A Movie Review: Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim. I don't think this movie started off very well.  An early conversation goes something like this when a monster sighting wakes up two military personnel in the wee hours of the morning:

"What time is it?"

"2 o'clock."

"2 a.m.?"

Of course, it is 2 a.m.  Do you really think the army would let you sleep from 11 p.m. or whatever time they went to sleep all the way until 2 p.m.  And I thought military used military time anyways.

Also, the first attack happens during the Obama years.  I'd like to know how we made those robots work so well so quickly when Boeing can't even get their Dreamliner to function properly after years of testing.

Never mind all that.  This movie isn't brilliant Oscar stuff, but it is a very good summer popcorn movie.  The fights are cool.  And even though it would seem the use of a sword would be a weapon of choice for close combat versus having a blaster that takes forever to warm up, it is good that it is eventually brought to the fight.

A Movie Review: World War Z

World War Z.  For all the talk about now this movie was a mess, I do think it turned out to be a very thrilling movie.  It is Contagion on adrenalin.  It isn't as scary as one might assume considering that this is a zombie movie.  Even the fact that these zombies have amazing speed that allows them to outrun even the fastest human being doesn't really increase the scare factor.  Instead, this is a very well done medical investigation movie that stands above Contagion.  I even like how the "cure" was found better in World War Z versus Contagion.

Make Music Pasadena: Killola

Make Music Pasadena: Letting Up Despite Great Faults

I last saw them at Silverlake Jubilee.  Loved them then and loved them a couple months back at Make Music Pasadena.

Make Music Pasadena: Dom La Nena

So long since Make Music Pasadena.  Here's a photo of Dom La Nena.

Make Music Pasadena: The Dustbowl Revival

Been awhile since Make Music Pasadena, but I've been busy.  

A photo of The Dustbowl Revival.

A Movie Review: Monsters University

Monsters University. An enjoyable movie about characters who aren't scary, but want to be scary. Kids, please don't look under the bed or listen too hard.

A Movie Review: Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2. Minions. Birthday parties. Girls growing up. Evilness in the world that needs to be resolved. I consider this cartoon to be the best movie of the year (so far).

A Movie Review: The Heat

The Heat. When a movie is liked both by critics and audiences, I usually find myself agreeing. Not with this movie. I could have saved my money on this one.

A Movie Review: This is the End

This is the End.  The movie starts out hysterically with Seth Rogan picking up his friend Jay Baruchel at the airport. It is funny that everyone is trying to talk to Seth while ignoring Jay. They soon party it up, getting stoned at Seth’s house. They then take a taxi (nice add to the move as you don't want folks high while driving) to a house party being hosted by James Franco. A number of celebrity cameos pop up. For awhile, it looks like a Project X for celebrities. Then the inevitable end of the world hits. The earth opens up and many of the celebrities are swallowed up and sent down to the burning pits of hell. Our remaining celebrities (Jonah Hill, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson also survive) are left in purgatory, trying to figure out what in the world is going on.

This movie lasts close to 2 hours. With about 30 minutes to go in the movie it feels like this movie is just a one joke movie and really should just wrap up; however, it takes a nice turn with them leaving the house and the movie picks back up in a fun way.

The audience I watched the movie with was laughing from the beginning to the end.  That is always a good indicator.

Jail Weddings at the Echo Country Outpost

Jail Weddings closed out the night at Echo Country Outpost, kicking off the summer.

Comment of the night:  Usually I have to ask people to come three feet forward.  I need to ask you all to move three steps back.

This band loves to interact with the audience.  The whole back half of the set was spent hanging out in the crowd.

Echo Country Outpost is not out there in the middle of an empty spot in Echo Park. The name might give that impression; however, it is set along Glendale Blvd. I half wonder if folks live in the building. There is a kitchen. And the stage area could be a nice living room. Up stairs and out to the back yard is an outside bar. Some random items are sold such as pine cones and 1960s/1970s type phones. Interesting posters line the wall. I wonder how many folks randomly enter this place on a standard day. It might be a cool place to hang out during a hot afternoon, especially if the bar area is open.

Raw Geronimo at the Echo Country Outpost

Raw Geronimo hit the stage at the Echo Country Outpost.  This band can send you into a wonderful trance. Last time I saw Raw Geronimo, Lauren Fey was MIA. This time she was back -- a wonderful add when she goes wild on the percussion set.

The Lexingtons at the Echo Country Outpost

I’ve hung out in the Los Angeles music scene for awhile and so there aren't many opportunities to head off to a venue I've never heard of before.  Well, Echo Country Outpost is one of those venues and from the look of things it has been around for awhile. I got an update that Raw Geronimo was playing there along with Jail Weddings. Since I don’t get to hang out in the Los Angeles music scene all that much anymore, anytime I have a chance to catch my favorite local bands, I take it.

First up for the night were The Lexingtons. This is an all guy band that likes to dress up. Well, except for one of them. The comment of the night was: We have merch for sale. I know we dress well, but . . . well except for this guy.