Monday, June 30, 2014
A Movie Review. X-Men: Days of Future Past
X-Men: Days of Future Past. A summer popcorn movie worth the price of admission. I will admit I'm a little tired of time travel movies in science fiction/comics (Star Trek as an example), but this movie does provide a redemption aspect along with some edge of your seat tension.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
A Movie Review: Risky Business
Risky Business. Joel Goodsen (Tom Cruise) is a good kid. He's looking to get into a top college. When his parents go out of town, he gets the house to himself. A friend pulls a prank, which results in a male prostitute showing up at the house. Joel extracts himself from the situation, but the male prostitute passes on a phone number before heading out the door. The phone belongs to a very beautiful prostitute named Lana (Rebecca De Mornay). One thing leads to another and Joel is in sudden need of money. The result: his house gets turned into a temporary brothel.
This is an entertaining movie about youth and making some nutty decisions driven by lack of experience and surviving the results. Of course, one would think that at some point when the parents returned home that the neighbors would happen to mention that there was a big party scene going on at the home -- but in this movie that likely happened after the end credits rolled pass.
Acting: dare I say that Tom Cruise at times actually looked a bit unsure? I just say that, because in his more recent movies (I still do enjoy watching Tom Cruise movies even after his jumping on the couch moment) he just seems so darn confident.
Rebecca De Mornay: so beautiful; however, when she first entered the movie I couldn't help but think that there was some degree of CGI. I know that isn't true, but when she enters in the shadows of night she almost looks like a female robot.
This is an entertaining movie about youth and making some nutty decisions driven by lack of experience and surviving the results. Of course, one would think that at some point when the parents returned home that the neighbors would happen to mention that there was a big party scene going on at the home -- but in this movie that likely happened after the end credits rolled pass.
Acting: dare I say that Tom Cruise at times actually looked a bit unsure? I just say that, because in his more recent movies (I still do enjoy watching Tom Cruise movies even after his jumping on the couch moment) he just seems so darn confident.
Rebecca De Mornay: so beautiful; however, when she first entered the movie I couldn't help but think that there was some degree of CGI. I know that isn't true, but when she enters in the shadows of night she almost looks like a female robot.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
A Movie Review: Clash of the Titans (1981)
Clash of the Titans. I had found memories of watching this movie from way back when. Then I watched it again. Well, a little kitschy when I caught it again. I remember loving the Medusa scene. Not that much this time around. A situation of a child growing into an adult?
Friday, June 27, 2014
A Movie Review: In Good Company
In Good Company. I remember watching this movie when it first came out. I suspect I went to see it, because of Scarlett Johansson (who had just starred in Lost in Translation). I remember really enjoying the movie.
So I recently saw it again when AT&T U-verse had a free Showtime weekend. Did I still love this movie? Yes. I love the main story line of a corporation buying out another and bringing in their own people to run the show. Oh, so true. And in many ways, these outsiders don't know a thing about the business, but on the other hand after awhile one has to admit that they are brilliant at their jobs. It is interesting watching the growing respect between Dan (Dennis Quaid) who is a VP of Sales of the company that got bought out and Carter (Topher Grace) who works for the company that did the buyout.
There is also the romance side of the movie when Carter and Alex (Scarlett Johansson) -- who also happens to be the daughter of Dan -- begin a romance. Since this movie is so old, it won't be much of a spoiler to say that Carter and Alex eventually break up -- though there is a hint that the attraction is still there at the end of the movie. Though Alex implies to Carter that she's breaking up, because she's not ready for something serious and that she thinks she is just Carter's rebound (Carter had recently gone through a divorce), you can't help but feel that she's breaking up out of loyalty to her father -- who isn't too happy when he uncovers the romance. You understand that Carter and Alex went in a direction that back-stabbed Dan, especially when Dan was always so close to getting laid-off. But you also see the beginnings of a lovely relationship. Will they eventually find themselves back together? Well, the way the corporate merger works out, it makes the possibility far more likely; however, what if the movie had a different type of ending regarding the merger? One would hope it would still work out.
So I recently saw it again when AT&T U-verse had a free Showtime weekend. Did I still love this movie? Yes. I love the main story line of a corporation buying out another and bringing in their own people to run the show. Oh, so true. And in many ways, these outsiders don't know a thing about the business, but on the other hand after awhile one has to admit that they are brilliant at their jobs. It is interesting watching the growing respect between Dan (Dennis Quaid) who is a VP of Sales of the company that got bought out and Carter (Topher Grace) who works for the company that did the buyout.
