Viewing recap November

Wake in Fright (1971)
I went into the movie blind, not knowing what to expect. Made during “the golden age” of Australian cinema. They sure get through a lot of beer in this movie. I hated the animal cruelty scenes which I guess shows the recklessness and savageness of the community. There is an imminent threat throughout about what these men are capable of. It balances between utopia and nightmare. The alcohol is almost like a recruitment tool for newcomers to stay, and you sense that he is just one of many who have dropped out of society and are stuck in the small town.
A critic wrote: “The kindness of strangers has never seemed more terrifying. I also like this comment: "Wake in Fright is a monster movie, and the monster is us.”
Favorite quote: “You need a drink” “No, water please” “Water is only for washing, drink it up”
Rating 9/10

The Postman (Il Postino) (1994) 
A sweet heart-warming Italian movie. Besides being in love with the local woman, the friendship the postman strikes up with the exiled poet is what made the movie special.
Rating 8/10

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) 

A couple of scenes with Quill stayed with me, introducing the green girl to his music tape, and when he risks his life for her. The prison breakout was also memorable. The blue guy’s arrow is pretty deadly I must say.

A fun blockbuster with a sense of humor, impressive special effects, and enjoyable retro 70s soundtrack. Maybe I would have liked Guardians even more on the big screen. On dvd it’s a different experience. 

Rating 7.5/10

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

A film I had watched scenes from just never the whole thing before. Mainly memorable for the combined animation and live action, which has aged remarkably well. The script is highly quotable, and has entertainment value for adults too, with cultural references to for example Harvey (1950).

Favorite quote: “I can’t help it, I was drawn that way”

Rating 8/10

Enemy (2013)

While it is quite gripping and well-acted by Jake Gyllenhaal in his dual role, I don’t think it’s in the same league as Double Life of Veronique or Mulholland Dr. A good thriller, by a good director(Denis Villeneuve), and held my attention to the end. Perhaps I need to rewatch this one.

Rating 7.5

I already reviewed four new releases this month: Interstellar (2014), Nightcrawler (2014)  1989 (2014) (documentary), and The Look of Silence (2014) (documentary). You can read them here.

Agree or disagree. Watched anything great in November? As always, comments are welcome!

Top 100 songs of 2014 (tracks 90-81)

The countdown continues...

90.)

Don't by Ed Sheeran

(The singles are quite enjoyable, especially Don't and Sing. I find the album overrated. In an era of great pop music like the 1960s, 1970s or 1980s I doubt Ed Sheeran would have a big following. His music is good but not great)

89.)

Rimbaud Eyes by Dum Dum Girls 

(Very retro 80s. The chorus will get stuck in your head)

88.)

Love Is To Die by Warpaint

(Love is To Die is the single from their second LP. Disco/Very and Biggy are the other stand-outs. Not quite as strong as their debut album)

87.)

Pretty Girls by Little Dragon 

(Addictive tune)

86.)

Goddess by Banks

(“Cause she's a goddess” is an unforgettable lyric)

85.)

Uptight Downtown by La Roux

(While La Roux’s new singles may only be fluffy nonsense, there’s no denying this is a pop tune that will appeal to many)

84.)

Tough Love by Jessie Ware

(Not as memorable as the singles on 2013’s Devotion, but most of the new album is consistently good)

83.)

Funnel Of Love (featuring Madeline Follin) by SQÜRL (From Only Lovers Left Alive soundtrack)

My favorite from the disc. Incidentally, Jozef Van Wissem who features on the soundtrack is putting out his own album on December 2, It Is Time For You To Return)

82.)

What Is To Be Done? by Stars (listen at Spotify)

(I’m highlighting the ballad, which can bring a tear to your eye. The band have created an album with plenty of variety in both vocal delivery and production. Trap Door is good too and could have been sung by Morrissey. The single From The Night has a catchy chorus and I love the change of tempo halfway through the song)

81.)

Way Back Home by Prince

(The only track I go back to from ART OFFICIAL AGE. His vocal is so different here, he should do more songs where he speaks the lyrics. A haunting ballad that could be autobiographical)

Agree or disagree? Which are your favorites from these albums? As always, comments are welcome. Tracks 80-71 coming soon!

Selections for 2015 Blind Spots Series

Hoop Dreams (1994) (Steve James)


I've decided to continue with Ryan McNeil's blindspot blogathon. Many other LAMB bloggers are also participating, so it should be fun. The idea is you select 12 films you've never seen before, and write about a film each month. I've compiled a list of films I definitely want to watch in 2015. Based on flickchart, these are the highest ranked films by each director that I haven’t seen. I also went with films that have a score of 8/10 on IMDb or close to it. So besides Hoop Dreams, which are the rest?



