November newsletter is live. Reviews of Abaddon's Gate and All Systems Red, updates on The Red Sky, recent music, movies, and tv shows, and more.
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Two Word Reviews - Q3 2020
The third installment of Two Word Reviews (patent pending) for tv shows, movies, and music for 2020, covering the third quarter (July, August, September):
MOVIES
Palm Springs - warm funny
Hamilton - as expected
MUSIC
Ament: American Death Squad EP - undercooked effort
Paul Weller: On Sunset - solid grooves
The Lees Of Memory: Moon Shot - all bangers
The Rentals: Q36 - fuzzy fun
The Jayhawks: XOXO - harmonic bliss
Bush: The Kingdom - middle road
JARV IS: Beyond The Pale - needs more
Brad Laner: Only Ghost In Town - dreamy weirdness
TELEVISION
Broad City, Seasons 3, 4 and 5 (Hulu) - yas queens
The 100, Season 7 (Hulu) - troubled season
Taste The Nation, Season 1 (Hulu) - delicious discoveries
MOVIES
Palm Springs - warm funny
Hamilton - as expected
MUSIC
Ament: American Death Squad EP - undercooked effort
Paul Weller: On Sunset - solid grooves
The Lees Of Memory: Moon Shot - all bangers
The Rentals: Q36 - fuzzy fun
The Jayhawks: XOXO - harmonic bliss
Bush: The Kingdom - middle road
JARV IS: Beyond The Pale - needs more
Brad Laner: Only Ghost In Town - dreamy weirdness
Guided By Voices: Mirrored Aztec - more goodness
Erasure: The Neon - bit repetitive
James Dean Bradfield: Even In Exile - quality stretch
The Psychedelic Furs: Made Of Rain - welcome return
Alain Johannes: Hum - gorgeous understatements
Primal Fear: Metal Commandos - awesome rawk
Gang Of Four: Anti-Hero - more curiosity
Massive Attack: Eutopia - occasionally distracting
Semisonic: You're Not Alone - never left
The Flaming Lips: American Head - aching psychedelics
Throwing Muses: Sun Racket - off kilter
Tricky: Fall To Pieces - under cooked
TELEVISION
Broad City, Seasons 3, 4 and 5 (Hulu) - yas queens
The 100, Season 7 (Hulu) - troubled season
Taste The Nation, Season 1 (Hulu) - delicious discoveries
The Get Down, Season 1 and 2 (Netflix) - artistically sound
Amy Schumer Learns To Cook, Season 2 (Hulu) - pasta sauce!
Two Word Reviews - Q1 2020
The first installment of Two Word Reviews (patent pending) for tv shows, movies, and music for 2020, covering the first quarter (January, February, and March):
MOVIES
Sicario - effectively brutal
The Two Popes - charming performances
Justice League - please stop
Bohemian Rhapsody - woeful accuracy
Yesterday - fun premise
Knives Out - delightful whodunit
MUSIC
Green Day: Father Of All... - decent single
Supergrass: The Strange Ones 1994-2008 - steady quality
Stone Temple Pilots: Perdida - better shorter
Guided By Voices - Surrender Your Poppy Field - classic jams
Ozzy Osbourne: Ordinary Man - pretty ordinary
Greg Dulli: Random Desire - dark magic
Pearl Jam: Gigaton - needed updates
Windy and Carl: Allegiance and Conviction - short bliss
Baby Chaos: Ape Confronts Cosmos - sweet riffage
The Boomtown Rats: Citizens Of Boomtown - more misses
Noel Gallagher: Blue Moon Rising EP - welcome change-up
Tricky: 20,20 - solid minimalism
TELEVISION
Killing Eve, Season Two (Hulu) - less coherent
The Good Place, Season Four (NBC) - proper conclusion
All Or Nothing: Philadelphia Eagles (Amazon) - always insightful
The Outsider, Season One (HBO) - ominous excellence
Broad City, Season One & Two (Hulu) - manic genius
The Chef Show, Season Three (Netflix) - still delicious
Drunk History, Seasons One to Four (Hulu) - so funny
MOVIES
Sicario - effectively brutal
The Two Popes - charming performances
Justice League - please stop
Bohemian Rhapsody - woeful accuracy
Yesterday - fun premise
Knives Out - delightful whodunit
MUSIC
Green Day: Father Of All... - decent single
Supergrass: The Strange Ones 1994-2008 - steady quality
Stone Temple Pilots: Perdida - better shorter
Guided By Voices - Surrender Your Poppy Field - classic jams
Ozzy Osbourne: Ordinary Man - pretty ordinary
