Groove Sandwich

Soundtrack Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

In years past, I’d grown increasingly displeased with Trent Reznor’s music. The final Nine Inch Nails album was largely phoned in, to be perfectly honest. The How to Destroy Angels EP was fantastic if you’ve ever wondered what Nine Inch Nails would sound like with a female lead. The Social Network soundtrack promised a glimmer of hope but I immediately let down as Reznor spent the whole time walking on eggshells.

 

“But Jeff, the Social Network soundtrack won an Oscar.”

So did Eminem. I rest my case.

 

After what I felt to be a poor decision in playing a Led Zepplin cover during the opening credits, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo opens up and delivers a compelling combination of sight and sound. It became immediately evident to me that Reznor was taking more chances with his music this time around. Instead of having to endure subdued electronica like the Social Network soundtrack, this time we’re treated to a whole host of fascinating timbres that add an indispensible element to the film. Reznor has proved that he’s not just some guy who was allowed to do a soundtrack. He’s a bona fide composer.

While Reznor’s soundtrack compliments the movie beautifully, what’s even more impressive is that the music is fully capable of standing on its own. That alone is a breath of fresh air. For too long, we’ve been living with soundtracks written to satisfy directors and producers. We’ve had to put up with this drivel that makes for a decent movie-going experience but makes for pure dog shit once you put the headphones on and listen to it. Not this one. This music is a treat to listen to on its own.

This is a new breed of soundtrack. Even if you have no interest in the film, at least give the score a listen.

Jeff Higgins is the founder of Groove Sandwich. He is frequently confused with Daniel Craig.

 

A Lost Short from the Mind of Salvador Dali

Destino was a short that was conceived by Salvador Dali and Walt Disney in 1945. Unfortunately, the project wasn't completed during their lifetimes. In 2003 however, somebody totally bad ass in every way decided to finish it. Enjoy.

Jeff Higgins is the founder of Groove Sandwich and he'd pay damn good money to see more films like this.

The Descendants: A Review

Director:  Alexander Payne
Starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Judy Greer, Beau Bridges, Nick Krause, Amara Miller, Matthew Lillard, and Robert Forster 

Catching The Descendants over the weekend was something I've been aching to do ever since I first saw the trailer last summer.  I'll make it no secret here:  I'm a big Alexander Payne fan (as if admitting that is even close to taboo on a site dedicated to fans of good art).  It's been seven long years since the last time Payne was in the director's chair (unless you count the pilot for Hung in 2009) and his return with this film about a man who finds out his comatose wife has been cheating on him was more than refreshing.

Matt King's wife, Elizabeth, is in a boating accident.  As a result, she is in coma from which she may not wake up.  This is very rough on Matt, naturally.  He loves his wife.  Sure, they've been having problems but as soon as she wakes up, that'll all change.  But the doctors can do nothing more, and it looks like she may not pull through.

Now Matt has to actually take care of his two estranged daughters, and he doesn't have the slightest clue how to do that.  He's always handled the business side of things being the workaholic lawyer that he is.  But to make matters worse, his family is getting ready to sell a historic piece of land to developers and he's not sure if it's the right move.  The rest of his family thinks otherwise, but Matt's the trustee, which means he gets the final say.

Now here's the kicker:  When Matt's teenage daughter Alex finds out her mother is dying, she reveals to him Elizabeth was having an affair.  Matt is, of course, blindsided.  Who was this man?  Did she love him?  How long was it going on?   Why would she do that?  Matt decides to seek his wife's lover out and find the answers.

Payne has a gift for naturally balancing drama with comedy - the funny with the painful, the fantasy with the real - and Descendants is no different.  When Matt King (George Clooney) watches over his ailing wife in the hospital, it's sad.  When his inner dialogue talks about how living in Hawaii is no different from any other place going so far as to tell the very idea of "paradise" to go fuck itself, it's funny.  When Matt's 10-year-old daughter Scottie (a scene-stealing Amara Miller) cries because the man responsible for her mother's head injury tries to make excuses, it hurts.  When she flips him off later, it's hilarious.  And when Matt's 17-year-old daughter Alex (a very impressive Shailene Woodley) breaks the news that her mother was running around on Matt, it's uncomfortable.  But when she and Matt confront the "other man", it's all too good. 

