The Bulls and Gothic Tropic/Kerrigan at The Satellite

The Bulls

The month of August is The Bulls' residency at The Satellite. An added benefit is that the month is dedicated to female fronted bands. Kerrigan opened up the night with some powerful poetry. Her music is like listening to the singing of poetry. I didn't know what to expect from Gothic Tropic. Their original drummer has shifted over to French Style Furs. I'd say they're a touch more Tropic now versus Gothic. That doesn't make them any less enjoyable to listen to, just a tweak to their sound. The Bulls closed the night out for me. This band has catchy tunes song by a front woman who must have one of the sweetest voices in Los Angeles.






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A Movie Review: Spy

Spy. Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is a CIA desk analyst. Her main job is providing support for Bradley Fine (Jude Law), a top CIA field agent. In search of a nuclear weapon, Bradley Fine goes after Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne). He is killed in the field by Rayna. Rayna reveals that she knows the identity of other top CIA agents. This means they can't be sent to find her and the nuclear weapon she holds. Having had a soft spot for Bradley, Susan Cooper volunteers to go into the field to locate Rayna.

So yes, there is a spy plot, but who care. This movie is about laughs. Though some of the laughs fell flat for me -- bats flying around the CIA offices while Susan is attempting to help Bradley -- I think this movie is filled with character laughs. By that I mean the characters are hysterical by default. Jason Statham's as Agent Rick Ford is hysterical as an over-confident field agent delusional about his skill sets. Susan Cooper is amusing as a low-esteem yet highly skilled agent.

If one needs a solid laugh, this is a movie to see.

Fakers with Dawn of Sequins and Vicious Cousins (Kissing Cousins) at The Echo

Fakers

A fun August night at The Echo. Starting off the night was the entertaining Dawn of Sequins. Their music is quirky. Their stage show is filled with nutty interactions. During the show, one member tripped while running down the stage steps. She lost one of her high heals, but kept on going with barely a missed beat. Up next was a duo of Vicious Scully and Kissing Cousins going as Vicious Cousins. It seemed like most of the songs were Kissing Cousins tunes. I didn't have a problem with that. I love the Kissing Cousins. I love their heavy beats. It was also the birthday of one of the members. During the Fakers sets, birthday sweets were passed around for all to enjoy. A call was made asking if the brownies had weed. I think this is a constant question these days when there are brownies. As for Fakers, this was their 2nd August residency night. High energy. The drummer of the Fakers did double duty, also playing for Kissing Cousins. 

Music for 18 Musicians and Filardo at Pehrspace

One of the 18

Looking at the Pehrspace calendar, I noticed that they were putting on something called Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich. I honestly had no clue who Steve Reich was so that didn't necessarily capture my attention. What really enticed me was the following: "How it works: each of the 18 musicians will have a set of headphones connected to the same sound source as each other. The sound source . . . will be playing Steve Reich's original ECM recording of Music for 18 Musicians; The audience will not hear this music, only the performers will. The performers will then, on their instruments, attempt to figure out and play any part of the music they are hearing in their headphones."

For some reason, this reminded me of my brief time in San Francisco and the couple of times I hung out at The Lab. So off I went. Now I'm assuming that a.) the musicians took the time to listen to Music for 18 Musicians ahead of time and b.) even though they were all wearing headphones they could still hear what their fellow musicians were doing.

Filardo

As the musicians starts playing Music for 18 Musicians, I couldn't help but think that the music was very repetitive and minimalist. The same measures seemed to be played over and over again. And yet, as the musicians proceeded through this nearly 1 hour composition, I found it calming. This was a well worth adventure to take.

Playing before the Steve Reich composition was Filardo. In many ways, they were the perfect band to play right beforehand. Their music has that minimalist sound.

Comment of the set: Filardo's drummer was sitting on a regular chair versus a drummers' chair. He was therefore much close to the floor than his standing band mates. "I feel like the kid brother here," he said.

A Movie Review: Alice Adams

Alice Adams. Alice Adams (Katharine Hepburn) and her mother (Ann Shoemaker) wish they were wealthier. Alice wants to marry up. Her mother is upset that her husband (Fred Stone) has not achieved at the same level as others in the small town. She also has a brother (Frank Albertson) who is satisfied with his life. She is invited to a party of a wealthy friend. She runs into Arthur Russell (Fred MacMurray). He is wealthy and an obvious target.

