Review – Sa nu ma uiti

SavedPicture-20154614410.jpgSambata, 4 aprilie, am avut program. Cu prietenii de la In Culise, fireste. A avut loc avanpremiera spectacolului Sa nu ma uiti, cu acelasi Florin Fratila de care nu ma pot desparti, se pare.

Daca nu stiti cine e Florin Fratila, va spun sincer ca mai mare pacat artistic n-ati facut in viata voastra! Cum se duce totul dracu’ este spectacolul meu de suflet, iar prestatia lui acolo este absolut magica.

Nu cred ca trebuie sa specific ca aveam aceleasi asteptari inalte si de la Sa nu ma uiti, nu?

Sa nu ma uiti incepe intr-un mod neasteptat – cu violoncelul lui Bach, pe care il iubesc si il ador, si pentru mine e semn de mare iubire artistica. Din fericire, semnul asta nu e pacaleala – iubirea e in fiecare minut pe scena, la loc de cinste, gata sa te mangaie si sa te aline, in timp ce te tortureaza cu gratie divina.

Inceputul pare un pic dificil, Cosmina Soare lasand sa se vada cateva tremururi de emotie care par sa contribuie la autenticitatea povestii, in timp ce se incadreaza perfect in tabloul pe care il (re)prezinta.

Florin Fratila este genul acela de stea pe care nu o banuiesti, dar care arde intens, mocnit, cu ciuda si patima, cu ura si iubire, si omul asta incredibil asta imi transmite de fiecare data.

Cei doi actori par a expune doi poli ai aceluiasi magnet, cu o naturalete incredibila, care a miscat fiecare persoana prezenta in seara de 4 aprilie in Copper’s Pub.

Sa nu ma uiti mi-a dat o replica numai buna de tinut minte pe vecie:

Poate sunt un personaj arhetipal, dar nu sunt arhetipul insusi.

Si o „coloana sonora” la fel de bine aleasa ca si pana acum la spectacolele de la In Culise.

Universalitatea subiectului abordat de Stefan Caraman, la fel de actual astazi, ca si acum o suta de ani, face din Sa nu ma uiti o caricatura generoasa a vietii de cuplu, creionata din momente trase la indigo si reprezentative pentru lipsa de comunicare ce intervine odata ce se instaleaza rutina si obisnuita, odata ce romantismul dispare pe geam si comunicarea fuge grabita pe usa din spate.

La un spectacol cu doar doi protagonisti e mult mai simplu sa observi de pe margine egoismul omului, care cere neincetat dovezi de iubire, fara sa le ofere la randu-i, si e tare usor sa-ti spui ca tu nu vei fi asa niciodata – sa cazi, adica, in capcana pe care Stefan Caraman, fin observator al bubelor cotidiene, ti-o pregateste intre zambete si rasete.

Sa nu ma uiti are un leitmotiv care se contureaza rapid si care devine o mantra, un simbol al pacii intre doua caractere orgolioase, vicioase si, mai presus de orice, iubite, iar rezultatul final este ca dragostea este distrugatoare, puternica si permanenta, indiferent de cum ajungi la el.

Sa nu ma uiti va avea premiera pe 10 aprilie, tot In Culise, la Copper’s Pub, pe Hristo Botev, nr. 25. Va sfatuiesc sa nu-l ratati, pentru ca asemenea introspectii merita atentia voastra.

 

Review – Poet Anderson: The Dream Walker

I am not very fond of animated movies, nor am I a shortie fan, but whenever I hear of something involving Tom DeLonge, I’m there. His latest effort with Angels and Airwaves is a very solid work of art, and I was expecting the same quality, if not better, from his upcoming short animated movie, Poet Anderson: The Dream Walker.

Fortunately, even if you see the trailer, you would not know what to expect from the final movie. Tom DeLonge mostly abuses hints and metaphors, and everything is amplified by the extensive use of Angels and Airwaves tracks.

The music is flawless, as one would expect from Mr. Tom DeLonge, and the visuals are stunning and worthy of your time. Voice wise, the movie could do a bit better, but I’ll let it slide… This time.

Poet Anderson: The Dream Walker is, basically, a magnificent blend between the fluidity of Aeon Flux and the sci-fi model experimented in Blade Runner. At the end of the day, the short animated movie brings back and forth concepts scantly explored, but it has the clear advantage of letting its viewers to draw their own conclusions.

