Last year I heard a small buzz around The Cove, but it was drowned out by the roars surrounding big titles such as The September Issue, The Nine Lives of Marion Barry, and No Impact Man. However it happened, I found a free time slot and watched with mixed horror and fascination the secrets of The Cove unveiled. It begins with one man’s directive to show the world what is going on in Taiji, Japan. Behind the “Do Not Pass” signs and heavily guarded sea cove are mysterious sounds and sights always kept hidden by what he believes to be the capture and murder of hundreds of wild dolphins. One man isn’t enough to fully investigate the scene, and this film documents his journey to uncover the truth in “a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery, adding up to an unforgettable story that has inspired audiences worldwide to action.”

By the halfway point of my screening, the plight of murdered dophins were pulling at my heart, and I was eager to cheer on the team gathered to pull off a secret mission to expose the slaugher. Selected like the team of Oceans 11, the film introduces the special operations team:

The team is described as an “elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers… [who embarked] on a covert mission to penetrate a remote and hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, shining a light on a dark and deadly secret. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide.” Really, I couldn’t have said it better myself. After seeing this film and others at SILVERDOCS, I’m convinced that a well-edited documentary keeps it’s story at the center and pushes that story forward with every scene – whether action or interview. What makes The Cove a double-whammy of a doc, is the combination of fascinating characters and the unfolding of a secret mission only matched by fiction thrillers like Mission Impossible. If you’d like to see how it all ends or if you’re wondering if you should fulfill your childhood dream of swimming with the dolphis, go to the official website, download it on Amazon.com or iTunes, buy a hard copy at your local DVD shop, or you can rent it from Netflix.

This year, SILVERDOCS’10 will be June 21-27 located in Silver Spring, Maryland in and around the AFI-Silver Theater.
I’ve already screened a dozen documentaries – good and bad – out of our 2,000+ submissions. We’ve got our work cut out for us and less than 8 weeks to bring you some amazing movies!

So, what is YOUR favorite documentary?

Highlighting next week:
If you haven’t seen an episode there’s no doubt you’ve at least heard of the Tina Fey break-out comedy from NBC, 30 Rock. In the vein of The Office and Saturday Night Live comedy, 30 Rock captures the hilarity of Tina Fey & Alec Baldwin along with Jack McBrayer, Jane Krakowski, Tracy Morgan and Judah Friedlander in my new favorite Thursday night comedy! Physical comedy, political jesting, self-deprecation and guest appearances that rival E.R. – you can find it all HERE next week! Thanks for reading!

Best Leading Actor:
*Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight)

Best Supporting Actor:
*Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company)

Best Leading Actress:
Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side” (Warner Bros.)

Best Supporting Actress:
*Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)

Best Animated Feature Film:
*“Up” (Walt Disney) Pete Docter

Art Direction:
*“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Art Direction: Rick Carter & Robert Stromberg & Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair

Best Cinematography:
*“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Mauro Fiore

Costume Design:
*“The Young Victoria” (Apparition) Sandy Powell

Best Directing: Academy Award History Maker!
*“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Kathryn Bigelow

Best Documentary Feature:
*“The Cove” (Roadside Attractions) An Oceanic Preservation Society Production

Best Documentary Short Subject:
“Music by Prudence” – An iThemba Production Dir. Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett

Film Editing:
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Bob Murawski and Chris Innis

Best Foreign Language Film:
“El Secreto de Sus Ojos” (Sony Pictures Classics) A Haddock Films Production- Argentina

Makeup:
*“Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow

Best Original Film Score:
**”Up” (Walt Disney) Michael Giacchino

Best Original Song:
*“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight) Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best Motion Picture:
**”The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) A Voltage Pictures

Best Animated Short Film:
**”Logorama” (Autour de Minuit) An Autour de Minuit Production-Nicolas Schmerkin

Best Live Action Short Film:
*“The New Tenants” A Park Pictures and M & M Production Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Best Sound Editing:
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Paul N.J. Ottosson

Best Sound Mixing:
**“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett

Best Visual Effects:
*“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones

Best Adapted Screenplay:
**“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate) Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher

Best Original Screenplay:
**”The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Written by Mark Boal

13/24 predicted; 19/24 overall.

Best moments of the night:
- Mo’Nique acceptance speech
- Oprah giving Gabby her “toast”
- Up Director’s wife’s reaction to his win
- Jeff Bridge’s acceptance speech (calling everyone “man”)
- Sandra Bullock’s acceptance speech (thanking unrecognized mothers)
- Kathryn Bigalow making history & acceptance speech (thanking men & women in service… including fire-fighters)

In lieu of staying relevant, I am posting my 2010 Oscar Predictions!

I’ll follow a pattern set out by many. It is a three tier prediction system which allows three educated guesses.

This may make me sound more successful when the winners are announced and I am correct in any one of these categories. Brilliant!

