Lifeboat (1944)

Alfred Hitchcock made Lifeboat relatively early in his American directorial career and the title and picture says it all, a bunch of people stranded in a lifeboat. Set in WWII it involves a lifeboat of American and British civilians who take on a Nazi soldier as a fellow castaway and must decide what to do with the man who they are at war with. Between lack of supplies, the weather and their mistrust of the German officer, will everyone survive? Hitchcock is at the top of his game and I really felt like I was in the Lifeboat with these people, the performances are all well acted and the story and moral choices are relevant today.

Rating 4.0/5.0

Wilco (the album) (2009)

After spending the last 15 years experimenting Wilco has used all their tricks to make their self-titled 7th studio album. It seems that they are done reinventing themselves for now and are happy to just consolidate all their strengths into this sound. It's a really good solid album. They do sunny pop and 70's style rock with a little noise thrown in for good measure. Lyrically I haven't really delved into it but it sounds like standard Jeff Tweedy fare to me. It's not going to make them any bigger than they already are or cause anybody who didn't like them before to change their mind. If you liked their last album Sky Blue Sky but wished it wasn't quite so "safe" I highly recommend Wilco (the album).

Rating 4.0/5.0