August 22, 2008

Getting PSYCHED for Monolith.

I know, I know, I'm getting so old and cranky, I seem to mostly regret festivals afterward....but I just couldn't resist the lineup for this one PLUS the bonus of visiting Colorado friends, staying for free, drinking beer, playing with puppies... Yeah yeah yeah.

Anyway, one of the BIG reasons to buy a Monolith ticket is to see The Avett Brothers, who technically I SHOULD have already seen since I had tickets to their House of Blues show in Chicago (least favorite Chicago venue) but I blew it off during a horrific w-0-r-k week.

Check out the video Alicia posted and the live performance Heather posted and I mean... OK so maybe they're a little more country than what you usually listen to? But they are also maybe a little more awesome than what you usually listen to. Yay yay yay! Can't wait!

Posted by Duff at 07:35 AM | Say What? | filed under Recommending, Tunes

August 21, 2008

Fantasy: The Hob's Bargain, by Patricia Briggs

Another - typically as you might expect from who the author is - completely entertaining, engrossing fantasy novel.

Dear Ms. Briggs,
Every book of yours I read just breaks my heart a little bit more than the last one. The characters are so enticing; smart and funny and strong and so many other things that you wish people were in your real life. I just want their stories to go on and on and on...
Seriously,
I want to marry Kith, do you know a real him for me?,
Duff.

Posted by Duff at 12:38 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Letters, Readin', Recommending

August 17, 2008

In Concert: She & Him

Oh yeah, baby, this was a GREAT show. [Minus the opener. I've decided not to say much about openers unless they were really good. My advice in this case: Don't get there early if you're going to see these guys.]

Zoey Deschanel has *such* a lovely voice and she can really open it up much more than you'd guess from the album. It's also got a very distinctive edge to it which really lends itself to this country/folky type of tune. The full band sets often felt like a throwback to June Carter or Patsy Cline. But when she and M.Ward did some one-on-one stuff, it had a more modern feel. Equally entertaining either way, I really liked when they did some harmonizing/trading vocals back and forth. I haven't been able to get into his solo stuff, but I though his voice worked well in counterpoint to hers.

The kind of show you just come out of HAPPY. So happy that you wind up drinking and talking and drinking and laughing and drinking [and eating mini corn dogs and doing karaoke] and getting home with only a few hours to go before the alarm goes off? Perhaps.

If they are coming to your town, they come very highly recommended.

Oh! and they played two new songs that were both really great! Yay!

Posted by Duff at 03:31 PM | Say What? | filed under Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

Mystery/Fiction: The Likeness, by Tana French

Wow. Soooooo good.

A follow-up of sorts to her debut "In the Woods", taking the #2 character from that book and putting the focus on them (and I hear an auxiliary character in this book will be the focus of her third).

Really intriguing mystery, characters that become sooooo real... The descriptions are rich and thick, and the emotions are layered and tangled.

French has just written two of the most interesting, and unusual, mysteries out there.

Posted by Duff at 03:00 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

August 12, 2008

Current Favorite Album: My Morning Jacket "Evil Urges"

Wow, this album is just great. I wasn't going to buy it, given my lukewarm (or less than) feelings for "Z", but Mariko sent it to me anyway and dang, girl, if this isn't the ONLY thing I want to listen to right now.

Some of it is crazy funkalicious and totally Prince-worthy (or perhaps Michael Jackson when he was good). Other bits are more sexy soul Marvin Gaye jumping in. And there's even some Southern Rock influence ("I'm Amazed"). It's jazzy and funky and I'd have to say downright spirited. Love it. LOVE IT.

And if you haven't bought yourself a copy of Jim James covering "Goin' to Acapulco" off the I'm Not There soundtrack, I'd highly recommend that as well. Him crooning that onstage at the bizarro funeral; his voice just blew me away.

Posted by Duff at 05:22 PM | Say What? | filed under Album, Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

August 05, 2008

In Concert: Earlimart

It's almost dangerous seeing a band you like this much at a tiny place like the Hideout. Dangerous like you might accidentally touch them or start raving about how awesome they are and do they need groupies because you could quit your d-a-y-j-o-b at ANY TIME. (No, I didn't. Ask or quit.)

Mentor Tormentor kept me under its dreamy seduction for many, many months. The new release Hymn & Her is a bit subtler. Sparser in arrangement, tauter.

Comfortable stage banter, lovely harmonies, introspective lyrics. What a wonderful evening.

Note: Opener billed as "Peter & the Rabbits" was actually "The Office" a much buzzed-about Chi-town band. And they were good!

Posted by Duff at 09:49 AM | Say What? | filed under Listenin', Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

August 04, 2008

Big Screen: The Dark Knight

I liked it a lot, it definitely lived up to the hype for me, which these days is almost harder to do than to just make a decent movie.

• Loved Bale despite his (as always) weird gray all-the-same-length-across the-top front teeth. He continues to invest this character with an amazing sense of grim grief. It was just etched onto his face from scene 1.

• Loved Heath Ledger. Loved. Outstanding performance. Certainly worth the praise it is getting. No question. On the one hand, it makes it even sadder that he's dead now; just think what he could have done. On the other hand, to go out on the back to back performances of Brokeback and this? Wow. Talk about going out on a high note. Overall the performance just blew the fucking top off, but I have to say his mannerisms when he visits Dent in the hospital were just pitch fucking perfect. And when he walks out and is waiting for that last explosion? The move he makes with his arms there? Oh, Heath.

But I thought the last half hour dragged, too much time setting up the Two Face character. If he lived to be the villain of the next movie then it would make sense to me. But since he didn't, it made it feel long. I thought they could have edited some of that down. Yes, I understand that bringing him down was certainly one of the Joker's goals, but I thought the whole bit with the bombs on the ships just lagged. Didn't need it, we already KNOW the things that pointed out to us (or we should) and it just seemed like wasted time. While neither Iron Man nor Wanted made me get shifty in my seat, the last half hour of this had me really feeling the time. There was stuff they could've cut (and I think should've). Coulda been a little tighter.

That said, still tremendous. Super dark and delightfully so. Really a tour de force in the sequels department; takes the first movie and ratchets up quite a few notches. The additions of Ledger and Gyllenhaal really sent it over the top. Kudos. I've seen it twice already, I wouldn't be reluctant to see it again. But then that's nothing new for me and good movies; I am a repeat big-screen viewer and proud of it.

Posted by Duff at 05:10 PM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

August 03, 2008

Fiction: Absurdistan, by Gary Shteyngart

Mindblowingly fucking hilarous. Truly comedic. Completely non-PC, an equal opportunity satirist taking on everyone/thing. Smart and sarcastic, yet willing to show a softer side on occasion. Brilliant.

In the tradition of "Confederacy of Dunces", but I enjoyed this more. Takes it a few steps further, less bitter, more fun. And in addition to the narrator and (anti-)hero Misha Vainberg, the author himself plays a bit part in this book (from afar), the emigre writer "Jerry Shteynfarb" author of "Russian Arriviste's Hand Job" [Shteyngart wrote "The Russian Debutante's Handbook"]. Poking fun at yourself equally as to others = always fertile ground for hilarity.

This is in no way one of the funniest quotes in the book, but it's emblematic of the general tone: "We give these American schmendricks a map of the world and say, 'Point to the general area where you think Congo is located.' Nineteen percent point to the continent of Africa. Another twenty-three percent point to either India or South America. We count those as correct answers, because Africa, India and South America all start out wide and then taper off at the bottom. So, for our purposes, forty-two percent of respondents sort of know where Congo is."

So the book. Yeah. It's really crude, and often gross, and TOTALLY AWESOME.

Posted by Duff at 11:18 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

July 24, 2008

My Dad.

This is his book.

Posted by Duff at 09:33 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, DadReaction, Recommending

July 17, 2008

Big Screen: Wanted.

Sooooo much fun. Completely exhilarating! Great trip to the movie theater. Very different from Iron Man, but just as completely what I am looking for in an action movie. My two favorite movies of the year so far. No fucking doubt about it.

I LOVED IT. Dad LOVED it. Nipper loved it. Michelle liked but didn't love it. The Chicago Reader hated it (prompting this response from Michelle: Damn! I liked it a little more than that dude. Who apparently doesn't understand the difference between REALITY and a FUCKING MOVIE.).

Where it suffers in comparison with Iron Man:

• The underlying mythology isn't as strong. With Iron Man, it's very clear why he decides to do what he does, what's driving him, it makes sense in a very cause-and-effect way. When he sits in front of the press and says "somehow we've become comfortable with zero accountability" it's like a jolt to your (any actual smart, responsible person's) heart, a direct attack on the fucked up situation of today. With Wanted, it's more smoke and mirrors. A very "In the Name of the Rose" or "DaVinci Code" type background. I mean, that's fine, except that no one ever questions "who's running the loom?" No one ever wonders who's in the background pushing the buttons? The assassins committed to this society BELIEVE the loom is doing it all on its own? (Although in other ways, this does work for me. That whole "secret society buzz" has a very comic book feel to it, so I think it works in the movie, I just think it doesn't work AS WELL as Iron Man's themes.)