And believe you me, those conclusions are all over the place, and watching the film will not be a one time thing. You’ll see it over and over again whenever you need to escape this ugly reality.

Review: Fall Out Boy – American Beauty/American Psycho

fall-out-boy-american-beauty-american-psychoI’ve been a fan of Fall Out Boy since 2006, and until now, I must say I never thought they could be so bland and boring. Say what?!
Yes, being a fan does not mean I’ll think everything you create is great, and this time, Fall Out Boy did it worse than ever with American Beauty/American Psycho. Even though I love the play on words and the duality, the album is quite constant, and in a bad way.
The only thing I love about the album is Irresistible. That’s it. One song?! I never thought that could be possible, really, but the whole package makes me think „Go away, Pete Wentz, with your high school lyrics, and leave us alone!”. Too bad I can’t act on that…
So yeah, Irresistible is like Patrick Stump 2.0, it almost feels like it was torn apart from his first album – it has the same angst, the same stadium feeling, the same urge, same need, more of everything that’s good, and less of everything that’s bad. (9/10)
American Beauty/American Psycho, the track that gives the album its title, is headachey to say the least. Stump seems underused, and I can’t understand, for the love of god, what’s Nikki Sixx‘s job on this piece. (5/10)
Centuries is one of the songs released before the album. I remember thinking back then „hmm, wtf?!”. Now?! Now it’s more like „wtffffffffffffffffff!!!”. (5/10)
The Kids Aren’t Alright got me thinking of that one The Offspring song, but that was the only best part of it. The rest of it is totally forgettable – no rhythm, no lyrics, no music. (4/10)
Uma Thurman is something that in some circles people would call music, but in my book this spells boring in several languages, several of whom are already dead, just like my poor ears. (2/10)
Jet Pack Blues is the only thing remotely interesting besides Irresistible. And when I say „remotely”, I’m using the term very loosely. Press „Play” only if you miss your high school love and/or if you had a shitty childhood and wanna blame someone for going on a murder spree. (7/10)
Novocaine reminded me of Holy Roller Novocaine by Kings of Leon, but only because of the name. Of course, what did you expect? The song sounds like something Taylor Swift rejected, so what the crap. (5/10)
Fourth of July reminds me of Black Widow – THAT Black Widow, by Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora, but only because of the clapping at the beginning. The rest of the song screams „This is Patrick having a bad creative day, so bear with me”. (4/10)
Favorite Record seems to be the poor relative of the previous song, with a whole lot of do-do’s and nothing much besides that. Also, the guitars kinda sound like some 80s band I can’t quite pinpoint right now, and I’m not even trying. (4/10)
Immortals… And manele are on! What?! Apparently, this song was intended for Big Hero 6. To that I say „meh”. The song is mediocre at best, and Patrick keep stumping those vocals with religious fervor. (5/10)
Twin Skeleton’s (Hotel in NYC) makes me think of all those emo bands back in 2007-2008, and miss the greatness they were. Because this song is absolutely appalling. (3/10)
Maybe if I’d listen to the instrumentals…
Maybe if I’d pay more attention to the technical part of it…
Maybe if I ignore the stupidity of the lyrics…
Nope, not gonna happen. The album is a whole, and as a whole, I must say it’s pretty bad. I can only point out that it has the proof that Fall Out Boy still know how to title their songs in a punkish way, but the proof that this does not work anymore. Everything else is misery and high school trauma. Thanks, Wentz!

Review – Clinica Sinucigașilor

Clinica Sinucigasilor - afis micDespre oamenii frumoși care lucrează la În Culise am numai cuvinte de laudă. Spectacolele lor întotdeauna mișcă, și întotdeauna livrează hohote de râs în sală, fără să aibă un public țintă. Știu doar că de fiecare dată am plecat de la ei cu gura strâmbă de atâta râs, și am vrut întotdeauna mai mult.

Și totuși… Clinica Sinucigașilor, în regia lui Cristian Bajora și urmând un text scris de Gabriela Mihalache este… Altfel. Cu totul și cu totul altfel. Oamenii în jurul meu râdeau la replicile amuzante, credeți-mă că erau amuzante, dar pe mine m-a mișcat tragedia din spatele cuvintelor.

