death | timotheories

11 Ways People Die Before Death (Cross Talk Ep. 9)

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

Death is a difficult thing to write about, I think. After all, I’m still alive and so I have no life experience (death experience?) with this particular topic. Films have addressed death since their inception in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that more honest portrayals of death started to come to light. Much like sex, drugs, and rock n ‘roll, filmmakers have slowly opened up and arts and culture have become more accepting of these harder to digest themes.

For instance, one of my favourite movies about death is The Fault In Our Stars, which is full of love and beauty, but is also a very real in its depiction of the nearness to death that the two leads are experiencing.

But when we record an episode of Cross Talk, we want to present a nuanced view of whatever topic we set out sights on. So why would we treat death any differently. We wouldn’t, is the answer – because we think using our brains is important.

With that made clear, we are going to explore a lot of great examples of the nature of death, in film on this episode nine of Cross Talk. You want to know more, dear readers? Well how about I lay it out for you?

We’re going to share an example of a character that can’t die, but not for an very obvious reason, associations of death and greed, an animated movie death that changed a franchise, whether we are really alive, dead or somewhere in between, if death is as unique as life is, and two movies that explore the idea of what we might do if knew we couldn’t die OR if we knew when we were going to die.

Just a quick disclaimer, Singh won’t be present for this episode, but we do give him a shout out, so please stay tuned for his next appearance; and as always, I’ve included a direct link to the full video for you here, but because we have the ability to embed vidoes you can click through here. After all, wouldn’t want you to waste any precious life overexerting yourself watching episode nine of Cross Talk!

I’m out of theories for now, but please check back tomorrow for an album review that is full of lemonade and bae. It’s a heart breaker for sure. Please comment, subscribe, and share this with friends. We want to hear your feedback!

Tim!

Better To Burn Out? (Iggy Pop, Post Pop Depression, review)

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

I didn’t want to leave him behind, but I knew it was time. It was for the best.

Sometimes that’s what happens though. You lose a friend, you say goodbye in your head, and you walk away. But that doesn’t mean your feelings won’t betray you and leaving you hurting, sometimes aching like a bad knee in-between seasons.

That deep ache is how this week’s album comes out.

Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
released March 18, 2016
******* 7/10

Iggy Newell Osterber, Jr., better known by his stage name, Iggy Pop, is an American singer, musician, songwriter, and actor. He is the vocalist of the infamous and incredibly influential band The Stooges, and is a bit of a wildcard.

Post Pop Depression is Iggy’s 17th solo album. That’s right, he’s made 17 albums on his own, and it’s his 23rd studio album altogether, if you include 1977’s Kill City which he partnered with James Williamson on, and the 5 Stooges albums he’s been a part of.

Interestingly enough, Iggy has been doing his own thing longer than he’s been partying with the boys, which says a lot about his own rock n’ roll journey. Iggy Pop has been involved with lots of different acts, and not unlike a recently deceased pop idol, he has been part of pop culture for decades, participating in film, television and radio too.

I think that’s important to keep in mind while listening to this record.

The album title says it all, Iggy Pop knows that his time has been significant, but he isn’t a young buck anymore, and this album feels like a nod to years gone by. He’s looking backwards on his life and sharing with us some anecdotes and utter honesty about what he sees happening, but he’s not lamenting entirely, he’s still having fun and making an influence.

Apparently the real reason the album is called Post Pop Depression is because the album collaborators Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal), Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys), and Dean Fertita (multi-instrumentalist that’s played with literally everyone, think Dave Grohl), were sad for weeks after recording the tracks, and experience real depression.

But what is the album like you ask?

Gardenia is probably the standout track at the moment for me, with it’s jumpy lyrics and whisky tinted vocals. This is followed shortly by American Valhalla, a track that explores death and likely ties into David Bowie’s own death. And that’s the way the album goes the whole time, back and forth between sex and death. Not a terribly detailed account, but Iggy Pop manages to make it interesting for us anyway.