Greg Dulli: Random Desire - dark magic
Pearl Jam: Gigaton - needed updates
Windy and Carl: Allegiance and Conviction - short bliss
Baby Chaos: Ape Confronts Cosmos - sweet riffage
The Boomtown Rats: Citizens Of Boomtown - more misses
Noel Gallagher: Blue Moon Rising EP - welcome change-up
Tricky: 20,20 - solid minimalism
TELEVISION
Killing Eve, Season Two (Hulu) - less coherent
The Good Place, Season Four (NBC) - proper conclusion
All Or Nothing: Philadelphia Eagles (Amazon) - always insightful
The Outsider, Season One (HBO) - ominous excellence
Broad City, Season One & Two (Hulu) - manic genius
The Chef Show, Season Three (Netflix) - still delicious
Drunk History, Seasons One to Four (Hulu) - so funny
Two Word Reviews - Q4 2019
The fourth installment of Two Word Reviews (patent pending) for tv shows, movies, and music for 2019, covering the fourth quarter (October, November, and December):
MOVIES
Amazing Grace - amazing performances
Europa Report - solid sci-fi
Transformers: The Last Knight - unbelievably incomprehensible
2036 Origin Unknown - clunky storytelling
Aniara - thought provoking
Frozen II - superior story
Booksmart - smartly sophisticated
MUSIC
Wilco: Ode To Joy - solid effort
The Darkness: Easter Is Cancelled - strong tunes
Cursive: Get Fixed - get this
Jimmy Eat World: Surviving - needed urgency
The Sheila Divine: Beginning Of The End Is Where We'll Start Again - lyrically cutting
TELEVISION
The 100, Season 6 (Netflix) - still entertaining
Mr. Robot, Season 3 (Amazon) - nice reset
Black Mirror, Seasons 1 & 2 (Netflix) - consistently interesting
The Sopranos, Season 1, 2 & 3 (HBO/Amazon) - deserved praise
The Man In The High Castle, Season 4 (Amazon) - landing stuck
The Mandalorian, Season 1 (Disney+) - nice pace
Watchmen, Season 1 (HBO) - watch it
The Expanse, Season 4 (Amazon) - upped game
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Season 3 (Amazon) - going strong
MOVIES
Amazing Grace - amazing performances
Europa Report - solid sci-fi
Transformers: The Last Knight - unbelievably incomprehensible
2036 Origin Unknown - clunky storytelling
Aniara - thought provoking
Frozen II - superior story
Booksmart - smartly sophisticated
MUSIC
Wilco: Ode To Joy - solid effort
The Darkness: Easter Is Cancelled - strong tunes
Cursive: Get Fixed - get this
Jimmy Eat World: Surviving - needed urgency
The Sheila Divine: Beginning Of The End Is Where We'll Start Again - lyrically cutting
TELEVISION
The 100, Season 6 (Netflix) - still entertaining
Mr. Robot, Season 3 (Amazon) - nice reset
Black Mirror, Seasons 1 & 2 (Netflix) - consistently interesting
The Sopranos, Season 1, 2 & 3 (HBO/Amazon) - deserved praise
The Man In The High Castle, Season 4 (Amazon) - landing stuck
The Mandalorian, Season 1 (Disney+) - nice pace
Watchmen, Season 1 (HBO) - watch it
The Expanse, Season 4 (Amazon) - upped game
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Season 3 (Amazon) - going strong
Two Word Reviews - Q2 2019
The second installment of Two Word Reviews (patent pending) for tv shows, movies and music for 2019, covering the second quarter (April, May and June) of 2019:
MOVIES
Annihilation - better book
Captain Marvel - solid entry
Destination Wedding - gradual improvement
Book Club - cast saved
Wine Country - cast excelled
Avengers: Endgame - proper conclusion
Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much - too long
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets - nice looking
Bad Reputation (Joan Jett Documentary) - interesting insights
CBGB - thin characterizations
Life After Flash - bad decisions
L7: Pretend We're Dead - bold badasses
Kill All Redneck Pricks: A Documentary Film about a Band Called KARP - gritty goodness
MUSIC
Landline EP by Manager - pop grower
Un-Becoming by J. Robbins - classic sounds
TELEVISON
Queer Eye, Season 3 (Netflix) - improving life
Schitt's Creek, Season 5 (Hulu) - Schitt's funny
Superstore, Season 5 (Hulu) - consistently smart
