One of the best family adventure films to arrive in years is Disney’s Tomorrowland. It’s a visual masterpiece loaded with great ideas and tons of fun. It’s wonderful to see a film that targets young and mature audience at an equal level, without compromising plot or effects in order to please one or the other. Director Brad Bird, who now has one of the most impressive resumes in Hollywood with this tied on to The Incredibles (2004) and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011), has created a delightful piece of entertainment. Co-written by Lost’s Damon Lindelof it is not only a thrilling ride, but a moving and inspiring tale of childhood, dreams and ambition. Tomorrowland is already looking to be this summer’s finest blockbuster.
On paper, another Mad Max movie from now 70 year old director George Miller seemed like a terrible and very risky idea. But early promotions and trailers indicated that this might in fact be the veteran’s finest work yet. And indeed it is. Mad Max: Fury Road is a spectacle like nothing you’ve ever seen, and probably will see for a long time. It works from its action and adventure genre, but flips every rule on its head and goes absolutely ballistic when it comes to stunts, action and visual sensibility. Lead on by brilliantly cast Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, this lives up to the traditional term of “a roller coaster ride” of a movie, that starts off blasting and doesn’t stop until you’re out of breath and yet craving for more. The hit of the summer!
For something completely different, let’s turn to Noah Baumbach’s While We’re Young. The director of indie darlings such as The Squid and The Whale (2005) and Frances Ha (2012) has made another enjoyable and charming comedy that remains light on its feet while still being a sharp take on urban life in the 21st century. Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts are great as the forty-something couple that meet young and hip Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfrid, and become inspired to take on life in the big city in a way they never dared to before. It shifts in genre towards the third act, in a not 100 percent successful move, but this is still one of the finest and unarming comedies so far this year.
ESSENTIAL LISTENING THIS MONTH:
It’s been quiet around The Killers since the release of their latest album; 2012s Battle Born. Part of the explanation lies with front man Brandon Flowers, who’s spent the past two years getting his second solo album ready, and this month it arrives. The Desired Effect shares many similarities to his solo debut Flamingo (2010). With that it was obvious that Flowers wanted a lighter and more playful touch to his own material, and this feeling remains throughout his sophomore effort. By some he’s been accused of being too slick, a little too soft around the edges. That may be so, but there is still much more going on here than to just dismiss it as typical “solo record stuff”. Flowers is still in possession of a terrific voice that still stands out among today’s biggest acts. And through his grandiose sound and multi-layered production, there is a genuine songwriter hard at work to fulfill his potential and in doing so leaving no stone unturned.
After having spent the majority of the past three years on the road, English rock outfit The Vaccines is finally ready to present their third studio album. English Graffiti is a welcome return to top form after a slightly disappointing second record. Their debut What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? (2011) was a great kick in the nuts for the British rock scene and after having established their sound and fan base they are now ready to challenge their audience. The new album can only be described as “more complicated” than their previous work, but there is nothing complicated in the enjoyment of it. You’ll find their trademark hard-hitting dead fast rock tunes, but there are also elements of 80s pop and even quiet folk. It’s a great collection that keeps you on your toes, and with the exception of one or two duds, it’s tremendous fun from beginning to end. More of everything please.
It’s strange to think that My Morning Jacket have been active for nearly twenty years now. However, they’ve not been spoiling their fans with a truckload of albums. This month sees the arrival of their seventh studio record. The Waterfall is another collection of great tunes, where the psychedelic is tuned unusually low and their main ambition seem to be creating a good vibe all around. It’s one of their most accessible albums in years. To call any MMJ album easy listening would be an overstatement, but this one does not fall far from it. It’s incredibly easy on the ears and has a very collective sound, with one song tying the next one into it. After a first few listens it’s tempting to call this their best album since their masterpiece Evil Urges (2008).
The first single of the album, Big Decisions will easily be the finest tune you’ll hear today.
