The Twenty Best Songs of Two Thousand and Ten

Sure, the year itself may have been less than stellar, but it was a good year for music. I have a relatively broad taste in music, never solely listening to one genre of music - ranging from the electropop explosion, melodic indie rock, bumpin' hip hop, eclectic rock, and even a splash of country pop. So, I have compiled a list of twenty songs that made my year and I believe that are the best of the year.



1. Closer to the Edge – Thirty Seconds to Mars
2. Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
3. Come Back Home – Two Door Cinema Club
4. Animal – Neon Trees
5. Ours – The Bravery
6. Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
7. The Only Exception – Paramore
8. Dog Days Are Over – Florence + the Machine
9. Speechless – Lady Gaga
10. Spitting Fire – The Boxer Rebellion
11. Back and Forth – Operator Please
12. Telephone – Lady Gaga and Beyonce
13. Mean – Taylor Swift
14. Sticks and Stones – Jonsi
15. Neutron Star Collision - Muse
16. Only the Young – Brandon Flowers
17. Eclipse (All Yours) – Metric
18. Radioactive – Kings of Leon
19. Dancing On My Own – Robyn
20. Your Love is My Drug – Ke$ha

Oscar Predictions

Ah, yes - 'tis awards season. This looks like a fierce year that could end up bloody so I've decided to post my predictions early in the main categories. The technical ones will come shortly. The asterisk indicates who I would like to win :D


Best Picture

127 Hours (5)
Black Swan (4)
Blue Valentine (9)
Inception (7)
The Kids Are All Right (3)
How to Train Your Dragon (6)
The King’s Speech (8)
Toy Story 3 (2)
The Social Network*(1)
Winter’s Bone (10)

Best Actor in a Leading Role

James Franco, 127 Hours*
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
Ryan Gosling, Blue Valentine
Jeff Bridges, True Grit

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
Natalie Portman, Black Swan*
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
Andrew Garfield, The Social Network*
Christian Bale, The Fighter
John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone
Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Barbara Hershey, Black Swan
Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
Amy Adams, The Fighter*
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech

Best Animated Feature

Toy Story 3*
How to Train Your Dragon
Despicable Me

Best Director

David Fincher, The Social Network*
Lisa Cholodenko, The Kids Are All Right
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
Danny Boyle, 127 Hours
Christopher Nolan, Inception

What Part of Forever

2010 sucked. Sorry to start off on a negative comment but it really did. But not the kind of “sucked” that had no redeeming qualities. There are plenty of things that made the year worthwhile – let’s just say there’s a new, solid foundation. I dove deep into the delicious misery and the comforting melancholy, rummaging through the darkness of the void but emerging out into the sunlight. Okay, enough pretentiousness.

I can imagine that I soon will be accepting the fact that my life on earth will change. My life is cyclical – always changing, perhaps going somewhere, but still going in a circle. It’s time to break out of that. So it’s a good thing I am fully prepared to expect any challenge that will come my way – good or bad. And I apologize for sounding like a self-help book. But in the end, that’s what I’m trying to do, to help myself. In doing so, I also have to accept the fact that this year did, in fact, blow – however, it’s soon coming to an end and I can now embrace a new chapter in my life. New decade, new rules-type of philosophy.

Lying in bed at night, thinking about everything and everyone, knowing who’s in my life, who’s not, and who were, it’s hard to keep everyone in line. My writings have caused friction between friends and I before, never damaging but definitely noticing the remnants of past friendships. Sometimes I wish it wasn’t too late, but I can’t turn back time, nor make it go forward. Things happen. But what’s the point of holding onto the past? People make mistakes, but sometimes the mistake can end up being an eye opener thus making us learn. I guess I just made “learning from your mistakes” sound philosophical, in a sense. Not really, but you get the gist.

These past few years have flown – the post-high school years. One minute you’re complaining about the heat then one minute you notice snow falling from the sky. Sometimes, you forget where you are in life. At least, I do. But, thankfully, there are those people that remind you who you are and what your purpose is. Close friends, to me, are the true backbone in keeping someone’s mindset clearer and functioning. Now, I’m not saying I’m helpless and need people to do things for me – that’s not what this is about. We all fall from the horse sometime, if you can get up with some help that’s great, but if you can get up on your own – that’s even better. But knowing that you had some help in the first place to get you back up, now that is something. Who wants to go at this alone? Bring on 2011.

Ordinary People

Have you ever had that one family member who was evasive and somewhat cold? That one family member you didn't know was like that until you sat down and thought about it? Have you ever wondered what really goes on behind closed doors? This movie explores that question exquisitely and tragically.

Ordinary People was released in 1980 and is still relevant in family themes and the dichotomy and breakdown of the family unit. However, this isn't just one of those sappy, Lifetime-esque movies - this movie is like being stabbed in the gut with a frigid blade. You take this wealthy family, add in the death of a child, the suicidal sibling, a mother who cannot love her "other son", and a father trying to keep this all together.

The movie stars Donald Sutherland (Hello! You better know this guy) , Mary Tyler Moore (sweet, little Moore from The Dick Van Dyke Show and, ahem, The Mary Tyler Moore Show from the 60's), Judd Hirsch (from that old 70's show Taxi), and Timothy Hutton (in his first movie in which he won an Oscar for!) who are all AMAZING in their roles - true, solid acting. But for those reading and going "who the hell are they?" - rest assure, you will be blown away. Sutherland plays the overly-caring father, Moore slides into this against-type role extraordinarily as the cold mother, Hirsch playing the kind-hearted but stern therapist, and Hutton playing the depressed son who you just seriously want to hug.

Sutherland, Moore, and Hutton play this quiet family who are grieving over the death of the oldest brother who drowned, while being accompanied by his brother, Conrad (Hutton). Conrad blames himself for his brother's death and suffers from depression and even attempted suicide. Moore plays Beth - the elitist mother who neglects Conrad (which is heartbreaking to see) but dammit, she plays it so well. I rarely call movies "perfect" but this movie is damn near close.

Keep in mind, this movie is from '80 and is definitely not in the mindset of the Facebook age of today - so get out there and WATCH THIS MOVIE. It's eloquently intense but never being melodramatic. The classics should never be overlooked. Definitely a new entry in my favorite films of all time.

