Happy Opening Day

Ok, so at this point, the metaphors for opening day are more than a bit cliched - the very spring themes of rebirth, renewal, restoration of opportunity, equality, hope...

But that doesn't mean opening day doesn't make me feel good.  Go Cards.

It's Not You, It's Your Books

An article about romantic travails regarding differences of literary opinion.  I can totally sympathize... there are definitely parts of my life that are so central to my being that I simply have to share that interest.  But at the same time, the article is a total just-for-fun links grabber for the Sunday NYT.  I'm sure many people out there have already read it.  In case you haven't, however, definitely give it a read.

[NYT]

My thoughts, for the record:

1) Rand fans are a cold, heartless bunch.  Major negative.

2) I've never logged into Bookslut.com, but only because I thought it was a porn site.

3) Owning Unbearable Lightness of Being is probably not grounds upon which to end an infatuation, but the speaker does properly summarize it as "trendy, bogus metaphysics, sex involving a bowler hat."

4) Also more or less correct: Baudrillard - too pretentious; John Irving - too middlebrow; The Corrections - overrated

5) It is probably way too demanding of me to seek a partner that is compatible on every level

If indie labels were mid-major conferences

A-10: Merge

WCC: Matador

Missouri Valley: 4AD

Mountain West: Kill Rock Stars

C-USA: Warp

Horizon: Saddle Creek

WAC: Frenchkiss

MAC: Jagjaguwar

CAA: Too Hep

"Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" is the most self-pitiful song that I'm totally hooked on

I don't think it's any secret that I have a soft, plaintive, emo side.  Any debates on the meaning of emo aside [and there are certainly many debates to be had], this tendency is well displayed in my love for the some "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want."  Although it is in a long line of songs that make use of the Please x3 [Fiona Apple, James Brown, The Who], The Smiths take it a step further by making it more selfish and whiny [arguably, the core values of a wide range of emo] by taking it from the context of pleading for sex to pleading for anything good happening in life generally.

Who hasn't really felt down on their luck and in need of a break from some higher power?  Morrissey empathizes with you and expresses his empathy in the form of possibly the most flowery song imaginable.  Also, the song gets major bonus points for being featured, in cover form, in one of the best scenes from Ferris Bueller and in Pretty In Pink.  The only songs I can think of that even come close are probably by Postal Service, but The Smiths win based on Morrissey's voice and the fact that I'm not that terribly crazed by Postal Service in the first place.

Forgotten Heroes: Harry Dean Stanton

Harry Dean Stanton is one of those guys that you see in tons of movies, but never really gets the fame he deserves because he's almost always an ancillary character.  To me, at least, Harry Dean Stanton's most famous role was undeniably in Pretty In Pink as the father of Molly Ringwald's character.  After watching this movie a bundle of times, Stanton was pretty typecast in my mind as an ineffective alcoholic who lays in bed all day and makes excuses for himself while his daughter makes terrible fashion decisions and rallying against haughty James Spaders and over affectionate Jon Cryers.  

That's why I was pretty shocked to see him in Alien as a reckless space shipper who, as I recall, also displays a predilection for alcoholism.  After Alien, I made sure to keep my eye out for Stanton and perhaps actively seek some more films where his has a minor, but crucial role.  Turns out there are a lot.

He's in Inland Empire, which I knew, but I did not know that this role was probably based on his performance in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.  I like to imagine Stanton and David Lynch drinking coffee in a meditation center somewhere in the world and discussing movies.

Other notable Stanton roles: Cool Hand Luke, Godfather: Part II, Escape From New York, Repo Man, and Red Dawn.  I'd by lying if I said I've seen all of these movies, much less every movie Stanton has performed in.  However, he never fails to bring a smile to my face every time he randomly pops up in one of the innumerable films he's in.  Cheers, Harry Dean Stanton.

Crystal Castles and Hercules & the Love Affair

A direct comparison between Crystal Castles and Hercules & the Love Affair might not be the most apt.  Yes, they both sort of fit into the genre of dance music, or perhaps music that the pfork set will feel slightly compelled to move along to.  Also, they're both in Europe now, so that's something...

Anyway, I listened to their new albums for the first time today so that's the way it's going to be.  First impressions, I liked Crystal Castles (the album) better than H&LA (also the album.)  H&LA is put together, refined, and within a proper musical structure.  I don't mean this to sound pejorative, but it is certainly more conventional than Crystal Castles.  Depending on a person's mood, this can definitely be a good thing.  Chaotic spasms of electronic screeches might not be everyone's thing.  However, listening to the albums back to back, I definitely found myself in a more anarchic mood.

