A Movie Review: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I was blown away by this movie. You have the emotionally scarred Lisbeth Salande alongside a defeated Mikael Blomkvist, joining forces to solve a mystery that is set in the harsh wintry weather of Sweden. I love how director David Fincher goes with two different movie styles during the first half of the movie as he switches between the darkness of Lisbeth and the professional world of Mikael Blomkvist and then blends them perfectly together when they finally join forces in the second half. This movie isn’t for the weak of heart. There are scenes that will make you squirm, but the movie doesn’t back down from those moments. And one has to mention Trent Reznor, because his music drives the movie forward.

A Movie Review: Hugo

Hugo. Our hero, Hugo (Asa Butterfield) fixes machines. He believes everything has a purpose. It makes him sad when mechanical devices break.

Our young hero is also along. His father worked two jobs as a watch repairman and at a museum. While working at the museum, a fire starts and the father dies. A drunk uncle takes him in. The uncle keeps the clocks working at the train station. Soon, Hugo, is left working the clocks on his own while the uncle is no doubt taking the wages to drink himself to death.

During the night, young Hugo works on an automaton, which he and his father were trying to repair. He needs various mechanical pieces and his main target for theft is a mechanical toy shop that runs out of the train station.

And so this is where our story starts. The owner (Ben Kingsley) finally catches Hugo in the act of theft. He forces Hugo to turn over a notebook that has various notes that his father kept on the automaton.

Hugo disparately wants the notebook back. He ends up working for the shopowner and also becomes close friends with the granddaughter (Chloë Grace Moretz).

He quickly learns that there is a strange connection between this family and the automaton.

He also learns that the store owner was hurt in life and is in emotional pain. He decides that he needs to fix this.

This movie has a lovely tribute to our early film history. The movie mentions how some early works are lost forever and also that many of us just don’t find these old movies interesting. All true. I, myself, who love movies have so little knowledge of initial film making. This movie honors those early pioneers and how so much love was put into these movies.

Though the movie perhaps last a tad too long, I enjoyed it greatly. The two young actors are endearing.

Yes, this is one of those movies where the children make life right, but the adults here are not stupid.

Instead, they are in pain and feel that life has rendered them useless. The children are there to show that they aren’t useless and infact have much to offer this world.

A lovely movie.

A Movie Review: Melancholia

Melancholia. The end of the world is near. A planet called Melancholia passes through our solar system and collides with earth. Planet earth is destroyed. Before all this happens, we witness a very painful wedding reception. Justine (Kirsten Dunst) has just married Michael (Alexander Skarsgård). They arrived two hours late to the reception, because their limo has difficulties dealing with the narrow roads. (Now considering that their reception is being held at a very fancy location that has horses, a golf course and mansion, I found it strange that the roads would be so bad – or maybe they decided to take the back roads for the fun of it.)

The reception is at the house/resort of her rich relatives: sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and brother-in-law John (Kiefer Sutherland). As mentioned, the reception is a disaster. Justine is in a world all her own, depressed or mentally unstable. On her wedding night she ends up having random sex with a young man who (I believe) is related to her husband, Michael. Her mother is just a bit nuts, having refused to go to the wedding because she doesn’t believe in churches. Her boss is at the reception and wants a tag line for an advertising campaign. In my mind, the only normal people are Claire and John. Perhaps they’re a bit uptight, but they seem normal compared to everyone else.

Now one question is rather or not anyone knows about the planet that is going to pass them by. You would assume so, but no one mentions a thing about it at the wedding. I believe there are a couple mentions about stars and planets, but nothing about a planet that might or might not destroy planet Earth. I suppose if they had no clue then we’re dealing with a situation of watching folks living their lives not knowing that their time is short. If the answer is yes, then these folks would seem to be just a tad nuts as they seem totally unconcerned about the potential disaster. (Of course, the scientists are saying all is well, but who would pay attention to scientists when something like this is happening – they’re probably just working with the world governments, trying to make sure that the planet dies in dignity versus having massive murders, rapes, and general rampage occur.)

Anyways, the reception ends and everyone heads off on their own. An unknown period of time passes and Justine comes back to visit Claire and John. She is a wreck either from depression or some unknown illness. The planet Melancholia is within days of passing by earth. John is convinced that a planetary collision will not happen and is excited to see the astronomical event. Claire is fearful. Justine is resigned. We get to watch as all three react to the realization that their deaths are near.

This movie just didn’t do it for me. My basic understanding of the movie is that how you look upon life has a determining factor on how you will deal with death. Okay. So what. I don’t need to watch a movie that tries to make a hero out of a depressed person while those who are more optimistic are shown to lack an ability to deal with the end.

Restavrant, The Two Man Gentlemen Band and The Dirt Daubers at The Satellie

What an unexpected night of wonderful music on a recent Sunday night. I knew that Restavrant would give us a show, but I didn't know what to expect from The Two Man Gentlemen Band and The Dirt Daubers. The Two Man Gentlemen Band is a two man band with a nice dose of humor tossed into the mix. And they do love to sing about food and drink: hot chocolate, for example. The Dirt Daubers came in from Kentucky and gave us some old-time music. To end the night, Restavrant decided to play on the floor of the Satellite versus the stage.  We got to surround them, a number of us occupying the stage.  During the back half of their set, a Western-style hoedown dance mosh pit developed.

The Two Man Gentlemen Band



The Dirt Daubers



Restavrant

A Movie Review: The Descendants

The Descendants. Matt King (George Clooney) and his children Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) and Scottie (Amara Miller) are faced with a challenging moment in life. Their wife/mother was in an accident and is brain dead, soon to be taken off life support. Alexandra also reveals to Matt that his wife (her mother) was cheating on him. Matt decides to find her lover and tell him about his wife.