• The situation isn't as personal, or it technically should be, but it's not presented that way. While RDJ's character in Iron Man is in many ways someone living a life who just doesn't care, when he does begin to care, it's very personal. His name on the weapons, his legacy, etc. In Wanted, McAvoy sort of falls into things with an extreme lack of knowing what's really going on. Things eventually become personal, but not at first, and they become personal via lies and misinformation that creates a kind of distance from any emotional effect. In other words: Iron Man becomes a MORAL QUEST. Wanted is about a gang of slaughterers. Fun, but kinda sick. Iron Man engages you on another dimension. As my Dad put it: It's probably not good to kill people you don't even know.

• The Hero's Glamour Factor. While RDJ's character may not be on the moral highground to begin with, he's not a frustrated loser working a shithole job and getting blindsided by his best friend either. He's a little easier to fall in love with in that "beginning of the movie, suck you in, make you want to watch him" way. Much as I love Bright Abbott dearly, oh, man, I hated seeing him be the swindler of McAvoy.

Where it SHINES in comparison to Iron Man!!:

• Hello, four words: Female Fucking Action Hero. Jolie* is just as much a focus as McAvoy, or any of the other assassins (even moreso). As Dad points out, "she is a MAJOR part of this movie, her part is outstanding and she's outstanding in it." Whereas in Iron Man while Gwyneth Paltrow is actually good (a rare enjoyment of her on my part), and has great chemistry with RDJ, her role is soooooo sidelines. And very retro, the female "secretary" role, even with sass is STILL the female secretary role. I mean, she goes to the final confrontation in 5-inch spiked heels to stand on the sidelines and shriek in distress. She's good when she's in it but she's so auxiliary.

• The Sets, particularly the Factory. While they make sense in the storyline, Iron Man's modern office buildings and desert caves don't really do as much for me as the sets in Wanted (although RDJ's house is pretty cool). The textile mill/factory is really majestic in a way, I LOVED all the car chases through the El structures and the stuff on the El itself (I love you, Chicago! You're so pretty!). And the train scenes at the end with his dad? And when Jolie drives her car onto it! VERY COOL!

Where both movies are GREAT:

• Effects, effects, exhilarating effects. Even my Dad who is not generally fan of CGI bullet fights (Peckinpah and Walter Hill did it better, OLD SCHOOL, and he will happily talk your ear off about it), even he loved the "fight" scenes in Wanted. How about the final showdown at the textile mill, where McAvoy is picking up other people's weapons as his way to reload? AWESOME!

• Wit, sarcasm, banter. Both movies have enough of this to be interesting BEYOND the effects and the drama and the Super Heroness of it all. Comic relief so you don't become bogged down by the horribleness of some of it.

• The "training" scenes. RDJ in his laboratory with his robot helpers and McAvoy gettin' schooled by Jolie. Like the scene where he's trying to grab the shuttle? And then when he finally does? All done with nice touches of humor.

I could go on (and on...) but believe it or not, I actually have something else to do right now. Shocking!

Need I even say it? Highly recommended. (BOTH)

*And if you enjoy Jolie in this, I recommend you check out Mr. & Mrs. Smith (which I LOVED a ridiculous amount!) as well as the two Tomb Raider movies, because she is great in these mixes of physicality/sass/sex/etc.

Posted by Duff at 02:30 PM | Say What? | filed under DadReaction, Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

July 16, 2008

Recommending Random Sampler Singles

For those three of you who are always asking me for new singles to check out...HERE YA GO.

Paste 39:

• "Love During Wartime" The Main Drag
  
• "Sweet to Mend" Heirloom Projector
  
• "Ships" Tyler Ramsey"
  
• "Fine Line" Little Big Town
  
• "The Story of Benjamin Darling Part 1" State Radio
  
• "Coat Check Dream Song" (Live version) Bright Eyes
  

Paste 40:

• "California Girls" The Magnetic Fields (another song of theirs is also a favorite this summer)
  
• "Gravedigger" Willie Nelson
  
• "Shout" De Novo Dahl
  
• "Angel" Joe Rathbone
  
• "Hot Romance" Parlour Steps
  
• "Sing Along" Virginia Coalition (I've been loving this song for awhile now)
  
• "Ghosts of Goodbye" Ford Turrell
  
• "Goodnight" Zox

Paste 41:

• "The Silence Between Us" Bob Mould
  
• "Strawberry Street" Lili Hadyn
  
• "Bye Bye Bye" Plants and Animals
  
• "Punches" by Collin Herring
  
• "Meet Me by the River" Matthew Ryan vs. the Silver State
  
• "I Got a Thing for You" Jim Bianco
  
• "Changing Your Mind" Bob Schneider
  
• "Goodnight Girl" The Nadas
  
• "Old Song" AM

Paste 42:

• "Sing Again" Chris Walla
  
• "Buildings & Mountains" The Republic Tigers
  
• "Nobody Knows" Keaton Simons
  
• "Antarctica" The Weepies
  
• "Rebel Side of Heaven" Langhorne Slim
  
• "Shooting Star and the Ambulance" Pete Francis
  
• "This Girl" Jordan Zevon
  
• "I Keep Faith" Billy Bragg
  
• "Better Things" South
  
• "She Held My Hand" Steven Delopoulos

Paste 43:

• "Graveyard Girl" M83
  
• "Be With Me" Foy Vance
  
• "My Only Offer" Mates of State
  
• "Get on With It" Val Emmich
  
• "Mystery" Ashleigh Flynn
  
• "Late Last Night" Robby Hecht
  
• "Standing Bird" Love Psychedelico
  
• "Jessi Jane" The Whipsaws

And if you need reference points*, we've got:
"Right Hand on My Heart" The Whigs ...sounds like... Springsteen! "Ghosts of Goodbye" Ford Turrell ...sounds like... Ryan Adams! "Bye Bye Bye" Plants and Animals ...sounds like... Arcade Fire! Or Ravens & Chimes! "I Got a Thing for You" Jim Bianco ...sounds like... Joe Cocker! Or Tom Waits! "Old Song" AM ...sounds like... Josh Rouse! "Nobody Knows" Keaton Simons ...sounds SASSY like... Jason Mraz! "Open Fire" Sara Mac Band ...sounds like... The Dixie Chicks! "Standing Bird" Love Psychedelico ...sounds A BIT like... The Dixie Chicks as well! "Jessie Jane" The Whipsaws ...sounds like... Lynyrd Skynrd!

* Note that ...sounds like... is a very loose term that may mean actually SOUNDS LIKE or may mean rather mean "reminds me (and no one else) of".

Posted by Duff at 11:20 AM | Say What? | filed under ...Sounds Like..., Listenin', Rags, Recommending, Tunes

July 07, 2008

Fiction: Lush Life, by Richard Price

A bday present from Carla who must've seen me mention it here. ;)

Price does such a good job of sucking you into each character's point of view. I kept changing who I was rooting for / who I thought was guilty / who deserved a serious smackdown. He is also just brilliant at maintaining the main plotline while also delving into all the little conflicts going on in the substories around it. Every character, every story, every little grouping of people is fully fleshed out and palpably human.

And the dialogue? Holy crap, no wonder they make this guy's books into movies. The dialogue is just spot-on in every scene.

Combine this great book with Minty's recent Coney Island and Mermaid Parade photos and I was missing NYC something fierce for a week there.

Posted by Duff at 05:10 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Fiction: Life Class, by Pat Barker

I really, really canNOT understand the reviews for this book: all of which seem to compare it unfavorably to her earlier Regeneration trilogy and some of which I just find ludicrous ("Tellingly, many critics mentioned as their favorite character one with little more than a walk-on—the real-life artist, teacher, and surgeon Henry Tonks, whom they hope to see more of in a sequel". What? NO.).

I didn't think the first half of the book was "slow" as so many have said / I thought the first half was about a bunch of very unhappy people, some of whom are actually happier when the war comes (second half) because it gives their life some direction they hadn't seemed to be able to find before it. Life does move slower when you're unhappy, don't you know.

I loved the descriptions of the art in this book; I could *almost* see the paintings in my mind and I really wish most of them existed. (Similar to how I felt about the paintings in Siri Hustvedt's "What I Loved".)

I found it moving and insightful and while it does continue to crack me up that so many contemporary British writers are often to be found writing about WWI and II (because there just haven't been any conflicts in the world since then, right?) in a way you don't find quite as often on this side of the pond, I think Pat Barker is (and continues to be) one of the best.

Posted by Duff at 05:00 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

June 28, 2008

Favorite Singalong Songs of the Weekend

Alright, Okay - Ryan Auffenberg

The Ground that We Stand On - Hawksley Workman

Swoon.