The closer, Paraguay is probably the most interesting though. Because it doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the album, but it’s message is very much an Iggy thought, one that demonstrates he isn’t exactly your classic and measured guy, he is an explorer and an innovator.

These tracks are raw especially so in Chocolate Drops, Vulture, and Break Into Your Heart. In short, if you are expecting heavy rock, you’ll be disappointed. But that doesn’t mean this doesn’t pop.

I’ve been there, I’ve lost my share of well-worn friends to circumstance and also to decisions, both of my volition and theirs. But that doesn’t mean that a friend for a season should never have been. Iggy Pop may miss his friend and his season may be fading away, but the memories and feels will remain. That’s one of the benefits of a legacy.

Check back tomorrow for a film review! Comments! Leave ’em! Subscribe! Please! No more theories today.

Tim!

Who Ya Gonna Call? (Cross Talk Ep. 3)

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

Spring is officially here dear readers! And that means it’s time for change, warmth, and appreciation. The circle of life, in all of it’s perfection. Death and rebirth.

If you want another less literal example, in the form of a metaphor, it’s like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Frankly, it just feels good to step out of your home after a long winter; to remove those extra layers, and start spending time in nature – Maybe with a cool drink? Watching new life form from old, colour stem from the bland. Activity starts to peak all around and we get excited for the future.

How convenient then that this month’s Cross Talk episode is all about remakes in film. That’s right, we’re going to explore the depths of the film industry and discuss the supposed epidemic of movie remakes, how valuable they are, and whether or not Hollywood should give up the goose and get back to creativity.

As often is the case with assumption, there is a general sense from movie goers, that studios will cash in on successful franchises more often then they will venture outside and make a bet on a dark horse. That and the assumption that the general populace hates remakes.

Which is why Chris and I have decided to embrace the season and the hot topic of remakes with our atypical blend of humour, passion, and comfortability. We will ease you right in, much like a newborn, inviting you into the blossoming garden.

Okay, we’re sick of the spring metaophors timotheories!

All right, I can take a hint! I’ll dial it back. But not before I make a quick phone call to a beloved franchise that is about to hit *69 on everyone’s landline. #yeahiwentthere

Sure, Spider-man’s new costume is #hype right now, but what about the new Ghostbusters trailer, holy Moses that is getting a ton of internet hate. Especially as it relates to straw-men of gender and race. You’ll want to watch this episode for our thoughts on that pop culture gem alone.

I’ve included a direct link to the full video for you here, but as always the real action is just below for your convenience. If you want to jump right into the Ghostbusters debate, look for the 12:30 mark, otherwise, please sit back and enjoy Episode 3 of Cross Talk!

I’m out of theories for now, but please check back tomorrow for an untitled and unmastered album review. Something completely original, in other words. Please comment, subscribe and share this with you friends. We want to hear your feedback!

Tim!

Let’s Make a Jazz Record (David Bowie, Blackstar review)

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

I wish I knew more about jazz, other than that I like it of course. It’s one of those musical formats that permeates music culture but which is so open ended that I find it overwhelming to participate in discussion about it – Most of the time.

Today’s album review is one of those times when I feel comfortable talking about the subject matter. I think mostly because the artist handles the infusion of it rather well and because he has a solid track record of dealing with musical avenues that call for experimentation.

David Bowie – Blackstar
released January 8, 2015
********** 10/10

If you don’t know who David Bowie is, I’m afraid to tell you you’ve missed out, and never again will you see his like. David Robert Jones, also known as David Bowie, was an English musician who played a variety of instruments, sang, wrote songs, produced records, painted, and acted in big screen releases occasionally.

My first experience with him that I can remember was the movie Labyrinth, though that was not how he got his start. With a musical career spanning back to the early 1960’s, Bowie had a top 5 hit in the UK by 1969 with Space Oddity.

If you haven’t seen the original music video you should go take a look at it right now.

