How “The Fast and the Furious” franchise is still operational after 12 years is beyond me. The series should’ve crashed-and-burned after 2006’s dreadful third installment, “Tokyo Drift,” which saw the primary cast bail on the fast cars that made them famous.

A lack of success outside of Universal’s lucrative property brought the main players back for a fourth outing in 2009 that proved to be a surprise smash at the box office. Since then, the franchise has been on fire. The last film, “Fast Five,” won over more than just audience approval; this time around, the critics were on board, as well. (It also brought Joseph back to the series in all his hype-loving glory.)

All of this sets a prominent stage for “Fast & Furious 6,” where expectations are perhaps even unreasonably high to see director Justin Lin give fans a motor masterpiece. The result is a film not as story-strong as its immediate predecessor, but one that does take the series to a new, insane level of movie magic in the way of grand-scale action sequences.

So what are Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his gang of misfits up to these days? They’re enjoying a rather toasty retirement full of beaches, hot ladies and insanely expensive cars until Diplomatic Security Service agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) comes knocking with a mission.

A former British solider Owen Shaw is on a rampage in London, trying to assemble parts for some master device that can disable power to an entire country. Our fast and furious friends are now taking on Bond villains. The bigger issue is his assistant, Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez), who was once Dominic’s girlfriend and thought to be dead.

And so begins a wild two-hour extravaganza of guns, races and all-out mayhem as Toretto’s and Shaw’s teams go head-to-head. What has always worked in these films’ favor is the American infatuation with muscle cars, good-looking people and violence. Lots and lots of violence. It’s all here, too, for viewers to relish.

Plot-wise, the sixth entry is a bit of a decline from “Fast Five.” Mastermind Shaw certainly has some grand ambitions for a criminal, but we never really get to know him for the supposed genius he is. The amount of cast members can feel overwhelming at times, and bouncing from segment to segment, trying to get every character a piece of the pie, can hurt the main rivalry between the two groups.

Luckily, most audiences won’t have time to notice. The film is loaded with some truly awe-inspiring action set pieces, with two coming towards the conclusion that will quite simply knock your socks off. Lin proves himself to be a master of the outlandish, making the moments – no matter how over-the-top they may seem – fit effortlessly into the story.

Those moments also serve as a shield for another one of “Fast & Furious 6’s” weaknesses: a horrid script. Outside of some comedic back-and-forths, the sixth installment drags through its dialogue in predictably weak fashion. Most dramatic discussions come off more laughable than anything else, and if you’re lucky enough to go to an alcohol-friendly theater, you’d be wise to start a drinking game with your buddies centered around every time The Rock belts out the line, “Son-bitch.”

Let’s face it, though: people go to these things for big, bald guys driving sleek vehicles with sexy women. They’re not expecting, nor wanting, Shakespeare. And in terms of that level of satisfaction, this one delivers. It’s an enormous crowd-pleaser, bursting with fun intensity in every frame. And despite some flaws, there’s no reason you shouldn’t jump in this Memorial Day weekend and enjoy the ride.

I’m full of sage wisdom. Even before I was a parent, I knew that you should never push a child off a bicycle… unless you’re trying to teach them some sort of lesson. Like all new fathers, the minute my son was born I discovered that I instantly knew everything there is to know about life and how to raise a child. Because little Walt is not old enough to comprehend my erratic speech patterns, I’ve decided to share my thoughts with The Wise Guise.

This blog post is merely a random collection of ponderings from my vantage point atop Mount Fatherhood, which is where I drop boulders of pithy knowledge upon innocent bystanders like you. These writings may not be cohesive or well put together, but that’s just like life or parenting or something like that.

Now no one can teach you how to be a parent. BUT if they could, they would probably start by telling you the 10 things you need to know about babies that doctors WON’T tell you.

1. For the first few weeks, babies sleep almost continuously, and will only wake up during the brief moment you start to doze off.

2. Babies cry because they secretly hate you.

3. Babies need lots of love and attention, so have the TV tuned to a channel that will mimic this so you can go do other stuff.

4. All babies are good luck, but you’ll need a disguise to get them near the blackjack tables.

5. Each baby is completely different, so don’t believe ANYTHING anyone says about your baby.

6. After a bath, a baby’s hair can stand straight up and make him look like a little mad scientist.

7. Babies eat, like, all the time.

8. It’s never too soon to tell your wife that her baby loves you more than her.

9. When you look into your baby’s eyes you see a mirror image of your own soul, so never look your baby in the eye.

10. Babies cannot tell when you’re being passive aggressive, but you’ll still know and it feels good.

Hopefully this list will help you all get started on becoming better parents to your babies. For those of you that do not have children, work to rectify this problem. I paid good money to Baptist Hospital for Walt, which means he’s mine and I legally own him. I have a receipt and everything. If you can’t afford that route, go out and steal a baby immediately. I know it’s kidnapping, but as everyone says, being a parent is worth it.

