May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Archive for March, 2009
I finished watching this film a matter of seconds ago; my heart is beating so fast.
So heavily.
I barely have words to speak.
The impact is so great; watching this film will change anyone having a string of a soul left within. I can’t quite wrap my mind around the pain in the story that was just told.
The reality of the Holocaust is discovered through the eyes and mind of an 8-year child who befriends a Jewish boy of the same age that lives in a neighboring concentration camp.
Forced from his home, and friends, in Berlin to move to the countryside for his fathers work, our main character, Bruno, discovers out his bedroom window what he thinks to be a mere farm with funny people working in their pajamas.
The innocent giving heart of a child presses on throughout the entire film as the viewer is taken from a slow paced building of the plot into a complete stunner of a final scene.
If ‘Life Is Beautiful’ moved you this is one you will appreciate for it’s brutal honesty.
Be prepared to have your heart ripped out.
The ending is unbelievable.
As far as the “technical” aspects of the film are concerned I felt that it was wonderfully directed and a well cared for period piece. The attention to detail was superb. I became lost in it the moment the opening titles transformed from a beautiful red cloth to the symbol of such hatred and evil.
The acting was absolutely brilliant all the way around. Both of the boys portrayed so much with their eyes without having to say anything. The soundtrack played wonderfully with my emotions as I watched in anticipation.
I did think while watching that this could be such a great tool to educate young people about the Holocaust.
The life lessons peppered here and there in the film are of such great substance that it will take a while to let it all soak in.
I can’t wait to get my hands on the book and discover this story all over again from the authors mind.
For the way this film impacts the human spirit alone it ranks high with me. Include the brilliant story and the way it was painted on a moving canvas I have to give it a 4.5 out of 5.
just how many times I do this in my sleep.
[[ thx sgurne! ]]
I thoroughly enjoy any book by Nicholas Sparks. However, this is one that I had not read prior to viewing the film in theatres. My favourites include ‘The Notebook’ and ‘Message in a Bottle.’
Yeh, I said it.
I’m a sucker for a good romantic story. Get over it.
I love how this film opens with a dream sequence fading to show the dreamer being awoken with thoughts of, “was that real?” …then realizing the veracity of her life. Followed by taking in a breath… and displaying a face that reads ‘sadness’.
Relatable.
The progression cut throughout the credits, after scene one, brought a smile to my face and reminded me of the time I spent on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, learning to surf with my good friends Mike and Chad. Depicting wide-open beaches with nothing cluttering it for miles and miles.
I could just feel the crisp ocean air.
The titles fading into sand was cleverly done, as they blew across the road and into the ocean. The beautiful three-tier retreat and true blue shutters left me daydreaming of finding a place like that to slip away, take in creation and produce some heavy writing.
Diane Lane is such a remarkable actress so believable in every character she portrays. In this film she is a mother of two dealing with separation from her estranged husband. She takes a leave to help out a friend by watching over her hotel getaway on the coast of North Carolina. While Richard Gere’s character is dealing with a separation of his own and a son with whom he can no longer relate.
The tension developed in the characters first few scenes together is just right, and so true to reality. As the story begins to move along we see the agenda for Richard’s character unfold with multiple flashbacks and a jogging montage. As soon as this breaks open the viewer is hooked.
I’d love to dive into it a bit more yet for fear of ruining the film, for those of you who have not seen, I’ll save details. The human struggle by means of relationships, intimate and otherwise, speaks loudly throughout. There is one particular scene that left me a mess. Can you guess which one?
Certainly, coming from a Nicholas Sparks novel this story is a great one – love, loss and around again. More oft than not is there ’Serendipity’ for an ending. We are given glimpses of incredible moments filled with passion, fire and love. In this day and age a love that lasts is harder to come by. I guess what I’m trying to say is cherish the moments you are given, embrace the chances you have to encounter passion. Live in the moment when love is at your door. For it may be your last.
At times I couldn’t quite put my finger on the level of connection between the two main characters. It felt as if something was missing. As if the on-screen development fell short. I didn’t quite feel as if they were true soul mates, for the most part it seemed as if it was a relationship birthed out of need. As in, there were the only ones there at the time and they each could use a shoulder to cry on and a place to feel comfort. Which rings true and makes sense… yet the devastation of it all at certain parts made it seem like they both discovered their long lost loves. In retrospect, it appeared they truly fell in love writing letters fueled by separation.
[I want to fall in love writing letters.]
I do tend to analyze a bit much on occasion. So I will let that go and wrap this up by saying it is an enjoyable, significant and entertaining flick and most definitely worth watching. If you have a significant other this would be a good one to go with on a Friday night at home with a bottle of wine and a fresh pizza.
Here’s to having wild horses gallop on the shores of your love.
I give it 3 out of 5 cB’s.
[The Blu-ray (possibly the DVD as well) disc has a few incredible mini-documentaries with interviews of the cast and Nicholas Sparks as well, do check those out.]
