Must See 2010

Tomorrow James Cameron’s epic cinematic experience Avatar releases nationwide.  I will be there, unfortunately it won’t be an IMAX screen, but I predict a strong likelihood of treating myself to repeat viewings while theatres are showing it.  Some form of rudimentary review/impression of Avatar will sneak it’s way on my blog shortly after tomorrow, so we can place that topic aside for now.  Today I want to discuss my most anticipated films releasing in 2010.  So without further ado here they are in order of release:

Legion (January 22nd)

Synopsis from Wikipedia: After God loses faith in humanity, the archangel Michael (Paul Bettany) is the only one standing between mankind and the apocalypse. This time using angels as the act of Biblical judgment, God’s wrath descends on Earth to exterminate the world’s population. In a desperate, last-chance gambit, Michael leads a group of strangers to a small, New Mexico diner to protect a young waitress who may be pregnant with Christ in his second coming.

Why I’m Interested: From a character standpoint this film has a lot of potential.  Paul Bettany isn’t a very distinguished actor but he has proven to me that he has the chops.  I loved him in A Knight’s Tale. I know that from the previews the story seems very straightforward and action-oriented, but I’m hoping that they don’t squander the possibility of a very compelling character in Michael.  These niche types of characters such as fallen angels can be taken in so many unique ways.  I’m not going to get my hopes up for a rich and deep movie-going experience, as I’m sold on the premise either way.  It should be a blast to sit through.

Shutter Island (February 19th)

Synopsis from Wikipedia: In 1954, two U.S. marshals investigate the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane on an island in Massachusetts. They run into trouble when they are deceived by the hospital’s chief administrator, a hurricane hits and an inmate riot traps them on the island.

Why I’m Interested: I have not read the novel this film is based on by the same name.  However, I was hooked after seeing the first trailer.  It looks to be a very suspenseful and captivating story.  Leonardo DiCaprio being on the roster is just a huge plus.  Count me in.

Cop Out (February 26th)

Synopsis from Wikipedia: Two veteran cops (Willis and Morgan) are tracking down a stolen vintage baseball card. On the chase, they rescue Gabriela (Ana de la Reguera) and deal with gangsters and their money laundering.

Why I’m Interested: This film’s title has changed so much.  It was originally A Couple of Dicks then it changed to A Couple of Cops.  And now I’m assuming Cop Out is where the name alterations will cease.  It’s unfortunate that Kevin wasn’t able to keep his original title, but you know those film execs…..they exist to batten down the artistic folk.  The truth is that I’m a Kevin Smith fanboy and I’m not ashamed to admit it.  Ever since he departed from the Jay & Silent Bob shtick I’ve been even more interested in his films.  Zach and Miri Make A Porno was great, and I’m definitely interested in this.  I’m also a fan of Bruce Willis.  Tracy Morgan, though not my favorite comedian, is still bearable.  And who knows, maybe he will outshine them all here.

Alice in Wonderland (March 5th)

Synopsis from Wikipedia: An extension on Lewis Carroll’s original story, Alice, now 19, attends a party at a Victorian estate only to find she is about to be proposed to by a rich suitor in front of hundreds of snooty society types. She runs off, following a white rabbit into a hole and ends up in Wonderland, a place she visited many years before, yet she doesn’t remember. The White Rabbit claims to have come back for Alice because she is the only one who can slay the Jabberwock, the beast who guards the Red Queen’s empire. Since Alice left, the Red Queen took over all of Wonderland, and made life great for her, while ruining everyone else’s life. Alice remains completely unaware of why she is in Wonderland, and is confused about the fact that she had once visited Wonderland years before. She then embarks big and small on an adventure of self discovery to save Wonderland from the Red Queen’s reign of terror with the help of her Wonderland friends.

Why I’m Interested: Out of everything on my list today, this film looks to be the most visually stunning.  With Tim Burton helming no one should be surprised.  After seeing the trailer my only gripe was how the Red Queen looked.  Everything else, from the creatures to the landscapes, look stark and textured and just breathtaking.  But the Red Queen’s rotund physique looks so CGI.  Nevertheless, I want to get lost in Wonderland.

Iron Man 2 (May 7th)

Synopsis from Wikipedia: The world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the armored Super Hero Iron Man. Under pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military, Tony is unwilling to divulge the secrets behind the Iron Man armor because he fears the information will slip into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, Tony forges new alliances and confronts powerful new forces.

Why I’m Interested: The film opens on my 25th birthday!  Ok, that isn’t a legitimate reason for seeing the film…  Let me try again.  The film opens on my dad’s birthday!  Wait, no, although true, that still isn’t a good reason.  Allow me one more chance to articulate myself.  The film opens on my cousin Matt’s 26th birthday!  *sigh*  I give up.  Have you watched the trailer?  It just splashed onto the web, go watch it.  It’s really really good.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (May 28th)

Synopsis from Wikipedia: A rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess (Gemma Arterton) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger, capable of releasing the sands of time-A gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world. Directed by Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) with a cast that includes Sir Ben Kingsley and Alfred Molina.

Why I’m Interested: It’s rare for a videogame-to-film adaptation to be…well…a good film.  Resident Evil was mediocre, and it’s sequels more so, in my opinion.  Super Mario Bros. the Movie, although a guilty pleasure to some, was gut-wrenching for me.  I could continue and name many more, but I’ll save you from such torturous ways.  Prince of Persia, on the other hand, has a really strong cast lineup and a well-rounded director.  I remember playing this game on my Gamecube back in the day, and it was a blast.  From what I’ve seen in the previews it looks very well choreographed.  The action is fluid and seamless just like in the game.  And the acrobatics of the prince seemed to be intact.  All these elements made a great game.  Will they make a great movie?  Well, no.  You need more for a film.  If they can bring together good acting and a solid story alongside the action this will be a really fun movie-going experience.

