#casablanca review

[heidismagblog]

#spin #spin magazine #reviews #julian casablancas #the strokes

[triviareads]

ARC Review of A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

Summary:

Rufus, Earl of Oxney, has dealt with multiple attempts by his uncle to take his title away from him. Now, his uncle is claiming that not only is Rufus illegitimate, but he has proof by way of Lucas Doomsday, a secretary who hails from a notorious family of local smugglers. Rufus hires Lucas to help him search through family archives for proof of his legitimacy, and Lucas agrees, in part because he has his own reasons for being at the estate...

My review:

This is the first book I've read by KJ Charles and I only wish I'd read her works sooner because this was a fabulous read. I adored both of the main characters: Rufus is an ex-soldier, honorable with a bit of a temper. But you can't blame the poor guy; he's trying his best to improve the estate after years of neglect while being constantly challenged by his terrible family. Luke is a secretary who comes from a smuggler clan, so he has a raffish edge to an otherwise (mostly) proper façade. He's a schemer who uses his powers for good when it comes to helping Rufus... and other times not so much.

I loved Rufus and Luke's relationship: it's one that comes from a place of mutual understanding and respect which initially makes them friends and allies, and that actually seems to fuel their emotional and sexual attraction. Rufus did read as demisexual to me just based on what he says (thinks) about not seeing the point of having sex with someone you don't care for. And he finds that with Luke fairly early on, even if Luke has to make the first move ("either fuck me or fire me"... he's a brat can you tell).

Both men have a good deal of familial demons, past and present, and the narrative does a great job of having the characters examine them, reconcile where they can, but otherwise creating their own found family they can be happy around. In a way, it's in direct contract to the villains of the story, mostly Rufus's own family, who are miserable with one another, and yet prize their (Norman... you'll see the word "Norman" many times) blood above all.

The mystery aspect (two mysteries, really, and then another mystery no one expected to find the answer to but stumbled across anyway) was mostly tight and well done. I do think the second half became a little too mystery-heavy at the cost of the romance, but it all tied up neatly at the end. At times I wish I'd read The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen just so I knew Luke's background, especially relating to Sir Gareth and Joss Doomsday, but KJ did a pretty good job of filling in those blanks for the reader.

The sex:

Raw. Intimate. Sexy. I can't write this review without including the droit du seigneur aspect, which starts as a joke between Rufus and Luke, but very much ends up as a kink of sort for them in that Luke wants to be taken in the manner of a feudal lord in the olden days sleeping with a vessel's wife first on their wedding night (possessive, a bit rough), which I thought was very hot, and very well done. Luke is a bit of a brat and wants to make Rufus work for it, but Rufus is absolutely willing to rise to the challenge (both Luke and Rufus seem to have a competence kink too). A relentless man, if you will.

Because of how the plot progresses, there's actually a lot more sex scenes in the first half of the book than in the second, but honestly the wait pays off because by the time they're reunited, the emotions are just that much heightened by the fact that they love one another now. I was actually near tears when Luke admits that when he first asked Rufus to "fuck him like he owns him", he really wished that he was his. It was so so romantic.

Overall:

I'd recommend this book to anyone, but specifically readers looking for a romance intertwined with a mystery or adventure, and anyone looking for a queer historical romance. I loved this book so much, and I'm looking forward to reading more KJ Charles.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

#arc #arc review #netgalley #KJ Charles #SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca #sourcebooks #historical romance #queer romance

[thebowerypresents]

The Strokes Get Nostalgic at Forest Hills Stadium on Saturday

The Strokes – Forest Hills Stadium – August 19, 2023

It’s hard to tell if it was a fake-out or not. Julian Casablancas, early into the Strokes’ set on Saturday night in Queens, was singing the praises of our “fair metropolis” (his words, sort of) and said it would be “a great place to end it all.” Granted I’d been (lovingly) duped one set earlier. Angel Olsen, the soulful North Carolina folk-rock goddess, had already pulled a typically goofy bait and switch: “I’ve been so inspired,” she said, adding that her travels drove her to write a new song just a night earlier. “You guys know it, right?” she asked her bandmates. They smiled and launched into “Shut Up Kiss Me” (My Woman, 2016), the torch-rock banger that largely put her on the mainstream map. 

