(500) Days of Summer.

A boy meets girl. But it is not a love story. The film starts out with a song by Regina Spektor, with photos and videos of the boy and girl's childhood. I knew from the second that started I was going to like this film. Notice film being used instead of movie. Well, there is this boy, ok adult named Tom (Jordan Gorden-Levitt), a boy who grew up in New Jersey listening to British pop songs, and movies filled with perfect love stories, and somehow misinterpreted The Graduate's ending. And the girl, Summer (Zooey Deschanel) was from a small town in Michigan, riding horses and had a 60's haircut, yet cut it herself after her parents divorce. Tom is in LA, to go pursue his dreams of being an architect, yet he works writing greeting cards. And on just a normal day, Summer shows up. The day was no longer normal. He tries to get her attention, and while on the elevator he puts on his headphones and they are playing the Smiths (this character scores major points with me) and she says into his ear "Smiths. I love The Smiths." Tom is now infatuated. Awww.. you can guess where this is going, the traditional(ish) plotline...the hot guy and pretty girl fall in love.. get married, live happily ever after. But remember, I told you this is not a love story. And all those conceptions you have are ALL wrong. Yup. You are probably wrong. One night, at an office party where they all go to a local bar and sing karaoke one of his friends gets wasted and "accidentally" tells Summer that Tom likes her. UH-OH. The humor is this film is dead-on, sarcastic, using music and film references to explain things, and letting the story roll on. A hint while you are watching it, pay attention to the numbers. It goes back and forth, which I personally love because it makes you have to actually watch the movie as it goes on, and it's not like you can sit there and text the whole time and you can understand what's going on. I really like when you have to sit down and just watch a film to understand it. Less conversation, have some popcorn and watch it :) I love certain scenes, like the couple in the park playing the "Penis" game, or pretending they are married in IKEA running around all the rooms and set-ups, all of that kind of fun stuff...
or Tom asking his little sister for advice on girls, and while this whole supposed love story goes on. Something happens. Summer wants to cut it off. This comes out of nowhere. Completely out of left field. As this shocker comes, they must figure everything out. This is not a love story. It's up to you to watch it and see how it ends, and if you originally came on here for music-- the soundtrack is pretty sweet. Tom wears a Clash shirt, Joy Division (it doesn't say it-- but since I know album art & a JD fan I noticed) and plays The Smiths a lot...
Enjoy it. It's soo good!

Mike Patton.

Mike Patton. aka Genius. Thinking about that today.
Mike is a genius. Flat out. Hands down.
He started out being the lead singer of the alternative metal band, Faith No More, while working on Mr. Bungle. Then after his career with the band, then he started doing many side projects- which turned into some major musical advances showcasing his talent and skill. He came into Faith No More after their lead singer who moved on to another band, and with Mr. Bungle simultaneously. Mr. Bungle is an experimental/avant garde metal group, and are known for their worldwide cult following. It's awesome stuff. Mike Patton has worked with major artists, doing all sorts of vocal styling. Another band he has been in is Tomahawk filled with members of various bands, creating a truly unique sound-- even for the mind bending creativity of Mike Patton. This initial thought that got me to write this blog, was a flashback of watching a video of him and Bjork working together on her album Medulla, and how enthused I became because it is two geniuses working together. Even when he uses special or additional devices, it still remains to be freakin' amazing.
Check out some links of the pair recording:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwcCeQwk1QE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zefkHnDkM1s&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7_B3VfrplY&feature=related
Now I need to write on her. I've barely made a dent in all the musical work he had done. Phew. I'm currently listening to Peeping Tom, where he collaborates with many artists of soo many genres (hip hop, electronica, alternative, jazz), and that only makes him more appealing. For example, one of the songs on the album is a duet of Norah Jones and he, singing an unconventional song for each artist. Except with Mike, there is nothing that is unconventional. He has played at Bizarre Fest in Germany. Sometimes I feel overstimulated while listening to his music- with the noises and sounds, coming from multiple instruments and synths or even it could be his voice (he is that talented) *gasp in amazement* His vocal range is probably the most versatile I've ever heard. He can sing falsettos, scat, beat-box, croon, rap, and make his mouth an instrument in of itself, where you can hear in all the projects. He is also known for making the layers of vocals for video games, where the sounds of the game creators use a human voice making the animal noises, like in I Am Legend. Mike is also known for producing music with John Zorn and creating and co-running the label with Greg Werckman, Ipecac Recordings. I am in awe of what this man can do, by bypassing previous ideas of what the human voice can do, creating groundbreaking music, with whatever he touches. His lyrics are also just as bold as he is, being blunt and sarcastic, as in "I know that a-holes grow on trees, but I'm just here to trim the leaves," which I enjoy laughing while listening. That lyric gets me everytime. I love his style so much. He is a genius, for his talent and span of work that is so wide. He is a major influence on music today, and will continue to be. I love hearing whatever he is currently working on. :D

Kind of glad my mom got me into him (along with my inevitable adoration for Tom Waits). I love having parents so into music. Really I do.

