A Movie Review: Ant-Man

Ant-Man. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a thief. His thievery; however, was taking on The Man. He spends time in jail and upon release believes that he'll be able to get another job without a problem. He's wrong. He ends up going back to crime, cracking the safe of someone named Hank Pym (Michael Douglas). The only thing Scott Lang finds is a suit that sort of looks like a motorcycle suit. He decides to take it. Well, he soon finds out that this suit provides him the ability shrink in size at will.

Hank Pym is a former S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist who discovered this shrinking technology. He refused to turn it over to S.H.I.E.L.D., instead resigning his position. Well, this secret remained hidden until Scott Lang stole it. It was a good coincidence, because Pym's protege Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) is reaching a breakthrough on this shrinking technology.

Maybe it was because I was tired, but I wasn't into this movie. I'm not saying there aren't amusing moments, but for some reason the whole scene where Ant-Man finds himself in a roller coaster-like ride that starts at a bathtub and ends on a car roof just seemed too tailor-made for 8 year-olds and from that point on I got bored.

A Book Review: The Black Box by Michael Connelly

The Black Box. Michael Connelly equals the quick summer read. In this book, Detective Harry Bosch comes across a murder in 1992. A Danish photo-journalist is found shot dead during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. There isn't enough time to investigate the murder and anyways the case is passed on to another detective.

Twenty years later Bosch has a chance to re-look at the case, which was known as the Snow White murder. Tracing leads based on a gun that was used in other murders, Bosch zeroes in on a potential suspect(s). Due to political reasons (Bosch apparently is the only detective making progress on murders that took place during the riots and since his victim is white there are concerns about how it will be perceived), his superiors attempt to slow down his investigation. Bosch refuses to slow down his investigation, which results in his superiors taking things up a notch.

The thing about Michael Connelly books is that it isn't a mystery about who the criminal(s) is. Bosch is a detective and you get to follow all the clues that he uncovers. You get to zero in on the criminal in real time with Bosch. I enjoyed this book though I will say I could have done without the whole final sequence, which honestly felt like it was written for a potential movie.

A Movie Review: Trainwreck

Trainwreck. Amy (Amy Schumer) takes after her father Gordon (Colin Quinn). Gordon previous couldn't stay committed to his wife (Amy's mother), cheating on her multiple times. They eventually divorced. Now Amy is off playing the field, sleeping with men she meets while out on the town. She isn't married, but has a semi-steady boyfriend in Steven (John Cena) who isn't aware that she doesn't consider their relationship monogamous.

Amy is a writer at a men's magazine. She is assigned to cover a sports surgeon named Adam (Bill Hader). They go out for drinks one night and, of course, Amy decides she's going to hook up with him. Instead of this being a one night stand, they actually start moving towards a serious relationship,which causes internal consternation for Amy.

There are some really funny moments in this movie. The LeBron James plays an important role in this movie and though he's not an Oscar winning actor, his scenes are hysterical. I really loved the scene where Adam and LeBron are off playing one-on-one basketball. (And there are some really key financial lessons addressed in this movie for fellow athletes.) When Amy is interacting with her sibling Kim (Brie Larson), who happens to have gone the total opposite direction of her father, or father the interactions are often funny -- there are some serious moments, as well.

My one problem with giving this a total thumbs up (just a mild one) is that I just didn't buy the relationship between Amy and Adam. From the very first night, it just felt to me that Amy was uncomfortable. Her sudden feelings of loss when Adam pulls away just didn't feel real. Also, in the long run, I think Adam was way too needy for someone like Amy who even in a real relationship probably would want a level of independence.

Beach Party, Swimm and Little Magic at The Echo

Beach Party

It is Beach Party's residency at The Echo. For some reason, I started to think The Doors and Jim Morrison. But then I started to think that Beach Party has the smooth vocal melodies. Let's just go with how their name is reflected, they're the beach party sound.

Opening up for them was Little Magic, doing their first show ever. Perhaps a little tentative on stage at times, but an endearing sound. They were given a rousing cheer at the end of their set. Swimm hit the stage with their button shirts and jeans, almost like a Casual Friday but sounding much more hip than your standard office employee.

