WBAR MOVIE CLUB: Almost Famous

Almost Famous (2000)

Starring: Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond; Kate Hudson as Penny Lane; Patrick Fugit as William Miller; Jason Lee as Jeff Bebe; Frances McDormand as Elaine Miller
Genre: Comedy and a little bit of drama from time to time
Written and Directed by: Cameron Crowe


Caution. This review may contain some spoilers about the movie.


Plot: William Miller (Patrick Fugit) is a high school boy who, after her sister gave him tons of vinyls by rock legends, managed to grow his interest in rock music and writing about them. Until finally he was given a chance to write a story for Rolling Stone Magazine about an up-and-coming rock band known as Stillwater lead by Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup) and Jeff Bebe (Jason Lee). William accompanies the rest of the band in a US tour, following the backstage life of the band as well as the personal lives of its members. With them is a group of girls called the Band Aids lead by Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) and together they unravel the irony of touring with a band, being a journalist, being a retired 'groupie', falling in love and finally learning to live and breathe music.

Scene(s) to look forward to: This is actually a very long movie, but I gotta say every scene makes a mark of their own. But if I were to choose a couple of scenes, one on the list is when Jeff Bebe and Russell Hammond had an argument over a t-shirt design and then everything went wrong. Russell left with William and went to a party of  "real" people. The analogy that Russell used when he said that ordinary people are way cooler because they are real and they are living in a real world with real friends and real stuffs. Good scene. I loved it. Another one would be when a new band manager arrived saying that they lack commercial value and they should hire him, or he should hire them according to the manager. And then William looked at them and a familiar voice in the background is saying that rock is dying and it is ruined and they lost it. Kate Hudson is dancing in the arena where the band just finished its show. The scene is completely real. And lastly, the scene when they are boarding a plane and then suddenly there is some sort of an accident and it seems like they're gonna crash is a must-see! It was hilarious!! Everyone in the plane is opening up, telling all their secrets. Blurting out their hates with each other and in the world. Then suddenly, a revelation was made by a member saying that he is gay. Guess who's that?! LOL. But in the end, they are safe.

Nominations and Awards:

• Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Kate Hudson and Frances McDormand, nominees
• Academy Awards for Best Editing nominee
• Academy Awards for Best Screenplay - Original Cameron Crowe, winner
• Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Kate Hudson, winner; Frances McDormand, nominee
• Golden Globe Awards for Best Film - Comedy or Musical winner
• Golden Globe Awards for Best Screenplay Cameron Crowe, nominee
• Grammy Awards for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album winner
• More awards and nominations

Critic: It is one of the best films I've seen so far. The movie is very long but I literally lost track of time because the story is so good and the concept is very unique and real at the same time. The lines in the movie is just great, too great actually that you can somehow relate to what the characters are saying. I like the fact that Cameron Crowe is using an analogy on commercialization and the death of rock or music in general. I mean even at this time, or specifically at this time, music is losing that sense of passion and affection that it used to have. It is not just about liking or loving rock music, it is about finding the real essence of music nowadays. It is sad to realize that we didn't make it to the times when music is just about everything, and now they are all piece of crap in a full bin and empty crackhouse. This movie will make you realize that rock is not just about loud music, smoking pot, having sex and being cool. Rock is about passion and dedication. The will to change everything. The will to leave a trail. The will to want it bad. It is best portrayed in the scene when after Russell and William went to a party and Russell was too high and the rest of the band pick them up and he was so crazy that he wanted to quit the band. Then an awkward silence in the bus, and one sings "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John and now everybody is singing along, and so as Russell. This movie is a powerful and sexy depiction of Hollywood and rock'n'roll during the time when the purpose is not to have a purpose. The fictional golden gods of Stillwater and the lovely and impeccable performance of Kate Hudson made this movie all worthwhile. Never been this moved since I saw Shawshank. In the end all you could say to yourself is, "F**k! I was born in the wrong time!" 

Rating: F**kin' 10 out of 10!!!

This is the scene when they sang "Tiny Dancer".

It's summer! I need a song.

Summertime!! I am not sure what my plans are for this time of the year, but I am positive that it's going to be a long and fun vacation. And of course, productive. I have my books with me, movies and TV series to watch and social networks to update. Out-of-town visits are still on hold. I'll let you know if something comes up.

Anyway, it has been my habit to pick a summer anthem every year. Last time, as far as I could remember, my summer song was Sexy Bitch by David Guetta. We used to dance this, my ex-flatmates, during our late-night summer parties. Yes we do our own version of a house party, just the five of us. This year I have a couple of songs that I chose and until now I haven't picked my summer anthem yet. Perhaps you could help my guys. Here is my list:

"Does This Mean You're Moving On" - The Airborne Toxic Event. I fell in love to this song the first time I heard it. The lyrics is hilarious and genius. The melody, well it suits the upbeat vibe for the summer. And the video is pretty good as well. 

 

"Animal" - Neon Trees. The new wave beat from this indie rock band is just contagious. Pure eargasm. Their newly released album is good, but this one stood out.

"Province" - TV on the Radio. The piano and the humming in the first part of the song are chilling. A ride back home from the beach with your convertible and the sun setting with this song in the background. Awesome!

"Time to Pretend" - MGMT. Heard this song back in 2008 and I can't believe I ditched it as my summer song. The psychedelic feel of this duo is well executed in this song. This time, you're just on your way to hit the waves with your convertible and a smoke in one hand.

"Diplomat's Son" - Vampire Weekend. Talk about a tribal feel in the heatwave!! This song just makes me want to blow my brains and dance. Bonfire in the beach and a couple of tequila shots and beer. PERFECT!! (Done this but only in our flat minus the bonfire, lol)

"Cold Summer Nights" - Nina. Cheesy!! Sobrang cheesy!! I guess this is also the time of the year, aside from Valentine's day, that we all get sentimental. Yeah I know, summer fling and summer break-ups. I had a fair share of that, and yes they do suck. I mean, big time. And when I first heard this song (just last month), I was like "Oh shit! I should put this on my list." Out-of-place? I don't care. I love it.

There you have it guys. My summer anthem nominees. It is a tough list, I know. But I better decide before the summer ends. 

Goodbye to AI Reviews?!

Yay for me 'cause I'm writing a new post!! Anyway, I think I am so over the American Idol craze because:

1. Well my guy Paul is out of the competition and without him in the show is just a waste to watch. 

2. I am hating the judges more and more as the show progresses. They don't have anything bad to say to anyone, and I think it sucks because most of them suck.

3. America always get it wrong! Always! I guess everybody knows that.

Is this the end for my Idol reviews? Actually I'm still gonna write them (as if my thoughts matter) but I don't think I'm gonna do it as frequent as before. Perhaps I'm gonna put some posts about the show from time to time so better watch for that. Meanwhile, since I can't get over Paul I am giving to you my favorite song of him and his band The Grand Magnolias. This one is called "Sing Out." Enjoy!