Live at Radio City

So it seems that in this world, you have two types of people. Those that really like Dave Matthews Band, and those that really don't. Maybe its because some people equate DMB to summer drinking and smoking weed and that's why people like it? Nostalgia? And others think that he comes out with a new CD every year for the past 20 years (actually pretty true) and all of his music is so similar. There is so much good music in the world, why not explore it more? Well I love DMB and I love other music. This past weekend I went to Kings Dominion and pulled a Will Peng (lost my phone) so I was a bit cutoff from the outside world as all my roommates were out of town. This morning I popped in the Dave Matthews Band - Live at Radio City bluray. I was never a big 'lets watch a concert on dvd' type of guy, but I figured it was good background music and watching while I cleaned my room etc.

So why did I choose this in particular? one person really, Tim Reynolds. Growing up, Dave & Tim Live at Luther College was my favorite CD. A) I love DMB as I mentioned, but when he performs with Tim Reynolds, you get the mix of all the great songs you like, but with a slightly different feel, especially with all the newer songs (Live at Luther College was recorded in 95). So you pretty much have 2 guys on stage with acoustic guitars playing these songs that would normally have 7 different musicians. Does everyone remember all those 'unplugged' CDs that MTV came out with back in the day? I dunno what it is about Acoustic guitars that are so awesome, but anytime I listen to an acoustic song, it makes me want to learn how to play the guitar. Its a damn shame that I'm so horrible at it. My finger dexterity is the absolute worst.

Tim Reynolds must be one of the most talented guitarists of our generation. I put him up there with John Mayer. I know what most of you are thinking, John Mayer is a douche. Well I really liked his older stuff, but I did in fact see him in concert and it is irrefutable that he is an extremely talented guitarist. But Tim Reynolds is something else, let me tell you. Being able to watch him play is really quite a spectacle. The last rift on their rendition of Lie in our Graves is absolutely amazing. There was one cover they also did that I never heard before titled 'Down by the River' (no not the SNL skit) that was really pretty awesome. I'm actively seeking a copy of this album specifically for that song.

If you liked Live at Luther College, then you will love this CD as well. They put on quite the show and its always amazing to listen to. I know that the two of them don't go on tour very much (this tour in 07 was only 3 locations, and I almost attended this one) but next time they go on tour together, I will travel to see it and spend the $100+ for a ticket. I have yet to see #41 live which is my favorite DMB song of all time, and possibly favorite song in general. Any takers? I can't go on this destination concert alone...

Adventureland

So I remember seeing previews for this a few months before it came out. A bunch of no name actors and my beloved Kristin Stewart. The fact she was in Twilight pretty much ruins her for me, but if anyone knows a girl that is like her, please introduce her to me. The story is about a well educated guy who graduates from college planning on going on a European backpacking trip before Grad school at Columbia. I had never seen Jesse Eisenberg in a film before, or at least realized it. He was in both The Village and The Education of Charlie Banks.

The movie takes place in the late 1980s at an amusement park. If I were to put the tone of the film into a short sentence, its about a young man's development with his emotions and women. There are some funny scenes, but I wouldn't really classify it as a comedy. Ryan Reynolds has a small role in the film that seems odd to me, but I think the purpose of his character is important. What took me a long time to figure out is James friend, Joel. Turns out that he's the guy from Freaks and Geeks. Pretty sweet if you ask me.

So going back to Ryan Reynold's character. I like him as an actor, I see a lot of his movies, but he's kind of a d-bag in this one. It's tough for me to swallow because this is the same guy that shows his pubes in Blade 3, but it's true. He's a married man sleeping with my future girl (Kristen Stewart) on the side. He even tries to convince James that liking Em (Kristin's character) is a bad idea. But then again, Em's character is pretty screwed up. She hates who she is, she doesn't know what she wants, extremely self-conscious. So pretty much like any girl between the age of 14 and 32. God I love women. They are just a puzzle that you want to solve.

It's clear that James' character is more literature oriented, he's a deep thinker, he's a virgin after college, a romantic at heart. You feel for his character as the movie progresses as he tries to find himself. It seems like his ruined summer at a shitty amusement park actually is helping him get to be who he wants to be.

I was skeptical about the movie from the onset, but as the movie progressed, it turned out to be pretty solid. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. The movie turns out to be pretty true to life. How guys and girls interact and the shit that happens in between. It's not an action film, or a thriller, or really a comedy, so it fits in when you aren't sure what you are in the mood for.

I will say one scene really made it for me. Bill Hader hops out of the office with a bat and starts screaming to a crazed patron, GIVE ME A REASON! GIVE ME A FUCKING REASON! That quote may or may not be engraved on a lighter that my good friend Ari gave me for Christmas.

I give the film 4 out of 5 Manatees. Check it out at your nearest netflix or 1920 N. Vance St.