Back after a LONG hiatus...

I have decided that since I have been away so long that I need to start posting more often!
I know this is a movie blog but I'm gonna stray from that format to post my current playlist of musical obsessions. I hope you enjoy!!!

Charlie's Musical Obsessions Feb. 3rd 2010

1) Take Me To The River - Annie Lennox
2)Blue Skies - Noah and the Whale
3)Taxi Cab - Vampire Weekend
4)This Tornado Loves You - Neko Case
5)Bulletproof - La Roux
6)Dog Days Are Over - Florence & The Machine
7)Empire State of Mind (Part II): Broken Down - Alicia Keys
8)Chinese - Lily Allen
9)Wade In The Water - Patty Griffin
10)Stay With Me - Lorraine Ellison
11)Stillness of the Mind - Abel Korzeniowski
12)Cupcake - Nellie McKay
13)Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen
14)Jungleland - Bruce Springsteen
15) I'm Movin' On - Roseanne Cash
16)In The End - Nick Jonas & The Administration
17)Wild Young Hearts - The Noisettes
18)Love Lost - The Temper Trap
19)Spaceman (Live from Royal Albert Hall) - The Killers
20)All In One - Jay Farrar & Benjamin Gibbard

An Unexpected Viewing

So I don't usually consider myself a fan of any product put out by Tyler Perry, even though I have honestly never seen any of his work, but when I saw the trailer for his new film, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself," I became extremely intrigued. It could have been because of all of the soulful wailing in the trailer, but I really think it was because of the performance of Taraji P. Henson. Ever since I saw her Oscar-nominated turn in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" I have been excited to see her other work. I caught her in a few episodes of season 2 of "Eli Stone" where she was great, but I really wanted to see her STAR in something. "I Can Do Bad..." seemed like the movie.

I couldn't find anyone to go see it with me, so when I had two free hours the other day I ventured to the mostly empty Crestwood Plaza and bought myself a ticket. The theater was empty until three older ladies walked in right after the trailers ended. I really had no idea what to expect in this film...

I really had to mull over the whole experience in my car after the movie. Henson's performance made the experience a memorable one, she put 110% in everything she did. Truly amazing.

The movie's real problem lies in it's decision to never settle into a certain genre or keep a consistent tone. Sure, a movie like "Inglorious Basterds" used these genre bending tone changes throughout the film, but it worked in Tarantino's world, but not in Perry's vision.

The separate pieces were definitely better than the whole. The scenes featuring Perry himself as both Madea and her husband, Joe, were actually laugh out loud funny, but never reached the the weightiness of the rest of the plot and these scenes seemed tacked on from another movie, albeit a funny one. Also, the musical scenes that were scattered throughout the film were compelling and quite moving, but seemed too shoe-horned into the plot. One or two worked, but the rest felt like part of a concert film.

The acting performances of Gladys Knight and Pastor Marvin Winans were not believable unless their scenes took place in a setting where they feel at home, respectively, on a stage or in a church. The one actor who really met Henson's lever of charisma and depth of character was Adam Rodriguez. He brought true gravitas to a rather thinly written character.

This movie was a truly mixed bag, but I would still recommend it.

My Favorite Edith Piaf Song....Pre-Movie Viewing

I LOVE this song. Ever since I heard it for the first time junior year of high school, this has been my favorite Piaf song and, in my opinion, the most powerful song Piaf ever recorded. This video was made late in her career.

SLAFCA Film #1: La Vie En Rose

Tonight, I begin my official journey towards film snobbery. I am watching the first film selection for SLAFCA (St. Louis Amateur Film Critic's Association). The selection is "La Vie En Rose," director Olivier Dahan's 2007 biopic about French singer Edith Piaf. I cannot wait!

A Sunday of Movie Musings

So this morning, I got home after the long drive from Wentzville and flopped on the couch. I turned on the tv and was overjoyed to see that "Noises Off!" had just begun.

If you are not familiar, this is a Peter Bogdanovich movie from 1992 based on Michael Frayn play of the same name. I saw this movie for the first time sophomore year of college at Sean's and fell in love with it. I had read the play in high school and found it to be quite funny, but realized I was probably missing something without the visuals. I love this movie. With a cast led by Carol Burnett and Michael Caine, what else could you really ask for? Unfortunately, I was saddened when I went to the At The Movies archive and watched Siskel and Ebert's negative review of the film. Oh well, I still think it's wonderful!

If my day wasn't great enough after watching "Noises Off!," the movie that came on after made me even happier: "WALL-E"! I'm sure most of you have seen this so I won't really waste your time with any musings, but watching it again, I realized how well it holds up on repeat viewings. This is the first time I have seen the movie since when I saw it in theaters and the reactions I am having are exactly the same if not more heightened than before.

I will be posting again quite soon...I think...