The Dailies

8/30 Simon Reynolds writes about grunge nostalgia for Slate (via...

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:22:15 -0400

8/30

Simon Reynolds writes about grunge nostalgia for Slate (via @Slate)

The Facts

In the wake of a myriad of nostalgia driven music “events,” Reynolds makes an extremely convincing argument for leaving the past in the rear view.

The catalyst for the piece was the screening of Nirvana’s 1992 Reading Festival performance at the 2011 version of the same event.

Reynolds argues that our obsession with reliving the past in the form of reunions and reissues leaves us a soulless horde of zombies incapable of creating new masterpieces that will define our current era.

I’m paraphrasing.

The Daily Notes

It’s weird that a writer arguing against nostalgia has @SimonRetromania for a twitter handle.

The idea of people at a live music event gathering around a screen to watch a twenty year old performance on video is unquestionably bizarre.

The more I think about it, the more I’m inclined to believe that nostalgia holds very little real value. The way Reynolds illustrates how it stifles new breakthroughs in music and media could easily be applied to other areas of both art and life.

Still, this is fun.

8/29 Laughspin’s “11 of the Funniest Stories Told by...

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:03:00 -0400

8/29

Laughspin’s “11 of the Funniest Stories Told by Comedians” (via @birbigs)

The Facts

The Laughspin piece features long form stories told on stage by the likes of Louis C.K., Tig Notaro, Mike Bribiglia, and more.

A few of the stories are from well known specials, but most of them you’ll be hearing for the first time.

The audio above is John Mulaney’s hilarious Salt and Pepper Diner story.

The Daily Notes

Mike Bribiglia is the reigning king of the long form story.

Tig Notaro’s Taylor Dane story is pretty well known, but if you haven’t heard it, it’s one of the better entries on this list.

There are few better ways to kill 75 minutes than to go through this list. There’s nothing like the gift of murdered time. Thanks, internet.

8/26 Lucky McKee’s The Woman will finally be unleashed to...

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:09:00 -0400

8/26

Lucky McKee’s The Woman will finally be unleashed to the public (via @movieline)

The Facts

Lucky McKee is the writer/director of May, which is often considered one of the finest modern American horror films.

Subsequently, he’s made two movies that didn’t get much attention. That’s about to change.

When The Woman screened at Sundance, it caused quite a stir and gave the movie the kind of press you simply can’t buy.

The Daily Notes

McKee’s third feature, Red (not the Bruce Willis/Morgan Freeman action film), was so under the radar, I didn’t even know it existed until a minute ago, and I’m a huge fan of the guy.

It stars Brain Cox as a man who takes vengeance against a group of teenagers who kill his beloved dog. It’s streaming on Netflix, which means I’m about to watch it.

The final shot of May is more emotionally moving than the final shot of Citizen Kane. So there.

8/25 Tom Scharpling’s video for The Ettes’...

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:34:00 -0400

8/25

Tom Scharpling’s video for The Ettes’ “Excuse”

The Facts

Popular radio host Tom Scharpling (The Best Show) has made a name for himself as legitimate music video director, getting behind the camera for The New Pornographers, Ted Leo, and Titus Andronicus.

The Ettes video has a nice cameo by Patton Oswalt and made me laugh out loud more than once.

Scharpling’s collaborator on long form call-in bits during The Best Show is Jon Wurster, drummer for indie rock legends Superchunk.

The Daily Notes

Scharpling’s tour across New Jersey video for Titus Andronicus’ “No Future Part Three” is just awesome. I can watch it over and over.

If you like The Ettes’ brand of Nashville garage punk on this track, you’ll enjoy the majority of their catalog.

Scharpling’s The Best Show is the most consistently funny and pleasant entry in my podcast library.

8/24 Warrior opens September 9th (trailer) The Facts Warrior...

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:22:00 -0400

8/24

Warrior opens September 9th (trailer)

The Facts

Warrior follows two brothers from a messed up family who end up in the same MMA tournament.

It’s getting some very strong advanced word of mouth.

The film stars Joe Edgerton, who co-wrote and co-starred in the critically acclaimed Australian thriller The Square, Tom Hardy, who you’ll see next summer as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, and Nick Nolte, who is a shoe-in for a best supporting actor nomination.

The Daily Notes

Believe the hype. While Warrior hits some familiar notes, its restraint allows for a stunning emotional climax that most films of this genre (or any other) never reach.

This is the second film of 2011 that will go on the short list of all time great sports movies. The other is Win Win.

Oddly enough, both films feature songs by The National, who make great music for reflecting on getting your ass kicked by life.

8/23 Mark Harris’ Moneyball preview for New York...

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:56:00 -0400

8/23

Mark Harris’ Moneyball preview for New York Magazine.

The Facts

Moneyball is the long in-gestation film adaptation of Michael Lewis’ 2003 book about baseball sabermetrics.

