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Early last summer, I was flipping through channels looking for something to watch, and nothing seemed to catch my interest. After about fifteen minutes of disinterested channel surfing, something stopped me dead in my tracks. On a local programming channel I had never even stumbled upon, I was captivated by a calypso-like drumline, a pleasant melody, and cute, witty lyrics—the sweet sounds of none other than Ingrid Michaelson. I didn't know it then, but I had just been introduced to someone who would quickly become one of my favorite musicians. Anyone who knows me personally can attest to this.
On June 1, I was lucky enough to see Ingrid live, and my admiration for her more than tripled. The thing that was the biggest surprise for me was that not only were her lyrics witty, but she herself had the whole crowd laughing from start to finish. She seemed to know how to make the audience feel like they had known her for years, and she was doing nothing more than performing in their living room. She is on tour all summer, and if any of you get the chance to catch her, you will not be disappointed. It is impossible not to love the ukelele-strumming diva, whose fan base has grown at lightning speed. At age 28, she already has a lot under her belt, and most definitely has a bright future ahead.Not only did Michaelson's set list include favorites from both of her fantastic albums, Slow the Rain (2005), and Girls and Boys (2007), but impromptu performances of "Edelweiss," several television show themes, and even a few classical pieces, also graced our ears. Much to the delight of the audience, Ingrid broke into renditions of the Who's the Boss and Full House themes, along with a participatory Full House trivia game. Her sweet encore performance of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" practically had everyone eating out of the palm of her hand.
What made this show particularly spectacular was the combination of Michaelson's soft vocals, unsurpassed innocence, and sense of humor. It was these elements, along with the occasional addition of her ukulele, that made the performance one that was undoubtedly human-- one you should make a point to see this summer. I left that venue feeling as if I had known her for years. Her love of performing was evident, as was her connection with her band, particularly "musical sister" Allie Moss, who was a wonderful addition to the ensemble. With voice colors similar to that of Ingrid's, she was the perfect complement.
If you get a chance to catch Ingrid (and Greg) in the coming months, you will not be left disappointed. It was clear that Philadelphia is near and dear to her heart, as it was her first performance spot outside her hometown.
Watch out for the possible "wedding tour" she spoke of, in which audience members will have to attend wearing tuxedos and ball gowns. It is amazing how much Ms. Michaelson's fan base has expanded, just in the last year alone, and she will surely be a face we see frequently in the coming months.
Ingrid Michaelson's MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ingridmichaelson
My heart was not able to relax throughout this entire film, nor was my sphincter. I'm just saying I was tense, extremely so, and was also scared shitless.
I'd begun to lose hope in horror flicks. They all seem so uniform, and tend to lean towards a boring mediocrity that appears to have become the norm for scary movies these days. The Strangers does not fall into this category. Instead of lumping it with recent films such as One Missed Call or Boogeyman, which fit the genre of boring and predictable horror, I would instead compare it to Rob Zombie's films House of a 1000 Corpses and Devil's Rejects. It is brutality at its best. There is nothing scarier than real people destroying real people, especially, when they wear eerie white masks.
Brutality without a visible motive, and torture with no apparent escape, create the scariest feeling of all; Hopelessness. I was reminded of a movie released a few months ago, Funny Games. That movie showcased pointless violence, with no resolution in sight. Ironically enough, that supposedly pointless movie was made with the intent to make a point. People like violence. They like to watch it. They like to pretend to look away as they cringe at the inhumanity of it all. Even though these movies featured similar plots, the outcome was completely different. While Funny Games amused and intrigued me, The Strangers successfully made me uncomfortable with fear.
There is a rather long set up between the brutalized couple, played by Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, that may stretch just a bit too long. However, the lengthy set up between the two only helps build tension, and it made me even more anxious knowing that they had relationship problems.
Slowly, very slowly, it builds until that initial knock on the door. I never knew a knock on a door could be so horrifying. The couple is toyed with for about 60 minutes by the three masked assailants (it felt longer though). It got to the point where I felt like I was submitting myself to voluntary torture. I was willingly making myself uncomfortable by watching this movie.
Now the question arises: Was it good? I think I have sufficiently stated that the film was indeed horrifying, but was it good? I would have to say yes, it was. The quality of acting was fine, and the camera work didn't go unnoticed. It was like the camera itself was a character, following these poor people, but unable to help them.
I suggest seeing The Strangers in theaters. Those masked figures might not seem as terrifying on a TV. Plus, the audience adds personality to the room that becomes infectious. I don't think I'd watch it again. Not because it was bad, but because once is definitely enough.
Today, in 1964, a group of railway workers stumbled upon something very curious on the station platform...
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