|
REVIEWS >
Look & Listen
Written by:
movies
 |
Lord
of the Rings
Kiwi director Peter Jackson has translated nearly every element
of JRR Tolkien's universe, from a vast, sprawling history implied
in the language and the actions of its multi-specied characters,
to a completely immersive fantasy realm with nary a seam to
spoil the illusion. Moreover, he's captured the sadness and
moral weight of Tolkien's fable. |
 |
Black
Hawk Down
What was intended to be a thirty-minute mission in Mogadishu,
Somalia, turns out to be an extended visit to military hell.
Ridley Scott very accurately tells the true story of a Delta
Force mission that went very wrong. This is an action film
that eventually is more wearying than exciting, but still
worth the trip.
|
 |
Monsters,
Inc
Much as they did with the similarly witty and entertaining Toy
Story films, the imaginative folks at Pixar have taken a simple
childhood notion - monsters in the closet, just like toys that
are alive and lead their own lives - and turned it into a fun,
funny, and completely engaging story. |
 |
Unforgiven
While an action- and drama-packed Western, this film's plot
also questions the nature of mythology and legend - what is
this place, this "old west", where people like William
Munny existed? At the same time, Unforgiven itself is mythical,
and Eastwood is larger than life. A great achievement in American
filmmaking. |
music
 |
Simian
- Chemistry is What We Are
Strange coves Simian. They've set up their own religion, much
as they set about creating their own unique sound - an experimental
mix of folk, dub and electronica; part Pink Floyd, part Kraftwerk,
with odd noises and Beatles style harmonies, all endowed with
an eerie, dreamy soundtrack feel. Bewitching stuff. |
 |
Jestofunk
- Universal Mother
A tribute to the jazz-funk of the '70s, but also to modern technologies,
underlined by the metronomic pulse of drum machines - like a
heartbeat via a sequencer. Special guests include vocalist Jocelyn
Brown, reggae legend Freddy McGregor, trombonist Fred Wesley
and establishing band member Ce Ce Rogers. |
 |
Nina
Nastasia - The Blackened Air
New York-based Nastasia has brewed a batch of succulent, melodic
portraits, accompanied by accordion, cello, viola and the cries
of a singing saw. She alternately carries the voice of a little
girl spooked by ghost stories and that of a sighing grandmother
who's heard it all before. The meat and potatoes of folk, without
any fancy napkins. |
 |
Guided
by voices - Universal Truths and Cycles
One of the greatest rock bands of the decade, GBV has managed
to maintain its child-like enthusiasm that sets it apart from
the pack of whiny "alternative" groups. Indie-rock
Peter Pan Robert Pollard presents another album of lo-fi anthems
with a studio shine - strong vocal melodies and refreshingly
atypical song structures. |
 |
CDs and DVDs available at www.albumcity.cz
(www.i90.com).
|
