On their first few albums, Coldplay was a band that sounded like Radiohead (pre-OK Computer) but wanted to be U2. On Viva La Vida, Coldplay is a band that sounds like U2 but wants to be Radiohead (post-OK Computer).
Though they have a proven knack for emotionally resonant arena rock, they’ve opted to get “artistic” instead. And by artistic, I mean they’ve largely thrown aside such quaint concepts as melodies, choruses and intelligible vocals.
Date: July 5
Location: Regal – The Falls
This is one of those movies that you forget almost immediately after seeing it. The jokes are funny enough, the action scenes are clever enough, but that’s about it. And don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with that — sometimes a simple diversion is all you want.
Steve Carell does his usual solid deadpan work, delivering laughs and pathos in equal measure. I hope he someday gets a big screen role as good as The Office‘s Michael Scott. Little Miss Sunshine and Dan in Real Life were a good start. Get Smart is something he could do in his sleep, though to his credit he never treats it that way. Anne Hathaway is lovely as his partner, Agent 99 — she’s really quite gorgeous, either despite or because of her giant mouth (I can’t decide which).
Date: July 4, 2008
Location: Regal Oakwood Plaza, Hollywood
There are plenty of problems with Hancock, to be sure.
My primary complaint is that the film is too short — the ending, in particular, feels rushed, and I would have liked several more scenes exploring each character’s reactions to the climactic events. The villain, too, is lacking — though, in a way, he is supposed to be. But I wanted a stronger setup to his role in the third act. There’s an extended action sequence following the film’s big reveal that feels wrong in its details, and I would have preferred to see its context explored through a mix of dialogue and action as opposed to a big budget set piece.
I’m being vague here because there is also a whole lot that’s very right about Hancock, and discussing most of it means getting into spoiler territory. So, that’s what I’ll do… follow to the jump if you’ve seen the film or don’t plan to.
Otherwise, see it before checking back.
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I’m so glad I stumbled across this on YouTube… it’s Fiona Apple and Elvis Costello performing the latter’s great song ‘I Want You’ on a VH1 special from a couple years back.
This clip encapsulates what I love about Fiona Apple as a performer… not just the technically impressive vocals, but the extraordinary passion she puts into every song. She is always, to use an acting term, entirely in the moment. So much so she can be uncomfortable to watch sometimes, in a good way.
Yes, the title is ridiculous, but this trailer for the follow-up to Casino Royale (for my money, the best Bond movie ever) is pretty friggin’ great:
Meet Me In Montauk 