Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
Cate Blanchett, Geoffry Rush

I liked it. Despite the fact that the entire story feels a bit drawn out because of the love affair between the queen, the pirate, and the queen's girl. Digressing I actually enjoyed the love interest for once. It adds a digestible human component to the "virgin queen" a strangely god-like historical figure. Despite the fact that most critics I'm sure would see it as the films major weakness I have to say that it would feel a bit too much like a history lesson without it. The movie introduces us to not only the oddities of queens being legitimate based on religion, plots to declare war based on legitimacy as well as the way that religious schism split Europe during her reign. It opens up the idea that Queen's feel love, pain and other things just like normal people. Allowing the viewer to feel a connection to her.

In the end this film doesn't really stand out. The warm scenes are exciting, the love circle exotic but it doesn't really jump out at you. I think its a fufilling rental but I have no desire to own the film.

B+ or Cucumber

Blue Man Group
Tour 2.0

Last night's concert opened with the mix-master Mike Relm. Unfortunately I don't think he really one the Buffalo, NY crowd over. I must say his presentation of working with video, stage lighting and music all at the same time was both pleasing and intriguing. A large portion of the crowd seemed to be older and of course not into the whole "hip-hop" thing so a lot of his pop-culture references in using movies was lost. Nevertheless I think at least something of his show caught everyone's eye.

As for his actual music, it was often a bit overpowering as his scratching and beats covered up the music he was layering. I would assume it was on purpose but I think it makes it sound a bit sloppy. Though I'm not a great judge of the DJ, VJ, DVJ variety.

Afterwards of course came the the real show, Blue Man Group. It is in every sense an aural assault. The range of different musical styles, music types and even lyrics that make points amongst the humor of their acting and props makes it a show to remember. From an instructional video on how to be a Mega Rockstar to neon-lit clothing I would hard pressed to recall even half the things that I saw tonight. I can't say everyone would enjoy it but I think that I can say its fun and will make everyone but the most anal human being giggle and clap along.
So, overall I give it a solid A, of course who knows what my grading scale is...so perhaps I could give it Bananna too!

Room 1408
Movie
R


I went into this movie rather critical of it, being based off of Stephen King. I've read and listened to several of his books and have found myself disconcerted with some of them. I in fact enjoyed a few, specifically I really enjoyed his early work in "Cycle Of the Werewolf" and "Cujo". Now later on reading "Hearts In Atlantis" and "Dreamcatcher" I was surprised at home complicated, or over complicated they both are. It seems like he was trying to write far too many stories at once and that none of them got the work they might have deserved. But enough of my thoughts on Stephen King, this is about the movie.

We start off with a cynical writer, and even more he is a cynical horror writer. He writes those cheesy books on haunted places. Far be it from me to insinuate anything...but honestly...writing about a horror writer. Anyways, he goes to investigate the predictably real haunted hotel room. So far everything has been pretty predictable and gives you that normal horror film feel.

Perhaps the first big surprise is that Samuel L Jackson actually plays his role pretty well. Its believable, even if is a fairly cliche role. Blah blah blah murders, suicides, depression, mostly a laundry list of obscene deaths, how surprising.

I'll give the writers some credit. It had a creepy feel to it when all the small things start at the beginning, candies appearing on the pillows without anyone being there, "turndown" service on the toilet paper and campy music blaring out of the haunted alarm clock.

That was all pretty solid, I often find its little things, like a door that won't stay shut...or pictures that don't remain upright that really give you the chills because they seem perfectly explainable but they activate that tiny shiver down your back. This movie does well at that, until we get the inexplicable old lady-thing with the knife. At that point it spiral out of control into bleeding walls, being the only room on the floor, pictures coming to life, the character almost drowning. It would be a waste of time to detail all of the outlandish things that happen after the beginning.

In the end you learn something about the main character has lost a daughter and is stressed, which led to all of this happening, and then he lights the room on fire because he suddenly got it all together. Honestly, pretty normal Stephen King. Reminds me of "The Stand" film where in the end the hand of god sets off a nuke and saved the world, exactly.

Overall I give the movie a C+. It had some creditable things to it, and the cinematoghrapy was interesting even if the movie just kind of went nuts after a while.

28 Weeks Later
Rated R
Film

Its difficult to look at this movie in comparison with the first, this new situation is far more of the government ran dystopia than the utter and complete chaos of the original outbreak. That being said is certainly is a good action/thriller.

