Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Jun 07, 2007 by Mr. Nau Jane Austen’s classic novel comes to life in this period society drama starring Keira Knightley and a talented cast of British and American actors. While eye-rollingly melodramatic at times, the costumes, sets, and cinematography are astonishing. Despite an obsession with money and status, this charmer reaches a satisfying conclusion. […]

Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959)

Jun 07, 2007 by Mr. Nau Wow. It is almost physically impossible to not be stunned by this album. Mellow, relaxed, and full of astonishing moments of musical perfection, this ultimate jazz recording features Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Bill Evans, and Wynton Kelly in a breathtaking classic that should be in every record […]

Bill Evans and Stan Getz – But Beautiful (1974)

Jun 07, 2007 by Mr. Nau The Bill Evans Trio welcomes Stan Getz in this live set from the early seventies. The music is very laid back and never gets too rambunctious. Getz and Evans play beautifully off each other. Getz’s tenor has such a big delicious tone and he even plays “Happy Birthday” for […]

Sonny Stitt – Personal Appearance (1957)

Jun 04, 2007 by Mr. Nau Sonny Stitt follows in the footsteps of Charlie Parker in this blistering set of standards and original compositions. His clean, singing tone on both alto and tenor saxes is on magnificent display here. The fluidity of Stitt’s solo work with his masterful rhythm section makes this a thoroughly enjoyable […]

The Secret Life of Words (2005)

Jun 03, 2007 by Mr. Nau Sarah Polley stars in this strange, slow-paced character study about a loner factory worker who spends her vacation on a North Sea oil rig, caring for an injured man. While all the characters are likeable and well-acted, the script leaves many important questions unanswered and loses coherent focus. Grade: […]

Paradise Now (2005)

Jun 03, 2007 by Mr. Nau Said and Khaled are recruited as suicide bombers and tasked with carrying out an operation in Tel Aviv. This Oscar-nominated picture follows two young Palestinian men who are about to commit an unthinkably violent act and explores difficult questions of morality and loyalty in the face of unbelievable oppression. […]

Miles Davis – Birth of the Cool (1956)

Jun 02, 2007 by Mr. Nau A definitive collection of mid-tempo tunes and ballads, this stunning set includes a number of compositions by Miles Davis and Gerry Mulligan. This group of stars delivers a must-have album, easily accessible to any listener—full of incredible, but not dizzyingly fast, improvisational moments and pure musical magic. Grade: A+. […]

Abbey Lincoln – Abbey Is Blue (1959)

Jun 01, 2007 by Mr. Nau Abbey Lincoln, one of the legends of vocal jazz, evokes Billie Holiday in this beautiful, bluesy set of standards from 1959. Her vocal power is on full display here, with the help of a fantastic rhythm section and Kenny Dorham on trumpet. The emotional richness in her music is […]

John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1964)

Jun 01, 2007 by Mr. Nau John Coltrane leads a quartet of stars in this four-part jazz suite that displays an emotional depth, improvisational mastery, and technical facility that could not be described with any word short of perfect. Every note by every musician is a revelation. This spectacular record belongs in everyone’s music collection. […]

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