Posts Tagged ‘Film’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

//And I never wanted anything from you
Except everything you had
And what was left after that too//

If you do not know Florence + The Machine, you really should. The critically acclaimed band, led by frontwoman Florence Welch has made one killer cannonball splash in the music industry.

The new music video for DOG DAYS ARE OVER (watch in full, above) is vibrant, edgy, and brimming with ecstatic energy. The energy of the music is backed with incredible lyrics, filled with substance, echoing a message of hope and love. Although this track already had a video, which was released in 2008, Florence Welch classified it as “cheap,” and so she made another. And I must say, I agree with her–the first video did nothing for the song in my opinion. Although this video is definitely eccentric, it’s also undoubtedly fascinating, fitting the elements of the song more precisely IMHO.

The song was also chosen to be featured in the trailer for EAT PRAY LOVE, starring Julia Roberts. The movie will hit theatres on August 13th. The anticipated flick also stars James Franco and Javier Bardem. Check out the theatrical trailer for the film, based on the inspiring true story, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Miley: Stop it um k?! [giggles]
Liam: Dude, you got bird sh*t on your head!
Miley: OMG for realz?! In mah extensions? Get it out now, Liam!
Liam: Aiiiiight.

I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for any movie based on a Nicholas Sparks book. So needless to say, I will be seeing The Last Song. I know I know, you probably don’t think I’m that cool anymore. But newsflash: I am. And here’s why–I appreciate entertainment for whatever value it provides. Just because I love some unknown indie rock doesn’t mean I can’t admit to bobbing my head to some Party In the U.S.A. (don’t act like you didn’t)!

Also, there’s something about Miley Cyrus that I like. There, I said it. From a marketing/branding perspective, I understand why she is uber famous–she has an appeal that is charming, universal, safe, and borderline annoying (at least when it comes to seeing little girls in fake wigs at the mall–freaky).

See, the thing that annoys me is when people hate on things just for the sake of hating on them. For example: when I saw Dear John (this post is getting lamer by the minute, ha), there were two girls beside me and my friend John (shout out!) who kept laughing at parts that were not funny at all, and I’m not sure if it was the whole New York pretentious attitude or what, but COME ON–it’s a movie based off a Nicholas Sparks book, HELLO! It’s not trying to be an Oscar-worthy performance or a piece of original art–it’s a cute, family, romantic film, period. If you do not expect to see a cute, family, romantic film, then do not spend your 15 bucks (yes, movie tickets in NYC are outrageous) on the damn movie, you hater!

Watch the girl (and her wet Aussie) many wish they could blast in the face with a waterhose in an interview with Teen Vogue, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I really want to hold onto to my Old Spice “I’m On A Horse” masculinity this morning but as you know, I’m not one to ever lie–when I googled “Shane MacGowan’s teeth”, I totally gasped like Bree Van de Kamp from Wisteria Lane. The rocker, who is known for his massive drinking binges, underwent expensive denture work last year after his bad habits led to his teeth rotting (and yes, I know it’s Monday and the last thing you wanted to read this morning is teeth rotting).

The good news though, is that MacGowan, 52, recently pulled together some of his closest friends (and some of the biggest names in the music/film industry) to create a single with proceeds going towards something besides his dental work.

Shane MacGowan & Friends present I PUT A SPELL ON YOU
A single in aid of Concern Worldwide’s work in Haiti

Featuring: NICK CAVE, BOBBY GILLESPIE, JOHNNY DEPP, CHRISSIE HYNDE, MICK JONES, CAIT O’RIORDON, GLEN MATLOCK, PALOMA FAITH & ELIZA DOOLITTLE

The single is released today, March 8th 2010, via download only. Or text SPELL (all in capitals) to 78789 (the text cost £1.50).

All proceeds go to Concern, a charity who have provided assistance to some of the poorest countries in the world including Haiti, even before the earthquake struck.

The track, a cover of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins 1956 hit I PUT A SPELL ON YOU, meshes Shane’s life long admiration for an artist who died ten years ago to the day that the earthquake hit Haiti and a fascination with a country, its people and in particular attracted by the nations “deep spirituality”.

