As the title properly indicates, it's about A Tribe Called Quest, one of the most influential musical groups of all time and a personal favorite of mine.
If at this point, you just frown as a reaction to what it seems like a bold statement, I can assure you it's not! They left a huge mark not only in the hip-hop (so what, so what's the...) scenario, but in music in general, hence this post stressing out how much everyone should watch this entertaining and highly educational documentary, directed and produced by actor Michael Rapaport, who, being a hard-core fan himself, decided to take the helms of this idea, paying a tribute and showing his love towards ATCQ.
The documentary portrays every single step of the way, from their upbringing and uprising into stardom... showing us along the way how Kamaal, Malik, Ali and Jarobi all came together in 1985 to do what they do best. Come up with the beats, the lyrics and melodies.. and just leave a trail of classic tracks and albums that still are appreciated as some of the best work ever to be done in the music business.
Their approach was fresh, innovative, immaculate and intelligent. While keeping the Afro-American essence, it still went the mile to "touch" other people regardless of their race, religion or creed. All of this, going against the stereotype to which Hip-Hop was (and still is) highly connected: "Gangsta Rap".
It is said: "All good things come to an end". Always thought that statement was outrageously ridiculous, but the matter of the fact is: Sometimes is true. This is a point to which this documentary enlightens the audience, as they explain to us the reasons that lead the group to separate in 1998 and show us they their most recent dismantlement while it was happening.
If you are a fan, it's almost like allowing yourself to get heartbroken... because you know what's heading your way... and try as you might to dodge it, there is nothing you can do about it!
So ... yeah... you face the facts and you acknowledge that there was little to be done. Phife and Q-Tip had their problems... and as a consequence it drove the band to dismantle... however... we can still feel grateful for that they have left us! Couldn't imagine myself pulling out of my iPod and not having that Q-Tip mellow voice, the high pitched Phife or kick-ass beats by Ali... and their range of collaborations?! C'mon! De La Soul, Jungle Brothers and Busta Rhymes (to name a few)...
I seriously recommend the documentary to those who enjoy good music and in particular hip-hop.
If only I had a pound for every time I wished I brought a notepad with me to the cinema...
It's so frustrating to have so many ideas, so many elements of comparison and details that you want need to write down, but you just can't! Sure you have your mobile phone, but between feeling bad about having the light on and trying to hit the right keys, you lose the rhythm and track of what's happening on screen.
After watching Shame (2011), Steve McQueen's second directional effort after the critically acclaimed Hunger (also with Michael Fassbender), I tried in the best of my ability to make mental notes and as I left the cinema, in complete awe and silence, I engaged a conversation with my friend not only to have a share of opinions, but also to keep "the material" fresh!
Too bad I couldn't keep it all together... especially in a case where I need to be extra careful with what I chose to write about. The reason is simple... Since I started writing in the blog, I always did an effort to be as generalist as I could and not give away any information that could be perceived as "spoilers". Matter of the fact is, regarding Shame, that can be very tricky, as I feel highly inclined into turning my guesses into firmed assumptions, and my firmed assumptions into certainties! I want not only to introduce the movie, but also talk about it... discuss it. Provoke you, the reader, into sharing your take on it. To lead you in to telling me what you think it's right or wrong.
I feel like I could go on and on about Shame, like I was writing a dissertation. It would be as close as I would get from writing one!
Never mind what the reviews say or some opinions that you have heard. Unless someone goes into exact detail, you can't ever be prepared for what's about to follow during that one hour and forty minutes of intense narrative. Like always, I can give away a few of the emotions the directing, cast or soundtrack have evoked on my part... but that only takes you so far!
From the get go, as we are introduced with the lead character, the sexual predator, Brandon and his daily routine, we see an extension of Patrick Bateman, a character created by Bret Easton Ellis that was made famous in the best seller (after adapted to a movie) called American Psycho. We sense there is some trouble in him... Some obsession(s) to which very soon you can point your finger at, only to realize afterwards we were just merely touching the surface!
Mid way through the movie, I actually thought this was indeed American Psycho, and Michael Fassbender was Christian Bale playing the role of Bateman.
It was almost like watching Mary Harron's take on the book, without the killing, the wit, the black humor or the pop-culture references. Obviously there's a lot more to it when it comes to comparing both films... But those were some of the immediate thoughts I had when thinking of the two of them.