There wasn't a more appropriate fit of band names on this night. You're off to a beach party to enjoy a swim and who knows maybe strike up a little magic with someone special.
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A Movie Review: Mud

Mud. In Arkansas, Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) are two young teenagers who are best friends. As the movie opens, Ellis sneaks out of the house early one morning to meet up with Neckbone. The two take a boat out to an island. During a recent flood, a boat ended up in a tree. They want to check it out. They soon figure out that someone is living in that boat. A man named Mud (Matthew McConaughey) is living in the boat. Mud tells the boys he's waiting for his girlfriend, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon). But why is he waiting on the island for his girlfriend? Well, he is guilty of murder. Juniper found herself in a bad relationship and Mud ended up killing the boyfriend. The police and bounty hunters (led by the dead man's father and brother) are out looking for Mud.

This movie has a singular message: brotherhood can over-come poor female relationships. Ellis and Neckbone are dear friends. Ellis is girl crazy, but picks the wrong girl as his first love. Yet, he always has Neckbone. Mud has essentially an adopted father who looks after Mud and even warns that Juniper is not what she seems. Even the father and brother seeking revenge for the man that Mud killed show a brotherhood. And as a final example, Ellis' parents are going through a divorce though the father doesn't appear to have a similar male counterpart as a close friend.

This is a small budget drama that packs a grand vision on the importance of male friendship.

Flower Jacket and Sleep State at Silverlake Lounge

Sleep State

Flower Jacket grooves to their own tune. Sometimes I felt like I was listening to some cool Los Angeles inspired rock sounds. Other times I thought maybe I was getting hit with some fusion jazz.

Sleep State is doing their residency. Occasionally, someone from the band or one of their friends will come up asking me to send over photos. And so it was on this night. I always send photos over. This band just seems to love playing together. There were smiles throughout the set. Nothing like friends enjoying a good gig together.
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A Movie Review: Inside Out

Inside Out. Riley, an 11 year old, lives in Minnesota. She loves it there. She's a star on her ice hockey team. She has a best friend. Inside herself, her five emotions are doing just fine -- joy, sadness, fear, disgust and anger. Then her family relocates to San Francisco. Her father is pursuing a start-up opportunity. The move is a shock to Riley. One primary initial shock is that her new house isn't all that nice. Also, the family's belongings accidentally end up in the wrong state. Another shock is having to attend a new school. Her emotions become out of balance. The five emotions try to figure out how to readjust to the new surroundings. Will they re-balance or will Riley end up making a very rash decision?

I felt like this was one of the weaker Pixar movies. I'm not saying it wasn't enjoyable. I just don't think it hit it out of the park. I did find the interpretation/purpose of sadness interesting. In fact, I enjoyed all the interpretations of the five emotions. It actually made you think about how one lives life. Also, I liked the message of needing to let certain memories fade away. And yet, it sort of felt like watching Candy Land on screen. All the hop on this train, escape this pit, it just sort of bored me after awhile -- not that a kid wouldn't enjoy all that.

Also, hey, isn't that father about to become a potentially Silicon Valley billionaire? Sure, he was having problems with one of his investors, but one also has to assume the family didn't move out to San Francisco based on a bad business idea and considering this is a Disney movie . . . So we essentially have a movie focusing in on the daughter of the one percent. Sorry, after the movie ended, I sort of felt like I was watching a lovely tale about a kid who in less than 5  years would be nothing more than a spoiled brat.

It is July and raining in Los Angeles

Saturday morning and time to exercise. So out I went on my normal walking route. I figured I should head out early before the summer heat hit. I wasn't more than five minutes out when the first sprinkles started to hit. I didn't think much of it. Then it started to downpour. Hmm, maybe I should head back? But then, how long can this possibly last? I kept pushing and eventually the rain came to an end. Good decision, I figured. Then as I was on my homestretch, the clouds opened up again. And not only that, but thunders roared and lightnings started to strike in quick rapid order. I found myself feeling like a kid, playing in the rain. But then in the back of my mind I was also thinking that I should get indoors as soon as possible, because who wants to get struck by lightning?At the park I walk through on my way home, I noticed that a birthday party was being set up. I felt bad for the kid. 

