After selling 40 million records, and 32 number one singles with Curb, Tim McGraw releases his Big Machine debut, Two Lanes of Freedom. The album’s first single is “Truck Yeah.” The title cut has a Celtic tinge, while closer “"Highway Don't Care" features guest appearances from Taylor Swift and Keith Urban — it was written in tribute to Swift’s first hit single, “Tim McGraw.” There are some rowdier numbers including “Southern Girl,” the hangover paean “Mexicoma,” and story songs including “Book of John,” and “Number 37405,” an ode about a singer who descends into personal torment and becomes a convict. [The Deluxe Edition has four bonus tracks.], Rovi
Born: May 1, 1967 in Delhi, LAGenre: CountryYears Active: '90s, '00s, '10sWhen Tim McGraw debuted in the early '90s, few would have predicted that he would eventually take over Garth Brooks' position as the most popular male singer in country music. Yet that's exactly what he did, thanks to a string of multi-platinum albums, a high-profile marriage to fellow superstar Faith Hill, and Brooks' own inevitable decline. His sound epitomized the strain of commercial country that dominated his era: updated honky tonk and Southern-fried country-rock on the uptempo tunes, well-polished,... Full BioTwo Lanes of Freedom (Accelerated Deluxe) - Tim McGraw
Highway Don't Care (feat. Taylor Swift & Keith Urban) BookletDigital Booklet - Two Lanes of Freedom (Accelerated Deluxe)
Now That's What I Call Music, Vol. 46 - Various Artists
by Dylan10steel I like the songs but its missing Radioactive by imagine dragons now that's what I call music. by Mellissia Adducchio Suit & Tie, I Knew You Were Trouble, Feel This Moment, Locked Out of Heaven -- those are the good picks. But where's Rihanna? Diamonds should have been on the 45, and Stay should be on this one as well. They keep letting her out of these albums. Also, needs rap. GOOD KUSH & ALCOHOL... hello? Radio killer.
Random Access Memories - Daft Punk
by AidanSeamus Ambitious, glistening, and at times bizarre and boring, RAM is a solid Daft Punk entry that won't disapoint fans of the robot duo. 8.75/10
GLBTM - A rocking opener that excites and is sure to fill the room with excitment when the group eventually goes on tour. Amazing riffs by Nile and great vocoder work. 9/10
Game of Love - A laid back track that after GLBTM seems like a let down. Remember after One More Time how Aerodynamic took you further down an awesome journey? GoL doesn't do that. A whiny/passionate vocoder lyric goes over the throwback instruments. It's a grower. 7/10
Giorgio by Moroder - Strap in, bro. Words don't explain how awesome this track is. 10/10
Within - What was that? No, I didn't need those feelings anyway. Beautiful piano work by Chilly, extremely moving lyrics. Made me cry. 9.5/10
Instant Crush - Arguably the most "radio ready" track on here other than the instant classic Get Lucky, Julian Casablanca's vocals roboticized (is that even a word?) brings you to a danceable beat about moving on. 8.5/10
Lose Yourself to Dance - My God, is this guitar riff catchy. Teased in the Nile Collaborator video, this is the sound of the West coast that Daft Punk tried so hard to capture. Over Pharrell's sexy vocals and the vocoder telling you to "c'mon", you'll probably end up actually losing yourself to dance when this song comes on. 9.5/10
Touch - The most ambitious track on the record. It's mighty weird and hard to get into at first- but then again, I appear to be the only person who has issues with it. If it wasn't Daft Punk, I wouldn't give it a second look. 7/10
Get Lucky - Instant classic, but everyone already knows that. Do I even need to explain how good this song is? 10/10
Beyond - The follow up to a song like Get Lucky is important. It keeps the flow of the album going and keeps us interested. This song does not do that, unfortunately. Fairly boring with some nice lyric work. Meh. 7.5/10
Motherboard - The "meh" extension to a "meh" track. Move along. 7/10
Fragments of Time - All of a sudden, there was a twangy track on a Daft Punk album. Well. I didn't see this one coming, to be honest, since Todd Edwards is so known for what he doesn't do on this song. It's not necessarily a bad song, just different from what people would expect. Lyrics are neat-o, though. 8/10
Doin' It Right - Funky as ever. The beautiful vocoder track narrates the song throughout it all, and the song really picks up when Panda Bear's voice soars in a very Animal Collective-esque fashion. It's begging for a remix, and I'd love to see a Kanye West rap over it, it'd be right up his alley. A personal favorite. 9.5/10
Contact - This is it. The song that will be played at every upcoming (rumored) Daft Punk concert and everyone will lose their marbles to. Theatrical and magnificent, this closer really brings the album up quite a bit. The ending is very Downward Spiral esque, closing on static and random noises until eventually, a silence; a wonderful to end to one heck of a journey.
by KingTurtwig72 For those who haven't heard the album stream yet, I fully recommend it. Now, here's MY OPINION about this album, so please refrain from any destructive criticism.
1. Give Life Back To Music
The buildup for this track is breathtaking, and as soon as the funky riffs of the legendary Nile Rodgers kick in, it's something to truly enjoy. The vocals mesh perfectly with the track. Wonderful way to start the album, and one of the best of the album.
2. The Game of Love
Bordering between a sensual yet sorrowful track, the groove in this album is incredible, and the vocals truly portray Daft Punk's intent for that human touch. And is it just me, or are there some elements (bass) similar to Something About Us?
3. Giorgio by Moroder
I think I managed to hear some extremely subtle differences between the three microphones used in Giorgio's narration, and it truly is magical about how it drives. Also, the click track pause when Moroder says "but everybody calls me Giorgio" truly makes your heart skip a beat before the synths kick in, and the sounds of the future he speaks of are insane. This is no doubt a great song to dance to! One of the best songs of the whole album, without a doubt.
4. Within
This is certainly an interesting track. as the chord shift at the beginning of the piano intro truly sets a more somber mood after the driving Moroder masterpiece. The subject of this song also brings out that human touch in the vocals. Nice ambience as well.
5. Instant Crush (feat. Julian Casablancas)
This is a new twist on Casablancas' voice, but I can't help but like it. The chorus is definitely what makes this track beautiful. You truly feel this track, and it would have been a nice single.
6. Lose Yourself to Dance (feat. Pharrell Williams)
I was somewhat disappointed when I found out that the alleged 15-second ad teasing this track was not for this song (real song is Yellowire - Tonight Is The Night). However, this is no doubt a highlight track. Pharrell's vocals are absolutely perfect for this track, and Nile Rodgers never ceases to work his magic on this record. The vocoders are a wonderful accompaniment for this song. It just makes you want to dance! Truly could be the track of the summer, and this would be the best option for another single.
7. Touch (feat. Paul Williams)
The opening on this track could be seen as a nice one, but I could see how some could get bored of the first few minutes of it. However, Williams' voice truly is serene in this track, and as it progresses, it makes you want to get up and dance. The vocoder and choir verse is truly magical, harmonic with the sweet notes of the piano. This song is definitely one of the most experimental ones, and definitely one of the most interesting, as the many different smaller tracks make this a standout song.
8. Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)
I love this song. The bass and Nile's riffs make this such a smooth groove, and the album version is so much more incredible than the radio edit, in my opinion. Hard to get tired of this song.
9. Beyond
Paul Williams' lyrical genius blossoms once again in this track, and the repetitive guitar riff drives this track forward. Really calm, chilled-out groove.
10. Motherboard
You can hear so many rhythms similar to the TRON soundtrack, but so much differently. The ambience in this track has a nice feel to it, and it does bring forth a breathtaking, future-type melody.
11. Fragments of Time (feat. Todd Edwards)
Welcome back, Todd Edwards. This truly does make me think of cruising by the sunset and seeing the California palm trees. It might not be a Face to Face, but it's a nice, catchy song, nevertheless.
12. Doin' It Right (feat. Panda Bear)
This track is great from the start, as the vocals really do pull you in, and as the percussion kicks in, you can't help but move with the beat. Panda Bear's vocals are great in this song, and the second half of the track has a nice rhythm. Ending is slightly sudden.
13. Contact
What a phenomenal closer. Daft Punk and DJ Falcon chose great samples for this track, and if you don't get chills during this song ... try again. I feel like some of the elements from Rollin' & Scratchin' are in this song, and the last few minutes of this track are intense. Once again, great closer!
One complaint is that I would have liked to have the bonus track (Horizon) available in the U.S.
This album may not be for everyone, as there are few elements that remind us of the Discovery- or Homework-era Daft Punk, but we were warned that it was a departure from that scene. I feel that Daft Punk does a great job of going back to the roots and getting that human touch to dance back. Without the drops. Without the headbangers. Just nice, groovy jams. Album of the year right here. Deserves all five of these stars.
by Jesse Galvan Can't wait for the new album, it's been too long!! But I know this album is going to be amazing!
View the original article here
GLBTM - A rocking opener that excites and is sure to fill the room with excitment when the group eventually goes on tour. Amazing riffs by Nile and great vocoder work. 9/10
Game of Love - A laid back track that after GLBTM seems like a let down. Remember after One More Time how Aerodynamic took you further down an awesome journey? GoL doesn't do that. A whiny/passionate vocoder lyric goes over the throwback instruments. It's a grower. 7/10
Giorgio by Moroder - Strap in, bro. Words don't explain how awesome this track is. 10/10
Within - What was that? No, I didn't need those feelings anyway. Beautiful piano work by Chilly, extremely moving lyrics. Made me cry. 9.5/10
Instant Crush - Arguably the most "radio ready" track on here other than the instant classic Get Lucky, Julian Casablanca's vocals roboticized (is that even a word?) brings you to a danceable beat about moving on. 8.5/10
Lose Yourself to Dance - My God, is this guitar riff catchy. Teased in the Nile Collaborator video, this is the sound of the West coast that Daft Punk tried so hard to capture. Over Pharrell's sexy vocals and the vocoder telling you to "c'mon", you'll probably end up actually losing yourself to dance when this song comes on. 9.5/10
Touch - The most ambitious track on the record. It's mighty weird and hard to get into at first- but then again, I appear to be the only person who has issues with it. If it wasn't Daft Punk, I wouldn't give it a second look. 7/10
Get Lucky - Instant classic, but everyone already knows that. Do I even need to explain how good this song is? 10/10
Beyond - The follow up to a song like Get Lucky is important. It keeps the flow of the album going and keeps us interested. This song does not do that, unfortunately. Fairly boring with some nice lyric work. Meh. 7.5/10
Motherboard - The "meh" extension to a "meh" track. Move along. 7/10
Fragments of Time - All of a sudden, there was a twangy track on a Daft Punk album. Well. I didn't see this one coming, to be honest, since Todd Edwards is so known for what he doesn't do on this song. It's not necessarily a bad song, just different from what people would expect. Lyrics are neat-o, though. 8/10
Doin' It Right - Funky as ever. The beautiful vocoder track narrates the song throughout it all, and the song really picks up when Panda Bear's voice soars in a very Animal Collective-esque fashion. It's begging for a remix, and I'd love to see a Kanye West rap over it, it'd be right up his alley. A personal favorite. 9.5/10
Contact - This is it. The song that will be played at every upcoming (rumored) Daft Punk concert and everyone will lose their marbles to. Theatrical and magnificent, this closer really brings the album up quite a bit. The ending is very Downward Spiral esque, closing on static and random noises until eventually, a silence; a wonderful to end to one heck of a journey.
by KingTurtwig72 For those who haven't heard the album stream yet, I fully recommend it. Now, here's MY OPINION about this album, so please refrain from any destructive criticism.
