I Believe in Yesterday

While enjoying the Lufthansa film festival during a flight for work, I made the decision to watch Yesterday, a fantasy tribute to the Beatles. If you're a lover of the Fab Four or of music in general, this is truly worth your time.

Jack Malik is a hardworking but overlooked performer who discovers that the entire world has no idea who the Beatles are- except him. In a moment of weakness, he decides to further his career by performing their songs and claiming them as his own. As you'd imagine, this catapults him to fame and brings with it a host of problems.

Himesh Patel is perfectly cast with a pleasing voice and engaging presence, and Lily James is every bit as lovely as when she donned Cinderella's slippers. Don't be fooled by the ads- Ed Sheehan plays himself in more than a cameo, showing his fans he really can take himself with a grain of salt- and the film gives him some of the best one liners ever.

Paul McCartney must be pleased with this work of love, and so will you.

Yesterday: The Beatles Invasion- 50 Years

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Beatles invasion, here are just a few of my favorite tunes by the group that changed musical history:

• "I Saw Here Standing There"- I grew up on Motown, so unbelievably, I did not know the Beatles music as theirs until after 1970. This song, among the first I'd heard with knowledge, stands out for its playful, youthful vibe- the power of boy sees girl. And isn't that the fun part of Rock and Roll?
• "Day Tripper" - The opening notes are instantly recognizable, the melody sinks into your brain and never leaves. 
• "The Long and Winding Road" - Sentimental and symphonic, the pure emotion of the piece overwhelms me at times. If there was any doubt Paul McCartney and John Lennon would be legends, this puts the argument to rest.
• "Back in the USSR" - I just love to listen to this as I run! With its lyrical tongue in cheek tribute to the Beach Boys, the song is just Fun, Fun, Fun.
• "Yesterday" - no explanation needed, is there?