Poetry 144: Dream Deferred

I first read this because it was included in the prologue of the play A Raisin in the Sun. I immediately fell in love with it and continue to interpret it in new ways.

A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Movies 144: Scre4m

Scre4m is the first to point out that this isn't SAW. Torture porn. True, what made Scream so likable to begin with were the characters that came from the series. Dewey (who's now sheriff ) and Gale (who is just a writer with her horror movies STAB) are now the old timers with a new generation that awaits in Woodsboro. After all, this was the movie that got Courtney Cox and David Arquette together. Of course, Neve Campbell is back as our best heroine ever of slasher films, Sydney Prescott.

The movie is made of  quite a dream cast. It's like everyone wanted to be a part of the movie. But as you start to watch there is a bit of confusion, is this someone watching the STAB films or is this really part of this movie? Evidently, it was important to Craven to imitate 'art'...if that's what we want to call it. Naturally, the film falls back on the rules of horror movies. Who'll get it first? Rory Culkin's Charlie explains all. Possibly. Of course, we have Emma Roberts as Jill, Sydney's cousin that she barely knows. And it just wouldn't be right if this hadn't been the anniversary of the Woodsboro murders.

I will say the film has plenty of twists and turns. It is in the tradition of the original movie in a lot of ways. The suspense grows. There are times however that you feel time was wasted. But then there is someone explaining it all to you. It was great though to see Marley Shelton, Anthony Anderson and Adam Brody as the deputies.

erik knudsen, rory culkin, hayden panettiere, marielle jaffe

Sometimes, it takes more than one time to watch this flick to enjoy it. I have to say I enjoyed Roy Culkin's performance the most. Yes, you will find it predictable, but what makes it so fun is to have some of your favorite actors from TV shows... all in one movie.

STORYLINE: Sidney Prescott, now the author of a self-help book, returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. There she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey and Gale, who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill and her Aunt Kate. Unfortunately, Sidney's appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface, putting Sidney, Gale, and Dewey, along with Jill, her friends, and the whole town of Woodsboro in danger.

tumblr credits

7/10

Books 141: The Hunger Games

I have been hearing so much about The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins lately, but in spite of that I unfortunately have not gotten the chance to read any of the books yet. I feel like I'm the last person on the internet that still has yet to do so... haha. And to make matters worse, apparently they're already making a movie out of it! No, wait, hold on a minute -- they can't make the movie before I even read the books yet! I have virtually no free time these days, but with spring break coming up perhaps I'll finally get a chance. Here's a summary of what I have in store for me:

"It's in the future, when the United States, now Panem, is divided up into 13 districts, and each district is has one thing they export. At the center of the society is the Capitol, where the President lives in luxury while the rest live progressively worse. The protagonist, Katniss, lives in the worst district, District 13, where almost everyone is poor. This society is extremely strict, but not all people follow the rules. Every year, all of Panem takes part in the Hunger Games, during which one boy and one girl from each district go to an unknown location, and fight to the death, and the winner gets money, food, anything they need to survive, and live in luxury for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, Katniss's younger sister is chosen. In order to save her life, Katniss takes her place in the contest, and the game begins."

Courtesy of this kind soul here. Thank goodness for Yahoo Answers! What a lifesaver.

There are three books in the series: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.

If you've read these, what did you think?

Music 143: Miike Snow

So there are a few things you need to know about Miike Snow: they are a Swedish band composed of three guys (Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, and Andrew Wyatt) none of whom are called Miike (let alone with two i's in the name). So where did they get such a strange band name? It turns out that it is from a friend whose name is Miike Snow, Miike coming from a japanese origin.

Miike Snow formed in 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden. They only really became popular in America during 2010 though, half a year after their debut album dropped here.

So what is so great about this band? Never have I heard a band so fun and well...heart warming. They have been described as having an electronic/indie pop feel to them but that is not the thing that gets you hooked. It is their music as a whole. It's their catchy beats, sweet lyrics, and smooth singing. It's the fact that each of their songs is unique in its own way.

Example: when I first heard their song Animal in the car a year or so ago I couldn't believe it. It was love at first hearing. It started out with this strange thumping and let straight into lyrics like this: I change shapes just to hide in this place but I'm still, I'm still an animal. I was mesmerized. So sit back and relax and listen to some of their greatest tunes:

1) Animal

2) Song For No One

3) Black and Blue

So what do you think?

You can buy Miike Snow's debut album here.