I’m gonna keep it simple & bold the nominee I believe will win, italicize my faves – who I want to win & add a *star next to the “dark horse.”
My reasons & opinions will be saved for after Oscar night.

[Note: I am also excited to say that Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin will be co-hosting & making us laugh! I do believe they will succeed!]

PREDICTIONS:

Best Leading Actor:
Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight)
George Clooney in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
Colin Firth in “A Single Man” (The Weinstein Company)
Morgan Freeman in “Invictus” (Warner Bros.)
*Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment)

Best Supporting Actor:
Matt Damon in “Invictus” (Warner Bros.)
Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger” (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones” (DreamWorks in association with Film4, Distributed by Paramount)
*Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company)

Best Leading Actress:
Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side” (Warner Bros.)
Helen Mirren in “The Last Station” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Carey Mulligan in “An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics)
*Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)
Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia” (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Best Supporting Actress:
Penélope Cruz in “Nine” (The Weinstein Company)
Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight)
*Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate)

Best Animated Feature Film:
“Coraline” (Focus Features) Henry Selick
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (20th Century Fox) Wes Anderson
*”The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney) John Musker and Ron Clements
“The Secret of Kells” (GKIDS) Tomm Moore
“Up” (Walt Disney) Pete Docter

Art Direction:
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Art Direction: Rick Carter & Robert Stromberg & Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (Sony Pictures Classics) Art Direction: Dave Warren & Anastasia Masaro & Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
*”Nine” (The Weinstein Company) Art Direction: John Myhre & Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
“Sherlock Holmes” (Warner Bros.) Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood & Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“The Young Victoria” (Apparition) Art Direction: Patrice Vermette & Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

Best Cinematography:
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Mauro Fiore
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (Warner Bros.) Bruno Delbonnel
*“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Barry Ackroyd
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Robert Richardson
“The White Ribbon” (Sony Pictures Classics) Christian Berger

Costume Design:
“Bright Star” (Apparition) Janet Patterson
“Coco before Chanel” (Sony Pictures Classics) Catherine Leterrier
“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” (Sony Pictures Classics) Monique Prudhomme
*”Nine” (The Weinstein Company) Colleen Atwood
“The Young Victoria” (Apparition) Sandy Powell

Best Directing: (my gamble & the potential Academy Award History Maker)
*”Avatar” (20th Century Fox) James Cameron

“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Kathryn Bigelow
*”Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Quentin Tarantino
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate) Lee Daniels
“Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) Jason Reitman

Best Documentary Feature:
*”Burma VJ” (Oscilloscope Laboratories) A Magic Hour Films Production with Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
“The Cove” (Roadside Attractions) An Oceanic Preservation Society Production
“Food, Inc.” (Magnolia Pictures) A Robert Kenner Films Production with Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” A Kovno Communications Production with Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
“Which Way Home” A Mr. Mudd Production with Rebecca Cammisa

Best Documentary Short Subject:
“China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” – A Downtown Community Television Center Production Dir. Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
“The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” – A Just Media Production Dir. Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
“The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” – A Community Media Production Dir. Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
“Music by Prudence” – An iThemba Production Dir. Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
“Rabbit à la Berlin” (Deckert Distribution) – An MS Films Production Dir. Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra

Film Editing:
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
“District 9″ (Sony Pictures Releasing) Julian Clarke
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Sally Menke
*”Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate) Joe Klotz

Best Foreign Language Film:
“Ajami” (Kino International) An Inosan Production – Israel
“El Secreto de Sus Ojos” (Sony Pictures Classics) A Haddock Films Production- Argentina
“The Milk of Sorrow” A Wanda Visión/Oberon Cinematogràfica/Vela Production- Peru
“Un Prophète” (Sony Pictures Classics) A Why Not/Page 114/Chic Films Production – France
“The White Ribbon” (Sony Pictures Classics) An X Filme Creative Pool/Wega Film/Les Films du Losange/Lucky Red Production – Germany

Makeup:
“Il Divo” (MPI Media Group through Music Box) Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
“Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
*”The Young Victoria” (Apparition) Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

Best Original Film Score:
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) James Horner
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (20th Century Fox) Alexandre Desplat
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
“Sherlock Holmes” (Warner Bros.) Hans Zimmer
*”Up” (Walt Disney) Michael Giacchino

