WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 30, 2024

 WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE WEEK BY WEEK FOR 2024 

Here's a week by week tracking of box office around the world. It is compiled by pulling from every possible source: ComScore, Box Office Mojo, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, charts for countries like China and India and South Korea, individual stories in trade or general interest newspapers, Wikipedia and anywhere else discussing box office around the world. 

The weekly charts contain the total gross for every movie in theaters around the world during those seven days. If a movie opens on a Thursday, we include all the box office from Thursday through Sunday. If it opens on a Tuesday night, we cover all six days. If it opens on a Sunday (as some movies do in India or wherever, depending on holidays), then we include the box office for that one day. If a movie was released before the current week, we include the box office for all seven days. Why ignore the box office from Monday through Thursday, as most charts do when tallying the latest weekend and focusing on new releases? 

How do we arrive at this number? We take the total worldwide box office we have for a movie, subtract from it the previous week's total worldwide box office...and that's how much it made during the past seven days. Naturally, territories and movies sometimes fall through the cracks but we are as up to date as we can be, given our dependence on other outlets for the basic info. So here we go....

WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE FOR WEEK ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 

A film's total gross for the entire previous week is followed by its worldwide total to date.

1. Inside Out 2 –– $290m/$1,015m worldwide total

2. A Quiet Place: Day One –– $99m ww debut

3. Kalki 2898 A.D. –– $66m debut

4. Bad Boys: Ride or Die –– $43m/$332m ww

5. Moments We Shared –– $31m/$51m ww

6. Despicable Me 4 –– $16m/$25m ww

7. Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1–– $11m ww debut

8. Customs Frontline –– $11m ww debut

9. The Bikeriders –– $10m/$24m ww

10. The Garfield Movie –– $9m/$240m ww

11. Life Hotel –– $6m ww debut

12. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes –– $4m/$389m ww

13. Haikyu! The Dumpster Battle –– $3m/$133m ww

14. Jatt & Juliet 3 –– $3m ww debut

15. If –– $3m/$184m ww

16. Thelma –– $3m/$5m ww

17. Hijack 1971 –– $3m/$7m ww

18. Handsome Guys –– $3m ww debut

19. Be My Friend –– $3m/$29m ww

20. The Exorcism –– $2m/$6m ww

21. Reversed Destiny –– $1m/$4m ww

22. Kinds of Kindness -- $1m/$3m ww

23. The Fall Guy –– $1m/$173m ww

24. The Watchers –– $1m/$31m ww

25. Tarot –– $1m/$48m ww

26. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga –– $1m/$169m ww

Bold: movies that have tripled their reported budgets.

This makes them likely hits from box office alone.

NOTES 

3. Kalki 2898 AD is a $75m Indian Telugu sci-fi film. It may be the most expensive Indian film (not adjusting for inflation) in history, certainly the most expensive film made in the Telugu language. It's one more sign that the strength of Indian cinema (which is slowly rebounding) stretches way beyond Bollywood (Hindi-language films). 

8. Customs Frontline is a Hong Kong thriller, possibly in previews.  Another action film from HK scores solid numbers, a turnaround since HK films were faring poorly in the mainland of China for awhile. 

11. Life Hotel is a Chi drama set in old folk's home? Care facility? The trailer is a little confusing on this one. It's a comic crime film maybe set in a care facility of some sort. 

14. Jatt & Juliet 3 is an Indian Punjabi rom-com. The three films in the Jatt & Juliet franchise are rom-coms starring the same two actors but each is described as a "spiritual" sequel, that is, not necessarily the same characters or storyline. Anyway, the first two became the highest grossing films of all time in the Punjabi language and of course they hope to keep the streak going. 

18. Handsome Guys is a Korean action comedy. 

ANALYSIS 

China's box office for the first half of 2024 is $3.4b, down modestly from one year earlier (some 9%). 

The North American box office is $3.6b, down 19% from 2023. 

A Quiet Place: Day One will quickly enter the winner's circle since it is guaranteed to triple a $70mb by hitting at least $210m worldwide. Didn't someone just say prequels don't work? 