]]> http://thewiseguise.com/2013/05/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-babies-that-doctors-wont-tell-you/feed/ 2 http://thewiseguise.com/2013/05/concert-review-the-shins-minglewood-hall-5182013/ http://thewiseguise.com/2013/05/concert-review-the-shins-minglewood-hall-5182013/#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 16:29:33 +0000 Warner Russell http://thewiseguise.com/?p=5774 →]]>

First off, let me commend the city of Memphis for what is shaping up to be the best year of live music the city has seen in years, maybe even decades. Between the big name, stadium shows (Elton John, Paul McCartney, Justin Timberlake), the enjoyable outdoor shows (Bob Dylan/Wilco/My Morning Jacket at AutoZone Park, the Live at the Garden series, the Beale St. Music Festival, Steely Dan at Mud Island, the Levitt Shell Summer Concert Series, Dave Matthews at Snowden Grove), and the up-and-coming/indie shows at Minglewood Hall and the new Hi-Tone (The Shins, Dawes, Local Natives, Titus Andronicus, Neutral Milk Hotel), Memphis has gone far and beyond what we have seen in years past in terms of the quality of live music being offered in and around the city. I know that my bank account has seen a hit so I can go to most of these, and that honestly makes me pretty happy. My wife and I, after our recent trip to Portland, OR, discussed what it would be like to live there (or Nashville for that matter) given the constant amount of great live music being showcased. We both agreed that we would probably be broke. So it’s a nice change of pace to have to make such difficult decisions when we pick and choose which concerts to go to. So Memphis, concert booking agencies, local venues… I tip my hat to you all. Thanks for kicking ass this year. It’s been a great one so far and looks to get even better as it goes on.

Now, on to the actual review:

Ra Ra Riot opened the sold out show for The Shins. Going in I would not have been able to tell you much about Ra Ra Riot. I was familiar with a few of their songs but didn’t own any albums. I am more familiar with the lead singer’s side project Discovery (with Vampire Weekend keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij) but honestly didn’t realize the two groups were connected until I recognized the voices to be the same for both. Riot did their job of warming up the crowd very well. Their high energy and synth driven songs were overwhelmingly upbeat. Personally, I love the 80’s sound that a good number of indie pop bands have been putting out over the past several years, and Ra Ra Riot fits snugly in the midst of those groups. Overall they were extremely enjoyable and made a fan out of me. I will likely make an effort in the coming days to get one or more of their albums.

When The Shins hit the stage the crowd had swelled to I guess what makes up a sold-out Minglewood show. I have never been to a sell out there, so it was very crowded compared to past experiences but open enough to not feel cramped. Lead singer James Mercer has made significant lineup change since I saw them in 2007. The sound now compared to then is a little edgier, a little more real rock n’ roll versus the nerd-pop of six years ago. The band opened the set by going straight into the songs every one probably knows which makes for an energetic first 30 minutes, but as the show progressed and they started delving deeper into their catalog, the crowd started to lose some of the energy. I would say eight of their first 10 songs were ones most people would claim as favorites while only about four of their last 10 would fit in that category. While I understand wanting to please the crowd early, it was a risky move that left me struggling to stay connected towards the end. The Shins are a great band, one of my favorites, but something just wasn’t clicking with me Saturday night. They weren’t terrible. They didn’t lose my fan hood. They simply left me wanting a little more.

One high note with which I’m sure all Memphians would agree was hearing the band say they had been to the Stax Museum they day of the concert and left feeling “inspired” to put on a great show that night. As a lifelong Memphian, I often take for granted our rich musical history, but when I hear a wildly successful group point out how much the music that Memphis is known for has affected them, I can’t help but be proud.

One low note was a few members of the crowd. I know I can’t control how people act in public, and I know everyone there paid the price of admission so they have a right to act however they want (within reason of course), but when three guys stand there and talk and laugh and scream about “birthday shots!!!!” for the entirety of the concert, it gets frustrating. The unfortunate downside to general admission shows is the battle between not wanting to be confined in the die-hard crowd if you want to be close to the stage and having to deal with all the people that just want to stand in the back next to the bar and treat the concert like any other night out. There isn’t really a solution to the jackasses that stand there and act like they’re at any other bar in the city, but it does drive me crazy. If you pay $35.00 to go to a concert, you would think that you might want to, you know, actually watch the band, but alas, such is life sometimes.

Upcoming Concerts in Memphis:

5/23/13:               North Mississippi Allstars @ The Levitt Shell (free)

5/25/13:               Paul McCartney @ FedExForum

5/31/13:               Keb Mo @ GPAC

6/1/13:                 ZZ Ward @ Newby’s

6/6/13:                 Rob Baird @ Minglewood Hall

Yo Gotti @ Orpheum Theatre

6/12/13:               Local Natives @ Minglewood Hall

6/15/13:               Earth, Wind & Fire @ Memphis Botanic Gardens

Todd Snider @ The Levitt Shell (free)

6/22/13:               Cedric Burnside Project @ The Levitt Shell (free)

7/2/13:                 Bob Dylan/Wilco/My Morning Jacket @ AutoZone Park

7/11/13:               Tegan and Sara @ Minglewood Hall

7/14/13:               Dawes w/Shovels & Rope @ Minglewood Hall

Upcoming Concerts in Nashville:

5/20/13:              Ellie Goulding @ Ryman Auditorium

5/21/13:               Bo Burnham (comedy) @ Marathon Music Works

5/22/13:               Future @ 12^th and Porter

5/23/13:               Shannon McNally @ 3^rd and Lindsley

5/28/13:               Peter Frampton @ Ryman Auditorium

5/29/13:               Best Coast @ Exit/In

Steve Martin @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center

5/30/13:               Big Boi @ Marathon Music Works

6/1/13:                 Alison Krauss @ Liberty Hall

6/2/13:                 Hall & Oates @ Ryman Auditorium

6/3/13:                 Darius Rucker @ Wildhorse Saloon

6/6-6/9/13:        CMA Music Festival @ Various Venues

6/9/13:                 Dawes w/Shovels & Rope @ Ryman Auditorium

I’ve recently been asked to contribute occasionally to PolicyMic , an up-and-coming website striving to be an interactive and intelligent forum for diverse views on all topics affecting the Millennial Generation. Fear not, I’ll always excerpt and link these posts here on The Wise Guise as well so you can continue checking this site as one-stop shopping for all random ramblings from yours truly. And if you think it’s going to slow down my contributions here, fear not! Check out my other new post today taking a look at who all is returning to our TV screens in the next year.

