FilmBender: sh*tfaced on movies

"Once" or twice would probably be enough for the vocal gymnastics

 

Once is the title of a little Irish film with big heart and giant beat -- to the extent that the music earned Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová an Oscar.  The actors acted, wrote and performed the music.  It's a drama about this singer/songwriter guy being kind of a p*ssy about lost love when he has a chance meeting with this cute girl, also a musician, who helps him work through his pain through song.  Glen has been a part of this sort of fare before (dramatic, Irish, soul-folk-rock musicals) -- The Commitments which gave birth to the hit song, Mustang Sally.

Few things... first off... the movie is amazing.  I'm not sure if the first scene has anything to do with anything and think that should have just ended up as one of those scrolling credit accompaniments or a viral video or some sh*t like that.  Second, happens to be the second scene... I didn't know much of anything about this film.  This Cat Stevens-sounding street artist's playin' the acoustic and singin' along.  OK... cool.  Then, out of no where, comes his booming vocal powerhouse of a bridge (at least I think that's what this part of the song is called... whatever).  I was like... f*cking awesome.  Kinda blown away.  Watch the movie trailer and read on because...

"Shine a Light" on Bill Clinton for President

Is it too late?  Just watched the Martin Scorsese-directed Rolling Stones documentary, Shine a Light.  Slick Willie introduces the legendary Brit rock and roll sensation.  Bill is seriously the smoothest cat on the planet.  Seriously.  Sure... the Gore-Bush election excitement is going to be tough to beat.  And I mean, we do have an unprecedented and exponential amount of direct access to instant information and feedback through the news organizations, social graph, blogosphere and connected campaign headquarters, and also, an unprecedented exercise of race and gender decisions that need be made by this great country with this Presidential election.  I think the only thing that could make it more exciting is if we were able to, somehow, get Mr. Clinton on the ballot.  Oh if only miracles were possible.  But I don't believe in miracles and legend, well, except that of the Fountain of Youth.  I've seen proof.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts.  These guys are f-ing 60+ years old and run around stage and entertain and rock like, well, rock stars.  Mick is kind of a slow and whinny diva off-stage and almost prepares you to not expect much.  But holy sh*t... he's got more Jumpin' Jack action and vocal power than a three-year-old with an obstructed bowel.  Mick et al sounds good though.  and great fun too.  Check it out.

 

FilmBender is Funny Movie Reviews.  BTW... Christina Aguilera sings too (duh).  She's hot.  And "Marty" is interesting all his own.  A film legend.  Worthy of a documentary on himself if that's not been done yet.  Decisive and, though an artist himself, compared to The Stones, he feels like a responsible investment banker.

"Team America: World Police" and puppet porn

There are all sorts of, well, redeeming things about this movie that most people with a sense of humor will dig.  And you'll certainly enjoy it if you're a fan of South Park or any of the other Trey Parker and Matt Stone projects -- searing political commentary, Hollywood insider references, original use of animation, low-brow comedy and unbelievably well done musical segments.  But what's an absolute must see and trumps absolutely everything else in the whole d*mn thing is the sex scene in Team America: World Police.  You simply won't believe it.

Sorry for the spoiler, but I was told it was in there.  Didn't ruin it for me.  I tried watching it lying next to my sleeping wife at Midnight with my headphones on and lying on my back with my laptop on my chest.  Our bed was shaking, but no, not because of any kinky maneuvers on my part (solo or duo), but because I was trying to hold back laughter so unsuccessfully that I nearly went into convulsions.  My wife was getting p*ssed.  She never turned over to take a look at what I was laughing at.  Thank God she didn't.  She would really think I was a s*ck f*ck.

 

FilmBender is Funny Movie Reviews.  The even funnier thing is... people really do that sh*t.

"Control" is extremely remote

Bought a Sonos home audio system.  Unreal.  With a Rhapsody account that basically comes with it, you can access practically every song ever produced and point it to any set of speakers in your house.  It's an incredible party novelty... just hand someone a remote, and they have a blast picking tracks.  Internet radio stations galore as well.  I think I made it to the future.

In honor of the world of great music now at my finger tips, today's film is one that's both an incredible docu-drama and an effortless musical.  Effortless to the extent that while the lead character, Ian Curtis of the band Joy Division, is writhing with trapped discomfort, his music just flows from his existence without question in a jerky march on the stage.  Literally, the art of songwriting and the making of music don't even play a part in the film.  Rather, a black and white look into the gray world of the tortured frontman of a band being squeezed between pre-alternative and post-punk.  Sam Riley plays the emotional poet with eloquent distance while his music hums in your ears from near beginning to end... of his life.  Early 80's emo as sh*t and as it gets.  Though not referenced in the film, ultimately, guitarist Bernard Sumner took over vocals to dominate the late 80's as New Order.

A poster for this album, JD's Unknown Pleasures, is on the wall of my office.  A younger associate, of whom, I totally look to for current music recommendations, as I rust, asked me what it was.  He knows now.  I told him to see the movie, Control.