli

2011-06-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

The title of this blog came from this glorious mash up of Lil Wayne "A Milli" and The Breeders "Bang On" = Bang on a Milli

The Party's Over

2011-06-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

I want to have a party just so I can play this to make people leave.

Beirut - East Harlem

2011-06-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

Recently Watched: Last Night

2011-06-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

I watched this movie because I'm a fan of Guillaume Canet and I really liked him in it. The film..not so much. A lot of the dialogue and supporting characters were very convenient for the story line. Would a man at a dinner give you advice about cheating the first time you meet him? Is anyone that bold? Or is he an easy character used as a plot device??! (I'm asking you.) The dialogue was also very low. I'd like to think that I'm not a close minded American in that I appreciate accents but between Sam Worthington's Australian accent, Keira Knightly's English and Guillaume Canet's French I felt like I missed a third of the dialogue.

In list form:

-Sam Worthington has dead eyes and a flat voice.

-Eva Mendes was supposed to be "the hot girl" but she looked kind of harsh throughout the whole film.

-Keira Knightly gave a pretty good performance, but I didn't 100% care about her characters relationship issues. What does she like about her husband? What did she like about her past lover? It's not really explained.

-Canet shined mostly because HE'S FIIINE. No, but really he was good in the film. When he is happy he has spark about him that seems real. And he is the only character that seemed to convey that he was in love with another character.

The film basically boils down to will each member of the couple cheat during their night apart? What I'll tell you is ONE DOES AND ONE DOESN'T. and not the right couple, man. One last thing, I don't think their relationship was worth saving, you don't get the sense that they are really all that in love, they play out the "we've been together for 4 years so it's time to get married" story.

Cat Power- Fool

2011-06-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

I recently bought (and by bought I mean...nvm) Cat Power's "You Are Free."

It's completely beautiful, and it has some of my favorite songs like "Maybe Not" & "Good Woman," .....but damn it's a downer.

It opens with "I Don't Blame You" which seems to be about Kurt Cobain. It's about someone not liking what they are doing anymore i.e being on stage. I like it's simplicity.

"Good Woman" which I've posted on here before is one of my favorite Cat Power tunes, it has a cinematic quality, the lyrics are simple, it's all in the way that she sings about basic human feelings that strikes the right chord. As she sings "I want to be a good woman, and I want for you to be a good man, this is why I will be leaving..this is why I can't see you no more.." the backup vocals are weirdly haunting along with the music.. plus knowing that she is a recovering alcoholic who seriously thought about killing herself probably influences the way that I feel about the lyrics.

"Werewolf" is haunting..her dark but cool sound creates a weird scene. I can hear it in a independent film trailer to a montage of dramatic shots. people dying by accident... people cheating on each other. yeah.

"Fool" see above video, is really sad in a striking way. It works on you, its seemingly mellow but as it goes on the lyrics "it's on the tip of your tongue in your suicide letter..." ... opposite of uplifting.

"He War" is completely different. Weirdly it's kind of punk to me, it still sounds like indie rock alternative but the weird changes in pace overlapping vocals with the weird voice over type break..it's grown on me.

"Shaking Paper" is a pretty special song that you lose yourself in. It has faint vocals with a continuously cloudy background, I really like this one.

"Baby Doll", "Maybe Not" (was obsessed with this song in like 2007?) and "Names" are equally depressing. "Baby Doll" is slow with southern undertones. "Maybe Not" has a simple repetitive piano part that kills you. "Names" is about real? people that have terribly sad stories filled with abuse on every level and how Marshall "doesn't know where they are." In every story she states the persons age...which is always disturbingly young for whatever they've dealt with in their life.

"Half of You" is a simple sweet love song where Marshall sings about "wanting all of you." It's a nice change lyrically. "Keep on Running" is a dark song. The last track, "Evolution" features Eddie Vedder on vocals. His soft but deep speak singing compliments her sweet but soulful style.

2011-06-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

Today I went to IKEA and pretended to be conducting a job interview with my friend in a make-shift "office."

After like 5 mins of being a junkie boss who asked if my applicant would buy marijuana in dangerous parts of the city for me(..hypothetically ..I don't condone that. I'm a good person...., ) an older lady employee came over and she said: "Is someone getting fired??" (apparently acting in the fake rooms at IKEA is common)

and I said "no, I'm conducting an interview... "

to which she said "oh ok, do you need help because I'm about to take my lunch break."

why was this so funny to me..

