Tuesday Recommendations #1

Hey there, 

I know it has been forever sense I posted here, and I apologize. I really wanted to use this website much more frequently, but school and my social life got in the way. I will try to do better.

With that said, today I would like to use this platform to inform you of what has been entertaining me over the past week. 

Here are my top discoveries in film, music and TV:
 

  • Film:

What We Do In The Shadows (2014) 
Comedy!
Written and Directed by: Jermaine Clement & Taika Waititi  

A hilarious and quotable mockumenery about four vampires living in New Zealand. First we meet the uptight vampire Viago (Waititi), who introduces us to his roommates Vladislav (Clement), the sex crazed older vampire. Then there's Deacon (Jonny Brugh), the younger, cool vampire. And lastly the oldest, Peter (Ben Fransham), the Nosferartu style vampire.

We follow them as they prepare for the Unholy Masquerade, make new friends and deal with rival werewolves who don't allow cursing within their pack. The pack, whose leader is played by the always funny Rhys Darby, claims "they're werewolves, not swearwolves." 

This is probably the funniest film I've seen in years. I watched it for the first time about two months ago, and have already watched it 3 more times.

  • MUSIC:

Fullbloods- Mildwest
Indie rock! 

Even though music isn't the main topic of this website, I love it and enjoy discussing it. Early this year I visited a record store in the Westport neighborhood of Kansas City by the name of Mills Record company. I went in not knowing what I wanted, and left with three new vinyls and three new favorite artists. 

One of which really stuck out to me, The Fullbloods, a local Kansas City band. The moment I put their record on my turn table, I was hooked. The first song, Money, is absolutely amazing. My favorite track on the record is the phenomenal ballad Winter Coat, which never fails to get stuck in my head.  

Find them here:  
Twitter: @fullbloods
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/fullbloods
Instagram: @fullbloods.mp3
Website: http://www.fullbloods.com/

Fullbloods, if you are reading this, I beg of you to keep doing what you're doing!

  • TV: 

The Chris Gethard Show
Fusion/Youtube

If you've ever felt like an outsider, then this show is for you. What started as a public access talk show has turned into a cult phenomenon. A powerful show that is as moving as it is hilarious. Each episode is completely unique from one another.

There is an episode featuring Colin Quinn, in which Chris Gethard asks his fans who are unhappy with their jobs to quit on national television. Another episode titled F$&@ Censorship features Pete Holmes. In this episode they willfully push the boundaries of what can be shown on television. While these are great, my favorite has to be the episode titled One Man's Trash with Paul Scheer and Jason (Hey-noung) Mantzoukas, in which they ask callers to guess what's in their trash can.

Every episode from the first two seasons is available free on YouTube! 
 

Well there you have it. Check back in the future for another round of recommendations, and more exciting content! 

 

Why AnxiousAboutMovies?

 

 

After revisiting my first post, I quickly remembered a crucial element i forgot to address. Anxious About Movies; what does it mean and why is it the name of this website?

 

To begin, I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life. I am telling you this because I want this blog to represent me in an extremely honest and personal way. To me it's about taking the word “anxious” back and not letting it have power over me. I’m telling myself that I won’t let anxiety hold me back anymore. I’m also telling the world that i'm not ashamed of my sweaty palms.

 

Secondly, the name represents my feelings toward the current state of contemporary cinema. I personally feel that the film industry is heading in the wrong direction; every year we see more and more sequels and reboots.

 

The industry is rapidly becoming deprived of originality. Movie studies are scared to take chances, vine videos are shortening our attention spans and movies are becoming more watered down. Creative ideas are no longer being produced by the major studios, and the innovative filmmakers are now being forced to work independently. The great studio films of the 60’s and 70’s are far behind us.

 

That being said, there are still many great films coming out every year. Last year alone I saw great movies such as Spotlight, Creed, Mad Max: Fury Road and the criminally under appreciated Ex Machina (which I believe to be a very important film that I plan to address at a later date).That being said, for every film like Spotlight released, there seems to be three or four movies blockbusters with no substance, or Alvin and the Chipmunk sequels (sorry, Squeakquels). I’m not saying the industry is dying, I’m just anxious about where it's headed as a whole.

 

I promise this is the last introduction post. Check back later this week for new content and my first film review. Please like this post and share it on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Have a great day!

-Braden