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?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Preemptive Strike: The Hurt Locker
Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker has been trickling out in limited release ever since its impressive debut at the Venice Film Festival in 2008. Stripped to a bare plot, the movie follows a group of three bomb disposal experts during the last 38 days of their rotation.
Films about the Iraq war, a conflict that is still on-going, have not done well. Therefore, it's not surprising that The Hurt Locker has received tentative distribution. That doesn't make the limited ability to see this film any less unfortunate. On a budget of $11 million, Bigelow puts together a film that is at times slick, at times as gritty at its setting. The main cast are little-knowns (Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty) that do an excellent job. My one problem is that some of the dialogue comes off a little canned, but these moments are never suffered for long. The film moves at a brisk pace in the only direction there is: day zero of Bravo Company's rotation.
The Hurt Locker is by no means a perfect film, as some critics have claimed, but it is the film that's been the most deserving of my $7 this summer. If it's playing in your area, go see it. I'd rather it didn't belong among the ranks of the obscure.
Films about the Iraq war, a conflict that is still on-going, have not done well. Therefore, it's not surprising that The Hurt Locker has received tentative distribution. That doesn't make the limited ability to see this film any less unfortunate. On a budget of $11 million, Bigelow puts together a film that is at times slick, at times as gritty at its setting. The main cast are little-knowns (Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty) that do an excellent job. My one problem is that some of the dialogue comes off a little canned, but these moments are never suffered for long. The film moves at a brisk pace in the only direction there is: day zero of Bravo Company's rotation.
The Hurt Locker is by no means a perfect film, as some critics have claimed, but it is the film that's been the most deserving of my $7 this summer. If it's playing in your area, go see it. I'd rather it didn't belong among the ranks of the obscure.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Music: A3 (or Alabama 3)
"And from that day forward told you to go out and spread my word through music: sweet, pretty, country acid house music..."
Known in the US mainly for the infectious theme to HBO's The Sopranos, A3 has been a high-number fixture on United Kingdom chats for over a decade and appeared in the soundtracks of many BBC series. The idea for the band's sound came when Londoners Jake Black and Rob Spragg decided that country and acid house music could co-exits together; a lion lying down with a lamb. Country music is not without its own sub-genres and the style chosen for the pairing was possibly the most dissimilar from acid house: folk/gospel. The combination lends itself to irony. Similar to ICP and Zug Izland, the members of A3 each have an on-stage persona. Indeed, at times the band itself seems to aspire to a tent revivalist alter-ego.
Known outside the United States as Alabama 3, the band modified its name to avoid legal conflicts with the straight-up country band Alabama. Unfortunately, internet search engines doesn't treat the shorter name kindly. A3 is currently touring and working on a album that promises to be rights-friendly to third party input. Current albums are readily available through online retailers.
Known in the US mainly for the infectious theme to HBO's The Sopranos, A3 has been a high-number fixture on United Kingdom chats for over a decade and appeared in the soundtracks of many BBC series. The idea for the band's sound came when Londoners Jake Black and Rob Spragg decided that country and acid house music could co-exits together; a lion lying down with a lamb. Country music is not without its own sub-genres and the style chosen for the pairing was possibly the most dissimilar from acid house: folk/gospel. The combination lends itself to irony. Similar to ICP and Zug Izland, the members of A3 each have an on-stage persona. Indeed, at times the band itself seems to aspire to a tent revivalist alter-ego.
Known outside the United States as Alabama 3, the band modified its name to avoid legal conflicts with the straight-up country band Alabama. Unfortunately, internet search engines doesn't treat the shorter name kindly. A3 is currently touring and working on a album that promises to be rights-friendly to third party input. Current albums are readily available through online retailers.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Television: Probe
Before CSI (2000) debunked and solved crimes with science and House M.D. (2004) disparaged humanity, there was Austin James and Probe. Debuting as a mid-season replacement on ABC in 1988, Probe followed many of the cliches of 80s crimes dramas: a bickering duo solving mysteries with the usual number of pre-commercial cliff-hangers, car chases, and a synthesized score. What set it apart for its time was the clever use of science and Sherlockian logic to unravel the storylines.
Parker Stevenson (pre-Baywatch) starred as misanthropic genius, Austin James, the founder of and expatriate from a massive tech corporation. Ashley Crow, playing secretary Mickey, provided the common sense foil for James's overbearing and manic brilliance.
Co-created by Isaac Asimov, the show had distinctly a skeptical slant. It relied on more reality-based science fiction concepts, eschewing the supernatural as an explanation for phenomena. Many of the plots were based around James's tech company, poking at the notion of corporate mismanagement. Some plot devices are far-fetched, but this is science *fiction* after all.
Introduction to Mickey, Serendip and Austin James:
Ratings were never high during its half season run and Probe wasn't renewed after its initial six episodes. Regardless, the show still maintains a small devoted following. Since it is not currently available in any video format, I have no compunction about linking to the YouTube clips. YouTube user thunderwolf429 has made all the episodes available and they can also be found at Probe Resurrected.
Parker Stevenson (pre-Baywatch) starred as misanthropic genius, Austin James, the founder of and expatriate from a massive tech corporation. Ashley Crow, playing secretary Mickey, provided the common sense foil for James's overbearing and manic brilliance.
Co-created by Isaac Asimov, the show had distinctly a skeptical slant. It relied on more reality-based science fiction concepts, eschewing the supernatural as an explanation for phenomena. Many of the plots were based around James's tech company, poking at the notion of corporate mismanagement. Some plot devices are far-fetched, but this is science *fiction* after all.
