Lady Sovereign - Public Warning!
&spades &spades (of 4)
Lady Sovereign is a perfect example of fantastic music I would never listen to.
The spunkiest of spitfire U.K. chicks throws down a seriously ferocious album in Public Warning!, her first official studio album.
With flows ranging in subject like working in the Industry, facing the reality of your hometown, and just bitchiness in general, Lady Sovereign is a truly unique artist.
Her voice is something to behold, as if Slim Shady's daughter Hayley suddenly started rapping, and had Shaggy as a voice coach. Her delivery of lines as "If you love me, then Thank Yoo! If you hate me, then Fuck Yoo!" are so uncomfortably refreshing, it's kind of jarring hearing it for the first time.
I can, however, 'dig it' as the vernacular goes. Her beats rocking my fucking ass off, and the grooves are dancefloor gold. Cheers, lass!
There's a couple tracks that have some good replay value, like "Love Me Or Hate Me," "My England," "Tango," and "Hoodie." Otherwise, I can't see myself listenting to the album all that much, but that's just personal preference really. I would recommend this album for those who like 'off-the-beaten-path' artists, like Ladytron, Dizzee Rascal, and Peaches. But, as the artist herself challenges you to give her music a shot, I think it's only right to oblige.
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Sporadic Media Review :: Movies
Hard Candy
&spades &spades &spades &spades (out of 4)
Directed by David Slade
Written by Brian Nelson
Starring Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page
I am not a horror or gore person at all. If I want a good scare, I'll turn to my best friend: the Thriller.
It's just as good as a horror movie, but it's usually better written and executed, and definitely "cleaner."
Hard Candy is a shining example of this kind of movie, and just generally a great watch.
Hayley is a 14 year old girl, Jeff is a 32 year old guy. They meet over the internet. Something is off, but Jeff is smitten, and lets Hayley lead the way...
What unfolds is an ever-expanding riddle, a paradigm of the human condition broken into two characters whom tempt fate and torture.
A new telling of Little Red Riding Hood with a twist, this parable of our times screams "What is truth?" and that in and of itself is a treasure, despite the fact this movie sports more teeth than a Great White Shark.
It will ensnare you and not let go until you pry it off, much like the bear trap featured on its poster.
Be forewarned, the moral of the story is worth the thrill ride.
My only complaint with the film is technical, and I'm sure intentional.
Having a very bare cast, and taking place in only three locations, the movie feels cramped; the shots are maddening and claustrophobic. When we get a brief glimpse of the front yard, we feel relieved there is still a world outside this strange post-modern photographer's apartment.
The viewer can literally feel the torture.
Although thematically aligned, it severely hurts its re-watchability.
Otherwise, Hard Candy is an excellent fable for 2006.
Prepare for a good thrill!
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Sporadic Media Review :: Music
Thom Yorke - the Eraser
&spades &spades &spades (of 4)
Frontmen's solo albums are usually a mixed bag. Artists with already inflated egos striking out on their own can be a dangerous turn of events.
Sure, there have been many successful attempts that have developed into careers, like Björk for example.
Usually, however, the Artist by themselves leave a little to be desired: the listener finds himself missing certain elements the other musicians contributed to the "band sound."
That being said, I'm not sure if the Eraser is the former or latter situation.
Thom's vocals cover new territory: he uses keys and execution the likes of which I've never heard.
His song construction is also a horse of a different color, with each track built like "Everything in its Right Place," or "Like Spinning Plates."
Throbbing, torturous background noises claw at clicking electro beats. Songs hiss and beep and scream.
It's a new sound, a new genre, a new Yorke.
At the same time, however, there are tracks where I wish desperately the rest of Radiohead would smash through the walls of the recording studio and forcibly start playing back up.
Grandiosity seems to be smothered on this album, each song seems restrained from becoming as big as it can possibly be.
Yorke himself refuses to call this project a "Solo Album," as the other members have all given their blessing. Radiohead is currently touring and working on a long awaited new album, and Yorke felt these songs needed to be explored as a separate creature.
I would definitely reccommend the Eraser to any Radiohead fans, as it is a valid, enjoyable record, albeit a bit dark and brooding.
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Sporadic Media Review :: Movies
X3 : the Last Stand
&spades &spades (of 4)
Okay.
I'm one hell of a stickler for continuity, so let me preface this with that integral bit of info.
I can understand script writers taking some liberty with established storylines when adapting a book to a film, especially comics.
They want to give both newcomers and old fans something to sink their teeth into, something more than the source material; otherwhise what is the point of translation?
However, the eloquent sadists who wrote X3 seem to have little to no respect for anything that has or will ever happend to the X-men.
That's a shame.
Why? Because there's tons of good stuff there already! Your movie is essentially storyboarded out for you already, one would think adapting a comic book to a movie would be the easiest job in the world.
