Across The Universe Across The Universe fails to deliver, even with a wealth of brilliant songs at its fingertips.
By Barrett King ...read more. [ In film ] Thursday, March 13, 2008
Musicians Resource: Bandbo.com In music scenes throughout the nation (and throughout the world, some may argue), there are the pessimists and the optimists.
By Jose Torres ...read more. [ In opinion ] Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Film Review: CONTROL I have to admit, the band
Joy Division slipped by me, since I was two when they emerged out of the punk music scene in 1973. The semi-biographical movie “Control,” centered on the life of singer Ian Curtis, was directed by Anton Corbijn, who has directed music videos for
Nirvana and
Metallica, and also shot the famous U2’s “The Joshua Tree” album cover. The story, shot almost entirely in black and white, captures the essence of Ian Curtis (played by Sam Riley) from the perspective of a young man struggling in the social norm of his environment, near Manchester, England. His prospect on life was rather bland, marrying very young and holding a desk job. That was until he met some buddies at a Sex Pistols concert who were looking for a singer/frontman. Perhaps some inner voice compelled him to join what would soon become the Joy Division, setting in motion an ascent into relative fame and his ultimate date with Destiny, but what comes to life on screen is the true in life drama of a man falling to pieces. Corbijn, who collaborated with Ian Curtis’ widow, Deborah Curtis, delivers the riveting story without seams, engaging the audience with dark, cold imagery. Ian Curtis dealt with epilepsy, drug abuse, infidelity, and an inevitable divorce that was too much for him to handle. Corbijn has masterfully pieced together the story of Joy Division in this brilliant film with fine actors and a wonderful script. A must see for music lovers who often have misconception about what it’s like to be a rockstar.
By Jose Torres ...read more. [ In film ] Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Film Review: Wristcutters: A Love Story This quirky, bizarre "Chick-flick" doesn't follow the rules of conventional Romance Comedy films. Zia (Patrick Fugit) commits suicide by cutting his wrists which sends him into a twisted after-life and onto an even more twisted plot. Entering Purgatory, Zia encounters and befriends other suicidals like himself and soon discovers his girlfriend had also killed herself a month after him. So, they set off through the desert in search of his lost love to make things right.
Everything exists in this Purgatory much like in our mortal world except, of course, everyone is already dead. Once this reality sets in, the film truly becomes a Dark Comedy more than a true Romance Comedy. The very idea we can still find love after death is quite a unique notion. And certainly "Wristcutters" is a unique film.
By Jose Torres ...read more. [ In film ] Thursday, November 1, 2007
Around the City #002 - Interview with Deanna Shapiro Joel Mark Witt speaks with one of the Baltimore Women's Film Festival co-founders.
...read more. [ In film ] Thursday, August 30, 2007
SĒNCAST #005 - NetFlix Live! w/ The Bacon Brothers and Maria Menounos Take a few minutes and hang out with SĒN Baltimore while Danielle takes us backstage for interviews with the Bacon Brothers, Maria Menounos from Access Hollywood, and Mayor Sheila Dixon!
...read more. [ In film ] Saturday, July 21, 2007
Off The Record #1 Let me start off this column by stating up front that I am an outspoken cynic of underground club culture...
By H AL ...read more. [ In Off The Record ] Monday, February 19, 2007