The Films | The Albums | The Songs | The Disappointments
Bloc Party – Intimacy
When Bloc Party’s sophomore album, A Weekend In The City, came out to fairly lukewarm response, I very much defended it, and still jam on it often. Intimacy almost makes me regret that decision. There are some decent songs to be found here, but the poor attempts at club-crossover are grating stuff. Someone needs to stage an intervention for these guys, the drugs aren’t helping anymore.
The Faint – Fasciinatiion
I don’t hate Fasciinatiion, but it sounds suspiciously like The Faint got neutered, and no one needs that.
Guillemots – Red
Yikes. The Guillemots went from being one of the most interesting indie-pop bands going, to phoning in unsightly Justin Timberlake impersonations. The first two albums were amazing, so I’ll be keeping the faith, but this is strictly ugly step-sister territory in their discography.
Tropic Thunder
While this wasn’t a horrible film, it should have been so much better than this. Mostly I spent a lot of time shifting in my seat, actively trying not to groan out loud. Sadly, if every scene had involved Robert Downey Jr, they probably would have had a winner.
Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Possibly the greatest travesty of the year, serving only to document just how far George Lucas can shove his head up his own ass. The shame I feel for not leaving the theater once Shia LeBouf started swinging on vines with a monkey army keeps me up at night.
Fringe
This was supposed to be the new X-Files. It’s not even fit to be the new Manimal. And that’s all I am going to say on that subject.
The Happening
M. Night’s steady decline is becoming one long series of disappointments. I know the man who made The Sixth Sense, Signs, and Unbreakable is capable of great things, I just don’t know if he has room to breathe in there under all that ego.
Choke
You probably thought the “new” Ruby Tuesday’s was this year’s most impressive feat (they changed the lamp shades!), but turning Chuck Palahniuk’s Choke into a sterile bore takes the cake. I’ve watched episodes of Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper that made me feel more uncomfortable than this.
The Films | The Albums | The Songs | The Disappointments
The disappointment section is my favorite. Hilarious.
“[Fringe] was supposed to be the new X-Files. It’s not even fit to be the new Manimal. And that’s all I am going to say on that subject.”
Amen.
i was going to ask what the name of that band you were playing in the car the other day was: gentle touch. ill definitely check it out. thanks, supreme music lord!
I actually know someone who loves Fringe. No lie. And they didn’t help make it or anything.
And the Gentle Touch CD is most definitely worth the checking out. It’s the perfect soundtrack to painting your nails black, or writing about Robert Smith riding a unicorn in your dream journal. Not that I know from experience.
At first I was a bit offended by the subtly mocking tones of the title Supreme Music Lord, but now I’m starting to like it. Do you think my dad would be offended if I got my name legally changed to that? I’d only be doing it because it’s easier to spell than Szymkowiak, I swear.
i do hate Fasciinatiion, it’s a damn shame
Is Rob the “someone who loves Fringe”? Or has he seen the error of his ways? Or do we need to stage a series of interventions?
It’s actually not Rob, believe it or not. Though I think his tolerance for Fringe ran much deeper than mine, he doesn’t seem to have missed it much after our Monday night sessions ended.
hold up – they changed the lampshades?!?!!
hanging with mr. cooper made me uncomfortable, but only cause mark curry’s face looks like silly-putty.
I’ve never noticed that, but Mr. Curry’s face does have a surprisingly silly-putty-esque quality to it. Now every time I see him on TV (which is approximately never), I’m going to sit and think about flattening his face on a Family Circus comic.
Didn’t realise Automaton Industries was up and running again boys, excuse me for missing out on so much. Cheers
Swell blog! I share your opinion on Glavegas being one of the best albums of the year.