Check out the video, below.

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I think every Tim Burton fan is looking forward to his version of Alice in Wonderland, due to be released in theatres this March. (I mean, let’s face it, Alice in Wonderland is an acid trip in itself, and to have it tweaked with the deliciously twisty brain cells of Tim Burton is going to be a delight for everyone.) Being a Tim Burton fan myself, I am quite excited, and was especially excited about the score being done by Danny Elfman, as is typical with Tim Burton films. The whimsical, quirky, and sometimes unsettling moods he often produces in his compositions suit my tastes well, and I was eager to discover what he’d come up with to pair with the odd pigment of Alice in Wonderland. I began looking up any leaked info on the soundtrack, only to find out that punk-pop princess Avril Lavigne has made a contribution of her own to the score with a single written especially for the movie.

The song, aptly titled ‘Alice (Underground)’, is to be played as the first song on the end credits of the film. The lyrics evoke the mysterious disconnect of reality that the character Alice no doubt experienced while stumbling about through Wonderland. It seems that Avril has been expanding with her vocals, shown clearly through the breaking chorus line of the song. Her tone expresses the disillusionment of the lyrics perfectly, with a little droplet of pain staining the edges. Although it doesn’t have the uppity edge I was hoping for, it inspires the feeling of glumly overcast skies, and can still be accepted as ‘Tim Burton-esque’.

Avril mentions writing the song in one of her recent blog postings, expressing her excitement for being involved musically in the film as well as saying, “I wanted to come up with something a little on the moodier side to fit his film. I think the piano adds a cool dramatic element to the song.”

Is it moody? Definitely. Does it have that dramatic vibe? Sure. But does the single meet the standards of Danny Elfman’s heart-pumping, mind-bashing scores? Honestly, I don’t think it would be fair to match a skilled composer against a bubblegum punk singer, so I’m just going to bob my head and bite my nails while waiting for the release of the film and its promising soundtrack. Meanwhile, I have time to soak in the enjoyable intensity of Avril’s single. And so do you.

Down the rabbit hole we go!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Help save Nemo!

Nearly a year ago, I wrote about Gary Go, a UK based singer/songwriter who had caught my attention with his track WONDERFUL.

Now that same song can be found backing up Disney’s incredible film, OCEANS. Go see the film, which opens on Earth Day (Thursday, April 22nd), and Disney will make a donation to help save the coral reefs.

Check out the awesomeness, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I’m not gonna lie, initially I thought the creatures of Avatar looked freaky (almost as freaky as those goldfish with the bulging eyes). But after seeing the film, I can understand where Leona Lewis is going with this quote and I agree with the message the movie captured regarding environmental importance. The film was epic (yeah yeah, I hate the overuse of this word as much as you do but felt it was appropriate here). My only real criticism (as a friend pointed out first) was the horrible font used as subtitles within the film. That font was not epic at all. As a matter of fact, it totally messed with my chi.

Although Leona Lewis will soothe anyone’s chi (that sounds so wrong), I’m not going to post her singing the theme song because I’m not a big fan of the track. Instead I’ve opted to go with an interview with the film’s leading dude, Sam Worthington. You can check out the interview with Sky Movies, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I think Cera would laugh at this headline!

Most known for wearing short shorts in Juno and his eccentric voice in Superbad, Cera has become the face of the charmingly awkward. He’s the poster child for the seemingly uncool, which makes him cool, of course, with his pale skin, and his love for all things indie rock. But beyond his comedic genius in such films, is his ability to play characters so well that they seem to reach out somehow to those who never felt in. And his music, seems to do the same.

The Long Goodbye (AKA Michael Cera’s band) is a Los Angeles-based indie trio which lists Weezer, Brian Wilson, and The Decemberists as its influences. A feature in Spin Magazine describes the band’s songs as “silly, confessional, and off-the-cuff rag-tag ditties,” based on “simple structures” and “adolescent-in-love lyrics.”