So back to Casablancas: I nervously laughed, we moved on. How couldn’t we? The night was genuinely perfect, created-in-a-lab perfect for the Strokes’ much-anticipated hometown show — and their second of only two in the U.S. this year. “Sorry to talk about the weather,” he deadpanned at one point. (He bantered often and oddly, as is canon for him.)

The crowd was huge, every other fan sporting merch, new and old. They erupted from the first notes of “Is This It,” the set opener and title track off their first LP turned rock standard. But the crowd lost it from every first note of every song. Why wouldn’t we? The boys are near mascots to legions of elder millennials, having soundtracked a good portion of their impressionable alt-rock youths. The hits hit: “Someday,” “Reptilia,” “Meet Me in the Bathroom.” And the newer tracks landed, too, “Ode to the Mets” (The New Abnormal, 2020) in particular. Casablancas’s voice — that pitched-down and notable blend of New Wave crooner and Jim Morrison — and Albert Hammond Jr.’s singular rhythm guitar work are still, impressively, it to me. 

The return of “Modern Girls & Old Fashion Men” — the Strokes’ 2004 single with Regina Spektor — was among many special moments. “It only took 20 years but look who showed up,” said Casablancas as she took the stage to join him, the crowd roaring. Another incredible surprise: For the first time in 17 years, they played “15 Minutes,” off First Impressions of Earth (2006), a low-key favorite of mine with something of a too-long-at-the-pub vibe. By the encore’s end, and after a deeply fun, singable night of nostalgia to the face, we were back at the beginning, with the frontman’s original tease — although it sounded a bit different this time. “This might be our last show in New York,” he said. The crowd booed, the music began and “Last Nite” hypnotized everyone into briefly not caring whether he was bluffing. A dangler of an end but a blast nonetheless. —Rachel Brody | @RachelCBrody

Photos courtesy of Dana Distortion | distortionpix.com

#Albert Hammond Jr. #Angel Olsen #Dana Distortion #Fabrizio Moretti #First Impressions of Earth #Forest Hills Stadium #Jim Morrison #Julian Casablancas #My Woman #Nick Valensi #Nilolai Fraiture #Photos #Rachel Brody #Regina Spektor #Review #Strokes #The New Abnormal

[crowdvscritic]

crowd vs. critic single take // MRS. MINIVER (1942)

Photo credits: IMDb.com

Mrs. Miniver takes place in two eras: the time before September 3, 1939 and the time after.

Before Great Britain declares war on Germany, Mr. Clem (Walter Pidgeon) and Mrs. Kay (Greer Garson) Miniver’s biggest concerns are about money. Specifically, they spend their energy convincing each other—and their upper crust neighbor Lady Beldon (Dame Mae Whitty)—their spending on little luxuries like hats and cars is worthy of their family’s middle class income. Though Lady Beldon does not care for blurring social lines, her granddaughter Carol (Teresa Wright) is more open-minded, catching the eye of the collegiate Vin Miniver (Richard Ney). But everything changes on September 3rd. Vin enlists, Clem volunteers, and Kay makes a bomb shelter comfortable for their young children. For the Minivers, World War II is not just on the battlefield on the continent—it’s here at home.

CROWD // And the Academy’s love affair with World War II begins! Mrs. Miniver is the first of 11 Best Picture winners set during or immediately after the war, which means more than 10% of the Academy’s top prizes have been dedicated to defeating the Nazis. Even among those titles, though, Mrs. Miniver is singular. Casablanca, From Here to Eternity, The Bridge on River Kwai, Patton, and The English Patient follow soldiers and resistance fighters; The Sound of Music, Schindler’s List, and The King’s Speech recount true stories of extraordinary individuals living through the conflict; and The Best Years of Our Lives and An American in Paris depict the struggle to rebuild the world afterward.

Unlike those epics, we only see the Minivers on the homefront. Vin joins the Royal Air Force, but like his mother, we only wonder what he sees from the cockpit. Clem supports the efforts at Dunkirk, but Christopher Nolan still felt the need to depict that rescue of troops in his own film because we never see Clem beyond the horizon of Britain’s shores. Yes, the episodic Miniver lacks the jet-fueled forward propulsion of Nolan’s film, but that wouldn’t be honest with the civilian experience. The family’s skirmishes with danger are few and unpredictable, and in some ways, that makes them more upsetting. When tragedy does strike, it hits a family we’ve laughed and rejoiced with around the dinner table, making this melodrama still moving today.