Movies 143: Arthur

Many might wonder, why make a remake of a classic? Nobody does Dudley Moore better than himself. There was no original spunky Linda played by that wonderful Liza Minnelli (instead we get a timid Naomi played by Greta Gerwig) and there was the genderswap, Helen Mirren as Hobson. The original Arthur came out in 1981. And it was a rather enabling cavorting movie about a raging alcoholic named Arthur (OK, he was quite a fun drunk). Now we have an updated version. Russell Brand in Dudley Moore's shoes..but not quite so funny. But still British. Very British set in New York City.

Some would say Brand is an acquired taste. And I guess I have acquired a taste for him. Actually, I found this movie more of a drama than a comedy. It was all Helen Mirren's doing. Forget the late night party romps, and Jennifer Garner being the bride from hell or even Gerwig looking quirky and very New York chic, this movie belonged to Mirren.

There were times I thought this should have been a remake of Herald and Maude. It would have been much more easier to do. Brand and Mirren are so unique together. When Hobson got up to make her speech at AA's, it got to me. As she said the things he could not say about his drinking, I started to tear up.

This was a movie that wasn't going to be about enabling someone. So if you think you are off to a movie to have a laugh, well, this isn't the one to go too. Still it has its moments. Some very trusted Russell Brand kind of humor, slipping in and out of being cynical. There are also some sweet New York City scenes along with some very grownup tunes from Eternal Summers (Pogo), Mark Giford (While you wait) and Daniel Merriweather.

TRIVIA: This remake has been made and released practically exactly thirty years after the original Arthur.

STORYLINE: A drunken playboy stands to lose a wealthy inheritance when he falls for a woman his family doesn't like.

Credits!

6/10

Music 142: Broken Bells

Ever imagined what a mega-awesome-collaboration would sound like? Look no further than here because Broken Bells is what you're looking for. Composed of Brian Burton (better known as Danger Mouse) and James Mercer (frontman of The Shins) Broken Bells is an indie alternative dream.

Broken Bells started in Autumn of 2009 when the two announced their collaboration and ever since then they have had a steady following of fans and the hearts of critics stolen. Back in December of 2010, Broken Bells performed their last show at KROQ's Almost Acoustic show but have comfirmed a follow up album and possibly more concerts.

On March 29th, 2011 Broken Bells released an EP entitled Meyrin Fields.

Here are some of their best work:

1) The High Road

2) Sailing to Nowhere


3) October


So what do you think?

You can buy Broken Bells debut album here.

Movies 142: HOP

Its that time of year. Spring. Easter. And what better way to get in the mood. Watching a movie with a younger sibling. Granted, you won't get a religious experience watching this film. Some critics are pretty perturbed about this too. But if you want some Kid fun, you might just find it at HOP.

Its brought to you by the creative folks of Despicable Me. Russell Brand has to be the sexiest Easter Bunny ever as E.B., who really doesn't want the family business. He'd rather be a drummer in a rock band. Hone in on Fred O'Hare played by a rather youthful James Marsden and a buddy trip of fun is on its way.

Granted, the human forms aren't quite as delightful as the animated ones. They don't seem to have the best lines. I soon found that this movie possibly isn't kid proof. I saw many a young one grab Mom or Dad's hand to go to the restroom during this film. Several times. Many of them. It is rather adult oriented with its jokes. So there are a lot laughs for those who brought their kids.

Also, I was hoping for a bit more originality when it came for the Bunny ride, an Easter egg slay carried through the night by baby chicks. Hmmm, dunno about that. But I will have to commend Hank Azaria's voice as the second in command chick who wants to take over. He's splendid in that role.

STORYLINE: E.B., the Easter Bunny's teenage son, heads to Hollywood, determined to become a drummer in a rock 'n' roll band. In LA, he's taken in by Fred after the out-of-work slacker hits E.B. with his car.

5/10

Poetry 142: Bluebird

Bluebird by Charles Bukowski

there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I’m too tough for him,
I say, stay in there, I’m not going
to let anybody see
you.

there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I pur whiskey on him and inhale
cigarette smoke
and the whores and the bartenders
and the grocery clerks
never know that
he’s
in there.

there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I’m too tough for him,
I say,
stay down, do you want to mess
me up?
you want to screw up the
works?
you want to blow my book sales in
Europe?

there’s a bluebird in my heart that
wants to get out
but I’m too clever, I only let him out
at night sometimes
when everybody’s asleep.
I say, I know that you’re there,
so don’t be
sad.
then I put him back,
but he’s singing a little
in there, I haven’t quite let him
die
and we sleep together like
that
with our
secret pact
and it’s nice enough to
make a man
weep, but I don’t
weep, do
you?