1. Give Life Back To Music
The buildup for this track is breathtaking, and as soon as the funky riffs of the legendary Nile Rodgers kick in, it's something to truly enjoy. The vocals mesh perfectly with the track. Wonderful way to start the album, and one of the best of the album.
2. The Game of Love
Bordering between a sensual yet sorrowful track, the groove in this album is incredible, and the vocals truly portray Daft Punk's intent for that human touch. And is it just me, or are there some elements (bass) similar to Something About Us?
3. Giorgio by Moroder
I think I managed to hear some extremely subtle differences between the three microphones used in Giorgio's narration, and it truly is magical about how it drives. Also, the click track pause when Moroder says "but everybody calls me Giorgio" truly makes your heart skip a beat before the synths kick in, and the sounds of the future he speaks of are insane. This is no doubt a great song to dance to! One of the best songs of the whole album, without a doubt.
4. Within
This is certainly an interesting track. as the chord shift at the beginning of the piano intro truly sets a more somber mood after the driving Moroder masterpiece. The subject of this song also brings out that human touch in the vocals. Nice ambience as well.
5. Instant Crush (feat. Julian Casablancas)
This is a new twist on Casablancas' voice, but I can't help but like it. The chorus is definitely what makes this track beautiful. You truly feel this track, and it would have been a nice single.
6. Lose Yourself to Dance (feat. Pharrell Williams)
I was somewhat disappointed when I found out that the alleged 15-second ad teasing this track was not for this song (real song is Yellowire - Tonight Is The Night). However, this is no doubt a highlight track. Pharrell's vocals are absolutely perfect for this track, and Nile Rodgers never ceases to work his magic on this record. The vocoders are a wonderful accompaniment for this song. It just makes you want to dance! Truly could be the track of the summer, and this would be the best option for another single.
7. Touch (feat. Paul Williams)
The opening on this track could be seen as a nice one, but I could see how some could get bored of the first few minutes of it. However, Williams' voice truly is serene in this track, and as it progresses, it makes you want to get up and dance. The vocoder and choir verse is truly magical, harmonic with the sweet notes of the piano. This song is definitely one of the most experimental ones, and definitely one of the most interesting, as the many different smaller tracks make this a standout song.
8. Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)
I love this song. The bass and Nile's riffs make this such a smooth groove, and the album version is so much more incredible than the radio edit, in my opinion. Hard to get tired of this song.
9. Beyond
Paul Williams' lyrical genius blossoms once again in this track, and the repetitive guitar riff drives this track forward. Really calm, chilled-out groove.
10. Motherboard
You can hear so many rhythms similar to the TRON soundtrack, but so much differently. The ambience in this track has a nice feel to it, and it does bring forth a breathtaking, future-type melody.
11. Fragments of Time (feat. Todd Edwards)
Welcome back, Todd Edwards. This truly does make me think of cruising by the sunset and seeing the California palm trees. It might not be a Face to Face, but it's a nice, catchy song, nevertheless.
12. Doin' It Right (feat. Panda Bear)
This track is great from the start, as the vocals really do pull you in, and as the percussion kicks in, you can't help but move with the beat. Panda Bear's vocals are great in this song, and the second half of the track has a nice rhythm. Ending is slightly sudden.
13. Contact
What a phenomenal closer. Daft Punk and DJ Falcon chose great samples for this track, and if you don't get chills during this song ... try again. I feel like some of the elements from Rollin' & Scratchin' are in this song, and the last few minutes of this track are intense. Once again, great closer!
One complaint is that I would have liked to have the bonus track (Horizon) available in the U.S.
This album may not be for everyone, as there are few elements that remind us of the Discovery- or Homework-era Daft Punk, but we were warned that it was a departure from that scene. I feel that Daft Punk does a great job of going back to the roots and getting that human touch to dance back. Without the drops. Without the headbangers. Just nice, groovy jams. Album of the year right here. Deserves all five of these stars.
by Jesse Galvan Can't wait for the new album, it's been too long!! But I know this album is going to be amazing!
View the original article here
Star Trek Into Darkness (Music From the Motion Picture) - Michael Giacchino
by ItsJohnBurns Followed by his already astounding Star Trek (2009) score, Giacchino manages to add an impressive mix of subtlety and intensity into previous themes, while adding new and doubly notable songs, which—by themselves—are so memorable that they could be the main themes for entirely different series. Five stars all the way.
Star Trek into Numbness.
I can't wait to see Into Darkness in three days!
by Saint Logos I'm a fan of this series of films. I'd never deny that. The film scores don't stand out much and use a pretty generic style and blend of instruments. I just don't find anything in here that memorable. Some others did, so maybe I'm just missing something. Anyway, the overall quality never declines anywhere, and the use of opera chanting(which is always a plus) in Kronos wone me over. The London track also had a somewhat more distinctive sound, and the pattering drum beats take focus here and there to create more distinct atmospheres. There's one thing here that has me scared, and that's the bonus track. Will this track be featured in the movie? I have no idea, but it would be very strange if it was. Not that it's "bad", it just doesn't sound like something that belongs in Star Trek. by SPACESKULL Love Star Trek. Love Michael Giacchino. Have not seen the film yet. The Soundtrack, It's okay, not as great as the first album. It does pull in some of the themes from the first but most of it is okay. Sadly, I wish I had not purchased. I really love a lot of Mr. Giacchino' s work, like Speed Racer, Lost, Star Trek, but this album just did not grab me. I could listen to the first album over and over. Such great tunes. I will re-listen but I'm not looking forward to it. Also, the last song (future dance club music ) seems out of place with the rest.Star Trek into Numbness.
+ (Deluxe Version) - Ed Sheeran
1 The a Team Ed Sheeran 4:18 $1.29 View In iTunes 5 Wake Me Up Ed Sheeran 3:49 $1.29 View In iTunes 6 Small Bump Ed Sheeran 4:19 $1.29 View In iTunes 9 Lego House Ed Sheeran 3:05 $0.69 View In iTunes 10 You Need Me, I Don't Need You Ed Sheeran 3:40 $1.29 View In iTunes 12 Give Me Love Ed Sheeran 8:46 $1.29 View In iTunes 13 Autumn Leaves (Bonus Track) Ed Sheeran 3:20 $1.29 View In iTunes 14 Little Bird (Bonus Track) Ed Sheeran 3:44 $1.29 View In iTunes 15 Gold Rush (Bonus Track) Ed Sheeran 4:03 $1.29 View In iTunes 16 Sunburn (Bonus Track) Ed Sheeran 4:35 $1.29 View In iTunes
Annie Up - Pistol Annies
Annie Up is the second album of sassy and confident country-pop from Pistol Annies, a talented trio whose 2011 debut release — Hell on Heels — was famously endorsed by Neil Young in his 2012 autobiography, Waging Heavy Peace. It's another set of self-penned songs injected with fun and conviction in equal measure, betraying a lightness of touch not always evident in the other recording projects of Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley. Once again produced by Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, and Chuck Ainlay, the album features the upbeat and characterful single "Hush Hush."
by Gemluv Real country. This aint no Taylor Swift shizz. by Shawnie_08 Cant wait for 5/7!. They are new dixie chicks, but better!. by hushushpistolannies I LOVE THE PISTOL ANNIES!!!!! I love how they're so real and they're not afraid to say anything. They truly are Hell on Heels! Formed: Nashville, TNGenre: CountryYears Active: '10sWhile working on songs for her third album, Revolution, Miranda Lambert turned to fellow country singer Ashley Monroe for help. The girls wrote two songs together, including the number one single “Heart Like Mine,” and decided to keep collaborating after the album’s release. Angaleena Presley later joined the songwriting sessions, too, turning what began as a standards collaboration into a sort of countrified girl group. Dubbing themselves the Pistol Annies, the three developed a spunky, harmony-heavy... Full BioCloud Atlas - Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer & Andy Wachowski
by shellysunshine I've always been a strong believer in the idea that there is deeper meaning in life and that perhaps we affect each other in profound ways beyond our own lifetime. This movie overtook me; pulled me through a range of so many emotions, questioned my beliefs, restored my hope, and gave my life a whole new meaning. I haven't been the same since I stepped foot in the theatre. It is a stunning masterpiece of storytelling, brilliant imagery, and Oscar-worthy acting, directing, and cinematography. I have been changed by this film. It isn't just a film; it's a profoundly life changing experience. by Broken Headphones For what it's worth, "Cloud Atlas" is indeed a beautiful film. Unfortunately, it's also a very long one that ambitiously attempts to pack in as much story as it can within its near three-hour run time with frustrating results. This sci-fi fable might have been better served as a mini-series, or even as a full-blown TV show, giving it the elbow room it deserved to explore each storyline and every character throughout its time-spanning narrative. What the film gets right it gets very right. There are moments of real emotion and beauty. The ambition is palpable, the visuals are daunting, and the acting is often, but not always, excellent. The biggest problem here is that there's simply too much going on. With six interweaving stories being told at once, it's nearly impossible to keep up to full speed or even stay engaged with any single narrative since they all tend to move at a slow, dreary pace and abruptly end after only one scene to make way for the other plots. It's the clumsy execution of this film's events and how they fail to interconnect in a cohesive or emotionally enriching manner that ultimately ends up bringing it down in the long run. But is that to say "Cloud Atlas" is a disappointing experience all around? Not at all. In fact, more than anything, it greatly benefits from the all-star talents of its wide cast - which includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D'Arcy, Susan Sarandon, and Hugh Grant. Starring in multiple roles that span sex and race, many of the actors in this movie are hardly recognizable due to all the makeup and prosthetics covering their faces. It isn't until the very end when the credits appear that we find out who played which character. And even I have to admit I was shocked by the results, as was most of the audience in the theater I was in. Physical appearances aside, I couldn't help but feel disconnected from the protagonists in each narrative. None of them ever stood out to me on a clear emotional level (with perhaps the slight exception of Sonmi-451, a futuristic Korean clone who grows smart enough to rebel against her corrupt society), and I couldn't help but feel let down by their severely underdeveloped motives and personalities, despite the actors' best efforts to portray them. In particular, Hanks impressively commits to all six characters he plays, although I do wish he could've toned it down with the over-the-top accents at times. At the end of the day, there's no denying the ambition of "Cloud Atlas" and its heartfelt message that "everything in this world is connected." It's clear from start to finish that the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer wanted to create something that had never been done before, a sprawling cinematic opus telling six stories that range across continents from the 19th century to the post-apocalyptic future. Unfortunately, the connection between those plots just wasn't there. This flick gets so lost in its wild narrative ambitions that it almost entirely forgoes the character development and cohesive storytelling required to fully immerse its audience in its worlds. Nonetheless, this is still a wildly imaginative drama of truly epic proportions, despite its several frustrating drawbacks. With its breathtaking cinematography, stunning special effects, and gripping score, "Cloud Atlas" is endearingly sincere in its attempt to deliver a truly original larger-than-life cinematic experience with an existential theme, but it's never able to recover from its uneven screenplay and overlong run time. Still, if you're looking for some out-of-this-world entertainment full of visual and emotional grandeur, this time-spanning adventure is a solid pick. Yes, the screenplay is far too disjointed and undisciplined to truly resonate, but it's worth watching just for the expansive, thought-provoking ideas it brings up about humanity and the universe. In the end, this is a mixed bag of a flick that viewers will either come to appreciate or dislike. As long as you have an open mind and the patience to sit through and explore a wildly ambitious yet often unwieldy drama that's years ahead of its time, "Cloud Atlas" is well worth a watch. by cutnshoot Most under-rated film of 2012. Great stuff! Are people dumb or what?