Killing Eve, Season 1 (Hulu) - bold storytelling
Future Man, Season 1 & 2 (Hulu) - consistent laughs
Nailed It, Season 3 (Netflix) - more please
Single Parents, Season 1 (ABC) - solid execution
Brooklyn 99, Season 6 (NBC) - welcome back
MOVIES
Annihilation - better book
Captain Marvel - solid entry
Destination Wedding - gradual improvement
Book Club - cast saved
Wine Country - cast excelled
Avengers: Endgame - proper conclusion
Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much - too long
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets - nice looking
Bad Reputation (Joan Jett Documentary) - interesting insights
CBGB - thin characterizations
Life After Flash - bad decisions
L7: Pretend We're Dead - bold badasses
Kill All Redneck Pricks: A Documentary Film about a Band Called KARP - gritty goodness
MUSIC
Landline EP by Manager - pop grower
Un-Becoming by J. Robbins - classic sounds
TELEVISON
Queer Eye, Season 3 (Netflix) - improving life
Schitt's Creek, Season 5 (Hulu) - Schitt's funny
Superstore, Season 5 (Hulu) - consistently smart
Killing Eve, Season 1 (Hulu) - bold storytelling
Future Man, Season 1 & 2 (Hulu) - consistent laughs
Nailed It, Season 3 (Netflix) - more please
Single Parents, Season 1 (ABC) - solid execution
Brooklyn 99, Season 6 (NBC) - welcome back
Two Word Reviews - Q1 2019
It's the exciting return of two word reviews (patent pending). Years ago, on a weekly, then monthly, then not-so regularly basis, I kept track of everything I watched, listened to or read on my blog. Being a dad meant a lot of free time movie watching went out the window, but since I've started working from home, I've been able to carve out a little more music listening time, and occasionally I'll even catch a movie. I'm posting reviews on my Goodreads profile for books, and linking to them here when they pop up, so I won't be including them, but here's the first installment of tv shows, movies and music for 2019, covering the first quarter (January, February and March) of 2019:
MOVIES
Mary Poppins Returns - surprisingly engaging
FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (Netflix) - astounding arrogance
Fyre Fraud (Hulu) - alternate perspective
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part - equally entertaining
Ant Man And The Wasp - another winner
MUSIC
Swervedriver: Future Ruins - more dreaminess
Weezer: The Teal Album - totally pointless
Brian Eno: Music For Installations - perfectly Eno
Brian Eno and Tom Rogerson: Finding Shore - engaging melodies
TELEVISION
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (Netflix) - needed lessons
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Seasons 1 & 2 (Amazon) - exceptional performances
Schitt's Creek, Season 1 through 4 (Netflix) - quirky fun
The Expanse, Season 3 (Amazon) - exciting build
Superstore, Season 1 through 4 (Hulu) - unexpected subversion
Love Death + Robots (Netflix) - needs diversity
MOVIES
Mary Poppins Returns - surprisingly engaging
FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (Netflix) - astounding arrogance
Fyre Fraud (Hulu) - alternate perspective
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part - equally entertaining
Ant Man And The Wasp - another winner
MUSIC
Swervedriver: Future Ruins - more dreaminess
Weezer: The Teal Album - totally pointless
Brian Eno: Music For Installations - perfectly Eno
Brian Eno and Tom Rogerson: Finding Shore - engaging melodies
TELEVISION
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (Netflix) - needed lessons
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Seasons 1 & 2 (Amazon) - exceptional performances
Schitt's Creek, Season 1 through 4 (Netflix) - quirky fun
The Expanse, Season 3 (Amazon) - exciting build
Superstore, Season 1 through 4 (Hulu) - unexpected subversion
Love Death + Robots (Netflix) - needs diversity
Black Panther Movie Review
A week after its released, I finally made it out to see Black Panther in the theater.
