At my regular journal I reviewed a slew of recently watched movies, but kept it in the realm of more widely released flicks. Here are four others that were seen on 500 screens or less:
The Merry Gentleman (2008) - Michael Keaton (Batman) directs and stars in this character drama about a depressed hit man befriended by a woman on the run from domestic violence. The film is quirky and slow in parts, but contains great performances.
25th hour (2002) - This was Spike Lee's first full-length film post-9/11 and it is a strange sort of love story to the city of New York. Edward Norton (The Illusionist) plays a convicted drug dealer that has one day of freedom before being sent to jail for seven years. The character's love of NYC is balanced against his impending lack of freedom and the option to avoid incarceration.
Bottle Shock (2008) - Simply put, Bottle Shock is a sports movie...but with wine. This movie is the underdog story of California wines versus wine "snob" Steven Spurrier at the Judgment of Paris in 1976. It's an amusing movie with a cast including Alan Rickman (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone), Bill Pullman (While You Were Sleeping) and Chris Pine (Star Trek).
Population 436 (2006) - Jeremy Sisto (Waitress) is a census taker that discovers a disturbing trend in population of Rockwell Falls. This is a fairly decent horror movie in the vein of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" or The Wicker Man. Not high art, not flawless, but a good addition to the creepy-small-town genre.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
One-Hit Wonder: White Town
In 1997, Jyoti Prakash Mishra's band White Town joined the ranks of the one-hit wonders with "Your Woman." The song reached #1 on UK charts and topped at #23 on Billboard's Hot 100.
A follow-up from the album Women in Technology was not forthcoming.
Unlike many other albums that spawn a one-hit wonder, Women in Technology contains other good tracks. Mishra's vocals are solid and the mixing on the more techno-aspected tracks, like "Thursday at the Blue Note," is pleasantly melodic and complex. One detriment to the album is that it is uneven in sound. While "Your Woman" is powered by a fairly driven beat, the remainder of the tracks are soporifically laid-back. The album's eponymous track is only a subtle synthesizer track from being a capella. While EMI UK backed Women in Technology, the relationship between the label and politically out-spoken Mishra was strained and EMI UK dropped White Town after just one album.
"Undressed" also from Women in Technology:
Women in Technology was not White Town's only album. It was preceded by Socialism, Sexism & Sexuality (1994) and followed by Peek & Poke (2000) and Don't Mention The War (2006). All were released independent of a major label. All three latter albums are available for download via Amazon.com and through other retailers. Peek & Poke and Don't Mention The War share many qualities of Women in Technology and also adds a measure of punk influence.
"Make the World Go Away" from 2006's Don't Mention The War:
A follow-up from the album Women in Technology was not forthcoming.
Unlike many other albums that spawn a one-hit wonder, Women in Technology contains other good tracks. Mishra's vocals are solid and the mixing on the more techno-aspected tracks, like "Thursday at the Blue Note," is pleasantly melodic and complex. One detriment to the album is that it is uneven in sound. While "Your Woman" is powered by a fairly driven beat, the remainder of the tracks are soporifically laid-back. The album's eponymous track is only a subtle synthesizer track from being a capella. While EMI UK backed Women in Technology, the relationship between the label and politically out-spoken Mishra was strained and EMI UK dropped White Town after just one album.
"Undressed" also from Women in Technology:
Women in Technology was not White Town's only album. It was preceded by Socialism, Sexism & Sexuality (1994) and followed by Peek & Poke (2000) and Don't Mention The War (2006). All were released independent of a major label. All three latter albums are available for download via Amazon.com and through other retailers. Peek & Poke and Don't Mention The War share many qualities of Women in Technology and also adds a measure of punk influence.
"Make the World Go Away" from 2006's Don't Mention The War:
Monday, November 30, 2009
OMM Anniversary & Updates
Obscure Media Monday celebrated its anniversary somewhere in the haze of November. There were around 32 entries of content in that year, slightly better than an every-other week average. To kick off year two, here are some updates on previously featured artists:
Abney Park has a new album, Aether Shanties, coming out Dec. 1st. Captain Robert has posted a two of the tracks for download.
Tapping the Vein's second album, Another Day Down, is available from Amazon.com and is as solid as their first.
Die Warzau's excellent, Convenience, is currently available from Pulseback Records.
