MOVIE "Donnie Darko" Richard Kelly
Donnie Darko is the definition of a “cult classic,” it is a movie both overrated and underrated. Studied by fanboys for shroecrets and deeper meanings and it is snubbed by non believers who find it pompous and self important. The story follows Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) as he goes crazy and falls under the spell of a large frightening bunny. Sounds ridiculous I know, but some how it works, somehow it captivates. Really it is a story of a bored lonely teenager looking for a purpose, looking for a meaning. Director Richard Kelly has yet to make a movie as good as this, in fact he has yet to make a good movie at all. Donnie Darko is a trip, a confusing, sometimes profound and wholly enjoyable trip.
BOOK “The Catcher in the Rye” J.D. Salinger
J.D. Salinger passed away this last week. We remember him by looking back at his finest work.
“The Catcher in the Rye” is the definition of an iconic novel. It defined a generation just as much as James Dean and The Beattles.
In the pages of “Catcher” we see life and youth through the eyes of the cynical, world weary, Holden Caulfield. Holden is the original angsty teen, someone that almost anyone can relate to.
Salinger is in magnificent form here, the prose and the dialogue are exceptional. The reader becomes fascinated and enthralled with Holden’s attitude and his outlook on life, for it seems to reflect that of the readers. This is a book that defined a generation and it is a book for every generation. If you haven’t read it, do so immediately.
Music “Dookie” Green Day
Green Day have long succumbed to overblown egos, pompousness and the quest to stay relevant. But before they wore eyeliner and tried to write self righteous rock operas they were just three snarky, cynical kids with a knack for writing extremely catchy and witty songs.
Their breakout album Dookie is also their finest. Containing the majority of their hits, Dookie is an album that gave a generation of bored, irreverent kids a feeling of belonging. Here was a band gaining world wide acclaim and they wrote songs about the disenchanted youth of their day, better yet they were disenchanted youth. One listen to Dookie and you will forgive Green Day for all their most recent sins. You might even forget hearing “time of your life” at your middle school graduation.
