May 26, 2012

In high school I wrote a term paper on The Great Gatsby. I thought I knew that book inside and out. Apparently what I read differs greatly from the cinematic version Baz Luhrmann has in his head. At first I was taken aback at the idea of anything but a strict interpretation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel but after watching this trailer a few times I wanted to be drawn into the world Luhrmann is creating which is ritzier than the Gatsby my teenaged self imagined while pulling thematic connection from the text.

I love Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge! for their fantastical, shiny takes on stories the public already thinks about and experiences in one way. I applaud his efforts to expand our minds and travel with him to see where his vision can take an audience. I really want to love this version of Gatsby and look forward to seeing it this holiday season - though probably not in RealD.

In case you were digging it, the song in the trailer is Jack White covering U2’s Love is Blindness. LOVE.

Filed under Baz Luhrmann Carey Mulligan Joel Edgerton Moulin Rouge Romeo + Juliet The Great Gatsby leonardo dicaprio movie trailer movies RealD Love is Blindness U2 jack white Cover Songs

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December 26, 2011

Top Ten Tunes of 2011

Every year I collect my favorite songs into one iTunes playlist to look back at the year in music. Through each song individually and all of the songs combined a picture of the year is painted clearly reminding me of special people, concert moments and, honestly, SPIN workouts.

While I once fancied myself in-the-know about music I certainly am not any longer, and that’s okay. I have some friends with great taste in music who share their tunes with me. Those influences mixed with pop songs (which often become hits with good reason) make up my taste these days. Living in LA where some great music is created doesn’t hurt either. (We had Foster the People months before anyone else, or so I like to think.)

Below I unveil my Top Ten Tunes of 2011. Click the song name to link through to a video or performance of each song and check it out - if it isn’t already one of your favorites of the year too!

Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Beth Ditto - I Wrote the Book