new order - dreams never end

Continuing the recent theme of Friday Videos that are inspired by movies I've seen lately, here's New Order's "Dreams Never End." It's used near the beginning of the 330-minute version of Carlos. (I haven't seen the shorter version, but I'm assuming it's there as well.) If you're the sort who's interested in how directors use music in their films, Glenn Kenny's piece about the postpunk songs in Carlos is pretty worthwhile. Otherwise, hey, just enjoy the song.

'paranormal activity 2' review

Following the same formula as the first film, Paranormal Activity 2 is actually better than the original. How did that happen? I explain in my Screen International review.

pearl jam - just breathe

Pearl Jam are celebrating their 20th anniversary today. Think about that for a second.

In honor of this momentous occasion, I decided to pick a recent favorite of theirs, off of 2009's Backspacer. And if you've seen the not-as-terrible-as-advertised Life As We Know It, yes, "Just Breathe" is used in the film.

'for colored girls' review

You remember how the Saw films supposedly created "torture porn"? Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls might be the start of another, even-more-frightening genre: victim porn. The African-American women whose lives we follow in this film have to be the most massively woe-is-me clan I've ever encountered. My review is up at Screen International.

kings of leon - 'come around sundown' review

Warm and inviting, and blessedly free of rock-star self-indulgence, Kings of Leon's Come Around Sundown hits stores tomorrow. But my review is up now at About.com.

'jackass 3d' review

Exactly what you expect and funnier than you might assume. My review is up at Screen International.

B-52s - "Rock Lobster"

My mom was telling me a story about a friend of hers who went to a B-52s show recently. A metal band opened for them, much to the chagrin of my mom's friend. Anyway, it made me think how much I like "Rock Lobster." How much do I like it? I'm including the original, nearly-seven-minute-long album version of it.

the event - "a matter of life and death" recap

Here's the way a typical episode of The Event plays out for me right now: many eye-rolls throughout until we get to a pretty cool final twist that I honestly didn't see coming. My latest recap is up at Vulture.

trent reznor and atticus ross - on we march

On Nine Inch Nails' most recent records, specifically The Slip, some of the best songs were the instrumentals, which were lovely yet menacing. So it shouldn't be any surprise that Trent Reznor's score for The Social Network is pretty stellar. (Hat tip to Atticus Ross who collaborated with him on the music.) If you've seen the film, you'll recognize this track almost immediately, I'm betting. And since I've been busy with other matters and haven't had time to formally review the movie, let me just say, yes, it's excellent, just like everyone else says.

the event - "protect them from the truth" recap

Last night's The Event was not very encouraging ... until the ending. My recap is up at Vulture. (And a hat tip to the commenters who pointed out the plot point I got wrong. Hey, it happens.)

'life as we know it' review

A little more than a month ago, Warner Bros. released Going the Distance, a disappointing romantic comedy that actually had an interesting premise. Next weekend, the same studio will be releasing Life as We Know It, another disappointing romantic comedy that actually has an interesting premise. (I even saw the two films in the same screening room.) For once, Katherine Heigl actually worked for me in one of her starring roles, but Life as We Know It is a good idea for a movie that ended up a rather predictable date-night flick. My review is up at Screen International.

taco - puttin' on the ritz

Synthesizers, blackface and tap-dancing: what could possibly go wrong?