X-Men: Wolverine Review

Score: 7/10

This will be my first of many summer film reviews, and it is only fitting it starts with Wolverine, being a comic book geek and all.

This films premiere sort of got screwed over by a 20th Century Fox employee leaking an unedited version of the film on the internet weeks before the proper release. I got to work the red carpet for this film for my school's newspaper, so I found out first hand by each actor, how much dedication they put into the film.

The film follows the origin of everyones favorite x-man - Wolverine. It tells the long story of Logan/Wolverine; how his relationship with Victor Creed/Sabretooth started & more importantly, how he obtained his adamantium claws.

The character portrayals by each actor are great. Hugh Jackman just further proves that he was born to play this role. He embodies the frustration and anger that the role of Wolverine necessitates. Danny Huston does well in his role as Lt. William Stryker, previously played by Brian Cox in X-Men 2. Ryan Reynolds steals every scene he his in. He portrays the character Wade Wilson/Deadpool, who he has expressed great interest in playing for the past 5 years. Unfortunately he is only in the film for about 5 minutes. But the best character representation comes from Liev Schreiber who plays Victor Creed/Sabretooth. Schreiber brilliantly showcases the brutality that is Sabretooth. He is unrelentless in fighting for his own cause, which is never shown. 

The story does lack a little bit of heart. When the first sign of it comes, it is then snatched away without hesitation. Rather then focusing on his struggle with his past, it just seems that action wins over all, even though the action scenes are flawless, especially the final battle with the so-called "Deadpool." 'Wolverine' can be seen as one of the comic films that has been ruined by studio execs. They don't care about the story, only what is going to make their banks fatter. While the film isn't completely ruined, I do worry for the future sequels. Overall, it is a good film with action scenes that will hold your attention. Stay after all the credits to see an extra scene.

The Gaslight Anthem

So last Tuesday (21st) The Gaslight Anthem came to my town (Tempe) for a show. For my newspaper story this week, I asked my editor if I could write a story about their show. I gave some background info on the band and she agreed. I got to write about something I love, rather than another ASU art show.

My editor asked me if there's a chance I could talk to the band. I didn't really think much of it because I thought they would be too busy to sit down with some college kid, but I gave it a shot and e-mailed their manager. Surprisingly they were open to the idea and set me up with an interview with guitarist Alex Rosamilia and bassist Alex Levine.

I got to sit down with the boys and talk to them for about half n hour. I asked 'em about their recent trip to the Coachella Festival. Both agreed that it was one of their highest points of their lives.

They both spoke about their tour last fall with heavyweights Rise Against, Alkaline Trio and Thrice. Both agreed that it was a huge shock playing in big amphitheaters and that they used so much more equipment then there casual small venue that their used to.

Both of the guys were extremely nice and open to my questions. They didn't treat it as an interview, it seemed like they were just sitting down with a friend, talking about what's new.

After the interview, I caught there set which was amazing. They don't talk much in between songs which can be seen as both positive and negative. Mostly positive with them because they got to squeeze in more songs into their set. The crowd was more raucous then I thought they were going to be which made the show better.

I left with a story, a t-shirt and an experience that won't be discarded.

Heaviest Time Of My Life

So for those who do not know me, I am a 22 year old college student. 

I don't live the typical college life. While I still go out and grab a drink or two, I am not completely free like most are. I have a full time job and also a part time job. My full time job is selling shoes. I work about 38-40 hours a week and I get the typical two days off a week. My other job is writing for my schools newspaper. So while I have a couple of days off, those two days are used for doing my stories for the paper. It's all completely overwhelming and I feel like I'm 42 rather than 22. 

I should first clarify that I am completely grateful for the responsibilities that I have. I'm completely lucky that I've been blessed with these opportunities. 

Yet, I'm also not gonna ignore my desire to have the typical college experience. But I think the typical college life has been altered throughout the years.

But should I yearn to get hammered and have my "friends" draw stupid jokes on my body as if I'm a living canvas?

Do I really want to have numerous one night stands to a point where I'm dubbed the sleaziest guy on campus?

I'm gonna have to answer both of those questions with a fuck no.

So what should I do I ask myself?

Compromise.

And listen to more Against Me!

