Summer Review

MOVIES

The Dark Knight

It's funny that the second-highest-grossing movie of all time (right after that movie which introduced millions of second-graders to Kate Winslet's breasts for the first time but not the last) is one that ends with things far worse off than when they started. Maybe that disregard for the norm is what made Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight a full-fledged phenomenon. The film took the usually stylized, fun comic book movie and turned it into a dark, sickening portrait of anarchy. It took heroes and turned them into villains. It took motive, and made it non-existent. It took a lot of things, and it blew most of those things up. Heath Ledger gave the performance of his life, but then Heath Ledger died. This unusual storm of circumstances made the movie work in ways that few ever have and the entire world showed up for it. Don't worry if you haven't seen it yet, though - you're not the only one. I'm guessing your imaginary friend probably hasn't either.

Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express was essentially two movies in one. There was the "Pineapple," if you will, which was basically an attempt to dethrone Cheech and Chong for most joints shlogged in a single movie. And then there was the Express, which was pretty much just the Three Stooges with machine guns. It was a bumbling romp, and whatever any of that was supposed to equate to, James Franco and Seth Rogan worked great together, especially when they were high. We also got to see Daryl from The Office get run over by a car. With Judd Apatow at the helm of production, the movie predictably ran a bit too long, but it was another solid addition to the Ap-man and friends repertoire as they are rapidly becoming some of the most influential movie minds of our generation.

Wanted

At first Wanted seemed like a pretty cool movie, a bit like The Matrix on speed (even though listening to James McAvoy screaming might as well be the equivalent to eternal damnation). It had bending bullets, an adrenalized soundtrack, fancy cinematography, and Angelina Jolie. But about halfway through, everything fell apart in a fruitless attempt to force some sort of hybrid, post-Signs M. Night Shyamalan double twist which essentially just negated the entire film. The only consistency Wanted maintained was that at the end of it, everyone was asking themselves what the hell the point of any of it was. Oh, and there was this magical Loom of fate which told these grumbly-looking minimum wage assembly line Fraternity goons who they had to assassinate, which just degraded ever character's motive to: "Well… the Loom told me to."

By John Vaghi '10

MUSIC

Coldplay: Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends (released June 7th 2008)

Did Chris Martin finally run out of things to sing about? The first song hooked me on the CD, but that was only because it is just instrumental. Songs like "Lost!" and "42" have lyrics that make me upset that I was once a fan of this band. It's almost as if he got his four year-old daughter to write some of these songs. It's undeniable. The fourth CD from Coldplay was the biggest release of the summer, but there is still so much this band can and should do with their music.

Grade: C-

Death Cab for Cutie: Narrow Stairs (released May 13th 2008)

Recognized as one of the best CDs of the year before it was even released, Death Cab's sixth album did not disappoint in any way. It's amazing how their songs are still staying perfect since their "Transatlanticism" release in 2003. Songs like "Cath…" (which will be their next single after "I Will Possess Your Heart") and "Grapevine Fires" will make you feel so lonely inside yet make you smile at how excellent the tunes are. "Narrow Stairs" quickly climbed my favorites list, and the beautifully arranged songs will be played over and over until their next album.

Grade: A

Conor Oberst: Conor Oberst (released August 5th 2008)

Conor Oberst's first solo album in thirteen years is a great addition to any Bright Eyes fan's collection. The CD is almost like an extended version of the song "Another Travelin' Song" from his band's I'm Wide Awake It's Morning release. Songs like "Moab" and "NYC-Gone, Gone" speak highly about the road and leaving the city to go to Mexico (not coincidentally where he recorded this album). Songs like "Get-Well-Cards" and "Souled Out!!!" have a hint of Bob Dylan in them, in lyrical content and even where he practically mimics Dylan's voice.

Grade: B+

By Nahuel Fanjul '11

CELEBRITY

Who seemed to take over the world this summer? That would be those Disney-approved Jonas Brothers. They became unavoidable, not only plastered on the covers of every tween magazine but also completely infiltrating Facebook bumper stickers. You know what I'm talking about. As the Hansons of the Hannah Montana generation, the Jo Bros were "Burnin' Up" the Billboard charts, the Disney ratings, and all of my 13-year-old sister's friends' hearts.

Some baby news: Brangelina finally gave birth to twins in July, notching the Jolie-Pitt kid count up to six. The first official pictures of babies Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon were sold for a cool $14 million. Seventeen-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears also gave birth to Maddie Briann in June. And a little newsworthy update: Allegedly Spears sent fellow pregnant 17-year-old Bristol Palin, as in Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin's daughter, a nice gift of pink burp cloths. Ah, the joys of teenage motherhood and political scandal.

Lindsay Lohan kissed a girl, and considering the fact that they are living together, I'm willing to bet that she liked it. Lohan became involved with DJ/musician Samantha Ronson towards the beginning of the year, and came out with the official news of their romantic relationship over the summer. Along those lines, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi tied the knot in a small Beverly Hills ceremony in August.

By Alison DeNisco '11