I'd read a follow up

8. Sudhir Venkatesh "Gang Leader for a Day"
Either Venkatesh is the most naive grad student of all time or wrote this book down to the reader. He never portrays the actions of the gang or their associates or the projects as a plague, but as just the way things get done. For example, the representative of one project essentially blackmails the tenants into selling themselves, products, loved ones and more in order for anything to get done. Anything usually meaning a new door or working electricity. I understand that our author couldn't confront this woman, but he didn't have to keep his mouth completely shut. I probably shouldn't write this so quickly after finishing. I was able to finish this book quickly and that definitely says something about it, it's a good, quick read.

Classmates

21. "W."
Easy to watch, probably because I'm an American that can remember every incident set between 2000 and 2004 in the film, but that's not the point. Oliver Stone did an alright job portraying Bush Jr. as a son of a former president, a guy that always knew he would be in his father's shadow. By the end of the film you don't really feel bad for W, but you do give the guy a little leeway.

This film made me want to eat. Brolin is eating a sandwich, pretzel, Cheeto or something in all scenes as president. He's drinking Jack Daniels or a beer in every scene pre-born again. After that it's non-alcoholic beer.

Another example of Elizabeth Banks taking over the world.

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, March 6 2009

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago, March 6 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Vulgar

20. "Fuck"
Like listening to your dumb friends talk about why marijuana should be legal. You like them and they have some valid points, but they're missing the big picture, going on tangents and talking way too long.

The "documentary" (I use quotes because it's the Fox News equivalent of journalism) would please most 15 year olds, or anyone that likes the film "Zeitgeist".

The use of clips from other films and television shows make made me want to watch those films and television shows, so that's good, right?

It's so long. Though it's only 90-minutes you'll feel like you've had to sit through a drivers ed class.

Dick jokes

19. "Zack and Miri Make a Porno"
Kevin Smith's next goal should be to make a film that doesn't use the word 'fuck'. I like all of his films, but, well, he uses the word fuck an awful lot.

My friends saw this film before I did and loved it. Funny throughout. I thought the first few acts were great, but the last thirty minutes felt tacked on. Maybe my friends enjoy sex jokes more than me.

Live? The band Live? Really? There wasn't any other music you could clear for the Zack and Miri having sex scene?

Elizabeth Banks is slowing taking over the world.

Best reading ever

7. John Hodgman "For Your Consideration, The Firms of Dutton & Riverhead Books Present in the English Language: A Further Compendium of Complete World Knowledge in "The Areas Of My Expertise," Assembled and Illumined by Me, John Hodgman, A Famous Minor Television Personality, Offering More Information Than You Require On Subjects as Diverse as: The Past (as There Is Always More of It), The Future (as There Is Still Some Left), All of the Presidents of the United States, The Secrets of Hollywood, Gambling, The Sport of the Asthmatic Man (Including: Hermit-Crab Racing), Strange Encounters with Aliens, How to Buy a Computer, How to Cook an Owl, and Most Other Subjects"
John Hodgman's reading in October at Second City Etc. was the best reading I've attended. It hurt to breath for almost two hours. I was thrilled to read his second book of complete world knowledge. I began the book the day it came out. It took five months to finish it. It became my bedside book, something I read in small doses. I think I made a mistake. I read Hodgman's first book in a few days. I loved it. This one, not so much.

Book two has a page a day calender, a novel idea. On each page is the days date and an interesting made up fact to go along with it. This little snippet on each page makes it a little difficult to concentrate on the text. I know I shouldn't be complaining about a page a day calender in a comedy book, but it does take away from the main jokes, if that's even possible.

Molemen names are not as funny as hobo names. I'll never figure out why.

You know this guy. He's the PC in the Mac Vs. PC commercials. He's also on "The Daily Show". He had a small role in "Baby Mama". He's a funny and smart guy. I like the guy a lot. I just didn't enjoy this one as much.

They wear uniforms

6. Neil D. Isaacs "Bat Boys & the World of Baseball"
Quite possibly the worst non-fiction book I've ever read. Why did I keep reading it? Why do people follow baseball? Sooner or later you expect to see a home run. Most of the time you just get two old timers reminiscing about times that don't exactly remember.

