12 Steps Week of Feb. 1, 2008
This week is another compilation from the past year: the best in film. This past year was
eventful for movies. Many years before have slumped and others have triumphed. The year
2005, for example, was full of over-indulgent sloppy, preachy messes. But the next year we
saw indie flicks and mob dramas that won our hearts and made us cheer. This year was full
of some of the best films of the decade and resurrected old stars and finally recognized the
ones that require recognition. The best movies of 2008.
The 12 Steps to the Best Films of 2008
12. Iron Man
Iron Man was a success because it was made at the right time by the right people. We're in
an age where we can't be flashy or gaudy or corny. We're smartasses and we're cynical.
Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark was and is the perfect choice for the role. His wit is
completely natural and it shows. In addition, Jeff Bridges is perfect as the Iron Monger-
maniacal and viscious. Jon Favreau knows comics and I'm glad he picked this one out of the
rest and turned a second-teir hero into a class-rate film.
11. Rachel Getting Married
Anne Hathaway. Some people don't like her. I love her. She has a natural, down home beauty
and naturalism. This film is melodrama meets Bourne-style handycam. Hathaway plays Kim,
soon-to-be-wed Rachel's drug addicted sister who just got out of rehab. The entire wedding
experience plays out like a self-help exercise and pulls you in vigorously with possibly the
most wacky wedding EVER. Hathaway deserves any award she receives for this film.
10. Gran Torino
At 78, Clint Eastwood can still mesmerize. If he were to die today, this would be a perfect
swan song to an astounding and legendary career. Possibly, his best performance to date.
9. Doubt
Meryl Streep does Mama Mia! Meryl Streep plays inquisitive nun. The latter may not sound
has exciting but it's an acting tour de force. By the end of the movie, after covering Amy
Adams and Philip Seymour Hoffman (who do hold their own) under her gigantic acting
shadow, you just feel like banging her in the head with little gold statue. Secrets are unveiled
and a prep school is turned upside down from insinuations and doubts amidst the gender
roles of the 1960s Catholic Church.
8. The Wrestler
Nobody would hire Mickey Rourke, for the most part. Before this he had done two films since
2000- Sin City and Once Upon A Time In Mexico. This was his first leading role in years and
he excels to the fullest giving an emotional roller coaster of a performance. The movie is as
sad and draining as it is uplifting.
7. Slumdog Millionaire
The sleeper hit of the year is the feel-good movie of the year and finally an awards
contender for the long overdue Danny Boyle. Who would've thunk a movie about a love story
wrapped around the Indian Who Wants to Be a Millionaire would be so inspirational and
marvelous?
6. Frost/Nixon
Frank Langella is also one of those overlooked actors. Here he plays Nixon opposite Michael
Sheen's Frost who is interviewing the former President, giving him "the trial he never had."
Langella's Nixon isn't an impersonation but rather somewhat of a reincarnation with a slight
caricature in Ron Howard's political epic.
5. In Bruges
OK, the studios finally threw out the notion that Colin Ferrell was going to be the next big
thing and put him in a movie he belongs in. Two Irish hitmen wait for their boss in Bruges,
Belgium. Mayhem and slapstick ensues but not before the unbelievably dark backstory that
makes Ferrell's character and performance of his career.
4. Burn After Reading
The Coen Brothers are untouchable. Finally, one of their movies shuts out the Oscars and they
celebrate by making an irreverent, witty masterpiece ensemble. The entire cast is remarkable
and the Coen's throwbacks to Fargo and Lebowski are plentiful. Paranoia, blackmail and sex
have never seemed so wholesome!
3. The Dark Knight
Some will lynch me for mot making this number one. In fact, I think it got snubbed at the
Oscars. This movie (the second highest grossing of all time) put the superhero genre on a
new playing field but proved to us that the Academy will never see it as anything more. The
best, obviously, is Heath Ledger who gives one of the best acting performances in
generations. Christopher Nolan shows us how even the best of us can lose hope.
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
David Fincher is a director who has his style. Like Scorsese and Coppola, you can tell it's a
David Fincher picture. Fight Club, Seven, Panic Room, and Zodiac all have a similar style but
with Button, he takes careful measures to make it with as much precision and delicacy that he
can. It's a sweeping epic taking us through time through the eyes of a backwards aging man
and the girl of his dreams. Cate Blanchett yet again proves there is no acting she cannot do in
a film that is worthy of every accolade thrown its way.