Demi - Demi Lovato
Really Don't Care (feat. Cher Lloyd)
Her return from darkness out of the way, Demi Lovato returns to the serious business of stardom on Demi, her fourth album and the first positioned as the work of a true adult. Maturity is a bit of a tricky business on Demi, as it finds her copping modern trends without quite shaking off the studio system that fostered her. The latter is problematic, resulting in half-baked exercises in pageantry — such as the "Skyscraper" rewrite "Nightingale" — and the occasional cultural dissonance, like when she tells a suitor "you try to take me home like you're DiMaggio," a name not heard in a pop song for almost 25 years. Unfortunately, a lot of these stumbles arrive early in the record, but the back half of Demi shifts into a place where the studio professionalism and blatant cash-ins click. She brings in Cher Lloyd, winner of the seventh season of the British X-Factor, to rap on the brightly brickwalled kiss-off "Really Don't Care," she skips through the wildly appealing "Something That We're Not" — quite easily the purest and best piece of pop here — and deliriously rips off Katy Perry's "Firework" on "Fire Starter," which is shameless in its appropriating the prior hit's construction and progression but not its attitude. This second half is strong enough to make some of the earlier, tentative moments seem a bit better — this is particularly true of "Made in the USA," which cops Miley's "Party in the USA," but it's not quite so fetching an exploitation as "Fire Starter" — but ultimately, this isn't an album of purpose, it's a collection of moments, and it has just enough good ones to solidify Demi Lovato's comeback. [Demi was also released with a bonus-CD-R track.]
Born: August 20, 1992 in Dallas, TXGenre: PopYears Active: '00s, '10sActress/vocalist Demi Lovato began making a name for herself after starring alongside the Jonas Brothers in the 2008 Disney Channel movie Camp Rock. Born in 1992 in Dallas, Texas, she was raised in a household that included her mother (a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader) and her two sisters, the youngest of whom launched her own acting career in 2008. Demi started out as a child actress, starring as a cast regular on Barney and Friends before finding her way onto the Disney Channel with a brief... Full BioThe Music of Nashville Original Soundtrack Volume 2 - Nashville Cast
by EastCoastCountryFan There are great songs on this album, but I already have all of them for the most part. Where is "Already Gone" by Connie Britton? I was looking forward to the second volume of this season's soundtrack coming out just for this song, and it's not on here. I am so disappointed, to say the least. Come on, ABC. by kyblongrl76 The song the daughters sang was Ho Hey by the Lumineers. Absolutely loved it!! by OneHotMama0305 I LOVE this show. The music is phenomenal, and I listen to it all of the time. But I have already purchased 5 out of the 11 songs on this soundtrack. I hope when it is released I will have the "complete my album" option, because I don't want to buy the same music twice. Also, what the heck took so long to release this one? I hope that the next soundtrack will come sooner.
How Mercy Looks from Here (Deluxe Edition) - Amy Grant
by Rontourage I was fortunate to be sent a special streaming version of the entire album by the record label two days ago and I was very excited to get access to this because I've been a fan of Amy's since Age to Age. (For transparency: I'm in the music business but have no financial stake in anything Amy does or in her label, promo partners, I haven't been hired to promote this project, etc. -- my only tie to this project is as a fan). The album is stunning. If you are a fan of Amy's then let me tell you it has all of the trademark qualities that you've come to love and expect from this iconic storyteller: poignant lyrics, that gorgeous rasp, an acoustic pop sensibility with an original approach and, of course, lessons to be learned about love, life, loss, hope, faith in people and in the universe, acceptance, courage and living in the moment. If there are 5 tracks from any new CD that stand out in my mind immediately then that album gets two thumbs up from me. "Mercy" (and I've been listening to it non-stop for two days), I guess, then would get 4 thumbs up because I've found myself so connected to almost every track (except #11 which isn't full of depth but certainly full of hope…). There are songs on this album that will become signature songs of hers a la Father's Eyes, Baby Baby, Lead Me On and they include: Better Not to Know (gut-wrenching, tenderly delivered with hubby Vince providing tight, angelic harmonies), Shovel in Hand (a song of a mother watching her 19 year old son bury one of his friends "With Shovel in Hand, I see the bullet-proof boy turn into a broken man"), Deep as it is Wide (one of the best songs Amy has ever recorded (I'm serious) and it features amazing three-part harmonies and take-a-turn lead vocals from Sheryl Crow and rising country star Eric Palsay), the title track reminds you of "Lead Me On" as she puts us in the shoes of a 91-year-old woman who lost everything but survived the floods, of her own father's as his mind is ravaged by dementia, etc. to show us how mercy looks from here, Our Time is Now (trademark, upbeat, feel good about living in the moment and backed by amazing harmonies from non other than legendary Carole King), Here (letting us know loved ones no longer on this Earth and a higher power is everywhere…."I am here in the dark, i'm the music in your heart, i'm the song in every corner of the sky, I'm here, here, here"), "Not Giving Up" (I'm not giving up, not giving up on you, you can say you've had enough but that's not gonna stop me from calling, I wish you could see the way you look to me"), "If I Could See (What angels See)" starts the journey off with a trademark rockin' anthem with a driving beat, "Don't Try So Hard" the lead single which includes the sweet harmonies of James Taylor -- i thought at first this is one of the weaker songs and shouldn't have been the lead single but as I truly listened to it again I realized that the simplicity of the production and the stirring lyrics set up what she wants to tell us -- life isn't (or doesn't have to be) loud and overproduced and earth shattering … the more simple we make the arrangement, the more we hear and feel the words -- the more we get out of life when all the stuff that doesn't truly matter is stripped away. It's an unpredictable song from one of the most insightful music makers and storytellers of our time -- after all, part of what we've come to expect from her that unpredictable-ness (is that a word?), isn't it? Even writing this review finds me in tears throughout as I continue to absorb the lessons -- without judgment, without Bible thumping -- not only is she on our side but she's by our side just trying to learn what she can as life happens. She continues to lead by example and I feel very fortunate that I grew up with her in my life through the good and the bad. This deserves to be listened to by as many people as possible because this world needs to reconnect. Get past the "Christian artist vs. Pop Artist" because Amy Grant and How Mercy Looks from Here are what the world is lacking. I just heard Amy say in an interview, "Life is good in spite of -- and sometimes because of -- the hard times." Thank you, Amy Grant. by wjstull I can't be more pleased with what I've heard so far. This album speaks to me very deeply. It is truly a piece of beautiful art...production, songcrafting, vocal sincerity. I can't be more ecstatic about this new record. Definitely one of my lifetime favorites. Stand out tracks for me are "Deep As It Is Wide," "How Mercy Looks from Here," "Better Not to Know," and I love the bonus tracks. by clay2c47 I have been waiting for years for this album. I have every album Amy has ever done and her music has become a major part of the tapestry that has woven through my life's soundtrack. On top of my excitement and anticipation for this album, I am even more thrilled to find out that Sheryl Crow, one of my other all-time favorites, is featured in one of the tracks. This album just keeps getting better. I cannot wait until May 14th!
Golden - Lady Antebellum
by 1treehill23 I am not a normal country person, but LADY A changed all that for me. I love there music, they are absolutely fantastic. I'm so happy we get to listen to the whole album even before its out. I can't wait till May 7th. by Michelle Lisk I think that Lady A has really stepped up their game on this one. Loving the new songs. They stole my heart from their very first album and have had ever since,don't see that changing any time soon. Thanks Lady A for singing the songs that reach out to so many that speak from our hearts. by Shelll3 Hillary, Dave, and Charles have done it again! I expect more grammy wins in this trio's future with Golden. This album reminds me much of their first debut album. Classic Lady A. MUST BUY. Formed: 2006 in Augusta, GAGenre: CountryYears Active: '00s, '10sFormed in 2006 by Charles Kelley (brother of singer/songwriter Josh Kelley), Hillary Scott (daughter of Grammy-winning country artist Linda Davis), and Dave Haywood, Lady Antebellum make contemporary country music that relies on the trio's rich harmonies and impeccable instrumental skills. Since its inception, the trio has graduated from dive bars to the Grand Ole Opry, opening for Phil Vassar, Rodney Atkins, and Carrie Underwood along the way. The group signed with Capitol Nashville in 2007 and... Full Bio
Red - Taylor Swift
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together The Last Time (feat. Gary Lightbody) Everything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran) Born: December 13, 1989 in Wyomissing, PAGenre: CountryYears Active: '00s, '10sTaylor Swift became one of country's brightest (and youngest) faces in 2006, when the 16-year-old released her first album. Although new to the American public, Swift had been performing since her preteen years in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, where she first took the stage as part of a children's theater troupe. Encouraged by the troupe's manager to pursue music instead, Swift began performing karaoke songs at a local mall, with open-mike gigs following shortly thereafter. She sang "The Star-Spangled... Full Bio
Night Visions (Deluxe Version) - Imagine Dragons
Historically, there's a progression that bands usually follow before their sound goes full-on arena rock. Things will start small and gritty, and then as the fame and crowds build, the sound changes to match the massiveness of the venues. However, on their debut album, Imagine Dragons buck tradition and swing straight for the cheap seats, doing away with generations of sonic evolution in favor of the huge, arena-made sound of Night Visions. Dramatic and sweeping, the Las Vegas band works in the same vein as pop giants Coldplay, offering up track after track of hooky and emotional midtempo jams. While a move like this might seem overly ambitious for a freshman band, Imagine Dragons are able to pull the sound off, with songs like the already ubiquitous, seemingly soundtrack-ready "It's Time" having no trouble worming their way into whatever part of the brain it is that likes to trap songs against listeners' will. The problem is, while the band's electronically reinforced sound is definitely big, it sometimes feels as though it lacks depth. Despite this, "Every Night" will certainly have some listeners unconsciously reaching for a lighter to wave in the air before they realize what they're doing, and it's exactly these kinds of surface pleasures that we turn to pop music for in the first place. What this means is that even though Imagine Dragons might have skipped a few steps along the way to their arena sound, Night Visions is still an album that, at least for a few minutes at a time, will make everyday life seem just a little bit bigger. [The Deluxe version features five bonus tracks.]
by john123 These guys simply cannot make a bad song. by JOHNSTANLEY!!! Imagine Dragons has a different, unique sound to each track, and yet the band maintains a uniform style. Their lyrics are clean and have clever ideas, as opposed to talking about love and breakups and drugs. Their music is fun and inspirational sounding and their rhythms are catchy. In summary, IMAGINEDRAGONSHOLYCRAPAMAZING by GSmity They have such a different sound on every song it's awesome Formed: 2009 in Las Vegas, NevadaGenre: AlternativeYears Active: '10sLas Vegas-based indie rockers Imagine Dragons formed in Provo, Utah in 2009. Like their desert-born stadium rock contemporaries the Killers, Imagine Dragons blend engaging, synth-based dance-pop with emotionally charged, Brit-pop-inspired alt-rock. After releasing a pair of well-received EPs (Imagine Dragons and Hell and Silence), the group inked a deal with Interscope Records and headed into West Hollywood's famed Westlake Recording Studios with producer Alex Da Kid (Eminem, Paramore)... Full BioThis Is 40 (Unrated) - Judd Apatow
by Bored out of my mind 34 This movie was way too long and slow and summarizes everything that's wrong with America: people living above their means, bratty kids, etc. Don't waste your time watching it at home. Just go to your local restaurant, gym, coffee shop, etc. It's all there... by CORunner39 I never write reviews, but having suffered through this film last night, I felt compelled.