There is also the romance side of the movie when Carter and Alex (Scarlett Johansson) -- who also happens to be the daughter of Dan -- begin a romance. Since this movie is so old, it won't be much of a spoiler to say that Carter and Alex eventually break up -- though there is a hint that the attraction is still there at the end of the movie. Though Alex implies to Carter that she's breaking up, because she's not ready for something serious and that she thinks she is just Carter's rebound (Carter had recently gone through a divorce), you can't help but feel that she's breaking up out of loyalty to her father -- who isn't too happy when he uncovers the romance. You understand that Carter and Alex went in a direction that back-stabbed Dan, especially when Dan was always so close to getting laid-off. But you also see the beginnings of a lovely relationship. Will they eventually find themselves back together? Well, the way the corporate merger works out, it makes the possibility far more likely; however, what if the movie had a different type of ending regarding the merger? One would hope it would still work out.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
A Movie Review: The East
The East. Sarah (Brit Marling) works for a private intelligence firm. An anarchist terrorist group is targeting CEOs of corporations that are destroying the environment, putting out defective products, etc. Sarah is sent in to infiltrate the group. This group seems like more of a nuisance than anything else. At the beginning of the movie, you see them going into the house of a major oil company's CEO. They pour oil through the air vents, filling the house up. Admittedly, a more vicious group than the Los Angeles Bling Ring that targeted movie stars, but not a group that might target someone for bodily harm.
As soon as Sarah finds her way in, the group takes a turn for the worse. They get themselves into a house party, hosted by the executive of a pharmaceutical corporation. This corporation has an antibiotic that has some very negative consequences for a small percentage of the population. They pour the antibiotic into the champagne glasses. One of the executives later suffers the side effects of this antibiotic.
Sarah finds herself drawn into the beliefs of the group, but can't condone the actions of the group.
In some ways, this is perhaps an anarchist's wet dream type of movie. A few years back, I remember reading about how SUVs were being vandalized at a dealership. This movie takes it so much further. The acting is low-key, but you feel the fervor that the characters have towards their cause. In some ways, you sympathize with their cause, but like Sarah you wish they'd go about it in a different manner.
This is definitely a movie that is worth your time.
As soon as Sarah finds her way in, the group takes a turn for the worse. They get themselves into a house party, hosted by the executive of a pharmaceutical corporation. This corporation has an antibiotic that has some very negative consequences for a small percentage of the population. They pour the antibiotic into the champagne glasses. One of the executives later suffers the side effects of this antibiotic.
Sarah finds herself drawn into the beliefs of the group, but can't condone the actions of the group.
In some ways, this is perhaps an anarchist's wet dream type of movie. A few years back, I remember reading about how SUVs were being vandalized at a dealership. This movie takes it so much further. The acting is low-key, but you feel the fervor that the characters have towards their cause. In some ways, you sympathize with their cause, but like Sarah you wish they'd go about it in a different manner.
This is definitely a movie that is worth your time.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
A Movie Review: Eyes Wide Shut
Eyes Wide Shut. Secret sex clubs for the 0.1% -- the 1% need not apply? Dr. William Harford (Tom Cruise) is an upper middle class doctor -- maybe he's even part of the 1% -- who just happens to have patients in the 0.1%. He is invited to a holiday party by one of his patients, an individual in the 0.1%. He brings his wife, Alice Harford (Nicole Kidman). Dr. Harford runs into an old medical classmate who dropped out of med school to become a full-time musician and is playing in the house band.
What Dr. Harford thought was a perfect marriage is revealed to have a few cracks in it soon after the party ends. Via his former classmate, he sneaks his way into a secret sex club. It is a hyper sexual environment that he finds fascinating, but once he is discovered he learns that his actions result in unintended consequences.
This movie is slow and prodding, but also brilliant. What one thinks would be many a man's sexual fantasy turns into a disaster. The tonal soundtrack drives the viewer into the growing tension that surrounds Dr. Harford.
Now I saw this movie recently, but this was my second time watching it. My first time was around the time it came out. I don't recall if I saw it in the theater or at home on my DVD/VHS. There are a number of scenes where you see Tom Cruise paying with $100 bills. I remember those scenes really standing out for me. Even now, some 15 years later and the inflation that comes during that period, those scenes still cause me to think, "Who carries that much money around with them?" I guess the 1% do.
What Dr. Harford thought was a perfect marriage is revealed to have a few cracks in it soon after the party ends. Via his former classmate, he sneaks his way into a secret sex club. It is a hyper sexual environment that he finds fascinating, but once he is discovered he learns that his actions result in unintended consequences.
This movie is slow and prodding, but also brilliant. What one thinks would be many a man's sexual fantasy turns into a disaster. The tonal soundtrack drives the viewer into the growing tension that surrounds Dr. Harford.
Now I saw this movie recently, but this was my second time watching it. My first time was around the time it came out. I don't recall if I saw it in the theater or at home on my DVD/VHS. There are a number of scenes where you see Tom Cruise paying with $100 bills. I remember those scenes really standing out for me. Even now, some 15 years later and the inflation that comes during that period, those scenes still cause me to think, "Who carries that much money around with them?" I guess the 1% do.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Babes playing Chinatown
Babes. This band has great fan interaction. They brought a couple folks on stage to help them out with two songs. The keyboardist went into the crowd. They shot off poppers. They had beach balls ready to go.
