Here are three videos I've seen recently that draw specific psychological responses:
Firstly, the trailer for Beyond the Black Rainbow.
The filmmakers have clearly been watching the right movies. Perhaps Jodorowsky meets Argento meets Kubrick?
The trailer makes me hug my screen with joy. Could the full feature be as swell? Can it maintain? The reviews from the film festivals do say that it's one big bucket of oddity. A hopeful sign. I think we all could use some proper weird right now. And by "we all", I mean me.
I sincerely hope this gets a theatrical release.
If that trailer did nothing for you, here's a five minute video of a cockroach giving birth.
If you have cockroach issues, sorry. :(
Now, who's hungry?
JEEZUS, just give us a whisky post, you a-hole.
Okay, as an apology, here's a video to right your mind.
Happy Thursday!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A post-Valentine's Day Post (aka Whisky Fail!)
I'd like to address a couple of factual errors I've made. I thought it appropriate to do now since Valentine's Day is the holiday wherein one confesses to one's grievous errors and promises to do better in the year that follows.
Or maybe that's Yom Kippur.
Anyway, two whisky items to recount:
Or maybe that's Yom Kippur.
Anyway, two whisky items to recount:
- Glenkinchie 12 year - I had originally stated that most of the Lowland distilleries distill their spirit three times, as opposed to the usual Scotch single malt procedure of double distillation. In fact (according to this year's official Malt Whisky Yearbook), Auchentoshan is the only Lowland distillery that consistently practices triple distillation. The original 19th-century Lowland distillery style was to use triple distillation to get that soft light texture and palate, but since then other techniques have been discovered (like extra long fermentation times) that give the spirit a very similar character. While other distilleries (like Springbank and BenRiach) are experimenting with triple distillation products, Auchentoshan is the only Lowlander that does it consistently.
- Springbank 10 years old 100 proof - After delving into the relevant tangent of the difference between UK and US alcohol proofing, and explaining that this whisky's 100 proof equalled 57% ABV, I discovered that the US bottling of this whisky is at 50% ABV (which is 100 US proof). The UK bottling is still 57% ABV, thus 100 UK proof. Why'd they change the whisky for the American market? I don't know. Perhaps to prevent confusion about "proof". (Though Glenfarclas has not changed the bottling strength of its "105" whisky for the American market.) So, how did I make this Springbank discovery? I looked at the new 10yr 100 Proof US bottle I'd purchased......a month after I'd purchased it. The original report that I did, and linked to above, is for the 57% ABV UK bottling. I will be doing a report on the American release in the near future. The great news is that the American release is also fully scrumptious.
I have updated these reports appropriately.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Single Malt Report: BenRiach 12 year old
Distillery: BenRiach
Age: minimum 12 years
Maturation: American Oak and ex-bourbon barrels (?)
Region: Speyside
Alcohol by Volume: 46%
BenRiach has been an ongoing curiosity to me. They currently have twenty-seven releases out in the market right now (and that doesn't include another twelve single cask releases), each with a different combination of aging, maturing, peating, and finishing. For instance, Arumaticus Fumosus (heavily peated then finished in dark rum barrels) or a 16 year Claret Finish or 17 yr Solstice (peated, triple distilled, ex-bourbon barrel aged, and finished in Tawny Port casks).
That strikes me as being the result of one of three situations: 1.) They have no confidence in their regular malt so they're actively trying to dress it in pretty things in order to find a successful product; or 2.) They're banking that future of the whisky market will be these wine-skis; or 3.) They have expert blenders who are really good at fashioning these products.
They're owned by the same folks who took over the Glendronach distillery and subsequently revived that old gem. BenRiach also is one of the last few distilleries to do their own floor maltings. So those are two elements in their favor.
I bought a bottle of their now-out-of-circulation 16yr Sauternes Finish from a prominent UK vendor, then subsequently regretted my purchase. It's not that the whisky was entirely bad. The palate just didn't appeal to me. The ultra-sweet dessert wine entirely overpowered the malt. I should have found a way to taste it before getting an entire bottle. I will never repeat that error; only under extreme circumstances will I blind buy a bottle. There are so many whisky opportunities out there to try before I buy.
But that whisky wasn't an entire throwaway. It turns out that ultrasweet whiskies make for good highballs. Expensive highballs, that is. Anyway, here were my two reviews of that whisky: First and Second.
