artful lighting and light-art

IN FILM:

The Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford.

What a mouthful of a title. What kind of idiot marketing squad came up with that one? I mean, yeah, it's probably based on a book or something, but sheesh. On the other hand, it is a good description. It speaks to the idea that...here is a story about Jessie James, one of the most famous, interesting, colorful gunmen from the wild west...and we are going to tell you a story about him getting killed, in cowardly fashion, by some chump named Robert Ford.

Really, in that sense, it's a perfect title.

This movie...though...my god it's quite awful. Really it's quite beautiful for about....40 minutes. If you rent this movie, watch it just after the point of the train robbery, then shut it off and save yourself 2 hours. There are some lovely shots, really quite beautiful, but they are all in the beginning, then the rest of the movie just repeats these same style of shots...it gets old fast. But great use of light and clever lens tricks.

Pitt is passable, his usual self. And yes Casey Affleck is fast becoming the best screen actor of his generation. (have you seen the film his brother directed, Gone Baby Gone? He's great in that movie). Even his stellar performance can't hold this movie for nearly 3 hours.

It's not the material-Jessie James, his enigma, and this wannabe "coward" who idolizes him-there is plenty of good stuff here. But the slow pace, the heavy handed stylized shots, and the lack of action and thin dialog just drag this attempt at an art house western down.

1.5 Molos

IN THE ARTS:

I caught the show at Western Bridge the other day, Light seeking Light/Untitled (a brink if infinity), which essentially is a bunch of work, some of which is rotating, from the collection that is up this winter. I shall not go into great detail here, but I'd say you should got check it out. It's worth it to see the piece by Anthony McCall (Pictured above). McCall's work is not smart, clever, or unique-it reminds me a great deal of going to see laser shows at the Science Center when I was in high school-that smell, of the smoke machine. Such an odd smell, kind of a good smell, but what exactly is that substance? In any case, the work really is just a nicely done laser show. Simple, elegant, and peaceful. Worth a look.

There are several other strong works in the show worth seeing. I wasn't all that interested in the centerpiece of the show: Mary Tempel's faux shadow wall painting. It's a clever trick, and well executed, but the imagery wasn't interesting or visually pleasing enough for me to have more than a simple-hey you fooled me for a second-type of reaction.

3 Molos

IN MUSIC:

I haven't been hearing a lot of new stuff yet this year, but the kids are all way into the new Animal Collective record, and I have given it a listen myself, and I actually like it a lot better than previous efforts of the band. It falls into that kind of multi/eclectic instrumental noise mess indie rock, like say, Broken Social Scene. Done well, though, and with a stronger sense of purpose this time around. It's called Merriweather Post Pavilion. 3.5 Molos

New Vetiver comes out this week, I'm sure that will be a lovely album.

2008 round-up

Yes, my blog has been ignored. Really I think this is because I lost all my pirated internet wifi connections at home, and my promotion does not afford me the same opportunities to play on the web.

But I can still sneak in a little, you know on "lunch".

So 2008, I didn't see nearly as many films as I had in previous years, but I did catch a few. Heard some good music too. So here's my roundup for top 10 so far. I'm sure the film one will change drastically as I finally catch the better movies on DVD.



Top 21 albums released in 2008 that I have been introduced to:


1. The Walkman - You and Me
2. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
3. The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale
4. Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyatly
5. Restiform Bodies - TV loves you back
6. Neon Neon - Stainless Style
7. Sigur Ros - Meo Suo I Eyrum Vio Spilum
8. Astronautalis - Pomegranite
9. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
10. Local H - 12 angry months
11. Grand Archives - Grand Archives
12. Portishead - third
13. Tapes n' Tapes - Walk it off
14. Brian Eno/David Byrne Everything that Happens will Happen Today
15. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
16. MGMT - Ocular Spectacular
17. Fujiya + Miyagi - lightbulbs album
18. School of Seven Bells Alpinisms
19. Nick Cave - Dig Lazarus Dig!
20. Steve Malkmus and the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
21. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Top 10 movie films I saw in 2008:

1. Batman - The Dark Knight
2. The Wrestler
3. Speed Racer (yeah that's right-the visuals in this movie are stunning!)
4. Gran Torino
5. Red Belt
6. Man On Wire
7. Cloverfield
8. Be Kind, Rewind
9. Iron Man
10. Death Race (he he he)

There's a lot of crap on this list, well not crap, but not exactly great either...I missed a lot, like these good/intriguing films that might make the list:

Milk, slumdog millionaire (everyone seems to love it, so it must be good, right?), The Changling, Choke, benji button, RockNRolla, The Reader, Revolutionary Road....etc etc...

fill me in if there are things I should be on the look out for. I heard something about some pretty good animation films this year, but they are slipping my mind.

