THAT AWKWARD MOMENT - Review

Written and Directed By: Tom Gormican

Rated: R for sexual content and language throughout

Release Date: January 31^st, 2014

Review By: Sean Kayden

Am I surprised I didn’t really care for a ‘romcom’ starring Zac Efron? Not really. Efron, Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordon are best buddies who make a pact to stay single, but secretly fall in love with the girls they’re talking to in “That Awkward Moment.” It’s one cliché after another in this mildly humorous tale of young men not wanting to fall in love, but really they do all along. This is supposed to be the opposite of a chick flick because it’s coming from the male perspective. However, the film offers little to no insight on the male mind. This formulaic relationship themed film doesn’t hold a candle to the earlier films it desperately tries to emulate. The film has a few laughs, mostly from up and coming actor Miles Teller, but that alone doesn’t save this witless male driven romantic comedy.

Basically, the movie is about these three best friends who want to hang out more once Michael B. Jordan’s character’s wife files for divorce. Efron and Teller are already trying to play the field or add to the “roster” as Efron comfortably states in the movie. There’s nothing special or unique going on here. All the characters are one-dimensional and there is literally no character development on any of them. Efron falls for a girl but doesn’t want to admit to it. Teller has his best girl friend helping him with random girls at the bar, but what do you know? They actually like each other. Jordan is going through a divorce, but his ex-wife starts to hook up with him again. It really doesn’t make much sense if she wants a divorce. All three guys keep it secret from one another because they said they wouldn’t get involved with any girls on a serious level. Of course all is revealed, the guys have a mini tantrum and seemingly everything is forgotten a few scenes later.

The only thing outside their pursuit of getting laid is what they do for a living. Efron and Teller work at company that design book covers and Jordan is a doctor. Even that seems forced and not at all relevant. Efron produced this script as a starring vehicle for himself. I guess he had the power to have someone want to invest in this, but it offers nothing special for him as an actor. Light on laughs, insight, heart and real romance, the film barely touches mediocrity. “That Awkward Moment” feels like it’s in a dead zone during its second half. There’s little significance to be found and much of the film just becomes tedious. A lot of the scenes were filmed in the same locations over and over. No variety, no surprises, all filler, no killer. It’s everything you’ve seen before in other movies, but done extremely better in them. In the end, there’s little to recommend. If this film is geared for women to finally see the male’s point of view, no discoveries will be made. As for guys seeing this, there’s nothing this film will tell you that you didn’t know already. Therefore, it’s a stalemate for both sides.

Grade: 2 out of 5

GARDENS & VILLA - "DUNES"

Artist: Gardens & Villa

Album: Dunes

Label: Secretly Canadian

Release Date: February 4^th, 2013

Review By: Sean Kayden

Gardens & Villa, a band from Santa Barbara, CA, is poised to release their sophomore record, “Dunes.” With this specific endeavor, the California five-piece indie rock act headed to Michigan for a bleak winter experience to record. It was a far different living situation than the boys ever could have imagined. The results were far from a sunny, breezy tone that the band was already accustomed to in California. What was formed ended up being a record consisting of nine dark synth-pop tracks embedded with pulsating snyth lines, effervescent rhythms, and shimmering vocals. The influences of 80s snyth rock bands gloss over the tracks, but the band is far from being imitators. Introspective songwriting, dance jam tunes, and fluttering melodies makes “Dunes” the first great album of the year.

“Colony Glen” covers every 80s sound possible and is down right intoxicating. In “Bullet Train” Chris Lynch hits the notes sky high with “The young die young, if they work too hard / Palm silhouettes, magnetic rails though the heart young silhouettes, we were doomed from the start.” The band’s first self-titled record was a lot more experimental and a bit all over the place. It still had some good songs, but it showed a band somewhat green on their first outing. With “Dunes,” Gardens & Villa come back like seasoned pros with a remarkable accomplishment of producing nine utterly enthralling and superlative songs. Sonically, the two albums are far different, but “Dunes” is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor. “Echosassy” puts the listener in a trance with a heavy snyth tempo. “Purple Masses,” best track off the record, is a completely beautiful, downtempo affair. Lynch’s vocals are intimate and stimulating and when paired with striking melodies, there’s no going wrong.

