Movies 141: Sucker Punch

I've been waiting ages to see this film. To start with, such a great cast to help conjure a fanboy's dream. Emily Browning as Babydoll, Abby Cornish and Jena Malone as sisters that Babydoll meets at the asylum. Along with Vanessa Hudgens and Jamie Chung as Blondie and Amber. Which gives you the vibe of girl power mayhem.

Unfortunately, its a very tragic story and a critic's nightmare. You can either sit back and enjoy the ride, or try to decipher all the angles of it.

Babydoll knows her time is limited, and I won't give you any spoilers here. She's also at the hands of Blue (played amazingly by Oscar Issac) the orderly, who also secretly pawns the girls off as prostitutes at his little inside night club.

But Babydoll deals with it. We never actually see the dance she does. Its up to you to decide on the truth of the dance. On one level its possibly a very bad thing. To us we get inside her head to see an action pack adventure with Samurais, Nazis zombies and fierce dragons.

Of course, you might find yourself questioning Snyder's story. Such a visual movie and the music keeps the story pulsing. ARMY OF ME is amazing by Bjork. Emily Browning even gets a chance in the opening with her version of SWEET DREAMS. I have to admit I adored Emiliana Torrini's WHITE RABBIT.

This is a movie that will have you talking with friends for quite awhile, wanting to view it again, perhaps. Some, will be disappointed and will hope the director's cut will clear everything up. Truly, you will find your own ending to this movie. Perhaps its best not to dwell on what really happened in the asylum, but to sit back and enjoy the show.

Some remarkable performances by Glen Scott and Carla Gugino. If only there would have been more scenes with Jon Hamm.

STORYLINE: A young girl (Baby Doll) is locked away in a mental asylum by her wicked stepfather where she will undergo a lobotomy in 5 days time. Faced with unimaginable odds, she retreats to fantastical world in her imagination where she and four other female inmates at the asylum plot to escape the facility. The lines between reality and fantasy blur as Baby Doll and her companions battle various creatures and enemies to retrieve the 5 items they need that will allow them to break free from their captors before it's too late.

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8/10

Books 140: Fight Club

The first rule about Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club.
The second rule about Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club.
The third rule about Fight Club is two men per fight.
The fourth rule about Fight Club is one fight at a time.
The fifth rule of Fight Club is no shoes, no shirts in the fight.
The sixth rule about Fight Club is the fights go on as long as they have to.

Many people seem to be surprised to learn that the rather popular movie Fight Club starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter was actually based off of the book by Chuck Palahniuk.

As I am running out of time to write this, here's a quick summary by David Loftus:

"The narrator, an insurance investigator prone to depression and insomnia, finds temporary joy and distraction by attending various support groups. But he keeps running into another support group fraud named Marla, which spoils his fun. Meanwhile, he also meets a free-lance projectionist named Tyler Durden, who splices frames from porn movies into mainstream features and suggests they undermine capitalist society with dangerous pranks and the Fight Club -- a group devoted to bare knuckles, all-out battles between similarly confused and frustrated young males. Someone bombs the narrator's apartment, and he has to move into an abandoned house with Tyler. Eventually clandestine fight clubs spring up all over the country, and our hero finds himself uncomfortably stuck within a passionate triangle between Tyler and Marla. Something's gotta give, but what? Palahniuk's strange, offbeat 1996 debut novel came to a deservedly wider audience when it was made into a movie starring Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter."

This is one of those cases where I find it really hard to say whether I liked the book or the movie. better. The two are very alike in some aspects, but also differ quite a bit in others, especially the ending. Well, at least the way I interpreted the ending... I'd say it's one of those times where you really just have to see for yourself, honestly.

If anyone else has both read the book and seen the movie, what are your thoughts on this? Did you like one better than the other?

Happy weekend!

Poetry 139: Emily Dickinson

Death
by Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility.

We passed the school, where children strove
At recess, in the ring;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.

Or rather, he passed us;
The dews grew quivering and chill,
For only gossamer my gown,
My tippet only tulle.

We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.

Since then 'tis centuries, and yet each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.

Music 139: The Temper Trap

More than likely you've heard this band before. Not only has The Temper Trap's song Sweet Disposition been featured in numerous Coca Cola commercials and they've also been featured in movies such as: (500) Days of Summer, I Am Number Four, The Roommate, and No Strings Attached. Their music has also been featured in many shows such as: Chuck, One Tree Hill, 90210, The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Skins (UK) and many more. I guess you can say this band has been featured in a lot of things since their forming in 2005. I guess you could say they've made their rounds internationally too because they are getting quite huge in the US and the UK. The Temper Trap are quite busy themselves right now working on their sophomore album which should be out soon.