Five Movies That Defined Me

We all have our favorite movies - and it's extremely hard to rank them. So, I'm simply just going to list five movies, in no particular order, that define me, inspired me, and shed light to my inner creativity and soul.

1. Halloween (1978)
It's not the dark itself that scares me, it's what's in the dark that terrifies me. Halloween is one of those movie that is iconic in it's own right but holds a special place in my heart. This movie made me love the adrenaline of being scared - horror movies really get you to react. You don't watch a comedy and yell at the screen "DO SOMETHING FUNNY!!"...you tell the stupid bitch lurking around in the dark to get the hell out of there! Michael Myers is a menacing villain who isn't funny like Freddy or gargantuan like Jason - he's a human being which is more terrifying than any Hollywood monster.

2. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Every high school has their cliques. The jock, the princess, the basketcase, the geek, and the criminal. Which one did you fall into? John Hughes is the master of teen movies and without him, we wouldn't have the teen films we have today. This movie helped define me because I was just a wallflower in high school. I didn't really fit in anywhere, sure I had friends and all that, but in an ironic way - The Breakfast Club defined me to be undefined. Not having a clique to fall back on, to just be my own person, but have fun at the same time. In other words, I was the kid in the back row making fun of everyone while they were making fun of others. I was kind of a reverse bully, if you will.

3. Almost Famous (2000)
A lighthearted movie that changed my outlook on life. Without this movie, I wouldn't have the music taste I have today or the self-awareness I have today. The lesson learned from that movie is to not befriend people who are going to use you so that they can move forward. And while the movie is packed with awesome music, GREAT performances, and an epic plot - the lesson of that movie was far more stronger and that helped me know who I am and what kind of people I should avoid. And the rest is history :)

4. Walk the Line (2005)
Johnny Cash was a great man who made great music - and his story helped me define my life. I really wanted to change my life once high school let out and this movie made my path clear. His life was hard but he knew how to make his life worthwhile and go after the things you desire and love. It showed me what I really need to aim for and not dwell on the past or hold grudges - just move forward and you'll be okay :)

5. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Fast cars, a bad attitude, and breaking the rules aren't exactly the first things you think of when you think of me - but this movie is so much deeper than what it's initially known for. The movie has tremendous heart and a charm that has lasted more than fifty years. And while this is a new addition to my favorite movies, it helped me shed new light on my life. And while some people may think that my James Dean obsession will be short-lived, I beg to differ. Sure it's new, I will admit that, but I haven't felt more rejuvenated and refreshed in my life since reading about his life and discovering his movies. He was one of those people who lived life to the fullest and didn't let stupid things get to him. And I'm thinking, I let stupid things get to me and I really don't live my life to the fullest. So I thank you Mr. James Dean for being my inspiration on changing my life for the good. :)

Rebel Without a Cause

So, before I get started I wanted to apologize for being a LAME BLOGGER. I truly apologize to those who are out there reading this somewhere - but I promise, I will start getting back to movie reviews which I was I am writing about today :)

So lately, I have been getting tired of the modern media. Everyone is just copying each other and I feel that films today (not all, but some) are taking a step backward rather than forward. But in some cases you do have to take a step backward to reach something that is ahead of you - and that is what I did. Going back to a time where soda shops were the place to be and not wearing a leather jacket made you beyond uncool.

Rebel Without a Cause is not only a great film from the 50's, it's reached iconic status. Thanks to the late, but great James Dean. I am in absolute love with this guy and he's been dead for over fifty years. I thought this was just going to be a little kick I would be on but it's become somewhat of an obsession. Not a bad one though at that. He's one of those few actors that you can't pry your eyes from - male or female. And once you sit down to watch this movie, you're in for a good treat. However, modern audiences may find this movie a little odd (and I did, too at first) but you get sucked right in. They don't make movies like they used to. And this film is a good example on why you need to go back and rediscover the classics.

Before Juno, Mean Girls, and the John Hughes movies, RWaC was the definitive teen film. For the first time, teen elements were brought into cinema and left an indelible mark on society. The story is rather simple - Jim Stark (Dean) is new in town. He's rebellious, insecure, and adorable and just looking for the right group of friends. Sounds rather cliche and even boring - but this was groundbreaking in 1955. It even introduced one of the first sympathetic gay characters which was unheard of during this time.

Whether you like him or not (and I want to meet this person who doesn't) James Dean is an icon. He only made three movies before he died and he is still referenced to this day. I would say that's pretty remarkable. It makes me sad that he died so young, but he will always be 24 - forever young. If you come across one of those nights where you are in dire need of a classic movie to break away from the mainstream, I highly recommend this one. You won't be disappointed!

Summertime Blues

So, the summer is coming to a much needed end. There were high points of course, but this isn't summer for the record books. But like every summer, I did compile a short (but sweet) list of songs that not only made the summer, but presented itself as a crucial life lesson for each aspect of the summer. Some good, some bad, but most importantly, life-enticing.

"Sins of My Youth" - Neon Trees {Lost Innocence}
We're all guilty of it. Some of us aren't innocent as we seem. This summer amplified this aspect of "innocence lost". Sure, this summer wasn't exactly "party-filled" but definitely an eye opening one in a sense of being a smoking gun. Though I didn't necessarily travel anywhere, I did have fun just sitting around having a good time. What's wrong with that? Not a damn thing.

"Ours" - The Bravery {Fear of the Future}
Have you ever just wanted to be frozen in a moment you don't want to escape? How one night can be so unbelievably awesome that you want to stop the clocks from turning? The time from summer to fall is an emotional time. Whether you're sad to see friends go or happy that you're actually doing something with your life. There were nights I didn't want to end - just to be in that moment forever. But, we can't stop time and must come to accept that things move on with every breath we take. However, the memory remains fresh in my mind - this time is ours.

"I Was a Teenage Anarchist" - Against Me! {Being Young}
Do you remember when you were young and you wanted to set the world on fire? I had the privilege of becoming friends with a group of people who preserved my youthful persona. While being a few years younger than me, that wasn't an issue at all. I'm getting older and it's getting harder to play with that little kid still buried inside - but having friends that rightfully so held that youthfulness inside, made it easier to breathe.