1. WALL-E
The best film of the year is a about a worker robot who falls in love with another robot 700
years in the future on crusty, dirty planet Earth and aboard a spaceship full of gelatinous
pigs of people, barely aware of their environment. It's political in a sense that we need to
take better care of ourselves and our planet. Kids don't get movies like this. It has Louis
Armstrong singing La Vie En Rose and the first 45 minutes it's essentially a silent film. Kids
just see flashing color and the occasional slapstick joke. What the rest of the audience sees is
a socially conscious masterpiece, giving us a possible glimpse into what our future holds.
~rme
12 Steps Week of January 26, 2009
Welcome back everyone! This week 12 STEPS will be announcing the best in music of 2008.
It has been a splendid year for music if you've dug deep enough or had any inclination to
listen to what's not widely presented. This will not be the 12 best albums but split- 6 Best
Albums and 6 Best Singles of 2008.
The 12 Steps to the Best Singles and Albums of 2008
Singles:
6. Kings of Leon- Use Somebody
This track is the second single off the Tennessee foursome's fourth album "Only By the
Night." The album takes the Followill's down a more mature road, but at what cost? They
used to sound a bit more rugged and now they're cleaning up and using more electronics.
Lead singer Caleb's voice has grown immensely but the disc only seemed to generate a few
really good songs- this epic track being one of the best the band has put together.
http://www.youtube.com/v/B1HXVlqexz4&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/B1HXVlqexz4&hl=en&fs=1
5. Estelle feat. Kanye West- American Boy
Absolutely top performance by one hell of a British newcomer and the most arrogant man in
show business. It was a summer anthem that was as catchy as it was original.
http://www.youtube.com/v/JnXy3VffVzA&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/JnXy3VffVzA&hl=en&fs=1
4. The Black Keys- I Got Mine
Akron's Black Keys should've been around in the late 60s and throughout the 70s. They have
a rock prowess seldom seen in modern bands and a style that could stand next to Hendrix
and Zeppelin any day- and there's only two of 'em! This was the lead single off their Spring
'08 album "Attack and Release"
http://www.youtube.com/v/q9AfKcHwoP4&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/q9AfKcHwoP4&hl=en&fs=1
3. TV On the Radio- Dancing Choose
Such an epic band. They have matured their sound for their latest relase "Dear Science" to fit
an arena the size of the Indie heavens. Brooklyn's TOTR came to own many top lists of 2008
and this was the lead off single for arguably their best album.
http://www.youtube.com/v/n7mMoc-x_v0&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/n7mMoc-
2. Kaiser Chiefs- Never Miss A Beat
There's not much that hasn't been said about one of England's newest modern New Wave
bands. Noel Gallagher called them a bad version of the band Blur. Magazines across the
pond hail them as a clash between the Talking Heads and...the Clash. Whatever the case may
be, this is the best song they've done about youths in the UK. Redundancy lives on.
http://www.youtube.com/v/fxspk5ioT9c&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/fxspk5ioT9c&hl=en&fs=1
1. The Verve- Love Is Noise
The Verve is one of those bands that can sweep you off your feet in a moments notice. You
might remember "Bitter Sweet Symphony" from 1997? They broke up for eleven years then
came back and made "Forth"- a colossal invasion of sound painting epic backdrops to our
lives. This single is easily the best stand-alone song of the year.
http://www.youtube.com/v/cRTFcwNcZp4&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/cRTFcwNcZp4&hl=en&fs=1
Albums:
6. Oasis- Dig Out Your Soul
The Manchester lads' seventh album is a psychedelic rockfest filled in with electronic sitar
machines, sound effects, and pure rock 'n' roll. Liam Gallagher pens a couple of tracks and
Noel is still in top form after all these years.
The Shock of the Lightning
http://www.youtube.com/v/87IQhui_Yy8&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/87IQhui_Yy8&hl=en&fs=1
5. Foals- Antidotes
Another British band, Foals have had quite a year touring around the world doing their best
to get their name out. They have one of the most unique sounds in music today with
eccentric pop tendencies.
Balloons
http://www.youtube.com/v/PGrZkUQ6_r8&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/PGrZkUQ6_r8&hl=en&fs=1
4. She & Him- Volume One
You might've heard of an actress named Zooey Deschanel. I'll give you a hint- she was in
"Elf," "The Happening," and "Yes Man." She's a talented actress but an even more talented
singer. Together with Indie rocker M. Ward, she has reached a zen-like Patsy Cline quality in
her music and is finally getting some recognition. The album features a slew of original
recordings, a Beatles cover and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."
