Catching Up With So Much!
Where to begin? Well, let's just say everything that's been going on in the world (and in this country) has caused me to struggle lately. Last week, I had plans to write write write and I couldn't do much of anything outside of watching YouTube clips while playing on my phone. My brain just wasn't having it. Really had to forgive myself for not being as productive and focusing on zoning out (while monitoring the horrors taking place thanks to the worst President in history).
I'm trying my best to utilize "phone-free time" and setting aside at least one hour a day to write, whether it's here for the website/newsletter, for my memoir and/or composing new songs. I even made a list of "days off" where I can set aside time to shut the door, lock out the cats, ask my partner for "me time" and finally start getting back to some kind of normal where I create to maintain sanity. In addition, to bring to light, what I'm excited about which is a lot. Whether it's a podcast, physical media release, new record, photographs or music, you'll start seeing way more than ever in the weeks to come. Hopefully you won't get sick of me.
Today's post is all about catching up on the first couple weeks of the month where I mostly had trouble sitting down to follow through on plans and resolutions (which are ridiculous anyway). This includes physical media, an exciting library event coming up next week and a new album from a favorite, unsung band I wrote about back when I was over on Substack. Let's begin with that first...
Souled American (Record Release Show)
Two years ago, I wrote about a band that was a recent discovery. Souled American, from Chicago, was cited by two of my favorite songwriters Jeff Tweedy and John Darnielle as being one of the most daring, original and interesting bands ever. When I sat down to listen, my brain immediately went to early Low or The Geraldine Fibbers with a sprinkle of Clem Snide in the vox. Alt-country slow-core dream haze? But again, not an easy sound to define but hypnotic in every way. Which is why I love them so much. Sometimes they're off-key, sometimes the bass notes don't entirely match the chords being strummed on guitar and yet, there's lingering passion and unwavering vulnerability to where I get instantly emotional hearing their songs.
I'm happy to say that I'll be seeing them live in Evanston in a few months for their record release show and you should be there too. And even more ecstatic to report that they have a new album on the horizon, most of which I've heard and found to be astonishing. Again, there's no denying the fact that they're an acquired taste. I remember playing my mom both Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen and she couldn't stand the voice of either (same with Dylan). Part of me wonders if I've been blessed with loving all kinds of music even when it's off-kilter and jarring. And in the case of Souled American, this is not to use those terms in a pejorative manner. Souled American possesses a wholly unique sound that I find captivating and haunting - whether it's the poetic words being sung or the overall vibe. Without getting too deep into the weeds (I plan to write more about their new album upon its release), let's just say that you owe it to yourself to pre-order their latest and prepare to attend any of their shows when they go on tour. More information here
LIBRARY EVENT NEXT WEEK (feat. Nick Digilio)
Life is funny. Back in 1997, I called into WGN Radio to reveal my top ten favorite movies of the year (or it might've been the first week of January 1998). Roy Leonard was the radio host and Nick Digilio was the film critic he had on every Saturday morning. He became a favorite of mine. I loved Roy as a broadcaster, but there was something about Nick's taste in movies that immediately spoke to me. He was every bit as passionate about the art form as Roger Ebert.
I looked up to Nick then and thought back when I called in, "how cool would it be to be a film critic/writer?" This lead me to major in English/Journalism at first, but then I lost my dad in 2001 and got derailed for quite a long time. But Nick was always present as a source of comfort and connection. Not to mention the fact that he supported me and allowed me to call in to his late-night radio show to talk about new movies. At first it was just me calling in as a guest and then eventually, alongside friends and future colleagues Erik Childress and Collin Souter, I had a brief guest stint to join him for the Midnight Movie Reviews on his show.
Jump way ahead to now and Nick just put out his first book to celebrate 40 years of film criticism (and his many successes/stories along the way). He's been doing this for 40 years and I've been listening to him for about 35 years. 1990 is when I officially became a fan and then 1997 is when I had the courage to finally call in.
Though film criticism and writing is more of the "second job," librarianship came calling right after I stopped being a music teacher (for only a couple years). My day job involves programming events at the Rogers Park Branch library so once I got a hold of Nick's debut memoir, I knew that I had to do something special. Indeed, it will be because I'm hosting a Q&A with Nick to talk about the book, favorite films and even playing five movie clips from five movies I love just as much as he does. A couple of which I would even say helped me through very difficult times. To learn more about Nick and this event next week, check out his website here!
Physical Media!
While obviously I can't formally "review" this particular release, let's say another dream come true happened in 2025 thanks to friend, film historian and podcaster Bill Ackerman recommending me to join him for a commentary track on a favorite father/son film of mine. ACR turned me into a Sean Penn fan for life. You'll hear all about that and more by picking up this 4K from Vinegar Syndrome right here. What an honor it was to be a part of this incredible release from Cinematographe! Thank you again Bill + Justin for all their hard work (as well as everyone involved).