Here’s some key excerpts from my latest post breaking down all the details surrounding the latest IRS scandal. As I published the article, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the FBI and Department of Justice are investigating IRS actions for any potential illegal activity. If you want to read the entire article to find out everything you need to know to be educated and informed about what the IRS has done, CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE ARTICLE!

As fact-checkers parse the president’s words on the Benghazi attack and the Associated Press demands answers for DOJ wiretapping, another shadow looms over the Obama administration that differs from the others. While Obama insists there is no “there there” concerning Libya and the DOJ legal team prepares for congressional hearings on its Associated Press wiretapping, every official to speak out on the Internal Revenue Service’s heightened scrutiny of conservative organizations has condemned the unconstitutional behavior. The problem for the IRS and Obama administration, however, is the constant flow of new information that reveals the lies told previously to Congress, the media, and the American people. [...]

As more information comes to the surface, it is clear that past statements by IRS officials were wrong and those officials knew about this activity before they said they did. 

Regardless of one’s thoughts on the Tea Party or conservative groups, several things are clear. First, the IRS made mistakes that were wrong. IRS officials and President Obama have said as much. Second, officials have, for whatever reason, not told the complete truth when questioned on these matters over the past year and a half. 

Finally, and most important, when arms of the government discriminate on the basis of political viewpoints and criticism of government, all citizens should be concerned and demand answers.

Jon Stewart is concerned as well. As D.C. turns on Obama , I can’t help but wonder if Stewart’s scathing scrutiny reveals a growing disenchantment of younger Americans as well. I discuss this point more thoroughly in another PolicyMic piece that you can find here. Check out his take below from the last two nights’ Daily Show episodes and if you want to read my complete article, go here.

Jack Bauer and 24 are BACK!

I’ve tried to contain my excitement to just a few social media posts every day. It’s been a wild week at work and spending as much time as possible with my new baby nephew Walt, so that’s helped distract me from sitting on the couch in my CTU t-shirt and just watch all 8 seasons of 24 in a row. I have to remember to be a productive human being still and live my life in a productive and free way that makes Jack Bauer’s ongoing sacrifices worthwhile.

But a guy can only do so much… JACK BAUER IS BACK! THE RUMORS ARE TRUE! After years of watching reruns, debating our favorite seasons and moments, and trusting that Jack Bauer is out there protecting us still, even though he’s all on his own and eternally rogue…. after constant teasing of a movie with very little to show of it…. JACK BAUER IS RETURNING TO FOX WITH A NEW SEASON! 

Kiefer Sutherland is back as our favorite American counter-terrorist agent. Howard Gordon, one of the head writers and show-runners of 24 who has moved on to be the show-runner on Emmy-winning Homeland, will return for 24: Live Another Day. It’s a fair bet that he will do 24 in between producing seasons 3 and 4 of Homeland.

24: Live Another Day will be a 12-episode, limited-run event series. The show will still take place over 24 hours, but we’ll only be seeing 12 of them. For one, I’m excited about this development. It frees them up creatively to do more with the real-time element. Also, let’s be honest… all the people involved probably couldn’t have committed to another 24-episode series and in the era of HBO and AMC, we’ve found out that fewer quantity often means higher quality.

There’s tons of excellent information here about the return of Jack Bauer and 24. Some of the highlights…

As a self-proclaimed top-tier Bauer fan, I can reiterate that I’m excited to find my long, lost friend who terrorists are scared of and freedom is thankful for. And so am I!

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Trailer

There’s been quite a bit of buzz about the Marvel superhero universe’s attempt to crossover to the small screen for quite some time. After The Avengers shattered box-office records to critical acclaim last summer, Disney (who acquired Marvel in 2009) did what Disney does – figure out how to expand this money-making empire as far and wide as possible.

And so ABC (also owned by Disney, who may rule the universe with Star Wars and Marvel… now all they need to do is buy Google, Facebook, and Amazon) has picked up the S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot for Tuesday nights starting in the fall.

Everything you need to know about the show can be found in this excellent compilation from BuzzFeed.

The trailer has me quite excited. It looks like Disney/Marvel is giving Joss Whedon (TV cult favorite and breakout writer/director of The Avengers film) a large budget and a lot of discretion to make this as good as all the other critical and popular favorite films from this Universe. The trailer starts with glimpses of all our superheroes, before launching us into the same world, where regular humans team up to work with still-alive Agent Coulson to solve problems that need to be solved. With the same tongue-in-cheek, lighthearted save-the-world feel and seemingly X-Files-like cases to solve, I’m excited where this takes us. Look no further than this exchange from early in the trailer.

“What does SHIELD stand for, Agent Ward?

“Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division.”

“What does that mean to you?”

