Derek Webb and Kevin Max at the Viper Room

I got an e-mail from a friend about going to see Derek Webb at the Viper Room. I’m always up to taking suggestions from my friends so I said I’d go. I didn’t know who Derek Webb was, but I did know the other guy that was on the set with him, Kevin Max.

Both are actually well known Christian artists. I obviously had heard of Derek Webb, because he used to be in a band called Caedmon’s Call. Kevin Max used to be in a band called DC Talk.

Since they’re professional artists, I’ll be a bit more critical of them versus my usual positive tone on local bands. I was a bit under-whelmed. Sorry. The back end of Derek Webb’s set was rather good. Kevin Max just didn’t bring it. I think he even knew it as he apologized towards the end of the set saying how his vocals just weren’t warmed up. I also felt that for artists that have been around for so long they should have had more stage presence.

From the face of things, Derek Webb seems like a great person. There was an uncomfortable incident during his set. The curtains closed when he wasn’t even finished with his set. He responded, “I thought we had 45 minutes. I was told we had 45 minutes, but that’s cool. We’d love to have an extra 10 minutes, but we’ll end our set now.” They gave him an additional ten minutes. I think the situation was that they were giving him from 7 p.m. till 7:45 p.m. He didn’t start his set till around 7:15 p.m. so I think that was the disconnect. I thought the way he handled it with his humble response was awesome.

As for Kevin Max, he had a bit of a sarcastic humor going on there. He made fun of the DUI roadblocks mentioning that wasn’t it amusing that many of the police officers were Irish – he then thought about it and said, “Well, maybe not here in Los Angeles.” He also thanked Derek Webb, “The only Christian who can use the word F!*k.”

Sorry, no photos from the night. The Viper Room has a camera policy and I wasn't able to get a photo pass.

A movie review: The Yellow Handkerchief

"The Yellow Handkerchief." This is a lovely though flawed film. The movie starts with Brett Hanson (William Hurt) getting released from jail. He ends up at a cafe where Martine (Kristen Stewart) is having a hard time dealing with a guy she'd met the previous night. Also in the cafe is an annoying young man named Gordy (Eddie Redmayne). Through circumstances, they join up for a few days. Brett has this desire to head towards his home where his wife May (Maria Bello) lives -- or at least he hopes she lives there. Gordy is on an adventure. Martine just wants to escape her life for awhile.

There are flashbacks where you go back six years or so where Brett and May got to know each other.

Flaws

I didn't buy the fact that Martine could fall for Gordy. I read one review where Gordy is described as cocky. I saw him as having a rather low IQ with a tendency towards the weird.

There are also two scenes of near sexual violence. Definitely not rape. Probably not sexual assault. But scenes of two men taking excess liberties and in both cases their "victims" fall for them.

Beauty

A slow movie that seems to give you nothing through most of the running time, but everything is slowly building until you come to the end where you get an emotional lift.

After seeing 'Twilight: New Moon,' it was nice to see Kristen Stewart in a good role. The movie was made in 2008. I don't know when it was actually filmed. She was probably somewhere between the ages of 16-18.

Oscars 2010: some thoughts

What did I think of the Oscars?

I started to tune out towards the back half of the show when there were various dance routines.

The whole Elinor Burkett/Roger Ross Williams short documentary acceptance dual was a tad awkward. I have a feeling they don’t like each other. Verified here. And here.

I think Sandy Powell, winner of costume design, was trying to be gracious but came across as arrogant.

Sandra Bullock gave the most gracious speech.

I’m not a fan of ‘Avatar,’ but that film got knocked way too much for my liking.

I wonder if Tom Hank’s quick reveal of the Best Picture was planned or if he just took matters into his own hands and decided the show needed to end.

A Movie Review: Shutter Island

Shuttler Island. Intriguing, but in the end a let down. Leonardo DiCaprio is great, as always. The movie is a visual delight. The interplay between the actors is compelling. And yet . . . I couldn’t stand the ending. From one perspective, the ending worked just fine. The background story of Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) fit in perfectly with the twist at the end. It is the actual real-time storyline that I found didn’t add up. Perhaps I wasn’t listening to the dialogue close enough so perhaps there were signs throughout the movie, but my problem is the actual decision making process by the institution. To me, it just adds up to being irresponsible.

The Fourth Annual Dre Day @ Blue Star

The line-up was:

The Dharma Bums

Pu$$y Cow

Madison Bloodbath

I may write more about this later, but for now some photos.

You can see the covering over the stage. Luckily; however, no rain.









I'm an alien from a Twilight Zone episode.



In search of . . .







A very happy drummer.





The poster for the night. Underground Railroad to Candyland canceled due to illness.



In my opinion, super cold night. I was wearing four layers of cloths. Then there were those just wearing t-shirts.

In my opinion, super cool night.

Birthday Parties at the Kibitz: The Shakers, The Mulhollands

A couple favorite friends had a combined birthday party at the Kibitz: Sarah Jeanette from The Mulhollands and Jodie from The Shakers.