2009 looks amazing, at least for entertaining movies!

Not exactly Best Western

Appoloosa

I love westerns, no doubt about it. I'll watch just about any western. I feel the same way about any post-apocalyptic sci-fi film as well. So I rented Appoloosa the other day. Sigh. Ed Harris is no Clint Eastwood. He has neither the acting nor directing chops of Eastwood. I only bring up the venerable Eastwood because this movie feels so much like Harris is trying to pick up that mantle.

In any case, the movie film is just not all that interesting. The best it has going for it is Viggo Mortenson, especially Viggo's facial hair. Jeremy Irons is somehow ingorable, Ed Harris is boring, pretty much everything is boring about this movie but the sharp looking western suites that Viggo and Ed sport.

Oh, and to top it all off, there is all this drama around a ghoulish-looking vamp played by Renee Zwelleger. She is simply ugly in this movie. Frankly she was never all that attractive, but here she looks outright scary. And her character is horribly written.

And, there's really not even much in the way of a good shoot out.

Only Viggo makes this picture watchable, he is a strong actor. You have been warned.

2 Molos

I love the Press!!!

Sorry, just have to pimp myself for a second, and thank Regina and the PI!

Every Empire Falls

What do these two images have in common?



EMPIRE



You may not recognize either one, but the top image is from the early 90s powerhouse rock band, Queensryche who's hit album, entitled Empire, dominated the modern rock charts for months. You remember, Silent Lucidity..."hush now don't you cry, wipe away the tear drops from your eye......" I could sing you the song, but I don’t have an audio blog...yet.

The other image is from a video installation called Funk Staden, which is part of the recent show at the Frye Art Museum also entitled Empire.

The reason that it is called "Empire" is the Frye is also showing Napoleon on the Nile, which is a very interesting historical show about Napoleon's failed attempt at invading Egypt with emphasis on the cataloging of Egyptian culture that happened along the way. An immense amount of knowledge was gathered and put into a volume called "Le Descripton de L'Egypt" or something like that. The images created by artists on that journey spawned a huge Orientalism movement in France and Western Europe. Any who...I'm getting off track.

That show, Napoleon on the Nile, though, is essential the reason that if you travel to the back of the museum you will encounter another "Empire". Empire is a collection of 5 different video installations. They have about as little to do with each other as they do with Queensryche’s Empire.

The show overlaps itself. Sound conflicts with other sound, Installations are not given enough time to breath. With the exception of 2 pieces, there is little that makes one think of Empires, whether it be Napoleon's or Queensryche’s. One of those is an oddly enjoyable real-time video recording of a wasp nest. 90 days worth. The other is the one pictured above, Funk Staden, which does deal with interesting ideas, although it turns them into flash and entertainment, with heavy-handed symbolism. Looks like the kind of video art that was really fun and interesting for the artists to make, but when the viewer experiences the work, they have a completely different experience.

Which, granted, the artists admitted to enjoying when I saw their lecture. They mentioned the "ripple effect". As an artist you do something, make or create something...then there is the ripple of the different ways it goes out into the world.

That's a lazy and convenient way to avoid having to answer whether-or-not your work has an intended viewer response. And if so, if it was successful in achieving that response. That is does the work do what you want it to do?
One thing Funk Staden does do is entertains. It is a massive, excellent installation.

Any who, this is a long, rambling "review" of the show Empire and I do apologize. I hope you can get some interesting info in here.

There are 2 pieces i the show that are not remotely art works. They are simply short documentaries and should be treated as such. Both are fascinating and should you come to the Frye before Jan 4th, make sure and check those out. A good critic would give you the titles and info here, but I suck so you will have to visit the website yourself.

Empire 2.5 Molos (lousy show with some interesting works in it)
Napoleon on the Nile 3.5 Molos
Queensryche’s Empire 4.5 Molos if I could travel back to 1990 and read my 13 year-old-mind. 1.5 if forced to listen to it today.