The writers (I literally don't care enough to learn their names) slam into the X Universe, smash the place up a bit, take a nice big steaming dump on the carpet and then smear it in with their shoe.
It's sickening. It's sad to see such a great story torn into pieces.
The character development was the worst I've seen in a long time, and that's saying something. (I've sat through ALOT of Art House Flicks in my day.)
Characters like Cyclops and Storm are portrayed completely innacurately. I'm not sure whether or not that's the Director or the individual Actors faults, but there it is.
The viewer is never given a good enough reason to sympathize, hate, or emotionally connect in any way with the slew of new characters introduced and then annihilated in mere seconds.
Angel, whom I anticipated since my first sight of him, was in the movie a total of maybe five minutes, with possibly three lines of dialogue. Angel, dude! I even liked how they tied him into the central plot, they had such a great opportunity to integrate him into the team, and yet he serves as a mere Deus Ex Machina in the last ten minutes.
The returning cast is so under-developed it's disastrous. Rogue not only betrays her own kind out of fear and weakness, but herself as well. She also serves no purpose to plot whatsoever, other than to represent the viewpoints of "good mutants who just want the Cure."
The ramifications of this newly introduced "film canon"are a lumbering beast threatening to tear down any shred of good, rational story-telling.
Charles Xavier and Scott Summers dead at the hands of Phoenix?! Magneto a grumbling old man, barely able to shake a metal chess piece?!?!?! Rogue: a loveless homo sapien, happy to be free of her powers?!?!?!?!?! (which, by the way, could have TOTALLY helped in the final battle against Phoenix!!!!)
It just doesn't make any sense.
And yet, I can hear you saying:
"But, Jason, you did stay til after the credits, right? You saw the-"
Yeah, I saw the thirty seconds where Moira McTaggert hears Charles' voice coming from the empty shell man.
Didn't do a god damn thing for me. (Although, in retrospect, I think i would have flat out hated the film if not for that thirty seconds, and the Magneto scene.)
And yes, it is a just punishment for Magneto to suffer as the very thing he has hated since his internment in the Holocaust.
But it just feels all wrong.
Moving on to another grievous mistake in continuity re-writing:
The Phoenix.
There was no giant, flaming bird. There were no psychic flames at all. Her eyes looked like she was dead, her face looked like it was rotting off her skull.
That is NOT Phoenix, that's not even Dark Phoenix. That's just fucked up!
Like I said, I would have given it no espect at all if it weren't for several scenes and the amazing special effects.
True, Super Hero movies HAVE to have good special effects, otherwise they are doomed for the DVD Bargain Bin at Walmart.
However, the details really got me on this one. While Phoenix's story and look were kind a failure, her powers were jaw-droppingly brilliant.
I completely believed the physics of them, and that is very hard to come by.
Final Impressions are hard for this one; I had felt very ambivalent going into the Movie and I still do.
Here's Hoping Spiderman 3 will be phenomenal!
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Sporadic Media Review :: Television
South Park Season 10 ep. 1: the Return of Chef
&spades &spades &spades (out of 4)
I don't know about all of you, but I'm kinda in between on how I feel about last night's episode.
The whole episode until the explanation of the Super Adventure Club = Brilliance. Quick, razor wit has always been the hallmark of South Park.
Good job on creating a story that preempts disaster.
Bear in mind I know no more than you (and possibly Trey and Matt themselves) about where the season, and plot thread, will end up.
Brutally slaughtering a good natured character just doesn't seem balanced; Chef was a good parental figure and nurtured and informed the children often.
He was the only adult in South Park you could really trust. He was the touch stone, the barritone Barry White voice of reason.
How does he really end up?
Having his fucking face ripped off his skull by a cougar, impaled on a branch and eviscerated by rocks.
That's fucking disgusting.
Sure, they were probably a little pissed at Isaac Hayes (or his spiritual leader, or whatever) for quitting the show, and maybe wanted to piss off both Hayes and Cruise for bringing the show under fire.
But Jesus, dudes!
Chef was the man! You don't just fucking kill the shit out of him!
Once the brutal destruction of the Chef that was is complete, we return to brilliance.
Kyle's eulogy was an excellent piece of writing, and explained directly how the writers and creators felt, and how they will continue.
And then the shock of the year: Darth Chef! Dun Dun DUNNNNN!!
I really like this idea, and the execution of it kind of made up for the previous trangressions. I stress kind of because they must do something absolutely genius with this now, or I will lose much faith in the writers and Matt and Trey as story-tellers.
Season Ten marks where the show should have ended had Trey Park and Matt Stone gone through with their promises of quitting to do the occasional movies. Comedy Central renewed the contract they held this year, and if all goes well the show will go on to twelve seasons, possibly more.