What I Liked: Though it takes place in the recent past and present day earth, this was more akin to Guardians of the Galaxy or Thor in the Marvel Universe than Iron Man (with whom Black Panther shares an affinity for cool gadgets) or Captain America. It is a gorgeous Afrofuturist world, and mostly disconnected from the Marvel Universe other than one of it's two inciting incidents (one is a spoiler, the other happened in Captain America: Civil War), and two supporting characters. The important inciting incident is what gives Black Panther something most Marvel (and comic book movies in general) are missing - a villain with genuine stakes and purpose. While some of been interesting, few to none have been three dimensional. Black Panther raises the bar so high, I wonder if Avengers: Infinity War will stumble with the CGI Thanos.
What I Liked: Though it takes place in the recent past and present day earth, this was more akin to Guardians of the Galaxy or Thor in the Marvel Universe than Iron Man (with whom Black Panther shares an affinity for cool gadgets) or Captain America. It is a gorgeous Afrofuturist world, and mostly disconnected from the Marvel Universe other than one of it's two inciting incidents (one is a spoiler, the other happened in Captain America: Civil War), and two supporting characters. The important inciting incident is what gives Black Panther something most Marvel (and comic book movies in general) are missing - a villain with genuine stakes and purpose. While some of been interesting, few to none have been three dimensional. Black Panther raises the bar so high, I wonder if Avengers: Infinity War will stumble with the CGI Thanos.
Two-Word Review: Summer/Fall 2015
Recently consumed and digested films and albums with patent-pending two-words reviews.
MOVIES
G.I. Joe: Retaliation – minor improvement
Chef – pleasant story
A Deadly Adoption – hypnotic entertainment
Transformers: Age of Extinction – extinct franchise
Robocop – lifeless remake
Anchorman 2 – tough act
Ant-Man – well balanced
They Came Together – barely together
Trainwreck – effectively offensive
Upside Down: The Story of Creation Records – McGee’s story
Who the F is Arthur Fogel? – buttons pushed
The Martian – book worthy
The Maze Runner – proper tone
Red Dawn (remake) – red dumb
MUSIC
The Cure: Wild Mood Swing – quality swings
The Cure: Pornography – good dirty
The Cure: All Mixed Up – solid efforts
Pink Floyd: A Momentary Lapse of Reason – lapsed urgency
Pink Floyd: The Final Cut – more cuts
Dream Theater: Octavarium – condensed craziness
Dream Theater: Metropolis Pt.2: Scenes From A Memory – mind bending
Dream Theater: Systematic Chaos – too chaotic
T. Rex: Dandy in the Underworld – true dandy
Wilco: Star Wars – appreciated weirdness
MOVIES
G.I. Joe: Retaliation – minor improvement
Chef – pleasant story
A Deadly Adoption – hypnotic entertainment
Transformers: Age of Extinction – extinct franchise
Robocop – lifeless remake
Anchorman 2 – tough act
Ant-Man – well balanced
They Came Together – barely together
Trainwreck – effectively offensive
Upside Down: The Story of Creation Records – McGee’s story
Who the F is Arthur Fogel? – buttons pushed
The Martian – book worthy
The Maze Runner – proper tone
Red Dawn (remake) – red dumb
MUSIC
The Cure: Wild Mood Swing – quality swings
The Cure: Pornography – good dirty
The Cure: All Mixed Up – solid efforts
Pink Floyd: A Momentary Lapse of Reason – lapsed urgency
Pink Floyd: The Final Cut – more cuts
Dream Theater: Octavarium – condensed craziness
Dream Theater: Metropolis Pt.2: Scenes From A Memory – mind bending
Dream Theater: Systematic Chaos – too chaotic
T. Rex: Dandy in the Underworld – true dandy
Wilco: Star Wars – appreciated weirdness
Two-Word Review: Spring/Summer 2015
Two-word reviews for the Spring and Summer of 2015:
MOVIES
Pearl Jam Twenty – deeper appreciation
Going Clear – mind boggling
Ted – zero laughs
Atari: Game Over – enlightening nostalgia
(The Rolling Stones) Some Girls: Live in Texas ’78 – blistering performance
Bad Words – not bad
That Gal… Who Was In That Thing: That Guy 2 – interesting follow-up
Mad Max: Fury Road – spectacular stunts
MUSIC
Courtney Barnett: Sometime I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit – languid riffing