The Frat Boys never rest

Do not be deceived by the juvenile album cover art picture above, go out and buy this album by Restiform Bodies called TV Loves You Back. It's remarkable. Especially if you like weirdo experimental hip hop. I saw RB play several weeks ago when they opened up for that band Why at the Vera Project and I wasn't blown away at the time. However, I think that had more to do with the distraction of this random group of like 7 ex-frat boy-looking douche bags who were ridiculously dancing and virtually ignoring the music. Seemed like one of them had scored some E or something, I don't know. I mean this was the Vera Project. Not a drop of alcohol in the place. Just a bunch of enthusiastic kids there to see Why and these goons kind of ruining it for everyone. It was rather odd. I realise this has nothing to do with band's music which I'm supposed to be reviewing at this moment. Sorry about that.

It was just the thing I really took away from that show. That and the lead's spasmodic dancing. In any case, I finally picked up a copy of their album and it's a multi-layered treat! Definitely not for the casual hip hop fan, but give a shot and you will not be disappointed. Great music to drive to. 4 Molos

Molo's blog has been neglected, once again. Why do you ask? Well, for several reasons: a show at 108 Occidental Gallery, a show at SOIL gallery, writing a professional column (believe it or not!) for CityArts Seattle-watch for it in their December issue, working on a cover for Louis Liard magazine, taking over as manager of the security department, and getting ready for my big show at Vermillion, The San Juans. Which opens next thursday, October 30th, and will be up all of November!

So sorry to all of you for slacking in all my reviews, thoughts, and various what-nots that you read hear. I love you all very much and thank you for your continued readership.


Hey, I just noticed that I reviewed the Walkmen's album, twice, on this blog....WHOOPS!!

Let me just updated my Top Ten Albums of the year list here:

1. The Walkman You and Me
2. The Cool Kids The Bake Sale
3. Cold War Kids Loyalty to Loyalty
4. Tapes N' Tapes Walk It Off
5. Grand Archives Grand Archives
6. Neon Neon Stainless Style
7. Siger Ros Meo Suo I Eyrum Vio Spilum
8. Astronautalis Pomegranate
9. Vamprie Weekend Vampire Weekend
10. Local H 12 Angry Months

Loosen up those pants

I'm insanely way behind on all my reviews of film, music, arts and what-have-you. Frankly I have not been paying much attention to the blogging world, and probably I've lost all of my readers because of it. But that's okay, I'll just email the two of you and let you know that I'm back!

No time for chit-chat though, let's just get into the reviews-

Pictured above are Kings of Leon, who have released an album entitled Only by the Night. It's quite awful. Really bad. Laughably bad. I mean I literally laughed as I was listening to it.
I believe the moment came when one of the songs started with the line "oooooohhhhh, she's only seventeeeeeeeen!". Seriously. The first track, okay, kind of along the lines of their last album...stuff that I enjoyed, very mainstream indie rock but pretty and reasonable...the 2nd song, not terrible....I think it was the 3rd song, that suddenly the album started sounding like an 80 pop-rock covers album. Maybe a bit Cheap Trick, except not good Cheap Trick, like really bad Cheap Trick. Like if Cheap Trick were covering Britney Spears, or more like if Britney Spears were writing Cheap Tricks songs, then got the guy from the Black Crows to sing it by telling him "thing Hootie and the Blowfish". (no disrespect to the Black Crows).

I thought, maybe, for a minute, they were being ironic. Hipster ironic. But there's no way. It's too serious-they are being serious. I really used to enjoy this band too-they've made some great music before. Oh well. Probably, it's the pants. 1.5 Molos

Another recent titian of the indie music scene, The Walkmen, came out with an new record You and Me that is far more successful. It's quite good, actually. A bit mellow, and not much in the way of groundbreaking, but a really great record. One of the best of the year and one that I'll enjoy listening to for years to come. 4 Molos

You have probably heard mixed reviews for the latest Coen Brother's film, Burn After Reading, and I suggest not paying any attention to them and just seeing this movie. It's so fully of amusing, wonderful, creepy, silly performances that you can't help but be entertained. I think it's a movie that benefits knowing very little about it going in... so stop reading this now if you are going to go see it....

...but if you are still on the fence, or figure what the hell, i'm going to rent it any how, I just have a few things to ad. The movie has such a strange feel to it...in parts I thought the Coen's were spoofing thier own, previous work, in other parts, just parodying spy/spook CIA intrigue films...it's an uneven and odd treatment. Lots of people have been baffled a bit, feel like the Coen missed the mark. But I think they were so damn great at getting these silly performances out of Clooney, Malkovich, Pitt, and others (Francis McDormick was a bit off) that the film is wonderful just for that.....and now for an even further plot spoiler....