A reminder: we call a movie a hit from box office alone when it triples whatever reported budget is widely accepted. (As always, we take into account pickups, massive marketing budgets etc., suspiciously low budgets –like the $100mb reported for Bad Boys 4 since we know that doesn't include backend for Willl Smith and Martin Lawrence and so on and so forth. It's alk guesswork!) Further, we know many movies become profitable thanks to a long life in streaming, rental, sales, cable reruns and so on. Movies that don't triple their budgets at the box office aren't losers, necessarily; they just aren't outright winners from theatrical alone. Unless a studio wants to open their books for us, this is the best we can do in determining winners. 

In any case, director Michael Sarnoski is a major new talent. He wrote and directed Pig starring Nicolas Cage in 2021. It cost about $3mb and grossed $3.9m. Guess what? That makes it a commercial winner, since such a modest budget and the big name of Cage and good reviews mean this will be a valuable addition to anyone's film library thanks. Now Sanorski delivers A Quiet Place: Day One by co-writing the story (with John Krasinski) and then writing and directing on his own a big hit starring Lupita Nyongo. This was by no means a slam dunk since it doesn't star Krasinski and it's a prequel, which everyone was just yelling don't work, because Furiosa was a flop. Uh-huh. So Sanorski is a self-contained talent (writer and director) who has indie cred and comfortable with franchises and action. Everyone will want to work with him, so it will be fascinating to see if he leverages this to take on a bigger franchise/pre-sold property or create something for scratch. 

--30-- 

Funeral Mass For Mary Frances Giltz May 30, 2024

 

THE MOVIES, BOOKS, THEATER, CONCERTS, ALBUMS I'VE SEEN/HEARD/READ SO FAR IN 2024

 Updated as of June 25, 2024  

KEY: star rating is on the four star scale
          meaning of "/" or "\"
          *** is three stars out of four
          ***/ is three stars leaning towards  3 1/2
          ***\ is three stars leaning towards 2 1/2


The Movies, Books, Theater, Concerts, CDs I've Seen/Read/Heard So Far In 2024

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS
(Increasingly, I am sampling books, reading 10%, 20% even 40 or 50% before deciding to move on. The books below are only the ones I've read completely. That also explains what looks like generous grading -- more and more, if I sense a book is not going to be among my favorites, I stop reading. Too many books; too little time!)

1. The Honourable Schoolboy by John Le Carré (1977) *** 1/2 

2. Smiley's People by John Le Carré (1979) **** 

3. M.C. Higgins, The Great by Virginia Hamilton (1974) *** 1/2 

4. Cover Her Face by P.D. James (first Inspector Dalgliesh) (1962) *** 

5. The Evolution Of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald *** 

6. A London Child of the 1870s by M.V. Hughes (Molly Hughes) (1934) *** 

7. Ferris by Kate DiCamillo *** 1/2 

8. Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo; illustrations by Carmen Mok ** 1/2 

9. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo *** 
10. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Yoko Tanaka *** 1/2 

11. The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Sophie Blackall *** 1/2 

12. The Brief Wondrous Life Of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz **** 

13. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon ** 1/2 

14. The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon *** 

15. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo *** 1/2  

16. The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos; illustrated by Doug Salati *** 

17. Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi *** 

18. The Perilous Performance at Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos ***

19. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson *** 1/2 

20. Black Hole by Charles Burns *** 1/2 

21. Here by Richard McGuire **** 

22. The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum by Margalit Fox *** 

23. A London Girl of the 1880s by M.V. Hughes (Molly Hughes) (1936) *** 

24. A London Home in the 1890s by M.V. Hughes (Molly Hughes) (1937) *** 

25. Jules Feiffer -- The Collected Works Vol. 1: Clifford *** 1/2 

26. Fence Vol. 1-6 by C.S. Pacat; Illustrated by Johanna The Mad *** each 

27. The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman ***/ 

28. Backing Into Forward by Jules Feiffer *** 

29. The Great Comic Book Heroes by Jules Feiffer *** 

30. Trick or Treat on Scary Street by Lance Bass; illustrated by Roland Garrigue * 1/2 

31. Upstaged by Robin Easter ** 1/2 

32. Kill My Mother by Jules Feiffer *** 

33. My Side of the Car by Kate Feiffer; illustrated by Jules Feiffer *** 1/2 

34. Jacob's Eye Patch by Beth Kobliner Shaw and Jacob Shaw; illustrated by Jules Feiffer **  

35. Bark, George by Jules Feiffer *** 1/2 

36. 

CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS CDS (A strong emphasis on the ones I like, so don't think I love everything I listen to -- I just don't bother really listening to the ones I don't )

1. Coleman Hawkins -- The Hawk Flies High (1957) **** 
2. Madness -- The Rise & Fall (1982, on vinyl at Andrew's apt as he packed for St. Pete) *** 

3. Television -- Adventure (1978) *** 

4. Grateful Dead -- Live/Dead (1969) ***\ 

5. Anthony Braxton -- For Alto (1971) *** 1/2 

6. Paul Bley -- Time Will Tell (1995) *** 
7. George Jones -- The Grand Tour (1974) *** 

8. Aerosmith -- Pump (2001) *** 

9. Little Walter -- His Best (1997) *** 1/2 

10. The Residents -- Duck Stab/Buster & Glen (1978) *** 

11. Elomar -- Cantoria 2 (1988) **** 

12. Elomar -- Cantoria 3 *** 1/2 

13. Elomar -- Cantoria 1 (1984) *** 1/2 

14. Otis Spann -- The Blues Never Die! (1965) *** 

15. The Velvet Underground -- White Light/White Heat (1968) ** 1/2 

16. Green Day -- Dookie (1994) *** 1/2 

17. Elvis Costello -- Trust (1981) *** 

18. Various Artists -- Shalimar Original Soundtrack (1978) *** 
19. Deep Purple -- Machine Head (1972) ** 1/2 

20. Howard Tate -- Howard Tate (1972) *** 1/2 

21. Z.Z. Top -- Tres Hombres (1973) ** 

22. Marlena Shaw -- The Spice Of Life (1969) ** 1/2 

23. Bob Marley -- Catch A Fire (1973) **** 
24. Howard Tate -- Get It While You Can (1966) *** 1/2 

25. Howard Tate -- Rediscovered (2003) *** 1/2 

26. Howard Tate -- Reaction (1970) *** 
27. Doc Cheatham and Shorty Baker --- Shorty & Doc (1961) *** 1/2 

28. Elvis Costello -- Brutal Youth (1995) *** 

29. Elvis Costello -- Punch The Clock (1983) *** 1/2 

30. Elvis Costello -- Kojak Variety (1994) ** 1/2 

31. Elvis Costello -- All This Useless Beauty (1996) ** 1/2 

32. Sly and the Family Stone -- Stand! (1969) *** 1/2 

33. Sly and the Family Stone -- There's A Riot Goin' On (1971) **** 
34. Sly and the Family Stone -- Greatest Hits (1970) **** 
35. Peter Tosh -- Legalize It (1976) *** 1/2 
36. Blur -- Parklife (1994) *** 1/2 

37. Blind Willie Johnson -- Praise God I'm Satisfied (1989) *** 1/2 

38. Prince --- Originals (2019) *** 
39. Big Star -- #1 Record (1972) **** 

40. Big Star -- Radio City (1974) *** 1/2 

41. Sly and the Family Stone -- Fresh (1973) *** 1/2 

42. Dire Straits -- Love Over Gold (1972) ** 1/2 

43. Marlena Shaw -- Who Is This Bitch, Anyway? (1972) ** 1/2 

44. Elvis Costello -- Goodbye Cruel World (1984) *** 1/2 

45. Raspberries -- Raspberries' Best (1976) **** 
46. The Beach Boys -- Smile (1967, from The Smiles Sessions box, 2011) *** 1/2 /

47. Brian Wilson -- Presents Smile (2004) ****  

48. Lead Belly -- Midnight Special: The Library Of Congress Recordings (1991) *** 1/2 

49. Brian Harnetty -- The Workbench (2023) *** 1/2 

50. Spacemen 3 -- Playing With Fire (1989) *** 

51. The 13th Floor Elevators -- The Psychedelic Sounds of The 13th Floor Elevators (1966) *** 1/2 

52. Sly and the Family Stone -- Dance To The Music (1968) ** 1/2 

53. Elbow -- The Seldom Seen Kid (2008) ** 1/2 

54. D'Angelo -- Brown Sugar (1995) **** 
55. D'Angelo -- Voodoo (2000) ** 1/2 

56. Brian Harnetty -- Words and Silences (2022) *** (Thomas Merton) 

57. Brian Eno -- Discreet Music (1975) **** 
58. New Order -- Substance 87 (1987) *** 1/2 

59. Brian Eno -- Ambient 1: Music For Airports (1978) **** 
60. Electric Light Orchestra aka ELO -- Zoom (2001) **** 

61. Brian Eno -- Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror (1980) (w Harold Budd) **** 
62. Brian Eno -- Ambient 3: Day Of Radiance (w Laraaji) (1980) *** 1/2 