"Teenage Dream" - Katy Perry {Summer Romance}
I, myself, wasn't involved in a summer romance this year but had a chance to witness a few blossom over the summer months. Having that one person give you butterflies just by thinking of them is an exhilarating feeling and having someone there is a relief. Sadly, that disappears over time. Summer, on the surface, seems like the perfect time to start a relationship, and while some flourish passed August, most of the time, the butterfly wings dissipate. I picture it this way - summer romances are a, ahem, *teenage dream*...however, we must awake from that dream and come to face reality.

"Dog Days Are Over" - Florence + the Machine {Autumn Approaches}
As August winds down and school begins to start, we must come to conclusion that summer is over. A happy feeling? Yes. A sad feeling? Of course. No one really wants summer to end...deep inside. As for me, I'm relatively optimistic and want to see what Autumn has in store. This summer may have been lackluster, sure, but it definitely taught me a few things - that its okay to just have fun, that you can stay preserved in a memory long after it happened, that remaining young at heart isn't a bad thing, that summer romances are great for in the moment and not so great once September rolls around, and that with each new season, we're always prepared.

What's Your Favorite Scary Movie?

I was eight years old when I watched my first slasher movie. This was a time where the slasher genre was dead and nearly buried. But take a smart screenwriter and a legendary horror director, add some comedy, and a fresh cast and you have Scream. I remember it was almost night time when my mom, my sister, and I popped this good old tape into the VCR (ah, nostalgia) and was uncertain about what kind of movie we would be watching. Keep in mind I was eight and my sister was FIVE. I don't know what my mom was thinking but it may have been the smartest thing she's done - with us, anyway ;). As we all know, the opening sequence with Drew Barrymore is classic and hasn't been touched as far as slasher movies go. I was left on the edge of my seat - not particularly scared, but enthralled. This movie rocked my world and was ready to see what other horror movies were out there. I recently watched this movie, now being able to recite the dialog, and it still has the same effect on me.

About a year or so later, USA was broadcasting Halloween. And I was lucky enough to watch that around Halloween time - come to think of it, it may have been trick or treating night - making it more appropriate. However, unlike Scream, Halloween scared the beejeezus out of me. The presence of Michael Myers made me uneasy and felt he was lurking in the shadows outside of my own house. What a great feeling! Halloween has been a staple in my top favorite movies of all time and I don't see it falling out of that list - it's not just a movie, it's an institution. For me, anyway. Many sequels have followed but none have captured the essence of the first film. But I am a huge nerd when it comes to the franchise, knowing even the tiniest of details and family lineage of the Myers' family. What can I say? We all have our little obsessions, don't we?

The 90's faded away giving us slasher films like Scream 2, Halloween: H20, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Urban Legend. All movies I adore in different ways. Scream 2 and IKWYDLS remind me of my obsession with Sarah Michelle Gellar (also, IKWYDLS captures the summertime as a kid), Urban Legend came around the time when slasher movies were being made just because Scream made it popular again as well as H20. These films have a special place in my heart and horror movies today just don't capture that feeling. I guess that's why they call it nostalgia.

As far as horror films go today, I'm somewhat disappointed. They're either torture porn or remakes. I applaud the original Saw for reinventing horror films but come on, they're planning a seventh Saw? I guess it has to do with audiences today. If they're not exciting for one second, the movies don't sell. And as far as these remakes go nowadays - is no original horror film sacred? They're something to see however to see what they do with them. The only remakes I thoroughly enjoyed was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Ring.

Anyways, this blog was just a trip back to a time where the VCR was sacred in my room and when slasher movies were fun popcorn flicks you could watch with friends. Friday nights were epic when I was around twelve years old watching either a new release or a movie that needed dusted off in the video store. Boy, those were the days.

The House of the Devil

Some horror movies play by the rules. Some horror movies don't. And some horror movies do both. An obedient deviant. The House of the Devil is that kind of movie. This movie taps into our psyche, taking itself seriously, but then throwing that idea right out the door.

Samantha (a stellar Jocelin Donahue) is a broke college student who just got her first apartment. She finds a Babysitter Wanted ad on her school bulletin board and has high hopes for some quick cash. The voice on the other end of the phone is chilling, but nonthreatening. She accepts the job and thusly has her friend Megan (PJ Soles-esque Greta Gerwig) drive her out to the house in the middle of nowhere. Sounds rather cliche, and it is, but what happens in the next hour is complete unease. Elements of a slasher movie are present as are religious horror and the old Hammer movies of the 70's. Movies based on things that go bump in the night don't necessarily sell out audiences anymore. This movie may be the exception and may reinvent the genre.

When I first watched this, I was shocked this was made two years ago. The movie is set during the early 80's and the director does an amazing job at capturing that era. This film seems like a lost 80's classic that fell behind the shelf at the video store for years and later rediscovered. The production design is that good. I'm a sucker for atmosphere, suspense, and appropriate music so this film was like a 90 minute orgasm for me.

I call this film the "Anti-Saw" because this movie has little to no in-your-face horror relying solely on suspense and atmosphere. My kind of movie :) I was raised on movies like Halloween which had little blood and excess suspense. However, this movie isn't for everyone. The ADD audience of today will definitely grow bored and will not appreciate the early 80's throwbacks. I guess that's why they call this film a new cult classic which is greatly deserves.

Also, it was a breath of fresh air to not see the characters in peril rely on technology. No cell phones. No internet. No Facebook. Nothing except a rotary telephone with a fifty foot cord. *Sigh* Back in the day if you were shit out of luck, you really WERE shit out of luck. Kind of nice isn't it? :) One of the best horror movies in recent years and needs more appreciation than it already gets.

5 stars out of 5

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

It’s rare for me to go into a theater with exceptionally high expectations and come out exhilarated. The last movie to do that for me was The Dark Knight. Eclipse did exactly the same thing. This film is not only a vast improvement over the previous installment, it gives me a ray of hope that this series can be respected, not only by the fans, but everyone else. I may be dreaming big here because a lot of people think this series is a joke, but you have to take it as it is – an angsty teen sexual fantasy. Laughable? Yes. An abomination? Definitely not.