....and the use of the ax to kill someone, comic-violently, just as they did in Fargo, what was that about? Were they just referencing themselves? Do you think they might try to kill someone with an ax in all their coming films? Frankly, that would be awesome. Any who I enjoyed the film. 4 Molos

RIP Mr. Newman. I saw Paul Newman at the Frye about 3 years ago and for a while I didn't believe it was him. How could this tiny, shriveled, humble old man possibly be Butch Cassidy, Cool Hand Luke, and The Hustler? But it was, sure enough. I can't say there has ever been a more likable screen personality who has sustained such a great, long career, not to mention every account of Mr Newman's life has been glowing with gratitude and admiration for his charitable and general good-natured deeds.

Wonderful man, wonderful actor. Great humanitarian.

And a great actor-here's my personal favorite Paul Newman roles:

1. The Color of Money- his reprisal of his character from the Hustler was just supremely entertaining, I really enjoy this a great deal.

2. Nobody's Fool - Paul really nailed the old curmudgeon softens up a bit role. And he punches Phillip Seymour Hoffman in the face.

3. Cool Hand Luke - 50 eggs!

4. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

5. The Verdict

Oh, and let us not forget Slap Shot!

There is NOTHING in southern Idaho

Last published on August 4th?!!!!!

Oops! I'm so sorry dear reader(s), I really didn't mean to get so far behind in my reviews, thoughts, and rants. Really I didn't. But then I went on vacation, got promoted, and started a massive push to get a shit-ton of work done (I'm sticking with the hyphen for shit-ton) for 2 big shows I have this fall.

So sadly I've neglected my blog like the ugly stepchild it is.


However, tonight I drank beer and did not do anything productive yet, and find myself with a few minutes to tell ya'll about a couple recent bits of culture I have encountered.

Let's start with Film-

Batman has eclipsed the $500 million barrier domestic, in only it's 8th week....that's a lot of clams. I still want to try to see the flick at IMAX, but the aforementioned issues are in the way....

however, some other fun, silly flicks did come out this summer, and I missed most of them except for Tropic Thunder which I caught while on vacation downtown Jackson Wyoming. I was pleasantly surprised by this silly, smart and sprawling film. A bit too much on the self-knowing side but still a good romp. And yes, there is the whole very walk-the-line story of the pretentious actor within the movie, who has skin altering surgery to play a black guy (the actor himself is Australian) but Robert Downey Jr pulls it off quite well and hell it was funny. The best part, perhaps, was the fake previews in the beginning....but also, there is one character, which I dont want to talk about, that was just perfect...and i was very surprised by the actor who pulled it off...very well done. 3.5 Molos

I am a guy, and guys, well, around my age, and younger, like watching Jason Stathom kick ass. We are sort of helpless against it. It must have something to do with growing up in the Arnold, Stallone, Steven Segal and Jean-Claude Van Damn era. Since the demise of those folks, no single actor has been able to dominate the same way they did. Sure Vin Diesel is trying, but he really hurt his street cred with those dramas and family films he's sneaking in....doesn't he know that you cant do that crap till you are a good 12 or so action films into your career? In any case, we have Jason Stathom, the underdog action star. B-action hero from the get-go, star of Crank (which features the most amazingly audacious sex scene i've ever seen in a non-porn flick) and the new film Deathrace. Really, what can I say? If you are into this movie you will have already gone to see it. And if you aren't then you wont see it. I was very entertained, but I never want to watch it again. 3 Molos


In Music:

The new Walkman album, You & Me, is very very good, maybe best record I've heard this year. It's a little less rock then their brilliant album Bows and Arrows, but still quite delicious. Smarter, more sneaky, and a little dirty feeling still. I enjoy it a great deal. 4 Molos

Okay, I have to get this published and get offline here...


but one more review-
the GZA, aka Genius, aka Bobby Digital (right? - sometimes i get my Wu confused). Has a new one out, Pro Tools, and it's very good. Pretty much it feels like an updated version of his seminal work, Legend of the Liquid Swords, even going so far to use some of the same music...but it has a freshness and good, strong lyrical content that pulls it off. Very strong if not innovative work. Quite enjoyable and will satisify all you Wu Tang fans out there who read my blog, cause I know there are a lot of you! 3.5 Molos