63. Brian Eno -- Ambient 4: On Land (1982) *** 

64. Brian Eno -- Evening Star w Robert Fripp (1975) *** 1/2 

65. Brian Eno -- Apollo aka score For doc For All Mankind (1983) ***/ 

66. Brian Eno -- (No Pussyfooting) (w Robert Fripp) (1973) *** 1/2 

67. Brian Eno -- The Equatorial Stars (w Robert Fripp) (2004) *** 1/2 

68. Peter Tosh -- Equal Rights (1977) *** 1/2 

69. Paul McCartney -- Band On The Run (Underdubbed Mix) (1973) *** 1/2 

70. Japan --- Quiet Life (1979) ***\ 

71. David Bowie -- Aladdin Sane (1973) *** 1/2 

72. Brian Eno -- The Shutov Assembly (1992) *** 1/2 

73. Oxomatli -- Street Signs (2004) ** 1/2 

74. Big Star -- Third (1978) *** 

75. The Conet Project -- Recordings of Shortwave Numbers Stations/1111 (1995) *** 

76. Volcano -- Jungle (2023) ** 1/2 

77. Aphex Twin -- Selected Ambient Works Vol. II (1994) *** 1/2 \ 

78. The Louvin Brothers -- Tragic Songs Of Life (1956) *** 1/2 

79. Brian Eno -- Music For Films (1978) ** 

80. Robert Fripp -- Exposure (1979) ** 

81. Pharaoh Sanders -- Harvest Time Live 1977 (1977/2023) *** 1/2 

82. Cortijo Y Su Combo w Ismael Rivera -- La Quiniela Del Dia (1976) *** 1/2 

83. Dinosaur Jr. -- You're Livin' All Over Me (1987) *** 1/2 

84. Eddie Condon -- 1927-1943 (1997) *** 1/2 

85. Marvin Gaye -- Here, My Dear (1978) *** 1/2 

86. Marvin Gaye -- That's The Way Love Is (1970) *** 1/2 

87. Jimmy Smith -- Back At The Chicken Shack (1963) *** 1/2 

88. Taj Mahal -- Savoy (2023) *** 1/2 

89. Junior Wells -- Hoodoo Man Blues (1965) **** 
90. Pere Ubu -- Dub Housing (1976) *** 

91. Nat King Cole -- The Best Of The King Cole Trio (1992) *** 1/2 

92. John Martyn -- One World (1977) ** 1/2 

93. June Christy -- Something Cool (1955 -- Mono) *** 1/2 

94. The Temptations -- All Directions (1972) *** 
95. Oscar "Papa" Celestin and Sam Morgan -- Recorded In New Orleans 1925-1928 (2019) *** 1/2 

96. Sean Ono Lennon -- Asterisms ** 1/2 

97. Fripp & Eno  -- Beyond Even 1992-2006 (2006) ** 1/2 

98. Tito Puente -- Dance Mania ('58)/Dance Mania 2 ('61)/Dance Mania Legacy Edition (2009) **** 

99. Einstürzende Neubauten -- Kollaps (1981) ** 1/2 

100. The Drifters -- The Drifters' Golden Hits (1968) *** 1/2 

101. Arcade Fire -- Funeral (2004) ** 1/2 

102. Jimmy Smith -- Groovin' At Smalls' Paradise Vol. 1 (1957) **** Vol. 2 (1957) *** 1/2 

103. The New Christy Minstrels -- Merry Christmas! (1963) * 1/2 ("Sing Along W Santa") 

104. Stealers Wheel -- In The Bleak Mid Winter (2019) * 

105. Sonic Youth -- Evol (1986) ** 1/2 

106. Bettye Swann -- Make Me Yours (1967) *** 
107. Steeleye Span -- Parcel Of Rogues (1973) *** 
108. The Shirelles -- Greatest Hits (1963) **** 
109. The Shirelles -- Greatest Hits Vol. II (1967) *** 1/2 