The thing with Shame is that it felt more real, and consequence of that "reality" just brought on to your face, it became more disturbing! You start thinking of stuff you can't honestly say you dedicated some of your time to assess and make conclusions. Not to say you actually have time to do a great reflection upon the subjects during the course of the movie. So much going on and everything so intense, provocative and a lot of the times dirty! I mean... there comes a time or two in which it is actually filthy! But... it couldn't be any other way and Steve McQueen knows it. He knows it too well. There's a very thin line between what is actually needed to be done artistically/aesthetically or what is done just for the sake of shocking the audience and leaving a mark. This can also be a very valid argue. If I feel like saying, a minute of two could be taken off... immediately my conscious strikes back by saying: NO! That might ruin the entire thing! So just leave it as it is and make the best out of it. I'm sure that's what McQueen wants. I'm sure he knows what he is doing...
With exception of one particular scene (not to be revealed), I wouldn't change a thing of what he has done with this astonishing, yet disturbing, motion picture.
Going back on it, I lost my breath so many times... There were scenes in which I almost couldn't bear to look at the screen... but something kept me pulling rather than making me look away. I felt like I was in for the ride, no matter what and just surrendered myself for the entire session! Not that it was a sacrifice watching it. Not at all! But I won't lie and say it was a walk in the park... But if in the beginning I felt slightly teased, as it progressed I felt provoked and some times disgusted, for what I was seeing, but most of all for what I was thinking. I even went so far as relating this to another movie called Mysterious Skin (2004), directed by Greg Araki. This analogy probably came from the fact that Araki's work is also heavily graphic, dark and twisted. But just to outline one of the major differences, in Mysterious Skin, beyond all that chaos and misery I can actually find something beautiful and comforting, while in Shame I'm right where I started. I was left in the exact same position from when I began this trip, through Brandon's eyes! Outraged, sad and in utter despair, like I was sharing his curse, turned into shame!
This is a consequence of McQueen's superb vision and writing, but a lot must be said about Fassbender's tour de force, as he offers the viewer a candid and disturbingly intimate portrayal of a sex addict, being this just one of his (many) problems.
Carey Mulligan, doesn't let her get behind, as she also delivers a magnificent performance as Brandon's troubled sister. The love she nourishes for her brother is only overcome by her insecurity and "maybe" horrible past.
There is more to both the characters than meets the eye... even beneath the information that is given to the viewer, there is a lot more to those two damaged brothers!
Both the actors have made their recent role choices very wisely and they have been getting their hands in a lot of great projects... This particular one comes as probably being the best performance (from an individual standpoint) in some time!
Oh... and about the soundtrack?!
It's a mix of great classic themes, from Bach to John Coltrane, with Blondie and even a slow render of New York, New York, sang by Carey Mulligan. But it's the memorable score by the movie's composer, Harry Escott, that steals the show (musically speaking). One theme only was enough to bring powerful emotions and make some scenes look unforgettable.
So much more to be said... so much left to be written, but I must admit I'm feeling exhausted. The film was enough to drain me mentality, so be aware that this post was actually a struggle on both ends. Needed to recover from what I just saw in order to do some proper writing, but also needed to do it right away, otherwise would be taking the risk of compromising part of the essence that needed to be described.
In conclusion, I just want to make the following suggestion:
Make sure you see Shame in the cinema with someone that is close to you, so both can talk about it later and dissect every single aspect that has either impressed or repugnant you. But don't think of it as an exercise but as a way of "getting it out of your system".
I see movie trailers almost every day! Some look good, others look average... The bad ones I can almost avoid just by looking at them.
Within this world of trailers, just a short compilation of images that are able to tell part of the story, some times you get a trailer that talks to you in a different manner... From time to time, you get something that moves you in such a way, you just know for sure something is special!
Obviously this isn't something for you to take for granted. I remember watching the Peaceful Warrior (2006) trailer a few years ago, and just being completely blown away. The movie ended up being a great disappointed...
"Never judge a book by it's cover", something that I always heard and I try to pass along. But every so often, especially in movies, the combination of certain attributes and facts enables you to take a risk or a wild guess if you may, and predict the outcome for a lot of projects.
That's what happened with Detachment. As I saw various familiar faces on screen, being one of them Adrien Brody in sort of an essence that took me back to his performance in The Pianist(2002), I let myself be carried away by the intense drama, driven by the hands, of what I ended up finding out, of Tony Kaye, director of American History X (1998), one of my favorite movies!
Alongside with Mr. Brody, you have the likes of Marcia Gay Harden, Christina Hendricks, Bryan Cranston, Tim Blake Nelson, Lucy Liu, Blythe Danner and James Caan.
More than enough reasons for me to make a gamble and say this will be one of the best things that 2012 has to offer...
Upcoming movie directed by Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom looks promising! If the director alone is a good reason for the audience to wait in anticipation, then the cast just makes you be in the verge of a nervous meltdown! Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Frances Mcdormand, Jason Schwartzman and Harvey Keitel combined with W.A is a guaranteed formula for success!
While I was watching this video, I couldn't help myself not feeling a big chill down my spine!