Best Original Song:
*”Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
“Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36″ (Sony Pictures Classics) Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
“Take It All” from “Nine” (The Weinstein Company) Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” (Fox Searchlight) Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best Motion Picture:
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) A Lightstorm Entertainment Production -James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
“The Blind Side” (Warner Bros.) An Alcon Entertainment Production -Nominees to be determined
“District 9″ (Sony Pictures Releasing) A Block/Hanson Production -Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
“An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics) A Finola Dwyer/Wildgaze Films Production -Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
*”The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) A Voltage Pictures Production -Nominees to be determined
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) A Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures/A Band Apart/Zehnte Babelsberg Production -Lawrence Bender, Producer
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate) A Lee Daniels Entertainment/Smokewood Entertainment Production -Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
“A Serious Man” (Focus Features) A Working Title Films Production -Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
“Up” (Walt Disney) A Pixar Production -Jonas Rivera, Producer
“Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) A Montecito Picture Company Production -Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Best Animated Short Film:
“French Roast” A Pumpkin Factory/Bibo Films Production -Fabrice O. Joubert
“Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” (Brown Bag Films) A Brown Bag Films Production -Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
“The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)” A Kandor Graphics and Green Moon Production -Javier Recio Gracia
*”Logorama” (Autour de Minuit) An Autour de Minuit Production-Nicolas Schmerkin
“A Matter of Loaf and Death” (Aardman Animations) An Aardman Animations Production -Nick Park

Best Live Action Short Film:
“The Door” (Network Ireland Television) An Octagon Films Production Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
*“Instead of Abracadabra” (The Swedish Film Institute) A Directörn & Fabrikörn Production Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström
“Kavi” A Gregg Helvey Production Gregg Helvey
“Miracle Fish” (Premium Films) A Druid Films Production -Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
“The New Tenants” A Park Pictures and M & M Production Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Best Sound Editing:
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Paul N.J. Ottosson
*”Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Wylie Stateman
“Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
“Up” (Walt Disney) Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

Best Sound Mixing:
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
*“The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
“Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (DreamWorks and Paramount in association with Hasbro, Distributed by Paramount) Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson

Best Visual Effects:
“Avatar” (20th Century Fox) Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
*”District 9″ (Sony Pictures Releasing) Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
“Star Trek” (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

Best Adapted Screenplay:
“District 9″ (Sony Pictures Releasing) Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
*”An Education” (Sony Pictures Classics) Screenplay by Nick Hornby
“In the Loop” (IFC Films) Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” (Lionsgate) Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
“Up in the Air” (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Best Original Screenplay:
*”The Hurt Locker” (Summit Entertainment) Written by Mark Boal
“Inglourious Basterds” (The Weinstein Company) Written by Quentin Tarantino
“The Messenger” (Oscilloscope Laboratories) Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
“A Serious Man” (Focus Features) Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“Up” (Walt Disney) Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter -Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy

At the end of the night I believe it will be an interesting head to head of directors (formerly married couple) James Cameron & Kathryn Bigelow. Hollywood couldn’t write a better drama!

Tune in on Sunday – I’d love to know what you think!

An attractive feature of electronic music and what keeps me coming back for more is the empowering tools that allow a solo or duo to have a full sound – all woven together in an electronic tapestry. Take Andrew Bird for example – his live music takes on much the same electronic elements as do others who use samples. Imogen Heap weaves her songs live on stage, piling loop after loop and fits them in just the right rhythm and place.

Along with the new introductions to electronic artists, one of my old favorites put out a surprise electronic album: Derek Webb. Today, Thursday February 25, 2010 ONLY you can get a FREE download at NoiseTrade.com/ of his new album Stockholm Syndrome. Check it out, seriously. A lot of hype that gradually produced doubt accompanied it’s release. The relevance of its release is doubtless for me and I listen to it more than any of his past work. Going back to his previous record The Ringing Bell I can continue to understand Webb’s growth and musical trajectory. With the release of Stockholm Syndrome, Webb also released the song stems for fans and musicians to remix and mashup on a site called SoundCloud- a hosting site for remixes, electronic sample sharing, and a place for artists of all professions to communicate and critique. girltalk is the best example I can give for an artist/producer who takes dozens of song – new and old and mashes them together in insanely imaginative ways. [note: It would be another entry to discuss the role of a dj vs. producer. I'm purposely leaving out the dj/MC which uses sampling and mashing by definition] I believe that more self-produced artists like Webb & Heap are using the ease of file sharing and inexpensive mixing software to encourage creativity among fans, allowing an almost conversational give and take of music. During SILVERDOCS 2009, I saw the documentary RIP: A Remix Manifesto which furthered my education of the issues behind mashups, music downloads and the question of freedom in media exchange and copyrights. The film goes beyond music and encouraged viewer participation through video remixing. In the end, there can be collaborative, mutually-supportive peace between artist and downloader or an intense – often money-driven – power war.

Back to the music… one critical turning point in my music listening was when I started subscribing to the KEXP Song of the Day Podcast. This (FREE!) daily bit of current and sometimes pre-released music accompanied by ablog gives context and information. Bell’s song “Housefire” was one of those tunes that eased my ears into more electronic music. Instead of hearing meaningless beeps & taps, I began to hear layers of complex rhythms and harmonies. Passion Pit was the next group to REALLY catch my attention. Let me tell you, I fell head over heels and was fully convinced that if their song “Sleepyhead” could be a person – a man – I would marry him. Ironically, or not, Passion Pit became one of Paste Magazine’s “Best of What’s Next” bands and caught the attention of NPR’s All Songs Considered as well as festivals & listeners around the country in 2008. They have a pop-driven sound. Similarly, Bon Iver gave me a taste of simpler self-produced music that verges on electronic with a few affected tracks such as “Woods” which is reminiscent of Imogen Heaps’ “Hide and Seek”… and we’ve come full circle. Before I let you go, just wanted to share a list of songs in my iTunes library & final thoughts.

