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 | More Isn’t Always Better Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.
You'd think that Christmas would attract some of the year's more quality films, right? Christmas should inspire great stories. Instead Christmas has become a dreaded movie theme in recent years. Sure, there's the rare gem like [b]Love, Actually[/b] but the past decade has been plagued with awful Christmas comedies. Unfortunately, [b]Four Christmases[/b] won’t save the day.More |  | They Want Our Blood Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Regardless of any reviews that are written about this film, [b]Twilight[/b] will break records, become a multi-million dollar franchise, and worm its way into the hearts of tweens across the country. The book series has already accomplished this feat and, in turn, so will the films. The familiar story has been told before: girl falls for boy, boy wants girl, but some force keeps them apart.More |  | Released on Lujo Records, 11/18/08 Chicago-native Abraham Levitan may be better known as the lead singer of indie-soul group Baby Teeth. But while the group awaits the release of their third album, Levitan decided to break out on his own. Unfortunately, it’s not without its faults.More |  | Is That Your Final Answer? Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
British Director Danny Boyle is a true chameleon. Unlike many other contemporary, indie directors he isn’t content sticking with one genre. Ever since he wowed audiences with [b]Trainspotting[/b], he has made the faux-horror classic [b]28 Days Later[/b], the family crime drama [b]Millions[/b] and the sci-fi, space thriller [b]Sunshine[/b]. Now he brings us [b]Slumdog Millionaire[/b], a film set in India that follows the life of a boy from the slums. It’s not only one of the best films of the year, but it’s one of the best of Boyle’s already incredible career.More |  | Teaching Life’s Lessons Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
On the surface [b]Role Models[/b] appears as just another glossy, Hollywood comedy, devoid of any real depth or, honestly, any comedy. Fortunately, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. It may be more comforting to know that the film is helmed by David Wain who previously directed the now cult classic [b]Wet Hot American Summer[/b] along with being a current member of comedy troupe Stella.More |  | Part for the Whole and Whole for the Part Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I should preface this by saying that this is probably one of the most difficult reviews I have ever written. [b]Synecdoche, New York[/b] warrants multiple viewings. It’s abstract, it’s non-linear, it’s messy and it’s downright confusing. And that’s the point. That may sound like a reason to run as far and as fast as you can from this film, but it’s not. This film isn’t perfect and yet it’s a masterpiece in spite of its glaring faults.More |  | Released on Dangerbird Records on 10/21/08 The Dears are (now) comprised of husband and wife team Murray Lightburn (vocals/guitars/keyboards) and Natalie Yanchak (keyboards, backing vocals) as they release their fourth studio album Missiles. Recorded with an amalgam of studio musicians following the departure of all members, except Lightburn and Yanchak, this Montreal group manages to crank out a decent album, despite all the personnel problems.More |  | Released on Asthmatic Kitty on 10/7/08 The album does offer a few reprises, namely “I’ll Fly Away,” an old, southern folk tune in which Raposa laments “I’ll fly away, fly away, oh glory/I’ll fly away, fly way, in the morning.” But it’s just not enough and with nearly every song barely over 90 seconds, nothing stays long enough to get used to. It’s a great concept and an interesting listen, but in the end there’s not enough to really sink your teeth into.More |  | Released on Lujo Records, 10/21/08 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
All City Affairs is really the brainchild of Chicago native Peter Andreadis, drummer of acclaimed group Baby Teeth. While some other friends help out on his third album, [b]Identity Theft[/b] it is, despite its name, the work of Andreadis. The album opens with “Flashback to When We Both Were Young” and is slightly jarring. There’s pop-y, acoustic guitar but there’s also synths and a hip hop drum beat. It’s quite confusing at first because it doesn’t blend as well as say Beck or Radiohead. But that’s a compliment because All City Affairs manages to create its own sound and doesn’t sound like just a knockoff.More |  | Released on TSM Records, 10/14/08 This is The Secret Machines’ third album and first without founding member and guitarist Benjamin Curtis. Curtis’ position is filled by Phil Karnats and, unfortunately, he seems to have come at a bad time. Ever since the group’s explosive 2004 debut, [b]Now Here Is Nowhere[/b], they have gone steadily downhill -- and [b]The Secret Machines[/b] continues that trend. It’s frustrating because it’s obvious that the group has so much talent.More |
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