Colour Revolt - Matresses Underwater

2011-06-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

Dance Yourself Clean

2011-06-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

"talking like a jerk except you are an actual jerk and living proof that sometimes friends are mean"

"don't you want me to wake up, well then give me just a bit of your time"

"I miss the way the night comes with friends who always make you feel good"

Recently Watched: Open Five

2011-06-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

I watched "Open Five" a film directed by Kentucker Audley and shot by Joe Swanberg. I enjoyed it's natural pace, dialogue, and look. It had a vibrance that you don't always see in movies made for cheapssss.

The film follows two girls/women/ladypeople who are visiting the one girls semi boyfriend in Memphis. They are actresses, he is a musician and his friend is a director. The camera follows the four around for the weekend in Memphis. Does anything get resolved? not really.. Is there a major dramatic plot line? No.. but does there need to be? check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cybtQ0vmUxo

New Reads!

2011-06-05T16:01:00.001-07:00

Tiny Fey's book is dope!

2011-06-05T15:48:00.001-07:00

Seriously. I don't want to sound like an impressionable youth, but it was really inspiring. There were a lot of things that were really great and funny to read as a woman, but I think her sense of humor / experiences have mass appeal. Her take on how women are portrayed in the media and treated in the entertainment workplace is pretty interesting; Fey is able to balance being serious/factual while still being funny.

2011-06-03T17:49:00.001-07:00

Recently Watched: Jane Eyre

2011-05-30T19:44:00.000-07:00

First of all I'm so glad to be living in modern times. Sexism like whoa! With child beatings, verbal abuse, starvation etc, Jane Eyre takes on a lot. I'm not a huge fan of period pieces and I found myself wanting to slap the shittaki out of the child abusers. I hate the idea of boarding schools, especially all girl boarding schools--- in general I hate being proper. have you met me? (does that make me sound like an animal?)

Visually the film was really beautiful. I liked that Cary used modern filming techniques despite the fact that it's a period piece.

Mia Waskiowka's facial expressions aided the film; she's able to subtly convey a lot in her face. Michael Fassbender was pretty charming minus the hair. Honestly all of the bad hair styles were pretty distracting to me. (is that shallow?) <--rhetorical question

If you've read the book it's no secret that they end up together. I had mixed feelings about it.. he really looks too old for her..she has a baby face.

I liked the film but the lack of all things modern made me want to access the internet or watch television. for serious, what a cold world the 19th century was.

I'm late.

2011-05-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

...but this show is hilarious. Yes, I had seen random ep's on tv (which I always thought were funny,) but I went to the beginning on Netflix and boom now I'm on Season 4.

Maryland Film Festival: movies for people who really like good ass movies

2011-05-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I worked at/attended the Maryland Film Festival. Overall it was an amazing experience to be surrounded by really amazing people who all love film. It's really inspiring to see people making films that are funny, weird/ tapping into real people with real emotions. I'm really proud to be from a city that hosts such an amazing festival. I didn't get to see half of the movies that I wanted to see due to working both my day job and my volunteer shifts..but it's cool.. I had time for

The Shorts on Thursday.

"Green"

"The Dish and The Spoon"

& "Bad Fever"

I wrote really brief reviews here.

Recently Watched: Hannah Takes the Stairs and Easy A

2011-04-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

Hannah Takes the Stairs was a fantastically realistic view of a girl who is confused about what she wants in relationship and how she wants to be perceived. Greta Gerwig who plays Hannah sees something she likes in every guy she meets in the film...she views everyone as a potential partner which sounds bad, but it's totally what people do.

Easy A made me kind of jealous of Emma Stone. Normally when I watch a movie I think (and this sounds bad) that I could do a better job acting (not actually true,) but in "Easy A" I felt like Stone was way funnier than me (WHATTTTT.) She was in every scene of the movie and she really WORRRKED IT. It has limited cheese, some good/funny dialogue ..along with a few flaws. EX: Like why is her hot childhood friend always alone and ..well attractive/available to her?? hmmm? riddle me that.

2011-04-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

Recently Watched: "Conversations with Other Women" and "Enter the Void"

2011-04-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Kind of hungover today. I'm thinking in bullet points so here it goes.

Conversations with Other Women

-- Style of Before Sunrise/Sunset, guy and girl in real time with heavy dialogue
-- Made me appreciate Aaron Eckhart
-- Flashback scenes sometimes looked cheesy
-- middle of the night Netflix viewing session may have altered my opinion
-- overall I liked it, found it enjoyable to watch..once.

Enter the Void (deserves more than bullet points)

-- Wow.. this movie was intense. The beginning really drew me in. The lead character has a very "normal" American accent and tone to his voice, he doesn't sound like an actor and he doesn't look like an actor in the few shots that they show his face. We are mostly viewing the world through his eyes. He is a 20 something American living in Tokyo running with somewhat seedy people.