With all of this in mind, I wanted to try out their Flagship Range that was in the "Classic Speyside Style". I wanted to taste the malt beneath the wine finishes, without the peating. Happily, the opportunity arose this weekend while I was with my brother at The Bowery (thanks again, J!) as I'd noted in yesterday's post. As usual, the price wasn't low, but the pour was generous. Some of my senses may have been compromised by the nearby frying of potatoes and fish, but I did my best to focus...
NEAT:
The color is an orangey amber.
The nose has a lot going on. Something halfway between honey and sherry. Brightly sweet and a little salty. Toffee with nuts. Trader Joes "Super Premium" vanilla ice cream. Fruity sherbet. And lots of roses. (I spent a long time with my nose in the glass, as Jason can confirm.)
The palate was a little more simple, but very silky. Again the sweet element that was somewhere between honey and sherry. Perhaps this is the malt shining through? Sugar cookies and a lot of citrus.
It had a medium-length finish, a little spicy with more citrus.
WITH WATER
Out comes that citrus in the nose. Especially oranges. A little less sugary overall.
The palate becomes nuttier. Very creamy texture. A little spicy. And some bubble gum.
The finish becomes smooth, mild, and a little honeyed.
All of my Internet-snooping can't seem to unearth what barrels were used on this, but I like whatever they were. The whisky feels less doctored than the Sauternes Finish and I enjoyed it even more than I had expected. It compares very favorably with other simple (in the good way!) malts in its age range. It's more layered than Glenlivet while less sherried than Glenfarclas and Macallan.
Perhaps I'll have a little more patience with BenRiach and their craftings going forward.
Pricing - Good at $40-$45
Rating - 85
BenRiach has been an ongoing curiosity to me. They currently have twenty-seven releases out in the market right now (and that doesn't include another twelve single cask releases), each with a different combination of aging, maturing, peating, and finishing. For instance, Arumaticus Fumosus (heavily peated then finished in dark rum barrels) or a 16 year Claret Finish or 17 yr Solstice (peated, triple distilled, ex-bourbon barrel aged, and finished in Tawny Port casks).
That strikes me as being the result of one of three situations: 1.) They have no confidence in their regular malt so they're actively trying to dress it in pretty things in order to find a successful product; or 2.) They're banking that future of the whisky market will be these wine-skis; or 3.) They have expert blenders who are really good at fashioning these products.
They're owned by the same folks who took over the Glendronach distillery and subsequently revived that old gem. BenRiach also is one of the last few distilleries to do their own floor maltings. So those are two elements in their favor.
I bought a bottle of their now-out-of-circulation 16yr Sauternes Finish from a prominent UK vendor, then subsequently regretted my purchase. It's not that the whisky was entirely bad. The palate just didn't appeal to me. The ultra-sweet dessert wine entirely overpowered the malt. I should have found a way to taste it before getting an entire bottle. I will never repeat that error; only under extreme circumstances will I blind buy a bottle. There are so many whisky opportunities out there to try before I buy.
But that whisky wasn't an entire throwaway. It turns out that ultrasweet whiskies make for good highballs. Expensive highballs, that is. Anyway, here were my two reviews of that whisky: First and Second.
With all of this in mind, I wanted to try out their Flagship Range that was in the "Classic Speyside Style". I wanted to taste the malt beneath the wine finishes, without the peating. Happily, the opportunity arose this weekend while I was with my brother at The Bowery (thanks again, J!) as I'd noted in yesterday's post. As usual, the price wasn't low, but the pour was generous. Some of my senses may have been compromised by the nearby frying of potatoes and fish, but I did my best to focus...
NEAT:
The color is an orangey amber.
The nose has a lot going on. Something halfway between honey and sherry. Brightly sweet and a little salty. Toffee with nuts. Trader Joes "Super Premium" vanilla ice cream. Fruity sherbet. And lots of roses. (I spent a long time with my nose in the glass, as Jason can confirm.)
The palate was a little more simple, but very silky. Again the sweet element that was somewhere between honey and sherry. Perhaps this is the malt shining through? Sugar cookies and a lot of citrus.
It had a medium-length finish, a little spicy with more citrus.
WITH WATER
Out comes that citrus in the nose. Especially oranges. A little less sugary overall.
The palate becomes nuttier. Very creamy texture. A little spicy. And some bubble gum.
The finish becomes smooth, mild, and a little honeyed.
