Up On Intraffik: Monday Nights in LA

It has been awhile, but I'm up on Intraffik with a photo series. For this one: Queen Kwong and LA Font.

Summer 2011 Movies: my rankings

Here's my ranking of the Summer 2011 movies I saw:

Awesome

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
2. Bridesmaids

So Good I Want to Say Awesome, But I'd Have Too Many Awesome

3. Midnight in Paris
4. The Help
5. X-Men:  First Class
6. Crazy Stupid Love

Good


7. Horrible Bosses
8. Super 8
9. Fright Night
10. Cowboys and Aliens
11. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
12. The Debt
13. Thor
14. Friends with Benefits
15. Our Idiot Brother

Okay

16. Green Lantern
17. Hangover 2
18. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Awful

19. Captain America:  The First Avenger
20. Tree of Life
21. Transformers:  Dark of the Moon

I saw about the same number of movies this summer as last summer.  Taking a look at my rankings from last year, I had more movies that I ranked in my top 2 categories.  On the other hand, I had 6 movies versus 3 movies that I ranked as "Awful" -- last year I named this category "Oh mercy."  So that means this year has way more movies that were worth watching, but not fantastic.  So which summer was better 2011 or 2010?  I'll go with 2011.

A Movie Review: The Help

The Help. Up front: I LOVED IT.

 resisted seeing this movie for a few weeks, but when the long Labor Day weekend approached I decided to catch this movie (saw this movie before heading off to a wedding so perhaps that skews everything I’m about to write). What else was I suppose to see: Apollo 18, Shark Night 3D? Why my resistance? All you have to do is take one glance at the poster and it tells you: chick flick combined with, as one friend put it, the white savior genre (or as the WSJ critic put it, the white guilt genre). As for the chick flick comment, the male actors in The Help are almost an after thought: a handful of boyfriends/husbands, a waiter, a boss, a pastor and all of them playing two bit roles. Nelsan Ellis (playing Henry the Waiter or better known to many of us as Lafayette Reynolds from True Blood) has a somewhat pivotal role, but let’s just say the movie would have done just fine without his character. As for the white savoir comment, it follows that glorious (infamous) line of movies starting with Dancing with Wolves and moving on to The Last Samurai, Gran Torino and The Blind Side – I’m sure I could find similar movies that date before Dancing with Wolves, but I am under impressive that Dancing with Wolves is seen as the godfather of this genre. I’m not saying that all of those movies are awful and unintentionally racist. I loved Gran Torino. I was insulted by The Last Samurai. It is just that when you combine chick flick with white savior, in my mind, a film immediately starts out with two strikes. (For a deeper dive into the white savior comment, read Patricia A. Turner’s op-ed in the NY Times.)

Now that I’ve shown my willingness to attack a movie just based on the poster, let’s move on to a movie summary. Skeeter (Emma Stone) has returned to Jackson, Mississippi after graduating from Ole Miss. She finds a job working at a local newspaper answering questions from stay at home moms, but she is soon inspired to write a book about the African-American maids that work in Jackson. This inspiration comes when she finds out that her family maid, Constantine (Cicely Tyson), no longer works for the family and she is given an explanation that feels like a lie from the start. She gets further inspiration when she sees how her hometown friends treat two maids in particular, Aibileen (Viola Davis) and Minny (Octavia Spencer).

If the above summary isn’t the definition of a chick flick combined with the white savior genre, I’m not sure what is. On the other hand, I walked out of that movie surprised that 2 hours and 26 minutes had gone by. I LOVED IT. And I love it even after thinking about some of the movie flaws such as rather or not Missus Walters (Sissy Spacek) is suffering from dementia or not – seriously, one single moment she can’t even remember what town she lives in while during the rest of the film she seems as sharp as a wacky university professor.