This book has a lot of footnotes. It's barely 200 pages long and has a shitload of footnotes. For what? It's about bat boys. It's not a list of facts or series of charts and data. It's about some bat boys that don't' have interesting stories or anecdotes or anything worth saying. In fact, they seem to not want to talk to the author. They sensed something I could not detect.

He seems to have a lot of disdain towards bat boys. He sounds jealous. He writes that it's boys work in a boys game, that the game itself is for boys and an escape from reality and fuck this guy. Fuck. This. Guy. Fuck me for reading it.

So fucking bad. Please, someone, buy this on Amazon from me. It's the only way this awful experience could turn out well.

He'd call me a dego (sp?)

18. "Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project"
I love Don Rickles. I like when he's racist and homophobic and sexist. I like when he insults the audience. I like Don Rickles and hopes he never dies.

If you like Rickles you'll enjoy this documentary. It'll make you want to see him in Vegas. It won't really teach you anything about the comic, but it's still a good viewing. It's even better because it's currently free on Hulu.

A good salad you don't know why you didn't love

17. "Frozen River"
A quiet film about border crossers in Canada. An interesting story. A low budget. A good script. Excellent lead performances. I probably won't remember this film in six months, but it may be studied in film classes for the next thirty years.

I watched this one alone at 7am. I don't recommend it.

Acting!

16. "Changeling"
I love Clint Eastwood. I think I'd like to see everything he's ever done, even the film with that monkey. I enjoy his style and brevity of the shoots (though I have no proof that I like this aspect, I just know that I think I like short shoots and using the first or second take). I enjoyed "Changeling" for these reasons. I didn't love the film, but I didn't hate it. It could have been a half an hour shorter, but that's OK. It was neat to look at a California that existed almost a hundred years ago. It was hard to view Angelina Jolie as a distraught single mother with no other children. Whatever.

It won't go down as Eastwood's best, but it's far from bad.

Humboldt Park, Chicago, March 2008

Humboldt Park, Chicago, March 2008, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Face tattoo

5. Jose Torres "Fire & Fear: The Inside Story of Mike Tyson"
Mike Tyson clearly never beat Robin Givens because if he did, her skull would be detached from her body and that has not yet happened.

My friend and I tend to talk about Mike Tyson when we've been drinking and we have a computer in front of us and it's 3am and we're out of cigarettes and all that's left to drink is vermouth and scotch that's been missing a cap for weeks. We'll watch clips of Mike Tyson destroy people in the ring and then read his Wikipedia page. We'll laugh and end up watching cartoons til 5am. Apparantly our talks wasn't enough to quench my Tyson interest so I picked up the recently deceased Jose Torres biography. I'm glad I did.

The book doesn't get to the downward spiral of Tyson's career. It doesn't even get to the 90s. It may be better this way. We get to see Tyson grow up from the projects of Brooklyn to an ideallic country house in northern New York to hotel rooms in Vegas that make him claustrophobic. We get to see Tyson nurtered by a caring old timer on his way out. We get to see Tyson lose his bearings when that old timer passes away. It's a sad story. It's a quick read. It's a good book.

I don't think someone without a small interest in Tyson could enjoy this book. It's not nearly scandalous enough for those just interested in the celebrity of Tyson. It's for the casual boxing fan that may want to know how this phenom was able to become the most dominant boxer of the 1980s.

Yes we can

15. "Off the Cuff"
A friend of mine made this film. It's a mockumentary about a Chicago improv festival. I went in to the premiere expecting to see a mediocre product, not because the filmmmakers have a history of mediocracy, but because most friends art is a little underwhelming. I was happily suprised. I laughed out loud multiple times and days later had a song from the film stuck in my head.

It's difficult to judge a film when you know the filmmmakers. You inevitably watch with different eyes. I may have sat back and just enjoyed the film if I didn't know anyone in it. Instead I've been inspired to do what I wanted to do at 15 and make films. It was like seeing a punk band play in a basement for the first time at the age of 13.

Hopefully I'll be able to organize a screening of "Off the Cuff" for a YMTE night at the Hungry Brain. Then you could come and buy the DVD so my friends can make more films. It's the circle of life.

I also have that song in my head

14. "Slumdog Millionaire"
It did deserve to win Best Picture. It was ambitious in scope, heart touching, tragic, comic, musical, beautiful, ugly, steeped in tradition and broke new ground. It did everything a great film should and more. And it had kids. Who doesn't love kids?