All of my Internet-snooping can't seem to unearth what barrels were used on this, but I like whatever they were. The whisky feels less doctored than the Sauternes Finish and I enjoyed it even more than I had expected. It compares very favorably with other simple (in the good way!) malts in its age range. It's more layered than Glenlivet while less sherried than Glenfarclas and Macallan.
Perhaps I'll have a little more patience with BenRiach and their craftings going forward.
Pricing - Good at $40-$45
Rating - 85
Monday, February 13, 2012
Of Bars and Trains
Miss me?
I missed you.
These past three days away were very eventful. My career struggles' volume has been turned up to 11. But to combat that, my brother (who was in town on business) and I got to hang out and visit some bars.
But first, public transportation.
I rode the Long Beach Municipal buses, to and from the nearest Metro stop. Very impressive system. Mostly on time. Very clean buses with nice drivers. Possibly better than the DC Metro Bus system. Possibly.
The LA Metro itself is a curious thing. If one takes the Blue Line to and from LBC and LA, one gets a box seat view of the worst elements of this county. Entire villages of the homeless, tents and tarps and garbage piles. Abandoned industry. Vast empty commercial districts. Garbage swamped sections of the LA River.
But the train price is fantastic. $1.50. This price due to LA's subsidies because there's no way the system can run on a rate like that and...
There's no payment enforcement. None. I could have walked right onto the train in LBC and then walked off in LA and never paid. I bought a TAP card, but the entry turnstiles turn without the card having to be tapped. My brother bought a paper ticket, but there was no place to put the ticket. He just walked right onto the train. No one was checking tickets.
So, the system largely relies on the honor system. That's mind boggling. Between the economic despair running through most of this county and the ethical vacuum running through the rest of it, I can't imagine that anyone's paying for the train aside from tourists.
Los Angeles needs subsidies in order to function at all, but all of those tax dollars going to the Metro could be better spent on the rest of this broken county. Enforcing payment of the meager Metro rate would probably double or triple ticket revenue (and possibly more, I'm just guessing here), thus freeing up some of the public $$$.
Okay, you didn't come here for that rant. So let me climb down off my soapbox...
...and up onto the barstool.
The Edison
The Edison's a trip, not entirely figuratively. Semi-hidden in an alley off 2nd Street downtown, it looks like it's going to be a cute little speakeasy. But instead it's a massive multi-roomed entertainment parlor. Two bars serve up all sorts of high quality spirits (including some decent American-style absinthes). A live jazz band roars out period tunes, sometimes accompanied by a burlesque dancer. At least three sets of silent films are projected on the massive walls. Winged pixies cart around colorful bottled cocktails.
It's a fun scene. I like the dress code -- no sneakers, or T-shirts -- though I'd thought everyone was going to be in a suit. Luckily I didn't overdress, but I did wear pants.
The whisky prices were about half that of Seven Grand's. We started out with Clynelish 14 (a reliable malty malt). Then Jason had Redbreast 12 for the first time (success!) and I had a very well priced Lagavulin 16 (magnificent: smoldering peat cigar, milk chocolate, cinnamon, Sweet Jeebus I can't wait to do a proper report on this one).
[One note to the bartender: I know that calling every female customer "Baby" is keeping with the '30s theme (and is The Bee's Knees, in theory), but when you're twenty-five with a head full of hair product and a licentious leer, it ain't classy; it's harassment. I don't care how cool your vest looks.]
In any case, I'm definitely going back with Kristen. She would love this place. Plus I really want to try out some Kübler since no one else was touching the stuff. I recommend this place to folks looking for a unique bar in Downtown LA.
The Bowery
The Edison was on Friday night. The Bowery began our Saturday night.
The Bowery is quite small and a bit dark inside at night, but I've never had a problem getting a seat (or seeing my whisky). Their food is fantastic. I've had great sandwiches, sides, and soups there. The people I've gone with have praised the burgers.
Their liquor selection is excellent. I've said it before and I'll say it again: they provide excellent whisky pours. Just ask for it neat and in a brandy snifter. I enjoyed a Benriach 12yr (thanks Jason!) and its report will follow this week.
The food prices are reasonable for that part of town. The whisky prices are comparable with The Edison, some being more, some less. They have a nice selection of international ales and beers too, if you're looking for something cheaper than a single malt. Another recommended establishment.
The Piano Bar
This one is going to need its own post someday. I love this place.