One has to say that this is one of those films that might have a few strikes against it, but it is pushed into the I LOVED IT column by the actresses. Emma Stone lights up the screen (one perhaps can understand Jim Carrey’s video if you see this movie along with Crazy, Stupid, Love and Easy A). Jessica Chastain (Celia Foote, the woman born on the wrong side of the tracks – and if you’re into thrillers/international intrigue, check out her other film that is currently in the theaters called The Debt) brings a bubbly personality that will result in proclamations of love as her last scene ends. Viola Davis portrays perfectly a character that has suffered an enormous loss and yet uses it to develop inner strength. Octavia Spencer plays to comedic perfection that untrusting personality who once she finds you trustworthy will talk your head off (or if you play her wrong will take sweet revenge). Bryce Dallas Howard (Hilly Holbrook), Ahna O’Reilly (Elizabeth Leefolt) and Anna Camp (Jolene French – Anna Camp also is from that True Blood cast of characters) are delicious as the Mean Girls of Jackson.

All-in-all, one of the top 5 films of the summer.

Big Black Delta, Kristeen Young and War Widow at Satellite

My Monday circuit sent me to the Satellite recently where I caught War Widow, Kristeen Young and residency band, Big Black Delta. War Widow had an animal skull (replica) out front on the lead singer's microphone stand:  water buffalo, ram, not good with naming animals.  I'm not sure how long they've had that skull for, but on Monday night they bid it farewell as the lead singer accidentally pushed his microphone too far in one direction and it fell over onto the floor and in the process the skull shattered.  Angry vocals mixed in with a synth, making for a compelling sound.  Kristeen Young went up next.  It took a second or two to get used to her Béla Bartók-inspired keyboard style, but once I adjusted my Silver Lake tendencies I really enjoyed her set -- especially when she went with the theatrics as seen below.  Big Black Delta finished out the night for me.  Flashing lights.  Two drummers.  Electronics.  Dancing/jumping across the stage.  It reminded me a little of We are the World's set at Silver Lake Jubilee.  Therefore, Loved It. 

War Widow



Kristeen Young



Big Black Delta

Laura Vall at The M Bar

The awesome vocals of Laura Vall were on display at The M Bar.  I first saw Laura Vall at her CD release party.  The party gift was her CD.  I've listened to it many times since that night.  There were no disappointments at the M Bar.

Well, one disappointment.  The lights weren't cooperating.  The below photo was taken in color, but had to get turned into a B&W -- my personal opinion in regards to aesthetics.  One of these days, the lights will cooperate.

Red Circle Underground and Fat City Reprise at Silverlake Lounge

I have to say I am surprised there weren't more people at Silverlake Lounge on a recent Monday night. Red Circle Underground gave us a rock/blues filled set that had the Lounge humming. Here's hoping more folks show up as September comes to an end. As for Fat City Reprise, I haven't seen them in awhile. It was good to catch up with the keys laden sounds.

Red Circle Underground



Fat City Reprise

Lucy Schwartz at Bronson Caves

Does it make sense to have a concert inside a cave? It definitely does when it is Lucy Schwartz. What a beautiful 45 minute set inside the Bronson Caves in Griffith Park.  There were perhaps 50-75 folks who made it out to the caves.  No one, I am positive, left disappointed.  

Future Ghost, Summer Darling and Black Apples at The Echo

On a recent Saturday afternoon I headed off to The Echo to catch some really good bands.  Black Apples, Summer Darling and Future Ghost gave some great performances.  Interestingly enough, all three bands played at this year's Silver Lake Jubilee.  I missed Black Apples at the Jubilee.  There was a conflict between bands so I had to make a choice:  either catch a band I'd seen already or see a new band.  I decided to see a band I hadn't seen before.  And so 3+ months later I finally got to catch up with Black Apples.  At the Jubilee I caught about half of Summer Darling's set.  This time around I got to catch their fully energizing and non-stop motion set.  I do love Future Ghost.  They play it cool and yet rock you out.   

Black Apples




Summer Darling



Future Ghost




Photo taken via permission of The Echo.

