Baraka

First and foremost I have to give credit to a new friend of mine, who gave me this film to watch because we were exchanging movies. Thanks Alex!

Well, this film is amazing. I'm not quite sure how to describe it. There really isn't a plotline. There isn't any dialogue. There are no actors.
There are:.amazing musical scores
..vivid images
...flawless use of stop-motion film
....wide variety of different cultures being shown
I was told about one scene beforehand, I'll try to explain it. First, you see eggs, then you see baby chicks going down a conveyor belt and then it pans over to a major Asian city on the trains of people going through the subway station, sorting, squeezing, filing, moving.This film is told through images, or film clips flawlessly put together to tell a story.

My eyes were glued to the screen. I felt awful turning my head away for 10 seconds to grab my drink. Ron Fricke (director) went to over 142 locations in over 82 countries to film this. We never fully know where they are filming, we may have guesses that may be correct, but we are never fully sure. The first scenes start out with a monkey in the sea, then to an tribal people applying paint to their bodies, and it then moves to more life existing, living. The beautiful buildings, religious rituals, animals in their daily life, daily life for all life, all around the world.
People living their lives.And with that we see connections to everything in this world that we have.
What can I say to that?
Beautiful.

Check out some of the stills. Holy s***.
I'm watching the Bonus Features later on... this film impressed me so much, I think I may watch it again. :)

I watched the behind-the-scenes.
The word "baraka" is a fairly general term. It means "a blessing, or as a breath, or essence of life from which the evolutionary process unfolds," which explains the film pretty well. In it's broad term it is life. Life around the world. All forms of life. Animals, tribal people, religious ceremonies, architecture, natural beauties-- of all kinds. It is completely non-verbal, and that makes it beautiful, stunning, and a WOW of a film. Watch it.

I can't quite describe this film. But one thing I can say is that I stopped eating my dinner when I was watching it, I had to turn my back to get a sip of my drink and I didn't want to turn my head away. Also, I have to own this. I want everyone to see this.

Julie and Julia

This film has always intrigued me, always wanted to watch it. So I did. Being an avid watcher of Food Network and other food shows I did.

Here's the scoop.
Julie Powell (Amy Adams, Doubt, Sunshine Cleaning, Enchanted) is a employee at a 9/11 hotline who has an unpublished novel at her fingertips, and with her interest in making raspberry cream pies from Julia Child's cookbook and with the help of her encouraging husband they decide to start a blog by going through Julia Child's book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. They named the blog The Julie/Julia Project. She decides to go through 524 recipes in one year or 365 days. Sounds like a feat, it was. While Julie goes through the recipes during the hustle and bustle of moving to Queens, NY it shows a parallel to Julia Child's life. The one we never knew about. The struggles that Julia (Meryl Streep) had to get into Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris, or the constant revisions of the book that most of this film is based on. In Julie's cooking, she becomes liberated by her work life and sees the "Julia" in her.

I don't know but for me this was an interesting movie. I just chose to watch it because I was interested in the cooking interest. I love to bake and cook. I didn't grow up watching Julia Child, yet I am so intrigued by her. She is known to be the one "who taught America how to cook," I know of her, but never watched her cooking shows. We have Food Network for that now. And it's because of her that we have that. Julia was a inspiration to the chefs who are now on that network.

Now, I don't want to forget about Julie. She also inspired me. With her blog. It showed her receiving gifts and ingredients from her readers, also comments. So because of Julie Powell, I am wanting to have my blog have that kind of exposure and legitimacy. I am researching and re-vamping it over the next couple of months to make it better. Thanks for the push to do so!

This film has also made me want to blog more, and better and I am dying to cook a full meal. That Beef Bourguignon recipe sounds amazing! :)

It is also a book that you can read too!