25 Top picks for KEXP’s Song of the Day electronic songs:

• Dan Deacon “Paddling Ghost” (5/19/09)
• Bon Iver “Skinny Love” (3/31/09)
• The Arch Cupcake “Rubix Dude” (5/11/08 )
• Booka Shade “Charlotte” (7/15/08)
• The Dodos “Fools” (7/21/08 )
• El Ten Eleven “Jumping Frenchmen of Maine” (4/14/09)
• Faunts “Alarmed/Lights” (4/1/09)
• High Places “Head Spins” (10/9/08)
• High Places “From Stardust to Sentience” (11/20/08)
• Le Loup “Beach Town” (10/19/09)
• Kinky “Fuego En La Fabrica” (3/3/09)
• Lusine “Two Dots” (9/2/09)
• Man Plus “A Ghost is a Ghost is a Ghost is a Ghost” Remix (12/19/08)
• Miike Snow “Animal” (6/8/09)
• Miike Snow “Burial (DJ Mehdi Remix)” (3/11/09)
• Moby “Pale Horses” ( 7/23/09)
• Peter Bjorn & John “Nothing to Worry About” (2/25/09)
• The Pinker Tones “Fugaz” (6/3/08)
• School of Seven Bells “Iamundernodisguise” ( 11/19/08)
• Zion I “Caged Bird Part 1 (feat. Brother Ali) (4/16/09)
• Telepathe “So Fine” (2/30/09)
• Stellastarr* “Freak Out” (7/21/09)
• Nino Moschella “Continue to Call” ( 6/23/09)
• Passion Pit “I’ve Got Your Number” (11/3/08)

Click, read, download & enjoy! If you want more reading, there are several other blogs like SoftSynth Blog who shares their 25 top electronic albums of the Decade. Many other songs and artists are worth exploring in this discussion and as I barely scratch the surface, I’m finding more. Have you heard a song that inspires you to dance or mix it up? Leave a comment and pass it on!

Highlighting next week:
On the Big Screen – Oscar Predictions! I’ll be giving my predictions for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards which happen Sunday March 7th, so read ahead & tune in!

Why it works: Glee is the culmination of FOX’s successful reality series American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance and Disney’s hit High School Musical trilogy plus the humor/music combination in many episodes of The Simpsons. The reality shows, AI & SYTYCD, showcase rare, raw talent like the Kelly Clarkson/Susan Boyle voices and the Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo choreography we all love. But in order to get to the perfect performances & well-synced choreography we must endure the pain of disappointment and at times, horror of the not-so-talented. Glee is a gold mine of chill-inducing, pitch-perfect, light-blazing performances. While some scoff the reality-TV fad, audiences young & old can justify watching Glee because the performances are from the professionals & the songs are from their very own iTunes library: Journey “Don’t Stop Believing,” The Rolling Stones “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” Van Halen “Jump,” John Lennon “Imagine” and well, you get the picture. Younger audiences will love it too! With songs like, “Gold Digger,” Rehab,” “I Kissed a Girl,” and “Single Ladies” they keep it relevant.
Another evidence of their musical success: Mashups.
Beyonce/Hair “Crazy in Love”/”Hair”, Bon Jovi/Usher “It’s My Life”/”Confessions Pt. 2″ and Beyonce/Katrina & the Waves”Halo”/”Walking on Sunshine” mixing old and new.

Let’s be honest, it was hard to call myself a fan of HSM 1,2,&3 when they’re geared toward 8-15 year-olds, but with catchy tunes and sharp choreography, it was I who dragged Nick (9) & Zack (7) to the theater for the third installment. Glee was just what I (and the thousands of other 20-somethings who secretly watched HSM) needed. With Glee, I can still enjoy song, dance, PLUS mature story-content and witty humor but in a more acceptable & predictable format -the TV Dramady series.

A reviewer I admire, Rachael Maddux of Paste Magazine, recently wrote a Season 1 Reveiw, gave it a “respectable” 51 out of 100 and pummeled it due to it’s lack of realistic plot points & far-fetched props/costumes during musical numbers. I am disappointed with this review and join ranks with the opinions of three online commenters that follow the article. Trish says, “GLEE is great satire with fantastically executed musical performances. To me, it’s like a mash-up of the best unexpected covers from American Idol with Friday Night Lights-loveable characters.” The show gives me more of what I secretly want when watching American Idol – good song choices, good voices, good performances, and a little DRAMA.

