Welcome to Inventory: a monthly column in which we take a moment to look back at the past few weeks and highlight articles that I have written that may be worth a second glance. From the archives of Optigrab, The Oscar Buzz, and CinemaBeach, the following is what I feel to be the Top 10 articles that I have written in any given month and feel the need to highlight. Also covered will be any known details on what will be coming up in the month ahead. So without further ado, let's take inventory and see what I have to say.
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| Jack Nicholson |
Source: The Oscar Buzz
Comments: While initially created as filler for a slow news period on the website, this exhaustive look at the Best Picture winners was created as one of the most open ways for the readers to better understand why it is that I love the Academy Awards. It should also give you an insight into what I look for and what my preferences are, which somehow include a shout-out to the English Patient.
Source: Optigrab
Comments: This HBO documentary sums up a lot of what you need to know regarding the case in which Russian punk band Pussy Riot performed at a mosque and got slapped with a case of hooliganism. The documentary may be brief in run time, but it is one of those great examples that music can still change the world and that censorship sometimes leads to very dark and scary places.
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| Emma Watson |
Source: The Oscar Buzz
Comments: Director Sofia Coppola tackles part 2 in 2013's ongoing series of films about the moral apocalypse with the Bling Ring: a film that depressingly reflects the downfall of American culture. It may not be as entertaining as the Spring Breakers counterpart, but it still manages to be a relevant touchstone.
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| Russell Crowe |
Source: Optigrab
Comments: While I have yet to see Man of Steel, I take the chance to look back at the troubling film maker's catalog from Dawn of the Dead through Sucker Punch and look at box office, ratings, and my own personal thoughts. The answers aren't that surprising and explain why I haven't seen Man of Steel yet, but the in depth look is definitely packed with some solid opinions.
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| Left to right: Krysten Ritter and Dreama Walker |
Source: Optigrab
Comments: While it has been a blast revisiting the series as a whole for the final stretch of episodes, Don't Trust the B. in Apt. 23 has managed to reach a solid mix of pop culture obsession and emotional connection with "Teddy Trouble." It is one of the pinnacle pieces of the series that manages to prove that no matter what, ABC has a lot of explaining to do for mishandling this gem.
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| Michael Douglas |
Source: Optigrab
Comments: The surprise sensation from HBO in which the mix of Steven Soderbergh and Liberace created one of the most heartbreaking, glittery movies of the year. It may radically shake many's opinion on the famed piano player, but it nonetheless is a striking portrait of obsession run amok.
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| Seth Rogen |
Source: Optigrab
Comments: While I would admit that this piece is somewhat hard to write with his somewhat brief career, there is a lot to mine from one of the funniest comedians working right now. While I wasn't as favorable on This is the End as most, looking back at what makes Rogen an endearing force was one of the funner pieces that I wrote this month.
Source: Optigrab
Comments: My favorite series made it through yet another season, and this time I am worried that it shouldn't be allowed to go beyond the next season if it plans to put all of its best ideas in the first two minutes. While it had a few highlights, choosing to make fun of the Harlem Shake just proved how unfortunately dated the show can get.
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| Left to right: Danny Trejo and Marc Maron |
Source: Optigrab
Comments: Who knew that what Maron needed to shake things up was a little help from the lovably hard and vulnerable Danny Trejo as his sponsor? To date, it remains the show's best episode and makes me wish that Trejo could come back every week, if just to give Marc Maron some ice cream to eat and listen to his problems about his ex-wife.
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| Greta Gerwig |
Source: CinemaBeach
Comments: The combo of Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig made a surprisingly sweet and quirky look at the power of best friends as they separate and try to live their own lives. It may at times seem pretentious about its musical selection, but don't let that stop you from enjoying this little gem when it comes to a theater near you.
What to Expect: July 2013
Coming Thursday, July 4: A review for the documentary A Band Called Death
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| Michael B. Jordan |
Coming Tuesday, July 9: A look at Fruitvale Station and why it is one of the first big Oscar contenders of the year. Review may follow shortly after.
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| Arnold Johnson |
Coming Thursday, July 11: The launch of a new, sporadic column called Retro Grading in which we look at old, forgotten cinema. First up: Putney Swope!
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| Jen Kirkman |
Coming Monday, July 15: A review of comedian Jen Kirkman's book "I Can Barely Take Care of Myself"
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| Ryan Gosling |
Coming Tuesday, July 16: A look at director Nicholas Winding Refn's new film with Ryan Gosling called Only God Forgives. Review may follow shortly after.
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| Andy Kaufman |
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| Left to right: Sally Hawkins and Louis C.K. |
Coming Tuesday, July 23: A look at director Woody Allen's latest comedy Blue Jasmine. Review may follow shortly after.
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| Left to right: Walker, Ritter, and Liza Lapira |
Coming Friday, July 26: A retrospective on Don't Trust the B in Apt. 23's season season as well as personal thoughts on the unfortunate scheduling issues.
TBA: A special Channel Surfing on a selected episode of Futurama as we watch the show drive off into the sunset once again.
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| Left to right: Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul |
Don't forget that the summer-long Breaking Bad recap series continues all July long leading up to the August 11 return date of the final season. To tease upcoming pieces, keep an eye out for a piece in August in which I compile the Top 50 characters of the series.
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