2009 MLB Predictions

Here are my predictions for this year in baseball:

AL West Champs: Angels

AL Central Champs: Twins

AL East Champs: Red Sox

Wild Card: Indians

NL West Champs: DBacks

NL Central Champs: Cubs

NL East Champs: Mets

Wild Card: Phillies

Playoffs

AL: 

Red Sox over Twins

Angels over Indians

Red Sox over Angels

NL:

DBacks over Mets

Cubs over Phillies

DBacks over Cubs

World Series:

Red Sox over DBacks

NL MVP: Ryan Braun Brewers

AL MVP: Matt Holliday A's

NL Cy Young: Dan Haren DBacks

AL Cy Young: Roy Halladay Blue Jays

FRAIL

I've been thinking lately how I don't get scars anymore. I know it is a weird thing to ponder, but back in junior high and high school, I would have a lot more scars and scabs. Now I know possessing a plethora of these isn't something to brag about, but they are cool to have.

Fact is that I don't participate in many rough activities these days. I used to play football, lacrosse, baseball, skateboarded and snowboarded, which I still participate from time to time. What really is the issue is that those activities brought happiness to my life. It kept me active and alive. Now I'm not saying I'm not "alive" but I certainly lack things that can bring a smile to my face these days.

Here are a list of things besides the obvious (movies, music, friends and family) that make me happy: photography, watching sports, and concerts which technically falls into the category of music. 

My point being is that growing up has taken a huge toll on me. I work a full time job, I part-time write for my college's newspaper and I am a full time student. I can't complain about this workload because it will only make me more prepared for what's to come, I've sort of lost sight on what makes me happy. 

SOLUTION: More me time.

Listen to NEW FOUND GLORYS newest album "Not Without A Fight"

This Is Us

So today I was watching the film "Control" with centers on the life of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division, and I realized that I do not own many "old" (or classical as many people would put it these days) albums. I checked my ITunes library and the oldest albums I have are The Get Up Kids "Four Minute Mile" released in 1997 and Foo Fighters "The Colour and The Shape" released the same year. I also have Styx and Journey's Greatest Hits. While I don't hate older music, I don't feel musically incomplete because I don't own Pink Floyd's "The Wall" or Led Zeppelin's self-titled album or Metallica's "Black" record, but after watching "Control," I am definitely going out and purchasing their two albums, along with giving New Order(Joy Division after Curtis' death) a listen.

So after pondering about how "classical" bands have been able to remain relevant to this day, I was thinking about what bands today in the many different sub-genres of rock will remain fresh in about 20 years and I originally came across a few, because I was thinking what the majority of the population will think. The problem with thinking like that is today's society has this uncontrollable love for Top 40 music these days. It is ridiculous and an insult to any REAL fan of music. "Artists" like The Jonas Brothers, Metro Station, Nickelback, and a good majority of rappers do not deserve the privilege to have their crap being blasted by car radio's and boom boxes. 

So I compiled a list of 20 bands (in no particular order) that should remain influential and heard 20 years from now:

1. Death Cab For Cutie - A no brainer here. They continually release strong records. I also am waiting patiently for a Postal Service follow-up.

2. Jimmy Eat World - Released the most influential album for this generation (Clarity) and show no signs of stopping. They are equally as good live as they are on record.

3. Minus The Bear - THE MOST UNDERRATED BAND EVER. 

4. Underoath - Their never-ending love and passion for music allows them to keep pushing the envelope of post-hardcore. 

5. Thursday - The pioneers of the genre post-hardcore continue to mature with each record. Unfortunately their latest release, "Common Existence," may be their last.

6. Alkaline Trio - While they are already legends in the punk world, their voices still need to be heard by the masses.

7. Band Of Horses - The music is just as beautiful as an ocean sunset. 

8. Every Time I Die - While their name is a little cliche, which is why I refer to them as ETID, they are everything that is good in the metal industry. Keith Buckley is a genius with the microphone.

9. Muse - If you didn't see this coming, then that rock you are under must be comfortable.

10. Portugal. The Man - It is only a matter of time before people start realizing this bands amazing work habit and commitment to their music.

11. The Shins - This is the band that will change your life.

12. Silversun Pickups - If "Carnavas" is any sign of where this band is headed, my ears are eagerly awaiting its newest release ("Swoon" is being released in April). 

13. Against Me! - After years of perfecting the punk sound, their first stab at pop-punk w/ "New Wave" should and will be a remembered forever.

14. Say Anything - What teenager can't relate to their lyrics. 

15. As I Lay Dying - They ARE the future of metal. 

16. Pelican - They may not use vocals, but they are better then most bands that do.

17. Motion City Soundtrack - How can you not have a good time when listening to this band? There quirkiness keeps this band fresh and original.

