Born Again Redneck in the State of Jefferson
I listen to very little music that is less than 10 to 15 years old. Some country and very little pop.
What passes for "music" nowadays is what's left over after you take out melody, harmony, counterpoint, rhythm, and leave only Neanderthal thumpings.
Rap music is roughly the equivalent of break dancing, namely, the utter mechanization of art - of life imitating robots.
It used to be that music and music appreciation was taught in school. My wife remembers hearing parts of "The Magic Flute" in grade school.
It annoys me when I see cars drive by, all the windows down, and loud brutish music curling out like acrid smoke. It annoys me even more when I see small kids in the car with their parents, the radio blasting out that same garbage. Small wonder those kids have no appreciation of music.
They've never heard any.
Crap masquerading as 'art' has it's roots in the fall of Rome and some say it's the sign of impending societal collapse as it indicates that the populace has no idea as to what quality is and will buy into anything (Obama) promoted as 'the best'.
Cinematography, a subject I've studied and practiced for 40 years has sunk to a new low, as handheld shaky cameras, unfocused jump cuts, underexposed bleary shots and discontinuity pass as "bold new approaches" and are praised by critics.
A recent example is the film "Public Enemies".
An excellent performance by Depp in a good story with great period sets is spoiled by Mike Mann (who damn well ought to know better) in his latest disappointment.
I had such hope for this film, but the quality of the cinematography reminded me of a student production, level 101. The piece is crammed also with extreme closeups which reveal every pore and mole. Gaggg.
In a brighter note, Depp would make a very excellent Elvis. He has the sneer, the singing voice, and the looks. I hope a script is floated and properly done, (not by Mann) would be a hit.
Al,
Was dragged to see that movie this week with wife and neighbors and agree with you 100% plus I had my fingers in my ears at one point as the sound of the machine gun was so loud.
Bruce, my ears were compromised years ago by jet engine noise on aircraft carriers so I didn't notice the high level of db in the theatre, but I could feel thunder.
From other reviews I've read, others are complaining about the audio level of the gunfire and I must say they overdid the quantity.
The film which ran well over two hours should have been edited tighter and they should have axed 50 percent of the machinegun footage.
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