This movie should not even be mentioned in the same category as "Knocked Up", which was funny. "This is 40" is deeply depressing, slow, dim witted, and vulgar simply for the sake of being vulgar.
I wish I could have my $5.99 back along with the 2.5 hours of my life that was wasted on this trash.
Time to call it quits Apatow! by Broken Headphones You've got to hand it to Judd Apatow: he really knows his shtick and he sticks to it. Overlong, crass, adult-themed comedy-dramas are his forte, and "This Is 40" delivers right on par with his other movies. But four flicks into his career and it's a routine that has rapidly gotten tired, made even worse by the fact that this flick ultimately fails to serve up anything new, refreshing, or even insightful that the director's previous comedies haven't already offered. Sure, the movie manages to hit some humorous high marks here and there, but they aren't enough to make up for the remaining two hours we're inevitably left to face. At the center of "This Is 40" are Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann), the other couple from Apatow's immensely popular R-rated comedy "Knocked Up." After years of marriage, the pair is finally approaching the dreaded 4-0, and they're each on opposite sides of the spectrum. Debbie is strictly focused on changing every facet of their lives as a means to obtain a newfound "maturity," while Pete's dream job as head of an indie record label has seen him fall under considerable financial strain. Parental issues and a pair of squabbling daughters also add to their woes. For those not in the know, Mann is actually Apatow's wife and the child actresses who play Pete and Debbie's kids are his daughters. So logically, one can't help but conclude that Rudd is essentially playing Apatow himself. With such knowledge, it's a bit hard not to view this movie as anything other than Apatow purging his own bitterness and insecurities at the audience, with the stench of anger, regret, and depression almost impossible to wash off after the credits roll. Call it a study in midlife crisis or even a therapeutic exercise. Either way, at well over the two-hour mark, it's mostly a draining slog of an ultimately uncomfortable experience, especially with characters as progressively annoying as these. Not to say that Rudd and Mann don't play their protagonists well, yet as written by Apatow, this is a pair that can really test the patience of most viewers. Mann has always straddled the line between cutesy and annoying in most of her roles (firmly crossing over to the latter here), and that carefree, boyish charm that Rudd typically excels in doesn't hold up nearly as well here. Sure, many will end up commending Apatow's approach to marriage, parenthood, and getting older as "real" and "uncensored." Yet "real" doesn't always make for entertaining and "uncensored" typically loses most of its luster with a running time this brutally long (at least a good forty minutes needed to be cut from the film alone). As it stands, "This Is 40" is an endurance test of mistrust, stress, and simmering middle-age bitterness, layered by the type of crass and raunchy humor that's only laugh-out-loud funny in small bits and pieces (Melissa McCarthy in particular has a hilarious scene-stealer as an angry mother in a principal's office). If you do decide to see this film, just know that it's not a feel-good comedy. It's more of a tense family drama with a few comedic elements blended in. Still, if you're a fan of Apatow's perceptive brand of humor, it's worth a one-time rent at the very least.
This movie should not even be mentioned in the same category as "Knocked Up", which was funny. "This is 40" is deeply depressing, slow, dim witted, and vulgar simply for the sake of being vulgar.
I wish I could have my $5.99 back along with the 2.5 hours of my life that was wasted on this trash.
Time to call it quits Apatow! by Broken Headphones You've got to hand it to Judd Apatow: he really knows his shtick and he sticks to it. Overlong, crass, adult-themed comedy-dramas are his forte, and "This Is 40" delivers right on par with his other movies. But four flicks into his career and it's a routine that has rapidly gotten tired, made even worse by the fact that this flick ultimately fails to serve up anything new, refreshing, or even insightful that the director's previous comedies haven't already offered. Sure, the movie manages to hit some humorous high marks here and there, but they aren't enough to make up for the remaining two hours we're inevitably left to face. At the center of "This Is 40" are Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann), the other couple from Apatow's immensely popular R-rated comedy "Knocked Up." After years of marriage, the pair is finally approaching the dreaded 4-0, and they're each on opposite sides of the spectrum. Debbie is strictly focused on changing every facet of their lives as a means to obtain a newfound "maturity," while Pete's dream job as head of an indie record label has seen him fall under considerable financial strain. Parental issues and a pair of squabbling daughters also add to their woes. For those not in the know, Mann is actually Apatow's wife and the child actresses who play Pete and Debbie's kids are his daughters. So logically, one can't help but conclude that Rudd is essentially playing Apatow himself. With such knowledge, it's a bit hard not to view this movie as anything other than Apatow purging his own bitterness and insecurities at the audience, with the stench of anger, regret, and depression almost impossible to wash off after the credits roll. Call it a study in midlife crisis or even a therapeutic exercise. Either way, at well over the two-hour mark, it's mostly a draining slog of an ultimately uncomfortable experience, especially with characters as progressively annoying as these. Not to say that Rudd and Mann don't play their protagonists well, yet as written by Apatow, this is a pair that can really test the patience of most viewers. Mann has always straddled the line between cutesy and annoying in most of her roles (firmly crossing over to the latter here), and that carefree, boyish charm that Rudd typically excels in doesn't hold up nearly as well here. Sure, many will end up commending Apatow's approach to marriage, parenthood, and getting older as "real" and "uncensored." Yet "real" doesn't always make for entertaining and "uncensored" typically loses most of its luster with a running time this brutally long (at least a good forty minutes needed to be cut from the film alone). As it stands, "This Is 40" is an endurance test of mistrust, stress, and simmering middle-age bitterness, layered by the type of crass and raunchy humor that's only laugh-out-loud funny in small bits and pieces (Melissa McCarthy in particular has a hilarious scene-stealer as an angry mother in a principal's office). If you do decide to see this film, just know that it's not a feel-good comedy. It's more of a tense family drama with a few comedic elements blended in. Still, if you're a fan of Apatow's perceptive brand of humor, it's worth a one-time rent at the very least.
Music Speaks - Candice Glover
1 I Am Beautiful Music Speaks 2:56 $1.29 View In iTunes 2 I Who Have Nothing (American Idol Performance) I Who Have Nothing (American Idol Performance) - Single 2:58 $1.29 View In iTunes 3 I Who Have Nothing (American Idol Performance) American Idol - Top 10 Season 12 2:58 Album Only View In iTunes 4 Come Together (American Idol Performance) American Idol: Top 9 Season 12 3:57 Album Only View In iTunes 5 Come Together (American Idol Performance) Come Together (American Idol Performance) - Single 3:57 $1.29 View In iTunes 6 I Heard It Through the Grapevine (American Idol Performance) I Heard It Through the Grapevine (American Idol Performance) - Single 3:48 $1.29 View In iTunes 7 I Heard It Through the Grapevine (American Idol Performance) American Idol - Top 8 Season 12 3:48 Album Only View In iTunes 8 (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction [American Idol Performance] American Idol - Top 7 Season 12 3:44 Album Only View In iTunes 9 (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction [American Idol Performance] (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction [American Idol Performance] - Single 3:44 $1.29 View In iTunes 10 Lovesong (American Idol Performance) Lovesong (American Idol Performance) - Single 4:48 $1.29 View In iTunes
My Head Is An Animal - Of Monsters and Men
Open iTunes to preview, buy, and download music. by MadDog 2020 A fine album indeed; musically interesting, distinctive vocals and engaging subject matter. And very catchy melodies. The "magical" video is clealry inspired by early Sugar Cube videos. But am I the only one here who thinks they sound more like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros than Mumford and Sons (case in point: compare "Little Talks" to "Home")? by Zymurgy7777 To the idiots saying they ripped the name off another band, Of Mice and Men was a book first so go get your GED before you give a band a one star review, pretty decent album though if you're into indie rock. by dramastar123 Amazing. Many call these guys the Icelandic Mumford and Sons, but I think the guy/girl duet raises the bar. I have a new favorite album. So different and fascinating, I love it! Genre: AlternativeYears Active: '10sAfter winning the nationwide 2010 battle-of-the-bands competition Musiktilraunir in their native Iceland, six-piece chamber pop group Of Monsters and Men were hailed as "the new Arcade Fire" in Rolling Stone magazine. A bidding war ensued, and the group signed with Universal Music Group. In the beginning of 2012, a four-song EP titled Into the Woods was... Full Bio\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Beauty school \145\UMG_cvrart_00602527996905_01_RGB72_1200x1200_12UMGIM10062.100x100-75.jpg)
Star Trek - J.J. Abrams
The greatest adventure of all time begins with Star Trek, the incredible story of a young crew's maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk (Chris Pine), is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before.Reviews Counted: 297Fresh: 281Rotten: 16Average Rating: 8.1/10
Fresh: With Star Trek Abrams honors the show's legacy without fossilizing its best qualities. Instead, he's whisked it off to a planet where numbing nostalgia can't kill it, and where the future is still something to look forward to. – Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com, Jun 24, 2010
Fresh: In going back to tell the Enterprise story from the beginning, Star Trek presses collective emotional buttons people didn't even know they had. At its best, the effect is like seeing life panoramically, past and future, simultaneous and magnificent. – Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle, Jun 24, 2010
Fresh: Star Trek goes back to the legend's roots with a boldness that brings a fatigued franchise back to life. – Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal, Jun 24, 2010
Fresh: In his daft, dizzy reinvention of a moribund franchise, Abrams has found a way to be referential without being reverential, to conjure nostalgia without being constrained by it. – Christopher Orr, The New Republic, Jun 24, 2010
Read More About This Movie On Rotten TomatoesThe Master - Paul Thomas Anderson
by Broken Headphones Let me just start by saying that "The Master" is NOT for everyone. This is a movie specifically designed to intensely challenge and shock its viewers in the most harrowing and uncomfortable ways you can imagine. There are several scenes that may simply leave you scratching your head in utter confusion and make you wonder why that entire sequence was added to begin with. But honestly, that's exactly what makes this flick so fascinating to watch. It never takes the time to explain itself, nor does it even try to, and yet, the movie solidly commands your attention in all its enigmatic glory. The characters Paul Thomas Anderson has created here are nothing short of complex, if not disturbing. Freddie Quell (played with brilliant force by the underrated Joaquin Phoenix) is a World War II veteran whose experiences overseas have left him a completely manic and unstable shadow of his former self - a drifter controlled by his unrestrained temper and heavy drinking obsession. Just when it finally seems as though he's reached his nadir, Freddie inadvertently finds himself aboard a ship carrying Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the creepily charismatic leader of "The Cause", a mysterious religious movement with unclear motives. Over the course of the film, Dodd manages to persuade Freddie to join the cult and takes him under his wing - much to the distaste of Dodd's overbearing and fanatical wife (Amy Adams). Because "The Master" focuses almost all of its attention on character development rather than cohesive storytelling, the film has a sense of erratic claustrophobia to it that makes it all the more difficult to sit through. Phoenix pretty much drives the movie with his surreal portrayal of an insane man on the brink of self-destruction. The way his character unintelligibly mumbles, the way he irrationally and unconsciously acts without thinking makes it all the more terrifyingly believable. As for Hoffman's performance, one could argue that it's even more impressive than Phoenix's. His unnerving depiction of a manipulative cult leader has a persona that ranges from seemingly charming to downright monstrous. Adams' psychotic character is also a scene-stealer, but she hardly gets any screen time compared to her male co-stars, which is a shame. Above all, "The Master" is a powerful commentary on both society and the individual - the need for acceptance, belonging, a figure to look up to: particularly in the time shortly after war, where so many young men returned to a nation that didn't know what to do with them all - all focused through the bare-bone emotion of Phoenix's character. But due to its unflinching rawness, this film becomes too overbearing at times, making it feel largely unattainable for a wider audience. There are a lot of scenes that may easily shock you both mentally and physically (at one point in the flick, the main character experiences a disturbing fever dream in which he imagines all the women in the room he's in are completely nude). This movie is definitely not for the most sensitive viewers, and it'll probably leave you with more questions than answers, but if you appreciate filmmaking at its most creatively daring and audaciously polarizing, I still recommend giving it a chance. Even if you aren't the biggest fan of Paul Thomas Anderson's work, "The Master" is well worth seeing at least once for its magnificent performances, expert cinematography, and challenging - albeit confounding - screenplay. by Eckomania I'm a huge PT Anderson fan. I was lucky enough to see a 70mm film print of this film, knew quite a bit about the subject matter, and was quite excited to see it. But I left the theater disappointed. In the few times Anderson has failed during his career its usually because his script is heavy on dialog and contains an unfocused narrative. This is no exception and it has to be ranked amongst his worst outings as a filmmaker. by MrTnyc Great acting, useless story.
