TAXI DRIVER, BE MY SHRINK FOR THE HOUR: Open line Friday -- tell us about something in pop culture in 2012 which you liked that we haven't talked about all year.
I'm not sure which way I would go on Goon vs. Slap Shot, but in a just world people would be talking up Liev Schreiber's performance in Goon much more.
I'm waiting for Matt to review Les Mis! I saw it, but I'm not giving up my opinion until I hear what the rest of you have to say. And I saw Bring It On on Broadway last night. So great. I highly recommend it, especially if you have some girls to bring with you.
Oh...the movie the Intouchables was excellent; not sure if that was ever discussed.
I don't think we talked much about "Bob's Burgers" or "Wreck-it Ralph," a couple of animated comedies that were two of my favorite things in 2012. The former has tremendous voice work, both from the regulars and a deep bench of comedy guests, while the latter was a fairly original idea executed with a lot of heart. Two thumbs up to both.
Does opera count as pop culture? Probably not. But a highlight of the year for me was seeing "Siegfried," the 3rd opera in the Wagner Ring Cycle, at the Metropolitan Opera. Deborah Voigt and Bryn Terfel were outstanding, but Jay Hunter Morris took the prize as a last-minute fill-in for the title role. Morris was a young, unknown tenor from Paris, TX who had never sung at the Met. This video profile of him tells his story. Morris is absolutely hilarious, and this interview (and the opera) has stayed with me since I saw it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blB4RfEzvtA
I can't stop listening to John Williams' Lincoln score, if that counts for anything. Not up there with his absolute best, but still damn good. now if only I could get out to see the movie . . .
Also very, very happy with two new albums - Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel . . . and Bob Dylan's Tempest. I had no idea I wanted a 15-minute Irish-fiddle infused song with 45 verses about the Titanic, but I guess I did!
British TV other than Downton Abbey (which I've never watched for a full episode). I watched a ton of British TV this year, from Masterpiece (the excellent second series of Sherlock) to BBC America (the second seasons of Luther and the Hour [gotta get both String and McNutty], Doctor Who, Whitechapel, Copper, as well as older things they've run like State of Play and some that aren't good enough to list) to Hulu (Spaced and Misfits, which goes live on Hulu the day after it airs in the UK). The Thicke of It is next. I love the British model of 6-12 episode seasons, and only run for a couple years (or completely blow up the show and start over every couple years).
I don't know who here watches what, but there's a lot of great tv I've just newly discovered in the last year or so. And for all the TV I've watched, I don't think I've ever seen a show like Misfits, where literally anything could happen at any time, because they really just don't care.
One of my favorite (though unfortunately obscure) artists is a singer named Kelly Hogan. I had only the barest hope that she'd ever release another album (see "unfortunately obscure," above), but earlier this year, she did. (I Like to Keep Myself in Pain.) And then I got to see her in concert in Richmond at a lovely old theater called The National. When you love an artist who has never caught on in a mainstream way, you never really know if you'll get any of that artist's music again.
Otherwise, I've been happily wallowing in Americana music recently, including some artists that I've seen discussed here (e.g., Alabama Shakes, Carolina Chocolate Drops, the Lumineers) and some that I have not (including Shel).
Hell, just his scene watching TV in the bar is great. Man does wonderful work with very little there. (Also, that is grade-A facial hair he's sporting.)
Kelly Hogan! Yes -- hers is definitely my most-played album this year. So lovely, all the way through. I did know her before, as she does one of my favorite covers ever, of The Magnetic Fields' "Papa Was a Rodeo." I'd love to see her in concert.
I think the best book I read this year was Bechdel's graphic memoir "Are You My Mother." Most critics seemed to prefer the previous (and amazing) "Fun Home." While I adore "Fun Home" (and will forever credit Alex with recommending it), I thought AYMM surpassed it. Probably depends on one's tastes. I find psychoanalysis incredibly interesting, which probably contributes to my love for the book.
Here's another recommendation -- the Charlotte band Matrimony. I saw them open for the Mynabirds* and was blown away. If you want a comparison, slightly similar to the Lumineers. They have one album available on iTunes and are currently recording a new one. Beautiful harmonies and put together a nicely raucous show in person.
The Mynabirds Generals is one of my favorite albums of the year, so there's two recommendations.
Here's the scene if anyone wants to watch it. This is fairly late in the movie and falls under spoilers. Also not indicative of the tone of the rest of the movie.
Apparently it's closing tomorrow...hmm...I guess it's too fluffy. I rewatched the original movie last night, which I loved when I first saw it. However, after seeing the show...I loved the show more. I never realized how much cursing was in the movie until I watched it with my kids. Oy.
The greatest Wainwright, Martha sings Proserpina
ReplyDeleteGoon, better than Slap Shot? Slap Shot's resolution is more slap stick and Goon shows that opera pairs beautifully with slo-mo hockey violence.
I'm not sure which way I would go on Goon vs. Slap Shot, but in a just world people would be talking up Liev Schreiber's performance in Goon much more.