As mentioned in a previous blog, I caught Queen Kwong at The Echo before heading off to the Kibitz to see The Shakers and The Mulhollands so I missed Audra Mae. When I arrived, The Shakers The Shakers were starting to set up.

Jodie was getting ready and then disappeared. Her band mates started to stroll around the front of the stage. Someone asked when they were going on. The reply, "Where's Jodie?"

Comment: "No more shots for the Birthday girl. I'm a jedi. Jedi Jodie."

The place was decorated by Frankie, from The Mulhollands, but no one should know this.












Next up were The Mulhollands. It was getting past my bedtime, but I stuck around. Sarah Jeanette was looking sophisticated. As was mentioned by Jodie, "I'm wearing my better torn t-shirt and zipper pants, but just look at Sarah."

Both Sarah Jeanette and Jodie joined for a song in each others bands.

Oh the Spanish Moss and Roll the Tanks at Silverlake Lounge

I'm thinking of doing a write-up over on intraffik.com so I'll just post a couple photos from the night.

Oh the Spanish Moss



Roll the Tanks

Castledoor and Princeton @ Spaceland

This is actually one of those nights where I would normally do a write-up on intraffik.com, but I've already given mention to Castledoor in one of my columns and I'm not sure I really should repeat myself. (I have repeated myself in the past, but I do try to limit my repeats.)

I got to Spaceland at around 9:40 p.m. I walked in without much of a wait. When I got inside; however, the place was crowded. Two of my friends were on their way and I sent out text messages to them. They didn't arrive in time and were stuck waiting in line. They eventually decided to leave instead of waiting it out.

Why the crowd? I believe it was partially driven by the fact that Castledoor is breaking up. This was their last set. Did I know this? No. I can't say I'm one of their biggest fans, because this was only the second time I'd seen them.

Here's a conversation I over-heard: "I'm the biggest fan." "No, I'm the biggest fan." "He's the tallest fan."

Lead singer Nate said at the start of their set, "Just to let you know we have nothing special to give away tonight." They're known for handing out special gifts like the first time I saw them they handed out CDs they'd made of a Bob Dylan cover song they'd just recorded.

Comments from Nate: "If there is ac maybe we can get the ac going." "The fate of our band is hanging in the balance." From the audience, "Don't break up." "We've never been a cool band. I mean, we think we're cool, but we're somewhere between Radiohead and Jonas Brothers. We're in that strange space all by ourselves."

A bitter sweet set for Castledoor, I'm sure. I think they must have walked off the stage with a smile; however, because they received one of the loudest and longest cheers I've ever heard from the Spaceland crowd.

They also were holding a $1 sale on their CDs and t-shirts. A mob was around their table.








Princeton was the residency band. Intraffik just posted a column on their recent album release.

The band has a set of twins so there were a handful of twin jokes.

Comment: "We're starting with a song that starts out slow put it picks up."

Noticed: For one song, the drummer took over bass duties.





For the last song, Princeton called for people to join them up on stage and dance away. People were more than willing to dance with them.



Fun night at Spaceland even though I was once again stuck there by myself (previous one being the Hockey night where a friend failed to show).

Day of the Outlaw and Spider Problem @ American Legion Hall in Highland Park

After an early evening going away party for a friend I met eight years ago, I headed off to the American Legion Hall to catch a couple bands.

There were a handful of friends that I ran into there.

First band I saw was Day of the Outlaw.





The last band was Spider Problem. This was the first time I saw them since they got a new guitarist. Watching the band, I realized that except for Shayne, all the band members are new when compared to when I first saw them way back when. I obviously knew this before hand, but it strikes you harder when you see them on stage.

As for my friends, one friend admitted she'd never seen Spider Problem. She was quizzed about this fact. "Spider Problem played at Redwood." "Spider Problem played at Juanita's that one night." "No, I wasn't there."

I didn't see the first two bands, but I can't help but think that Spider Problem was the main draw of the night. Not to knock Day of the Outlaw, but for their set folks stayed rather far from the stage. For Spider Problem, folks crowded the stage area.

As the band was about to start playing, one of their friends said: No punching today. Can we agree on that?

Shayne replied: Yes, no fighting today. If you were at L'Keg and were fighting, please go home.

The L'Keg show must have been interesting.

Their first song had a Mazzy Star feel to it and then from there they were their wild self. Before their last song, Shayne whispered to all her band mates. I don't think anyone in the audience knew this, but that was going to be their last song. I'm not sure of the exact title name, but the words 'I'm losing out' were sung. As she was singing this, Shayne and the guitarist were trying to push each other off to the side. Shayne lost.

I couldn't help but wonder if Shayne was feeling ill towards the end of her set. She grabbed her stomach at one point. I don't know if she was part of her motions or if she had suddenly come down with something.

No bloody knee caps this time around.

Garbaj Kaetz, Seasons, Schoenberg Knife Fight Ensemble

I had wanted to check out Ives the Band over at Silverlake Lounge, but learned they canceled.

Well, since I was out and about I figured I may as well head somewhere else to check out some music. Echo Curio is always a nice place to head towards so there I went.

First band I saw was called Garbaj Katetz. I probably only heard a couple of their songs.



