The Year of No Shennantics: Get Busy Living and Responding

Happy New Year everybody!

We did a bad job of keeping this page updated and part of the problem, at least for me, was that I was too busy actually living my life to comment on it as it happened. I always feel like critics stand on the outside of life telling people what they should be experiencing. They rush into moments and spend the entire time trying to think of ways to describe it to others. It's a sad truth that I haven't accepted. But I have a plan for the coming new year and I hope you'll enjoy it.

For now though, I'd like to leave 2012 with a short list of what I actually made an impact on me this year:

(There will be no photos because my computer is evil)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Released back in January TFiOS is still kicking ass and taking names. It even has been listed on some of the top Best Books lists for the entire year. Not bad for a YA love story about two kids with cancer. Author John Green began this book many years ago and it is with love and patience that it grew into the heart wrenching, poignant story that it is (I've always hated book reviews with that word in it but it hits the mark perfectly). The best thing about TFiOS is that each character is fully developed and interesting, not a small task by any means. Hazel's and Augustus's parents have a realism that Green had not fully developed before in previous novels. If you don't mind crying out loud while reading please go pick up a copy (even if you don't, give it a try anyway. You won't regret it). There is currently a special edition available with a silver cover and a few extras.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Not the book, the movie

Come on, like you didn't see that one coming? Lets keep this sweet; everything in my review of the trailer fits what I would say about the film. It is brilliant, but it took out a few things that I would have liked to see. Most notably the cutting of Charlie's sister's subplot. Watching Perks in the same theater that I used to do The Rocky Horror Picture Show was an experience that I personally will never forget and hopefully for those that saw it can build memories as exciting and infinite as Charlie and co.

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/LizzieBennet)

This is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice set as a video blog...need I say more? Ambitious and enthralling, watching is the most fun I've had on the internet (okay, maybe not completely but it is up there!). Speculation over the big Darcy reveal was the hottest November discussion and it's only getting better. Lydia is even likable! Looking forward to the rest of the series and I highly encourage any one even remotely interested in adaptations of classic literature to check it out.


The biggest let down of the year would have to be the rescheduling Keiron Gillen's and Jamie McKevie's Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl. It was supposed to come out in November and I waited with bated breath only to be disappointed. The first issue will be released sometime next year (maybe), which leads into my most anticipated projects/releases of 2013 that I'll write sometime later this week.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and a year full of Shennantics ^_^ Here's to 2013!

The Shennantics Review of the Dark Knight Rises!

"And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be." The Perks of Being a Wallflower trailer debut at the MTV Movie Awards (and some brief Movie Awards commentary)

Dear friend,

*Possible spoilers*

I don't know where to begin really. The mixture of nerves, excitement, disappointment, and joy has become a confused blur.

It started with being an hour late to the MTV Movie Awards (I had a standing invitation with my couch) which did not bode well for the night. Playing catch up can be extremely frustrating and I fast forwarded through what I could (mainly Ashton Kutcher's weak attempt at pop culture relevance and Charlize Theron talking about fashion). There was a quick moment with Logan Lerman, the quintessential Charlie, backstage and then more pre-show  "let's-see-whats-happening-where-nothing-at-all-is-going-on" bruhaha. To my equal dismay and happiness they played the trailer before the awards even started (I had expected to have to watch the entire show waiting in antici............................................................................pation).

Then....it happened. The debut of "the perks of being a wallflower" trailer. Bliss, then betrayal.

Before I go into detail about the trailer, it would be appropriate to get a few simple truths out of the way. I love "perks." A friend from high school gave the book to me when I was about 19 or so. If I'm not mistaken she was told about it by my now best friend and co-creator of Shennantics, Corinne. I used to imagine going to Sweet and Tender Hooligans (A Smiths tribute band from Los Angeles) shows with Charlie, the book's main character, and dancing around in a flurry of youthful exuberance and arrogance. I have since named my iPod after him and it was like he was manifested into the perfect soundtrack. It's spooky sometimes. I hope you can understand that.

So I am a fan. And while I am a fan, I am also to some small degree a journalist. Being objective is important to me so I'll get the criticisms out of the way first.

I should have realized that even though the book's author Stephen Chbosky wrote and directed the film, it was not going to be exactly like the book. I let myself secretly wish it would be exactly the same all the while telling myself that it was going to be noticeably different. First off, Charlie doesn't say, "We accept the love we think we deserve." It was his freshman English teacher Bill (played by Paul Rudd!) that dispersed that little pearl of wisdom. And that subtle difference is telling. Charlie's sister is probably not going to be in the film much based on the switch of teller which is sad really. She is a great minor plot character that drives a lot of the action. Sure, she is silly and self-absorbed; but she is Charlie's big sister and what happens to her is important because he loves her.