[Forgive me if for the next few paragraphs I sound like a 15-year-old girl, blabbing about how much she loves the Jonas Brothers, but when my favourite band puts out a new album I get a little geeked out.]
Introduction
Ahh…
U2 are back.
The long wait is over and tomorrow the western world will be blessed with 11 solid new tracks from the greatest band that ever was. Five years in the making ‘No Line On The Horizon’ is absolutely everything I dreamt it would be (there’s that 15-year-old take on things).
Before I go any further, many of you know that U2 has had the new album on their MySpace page for a little over a week. I am not in complete agreement with this idea, perhaps it was prompted by the “leak” that happened two weeks ago, or perhaps it was someone’s “new idea” to fuse music and social networking. I think a sneak peak is great but to put it on the crappiest of players, being MySpace, in full length does NOT do anybody justice. So far I’ve heard from 5 different people, last week, which have all said the new album sucks. When I asked where they heard it they all replied with, “MySpace.” And without my pleading that they trust me and purchase the album on disc or iTunes I doubt they would even have given it a second chance. If I had not received the full album in pure digital last week, as much as I would have wanted to, I’m not sure that I would have tainted the experience by giving into the MySpace release.
I believe that this is the greatest U2 album since ‘Achtung Baby’ – it’s that good. The journey through this project sparks memories that take me back to the days of first experiencing ‘The Joshua Tree’ in all of my ratty longhaired guitar loving youthfulness.
I implore you to take this album in – in its entirety.
How To Properly Experience A New Album
Since I was old enough to have the keys to the car it became the way I took in a brand new album. As soon as I would get the CD in my hands I would take off and go for a long drive, escape from the world for a bit and be free. Growing up living on the edge of the desert, in Phoenix, it was easy to be out in the middle of nowhere without any traffic in a matter of minutes. Cave Creek, Arizona, back when it was still the Wild Wild West, is usually where I’d find myself at the end of an album.
There’s something about being enclosed in a box of speakers, driving, that makes it such a well-enhanced experience. Add a rainy day and its near perfection. Needless to say, that is how I took in “No Line On The Horizon.”
From the opening title track all the way down to ‘Cedars of Lebanon’ I was taken away by every single bit of it. You know how when you’re eating something that tastes so good you just want to shove more of it into your mouth even though your mouth is already full? Yeh, it’s kind of like that. I wanted to play every track at the same time.
The Songs They Sing To Me
This is not your ordinary album review, but lets be honest – what about me is ordinary? I want to take you track by track through this collection as I listen.
No Line On The Horizon – Okay, how can anybody say that Bono is losing his edge? Nonsense. With this title track the guitars are in your face and angry, as in, “it’s about time we get this started.” Bono comes in melodically yelling in your face about a girl who’s like the sea. One of my favourite lyrics is, “Every night I have the same dream - I’m hatching some plot, scheming some scheme.” I love it. At that moment the guitars drop out and you hear a sing-songy playful melody as that of a children’s rhyme. What a great choice for the lead in track.
Magnificent – Favourite song of the album, and perhaps one of my favourite ever from U2. It starts in with a beautiful pulsing trance-like hit on the synth and progresses into a beautiful wide-open guitar lick displaying all that we know and love about “The Edge.” This song is just perfect, plain and simple. Lyrically it reaches so far in and touches my soul like nothing else has in a long time. You can’t help but cry out “Only Love” along with Bono and sing it like you mean it. One thing I love about this song, and its lyrics, is that it is undeniable; you know exactly what he is singing about, and most importantly why. This will go down as one of the greatest songs in history.
Moment of Surrender – Lets have church, shall we? Its no secret Bono sings about Love, often – for me, the simpler the better. The people get it – it’s something obtainable. This song is pure honesty. “It’s not if I believe in love, But if love believes in me. Oh, believe in me.” It is a conscious prayer of surrender -a term very dear to me. Living in surrender is so key to feeling fulfilled. As backwards as it sounds – to surrender is to be completely free. Favourite lyric: “I did not notice the passers-by, and they did not notice me.” Because truly – Life is not about being noticed and being seen. Self-reflection is vital to being influential and making a difference.
Unknown Caller – This starts out feeling a bit like “Numb” from the album ‘Zooropa’ fused with “I Still Haven’t Found…” from ‘The Joshua Tree.’ Something about the mixture of elements in this track brought both of those songs to mind. The chorus takes me easily to a bit of 80’s ‘Talking Heads.’ Great moments created throughout this song, it’s one that really makes you think about its meaning. Choice Lyrics: Entire first verse is grand. “I was lost between the midnight and the dawning, in a place of no consequence or company. 3:33 when the numbers fell off the clock face, speed dialing with no signal at all.”