I didn't find this to be one of Katharine Hepburn's better movies. To me, Arthur Russell's character just didn't feel real. I felt sorry for him as he was being manipulated badly by Alice. He was even told about the situation by others and experienced it himself and yet he couldn't help but fall for Alice. I just wonder what would happen after marriage when he realized he didn't marry the person he thought he was marrying.

One should feel even more sorry for Alice's father. He was manipulated into doing his boss (Charles Grapewin) wrong. His boss was not a heartless person. Alice's father had not worked for a very long time and yet his boss still paid him a salary. For anyone to encourage Alice's father to back stab his boss is essentially an evil person.

Of note: there is an actress in the movie named Evelyn Venable. One can't help but think of a certain actress named Jennifer Lawrence. The two have to be distant relatives.

Los Angelics at Silverlake Lounge

Los Angelics. They're a bundle of energy. Sara Coda and Sara Collins never stop moving. Their set has to be their own personal workout video. Their band practices and live sets have to be all the exercise they need to do. As for their sound? It is electronic. Along with the two Saras are two keyboardists, bouncing along with the beat.

I was asked by one of the Saras if I had a pen so that they could write down their set. Unfortunately, I didn't.

Folks should catch this band. If they let the music take them over, they'll have their exercise for the night covered for sure.
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Barb Wire Dolls and Others at Whisky a Go Go

Barb Wire Dolls

Barb Wire Dolls is doing a July/August residency at Whisky a Go Go. This is a return for them after just recently doing a March residency. Who could ask for more? This band leaves it all out there. And I love it. And photographers love it, as well. The place was packed with photographers. But who can blame us. This is a fun band to photograph and the Whisky a Go Go has great lights that make for some awesome outcomes.

Opening up for Barb Wire Dolls was Others. I quickly realized I was in for a great back-to-back set of bands. How could I tell? I was smiling throughout their set. I just couldn't help it. Long hair. Heavy metal. And yet approachable.
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A Movie Review: Heaven Can Wait (1943)

Heaven Can Wait. Henry Van Cleve (Don Ameche) has died. In the afterlife, he assumes based on his life that he's heading to Hell. At the Gates of Hell he meets with His Excellency (Laird Cregar). The two review his life story. Henry was one playboy. He even had a boyhood affair with the family French maid Mademoiselle (Signe Hasso). He settles down; however, when he falls for Martha (Gene Tierney). Even this life long love was clouded in scandal. His cousin Albert (Allyn Joslyn) was meant to marry Martha, but during a family gathering Henry convinces Martha to run away with him.

Perhaps the basic message of this movie is: you don't need to be perfect life. For me, I found the movie just ever so depressing. Here's a man who wasn't perfect, but definitely not a horrible person, looking back at his life and seeing it as a failure. Also, the love of his life dies way too soon and he is left with an empty feeling in his heart for the rest of his years. For me, it was all so depressing, because as you watch the movie you have to say he has totally misjudged his life.

One thing about the movie I found really interesting was how intent the Van Cleve family was to have their young adults marry others who were of their monetary status. Falling for showgirls or even young women from middle class backgrounds was totally unacceptable. Martha's family owned the largest meat packing company in America, which made her socially acceptable. As for the Van Cleve family, I'm  not sure what they did. I'm assuming they were bankers, but I don't believe it is directly referenced in the movie.

Yes, I found this movie depressing. Of course, the question is: did I enjoy it? I can't give it a thumbs up. My problem is that Don Ameche narrates the movie and I just found his voice rather monotone. Maybe that's a silly reason to dislike a movie and maybe he spoke that way as a sign of his resignation to his afterlife destiny. I just wanted more jazz there.  

Spectacular Spectacular, Katie Burden and Anahita Skye at Hotel Cafe

After a long absence, I headed off to Hotel Cafe. The one significant reason for my heading out was to catch Spectacular Spectacular. A friend is one of the back-up musicians for this trio.

I showed up a little early and got to catch Anahita Skye and Katie Burden. Anahita Skye music is joyful and preppy. You can't help but feel cheerful throughout the set. Katie Burden's style differs. The music is sung as if every word might lead one over the cliff. It makes one cling to every moment. I did not know this in advance, but Norm Block is part of her band -- I've followed him in other bands such as The Child.

The final band of the night was Spectacular Spectacular. I didn't know exactly what to expect. They had a couple sounds up on Soundcloud so I took a listen. The first song was Saturday Night. It starts out like a typical Hotel Cafe sound before suddenly exploding into a punk rock rage. Then it quickly transitions back to the typical Hotel Cafe sound. I was at a total loss. What is up with this band? Well, it all works very well during their live set.


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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 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.