Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'Jump Tomorrow' (2001)

Movie: Jump Tomorrow (2001)
Director: Joel Hopkins
Rating: 7.9/10 Stars *******'
Sorry for the gap in posts fans, I've been a bit busier as of late and not much time to post but I am back with another, and really need to catch up on my movie reviews list! This movie was good, and different too. A romantic comedy about George, who is set (by his family) to be married to fellow Nigerian family friend but falls in love with a Spanish woman he randomly meets at the airport. Their lives seem to synchronize as George and his newfound French-pal (Girardot), make their way to George's looming wedding. and they get more than one chance at discovering their true feelings for each other despite the expectations of others. Check this one out, its a good laugh, and check out the soundtrack, its quite good. 

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Your Weekly Song Post: 'Gina' by The White Goods (2011)

This weeks music post goes to Australian indie/hip-hop group The White Goods, and their song Gina. The White Goods originate out of Melbourne, Australia and consist of members Bones Lawley (vocals and guitar), Fingers Ely (vocals and guitar), and Plato Paterson (drums). Gina was released as a single in October of 2011 and is apparently a song about an attractive (but married) parlour-worker. If you like what you've heard here and want some more info on the artist, then head over to the group's Facebook page HERE, or their Unearthed page HERE for some free mp3 downloads (including this song). 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sneaks' Book Reviews: 'The Big Burn' by Timothy Egan (2009)

Book: The Big Burn (2009)
Author: Timothy Egan
My Rating: 9.2/10 Stars *********'
I just want to start by saying that I highly recommend reading this book! The Big Burn is a well-researched and historically-accurate account of the biggest forest-fire in US history, the establishment of the US Forest Service, and the National Parks system under President Teddy Roosevelt, Gifford Pinchot who faced fierce opposition from the land baron's and politicians of the industrial era. If you want to learn a little bit about US history in the early 1900's and the origination of progressive politics in America then this book is definitely for you, and the best part of the story is that all of it actually happened. Check this book out, you won't regret it. The video below is from Youtube.com, and is an interview with the author done by Borders.

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'The Forest for the Trees (Der Wald vor lauter Baumen)' (2006)

Movie: The Forest for the Trees (Der Wald vor lauter Baumen) (2006)
Director:Maren Ade
My Rating: 6.1/10 Stars *****'
This movie was stressful to watch. A young school-teacher begins a new position at a new school in a new town after leaving a long-term relationship behind her. This movie is really about relationships, and what happens when people don't know how, or are un-willing to establish strong boundaries between themselves and others, between what is acceptable to them and what is not. I found this movie to be quite realistic from my own experience as I have known very socially awkward people who constantly over-step boundaries and who just don't seem to have an innate sense of what is appropriate and what isn't, and the character in this movie has this problem with her students and with her attempts to make new friends. Be prepared to be stressed, not an upbeat movie by any means. Sorry, couldn't find a trailer for this online.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Your Weekly Song: 'Twin Rays' by Gung Ho (2011)

This week's feature song goes to Australian indie-pop band Gung Ho, and their track Twin Rays. Gung Ho are a Brisbane-based indie band consisting of members Oliver Duncan (bass guitar and vocals), Michael McAlary (guitar and vocals), and James Wright (drums and vocals). Twin Rays is a single release by the band, and it was released in digital form on November 7th, 2011, so you can find it on ITunes. If you like what you hear you can also head to the band's Unearthed page HERE for more music and info. 

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Sneaks' Movie Reviews: 'The Baxter' (2005)

Movie: The Baxter (2005)
Director: Michael Showalter
My Rating: 6.9/10 Stars ******'
This movie is funny and worth checking out once. Nerdy and stable Elliot (Showalter, also the Director) seems to have the curse of getting into relationships with women, who then end up reuniting with their ex-boyfriends and running off with them. He calls himself a 'Baxter' due to this happening to him multiple times during his young adult life. Check this one out if you are looking for a light-hearted romantic comedy.