Good drinks, nice design, non-scene crowd, and GREAT music. All the bands are good, but seriously find out if Brother Sal is playing before you go. He and his band are F-----g Awesome! I have nothing but hyperbole for them. I have repeatedly sat through hours of traffic to see their enormous Blues/Rock/Jazz/Saloon/Thunder.
Jason and I stopped by on Saturday. He had a Balvenie Doublewood and I had a Macallan Cask Strength (report also to follow soon). It wasn't a Brother Sal night, but were able to grab a table and chill and enjoy the evening.
But now all that has past and a week begins anew.
Welcome back, Sir Monday. May your stay be brief. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
I missed you.
These past three days away were very eventful. My career struggles' volume has been turned up to 11. But to combat that, my brother (who was in town on business) and I got to hang out and visit some bars.
But first, public transportation.
I rode the Long Beach Municipal buses, to and from the nearest Metro stop. Very impressive system. Mostly on time. Very clean buses with nice drivers. Possibly better than the DC Metro Bus system. Possibly.
The LA Metro itself is a curious thing. If one takes the Blue Line to and from LBC and LA, one gets a box seat view of the worst elements of this county. Entire villages of the homeless, tents and tarps and garbage piles. Abandoned industry. Vast empty commercial districts. Garbage swamped sections of the LA River.
But the train price is fantastic. $1.50. This price due to LA's subsidies because there's no way the system can run on a rate like that and...
There's no payment enforcement. None. I could have walked right onto the train in LBC and then walked off in LA and never paid. I bought a TAP card, but the entry turnstiles turn without the card having to be tapped. My brother bought a paper ticket, but there was no place to put the ticket. He just walked right onto the train. No one was checking tickets.
So, the system largely relies on the honor system. That's mind boggling. Between the economic despair running through most of this county and the ethical vacuum running through the rest of it, I can't imagine that anyone's paying for the train aside from tourists.
Los Angeles needs subsidies in order to function at all, but all of those tax dollars going to the Metro could be better spent on the rest of this broken county. Enforcing payment of the meager Metro rate would probably double or triple ticket revenue (and possibly more, I'm just guessing here), thus freeing up some of the public $$$.
Okay, you didn't come here for that rant. So let me climb down off my soapbox...
...and up onto the barstool.
The Edison
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| Source |
It's a fun scene. I like the dress code -- no sneakers, or T-shirts -- though I'd thought everyone was going to be in a suit. Luckily I didn't overdress, but I did wear pants.
The whisky prices were about half that of Seven Grand's. We started out with Clynelish 14 (a reliable malty malt). Then Jason had Redbreast 12 for the first time (success!) and I had a very well priced Lagavulin 16 (magnificent: smoldering peat cigar, milk chocolate, cinnamon, Sweet Jeebus I can't wait to do a proper report on this one).
[One note to the bartender: I know that calling every female customer "Baby" is keeping with the '30s theme (and is The Bee's Knees, in theory), but when you're twenty-five with a head full of hair product and a licentious leer, it ain't classy; it's harassment. I don't care how cool your vest looks.]
In any case, I'm definitely going back with Kristen. She would love this place. Plus I really want to try out some Kübler since no one else was touching the stuff. I recommend this place to folks looking for a unique bar in Downtown LA.
The Bowery
The Edison was on Friday night. The Bowery began our Saturday night.
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Their liquor selection is excellent. I've said it before and I'll say it again: they provide excellent whisky pours. Just ask for it neat and in a brandy snifter. I enjoyed a Benriach 12yr (thanks Jason!) and its report will follow this week.
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The Piano Bar
This one is going to need its own post someday. I love this place.
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| Source |
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But now all that has past and a week begins anew.
Welcome back, Sir Monday. May your stay be brief. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Single Malt Report: Laphroaig 18 year (with guest reporter!)
Going a little higher shelf than usual today, but for good reason: Laphroaig makes a damn good malt.
I've previously reported on the 10year and the Quarter Cask bottlings. Both are strong, medicinal, phenolic, unapologetically-Islay single malts. The 10year and I have gone from enemies to allies, from "gross" to "that's really good". The Quarter Cask was love at first nose. In fact, if I can find a good price on it, I'll be obtaining a bottle this year.
When you order any young Laphroaig at a bar, you do so already anticipating the peat-reek, salt, menthol, band-aids, and Islay air. It's a reliable muscular industrial wallop, even at lower ABV levels.