Hearts of Darkness [4K UHD]
Allied Vaughn was kind enough to send along a couple of films that I've been itching to revisit that I'm glad I can wholeheartedly recommend here and now. One of the greatest documentaries ever made about filmmaking returns in stunning 4K, and it's never looked better. Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse chronicles the notoriously troubled production of Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 masterpiece Apocalypse Now (my late dad's favorite film), but it transcends the typical "making-of" documentary to become something far more profound: an intimate portrait of artistic obsession, creative crisis, and the thin line between genius and madness.
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse asks us to witness artistic creation at its most painful. Eleanor Coppola's footage captures something documentaries rarely achieve: genuine human vulnerability in the pursuit of art. Her husband breaks down. Her family endures chaos. The film they're making might be worthless. Nobody knows.
The 4K UHD release presents this essential documentary with excellent picture quality derived from the new restoration. The 16mm footage looks marvelous, with much finer grain and resolution than previous releases. The clips from Apocalypse Now no longer look like weak dupes—when they appear, the image pops up to full widescreen, showcasing Storaro's cinematography in all its glory.
I first saw Hearts of Darkness expecting a making-of documentary. I later began to understand why critics have called it superior to the movie that it documents (though I've grown to love Coppola's film despite initial reservations about the last act). Hearts of Darkness belongs in the conversation about the greatest documentaries ever made, and this 4K release ensures new audiences can experience it properly.
Plus there's an excellent "making of Hearts of Darkness" supplement that expands even further on the story behind the story. This 40-minute documentary provides contemporary perspective on the documentary itself, featuring interviews with Francis and Sofia Coppola as well.
For viewers who simply want Hearts of Darkness in the best available quality, this release delivers. The core experience remains intact, presenting one of cinema's most honest examinations of the creative process. Whether you choose the more affordable Lionsgate edition or spring for the comprehensive StudioCanal Collector's Edition with its extensive supplements, you're getting a documentary that has lost none of its power over three decades.
Hearts of Darkness reminds us that great art often emerges from chaos, that the distance between masterpiece and disaster can be impossibly thin, and that sometimes the journey to create something extraordinary requires risking everything. In 4K, that journey has never been more vivid or more devastating. Buy it here and own this masterpiece for life: https://moviezyng.com/products/hearts-of-darkness
Special Features/Specifications:
- 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
- 1.37:1 (documentary footage) / 2.39:1 (Apocalypse Now excerpts)
- 2160p / HEVC (H.265) / Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- 40-Minute New Making-Of Featurette
Awakenings [4K UHD]
Thirty-five years after its original release, Penny Marshall's warm and heartbreaking story Awakenings arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and the results are nothing short of phenomenal in terms of the transfer. This deeply moving true-life medical drama, featuring powerhouse performances from Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, has been given the technical treatment it deserves. It's definitely one of those pull-at-the-heartstrings tearjerkers that has always worked for me, mainly due to my interest in the author's work as a neurologist. Not to mention the pairing of two great actors that have always meant to a lot to me over the years.
Based on Dr. Oliver Sacks' book and adapted by Steven Zaillian, Awakenings tells the story of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Williams), a physician who discovers that catatonic patients affected by a decades-old encephalitis epidemic can be "awakened" using the drug L-DOPA. De Niro plays Leonard Lowe, the first patient to emerge from his catatonic state after thirty years, delivering a performance that earned him an Oscar nomination. The film itself received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. The restoration gives the film a modern appearance while maintaining its intentionally dated aesthetic from the 1969 setting. Detail is excellent, flesh tones appear warm and natural, and the presentation has a wonderfully film-like quality that fans will appreciate.
Awakenings remains a richly emotional experience that showcases both Williams and De Niro at their finest. Williams proves his dramatic range as the dedicated, socially awkward Dr. Sayer, while De Niro's physically and emotionally demanding performance as Leonard demonstrates why he's considered one of cinema's greatest actors. Though the narrative arc may be predictable, the film's captivating story and marvelous performances ensure it remains compelling viewing.
This 4K release is an easy recommendation for both longtime fans but of course, I wish there were more in the way of special features (short and sweet ones here). The technical presentation is outstanding, making this the definitive way to experience this touching drama about the fragility of life and the importance of truly living while we can. Buy it here: https://moviezyng.com/products/awakenings-1990
Special Features/Specifications:
- 4K Restoration of the Film
- Dolby Vision/HDR Presentation of the Film
- Dolby Atmos track + English 5.1 + English 2-Channel Surround
- Making-Of Featurette
- Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew
- Theatrical Trailer
I'm playing a gig next month too! Two Erins, One Jim... Reed's Local
Much more to come soon, folks including bonus podcasts in a couple weeks (and regular podcasts at the end of the month) and a lot of writing and music videos too. Thank you for subscribing and being patient with me due to my busy schedule and learning how to live better. Also, FUCK ICE!