The band, who remains unsigned, has often been viewed as just-sorta-there. According to Limewire’s Music Blog: “Based on the lo-fi quality of the band’s recordings, it is clear that the boys view their side-project as a goalless hobby, or just an excuse to carry around guitars.”

Although I’m unaware of the boys intentions, I will keep it generic by saying that the music is just as charming as Cera himself, the sound blending perfectly onto any mixtape.

Decide for yourself. Listen to Michael Cera’s band, here.

PS: I’m looking forward to Cera’s new film, Youth In Revolt, although he does look a little molester-like with that mustache!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Madonna. The name, alone, speaks volumes. But whatever image or opinion that may come to mind, block it. Because until you watch I AM BECAUSE WE ARE (Madonna’s documentary on the millions of orphans in Malawi), you may misconstrue the hype behind the persona that has long held our attention with fluorescent pop anthems, warping fashions, and interlocking lips (most notably with Britney Spears).

Madonna is both the top-grossing female and solo artist of the decade, scoring $802 million in ticket sales for her concert ventures. She has 47 (and counting) top 10 singles. Countless accolades have graced her existence but her biggest acheivement, in my book, is the work she’s done off the dancefloor.

In case you’ve missed it, here’s your chance to witness the story of Malawi’s crisis, as told by Madonna.

Check out I AM BECAUSE WE ARE, in full, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This will make you smile no matter how jaded your heart has become.

When I first witnessed the visual dynamo of BABIES (a documentary film by Thomas Balmes), my heart felt fuzzy all over. But it was more than just the visuals, it was the music that also helped the trailer deliver a snaggletooth baby bite to the soul.

The trailer features music by Sufjan Stevens, and a song called The Perpetual Self. His music alone, makes me gaga, so one can expect that when babies were added to the picture, I officially lost it. Cuteness overload!

Check out the trailer to Thomas Balme’s BABIES, after the jump!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Not really.

But she is working with Bret Michaels of Poison. Cyrus, recently revealed a track she is currently working on, and, well, it’s definitely unexpected.

Says Miley: “Every Rose is a classic and one of my favorites. Bret Michaels and Poison was my very first concert and introduced me to rock and roll. I recently heard the song play and everyone around me starting singing along. It’s a song that everyone knows and loves. I feel like the way the music industry is today really shelters kids and they aren’t exposed to songs as honest and real as this one. Bret and I had a great time in the studio together just hanging out and making music. It was so surreal to have him sit down with his acoustic guitar and walk me through Every Rose and then give me the opportunity to add my own flare and edge to it. Bret is so passionate about music and it shows. I think it is such a rad collaboration because it shows that two artists that seem so different on the outside can come together and organically create something that we are both proud of. I look forward to finishing the song with Bret and John Shanks who is producing.”

Every rose has its thorn and we’re about to get pricked! I kid, I kid.

I genuinely like Miley’s music and I will definitely be seeing her upcoming film, The Last Song, based off the novel by Nicholas Sparks when it is released in April of 2010. The movie was filmed on Tybee Island, near Savannah, Georgia this past summer. You can watch the theatrical trailer, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Yo yo yo, who dat be? It’s R-O-B on the M-I-C. Ok, I’m done. So basically, it’s almost Christmas, and I don’t know about y’all but I’m pretty stoked! Yes, among the challenges of the holiday, comes the ever-changing flight chaos, or train/traffic chaos, or the chaos of punching your way through tweens at the local mall (ok, so punching wasn’t the best word, but you get the point). Either way, I am sure you are feeling the excitement of the holiday season.

But I’ve got to ask–are you feeling the love? I remember being a kid (ok, I still do this, I admit) and loving Christmas because it meant:

A. I was getting new CDs
B. I was getting books/toys
C. I could watch Home Alone and pig out on homemade fudge & peanut butter balls (Welcome to the South!) all damn day

Yes, these are all wonderful things but as I’ve gotten older/grown up, I’ve come to realize that the beauty of giving, really has nothing to do with the gift but more to do with the push behind why we choose to give in the first place.