One of the problems I had with the movie was the portrayal of the oldest daugher, Alexandra. She is shown to be a rebel at the start of the movie, but is she really a rebel? True, she isn't the perfect kid, but she hardly seems like the rebel during the second half of the movie. Instead, in some ways, I felt like she was the her father's emotional support during much of the movie.

And if the daughter perhaps had certain issues, I would blame her parents. There was a moment where the family goes to the father-in-law/grandfather to tell him about his daughter. It is interesting how the grandfather attacks Alexandra and Matt basically lets his daughter get emotionally abused. Later; however, Alexandra defends her father against the grandfather. It is almost like we have a reversal of roles here between daughter-father, which indicates to me that maybe the daughter was a rebel because she had to go it on her own.

Movie has a slow methodic process to it. There aren’t any moments of excitement. Just a look at a tough moment in life.

A Movie Review: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. A wonderful spy thriller that has George Smiley (Gary Oldman) attempting to figure who is the Soviet plant in MI-6. George Smiley is in retirement and is asked to come out of retirement to figure out who the spy is. The focus is on who provided the Soviets with information regarding a meeting that was supposed to take place in Budapest. The movie delves into the investigation, but no one initially stands out as the spy. All four suspects could potentially be guilty. This is a movie where the tension just grows and grows.

FIDLAR, Death Hymn #9 and Shoppers playing FYF/The Smell

This was a fun night with the music fans at The Smell showing real enthusiasm for the bands. The night started off with Death Hymn #9. The band went with white face paint and blooded t-shirts of the tortured souls of death. They made sure everything got as close as possible. Shoppers hit the stage next. They were on tour from New York.  Maybe the following really are the names of their songs, but I liked their set list that had songs listed as "1" and "H." The last band of the night for me was FIDLAR. The audience went with a mass mosh pit for this one along with some crowd surfing.  I definitely stayed to the side as I took some photos.

Death Hymn #9



Shoppers



FIDLAR

Seasons, Judson and Tenlons Fort playing at The Echo

The band members of Seasons were busy on a Monday night. A handful of them backed up both Judson and Tenlons Fort. As for Seasons, the set revolved around winter.  Judson will be doing the February residency at Silverlake Lounge.

Judsons



Tenlons Fort



Seasons

A Movie Review: My Week with Marilyn

My Week with Marilyn. This movie is told through the eyes of Eddie Redmayne (Colin Clark) who worked on the set of 'The Prince and the Showgirl' and witnessed the tensions between the disciplined Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) and the emotionally insecure Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams). I'm no expert on Marilyn Monroe though I have seen some of her movies such as 'How to Marry a Millionaire.' I will take it on faith that in real life Marilyn Monroe had a fragile state of mind, at least this is my impression from watching the movie. Though at the time she was perhaps the most famous actress in the world, she still felt so insecure in her acting abilities that she always needed her acting coach near her as well as Eddie Redmayne, who provided positive re-enforcement.

To me, this movie is a study of Marilyn Monroe as a the person versus a sex symbol. It isn't so much about the storyline. Does it succeed in looking into Marilyn Monroe? Yes. Could the movie have been more? Yes, but from the outset we know this movie is focusing in on a very small window of time. Given that, I say it works.

A Movie Review: The Adventures of Tintin

The Adventures of Tintin. Okay, we have a collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. The result it Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell), a young reporter, who is caught up in an adventure after buying a model ship.

I am a fan of Steven Spielberg. I am a fan of Peter Jackson. I am not a fan of this movie. Perhaps it is because I saw it on the same day as Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. That movie had me pumped up and Tintin, though an adventure, slowed things down. I don't think I was the only one bored with the movie. I noticed the guy in front of me sending out texts and checking his facebook page. As for the kids in the audience, at least one girl was thrilled with the movie. I'm happy she enjoyed it.

Vinnie Ferra and Brandon Mayer at Silverlake Lounge

A singer-songwriter night at Silverlake Lounge with Brandon Mayer and Vinnie Ferra along with their back-up bands.  Brandon Mayer did a handful of cover songs during the night.  'Lady in Red' being one of them.  His sister was one of the back-up singers.  Vinnie Ferra is the resident this month.  He gave an energetic performance and made sure we noticed the balloons that decorated the Lounge.  There was a strong female fan base present.

As for the audience, I think I've said this before, I'm surprised that the Silverlake Lounge isn't packed on Monday nights.  I'm telling you, they've had some really good bands playing there over the last few months.

Brandon Mayer



Vinnie Ferra

New Year's Eve: Pomona and Music

It was off to a secret location in Pomona for New Year's Eve. At this location, I got to catch Horror Squad, Kids Say the Darndest Things, Discretions and Rad Company. It is nice to head out somewhere where everyone appears to know each other.  This secret location has that Kiss or Kill feel to it.  Someone brought cupcakes.  Another brought some celebratory items.  And honestly, I think we celebrated 2012 about 12 seconds too early.

Noticed:  just a little ways off, in the middle of nowhere, a large bounce house was set up and a group of kids were having fun.  So two groups in a secret location were celebrating 2012.

Horror Squad



Kids Say the Darndest Things



Discretions



Rad Company

Raw Geronimo and Josh Boyd & the Bedroom Band playing at The Mime

I'm not sure I've ever really gotten a full set of Raw Geronimo. I caught a brief set at The Standard and then saw them perform at Origami Records. I noticed that they were playing at The Mime and so I decided I definitely needed to go. First up for me was Josh Boyd and the Bedroom Band and their mask wearing front man.  Then came Raw Geronimo and the let it all hang out lead singer.  What a fun band with ancient rhythms meant to send the fan base into a trance. 

Josh Boyd and the Bedroom Band



Raw Geronimo