Best DVDs of the Month August 28, 2009

1. Gomorrah – The gangsta movie will never be the same after this. I think the writer is still under police protection. Rating: 9/10

2. Everlasting Moments – This might be Swedish director Jan Troell’s finest moment. It is a period piece of a woman who finds herself through technology. Rating: 9/10

3. London to Brighton – Bone-cracking debut by filmmaker Paul Andrew Williams. It blends the verite realism of those French films that seem to always win Cannes, but adds some brace-for-survival intensity that keeps it moving swiftly. The newfound actors are quite good, especially Georgia Groome who plays a 12 year-old in the throes of utter depravity. Take heed; some of these scenes will be too intense and shocking for everyone. Rating: 8/10

4. Katyn – The Polish Holocaust by the hands of Russia during WWII has never had such a harrowing depiction. Renowned composer Krysztof Penderecki delivers an incredible and haunting score. Rating: 8/10

5. The Class – Who knew a Paris classroom would be so like Austin, TX? Universal issues abound in this Cannes Grand Prix winner. Rating: 8/10

6. Big Man Japan – The ending of this goofy fantasy, superhero movie with great CGI is outrageous. Has to be seen to be believed. Rating: 7.5/10

7. Goodbye Solo – My favorite movie yet by American director Ramin Bahrani. His slice-of-life stories of the urban NE are too real for comfort. Rating: 7.5/10

8. Wolfhound - You take your epic sword-fantasy formula, add some Russian uniqueness provided you turn on the Russian language, and you get a movie striving for that LOTR fanbase with a tenth of the budget. The quality of the very important special effects/CGI is better than a cable movie, but not up to par to LOTR. The rest is just fine. Rating: 7/10

Ouroborous Summer – Best of the Blogs – yum! August 18, 2009

Dudes and dudettes, if you know any rain men please send them to Austin. I’m sick and tired of watering my yard to no effect. And I’m not talking special needs math wizards.

1. Howling Bells – Nightingale (Limited Time only)
This song is about to be played by radio stations around the world as it is tremendous. Off their sophomore album that boasts a couple other great songs.

2. Major Lazer – Keep it Goin’ Louder
This is also about to invade urban radio stations everywhere.

3. Clark – Talis
Perhaps the most exciting electronic musician working today returns with another album, Totems Flare. This isn’t the best song, but the album as a whole is groundbreaking artistry.

4. Julian Plenti – Only If You Run / Skyscraper
Interpol’s frontman goes solo and the results are astonishing.

5. Boy 8-Bit – Baltic Pine (Radio Edit)
Boy 8-Bit is maturing out of strictly party music as this sounds exactly as the title suggests.

6. VillA – Agneta
If you like Studio or Balearic this is for you.

7. One for the Team – Garden
Indie-rock gem that will worm its way into your head with its beautifully catchy two choruses. See below.

8. Friendly Fires – Paris (Computer Club’s Aeroplane vs. Au Revoir Simone)
Perfect summer dance jam that gets the girls dancing.

9. Flying Lotus – LTWRMX
Flying Lotus’s newest album is trying to capture those displaced DJ Shadow fans.

10. Vega – No Reasons
Austinite captures some disco magic with good vocals.

11. Wehbba – Cava
A cockroach shuffles under a radiation beam. And you dance to it.

12. IV – Alaska
80’s synths and 10’s beats.

13. Florence and the Machine – Rabbit Heart (Lionheart remix)
A remix for me has to be equal or better than the original. Florence is following in Bat For Lashes’ footsteps.

14. Renaissance Man – Aloha
More masterful minimal techno.

15. Karton – Phoenix
Electro-breaks confection.