POPCORN POTENTIAL: 8/10

CRITIC // If there’s any criticism to be leveled at Mrs. Miniver, it’s that its affection for the titular family is blind. Character flaws? Complex motives? Who needs them when you’re trying to create a rousing morale-booster justifying a global conflict still in the court of public opinion? The Minivers and their neighbors are symbolic avatars more than well-rounded individuals, which is just one reason Winston Churchill called this film “propaganda worth a hundred battleships.” In fact, the last scene was literally re-distributed as print and radio propaganda!

Still, given that this particular fight against fascism is one with fewer moral gray areas, romanticizing these people fighting out of uniform has aged better than, say, a film about the Russian Revolution. In the history of cinema, a majority of war films focus on combat and political leaders, while Mrs. Miniver reminds us the people at home—including but not limited to the oft-disenfranchised women, children, elderly, and working classes—can be just as cudgeled by war without enlisting. They may avoid the trenches, but their food, shelter, life, and limb are just as uncertain, not to mention the future of their loved ones serving in the military. With that in mind, who’s to complain about making these hometown heroes so likable? 

It’s also difficult to fault Mrs. Miniver for idolizing its subjects when its cast and its craft are working in tandem with its vision. William Wyler, who still holds the record for the most Best Director nominations at 12, assembled a cast as winning as the parts they were playing, none more than the Garson’s Mrs. Miniver herself. Her hopeful but clear-eyed face of determination creates a center of gravity for the rest of the actors, and the compassion driving her never becomes too syrupy. 

ARTISTIC TASTE: 9/10

#Mrs. Miniver #1942 #Best Picture #Best Picture Project #Academy Awards #Oscars #Greer Garson #Crowd #Critic #Single Take #Dame Mae Whitty #Teresa Wright #Richard Ney #Walter Pidgeon #Mrs. Miniver review #Casablanca #From Here to Eternity #The Bridge on River Kwai #Patton #The English Patient #The Sound of Music #Schindler’s List #The King’s Speech #The Best Years of Our Lives #An American in Paris #Dunkirk #Christopher Nolan #8/10 #9/10

[twenty-words-or-less]

Casablanca

Summary: American expat Rick (Humphrey Bogart) must choose between his love for old flame Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) and helping her husband Victor (Paul Henreid) escape from the titular city.

God fucking damn it (complimentary).

Rating: 5/5

Photo credit: Roger Ebert

#casablanca #1942 #michael curtiz #romance #drama #humphrey bogart #ingrid bergman #claude rains #conrad veidt #sydney greenstreet #peter lorre #dooley wilson #perfect 5 #film reviews #film review #twenty-words-or-less #twol

[doodlesink]

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper -- Book Review

Happy Tuesday!  Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper is out today.  Check out the debut of the Starfall Point series.  Happy Reading!

https://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2023/09/witches-get-stuff-done-by-molly-harper.html

#theavidreader #the avid reader #book review #paranormal mystery #paranormal romance #sourcebooks casablanca #molly harper #starfall point

[grimeybones]

Weekly Rotation

Gonna post what I’m listening too every week bc I like music and why not share it with 5 people

🕸️ Johan Von Bronx by The Voidz

My boyfriend introduced me to this band and now I think I like them more than him, probably why our relationship is so strong bc we both have the same taste in music (not-so-humble-brag).. Julian Casablancas deep voice turns me on and makes me question if I wanna be him or fuck him, I say this after just stating I love my boyfriend but he feels the same, we would both fight for jules love. Anyway enough hypotheticals and onto the music review. This song is 100% going to be my most listened to track this year. It is deliciously evil in its booming bass and erratic guitar. It has such a deep, dark, sick and twisted sound but in a way that makes you feel like the villain. Every time I listen to this song my mind goes to a different version of myself, one where I can harm everyone who I did wrong and get away with it. A real “good for her” ark. This song is for you if you’re deeply angry inside, love alt goth music and just wanna listen to something fresh

🕸️ Pacific Telephone by Papooz

So this one’s a different turn from the last song. This is a funky, French European post pop track that has a slightly more tame femme fatale feel. The lyrics discribe a women envying another women called Lucille, as the song advances this envy turns to violence and she ends up choking Lucille out on a beach (not a bad way to go out tbh). It has a retro feel but it puts a new spin on it which you get from a lot of French pop music. The bass, synths and guitar create a great feel and the accented vocals only adds to the cherry on top of this very bad ass track.

