Brothers – Theatrical Review

“Brothers” is a tale of life mistaken. In creating this story, director Jim Sheridan has made his most accessible American picture yet simply from the highlighted use of his cast and a less Irish approach. Granted he made “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” but that was more specific to urban in a very precise way about the rise of 50 Cent. Here like some of his earlier films it is about the everyman. While the story might be basic in many ways, it is the casting and the directing that elevates this simple story. Both Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman elevate beyond their normal roles playing against type to where they can almost melt away. The only problem here is the persona vision of these stars even though they try to keep out of the tabloids unlike some other actors.

These roles are by far the most grown up roles of alot of these actors have played but even within that structure, you almost still see them as kids even though they are in their mid 30s. In retreating into almost suburbia, Portman takes on an almost Winslet quality. With the steady hand of director Sheridan guiding her, there is a lack of presumption which is visible in most of Portman’s work through no fault of her own. Her intelligence is exceptional but sometimes her emotion needs to purely come through without seeing the thinking, not just of her unawareness but in the simplicity of life. The caricatures created of the cheerleader, the football star and the outsider thereby are needed to create this sense of structure.

Jake is quite vindicated here in terms of his acting potential. He shows a depth missing from “Jarhead” and a vulnerableness that was present at times in “Donnie Darko” but perhaps, in many ways, not seen since then. His physical transformation no doubt due to “Prince Of Persia” informs his thoughts here. He is in much rougher form and yet that certain fragile element still comes through but without being forced. As a result, his pain is the most revealing and the most heartbreaking of all because despite his intent, he still can’t win.

Tobey Maguire is quite good but he has the thankless job of playing the man with the problems created in a very linear way yet with very little saved below the surface. His energy is focused but almost too extraneous. He has to viscerally show jealousy without overwhelming the scene which he sometimes fails at. The problem is that his acting has always been very wide eyed which plays against a subtle madness here making it not work as well. His intensity turns into a type of mugging for the character which would not be noticed as much if Jake’s performance wasn’t so rich.

Of course this element is nitpicking at times but ultimately what comes to bear is what different Oscar worthy performances Sheridan was able to get out of these actors. This movie also continues to show the efficiency of filmmaking which is quite interspersed in Lionsgate who shot most of the film in New Mexico making the most of the initiatives since the location can stand in for both Afghanistan as well as the US. In good order, the movie, as mentioned before, also forces Sheridan to remove himself from the structure he is so comfortable in at times which is urban sprawl or in his homeland. By doing this, one tends to see the gift this man truly has with his actors as Daniel Day Lewis has shown within his work many times before.

As a last note, the film is shot by Frederick Elmes who was the DP for David Lynch on many films including “Blue Velvet”. The richness of his images is not overwhelming yet one shot in the snow of Jake walking in silence at the end of the film is an undeniably iconic image that anchors the film and sets it apart than other war themed films we have seen of late.

“Brothers” is a story of human characters made by a group of actors that are at the top of their game. Adding to this perception is a stoic but viciously pinpoint turn of Sam Shepard as the father to these two boys who is now remarried to a different woman than their mother who died. Another standout also permeates in the form of Bailee Madison as one of the young daughters of Portman and Maguire. She matches most of the grown up actors toe to toe without being presumptious. Like Jake, in my mind, she deserves an Oscar nomination for their work because it is so purely emotional. The film is a surprise of riches wrapped in a small package, ready for delivery for those who are able to see its reflection. Out of 5, I give it a 3 1/2.

New Download Highlights – Nov 09 Holiday Edition – Music Review

The new music hitting right now as far the brand new material is about as across the board as one can get. Them Crooked Vultures combines Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme doing epic quasi-garage rock that changes it up. Norah Jones plays out more acid while John Mayer stays with the status quo but keys in some personal trudge while keeping the guitar singing. Rihanna brings back the rear with a bit of slice, but because of recent incidents, gives her presence of mind a weight not available before.

Them Crooked Vultures – “Elephants” [Them Crooked Vultures] Using simple power chords but with change ups, this track from the new supergroup of the moment changes throughout without becoming overtly apparent. Despite this, the cut has an undeniable charge to it. Each of the players involved just loves blasting it out. The groove is there for the taking without even a thought like a dark burning roadhouse where everybody is slamming beers and dancing, sweaty into the night.

 

John Mayer – “All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye” [Battle Studies] This song shows Mayer’s pop sensibilities within an Elton John progression while using an arpeggio structure he rarely uses. The song has a specific thought train almost like Aniston incarnate considering the intro lyrics but with a longing that plays very close because it works. You also get the vintage guitar like Clapton would have wanted despite a basic chorus line. The reality will get the cell phones waving.

 

Norah Jones – “Stuck” [The Fall] The girl goes a little trip with this bar singer ditty that feels smooth and dirty at the same time with a great elegance to it. The dreamy center of the chorus mixes aspects of country with acid jazz before amping it up with a heavy sound that heightens the feel into flux. You can see the smoke cresting in the bar with Andy Warhol chillin in the corner while a girl in silk dances.