Warm Bodies - Jonathan Levine
by Broken Headphones Who would've thought that a zombified twist on "Romeo & Juliet" would turn out to be one of the most surprisingly enjoyable films of the year? Well, I sure didn't, but director and writer Jonathan Levine proved that such a crazy concept could be done with plenty of charm, style, emotion, and wit to spare. Never opting to go the standard "Twilight" route, this quirky post-apocalyptic romance really draws us into its story with a sense of self-aware humor that's rarely ever seen in many teen flicks. It also heavily borrows from the John Hughes playbook to great effect, mixing authentic depth and adolescent awkwardness with a sentimental eye for detail. But more than anything, "Warm Bodies" is a consistently entertaining comedic romp that takes full advantage of its well-rounded cast, as well as its wacky paranormal premise. Sure, the script stumbles at times, but when it works, it really works.
Based on the best-selling young adult novel by Isaac Marion, the movie, which takes place sometime after the future zombie apocalypse, follows R (Nicholas Hoult), a young and oddly introspective member of the living dead who spends most of his time wandering around an abandoned airport with other hordes of zombies, simply waiting for the next meal to present itself. But on a feeding encounter with a human gathering party, R meets a beautiful girl named Julie (Teresa Palmer), and feels an urge to protect her. What occurs next is the beginning of a strangely warm relationship that causes R to start gaining back his humanity. As this change begins to spread throughout the undead population, Julie and R eventually find they're facing a larger issue even as their friendship is seriously tested. Caught between the paranoid human forces and the ferocious "Bonies" (who are a mutual threat), our heroes must find a way to bridge the sides to fight for a better world no one thought possible.
I'll admit, that synopsis does sound a bit corny, and in some ways it is, but thanks to the terrific performances of its cast, the flick manages to be both engaging and heartfelt without ever succumbing to the overbearing sappiness that typically plagues most teen romances. Hoult is simply hysterical as the movie's awkwardly witty zombie protagonist R. Most of the dialogue we hear from him is actually in the form of narration inside his head, and the observational humor he points out about life as one of the undead is consistently clever, a lot more so than you might think. Even when Palmer, the love interest, enters into the story, we always feel emotionally attached to R, not just because of his natural likability, but also because we really want him to get the girl and succeed in the end, despite nearly all the odds being stacked against him. And while Hoult and Palmer may not exactly share the most believable chemistry on screen, their personalities definitely shine brighter and work better to their advantage. Besides the two lead stars, though, this film greatly benefits just as much from the supporting performances of Analeigh Tipton, Rob Corddry, and Dave Franco. But even their secondary characters are no match for John Malkovich's surprisingly self-serious role as the high-ranking general and overprotective father of R's human girlfriend, Julie. His character may be a bit of a cliché, but he commits to it with such fervency and passion and that you eventually begin to believe he's the real deal. The script, while it often meanders more often than not, still knows just how and when to get back on track when it truly needs to. And I've gotta say, this movie's soundtrack is just the icing on the cake. You can never go wrong with Guns N' Roses and Bob Dylan, am I right? That, along with the cast's memorable performances, are just enough to make up for the so-so digital effects and overuse of zombie puns.
While it most likely won't be in the race to win any Oscars anytime soon, "Warm Bodies" still stands as one of the better films to be released so far in 2013. With its unique paranormal twist on the classic Shakespearean tale we all know, this sweet ode to teen romance and decaying corpses goes beyond the predictable trappings of its premise to deliver a bloody fresh twist on the zombie genre altogether. It can even be compared to flicks like "Shaun of the Dead" and "Zombieland" in the way it mixes comedy and horror with consistent wit and endearing nostalgia. In the end, this is a well- executed love story that remains fun and quirky from start to finish thanks to the strengths of its charming cast, authentic emotion, and sharply-timed humor. Whether you love comedies, romances, zombies, or all three, "Warm Bodies" is a delightful cinematic treat that doubles as a solid date flick, the kind that both can enjoy together. If you haven't seen it yet, I strongly suggest giving it a rent. Trust me, it's worth your time.
by Crazy monkey35 Apple make it happen! by Mac J Savi First, if you love 80's music then you'll dig the tunes in this movie. The music spoke volumes. I really enjoyed the use of music.The movie itself was a great play on Romeo and Juliet. Nicholas Hoult was excellent as R. He gave him a voice with his eyes and facial expressions. I thought it was a sweet love story, and Issac Marion used this love story as commentary on our dependency on electronics and solitary existence as an extension of those electronics.
It's a great movie. If you don't buy it at least give it a chance by renting it. .
Safe Haven (2013) - Lasse Hallström
by Broken Headphones When I agreed to see "Safe Haven" with my girlfriend over Valentine's Day weekend, I already knew what I'd be getting myself into: another shoddy adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel with all the trimmings: a good-looking cast, a plot filled with all the sappy clichés you'd expect to appear, and some truly terrible dialogue uttered in typical monotone fashion. And just as expected, the film ended up delivering all of that, plus quite a few other things that ultimately made it one of the most unintentionally hilarious romantic dramas ever made. No, really, I'm serious. The whole film, from start to finish, is essentially just one big awkward comedy. The main characters, played by Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel, are so poorly developed and inherently generic that whenever they try to display even an ounce of credible romantic authenticity, it comes across as just plain laughable. I'd especially say the same for the rest of the cast, particularly the clichéd villain, who we all clearly know is evil because he carries a bottle of vodka in his hand wherever he goes while a loud, menacing score plays in the background. Nothing is subtle or even that surprising about any of the boring characters that plague this emotionally bland romance, but it's the ludicrous plot twists that really set it apart from other movies like "Dear John" and "The Lucky One." I actually had to keep myself from laughing at just how unbelievably ludicrous and shamelessly forced upon the story these twists were. One of them is so ridiculous that it just betrays all logic and abruptly ends the film in the most insanely bizarre and sentimentally manipulative way imaginable. It's a suitably nonsensical conclusion to a simple love story gone completely wrong. Hough and Duhamel try their best to bring the most out of their formulaic roles, and the film's picture-perfect Southern backdrop is undeniably gorgeous to look at, but pretty visuals can't make up for flat emotions, hackneyed melodrama, and eye-rolling plot twists, all of which are drenched in a heaping pile of overbearing schmaltz. Still, I truly didn't think "Safe Haven" was downright terrible. It did make for a surprisingly entertaining comedy, after all. Plus, my girlfriend really enjoyed it, so I can't complain too much. At the end of the day, unless you happen to be a diehard fan of Nicholas Sparks dramas or just enjoy watching hilariously bad movies, this one is far from a must-see. by Anneisowum this was a really great movie and I recommend anyone! by ecv763 This was the first Nicolas Sparks movie I've seen and I was not impressed. It seemed to drag on and on. The dialogue was uninspired and the story was just dumb in my opinion. Waste of time and money.
Love Is Everything - George Strait
I Just Can't Go On Dying Like This I Thought I Heard My Heart Sing That's What Breaking Hearts Do You Don't Know What You're Missing
George Strait decided he'd retire from the road once he turned 60, so he launched a farewell tour in 2013 that is scheduled to run into 2014. Hanging up his concert hat doesn't necessarily indicate that he's taking a break from recording, so there's no suggestion that Love Is Everything — his 28th studio album, released in May of 2013, just as the farewell tour began — will be his final recording. True enough, Love Is Everything does not have the gravity that's required of a final statement, as it glides by with the natural ease that has been Strait's signature since the start. This light touch combined with Strait's unapologetic slowing gait — there aren't nearly as many breezy numbers as there were last time around on 2011's Here for a Good Time — make for an appealingly mellow little record, one heavy on ballads ranging from such sweet pieces of sunburnt pop as "Sittin' on the Fence" to such old-fashioned romantic crooning such as "I Just Can't Go on Dying Like This," which would have felt equally comfortable in the hands of either George Jones or Frank Sinatra. Strait can still kick up a little dust — "The Night Is Young" is a good Texas two-step, "I Thought I Heard My Heart Sing" nearly bounces along on the giddiness of its melody — but he's not so concerned in exercising that swing muscle all that often. He'd rather lay back and sings songs of love won and lost, and even if that means Love Is Everything isn't necessarily ambitious, it is remarkably satisfying.
Born: May 18, 1952 in Poteet, TXGenre: CountryYears Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10sOut of all the new country singers to emerge in the early '80s, George Strait stayed the closest to traditional country. Drawing from both the honky tonk and Western swing traditions, Strait didn't refashion the genres; instead, he revitalized them for a new decade. In the process, he became one of the most popular and influential singers of the decade, sparking... Full BioLife On a Rock - Kenny Chesney
iTunes LPLife On a Rock - iTunes LP Spread the Love (feat. The Wailers) [with Elan] Coconut Tree (with Willie Nelson) Happy On the Hey Now (A Song For Kristi) Born: March 26, 1968 in Knoxville, TNGenre: CountryYears Active: '90s, '00s, '10sContemporary country star Kenny Chesney didn't have the immediate breakout success that many of his peers enjoyed upon signing with major labels, but gradually built up a significant following via hard work, pop-friendly ballads, and a likable, "Average Joe" persona. Chesney was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1968 and raised in the nearby small town of Luttrell, best known as the home of Chet Atkins. He grew up listening to both country and rock & roll, but didn't get serious about music until... Full Bio
Love Will... - Trace Adkins
Kiss You All Over (feat. Exile) Watch the World End (feat. Colbie Caillat) BookletDigital Booklet - Love Will...