The Temper Trap consists of Dougy Mandagi, Jonathon Aherne, Lorenzo Sillitto, Toby Dundas, and Joseph Greer. They hail from Melbourne, Australia when they met at Wesley College. Their music would be described as indie rock but in my opinion, their songs contain a plethora of many different styles. Nothing too crazy in their music but there is a song for every mood.

Honestly there isn't much to say about this band because I feel they speak for themselves when it comes to music. They don't need a huge introduction or anything comparisons to big artists to sell a record. So here are some songs I think you all will enjoy very much.

1) Sweet Disposition (in case you haven't heard it yet.)

2) Fader (a song that can make anyone smile).


3) Soldier On (such a sweet and simple song.)


*You can buy their album Conditions here.*


So what do you guys think?

Movies 139: Red Riding Hood

I have to say I dreaded the thought of going to this movie after I read all the critics' reviews on this film. Well, a month a go, I could hardly wait. I was so eager to see this film. It has Amanda Seyfried in it, who has to be my favorite actress at the moment. And might I add Max Irons, as well, (Jeremy Iron's son).

I'm glad I didn't let the critics stop me from seeing it. Seriously, the director, Catherine Hardwicke put a lot of effort into this film. She created a world, long forgotten, not just an old tale. The setting is beautiful. The costumes so genuine. And she brought in Gary Oldman as the priestly, Were-Wolf hunter. Also there is the village, and there are twisted stories among them as you'd find in any time period. After all, we are only human. One of my favorite performances was Lukas Haas' as the village priest. He might be the only sensible one in the bunch.

Of course, you have eye-candy. This is a chick-flick. Girlfriends, young and old are given something to savor. There is the beautiful and charmingly earnest Max Irons as Henry, the one Valerie (Seyfried) is suppose to marry. Except, Peter (Shiloh Fernandez) has always been the one in Valerie's heart since she was a child. Julie Christie plays the grandmother so eloquent. Virgina Madesen is Valerie's mother who is lovely, but keeping her own secrets, as well. Billy Burke plays Valerie's father who is given a chance to shine in this movie, too.

The movie is honestly a million times better than TWILIGHT. In spite of cheesy lines, girls doing sultry dances together, and an angry black wolf that likes to use telepathy. Oh, and those moments when you just wish they'd kiss already, in spite of waiting for the camera to get a longing shot of their face. It does have its flaws. Some are not happy about the Three Little Pigs innuendos, either.

And yes, I am a Henry fan. (Max Irons who is dating Emily Browning).



The music was quaint and never boring from Brian Reitzell and Alex Heffes along with Fever Ray. Although, during the odd 'wolf festival which had the 3 pigs involved', the song choice did sound just a little too modern gothic. But still, it had a pagan feel to it, and it made one wonder about church and paganism from a historical point of view. As we see, the story turns into quite a witch hunt. They even capture the most innocent in the village, Claude (Cole Heppell) the village idiot, even so, they just know he's studying the dark arts.

The film might not be perfect, but it is enjoyable. One might even want to watch it, again.

STORYLINE: Valerie (Seyfried) is a beautiful young woman torn between two men. She is in love with a brooding outsider, Peter (Fernandez), but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry (Irons). Unwilling to lose each other, Valerie and Peter are planning to run away together when they learn that Valerie's older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village. For years, the people have maintained an uneasy truce with the beast, offering the creature a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf has upped the stakes by taking a human life. Hungry for revenge, the people call on famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Oldman), to help them kill the wolf. But Solomon's arrival brings unintended consequences as he warns that the wolf, who takes human form by day, could be any one of them. As the death toll rises with each moon...

8/10

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Poetry 138: Selecting A Reader

Selecting A Reader
By Ted Kooser

First, I would like her to be beautiful,
and walking carefully up on my poetry
at the loneliest moment of an afternoon,
her hair still damp at the neck
from washing it. She should be wearing
a raincoat, an old one, dirty
from not having enough money for the cleaners,
She will take out her glasses, and there
in the bookstore, she will thumb
over my poems, then put the book back
up on its shelf. She will say to herself,
“For that kind of money, I can get
my raincoat cleaned.” And she will.

Movies 138: Beastly

From the moment it starts, this movie has a certain modern rhythm to it. After all, it is an old tale a bit more twisted than usual. And it starts out sleek with one of NYC's best schools for success.

