6 I The Behrend Beacon n ~ A look at the world of music, from'the obscure to the obscene, the new and the old Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavillion generating buzz With a non-linear. e \perimental collaboration. Animal Collective has a yen eclectic sound. They 're nearly indefinable genre consisting of les splotched with a hit of indie rock. electronic music. and folk. The entire collective from Baltimore consists of the avant-garde musicians: ,\ve. Tare 1 David Partner). Deakin (Josh Dihbl.Geolaeist I Brian Wail. and Panda Bear (Noah Lennox). After Josh Dibh decided to take a hiatus horn the group in 2007. a three member collective joined once again to create an album, dra\‘- ing from Noah ',elm() 's samples to make Alerriweather Posi Pt/I'd /ion. released on January 6th. 21109. The opening song begins ss ith dissonant sounds and no connection. slowly swirling ~iround to create a peaceful ambience. Ghostly vocals begin ss ith is rics alluding to falling in lose kith a dancer. Claps and natural sounds scatter across the song. eventually progressing to an intense explosion of happy percussion hacked with colorful samples. As the song draw s to a close, vou cant help hut feel a slight lucid nostalgia. The co‘ er for Alerriweather Past Puri/lion is actually a famous The ghastlS electronic churning from the previous track continues on into the nest track, "Mv Girls, - obviously meant for continuous play hack. The sound starts to glimmer in an unfamiliar way. spinning until there's substance and the soca'', begin. A happy echoing \ erse e entuall . s accompanies it. After a few repetitions it shills, the glim mering is joined ss ith a soothing sv ish, and then a very diverse heat riddled with percussion samples. This track sounds so happy and de lis ers the apparent theme of the album: it's all about being happy and has ing a fanuf . The song is about pros iding a humble home for "My Girls.'' \\ nth ohs ions Isrics like, "\\ ith a little girl. and by my spouse. 1 \sant a proper house.'' Each song hi idges right into the next, conclusions becoming intro ductions. ss ith themes shifting from anxiety about being a father to the dads routine taking a soung child to the play ground. There's an apparent happiness in each song. with cheerful and soinetimes Hers weird samples. Its hard to not feel a shyness and anticipation of new lose. or a joy of persisting lose from this album. After l's e talked this album up you might say. "maybe he just like these guys a lot: . Its not just me: all user Internet blocs and maga tines critics base praised this album as Animal Collectise just seems to he getting better. Big names in music publications including Blender. Spin, The Rolling Stone, and even The Onion hale gis en the album exceptional ratings. With the near universal acclaim this album has been receiving. reaching #2 on the U.S. Top Independent Albums and on the U.S. Billboard 'lop 200. MTV even reached into the basket. Their "Butt \korthv biog had a post \\ ith the music idea for "Mv Girls." I'm not really sure what to think about the ackno‘‘ ledgement for eatln Post Porillion. Could this he the best album of 2009 already'' ('an anything top this album with its diversity and genuine emotion? Whatever happens. I suggest finding the video for "My Girls - on YouTuhe: it's catchy and the video is interesting in its own right. Food For Thought "Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the atten- tion it deserves. " —Albert Einstein _~ - By Justin Pekular contrlbuttli 11'/ 1t('1 IpS()SS p‘ti.ctiti optical illusion ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - ~~ ~- Benjamin Button draws curious crowd By Glenn Beswick .stall . ;yr lie,' g , ,h5063( ,, p„u The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, directed by David Fischer. is a movie that presents a truly magical experience. It combines strong elements of history beautifully tied in with the wonder of fantasy fouild in a DisneN movie. As I watched the film its basic feeling reminded me of an over-fantasized Forrest Gump. both in Brad Pitt's lovable character and in the film's ability to make a commentary on society and the issues that face us as we "I was horn under unusual cir cumstances,- Brad Pitt's first line of the movie sets up the beautiful yet• loosely adapted F. Scott Fitzgerald story of a boy who was horn okl and progresses through life backwards. The screenplay. written by Erik Roth. is set in New Orleans. beginning with the end of World War I and continues up into the 21st century. The story begins as Benjamin Button is or phaned and raked by a surrogate mother played by Taraji P. Hen son. As Benjamin regresses through life the viewer is given a look into the happiness of life, the fantasy of true love, and the im mense sadness and inevitability of death. Brad Pitt's Oscar nominated performance is greatly enhanced He may not be By Maureen Koffier staff trite, mid:so22(a psu .edu Rule Number I I: he's just not that into you if he's a selfish jerk, a bully, or a really big freak. Now there is something that catches your eye and makes you really think about men in general. Ladies, does he make