Christmas, to me, first and foremost, is a time of God, not gifts. Yes, gifts are a part of this, but more than anything, I’ve come to take Christmas as a time to truly cherish the blessings God weaves into the tracks of our head (yes, weaves/tracks/head was a bad description also, unless you’re Britney Spears, but you know what I’m sayin’). Basically, I guess, in my own silly way, I want to say to each and every one of you: Cherish what you do have and DO NOT WASTE ANOTHER SECOND of your time worrying about what you don’t have. Things are things. Diamonds & flat-screen TVs are meaningless compared to the love that I know is floating around you. Take a good look and drench yourself in that. Oh, and while you’re at it, cock your hat!

Merry Christmas everyone! Y’all have fun now, ya hear?!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Apparently I’ve been in a deja vu sort of mood lately, playing some old favorite tracks on repeat (and after writing this, I’m in the mood to throw on Deliverance with Burt Reynolds, although I can deal without the mountain creepers & that hideous “pretty mouth” scene with the toothless man). Recently, it’s been this little diddy, Bubba Sparxxx with Timbaland in DELIVERANCE, a track which always takes me back to the mountains of Virginia and a little too much PBR during college. What can I say, you might be a redneck/indie rock kid if! I kid, I kid. Alanis was right: You live. You learn.

The track is original & infectious, fusing bluegrass with hip hop backed with incredible lyrics and a message that actually means something besides babes & beer. Although receiving critical acclaim, the album did not sell well. Go fig! Either way, the song, to me, is a rare pop gem.

Check it!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This past Friday, I ventured to the opening of BROTHERS (directed by Jim Sheridan), starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, & Natalie Portman (among others).

The powerful film was backed with a wonderful score, featuring an original piece by U2, the poetically piercing WINTER. You can listen to the track here. The soundtrack also features another U2 song, BAD.

The film was incredibly powerful and moved in a series of unexpected ways. First, Gyllenhaal’s character is not exactly how I imagined, Natalie Portman is drop dead gorgeous (even more than I remember in any of her other films), and Toby is brutally convincing beyond belief. The entire cast gave brilliant performances but, in my opinion, 10-yr-old Bailee Madison stole the show (sorry Jake, you know you have my heart). I left the theatre thinking about how amazing it is that such a young child could convey the type of pain and maturity she plays with seamless effort.

Check out an interview with Bailee Madison via Clevver TV, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This past weekend, I ventured to the opening of Lee Daniels’film (Oprah Winfrey + Tyler Perry) Precious. The movie is full of hard knocks, depicting abuse (in all its forms), leaving you feeling like you’ve just been punched in the stomach. The story will shock the breath from your lungs but the meaning and message provides deep resuscitation. I’m being dramatic with my words but there’s nothing dramatic about this film because dramatic is a typical way of describing made up, phony. This film is real. Dramatic, yes, but concocted, no. And in a world of vulgar self-centered attitudes & scripted “reality” shows, films like Precious reminds us how mediocre & meaningless all that staged drama really is.

Monique will literally take your heart and rip it in half. That is how utterly amazing she is in her role as Mary, the mother of sixteen-year-old Precious (a Harlem teen who is pregnant with her second child from her father and who deals with physical and verbal abuse from her mother as well). You will absolutely hate her (Monique) guts. You will think she is a monster. But she plays it so perfectly that you can feel her hatred & pain. Even monsters have a reason behind their misery. The final scene with Monique & Mariah Carey is, for a lack of a better word, flawless. Mariah Carey, who adorns little to no makeup and a fuzzy female stache shines in her role as a social worker, who tries to push Precious into talking about her chaotic home life. Lenny Kravitz delivers a warm performance as the nurse who shows support and kindness to Precious in a time of need. Paula Patton also paints an endearing performance as the teacher who inspires Precious to believe in herself again. And last, but certainly not least, is Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe who plays the role of Precious. There’s moments in the film when you almost pause to think you are watching a documentary, that is how well she fit the character of Clareece “Precious” Jones. And to ruin the entire professionalism of this review, I’ll end by saying–America freakin’ loves you Gabby!

Check out Gabby Sidibe in a more positive setting, booty shaking her way onto the Ellen show, below.