Some summer movies are so slight, so marginally interesting, that I'm always left wondering why I bothered. Such is very much the case with "The Other Guys" which I saw earlier this week as an escape from the playdates and home projects that fill the days until kindergarten gets us back on a regular schedule. Straight up, my rating is a slightly pissy D. Will Ferrell plays himself barely testing the limits with his overworn charm. Mark Wahlberg and a cast of sleepwalkers yuck it up. Only Michael Keaton made me feel anything like good about what goes on here. I'm still a big fan of his particular charms, even though he looks like he's been shriveling up at the bottom of a bottle of tequila for the last decade. The larger point being this movie makes me hate my instinct (or is it learned behavior?) to play catch up on movies that have been in theatres for a handful of weeks. If you're not inspired, don't force it. That, in effect, could have been the tagline of this movie. Rent it.
One new album that I dig while struggling to explain exactly why is Best Coast's "Crazy for You". The same things get said about them repeatedly. Lo-fi. Surf rock. Indie. But the standard breakdown's as lazy sounding as a first listen of the album. I think the appeal is broader. Start an arc from Nancy Sinatra connected all the way through a fuzzy Karen Carpenter up all the way through Sleater-Kinney to the current flavor of hipster female ennui and you've got the sound that's being repeated here. I like that sound. It's a bit haunting. Echoey. More than a bit pretentious. If you could boil down the sound of a band practicing some songs on their porch without amps a spleef's throw away from the ocean, you'd have Best Coast and the handful of hooks on this album. An album I very much recommend. My rating's a solid B. Bring it on your next road trip and I'll bet y'all a round of In-N-Out burgers that it will get replayed often enough to stick.
Finally, a very strange Seattle touristy mention. Not a recommendation in its current form, by any means. But something worth pointing out in hopes that it will get serious about entertaining people in the future. Almost everyone that comes through Seattle makes it to the Pike Place Market. As they should. And I think that anyone living here would love to avail themselves of opportunities to get to know the Market better. I tried to do so last night, cashing in a Groupon for a half-price tour with the Market Ghost Tour. For those familiar with the competition, I'd say it's about half as interesting as the Underground Tour around Pioneer Square (I took it years ago and remember it was half a hoot). But I in no way begrudge the Ghost Tour folks for the effort - I love public theatre, no matter the form. I merely suggest that they seriously step it up a notch. I was the only local amidst a sold-out tour group of what the guide said would be 20 (it wasn't). What did we do? Not much. We walked a few blocks worth of the Market and got some stories that didn't really stick. I challenge the Ghost Tour to at the very least make some compelling stuff up. Deliver it with verve. Tourists will swallow it whole. The coolest thing by far was seeing that a ballsy attitude can mean you're let loose inside the Market after the producers have packed up for the day. But otherwise, my rating is an encouraging D. With a smile and a friendly handshake. You'd be better off spending $15 at Kell's or The Alibi Room and chatting up a Irish drunk or a trannie. Or better yet, both.
Hope your own scattershot entertainment hits the mark today. Rock on.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Appreciating the transition
The transition from preschool to kindergarten is the current primary topic of conversation in our household. Maya's last hurrah at the JCC was last week, and we're very much feeling sentimental about the experience. We even had a final picnicky evening with families, teachers and various hangers-on last Friday. It was the sort of sweet coda we hadn't required, but are damn glad was offered. The best part is that Maya hit the ground running even before that rug was pulled out from under her. Mainly due to the promise of going to "big kid school" and all that entails. And partly thanks to the promise of a weekend of car camping and hiking at Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park. Truth be told, we managed a fulfilling 3-mile hike with her leading the way up - the kid's got legs. But then we failed after coming down by not having a reserved campsite or being able to find a Farmer John's meadow outside the Park to comfortably pitch a tent in. So lesson learned - this time of year, it's idiotic to chance it. Reserve ahead. But you already knew that. Or you'll be hoofin' back, stopping at McDonald's for the insanely rare foodcrack meal on the fly outside Tacoma, to pitch the tent on the deck in the darkness and rain (backyard's too slanty, apparently). Which was awesome in it's own way.
For the next two weeks, Maya's my apprentice for a series of projects around the homestead. Which would be a promising thing, if the relationship was anchored by a more skilled master. This morning, lots of hedge trimming, general landscaping and early fall how-did-we-let-this-get-so-crappy assessing of the outside situation. Now, lunch. Soon, to shift entirely, Maya's dance recital for the end of summer. Ballet and tap. If only it could be done with a rake and gardening gloves. But I don't want to be one of those parents. You know, the velcro ones profiled in today's NYTimes. I prefer to think of our approach as more akin to static cling. Who's the sock and who's the pantleg - that's the question. We've got plenty of time to answer that later.