This is Spinal Tap (1984) (Rob Reiner)

Patton (1970) (Franklin J. Schaffner)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) (multiple directors)

The Ten Commandments (1956) (Cecil B. DeMille)

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) (John Cassavetes)

Mary Poppins (1964) (Robert Stevenson)

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) (Orson Welles)

Andrei Rublev (1966) (Andrei Tarkovsky)

All That Jazz (1979) (Bob Fosse)

A Face in The Crowd (1957) (Elia Kazan)

Nashville (1975) (Robert Altman)

What do you think of my choices? Have you seen these films/documentaries?

Top 100 songs of 2014 (tracks 100-91)

I said last year I wouldn't do a top 100 songs from 2014 because it's time-consuming. In the end I listened to a lot of new albums during the year, so I would be doing a disservice to myself and the blogging community if I didn't share what I discovered. If any great music should be released in December I can always do an overlooked post in Jan. So what did 2014 have to offer? Let's see:

100.) 
My Enemy by Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams and Johnny Marr

(From Amazing Spiderman 2 soundtrack)

99.) 
Day Go By by Karen O

(Moon Song from Her soundtrack was beautiful. The new album by the singer consists of acoustic recordings. Day Go By is the track I have played the most)

98.)

Ring Off by Beyoncé

(From the deluxe edition of her self-titled album, out Nov 24)

97.)

FALLINLOVE2NITE by Prince and Zooey Deschanel

(Very catchy tune, why is it missing from his two new albums?)

96.)

Hunger of the Pine by alt-J

(Wowed me on first listen. Still good after a few plays. The video is a bit Hunger Games-esque)

95.)

Spiritual Leather by Sean Rowe

(While I don’t rate Madman as his best album, his deep baritone vocal has presence and is instantly recognizable. A beautifully written song.  The “Desiree” video is a fun departure from his usual melancholy style. “Shine My Dog” is another strong track. The lead single “Madman” is just ok, and not my favorite.

Lyrics: “Toes that dent the sand, melancholy feelings, I am still your man, feeling is believing, wars come into my dreams, they needle me awake. The road is long and wider than forever, I hope we’re that strong spiritual leather. Time, she was never such a friend she never cried for me. Time, she was never a friend, she never waits for me. What is the answer to every question, what is the reason for every direction, if we burn the answer for our protection, would that be ok? The sun is filled with lies promises and laughter, now I can’t be that wise, but I have seen the after. Slow, slow, that mamma down, I gotta get back home, slow, slow that mamma down, I gotta get back home”)

94.)

Gunshot by Lykke Li

A melancholy breakup album, so a bit of a downer, though it does have moments of beauty. The vocal has been reverbed so much though, that it at times undermines the emotional impact she is going for. I love the chorus in Gunshot)

93.)

Tomorrow by The Roots

(Not a fan of the album except this track)

92.)

American Dream Plan B by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

(Love the guitar)

91.)

Wanderer Wandering by Slow Club

(A dreamy track, which builds up to a beautiful ending)

Listened to any of these albums? Which are your favorites of the year? As always, comments are welcome. Tracks 90-81 coming soon!

Top 10 songs by Radiohead

I've recently been listening to the 8 studio albums by Radiohead. I only knew the band's hits before then. Radiohead are a little too miserable to become an old-time favorite group of mine(to quote the deformed man from Under the Skin at 2.20), but I do like their music in moderation. I've listed my personal favorites below:

1 Creep (from 1993's Pablo Honey)
2 Reckoner (from 2007's In Rainbows) (also: Choke soundtrack)
3 No Surprises (from 1997's OK Computer)
4 Everything in Its Right Place (from 2000's Kid A) (also: Vanilla Sky soundtrack)
5 Karma Police (from 1997's OK Computer)
6 Paranoid Android (from 1997's OK Computer)
7 Street Spirit (from 1995's The Bends)
8 Pyramid Song (from 2001's Amnesiac)
9 High and Dry (from 1995's The Bends)
10 Just (from 1995's The Bends)

Just missed out:
My Iron Lung (from 1995's The Bends)
Planet Telex (from 1995's The Bends)
The Bends (from 1995's The Bends)
Fake Plastic Trees (acoustic version) (from Clueless soundtrack)
Talk Show Host (from Romeo & Juliet Soundtrack)
Let Down (from 1997's OK Computer)
The Tourist (from 1997's OK Computer)
How to Disappear Completely (from 2000's Kid A)
Knives Out (from 2001's Amnesiac)
You & Whose Army? (from 2001's Amnesiac)
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (from 2007's In Rainbows)
Lotus Flower (from 2011's The King of Limbs)
Morning Mr Magpie (from 2011's The King of Limbs: Live from the Basement)


Are you a fan of Radiohead? Feel free to share your own favorite songs or albums in the comments, or tell me what I overlooked