I should talk about Clooney's performance here but all you really should know is that he's fantastic as usual.  He carries the film deftly with all the grace and gravitas we've come to expect from one of Hollywood's go-to leading men.  He has deservedly gotten nominations abound for this role of a guy struggling to keep up with the changes in his life:  a dying wife, her infidelity, being the solo parent to kids he doesn't understand and selling a huge piece of family-owned land for resorts and businesses and other gross capitalist endeavors (the film's B story).  He's already won a few awards for his work here and an Oscar nom is almost certainly a lock.  (The upcoming Golden Globe nominations this week will give us a better sign.)  And we should all start paying some serious attention to Shailene Woodley.  Her performance as young Alex King is extraordinary and she deserves a nomination herself.  Everyone else in the cast is perfectly capable in their roles.

Payne is very skilled at capturing the messiness of life.  From 1996's Citizen Ruth through 2004's Sideways, we see how he likes to take very flawed, very real characters and put them through the ringer, surrounding them with enough fleshed-out supporting players to further add the pressure.  It is a very rare skill, and I am glad some people out there are still able to do it.  Remember Paul Giamatti's pained expression when seeing his ex-wife in Sideways?  Or Matthew Broderick's look of horror when he's caught rigging a school election?  These are the kind of characters Payne is interested in:  flawed, imperfect, and human.  And he can really makes us care about them.

Matt King's situation is undoubtedly sad, but I wouldn't be surprised if somebody out there found it all too relatable. All of it can happen.  To anybody.  In this film, nobody's guilty and yet everybody is.   Life is unpredictable and hard like that, but, hey, sometimes it's not.  The ending of The Descendants reinforces that age-old saying you've heard a million times over but it still rings true:  what counts is family. The film is (so far) my favorite of 2011. 

Kyle Waldrup is a contributing writer for Groove Sandwich.  He has yet to see a few other films that he wants to this year, but rest assured, you'll hear about them as soon as he does.  In the meantime, go see The Descendants.  And the new Muppets movie will you're at it.  It's quite good too.

5 Things You Should Take Away From The MIB 3 Trailer

 

1. Tommy Lee Jones has stopped aging.  He looks exactly like he did 10 years ago in the last film.  I refuse to believe this is simply movie magic.  I strongly believe Jones is an immortal.

2. Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones should start doing a lot more movies where they play the young and old version of the same character, respectively.  I don't know why I've never noticed their similarities before.

3. It doesn't matter how good or bad this film will be, just know there will be a theme song that will dominate society for a year or two.  I'm thinking a Will/Willow Smith collabo.  "I wipe my memory back and forth"?  "I'm bringing Jiggy back"?

4. The movie will make a gajillion dollars and Will Smith will continue his reign as the biggest movie star in the universe.

5.  Where's the talking pug?

Kyle Waldrup is a contributing writer for Groove Sandwich.  He's still preparing for Will2k.  Follow him on Twitter here.

More Movies You Should've Seen in 2011: Drive, Moneyball and Beginners

Remember in my last post, I covered Super 8, so that film won't be mentioned here.  Seen it yet?  Awesome, right?  You haven't?!  Then what the hell do I do this for?!

Drive

A while back, I wrote a whole post about this film and how I much I loved it, and my feelings remain just as strong today as they were then.  Ryan Gosling did some impressive work this year, but without a doubt, his most daring role (maybe his most iconic?) was The Driver.  Movie stuntman by day, getaway man by night, The Driver falls in love with his next-door neighbor Irene (as one does) and makes it his mission to protect her and her son when Standard, Irene's jailbird husband, falls in with some truly evil gangsters.

It saddens me to think that this film won't get the Oscar recognition it deserves since Drive isn't the type of film the Academy typically goes for.  It's too original, violent, different, what have you.  If last year's dominance of The King's Speech over The Social Network showed us anything, it's that the Academy is still very much set in their ways.

