Notes on film and music

That title sounds pretentious, doesn't it? Apologies. I've consumed a movie and a cd recently and, while I had distinctly different opinions of the two experiences  there were similarities in the strength of my response to each of them, And the fact that the two primary artists involved, Johnny Depp and John Mayer, are beginning to morph into the same shaggy sexy looking guy.   Purely beyond the film, in Mr. Depp's case.

The best thing about the movie I saw a couple of weeks ago, was the popcorn.  And I broke a filling on a kernel.  It is probably more a statement about me than the film, but I just don't get this Johnny Depp, Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter love affair.  It's over and they need to take a five-year time out from each other before I'll pay to see another of their collaborations.  "Dark Shadows" was ridiculous, camp without humor, horror without suspense.  It was so bad it made me uncomfortable.  But, that's just me.

Now, I don't know what you know about John Mayer's new album, Born and Raised, but I'm kind of embarrassed about how much I love it.  Not like Jessica Simpson was when he described her as "sexual napalm," (And can you explain what made that such a criticism?  I think I would have been flattered) but still kind of sheepishly blushing.  I think the lyrics (call me Word Girl) are earnest and meaningful, the message is optimistically positive and the music is thoughtfully sincere. Despite his having obviously stolen an idea from me in the song "Love is a Verb," I can't help but be head over heels in love with the record.  I feel like it's one of those albums which will come to define a time period in my life.  Which is way better than wishing I had the 113 minutes back that I wasted watching that wretched movie.

So - there you have it, some topical, not necessarily sage, cultural advice.  You got something to share, too?  What movies have you seen?  Maybe some new music recommendations?