Source: beaukiniry
IT IS OFFICIAL
I have GA tickets for Bruce Springsteen & the E St Band for April 24, 26, & 27 in San Jose and Los Angeles. Praisin’ the gods of rock for letting us be so lucky to grab these tickets.
Seeing Bruce for the FIRST TIME in San Jose with my sister, Brenna, and we’re just going to be partyin’, flubberin’ messes the entire time.
I AM SO EXCITED I FEEL LIKE I’LL NEVER BE CALM AGAIN
Source: beaukiniryYesterday, Josh, Kevin, and I rented a car and drove to Asbury Park, NJ. The home of many legendary Asbury Park, New Jersey bands (“The Sound of Asbury Park”) and of course a mecca for Bruce Springsteen fans. There are a plethora of Springsteen landmarks to visit, including…
Black Keys El Camino, and you didnt even mention Peoples Key by Bright Eyes, or Angles by the Strokes! Source:Rolling Stone editors have picked their Top 50 Albums of 2011. Do you agree? Disagree? Want to rip our ears off? Fine! Reblog and tell us your best albums of 2011.
With the Oscars all wrapped up, and a very deserving King’s Speech currently holding the award for Best Picture it has given me time to finally contemplate my favorite films of 2010. 2010 was a good year in film. Not the best of recent years but very good nonetheless. It had it’s stand outs of blockbusters like Iron Man 2 and award winners but there are 5 films that really stuck out to me as films I will remember and take with me into the future.
Toy Story 3
The Toy Story films hold a special place in my heart. Seeing Toy Story with my dad in 1995 was one of my first memories of going to the movies. It was my favorite movie then, and it continues to be one of my favorites today. Woody and Buzz were like friends to me. When Toy Story 2 came out I was still young at 9 years old. I loved it as well, and I believe it is still one of the finest achievements in animated cinema. When Toy Story 3 finally came out last June, it was no exception to the classic and timeless films it succeeded. It had been 11 years since Toy Story 3 and now here I was 20 years old - around the same age as Andy - watching the beloved characters I grew up with coming to terms with who they are in the world and what more they have to offer. These toys were some of the most humanistic characters in all of the films released in 2010, and some of the most real and engaging characters of modern cinema. Toy Story 3 reaffirmed the importance and incredible storytelling ability that Pixar has continued to give us over the years. Toy Story 3 is an instant classic and a film I will hold with me for as long as I can.
The King’s Speech
I like history. I’m one of those people who believes we need to know and study our past so we can have a successful and engaging future. I also like movies. I like movies that tell interesting and insightful stories. This is why I loved The King’s Speech. The film is about King George VI who is expertly portrayed by Colin Firth. Edward or “Bertie” as we know him in the film is a successor to the throne of The United Kingdom and is a celebrated Naval Officer in the King’s Royal Navy and also - has a horrible stutter. I loved this film because I found the history so rich and fascinating and the story is absolutely delightful. I think delightful is one of the best words to describe The King’s Speech. The film moves along with the amazing portrayals of various British royalty and characters like the Queen Mother wonderfully played by Helena Bonham Carter and King Edward VIII played by the always sharp and intimidating Guy Peirce. But the real show stoppers are Firth in the title role, and Geoffrey Rush as the King’s speech therapist Lionel Logue. These two play off of eachother so well you wish there was some award for best on screen duo. Their relationship is touching. At the end of the day the film is about overcoming obstacles, and discovering who you are. The King’s Speech is a delightful revelation.
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1
I am extremely biased towards the Harry Potter films. I’ve loved them all, and I think part of that might be the fact that I refuse to dislike them. I am conscious of the fact that not all the Harry Potter films are revolutionary, but some of them indeed are worth multiple viewings and dare I say it - classic. Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1, I believe is one of those classics. This film blew me away. I loved the book and was so happy when they decided to split into two films. The fact that this is only part 1 of the book makes this film very different than the other six Potter films. The great screenwriter Steve Kloves had to turn a half of the final book into a stand alone film. He did that and so much more. What we have in DH Part 1, is a fight for survival. A thriller, a mystery, a romance, a coming of age film, and of course the timeless fantasy and magic I’ve loved since Sorcerer’s Stone came out in 2001. So much of this film had me on the edge of my seat and I knew exactly what was going to happen. That there is one of the reasons this film so special. What also sets this film apart from the others is the acting. We all know Dan Radcliffe is a great actor and he has proven himself as a true talent in the past 10 years, but this film belongs to Rupert Grint and Emma Watson who play Ron and Hermione respectively. We see Ron and Hermione skirting around the idea that they may indeed end up together, and we see them at the rock bottom of their character’s journies. Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1, stands as my favorite Harry Potter film - so far - and just gives me the anticipation of what Part 2 could hold in store.
The Social Network
I never intended to see The Social Network. When I heard they were making a “Facebook movie” I scoffed at the idea. I remember seeing the trailer and not being too excited. It finally came out and started to receive critical acclaim. I was shocked to say the least. I still didn’t want to see it. My friends then started to tell me it was good. Finally about a month ago I “Redboxed” it. I love The Social Network. I’m still surprised by that statement. What put it in perspective for me was my good friend Bradley Brown saying “It’s just interesting to see the history of something we spend our daily lives on, and something we are so dependant on unfolding before our eyes.” That stuck with me, and I know know that this is much more than just “The Facebook movie.” It is a statement and observation on the nature of modern social communication, and how something so big can change a person. The film itself is excellent. Jessie Eisenberg is just superb as Mark Zuckerberg. I’ve always liked Eisenberg and he really shows his acting chops in his ruthless, but very human portrayal of Zuckerberg. The cinematography and feel of the film are captivating. It’s sexy and dark. The writing is spot on and engaging, and garnered Aaron Sorkin an Oscar. David Fincher’s direction is just great too. He really knows how to move a story along. The Social Network is truly a modern American classic.
The Kids Are All Right
The Kids Are All Right might be the most important film of 2010. This film is about family. This film bends the rules and perceptions of what many people see as the normal modern family and what it is becoming more like. The film is about a married lesbian couple raising their 2 children. Nic and Jules met in college, and soon fell in love. They eventually decided to have children and picked a sperm donor and they used both their eggs for each one of their children. Fast forward about 18 years. Joni, Nic and Jules’s oldest is getting ready to leave for college, and Laser, their son decides he wants to know who their sperm donor is. Because Joni is 18 he asks her to call the sperm bank, and find out who he is. This is our story. What this film does is truly show you how normal a life a lesbian/gay family can lead. This is why I love this film. I love it because it truly is the best portrayal of the modern American family we have seen on film in years. If someone were to ask me to show them a movie about the modern American family, I would tell them to see The Kids Are All Right, hands down.