“Avalanche,” another solid entry that will have you dancing in no time and if not, something is terribly wrong with you. “Minnesota” is a slow burn tune that shows Lynch painstakingly singing over a piano. It’s heartfelt and pensive. It’s a departure from the rest of the album, but nothing to shun. “Chrysanthemums” is another slightly slower track from the other offerings, but no less beautiful and warm.  It also feature female vocals that go hand in hand with Lynch’s soft tones. “Thunder Glove” closes out the record and it reminds me a lot of a Fleetwood Mac tune. Ironically, the band covered their song “Gypsy” a few years ago for a compilation record. At just under forty minutes, “Dunes” is one great listening experience. It has tremendous replay value. It’s dark, deep, romantic and filled with insight. The second album from Gardens & Villa surpasses all expectations I had going in. Their travels have served them well and what lies beyond is anyone’s guess. For the moment, “Dunes” will serve as the album to bring in light where winter’s darkness occupies.

Grade: 8.6 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Chrysanthemums,” “Purple Masses,” “Avalanche,” “Thunder Glove”

YOUNG THE GIANT - "MIND OVER MATTER"

Artist: Young The Giant

Album: Mind Over Matter

Label: Fueled By Ramen

Release Date: January 21^st, 2014

Review by: Sean Kayden

Young The Giant’s second album “Mind Over Matter” has the band evolving from their previous melodic instrumental layered resonance. With the sophomore release coming out three years after their self-titled album, Young The Giant went with a louder, more rock driven record. They throw in a little electronics into the mix as well. Sometimes it can be a distraction to Sameer Gadhia’s beautiful vocals, but perhaps this approach was necessary to differentiate from their first album.  The first half of the record is both high energy and explosive. When the band decides to slow down the tempo, it doesn’t do them any favors. While the track, “Fireflight” is reminiscent of something off their first album, it feels mistakenly out of place here. However, despite any mishaps, most of the record is thoroughly enjoyable. “Mind Over Matter” is an admirable effort, but the transformation from album one to two wasn’t as compelling as I would have liked it to be.

Opening track, “Anagram” wanders into danceable terrain. With a catchy beat and chorus, the band starts off things on the right foot. “It’s About Time,” the band’s first single is a gritty rock tune. They try new things with this one, but ultimately it’s rather uninspiring. It’s simply too generic to be a standout track. I can see why it’s radio friendly because it sounds like too many other bands put together. Luckily, we’re saved by the alluring “Crystallized.” Easily the best song here, it’s both an empowering and a game-changing track for a band known for pleasant, easy going songs. The band’s previous laidback tunes really didn’t distinguish them from the indie rock bunch. The title track, “Mind Over Matter,” is another similar gem. It packs an emotional strike and Gadhia’s vocals are fully on display. The following track, “Daydreamer” doesn’t disappoint. It’s undeniably memorable and just simply pulls you in every time. Replay value at full force with this stunning track. By track seven, the record slows down and figuratively takes one out of the party into their own dark lonely room. I’m all for the emotional whimpers, but not when you’re clearly having such a good time through the first five or six tracks.

Things pick up momentum with “In My Home,” “Eros,” and “Teachers.” “Waves” is so promising until it comes into the final ninety seconds or so. Too many layers added to the song and it’s literally just stripped away from all the greatness it had going for it. Young The Giant is a band I can’t figure out. They have some really superb tracks, but when they fail it’s nearly disastrous. I like the effort with “Mind Over Matter” in an overall sense. The band has some of the most infectious choruses in any album I’ve heard in quite some time. This sophomore endeavor definitely improves upon their eponymous first album. Despite some mishaps along the way, “Mind Over Matter” is a solid entry in the ever so crowded indie rock arena. But like most solid entries in this spectrum, it’ll be forgotten by summer time.

Grade: 7.3 out of 10
Key Tracks: “Crystallized, ”Mind Over Matter,” “Daydreamer,” “Teachers”

TRUE DETECTIVE

Pilot: “The Long Bright Dark”

Created by: Nic Pizzolatto

Written by: Nic Pizzolatto (All 8 Episodes)

Directed by: Cary Joji Fukunaga (All 8 Episodes)

Premiered on HBO on January 12, 2014

Review by: Sean Kayden

The long awaited new series from HBO called “True Detective” debuted this past Sunday night. With expectations through the roof, did the show live up to all its potential? Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson both star in this dark police drama that takes place in South Louisiana. The two men are two Louisiana State Police homicide detectives who hunt a serial killer in 1995. The show spans across seventeen years, showing flashbacks of the investigation leading into 2012 where both men are interviewed separately by current detectives about their relationship as well as the murder that occurred during their time as partners. “True Detective” is a slow burn miniseries that’s intense, morbid, and richly textured.  The dialogue is provocative and lively that brings an ominous tone to the show. With two solid performances by lead actors who have come into their own as of late, “True Detective’s” pilot episode pulls you into its world. This is not a happy place to be, but one that’s too damn gripping to turn away from.

