Mat Kearney's fourth album debuted earlier this month as number one on iTunes, entitled "Young Love." The mellow singer/songwriter from Oregon just got married (you can see their ethereal wedding photos here) and the first single on the album, "Hey Mama," tells the tale of how he met his wife Annie. To get an idea of what Kearney sounds like, take a smidgen of the playful singsong lyrics of Jason Mraz and mix with a healthy dose of the resounding croon of Coldplay's Chris Martin. Throw in that Kearney can softly rap like nobody's business and you have a soulful singer who can capture the ear (and hearts) of a wide variety of listeners.
Whether clap-happy or echoing of loss and loneliness, there is a common thread that carries his songs: hope. This is very important. It keeps the slower songs from becoming too heavy. They have just the right amount of weight to take your breath away and leave you lost in thought.
On iTunes, Kearney's music is categorized as "pop" and "religious." A sense of spirituality comes through in his music, but it's never overpowering. He is a storyteller, and he uses his music to pass on messages of encouragement and love.
Kearney is wonderful live. His voice is as full and sensational as it is on his albums. He is detached a bit, deep in his performance on stage, but likely to suddenly throw himself into the crowd, singing his heart out at the end of his performance.
Want more? You can listen to his tunes and check out tour dates here. Let me know what you think of M.K.!
“The Help” combines strong characters with warmth and hard edges and a story that makes you think. It is a special kind of a movie that is satisfying without needing to tie every loose end or close with a fairy-tale ending. “The Help” is a wunderkind. Below are the top five reasons why this film, based in Jackson, Mississippi, is a must-see.
5. Bryce Dallas Howard (who happens to be Ron Howard’s daughter) plays the “villain” of the film, Hilly Holbrook. Her portrayal of an uptight, unabashedly racist housewife of the 60s is one of her best roles to date. Her antics drive everyone around her mad, but karma comes around to bite her in a most disgusting way. Watch and you won’t be disappointed!
4. The wardrobe of the housewives in “The Help” is absolutely delightful, except for that of Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, Emma Stone’s character. She is unlike her peers, who only focus on playing the part of the superficially perfect housewife. Skeeter wants to be a serious journalist. She could care less about acting like a floozy to draw in a suitable husband. Therefore, her wardrobe is not eye-catching or well-tailored. This is a mystery to me, since most of the other characters in the film, like Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain (a fresh face, who acts wonderfully) playing Celia Foote, all sport the most beautifully fitted clothes and shoes. Hilly wears cerulean blue high-waisted slacks with tiny oxford flats in one scene, a simple, elegant combination. Celia, as the “white trash” of the era, wears what today is the norm: body-hugging skirts, a nipped in waist defined by a wide belt, and candy-colored, sky-high heels.
3.Emma Stone has proved her quirkiness and on-target comedic skills in past exploits like “Superbad,” “Easy A” and “Crazy Stupid Love.” She takes the center stage in “The Help,” along with Viola Clark and Octavia Spencer. She absolutely shines, in a most understated way that only Stone can. There is something most intriguing about many of her expressions. They often border on being funny. Curiously, it doesn’t take away from her role, but rather adds a sort of authenticity to her character.
She has one scene in “The Help” that isn’t funny at all though. I was floored, in fact, at the depth of sadness she portrays after hearing some news from her on-screen mother, played by Allison Janney. What really got me was a tiny detail: her chin wobbles. As far as I know, chin wobbling is no easy feat. Stone must have reached deeply into her character, or perhaps her own life, to produce such a perfect display of sorrow.
2. Aibileen Clark, played by Viola Davis, is the hero of “The Help.” While Skeeter is a hero for writing the story of the women who live behind the scenes, Aibileen is the first to take the terrifying leap, to defy the law, to tell her story. She convinces her best friend Minny Jackson, played by Spencer, to join her. Soon the tales come pouring out from women all over Jackson. Davis holds the spotlight in her scenes. She is a beautiful woman, but it is downplayed and subdued in her role as Aibileen. Her character is easily the heart and soul of the film. Aibileen may appear to lead a simple, solitary life, but she is not oblivious to the conversations of the white women she works for. They speak about her like she is invisible. She has no way out, no serious realization that things can change, until Skeeter asks to interview her.
If Aibileen is the heart and soul, then Minny is easily the spirit of the film. She takes some especially hard breaks, but her keen observations of the family she helps and her sense of humor will keep you in stitches. She is Aibileen’s partner in crime, the one that keeps her going and makes sure she gets the credit she deserves within their community. Spencer plays Minny with great skill. She can be incredibly funny in one scene and broken down in another, both equally believable.
1. The relationship between Aibileen and the child that she cares for, Mae Mobley, is absolutely heartwarming. Mae is the fourteenth child she has brought up. Aibileen plays mother for each of these children, loving them as her own, doing all of the hard work behind the scenes, while their mothers flit around worrying about dresses and entertaining company.
Aibileen impresses upon Mae one of the sweetest and most touching sentiments. She tells Mae that she is kind, she is smart, and she is important. Mae, with her blonde curls and chubby cheeks, recites it back to her with aplomb, “I am kind, I am smart and I am important.” It is so ironic and moving that a woman who struggles with invisibility and is rarely appreciated at her job, can still pass on such a wonderful notion to a child. Mae is not necessarily made to feel smart, kind or important by her own mother, but more of a burden. It is inspiring that Aibileen is able to hold onto these values herself, despite the oppression she deals with every day.
