"Go Back" Button, "Snooze" Button & the "Repeat" Button are all ones I love.

There's always a song of the moment for me. One that for a week (sometimes two) I will play on repeat and just fall more and more in love with it. Currently, my song of the moment is Maniac (R.O.D.) - Four Year Strong. These guys are awesome. So much energy and their song just rock, and they rock hard. Modern day punk with old school values. Definitely a band to check out.

This video is not the greatest quality, but it's the best I could find. Go buy the album this song is off of (Rise Or Die Trying) and their newest one (Enemy Of The World) PRONTO!

:)

If The Fear Hasn't Killed Me Yet, Then Nothing Will.

Ever since I was in 7th grade and I first heard "No Such Thing" in the car, I've been ever-loving of John Mayer. On April 10, 2010 I finally got to see him live in concert and at some pretty decent FREE seats. I fell even more in love with him. I can't even begin to describe the feelings I have for him and his music or what happened at the show. The whole thing was seriously surreal and I loved every minute of it.
I feel that I am probably way too biased at this point in time and still too much in awe to really construct a thoughtful review of the concert but I will say this... His show was likely the best show I have ever seen. He is a truly gifted musician and probably the best guitarist I've personally ever seen live.

One of my favorites (Don't worry, I know it's a cover):


This video is just too precious:

We Were So Young And Invincible.

 So the band Mayday Parade is one of my favorites.Their live shows are so much fun to see because they always have so much energy and just cast it out to the audience and the other members. They have songs that are fun and upbeat but they also have a few sad ones in the mix and a good amount of ones you can just rock out to. These guys know their stuff and they really are the sweetest, most down to earth band I have ever met, and I work at HOB Chicago, I've met my share of bands. Mayday Parade generally get categorized in with the Pop/Punk crowd and have a lot of 15 year old girls as their fans, but they still have some boys and older kids, like myself, that listen as well. Their music sometimes is also considered Emo, but I don't really see anything bad about being called that. Music is supposed to be emotional, right? And these boys know their stuff, so who cares. Currently they are in the UK touring and this summer you can catch them on Warped Tour!

This is their new video that they posted yesterday. It is a much different take on their music than they usually do with their videos, or most bands often associated with them, and because it was so out there and posted on April 1st, many people weren't sure if it was a joke or not, including me after I was reminded that it was April Fool's Day. It was confirmed April 2nd by three of the band members that it is in fact the real video and not a joke at all. This video makes me love them even more for being real and artsy and not giving a fuck.I love the cinematography of this music video. Almost every scene is shot almost perfectly and it made me watch it more like a film than just a music video. It really does fit the song/lyrics well. It is a bit shocking coming from this band because it is out of the norm for them. I commend them for this music video. I seriously love it and them. Hey, maybe they will gain more older fans with this.. and lose some young ones? :P

A warning before clicking the link... there is a Parental Advisory, only 18+ please!

Let me know what you think!

Mayday Parade - Kids In Love (Official Music Video)

Also! Here is one of the band members' blog talking about the video, please read it.
Alex's Blog

Hand Over You're Heart, Let's Go Home.

Kings Of Leon are my favorite band. So I thought I'd throw them some love ;)

I'm sure most of you have heard the song "Sex On Fire" and "Use Somebody" which just won them 4 Nominations and 3 wins at this year's Grammy Awards. Let me tell you, they deserved it after putting out 4 full-length albums. Which were each awesome.

If you are unaware, KOL is made up of 3 brothers and their cousin. I highly suggest looking up their story of how they started their band. It's a different kind of story that's not necessarily inspirational, but interesting and entertaining. Their music reflects that tone they've set for themselves of having fun and partying too much, not really caring what other people think and just making whatever music they want. They usually stick with their background of southern and classic rock combos. These two are my top faves.

Enjoy! :)

Aren't we supposed to be in Wonderland?

This post is a couple weeks too late, but hey, I've been busy. 

Alice In Wonderland. Tim Burton. 3D. what?

This movie was okay. Yes, just okay. There was so much hype involved in promoting this movie and I unfortunately got caught up in all of it and was in return let down. I never thought that much of 3D or why it was so popular or why people in the industry feel it's the necessary step forward. Watching Alice in 3D reiterated that thought. This movie did not need to be filmed in 3D. I felt more amazed by the 3D-ness of the previews than the movie itself. The cinematography was good, but it would have been better without the angles meant for 3D.

