Snapshots From An Unmade Bed

inside SPIN + Film

My husband sent me an "ultimate' playlist so I thought I would list it out for the music post this week. I like a lot of his choices although there are a few I am like, what?!

Battle-Axe by the Deftones
Keep off the Lawn by Aesop Rock
Ride with Me (Acoustic Version) by the Lemonheads
No Shelter by Rage Against the Machine
No Quarter by Led Zepplin (the live version by Tool ain’t half bad either)
Holding Sand by Rival Schools
Eyes of the South by Down
Act III Scene 2 (Shakepeare) by Saul Williams
The Noose by A Perfect Circle
Fear of a Black Planet by Public Enemy
Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake (and what of it???)
Driving Nowhere by Helmet
Start a War by The National
Way to Blue by Nick Drake
Hip Hop by Dead Prez
Knock’em Dead Kid by Motley Crue
Southern Hospitality by Ludacris (featuring Pharrell)
Rocket by the Smashing Pumpkins
Little Lover’s So Polite by Silversun Pickups
Genius by the Kings of Leon
Breadcrumb Trail by Slint
Anything by the Secret Machines on the Now Here is Nowhere LP
Wax and Wane by the Cocteau Twins
Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens
Mother by Danzig
Beside You in Time by Nine Inch Nails

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A few of the films I have seen recently:

Waitress - I really enjoyed this quirky, indie film!

I am Legend - I will admit I had my reservations about seeing another "the world is coming to an end" film but I found this movie really entertaining and Will Smith keeps you engaged. Certainly not an upper but as with most sci-fi films...there might be a glimmer of hope for the human race!  The special effects are pretty fantastic too.

The Nanny Diaries - I had not read the book and did not go into watching this with any expectation. It was different than what I had in my mind but I did actually enjoy it.  An easy film to watch!

Film

I am sad to say that I have not seen any movies recently! I really must remedy that soon (like watching Elizabeth that is collecting dust at the moment)!  I did come up with movie news...

They just announced the winners of the British Independent Film Awards.  Here are some of the winners and you can read more here:

BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM
And When Did You Last See Your Father?
* Control
Eastern Promises
Hallam Foe
Notes on a Scandal

BEST ACTRESS
Sponsored by Mac
Anne Hathaway - Becoming Jane
Tannishtha Chatterjee - Brick Lane
Sophia Myles - Hallam Foe
Kierston Wareing - It's A Free World...
*Judi Dench - Notes on a Scandal

BEST ACTOR
Jim Broadbent - And When Did You Last See Your Father?
Sam Riley - Control
* Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises
Jamie Bell - Hallam Foe
Cilian Murphy - Sunshine

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR/ACTRESS
Colin Firth - And When Did You Last See Your Father?
Samantha Morton - Control
* Toby Kebbell - Control
Armin Muehler Stahl - Eastern Promises
Cate Blanchett - Notes on a Scandal

MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Imogen Poots - 28 Weeks Later
Matthew Beard - And When Did You Last See Your Father?
* Sam Riley - Control
Bradley Cole - Exhibit A
Kierston Wareing - It's A Free World...

BEST SCREENPLAY
David Nicholls - And When Did You Last See Your Father?
Matt Greenhalgh - Control
Steven Knight - Eastern Promises
David Mackenzie & Ed Whitmore - Hallam Foe
* Patrick Marber - Notes on a Scandal

BEST DIRECTOR
Anand Tucker - And When Did You Last See Your Father?
Sarah Gavron - Brick Lane
* Anton Corbijn - Control
David Cronenberg - Eastern Promises
David Mackenzie - Hallam Foe

Film

For Halloween we rented the movie 1408 with John Cusack.

I don't want to give any spoilers but the movie was different than I expected. The movie has been adapted from a Stephen King short story. The plot: Mike Enslin (Cusack), is a writer who travels the country visiting haunted places. He is certainly a sceptic since he has never experienced a paranormal event.  He receives an anonymous post card warning him not to stay in Room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel. Of course that is exactly what he does.

Samuel Jackson plays Gerald Olin - the manager of the Dophin Hotel who doesn’t want Enslin staying in the room. According to the manager, over 56 guests have met their death in Room 1408 and it seems that anyone who chooses to stay in the room doesn't last more than an hour.

I will say that it wasn't as scary as I expected but there are defintely some spooky moments and I am a fan of Cusack. If you are looking for something to get your thoughts racing - this movie will appeal.

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Dan in Real Life - there has been a lot of hype about this movie. We went to see this at the Angelika last weekend. For me, the movie started off a little slow but definitely picked up some momentum and turned out to be an entertaining, feel good movie. Probably a good one for a Sunday matinee.

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I currently have Elizabeth waiting at home to watch. I thought I should watch the first before seeing the current release - Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Film

I have not had the chance to get out to the cinema the past week or so but I did see on DVD the film Reign Over Me.  I was disappointed (although not completely) by a movie that could have been excellent but ended up mediocre. I think that Adam Sandler just wasn't the right person as one of the leads because I felt Don Cheadle was great. I am not sure I would recommend this film.

I currently have Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont which I think is going to be  enjoyable - I will report back.

Here are a couple of movies currently showing that I would like to see:

Into the Wild
Things we Lost in the Fire
Elizabeth - The Golden Age

Film

The most recent films I have seen...

The Brave One - I thought this was a really good film and Jodie Foster was excellent. There are a few parts that are graphically violent but I think that it helps to show the darker side of humanity. The story itself is that of a very intelligent woman whose life is seemingly charmed. The story then goes on to to show how a violent and senseless attack changes everything, including the person she once was. This is one of those films that really affects you.