Courtney Barnett: The Double EP A Sea of Split Peas – well developed
Faith No More: Sol Invictus – crazed return
Shonen Knife: Overdrive – 70s riffage
MOVIES
Pearl Jam Twenty – deeper appreciation
Going Clear – mind boggling
Ted – zero laughs
Atari: Game Over – enlightening nostalgia
(The Rolling Stones) Some Girls: Live in Texas ’78 – blistering performance
Bad Words – not bad
That Gal… Who Was In That Thing: That Guy 2 – interesting follow-up
Mad Max: Fury Road – spectacular stunts
MUSIC
Courtney Barnett: Sometime I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit – languid riffing
Courtney Barnett: The Double EP A Sea of Split Peas – well developed
Faith No More: Sol Invictus – crazed return
Shonen Knife: Overdrive – 70s riffage
Two-Word Reviews: Winter/Spring 2015
Movies and music from the Winter 2015, with patent pending two-word reviews:
MOVIES
Liberal Arts – liberal reality
Grudge Match – nostalgic hokiness
Thor: The Dark World – fun spectacle
Snitch – slow moving
Last Vegas – dumb fun
The To-Do List – done well
Whiplash – intensity overload
The Wrecking Crew – fascinating history
MUSIC
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds: Chasing Yesterday – chasing indeed
Gaz Coombes: Matador – welcome curveballs
MOVIES
Liberal Arts – liberal reality
Grudge Match – nostalgic hokiness
Thor: The Dark World – fun spectacle
Snitch – slow moving
Last Vegas – dumb fun
The To-Do List – done well
Whiplash – intensity overload
The Wrecking Crew – fascinating history
MUSIC
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds: Chasing Yesterday – chasing indeed
Gaz Coombes: Matador – welcome curveballs
Two Word Reviews: Winter 2014
Recent movie and music reviews, with patent-pending two work reviews.
MOVIES
Interstellar – stellar movie
Zero Dark Thirty – nail biting
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 – weaker half
We’re The Millers: – not terrible
Non-Stop: logical problems
The Wolverine: slow moving
Jesse and Celeste Forever: charmingly honest
This Is Where I Leave You: overloaded characters
Guardians of the Galaxy: insanely fun
A.C.O.D. – unlikable characters
MUSIC
U2: Songs of Innocence – mostly dull
Spoon: They Want My Soul – quick bursts
Ex-Hex: Rips – ripping fun
Shellac: Dude Incredible – almost incredible
Damon Albarn: Everyday Robots – robotic boredom
MOVIES
Interstellar – stellar movie
Zero Dark Thirty – nail biting
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 – weaker half
We’re The Millers: – not terrible
Non-Stop: logical problems
The Wolverine: slow moving
Jesse and Celeste Forever: charmingly honest
This Is Where I Leave You: overloaded characters
Guardians of the Galaxy: insanely fun
A.C.O.D. – unlikable characters
MUSIC
U2: Songs of Innocence – mostly dull
Spoon: They Want My Soul – quick bursts
Ex-Hex: Rips – ripping fun
Shellac: Dude Incredible – almost incredible
Damon Albarn: Everyday Robots – robotic boredom
Two Word Reviews: Summer/Fall 2014
Recent movie and music reviews, with patent-pending two work reviews.
MOVIES
22 Jump Street – bar set
Sunset Strip – debauched history
Pain & Gain – ultimate Bay-ness
Vehicle 19 – paper thin
Fast & Furious 6 – more nonsense
Ender’s Game – well played
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – enjoyably empty
Escape Plan – predictably dumb
Riddick – franchise revival
Gravity – tensely brilliant
Taken 2 – disappointing follow-up
MUSIC
Manic Street Preachers: Futurology – welcome detour
The Lees of Memory: Sisyphus Says – shoegazy fun
Weezer: Everything Will Be Alright In The End – needed return
Prince: Art Official Age – classic Prince
MOVIES
22 Jump Street – bar set
Sunset Strip – debauched history
Pain & Gain – ultimate Bay-ness
Vehicle 19 – paper thin
Fast & Furious 6 – more nonsense
Ender’s Game – well played
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – enjoyably empty
Escape Plan – predictably dumb
Riddick – franchise revival
Gravity – tensely brilliant
Taken 2 – disappointing follow-up
MUSIC
Manic Street Preachers: Futurology – welcome detour
The Lees of Memory: Sisyphus Says – shoegazy fun
Weezer: Everything Will Be Alright In The End – needed return
Prince: Art Official Age – classic Prince
Two-Word Reviews, Spring/Summer 2014
My Music, Movie and Book intake for the last few months, with my patent-pending two-word reviews.