The film was set to be made by Steven Soderbergh a few years ago, but the studio got cold feet about the already filmed documentary footage and pulled the plug at the last minute.

Harris’ piece is an interesting look at the chaos of production and how the movie finally made it to theaters.

The Daily Notes

I’m guessing what saved Moneyball from development hell was the success of The Social Network and landing Aaron Sorkin to come on board for a rewrite.

Bennett Miller hasn’t made a movie since Capote. In an odd bit of casting, Phillip Seymore Hoffman is playing a baseball manager.

This is probably your last chance to see fat Jonah Hill on the big screen. Dude is svelte.

8/22 Current TV’s 50 Documentaries to See Before You...

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:45:00 -0400

8/22

Current TV’s 50 Documentaries to See Before You Die

The Facts

The Morgan Spurlock hosted series began a few weeks ago and has featured films like Jesus Camp, Exit Through the Gift Shop, and King of Kong

The best part of the series is the “where are they now” element with famous subjects like Billy Mitchel, Mr. Brainwash, and the grown up “Boy Who Loves Jesus.” Spurlock is a competent interviewer who isn’t afraid to ask some tough questions.

Unfortunately, full episodes are not available online, but it is running constantly on Current TV.

The Daily Notes

Watch the interview with Mr. Brainwash. We can all finally agree that this guy is just a Banksy creation, right?

Jesus Camp is one of the most important docs of the past fifty years. It captures an all-too-real and influential subculture many people are quick to dismiss as “innocent.” Also, see the great tumblr, Christian Nightmares for similarly revealing evidence.

I haven’t seen his latest film, POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, but I don’t think Spurlock has made a great documentary yet. I think he will, though.

8/19 Matt Zoller Seitz writes about reality TV and blood sport...

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:26:52 -0400

8/19

Matt Zoller Seitz writes about reality TV and blood sport for Salon.com

The Facts

The piece is a response to the suicide of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member Russell Armstrong.

Seitz’ comparison between reality TV and a gladiatorial contest is not exactly new, but his level of detail is frightening and thought provoking.

Armstrong was to be featured in Real Housewives’ upcoming season. The show will still air, but is being re-cut.

The Daily Notes

Seitz’ piece astutely notes the comparisons between the Armstrong situation and Paddy Chayefsky’s Network, the classic in which an insane newsman becomes fodder for high ratings.

In 1977, Network was nominated for best science fiction film by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. What used to be considered “science fiction” is now stark reality.

It’s easy for me to shake my head alongside Seitz when it comes to Real Housewives, because I don’t watch it. But what happens when someone from The Challenge jumps off a roof?

8/18 The Interrupters is coming to a theater near you The...

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:10:15 -0400

8/18

The Interrupters is coming to a theater near you

The Facts

The film is a documentary from Steve James, director of Hoop Dreams.

It chronicles a handful of former criminals who step in the middle of Chicago gang disputes in order to prevent violence.

In a decade that saw Pulp Fiction, Goodfellas and Fargo, Roger Ebert named Hoop Dreams the best of the decade. No one really argued.

The Daily Notes

Speaking of Ebert’s 90s list, Martin Scorsese also picked his favorites of that decade on a special episode of At the Movies. It’s worth watching.

Steve James’ documentary Stevie was mostly overlooked, but is a fascinating, challenging film.

James’ No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson was certainly one of the highlights of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series.

8/17 Art of the Title (photo via byronic) The Facts Art of the...

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:27:27 -0400

8/17

Art of the Title (photo via byronic)

The Facts

Art of the Title is a website devoted to highlighting the work of the creative minds responsible for the most interesting credits sequences in movies and television.

Each entry includes the entire title sequence, typically followed by print or audio interviews from the artists, directors, and anyone who might have collaborated on the sequence.

James Gunn, director of the recently featured Super, spoke on the Doug Loves Movies podcast about the titles for his film and his fondness for Art of the Title.

The Daily Notes

The site is super addictive. You’ll keep learning cool things about your favorite movies, like how the title sequence of Almost Famous was a direct homage to To Kill a Mockingbird.

The best thing about Art of the Title is how it illustrates the ways in which a great title sequence can be a piece of art completely unto itself, independent of the rest of the film.

And yet for some films, the titles lay such an important foundation that the movie simply wouldn’t be the same without it. Spike Lee’s 25th Hour, for example, takes on a transcendent allegorical context exactly because of its simple, yet stunning title sequence.

8/16 Woody Allen talks drugs, religion and sex with Billy Graham...

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:02:00 -0400

8/16

Woody Allen talks drugs, religion and sex with Billy Graham in 1969 (via @ebertchicago)

The Facts

The interview was conducted for The Woody Allen Special, a one-off sketch show that also featured Candice Bergin and a musical performance by The Fifth Dimension.