Hope your own yard is also shaping up considerably today. Rock on.
For the next two weeks, Maya's my apprentice for a series of projects around the homestead. Which would be a promising thing, if the relationship was anchored by a more skilled master. This morning, lots of hedge trimming, general landscaping and early fall how-did-we-let-this-get-so-crappy assessing of the outside situation. Now, lunch. Soon, to shift entirely, Maya's dance recital for the end of summer. Ballet and tap. If only it could be done with a rake and gardening gloves. But I don't want to be one of those parents. You know, the velcro ones profiled in today's NYTimes. I prefer to think of our approach as more akin to static cling. Who's the sock and who's the pantleg - that's the question. We've got plenty of time to answer that later.
Hope your own yard is also shaping up considerably today. Rock on.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
What all the stayin' cool kids are wearing to the last week of Pre-K summer school.
What all the stayin' cool kids are wearing to the last week of Pre-K summer school.
Originally uploaded by emaggie
Monday, August 16, 2010
"Scott Pilgrim" Vs. All The Other Summer Bunk? "Pilgrim" wins.
Finally. A not-so-huge but incredibly entertaining summer surprise. "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" is a rorschach test - less generational than inspirational. It would be enough to say that it's fun and inventive. But there's much more going on there in Pilgrim. Aside from "Toy Story 3" (which must still be considered the best across the board movie of the summer) there is nothing close to this level of fun out there. Add in the fact that we caught a late afternoon matinee on the hottest day of the summer and you've got the most deserving A-rating in ages. If you can't fathom liking a story that takes much of it's inspiration and style from video games, don't bother. But if are willing to give it a chance, I think you will be seriously enthused. The entire cast crackles with energy. Mary Elizabeth Winstead takes the adorable hotness I'd seen as patented by Kate Winslet and somehow manages to up the ante. I'd already appreciated director Edgar Wright because of "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz". Now I think we're going steady. And if you're a complete-ist geek, the graphic novels need to be read just so you can appreciate how much of the visual style comes directly from Bryan Lee O'Malley - dood's got serious vision. Seriously. Just go see it.
On a very different plane, I was totally disappointed by the follow-up novel to "The Tourist" by Olen Steinhauer. "The Nearest Exit" is so entirely a middle segment in what has to be at least a trilogy. Steinhauer is plump full of writerly skill and he gets you where you're going with rare efficiency. But when I put this book down, I wished I'd not read it. So don't read it until we see if he follows it up with a stronger narrative arc using these same characters. My rating is a piss and vinegar C-minus. I still respect this writer big time. This book was a waste of my time, though.
Hope your own summertime highs get saved in the memory bank for those chilly mornings in less than four months. Rock on.
On a very different plane, I was totally disappointed by the follow-up novel to "The Tourist" by Olen Steinhauer. "The Nearest Exit" is so entirely a middle segment in what has to be at least a trilogy. Steinhauer is plump full of writerly skill and he gets you where you're going with rare efficiency. But when I put this book down, I wished I'd not read it. So don't read it until we see if he follows it up with a stronger narrative arc using these same characters. My rating is a piss and vinegar C-minus. I still respect this writer big time. This book was a waste of my time, though.
Hope your own summertime highs get saved in the memory bank for those chilly mornings in less than four months. Rock on.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A few current spins, open for debate
I've got a number of newish things in regular rotation that deserve a mention. Not that anything has blown me away. Quite the contrary when it comes to the new Arcade Fire album. I've been a big fan and I've seldom waited as anxiously for a new album. And while it's good, the cumulative effect is far from great. My rating - a mildly-disappointed, bored B-minus. There are some strong turns and I expect the live shows that come from this new material will also be beefy given Arcade Fire's awesome performance chops. But I'm about as fired up giving them an obligatory review as I am about the backlog of this summer's "Top Chef" on our DVR.
I also feel the need to lump together some new albums that I've fallen in and out of heavy petting like with recently. Menomena's most recent album ("Mines") is where I come in contact with their creative arc. Portland-based indie rock. Works best loud. Surprisingly resilient. I have to give it a durn good review. Solid B rating. But, then again, after listening a bunch of times....well, I'm not convinced I know enough of their package to give a complete assessment. I am intrigued enough to have subsequently tracked down their first album ("I Am the Fun Blame Monster!"). That's probably the way to initiate a fresh flirtation with a band that ain't new. Don't hate me for an early poke in their collective grill.