I am clearly speaking from a fan’s point of view; I very much enjoyed this movie and this has officially become my favorite of the series…so far. Unlike New Moon, if you are not a fan of the series, I think non-fans will enjoy this. It is much darker and while the pace may be slow at times, it satisfies. Much like what human blood would be for the Cullen family.

This film finds Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) graduating from high school and thinking about the future. Bella wants “the change” to happen, but Edward is, well, pessimistic about that. Jacob (Taylor Lautner) soon finds out that Bella wants to become like Edward, throws a quick tantrum and spends the rest of the movie cracking jokes and being shirtless. Meanwhile, Victoria (a surprisingly good Bryce Dallas Howard) is concocting a plan to eliminate the Cullens by forming an army of new, bloodthirsty vampires.

While the first installments had somewhat ham-fisted acting, the actors dive deeper into the characters making the performances truer, but never become show-boaty. Kristen Stewart gets better with each movie, as does Robert Pattinson. Billy Burke, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, and Anna Kendrick are standouts – while having little to work with. The rest of the supporting cast is equally good in their roles – feeling more comfortable than the first two installments. The weakest link is Taylor Lautner. He is just not a good actor and his performance is stale, much like it was in New Moon.

The feel of the film was the definite high-point. I love horror movies and this felt like a suspenseful vampire film. Sure, they still sparkle, but you remain uneasy when they are on screen, lurking in the shadows. Taking over direction is David Slade, who also directed 30 Days of Night, a more brutal vampire adaptation. His direction differs from Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight), who gave the first one a gritty, indie-type feel, and Chris Weitz (New Moon), who has an eye for detail and made New Moon an epic endeavor.

I was very satisfied with this installment, having aspects of horror, humor, romance, and drama – mixing well together. The soundtrack fit well, the acting felt more real, and the plot kept you in the film. Even if you are not a fan, I would give the film a chance. You might be surprised.

4.5 stars out of 5

Eclipse Soundtrack

Ah, yes -- the first good thing about my summer so far. With the chaos that our lives entail, it's good to soak in some fresh air. And here in lies the Eclipse soundtrack, which is breathtaking. I have a spot saved in my heart for the Twilight and New Moon soundtracks, but this one, just wow. Every single song is amazing. Even if you are no way a fan of the Twilight series, rest assure, I guarantee you will love this soundtrack. Even if you do not love it at first, give it another chance.

1. Eclipse (All Yours) by Metric - A bouncy, carefree tune by Canadian rockers Metric. Great opener for this album, though this is just the beginning. 4/5

2. Netron Star Collision (Love is Forever) by Muse - The Twilight series' band that has appeared on every soundtrack so far, yet this one is the soundtrack's headlining song much like "Decode" by Paramore was for the Twilight soundtrack. This overly-theatric, Queen-inspired, and heavy song with a dash of disco-esque beats (yes, I said disco) is beyond awesome and screams out of the speakers. 5/5

3. Ours by The Bravery - My favorite song on the album, quite possibly my favorite song of the moment. Everything about this song is incredible. On the surface it just seems as an indie rock tune, but it's so much more than that. I am a fan of The Bravery and this song shot them up on even further on my list of favorite bands. In somewhat of serendipity, alot of my favorite bands appear on the Twilight soundtracks. Paramore being on the Twilight soundrack and the Killers being on the New Moon soundtrack. Now, The Bravery appearing on this one. I think it's in the stars, don't you think? ;) 5/5

4. Heavy in Your Arms by Florence + the Machine - Wow, just wow. The pipes this girl has is amazing. Definitely a song to blast on your stereo if you're feeling depressed or just down - will definitely change that mood once the song ends. Speechless. 4.5/5

5. My Love by Sia - This song is getting alot of praise from critics who have reviewed the album and this song deserves the praise it receives and then some. This haunting piano ballad channels Lykee Li's "Possibility" though not as depressing. 4.5/5

6. Atlas by Fanfarlo - Believe it or not this song seems out of place on the soundtrack. But once I gave it a second listen, I was completely wrong. This song is very folky, but for all the right reasons. Definitely one of the songs you will be playing at a barbecues during the summer - it's almost country-esque, but never sounding like a typical country tune, thank goodness. 4/5

7. Chop and Change by The Black Keys - Definitely Twilight-esque, deserves it's spot on the soundtrack, though it would have been better if Muse would have performed the song. Great tune nonetheless. 4/5

8. Rolling in on a Burning Tire by The Dead Weather - Very bizarre song, but I love it. Can't say too much about this song because it's unlike anything I've heard in a while, if ever. 4.5/5

9. Let's Get Lost by Beck & Bat for Lashes - I love Beck, always have. He's somewhat of a guilty pleasure and I adore Bat for Lashes, though she has been a secret I've kept from people - until now. Very atmospheric and very romantic. Can't get enough. 5/5

10. Jonathan Low by Vampire Weekend - What can I say about this song? It's very well put together and I F-ING LOVE Vampire Weekend. This is definitely a soft listen and quite magical. A great song to drive around and think to. 5/5

11. With You in My Head by UNKLE - Psychedelic pop seems somewhat dated but UNKLE brings it to a whole 'nother level in all the right directions. Great tune, amazing lyrics, and awesome beat. 4/5

12. A Million Miles an Hour by Eastern Conference Champions - Deathcab-inspired tune that flows smoothly through the headphones. One very haunting piece and would like to see more from this band. 4/5

13. Life on Earth by Band of Horses - A very brave song, if you will. I am going to give this song a few more listens because this one feels lost. An awesome song, don't get me wrong, but I'm not totally feeling this one...just yet. 3.5/5

14. What Part of Forever by Cee Lo Green - "What the hell is the guy from Gnarls Barkely doing on this album?" is what I asked when I first read the lineup for the soundtrack. Boy was I surprised when I first heard this soung. Very catchy and since when did Cee Lo sound like The Smiths? I'm very fond of this track and can't wait to listen to it as I type this. 5/5

15. Jacob's Theme by Howard Shore - Haunting, profound, and stellar. I can't wait to see what the rest of the score sounds like and by an amazing composer. 4/5

So, there you have it. If you haven't bought or downloaded this album, I encourage you to do so...right now! It may not change your life, but will definitely give you a better sense of the day.