Duke Football vs. Boston College: 20-19

I watch my first Duke Football game of the season and what happens:  they win.  But it was close.  Sean Renfree (Duke quarterback) played an excellent game -- though in my opinion that first touchdown was more luck versus skill, but sometimes you need luck to score and win.  I do believe that first touchdown got Duke into the game mentally.  My opinion, during the 1st quarter, they didn't look worthy of being in the ACC.  At half time the score was 14-19, Boston College up.  When it came to the second half, I felt that Duke's defense and offense played great.  In fact, I felt they should have blown out Boston College in the second half by scoring more than the 6 points they put up on the board.  But they didn't and, in fact, Boston College probably should have won the game with a field goal from the 5 yard line.  Sometimes miracles happen at the five yard line.

A Movie Review: Our Idiot Brother

Our Idiot Brother. I don’t know if Ned (Paul Rudd) is so much an idiot versus having lost the gene for common sense. After getting tossed in jail for selling an on-duty police officer marijuana, Ned heads off to stay with family. He stays with his three sisters (Miranda – Elizabeth Banks, Natalie – Zooey Deschanel, Liz – Emily Mortimer). He stays first with one sister than the other and than the last, messing each of their lives up (or maybe not).

This movie is more about situations versus a storyline. Example being the scene that is already given away in the trailer, Ned is sitting down with his parole officer, Omar (Sterling K Brown), and mentions that he has recently smoked weed. There are enough of those situations that make you laugh to recommend this movie, but this definitely doesn’t rank up there with Bridesmaids or even Horrible Bosses.

A Movie Review: The Debt

The Debt is an espionage thriller where three Mossad agents track down a Nazi war criminal in East Germany. The movie flashes back and forth between 1997 and 1966 as we see the three Mossad agents in their twenties and now in their fifties. The agents are Rachel Singer (1966 - Jessica Chastain, 1997 - Helen Mirren), Stephan Gold (Marton Csokas, Tom Wilkinson) and David Peretz (Sam Worthington, Ciarán Hinds).

This movie starts out well executed and then falls ever so short.  It is still a good movie, just not as good as the start might indicate.  The emotions the 1997 agents feel can be perfectly understood as are those felt by the 1966 agents.  The story line is where I feel there is a letdown.

As for suspense, it is limited since the movie starts out with a 1997 book discussion about the exploits of these three agents and you see Rachel Singer in the audience.  This makes you rather sure the three agents make it out okay.  The only real question regarding their survival is learning how Rachel Singer got that jagged scar on her cheek.

Intraffik Radio: New Play List

Check out  Intraffik Radio. If you hear any of the below bands and their songs, you can thank or hate me for it.

Band: He's My Brother She's My Sister
Album: Self Titled

Song: Coattails
Song: Tales That I Tell

Band: The Hundred Days
Album: miniluv

Song: Silver and Gold
Song: Out of Nowhere

Band: Lady Danville
Album: Tour EP

Song: Frames & Moulding
Song: Sophie Roux

Band: The Lonely Wild
Album: Dead End

Song: Right Side of the Road
Song: Out of My Mind

Band: Echo Arcadia
Album: Broken Chapters EP

Song: Joker
Song: Sparks

Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles

After seeing the Tim Burton exhibit at LACMA, I decided to walk over to Little Ethiopia.  See below a photo I shot.

Death Kit, Young Hunting and The Electra at Bootleg

It was off to The Bootleg to catch Death Kit, Young Hunting and The Electra. Death Kit gave a dance-centric set.  Young Hunting slowed it down for us.  The Electra was the surprise of the night.  A rather new band from the sounds of it.  The lead singer sounded like Wet and Reckless, which perhaps makes sense considering that Wet and Reckless was in the audience.  In fact, they are such a new band that the lead singer mentioned that they'd written a handful of songs for their set the previous night.

Death Kit



Young Hunting



The Electra

Active Child, Hot As Sun and Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground at The Echo

It was off to The Echo to see Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, Hot As Sun and Active Child. I was initially going to It's a School Night, but ended up at The Echo.  It was a good choice as Active Child had the crowd enthralled by their ethereal sound backed up by harps and keys.  I only got to see a couple songs by Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground.  I will say that the stage lights made for an amazing below photo.  Hot As Sun is a band I'll want to catch again.