MUSIC
The Cure: Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me – wild swings
Violent Soho: Hungry Ghost – alternative throw-back
Sleepmakeswaves: …And So We Destroyed Everything EP – epic instrumentals
MOVIES
Dallas Buyers Club – heart wrenching
Gymkata – awful awesomeness
Finding The Funk – funky fun
Cloud Atlas – interestingly confused
The Darkest Hour – crappy aliens
The Raid: Redemption – insane action
A Good Day to Die Hard – limp addition
Divergent – faithful adaptation
Now You See Me – ridiculous ride
BOOKS
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole – biting satire
MUSIC
The Cure: Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me – wild swings
Violent Soho: Hungry Ghost – alternative throw-back
Sleepmakeswaves: …And So We Destroyed Everything EP – epic instrumentals
MOVIES
Dallas Buyers Club – heart wrenching
Gymkata – awful awesomeness
Finding The Funk – funky fun
Cloud Atlas – interestingly confused
The Darkest Hour – crappy aliens
The Raid: Redemption – insane action
A Good Day to Die Hard – limp addition
Divergent – faithful adaptation
Now You See Me – ridiculous ride
BOOKS
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole – biting satire
Two Word Reviews, Winter 2014
Recent movies and music I’ve checked out, with patent-pending two word reviews:
MOVIES
American Hustle – acting class
Identity Thief – stolen time
The Hollywood Complex – disturbing insight
Gangster Squad – shiny surface
The Master – superior performances
Searching for Sugar Man – fascinating tale
Oblivion – overloaded twists
MUSIC
Manic Street Preachers: Rewind the Film – welcome detour
Pearl Jam: Lightning Bolt – vaguely familiar
Mark Lanegan: Imitiations – that voice
MOVIES
American Hustle – acting class
Identity Thief – stolen time
The Hollywood Complex – disturbing insight
Gangster Squad – shiny surface
The Master – superior performances
Searching for Sugar Man – fascinating tale
Oblivion – overloaded twists
MUSIC
Manic Street Preachers: Rewind the Film – welcome detour
Pearl Jam: Lightning Bolt – vaguely familiar
Mark Lanegan: Imitiations – that voice
Two Word Reviews, Fall 2013
After a long break, my patent-pending two word movie and music reviews are back for the holiday season. Enjoy.
Movies
Don Jon – impressive debut
10 Years – predictably predictable
Catching Fire – super sequel
That Guy… Who Was In That Thing – interesting insight
The Perks of Being a Wallflower – mature take
Music
Editors: The Weight of Your Love – needs editing
Free Energy: Love Sign – more liked
Helmet: The Instrumental Music of Helmet 1992-1997 – something’s missing
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Mosquito – doesn’t bite
Frank Hannon: Six-String Soldiers – riffs saluted
The Knife: Shaking the Habitual – owe Eno
!!!: Thr!!!ER – not thrilling
Movies
Don Jon – impressive debut
10 Years – predictably predictable
Catching Fire – super sequel
That Guy… Who Was In That Thing – interesting insight
The Perks of Being a Wallflower – mature take
Music
Editors: The Weight of Your Love – needs editing
Free Energy: Love Sign – more liked
Helmet: The Instrumental Music of Helmet 1992-1997 – something’s missing
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Mosquito – doesn’t bite
Frank Hannon: Six-String Soldiers – riffs saluted
The Knife: Shaking the Habitual – owe Eno
!!!: Thr!!!ER – not thrilling
July 2013: Music & Movies
My pop culture intake for July 2013, with patent-pending two-word reviews:
MOVIES
Premium Rush – premium entertainment
This Means War – meaningless conflict
Dredd – bloody entertaining
Trouble with the Curve – troubled writing
Resident Evil: Retribution – acceptably awful
MOVIES
Premium Rush – premium entertainment
This Means War – meaningless conflict
Dredd – bloody entertaining
Trouble with the Curve – troubled writing
Resident Evil: Retribution – acceptably awful
June 2013: Movies & Music
My pop culture intake for June 2013, with patent-pending two-word reviews:
MUSIC
Black Sabbath: 13 – classic updated
Primal Scream: More Light – more goodness
The National: Trouble Will Find Me – continued refinement
