Arts and Music

Top 10 Films Of 2012

The year 2012 saw its share of studs and duds roll onto the silver screen, whether it was superheroes fighting to save humanity or a hired gun hell bent on killing every last loose end. Here’s a look at Anton Newspapers top movies of the year.

10. Ted

In Seth MacFarlane’s first live-action film, Ted brought laughs worthy of MacFarlane’s animated show Family Guy. The film stars Mark Wahlberg as John Bennett, whose teddy bear (voiced by MacFarlane) comes to life and they become fast friends. Shenanigans rule this film and the friendship bond is tested when John’s girlfriend, Lori, wants Ted to move out.

9. Cabin In The Woods

Slasher films rarely make top lists, but this movie showcases smart filmmaking that shows, rather than tells, the story of five college students who spend a weekend in a cabin in the woods that holds more secrets than it cares to showcase. Chris Hemsworth leads a list of relative unknowns in battling whatever the cabin throws at them. The ultimate reveal is one to get a conversation going.

Best 2012 Music Releases

CDs

Not unlike noses, heartfelt opinions are something everyone has and when it comes to music, these beliefs are even more fervently embraced. There are sure to be readers who will vehemently disagree with my assertions, (“waddya mean this knucklehead didn’t include the Grizzly Bear album?”), but in my humble opinion, these are records that may have flown under the radar and more importantly, refute the assertion by music fanatics that nothing good is being recorded nowadays.

Various Artists – Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan (Amnesty International) – This 4-CD set was released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International and is just what you’d expect—a hodge-podge of artists delving into the canon of the only singer-songwriter whose legacy could measure up to that of this prestigious human rights organization. This big tent approach is such that there’s room for fellow icons (Johnny Cash, Patti Smith), punks (Rise Against, Bad Religion), pop day-trippers (Ke$ha, Miley Cyrus), rebels (Steve Earle, Tom Morello), folkies (Billy Bragg, Pete Seeger), divas (Adele, Bettye LaVette) and even the man himself. It’s a wonderful demonstration on how timeless and malleable Bob Dylan’s songs can be.  

The Family That Plays Together

Musical gypsies fly home to finish off 2012 with a bang

Sister Sparrow may travel in the company of the Dirty Birds, but the only thing filthy about this nonet is the horn-driven funk that’s been honed through a relentless touring schedule. With vocalist Arleigh Kincheloe fronting the band and being the foundation with the group along with harp-blowing brother Jackson and drumming cousin Bram forming the foundation of the band, SS&TDB has turned 2012 into quite a watershed 365-day stretch. Not only did the band drop its second album Pound of Dirt, but they played South by Southwest and Bonnaroo, shared a bill with Counting Crows and are wrapping up the year opening multiple dates for Gov’t Mule, including the headliner’s annual New Year’s Eve show. But for the whirlwind that this year was, Arleigh Kincheloe’s biggest accomplishment was coming out on the other side with a renewed sense of purpose upon the completion of her crew’s sophomore bow.

“It was really challenging. It was my first experience to really have time to work on things,” she recalled. “[I was] sort of staring my own ability in the face, which is terrifying; to sit with it, think about it and hear every mistake and flaw, [realizing] that you can’t be too much of a perfectionist.”

The New Year On A High Note

Plenty of options for live music fans to welcome 2013 with

For as many concerts that play in our area at any given time, it always seems like the days leading up to and including New Year’s Eve wind up being arguably one the biggest live music days of the year. This go-round is not different as there is plenty to choose from regardless of your taste in music.

1. Andrew W.K. - The hard rocking singer-songwriter cum motivational speaker/nightclub entrepreneur/Cartoon Network show host/Kathy Griffin beau welcomes 2013 in Amityville (Revolution, December 30)

2. Coldplay & Jay-Z – Is this the most bizarre pairing since Jimi Hendrix opened for The Monkees? You can be the judge if you head over to Brooklyn for this most unusual bill. (Barclays Center, December 31)