Michael Gallagher
The Silhouette
“Laughter is the best medicine.” This phrase is more than just a common saying, as an increasing amount of evidence shows that a good sense of humour strengthens your immune system and reduces stress. When you find a movie that gets you laughing, it is often just what you needed to forget your problems.
One of the quickest ways to get a laugh is watching a great comedy film. When it comes to comedy, everyone’s different. Some prefer the over the top antics of comedians like Jim Carrey, while others appreciate the unbearable awkwardness of Michael Cera, or the witty sarcasm of Bill Murray. Regardless of who is your favourite, viewers know what to expect when their favourite stars appear on the screen, and are ready to not take them too seriously.
Unfortunately, it is not just the viewers that don’t take comedians seriously, but the acting and filmmaking community as well. The best example of this is the lack of Oscar nominations and awards given to those involved in a comedy.
Despite how laughter positively affects one’s health, the Academy rarely recognizes its importance. In fact, the last comedy to win Best Picture was arguably Woody Allen’s Annie Hall in 1977. Is that really the only comedy that can compare to the many dramas that have won over the last 35 years?
Similarly, few comedic actors have received even a nomination for an Oscar, let alone win one.
It seems the only way to do so is when a comedic actor attempts to enter the world of drama, hoping to finally gain recognition for their talents, something that is frequently met with its own negative stigma and complications.
Consider Bill Murray, someone who despite considerable success in films like Ghostbusters and Caddyshack, was only nominated for his performance in Lost in Translation. Or think about Robin Williams, who hilariously portrayed an irresponsible husband looking to win back respect by dressing as a British nanny in Mrs. Doubtfire. Why did he only receive attention for Good Will Hunting or Dead Poets Society? Even Jim Carrey, who achieved commercial success in Dumb and Dumber or Ace Ventura: Pet Detective seems to only get respect for his work in The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Don’t get me wrong, well-crafted dramas are great, but aren’t movies that leave you with a smile on your face just as important? Are we truly living in a culture where the only respectable piece of art is something that leaves you emotional? Why is it that there are so many more dramatic actors than comedic ones?
The time for handing out an Oscar for a comedy is long overdue. It is time to recognize just how difficult it is to make a person laugh, and how truly talented some of these performers actually are.
Michael Gallagher
The Silhouette
I, like many readers, have heard the chart topping song “Royals” by Lorde. It is catchy, creative and deserving the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart. What I did not know, however, was that it doesn’t end there.
Let’s make it clear; Lorde is in no way a one-hit wonder. Her debut album, Pure Heroine, proves that “Royals” is not the only exquisite song the 16-year old solo artist can create. Yes, you read that right; this girl is only 16 and is already making her name in the music industry.
Her age is actually what makes Pure Heroine such an interesting album, as it represents a culmination of multiple contemporary influences, including Kanye West, Bon Iver, SBTRKT, Alt-J and others. The result is a sound that nonetheless feels fresh, giving Lorde a distinct style that separates her from the rest of pop music. Her writing partner and producer, Joel Little, complement this youthful vibe. Little’s experience in the industry and Lorde’s creative energy makes the album fantastic.
If you liked “Royals” you will love Pure Heroine.
4/5
Michael Gallagher
The Silhouette
After two strong albums in Beacon and Tourist History, Two Door Cinema Club, the three-piece indie rock band from Northern Ireland is back with their new EP, Changing of the Seasons.
The EP retains elements of their older music, while showcasing an emerging new style. The title track, “Changing of the Seasons,” is by far the most similar to their past output, with bright, catchy guitar riffs alongside a killer beat. This, however, is where the similarities end, as the remaining two songs potentially mark the emergence of a different style for the band.
“Crystal” is a perfect example. The pacing is slower, featuring drum pads and even a vocoder backing Alex Trimble’s voice, while the guitars and punchy beats fans are familiar with are nowhere to be found. Regardless, the song shows off the band’s ability to create strong melodies, proving they are not limited to one style.
Similarly, “Golden Veins” mixes it up, showing off the voice of guitarist Sam Halliday, something not previously emphasized by the band in the past.
So, what does this mean? Well, given the size of the four-song EP it’s hard to tell if these songs represent the emergence of a new approach for the band, or are simply outliers that do not fit the style of their next project.
Either way, fans should be happy. Two Door Cinema Club has once again proven they know how to make remarkable music.
4/5
Michael Gallagher
The Silhouette
Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V likes to do things big. How big? Well, I could tell you that the game’s playable map is twice the size of real world Manhattan. Or maybe mention that the game became the world’s most successful entertainment release by achieving more than $1 billion in sales within three days of its release. But I’d especially like to point to the sheer size of the soundtrack, because yes, it’s also pretty huge.
The game features 15 radio stations, with 240 licensed songs, celebrity DJs, and new material from artists like Tyler the Creator, A$AP Rocky, and Neon Indian – just to name a few.
For added realism, the stations feature professional DJ’s with realistic sounding conversation between songs, and multiple commercial breaks satirizing everything from plastic surgery to corporate corruption.
Each of these radio stations caters to a specific musical genre which means that there is endless variety available for the player. Players simply don’t have to worry about being limited to a particular genre, and are instead able to listen to reggae, classic rock, indie rock, 80s funk, and old school hip-hop just some of the many choices GTA V has to offer. Don’t like rap music? You can drive around the city blasting Queen and Elton John just as easily as you can listen to Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar (although something about “Radio Gaga” and car chases just don’t mix).
All this is partly thanks to GTA V’s music director Ivan Pablovich, who recognized the need for musical variety in a game that is supposed to create an open world full of seemingly endless possibilities and customization.
By allowing players to not only personalize their cars and clothes, but the musical lens through which they experience the game, GTA V allows for the kind of depth fans of the series have been looking for. In fact, I have actually discovered new artists and songs that I really enjoy, something I wasn’t expecting from a video game.
There were times while playing that I spent just driving around the fictional city of Los Santos (think real world Los Angeles), taking in the atmosphere and just enjoying some of the beats and lyrics the game dishes out.
But what if you aren’t a gamer? Or maybe you just aren’t a fan of the GTA series, why would all this matter to you? Well the game’s soundtrack not only makes for a killer in-game experience, it also doubles as a truly fantastic mixtape.
My only complaint is that despite featuring Kenny Loggins as the DJ for the classic rock radio station, “Danger Zone” is nowhere to be found. It is something probably only Archer fans and I will find disappointing, but I guess in a soundtrack this good, there’s room for at least a few mistakes.
Ultimately, if you’re the kind of person who likes musical variety, particularly across multiple genres, checking out the GTA V soundtrack is definitely worth a listen, even if the game is not something you are interested in.