Whereas nearly every instrument on H&LA sounds real, like a contemporary jazz album; the vocals are clear and

skillfully sung (despite any inherent distaste I hold for Antony Hegarty), Crystal Castles sounds like the soundtrack for a video game based on Daydream Nation - the singing mostly consists of Kim Gordon style yells and the synth has a tendency to go on for extended journeys away from the main beat.  That said, both are excellent albums that I would definitely recommend, but consider your state of mind first.  H&LA is order, Crystal Castles is anarchy.  There's probably terminology within the electronic music community which I don't possess to more precisely describe what I'm trying to say.  But both will make you want to dance anyway.

A quick rundown of some relatively new Cville restaurants

The Box: I've heard that developers kicked Atomic Burrito out because it made too much noise for the hotel they wanted to construct across 2nd St.  Anyway, where Atomic Burrito once was, now is The Box.  The Box's vibe is similarly hip and laid back, a place for a quick lunch or to hang out late into the night.  A gong  and Mr. Miyagi's portrait on the wall indicates that you won't get any glares for ordering a sake bomb.  The Box, though located steps away from Marco & Luca's, focuses on noodles that are unquestionably superior to M&L, which often taste of peanut butter and are kind of disgusting.  This is at the cost, however, of $8 for a bowl [with some meat and a wide selection of noodles and sauces.]  If The Box knocked their noodles down to a price point of $6 we could have a deal.  I'll probably return to check out the evening scene or expanded menu at some point.

Aroma's Cafe: Newly transplanted from the middle of nowhere to Barracks, Aroma's is a middle eastern restaurant with an eye to interior design.  Think falafel, hummus, and couscous while listening to "Apologize" by Timbaland.  Despite dinner service with ceramic plates and actual glasses, Aroma's features a price point around $10 for a full meal.  The dishes are appetizing but not mind-blowing, but the convenience factor is undeniable - easily the best overall restaurant in Barracks.  The servers are well-meaning novices but this will hopefully improve with time.

Boheme: Kind of disappointing.  The "cozy" dining area quickly turns into "cramped" with "long waits."  Boheme also shares a very utilitarian bathroom with the three or so other facilities in its building.  The owners are caterers who were forced into the restaurant business, and the level of service shows.  The price point was uncomfortably high for the quality of food received.  There is no compelling reason for me to go to Boheme again when I could go to Zinc for a more comfortable atmosphere, roughly equivalent food, a much better bathroom, and a much lower price.  This place might have trouble competing with the glut of semi-French places already in Cville.  [e.g., Fleurie, Petit Pois, Cassis, Zinc...]

Maya: Maya is easily the best new restaurant I've eaten at in Cville.  While some of my friends have complained about service, each time I've been there the service has been either very kind or at least adequate.  The interior combines an attractive dark red

 brick wall and black slate detailing current specials with what I presume are locally-made paintings.  The food is also excellent - combining southern-style cooking with more modern techniques.  Maybe a little too Paula Deen in its approach to lipids, but that isn't a huge issue.  The bartender is superb and the bar has the most comprehensive whiskey selection I've seen in the city.  They have music on the weekends too.  I will happily consider Maya along with other top tier Cville restaurants such as Zocalo the next time I'm looking to drop a chunk of change on a really nice dinner.  

Eager to try: The Local, Mas, the return of al fresco dining on the mall

Heidi Montag - feminist hero

Yeah, I totally have to balance out my blather on "Warm Leatherette."  Count me in as a member of Team Heidi.  Only NYT could devote the resources to Hills analysis like this.

[NYT]

"Warm Leatherette" is a futurist's wet dream

Ok, so for the shorthand version of how "Warm Leatherette" became a song, listen to "Venus in Furs" [for background], the first Throbbing Gristle album [for substance], and "Trans-Europe Express" [for context].  

So, why is it that I love "Warm Leatherette" but what it begat in part, [industrial music, in general] doesn't do it for me?  The first and most obvious reason is the tight, mechanical beat.  The song is a relentless machine without any indecision or doubt.  That beat is matched with a tonality that is harsh without being grinding, muscularly catchy without being fluffy.  Furthermore, it doesn't wander off into the wilderness like so many other industrial songs.  Three and a half minutes.  Direct, powerful, dark, and fun.

Of course, it isn't as though the only kind of music I like is devoid of any humanism and resembles a train traveling at a million miles an hour in its single-mindlessness and violence.  But "Warm Leatherette" does it so well, it's hard not to admire.

