2 Quick Reviews

For Your Consideration
Last night my mom and I accomplished a goal we've had for the last 3 years. We actually got off the couch after Thanksgiving and went and caught a flick. After much debate and consternation with showtimes, we settled on Christopher Guest's latest comedy. Guest once again assembles his ensemble of comedic geniuses to take a stab at over the top characters in an over the top world. This time around it's the filmaking industry and the ludicrous obsession the industry and the media have with the Academy Awards. The film is funny...damn funny, but not Best in Show or even Mighty Wind funny. Whenever Guest goes away from the mockumentary style he's so well known for his films tend to feel like they're a little off and For Your Consideration suffers this fate. At 124 minutes it also feels like there is a lot of funny on the cutting room floor. The bright spots for me were the additions of Ricky Gervais and Rachel Harris. Gervais is playing a variation on all the roles I've seen him in and he does it well. Harris, aka Best Crush Ever, steals Parker Posey's spotlight. In the end though the film while satisfying is not something I recommend you run out and see, unless of course we start hearing Oscar buzz.


Jay-Z: Kingdom Come
Tuesday morning I woke up went to iTunes and downloaded my pre-ordered copy of Jay-Z's comeback album. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning except I was waiting for blazing beats, lyrical lessons, and HOVA himself. After listening to the album a few times I now feel like a kid who got a sweater but at least it's a good looking one. This is no Black Album, this isn't even The Blueprint. As a whole the album is disappointing. The mandated track with Beyonce marks the first time I've heard the combo mistep together. The beats are dull and slow for the most part and J sounds a tad bored. It actually has a slapped together feel. However there are some standout tracks. The title track shows just how talented Jay's main producer Just Blaze is. How many times have we heard Superfreak sampled? Blaze finds a way to make it sound fresh and new for the first time in years. Dr. Dre lends his skills to a track called "Trouble" and while it sounds more like a Timberland track the song still leaves an impression. "30 Something" is the most personal track for this age challenged listener and surprisingly the Coldplay track "Beach Chair" is worth multiple listens. In the end though I'd pass on the album and just pick up individual tracks on iTunes.