This is a band to keep an eye on.
This is a band to keep an eye on.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Meiko playing Chinatown
Meiko. I've been aware of Meiko for awhile, but I finally was able to catch her at Chinatown Summer Nights. What an experience.
Her fans were out in mass. After the set, a long line formed of folks wanting to meet her.
Her fans were out in mass. After the set, a long line formed of folks wanting to meet her.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
French Style Furs at The Satellite
French Style Furs. This band plays one last set at The Satellite on Monday (tomorrow, 6/23/2014). You've got to see them. They'll inspire.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Tone in Georgia at Silverlake Lounge
Tone in Georgia. Hyper-active desert folk music.
P.S. They're from the Antelope Valley, a location I am very familiar with even though I haven't been there in years.
P.S. They're from the Antelope Valley, a location I am very familiar with even though I haven't been there in years.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
The Kids in Detention (solo act) playing Silverlake Lounge
The Kids in Detention. This was a solo act by one of the members of The Kids in Detention. A quiet, retrospective set.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Friday, June 13, 2014
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Until the Ribbon Breaks at The Bootleg
Until the Ribbon Breaks. They hit the drums, the synths. Occasionally a trumpet pops up. A thirty minute journey of staring up at the stars.
Side note: I think the lead singers of Until the Ribbon Breaks and NO should get together. I swear their hand movements transfer so much meaning.
Side note: I think the lead singers of Until the Ribbon Breaks and NO should get together. I swear their hand movements transfer so much meaning.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Misun at Bootleg Theater
Misun. Okay, so why was my first through while watching their set: Fitz and the Tantrums? Lead singer Misun Wojcik is a ball of energy.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Jhameel at The Satellite
Jhameel. One couple came all the way from Arizona to catch the set. Also, a number of fans had his trademark black slash across the cheek. I think that speaks to the devotion of his fans.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
A Movie Review: World Without End
World Without End (1956). I caught this movie on TCM. I'm not even sure why I finished watching it. It is a rather boring movie. Four astronauts are heading home from Mars. Something goes wrong with their spaceship and they time travel to the future. Humanity is largely wiped out due to a nuclear war, but there are two main groups: those who were largely unaffected by the nuclear war since they had hidden underground and the mutants. The mutants attack the four astronauts. They survive and are taken in by the humans who live underground.
Why is it a boring movie? The battles between the astronauts and mutants are a bore. The interaction between the underground humans and astronauts feels stilted.
Why is it a boring movie? The battles between the astronauts and mutants are a bore. The interaction between the underground humans and astronauts feels stilted.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
A Movie Review: Godzilla
Godzilla. I enjoyed this movie even though I didn't understand parts of it. Spoilers.
Examples:
If Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston), who I assume was an American citizen living in Japan, was arrested for illegally entering a highly secure zone: why wasn't he immediately deported back to America versus having his son Ford Brody (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) come pick him up and take him to his apartment in Japan?
What was the connection between the M.U.T.O. nest (eggs) and the massive skeleton at the beginning of the movie?
You'd think you'd have a much stronger barrier around the M.U.T.O egg years later knowing how the parent brought down a nuclear plant. Japan's security was a joke. At least the Americans had their egg in a massive bunker.
Did this movie do anything with the acting skills of Elizabeth Olsen? No. I do hope she got paid well.
So a massive nuclear missile is used to destroy the M.U.T.O. It backfires. The time is ticking. They decide to put it on a boat with 5 minutes left and send it out into the Pacific Ocean to explode. I really doubt a boat could travel far enough out into the Pacific Ocean in 5 minutes without still causing the total destruction of San Francisco. Maybe Oakland gets saved, but I suspect San Francisco would get burnt to the ground. I could be totally wrong, but I'm thinking I'm not.
With all the issues I had with this movie, I still enjoyed myself.
Examples:
If Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston), who I assume was an American citizen living in Japan, was arrested for illegally entering a highly secure zone: why wasn't he immediately deported back to America versus having his son Ford Brody (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) come pick him up and take him to his apartment in Japan?
What was the connection between the M.U.T.O. nest (eggs) and the massive skeleton at the beginning of the movie?
You'd think you'd have a much stronger barrier around the M.U.T.O egg years later knowing how the parent brought down a nuclear plant. Japan's security was a joke. At least the Americans had their egg in a massive bunker.
Did this movie do anything with the acting skills of Elizabeth Olsen? No. I do hope she got paid well.
So a massive nuclear missile is used to destroy the M.U.T.O. It backfires. The time is ticking. They decide to put it on a boat with 5 minutes left and send it out into the Pacific Ocean to explode. I really doubt a boat could travel far enough out into the Pacific Ocean in 5 minutes without still causing the total destruction of San Francisco. Maybe Oakland gets saved, but I suspect San Francisco would get burnt to the ground. I could be totally wrong, but I'm thinking I'm not.
With all the issues I had with this movie, I still enjoyed myself.
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