'Upstream Color': A Review

A few months ago, I heard the light buzz around Shane Carruth's latest film Upstream Color. Carruth wrote, directed, and starred in this film- the same exact route he took in creating his 2004 debut Primer. In my eyes, Upstream Color has the same confusion and mesmerism of Primer but with an obviously larger budget. I say confusion because if you saw Primer, at least 80% of the film's dialogues and jargon went right over your head since it is so science-heavy, and Carruth doesn't even try to reduce its language for the common moviegoer. While Upstream is a lot easier to follow as its subject is not time travel, it is still confusing upon the first viewing. 

I thought I understood what was happening during the first thirty minutes or so- a parasite, unrelated people with synchronized movements- but then I found myself puzzled as the film went on. Pigs, albums full of songs created with objects and not instruments, Walden, repetition- more elements that enter the film and seemingly have no clear connection with anything, but their purpose slowly becomes perceptible. By the end, things finally tie together, and you understand how everyone and everything is connected, but you tell yourself that you need to watch it again to fully understand well enough to explain the film to a friend (yes, I realize that I changed narrative view in this sentence). Overall, I enjoyed this film a lot, and I'm ready for Carruth to write/produce/star in another film that pushes my interest in science fiction by having enough dramatic elements to hold me over.

Visually beautiful and contextually perplexing, Upstream Color is a must-see for the independent film lover. If you're a fan of Primer, you better watch this film- that is an open threat- but I must warn you that this film is very much different from its predecessor, so it may disappoint some. If you like the thrill of Christopher Nolan's Memento, but you also desire to be challenged a bit more, then this is a film for you. 

The film is available to purchase in various formats here. The website also lists other retailers you can purchase the film from, including Amazon, iTunes, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart. 

You can also stream the film online on Netflix.

Video for a Day: "Bad Girls" by M.I.A.

"Bad Girls" by M.I.A.

So, I'm pretty much having post-Pitchfork withdrawals, and I'm trying to relive M.I.A.'s set of dancing with everyone and their sweat. Just pretend you were there with me if you weren't in the crowd.

Song of the Day: "Chicken Tonight (Doin' It Right cover)" by Daft Cluck

When I discovered this chicken cover of Daft Punk's "Doin' It Right" a month ago, I could not stop listening to it for whatever reason. Literally, the lyrics "Chicken tonight, everybody will be eating all the / Chicken tonight, everybody will be eating all the" is repeated the entire song, with random chicken noises in the background. I just laugh, and the song continues to play. Then I found out that one of my favorite 8-bit/chiptune artists is behind this ridiculously catchy cover- Sabrepulse. He (real name Ashley Charles) along with Shirobon (Mikey Cordedda) got together and gave every listener a good laugh- and the song has over 150k plays to date. The duo promised to do another cover if the song hit 100k plays, and they claim they're working on the follow-up. I'm excited for more Daft Cluck. Personally, I think the guys should cover most of Daft Punk's major hits, but maybe it's just me. Enjoy!

Random Band/Musician Follower: Halfmoon Mad

I've decided to do this new thing where I do a mini review of the random musicians who follow me on Twitter at least twice a week. Many of them are just looking for numbers, ya know, so they end up unfollowing you after a day or two, but some do stick around. So, I'll start with the random band who found me today.

Halfmoon Mad is an alternative rock band from good ol' Chicago. They're fronted by Joanna (who also plays guitar) who's joined by lead guitarist George, drummer Maxwell, and bassist Steven. I just listened to their song "Waiting", which can be found on their website. I'm not sure how I feel about Joanna's voice- I don't think she's a bad singer, it just feels a little odd for the sound of the band. Her voice isn't completely misplaced, but part of me feels like she could sing stronger, if that makes sense. They remind me of older Incubus in ways, older Pearl Jam, pretty much the '90s alternative scene. Regardless, the band isn't too shabby, so have a listen if you're into alternative. 

If you're in the Chicago area, their next show is this Saturday, July 20th at Beat Kitchen. 

Thank You, Instagram, For (Indirectly) Ruining One of My Favorite Camera Apps

I have a smartphone like many young people my age in today's society. I do not have an iPhone, so when Instagram first arrived on the mobile application market, it wasn't an option for me (*someone correct me if I'm wrong). Searching through my app store, I discovered a few camera apps with some snazzy effects. I downloaded three of them- Vignette, Retro Camera, and FxCamera.

I got rid of Retro Camera after a week or two because there weren't enough options, but I had a love-hate relationship with the fact that photos had to "develop" and weren't immediately available after taking them. After awhile, I started running out of space on my phone and realized that I didn't need both the Vignette and FxCamera app, so one of them had to go. Vignette was pretty much just Diana and Holga effects at the time (we're talking 2-3 years ago), and the photos weren't always the clearest, so it didn't make the cut.

FxCamera made me happy. With each update, more effects were added, functionality was improved, and it was fun to take photos. After Instagram hit the market, I still stuck to FxCamera because I didn't want to sign up for basically another social network of my random photos- that's what I have Facebook and Tumblr for. I didn't want to feel obligated to share photos with the world, and up until a week ago, I never had to.

The last two or three updates to this app created a change- requirement to create an account or sign in with Facebook/Twitter. Starting at least three months ago, the app gave you the option to create an account, or you could continue on to the filters. I would just tap "not now" and snap my one or two photos, then go about my day. With the latest updates, I can no longer use the app without creating an account. Since I refuse to sign up for this, I'll unfortunately have to delete the app. What a bummer.

From a developer standpoint, I understand why FxCamera now requires accounts be made to join the next photo-sharing network site. There are plenty of camera apps out there, and more people jumped on the bandwagon once Instagram got popular. FxCamera has to stay competitive, it has to stay relevant, it has to prove that it's better than Instagram by being a little more like it. The developers made a smart move, honestly, and I wish them success.

For me and thousands of other users of the app, we must now find another camera app that will simply let us take photos without posting them to some online profile where random people can follow and like every photo I take. People who are looking for another Instagram will love the updated FxC, but many of us stuck with this app to avoid another Instagram (because we all knew that other apps would follow). If FxC decides to make it optional again if a person would like to create an account, I'll reinstall it. Until then, I am on the search. Recommendations, anyone?

Video for a Day: "Genesis" by Grimes

"Genesis" by Grimes

This is one of my favorite songs by Grimes (stage name of Vancouver native Claire Boucher). Also, I'm just super intrigued by this video and it's kind of inexplicable. First, you're just like, "what is happening in this video?" but you don't stop watching it. Does it match the lyrics? Not at all, but I actually don't mind that. I like Grimes because she keeps things interesting, she creates what she desires in a male-dominated industry, and she's an inspiration for women (and men) to just be yourself. 

If you haven't read it already, check out her infamous blog post from April that resonates with many of us in this world, musician or not.