jueves, 12 de enero de 2012

The Future (movie review)

this movie tryes something different the fall of a relationship from the perspective of a cat whos the narrator for some parts of the movie. the couple who adopt the cat seem like lazy people who sit around the couch surfing the web. ones a dance teacher, the other is and it technician who works from home. they both quit their jobs and seem to try to find meaning to their lives doing what they want to but seeminly forgotting in the way the poor hurt cat.

even though theyre both trying different things they dont look entirely happy with their choices, the relationship seems broken without repair if you actually look at the attitude of jason and sophie towards each other. even the moon talks here which is kind of odd

a tale of abandonment, loneliness , discovery and search that has a strange narrative that works in its own way. i ask myself this are sophie and jason really in love?, because it doesnt seem like it.

one final note kind of a depressing film specially in its tone

domingo, 8 de enero de 2012

Favorite albums of 2011

2011 was a great year for music, i discovered a lot of new artists of different genres there were a few disappointments but not as much as it has happened on other years.
decided to do a top 15 this time, making this list wasnt easy this time but i finally have it.

15. Grouper AIA Alien Observer and Dream Loss



















two great shoegaze records from one of the genres best band. it may feel like this record transports you somewhere else thats peaceful and strange im guessing part of what the band wanted to transmit through this two albums.

14. Larry and His Flask- All that we know










who ever thought bluegrass could be this fun, i put this band because its one of the few supposedly associated to punk that i enjoyed a lot this year.

13.The Planet Smashers- Descend into the Valley of









extremely enjoyable and fun ska record, as good as it is to honour the great records its good to do that with the fun ones too like this one.

12. Lunatic Soul- Impressions









this was a discovery i made thanks to a recommendation someone gave to me about a good ambient and experimental band. i was pleasantly surprise when i heard this complex and engaging.

11. Cats and Cats and Cats- Mother Whales










one of the only records that can be classified as math rock or experimental that i enjoyed the most. the use of vocals complements the songs instead of toning down the quality as it may happen in other albums

10. The World Inferno Friendship society- The Anarchy and The Ecstasy










some call it cabaret punk or and eclecti mix of different sounds and genres, the simplest way to define this record is fun and different in its own way.

9. Destroyer-Kaputt









one of the aspects i like the most about this record is the simplistic approach to the music at times but also when the singer experiments quite a bit with the songs.

8.Los Campesinos-Hello Sadness: interesting indie pop record adding some electronic elements in some songs that work in its favour.











7. Obits-Moody, Standard and Poor











Froberg and his band have done it again after returning to music with the first album, they follow it up with a record with various elements from genres like post-punk and sometimes garage rock.

6. Wild Flag-Wild Flag










featuring members of sleater-kinney among other bands. one of the most interesting debuts released last year.

5. WU LIF-Go Tell Fire To The Mountain









great debut from this experimental band.

4.TV ON THE RADIO- Nine Types Of Light: so kind of difficult to classify this, but it has some elements of post-punk among other genres. my first introduction to this band







3.M83-Hurry Up Were Dreaming










double album from and electro-shoegaze band that doesnt let down in any moment of it. beautiful sounds, bringing up imaginative imagery.

2. Jesu-Ascension









a great post-metal and experimental record after a few years of hiatus from this band. broadrick comes back stronger than ever

1. We Were Promised Jetpacks-In the Pit Of The Stomach










whoever said sophomore slump this doesnt apply to this band after making and interesting debut record they follow it up with this good indie rock record from this scottish band.

Honorable Mentions
Bomb The Music Industry!-Vacation









the bands most mature record to date. a bit reflective and thoughtful

Cloudkicker-Let yourself be Huge










recommended for fans of jesu or if youre remotely interested whether it be in post-metal or experimental music in general

The Living End-The ending is just the beginning repeating











though there are still some rockabilly elements theyre not as present as they have in other albums. in spite of that is a fun rocknroll record

Dead to Me-Moscow Penny Ante










i pretty much had almost written the band off after jack left, but recently they recruited two ex-members of new mexican disaster squad and the result is a fun punk roc record.

PJ Harvey-Let England Shake










this british singer-songwriter makes interesting arrangements using different instruments among them a saxophone.

House Boat-The Thorns Of Life










pop-punk done right and fun also.

The Mountain Goats-All Eternals Deck










though a good record it lacked something to be truely great, darnielle is still a great storyteller and this album proves it.

some of the albums in my honorable mentions could have made the main list if i would have listened to them a bit more.

domingo, 1 de enero de 2012

Favorite movies of 2011

so this list is in no order except the last 5 movies, some movies may not be on the list mainly because i havent seen them yet.

everything must go












a salesman who loses almost everything he values in his life and has to start over from scratch his neighbor samantha and kenny help him find a purpose in it by helping them and at the same time thinking things through

Melancholia













at the beginning its a story about depression a woman whos not entirely happy with her life and uses her wedding reception to let everyone know this, at the same time a planet is about to collide with earth thats the only part of the movie i wasnt a fan of.

Kung fu panda 2












so this was one of the most fun animated movies i saw this year, expanding on pos backstory and his relations with some of the furious five.

Crazy,Stupid Love












a movie that goes to show that its not easy to find love but also to keep it and maintain it.

Captain america: the first avenger













as great as thor and x-men first class were, this was my favorite superhero movie released last year, not only a good period piece but also a good origin story.

Attack the Block













one of the best scifi movies of 2011 , combining horror, comedy and science fiction to make a thrilling ride and a really fun film.

4)The guard













weird to call it this and action comedy but it is, about and irish cop who helps and fbi agent catch some drug smugglers. hopefully this movie gets recognized somehow.

3)50/50













a story about survival and life itself, follows the story of a young man dealing with cancer with the help of his friend, family and therapist. overcoming the odds and finding out who truely cares about you.

2) Beginners













some of my favorite movies of the past year were about life and starting over after passing through a difficult stage in it. in this case a man who recently lost his father and is in a crossroads in his life finds someone that helps him find meaning in his life through anna though she has her problems too it seems together they will oversome any obstacle and problem life puts in their way.

1)Win Win













a lawyer in a crossroads in his life has a crisis because hes in danger of losing his practice and does something desperate lies to take care of and elderly client who has a grandson thats a great wrestler. in general a good character study and a good drama.

Favorite Horror comedy movie of 2011
Tucker And dale vs evil













so this movie needed a special mention because its been a while since a good horror comedy like the evil dead series has come out and this movie is and exception to the rule, fun likeable protagonists, good story and setting.

Honorable Mentions
Red state
the skin i live in
Super 8
rise of the planet of the apes
Horrible Bosses
Rango