Ești angoasat, stresat, obosit și tulburat? Bine-ai venit la Clinica Sinucigașilor, locul unde toate neliniștile tale vor lua sfârșit! Într-o lume în care depresia e ”la moda”, trebuie să facem haz de necaz și să privim moartea prin ochii divertismentului. Așa s-a născut această drama-comedy deosebit de amuzantă și extrem de actuală, care accentuează contrastul dintre o normalitate depresivă și frumusețea vieții, care oricum e prea scurtă!

În Clinica Sinucigașilor m-am reîntâlnit cu Maria Popovici, de care m-am îndrăgostit (la propriu) când am văzut Ghengbeng. Maria are o voce care pur și simplu ți se întipărește pe creier, e o prezență pe care o recunoști instantaneu, din o mie de oameni, și mi-a plăcut faptul că rolul ei din Clinică… a confirmat bănuiala mea inițială în legătură cu talentul ei.

Clinica Sinucigasilor6micGrațiela Popa este, din câte am înțeles, fostă invatatica a cursurilor de la Teen Media, și faptul că a reușit să fie ATÂT de convingătoare într-un rol solicitant m-a făcut să exclam, pe silent, evident, „chapeau bas!” de câteva ori.

Clinica Sinucigasilor10micPaul Alexandru, fost coleg de scenă cu Maria Popovici în Ghengbeng, se „joacă” cu un personaj, și o face la un mod interesant de intens. Rolul lui Dănuț nu e foarte dificil, dar Paul owns it on so many levels, e o plăcere să-l vezi pe scenă febril, disperat, împăcat cu soartă, plin de speranță, și fonfăit pe deasupra!Clinica Sinucigasilor8mic

Cu Ștefan Nistor m-am văzut prima dată la Scrisori către Rita, și va garantez că nu va fi ultima oară. La câtă carismă are omul asta, ține sală în frâu cu o singură privire și un singur cuvânt, și nu o să vă pară rău dacă pariați pe numele lui când alegeți un spectacol.

Alex Vlad face un pic notă discordantă cu subiectul Clinicii…, cu toată energia lui debordantă și aproape electrizantă, și adună în personajul lui furii și frustrări care ne macină pe toți, cu atâta naturalețe încât mai că-ți vine și ție să faci la fel.

La Clinica Sinucigașilor m-am dus pregătită să râd, și am plecat plină de gânduri și idei care și-au făcut cu greu loc pe foaie. În aparență simplu, subiectul m-a destabilizat un pic și m-a dat peste cap, dar pentru mine asta e un semn de câtă profunzime aduce arta în viața noastră, și câte gânduri și emoții naște în noi, fără că măcar să ne dăm seama.

Și dacă nu pentru asta o savurăm, atunci de ce o mai căutăm?

Clinica Sinucigașilor are premiera pe 25 ianuarie, la noul sediu În Culise, de pe Hristo Botev, nr. 25.

Review: Marilyn Manson – The Pale Emperor

It’s been years since Marilyn Manson released something, so you can understand my excitement when I heard Killing Strangers during John Wick. A promise was made – that a new album will come soon enough, and I was eager to listen to it!

Killing Strangers is the opening track – it’s slick, and screams „Manson” with every note. It’s sickening, it’s angry, it’s disappointed – it’s everything you and me are, so why the fuck not!? (10/10)

Deep Six was promoted as a lead single, with a very simple, yet disturbing video. I must admit I adore the bass line at the beginning of the song, the drumming and how it all blends in perfectly with Manson’s screaming. It’s pure joy for my ears, even though at first the song seemed a bit predictable. (10/10)

Third Day of a Seven Day Binge was released as a first promo single, and it was a very smart move. The bass mixes the guitar in a rather savage way, and in theory nothing would seem to make sense, but it does – it does make sense in such a weird way, I can’t stop listening to it! (10/10)

The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles – that’s quite a mouthful! I’m still undecided – the guitars are amazing, the rhythm is not quite there, the lyrics don’t seem to make sense, but the whole package screams „suitability and fear and hope”. What?! (7/10)

Warship My Wreck kinda sounds like a modern Coma White, with a little more comformity and a little less genius. It’s not bad, but it’s not wow either. (6.5/10)