Both via Fuel/Friends, my fave music blog.

Get 'em while the gettin' is good.

Posted by Duff at 11:01 AM | Say What? | filed under " " of the XXX., Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

June 23, 2008

Fiction: The Farther Shore, by Matthew Eck

I'll go back to my initial reaction: Welcome to the new generation of war novelists. Tactile and gritty and completely engrossing.

A bombed-out Middle Eastern city. An isolated military unit. Sand and desert winds and sweat and dehydration and confusion. The byplay between fear and confidence.

While it is what every good war novel is...it is also something of its own. Highly recommended.

Posted by Duff at 05:24 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

June 12, 2008

In Concert: Sea Wolf

This show was sooooooooooooo good. Dramatic and intense and thick and layered. Cascades of sound. LOVED it. I listened to almost nothing but this album all of December and most of January; I was so happy to hear it live.

Other than the 6'2" dude in front of us wiping out (passed out? fell? who knows?) -- and causing me to fear for my safety in my summer dress up chunky high sandals (like if he falls any closer to me, I might break an ankle trying to get out of his way!) -- and then being carried out by his friends in a big commotion it was a great night.

And bonus: the hilarious byplay between the tattooed, muscle-y lead guitarist (as opposed to lead vocalist) and the skinny, 12-teen bassist. For ex., every time the bassist had to shake the tambourine, the lead guitarist would keep looking over and smirking at him like "Ha ha young'un', you're stuck with the tambourine!" I thought I might be imagining the whole thing but then TL leaned over and said "Are you catching the teasing going on up there?" Oh yeah, it made them even cuter.

Posted by Duff at 09:19 AM | Say What? | filed under Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

June 09, 2008

Fiction: War with the Newts, by Karel Capek

Our June challenge book.

Really sharp political/societal commentary. First section is really rollicking fun. Second and third, a bit darker. Sometimes very sad.

Poignantly predictable, in a way, given world history now in 2008, but probably less predictable and more predictive in its time (first published in 1936).

Loved it.

By the way, Capek is the dude who came up with (created? originated? whateva!) the word "Robot" (in his play R.U.R.). This is also the first book to cause some random stranger to come up and talk to me on public transportation IN MY LIFE and given that I have 5 yrs in Chitown and 13 yrs in NYC reading on public transit every work day, that's saying something.

Posted by Duff at 04:37 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Challenge 08, Readin', Recommending

May 28, 2008

In Concert: The Long Blondes

per my drunken Flickr review:
Kicked Ass.
Openers sucked.
Venue was empty.
Crowd was weird.
Band Rocked.

Highly recommended that you see them live. Some songs almost a combination of Berlin (swoon) and early Madonna. Really great. Would love to see them again with a bigger crowd.

Posted by Duff at 08:51 AM | Say What? | filed under Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

Big Screen: Redbelt

A David Mamet script PLUS Jujitsu? Come on now, people, you can't go wrong with that one. Really compelling interesting story. Really cool fights (woot).

A lot of good performances here (Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen (unexpected), Alicia Braga), including one from Emily Mortimer (whose character undergoes one of the biggest transitions), and a really great one from Max Martini (yum), whom you may recognize from The Unit.

I'll tell you what. He, Dean Winters and Tahmoh Penikett need to do some kind of brothers/mafia/cops movie together. Ah, that would be wonderful.

Posted by Duff at 08:26 AM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

Big Screen: Iron Man

A full Family Reaction even featuring the extremely rare MomReaction!! (No, we did not see it together.)

DadReaction: Eye popping effects, but with a lot of character. And not so effect heavy that you lose the humor as in some action movies. Downey is really great here. He's a stronger character as an actor and so much more entertaining than, say, Spiderman. Christian Bale brought a lot of grimness to Batman but Downey is very funny, lively and self deprecating. Really uses his wise ass attitude so well here, and it makes the idea of a superhero movie so much cooler. His and Paltrow's characters attraction feels very real, even though it's an under the table sort and they dance around it. Jeff Bridges was good too.

MomReaction: There's a really topical social edge to this movie about collateral damage and what you do to the world, what weapons do to the world. They don't hide behind the story: War is bad. Guns are bad.

GirlReaction: Fanfuckingtastic. Everything you could want in an action movie AND MORE. Lovedlovedloved it.

Posted by Duff at 08:22 AM | Say What? | filed under DadReaction, Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

May 24, 2008

Fantasy: Dragon Blood, by Patricia Briggs

Burning through fantasy in the offhours while reading this month's challenge book.

The follow-up to Dragon Bones. Equally rewarding, if not more so for getting to spend more time with these characters.

She's currently my favorite fantasy writer and I cannot recommend these (and the Mercy Thompson books) enough.

Posted by Duff at 05:17 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Fantasy: Dragon Bones, by Patricia Briggs

Burning through fantasy in the offhours while reading this month's challenge book.

I've recommended her modern day fantasy to you before. Now I can highly recommend her more traditionally set (you know that whole medieval-type, middle age-sort of world that so much fantasy is set in; similar to the worlds of Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, among others) fantasy as well.

LOVED this book. Absolutely loved. In love with Ward, with Oreg, completely sucked in by the myth and the magic. Beautiful. Some kinda icky torture (physical and psychological), that just makes you care even more deeply about these characters. Wow.

Posted by Duff at 05:14 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Fiction: Belong to Me, by Marisa de los Santos

The second in a (somewhat loose) series about Cornelia (and, now, Teo). I liked the first book, but didn't love it. I LOVED this one.

Less Claire in this book, although still importantly part of it. Dev was a great character, scenes with him really shone.

Easy, natural conversational tone that just sucked me right in, I could barely put it down. Laughed with it, cried with it. Ouch. Friendships, families, what makes them, what breaks them. Many similar themes to the earlier book. But, in my opinion, much better written and handled. Definitely a step up.

Recommended.

Posted by Duff at 04:29 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

May 14, 2008

Album: Jesse Malin "Glitter in the Gutter"

I've mentioned this album a few times (here, here, and the single here) but in case you weren't paying attention...

Great lyrics, insistent rhythms. Sometimes plaintive, sometimes demanding. A little Springsteen feelin' (he even sings on a track). A little Eagles soundin' (particularly the chorus of "Aftermath": "Standing on the corner, watching people walk on...") and he definitely has a little Southern Rock twinge to him (listen to his pronunciation when he sings "From the desert to this love-stained town, I still find comfort in the underground..." in "NY Nights"). He's a bit more rockin' than the average dude on my "melancholy boys" playlist...sometimes a bit more mad. ;)

Two to three months later (March purchase) and it's still in pretty constant rotation. It'll take something seriously magical to knock this out of my 2008 Top 10.

Posted by Duff at 09:35 AM | Say What? | filed under Album, Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

May 06, 2008

Big Screen: Leatherheads

Beautifully filmed in lovely golden light. Completely charming. If you haven't already, you'll fall for George Clooney all over again. His Girl Friday-type snappy dialogue. Laurel & Hardy-esque physical comedy. Great soundtrack. Really lovely.

Ditto everything my dad said. Highly recommended.

Posted by Duff at 03:01 PM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

May 02, 2008

Cover of the Day...and Some Other Recommendations

"I Should Have Known Better" - She & Him (Zoey Deschanel & M. Ward)

Beatles done alt-country style. Sweet. Zoey D = the next June Carter Cash?

Other singles (but not covers) I'm diggin':

• "She Loves Everybody" Chester French
  
• "Tick of Time" The Kooks
  
• "Roadway Hymn" La Rocca
  
• "Heart of Mine" Peter Salett*

*So I've been rewatching Keeping the Faith lately. So what. You SHOULD be too.

Posted by Duff at 10:05 AM | Say What? | filed under " " of the XXX., Flicks, Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

April 13, 2008

Short Stories: The Complete Stories by David Malouf

The March selection in Dad's and my reading challenge. I had read a few Malouf novels so this was one of my suggestions.

LOVED it. [Both of us did.] Had no idea going in, but the dude is a MASTER of the technique and these are certainly some of the best stories I've ever read, and probably the best overall collection. [Dad might not be QUITE as nutty about them as I am.]

Seems he can write from any angle, any point of view: young boy, middle-aged woman, loner, popularity queen, happy, sad, criminal, just. The atmosphere is rich and vivid (and reeks of Australia, I could feel myself there again). The language is thick and layered and sensual [reminded Dad of D.H. Lawrence stories]. Really beautiful. In many stories, a BIG event has taken place "offscreen" (never to be known), with the focus on the human reactions and following chain of effects.

My favorite stories were: "Every Move You Make", "The Domestic Cantata", "Sally's Story", "Great Day", and "A Traveller's Tale".

Highly recommended.

Posted by Duff at 02:42 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Challenge 08, DadReaction, Readin', Recommending

March 18, 2008

Recommendation.