110. The Shirelles -- Mama Said: 52 Original Sceptre Records Recordings (2023) *** 1/2 

111. Circle Jerks -- Group Sex (1980) *** 1/2 

112. Eddie Condon -- The Eddie Condon Collection 1927-1961 (2014) ****  

113. Depeche Mode -- Violator (1990) *** 1/2 \ 

114. MGMT -- Loss Of Life ***/ 

115. Yes -- Yes (1969) *** 

116. Bobby "Blue" Bland -- Two Steps From The Blues (1961) **** 
117. Bill Fay -- Time Of The Last Persecution (1971) ** 1/2 

118. Elmore James -- The Sky Is Crying: The History of Elmore James (9 songs, good sound) **** 

119. Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis -- Very Saxy (1959) *** 1/2 (half a star off for the title) 
120. Brian Eno -- Cluster & Eno (2017) *** 
121. Chris Connor -- Chris Connor (1956) *** 1/2 

122. Ken Colyer -- Club Session With Colyer (1956) **** 
123. William Basinski -- The Disintegration Loops (2002) **** 

124. Etta Jones -- Don't Go To Strangers (1960) *** 1/2 

125. Mylo -- Destroy Rock & Roll (2004) * 

126. Kaiser Chiefs -- The Kaiser Chiefs' Easy Eighth Album *** 

127. Oval -- 94diskont (1995) *** 

128. Cornershop -- When I Was Born For The 7th Time (1997) ** 

129. Serge Chaloff -- Blue Serge (1956) **** 
130. Serge Chaloff -- Boston Blow-Up (1955) *** 1/2 

131. Nat King Cole -- The Complete Capitol Recordings of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991 Bear 18 cd boxed set) ** 1/2 (first 200 tracks *** 1/2; last 149 pretty dire **) 

132. World Party -- Private Revolution (1987) *** 

133. Raspberries -- Fresh (1972) *** 1/2 

134. World Party -- Goodbye Jumbo (1990) **** 

135. World Party -- Bang! (1993) ** 1/2 

136. Raspberries -- Starting Over (1974) *** 1/2 

137. World Party -- Egyptology (1997) *** 1/2 

138. Raspberries -- Raspberries (1972) *** 

139. The Waterboys -- This Is The Sea (1985) *** 1/2 

140. World Party -- Dumbing Up (2000) *** 1/2 

141. Eric Carmen -- Eric Carmen (1975) ***\ 

142. Eric Carmen -- Boats Against The Current (1977) ** 

143. Firehose -- Fromohio (1989) ** 1/2 

144. Beck -- Guero (2005) *** 
145. The Black Crowes -- Happiness Bastards *** 
146. Lester Flatt -- Heaven's Bluegrass Band (1976) ** 1/2 

147. Eddy Arnold -- My World (1965) ** 1/2 

148. Various Artists -- Uptown Top Ranking: Trojan Ska & Reggae Chartbusters (2024) *** 1/2 

149. Mance Lipscomb -- You Got To Reap What You Sow: Texas Songster Vol. 2 (1993) *** 1/2 

150. The Stooges -- Raw Power (1973) *** 
151. Death in Vegas -- The Contino Sessions (1999) ** 
152. Traffic -- Traffic (1968) ** 1/2 

153. Brian Eno -- Nerve Net (1992) ** 

154. LCD Soundsystem -- Sound Of Silver (2007) ** 
155. Fishbone -- Truth and Soul (1988) ** 1/2 

156. Black Sabbath -- Black Sabbath (1970) ** 
157. Ms. Dynamite -- A Little Deeper (2002) ** 

158. Jimmy Smith -- The Sermon! (1959) **** 
159. Portishead -- Third (2008) ***/ 

160. Roger Eno -- The Skies, They Shift Like Chords... (2023) *** 
161. Ringo Starr -- Beaucoups Of Blues (1970) ** 1/2 

162. Pauline Oliveros -- Deep Listening (1989) *** 1/2 

163. Paul Young -- No Parlez (1983) ** 

164. Tears For Fears -- The Hurting (1983) ***/ 

165. Sleater-Kinney -- Dig Me Out (1997) *** 

166. The Doves -- The Last Broadcast (2002) ** 1/2 

167. Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens -- The Indestructible Beat Tour 1988-1989 (1989) *** 

