Director : Whit Stillman
With : Chloë Sevigny, Kate Beckinsale, Robert Sean Leonard

“The Last Days of Disco” Whit Stillman has finally solidified his seat next to David Mamet as one of the best writers of cinema dialogue that we have today. Not unlike his early masterpieces “Metropolitan,” which focuses on a Debutante season in New York, and “Barcelona” which follows American expats living in Spain, “The Last Days of Disco” offers only the slightest trace of a plot: recent Hampshire and Harvard college grads spend their evenings in the early 80′s going to a disco loosely based on Studio 54. The film is actually the final installment in Stillman’s “Nightlife” trilogy, documenting the way three unique groups of people spend their respective evenings.

Supported by an incredible cast including Chloe Sevigny (Kids, Trees Lounge), Kate Beckinsale (Cold Comfort Farm), Chris Eigeman (Metropolitan, Kicking and Screaming) and Matt Keeslar (Run For The Country, The Deli), Stillman does a remarkably convincing job of tapping into the thoughts of these people, during this specific time in this distinct place. He is able to do so without the inevitable glitz and over-the-top retroism of most films set during this period (specifically the impending Miramax offering “Studio 54″).

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Label: Elektra

Old timers will tell you that they saw the first incarnation of Scrawl way back in 1985. I was only a sophomore in high school living just a few hours north of where the historic first shows were allegedly taking place in Columbus, Ohio. Since then, this unpretentious trio has been cranking out a record every three years. After a series of record label disasters, during which time Scrawl’s records were swept away by the momentum of bankruptcy (in the case of Rough Trade). The band made the jump to Elektra hoping to feel the effects of a major radio promotion department, instead the record came out and then rapidly disappeared. Maybe it was because the record didn’t really represent what the band was all about, becoming harder and less melodic than their previous records.

The real beauty of Scrawl has always been their combination of sweet acoustic-based tunes and straight forward proto-punk anthems. Unlike the guitar and scream laden music of bland girl bands like Veruca Salt, Scrawl are able to successfully walk the line between straight noise and playful pop.

“Nature Film” is a whimsical collection of remastered old favorites (“Charles” and “Rot”) and a few new tunes, which helps the band to redeem itself after their underwhelming major label debut, “Travel On Rider.” Produced by indie stalwart Tim O’Heir, “Nature Film” is an album that showcases both the band’s gentle pop sensibilities on new songs such as “Don’t Always Get There” and “Nature Film,” while shifting gears towards Scrawl’s trademark brand of melodic punk. Much of what has always made Scrawl so catchy is the ability of singer Marcy Mays to infuse her strong sexy vocals into a harder, rougher rock exterior.

This album might never reach the masses like Veruca Salt’s “Seether” single, but then again, who cares. Scrawl are a band who write good songs, tour every once in a while and have a loyal fan base. I suppose it’s possible Elektra can make MTV look and listen to this band, but even if they don’t “Nature Film” is the comeback record Scrawl fans have been waiting for.

Director : Mark Waters
With : Parker Posey, Josh Hamilton, Tori Spelling, Geneviêve Bujold

This movie had to be good– after al, it features a 1) killer cast: Parker Posey (everything indie), Josh Hamilton (With Honors, Suburbia), Tori Spelling (need I say more), Genevieve Bujold (Coma, Dead Ringers) and Freddie Prinze Jr. (I Know What You Did Last Summer) and 2) a great story.

On a rainy Thanksgiving night, Josh Hamilton and his provincial fiancee, Tori Spelling, roll up to Hamilton’s huge mansion to spend the holiday weekend. Having managed to avoid his family for years, Hamilton is greeted by each crazy family member in an oddly affectionate manner. His mother seems unnaturally cold and distant, his brother painfully overzealous (like a puppy who has been left alone for days), and his twin sister, who calls herself Jackie O and played is brilliantly by Parker Posey, who treats him like a jealous ex-girlfriend.

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