Neutron Star Collision

Picture this situation with an open mind and attitude: the person you love and pine for suddenly becomes repulsive in your mind and cannot stand the sight of them. Pretty cliche scenario, I know, but how do you answer that question? Some say, if the two people are in a relationship, is to get OUT of the relationship. Why stay in a relationship if it is one-sided, or worse, there are no sides? I'm merely stating a hypothetical here. I, myself, am in no relationship, nor do I have repulsive feelings for someone I love whether it be a family member or friend. Listening to Kate Nash's "Foundations" brought this idea to mind. And I feel I should explore it.

The song is, on the outside, a break-up song. But after delving deep into the lyrics and watching the music video, my mind was overflowed with scenarios and ideas on how things like this come into play. Simply put, feelings change over the course of time. It happens, folks. Sad, but true. In any kind of relationship, whether it be a long-term committed one, an open one, or, hell, just a friendship, things tend to get repetitive, boring, and stale. It's our job to keep things fresh and on the move or else this will help , if not, the relationship is ultimately doomed. Thoughts of being annoying, distant, evasive, come into play. (I am also sounding like an anti-depressant commercial). But nevertheless, everyone has felt those feelings. In the end, we are all human. We make mistakes. We learn from them. And eventually, move the fuck on.

Which brings me back to the original question. What happens? It's hard to imagine someone you love not loving you back. Love is a brutal thing. In the beginning, love is supposed to give you butterflies, enjoyment, and inevitably happiness. But once love gets complicated, messy, and depressing, things are in need for a change. I'm not going to preach to you about relationships, because 1) I have no room to talk and 2) I don't know a damn thing about them. What I do know is that, we all get into arguments with our significant others, friends, family, co-workers, strangers on the street -- it's the human condition.

It's a scary thought to wake up one day and realize - wow, I don't really love this person. Why are they in my life? And worse, how to I get rid of them? Ugh, that hurt just typing that last part. "Getting rid of someone" is never an easy task, nor do you want to take part in it, but sadly, things like this happen. Things fall out of orbit, things that were placed apart collide into one another unexpectedly. And to think, maybe things that were placed apart SHOULD be put together. Maybe that will make the relationship work? In my opinion, in a working relationship, in order to keep things balanced, things are meant to be apart, not put together. Might be a dumb analogy, I know, but that's my personal opinion on the subject. Because sometimes, when things collide, they cause an explosion, and I'm not talking about the "feel-good-sparks-ignite-explosion", I'm talking about the kind of explosion that end in pain and confusion. And while they may be cool to look at from a distance, they sure do suck if you're involved. That's all I'm going to say.

Dancing Alone

A speck of light is overshadowed by darkness. Things like this happen too often. A precious moment captured in my mind fades away. I'd like to think that things get better, and every so often, they do. But what about the moment where you are stuck in the in-between? The fear of rejection, loneliness, isolation, and uncertainty seem to cloud over every, single thought. This may last briefly or for days or weeks on end. For the most part, I am a pretty optimistic guy. I try to remain on the bright side of things -- not everything is bad, right? But what happens when you almost lose someone? Your mind is put on pause. You can't think of anything else other than that one problem. This is what I call "dwelling".

People are faced with obstacles everyday. A homework assignment is late, my significant other hasn't got a hold of me all day, work seems to be consuming my life, a best friend becomes a stranger. And these are just a spot on the map of problems people go through each day. Even if the problem is somewhat juvenile, it's still an obstacle, right? The solution is to conquer it, and move on. Not to dwell. Sometimes the problem goes unsolved, which is an easy out clause, but lingers in your mind until it resolved.

I lost something close to me this year. That something being a pet. And before you all go "Jesus, Clay it's just a rabbit!", think about that for a second. For those who have lost a pet know how hard it is and must deal with the idea of "death". Ethel was, in a sense, like a friend of mine. If I needed to talk something out if I was angry, frustrated, or just needed to let something out, rather than talking to a wall, I sat and talked to Ethel. Sounds corny, I know, but dammit, it actually helped. Now, when I get home late, my room is empty. Eerily silent. Before, when I would get home from a late night escapade, Ethel was there. Probably waiting for food because she ate like no other, but nevertheless, it was nice. I didn't feel so...alone, in a sense.

I also lost my job this year. By my own wrongdoing. It has been, to date, one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made, and hopefully will ever make. The job, itself, wasn't necessarily spectacular, but I really enjoyed the job. The hardest part is thinking I let who I worked with down. I miss the people I used to work with so much. And it hurts to know that I, myself, fucked up something that could have ultimately been something great. It still renders.

What brings me to my point -- shit happens. You could win the lottery one day and lose a close friend the next. Life is a funny, but tricky thing. It's just a matter of knowing how to deal. What I do know is that I have amazing friends and a supportive family. Sure, there are times where we don't exactly get along, but if anything would ever happen, they would be there. Over time, the people who are true friends stick out while everyone else disappears. If a true friend isn't having a great day, as long as you know that they know you'll be there, even if they don't ask for help, then you're good to go. I'd like to think that my life is like music -- a rhythm that never stops, a beat that transcends into your soul, and lyrics that are your thoughts. There will be days that not everyone wants to get up and dance, but if you can put yourself out there and dance alone to your own music, then everything will be okay.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Ah, yes. I have kept this off for too long. This is a movie for the fans. Not mainstream audiences. It's pretty obvious people who hate Twilight won't be in the line to see the next installment and believe me, some of my closest friends are what we call "Twi-Haters", which is fine. As for me, Twilight captured what's left of my beating heart. It has sentimental value -- the Twilight series, not my heart. Ha.