Matthew McConaughey stars Det. Rust Cohle. He’s mysterious and haunted. He’s battling an alcohol addiction, coping with a deceased daughter and a philosophical pessimist. He doesn’t have any furniture in his apartment and there are several crime novels stacked against a wall. With seemingly no friends or family, Cohle seems to just live for his job. The first episode was mostly about revealing who these characters are and the way they perceive one another. Woody Harrelson stars Det. Martin Hart who is the opposite of Cohle. He has a beautiful family and doesn’t believe in the same ideologies about life as his distressed partner. However, their scenes together are the most powerful in the episode. The relationship is dynamic and multifaceted. These two actors really switched it up these past few years with more dramatic roles. McConaughey, once a guy who did silly rom-com and action pictures is now one of the most dramatic actors on screen. His presence is dominating, convincing, and down right alluring.  In “True Detective,” Harrelson keeps up though with each step and each punch thrown at him. At the very least, “True Detective” already has some of the best acting to be found on television.

In the pilot episode, it seems very few things actually happen. We have the investigation of a murdered girl found by a tree in the cane fields. She was naked, tied to the tree, and had antlers coming out of her head. Cohle believes this isn’t the murder’s first time, but Hart is skeptical. A missing girl from several years ago is brought to attention and the two men pay a visit to the girl’s uncle. This all leads up to an ending with a picture being shown to Cohle, seventeen years later (no longer belonging to the police department) that will have you craving the next episode, if not all of the remaining seven. It may be too early to predict, but “True Detective” appears to have best new series written all over it thus far.

Songs To Kick Off The New Year

Review By: Sean Kayden

Young The Giant – "Crystallized" – After three years, Southern California natives Young The Giant are returning with their sophomore effort, “Mind Over Matter.” The album will be released on January 21^st via Fueled By Ramen. One of the first singles is “Crystallized.” It packs delicate vocals, fervent melodies and huge hooks. The love song is the ideal summer night jam that just happens to be coming out in the winter. No matter what season it is, “Crystallized,” is sure to comfort anyone feeling lovesick.

Bad Suns – "Cardiac Arrest" – Another SoCal band making the list are Bad Suns. The group is preparing to release their first EP, “Transpose” later this month. “Cardiac Arrest” is pure fun from this new pop-rock bursting onto the scene. Frontman Christo Bowman sings with conviction and fervor. While “Cardiac Arrest” isn’t reinventing any genre, the song is incredibly catchy and infectiously addicting to keep on repeat. With bands like Capital Cities and Youngblood Hawke increasingly becoming popular, Bad Suns and their similar sound should be able to find much success with their 4-song EP. “Cardiac Arrest” is simply fun pop rock and sometimes simple and straightforward isn’t half bad. “Transpose EP” will be released on January 21^st through Vagrant Records.

New Desert Blues – "Zachary" – New Desert Blues is another newcomer hailing from the county of Whiteley located in Hampshire. The indie band evokes an American folk resonance. New Desert Blues actually dubbed themselves “noir Americana.” Whatever you want to call it, it’s great stuff.  “Zachary” is a subtle, alternative-rock-country track that is invigorating from a band from England. While most bands hailing from there these days sound exactly the same, New Desert Blues seemed to be more influenced with the western civilization. Their guitars soar, the harmonies are ethereal and the vocals shine throughout. Despite only releasing a 4-track EP entitled “Devil’s Rope” on January 21^st through Whiteley Records, the band’s potential will have everyone anticipating their full-length record.

The War on Drugs – "Red Eyes" – The most seasoned group on the list, The War On Drugs should have a huge year. Their fourth record, “Lost In the Dream” features “Red Eyes” a rolling rock gem that ignites the likes of Springsteen and company. This is good old fashion rock without the gimmicky electronics and tweaked vocals that’s all the rage these days.  It’s raw and serious. “Red Eyes” is just shy of five minutes, but it could have been longer and I wouldn’t have mind. It’s dreamy rock with the signature sound from The War On Drugs that I can stand behind. The band is one of the more original bands out there playing today. If “Red Eyes” is any indication of how the entire record may sound, we just might have an early contender for album of the year. “Lost In The Dream” hits shelves March 18^th via Secretly Canadian.