I hope the show goes well on until it's natural completion; be it loss of interest or contractual obligation.
The Simpsons seem to be on a slippery slope to being over-written. Every character has such a full back story, they've been forced to cover third tier characters recently, like Groundskeeper Willie and Mr. Teeny, Krusty's monkey.
Now, I love the Simpsons, but come on. That's kinda ridiculous. They seem reduced to a formula of "Marge wants to leave Homer" episode, a "Family Trip" episode, a "Lisa's Choice" episode, a "Bart has lots of dimensions!" episode, et cetera.
South Park has never been this way, and I love them for it. They keep you on your toes; you're never prepared for a character to disappear for a season, and you'll certainly be surprised when a character gets a permanent sex change! I hope they never lose that.
I am very excited to see what this season will offer.
Come on, Wednesday!
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Sporadic Media Review :: Movies
Brokeback Mountain
&spades &spades &spades &spades (out of 4)
Directed by Ang Lee
Written by E. Annie Proulx (book) Larry McMurtry (screenplay)
Starring Heath Ledger, Jake Gylenhall, Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway
This Movie deserves the Oscar for best picture of the year, hands down.
And no, it's not because Jake Gylenhall plays a gay cowboy, thank you very much.
It's because Brokeback Mountain is an honest, beautifully crafted portrait about the true consequences we humans face when we are forced to hide who we love.
Ang Lee is a master. I am absolutely dumbfounded by the power of the entire cast, each and every one shines brilliantly. Ledger and Gylenhall are not cartoons, they are commanding
characters, thrown together by fate and absolutely dynamite to watch. Heath as Ennis reminded me so much of a twenty-something Clint Eastwood I'm now voting for him to play Roland when and if they do a Dark Tower movie.
(Imagine him with 'aging effect' makeup, he'd be perfect.)
My boy Jakey was pure hotness. This particular movie portayed him...how shall I say...in a way that made him the perfect 'match' for me. Heh heh heh heh.
Michelle Williams particularly surprised me with her performance, crafting a complex woman with hurt that reverberated in ways untold. She was completely three dimensional; I actually didn't want her to disappear so the two cute guys could make out, I wanted her story to be told as well, which is what I got.
Cinematography: excellent. Taylor and I couldn't stop talking about how beautiful Wyoming actually is. From the first shot of the film I knew I would love the lush, crisp landscapes that literally washed across the screen like watercolor.
There is one scene where Jack and Ennis rest in a valley with their sheep below, and the shot was so gorgeous I almost cried.
Which brings me to the 'sadness factor.' Well, it's definitely sadder in retrospect. I absolutely won't spoil but there is no heart wrenching or knife twisting; this is not that kind of story. There is a very cold, precise execution to the plot and it's morals, the film comes into your life, says what it has to say, and returns whence it came. It's in your own personal analyzation of the piece that you discover the intonations and consequences of never saying what needs to be said, never standing up for what's right.
I expected something much more infantile than what I received and I am very grateful for it.
Love is definitely a force a nature.
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2005-09-05Sporadic Media Review :: Movies
Reefer Madness! the Movie Musical
&spades &spades (out of 4)
If there's one thing that is really gay about me, it would have to be my undying love for musicals.
I am instantly attracted to any musical, be it filmed or in theater, and there's a pretty good chance I'll enjoy it by the end.
I also have seen the original source material of this film, as the O'Donell family happened to have a copy on DVD.
So, I went into Reefer Madness! with much anticipation.
The film is quite a departure from the 30s exploitation flick plotwise, it is justifiably "cheered up," and injected with more Camp than
the Gay Men's Choir performing Evita. The end result is a dizzingly-paced, torch song laden, saucy exploration of terror, youth, and
sub-culture.
It's structure is interesting, as the movie is a film within a film; that's excellent for it's credibility, as the acting and singing is performed a bit too overzealously.
It was probably the director's intention to reflect the equally overbearing source material, however it gets to be a bit much at times.
That's mostly thanks to lead Jimmy, played by Christian Campbell, brother of Neve (who also cameos in the movie) and previous star of one of my favorite Gay movies, Trick.
It's also thanks to Ralph, played by John Kassir, whom I was introduced to through a 1997 live action pilot for a Justice League television show... It was terrible, just terrible.
The obvious boy-and-girl-in-love main characters, Jimmy and his girlfriend Mary, played by Kristen Bell are exactly like Romeo AND Juliet! (When you see the film, you'll understand that.)
Across town at #420 lay Jack Stone (Wings' Steven Weber) and Mae Coleman (Ana Gasteyer of SNL), who run a Reefer den.
Jack periodically swoops down to the local 5 and Dime store to pick up some young boys, then brings them back home and... No, not what you're thinking!