168. Raspberries -- Side 3 (1973) *** 1/2 

169. Mance Lipscomb -- Captain, Captain!: the Texas Country Blues Guitar Of Mance Lipscomb Vol. 3 (1998) *** 1/2 

170. Tears For Fears -- The Hurting (1983) ***/ 

171. Elliot Smith -- Figure 8 (2000) ** 1/2 

172. Mel Tormé & Buddy Rich -- Together Again For The First Time (1978) ** 1/2 (an extra half for the scatting on Ella tribute "First Lady Of Song") 

173. Rush -- Moving Pictures (1981) *** 1/2 

174. Genesis -- Selling England By The Pound (1973) ** 
175. Norah Jones -- Visions ** 1/2 

176. África Negra -- Antologia Vol. 1 (2022) **** 

177. Christine and the Queens -- Chris (2018) ** 1/2 

178. Barry Adamson -- Oedipus Schmoedipus (1996) *** 

179. The Cure -- Seventeen Seconds (1980) *** 

180. Various Artists -- Piconema: East African Hits on the Colombian Coast (2023) **** 

181. Ornette Coleman -- At The Golden Circle Vol. 1 (1966) *** 1/2 

182. Shelby Lynne -- The Servant (2021) **** 
183. Pedro Lima -- Recordar É Viver: Antologia Vol. 1 (2022) *** 
184. Billie Holiday & Lester Young -- A Musical Romance (2002) *** 1/2 

185. Lester Young -- The Complete Aladdin Recordings Of Lester Young (w Helen Humes and Nat King Cole) (1995) **** 

186. Iron Butterfly -- In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968) ** 1/2 

187. Sheila E -- Bailar ** 1/2 

188. The Replacements -- Boink!! (1986) **** 

189. The Replacements -- Hootenanny (1983) *** 1/2 

190. The Replacements -- Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash (1981) *** 

191. Eddy Arnold -- The Best Of Eddy Arnold (1967) ** 1/2 

192. Ismael Rivera -- Con Todos Los Hierros (w Rafael Cortijo) (1966) *** 1/2 

193. Alexander "Skip" Spence -- Oar (1969) ** 1/2 

194. Baaba Maal -- Djam Leelii: The Adventurers (w Mansour Seck) (1989) **** (expanded *** 1/2) 

195. David Byrne and Brian Eno -- Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (2008) *** 1/2 

196. Marcus King -- Mood Swings *** 1/2 

197. The Feeling -- San Vito ** 1/2 

198. Elliot Brood -- Country **** Full City/Country album *** 1/2 

199. Kacey Musgraves -- Deeper Well *** 1/2 

200. Black Sabbath -- Paranoid (1970) ** 1/2 

201. Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard -- Skinwalker *** 1/2 

202. Lindisfarne -- Fog On The Tyne (1970) *** 1/2 

203. The Birthday Party -- Junkyard (1982) ** 1/2 

204. Taylor Swift -- The Tortured Poet Department ** 1/2 

205. Ann Savoy -- Another Heart ** 1/2 

206. Ian Hunter -- Defiance Part 2: Fiction ** 1/2 

207. Mel Torme -- California Suite (1957) *

208. Mel Torme -- Meets The British (1957) * 1/2 

209. Mel Torme -- Prelude To A Kiss (1958) ** 

210. Mel Torme -- Torme! (1958) ** 1/2 
211. Mel Torme -- Ole Torme!~ Mel Torme Goes South Of The Border With Billy May (1959) * 1/2 

212. Mel Torme -- Back in Town (1959) * 1/2 

213. Mel Torme -- Swings Schubert Alley (1960) **** 

214. Mel Torme -- It's a Blue World 1955) ** 

215. Mel Torme -- Mel Torme and the Marty Paich Dek-Tette (1956) ** 1/2 
216. Mel Torme -- Sings Fred Astaire (1956) **** 