This is a romantic album, as the title Love Will... suggests: sweet, soulful, and slow, almost entirely ignoring the honky tonk that was once Trace Adkins' stock in trade. In its stead comes a duet with Colbie Caillat, a singer who has nothing to do with country, and a cover of Exile's disco-country classic "Kiss You All Over" cut with the group itself, two indications that Adkins is mining a distinctly smooth and seductive territory, one that sonically could cross over into the pop mainstream if it weren't for his burly baritone, a signature that keeps him planted in country. This is country music but it's rooted in the masculine slickness of the heyday of urban cowboy. The occasional slight Auto-Tune placed on Adkins' voice strongly signals this album was cut in the present day but, otherwise, Love Will... plays a bit like a throwback to the glory days of soft country, crossed with a little bit of new millennial production flair (chiefly achieved in the echo, ringing, single-note riffs that are there for texture, not hooks). Perhaps Love Will... doesn't make itself known the way earlier Adkins records did, but this is charmingly low-key and suggests a nice mature second act as a crooner for the singer.
Born: January 13, 1962 in Sarepta, LAGenre: CountryYears Active: '90s, '00s, '10sTrace Adkins helped keep country's traditionalist flame burning during the crossover-happy late '90s, mixing classic honky tonk with elements of gospel, blues, and rock & roll. Adkins was born in the small Louisiana town of Sarepta in 1962 and took up the guitar at an early age; he went on to study music at Louisiana Tech, where he also played football and worked on an offshore oil rig after graduating. His finger was severed in an accident while on the job, and once several years had passed,... Full BioTo Be Loved - Michael Bublé
by Bjacketfan03 This song is one of the best I can not wait for the rest of the album. Michael Buble is one of the best and a must in your Ipod and Itunes by Broken Headphones In an overcrowded music industry packed with countless generic pop singers, Michael Bublé is truly a diamond in the rough. Everything about him, from his richly textured falsetto to his incredibly charming lyrics, feels genuine and meaningful. He simply doesn't need to rely on auto-tune or high-tech vocal effects to enhance his voice. He's just a natural-born singer, which is why my anticipation for his latest record, "To Be Loved," couldn't be higher. I've already become addicted to the catchy first single, "It's a Beautiful Day," so here's hoping that the rest of the album won't disappoint. But seeing as how Bublé always manages to top himself with each new CD, I highly doubt that'll happen. by HasEveryNameBeenTaken?!? It is not auto-tune. That is his actual voice and it sounds nothing like auto-tune so stop hating.
The Lumineers - The Lumineers
by pamsmiley How can you not love this song! Way to go Neyla! Proud to say you were my student. by InlettecluatMall So many people already know that they put on an amazing show! With this album, The Lumineers also have proved to be masters in a studio. For a debut album, this self titled work shines blindingly as one of the best of 2012. I'm so excited to see where they will go! I'll follow on The Lumineers' heels as close as uncomfortably possible because I know I'll always have a pretty bird singing in my ear.
Love x 10 + 100.
by Tablite I saw this band live just two days ago in Seattle. I'd been waiting to see them for many, many weeks. Now to finally have the new album downloaded and at my fingertips is perfect. Each song brings new life and love to the sound. They are heart warming and true. You can feel the love they have for the music and for each other. Their songs bring people together. I can't pick a favorite song. I love them all.Modern Vampires of the City - Vampire Weekend
At the time of its release, Modern Vampires of the City was touted as a "deeper" offering from Vampire Weekend. While that's true to an extent, that also downplays the equally heartfelt and clever songs on their first two albums. What is undeniable is that Modern Vampires is a lot less obviously showy than the band's previous work. They trade in Contra's bright eclecticism for a less audacious production style and smaller instrumental palette: guitar, organ, harpsichord, and the occasional sample combine into a rarefied sound that suggests a more insular version of their debut, and the band bookends the album with some of its most literal and insular chamber pop on "Obvious Bicycle" and "Young Lion." Modern Vampires' quieter approach also showcases what might be most enduring about Vampire Weekend's music — endearing melodies and carefully crafted lyrics. It also fits Ezra Koenig's preoccupations on this set of songs, chief among them the fact that we're all going to die. The band sums up all of this brilliantly on "Step," where the music's hip-hop beats and harpsichords reflect the allusions to Souls of Mischief and growing pains in Koenig's lyrics. Elsewhere, Vampire Weekend tones down the quirks that may have polarized listeners before; songs like "Everlasting Arms" and "Unbelievers" walk the fine line between cheery and grating so well that they could even win over those who previously found them too peppy and preppy. Similarly, Modern Vampires of the City's political allusions are also subtler than they were on Contra, where the band brandished them like college students all too willing to display their awareness of current events: Koenig sounds offhanded when he sings "though we live on the US dollar/We got our own sense of time" on "Hannah Hunt," and even the album's most overtly political song, the darkly verbose "Hudson," adopts a more historical stance as it incorporates everything from 17th century explorers, pre-war apartments, and exclusive New York neighborhoods into its meditations on fate versus free will. Of course, Vampire Weekend can't completely stifle their exuberance, and the album's louder moments stand out even more vibrantly against the subdued ones. "Diane Young"'s brash, buzzy mix of doo wop, surf, and punk feels like a nod to Contra as well as Billy Joel's "You May Be Right," and Koenig sings "I don't wanna live like this, but I don't wanna die" with so much joy on "Finger Back" that it celebrates life as much as it contemplates mortality. Ultimately, Modern Vampires of the City is more thoughtful than it is dark, balancing its more serious moments with a lighter touch and more confidence than they've shown before. Even if Koenig and company fear getting old, maturity suits them well.
by Ari P Vampire Weekend have really outdone themselves with this most recent effort. They are no longer those kids in their early 20’s writing about oxford commas. They have matured as a band and this album is as good as anything they’ve done. Their songs are no longer about youthful or mundane concepts. They have really dug deep on this latest effort - singing about regret, loss, love, and religion – the types of things adults in their late 20’s begin to think about more and more as they enter a quarter-life crisis. This is Vampire Weekend’s most clever, thought-provoking album yet. The way they blend all the songs together into a magnificent concept album is astounding. This will go down as one of the best concept albums of the 21st century, along with The Decemberists’ The Hazards of Love and Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs. The album cover is a great metaphor showing how anthropogenic emissions can kill people in a similar manner as vampires – hence, acting as a “modern vampire” in this day and age. The photo was taken on the smoggiest day in New York City back in 1966. I have streamed this album 5 times now and it just keeps getting better and better with each listen! The standout tracks are Obvious Bicycle, Step, Don’t Lie, Hannah Hunt, and Ya Hey. Enjoy this masterpiece! Albums like this do not come out everyday! by Mattthecoolguy So far the four or so leaked/released tracks show that this is going to be an amazing album! I can't wait to hear the rest, especially if the ones that we have heard are this good! by YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEUS Their sound has evolved and it's new and exciting but it's still got their classic sound. And iHawkeye5 who rated it three stars because of itunes . . . your reviewing the album not itunes, don't do that -__- Formed: NYGenre: AlternativeYears Active: '00s, '10sDescribing their sound as "Upper West Side Soweto," New York City's Vampire Weekend mix preppy, well-read indie rock with joyful, Afro-pop-inspired melodies and rhythms. Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, Rostam Batmanglij, and Chris Tomson formed the band early in 2006, when they were finishing up their studies at Columbia University. Taking their name from a movie Koenig made during his freshman year, the band started out by playing gigs at the university's literary societies and at parties. Word spread... Full BioSilver Linings Playbook - David O. Russell
by Alina Meza Being that I'm a 16 year old girl, who has been diagnosed with severe depression, been put in a psychiatric hospital, and now has officially been diagnosed with being bipolar, this movie means more to me than words can say. It had me crying and laughing every second. After seeing this movie, I don't feel alone anymore, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to the creators of this movie and the book. by Broken Headphones When it comes to the overwhelming crowd of Hollywood-produced romantic comedies we tend to see every year or so, "Silver Linings Playbook" is truly a diamond in the rough. With its unconventional story, naturally flawed cast of unstable characters, and impressive balance of poignant drama and heartfelt hilarity, this fantastic film sheds a painful yet uplifting light on the ups and downs of mental instability, while also forming a relationship around two of the unlikeliest of people. It's an emotional roller coaster ride full of compassion and craziness, love and laughter, depth and personal destruction, and just about everything in between. It isn't always the easiest film to watch, but if you have the patience, it's worth it.
The movie follows Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), a former teacher struggling with severe cases of bipolar disorder and depression. After spending eight months in a mental health institution, he finds himself moving back in with his mother (Jacki Weaver) and father (Robert De Niro). Determined to get his life back on track and retain a positive attitude, Pat wants nothing more than to reunite with his estranged ex-wife, despite the challenging circumstances of their separation (she has a restraining order against him following a previous incident). In light of this situation, he tries contacting her through some of his old friends. It's through them that he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious girl who has complicated problems of her own, and his life suddenly becomes a little more complex. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife, but only if he'll do something for her in return: compete in a ballroom dance competition. And pretty soon, an unexpected bond between them slowly begins to form.
David O. Russell's story about the blooming romance between two unstable basket cases is both quietly subtle and uneasily complex at once. Like I said before, this isn't your typical Hollywood rom-com that demands a needlessly happy ending for everyone involved. It purely focuses on reality, and the characters (and actors) in the film couldn't be more genuine. From the moment the two of them appear on screen together, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence share a fluent, incredibly authentic chemistry. Their characters, Pat and Tiffany, are like loose firecrackers who can explode at any given moment. They always bring out the best and worst in each other, and that's what makes them so likable and interesting throughout the film. You can't easily predict how their individual stories will end since their personalities are wildly uneven, but because of their determined spirits, they genuinely make you want to root for them from start to finish. Despite both their remarkably powerful screen presences, Cooper and Lawrence aren't the only stars in this movie who strike a chord. Robert De Niro gives one of his best performances in recent years as Pat's father, a thoughtful but stern patriarch who constantly obsesses over his hometown football team, the Philadelphia Eagles. As for Jacki Weaver, who plays Pat's loving mother, she smartly underplays the role by staying away from most of the action and providing gentle support to her family when they need it. Chris Tucker, John Ortiz, and Julia Stiles all play their supporting roles to the best of their abilities, even though they star in very few scenes. But even so, this is one of the strongest all-star casts ever assembled for any romantic comedy, and it's only strengthened by the Oscar-worthy talents of Cooper and Lawrence.
