Indie Rock

Indie rock is this new style of rock that is huge--or it should be. Indie rockers have the freedom to do whatever. Anything goes. They can play whatever they want, sing about anything (made-up or real) and you can use that freedom in so many ways. They are allowed to have a wide-open way of thinking because anything goes. You can defy all genres in one song. A song can be jazz, metal, pop, cartoonish, anything you can think of. Indie rockers also can be whatever they want, so they have a wide array of creative expression. When you listen to it, be open-minded like they are. Indie rock can show who the artists really are and can bring anything to it that they want. It's a modern way to listen to a style of music and also very creative. I like that.

IL Postino/The Postman

Il Postino is a wonderfully romantic movie about a shy postman becoming friends with a well- known poet, and eventually falling in love with the most beautiful girl in the city. This is a foreign film made in Italy, and so far all Italian movies I've seen are all good. This movie was beautiful, well- done, amazing. When you are reading the subtitles, you get used to it, and it translates so well to the movie without hardly knowing any Italian at all. It is a great love story, and a story of strong friendship in the wonderful Italy. The movie did well on the awards' circuit too, winning an Academy Award. The story is amazing, the natural scenery is breath-taking, the movie is magnificent. This movie is definitely worth watching more than once.

Why do some of the great actor/actresses/musicians have to die so young?

That is a question that crosses my mind recently. Some of my favorite actor and actresses have died so young that maybe that's why they are legends in any sense. James Dean is one of my favorite actors, he lived fast and died so young. I wasn't even alive in the era of his life, and his ability of acting surpassed his time, and even ours. He was doing what he was supposed to do; I would think everyone who has seen his work would agree. In my own opinion, some actors' films and such are work. Not the sitting in a cubicle type of work- I mean it is a masterpiece, a piece of art the undenyablely everyone is thrilled with...from a film critic to someone who just thought the movie sounded good. They use emotion to their advantage, and think creatively about every scene to portray the character even better, more believeable, bring something new to the character. A genius in a sense. There are few actors that can bring that much to the table. Some actors' have that talent. They should be given the respect that they are due. Some of the greats' have been young, or now they are older. Man, I wish that the new generation of talent can not merely replace the ways of the generation before them, but create their own genius and add something new and interesting to the screen. Not emulate, because the personalities are too hard to replace, and let themselves have the freedom to be themselves, and be appreciative of the ones' that came before them. That is a great way to make yourself known in this world. Appreciate the people before you. Be yourself in the new dawn of the next generation.

The Four Feathers

I've been amazed by Heath Ledger's acting ability. I have only seen two of his movies and am so shocked by his awesome way of translating characters, and yet it seems so simple to him. It was actually his recent death that has lead to my intrigue to see what Heath has done. Heath to me seemed like a pretty-boy, wasn't sure if he had talent to back up all the media he got over the past months. Well, as far as I can see, he does. In this movie, he portrays a British officer in the height of the Victorian era, who must decide to go to war or not; he resigns and by the society of the time, he was thought of as a coward. When he is redeeming himself of his cowardice, Harry discovers who he is and Heath seriously messes with your head and looks like a nomad of the desert. I was amazed by how real he looked. This is an epic. One of courage, loyalty, honor, self-discovery, love--as always, survival, and most of all adventure and adventure of one's self. A terrific story, based upon a novel by E. W. Mason. The director, Shekar Kapur, did the film with great knowledge and used many elements to make the movie what it is. This movie was epic, and all around good.

Jerry Maguire

Such a great movie, I have seen it so many times. It can be considered a sports movie, or a chick flick/romantic comedy. That shouldn't matter. Jerry Maguire is a terrific movie. Well, I don't want to give any part of the movie away, so watch it. My shortest blog.

Neil Young spider?

Well, as the title of this post may surprise you, Neil Young now has a spider named after him. Strange circumstance, being named after a spider. I wonder what he thinks of this achievement, if one may call it that. I was watching "The Colbert Report", so I checked to see if the story was really true. If you catch that variety of spider, cool. But if you don't please realize it is not him that is the spider. He is still singing strong, and he has not reincarnated as a spider that someone named the species after him. Thanks... this was an odd story, it deserves to be written of.

Bob Dylan

I've started reading about Bob Dylan after I became fascinated with his music, and as I always do, I try to find out more about the person-- to see who they really are, why they write what they write, what they believe in or disagree with. I started reading Bob Dylan: Chronicles Volume One written by the only Bob Dylan. With his amazing storytelling skills he tells stories of how he got to be the legend he is today. One will read of his relationships with many fellow amazing musicians, of rock stars to country legends, to agents to his wife. In this book, he seems like he is talking to you, about himself. I'm only half way through the book so far, and loving it. One reason I respect and like Bob Dylan is he is who he is, and no one is going to change that. He says what he feels is right, not what some agent or owner tells him. Bob is a rebel in his own right, but aren't rebels just people who know what they stand for, and also know who they are and aren't afraid to show it. His music is legendary, he has wrote classics for many of us, and has music that will translate and be able to be reflected and revered for many generations. Not all music can do such a thing like that--pretty cool that guy. Keep on listening if you already know who I'm talking about, if you don't look him up.

