★ You'll wish you were dead ★★ You'll want to leave the theater early ★★★ You'll say 'eh' ★★★★ You'll rave to everyone who asks ★★★★★ You'll have a religious experience
Good Night, and Good Luck
If you haven't seen George Clooney's masterpiece investigation into one of the greatest moments in broadcast journalism history, then put this paper down and go to Liberty Hall. Go now before it leaves town and you are left to wonder what all the fuss is about on Oscar night. Nominated for six Academy Awards, Including Best Picture and Best Director for Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck makes me proud to be a journalist. It is a methodical and intricate portrait of a newsman trying to do the right thing, whatever the cost.
In Good Night, and Good Luck,
Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn)
is America's most beloved newsman.
His series, See It Now, is one of
television's most-watched programs
and a hit for CBS News. Murrow's
dedication to the truth in the face
of adversity leads him to tackle
Senator Joseph McCarthy and his
"witch hunt" for Communists. With
the full support of his network news
team, especially producer Fred Friendly (Clooney), Murrow delivers a series of searing reports on the senator, destroying the senator's campaign. And when McCarthy, seen here through archival footage, turns his attacks on Murrow himself, it is the journalist's integrity and poise that keeps him grounded in his hunt for the truth.
The cast is phenomenal. Strathairn embodies Murrow with every puff of his always-present cigarette. His voice and manner display a man that demanded respect and Strathairn's performance earns ours.The rest of the cast is solid and includes turns by not only director Clooney, but also Jeff Daniels, Patricia Clarkson, Robert Downey, Jr. and Tate Donovan.Clooney, as director, uses fast-paced editing during the news scenes, perfectly encapsulating the frenzy of a newsroom.The film, however, takes its time with close-ups; it shows you every aspect of
the broadcast news process and the characters behind it. Good Night, and Good Luck is really a film about what could be called the golden age of TV journalism — a time when, instead of mucking up the news, reporters made it.
Liberty Hall
Rated: PG, 90 minutes
★★★
Lindsey Ramsey
10 GOOD VALENTINE'S DAY MOVIES (not ranked)
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957)
...because meeting on top of the Empire State Building is every girl's fantasy.
BEFORE SUNRISE (1995)
BEFORE SUNRISE (1995)
...because watching Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy get to know each other in a European city should inspire you to do the same.
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961)
...because every man wants an Audrey Hepburn
even if they won't admit it.
CASABLANCA (1942)
GHOST (1990)
...because beginning beautiful "friendships" is what Valentine's Day is all about.
GHOST (1990)
...because pottery scene speaks for itself.
LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)
LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)
...because it celebrates love in all its forms but
can still make you laugh.
MOONSTRUCK (1987)
...because Nicholas Cage and La Boheme can do no wrong. (exception: see Captain Corelli's Mandolin).
THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987)
...because "as you wish" is all a girl ever needs hear.
SAY ANYTHING (1989)
because Llyod Dobler is the single greatest romantic hero ever. (God bless Peter Gabriel)
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY ... (1989)
...because we all realize (deep down) that men and women can't be just friends.
Jenny Lewis MUSIC with The Watson Twins Rabbit Fur Coat
Jenny Lewis has made a name for herself over the last decade performing with the indie/alt-country band Rilo Kiley. While Rilo Kiley takes a break before recording their next album, Lewis has released her first solo album
(with the help of the soaring background vocals of Chandra and Leigh Watson), Rabbit Fur Coat.
Rabbit Fur Coat finds Lewis digging into her childhood when she listened to hours of country and gospel
albums. On the upbeat "Rise Up With Fists," Lewis deals with the current state of the United States and writes some of the best lyrics of her career. It's like trying to clean the ocean! what do you think you can drain it? Well, it was poisoned and dry long before you came.
Lewis bares her soul on such singer-songwriter-type songs as "Happy" and the title track,"Rabbit Fur Coat,"which
JAYPLAY 02.09.2006
Rabbit Fur Coat has a great variety, from the upbeat "The Charging Sky" to the laid back, late night classic,"Melt Your Heart." It also features guest vocals by Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab For Cutie), Bright Eyes' Conor Orstest, and M. Ward
has some of Lewis' most personal lyrics, which discuss her past as a child actor, something she rarely talks about. She also shares things about her mother that she's never sung on albums before. Later she tackles religion on one
of the album's standout tracks, "Born Secular." an emotional trip highlighted by The Watson Twins' powerful harmonies.
on the Traveling Wilbury's cover,"Handle With Care"
The big question before hearing this album, was whether Lewis could write great songs without her Rilo Kiley partner in crime, Blake Sennett. The answer is yes.
Chris Brower
★★★★
She Wants MUSIC Revenge
At first glance, SWR is another Interpolor or The Killers, both of which made this style, once again, marketable (possibly the reason for the recent returns of Depeche Mode and New Order). All the elements are there: the big driving metallic beats, the baritone voiced rhythmic vocals, the driving bass lines and the swooping heavily delayed reverberated guitar riffs.
Remember Justin Warfield, the rapper? Neither do I. She Wants Revenge, or, as I like to call them, She Wants to Sound Like the Illegitimate Love Child of Joy Division and Depeche Mode, is an electronic, new wave, dance, alt rock, early '80s British throwback band front-manned by Warfield.
However, I'm not trashing the band or the album. It's incredibly enjoyable right down to saucilly delicious, slightly inappropriate lyrics
(it's cold out but her Popsicle melts/She's in the bathroom/she pleasures herself,"These Things"). The band does manages to tweak their sound just enough (though I'm not exactly sure how) to set themselves apart from their influences. Succinctly put, it's more of an homage than a rip-off.
★★★
Joe Sibinski
10 BAD VALENTINE'S DAY MOVIES (not ranked)
THE BODYGUARD (1992)
...because that damn song never gets out of your head and you can never hit the high note.
CLOSER (z004)
...because it destroys all faith in faithful
relationships
THE EXORCIST (1973)
...because Valentine's Day is not the time to
watch vomiting heads spin around.
CROSSROADS (2002)
...because you have a brain.
FATAL ATTRACTION (1987)
...because you don't want to be watching a movie with a loved one and fear for your life.
FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY (2003)
...because Justin Guarini lost American Idol for a reason.
GIGLI (2003)
...because it never should have been made.
GLITTER (2001)
...ditto.
MONSTER'S BALL (2001)
...because watching a sex scene featuring Halle
Berry shouldn't be this painful.
REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000)
...because movie watching in general shouldn't
be this painful.