A Local Show-- last weekend :)

I finally was able to go to a local show! It was awesome, I was there to see some friends play and hear some new music too. Went with a friend who knew a lot of people there, so it was even better! Thanks Liz! Met some awesome people. And did I forget to mention it was my last day of school also?? Oh yes. That was just the icing on the cake, per say. It was at the Snuggly Mug or The MUG in Bay City. One of my favorite indie venues, especially after making more room moving the counter :)

Well, we got there early for the show, and was hanging out on the couch in the back, I was downing a Monster Mean Bean (I was up @ 5am for a Senior Breakfast) and chilling with the artists before the show started.

First up was Artificial Heroes. A band I've never heard before. They played an acoustic set, which is odd for this group from Bay City, who generally play non-acoustic. And with reading their blog on their myspace, they are going through a member change and they pulled together a great show despite some minor setbacks.

Then We Are! Ghosts set up their equipment, and they were pretty sweet. A band from Bay City, not quite how to describe them: a bit pop, alt, rock... talked to Pete their bass player before the show, and overheard him talking about how this has been a cool pick-up kind of band! Awesome stuff! **hope you don't mind, Pete! haha


Then This April or Zach Burger played his set, playing some older songs and his recent EP, Ups & Downs. He is also mentioned in a post from December, and his EP is reviewed also. Check it out. It was cool to hear it live again after 7 months, and hear some new material. It was awesome. And yes, Zach I payed attention to the lyrics. For being the only solo act, it was great as always. I also liked being able to talk to you for longer than 10 minutes haha. Oh he is also in a metal band, links at bottom.






Brites were next. Chad, Michelle, Tyler, Hannah. The theremin was played, banjo, bass, drums, xylophone. Love their unique sound and their covers are great :) I've heard them at the show before, but they were just as awesome as always...also had fun chilling with Chad and Michelle outside afterwords, bowing, dancing, hugging, chatting... had a blast.
And they just had a CD release, coming soon! :)
Calcaska, a band I've heard about but never heard until this fateful night. Chad made a quick change, then their set started. An alternative, rock, indie band from Flushing area that got their start a few years ago... they played a set full of energy, people started dancing, clapping, it was awesome. Never heard before, but for sure I'll be going to their EP release in late June @ Fischer Hall.



All around a great show to end the year of school on, chilling with friends, making new ones, new music... what more could a girl wish for?

Here are their links:
Artificial Heroes:
http://www.myspace.com/artificialheroesbaycity
We Are! Ghosts:
http://www.myspace.com/weareghostsband
This April/Zach Burger:
http://www.myspace.com/thisapril
Come Find the Lion (metal band)-- also their EP has been written on:
http://www.myspace.com/comefindthelion
Brites:
http://www.myspace.com/britesband
Calcaska:
http://www.myspace.com/calcaska

Links to their EPs are on the sites :)

Brites - Dim Moon

This is their first major album release, they are from all around Michigan. I've heard them live twice, both same venue at the Snuggly Mug, Bay City. If you read my December postings they are mentioned, by the way. But now that I've actually talked to Chad and Michelle, I think it's time I put up an album review. It was fun acting like mimes, bowing, dancing, curtsying outside after the show and talking about art :) It was just an awesome show all around :)
Brites are an indie, pop, folk band from Clio, MI, but with the times they have changed locations a few times... with college and life. They are influenced by many different musical genres and artists. The first song, "Oh, Angela! Queen of the Falling Frozen Water" sticks true to their own style, using Michelle's flute styling with the banjo. It is one of my favorite songs with a fantastic hook that is used throughout the whole song. The simple phrase "I won't, I can't wait anymore.. for the familiar. for you" with the music, it just sounds awesome. "Once Friend, Twice Again" moves at a slower pace, with a quieter tone yet keeps an uptight tempo that they are known to have, "in the most tired hours, he sounds the beat, and he answered our prraaaaaaayerrs" awesome, this song is relatively mellow but awake enough to keep your brain connecting, yet you can sleep to it. "Swimming Poultry" is next, the calm lyrics are accompanied by the relaxing drums with the twangs of the banjo and guitar. So pretty. The harmonies bring it together and make it easy to sway to. "It Coughs Up, It's Fine" proceeds, starting with the banjo with the chorus being one giant hook, with the drums bringing it together and a bob of the head begins..."The Iargo Springs" is more upbeat, with a folk pop sound much like Sufjan Stevens-- one of the artists who they cover very well :) The next tune is "The Jubbjub Bird and the Bandersnatch are the Least of our Problems" and the title clearly shows a love of Lewis Carroll's childhood story, Alice in Wonderland and it takes a more rapid beat using the many instruments that they have the talent to play, and with all the noises it creates an atmosphere much like that of Alice's world. "Inside the Upside Down House Home" is next. I instantaneously know this song because it one that is a mainstay on their live sets. Why is that? Great involvement of many instruments and a great song that changes paces. "Luna" is next and is one of their most listened to songs, so you should check it out! "West Michigan," a song about where they go to college, with the harsh winters and changing seasons. Overall a wonderful indie/pop/folk album, with songs that are filled with humor, Alice in Wonderland references, many instruments being utilized to create a distinct sound that is Brites.

