Our next movie in the Netflix queue was Dreamgirls, a 2006 film about a trio of black female soul singers making into the music business in the 1960′s, focusing on the inevitable rise and fall of their careers. I was a little surprised to learn:

1. It was a musical. I didn’t know anything about this movie, except that it was a Motown-type film and there would be singing.
2. The film came out way back in 2006. That’s four years ago. I knew I was behind on my movie watching, but wow, four years ago.
3. Eddie Murphy was in this movie?

 The movie had an all-star cast — Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, and Danny Glover. This film also introduced Jennifer Hudson, who was pretty phenomenal. I was very surprised that Eddie Murphy had an important role as James Thunder Early. Frankly speaking, he hasn’t had a good role in a film in years. Seriously, years, and yet he was quite good in this movie. I enjoyed the film, and the movie itself really popped out on my standard definition TV. I would love to see this DVD again on an HDTV, and see it in all of its glory.

Dreamgirls (2006)

I’ve spent too long away from home
Did all the things I could have done
Gone are the days of endless thrills
I know I’m not the only one

So long, I’m goin’, goin’ home…

I saw the streets all ripe with jewels
Balconies and the laundry lines
They tried to make me welcome there
But their streets did not feel like mine

So long, I’m goin’, goin’ home…

I want the sun to hit my face
Through oak trees in the open lot
Forget about the things you want
Be thankful for what all you got

So long, I’m goin’, goin’ home…

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord
I’ve been waiting for this moment, all my life, Oh Lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord, Oh Lord

Well I remember. I remember don’t worry.
How could I ever forget, it’s the first time, the last time we ever met.
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, oh no you don’t fool me.
The hurt doesn’t show; but the pain still grows.
It’s no stranger to you or me.

And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord…

Another example of my attempts to catch up on all the classic movies that I’ve missed and should have watched, I recently watched Empire Records. It’s an old 1995 movie starring a few big 90′s stars like Liv Tyler, Anthony LaPaglia, Robin Tunney, Renee Zellweger, Ethan Embry, and even Demi Mazar.  If you haven’t seen it, it’s a movie about a day in the life of some record store employees.  I just thought about how dated this movie is.  A record store? Mix tapes? I wonder how that FYE and those other record stores still in existence are performing?

I digress.  This movie felt like a retread of sorts of The Breakfast Club, or maybe a lot of these teenager/twentie’s movies are all the same. I didn’t particularly like this movie.  While I watched this movie, the words “So what?” kept flashing across the screen for me. I was interested in seeing the aforementioned stars when they were younger (geez, Anthony LaPaglia and Renee Zellweger look unbelievebly young.) I also like some of the background music. One of the reasons I wanted to see this movie was the “good soundtrack” I heard about, and I already had “A Girl Like You” by Edwyn Collins. I think I’ll check out the rest of the soundtrack on iTunes.

Empire Records (1995)

I have had this song stuck in my head all day with no relief.  When I went home, I downloaded, listened to it, and regained my sanity.

Get it while it’s hot. Amazon.com – No Line On The Horizon for download…..just $3.99.  I’m listening to the snippets, trying to figure out if I like the new album.

The first review is out on U2′s new album, No Line on the Horizon.”  The review is not that good.  It’s not terrible, but the reviewer felt the album was “mostly restless, tentative and confused. ”    I’ll wait for a few more reviews, and a chance for myself to hear some of the songs with my own two ears. U2′s 1997 album Pop was pretty well-maligned, but I didn’t think it was that bad.  I’ll take that back  — I’ll admit that I only liked, hmmm, three songs on the album, which is dismal.

After an almost five-year absence, during which Bono was named one of TIME’s Persons of the Year for his work on global poverty and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the band returns on March 3 with an album called No Line on the Horizon. It offers up a few new hits for the wedding playlist, but No Line on the Horizon is mostly restless, tentative and confused. It’s not terrible, but it feels like the work of musicians torn between the comfort of the present and the lure of one last run into the adventurous past.

Let’s hope for the best.  No Line on the Horizon will be released next week on March 3rd.

There is so much good music out there.

Do you realize how much music is out there?  I’ve been listening to my music collection this week, and while I enjoy the popular music that you hear on the radio, I equally enjoy the indie/electronic/rock music that I’m finding through alternative channels.  The free music through CNET’s Download.com, or friends collections, or sometimes the stuff you can just stumble into. 

Case in point.  Last year while visiting Toronto, we walked into a place where they were handing out free CDs by this local DJ who goes by the name “DJ Undercover.”  You know how good a free CD could be, but we didn’t throw it away.  We ended up listening to it in the rental car’s CD player the whole week.  Great electronic dance music mix, and because one night we were there in Toronto.  Go figure.

The music you listen and find through alternative means may never get any popular recognition, but it’s good.  How would the regular Joe the Plumber ever find it?  It makes me realize how much else is out there that we have no idea about, but would probably love if we knew about it and were exposed to it.

For those celebrating, and to my honey….. Happy Valentine’s day.

That’s All
Lyrics & Music by Alan Brandt and Bob Haymes, 1952
[brackets indicate Edie Adams' variation on the song]

I can only give you love that lasts forever
And a [the] promise to be near each time you call
And the only heart I own for you and you alone
That’s all, that’s all

I can only give you country walks in springtime
And a hand to hold when leaves begin to fall
And a love whose burning light will warm the winter night
That’s all, that’s all

There are those I am sure [who] have told you
They would give you the world for a toy
All I have are these arms to enfold you
And a love even time can’t destroy
[And a love time can never destroy]

If you’re wondering what I’m asking in return, dear
You’ll be glad to know that my demands are small
Say it’s me that you’ll adore for now and evermore
That’s all, that’s all

[the following are not part of the original composition and what makes Edie Adams' version so special and unique]

I love you
Yes, I love you
That’s all….

When there’s nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
One more son
If you can hold on
If you can hold on, hold on

I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know – no you don’t, you don’t
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand

Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no

Help me out
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don’t you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah

And when there’s nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain’t changing me
The cold-hearted boy I used to be

Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don’t you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You’re gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you’re gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you’re gonna bring yourself down

I got soul, but I’m not a soldier (x10)

(Time, truth and hearts)

Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don’t you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me ou, yeah
You’re gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You’re gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, oh don’t you put me on the backburner
You’re gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You’re gonna bring yourself down

Over and out, last call for sin
While everyone’s lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I’ve done
All these things that I’ve done
(Time, truth and hearts)
If you can hold on
If you can hold on