🕸️ Tahiti Hungry Jungle by Dumbo Gets Mad

This is once again another European song but we’re heading over to Italy for this amazing duo. The whole “Quantum Leap” album is great i always play it when I don’t know what to put on. This song was actually sampled by Azealia Banks of all people, this track is very different than her 212 song though. It feels like you’re in a psychedelic jungle and nothing feels real, it’s memorising and whenever I put it on while I’m walking I instantly get a complex going, it’s just a cool song really just give it a listen.

🕸️ The Modern Age by The Strokes

I’m pissed they won’t show the first album cover here (it’s an ass) but another Julian Casablancas song. This track holds a special place in my heart bc every time I listen to it I think of my closest mates, every Wednesday we go and drink together and it has to be my favourite part of the week as it’s basically group therapy ( @st-rx read this n cry). It’s such a nice nostalgic track, just classic pub rock and if you haven’t listen to the “is this it” album yet just listen. I am shocked The Strokes didn’t get clumped in with the 2014 tumblr crowd.

🕸️ After Hours by The Velvet Underground

This song is just a classic, always put it on when I wanna gush about my partner. Even if you don’t have a partner is a nice song, the fact it was made in 69” and not 2010 by an indie gal is surprising. It’s just a nice acoustic song what more to say.

🕸️Rock ´n’ Roll Suicide by David Bowie

I hadn’t heard this song till I saw the recent Bowie documentary (even if you’re not a fan of Bowie you will be if you watch this movie it’s so good) it’s the song I put on when I’m feeling like a doomer bc I wanna be an ArTiSt and it’s not taking off well. So I listen to this song often. Makes me feel less alone with my dropkick choices, just the line “your too old lose it, too young to choose it” uh gets me every fucking time. If you’re an artist just the thought of abandoning what you love just hurts and the older I get the more that fear increases. I’m literally 20 so I should shut up. Anyway enough of the tangent if you want a gateway bowie track listen to this.

🕸️Take Me in Your Army by The Voidz

Oh wow another jules song we get it. Ok last track. this song has similar energy as Johan Von Bronx but it’s a bit more subtle and more electronic, it is still dark in tone and it has a great haunting feel to it. The track is about how jules was not every content with how fast he rose to fame. The lyric “I was not ready for the podium yet, just the stage” sums that feeling up well. He of coursed love playing in the strokes but the fact that their record label and the media put so much pressure on them to make new music was fucked. The Voidz exists as a way for him and the other members to express issues and make music that they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to make back in the day. It’s so corny to say this but I genuinely believe they are the future of music and one of the last bands that is capable of making unique music AND make political statements without playing it “safe”. I could go on forever about this band and I might write an essay only to hope and pray that jules reads and critiques it.

That’s it listen to the songs if u like, tell me what you think, or if you have any songs you’d want to recommend to me commet or DM!!

#Spotify #music #music rants #music review #music recommendation #playlist #the strokes #the voidz #the velvet underground #dumbo gets mad #david bowie #bowie #julian casablancas #croquette #waif #gaslight girlboss gatekeep #girl blogger #girlblogging

[staczak91]

KING CREOLE Film Review

Ok guys, this might be blasphemy for most Elvis Presley superfans, but I’ve been listening to his music since childhood and have never seen any of his full movies until tonight. I’ve seen bits and pieces on YouTube, and watched King Creole only once before after I graduated college, but might have fallen asleep during it due to exhaustion from job hunting. Oops. Sorry, Elvis...

But now seeing King Creole in its entirety (without falling asleep!!!), I have to say it’s a great film. Although Elvis is a much better singer than actor, he really shines in this, and his acting skills were definitely pretty good. Although it’s a darker movie than I was expecting, I really enjoyed most of it. And when I learned that Michael Curtiz, who directed Casablanca, one of my favorite movies, directed this, I understood why I really liked this movie.

Elvis as Danny Fisher was a lot of fun to watch. He’s a great character who you can’t help but root for. And I couldn’t wait for the musical performances the whole time, and found them incredibly entertaining and engaging. My two favorite songs are “Trouble” (will never get tired of that song and performance - and the only scene I remembered from the movie before watching it again tonight) and the title song, “King Creole.” Although it was pretty cool hearing “Hard-Headed Woman” in the movie as well, when I’ve been listening to that song on its own for years. Although Elvis’ acting could use some work, once he got to belting out the songs, he quite literally stole the show. 