217. Labi Siffre -- Labi Siffre (1970) ***  
218. Labi Siffre -- The Singer and the Song (1971) *** 

219. Labi Siffre -- Crying Laughing Loving Lying (1972) *** 1/2 

220. Labi Siffre -- For The Children (1973) 
221. Labi Siffre -- Remember My Song (1975) **** 

222. Ted Russell Kamp -- California Son ** 

223. Benny Carter -- Further Definitions (1961) *** 1/2 

224. Britney Spears -- ...Baby One More Time (1999) * 
225. McAlmont & Butler -- The Sound Of McAlmont & Butler (1995) *** 

226. Supertramp -- Crime of the Century (1974) ** 

227. Alice Cooper -- Billion Dollar Babies (1973) ** 1/2 

228. Pet Shop Boys -- Nonetheless ***/ 

229. Manic Street Preachers -- The Holy Bible (1994) *** 
230. Mel Torme -- At The Crescendo (1957) ** 1/2 

231. Ella Fitzgerald -- Ella in Hollywood (1960) **** 

232. Tom Tom Club -- Tom Tom Club (1987) * 1/2 

233. St. Vincent -- All Born Screaming ** 1/2  

234. KISS -- Destroyer (1976) * 1/2 

235. Mel Torme -- An Evening With George Shearing (1982) *** 

236. John Adams -- Road Movies (2004) *** 

237. The Lemon Twigs -- A Dream Is All We Know *** 1/2 

238. Eagles -- Eagles (1972) ** 

239. Prince Buster -- The Original Golden Oldies Vol. 1 (1967) *** 

240. Prince Buster and the Maytals -- The Original Golden Oldies Vol. 3 (1973) *** 

241. Tangerine Dream -- Phaedra (1974) *** 1/2 

242. Frank Turner -- Undefeated *** 

243. The Dixie Cups -- The Dixie Cups (1964) **** 

244. The Kinks -- Arthur (1969) ***/ 

245. Pete Jolly -- Seasons (1970) *** 

246. Africatown, AL -- Ancestor Sounds ***/ 

247. The Kinks -- The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (1968) **** 

248. The Lemon Twigs -- Brothers Of Destruction (2017) *** 1/2 

249. The Lemon Twigs -- Songs For The General Public (2020) *** 

250. The Kinks -- Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround Part One (1970) *** 1/2 

251. Blur -- Blur (1997) *** 1/2 

252. Labi Siffre -- Happy (1975) ** 

253. Brad Mehldau -- After Bach II *** 

254. Don McLean -- American Boys * 1/2 

255. Miles Davis -- In A Silent Way (1969) **** 

256. John Coltrane -- Ascension (966) *** 

257. The Avett Brothers -- The Avett Brothers *** 1/2 

258. Blur -- Leisure (1991) *** 1/2 

259. Blur -- Modern Life Is Rubbish (1993) *** 1/2 

260. Traffic -- Mr. Fantasy (1968) *** 

261. Benny Carter -- Further Definitions (1962) **** 

262. Kamasi Washington -- Fearless Movement ** 

263. X-Ray Spex -- Germ Free Adolescence (1978) ** 

264. Iron Maiden -- Iron Maiden (1980) ** 

265. Blue Cheer -- Vincebus Eruptum (1968) *** 1/2 

266. The Adverts -- Crossing The Red Sea With The Adverts (1978) *** 1/2 

267. Paul Weller -- 66 ** 1/2 

268. Shelby Lynne -- Merry Christmas (2010) ** 1/2 

269. The Mavericks -- Moon & Stars *** 

270. Vampire Weekend -- Only God Was Above Us ** 1/2 

271. Emmylou Harris -- Pieces Of The Sky (1975) *** 

272. Emmylou Harris -- Elite Hotel (1975) *** 1/2 

273. Emmylou Harris -- Luxury Liner (1976) *** 1/2 

274. Emmylou Harris -- Blue Kentucky Girl (1979) *** 1/2 

275. Emmylou Harris -- Evangeline (1981) ** 

276. Emmylou Harris -- Cimarron (1981) ** 1/2 

277. Alice In Chains -- Dirt (1992) ** 1/2 

278. Mel Torme -- An Elegant Evening (w George Shearing) (1985) *** 1/2 

279. Emmylou Harris -- White Shoes (1983) ** 

280. William Orbit -- Strange Cargo 3 (1993) ** 

281. Janet Jackson -- Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) ** 

282. Emmylou Harris -- The Ballad of Sally Rose (1985) *** 1/2 

283. Jennifer Lara -- Studio One Presents Jennifer Lara *** 

284. Willie Nelson -- The Border *** 1/2 

