What's more shagadelic than Austin Powers?
music
current favourite:
aaliyah
It is nearly impossible for me to be completely objective when I talk about the latest album from the late singer-actress Aaliyah. Her self-titled third album is, in my opinion, one of the best R&B/soul discs I've heard all year. I happened to purchase the album the day before her tragic plane crash, and since I was writing a review of it for my university's newspaper, I had listened to it non-stop in the hours leading up to her passing. In, the review, I commented on the album's startling depth. It is unbelievable just how precocious Aaliyah was, because you'd never guess that the artist on this CD was just 22 years old. I also commented on her amazing ability to take a topic that is often ofter-dramatized and make it seem almost seductive. On the spectacular "Never No More," Aaliyah does what even Destiny's Child weren't capable of- she takes the issue of domestic abuse and makes it fresh and intriguing without seeming trite. It's hard to listen to this album without thinking about what could have been, but it is equally hard to listen to this album and not be impressed by the talent displayed by this remarkable singer. All in all, Aaliyah is not one that should be forgotten.
Choice cuts: "We Need A Resolution," "More than a Woman," "It's Whatever," "Never No More," "I Refuse," "I Care 4 U"
from the message centre:
J. Lo- she used the N word on her bogstandard new single, which might not have been the best P.R. move, but at least the controversy was substantial enough to propel it to #1 on the singles chart...
Mariah Carey- She's lost it! Her latest single, "Loverboy," is absolute rubbish, and she checked herself into a hospital late last month and is under psychiatric care. All this and now the release of her first film, Glitter has been pushed back to late September...
Craig David- another case of us Americans catching on late... UK phenomenon David broke overseas at least a year ago as the featured vocalists on Artful Dodger's fab "Re-Rewind"... He is only now acheiving stateside recognition with the release of his album and its lead-off single here, "Fill Me In"
perennial favourites:
absolute favourite: blur - give us it!
bands: pulp, travis, catatonia, manic street preachers, ash, oasis, supergrass,
radiohead, elastica, stone roses, super furry animals, texas, wannadies, james, garbage, divine comedy
solo artists: madonna, david bowie, sheryl crow, aimee mann, fiona apple
80s: bangles, pretenders, inxs, blondie, go-go's
films
current favourite:
the others
Nicole Kidman never gets the credit she deserves. Ever since she married Tom Cruise, people have said that he carried her on his shoulders. How did he effect her outstanding performance in To Die For. How did he show her how to sing for Moulin Rouge? And how did he prep her for her role as a hyper-protective mother in the Others? The answer is simple: He had no role in her career whatsoever. Nicole knows what she's doing, that's all there is to it. And her performance in another powerful film is proof of this. Sure, it may not be the most original film ever, but in a summer of mediocre sequels and less-than-satisfying originals a fresh and smart sleeper hit is just what the public needed. Sure, there may be a bit too much of the Sixth Sense in this film for us, but all things considered, it's hard to not be impressed by the plot and cinematography of this classic English thriller. Kidman does a bang-up job in her role as an over-protective mother in a seemingly haunted house, but it is really her spooky on-screen kids (James Bentley and Alakina Mann) that make it all plausible. Try not to think about the twist, because that will only spoil your enjoyment of this thoroughly enjoyable summer thriller.
adored and abhorred:
The Anniversary Party- Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh wrote and directed this emotional indie about a rocky relationship... Parker Posey's in it, but not enough to keep me satisfied. An interesting film, but not one to see if you're feeling gloomy (or want a resolution)!
Planet of the Apes- So it is safe to say that Mark Wahlberg is no Charlton Heston, but you'd have to have a short attention span to not find Tim Burton's "re-imagining" of the classic at least slightly entertaining. The twist is a bit naff at the end, and the chase between the apes and humans does get a bit old as the film winds up, but it's all worth it to see Helena Bonham Carter dressed up like an ape, giving a big smooch to Marky Mark.
American Pie 2- Arguably better than the first, this one features "the flute girl" (the brilliant Allison Hanygan) more prominently, as well as having a bit more of a sophisticated plot... if that's possible for your mindless teen sex comedy
perennial favourites:
reality bites > > >
scream
heathers
austin powers: international man of mystery
trainspotting
sliding doors
the shining
american beauty
waiting for guffman
the house of yes
