Saturday Movies: The Master of Disguise (2002)

I'm not exactly sure what made me think it would be a good idea to watch The Master of Disguise. Don't anyone get mad, but I've never found Dana Carvey funny even though I've known a lot of people that do. Any appeal found in this movie at all will have to at least be on a Carvey basis, but the movie does have a lot of child like humor, that kids might fight funny, but for adults there isn't a lot to be interesting.

Summary: Pistachio is a Italian waiter who is just living an average life, until he finds out that he is descended from masters of disguises. This explains his ability to slip into other natures so naturally. After his father is kidnapped by Bowman, who wants to steal the treasures of the world, Pistachio is going to have to live out his family's legacy with the help of his grandfather. His father has been kidnapped so Bowman can utilize his ability to disguise in order to get access to places. Pistachio though is trying to juggle his love life that seems to get a boost not long after the family reveal.

Pitchfork List: Interpol's Turn on the Bright Lights

The first album from Interpol is a strong one. Interpol has a very different sound from any band I've heard. Prior to this album I had heard only one song from the band, "Evil", and I enjoyed it. I hadn't ever taken the time to further explore their music until the perfect opportunity presented itself. I hadn't heard any tunes from Turn on the Bright Lights, but there are quite a few that were stand out on a debut album.

History: Interpol is apart of the genre of post punk. The guys released their album in 2002, and found that it was a huge hit in the U.K. It also became a hit in the U.S. Over time the album has gotten more attention, and recently celebrated a remastered release in 2012. The album had several singles come from the album. The album has also appeared on my many list naming it the best album of the year it was released to the best album in the past decade.

204 of 1001 Movies: City of God (2002)

The only thing that could have made this movie better was finding out it was a true story at the end. This also ranks as one of the best foreign films I've seen. It captures many things about Brazil. From the terror of the slums to the pretty landscapes, to the diversity of the people residing there. The movie is one of the most terrifying things I've seen. Fernando Meirelles works with Katia Lund to direct this movie, and bring to life almost every single character that is in the movie. Whether it's the main character Rocket, or just a minor one that is one of the women who makes a few appearance it pulls you into all their lives and sees the roundabout destiny they take as their lives are affected by crime.

Summary: Rocket and Lil'Dice are two boys who grow up in the same violent neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro. They have very different aspirations, and both know how to fight for what they want. Their lives though take two different paths. Rocket is an aspiring photographer and Lil'Dice goes the route of a drug dealer. Rocket may be one of the kindest guys someone would meet, but Lil'Dice is one of the most violent and arrogant drug dealers there is, and when he begins to make himself known in the city things turn disastrous.

395 of 1001 Albums: Johnny Cash's American IV: The Man Comes Around

Johnny Cash shows that he could make music for as along as he was alive and it never would lose the flare it had as when he started. He is one of the few artists that I know of who released an album with as big of hits as when he reached his peak earlier a couple of decades earlier. There are many songs on this album that are stands out, and you can tell it's now a man singing with a lot of experience in life. There is happiness, pain, loss, and hope all in this one album. It seems like mostly a guy just wanting to share his life though.

History:  Many of the songs on the album are covers from bands like Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Vera Lynn, and The Beatles. It seems like Johnny Cash took bands you would expect him to cover the least and he decided he would cover them. Johnny Cash would have this album nominated and winner of many awards including at the MTV VMA's, and at the Grammy's.

378 of 1001 Albums: Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head

A Rush of Blood to the Head was an album I always had liked the singles I had heard from, but I had never listened to the album all the way through to know just how good the album is. There are songs less memorable, but ever song really is tremendously crafted to fit where it is on the album from beginning to end. Whether you're listening to the bigger hits like "Clocks" or listening "A Whisper" it's difficult to dislike the song.

History: The album was released in 2002 almost a year after the September attacks in 2001. This left much to be spoken about for the band on this album. Mostly though the band wanted to put out a positive vibe for fans with this album. They maintain the serious nature very well in combination with that. The album also garnered much critical attention with the band getting nominated for Grammy's and other awards. To this day this album is considered a classic in the music world alongside albums like Dark Side of the Moon and Rio by Duran Duran.

376 of 1001 Albums: Ms. Dynamite's A Little Deeper

Another famed hip hop artist from the U.K. is Ms. Dynamite who has two different versions of this album in the U.S. and U.K. They actually included two songs on the album that are just released in the U.S. that sound more like they were made for American radio. They even feature less British accented vocals. There are some nice songs on the album, but truthfully I can't say this style is my listening style.

History: The album was released in 2002, and met with critical welcome. It won a Mercury Prize, and has almost sold 500,000 copies in the U.K.  Not all critics were receptive, but enough to garner attention. For a debut album it did bring a lot of attention.  The album would go on to make three singles.

Wednesday Movie Night: Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

I've obviously been watching a lot of PT Anderson films, and each time it seems I get something different. The past movies I've watched make Adam Sandler an interesting lead for this role in Punch Drunk Love, but it is probably one of Adam Sandler's most memorable role to date. If you were one of his usual fans from his other movies then you may have been a little mystified by the atmosphere of this one that is a blend of dark comedy and romance.

Barry Egan seems a bit psychologically troubled. He's a loner who is harassed whenever his sister's speak to him. Another thing to add to his odd persona is that he supplies novelties to dealers. When he calls a phone-sex line he finds himself caught in a con, and now he is being blackmailed by a crooked mattress salesman. When he meets Lena though his life is changed, and he only wants to be with her. He has tons of pudding saved up for flyer miles as well, so it might come in handy as he pursues her affection.