Weekend Review for Bastille Day Weekend

Inspired by a conversation with Craig wherein he rated music based on cuts of steak, I’m going to recap my cultural experiences each weekend by comparing them to a food I ate during the course of said weekend.

1. The Avett Brothers
Fine Line Music Café
July 13, 2007

I was going to write an extended piece on this, but there’s really not that much to say. The Avett Brothers are probably the most universally likeable band making music right now (although no one's really heard of them), singing powerfully about happy things with which everyone identifies, and their voices hold up live, while adding the energy and rapport with an audience that a charismatic band gathers, all seemingly without effort. They are damn listenable and they make me think that men are good and faithful. Unfortunately, the drunkass dudes in the audience who talked during the pretty songs and then tried to pee on the floor counteract the goodness of the Avett Brothers, leaving the Overall Gains in Opinion of Men in General at 0 at the end of the night.

Rating: That organic local corn salsa I had—MN corn, tomatoes, onions, cilantro—only on a slightly stale chip

2. Director David Yates

Just realizing that I watched two movies by this director this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed them both, I’ll lump them together into one blurb. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was spot on—fast paced and well acted—as they finally seem to have realize that we just like looking at the pretty, cool wizard things and already know the plot because we’ve read the books. The teenagers are sexy now, adding to the movie’s glory, and Helena Bonham Carter pretty much makes any movie better. The Girl in the Café was a decidedly different but very good movie about politics, and there are very few of those. I wanted to change the world when I was done watching it. Of course, I’m in a transitional phase, so anything remotely inspiring makes me cry and type a lot.

Anyway, David Yates, you make pretty movies, which are the best kind. It seems you know when to be splashy and when to be resigned, and I admire your ability to make an impact.

Rating: Blueberry banana pie with that lemony crust, which was my attempt at making an impact. On my stomach.

3. “LoveStoned” by Justin Timberlake, remixed by Justice

So I love Justice like everyone else, but I actually only like the songs with vocals. When JT does the vocals, all cut up, however, it’s the sexiest world.

Rating: Enchiladas verdes stuffed with veggies and beef!