As previously mentioned, I'm a newer convert to the Laphroaig palate. My friend and fellow whiskey fanatic, Bernardo, is about five years ahead of me on that front. In fact, he's a few years ahead of me on the whisky journey in general, though I've beendrinking doing my best to catch up. So who better to share a Laphroaig report with?
We separately sampled drams of Laphroaig 18, sharing a sip with the wives, Kristen (mine) and Suburban Food Nerd (his), in order to get a complete picture of this older single malt.
Enough with the facts! Okay, maybe one more.
TRUE STORY:
When I called Bernardo about his tasting session, this is how the phone conversation began...
Bernardo: "Hello?"
Me: "So did you pound that eighteen year old yet?"
Me: (laughing like I was in junior high)
Bernardo: Yes.
Color - Light Gold / Straw
Nose - Soft Peat, Mint, Moss, Sweet
Palate - Slow Developing, Lightly Smoky, Vanilla
Body - Light, Oak
Finish - Lingering, Candied orange
Now for my flowery, overwritten notes:
(NEAT)
The color is a lovely light gold, but darker than the 10 year old (rhyme!).
The nose shows the malt mellowing with age. Very subtle peat. A sugary bourbon vanilla up front and maybe some dried apricots in the back. A little bit of oak. No band-aids. No plastic.
The palate has some dusty peat, wood smoke, malt, and a little vanilla. Gentle compared to the 10yr.
A graceful finish of sweet cream sneaks up then sticks around.
(JUST THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF WATER)
This brings out the sweets in the nose. Big vanilla and brown sugar. Peat has almost vanished.
The palate gets sweeter too. Same vanilla and brown sugar. Subtle smoke. Caramel sauce. And something mossy.
The finish is still nice and warm. More vanilla and brown sugar.
First, the good news. It is very very smooth. Kristen didn't even make the whisky face. (I think she only likes the expensive stuff.) The sweetness is a very nice surprise.
The other news. It comes down to palate preference. Amongst all of the subtlety and grace, the Laphroaig character has gone into a slumber. It was kind of surprising. There is no doubt that this a lovely luxurious whisky, but...
I still enjoy the Quarter Cask more, with its delicious complex craziness. And I think Bernardo (please correct me if I'm wrong) may prefer the 10year for its grand capital 'L' Laphroaigness.
Though neither of us would ever turn a glass ($25-35 in a bar) of this away, were it offered.
This malt is priced similarly to other well known singles in its age group, so I have no qualms with its relative price. So ultimately, if finances aren't a barrier, then this a lovely gentle Islay malt that comes highly recommended.
Pricing - Good at $100, Bad at $150 (saw it going for $72 in a Arizona Costco!)
Rating - 86
I've previously reported on the 10year and the Quarter Cask bottlings. Both are strong, medicinal, phenolic, unapologetically-Islay single malts. The 10year and I have gone from enemies to allies, from "gross" to "that's really good". The Quarter Cask was love at first nose. In fact, if I can find a good price on it, I'll be obtaining a bottle this year.
When you order any young Laphroaig at a bar, you do so already anticipating the peat-reek, salt, menthol, band-aids, and Islay air. It's a reliable muscular industrial wallop, even at lower ABV levels.
As previously mentioned, I'm a newer convert to the Laphroaig palate. My friend and fellow whiskey fanatic, Bernardo, is about five years ahead of me on that front. In fact, he's a few years ahead of me on the whisky journey in general, though I've been
We separately sampled drams of Laphroaig 18, sharing a sip with the wives, Kristen (mine) and Suburban Food Nerd (his), in order to get a complete picture of this older single malt.
Distillery: Laphroaig
Age: minimum 18 years
Maturation: bourbon barrels
Region: Islay
Alcohol by Volume: 48%
This 18-year release began in 2009, replacing their 15-year-old malt. Laphroaig has said that this one gets a limited release every year, though they don't slap a cask or bottle count onto the label, so no one except Laphroaig Ltd. knows the release numbers.
Like the Quarter Cask, the 18 year is not chillfiltered and I'm pretty sure there's no added coloring since it has a pale-ish tone. Without the filtering, the whisky clouds up at colder temperatures or with added water, but it retains a large amount of the palate complexity it gains from the oak casks.
It is bottled at a good strong 48% ABV, but thanks to its age, the rougher alcohol corners have been smoothed out.
Enough with the facts! Okay, maybe one more.