excuses about taking you out, does he de liberately end a date early be cause he has an early meeting in the morning? Do you sit by the phone waiting for him to call? If you answered yes to any of these things. then you should go see the mos ie. He's Just not That Into You. The he's just not that into you phenomenon came about in one episode of Sex and the City. after which there was a hook published in 2004 dedicated to making women realize that some men just aren't that into you and you should move on to better things. I have personally read this book. and single ladies, let me tell you, this theory that men may just not he that into you is a godsend. No longer will you spend all day pin ing over that man who you think could "potentially be the next love of your life. - After reading the book, you will feel refreshed and enlightened. So grab your best gal pal. a huge box of pop corn. and go down to Tinseltown immediately to see the number one box office smash hit, He's Just Not That Into You. Taking place in Baltimore, there are several different stories told that make you really think about what love means. Jennifer Aniston and Ben Af fleck play Beth and Neil, a couple who has been together, living in an apartment and sharing memo ries, for seven years. Beth wants to get married, whereas Neil has no intentions of ever getting mar ried. Neil doesn't believe in mar riage, which upsets Beth greatly. You girls can all imagine that Aniston's character goes through a great deal of pain because she really likes the idea of marriage. Then comes the story of Gigi, played by Ginnifer Goodwin. Gigi is a young woman desper ately wanting to date a man named Conor, played by Kevin Connolly. It turns out that Conor just isn't that into Gigi, so Gigi makes a pathetic attempt to drop by a bar that Conor usually fre quents. From there she runs into the manager at the bar, Alex, by the flawless special effects that brilliantly show his life long jour ney from 80 to an infant. I felt Pitt's most resonating parts of the film were in the beginning of the movie when Benjamin was at his oldest. His ability to convey the enormous sense of curiosity and enthusiasm trapped within this seemingly mangled body of a senior citizen was positively bril liant. In the early scenes in which he interacts with his life long love Daisey(Cate Blanchett) one al most forgets its Brad Pitt's be neath the heavy makeup and CGI effects. Benjamin Button's out look on life is one of constant contemplation. He has a passive voice that narrates and allows for a complex character development of the influential people in his life. Unlike most three-hour movies, Benjamin Button uses its time to perfection. The majesty of this film could not he captured in any less time nor could it be drawn out any longer. The film ing element of the movie is done beautifully in sepia tones in order to portray the reflective nature of Benjamin's life that accom plished so much but comes to an end in the inevitable way we all will one day. David Fletcher bril liantly planned out this final prod uct and the film is definitely a contender for taking home multi ple Oscars. into you, but we are definitely into the movie played by Justin Long. Hilarity ensues as Alex and Gigi grow even closer Next is the story about Anna, Ben, and Janine, played by Scar lett Johansson, Bradley Cooper. and Jennifer Connelly. Anna is a struggling singer who falls for Ben, who just so happens to he married to Janine. They have a few friendly encounters before each one begins to seriously flirt with another, which can only lead to had things. Drew Barrymore also makes a small appearance in this film, playing a woman named Mary CONTRIBUTED PHOTO He's Just Not That Into You maintains the opportunity to stay in theatres this Valentine's Dar weekend, making it the perfect "date" movie. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button dominates the box office with critical appeal and audience curiousity. Viewers may note similarity in the novelty ()[ this movie in comparison to a classic like Forrest Gump. who meets men on Myspace and constantly gets screwed over by I absolutely loved this film in every way. It was funny. touch ing, and charming. There were parts that made the whole theater echo in unison, "awwwwww." However, this definitely has to he labeled as a certified "chick flick." This means, you either go with your boyfriend and coo at the screen for a good two hours, or you just go with your best girl friends and you can all melt in the sappy goodness of this movie. The acting I'd have to say is fairly ‘ .40 41 t Friday, February 13,2009 average, but a lot of the stories are very relatable. especially to young women in their twenties who have sworn off love for good. This would make for a great Valentine's Day date, along with a dinner and roses. With an all star cast, you cannot go wrong. Even the manliest of men will probably enjoy this movie...of course he would never admit that to you, ladies. So sit hack and enjoy the many reasons why America is falling in love with He:s hot Not That Into }On. MIMI ~'{ E~ I~
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