Saturday, December 31, 2011

An interesting top ten best albums list

I ran across this top ten list today.  It made me realize that I am keeping up with music less than I used to.  In the past, I would have heard a lot of the albums on the list, and probably owned a couple.  Not so with this list:

  • Miles “Live in Europe ‘67:  Read reviews, but have not listened to it yet on Rhapsody.
  • Jarrett:  Didn’t know anything about it.
  • Raphael Saadiq:  Have one of his albums in my Rhapsody library, but did not know this one had been released.
  • Ambrose Akinmusire:  This one interests me a lot.  I have read several reviews of this album, all of which were flat-out raves.  Gonna download it to my Rhapsody library ASAP.
  • Black Keys:  I have listened to some of their stuff but have not really gotten into them as much as other bands of the same ilk.  I’ll get around to giving this one a listen.
  • PJ Harvey: I’ve read a lot of reviews of this one, all very positive.  I’ve not been a big fan in the past, but maybe this will get me on board.  Gonna check it out on Rhapsody.
  • Saturn Never Sleeps:  Never even heard of this group.  Obviously, I will check them out.
  • Mason Jennings:  Never heard of this guy either.  Ditto on checking him out.
  • The Kills:  Heard of them but never listened to them.  Another one to check out on Rhapsody.
  • North Mississippi Allstars:  Oh my, another group I have never heard of. 

You get the picture.  I’m really getting out of touch.  The joys of aging and slipping into curmudgeonhood.

~ Tom

Friday, December 23, 2011

Homeland: Outstanding!

Last night we got around to watching the season finale of “Homeland,” which I had recorded on Sunday. The finale was one of the most tense, exciting drama’s I’ve ever seen on TV. If you have not been able to see Homeland, you should purchase or rent the DVD when it is released – or maybe you can check it out “on-demand” on Showtime.

I won’t even hint at what went on in the finale, because spoilers would be terribly unwelcome for this one. Suffice it to say that I was on the edge of my seat through the whole 90 minutes (gloriously commercial-free on Showtime), hardly able to breathe in a couple of scenes. I was still thinking about it this morning.

This series cements my belief that Claire Danes is one of the top two or three female lead actors working today. To sustain what she did over 12 episodes in which she was the focal point was an amazing feat. And Damian Lewis, while terrific throughout, was especially riveting in the finale. The rest of the casting is pitch-perfect. The writing, direction and production value are superb, again especially so in the finale.

In reading all of the “Best of 2011” lists published in the various magazines or Internet content that I read, I have not found even one that does not list “Homeland” as in the top 10 TV shows.

Simply put, Tom says five out of five stars! You gotta see it.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

The grim truth

Two headlines from this morning’s Huffington Post speak volumes:

  • U.S. CEO Pay Jumped At Least 27 Percent Last Year
  • Census Data Shows 1 in 2 People Are Poor Or Low-Income

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Newt’s revisionist history

The next time you are confronted by a right wing Newt supporter who claims that Newt’s ethics violations were the result of a partisan witch-hunt, you can use this article to set matters straight. 

Monday, December 12, 2011

Crazy, Stupid, Love

We watched the Blu-ray version of “Crazy, Stupid, Love” over the weekend.  Eileen really liked it very much and so did I.  It is one of those “comedies” that has a lot of serious and rewarding drama woven in throughout.  I’m not going to mention any of the plot points because they are so fun to experience with no warning or spoilers to take away the surprise and delight.  The cast is absolutely terrific:  Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone,Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, Analeigh Tipton, Jonah Bobo,Joey King, Liza Lapira.  My special kudos go to Emma Stone who just gets better and better and Jonah Bobo who almost steals the movie.  Two big thumbs up.  Rent it now!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

WTF! How can this possibly be for real??

This You Tube clip is going viral.  You will see why.  Is this trick photography, or what!?  If you have a theory, please let me know.

 

Monday, December 5, 2011

Special weapons and tactics (SWAT)

The “occupy” movement has been the proverbial “pebble in the pond,” causing ripples across the political and civic ponds.  I have followed it with considerable interest, but as time has passed I have begun to feel a worrying unease.  The movement defines the “one-percent” and has done a great service in pointing out the utter, unforgivable immorality of allowing such a disparity.  But, in the back of my mind (cynicism at full volume) I worry a lot about what will happen if the one-percent ever really feel threatened.  At present, they are “annoyed,” but what happens if they truly feel threatened?  I know for a fact that they will react with oppression and violence that will mask as being “justified.”  And, when that happens I predict that one of two things will happen:  1)the movement will shrivel as citizens fear loss of their current station in life  (average as it might be), or even injury and loss of life, or 2) a true violent revolution will ensue.  

This belief of mine was brought into frightening focus when I read this article a few moments ago.  I usually don’t ever share a link to an article over a page long, but this three-pager is a required, and very scary, read. 

I hope I’m wrong, but I fear that I am not.