Toronto - We all know Nas is releasing an album called N*gger in February, but I want to take the time to introduce y’all to a band I just started listening to tonight..the band is called “Black Kids” and I have enjoyed some of their songs. The band has a multi ethnic line-up that includes two people with the last name of ‘Youngblood’. I mean, how freakin cool is that! Its like, straight out of a Jean Claude Van Damme movie. Freaking ‘Youngblood’ ..fantastic.
What do they sound like? happy stuff, think kinda shout out louds, with lots of arcade fire-ish chanting and stuff. Its good indie pop stuff and for y’all that need verification, my friend Brent says they were on the Pitchfork top 100 songs of the year compilation or something. I am not really going to verify that, but I assume it is true.
Toronto - I borrowed this dvd I think in May from my friend, and a few days ago, in the boredom of my parents home I managed to finally watch it. Man, this movie is so freaking awesome. If you want to rent a clever comedy on DVD this weekend, or any weekend, this movie should be the one you rent.
In this movie, Aaron Eckhart plays Nick Naylor, one of the most hated men on the planet. He is the spin doctor for the Tobacco company. His great skill is talking and in this movie, you will see why. Before this movie, I hadn’t really seen him much in any movie and I was like ‘thats the guy who’s gonna play two-face?’. But now I can see why, he is fantastic in this movie. Basically the movie revolves around him. Here’s a character who is basically representing the devil, and yet he has to balance what he does and being a father to his son at the same time. I don’t really want to go into the plot too much..I mean its a plot, he’s obviously playing a not that great (morally) of a character, who is trying to be a father. If you have seen 8 movies in your life you will know some random stuff will happen and he’ll become a better man.
The movie has a strong supporting cast - William H Macy (steady as usual), Maria Bello, the guy from anchorman, pre Tom Cruise Katie Holmes (back when she was cute, and not looking tired and haggard), Adam Brody (playing the same neurotic twitchy geek character he perfected on the OC) and some other people.
So why is this movie awesome? It’s funny, it’s clever, its politically incorrect at times and it moves along at a good pace. What more can you ask for? A naked Jessica Alba maybe.. but that’s about it.
Well it is Christmas time and what better time to go see a movie. You should go and see Juno. Everybody else is going.
Have you seen High Fidelity, Garden State, and Little Miss Sunshine? Juno is a combination of these, right down to the indy infested soundtrack. Remember when your friends saw Garden State and then couldn’t stop talking about The Shins? Same thing will happen with this flick as the soundtrack features some pretty catchy tunes from Belle and Sebastian, The Moldy Peaches, Velvet Underground, Antsy Pants and Cat Power.
The only problem that I had with this movie was with the main character, Juno. As a character, she was pretty unbelievable. It wasn’t the acting, it was the script. Juno is supposed to be this cool, hip, plaid wearing, 16 year old, authority hating, dorky chick who is in a band. However, her dialogue and smart sarcasm is way over the top and in your face. For a 16 year old girl from a small town, she knew way too much about the 70’s punk movement and the history of slasher films. The way that her knowledge about these subjects was presented was really forced with in-depth and obscure references hitting you over the head almost every time she opened her mouth.
There is a lot of hype around Ellen Page, who plays the Juno character because she is Canadian and doing pretty well for herself. She was in X-Men 3 as Kitty Pride and more recently The Tracey Fragments. Most importantly some of you may remember a young Ellen Page as Trina Lahey in the Trailer Park Boys (2002)
The second half of the movie is much more enjoyable as the focus shifts to relationships and a resolution to the problem at hand. I really enjoyed the ending and the supporting cast that helps you get there. I liked it.
Toronto - One of our favorite sites - Stereogum recently posted what albums to expect to be released in 2008. Take a look at it here. Taking a quick look at the list, I highly anticipate listening to these albums when they are released in the next three months. I’ll be hiking it over to HMV or Soundscapes for sure on those days to get my first taste of these albums:
February 5 - Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
February 12 - British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
February 19 - Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
February - Los Campesinos! - Hold On NOw Youngster
March 11 - Bryan Adams - 11 (err maybe not this one)
March 11 - Destroyer - Trouble in Dreams
March - Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Have a look at this Über Geek beating ‘Through The Fire and Flames’ on Expert. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to appease the God of Rock because there wasn’t one melted face in the room.
Mark sure you watch the 6:40 mark, it’s freaking hilarious.
Toronto - Strange, before roughly october of last year, I did not have cable and relied on rabbit ears. Now..sigh. (I blame it on the Raptors and Steelers, as I have to watch every time either of these teams play)
Dexter - This is the best show on television. Exceptional acting with exceptional characters and a great story. This is one of the few shows where you end up liking the protaganist and the antagonis. Plus, season two featured one of the craziest bitches tv has ever seen.
How I Met Your Mother - who would have thought that CBS would come out with such a good sitcom. NPH’s Barney spits out memorable one liners like they were dispensed from some machine that dispenses something.
Heroes - X-men for the small screen, sure the beginning of season 2 sucked, but it has built up quite nicely. Who wouldn’t want super powers after watching this show..plus its cool to see what new powers new characters has. Also, Sylar is a great villain, to the point where you are cheering for him.
The IT Crowd - Britcom that is loved by all who watches it. Plus, this season, they introduced Matt Berry as the new boss.
Battlestar Galactica - A sci fi show that really isn’t. Sure theres space ships and aliens and bazookas. But in the ships, are humans. And the show is about humans. Not as good as seasons 1 or 2, but this show is still awesome.
TV Shows I watch because I started watching awhile ago, and cannot stop watching.
Lost - the single most frustrating show of all time, there were so many times when i’m like .. I’ve had enough, only they pull me with some new hook. None of which involves Evangeline Lily getting naked. Anyways, the fast forward flashback in the season finale blew me away. So awesome.
Prison Break - a show that should have ended after the first or second season. This show is getting tiresome, most of these characters just keep on suffering, and suffering. So I guess Toronto Maple Leaf fans will like this show, since they can relate. I however, can not.
24 - Finally, this season, 24 had become a parody of themselves, using the same tired story lines, the same tired twists, and the same tired quotes.
TV Show I do not know why I watch, but cannot stop watching.
The Hills - This show is crack, and I have no idea why. It’s like Entourage, with girls. I am trying to figure out why I watch this show still I mean basically the show is this:
segment 1: Lauren or Audrina or Heidi recap whatever happened last episode with their coworker/mentor (3 minutes)
*emo music montage*
segment 2: setup of whatever is going to happen this episode (3 minutes running time)
*emo music montage*
segment 3: drama!
*emo music montage*
segment 4: glares and stares
*ending credits*
I guess its good for the ADD crowd.
Shows I plan watch in the new year
Flight of the Conchords, Extras, Peep Show, Saxondale, The Wire
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