Anyways, New Moon is the second book in Stephenie Meyer's *ahem* very successful series about a girl who falls for a very hot vampire. The movie, however, is what I call -- a beautiful travesty. I personally enjoyed the movie because I love the Twilight world. New Moon, however, is my least favorite of the series. Love it, but still #4. Bella is a complete mess in this one. Her heart was ripped out of her by the love of her life, Edward, not literally, but that would be a sight to see. After getting attacked by Edward's brother, Jasper, Edward decides to leave the ever-gloomy Forks, for Bella's safety. Bella is, well, not too happy about that. Falling into a depression that lasts for several months, cutting off ties with her friends and her dad, Bella is "saved" by her best buddy Jacob Black, who may or may not have a deep, dark secret. Is he gay?! No. He's a werewolf. Who would think? In this day and age. Anyway, the semi-ridiculous plot fades into bigger obscurity when Bella must save Edward from KILLING HIMSELF in Italy. And that's exactly what she does. Girlfriend of the Year, ladies and gentlemen? Now, it may seem like I am poking fun at all this. I am but let me tell you, I am in complete love with this series. Escapist fare always does well with me. And that's what Twilight does. It throws you into a new world, away from your problems, and you focus on well, other people's problems.

The movie, though, is relatively solid. Kristen Stewart proves to us that she is a stellar actress. I have a love/hate relationship with Ms. Stewart. Her awkward approach is weird, but I love it. She is also very radiant in this picture - a major improvement over the last one. Robert Pattinson is salivating. Even if his acting skills aren't Oscar-worthy, you can't take your eyes off of him once on screen. The same goes for Taylor Lautner. The rest of the cast are subtle, yet superb. Dakota Fanning rules. Michael Sheen wows. Kellan Lutz is so damn gorgeous (Team Emmett!!!). And Nikki Reed & Anna Kendrick are my girls. Rachelle LaFevre makes an awesome Victoria (will miss her in Eclipse). Lautner and the wolf pack are probably the weakest in the cast.

The movie is HEAVILY flawed for sure. Like I said, I am a huge fan, so the movie was an awesome adaptation to the book in my eyes. If you aren't a Twilight fan, stay far away. You won't get it and you'll write it off as terrible. However, I'm a sucker for atmosphere and this movie literally takes you to Forks. The warm sepia tone works well with the surroundings. The movie also boasts an AMAZING soundtrack. The Killers. Deathcab. Muse. Lykke Li. Band of Skulls. Need I say more? I did miss Paramore, though, sad to say.

Pop this movie in only if you are a Twilight fan or want to get swept up in a cheesy, but elegant romance. New Moon, however, is the weakest of the series. Twilight introduced us to the love story. Eclipse will have killings, backstories, and action sequences. And I am very interested to see what they will do with Breaking Dawn. That book is, well, another story :)

Three and a half stars out of five.

Kick-Ass

Okay, back to some movie reviews :) I recently made my way to the theater to catch a movie I knew little to nothing about. And I was actually pleasantly surprised! Kick-Ass offers stylized action sequences and a good sense of humor, which is something that needs to be handled very carefully otherwise it becomes campy. I think this movie steers clear from that.

After a slew of mediocre superhero movies (Superman Returns, Watchmen), Kick-Ass offers something fresh to the table. Not going too serious a la The Dark Knight, but not going too humorous a la Iron Man (even though humor worked out in Iron Man's favor). Based on the comic of the same name, we're introduced to our average teenage protagonist, realizing NYC is in dire need of some superhero action. Throw McLovin and Nic Cage into the mix and you get a breath of fresh air.

Though the movie was heavy on violence and language, the movie worked tremendously well. Growing up on the original Batman and Superman movies, it was nice to see some blood and guts added to the superhero genre (though Watchmen offered that also, but I think they took it too far).

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie but there were some flaws. Some of the acting was a little over-the-top and laughably unrealistic. But then again, maybe it was supposed to be. I think if the story had a more of a realistic tone, then the movie would have been more of a spectacle once the action scenes were incorporated. However, the production design and art direction were amazing. Had a flair of a Spider-Man atmosphere, but reminded me of the breathtaking New York City skylines we seen in Superman.

Three out of five stars.

Knock You Down

Lately, I have been feeling less than stellar, things have been getting better each day. I have compiled a list of steps I have kept stored in my mind that have been gradually helping. I'm not going to say I'm fully happy, because I'm not, but I'm not depressed either. Kind of stuck in a weird limbo.

1. Don't tell yourself you've hit rock bottom.
Life happens. One day you may have it all, then the next it comes crashing down. That happened to me. Maybe not so much on a personal life sense, but definitely with the job life. If you tell yourself you've hit rock bottom, then you will never get out from the abyss. I know I have told myself I have hit the bottom, but I've learned to stop saying it, propelling me to move forward.

2. Never think anyone is out to get you.
Sometimes when you do something bad, you think you are being judged almost immediately when you step outside. I thought that for a good chunk of time, and that may have kept me from doing the things I wanted to do. But I pushed myself to get out there and enjoy life at a depressing time. I realized that if my friends judged me for a mistake I have made, then they weren't true friends. I'm happy to say that this didn't happen.

3. It's always the darkest before the dawn.
Generic and cliche phrase, I know, but it is so true. I realize that we are all on the brink of a new season, and truth be told, things change when the seasons change. Summer is on the horizon. I'm not letting myself be down for the duration of the summer. Summer is supposed to be fun, spontaneous, wild, and relaxing. Why spend it moping around and not taking any steps to get better? Things are always at their worst before they get better. "It'll get better." rings true in my ear.

4. A healthy daily routine should be established.
For me, a routine helps me stay on track. When the routine disappears or ends, I'm spun out and lost. When this happens, I feel inadequate and sometimes, worthless. But I am working on a routine that should get me back on the track of life. We all have our rough patches, some more than others, but we eventually get through them. Now, I'm not saying your whole LIFE needs to be on a routine, you need some spontaneity in your life to keep things fresh.

5. Surround yourself with the things you love.
Things that are a constant reminder of happiness is amazing to keep around. Some people keep pictures, some keep notes, hell, some people keep old texts. And that's not even the tip of the iceburg. For me, certain songs and movies bring me back to a place I cannot describe. You put on "Jump" by Van Halen, I'm instantly put in a good mood. If Mean Girls is on the tv, I forget about everything else and laugh my ass off. This all sounds cheesy, I realize, but this step is my secret weapon. If I'm fighting with a friend or just facing daily obstacles, I surround myself with things that take me back to a happier time that eventually turn into peace of mind. This may sound like you're running away from the problem. That's not it at all. This is a matter of taking a break from the problem. We still have to face the problem head on, or it will remain forever. Taking breathers is completely healthy. If you're head is under the water, it is nice to come up for air sometime. :)

Midwest Skies and Sleepless Nights

Sometimes you get knocked off your high horse. It happens to all of us. Things may be going well for months, then boom, you get blindsided. There's a matter of laying there motionless or getting up and trying again. I'm going to give this "getting up and trying again" thing a try.

