The point of this (these) post(s) is to talk about all the various pop culture things I'm currently indulging in or interested in, including but not limited to movies. Hopefully, we can all appreciate art in its many forms, even those that are (perhaps sadly) non-filmic.
Of course, movies still - and will always - get top billing.
Movies
Thor - Marvel's latest entry in its Avengers-building mega-franchise tackles what is, to me, their strangest superhero. Rather than gaining power through some sort of freak occurrence or stroke of luck (?), Thor is powerful because he's a Norse god. And somehow, he fits into the super shiny world of Tony Stark, and both of them go with the Nazi-bashing walking history lesson that is Captain America.
It's all a bit goofy, yes, but like Iron Man before it, Thor is a rousing success because it doesn't take itself too seriously. Even more than Iron Man, Thor succeeds most as a comedy. The fish-out-of-water dynamic is played for plentiful, and very funny, laughs, and Chris Hemsworth brings just the right note of regal arrogance and charm to his muscly supersona (copyright pending). His chemistry with Natalie Portman is electrifying - appropriate for the god of thunder - and provides a love story that doesn't play second fiddle to the bigger action bits, but actually works into it quite well. A certain cameo is utterly superfluous but had be squeaking with faux-fanboy excitement, and the inevitable post-credits scene sets the stage nicely for when Joss Whedon brings all these disparate characters together in what is sure to be one of 2012's biggest, most exciting movies.Blue Valentine - New on DVD, Derek Cianfrance's depressingly honest look at the formation and opposite-of-formation of a relationship is bleak but beautiful. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams give career-best work, delivering charming, rom-com chemistry in the happier bits and truly sobering anger and resentment in the film's more climactic, dramatic scenes. Like a darker (500) Days of Summer, the film is interested in what love actually is, and how relationships actually go, so it's not necessarily the ideal date movie. It might hit close to home, even too close for comfort, but that's a testament to what provocative and beautiful film-making this is.
TV
Arrested Development - It sucks to be late to the party, and sadly, it's a feeling I know all too well. I'm finally reveling in the utter comic perfection of the much-celebrated Fox comedy after seeing random episodes once in a while on G4. The show works even better when watched in order, as it builds brilliantly upon previous characters, story-lines, and jokes, creating a world laden with subtext and subtle humor that lends itself well to repeat viewings. Plus, few shows can boast such impressive guest turns, including Liza Minelli, Ben Stiller, and a veritable who's-who of today's NBC stars, including Ed Helms, Craig Robinson, and Amy Poehler playing against real-life husband (and frequent scene-stealer) Will Arnett. Hopefully the movie makes it to the screen soon.The Office - Going forward, it's hard to say how The Office is going to fare. Thankfully, Will Ferrell's awkward stint is over, meaning the oddly uneven Deangelo Vickers is no more. Sadly, Steve Carrell's lovably awful Michael Scott is also gone. His departure has lent the season a sense of vitality the show had lacked in previous years. The writers certainly have made the most of their great ensemble, and Carrell's work, especially in his final episode, deserves an Emmy. (It's a crime he's yet to be rewarded.)
I've been a fan of the show since Season 1, but now I can't help but feel more curious than excited about what's to come. The too-bloated season finale should serve as an indicator to what we can expect going forward. Hopefully, we'll at least get a boss who has a concrete sense of character. I can't take anymore wild mood swings.
Books
Moonwalking With Einstein by Joshua Foer - Foer, brother of one of my favorites - Jonathan Safran Foer, tackles the murky, mystical realm of memory in his debut work. After discovering the world of competitive memory (yes, that's a real thing), Foer decides to learn how exactly the memory works, and ends up training to compete himself. His writing is smart and immensely readable, and the cast of characters he meets along his way is almost too eclectic to be true, creating a real-life tale that is, in some ways, larger than life.I've caught something of the memory bug from the book, and I've already put the technique known as "memory palaces" to work. Next on my list: learning how to memorize a shuffled deck of cards. It's not exactly a useful skill, but maybe it will get me some free drinks down the road.
Richard Yates by Tao Lin - I've only just begun this one, so I can't say for sure how worthwhile or not it is, but after the brief bit I've read, I'm already intrigued. The book chronicles the friendship of two characters named Dakota Fanning and Haley Joel Osment, though neither are the actual famous folks. There's certainly a bit of pretense to wade through (it's like a hipster novel, if that makes sense), but I've already laughed out loud multiple times, so it's at least enjoyable.
Video Games
Portal 2 - If you're at all aware of the video game world, or have watched a show on NBC's website in the past month, you know that Portal 2 has released to critical raves and big sales. It's all for good reason. Valve has created a sequel that manages to build on its already-amazing predecessor in every way, creating one of the most memorable gaming experiences of my life. GLaDOS is one of gaming's best villains, with her monotone voice and newly ostentatious vendetta. I found myself stopping at times just so I could revel in the hilarious writing; when's the last time a game made you do that?
The gameplay matches the writing in strength. The portals still serve as an intuitive but supremely flexible tool, and the addition of light bridges, gravity vortexes, redirection cubes, and three colored paints means that puzzles are more complicated and satisfying than ever before. Perhaps surprisingly, I never felt frustrated with the game. Valve manages to hit just the right difficulty curve. Even if certain chambers are initially problematic, a little experimentation tends to get you quickly back on track.
With its persistent hilarity, unique gameplay, and surprising conclusion, there likely won't be a better game this year (unless it has Zelda in the title).
Pilotwings Resort - Nintendo has resurrected its long-dormant flight-sim franchise for its new, sexy hardware, and it serves as the best example of the 3DS's power. Gameplay is simple and fun, the three vehicles are unique and interesting, and the 3-D is gorgeous. It isn't the deepest game out there, but it's the most fun to be had in the system's generally weak launch line-up.
Music
Helplessness Blues, Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes have finally released their follow-up to their incredible, self-titled debut, and lightning has certainly struck twice. The gorgeous, haunting harmonies are intact, and the bluesy folk sensibility is as evocative as ever. For more on this fantastic album, I recommend checking out my good friend's write-up over on his newly established blog.En t'attendant, Melanie Laurent - I already touched on this album a couple posts ago, but it's worth mentioning in its entirety. Laurent doesn't have the most beautiful voice, but her breathy, talk-sing delivery is soothing in its occasional roughness. Her instrumental compositions serve as some of the album's highlights, as do her two duets with Damien Rice. Rice also helped write the music for three other songs, including "Il fait gris," one of the album's best tracks. Laurent is a better actress than she is a singer, but it's nice to see a side project that is artistically viable, even if it isn't musical genius. For some soothing French tunes, it's worth a listen.
Clayton!
ReplyDeleteI like this (this way of posting, with a massive review of all that you're into at the time). It fits you well.
Nice review of Thor - I agree: it succeeds mostly as a comedy. but I'm surprised you didn't say anything about Loki!
And naturally, I'm glad you're giving kudos to the Fleet Foxes. The past year, they've become one of my all-time favorite bands.
Keep it coming.