Nouvelle Vague's third album, Nouvelle Vague 3, was released in June in Europe and is now available in the States via Amazon.com.
Finally, if you missed it during its short theater run, The Hurt Locker will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray on Jan. 2nd. OMM will cover another Kathryn Bigelow movie, Strange Days, in the near future.
Abney Park has a new album, Aether Shanties, coming out Dec. 1st. Captain Robert has posted a two of the tracks for download.Tapping the Vein's second album, Another Day Down, is available from Amazon.com and is as solid as their first.Die Warzau's excellent, Convenience, is currently available from Pulseback Records.
Nouvelle Vague's third album, Nouvelle Vague 3, was released in June in Europe and is now available in the States via Amazon.com.
Finally, if you missed it during its short theater run, The Hurt Locker will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray on Jan. 2nd. OMM will cover another Kathryn Bigelow movie, Strange Days, in the near future.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Music: Nosferatu
It's the Halloween season, and when in the mood for quintessential gothic rock, Nosferatu is the perfect fit.
Formed in the UK in 1988 during the second wave of goth music, Nosferatu does not shirk its heritage. Named for the king of the undead? Check. Low, wailing vocals? Check. Relentless guitars counterpointed by organ and harpsicord-like keyboards? Check. Enough vampire, witch and ghoul-themed songs to fill an entire album? Double check.
"The Haunting" from 1996's Prince of Darkness:
While moderately successful in the UK and Europe, most of Nosferatu's popularity in the US stems from Cleopatra Records various goth anthology records. Regardless, Nosferatu has continued to record, with an ever-changing line up of musicians, for over twenty years. Only lead guitarist Damien DeVille is an originating member.
As is the case with many obscure or near-obscure bands, Nosferatu has embraced digital distribution, taking advantage of all that MySpace, SoundClick and Amazon have to offer.
Formed in the UK in 1988 during the second wave of goth music, Nosferatu does not shirk its heritage. Named for the king of the undead? Check. Low, wailing vocals? Check. Relentless guitars counterpointed by organ and harpsicord-like keyboards? Check. Enough vampire, witch and ghoul-themed songs to fill an entire album? Double check.
"The Haunting" from 1996's Prince of Darkness:
While moderately successful in the UK and Europe, most of Nosferatu's popularity in the US stems from Cleopatra Records various goth anthology records. Regardless, Nosferatu has continued to record, with an ever-changing line up of musicians, for over twenty years. Only lead guitarist Damien DeVille is an originating member.
As is the case with many obscure or near-obscure bands, Nosferatu has embraced digital distribution, taking advantage of all that MySpace, SoundClick and Amazon have to offer.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Music: Jill Tracy
Jill Tracy is the Edward Gorey of music. Whether it's only Tracy's smokey voice as counterpoint to broken piano melodies or backed by The Malcontent Orchestra, her neo-cabaret sound is gray-scale simple and yet, lyrically, wickedly baroque. Firmly tongue-in-cheek, the sensibility of Gorey and Tracy is the same. "I'll hold your hand while they drag the river / I'll cuddle you in the undertow" is what passes for a Jill Tracy love song.
Obviously, the "horror genre" of music isn't anything Tracy shies away from. After 1999's Diabolical Streak, Tracy and The Malcontent Orchestra provided an original score to the 1922 silent film version of Nosferatu which later debuted live. She has also performed in the past with San Francisco's modern Grand Guignol troupe, Thrillpeddlers.
From 1999's Diabolical Streak:
From 2008's The Bittersweet Constrain:
Tracy's most recent effort, The Bittersweet Constrain, offers slightly more mainstream accessibility, but by no means sellout the ethos that sets her apart from a piano songstress like Fiona Apple or a Victorian goth act like Rasputina. Jill Tracy's albums and singles are found through the typical online vendors such as Amazon.com and CDBaby.
Obviously, the "horror genre" of music isn't anything Tracy shies away from. After 1999's Diabolical Streak, Tracy and The Malcontent Orchestra provided an original score to the 1922 silent film version of Nosferatu which later debuted live. She has also performed in the past with San Francisco's modern Grand Guignol troupe, Thrillpeddlers.
