Movie Review: All is Lost

All is Lost. I didn't love this movie until perhaps a week after seeing it.  I just continued to think about how the main character methodically went through his mental list to survive his sinking ship.  Just amazing.

A Movie Review. August: Osage County

August: Osage County. Some of the story line is a little over the top.  How many family secrets can possibly come out in such a short period of time?  On the other hand, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep give performances to remember.  It is almost like watching two champion boxers going toe-to-toe.

A Movie Review: Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips. The pirates seem a bit naive when dealing with the US Navy, but never mind.  This movie has an intensity even if you know the ending.

If I had an Oscar vote . . .

It is that time of the year again: Oscar season. I looked at my Top 10 lists from the last two years and compared it to the Oscar nominees. Of the 17 Oscar nominated movies over the last two years, 9 of the nominated movies did not make my Top 10 list. And, of course, a number of movies I loved didn’t make the Oscar list. For example: Dark Knight Rises, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Like Crazy.

So I am going to say this: if I was able to cast an Oscar ballot for this year’s Best Picture nominees, this is my very unique list.

10. This is the End. A movie with a number of actors playing hyper-exaggerated versions of themselves might come across as an egotistical project. And perhaps it is; however, I found this to be the funniest movie of the year. This solid comedy deserves recognition.

9. Monsters University. These characters want to be scary, but they really aren’t. We just need to remind little children not to look under their beds, because you just never know if you’ll come across that one scary

8. All is Lost. I walked out of this movie thinking: it was okay, but definitely not a movie I’d consider for my Top 10 list. Then I just found myself thinking more and more about this movie and how Robert Redford’s character methodically and courageously goes through a checklist in an attempt to survive after his yacht is wrecked. I started to realize this movie had really impacted me and did deserve a place on my list.

7. Inside Llewyn Davis. This movie is a love story to the New York 1960s folk scene. As I was watching this movie, I couldn’t help but feel it could also be interpreted as a love story to the Echo Park/Silverlake music scene circa 2007-ish.

6. Saving Mr. Banks. The movie trailers are all about Walt Disney trying to convince the author of “Mary Poppins,” P.L. Travers, to let him turn her book into a movie. This movie is so much more then that. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, make sure you bring a few tissues.

5. Her. We’re off in the not too distant future. What first caught my eye wasn’t how wonderful this movie is, but the set design. The not too distant future has us returning back to the style from the 1950s. Interesting. What is more interesting is this quirky love story that in the back of your mind you know might someday become reality.

4. World War Z. How do I describe this movie? Take Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion and add steroids to the mix. In sports, steroids are a bad thing. For this movie, it makes the search for a cure of a worldwide epidemic so much more intense. Is this a scary movie? Not really. It is more of a thrill ride that takes you along as it attempts to find that cure.

3. Despicable Me 2. Minions. Girls growing up. Evilness in the world that needs to be conquered. Yes, this is my second cartoon on the list and the most deserving. How does one not love this movie!!!

2. American Hustle. Jennifer Lawrence is the comic relief in a very funny movie. Need I say more?

And my best picture award goes to . . .

1. The Wolf of Wall Street. This movie examines the immorality of Wall Street. You watch this movie in shock. Individuals are scammed and then that money is laundered by the scammers. There is constant drug use. Prostitutes roam around the trading desks. There are examples of extreme risks taken (helicopter/luxury yacht) that put other lives in danger. Then there is potential redemption that really is an attempt to create a cloned mini-Jordan Belfort (the Wolf). I am sure that there will be individuals who see this movie and will want to become the next Jordan Belfort. This movie, in fact, shows such a scene. But the honest truth: folks like that are just sad and pathetic.

I know I am ignoring many movies that are likely to get a nomination. Of some of the potential nominees, I saw 12 Years a Slave, Gravity, Dallas Buyer’s Club, Nebraska and Captain Phillips. If any of these movies make the cut, I won’t complain. I squirmed through much of 12 Years a Slave. I loved the movie Gravity up until the last five minutes where I was waiting for the soundtrack from 2001: A Space Odyssey to pop up. Dallas Buyer’s Club has great acting. Nebraska is quirky fun. Captain Phillips delves into inner courage.

I’ve read about a couple other possibilities out there that I haven’t seen yet: Before Midnight and Philomena.

A Movie Review: Nebraska

Nebraska. A quirky movie about an elderly man who believes he's won a million dollars.  It's a movie about family, but also explores how unearned wealth can cause the uglier side of individuals to come out.

A Movie Review. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. To me, this movie has two personalities. The first half of the movie is just plain boring as our two lead characters are taken from district to district, a victory tour. Then when we get to the games, the movie explodes into an exciting flick.

David & Olivia at Silverlake Lounge

David & Olivia. You know a set is going to be good when one of the band members is seen swaying to the random noises of the sound check.

Sam Outlaw at Silverlake Lounge

Sam Outlaw was beginning his set as I walked into Silverlake Lounge. The place was packed for this country set.  This included four gals dancing throughout the set at the very front of the stage.

A Movie Review: About Time

About Time. As a time travel movie, I think it falls apart the further along the movie goes.  Yet, it is such a sweet love story, you can't help but love it.

A Movie Review. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. This is definitely a better movie that the first; however, why did I find myself feeling that I was just putting cash in a money bag for Peter Jackson and the studio?

The Americans at The Satellite

I always love checking out The Americans. There just is something about a stand-up bass, yes?

Cigarette Barbies at The Satellite

I saw the Cigarette Barbies and said to myself:  this band is one awesome opening band.  I say go catch this band.

Top "New" Bands/Singer Songwriters I came across in 2013

In the past, I attempted to see a band twice before I put them on my annual list of my best discovered bands.  That unfortunately isn't the case this year.  I guess as I get older, I don't go out as much, which limits how many times I can see bands. Also, I spent time in San Francisco this year, which limited my interaction with the Los Angeles music scene.

 Anyways, here's my list. As always, may of these bands aren't new (if not all), but they were new to me.

 1. Bombay Show Pig. I saw this band at Culture Collide. They convinced me rather quickly that I needed to see them again. And since I don't fly off to The Netherlands on a monthly basis, I caught them the very next night at Harvard & Stone.

2. The Great Wilderness.  This was another band I saw at Culture Collide.  They're from Costa Rica and they'll rock you for 30 minutes.

3. The Lower 48.  I caught this band in San Francisco.  They're from Portland.  Are there any bad bands in Portland?  I always say this, because I haven't seen a single band from Portland that I didn't like.

4. Tropical Popsicle.  A recent catch at The Bootleg.  I've seen this band's name around, but I finally saw them in December.  Loved them.

5. PAPA.  They did a residency at The Bootleg.  They conquered.

6. Kita Klane.  Another Culture Collide catch.  Luckily, she's from Los Angeles and I'll get to see her again -- likely at Hotel Cafe.

7. South of France.  The final Culture Collide find that I'll list here -- yep, Culture Collide provided a treasure trove of awesome music.  Their music just carries you.

8. Crushed Out.  A two piece band with a drummer that is just too fascinating to watch.

9. Emily Kinney.  Hey, a Walking Dead star who sings beautifully.  I hope she doesn't die too soon on The Walking Dead.  Of course, if she does, maybe she'll do more shows in Los Angeles.  She's playing Hotel Cafe in a couple weeks from now.

10. Kan Wakan.  They have one song that will have you crying for joy, because that is the reason why humanity created music.