Slave Only Dreams to be King is the kind of title that makes me proud of being a Marilyn Manson fan. Even though the platitude is noticeable and kind of expected from him, at this point in his life, the song is not bad. It reminds me a bit of (s)AINT, minus the angst. (7/10)

The Devil Beneath My Feet seems like a forgettable piece, since I had to look up to see the name. The album seems a bit repetitive at this point, and all the songs get mixed up in my brain. This particular track also has the quality of reminding me of The Red Carpet Grave combined with Children of Cain, so it’s understandable why I’m confused. (6/10)

Birds of Hell Awaiting starts off great, with a bit of Aggaloch-like vocals, and it seems to be the kind of vehicle that propelled Manson to stardom. Too bad he’s like 20 years late… (7/10)

Cupid Carries a Gun sounds like Manson had to fill in a quota, and this straw came short, and Mercury was in retrograde, and a bunch of other bad stuff happened, and so… This song was all that they could come up with. Except that it sounds like Manson circa 20 years ago, so yay?! (7/10)

Odds of Even. I can’t even. Is this The Speed of Pain, remastered?! (5/10)

Overall, The Pale Emperor is at least bearable. Marilyn Manson goes out of his way to please old fans that don’t want any spark of creativity for their idol, and he manages to squeeze out a beautiful combo of Born Villain and The Unholy Trinity (Antichrist Superstar, Mechanical Animals and Holy Wood), recycling old concepts that once appealed to the masses, and are now obsolete.

To be completely honest, after The Golden Age of Grotesque, Manson looked like he was on his way to reinvention, and for about 10 years that reinvention seemed great. Too bad peer pressure, or whatever that is, chased away that new spirit – I hope all those oldies reminiscing their 1996 Manson are happy. I am only meh.

Review: Angels & Airwaves – The Dream Walker

TheDreamWalkerI can’t believe that, until now, I haven’t got the chance to review the newest Angels and Airwaves album, The Dream Walker. Their latest effort since 2011’s Love Part II is, maybe, their best so far. I’m not quite sure if this affirmation will stand in a few years or even a few months, but until now I’ve come to terms with it.

This 5th album came with a lineup change, especially with Mr. Ilan Rubin taking over drums and keyboards. Rubin, formerly of Lostprophets and Nine Inch Nails, brought a heavier sound, that gives depth to DeLonge’s aerial vocals in such a manner, it only makes you wonder why the f*ck they waited so long for this collaboration to start.

The new lineup gives a little more organic darkness to the sound, and lyrically speaking, DeLonge’s has kept the same balance as before, albeit a little simpler and poppier. The Dream Walker marks a little more experimentation for the Blink 182 frontman, coupled with electronic sounds bound to keep you playing the album on repeat. I think the best quality of the album is its fresh feeling once you forget about it and you stumble upon it by accident.

Teenagers & Rituals opens up The Dream Walker, leaving you no chance but to speed up with the sound that takes you faster and faster. It’s the kind of song that won’t take no for an answer, it’s raw and young and stupid, just like we were, and while the lyrics aren’t the greatest thing cooked up by Tom, they fit perfectly with the youthful sound of the song. (8.5/10)

Paralyzed was one of the singles that preceded the album, and through the bass line, you get carried away in a split second. This song has such a sense of urgency; it’s quite unbelievable I hated it when I first listened to it. Paralyzed is one of those rare songs that grow on you, even if you hate it at first. It’s demanding, and it has determination, anger and angst – a perfect anthem for Mr. DeLonge. (9/10)

The Wolfpack stands out from all the Angels & Airwaves songs I have ever listened. It has such a buildup, it’s electrifying, to say the least. It’s a perfect song to be played out in the open, and I can’t wait to see the band live, just because of this one song. It can’t hurt that the video is one of the most pop attempts I have ever witnessed from DeLonge, and the lyrics will appeal to both teenagers and adults. (10/10)

Tunnels comes to argue with everything that The Wolfpack was. As far as I know it, the song was inspired by the death of Tom’s father, and maybe because of that I have the feeling that this track is the most personal thing he created with AVA. Tunnels is filled with emotion, sad reality and hope at the same time, and the overall composition – musically and lyrically speaking, seems so mature for Tom. I have to applaud this effort. (10/10)