People make mistakes. Rather it be a simple mistake or a mistake that can alter the rest of your life. I made a mistake. A great mistake. I'm not going to go into detail about that. But I'm not going to dwell on this mistake. I can't allow myself to do so.

The winter months were financially okay. Now, I'm left with little to nothing. It's all about getting out there and realizing what you have to make do with. Sometimes making do with something shitty is the path you have to take if the road you intended to take has a barricade in front of it. This barricade will be there for a while. An annoyance.

Picture yourself taking the same route to work or school for a long time then one day a bridge is out...for a year. You have to find an alternative route. Before you know it, the alternate route becomes the way you're used to. Then one day, the bridge is back in business. Sure, it may be the quicker way to your destination but the alternative route you have been taking becomes, in a sense, part of you. For once, an alternative has become the primary.

This is the way I look at things currently. The barricade may not just be a mistake you have made. It could be a cluster of things: a rocky relationship, fighting with your best friend, family issues, in other words...daily stress. People fuck up. We're aloud to make mistakes. I can't stress that enough. But what happens when you can't get through the road block? You're stuck.

I can't necessarily answer that because for 1) I don't have an answer and 2) Everybody thinks differently. Some deal with problems in different ways. Some get wasted. Some stay optimistic. Some dwell. Some get over it. I can clearly see that I may have failed this test of life, but there's always going to be another test waiting for us to complete. Sometimes we have to fail in order to succeed.

A motto of the British Air Force is "those who risk, win". A single vine sheathe is able to grow through cement. The North American bass beats itself bloody, against the current, in search of sex, of course, but also...

life.

Top 10 Songs of 2010...So Far

10) Possibility - Lykke Li

Coming off the New Moon soundtrack, this song soothes out of the speakers with grace and a haunting piano piece. The New Moon soundtracks offers great songs, but this one song stands alone.

9) Come On - Green River Ordinance

Indie rock is alive and well and GRO is letting it breathe. I have had the joy of seeing these boys in concert and they are beyond amazing and talented. They surely will be sticking around for a long time.

8) Rude Boy - Rihanna

God bless Rihanna and her island roots. I cannot get enough of this song. the island-y based beats and sound are off the hook. Sure to be a summer hit for sure. Is you big enough?

7) Whatya Want From Me - Adam Lambert

I love me some Adam, who wouldn't? He's an amazing singer and sexy as hell. Honestly, didn't care for the song when it first came out, but before I knew it, I couldn't stop listening to it.

6) Resistance - Muse

This is a great rock song. Muse is one of those bands you can put on and gets everyone in a good mood no matter the circumstance, and this song does just that.

5) Death - White Lies

Sounds a bit like Joy Division, with a mixture of The Smiths and a dash of The Killers. I am in complete love with this band and this song. No words can describe it.

4) Brick by Boring Brick - Paramore

Songs that tell stories are inspiring but also intriguing. This song is epic, boasting amazing vocals by Hayley Williams and hard rock instrumentals by the rest of the band. I'll say it once and I'll say it again, but God bless Paramore.

3) Your Love is My Drug - Ke$ha

Electropop is alive and well. 'Tik Tok' broke Kesha through, but this song is a pop masterpiece. Equipped with an infectious hook, Kesha's wild antics, and a solid chorus, this song is sure to be remembered for years and years to come without feeling dated.

2) Animal - Neon Trees

If The Killers and Muse had a baby, Neon Trees would be it's bastard child. I love discovering new bands and this band takes the cake. It's one of those cases where I hope this band breaks through to the mainstream but stays indie for my personal enjoyment :)

1) Young Forever - Jay - Z f/ Mr. Hudson

Rare occurrence for me to have a rap song on the list let alone it be number one. But this isn't just a rap song - this song is of epic proportions. Sampling the synth classic "Forever Young" by Alphaville, and getting the Jay-Z makeover with his awesome lyrics, this song bumps out of the speakers and transcends into your soul.

Blind

Have you ever woke up in the morning not feeling like P. Diddy? I can say that with ease because that is exactly how I feel EVERY morning. Not because of the fact that I'm not Ke$ha, but because I feel that my life is completely boring and lifeless and it needs some much needed replenishment.

2010 hasn't been a very good year, to say the least. Sure they have been amazing times but it seems the not-so-good times have overshadowed the good ones. When did everything become a sad love song you almost want to immediately change the dial on the radio?

Sorry for the short blog entry but I don't really have much to say. Hopefully I get a sense of clarity with life. I am grateful for who I have in my life and who are there for me. I'm sorry if I haven't reached out to some lately, that's my fault. I'm blinded by chaos, which hopefully should clear out in the meantime.

The Blair Witch Project

Big budget horror movies can be fun -- with heart-stopping soundtracks, popular lead actors, gory special effects, and well-known directors. However, sometimes you need a break from the mainstream, and watch a good low-budget scary movie. Ironically, The Blair Witch Project is the epitome of low-budget, indepedent cinema that is so frightening and so unpredictable it became a staple in pop culture history.

We all know the story: three aspiring filmmakers go into the woods on a quest to investigate a small town legend -- and never return. I saw this movie when I was eleven years old and has left a huge impression on me ever since. Some people nowadays may find this movie boring and nauseating (due to the continuous shaking of the camera). It may be nauseating, but it is far from boring.

Sometimes less is more and that is what The Blair Witch Project brings to the table. Relying on atmosphere, cheap camera tricks, and almost inaudible laughter from children is surely frightening and sends a chill down your spine. I still cannot go deep into the woods thinking I'm being watched by some malevolent force. Cheesy, but nonetheless terrifying.