--The film is largely inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead..which I'm completely unfamiliar with. The lead character is reading it and is also heavy into hallucinogens. He gets shot by cops in a misunderstanding for lack of a better word and then is a spirit watching over how everything is playing out after his death. There are also cuts of his childhood, one being the day that his parents were killed in a car accident.

--The male lead is an orphan and only has his sister who moved to Tokyo after he did. She gets into stripping and is in an equally seedy situation. So when he dies he is looking over her.

--I watched this film in two parts ..its a whopping 2 hrs and some 23 minutes long. I understand why it was so long but even so I feel like it could have been 45 mins shorter.

--There were a few scenes that were particularly disturbing...nothing like Irreversible. I feel like this is a x2 kind of movie to have a well rounded opinion.

Cold War Kids @ 9:30 club

2011-04-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

2011-03-31T16:45:00.001-07:00

Recently Watched: Please Give

2011-03-12T05:57:00.001-08:00

I'm a fan of both Nicole Holofcener and Catherine Keener as well as their past efforts "Lovely and Amazing" and "Walking and Talking." Holofcener writes parts for women that only a woman could write. In "Please Give" most of the main characters are women, and Keener takes the lead. She is a rich woman who has a vintage furniture business with her husband. As stated by her husband in the movie, "We buy furniture from dead people's children." Keener's character has a bit of a problem with this. Is it moral? To put her anxiety to rest she hands out money to nearly every homeless person on the street, and she won't buy her daughter overpriced jeans. In one scene Keener goes to hand a homeless man 20 dollars and her daughter grabs it and tells her to give him less. It's an interesting breakdown of an issue because who deserves the money more? Keeners character dresses well and obviously spends money on overpriced goods.. shouldn't her daughter live the same way? or should she spare 20 dollars to a homeless man?

The film deals with money, aging, consumerist culture, marriage.. it's a good mix of social issues. "Please Give," is both funny and sad, and it moves pretty fast.

Recently Watched: Fish Tank

2011-03-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

"Fish Tank" is a slice of what it's like to live in Essex, England. All the kids are "street," listening to American hip hop, dancing in the street, swearing etc. A really young girl uses the "c" word frequently, but hey they are working class, riiiight!? Her older sister, who is played by Katie Jarvis takes the lead role. Jarvis was discovered by the director when she was having a fight with her boyfriend at a train station. I can see why she was chosen. She plays teenage aggression quite naturally.

The film is a coming of age story of sorts. Jarvis is living in a single parent home with her younger sister and within the first few minutes of the film it's understood that she has some behavior issues. Her mom isn't very supportive and talks down about her. Enter Michael Fassbender, her mothers new boyfriend. He takes interest in the kids and a bond starts to form. A series of kind of awkward sexual events occur (she hears/sees her mom and Fassbender together, he

spanks her when they are rough housing and she dances for him..) until it all builds up, blows up and falls apart. I think the relationships in the movie are pretty human, Fassbender is no good guy savior role... he comes in with his own problems and the turn out is surprising.

Recently Watched: "Sin Nombre" and "Dog fight"

2011-02-25T16:04:00.001-08:00

I watched Sin Nombre on Netflix and was pleasantly surprised. The film was directed by first timer Cary Fukunaga who did in-depth research; conducting interviews with gang members and immigrants. Fukunaga road on train tops with immigrants to experience the dangers that lie in crossing borders.

The young actors gave really amazing performances and they all had really great looks for film. Casting is so important in these kinds of films because you need to believe that these kids are really from this hard area, leading rough lives. The film had a realistic look about it, but it managed to capture a gritty environment with rich colors. The interconnected stories were interesting, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from Fukunaga.

In a bout of insomnia I clicked on Dog Fight when Gideon Yago..yes..Gideon Yago .. tweeted about it. I had watched the commercial a long time ago when I saw My Own Private Idaho. I'm not sure what statements it was trying to make about men at war or the 60's... and that's where the movie didn't come together for me, but I really enjoyed both performances. The dogfight is a contest among soldiers to see who can bring the ugliest girl to a party. ..but it becomes kind of a love story! totally.

Recently Watched: "Cyrus" and "Dogtooth"

2011-02-03T21:02:00.000-08:00

I wanted to see Cyrus because I was interested in watching Jonah Hill in a semi dramatic role. For what it was it was good..well acted and what not.. but it didn't leave a big impression on me. I don't even remember exactly how it ended. Catherine Keener is my dawg though.

I wanted to see Dogtooth at the Maryland Film Festival but because of the timing (last semester of school) I could only see a few films. I got around to watching it last night and Wow..this film...the look of it, the cast, the writing.. you really enter a weird little world. With one of the most cringe worthy scenes I've seen, incest, crazy dancing, unflattering one piece bathing suits and a calm stillness-- this world that you enter works. I don't think I would like the film if it wasn't foreign. Maybe because the actors are unknowns? or because subtitles make everything a bit more profound? whatever the case I found this movie fascinating.