Then he developed the Ziggy Stardust persona, and showed the world that he would be constantly innovating and reinventing himself for the rest of his career. Like that time he made a song with Queen called Under Pressure, and it was awesome!

Honestly, I could go on about his accomplishments and my thoughts on his legacy for another few posts, but that is not what today’s review is about, dear readers. No.

Today we are looking at Blackstar, Bowie’s curtain call and last hurrah. And before I get too sentimental and forget why we are here again, I’ll admit that this is difficult to listen to without thinking about the fact that David Bowie won’t be making any more art of the world for the world.

So with as much objectivity as I could muster I’ll say this about the album, yes it is filled with references to death, but I don’t think that it’s as obvious as all of that. This record is profound because of the talent backing the tracks and the effort put forth to create something with a unique vision.

It was his 25th studio album, and that has to mean something after all, right?

Well, I think we are seeing David Bowie at his best. The title track Blackstar is incredible, experimental, and covers some dark ground. There are jazz elements throughout the whole record, and the electronic progressions certainly aid the sombre mood of songs like Lazarus. The saxophone was Bowie’s first instrument and it makes sense to me that he use something which is associated with freedom and exploration to give us some more innovations and remind us of what he has done in the past, simultaneously.

One review I read made a very valid point that while this music will make some of us incredibly happy, others will find it frustrating and difficult to stomach. But I would argue that the inaccessibility is an indicator of just how well done this album is. Bowie’s music is strongest when there is mystery attached to it. No different than the man who made us wonder about his sexuality, spirituality, political motivations, and project choices.

For example, he played Thomas Jerome Newton (The Man Who Fell to Earth), Jareth the Goblin King (Labyrinth), Andy Warhol (Basquiat), himself (Zoolander), and Nikola Tesla (Prestige), among a weird slew of other roles.

If you think it’s all jazz, brooding, and electronic injections, think again. Girl Loves Me is a strange rap about a day that has disappeared. It is both aggressive and apathetic in each lyric.

Truthfully, if you are hoping for a clear narrative theme or explanation of what you’ve just listened to, you’re not going to find it here or anywhere else. That was not David Bowie’s intent, and he has never been one for revealing his secrets. Otherwise he wouldn’t be having fun, and we wouldn’t have gotten anything out of him while he was with us.

I’ll leave his final music videos, Blackstar and Lazarus for you, because there isn’t much that can say it better.

That level of experimentation in art is incredibly undervalued in my experience, but I think we can argue fairly easily that David Bowie handled jazz music with the respect and understanding it deserves – improvisation, syncopation and polyrhythms. Bowie took this love of innovation into other arenas and managed to be a pop artist that was whatever he needed to be.

That quality is rarely recognized and I hope as time goes one we will celebrate him properly and encourage others to take up his mantle.

See you tomorrow for a Theatrical Tuesday review my friends.

Tim!

Smokin’ Astroturf (Cracked)

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Tim Kuefler

On the more morbid side of things, I’ve been thinking about mortality quite a bit this past week. But with good reason my friends. It just seems like the music industry has been taking hit after hit over 2015. We saw the passing of Scott Weiland, Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister, B.B. King, and not even a month in 2016, and David Bowie leaves us too.

It’s hard not to ponder life, death, and what comes after, especially after a major player in the music scene lost his battle with cancer on Sunday. Someone who represented the arts and anachronisms of today well before we smartened up, rather well.

5 Things That Have to Happen Before You Fix Your Crappy Life
6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person
8 Ways To Make Yourself A Better Person (With Ben Affleck)
4 Lifehacks For People Who Haven’t Discovered Adulthood Yet

Because comics, literature, and pop culture are all interesting forms of art, Cracked should feel right at home to most, if not all of you. And believe me when I tell you, I haven’t even shared the best stuff they churn out.

If you’re really itching for more theories, you should watch a few episodes of their YouTube channel. Start with this episode from the After Hours series.

Until tomorrow my friends, I hope your evening is grand and I’ll see you tomorrow with something timely.

Tim!