The movie takes the 'beast' point of view. We've heard what Belle went through from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Plunged into the main character's life is Kyle played by that wonderfully arrogant Alex Pettyfer (who you might have seen previously in I AM NUMBER FOUR) as the rich popular guy who would love to rule the school. And of course, only wants to be with the beautiful people. He's even running to be president of something he knows nothing about. He doesn't have to. But some people just won't take his rudeness nor his thunder. Kendra(a very cool Mary-Kate Olsen) is the bewitching magical shadow who soon makes him realize what he has can be taken away when he ditches her and makes fun of her at one his big party events. However, he shows a glimmer of hope of a real human being when he makes contact with Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens) who has been practically by his side all this time but he never noticed.

So it isn't long until Kyle goes through his transformation of ugliness and Kendra gives him the ultimatum. If he can't find one to love him in a year (true love), he'll be tattooed this way for life. Of course, rather predictable. Right?

Thankfully, he has the help of wonderful Neil Patrick-Harris as his blind tutor. With just a little bit of clever dialogue Harris' character is a scene stealer. Really, he gives a terrific performance. Lisa Gay Hamilton as Zola the housekeeper is remarkable in her role too.

With great writing and a wonderful cast, this is a movie worth your while. I love the soundtrack. So many beautiful songs from Lady Gaga, Regina Spektor to Death Cab for Cutie. The music kept the story going. Although, I'm not a big Vanessa Hudgens fan, I think Alex has that ability to make her sweet and sincerity bankable. I really thought he brought the character to life. There is that grownup on the outside, yet a little boy on the inside trying to figure out how to make love and life work. Pettyfer succeeded in that.

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Also you learn in Kyle's homelife that the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree when you meet his father Rob (Peter Krause from NBC's Parenthood). His Dad is quite a me person too.

STORYLINE: A modern-day take on the "Beauty and the Beast" tale where a New York teen is transformed into a hideous monster in order to find true love. Based on a book written by Alex Finn. Screenplay written by Daniel Barnz who also directed the film.