“It means someone really wanted our initials to spell out SHIELD.”

“Not All Heroes are Super” is a prominent tagline for the show. Here’s hoping it’s more like the Marvel movies and less like NBC’s Heroes.

“The Michael J. Fox Show” Official Trailer

Let it be clear and let it be known: Michael J. Fox is one of my two favorite actors of all time. The Back to the Future trilogy (you have to combine them all into one movie, although my preferences within the trilogy are 2, 1, 3, in that order) is my 2nd favorite movie of all time (behind It’s a Wonderful Life.) When I was a kid, Back to the Future was my favorite movie ever. Later, when I discovered Family Ties and Alex P. Keaton’s love of freedom, the Republican Party, and apple pie… I was all-in. I loved Teen Wolf. I loved Spin City, although I watched the reruns later because it was a bit too risque for me at the time, according to my parents. (They were probably right.) I love Michael J. Fox’s appearances on The Good Wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

So I was going to inevitably love Michael J. Fox’s return to sitcom television, regardless of how good it was. But Michael J. Fox has long been a sitcom superstar, a comedic genius, and a smart producer of his own content. So I shouldn’t have been as surprised when the first full trailer for The Michael J. Fox Show blew me away with how creative, clever, poignant, and star-studded it was.

Like his character on Spin City, Fox is playing a fictional character named Michael. However, this one appears to be much more similar to Michael J. Fox in real life. He’s a former top-tier NYC news anchor/reporter who had to step away from the job when living with Parkinson’s Disease. He’s taken all his energy from working and put it into being a stay-at-home Dad, organizing everything at home with his Type-A personality. If the story sounds familiar, it is – Michael J. Fox has given many interviews and written books about how Parkinson’s had the same real-life effect on him and his family. Taking the lessons from real-life, he seems to be incorporating it into his new sitcom quite ingeniously. Starring Betsy Brandt from Breaking Bad as his wife and Wendell Pierce from The Wire, the trailer below increases my already hyped-up expectations for Michael J. Fox’s return to TV. It seems he’s tackling the ups and downs of living with Parkinson’s with all the humor and poignancy we’ve come to expect from his long career. Don’t believe me? Check out the trailer below.

Bonus TV Preview to Make You Feel Old: “Surviving Jack” a new sitcom on Fox from Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) and starring TV favorite Christopher Meloni seems to be the first-ever “period piece” on the 1990s. Feeling older by the moment…

It’s everything you ever dreamed it would be. The elaborate costumes, the overblown sets, the dazzling effects, the quick and furious cuts, the smoothly incorporated soundtrack – all the hallmarks of director Baz Luhrmann are apparent in “The Great Gatsby.”

Well, for the first hour, they’re there, at least. Per his style, Luhrmann lures us into his 1920s cinematic wonderland much like Jay Gatsby brings Nick Carraway into his extravagant world. “Gatsby” is a pure popcorn pop-up book, booming with life in every moment of its frenzied introduction.

And just as he deserves, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Gatsby is given a star-studded entrance meant for a king. He’s a long way from the young, jubilant boy he was in Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet,” but the charm hasn’t left. DiCaprio is a joy to behold as he pursues Carey Mulligan’s Daisy.

Then, there’s Tobey Maguire’s Nick, which ranges from the somewhat relevant to overly melodramatic. As a narrator to the action, he’s fine, but one can’t help but think they could have gotten a younger – and perhaps more naïve-looking lead – to fill his shoes. Regardless of how they handle each individual scene, the cast seems competent enough to understand visuals take precedent, while still making time for an ambitious love story.

But that’s the first hour. By the second hour, the whole film feels like an epic hangover from the swell party we enjoyed in the first half. Gatsby intensely pursues Daisy with an ambition we can’t fully understand.

Unlike in the past Luhrmann outings, the chemistry between his leads here is not always electric. We hear much about how greatly Daisy and Gatsby love one another, but examples of their past outside of a few glitzy flashbacks are few and far between.

If a certain spark is missing with the romance, then Luhrmann is at least smart enough to hide it through the melancholy drama that consumes the final parts of the legendary story. Making use of his fine box of the artistry and tech he was given to work with, Baz shines the closing moments like one of Gatsby’s custom cars.

As “Gatsby” rushes toward the ending we all know is coming, our eyes and mind are exhausted more than engaged. That’s not always a bad thing, and this is far from a poor adaptation. But by the time this theme park ride starts to slow down, you’re ready to get off. It’s just a shame Luhrmann keeps the passenger carts slowly moving toward the exit longer than needed.

“I remember that first scene between Leo and Claire so well. Leo glancing at her through the fish tank. The visuals are so rich, and they were both so young and beautiful. Both were dressed to perfection – Claire’s dress and that armor Leo was wearing. And that song in the background (“Kissing You,” Des’ree). It’s just a magical moment. That whole soundtrack is phenomenal.”