And the actresses alongside him in this movie almost stole the show from right under his feet as well. Carolyn Jones as Ronnie was amazing in her role, and was a lot of fun to watch, in essence, being miserable and drinking a lot. But she did have some of the best dialogue in the movie, and I really liked her role. And Jan Shepard as Mimi, just an innocent girl who falls for Danny, was nice to watch as well. I did like both women in their roles, and didn’t have a favorite for Danny to choose. 

But speaking of the women....being the 1950′s, how this film handled the women didn’t really age too well. They were more background noise than playing a bigger role. It was a man’s world, and that’s never more apparent than watching it in the present day. 

Still, though, I can understand why this was Elvis’ favorite of his movies, even though I haven’t watched any of his other films fully through yet. From what I heard, his movies go downhill from here, so I’m not sure if it was a good idea to start with his best one, as most people I saw online called it. 

But tomorrow I’ll be watching Jailhouse Rock, and I’ll let you know what I think of it, compared to this one. Look out for a review of that movie tomorrow night!

Also, Elvis’ accent was distracting during the dialogue scenes. I couldn’t help it. I missed some of the things he said because of his thick, but charming, Southern accent. Oh well. Guess there’s always time to watch it again...

#elvis presley #Elvis #King Creole #movie review #jailhouse rock #danny fisher #old movies #music #50s music #50s movies #casablanca #review #trouble #hard headed woman #good movie #I liked it #like really liked it #can't wait to watch and review more #and can't wait to just watch more #elvis is the best

[milliondollarbaby87]

Happy New Year! 2023!

Happy New Year! 2023!

Happy New Year to everyone who follows and supports Let’s Go To The Movies. I feel as though in 2022 I lacked a little bit in posts and didn’t get reviews up as quickly as I have done in previous years, I even missed the epic landmark of reaching 2000 film reviews back in August! Therefore at the end of 2022 I hit 2052 reviews on Let’s Go To The Movies.

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#2022 #2023 #Bernard Hill #Billy Crystal #Casablanca #Film Reviews #Happy New Year #Humphrey Bogart #Ingrid Bergman #Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers #Meg Ryan #New Year #New Year&039;s Day #When Harry Met Sally

[mostlygibberish]

"It would take a miracle to get you out of Casablanca, and the Germans have outlawed miracles."

I liked the part with the bore-bon.

Casablanca is a movie I'd avoided seeing for a long time for no particular reason, and now that I have, I can see why it's considered such a classic.

An interesting plot, a great cast of characters, and a solid script, full of snappy, memorable lines. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman gave excellent lead performances, with plenty of believable chemistry between them. I really enjoyed the direction their stories, and the ending in general, went.

Everything looked great, especially in the latter half with lighting that gave a rich noir mood to things. I enjoyed the musical numbers too, and Dooley Wilson's singing was nice. I thought the sing-off between the French and Germans was a little silly, but it didn't detract too much.

Well made and understandably admired. A great movie.

#casablanca #casablanca 1942 #movie review #seriously - why did he pronounce bourbon like that?

[overflowingshelf]

ARC Review: The Lady He Lost by Faye Delacour

The Lady He Lost Faye Delacour Publisher: sourcebooks Casablanca Publication Date: April 2, 2024 Series or Standalone: Lucky Ladies of London #1 Links: Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Goodreads – StoryGraph Rating: MY REVIEW CW: Kidnapping; toxic relationship (not main couple); death of parents (off-page) I first fell in love with The Lady He Lost because of its stunning cover! And I’m so glad…

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#4.5 Stars #ARC #book review #Faye Delacour #Lucky Ladies of London #Netgalley #Review #Sourcebooks Casablanca #The Lady He Lost

[triviareads]

ARC Review of The Lady He Lost by Faye Delacour

Rating: 3.5/5 Heat Level: 3/5 Publication Date: April 2nd

Premise:

Everyone is shocked when Lieutenant Eli Williams seemingly returns from the dead after being lost at sea in a shipwreck, no one more so than Jane Bishop, who was his friend and secretly loved him despite his prior engagement to her cousin.