I didn't even realize that Anthony Minghella was the director of one of my favorite guilty pleasure films and yes although I do love The English Patient (one of the rare combinations where I love both the film AND the movie) and yes I thought Matt Damon was great in The Talented Mr. Ripley but no that's not what I'm talking about.

Mr. Wonderful. Rent it. It's sweet and funny and Matt Dillon is completely irresistible in it and William Hurt is as icky as ever and it's got New York City and bowling and big Italian family scenes and (sort of) karaoke and all kinds of good stuff. And I have already seen it oh 78.9 billion times. I'd happily watch it again tonight.

Posted by Duff at 03:59 PM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending

March 06, 2008

America the Beautiful

There's so many people doing Blurb books these days, it's hard to keep up. Some I've discovered via Flickr, some via the blogs, and some just by browsing the Blurb bookstore.

You haven't seen America until you've seen it like this: Tiff's Big Ass Road Trip.

Really great photos of rocks and waterfalls and cemeteries and insane asylums and fall leaves and glaciers and abandoned boats/houses/castles and...lots more.

Posted by Duff at 09:21 AM | Say What? | filed under Art, Recommending

In Concert: Griffin House

When I saw him in November, it was at Old Town, which while a lovely place to see people with great acoustics has a bit of a formal tone, it being a music school and all. This time he played Schuba's, a casual hole in the wall, ready-for-raucousness joint, and the difference between this night and that one was how comfortable and casual he seemed on stage, how much fun he seemed to be having. Bouncing around the stage, yelling at people to dance, making sassy comments, more stage banter and more relaxed. Both nights the sound was equally good, the songs were wonderful and I loved it. This time, HE was having more fun.

Sassy, smart, sweet, and, as I may have mentioned, h-o-t hot.

By the way, Steph, so sorry you weren't there, he played two new songs. One: "Colleen" ("a song written to make you blush!") all sexy-sassy and another "Run to Me". Wow. Can't wait for the next album to come out!!!

MK commented he had a Springsteen vibe going on. The feel of the show reminded me of Bob Schneider. Either way, awesome.

Posted by Duff at 08:11 AM | Say What? | filed under Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

In Concert: Bon Iver

I had only heard three of Bon Iver's songs before this show, but "Skinny Love" is such a beautiful lovely piece of music that I would've bought tickets based on that one alone. He's a bit rougher in concert (as many people are), but also a bit more atmospheric, his voice and the music swirling around above you. Getting great harmony support from two backing dudes. Haven't heard falsetto used this much or this well since probably Jeff Buckley, and I never really fell for Buckley the way my other friends did.

Small intimate show at Schuba's, really great place to have seen him. Everything sounded just beautiful. Often quite sad and heartrending, but beautiful.

Posted by Duff at 07:43 AM | Say What? | filed under Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

March 05, 2008

Big Screen: Cloverfield

Totally fun, exhilarating monster movie! Kind-of reminded me of "Signs" / one of those "you think it's going to turn out to be psychological or Blair Witch-y but No! There are actual monsters! Yay!"

Now that I've seen it, I think the EW review was way off-base. The video backstory totally sucked me in and made me care about these characters. Very effective use of mostly little-known actors. Great New York destruction scenery. Thrilling, scary, (occasionally gross,) and awesome. I loved it. (My dad did too.)

Posted by Duff at 10:56 AM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

Fiction: "The Good Soldier Svejk" by Jaroslav Hasek

The February book in Dad's and my reading challenge.

Eastern European classic, Dad bought it years ago based on a Kundera recommendation. Total farce, hilarious comic novel. Bumbling anti-hero, a miserable idiot...or is he? Really a lot of fun to read. The never-ending "Well that reminds me of" stories and the contretemps...just indescribable. We both loved it. Humbly report, sir...

Somewhat in the tradition of Don Quixote or Tristram Shandy, although Svejk is a bit more self aware than DQ.

Posted by Duff at 10:35 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Challenge 08, DadReaction, Readin', Recommending

Fantasy: "A Princess of Roumania" by Paul Park

Bitter, dark, magical and mysterious. Couldn't put it down!

Fans of Justine Larbalestier or Margo Lanagan would like this, I would think, although Marrije said she couldn't get into it the first time around.

Posted by Duff at 10:13 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

February 14, 2008

Fantasy/Mystery: "Iron Kissed" by Patricia Briggs

This is book #3 in the Mercy Thompson (mechanic, shape shifter) series and I am just LOVING these books. Loving, I tell you. (I told about the first and second ones last year.)

The mystery is a little bit closer to home. The relationship situation comes to more of a head. Things are fiercer and gentler all at the same time (the mutual realization in the car was just handled so so right) and I'm just chomping at the bit to read more, more, more about these characters. Not a false note anywhere. Now where will the final decision take her? Write the next book soon please, Ms. Briggs, because these three are going to be threadbare by the time that one comes out and I'm ready for it now!

Posted by Duff at 08:00 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Short Stories: "You Must Be This Happy to Enter" by Elizabeth Crane

I've told you about this author before. She was in my favorite books of 2006 and you'll find brief reviews of her two previous collections if you search for "crane" on this page.

This collection shares some qualities with the previous two (her writing is still "breathless" and "exhilarating" as I mentioned there). Some of the stories still feel like they take an experience and just pinpoint EXACTLY how it feels: as if she reached right into your life and wrote down for everyone what you were thinking but couldn't put into words.

But I think there's an evolution here as well (and I mean that in a good way). They're less in a girls' world (or one girl's world in the case of the second collection) but more "a girl out in the world" if you know what I'm sayin. There's some spot-on societal criticism (the reality show digs are priceless!). There's a bit more fantastical-ness than there was before (I'm thinking of "Manny" and "Blue Girl", they feel imaginative in a different way). There's a letter that is, indeed, all the best things you would want to say to an yet to be born and/or adopted child. And there are relationshps that, while being just as insightful as in her previous collections, have some sense of growth, some sense of "who you are, even while in a relationship, that is not defined by that relationship" in a way I didn't notice before.

When you're reading someone who's published 30 novels and been well chronicled and gone through their different paths to the road they're on, it's a different feeling. You know "oh now I'm reading from THIS time in her writing" or "oh yes this is when she tried out THIS". It's not quite as revelatory as when you're reading someone who's early on in their writing career, still somehow fresh and new, and you start thinking "hey, wait this feels....different. this feels....further on." Years from now, I think I'll look back and say "oh yes, the third book. That was a different place. A new path." Or, an evolution. For this reader, anyway.

I particularly LOVED "Donovan's Closet." And "Blue Girl." And "Promise" just leaves me completely heartbroken with the beauty of it. But again, in the good way.

Posted by Duff at 07:40 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

February 09, 2008

Poetry: "Native Guard" by Natasha Trethewey

LOVED this book, a Christmas gift from my Dad who saw her read once at the UND Writer's Conference.

The first section is poems about her mother. They're elegaic and beautiful. There's love mixed with frustrating memories. There's grief. Really wonderful.

There's a section of poems that imagine things from the point of view of the (unfortunate) black soldiers in the Civil War. They're unexpected and insightful. A history you or I could never experience, fully come to life. Wow.

And in the last section she explores her own history, mixed in to her parents' lives, as a child of two races in a disapproving world. Returning home, both physically and emotionally. Remembering, and now understanding in a different way.

Really, really lovely. Highly recommended.

Posted by Duff at 01:39 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

January 10, 2008

Wrapping It Up: Best Movies 2007

1. Grindhouse
2. Juno (and here and here as well)
3. A Mighty Heart (Knocked down a notch by Juno, but really great and I wish more people would have seen it.)
4. No Country for Old Men
5. American Gangster
6. Control
7. Blackout
8. In the Valley of Elah
9. The Bourne Ultimatum
10. Gone Baby Gone (In retrospect, and in comparison to others, this movie moved further up the list than I originally felt)

But there were lots of other movies I enjoyed as well, and you can read more about that here.

Posted by Duff at 10:20 AM | Say What? | filed under Best of..., Flicks, Lists, Recommending, Watchin'

January 08, 2008

Wrapping It Up: Best Books 2007.

My Favorite Six Books of 2007 were:

• "Winter's Bone" by Daniel Woodrell (fiction)
  
• "Love Is a Mix Tape" by Rob Sheffield (memoir/music)
  
• "The Used World" by Haven Kimmel (fiction)
  
• "Why the Devil Chose New England for His Work" by Jason Brown (short stories)
  
• "Remainder" by Tom McCarthy (fiction)
  
• "Freddy and Fredericka" by Mark Helprin (fiction / really, really funny)

But there were lots of other books I enjoyed as well, and you can read more about that here.

Posted by Duff at 07:53 PM | Say What? | filed under Best of..., Books, Lists, Readin', Recommending

January 04, 2008

Big Screen: Atonement

Beautiful.

Breathtaking.