 

 

Rihanna – “GL4″ [Rated R] The starting beat keys into a rolling song. Rihanna’s initial dark entrenching jumps her out with a sultry but confident air that gives the persona a more specific poise. The grind sound plays the club right without grooving out too much while the lyrics don’t mess with the fact that she is “down for life and love” but she and her girls “know revenge is sweet”. Girl got some edge now since the beat kicks it to the floor.

First Look: Cabo Wabo Cantina – Planet Hollywood Las Vegas

Wicked Creative just provided IR with this photo of the new Cabo Wabo Cantina opening this fall at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

First Look: Hotel Astor – Miami Beach – Newly Renovated

Business Wire just provided IR with this photo of the newly renovated Hotel Astor in Miami Beach now ready for public consumption.

Speed Centered Lifestyle: A Daytona Beach Getaway – Feature

A guy’s getaway is based within the structure of what men will do when the women are away. The key is that the kernel of intention is always in the back of the mind. The reality, of course, is to be oneself because that ultimately sells the idea in any situation. Granted going for the gold creates balance. But it is all about a sense of play. And that second dipper of blue cheese.

Daytona Beach has always had the beachfront lock on that aspect. For years, it was the poster child of Spring Break before the angle changed. But the young is always about what is new and hot. The power ultimately lies in the stamina.

Speed, power and this ideal of longevity truly cover the physical perception of what starts the engines…literally.

Located just minutes from the Daytona International Airport which from most gateways is only a short stop through Atlanta on Delta, the Daytona International Speedway, the mecca of all things racing, looms in shining glory. It makes other tracks like Charlotte and Chicagoland seem like infants, simply for its majesty. The Daytona 500, world famous for proper reason, is open year round for various elements of taste but on a normal day one can venture simply through to view history. A tram tour through the actual track and backfield show the intensive engineering required to make the park run. Inside the Daytona 500 Experience, the chronology shows the beginnings on the beachfront more than 70 years ago. Not simply walking exhibits, the activities are interactive including quick drop training as a pit crew changing tires on an actual stock car followed by a virtual race simulation inside stock car shells.

For a angle of the real, Speed Park Daytona, less than a mile away, offers a little more torque for the buck. Hidden behind its go-cart exterior lies Drag Alley where full size dragsters that go from 0 to 75 in less than 2 seconds lie revving under deep thunder as the waiting partipants sign the waiver and strap in. As the go line on the second light drops, the intensity is to floor it and hit the accelerator at full speed once the dial hits 4800 RPM. The blast off is a rush and anyone over 52 inches height regardless of age need apply.

Destination Daytona, in compelling perspective, a stone’s throw away near Interstate 95, offers the more practical side of the hog revolution. Mandy Rossmeyer Campbell, daughter of founder Bruce Rossmeyer, runs one of the largest Harley Davidson dealerships in the world. The sound upstairs in the garage room as these beautiful bikes, customized to the nines, are tuned raps pure thunder as bearded tatooed customers wait in patience while their rocked-out children are amped.

Wyotech Institute, a separate entity on the back of the property, is a national recognized school for the maintenance of these high end bikes as well as an exceptional array of marine proponents. If you know the basics followed by a craftman’s eye, life may become something between West Coast Choppers, opening your own garage, working on luxury boats or serving on a tanker fixing the big boys on a ride around the world. All are possibilities as well as the stability of an exceptional vocation with a school that has an almost eighty percent job placement rate, which is stellar, especially in this economy.

Speaking of marine, the full day excursions down at The Critter Fleet departing off Ponce Inlet warrants the motivation of the adventurous journeying more than 40 miles offshore to the cusp of the Bahamas. At this distance, five pound weights drop sardines to the ocean floor where an array of good size fish await the fight from red snapper to cobia to the occasional bonita. Armed with a cooler of ice and a case of suds, the day is not without run and workout both from the thirst inherent but also the incessant reel action needed to bring said bait up from the ocean bottom, fish or not. The end of day is fulfilling yet the soreness in the time after proves that work has been done.

For the less ocean inclined, a golf clinic over at LPGA International can improve the golf game immensely. Even for the experienced player, a refresher is always necessary to remember certain inherent truths especially in the poise of effective stance and follow through. The golf professionals are both patient and undeniably practical in their application.

The history culimates at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, which is on the national historic registry as the first place, albeit in a minor league game, where the famous athlete played his first non-segregated game. The venue is maintained just as it was all those years ago before the advent of digital. Throwing the ball over the plate as the Budweiser Bullpen looms in the backfield gives a sense of distance as the nights bring minor league action Chicago Cubs-style as they are the ball club who currently use the arena to bring players up to the big time.

Food and drink of course are of natural necessity both in vision and texture to the area. Certain permeatations offer desired results depending what is needed from breakfast through the day.