My review:

This is Faye Delacour's debut novel; it's a friends-to-lovers romance by way of unrequited love (I wouldn't really say there's an enemies aspect, especially if the enmity is so one-sided). Jane had feelings for Eli which she thought he did not reciprocate back in the day, then he was caught in a compromising position with her cousin and they were engaged before Eli was lost at sea. I'm gonna be honest: I did not expect the level of resentment Jane showed Eli once he reappeared, but here's my thing: Eli does not owe Jane anything. All he ever did was treat her like a friend before he was caught with her cousin (regardless of what he tells Jane later in the book about his feelings for her before the shipwreck, which I did not find very convincing), and what more, the cousin ultimately married someone else and Eli obviously doesn't feel anything for the cousin anymore. I'm very careful when it comes to checking my biases regarding "unlikeable" heroines or unlikeable things heroines do, and look, unhappiness over unrequited love is natural (though I'm always a bit annoyed when heroines are insecure about their appearance and compare themselves to other women like Jane constantly does with her cousin), but I'd be equally irritated with a hero if he behaved in a similarly rude manner towards his heroine, as if she owed him something.

That being said, I did find it funny when Jane's resentment towards Eli took a turn and she actively started questioning what he was up to during the years he disappeared and was ostensibly kidnapped by pirates, purely out of spite. Does she come across as a narc? Yes, but it's also kind of hysterical when she's interrogating him in front of his navy boss or a bunch of society ladies and he's anxiously trying to communicate through his gaze for her to Shut Up. However, her words do end up having actual consequences, namely, him getting court-martialed for possible desertion.

Eli and Jane begin a no-strings attached affair by the middle of the book, however, Jane is still under the impression he could never want her long-term, and that she will always be seen as second best to her cousin (who also fans the flames with her constant need to put Jane down and her insistence that Eli still has feelings for her), which is admittedly rough to read. There is also the ladies gambling club that Jane is trying to start with a friend, but I feel that subplot was mostly set aside as Jane became entangled with Eli once more.

The sex:

There are actually two instances of the rare male masturbation scenes in historical romance in this book; the second one immediately follows dry-humping and Eli can't wait anymore before jerking off in front of Jane. The good thing is, he reciprocates very thoroughly afterwards. There is also some surprise virgin rep.

Overall:

While this book wasn't quite for me, I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a friends-to-lovers historical romance that is very much a slow-burn as far as feelings go.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

#arc #arc review #netgalley #faye delacour #sourcebooks casablanca #sourcebooks #historical romance #romance novels #book reviews #books

[certifiedplayerhater]

what i’ve been bumping

origin of symmetry by muse

The only muse albums I’ve heard prior to this moment was Simulation Theory and Will of the People, which I both like decently. I saw they weren’t widely enjoyed, but I figured it was a result of old heads hating the new direction of the band rather than being willing to give them a fair shot. After listening to Origin of Symmetry, I understand why people said they fell off. The opener, “New Born”, was a brilliant introduction into the entire concept of Muse as a band. It was grandiose and shameless, bringing people into this technological determinist body of work. Most of the tracks felt straight out of a rock opera, with a very standard intro, build, and explosive crescendo. The guitars were whiny, the vocals were desperate and the drums were disproportionate in the best way possible.

There’s a youthful naivety to the album, making it seem like these concerns with technology taking over were nothing more than products of the time. Even the 20th anniversary edition lacks the raw grit and sheer fear of whatever the matrix was talking about. It was a great album and worth every second, with only one song being a true skip for me (“Screenager”, I like it in the context of the album but I found it repetitive and not contributing anything that “Citizen Erased” didn’t already do). While the themes are now a little out of date (personally I think Bastille’s Give Me the Future is a much more nuanced take on the implications of technological evolution on the individual), there is a timelessness to its approach to the idea of technology taking over. The album feels frozen in 2001, which is appreciated when so many albums today seem to be reminiscing on a rose-coloured past or freaking out about a future not guaranteed.

“30 Minute Boyfriend” and “River of Brakelights” by julian casablancas

Casablancas’ strongest suit is his songwriting when you can understand what he’s saying. There’s an aura of disdain in everything he sings, making it seem like each lyric is shamelessly sung to someone who isn’t expecting much better. A song like “30 Minute Boyfriend” is pretty self explanatory, but I like the idea of the subject being forced to reconsider her decisions by asking questions like “will you become what other people think of you?” I was always drawn to the questions poised by the songwriter in the songs because it’s such a creative way to inject some self reflection into these songs that can get so convoluted sometimes. The imagery of each track is what keeps me coming back to them — I can imagine a man talking to a woman at a bar, outlining his intentions, and I can imagine being stuck in traffic late at night, wondering how to pass the time as you wait for the next green light.