Many are stumped and befuddled as to the truth. Who is the hotter, oops, I mean stronger actor, Ryan Gosling or Ryan Reynolds? Just like it’s cats vs. dogs and Mets vs. Yankees, you are either Team Gosling or Team Reynolds. There is no in-between!
What better time to compare their abs, er, talents, then a time like this when both Canadian leading men star in comedies that came out this summer: “Crazy Stupid Love” for Gosling and “The Change Up” for Reynolds. After the jump: a quick review and conclusion as to which Ryan truly rules.
Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Zoë Kravitz, Nicholas Hoult, Lucas Till, Edi Gathegi, Caleb Landry Jones
Rated PG-13 (for intense sequences of action and violence, some sexual content including brief partial nudity and language)
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Written by Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn
* * * 1/2
A new layer of the X-men saga is revealed in “X-men: First Class” and with a host of fresh faces and familiar characters. The story is set mainly in the 1960s, right in the midst of the reign of JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The evil plot of Sebastian Shaw, played by Kevin Bacon, sets the foundation for the first wave of X-men characters to come together.
The cast is lead by many talented actors; it is no mere action flick. James McAvoy (think “Atonement” with Keira Knightley), playing Professor X, always brings a quiet dignity to his roles and 2010 Academy Award-nominee Jennifer Lawrence is a fierce Mystique with her real-girl figure and cherubic face. Michael Fassbender (recognize him from this year’s “Jane Eyre” or 2009’s “Inglourious Basterds”?) is wonderful as Erik. With his sculpted, moving performance, he practically dominates every scene he’s in.
The film stands out as one of the best in the X-Men series. The script is solid and there are cameos from Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Romijn. “X-Men: First Class” is a fun, entertaining and mildly provocative kickoff to the summer blockbuster season.
Starring Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, Jon Hamm, Jill Clayburgh
Rated R (for some strong sexuality and language throughout)
Directed by Paul Feig
Written by Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo
* * * *
The topic of weddings, bridezillas and bridesmaids is common fodder for reality tv, film and books today. “Bridesmaids” is one of the best things to hit the genre in a long time.
Heading to the movies with Mom this weekend?Here are the top mom-friendly picks. (Psst! You don’t have to be a mother to enjoy them!)
Something Borrowed
"The It’s More Than Just a Rom-Com Flick"
"Something Borrowed" is just the right recipe for a romantic comedy: a plotline that has fresh twists, some really funny scenes, and a relatable heroine.It’s based on the book written by Emily Giffin, an author who is ahead of the pack in women’s literature (chick lit if you must). The movie does stray from the book in several parts, but overall it follows the plot of Rachel and the love triangle with her old law school crush Dex, who is now engaged to her best friend, Darcy.
John Krasinski, as Ethan, brings the funny in every scene he’s in. He has perfect comedic timing and a genuine acting style that makes him endearing and sexy all at the same time. Ginnifer Goodwin is good-girl-gone-bad Rachel, a seemingly easy fit for Goodwin and Kate Hudson plays Darcy. This may be the first (and only) time we see Hudson go beyond playing the silly/confident party girl character she usually plays in films. Can she pull off the angry scene at the end? That’s for you to see and determine!
Mom-worthy? Yep! It has a total mom stamp of approval, with a great mix of comedy and drama.
Water For Elephants
“The Tragically Enchanting Circus Drama”
Another film adapted from a novel (they’re everywhere these days!), this time it’s the gritty, depression-era story by Sara Gruen, which unfolds the demise of a fictional circus, The Benzini Brothers.Money is scarce, workers are overworked and underpaid and animal abuse is rampant.
Robert Pattinson (looking gloriously tanned and with a crew cut) plays Jacob Jankowski, the story’s narrator and star. If there was any doubt that Pattinson could be believable as someone other than Edward Cullen, it’s been squashed. He is Jacob, solidly hitting his highs and lows. He comes across as downright giddy at times, smiling (!) and laughing with almost child-like glee, especially when he’s around the true star of the film, Rosie the elephant.
Reese Witherspoon is Marlena, the mesmerizing golden-haired beauty married to the cruel, emotionally unstable ringleader August, played by Christoph Waltz with effortless intensity. At times, the chemistry between Witherspoon and Pattinson seems a bit off, but the characters do fit together in an offbeat way.
Mom-worthy? Please, it’s RPatz! In all seriousness, it’s a thrilling, at times disturbing story, infused with glamour (Witherspoon’s wardrobe is brilliant), humour and a delightful narrator.
African Cats
"The Animal Lover’s Choice”
Here is the perfect mother’s day movie. It is based on the love two very different mothers, one a cheetah and the other a lion, have for their cubs. Get lost in the amazing landscape of the African savanna and take in the up-close-and-personal view of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
Starring AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Lorraine Nicholson, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo
Rated PG (for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material)
Written by Sean McNamara, Debra Schwartz (based on the book "Soul Surfer" by Bethany Hamilton, Sheryl Berk, and Rick Bundschuh)
Directed by Sean McNamara
* * * *
"Surfer Soul"
Picture this: You live in Hawaii with your hippie-cool surfer family. At 13, you're already a surfing champion in your own right, on the way to becoming a professional surfer. Then, on Halloween morning, as you lay on your surfboard, your hand dangling in the cool waters, a shark attacks...and your arm is gone. What would you do? This is Bethany Hamilton's story in "Soul Surfer." Here's the real shocker: she was back on her board a month later.