Tricky: False Idols/Matter of Time EP – slow jamz
Trooper: Trooper – wizardly riffing
MOVIES
Moonrise Kingdom – average Anderson
The Numbers Station – solid thriller
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer – stupid fun
Seeking A Friend For the End of the World – shockingly deep
The Amazing Spider-Man – not amazing
Pitch Perfect – perfect popcorn
MUSIC
Black Sabbath: 13 – classic updated
Primal Scream: More Light – more goodness
The National: Trouble Will Find Me – continued refinement
Tricky: False Idols/Matter of Time EP – slow jamz
Trooper: Trooper – wizardly riffing
MOVIES
Moonrise Kingdom – average Anderson
The Numbers Station – solid thriller
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer – stupid fun
Seeking A Friend For the End of the World – shockingly deep
The Amazing Spider-Man – not amazing
Pitch Perfect – perfect popcorn
May 2013: Music & Movies
My pop culture intake for May 2013, with patent-pending two-word reviews:
MUSIC
David Bowie: The Next Day – welcome return
The Strokes: Comedown Machine – letdown machine
(London) Suede: Bloodsports – sporting attempt
Chelsea Light Moving: Chelsea Light Moving – familiar territory
Wire: Change Become Us – always interesting
Daft Punk: Random Access Memories – acceptable funkiness
MOVIES
Iron Man 3 – bounced back
Star Trek Into Darkness – solid entry
Brief Interviews With Hideous Men – Mamet lite
Behind the Candelabra – stellar performance
The Art of the Steal – disgusting behavior
MUSIC
David Bowie: The Next Day – welcome return
The Strokes: Comedown Machine – letdown machine
(London) Suede: Bloodsports – sporting attempt
Chelsea Light Moving: Chelsea Light Moving – familiar territory
Wire: Change Become Us – always interesting
Daft Punk: Random Access Memories – acceptable funkiness
MOVIES
Iron Man 3 – bounced back
Star Trek Into Darkness – solid entry
Brief Interviews With Hideous Men – Mamet lite
Behind the Candelabra – stellar performance
The Art of the Steal – disgusting behavior
April 2013: Music & Movies
MUSIC
Guided By Voices: English Little League – familiar territory
Atoms for Peace: Amok – glitchy goodness
MOVIES
The Queen of Versailles – disgusting excess
What To Expect What You’re Expecting – expected stupidity
Rock of Ages – unwatchable schlock
John Carter – entertaining adventure
Jeff, Who Lives At Home – uneven oddness
Total Recall (2012) – decent revision
Guided By Voices: English Little League – familiar territory
Atoms for Peace: Amok – glitchy goodness
MOVIES
The Queen of Versailles – disgusting excess
What To Expect What You’re Expecting – expected stupidity
Rock of Ages – unwatchable schlock
John Carter – entertaining adventure
Jeff, Who Lives At Home – uneven oddness
Total Recall (2012) – decent revision
March 2013: Music & Movies
This month in music listening and movie watching, with patent-pending two-word reviews:
MUSIC
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Specter At The Feast – not bountiful
Son Volt: Honky Tonk – surprising simplicity
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Push The Sky Away – bad goodness
The Flaming Lips: The Terror – hookless weirdness
The Pilgrims: It’s Not Pretty – fun rock
MOVIES
Jiro Dreams of Sushi – unreal dedication
Argo – unrelenting tension
Wrath of the Titans – unrelenting ridiculousness
Visioneers – uneven dystopia
Friends With Kids – NYC-centered familiarity
Project X – bacchanalian bullshit
The Cabin in the Woods – fun ride
MUSIC
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Specter At The Feast – not bountiful
Son Volt: Honky Tonk – surprising simplicity
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Push The Sky Away – bad goodness
The Flaming Lips: The Terror – hookless weirdness
The Pilgrims: It’s Not Pretty – fun rock
MOVIES
Jiro Dreams of Sushi – unreal dedication
Argo – unrelenting tension
Wrath of the Titans – unrelenting ridiculousness
Visioneers – uneven dystopia
Friends With Kids – NYC-centered familiarity
Project X – bacchanalian bullshit
The Cabin in the Woods – fun ride
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