Classic Film Sequences: "Paris, Texas"

One of my favourite film sequences is from Wim Wender's 1984 film, Paris, Texas. The film is about an amnesiac (Harry Dean Stanton), who is lost in the Texan landscape, and the film tracks his journey in rediscovering his past and finding his wife (played by Nastassja Kinski). The reunion between these two characters is the highlight (and climax) of the film, and it's one of the most engrossing film sequences I have ever seen. The writing, by Sam Shepard, and acting, by both Stanton and Kinski, are outstanding. If you have not seen this film, I recommend watching it through before watching this particular sequence. It's a masterpiece.

Best Albums of the '90s

The other day I was having dinner with some friends, and the discussion of '90s music came up. My friend Karina asked me what my top 10 favourite albums from the '90s are. I was stumped for a moment, but after pondering a few minutes, I realized that many of my favourite albums ARE from the '90s. Here are 15 (sorry, couldn't do 10) in no particular order or ranking:

1. George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1
Faith was a classic, but this album is more touching and "Freedom '90" is amazing.

2. Sinead O'Connor - I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Before she became embroiled in controversy, O'Connor made this stunning album of personal songs, plus an outstanding cover of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U".

3. Madonna - Erotica
4. Annie Lennox - Diva
5. k.d. lang - Ingenue
1992 was a great year for women in music, and these three albums are proof of that. Madonna's "Erotica" made perhaps the best albums of her career; Annie Lennox went solo and found success with "Diva" and k.d. lang abandoned the country twang for the torch twang on "Ingenue" with equal success.

6. Me'Shell Ndegeocello - Plantation Lullabies
A great album of funk, urban pop, hip-hop inflected soul.

7. Nirvana - Unplugged in New York
Nirvana made some of the greatest albums in the early '90s. I choose this unplugged album because, for me, it is their most accessible and engaging.

8. Fatboy Slim - You've Come a Long Way Baby
A surprise treat in 1998 of electronic dance.

9. Aaliyah - One in a Million
The Timbaland/Missy Elliott production on this album is outstanding.

10. New Radicals - Maybe You've Been Brainwashed, Too
A one-hit wonder who actually made a fine album. Some great songs.

11. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
She may have disappeared into obscurity (or madness, depending on what story you hear), but Lauryn Hill was the Queen of Music in 1998. Ten years later, we may not know where she is, but this album is still a great player, especially the first five tracks.

12. Spice Girls - Spiceworld
In my opinion, this is the best bubblegum pop album. Every song is pop perfection.

13. Madonna - Ray of Light
Not as good as Erotica, but with ROL connected Madonna with a new generation of fans in 1998, with well-crafted songs that blended pop with electronica.

14. Radiohead - The Bends
O.K. Computer could go here as well, but I prefer this album.

15. Pet Shop Boys - Behaviour
In 1993, PSB made Very, which has become a classic, but 1991's Behaviour is even better, with lush, symphonic dance songs.

Hard Candy Unwrapped... and it's delicious!

I have heard a few "leaked" tracks from Hard Candy, Madonna's highly-anticipated hip-hop-style album to be released April 29th, and all I will say at this point is that it is HOT!! It's very catchy, and two of the songs are actually quite personal. So, while it will be a fun, upbeat album, Madonna still indulges her introspective songwriting side. Many M fans were worried this would be a desperate attempt for the pop diva to sound current and remain relevant, but in fact, judging from what I've heard, she has made what is, perhaps, her best album since Ray of Light.