Introduction: It's A Saturday Night, Does That Make It All Right?

Bon Jour! Or Bon Soir, seeing as it's nighttime right now.

I'm Cookie Manson, and I'm so excited to be starting off a blog. But I didn't start this for the sake of just spewing every bit of my day. How boring would that be?

        "Uh, hey guys, so I woke up and brushed my teeth and my breath still smelled bad....then I went downstairs and took he granola out of the cabinet and poured my milk in a bowl and THEN put in the granola..."

No.

No, here, I want to share subjects related to my favorite aspects of the arts: music, movies, TV shows and books. Maybe I'll even throw a little painting in there for variety. So, if you're interested in reading reviews and recommendations from a Chocolate-loving music-movie-book geek, by all means either follow me and read, or just read!
So, without further ado, let me just dive into this week's interests, and see if maybe y'all can relate.

It's a little late, but I've been obsessing over this movie ever since I saw its Radiohead-laden trailer a month before its release.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this controversial film, still in theaters (mine at least) has been driving me nuts. And it's not just because of the argument against Shakespeare. 

The whole idea is that an Edward De Vere is really the author of all those Shakespeare plays, and that he asked a playwright named Ben Johnson to present them to the public as "Anonymous." Unfortunately, Johnson tells his actor friend, William Shakespeare, who passes the plays off as his own and demands more money for his silence. Other issues include De Vere's two younger Earl friends trying to diplomatically secure the throne after Queen Elizabeth dies, and the Queen's advisor, William Cecil, and his son trying to outlaw plays and secure the throne for another man. Flashbacks are given to explain the complicated life of Edward De Vere and the people around him as we are taken through this alternate explanation as to who really wrote our beloved plays.

Now, whether you agree with this idea or not, the movie itself--when taken as just that, a MOVIE--is phenomenal. I swear, you would have never been aware that Rhys Ifans (Edward De Vere) is the same man who played Hugh Grant's roommate in Notting Hill! The joint efforts of Joely Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave as both young and old Queen Elizabeth result in a believable look into the Queen's somewhat peculiar character. And I haven't even gotten into the younger actors, like Jamie Campbell-Bower, who blew my mind in Sweeney Todd, and Xavier Samuel, the curly haired blond who stole my heart until the credits. Don't sleep on Rafe Spall or Sebastien Armestro either, the talented rascals. David Thewlis is chillingly convincing in his role as the sinister William Cecil.

And even if all the actors were horrendous, the cinematography would have saved it for me. I'm a real fan of good shots and angles and effects and tints and quality lenses, so when I watch a movie, I'm judging by  that aspect as well. And I have to tell you, the way it was filmed brought an instant chill and mystery to the setting. I truly did shiver whenever scenes of snow appeared. Also the movement of the camera made my heart race; swooping coverage of the ground? Eerie closeups of characters and seamless transitions from past to present--ugh, I could go on all day about it, but not without giving away everything that happens. If you can't see it in theaters near you anymore, try for it on Netflix, but it SO worth buying on DVD to keep forever and ever and ever.....tee-hee!

For music, I would also recommend Radiohead's album, The King Of Limbs. 

Out of all their albums, this one really brought my mind to another world. The Afro-beat inspired percussion, the warm and lush guitar, the hip and moving bass, and the almost opera-like voice of Thome Yorke has helped earn this album a place in my heart forever. It is both a summer and a winter album, a happy and a sad album; it's a happy medium. My mom and I are always bumpin' to it in the car; I mean, it's GREAT car music in any scenery! And if you're one for car music like me, this is the perfect album--EVERY SONG--to add to your "Road Trip" playlist. 

But, hey, you don't have to take my word for it. Go check it out yourself.

Some other great albums, from all periods and genres, are listed in images below. See what you make of them! And have a great weekend!

-CDM