The acting was pretty good. Johnny Depp, as per usual, delivered a great eccentric and believable performance. Helena Bonham Carter did as well, bringing a hilarious mean streak to the famous Red Queen, who she was born to play. The short times that Anne Hathaway and Alan Rickman were on screen were just that, too short. Both really brought their characters to life but it was just too short. I wish I would have seen them in the movie more. Mia Wasikowska, who played Alice, did a great job too. I see major roles and possibly awards in her future. 

The storyline of the movie was just a  bit off, I felt, and too cliche or cheesy. In my opinion, this was a perfect movie for the kiddies. I was hoping for a mind blowing, crazy twists and turns and should be on drugs type of movie, but it was not. 

The make-up and clothing was worth watching the movie. The artists did a great job of using color and texture to distinguish between good and evil and between happy past and depressed present. Looking at all the stills from htis movie would be entertaining enough, I hope they get nominated for next year's Academy Awards. 

I would also like to add that I love Johnny Depp, and the fact that they put in the Jabberwocky poem from Lewis Carroll's book in the movie and that I want to be Helena Bonham Carter. 

That is all :)

You're A Kid With A Bullet Soul. Are You Ready To Go?

I was watching a couple movies last night and thought I should share with you my new favorite up-and-coming actors.

Jesse Eisenberg (Adventureland, Zombieland, and The Education of Charlie Banks) and Jason Ritter (W., The Education of Charlie Banks, Good Dick and Peter and Vandy) .

From the movies that I have seen each in, they have both had great performances. (With maybe the exception of Adventureland being an 'easy' performance for Jesse). I highly recommend the movie The Education of Charlie Banks which co-stars both Jesse and Jason in commendable performances. Keep an eye on both of these boys, I see Golden Globes and Oscars in their futures.

Also, yes, Jason Ritter is the late John Ritter's son and The Education of Charlie Banks was directed by Fred Durst. Yes, the Fred Durst from the band Limp Biskit. Those are my fun facts of the day :)

everyone needs a little Fun. in their lives.

For anyone who ever fell in love with the band The Format and had a broken heart when they called it quits, this is the new project from the former singer. The band name is Fun. and that is just what they are, fun and damn good. Give it a good listen, buy their CD, twitter them, myspace them, whatever you're little hearts desire!

Give me good friends. Give me good music. Give me good coffee. & I'm set for the night.

So not just one, but TWO of my friends have put new music out into the world today.
And consequently I am in love with all of it. :)
And I want all of you to be in love with it too...
please visit these two myspaces and open your ears, minds and hearts to the music and tell these wonderful people what you think.
I would love you forever, and I'm sure they would too :)

www.myspace.com/pausereset (note: band name subject to change)

www.myspace.com/jeffreyjack

Music feeds the soul.

Shutter Island

I didn't know what this movie was quite about when I first went into the theater but sometimes that almost makes it more thrilling. In Shutter Island, staring Leonardo DiCaprio, you really get taken for a ride. Just when you think you've figured out what is happening to Leo's character, something completely blindsides you and you have to rethink your philosophy. Most of the movie, my friends and I just kept saying "what the fuck?" But it was not a bad "what the fuck", it's that the movie makes you think, a lot. There are all sorts of twists and turns around every corner of Shutter Island, literally. Scorsese really grasps your attention from the very beginning of this movie and holds it throughout the rest of the 2 and 1/2 hours where you travel through this story with Leo's character and he makes it all so believable and so honest that you end up feeling so much compassion for him. This was a thriller movie, and I found myself choked up with a few tears at one point towards the end. I also think the fact that it's based on an island that is so close to our home definitely ups the thrill factor. Shutter Island was a thriller, for sure, but it was realistic for the most part and that made it easier to believe and get wrapped up in. I highly recommend it.

I am planning on seeing this movie again, because I think it deserves it and because I think I need to. When this happens, I will write more. :)

As a kid, I was always voted "Most Likely To Win An Oscar"

I decided to post my picks for this year's Oscars. These are most, but not all of the categories. The ones in Yellow are my picks. Yes, in some there are more than one, because I can't decide, haha. Between now and the award show (March 7th) some of these may change as I watch more movies. Enjoy!