But the part that I care about is the instrumental. Each track is weird because it feels like an alternative rock song, but it sounds like pop. I always preferred the more synth heavy Strokes tracks (hence why I prefer the Voidz in general), so these songs were a happy medium between the chaos of the Voidz and the reservations of the Strokes. Despite the disdain in his voice, the instrumentals carry a surprising optimism to them, feeling much brighter than you’d think. “River of Brakelights” is especially surprising, with bright imagery and a twinkling hidden among the gruff guitars. There’s a moment in the chorus where you suddenly get a very clear guitar tone (before it is inevitably swallowed up by the rest of the instruments), which almost snaps you out of the hopelessness of the verses.

Dare I Care // the Voidz

You’ve got to be out of your damn mind to enjoy this song. The lyrics don’t make much sense and they’re hidden behind the grime of each distorted instrument, the instrumentation is distorted beyond comprehension and it feels weirdly haunting. Every minute it seems like the song is trying to outsmart the listener and there’s no interaction between the two.

But there’s something about the song that makes me keep coming back to it. I don’t know if it’s the pulsing drum that sits under the entire song, effectively feeling like the life force of the track, or the broken vocal lines that get lost among the guitar tones that feel familiar yet distant, or even the steady increase in chaos with each chorus. The song feels alive, taking on its own character and personality beyond Casablancas. This makes the Voidz feel less like a side project and more like a forum of experimentation, testing the limits of music. In that regard, “Dare I Care” is almost like a jazz track, with each instrument forced to keep up with all of the others. It builds and builds and builds, enveloping the listener with each addition until you’re left with this mess of a track that can’t be replicated. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard before and so addictive, to the point that you almost forget its 6 minutes and 30 seconds long. Each second is put to use to crafting this experience of a song — yes it’s messy and yes it doesn’t make any sense, but that’s the intrigue.

#the voidz #julian casablancas + the voidz #julian casablancas #muse band #origin of symmetry #music reviews

[bargainsleuthbooks]

#Bogie&Bacall The Surprising True Story of Hollywood's Greatest Love Affair #WilliamJMann #NewBooks #July2023Books #HarperCollins #AudiobookReview

A celebration of the great American love story—the romance between #LaurenBacall and #HumphreyBogart, shattering decades-long myths. #Bookreview #BogieandBacall #Williamjmann #NewBooks #July2023Books #harpercollins #LoveAffair #Audiobookreview #bookreview

From the noted Hollywood biographer and author of The Contender comes this celebration of the great American love story—the romance between Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart—capturing its complexity, contradictions, and challenges as never before. In Bogie & Bacall, William Mann offers a deep and comprehensive look at Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, and the unlikely love they shared. Mann details…

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#Academy Award #Audiobook Review #Biography #Bogie & Bacall #Bogie & Bacall: The Surprising True Story of Hollywood&039;s Greatest Love Affair #Book Review #Casablanca #Harper Collins #Hollywood #Humphrey Bogart #Jason Robards #John Huston #July 2023 Books #Key Largo #Lauren Bacall #Leslie Bogart #New Books #Oscar #Steve Bogart #The African Queen #To Have and Have Not #Tony Award #William J. Mann

[kkecreads]

The Time of Your Life by Sandra Kitt

Published: April 11, 2023 Sourcebooks Casablanca Genre: Romance Pages: 334 KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily. Sandra Kitt is the author of more than twenty novels, including The Color of Love, Significant Others, and Close Encounters, as well as numerous short stories. Her work has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and…

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#book #Book review #kkecreads #NetGalley #New Release #Sandra kitt #slow burn #sourcebooks Casablanca #the time of your life

[greensparty]

Movie Reviews - Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues / Spinning Gold

This week I got to review two music-themed movies:

Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues

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Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954-1990) was a guitar legend. I mean it. He elevated blues and rock with his extraordinary guitar playing in unbelievable ways. I became aware of him in the late 80s as a teen. On August 27, 1990 he died at age 35 in a helicopter accident following a performance at a blues festival. At that point and time, I was taking guitar lessons and my instructor talked about SRV quite a bit. I watched the MTV News special following his passing and began to get into his music. His 1983 debut Texas Flood and his Greatest Hits compilation are among my faves. In 2004 while visiting Austin, TX I actually saw the SRV monument. 