Another heart wrenching epic fail is that the key element of the whole story was destroyed by simply changing "And in that moment, I swear we were infinite" to "We are infinite." Let me explain: Charlie is a wallflower. He goes through life watching others live their lives and over thinks about what that means to them as well as to his self. Life is a mystery and he spends a lot of time trying to figure out what that means to in respect to where he fits in it. His natural outlook is to look out and stay hidden. So in that respect it would make sense to express himself outside of the moments where he feels truly alive.

But there is one caveat to this sad outcome. After the third time going through the trailer on the TV I had a thought. What if, just what if, Chbosky is taking Charlie out of the past tense of his anonymous letters to a stranger and throwing him into the moment. What if he really did say out loud to Sam and Patrick, "We are infinite," and it's only through his letter that we get we were. To say that we are is a much more powerful statement and that is what a movie needs. A movie is in essence to be in the moment and that is a wonderful experience for Charlie. It will be absolutely amazing to be in that moment with him when the movie comes out September 14.

I was lucky to catch the end of the live chat with the cast on Facebook (the very very end sadly) and it was there that I caught the trailer again. But it was different this time. There were scenes that were either cut from the program or did not play because the TV was messing up a bit.

And it was by the fourth time watching the trailer that I was practically in tears at the beauty unfolding before my eyes. Seeing the full trailer makes a real difference.

Ezra Miller looks promising as Patrick. Not exactly what I had imagined but I am presently looking forward to what he can do to make his mark on the character. Open and daring, he is not afraid of anyone except maybe himself. Miller appears to understand this about him. Sam, played by the wonderful Emma Watson, sadly didn't make as much as an impact as I had hoped. Her lines where uncharacteristic and she seemed far more outwardly vulnerable. Sam doesn't share much of herself with people, just her step brother Patrick, her best friend Mary Elizabeth (Oh, Mary Elizabeth), and Charlie. It was too personal for a quick look at the movie. It is not a proper representation of who Sam is. It was in the short clips where you catch her energy. Together they are a perfect bunch of misfits.

I'll post the full trailer when it is available but for now, here is the sneak peak mini-trailer



As for the Awards, well...it was hosted by Russell Brand. It wasn't as bad as you would think. The cast of Harry Potter won best cast (rightfully), Johnny Depp received some type of achievement award, as did Emma Stone rather prematurely I might add. I like Stone, but it is too soon to call her a trailblazer. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, and Alexander Ludwig won awards for their roles in The Hunger Games. Yay! And sadly, Kristen Stewart continues to breath and win awards for what exactly, I am not sure.

Stay tuned to Shennantics during the summer for there are fun times ahead.

Love always,
Sandra

On the fence with The Great Gatsby: Official movie trailer

F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous "beloved" novel The Great Gatsby is being remade as a motion picture this coming Christmas and it seems that the movie execs want to build a proper hype by releasing the official trailer right before summer consumes us in all it's blockbuster glory. 

Still, it's all a little too much to take in. The imagery is strong. The promo photos are absolutely breathtaking. Carey Mulligan is Daisy Buchanan. As for the choice of Leonardo DiCaprio to play the mysterious but wholly endearing Jay Gatsby, well... I'm a little apprehensive. 

I make no grips against his talent or movie star good looks. Leo has both in abundance. Regardless, there is a something wanting. The trailer does not seem to reflect the hope and hopelessness of its main character. It's all about Gatsby and DiCaprio, as far as the trailer suggest, falls flat.

I'd really like to be excited about this but I just can't help but approach this trailer with the utmost caution. Sure, it's bright and shiny and those that have read the book more than once will see the scenes played out right before your eyes. But it's almost too bright to look at. The trailer is positively blinding. It's too shiny, glossed over and magnificent. It's as if the deceptive world Gatsby created to draw Daisy back to him has been made real. Only the deception is part of the allure. You want to be taken in and taken for a ride.

Director Baz Lurhmann appears to be recreating his Romeo+Juliet formula complete with leading man. The music is too modern to truly represent jazz age America and it would be a great tragedy to lose that part of the story. Of course comparisons can be made to the excesses of then to our modern society today but that is missing the point entirely. Gatsby is a man unlike any other; he breaks the mold for the archetypal rags to riches hero. He is a character that embodies the spirit of the time. Let's hope the sense of the time is not lost in the modernization of the soundtrack as Lurhmann is all too well known for.

It would be unfair not to mention the 1974 classic of the same name with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. The screenplay was written by Francis Ford Coppola and it is hard to see how this latest version will stand up to such an enthralling film.

One thing is for sure, the costumes look amazing.

See for yourself:




I'd also like to mention that as I write this I'm wearing my Great Gatsby tee :) So you know I mean business!

Cali enthusiast rejoice: Best Coast's The Only Place album review

Best Coast released its sophomore album The Only Place this month just in time for summer.

Some of the newer songs are a bit redundant mainly because they start off with the same guitar and drum intro (“The Only Place,” “Why I Cry,” and “Let’s Go Home”), but regardless of this minor set back the new songs are magnificent in their simplicity. Clear and precise, the record’s sound is flourishing and straightforward. Less bouncy than 2010 Crazy For You, the album has a good mixture of sad sentiment and off the wall shennantics.