Mae is, in my opinion, the most intriguing character. She is under Jack's thumb constantly, and yearns to escape, however she is enslaved by...the stuff.
Her song, of the same name, is also one of the best on the soundtrack, a powerful, torchy ballad packed with hushed confessions and heartbreak.
The reefer den has some "regulars" who lay about, sometimes aiding in the seduction of the boys: Ralph, a college boy turned raving lunatic, and Sally (Amy Spanger),
a Bette Davis eyed beauty with screaming child in tow.
The worlds of Jimmy and Jack collide under the Nazi-esque supervision/narration of the Lecturer, played by Alan Cummings. The "Government Man" is seemingly delighted to
show this sordid tale of temptation and loss to a classroom full of parents, who enter the screening of "Tell Your Children!" with disbelief, and leave absolutely convinced.
This is the cautionary tale heart of the piece, and I think the most powerful bit; you can scare anyone into believing anything as long as you can make
them relate to their fear.
I would like to see this show on stage, as I feel the removal of alot of "scene clutter" would be more aesthetically pleasing. That, however, doesn't mean this isn't a good movie.
On the contrary, it is a vibrant and exciting film, ad I highly recommend it to all, both "smokers" and "non-smokers."
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2005-07-21Sporadic Media Review :: Books
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ (out of 4)
Wowza. What can be said for the latest installment of PotterMania that hasn't been echoed amongst gazillions of fandom members?
The sixth book opens like a punch in the face, the second chapter being the most intriguing scene ever to rear it's head before Harry even shows up.
After the Wizarding World's second major war has begun, the Order of the Phoenix and those fighting on the side of the White find themselves in a sticky situation: they are losing.
People are dying, attacks are rampant, and Voldemort is no closer to being stopped since Harry last faced him one on one at the end of Goblet of Fire.
As we follow Harry through a twisting web of deception and doubt, love and disappointment, anger and betrayal, we are privy to an intersting turning point in the character's life:
The supposed "untouchable" Harry can indeed not rest until he destroys Lord Voldemort, but that does not mean those around him are safe. Ever.
As the book ends an event unfolds which changes the wizarding world forever, and Harry as well. We also find out a startling revelation about a certain secondary character whom has gained a level of notoriety/adoration amongst fangirls. You know who I mean: a cetain potions master whom looks uncannily like Trent Reznor?
I won't add a super-spoilers section to this review for fear of decimating the book for those who haven't yet finished it, as was done to me by some random asshole on LJ.
I will, however, say that the Hermione/Ron scene at the end of Slughorn's X-mas party was the best angst scene I've ever read. Hermy done fucked his shit up! DAAAYUM!
I do believe HBP will make the best movie of the series. It is visually stunning, in both content and background. (I can't wait to see the Penseive and Cave scenes!) If done correctly, as I'm sure it will be, it may well become every fan's favorite part. And the Inferi scene? Brilliant! No wonder it got to be the UK kid's cover.
I give the book 4 spades because it was utterly flawless. One major thing seemed a little rushed, however in context it makes perfect sense.
If you have not read it yet, I implore you, please do! It is well worth the wait.
Sectumsempra!
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2005-05-22Sporadic Media Review :: Movies
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ (out of 4)
Each time I sit down to write a review, the task of expressing my pleasure/discontent seems more and more daunting. Honestly, I think the English language just doesn't have enough adjectives.
Okay, so Star Wars, right? Right.
This movie, Revenge of the Sith, has been in the making for almost thirty years. We all know the legend, what started as 12 movies got cut down to 9, and after the release of Episode I in 1999 the new total was 6 movies. What would have been an epic of the space traveling droid duo C-3PO and R2D2 became the biopic of Anakin Skywalker, from rise to fall.
Anakin Skywalker, born of the Force itself (Did Palpatine make Anakin? He certainly seemed to hint to as much...), has become quite a Jedi since we last left him in Episode 2.
A hard, taxing war has melted his childish arrogance into a severe, calculating demeanor tinged with ruthlessness. He has not, however, lost his impatience.
Or his tendancy to make extremely bad choices based on almost no proof.
Meanwhile, the Clone Wars have caused quite a devastation to Coruscant, leaving Senator Palpatine in the clutches of bad-ass dujour General Grievous. Anakin and Obi Wan are sent as a last ditch effort to rescue him, and as the crawling yellow words we all know and love slowly fade, and the latest chapter of Star Wars begins, Anakin and Obi Wan's starfighters lead us directly into the melee.
We are treated to two hours of great cinema, a movie that has blockbuster presence but still doesn't take itself too seriously. A truly enjoyable, hard-hitting product is achieved, and hey, it even manages to squeeze in a lesson or two.
