Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Medium: Film
Director: Otto Preminger
Country: United States
Released: 1950
First Consumed: June 28, 2012
Format: Netflix Instant via PS3
Rating: 8.0/10

It's not Laura, but it's a damn fine gritty noir. Dana Andrews in his best performance I've seen. Otto Preminger in complete control of his style. This is the stuff.

Giant (1956)

Giant

Medium: Film
Director: George Stevens
Country: United States
Released: 1956
First Consumed: June 28, 2012
Format: Netflix Instant via PS3
Rating: 7.0/10

While George Stevens' Giant serves well as a clinic on how to make a film beautiful, and features three fantastic performances from Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean, it's far from a perfect film.

It's 201 minutes, and feels it. And a lot of those minutes are spent hammering its themes. Racism and a woman's place in the first half of the 1900s. Both these themes end satisfyingly with the arc of Rock hudson's rich, rancher character, but they feel exhausting toward the middle of the film as shepherded by Taylor's character. Taylor gives a good, big performance, but I wasn't in love with the character.

James Dean, whose co-lead performance is more like a string of glorified cameos, is the films savior. When everyone else goes big, he goes small. He mumbles and drinks his way through the film, and it's an absolute delight.

Dune (1984)

Dune

Medium: Film
Director: David Lynch
Country: United States
Released: 1984
First Consumed: June 27, 2012
Format: Blu-ray
Rating: 4.5/10

Apart from the visualization of the personal shields, this was a visually stunning film. That is the only good thing I have to say about it.

I'm quite sure I wouldn't have understood what was happening if I had not just read the book. And that's weird, since the vast majority of the dialogue is given over to awkward exposition. I felt like it was all exposition and weird whispery voice-over. And Patrick Stewart with long hair.

I need to read up on this film's production history. I bet it's interesting. Did Lynch really intend to have all the strange voice-over? Or both of the expository introductions? Really, two introductions?

A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

A Dance with Dragons

Medium: Print (Novel)

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publisher: Bantam Spectra

Country: United States

Released: July 12, 2011

Consumed: June 27, 2012

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 9.0/10

I'm done. I can move on with my life for the next five years while I wait for the sixth book to be released. Which would not be moving on. 

It's 1,000 pages, but it wasn't enough. Not enough Bra. Not enough Davos. I need it all. 

This is one hell of a rebound from A Feast for Crows, a book I enjoyed but wasn't at the level of its predecessors.

The Stoned Immaculate (2012) by Curren$y

The Stoned Immaculate

Medium: Album

Artist: Curren$y
Label: Warner Bros., Jet Life Recordings
Country: United States
Released: June 5, 2012
First Consumed: June 27, 2012
Genre: Hip-Hop
Rating: 7.5/10

Oh, Spitta. you prolific bastard. You've now graced us with your most polished work since signing to Warner Bros. You've given us something to wash the taste of Muscle Car Chronicles out of our mouths. We thank you.

And I thank Wale for providing the awesome opening verse to the album opener, "What it look Like." Curren$y has never had a finer introduction.

The Idler Wheel... (2012) by Fiona Apple

The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do

Medium: Album

Artist: Fiona Apple
Label: Clean Slate, Epic
Country: United States
Released: June 19, 2012
First Consumed: June 26, 2012
Genre: Piano Rock
Rating: 6.5/10

Allow me to be a jerk. I never knew I was supposed to care about Fiona Apple. Just did not know she was a thing.

Everybody punch me in the face: this reminds of the new Regina Spektor album, but better.