Moneyball

Adapting a remarkably true story about baseball statistics and turning into captivating drama is no small feat, but Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and director Bennett Miller manage to pull it off.  This film deserves your attention even if you don't like baseball.  At the center is a classic underdog story - Billy Beene taking his flailing Oakland A's nearly to the top using an experimental method of recruiting known as "sabermetrics."  Also in that center is the fantastic chemistry between the film's two leads - Pitt and Hill.

Sports movies do seem played out these days.  Moneyball isn't your typical sports movie.

Beginners

Beginners is a wonderfully acted dramedy about Oliver (Ewan McGregor) whose mother dies, but that's not all.  That's when his father Hal (Christopher Plummer), who was married to her for over 40 years, decides to come out of the closet - at 75.

This film, based on writer/director Mike Mill's true account of his father's coming out, boasts some great performances, particularly Plummer's, as a man who was forced to hide his true self because of the society he grew up in.  I wouldn't be surprised if an Oscar nom is headed his way.  And if the Academy has any sense, they'll make a special award for Arthur, the adorable Jack Russell terrier in the film and practically steals the movie.

More movie recommendations next week.  Tomorrow, we'll talk about TV.  Also, do you agree these films were among the best of 2011?  What movies were your favorite this year?  Leave a comment below.

Kyle Waldrup is a contributing writer for Groove Sandwich.  Follow him on Twitter here.

Cabin in the Woods drops trailer, reveals MAJOR plot twist!

MGM finally released a trailer for The Cabin in the Woods, the latest collabo from Drew Goddard (Cloverfield) and Joss Whedon (You know who he is).  Now I have always been one to rant about trailers giving away too much plot.  Sometimes its just best to go into a movie fresh, maybe you'll enjoy it more if you weren't already familiar with the film's best moments.  But in today's age of instant fix and quick information that's almost impossible to avoid, especially if part of your job is to survey the internet looking for shit to write about. (Ahem...)

Then I see this clip, which shows us a major plot point, but I'm not annoyed.  At all.  In fact, I'm downright intrigued.  I guess you can't be too surprised when the poster's tagline boasts turning a entire genre on its ear, but even while revealing this "twist", the movie's central plot still appears to be vague.  Ladies and gentlemen, this is what a successful film trailer looks like.  Who's with me on seeing this one in April?

 

 

 Kyle Waldrup is a writer for Groove Sandwich.  Follow him on Twitter here.

What You Should've Seen in 2011: Super 8

As 2011 begins wrapping up, we will all find ourselves hit over our heads with a constant barrage of "Best of" lists in everything, from movies to TV to music to celebrity meltdowns and so forth. 

Why is that?  Well...

1.  This is the Internet, where you can do such things.  At least for now.

2.  It's an easy way for websites/blogs to fill up space. (Ahem..)

3.  Why not?

Why wouldn't you look back on the year that was and reflect on all the great pieces of art it had to offer?  What WAS the best film?  What TV series did you absolutely have to follow?  What musician broke barriers?  These are questions that are important only to a specific group, of course, but I'm willing to bet if you're reading this right now, you are one of those people.

We, at Groove Sandwich, are definitely in that group.  But no worries, we'll try not to be annoying about it.  This will be the first in a month-long series of things you shouldn't have missed in 2011.  We might even throw in a few things that you should miss, just for fun.  Either way, just know I'm doing this to fill up the space.

One thing you should know about JJ Abrams is that, like many of us, he reeeeeeeeeally likes Spielberg.  And what better way to show that fandom than to make a film that's an entire homage to the master's early work?  If Spielberg had an official fan club (I'm sure he does, I'm just too lazy to google it), Abrams would be president.

And you don't have to be a cinephile to notice the influence.  Everything Abrams has been involved in (LOST, Cloverfield, Star Trek, etc.) has its Spielberg-ian flourishes.  But Super 8 is his ultimate love letter.

What Abrams gives us is the 70's story of a group of children filming their own Super 8 film, when a train derails, releasing a otherworldly presence on their quiet little town.  What we really get from this film is a piece of smart popcorn gold, just like Spielberg used to do back in the 70's.