Something I loved about Revenge is it's use of a unique aspect of suspense. We who've seen the original trilogy already know what's coming, what's left is patching together the little scattered bits of information, for instance:
"How does C-3PO not recognize Tatooine in Episode 4 if he was built there?"
This movie, while well written except for some minor dialouge, seemed to lack in acting strength. Surprisingly, I seemed to notice this in Ewan MacGregor the most, it seemed as if he simply didn't care as much about his performance in this one. He does however get it together for the important parts, so all is forgiven.
Special effects...do I even have to say anything? You know they're pant-defacatingly good. The film looks gorgeous, even down to the HDCG that's going on, everything is flawless. There are points where Grievous and other all CG characters look more real than the actors!
***ULTRA SPOILER SECTION*** DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS MOVIE!!!!!
I nearly pissed myself in delight over the Padme's Delivery/Vader's Birth sequence. The juxtaposition of these two scenes is enough to bring you to tears, these two people are so intertwined that their emotions affect each other to the point of death. Anakin was so afraid of losing Padme and his child that he caused her destruction.
The question everyone around me who have seen it is asking is: "Did Anakin redeem himself by the end of Return of the Jedi?"
My opinion: No, not at all. True, he did it out of love, but this man allowed a war to continue for another generation when he could have stopped it several times. I know what you're saying, 'But he thought he had nothing left to care about when he bcame Vader. His wife died, and for all he knew, so did his child, and so the destruction of the Galaxy was small potatoes. It was all he had left to exist for.'
In the end it is his children who truly bring balance to the force, not him.
Also, the scarring of Palpatine's face caught me by total surprise! To think, Mace Windu was the one who made him look like a prune...Creepy.
And what the fuck was that delivery bot saying to Padme? It sounded like "oooh-baaa. oooh-baaa." WTF?
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2005-04-25Sporadic Media Review :: Music
Nine Inch Nails : With Teeth
♠ ♠ ♠ (out of 4)
Favorite Tracks:
1. Only
2. All the Love in the World
3. Getting Smaller
4. Beside You in Time
5. Every Day is Exactly the Same
6. The Hand that Feeds
Nine Inch Nail's latest is quite an aural adventure, a swirling descent into a darkened alleyway, running from an unknown assailant and clutching your chest for breath.
It's pacing is intense and insane, from the first track the listener is practically punched in the face with blistering bass, thumping house and industrial beats, and Reznor's own brand of "pre-emo" Self Loathing lyrics.
The addition of three other live performers to the studio recording is both amazing and unsettling at times, songs like "Getting Smaller" and "the Hand that Feeds" leave you wondering:
"This is NIN?"
But in a good way, I assure you.
It's extremely apparent Trent enjoyed recording this album, and for this fan that's wonderful news, since the wait for this record has been roughly six years. 1999's 2-disc extravaganza the Fragile was a tour through Trent Reznor's scarred heart, presenting songs that were more portraits of depression and hatred than anthems for the disaffected youth, like the classic the Downward Spiral.
With Teeth returns to the latter gameplan, much like his first album, Pretty Hate Machine. These tracks all have a message much deeper than 'I hate myself/ I want to die.' "Getting Smaller" is a punk-ish, A Perfect Circle like ballad explaining Reznor's fear of being forgotten. There is definitely no lack of meaningful lyrics on this record.
My only complaint is a minor one. Tracks like "Sunspots" and "With Teeth" really go out on a limb and try to do something new, but end up never quite reaching their goal. On the other hand, "Beside you in Time" and "Only" are such unique tracks there is nothing else in NIN's discography to contend with. They demand the attention they so rightly deserve. I personally am not a huge fan of B-sides, and while slower, introspective songs like "Hurt" are amazing, yes, I feel they are a waste on this album if the point was to try something completely new, never been heard before, and definitely unexpected.
The whole Second Disc of the Fragile was practically jam packed with b-sides.
Yes, Trent, we know you can sing along to one drum beat and one atmospheric synth droning on for five minutes. There is no need to prove it anymore.
As a whole the record is a swaggering genius. 2005 seems to be the "let's try something new" year for many bands, like Linkin Park/Jay Z's atrocious Collision Course, Garbage's bizzarely boring Bleed Like Me, and Fiona Apple's disgustingly overproduced 'lost album' Extraordinary Machine which may get an official release this year. (Even Backstreet Boys have a new release scheduled soon, entitled Never Gone. I find this hilarious, to say the least.)
Where Nine Inch Nails stands apart from these other acts is foresight. There is a desire to be experimental and try new techniques, but the new sound doesn't deviate so far from previous work that the existing fan base will find it completely illogical.
True, I do criticize the album for not being "crazier" but it's nice to hear an artist produce something exciting and new and also cohesive with their old work.