Actor in a Leading Role

• Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
• George Clooney in “Up in the Air”
• Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
• Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
• Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”

Actor in a Supporting Role

• Matt Damon in “Invictus”
• Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
• Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
• Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
• Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role

• Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
• Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”
• Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
• Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
• Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”

Actress in a Supporting Role

• Penélope Cruz in “Nine”
• Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”
• Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”
• Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”
• Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film

• “Coraline” Henry Selick
• “Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson
• “The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements
• “The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore
• “Up” Pete Docter

Art Direction

• “Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
• “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
• “Nine” Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
• “Sherlock Holmes” Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
• “The Young Victoria” Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

Cinematography

• “Avatar” Mauro Fiore
• “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Bruno Delbonnel
• “The Hurt Locker” Barry Ackroyd
• “Inglourious Basterds” Robert Richardson
• “The White Ribbon” Christian Berger

Costume Design

• “Bright Star” Janet Patterson
• “Coco before Chanel” Catherine Leterrier
• “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Monique Prudhomme
• “Nine” Colleen Atwood
• “The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Directing

• “Avatar” James Cameron
• “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow
• “Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino
• “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels
• “Up in the Air” Jason Reitman

Film Editing

• “Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
• “District 9” Julian Clarke
• “The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
• “Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke
• “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz

Foreign Language Film

• “Ajami” Israel
• “The Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada)” Peru
• “A Prophet (Un Prophète)” France
• “The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)” Argentina
• “The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band)” Germany

Makeup

• “Il Divo” Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
• “Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
• “The Young Victoria” Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

Music (Original Score)

• “Avatar” James Horner
• “Fantastic Mr. Fox” Alexandre Desplat
• “The Hurt Locker” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
• “Sherlock Holmes” Hans Zimmer
• “Up” Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)

• “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
• “Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
• “Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
• “Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
• “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best Picture

• “Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
• “The Blind Side” Gil Netter, Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson, Producers
• “District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
• “An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
• “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro, Producers
• “Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer
• “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
• “A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
• “Up” Jonas Rivera, Producer
• “Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Sound Editing

• “Avatar” Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
• “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson
• “Inglourious Basterds” Wylie Stateman
• “Star Trek” Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
• “Up” Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

Visual Effects

• “Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
• “District 9” Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
• “Star Trek” Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• “District 9” Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
• “An Education” Screenplay by Nick Hornby
• “In the Loop” Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
• “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
• “Up in the Air” Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Writing (Original Screenplay)

• “The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal
• “Inglourious Basterds” Written by Quentin Tarantino
• “The Messenger” Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
• “A Serious Man” Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
• “Up” Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy

There Is No Song Louder Than Love.

Switchfoot. 
www.myspace.com/switchfoot

The first time I heard of Switchfoot was when the movie "A Walk To Remember" came out. I think I was in 7th grade? I fell in love with Jon Foreman's beautifully raw voice and the band ever since. More-so recently. Their newest album Hello Hurricane continues to climb the charts in my world of all-time favorites, as well as in the real world. It's a rare thing to have a band that is so musically talented and that creates to spread the message of hope and love through their screaming guitars and penetrating vocals.

It is also rare to have a band that can put on a show with so much energy and talent and where the songs are better live than on the already stunning album. Switchfoot has done just that.

Tonight (2/16) at the House of Blues - Chicago, Switchfoot played for the first time, and they fucking rocked. I love their new album's heavier sound and it rang through the music hall tonight. There's something about the heavy rock sound and the lyrics broadcasting love and hope for everyone. At times their set list seemed a bit unorganized or scattered but in the long run, it really didn't matter what order they played the songs. (I only wish they would have saved Mess Of Me for a bit later than the second song of the set.) For a the song "You" they took the lights (mostly) off of the band and kept the venue fairly dark which made for an interesting feeling of hearing the song and it not being about theatrics, which a lot of bands these days are all about. Not saying its a bad thing at all, I often would encourage it. The dimmed lights heightened the feel or ambiance, if you will, of the lyrics. The simple lighting and open stage made the show more about the music and it was still one of the best shows I have seen. The energy and talent that the members brought to the stage was totally reflective of the tone of their new album, which if you haven't guessed by now, I highly recommend. :)

If you haven't heard it yet, go out and find Switchfoot's newest album entitled Hello Hurricane. Listen to the tracks "Mess Of Me", "Hello Hurricane", "The Sound" and for a calmer song listen to "Yet".

Also, Jon Foreman's voice is absolutely unreal live. I wish he could sing me to sleep every night. I bet I'd have the best dreams.

Somewhere over the rainbow.

Hello people of the world wide web!

So, I'm a little new to this "blogging" thing. I mean, I've done the whole Xanga then Myspace, then Facebook thing but this one's going to be a little bit different. I'm an aspiring actress, currently getting my bachelor's degree, and I love watching movies. Acting and theater and movies are my passion in life.

Music is another one of my passions. I work at the Chicago House of Blues and listen to A LOT of music. Therefore, I've decided to try and write a blog about my two passions in life, movies and music. These are just my opinions and thoughts. Read if you wish, hate me or love me, or don't read it at all.

Follow up in a bit for my posts to come.And thanks for bearing with me till I learn the ways of the Blogger.

:)