18. Modest Mouse - With more albums and ep's than you can count on two hands, Modest Mouse keeps influencing most of todays bands. 

19. mewithoutYou - Their poetic lyrics and sporadic instrumental parts is something that needs to be witnessed live. 

20. The Gaslight Anthem - They have been compared to Bruce Springsteen, and they have only released ONE album. 

Now of course these are my opinions and there are many other bands that should be listened to farther down the road. 

WATCHMEN REVIEW

Two days ago I wrote a review for this movie two days after I saw it. I had rated it a 9/10 but now that is has sunken more into me, I have to change it. I felt like I was just pointing out the obvious visual critiques. Here is my new review of it

10/10

Yes, I call this movie perfect. Not perfect as in The Dark Knight perfect or Godfather perfect, but perfect in its own being or right.

This movie has the tagline of being the "impossible" movie to make. And why wouldn't it. It has THE biggest following along with a storyline that is hard to comprehend and to follow. This project has been through many studios, countless directors and has had a laundry list of A-list actors attached to it. 

When Warner Bro's dropped Darren Arrenofsky off this project, he wanted to switch the Vietnam references to current Iraq war and make it more modern time, the studio approached 300 director Zack Snyder to helm the plagued project.

I can honestly say that Snyder gets this movie. Not only because he is a Watchmen-fanatic, but because he also understands how to adapt materials into the "Hollywood" perspective.

His trademark slo-mo action camera scenes once again never fails to show the awesomeness of ass kicking. He has stated that he isn't a fan of the shaky camera view and when you weigh the two against each other, Snyder's vision comes out victorious. The attention to detail in the sets and making sure each frame is a complete replica of the graphic novel is wonderful. Whether it is depicting the city streets to Veidts artic workshop, the sets are as much apart of the film then the actors. 

When one watches the film, they will probably be walking away, praising Jackie Earle Haley's portrayal of Rorschach. And why wouldn't you. His voice is a perfect depiction. His displaying of the commitment and forcefulness of the character is uncanny. You'd swear that Haley was born to play this role. I wouldn't be surprised that a year from now, he is a candidate for best supporting actor at the oscars.

But the true brilliance comes from Patrick Wilson playing Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl II. Wilson completely embodies the role of Dreiberg. He masters the role of the unconfident, lonely 40 year old retired hero. His subtlety in his voice and the confusion in his eyes makes it all the better when you see him pummeling prisoners and breaking a guys arm. Throughout the film, Wilson has two breathtaking scenes. The first one comes when he is standing naked, looking through a glass door at this hero costume, stating to Laurie Jupiter/Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman) that he is sick of being afraid. One can't help but to feel that same pain in whatever complications they may have in their life. The other is when he is brutally assaulting Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), for reasons that have to be seen in the film. His anger and pure hatred that he evokes couldn't be portrayed any better in real life. Wilson's finished depiction ranks among the best of all hero portrayals, with Heath Ledger as the Joker, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, and Alfred Molina as Doc Ock.

The other actor's play they roles to key. Billy Crudup excels at playing the calm and sophisticated Dr. Manhattan. His soothing voice makes him appear as always being in control. Malin Akerman's depicting of a second generation crime fighter is flawless. Her beauty and ass-kicking ability can only go so far until her neurotic and resentful side comes out. Jeffrey Dean Morgan's ability to play a complete asshole is put to use to play the equally same asshole Edward Blake/The Comedian. Matthew Goode may appear a little young to play the world's smartest man Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias, but what he lacks in appearance, he surely makes up for in just pure presence. His flawless fighting moves shows why a man of Goode's age was chosen to play a mid 40 year old millionaire. 

Many are going to write this movie off as too long and too much dialogue, only because they see this movie as a comic book movie. Well it is a comic book movie, but unfortunately comic book movie's are only seen as popcorn action blockbusters, which is a damn shame and is the sole reason why The Dark Knight wasn't nominated for Best Picture.

Some say that the movie doesn't allow the characters to open up and breathe, but it's pretty hard to when you're adapting material considered to be the best graphic novel EVER. Sure the actors don't really bring any freshness to the characters, but they strengthen their roles. I wonder if any of these so-called critics have even read the source material, let alone at least researched the roles by looking them up on Wikipedia. Probably not, they're too busy trying to bash this movie with their tongue in cheek remarks so they can seem original and insightful, yet they come off as pretentious and ignorant. 

This film is a piece of beautiful art. Thank you Zack Snyder, for having the balls to show the world that the impossible is indeed possible.