After a lackluster holiday season, two films are in theaters that are worth checking out: The Green Hornet and The Dilemma. Surprisingly still, both have something in common. “But wait,” you’re probably thinking. “One is a remake from an old radio serial turned TV show about a crime fighter and the other is about couples.” Yes, on the surface the two seemingly have little to nothing to do with each other except for their shared release day. So am I trippin’ balls? Nope. At least, not yet.
It’s rare to hear music for the first time that sounds completely new, yet at the same time very familiar. It’s like running into an old friend years later. That’s what happened when I listened to Chico Mann’s latest album “Analog Drift.” Elements of rhythm, instruments and vocals echo recognizable sounds, but are arranged in a way that I could never have fathomed. Think Black Eyed Peas, only without the Fergie, and actually fresh.
Categorically speaking, Chico Mann blends Afrobeat with Cuban music (naturally, because of his Cuban decent), funk and heavy synth. What that translates to is funky, super-chill, Latin-flavored music you can lounge or dance to, depending on your state of inebriation. But to fully comprehend the New York-born artist’s sound, words wouldn’t do it justice. It’s something that has to be experienced. Check out his site www.chicomann.com to listen to his creation, but before you do, read his thoughts on dance battles, his greatest influences, must-have playlist and vuvuzelas. Seriously.
Before we begin, in the unlikely chance a pre-Gen X/Baby Boomer is reading this, a bit of advice: This movie, and truncated review, is not for you. The references in both the movie and text might be a bit too low-brow and beneath your scope. But hey, there’s always The Expendables!
That being said, now back to your regular programming.
Ever wished for a film that was part Japanese manga and part 8-bit Nintendo video game? Neither did we. That’s like cooking an omelet with Pocky Sticks and Pokemon. Each is great in their own right, but blended together? Not so much.
Luckily, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz), is able to blend both pop arts seamlessly, infusing a healthy dose of comedy and rock and roll, while delving headfirst into one of life’s biggest taboos.
When it comes to dating, successfully, things naturally start to turn a bit serious and a few things happen with this transition. Bases are rounded, respective friends are met, and conversations turn towards the past, at which the inevitable talk will happen. No, not the one involving the birds and the bees. That comes from your parents or the strange, grope-y uncle who reeks of cheap bourbon.