Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine feels like a real story. The 2 main characters are a couple, who we follow at various points in their life together. We slide back and forth in time seeing their triumphs and tribulations. This film manages to balance their life by showing it interspersed, back and forth between their beginning and seemingly their end.

But what truly kept me riveted wasn't the jumps back and forth, or trying to figure out the events they refer to or the structure of their lives. What really kept me in this film was the comparison brought into the characters, between their younger and older selves. The progression the characters go through during their lives feels real. You see how a once charming trait has become skewed over time, and how the fresh relationship has grown rank. Never did I really doubt their choices. Their actions made sense in their younger years as well as their older ones, you don't blame them for what happens to their relationship.

This movie is a drama, and it pulls at your heartstrings, but it doesn't abuse you during it. It plays into those experiences most of us have at one time or another, to love and then grow apart without being able to place where you really went wrong. I think this movie really calls into our human nature through the almost reminiscing quality as well as the stark contrast that happens throughout the film. However it also works so well due to the impeccable performances of Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, as well as the outstanding writing and direction they were given.

And last but not least, Grizzly Bear are featured quite extensively in the soundtrack, and it fits this film so well, you'll be surprised it wasn't made for it. Songs I knew and loved, gained more meaning through their collaboration with the story and images. And they set the tone for the film in a way that really allows this piece to breath, both deep and frantically as needed.

This film was on my list to watch very early on in 2010, and then I forgot about it, and although it had some momentum at the beginning of the year, I think it lost it as more and more movies came out. I think it's a shame that it got forgotten in the tidal wave as this was probably one of my favorites of the year.


P.S. I would put a warning on this movie, but somehow I think those too young for it wouldn't be interested in it anyways. I don't know if I would have appreciated it as fully several years ago. Rated R.

Taking a Gander at the Music of 2009

I have listened to...11 albums this year, not a lot, but I'll tell you about some of my favorites.

White Denim : Fits
This is a rock album. It is pretty awesome. Voices echo into the forefront in the first song Radio Milk before a solid drum beat and catchy bass riff set the stage for a voice to blare in and an electric guitar to tear through the musical landscape. Fits is full of energy and continues to deliver it's catchy kinetic tunes throughout the whole album. White Denim doesn't fill their songs with lyrics and most of their songs are under 3 minutes, these things aren't bad, it merely shows that this band knows how to make a catchy song, with strong beats, striking riffs and strong vocals. Often when referring to this band I describe them as the reincarnation of Jimi Hendrix split into three parts all playing with one vision.

Tim Fite : Change of Heart

Tim Fite is at another end on the musical spectrum from White Denim. This album is filled with very thoughtful and definitely personal songs that build up slowly. These are filled with mood, chronicling the progression of a broken heart. The confusion of why, trying to get by, promises from an honest man, giving up on the whole process, feeling lost, anger and finally resolve. This album covers all of these experiences using Tim's multiple harmonies laid over one another intricately and purposefully, the dissonance and sound glitches reigned in to be useful instead of randomly as they did in other albums. The one man show that is Tim Fite strikes every chord in this his most personal album, and one might also say his most accessible album, delving into the heart.

 Brazos : Phosphorescent Blues

The Brazos are cool, they make songs that sound like a good time on the beach, often the noises will build up a harmony and fullness reminding one of the wash in and out from the sea. People playing games and running around, all lit up by the glow of a warm bonfire. It is interesting that they call it blues, the smooth swooping melodies and warm accompaniment speak more of good times than bad. Brazos do bring in more tender moments with Avignon and the all piano piece Pues, however it never sinks too far into the dark before a melody brings it up to the surface. Phosphorescent Blues drifts on swapping guitar for piano every couple of songs, and eventually it drifts to a stop "content to cross the finish line on it's own terms rather than in a final sprint"*.

Grizzly Bear : Veckatimest

Veckatimest is an album that finally brings the potential of Grizzly Bear to the forefront. Unlike previous albums that sometimes sound disjointed, Veckatimest is cohesive and strays into new areas. The first song on the record Southern Point starts out quite jazzy and then turns into something more. The guitar melodies take odd turns and slides that produce very interesting progressions. The vibrating vocal harmonies accompany the slightly odd but altogether wonderful spectrum of sound that the band produces. This album strikes a blazing trail from the Department of Eagles album In Ear Park from 2008 (Daniel Rossen's more personal songs), taking new territory, expanding beyond their past endeavors and in general making one hell of an album.