-Jose Rodriguez on “Romeo + Juliet”

“The scene from Moulin Rouge that captures the full beauty and wonder of the film is the reprise of Come What May at the end of the movie. Everything has unraveled at this point; Christian has angrily thrown his money at Satine and bid her goodbye. He walks down the aisle of the theater and Luhrmann’s cuts show us the intensity on the faces of Kidman and McGregor: utter despair on the former and disgust on the latter. However, when it seems that all hope is lost, the characters and the audience are reminded again of the movie’s theme. Satine begins tearfully singing the couple’s secret love song, Come What May; Kidman so masterfully portrays this as Satine’s last ditch effort to make her life work out. Christian stops walking momentarily, but he continues on, clearly having to hold back tears. Finally Satine breaks from the tune and whispers, “I love you til the end of time.” This does the trick as Christian joins the song and turns to walk back towards Satine. McGregor sings so tenderly, revealing that Christian has been hurt, but that his belief in love triumphing over all is still alive. The two characters join together, their looks of dejection having turned to delight. Luhrmann washes them in spotlight, and we, along with the characters, believe that true love is everlasting.”

-Drew Wilkerson on “Moulin Rouge!”

“There’s that scene in Elephant room where Nicole meets the guy she’s basically supposed to be a glorified prostitute for, but then there’s also that almost vaudevillian scene where Ewan McGregor is trying to keep from being seen. He slips around the room and hides behind things. The dialogue has all this great sexual innuendo in it, and the music keeps swelling up into a crescendo until the end.”

-Cooper Reves on “Moulin Rouge!”

As I’ve said many times before, film discussion enriches the soul. The exchange of ideas on the moving images we’ve just taken in together is such an engrossing, powerful commentary on humanity’s constant need to analyze stories about its past, present and future, be they the most true of occurrences or the most outlandish of fiction.

And yet, for all of the deliberation I’ve engaged in on countless productions over the years, one director stands above the rest in terms of instant smiles triggered. The grins initiated aren’t over childish nostalgia or comedic approval, but rather from unmitigated joy over the man’s films. They’re a delight to talk about and an even greater joy to visually recall.

The man’s name is Baz Luhrmann, and the films he has oversaw in his twenty years as a director have a distinct vision that is, quite frankly, in a league of their own. Examine the quotes at the beginning from conversations I’ve had online and in-person about his productions just recently. Notice the attention to detail and strong remembrance of the scenes. How many directors command that type of memory?

Not many. Yet, the precision of the memories audiences have to his work are a testament to his uniqueness as a filmmaker. Luhrmann – most readily known for his Red Curtain Trilogy that includes “Strictly Ballroom,” “Romeo + Juliet” and “Moulin Rouge!” – has become a proven master of managing a massive cinematic circus. His wild sense of adventure explored through the wondrous visuals he presents on screen are balanced with the most intimate of romances his two leading characters normally have.

Luhrmann’s style is perhaps most fascinating for its relationship to old Hollywood. In the grand design of epic directors like Cecil B. DeMille, Luhrmann understands grandeur is just as important to have the audience in the palm of your hands as a strong story is.

DeMille was fascinated with incorporating extravagance into his works, describing his philosophy as providing viewers with “the chambermaid’s idea of glamour.” That quote sums up the basis of Luhrmann’s work, as the crazed visuals he provided can be glamorous, even if they often lack the sophistication a more proper director would bring to the table.

The imagery, no matter how dynamic and dizzy, does something else than simply display a diverse sense of cinematic art. The pop-up picture book style of direction goes wonderfully with the impulsiveness of the love stories Luhrmann brings to the screen.

The youthful passion of Romeo and Juliet, the instant infatuation of Christian with Satine, the heat between Lady Ashley and Drover with the grand Australian background – these gripping engagements are entertaining to take in because the furious, blustering and even sometimes sloppiness of the artistry goes hand-in-hand the identical emotions associated with new love.

Numerous critics have slammed Luhrmann for ignoring the story in his productions, and it’s a fair point to debate. However, when dealing with the rash courtships in which his characters participate, the lack of details can play to the benefit of the audience.

To hell with eloquent explanations; from time to time, we like to just enjoy a big, messy romance in all its glory. That’s the gift Luhrmann gives up, and it’s the one we’ll hope to receive when “The Great Gatsby” rides into theaters this weekend. The present won’t be perfectly wrapped, but I can guarantee it’ll be a joy to open.

My wife is from Oklahoma City. I’m from Memphis. We live in Memphis. Needless to say, the current NBA Playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies is creating a bit of tension in our house.

In order to vent some frustrations, here are our thoughts on the other’s fandom.

Warner:

When Katelyn and I started dating, I never could have imagined that our house would one day be divided based on our allegiances to rival NBA teams. But it’s come to that. It came to that in 2011 when the Grizz played the Thunder in a dramatic seven game series. And it’s come to that again this year. Sometimes it’s fun, but sometimes it really sucks. I’ll admit that she is a better sport than I am, that she doesn’t curse the TV nearly as much as me, that she doesn’t gloat when she wins or whine when she loses. But you know what? I think that’s because she’s a moderately involved fan at best.

On any given Thunder game day, she probably has no idea who they are playing. She was once caught watching The Voice when some friends came over to watch the game with her while I was out of town. A PLAYOFF GAME no less. She thinks it’s fun to wear her Thunder gear around town after they beat the Grizz, but she’s too scared to go to the Grindhouse to see them play the Grizz because “people might be mean.” She gets mad when people talk bad about Kevin Durant because “he’s a nice boy.” After the Thunder starting five, she can’t name one player. And if she can name one, she probably couldn’t’ match a name to his face. If you asked her the team’s record this year, I would say she’d be off by more than five games. She probably doesn’t even know how many games are in an NBA season.