From 1999's Diabolical Streak:
From 2008's The Bittersweet Constrain:
Tracy's most recent effort, The Bittersweet Constrain, offers slightly more mainstream accessibility, but by no means sellout the ethos that sets her apart from a piano songstress like Fiona Apple or a Victorian goth act like Rasputina. Jill Tracy's albums and singles are found through the typical online vendors such as Amazon.com and CDBaby.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Music: Murder By Death
If you were looking to score a gritty post-apocalyptic movie full of dusty anti-heroes, the Indiana-based Murder by Death would be a good choice. In fact, author Jeff Vandermeer seemed to have that very idea when he approached the band to provide an accompaniment to his up-coming science fiction novel Finch. The project is a natural extension of the band's loose concept albums which often include instrumental bridges between tracks.
Aside from sweeping instrumentals, the average Murder by Death song combines jangly punk guitar riffs with the smooth cello bass lines, topped off by Adam Turla's gravely vocals. Despite frequent horror genre references in album titles and song content, the band includes enough of a alt-country influence to completely avoid the goth genre. It's an interesting high wire act of sound that has become more cohesive and listenable over time. In terms of songwriting, the lyrics are considerably sophisticated using allusion and word play to good advantage.
Off 2008's Red of Tooth and Claw:
All four of Murder by Death's albums are available from Amazon in MP3 and other formats. The band's site also includes merchandise. The instrumental score to Finch is currently available for listening and purchase through BandCamp.
Aside from sweeping instrumentals, the average Murder by Death song combines jangly punk guitar riffs with the smooth cello bass lines, topped off by Adam Turla's gravely vocals. Despite frequent horror genre references in album titles and song content, the band includes enough of a alt-country influence to completely avoid the goth genre. It's an interesting high wire act of sound that has become more cohesive and listenable over time. In terms of songwriting, the lyrics are considerably sophisticated using allusion and word play to good advantage.
Off 2008's Red of Tooth and Claw:
All four of Murder by Death's albums are available from Amazon in MP3 and other formats. The band's site also includes merchandise. The instrumental score to Finch is currently available for listening and purchase through BandCamp.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Movie: Mr. Brooks
Somewhere in mid-90s, Kevin Costner lost clout with audiences. Maybe it was the bloated Waterwolrd (1995) or over-wrought The Postman (1997), but Kevin Costner was somewhat abandoned; given up on as being too...well, too Kevin Costner. By 2007, the concept of the former Robin Hood starring as a serial killer was slightly laughable. Mr. Books was the pet project of Costner and one of its writers Raynold Gideon due to studios being equally dubious. But, part of what makes the movie entertaining is seeing Costner's acting prowess once again.
Some plot aspects of Mr. Brooks might be familiar to fans of the "civilized serial killer" genre, especially in light of Showtime's Dexter (2006) TV series (based on Jeff Lindsay's series of books). While Dexter Morgan's inner "dark passenger" is never personified, Earl Brooks' psychotic alter ego is presented to the viewer in the form of Marshall, played by William Hurt (The Village, The Accidental Tourist). While Costner gives a icy and reserved performance, Hurt embodies gleeful, manic fervor. The direction and superb camera work make the two characters uncannily similar in many scenes.
Mr. Brooks also attends a 12-step program in an effort to control his activities. This concept is probably not entirely original to the genre, but its use here most likely predates the writing of season 2 of Dexter. Despite these similarities, Mr. Books still offers surprises. (Not the least of which is a solid performance by comedian Dane Cook.) Earl Brooks is, after all, a family man and what wouldn't he do for his family?
Some plot aspects of Mr. Brooks might be familiar to fans of the "civilized serial killer" genre, especially in light of Showtime's Dexter (2006) TV series (based on Jeff Lindsay's series of books). While Dexter Morgan's inner "dark passenger" is never personified, Earl Brooks' psychotic alter ego is presented to the viewer in the form of Marshall, played by William Hurt (The Village, The Accidental Tourist). While Costner gives a icy and reserved performance, Hurt embodies gleeful, manic fervor. The direction and superb camera work make the two characters uncannily similar in many scenes.
Mr. Brooks also attends a 12-step program in an effort to control his activities. This concept is probably not entirely original to the genre, but its use here most likely predates the writing of season 2 of Dexter. Despite these similarities, Mr. Books still offers surprises. (Not the least of which is a solid performance by comedian Dane Cook.) Earl Brooks is, after all, a family man and what wouldn't he do for his family?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)