I Am Number Four Review

"I Am Number Four"
Release Date: 02/18/2011
Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Screenplay by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Marti Noxon
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for brief language.
Review by: Sean Kayden

Based on the book by Jobie Hughes and James Frey, “I Am Number Four” is an engrossing sci-fi high school tale only for those who are loyal to this genre. John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) is the principle character, an alien from the planet Lorien. He was sent to Earth as a child alongside eight other toddlers to flee from an attack by another race, the Mogadorians, who inevitably destroy their home planet. The always-superlative Timothy Olyphant plays his guardian, Henri. The two of them find themselves on the run after the first three children are hunted and killed by the Mogadorians. John and Henri make their way to a small Ohio town where everything is about to change. With no ties to his past, John must once again start over. He’s the habitual outsider until he finds a friend with a similar destiny, falls for the prototypical rebellious girl and discovers the powers of his own entity. Ladies and gents, “I Am Number Four” plays out like the male counterpart to “Twilight”. In its defense, there are some notable highlights and it possesses far less sappy, melodramatic moments unlike its maudlin doppelganger.

If I were in high school, I’d probably go gangbusters for this film. The flick caters to high school boys, since there is a kick-ass chick that comes into play mainly in the third act. The problem is Number Six (Teresa Palmer), screen time is minimal and that’s a real shame. Alex Pettyfer, the honorable protagonist, does a fairly adequate job given the material. He’s no superstar in the making primarily coming off a slightly one-dimensional in this particular performance. Dianna Agron is a real treat though. I can see why she smote John. It was utterly effortless for the audience to fall in love with her character. In addition, she is awfully easy on the eyes. Another cast member, Callan McAuliffe performs explicitly as the kid perpetually picked on by the high school quarterback and his cronies. He has a secret of his own that plays into the film late in the second act. His character is the only one that seems to tackle real life problems. Lastly, Timothy Olyphant is undoubtedly the finest actor in this production. Seriously, how could you not dig watching his artistic work?

“I Am Number Four” is fairly deliberately paced. We get a snippet of action in act two, but it isn’t until the grand finale where the movie comes alive. Given the nature of the film and its production costs, the special effects were satisfactory, but nothing mind-blowing. Director DJ Caruso (Distrubia, Eagle Eye) is an above-average director that knows how to work the audience and give you just enough suspense to keep you on edge. I prefer his smaller, grittier and distinctly different movie “The Salton Sea” to the mainstream, glossy, almost-too-polished films he’s doing these days. The biggest problem with “I Am Number Four” is the script. It felt very cookie-cutter, especially the high school scenes. The screenplay provides very basic dialogue sprinkled over the familiarity of sequences we’re all accustomed to. There were even some unintentional moments of laughter, which I never mind. However, it’s more like you’re not laughing with the movie, but sadly just at it. Perhaps this is my reasoning to elude the obvious fact that movies like “I Am Number Four” feel more like a glitzy, perfectly packaged over-pretentious product rather than something evoking honest and authentic visceral reactions. “I Am Number Four” is a fun escape on a boring, rainy day Sunday, but if you’re seeking originality and memorable moments, take heed, head another direction.

Grade: 3 out of 5.

Published on February 26, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n09/p11.htm

5 Bands To Watch Out For In 2011

Review by: Sean Kayden

Foster The People – I’m hailing these LA natives the next MGMT. While MGMT failed to capture any resemblance to their breakout debut album with “Congratulations”, their sophomore slump of last year, “Foster The Group” seem prime and fitted to fulfill that void. Their debut 3-song EP is a musical frenzy embedded with the summery, low and high tide beats that one can play all year long. Although it may be the winter season, this short yet sweet compilation trickles with estival synthesizers alongside an air of breeziness. The sure-to-be tantalizing echo of 2011 that’s bust-a-groove commendable is driven with pure, uncompromised fun. Melodies are floating on a cloud nine atmosphere. “Foster The People” is a four-piece band that materialized back in late 2009. Now they’re creating a buzz like a pack of bees nestled in an artistic hive. A forthcoming untitled debut LP is set to hit store shelves sometime this summer. It’ll definitely be that record you’ll be blasting in the car with the top and windows down, feeling most alive in the moment where dreams come true.

