A Movie Review: Life of Pi

Life of Pi. Is there a God? Good question. A solid movie, but it got a little tedious watching a boy and hit tiger.

A Movie Review: Seven Psychopaths

Seven Psychopaths.  A movie needs to be written, but there is a lack of inspiration. A friend comes to the rescue, but this results in various murders and mayhem with a low level mob boss. This wasn’t what was expected by the lead character, but it makes for an enjoyable movie.

A Movie Review: Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina. I'm a big Keira Knightley fan so perhaps I'm biased here. This movie started off like a play, which made me wonder if it would stay in that mode, but it shifted out of it. I'm happy it did. I loved how certain leaps of judgments were allowed to be made.  And well, Knightley is awesome.

A Movie Review: Les Miserables

Les Miserables. This movie takes place over the course of around 20 years, but do Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe look like they might be getting younger as the film progresses? Whatever. This movie takes you on a journey of redemption: either rejected or accepted. Anne Hathaway pulls at your heartstrings. Will her acting result in the biggest blowout win ever for Best Supporting Actress?

A Movie Review: Django Unchained

Django Unchained. Over the top. Violent. Strong use of racist language.  Brilliance.

A Movie Review: The Master

The Master. This movie is obviously about Scientology, but doesn’t outright say it. Come on, a boat is the first introduction we are given to this cult/organization/philosophical group. I’m no Scientologist so I’m not offended by the portrayal. I’m simply offended by what I thought was a rather uninspiring movie. The main character of the movie is an individual who is probably just a bit psychotic, driven that way by both the war (World War II) and perhaps by the drink concoctions he makes (ingredients include paint thinner). He joins the group and somehow becomes both an enforcer and a guinea pig.  And well, I didn't find it all that fascinating.

A Movie Review: Lincoln

Lincoln. This movie is more philosophy and politics than biography. That isn’t to complain. I found it fascinating to hear the wisdom that Lincoln spoke. I would guess that 80% of Lincoln’s scenes are shot within the White House. It is also confined to the final days of the Civil War. There is also the intrigue of politics and the attempt to abolish slavery. Fascinating.

A Movie Review: Skyfall

Skyfall. An action packed James Bond movie. This movie doesn’t allow you much time to breath. It just jumps from action to intrigue to action to intrigue. I loved it. Should have gotten a nod for best picture.

PAPA at the Bootleg Theater

PAPA is the January residency band at the Bootleg Theater.  I do believe this is the first time I've seen the velvet rope up at the Bootleg Theater since Honey Honey's residency.

And I totally got it.  From the very start their energy just set their fans afire.

Noticed:  their set list was written on a paper napkin.

Noticed:  they sang  a cover song from The Cure.  Props.

Noticed:  they had lamps up on stage.  The lamp fell over twice (maybe three times).

The lamps led to the comment of the night (directed at the sound guy):  You're still chill even though this lamp idea is f*#!-ed up.

Noticed:  A young woman screaming throughout their set.  She was up front and center.  I'm sure she was into the music, but also off to the side there were a handful of folks who couldn't help but show their amusement.

The crowd demanded an encore and the band delivered.

Jenny O at the Bootleg Theater

Jenny O hit the stage at a crowded Bootleg.  To my left, I heard a brief conversation.  One was there specifically for Jenny O.  Another was there specifically for PAPA.  Hopefully, they enjoyed both sets.

Jenny O and band did their set-up.  There was a brief conversation with the sound guy and then they took off.  Some last minute tweaks were being done by the sound guy.  The band was standing next to the stage -- except for Jenny O.  I could see the sound guy giving a thumbs up.  The band was looking around them for Jenny O.  She was no where to be found.  Eventually, one of them took off looking for her.

And so the set started.  A beautiful set carried by Jenny O's vocals.  She sang mainly from her upcoming album.

Amusing conversation going on stage:  Jenny O asked a couple times if any of them knew the time.  I guess no one had a watch or phone on them.


 

J. Thoven at the Bootleg Theater

J. Thoven started off a busy night at the Bootleg Theater.  Group harmonies drives this group.

The Dollyrots at the Redwood Bar

The Dollyrots at the Redwood Bar. For some reason, I didn't know about this show until the very last minute.  I re-arranged my schedule.  Hey, The Dollyrots were playing and all I had to do was head over to Downtown LA.  Are you kidding, I was there.

Set problems:  so parts of the drum set kept on tipping over during the first song.  When it first tipped over, one of their friends/fans jumped on stage to get it re-set.  As soon as he came off stage, it tipped over again. Hysterical.  He hit the stage 3 times.  I think at that point they should have made him an honorable member of the band.

Story of the set:  so Kelly was saying that she overheard a conversation in the washroom that went something like this . . . female in the washroom talking to her boyfriend or husband, "I told you I was going out to see The Dollyrots . . . go make nachos."

Yep, many of us love The Dollyrots.


 

Ingenue at the Redwood Bar

It has been over two years since I last caught Ingenue. Wow, time flies. I'm getting old.  It was a great set and I swear one of their songs had me thinking that it must have been written for angels.