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for Matt to review Les Mis! I saw it, but I'm not giving up my opinion until I hear what the rest of you have to say. And I saw Bring It On on Broadway last night. So great. I highly recommend it, especially if you have some girls to bring with you.
ReplyDeleteOh...the movie the Intouchables was excellent; not sure if that was ever discussed.
Happy New Year everyone.
I agree. In a less...crass...movie, his diner speech might be worth an Oscar nomination.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we talked much about "Bob's Burgers" or "Wreck-it Ralph," a couple of animated comedies that were two of my favorite things in 2012. The former has tremendous voice work, both from the regulars and a deep bench of comedy guests, while the latter was a fairly original idea executed with a lot of heart. Two thumbs up to both.
ReplyDeleteI saw "Bring it On" last week - highly enjoyable fluff.
ReplyDeleteDoes opera count as pop culture? Probably not. But a highlight of the year for me was seeing "Siegfried," the 3rd opera in the Wagner Ring Cycle, at the Metropolitan Opera. Deborah Voigt and Bryn Terfel were outstanding, but Jay Hunter Morris took the prize as a last-minute fill-in for the title role. Morris was a young, unknown tenor from Paris, TX who had never sung at the Met. This video profile of him tells his story. Morris is absolutely hilarious, and this interview (and the opera) has stayed with me since I saw it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blB4RfEzvtA
ReplyDeleteI can't stop listening to John Williams' Lincoln score, if that counts for anything. Not up there with his absolute best, but still damn good. now if only I could get out to see the movie . . .
ReplyDeleteAlso very, very happy with two new albums - Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel . . . and Bob Dylan's Tempest. I had no idea I wanted a 15-minute Irish-fiddle infused song with 45 verses about the Titanic, but I guess I did!
British TV other than Downton Abbey (which I've never watched for a full episode). I watched a ton of British TV this year, from Masterpiece (the excellent second series of Sherlock) to BBC America (the second seasons of Luther and the Hour [gotta get both String and McNutty], Doctor Who, Whitechapel, Copper, as well as older things they've run like State of Play and some that aren't good enough to list) to Hulu (Spaced and Misfits, which goes live on Hulu the day after it airs in the UK). The Thicke of It is next. I love the British model of 6-12 episode seasons, and only run for a couple years (or completely blow up the show and start over every couple years).
ReplyDeleteI don't know who here watches what, but there's a lot of great tv I've just newly discovered in the last year or so. And for all the TV I've watched, I don't think I've ever seen a show like Misfits, where literally anything could happen at any time, because they really just don't care.
One of my favorite (though unfortunately obscure) artists is a singer named Kelly Hogan. I had only the barest hope that she'd ever release another album (see "unfortunately obscure," above), but earlier this year, she did. (I Like to Keep Myself in Pain.) And then I got to see her in concert in Richmond at a lovely old theater called The National. When you love an artist who has never caught on in a mainstream way, you never really know if you'll get any of that artist's music again.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I've been happily wallowing in Americana music recently, including some artists that I've seen discussed here (e.g., Alabama Shakes, Carolina Chocolate Drops, the Lumineers) and some that I have not (including Shel).
Hell, just his scene watching TV in the bar is great. Man does wonderful work with very little there. (Also, that is grade-A facial hair he's sporting.)
ReplyDeleteKelly Hogan! Yes -- hers is definitely my most-played album this year. So lovely, all the way through. I did know her before, as she does one of my favorite covers ever, of The Magnetic Fields' "Papa Was a Rodeo." I'd love to see her in concert.
ReplyDeleteI think the best book I read this year was Bechdel's graphic memoir "Are You My Mother." Most critics seemed to prefer the previous (and amazing) "Fun Home." While I adore "Fun Home" (and will forever credit Alex with recommending it), I thought AYMM surpassed it. Probably depends on one's tastes. I find psychoanalysis incredibly interesting, which probably contributes to my love for the book.
ReplyDeleteHere's another recommendation -- the Charlotte band Matrimony. I saw them open for the Mynabirds* and was blown away. If you want a comparison, slightly similar to the Lumineers. They have one album available on iTunes and are currently recording a new one. Beautiful harmonies and put together a nicely raucous show in person.
ReplyDeleteThe Mynabirds Generals is one of my favorite albums of the year, so there's two recommendations.
Here's the scene if anyone wants to watch it. This is fairly late in the movie and falls under spoilers. Also not indicative of the tone of the rest of the movie.
ReplyDeleteApparently it's closing tomorrow...hmm...I guess it's too fluffy. I rewatched the original movie last night, which I loved when I first saw it. However, after seeing the show...I loved the show more. I never realized how much cursing was in the movie until I watched it with my kids. Oy.
ReplyDeleteI need to pull that off the shelf. I LOVED Fun Home and picked up Are You My Mother, but just haven't gotten to it yet.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a dam fine scene but not the one I was thinking of, which just has him by himself watching highlights that mention Scott's goon.
ReplyDelete