A Movie Review: Only Lovers Left Alive

Only Lovers Left Alive. Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and Eve (Tilda Swinton) are married vampires. They; however, live apart from each other. Adam lives in Detroit and Eve in Tangier. Adam is a musician while Eve finds enjoyment via books. Adam isn't just a musician, he is a musical genius. We learn that he has provided his music to famous composers. We also learn that he currently puts his composition out there, but under a pseudonym. This doesn't work all that well as certain fans are able to track him down. Being a recluse, he really only has contact with one other individual named Ian (Anton Yelchin) who is human and his musical instrument provider.

Being a recluse and a musician, results in the stereotypical depressive behavior for Adam. Concerned for his well-being, Eve travels to Detroit. Unfortunately, Eve's sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska) shows up and turns their lives upside down.

I have a soft spot for vampire movies. I'd even say I enjoy the art house takes. But as for this movie? It was extremely dry. Adam and Eve bored me with their constant dreariness and what I'd call slowness to life. Yes, they were sort of cool in their actions, but still uninteresting. Ava brought a little excitement to the movie, but she was mostly a psychotic vampire who was more thoughtless and unable to think about potential consequences versus being pure evil. This just made her seem childish versus vampire-ish.

A Movie Review: Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer. Fear that global warming will destroy the planet results in world governments deciding to take aggressive action by spraying cooling agents/chemicals into the atmosphere. The plan backfires. Instead, a severe ice age descends on planet Earth. The population is wiped out except for a handful of individuals. The remaining survivors are on a train called the Snowpiercer. This train runs on rails that span the globe. It has a perpetual engine so there isn't any need for fuel. A class system is implemented on the train. There are those who live in first class and there are those who live in cramped worker quarters at the rear of the train. Those who lived in the cramped worker quarters are treated like animals. Offenses are treated in very harsh manners, carried out by Mason (Tilda Swinton).

Curtis (Chris Evans) is one of the individuals who lives in the cramped worker quarters. He and his fellow rear of the train passengers are planning a revolt. They plan to take over the train from Wilford (Ed Harris), an individual that is never seen or heard from and perhaps is nothing but the Wizard of Oz.

With nothing but crude weapons, they are able to over-run a small group of guards, but as they move towards the front of the train they face the ever growing strength of Wilford's military.

I know this movie was well reviewed, but I have to say I was under-whelmed. I get it, the wealthy live a life of unbelievable luxury, living off the backs of the poor. The poor have no ability to better their lives unless for some reason they have a unique skill that is needed by the wealthy -- the ability to play the violin, as an example. And no matter your high and mighty ideals, it is likely that the only way you can change the outcome is by destroying humanity. Check.

My problem, I thought the movie started out with some intrigue, but then descended into the laughable though with some interesting twists along the way. Example, when the rebellion meets up with a heavily armed military force, they are initially badly out-maneuvered on the strategic front. Via some strategy on their own part, they are able to regroup. My problem, and I have this with many such movies, how does a group of individuals with no military training take down a well armed (and should I assume well trained) group. And then as the rebels progress up the train, the reaction of those in first class is surreal (I get it, the wealthy are so disconnected from reality of the poor that they don't feel the need to pay attention to the poor -- even when they are rising up). Then we get to the ending where we have to assume that humanity is toast even though the film ends with a feeling of hope. Hope. Yeah right, the survivors are toast.

A Movie Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. Can a movie about death inspire? This movie does. Greg Gaines (Thomas Mann) is in his senior year at high school. His life has certain pluses and minuses. He has an ability to get along with all the various high school cliques. So though his lanky appearance and moody personality might lead one to believe he'd get bullied, he is able to navigate away from that. The downside to not being a true member of a clique is that it limits his real friends. He only has one real friend, a person he is reluctant to call a friend, Earl (Ronald Cyler II). The two of them enjoy making re-interpreted films of movie classics. Other than the lack of real friends, a serious minus in Greg's life is his very low self-esteem.

After coming home from school one day, his mother informs him that a classmate named Rachel Kushner (Olivia Cooke) was diagnosed with leukemia. She presses him to visit Rachel. Greg is apprehensive about this. Though he knows Rachel, he isn't close to her. He eventually agrees. The two of them have a very awkward first meeting at her house as both agree that neither is all that interested in talking to the other. They eventually break the ice and soon hang out together on a regular basis. In fact, Greg is one of the few individuals of the same age bracket that is there to support Rachel through her struggles.