Have you ever missed Depeche Mode in their glory days? Look no further, then! The same gravity Martin got us used to is employed in Kiss With a Spell. Until I listened to this song, I could’ve sworn my all time favorite track off the album was The Wolfpack, but Kiss With a Spell has such depth and the electronic touch can’t hurt the meaning of the song, so I’ll have it forever on my playlist. (11/10)

Mercenaries is one wicked track. I can’t remember its name, nor I can distinguish its beginning, but around the first and a half minute I start recognizing what I like about it. It’s a weird composition, I never know if I fully love it, or if I hate it with all my power, but one thing I know for sure – I wouldn’t recommend missing it. (8/10)

Bullets in the Wind will come off as a surprise, especially for Interpol or The Editors fans. Ilan Rubin goes wild with the drums, engaging in a wicked rhythm filled with awesomeness – but of course! This song is one of their best and the proof (if you really needed that) that this combo works on many levels. (10/10)

The Disease seems a bit uneven, or maybe uneventful, even though it plays on the dark side of the album, with a little more emphasis on the analysis, and a little more focus on the choice of words. However, even if it’s a great song technically speaking, it doesn’t have the spark. (8/10)

Tremors has the same anthem-y sound I was expecting from the band, and for me it screams “hope and happiness are at your feet”, how can I not love it?! (10/10)

Anomaly, just like its title, is an anomaly. For me, it kinda sounds like Boxing Day, from Blink 182’s 2012 EP, Dogs Eating Dogs. It’s a mellow track, with sad accents, almost emo-ish, but at the same time you can sense a bit of hope at the end of the song. (8/10)

Overall, the album is better than I expected. Thematically, it shows that the band has grown (if you really doubted that until now), musically, DeLonge has allowed himself to explore a little more and it has taken Angels & Airwaves outside their comfort zone, and God! How good they sound outside it!

Pic.

Review – Cum se duce totul dracu’

Cum-se-duce-totul-dracuCum se duce totul dracu’ este, in teorie, cel putin, o comedie. Incepe ca o comedie, in care razi si razi si razi, si starea de facto a natiunii pare sa fie un ranjet larg, intins de la ureche la ureche, si se sfarseste, cel putin pentru mine, in lacrimi sincere. Cel mai neasteptat lucru la acest spectacol a fost tranzitia exceptionala, emotionanta, naturala, de la amuzament la realism dureros si dur.

Povestea din Cum se duce totul dracu’ e una simpla rau de tot, fix ca-n viata (cum altfel?). Un el, o ea, un razboi etern al principiilor si nervilor, al dreptatii puerile si al logicii si ratiunii. Daca vreodata credeti ca aveti sorti de izbanda in dragoste, think again. Bazat pe un text contemporan scris de Mihai Ignat, spectacolul face uz de creativitatea celor doi actori, Loredana Cosovanu si Florin Fratila, care au creat Cum se duce totul dracu’ integral si l-au pus in scena asa cum am avut ocazia sa-l simt pe 10 decembrie.

Cum se duce totul dracu’ are noroc de o distributie exceptionala – doi oameni care par sa se inteleaga din priviri, cu o chimie incredibila intre ei, dar si intre ei si public, doi oameni care au muncit extrem de mult pentru a prezenta un rezultat incredibil de bun unui public receptiv si empatic. Sau poate asa s-a vazut spectacolul din primul rand, de acolo de unde ai acces la trairile actorilor, dar si la trairile oamenilor care au facut din Cum se duce totul dracu’ un spectacol sold out, asa cum ar fi fost normal.

Daca Loredana Cosoveanu a stiut sa imbine gratia, frenezia si irationalitatea feminina, Florin Fratila a reusit sa mixeze simplitatea, confuzia, bunatatea si exasperarea masculina. Cei doi actori au adus pe scena o relatie cat se poate de reala, cat se poate de plina de defecte, cu sperante, vise si frustrari, cu fericire si ura, cu momente stupide si absurde. Realitatea acestei relatii inchipuite m-a miscat si m-a impresionat, si cred ca si daca n-ati suferit vreodata din iubire, tot veti rezona alaturi de actorii de pe scena.

Cum se duce totul dracu’ e un spectacol pe care il recomand din suflet, alaturi de o buna doza de rationament. Puteti sa va uitati linistiti zambetele acasa, veti avea destule motive sa zambiti In Culise.