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.
Read moreMichael 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!
Captain Marvel Movie Review
The “superman” of the Marvel comic world finally got her own film, and quite honestly, it delivered! Now I think I may have went in with the bar set a little lower due to other reviews I read and the social media reaction, but I was thoroughly entertained. And that is what movies are supposed to do!
Read moreSingles of the Week
I’ve decided that since I love music, I’d let you all know what I’ve been jamming to during the week!
Read moreTelevision Round-Up
This week in television, for me at least, saw two season finales, a season premiere, and some great episodes all around! See below for my brief takes on all!
Read moreAlbum 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!
Greta Movie Review
In a shocking turn of events, I only saw one movie this weekend! I know. I’m as disappointed in me as you must be. Even though I only saw one movie this weekend, I made it count with the campy thriller, Greta, starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Isabelle Huppert.
Read moreAwards Season Finale: The Oscars
Folks! It finally came! The end to awards season, The Academy Awards. And they did not disappoint. I’m going to recap my thoughts, favorite and most awkward moments for you all below, as well as my thoughts on those that took home the hardware.
Despite not having a host this year, the show went pretty smooth in my opinion. No listening to jokes that might not land or an over the top opening number/monologue. Just getting straight into presenting awards after an opening performance from Queen with Adam Lambert. That performance fell a little flat for me, but I still enjoyed it.
Read moreBook Review: Me Before You
It’s been a long time coming for me to read this romance novel by Jojo Moyes, and I can see why I put it off. It’s freaking sad! Like devastatingly sad! And if you haven’t seen the movie that came out based on this novel three years ago, then shame on you and too bad for spoilers.
The book starts with Louisa, “Lou,” losing her job at a cafe. After failing at some oddball jobs she finally lands a job as more of a companion for quadriplegic Will Traynor. Will is as bitter as ever against Lou’s typically sunny outlook on life that she almost quits. But she’s the sole financial provider for her family, so she is determined to stick it out. That’s when she overhears some jarring news: in six months time, Will is heading to Switzerland to end his life with dignity. After learning this, Lou fights tooth and nail to get him to change his mind, but rather unsuccessfully for the most part. Cue the romance part of this novel: they fall in love. Then cue the awful part of this novel: he still chooses to die! Talk about making yourself feel shitty! I will say I was glad I watched the movie when it came out because otherwise there would have been a lot more tears.
Despite its seriously depressing ending, I do feel compelled to read its two sequels: After You and Still You. I’ll be sure to review if I do!
Weekly Movie and TV Round-Up
Lucky for you all I had a pretty packed week of content, and I intend to share. It will be a brief sharing, because let’s be real, you’re more interested in what I have to say about the Oscars (hopefully).
First up in movies this weekend was At Eternity’s Gate starring Willem Dafoe as Vincent van Gogh during the final few years of his life. Look, Willem Dafoe has such a distinct looking face that I never realized how perfect he was to play van Gogh! The movie itself had a pretty slow pace, but outstanding performances including Oscar Isaac as Gauguin and Rupert Friend as van Gogh’s brother, Theo. It was great glimpse into the mind of a man suffering and longing to dispel his loneliness with friendship. Dafoe’s performance almost had me convinced he was going to take the Oscar away from Rami Malek or Christian Bale.
Next I headed to the theater for a double feature. First up was Fighting with My Family about real-life WWE star Paige and her path to stardom. It was a really earnest film about the close and strange relationship Paige (played by my new favorite Florence Pugh) has with her family. It also touches on being lonely in a new place, judging a book by its cover, and perseverance! Just the right amount of laughs and cameos that it’s a must-see in my opinion.
Following on the heels of Fighting with My Family I switched gears to watch the kid-friendly, third installment of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Good God was this movie adorable! Since the first film came out in 2010 (yes, you read that right), I was transported back to my childhood days and fell in love with Toothless the Night Fury. So many precious cat mannerisms I could’t take it! This final film follows Toothless as he finds a lady friend and the “hidden world” where dragons can live without being hunted by humans. Cue departure tears. But you seriously better go see this film if you even remotely liked the other two.
Last up, literally two hours before the Oscars aired, two hours before Glenn Close did NOT win best actress, I watched The Wife. It was a very solid effort. I loved Christian Slater as the sketchy biographer, Max Irons as the snide son, and Johnathan Pryce as the diabolical husband to Glen Close’s tough as nails wife. This story gives ghostwriting a whole new look, and that look is bitter. I can definitely see why she was the front runner.
Standout episodes in television this week for me included Brooklyn Nine-Nine, where Amy tries to help organize the office while Captain Holt is looking for a new assistant. The latter scenes had me cracking up pretty hard. How to Get Away With Murder‘s penultimate season finale episode was slightly less interesting than last week, but there are still so many potential plot twists that I can’t wait until Thursday! Finally, Gotham finally brought back the best villian duo this series has to offer: Penguin and Riddler! It also touted the return of Jeremiah (cough, Joker) and his face-off with Bruce by cruelly teasing him with people who looked like his dead parents. Friendship.
This week I’m looking forward to the return of Shadowhunters and Roswell, New Mexico along with that season finale of HTGAWM, so keep your eyes peeled for reviews!