Maddux does bring up some clear issues with the show:
“…most of the characters’ wounds are self-inflicted, the natural consequences of self-serving lies and deliberate manipulations of friends, family and co-workers. There are some exceptions, some challenges and conflicts parlayed into teaching moments with all the saccharine wisdom of an after-school special. But, for the most part, every moment of character development is merely an excuse to unveil another dark layer of these people we’re supposed to identify with, root for—even love.”
So yeah, I’m not a fan of how the characters lie and manipulate in order to make things better… is the “happy ending” worth the frustration it takes to get there? Additionally, the writers of Glee aren’t afraid of sex, sexiness, and sexuality. I realized this very quickly. From the topics of Glee Club member, Kurt’s sexuality to teen pregnancies to the sensual dance numbers that only sickened me at times, Glee might just be a bit obsessed. At the same time, the show brings up several other hot-button topics such as physical & mental handicaps, marriage & faithfulness, and the all-American “just be yourself” campaign. One other shallow mention in the mix: religion. Two references to religion I can recall are when the pregnant, gold-cross-necklace wearing “Christian” cheerleader is outspoken about abstinence and when Puck decides to date Rachel because he’s a Jew & she’s a “good-looking Jew” and he wants to make his mother happy… hm. So spiritual.

Besides the music, the character rivalries are my favorite plot tent-poles of Glee. Mr. Scheuster vs. Sue Sylvester. Even the somewhat sketchy Mrs. Terri Scheuster vs. wholesome guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury keep me watching. Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester is nearly perfect and the comedy that ensues between Sue and Sheu is belly-laugh worthy!
(see this & more great Sue Sylvester Quotes)

Will: ”I will destroy you”
Sue: ”I am about to vomit down your back.”

Lynch is pushing 50 and is JUST now on my radar with this role plus her recent role in the Meryl Streep movie Julie & Julia. That’s not to say she hasn’t been working the screen for a while. Check her IMDB listings. Keep an eye on this one. Paste Magazine covered an article about Matthew Morrison’s rise to fame and his move into recording that voice I’ve come to love. At first, I was mostly disturbed by the white-boy-trying-to-pull-off-hip-hop (not to mention trying to be the “cool” teacher) but then I watched and realized he had the vocals & moves to make it work. I predict he’ll stick to what he knows and offer an album of covers & sound-alike-broadway tunes.

That brings me to my final cheer about Glee. It’s bringing back Broadway!
With musical guest appearances like Kristen Chenoweth (who I LOVE) and musical numbers like “On My Own” from Les Miserables and “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from Guys and Dolls, it’s a sneak peak of the Broadway stage. I could go on about Lea Michele as Rachel Berry and her incredible vocals that make me want to jump a train to NYC to see Wicked or Chicago. Whew. This is why I love Glee.
So congradulations on winning a San Fransisco Review.)

Highlighting next week:
I’m trying to keep up with my pattern, so tune in next week for a perspective on electronic music and how my tastes have changed over the past few years. Highlighting KEXP’s Song of the Day Podcast, Imogen Heap, David Byrne, Booka Shade, Passion Pit, High Places, Animal Collective, and *gasp!* Derek Webb. Thanks for reading!

So, now that you know my subtitle opinions… let’s get down to business. I came here to tell you about a little 2009 Oscar-winning film called The Class. It’s a French film that features – you guessed it! – the classroom; more specifically – a French class taught by the character François Marin played by François Bégaudeau. Be fairly warned: if you watch this film & don’t speak French, you MUST be prepared to pay attention to the words on the screen.

François is back for another year teaching at a multi-ethnic public middle school known for it’s tough atmosphere and struggling students. You watch as he challenges his students to succeed and think about issues such as race and language (hence my warning to keep up with subtitles). In an interview with director, Laurent Cantet, The Independent Film Channel asks, “The class in The Class is made up of many different cultures and language is such a key point in this film — is the ease of communication, whether it’s because of cultural assimilation or technological advances, actually making it easier for misunderstandings?”

He responds, “I’m not sure it’s a question of technology. I think it’s more a question of how we accept each other. Of course, a few decades ago, we wouldn’t have spoken to a teacher in the way [that François is by his students]. Street culture is getting a bit more space to exist and that of course creates more misunderstandings between generations, and between classes too.”