As faithful to the book as possible, given that it's a film (is that not self explanatory?). Great performances. Nostalgically lovely to look at (1940s. Ah.). As (momentarily) romantic and sexy as can be...and then as heartbreaking and painful and... And it's really that good. Cee thinks so too. As she points out, the "incidental" music...is just great. The staccato typing? Wow. The back/forth juxtaposition to resolve disparate points of view? Done so well.

And by the way, the book? ALSO THAT GOOD.

Keira Knightly. James McAvoy. Joe Wright (director). Well fucking done.

Posted by Duff at 12:42 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

December 19, 2007

Fiction: "Incendiary" by Chris Cleave

Very intense! A stream-of-consciousness letter to Osama (yes the Bin-Laden one) from a (lower?) middle class wife who lost her son & police officer (bomb defuser) husband to a terrorist bomb blowing up an Arsenal/Chelsea match...which she feels even the worse about as she was having sex on their couch with someone she met in a bar (on a "my husband is off defusing a bomb and I am insanely nervous and when I am insanely nervous I go have sex with strangers" evening) when the bomb went off. She winds up going a little crazy and getting involved in some messed up situations, some beyond her control, and throughout it she continues her commentary, directed to Osama.

She starts the novel thinking if she tells him about her sweet, sweet boy that he killed, maybe he'll just stop bombing things...and ends it in a very different place.

The sentences are long and breathless and meandering (they felt like something Elizabeth Crane or Megan Stielstra would write), the emotions are hot and present and flustered, and it all feels very, very real.

Blew me away, in more ways than one. Wow.

I think some of the social class commentary was perhaps lost on a non-Brit reader; there are a few places where I thought "and I bet THAT adjective is explaining to someone EXACTLY what position she's found herself in but it's not something we say here so it's not really doing that for me." But that did not denigrate my enjoyment or the content at all.

Posted by Duff at 06:19 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Fiction: "The Uncommon Reader" by Alan Bennett

The Queen (of England) comes upon a lending library...and starts reading..and it changes her entire life.

This book was an absolute delight. Clever, funny and thoughtful. An excellent treatise on the many things reading brings one.

Slim book, huge margins, huge print. It's a quickie. Really enjoyable.

She'd never taken much interest in reading. She read, of course, as one did, but liking books was something she left to other people. (emphasis = mine)

Posted by Duff at 04:31 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

December 18, 2007

Big Screen: Juno

I loved it. Yes, as funny as the previews made it look, but really so much more than that. Heartbreaking and bittersweet and some really lovely, deeply sincere moments.

I tried to keep my expectations low considering several much-hyped indie flicks this year that I did not feel were all they were cracked up to be (Waitress and Knocked Up, I'm talking to you). This surpassed even my more optimistic hopes.

I'm impressed. Strong performances, lovely soundtrack. Thumbs fucking way up.

Posted by Duff at 08:57 PM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

December 17, 2007

Wrapping It Up: Best Gigs / Best Tunes 2007.

Since I have already gone to all the concerts I'm going to in 2007, I'm sure you want to know which were my faves.

My Favorite Live Gigs This Year:
1. Gomez. Amazing show. But they're low on everyone's 07 radar since they didn't put out an album this year.
2. Travis. So much fucking fun in concert.
3. The National. Just as beautiful as the album.
4. Polyphonic Spree x2. highest energy show you'll ever see.
5. Ben Harper x2. He's amazing.
6. Griffin House. He's hot.
7. The Decemberists. So polished.
8. Midlake. Bewitching.

I have also finished my overall favorite music of 2007 list, which I'm sure is a) far more detailed than anyone could ever want, and b) pretty obvious if you've been reading this site all year. Enjoy.

Posted by Duff at 11:57 AM | Say What? | filed under Best of..., Listenin', Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

December 05, 2007

Modern Commandments.

Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip "Thou Shalt Always Kill" may just have usurped Jonathan Coulton's cover of "Baby Got Back" as my most beloved single. Seriously. Fuel/Friends has the video here and their myspace lets you listen to the song although not download it. Waah.

Posted by Duff at 10:36 AM | Say What? | filed under Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

December 03, 2007

Short Stories: "Why the Devil Chose New England for His Work" by Jason Brown

Very intense set of stories; it took me a while to realize they were all taking place in the same town, with some recurring characters in the background (references to the same basketball coach, for example).

Subtle and quiet feeling, but the quiet before the storm. Emotionally brutal, sometimes breathtakingly so. Really, really good.

Posted by Duff at 08:10 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

In Concert: Griffin House

I've mentioned Griffin House a few times in the past (here or here), most recently here, so I was psyched to find he was opening for Over the Rhine the other night.

Better than I could have possibly imagined. A little less twangy in person than some of the stuff on the albums: more "songwriter" or folk-pop than country. Gorgeous sounds, great lyrics accompanied by an adorable smirk on the funny ones, nice stage presence. Cool sense of family and history and heartache and comfort. Really, really enjoyable.

And did I mention he's H-O-T, hot. Yum.

p.s. yes I did run into him in the lobby and yes I did touch his arm and tell him he was lucky he played my favorite song as his encore or I would have... "Killed me?" he said. "Gone out of my mind!" I replied. ;)

Posted by Duff at 08:00 PM | Say What? | filed under Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

November 15, 2007

Selected Sampler Singles - Paste #35

New (to me) Songs/Artists I'm Diggin:
"None Shall Pass" Aesop Rock (1)
"Our Friends Appear Like the Dawn" Bodies of Water (4)
"Beloved" Minnie Driver (5)
"Bad Graces" Diego Sandrin (7)
"One Man" Eulogies

New (2) Songs by Old Friends:
"Car Crash" Matt Nathanson (3)
"Rumors" Josh Ritter (3)
"Trouble" Over the Rhine
"Black Out on White Nights" Sage Francis (6)
"Darlin' Do Not Fear" Brett Dennen
"Hamoa Beach" (Live) Gomez

from Paste #35.

1-Hmm, I bought this album but not sure I ever listened to it.
2-Or new when the magazine came out...months ago! :)
3-I am diggin' these two big time this year. Lots of great stuff by them out there.
4-Very Polyphonic-Spree feelin'.
5-This song is really kind of surprisingly beautiful.
6-Very atmospheric background. Unusual for rap.
7-Nice and sparse, simple seeming, but pretty unusual lyrics.

Posted by Duff at 03:21 PM | Say What? | filed under Listenin', Rags, Recommending, Tunes

November 12, 2007

Nonfiction: "A Field Guide to Getting Lost" by Rebecca Solnit.

Hard to know how to classify this book. Not really 'travel' although she does go a few places. Not really 'memoir' although there are memories discussed Maybe: Philosophical musings from a personal viewpoint?

Regardless, I loved it. Completely engaging. Calm, yet intense underneath. Asking tough questions. Pondering, considering, studying.

The important thing is not that Elijah might show up someday. The important thing is that the doors are left open to the dark every year.

Not a book about religion, although that quote uses it. But certainly a book about personal belief, personal musings. I really don't lead this kind of contemplative life. But it was an inspiring read.

The chapter "Abandon" about her friend Marine really reminded me of "Truth and Beauty" by Ann Patchett, a memoir about Patchett's friend Lucy, another soul in trouble.

Don't be surprised to see me reading a LOT more Solnit in the days ahead.

Posted by Duff at 12:17 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

November 05, 2007

Quote of the Day.

“I’ve always been a sucker for sad songs. I can listen to nothing but Slowdive records and be a pig in shit, so I naturally gravitate to writing those kinds of songs,” Bridwell says. [click quote to go to full Harp Magazine interview; link via DJBV.]

I've got nothing but good things to say about the new Band of Horses "Everything All the Time.""Cease to Begin" [doh]. I find the album totally entrancing and it's one of my favorites of the year. But admittedly their songs are not super upbeat. Like their lead singer, I'm more than happy to listen to sad songs and wallow.

Posted by Duff at 12:50 PM | Say What? | filed under " " of the XXX., Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

November 01, 2007

Live Via Podcast

If you're not a concert-going freak like myself, but sometimes think "I wish I could hear these guys in concert," then you might want to check out the KEXP Live Performance podcasts as well as NPR: All Songs Considered which recently has had a couple great live shows, such as The National, which was very similar to what I heard them do in concert (other than the live energy and the fact that you would have to turn a podcast up very VERY LOUD to have it be like being there in concert). KEXP had Band of Horses recently which I was psyched about since they are playing Chicago two nights in a row and I AM WORKING BOTH NIGHTS so I can't go. Stupid j-o-b, always interfering with my real life priorities!!! One of them (um, yeah, I can't remember which! Bygones) did an Okkervil River live podcast recently that was good, too. It was a much more raw show - more like dudes playing in a smokey bar than in a concert hall - a bit rough and tumble, and a few too many fans in the audience that wanted to make their presence known ("I love you, Will!" that's great, moron, a) shut up and b) what about the rest of the band. geez. have some respect). There's also a pretty long interview with aforementioned lead singer/writer/etc. Will at the end. I'm going to see Stars tomorrow night and I think I have a pretty good idea how cool and atmospheric their show is going to be after listening to their podcast with interview (KEXP or NPR? can't remember!) where they talk about how much more important they find it to set up a real stage show/presence now that they're playing to larger crowds.

