Movie of the Week: Immortals

I know a lot of people have tremendous disdain or depreciation for Immortals, but here I am trying to defend this gorgeous and brilliant movie by Tarsem Singh (and Dhandwar now?).  From the dialogue to the cinematography to the acting to the sense of danger, the movie showcases Tarsem's true visionary (when I say this it means an actual visionary, not used loosely) nature.  The one thing it does lack, though, is the epic sense.  Read on for a not-so-spoilery review.

Celtic Corner: The Chieftains' New Album!

The Chieftains have struck gold again, or so I foresee, with Voice of Ages, due out February 21.  Rather than teaming up with today's best Bluegrass and Country bands, they have taken it upon themselves to collaborate with today's hottest indie bands from all genres: Bon Iver, Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Civil Wars, The Decemberists, Imelda May, Lisa Harrington, The Low Anthem, Carlos Nunez, Paolo Nutini, Pistol Annies, Punch Brothers, and The Secret Sisters will guest this time around.  T Bone Burnett is producer.  This is so exciting!  Congratulations, you've just creamed yourself in excitement.

Find their coordinating tour dates after the break.

Kit Harington Casting News

Games of Thrones' Jon Snow actor Kit Harington has been signed to play King Arthur in the upcoming bromance action film Arthur & Lancelot.  Not sure how I feel about another King Arthur film, and another male-dominated film.

In related news, your preview for Season 2 is after the jump:

Site of the Week: 11/21-27/11

This week brings us Jon Boden's incredible undertaking of a folk song a day.  Every.  Single.  Day.  Jon Boden posts a song he recorded, either a capella or with bare accompaniment (vocals or instruments) and writes about the song's meaning, origins, and variations.  And, if you ever check out my other blog, you know that I indeed love doing that myself.  I'm sure this not only is fun for Boden, but educational as well.

TV Updates Galore!

Soooo a few things have occurred in the TV realm that I couldn't report due to long days/nights at work.  We have updates on 2 Broke Girls, Cougar Town, Community, Golden Globes, Megan Mullally, Arrested Development, Hot in Cleveland, and Betty White.


First up: Arrested Development.  It's official.  It's happening.  It's returning!  It will air on Netflix after the streaming and video rental company had a bidding war with Showtime.  Again, it will air ten episodes of a new season, leading to a movie.

Site of the Week: 11/14-20/11

Little Big Town has always been one of my favorites in the country scene.  Their tight harmonies are quality, and each voice has a distinct tone, yet they all work well together.  The only harmonies that beat it in today's music are from SHeDAISY, who creates music outside the box.  It's hard for creative groups to make it big in Nashville, but Little Big Town (LBT) does it with ease.  Unfortunately, Lady Antebellum took over their place as reigning group.  That doesn't stop LBT from having fun and being great to their fans.  Continue reading for more info on the best thing to happen to Country music in the past few years, something that reinvigorates a dead music.

The wine-making has begun!

The persimmons have all fallen from the tree, and I've culled them to attempt a new type of wine.  I'm documenting the process of the intimidating task of making persimmon peach and persimmon wines.  I'll provide my "recipe" as well when the event is through.  It should prove to be interesting.  I can't wait to see the end result.  As of now, the persimmon looks like vomit, but the persimmon peach looks to have a pretty golden color to it.  I can't wait to see what it'll look like later.  The persimmon always ends up with a light yellow-orange, sometimes even white, color.  Mine ends up the darker color because I keep the persimmon pulp in for a week, rather than strain it the first day.  Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know I've started!

The Politics of Music

I've realized something the other day.  The political messages of music has changed, or the political messages are no longer there.  Now, folk music typically lacks what used to grace it during the 60s and 70s.  Country music used to be more progressive in its content.  And the Scots and Irish continue their political positions.

Bob Dylan and Joan Baez once were a powerful force in politics, inspiring many folk musicians to do the same.  Their music wielded the mightiest of swords, and, in a time of political upheaval due to the events of the Vietnam War, it reflected the left-wing political views.  Pete Seeger is still a political force, pushing for peace around the world.  But contemporary folk artist, though great music, lack the social and political view that their predecessors once owned.

Lucy & Jack: A Cinderella Story

Although I have seen and frequently watch many of them now, there were few romantic comedies I watched as a kid. The films I watched when I was young consisted of quirky comedies, disney movies and classic "nerd" films I'm now glad my older brother made me watch. After watching it recently, though, I realized that While You Were Sleeping is one of the few romantic comedies I grew up watching, and one of my favorites still today.


I also realized while watching WYWS, that this movie may have shaped my life more than I know. I know, that sounds lame: a movie shaping my life, but hear me out.

Site of the Week 10/31/11-11/6/11

I always take an interest in the American Civil War, and there's so much information out there I want my hands on.  The best sources, for me, are letters, providing great insight on every person's way of life during the time period.  You read these, and the war effects every single person so differently, yet all the same.  No one person enjoys it, perhaps at first, but once the reality sets in, it's a terror.

Seth Lakeman's Tales from the Barrel House

November 18, 2011, marks a milestone in music.  In an effort to keep alive the dead men who worked dead jobs, Seth Lakeman wrote and sang all songs, played all instruments, and produced all tracks for the upcoming release The Tales from the Barrel House.  What makes this record so special is where it was recorded?  Read on to find out and to watch an introductory video to the project.