**Just a warning, some of his music takes time to enjoy, or you may not like it at all. But that's okay. He has a devoted following. ;) ***

Yeasayer- Odd Blood

This CD was given to me by a friend, a musician. He had me listen to a few songs, and look at some of their lyrics (which I really liked). And, I never heard of Yeasayer so I happily listened. Really enjoyed, completely different sound, yet it seemed familiar because of my recent listening of Mercury Program and other artists mentioned.
They are a electronic/independent/experimental group. Very cool. Sounds oh so familiar and so different at the same time. A part of the Brooklyn, NY music scene, who along with some of the other major electro-pop bands from: Animal Collective, MGMT, Phoenix, Arcade Fire, and Radiohead. Odd Blood, a self-produced studio album starts out with odd experimental sounds as "The Children" plays, with strange vocals that set the mood as these rhythms play and create this odd atmosphere produced by music, and I imagine an electronica version of Tom Waits if instead of using the unconventional, homemade instruments he used a synthesizer. Wish I love that it initially reminds me of one of my favorite artists. The next song, "Ambling Alp" and instantly my head starts bobbing to the beat as Chris Keating singing the lyrics "You must stick up for yourself, son/Never mind what anybody else done" and even though it may not be your traditional way of giving advice to the younger generation, it sure is more fun way of putting it. Also one of my favorite songs on the album. The hooks are fantastic, leaving you singing the lyrics to yourself, which makes sense seeing that it is one of my main singles on the record. "Madder Red" proceeds, and with the high pitched "UUOOOuuuooooUUUOOOOuuuooooUUOO" that starts the song that are arranged with the words "'Cause lately I have wronged you/And not been on your side, love/Maybe I've been gone/Please don't ask me why" that sounds almost seventies and eighties in style. "I Remember" is such a beautiful love song, and has a very personal meaning to one of the members in how he fell in love with his future wife and how he overcame his fear of flying ("I remember making out on an airplane/Still afraid of flying, but with you I die today, woah"). "O.N.E." is like jumping into a rave, and is a track that you can hear the global influences, from the Middle East to Africa, and is a great song to dance to and have a fun time just listening to as the eclectic tastes come together in harmony. "Love Me Girl" continues the album, and the introduction that is very orchestrated and choreographed electro-beats with choruses that almost sound like string instruments, then quickly transitions to an alternative, art, electro song about a love that may be ending, and holding on tight (figuratively and literally) to her. I really enjoy this song, but I am finding a hard way to describe it accurately, so listen to the full song on YouTube. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=669mGpzuVxo. Ok, I will admit some favoritism, I love the song "Rome," starts out with a combination of classic dance beats from Morocco and Syria, and yet it is filled with an abnormal "bada$$ity" as the chorus plays, "There's no mistaking that/Rome is gonna be mine/It's just a matter of,/It's just a matter of,/It's just a matter of time," even though the lyrics may not be the most meaningful, but it's enjoyable to listen to, like if Tom Wait's "Goin' Out West" was played by synth artists. "Strange Reunions" brings an entirely different ambiance from the earlier tracks, and with lyrics that fade into the layered sound sequences that almost are electronic chants. Repeated claps and when "Mondegreen" begins inspired by the drug-induced paranoia of Bowie's music, and when I was looking up lyrics, found out that the word "mondegreen" is the word that references lyrics that are misheard, so maybe the song has a double meaning, but maybe that's just a hunch. "Grizelda" is the final song of Odd Blood, and seems to be the quietest and most timid composition with the more mellow concepts and ideas, and the group found a muse in Griselda Blanco, after watching Cocaine Cowboys. Got to love how music and film work together. :)
This trio of musicians takes inspiration in a myriad of places, and stimulates the listener with music from the global community, while they are under the impression that they are enjoying just electro-pop music and with phrases and beats that you won't soon forget.
They are currently on tour, so try and see them!