Kyle Chandler plays the town sheriff/widowed father of one of the children, doing his best to separate this character from his Emmy-winning role on Friday Night Lights.  (Although, if Eric Taylor somehow didn't become a football coach, I could see him joining the force.)  The two characters might be one and the same, but that doesn't mean Chandler doesn't do a fine job in the role.  And all of the children who thankfully get the most screentime are the most charming bunch of child actors I've seen in quite a while.  Elle Fanning, in particular, gives a standout performance.

The film also boasts some pretty fantastic action sequences.  The train derailment I mentioned earlier is particularly heart-stopping.  Without a doubt, it will be the one scene you remember, as you'll practically be gasping for air once it's over.  I'm almost afraid the impact of that scene may lose some of its power upon home viewing, unless you've got a pretty powerful home theater system.

My only quibble with the film may be the final reveal of the alien/monster.  It just didn't feel scary enough, even when it does get in a few human kills.  But this is something I don't hold against the filmmakers.  Trying to truly terrify a generation that has seen it all on screen is no easy task.  What is accomplished is a sense of adventure from a director who truly has a lot of heart and loves what he does.  Spielberg would be proud.

Kyle Waldrup is a contributing writer for Groove Sandwich.  Follow him on Twitter here.

Trailer Park: Hunger Games, Brave, Mirror Mirror, and Goon!

This week on Trailer Park, Hollywood thinks we're reeeeeeally into girls with bows and arrows...and they may be right!  Also, we have that other Snow White movie and some movie about hockey.  Shyeah!

 

The Hunger Games

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this movie will be huge.  Over a million books sold?  Check.  Hot, young people in a love triangle?  Check.  Thrilling action that not's too hardcore lest the studios lose that coveted PG-13 rating?  Check.  Ladies and gentlemen, this is your next Twilight.

But don't let that comparison fool you.  This movie may actually be good!  I've read the book, and while it's not one of the most well-written (it's meant for pre-teens so what do you expect?), it's definitely a page-turner. (I finished it in one sitting.)

And from the looks of this trailer, director Gary Ross keeps the author's vision of a bleak future intact.  I don't know about you guys, but I'm excited for this one.  Grade: A

 

Brave

So a lot of people didn't like Cars 2.  That's fine.  When you make a sequel to one of your weakest films, that's to be expected.  And it's ok, Pixar.  You're only human (as much as a movie studio can be).  I understand they can't all be gems.

And after watching the trailer for your next offering, all is forgotten.  Bring on Brave! Keep up the good work!  Grade: A

 

Mirror, Mirror

Oh man.  This looks bad.  Really bad.  Let me count the ways:

1.  Julia Roberts can't seem to choose an accent.

2.  "Say hello to my little friend!"

3.  Those horrible fake-looking sets.

4.  "Quick!  Have the little guy punch the pretty boy in the face!  That'll get a laugh!"

5.  Armie Hammer, what are you doing?  You showed so much promise in The Social Network.  Don't blow it!

6.  "Snow White?  Snow way!"

7.  Did I mention one of the dwarves makes a Scarface reference?

Maybe I'm being too harsh, but this look irritatingly awful.  Even for kids.  Grade: F

 

Goon

Sorry Mr. Seann William Scott, but I prefer my hockey movies to star a ragtag bunch of precocious kids and Emilio Estevez.  Unless they change the title to Mighty Ducks 4:  Large and In Charge, count me out!

(Seriously, though, I would watch this movie.  I mean why not, right?)  Grade: B

Kyle Waldrup is a contributing writer for Groove Sandwich.  Follow him on Twitter here.

Trailer Park: Snow White and the Huntsman, Red Tails, Roger Corman and more!

Every Friday Kyle grades the week's movie trailers in a post known as TRAILER PARK!  Enjoy and please turn off your cell phones.  Don't be a jerk.

 

Snow White and the Huntsman

Ho.  Lee.  Crap.