Boyle deserved Best Director. He has a kid falling through a 'toilet'. He had Ewan McGregor climb out of a toilet over a decade ago. He's come full circle.

The film may be the second to "Moulin Rouge" in its use of a previously released pop song with M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes".

My favorite use of subtitles. I didn't realize the film switched languages until an hour after leaving the theater.

Friends of mine didn't want to see this film once it garnered mainstream fans. I kind of understand this but don't agree. It's like not listening to Nirvana after "Bleach", you're the one missing out.

Wicker Park, Chicago, February 2009

Wicker Park, Chicago, February 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Chicago, February 2009

Chicago, February 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

USA!

13. "Revolutionary Road"
Kate Winslet should've won for this instead of "The Reader". I may be biased as an American. This could be considered "American Beauty: The Prequel". I loved Michael Shannon's performance. I liked the cinematography. I liked the story. I liked pretty much everything about this film.

I probably won't remember most of this film in a few months. It's not nearly as memorable as "American Beauty" but then again, what could be as memorable as a bag floating around?

Michael Shannon should be in every film.

When he's old he looks young

12. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
I'm a sucker and enjoyed this film. It's equal parts "Forrest Gump", "Big Fish" and "Titanic" but I don't care. I almost cried at the expected ending and enjoyed the epic scope. Every dollar spent on this thing looks like it was used on screen. Fincher may have alienated his "Seven" devotees, but who cares? Let the man go mainstream.

I don't think I'd enjoy this on the small screen. It should be seen in a dark theater on a big screen. Any external distractions would take away from the film. What that says about the film is a mystery to me. It may mean it wasn't a good enough story to hold my interest. It may mean it was so beautiful it could only be appreciated on a big screen.

Pitt didn't have a chance to win best actor. He's too pretty. The makeup department did a good making him look old and decrepit, but not a good enough to make the guy look like a normal guy.

Scarlett Johansson as the lady with the low voice

11. "Vicky Christina Barcelona"
I'm not a big Woody Allen fan. My favorite film of his is "Sweet and Lowdown," not your typical Allen film. I wasn't expecting to like "Vicky" and I didn't, but it was what I expected, a nice dose of Allen's dialogue and some decent performances. Penelope Cruz was a standout and her few scenes are excellent. It's a shame she wasn't used more but what do you expect? You don't turn to Allen for a diverse array of realistic characters. No, Allen is for intellectuals and this film follows suit.

Cruz deserved the Oscar for this role. It's nice knowing that this character will never be seen again. A one time Allen character that deserved the praise she garnered.

Hippy dippy liberals

10. "Rachel Getting Married"
I hated Anne Hathaway's character in this film, therefore, she did a great job.

"Rachel Getting Married" is set on the east coast in a well to do town. Rachel is Hathaway's sister. Hathaway is an addict. Throughout the wedding weekend Rachel demands attention, making inappropriate speeches, crashes cars and reminds everyone that she's kinda responsible for her little brother's death. She's not likable, yet you want to see her on screen at all times.

The wedding takes place in the house the bride grew up in. The reception takes place outside in a colorful tent. The band plays rock, hip-hop, Tropicalia, folk and more. The guests look like a U.N. convention. It may be unrealistic to most people, but it sort of makes sense. Rachel's father works in the music business and seems hippyish, so it makes sense, right?

A good film I wasn't expecting to be good.

Jordan and Pippen and Rodman in 98

9. "Doubt"
Like watching two professional athletes in their prime compete in the biggest game of the year. "Doubt" is near perfect (the camera work and use of weather was more Lifetime movie than respectable film). The four main performances are spotless. Nothing on their end could have been better. The use of blue eyes was a nice touch (I'm not spoiling anything). See this film.

My girlfriend thinks I like art that deals with Catholicism in America. She may be right. I don't think that is clouding my judgment on this one. It's so open ended that you could take whatever you want from it and still be right.

Read this book

4. Dana Spiotta "Eat the Document"
My favorite novel of the last five years. Spiotta was able to tie together multiple characters over 30 years or so and make me care about everyone. Sparse dialogue and descriptions. She was able to use music and make me believe she knows what she's talking about. I bought this book last summer and regret waiting 8 months to read it.

Anyone I know that has a good record collection tends to gravitate towards fiction that writes about music in a knowledgeable manner. Most of the time we're let down. "Eat the Document" does not let music obsessives down.