This problem of misunderstanding brings the film to its central drama as the students challenge their teacher on the very words coming out of his mouth. In a clear student versus teacher word war, watch as communication breaks down on multiple levels: generational, cultural, and between genders. I was mesmerized by the unexpected and seemingly small misunderstanding. One single word. Yet because it is dealt in a power-struggle context, it is blown out of proportion. The dialogue is the kicker. Take for example an exchange between two students and their teacher:

FRANÇOIS – What I’m seeing here, is that you can’t focus for more than 20 seconds, like 3-year-olds. People aged 13, 14 or 15 like
you’re supposed to be… If I ask a question, they should answer fast and then we waste no more time.
KHOUMBA – Your kidding around goes too far!
FRANÇOIS – Not at all, I don’t think I go too far.
KHOUMBA – Everyone thinks you go too far. Sorry but…
ESMERALDA – I think so too!
FRANÇOIS – Just a second, Khoumba. Everyone thinks so or only you think so?
ESMERALDA – No, everyone!
FRANÇOIS – Speak for yourself for once.

My Linguistics class at Covenant College made me more aware of and interested in the formations and meanings of words and language. What you say may have one meaning for you and another for your listener. The Class is about subtlety, characters, and culture.

Now for some linkage:
Full of info and my first place to look for movies – new and old – The Class @ IMDB.com

Chicago Tribune Piece on The Class
The New York Times Review of the film.
Official Site of The Class.
What have been some of your favorite foreign films? Let me know! I’ll add them to the “must see” list.

Highlighting Next Week:
I’m working on finishing entries started in 2009.
Tune in next week when I Gleek out! Won’t you join me as I geek out on the Premiere Season of Fox’s Musical Comedy, Glee? Dare I say GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER! Oh & speaking of music… American Idol is back on FOX! I’ll be sure to weigh in a few weeks down the line. Thanks for reading!

In order to delay that even further, I give you my Top 10′s of 2009!

Top 10 Songs:
10. “Love Lost” – Mindy Smith
9. “I Love/Hate You” – Derek Webb
8. “Lions” – The Features (repeat!)
7. “Hey Na Na” & “Hologram” – Katie Herzig (tie! & repeat!)
6. “My Girls” – Animal Collective
5. “Dreamer” – K’naan
4. “Two Weeks” – Grizzly Bear
3. “Stillness Is The Move”- Dirty Projectors
2. “1901″ – Phoenix
1. “Sleepyhead” – Passion Pit

Top 10 Artists I listened to in 2009 compared with 2008 with help from last.fm
10. Michael Jackson*
9. Sara Groves (-6)
8. Sufjan Stevens (-1)
7. Jennifer Knapp (-1)
6. Over the Rhine (-2)
5. Andrew Bird (+3)
4. The Weepies (+6)
3. Derek Webb (-1)
2. Katie Herzig*
**1. Sandra McCracken**

Top 11 Movies of 2009
11. The Fantastic Mr. Fox (September)
10. The September Issue (SILVERDOCS)
9. Where the Wild Things Are (October)
8. The Philosopher Kings (SILVERDOCS)
7. Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince (Summer?)
6. An Education (December)
5. (500) Days of Summer (July)
4. Up (May)
3. Julie & Julia (August)
2. Precious (December)
1. Avatar 3D (December)

Top Concerts/Live Performances of 2009
10. Charlotte Martin (Jammin Java, VA)
9. Mae (Black Cat, DC)
8. Dar Williams w/Jordan Hamlin (Blueberry Hill, St. Louis)
7. Katie Herzig opening (IOTA, VA)
6. Over the Rhine (Alexandria, VA)
5. M. Ward (9:30Club, DC)
4. Katie Herzig & Brandi Carlile (9:30Club, DC)
3. Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken (Jammin Java, VA)
2. 10 Out of Tenn (IOTA, VA)
1. St. Vincent & Andrew Bird (9:30 Club, DC)

Top 10 TV Programs of 2009
10. What Not To Wear (TLC)
9. L.A. Ink (TLC)
8. SpongeBob SquarePants
7. Hollywood’s Best Film Directors (Reelz Channel)
6. How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
5. Phineas & Ferb (Disney XD)
4. 30 Rock (NBC)
3. American Idol (FOX)
2. The Office (NBC)
1. Glee (FOX)

I missed WAY too many good films & concerts this year, but I’m really glad for the ones I did see. My list of “too see” is constantly growing. It’s challenging to be inundated with stories and live my story at the same time. Each story, each character, and each experience becomes a part of my own story, my character, and my experience. I’m like 8-yr-old Oskar in Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, who fills a journal with news clippings and printed pictures in order to claim others’ experiences as “Things That Happened To Me.”

In 2010 I want to do something with those stories, characters, and experiences. I need to share them with you. I will be processing, reviewing, and story-telling. Let me know what works, what doesn’t work and how I can be a character in your story. Let’s experience movies, music, and television together!

That night stirred me into an admiration for musicians who really PLAY music. I mean PLAY. Not only does he prove his musical talent for instruments, but I would argue that his ability comes out most when he’s on stage putting it all together – a wonderful sort of plalying. That first year of listening to Andrew Bird’s music I saw him play live three times in three different cities: First was June 2005 in St. Louis for a PACKED house at Off Broadway, second in Atlanta that fall at The Eyedrum (again a packed house), and third in Nashville on my way home to St. Louis at The Mercy Lounge that same fall. All three awesome shows. Since then I’ve seen him on a few late shows showing off his newest album: Noble Beast.

