Stu’s Reviews – Page 73

Film Review- The Hobbit- Desolation of Smaug

Genre: Film

Grade: A-
Notable People: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Sherlock Cumberbatch, directed by Peter Jackson
Title: The Hobbit- Desolation of Smaug

Review – Really had skipped over seeing this- and then looking for a movie last weekend- and nothing but teen-age spring break crap at the theaters- so we bent and went to the “dollar” theater (it was actually $3.75 for the 3D extravaganza) to see the latest in Jackson’s epics. Despite only moderate interest- hard not to get enchanted and caught up in the spectacle. Thought the 3D was really good (and all those people in the glasses in theater is a surreal site if you peek). Whirlwind of a nonstop adventure that must appeal to all our subconscious machismo- brotherhood- loyalty- adventure genes. Liked it a lot- must see it in theater on big screen. Sherlock makes quite a dragon.

TV Review- True Detective

Genre: TV

Grade: A++++++++++++++++++
Notable People: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson
Title: True Detective

Review – An eight hour weekly mini-series on HBO- this is the best thing I have ever seen on television. Who knew? The two of them together bring out the absolute best work each has ever (and may ever). Ominously filmed, beautifully scored, with dialog from Leonard Cohen meets the Velvet Underground…this is DARK. Get HBO, find a friend who has it, pirate it off the internet somehow…..beg, borrow, steal or kill….the cultural event of the year.

Novel Review- The Eleventh Man

Genre: Novel

Grade: B+
Notable People: Ivan Doig
Title: The Eleventh Man

Review – I have been reading most all of Doig’s stuff for the last year and was really impressed with his “Montana trilogy”. This one continues the Montana-centric work with a few of the same characters and places but a way different story. It’s really good story about the members of an undefeated mythical college football team and their forays during WW Two after all elven of them had joined up. The narrator is a team member who is assigned to a propaganda unit to write stories about the entire “Supreme Tem” throughout the war. The book is a bit predictable throughout which made it less interesting- but well written and pretty amazing accounts of the various locales of the war where the boys are stationed. Not his best effort- but a good read nonetheless.

Film Review- The Monuments Men

Genre: Film

Grade: C-
Notable People: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchet, Bill Murray, Jean DeJardin, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville, Bob Bonaban, Directed by Clooney
Title: The Monuments Men

Review – this is an important story from WW Two that has not been previously told. It deserves to be told. Someone else should tell it. The movie may have used every cliché from every World War Two movie ever made. These guys can’t really need the money that bad? Great cast- total waste of talent. Stay home and read a book (I have some suggestions!)

Novel Review- The River Swimmer-

Genre: Novel

Grade: A
Notable People: Jim Harrison
Title: The River Swimmer

Review – New set of two novellas from the man I believe to be our greatest living American writer. Frist one continues his theme of apparently autobiographical aging in the woods of northern Michigan. Second one is a real departure and a stunner – which has been his career calling card. This is great writing.

Music Review- Elvis Costello- Wise Up Ghosts and Other Songs

Genre: Album

Grade: B+/B
Notable People: Elvis Costello and the Roots
Title: Wise Up Ghosts and Other Songs

Review – 2013 set by this venerable group does not offer anything groundbreaking- but Elvis’ singing just keeps getting better. The musicianship is very high quality and I prefer this backing band to The Attractions, though not as much as I like Elvis’ solo work when he goes mostly acoustic. If you like EC- you’ll like this. If not so much- maybe not.

Film Review- August: Osage County

Genre: Film

Grade: B
Notable People: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts. Juliette Lewis, Sam Sheppard, Chris Cooper, Sherlock Cumberbatch, Julianne Nicholson, Ewan Macgregor, Dermot Mulrooney, Directed by: John Wells
Title: August: Osage County

Review – Check out the cast. It’s astonishing, and they are mostly really good in it- with Streep and Roberts giving virtuosos performances and Cooper quietly stealing the show. Basically a story about one of the world’s most dysfunctional families gathering in an Oklahoma farmhouse to mourn (or cheer) the suicide of the patriarch (Sheppard). Intense, Depressing, Brutal emotionally. This movie was too much for my senses- no likeable characters except for Cooper and moved REALLY slow. Might be worth seeing for Streep and Roberts’ epic struggles and to repeatedly hear Eric Clapton sing “Lay Down Sally”’
This is Stu’s most recent obsession; something to do from hotel rooms on the road and share a bit of life’s artistic experience. If you prefer to not get it- let me know and I will remove you from the mailing list. If you like getting it- enjoy!!!

Film Review- Nebraska

Genre: Film

Grade: A-
Notable People: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, Stacy Keach, Directed by Alexander Payne
Title: Nebraska

Review – shot in glorious black and white, in Butte Montana and central Nebraska- this is a stunner. Quite and forlorn- a powerful film about aging and dreams. Forte shines as the son trying to connect with his cantankerous old dad- whose only mission is to get from Butte to Lincoln, Neb.to cash in on the million dollar prize he believes he has won after getting one of those magazine sweepstakes cards in the mail. Dern is a powerhouse- almost unrecognizable in his geezerness. The film moves a bit slow (left me dozing once) but otherwise a gem. Great cinematography and score are a bonus.

Novel Review- The Great Leader

Genre: Novel

Grade: A
Notable People: Jim Harrison
Title: The Great Leader

Review – another magnificent piece of writing from the person I believe to be the greatest living American writer (Legends of the Fall). Harrison has been writing for 45 years in his almost, but not quite Hemingway style. Caught a lot of flack early on for his similar machismo and lack of sensitivity. So- he turned around a wrote a series of books with a woman as main character (Dalva, etc.)- which blew the critics away for his ability to write in the first person female. He is, in fairness, an Upper Peninsula version of Hemingway- but with more self – effacement, sympathy and gentleness. This story is a semi-ironic take on the great detective novel- with a retiring UP detective hell bent on finishing with one more resolved case involving a sexual predator cult leader. Beautifully written in the natural themes of both upper Michigan and Arizona- it is a subtle thing of beauty. A good chance to get to know Harrison- if you don’t yet.

Novel Review- Work Song-

Genre: Novel

Grade: A-
Notable People: Ivan Doig
Title: Work Song

Review – I really like Doig’s writing- have read four of his novels in the last year; all set in the West in the early 20th Century. This one is s continuation of The Whistling Season, which I previously reviewed- with the main character, Morrie, a holdover from that previous book. Great character study set amongst larger than life people in the mining-union culture of boom-town Butte, Montana. Really nice read- good for a winter’s day sojourn.