It his without a doubt one of the most influential bands of my generation, one that unfortunately I wasn't able to see live! Maybe I took them for granted... I don't know. I just know it will be one of the biggest regrets of my life not taking the chance to see them when I had it.
Nevertheless, can't really complain. I was able to witness their beginning and end... and between that I listen and danced to a whole lotta great tracks!
Please continue to pay your respects, as we still morn the "death" of LCD Soundsystem...
Enjoy one of the most celebrated and anticipated funerals...
It's really hard to put into words how this song makes me feel... On one hand it can be very sad and evoke a dark and twisted side, while on the other hand, it can serve as an inspirational track. An uplifting melody, strong enought to move you on to making great accomplisments... to go the extra mile and achieve extraordinary things. It has a lot of that "motivational side" I guess...
It would certainly be apart of any movie soundtrack I would make, thanks to it's ability to easily be integrated in any scene! It has a big cinematographic component, I say! Therefore, making its way through many other wonderful tracks on Dark Was The Night and standing as one of my favourites of the indie album!
So, we have reached that time of the year... The time were people make lists with various different tops!
Some make their top photos and videos... others their favourite moments on screen... while others do their top albums and movies!
Since I'm a big cinema and music fan, it's only natural that I would focus on those two areas to compile my Top 10 of 2011. Therefore I will present you a list, based on my own personal taste...
Be aware that there are many films and albums that I hadn't had the opportunity to watch/listen... Due to lack of time, but also because certain candidates aren't still available in my region. So don't assume this list is my absolute final take on what was good during this past year. This list comes more as a recommendation of some sort, distinguishing the movies I enjoyed more watching, rather than saying "These are the best ones. end of Discussion." You can either agree or agree to disagree...
Nonetheless I hope you enjoy the list and if you haven't seen or listen some of my suggestions... give it a try and then let me know your thoughts!
TOP 10 MOVIES (without a specific order, except for the first three)
1. Drive
2. Warrior
3.50/50
* La Piel Que Habito (The Skin I Live In) * Jodaeiye Nader az Simin (A Separation)
* Win, Win * We Need to Talk About Kevin * Midnight in Paris * X-Men: First Class * Ides of March
* Bridesmaids
TOP 10 ALBUMS (without a specific order, except for the first three)
* Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind of Fix
* The Drums - Portamento
* Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Hysterical
* Wilco - Born Alone
* Metronomy - The English Riviera
* The Black Keys - El Camino
* Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo
Without extending myself too much and getting into a more personal opinion, I would just like to bring to people's attention this indie feature called Win, Win (2011).
It is another sensational effort by Thomas McCarthy, who after directing The Station Agent (2003) and The Visitor (2007), is still capable of reaching out to the audience with amazingly genuine and beautiful films.
Paul Giamatti leads a cast of other amazing actors such as Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale (with whom McCarthy worked before in The Station Agent), Jeffrey Tambor, (the sort of "resurrected") Burt Young and the newcomer Alex Shaffer.
The trailer alone is enough to get you with a shiver down your spine. It's a big challenge not to like a movie such as this!
One of my picks for the upcoming top 10 list of 2011!
I would also like to take this opportunities to share with you a song by The National (called Think You Can Wait) which was included on the movie's soundtrack. The video assembles some "behind the scenes" footage of Win, Win which - in my opinion - was nicely done to fit the music's persona!
Quando o dia entardeceu
E o teu corpo tocou
Num recanto do meu
Uma dança acordou
E o sol apareceu
De gigante ficou
Num instante apagou
O sereno do céu
E a calma a aguardar lugar em mim
O desejo a contar segundo o fim.
Foi num ar que te deu
E o teu canto mudou
E o teu corpo do meu
Uma trança arrancou
O sangue arrefeceu
E o meu pé aterrou
Minha voz sussurrou
O meu sonho morreu
Dá-me o mar, o meu rio, minha calçada.
Dá-me o quarto vazio da minha casa
Vou deixar-te no fio da tua fala.
Sobre a pele que há em mim
Tu não sabes nada.
(JP Simões)
Quando o amor se acabou
E o meu corpo esqueceu o caminho onde andou
Nos recantos do teu
E o luar se apagou
E a noite emudeceu
O frio fundo do céu
Foi descendo e ficou
Mas a mágoa não mora mais em mim
Já passou, desgastei, p’ra lá do fim
É preciso partir
É o preço do amor
P’ra voltar a viver
Já nem sinto o sabor
A suor e pavor
Do teu colo a ferver
Do teu sangue de flor
Já não quero saber…
(Márcia e JP Simões)
Dá-me o mar, o meu rio, a minha estrada,
O meu barco vazio na madrugada
Vou-te deixar-te no frio da tua fala
Na vertigem da voz quando enfim se cala.
