First to be reviewed is Shakey: Neil Young's Biography by Jimmy McDonough. As far as biographies go, this is one of the best I've read. Written by an author who clearly cares deeply about his subject, to the point of being a fan, Shakey manages to not be a book about how great Neil Young is. If anything it's the opposite. But you also get the feeling that Young definately wanted it that way. They guy's lead a rough life, and a lot of his decisions he, himself, would classify as mistakes. But they are part of who he is. He feels bad for the mistakes he's made, but doesn't seem to feel that he would take any of them back. The format is very interesting. You read the author's information he derived in interviews with people around Young, and then a response from Young. If you have any interest in Neil Young, I'd recommend this book. It was also interesting to discover that Neil Young owns the Lionel Trains company. 8 out of 10.
Next on the review list is 8 mile with Eminem. I can only say that I'm impressed. There are so many things this movie could have been that it's not. It wasn't a celebrity ego-fest. I don't think it would've been much difference if no one had ever heard of Eminem before. There were also about 100 times it could've turned into a bad After-School Special, but instead of making some cheesy moment become a focus, they let it slide into the background. Teen pregnancy, sex, guns... they were all there, but they were not focused on. If you like rap at all, or like well made movies, you should see this one. 8 out of 10.
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