After spending decades between his first features, it is great to experience a new Terrence Malick film only a few years after his previous outing (The Tree of Life, named Best Picture of 2011 on this site). To The Wonder holds all the familiarities of a Malick picture; the struggles of love, faltering relationships, beautiful camerawork and poetry rather than dialogue. Leading man Ben Affleck is not given much to work with, but it suits him well as he walks steadily through the motions of the everyday man torn by common emotions of “what if”. Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem both provide fine support, but it is Olga Kurylenko who steals the major honors. Her natural beauty and haunting eyes carry more conflict and heart than all her colleagues put together. It is a mesmerizing performance. To The Wonder is nothing close to Malicks best work, but it is another reminder of what he, and only he, is capable of doing with just a camera and the simplest of stories.
Newly announced director of the upcoming Episode VII, J.J. Abrams, returns “home” as he revisits space for his sequel to 2008’s Star Trek. Into Darkness is bigger and bolder, as sequels of this sort always are, but Abrams has managed to maintain the original spark and realistic approach to the grandiose spectacle that he so carefully orchestrates. The main cast all return with ferocious energy, but it is newcomer Benedict Cumberbatch who sticks out with a horrifying and electric turn as the villainous John Harrison (for now). The visual effects are impressive, though one could have hoped for even more experimental set pieces from such a creative mind as Abrams’. However, this is terrific blockbuster entertainment that is bound to satisfy both the fans and more ambiguous moviegoers alike.
Director Derek Cianfrance created one of 2010’s most memorable and moving films with his previous outing Blue Valentine. For his new picture he once again teams up with Ryan Gosling, who is accompanied by Bradley Cooper and Eva Mendes this time around. The Place Beyond the Pines moves within the same atmosphere as Valentine, but the idea and ramifications are both bigger and harder to accept in this one. It is a heartfelt and merciless story of family, in particular fathers and sons, shot beautifully by Sean Bobbitt. The trio of Hollywood’s finest talents provides rock solid performances, in particular Mendes, who has never been better. This is emotional and personal filmmaking at its best, that wears its heart on its sleeve, and instantly captures those of the audience, leaving you struck by something truly special. One of the best pictures of the year so far.
ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS MAY:
The third album from Vampire Weekend is actually a bit more surprising than most fans probably would have hoped for. The New York quartet are clearly out to explore and their traditional up tempo indie rock formula gets put through many rings of fire on its way towards the end result that is Modern Vampires of The City. It is both refreshing and inspiring to see a band with very little to gain, and almost everything to lose try to tweak the patience and expectations, in order to achieve a record that will stand out rather than cruise to the top. There are still tremendous amounts of fun to be found here, and despite the occasional new route, there is still no doubt what band you’re listening to. Vampire Weekend has not only created their most inspiring album to date, they have also moved their own genre to the next level.
Another New York outfit returning with their third record this month is The Airborne Toxic Event. This alternative rock band may not be too familiar with the top of the charts, but they have established a solid fan base stateside and rumors of their terrific live shows are slowly reaching European shores as well. The difficulties of a third album are present here though, as Such Hot Blood is not the bands finest hour, but still the record is strong enough to stand trial against most other commercially successful outfits that rival their progress. The sound is great and almost larger than life sometimes, and Airborne have a great gift of creating a very easygoing and enjoyable mood throughout the process of listening to their albums. This one may have benefitted from a stricter pen when it comes to the lyrics (the band have never been more blunt and clichéd in their stories) but the melodies and arrangements still make this a terrific album to enter the summer with.
It’s been three years since The National’s previous record High Violet (best album of 2010 according to this writer) but it has been well worth the wait. This month sees the release of the Americans sixth album, which comes with the perfect melancholic title Trouble Will Find Me. The five piece band once again establish themselves as standouts in a music business where heart and emotion most often is absent in run of the mill records. This album does not only come with terrific stories, poetic lyrics and beautiful tunes, but it carries a conscience and responsibility with a desire to move and affect whoever is willing to lend their ear. It is a gorgeous piece of work that carries the weight of the finest songwriters and bands of their generation and reassures us that The National is the ones worth listening to if you really are interested in listening at all. Is Trouble Will Find Me the best album of the year? So far absolutely.