So, in conclusion, if you can't make it out to shows, or you can't manage to get tickets the way I can here in Chicago (something I haven't really gotten over, there are very few shows here where I haven't been able to if I wanted [there is the rare show where I decide I just can't go and then don't try to buy them], and the only two I really remember are ones where I was an idiot and forgot that the tickets were on sale...), both NPR and KEXP are posting pretty solidly representative live podcasts. So you can go to the concert in your own living room or on your ipod on the El train. Woot. Check what they've got available for September/October and you should find all the ones I mentioned (as well as others).

Posted by Duff at 09:20 AM | Say What? | filed under Podcasts, Recommending

October 24, 2007

Selected Sampler Singles - Paste #34

New (to me) Songs I'm Diggin:
"The Underdog" Spoon (not new today, but this sampler is where I first heard it)
"White Dove" John Vanderslice
"Put a Penny in the Slow" Fionn Regan (folksy, rolling guitar)
"Better People" Xavier Rudd (oh man this is so reminding me of something but I just can't quite put my finger on it...)
"Parsons White" Phonograph
"Black Skies for the High & Mighty" Wrinkle Neck Mules (straight up country)
"Postcard from Kentucky" Rocky Votolato
"Oh Mary Don't You Weep" Mike Farris (can I get a witness?)
"I Believe" Peter Searcy (anthemic)
"If You're Gonna Leave" Emerson Hart (melancholy)
"Run" Renee Stahl (a little like Eliza Carthy)

Old Friends:
"Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe" Okkervil River

from Paste #34.

Posted by Duff at 10:22 AM | Say What? | filed under Listenin', Rags, Recommending, Tunes

October 23, 2007

Mystery/Fiction: "In the Woods" by Tana French

It would be a big surprise to me if this novel isn't in my Top 10 at the end of the year. LOVED IT. Really good. Sucks you right in, keeps you spellbound, and I stayed up way way way past my bedtime finishing it as I was close enough to the end I just couldn't go to sleep without finding out what happened!

Two murder detectives, close friends, draw a chilling case with very few reliable leads. And it seems it may be related to a case from years past, of three children disappeared into the wood, two gone forever, one returned with no memory of the events. That returnee being one of the two aforementioned detectives.

Told first person from Rob (Adam)'s point of view, extremely seductive stream of consciousness. As the case becomes more and more personal, his life gets more tipsy turvy...

Everytime I picked this up, I just wanted to sit and read for hours on end. Excellent!

(p.s. When I saw this in the bookstore, I couldn't remember where I'd heard of it. Then I realized it was in Jessica Jernigan's "recommended" column. )

Posted by Duff at 09:43 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

October 19, 2007

Chicago Film Festival: Control

Dir: Anton Corbijn
Actrs: Mostly fairly unknowns (Sam Riley = awesome!!), with Samantha Morton as Deborah Curtis.

A biopic of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division, the remaining members of which became New Order after Curtis' suicide. Based on the biography written by his wife, Deborah. Reading up on details in various places, sounds pretty true to events, with some scenes/dialogue obviously imagined due to lack of other people in the room.

Corbijn is protesting in interviews being known only as a "rock photographer" although I'd say the skills of a rock photographer add greatly to the filming of this story. Regardless, it's beautifully filmed in black and white, does a good job of showing the extreme bleakness of the surrounds, where they grew up, Curtis' mental and emotional bleakness. Pondering whether either a) the side effects of his epilepsy medication made him not take the medication thus leading to more (and more?) epileptic fits on stage or whether b) he was indeed regularly taking it leading to more and more depression, paranoia, etc. The scene where the drugs are prescribed and the extreme lack of medical knowledge at the time around epilepsy was pretty scary. (Is it better now? One has to hope so.)

If not for Curtis' suicide, you feel like you could be watching a movie about the early Stones or the Beatles. The music business was such a different animal, even in the late 70s when JD was getting their start. You see the evolution not only of the band, but of their manager and record company.

Some of it is just maddening, particularly the events that appear to lead directly to his suicide. Basically couldn't handle being married and a father at his young age (they got married at 17 or 18, had a kid around 22, suicide at 23), was involved in at least one extramarital affair, (although I think the movie may have trimmed out other affairs for time), but prospect of wife divorcing him over him a) being unfaithful and b) stating to her that he doesn't love her anymore! makes him completely despondent. Yet, he's having an affair, so... Classic case of digging one's own hole, yet his mental state left him completely unable to handle it or face up to his own actions. Interesting to see events in his life tied to songs writtenly shortly thereafter ("She Lost Control" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart" particularly).

Great acting here. Actors playing the band play the music themselves. If you liked Ray for Jamie Foxx's incredibly Ray-like interpretation, or Walk the Line for a similarly incredible performance by Joaquin Phoenix, you should see this. Although Sam Riley's voice is much higher than Curtis', the band does a more than credible job of interpreting the songs and it all feels very, very real. Thought Riley did an incredible acting job, as well as Samantha Morton playing his wife and Alexandria Maria Lara playing his other love Annick (she's breathtakingly gorgeous).

In my own "rock history", given that he committed suicide in 1980 when I was whatever, fucking young as shit, I knew the music of New Order much better, became a huge fan thanks to my friend Pete freshman year of college who was the first person to play New Order for me, as well as The Replacements, and so many more bands that certainly owe some musical debts to Joy Division. Even today, bands like The National, would their lead have considered a rock career without having heard similarly low-voiced Ian Curtis, one has to wonder. Curtis was a big Bowie fan early on, there are lots of other bands up and coming alongside them (the Buzzcocks, hilarious bit in the film about the name; The Sex Pistols), and watching the movie just made me need to go home and sit down in front of the stereo...

New Order site lists showings around the country. Go! Highly recommended. Might want to bring kleenex.

Posted by Duff at 09:20 AM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

October 11, 2007

Have I mentioned

just loveloveLOVING the new Band of Horses album?

Oh, Yes, I have. I do. Yes.

Posted by Duff at 10:07 AM | Say What? | filed under Album, Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

October 08, 2007

Chicago Film Festival: Blackout

Dir: Jerry LaMothe
Actrs: Mostly unknowns (to me) but a few familiar faces such as Jeffrey Wright, Zoe Saldana, and Saul Rubinek.

This movie was EXCELLENT. Completely compelling. I turned in my ballot with a 5 and I hope it gets a major distributor. Excellent even though the print we watched had a HUGE time code along the bottom of the screen (blocking about the bottom fourth of the screen) and no credits at the end.

Focuses on the New York City blackout of August 2003*, details the events in one Brooklyn neighborhood, particularly focused on the tenants of one apartment building and the workers at one hair salon. (Based on true events from the blackout, but believe the specific particulars are fictional.)

Really really great. Great acting, great pacing, great suspense, great passion and concern... Loved it. Both thumbs way up.

*hello, I was there! that was my last night in New York and I wound up sleeping on a couch in Manhattan unable to even get to my apartment in Queens!, and walking up and down many sets of stairs in complete darkness, and going for a very scary walk on the dark streets trying to find Amy...

Posted by Duff at 10:20 AM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

Fiction: "The Used World" by Haven Kimmel

Just as insightful and heartbreaking and tender and comic and genius as you should expect from a Haven Kimmel book. A story of three woman, connected and disconnected in ways only known to one of them. Spirituality, and friendship, and family, and love. And pain, and guilt, and when can one forgive, and when is forgiveness off the table. Small-town America, with all its aches and pains. And particularly the pangs of those more worldly who live in it.

Quite, quite lovely. Kimmel is an automatic "buy in hardback" for me at this point.

Posted by Duff at 10:01 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

September 26, 2007

Death and Faith.

I got an email from a friend telling me her Dad died, and it reminded me that Madeleine L'Engle died recently and I've been meaning to recommend a specific book of hers.

While I dearly dearly love the Wrinkle in Time books, and there are a few of her adult fiction books I enjoyed also (A Small Rain, A Severed Wasp), my all-time favorite L'Engle book is from her "Crosswick Journals" 'set, Vol 4. Two-Part Invention: The Story of a Marriage.

A large part of the book is about her husband dying of cancer, and her struggling with her faith to "make sense of" or deal with that without falling back on either the nonsensical "why god why" or the equally (to believers in the concept of Free Will) nonsensical "God must have had a reason." (In a world operating under Free Will, God is not a puppet master.)

It was a really lovely book and helped me when I was dealing with a death that hit me particularly hard, given the specific circumstances.