Gauntlet Hair – Great things come in pairs. A relatively unknown duo from Colorado has burst onto the indie rock scene like Fruit Gushers in one’s mouth. With a single and a b-side out on iTunes, followed by another released song on the Internet, “Gauntlet Hair” may appear unarmed by lacking an arsenal of tunes. However, their multi-layered impetuous songs will turn your head inside out. “Gauntlet Hair’s” exiguous collections of tracks are adventurous, wild, and energetic - all of which bears a similarity to the likes of Animal Collective. In this case, it’s not nearly as sporadic or tumultuous as Animal Collective, but a sound refined and innovative. It’ll have one stopping in their tracks once they hear these infectious tunes. A highly anticipated debut album set for later this year is leaving me voracious for what ostensible surprises are in store.

Young The Giant – Arguably the most mainstream pop-rock band on this eclectic list, “Young The Giant’s” lighthearted debut LP shouldn’t keep the underground indie lovers wandering too far away. There is just an inherently likeable feel to the self-titled album that came out in late 2010. An album that caters to the mainstream masses and under-the-radar listeners, these Newport Beach idealist dudes have the potential to be ferocious in the year ahead. A record with catchy arrangements, smooth vocals, delicate lyrics and crescendo tracks, this California vibrancy makes it effortless to grant “Young The Giant” my highest recommendation. Call me bias to the scattering array of bands taking this summery, breezy, and dreamy induced sound to new heights, but in the midst of all the chaos, “Young The Giant” have the aptitude for irrefutable stardom.

Memory Tapes - Dayve Hawk is the craftsman behind the chillwave band “Memory Tapes”. Yes, we have another band that’s emblematic of the summer season. “Memory Tapes’” first album, “Seek Magic”, arrived in 2009. Poised to take it to another level, Hawk recently released a new single this year entitled “Today Is Our Life”. It’s one of the coolest electronic tunes I’ve heard in a long time. The song consistently changes tempos throughout its entirety, which allows for one to discovery something new each repeated listen. The familiar beginning of the song will please fans of “Memory Tapes”, but the song quickly changes gears and never settles on easing up. “Today is Our Life” is the song to guide us from the unpredictable junctures in our own personal world to our most memorable intervals. “Memory Tapes’” follow up album is set to be released in the coming months and from the looks it of it already, the sophomore slump curse will likely not be a concern.

Noah and The Whale – The heartbreak kids from England are back to liven things up a bit. Lead singer Charlie Fink, wrote their entire second album due to the painful breakup with his girlfriend (who was a band member in their first album). It inspired true substance and was tragically beautiful. Most of all, it proved “Noah and The Whale” have more range than just merely pop-folk rock performers. The new single, “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N” puts them back to their roots, which isn’t a bad thing at all. It’s an easy, laid-back, simple tune that can easily make anyone crack a smile. The true gem is another song released on the band’s site called “Wild Thing”. Wistful, beautiful, haunting lyrics, wrapped up in this sort of Lou Reed’s “Transformer” vibe, “Wild Thing” proves heartfelt songs don’t always have to be such downers. Without a doubt, this forthcoming album will put them on the map while confirming that these Brits have reached new heights. “Noah and The Whale’s” third record, “Last Night on Earth” is set for March 7th and so am I.

Published on February 12, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n08/p10.htm

The Best Show On Television You’re Not Watching: SHAMELESS

Series: SHAMELESS
Created by: Paul Abbott
Network: SHOWTIME
Airing: Sundays at 10pm
Review by: Sean Kayden

Showtime network knows a thing or two about dysfunctional families. After the success of original hits such as “Weeds” and “Californication”, it’s no surprise that they’ve assembled yet another soon to be classic of the subgenre. “Shameless”, a new breed of the abortive family, is one of the most promising new series’ of 2011. To put it gently, “Shameless” completely blows other primetime network shows about problematic families out of the water. Originally an award winning British television series, creator Paul Abbott and executive producer John Wells effortlessly transport the essential goods of the UK version of “Shameless” and adapt it nearly verbatim for US audiences. However, this isn’t your watered down edition. This new juggernaut of cable television is no cookie cutter, not one bit restrained, nor some kind reproduction of the same old triteness like the crap cluttering the basic networks. Expect the unexpected with “Shameless”