If the rumors that Marilyn Manson will not be producing any more studio albums is true, fans of Shock Rock and Industrial Metal can rest assured NIN will never leave the party early.
Trent is here to stay, and whoever doesn't like it will probably get a nasty song written about them.
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2005-04-23Sporadic Media Review :: Television
Family Guy Season 4 ep. 1: North by North Quahog
♠ ♠ ♠ (out of 4)
The triumphant return of Family Guy is upon us, fellow Pixelites, and thanks to the combined God-like Magic of the Internet and BitTorrent, I have experienced it a full 8 days early!
In the first episode of what will surely be a dynamite season, Peter and Lois find their intimacy fading, and decide to try and bring the spark back by going on a second Honeymoon.
This leaves Brian in charge of the kids, whom barely attempts to wrangle them thanks to a tenuous alliance with Stewie.
I won't give all of the plot away, but as I'm sure previous viewers know there is always more to an episode than the sitcom-ish pacing.
My reaction was one of utter delight, fan favorite characters all make brief cameos in the episode, a sure sign that the writers plan to flesh them out until they all shine as brightly as the Griffins.
I know what you're thinking: "This all sounds like the Simpsons!"
And you're right.
Seth MacFarlane and his fellow writers are all huge Simpsons fans, and admit the most popular television show of the past two decades has influenced them all greatly, but Family Guy has and continues to employ it's own brand of humor, and quite effectively.
There are subtle advancements in the animation, one particularly noticeable one is the use of cel-shaded cg in more action-packed sequences. South Park (unbeknownst to most viewers) has recently switched to modeling the entire show in cg, and still manages to retain it's unique style. The same proves for Family Guy, and I must say it's nice to see more craftsmanship invested in the show.
Characters still go off model for a second or two, but overall the flow is much cleaner, and classic scenes like Peter's battle with the Giant Chicken look almost barbaric when compared to certain sequences in the newest episode.
Now, on to jokes.
I was truly surprised by the unbroken stride of Family Guy's deliciously satirical view of popular culture and entertainment, as well as it's ability to completely decimate the "fourth wall" and laugh along with the viewer.
It's not the best episode of Family Guy, with contenders like "Road to Europe" and "The Thin White Line" in the same ring, but it surely will keep you laughing the whole time.
This season could go anywhere, and probably will, with things like the new pope, johnny cochrane's death, and all that BS. I feel it will stay true to it's roots.
While the writers may experiment from time to time, Family Guy will be Family Guy...until it's cancelled again.
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2004-09-23Sporadic Media Review :: Books
The Grim Grotto
by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler)
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ (out of 4)
My oh my. Daniel is a genious!
The the Grim Grotto is by far the most exciting chapter in the unfortuante lives of the Baudelaire Orphans, riddled with shocking suprises and even more twists and turns than a maze.
While the series started out a bit dryly, focusing on a formula of "Orphans meet Guardians who are incompetent and later killed by Olaf, then escape," the plot twists and unfolding mysteries took care of that by book 6. Soon, the hunted became the hunters, with the Baudelaires confronting the villains inside themselves, before the whole story turned into a desperate race for the finish line.
We find ourselves, and the children, at a very interesting point in the series:
Things are falling into place, coming full circle.
Sure, there's still the Gorey-esque, wanton-like flirtation with death in the Baudelaires lives, but they're all a little bit older now, a little bit wiser, and a little bit more desperate to solve this whole mystery once and for all.
The book begins with a nice portrait of why we all love the kids so much: because they're cool. They react well to danger (most of the time) and save THEMSELVES, which is a nice change to see. They kick ass, in a semi-non-violent way!
As the plot progresses, we get wider glimpses into the true framework of this series: the excellently presented mystery of just what the heck is going on.
As he is wont to do, Handler plants seeds while he is reaping, he only answers questions if he can raise three more. And that's what makes it so attractive, there's a possibility we might never know the truth!
The books, while getting longer and longer, keep getting better and better. Each time they delve deeper into the minds of the characters, fleshing them out a bit more, making you love them a bit more. Olaf, I'm glad to report, is still as ruthless as ever, despite being unmasked as just another henchman, and not the big kahuna behind it all. We also get back story on a very unlikely person, whom has enjoyed quite a powerful fandom recently...
And still, Lemony is tantalizingly on the side-lines. The reader knows where he is in every book, and in this one he's so close we can practically smell him!
I'm still waiting with bated breath for that moment when they are brought together, but alas, I have a feeling Daniel is saving that scene for book the thirteenth.
Overall, the Grim Grotto is excellent work, and makes me gag for the next one. How long now? Another year? Aw damn!