SLC Punk!

Ok, I'm super surprised I haven't written on this ah-mazing film yet.
It's in my top 10. No joke.
Well, I watched it this morning while waiting to go to school to finish up a few projects. I have a lot more free time, so more movies are being watched :)
So here it is.

Personally, I love this film. It's the story of being a punk in Salt Lake City, or the SLC. Stevo is the main character, played my Matthew Lillard (Scooby Doo, Without A Paddle) and his best friend, Heroin Bob (see the movie to hear why his name is that, it's not what you think) who are punk anarchists in the mid 80's in this city. Along with their friend, Trish, a owner of a "head shop" and other members of the various tribes we see the life of a true punk. Stevo tells us his opinions on war, love, fights, rebellion, freedom, posers, what have you. Some of them actually bring up really strong points about whatever group you think you belong to. It's hard to describe. The music is fantastic, filled with old-school punk from that time. Singing along to The Clash, The Ramones, Sex Pistols, and I think some Dead Kennedy's is played. Well, they live in a religiously oppressive city, one where the major religion dominates the major things that are allowed there. So the punk movement is strong, of course. That's what it's all about. Super interesting movie, whether you are interested in the punk movement/ideas or not.
There's this one scene, right after he finishes high school where he is talking with parents, about love, rebellion, freedom, and his parents do not understand his footlong blue mohawk while they chat about their rebellious times where growing your hair out long and wearing paisley... yet they don't understand. Generation gap.
This is a movie you must watch through the end. If you don't, you will be left with an assumed position that is not necessarily correct. And the end makes it all amazing, puts it all together. Trust me, watch this. It's amazing. It wouldn't be in my top 10 list if it wasn't.
I can't give too much away, so rent it. Watch it somehow.
Stevo's rants will make you think long after the DVD is put away and returned...reason enough to watch. Other than the music, philosophies, and awesomeness that is SLC Punk!
A film that fully embraces a true punk spirit, yet teaches lessons in a wild way, that leaves you thinking at the end of the hour and a half feature...

Listen to: The Smiths, The Clash, Ramones, Sex Pistols.

Juno

I just watched this again. Love starting movies at midnight. It's like the 20th time I've seen it, but for the record I haven't watched it in a while, so it was with kinda fresh eyes. The basic story is a sixteen year old girl is bored, has sex with her best friend, Paully and she gets pregnant and finds adoptive parents. Yeah, that's true and all. But I guess what I love in this is the humor in every scene, the sarcastic, slang slinging, funny catch phrases that come out. Completely random. Like the hamburger phone. Or the music choices. The Melvins, Mott the Hoople, MewithoutYou, Bowie cover, a lot of cool stuff. Basically, you are laughing the whole way through. And it's sharp witted like you wouldn't believe. Love that.
The odd thing that I realized when watching this, it's a lot like Rushmore (Wes Anderson), except it's not quite as awkward. Trust me, if you've seen it you know what I'm talking about. Similar humor, but so wildly different. It looked interesting so I watched it. So should you.

Whip It!