9/10

Poetry 127: I Go Back to May 1937

I Go Back to May 1937
By Sharon Olds

I see them standing at the formal gates of their colleges,
I see my father strolling out
under the ochre sandstone arch, the
red tiles glinting like bent
plates of blood behind his head, I
see my mother with a few light books at her hip
standing at the pillar made of tiny bricks with the
wrought-iron gate still open behind her, its
sword-tips black in the May air,
they are about to graduate, they are about to get married,
they are kids, they are dumb, all they know is they are
innocent, they would never hurt anybody.
I want to go up to them and say Stop,
don’t do it—she’s the wrong woman,
he’s the wrong man, you are going to do things
you cannot imagine you would ever do,
you are going to do bad things to children,
you are going to suffer in ways you never heard of,
you are going to want to die. I want to go
up to them there in the late May sunlight and say it,
her hungry pretty blank face turning to me,
her pitiful beautiful untouched body,
his arrogant handsome blind face turning to me,
his pitiful beautiful untouched body,
but I don’t do it. I want to live. I
take them up like the male and female
paper dolls and bang them together
at the hips like chips of flint as if to
strike sparks from them, I say
Do what you are going to do, and I will tell about it.

~~~

Happy weekend!

Music 137: Florence + The Machine

So you might know singer Florence Welch from her cover performance of 'If I Rise' from 127 Hours at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards this weekend...or you might know this singer from her song 'Dog Days Are Over' which was the theme for the 2010 film Eat Pray Love. It's funny when you think of it, her two most popular appearances were songs for movies James Franco is in.

Florence Welch was born August 28th, 1986 in London to Nick and Evelyn Welch. As a child, Welch was often getting in trouble for impromptu singing at school. Welch studied at Camberwell College of Arts. She later dropped out to work on her music career. Who would've guessed she would be where she is now?

Now, Florence Welch and her band Florence and the Machine (consisting also of: Robert Ackroyd, Christopher Lloyd Hayden , Isabella Summers, Tom Monger, and Mark Saunders) are making their rounds in the music business with their popular album: Lungs. This year they will be releasing another album (the title of it to be announced later on).

Welch doesn't have the bright and sunny life that her songs suggest though. Welch has been diagnosed with dyslexia and dysmetria and may also suffer from insomnia. In some of her songs, Welch has an interesting side of her shown. It turns out Welch has a fascination with terror and doom which was intensified by the death of her grandparents. When Welch was 10 she witnessed her grandfather's deterioration; when Welch was 14 her maternal grandmother committed suicide. At 13 years old she and her mother moved in with their next door neighbour and his three teenage children. Welch says of her old housemates: "We get on brilliantly now, but it was a nightmare then. I just used to stay in my room and dance around.


There is no question that Florence Welch has gone through a lot, she just channels it with her music. Here are a few a songs that showcase her talent:


1) Cosmic Love (this is such an interesting song that will make you fall head over heels in love with this band.)




2) Kiss with a Fist (just a fun and catchy song that will be sure to get you pumped up.)


3) Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) (my current obsession, the chorus is pure gold.)


I was going to show you guys Dog Days Are Over but all of you should already know that song. So what do you think?

Books 136: The Lover's Dictionary

Author of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist David Levithan's newest novel caught my eye while browsing Barnes & Noble the other day. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, and still haven't had a chance to start reading it yet, but the inner book jacket description certainly sounds promising.

"basis, n.

There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you're in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself.

If the moment doesn't pass, that's it--you're done.

And if the moment does pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it's even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover's face.

How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our every day lives and and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique perspective on the universe, the nameless narrator of David Levithan's The Lover's Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time."

I personally am rather intrigued by this, and can't wait to start reading. Perhaps you'll feel the same!

Movies 136: I Am Number Four

This movie hasn't gotten the greatest reviews. Yet, what were they exactly expecting? Yes, its main target is the crowd who loves GLEE and Alex Pettyfer, no doubt. Alex does have a certain arrogance about him in pictures. He looks older than he seems, especially when he models. But don't let that hold you back. His first scene is quite spectacular on the water. I was thinking..is he gonna be like this through the whole movie?

Thankfully, he isn't that smug. Turn on the blond and he's really not such a bad boy. He takes on a new identity and new school where soon enough he finds who the bullies are. Oh, and there a few bad guys in this movie. Some aliens. Some not.

Jake Abel plays Mark, the tough jock and main bully at school who used to be, guess who's boyfriend? The girl that Pettyfer's character is suddenly smitten with, photographer Sarah played by Diane Agron.

Do they have chemistry? Sarah & John (Diane&Alex) More so than ... another saga movie couple I could name, but won't mention. Speaking of which Number 6, Teresa Palmer (with her Kristen Stewart looks) actually rocks this movie. She might as well have came right off the set of the KICK-ASS sequel. Seriously, Number 4 could learn a lot from Number 6.

Timothy Olyphant plays Henri, who is Number 4's guardian/protector. He is quite fatherly in the film. Also Kevin Durrand is the Mogadorian Commander. This actor knows how to be a villain (Remember him on Lost?). Then there is Sam played by Callan McAuliffe who you might remember from Flipped. Sam and John (Number 4) find they have something in common, after Sam notices John's powers. He knows John is not of this world. Sam's Dad who's missing knew a lot about UFOs.

Number 4&6 are stronger together

The movie is packed with special effects. You have a coming of age story and a teen romance. However, I wasn't that impressed with the soundtrack. Near the end, some of the special effects are quite violent. Especially, when you find out that adorable beagel that John found isn't quite what it seems.

As one reviewer put it, the movie feels like an extended version of a Smallville episode. The screenplay writer used to write episodes for Smallville. The director D.J. Caruso directed Disturbia and Eagle Eye.

The film might not be perfect, but there is a certain sincerity about Alex Pettyfer that rings true. He is more than just eye-candy. Yet at the same time, he and Diane Agron were able to make each other look amazing and that is something some actors are unable to do. I look forward to seeing both of them in more movies.



Storyline: Extraordinary teen John Smith (Pettyfer) is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. Changing his identity, moving from town to town with his guardian Henri (Olyphant), John is always the new kid with no ties to his past. In the small Ohio town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life-changing events-his first love (Agron), powerful new abilities and a connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.