You can watch the whole episode here. Other than the Graham interview, it’s worth watching for Allen’s monologue.

Allen has said his conversation with Graham served as inspiration for the thematic elements in You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.

The Daily Notes

This kind of thing would never be on broadcast network television these days. Too bad.

Allen’s only real goal is to be funny, yet his arguments are more rhetorically effective than much of his more “serious” musings on religion throughout his career.

It’s kind of nice to see Allen’s breezy demeanor after growing so accustomed to his bleak outlook. People forget the kind of celebrity he used to be. Had he not been a filmmaker (or slept with his wife’s daughter), he could have been an all-time great talk show host.

8/15 NPR’s First Listen of Muppets: The Green Album The Facts In...

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:54:00 -0400

8/15

NPR’s First Listen of Muppets: The Green Album

The Facts

In anticipation of The Muppets film written by and starring Jason Segal, comes this collection of favorite Muppet tunes covered by artists like Weezer, Alkaline Trio, Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket, and more.

Segal has promised that the filmwill be a genuine, irony free Muppet movie that will attempt to stand along side the holy Muppet trilogy (The Muppet Movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan, and The Great Muppet Caper).

The Muppets will indeed be a musical. One of the main creative forces behind Flight of the Conchords, James Bobin, is directing Segal’s script, and one-half of the Conchords, Bret McKenzie, is writing some songs for the film.

The Daily Notes

Muppets: The Green Album is surprisingly good. If the tone of these cover songs is any indication of what’s to come in the film, all of us Muppet fans should be very excited.

The artists take their assignment seriously, in some cases giving the songs a nice modern edge, in others stripping them down to their core, but always maintaining respect for the spirit of the original recordings.

Just when you thought there couldn’t be another cover of Rainbow Connection, Weezer and Haley Williams (of all people) come along and knock it out of the park. It is a genuinly moving version of one of my all time favorite songs.

8/12 Brittany Ashley’s (@britt27ash) Step by Step...

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:30:00 -0400

8/12

Brittany Ashley’s (@britt27ash) Step by Step “Where Are They Now” feature for 39online.com (via @chubbyjones)

The Facts

Step by Step was a staple in ABC’s TGIF line up which also included Perfect Strangers, Full House, Family Matters, Hanging with Mister Cooper, and other “family friendly” monstrosities.

Like any good “where are they now” feature, the piece has a few nice surprises and a couple cringe inducing pictures.

The video at the bottom of the article is a must see. Also, it will have you clicking through to other Step by Step/Christine Lakin videos all afternoon.

The Daily Notes

My favorite cast member was always Staci Keenan. Watching her on My Two Dads was quite possibly the first time I ever wanted to have sex with someone on TV.

I would argue that Step by Step is the best and most rewatchable of the TGIF shows. While many of the clips are understandably cheesy, some of them are legitimately funny.

Listen to the TGIF theme song. “It’s Friday night and the moon is right”? What does that even mean?

8/11 David Haglund’s Coen Brothers coverage for Slate The...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:17:08 -0400

8/11

David Haglund’s Coen Brothers coverage for Slate

The Facts

Haglund has written three really cool stories on the Coens: a think piece about their entire filmography, an analysis of their ad work and short films, and finally, a piece about ranking their movies.

The Coens have made fifteen features. Haglund considers Fargo their best and The Ladykillers their worst.

The Coens are often described as “polarizing,” but saying you don’t like their work is the quickest way to get a cinephile to stop taking you seriously.

The Daily Notes

For my money, A Serious Man is their most underappreciated work. Not that it will ever reach the iconic status of The Big Lebowski, but one day people are going to catch up with that movie and realize it holds the secrets to the universe, making for a great double bill with Tree of Life.

No Coen fan can resist list making. 1) The Big Lebowski 2) Fargo 3) A Serious Man 4) Raising Arizona 5) Miller’s Crossing 6) Blood Simple 7) Barton Fink 8) O Brother, Where Art Thou? 9) No Country for Old Men 10) The Man Who Wasn’t There 11) True Grit 12) Burn After Reading 13) The Hudsucker Proxy 14) Intolerable Cruelty 15) The Ladykillers

If you could only watch one filmmaker’s catalog for the rest of your life, who doesn’t pick the Coens?

8/10 Nicholas Mancusi’s piece on “The Philosophy of...

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:54:33 -0400

8/10

Nicholas Mancusi’s piece on “The Philosophy of Louis CK” for Splitsider (via @awl /photo via JoshLange)

The Facts

Mancusi’s piece focuses on the paralles between Louis CK’s work and the writings of philosophers like Kierkergaard and Camus.

CK’s show, Louis, has recently been picked up for a third season on FX.

It is among the handful of most critically acclaimed shows on television.

The Daily Notes

Mancusi’s comparison between Louis and Camus’ Myth of Sisyphus is especially apropos.

