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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
Genre: Album
Grade: B+
Notable People: Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris
Title: Old Yellow Moon
Review – It’s a really nice thing when old singing partners get back together to make music. Crowell was a mainstay in Harris’s Hot Band of the late 70s- more or less singing the parts that Emmylou had done with Gram Parsons. She has gone on to much broader success but he has made good solid music for a long time as well. Nothing groundbreaking here- but good songs, great harmonies and fine session musicians give this the feel of very good 70’s country rock effort. They still sing quite well together. Very pleasant
Genre: Film
Grade: A-
Notable People: Good Ol’ Freda
Title: Freda Kelley, John, Paul, George, Richie (Ringo)
Review – Great documentary from 2013 and available also on Netflix focused on the Beatle’s long hidden secretary. Touching interviews with a woman who decided to go back to normal life after 11 years with The Beatles- starting when she was a 17 year old fan from Liverpool in 1962. And the music is not bad either…plus the archival footage. Great biopic of the era.
Genre: Album
Grade: A-
Notable People: Guy Clark
Title: My Favorite Picture of You
Review – Guy Clark is an alt country legend- deservedly so. A mix of country wisdom and beat culture- he’s been making under the radar album beauties for over 40 years. His heirs are voluminous and speak of him with reverence. This is a fine album- gruff, whiskey soaked vocals, pining hearts and a lot of down home wanderin’ philosophy-with a cracker jack backing band. Close your eyes and you’ll be in a West Texas honky- tonk with the roughnecks and cowboys. A thing of beauty.
Genre: Film
Grade: A
Notable People: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Jason Schwartzman, Paul Giamatti, John Lee Hancock
Title: Saving Mr. Banks
Review – this was a compromise movie on Christmas eve for us; trying to find one five people could agree on at a time that would not have us out real late. My expectations were low; I mean it’s about Walt Disney hustling to get Mary Poppins made after 20 years of trying. I won’t say much more- because this movie was revelation. A REALLY beautiful film in all ways. Be prepared for tears- it’s a very emotional story. Hanks and Thompson are masters of the craft, Giamatti his usual major self, Firth is a truly tragic figure, and the whole ensemble is just wonderful. The little girl who plays a child Thompson is a star to be. Really nice touch- the music consultant for the movie was one of the two Sherman bothers who composed the film’s original music. It will make you want to go out and rent Mary Poppins.
Genre: Novel
Grade: A
Notable People: Archer Mayor, Author
Title: Three Can Keep a Secret
Review – This is Archer’s 24th book in the Joe Gunther mystery series- all primarily set in and around Vermont. Archer is somewhat of a folk here in the state, and deservedly so for a body off work that so finely illuminates the state’s beauty, character and nuance. This one is somewhat of a departure in that it is both a good old fashioned mystery as well as chronicle of the Vermont experience post Hurricane Irene. Archer does a really nice job of painting a picture of the devastation of the natural disaster while still weaving a fine yarn. All the primary characters are back (as they have been for over 20 years) and this one delves into the mythical history of the states’ politics and power base. This ranks as one of my favorites of the last two decades; always a thrill when we get to experience more of the enigmatic Willie. Some of Archer’s books might seem inaccessible to the novice who has not followed the serial- but this one can stand alone as a fine work of fiction. If you have not yet given this series a try- this may be the one to start with…it will undoubtedly have you going back to the beginning to check out the whole shebang.