If you aren’t familiar with Bird’s music, your first listen will NOT disappoint. And let me tell you, it is no lie when Paste Magazine’s Kate Kiefer warns you to grab a dictionary before trying to decipher the lyrics!

A sampling of A.Bird lyrics:
palindrome
plasticities
radiolarian
aubergine
fratricide
rheostat
machinations
cosmonaut
incandescent
proto-Sanskrit
Cypriot
Uralic
troglobite
plecostomus
anthurium
pleurisy
valerian
dermestid

About a year ago, Bird started a blog on The New York Times website called : Measure for Measure. It is here that he explains how he chooses the words that fill his songs saying, “…writing lyrics becomes like running multiple code-breaking programs in your head until just the right word with just the right number of syllables, tone of vowel and finally some semblance of meaning all snap into place.”

So you can see that not only is he giving plenty of thought and practice to the melodies, harmonies, and parts of each instrument, but the words – both their combination & rhymes – are just as important to the wholeness of the songs.

“That’s part of the fun with Andrew Bird, the songs are so well-crafted, music and words so inextricably connected, that the songs are both beautiful objects to be admired as well as puzzles to be unlocked.” -Gavin Breeden

The release of Noble Beast and the kick-off to the album’s tour started with a concert at the historic Carnegie Hall in New York City on January 28th. Bob Boilen at NPR gave me my first listen to the new album while I waited for my download on iTunes. It’s a great album. Lives up to his last release, but involves a little more creativity in the percussion department. I would also agree with the compliments on his vocals which are all rich and lilting throughout the album. Three stand-out tracks to me are: “Fitz and the Dizzyspells,” “Tenuousness,” and “Not a Robot, But a Ghost.” His imagination is as deep and wide as any 8-year-old, but his years of training as a musician give way to sound maturity. Comparing the sound of this album with the previous, I would say that it’s a fuller sound – more production in what feels like a larger space. Armchair Apocrypha, to me, has a more intimate production quality. There may even be less whistling & glockenspiel in this new album – more guitar & violin. Maybe “Effigy” is the most characteristic to me on Noble Beast of that layering process that Bird uses in his live shows -the transitions from one melody to the next and then the connection in the end. The key is that Bird is growing as an artist and yet stays true to his own style; one that I haven’t heard repeated.

**Check out the A.mazhing Archive.org for some FREE Downloads of Andrew Bird’s music. click here for my favorite show**

Next Time: On the Big Screen: The Class – This film, nominated for this year’s Academy Awards as Best Foreign Film, is playing at the AFI and as soon as I see it, I’ll let you know how I like it!

Hollywood weeks held extreme drama, Simon threatened immediate dismissal for those who forgot the lyrics, and we were left with the top 36 – all who were given the opportunity to perform LIVE – on stage for America to choose.

Each round of 12 produced predictable enough results. At least predictable until the Wild Card round when Anoop was left hanging & then, OF COURSE, they changed the top 12 to the top 13 which I SHOULD have predicted. A plot twist. This week he was, once again, left as the LAST contestant saved. Poor guy – I believe this is the 3rd time he’s been scared & then saved (Chosen as a wild card, chosen as #13, and tonight’s scare). Personally, I like the guy a LOT – he’s got a great voice, he’s got a great face/smile & he connects with the audience. Let’s hope his song choice improves!

Tonight’s results leave us with:
Michael Sarver
Allison Iraheta
Matt Giraud
Kris Allen
Megan Corkrey
Scott MacIntyre
Alexis Grace
Danny Gokey
Anoop Desai
Adam Lambert
Lil Rounds

Both Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez were sent home. I am satisfied with America’s choices even though I think Jorge brought some diversity to the stage

As for the extra performances, I missed Kanye’s, but I would say A.mazing choice to bring back Kelly Clarkson! Really, for all the Idol fans out there, who doesn’t remember her winning night performance? The song, the emotions, the tears – wow. Just wonderful.

On the side, a word about Ryan Seacrest: He’s always trying to get the inside scoop on national television! I’ve heard him on all the Red Carpets this spring – Grammy’s, Golden Globes, & Academy Awards asking all sorts of personal questions as if he can catch someone off guard and get a straight answer. He’s good at his job as the most overworked entertainment corespondent aka “wrangler.”

According to Idol Tracker
These are the top 3 from a few weeks ago, and they continue to be some of my faves.

In my Top 3 I’d replace Danny (even though I like him) with Allison:

I guess Danny is just plain pop while Allison has more spice & life to her – I love her rocker chick look & sound. And I’m a huge fan of the young ones (she’s 16). There are some like Paris Bennett (16) from Season 5 who are told they are still too young and to come back in a few years, but then there are the ones like Season 7 runner up David Archaletta (16) and Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks (17).