The acting in this film was mostly improv and you can see it in the actor's (yes, they were actors, not real people) faces. Most of the time, it works, but sometimes it feels over the top, which may have been the intention, but it can take you out of the picture for a split second. However, I think this movie is a masterpiece in horror cinema. It paved the way for smaller movies (horror or non-horror) to break through to the mainstream. It's not a matter of selling out, it's showing us talent from unknown directors, actors, etc -- the recognition they deserve.

I watch this every now and again just to be freaked out. It's not necessarily in-your-face horror, but psychological which works on so many levels. Recommended viewing late at night with some buddies or on your own if you really want to be on edge. The final scene is still one of the most shocking and horrifying scenes I've seen in horror. If you get too freaked out, just stay out of the woods :)

4.5 stars out of 5

Rob Zombie's Halloween

Trashy characters, buckets of gore, Rob Zombie? When you think these three elements you don't really think classic horror. John Carpenter's legendary Halloween set the foundation for new age horror films and is incomparable to this farce. However, I did enjoy this movie despite it's many, many flaws.

Rob Zombie takes this classic story to epic levels -- in all the wrong ways. Adding a trailer park backstory and many one-dimensional characters. From what I have learned, if you absolutely adored the original (like myself, and millions of others), you will hate this film. If you are among the new generation who love nothing but gore and tits, you will probably love this one. You cannot replicate great art, instead you make it your own, and I think this is why I am split on this movie. Rob Zombie's eye for detail and atmosphere, I believe, is genius, however, his vision doesn't belong in the Michael Myers world.

The movie, though, is cleverly split into three acts. The fist act consisting of Michael Myers' childhood and how he became the legendary slasher villain he is today. Zombie's wife Sheri Moon Zombie plays Mikey's mom, who isn't a very good actress but made the part believable (also, was nice to see her in a more conventional role than what we saw her in The Devils Rejects and House of 1000 Corpses). The first act, however, is a fine mess. It would have been more creepier if Mike came from a nice, suburban family rather than a redneck one. I don't know about you, but Mike coming from an already hostile family shatters his creepy mythos. Zombie throws us into an unknown timeline, which looks like the 70's (with music to convince us it is the 70's) but is never officially stated which makes the movie more jarring (in a good, but also bad way).

The second act takes us to Mike in the asylum and we are introduced to his doctor, The Van Helsing-esque Dr. Loomis (played brilliantly but oddly by Malcolm McDowell). We see numerous deaths, awkward dialouge, and a suicide scene (one of the better scenes of the movie). Now, what Zombie does to Myers was probably the biggest mistake in the movie -- making him mammoth. What was so frightening about the original was that Myers looked like your average joe (which is scarier to me by far) but Zombie threw that out the window and turned Myers into a seven foot Jason-like monster -- which, is why I could see this might work but it just doesn't.

The third act is a brash recycling of the original just taking the 90 minute masterpiece rushed into about 45 minutes. The characters we all loved are turned into annoying, dumb teenagers and our heroine, Laurie Strode, is someone the audience would never care about. The atmosphere from the original is gone and even though the remake is thoroughly entertaining, we are not on edge at all. Although it was nice to see Danielle Harris (little Jamie from Halloween 4 and 5) back running from Michael Myers.

I did enjoy this movie despite some harsh words. Zombie did take this story to a whole 'nother level. The production design was unbelievable and the music was spot on. The biggest flaw of this movie is the screenplay. Zombie may be an adequate director but he is a horrible dialouge writer. Some of the dialouge in this movie was outrageous and ridiculous, even laughable. I'm not a hater of profanity, but seriously do we need to hear "fuck" ever other word?

Despite it's flaws, I do own this movie and will pop it in if I'm ever bored and it is interesting to see how such a simple story is transformed or "Zombie"fied, if you will. This is an awesome movie to watch with friends and I recommend watching it once autumn rolls around, but never forget what inspired this movie -- the original. I'm sure no one will.

2 stars out of 5

Jennifer's Body

Sometimes, comedy and horror blend extraordinarily well. Look what happened to Scream. Jennifer's Body is one of the few exceptions where this concept works. Witty humor and surprisingly well-acted performances coincide to make this movie a fun, Friday night treat.

Penned by the Oscar winning Diablo Cody (Juno), the movie's premise is rather tricky. Here, we have the beautiful and unattainable Jennifer (Megan Fox) and her nerdy, but cute best friend Needy (an amazing Amanda Seyfried). These two are the definition of an odd couple. Jennifer is sexy, sleek, and well, pretty dumb while Needy is her contradictive counterpart. Needy is always watching over Jennifer, suspecting if she doesn't look before she leaps, she will get in trouble. And that's exactly what happens.

Jennifer and Needy attend a local concert at a scummy bar to see fresh indie rock band Low Shoulder, fronted by sexy, but douchey Nikolai (The OC's Adam Brody) who is, go figure, attracted to Jennifer (who wouldn't, right?). Things take a turn for the worse when the bar is burnt to the ground by an unexpected fire. Jennifer, Needy, and the band escape unscathed. But Jennifer is willed into the band's van and disappears from Needy's view. The movie takes a weird and rocky turn when Jennifer returns to Needy bloody and beaten up and, well, not her - vomiting up something that looks like "roadkill and sewing needles". Jennifer's beauty remains but starts feasting on some of the boys at the high school. What happened to her when she stepped into that van? Watch the movie and find out. :)

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie after a second viewing. The movie did not fair well with critics or audiences but that is to be expected. This movie, despite the awesome soundtrack and popular leads, was not meant for mainstream audiences. I believe this film will be a cult fave in a few years. I am also not a fan of Megan Fox, after her...lackluster acting skills in the Transformer movies, but I did enjoy her in this and believe she could be a good comedic actress. The saving grace of this film belongs to the adorable Amanda Seyfried - I absolutely loved her in this. She was so cute and believable and ultimately, frightening (in later scenes). The movie also boasts an amazing soundtrack featuring Panic at the Disco, White Lies, Black Kids, and the film's own band, Low Shoulder with their catchy "Through the Trees". If you don't like Megan Fox, I would still rent this little gem and be prepared to have a good time if you enjoy Diablo Cody's strange but hilarious dialouge, throw backs to classic horror movies, and innocent indie rock.

3.5 stars out of 5