Buy this book and read it as soon as possible. It's next to nothing on Amazon. Go. Buy it now.

Chicago, February 2009

Chicago, February 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

The Junior Senator from Illinois

Personalized Glitter Graphics

He does cocaine

8. "Lord of War"
I wanted to see this film when it was released because of the poster. It's beautiful and sort of inventive. I'm glad I saw the film. It was beautiful and sort of inventive. The first 90-minutes flows a lot better than the last 30, but it's forgivable. By that point you're not expecting a lot and just hope Jared Leto doesn't ruin the film.

I like message films that use quick editing. They care less about pounding stuff over your head and more about making your eyes bleed. Like a Duran Duran video shown at twice the normal speed. More Nic Cage films seem to do this. He sure does have an odd hairline.

Watch now on Netflix

7. "The Visitor"
A good excuse to nominate Richard Jenkins for Best Actor. "The Visitor" is a simply shot, interesting film about strange changes in life. An unhappy, bored college professor comes back to his Manhattan apartment to find two people living in it. He forms bonds with the two and feels responsible when the male it arrested. Pretty basic stuff but really well done.

Jenkins is great like always. He's subtle and quiet for the majority of the film. He doesn't have a chance of winning the award, but at least he's getting some well deserved recognition.

A very important film

6. "The Reader"
When you hear that a movie is independent and deals with concentration camps you think of films like "The Reader". It's good in that it deals with a serious subject in an semi-emotional manner. Does that make it watchable? Sure. But it's pretty standard and boring and didn't need to be made. It's difficult to say that about a film with such a heavy topic, but it's true. Eh.

Kate Winslet was good, but, eh. Why did this film need to be made? I understand that the holocaust was awful, but haven't enough films been made about this? Can there ever be enough films about this? I'm not really going anywhere with this, but neither did "The Reader." The conflict the audience goes through with Winslet's character is more interesting than anything that goes on on-screen. Eh.

Kate Winslet should win the Academy Award but more so for being a great actress for over ten years. She's Scotti Pippen to Meryl Streep's Michael Jordan.

The sucker

5. "The Rocker"
Is Raine Wilson funny? He plays the creepy straight man on "The Office" so well he may not be a comic. His SNL hosting appearance was so-so and "The Rocker" did nothing to make me laugh. It was a formulaic film in every way. Very sparse laughs. Exactly what the posters and trailer makes it look like. I am a sucker.

Why was Teddy Geiger in this film? His music is awful and looks like an older Jonas Brother. If a former hair metal drummer wanted to play with teenagers he would pick something a little more blow friendly.

Yet another reason to teach children to read and not idolize Scarface

3. Robert Cooley with Hillel Levin "When Corruption Was King"
It's hard to believe anything Robert Cooley writes. He was a mob lawyer and true to form Irish American stereotype. His writing reeks of self mythologizing in the worst way. The stories he tells are obviously embellished, but they're the only reason to keep on reading. Cooley was a FBI informant yet refuses to admit any wrongdoing himself. The book read as a tell all without any regret. Good fluff, but unintentional.

Why did I finish this thing? It was difficult to follow any character and the characters (when I say character I mean real person but it's impossible to care about any of these people) I was able to follow I did not care about.

Why did I finish this thing?

Mr. Van Sant's Oscar film

4. "Milk"
A good film but not the best bio pic. We don't meet Harvey Milk until he's about to celebrate his 40th birthday. We see him til his death eight years later. In other words, we get a glimpse at a very interesting man's life. I only mention this because my friend Tony brought to my attention that every year at least one bio pic is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

2008 was the perfect year to release this film. With the controversial Prop 8 ruling and the election of Obama, a film liked "Milk" thrived. The performances were excellent and all of the acclaim was earned. There's not much else for me to say that hasn't already been written. See this film. Encourage any homophobic teenager you know to see this film.

The use of David Bowie's "Queen Bitch" was excellent. The song was stuck in my head for days.

Lincoln Park, Chicago, February 2009

Lincoln Park, Chicago, February 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Delay

My computer is temporarily out of service, hence the lack of updates.

The Wendy's on Division and Ashland is advertising a new sandwich. The sign reads "Catch Are New Fish Filet". I find this very sad.