Next up was Seasons, but only part of the band. This was the most intriguing band of the night for me. Okay, so I only saw "2/5" of the band, but the music was lovely. I'll have to try and catch them another time.

Comment: The keyboardist to the guitarist, "I need to see your hands."

Noticed: One of their friends took out a tambourine. The tambourine had the hands of Jesus on it.







Schoenberg Knife Fight Ensemble was the last band I saw. Just from the name, one would think experimental pounding rock music. I suppose this is what I got. I will say I got into the music. Great set. My one thing, I'm not sure I buy into the lead singer's persona, a 12-year old girl mixed with a bit of a dolt, act. I did find their band attire interesting. A hard rocker. A preppy 80s guy.

Comment one: From one of the band members waiting for the bathroom to open up, talking to his band mates, "You're called Schoenberg Knife Fight? Are you guys being ironic."

Noticed: For many of the songs, the guys in the band played with their eyes closed. After one song, all the cymbals went flying in various directions. During the last song, the keyboardist was pounding away like Schoenberg.

Check this band out. Yes, there is a negative comment above, but that's just an observation on the stage presence. The music rocks.

A Movie Review: The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. I need to admit straight off that I didn't fully understand this movie. I think I understand the basic plots. Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) makes a deal with Mr. Nick (Tom Waits), aka The Devil. The deal is for eternal life as well as the ability to provide individuals with a universe of unlimited imagination. Centuries later, Doctor Parnassus runs into a beautiful young lady. Parnassus and Mr. Nick make a deal: Parnassus will gain his youth back, but if he has a daughter she will be Mr. Nick's at the age of 16. Parnassus' wife gets pregnant at an advanced age and has a daughter. The movie starts with Valentina (Lily Cole) three days away from turning sixteen. Tony (Heath Ledger) also shows up in the movie, rescued by Parnassus' troupe.

SPOILERS, IN A WAY.

I get the idea that Mr. Nick actually likes Parnassus and has no desire to take away his daughter. He instead just wants to cause Parnassus to worry. A little torment is his game.

I'm not sure, but I think in the end Tony is the good guy that helps make sure that Valentina does not become the possession of Mr. Nick.

There are some wonderful visuals here, but then so does 'Lovely Bones'.

What I don't get is: Was this a movie of great brilliance or great disappointment. It is so artfully done I doubt myself and wonder if my confusion regarding this movie is driven by my lack of a liberal arts background. Who knows.

A Movie Review: Crazy Heart

Crazy Heart. A nice understated movie that deals with an over-the-hill country music star, Bad Blake, (Jeff Bridges) and his muse/lover, a young lady named Jean Craddock, (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

ONE MIGHT CONSIDER THESE SPOILERS

The movie opens up with Bad Blake singing at a bowling alley. A let down for someone who used to be much bigger. You figure out rather quickly that he's a chain smoker and an alcholic. In another town, he is asked if he's willing to do an interview with a young reporter, Jean. They hit it off pretty well. And soon fall into a quick romance.

At the same time, his career takes a turn for the better. A musican he mentored, Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), is starting to turn big -- playing in front of crowds of 12,000 (I believe this is what I heard.) Though Bad Blake feels that Tommy Sweet sold him out, Tommy still has high regards for Bad Blake. Tommy asks Bad Blake to open for him in one of his shows and then asks him to write music for him.

Though his career is picking up again, he still has issues with drinking and smoking. This eventually ends his relationship with Jean, but it also inspires him to turn around his personal life.

This movie kept my attention throughout. Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal are worthy for their Oscar nominations. Obviously, this movie doesn't make Tommy Sweet out to be the bad guy and there is reconciliation between Tommy and Bad Blake. I liked how the movie dealt with their relationship. It didn't go into all the gritty details, but it gave you enough to understand how Bad Blake felt about it all, but also see how Tommy was trying to reach out and help his mentor.

A Movie Review: Lovely Bones

"Lovely Bones". I enjoyed this movie until it came to the ending. This movie kept my attention. I was drawn to the struggles of the father (Mark Wahlberg). Stanley Tucci (George Harvey) was great as a sexual predator/serial murderer. I couldn’t even tell it was him for awhile. I wish that the Abigail Salmon (Rachel Weisz) character was drawn a bit better since I’m a Rachel Weisz fan. Michael Imperioli played a sympathetic detective who had little to go on, but was more than willing to sympathize with the family.

SPOILERS

I thought this movie was well acted, but my problem was with the ending. I thought it was a big letdown. George Harvey dumps Susie’s body in the sink hole (she’s stuffed inside a security safe.) There are witnesses to this. At the time, the witnesses don’t realize he’s the murderer, but they eventually found out (not in the movie). One of the last scenes is of the sink hole being covered up. Shouldn’t one of the last scenes be of individuals trying to recover the security safe? And as for George Harvey’s death . . . I’m sure it was meant to symbolize something, but I found it a bit unrealistic.

I guess because of my disappointment with the ending, I have to give this movie only a mild recommendation. I was all into this movie. I didn’t even notice the time passing and then the ending just didn’t sit well with me.