Justice Awaits, Foolish Suckas

In one of the rare moments of freedom from work I've had lately, I escaped long enough to re-watch this little gem from New Zealand, Eagle vs. Shark, and felt the need to recommend it to the group. Starring Jemaine Clement -- of HBO's Flight of the Conchords fame (something else you should all give a watch) -- and adorable newcomer Loren Horsley, this one tells the tale of Clement's Jarrod and his fumbling attempts to secure love, happiness, and revenge in Nowheresville, New Zealand. I caught this when it first came out in the theaters last year, which didn't last too long, despite the popularity of Conchords at the time and the film's getting nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Touching, quirky, and laugh out loud funny, this one is like Napoleon Dynamite set ten years after graduation, and every bit as satisfying as that offering.

Jarrod is a Napoleon-style nerd who works at a tech store in the mall -- he is a video game aficionado, a conceptual candlemaker, and a student of faux martial arts, all played to their dorky hilts -- consumed with his quest for revenge against a former high school tormentor. Horsley's Lily is a sheepish sweetheart who works at Meaty Boy, a burger joint in the food court, and is madly in love with Jarrod. After several clumsy exchanges at the mall -- culminating with their hysterical consummation at the "come as your favorite animal" party that gives the movie its title -- the pair head back to Jarrod's hometown so he can exact his measure of revenge.

The film's heart (and comedy) comes from the pair's on again, off again relationship and their awkward exchanges in determining its outcome. Jarrod's obsession with his training and general dimwittedness continuously have things on the rails, but the charm comes in watching the two flailingly sort it out. Lily's sweetness and that of Jarrod's family -- his wheelchair-bound father, still mourning the death of his son; his sister and her husband, the failed (but try telling them that) fashion mavens who hawk custom track suits and makeup kits; and sundry other relatives who hang out at the house -- flesh out the romantic storyline and give you a host of characters to enjoy for the duration.

Just an all-around cute movie that embraces its characters' quirkiness like Napoleon and other personal fave Juno rather than make fun of it, this one's an underrated gem that's worth a look or two. Enjoy, cockhole...

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For this week's entries in the song o' the week category, we've got another double bill for your enjoyment, a bluesy twosome from two bluesy twosomes, the Black Keys and the Kills. The front half is off the Keys' new Danger Mouse-produced album, Attack and Release, where the boys expand upon their formula of thunderous drums and fuzzed out vocals and guitar. For those unfamiliar with the band, the Keys sound like gritty Southern bluesmen of yore -- like the love child of Muddy Waters and the White Stripes, perhaps -- and make a glorious, glorious racket for two mere humans. But then you find out they're not from the South, and they're not grizzled old bluesmen either -- they're two white boys from Akron, Ohio -- and your appreciation/interest takes on a whole new level. More subdued than some of their other songs, this one's got some of the moodiness that's Danger's specialty and hooks to spare. A great little ditty on another strong album, this one's called "Psychotic Girl."




The back half is from the Kills' new album, Midnight Boom, which showcases the duo's twerpy electronic percussion, sexy vocals, and thunderbolt guitars. For those unfamiliar with these guys, the band is London native Jamie Hince on guitar/electro-beats and Floridian temptress Alison Mosshart on vocals, and they sound something like Yeah Yeah Yeahs-style punk rock (sexpot lead singer, laser beam guitars, gritty, dark mood), with a bluesier, electronic edge. This song "Sour Cherry" shows them at their best -- irresistible beat, punk rock attitude and stutter lyrics, droning guitars; it's bad ass do-it-yourself stuff from the depths of the garage -- and has a sweet little video to boot, so give it a whirl.




[And I'll actually throw this one in, too, because I like you (and because it's one of my favorites on the album). The lead track off the album, this one's got all of the above, with a cool looking viddy and sweet swirling guitar effect that you can't get out of your effing head. Check it here:]



BOTH of these bands are going to be at Lollapalooza this year, which has a ridiculous lineup to enjoy. Whereas last year the promoters picked some of my favorite new bands from the last couple of years, this time they've pulled some of my all-time favorites -- Radiohead, Nails, Rage, Wilco -- for what promises to be another brain-blowing experience on the lake. Check out the full lineup here, and get your tickets now...

--Bobby Sunshine