I reread the Wrinkle in Time books a few years ago during Harry Potter mania, to reconfirm that I did still love them even though I didn't love (what I tried of) Harry Potter. They are more like both C.S. Lewis (faith-based fantasy) and Phillip Pullman (lovelovelove), and Meg and Charles are very beloved characters (by me and, of course, many others).

RIP Madeleine L'Engle.

RIP Papa Auta. I am sad I'll never meet you when I finally make it to New Zealand. Your daughter has been such an important part of my life.

Posted by Duff at 05:46 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Recommending

September 24, 2007

Netflix: Eulogy

This movie is HILARIOUS. Side-splittingly funny family farce. Along the lines of The Royal Tennenbaums, but less dark (despite it being funeral-focused). Ray Romano and Hank Azaria are funny, as expected, and Debra Winger is really funny, playing against type. Loved it.

Lots of completely inappropriate, non-PC humor, which is really the best kind, right? Everyone knows that the only gay relationships that work are between people of the same height. Or Azaria having told his daughter (Zoey Deschanel, so sweet) that her mom died when she was young "from being a social worker who cared too much." (Turns out she was actually a porno actress.) Too funny.

Posted by Duff at 06:52 PM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

Nonfiction: "Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer

subtitle: "A Story of Violent Faith". KC gave me this for Christmas and it's proably something I would not have bought on my own. But daaaammmmmn is it good. Following several crimes committed by Mormon "Fundamentalists" (those who have broken away from the "mainstream" LDS Mormon church), it goes through the history of Mormonism itself, the philosophy of many of the breakaway sects, interviews with current members of regular Mormonism, fundamental Mormonism, as well as "apostates" (excommunicated members), and members who ran away from it all (Run! RUN FAR!!!!!).

It is incredibly researched and extremely well written and I could barely put it down long enough to go to sleep at night. Completely compelling reading about crazy, scary people. Extra kudos to Krakauer for including the rebuttal from the LDS Mormons (who aren't really the FOCUS of the book anyway) and going through it point by point to either acknowledge errors or alternately say "Nope, I am right on that."

Extremism in any area of life (religion, adventure, etc.) is not necessarily something I'm interested in, but it's so well written, it was well worth reading.

Posted by Duff at 11:54 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

September 17, 2007

Big Screen: In the Valley of Elah

Intense and sad, and yet a very quiet movie. Things happening beneath the surface for many of these characters. A couple things about the mystery that I felt weren't explained quite right / didn't sit quite right. But makes its point quite well: the war isn't just happening "over there." The soldiers bring it home with them.

And if you were paying attention at the beginning, the message at the end is very clear: We are a country in distress. No doubt about it.

Really great performances by Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon. And a couple of the "unknowns" playing the soldiers really did well in their parts. Very impressive filmmaking.

Posted by Duff at 09:21 AM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

September 11, 2007

Fiction: "Day" by A.L. Kennedy

A war veteran finds himself acting as an extra in a film about the war...and finally finds himself back in a place he understands. A place where he can finally come to terms with his war experiences, his regrets, his hopes...

What an amazing book. Just as Kennedy's last novel "Paradise" took me so much into the mind of the alcoholic main character that I could practically taste the alcohol on my tongue, this book brings you into a completely different world, yet just as fully. Alfred's experiences in the war (WWII, by the way), and the bonds he formed then, and the emptiness he's felt since...

I found it extremely powerful and moving. It's the third Kennedy I've read, the third I've loved. To think that the same author could write so movingly on such different themes...truly awe-inspiring. She ranks right up there with Pat Barker and Ann Patchett for me -- three of the greatest living authors of our time.

Posted by Duff at 09:32 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

In Concert: Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals

What an amazing show. Blew me away. Can't really put it into words. Ben Harper's amazing voice, and his truly remarkable guitar skills, and his completely awe-striking mastery of so many musical styles... His band is polished and professional but can still rip it up. There were loud rocking moments, and rollicking funky moments, and Marvin Gaye sexy moments, and quiet heartbreakingly beautiful moments. They're promoting their new album "Lifeline" (with possibly the most lovely title song of any album in recent history) and I think it may be their best one yet. Highly recommended, both the album and the show.

Posted by Duff at 09:27 PM | Say What? | filed under Album, Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

September 04, 2007

Big Screen: The Bourne Ultimatum

Fan-fucking-tastic. The car/and other transport chases were awesome, the fights were breathtaking. Loved it.

Posted by Duff at 09:50 AM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

August 29, 2007

Wow, Earlimart is bewitching me.

I'm listening to the new Earlimart "Mentor Tormentor" while I am trying to catch up on book reviews tonight, and this album is completely entrancing me. It's so lilting and melodic and calm yet building. The vocals are lovely. Wow. What a pretty album!

I've mentioned their previous album ("Treble & Tremble") to lots of people and just gotten a blank stare. I listened to that one quite a bit, but I don't remember there being as many male/female trade-offs in the vocals. There's a folksy, country twinge to this band, but they're less rhythmic than most country, and the harmonies feel thicker/stronger (and more pop) than most folk.

Now I wish I would have bought tickets to see them (tomorrow at Schuba's) but I know I really don't have the energy anyway (and I knew looking at my calendar, I wouldn't, which is why I didn't buy them when they went on sale a few months ago). Eh bien...next time.

For now, I will turn off the lights and listen to this loveliness and dream myself into another world...

Posted by Duff at 08:45 PM | Say What? | filed under Album, Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

Fiction: "Run" by Ann Patchett

Since this book doesn't come out until October in the US, I was very excited to stumble upon it in Belgium. It's not that long of a read (it didn't even last me the entire plane ride from Brussels to Philadelphia), but it was a really rich, satisfying read that has stayed with me since.

One of my favorite reading "things" is when unrelated books you read in short periods turn out to be thematically linked; they become a matched set to me / a good "pair." As with "The Buffalo Soldier" which I read a week earlier, this is a story of racially-mixed adoption (white parents/black child(ren).

What truly makes a family? What makes a mother? How important are the physical links? Do the emotional ones replace them? Can your hopes and dreams for other people ever STOP hindering them / stop hindering your relationship with them when they don't work out?

This was just really lovely. I think I've now read all Patchett's books. I'm on the bandwagon. Leading the parade. They're all really different than each other; they've all got at least one breathtaking, beautiful moment. This book had several. Run, Kenya, run...

Posted by Duff at 08:34 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Fiction: "Seven Types of Ambiguity" by Elliot Perlman

Technically this was my vacation reading but since I didn't want to carry it on the plane with me on the way back, I didn't finish the last few pages until a few days after I got back thanks to the luggage screwup.

Ginger loves this book and had recommended it to me several times. Finally she just sent me a copy. Wow. Somewhat like another book I read recently, or a movie like "Memento", as each chapter unfurls, something takes you by surprise. Yet UNLIKE say the current show "Damages", the things that happen unexpectedly MAKE SENSE and are not blindsiding you. You weren't expecting them, or you might not have predicted them, but it's one of those books where things unfold in such a neat way... You have to keep reinterpreting your previous conclusions as you go.

Carrying the torch of a love long lost can lead one to do things you wouldn't expect. Yes? No?

It's a big, thick one. It takes a bit of time. But it's worth it.

Posted by Duff at 08:29 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

August 27, 2007

SModcasts: Side-Splittingly Funny

If you found Clerks, Clerks 2, or Jay & Silent Bob to be just downright fucking hilarious, then these podcasts are for you. If you like the "Evening with Kevin Smith" DVDs, these podcasts are for you. If you can sit through 45 minutes of really blatant grotesque sex and slime talk, these podcasts are for you. I had to download them for my Dad, Kevin Smith's biggest fan, and after hearing his rave reviews of SModcast #2, just started listening to them myself.

Too dangerous to listen to on the El because other passengers think you are a freak when you bust out laughing over what's playing on your ipod. These would brighten even the darkest horrible days. So funny.

Posted by Duff at 07:41 PM | Say What? | filed under DadReaction, Podcasts, Recommending

August 09, 2007

Fiction: "Taft" by Ann Patchett

I think this was the only Patchett book I hadn't read yet. What the hell was I waiting for? (Woman needs to write me something new!) I LOVED it. The lead character's voice totally sucked me in. His longings and his fears and his reality... It all rang true. His tenderness and his sometimes hesitations... The atmosphere at Muddy's. The rain. Palpable.

A great book. I think she's one of the best writers out there right now, and in terms of female writers, she's right up there with Pat Barker and A.L. Kennedy. Would love to see something new. Just talked to my pops, she DOES have a new book out!! "Run". Heading to the bookstore now!!

Posted by Duff at 06:01 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

Fiction: "Remainder" by Tom McCarthy

Very cool and mysterious book. Really takes you a place you're not expecting. Man severely injured in an accident he can't even remember receives an 8 million pound settlement. The way he sets about spending the money...is not anything you could ever dream up. Wow. Intricate and extremely plotted, the general evolution of his plan was quite spell-binding. I really didn't want to put this book down.

