The Perks of Being a Wallflower

You know a movie's going to have a great soundtrack when it's set in the '90s!

Wallflower shows one year in the life of Charlie (Logan Lerman) a new freshman struggling to make friends after spending some time in a mental hospital. At first, he is only able to talk to his English teacher (Paul Rudd). All seems hopeless until he meets a pair of step-siblings, Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson). They both maintain sunny outlooks despite their own issues; Patrick is struggling with his homosexuality and a secret relationship with the football star, and Sam is dealing with the repercussions of having been "passed around" during her own freshman year. Though they are all seniors, he becomes fast friends with them and their group of quirky pre-hipster friends. A love triangle between Sam and Mary Elizabeth (Mae Whitman) causes his ostracism from the group, but the movie is nothing if not a story of redemption and he finds a way back into their good graces, though not without some stumbling blocks along the way.



The movie made great use of some young talent, most of the stars were born in the 1990s (that makes me feel kind of old). It's nice to know that there's this much talent in young Hollywood, though. Emma Watson defies typecasting, despite ten years and eight movies at Hermione Granger. The chemistry between her and Logan Lerman was probably my favorite part of the movie. The real star of the film, though, was the soundtrack. They made great use of the time period that the film is set in (early '90s) and featured some of the best music from that era.

Mini soundtrack:

David Bowie - "Heroes"

The Cocteau Twins - "Pearly-Dewdrops' Drop"

The Smiths - "Asleep"

R.I.P. Maurice Sendak

Yesterday brought some bad news. Maurice Sendak, the author of everyone's favorite children's book, Where the Wild Things Are passed away at the age of 83 after complications from a stroke.

Although he wrote and illustrated many books, including In the Night Kitchen and Seven Little Monsters, he was probably best known for his 1963 publication, which became a major cornerstone of American culture. I remember reading the book as a child and simultaneously fearing the "Wild Things" and wanting to hang out with them just like Max from the story. His famous work was recently turned into a full-length, live-action movie with a soundtrack produced by Karen O.

Goodbye, Mr. Sendak!

Where the Wild Things Are

A Conversation with Maurice Sendak

Where the Wild Things Are movie trailer

The Rapture - "How Deep Is Your Love"

I like this video since it reminds me of going to church as a child and how the ladies at the church would have their Sunday best on, including colorful hats! That said, I'm not quite sure what to make of tiny Luke Jenner dancing around in the video, especially since it doesn't seem to be a part of any greater narrative. An interesting video, nonetheless.



Well...I guess something could be said about the debated religious undertones of the group's album, In the Grace of Your Love.

R.I.P. Dick Clark

Yesterday, I was shocked to read about the death of America's oldest teenager, Dick Clark. Although it came at the ripe old age of 82, it still came as a bit of a shock given his (relatively) youthful appearance and seeming health. Despite his healthful appearance, he had suffered from a number of health problems, including type 2 diabetes and a stroke suffered in 2004. In the end, it was a heart attack that took his life.

Dick Clark played host in a variety of contexts, but was perhaps best known for American Bandstand and New Years' Rockin' Eve. In these hosting gigs, he played a big part in introducing America to new music and bringing favorites to the screen. He has been been perhaps the most iconic host in entertainment and he will be missed.

Goodbye, Dick Clark

Dick Clark interviewing The Beach Boys on American Bandstand (1964)

On Repeat: "Bullet with Butterfly Wings"

I guess my '90s nostalgia is creeping back up again. Recently, I haven't been able to stop listening to the Smashing Pumpkins' "Bullet with Butterfly Wings."



I heard the song a couple of months ago when I was traveling in Chicago and found a good indie/alternative rock station (and, no, I wasn't familiar with the song beforehand). I only recently acquired the album on which it appears, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, and this is certainly one of the standout tracks on the album.