Movie Review: Five Feet Apart and Avenues

My sister and I decided to torture ourselves this weekend by going to see Five Feet Apart, a story centering on two teens with Cystic Fibrosis who fall in love. Now, I am slightly more educated on Cystic Fibrosis, as one of my friend’s children is conflicted with this disease. Having that background, I know that these two teens can’t be together, especially given their particular severity. I’m going to keep this short, but spoily: cute and romantic dates, breaking the rules, someone dies from their recklessness, and then they have to separate or really they will both also die. It was sad, but not Fault in Our Stars sad.

On the other end of that spectrum, I watched an indie film written and directed by Michael Angarano (the uncle you love to hate, Nicky, from This Is Us), called Avenues. Michael teamed up with his Sky High and tennis buddy Nicholas Braun (Succession) as two friends who reconnect around the holidays, shortly after a brothers death essentially walking around the city and talking at each other. They meet up with two girls and hang out through the evening. Maybe I was missing something, but the dialogue was odd and even more terribly delivered by Michael Agangaro. It was a short film, but even so, I don’t recommend putting it on your list to watch.

Album Review: Foals, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 1

Folks, the amount of fantastic indie/alternative records coming out this year is unbelievable, and Foals latest is no exception! Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 1 is just that, part 1! The second half is expected sometime in the last quarter of 2019 and frankly I cannot wait!

Part 1 is exceptional from track one to ten, even if some are a little slow and not quite my speed. This album has everything you’d want to hear from Foals, but with four years maturity and the departure of long-time bassist, so it’s different, but in the best way possible. I’ve never heard a band use the cymbals as well as Foals does on all records, and the guitar playing is top-notch. I love a good mathematical riff!

If you happen to need further proof that this band is the real deal go check out any of their live performances. You will NOT be disappointed! Standouts from the album include “In Degrees” (seriously, go listen to this!) and “Exits.”

Weekly Television Round-Up

Shadowhunters – I am seriously going to miss this show. Already three episodes into the last season, I am starting to get anxiety. Anyways…this episode was a nice build-up for what I assume will be a pretty sweet episode next Monday. A lot of work is being done to figure out how to get a rune off Clary’s neck, and the vampire that Simon turned is causing trouble in all vampire and wolf circles.

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Netflix Movie Review: Triple Frontier

Another Friday, another new Netflix movie. Not that I mind. Most are actually really well done, and Triple Frontier was no exception. It also didn’t hurt that it had five A-list stars in all shots of the film. Helmed by Kathryn Bigelow, who’s no stranger to war films (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty), this movie was gritty, taking place mostly in the jungle of Columbia.

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Lords of Chaos

I have been looking forward to watching Lords of Chaos since I heard about it for the first time a few months back, and it did not disappoint! This film was fascinating. Based off the book of the same name, the movie centers around a 90s band that dubbed itself the first “true Norwegian black metal band,” called Mayhem. Now I know what you’re thinking, “what’s this difference between black metal and metal?” Well the answer, according to deceased guitarist who went by the name, Euronymous, black metal is just like regular metal except it’s “Satanic” and “heavy.” Being a fan of heavy metal music myself, I actually really enjoyed the soundtrack, which actually featured songs that Mayhem recorded back in the day.

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Michael Carbonaro Live!

As an early birthday present, I decided to take my dad to see Michael Carbonaro of The Carbonaro Effect, a show that he absolutely loves. I watch it from time to time, and it’s a little goofy, and a little too PG-13 for my taste, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

To my surprise it was very funny! For about an hour and a half, we watched Carbonaro perform a wide array of tricks with plenty of audience interaction. He is very sarcastic and the audience loved it. I could tell by all the reactions that they also genuinely love the show, which was nice to see. Interspersed throughout the program, they showed some clips from the show and some “behind-the-scenes” clips which was nice for some variety.

After all the tricks were complete, he got ready to do more a performance art piece from his childhood, and apparently he had done it on Jimmy Kimmel before, too! He comes out with a bath towel around his waist and a can of shaving cream. Once some opera-type music begins he starts lathering it all over himself, and then molds it all over him to create different characters, like a devil fro example. It was odd but entertaining. Overall it was a fun and funny show, and I’m really glad I got to experience it with my dad. If Michael Carbonaro is coming to a city near you I recommend to go if you can!

Album Review: I Don’t Know How But They Found Me’s 1981 EP

What does Dallon Weekes of Panic! at the Disco noteriety plus Ryan Seaman of Falling in Reverse fame equal? A ridiculously long titled band called I Don’t Know How But They Found Me. And wouldn’t you know, their new EP isn’t even made up of words, called 1981. Fascinating.

Despite all of that potentially unnecessary, but fun, wordplay I really liked this six-track EP! If I had to give a gut genre labeling I would call them disco cabaret. Is that a thing? I have no clue, but it is now! It was a nice mix of both and the composition and lyrics were really fun, albeit a little morbid (“Choke”, for sure). One of those six tracks is a 30 second intro, but it bled nicely into their lead single, the aforementioned, “Choke.” It’s a standout for sure, but I found myself really enjoying “Do It All the Time” and “Social Climb.”

I’m definitely looking forward to more music from these two in the future and hopefully a tour!