Newly introduced is the idea of a carrier for the virus, which is far more insidious than someone with immunity, the idea that someone could carry the "Rage" virus without suffering its effects. Its an obvious opening to leave for further movies though I fear that we'd end up with a ton of more of the same if they did create another sequel.

As far as "zombie" movies go, this keeps up with the first in that there are no zombies, these are simply people who have no emotions beyond rage. Wishing to kill everything that is not like themselves, no reason is really offered in this or the first movie on why they don't attack one another, its left up for our speculation.

Myself I would assume its some sort of pheromone that the infected give off, as killing each other wouldn't benefit the virus, and despite everyone being scared and running and killing the virus still needs to spread.

Beyond the storyline the movie has some credible actions, several third person running zombie scenes, some interesting first person through a gun scope scenes an of course, the requisite firebombing of London.

Overall I would call it a pretty solid sequel its not something your going to watch over and over, unless you really love zombie flicks.

B- Nothing serious to compl

Spiderman 3
Movie
PG-13

It was a fun film, not the best acting ever. But really what else would you expect from a Marvel film? Cannot really do any in depth review of this movie, its certainly worth seeing. Sandman and Venom are a pretty fierce set of bad-guys. Then again I saw it for free and every movie is worth free.

G-Sides
Gorillaz
ASIN: B000060NUN

Nothing actually original, the cd is full of remixes, all very enjoyable remixes though. As with all their other cd's is worth grabbing the hardcopy to get the art, each song has its on piece done for it and these are interesting as most seem to have a distinctly Asian look to them, a sort of homage to the one Asian "band" member.

Rating: If you like the Gorrilaz you'll keep liking them.

The Libertine
Film
Johnny Depp, John Malkovitch

The Libertine was a quite amazing film, taking place in the constructionist period of Great Britain, it shows of the nitty gritty of daily life and how scatalogical speech and writing were the status quo. Its mostly about a up and coming writer the Earl of Rochester, who is asked to write a play for the King to show off to a French Diplomat but it turns out to be a make fun as the kings expense and the king is rather displeased. I cannot say anymore with giving the wonderful bits of intruige that make this film worth seeing.

Rating: Depp Strikes em out again

Stay
Film
ASIN: B000E6ESL2
Actors/Actresses: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor

Advertised as a supernatural thriller its not exactly what you expect. It starts off seemingly like a average psychological thriller, but slowly starts edging its way towards something not only in the mind. They keep you guessing and about 3/4's of the way through I was starting to totally reverse my views on what was happening. I think this is the hallmark of a good thriller where what they present makes you begin doubting what was really happening.

Though as a safe warning this movie is quite confusing, I've watched it once and don't really think I will watch it a second but at the end I was still trying to piece it all together. The wonderful camera angles and the well chosen music added greatly to the movie. Something to definetly check out!

Grade: Certainly stands out from the crowd.

The Usual Suspects
Film
ASIN B00000K0DT
Actors: Steven Baldwin, Kevin Spacey

An excellent crime thriller, intriguing plot of a mixture of action, suspence and just the right amount of comedy. Not much I can say without revealing the plot or any of its little twists. I you haven't seen this movie yet you should hop out and grab it.

Grading: I was quite thrilled

Gorillaz
Gorillaz
ASIN B00005LMBK

I have been waiting quite while to grab their original album, I've listened to mp3's of for quite awhile and find it utterly fantastic. Their sound is unique amongst a see of singing sheep and the art included with the album is exactly why its better to purcahse the album than it is to download the music.

Grade: A- Definetly grab this one and Demon Days, which I like a bit better.

** Soon I plan on buying another of their albums G-sides

With Love And Squalor
We Are Scientists
ASIN: B000BCHJ2E

There music isn't really anything that stands out but is definetly some good stuff in what is prolly the brit-punk/pop category. I love their music and their lyrics. The songs are catchy and can give you some serious groove time, but if you are looking only for unique sounds, they aren't really going to tickle your fancy. Each song sounds pretty umuch like the others, but since it s rocking sounds this isn't a bad thing at all.

Grade: B A groovy new group to keep an eye on.

"Everything Is Illuminated"
Film
ASIN: B000DWMN2S

A jewish man is searching for the savior of his grandfather from the Nazi's, and in his search what really happened during the Ukraine in those years becomes clear, for himself, a a grandfather and grandchild, part of a dysfunctional family. Truly one of the best films I have seen this year.

Starring Elijah Wood, this film is an independent film, expressing much of its meaning through images and scenary rather than dialog. The music itself is interesting, nothing popular more local music than anything. Definetly a check-out if you like historical films, or just good drama's.