'Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives' Review

The latest film from Apichatpong Weerasethakul is one of his best. (I may ultimately prefer Syndromes and a Century, but it's a close call.) Anyway, I sing the praises of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives over at Yahoo.

james franco bombs as academy awards host

I was rooting for James Franco and Anne Hathaway at the Oscars. But they tanked, especially Franco. I try to figure out why over at Yahoo.

genesis - throwing it all away

Today's my mom's birthday. So let's play a song that I know she'd like. (And let's be honest: I'm a sucker for it, too.)

my Best Picture ballot for the 2011 Academy Awards

I am comfortable with the fact that I'm not smart enough to understand how the balloting works for Best Picture at the Oscars. (And don't call it a "weighted ballot," because Steve Pond will yell at you.) But for my own amusement (and maybe yours?), here is how I would rank my ballot if I was a member of the Academy.....

1. The Social Network
2. Inception
3. The Kids Are All Right
4. 127 Hours
5. Black Swan
6. The King's Speech
7. Toy Story 3
8. The Fighter
9. Winter's Bone
10. True Grit

For my list of 2010's best films, go here.

helmet - unsung

Remember when Helmet was going to be the next Nirvana? Didn't happen, did it? Oh well, "Unsung" is still an absolute monster.

'I am number four' review

I Am Number Four is like Smallville meets Spider-Man meets Twilight meets Harry Potter. Except not as good. My review is up at Yahoo.

drive-by truckers - 'go-go boots' review

I just saw a website that declared Drive-By Truckers' new Go-Go Boots their worst album. Even if that was the case, they still operate on a level much higher than the normal band. Besides, Go-Go Boots is a damn fine record. My review is up at About.

'just go with it' review

Just Go With It is only slightly less terrible than No Strings Attached. That's as close as I can get to being nice to Adam Sandler's new movie. Here's the review.

beatles - the night before

No Beatles song that appears on one of their albums can be considered obscure or a "hidden gem." (No band has had its entire catalog scrutinized the way these guys have.) Still, "The Night Before" is a song of theirs that's never gotten its full due.

'justin bieber: never say never' review

I was actually interested in seeing Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. 3D concert movies are, generally speaking, a treat, and I was hoping that this film would help clue me into Bieber's appeal. (Plus, "U Smile" works for me really well.) Alas, Never Say Never is more like a political campaign than a disarming look at the teen sensation. My full review is at Screen International.

'cedar rapids' review

My review of Cedar Rapids was a perfect way for me to go off on so-called "Sundance comedies." Put bluntly, I'm sick of 'em. I moan about them, and Cedar Rapids, over at Yahoo.

2011 oscar-nominated shorts

Continuing a fun annual tradition, I reviewed this year's Oscar-nominated shorts for The Village Voice. The twist for 2011? It's no longer just animated and live-action shorts: Documentary shorts are part of the bill now as well.

ryan adams - come pick me up

May you never feel as downhearted as Ryan Adams does in this song.

'Sanctum' Review

I think my favorite thing about Sanctum is that it's directed by a guy whose last name is Grierson. I just never see my name in print, so it's genuinely weird when it happens. As for the movie, the 3D is great. But ....... well, I explain all in my review.