It's been awhile..

2011-01-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Media intake catch-up

A friend recommended the Australian show "Summer Heights High" which only had one season. Watched it all..amazing. You should check it out.

I've been listening to The xx and The Black Keys. But mostly weird remixes and mash ups.

Yesterday I saw Blue Valentine.

Although it was sad, it didn't shake me up like I thought it was going to. Don't get me wrong I found the screaming and crying unsettling and it made me think about my future and the idea of people growing apart. On a superficial level it was interesting to see Ryan Gosling as an alcoholic with a receding hairline because it played on the fact that someone may be charming and attractive to you but in time that will fade.. and what's left? ..kind of depressing, eh?

Blue Valentine goes back and forth from past to present.

In the past Gosling is a mover and Williams is a nursing student. In the present Gosling is a house painter and is content with their life together,whereas Williams is a nurse who wants to be a doctor. Gosling drinks while Williams cleans after their child/works full time. See the pattern? They AIN'T dancing in the streets playing Elvis songs anymore, YO! (see trailer below) Gosling and Williams both gave really great performances and I liked the juxtaposition of the ending scenes.

Favorite Songs of 2010

2010-12-29T17:02:00.001-08:00

Hands Down!!

Cold War Kids-Coffee Spoon

The Black Keys-Everlasting Light

Runners Up

Best Coast- When I'm With You

Warpaint-Undertow

Recently Watched:

2010-12-27T17:55:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I watched this, but I want to mention it because I think it's worth watching. Sam Rockwell is one of my favorite actors (Moon, Snow Angels) and I think he gives a really funny but honest performance, playing an alcoholic father who is trying to redeem himself. He doesn't always try hard enough and he offends a lot of people. He gets drunk at school, crashes his daughters date and has to be taken care of by his students. Rockwell has great delivery with at least a dozen one liners and his interactions with the young women in the film are pretty funny. It's not the best movie in the world.. it's not even the best movie about a drug addict basketball coach (see: HALF NELSON--also starring Shareeka Epp,) but I think it's worth ya time!

Black Swan and Winter's Bone

2010-12-26T12:47:00.000-08:00

Black Swan

It's one of those what's really happening right now?? films. Is this a dream or real life? Natalie Portman gives an amazing performance playing an "innocent" perfectionist that is forced to find her sexuality in order to play the Black Swan role. Vincent Cassel plays her ballet director. He exudes masculinity and orders her to let go (i.e touch herself) which leads to several quite awkward scenes. Portman takes a lot of risks with this film--physically she is so frail it's almost uncomfortable to watch and she is playing someone who is (or isn't) going crazy for 2 hrs.

Portman, Kunis and Cassel give really great performances. I enjoyed the strange chemistry between Cassel, Portman and Kunis. Cassel's european "open" sexuality, Kunis' laid back hey how's it going vibe with Portman's uptight panic give the film it's strength rather than the bigger IS THIS A HALLUCINATION scenes.

Note to viewers! Any time Barbara Hershey is on the screen close your eyes! This film captures one of the strangest mother/daughter relationships I've seen on screen. It's not that they have any physically inappropriate behavior it's more of a vibe where you can tell Portman's character is trapped by her mother. Trapped from growing up, dating, making other friends..her world is ballet and her mother.

Roger Ebert accurately describes the movie as a "full bore melodrama" because it's not for everyone. It's an intense thriller bordering on horror.

Winters Bone

I can see why other people liked this film, but it just wasn't doing it for me. I liked a lot of things about it. Like performances, the way it was shot... but I didn't really care about the story. Also there is a character named "Teardrop" --these kind of things that may seem "real" to other people are often off putting to me. What I'm saying is it's a GOOD MOVIE that I have no interest in...it's an invitation to real america where meth labs blow up all the time and hick children name lost dogs "Peanut butter" but I just don't want to see that.

"Joan Rivers a Piece of Work" and "Exit Through the Gift Shop"

2010-12-25T19:28:00.000-08:00

"Joan Rivers a Piece of Work" is a look into the aging comedians life and career. Joan is funny in the film but more often she is sad about the state of her career and how she is regarded in the industry.

"Exit through the Gift Shop" is a documentary about street art, Banksy and the creation of "Mr.Brainwash." It's a really interesting look into street art culture and "pop art."