By the way, please ignore the actual video that goes along with this song, as it is a fan-made video and a poor one at that.

Bullets Over Broadway

From the outset, I really did not want to enjoy Bullets Over Broadway.  First, it has John Cusack.  I have never been, and probably never will be, a John Cusack fan.  I have enjoyed some movies he's been in, e.g., Sixteen Candles, but my enjoyment was only incidental to his appearance.  I dislike Cusack's biggest movies, Better Off Dead (weird animation scenes didn't do it for me), Say Anything (just didn't resonate), and High Fidelity (slightly okay but retreads a lot of worn out Cusack themes).  One Crazy Summer and The Sure Thing are moderately okay... but just that.  Lastly, his renowned Cub fandom wins him no favors from me.

So, I expected the worst when you combine John Cusack with early 90's Woody Allen set in the 20s.  Indeed, the first third or so of the movie lived up to my worst expectations.  Scenes were forced, the period setting rung false, and Cusack was intolerable.  However, the plot takes pleasant if entirely foreseeable turn, Allen's writing and direction picks up the pace, and the overarching theme becomes clear.

So, if I had to make a hierarchy of films I've seen with John Cusack in them, it would probably go something like this:

1) Sixteen Candles

2) Bullets Over Broadway

3) Eight Men Out

4) High Fidelity 

5) The Sure Thing

6) One Crazy Summer

7) Say Anything 

8) Better Off Dead

Let me exempt Being John Malkovich, a movie that I saw and remember enjoying but cannot remember well enough to really classify.

In the final analysis, I guess, to me, Cusack is the inverse Winona Ryder.  I really shouldn't like Winona Ryder or most of her movies, but I do.  I should like John Cusack, but I don't.  However, that's an entirely different article.

The Easter Bunny is dead, kids.

Culled from somewhere on the web, here's an Easter story sure to amuse and delight the most morbid side of us all...

"Wife, two sons 9 & 4.  We lived in a Chicago suburb.  Easter morning.  My youngest son comes running into the kitchen screaming that the Easter Bunny was sitting in the neighbor's yard.  I'm confused so mom and I go take a look.  Across the street is a bunny alrighty.  Sitting peacefully in the neighbor's grass.  Not moving.  Rabid.

"We call the police.  Neighbors are coming out.  Cul-du-sac is full of youngsters and parents.  (IQ of all of us at that moment - around zero)  Female officer shows up.  My neighbor points out the bunny.  Officer walks to within about three feet of the diseased rabbit, whips out her revolver and blows the bunny to kingdom come.

"Talk about a disturbance in the force.  A thousand voices rose as one: No, see, honey, it wasn't really the Easter Bunny."

Effect of the housing crisis on Northern Virginia

You probably won't care about this article if you aren't interested in both the real estate market and the Northern Virginia region.  I am, though, and if you are too I would highly suggest taking a look at this article that details the geographic distribution of foreclosures in the region.  Really good stuff.

[WaPo]

This is what happens when you think too much about Back to the Future

Back to the Future is a good movie, yes.  However, I think that you're guilty of a totally strained reading if you're going to start comparing it to Citizen Kane.  Anyway, Steven Hyden did this and more in his way more comprehensive than a Michael J. Fox movie deserves analysis of Back to the Future and the role of music in the film.  A good read, if a little ridiculous.

[av club]

Nintendo Love

This article is a must read.  It documents the activities of a current blogger's Nintendo Club in 1988.  It is this kind of pure-hearted devotion that video games can spawn.  A bit scary, but mostly endearing.

Why I love troubled innocence

I'd have to say that many of my favorite things are unified by a common theme - troubled innocence. Some people just naturally abhor Beach Boys or the comic strip Peanuts. I can see where these people are coming from, kind of. On the surface, there is a definite superficiality to songs about surfing or repeating good grief a million times. However, there is that something which separates the Beach Boys from the Monkees and Peanuts from Family Circus.

Take the Zombies, who are kind of a more psychedelic, more British version of the Beach Boys. The songs are straightforward in form and lyrical content; one might call them basic. This belies their formal greatness and harmonic bliss. Each instrument is incredibly articulated, particularly the drums and of course the vocals. Naturally, they also have a hint of despair behind their sunny exterior. Bands like the Zombies avoid the trap of being draggingly cynical without becoming saccharine. Wes Anderson, dare I mention the name, also can make masterful use of troubled innocence. Needless to say, so do most if not all of his thematic influences. Not surprising that the Zombies show up on at least one of his soundtracks.