Note:  more photos of this night will soon be up on Intraffik.com.

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground



Hot As Sun



Active Child



Photos courtesy of The Echo.

A Movie Review: Fright Night

Fright Night. Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) has a hot girl, Amy (Imogen Poots), and is therefore (obviously) part of the in-crowd in high school. He has a geeky past that he wants to keep hidden. His friend from that past, Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) needs some help investigating the disappearance of a friend. Charley tries ignoring Ed, but using blackmail, Ed is able to get Charley to investigate the possibility that a vampire killed their friend. When Ed disappears, Charley becomes a believer in vampires, focusing in on the possibility that his next door neighbor, Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire.

This is a fun movie to watch. And for those who don’t like horror, it doesn’t drive the fear factor too high. Other than perhaps the opening sequence, the horror is more campy versus spine tingling. Christopher Mintz-Plasse is perfectly cast as Ed. Amy is the pretty girl with a good soul. Charley is the guy with baggage who still finds the courage. And Jerry is the cocky vampire who decides to play mind games with Charley versus just taking him out.

Randomness with Trains

Two times in a row.  I'm driving home from work and the following happens:

1.  I'm behind another car -- on a road that isn't that busy.
2.  We stop as a metro train flies past.

I swear it felt like everything happened the same way.  Waiting the same amount of time, one car in front, no cars behind me, gates dropping at the precise same moment (in relationship to where I was on the road).

I suppose this shouldn't be considered unusual, but I don't think I've ever had to stop to days in a row for a train that probably has the gates down for fifteen seconds and then a train that takes perhaps five seconds to fly past.

Probably a stupid blog post, but figured I'd post it anyways.

Manhattan Murder Mystery at Origami Vinyl

My weekend without Sunset Junction continued on Sunday with a brief visit to Origami Vinyl to catch Manhattan Murder Mystery. Manhattan Murder Mystery is always fun to watch.  And they gave a memorable end when their lead singer climbed up the steps that you see in the background of the below photo and never returned from the roof top.

It was also fun looking through the vinyl collection at Origami Vinyl.  A fun afternoon break.

Milo Greene, Vanaprasta and Useless Keys @ Dangerbird Records

Even without a Sunset Junction on August 27-28, I still felt the need to check out the local music scene over that weekend. I didn't get in as much music as I would have liked, but I did get to head over to Dangerbird Records on Saturday where I caught Vanaprasta, Useless Keys and Milo Greene.  I arrived in time to catch the back half of Vanaprasta.  They're always giving it their all out on stage.  And they definitely had their fan base out as a large crowd was hanging in the courtyard.  The high temperature of the day seemed to hit while Vanaprasta was on stage.  For Useless Keys, the weather was much more comfortable.  I hope this isn't insulting, but I always think about The Simpsons when I see them.  As for Milo Greene, this was my second time catching them.  I am sold on Milo Greene.  I would have been tempted to catch them again at Hotel Cafe later that Saturday if it wasn't for a dinner party.   

My one regret:  Being the fact that I love taking photos, I wish I'd brought along my 70-200mm lens.  Oh well.



Vanaprasta






Useless Keys






Milo Greene

Amanda Jones and the Whisky Sundaes at Old Towne Pub

It was a Thursday night at Old Towne Pub to see Amanda Jones and the Whisky Sundaes (formerly known as Amanda Jones and the Sugartits).  It was, of course, in the middle of a heat wave.  I guess it was LA's first serious heat wave of the summer (and a late one at that, considering this night was in late August).  So it was ever so uncomfortable inside the Pub.   Maybe the heat caused the keyboard to go berserk as in the end they had to continue on without it.  For me, it was the first time seeing the band with the new bassist.

Highlights of the night:  broken guitar string, broken drum stick.

Highlight 2:  A friend insisted that she was wearing a pink dress.  I don't know about that one, it looked white to me.