The Kingdom - this was a movie I had really wanted to see but did walk out feeling a little underwhelmed. I was expecting something a little more intense and action packed. Overall, the movie was entertaining but fails to get its political message across, if there really was one at all.

The Jane Austen Book Club - I had started reading the book that this film was based on (and I still am) but went ahead and caught the film this past weekend. It was enjoyable and what I would consider a great Sunday matinee because it has that feel good factor and dishy Hugh Dancy. Just from what I have read of the book there are subtle differences but some of the dialogue is used from the book. If you are looking for a little escapism than you won't be disappointed. The movie and book does inspire me to go back and read some of the Jane Austen novels that I have missed.

These are on my "must see" list:

The Bucket List
No Country for Old Men
Grace is Gone
Atonement
Feast of Love
Trade
Reservation Road

there are plenty more but I will save those for later.....

Books + Music + Film

I have been thinking about what books to bring along for our holiday to Honduras (I am getting excited...3 weeks and counting). 

We are reading A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry for the October book group (and NO I don't mean the Oprah Book Club!!) so I will certainly pack that along with me. I also decided to order a copy of Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner (which comes highly recommended by Iliana). I might bring along a third - any suggestions for great holiday reading?

As for Music -- I do have some recommendations but I will post that next week. I am excited about going to see the Cary Brothers at House of Blues Friday with my friend Amy. Should be a good night!

As for movies, I decided to watch a few on Apple trailers and I have a pretty good list of "must see" -

Lars and the Real Girl
Dedication
The Darjeeling Limited
Into the Wild
2 days in Paris
Jane Austen Book Club
Dans Paris
Goya's Ghost
August Rush

and one more - Rendition

Film

Evening - I went to see this movie with my friends Iliana and Shadan this past Sunday. I thought this was a beautiful film although you must look past the clichés of a dying woman recounting her past. A story of hope, fear, dreams and future questions about life and past regrets. The cast is excellent and the film is beautifully shot and very moving. A story that covers love, friendship and family. I don't believe there was a dry eye in the cinema!

I have the following rentals to catch up on this week:

Playing Mona Lisa - "...a talented young pianist whose life begins to unravel: her moment of glory is taken from her before it begins, her boyfriend dumps her, and she's condemned to live at her crazy parents' house while her sister blissfully plans her own wedding! Then she starts looking for love in the wrong places." Definitely a Chick Flick and a some fluff!

Fur - the imaginary portrait of photographer Diane Arbus. I have heard mixed reviews about this film but I really am intrigued how they capture the life of this revered photographer.

Film

So here is what I have for recent films viewed:

Nochnoy dozor (Night Watch) - we attempted to watch this weird ass Russian film. We failed miserably. I went back to read reviews by others who watched and was amazed at all the rave reviews. I was disappointed at how bad the movie was overall and well that was only the first hour. The one positive thing I will say, is that visually, it was interesting.  Beyond that, there was way too much effort needed to figure out what the heck was going on.

Miss Potter - This is the story of Beatrix Potter, the author of many classic illustrated children's stories such as Peter Rabbit. She was raised in the latter part of the 19th Century by an upper crust middle class family and chose her own path. The movie is enchanting and feel good. Nice Sunday afternoon film.

Transformers - I have to say that I wasn't overly keen to seen this film but did end up enjoying it in the end. It has good visual effects (I admit I thought the 'good" robots were cool), sound design and humor. At times it was a little corny and far fetched but you have to keep it in context of its basis - a cartoon story.

The Dead Girl - This is a dark and haunting film and I really liked it. The different stories tell of how six women are affected by the gruesome, sad death of one young woman. Each of the women are suffering in their own emotional prisons and their connection to the dead girl seems to open them in different ways. I really love the dark cinematography used and how the stories eventually spill into one.

If you have seen any trailers for upcoming films that sound good - let me know. I haven't caught any recently that really grabbed me. Hopefully somemthing good will come out soon....

Film

I had a strange photographic/cinema encounter last weekend.

I came across about 4 blocks of abandoned buildings a few streets away from where we live. I thought it odd scenery, with an adandoned Mosque and burned out building along ghost town blocks. I posted the shot to the left on Flickr and sure enough someone was able to share with me the background.

A movie set! It was constructed in 2003 for the filming of the Saving Jessica Lynch. The set is meant to represent An Nasiriyah, a southern Iraqi city.

It has certainly made for some interesting stills! You can read more about this here.

We are off to Bishop Arts District tonight to check out their 1st Thursday.  Hopefully the rain will let up enough for us to walk around!  I will have to report back tomorrow.

Music + Film

Well, there hasn't been muching shaking for me in the genre of music and film.  I have been a little busy working on photographs and posting to Flickr. I know, priorities eh?!

We did see two movies in the past week:

Mr. Brooks - I am not a big fan of Kevin Costner's one dimensional acting (although I loved Bull Durham & Field of Dreams) but I have to say he was good in this film and I really enjoyed this whimsical take on a serial killer.  It works really well with its Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde style and William Hurt is wonderful as Mr. Brooks alter ego.  Different and entertaining and put me a little on edge.  A good combo for me.

Apocalypto - This was one Michael's rentals. The story line about the decline of the Mayan civilization is well told but I have to say that this movie is violent. I had to look away a few times because it was fairly graphic. If you can put aside your feelings about Mel Gibson's outspoken racial tirades and conservative Christian mentality (do as I say not as I do) then you might find this movie intriguing and worthwhile. Some of the scenes are pretty amazing and visceral.

Another movie that is about to release that I would like to see is Paris, Je T'aime. I believe it opens at the Inwood this weekend.

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As far as music goes - other than what I mentioned last week, I got nothin!

Check out Paste & Magnet Magazines - they always have the latest music news and other lifestyle bits!