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2004-08-13Sporadic Media Review :: Music
Bjork: Medúlla
♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ (out of 4)
Okay, so I heard it leaked, and I caved. Thanks to the wonder of Bit Torrent, I now have the full album. Some tracks were mis-labelled, and there are annoying pops at the very very end of each track (they, however, do not obscure the song in any way.)
The quality of the mp3s are stunning, but they do not match the humbling beauty that is Medúlla.
Fear not! I shall purchase the CD on Aug. 31st (I asked off! :) ) for I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THE ART!!!
1. Pleasure is all Mine
Absoluetely amazing! The introduction to Medúlla is strong and beautiful, the spirit of the album fully fleshed out. (Not, however, the best track, but one of the top.)
The previous BBC mp3s are lacking certain bits and peices, and tinkering that must have been done right before the album cooled!
These little tidbits are the best part of the surprise of Medúlla, the layers of sound that wrap you deep in it's story.
2. Show me Forgiveness
Interesting. Reminds me of "You've been Flirting Again" but more recent in the Björk-verse. There is a deep sadness in her solitary, echoing vocals that also reminds of "Next to last song," but much less depressing!
3. Where is the Line?
Oh my GOD! Fuck dude, this song rocks your world, my world, and God's world!
Björk's anger with her brother is positively seething below her skin, and produces a song with more power than "Pluto", but shows more instinct in it's structure, as do many songs on the album.
There is a tribal, armageddon-ish quality, full of fury. A treat for the headphones as well!
4. Vokuro
I see Iceland, vibrant and beautiful in the Winter. She has such a great talent in capturing emotion in her music, and the calm, almost religious happiness that resounds in this song made me smile deeply. There is also an Operatic Epic-ness to it that is dripping with Viking like chanting. Amazing!
5. Öll Birtan
Very Múm like, which I love! Also reminds of a Kid A transition Björk-ized! Crazy!
6. Who is it? (Carry my joy on the left, Carry my pain on the Right)
I thought I loved this song when I heard the mp3, but it is now my favorite song she has ever done!
This song is so happy, it makes me want to get up and dance my ass off hehe
And if you know me, you'd know what a feat that is :)
This is another song that drives home the theme of Medúlla, going back to the beginning, to examine what is below, revel in the wonder that is your own genetic structure! A triumph on her part, if I may say so. Brings tears to my eyes hehe
7. Submarine
Very bizarre. Thick textures of sound, like plunging into seaweed, it is ultimately apparent both why this song is called Submarine and why it precedes Oceania. An ocean hymn, however I see it as the counterpart to Oceania in that this song can be viewed as the Human's song to the Sea, where as Oceania is from the Ocean with love.
"Shake us out of the heavy, deep sleep. Do it now. Do it now."
8. Oceania
It was put best as a "Mystic Chant to Nature," and I agree. I really love her lyrics here, they strike so many chords! I think every fan will remember "Every boy is a snake, is a lily, every pearl is a lynx, is a girl." for a long time.
Her choice of dress for the Olympics truly sum up this song, the ocean stretching out to support the world!
9. Desired Constellation
This song takes me back to the concert at Coney Island last year, and feeling like I'm a part of something much bigger than myself. It's survived her scrutinizing eye this time around without much tailoring, but it really didn't need much, and so here it is! A complete package! Good job! Another triumph of subtle strucuture, with the crunchy static, synth bg, and vocal blend.
10. Sonnets / Unrealities IX
Harm of Will-like, but it steps beyond the borders of reality, as it states clearly in the title. E. E. Cummings' poetry is teeming with similie. A prayer to the devotion of love.
11. Ancestors
Very, very strange, but awesome, of course. As I was listening to this track, I was made quite aware of the cave-man like feel, as if Björk took a time machine back to the Stone Age and brought back a couple of primitive humans to jam with her.
A study in abstract music, as portrayed by the mistress of music herself. Take THAT, Thom Yorke!
12. Mouth's Cradle
And just like that, the tribe's Matriarchy belt out their blessing for their young. She has really hit something in this one, Tagaq's feral breathing and the voice-drums beat out the heart of this album. Another of my top favorites, it just IS what I was looking for in music for a long time. I'm glad I finally found it, and am very grateful for it's existance! hehe
13. Midvikudags
Wednesday portrayed. Very interesting. A culmination peice, sort of like "Everything in it's right place."
Harmony in adversity. Beautiful.
14. Triumph of a Heart
It ain't over til' Dokaka sings!
Yet another example of the difference a crappy quality mp3 can make, as well.
The exit of Medúlla is light-hearted and full of pop, but still riddled with the resounding theme as Björk sings about her veins, blood, and that Triumph of a Heart. It's length is a taunt for the end of the album, leaving you wanting more, but a quick resetting of the record will solve that problem.