Three very different movies

2010-12-09T13:47:00.000-08:00

127 hours- Danny Boyle + James Franco + desert = good ass movie. The film is based on the true story of Aron Ralston (you can tell he is from Colorado from the spelling of that first name), an adventurous climber that got his arm trapped by a boulder in Utah for five days. Ralston made tapes of himself while he was stuck which made for some of "127 hours" best scenes. I saw an interview where Franco said that they did 15-20 min takes where he and the crew explored the space. For anyone who doesn't know what Ralston had to do to escape I'll just say it was bloody. Everyone is saying/will say that this movie is inspiring, and it is... the last 20 or so minutes of the film almost produced tears. You are in this with him. I knew what he was going to have to do, but I was still pulling for him to get his hand loose. (It's kind of like how when Titanic is on t.v I still think maybe Jack won't die..but he does.)

Waitress- It was a cute movie about a lot of dumb people + a doctor who falls in love with a dumb girl while his wife is becoming a doctor. oh and Jeremy Sisto is a terrible man. I found it entertaining and I think the cast was totally awesome at playing dumb..which is what they were going for..?? Don't get me wrong I thought it was well made and funny, guysssss.

Stuart a Life Backwards- This was a BBC movie that I watched because I love Tom Hardy. It was about a man who wrote a book about a homeless heroin addict with rage issues. Hardy was really good in it. The quality of movie was so so.

Parks and Recreation. good show kids, good show.

2010-12-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

Over the holiday break I opted to watch Parks and Recreation over spending time with my family. I did play one game of taboo with those losers. ( I lost. )

anywaaaay. The show is really funny. If you haven't already watched it I suggest you do. They have an interesting group of characters and I think there is a lot of talent.

Also Paul Schneider rules in this movie:

Casper: The Saddest Movie of All Time???

2010-11-27T12:12:00.000-08:00

ok.. so how did I start to watch a scene from Casper on Youtube? how would an adult person arrive at that? Well I'll explain. I was watching the trailer to "Beautiful Girls" and the commercial for "Now and Then" (lovable shit-bomb of a movie) was on the side. Naturally, I watched it which led me to "Casper."

It's so depressing. I knew it was depressing when I was a kid, but damn. All of the sudden they play this "he is gonna turn back into a little ghost boy" instrumental stuff. Do you remember the story of how he died? He froze to death in the snow. FROZE TO DEATH IN THE SNOW. A LITTLE BOY...PLAYING IN THE SNOW. DEATH. And Christina Ricci just can't get a break: her dad gets drunk with ghosts, she falls in love with a ghost boy who would normally look like Devon Sawa (good when he is teen, bad when he is Stan in Eminem's music video) and some girl is rude to her, I think? All the kids were mean to her right? Because apparently it's not cool for your dad to be a ghost hunter.

As a child I loved this movie, as an adult looking back WHY DO WE SHOW THESE THINGS TO CHILDREN. that is all.

2010-11-23T21:09:00.000-08:00

Recently Watched:

2010-11-12T16:16:00.000-08:00

Breaking Upwards

I love the trend in independent cinema of one person wearing the actor, directer & writers hat and in the case of "Breaking Upwards," Daryl Wein acted, wrote, directed AND edited.

The film is about a couple who is trying to break up slowly by taking "days off" in their relationship to do whatever they want. The film co-stars Zoe Lister-Jones, Wein's real life girlfriend and the film is somewhat autobiographical of their relationship. It's funny and it feels young and real. It really fits in with the films that I saw at the Maryland Film Festival: Tiny Furniture and Gabi on the Roof in July. So if you haven't already I say go see all 3!

Janeane Garofalo 'If You Will' Live in Seattle

One of the funniest stand-ups that I've seen in awhile. I've liked Janeane Garofalo since I saw her in the film Bye, Bye Love. I like the fact that she gets up on stage and is able to articulate her opinion and draw from her own REAL LIFE experiences. All too often comedians make up ridiculous scenarios that may be funny but aren't real.

Due Date

Most commercial comedy films won't be as funny as the Hangover..and this is one of those movies. Although it had its funny parts the unrealistic nature of the story, and the fact that as a pair neither Downey's character or Galifianakis' character were very likable I wouldn't recommend it.

QUOTEworthy: Ryan Gosling

2010-11-09T21:59:00.000-08:00

On unrealistic Hollywood films:

"You leave feeling bad about your life like 'yeah I really wish my life was like that' and now I gotta get in the car..how do I validate my ticket? and now I gotta sit in the parking lot..Leaving the theater is such a bummer, it's such a shock to the system, because you've just been in this dream state where you're kind of identifying with these characters and then you have to go back to your life."

Dave Franco on James Franco

2010-11-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

I've always been fascinated by sibling relationships... and I like James Franco. Esquire Magazine had Dave Franco interview his brother James in five parts. Here is part 3.