Black Hole (Live)
http://www.youtube.com/v/mOs5UwFHa6w&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/mOs5UwFHa6w&hl=en&fs=1
3. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals- Cardinology
Ryan Adams is one hell of a songwriter. He knows this. He also knows that you will never be
as good as him. Though he says his arrogant days are behind him, it seems that they are
here to stay, for the time being at least. One of the best American bands this year, The Cards
have upped the ante to fill any size arena (they toured with Oasis this past fall).
Fix It (Live)
http://www.youtube.com/v/Si14rmNJcvA&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/Si14rmNJcvA&hl=en&fs=1
2. The Kooks- Konk
England's most solid rock group in years, The Kooks' second album is getting on across the
pond much more than their first but still have yet to really set in. It was a summer anthem
collage of pop rock fun, period.
Shine On
http://www.youtube.com/v/FOHCmr8shWc&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/FOHCmr8shWc&hl=en&fs=1
1. The Ting Tings
How infectious can pop music be? Ask the Ting Tings. Maybe they intended to make the
perfect summer album and own our faces with at least three hits in just a few months and
one of the most awesome videos in years. Maybe not. Regardless, it's the best album of the
year. Sorry, MTV, but Britney paled in comparison to "Shut Up and Let Me Go."
If you want the video, you can get it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r23cm7bL9E
That's Not My Name (Live)
http://www.youtube.com/v/q_REL4m_210&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/q_REL4m_210&hl=en&fs=1
Great DJ (Live)
http://www.youtube.com/v/Clk8JYPjVos&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/Clk8JYPjVos&hl=en&fs=1
~rme
Take a look at the music you listen to. Think about it really hard. Is it what some would describe as beautiful? What defines beauty in your mind? Many people sit back and listen to music without thinking about it. Sometimes when they aren’t thinking about it, it jumps out and clicks in their head. Maybe they’re afraid to admit it. What makes beauty in music? More specifically, what makes beauty in a song? Can you think of the most beautiful song you have ever heard? Is it simple and short or does it sweep across a sonic landscape making lights streak in the night? Does it lift you up or do you find beauty in sadness? This week’s 12 Steps are directed at this concept that music can take you to a parallel dimension of shimmering lights and emotion.
The 12 Steps to the Most Beautiful Songs
12. Counting Crows- Colorblind
Featured prominently in the 1999 film “Cruel Intentions,” Counting Crows were still riding the 90s pop rock wave. This is their most thoughtful but not their most earnest. Even so, it is most endearing and wonderful.
11. Pearl Jam- Better Man
The last of the Seattle grunge bunch that’s still big have written some amazing material. This one of their most thoughtful tunes.
10. Johnny Cash- Hurt
Trent Reznor recorded this song for Nine Inch Nails and was upset at first that Johnny Cash covered it. After he heard it, however, he found it to be superior to his own version. This was Johnny’s last hit before he passed away.
9. John Lennon- Imagine
This is widely regarded as one of the greatest songs ever written. You be the judge.
8. Coldplay- The Scientist
Chris Martin was thought at one time to be a musical revolutionary. Four albums later, he has two classics under his belt and two forgettable pop albums. This is of the former.
7. Smashing Pumpkins- 1979
Billy Corgan is another example of brilliance that fizzles out. “1979” is from their 1995 album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” which was 90s alt rock to the fullest.
6. The Verve- Lucky Man
No, this isn’t the Verve Pipe and no, it isn’t Bittersweet Symphony. Sadly, Richard Ashcroft and his drugged up gang only scored one hit here in the States but this is just one example off the utterly elegant 1997 album “Urban Hymns.”
5. The Beatles- Across the Universe
I know there’s a million I could have picked but it was this one, deal with it.
4. The Beach Boys- God Only Knows
The greatest Beach Boys tune from one of the greatest albums in music history, “Pet Sounds.”
3. Pink Floyd- Comfortably Numb
Psychedelic Rock music will always have a place in my heart, as will this song.
2. Bob Dylan- Like a Rolling Stone
Easily the greatest American songwriter, Dylan transfixed rock ‘n’ roll, blues and Americana and created some of the most marvelous songs ever.
1. My Bloody Valentine- Sometimes
Shoegaze is the forgotten genre of rock. It consists of fuzz and distortion but has been used to create some of the most intimate of songs. This song is off one the best albums of the 90s, “Loveless” and is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.