I am so pleased by this album. It made my day completely, and even restored my faith in optimism. I really want to say it's her best record to date, but my love for Post and Homogenic have forced me to reconsider. I will say it has completely blown my expectations away, and made me proud to be one of her listeners. The wait paid off!
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2004-06-03Sporadic Media Review :: Movies
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
♠ ♠ ♠ (out of 4)
Okay, let's just start off by saying that what you've heard, at least the good stuff, is true.
This movie is a brand new rendition, completely unlike either of it's strict older sisters.
It's full of dark, brooding atmosphere, which perfectly reflect Harry's own mind, including some of the most terrifying, and heart-wrenchingly awesome, shots in the series so far.
Alfonso Cuaron, taking over directorial duties from Chris Columbus, has made this movie truly his own, and ever more like J.K. Rowling's original vision than the by-the-book Columbus.
The actors work with such fire in their bellies, the audience doesn't doubt what the characters feel as the movie progresses.
You are moved, along with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, at a breakneck speed, through the harsh realities of life like school, peers, and personal loss, but also deep, abstract philosophies like impenetrable aristocracies, the power of loyalty, and the nature of Evil itself.
As for the cinematography, I was spellbound. Cuaron is devilishly clever in his use of an eccentric, more fantastic palate that has an alotgether ominous overtone, including a repeated Zoom Wipe when Harry blacks out that becomes a strong visual metaphor, a blaring warning, like Quentin Tarantino's use of the Shaw Scope cuts in the Kill Bill series.
If Warner Bros. does not ask Cuaron to direct another of the HP films, especially the similar-in-tone fifth book: Order of the Phoenix, they would be making a grave mistake.
I was delighted by Gary Oldman as Sirius, one of my favorite characters, but David Thewlis' Remus Lupin was fantastic! He was so spot on, I can't even say, though I STILL think Ewan McGregor would have done better!
A surprising cameo by Dawn French (oft unseen co-writer of Absolutely Fabulous) as the Fat Lady was hilarious.
Dame Maggie Smith's McGonagall seems more refined in this one, like she is truly affected by what is happening to Harry in his life now.
Micheal Gambon's Dumbledore IS more hippy-like, but that is very endearing. When I first read this book I imagined my high school Commercial Arts teacher Rich Cohen in the part, and Micheal Gambon portrays the part very similarly.
Alan Rickman is yet again dynamite as Snape, he positively seethes at points int he film!
All over, this one is the best of the series! I highly recommend it for returning fans and newcomers. This was the first book of the series I ever read, and continues to remain my favorite. The movie does it more than proper justice, and finally makes me proud to say:
Harry Potter rocks!
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2004-05-24Sporadic Media Review :: Movies
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
♠ ♠ ♠ (out of 4)
I had been told about Hedwig by rabid Hed-Heads, Adam, Michael, Robyn, and Geoff.
I had heard the soundtrack but didn't give it a good listen.
What a fool I had been!
Hedwig and the Angry inch is about rock/punk diva: Hedwig, german born male turned semi-female turned Drag Queen.
His soulful, heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and show business, at times seems so far-fetched, but as it is told through the main character's skewed perspective, this is not surprising. Hedwig, because of her insane history, finds the strangest things commonplace.
As we follow Hedwig and her band around, performing in shoddy bars and diners, she tells her story in fractured, always musical, flashbacks, sometimes animated in a very Pink Floyd's the Wall style.
Hedwig escaped from Russian-controlled East Berlin by marrying an American Soldier as a woman, requiring a sex change operation. The operation was botched horribly, leaving him with a one inch, horriby disfigured penis.
He kept on, though, went to America to live his dreams, and was quickly deposited in a Trailer Park and left behind by his husband with a simple smile, as Hedwig watched the Berlin Wall fall.
His world is turned upside down, and he re-invents himself as an internationally ignored, flamboyantly dressing Drag Queen songstress.
As the true loss in his life is slowly revealed to us, Hedwig's story goes from tall tale to slice of life in one blink.
The costumes and sets are extravagant and powerful, each new Hedwig outfit serves dual purposes: Glamour, and Metaphor.
From the spray-painted wings, to an outfit made of wigs, to his famous Farrah Fawcett hairdo, everything Hedwig is seen in is almost a mirror of her very soul.
If you have seen and enjoyed Velvet Goldmine, I highly reccomend this film, however Hedwig surpasses Velvet Goldmine by leaps and bounds. Their stories are very similar, but Hedwig's heart and soul are intermingled in each chord played, each frame seen, whereas Velvet seems more clinical, detached, and focuses more on the destructive aspect of Fame.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which has enjoyed a cult-like following since it's inception as an Off-Broadway Musical in the early 90's, and continues to set the trend today, both in the genre of Rock Operas and Musicals, and in sheer outrageousness as well!
Go see it, now!
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