TRUE STORY:
When I called Bernardo about his tasting session, this is how the phone conversation began...
Bernardo: "Hello?"
Me: "So did you pound that eighteen year old yet?"
Me: (laughing like I was in junior high)
Bernardo: Yes.
To the pounding tasting!
First, Bernardo's notes:
Color - Light Gold / Straw
Nose - Soft Peat, Mint, Moss, Sweet
Palate - Slow Developing, Lightly Smoky, Vanilla
Body - Light, Oak
Finish - Lingering, Candied orange
Damn, how professional and straightforward.
Now for my flowery, overwritten notes:
(NEAT)
The color is a lovely light gold, but darker than the 10 year old (rhyme!).
The nose shows the malt mellowing with age. Very subtle peat. A sugary bourbon vanilla up front and maybe some dried apricots in the back. A little bit of oak. No band-aids. No plastic.
The palate has some dusty peat, wood smoke, malt, and a little vanilla. Gentle compared to the 10yr.
A graceful finish of sweet cream sneaks up then sticks around.
(JUST THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF WATER)
This brings out the sweets in the nose. Big vanilla and brown sugar. Peat has almost vanished.
The palate gets sweeter too. Same vanilla and brown sugar. Subtle smoke. Caramel sauce. And something mossy.
The finish is still nice and warm. More vanilla and brown sugar.
First, the good news. It is very very smooth. Kristen didn't even make the whisky face. (I think she only likes the expensive stuff.) The sweetness is a very nice surprise.
The other news. It comes down to palate preference. Amongst all of the subtlety and grace, the Laphroaig character has gone into a slumber. It was kind of surprising. There is no doubt that this a lovely luxurious whisky, but...
I still enjoy the Quarter Cask more, with its delicious complex craziness. And I think Bernardo (please correct me if I'm wrong) may prefer the 10year for its grand capital 'L' Laphroaigness.
Though neither of us would ever turn a glass ($25-35 in a bar) of this away, were it offered.
This malt is priced similarly to other well known singles in its age group, so I have no qualms with its relative price. So ultimately, if finances aren't a barrier, then this a lovely gentle Islay malt that comes highly recommended.
Pricing - Good at $100, Bad at $150 (saw it going for $72 in a Arizona Costco!)
Rating - 86
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Drive (the film)
It's a tale about an unnamed Driver (Ryan Gosling), a movie stunt driver who moonlights as a independently contracted robbery getaway driver. He falls in love with his cute neighbor, Irene (Cary Mulligan), and her son. But once he vows to help her ex-con husband get out of financial trouble, he's pulled into an abyss of crime and murder.
Whomever thought that the Academy was going to line this film's shelf with statues was kidding themselves. This is a genre piece. It's honed, sculpted, and crafted beautifully, nailing every genre mark with a cold heavy hammer. But it's still a genre piece with no unnecessary flash nor cloying bathos. The good news is that it was relatively successful with its box office receipts. So maybe we'll see more of its like in the future.
Now who's kidding himself?
Gosling is great as the McQueen-meets-Eastwood meets-Hella-Handsome driver. He emotes very little, but it's there in subtle shadings. Mulligan is solid in an underwritten role -- though that's a quirk with the noir genre, the best female roles are always for the femme fatales and Irene is the furthest thing from the Deadly Lady. Ron Perlman is unnerving in a grandiose simian way as one-half of a Jewish mobster team. The other half of that team is played by Albert Brooks who hits every aspect of his character perfectly. For those of you who always wanted to see Albert Brooks get his murderer on, here's your chance.
But it's the exemplary technics that boost this film the most. After the opening, about forty-five minutes pass with nary an action sequence, though its suspense grip tightens and crackles like leather gloves on a steering wheel. When the action does erupt over the entire second half of the film, it's directed and edited so clearly that's it a bit startling. Even the very first sequence, a robbery getaway, the viewer can follow every single thing that's going on. No tricky editing, no weird angles. It just plays out with a (now) rare cinematic clarity, with the same cool grace of the Driver.
Of course, the flip side of having such steadily designed action means that every drop of blood (and brain) is on display. After bemoaning cinematic violence last week, I do have to say that this film is REALLY GORY. I can't really state with certainty the stylistic need to show crushed heads, but it doesn't come as much of a surprise from the director of PUSHER, BRONSON, and VALHALLA RISING.
