Happiness Forever by Adelaide Faith

  

Are synopses these days just overpromising? What is going on! 

I was expecting a more epic display of her great weirdness and obsession but among all the other weird girls out there, Sylvie unfortunately loses out. Even questionable protagonists in monotonous books like Ottessa Moshfegh’s “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” had more substance than Sylvie, which definitely says a lot. She is undoubtedly weird, but with such an interesting premise, I think Faith can afford to make her character be more disturbed.

The perfect companion piece: Big Swiss by Jean Beagin.

Blue Heeler in Ugly Snowlight, Grey on Gray on Gray on White - Kitchen

 

What a title... This album was my introduction to Kitchen, aka James Keegan (he/him). Keegan is a US solo indie project that started releasing music in 2016 with a compilation titled can we call this kindness, on bandcamp. With his homemade lo-fi folk-rock identity, Blue Heeler in Ugly Snowlight, Grey on Gray on Gray on White provided the most ambient atmosphere for quiet melancholy and deep introspection. I would be lying if I said I didn't fall asleep a few times while listening to this album. With his crisp but calming vocals and mellow guitar, Blue Heeler was the perfect accomplice to the cool and thundery April weather. Although I don't see myself reaching out for this album unless for specific vibes, some tracks are worth repeating, "Useless Heart", "Real Estate Agent" and "Powerlines Loop".

Album Rating: 4/5

 
   

Empire Records (1995) dir. Allan Moyle

      

                                         

Good music and beautiful casts? Sign me up 🤤😵‍💫

It was interesting to see the diverse characters displaying the different youth subcultures of the 90s in America. These characters gave emphasis to the bigger message which was anti-capitalism and anti-corporatization, especially towards the end when we see youths of all archetypes coming together to save the record store from closing down.

 

Although initially a flop when it was first released, this movie is now understandably a cult classic. With its cultural significance and alt-rock soundtrack, what's not to love?

 

Movie Score: 5/5