Monday, August 02, 2004 :::

Updated the Flavors of the Month links. "Hopes and Fears" from Keane is one of the best records I've heard this year, while "Together We're Heavy" from The Polyphonic Spree is...well...pretty ridiculous. The album often feels like a soundtrack to Sesame Street, which can be uplifting at times, but is usually downright silly. Take this line, for example: "Hail to the sky, hail to the sky! It's time to watch the show, it's time to watch the show! The trees wanna' grow, the trees wanna' grow! Grow grow grow!" Tim DeLaughter's voice is a cross between the sounds of Pink Floyd and Counting Crows, which isn't bad - the problem with the band is that although it consists of 24 members, the compositions are extremely simplistic and similar to one another. You can hardly pick out 10 different sounds, nevermind 24. The choir sounds like little children - cute, but annoying in its excess. I listened to the album a couple times over and decided to change it out for Keane, and as soon as Keane started, it was like a breath of fresh air. Overall, TPS is an interesting novelty, while Keane is a mature, musical force. Travis, U2, Muse, and Radiohead each come to mind throughout the duration of "Hopes and Fears," but the band manages to stand on its own feet. Tracks like "Somewhere Only We Know" and "We Might As Well Be Strangers" completely suck you in and demand control of your emotions. Therein lies the album's strength - the lyrics and melodies go hand in hand and make for distinct moments of elation, contemplation, and somber reflection. Added bonus that results in near-instant credibility: they're Irish. Only $8.99 at Target. Buy it.

Melo's 21st birthday party commences this Saturday night - not sure if I'll be able to make it, though. My aunt's mother passed away last week, and the service is this weekend in Gainesville. I barely knew her, but I know my aunt's immediate family very well, so I may attend. Decisions, decisions... - shall I mourn with my family for a woman that I knew very little of, or shall I party it up with my friends for a woman that I know very well?

I'm not going to get into my thoughts on The Village - you already know that it disappointed the shit out of me. I can sum up my opinion with a few quotes from critics that are cited on the Rotten Tomatoes website:
"Every village needs an idiot - and M. Night Shyamalan is hoping it's you."
- this refers to people who were actually surprised by the not-so-surprising (and not at all satisfying) ending.
"The film has a strong, sometimes jolting musical score. But the song that will go through many viewers' minds is never sung in the movie. It's that old Peggy Lee standard, "Is That All There Is?""
- self-explanatory and completely true.
"I see a dead movie...Though it's designed as one of Shyamalan's trademark puzzlers, the only real surprise is how stilted and hokey it is."
- corny dialogue, tired story (The Truman Show, for example, used a similar concept and achieved a more effective result), too much space taken up by moments of nothingness.
"As a failure, The Village is certainly interesting, but a failure it stubbornly remains."
- I still find myself thinking about the film, and the afterthoughts sometimes bring up a desire for me to say "It wasn't that bad," but then I look at the big picture, remember how I felt during the film, and restate the fact that it was that bad.
Simply put, The Village could have been good if it had simply been the love story that it started out to be, but Shyamalan's inability to resist plot twists - this twist hardly shocking, significant, or even a true twist, since it is blatantly hinted at before the climax - distracts us with noise and nonsense, and irreparably severs any emotional attachment that the film had previously established with its audience. Shame on Shyamalan...shame shame shame.

Well, I suppose that critique was inevitable.

Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. One of the best films I've seen this year. Hilarious social commentary throughout. The fact that an asian and a south american were cast as the lead roles is interesting enough. The film does not disappoint in any way, and will join my collection of DVDs the day it is released. Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser M.D.) is unbelievable in this movie. Go see it right now. Oh, one more thing: "Vagina McGeinstein." Priceless.

That's all for now. Do what I told you. I hope to see everyone Saturday...
"Thank you, come again."

::: posted by AJBrotz at 9:20 AM

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