2010-11-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

Cold War Kids Mine is Yours teaser

2010-11-02T20:08:00.000-07:00

Yeah! CWK are coming out with a new album and touring! So far there is a VA date..come on with the Baltimore or DC show.. (or freakin philly or nyc...katie will drive/ take trainbus!)

The Baxter

2010-11-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

Michael Showalter's "The Baxter" was pretty funny. My favorite scenes were between Michael Showalter and Justin Theroux. David Wain also had some pretty funny lines. If you like Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black and/or Wet Hot American Summer you'll like this movie.

Lykke Li - Get Some

2010-10-31T17:21:00.000-07:00

Lykke Li - Get Some: "Lykke Li - Get Some"

2010-10-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

I'm fascinated by where people are from, where they've been and where they want to be.

I'd like to do a road trip across America one day. But I'm definitely not done with the west coast. I'd like to see Seattle, Portland, Mt. Shasta, some freakin' Redwoods since I didn't do that either time I was in San Francisco... and I'd also like to go further South than Long Beach.

I need to win some money.

Recently Watched: The Messenger

2010-10-31T13:39:00.000-07:00

This film has some really great scenes. Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster play soldiers who are members of the casualty notification team (they deliver the message that a soldier has died to the next of kin.) In delivering this message the soldiers are under certain orders to act professionally, never hug or make contact with the next of kin. They also must come unannounced and may only speak with the next of kin, which in one situation gets a little tricky. The messages were filmed mostly in one shot which created a strong sense of reality. I was fascinated by the tension in every delivery.

As someone who is strongly apposed to war and training people to kill I liked the depiction of human vs soldier.

Bad Books

2010-10-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

Bad Books - "Please Move" by Some Kind of Awesome

Recently Watched:

2010-10-11T18:42:00.000-07:00

(SPOILER)

Sometimes when movies are extremely depressing I find it hard to like them. Revolutionary Road is one of those movies. The performances are great, but the giving up on your dreams storyline bummed me out...not to mention in the end things pan out in the worst way possible. DEATH. The fight scenes were some of the most intense that I've seen. I liked Leonardo's emotional scenes much better than his emotional scenes in Inception (not that I didn't like his performance in Inception!) I think it's worth watching, but I'm warning you it's a downer.

2010-10-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

Recently Read

This book was hilariously funny. "Seasons Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!" was my favorite piece. It was written in the form of a letter from a deranged woman whose husband got a foreign woman pregnant while he was in the army. The adult child of the husband is delivered to the doorstep and the woman's observations/judgements of her new "daughter" are ridiculously smart, dark and funny. It reminded me of Jon Stewart's Hanson fan club letters in his book "Naked Pictures of Famous People."

Recently Watched

The Social Network is about Mark Zuckerberg. I don't care what anyone else is saying about how it's about relationships and greed...well ok..it's a bit about that...but it's mainly a character study of Mark Zuckerberg. I've seen interviews with Zuckerberg and I think that Jesse Eisenberg gave an amazing performance. He really captured Zuckerbergs disconnect.

While I found the backstory of how Facebook came about interesting it always bothers me when something is based on a true story and you aren't sure where the writer/director/actors took liberties.

2010-09-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

Cover Songs Rule: As Long as I Can See the Light

2010-09-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

I really love this song. I guess I'm the stereotypical college grad dreamer type but I definitely want to travel soon and this lyrically gets that down. I think the Cold War Kids do a great cover because they make it their own, and I also enjoy the soulful 70's hippy grit of the original.

The Cover

THE O.G

Recently Watched: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

2010-09-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

The film definitely has a post millennium feel about it. The dialogue is fresh and the story line is odd. One of the major plot lines is that Robert Downey is a theif who's partner just got shot and he is being chased by cops. He tries to get away by running through a building, but it turns out to be an audition room. see below.

He is then taken to Hollywood to train for a part...enter Val Kilmer who plays Gay Perry. Gay Perry is a private detective who is supposed to be showing Downeys character the ropes, but instead they get caught up in a whole lot of complicated drama. Kilmer's performance was really great and him and Downey were very funny together.

I'm glad I finally watched it!

2010-09-08T17:29:00.000-07:00

I was checking out some blogs on hypem and found this...it's really really good.

2010-09-06T17:41:00.001-07:00

FYF Fest 2010 Mixtape by The FADER

Rites of Passage

2010-09-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

I never went to juvie or fat camp.