Toy Story 3 (June 18th)

Synopsis from Wikipedia: Andy is departing for college, and his toys, including Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen), are going to be put in the attic. Before they can be put in the attic, they are accidentally thrown away and are picked up by the garbage men. The toys find themselves at a local day-care center, where they must try to survive the playful but careless pre-school children. Woody attempts to save his friends and find themselves a new home, but matters are further complicated when Buzz is damaged during an escape attempt. The toys try to reset Buzz, but end up causing him to revert to a Spanish version of his delusions of being a space ranger, much to the other toys’ discomfort.

Why I’m Interested: I’m going to be a bit unfair here.  I’m interested in this because Pixar is making it.  Have you seen Pixar’s resume?  Let me begin; Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL-E, and Up.  Need I say more?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (November 19th)

Synopsis from Wikipedia: Following Dumbledore’s death, Voldemort has completed his ascension to power and gains control of the Ministry of Magic. Harry, Ron, and Hermione drop out of school so that they can find and destroy Voldemort’s remaining three Horcruxes. They isolate themselves to ensure the safety of their family and friends. They do not have much knowledge about the remaining Horcruxes except the possibility that two of them are objects that belonged to Hogwarts founders Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff, and that the third is Nagini, Voldemort’s snake familiar. The locations of the two founders’ objects are unknown, and Nagini is presumed to be with Voldemort himself. As they search for the Horcruxes, the trio learn details about Dumbledore’s past, as well as Snape’s true motives.

Why I’m Interested: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is the last installment in JK Rowling’s sprawling masterpiece.  This film is splitting up the novel into Parts 1 and 2, so although this is the beginning of the end we won’t get to see the battle between Harry and Voldemort until the second part, which is in a way disappointing.  However this is where things get very serious, and it’s a much darker world for Harry and his friends now that Voldemort is pulling the strings behind the curtains.  I am a huge fan of this series, as I have read all the novels.  I am already invested in the characters and story.  So it would be foolish of me to say I’m not interested in seeing it come to a close.  It’s been a long time coming.

Well, this is the cream of the crop for now, but more movies will make their way on this list soon enough, I’m sure.  Hope you enjoyed!

Review: Jets Overhead – No Nations

(Microgroove/Warner, 2009)

“If you struggle in logic and feeling
Generational gaps are revealing
Don’t lose sight of the ones who have loved you
You’re only as strong as the love that builds you
The love that built you”

End-of-the-year lists are beautiful things. Whether you want to admit it or not, they are a valuable resource. So instead of starting a flame war on how atrocious a “best of list” is, do yourself a favor and instead absorb what you can from it, and move on to the next one to see what goodies you can find.

In my foray into some lists earlier I came across a real gem by a Canadian act known as Jets Overhead. Surprisingly I haven’t heard of them prior even though their first LP Bridges earned them a Juno nomination for “New Group of the Year” in 2006. The gem I speak of is their sophomore album No Nations (Album cover above). I love bands that utilize both male and female vocals.  This band does that with lead singers Adam Kittredge and Antonia Freybe-Smith.

The album opens with the track “I Should Be Born”.  A very earthy and ambient mid-tempo rock song that sets the album in motion with Antonia heading the vocals.  When you hit the second track “Heading For Nowhere” the energy amps up and Alex takes center stage.  Vocals become pseudo-instruments for the band, so to speak, and in a good way.  Each person filling a different hole, and when juxtaposed together magic occurs.  You get this early 70′s rock vibe that is very welcomed.

Pace and melody are the driving forces behind this album.  What this LP delivers is a cohesive vision that isn’t demanding but easygoing.  The third track, and notably my favorite of the bunch, “Weathervanes (In the Way)”, is hauntingly beautiful.  It is a slower tune, with the music more mellow.  The change in mood here is handled delicately, and Alex sings intelligently, knowing where to take his voice and how long to hold a note; as the music swoons and swells to create a stellar soft ballad that carries you right into the titular track “No Nations”.

In fact, intelligent is another way to describe No Nations.  It’s the musical equivalent of a majestic cinema experience.  Repeated listens unwrap more and more details, as there is a lot going on in the background musically.   And once familiarity settles in you can begin to hear the more subtle nuances sprinkled throughout.  Jets Overhead are actually making a bold statement here while crafting their very own unique sound.  That statement is that you can have classic rock with mellower tunes as long as you master the balancing act.  On their closing track, “Tired of the Comfort”, we are treated with a seven minute opus.  It begins with an ambient and electric loop and then opens into a fuzzy and distorted guitar base that fuses with steady percussion and insular vocals.  The fever catches on and things get hectic and loud as the waves of music are crashing around you; but everything still falls into the right place.  It is ordered chaos that captures the essence of the entire album.

Jets Overhead crept up on me, but at just the right time, as they have the pleasure of earning the first post on my new blog here.  Do yourself a favor and listen to No Nations.  And while you are at it head over to their webpage, you can click the album cover above to go there.  You’ll find their complete first album, Bridges, and their self-titled EP there to download.  For free.

I give this album a:

4.5/5

Also, check out their Myspace page.