But when the Thunder play the Grizz, she has no qualms about acting like the biggest OKC fan in the world. She watches their games against Memphis like it’s the key to salvation. She hoots and hollers and talks some pretty good trash. But when the game is over, she is gracious, win or lose. Which sounds like the mark of someone who is either a) doesn’t care that much or b) someone who gets excited about games because her husband gets excited, because she wants to love what he loves.

Kate might not be the most die-hard fan. She might not have the same life or death attitude that I have about the Grizzlies. But she’s a good fan. She’s a nice fan. She’s a fan that doesn’t let a game consume her life from October to June. She’s probably a better fan than I am. The house might be divided for the next few weeks, but it’s all in good fun. It keeps life entertaining to have a rivalry like ours.

But seriously, GO GRIZZ! The Thunder suck.

Katelyn:

When Warner says that I’m a good sport he basically means that I don’t freak the hell out when my team wins or loses. I recall quite vividly the triple OT game from the OKC-Grizz series in 2011 when Warner stripped his clothes off in FedEx Forum over a Memphis basket. My opinion? Overkill. I feel like it’s almost more fun to not say much at all and then after the game is over I can just sit and smile to myself. That says enough without making me the enemy of all of my Grizz friends around me. That being said, it’s not easy being the only Thunder fun around these parts. (And yes I can too name more than five OKC players. Ask me later.)

Warner is all bent out of shape because I don’t watch every OKC regular season game or even every Playoff game, but that would be nearly impossible because we watch the Grizz EVERY NIGHT. This includes reruns. I would say that seven to ten hours of basketball are watched in our house each week. I’ve just started saying “no.” Maybe if we could watch it without Warner losing his mind and being on the verge of tears I would change my mind, but his Grizz-ness is a total consumption of his being. I’m not even allowed to talk during the game unless it’s about basketball. I brought up something about what we were going to have for dinner the other day and you would have thought I was making the annoying noise from Dumb and Dumber at the top of my lungs. At what point does love for your wife supersede Grizz basketball? It’s a toss up around here.

Our living room has taken a turn for the decorating worse with Growl Towels in every corner. Clearly a typical man’s way to decorate. Now, if I were to put up some Thunder paraphernalia it would be promptly removed by my husband. Is there are double standard here? You bet your bottom dollar there is.

I’m sorry, Warner, I love you and if the Thunder win I won’t gloat or rub it in your face. I’ll sit calmly and smile knowing that my team is better than your team. And that’s all I need.

This weekend, I had the chance to interview an up-and-coming band based out of Austin, Texas. Friendly Savages just released their first full album. They’ve been playing shows all around the Lone Star State and return to play in Nashville, TN at Exit/In this Tuesday night! 

You won’t want to miss this Exclusive Interview that will have you laughing and wanting to see them play live, download their album, and just want to be friends with these guys. The band has a great story. They have a phenomenal album. Get on board now!

If you want to listen to their first single for free, go here. If you want to check out their Nashville show, go here. If you want to download the whole album, this is where you’re going to want to go. Trust us!

Check out the whole interview below, discussing the band’s history, their songwriting methods, their dreams, their goals, what’s on their DVR, what movies they’re looking forward to this summer, and so much more!

Tell us a little about how Friendly Savages came to be. If you will, imagine it’s like that Saved by the Bell dream episode where Zack Attack takes off and has a VH1 Behind the Music special. What would the early days of Friendly Savages look like there?

Scott: Malcolm and I first met in a songwriting class at Vanderbilt University back in college. A year later, I moved to Austin and worked at a desk right next to John at Google. We shared a love for music – and jammed a few nights later. I knew Malcolm was a great songwriter and banjo picker – and John was friends with Josh – a excellent mandolin player and vocalist. After playing together for a year, we were lucky enough to meet our bass player, Michael – through Josh. It’s been really amazing to see it all come together. Josh and Michael grew up in Austin, John in San Antonio, Malcolm in Ft. Worth, and myself in New Jersey. It’s really amazing to see the web of connections that brought us all together.

How would you describe your music and your live show to people who have never heard of you guys?

John: A subtle mix of bluegrass jams, foot stomping folk, and a few quieter, more interospective acoustic tunes.

Malcolm: Rowdy and thoughtful folkish rock.

Michael: folk bluegrass with poppy undertones

Scott: I would describe our music as folk rock – and our live show as a joyous, raucous celebration.

What are some long-term goals for Friendly Savages?

Malcolm: World peace. I’d settle for playing a house show for Metta World Peace. I’d also really like to go to the moon, but I’m not sure how the band factors in to that.

John: Actually figuring out how to use folk music to avert falling space rocks.

Michael: it would be awesome to be sustained financially by the band alone.

Scott: I’d love to be able to play the summer festival circuit – I’ve always been a big fan of music festivals and it would be a dream come true to play at them. ACL and Bonnaroo would be incredible.

So you have this first album out which has done really well. What’s each of your’s favorite songs on there?

Scott: I’d have to say “Her Locket on a Chain”. It’s got this fun, slightly crazed saloon type feel to it that gets me excited every time I listen to it.

Malcolm: “The Hold of the LORD on my Sparrow.”

Josh:  “Counted Lost” is my favorite song on the album, and “Her Locket on a Chain” is my favorite one to play live

John: “Trouble with Home.” I love the build, and it has really tight, distinct movements.

Michael: “Her Locket on a chain” is my fav. Love the vibes of the song.

So what comes next? Playing a show in Nashville, soon, right? Tell us about that.