I am a sucker for Ellen Page films. Just saying. Also just got done watching it...so it's fresh in my mind and I'm buying this when I have cash. It's 3am. I have worked my butt off all week on schoolwork staying up till 2 and need to crash, but what am I doing? Writing this blog listening to Cake and other random music. But this movie needs to be told about, yeah it got a lot of hype but people should actually watch it, not talk just about it. First off, here's a fun fact: The restaurant portion was filmed in my small town. The pig?? Yeah, that's been around the area for a while, being decorated by local businesses. I think that's pretty awesome. Seeing it on the way to school makes me smile. Now, a bit more. An old diner was transformed to become a location. Proud of that, especially with the film industry moving itself to Michigan to help the economy. I applaud that :) More and more filming is going to be happening here, which makes me so elated, I can't even describe. So please be excited that all this business is coming here, I know I am.

But this story is so much cooler than that. And it's oddly ironic with my life.. read on... WARNING: possibly I slip in some spoilers, but I'll try not to ;)

This story takes place in Bodeen, TX. Small town. Bliss (main character- Ellen Page) goes to school, works at the Oink Joint, and does pageants for her mom even though she doesn't believe in them. Then one day they visit Austin (so want to visit there), where they visit this vintage shop where the team of Roller Derby girls comes in announcing their newest game. Liz is then hooked, wanting to go see it. She goes. Sees a whole new life ahead of her. The thing is with Roller Derby, it's more than just tough girls beating the crap out of each other...it's female empowerment. It's this kinda thing where this idea is now being talked about, where girls are getting their aggression out in a good way with people who care about them instead of getting in trouble. Makes sense. Think about it. But when she learns that she loves it, Bliss finds another family instead of her dull life in Bodeen. After her first game, at the after party she meets this awesome musician dude-- in all honesty, I wish he had better hair haha, who with a cute smile and sense of humor with great music taste captures her heart.
That's the beginning. No spoilers yet :)
Her best friend, who is trying to get into Ivy League schools is common, we all have a friend doing that, or know of someone like that. Another thing that makes me love this film. The relation to my actual life, which is kinda freaky, but in a good way.

WARNING: Kinda-sorta spoiler.

It's weird, I live in a small town that I don't necessarily love and been considering moving closer to the city so I can be closer to the things and people I love, and it's all about finding yourself and being yourself. Being a strong, independent woman-- who is a complete bada$$. I am all for that! I guess that's where it relates to me, I am normally going for my own thing while everyone else has their own lives to worry about,I live in small town, friends with musicians, and I am thinking about moving closer to the city...but one thing that sticks out from the film is that one of the characters say "don't throw out your old family because you have a new one," trying to do that, but have made better friends who actually know and care about the same things, who relate to me more...who understand. You don't have to explain certain things, they already know. For example, one of my newest, really good friend and I started talking to because we like similar music or well he started talking to me. I don't have to explain who Tom Waits is. Or Fellini. Or James Dean. Oh my God, that would be awful. I'd be sad. Know what I mean?
Also, you get to learn about Roller Derby. It's awesome,it's like football with rollerskates. Tough, contact sport. Kind of reminds me of soccer/rugby too. But a bit vicious. It is also a sub-culture thing, not everyone knows about it. Nor do they care to know. The Roller Derby idea hasn't hit everywhere, even though it would be awesome if it did. Oh, the music in this film is fantastic, I had to keep pulling out my phone to figure out who the artists are with Song ID.
Drew Barrymore directed this and has a guest spot in it. It's her directorial debut, and with all her film experience shows she can do this. It was an awesome feature, showing something current (with the insight into Roller Derby) with a mainstay theme of growing up. It's awesome, from the art direction, idea, all of it. And I'm really tempted to try it, even though when I put on rollerskates the last time, I fell. An epic fall, but it was hilarious so I didn't care :)

I'm buying this. Going to watch it again this weekend. When I'm supposed to be studying.

Photo Credits of Non-Whip It! Roller Derby pics: Lisa Lin Olsen. Thanks!
They are taken at a local Roller Derby league... no actors.
And I did watch Juno too. Ellen Page double-feature. And I'm going to watch Whip It! again... like within the next hour or two...