My Five Favorite Films of 2013

Review By: Sean Kayden

5. Fruitvale Station - On Jan 1^st, 2009, in the wee hours of the night, tragedy struck Oakland that would forever change a city. Oscar Grant, 22 year-old African American, was shamelessly shot and killed by a transit police officer at the BART train station. “Fruitvale Station” is the film based on the last day of Grant’s life. You already know the outcome, but “Fruitvale Station’s” retelling of an ordinary man trying to do well will move you and ultimately, leave you shattered. Actor Michael B. Jordan gives a subtle yet stirring performance as Oscar. The film follows Grant as he tries to navigate through his laborious day. Everyone who comes across Oscar’s radiant personality is somehow, some way moved by him. He isn’t a thug. He isn’t a bad human being. He’s made mistakes that he’s paid the price for. Oscar is genuinely trying to improve himself for those who continually lift him up. “Fruitvale Station” is an undeniably small movie that tells a larger story of a man’s life unexpectedly coming to an end for really no good reason other than the misguided intentions of particular police officers’ definition of “protect and serve.” Since the audience is already aware of what happens in the end, the results are a little less painful, but nonetheless heartrending. While the movie surely isn’t for everyone and doesn’t scream typical summer escapism, “Fruitvale Station” stands tall as the one of the most important films of 2013.

4. Dallas Buyers Club - McConaughey stars as Ron Woodruff, an electrician by day, a rodeo riding, drug taking, and woman loving homophobic man by night. Bigoted and selfish, Ron’s life takes a dark turn after he collapses one evening at home. Shocked to hear he’s been diagnosed with HIV and has a mere 30 days left to live, Ron doesn’t come to terms that he actually has the disease.  After a night of binge drinking and drug use, Ron doesn’t feel the same. He starts to look into the causes of HIV and discovers you can contract it from other things aside from homosexuality. His world turns upside. McConaughey, weighing in at 135lbs, gives what should be hailed as not only his finest performance, but also one of the best of the year. While the film could have easily been an utter downer, director Jean-Marc Vallée finds dynamic wit and humor in the grimmest situations. McConaughey gives a fearless performance and Jared Leto’s presentation, while subtle, is intriguing and delicate. “Dallas Buyers Club” hits you hard in some scenes, but it never desperately tries to tug on the strings of one’s heart. However, you will feel something though Woodruff’s plight. It’s refreshingly straightforward with a pair of brave, unconventional performances that place them among the very best of the year. What “Dallas Buyers Club” is sellin’ is worth buyin’.

3. The Spectacular Now - Writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber crafted a joyously heartfelt, wryly humorous, endearingly sweet coming of age tale that embodies the teenage human spirit. Director James Ponsoldt brings a deep sensitivity to the film. “The Spectacular Now” on the surface appears to be another coming of age, puppy love story, but it’s so much deeper than merely just that. In fact, it tackles a considerably darker theme that enfolds greatly in the third act. The film is a rare depiction on screen of two 18 year-old high school seniors that look and feel like real human beings. Sutter and Aimee’s relationship doesn’t seem manufactured. The mistakes they make feel authentic and they’re hell of a lot more confident on the outside than on the inside. Their story unfolds naturally and there’s so much beauty on display. It doesn’t rely on nostalgia or any artificial beats. This is a truly stunning portrait of what it’s like to be the youngest you’ll ever be. When you’re on the cusp of a new chapter in life, filled with both promise and uncertainty. “The Spectacular Now” will have you remembering what it was like to be young, free, and carrying much needed momentum. It also reassures you that all that can be gone in a heartbeat. Wherever you are in life, don’t forget that living in the now will prepare you in living for tomorrow, for better or worse that is.

2. The Wolf of Wall Street – Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese once again team up to make the most entertaining and high-energy film of the year. DiCaprio stars as real life stockbroker, Jordan Belfort, who ultimately throws away everything for his obsession with money, drugs, and power. The film, which is definitely a black comedy, is three hours of pure adrenaline. With a copious amount of drugs, sex, and money being thrown at you on screen, you almost need an intermission to catch your breath. Every second of this movie was spectacular. “The Wolf of Wall Street” has more energy and liveliness than other film released this year and it comes from a director who’s 71 years old. DiCaprio gives a brilliant, over-the-top performance and if this doesn’t earn him the Oscar this year, something just isn’t right. The film has a running time of 179 minutes, but never is there a monotonous moment to be found. It was one of the few films this year to have by undivided attention from beginning to an end. It’s riotously funny, wildly audacious, and undoubtedly the most fun you could have at the theater all year. This one actually deserves all the buzz and attention over the unwarranted acclaimed “American Hustle.”