That element aside, Nicolas Winding Refn does a tremendous job here. There's a calm but precise style that runs throughout this film which he holds firmly throughout. Its running time of 100 minutes is perfect too, getting into the story then getting out much quicker than 99% of the other films onscreen this year.
And then there's the elevator scene.
Cinema has had plenty of action/suspense scenes in elevators. But none has ever been like DRIVE's. It pirouettes from nerve-rattling suspense to surprising delicate romance to action to gory horror all within 120 seconds. None of it feels overdone, every piece is perfectly in place and dazzlingly executed. 'Executed' being the key word. And it all shows (not tells, there isn't a word spoken) a necessary series of beats for the story; things will never be the same for these characters after it's over. Style intertwined with storytelling, the heart of cinema.
I recommend DRIVE to folks who can take seeing some serious violence. And if you like the noir genre, then this is your jam. Think Steve McQueen in LE SAMOURAI with more emotion and the lights of Los Angeles gleaming like stars in the moral darkness.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Tuesday Loop
This is a very intense writing week for me so I might be a little more scattered and schizo with this week's postings. First let's talk w--
I've got this song stuck in my head. Its chorus keeps running over and over and over again. I can't stop it and I don't know how it got in there.
Hey, Blue Text, it's difficult enough to focus right now even without interruptions. So, if you could hush for a few minutes, then you and I can discuss offline later.
I'll try, but this song is driving me crazy.
First, let's talk whisky.
The Dram Quest
As you'll notice, a new list has popped up in the right frame of the page. These are whiskies that I most desire to sample. None of them are outrageously expensive. No 30+ year olds nor 1960-somethings. Most aren't easily obtainable, but I desire the chase.
I'll cross 'em off as I try them. I'll add new ones from time to time, but I'll keep the list below 20.
The Whisky Library...
...has grown considerably in recent months. I'll be updating the Sources on the Whisky Notes page this week with this whole list:
Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, 6th Edition - I recommended this in the whisky gifts post. It really is one of the great all-time volumes on whisky.
Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible 2012 - A zillion (or maybe 4500+) whiskies reviewed by a gentleman who seems to be a bit of an unconventional character in the whisky scene. Though I agree with him about half the time, each of his reviews are insightful and full of whisky love. Also recommended in that whisky gift post.
101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die by Ian Buxton - GREAT book. I reviewed it here.
Single Malt and Scotch Whisky by Daniel Lerner - A gift from an old friend. My first whisky book. The binding is totally shattered. A good early intro whisky book.
Whiskypedia by Charles MacLean - Similar structure to the "Complete Guide", sans reviews, but every page packed with oodles and oodles of distillery info. MacLean's a great writer and this is a great reference book.
Scotch Whisky, A Liquid History by Charles MacLean - Speaking of super reference books, holy moley! This is going to take a while to get through, but I'm working on it. So much good stuff!
Malt Whisky Yearbook 2012 - The pictures! The articles! The stats! This is THE annual must-have. There's so much great news about the state of the industry and the fine brown liquor itself.
Whisky by Aeneas MacDonald - Tremendous. It is literature. And that is by no means exaggeration. Beautifully written. Lyrical, even. Originally published in 1930, it was the first book written by and for the whisky drinker. There's tons of history and distillation instructions, but the pseudonymous writer crafts such a lovely homage to the beauty of whisky, that I'm going to have to cover this in its own post.
Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo. Damnit, the tune's still there! Where did it come from?
Hey! Hush, the post is still going.
The Bro is in Town
Jason arrives in LA today for business reasons. On Thursday and Friday we're going to visit at least two great drinking establishments. More on that once it's done.
Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm--
And I'll be taking the Metro! I've lived in LA County for over 11 years and I've never taken the Metro. Largely because it never is where I am nor where I am going. But now it is where I am and where I need to go. Hopefully that experience is uneventful and won't need its own post.
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm--
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
I've always been a big fan of Abbey Road, but now that I've given Sgt. Pepper's another go I think it may pull ahead as my favorite Beatles album. Technically, it's astounding.
It would be Exhibit A for why psychedelic drugs are good, but I don't think most mortals can hold the clarity and vision together enough to create such a complete piece of art--
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo--
It destroys The Beach Boys Pet Sounds as far as innovation and song structure--
Oh no! I can't stop the song!
Yes, you can! Just a few more min--
It's burning through my defenses! Oh f--
I want your loving
And I want your revenge
Oh dear.