Links:
Thanks to Bob Payne for some Live blogging of tonight’s show! If you missed it, just read about it.

Also, don’t forget! On iTunes you can download both the videos & the audio recordings of each of the top 13′s performances. $1.49 per video & $.99 per song. As the weeks go on, download your faves!
Enjoy & let me know what you think!

The IMDB rundown:
Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Written by: Jenny Lumet
Featuring:
Anne Hathaway … Kym
Rosemarie DeWitt … Rachel
Mather Zickel … Kieran
Bill Irwin … Paul
Anna Deavere Smith … Carol
Anisa George … Emma
Tunde Adebimpe … Sidney
Debra Winger … Abby

At first I was surprised by the documentary style of the film. I hadn’t read many reviews concerning the style, but rather concerning the actors and artists involved. Then again, Jonathan Demme at the time he read the screenplay, considered himself “deeply in the world of documentaries.” So, it was a surprise that turned into understanding just how the raw camera work best displayed the raw emotions and constantly moving action – literally moving with the characters from room to room and house to car, place to place. The story centers around Kym who comes out of drug rehab to join family and friends for her older sister, Rachel’s preparations for the wedding and the spectacular event. Emotions run high during most family events, but weddings symbolize a giving and taking of new members and new love which, in this case especially, causes each person to examine themselves in the light of love. Kym believes she can’t love (forgive) herself because of her role in the family and has a hard time accepting the concern of her family (ie. her father’s watchful eye) as love. Rachel is in love and wants to celebrate for one day without the antics of her dysfunctional family – who she truly loves.

You’ll see all the dynamics of family, but also the dynamics of culture. The wedding party is a mix of ethnicities, personalities, and stories. One stand-out scene is the rehearsal dinner when friends and family tell stories and toast the love and admiration they have for the couple. It is also in that scene that Kym gives a toast/speech which brings tension to the evening of laughter. However, it leads into a pivotal revelation back home after the party. Things spiral seemingly out of control from there and you simply must watch the movie to see the ending, cause I’m NOT giving it away.

Related News:
The Golden Globes results came Sunday night and answered the question about who would be the winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama. Kate Winslet took the stage leaving four talented performers in their seats, including Anne Hathaway. While Hathaway didn’t go home a winner, it was her first nomination and she has much to look forward to in her somewhat young career. Her brilliant performance in Rachel Getting Married also nominated her for Film Independent’s 2009 Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead.

If you love lists, like I do, you can check out these top 10 lists of movies for 2008 and see that Rachel Getting Married hit #9, #8, #7 all the way to #1 on approximately 24 critics lists. – Oh and as I was writing my last post I considered prematurely sticking it somewhere in my top 10 just based on what I heard.

Paste Magazine gave it a #14 spot in its top 20 films of 2008 and calls Anne Hathaway’s performance “fierce” and “quivering.” Early on in the hype, PasteMagazine.com also recognizes the diverse cultures represented in this film and in response to critique says, “The interracial nature of [Rachel & Sidney's] relationship goes unremarked upon throughout the entire film, and [that fact is] vexing several film critics, who dismiss such a notion as a fantasy.” My comments about this supposed “elephant in the room” topic are influenced by the conversation I had after the movie with my two friends (I didn’t ask their permission to mention this, but it might be “ironic” to note that I am white, Michelle is African-American, and Aaron is Asian…) We discussed the reality of the diversity in that wedding situation, and in life (um, us?). However I also noticed that the music business seemed to be the common thread in many of the on-screen relationships. Clearly America is a diverse nation and how dare we call such films “a fantasy” which broach that diversity in a positive light.

Hathaway also posed for the cover of Vogue’s January issue. Inside, her story was titled “The Awakening” and the stunning photography displays a “solid, Golden Girl.” While the article talked about her break-up with her boyfriend of four years, it included a quote from Director, Jonathan Demme: “She’s like a human lava lamp. She makes you stay in touch with what’s in her mind by what’s on her face.”
(Find out more at Vogue Diaries)

Rosemarie DeWitt is another notable talent in the film. She brings an attractive familial and familiar presence to the screen with her bright smile and eyes comparable to Jennifer Garner’s.

Jennifer and Rosemarie

Watch the Movie Trailer

Once again, my goal for this blog is to cover media in a 3 week cycle – Movies, TV, Music. That means, next week, you should let me help you indulge in the show that’s on “The Search for a Superstar” – that’s right, American Idol! In my 5th year as a constant viewer and in its 8th Season as a top reality show on FOX, AI has a new judge – hit songwriter Kara DioGuardi- and has made several other changes that prove the producers will do what it takes to keep ratings up and America watching!

Thanks for reading my first official review/report and I hope you’ll be back next week for more!
Peace_Sarah_