1. Short Term 12 - “Short Term 12” is a moving drama about Grace (Brie Larson), a fierce yet fragile twenty-something year-old supervisor at a foster-care facility for at-risk teenagers. In addition to navigating through the trouble waters at the group home, she is dealing with her own personal issues and difficult past. However, by her side is her long-term boyfriend and co-worker, Mason (John Gallagher Jr.). When a problematic teenage girl enters the facility, Grace is reminded of her past that she’s tried to put behind her. This leads to an electric connection between the two girls. With a subject matter that is often ominous and multifarious, “Short Term 12” easily finds the balance of drama and humor in the most unexpected scenarios. Destin Daniel Cretton’s second feature film (adapted from his own short film) supplies superb performances, razor-sharp writing, and stunning direction. “Short Term 12” is sincerely poignant and an exceptional movie going experience that should not be missed by film lovers of all ages. It’s a prime example of not only what independent filmmaking is truly all about, but also all cinema alike. It will move you, send chills down throughout your body, and may even have you shedding a tear or two. At the same token, it’ll toss a few laughs your way, inspire you, and have you leaving the theater with a smile. If that’s not a rare experience these days, I don’t know what it is. “Short Term 12” is the best American film of 2013.

*Note: At the time of writing this, I haven’t seen the following possible contenders from 2013: “Blue Jasmine,” “Gravity,” “Her,” “All is Lost,” “Nebraska,” and “Inside Lleywn Davis.”

AMERICAN HUSTLE - Review

Directed By: David O. Russell

Written By: Eric Singer and David O. Russell

Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and brief violence

Release Date: December 20^th, 2013

Review By: Sean Kayden

“American Hustle” has one of the best ensembles of the year. It has great acting, terrific wardrobe changes, and a spectacular soundtrack. It was all there, but just like any great con, in the end you’re left without all that much. That’s how I felt after viewing “American Hustle.” For a movie with such high caliber in front and behind the camera, I was left catastrophically disappointed with the end results. I wouldn’t however consider the film egregious by any stretch, but the film always seemed to be stuck in neutral. The first act is rather slow as we get to meet Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his own back-story in becoming the two-bit con artist he is in the present. Soon after navigating through his life, we find out how he meets his lover/con partner, Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams). She poses as a British aristocrat named "Lady Edith Greensly" as a way to attract investors, whose money Irving embezzles. Their little enterprise works flawlessly up until Irving meets Edith’s latest potential client Richard "Richie" DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) posing undercover as a prospective investor. In order for Edith to get out of jail Irving must work with DiMaso to take down a few more con artists. However, DiMaso starts to like Edith and therefore a love triangle between the three begins. To add to it, Irving’s first wife (still legally married to), Rosalyn Rosenfeld (Jennifer Lawrence) is crazy and manipulative in her own twisted ways.

All of the actors are terrific. Amy Adams pulls off what might be her best performance yet despite being from a movie that won’t be considered her best. “American Hustle” catches some heat in the second act once we get more into the relationships between the four characters. When the mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), comes into play there is some build up in the film, but it’s short lived. It feels as if there was so much emphasis on the characters and the way they looked than a much of a way of a coherent plot. The movie is widely sprawled out and some questionable filmmaking decisions were made that has “American Hustle” trying to con the viewer into thinking it’s smarter than what it actually appears to be. While I’m a fan of all the actors in the film, I never felt excited or enthralled by the film. It seemed rather consistent throughout and when I say consistent, I really mean utterly flat.

I don’t want to divulge into specific plot details, but the film closes out almost too neatly (and arguably unconvincingly). As it treads along at a moderate but sometimes brisk pace, I never found myself captivated by what was going on. It plugged along neither being surprisingly fascinating or down right engrossing. David O. Russell is however one of the best directors behind the camera. He keeps the camera alive with swift movements, close-ups, and panning shots. His last two films, “The Fighter” and “Silver Linings Playbook” were my favorites in each year they came out. However, with “American Hustle,” Russell paid too much attention to detail with characters and music choices rather than a rational, logical plot. In “American Hustle,” you get a little “Boogie Nights,” mixed with “Goodfellas” light. However, it can never match up to the mastery of those two classics and instead falling victim of being just a decent film rather one that should have been something much more.

Grade: 3 out of 5