285. Bristol Brass Consort -- Festive Brass (2019) *** 1/2 

286. Jerry Garcia -- Garcia (1972) *** 

287. Billie Eilish -- Hit Me Hard and Hit Me Soft *** 1/2 \ 

288. Mel Torme -- Mel Torme's Finest Hour (2001) ** / 

289. Richard Thompson -- Ship To Shore **** 

290. Tommy McCook & The Super Sonic -- Top Secret (1969) **** 

291. Wes Montgomery -- The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery (1960) **** 

292. Jimmy Smith -- Root Down (1972) *** 1/2 

293. The Kinks -- Mussel Hillbillies (1971) **** 

294. Emmylou Harris -- Thirteen (1986) *** 

295. Charley Crockett -- $10 Cowboy ** 

296. Paul Simon -- Paul Simon (1972)*** 1/2 

297. Paul Simon -- One-Trick Pony (1980) *** 

298. Blur -- 13 (1999) *** 1/2 

299. Adrianne Lenker -- Bright Future ** 1/2 

300. Emmylou Harris -- Angel Band (1987) *** 

301. Jimmy Smith -- Home Cookin' (1961) *** 

302. Billy Tibbals -- Stay Teeenage ep *** 

303. Billy Tibbals -- Nightlife Stories ep *** 

304. Emmylou Harris -- Bluebird (1989) ** 1/2 

305. John Grant -- The Art of the Lie ** 1/2 

306. Montage -- Montage (1969) ** 

307. Emmylou Harris -- Brand New Dance (1990) ** 

308. Lou Reed -- Transformer (1972) *** 1/2 

309. Magazine -- Real Life (1978) ** 1/2 

310. Röyksopp -- Melody A.M. (2001) ** 

311. Mel Tormé -- Songs For Any Taste (1957) ** 1/2 

312. Yunchan Lim -- Chopin Études Op. 10 and 25 *** 

313. a-ha -- Hunting High and Low (1985) ** 

314. Blind Willie McTell -- Statesboro Blues (2003) *** 1/2 

315. Jamme -- Jamme (1968) ***/ 

316. Common -- Be (2005) *** 

317. The Divine Comedy -- A Short Album About Love (1997) *** 1/2 

318. Liam Gallagher and John Squire --- Liam Gallagher and John Squire *** 

319. Bee Gees -- 1st (1967; their third album, actually) ** 1/2 

320. Bee Gees -- Horizontal (1968) ** 
321. Bee Gees -- Odessa (1969) *** \

322. Air -- The Virgin Suicides soundtrack (2000) **** 
323. Bob & Marcia (Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths) -- Pied Piper (1971) *** 

324. Kraftwerk -- The Man-Machine (1978) *** 1/2 

325. Kraftwerk -- Computer World (1981) *** 1/2 

326. Emmylou Harris -- Cowgirl's Prayer (1993) *** 

MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES TV MOVIES 

(Not TV movies, of course, but movies and TV shows -- and TV movies if it comes to that. Mostly I only list TV shows when I've tackled an entire season at once or reappraising an entire series after it's over This doesn't really capture my ongoing watching of current TV.)

1. Bed and Sofa (1927) *** 1/2 

2. American Fiction ** 1/2 

3. The Zone Of Interest ***  

4. Dune (2021) (in IMAX) *** 1/2 

5. The Big Parade (1925) **** 

6. The Student Prince In Old Heidelberg (1927) **** 
7. Nimona ** 1/2 

8. All Of Us Strangers *** 

9.  Dune: Part Two ** 1/2 

10.  Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga ** 1/2 

11. Showing Up (2023) *** 1/2 

12. The Quiet Girl *** 1/2 

13. Talk To Me *** (v good script, direction) 

14. Inside Out 2 ** 1/2 

15. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring extended cut at AMC *** 1/2 

16. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers extended cut at AMC ****  

17. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King extended cut at AMC *** 1/2  

18. The Bikeriders ** (but Toby Wallace one to watch) 

19. 

THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS THEATER CONCERTS
(The names after the shows are the people who joined me at the performance.)

1. A Prairie Home Companion 50th Anniversary at Ryman (w Jesse) *** 

2.  

Updated as of  June 25, 2024