American Masters: Neil Young: Don't Be Denied

It was by chance that I caught this documentary on the 'grandfather of grunge' Neil Young. Wow! It's not everyday you get the chance to sit at the feet of a visionary. This doc, told by Young himself, examines his unflinching dedication to the art.

Loaded with unseen, archival performances with untold personal reflections, Don't Be Denied is a portal to Young's very soul. Collaborators like James Taylor, Nils Lofgren, Stephen Stills, David Crosby and Graham Nash add insight on the man.

From his short lived band Buffalo Springfield to Crazy Horse to CSN&Y, Young is unapologetic--cocky, even--as he relates his experiences throughout his career. Always moving forward, refusing to languish in what critics and fans say, Neil Young is refreshingly blunt.

Examining everything--from his multi platinum After the Gold Rush to his experiments with Devo in the 80s and even his protest album, Living with War, Young is conversational and AWESOME.

Neil Young: Don't be Denied is a MUST-SEE for any self-respecting music fan, but of particular interest to fans of this ICON.

Angels & Demons (2009)

When the sudden death of the Pope is followed with threat of more deaths from the once thought extinct sect known as the Illuminati, the Vatican summons Dr. Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) to help locate the missing Cardinals on the eve of Conclave. Racing against time, Langdon and CERN scientist Vittoria Vetra must discover the Path of Illumination to uncover the conspiracy before the Illuminati show the world that science has triumphed over religion.

The follow-up to 2006's polarizing, yet average thriller The DaVinci Code, Angels & Demons is more of the same. Director Ron Howard with the help of writers Akiva Goldsmen (A Beautiful Mind, I am Legend) and David Koepp (Ghost Town, Jurassic Park) has taken Dan Brown's book and woven a far-fetched conspiracy that is blatantly obvious and uninspired. Still, view the film as a summer distraction and Angels & Demons will entertain.

Tom Hanks fits the role of symbolist Dr. Robert Langdon perfectly. Not too interesting, but smart. Hanks wears most of his role on his face--with a continually furrowed brow. Nicely accented Ewan McGregor as Camerlengo Patrick McKenna is an solid choice. His role, though obvious, is an asset. Dr. Langdon's unnecessary assistant, this time played by Ayelet Zurer, quickly becomes a vehicle for nothing.

Director Howard does keep the film well-paced, if not fully reasonable. He is masterful at keeping the viewer informed through Dr. Langdon's ability to explain, in length, a myriad of fallacies, legends, and truths while racing at a break neck speed.

It's the opulent settings of Vatican City and Rome that are most fascinating--trust me, you know how the story ends.. From the opening sequence, the visual are stunning. Howard's command of each frame is beautiful. In turn the architecture and history of the locale is rendered gorgeous. Also of note, the elegant score by Hans Zimmer--easily the film's highlight.

In the midst of the conspiracy, our dialogue drifts to the examination of faith and science. Can they coexist? By their very nature, faith and science are essentially oil and water. Howard's subtle shift in the story is flawless; he maintains a neutrality that is commendable. Instead, he allows Dr. Langdon's interactions between the Camerlengo (His Holiness' right hand, essentially) and Cardinal Strauss (exceptional Armin Mueller-Stahl: see Eastern Promises) to be our examiners. Howard not only dares to provoke, but also provide more character development than the entire Da Vinci Code.

As I see it, Angels & Demons is an entertaining, harmless summer movie, but one that is highly rentable. Save your dollars for the must-see!

Postscript 12.22.09 ~ I rented it.  I am disappointed in the obviousness of the entire thing.  There are great characters here, but Howard build on them enough to create the believable myth herein.  It entertains only if you check you brain at the door.

8 Mile (2002)

Aspiring rapper and white boy, Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith (Eminem) is from the wrong side of Detroit's 8 Mile. Jimmy struggles with the knowledge that he is better than his meager surroundings. His life takes a turning point when Jimmy decides to confront the fear that has held him captive for so long.

This is not normally a film genre that I would choose, but given the current Relapse by Eminem, I decided to examine the fictional tale of B-Rabbit that is based upon the rapper's own upbringing. Never has a film felt so empty and bleak.

8 Mile plays dark, gritty, and with an overwhelmingly emptiness that one struggles to cope with. Eminem gives a solid performance as B-Rabbit and quite frankly, shadows the true actors here. The rapper wears a badge of frustration and anger at life in general. It's a beautiful character study--you can see the hardship written across his face, carried on his shoulders, and tattooed on his heart. Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, and Mekhi Phifer support. All are adequate, but this genuinely is Eminem's show.

Kudos to director Curtis Hanson (Adaptation, The River Wild, L.A. Confidential) for retaining an authenticity--like I would know anything about that. The essence of the film is ugly, again bleak, is the preferred descriptor. From the ground up, Detroit/8 Mile feels oppressive, cold, bitter, and lonely. These are essential components as our protagonist thrives on those feelings to create his outlet.

Of course, the soundtrack is true to the genre. The rhythms of 'Lose Yourself' are woven throughout the film.

As I see it, 8 Mile is a solid film examining {for me} of a perplexing genre of music--how can such raw emotion and ugly lyrics exploding over simple beats be cathartic to a generation? Interesting. In another twenty years, just you wait, 8 Mile will stand alongside Purple Rain and Saturday Night Fever as an unforgettable soundtrack.

Welcome summer!

At 8.31 p.m. CST, I saw my first lightening bug of the season. Hello, summer.

Come back to me.

It's not the same since he's been gone. I spend more time with him than any other and I miss him. He makes me feel special and I miss the way he envelopes me each morning, ready for the day's adventure. I miss the way he smells mid-afternoon after the sun has beat down on him all day. The touch of warm leather, the clear melodies emitting from the speakers. I miss the way he cradles the road... strong and silent. It's been three days since Alfred went into intensive care and I want him back.

In his stead, is a cheap little number--a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. Don't slam the doors!! They might fall off. Sure, it may be new, but it screams average and Alfred knows I'm a whole lot more than average. It's some champagne gold color. I feel exposed, cheapened, less human.

Alfred, for the love of God, come back to me!! Until then, I remain humiliated--less than average in an average world.