Two pre-Crazy For You songs "Dreaming My Life Away" and "Up All Night" were reworked to fit on the record and are stunning. I had to go back and listen to the originals to compare them. Once a confusing mess of emo surf pop the songs now reflect the shiny inner turmoil that is equally poignant and refreshing.

The older versions are full of fuzzy guitar, weak layered vocals that are lo-fi to the core.

Heart wrenching and sweet, the new version of "Up All Night" offers up a clearer view into singer Bethany Cosentino’s psyche. It is a song full of longing. Instead of the fuzzy guitars and lo-fi layered vocals, "Up All Night" is distinct yet follows closely the classic Best Coast style fans have grown to love.

 

“Let’s Go Home” is probably the most fun song off of The Only Place besides the title track "The Only Place," an open love letter to California. Loud and energetic, “Let's Go Home” is the kind of song that makes listeners want to jump on their beds on in all its bratty glory. It's a modern anthem for homebodies everywhere in a similar vein to Weezer's "In the Garage."

On the flip side, songs like “My Life” and "No One Like You" are dripping with whiny girl rock sentiments that border on the edge of twee pop absurdity. Somehow, it works. Cosentino croons her tragic love stories of heart break and loneliness like a pro.

Bethany’s pain is beautiful. She sings with depth and precision unlike anyone else and always manages to keep it fun.

Listen to: “Better Girl,” “How They Want Me To Be,” and “Up All Night.”

Lana Del Rey's American Vision

Cross Posted from Inscaped.com



I have a bit of morbid curiosity with hype machine, hipster runoff.com poster girl, Lana Del Rey. Apparently, I'm not the only one. Del Rey's latest album "Born to Die," was released to a mix bag of critical reviews and many thought her 15 minutes of flashes in the pan were over.

Well, it's easy to dislike Del Rey. She doesn't seem very excited to sing live and her nerves are visible during her performances. Plus, she seems to sing as if she's taken far too many sedatives and either her or her wonky PR people laudibly named her "The Gangster Nancy Sinatra," which doesn't make any sense when we all know that the real Nancy Sinatra was indeed very much so a gangster.

All that aside, the Lana Del Rey machine continues to intrigue. And why? Most of us lament, who is this person? why do I care?

A wealth of industrial grade analysis exists about Del Rey. Search the web and its plentiful, everyone has an opinion, even Liz Phair. Phair wrote that Del Rey scares the "boy club" of indie-rock music and politics calling into question all the gender play and sexism involved (most of this deals with Del Rey's bee stung lips and conventional beauty) when people launch into discussions about Lana Del Rey.

And before I launch into that discussion, I bit the bullet. I listened to "Born To Die," thinking it was going to be abysmal. I wanted it to be terrible so I could get on with this monkey business.

To my surprise, I loved "Born to Die."

It was really in a way something I had not expected to hear. In my own reading of Del Rey, I imagine that it is indeed a concept album. A letter to literary tropes, cliches, feminine ideals and the love of a time gone. All this was in this album and naturally all of Del Rey's artistic shortcomings.

"Born to Die," is heavy on soundscape. It's heavy on strings, lush arrangement, sparse piano keys and heavy like lead drops. The title track is a cut and paste of dusty country singing, hip hop beats and music designed for a score.

The rest of the album plays out the same. Del Rey dips into her handbook of suggested ideas, like prostitutes on the dark and yet wacky "Off to the Races," in which she pouts and sings about a sugar daddy who keeps her living the good life. In "Carmen," she warns about the trappings of such a life over a gorgeous piece of music specifically designed to be heavy and emotive. Elsewhere on the album she's singing about 'heart shaped glasses,' 'pabst blue ribbon on ice,' and the 'national anthem.' The album is rife with allusions to Vladamir Nabokov's literary masterpiece "Lolita."

I won't spoil "Lolita" for those who have not read it, but it is indeed a tragedy, a very well written tragedy.Del Rey stumbles over herself in ambition to create the same sense of foreboding and richly layered subtext. However it is exactly this point that no one is giving her credit for. Simply put, the shortcomings of "Born to Die" are indeed clunky, but the ambition isn't. Del Rey wrote an album, which is a bit refreshing today when everyone is releasing singles. A fan of literary allusions and myths when I see one, I gravitated towards "Born to Die," because finally a woman had written something so unabashedly ambitious and yes, dark and gloomy.

To prod deeper, like many pieces of literature, the blankness in the album is maybe a bit too much fun for audiences, critics and haters alike to reach into.

Did you DARIA your Valentine's Day?

Well guess who is writing for the Huffington Post?

Daria Morgendoffer, that is.

Just in time for Valentine's Day. (Collective uh-ohs across the room). Everyone's favorite cynic drawn in 2-D with a penchant for green and sick sad world, wrote an impressive column for the Huffington Post that debuted today.

You can read the column here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daria-morgendorffer/valentines-day_1_b_1275278.html