No Reservations

If you like creating food, the atmosphere of the kitchen in a top-notch restaurant, or if you just like eating food this movie is for you. No Reservations stars Catherine Zeta- Jones, Aaron Eckhart, and Abigail Breslin in this foodie love story between two chefs with very different backgrounds and styles. So of course there is some competition and chemistry with the actors. Though this movie is mainly for the younger aged crowd, it has many adult characteristics to make it all the more wonderful. There are so many plot lines and drama to deal with, that makes the movie so complex, which make it wonderful. The artistry of a chef is included in the film and also the relationships the chef may have with many people they come across from the guests, other chefs, the sellers at a fresh food market. A watcher of the movie would receive a whole new perspective in the the "back of the house" cooking. A charming, funny, romantic movie that a foodie will love.

Cinderella Man

Boxing movies. Awesome. Russell Crowe is the lead role, who plays a boxing legend and how he got there in the Great Depression where fighting was a career to earn money for his family. Through the title, you can tell how he is in the end, but the journey is just as important to the end. Cinderella Man did great in the awards category and truly deserved it. Ron Howard directs, and shows the inspiration he (the boxer) was to the rest of America. As I said before, awesome.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

This movie has many great leading ladies of all walks of life who show their talent magnificently. It's a story about a crazy mother and her friends who she has known most of her life, and they explain to her daughter why she is that way, the experiences she went through. Divine Secrets is also about the mother-- daughter relationship, the best friends that we have in life who know us. This movie made me want to call my best friend and tell her how thankful I have her. I loved this movie. Ya-Ya!!

Finding Neverland

I was glad to watch this movie again, Johnny Depp being a superior actor enforces it. He plays James Barrie, the playwright who created Peter Pan, and how he meets a family and soon they are his inspiration for his plays. Terrific, no matter how old you are.

Shakespeare in Love

This movie is complicated and has many parallels in the Romeo & Juliet story to the real love of Will Shakespeare. It takes you back to that time of old theaters and old English ways of doing things-- except with modern actors. Great story of love, writer's block, a muse, inspiration, obedience (to do or not to do), and duty. Well done, and keeps you watching.

A Knight's Tale

Heath Ledger stars in this movie as "Will", a pheasant boy wanting to change his status in medieval society. It starts out at a jousting match I guess you could call it, where everyone is rocking out to Queen's --"We Will Rock You", awesome stuff. There is plenty of comedy, romance, decision between classes, drama to keep you having fun. And guys in armor poking large sticks at each other on horses to keep you entertained. It's a fun filled story, definitly worth seeing.

Serendipity

Once again, a John Cusack movie... he is now becoming one of my favorite actors. This a chick flick done so well. Its a wonderful story of fate and destiny, if one doesn't believe in it, well I hope you do. The circumstances are funny, spontaneous and random= great. They are witty, and so much fun. It has that predictabality to it, but in a good way. I loved it!

Glitter

Man, this movie was terrible. Glitter is a movie about this orphaned girl becoming the biggest singer in New York--a rag to riches type of story. Wow, it has a few well-known actors in the cast, but their acting isn't up to par. Every time I watch 'Top Chef' I think of Padma playing the top singer in a group-that can't sing. There is so many things wrong with this I don't know what to say. Watch if there is nothing else better, trust me there is.

Say Anything...

This is a classic 80's love story. The movie is terrific, and so well done! John Cusack stars, and he is a normal, sweet, music-loving, kickboxing guy. And the girl of which he is infatuated with is an all A smart type of girl. The love story is amazing and if you get into the movie, you'll be yelling at the television. The famous scene of the movie is where John (Lloyd) is playing their song, putting the boombox over his head, begging her to come out. How romantic?? It is also done by Cameron Crowe, who has done many of my favorite "chick flicks", he knows what he's doing. John is once again playing a music type of guy--but nothing like "High Felidety". Also a great movie for all classic rock type of music lovers. Great, if you don't like 80's movies, well, you should.

The Italian

This is one of the few negative reviews I will give. The Italian is a story of a Russian orphan who learns to read and write despite his caretakers wishes, to find his mother. It takes place in Russia, and is in Russian. As in most Russian literature, it's cold and depressing, as is this movie... but don't have a long face, there is some hope and happiness during the movie. If you don't like subtitles and hearing another language, or foreign films--this is a no. Unless your Russian, this movie you will need subtitles. The reason why I actually decided to get the movie was it was in a few Film Festivals--those movies are terrific and well done and should get more credit I think. And also I thought it was going to take place in beautiful Italy, but you should never assume, all around though a mix between Oliver Twist and Annie, without the musical element. Pretty good.

"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash"

Johnny Cash is a country legend. I'm not a country music liker...I listen to rock. Johnny Cash is not the normal stereotypical country singer...I like that. I just saw "Walk the Line", I learned so much about him. His brother Jack--his death still haunts him, his drunk father who didn't agree with his love of music, his close friend and wife-- June Carter, and his relationships with fellow music people. Johnny is the only country I like, he isn't depressing, not boring, or any other complaints I have of country music. He has lived a life of trials, ups and downs and it reflects in his songs. Here is a conversation between Johnny Johnny:It's all right, it just happened. June C: Just happened? Johnny: Yeah. June: You wear black 'cause you can't find anything else to wear? You found your sound 'cause you can't play no better? You just tried to kiss me because "it just happened?" You should try take credit for something every once in a while, John. Some of his trademarks...if you'd like to see the stories behind some songs, looks, and other trivia about Johnny Cash, I'd suggest seeing "Walk the Line". Great movie!