The Dancing Avocado Kitchen gives penitence in its massive breakfast burrito which goes two for one on certain days which can floor the desired engager. Led in tandem by a blended chai smoothie, the spinach, potato and onion filled concoction heightened by the owners own special chili sauce can start the day right on multiple levels.

The Daytona Diner, by comparison, is a biker stop right behind the riverfront Harley dealer which is also overseen by the Rossmeyers. The Betty Boop biker girl on a motorcycle in plain view is worth the trip alone. On the forefront, a skillet of scrambled eggs and potatoes topped with sausage gravy reveled by a glass of milk and cheese grits highlight that this is not a town for the faint of heart.

Lunch epitomizes a different inception as Houligans right near Destination Daytona offers chicken wings “Wally Style” both garlic entrenched and grilled which is hot and satisfying without being too messy. The cheese macaroni poppers needs to be tried simply for the perspective of their ubiquity along with the explosive enriched chili cheese fries and a draft Guinness or three.

Dinner, in continuation, requires different perspectives in ambiance, presence and taste.

Stonewood Grill simply offers the goods straight off without a thought straight to your stomach within a structured environment condusive to a business meeting or the requisite mid-week food coma. The Blue Cheese Chips simply are guilt inducing in the best way simply because of their indulgence while the main course of a filet mignon wrapped in a holy trinity of ravioli ensconced with portobello mushrooms and asparagus give the satisfaction necessary to either continue the night full force or pass out depending on your intentions.

By comparison, dinner at Martini’s Chophouse is a experience in the subtle and visually stimulating. Setting up with a pre-dinner cocktail which on a Thursday means $1 martinis around a refined fire pit makes the feeling good. The avocado shot in the men’s bathroom simply has to be seen to be explained.

Entering inside with the low light and excellent smiling service of the interior dining room, the meal commences with a sumptious tuna cocktail whose visual flair is matched by the light wasabi sauce that washes over the seared ahi. The main course of veal osso bucco offered tenderness without an overwhelming sauce which made its execution just right. The after dinner penance of a double expresso continued the journey as the french crepes with the lingering vivaciousness of peaches, recommended by the Santa Barbara-bred waitress, gave a light and delicious end to the proceedings.

The late evening possibilities have something for everyone while still staying within acceptable bounds depending which way tickles the fancy.

For the chill, the layout has the goods at Fletchers Cigar Bar which has an impressive array of different possibilities from full bodied intensity to simple smoothness. The briskness of a Macanudo, balanced by the vision of a well poured Guinness, sanctifies the experience along with a variety of other cocktails while the unique air filtration system allows for the ladies to enjoy the requisite ambiance without having to cough their way through the haze.

For the bar inclined, the need look no further than Main Street where a bulk of the world famous Bike Week occurs. The pinnacle of its essence rests on the steps of Froggy’s Saloon, less than two blocks off the beach, where the doors only close four hours a day between 3 and 7am.

The creation of a new cocktail marked the entrance into this reverent hall. The Irish Car Bomb, mixing a half pint of Guinness with a drop shot of Baileys and Jameson, was altered into the “Los Problemos”, inspired by the lunch excursion to Houligans (lovingly nicknamed “Los Hooligans”), in which Cuervo Silver Tequila and Kahlua replaces the ingredients of the requisite shot sinker. The concoction is smooth, tasty and more than a little dangerous as observed by a bad ass female bartender who gave no slack but could also belt out Crowes and AC/DC without missing a beat.

Boot Hill Saloon, just a stumble further down, rocked in its belief that closing time allowed for one more shot. As the 2am hour approached (which necessitates the cut off time), a Pabst draft consumed was only more apparent in the arrival of a brand new Red Stag dispenser which necessitated applause and a quick pour.

The last stop on the range revolved in Dirty Harry’s Bar, marked by shadowed cool as stained glass hues reflected in the guise of a Jager shot. As the lights came down, the lure of an after hours club allowed for the continuation. “Last Call” and “Poppy’s” swirled in the brain yet the lure of crashing Atlantic lulled the goal.

Daytona also permeates from the correct selection of domicile. With many people coming for the races as well as biker events, the key is to be able to be fluid to the situation.

The Cove On Ormond Beach, just down A1A, offers this flexibility in terms of its efficiencies set up with an exceptional balcony. The encompassing Wi-Fi coverage, password protected, as well as the inclusion of an HDTV with DVD Player allows for the balance of work which is undeniably needed.

The pool area offers something for both sensibilities. The Lazy River allows for simple hangtime while an old school enclosed water slide offers the ability to relive youth in a very specific way. The hot tub jets fire with ferocity as the simmering waves of the Atlantic offer that unfettered sea breeze which can be experienced late night with a cold infusion dip and a requisite Cheyenne Wild as the foam of the ocean races past your feet.

Daytona Beach gives the “man on the go” the ability to chill or rock out, burn the candle bright or simply hit the gas while still maintaining the order of the day: relaxation.