Scott: Nashville is the last stop on our Spring 2013 tour. It’s our seventh gig in six days, and headlining at Exit/In couldn’t be a better way to finish. As a Vanderbilt student – I saw everyone from Josh Ritter to Keller Williams at Exit/In, and getting to headline there ourselves is a dream come true.

Best part about being a musician?

Malcolm: Performing live, when the audience is engaged and everyone is lost and found at the same time.

John: The live show, by far. There is nothing like getting an audience to sing, dance and smile along with us. It really is what keeps me going.

Michael: I love music as a unit, to build and work off each other and get really enveloped in the music together is such a beautiful thing about music.

Scott: Playing live and improvising on stage. There’s nothing better than giving the audience a new experience each time they see you play.

Hardest part about being a musician?

Josh:  There is a lot more non-music business that needs to be taken care of than I ever thought there would be.

Malcolm: The uncertainty of where things will go makes things interesting, but can be a little difficult as well.

John: Having to self promote, constantly.  We are all pretty laid back guys, who really just love playing music, and it can be difficult at times to continually push show dates, merch, and the record on our fans.

Michael: The amount of details that go along with the territory, especially with a bunch of guys who aren’t necesarilly details guys can be hard at times. We left a banjo in college station and realized it in houston, if that tells you anything. Haha…

Favorite place to eat on the road?

Scott: Cracker Barrel – no contest

Malcolm: Split decision between Chili’s (official Grill & Bar of Friendly Savages) and Cracker Barrel

Josh:  Chili’s.  Or watching Malcolm order pizza at Subway

John: Chili’s, the official bar and grill of Friendly Savages.

Michael: Chili’s. or Double Down sandwich from KFC.

Favorite venue to play?

Scott: Stubbs in Austin. We just had our first show there and it was an unbelievable experience. But I think this show at Exit/In Tuesday night could change my answer.

Josh:  Stubbs or the Parish in Austin

Malcolm: The Parish in Austin

John: Not too creative here…but The Parish in Austin.  The sound in that room is incredible.

Michael: Stubbs has been the best. great crowd, great sound, great energy.

Favorite guitar/brand/place to shop for instruments?

Josh: Fiddler’s Green in Austin.  It’s got a cool mom-and-pop style, bluegrass feel, with beautiful folk instruments hanging all over the walls.

Malcolm: Fiddler’s Green. It’s quiet, comfortable, has great selection and is run by great people.

John: Ditto.

Michael: online.

Major influences, some from past, some current?

John: Chris Thile, James Taylor, Sufjan Stevens.

Malcolm: Sufjan Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, Wilco

Michael: I love Jon Foreman of Switchfoot. my favorite lyricist ever.

Scott: From the past, I’d have to say Bruce Hornsby. I’ve always found Wilco and Sufjan Stevens to be a big influence, and lately have been listening to a great up and coming band out of Brooklyn called Spirit Family Reunion.

What do you think about the state of music today? Both in terms of quality and in terms of the business side with the dwindling sales, etc.?

Scott: The internet has definitely made it easier to find an audience – but also more difficult to make money as a musician. On the bright side, dwindling record sales have made a band’s live performance the key to being successful financially – and that’s a good thing. I always have the most respect for bands that can bring something new to their live show outside of what’s on the album.

Ideal person to go on tour with, sky is the limit?

Malcolm: Sufjan Stevens or Kendrick Lamar.

Josh:  Sigur Ros

Scott: Robert Randolph – most energetic musician I’ve ever seen live. Looks like he’s having a great time on stage.

John: The Avett Brothers, or Edward Sharpe.

Michael: Avett or a country act like Taylor or Keith Urban

Now at least some of you have jobs outside of Friendly Savages? Who all does what?

Josh:  Work at a nonprofit dedicated to education and family support

Malcolm: I develop software for a chemically reactive flow simulation tool

John: I work for Google. It’s neat!

Scott: I also work for Google – where I met John!

Best musical moment for y’all to date?

Josh:  Playing “Her Locket on a Chain” at Stubb’s. The place was packed, everyone knew the words, and things got rowdy

John: The Stubb’s encore of Asteroid J-30.  The crowd’s screaming went from “One More Song” to “Asteroid Song” – The fact that they knew it was coming, alone, was awesome.

Malcolm: We played Rites of Spring in Nashville in 2012. I loved going there when I was at Vandy, and being on the other side of the stage was pretty surreal.

Michael: I loved walking onstage at Stubbs. It was such a rockstar moment and I felt all fuzzy inside.

Scott: I’d have to either say Rites of Spring in Nashville last year or playing “Her Locket On a Chain” at Stubbs this past Thursday. Who knows – maybe Exit/In will become our favorite moment!

Now you guys used KickStarter? How important was that in y’all’s development as a group?

Scott: Raising money via KickStarter was essential for us being able to record our first album. We are so incredibly grateful and humbled by the generosity of our friends and fans that made the record happen.

If there were one thing you would want your audiences to take away from your shows, what would you want it to be?

Josh: Not to get too artsy, but I think there is something beautiful about a group of people being bound together by a common experience.  It is both an escape from everything else going on and a reminder of things that we share together.  That is definitely what I love about a live music experience and so I hope that people get to walk away from one of our shows and feel like they had a great time.

John: To leave smiling, laughing, and happier than when they walked in.  If we can leave people with a skip in their step, we have done our job.