Websites:
http://www.yeasayer.net
http://www.myspace.com/yeasayer
http://twitter.com/oddblood

I'm in need of live music.

Yes. I am on Spring Break, home, dying to go to a concert. Not a quiet, mellow concert. And a cheap one at that, because I'm going to another one in about 2 weeks, and I don't have the patience or cash. I try to go to 2 concerts a month (mainly local), and I guess I will fill that quota, but it's not the same when you are a roadie(ish) person and know all the music being played. I also want to not go to a mellow, acoustic coffee shop show. Been to like 3 in a row, need something new. I want to go to a hole-in-the-wall, truely independent venue and hear a band I know already, and multiple bands I've never heard. Going on withdrawl from that atmosphere. It really is addicting. Just miss not going to a concert or show almost every weekend :( But going to one in 2 weeks. Kind of can't wait. It's going to be an experience, a friend's "metal-ish" band is playing, along with two other bands in this teeny-weeny coffee shop, that doesn't even serve coffee. Yes. And I'm bringing a friend who I don't think has ever been to a local show before. This will be fun. Oh. Yes. It. Will. Kind of can't wait, actually.
Live music is such an experience.A simple equation...
the atmosphere of the place the concert is held + the music performed+ the moments inbetween songs+new friends = why I miss going to concerts.
All I need is patience. and cash. haha.
So have fun and go to a show for me :)

Requiem for a Dream.

Just watched it. Freaky as h*ll. Which is a positive in my book. But yet, I am so very drawn to it. With the true Darren Aronoskfy style. That fast-paced, stop motion photography with such a range of styles of filmmaking that leave the viewer stunned, or tripped out. While on nothing. Visually stimulating. All when the story just keeps going on, and a shock look emerges on your face. That's exactly what he wants. Sorry if I sound like Tyler Durden (Fight Club) here, it makes sense. I have only watched it once before, and have been having a craving to see it again, so I gave in. Well, having it come up in many conversations made me want to watch it. Whether it be a film discussion or just in normal conversation. Strange. One point is very clear. You do not want to take drugs, it is a visual film, and don't watch it before bed. Take it from me, I had one of the weirdest dreams I've ever had after falling asleep to the end of this film. That's why I was freaked out to watch it again. But I don't care. It's soo good. And pondering why I was scared to view it again, I realized that is part of Darren's genius. You won't forget about it. It will stay in your mind forever. The images, the emotions both you and the actors shared, the feeling afterword. The whole she-bang.


Well, now I should probably get to the film.
I can't really classify it as one thing. It's a thriller, drama, art film. Kind of. The story is, that a widowed woman played by Ellen Burstyn who has an addiction to watching the television and dreams of being on tv, and her son, Harry and his girlfriend Marion both have dreams, of owning a business and creating art, and his best friend who is also in on creating their greatest fantasies. But, as those chances come and go, they still strive to those dreams. All while going into a pit of destitution. I am trying not to give anything away, before I saw it I read the back of the DVD about 20 times and knew nothing. So I am leaving you with enough to intrigue you to watch it. hehe. but watch it. It's so freakin' good.
The imagery is amazing. The psychological stuff in this is reminiscent of Fellini. Just modernized, in New York (a place Darren frequents as his locations for his films), in color and few Italians. But as you have figured out, I love Fellini. See his stuff too. I adore it. Darren does both black and white film and color, and can make you feel as if you are tripping out. That takes talent.
I need to read the book it's based on.
Oh ya, reminds me of Crank and Glass by Ellen Hopkins. Read if you enjoy. I sped through those books like none other.
Please watch this. Trust me.

"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still."

I was thinking about this today-- I've been sick. I've been watching movies and crap TV to entertain me instead of daily life. Actually it was because of America's Next Top Model that draws me to this blog. Weird right? But I like the range of art styles, and I could really do without the "girl drama." But that keeps the show interesting.
Back to my original point. Sorry about that.
Photography.I was sketching a photo I took a week ago today, and was thinking about photography, rock photography, black and white photography, and how much I love photography. And its relation with film.