me with the SRV statue in Austin, TX in 2004

In 2019 when I interviewed biographer Alan Paul about his SRV bio Texas Flood, something we discussed is that SRV’s music does not sound dated at all. It is from the 80s but there’s a timelessness to his music. SRV’s older brother Jimmie Vaughan is quite an impressive guitarist as well. I first became aware of him in The Fabulous Thunderbirds (”Tuff Enuff” was featured in tons of movie soundtracks, too many to namecheck here) and I even included his solo album Baby, Please Come Home in my Best Albums of 2019 list. TX-based director (and former editor of the TX music publication Buddy Magazine) Kirby Warnock has directed a doc on both Vaughan brothers Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues, which was recently released on VOD platforms.

The doc shows the Vaughan brothers humble beginnings and their early interest in guitar and both of their musical trajectories. It doesn’t shy away from talking about their struggles with addiction and getting sober. It also goes deep into the music itself. Or course it also sadly gets into SRV’s untimely death just before the release of The Vaughan Brothers only album Family Style (pretty good album BTW). Featured interviewees include Jimmie Vaughan as well as Eric Clapton, Nile Rodgers, Jackson Browne, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and various Vaughan relatives and experts. 

I’m a fan of SRV and while I’m not expert on Jimmie Vaughan, I have a deep respect for him. Therefore I was fully on board with this doc. At times it does veer into For Fans Only territory and Warnock does seem like more of a fan than a filmmaker at times (i.e., he narrates and at one point he recounts his own experience being at the concert being shown) - but stay with it. The doc has some amazing archival footage and it makes the point of why both brothers are guitar legends who deserve their place in the pantheon of music history.

For info on Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues: https://brothersinbluesdoc.com/

3.5 out of 5 stars

Spinning Gold

movie poster

Neil Bogart (1943-1982) was the founder of Casablanca Records, which turns 50 this year. The label was ground zero for so much 70s music: Kiss, Donna Summer, Parliament, The Village People and many more. Just a few weeks ago, I scored a vinyl copy of Kiss’s Alive II and there was the Casablanca logo in the center of the vinyl! Brooklyn native Neil Bogart founded the label and he thought big and gambled even bigger. Neil’s son Timothy Scott Bogart has directed, written and produced a big music biopic about his father with Spinning Gold, which opened this weekend. The idea of someone directing a film about their father kind of reminded me of Baadasssss!, Mario Van Peebles’ biopic about his father Melvin. 

Jeremy Jordan plays Neil Bogart, who came from humble beginnings and with his trusty music-loving executives began a record label, a subsidiary of Warner Brothers. The first few years they were in debt. But he had a passion for music and believed in the artists years before the public caught on. While the label was in the red, he gambled even bigger. All this while having a wife and kids (and an extra-marital affair). 

The real Neil Bogart (center) with Kiss in 1973

I went into this movie a fan of many of the artists, so I was never bored with the movie itself. But I need to say: this is the argument for a limited series instead of a movie. As a stand-alone movie this felt like so much was shoehorned in and condensed. As a limited series, it could unfold over multiple episodes and say more over a longer period of time, much like the new Amazon Prime Video series Daisy Jones & The Six, also about the music industry in the 70s. The film has loads of tropes of music biopics, i.e. that moment when a musician comes up with a song that will one day be a classic and it blows away everyone in the room (that happens a few times in this film). We got pieces of Kiss’s story, pieces of Donna Summer, pieces of George Clinton - but not enough pieces to put it all together and be bigger than the sum of their parts. I will say this - I really liked a some of the supporting characters and seeing comic actors like Jay Pharaoh, Michael Ian Black, and Chris Redd do more than their usual comedic roles. Jordan is not bad as Neil Bogart, but I couldn’t help but think about Justin Timberlake in the role as he was attached to this over a decade ago. Fans of Kiss (or Kiss Army Members) are likely to be let down by the group getting reduced to a small supporting role in the film. Overall, movies about record labels are hard to get right, but this one swings high...even if it doesn’t always land on gold.

For info on Spinning Gold: https://www.spinninggold.movie/

2.5 out of 5 stars

#Movie Reviews #jimmie and stevie ray vaughan: brothers in blues #jimmie vaughan #Stevie Ray Vaughan #kirby warnock #documentary #music documentary #spinning gold #casablanca records #neil bogart #timothy scott bogart #kiss #donna summer #film geek #music nerd