Recently Watched: Little Children

2010-09-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

Stylistically I really liked this film. The film starts off on a dark note with a news report of a convicted child sex offender moving into a community. The actor who plays the convict is completely creepy. His face is sunken, he speaks in a high voice...and the scene where his date is ending in the car...yiiiiyikes. I hope I don't see that in my nightmares tonight. The narration in the beginning and the little bits throughout the film worked for me. I really enjoyed all of the performances. So I say if you haven't already go see it!

Movies that I love: Tell No One

2010-08-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

Why see it??? Great performances, great direction and an intricate plot. The lead actor gives one of my all time favorite performances and Kristin Scott Thomas is amazing. I saw this at The Charles Theater in Baltimore and it was one of my favorite experiences in a theater because I could feel the audiences engagement. If you like chase scenes this movie has one of my favorite/ one of the more realistic scenes that I've seen. It's the best thriller that you will see, ok! see it.

Cold War Kids - Quiet, Please

2010-08-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

This kid CAN read.

2010-08-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

I found myself thoroughly entertained by Diablo Cody's book about stripping. She's a smart girl who sees an amateur night sign and decides why the hell not! Cody provides a hilarious but sometimes disturbing insiders look into the sexual entertainment business. Her wit is ridiculous and after awhile I stopped asking myself but wait why is she still doing this, and became immersed in the world that she was creating. From the authoritative bosses, naive or aged co-workers to the creepy customers with very strange ..habits.., to the drunken frat boys and bitchy girls, Cody provided an interesting look at not only the people who work in the industry but the people who keep it going.

This was by far one of the funniest things that I've read. It was displayed near a section that a library assistant was helping me look for "You're a Horrible Person, But I like You," so I picked it up. I've never read anything by Sedaris, but I've been a fan of his crazy sister Amy Sedaris (Strangers with Candy) for awhile. David actually wrote about Amy quite a bit, and I have to say he has an amazing ability to capture and profile his family members as well as his own neurosis. The article about his little person guitar teacher was both sad and hysterical. I think sometimes we forget how rare it is to hear a GOOD story, most of the time the story teller is getting more out of telling the story than the listeners are getting from sitting through it. But "Me Talk Pretty One Day" provides a string of great stories. go read it.

2010-08-17T11:50:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my blog.

I created this blog to record all of the music, movies and other media that I consume.

I love looking back on all of the music that I was listening to this past year and how I connect it to certain days, events etc. I recollect a time in my life by the music that was playing in the background.

To anyone who reads this blog I hope that its been a decent read and hopefully I've introduced you to some RAD things!
-KATIE!

Recently Digested

2010-08-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

Honestly. I fell asleep a few times while I was trying to watch this. It arrived during my heavy use of Ambien phase this summer, so I don't feel like I can give a great review of it. From what I coherently watched the acting was pretty on point considering the unusual dialogue and plot circumstances.

Jon Stewart is a pretty funny guy, but wait I already knew that! I'm not a regular viewer of the Daily Show I actually usually tune in more to watch Jon Stewart interview other people and then I wait for them to make him laugh so he does that thing where he covers his face..you know what I'm talking about. But his essays were perceptively whacky. The letters to the Hanson fan club and the Princess Diana letters to Mother Theresa had me cracking up. You go boy.

The End of Summer Mix

2010-08-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

Track 1 Dog Days are Over -Florence + The Machine
Track 2 Islands The xx
Track 3 When I'm With You Best Coast
Track 4 Nantes Beirut
Track 5 Addicted to Love Florence + The Machine
Track 6 Billie Holiday Warpaint
Track 7 Crystalised The xx
Track 8 Metal Heart (cover) David Bazan
Track 9 Walk in the Park Beach House
Track 10 Mother And Child Reunion Paul Simon
Track 11 Animal(Mark_Ronson_Remix) Mark Ronson

Currently Listening to:

2010-08-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

If this song hasn't already been used in a movie, than I want to make a movie just so I can use it. The lyrics are simple, but because her voice is so raw and true the song evokes really strong emotions. The idea of people growing apart is a sad reality, and I think this song captures that beautifully. Take a listen, or 10.

Books that I got today

2010-08-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

1.) You're a Horrible Person, But I Like You (collective) READ IT! To be pronounced RED. I'm telling you that I read it already but if you'd like to READ IT ..do so!

2) The Double Life is Twice as Good- Jonathan Ames

3) Naked Pictures of Famous People- Jon Stewart

4) Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris

5) Personality Types -Using the Enneagram for Self Discovery ...this is the wild card book! I'm pretty into psychology and one of my favorite classes was Personality so this is right up my alley.

Recently Read

2010-08-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

I just read this today. The concept was: comedians/writers answer questions that they aren't educated to answer. I liked Paul Feig, Fred Armisen, Zach Galifianakis, Janeane Garofalo, Amy Sedaris and Sarah Silverman..to name a fewww.