Introduction to Mickey, Serendip and Austin James:
Ratings were never high during its half season run and Probe wasn't renewed after its initial six episodes. Regardless, the show still maintains a small devoted following. Since it is not currently available in any video format, I have no compunction about linking to the YouTube clips. YouTube user thunderwolf429 has made all the episodes available and they can also be found at Probe Resurrected.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Television: "Carnivàle"
While it might be debatable whether a television show that enjoyed two seasons on a major cable network can be considered "obscure," HBO's Carnivàle has been gravely overlooked. The project began with great ambition. Debuting in September of 2003, the series depicts a supernatural battle of good versus evil against the backdrop of a traveling carnival during Dust Bowl era America. On opposing sides of the conflict, the cast starred Nick Stahl (Terminator 3, Sin City) as an Oklahoman fugitive and Clancy Brown (Highlander, The Shawshank Redemption) as a Methodist minister.
To complete its overarching plot, "Carnivàle" was set to run six seasons; every two seasons completing a "book" of the "trilogy." Unfortunately, with a budget of $4 million per episode and flagging ratings, HBO canceled the show, leaving much of the story unresolved. Despite its ambiguous ending, "Carnivàle" is worth watching. The 1930s setting is fairly unique to television and is well executed. The tone is similar to Ray Bradbury at his darkest, but without any of the innocence Bradbury might bring to it. The show is polished, though the storyline tends to lean toward the Byzantine.
"Carnivàle" is currently available from Amazon.com for a reasonable price and can also be found through most DVD rental services. HBO continues to maintain a website for "Carnivàle" that includes many behind-the-scenes and making-of clips.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Nouvelle Vague
As I've mentioned before, cover songs give a muscial artist, especially an lesser known artist, the opportunity to play in sandbox that is familiar to listeners. Regardless, not many bands attempt more than a handful of cover songs during their careers. Few want the title of "cover band." That label's unsavory connotation possibly exists because most cover bands stick to faithful renditions of songs. Very few have the character to embrace such a label and do so with style. Nouvelle Vague is one of those bands.
Meaning "new wave" in French and "bossa nova" in Portuguese1, Nouvelle Vague began with its name firmly in mind. Their first album contained covers of songs from the New Wave era done in bossa nova style. The pairing, while strange, leads to music with a dreamy, surreal quality. Additionally, band masterminds Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux often used chanteuses that were not familiar with the original, lending freshness to their vocals.
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" (orinally by Joy Division) off of Nouvelle Vague, 2004:
Such a construct could only lend itself to one album without evolution. Nouvelle Vague has currently managed three since 2004. Their second album Bande à Part deviated somewhat from the bossa nova premise, adding elements of ska, reggae, and other styles while keeping breathy vocals and signature bounciness. Their third album 3 branches into country and bluegrass sounds. 3 also contains guest vocals by the song's original vocalists. For example, "Master and Servant" with Melanie Pain and Depeche Mode's Martin Gore:
Nouvelle Vague's first two albums are available through Amazon.com and other retailers. 3 has a June 2009 release date and isn't yet readily available.
1http://www.nouvellesvagues.com/ABOUT_texte.html
Meaning "new wave" in French and "bossa nova" in Portuguese1, Nouvelle Vague began with its name firmly in mind. Their first album contained covers of songs from the New Wave era done in bossa nova style. The pairing, while strange, leads to music with a dreamy, surreal quality. Additionally, band masterminds Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux often used chanteuses that were not familiar with the original, lending freshness to their vocals.
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" (orinally by Joy Division) off of Nouvelle Vague, 2004:
Such a construct could only lend itself to one album without evolution. Nouvelle Vague has currently managed three since 2004. Their second album Bande à Part deviated somewhat from the bossa nova premise, adding elements of ska, reggae, and other styles while keeping breathy vocals and signature bounciness. Their third album 3 branches into country and bluegrass sounds. 3 also contains guest vocals by the song's original vocalists. For example, "Master and Servant" with Melanie Pain and Depeche Mode's Martin Gore:
Nouvelle Vague's first two albums are available through Amazon.com and other retailers. 3 has a June 2009 release date and isn't yet readily available.
1http://www.nouvellesvagues.com/ABOUT_texte.html
Monday, May 18, 2009
Rasputina
There's a fine line between obscure and niche, and Rasputina might cross that line. After all, "cello rock" isn't exactly a genre that has received wide play. Yet through some not entirely obvious connections, Rasputina could be the most popular cello rock band in existence. Though Melora Creager toured with Nirvana, a single off their first album was remixed by Marylin Manson, and the band has opened for such artists as Manson and Porno for Pyros, Rasputina maintains a decidedly Victorian/steampunk/goth edge. Even Creager's lyric and vocal have a demure, yet subversive tone. Her song writing isn't afraid to touch on history and every album has one dryly humorous spoken track that mirrors Creager's concert banter.
"Transylvanian Concubine" from 1996's Thanks for the Ether:
Rasputina's first album, Thanks for the Ether, was released by Columbia Records in 1996, five years after the band formed. Columbia released How We Quit the Forest, their second effort, as well. Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails joined them as drummer and producer on this second album, leading to slightly harder, distorted sound. Neither was particularly appealing to a wide audience. The band's next two albums would be released on Instinct Records and 2007's Oh Perilous World was released independently. All albums are currently available through Amazon.com as downloads and selectively in other formats.
"Transylvanian Concubine" from 1996's Thanks for the Ether:
Rasputina's first album, Thanks for the Ether, was released by Columbia Records in 1996, five years after the band formed. Columbia released How We Quit the Forest, their second effort, as well. Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails joined them as drummer and producer on this second album, leading to slightly harder, distorted sound. Neither was particularly appealing to a wide audience. The band's next two albums would be released on Instinct Records and 2007's Oh Perilous World was released independently. All albums are currently available through Amazon.com as downloads and selectively in other formats.
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