Evanston, January 2009

Evanston, January 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Wicker Park, Chicago, January 2009

Wicker Park, Chicago, January 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

I will miss Blago, this is my tribute

West Town, Chicago, January 2009

West Town, Chicago, January 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Andersonville, Chicago, January 2009

Andersonville, Chicago, January 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

I wish all the characters died

2. Jay McInerney "Bright Lights, Big City"
I should've known I wouldn't sympathize with a protagonist with a privileged background. It's a fault of mine and a credit to McInerney that I was able to start and finish this book in a little over a day. The characters and story is quintessential NYC, 80s, cocaine loving, yuppie lifestyle empty vessels. The payoff comes in the last page. Whether it's good or bad is obviously up for debate. I was never sold but couldn't put the book down.

It's obvious by the end of the second chapter that this book would be made in a film. The 1984 novel was made into a 1988 film starring Michael J. Fox. I would like to see this film. I have a feeling it'll be awful. It's also obvious why novels by Chuck Palahniuk became so popular after this wave of pointless 20 something males were done with their time. I guess the current wave is being led by people like Chuck Klosterman? Doesn't matter. What I'm trying to say is that I understand why a lot of people liked this book. I didn't.

No Linens Nor Things, Lakeview, Chicago, January 24 2009

No Linens Nor Things, Lakeview, Chicago, January 24 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

The TV show is good too

1. Jeff Lindsay "Dearly Devoted Dexter"
The fun part of reading a mystery is trying to figure out the killer or killers. I was not able to do so in the second "Dexter" book. Good job, Mr. Lindsay. You wrote a smart novel about a serial killer that doesn't get to serial kill.

Lindsay is a smart writer and knows it. He portrays Dexter as a pop culture whiz, like a Diablo Cody character without a soul. He writes Miami in a way only a native could, like Algren and Chicago. He has complete control over his work and the reader is better off for it.

It's damn near impossible to read this book and not think of the television characters. Thankfully the show is excellent. A good way to start my year of reading.

West Town, Chicago, January 24 2009

West Town, Chicago, January 24 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Librarians do not DJ

There are a few things wrong with the above ad.

1. The turntables are not hooked up to the mixer.
2. The mixer is not plugged in.
3. The headphones are not plugged in to the mixer.
4. The turntables are not grounded.
5. The turntables are not turned on (there is no light coming from the right table).
6. The needles appear to have their plastic covering on.
7. There are no speakers hooked up to the mixer, which is only a problem because there are no headphones plugged in to the mixer.

This elderly woman is clearly not a DJ.

Not as crazy as Blago

3. "Frost/Nixon"
If you want the chance to be nominated for Best Actor in a Film, star as the broken man. Once great, now on the way out, the broken man is identifiable. He's America. He knows he's done wrong but wants another shot. He'll get that shot, but inevitably fail. That's OK. He tried. He gave it his all and most of all, he learned a lesson.

The adaptation of the 2006 play is great. Everyone plays their roles quite well, specifically the two leads. The camerawork is a subtle mix between hand-held, television monitors and tripods (I understand this is a poor word choice, but I'm not sure what to write other than 'traditional' shots, but what is traditional?). The score holds back at all the right times. You know what's going to happen but are compelled to watch. It's a great film. The question is whether it deserved a Best Picture nomination. Since I haven't seen the other four films nominated I can't weigh in on them, but I thought "The Wrestler" was a better picture and that wasn't nominated. It seems like broken men that can be compared to G.W. Bush are a lot more Oscar worthy.

Lincoln Square, Chicago, January 2009

Lincoln Square, Chicago, January 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Roscoe Village, Chicago, January 2009

Roscoe Village, Chicago, January 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

West Town, Chicago, January 2009

West Town, Chicago, January 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Village Thrift, Roscoe Village, December 2008

Village Thrift, Roscoe Village, December 2008, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Podcast is back

I've recorded and posted a new episode of You, Me, Them, Everybody tonight. Due to grad school applications, the holidays and work, the podcast hasn't been updated consistently. That should change soon. I have ten or so people coming over in the next few weeks. It'll be fun. Please listen. Tell your friends.

Evanston, January 2009

Evanston, January 2009, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Chicago, October 2008

Chicago, October 2008, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Evanston, November 2008

Evanston, November 2008, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.

Lincoln Square, Chicago, December 2008

Lincoln Square, Chicago, December 2008, originally uploaded by Brandon Wetherbee.