The ensemble show is about the Gallagher family, a twisted, untamed, unapologetic group of misfits that live with their drunken and often times uncompassionate father, Frank (portrayed flawlessly by William H. Macy). He is the perpetual screw-up of the group and isn’t a father to aspire to become. Frank’s boisterous, rambunctious, and selfish. On the other side of the worn down coin is the leader of the tight-knit clan, Fiona (superbly characterized by Emmy Rossum). She serves as not only the eldest child of Frank’s, but also the role of an unlikely mother surrogate to her siblings. Fiona is independent, selfless, but flawed. She’s the girl next door, if the girl next door liked to party, work odd jobs, and looked after five wild adolescents. Nonetheless, she keeps everyone’s spirits up through the likelihood of adversities. To round out the collection of smart, but directionless rebels, we have Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, baby Liam, and boyfriend Steve. Each original personality is distinctively diverse, but when trouble seizes to rise, the family (minus Frank regularly) bounds together like a wolf pack. They may be strapped for cash, act completely unorthodox, and follow the beat of their own individual drum, but the group never gives up on the importance making it through the day as a whole unit.

“Shameless” is a nitty-gritty depiction of family life with real hurdles to jump. It’s the perfect portrait of a lower class suburban family besieged with the daily hardships of surviving in this troublesome day and age. Low on funds, but affluent with love and support for one another, watching the Gallagher bunch roll with the punches is outrageously engrossing. Entertaining characters and plotlines covering delicate family terrain with daring nature makes the potential of the series immeasurable. Raw and tragic with frequently humorous anecdotes, “Shameless” is absolutely compelling and simply a riot to watch. If it continues to strive ahead from episode-to-episode like it has, it will be without a doubt a show that one should not miss out on each and every episode.

Published on February 12, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n07/p10.htm

Destroyer - "Kaputt" Review

Artist: Destroyer
Album Title: Kaputt
Release Date: January 25, 2011
Record Label: Merge Records
Review by: Sean Kayden

One of the first prolific albums of 2011 has arrived. Destroyer’s 9th studio album, “Kaputt”, is nothing anyone would have anticipated from craftsman Dan Bejar. Perhaps the hardest working and most diverse musician in the independent rock world, Bejar has created an album unlike anything you’ve probably heard in the past ten years. Saxophones, conga drums, flutes, and trumpets pervade within all nine dazzling tracks. Musical influences are all over the place. Ranging from Bowie to Steely Dan, it’s easy to imagine such an album coming out in the late 70s or early 80s. Hardcore fans may be somewhat on the fence embracing Bejar’s new sound choices and that would be an absolute shame. A complete departure from his previous material, “Kaputt” is the singer/songwriter/musical engineer’s finest work to date.

Glossy, new wave, retro, and even jazzy, “Kaputt” is pure 80s velvetiness. However, it’s not another replica of wannabe 80s inspired tunes from a contemporary band with a taste of nostalgia. The lyrics are sophisticated yet complicated and outspoken. The listener gets a real sense of comfort hearing Bejar’s smooth vocals. However, you can still feel the pain, envision the tragedy, but contain a belief in the optimism throughout. This is a rare album where not only do the words tell a story, but the instruments speak as well. The arrangements of these songs are powerful, boisterous, and often magical. You get lost and found emotionally with every song. Bejar’s dialect is very eclectic. He’s an uncommon storyteller with an enigmatic writing style. This may raise concern for new listeners, while it still remains entirely intriguing for long-term fans. After carefully listening to the album in its entirety, it is inevitable to discover that each track brings something unique to the table. The content of the record is a completely outlandish creation.

Despite the earlier references to other artists, “Kaputt” feels organic, intensely curious, but still remarkable and untamed. For the music of 2011, it might be rare to find something this worthwhile to cling onto. I’m at the point where I’m starting to lose all hope in mainstream music because at the end of the day, the songs that top the sales charts feel soulless, empty, and artificially manufactured. There is no defining sound to this era we live in. On the contrary, Destroyer helps me believe that music can once again be thought provoking, rapturous, and deeply personal. With that being said, I won’t expect to hear another album quite like this for a really long time.

Key Tracks: “Suicide Demo for Kara Walker”, “Kaputt”, “Downtown”
9.5 out of 10

Published on February 5, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n06/p10.htm