Tackling a series of tricky mature themes - mental disorders just being one of many - with grace, heart, and humanity, "Silver Linings Playbook" is a beautifully crafted film that never aims to take the easy way out. Russell's direction is keen and sensitive, and the characters he's created are easily some of the most memorable, authentically realistic protagonists I've seen in a long time. The whole cast is excellent, the screenplay is consistently involving, the score by Danny Elfman is charming as always, and the humor and drama blend amazingly with one another. It's a smart, original film that features Bradley and Jennifer at their finest, and if you have the time, I eagerly recommend giving it a chance. You'll be glad you did.
by AnnaBeeMe I find it funny that some of the people rating this movie poorly do it on the basis of it not being faithful of the reality of the disorder. I find it funny because I am bipolar. Because I have spent time in a hospital. Because I am medicated, and I go to support groups for people with this disorder, as does my mother to support groups for family members, and every single person I know who has seen this movie, and lives with this condition on a daily basis, has loved the movie. I can accept perfectly that people might not like the movie for several reasons, but I don't get this reason.Bipolar disorder is tricky, and manifests differently in different people but there is loads there that any one of us could relate to… and not least importantly that it does provide an inspirational silver lining that strengthens the hearts of people who live in this world.
I confess I laughed a little too much in the movie. Like when the two compare medication, I was chuckling where most of the theater was quiet. Still, even if you take away the bipolar side of it, it's enchanting movie making, and a romantic comedy worth watching… to the likes I hadn't seen in a long time.
The acting was perfect, especially that of the Jacki Weaver, who is less mentioned than the other three, but not less amazing.
The movie is a mix of up and down and finally hope… perfect for a bipolar who is looking to be better… or just anyone really. :-)
Jack Reacher - Christopher McQuarrie
by Broken Headphones At this point in his career, Tom Cruise has starred in so many shoot-'em-up action films that it's nearly impossible to tell them all apart. And with that said, I was a bit hesitant about seeing "Jack Reacher," since none of the trailers really specified what kind of movie it was trying to brand itself as or what the story was even about. But due to my curiosity, I decided to give the film a chance, hoping that it'd at least keep me consistently entertained for a couple of hours. Not only did it end up doing just that, but it actually turned out to be a lot smarter and much more engaging than your average Hollywood-produced action-thriller. Although that's definitely not to say it didn't suffer from its share of problems as well. Based on Lee Child's best-selling "Jack Reacher" series, the film follows the title character (Tom Cruise), a mysterious military investigator, as he hesitantly agrees to look into the senseless murder of several civilians by a skilled sharpshooter. There's little doubt that filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie, working from his own screenplay, does an amazing job of immediately drawing the viewer into the proceedings, as the movie kicks off with a spellbinding (and dialogue-free) sequence revolving around the aforementioned sharpshooter's attack and the subsequent initial investigation by the authorities. It's a riveting, utterly suspenseful opening that paves the way for the deliberately paced yet persistently watchable adventure that ensues. Of course, what makes this movie so engaging to begin with is Cruise's magnetic lead performance. He effortlessly steps into the shoes of a physically hardened, mentally unstable figure with a propensity for random acts of violence, tough-guy posturing, and snappy one-liners. Yes, more often than not, he does easily come across as an overly cartoonish anti-hero who can't be taken seriously in the slightest (this is an action pic, after all), but his captivating screen presence is simply undeniable. Cruise is backed up by an equally impressive supporting cast, which includes Rosamund Pike as a young defense lawyer who teams up with Reacher to solve the mysterious attacks and Werner Herzog as the ruthless evil mastermind who's pulling all the strings. Herzog, in particular, makes for a hauntingly menacing villain throughout, which makes me wonder why he doesn't take up starring in movies more often. Acting aside, this film is packed to the brim with fast-paced car chases and intense hand-to-hand combat scenes, but the majority of them are spaced out in a midsection that feels aggressively padded-out with a procedural-like narrative that, at times, resembles the pilot episode of a brand new cop show on TNT. In other words, the pacing is slower than a whole gallon of molasses, but it does pick up whenever an exciting action scene usually appears. And even though the drawn-out climax wasn't quite as satisfying a payoff as I might've hoped, "Jack Reacher" is still a better-than-average modern-day thriller that works off of the strengths of its talented cast, solidly-written screenplay, engaging action sequences, and intensely gripping score. Is it a must-see movie? I wouldn't quite go so far as saying that, but it's a great pick if you're looking for a fun, self-serious action flick with elements of mystery and suspense blended in. Sure, some of the film's acting and dialogue can be unintentionally funny at times and the story does tend to feel a bit too formulaic, but as long as you're willing to go along for the ride, this engrossing crime thriller is well worth a solid rent. by Faceoff9 If you've read any of the Jack Reacher novels, you already know Cruise is all kinds of wrong for this role. It's comparable as casting him to play Thor in the Avengers. If you can get past that fact, then you'll probably enjoy the action and the more than very predictable storyline of the movie. I didn't "dislike" it, but it's not worthy of more than 2 stars. by Dave41195 I must say, when I saw the previews for this, all I thought was "generic action movie". But I digress, I was very pleasantly surprised. While "Jack Reacher" may not necessarily break new ground, it's still one of the slickest and intense action/thrillers in recent memory.
When five citizens are shot and killed, all evidence points to former U.S. Army Sniper James Barr. While in custody, he asks for the help of Jack Reacher, a former Military Police Officer who has a mysterious connection to his past. Reacher suspects foul play, and dispences his own brand of "no-limits" justice to hunt down the truth behind the murders.
Tom Cruise gives one of his greatest performances as Jack Reacher, who's wit and skills form one of the toughest yet likable action heroes since Dirty Harry. Another one of the film's strengths is Christopher McQuarrie's script, which is filled with great dialogue that has some surprisingly good humor. McQuarrie also shows how great of a director he is, with scenes that build up massive tension and contain edge-of- your-seat action. If I had anything negative to say, it would be that Werner Herzog's performance as the villian Zec, while not bad, was a little over the top; almost to the point that he seemed like a James Bond villian.
All in all, I found "Jack Reacher" to be a near-perfect film that doesn't sacrifice brains for brawn. When it focuses on story, it makes you care for the characters so that the action has meaning. When the action hits, it hits REALLY hard! Props to McQuarrie and Cruise for hitting it home on this one! Very high Full Price!
"You think I'm a hero? I'm not a hero. And if you're smart, that scares you. Because I have nothing to lose." - Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher
The Guilt Trip - Anne Fletcher
“Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen are the perfect comedy duo"* as they embark on one mother of a road trip! The plan for a quick stop at Mom’s takes a sudden turn when an impulse compels Andy (Seth Rogen) to invite his mother, Joyce (Barbra Streisand), on an 8-day, 3,000 mile, journey across the country. But the farther they go, the closer they get and Andy may realize that they have more in common than he ever imagined. Reviews Counted: 119Fresh: 45Rotten: 74Average Rating: 5.1/10
Fresh: "The Guilt Trip" is tripe, but it's tripe that knows its audience. Seriously, take your mother. It'll be a mitzvah. – Ty Burr, Boston Globe, Dec 19, 2012
Rotten: Eight days in a car with these two is like eight weeks with shingles. – Rex Reed, New York Observer, Dec 19, 2012
Rotten: Andrew [Rogen], who has invented an organic cleaning compound, pitches it to retailers in a succession of meetings across the country that have no grounding in any known reality. – Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal, Dec 21, 2012
Rotten: [A] lifeless comedy about an overbearing mother and her exasperated adult son ... – Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, Dec 19, 2012
Read More About This Movie On Rotten TomatoesDjango Unchained - Quentin Tarantino
by Broken Headphones If there's one thing that Quentin Tarantino isn't, it's that he's never one to play it safe. If he's gonna make a grand-scale spaghetti western action film that imaginatively takes unrestricted aim at one of the darkest periods in American history, then you know it's going down. "Django Unchained", the director's much-anticipated release since 2009's "Inglourious Basterds", is as immensely violent, ridiculously twisted, and unapologetically profane as modern cinema can possibly get. It's a big, crazy cavalcade of guts and gore, heart and humor, racism and revenge, and everything in between. Stylistically speaking, this is probably Tarantino's most ambitious feature to date, and I'd be lying if I said "Django" didn't have me glued to the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It's a blast!
Set in 1858 during the antebellum era of the South, the film follows Django (Jamie Foxx), a slave whose brutal history with his former owners lands him right in the presence of German-born bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz). Schultz is on the trail for the murderous Brittle brothers, and only Django can lead him to his bounty. But the freed slave has his mind set on only one goal: finding and rescuing his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), who he lost to the slave trade long ago. Django and Schultz's search ultimately leads them face-to-face with the despicable yet eerily charismatic plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), who has Broomhilda in his clutches. Will our heroes make it out alive or will it all end in disaster?
One thing Tarantino does exceptionally well in pretty much all his movies is assemble a diverse, instantly memorable cast and give them roles that they'd never get to play in any other film. Casting Christoph Waltz as the good guy and Leonardo DiCaprio as the main villain? It's a risky move, for sure, but the actors make it work so effortlessly. Waltz delivers a surprisingly toned-down performance as Schultz, Django's bounty hunter sidekick. Sure, his character is pretty similar to that of Col. Hans Landa in "Inglourious", but you gotta admit, that smooth-talking persona still works greatly to his advantage. Meanwhile, DiCaprio easily steals the spotlight as Calvin Candie, the gleefully vicious slave owner whose quaint Southern drawl is only outmatched by his explosive outbursts of delight and sheer rage. His commitment to character is nothing short of phenomenal, which makes it all the more upsetting that his performance wasn't recognized by the Academy. Another incredible supporting actor in the movie who deserves just as much recognition is, of course, Samuel L. Jackson as Candie's shrewd house slave Stephen. Aside from delivering some of the best lines in the film with a hilarious deadpan expression, he also physically inhabits his character in the most impressively authentic way. Kerry Washington, while not nearly as memorable as her co-stars, still makes for a great addition to the cast as Broomhilda; her character even speaks in German. But what would this movie be without its star, Django? Nothing, that's what. Foxx does a fantastic job playing the protagonist, especially considering his lack of dialogue throughout the film. Every time he appears on screen, it's always a treat. The stylish cinematography and spaghetti western soundtrack compliment the performances almost perfectly. And as for that signature Tarantino violence, you can bet you'll be seeing a vicious amount of brutal bloodshed, especially toward the finale. I won't give away any spoilers, but let's just say that the showdowns in this movie are not to be missed.
Boasting a committed cast of first-rate actors, a consistently engaging screenplay full of in-your-face carnage and dramatic tension, and a shocking amount of N-bombs, "Django Unchained" is one of the most daring, extravagant, and impeccably crafted revenge flicks of this or any other decade. Sure, it has its slight flaws at times (like Tarantino's unnecessary cameo appearance), but the movie - with its unpredictable twists, no-holds-barred depiction of slave life, and brash humor - is much too entertaining to dismiss. I had a great time with this film, and I even ended up seeing it twice in the same week. It's that good. Not everyone will enjoy this overblown Oscar contender, but if you're a big fan of Tarantino's work ("Pulp Fiction" and the "Kill Bill" movies, among others) or if you simply wanna watch a gratifyingly gory vengeance-fantasy, "Django Unchained" is a must-see.
by Thesthoter You need this movie in your collection. by brandon glenn Absolutly awesome movie, i wish i had four hand so i can give this movie four thumbs up. The best movie i seen so far with jamie foxx. Quentin taritino outdid hisself A++++++Here's to the Good Times - Florida Georgia Line
by Julie Mayfield Don't get me wrong I'm a die hard country fan (that switches the station when it's depressing)
FGL's music is all about having fun and good times, drinking, living and loving life! That's what I'm all about!