Louis doesn’t resemble a traditional TV show at all. It is really a short film anthology series that happens to star the same guy every week.

If Louis didn’t have commercials, it would probably be the best comedy on TV, but with those ads breaking up the flow of an already daring take on structure, the crown still sits with Curb Your Enthusiasm. Probably.

8/9 Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt talks...

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:47:00 -0400

8/9

Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt talks sequel(via @movieline)

The Facts

On the heels of glowing reviews and general positive word of mouth, the Apes prequel did unexpectedly well at the box office this weekend.

The film stars James Franco and the Robert De Niro of motion capture performance, Andy Serkis. It tells the story of how the apes came to power, setting the stage for the 1968 Charlton Heston classic.

Serkis is getting some semi-serious Oscar buzz for his digital performance as Caesar the chimp.

The Daily Notes

The film is hands down the best big-budget, special effects movie to come out this summer. It is quick, funny, scary, smart, moving, and beautiful to look at.

I’m not convinced that the state of our economy and the film’s success are unrelated. In case you haven’t noticed, people are pissed.

This movie marks the arrival of a major talent in director Rupert Wyatt. With limited dialogue, it is a visual feast — the camera swirls and dips, the effects are seamless, and real emotions are captured with glances and movement. Whatever Wyatt wants to do with the sequel, it can’t come soon enough.

8/8 Mike Ryan’s Oral History of The Dana Carvey Show for...

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:30:00 -0400

8/8

Mike Ryan’s Oral History of The Dana Carvey Show for GQ (via @mikeryan)

The Facts

The Dana Carvey show produced eight episodes for ABC in 1996. It only aired seven before being cancelled.

The show featured writers and performers who would go on to be some of the biggest names in comedy, including Robert Smigel, Louis C.K., Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Dino Stamatopoulos, and Charlie Kaufman.

Ryan’s wide ranging oral history includes interviews from many of those names, Carvey himself, and a variety of other people involved with the show.

The Daily Notes

While Carvey gained a reputation for being safe and saccharine, it’s clear his career could have gone down another path had things broken a bit differently.

Not only is Ryan’s piece interesting because of the people involved, but it’s also a clear reminder of what’s wrong with network TV.

While reading the article, you’ll hardly be able to stop yourself from clicking over to watch the series on Hulu.

8/5 Tom Bissell writes about iPad gaming for Grantland The...

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 01:40:00 -0400

8/5

Tom Bissell writes about iPad gaming for Grantland

The Facts

Grantland is the much anticipated website of ESPN columnist Bill Simmons, wherein he has recruited big name writers like Chuck Klosterman and Malcom Gladwell to write about sports and pop culture.

Bissell’s piece highlights a lot of cool looking games I’ve never heard of and would like to try.

When I play video games, I feel like I’m wasting time…

The Daily Notes

…But when it’s an iPhone game, it at least feels like I’m more likely to waste time in an appropriate manner — it’s usually time that needs to be wasted.

There might be something to Bissell’s assessment about the state of complex, story driven console games. I don’t have the patience anymore. Cut the crap and let me kill something.

Angry Birds was never my heroin. Fruit Ninja was my heroin.

8/4 Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence defends Zach Braff against a...

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:38:00 -0400

8/4

Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence defends Zach Braff against a snarky New York Magazine theater critic (Via @DamonLindelof)

The Facts

Zach Braff has written a play called All New People. It’s running in New York and stars a trio of appealing young actors (Justin Bartha, Krysten Ritter, and Anna Camp).

Theater critic Scott Brown wrote a scathing review which accused Braff of being as inauthentic as humanly possible.

For the past half decade, people have been really hard on Braff.

The Daily Notes

As evidenced by Damon Lindelof’s tweet, this is the letter that all showrunners would like to write to critics who take too much joy in slamming a creative endeavor.

There’s a difference between smart, funny criticism and what Scott Brown wrote.

In the battle of wits between the Lawrence and Brown letters, there is a clear winner.

8/3 Best Coast’s video for “Our Deal” (via...

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 02:05:00 -0400

8/3

Best Coast’s video for “Our Deal” (via Gorilla vs. Bear)

The Facts

The West Side Story/Outsiders/Warriors inspired video was directed by Drew Barrymore.

It stars plenty of recognizable young actors like Chloe Moretz, Donald Glover, and Alia Shawkat.

Drew Barrymore also directed the underrated Whip It and was once in talks to helm one of the Twilight movies.

The Daily Notes

Watching this made me long for the days when it was fun to see a music video on MTV two dozen times in a week. It’s intentionally silly and melodramatic, funny and kind of sweet — a lot like Best Coast’s debut LP.

Barrymore is a talented director — she’s going to make a really good movie one day.

The video should be shown in English classrooms across the country to teach the importance of syntax and structure.