Otherwise, I can't get fired up about Wavves latest ("King of the Beach") - rating a C-plus that probably would benefit from a road trip. Or The Roots ("How I Got Over") - rating a re-tread feeling C-plus. Oddly, the thing that I've liked the most recently is a compilation release from the long since defunct Seattle band Carissa's Wierd. It's folk rock, although that characterization makes me throw up in my mouth a wee bit. Newbies might hear some faint echoes of what made The XX such a surprising breakthrough act last year. I give "They'll Only Miss You When You Leave" a sentimental B-plus rating.
Hope your own listening doesn't get in the way of all the books you've got on the proverbial nightstand there days. Rock on.
I also feel the need to lump together some new albums that I've fallen in and out of heavy petting like with recently. Menomena's most recent album ("Mines") is where I come in contact with their creative arc. Portland-based indie rock. Works best loud. Surprisingly resilient. I have to give it a durn good review. Solid B rating. But, then again, after listening a bunch of times....well, I'm not convinced I know enough of their package to give a complete assessment. I am intrigued enough to have subsequently tracked down their first album ("I Am the Fun Blame Monster!"). That's probably the way to initiate a fresh flirtation with a band that ain't new. Don't hate me for an early poke in their collective grill.
Otherwise, I can't get fired up about Wavves latest ("King of the Beach") - rating a C-plus that probably would benefit from a road trip. Or The Roots ("How I Got Over") - rating a re-tread feeling C-plus. Oddly, the thing that I've liked the most recently is a compilation release from the long since defunct Seattle band Carissa's Wierd. It's folk rock, although that characterization makes me throw up in my mouth a wee bit. Newbies might hear some faint echoes of what made The XX such a surprising breakthrough act last year. I give "They'll Only Miss You When You Leave" a sentimental B-plus rating.
Hope your own listening doesn't get in the way of all the books you've got on the proverbial nightstand there days. Rock on.
Friday, August 06, 2010
Shteyngart streams an exceptional "Story"
We're all familiar with the book review cliche` that goes something like "you won't want it to end". Usually, that's empty praise probably meant to say much more than it does. But I'm having trouble moving beyond that thought when I consider Gary Shteyngart's new novel "Super Sad True Love Story". Partly because it doesn't putter and blather on like so many novels (breaking the tape at what feels like a scant 330 pages). Largely because few writers exhibit chops like those spread throughout this novel. But mainly because Shteyngart creates a palette of characters who become that rarest of rarities in good art. Totally fictional persons that, while certainly drawn from someplace real, come to life all their own. Characters whose humanity shocks and intrigues. Ones who you spend the time surrounded by while reading this story. That's what you won't want to end.
I'm not giving anything away when I say that this book is written to not beg a sequel. No irritating trilogy will blossom from this solid, stand alone platform. What you read here is what you'll get. Although Shteyngart will surely have much, much more work for us to read in the future. He's under 40 - too often being pegged with that fascinating but silly list of "20 Under 40" from The New Yorker. So whatever debate may come from the success or missed opportunity for greater exposure in this novel, he's got more to give, I'm sure.
One important side note about Shteyngart is how well he proved himself performing in front of an impressive crowd at the Sunset Tavern in Ballard this past Monday. These fans were ready to laugh along with Shteyngart's reading and discussion of this truly sad, stinging book hung on the tenderhooks of our shared modern human foibles. He knocked it out of the park - it was more like stand-up than a reading. And when I watched him interact afterward with others before I spoke with him briefly while getting book signed, I could see that he actually likes interacting with people. So I'm not at all reluctant to give his new novel a rare, true full A rating. Not everyone will love it. But lots and lots of people should read it. Thereafter, discuss which of the words in his strange but appropriate title had the most impact. Let me know what you think, if you're so inclined. Rock on.
I'm not giving anything away when I say that this book is written to not beg a sequel. No irritating trilogy will blossom from this solid, stand alone platform. What you read here is what you'll get. Although Shteyngart will surely have much, much more work for us to read in the future. He's under 40 - too often being pegged with that fascinating but silly list of "20 Under 40" from The New Yorker. So whatever debate may come from the success or missed opportunity for greater exposure in this novel, he's got more to give, I'm sure.
One important side note about Shteyngart is how well he proved himself performing in front of an impressive crowd at the Sunset Tavern in Ballard this past Monday. These fans were ready to laugh along with Shteyngart's reading and discussion of this truly sad, stinging book hung on the tenderhooks of our shared modern human foibles. He knocked it out of the park - it was more like stand-up than a reading. And when I watched him interact afterward with others before I spoke with him briefly while getting book signed, I could see that he actually likes interacting with people. So I'm not at all reluctant to give his new novel a rare, true full A rating. Not everyone will love it. But lots and lots of people should read it. Thereafter, discuss which of the words in his strange but appropriate title had the most impact. Let me know what you think, if you're so inclined. Rock on.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