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight – I love the lengthy title names, it’s a constant for U2, against the norm of the world full of one-word song and album titles. I know I keep saying it but MAN, the lyrics in this album are so incredible. Just read these lyrics all the way through – truly one of the best lyricists of all time. Of course, the ones that sing the sweetest to me are, “Every generation gets a chance to change the world…” and “The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear.” And how funny is, “Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot, how can you stand next to the truth and not see it.” This is probably the more “Anthem” of the songs on this collection. Happy and free as that of “Beautiful Day.”
Get On Your Boots – How can you not like this song? If you have yet to see the music video for it, stop reading and go watch it now. And if you think the song has been a bit overplayed, the video will bring new life to it. It’s just plain brilliant. This song is fun and rockin’ something for the kids. I hope “You don’t know how beautiful you are” will resonate with the collection of folk out there that don’t feel loved and appreciated. He’s singing this for you. For the love, put your freaking boots on. My favourite lyric: “Satan loves a bomb scare but he won’t scare you” and “Let me in the sound!”
Stand Up Comedy – To me, this song lives outside of the typical U2 vein. Not certain if it’s the funk in the guitars or the vocal blend in the pre-chorus line of, “Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady.” (Great lyric – btw) “…be careful of small men with big ideas” is another great lyric. Funny, some elements of this song remind me of ‘dcTalk.’ And, of course, a bit of “the Beatles” when Bono’s voice radiates through singing, “God is love, love is evolution’s very best day.” All in all this is a great song; it’s just not on the top of my list.
Fez – Being Born – The intro/stand-alone is so incredible. I love it when artists include moments like this on an album, so great to get lost in. This reminds me of ‘Portishead’ whom I absolutely love. The pieces of “Get On Your Boots” fused inside this track are a nice touch. The escape of this song makes it one of my top 5 on the album. I love the simplistic “piano” well placed throughout. And come on, these lyrics are so poetically perfect I have to post them all…
Six o’clock
On the autoroute
Burning rubber, burning chrome
Bay of Cadiz and ferry home
Atlantic sea, cut glass
African sun at last
Lights flash past
Like memories
A speeding head, a speeding heart
I’m being born, a bleeding start
The engines roar, blood-curdling wail
Head first, then foot
Then heart sets sail
Every time I hear these lyrics it makes me want to retrace the poets steps and see what he saw that inspired such words. And yes, it makes me dream of seeing the setting sun in Africa. The transition from this track into the next works like magic – this segment of the album provides a great moment.
White As Snow – This is one of the most intimate songs on the album. The guitars seem to pull emotion out of your core as you are taken alongside for the journey and discovery of a “love divine.” Lyrically: Phenomenal. If Paul Hewson were a pastor I’d be in church 7 days a week. Only the haters are unappreciative of his inspiration and legacy. [Pause] I feel bad for the haters. Take this song in several times in a row. It’s great on repeat. J
Breathe - The “Asian-esque” string section is astonishing. Mix that with a bit o’ “Edge” sauce and you have a tasty dish of a tune. Do take the time to read into these lyrics as well, superb. Touching on grace and the peace that derives from finding it. A bit of this seems to come from an influence of author Cormac McCarthy. Favourites: “ I wasn’t gonna buy just anyone’s cockatoo. So why would I invite a complete stranger into my home… Would you?” and when he sings “Ju-Ju Man, Ju Ju Man” it’s really fun to sing it along with him. Also, “I’ve found grace inside a sound…”
Cedars of Lebanon – This piece is a reflective look on the inner-life of a Middle Eastern war correspondent. It’s based on an inner war with himself. Not on the politics of war that surrounds him. It’s the precise close to what I would call a faultless collection of songs. Bono’s ability to take on characters in his writings leave me jaw-dropped and wide-eyed. You will want to dissect every bit of these lyrics.
“Choose your enemies carefully ‘cause they will define you. Make them interesting ‘cause in some ways they will mind you. They’re not there in the beginning but when your story ends, gonna last with you longer than your friends.”
Closing Thoughts
I should just close by saying, “Go buy this album first thing tomorrow.” But I can’t leave it at that. U2 have been inspiring a vast majority of creative types for decades. It’s not hard to be a fan of U2. It’s quite easy, actually. With a collection as big as theirs and a world stage that stretches to the corners of the earth and beyond it’s easy to get lost in the plethora of fans. I take great pleasure in making the experience of enjoying music all my own. And I beseech you to do the same. The journey through music can be a spiritual one. Make it so, and make it your own. As easy as it is to bandwagon and share the joys of something together. It’s in the intimate moments, alone, that make all the difference in the world. So yes, purchase this album, get alone and find pieces of it that speak to you and you alone.
As for me – I’m going out first thing tomorrow, purchasing ‘No Line On The Horizon’ on vinyl and partaking in the experience all over again.
Cheers.
[My take: This album is a TEN. Top five songs in order: Magnificent, White As Snow, Moment of Surrender, Fez - Being Born, Cedars of Lebanon.]