Hell ya guys, you did an awesome job.
I seen FGL 3 times live. The energy is insane, that they give off wile performing!! by Ma5Fan I’ve been waiting for their full album! These guys have been hard at it for years. Cruise is their breakout song. A lot of great Southeast bands need a shout out like Chase Rice and Chris Lane Band.
FGL's music is all about having fun and good times, drinking, living and loving life! That's what I'm all about!
Hell ya guys, you did an awesome job.
I seen FGL 3 times live. The energy is insane, that they give off wile performing!! by Ma5Fan I’ve been waiting for their full album! These guys have been hard at it for years. Cruise is their breakout song. A lot of great Southeast bands need a shout out like Chase Rice and Chris Lane Band.
Backstreet Boys -- Fans Still Lining Up AROUND THE BLOCK
Backstreet Boys
Fans Still Lining Up
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Everybody, Backstreet's back ... like it's the year 2000 ... because this weekend, hordes of fans lined up around the block outside an L.A. theater just to catch a glimpse of the iconic boy band.
Fans Still Lining Up
AROUND THE BLOCK
Everybody, Backstreet's back ... like it's the year 2000 ... because this weekend, hordes of fans lined up around the block outside an L.A. theater just to catch a glimpse of the iconic boy band.
Sure, they were probably mostly women aged 30-40 ... but it still counts.
FYI, the Backstreet Boys were celebrating their 20th anniversary (yes, you're old) at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood Saturday ... and fans were invited to attend for free ... which explains the shockingly huge line.
Fans were also invited to take photos with the band, but that privilege cost $150.
Impressive, but it's still nothing like the old days ...
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Justin Bieber -- Pot Bust on Tour Bus in Sweden
Justin Bieber
Pot Bust on Tour Bus
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TMZ has spoken with a rep for the Stockholm PD, who told us ... Around 7:10 PM on Wednesday night, an officer smelled weed coming from Justin's bus, which was parked in front of the Grand Hotel.
Justin Bieber is so rock n' roll -- his tour bus was raided by Swedish police who allegedly found marijuana on board Wednesday night ... according to a Swedish newspaper.
Pot Bust on Tour Bus
TMZ has spoken with a rep for the Stockholm PD, who told us ... Around 7:10 PM on Wednesday night, an officer smelled weed coming from Justin's bus, which was parked in front of the Grand Hotel. Cops say ... when the bus left the hotel and headed toward the Globe Arena, the officer contacted a special narcotics unit, which issued a warrant to search Bieber's bus.
We're told cops searched the bus in the parking garage of the Globe Arena -- no one was on the bus at the time.
Cops say they found a small amount of narcotics (they won't say which drug, but local papers say it's weed) -- along with a taser.
We're told cops have not identified a suspect yet ... and the bus has not been impounded.
Bieber had been seen with his pal Lil Za in the hours before the weed incident ... and FYI, Za is the guy who was seen smoking pot with Bieber at an L.A. home earlier this year.
Cops tell us NO ONE WILL BE CHARGED because they have no idea who was in possession of the drug since the bus was empty. They found the narcotic on the floor of the bus so they have no clue who brought it on.
Justin Bieber is so rock n' roll -- his tour bus was raided by Swedish police who allegedly found marijuana on board Wednesday night ... according to a Swedish newspaper.
Police reportedly boarded the bus in Stockholm as the bus pulled up at the arena where Bieber was performing ... and found a "small amount" of what appeared to be pot.
A police spokesman told the Aftonbladet newspaper ... they first detected a "strong smell" of marijuana coming from the bus as they were controlling the huge crowd that had gathered outside Bieber's hotel.
The Swedish report says police also found a stun gun ... which requires a permit.
No arrests were made ... and it's unclear if Justin was on the bus, or if he'd already entered the arena, when the raid went down.
Story developing ...
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Bethenny Frankel -- Divorce War Does the Body Good!
Bethenny Frankel
Divorce War
Does the Body Good!\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Beauty school \butf\0422-betheny-frankel-pcn-3.jpg)
Bethenny Frankel can definitely stomach a messy divorce.
Divorce War
Does the Body Good!
Bethenny Frankel can definitely stomach a messy divorce.
While in the middle of a contentious breakup from her estranged husband Jason Hoppy, the 42-year-old former "Real Housewives of NYC" star showed off her fit rockin' bod in a blue bikini while vacationing in Miami with her daughter Bryn.
Skinnygirl for life.
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Ashton Kutcher In Violent Confrontation with Security at Stagecoach Music Festival
Ashton Kutcher
In Violent Confrontation
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Ashton Kutcher got into a violent melee with security at Stagecoach -- a country music festival in Indio, CA -- after a security guard got physical with the actor and a fan ... TMZ has learned.
In Violent Confrontation
at Stagecoach Music Festival
Ashton Kutcher got into a violent melee with security at Stagecoach -- a country music festival in Indio, CA -- after a security guard got physical with the actor and a fan ... TMZ has learned. According to our sources, Kutcher was in the VIP area near the stage to check out Nick 13 and Dwight Yoakam ... when a woman approached him to say hi and shake his hand. We're told when Kutcher went to greet the woman, security intervened and shoved the two of them ... and chaos ensued.
Our sources say Kutcher and the security guard went at it, each violently shoving the other. Ashton's friends had to restrain him. We're told the guard demanded that Kutcher be ejected, but Ashton left on his own.
Eyewitnesses tell TMZ ... Ashton was NOT the aggressor. They say the security guard was overzealous and out of line.
We reached out to Kutcher's rep for comment ... so far, no word back.
Justin Bieber -- Busted For Crime of Fashion in Sweden
Justin Bieber
Busted in Sweden
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Justin Bieber should be locked up -- not for the tour bus pot drama -- but for the ridiculous onesies he and Lil Za flaunted while getting on that bus. And we thought the Hammer pants were bad ('cause they were).
Busted in Sweden
For Crime of Fashion
Justin Bieber should be locked up -- not for the tour bus pot drama -- but for the ridiculous onesies he and Lil Za flaunted while getting on that bus. And we thought the Hammer pants were bad ('cause they were).
Check out TMZ on TV -- click here to see your local listings!
Rick Ross -- Accused of Stiffing Touring Company
Rick Ross
Lawsuit: Rapper Stiffed Us
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Rick Ross is struggling with business relationships lately -- first he's dumped by Reebok ... now a Florida tour booker says the rapper stiffed them ... and after YEARS of working together.
Lawsuit: Rapper Stiffed Us
Where's The Loyalty?
Rick Ross is struggling with business relationships lately -- first he's dumped by Reebok ... now a Florida tour booker says the rapper stiffed them ... and after YEARS of working together. Total Access Talent filed a lawsuit in a Miami federal court this week ... saying Rick Ross Touring hired it to book and organize a month's worth of Florida dates starting last November ... but never paid the 10% commission.
Which is really weird ... because Total Access says it's been booking Rick's tours since 2004 without incident. The lawsuit says they were so comfortable doing business ... always been paid ... that they arranged the tour with a verbal agreement.
But Total Access says this time, Ross' camp did an end-around after the company already set up opening acts (Meek Mill, Machine Gun Kelly, Wale, to name-drop a few), arranged dates, prepared contracts ... the works.
Total Access says Ross owes at least $171,000 in commissions. He couldn't be reached for comment.
Times are a little tighter for Rick these days ... as TMZ first reported, he stands to lose between $3 million and $5 million after Reebok ripped up his endorsement deal after his date-rape lyrics kicked up a storm.
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Journey Guitarist Neal Schon -- Battle With Ex-Mother-In Law Rages On
Journey Guitarist
Battle w/ Ex-Mom-In-Law
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Girl can't help it ... she has a right to speak her opinion ... so says the ex-mother-in-law of Journey guitarist Neal Schon, who's using the constitution to fire back at his defamation lawsuit.
Battle w/ Ex-Mom-In-Law
Rages On
Girl can't help it ... she has a right to speak her opinion ... so says the ex-mother-in-law of Journey guitarist Neal Schon, who's using the constitution to fire back at his defamation lawsuit. Schon's been battling Judy Kozan in court since March -- claiming Judy's been trashing him online for years and falsely accused him of being a deadbeat dad. He sued for at least $75,000 is damages.
FYI -- Judy is the mother of Amber Schon, whom Neal divorced back in 2007.
In court docs filed earlier this month, Kozan claims anything she wrote online in her blog is protected under the First Amendment. Not only that, she claims she NEVER mentioned Schon by name, therefore she can't be held responsible for tarnishing his rep.
Judy is asking a judge to dismiss the suit ASAP.
Schon is currently engaged to White House crasher Michaele Salahi, so he has a brand new mother-in-law to look forward to.
George Jones DEAD -- Country Music Megastar Dies at 81
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8:51 AM PT -- Country superstar Alan Jackson -- who's known George for years -- tells TMZ ... “Well, heaven better get ready for some great country music."
He adds, "While George was known for his wild and crazy days, I’ve known him for 25 years as a friend. He had grown into a real good man. Of course, he will always be the greatest singer and interpreter of real country music – there’ll never be another."
"Like the song says, ‘You know this old world is full of singers, but just a few are chosen to tear your heart out when they sing. Imagine life without them…Who’s gonna fill their shoes.’”
8:04 AM PT -- George's publicist has released a statement on the singer's passing ... saying, "Today is a sad day for music. George said to me once, 'One day I'll Join the Angel band.' Well, today he did."
The statement continues, "George passed with his family by his side and the official cause of death is being listed as 'Hypoxic Respiratory Failure.'"
FYI -- H.R.F. means the lungs couldn't pump enough oxygen to the rest of the body.
7:44 AM PT -- A family member tells TMZ ... "He has been on oxygen for a long while now and his lungs finally just couldn’t do it anymore and they collapsed and he passed away. He couldn’t breathe anymore on his own."
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George Jones ... the country music megastar whose heartfelt vocals and close-to-home lyrics defined the genre for generations ... died today. He was 81.
Jones was hospitalized in Nashville on April 18 for a fever and irregular blood pressure, though the cause of death was not immediately released.
Jones was in the middle of a tour -- which he announced would be his last -- when he fell ill. Several dates had already been canceled.
Jones' towering influence on country music was equaled only by his public persona ... which often imitated the melodrama in his songs ... and was well-chronicled in the tabloids. He was married four times -- once to Tammy Wynette -- and made countless headlines for drinking, stormy romances and violent rages.
But his star-power in country music cannot be overstated. Jones has charted more country hits than any other artist ... "He Stopped Loving Her Today" is perhaps his biggest, but the list of charted hits is around 150.
He was a Grand Ole Opry member, a Kennedy Center Honoree, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992 ... though given how much influence he had on country music ... they might as well have honored him every year.
Jones' first number one hit was "White Lightning" in 1959.
Jones nearly died in a car wreck in 1999, but recovered and kept his career vibrant right up until his death.
He is survived by four children and his fourth wife of 30 years, Nancy.
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