I don't know if I explained myself very well here, but I'm really just trying to kill some time and describe what makes the Zombies and other media objects like their albums so great for those disbelievers out there.

Downtime

Sudden and violent illness + mid-semester exam + Smash = fewer random thoughts for about a week. Sorry.

From the "It's Funny Because It's True?" Desk...

A Carrie Brownstein Excerpt

The Shins-Honey Poke Shimmy Lantern
James Mercer and crew can do no wrong. They've added the Decemberists, the Thermals, and Spoon to their lineup. Recorded inside a deer carcass, the sounds on Honey Poke are haunting and cervid. These songs will change your life back to the way it was before The Shins changed it the first time. Remember that song "Red Rubber Ball?" It's on this album!

Rating: $800

The White Stripes-Pale Pail
This album was recorded on an abacus.

Rating: Seborrhea

Tift Merrit-Another Country
Tift Merrit sings the book by James Baldwin.

Rating: Really, really fun.

You should be reading this blog.

This video is great in about eighteen different ways - I'll leave it up to the reader to identify those ways

Things that bother me about American Gangster

Ok, so I felt that American Gangster was a pretty solid movie overall and an enjoyable way to spend an evening. That said, watching it was a pretty frustrating experience because it was nowhere near as good as it could have been. Before I really get into it, however, let me disclose that I have never really enjoyed any Ridley Scott movie [Alien is ok, but obviously pales in comparison to its sequel], am completely ambivalent about Denzel Washington, and actively dislike Russell Crowe. So that probably colored my thoughts quite a bit. I'm trying to avoid spoilers here since the movie just came out on DVD, so bear with me if some of this sounds very vague.

- American Gangster plays like a greatest hits record of mob movie tropes over the past 40 years or so. Wait, what's this? You mean that mobsters can run their business in a manner parallel to legitimate corporations? World political events providing a catalyst for the film's action? A mob man maintaining a family and trophy wife while at the same time being a ruthless killer? Yea, it's all here and more. These omni-present conventions [a cynic might call them cliches] would be forgivable if there were excellent performances or interesting camera work, but unfortunately neither of those exist in American Gangster. This leads to a kind of bland movie, overall. Though RZA's performance gave me particular enjoyment.

- Again, my prejudiced eye is probably abnormal in this regard, but so many things about American Gangster seemed questionable from a legal point of view. The police force, as depicted, shows a mere modicum of respect for the Fourth and Fifth Amendment, and there is a big professional responsibility issue that pops up in my mind, but I won't detail it. In addition to having studied criminal investigation, I really think that watching The Wire has spoiled me. The investigations on The Wire are so wonderfully detailed and logical, that watching American Gangster makes Russell Crowe's investigative team look like the Superfriends.

Photo courtesy of Seanbaby. Anyway, the point is that the investigation techniques used in American Gangster are glossed over at best and moronic hunches that somehow turn accurate at worst. It really marred the movie for me, but I'm a dork like that.

- The final scene, and particularly the final shot, are really silly. So many unnecessary and unexplained things. I'll leave it at that.

- The fact that the movie was based on a true story, so any of my claims that parts of the movie's plot are untenable are null and void! How frustrating!

Ian Paisley has quit as Ulster First Minister

While I'm glad he's gone, it should not go without saying that Paisley did at least some good by recently helping to reconstitute the Northern Ireland Assembly. Well, here's one of Ian's greatest hits which should be of interest to amateur parliamentarians, religion aficionados, and those into public dissent. It certainly gives me a chuckle.

Now I know what the guy who plays Kenneth was doing during the strike

Getting even more typecast.

One month til BSG

With one episode left of The Wire, good television is running out.  Thankfully, Battlestar Galactica is almost back.  [in addition, I'm also highly anticipating the return of 30 Rock]  Get caught up with things with this really funny recap of seasons 1-3.  Note, this will probably be completely worthless if you haven't already watched all the episodes.

Tangentially Tim Curry

Scene stealing performance by Ms. White.  I do adore the super cute killer types...

This song is really good, though I would have preferred to post Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me, but you know that's a little racy for this family type blog.

I saw this movie on my 10th birthday.  No lie.

Wait, Sinbad had a talk show?  Also, this clip is pretty boring so don't waste your time watching all of it.

I think in the years hence, this role has come to compete with Frank-n-Furter for Tim Curry's most famous role.  Also, did you know that Home Alone 2 is on Youtube in its entirety?  Somebody on Fox's legal team is asleep.