MEDIA MONDAY
What have you been reading, listening to, watching?

Article 19 Music Recommendation: Bright Eyes--I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Like mosts musical things these days, I was late getting to Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst). I'm Wide Awake... is strong and compelling. Lyrics - which I normally listen to second or third - distinguish this otherwise warbly voice. He manages to be poetic without being overly pretentious, thoughtful without being condescending. The country-esque (Americana? who knows) sounds backing up most of the tracks, including the amazing Emmylou Harris, give the right musical frame to view these tunes not as elliott smith-like alternative rock (which it could easily sound like) so much as in the vein of newer Steve Earle. I'm surprised how much I like it. Here are some favorite lyrics:

If you hate the taste of wine, why do you drink it 'til you're blind?
And if you swear that there's no truth, and who cares, why do you say it like you're right?
Why are you so scared to dream of God, when it's salvation that you want?
Like stars that clear have been dead for years, but the idea still lives on.
In our wheels that roll around, as we move over the ground.
And all day it seems, we've been in between a past and present town.

We are nowhere and it's now.

Chicago Film Critics
Named Crash the Film of the Year, breaking(back Mountain) from the recent trends.

Oscar Host Announced
Jon Stewart. Ok. I'll watch.

Weekend Box Office
1. Hostel
2. Chronicles of Narnia
3. King Kong
4. Fun with Dick and Jane
5. Cheaper by the Dozen 2