A few months ago when I first heard the news there would be not one, but TWO, live-action Snow White movies coming out in 2012, I immediately continued living my life as if nothing happened.  Now that I've seen the first trailer for this version, a mature-looking, epic sweeping, techno bumping Snow White starring an armor-sportin' Kristen Stewart, I'm paying attention.  Damn, this looks unreal.  And helloooooo Charlize Theron!  Her version of the Evil Queen can take my soul anyday.  Grade:  A

 

Red Tails

Ummm, hey George Lucas, I know you read this blog so I'm going to talk to you specifically.  Red Tails looks great.  Seriously, I'm going to see this movie.  But you know what would make it better?  If those fighter planes were X-Wings, and they were fighting a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.  Just sayin'.  Grade:  A-

 

Corman's World:  Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel

Roger Corman is a legend and anyone who says differently is an idiot.  So yes, movie trailer critic blurb, this film fan will see this movie.  One question though:  there are boobs in it, right?  Lots of boobs?  Awesome.  Grade:  A

 

Underworld Awakening

Ahhh, another franchise-that-won't-go-away gets the 3D treatment.  I know this series has its fans, but I'm not one of them so can't say I'll see this.  Apparently, vampires and werewolves are now fighting the ultimate enemy:  humans!  DUN DUN DUNNNNNN!  Gunfire.  Grade:  C

 

I Melt With You

What a weird trailer.  First, it's all upbeat with these four main friends who get together for a birthday bruhaha, and just when you think they couldn't party any harder, all of the sudden, the music stops and the clip takes a strange turn into vagues-ville.  Something goes wrong or amiss or real so to speak, and then bam, we're back to partying.  Of course, that'll work in the film's favor, I'm sure.  Audiences love dark undertones to their middle-aged party films.  Grade: C

Kyle Waldrup is a contributing writer for Groove Sandwich.  Follow him on Twitter here.

Who should replace Brett Ratner?

Last night, purported lethario Brett Ratner announced he is stepping down as producer for the 2012 Oscars in the wake of some rather unseemly slurs he used at a Tower Heist screening.  (When asked a question about rehearsing, Ratner responded with "rehearsing is for fags.")  He also continued his reign of douchebaggery by going on the Howard Stern show and claiming he banged Olivia Munn "a few times" as well as Lindsay Lohan when she was "very young" but not before he made her take an STD test (Ya know, just to be safe).

So now that Ratner is officially out of the picture and probably back to work on his next masterpiece (Rush Hour 4?  Tower Heist 2?), the Academy must now scramble to find a replacement and clean up whatever mess he undoubtedly left behind.  Eddie Murphy is still hosting (as of the writing of this post) so that's good, but who could they bring in to take the reins behind the cameras?

We, at Groove Sandwich, have a few suggestions.

1.  Tim Burton

Ever wonder what the Oscars would look like completely gothed out?  This would be the most whimsically dark Oscar telecast in history.  Danny Elfman would lead the orchestra.  Johnny Depp could co-host.  Jack Skellington could present the Best Animated Feature award.  And Helena Bonham Carter would do...something supportive.

2.  David Lynch

From whimsical to just plain strange, Burton's telecast would look like an ABC Family special compared to this.  Instead of handing out awards, the winners would get severed ears and have to recite original poetry as an acceptance speech.  There would also be a dancing midget on stage at all times and every so often the camera would cut to him speaking backwards. 

3.  Michael Bay

One word:  explosions.  Ok, four words:  explosions and Victoria's Secret models.  Highest-rated but worst reviewed telecast of all time.

4.  Terrence Malick

Nothing much will happen in the show since it will just be long dreamlike shots of the audience quietly comtemplating life and all its majesty but damn it will look good.

5.  Bill Condon

This is actually a serious suggestion.  He produced the 2009 telecast which was a great show, and he directed Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls so there's a connection there.  This is probably who the Academy will go to come to think about it.

6.  James Franco

Just kidding.  If the Academy seriously did this, I'd wonder if Ratner was still available.

UPDATE:  Eddie Muphy has now dropped out of hosting the Oscars.  Oh well.

Kyle Waldrup is a contributing writer for Groove Sandwich.  Follow him on Twitter here.