You and me could write a bad romance
I'm going to---
I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
We didn't need to hear that a second time.
Oh ohhhh whoaaaa ohh ohhh
Caught in a bad romance
Whew. I feel so much better now.
Hello?
What happened to Black Text?
Hello--
For the benefit of Mr. Kite
There will be a show tonight on trampoline
The Hendersons will all be there
Late of Pablo Fanques Fair-what a scene
Over men and horses hoops and garters
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire!
In this way Mr. K. will challenge the world!
Now, on to work.
I've got this song stuck in my head. Its chorus keeps running over and over and over again. I can't stop it and I don't know how it got in there.
Hey, Blue Text, it's difficult enough to focus right now even without interruptions. So, if you could hush for a few minutes, then you and I can discuss offline later.
I'll try, but this song is driving me crazy.
First, let's talk whisky.
The Dram Quest
As you'll notice, a new list has popped up in the right frame of the page. These are whiskies that I most desire to sample. None of them are outrageously expensive. No 30+ year olds nor 1960-somethings. Most aren't easily obtainable, but I desire the chase.
I'll cross 'em off as I try them. I'll add new ones from time to time, but I'll keep the list below 20.
The Whisky Library...
...has grown considerably in recent months. I'll be updating the Sources on the Whisky Notes page this week with this whole list:
Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, 6th Edition - I recommended this in the whisky gifts post. It really is one of the great all-time volumes on whisky.
Jim Murray's Whiskey Bible 2012 - A zillion (or maybe 4500+) whiskies reviewed by a gentleman who seems to be a bit of an unconventional character in the whisky scene. Though I agree with him about half the time, each of his reviews are insightful and full of whisky love. Also recommended in that whisky gift post.
101 Whiskies to Try Before You Die by Ian Buxton - GREAT book. I reviewed it here.
Single Malt and Scotch Whisky by Daniel Lerner - A gift from an old friend. My first whisky book. The binding is totally shattered. A good early intro whisky book.
Whiskypedia by Charles MacLean - Similar structure to the "Complete Guide", sans reviews, but every page packed with oodles and oodles of distillery info. MacLean's a great writer and this is a great reference book.
Scotch Whisky, A Liquid History by Charles MacLean - Speaking of super reference books, holy moley! This is going to take a while to get through, but I'm working on it. So much good stuff!
Malt Whisky Yearbook 2012 - The pictures! The articles! The stats! This is THE annual must-have. There's so much great news about the state of the industry and the fine brown liquor itself.
Whisky by Aeneas MacDonald - Tremendous. It is literature. And that is by no means exaggeration. Beautifully written. Lyrical, even. Originally published in 1930, it was the first book written by and for the whisky drinker. There's tons of history and distillation instructions, but the pseudonymous writer crafts such a lovely homage to the beauty of whisky, that I'm going to have to cover this in its own post.
Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo. Damnit, the tune's still there! Where did it come from?
Hey! Hush, the post is still going.
The Bro is in Town
Jason arrives in LA today for business reasons. On Thursday and Friday we're going to visit at least two great drinking establishments. More on that once it's done.
Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm--
And I'll be taking the Metro! I've lived in LA County for over 11 years and I've never taken the Metro. Largely because it never is where I am nor where I am going. But now it is where I am and where I need to go. Hopefully that experience is uneventful and won't need its own post.
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo, Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm--
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
I've always been a big fan of Abbey Road, but now that I've given Sgt. Pepper's another go I think it may pull ahead as my favorite Beatles album. Technically, it's astounding.
It would be Exhibit A for why psychedelic drugs are good, but I don't think most mortals can hold the clarity and vision together enough to create such a complete piece of art--
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo--
It destroys The Beach Boys Pet Sounds as far as innovation and song structure--
Oh no! I can't stop the song!
Yes, you can! Just a few more min--
It's burning through my defenses! Oh f--
I want your loving
And I want your revenge
Oh dear.
You and me could write a bad romance
I'm going to---
I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
We didn't need to hear that a second time.
Oh ohhhh whoaaaa ohh ohhh
Caught in a bad romance
Whew. I feel so much better now.
Hello?
What happened to Black Text?
Hello--
For the benefit of Mr. Kite
There will be a show tonight on trampoline
The Hendersons will all be there
Late of Pablo Fanques Fair-what a scene
Over men and horses hoops and garters
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire!
In this way Mr. K. will challenge the world!
Now, on to work.
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