July, 2009

A stunning Amy Winehouse cleaned up her act when she appeared in court in London. The case stems from a September 2008 incident when 27-year-old Sherene Flash accused Winehouse of hitting her after she approached Winehouse for a photo op.

The judge, however, acknowledged that he could not be certain that the “assault” wasn’t an accident on Winehouse’s part, and dismissed all charges. A subdued Winehouse was dressed in business attire while in court, but immediately changed into a black leather jacket and skinny black jeans before even leaving the courthouse. Hmmm, hopefully this is just a wardrobe change and not indicative of Amy returning to her old ways.

After months of speculation, LeeAnn Rimes and husband Dean Sheremet have finally acknowledged their separation. A “friend” announced that they were separated ‘for quite some time but were working through their relationship.’

Really? Is that what it’s called these days? Hard to work through a relationship when a third wheel is involved. In this case that third wheel is Eddie Cibrian, Rimes’ co-star in the Lifetime original movie Northern Lights where the two met in 2008.

Just recently Cibrian’s wife of announced that they were no longer a couple. Meanwhile, the Rimes/Sheremet Nashville home is on the market to be sold. How’s that for working through a relationship?

After years of hooking up everyone else and leading endless couples to the altar (some, whom no doubt are also headed for divorce), noted matchmaker and star of the Bravo TV show Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger is officially engaged to boyfriend-of-five-years, Andy Friedman.

Sources say the real estate broker, Friedman, presented Stanger with a four-carat ring, via a black swan, as the two vacationed in Maui, Hawaii recently. (Isn’t that romantic?) The nuptials will take place in 2010 but the couple has some negotiating to do: he wants a large wedding, while the Matchmaker would prefer to elope.

As a Wilco fan, I don’t know what I was anticipating with their latest release. They aren’t known for being a band that rocks out; they have a laid back appeal and it usually works well for them. They are able to push boundaries and they’ve blessed us with three minor masterpieces, ”Being There,” “Summerteeth,” and “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.”

So, to be succinct, Wilco (The Album) doesn’t give us anything that made those albums so direly relevant. Sure, there are some great ballads here – like the gorgeous “Country Disappeared.” But there’s nothing here that wasn’t featured on ”Sky Blue Sky.” In fact, you might as well call this album ”Sky Blue Sky Part II.” There are some great songs here, but nothing stands out to distinguish it from their last effort (an effort that was undeservedly panned by some critics.)

With that said, I don’t want to be the guy who panned (The Album). It’s a far more accomplished effort than most bands can achieve. But it’s also from a band that we expect more from; a band that’s been dubbed “America’s Radiohead.” If you’re a Wilco fan, I would definitely reccommend Wilco (The Album); but if you’re not (and intrigued), try out “Sky Blue Sky” as a starting point and then see if you are ready for the sequel.

Finally Christian Bale and Johnny Depp, two of today’s most talented actors, are in one movie together. Even though this amazing duo is seldom in the same scene, both add something special to a very sexy and dangerous crime film.

Michael Mann is the director and transports audiences back to an era when robbing banks was the choice money making scheme. “Enemies” is about Melvin Purvis (Bale) the head FBI agent responsible for bringing John Dillinger (Depp), Public Enemy #1, to justice. The accomplices of Depp and Bale are a remarkable cast of actors and really make this ‘cat and mouse chase’ movie complete. Whether you love a good crime film or not – “Public Enemies” is a great escape from summer movie sequels.

The Good: – The Ensemble – Making up an FBI department as well as a “gang” of bank robbers needs more than Depp and Bale. The support characters in “Enemies” are understated yet are key to filling out the atmosphere and feel of the movie. They are an impressive bunch and include: Marion Cotillard (Academy Award Winner for “La Vie en Rose”), David Wenham (“Australia”), Stephen Dorff, Channing Tatum (“Stop-Loss”), Rory Cochrane (“CSI: Miami”), Emilie de Ravin (“Lost”), Billy Crudup, Giovanni Ribisi (“Perfect Stranger”), Domenick Lombardozzi (“The Wire”), and Shawn Hatosy (“Southland”), are just a few of the immensely talented crew.

- The Camera Work – One of the characteristics that stands out the most in “Enemies” is the cinematography. The documentary style filming helps bring the audience into the story more – it isn’t simply watching a bank robber’s life develop, instead it’s getting to live Dillinger’s life with him. Purvis’ story benefits as well because when the camera focuses on him, no matter how much you’re cheering on Dillinger, you want Purvis to catch his man.

- The Look – Michael Mann and the creative team of “Enemies” bring back the distinct 1930’s aesthetics without having to actually recreate much. A lot of the movie was filmed at Dillinger historical spots that are still standing today. Many of the locations, such as the Little Bohemia Lodge where Dillinger and some of his cohorts were found by Purvis and the FBI and the local for one of the major gun battles featured in the movie, are real buildings that are still open.

- The Music – Elliot Goldenthal has created noteworthy scores for movies like “Across the Universe” and “Frida.” For “Enemies” he has combined bad-boy, bluegrass type tunes with music from the era as well as piano ballads to help complete the mood of this movie.

- Christian Bale – Bale’s “Purvis” is a serious guy. He doesn’t smile much during the movie (maybe once when he’s gunning down a famous gangster), but the seriousness works because it plays both to Bale’s assets as an actor as well as the tone of the Purvis character.

- Johnny Depp – Depp’s Dillinger combines sexiness with a sense of real danger. It’s subtle, but sometimes there is a sense that Dillinger truly fears for his life and is genuinely hurt at the loss of friends. I feel like I got to know John Dillinger a little better due to yet another exceptional performance by Depp.

The Bad: – The Time-Span – “Enemies” is over an hour and a half long and could have used a couple more edits in post production to cut down the time a bit.

- What is True – Scenes like Dillinger meandering through the “Dillinger” FBI Department without a soul identify him and scenes such as people on the street waving at Dillinger while being driven to prison as if he’s a celebrity yet he goes unrecognized in a lit movie theater makes me question how much of the film truly represents real events.

- Purvis Perspective – More glimpses into Purvis’ personal life and more of his point of view would have added symmetry and evenness to the movie.

In The End: “Public Enemies” is an exciting film about two Depression era legends – one – a bank robber and the other a bank robber hunter. The entire team who created “Enemies” should be very proud. The talent can be seen in every aspect of the film – from the camera work, to the score, to the costumes and best of all –  the actors.

How ironic…

It is an artist’s cessation that revives his work to life. But no matter…it is irrelevant to dwell on how Michael Jackson was ridiculed by the public for his controversial personal affairs now that he is dead. Isn’t that right?

The gentle, crooning boyish/girlish voice of the King of Pop has always pervaded the minds of so many. Be it for his music, dancing, or flamboyant demeanor, the name Michael Jackson has been synonymous with pop icon. To each of his fans, MJ represented something; something spectacular; something angelic; something eternal. Yet, all the above describe Michael Jackson in his truest form.

It’s understood that Michael’s ubiquitous numbers will forever permeate the soundscapes. In my music library, here are five tracks that will never relinquish life:

1. Jam

2. Give In to Me

3. Scream

4. Remember the Time

5. Black or White

RIP MJ