Ultimately I felt this was a book about control, with the main character the boy version of the girls from, say, "An Invisible Sign of My Own" or "Sharp Objects".

Posted by Duff at 05:43 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

July 31, 2007

Current Favorite Band: The National.

I am so in love with this band right now, I can barely talk about it without getting choked up!

Stay out super late tonight
Picking apples, making pies
Put a little something in our lemonade
And take it with us...

The fact that I had never listened to them before Boxer, their AWESOME current album, just goes to show that no matter how much music you listen to, and how many magazines & blogs you read, and how much you think you are paying attention, there is always something GREAT that slips past your radar.

As the summer went by, I kept picking up random mentions of them everywhere (as i mention here) and then Paul mentioned them as well, and I got home, listened to maybe three of the iTunes 35-second samples, and I was ALL IN. Just like that.

The lead singer's voice is soooo deep and melodius and just downright BEWITCHING. You don't even want to hear anyone else sing after that, all other voices sound so thin. The music is thick and densely layered (you know I'm not a fan of the sparse). Great lyrics. Great mood. Wow. I'm bowled over!

I had a secret meeting in the basement of my brain.

I am going to see them live in NovemberSeptember! [Doh!] and I CANNOT WAIT!!

Highly Recommended: "Boxer"
Also recommended: earlier album "Alligator"
Although a lot of the reviews are calling the new one a departure, I felt it was more of a logical progression.

You might need me more than you think you will.

Posted by Duff at 10:30 AM | Say What? | filed under Album, Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

July 11, 2007

Album: The White Stripes "Icky Thump"

So in the past, I have always thought "naw, I don't think so" when a new White Stripes album comes out. Then a few weeks after its release, I start hearing it everywhere and loving it. Then I finally buy it and it becomes completely indispensable to my listening ears. So this time, I bought it right away. Good idea -- 'cause I love it! I mean I LOVE it EXCEPT I HATE "St Andrew (blah blah)". That song just grates on my ears and in fact I believe I will DELETE it from iTunes altogether when I get home tonight so it never accidentally starts playing! Hate. Love. It's always a fine line!

Actually I love this album so much that I think I may finally have found my new AC/DC. You know, that one band in a genre you never ever listen to but you just love that one band so much you listen to it constantly? Because THIS album to me is not rock. It's HARD rock. Metal, almost. I mean, seriously...it rocks. It's loud and sassy and all BEAT and GUITAR and hello is it not hard rock to you?

As close to listening to Headbanger's ball as I will ever be, EXCEPT of course AC/DC "Back in Black" which I did in high school (and still do) listen to full-on over and over. Hello if you went to high school when I did, you young folk, there is no way you didn't know all the words to at least three songs on this album, whether you liked it or not. And it's certainly the only hard rock I was interested in then. (And OK, during high school, I was willing to make out to Whitesnake, but I wouldn't listen to it otherwise.)

So there's two recommendations for you: White Stripes "Icky Thump" = THUMBS UP. AC/DC "Back in Black" = in my all-time Top 10, no question. (Whitesnake = only during heavy petting.)

Posted by Duff at 11:12 AM | Say What? | filed under Album, Listenin', Recommending, Tunes

July 08, 2007

Fiction: "Freddy and Fredericka" by Mark Helprin

I bought this book some time ago and found that I had three Helprin novels on the shelf and had yet to read anything by the man. I'm so glad I finally did as this novel was really lots of fun. Tale of two bumbling oafs in the Royal Family sent off to "conquer America" and stop embarrassing themselves. In the tradition of comedies of manners, or Tristam Shandy. While the subjects, and many of the periphery characters, are soundly mocked, there are also beautiful, poetic, descriptive passages as they make their way through America...very hard to resist a road trip after this one!

There are so many funny moments, and there is also a very tender love story as the Prince and his wife finally come to know each other. There are also a lot of really funny "Who's on first?" moments, particularly when they meet up with politician Don Knott. "Are you x(whatever)x?" "No, I"m not." "No, I'M Knott."

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Posted by Duff at 12:01 PM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

July 03, 2007

Big Screen: A Mighty Heart

Just completely beautiful and entrancing. Jolie is wonderful (and understated) as Marianne Pearl, and Marianne's humanist message comes through loud and clear. Great performances by many unknown actors as the various Pakistani policemen and other journalists. Totally heartbreaking and gut-wrenching, particularly since you know the outcome going in / you're just waiting for the worst.

2nd best movie I've seen this year. Highly recommended. But bring kleenex!!

Posted by Duff at 09:31 AM | Say What? | filed under Flicks, Recommending, Watchin'

June 28, 2007

In concert: Bishop Allen !!!

Yay! I've been trying to see these guys for ages and it's just never worked out. They do quirky, melodius, good-natured pop with fun lyrics and great harmonies.

They put out 12 albums last year, a 4-song EP for every month except August, which had 13 live songs instead. And they were lots of fun in concert!

Are they playing near you? GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Posted by Duff at 06:38 PM | Say What? | filed under Live!!, Recommending, Tunes

June 25, 2007

Dad Does Movies Too.

My dad had a few days off this week. He went to the movies.

Waitress: He liked A LOT. But as we discussed how he liked it and I kinda didn't, everything he mentioned he liked was a very specific Keri Russell moment. So maybe he liked the film because he liked her so much (and because he was on vacation, he felt that was a contributing factor) whereas I really liked her but was ultimately disappointed that the rest of the film didn't live up to her level.

Pirates 3: He liked it better than the bad reviews (and hello the third movie of anything is going to get slammed, no?). He loved Pirates 1 but thought Pirates 2 was only OK. He said anyone who liked Pirates 1 will like this one as well, some fun stuff. And Keith Richards is great (he is KR's biggest fan).

Mr. Brooks: It's a mess of a movie, there are like seven different (and pretty much unconnected) plots. But there were enough things worth seeing in it that he thinks it's a shame that probably no one will go to it because every review will say "this thing is a mess." He said yes that's true BUT he really enjoyed the Kevin Costner/William Hurt conversations, among other things, and that there are enough enjoyable things that you wouldn't regret going to it.

We were also talking about our recent DVD watches and whether or not to watch the "extras" or "commentaries" and whether or not they're stupid.

He recommends the extras on two specific movies:

Gosford Park: commentary by the screenwriter. Completely entertaining, gives ALL KINDS of extra information, etc. Talks alot about the screenwriter's aunt who was living during that time of changeover from British "realm" to hello welcome to the real world, etc. Very cool.

A History of Violence: commentary by director Cronenberg. Said it was so interesting and compelling that it made you want to watch the movie again right away!

Does not recommend extras on:

Goodbye and Good Luck: commentary by director Clooney [and co-author?I think?]. Said it's totally lame and laughable and doesn't fit the tone of the movie AT ALL and makes you forget about how serious and welldone of a movie it was.

Posted by Duff at 06:09 PM | Say What? | filed under DadReaction, Flicks, Recommending

Fiction: "An Invisible Sign of My Own" by Aimee Bender

I really haven't read many people Aimee Bender can be compared to. As when I read some of her short stories in 2005, her writing is not so much "fantasy" as "writing set in the normal world with fantastical elements." This novel has less of those elements than her short stories do, yet it has the same overall feeling to me.

Mona is a numbers person. Obsessive compulsive, but not in the typical way, and perhaps beyond that. Tender and moving, sad and sometimes scary. Yet ultimately hopeful. Your heart breaks for this girl, with her worries and her need for control and her unwillingness to accept the happy... I would have happily kept reading about her long after the last page.

Posted by Duff at 09:54 AM | Say What? | filed under Books, Readin', Recommending

June 22, 2007

Best Late-Night Burrito EVER.

On Ashland, just south of Division (less than a block), there are THREE places called La Pasadita. Apparently they are owned by three different brothers. They all have a very similar dive-y look.

You want the side of the street with two (the west side) and you want to go to the one that's further south, and you want to order the steak burrito (and then if you're me you want to have someone with you to split it with because it is GINORMOUS and you've already had way too many calories of beer before you got there anyway) and then you are ready to die and go to heaven because you've just had the best burrito of your life.

p.s. this was the second time this burrito has blown my mind. I had to make sure the first time wasn't just a drunken fantasy before I recommended it. oh my buddha, it was even better the second time.

Posted by Duff at 12:21 PM | Say What? | filed under Food, Recommending, Remember

June 13, 2007

Netflix: Rumble Fish

Wow, I think it's been 20 years since I've seen this movie. Sometimes you just need a little Matt Dillon in your day.

It's beautifully filmed in B&W with lots of cool shots of clouds and reflections and the coloring-in effect of the fish is really before its time, isn't it. Although technically an 80s flick, it feels like a 50s/70s combination given the sock-hop feel of the stylin' combined with the general 70s vibe, particularly Laurence Fishburne's look. The fight scenes are very coolly choreographed. Diane Lane was just as gorgeous then, was she not? Same yea