After finishing Chelsea Handler's book and watching her on Diablo Cody's Red Band trailer web interview thing I actually decided that I wanted to read Cody's book "Candy Girl" which is her memoir about being a stripper...but they didn't have it so I got this book.

It was really funny. (I totally LOL'ED YOU GUYZZZZ) It's about comedian/ Chelsea Lately staff member, Heather McDonalds journey blue balling guys in Hollywood. The guys that she went out with make for really funny character studies... they are completely ridiculous. She also details a brief fling with Vince Vaughn if you're into that kind of thing (I have to admit I always kind of stare at Video Vixen Diaries, the book about the girl who banged all of the rappers in all of AMERICA..but I have too much pride to check that out.)

2010-08-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

WHHHHAT! YES!

2010-08-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

I was reading an interview with David Bazan and he was talking about covers that he does and he mentioned Cat Power's "Metal Heart"... I immediately Youtubed it (thanks modern day technology,) here it is!

Recently Watched: "Good Dick"

2010-08-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

This film was recommended to me and after reading the description I was intrigued because it straight up said that the girl in the movie was addicted to porn. I wondered how an indie romantic comedy could play that off. It actually turned out to be more of a drama with occassional funny moments, but I actually found it to be pretty entertaining. It's not the best movie ever, but it looks at interesting matters. The male lead is played by Jason Ritter, who was very good at being true to the moment. Ritter plays a homeless video clerk that becomes interested in a porno-o-holic female customer and begins to assert himself in her life. The conversations between the two leads felt very real...awkwardly real. I give it 3/5 stars!

The XX- Islands

2010-08-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

Cover Songs Rule: Addicted to Love

2010-08-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Cover:

Original:

Needle and the Damage Done

2010-08-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Last night my dad started playing Needle and the Damage Done, while I was reading the lyrics and what I really love(d) about the song is how understated it is. Sometimes songs about drugs are annoying and tend to scream I USED TO BE A JUNKIE, BUT NOW I'M NOT, (BUT I TOTALLY HAVE DEMONS.)

But this song doesn't, and I really love how honest it feels. There's something that I'll always love about someone singing with just an acoustic guitar. While I love current music that takes advantage of computers/synthesizers etc it still amazes me what people are capable of writing and performing acoustically.

I'm kind of an intellectual.

2010-08-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

My sister bought Are You There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea at the airport back in March. We switched off and each read a few chapters each because its an extremely easy read. I got through 4 chapters but then I talked too much to the people on the way home and didn't finish it...so it's been under my bed for several months and I decided to finish it this week.

First of all it's pretty funny and sticks to her style of humor. But I think a lot of it is really random and there isn't much sense to how the chapters are organized. I guess it's a collection of weird stories really, but some aren't really about drinking..

Highlights: her childhood lies and her time in jail.

"Noboddddy raise your voiiiiices"

2010-08-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

I don't know how to pin down what it is that I like so much about this song but it's the only thing I have bookmarked on my old computer. I've gotten really into vocals that at first listen challenge me. The lead singers style is really different, I'm not familiar with a lot of Beirut's material, but I've watched them on La Blogetheque several times and this song is magical!

2010-08-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

There are nice things in the world—and I mean nice things. We're all such
morons to get so sidetracked. Always, always, always referring every goddamn thing that happens right back to our lousy little egos.
---J.D Salinger

QUOTEWORTHY: Joseph Gordon Levitt

2010-07-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

“I'm listening to a lot of vinyl records and it's not some hipster, retro thing ... The other night my friend and I just lay down on the floor and listened to Joni Mitchell and [Radiohead's] 'Hail to the Thief' and to Leonard Cohen. I love the iPods, but when was the last time that I sat at a computer or whatever and could listen to a whole album without getting ADD and saying, 'Check out this cover by Feist...''

Recently Watched: The Kids are All Right

2010-07-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

I saw this film at the Charles in Baltimore city on Saturday. We waited in a huge (HOT A$$) line and missed the showtime that we wanted, so we bought tickets for the later showtime. It seemed like the air wasn't working in the theater (kinda felt like I was going to die), but it was still an enjoyable experience.

The film had an energy about it...it was fun, new and definitely not afraid to take on the modern American family ("Moms') as well as poke fun at eating organic/ healthy living trends (*cough* that I totally support.) I think the movie appeals to everyone because it's about being a teenager/growing up, being in love, getting older, marriage, gay issues and modern families. The characters are well written and it's funny ...and I've said it before but MARK RUFFALO IS A HOTTIEEEEE.

Side note: The film was clearly shot in Southern California which was another plus. I want to have a nice ass backyard where I have people over to eat outside! dammit.