A trip to Snoresville, provided by the film "Drive"

 Ok, so I've read Ebert's review (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110914/REVIEWS/110919988 ) AND read Rotten Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/drive_2011/) review of the movie Drive, and I can't understand what I'm reading.  No, I haven't been struck by a sudden bout of dyslexia.  Although I wish I had been struck blind while reading all the positive reviews and wished it even more so during the movie .  Of course, by now, I'm sure you get that I didn't like Drive.

The sets, lighting, scenery and costumes were excellent.  The director, Refn, must have thought so as well for all the screen time that the Driver's scorpion-emblazoned jacket garnered.  By the time I left the theater, I couldn't quite make out whether I was watching the promotional look book video of a clothing line, or a movie.  Nah, it couldn't have won that award really, now could it have?

The characters were about as shallow as anything that comes out of the mouth of anyone named Kardashian.  It was a snore-fest.  And all I kept reading in these reviews was how exciting Drive was.  Exciting!?  Driving Miss Daisy had more action.  I think I was awake for all the scenes that didn't invlove Gosling and his co-star Carey Mulligan simply starring at each other.  Then entire time they shared on screen featured approximately 30 seconds of dialogue. 

The Driver's motivations for trying to keep Mulligan and her son out of danger were razor thin.  They hung out a few times and had a picnic.  Wow.  All while Mulligan's mousy, school marm of a character's hubby is scheduled to be getting out of prison in a week.  HUH?  I don't get it but, whatever you say, man.  I swear, when she casually mentions that little fact to her new friend the Driver, I thought I woke up in a different movie.

The Driver, as he has no name (which is kinda cool), more times than not seemed to be slightly autistic.  When asked questions, he stares.  When promted to action, he simply stares.  When introduced to someone, you guessed it; vacuous stare.  When confronted with the classic "the kid's asleep, lets fool around" moment with his female neighbor, with whom he had a picnic, guess what he does then.  Nothing.  Just smile and stare.  I'm falling asleep simply writting this article.

Drive was not without it's good points, as few as there were.  It was visually appealing.  That is all.

It was interesting to see Albert Brooks play a heartless killer.  My mind screams "Albert Brooks" when I think of the phrase "Cold-blooded Killer". 

The obstacles placed in front of our protagonist were a joke at best.  The 3rd act simply begins and ends as easily as turning off a light-switch.  Where is the drama in that?  Nowhere.  Thats where. 

As mentioned earlier, the cinematography was excellent and costume and set design were above average.  So?  Those accolades also describe the virtues of a very well-made music video.  If you are interested in seeing a movie with heart, character and a plot, don't see Drive.  Stay home and watch MTV.  Katy perry's "Firework" might come on, now that you don't wanna miss.

Drive was written by Hossein Amini and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling as the eponymous lead.  It is still in theaters, if you like your music videos in 16:9 format.

Drew Barrymore Kicks Ass directing OUR DEAL video

Wow.  There are few times in life that Mr. Tru Art feels so inspired that words fail to describe the feeling.  The first time I heard the Purple Tape.  The time I got a pair of Nike Dunks on sale at Champs for $20 bucks on the clearance rack.  And now the band Best Coast and MTV with the help of a bunch of great up and comers, have left Mr. Tru Art dumb-struck again.  Thank You Best Coast and MTV and Drew Barrymore, who while at the helm directing, did justice to this often over done concept of star-crossed lovers.  So well in fact, that you don't really notice the corny parts, like the West Side Story-esque fight scene that oddly had a singular, random breakdancer in it.  Go figure.

The "super video", so named because of a hefty budget and cast, seemed to make a huge splash online the day it premiered.  For good reason.  I guess these kids nowadays ain't all Kesha and Souljah Boy.  Best Coast is known for surfer, lo-fi garage rock.  The setting of the L.A. resovoirs is a long way from the beach, but the juxposition works.  The locations, pacing and timing of the video make the creepiness and ghostly sound of the garage band vocals make sense.  It takes place largely in alleys and tunnels.  The video seems to have a built in echo effect.  Barrymore's direction is neither dark nor morbid but it still has a sense of urgency and gravity.  Is it stylish?  Yes, orgasmically so. 

The set design, art direction and costumes are above par.  Channeling the nineteen fifties, retro vibe, the looks that the principle characters are rocking can be considered classic.  Denim jackets and Chuck Taylors will never go out.  I want a Night Creeper Jacket, yo.  Watch the video and you gonna want one too.

Get More: MTV Supervideo, Music, Best Coast

Keep your eye the girl from Let Me In and Kick Ass (Chloë Moretz), I think she's gonna have a bright future in the film game.

Tru Art's Nike SB General Release Pledge

Ok, so the new August General Release Nike SB's just dropped yesterday at M.I.A. Skateshop.  This lead me to do some serious thinking.  I put on my Minnie Riperton LP (you know, Maya Rudolf's mom) and sat in my isolation chamber (dark closet) to think.  Mr. Tru Art MUST capitalize on the love that Nike has been getting for damn near 50 years.  An accordance of sorts, must be made.

I decided after long deliberation to create a new, limited edition run Tru Art design that matches colors with, what I think, is the flyest new general release.  But not at limited edition price.  Why only general releases?  Because TRU ART is for the people!  We not down with the paying of literally 10,000 times what the shoe costs some poor kid in Southeast Asia to sweat-shop assemble.  But I digress.

This time around, I think I'm gonna go with the Nike SB Dunk Low Pro Medium Grey/University Blue.  They are killing 'em like Fab 'n dem.



Tru Art loves shoes!  Colorful, creative, interesting shoes!  Shoes make the man, and the woman.  Shoes Up!  Bourgeois down!  Long live the proletariat!  Mr. Tru Art