I Am Number 4

8/10

Poetry 135: The Cremation of Sam McGee

(This poem is pretty creepy, but that just makes me like it even more...)

The Cremation of Sam McGee
By Robert W. Service

There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.

Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the South to roam ‘round the Pole, God only knows.
He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he’d often say in his homely way that “he’d sooner live in hell.”

On a Christmas Day we were mushing our way over the Dawson trail.
Talk of your cold! through the parka’s fold it stabbed like a driven nail.
If our eyes we’d close, then the lashes froze till sometimes we couldn’t see;
It wasn’t much fun, but the only one to whimper was Sam McGee.

And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow,
And the dogs were fed, and the stars o’erhead were dancing heel and toe,
He turned to me, and “Cap,” says he, “I’ll cash in this trip, I guess;
And if I do, I’m asking that you won’t refuse my last request.”

Well, he seemed so low that I couldn’t say no; then he says with a sort of moan:
“It’s the cursed cold, and it’s got right hold till I’m chilled clean through to the bone.
Yet ‘taint being dead—it’s my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;
So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you’ll cremate my last remains.”

A pal’s last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail;
And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale.
He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee;
And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee.

There wasn’t a breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,
With a corpse half hid that I couldn’t get rid, because of a promise given;
It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say: “You may tax your brawn and brains,
But you promised true, and it’s up to you to cremate those last remains.”

Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.
In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart how I cursed that load.
In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies, round in a ring,
Howled out their woes to the homeless snows—O God! how I loathed the thing.

And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow;
And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low;
The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in;
And I’d often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.

Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay;
It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a trice it was called the “Alice May.”
And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum;
Then “Here,” said I, with a sudden cry, “is my cre-ma-tor-eum.”

Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;
Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;
The flames just soared and the furnace roared—such a blaze you seldom see;
Then I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.

Then I made a hike, for I didn’t like to hear him sizzle so;
And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.
It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don’t know why;
And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.

I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;
But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near;
I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: “I’ll just take a peep inside.
I guess he’s cooked, and it’s time I looked;” . . . then the door I opened wide.

And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: “Please close that door.
It’s fine in here, but I greatly fear you’ll let in the cold and storm—
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it’s the first time I’ve been warm.”

There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.

Movies 135: Gnomeo & Juliet

What better way to spend Valentines day, but to put a new spin on Romeo and Juliet with the lovely tunes of Elton John? If that's not enough, you have the wonderful voices of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt as Gnomeo and Juliet.

Its a pleasing story for all ages. Its rated G. They're talking lawn decorations. Some ditties are just for adults. Its definitely a kid friendly show. And no, there is definitely a different ending to the movie with the help of a Flamingo and a water shoot'n frog.

The only downside of the movie is that the house is packed with crying babies and the like. So be warned. You might want to wait until this weekend to go. But really, the movie is a lot of fun. And you do want a fun Valentines day.

Storyline: Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find lasting happiness? Written by Walt Disney Pictures

9/10

Poetry 134: How Do I Love Thee

In case you're looking for a romantic poem to share with that special someone come this Valentine's Day....



How Do I Love Thee
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith
I love thee with a love I seem to love
With my lost saints, - I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Music 134: Local Natives

Some might call this band indie rock mixed with just about any beat or idea but I think Local Natives are just plain special. Local Natives (formally known as Cavil at Rest) was formed in 2008 in Orange County. The band consists of class mates (and then some others) who moved up to Silver Lake, California to make an album.

Local Natives released their debut album (Gorilla Manor) in February of 2010 (November 2009 in the UK). Gorilla Manor is named after the house the band stayed in while recording the album. Not only did the house inspire the name of the album but in a way probably the themes. Local Native's Gorilla Manor is full of songs that will capture your heart whether it's a calming song or one where the lead singer shouts his lyrics with passion. They must be doing something right though because they have caught the attention of many celebrities, landing on some of the stars of Glee's personal playlists.

Local Natives is:
Taylor Rice
Kelcey Ayer
Ryan Hahn
Andy Hamm
Matt Frazier


Their Music:


1) Wide Eyes

2) Airplanes

3) Sun Hands



I have to say they caught my attention with their songs Airplanes when I stumbled across it on music website Pandora. Ever since then I have been jamming along to their songs. So listen up and fall in love with Local Natives. They are sure to catch fire soon!

TV 134: Portlandia

First there was the indie a film about giving back and struggling artists trying to 'make it happen'. Portlandia is a groundbreaking improv-comedy epic made virtually without a budget, and featuring the best of Portland's newest rising stars in acting, music and fashion.

And now comes the TV sketch comedy created by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein with a little help from SNL's Lauren Michaels. How could it go wrong? Especially when you have guest like Steve Buscemi and Kyle MacLachlan to name a few.

Fred is a regular on Saturday Night Live and Carrie is vocalist/guitarist, WILD FLAG, Sleater-Kinney.

Fred and Carrie play various characters. Sometimes, he's the girl and she's the guy. Sometimes, they go to the Mayor. They sing. They play feminists. They portray all sorts of couples that make up wonderful Portland.

Of course, some (read: hipsters) will get it. Others will find their comedy pathetic. But you never know, you might find yourself saying things like... "Put a bird on it".



It's on IFC.