During one of his visits with Rachel, he brings along Earl. This meeting soon leads to Rachel viewing the films that Greg and Earl make. One of Rachel's other friends Madison (Katherine C. Hughes) convinces Greg and Earl to make a movie for Rachel. This request creates enormous pressures on Greg as he attempts to stretch himself beyond his comfort zone.

I just love this movie. This movie doesn't make death into a tear-jerker, but instead focuses on life. There are some wonderful side stories to this movie. One of those side stories is the awkward friendship between Greg and Madison. Greg has an enormous crush on Madison. What he doesn't realize -- driven by his low self-esteem -- is that Madison has a crush on him. He just won't allow himself to believe that one of the cutest girls at the school isn't out to manipulate him, but is instead interested in him.

More on the focus on life: Rachel knows she's dying, but she presses on Greg the importance of living. She emphasizes the importance of him applying to college. At the same time, she has a dying wish, she wants to see Greg's movie dedicated to her: a focus on the next step while enjoying what you can about the present.

A minor issue with the movie: I could have done without the cliche high school movie scene of walking into the cafeteria and passing each different clique.

My question: why hasn't this movie done better at the box office? I wonder if this movie is meant to have more meaning for adults versus teenagers.

Sonny Boy Thorn and National Anthem at The Satellite

Per Sonny Boy Thorn, they've spent time playing at speakeasies across Los Angeles. Well, they're now the residency band at The Satellite for June and they had the crowd up close through out. They started about ten minutes past their posted start time and there was definitely anticipation in the air.

Opening for them was a band called National Anthem. National Anthem is made up of older gentlemen who are cooler than most bands that are half their age. I suspect they can drink everyone under the table and they can definitely give you that Southern rock.

After a couple weeks of long hours at work, this Monday was much appreciated.
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Tennis System and Teenage Wrist/Phoebe Bridges at The Echo

A long time has passed since my last time at The Echo. On a Monday night, I headed out to catch the Tennis System residency. Up first for me was Teenage Wrist, a band with bottled up energy ready to explode. Interesting note was that the battery fell out of the bass. I don't think I ever saw that happen before. It stopped the music for a few minutes. Phoebe Bridgers came up next with a change of pace, hitting the singer-songwriter notes. The crowd loved her. Then Tennis System came up dressed in black and ready to sooth away the darkness.




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A Movie Review: Anatomy of a Murder

Anatomy of a Murder. Paul Biegler (James Stewart) is a lawyer who has other interests -- fishing, specifically. His interest in fishing is so high that he really doesn't make much money as a lawyer. Well, as money is running thin, he is contacted by Laura Manion (Lee Remick). She wants him to defend her husband, Lt. Frederick Manion (Ben Gazzara). Lt. Frederick Manion murdered Barney Quill. The reason given is that Barney Quill raped Laura Manion. In a fit of insane rage, Lt. Frederick Manion shot Quill in the heart.

I think this is a movie that doesn't really give you any clear answers to your questions. The one clear answer is that Lt. Frederick Manion did murder Barney Quill. The unclear answer is that I'm not sure that Barney Quill raped Laura Manion. Part of me thinks that Barney and Laura were having an affair behind the back of her abusive husband. Also, I suspect that Laura feared her husband (and perhaps to protect her reputation) lied on the stand. One other question to me is who beat Laura? The defense argues it was Barney Quill. The prosecution argues it was Lt. Frederick Manion. It seems like she admits in an indirect way that Barney and her had an affair and that she expected her husband to beat her for that during her last encounter with Paul -- outside the court room. The last scene doesn't seem to give much support to the rape story, as well. Also, it felt that Lt. Frederick Manion made up the insane argument on the fly with some encouragement from Paul.

On the other hand, there was some key evidence discovered towards the end of the movie that supports the rape story.

I think all this makes it a very open ended story line. And I rather like that.

The Noogies and Vibe Kills at Silverlake Lounge

The Noogies and Vibe Kills were two bands playing a garage show inside a bar. All around nice vibes for the night.


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