Michael: I just want them to walk away and have had a fun time, enjoy the music, make new friends and just be excited about life!

Scott: I always want our music to be a communal experience. The is first and foremost for me. If they can relate with our music and find an emotion they can connect with – that’s a great show.

What is your dream venue to play? No limits here. Madison Square Garden to a packed house? The Ryman? Red Rocks?

Malcolm: The Ryman, hands down. It’s just about perfect–so much history, incredible acoustics, big enough to have a good crowd while maintaining the intimacy of a smaller venue.

John: Red Rocks has always been my dream venue. I can’t imagine playing a show there.

Michael: Red Rocks to a crazy packed house. It would be unreal.

Scott: I would say The Gorge Amphitheatre out on the west coast in Washington. Absolutely gorgeous.

What was the first CD you ever bought? First live concert attended? First song you ever learned to play?

Malcolm: First CD was “Big Willie Style” by Will Smith. First show was Dave Matthews Band. First song was “Arms Wide Open” by Creed. No shame…

Josh:  Haha I think my first CD was Creed, my first show was Cake, and my first song was “Title and Registration” by Death Cab for Cutie.  Which was also my ringtone

Scott: First CD was the Space Jam Sound track. First show was The Moody Blues. And first song I learned to play was “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on the violin as a 4 year old.

John: First CD was “Around the Carousel” by Phil Collins. First show, that I can remember, was Rush. First song was “Fly By Night” by Rush.

Michael: Jesus Freak by DC Talk…first song I learned was Light the Fire (It’s a worship song.)

At live shows or in rehearsal, do y’all just mess around and do cover songs you like. If so, what is your favorite cover song to perform?

Scott: We try to keep our rehearsals pretty focused on original material – but definitely have nights where we just jam and learn some fun covers. I think our favorite cover song to perform live is “Lost in My Mind” by the Head and the Heart. We put our own little spin on the song – and I think crowds are always pleasantly surprised by the cover.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever written a song? 

Malcolm: I’ve written a few songs while driving. It’s probably the worst possible place to write a song, and that gives it a special charm.

Do you have a favorite road trip activity?

John: Sleeping

Malcolm: Listening to truck-driver gospel music

Michael: I love listening to the NPR show Radio Lab. keeps my mind occupied, its amazing.

Scott: Listening to ridiculous local talk radio.

If we were to take a look at your DVR right now, what would be on there? What are some of your favorite shows?

Malcolm: about 20 episodes of Seinfeld

John: New Girl and Parks and Recreation

Michael: new girl, parks and rec, the office, modern family

Scott: The Office and New Girl.

What 2013 movies (summer and beyond) are y’all most looking forward to?

Malcolm: Great Gatsby.

Michael: great gatsby, star trek

Scott: Great Gatsby

How specific of career goals do y’all set for yourself as you write new songs, perform shows, and release new albums?

Scott: Our album, “Oh Joshua!” was just released about a month ago – so we have been really focusing on promoting the album both through media and live shows. Now we are trying to play as many live shows as possible and really focusing on our performances – constantly trying to improve and get better as a band.

How similar are your musical tastes to each other?

Scott: We have a pretty eclectic mix between the five of us. I would say that Malcolm and I veer a little bit more “alternative” bands like Wilco and, let’s say Neutral Milk Hotel – but everybody has pretty eclectic tastes – from bluegrass and folk to jazz and even some pop.

If you could perform on any show on television (talk show, late night show, etc.), which one would it be and why?

John: Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to perform on David Letterman.

Malcolm: I hope that, one day, one of our songs will be played over the emotional climax of an episode of Real World.

Michael: late night with jimmy fallon and have the roots play with us!

Scott: Playing for David Letterman would be ridiculous.

What advice do you have for someone who is trying to catch their first big break in the music scene?

Scott: Play as many live shows as you can – and always be grateful for every person that comes to your show. It’s really important to establish great relationships with fans and venues. It’s all about people – and important to keep that as the forefront of what you’re doing.

Our resident book expert, Joseph Amagliani, drops by today to share the three books he is most looking forward to for the month of May.

And The Mountains Echoed

Khaled Hosseini

May 21, 2013

Khaled Hosseini, bestselling author of The Kite Runner (2003), releases his much anticipated third novel this month, And The Mountains Echoed.  A doctor turned author, Hosseini has captured readers worldwide as he has sold over 38 million copies of his first two novels, the aforementioned The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007).  His newest novel follows a family through over 50 years of life and several different settings.  Hosseini typically deals with many familial and cultural issues, and this novel seems to line up with those themes as well.

Dead Ever After

Charlaine Harris

May 7, 2013

Native Southerner and Rhodes College alum Charlaine Harris returns with her thirteenth novel in the popular “The Southern Vampire Mysteries” series, also known as “The Sookie Stackhouse Novels.”  The popular HBO series True Blood spawned out of Harris’s series, and Dead Ever After marks the end to this series of supernatural adventure.

Inferno: A Novel

Dan Brown

May 14, 2013

Robert Langdon is back for more in Dan Brown’s newest thriller, Inferno: A Novel.  Inferno is Brown’s second novel since the controversial The DaVinci Code in 2003.  Brown typically weaves mystery, puzzle solving, and semi-accurate history in his novels to form compelling stories, and much of the same should be expected from Inferno.  This time around, Langdon finds himself in Italy for what promises to be an exciting page-turner from Dan Brown.