Alexander Payne has steadily become one of the most trusted filmmakers working today when it comes to creating terrific mature characters and heartwarming and original stories. With his new film Nebraska, you can check off all the familiar boxes of a great Payne film. There is a superb leading turn from a veteran actor in Bruce Dern, who at age 77 turns in the performance of his career. It is set in a pure Americana landscape and features some of the finest dialogue you’ll find anywhere. Shot in beautiful and fitting black and white, the film looks and sounds amazing and Payne’s regular Greek DP Phedon Papamichael makes even the plainest lonely corn field a place you’d love to visit. Nominated for six Oscars in all major categories, this is one of the most precious underdogs of the past year.
Despite having a filmography that spans back twenty years, 12 Years a Slave is still only Steve McQueen’s third feature film. The director of Hunger (2008) and Shame (2011) aims both higher and wider with this production, also the first one he’s not written himself, as budget, ensemble and magnitude of story all are vastly larger than his previous work. Based on the book by lead character Solomon Northup (a quietly masterful Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man who was abducted and sold into slavery. In any other director’s hands this would most likely play out as a harmless and lecturing history lesson, but McQueen does not pull any punches, neither physically or emotionally and even though the end result may be hard for some to take, this is provocative and fearless filmmaking from an absolute master of character and modern storytelling.
One of the most exciting and eye-catching TV-shows to arrive in years is HBO’s new miniseries True Detective. Starring Matthew McConaughey (adding to his already wildly impressive CV of 2013) and Woody Harrelson, who together have created one of the most interesting and amusing cop/buddy relationships ever seen on any screen. Three episodes into a limited eight episode run, this has already established itself as one of the most fascinating shows in the network’s history. Creator Nic Pizzolatto and director Cary Fukunaga know all the rules, but aren’t afraid to break them as they jump back and forth in the story, letting their leading actors off their chains to really shine without ever competing with each other. It draws inspiration from the likes of Twin Peaks or even the early days of Dexter, but this show will stand its own ground and the only sad part is that its creators stand firm that there will be no more than the plotted eight episodes.
ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS JANUARY:
The eighteenth album from Bruce Springsteen is a curious one, with The Boss including both cover songs and previously released music of his own on the record, including its opening title track High Hopes. Regardless it is still Springsteen at his most recognizable and admirable. With the inclusion of guitarist Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave), who filled in for Steven van Zandt during the E-Street Bands tour last year, Springsteen has added more of an edge to his traditional classic rock formula. At 64 (!) he still carries a tune better than most and his authority in the genre makes him damn near impossible to attack regardless of what he attempts. That is probably the greatest compliment of all to pay the most relevant and vigorous American musician of his generation, who’s still working his socks off.
The collection of supporting tracks from The Gaslight Anthem is obviously aimed for the fans but The B-Sides is also a great introduction for anyone unfamiliar with the New Jersey rock band. With four studio albums, one EP and a bunch of singles under their belt they have released enough material to warrant a collection like this, and the tracks on the record are made up from the band’s debut album days in 2007 up until last year’s fourth album Handwritten. The format is familiar for this type of release with acoustic and live versions of own material, as well as a couple of cover tracks (Pearl Jam’s State of Love and Trust is a great gem familiar from their live shows). Nothing groundbreaking, but a sober and respectful collection that will prove itself a must for the fans.
The message is clear and simple when it comes to the title of the new album from Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. Give the People What They Want is the name of their sixth record, and it is another terrific collection of great funk and soul music. The New York based outfit present ten very enjoyable tracks where their usual high energy and positive vibes are in the driving seat, accompanied by some well written and emotional ballads. Even though Jones’ voice is one of the smoothest around there is a raw texture to the tunes and the album possesses a perfect balance between the mandatory party starters as well as the soulful and deeper material. An absolute joy from beginning to end.
This is Retreat, which opens the album in the best way possible and features a terrific music video by Lizzie Akana.