Photography is awesome. It is the art of clicking at the precise moment, exuding a feeling, moment in time, idea, and showing the world how you see it. Which is pretty much awesome.
I love it in Black & White, like Fellini or really old pictures. Or technicolor wonder like the 70's acid trips. Or even pictures that don't originally turn out, but end out turning freaking awesome after some editing. You all know what I mean? I hope so. If not, check out picnik.com. Not the best editing service, but it works. And it's for free! :)

But creating environments, feelings, emotions on a simple 8 by 10 sheet of paper. That's cool. It's the whole "creating something out of nothing" idea that gets me.
The phrase "Take a picture, it will last longer" comes to mind, and I begin thinking about how many pictures I take-- of random stuff, on my phone, places I love, stuff I love, or just edgy and odd subject manner photos. Or those memories. Or the memories where you have a mental camera. The thing is, sometimes they do last longer than the picture, for example the paper can tear away, it can have water damage and burned edges (if you're like me, that could be a positive)... you are capturing a beautiful moment in your life for forever. That's magic isn't it? In basic Webster definition. Or when your printer is losing ink and all you have is neon paper and your printing out a picture of Jesus and a French actor (don't ask me, multiple art projects) and you feel like a modern Andy Warhol creating prints. Just an example... :)
But if you've read Perks than maybe this quote makes some sense, "There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer. -Ansel Adams", when he talks about how Craig would take a picture of Sam, and how he would take a picture of her. It was in my brain when this quote showed up, and it's true. It's all how the photographer takes the photo, and their eye, in accordance with the viewer's point of view. Someone may see it as awe-inspiring, while someone next to you may not understand it at all. But that's art in general for you, and people.

"Everyone has a photographic memory, but not everyone has film." This is in relation to filming. In filming concerts, certain ones I film more, partly because sound is good, but there are exceptions-- the ones where I just want to be there, in the moment, not watching it on the little screen on my camcorder. But to capture those moments, and be able to re-watch them, and in return re-live them, that's probably the best part. Filming is so beautiful in that way...
Photography and film also seem to connect directly to the subject- whether it be an object, person, animal, landscape, yada, yada, yada... They seem to take that precious moment and see the truth and authenticity of the situation, person, or object. Whether they like it or not. If inanimate objects have emotions, well we do yell at them... I'm writing this at 5:30 am yeah... and that's what inspires me to pick up my camcorder, phone, or camera... hope it inspires you too...



That was on my mind today.

Pi

Finally a film post!
:)


I've missed writing on the magical world that is film.
I felt like watching this particular film because of having a discussion on popular films and various other media road tripping. We were all talking about how Requiem for a Dream (also directed by Darren Aronofsky) doesn't make you ever want to take drugs, and how it was freaky, and how we all have either watched Pi or planned to. So I decided to watch it.
It is the story of a gifted, talented mathematician (Maxamillion Cohen- on left) whose sees math and patterns in every aspect of life, and with that discovery he finds a new challenge-- trying to decipher the pattern of the stock market. One of the most fluctuating things this world offers. With this, and his advanced computer, he tries to figure out the pattern, but with this inquisition that leads him to new people, like number theorists who are figuring out the pattern of the Talmud, where they are both seeking out a 216 number sequence. But, as things seem to calculate and make sense and be equal, things change. Chaos erupts. And therefore with all the reinforcements he receives, he begins to lose sanity.
This was such an interesting film, with all the math sequences that reminded me of my geometry class, with the Fibonacci sequence, the eternal spiral that is used in all sorts of situations, whether it be Van Gogh, or in modern technology. I also was reminded of Fellini (8 1/2), which oddly enough I suggested in the conversation, mainly because of the imagery and the intense thoughts and way of filming-- you watch a man's life and yet you hear and see his thoughts. There really is nothing like movies like that. A black and white, trippy, visually entertaining film. Those kind of movies always seem to impress me. Darren Aronofsky always seems to do that. I also was thinking of Fight Club when I was watching it. So if that doesn't make you want to watch it, then I say watch it. Or any of the other films referenced. Even Metropolis, which is a silent sci-fi film that is filled with scientific, 1984, Steampunk elements. Look at the picture below.


I've noticed watching these films, Requiem for a Dream, Pi, and The Wrestler, that Darren seems to have an eye for cinematic innovation and ideas, all while watching someone going into a pit of despair, yet it is so hauntingly beautiful. Even when cringing at the image in front of you. Watch the films, there's that one point in all of them... don't let that scare you out of them. They are masterpieces. Who said that everything had to be all "dandelions and sunshine" to be beautiful? Whether it is about a down- and- out wrestler from the 80's bringing out a comeback in his life, a mathematician on the brink of a major discovery, or a family striving for their dreams- whatever they may be, he tells their story in such an interesting way that you will not forget. And that is a true mark of a good film.

Had to write on it, just watched it last night...