Archive for June, 2009
Oh, sweet nostalgia on the big screen!
It is virtually impossible for me to set foot in a bookstore without browsing the children’s section. Everything about it invites you in: the colorful spines, the big block letters, the happy-faced stuffed animals scattered around the shelves, but most of all the sweet nostalgia it all evokes. It’s all these warm, fuzzy feelings and memories of simpler times that make it difficult to happily accept news of a beloved classic being turned into a feature film.
Most recently, Hollywood took it upon itself to announce a film adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. Skepticism came naturally, considering the book has been near and dear to my heart since “nap time” was considered an integral part of school curriculum. Even after it was revealed that the project would be penned by Dave Eggers and directed by Spike Jonze, my doubts remained and I cringed whenever anyone mentioned the soon-to-be film. How was it that I could continue doubting the adaptation when two of my favorite people on Earth were involved? I mean, does it get any better than the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” video? No! Has Eggers ever written anything I haven’t loved? No! But my mind couldn’t get past that for every The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, there’s The Cat in the Hat. For every Holes, there’s Bridge to Terabithia. For every The Secret Garden, there’s Stuart Little. Hollywood has ruined one too many children’s books, it’s depressing. Then one day, everything changed. Stills from the film surfaced and I got chills. Max and the wild things had really come to life. A few weeks later, the official trailer was released and my inner child kicked my ass for ever having doubted Jonze. He’s going to do my childhood proud.
When I learned Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox was coming to the big screen courtesy of the one and only Wes Anderson, I wasn’t overwhelmed with skepticism or annoyance. Instead, I was uncharacteristically excited. But can you blame me? It’s WES ANDERSON. More importantly, IT’S ROALD DAHL.
With films like The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Anderson has become king to legions of indie-film-loving twentysomethings. And though naming him amongst one’s favorite filmmakers may sound cliché these days, the admiration and respect for his work is in no way undeserved. Anderson knows how to write eccentric characters whose various flaws and idiosyncracies make them relatable. With a trademark visual style that includes the use of bright color, quick pans of the camera, and slow motion shots, it will be interesting to see Anderson’s first foray into stop-motion animation on Fantastic Mr. Fox. Anderson-movie regulars Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, and Bill Murray will lend their voices to the film alongside George Clooney and Meryl Streep who voice the title characters of Mr. and Mrs. Fox, respectively. Personally, I would have loved Anjelica Huston to be involved in Fantastic Mr. Fox since she perfectly portrayed the Grand High Witch in the 1990 film adaptation of Dahl’s The Witches, which just so happens to be my favorite Dahl novel.
There are no film stills or trailers available just yet, but I think we can rest assured that Fantastic Mr. Fox will be everything our childhood imagination could ever dream of. And then some.
Black Cab Sessions FTW
It’s been over two weeks since I last updated and SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED in the fun world of music, film, and television, but also in my personal life. The most important: I no longer have to fear living in the dumpster behind The Clara and bathing in the Starbucks bathroom next year! And since that inside joke will make sense to only three people, what I’m trying to say is that I’ve found a new apartment in the city and signed a lease. Huzzah!
Alright, back to proper blog business. Considering I have about a dozen half written posts, expect some super updating in the next three days. So much to share, so little time! Let’s begin the fun now, shall we?
If you’ve never heard of the Black Cab Sessions then you’ve been missing out big time. The concept: Musicians with instruments in tow (and a trusty cameraman!) hail a cab, cram into the backseat, and play a song as they get from Point A to Point B in one take. So simple, yet so genius isn’t it? In two years, the cabs around London have already played host to the likes of Emmy the Great, The Futureheads, Jeffrey Lewis, and the one and only Brian Wilson. The most recent session features Orlando, Hugo, and Felix of The Maccabees squeezing into the backseat armed with guitars and a melodica for a lovely rendition of ‘Love You Better’.
The site has disabled embedding, but you can CHECK OUT THE MACCABEES PERFORM “LOVE YOU BETTER” HERE.
And because I love you: Love You Better (Black Cab Session) audio rip *reuploaded* Let me know if this link dies too.
If you like the Black Cab Sessions, you’re probably going to find La Blogotheque’s Concerts a emporter pretty rad too. Check them out, more great stuff.
Have a listen: Alan Pownall
“Clara” (released June 22nd) is the first single from London’s Alan Pownall. While listening to the ever-so-catchy tune, your head will be bopping, your foot will be tapping, and you may even be smiling. The song sounds too upbeat to be about anything sad. At first listen, I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t even notice Pownall sharing a story of love gone awry (Clara, what came over you?/You were hanging on my every move/You tie me down just to break me loose). If I was going to have a song stuck in my head all day, I’m glad it was this one.
He’ll be playing Latitude Festival and Secret Garden Party next month. You can pre-order the single and all that good stuff at his official myspace.
NATW get their very own blog!
http://natwofficialblog.blogspot.com/
http://natwofficialblog.blogspot.com/
http://natwofficialblog.blogspot.com/
Noah and the Whale have made a new home for themselves at the ol’ Blogger. The boys have already put the new blog to good use offering fans a taste of their upcoming album and film The First Days of Spring. Here they are performing new songs from the album in a Brooklyn loft this past April:
Watch them take to the streets of Brooklyn in Pt. 2
For more information on the film (including production photos), I highly recommend checking out the new blog.
And if for nothing else, check out their blog for the top notch writing skills. You have to appreciate good writing skills.
“there’s no such thing as love”
A new trailer for 500 Days of Summer, starring little Tommy Solomon Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. Not only does the new trailer offer a better understanding of the film’s story and more Gubler, but it features some good ol’ Mystery Jets tune-age. Check ittt:
The film premiered at Sundance this year to very positive reviews. Some have already likened 500 Days to 2004′s Garden State, but let’s remember that some people can be cruel.
500 Days of Summer will be out on limited release July 17th. Keep an eye out.
Another f*&#^$% Spektor post?!
The release of Far is a mere nineteen days away (JUNE 23RD 2009!), but in just five days you’ll be able to purchase Regina Spektor’s Laughing With EP at your local independent record store. Huzzah!
Tracklisting:
1. Laughing With
2. Folding Chair
3. The Call (from the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian soundtrack)
4. The Noise (from the Live at Bullmoose EP)
Don’t know where your independent record stores are? A) Shame on you B) Don’t worry, there’s a handy-dandy search tool at RecordStoreDay.com. My favorites in Chicago include Reckless Records (obviously) and Groovin’ High, Inc. on Belmont Ave! There’s a bit of everything in this store and Uncle Freebird** is one of the coolest people you will ever meet.
We’ve also gotten a special treat this past week with new videos for two of the songs on the upcoming album that have never been heard before, “Laughing With” and “Eet”. Please note the Dali, Escher, and Magritte influences all throughout “Laughing With”. So great:
Revamped classics “Blue Lips” and “Folding Chair” can be heard on Regina’s Myspace music player right now. And the dolphin impersonation on “Folding Chair” just got funnier.
Finally, for my American TV watching peeps, Regina will be performing “Laughing With” on Good Morning America and The Late Show with David Letterman on June 23rd. Remember to watch, set your Tivo’s to record now, or program your VCR if kick it old school like me. Here’s hoping she’ll also make an appearance on Late Night The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien so we can all watch Coco Christopher swoon for Regina’s tunes as he always does.
For your time,
**His secret nickname courtesy of Allie and me.
